text:
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Photokina 2018
Lenses • Tamron
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD is the World's First 22.2x Ultra-Telephoto All-In-One Zoom Lens for Nikon and Canon APS-C DSLR Cameras: Lightweight & Compact; Vibration Compensation System; Enables Tele-Macro Photography
by photoxels
With a focal length range of 18-400mm and 22.2x zoom, the Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028) has an ultra-telephoto range equivalent to 620mm in the 35mm format.
Tamron Co., Ltd.
Introducing the world's first*1 ultra-telephoto all-in-one
zoom lens with an extended range that covers 18-400mm
18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028)
Dramatic extended range achieved by combining cutting-edge optical design and other new breakthrough technologies including a redesigned cam structure
June 23, 2017, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the new 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028), the world's first ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C DSLR cameras, which covers a focal length range of 18-400mm. Since the 1992 launch of its AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical (Model 71D), Tamron has dominated the all-in-one zoom category and has produced many lenses that cover wide-angle to telephoto zoom ranges. Tamron has now developed an ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom that extends to 400mm (35mm equivalent of 620mm) and a 22.2x zoom ratio. Packed in a light, compact body (121.4mm/705g)*2 is Tamron's accumulated knowledge and experience for all-in-one zoom lenses, including the most advanced optical and mechanical designs, an HLD (High/Low torque modulated Drive) for the AF system and the Vibration Compensation system. Photographers can now enjoy wide-angle to ultra-telephoto photography using one lens, which is ideal for travel photography and eliminates the need to carry extra lenses. The new Model B028 lens enables a wide variety of ultra-telephoto images including everyday casual scenes.
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): A 22.2x zoom ratio brings your subject closer. Image Courtesy of Tamron
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): Nikon Mount model
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): Canon Mount model
18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
(Model B028)
DATE OF LAUNCH
The Canon and Nikon mount models will be launched simultaneously.
*1 Among interchangeable lenses for DSLR cameras (As of May 2017; Tamron)
*2 Length and weight are based on the Nikon-mount lens.
The world's first*1 ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens to achieve 400mm telephoto
The new Model B028 is the world's first lens for APS-C DSLR cameras that covers a focal length range of 18-400mm and achieves a zoom ratio of 22.2x. The focal length of 400mm on the telephoto end enables the capturing of ultra-telephoto pictures with the 35mm equivalent of 620mm angle of view. Now, with just this one lens, a photographer can readily enjoy the power of the ultra-telephoto to bring distant subjects closer as well as the perspective-flattening effects that only extreme telephoto settings can achieve. This all-in-one zoom lens is ideal for travel and everyday carry. It allows a photographer to switch from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto without changing lenses, making it faster and easier to capture a much wider range of subjects including travel scenes, wildlife, action sports, landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and food.
Excellent image quality across the entire zoom range, from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto
The optical construction of the B028 consists of 16 lens elements in 11 groups. The use of specialized glass elements such as LD (Low Dispersion) and aspherical lens elements effectively minimizes wide-ranging aberrations, including chromatic aberrations and distortion, thereby assuring outstanding image quality. Optimum power distribution among the individual lens element groups achieves both the optical performance and the compact size necessary for an ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens that boasts 400mm focal length. Also, it enables tele-macro photography with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9.
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): Focal length: 400mm Exposure: F/6.3 1/1600 sec ISO1600: Image Courtesy of Tamron
Lightweight and compact design exhibits Tamron's basic philosophy for all-in-one zoom lenses
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): The ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom "includes an all-new barrel design. By distributing complex movements across three cams, Tamron has ensured that all zoom extensions are smooth and easy."
Despite being an all-in-one zoom lens that achieves 400mm ultra-telephoto, Model B028 is light and compact with a total length of 121.4mm and a weight of 705g*2. A new lens barrel design utilizing three-step extensions was developed to enable the necessary elongation to produce a 22.2x zoom ratio. Compared to the conventional approach, the division into a larger number of cams ensures comfortable operation and stability while zooming. Tamron's philosophy for all-in-one zoom lenses is to allow each photographer to casually capture everyday images with a lens of a practical size, and Model B028 fulfills this philosophy.
*2 Length and weight are based on figures for the Nikon-mount lens.
HLD motor provides high-precision AF and enables compact lens construction
The AF drive system for Model B028 uses Tamron's exclusive HLD (High/Low torque modulated Drive) motor. The power-saving HLD motor produces outstanding driving torque, and adjusts motor rotation from low to high speed to enable accurate and quiet focusing. The HLD motor takes up less space thanks to its small size and circular arc shape that allows the size of the lens to be reduced.
Equipped with the Vibration Compensation system necessary for ultra-telephotography at 400mm
Despite its compact size, Model B028 is equipped with Tamron's original VC (Vibration Compensation) system, which effectively curbs camera shake under low light conditions (such as a dimly lit room or at dusk) and while taking ultra-telephoto pictures. This greatly expands opportunities for casual handheld shooting. The jitter-free stability of the viewfinder image allows for easier framing and enables the photographer to compose the subject quickly and comfortably.
Electromagnetic diaphragm system now used also for Nikon-mount lenses
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028): An electromagnetic diaphragm system, which has been a standard feature for Canon-mount lenses, is employed in Nikon-mount lenses*. More precise diaphragm and aperture control is possible because the diaphragm blades are driven and controlled by a motor through electronic pulse signals.
The electromagnetic diaphragm system, which has been a standard feature for Canon-mount lenses, is now employed in Nikon-mount lenses*3. More precise diaphragm and aperture control is possible because the diaphragm blades are driven and controlled by a motor through electronic pulse signals.
*3 Available only with cameras compatible with the electromagnetic diaphragm (D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7000, D7100, D7200, D300S, D500) (As of May, 2017; Tamron)
User-friendly features for everyday comfortable use
With an eye toward active outdoor photography, Model B028 features Moisture-Resistant Construction to ensure worry-free shooting as well as confidence while shooting under adverse weather conditions. Also, the Zoom Lock mechanism prevents undesired movement of the lens barrel under its own weight when the camera is angled downward while walking.
Compatible with TAP-in ConsoleTM, an optional accessory product
The optional TAP-in Console provides a USB connection to a personal computer, enabling the user to easily update the lens's firmware as well as to customize features, including fine adjustments to the AF and VC.
External design placing importance on functionality and ease of use
While inheriting the design that makes use of many organic curves and the delicately polished form down to fine details that characterize the SP lens series, the new Model B028 comes with a highly sophisticated design that also places a lot of importance on the lens's functionality and ease of use, featuring an overall form that faithfully encompasses the internal structures within, a slim Luminous Gold brand ring and the switch shape design.
Tamron, the pioneer of all-in-one zoom lenses
Tamron launched the world's first all-in-one zoom, the AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical (Model 71D), in 1992, thereby establishing this exciting and popular market category and making Tamron truly the pioneer of all-in-one zoom lenses. Because of this innovation, photographers can change the composition and the angle-of-view easily by zooming instead of changing lenses or distance from the subject. This benefit made all-in-one zoom lenses widely popular among consumers all over the world. In the course of developing and refining its lens products over the years, Tamron has developed key innovative technologies such as groundbreaking optical systems, compact lens barrels and complex, high-precision cam configurations—in addition to durable and attractive design aesthetics. Now equipped with Tamron's proprietary Vibration Compensation system, the Tamron all-in-one zoom lenses continue to exceed the user's expectations.
<Tamron's all-in-one zoom lens products over the years>
Released year
1992 AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical (Model 71D)
1996 AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical [IF] Super (Model 171D)
1999 AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical IF MACRO (Model 185D)
2000 AF28-300mm F/3.8-5.6 LD Aspherical IF Super II MACRO (Model 371D)
2001 AF28-200mm Super Zoom F/3.8-5.6 Aspherical XR [IF] MACRO (Model A03)
2002 AF28-300mm Ultra Zoom XR F/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model A06)
2004 AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model A061)
2005 AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model A14)
2006 AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model A031)
2007 AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro (Model A20)
2008 AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO (Model B003)
2010 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD (Model B008)
2010 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC (Model B011)
2014 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO (Model B016)
2014 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD (Model A010)
2014 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di III (Model C001)
2015 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (Model B018)
2017 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (Model B028)
F/3.5-6.3
Angle of View (diagonal)
75°33′ – 4° (for APS-C format)
Optical Construction
16 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Object Distance
0.45m (17.7 in)*
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Filter Size
Maximum Diameter
Length**
for Canon 123.9mm (4.9 in)
for Nikon 121.4mm (4.8 in)
for Canon 710g (25 oz)
for Nikon 705g (24.9 oz)
Aperture Blades
7 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture
F/22-40
Image Stabilization Performance
2.5stops (CIPA Standards Compliant)
(For Canon : EOS-80D is used / For Nikon: D7200 is used)
Standard Accessories
Flower-shaped lens hood, Lens caps
Compatible Mounts
Canon, Nikon
* The minimum object distance may change if camera is used in live view mode.
** Length is the distance from the front tip of the lens to the lens mount face.
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
B028 Product Page
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text:
UO Vice vs Virtue
UO Factions
Thread starter silent death197831
silent death197831
Why is TB the only faction that is actually in a town. Makes no sense.
The Grandest of the PooBah's
Campaign Benefactor
True Britain's who are in.... Britain.
and that makes no sense to you?
or that they are IN the castle that is owned by Lord Britain, and loyal to him.
i kinda thought it was an obvious line to draw.
and COM was in Mag, but was recently moved to the ocean base.
and MX use to be just outside of Pap, but was moved to its mountain retreat.
but, i think i know where your going.
why are they in a town instead of out in the wilds like the rest of the bases have been moved.
i think the simple answer is that when they did the faction revamp a couple years back they DID move the new base out of town.
but those changes where never brought in due to dislike from the masses.
i personally think its kinda fitting.
SL is a good red base.
so is MX for that matter.
and TB is a good blue base.
plus it keeps non faction combatants out of the way.
Raptor85
Certifiable
Poo said:
I disagree, TB base REALLY needs to be moved out of town, as is it's incredibly dangerous to get in a faction fight anywhere near tb base as it's the only base where while you're escaping with the sigils most spells don't work and most attacks will get you guardwhacked, if you have red guildmates or faction partners you can't even heal them when fighting there. It's also the only base "griefable" by non-faction blues being edging a guard zone, as they can block off the enterence or stop you when leaving and there's nothing you can do about it. It's also the only base that the "faction-only" block zone doesn't cover the entire enterence, non-faction players can easily get inside it and do whatever they want anywhere in the base, but you can't flag on anything around there or the second you hit the drawbridge you get whacked....
actually i disagree.
it should remain where it is.
BUT, i think there is a easy fix to make everyone happy.
blow up the existing bridge so it cant be used anymore.
then drop a grenade along the back wall and make a new entrance off the back side.
a nice rubble bridge.
that way you dont have to go through the town to get into the base.
the only issues I have with that solution is that it's bad enough on siege non-faction players don't have access to castle british at all (aside from using the "glitch" with the drawbridge to get in, which really sucks for a lot of people as it was a popular RP spot), while that would be fine for faction purposes, I'd love to see the castle public again as well.....there's also the fact that that HUGE area just outside town is also guardzone, so while there's less npc's on the backside it's still in the city. If the guard zone is (finally) cut down a bit so that it only goes to the outer drawbridge though that would work, though I'd say converting the nearby "warriors guild" building to the faction base would be more ideal than it being in the huge castle (seriously, TB base has like 10x the groundspace of the other bases and boy do their thieves abuse that....)
i think its funny.
if we had let them bring in all those sweeping changes that they wanted to bring in a couple years ago 99% of the stuff we complain about in factions right now wouldnt even be here.
including the bases.
the devs unfortunately have a habit of listening to majority view on the forums which rarely, if ever, matches majority view in game. (heck, I didnt start posting on stratics until I moved to siege, before stratics I only used private guild forum but when I came back to the game I had trouble finding people to even get simple things crafted :/ ) Not hard to see why our population is dropping at such an alarming rate :/
I dunno though, honestly the new "proposed" factions system was just as bad as what we have now, aside from the base moving (which I don't really remember too many people being against, most people were just against getting rid of a faction and renaming the others, i think pretty much everyone agrees there's a problem with TB bases placement) the new changes were radically different but solved pretty much NONE of the problems factions has, such as it still circled around controlling towns but had even less reason to care about it. I had BARELY made the transition to the "new" faction system at that time (I'd only played it before prior to the changes before that, so pre-artys, pre changes) so I didn't really chime in one way or another then.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Cedar Point è un enorme e famoso parco divertimenti statunitense situato a Sandusky nella contea di Erie dell'Ohio, di proprietà della Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.

Di tipologia essenzialmente meccanica è famoso, insieme con il suo grande rivale Six Flags Magic Mountain, per essere uno dei due parchi divertimenti più adrenalinici al mondo, con il quale condivide il record di parco con la più alta concentrazione di montagne russe al mondo (19 in tutto). Detiene comunque il record di unico parco con 4 roller coaster di altezza superiore ai 200 piedi (61 metri) e fino al 2009, è stato il parco con la più alta concentrazione di attrazioni al mondo (75).Occupa completamente una penisola del lago Erie (1,5 km²) sul quale si affaccia e si presenta praticamente privo di tematizzazioni.

Storia
Come struttura concepita per lo svago sorge addirittura nel 1870 (un'area picnic) e pertanto è uno dei due parchi divertimento più antichi del Nord America. Tuttavia, sarà solamente negli anni sessanta che sorgeranno le prime montagne russe. Di fatto è una delle prime strutture che risponde in maniera significativa all'enorme successo ottenuto da Disneyland.È un parco che si è distinto e continua a distinguersi per la continua ricerca della giostra e montagna russa più innovativa, nonché dei relativi record.Le sue attrazioni sono state sempre adrenaliniche e provocatorie, come se fossero in cerca del limite accettabile in relazione al periodo storico in cui vengono presentate. Nel 1976 è il primo parco divertimenti al mondo a presentare una montagna russa con 2 avvitamenti consecutivi: Corkscrew (letteralmente "cavatappi") nome che, per estensione, è stato poi adottato dalle aziende costruttrici stesse per identificare in genere montagne russe con loop consecutivi e avvitamenti laterali. A volte ha installato dei modelli unici che potrebbero considerarsi prototipi.

Nel 2000, con Millennium Force, ha vantato il record di parco divertimenti con la montagna russa più alta del mondo (94 metri). Tale record è stato poi auto-superato nel 2003 costruendo un'altra montagna russa, Top Thrill Dragster, fino al 2005 la montagna russa più alta (128 metri) e veloce al mondo.

Per nove anni consecutivi è stato considerato da varie riviste del settore il miglior parco divertimenti del mondo.

Nell'anno 2007 il Cedar Point inaugurò la diciassettesima montagna russa, Maverick, caratterizzata essenzialmente da due acceleratori di velocità situati su due tratti in salita del percorso.

Nell'anno 2013 viene aperta una nuova montagna russa, dal nome di Gatekeeper, un wing coaster della Bolliger & Mabillard caratterizzato da treni con sedili posti ai lati delle rotaie (simile, ma più intenso, a Raptor di Gardaland).

Nell'anno 2016 viene inaugurato Valravn: un Dive Coaster alto più di 60 metri, prodotto dall'azienda Bolliger & Mabillard. Simile a Oblivion di Gardaland ma di dimensioni molto maggiori e più veloce, è attualmente il secondo Dive Coaster più lungo, alto e veloce al mondo dopo Yukon Striker al parco Canada's Wonderland, sempre posseduto da Cedar Fair.

L'ultima montagna russa inaugurata del parco, nell'anno 2018, è stata Steel Vengeance, un ottovolante ibrido della ditta Rocky Mountain Construction.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Parchi di divertimento negli Stati Uniti d'America
Parchi_di_divertimento_gestiti_da_Cedar_Fair

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Real Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, while Barcelona take on Juventus.
Premier League champions Leicester City, who secured a surprise success over Sevilla in the round of 16, will play Atletico Madrid.
The final tie sees Borussia Dortmund play Monaco, who defeated Manchester City on away goals in the last round.
Real Madrid's director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno was disappointed at drawing Bayern Munich, and said he would have hoped to face them later in the competition.
Which BPL Team Will Qualify From The UCL Knockout Stage?


I believe in the absolute power of chocolate, not God.
I love my long hair.
I admit I'm still a virgin—but not for long, if I have my way.
Yes, we share a double helix.
I'm the first and the last iteration of me.
The ground is crawling with caterpillars. I hopscotch across the asphalt to avoid their bony little bodies, but one crunches beneath my scuffed black boot. Seattle natives hate this time of year, as everything green is devoured by the greedy little buggers, but it's worth it when monarchs fill the air a few months later.
The owner of the shop, Mr. G, greets me with a pleasant grin and gives me my usual steaming cup of black dark-roast coffee with a ton of sugar. I pour it into my old metal thermos for safekeeping, sipping it as I read the digital display beside the door listing odd jobs. I need to earn as much cash as I can this summer for college for university. Even if I get the scholarship I applied for, undergraduate medical school programs aren't cheap.
The cool night breeze hits my cheek when someone enters the shop.
"Throwbacks eat out back," the owner barks, and I glance at Mr. G in surprise. I've never heard that tone in his voice before.
A girl with the signature red curls and bright blue eyes of the Molly clone type shifts from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable.
My eyes move to the tall boy who spoke. He has dark hair that almost hides his eyes, which aren't exactly brown or green, but something in between. A fading bruise is visible on his right cheekbone.
Justus is a late transfer to my high school this year, and he has already earned himself a reputation for getting into fights. The teachers have labeled him a troublemaker, but I know that two of the brawls he was in were to protect Throwback freshmen who were being bullied by some Evolved seniors. I thought he was some kind of Evolved activist, fighting for Throwback rights. Until tonight, I never guessed that he was a clone, too.
Mr. G disappears into the kitchen when Justus and his sister shuffle back toward the exit of the coffee shop.
I grab Brie's hand and pull her into the Evolved restroom by the door.
"I'll hurry," she says in a soft voice.
I don't contradict her, because if Mr. G finds a Throwback in a restroom designated for Evolved customers, he'd be within his rights to punish her.
It's only two minutes later that we leave the bathroom, but we're too late. Mr. G is waiting for us, and he snatches Brie roughly by the arm.
"I'm calling the police," he snarls.
Choose your battles. That's what Addie would say if she were here. Her advice has never steered me wrong, when I'm smart enough to follow it. I think she'd agree that this battle is worth fighting.
Outside, Justus reaches for the door, ready to intervene. I give him a small shake of my head.
My words have backfired. The police would never arrest Mr. G for whipping a kid who is obviously a Throwback, even if it's against the law.
I'm too short and skinny to pull Brie out of his grasp, so I'll have to divert his attention.
"I don't know why you're so mad at her. She used your bathroom once, but you've been letting me use it for years, and I'm cloned, too," I lie.
He flings me onto the ground and follows up with a boot to my stomach. I've never been kicked by a grown man before. It hurts more than I thought it would.
He's about to kick me again, but I surprise him by rolling away and leaping to my feet. When he tries to grab me, I kick him in the kneecap with all my strength. He collapses to the ground and screams, more shocked than hurt, I think. Throwbacks never fight back against the Evolved because the punishment is retirement.
Justus yanks the door open and hauls Brie over his shoulder. He holds out a hand to me and pulls me to my feet.
"Come on," I say, tugging Justus toward my motorcycle.
I put my helmet on Brie, and it nearly engulfs her little head. Straddling the motorcycle, I turn to look at Justus.
Justus hesitates for only a second before helping Brie climb on behind me and then squeezing on himself.
I give him the middle finger as I peel away, my hair snapping behind me like a flag. I want to scream with joy and victory as I whip around the corner, but I don't want to terrify Brie by showing off.
I flip my motorcycle onto its autonomous controls when we're a mile away from the coffee shop, and it merges seamlessly as the embedded GPS integrates into Seattle's interlaced area driving grid controlled by the city planners. I release a deep breath. My ribs ache where Mr. G kicked me, but nothing's broken.
Justus reaches over my shoulder to input a destination into the bike's nav. It's a few miles away in the southwest corner of Seattle, an area called White Center. I've rarely visited this part of the city, and as we get closer, I realize why. It's run-down, the sidewalks cracked in a hundred places. The Throwback side of town.
My motorcycle pulls over next to an ancient dry cleaner's with boarded-up windows. We climb off, and I free Brie from the helmet. She gives me a crooked grin that I return.
"Thank you, miss," Justus says with the same formal tone he used when he spoke to Mr. G.
"Then you know my name isn't 'miss,' Justus," I reply, and his face relaxes into an expression that is almost friendly at my use of his name. I pay attention, too.
"You saved me," Brie says, looking at me like I'm a hero.
Brie's face falls. I've said the wrong thing. Tonight might have been exhilarating for me, but it was terrifying for Brie.
I want to call after Brie and Justus, to apologize for sounding condescending. But Justus and I exist in two separate planes. Throwbacks are made to serve the Evolved, and any relationship outside that, even friendship, is dangerous. Once he turns eighteen, he could be publicly whipped or locked up for inappropriate contact with me.
I put my bike back in manual, but even the thrill of the open road can't distract me from my unease. After a few hours of speeding down empty streets, I accept that my birthday adventure was a flop.
My bike carries me to my part of town, Ballard, where all the lawns are manicured and none of the streetlights are broken. My house is on a quiet cul-de-sac and looks welcoming with its fresh coat of white paint and cheery red front door.
The sky is beginning to lighten, and a part of me wants to keep driving, to find another adventure. Maybe I'll try out being a fearless biker girl speeding across the West Coast, unbound by rules, fighting for Throwback rights. Medical school can wait a year.
I park my bike in the shed, and it looks out of place next to Dad's tools and Mom's gardening equipment. It's too shiny and full of promise for this cramped space.
My parents are waiting for me when I try to sneak back in the house. They sit at the kitchen table with empty mugs in front of them. Mom is wringing her hands like she always does when she's nervous about something. Dad hides it better, but I can tell by the crease between his eyes that he's tense, too.
I'm not in the mood for their drama. They love to play the part of perfect, concerned parents, and it makes me nauseous. I consider going straight back out the door, maybe holing up in the Seattle Public Library or baking cupcakes with my best friend, Ava.
But I can't because skipping your Status meeting with the Department of Genetic Evolution on your eighteenth birthday is a crime. Today I'll be Confirmed as Evolved and officially begin my adult life.
"Why are you so dirty? Is that blood on your sleeve?" Mom asks as she takes in my appearance.
"Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?" I ask, evading her question.
She should know by now that she has no right to ask me anything about where I've been or what I've done. She and Dad sacrificed that right years ago.
"Happy birthday," they chorus, but without the hopeful enthusiasm they had on my last birthday.
Something is definitely off with them this morning. As I get closer, I look to see if there is any gold in their irises, a sure sign that they've been using.
"No," I say, loving how the word feels when it rolls off my tongue. After a childhood of saying yes to everything they asked, hoping they'd stop using Amp if I was good enough, I have a lot of pent-up "no's" to let out.
"You will treat us respectfully—you're still a minor in this house," Dad says.
"For a few more hours," I shoot back.
Instead of continuing the argument, the worried crease is back between Dad's eyes. He glances at Mom, and I think he's about to tell me something when Mom gives him a little shake of her head.
"You just want me to look good in my Confirmation pictures so you aren't embarrassed to show your friends," I mutter as I head upstairs to my room.
On my bed is a shimmery blue dress with long sleeves. It's beautiful, not that I'd ever tell Mom that. Instead I pull out a ratty top from the top of my laundry basket and put it on, just to make her squirm. I wince as I bring my arms above my head, hoping that the rib Mr. G kicked is only bruised.
Our housekeeper, Addie, pokes her head in my room and suppresses a smile when she sees what I'm wearing. I throw my arms around her in a quick hug. She's a Throwback and has worked for my parents since I was three. But she's always been more like a mother to me.
"I'm glad you're here today," I say, and for the first time, I admit to myself that I'm a little anxious about starting the new grown-up chapter of my life.
"I'll write you all the time," I promise, but Addie puts down the brush and heads downstairs. She doesn't want me to see her teary.
The doorbell rings, and I bound down the steps. My parents hover beside the front door. Mom doesn't comment on my appearance, even though I can tell she notices my skinned elbows. When I see her knuckles, red and raw from all her hand-wringing, a strange dart of fear pings through my body.
A tall woman with tan skin and short, cropped hair enters our house and shakes my parents' hands after she sets her briefcase on the ground.
"Jayne Piers, from the Department of Genetic Evolution," she says, introducing herself.
She shakes my hand, and her stare is piercing, like she can read the truth of my DNA in my eyes.
"Joan Fasces," I say, willing my voice to stop trembling.
Mom leads us into the dining room, which is elegantly decorated for the birthday lunch she insisted on hosting for me to celebrate being Confirmed as Evolved.
Jayne sits and opens her briefcase. Her movements are efficient as she attaches a needle to her smartphone and pulls my arm toward her. The sharp tip stings my index finger as it collects a drop of my blood for analysis. When she's done, she sprays my finger and the needle with a sanitizer mist.
"This won't take long," Jayne says as data about my DNA rapidly fills the screen of her phone.
I look up for the first time since Jayne took my blood and see that my parents are gripping each other's hands tightly. Mom's eyes meet mine and fill with tears, and the realization hits me right before the words come out of Jayne's mouth.
"Your DNA is cloned. You're a Genetic Replicant," she says. There's no judgment; she's stating a fact.
Joan Undone is the second book in The Throwback Series. The first book, Joan the Made, tells the story of Joan Fasces', who discovers that she is cloned from the famous Joan of Arc on her eighteenth birthday. But being cloned in America comes at a steep price. Segregated and oppressed, clones are forced to act as docile servants to the rest of the Evolved population. Joan can either run from her fate and spend the rest of her life in hiding, or she can join a Throwback rebellion populated by clones of the greatest leaders in history.
If you love edgy young adult fiction like Hunger Games, Ready Player One, or Divergent, give this series a try.
Throwback anger has been unleashed, and the streets of Seattle run with Evolved blood. Joan and her friends, who unwittingly helped ignite this violent uprising, know that they must be the ones to end it.
But stopping the momentum of a movement powered by rage and masterminded by one of the greatest villains in history may be more than even Joan can overcome. In order to stand a chance, Joan decides to temporarily join forces with Strand, the company responsible for institutionalizing oppression against the Throwback people.
With agendas and enemies on every side, Joan and her team must harness their ingenuity and learn to trust each other if they stand a chance of turning the tide of violence sweeping across their city.


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The Song of the Bird
"Even the bird finds its home and the free bird her nest where she had her young; O to be at Your altars, O Compassionate One, Master of the hosts of creation, my Sovereign and my God." (Psalm 84:4)
In "Nature's Song," Rabbi Slifkin writes, "Birds have an excellent homing instinct. Capture one, take it many miles away, and it will inevitably find its way back home to her nest." The Song of the Bird begins by describing how the bird returns to its nest, and it then expresses our yearning to return to our "nest" by the altars of the Compassionate One.
On one level, the yearning for our "nest" can be understood as the yearning of each soul for its spiritual home. As Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch writes in his commentary on this verse: "Each soul builds its own 'nest,' as it were, in the House of the Lord. In the House of God there is assigned to each individual his own special task of purification, devotion, and upward striving in accordance with the particular nature of his personality." The Song of the Bird therefore expresses the yearning of each soul for its "nest" - its specific place and purpose within the House of God.
On another level, the yearning for our "nest" can be understood as the yearning for our unifying and elevating Temple in Jerusalem. The Song of the Bird therefore expresses our people's yearning to return to the altars of the Temple, where we can sing our own song of praise to the Compassionate One. In this spirit, we sing the following words at the Shabbos table: "May the Temple be rebuilt, the City of Zion replenished; there we shall sing a new song, with joyous singing ascend" (Tzur Mi-Shelo).
"Even the bird finds its home and the free bird her nest…" – According to the Midrash cited by Rashi, the "bird" is the Community of Israel that will find its "nest" when the Temple will be rebuilt. In fact, the bird which represents our people is the dove, and this bird is especially known for its loyalty to its nest; thus, when we begin to leave the lands of our exile and return to our "nest" in Zion, the peoples will say, "Who are these that fly like a cloud, like doves to their cotes?" (Isaiah 60:8)
The Temple is to also serve as the spiritual nest for all humankind, as it is written, "The mountain of the Temple of the Compassionate One will be firmly established as the head of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills, and all the nations will stream to it" (Isaiah 2:1). This universal vision appears again in the words of the following Divine promise which we chant on each fast day:
"I will bring them to My sacred mountain, and I will gladden them in My house of prayer; their elevation-offerings and their feast-offerings will find favor on My Altar, for My House will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." (Isaiah 56:7)
It is written, "Like a bird wandering from its nest, so is a person wandering from his place" (Proverbs 27:8). In a certain sense, all human beings are "wandering birds" that will one day return to their spiritual home - their "nest" in Zion. In the concluding words of the Shabbos song, "Kah Ribon," this home is described as, "the Holy of Holies, the place where spirits and souls will rejoice!"
May we be blessed with a peaceful Shabbos.
Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen (See below)
Related Teachings and Stories:
1. Jewish tradition teaches that the first human being was originally created as an androgynous being with two sides – male and female – which were later separated (Rashi on Genesis 1:17 and 2:21); moreover, the human being was created at the site where the Temple would be built, as the Midrash states: "With an abounding love did the Holy One, blessed be He, love the first human being, as He created him in a pure locality, in the place of the Temple" (Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer, chapter 12). All human beings therefore have a special connection to this sacred place.
2. The Song of the Bird has another translation: "Even the bird finds its home and the free bird her nest where she had her young at Your altars, O Compassionate One..." This translation implies that the birds themselves are attracted to the sacred mountain of the Temple. In this spirit, Rabbi Slifkin writes in "Natures' Song":
"Visitors to the Kosel Ha-Maaravi, the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, will notice the profusion of birds that inhabit it. Sparrows, swifts and doves all build their homes in this holiest of places, and their cries are heard incessantly. It is explained that birds have a sixth sense for sanctity." Rabbi Slifkin suggests that this spiritual sensitivity may be a reason why birds are represented in disproportionately large numbers in Perek Shirah.
3. Many of us have stories to tell of visitors to Israel – including non-Jews – who felt a mysterious inner yearning when they arrived at the Kotel – the Western Wall. For example, a Jewish friend of mine told me a story about his sister-in-law's visit to Jerusalem. She had come from the United States to visit her brother, who lives in Israel, and my friend took her to visit the Kotel. She does not consider herself to be religious, and she did not have a Torah education. In addition, she never expressed any spiritual yearnings, and whenever my friend talked about spiritual ideas with her, she was not interested. She knew very little about the Kotel, but since she was a tourist in Jerusalem, she went with my friend and her brother to see it. As she reached the Kotel, she suddenly became overcome with deep emotions, and began to weep. She and those with her were in shock, for such a reaction seemed totally against her "normal" nature. As I told my friend, when she arrived at the Kotel, her true nature was revealed.
4. The Fast of the 17th day of Tamuz falls this year on Sunday, July 24th. On this day we will chant the prophecy, "My House will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."
5. One of the resources we are using for this series is "Perek Shirah" – The Song of the Universe, Translation and Insights by Rabbi Nosson Scherman. For information on this work, visit: http://artscroll.com/linker/hazon/ASIN/PSHH
Another resource is "Nature's Song" –a book on Perek Shirah by Rabbi Nosson Slifkin (Targum/Feldheim). For further information on this work, visit: www.feldheim.com.
Hazon - Our Universal Vision


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Regional Director, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Region: Apply!
Scout is recruiting. The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. The World Organization of the Scout Movement, including its six regions, involves more than 500 volunteers in a wide variety of responsibilities. The volunteers are supported, at world level, by a very small team of enthusiastic professional executives and support staff in 12 offices.
Current Opening: Regional Director, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Region
Term of contract:
As described in the information pack below
Starting Date:
Objective of the position
In managing the Asia-Pacific Regional Office as a branch of the World Scout Bureau, the Regional Director will provide support to NSOs in the Asia-Pacific Region; support the Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee; support the implementation of WOSM's strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region and contribute to fulfilling the mission of WOSM.
Detailed Job description and other information on the role in the Information Pack below:
Regional Director, World Scout Bureau Asia-Pacific Region. 3.48 MB
Candidates meeting the requirements must send their full application file including CV, motivation letter, copies of diplomas and work certificates/recommendation letters to: [email protected]
Note: The World Scout Bureau is an equal opportunities employer.
Previous: First Annual Africa Youth Assembly: Apply!
Next: VVLead Fellowship Program: Apply!


text:
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After a night of drinking, Adam Hutcherson stumbles out of the closet to his three straight buddies. A disruption to their dynamic which they now must try and overcome through alcohol, Tinder dates and forgiveness.
Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church, Scarlett Estevez
The story of a mild-mannered radio executive (Ferrell) who strives to become the best stepdad ever to his wife's two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling, freeloading real father arrives, forcing stepdad to compete for the affection of the kids.
Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong
Jamie Chung, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Ng, Sarah Lian, Lawrence S. Dickerson
In this sparkling romance, Ruby, a Chinese American toy designer from LA, visits Hong Kong for the first time on business. Finding herself stranded, she meets Josh, an American expat who shows her the city.
Addicted to Fresno
Judy Greer, Natasha Lyonne, Malcolm Barrett, Jessica St. Clair, Edward Barbanell
Two co-dependent sisters, a recovering sex addict and a lonely lesbian who work as hotel maids in Fresno, go to ludicrous lengths to cover up an accidental crime.
Comedy, Drama, War
Benicio Del Toro, Tim Robbins, Olga Kurylenko, Mélanie Thierry, Fedja Stukan
Somewhere in the Balkans, 1995. A team of aid workers must solve an apparently simple problem in an almost completely pacified territory that has been devastated by a cruel war, but some of the local inhabitants, the retreating combatants, the UN forces, many cows and an absurd...
A Date with Miss Fortune
Jeannette Sousa, Ryan Scott, Joaquim de Almeida, Vik Sahay, Claudia Ferri
When a struggling writer meets a superstitious Portuguese beauty, he has no idea that his life and luck are both about to change. A romantic comedy about cross-cultural relationships.
Judith Scott, Chelsea Lopez, Jordan Trovillion, Laura Schein, Shaw Jones
Based on true events- A young woman struggles to piece her world together after a botched suicide attempt.
Short, Comedy
Anthony Robert Grasso, Jessica Arinella
The Table is a short starring Anthony Robert Grasso and Jessica Arinella. After a troubled couple loses their special table in a restaurant, they tear each other to shreds.
The Mermaid
Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Chao Deng, Show Lo, Yuqi Zhang, Yun Lin, Hark Tsui
A playboy business tycoon, Liu Xuan, purchases the Green Gulf, a wildlife reserve, for a sea reclamation project, and uses sonar technology to get rid of the sea life in the area. Unknown to him, the Green Gulf is the home of merpeople, and the sonar has caused many of them to...
The Last Laugh
Documentary, Comedy
Renee Firestone, Klara Firestone, Gilbert Gottfried, Rob Reiner, Mel Brooks
Feature documentary about humor and the Holocaust, examining whether it is ever acceptable to use humor in connection with a tragedy of that scale, and the implications for other seemingly off-limits topics in a society that prizes free speech.
Sharkenstein
Greta Volkova, Ken Van Sant, Titus Himmelberger, James Carolus, Jeff Kirkendall
In the final days of World War II, a secret experiment to weaponize sharks is shut down and destroyed by the Third Reich. But now, 60 years later, a small ocean town is plagued by a bloodthirsty, mysterious creature, one built and reanimated using parts of the greatest killers to...
Giuseppe Battiston, Anna Foglietta, Marco Giallini, Edoardo Leo, Valerio Mastandrea
During a dinner, a group of friends decide to share whatever text message or phone call they will receive during the evening - and all hell breaks loose.
Bakery in Brooklyn
Aimee Teegarden, Krysta Rodriguez, Griffin Newman, Ernie Sabella, Blanca Suárez
Two young women do their best to try and save their dead aunt's bakery
Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Olyphant, Shay Mitchell, Caleb Brown, Brandon Spink
Intersecting stories with different moms collide on Mother's Day.


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text:
Pat Buchanan Says GOP Is Turning Noninterventionist . . . Or Maybe They're Just Keeping Quiet
american exceptionalism, big brother, Christianity, Congress, culture, demographics, gop, graham, illegal aliens, immigration, jacobin, libertarian, mccain, military-industrial complex, national security, nonintervention, ObamaCare, party politics, Pat Buchanan, ponzi scheme, republican, society, tradition
Mandeville, LA – Exclusive Transcript – Patrick J. Buchanan, in a column that he posted yesterday, posits the theorem that the Grand Old Party is moving towards a stance of noninterventionism, and that that is definitely the direction the party is going, that the McCains and Grahams, that their heyday of being able to invade and conquer the entire known universe and not even having to, well, they had to fabricate some fake excuse to do so, that that is not in favor anymore. Check out today's transcript for the rest…
Mike: Patrick J. Buchanan, in a column that he posted yesterday, posits the theorem that the Grand Old Party is moving towards a stance of noninterventionism, and that that is definitely the direction the party is going, that the McCains and Grahams, that their heyday of being able to invade and conquer the entire known universe and not even having to, well, they had to fabricate some fake excuse to do so, that that is not in favor anymore. Here's what Buchanan writes under the headline "The GOP's New Minority."
Own your AUTOGRAPHED copy of THE book on the American Union's realignment
Next year should be a banner year for the GOP, and may yet be.
Obamacare, a "train wreck" about to happen, says Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, goes into full effect Jan. 1, with the popular IRS as enforcer.
The Obama media feel betrayed by the secret intrusions on First Amendment rights. Libertarians see the National Security Agency's data mining as a massive violation of Fourth Amendment rights.
The White House is bedeviled by scandals, the second-term curse has caught up with the Obama presidency, and prospects for the U.S. economy seem dicier than a few months ago.
History is also on the GOP's side. In the second midterm elections, Presidents Wilson, FDR, Eisenhower, JFK-LBJ, Nixon-Ford, Reagan and Bush II all suffered big losses. It has become a tradition.
But if the GOP is favored to hold the House and make gains in the Senate, the long-term prognosis for the party remains grim.
First, libertarianism is breaking up that old gang of mine. Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham call for air strikes on Syria. But no echo is heard, as the Republican Party becomes anti-interventionist…
Mike Church Show Transcript – North Colorado Secession Could Mean A 51st State Or A Monaco In Middle America
Mike: I know a lot of Republicans, buttloads of them. I cannot say with certitude other than the ones that I would not really call Republicans but would call Libertarians, that they have become anti-interventionist. The American exceptionalism and the Jacobin-based patriotism that these people ooze, live, sleep, eat, and breathe, to me, is still very rabid, very front and center and hasn't gone anywhere. It may have fallen out of favor and those that practice it and espouse it may not want to blabber about it today, but I don't think it's been overcome with anti-interventionism or noninterventionism. I think that there are more noninterventionists and there is some libertarian — I wouldn't even call it libertarian. I think that's a mistake to call it libertarian. I think there's more [r]epublican, like the logo that I created to hopefully accentuate the use of the term and its proper connotation, not capitalized. I think there are more republicans being baptized and immersed in republican — it's not ideology because you don't want to be an ideologue — in republican tradition and pragmatism than ever before, or ever in my lifetime anyway…
That doesn't mean that the anti-interventionists are winning the day. It's kind of funny, though, just two, three years ago how many people would call this radio show and threaten to cancel their subscriptions, never listening to me again, going to my website and canceling their subscriptions, never buying another movie or T-shirt from me ever again because I would not toe the line on invading wherever it was they wanted to invade, or about the vainglorious nature of everything that is part of the military-industrial complex. Do you remember those days? It's not like that anymore, is it? It does happen, but it doesn't happen with the regularity that it used to happen, does it? Buchanan continues:
Yet the acid test comes after Friday's Iranian election, as the neocon war drums begin to beat.
Libertarian Republicans believe the National Security Agency is Big Brother and the Brave New World at hand. National security Republicans back the agency's right to access private data banks to protect us from terrorism.
On how to deal with 12 million illegal aliens—send them home or grant them amnesty and a "path to citizenship"—the party's rancorous division will be starkly visible when the bill reaches the House.
But the existential crisis of the GOP, from which it has turned its eyes away since George H.W. Bush, is demography.
Yet the matter cannot be avoided now, for it is on page one.
"White Numbers Shrink," was the headline on the lead story in USA Today.
"More Whites Dying Than Being Born," blared The Wall Street Journal. What does this mean?
In demographic terms, more white Americans died in 2012 than were born. Never before—not during the Civil War bloodletting, not during the influenza epidemic after World War I, not during the Great Depression and birth dearth of the 1930s—has this happened.
In ethnic terms, it means that Americans whose forebears came from Great Britain, Ireland and Germany, Southern and Eastern Europe—the European tribes of North America—have begun to die.
The demographic winter of white America is at hand, even as it began years ago for the native-born of old Europe.
Mike Church Show Transcript – Learning From Ron Paul's Unwavering Commitment to Liberty
Mike: This is largely as a result of the disintegration or the continued, I'd say, dissolving of what used to be called the nuclear family, the continued dissolving and erosion of a popular Christianity-based culture, which is almost nonexistent today. I've got to tell you, it's a daily struggle and requires a daily concerted effort to try to keep faith in your personal life and in your personal relations. I have friends who used to be men of faith, I assume when they were young because I know they graduated Catholic school, yet today they are as lewd and as obnoxious as any secular people that ever walked the face of the Earth.
I try to say: Dude, seriously, really? That's the best way we can say that? That's the best way we can have a conversation about this? Really, seriously? [mocking] "Stop being a prude, Mike, come on. This is 2013. You and your silly little Russell Kirk and your little conservative republican traditions, they're getting buried." I hear that all the time. I guess that means that those of us that are clinging ought to just surrender, right? Is that what you people are telling us, just surrender, give it up, get with the program and all become lewd, foul-mouthed Charlie Sheens, all become lewd, foul-mouthed Mayhem in the A.M.? We haven't even gotten into that story yet, Andrew. I know you're chomping at the bit for that one. Let me finish up with Buchanan:
In political terms, this is depressing news for the Republican Party. For nearly 90 percent of all Republican votes in presidential elections are provided by Americans of European descent.
Mike: When you immigrate and you're told you have to immigrate — this is how sick this is. We're told we have to immigrate because we have to keep growing our numbers in our economy because we have big bills to pay. The elite, progressive ruling masters create this mega welfare state, this mega leviathan military-industrial complex spyfare state. They create this unaffordable entity that no human civilization in the history of the planet could afford. Then, when it begins to go into debt and is in danger of bankrupting itself, the answer to the problem is to import new members, new people into the Ponzi scheme from second and third worlds. That's the answer: We need more people in here paying social security taxes. Why, so you can continue the Ponzi scheme? So you can continue the dilution of any form of an American or North American ethos that may have existed or a tradition that may have existed? Wow. And what do you call that? I call that an intentional suicide. That is civilizational harry carry that we're committing right now, yet it seems not to dawn on many people. Nothing to see here, move along.
Mike Church Show Transcript – Government Does Not "Create" Our Liberty
For nearly 90 percent of all Republican votes in presidential elections are provided by Americans of European descent.
In 1960 white folks were close to 90 percent of the entire U.S. population and 95 percent of the electorate. Nixon's New Majority was created by pulling Northern Catholic ethnics and Southern conservative Protestants, white folks all, out of the Roosevelt coalition and bringing them into a new alliance that would give Nixon a 49-state landslide in 1972, which Reagan would replicate in 1984.
But since that New Majority gave the Republicans five victories in six presidential elections, four of them 40-state landslides, the political world has turned upside down, and demography is the cause.
Mitt Romney won 59 percent of the white vote, a 3-to-2 victory over Obama among America's majority. In any year before 1980, that would have meant victory. But in 2012 whites were only 74 percent of those who went to the polls.
If Republicans are opposed to what mass immigration is doing to the country demographically, ethnically, socially and politically, there are, as Reagan used to say, "simple answers, just no easy answers." [Mike: Here's Buchanan's answer. We have an immigration bill that's in the Senate right now that is probably going nowhere, and it's going nowhere for good reason.]
Those answers: No amnesty, secure the border, enforce laws against businesses that hire illegals, and impose a moratorium on new immigration so wages can rise and immigrants enter the middle class and start voting as did the children and grandchildren of the immigrants of 1890-1920 by 1972.
So what are the Republicans doing?
Going back on their word, dishonoring their platform, and enraging their loyal supporters, who gave Mitt 90 percent of his votes, to pander to a segment of the electorate that gave Mitt less than 5 percent of his total votes.
Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.
Mike: Remember, that's the Latin phrase of the day: Quem deus vult perdere, dementat prius. Is Buchanan right, is he?
american exceptionalismbig brotherChristianityCongressculturedemographicsgopgrahamillegal aliensimmigrationjacobinlibertarianmccainmilitary-industrial complexnational securitynoninterventionObamaCareparty politicsPat Buchananponzi schemerepublicansocietytradition
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Q: Image Data Generator for a folder of images I have 7 labeled classes all with varying quantities of images in them (ranging from 2000-20000). I know in keras when using the model.fit I can change how many times each folder of labeled images is read in. Instead, I would like to compare the results if I augmented the images in the folders with fewer images. I only know how to do this image by image, how would I augment all the images in the folder instead of 1 at a time?
gen = ImageDataGenerator(rotation_range=10, width_shift_range=0.1,
                    height_shift_range=0.1, shear_range=0.15, zoom_range=0.1,
                    channel_shift_range=10, horizontal_flip=True,
                     vertical_flip=True)
Folder_path = 'Folder_path_with_images'
image = np.expand_dims(ndimage.imread(Folder_path),0) # I get no permission from Folder_path_with_images

# Generate batches of augmented images from this image
aug_iter = gen.flow(image, save_to_dir = 'NEW_SAVE_PATH')
aug_images = [next(aug_iter)[0].astype(np.uint8) for i in range(10)]

A: model.fit_generator will do the job.
Here is one of my example code:
model.fit_generator(datagen.flow(x_train, to_categorical(y_train), \
        batch_size=mini_batch_size),
        # steps_per_epoch= ceil(len(x_train)/mini_batch_size), \
        epochs=60, \
        validation_data=(test_images, to_categorical(test_labels)), \
        )

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In its October 1912 issue, All-Story Magazine published a short story by Edgar Rice Burroughs called "Tarzan of the Apes." Do you remember the plot? John Clayton is born to parents who are marooned on the west coast of Africa. His parents, Lord and Lady Greystoke, die on his first birthday. John is adopted by Kala, an ape, who mothers him as one of her own. He is that child who is unaware he is human. He goes on to be a man more comfortable in the jungle than he is among the gentry, his birthright. He grows up and marries Jane Porter but he returns to his loincloth-and-knife existence as often as he can.
For many years, Tarzan of the Apes with its nearly flawless male hero was one of the books constantly named as a favorite among teen readers. Reading the book, one could imagine oneself living outside of society and any imposed restrictions and expectations. The jungle seemed like a hospitable place which, although very dangerous, offered opportunities to prove the mettle of your existence.
These books can be viewed through a nostalgic, historical lens as being written at a time when Burroughs, proud of his Anglo-Saxon heritage, wrote with the colonial viewpoint of white English supremacy. Today's readers will find his attitude dated, if not repugnant, and yet the Tarzan books are a part of our growing-up as readers and their influence on an entire genre of fiction continues to be acknowledged.
Tarzan of the Apes does, indeed, have a tie-in with our Bookstorm™ this month, Untamed: the Wild Life of Jane Goodall by Anita Silvey (National Geographic).
In literature and in science, children who are lost or abandoned in the wild are called "feral children." There are a number of stories and books, offering evidence of our fascination with this concept.
Gilgamesh, Romulus and Remus, and Pecos Bill are classically represented as children raised by animals.
You may have read the following books or you're adding them to your TBR pile now.
Valentine Michael Smith in Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land was raised by Martians. This is not precisely fitting with the definition of feral children but, having never met a Martian, I'm not sure.
Here's an article about "Feral Children: Mind Blowing Cases of Children Raised by Animals," written by Mihai Andrei for ZME Science.
Married, with two children, Burroughs tried his hand at many endeavors and didn't succeed at any of them. The pressures to provide a living for his family spurred him on to submit a story he wrote for publication.
He sold Tarzan of the Apes to the Prank A. Munsey company for $700, which is $17,164 in today's money. He had a hard time finding a book publisher, but once A.C. McClurg and Company published Tarzan, it became a 1914 bestseller.
Here is Chapter One of John Taliaferro's biography, Tarzan Forever, The Life of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Creator of Tarzan.
Did you know that the town of Tarzana, California is located on Edgar Rice Burroughs' former 550-acre ranch, which was named, not surprisingly, Tarzana Ranch?
Burroughs had another wildly successful book series beyond Tarzan, set at the Earth's core! Known as Pellucidar, there are seven books, which also have a fervent following. In one of the books, Tarzan finds his way to Pellucidar, Tarzan at the Earth's Core.
The original dust jacket was hard to come by for collectors. In 2014, Phil Normand of Recoverings.com recreated that original dust jacket and sold it to collectors for $50.
Are you a fan of the Tarzan books? Leave a comment to let us know why they appeal to you.
We could reach her through nursery rhymes.
She regularly sat in the living room, wrapped in a blanket in her wheelchair. To people who don't understand, she would seem withered, vacant, even loose in the joints, and maybe very shabby. But we stroked her palsied hands and gently called her name. On occasion, she'd open her eyes.
Ok, so she wasn't perfect…but she deserved points for keeping within the nursery rhyme genre. Dementia visits people differently, but commonly the memories it spares are ones from childhood. Someone, likely this woman's mother, 90 some years ago, before WWI, before women's suffrage, before radio, took the time to sit with this now-wrinkled woman as a then-chubby-faced baby and sing her nursery rhymes.
Nearly a century later, we were blessed to enjoy the echoes of that love between parent and child.
Viral videos show how people momentarily awaken hibernating personalities by hearing just the right song. They use the scaffolding of the music to sing words they can't say on their own in a sentence, yet their expressions suggest they very much know the context. The same can be true with reading.
It is now universally accepted that music should be used daily to empower the lives of those with dementia. It is time for reading, independently or in a group, to become revered in a parallel light. Reflecting back on how the woman remembered nursery rhymes, the leap in logic with children's stories becoming senior's stories isn't so outlandish.
The words on the page, the illustrations woven with the storyline, the length, the page turns, the weight of the book itself: all of these aspects support an intergenerational market. Precocious picture books work especially well as seniors, even those with advanced dementia, usually retain much of their vocabulary.
The form and format of picture books are also effective for engaging these readers. Although we see older folks sitting with their cup of black coffee and morning paper, the font size of newsprint can be hard to decipher, the busyness of the ads mixed with blocks of different articles can be confusing, and, due to attention difficulties caused by disease and stress, the length of news stories, let alone novels, can be overwhelming. The design and length of picture books, on the other hand, welcomes these same readers.
The Alzheimer's Association reports there are currently over five million people in the United States with this type of dementia, and that number may triple in the next 35 years.2 The percentage of the U.S. population made of children ages 12 and younger will dip in that same time period.3 The business of writing picture books and placing them with the perfect reader can, and should, grow up.
There is a blue ocean of under-served and underestimated people, broken-in-body children-at-heart, who need us. Picture books can help families express love to those they thought they had lost. We already have the power, we just need the reframing mindset. It's simple, really; we can even reach them through nursery rhymes.
Jenny Barlow is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Teaching Artist through ArtSage of Minnesota. She has an MFA in Writing for Children from Hamline University and an MA in Human Development/Gerontology from St. Mary's University. Jenny is Program Lead at Friendship Village of Bloomington. She adapts her knowledge of children's literature to create reading programs for the elderly.
Animal Shenanigans, Rob Reid's latest resource book for teachers, parents, and librarians.
I am fortunate to teach three sections of children's literature each semester to future elementary teachers, future special education teachers, and future librarians. It's truly a fun gig. I was asked by the Bookology folks to share those books and topics I teach to these budding professionals.
I open each semester by introducing myself and reading my current favorite interactive picture book. The last few years, it has been Press Here by Hervé Tullet and the students are delighted to know such a book like this exists. I then ask them to tell me what comes to mind when I say, "Children's Books." I write their responses on the board and…the same titles appear year after year. Titles from their school years: Arthur, Amelia Bedelia, Magic Treehouse, Harry Potter, Dr. Seuss—the usual suspects. All good choices but no surprises and nothing recently published. That's my job then for the next 15 weeks: combine history of children's literature with the best of the newer stuff, so they can share those with kids down the road.
I contrast what sells with what wins the numerous awards: quantity vs. quality (and luckily, the two go together with many titles) and how kids need to be exposed to all. Over the semester, my students learn what the following awards are for, who are the most recent winners, and many of the notable past winners: Newbery (and I share my own experience being on that committee), Caldecott, Geisel, Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpré, American Indian Youth Literature, Scott O'Dell, Sibert, Orbis Pictus, and the Schneider Family Award.
Si nce that last award originated at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where I teach, and because I have many special education students, we put special emphasis on this award that recognizes portrayals of people with disabilities. As a class, we all read Wonder by R.J. Palacio (before that it was Rules by Cynthia Lord) and I will also be adding El Deafo by Cece Bell this upcoming year as a required read to represent graphic novels (I have been using the first Babymouse and the first Lunch Lady as examples of elementary school graphic novels).
The other required read is Love That Dog, and I introduce the other works of Sharon Creech and Walter Dean Myers (who is a fictionalized character of himself in the book). We look at dozens of poetry books not written by Shel Silverstein (and I have some good Silverstein anecdotes to share) and learn ways to make poetry fun for kids.
Students pick an elective chapter book from a list I provide (which includes Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Out of My Mind, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Coraline, Tale of Despereaux, Princess Academy, Elijah of Buxton, and several more) and they create a literature activity guide to go with their novel.
Students draw the name of a children's illustrator and put together a PowerPoint to share with the class what they learned about the various artistic elements present in the picture books.
We also look at the timeline of diversity in children's literature, traditional folklore from around the world, fantasy and science fiction, controversial books, informational books and biographies, easy readers and bridge books, realistic fiction, historical fiction, and Minnesota and Wisconsin book creators (since most of my students are from these two states and we have so many talented, published, award-winning authors and illustrators here).
Each student also has to tell an oral story to the class based on a folktale. They are sent to the 398 section of the library to look through both the picture book editions and anthologies of folktales, learn one, and share it without notes.
We finish the semester with competitive rounds of Kiddie Lit Jeopardy, they fill out their student evaluations that all read "This was a lot of work!" and I send them off to explore the remaining 99% of the wonderful children's books we didn't have time to cover in class.


text:
When Diabetes Christchurch needed an app to help their clients make healthier nutritional choices, they looked to Ara students for help.
Computing and Human Nutrition tutors were receptive; they saw a chance for students to work collaboratively on an interesting project that could make a difference to people in the community.
The team from Ara that created the MyShoppingBuddy app. (Front row from left: Dr Luofeng Xu; Quentin Barry; Norman Saruchera and Felsi Judith. Back row from left: Dr Maria Choukri; Dr Bernard Otinpong and Tania Vincent.)
"The goal of this project was to develop something to improve healthy food choices for New Zealand diabetics, since diabetes is one of the fastest growing health issues in New Zealand and eating healthy foods could be helpful to manage Type 2 diabetes," Computing tutor Dr Luofeng Xu said.
Loufeng and fellow computing tutor Dr Bernard Otinpong found three "brilliant" computing students to develop an app, and they worked with two Applied Science nutrition students.
"What we loved about the project is that it is providing something relevant to society and that is what Ara is all about, providing opportunities for our students to develop real word skills and contribute to industry and community as well," Bernard said.
MyShoppingBuddy rates a list of foods as green, yellow or red, where green foods can be eaten most of and red foods least of. It also provides nutritional information including energy, protein, fat, sugars, sodium and fibre per 100g and helps users to create a shopping basket of selected foods.
MyShoppingBuddy took almost a year to create and was recently released to the public. It is available for free on Google Play for Android.
"Developing an app takes a lot of skill, depending on where you are starting from," Bernard said. "First you have to gather the requirements and then create something that will stand out from the thousands of apps available. It is challenging and it can go wrong – you have to be in constant contact with the client to fulfil the purpose and create a good user experience.
"You can use computing to do just about anything. People can lose leaflets, but an app is always there on your mobile phone."
Along with the practical experience, projects such as MyShoppingBuddy can open students' eyes to new career possibilities. "In this project, students need to engage with a real world client, which gives students a chance to practise their real world skills in a professional context," Luofeng said. "Besides, through doing this project, students can also recognize what kind of opportunities exist in the real world, which will be very helpful when they pursue their careers after graduating from Ara."
Nutrition student Tania Vincent initiated the project. She contacted Diabetes Christchurch looking for a placement for her second year of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Nutrition).
Diabetes Christchurch Manager Lynne Taylor was interested. "Lynne and Marilyn (Cullens, dietician) had identified a need for a small, convenient shopping guide that clients could take into the supermarket, to help them select foods that complied with Diabetes healthy eating guidelines."
By mid 2016 Tania had created the "Smart Shopping Guide - pocket edition". Lynne and Marilyn wondered if this could be developed into an app.
"It has been awesome to be involved in a project that has such practical applications, both through the paper guide and the app," Tania said. "I have had feedback from people that the paper guide has been very useful, and they enjoy using it, and I have no doubt that the app will be the same."
That initial phonecall led to two work placements for Tania and three for computing students. Another student, Danmiao Chen, has translated the booklet and app into Chinese. There are plans to release it in other languages in the future too.
MyShoppingBuddy was designed specifically for Diabetes Christchurch clients, to be used in conjunction with a plan from a medical practitioner or dietician. However, it is freely available to anyone interested in improving their food choices. So far it has been downloaded in the US and in NZ.
The students were:
Tania Vincent (developed nutritional information into a pocket guide)
Norman Saruchera and Felsi Judith (developed the prototypes)
Quentin Barry (developed the app)
Danmiao Chen (translated the nutritional information to Chinese)