text:
First anniversary of the Geneva Consensus Declaration
In recent months we have talked a lot about the Geneva Consensus Declaration. Today, 7 April, marks the first anniversary of its launch.
These are some of the key elements of the Declaration:
It is well known that the United Nations and other multilateral organizations manipulate developing countries to receive aid in exchange for measures that violate their values. They are often intimidated into making changes with which they disagree. One way to support countries that embraced the dignity of human life and the family was through the formation of a coalition that would enable those countries to form a bond and stand united against the coercive tactics used against them and to which they often succumbed.
The document affirms that women's health should be promoted by respecting human life from conception, strengthening the family and respecting the sovereignty of each nation. Many countries have debated and decided their own policy positions, which reflect their internal values. Sovereign nations have the right to decide their own laws and policies and should NEVER be coerced.
The Geneva Consensus Declaration far surpassed the co-signatories of previous agreements and declarations, also led by the United States. And although the United States pulled out of the Declaration as soon as Biden took office, we are confident that more countries will join the DCG. If we were able to achieve 35 in a short time, I am confident that we could achieve even more.
The Declaration is the only unprecedented and historic instrument of its kind. It brings together sovereign nations from all regions of the world, including the South Pacific. If communications and engagement among DCG countries remains strong, it can be very effective in enabling local (national) political representatives to resist external ideological pressures.
Following the departure of the United States, Brazil has agreed to take the lead and stand in the place of the United States in coordinating the efforts of the DCG countries.
While the Declaration must be signed by sovereign nations, a decision made by the Executive (usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Health), the role of NGOs is very important as support and encouragement in their countries or as a measure of pressure for those who have not yet done so to join.
You can see the video summary of the Declaration here.
8 answers for a different 8M
8 responses for a different 8M
VIDEO: 8 responses for an 8M with a difference
VIDEO; WO+MEN = Celebrating a #8Mdifferent... with the other half of the world!
Geneva Declaration Consensus
We send to the ministry the 24 measures of the advent calendar
We have sent the Spanish Minister of Equality a letter, by administrative mail, with our 24 Measures to the Ministry of Equality.
In the letter we asked him to take families into account, and to use the money he will receive for the sake of true equality between men and women, with special emphasis on supporting motherhood and families, the main victims of these months of crisis by COVID-19. You can not waste public money, now less than ever, in ideological programs leaving aside the real problems of Spanish society. We are waiting for an answer.
24 Pro-women measures that equality should include in the PGE 2021


text:
Fringe: Everything in Its Right Place
by Josie Kafka
"That's the difference between us."
In "Neither Here Nor There," Olivia said, "I know what it's like to have a hole in my life. It's been there as long as I can remember." That hole is now fixed, as Olivia has rediscovered herself and Peter along with it. But without that hole, Olivia can no longer connect with Lincoln Tyrone Lee. They don't share the same language of loneliness anymore, and Olivia doesn't even remember that she used to speak it.
Lincoln has always been a roamer, more given to leaving than to staying. For whatever reason, he preferred to remain untethered until he met something worth tying himself to: his partner, Robert Danzig, and Robert's family. After the loss of Robert, Lincoln found a camaraderie with the lonely hearts in the Fringe lab: Olivia with her existential hole, Walter with his missing son and lost mind. Now that Peter has fixed both of those problems, Lincoln finds himself where he tends to be: unmoored. Now, though, he knows what he is missing.
Lincoln looked so happy to see Fauxlivia. She's just similar enough to remind him of Olivia, but different enough that he's not reminded of what he almost had and has so completely lost. In an odd symmetry, by the end of the episode Fauxlivia was in the same position: faced with Lincoln "Shy" Lee just as she'd lost Lincoln "Over-Confident Pretty Boy" Lee. Will Fauxlivia fall for our Lincoln the way she never did for her Lincoln? Will they at least develop a strong friendship that keeps him rooted? Or will it be too hard for her?
The two Lincolns had no obvious differences in their past, right down to their prom dates and the reason for the 3.85 GPAs. But somehow they developed crucial differences: Agent Lee lacks the personal confidence to assert himself professionally, despite his numerous skills. Captain Lee is brimming with confidence and has made himself indispensible at work. What Agent Lee doesn't realize, of course, is that underneath Captain Lee's bravado is their similarity: they are both men who cannot make O/Fauxlivia realize that they are worth loving. Their major difference is in how they present themselves and how they think of themselves, not what they actually are.
Lincoln "Spectacles" Lee's fate is up for grabs now that their paths diverged in that most important of ways: the death of Lincoln "Captain Awesome" Lee. Is our Lincoln enjoying Over There simply because it's a new opportunity to leave everything behind? Is he so deep in the habit of distance, of leaving, of detachment, that he can't find home anywhere he goes? I hope not. I want Lincoln to find happiness and home either here of there, and to start believe what Captain Lee realized: he's a good agent. Maybe he'll make a choice to become the man he wants to be.
This episode broke my heart, and was a fascinating portrait of a character that I've come to care about deeply. (Sure, some of the dialogue was a bit on-the-nose, but who cares? It worked.) But what mattered most to me about this episode was that portrait—not the story of the week that made the portrait possible. Canaan's story was interesting, and the reminder that David Robert Jones is a force to be reckoned with is important. But so far the Jones stories have seemed a bit too small: the shapeshifter episodes are often personal, which lessens the sense of peril as far as the army-building is concerned. I wonder why the shapeshifters are being created, what Jones has in mind, and generally what's going on, but we've made very little progress on that front, which makes it seem sort of like Jones doesn't have any master plan worthy of the name beyond creating and tracking a bunch of shapeshifters. Surely he does, but that "surely" just comes from my experience watching TV rather than any strong clues within Fringe itself.
Grazing Day:
• Fauxlivia: "Are we talking heat vision, or communicating with fish."
• Lincoln: "You don't like Tyrone? I think it's a strong middle name."
• Lincoln: "Your superhero is an insect?"
• Canaan: "I wanted to be needed. Or at least to be missed."
• Lincoln [to Fauxlivia]: "I guess you still haven't lost your touch." What was Lincoln referring to? Am I over-analyzing?
• Walter: "I'm really looking forward to studyin—helping you."
• The episode title is the name of a Radiohead song.
• Rest in peace, Lincoln "Pretty Boy" Lee.
Four out of four self-aggrandizing narcissists.
Josie Kafka is a full-time cat servant and part-time rogue demon hunter. (What's a rogue demon?)
Fringe season 4
Fringe home
Tags: Fringe, Josie Kafka
celticmarc Monday, April 9, 2012 at 8:39:00 AM EDT
Wow, awesome review Josie.
It was one of the best, strongest eps of this season, so therefore, one of my faves. (a lot of shows Over There are strong BTW)
And with Billie's news from yesterday, I beg Fox to give us another season. Only 5 shows remaining this season...I'm a bit distraught.. (powerful understatement)
(nice shooting Fauxlivia)
Jess Lynde Monday, April 9, 2012 at 10:51:00 AM EDT
Josie, I believe that we once learned in Over There that Fauxlivia has an Olympic medal for marksmanship. I took Captain Lee's comment about not losing her touch as a reference to that. Presumably that bit of history remains intact, given that Peter had little to no influence on her life until more recent years.
I loved the focus on Agent Lee this week, and am sad that we lost Captain Lee. It seems strange to me that Fauxlivia would want Agent Lee around after her loss, but as you point out, maybe having the "gentle" reminder of the man she lost in the form of someone who looks similar but is still very different, will help her through her grieving process.
Josie Kafka Monday, April 9, 2012 at 2:44:00 PM EDT
Jess, I remembered that about Fauxlivia's shooting, but it was the phrasing of Lincoln's statement that bothered me. She "still" hasn't lost her touch? It seems like an allusion to something in their shared past, perhaps when Faux/Olivia wrangled with Lincoln back in Season Three.
Sooze Monday, April 9, 2012 at 4:55:00 PM EDT
I don't know...something just isn't clicking with me and Fringe this season. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it, I desperately want to know what is going on, and there have been several strong episodes and performances this season...this episode being one of them. I like Lincoln and enjoyed having an episode focus on him. I was sad to see Captain Lee go...but not as sad as I would have been had I seen more of him this season.
It used to be that on Friday's I could.not.wait until 9 pm. Now I have actually had Sat morning roll around and realize that I forgot to watch Fringe! Not a good sign.
I am so invested in the "over here" folks...and then I did get really invested in the "over there" folks....but I have yet to be invested in the "over where/when" folks. This Olivia that is now our Olivia still doesn't feel like our Olivia to me.
I was expecting a universe showdown...and now we have over there healing? Really? Because the folks "over where/when" did...what exactly? Build the bridge? Is that it? Did I miss something?
We've gotten practically no evil Walter...is he even evil anymore?
And like Josie said, the Jones stories haven't made me say "wow".
I would have really liked more over there stories....or joint stories like this one (although this was primarily over there).
Hmmm, I know this post seems like sour grapes...obviously I am feeling disappointed. Hopefully the season will close out with some real mythology centered episodes that get me back on the edge of my seat.
Jess Lynde Monday, April 9, 2012 at 5:05:00 PM EDT
I agree, Sooze, that right now a lot feels like it is riding on the endgame for this season. I've been enjoying the season, but any sense of direction has completely alluded me, and it has left me in a "well, this has been fine, but I'm waiting for it to come together in a cohesive whole when all is said and done" place. It feels like the potential for a massive letdown is huge here.
Josie, based on your response to my earlier comment, I now vote Yes for your "am I over-analyzing?" query in the review. :)
CrazyCris Monday, April 9, 2012 at 6:15:00 PM EDT
RIP Captain Lee. I much preferred you to Agent Lee! *sigh*
Am looking forward to seeing more of Evil Nina next week! :o)
And if Olivia got back her original memories of Peter, why hasn't Walter?
Evil Walter isn't evil anymore because he didn't find out early on that Our Walter had kidnapped his son (which he discovered in the original timeline because Olivia managed to phase over to the other universe once as a child and gave him a drawing of her with Peter), plus in this reality he had more support from his wife to face things and remain not evil. Does that make sense?
Well, "Over-Analyzing" is my middle name. Better than Tyrone, I guess? :-)
Sooze, I agree with you. I didn't even watch this episode until Sunday. While that was mostly due to other (non-TV) obligations, I still managed to sneak a few Alias episodes in. We make time when we want to, and I'm less inclined to make time for Fringe. :-(
Billie Doux Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 12:12:00 AM EDT
It took me a few days to get to this one, too. But it was a very strong episode, and I'm sad at the idea of our agent Lee moving "over there" permanently.
Gene the cow was wearing rain boots. You gotta love a show that puts a cow in rain boots.
Mario Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 6:24:00 AM EDT
I don't know... Over-There episode never really get to me... They're only a testament to how how amazing an actress Anna Torv is. Seriously, her entire walk, demeanor, even voice changes. But yeah, i love everything about the Over-here world. Gene, Walter, Astrid and Olivia taking Gene out for a day in the sun is such a refreshing thing for them to do amidst all the darkness. What worries me is that this is too happy, too perfect... it's like the writers are giving them some happy time before they kill off one of them in the finale.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A new playing card design from Joe Douchet plays with the idea that less is more. But just how much can you take away while still maintaining a playable deck?
Sometimes, less is more. That's the concept behind these beautiful playing cards by designer Joe Douchet. But just how minimal a design could he create while still maintaining a deck that could be played?
Using simple geometric shapes, Douchet left just enough visual information on each card for players to still be able to use them.Titled IOTA, the design uses circles, a diamond and triangles to represent both spades and hearts and a single diagonal line on the reverse of each card.
Doucet comments online: "Simple geometric symbols are reductive versions of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades and while it's necessary to mark the back of regulation playing cards, we've done so with a minimal diagonal line instead of the overly ornamental versions used at your granny's bridge club."
Joe Doucet will be debuting IOTA during his Play exhibition at Wanted Design in New York, May 17-20, 2013.


Let us begin by drawing the shapes and body guidelines to form a frame for Mavis' body. The head shape is pretty round and the torso and lower section are rounded as well.
Here you will use the head shape to draw out Mavis' face structure. When that is done you can draw in her hairstyle starting with th ebangs. Notice the bangs are drawn into a point.
Get started on her face and one thing that is noticable on Mavis' face is her big blue eyes. Draw them in and when you are done with that, draw in her dark smile and then her nose.
Finish up Mavis' hair. It's not long, its not short. It's medium length. Add the puffiness in the back and then add the shape of her neck and shoulders. Don't be afraid to sketch in detailing to her hair.
We can now work on her upper body. Draw the arms, hands, chest and some of the back. Take your time, don't rush. Draw the sleeves too.
Mavis wears a one piece dress, so draw in the length of the dress and then draw in her long slender legs. Notice how they are crossed over one another for a playful pose.
Finish up the body by drawing Mavis' sneakers or red Converse. At this stage they look more like socks.
Now you will turn those socks into Converse and the legs into leggings with stripes. Erase the mistakes and the guides.
Mavis was really fun to color in so I know you will have a blast with coloring Mavis too. That's it, you're done drawing Mavis from Hotel Transylvania. I hope you liked this lesson. Don't forget to upload your finished artwork and to leave a comment letting me know what you thought of this lesson, or any other tutorials you come across.
Last, but not least here is my final drawing lesson on a series of character I drew in full body form from Hotel Transylvania. I will finish the series by showing you all how to draw Mavis, step by step. I already did a tut on Mavis in the past, but not in her full body form. The pose is playful like her inner personality and I love the fact that she wears red Converse sneakers. I think I would say that Mavis is one of my favorite characters from the movie. I love her style, her hair, her personality, everything. Drawing Mavis was really fun. I really did enjoy drawing and coloring her from beginning to end. I do hope that all of you will like drawing Hotel Transylvania characters as well, because they were all done in original body poses. Well, that's it. When I return next it will be with lessons on totally different characters so adios amigos for now.


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Basketball Victoria provides opportunities for athletes to represent Victoria, Victoria Country or Victoria Metropolitan in age groups from Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 as well as our Ivor Burge (athletes with an intellectual disability) and Kevin Coombs Cup (wheelchair basketball) teams.
Athletes are selected from tryouts held yearly by Basketball Victoria's High Performance staff to attend the Australian Junior Championships and represent their state against the best of Australia's junior talent. Victorian teams have consistently shone at Australian Junior Championships, with a number of national championships won over the past 50 years.
High Performance Head Coaches
Our High Performance Head Coaches – Grant Wallace (State Head Coach), Jenni Screen (Victoria Metropolitan Women), Darren Best (Victoria Metropolitan Men), Zoe Carr (Victoria Country Women) and Nathan Cooper-Brown (Victoria Country Men) – work in coordination to provide Victorian athletes with the best possible coaching environment.
They are charged with leading the coaching of the State Development Program, State Team Program and High Performance (Victorian National Performance Program) portfolio for identified Victorian athletes and coaches.
They will enable our elite players and coaches to successfully perform at a national and international level, with each Head Coach to prioritise the development of future Victorian Olympians, Paralympians and World Championship participants.
Grant Wallace
State Head Coach
As the State Head Coach for Basketball Victoria, Grant Wallace is dedicated to finding, developing and educating the highest quality basketball athletes in Victoria.
A State representative player throughout the 1980's, Grant progressed to compete in the NBL with North Melbourne Giants for three years before taking part in SEABL with North East Melbourne Arrows and Knox Raiders, winning a national championship with the Arrows in 2993.
With an illustrious playing career behind him, Grant decided to pass on his knowledge and coach the next generation of Victorian stars. His journey has seen him coach over 550 SEABL and NBL1 games in the last 25 years for associations including Kilsyth, Frankston, Diamond Valley and Nunawading. His efforts in coaching these leagues have been awarded over the years, Grant receiving SEABL Conference Coach of the Year awards in 1999 and 2005 in the South, and 2010 in the East.
Nationally, Grant has led Australian Development Camps with Basketball Australia and solidified his mastery on the Victorian coaching scene as Head Coach for the Under-18 Victorian State Men's team from 1994-95, and the Under-20 team across 1992, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Grant has also coached internationally as a selected National Mentor Coach in 2018 for Papua New Guinea's Junior Men, Assistant Coach for the Australian Under-17 Men's team at the 2017 Oceania Championships in Guam and the Head Coach of International Tours to Germany and the USA.
Grant's voice as a player, coach and mentor in the basketball community is evident and unwavering. Recognition of this is clear with the 2012 award of Basketball Victoria's Male Coach of the Year, the induction into Coburg Basketball Association's Hall of Fame and Life Membership of Basketball Managers Inc., all connected to Grant Wallace's name.
Zoe Carr
Victoria Country Women Head Coach
Zoe has found success as both a player and a coach within the Australian basketball community, shining from the get-go in Victorian basketball.
As someone who has experienced the Basketball Victoria pathway for herself, she today stands as Basketball Victoria's High Performance Head Coach for Country Women.
As a junior player, she was a perennial presence in our state teams as a five-time gold medalist at the Australian Junior Championships. Zoe's elite skills took her to Canberra after she earned an AIS scholarship. This allowed her to take her first professional steps in the WNBL where she would later go on to play 152 games in the league.
Following her senior career as a player, Zoe switched her attention to coaching and flourished in several roles including Victoria Under-20 Women's head Coach – winning multiple gold medals at Australian Junior Championships – as well as being the inaugural NBL1 Women's Head Coach at the Knox Raiders. A Performance Level Accredited Coach, five-time State Assistant and Head Coach, three-time NBL1 Head Coach and current Under-17 Sapphires Assistant Coach, Zoe is a mentor who continues to thrive for the development of athletes on a daily basis.
Jenni Screen
Victorian Metropolitan Women Head Coach
Jenni Screen joined Basketball Victoria with a wealth of experience in basketball, having represented the Australian Opals in 122 games.
This included two Olympic Games, winning silver in Beijing and bronze in London, as well as the Opals' incredible 2006 World Championship triumph in Brazil. Her leadership qualities were highlighted in 2013 when she took on the responsibility of Co-Captain for the Australian Opals.
She holds a Masters in Sports Science – Strength and Conditioning and an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Science from Edith Cowan University. Jenni remains an active player's advocate, having been a part of the IOC's 2017 and 2019 Athlete Forums and Deputy Chair of the FIBA Players Commission since 2014.
As Basketball Victoria's current High Performance Head Coach for Metropolitan Women, she helps to hone and sharpen the next generation of elite basketball athletes within Victoria. An athlete, coach, mentor and star within the Australian basketball community, Jenni knows what it takes to reach the heights of our sport.
Nathan Cooper-Brown
Victoria Country Men Head Coach
An established coach, both nationally and within Victoria, Nathan Cooper-Brown encourages his athletes to grow on a competitive, social and personal level by implementing an array of coaching strategies.
His personality and ability to lead, resulted in his appointment as Team Captain in the 2004-05 conference and his selection for the Most Inspirational Award.
At a state level, Nathan is Basketball Victoria's current High-Performance Coach for Country Men.
As a Victorian development player in the 2000's, Nathan took his talents to the Dominican University of California to compete in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 Conference Championships. His personality and ability to lead, resulted in his appointment as Team Captain in the 2004-05 conference and his selection for the Most Inspirational Award.
A natural leader, Nathan has pursued coaching opportunities within various basketball leagues including NBL1 (formerly SEABL) with the Ballarat Miners and Southern Sabers, WNBL with Bendigo Spirit and NBL with Cairns Taipans. Working with state teams, he helped Victoria's Under-16 Boys Country and Metro teams secure medals in 2012, 2014 and 2016 at the Australian Junior Championships, and has proceeded to head coach the Under-20 team. Furthermore, Nathan coached the Under-15 Australian Men's side to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA Oceania Championships.
Darren Best
Victoria Metropolitan Men Head Coach
Driving an athlete-focused mentality as a coach and a mentor, Darren Best knows what it takes to get the most out of his players and teams.
Darren Best joined Basketball Victoria in 2021 following a successful career working across Australia at Basketball Queensland and Basketball Tasmania before joining Casey Basketball Association as its Basketball Development Manager.
Best played for Cranbourne and Melbourne Tigers in junior basketball before heading to the US and joining York College, where he was an All-Conference player.
Darren played at the senior level for Melbourne Tigers and Bulleen Boomers in the ABA, as well as a number of years in the British Basketball League, where he named an MVP and to the Division 1 All Import Team.
As a coach Darren has travelled Australia enhancing associations and State Sporting Organisations across the country. He was Sunshine Coast Basketball Association's Director of Coaching as well as coaching Queensland South U16 and U18 teams. He then shifted to Tasmania where he was appointed as Basketball Tasmania's High Performance Coach and once again coached at the national level with Tasmania's state team program.
Darren has been a valued member of the Victorian coaching community since his return from Tasmania to work for Casey Basketball Association. He has been appointed to Victorian State Team coaching staff over a number of years before joining Basketball Victoria, as both an Victoria Metropolitan assistant coach and was also appointed as our Victoria Metropolitan Under-18 Men's head coach before taking this role. He was also extremely active in Basketball Victoria's High Performance programs prior to his appointment.
Darren's coaching philosophy focuses on the player. Athlete-focused, coach-driven, administrator-supported and these elements will see improvement across the club, association and team. This gives coaches a chance to get the best out of the athletes to adopt growth mindset, while maintaining care for the athlete as well.
High Performance Hubs
With increased demand for elite basketball coaching and training in suburban and regional areas, the Victorian Government has partnered with Basketball Victoria to create seven High Performance Hubs established by a $5 million contribution in the 2019/20 Victorian Budget at Broadmeadows, Geelong, Werribee, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Traralgon.
Basketball Victoria also independently established three hubs at the State Basketball Centre (Wantirna South), the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (Albert Park) and Casey Stadium (Cranbourne). In 2021, Montmorency was added as the 11th High Performance Hub.
Athletes at each Hub will be coached by Basketball Victoria appointed head coaches to develop the necessary skills to play in elite leagues around Australia, throughout the world and to earn scholarships to American collegiate basketball.
Players are selected to participate in the Basketball Victoria High Performance Hubs following selection in the State Development Program or the Victorian National Performance Program.
{{business-card [grant-wallace]}}
Look at Victoria's biggest and brightest stars to have come through the Victorian High Performance pathway! Could you be next?
View the pathway high performance athletes can be involved in throughout their basketball journey in Victoria.
Basketball Victoria's state program is led by highly qualified coaches and run multiple programs, events and tournaments across a calendar year.
A full breakdown of the many athletes to have represented Victoria, Victoria Country and Victoria Metropolitan teams throughout the journey.
Find a number of resources helpful for all athletes across Victoria.
Find a number of mental health and wellness resources helping create safe spaces for young people in a trusted network.
Find a number of funding support resources for athletes and families that may require extra support.


text:
US Premiere!
Shot under-the-radar, Complicit follows the journey of Chinese Foxconn factory migrant worker-turned-activist Yi Yeting, who takes his fight against the global smartphone industry from his hospital bed to the international stage. While struggling to survive his own work-induced leukemia, Yi Yeting teaches himself labor law in order to prepare a legal challenge against his former employers. But the struggle to defend the lives of millions of Chinese people from becoming terminally ill due to working conditions necessitates confrontation with some of the world's largest brands, including Apple and Samsung. Unfortunately, neither powerful businesses nor the government are willing to have such scandals exposed.
"The film shows just how important the work of these victims turned activists are, and the way the authorities crack down is very typical of China's government's perverse response to activism." -Maya Wang, China researcher, Asia Division, Human Rights Watch
Screening as part of Human Rights Watch Film Festival.
Director Heather White and Lynn Zhang


Would you like to make 3D visualisations that are visually more attractive than what ParaView or VisIt can provide? Do you need an image for a grant application that needs to look spectacular? Would you like to create a cool animation of flying through your simulation data? Then this course may be for you! The goal of this course is to provide you with hands-on knowledge of producing great images and animations from 3D (scientific) data. We will be using the open-source package Blender (http://www.blender.org), which provides good basic functionality, while also being usable for advanced usage and general editing of 3D data. It is also a lot of fun to work with (once you get used to its graphical interface). Example types of relevant scientific data are 3D cell-based simulations, 3D models from photogrammetry, (isosurfaces of) 3D medical scans, molecular models and earth sciences data. Note that we don't focus on information visualization of abstract data, such as graphs (although you could convert those into a 3D model first and then use them in Blender). We like to encourage participants to bring along (a sample) of the data they normally work with and would like to apply the course knowledge to.
Pre-requisites: - A laptop, preferably with a decent GPU - Possibility to install Blender on your laptop - Prior experience in working with 3D data is useful To travel with public transport in The Netherlands, it is very convenient if you have an anonymous OV-chipkaart. Please find the detailed information at https://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/purchase-an-ov-chipkaart/anonymous-ov-chipkaart.htm. Information on how to reach SURFsara can be found at https://www.surf.nl/en/about-surf/contact/directions-to-surfsara/index.html.


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Q: Scala empty class,object,traits I want to learn scala language.
In many documents or video tutorials, I see scala developers create empty class or objects and use that on another class as parameter or implement empty traits !
for example :
object Controller {
  sealed trait Controller
  case object Login extends Controller
  case object Logout extends Controller
}

Or this :
sealed trait Expression
case class Number(num: Int) extends Expression
case class Plus(a: Expression, b: Expression) extends Expression
case class Minus(a: Expression, b: Expression) extends Expression

object ExpressionEvaluate {
  def value(expression: Expression): Int = expression match {
    case Number(value) => value
    case Plus(a, b) => value(a) + value(b)
    case Minus(a, b) => value(a) - value(b)
  }
}

I want to know what is this pattern ?
What is meaning empty class ,Object or traits ?
Why developers use this pattern ?

A: This pattern:
sealed trait Controller
case object Login extends Controller
case object Logout extends Controller

Or this
sealed trait Expression
case class Number(num: Int) extends Expression
case class Plus(a: Expression, b: Expression) extends Expression
case class Minus(a: Expression, b: Expression) extends Expression

Are known as algebraic data types. They are the Scala way of creating a co-product/sum types (also known as a tagged union). When you receive a trait of type Expression in your signature, you know that you will receive one of the concrete implementations. The way you discover which type is the concrete type is via pattern matching, which is the ability to match on types. More so, the compiler is smart enough with a sealed trait to know all its underlying concrete types and let you know in case your pattern match isn't exhaustive, for example, if I add a Divide type:
case class Divide(a: Expression, b: Expression) extends Expression

And compile, the compiler will complain:
Warning:(18, 48) match may not be exhaustive.
It would fail on the following input: Divide(_, _)
      def value(expression: Expression): Int = expression match {

As for the "empty classes", we have to distinguish between two types. One is a case class. A case class is a way of creating immutable record types in Scala, think of them as a product type on steroids. These are classes in which the compiler automatically derives an implementation of hashCode and equals, and also adds methods which provide us syntax sugar when we pattern match via apply/unapply. For example:
case Number(value) => value

You see that we are able to access the value field on Number in the pattern match, how is that possible? It is possible because the compiler provides us an unapply method which is used to deconstruct the case class.
The other one is a case object, which is a way of creating a singleton type (a type which represents exactly one value) in Scala. Since we don't have any fields on Login or Logout, we can create a single representation of that type.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: Image of compact set is bounded in $\mathbb{R}^n$ $\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}^n}$
Consider a function $f:\R\rightarrow \R$, not necessarily continuous, and a compact subset $W$ of $\R$. Then, can we say that $f$ is bounded on $W$? If not, what is the counterexample?

A: I don't know if i'm missing something but i think this is false. For example the function piecewise defined: Fix a point $p\neq 0$. $f\colon \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}^n$ given by $f(x) = \frac{p}{\|x\|}$ if $x \neq 0$ and $f(0)=0$ the unit closed ball $B = \{ x \in \mathbb{R}^n : \|x\|\leq 1 \}$ is compact but near $0$ (and hence on $B$) $f$ is not bounded. Hope this helps.


Last June I decided I was going to knit my way through The Joy of Sox. I was doing really well and knocking the patterns out one by one until November. At that time, I started thinking about Christmas things. I'd also started a pair in the book that were just totally tedious. So I put them aside for awhile.
Now, I've decided it was time to get going on the book again. The socks have been set aside for awhile, and now they don't seem nearly as tedious. They are not a quick knit by any means, but I am enjoying them again. I am still not a huge fan of purling in the round, but it's ok, and this is such a pretty pattern. I am almost to the heel of the first sock. It's a toe-up pattern. This is a terrible picture, but it gives a small idea of what the sock will look like.
An even greater "joy" in knitting is that David finally let me teach him how to knit. He's really taken to it. His garter stitch already looks perfect and even. It doesn't surprise me. He's doing his first scarf. (He is calling it a potholder currently.) He is using size 10 needles and is knitting with gray Lamb's Pride yarn left over from his sweater. I have a few skeins of it left.
And here comes T-R-O-U-B-L-E in the form of little Davey. He grabbed yarn and was ready to take off. His expression is just plain ornery!
What he really wanted was the camera. So we let him go after it. He took this picture of Davey and me. Very goofy of me, but Davey took it so – it's precious.
Speaking of knitting – Davey is asleep, and it is time to go knit a little!
This is great! Some of the best quilters in the US are men, and no doubt men make amazing knitters as well! His knitting looks very even–awesome job David! Good luck in your endeavor!
That's not a goofy picture of you! It's adorable.
Once he gets addicted, he'll understand the need to knit. Ditto on sharing your stash… or it would be an opportunity for him to get his own! Twice as much yarn.
That's so cool that David is knitting! And I'm so impressed that you're continuing your sock journey.
Nice work, David! is he going to want his own knitting blog?


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Across USA, vigils honor Orlando victims
Orlando mourners braved drizzling rain and lightning to attend vigil.
Across USA, vigils honor Orlando victims Orlando mourners braved drizzling rain and lightning to attend vigil. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/28vzgL5
USA Today NetworkRick Neale, Florida Today Published 7:58 p.m. ET June 12, 2016 | Updated 10:38 a.m. ET June 13, 2016
Hundreds gather at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando for a vigil honoring those killed in a shooting at Pulse nightclub June 12, 2016.(Photo: Rick Neale, Florida Today)
Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed a quote from the Muslim alliance supporting sexual and gender diversity. The quote belongs to Sadiya Abjani.
Sunday night more than 100 mourners braved drizzling rain and lightning to attend a candlelight vigil on the shore of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando to remember victims of the Pulse nightclub attack.
In the shooting spree, the deadliest in U.S. history, 50 people died and another 53 were injured.
Around the country, other communities shared in Orlando's grief, gathering to pray, sing and stand against acts of violence.
"We're not allowing fear to dictate our actions. We all woke up in darkness, and we really didn't know how to deal with any of it," said organizer Mitch Foster, founder and publisher of Shows I Go To Music Magazine.
"We were lost and scared, unsure. Defeated. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning because of the things I've dealt with with the shooting at the concert venue," Foster said.
Orlando shootings unfolded 'like rolling thunder'
"That's one of our homes. We go to a lot of concerts there," he said.
Orlando resident Cassandra Turner's brother worked at Pulse from 2011 to 2015, and she lives about three miles from the nightclub.
"This is a time for us to stand together as one. If we were afraid to show up at this park today, that would have made whoever did that last night win," Turner told the candlelight vigil crowd, eliciting calls of "Amen!"
Orlando nightclub shooting: What we know
"We're here today because we're not going to let them win," Turner said, generating applause.
"We're here today because we're strong, OK? Because we're resilient. And better than all of that," she said.
In Indianapolis, thousands who celebrated Indy Pride on Saturday gathered at Old National Center Sunday night for a vigil organized by Indy Pride to pray for the victims, and celebrate the progress and love that the weekend's Pride events highlighted.
Mitch Foster, organizer of the Lake Eola vigil, explains his motivation. David Oliver Wills sings a song in the twilight. USA TODAY
"It's ironic to go from something so celebratory to something so tragic and unnecessary," said Miranda Zoch as she wiped tears from her eyes after the vigil.
Attendees of the vigil hugged, and some cried in the dark Egyptian Room at the concert venue. The Indianapolis Men's Choir sang a prayerful hymn, and speakers urged Hoosiers to let love shine through the tragedy.
Mass shooting at Orlando nightclub
President Obama and Vice President Biden pause at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Artsafter laying flowers for the victims of the Orlando mass shooting. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
President Obama and Vice President Biden arrive at the Orlando International Airport to meet with the families of victims of the shooting at Pulse. Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mark Williams, 24, of Orlando passes near a billboard of unity on his way to work. The city and nation are still feeling the effects of the June 12 mass shooting in an Orlando nightclub. "It was terrible," Williams said. "Nobody deserves to be shot like that." Corey Perrine, Naples Daily News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mourners gather outside the funeral servicein Kissimmee, Fla.,for Kimberly Morris, one of the victims of the shooting. Corey Perrine, Naples Daily News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mourners gather for a graveside burial for Morris. Corey Perrine, Naples Daily News, via USA TODAY
Joe Rivero, second from right, hugs Dr. David Baker-Hargrove of Two Spirit Health Services. Licensed mental health professionals, including grief counselors Lisa Rivero and Amanda Nixon, left, have volunteered their time as counselors for anyone affected by the Pulse nightclub shootings. Corey Perrine, Naples Daily News, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Angel Colon, one of the victims of the Pulse night club shooting is greeted by a family member during a press conference at the Orlando Regional Medical Center, June 14, 2016. Andrew West, USA TODAY NETWORK
Robert Palmer, 88, his daughter Rebecca, 47, and their friend Nellie (no last name provided) hug as they pay their respects to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Craig Bailey, USA TODAY NETWORK
Bree Balchunas and Amy Semesco comfort each other as they visit a memorial in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts set up to honor the victims of the Pulse gay nightclub shooting. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Patience Carter, a victim in the Pulse nightclub shooting from Philadelphia, becomes emotional after giving her story during a news conference at Florida Hospital Orlando June 14, 2016. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Children lay flowers at a makeshift memorial at the Orlando Health Center June 13, 2016. Andrew West, USA TODAY NETWORK
Hundreds came out for a vigil at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Arts in Orlando honoring the victims of the terror attack on Orlando nightclub Pulse on June 13, 2016. Craig Rubadoux, USA TODAY Network
Over 250 people took part in a vigil started on Facebook Sunday night by Jennifer Hildreth, for the victims of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Tim Shortt , USA TODAY NETWORK
Laly Santiago-Leon of Orlando holds a carnation at the Beardall Senior Center in Orlando, Monday, June 13, 2016. She was there to find out about her cousin, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, who was killed in the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Craig Bailey, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Volunteers gather to pray at the Beardall Senior Center before helping family members of the victims of the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Craig Bailey, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Supporters stand in front of a giant screen in Paris in the fan zone of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament where a rainbow flag is displayed to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting of Orlando. Thomas Samson, AFP/Getty Images
Zoe Feldman kneels in front of a makeshift memorial in front of New York's Stonewall Inn to remember the victims of a mass shooting in Orlando. Morris was college friends with Kimberly Morris, who was working at the nightclub and died in the massacre. "A lot of my friends knew her and we all are just devastated," said Feldman. A gunman opened fire in a crowded Orlando nightclub early Sunday killing dozens of people. Mark Lennihan, AP
People hold candles as they share a minute of silence during a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting in Hong Kong. Anthony Wallace, AFP/Getty Images
A technician prepares to take a plasma donation from Tiffany Stephens at the OneBlood blood center in Orlando. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
Women chat as they wait to donate blood at the OneBlood center in Orlando. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
Trader Benedict Willis wipes away a tear during a moment of silence for the shooting victims in Orlando on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on June 13, 2016. Richard Drew, AP
A woman takes pictures with her phone during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in Sydney, Australia. Daniel Munoz, Getty Images
People gather outside of the Stonewall Inn to hold a vigil in New York, Sunday, June 12, 2016. The vigil was being held to remember the shooting victims at an Orlando nightclub. Monika Graff, Getty Images
People hold candles during a vigil for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting at the Ember restaurant and bar in New York. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
Investigators photograph items near a car in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 12, 2016, believed to belong to a man who was arrested for reportedly having weapons, ammunition and possible explosives. He was allegedly headed to the Gay Pride Parade in Los Angeles. Jason Redmond, AFP/Getty Images
Men console each other at a restaurant in Orlando as TV new reports are aired about the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images
People attend a prayer vigil at Joy Metropolitan Church for the shooting victims at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Chris O'Meara, AP
Minda Justice shows text messages she received from her son, Eddie Justice, who was at Pulse nightclub in Orlando during the shooting on June 12, 2016. Mina Justice, via AP
People attending Pridefest on the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee join hands as a prayer is said for the victims of the Orlando nightclub mass shooting. Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the 2016 Gay Pride Parade in Los Angeles. Security was tightened in the aftermath of the deadly shootings at a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando. Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
Ben Johansen grieves at The Center, a LGBT community center in Orlando, on June 12, 2016. "Why, why, why," he said. Andrew West, News-Press, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Members of the LGBT community light candles in solidarity with Florida's shooting attack victims, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 12, 2016. Oded Balilty, AP
In reaction to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, people in New York hug outside the Stonewall Inn near a vigil for the victims on June 12, 2016. Bryan R. Smith, AFP/Getty Images
Investigators from the office of the medical examiner walk on the west side of Pulse nightclub where a gunman opened fire on early June 12, 2016, in Orlando. Doug Clifford, Tampa Bay Times, via AP
A man and woman walk to the Hampton Inn and Suites in Orlando, which was being used as a staging area for families of those in the Pulse nightclub. Andrew West, News-Press, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Members of a FBI SWAT team search the perimeter of Pulse nightclub, where a mass shooting took place in Orlando on June 12, 2016 Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
People stamp their painted hands in a banner made by Chicago artist Greg Marchuk, supporting the victims of the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Cristobal Herrera, European Pressphoto Agency
People and members of the gay community gather for a vigil near the Beaubourg art center in downtown Paris on June 12, 2016, to mourn for victims of the mass shooting in Orlando. Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt, AFP/Getty Images
Victims and witnesses make their way out of the Orlando Police Headquarters building as FBI, Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office investigate the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub on June 12, 2016. Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Omar Mateen, 29, was the gunman in the Orlando nightclub shooting. He was an American citizen born in New York, police said. Orlando Police Department
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell observes a moment of silence to honor shooting victims in Orlando before the team's game against the New York Mets In Milwaukee. Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
President Obama pauses as he speaks about the massacre at an Orlando nightclub during a news conference at the White House in Washington on Sunday. Michael Reynolds, European Pressphoto Agency
California Highway Patrol officers provide security for the 2016 Gay Pride Parade in Los Angeles. Security was tightened in the aftermath of the deadly shootings in Orlando. Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images
Members of a FBI SWAT team get ready to make entry into the Pulse nightclub, in the background, as the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office investigate the terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Law enforcement officials work at the scene of the Pulse nightclub following a fatal shooting in Orlando. Chris O'Meara, AP
Terry DeCarlo, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central Florida, left, Kelvin Cobaris, pastor of The Impact Church, center, and Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan console each other after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Florida Gov. Rick Scott addresses reporters during a news conference Sunday after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
People pray near the scene of a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Chris Bonanno, Florida Today, via USA TODAY Sports
Ray Rivera, a DJ at the Pulse nightclub, is consoled by a friend outside the Orlando Police Department after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the nightclub. Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel, via AP
A man holds a sign reading #PrayForOrlando outside Orlando Regional Medical Center after a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016. Gregg Newton, AFP/Getty Images
A bomb disposal unit checks for explosives around the apartment building where gunman Omar Mateen is believed to have lived in Fort Pierce, Fla. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Hundreds of volunteers line up to donate blood at OneBlood Center after the late-night shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. Zack Wittman, Tampa Bay Times, via AP
Local, state and federal law enforcement gather in front of the house owned by the parents of Omar Mateen in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Mateen was the gunman in the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., that left at least 50 dead. Eric Hasert, TCPalm.com, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Omar Mateen is pictured in this 2001 file photo in his freshman year high school yearbook photo at Martin County High School. Mateen was the gunman in the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando that left at least 50 dead. TCPalm.com via USA TODAY NETWORK
Police and rescue officers monitor the scene of a mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Cristobal Herrera, European Pressphoto Agency
Christine Leinonen, 58, waits for information outside Orlando Regional Medical Center about her son Chris, who is missing after a fatal shooting and hostage situation at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
A bouquet of flowers is seen in front of the Orlando Health Center where some of the victims of the shooting at Pulse nightclub are being treated in Orlando. Cristobal Herrera, European Pressphoto Agency
Volunteers line up to donate blood for victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. The line of people waiting to give blood stretched around the building. Grace Howard, Central Florida Future, via USA TODAY NETWORK
This handout photo provided by the Orlando Police Department on June 12, 2016, shows a bullet hole left in a kevlar helmet worn by an Orlando police officer that saved his life during the shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Orlando Police Department, via AFP/Getty Images
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer addresses reporters while flanked by members of law enforcement and community leaders during a news conference after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at a nightclub in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Orlando police officers gather outside the Pulse nightclub after a shooting involving multiple fatalities June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. Gerardo Mora, Getty Images
Family members wait for word from police after arriving down the street from a shooting involving multiple fatalities at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
A police officer stands guard outside the Orlando Regional Medical Center hospital after a fatal shooting at the nearby Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
People wait outside the emergency entrance of the Orlando Regional Medical Center hospital after a shooting involving multiple fatalities at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Crime scene tape marks off an area near the Pulse nightclub, the scene of a mass shooting in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Chris Bonanno, FLORIDA TODAY
Reporters prepare for a news conference about the Pulse Orlando nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, June 12, 2016. Chris Bonanno, FLORIDA TODAY, via USA TODAY NETWORK
Police and rescue officers monitor the scene of a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016. Cristobal Herrera, European Pressphoto Agency
A heavily armored vehicle is near the scene of a shooting involving multiple fatalities at the Pulse Orlando nightclub, Sunday, June 12, 2016. Chris Bonanno, FLORIDA TODAY, via USA TODAY NETWORK
FBI assistant special agent in charge Ron Hopper, center, answers questions from members of the media after a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Listening at left is Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, second from right, and Orlando Police Chief John Mina arrive for a news conference after a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, right, is briefed after arriving at the scene of a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Police cars surround the Pulse Orlando nightclub, the scene of a fatal shooting in Orlando. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
An Orange County Sheriff's Department SWAT member arrives at the scene of a fatal shooting at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Emergency personnel wait with stretchers at the emergency entrance to Orlando Regional Medical Center hospital for the arrival of patients from the scene of fatal shootings at Pulse Orlando nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Police officers direct family members away from a multiple shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
A handout photograph from Univision Florida Central shows a view of the general scene following a shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, June 12, 2016. epa/Univision Florida Central
At least 50 people are dead following a shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, June 12, 2016, according to police. Orlando Police
A handout photograph made available by Univision Florida Central shows a view of the general scene following a shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday, June 12, 2016. epa/Univision Florida Central Division
A photograph by Univision Florida Central shows first responders at the scene of a shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday, June 12, 2016. epa/Univision Florida Central
A handout photograph by Univision Florida Central shows first responders at the scene of a shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday, June 12, 2016. epa/Univision Florida Central
Jermaine Towns, left, and Brandon Shuford wait down the street from a multiple shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Towns said his brother was in the club at the time. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Bystanders wait down the street from a multiple shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday, June 12, 2016. Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
Rima Khan-Shahid, executive director at the Muslim Alliance of Indiana, condemned the attacks, speaking of unity and peace. After she spoke, the crowd stood with a resounding ovation.
"We urge community to stand against all acts of violence," Khan-Shahid said.
Rabbi Paula Winnig also spoke to large claps and cheers when she urged voters to consider whether candidates support gun laws when they head to the polls in November.
In the heart of Chicago's Boystown, few hundred have gathered for vigil to mourn #OrlandoNightclubShooting victims pic.twitter.com/Tio9C1Wu21
— Aamer Madhani (@AamerISmad) June 13, 2016
In Chicago, hundreds of people joined in mourning at "Boystown," the first officially recognized gay village in the USA. Boystown is the commonly accepted nickname for the eclectic East Lakeview neighborhood that is home to Chicago's gay and lesbian community, according to ChicagoPride.com.
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told the crowd he's beefed up patrols in the city's historically gay enclave — a step that police chiefs in New York, San Francisco and Washington also took in the aftermath of the rampage.
"Our goal is to make sure you are safe," Johnson told the crowd.
Colleen Daley, an activist with the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, connected Orlando to a series of mass shootings, including last year's killings at a historically African-American church in Charleston, S.C.
"This is happening way too much in our country," Daley said. "The connecting elements in all of these are hate and guns."
Andy Thayer, an activist with the Gay Liberation Network, said that it was important that solidarity between the LGBT and Muslim communities at this moment was vital.
Prayers from Chicago #OrlandoShootingpic.twitter.com/FzruRACMFK
"An attack on one of is an attack on all of us," Thayer said. "We are a rainbow community and we got the recent passage of pro LGBT legislation through the efforts of not just ourselves but of so many non-LGBT people speaking up for us. So as we go forward, my message to our community is: We cannot multiply the hate that we saw at 2 a.m. this morning by scapegoating Muslims or people of other faiths."
A group of interfaith religious leaders gathered near the steps of Judson Memorial Church in New York to sing and pray for the victims and families of the Orlando shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub June 12, 2016. (Photo: Ellie Miao, USA TODAY)
In New York, a group of interfaith religious leaders gathered at Washington Square South to sing and pray.
Sadiya Abjani, a Muslim gay woman and member of a Muslim alliance supporting sexual and gender diversity, said, "The first selfish fear that came into my head was, 'Oh, God, please don't let that person's name be Muslim. Every day I live in that fear that in the next tragedy that person's gonna have a Muslim name."
And in Kansas City, a vigil was planned featuring music and the lighting of the Christopher S. Bond Bridge in rainbow colors.
Contributing: Justin L. Mack and Madeline Buckley, The Indianapolis Star; Ellie Miao and Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY; and Sophia Tulp, USA TODAY College correspondent.Follow Rick Neale on Twitter: @RickNeale1
Orlando nightclub shooter: What we know about him
Islamic State linked to worst mass shooting in U.S. history
Orlando shooting at Pulse nightclub
Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/28vzgL5


The team investigates the murder of tech entrepreneur turned venture capitalist who secretly developed a daemon, a background computer program that allows for undetectable data collection.
watch NCIS: Los Angeles Season 07 Episode 13 online free. NCIS: Los Angeles streaming tv show, Full Episode. tv series online.


As CEO of Orange County-based design and marketing firm Open Interactive, Inc. Sean brings his passion for technology, video and creative solutions to his work helping businesses of all sizes increase their online visibility, brand strength and sales conversions.
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Sean's work as film production Art Director with legendary film producer Roger Corman at Concord-New Horizon Pictures brought such classics as "Humanoids from the Deep" and "Starquest II" to life.
Sean uses his expertise in online marketing and search engine optimization to help businesses increase website traffic, conversions, sales, and manage their online presence. Open Interactive has a proven track record developing company brands, online marketing strategies, and conversion optimization for increased sales.


Prosperity for All, guided by a genuine love, is the heart's desire for many of us on our planet. FreshPeek simply reflects this as a core philosophy. We are a grass-roots movement dedicated to collaborating and collectively integrating spiritual qualities with sound business principles beginning with entrepreneurs, their ventures and subsequently the people who work with them.
FreshPeek intends to film and document the process of transforming entrepreneurs into successful business owners equipped with the power to compassionately lead others into prosperity. We are putting seven entrepreneurs through the FreshPeek BootCamp Reality Show, guided by a team of experts that will not only guide them through a personal transformation, but will develop and help fund each of their seven businesses. When they graduate, they will be trained and funded to launch businesses that impart an abundant flow for all and thus, changing the current corporate paradigm one business at a time.
We extend compassion to all by not rebelling against anything or anyone, realizing that we all support the current systems, but rather with positive individual force, we move collectively towards becoming a new paradigm through our own personal transformation.
For some it appears to be a tall order, but for others, it is realized that these are simply the thought processes of humanity's next phase of spiritual, social and economic evolution. We welcome all to participate, exactly where you are, spiritual, not spiritual, rich, poor or in between. For we all share this planet together and without you, something is missing.
Copyright © 2012 FreshPeek, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Misaskim officials noted that the new head of Brooklyn's Medical Examiner's Office had worked closely with Misaskim in previous years. During Hurricane Sandy, in which the Bellevue hospital morgue was flooded, her sensitivity to the needs of Misaskim helped them facilitate access to a niftar who was in need of immediate burial, as required by Jewish law.
In welcoming Dr. Pasquale, Misaskim also congratulated the outgoing Brooklyn Deputy Chief, Dr. Jennifer Hammers, on her new endeavor, and noted that both the outgoing, and incoming, examiners were two seasoned professionals who "demonstrate extreme sensitivity to families of all faiths". "We have absolute confidence in Dr. Pasquale's responsiveness to our community's concerns, particularly in the largest Jewish community outside of Israel," a Misaskim spokesman said.


If you've been writing or reading fiction (particularly fantasy) for a while, you've heard of the Hero's Journey storyline or at least are aware of it (even unconsciously).
So today, I'm going to use The LEGO Movie as my illustration.
If you do a Google search, you can find the basic outline on thousands of sites. I used the outline here for creating this post.
Most sources divide the journey into three parts, the three act structure some writers like to talk about. I'm just going to list the points.
At the beginning of most Hero's Journey stories, the hero is shown living his normal life.
This is his life. Everything is normal. He's content to stay right where he is. There's no desire to change.
At this point, the ordinary world is disrupted with a call to adventure. A wizard comes to your door or your uncle buys a pair of used droids.
After receiving the Call, the hero usually will refuse to take action. He'd rather stay home and continue living his life as he has been. Why would he disrupt his routine to go on an adventure of all things?
When Emmet wakes up in prison, he realizes the piece of resistance is attached to his back. The trespasser from the construction site comes to rescue him. As they are fleeing, Emmet realizes in order to escape, he'll have to break the instructions for the first time in his life. He refuses to answer the call.
But by then, it's too late. They have already crossed the threshold (literally) from Emmet's ordinary world into the adventure. There's no going back now.
At this point, the hero is going on the adventure whether he wants to or not. Things have changed too much for him to go back to his ordinary life.
Sometimes, the hero meets the mentor before crossing the threshold or the mentor will issue the call. But in this case, Emmet meets his "mentor," Vitruvius, after entering the adventure world.
Heroes always have friends or allies on their quests. While at the beginning, they might not be actual friends (often they're thrown together), but by the climax, they have some sort of camaraderie. In Emmet's case, his allies are: Wildstyle, Batman, Benny, Unikitty, and MetalBeard.
Besides helping the hero accomplish his mission, the traveling companions often provide comic relief and are foils for the hero. Foils show the main character's flaws or virtues by contradiction.
For example, Batman is cool, smart, and everyone loves him. Emmet, on the other hand, is super ordinary, sometimes stupid, and most of the time, someone is mad at him. Batman's arrogance and popularity act as foils to Emmet's dull, ordinariness.
At this point of the story, the hero and his companions face many difficulties. These challenges can take many forms.
This tragedy forces the hero to make his own decisions and face his fears. Alone.
When the hero must face his fears by himself, he has reached the dark moment. This is his lowest point. He's ready to give up, to throw it all away. He's lost his mentor, maybe some of his friends, his entire ordinary world, the villain is about to win, and there's nothing he can do.
This (and the next section) is my favorite part of the Hero's Journey. There's nowhere for him to go but up.
I think Emmet's Dark Moment comes in the Think Tank as the computer counts down to self-destruct. He's rubberbanded to a battery, his friends are all going to die, he's not The Special, and Vitruvius is dead.
As the hero is wallowing in his despair, he realizes there is something he can do. But it will require either a great sacrifice or facing his deepest fear.
This is his epiphany. His "Aha" Moment.
Emmet's epiphany comes right after his dark moment. The countdown is nearing its end. But after Ghost Vitruvius delivers a final message, Emmet is ready. He realizes he can save his friends, that he has the power to be special. He jumps into the endless void in order to detach the battery and prevent the self-destruct.
The hero is now ready to defeat the external villain since he has conquered his internal antagonist. If he can face that, he can take on anything.
After Emmet wakes up in the human world and retrieves the piece of resistance, he returns to Bricksburg, ready to defeat President Business. While there is no actual battle, he defeats the villain by using the "power of The Special." He uses the knowledge he gained in his epiphany (that everyone can be special) to convince President Business to stop using the Kragle.
Now that the quest is done, the hero may return home, to his ordinary life, family, and home, like Bilbo does at the end of The Hobbit. Other times, the hero cannot return or chooses not to. In A New Hope, Luke can't return to his ordinary world, even if he wanted to. He must live in a new world—the world of the Rebellion.
This part isn't really covered in The LEGO Movie. It ends with a promise of more adventure. Poor Emmet doesn't even get to catch his breath!
I love the Hero's Journey. Even thought it's very common, there are so many stories and twists you can put on it!
Can you think of any other stories with the Hero's Journey plotline? Do you like the Hero's Journey? Have you ever gone on an adventure?
One day, Glendale decided to go for a walk. Suddenly he found himself being eaten by an ice T-Rex!
Every year I could remember, five people were sent invitations to meet the faerie queen. One morning I found mine under my pillow, perfectly folded with a wax rose for a seal.
"Shannon! Watch your mouth, your sister is right there." Mother glanced at my baby sister who was playing with her rag doll in a mud puddle.
Brea continued mumbling in her toddler talk. Noticing we were looking at her, she squealed, showing her adorable gap-tooth smile. She dropped her doll and wrapped her arms around my leg.
"Horsey!" Brea added as if in agreement. She pulled on my tangled mess of red curls.
"But," I began, but she cut me off.
I shoved the invitation into my pocket and flung the apron over the clothesline next to another worn-out frock. It used to be blue. Now it looked gray. Like storm clouds. Brea pulled the apron off the line before I could pin it up and it fell into the mud.
Perhaps my aunt had wished herself far away from this rotten place. Maybe I'd do the same.
Because I was going. No matter what Mother said.
That night, after everyone was asleep, I shoved some bread I'd saved from dinner into a knapsack along with my best dress. I was going to meet a queen, after all, so I might as well look presentable, though I couldn't do much about my freckles.
I tiptoed past the sleeping forms of my parents and stooped to kiss my Brea's cheek. "I'll miss you," I whispered, brushing a coil of red hair from her forehead. Even asleep, she was as beautiful as an angel straight from heaven.
I opened the door just enough to squeeze through, careful to not let it creak. Without looking back, I took off down the beaten path to the faerie castle, my bare feet kicking up little puffs of dust under the starry sky.
As I skipped down the path, I imagined all the things I could ask for. Jewels, a castle, love, beauty, oh, so many things. To be entirely honest, I hadn't really thought about what I wanted. I never dreamed that I, Shannon of Éire, would receive an invitation to meet the faerie queen.
After a while, I decided I would be queen of the whole, entire world. When one is queen, what does wealth or beauty mean to you? You have the whole world at your fingertips. No one will mock you for your freckles or too short skirts. And if they would dare, you could throw them in the dungeon.
I tripped over a rut in the road and lost my daydream. Stupid carts and horses. When I was queen, I'd outlaw them.
A few hours later, the land began to come alive. Sunbeams lit the hills and the dew glowed on the scarlet roses now lining the road. I must be getting close, for three faeries about the size of my palm in green dresses flew across my path, chattering and twinkling like fallen stars.
The faerie castle came into view as I came to the top of a little rise in the road. The spires reached like fingers to heaven, pointing to the brilliant sunrise. The path to the door was lined with even more dew-kissed roses, the petals reaching for me. I tripped on a root of some sort, but the guards didn't seem to notice. They let me in without question, not even asking to see my invitation.
This is really happening. My heart thumped so fast I pressed a hand to my chest for fear that it would jump out.
Two young men and two young women clutching invitations already stood in the grand foyer. They stopped whispering when they saw me.
The others went ahead of me in silence. I heard a soft buzzing near my ear. Assuming it was a fly, I swatted. It dodged my hand, then alighted on my shoulder.
"Wish for anything but beauty. Or do not wish at all," a small faerie whispered in my ear, her musical voice tinged with a warning.
I smirked. Who did this faerie think I was? A foolish girl who only desired good looks and love? Ha, I'd show her, when I was queen.
The guard motioned for me. I walked down a long hall lined with scarlet carpet so deep my bare feet almost disappeared. Mirrors lined one wall, reflecting my frizzy red hair, an extra generous helping of freckles, dull gray eyes, as well as the massive windows opposite, which overlooked a rose garden. I noticed I had forgotten to change into my good dress. Oh well, when I was queen I would have finer gowns than that old rag.
My stomach clenched as I saw the throne. It towered over me at the far end of the hall. Two guards stood at the bottom, dressed immaculately in deep red. Even more roses and vines surrounded the throne, leaves open in a desperate plea.
The woman on the throne was larger than most faeries, even than most men, but I guess when she could grant wishes, she could be as big as she wanted. Her black hair fell in a waterfall down her back and her green eyes glistened like dewy grass in a face so flawless it nearly glowed.
"What is your wish, dearest?" Her voice was smoother than warm honey, but with a tinge of vinegar, barely noticeable, yet still there.
I opened my mouth. "I wish for…" My eyes caught a glimpse of my tangled red hair, sunburned cheeks, scattered freckles, and gangly limbs in a mirror behind her throne. The words died on my tongue.
The roses seemed to plead for me to run away. I could have sworn they whispered to me.
"Your wish is granted." The queen smiled and extended her golden scepter.
I felt a change come over me, starting in my chest and spreading outward like vines.
I looked in the mirror—no freckles, no red hair, no gangly limbs.
Only a rosebush with tiny red buds.
Actually, that's not the technical definition of a plantser. (Though I have an affinity for growing and killing 🥀plants.) I'm not even sure there is an official definition.
So I shall give you one.
A plantser is someone who both outlines and writes by the seat of their pants.
Plantsers seem like a paradox, don't they?
But it's entirely possible to do both. I'm living proof!
I've tried to do formal outlines. I've tried The One Year Adventure Novel.
Something about detailed outlines drives me crazy. It takes the fun out of writing for me.
I'm more of a "let me scribble a bunch of important stuff on a legal pad, then forget about it" kind of outliner. At the very most, I might even write out a few bullet points.
My mom had me try to outline Checkmate, which was good in some ways (it showed me that I do have a bit of a planner in me and that I had way too many traps 😅), but after I finished it, I totally disregarded it.
The majority of outlining that I do I call "head-writing." That basically means I write the scene in my head before I write it out on paper.
Partially because I get all my good ideas while washing dishes or taking a shower and water + paper = not good. Partially because I think it's really fun.
It's like watching a movie in your head on repeat until you know it by heart. I'll go over the idea until I have little details worked out (such as how someone is standing, the location of the knife, the layout of the building, etc.). That way, when I actually have a good sized chunk of time to write, I can get a lot of words out. Mostly because I'm really excited about the scene that's been living in my head, but also because I have somewhere to start instead of staring at that evil blinking cursor.
When a little plot bunny comes sneaking around, I'm more than happy to follow it down winding trails. Most of the time, it ends up better than I had planned. Other times, I have to do more re-writing because it changed a bunch of stuff.
For example, one of my main characters (My personal favorite. Shh, don't tell him.) was simply supposed to be a "spear-carrier"—in other words, an extra. Just there to fight the bad guys and probably die like side characters always do. Then one day (while doing dishes), it occurred to me, "What if I give this guy a POV? And what if he has this backstory?" The rest is history. He promptly took over the last half of Draft 1 and 2.
One thing I've learned with my little bit of writing experience is "trust your gut." If you think it's awkward it probably is. So if you think you should follow a plot bunny, you should.
So, now you know about all about planners, pantsers, and plantsers.
It's important for every writer to understand their writing process. No one way is better than another. There are also differing degrees of each process—some outline every scene, others only do bullet points.
Your process might not fit the patterns we've talked about over the last three weeks.
What's your writing process? Are you a planner? A pantser? Do you have houseplants?
When you sit down to write, who do you write for? Who is your audience?
This post is written for you, my blog audience. My novel is written for YA fantasy readers.
But when we sit down to write, how do we decide who to write for?
For example, when I sit down to write Checkmate, I could write for my friend who likes dragons or my brother who loves Lord of the Rings.
But I can't please everyone who might read my book. And sometimes I just want to write what I want. Is that okay?
Who should we write for?
This should be no surprise, but I'm afraid it has become a clichéd answer in Christian circles.
Everything we do should ultimately be to bring God glory. (1 Cor. 10:31) That includes our writing—blogging, fan fiction, poetry, etc.
But how do we know if our writing is pleasing to God?
Well, are you obeying Him with your writing? Are you secretly writing something you know your parents wouldn't approve of? Are you writing to bring yourself the praise and honor? Are you writing something that bothers your conscience just because it's popular?
What we write and how we write it reflects on our confession of faith. If unbelievers stumble across our writing and find out that we use just as much language as the next guy and glorify sin like everyone else, God is dishonored.
I can see your shocked expression.
Yes, the second person you should write for is yourself.
Because if you don't enjoy what you are writing, then no one else will.
Your best writing is when you are writing what you need—not what you think others want.
Don't be afraid to write something that's out of "style" or everyone says is cliché.
Write what you want. Maybe you'll be the only one who reads it, maybe it will never get past a circle of close friends, but if you enjoyed writing it, you succeeded.
And now we get to readers. They make up the largest part of your audience.
We could talk a lot about readers. But I just want to leave you with one point.
Your favorite book might be your brother's nightmare. My favorite blog might have you moaning in agony.
Your story might be your best friend's dream novel, but be epically boring to your mom.
Everyone has different tastes. And just because someone (no matter how mean they were in their comments) didn't like your writing, that doesn't mean your story is bad.
Just like some people love coffee and others absolutely loath even the smell. No one group of people is wrong.
So, when you are writing, aim to please God above all else. Then write something you enjoy. Finally, write for your readers, but remember that your words are not for everyone.
Did my second point surprise you? Have you read anything by Jaquelle Crowe?