text:
« Linda Seger and Jessica Hagedorn 386-404: Hero Myth and Asian Women Stereotypes in Film | Main | Chapter 5: You-Topian Dreams (445-455), Henry Jenkins, "Convergence Culture" (455-469) »
Hirsh Sawhney, An Idiot's Guide to India (405); Matt Zoller Seitz, The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won't Die (407); Mita Sengupta, "Race Relations Light Years from Earth" (412)
One. How does Hirsh Sawhney support his claim that the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire is guilty of peddling "poverty porn"?
The film over-simplifies the cultural shifts in India, avoiding nuance and instead embracing clichés, trite images of bleak poverty that "titillate foreign audiences."
The slum actors were underpaid and therefore exploited.
Boyle, the movie's director, "grossly oversimplifies poverty and our relationship with it." He scapegoats thugs and low-lifes for poor people's misery but in fact the culprits are "corrupt government officials, gargantuan multinational corporations, and suspect IMF structural adjustment programs."
By ignoring the real culprits, American and British audiences can delight in the "poverty porn" while feeling innocent: "As a result, his movie does allow us to believe that we have been responsible global citizens by engaging with the intensity of third world slums."
There is also this condescending message that "the West is the solution to India's problems."
Matt Zoller Seitz, "The Offensive Movie Cliché That Won't Die" (407)
One. What is the implicit condescension of the wise black person, as mentor, in American film?
Why isn't the black person the "leading man," the primary hero? I mean, if the black person is so wise, as he is portrayed in the film, then why doesn't he take center stage?
It almost seems as if the wise black people who populate American films were put on Earth to serve the white heroes who take all the glory.
Spike Lee, African American director, has coined this wise assistant "The Magical Negro." He is a "saintly African American . . . who acts as a mentor to the questing white hero," who seems to be disconnected from the community that he adores so much . . ."
Lee uses the obsolete and offensive "Negro" term to refer to a time in American history when the word meant a black man who was still subservient to whites. More specifically, Spike Lee is referring to a relationship between a "master and a servant."
Another implicit condescending and racist part of this relationship is that the wise black person never uses his special powers to help himself, to help raise himself up. It's as if he lives to give all his wisdom, strength and energy to the white hero man.
American cinema and literature has obsessed over this motif for over a hundred years. For example, Stephen King's fiction is a "factory" of black wise men.
Two. What is the danger of applying to motif to President Obama?
The President, on an implicit level, is not a leader but a subordinate who uses his "wisdom" to appease the dominant power structure.
Applying this motif to the President is a way of undermining his authority in a passive-aggressive, dishonest fashion.
We have to see the above in the context that when Obama beat Romney, the challenger Romney, who lost, still had a higher percentage of the white vote than did Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. So there is still a racial divide in this country; the difference is that America isn't as white as it was during Reagan's reign.
Three. What other psychological motivation is there behind white people's longing for the black wise man myth?
Whites feel guilt because they know that on many levels people of color have a bad deal. Some black commentators, for example, commenting on the innocent young, unarmed man, shot in Ferguson, Missouri, said that black people live in a "terror-dome." This dome of terror, especially, exists in the world police arrests and incarceration. Blacks and whites commit same level of drug crimes but for those same crimes there is a radio of 10:1 greater blacks than whites in prison. Today there are more black men in prison than there were black slaves at the height of slavery.
Therefore, the happy-go-lucky wise black person is a comforting, albeit racist myth, for a lot of black people.
Mitu Sengupta, "Race Relations Light Years from Earth" (412)
One. What is the basis of the author's claim that Avatar is a racist film?
The movie has coded race types that fuel a "white guilt fantasy." The dominant men who rule the culture and are responsible for ruining the culture are white men. On one hand, they are guilty of being destructive; on the other, they are the "ones in charge."
The blue people are "people of color" who have been colonized by the whites.
Stereotypes abound: White people are, in the words of David Brooks, "rationalist and technocratic while colonial victims are spiritual and athletic, and that nonwhites need the White Messiah to lead their crusades."
This motif of the white man saving the colonized people of color is a common motif and is among other things patronizing, racist, clichéd, and, to use the words of the author, "reinforces pernicious stereotypes of the ethnic 'other' as disorderly, meek, and stupid . . ."
Two. Is there anything in the depiction of the Na'vi that mitigates the predictably racist premise?
First, unlike other "White Messiah" films, the Na'vi live in a superior world than the decaying landscapes of the malignant "Sky People."
Second, the Na'vi need nothing of the white man: Their "pantheism, community solidarity, and oneness with nature . . . are celebrated wholeheartedly, while the American way of life . . . is condemned."
Three. How does Jake Sully conform to the dichotomous hero described in Robert B. Ray's "The Thematic Paradigm"?
He is both conquering and submissive; he is both a rebel and a conformer; he is both a fighter and a peacemaker; he is both a killer and a lover; he is both an imperialist and an assimilationist; he is both a teacher and a student.
Posted at 03:55 PM in Signs of Life Lessons 3 | Permalink


text:
De Akkers – stacja metra w Rotterdamie, położona na linii C (czerwonej) i D (błękitnej). Została otwarta 25 kwietnia 1985. Stacja znajduje się w Spijkenisse. Jest stacją końcową dla obu linii.

Przypisy

Metro w Rotterdamie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
from django import forms

"""The form for the signature. Attached at the end of every exam form.
"""

class SignatureForm(forms.Form):
    signature_name = forms.CharField(max_length=30, required=False,
                                     label='Nombres')
    signature_surname = forms.CharField(max_length=30, required=False,
                                        label='Apellidos')
    signature_emp = forms.CharField(max_length=30, required=False,
                                    label='EMP')
    signature_direction = forms.CharField(max_length=30, required=False,
                                          label='Direccion')
    signature_cell = forms.CharField(max_length=30, required=False,
                                     label='Celular')

    # Override __init__ so 'request' can be accessed in the clean()
    # function.
    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
        self.request = kwargs.pop('request', None)
        super(SignatureForm, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)

    # Override clean so forms can be saved without validating (so data
    # isn't lost if the form can't be completed), but still raises
    # exceptions when form is done incorrectly.
    def clean(self):
        msg = "Este campo es obligatorio."  # Validation exception message
        cleaned_data = super(SignatureForm, self).clean()

        # On validation ('submit' in request), checks if signature
        # forms fields are filled out and raises exceptions on any
        # fields left blank.
        if (self.request.POST):
            if ('submit' in self.request.POST):

                signature_name = cleaned_data.get('signature_name')
                if (signature_name == ''):
                    self.add_error('signature_name', msg)

                signature_surname = cleaned_data.get('signature_surname')
                if (signature_surname == ''):
                    self.add_error('signature_surname', msg)

                signature_emp = cleaned_data.get('signature_emp')
                if (signature_emp == ''):
                    self.add_error('signature_emp', msg)

                signature_direction = cleaned_data.get('signature_direction')
                if (signature_direction == ''):
                    self.add_error('signature_direction', msg)

                signature_cell = cleaned_data.get('signature_cell')
                if (signature_cell == ''):
                    self.add_error('signature_cell', msg)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Never Cut Corners | Shawn Matthias
On this episode of the Consistent Elite Performance Podcast, Dr. Cassidy Preston is joined by Shawn Matthias. Shawn is a former NHL pro of 10+ seasons, spending time with the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks. Throughout the course of the interview,...
Being A High-Performer | Christina Kessler
On this episode of the CEP Podcast, Dr. Cassidy Preston is joined by Christina Kessler. Christina's has had a fantastic hockey career that includes competing for Harvard University, as well as playing in the CHWL. Some topics covered today include maintaining confidence as a goaltender, maximizing your mental game, as...
Building Healthy Habits | Andrew "Marty" Martin
On this episode of the CEP podcast, Dr. Cassidy Preston is joined by Andrew "Marty" Martin, commonly known as @MartyStrength. Andrew is a former NCAA D1 hockey player, where he competed for UMass and captained the team for 3 seasons. Now transitioning into strength and conditioning coaching, Cassidy and Marty discuss...
Trust Your System | Zach Fucale
On this episode of the CEP Podcast, Dr. Cassidy Preston is joined by World Juniors champion Zach Fucale! Originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Montréal Canadiens, Zach has went on to have a successful professional ice hockey career that includes stops in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and the DEL. On...
Underdog Mentality | Jeff Brown
On this episode of the CEP podcast, Cassidy is joined by one of his former teammates in Jeff Brown. Cassidy and Jeff discuss his mindset as an impact player, even though he was undrafted at every level of hockey, including the OHL. Other topics include negative-self talk, role acceptance, and the importance of a...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Local nameLiberty Science Center
LocationJersey City, United States
Liberty Science Center is an interactive science museum and learning center located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.
The center, which first opened in 1993 as New Jersey's first major state science museum, has science exhibits, the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, numerous educational resources, and the original Hoberman sphere, a silver, computer-driven engineering artwork designed by Chuck Hoberman.
Tags Museum
In Jersey City, New… @ Bernadette Marciniak
From New York: Philadelphia & Washington DC 2-Day Tour from 320 USD
Tue - Fri: 9 am - 4 pm
Sat - Sun: 9 am - 5:30 pm
General admission:
Kids (age 2-12): $17.75
Seniors (age 62+): $18.75
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Science_Center
Official Website https://lsc.org/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LibertySciCtr
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LibertyScienceCenter
Address 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
Coordinates 40°42'29.646" N -74°3'16.668" E
Tours and activities: Liberty Science Center
From New York: Philadelphia & Washington DC 2-Day Tour
from 320 USD
Google Trips Alternative What to See in North America What to See in United States of America What to See in New Jersey What to See in Jersey City, New Jersey What to See in Hudson Museum at Eldridge Street Intrepid Museum New York Hall of Science Museum of the Moving Image New York City Fire Museum Museum of American Finance Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Museum of the City of New York Museum of the American Gangster Mmuseumm


If you're a health or morning smoothie enthusiast, then going away for a weekend will mean that you're probably in the market for a travel blender to satisfy your smoothie need on the move. Perhaps you're looking for something more portable that you can take with you to the office or gym? Either way, we took a closer look at three of the best travel blenders available today.
We looked at the main features and the pros and cons of each product to help you decide which one will make the best investment for you.
Our first blender from TTLIFE is a single-serve smoothie blender or juicer that measures 9.4 x 3 inches and weighs 1.98 pounds.
With the capacity to blend and carry more than 15 ounces of liquid, it has the largest capacity of all the travel blenders featured here and is the perfect size for your morning smoothie.
The travel sized container is made from food-grade, high borosilicate glass, which is more resistant to thermal expansion when compared to other types of glass. This offers you more protection when blending particularly hot or cold ingredients.
Being a portable blender, we feel that the container would be better off being made by plastic to make transportation safer, but it is nicer to drink your morning smoothie from a glass cup.
The blender has two 2600mAh lithium-ion batteries, so you can charge it up and take it (and operate it) wherever you go. These batteries last for quite a long time for such a small device and are easily charged by USB cable via your computer or car before use.
The blender also has a handy switch on the bottom of it that you can switch to the off position in order to conserve battery life when not in use.
The device offers 128 watts of power which is powerful enough to blend fruits, vegetables, and seeds in approximately 10 to 40 seconds, as long as you shake it up a little.
The TTLIFE blender offers quiet operation which is great if you're blending in quiet surroundings so as not to disturb others. It is also waterproof, which is ideal if you're caught out in the rain while using or holding it.
This blender comes with a two-year warranty which offers peace of mind should anything goes wrong with the product.
Our second blender from Pinlo is slightly smaller (measuring just 9.5 x 3 inches), and considerably lighter (1.25 pounds) than the blender from TTLIFE.
The capacity of the blender is also smaller than the previous blender we looked at (just 13.5oz), but it's still a decent size for a smoothie.
The handy container that comes with the blender is made out of food-grade PC and ABS plastic materials. We prefer the build of this blender as it feels safer to travel around with, feeling less vulnerable to breakages.
The built-in rechargeable battery is 2,300mAh, so it won't hold as much charge as the TTLIFE portable blender. However, you can recharge the batteries easily using a USB cable connected to a computer, car, battery pack, etc.
Having a low power, this blender has a super-quiet operation. If you were comparing it against standard home blenders, this portable blender is far quieter.
The blender comes packaged with a free juicer manual, a charging cable, and an ice cube tray which is a nice touch although you wouldn't want to take the ice cube tray with you while traveling.
Pinlo offers a one-year, hassle-free warranty for peace of mind and also have a great customer service team that is available to help you around the clock.
This is again a very compact (9.5 x 3.1 inches) blender, making it ideal for travel. Weighing in at just 1.1 pounds, it is the lightest of all three blenders featured here.
The cup or container capacity is 14 ounces, which again is the perfect size for portable smoothie making.
The build of this blender is probably the most suitable for travel as the container is made from Tritan, which is particularly an impact-resistant plastic material. You can conveniently carry it around, and even if it's in your bag, you really do not have to worry about it shattering upon impact.
There are two 2,550mAh built-in rechargeable batteries which should last long enough to make around 12 cups of smoothies. This is great as you could probably get away with charging this blender just once and it will last you for a whole week.
The motor powering the blender is 126 watts, and as long as you use enough liquid, it can be used to blend a wide variety of fruits and vegetables including harder varieties.
The blender from Pinlo comes with a warranty to safeguard you against any faults that may occur within the first year of purchase.
All three of these blenders are fantastic travel companions and deserve their places on our best travel blender list. That being said, our overall winner by a small margin is the portable blender from TTLIFE.
While it is slightly heavier than the other two blenders due to the glass cup, it does have a higher capacity. We also love the fact that it's waterproof, so it won't be damaged if you're out hiking in the rain.
Additionally, the blender packs a lot of power for such a small device, offers quiet operation, has extended battery life, and a longer warranty than all the others. The TTLIFE S-POW Portable Blender is a really great traveling companion that enables you never to have to go without your morning smoothie again.


NEW DELHI: Shares of Jet Airways dropped over 5 per cent on Thursday as the airline defaulted on salary payments again.
The cash-strapped airline on Wednesday sought over 10 more days from its employees to pay the balance 25 per cent of their salaries for August.
The stock fell 5.54 per cent to hit a low of Rs 181.25 on the BSE today. Jet Airways had paid 50 per cent of August salaries to its employees on September 11 and the rest was to be paid on Wednesday. But it could pay only half of the balance amount.
"Jet Airways today remitted half of the second instalment of pending emoluments of its pilots, AMEs and senior management for August 2018," the airline said in a statement on Wednesday. "The airline has also communicated a revised date of payment to the employees concerned and stands committed to honour its obligations," it said.
Meanwhile, sentiment at the counter also got hurt by the latest government decision to impose 5 per cent Customs duty on ATF, a major component of an airline's operational costs, which is seen to add to the woes.


text:
White House on NBCNews.com
Obama: Egypt not going back to way it was
Administration is struggling to find a way to protect its security interests without abandoning the pro-democracy protesters
Jump to text President Barack Obama said Sunday that Egypt is not goi...
Next story in White House
Video: Obama, O'Reilly talk Egypt at Bowl pregame
Closed captioning of: Obama, O'Reilly talk Egypt at Bowl pregame
>> president obama sat down with bill o 'reilly for a wide ranging interview during the super bowl coverage. mike viqueira is at the white house with details. good morning.
>> reporter: good morning. it's a super bowl tradition. an interview with the network airing the game. the president continued to walk the political and diplomatic tight rope on egypt while where you shalling -- brushing off personal attacks. mr. obama sat down with a frequent critic, bill o 'reilly where the subject turned to egypt and hosni mubarak .
>> only he knows what he's going to do. here's what we know. egypt is not going back to what it was. the egyptian people want freedom.
>> reporter: he's come close in recent days.
>> an orderly transition must be meaningful.
>> reporter: president obama would not call for mubarak to step down before september elections.
>> what we can do, bill, is we can say that the time is now for you to start making a change in that country.
>> reporter: while conceding that there are anti-u.s. elements within the muslim brotherhood , the president was eager to play down their influence over egypt 's future.
>> i think the muslim brotherhood is one faction in egypt . they don't have majority support.
>> reporter: later the interview took a different turn.
>> does it bother you that people hate you?
>> the folks who hate you don't know you.
>> that's true.
>> what they hate is whatever funhouse mirror image of you that's out there. they don't know you. so you don't take it personally.
>> reporter: meredith, the president will try to mend fences with another group he's been at odds with -- big business . we'll head across the park to the u.s. chamber of commerce , this country's biggest lobbying organization .
>> all right, mike viqueira, thank
Lefteris Pitarakis / AP
Egyptian anti-government demonstrators pray at a barricade protecting the group from possible attacks by pro-government protesters in Tahrir Square, the center of anti-government demonstrations, in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday. A sense of normalcy began to return to the capital of some 18 million people, which has been largely closed since chaos erupted shortly after the protests began on Jan. 25.
By KIMBERLY DOZIER, ROBERT BURNS
updated 2/7/2011 8:01:17 AM ET 2011-02-07T13:01:17


The central hub of their adult children and grandchildren's lives, this client's addition and remodel needed to be extra special. The kitchen was lifted and expanded, the laundry was relocated and carefully planned, a sweet children's bathing bathroom was created and niches and nooks were added. The result was a home that surrounded this darling family with warmth and character as a backdrop to lasting memories.


The incomparable William Castle (The Tingler) directed this unusual western, produced by B-movie icon Sam Katzman (The Giant Claw). After the U.S. government purchases land from Mexico, a cavalry Major (Robert Stack) is sent to broker peace between the Mexicans and the Apaches, who both despise each other. Further complications arise when the Comanches try to stir up even more trouble. The solid cast includes John Hodiak (Lifeboat) as Cochise, plus Joy Page (Casablanca), Fortunio Bonanova (Citizen Kane) and a gag cameo by silent comic Snub Pollard as a barfly. Beautifully shot in Technicolor at the world-famous Vasquez Rocks, this is a rugged, action-packed adventure for those looking for something off the beaten trail.
© 1953 , renewed 1981 Columbia Pictures Industries , Inc. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Buy from Intrada Records - USA.
Wolfen (1981)
Craig Safan (Score rejected)
Drama, Horror, Thriller, Family
Buy it at:
There are 2 bootlegs for this title.
Intrada Special Collection Volume 185
1. Main Title (02:25)
2. Van Der Veer's Demise (07:13)
3. In The Church (03:15)
4. Wolfen Run To Church (01:15)
5. Whittington's Death (01:47)
6. Shape Shifting (02:13)
7. Rebecca's Apartment (01:24)
8. Indian Bar (06:54)
9. Wall Street And The Wolves (02:58)
10. The Final Confrontation (03:33)
11. Epilogue And End Credits (05:41)
12. Rebecca's Apartment [Original W/Trumpet] (01:24)
13. Epilogue And End Credits [Original Version] (05:51)
Mark Hammon
The Unused Score
7-2025-85206-2-3
Craig Safan's unused score.
1. Main Title And First Killings (09:26)
2. The Body (02:23)
3. The Morgue (04:11)
4. Run To Church (02:21)
5. Run From Church (05:25)
6. Wilson And Pearl (02:10)
7. Thinking Of The Kill (04:50)
9. At The Zoo (03:50)
10. The Dream And Love Scene (03:55)
11. Whittington Gets Snuffed (06:13)
12. Indian Bar (04:17)
13. Discovery And Penthouse (03:45)
14. Wall Street And Wolfen Finale (05:21)
Track listing contributed by Adam Krysinski (Soundtracks.pl)
Miles End MED 3004
Original 'Unused' Motion Picture Soundtrack by Craig Safan. "Produced by the composer for promotional uses only. Not licensed for sale". Music recorded May 1981.
2. First Killings (04:10)
4. Morgue (04:02)
7. Wilson With Pearl (02:06)
8. Fisherman (04:47)
10. Zoo (03:48)
11. Wilson's Dream (01:09)
12. Love Scene (01:58)
13. Stakeout (06:11)
15. Penthouse (03:31)
16. Wall Stree (05:20)
Track listing contributed by
Pony Tail PTCD 2002
Deadly Blessing
1. Wolfen Main Title (02:23)
2. Battery Park (02:43)
4. The Indian Bar (03:59)
5. Close Call (01:24)
6. Wolfen Call (01:45)
7. Reflective Moments (03:04)
8. Wolfen on Wall Street (02:56)
9. The Truth Revealed (03:30)
10. Epilogue (01:42)
11. End Title (04:17)
12. Deadly Blessing Main Title (02:23)
starts the deadly blessing score.
13. A New Day (00:57)
14. Unwelcome Visitor/Fiery (04:09)
15. Love Theme (01:58)
16. A Grisly Discovery (01:13)
17. A Brief Funeral (01:12)
18. Barn/Snake (08:10)
19. Vicky and John (01:13)
20. An Empty Grave (01:07)
21. Melissa's Awakening/Deadly (05:50)
22. Final Confrontation (04:09)
23. Finale/End Credits (04:06)
Track listing contributed by argocitizen
Stars Records SCD-98427
German bootleg. Factory-pressed disc.
Battle Beyond The Stars
from "Battle Beyond The Stars"
2. Malmori Rear Guard (03:51)
3. The Battle Begins (04:33)
4. Nanelia And Shad (01:26)
5. Cowboy And The Jackers (03:36)
6. Nanelia's Capture (01:28)
7. The Maze Battle (03:11)
8. Shad's Pursuit (03:22)
9. Cowboy's Attack (01:45)
11. The Hunter (01:40)
12. Gelt's Death (01:30)
13. Nanella (01:32)
14. Heading For Sador (00:59)
15. Destruction Of Hammerhead (02:35)
16. Epilogue And End Title (05:01)
17. Main Title (02:25)
from "Wolfen"
18. Battery Park (02:44)
19. Shape Shifting (02:14)
20. The Indian Bar (04:00)
21. Close Call (01:25)
22. Wolfen Run (03:05)
23. Reflective Moments (02:57)
24. Wolfen On Wall Street
25. The Truth Revealed (03:33)
27. Epilogue And End Title (alternate version) (06:10)
The Drew
Edel-Cinerama Records CIN 2217-2
2 CDs.
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Witches Of Eastwick, The
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Young Einstein
Island Of Dr. Moreau, The
Monkey Shines
Highlander. Best Of Fantasy
1. It's A Kind of Magic
from Highlander
2. The Castle / Anno Domini 1518
3. Ramirez Arrives
4. Training Montage
5. Heather's Death / Who Wants To Live Forever
6. Forge Battle / There Can Be Only One
7. End Credits
from The Addams Family
8. Main Title
from Demolition Man
9. The Departure
from ET
from Excalibur
11. She Was Sad At First
from Ladyhawke
12. Main Title
from Red Sonja
13. Overture
from The Twilight Zone
14. The Balloon Scene
from The Witches of Eastwick
from Back To The Future Part III
from Ghost
2. Main Title / Prison Chase
from Super Mario Brothers
3. Finale
from The Day After
from The Rocketeer
5. Largo
from Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
from Amerika
from Conan the Barbarian
8. Epilogue and End Credits
from Wolfen
9. Main Theme
from Young Einstein
from The Island of Dr. Moreau
from Monkey Shines
12. Getaway / Night Camp / Finale
from Short Cicruit
13. Resolution and Finale
from Close Encounter of the Third Kind
Track listing contributed by The Drew
Erik Woods
Sonic Images SID-8807
Where The River Runs Black
Name Der Rose, Der
Heart Of The Ocean
Film Music Of James Horner, The
1. My Heart Will Go On (03:50)
from: "Titanic"
2. Rocketeer to the Rescue/End Theme (06:57)
from: "The Rocketeer"
3. Main Theme (03:50)
from: "Commando"
from: "Legends of the Fall"
5. Re-Entry & Splashdown (06:59)
from: "Apollo 13"
from: "Where the River Runs Black"
7. Epilogue (04:51)
from: "The Name of the Rose"
8. The Journey Begins (05:00)
from: "Vibes"
9. Epilogue/Finale (06:00)
from: "Wolfen"
10. End Credits (06:38)
from: "Cocoon"
11. Suite (06:04)
from: "Field of Dreams"
12. End Theme (04:46)
from: "Braveheart"
13. Overture (05:20)
from: "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn"


Once you have determined that you need life insurance, and calculated how much coverage you require, you will have to choose between several types of life insurance. Generally, there are two very different types of life insurance contracts - term and permanent.
As the name implies, permanent (cash value) insurance is best suited for the individual with a long term (often indefinite) need. A permanent policy is really a combination of "pure insurance" and a cash value component. Premiums are considerably higher than term rates in the beginning years, and may include an increasing death benefit, a "cash value" associated with the policy, and tax-advantaged borrowing privileges against your cash value.
There are two basic types of permanent insurance. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages which must be weighed careful.
Initial premiums are higher compared to term insurance premiums, but eventually they may become lower than the premiums you would pay if you had kept renewing a term policy.
Today's Universal Life polices provide the flexibility to build your policy's cash value or focus more on guaranteed protection (no lapse guarantees).
Guaranteed Protection lets you choose the length of the protection guarantee and the premium payment schedule up front-both are then guaranteed not to change so long as the premiums are paid as planned.


The new PRODUCO Turbo Process (PTP) can shorten your production time up to the factor 5 !
Economize now the raw material and procurement costs with the ready mixes from PRODUCO !
Experience the new Rotation-Split-Granulation (RSG) and economize twice - No preforming and material loss !
PRO-SILENT means constant brake power and significantly reduced brake noise !
Development of friction material formulations for industrial applications as: drive technology, forging presses, winch brakes, off road vehicles, etc.


Popularly known as the winner of the seventh season of "America's Next Top Model" in 2006, CariDee English is an advocate for women living with psoriasis. The American model and television personality was born on September 23, 1984, in Fargo, North Dakota, United States. Psoriasis is a serious autoimmune skin condition appearing as thick red patches on the skin covered by flaky white skin. If one is suffering from this skin condition, their immune system sends out bad signals that will abnormally speed up the growth of the skin cells. Psoriasis affects relatively 2% of the world population, making it a relatively common condition", says James W. Swan, MD., dermatologist, associate professor in the department of medicine and medical director of the Patch Testing Program at the Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago. He also stated that psoriasis is one of the top ten chronic skin conditions with the first signs of raindrop-like eruptions. This sign will later progress to a more severe plague. About 7.5 million Americans are diagnosed with the disease so it is fairly common in the country.
However people are not yet equipped with enough information about the skin condition. This disease is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 15-35 but it was different for CariDee English. She was diagnosed at just 5 years old and has learnt to live with it since then. She first noticed a small patch on her leg and dismissed it as a bug bite. English showed her mother the supposed bug bite and was told it was a skin condition more serious than the regular ones. Her mother knew it was psoriasis as she has the same skin condition. Psoriasis is hereditary so it was clear to English's mom that her daughter had inherited the disease from her. As she got a bit older, English probably thought that the patch on her skin will remain as it is (worst case scenario) or eventually disappear, but it was not so. As she grew, the patch not only grew but multiplied all over her body. It started appearing on various areas of her skin as lesions, covering every part of her body (legs, arms, back, chest, etc.). She was very lucky that her face was spared, leaving her with little confidence to hold on to.
As English grew into adolescence, she became more conscious of her condition. She was ok with her skin at first until her early teens when she became more aware of the problem. Her skin was different from that of her peers. It wasn't just the regular pimples or reactions that were characteristic of adolescence, her condition was more severe. The first full flare she had at 12 awakened her senses to the damage the disease was doing to her skin. It dawned on her that her skin might never be free of these patches and will keep getting worse. She often felt insecure knowing her skin could flare up at any moment. Out of necessity, she devised ways to cover up her skin to hide what she considered as defects. All she wanted at that point in her life was to fit in and be "normal" like others, but her skin made her the exact opposite. She stood out among her peers and not for a good reason. Wearing long sleeved tops even in hot weather just to cover up her skin was one way she could blend in even at her own discomfort. She mastered the act of hiding her arms stylishly so others couldn't take notice of them.
If she had to go to the gym with her mates, she would make sure to get a doctor's report that will exempt her from gym activities. Gyming will definitely involve removing her clothes and by so doing people will see how psoriasis has dealt with her skin. English felt insecure and her self-esteem kept dwindling. She knew the disease was not peculiar to her only, that there were other people out there. This didn't boost her esteem one bit during her teenage years as the disease gained more ground on her skin taking up to 70% of her entire body surface. When asked about the impressions on her skin, she would reply that she got hurt.
Trying to explain her condition to close friends was hard, besides she didn't really know what to say about it at that age. She always felt hurt when people tried to keep away from her because of the way her skin looked. They thought the disease was contagious and she couldn't convince them otherwise. These hostile reactions from people towards her planted in her the desire to learn all she could about the disease. She wanted to be able to talk about it, to create awareness on the skin condition, as she observed that people deserted her because they didn't fully understand what her condition was.
Determined not to be deterred by psoriasis, English started working towards the actualization of her modeling dream. She was signed on by Mega Models at 17 after graduating early from high school. What would have been hard for someone without her condition was even harder for her as modeling requires skin perfection of some sort which she was really lacking. She tried so much to hide the lesions on her skin (this time with improved tactics) by covering them up with heavy foundation makeup. It was very stressful, exhausting and emotional for her as she had to dedicate time to hide who she really was on a daily basis. It didn't help matters that the patches and lesions increased daily creating even more surface to be covered up. According to Dr. Swan "significant increase in stress level can trigger a psoriasis flare-up or make the condition worse". A person suffering from psoriasis can flare up because of reasons ranging from stress, anxiety, emotional problems or medications. The stress of English's new job was making her flare up more often.
After partaking in her first photo-shoot as a model, her secret was let out in the open. The pictures of her shoot came out showing the psoriasis on her legs. At that moment she was scared of losing the job she just started so she denied any knowledge of her condition. She insisted that the photographer was not efficient and was responsible for the poor pictures. English knew she had to set things right and take the fall, so she wrote to her agency about the disease she had. She was asked to leave the agency the next day as they didn't want her with her condition. It was a bad moment for her, the rejection stung. However she pressed on, moving on to other agencies but was still rejected because of psoriasis.
Constant rejection from various modeling agencies motivated English to gather all the information she could on psoriasis and study them. She researched the condition with the aim of knowing all there is about it. English discovered several ways to manage psoriasis and that constant experiments were constantly being carried out to find a cure for the disease. She understood that if she wanted people to understand her condition and accept her with psoriasis, then she has to first understand and embrace it.
Psoriasis cannot be permanently cured, one who is afflicted with it has to learn to live with it. Knowing this, English sought the assistance of good dermatologists. After meeting with three of them, she was glad to be told that her condition can be properly managed. Controlling it would be great but English also wanted the whole world to be aware of the disease. She could get treated and move on with her life but she wanted others suffering like her to be encouraged and get treated too. She knew some people living with psoriasis might not even understand what it is or know what to do about it. So before she could start her own treatment she decided to document herself in front of a camera during one of her full blown flare-ups.
While discussing her skin condition with Mary Elizabeth Dallas, English said that she decided to show the public what psoriasis looked like. She wanted to inspire people suffering from psoriasis to live their lives to the fullest even with the disease. They could learn to enjoy life like normal people because they are indeed normal. She believed that psoriasis was just like any other sickness one might be afflicted with. A psoriasis patient can still pursue her dreams and make great achievements. She admitted that doing the video documentary was both liberating and scary. Liberating because she was able to be her true self in front of the camera and scary because she didn't know how people will react to the video.
To her greatest surprise, she received positive responses to her documentary. People commended her for showing the world what psoriasis is. Those suffering from the disease were encouraged to speak up. Because of her video, lots of psoriasis patients learned to love themselves. Their condition had made them feel ugly and unacceptable but seeing the viral video made by English and how the public reacted to the video re-positioned their thinking.
After creating the awareness she so desired, English engaged in her own treatment. She encouraged psoriasis patients to make follow-up care a routine, as it is very important to keep the flare-ups in check. It is also important to keep a record of their progress as they get treated. They are to identify the major trigger to their flare-ups and work on them. Psoriasis is largely manageable and better, more advanced treatments are constantly being invented.
With all these challenges experienced by English she was still able to rise to the top of her career. She insists that she does not have anything against those who rejected her at the onset due to her condition. She believes that her success is the best answer she could ever give to them. The rejection served as a driving force that kept her pushing forward. If she was not rejected she would probably have settled for less. The same disease that people rejected her for brought her to the limelight and made her a household name. The documentary she made on psoriasis became her awakening. Many people suffering from psoriasis can now open up about their situation without feeling abnormal. She has actualized her dream of becoming not just a model but an inspiration to others. She is living her dream and desires to see other psoriasis patients live theirs as well. As she had experienced firsthand the limitation one can feel because of a health condition they can't control, she decided to help others push past such limitations.
English was made a spokesperson for the National Psoriasis Foundation in 2007. While many might think this position is all about a supermodel acting as the face of the foundation, English disagrees. "It's not about being a supermodel, it's about being a role model", she says. The position means a lot to her as she states that it is the highest level she can achieve. She wants all psoriasis patients to learn from her story. Life is filled with challenges that will try to discourage people from pursuing their dreams. She wants others suffering from psoriasis and probably experiencing all the challenges she had to pass through, to believe in themselves and persist in their efforts to achieve what they desire.
She encourages people not to let any situation dictate how they live their life. No matter the health challenge, beat it and forge ahead. Psoriasis is for life, if you have it embrace it fully. It might not be easy but that is who you are. Tell people you have psoriasis, do not be ashamed of it. You can't hide forever, come out of your shell and live fully. Make sure you get into a good treatment program, it makes all the difference.
You can find other vital health articles right here on this website.


text:
UCD Sutherland School of Law student, Isobel D'Arcy was the winner of the Irish Asylum Law Award 2016. The award, administered and sponsored by A & L Goodbody, in partnership with the Irish Refugee Council and UCD School of Law, Isobel is a first year student in UCD's Masters of Common Law programme. Isobel's submission to the Irish Asylum Law Award 2016 was noted by the judges for its exceptional clarity, clear knowledge and understanding of Irish asylum law, and expert use of legal materials. The judges were impressed with the suite of materials that Isobel engaged with and the exceptional legal analysis provided. Margaret-Ann Gallagher (2 BCL Law with French Law) came in second place, and judges were impressed with the depth of clarity and research that Margaret displayed in her legal submission. UCD Sutherland School of Law congratulates both of our students for this wonderful success. Isobel was awarded a cash prize and will complete a placement and gain first hand insights into the work of the Irish Refugee Council Law Centre.
For more information on UCD's Masters of Common Law Programme, see here.
UCD students can study Immigration and Asylum: Law, Politics and Rights in our suite of graduate programmes. In addition, occasional students are also invited to apply for a place in the January 2017 offering of Immigration and Asylum: Law, Politics and Rights. Further details can be found here.
Pictured in A & L Goodbody offices Ciaran Ahern, award winner, Isobel D'Arcy, Brian Collins (Irish Refugee Council), Eamonn Conlon, Stephen Quinlivan, Margaret-Ann Gallagher.


text:
Moroccan Wafa acquires majority stake in Pro Assur SA and Pro Assur Vie
Home / news / Moroccan Wafa acquires majority stake in Pro Assur SA and Pro Assur Vie
Moroccan Wafa acquires majority stake in Pro Assur SA and Pro Assur Vie2019-04-262019-04-26http://www.liquidafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/LA-Logo.pngliquidafricahttp://www.liquidafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/LA-Logo.png200px200px
Wafa Assurance, the insurance arm of Moroccan group Attijariwafa Bank, has just signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Cameroonian companies Pro Assur SA and Pro Assur Vie, Moroccan media said.
As a result of this double operation, it is reported, "Wafa Assurance acquires 65% of the voting rights within Pro Assur SA and acquires a controlling interest representing 89.4% of the shares and voting rights of Pro Assur Vie."
The transaction, which remains subject to approvals by insurance regulatory authorities in the two countries, will enable the Moroccan company to strengthen its position in Cameroon.
Since it settled in Cameroon in June 2016, through its subsidiary Wafa Assurance Vie Cameroun, the Moroccan company has only operated in Douala distributing its bancassurance products through the branch network of SCB Cameroon, also controlled by Attijariwafa group.
In addition to Cameroon, Wafa Assurance is also present in Senegal and Tunisia, where it operates with banking subsidiaries of its parent company (Attijariwafa Bank). Source: Business in Cameroon
Olam submits binding offer to acquire Dangote Flour Mills Plc in Nigerianews
Oasis Capital Ghana Limited Invests in Sinel Specialist Hospitalnews


text:
2020 QUEEN STREET CRUISE
CRUISE IN THE NEWS
Father's Day: Dad passes Chevy obsession on to his kids, and now grandkid
A dad's obsession with old Chevy's first spread to his sons and now his grandsons. Gino Lepore, 65, said he used to be a well-known racer in the Sault with his 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger infamously nicked named '340 plus tax' — '340' in reference to the motor size and the 'tax' in reference to his car's special extra oomph..
A Cool Thing to do in The Sault
Once upon a time young people who had their driver's license and perhaps the use of the family car or even better, your own car would spend Friday and Saturday nights "cruising Queen" It was the "cool thing" to do in the 50's , 60's and 70's.
So Many Awesome Cars
At around 4 p.m. vintage vehicles and sports cars started showing up in the parking lot of the Essar Centre before participating in 'the cruise' down Bay Street and Queen Street...
Expanded Queen Street Cruise Returns This Summer
Co-Chair Gary Trembinski remembers the good old days, and explains that the Queen Street Cruise is like taking a trip down memory lane...
Oh What a Night for Cruisin'
Just like 40 years ago, Queen street was the place to be Friday night with the inaugural Queen Street Cruise festival . SaultOnline cameras were there to capture all the excitement – take a look!
Did You Cruise Queen Friday Night? - Sault Online
It was almost a rite of passage into adulthood, if you just got your driver's license, chances are you and your friends were cruising Queen Friday night to "check out stock" or go for coffee at any number of diners along the strip between East and Dennis streets decades ago in Sault Ste. Marie...
Cruising Time this Weekend - SooToday
Calling all baby boomers and friends, Queen Street Cruisin' time is here at last!
Get those engines revving or grab your piece of pavement on Queen Street to watch the first annual Queen Street Cruise event...
Cruise Revival Brings Vintage Cars to Queen Street - Sault This Week
Remember downtown nights in the '70s; "hot" cars, bumper-to-bumper, cruising the Queen-Bay circle.
Some were a bit old — patched up, painted and shined — some trucks, some sporty, some the family bus. Lots of the latest — at the time — were what people think of now as classics...
Lots Lined up to Cruise Queen Again - Sault Online
Get your cars, trucks, customs and hot rods ready, because the Queen Street Cruise Committee and its partners are proud to release the schedule of events for the inaugural Queen Street Cruise taking place June 17th and 18th, 2016...
Get Ready for Cruise on Queen Street - Sault Star
Do you remember the days cruising Queen Street in your '65 Ford Mustang? Maybe you were heading to meet up with some friends to check out their cars and hang out. Unfortunately, for many of us, those days have come and gone.
But, those days are not gone forever...
Happy Days Are Here Again! - SooToday.com
Proud as palominos, Terry and Gary Trembinski were coasting downtown in Terry's resplendent '69 Camaro.
Gary was just a kid then, five years younger than his brother.
Ever a font of wisdom about the stuff every young male needs to know, Terry was counselling Gary on the rudiments of the Queen Street Cruise.
"Two things you gotta remember," Terry told the kid...
© 2020 Queen Street Cruise Festival. All rights reserved.


@Mbun Titania is a great character. She's like an anchor, mentor, and moral compass for Ike throughout his journey. Plus she is a powerful paladin that has bailed me out of many stupid moves. I'd say my series' favorite is Naesala, King of Kilvas (PoR, RD). He originally comes off like a slimeball, greedy and roguish. However, it's hard to not like his sarcasm and wit. Although he commits some nefarious acts due to what seems like pure selfishness, you eventually come to see his motivations and realize that his shifty and humorous demeanor is a facade. It masks a leader who deeply cares for his subjects and will gladly sacrifice his own image to ensure their well-being. Also, I love Bishop Oliver.
Huber should definitely do a Fire Emblem stream. Fire Emblem is my favorite series of all time, and I think it would be a good chance to get him hooked on a great series, even if he plays through the rest of the game(s) offline. Path of Radiance would be a great first game in the series to play. Relatable characters, compelling story, and solid Fire Emblem mechanics with the addition of the laguz. Please do it, Huber!


In 2013, I got to participate in a bat census at the American Museum of Natural History's Southwestern Research Station, a biological hotspot with more kinds of bats than anywhere else in the US.I discovered fruit bats smell like a slice of fresh pineapple, and have delightful upturned noses speckled with pollen. Insect-eating bats…. smell a bit like a cat litter-box. But they are still fluffy and cute, like flying leathery hamsters.Trying to convince people they should love bats and that bats aren't rodents is not easy. When I recounted my amazing bat experience was to friends, inevitably they described their fear of bats and how best to kill said bats with blunt instruments. So, pretty much the same conversations I have with everyone about spiders.
via The Secret Bataclysm: White Nose Syndrome and Extinction | Science Blogs | WIRED.
My daughter in the US had to undergo a series of rabies injections after touching a bat that flew into their kitchen. I think they carry a similar disease here in Australia so handling them is not wise.


text:
/**
 * 	File contentente la classe ServiceSubscribeToProcess
 *
 *	@file		ServiceSubscribeToProcess.java
 *	@author		DeSQ
 *	@date		2014-05-12
 *	@version	1.0
 */

package com.sequenziatore.server.service.user;

import java.util.List;

import com.sequenziatore.server.databaseutil.dao.DAOFactory;
import com.sequenziatore.server.databaseutil.dao.IDAOFactory;
import com.sequenziatore.server.databaseutil.util.HibernateUtil;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.DataCollection;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.IEntity;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.Subscription;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.User;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.Process;
import com.sequenziatore.server.entity.DataCollection.EnumState;

import org.json.JSONObject;

import com.sequenziatore.server.service.interfaceservice.IService;

/**
 *	La classe ServiceSubscribeToProcess offre il servizio di iscrizione ad un processo.
 *
 *	@author 	DeSQ
 */
public class ServiceSubscribeToProcess implements IService {

	/** Rappresenta l'interfaccia che garantisce l'accesso alle classi DAO per accedere al database. */
	private IDAOFactory iDAOFactory;

	/**
	 * Permette ad un utente di iscriversi ad un processo grazie alle informazioni acquisite dal front-end.
	 *
	 * @param entity contiene l'id dell'utente e l'id del processo a cui si vuole iscrivere
	 * @return l'esito dell'operazione di iscrizione
	 */

	@Override
	public JSONObject serviceOperation(List<IEntity> entity) {
		iDAOFactory = new DAOFactory();
		User user=(User)entity.get(0);
		Process process=(Process)entity.get(1);
		JSONObject objectJson=new JSONObject();
		Subscription subscription=null;
		try {
			HibernateUtil.getSession().beginTransaction();
			subscription=iDAOFactory.createDAOManagementProcessUser().findSubscription(user,process);
			if(subscription == null){
				process=iDAOFactory.createDAOManagementProcessUser().findProcessById(process);
				subscription=new Subscription();
				subscription.setIdUser(user);
				subscription.setIdProcess(process);
				subscription.setComplete(false);
				iDAOFactory.createDAOManagementProcessUser().insertSubscription(subscription);
				for(int i=0;i<process.getSteps().size();i++) {
					DataCollection data=new DataCollection();
					data.setIdStep(process.getSteps().get(i));
					data.setIdUser(user);
					data.setState(EnumState.NOTCOLLECTED);
					iDAOFactory.createDAOManagementProcessUser().insertDataCollection(data);
				}
				objectJson.put("Confirmation", "successSubscription");
			} else objectJson.put("Confirmation", "wrongSubscription");
		    HibernateUtil.commitTransaction();
		} catch(Exception e) {
			return objectJson.put("Confirmation", "connectionError");
		}
	    return objectJson;
	}

}


text:
Die 15. Bob-Weltmeisterschaft wurde am 22. und 23. Januar im Zweierbob und am 29. und 30. Januar 1955 im Viererbob zum zweiten Mal komplett auf der olympischen Bobbahn von 1928 und 1948, dem Olympia Bob Run St. Moritz–Celerina im schweizerischen Bobsportmekka St. Moritz ausgegetragen.

Vorgeschichte
Eigentlich sollten die Weltmeisterschaften 1955 im amerikanischen Lake Placid stattfinden, aber nach offensichtlichen Unstimmigkeiten im US-Verband vergab die FIBT die Weltmeisterschaften im Juli 1954 nach St. Moritz. Darüber hinaus war das Gewichtslimit von 200 kg auf 210 kg für die Athleten im Zweierbob wieder angehoben worden, was dazu führte, dass das schon legendäre deutsche Olympiasiegerduo Ostler/Nieberl wieder gemeinsam an den Start ging. Allerdings war die Ernüchterung bei Ostler groß, als er versucht hatte, einen der legendären italienischen Podar-Bobs zu erwerben. Mit den neuartigen Bobs hatte die italienischen Bobfahrer bei der Vorjahres-WM vor allem im Zweierbob mit einem Doppelsieg für Furore gesorgt. In Vorbereitung auf die Olympischen Winterspiele 1956 in Cortina hatte nun das italienische NOK alle Konstruktionsrechte erworben und damit eine Veräusserung der Bobs an andere Nationen verhindert. Bei den Schweizer Bobfahrern mischte nach dem verletzungsbedingten Ausscheiden beim Zweierbobwettbewerb der letztjährigen WM Franz Kapus wieder mit.

Zweierbob
Für das Training hatten sich insgesamt 28 Bobs aus 10 Nationen an gemeldet, wobei einige Verbände mit mehr als den zwei startberechtigten Bobs angereist waren. Bei den verbandsinternen Ausscheidungen gab es ein erstes prominentes Opfer. Das Duo Ostler/Nieberl vermochte sich gegen die Teams Rösch/Terne und Kitt/Leeb nicht durchzusetzen und so musste Doppelolympiasieger Andreas Ostler nach 1954 erneut in der Zweierbob-Entscheidung zuschauen. Die italienischen Podar-Bobs konnten nach anfänglich guten Trainingsleistungen ihr Potential auf der sehr gut präparierten Bahn nicht ausschöpfen. Der ehemalige Viererbob-Weltmeister Lloyd Johnson sorgte vor der verbandsinternen Ausscheidung der US-Bobs selbst für Klarheit. Durch eine Schulterverletzung, die er sich beim ersten Saisonrennen in Garmisch zugezogen hatte, war er noch so beeinträchtigt, dass er auf er auf einen Start im Zweierbob verzichtete. Überdies war generell eine Diskussion um die Startvariante entbrannt. Da bei den Podar-Bobs die Steuerung arretiert werden konnte, schoben nunmehr beide Athleten am Start den Bob an und sprangen nach ein Paar Metern hinein. Dieser damals noch neuartigen Technik stand die althergebrachte Variante gegenüber, wonach der Pilot schon im Bob saß und vom Bremser und Anschieber angeschoben wurde.

Am ersten Wettkampftag trat erneut eine Bobnation ins Rampenlicht, die bis dahin eher nur mitfuhr. Mit gutem Material aus dem Hause Feierband ausgestattet fuhr der bisher als Rennrodler bekannte Paul Aste mit Bremser Josef Isser aus Österreich um die Medaillen mit. Nach dem ersten Lauf noch auf Platz Drei lagen sie nach dem ersten Wettkampftag für die Fachwelt überraschend mit über einer Sekunde Vorsprung vorn. Dahinter reihten sich die beiden Schweizer Bobs ein, nur durch eine Hundertstel Sekund getrennt. Einen sehr guten vierten Platz belegte bei seiner Premiere als Bobpilot der Amerikaner Dick Severino. Mit nur Neun Hundertsteln Rückstand auf den drittplatzierten Fritz Feierabend hatte er noch reelle Medaillenchancen. Der vorher hochgehandelte Vorjahreszweite im Viererbob Hans Rösch belegte den fünften Rang, hatte allerdings schon über eine halbe Sekunde Rückstand auf einen Podestplatz. Am zweiten Wettkampftag zeigte aber Routinier Fritz Feierabend seine ganze Klasse und fuhr bereits im dritten Lauf Bestzeit. Darüber hinaus fuhren Aste/Isser nur die zehntbeste Zeit und vergaben so bereits fast alle Chancen auf den Titel. Im vierten Lauf fuhr das Duo Feierabend /Warburton die beste Zeit des ganzen Wettkampfes und ließ die erneut starken Italiener de Zanna/Figoli mit über einer Sekunde Vorsprung hinter sich. Damit gewann Fritz Feierabend letztlich noch souverän seinen insgesamt sechsten Weltmeistertitel im Bobsport. Dahinter konnten sich durch die drittbeste Laufzweit im vierten Lauf die Österreicher Aste/Issel noch die Silbermedaille vor den Schweizern Kapus/Angst sichern. Nach einem schwächeren ersten Tag zeigten die Italiener de Zanna/Figoli mit Platz Vier, das der Vorjahreserfolg der Podar-Bobs keine Eintagsfliege war.

Viererbob
Nach seinem Erfolg im Zweierbob war Altmeister und Titelverteidiger Fritz Feierabend auch bei den großen Schlitten der Topfavorit. Allerdings fuhren 2 Athleten seines damals erfolgreichen Bobteams nun bei Mannschaftskollege Franz Kapus. Mit Lloyd Johnson ging zudem ein weiterer Ex-Weltmeister an den Start. Fast schon tragische Züge nahm die Sportlerkarriere von Andreas Ostler an. Wie schon im Zweierbob konnte er auch bei den entscheidenden Trainingsläufen im Viererbob die verbandsinterne Konkurrenz nicht schlagen. Nunmehr war es neben Hans Rösch der Junioren-Europameister des Jahres 1954, Franz Schelle aus Ohlstadt, der mit seiner Crew besser als der Ostler-Bob war.

Beim Wettkampf zeigte sich von Beginn an, das es auf einen Zweikampf der beiden Schweizer Bobs hinauslaufen würde. Dabei gelang Feierabend das Kunststück, am ersten Wettkampftag zwei fast identische Laufzeiten zu erzielen. Franz Kapus lag mit 25 Hundertsteln noch aussichtsreich in Reichweite der Goldmedaille. Danach belegte schon der Bob von Franz Schelle den dritten Platz, wenngleich bereits mit fast anderthalb Sekunden Rückstand auf Kapus. Schelle profitierte von der Unausgeglichenheit der Konkurrenz, denn in beiden Läufen fuhr er jeweils nur die viertschnellste Zeit. Die amerikanischen Medaillenhoffnungen zerstoben bereit im ersten Lauf. Im Team von Lloyd Johnson blieb der zweite Mann beim Start am Bob hängen und bewirkte so noch vor der Sunny Corner einen Sturz. Auch am zweiten Wettkampftag zeigte sich im dritten Lauf zunächst das gewohnte Bild. Die Schweizer Bobs fuhren vorneweg, im Kampf um Bronze duellierten sich nur noch die Bobs von FRG II (Schelle) und AUT I (Wagner) wetteifern. Danach platzierte sich schon mit gehörigem Abstand der Rest des Feldes. Im letzten Lauf folgte schließlich die große Überraschung. Feierabend touchierte durch eine Unaufmerksamkeit in der Horseshoe-Kurve die Bande und verlor wertvolle Zeit, Kapus kam tadellos durch. Der im dritten Lauf noch leicht angewachsene Vorsprung von 29 Hundertsteln wurde von Kapus wettgemacht, er fuhr im letzten Lauf 32 Hundertstel schneller. Somit trennte beide Bobs am Ende winzige Unterschied von drei Hundertsteln. Franz Schelle profitierte vom großen Vorsprung auf die Österreicher aus dem ersten Lauf. Dieser schmolz zwar stetig, doch am Ende gewann der Bob aus Ohlstadt trotz der jeweils nur viertbesten Zeit in allen vier Läufen die Bronzemedaille.  Diese Medaille begründete eine große Bobtradition in der bayrischen Gemeinde.

Nachwirkungen
Auf der Sitzung des Exekutiv-Komitees der FIBT während der WM wurden zwei Entscheidungen getroffen. Ob seines Verhaltens bei der Weltmeisterschaft des Vorjahres wurde der amerikanische Bobpilot Stanley Benham bis 31. März 1958 für alle internationalen Bobwettbewerbe gesperrt. Wegen Geldmangels hatte Benham damals seinen Viererbob nicht nach Europa transportieren können und hatte bereits vor dem Zweierbob-Wettbewerb angekündigt, nicht am Viererbob-Wettbewerb teilzunehmen. Daraufhin wurde Benham in einem Alleingang und ohne Zustimmung des US-Verbandes kurzzeitig vom FIBT-Vizepräsident Donna Fox auch für den Zweierbob-Wettbewerb suspendiert, was aber nach Insistieren des US-Verbandes wieder rückgängig gemacht wurde. Der Vorfall hatte schwer Kontroversen zwischen Fox und dem US-Verband, der sich hinter Benham gestellt hatte, ausgelöst. Zudem waren innerhalb des US-Teams Differenzen zwischen den in den USA beheimateten Sportlern und den in Europa stationierten Soldaten, die Bob fuhren, aufgetreten. Außerdem bedeutet die Sperre trotz anfänglich gegenteiliger Meinung des US-Verbandes, dass Benham nunmehr eine Teilnahme an den Olympischen Bobwettbewerben  1956 in Cortina versagt blieb. FIBT-Vizepräsident Donna Fox enthielt sich bei der Abstimmung seiner Stimme, erreichte aber, dass die Bob-Weltmeisterschaft 1958 nach Squaw Valley vergeben wurde, obwohl dort noch keine Bobbahn vorhanden war. Bemerkenswert war daran, dass der Ort in der Sierra Nevada auch erst im März 1955 kurz nach dem offiziellen Bewerbungsschluss sich für die Austragung der Olympischen Winterspiele 1960 bewarb und sie auch erhielt. Die Bobbahn wurde nie gebaut, die Olympischen Winterspiele fanden 1960 einmalig  ohne Bobwettbewerbe statt.

Medaillenspiegel

Einzelnachweise

1955
Sportveranstaltung 1955
Sportveranstaltung in St. Moritz
Wintersport (Schweiz)


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What is an InterRail Pass?
Crypto Cash Coin March 3, 2018 9:36 pm March 3, 2018
InterRail is the equivalent of railpass for European residents.
A Global InterRail pass allows you extensive train travel on scheduled train services of the national train operators across Europe. A single country InterRail pass allows extensive travel in only one country.
InterRail passes were introduced in the early 1970s when the national railways of Europe collaborated to offer rail passes for young people. This allowed them unlimited train travel across Europe.
Today there are children, youth, adult and senior InterRail passes for European residents. InterRail pass is an excellent way to explore Europe with minimal stress, as someone else does the driving. You can buy a Eurail pass instead of an InterRail pass if you live outside Europe.
An InterRail ticket is perfect for someone seeking to explore. For one month, you can travel freely on Europe's trains with one ticket. You can visit big cities, white sandy beaches and small mountainside towns. You can seek adventure in the Alps and olive groves on trains that are fast, safe and punctual. With an InterRail pass, you can meet locals and fellow travelers from around the world. If you come across an area that excites you, you can disembark and explore on foot. Assuming you can't afford a hostel, kip your way across the continent on a night train for zero Euros.
An InterRail ticket allows you to board and disembark Europe's trains free of charge, albeit with some exceptions. You will have to pay in advance if you wish to reserve train seats. In addition, you will have to pay a supplement to travel in a sleeping carriage with bunk beds, or if you wish to sample some high-speed intercity trains. It's advisable to ask before you board a train to avoid surprises.
The InterRail pass is personal and non-transferable, thus only you have the right to use it. You may have to prove your identity so always carry your passport.
An InterRail pass doesn't give you the privilege to travel with your pass in your country of residence. However, discounted rail travel is available on presentation of the pass when buying a rail ticket.
Along with your ticket, you'll receive a special form, where you'll fill in your journey details before boarding the train.
Tips to Consider
Same as any journey outside your comfort zone, it's important to be cautious before you embark on such travels. It's prudent to plan before you consider interrailing. Some of the practical interrailing tips include:
Don't carry excess luggage
Consider your luggage realistically
Be selective with the people you travel with
Always book accommodation in advance
Remember to carry your compass
Buy souvenirs sparingly
Learn a few basic words of the local language
Get tips from the hostel staff before exploring
Carry comfortable clothing
Prepare yourself for long journeys
You can earn 3% crypto cashback on your InterRail Pass online purchase using Crypto Cashback Coin's platform here. Crypto Cashback Coins is a free shopping club aimed at the blockchain ecosystem. Sign up to get free membership and access to our website. You can then browse and shop through stores listed on our site. A portion of your spend online with Crypto Cashback's listed retailers such as InterRail will be sent to your digital wallet. Remember to refer your friends to our website and earn points for their purchases.
Blockchain Friendly Airlines
Crypto Cash Coin February 27, 2018 9:35 pm February 27, 2018
Blockchain technology has caught the attention of companies across industries including airlines.
Using a robust cryptographic approach and an appropriated messaging protocol, it creates shared ledgers that decentralize reconciliation-based processes. In contrast to traditional technology, blockchain technologies are consistent and durable. They're also shareable, mutualized, and protected at the data principle stage.
But can airlines cut through the buzz, and use this technology to improve their business processes?
On February 5, 2017, Singapore Airlines announced plans to launch a digital wallet for its frequent-flyer KrisFlyer program in six months. The aim of the blockchain-based wallet is to enable program members to spend their air miles at retail partners for point-of-sale transactions. This initiative came about after the airline partnered with KPMG and Microsoft to carry out a successful proof-of-concept trial. It's currently signing up retail merchants in Singapore to join the blockchain based service.
Brisbane Airport Australia
Australia's Brisbane Airport is planning to roll out cryptocurrency payments within its terminal shopping areas. Supported by cryptocurrency travel firm Travelby Bit, the new payment system will enable travelers to use bitcoin, Ethereum, dash and other digital currencies to shop and dine at several stores and restaurants at both Brisbane's air terminals. According to Roel Hellemons, Brisbane Airport Corporation's general manager, the airport will be the first globally to incorporate cryptocurrency payments.
According to Aviation Today, Air France alongside Microsoft and Ramco aviation recently discussed the possibility of applying blockchain technology to track workflows within its aircraft maintenance systems. The question of whether Air France will completely switch to a blockchain-based system remains open. The major obstacle is that much of airline data is not digitally stored. But until the modernization of paper-based processes, blockchain wouldn't be as helpful as envisaged.
According Kommersant, a local Russian media outlet, Russia's biggest airline S7 is now issuing passenger tickets on a blockchain with support from Alfa-Bank – the country's largest private bank. S7 Airlines and its ticketing agent S7 Ticket are now selling air tickets on the Ethereum blockchain. The aim of the platform is to reduce settlement times between the airline and the agent, which currently takes roughly two weeks. Furthermore, it will streamline the payment process by deducting the agent commission automatically after ticket sales to reflect the final receipt.
Japan's number one budget airline Peach Aviation announced plans to accept Bitcoin for ticketing and adding tie-ins. The target is pay points in souvenir shops, restaurants, and accommodation. There are also plans to install bitcoin ATM's in conjunction with Bitpoint Japan. This is despite the uncertainty in the crypto-markets after the $500 million Coincheck hack on January 26, and speculation that Japan regulators would curtail trading and spending in the crypto-market. Due to fluctuating markets at the end of 2017, a new start date was scheduled for March 2018.
Airbaltic in Latvia announced almost three years ago the intention to accept Bitcoin as part of improving customer service. The airline would accept bitcoins as payment for air tickets to 60 different destinations. They include Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and Central Asia. AirBaltic is the first airline worldwide to accept virtual currency payment.
The excitement for blockchain technology is justified in airlines. But, airlines still need to approach the blockchain evolution appropriately. We can expect blockchain technology to take flight in airlines over the next decade. The usability not yet envisioned today may become the mainstay, cutting costs and reducing complexities while improving the travel industry.


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Carroll County Lifestyles
Carroll comic book creator, graphic novelist plays role at Baltimore Comic-Con
By Jeffrey B. Roth
Times Correspondent |
Mark Wheatley, right, a Carroll County comic book creator/illustrator, graphic novelist, musician and owner of Insight Studios, stands with Peter Capaldi, who portrays the character Dr. Who. (Submitted photo / HANDOUT)
From Doctor Cthulittle and Frankenstein Mobster to Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas, works based on Mark Wheatley's imagination, creativity and artistic talent have fueled his reputation as a creative force in the comic book industry.
That talent will be on display at the 2016 Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend. Wheatley, 62, a Carroll County comic book creator/illustrator, graphic novelist, musician and owner of Insight Studios, has been part of the Comic-Con since it first opened its doors 17 years ago.
Wheatley is one of more than 200 comic book illustrators and creators to be showcased at the three-day event, which runs Sept. 2-4 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
"I am currently preparing the industry awards show — The Harvey Awards — for the Baltimore Comic-Con that will happen on the evening of Sept. 3, at the Hyatt in Baltimore," Wheatley said earlier this week from his studio in the Westminster-area home he shares with his longtime love and spouse, Carol, an occupational therapist.
(Submitted photo / HANDOUT)
Wheatley is the designer for the Harvey Awards, which are the comic book industry's version of the Oscars and Emmys. The awards are named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, best known as the founder of Mad magazine, and were established in 1988 to honor excellence in the comics industry, Wheatley said.
"Kurtzman is one of the top three most respected comic creators of all time, and that is why the awards are named after him," he said. "The awards became part of the Baltimore Comic-Con 11 years ago. Since then they have had a permanent home and have been growing in stature every year. Attendance is up. It's a very large ceremony, with hundreds of people expected to attend on Saturday night. Most of the luminaries of the comics industry will be in attendance."
During the rest of the three-day event, Wheatley will be painting an illustration to promote his new book project, "Doctor Cthulittle."
Mark Wheatley, a Carroll County comic book creator/illustrator, graphic novelist, musician and owner of Insight Studios, created the images seen in "Doctor Cthulittle." (Submitted photo / HANDOUT)
"I will … be performing a live painting on the spot, over the course of the three days of the show," Wheatley said. "I was at the San Diego Comic-Con just a month ago. I did another live painting there."
"Doctor Cthulittle," created by author G.D. Falksen and Wheatley, is a fusion of the character Doctor Dolittle with the Cthulhu Mythos created by H.P. Lovecraft. Described by Scoop, an e-newsletter for the comics industry, as "a tale of terror and whimsy … with wonder, action, adventure and wry humor," the book will feature 60 to 70 original paintings by Wheatley. The book uses the artistic legacies of Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth as an accent to Falksen's witty writing style, Wheatley said.
Based on "Wheatley's love of classic magazine layouts and Golden Age illustration designs," according to Scoop, the title character, Doctor Cthulittle, learns to communicate with the Lovecraftian Elder Gods, and, consequently, the good doctor becomes the only individual capable of negotiating an agreement to stop the gods' plans to inflict catastrophes on the unsuspecting population of the Earth.
In addition to working on comic books and graphic novels, Wheatley is working on a number of TV sitcoms on CBS and ABC. Wheatley also composes and performs original theme music for his comics using an electronic keyboard and digital mixer in his studio, which is in his home. He holds the Eisner, Inkpot, Mucker, Gem and Speakeasy comic industry awards, — he was also nominated for the Ignatz Award from the OrlandoCon and was nominated several times for the Harvey Award.
Wheatley said he has designed a costume for Lady Gaga to wear at a Robin Hood Foundation event to raise money for homeless people in New York City; while she ultimately didn't wear the costume, at the same event, his art was used as a backdrop for a Black Eyed Peas performance. He's also created designs for ABC's "Beauty and the Beast" and "Square Roots," as well as "Super Clyde," "The Millers" and "2 Broke Girls" on CBS.
Several of Wheatley's graphic novels have been optioned for movies. Currently, "Blood of the Innocent," written by Wheatley and Rickey Shanklin, and illustrated by Wheatley, along with his longtime collaborator Marc Hempel, is in pre-production. The comic book series pits Dracula against Jack the Ripper, whose actual identity is a psychotic Prince Albert. Director Mickey Keating, of "Carnage Park" fame, has been selected as the director for the movie adaptation of "Blood of the Innocent."
Superheroes visit summer camp to give out life tips
Comic book heroes visited the Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, during Superhero Week at the organization's summer camp.
By Jacob deNobel
A native of Tidewater, Virginia, Wheatley's passion for comic books began around the time he was in fifth grade, when he became hooked on the campy television series "Batman," starring Adam West.
Wheatley said his obsession with comics concerned his parents, who took his books away from him.
[More Maryland news] Baltimore Safe Streets East worker killed Wednesday in quadruple shooting 'wanted the best for his community' »
In response, Wheatley decided to draw his own comics. By the time he was a junior in high school, Wheatley began publishing a photocopied magazine about comic book art, called Nucleus: The Center of the Comic World, featuring articles and illustrations by established comic book illustrators and writers.
From that early venture, Wheatley began interacting with respected comic writers and illustrators from around the country.
After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, with a degree in communications art and design, Wheatley moved to New Jersey to pursue a career as a freelance magazine illustrator.
Wheatley landed his first professional assignment for International Insanity, a National Lampoon spin-off magazine. It didn't take long before Wheatley had landed an assignment with Heavy Metal magazine.
Today, he has helped create, write, and illustrate numerous original comic books and graphic novels. At various times, he has worked as a freelance illustrator on established comic book series' characters, such as Tarzan, Dick Tracy, The Green Hornet, Dr. Strange, The Flash — and recently he has worked on projects for the Doctor Who franchise.
[More Maryland news] Annapolis police chief: Rookie officer charged with assault, fired from department »
"I have a show coming up that the Norman Rockwell Museum is touring," Wheatley said, adding that the date of the show is yet to be determined.
For this weekend, though, his focus is close to home.
"The [Baltimore Comic-Con] is possibly the best comics con in the U.S.," Wheatley said, "mainly because they are one of the few shows that still focuses on the comics rather than the media tie-ins, like movies and TV."
What: Baltimore Comic-Con
Where: Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St., Baltimore
Baltimore Comic Con, Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour and more of the top events this week
The top 10 events in the Baltimore area for the week of Aug. 28.
By Chris Kaltenbach
When: 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. VIP ticket holders enter 1 hour early Friday and 30 minutes early Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $149 three-day VIP admission, $65 three-day admission, $35 Saturday admission, $30 Sunday admission, $25 Friday admission. Children 10 and younger, free general admission with paid adult. Additional costs apply for autograph and other special sessions. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. The ticket office opens in the show lobby at 9 a.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Online: www.baltimorecomiccon.com
More on Mark:
Latest Carroll County Lifestyles
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Kevin Dayhoff: The origins of Carroll - not Paca or Union - County
An Eye for Art: For Linda DeCarlo, art is all natural
For more information on Mark Wheatley and Insight Studios, visit www.insightstudiosgroup.com.
CCT Local videos


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Fire Lake (Bob Seger Tribute)
15 Griffin St
Sat, Feb 19, 2022 |
Saturday, Feb 19, 2022
Southern Roots Tavern & Eatery
Fire Lake is a fantastic hit filled show! From Old Time Rock & Roll, Turn The Page, Hollywood Nights, Main Street, Against The Wind, Like A Rock to Night Moves. Rock & roll never forgets Fire Lake!!
Saturday February 19th, 2022 9PM-11PM
15$ GENERAL ADMISSION
FRI, JAN 21, 2022 | 8:00PM - 11:00PM
Josh Courson
SAT, JAN 22, 2022 | 9:00PM - 11:00PM
Chris, Jon, and Scott
FRI, FEB 04, 2022 | 9:00PM - 11:00PM
Wicked Serenity - A Godsmack Tribute
SAT, FEB 05, 2022 | 9:00PM - 11:00PM
Dixie Red
Rumors (Valentine's Day)
Nathan Morgan Band
More Events by this Organizer
SAT, MAR 19, 2022 | 1:00PM - 5:00PM
2022-Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest
Suwanee Town Center Park
Suwanee, GA
SAT, FEB 12, 2022 | 1:00PM - 5:00PM
Atlanta Oyster Festival
Atlantic Station Event Space
Oyster Fest With HABIBI, Special Guest, & Sarah Mootz
Oconee Brewing Company
SAT, FEB 26, 2022 | 12:00PM - 6:00PM
Mardi Gras Streetcar Adventure
Registration: Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn
SweetWater 25th Anniversary
SweetWater Brewing Co
McDonough Events
Decatur Events
Clarkston Events
Suwanee Events
You must be 21 and over to purchase tickets or enter Southern Roots. There are no exceptions. You must have your ID to enter, regardless of your age • Reserved Tables — All members must be present at the time of entry to be seated. • The ability to reserve tables ends at 11:59 midnight the day before the event. You can still purchase General Admission tickets for the show at the door.
You must be 21 and over to purchase tickets or enter Southern Roots. There are no exceptions. You must have your ID to enter, regardless of your age
Reserved Tables — All members must be present at the time of entry to be seated. • The ability to reserve tables ends at 11:59 pm the day before the event. You can still purchase General Admission tickets for the show at the door.
Force Majeure - In no event shall the Venue be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Venue shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the entertainment industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.


text:
Robert Perron • Author
Stories Readings Novel Contact
The Author Acknowledgments
Home About The Author Acknowledgments StoriesReadingsNovelContact
Survivors and perpetrators.
First published by Storgy Magazine, February 25, 2018.
You can print this page by copying its URL to printfriendly.coM.
A click clued me the intercom had opened and he was listening, and watching. I donned a chipper face and said, "Patrick, it's Bill O'Dwyer, your cousin once removed." No response. "Grandson to your Aunt Maureen."
I thought the effort for naught in the dead air that followed and had started to turn away when a lilting voice rolled from the metal speaker. "Who's your mum, then?"
"Why, your cousin Sarah," I said.
"And how coomb the visit?" Still putting on the accent though native to and living yet in Providence, Rhode Island.
"To see if you're doing okay," I said. "The family, well, you know, they're still family."
"Are they then?" But the buzzer sounded and I put a shoulder to the foyer door. As I pushed, a spasm below the beltline sent a dribble of urine into my shorts. I closed my eyes and breathed in. I exhaled. Maybe I should have taken Marco's advice, brought him along with a length of piano wire. I'm sure he was joking about the piano wire, but there remained this issue: I had no plan beyond getting in.
Upstairs, seventh floor, I looked left from the elevator, saw a door ajar, and approached. The door opened further and I faced Patrick Harrington. The older, angular face, the sparse gray hair, the thin lips, I recognized from news reports and online searches, not from years gone by. He stood an inch shorter than my five nine, shallow in the chest, sloped in the shoulders. He dressed retro, a button-down short-sleeve shirt tucked into brown polyester pants, his feet in brown loafers.
I pushed bull-like across the threshold and Harrington back-stepped with darting eyes and parting lips. "I'm not your cousin," I said. "I'm Shawn Callaghan."
He took another step back and raised a finger. "Are you a reporter, then?"
"I'm not a reporter, I'm Shawn Callaghan." I closed the gap between us. I'm sure my face was red and screwed one side higher than the other. "Don't you remember me, Father Harrington? Don't you remember your favorite altar boy from Saint Dominic's?"
He lowered his hazel eyes to my hands, rough and meaty. He raised his eyes and dropped his finger. "Are you here to pummel me, then?"
"No, I'm here for tea and crumpets." I lifted my right hand and he threw up forearms—then let them drop to his sides, a missionary at the stake. Unable to follow through, I lowered my hand and we stood several seconds in silence.
"Would you like a cup of tea, then?" he said.
"Aren't you the smart one?"
"No, no," he said. "It's just. While you're thinking on what to do, we might as well have a bit of something."
As mentioned, I hadn't planned, had assumed the words and actions would flow, so maybe tea was the next step. I closed the apartment door behind me not removing Harrington from my sight.
"If it's not putting you out," I said.
Harrington about-faced and shuffled to a stove and sink and fridge that formed a kitchen in the left far quadrant of the apartment. To the right of the kitchen, separated by a counter, was a square Ikea table, faux maple, with four chairs, and behind the table, a sliding glass door, open to an early summer breeze. Close by, to my right, hunkered a Morris chair. I walked in a few steps and looked through the bedroom door the other side of the chair. It had the appearance of a monk's cell: a twin bed with light walnut headboard and footboard, olive blanket pulled tight with hospital corners, and above the headboard, a crucifix, the Lord Jesus in agony. Who was he trying to kid?
Harrington called out. "I'm afraid I can't offer anything stronger than tea. It would jeopardize me standing with probation."
"Not even a touch of communion wine?" I said.
"Well, then, Shawn, you must know I've been defrocked. So the point is moot."
Always clever with the words, Father Harrington.
I crossed the dining area, and as the kettle whistled, stepped past the slider onto a narrow concrete balcony. I pressed against the balustrade and looked seven stories down to the miniature roofs and hoods of cars parked in the street. A queasy near-the-edge feeling rose from my knees and passed through my groin. I hadn't even noticed the balconies when I entered the building.
Earlier that morning, Marco had lowered his sweatpants below his testicles and placed his erect penis against my lips, this while I was sitting at my desk, this after the witticism about the piano wire. I wasn't in the mood but he wouldn't be put off. Afterwards, he squeezed and rubbed the back of my neck and said, Shawn, darling, it might be a bad idea seeing this old felony priest—it's been a long time. Not long enough, I said, and showed him my research. I knew where Harrington lived from the sex offender registry and had scouted the foyer. He hadn't even bothered to disguise his name—there it lay, P. Harrington, on a rectangular label behind laminate underneath his call button. I had picked up the names of his relations from the news and internet, and had devised a ruse for getting in. Marco said, then what?
"Do heights bother you?" Harrington stood next to me leaning against the balustrade.
"I could do without them," I said.
"Watch this." Harrington put a palm on the top of the concrete barrier, and with a jump and a twist, reversed direction, seating himself with legs dangling toward the slider and spine resting against nothingness. He leaned back a few degrees, looked over his shoulder, and said, "Is that yours, the blue Toyota?"
Nausea rose from my stomach, like I was near falling myself. I nodded.
"Me da worked the high iron," said Harrington. "Took me up a few times." He swung his calves so the heels of his loafers knocked against the balustrade. "I don't know what it is. Never bothers me, heights."
Harrington smiled and hopped down. Inside, I found the table set with tea bags in two cups of hot water, sugar and milk on the side. "Red Rose," said Harrington. He reached across to the kitchen counter and gathered a plate secured by Saran wrap. "Are you partial to oatmeal cookies?"
I scraped back a chair and settled myself. Harrington took the chair across. He removed his tea bag, squeezed it, and set it on his saucer. I followed suit.
His eyes rose to mine. "And so?"
"And so," I said. I gathered my anger and closed my hands, which rested on the table, to fists. "How could you? I was a lad. I was twelve years old." Harrington's lips parted a fraction as he held my gaze. "Not to mention your vow of celibacy. A man of the cloth were you?"
"Let me ask you a question," said Harrington. Priests loved to do this. Ask them a question, they ask you a question, round and round. Does God exist? Does he not? How come the soul doesn't show up on an X-ray? Well then, can the supernatural show up on a manmade device? On and on.
Harrington said, "Are you or have you ever been in a gay relationship?"
I lifted my right fist two inches and brought it down on the table. My tea cup rattled in its saucer. "That's not pertinent," I said.
"Let me try another question, What is the purpose of sex in the mind of God—or Darwin, if you prefer?"
What pieces of work, these priests.
"It's not a trick question," said Harrington.
When I continued to refuse the bait, Harrington said, "Procreation, is it not?"
I must have nodded because Harrington smiled. "And so, in the scheme of the universe, sex that doesn't lead to—or at least offer the possibility of—procreation is wasteful. Unnatural. Sinful." Harrington put up a finger. "But the organism desiring sex does not act in the interests of the grander scheme, but in response to the driving force. Which for most men is another woman but for some of us—"
"Oh no," I said. "You're not slithering out that way."
"Slither is it?" Color came to Harrington's face and the pitch of his voice rose. "I'm not trying to slither out of anything. I'm trying to explain. You yourself know how strong it is, the urge for the so-called unnatural. How—for you—to be with another man's next to normal."
"No," I said. "You're not doing this."
Harrington stood. "And for me, I fear, the attraction goes to young boys—"
I rose with my hands flat on the table. "I'm not interested in your how many angels can fit on a pinhead horse shit. We're talking about real life. About real damage."
"But Shawn, I'm trying to explain. The urge—"
I was beyond angry, in another space, another time. Harrington talked on about his alternate reality, about the primeval urge that had him by the throat, etcetera, etcetera. As he blathered, it came back, my conversation with Marco some four years ago the night it started. We were lounging on the couch when the television announced yet another indictment of a priest for sexual misconduct. As I watched, my face tingled and my vision blurred. Marco said, Jesus Christ, what is it? I remained silent and Marco said, tell me, Shawn, I'm your partner. So I told him. I told him about the first time, in the sacristy of St. Dominic's, following Holy Mass, Harrington's vestments cast aside, him on his knees undoing my belt buckle, unzipping my fly. Marco considered my revelation, sat back, and asked, did you like it? Did I what? I said. Did you like getting sucked off? I was twelve, for God's sake, I said, and he was molesting me. Marco said, it's just that I think I was thirteen when I got my first blow job and I really liked it. I liked it better than weed. We went silent for twenty seconds. The news had moved on to another story. Yeah, I said, I liked it, I liked getting off. I took Marco's hand. But it doesn't excuse what he did. Marco squeezed.
Marco's hard to read, I should add. He's fourteen years younger and missed the worst of the priests, the worst of AIDS. I worry about our relationship—that I can't keep pace with his sexual appetite. I worry about other things, like late middle age, like death.
Harrington resumed his seat. I resumed mine. He broke off a piece of oatmeal and steeped it in his Red Rose. "Do you like to dip?" he said.
"Father Harrington," I said, "you're something else."
He looked sideways past the slider as he nibbled, two fingers and thumb poised at his mouth. He swallowed with a surge of his Adam's apple and dropped his fingers.
"I sometimes think of jumping from the balcony," he said. "It would be easy because I don't fear heights." He turned his face to me. "You know what stops me?"
"What is it that stops you?" I said.
"Why, it's a mortal sin." He looked at the ceiling and let loose a laugh. He brought his face back to mine. "And since I'm immediately dead, there's no chance for confession and absolution. I'd be damned to the fires of hell for eternity." He laughed again. "Did you ever get the story of the gangster and the blasphemous boy from the nuns? You must have."
There he was, Harrington the charmer.
"A gangster robs and kills people. He's a horrid man, caught, tried, and condemned to the electric chair. But before the switch is thrown, he makes his confession, receives absolution, and his soul ascends to heaven. Heaven, mind you, a gangster."
Harrington leaned back and crossed a leg.
"Now a young laddie one day takes the name of the lord in vain, a minor mortal sin, but mortal nonetheless. He's on his way to confession but before he gets there is struck down by a car and killed. And his soul—his soul goes straight to the furnace it does. Hell, mind you, for one unabsolved spot. Let that be a lesson."
I reached for a cookie.
"You've heard it then, Shawn?"
"Of course, and I've taken great care since with the lord's name." But I didn't laugh at my joke and Harrington's smile dropped away.
I took a bite of the oatmeal, and held the remainder in front of my face. "Home made?"
"Ah, afraid I don't have those skills. But they're from a bakery, not the supermarket."
"Quite good." I took another bite and looked onto the balcony as I chewed, then turned back with my cheery face.
"Father Harrington," I said, "I'm thinking that if someone, let's say myself, assisted you over the railing, it wouldn't be suicide, and that upon landing, your soul would ascend to heaven. Assuming, of course, you've made your confession and attended to your penance."
Harrington lifted his arms as if in a pulpit. "'Tis considerate, Shawn, but I couldn't do that to you."
"To me?"
"Don't you see? The police would surely arrest you for murder."
I hadn't considered that aspect.
Harrington added, "Especially if I yelled 'he-eee pu-uuu-shed me-eee' on the way down."
I almost laughed. I said, "You have no remorse at all, you bastard. You think you've done nothing more than the odd venial sin."
Harrington's lips fluttered. "Not true," he said. "Not true."
He twisted his body and opened a drawer in the kitchen counter, and twisted back with a sheaf of white, lined paper and a pen. Cocking his right arm, he applied the date to the top line of the top sheet, right side, dropped two lines, and against the left margin wrote, "Dear Shawn Callaghan," followed by a colon. Then began the body of his missive in flowing Palmer. I'd not seen handwriting that striking since eighth grade. "I hereby acknowledge," the letter read, "that I have done you grievous harm of a sexual nature when I was a priest and you were an altar boy. I regret those actions and the pain they have caused. My remorse in that regard is immeasurable. Respectfully, Patrick Harrington."
Harrington turned again to the counter drawer and extracted an envelope of legal size. He folded the letter in three, placed it in the envelope, and slid the envelope to my side of the table. I made no move and Harrington pointed. "There it is, Shawn. I make no pretenses."
What was I supposed to do with these crocodile tears? Frame them? Then I thought, I'll take them for Marco, exhibit them with a flourish, tell him his forebears were not the only ones who could run an inquisition. He'd get a kick out of it.
Harrington edged forward in his chair and said, "Do you want to pray?"
As I looked up from the envelope, he slid off the chair onto his knees.
I jumped to my feet. "Don't do that," I said. "Get up. Get up now."
"Well, then," he said putting his forearm on the table to assist his rising.
I had exited the foyer and entered the street in quest of my blue Toyota when I looked up and saw Harrington on his balcony, leaning forward, ribs against the balustrade, elbows and arms on top. For a second, I thought he was there to wave me off, but then realized his gaze lay ahead, straight and level.
At this moment, Munch faces materialized in blues and yellows and greens, mouths stretched top to bottom in frantic ovals. I visualized a hundred of them angled at sixty degrees, focussed on the reprobate on the balcony, screaming, "Jump, jump."
And hell it is for you, Father Harrington.
A horn blared and I leaped back. Jesus Christ, I'd been standing halfway in the street. Harrington must have heard the horn, I thought, but when I snuck a glance up, the balcony was empty.
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Home/Stories/Plant Science/Inner Central Coast Ranges – Drought Effects on Native Plants
Inner Central Coast Ranges – Drought Effects on Native Plants
August 1, 2015 March 26, 2018
As this long dry summer comes to an end, we're all reeling from four years of drought, but how are our Californian native plants affected by this extended dry cycle? Like most things in our state, the effects are variable with some species stressed and damaged while others are holding strong and even thriving.
This year, the CNPS Vegetation Program re-visited permanent plots in the Carrizo Plain to study the stability of vegetation in the area. This National Monument protects a variety of shrubland and grassland ecosystems that harbor several endangered plant and animal species. Our initial surveys occurred during the gorgeously showy (and wet) year of 2010 and now, five years later, we have recorded a distinct die-off of some shrubs within surveys of allscale (Atriplex polycarpa), spinescale saltbush (Atriplex spinifera), narrowleaf goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia) and purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) shrublands. However, other vegetation types showed stability over this time period, such as California juniper (Juniperus californicus).
Though 2015 was quite dry, the timing of key rains in the inner Coast Ranges and southern San Joaquin Valley enabled showy displays of wildflowers. Some species, such as Eremalche parryi, bloomed in profusion and the Kettleman Hills supported more cover of native annuals than has been seen in years. Long-term monitoring at regular intervals can provide a rigorous scientific assessment of which habitats are vulnerable to shifts in climate. Additional study of the stability of vegetation types in California is sorely needed, in addition to the conservation of corridors to allow the movement of plants and animals within our ever-changing state.
Patchy, showy displays of wildflowers in the inner Central Coast included this annual mallow, Eremalche parryi, in 2010 and 2015. photo by Jennifer Buck Diaz
Photo by Julie Evens
Comparison of a site sampled in 2010 and then again in 2015 of purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Betsy Harbert
Carrizo Sage in 2015. Melinda Elster
mapping, plant communities
Sonoma and Mendocino County Pygmy Forest: Ecosystem Definition and Mapping Project
In Pursuit of Defining and Protecting the Mendocino Pygmy Forest