text:
/aboutus/whatwedo/paidservices/longitudinalstudyls
ONS Longitudinal Study
The ONS Longitudinal Study (LS) contains linked census and life events data for a 1% sample of the population of England and Wales
About the ONS Longitudinal Study
Using the ONS Longitudinal Study
Methodology and quality in the ONS Longitudinal Study
1. About the ONS Longitudinal Study
What is the ONS Longitudinal Study (LS) ?
The LS contains linked census and life events data for a 1% sample of the population of England and Wales. It contains records on over 500,000 people usually resident in England and Wales at each point in time and it is largely representative of the whole population. The LS is the largest longitudinal data resource in England and Wales.
The LS has linked records at each census since the 1971 Census, for people born on one of four selected dates in a calendar year. These four dates were used to update the sample at the 1981, 1991, 2001 and 2011 Censuses. Life events data are also linked for LS members, including births to sample mothers, deaths and cancer registrations. New LS members enter the study through birth and immigration (if they are born on one of the four selected birth dates).
Data on approximately 1 million sample members has been collected over the 40 years of the study. Figure 1 shows LS sample members collected in each census.
Figure 1: Structure of the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Enlistments – up to 2013
Infant deaths – up to 2013
Cancer registrations – up to 2016
Re-entries – up to 2018
Embarkations – up to 2019
Immigrants – up to 2019
All else – up to 2017
Download this image Figure 1: Structure of the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study.
.png (255.8 kB) .xlsx (24.4 kB)
Table 1: Number of sample members and traced sample members at time of each census
Sample members 530,000 535,000 544,000 540,000 586,000
Traced 524,000 533,000 537,000 538,000 581,000
Source: Office for National Statistics - Longitudinal Study
Download this table Table 1: Number of sample members and traced sample members at time of each census
.xls .csv
The LS documents periods of change over a sample member's life. Research topics include:
ageing (age at each census)
family formation (including marital status, family and household type)
ethnicity and religion
migration (country of birth)
educational and professional activity
The LS has the advantage of a very large sample size and low levels of attrition. This allows for extensive research into subgroups of the population of England and Wales, producing robust results. There are two studies for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For more detail on the LS, see the publication Longitudinal Study 1971 to 1991 History, organisation and quality of data (available from The National Archives).
What data does the LS contain?
Census information is collected once every 10 years and mostly relates to people's circumstances at the time. All information collected on the census forms is included in the LS, for example, age, sex, marital status and many other socio-demographic topics. Census data are also collected on the LS members' co-residents, as they appear on the same census form. For a full list of data and variables, please access the information within the LS data dictionary (which provides complete information on all variables and tables available to researchers using the LS).
Event data for LS members usually resident in England and Wales, from the civil registration system, NHS registration systems and the cancer registries, has been added to the LS since Census Day in 1971. This includes:
births (entry events)
immigration (entry events)
deaths (exit events)
emigration (exit events)
Other event data includes:
live and still births to female LS members
deaths of LS members' spouses
deaths of infants born to female LS members
cancer registrations
re-entries to the LS after an embarkation and enlistment to the armed forces
What happened to LS members over time – cohort interactive tool
Our interactive tool explains what happens to LS members over time. For every new selection please first select beginning date followed by end date. Exits from the LS occur by two means, death or emigration. The quality of death data within the LS is extremely high as death registration is required by law. However, emigration data is not as comprehensive as it relies on LS members informing the NHS when they are leaving the country. It is known that many emigrants do not inform the NHS, causing gaps in the coverage of the data. This largely explains the amount of individuals categorised as lost to follow-up.
Embed this interactive
Research and outputs using the LS
CeLSIUS maintains a database of all publications using LS data from the early 1980s onward.
CALLS-Hub has a list of outputs from recent research using the LS, the Scottish LS and the Northern Ireland LS.
Current and completed projects using the LS.
For latest news and events see CeLSIUS and CALLS-Hub.
2. Using the ONS Longitudinal Study
What can the LS be used for?
The LS can be used for several types of analysis, over many different research areas. The studies that make best use of LS data are those that link social, occupational and demographic information to data on life events. Examples include studies of mortality, cancer incidence and survival, and fertility patterns. The individual-level data of the LS means that person-years at risk can be calculated for epidemiological studies.
The ability to combine detailed personal characteristics with area characteristics has proved useful in many studies of health, for example, those looking at environmental effects on health, and those on inequalities in health.
Linked census data for members of the LS allow researchers to examine change between censuses by investigating the same people through two or more censuses.
Studies of social mobility have examined changing class position by age. Information on co-residents of LS sample members has been used to study intergenerational mobility.
The size of the LS makes it suitable for the study of ageing. Studies have used the information collected on the co-residents and family status of LS sample members to examine changes to household and family arrangements that come with age.
Census forms ask about addresses 1 year ago. The linked census data in the LS have been used to study 10-year migration patterns between censuses. In addition, information on place of enumeration in 1939 has been used to study migration over longer periods.
The addition of 2011 Census data on year of arrival (non-UK born residents) and language has meant that individual-level analysis on first- and second-generation migrants and language proficiency is now feasible.
How to use the LS
We actively promote wide use of the LS while maintaining the confidentiality of individuals in its LS sample. To ensure confidentiality, the data can only be accessed in secure settings at our offices in London, Newport (South Wales) and Titchfield (Hampshire). Only statistical analysis or data tabulations are released to researchers through an output clearance process.
Researchers need to make an application to access the LS for research purposes. A user support service is available to help researchers.
advice on sample sizes and the suitability of the LS for particular projects
advice on data content and linkage issues
helping you through the application procedure
identifying the variables and the study population to be included in an extract
making data extracts
transforming data and producing the tables or files necessary for your analyses
advising on clearance procedures and confidentiality rules
Information and support for UK-based users from the academic, statutory and voluntary sectors can be obtained from the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS) by emailing Celsius@ucl.ac.uk. All other users should contact our Longitudinal Study Development Team (LSDT): LongitudinalStudy@ons.gov.uk.
If you are interested in using the LS, please contact CeLSIUS. A step-by-step guide to using the LS is available from the CeLSIUS website.
LS user resources
The data dictionary is a useful resource for LS users. It gives details of the large number of different variables in the LS.
Census forms
Each census in England and Wales used two types of form: one for private households and another for communal establishments. The form for communal establishments does not contain questions about relationships in a household or questions about household amenities. Copies of the census forms used to collect LS data are available to download from census forms 1971 to 2011.
Census definitions and concepts
The publication Longitudinal Study 1971 to 1991: History, organisation and quality of data (available from the National Archives) is the definitive resource for information about the LS from 1971 to 1991. It provides the best source of information on how events data are linked to the LS and the quality of event information from 1971 to 1991.
Definitions and concepts change at each census. The related documents describe those used at each census, such as "enumerated population", "usual residence", "size of family" or "economic position".
3. Methodology and quality in the ONS Longitudinal Study
The LS contains linked census and life event information for a 1% sample of the population of England and Wales since 1971.
Data on the extent to which individuals are enumerated, traced and linked correctly at each census are vital for accurate use of the LS. Likewise data on the demographic characteristics of those previously in the LS without a valid exit event and not found at each census, or those individuals with multiple enumerators at the time of the census.
Detailed reports are available to download on the quality of linkages, and success rates in tracing and linking census records to the LS since 1971. In addition, more detailed data on linkage, tracing and sampling by main demographic characteristics are also available to download.
In addition to census data, the LS includes data on a number of registered events occurring to LS members. A detailed report on event quality is available to download.
4. Find out more
There are several ways you can find out more about the LS.
To discuss a potential research project, please contact the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS). CeLSIUS is an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded support team for UK academic, government, statutory and voluntary sector users of the LS.
To find out more about the CeLSIUS, please telephone +44 20 7679 1995 or email: celsius@ucl.ac.uk
To find out more about the LS history, data and processes, please contact the LS Development Team by telephone +44 1329 444696 or email: longitudinalstudy@ons.gov.uk
5. Privacy and data protection
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Longitudinal Study (LS) links data from three main sources: the census, the civil registration service, and NHS registration systems.
Here we detail why we need to link these data, how the data are processed and the uses made of these linked data. We also describe the steps that we take to make sure the information and individual privacy are protected.
Why we use information in this way
It was recognised as long ago as the middle of the 19th century that longitudinal cohort data were needed to fully understand patterns and inequalities in mortality. Early work in this field was led by William Farr, a noted epidemiologist and first "Compiler of Abstracts" at the newly established General Register Office for England and Wales in 1839. Farr was the first to combine information from a national census (1861) and the death registers to look at the occupation of men, their age at and cause of death.
The LS was designed to provide an official data source for the production of statistics on this topic. It was estimated that the LS would need to have a sample size of around 500,000 people, or approximately 1% of the population, in order to enable the production of robust mortality statistics. It was established in 1974 by taking a sample of records from the 1971 Census for England and Wales of all those born on one of four dates (the LS birth dates). This original sample has been continuously augmented since 1971 with new members.
In addition to the study of mortality, it was recognised that by linking birth events to mothers in the LS sample, the LS would also enable new analyses into fertility patterns, in particular the spacing of births and the part that social and economic characteristics play in family formation. The LS addresses these needs, and many more, by linking existing census and life event data.
The processing required to maintain and update the LS is managed by the LS Development Team (LSDT) at the ONS. In order to link data from various sources, a unique identifier called the LS number is issued to each LS member by the LSDT.
All the data processed by the LSDT need to go through a process that enables data for the same individual from different sources to be linked. The processing service used is provided by NHS Digital (NHSD).
The NHSD team that provides the service was part of the Office for Population Censuses and Surveys between 1971 and 1996, and then became part of the Office for National Statistics when it was formed in 1996. This team moved to become part of NHSD (known as the Health and Social Care Information Centre at the time) on 1 April 2008, as a result of the enactment of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
To link census data, the LSDT works with ONS colleagues to arrange the creation of a data file to be used for processing by NHSD. This file only includes variables that help with the processing work. This includes personal data such as name, address including post code, date of birth and sex for each census record with one of the LS birth dates. NHSD processes these records and sends the results back to the LSDT. Once this work is complete, NHSD securely deletes all census information sent for processing.
Life events data are processed and linked annually between censuses. Each type of event (new births, births to sample mothers, deaths, widow(er)hoods) is processed separately. In each case, this involves the LSDT creating a processing file of records of people born on one of the four LS birth dates. NHSD processes these records and sends back the relevant LS number for each record. The files sent for processing include personal data such as name, address including post code, date of birth and sex. These files are securely deleted once processing is complete.
NHSD also sends data regarding NHS registrations to the LSDT for inclusion in the LS. This includes records of all new non-birth NHS registrations where the person reports one of the four LS birth dates. The LSDT issues each of these records with a new LS number and notifies NHSD of the LS numbers issued. NHSD also notifies the LSDT of exit events, re-entry events and deaths occurring to people flagged on its system as LS members.
NHSD is the only place where a complete, permanent record of the names and addresses of all LS members is held. The LSDT at the ONS only holds name and address information while processing the data. These data are deleted once each processing cycle is complete.
Files are transferred between the LSDT and NHSD using NHSD's Secure Electronic File Transfer (SEFT) system. The use of SEFT for this purpose has been approved by ONS's Security and Information Management team.
Who can access the information?
The system used to process LS data at the ONS is located on a dedicated part of ONS's technical infrastructure with enhanced security protection in place. It can only be accessed by members of the LSDT. Access to the system can only be made using dedicated desktops with fixed IP addresses. To avoid the risk of screens being overlooked, these desktops are located in a shielded area. Only LSDT staff can work in this area. All staff involved in this work have been cleared at the Security Check (SC) level.
On completion of each cycle of processing, a research version of the LS database is created and placed in ONS's Secure Research Service (SRS). No direct identifiers are included in the SRS version of the data, and it also excludes variables that present the greatest risk of identification of individuals: dates of birth; dates of death of infants; and small area geography codes below the level of local authority.
Access to the full SRS version is restricted to User Support Officers (USOs) from the LSDT and from the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS). The CeLSIUS USOs are employees of University College London, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. They carry out the user support role on ONS infrastructure using ONS devices. They have all been cleared at the Security Check (SC) level.
Researchers wishing to use LS data need to successfully complete an Accredited Researcher application and also need their project to be approved by the UK Statistics Authority's Research Accreditation Panel. Their project application needs to identify the population and the variables required to carry out the research. If the project is approved, a bespoke data extract that only includes the specified data will be created by a USO and made available to the researcher. These data extracts can only be accessed via the SRS and from within the UK.
To ensure safe use of secure data, the SRS applies the Five Safes Framework. This is a set of principles that researchers and their organisations must adhere to. The Five Safes cover people, projects, settings, data and outputs.
How long are personal data kept?
Data protection law requires that personal data are kept for no longer than is needed to fulfil the purposes for which they were originally collected. The LSDT only retains data including direct identifiers such as name and address for as long as is necessary for processing. When each processing cycle is complete, the LSDT permanently deletes the files that include direct identifiers.
The law allows that information held for statistical purposes only may be kept for longer periods. Longitudinal data resources increase in value and utility as time passes and more data are added. The statistical data linked in the LS will be retained in de-identified form for as long as the ONS continues to maintain and update the study.
How the law protects your information
The General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 determine how, when and why any organisation can process your personal data. Personal data are any information that can identify a living individual. These laws exist to make sure your data are managed safely and used responsibly. They also give you certain rights about your data and create a responsibility on the ONS, as a user of personal data, to provide you with certain information.
The ONS is a statutory body, meaning it was created by legislation, specifically the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Our objective is to promote and safeguard the production and publication of official statistics that serve the public good. All our collection and use of data comes from powers that can be found in that Act or other UK legislation.
The Census Act 1920 ensures that we treat personal data from the census securely. It is a criminal offence for ONS staff or our suppliers to misuse personal census data.
Legal basis for processing your data
The LS was first established in the 1970s. It was recognised from the beginning that, as data built over time, stringent measures would need to be in place to protect the identities of those whose data were included. One of these measures has been to keep the four dates of birth used to select the sample confidential. Only staff at the ONS and NHSD who have needed to know the dates to carry out their work have been made aware of them.
The ONS has not sought the consent of people to be included in the LS. If we were to try to contact all LS members to seek their consent, or if we made the dates of birth public knowledge, we would significantly increase the risk of individuals becoming identifiable from their data.
The wide range of research conducted using the LS has delivered significant public benefit. The impact on individuals of their data being used in this way has been minimal, as nobody is aware whether their data have been included. On balance, therefore, we believe that the continued protection of the dates of birth is the most ethical approach to take.
This does not deny any individual of their rights under the General Data Protection Regulation. Details on how to exercise these rights is provided in the "Further information" section.
Data protection legislation requires that all processing of personal data is undertaken under one or more conditions.
LS data are processed under the condition that "processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller".
Under data protection legislation, an additional condition is needed to process special category personal data. Special category personal data includes information about racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs and sexual orientation. These topics are included in census data linked to the LS. We process this information under the condition "processing is necessary for archiving in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes based on UK law".
The controller is the person or organisation that decides which personal data will be processed and for what purpose. For the LS, the ONS is the controller and makes those decisions.
You can contact us by:
Email: longitudinal.study@ons.gov.uk
Longitudinal Study Development Team
Room 4300S
Segensworth Road
Titchfield
PO15 5RR
More information about ONS principles, policies and practices regarding privacy and data protection, including your statutory rights, is available.
Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS)
Assessment of the quality of the 2011 Census
Longitudinal Study 1971-1991: History, organisation and quality of data
Search past and present research projects
Search research projects by theme
Linkage of Census 2021 to the Longitudinal Study: beta test
1991 Census definitions and concepts (3.0 MB pdf)
Longitudinal Study 2001 – 2011 Completeness of census linkage (1.5 MB pdf)
1971 Census quality check (2.2 MB pdf)
Quality of tracing at the 2011 Census (148.5 kB xls)
Quality of tracing at the 2001 Census (115.5 kB pdf)
Quality of tracing at the 1991 Census (91.8 kB pdf)
2011 Census sampling fractions (461.3 kB xls)
2001 Census sampling fractions (110.5 kB pdf)
1991 Census sampling fractions (45.7 kB pdf)
Quality of linkage 2001 to 2011 (497.7 kB xls)
Quality of linkage between 1991 and 2001 Censuses (68.4 kB pdf)
1971 - 1991: The quality of event sampling and linkage within the Longitudinal Study (265.2 kB pdf)
Event quality report (64.4 kB pdf)
LS infant mortality 1971 to 2016 (76.8 kB xls)
New birth of LS members 1971 to 2016 (107.5 kB xls)
LS deaths 1971 to 2016 (229.9 kB xls)
LS widow(er)hoods 1971 to 2016 (107.0 kB xls)
Births to sample mothers 1971 to 2016 (103.4 kB xls)


Point: Technology and innovation enable greater customer engagement through open-ended customizations, apps, add-on, and social features.
Story: At BIF7, John Hagel, author of The Power of Pull, highlighted what he saw as a distinction between story vs. narrative. A story is complete, self-contained, and has a beginning, middle, and end. Stories have audiences: people who passively consume the story. In contrast, Hagel defined a "narrative" as an open-ended, unfolding sequence that continues into the future. Narratives frame the world and the people in it. Under this definition, narratives create participants: active co-creators in the evolving timeline of current and future events. Whether you agree or disagree with Hagel's particular choice of words, the key is in the interesting distinction between a closed-ended tale and an open-ended dialogue — and what that distinction means for product innovation..
Although Hagel didn't say so directly, the concept of story v. narrative can be applied to product innovation: some products are like stories and some are like narratives. Some products are meant to simply be bought and consumed, like the beginning-middle-end of a story. It's a "once upon a time, someone used the product and they lived happily ever after" story.
In contrast, other products are like narratives, in which purchasing the product is just the start of a long series of interactions with that product, with related products, and even with other people. Such products let people customize, individualize, and enhance the product. Customers can tap into an ecosystem of add-ons, apps, tracking, feedback, and engagement. Customers can interact with other customers or with the company's services for on-going enhancements. In short, the customer joins the narrative and extends it, too..
The most obvious example of the narrative-style product is the Apple iPhone, with its "there's an app for that" opportunities for customization and engagement. Similarly, Nike converted a consumer good — shoes — into narrative-driven product with strong participant engagement through Nike+. A sensor in the shoe and wireless connection to an iPhone, iPod, or special watch lets users of its shoes track their exercise. People can then share their runs with others, participate in virtual races, and learn about great running routes from others..
Technology enables more and more of these kinds of narrative products. Companies can now leverage low cost or existing electronics (e.g., smartphones), low-cost software, and low-cost web/cloud services to create an ongoing customizable social experience. Companies can also use existing social platforms (like FourSquare, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to create a narrative environment for their product or service.
Is your product like a closed-ended tale or can you make it like an open-ended dialogue with your customers?
Create optional tracking or feedback that lets customers record their piece of the narrative.
Create optional add-ons or apps that support customization or ongoing enhancements.
Create an ecosystem of partners and encourage open innovation around a narrative product platform.
Create social engagement that lets customers not just use the product but also interact with the people behind the product and the other users of the product.


Our parties are for kids aged 1 to 11 years. These highly interactive energetic fun parties will always include dancing, singing, active games, action stories & rhymes for the little ones as well as silly dances, limbo dancing, disco-bop & karaoke for the older children. All parties are colourful using props such as ribbons and bubbles for extra added fun.


Hey Mr. T Won't You Curl With Me?
I am someone who is a sucker for people achieving their goals, especially those who overcome their obstacles to get there.
So it is beyond me that why every time an Olympics draws near I only think of reasons I am not excited for them to come. I reluctantly watch the Opening Ceremonies and scoff at the fact that our TV is constantly on (even though I am an avid TV watcher).
Within 24 hours of the games beginning I without fail am sobbing at the commercials and can't get enough of people celebrating their success. Their families overcome with emotion at the finish lines. GAH! I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
This year however, we've had the added benefit of an unexpected cheerleader warm up to an unexpected sport.
Mr. T has become obsessed with curling. For some reason the idea of this former Wrestler and "I Pity the Fool" tough guy celebrating a sport that *shouldn't* cause bodily harm really fascinating. He's even trying to make curling "cool" again. Count me in.
See here's the thing. I am not sporty. I am however quite active, but I grew up as a dancer and team sports were never my jam. I was always jealous of people coming back with medals from their latest tournament, or hearing stories from the road as they ate pizza and snuck around hotels. It was a sporty life, not a dancers life.
When Mr. T started talking about curling on Twitter I thought, maybe this is my chance! Maybe, if I just ask nicely enough, we could team up and learn a thing or two about challenging ourselves to try new things and tackle a sport we're both unfamiliar with.
While I've established I am not sporty, I am an athletic supporter. With pep and enthusiasm I get sports, I just don't play them (yet).
I'm a communicator. In curling being able to yell things like "hurry hard" and "good sweep" matters. I will not be a meek and mild teammate. I'm chatty and can make my voice carry. We won't fail because of poor communication.
Canadians make for some damn good curlers. As you've seen in the Olympics already this year, John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes took home gold in Mixed Doubles. Colleen Jones is one of Canada's curling sweethearts. We host the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Tim Horton's Brier Cup every year, drawing the best Curlers from across Canada. These are big deals here up North.
We can both try something new and crush some stereotypes about ourselves. You can practice grace and elegance "on the sheet". I can show people that sports are not out of my bailiwick. Heck, I might get invited to play on that Summer baseball league that keeps passing me over due to my lack of sports aptitude.
Don't get me wrong, this won't be easy. The pro's we are watching make this look SO effortless. We will need to train and train hard. But I pity the fool who doesn't at least give it a shot!
See you on the sheet!


text:
<?php
/**
 * Main Display Page for app
 *
 * @package WordPress
 * @subpackage doom
 * @since 1.0
 * @version 1.0
 */
?>
<?php get_header(); ?>

<?php get_footer(); ?>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Northrop Grumman Completes Merger with Litton Industries Inc.
Danish oil and shipping group A.P. Moeller's Svitzer tug and salvage unit said on Thursday it bought privately-owned Dutch Wijsmuller Group Holding for an undisclosed sum.
Panamaxes for transatlantic round voyages fell to six-week lows on Wednesday as trade was limited by a series of European holidays in the month of May, brokers said.
General Dynamics Corp.'s contested $2.1 billion plan to take over Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. could stifle competition in U.S. warship building, a congressional analysis released Tuesday showed.
Petrobras put 12 offshore oil rigs back into operation on May 26 following a stoppage on two days earlier that was due to a second unexplained oil spill in a week, officials said.
Anglo-Norwegian engineering group Kvaerner said on Wednesday it had won a contract valued at 627 million crowns ($67.7 million) from Hamburg-based Oskar Wehr GmbH to build two containerships.
Singapore's Osprey Maritime said on Monday it agreed to sell its liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations to new subsidiary Golar LNG for US$635 million as part of a restructuring exercise.


Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped via FedEx or Standard Express Post. We will provide you with a link to track your packages online. Shipping fees include handling and packing fees as well as postage costs. Special care is taken to protect your stones. Padded Envelops and your items are well-protected.
We are very confident that our gemstones will meet your expectations and beyond. However, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason you may return your order within 30 days from the date of shipment for a full refund or exchange. Item(s) must be in the condition you received them and in the original packaging.
Neon pinkish red Mahenge garnet.
Natural pear peach pink morganite.
positive Rare natural emerald cut bi-colour amethyst.
positive Marquise pinkish red Mahenge garnet.
positive Rare bluish purple pair amethyst.
positive Natural vivid red rhodolite garnet.
positive Intense purple bluish natural mahenge spinel.
positive Mahenge natural purple spinel.
Thank you for the beautiful amethyst.
Gorgeous pair, delighted with them. Smooth, hassle-free purchase, great comms, highly recommended.
positive Madagascan natural parti-colour sapphire.
positive Rwandan natural purple bluish amethyst.
positive Madagascan natural pair blue sapphires.
Exceptional seller. A+ beautiful gems as pictured.
positive Gorgeous natural green sapphire.
This is a spectacular specimen. Proud to add it to my collection.
Just Stunning, thanks So Much! Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous!!!
positive Rare natural Rwandan amethyst.
Nice seller and wonderful stone!
positive (PRIVATE AUCTION FOR SAILI) Natural vivid blue tanzanite.
Very nice seller, good communication and experience. Some information in the Cert is different from GR, but still a real nice stone. Looking to do more business with Barry.
positive Raspberry red natural Australian rhodolite garnet.
Professional, great to work with, efficient, and fast shipper!!
positive Gorgeous Natural Parti Colour Sapphire, Unheated.
positive Natural Medium Yellow Sapphire, Heat Only.


text:
Beregama aurea är en spindelart som först beskrevs av Ludwig Carl Christian Koch 1875.  Beregama aurea ingår i släktet Beregama och familjen jättekrabbspindlar. Inga underarter finns listade.

Bildgalleri

Källor

Externa länkar

Jättekrabbspindlar
aurea

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Langham Club
The Langham Club Lounge is a private haven for guests who prefer an extra level of comfort.
Continuously ranked among the top hotels in world.
TRAVELLE
Discover contemporary Seasonal American cuisine at Travelle.
Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood includes proprietary Langham teas, and an array of sweet and savory bites.
Intimate, private ceremonies. Extravagant, lavish events. Stunning bridal spaces to cater to weddings of any size.
Enjoy value added benefits and flexible contract terms to ensure every event at The Langham, Chicago is a seamless experience.
Sophistication. Style. Glamour. The ultimate in luxury city weddings.
Award-winning wellness retreat. Healing holistic treatments to relax, renew, and pamper.
Your ticket on a journey to health and well-being.
Wellness Offer
Linger Longer
Book a stay of 3 nights and enjoy a complimentary night on us.
Book your celebration getaway in advance and enjoy up to 15% off our Best Available Rate.
Create a perfect start to your celebration with scrumptious daily breakfast per person in your comfortable hotel room.
EXTERIOR AND LOBBY
Modern conveniences and our signature amenities make every room a comforting place to unwind.
Dining with us is always an experience to look forward to.
CONNECT Conferences
Overview Rewards Programme
The Langham, Chicago delivers contemporary design, refined service and 15,000 ft² of event space, complemented with state-of-the-art technology to ensure the success of any conference or function.
Hotel's Function Room Name
Dimensions (ft x ft)
Gross Area (sq ft)
Ceiling Height (ft)
Theater Capacity
Classroom Capacity (3 per 6ft)
Banquet Capacity
Crescent Capacity
Reception Capacity
Conference Style Capacity
U-Shape Capacity
Devonshire & Cambridge
3 - - - - - - - - 356 - -
Devonshire Ballroom
3 122 ft x 40 ft 4880 sqft 22 260 170 96 260 182 260 102 120
3 91 ft x 29 ft 2639 sqm 9.6 150 108 66 150 105 150 60 54
2 93 ft x 29 ft 2400 sqft 11 140 80 54 130 70 150 54 60
4 31 ft x 32 ft 992 sqft 10 60 - 18 50 35 50 20 18
4 22 ft x 41 ft 902 sqft 10 - - - - - - 20 -
Dover Suite
9 27 ft x 22 ft 594 sqft 9 16 - 18 24 18 - 12 16
Stratton Suite
10 27 ft x 22 ft 594 sqft 9 16 - 18 24 18 - 12 16
Coventry Suite
Cinema Suite
12 26 ft x 23 ft 598 sqft 9 12 - - - - - - -
The Langham Club Board Room
12C 27 ft x 22 ft 594 sqft 9 - - - - - - 12 -
Dimensions (m x m)
Gross Area (sq m)
Ceiling Height (m)
3 37m x 12m 453 sqm 6.7 260 170 96 260 182 260 102 120
3 27m x 9m 223 sqm 3 150 108 66 150 105 150 60 54
2 28m x 8m 223 sqm 3 140 80 54 130 70 150 54 60
4 9m x 10m 92 sqm 3 60 - 18 50 35 50 20 18
4 7m x 12m 84 sqm 3 - - - - - - 20 -
9 8m x 7m 55 sqm 2.7 16 - 18 24 18 - 12 16
10 8m x 7m 55 sqm 2.7 16 - 18 24 18 - 12 16
12 8m x 7m 56 sqm 2.7 12 - - - - - - -
12C 8m x 7m 55 sqm 2.7 - - - - - - 12 -
Located on the third floor is the Devonshire Ball Room. With a 22 ft. high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, the 4,880 sq ft room can be reconfigured to accommodate two to four separate event spaces. When used as a single ballroom, the room can hold 260 for sit down dining and dancing.
The other Junior Ballroom is the Cambridge Room at 2,600 sq ft. This large space can be divided into two or three separate spaces.
Maximum reception capacity is 356 when combining Devonshire Ball Room and Cambridge Room.
Virtual Tour Floor Plan
Cambridge Room is a Junior Ballroom at 2600 sq ft. This large space can be divided into two or three separate spaces.
Chelsea Room is a Junior Ballroom at 2400 sq ft. This large space can be divided into two or three separate spaces.
The Melbourne Room can accommodate 50 for sit down dining or reception.
Piccadilly Room is available for a 20 person conference.
Dover Suite accommodates 12 for a conference.
Stratton Suite accommodates 12 for a conference.
Coventry Suite accommodates 12 for a conference.
The Cinema Suite is a high-definition theater featuring, a 111 inch screen and comfortable seating for up to twelve people theater style -- perfect for sophisticated presentations, product launches or social gatherings.
The luxuriously appointed Langham Boardroom is available for executive meetings for Langham Club guests.
Download Floor Plans
330 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
T 1 (312) 923 9988 F 1 (312) 923 7020
E tlchi.info@langhamhotels.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Science Fiction In Litvinenko Case
Published by AJStrata at 10:43 am under All General Discussions,Litvinenko, Berezovsky, Chechens
This is just a summary of some discussions I have seen in response to the Tea Pot news that came out last week and continues to roil the Litvinenko story today. What has been an eye opener for me is how little people generally understand the chemistry and physics of nuclear materials and their "poisoning" abilities. That is not meant as a slam on anyone, it is just a reminder to me how diverse people are and how they are very,very different from my own life experience. We spend so much time looking for common ground we sometimes forget to see the gaps that make us unique.
Here is a classic example of the current reporting and how, if it is accurate, it also must be completely impossible in reality.
A POT full of radioactive tea was used to poison former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, police revealed yesterday.
The "hot" teapot was found at London's Millennium Hotel with sky-high readings of Polonium-210 – the deadly radioactive material used to murder the former KGB man.
And despite a huge police investigation, the teapot wasn't found so it was STILL IN USE at the posh hotel in Mayfair until December 10 – six weeks after the poisoning. Even then it had "off the chart" radioactivity readings.
The problem here is a general one of all liquids – they do not change their content when moved from one container to another. So the 'hot' pot has to be aligned with the dead Litvinenko.
A dissolved solution ('dissolved' being a key assumption of an assassination, in order to esure the attack was never uncovered) has the same properties and contents from pot to cup (or bowl) to mouth. Even if we assume there was some solid material left behind at the bottom of the liquid in the tea pot, it has to be within a certain range consistent with what Litvinenko ingested.
Let's use chicken soup as an example, and we will flavor it with some salt (the form Po-210 would be in for dissolving in an acid based liquid). If we put salt in our pot of soup the entire pot has about the same amount through out since it dissolves throughout the liquid. No matter where it ends up it is a dosage of so many grams per volume of liquid. What you will NOT see is a gently salted solution (100ths of a gram per ounce) in a cup that came from a pot that is loaded with a pound of salt. This is the problem when 'orders of magnitude' differences appear to be showing up between Litvinenko's dosage and the signature of Po-210 the tea pot and tea cup.
I believe those criminally involved in this event are just like most people and don't have a good grasp of the physics and chemistry – which is not a negative statement on anyone. But it may have led them to make a critical blunder. Since I do not have access to the actual levels found, my assessments are based on speculation from reporting. But when dealing with orders of magnitude (1, 10, 100, 1000) then speculation within some reasonable boundaries can be relatively safe.
Remember: the tea cup was mentioned by Litvinenko's supporters BEFORE he died. This was a time when it was clear Litvinenko would not survive and an autopsy was unavoidable (as would then be the discovery of the Po-210, because any radiation death will be investigated until solved). Now this tea cup detail could be a simple recollection on events, or it could be the beginning of the diversion campaign. Which coincided with Berezovsky's PR campaign.
What is important is that there is no way to know when the tea pot or cup where contaminated. The radioactive decay rate is tied to when the material was produced. Now, if there is a difference in the decay signature in the Po-210 in the pot and Litvinenko then clealry the tea pot has nothing to do with his death. But if the Po-210 is from the same production run, then it will show the same decay rate no matter when it was deposited. Decay rate will not help determine when the Po-210 was deposited.
A key question for me is whether the tea pot was part of the original story from Litvinenko's police statement. Or was it a detail added weeks later which is why the police missed it? These are important details because the cup, pot and Litvinenko may have come into contact with different amounts of Po-210, which makes it impossible for their contact to be the Po-210 spiked tea. The liquid would have a fixed amount of Po-210 dissolved, so the doses it applied to the pot, cup and victim MUST be consistent to some level.
There is one scenarion where the Tea Pot could stand out – a bit. It is where the Pot was contaminated originally and some of the Po-210 sunk to the bottom. Then a small gradient of difference would be seen between pot and cup. But the cup and Litvinenko would still need to see a consistent dosage between the two, and they do not. The cup was always seen as being possibly 'hotter' with Po-10 than Litvinenko because it was the vessel in which the PO-210 was administered. But now with a Pot as the point of Po-210 injection, the tea cup cannot be drastically different from Litvenenko's dose. Since it has been reported to be hot enough to stand out from all other cups, this is now the case.
But the difference between cup and pot cannot be a huge difference as well. It has to be a reasonable change, all due to solid material left in the pot. Just like my example of how a pound of salt in pot will not show a modest flavoring in the cup, chemistry dictates these differences are bounded to some level.
We shall see whether I am right (again) or not, because the tea pot is so hot, sadly, it must have contaminated others while it was in use at the hotel over the 6 weeks from Litvinenko's poisoning to its discovery.
Health officials are bracing themselves for hundreds of calls from guests who may have been served tea at the Millennium, though last night the Health Protection Agency tried to downplay the blunder, saying there was no risk to public health.
I doubt the police missed something this 'hot'. But those who came into contact with it will be the key to determinig when the tea pot was contaminated. The pot will poison others, and it will be consistent amounts as time progresses. From the day the pot is contaminated the amount of Po-210 sticking to the surface will drop off with every wash and as the material decays. It will deposit a certain amount of poison per volume of liquid each time it was used, and therefore the people contaminated will show a declining exposure (while accounting for the volume ingested) as time progresses from the initial contamination. Working backwards from the trail of people poisoned will determine when the pot became 'hot'..
If I am correct and this is a plant, then people will be showing up very sick soon, or not at all! And this last point is important.
If this was a plant, but not intended or wanted to expose more people to avoid further attention, then no one may be contaminated. If the police were tipped off in a manner that the Po-210 was not exposed to the public for long few if anyone would be sick from the tea pot. For it to really be tied to Litvinenko's poisoning on November 1 we should see many more critically sick people. This is because to be linked, it would have had to be used for 6 weeks and exposed many others.
76 Responses to "Science Fiction In Litvinenko Case"
Per: Madame Curie was a recorded Po-210 death.
Plus, russia is rife with radiation illnesses. All those who went in to help put out the fire at Chernobyl exposed themselves to risk.
I think you're confusing "not reading about these deaths in the newspaper," with something that says "couldn't happen."
Accidental deaths can come from the ways people poorly handle materials. You'd be surprised how OSHA, in the USA, works at trying to reduce "on the job mishaps.
All the word "accidental" means, when it comes to Litvinenko's death, is that it somehow went from "being carried about," to "going IN."
That's why I think after handling a "spill" … he picked his nose.
Sure. Conjecture. Now, if he died from rat poisoning, I'd "conjecture" his wife prepared "the tea."
"Geiger counters don't work on alpha emitters …"
oh, that's strange. This page says that the geiger counter was developed to measure alpha particles; this page" says you can detect alpha with geigers, and oh, what do you know, so does this one.
the tea cup and Litvinenko must now be nearly identical in levels, and clearly it was not…
if only you knew the level of radiation in either; but you don't, and your definitive pronouncements based on lack of knowedge is incomprehensible.
So how is it a tenth of a watt will contaminate porcelain? Prove YOUR assumptions.
it is you who assumes that radioactivity cannot contaminate a teacup; an assumption that flies in the face of any practical use of radioisotope. Unlike you, I have had practical experience of handling radioisotopes, and I know that they produce fixed contamination in any solid substance they come into contact with.
You make assumption, after assumption, many of which are wrong. Why are you so eager to deny the obvious; that Litvinenko was murdered ? Can you not see that a state that has such few scruples about one of its citizens, will have the same scruples for them all ?
the hair falling out is a clear sign of radiation poisoning …
it's a great shame you weren't there; you could have made the diagnosis for these poor incompetent doctors much earlier. In fact, given the massive publicity, I am surprised you didn't diagnose him on your blog- oh, until after you knew what the result was…
These things are so obvious to you; yet, oh how strange – here is another example of a putin enemy getting suspiciously similar poisoning, and even though it was in Russia, they couldn't make the diagnosis. Presumably, this was "accidental" poisoning as well ?
Sorry if your little theory fell apart so fast. Mabye you should think before posting. No need to get all in a snit because I pointed out the obvious. You did know the original diagnosis was Thallium – right?
I am only looking at the Litvinenko incident and the reporting around it. Other incidents have no bearing on what the evidence is in the matter hat hand. Looking for a grand conspiracy pattern is why you make ludicrous claims. You are trying to fill in a fantasy in your head.
I look at the data, point out anomolies and try and speculate on what the anomolies mean. Clearly a smuggling operation where containment failed and caused a burst of Po-210 dust into the air fits the reported facts. As I have said, I would really prefer this not be the scenario for obvious reasons. But the information is what it is. I am not wedded to one theory or the other because my assessment of the facts is sound. Not right, just sound.
That is as good as scientific analysis gets. I also predicted many times what we would see next, given the smuggling theory. They all came to pass. That included: the Po-210 trail leading to Berezovsky, more sites than the Millenium hotel showing contamination (multiple trips into London), the trail leading to other places (i.e., Hamburgm, Germany) and the poisoning be in the hotel room and not the hotel bar (which was reported the other week). So that too is part of the scientific method of proof. You test your hypothesis by predicting knew outcomes based on your premises.
The fact you keep trying to ridicule the process demonstrates an interesting insecurity, It's just speculation based on information being reported. Why are you so threatened by this?
Your ignorance is astounding to say the least. So let me get this straight – your sum knowledge is what you read on websites? It all depends on how they define the detection device I guess, but the classic Geiger counter will not work because they have a class shield in front of the detector surface and that will stop alpha rays from hitting it.
The alpha emitters have such short distances for the radiation that their detection by standard radiation monitors is nearly impossible.
Now that you read that on a website maybe you will know a little more than you did yesterday.
Gotta Know says:
Per wrote:
"If it is an accident, Litvinenko must knowingly handle what he knows to be a massively supralethal dose of Po-210, and "accidentally" get it into a cup which he drinks tea from. One might wonder why he would deal with this compound; why he would handle such a dangerous amount; and why he would contaminate his tea cup…Maybe Lugovoi and Kovtun were smuggling Po, and "accidentally" contaminated Litvinenko. Sadly for this scenario, there is no black market for Po-210, and no reason to smuggle it…"
Per, we know there was massive incompetence in handling the PO. It's everywhere. As AJ has speculated, the tea cup was not used as a poisoning tool, it was used as a container for spilled PO. There is some evidence that Litvinenko actually inhaled the PO, not ingested it. Some experts have said that PO in a baggie should be safe, so the smugglers may have been operating under that assumption.
No reason to smuggle PO? How about detonating a nuclear device?
copydude says:
Important. There is no Scotland Yard confirmation for this story whatsoever.
We are only assuming there was a teapot because Gordievsky said so.
We are only assuming Vladislav made the tea in a teapot because Gordievsky said so.
But Gordievsky originally said Sasha had a cup of tea in the Pine Bar.
Marina Litvinenko said Sasha said the tea was cold. She told 'Panorama' so.
But Gordievsky said that Vladislav put Polonium tea to make it hot. Gordievsky says that Sasha told him.
But according to Marina Litvinenko Sasha died a few hours BEFORE the lab released the results of his urinanalysis. Marina lamented that "Sasha died not knowing what killed him".
And let's go back to the original teacup story – as told by Goldfarb.
" Litvinenko had dashed to the hotel's Pine Bar the morning of Nov. 1 to discuss a joint business venture with Andrei Lugovoi, also an ex-Soviet agent, and Russian businessman Dmitry Kovtun. Alex Goldfarb, a friend of Litvinenko, said the former spy sipped tea during the meeting, while Lugovoi said he recalls ordering a bottle of gin "
The poisoned tea cup in the Pine Bar story ran for six weeks – even appeared on BBC TV – without any official corroboration.
By the way, during the last four years in Russia, and while being married to a Russian, I've never seen anyone make tea except in a cup with a tea-bag. Green tea fans may use an infuser.
If you wanted to poison someone's tea, simple, lace a tea-bag. They would then even help themselves.
it has been fascinating to see how you pronounce on what is and isn't possible, when you state you don't even know the concentration of radioactivity in either the pot, the cup, or Litvinenko. But it is really eye-opening to see what happens when you make statements that can be checked….
"the classic Geiger counter will not work"
In fact, Hans Geiger developed this device for the purpose of measuring alpha radiation ! And he succeeded ! This stuff is so elementary, that it is taught to children in school. So that's one thing wrong.
"they have a class shield in front of the detector surface…"
In fact, the use of mica in Geiger tubes is well characterised, e.g. here, here. That's two things wrong.
"that will stop alpha rays …"
generally, scientists make a distinction between rays (e.g. gamma rays), and particles (alpha particles). Clearly, you are a top-notch forensic nuclear physicist, but if you make mistakes like that, people will get the wrong idea… That's three things wrong.
so far, I have pointed you to numerous web pages that say the opposite; feel free to search for millions more. I have personally seen the use of a geiger counter to detect alpha sources; it is so standard, it is part of the routine teaching of secondary school kids. That's four things wrong.
I am impressed.
"Clearly a smuggling operation where containment failed and caused a burst of Po-210 dust into the air fits the reported facts."
The only thing that is clear here is that you have not one shred of evidence to support your speculation. Solid Po dust ? You have already established that such material would be impossible to see without special equipment, would be at very high temperatures and would be practically impossible to handle. Yet the very lunacy of this suggestion appears to be your reason for suggesting this was what happened. And of course, it goes without saying that there is no evidence whatsoever that backs up your idea that it was a solid, and excludes the much more rational idea that it was in solution.
Oh yeah, and they are smuggling this Po cause it's a nuclear trigger. Like you have any idea what are the characteristics of Po in a nuclear trigger, or if it would be any use to anybody. Lugovoi is back in russia at the moment, and for some strange reason, they don't seem to mind that he was selling triggers for nuclear bombs. What utter rubbish.
Alpha radiation at Wiki (your speed)
Alpha verses Beta and Gamma – (for idiots)
Definition of a Geiger Counter Instrument– note the glass tube kid. Note alpha radiation doesn\'t penetrate glass. Note the Radon counter (Radon is an alpha emitter as well). Also note the difference between a Gieger-Mueller Proportional Counter and a Gieger Counter (not the same instrument).
Now, to my level – doubt you will keep up. The Geiger Counter, as lay people understand it, is a vacuum tube device. See here.
Here is more on the proportional counter– which some of us would call a distinct instrument from the Gieger Counter.
The key problem you have is you have to get the material in question tpast the glass. So while the Gieger counter claims it can detect an alpha particle, it cannot measure the levels.
Since alpha particles are emitted in nature it is nearly impossible to use the Geiger for what was needed in the Litvinenko case. So, can you detect an alpha particle with a geiger counter? Once in a while. Can you measure alpha radiation levels? Not really.
Thus endeth the lesson. Come back when you know the difference between an anode and cathode and why Argon gas (a noble gas) is used in the tube.
gottaknow
"As AJ has speculated, the tea cup was not used as a poisoning tool, it was used as a container for spilled PO."
why would you spill Po-210 if you are trying to smuggle it ? If it's a solid you can't see it, if it's a liquid, why are you trying to spill it ; and how do you know in advance that you are going to spill it ? why on earth would you manipulate such dangerous and difficult to handle material ? Under any circumstances, how did Litvinenko get such a massive dose ?
Occam's razor; the cup was used to administer the Po to Litvinenko.
"There is some evidence that Litvinenko actually inhaled the PO, not ingested it. "
Not that I am aware of; no-one has provided a shred of evidence that this is so. If you know of such evidence, let me know what it is.
"Some experts have said that PO in a baggie should be safe, "
Well, in a vial, maybe. I think it has already been covered that Polonium (as a salt) would be extremely hot – hundreds of C, no matter the size of particle. Polonium particles would be impossible to handle, and would be likely to be lost like dust when such a bag were opened. It seems bizarre that someone would want to smuggle Po, and then do it in such a way that they carelessly lose the Po they have smuggled.
How much Po would be needed ? what form ? Do you have any idea if there are any such geriatric weapons still about in a usable form ? Not being an expert myself, I am still fairly sure that it is public knowledge that the use of Po in nuclear devices was ditched because vastly superior methods for detonating a nuclear bomb came along.
I suspect that the Po-210 smuggling hypothesis is gibberish.
this is amusing. If I follow your links, they have nothing to do with what you say they do. Your link that mentions glass ? the word isn't even on the page.
All your links to Geigers show that geigers do detect alpha radiation.
"can you detect an alpha particle with a geiger counter? Once in a while. Can you measure alpha radiation levels? Not really."
Strangely, your references seem to say exactly the opposite of what you are saying. How about this from your own citation (OSHA) :
" Detection of individual events, i.e. alpha or beta particles & secondary electrons, for measuring activity (in samples or on surfaces)"
seems to say you detect individual alpha particles, and measure alpha activity on surfaces.
And you still haven't understood that many Geiger counters have a mica window.
as well as failing to understand the difference between a particle and a ray, it still seems you don't even know about the fundamentals of geiger counters.
"The alpha emitters have such short distances for the radiation that their detection by standard radiation monitors is nearly impossible."
You are coming late to a months long debate. The Po-210 was spilled in a room on the 4th floor of the hotel. The rug showed high levels and had been in contact with Po-210 (not a salt form). The light switch in the room also showed a strong Po-210. IF (we do speculate here) the Po-210 was in some pelletized solid or other single mass form and the container failed in handling, then someone might try and pick it up and drop it in a nearby tea cup for a moment while a new container was readied. All rooms have ready cups for tea or coffee.
If you assume the Po-210, which showed up in three hotels over three weeks was being smuggled, the evidence is quite consistent. Each hotel is timed with a Lugovoi trip to London to meet Litvinenko. Each trip has a hotel laced with P0-210 across numerous rooms associated with people Lugovoi and/or Litvinenko knew.
Why three trips and all this Po-210 if you only want to get a few millionths of a gram into Litvinenko? A sugar packet's worth of Po-210 salt would be over kill. An ounce of P0-210 dissolved in a mild acid solution contained in a small glass vile looking like medicine would be more than enough volume.
So why three trips? Why spread over something like 10 rooms? Why a solid vs a solution. Do you know why it looks like Litvinenk o inhaled the Po-210 as well as ingested? We have a post on Marina's description of his last days and she notes ALL of his mucous membranes swelled up as if burned. It would seem he inhaled more than he ingested by far (which is why the urine tests were not showing up as much radiation as they thought).
There are weeks of posts reviewing reports and generally accepted aspects of this. Maybe you should poor through them. Tear them apart, put your ideas forward. Make the chemistry fit the trail. Give us an estimate of how much material would have to be present at all these sites to register well above the natural levels. We have four hotels with about 8-9 rooms contaminated, the Pine bar and kitchen, three cars, 1-2 airplanes, an apartment and house in Hmaburg, Litvinenko's house, three business offices, three restaurants, the UK embassy in Moscow and two locations at Aresenal Stadium. Oh and a tea cup and a tea pot. We have 13 people poisoned to about the level of Marina Litvinenko. We have Lugovoi and Kovtun poisoned quite high. We think Scaramella was contaminated (some P0-210 did show up back in Italy I believe) and we have Litvinenkos' 10 millionths of a gram.
How much Po-210 is this? My guess is there is more Po-210 on the trail than in Litvinenko, but I have not sat down and made an estimate on the minimal level we could detect and then start summing it all up? Some places were OK as is, some required 'remediation' (aka, decontamination). Some are still closed.
Feel free to apply your expertise to this puzzle.
You don't know what a vacuum tube filled with gas is made of??????????
You are kidding – right?
it is worthwhile to point out what we don't know. When journalists report readings that are "high", "off-scale", etc., that is meaningless. Unless you get numbers, you are wasting your time. Your idea that you can calculate based on this sort of information is ludicrous.
Just to illustrate, Panorama gave an estimate for Litvinenko's dose/burden at 10 (9) Becquerels; 10 Bq is easily detectable, and 10(3) Bq is well "off-scale" for some detectors. (here's another clue; scientists talk in units of radioactivity).
Given that L&K had a tube containing in excess of 10(9) Bq, probably substantially more, and in liquid solution (because that is the only sane way to proceed); I suspect all they had to do was open the tube, and they would have been seriously contaminated by the radioactive "creep" of Po-210. I suspect that is more than enough to explain L&K being contaminated, and passing on the contamination widely.
Many things are possible; it may be that they tried to poison Litvinenko before, but he wouldn't drink. It may be that they spilt one batch of poison; we really don't know. You can speculate endlessly; but given two non-scientists with vast amounts of radioisotope and no geiger counter, it sounds about right.
Your suggestion of solid polonium or its salts, remains insanity. Apart from the impossibility of handling the amounts involved, the heat generation is constant per unit mass, and would even give glass some problems.
"We have a post on Marina's description of his last days and she notes ALL of his mucous membranes swelled up as if burned."
You are not a medic. The idea that the state of his mucous membranes tells us anything about the route of exposure is bizarre, and you haven't seen the autopsy report.
I also note you have relied upon reports from a website called http://www.llrc.org. I would characterise some of the material on that site as eccentric. Yet you seem to agree with their claim that geiger counters can't detect alpha particles, in spite of the vast amount of reliable literature that says otherwise.
BarbaraS says:
What you don't understand is that we would prefer that he was murdered. It is a scary situation that there may be that much polonium in the hands of people who would use it to kill thousands of people. Saying Putin had him murdered is like saying that Putin is the only bad guy in this controversy. That's not true. They are all bad guys.


Cliff Richard will sing the final number, an a capella version of Caron Keating's favourite song 'Miss You Nights', at this year's Night of 1000 Voices , at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 1 May 2005 (4pm & 8pm).
Sir Cliff will be sitting with Gloria Hunniford and her family in the Royal Box. He is a close friend of Gloria Hunniford's and was one of the few people that Caron welcomed in to her house in Australia when she was very ill.
Michael Ball and Len Cariou, recently inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame, will head up an international star cast, performing songs from the best loved shows. Michael Ball is currently starring as Count Fosco in the hit West End Musical THE WOMAN IN WHITE during Michael Crawford's absence. They will be joined by their West End and Broadway colleagues including Brad Little, a Broadway Phantom; Patricia Nessy, the young Viennese soprano and Caroline Sheen. There will also be tributes to Cy Coleman by the West End's Laura Michelle Kelly, currently playing the lead role in MARY POPPINS for which she won the Oliver Award for Best Actress In A Musical in February of this year; Jill Paice, starring as Laura in THE WOMAN IN WHITE; Tiffany Graves and Annette McLaughlin. Other soloists who will be performing at this Gala concert include Teri Bibb, Kenneth Nichols, Kelli James, Peter Prentice and David Michael Johnson . The renowned flautist James Galway and other close friends of Caron Keating and her family will also be making special appearances.


This set of windows are for bathroom fanlights for the same house (as my last post) in Oxfordshire. The shape of the windows, the function of the rooms and the local landscape all led me to return to the River Thames for my subject matter. Although I had walked, photographed and drawn along the path of the river a couple of years ago, I hadn't found a good enough way to show the reeds along the river banks and the general stripiness of the flat landscape before.
The photos of the windows installed, above and below, show the different colour of the light coming through windows and skylights in the bathrooms . The colours of the hand painted enamels are the same for each window, with the image of the blue river flowing to join the pictures together.
I spent a long time on the design for these windows, struggling with my riverbank drawings. The designs look very similar to the finished windows, as is shown in the photo of glass on top of the drawing below. Back in my studio the drawings are still on the wall, giving me ideas for the next piece of work.
Detail from window two: sample for window one on top of the sketch design.
This house really needed new stained glass panels in its front door - the leaded lights continued to deteriorate (above) while I made the windows which were fitted earlier this month (below). The new windows do a good job of obscuring direct visibility on to the busy street, while letting patches of coloured light into the house which used to be a pub and brew house - hence the hops in my design.
Hop windows, left from the inside, right from the outside.
I really wanted the plant to look like hop, rather then grape, vines. I gave them particularly thin, twisty stems, small leaves and an extra firing of acid yellow on the hops themselves, which are actual size. Pictures taken on the lighbox during the making (below) show the play of painted patterned pieces from my scrapbox, and how the blocks move diagonally across the design. When the hop vines surround them, the coloured blocks are intertwined with a curvy pattern in green and sandblasted white.
Details of the left hand panel (above) and the top right corner (below) show how the colours and textures change with the background to the window - obvious really. On the left the details are seen on a lightbox, on the right they have been installed in the front door and, as they should, look much better there with sparkling colours and highlights.


The agencies also estimate net federal subsidies for coverage obtained through the marketplaces to be $49 billion, or 0.3 percent of GDP, in fiscal year 2017. Those subsidy amounts are projected to rise at an average annual rate of about 9 percent, reaching $110 billion (or 0.4 percent of GDP) in 2027. For the 2018– 2027 period, the net subsidy is projected to total $919 billion under current law.
...Finally, the CBO is now stating, flat out, that prior to Trump taking office, the GOP starting the ACA repeal process, Trump's "sabotage" executive order and so forth, they were projecting average subsidies for ACA exchange enrollees to increase at a rate of roughly 9% per year for the next decade.
...Again, this is all speculative, but the bottom line is that the CBO is stating pretty clearly that with the ACA, while they don't see the individual market being in the greatest shape, neither do they see a death spiral under the current law.
...Molina's approach—rigorous cost control, limited networks of doctors and hospitals and close management of patients' health—signals what can work in the health-coverage marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. Long Beach, Calif.-based Molina has done relatively well in the exchanges, where larger rivals have faltered. While UnitedHealth Group Inc., Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc., have lost millions on ACA plans and are pulling back from the marketplaces, Molina is profitable, though the margins are slim. The company projects that its margins on the exchange business this year will be within its targeted range, between 1.5% and 2%.
...Analysts worry that Molina, which has around 600,000 marketplace enrollees across nine states, next year may pick up high-cost enrollees formerly covered by insurers that withdrew from exchanges. Molina "is really going to be tested as the bigger players leave the market and the risk moves to them," said James Sung, an associate director with S&P Global Ratings.
Ms. Rubino said company officials "anticipate another solid year" for the exchange business in 2017, and that Molina adjusted prices to account for the impact of others' exits.
So, that was how Molina, one of the largest ACA exchange participants (around 7% of all exchange enrollees) felt about the future of the ACA just a month before the election.
In an interview, Molina said the executive order is "symbolic" and doesn't change the plans for his company, an insurer that mostly covers Medicaid members but also has more than a half million Obamacare customers. Yet when asked if Molina Healthcare would keep offering Obamacare plans in 2018, he said: "There are just too many unknowns at this point to give a definitive answer."
Why this matters: Insurance companies need to submit their 2018 Obamacare plans and rates in the next few months. Molina is a significant and profitable player in the marketplaces, and its hesitancy indicates insurers will wait as long as they can before they decide to stay in or leave. That's not exactly a recipe for a stable market.
On Obamacare: Trump cannot unilaterally eliminate Obamacare's insurance mandate and coverage penalties. They are embedded within the law and require an act of Congress. Instead, Molina is more concerned what Congress will offer up as a full-scale replacement.
Yup. It's true that some carriers might have been considering dropping out of the exchanges in 2018 regardless...but between Trump winning, the GOP going full-speed ahead with repeal plans, Trump's executive order, the GOP not having the slightest clue what, if anything, they would replace the ACA with (or when that might take place), and the initial filing deadlines bearing down on the carriers like a freight train, some of the major players are already seriously talking about bailing because of all the additional uncertainty.


text:
Free Itineraries
Your travel list
Explore By Areas
Parks & Outdoor
Rome Surroundings
Home » Ancient Rome Area Attractions » Column of Phocas, the last monument built in the Roman Forum
Column of Phocas, the last monument built in the Roman Forum
The Column of Phocas rises on the back of the Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum.
Over the centuries the Roman Forum had become a symbolic place and an area to celebrate the Roman Emperors. Therefore, during its heyday the Forum featured many columns. Today, there's only one still standing the test of time, the Column of Phocas. The column was erected in 608 AD, the only one built during the Middle Ages.
Credits: image by @Roma_Wonder
Location: in the Roman Forum
Tickets: Free to visit from Via Dei Fori Imperiali / Tickets needed from the Roman Forum
Accessibility: Partially Accessible
Kid-friendly Attraction
The Byzantine Emperor
The monument bears the name of a Byzantine Emperor, Phocas indeed, who would have been stayed unknown to the most of us if he had not donated the Pantheon to the Pope Boniface IV, who had persuaded the Emperor to give the monument to the Church.
The Column was the last monument to be erected in the Roman Forum. It was the Middle Ages and by that time Italy was a reign ruled by Goths, a barbaric population that was constantly at war against the Byzantines.
Phocas became Emperor in 602 AD after murdering his predecessor, Emperor Marius and his five sons. If it's true that was goes around comes around, Phocas was brutally murdered himself: stripped, beheaded, dismembered and burned. His statues were overthrown everywhere, but the column was left, probably as a symbol to remind everyone of the Roman supremacy against the invaders.
PreviousArch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum, Rome – Italy
NextRegia Palace: the First House of Rome's Kings
Basilica Aemilia in the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy
Roman Forum: Facts & History
Altar of The Fatherland Hours & Info
Curia Julia: The Senate House Of Ancient Rome
Explore Rome By Areas
Vatican City Area
Colosseum and Ancient Rome Area
Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain Area
Pantheon & Navona Square Area
Jewish Ghetto, East River Bank
Trastevere Area, West River Bank
Booking Search Box
The Role of Women in Ancient Rome
Apr 11, 2018 | Blog
Fashion in Ancient Rome: Togas, Underwear, and Wedding Dresses
Dec 29, 2017 | Blog
What to do in Rome on New Year's Eve 2017/2018
Nov 19, 2017 | Blog
Domus Aurea Virtual Reality Tour Event
Oct 11, 2017 | December 2017, November 2017, October 2017
Rome in December 2017, Weather & Temperature
Oct 6, 2017 | Blog
Create your Custom Travel List
Like this place? Register or Login to save this place in your Travel List!
[favorite_button post_id="" site_id=""]
HOW TO SURVIVE ROME
Tips for a Safe Trip to Rome
Crossing the Street in Rome
Ask for the Bill and Tipping in Rome Restaurants
Best Time to Visit Rome
Best Area to Stay in Rome for First Time Visitor
Getting Around Rome by Public Transport
Taxis in Rome: How they Work & Things to Know
Rome Tourist Map PDF


WINNIPEG, Oct. 24, 2018 /CNW/ – DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSXV: NINE) (OTC: VRNDF) ("Delta 9" or the "Company"), through its Delta 9 Cannabis Store subsidiary, logged close to 9,600 transactions in the first seven days after legalization of cannabis on October 17, totaling $736,124 in revenues up to the end of day on Tuesday this week.
The vast majority of revenues are attributable to sales of dried cannabis products, with the remaining coming from the sale of ancillary products and accessories. Average selling price per gram of dried cannabis sold over the first seven days of sales was approximately $11.47, with the average cost of sales for a gram at approximately $8.64.
Despite restricting online sales to 10 per cent of the Company's initial in-store inventory, Delta 9 logged 1,583 online orders, of which 961 were sent by Canada Post, and 622 were sent via Pineapple Express for same day delivery in Winnipeg.
Chief Technology Officer Matthew Sodomsky said Delta 9 was able to meet the massive online demand thanks to its partnerships with Pineapple Express and Shopify. More than 91,000 unique website visitors were logged on the delta9.ca website, which runs on the Shopify online platform.
"Selecting Shopify as our technology partner was definitely the right decision." said Sodomsky. "We were able to process thousands of orders on legalization day, while upholding our commitment to protecting our customer's data, storing it on a 100 per cent Canadian-hosted solution.
"We are excited to be working with Delta 9 to provide a tailored customer experience to meet the unique demands of both consumers and regulators as we power this new industry." said Loren Padelford, VP and GM at Shopify.
The Delta 9 Cannabis Store in the St. Vital area of Winnipeg also recorded 8,017 sales in the first five days, with revenues of $572,454. The average online order this week was $104, while the average in-store order came in at $72.
The first customers for the Delta 9 Cannabis Store were seen camping outside the shop by 6:30 p.m. on October 16, and as the sun rose on October 17 hundreds of eager buyers were lined up around the building. It was just the first of several thousand sales at the Delta 9 outlet. Long lines continued throughout the day, extending completely around the building, with early customers patiently waiting up to two hours to buy their first legal, recreational cannabis products.
While outlets across Canada have reported shortages of product, Arbuthnot says Delta 9 continues to enjoy a robust supply, particularly from its own production facility in Winnipeg.
Delta 9 is taking in three shipments of dried bud, cannabis oil, and gel caps from its suppliers, including Broken Coast and Canopy Growth, and will be shipping approximately 200 kilograms of Delta 9 product to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries later this week.
Delta 9 Cannabis was the fourth producer in Canada licensed to produce legal cannabis. Delta 9 now operates its wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., as a licensed producer of medical marijuana pursuant to the ACMPR and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9 also owns 50 per cent of the 70,000 square foot Delta West facility in Alberta, and co-owns the Delta Nine cannabis retail operation. Delta 9's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NINE".
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company's future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Forward Looking Statements in this release include the expectation that Delta 9 will receive three shipments from its suppliers over the coming week, and will be able to ship 200 kilograms of product from its own facility. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.


text:
15 Stars Who Were Raised By LGBT Parents
by Ava Bennet
Once upon a time, there were a lot of secrets in the entertainment industry because the world was a bit wary of anyone who was perceived to be different. There were many stars who had whispered rumours circulating, but throughout their entire career, continued to deny those rumours time and time again. It was riskier, back then, to come clean about who you were and who you loved. Nowadays, though, people celebrate diversity, and even continually ask the entertainment industry to become more diverse in its casting choices, story choices, and more. So, an increasing number of celebrities are opting to come out of the closet and be open and honest with their fans about their sexuality – and we're loving it.
However, sometimes a star's connection with the LGBT community doesn't come from their personal orientation, but rather is a result of who they were raised by. There are many celebrities in Hollywood who were raised by LGBT parents, and as a result, have become outspoken about supporting LGBT issues and using their fame to draw attention to a cause that's near to their hearts.
Some of these stars are very outspoken about their personal link to the community, while others prefer to keep their family's lives private, but either way, they've certainly been shaped by the people who raised them. Here are 15 celebrities who were raised by amazing, strong LGBT parents.
15 De Niro's Long-Time Secret
Everyone knows who Robert De Niro is – the man is an absolute Hollywood legend. He's been in the industry for decades and continues to get roles because, well, he can do it all. He can play a funny, bumbling older gentleman, or a fearsome gangster, and execute both flawlessly. It's no wonder that directors are all clamoring to work with him. However, he had some drama in his personal life as well. The legendary actor's father, Robert De Niro Sr., was an artist. He separated from De Niro's mother in 1946, and spent many years struggling with his sexuality at a time when people were encouraged to keep their sexuality to themselves rather than becoming outspoken advocates for LGBT rights. It just goes to show that even seemingly unstoppable forces in the entertainment industry have things in their lives they wish they could have helped to change.
14 Jodie Foster, Her Mom Evelyn, And Her "Aunt"
Jodie Foster is one of the many celebrities who was shaped by an LGBT parent. Her mother, Evelyn, was a lesbian who raised Jodie alongside her girlfriend, who Jodie apparently referred to as an aunt. And, later in life, Foster herself decided to come out – while her sexuality was something that many speculated about, and she was with a female partner for years, Foster actually didn't come out of the closet until 2013, during her Golden Globe Awards acceptance speech. We're not sure what her children refer to her partner as, and if she took after her mother in having them call her wife an aunt, but regardless, it's pretty cool that two generations of Foster women are unapologetically themselves, open and honest. Talk about having a good role model!
13 Jena Malone And Her Two Moms
Jena Malone got her start in the entertainment industry at a young age in movies like Stepmom, spent a period of time as an indie darling, and eventually broke into the world of blockbusters as a part of the Hunger Games franchise. And, through it all, she's had the support of her mother Deborah and her mother's girlfriend. Malone was raised by the lesbian couple, and referred to Deborah's partner as her godmother. Malone is absolutely fearless on screen, and has taken on a lot of interesting roles over the years. We can't help but think that her two fearless mothers had a little something to do with that – which is pretty cool. Malone has even taken Deborah to red carpet events from time to time, proudly showing off her mama.
12 Breakfast Club, All Grown Up
Ally Sheedy was a huge star in the '80s, appearing in flicks like the iconic The Breakfast Club. As she grew up, she retreated a bit from the entertainment industry and focused on other pursuits. And, while she played a misfit in the movie she's most known for, she's not one to exclude anyone based on any factors. As she's stated in an interview "it's difficult for me to understand a family member judging or not loving or accepting another family member because they are gay. Do you love that person or not?" Sheedy has many close ties to the LGBT community – she was raised by a lesbian, her mother Charlotte, and her daughter Rebecca is also a lesbian. Luckily, Rebecca didn't have to worry about her mother not accepting her. Sheedy's attitude is open and loving, and being raised by Charlotte probably contributed to that.
11 Strong, Single Mother
Rene Russo's family didn't quite have a happily ever after. When the actress was two years old, her father figured out that her mother was gay, and instead of supporting his wife on her new journey, he just packed up and left her to raise their children alone. Russo was genetically blessed, and used her beauty to help her mother support the family as a model. And, once she officially became a celebrity after moving into the world of acting, we're betting that Mama Russo didn't have to worry about a thing. It just goes to show that sometimes, things get tough along the journey, but it all works out in the end. We bet that Russo's mother is glad she didn't spend years and years living a lie, even if the situation was difficult at first.
10 Jay Z's Secret
Given that he's a superstar married to an equally huge superstar, it's tough for Jay Z to keep much a secret. People seem to find out about everything because, well, people want to know absolutely everything about Bey and Jay, rap's royal couple. However, there's one thing about Jay Z's life that he hasn't been too outspoken about – or, rather, his mother's life. While Jay Z himself has never confirmed this, many insiders and other sources have speculated that his mother, Gloria Carter, is a lesbian who has been in a long-term relationship with Dania Diaz for many, many years. After the whole Becky with the Good Hair incident, you would think that Jay would just come forth with any secrets, but we suppose it's not really his secret to tell.
9 Family Ties
There are many celebrities with LGBT parents who had a bit of a rocky road after it was revealed that one of them was gay. Rob McElhenney's parents' story is a little bit smoother. The funny celeb – who you might recognize from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia – was hit with a bombshell when he was around 7. His mother left the family in order to find herself, because after having three kids, she realized her heterosexual marriage was a bit of a lie. However, McElhenney's dad didn't take it as badly as many other husbands have – they actually remained quite close through the years, and his mother eventually found a female partner who made her happy. It's a pretty cool story, and probably gave a great example to McElhenney about how you can keep the ones you love in your life, even if the relationship has to change a little bit.
8 50 Cent And His Challenging Upbringing
In comparison to some other rappers, 50 Cent has been surprisingly forthcoming about his life and his past. Of course, everyone knows about his story of getting multiple gunshot wounds – he raps about that in several songs – but he's also spoken about his mother. And no, she wasn't simply a single mother like many other rappers were raised by. Apparently, 50's mother was a drug addict and a lesbian. She passed away when the rapper was just a child, and he lived with his grandparents for the remainder of his youth before eventually finding music industry insiders who loved his sound and climbing his way to the top of the charts. Still, while he hasn't kept his mother's sexuality a secret, it's not something that many people who just love his songs know.
7 A Bodybuilding Mom
At this point, if you don't know who Amy Adams is, you probably had your head under a rock for the past decade. The redheaded bombshell has been absolutely tearing up the film industry, starring in challenging role after challenging role and stunning fans worldwide. She also has a close tie to the LGBT community – her mother, Kathryn. While Adams' mother was originally married to her father, the two divorced when Amy was 11 years old because her mother moved in with another woman. While Adams and her siblings initially went to live with her father after the split, she's still remained close with her mother and the two have been spotted together by the paparazzi numerous times. And, as if you weren't already impressed by Kathryn Adams' bold move later in life, she also took up the sport of bodybuilding after her split. She's literally a strong, powerful woman – no wonder Amy turned out to be such a powerhouse!
6 The Real L Word
Daniela Sea became more well known when she snagged a role on the television series The L Word, which featured compelling lesbian characters that audiences around the world fell in love with. For Sea, the casting was likely even more impactful than for her co-stars, because she is a lesbian herself. So, helping to shape the way LGBT characters were portrayed in Hollywood was likely quite an experience. However, Sea had an excellent example growing up – her father is actually gay as well, and came out when she was quite young. While the decision to come out is certainly never easy, we imagine that having her father's bravery as an example helped encourage Sea to share her true self with the world – which is pretty amazing.
5 X Factor Contestant With A Ton Of Family Drama
The name Bea Miller might not ring a bell immediately (unless you're a massive fan of The X Factor), but the aspiring singer actually made it to the top ten of the second season of the popular competition reality show. She revealed a bit about her personal life in the clips about the contestants that always play on those types of shows, and shared the fact that she grew up with two mothers. She was forthright with Idolator, saying that "to me having two moms is no different than having a mom and a dad, a single parent, or two dads raise you. It doesn't matter what a family looks like as long as you get the love, support and encouragement to be whatever you want to be and do great things in life." Inspiring! Unfortunately, Miller has since had a bit of a dramatic relationship with her parents, claiming that one of her mothers took money from her over the years.
4 An Angel And Her Two Gay Parents
Josephine Skriver may not have achieved the worldwide renown that Victoria's Secret Angels like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio or Gisele Bundchen have, but there's no doubt that the bombshell is on her way to the top. She also has quite the interesting family. Skriver was raised by not one, but two gay parents – a lesbian mother and her partner, and a gay father and his partner. Skriver was conceived through in-vitro fertilization and grew up with a happy, loving, super-sized family. The experience has had a hugely positive impact on the young model, and she's said that she feels "blessed that I was brought into a family that was taught to be so open. For me, the fundamental part of every childhood should be love, and my parents had so much to give." Adorable!
3 A Comedian And An Activist With Unconventional Parents
Kaitlin Colombo is a young comedian trying to make it big in the entertainment industry, and like many other comedians, she uses some of her personal life and upbringing in her routine. However, we're betting that not many comedians can use the same material she uses – it's a bit of a unique situation! Colombo was raised by a gay man and a lesbian woman who wanted to have a child and made the relationship work. As a result of her upbringing, the comedian is very involved in activism for LGBT rights (I mean, the issue hits pretty close to home for this funny lady). There are plenty of gay comedians out there, but Colombo certainly has a bit of a different perspective on the issue – and we can only imagine growing up with a family like that probably makes for some interesting material!
2 An Earlier Era In Hollywood
Kicking it back to the archives with this one. The gorgeous Dorothy Dandridge, who was a star in the 1940s and 50s. Dandridge holds the distinction as being the first African-American actress nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress – no small feat. She sang, she danced, she acted, she did it all – and though she was married and divorced twice, to men, she was actually raised by a lesbian mother. Dandridge's mother Ruby was a lesbian for Dorothy's whole life, and was in a loving, long-term relationship with her partner Geneva Williams. It seems that the Dandridge family was breaking all kinds of preconceived notions and barriers – and that's a very cool thing. Sure, Ruby may not have been on stage receiving any awards, but her strength and openness likely impacted daughter Dorothy as she set out on her career in the industry.
1 A Drag Queen Tribute By A Scissor Sister
Ana Matronic, the lead singer of the group Scissor Sisters, is a bit of an LGBT icon. She is very outspoken about LGBT rights, and frequently performs in drag. However, there's a reason behind that, which some people may not know – she was actually raised by a gay father. Unfortunately, the singer's father tragically died of the AIDS virus when she was still a teenager, and she's found that performing in drag and advocating for LGBT issues is the best way to honour her father and pay tribute to his memory. He likely nurtured her talent (and killer vocal ability) when she was growing up, and helped her walk the often difficult path of becoming a musician, and her tribute is pretty touching. She probably wishes he could be there in the audience to watch her perform.
Sources: shebudgets.com, teen.com, taggmagazine.com
Taylor Swift Plans To Take Her Cats With Her On Tour
Former Dance Moms Star Has Phone Hacked
Drake Continues Streak Of Good Deeds By Buying Groceries
8 Female Stars Hollywood Dropped And 7 Sweethearts They Can't Get Enough Of
Hilary Duff Transforms For Horrific Biopic
Logan Paul's Latest Video Stirs More Controversy
20 Cheryl Blossom Photos That'll Make Any Red Head Envy Her Look
Angelina Jolie Details Shocking Conditions She Witnessed In Syrian Refugee Camp
10 Highest Grossing Horror Franchises Of All Time
Net Worth Of The Kennedys (Including Arnold Schwarzenegger & Maria Shriver)
Top 10 Victoria's Secret Angels Net Worth


If you play the game right, you can use gift cards to actually save money in a variety of ways . When you go to restaurants, watch for bonus gift cards to potentially give yourself a discount on your own meal.
It's BitStream Friday. Only eight more measly hours separates you from the sweet freedom known as weekend. Here's some news to consume before punching today in the face.
If you've succumbed to the lure of the monstrous iPhone 6, you've already decided that a compact, pocket-friendly smartphone isn't for you. So when it comes to protecting your giant investment, why not just go all out and wrap it in this impressive case that's a near perfect replica of the Batmobile from Tim Burton's Batman films.
No matter how good a photographer you are, blurry photographs will happen. It's an undeniable fact of every photographer's life. Professional photographers understand how and why blurry pictures occur, and do everything in their power to keep it in check. Beginners need to remember a couple of things to avoid blurry photos. At the moment, the only thing that you need to know is that blur is created by motion or by optics. Let's look at why blurry images occur and the solution in each case.
Some of us already have enough trouble moving around on our own two feet (don't sweat it, I've got two left feet as well). Nonetheless, if you want to master handstands, learning from this comprehensive guide will accelerate your progress and increase your likelihood of success.