If you are one of the three who have been following along with the Cascadia mystery , here it is!
Mine isn't all quilted but I did the binding prior to bringing it to Guatemala with me.
Here is the inspiration quilt. Isn't it adorable? I saw it on ebay and thought it would be a fun one to reproduce.
It doesn't really matter how wide it is, but mine finishes at 4 1/2". Your two rows may not finish exactly the same- that's okay!
One of my rows was a perfect fit but the one in the photo was not. I think it is because I sewed my edge triangles on wrong. No problem, I added a little strip to both ends. and sewed my rows together as shown in the top photo.
Here is one end with the addition of a muslin strip to make my row long enough.
I really don't think you would have noticed had I not told you.
I hope you love your little quilt as much as I love mine. I think it is so charming!
You can see in the 2 photos above I'm stitching straight down the rows that are set on the diagonal and plan on quilting on the diagonal on the straight rows.
I will do a linky party at a later date, since the holidays are here!
Look at what these guys are packing around! I would have loved to jumped out of the van and see what kind of fabric they were bringing to this house. Click to enlarge if you can- they are carrying yards of fabric! We were out in the country, but I wonder if they only call on the nicer homes, like this one. Isn't the color of the house wonderful?
Look at this wonderful sunny yellow church.
Look at the color against the dry brown background. I love this picture.
If you are interested in buttons for the Flags of American Revolution quilt, they are on Jan Patek's site! (thanks Lizzy) Click HERE. I've ordered mine.
We will post our flag and sawtooth star blocks on December 1st. If you don't have a blog, send me a photo of your blocks. I'm going to have to work hard to get my stars all appliqued, but I think I can do it. If we haven't seen your blocks from precious months we want to see them too!
Many of you asked to see and hear more of what we did while in Xela.
We went to several place and presented a program. I was in charge of the wordless book (click on the link if you don't know what that is) , using t shirts. We had bracelets to hand out to everyone as well.
We passed out toys, hygiene items, candy, soccer balls. It all depended on what the needs were, although all the kids got a toy of some sort.
We passed out flyers telling everyone to come to the free festival on Friday night and kids festival Friday day. I loved getting on the ground and meeting people up close and personal.
Young and old alike enjoyed the balloon hats.
We dedicated a water well we helped finance in a village at the foot of Santa Maria volcano. (This photo was the ceremonious "turning on" the water! Followed by lots of firecrackers.
We shared our hearts with them.
We invited the masses, and they came. Approx 60, 000 of them!
They got to experience fun and exciting music.
Then they got to hear the Word of God preached. Unlike North America , Central America is eager to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Sunday morning we divided up in small groups and attended church. It was appropriate that I had brought my "love more" bag and hadn't given it away yet. You can see the pastor's wife put it on as soon as I gave it to her. I couldn't be more thrilled about that.
So, that's the highlights of my past week.
I had no idea what I was in for when I signed up to go to Guatemala on a missions trip. I see poor people in and out of the country, but it is completely different when you can talk to them and see them more closely.
We spent quite a bit of time outside of the city of Xela.
We were waiting for a medical center to open when these men came walking down the street. Look at the boy in the center with the long machete!
The women dressed very traditional outside of Xela.
The school that this photo was taken is full of kids who have sponsors.
They were getting ready to eat and they all came out of their classrooms with a dollop of soap to wash.
Many kids help earn money for their families. I met little 11 yo Jaime on the streets when he asked if he could shine my shoes. (I was wearing my tennis shoes!) I had a bit of a meltdown after giving him a few pieces of candy and a granola bar. Isn't he precious?
Hey, I'm back and ready to give you the next step in the Cascadia mystery. I had a very rewarding trip and will be sharing photos soon.
From muslin, white, light, or whatever other color you want to use, cut thirteen (13) 2 3/4" squares, then cut them on the diagonal twice to make 52 total triangles. Sew them, as shown, to a single printed 1 1/2" square. Make 4 of these units.
Then cut four (4) muslin, white or light 1 3/4"" squares, then cut on the diagonal to make 8 triangles. (this will keep the bias edge off the outside) sew to the corner, as shown. Make 4 of these units.
To the three square strips add the triangles from the 2 3/4 square to the ends, as shown. Make 4 like that.
Press, as shown and sew these two rows together.
Use one of your 1 3/4" corner triangles add to the end of a 5 square strip. (this will be your other corner) Add it to the end of 4 strips.
Add your quarter square triangles to the ends as shown above.
Using the rest of the triangles made from the 2 3/4" squares add them as shown to the ends of the 5 square strips. Sew them together as shown. Make 2 of these strips.
It's been a long week with very little sleep, I sure hope this makes sense! Let me know if it doesn't.
Hello! I'm thrilled to see many jumping in and not letting the mystery part to this stop them!
Take 2 of your strips and sew them together.
Then you should have this.
Then I want you to make 4 strips of 3 patches.
You should be able to knock them out quickly.
(I'm posting this on Tuesday for automatic posting) If I can get another post ready to go I'll do Cascadia step 3 to go on Monday. If not, it will wait until Wednesday when I am home.
Have fun! Love to you all!
"November Inspirations Small Quilt Show" They were great quilts, so creative, so fun!
I entered mine, and it was inspired by an antique, but was boring compared to the other quilts.
It was a fun exhibit! If you happen to be in Bend stop and see them and vote for your favorites.


Eurocentrism seems to be something that is difficult to follow closely, but in retrospect is possible to define. I would agree that 'globalization of culture' is 100 percent moving in one direction, it's being westernized. Amin says it perfectly, "the European West has little to learn from others." The West pays very little attention to the way things are done in the East and South, they simply believe they have, for their own purposes, the best way of doing things.
wholesale jerseys from china "It's obviously bigger than the two of us," Roethlisberger said. "I know he is used to it, with the Peyton Manning and Tom thing. This is two football teams that have won championships. Going into the hall are players Earl Winfield, Miles Gorrell, Brian Fryer and Dan Ferrone, and builders Jake Ireland and Don Loney. The Argos can clinch a home playoff game with a win, and they can clinch first place in the East Division with a win and a Montreal loss. Saskatchewan can clinch a berth with a win or an Edmonton loss, and Hamilton can get in with a win and losses by Winnipeg and Edmonton wholesale jerseys from china.


Accelerating rates of species extinction have prompted a growing number of researchers to manipulate the richness of various groups of organisms and examine how this aspect of diversity impacts ecological processes that control the functioning of ecosystems. We summarize the results of 44 experiments that have manipulated the richness of plants to examine how plant diversity affects the production of biomass. We show that mixtures of species produce an average of 1.7 times more biomass than species monocultures and are more productive than the average monoculture in 79% of all experiments. However, in only 12% of all experiments do diverse polycultures achieve greater biomass than their single most productive species. Previously, a positive net effect of diversity that is no greater than the most productive species has been interpreted as evidence for selection effects, which occur when diversity maximizes the chance that highly productive species will be included in and ultimately dominate the biomass of polycultures. Contrary to this, we show that although productive species do indeed contribute to diversity effects, these contributions are equaled or exceeded by species complementarity, where biomass is augmented by biological processes that involve multiple species. Importantly, both the net effect of diversity and the probability of polycultures being more productive than their most productive species increases through time, because the magnitude of complementarity increases as experiments are run longer. Our results suggest that experiments to date have, if anything, underestimated the impacts of species extinction on the productivity of ecosystems.
Download PDF 'Impacts of plant diversity on biomass production increase through time because of species complementarity'. Item availability may be restricted.


The "Instructional Needs" of the District aligned with the District/campus goals will drive the needs for fund development. The Development Team will vote to approve or reject funding requests.
The term "funding proposal" will refer to a private grant; public grant; corporate proposal or any type of specific funding request.
Message Regarding Technology: If your project/program involves technology, that is ANYTHING involving the purchase, acceptance of a donation or use of hardware or software and impacting campus capacity, system access, purchases, training, materials, maintenance, upgrades, consultant services etc., the District's Technology Services Department must meet with you to evaluate your proposal based on District Technology Guidelines before the proposal is submitted to the Development Team. Contact the Chief Information Officer of Technology to schedule this meeting.
Message Regarding Personnel: If your project involves personnel, please contact the Director of Personnel to make sure position titles and salaries are in alignment with the current system.
I. All personnel requesting funding will complete the Fund Application Questionnaire located on the Development Team website.
B. If assistance is needed in completing the Fund Application Questionnaire, please contact the Director for Grants who will assign an appropriate staff person to assist you.
A. All teachers and campus staff will obtain their Building Principal's approval on any fund development requests and/or grant proposal intentions. The "Fund Application Questionnaire" Form will be completed with Building Principal's approval signature, to substantiate that the request is or will be within the Campus Improvement Plan.
B. All "Fund Application Questionnaire" forms will be submitted to the Associate Superintendent, Teaching and Learning for validation. She will forward it to the Director for Grants for discussion at the next development team meeting.
C. The Administrator for Grants will notify campus personnel as to whether or not their request was approved.
A. The "Fund Application Questionnaire" will be submitted to the Director for Grants. These requests will include any grant opportunity in which the district would benefit even though the grant application will be submitted by or was awarded to another entity. Other entities include Region IV, universities, community colleges, Harris County Department of Education, and non-profits such as Neighborhood Centers Inc.
B. The Development Team will review the funding request.
C. The Director for Grants will notify district level administrators as to whether or not their request was approved.
A. If the request is denied, the Director for Grants will notify the district level administrator or principal of the reason for denial. Administrators wishing to challenge a denied request should request a meeting with the Director for Grants and the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to decide on the next appropriate action. An example of a denied request would be one in which further clarification of the funding request is needed to make a quality decision. Another example would be one in which there is a weak link between the desired project and actual campus/district instructional needs as defined by a combination of quantitative needs assessment data and documented input from campus Principals.
A. The Grants Department will continue to screen grant opportunities from federal, state and local sources and forward them to the appropriate leadership team members for consideration.
C. District employees should forward to the Director for Grants any particular grant opportunities of interest for screening.


text:
The Simple Life Awaits in Authentic Log Cabin Asking $400K
By Curbed Staff Jan 8, 2016, 3:30pm EST
"You kids better not scuff the walls!" That's something you won't have to say as much when you live in a log home. Relax. Who could tell if there's another knick? No need for spackle. Timber that never turned into lumber became a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,815 square foot classic log cabin in Stanwood. It has both the rustic feel of hewn logs, wood stove heat, and a claw foot tub; and it has modern appliances, conventional forced-air heat, and things like running water and electricity. It also has the capability to go off-the-grid; and because you get five acres to work with, there's plenty of firewood, and room for horses and chickens.
All the details >>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Oxygen is the parent brand of Be Only, it's a reference to rubber- a name associated with extravagance, its flexibility and adaptability of this material is now adopted by everyone. Once upon a time an accessory for gardening, the Wellington boot has now become uncomplicated by those who wear them: from glossy riding boots to printed rain boots, the decorative spirit and the passion of the look smile at women in rubber. Be Only is also a range of boots coloured and happy, for the children who wear the image of cartoon characters they like, and a practical proposition that brings a chic edge to men. Wellies for the whole family! The brand Be Only provides for season after season for parents on the move and children with plenty of energy. We can do everything wearing a pair of Be Only rubber boots, the accessories made for moving with the rhythm of life and advancing ahead with our ideas. Sarenza delivers these boots to us for free without delay, so that your desire for Be Only boots will be satisfied immediately. If you change your mind, there is also a free return. There is no reason to hold back: Be Only wellies are available at only a small price.
Do you love Be Only as much as we do?


text:
Q: Select element after adding it I have the following code
    img.after('

');

Which works correctly and add the "li" element. Now I want to select the "li" element; it doesn't have any class or ID, but I want to select it just after creating it, so I'm able to use it (for example mynewli.addClass()) as a jquery element.
How can I do that?

A: Use .insertAfter() to be able to chain, which is the heart of jQuery.
var $newLI = $('
').insertAfter(img).addClass('yourclass');

edit
In respect of your comment, use
img.next('li');

onto your cached img element. Note that this won't guarantee that you select a specific
element, it'll just select that next li element. So I still suggest to use .insertAfter() and cache that newly created item into a variable, to access later.
Reference: .insertAfter()

A: You can use the next method
img.next();

to find the next sibling of img, which should be your added li element.

A: use next():
http://api.jquery.com/next/
assuming that img is a JQuery DOM object:
img.next().addClass('whatever');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals (Includes Refrigerator Labels) by Clea Shearer, Joanna Teplin
Believe this: every single space in your house has the potential to function efficiently and look great. The mishmash of summer and winter clothes in the closet? Yep. Even the dreaded junk drawer? Consider it done. And the best news: it's not hard to do—in fact, it's a lot of fun.
From the home organizers who made their orderly eye candy the method that everyone swears by comes Joanna and Clea's signature approach to decluttering. The Home Edit walks you through paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in a stunning and easy-to-find way (hello, labels!), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. When you're done, you'll not only know exactly where to find things, but you'll also love the way it looks.
A masterclass and look book in one, The Home Edit is filled with bright photographs and detailed tips, from placing plastic dishware in a drawer where little hands can reach to categorizing pantry items by color (there's nothing like a little ROYGBIV to soothe the soul). Above all, it's like having your best friends at your side to help you turn the chaos into calm.
PLEASE NOTE: The paperback includes a starter set of labels for your refrigerator; the ebook and audiobook include a link to download and print the labels from a computer (you will need 8-1/2 x 11-inch clear repositionable sticker project paper, such as Avery 4397).
Format -- Paperback


Please have a browse and we hope you will find a nice piece for your project.
If you are looking for a particular fabric please email me via the contact us page and we will happily provide you with a price providing it is a current line with the fabric house.
If you would like us to make up an item from the selection within this category of fabric remnants, simply ask or add the fabric to the services listed that you can purchase online.


Katherine Jenkins, the record-breaking multi platinum selling mezzo-soprano, will open her UK Daydream theatre tour, in Oxford. Taking in 21 cities across the UK, Katherine will be performing up close and personal for her first theatre tour in three years.
Coinciding with the release of her latest album, Daydream, released October 10th on Warner Bros Records, the album is her most personal to date drawing together music and songs she loves from across classical, traditional, folk and easy pop that have inspired her over the course of her life.


Pat grew up paddling at the Carleton Place Canoe Club and paddled at the National level for many years. Passionate about sport and athlete development, Pat is a Competition Development Certified coach through the National Coaching Certification Program. He has been coaching at the CPCC for over 10 years, 5 of which were in his current role as Head Coach.


text:
2021 Week 17: Steelers vs. Browns
Steelers vs. Browns, Week 17: 2nd quarter in-game update
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back on the gridiron! See what is happening during the team's late game.
By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Jan 3, 2022, 9:49pm EST
Share All sharing options for: Steelers vs. Browns, Week 17: 2nd quarter in-game update
Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images
1st Quarter In-Game Update
With their best field position of the game, Pittsburgh's offense woke up and started making plays. Primarily behind Najee Harris, the Steelers were able to get in Chris Boswell's field goal range. When it looked like the drive had stalled, Browns defender Jadaveon Clowney was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing Chase Claypool's shoe down the field. This gave the Steelers new life, and it took just three plays for Ben Roethlisberger to find Diontae Johnson for the first touchdown of the game.
.@_BigBen7 ➡ @Juiceup__3
: ESPN pic.twitter.com/4iO5EUm88n
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 4, 2022
Chris Boswell's point after was good, making the score 7-0 Steelers with 10:39 left in the first half.
T.J. Watt continued to be a force along the Steelers' defensive front, and he was a major reason why the Pittsburgh defense got their first three-and-out coming off that Johnson touchdown.
Pittsburgh's offense was unable to muster a first down on the ensuing drive, Waitman punting the ball back to Cleveland after a three-and-out. Baker Mayfield's pass on first down was intercepted by Akhello Witherspoon, his third interception of the season.
Ben Roethlisberger and Najee Harris continued to move the ball on the Cleveland defense, and put themselves in position to add to their point total after the first turnover of the game. Once in the red-zone the Steelers got away from the run, and they had to settle for a Boswell field goal to make the score 10-0 with 3:02 left in the second quarter.
Baker Mayfield and company were able to move the football in their no-huddle offense, but another Watt sack on 3rd down forced a punt. The Steelers took over with 34 seconds remaining in the half, and two timeouts. The drive didn't equate in points, and the players would head into halftime with the Steelers up 10-0.


text:
Q: Determine all positive powers. Determine all positive powers of the $5 \times 5$ matrix...
$$C=\begin{bmatrix}
0&0&0&0&0 \\
1&0&0&0&0 \\
0&1&0&0&0 \\
0&0&1&0&0 \\
0&0&0&1&0
\end{bmatrix}$$
I know that taking powers of $C$ just shifts each $1$ down a row, replacing each $1$ with a $0$. The right most $1$ is shifted out of the matrix and replaced with a $0$. This happens for $C^2$, $C^3$, $C^4$, and $C^5$, where the sub-diagonal of $1's$ is shifted down until $C^5$ at which time the matrix becomes the $5 \times 5$ zero matrix.
This is the solution I came up with...
\begin{align}
C^2 &= \begin{bmatrix}
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
1&0&0&0&0 \\
0&1&0&0&0 \\
0&0&1&0&0
\end{bmatrix},  \\
C^3 &= \begin{bmatrix}
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
1&0&0&0&0 \\
0&1&0&0&0
\end{bmatrix},  \\
C^4 &= \begin{bmatrix}
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
1&0&0&0&0
\end{bmatrix},  \\
C^k &= \begin{bmatrix}
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0 \\
0&0&0&0&0
\end{bmatrix}, k\geq5
\end{align}
Is there a more general way to express $C^2$, $C^3$, and $C^4$ without explicitly writing them out? Or asked another way, is it possible to express $C^k$ for all positive powers without having to explicitly write out $C^2$, $C^3$, and $C^4$?

A: $C$ is the adjacency matrix of a directed graph $5 \to 4 \to 3 \to 2 \to 1$.  $(C^k)_{ij}$ is then the number of paths of length $k$ starting at $i$ and ending at $j$.  This is $1$ if $i-j = k$, otherwise $0$.  Of course if $k \ge 5$ all entries are $0$.


So here I sit, planning my trip to Sweden and realizing that I have only a very short list of things I want to do there (besides hang with The Swede).
First of all, I want to see the salvaged 17th century ship housed in the Vasa museum. I assume it's called the Vasa museum because she was (rather improperly) designed for one of the Gustav Vasas who ruled early Sweden.
The ship sank on her maiden voyage and never made it out of the docks.
Then there is the archipelago of Stockholm, made up of 24,000 islands and islets 40 miles east of Stockholm. It is known for it's beautiful scenery, fishing, and wildlife.
Boat tours are available and I'd like to take a little 3-hour day trip around some of the closer islands.
I'm also interested in the ABBA Museum. Because ABBA.
It's kitschy. It's amusing. It's funny. It's ABBA.
I've got to go visit and spend a little money, money, money having fun there.
Finally, I really want to experience an authentic Swedish smörgåsbord.
Supposedly the best one out there is the smörgåsbord at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm.
I want to treat The Swede and his daughter to the buffet spread there to thank them for hosting me.
Sure there are secondary items on my list like seeing the Royal Castle and the changing of the Guard, going fishing or on a mini safari, and shopping for trinkets in Gamla Stan (Old Town).
And then there's the impossible – visiting ICE HOTEL SWEDEN way up in the arctic circle.
Because I am nothing if not adventurous.
We won't get to those things but at least I have a few things on my list we can do.
This entry was posted in Travel and tagged ABBA Museum, archipelago, arctic circle, boat tour, fishing, Gamla Stan, Ice Hotel, ship, Stockholm, Sweden, Vasa. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Q: quadratic equation mod $p$ Prove that if a prime $p \nmid ijk$ where $i,j,k$ are integers  then there exist integers $x, y$, not both divisible by $p$, for which $ix^2 + jy^2 ≡ k (mod\ p)$.
I counted the number of distinct residues $mod\ p$ in the set $\{ix^2(mod\ p), 0\le x\le p-1 \}$ and I found $\frac{p+1}{2}$.
I think that that $ix^2 + jy^2$ ($x,y$ integers) will cover all distinct residues $mod\ p$ but I don't see how to prove it.
Thank you for your help.

A: The number of distinct residues of the form $k-jy^2$ is also $\frac{p+1}{2}$.
This and your set must therefore have at least one element in common!


From the opening song to the last dying note, Africa comes alive on stage in Disney's The Lion King. This musical has plenty of eye candy, toe-tapping tunes, and a wonderful story line. It is no wonder that it has won both Tony and Olivier awards in its short, but successful life.
The opening number of The Lion King is the same as the opening number of the movie from which the show is adapted. During the song "The Circle of Life," the animals promenade through the audience onto the stage. Rafiki, a mandarin who in the stage version of the story is played by a woman, welcomes the new cub that was born to king Mufasa and his mate Sarabi. The animals must journey to Pride Rock, and they make this journey though the aisles of the theater, giving audiences a first-hand look at the stunning costumes and puppets that make people literally become the animal characters they are portraying.
The costumes are what make The Lion King so magical. Audience members quickly forget that they are watching human actors onstage, as the actors become one with the puppets they are handling. The giraffes, as an example, are actually actors on four stilts with towering heads. Main characters have mechanical headpieces that allow more animal-like movements while still allowing the actor to act. This is how Disney avoided creating a musical full of the park-inspired plush costumes. The look of each animal onstage is very African in design, adding to the authentic feel of the show. The battle scenes are "fought" through carefully choreographed dance, and the wildebeest stampede brings together so many aspects of theater that it must be seen to be understood.
The plot of The Lion King follows the plot of the original Disney movie almost perfectly. There are some additions, of course, in order to make the performance long enough to fit on a Broadway stage. Several new songs are added, as well as some new dialogues that help add more depth to the characters, especially the villain Scar.
The Lion King is Disney's second attempt to turn a successful animated film into a Broadway production. Its predecessor, Beauty and the Beast, was highly successful, as it contained elements that appealed to adults and children alike. The Lion King has enjoyed similar success since its debut in 1997. It is currently traveling and enjoying ongoing productions in New York and London.
The set of The Lion King adds to its brilliance. Pride Rock is access through a spiraling staircase, and several trap doors allow the characters to appear exactly when needed. A special feature towards the back of the stage allows a portion of the set to tilt upward to add another measure of special effects to this musical.
Theatergoers who are thinking of skipping The Lion King, fearing that it is simply a dressed up version of the movie, are missing out. This magical musical with stunning sets, intricate characters, and amazing costumes is something that all theater lovers must see.


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This is a very sweet little Native American Wabanaki (encompassing the Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamoquoddy Nations, from Maine and Eastern ... moreThis is a very sweet little Native American Wabanaki (encompassing the Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamoquoddy Nations, from Maine and Eastern Canada) basket, handwoven from sweetgrass and ash splints. Based on similar examples I have seen, I believe it dates from the 1920s-1930s. The ash splints, visible at the center and edge of the lid, and on and around the bottom of the basket (as well as peeking through in a few spots through the woven sweetgrass) have been dyed red, I believe using traditional mineral dyes. When I purchased this basket it came with a small glass inside; I believe this was placed inside of it at some point in order to help the basket keep its shape--not a bad idea!


text:
Village Hastsal is a census town and village in West district in the Indian state of Delhi.

History
According to legend, this area was once submerged in water and elephants used to rest here. In Hindi, elephants are known as "Hathi" and place is known as "Sthal"; hence, Hastsal - the resting place of elephants.

In the 17th century Mughal Emperor Shahjahan had a hunting lodge in Hastsal. 1650, he built the Mini Qutub Minar close to his hunting lodge. The Minar is a  high minaret tower, locally popular as Hastsal ki Laat or the Hastsal Minaret. It is now situated at corner of Hastsal village and is popularly known as the Laat (Pillar). The minaret and hunting lodge, both still exist but lay abandoned and crumbling. The minaret closely resembles the Qutub Minar in design.

Demographics
 India census, Hastsal had a population of 176,877. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Hastsal has an good literacy rate of 83.71 %,  male literacy is 90.51%, and female literacy is 75.84%.  In Hastsal, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Educational Institutes
Hastsal and adjoining regularized - unauthorized colonies such as Vikas Nagar has a large number of private schools that cater to the local population residing in these colonies.

References

External links
 Hastsal Minar - 9 July 2010

Cities and towns in West Delhi district

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Minister of Health and Wellness Lemogang Kwape PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
The Minister of Health and Wellness (MoHW), Lemogang Kwape has said the country's health institutions are crippled by lack of manpower and limited resources.
Kwape made the revelations when addressing Members of Parliament (MPs) who were worried by the waiting period for seriously ill patients booked to see a doctor at public health facilities.
The MPs raised concerns following a motion tabled by MP for Nata/Gweta, Polson Majaga.
The MP had asked the health minister if he would consider shortening the waiting period and if he was aware that some patients die while waiting for their booking dates to arrive.
Majaga had also wanted to find out if the health minister considered the practice as the best throughout the world or if it is just happening in Botswana and when that will be rectified.
In his response, Kwape conceded that lack of resources and manpower shortages were serious constraints to the Ministry delivering on mandate and pleaded for Parliament's intervention in rectifying the crisis.
He, however, stated that the Ministry was working around the clock to alleviate the situation.
Kwape said recruitment of specialists was an ongoing exercise, but sometimes due to financial constraints they failed to secure the services of the much-needed experts to respond to the health needs of citizens. "The Ministry is working around the clock to deliver emergency services and all other services on reasonable time," Kwape told Parliament.
"I admit that sometimes we do not have enough manpower in the country and may have to take patients outside the country, which causes the delay, but we are working very hard to address the situation and save lives as it is our mission."
He said the Ministry has procured two scanners for Maun and Molepolole hospitals, which will aid in diagnosis so that it can speed up service provision.
Kwape also revealed that the Ministry was faced with a
huge challenge of late detection of diseases.
He pleaded with MPs to encourage constituents to get to the hospitals much earlier so that they could offer extensive treatment.
He also implored the MPs to talk to Batswana about lifestyle choices, which include monitoring what they eat, doing some physical activity such as exercise or taking walks.
He said choosing healthy lifestyles would also lessen the burden on government.
The MP for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi asked the minister if he was aware that there were patients at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital booked to see a doctor in 2022 and what the minister will do in response to the crisis.
He also asked what the minister would do to retain specialists or amend their scales, because they raised concerns over low wages.
In response Kwape said their actual performance in hospitals is manageable, but in terms of retention of specialists who attract scarce skills allowance, there should be provision to the Ministry so that they can be retained.
"Government has a system that regulates payments of staff hence pleading with Parliament to help with coming up with instruments that will allow the health ministry to do the same in order to attract specialists."
He, however, stated that ill patients are an emergency and they do not have to go on waiting lists to see specialists as they are given priority and follow the normal elective waiting list.
He added that it was unfortunate that patients die while waiting to see specialists hence the Ministry was working tirelessly to avail the necessary personnel and services to alleviate the situation.
Kwape revealed through his roadmap that he was upgrading district hospitals for the purpose of bringing health services closer to the people.


text:
Day 286 – The Battle to Choose God
Judas Maccabeus continues to free Israel in a battle. Antiochus was out to destroy the Jewish culture and religion. This battle was a defensive war, seeking freedom and independence for Israel.
1 Maccabees 5
1 When the surrounding nations heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary restored to what it had been before, they became very angry
2 and decided to destroy the descendants of Jacob living among them; they began to murder and evict our people.
3 Judas made war on the sons of Esau in Idumaea, in the region of Acrabattene where they were besieging the Israelites. He dealt them a serious blow, drove them off and despoiled them.
4 He also remembered the wickedness of the sons of Baean, who were a menace and a trap for the people with their ambushes on the roads.
5 Having blockaded them in their town and besieged them, he put them under the curse of destruction; he then set fire to their towers and burned them down with everyone inside.
6 Next, he crossed over to the Ammonites where he found a strong fighting force and a numerous people, commanded by Timotheus.
7 He fought many battles with them, defeated them and cut them to pieces.
8 Having captured Jazer and its dependent villages, he retired to Judaea.
9 Next, the gentiles of Gilead banded together to destroy the Israelites living in their territory. The latter, however, took refuge in the fortress of Dathema,
10 and sent the following letter to Judas and his brothers: 'The gentiles round us have banded themselves together against us to destroy us,
11 and they are preparing to storm the fortress in which we have taken refuge; Timotheus is in command of their forces.
12 Come at once and rescue us from their clutches, for we have already suffered great losses.
13 All our countrymen living in Tobias' country have been killed, their women and children have been taken into captivity, their propertyhas been seized, and about a thousand men have been destroyed there.'
14 While the letter was being read, other messengers arrived from Galilee with their garments torn, bearing similar news,
15 'The people of Ptolemais, Tyre and Sidon have joined forces with the whole of gentile Galilee to destroy us!'
16 When Judas and the people heard this, they held a great assembly to decide what should be done for their oppressed countrymen who were under attack from their enemies.
17 Judas said to his brother Simon, 'Pick your men and go and relieve your countrymen in Galilee, while my brother Jonathan and I make our way into Gilead.'
18 He left Joseph son of Zechariah and the people's leader Azariah with the remainder of the army in Judaea to keep guard, and gave them these orders,
19 'You are to be responsible for our people. Do not engage the gentiles until we return.'
20 Simon was allotted three thousand men for the expedition into Galilee, Judas eight thousand for Gilead.
21 Simon advanced into Galilee, engaged the gentiles in several battles and swept all before him;
22 he pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais, and they lost about three thousand men, whose spoils he collected.
23 With him, he took away the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children and all their possessions, and brought them into Judaea with great rejoicing.
24 Meanwhile Judas Maccabaeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan and made a three-days' march through the desert,
25 where they encountered the Nabataeans, who gave them a friendly reception and told them everything that had been happening to their brothers in Gilead,
26 many of whom, they said, were shut up in Bozrah and Bosor, Alema, Chaspho, Maked and Carnaim, all large fortified towns.
27 Others were blockaded in the other towns of Gilead, and the enemy planned to attack and capture these strongholds the very next day, and destroy all the people inside them on one day.
28 Judas and his army at once turned off by the desert road to Bozrah. He took the town and, having put all the males to the sword and collected the booty, burned it down.
29 When night came, he left the place, and they continued their march until they reached the fortress.
30 In the light of dawn they looked, and there was an innumerable horde, setting up ladders and engines to capture the fortress; the assault was just beginning.
31 When Judas saw that the attack had begun and that the war cry was rising to heaven from the city, mingled with trumpet calls and a great clamour,
32 he said to the men of his army, 'Into battle today for your brothers!'
33 Dividing them into three commands, he advanced on the enemy's rear, with trumpets sounding and prayers shouted aloud.
34 The troops of Timotheus, recognising that this was Maccabaeus, fled before his advance; Maccabaeus dealt them a crushing defeat; about eight thousand of their men fell that day.
35 Then, wheeling on Alema, he attacked and captured it and, having killed all the males and collected the booty, burned the place down.
36 From there he moved on and took Chaspho, Maked, Bosor and the remaining towns of Gilead.
37 After these events, Timotheus mustered another force and pitched camp opposite Raphon, on the far side of the stream-bed.
38 Judas sent men to reconnoitre the camp, and these reported back as follows, 'With him are massed all the gentiles surrounding us, making a very numerous army,
39 with Arab mercenaries as auxiliaries; they are encamped on the far side of the stream-bed, and ready to launch an attack on you.' Judas then advanced to engage them,
40 and was approaching the watercourse with his troops when Timotheus told the commanders of his army, 'If he crosses first we shall not be able to resist him, because he will have a great advantage over us;
41 but if he is afraid and camps on the other side of the stream, we shall cross over to him and the advantage will then be ours.'
42 As soon as Judas reached the watercourse, he posted people's scribes along it, giving them this order: 'Do not let anyone pitch his tent; all are to go into battle!'
43 He was himself the first across to the enemy side, with all the people following. He defeated all the opposing gentiles, who threw down their arms and ran for refuge in the sanctuary of Carnaim.
44 The Jews first captured the town and then burned down the temple with everyone inside. And so Carnaim was overthrown, and the enemy could offer no further resistance to Judas.
45 Next, Judas assembled all the Israelites living in Gilead, from the least to the greatest, with their wives, children and belongings, an enormous muster, to take them to Judaea.
46 They reached Ephron, a large town straddling the road and strongly fortified. As it was impossible to by-pass it either to right or to left, there was nothing for it but to march straight through.
47 But the people of the town denied them passage and barricaded the gates with stones.
48 Judas sent them a conciliatory message in these terms, 'We want to pass through your territory to reach our own; no one will do you any harm, we only want to go through on foot.' But they would not open up for him.
49 So Judas sent an order down the column for everyone to halt where he stood.
50 The fighting men took up their positions; Judas attacked the town all day and night, and the town fell to him.
51 He put all the males to the sword, rased the town to the ground, plundered it and marched through the town square over the bodies of the dead.
52 They then crossed the Jordan into the Great Plain, opposite Beth-Shean,
53 Judas all the time rallying the stragglers and encouraging the people the whole way until they reached Judaea.
54 They climbed Mount Zion in joy and gladness and presented burnt offerings because they had returned safe and sound without having lost a single man.
55 While Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and Simon his brother in Galilee outside Ptolemais,
56 Joseph son of Zechariah, and Azariah, who were in command of the army, heard of their valiant deeds and of the battles they had been fighting,
57 and said, 'Let us make a name for ourselves too and go and fight the nations around us.'
58 So they issued orders to the men under their command and marched on Jamnia.
59 Gorgias and his men came out of the town and gave battle.
60 Joseph and Azariah were routed and pursued as far as the frontiers of Judaea. That day about two thousand Israelites lost their lives.
61 Our people thus met with a great reverse, because they had not listened to Judas and his brothers, thinking that they would do something equally valiant.
62 They were not, however, of the same breed of men as those to whom the deliverance of Israel was entrusted.
63 The noble Judas and his brothers, however, were held in high honour throughout Israel and among all the nations wherever their name was heard,
64 and people thronged round to acclaim them.
65 Judas marched out with his brothers to fight the Edomites in the country towards the south; he stormed Hebron and its dependent villages, threw down its fortifications and burned down its encircling towers.
66 Leaving there, he made for the country of the Philistines and passed through Marisa.
67 Among the fallen in that day's fighting were some priests who sought to prove their courage there by joining in the battle, a foolhardy venture.
68 Judas next turned on Azotus, which belonged to the Philistines; he overthrew their altars, burned the statues of their gods and, having pillaged their towns, withdrew to Judaea.
13 Do not love sleep or you will know poverty; keep your eyes open and have your fill of food.
14 'No good, no good!' says the buyer, but he goes off congratulating himself.
15 There are gold and jewels of every type, but a priceless ornament is speech informed by knowledge.
16 Take the man's clothes! He has gone surety for a stranger. Take a pledge from him to the profit of persons unknown!
Bible in a Year, Maccabees, proverbs
Day 284 – Near Occasion of Sin
Day 283 – Mattathias Attacks
Day 297 – Using Good Things For Evil


text:
Devadatta fou, segons la tradició, un monjo budista, cosí i cunyat del buda històric Siddharta Gautama, que després de la il·luminació d'aquest, el va seguir com a monjo però més tard es va convertir en el seu enemic.

Etimologia
El nom Devadatta significa Deudat (donat per Déu) en palī o sànscrit (en llatí Deodatus). Es compon de la forma troncal de deva i el participi passat datta del verb da (donar). Al Bhagavad Gita, la botzina utilitzada per Arjuna al camp de batalla de Kurukshetra es deia Devadatta. El nom Devadatta encara s'utilitza avui dia.

Estudis

Investigació Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya
Segons Andrew Skilton, els estudis moderns estan d'acord en general que el Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya és el vinaya budista més antic existent.

Segons Reginald Ray, el Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya esmenta la figura de Devadatta, però d'una manera diferent dels vinayes de la branca Sthaviravāda. Segons aquest estudi, el material vinaya més antic comú a totes les sectes simplement representa a Devadatta com un sant budista que desitja que els monjos visquin un estil de vida rigorós. Això ha portat a Ray a considerar la història de Devadatta com una llegenda produïda pel grup Sthavira.

Tanmateix, com ha assenyalat Bhikkhu Sujato, el Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya conté material que representa a Devadatta com una figura cismàtica que intenta dividir la sangha (comunitat monàstica). Sujato afegeix: "L'única diferència rellevant són els motius en què es diu que basa el seu intent. Mentre que els Sthavira Vinayes diuen que va promulgar un conjunt de "cinc punts", mitjançant els quals va tractar d'imposar un estil de vida excessivament ascètic als monjos, el Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya omet els cinc punts i li atribueix una agenda molt més completa." Sujato argumenta a més que "El fet que la llegenda de Devadatta, almenys els episodis bàsics 13 i 14, sigui comuna als sis Vinayes, inclòs el Mahāsaṅghika, suggereix que la llegenda va sorgir entre la comunitat presectària i, amb tota probabilitat, es remunta a l'època del mateix Buda."

Registres de pelegrins xinesos a l'Índia
Faxian i altres pelegrins xinesos que van viatjar a l'Índia en els primers segles de l'època actual van registrar l'existència de budistes "Gotamaka", seguidors de Devadatta. Gotamaka també es fa referència als textos en pali dels segles II i V de l'època actual. S'ha registrat que els seguidors de Devadatta van honrar tots els Budes anteriors a Śākyamuni (Buda Gautama), però no el mateix Śākyamuni. Segons els escrits de Faxian, Xuanzang i Yijing, algunes persones practicaven d'una manera semblant i amb els mateixos llibres que els budistes comuns, però seguien les tapes similars i realitzaven rituals als últims tres budes i no a Śākyamuni.

Segons l'escola theravada
A la secció VII de Cullavagga del Vinayapiṭaka de la tradició Theravada que tracta sobre els cismes, s'explica com Devadatta va sortir juntament amb altres parents i membres del clan de Buda. El primer any va assolir el poder psíquic (abhijñā), però no va aconseguir cap assoliment supramundà.

Mirant al seu voltant per veure a qui podia convèncer per honrar-lo, va decidir apropar-se al príncep Ajātasattu, l'hereu del tron de Magadhan. Tenint poder psíquic va assumir la forma d'un nen vestit de serps i es va asseure a la falda del príncep, cosa que va impressionar molt el príncep, que es va convertir en el seu deixeble.

Ajātasattu va començar a enviar grans ofrenes a Devadatta, i aquest últim es va obsessionar amb el seu propi valor i va començar a pensar que era ell qui havia de dirigir la Sangha, i no pas Buda, i no va desistir encara que aquest pensament li va fer perdre els seus poders psíquics.

Quan li van parlar de les ofertes que Devadatta estava rebent, Buda va comentar que tots aquests guanys només el menarien cap a la seva destrucció, de la mateixa manera que un plàtan o un bambú són destruïts pel seu fruit.

Poc després, Devadatta va demanar a Buda que es retirés i el deixés fer-se càrrec de la gestió de la Sangha. Buda va replicar que ni tan sols havia deixar que ho fessin els seus deixebles de confiança Śāriputra o Maudgalyayana, i molt menys un com ell, que s'havia de vomitar com a saliva, i va fer un acte especial de publicitat sobre ell, advertint als monjos que havia canviat a pitjor.

En veure el perill d'això, Devadatta es va acostar al príncep Ajātasattu i el va animar a matar el seu pare, el bon rei Bimbisāra, i mentrestant ell mataria Buda. El rei es va assabentar del seu pla i va lliurar el regne al control del príncep.

Aleshores, Ajātasattu va donar mercenaris a Devadatta que els va ordenar que matessin Buda, i en un pla elaborat per cobrir les seves petjades, va ordenar a altres homes que matessin els assassins, però quan es van acostar a Buda no van poder ser capaços de complir llurs ordres, i en canvi es van convertir al budisme.

Aleshores, Devadatta va intentar matar Buda ell mateix llançant-li una pedra des de dalt, mentre Buda caminava pels vessants d'una muntanya. Com que això també va fallar, va decidir intoxicar l'elefant Nāḷāgiri i deixar-lo anar a Buda. Tanmateix, el poder de la bondat amorosa de Buda va vèncer l'elefant.

Aleshores Devadatta va decidir crear un cisma a l'orde i va reunir uns quants amics monjos i va exigir que Buda accedís a les següents regles per als monjos: haurien de viure tota la seva vida al bosc, viure totalment de l'almoina obtinguda per la mendicitat, portar només robes fetes de draps rebutjats, habitar als peus d'un arbre i abstenir-se completament del peix i la carn.

Buda es va negar a fer tot això obligatori i Devadatta va anar a culpar-lo, dient que vivia en abundància i luxe. Aleshores, Devadatta va decidir crear un cisma i recitar les regles d'entrenament (pātimokkha) a part de Buda i els seus seguidors, amb 500 monjos recentment ordenats.

Buda va enviar als seus dos deixebles principals Śāriputra i Maudgalyayana per recuperar els joves monjos errats. Devadatta va pensar que havien vingut a unir-se a la seva Sangha i, demanant a Sāriputta que fes una xerrada, es va adormir. Aleshores, els principals deixebles van persuadir els joves monjos de tornar a Buda.

Buda no va mostrar cap odi ni engany, fins i tot després del que havia fet Devadatta. Poc després, Devadatta va emmalaltir i es va adonar que el que havia fet estava malament. Va provar de trobar Buda per demanar-li perdó pel que havia fet, però ja era massa tard. De camí per veure el Buda, la terra el va xuclar a l'infern de Niraya pels seus fets.

Segons el Canon Pāli, va ensenyar a la seva sangha a adoptar cinc austeritats al llarg de la seva vida:

 que els monjos visquin tota la vida al bosc,
 que no acceptin invitacions als àpats, sinó que visquin completament de l'almoina obtinguda de la mendicitat,
 que només portin túnices fetes amb draps rebutjats i no acceptin cap roba dels laics,
 que habitin al peu d'un arbre i no sota un terrat,
 que s'abstinguin completament del peix i la carn.

La resposta de Buda va ser que aquells que s'hi sentien inclinats podien seguir aquestes regles, llevat de la de dormir sota un arbre durant l'època de pluges, però es va negar a fer-les obligatòries.

Segons l'escola mahayana
Segons Jacqueline Stone i Stephen F. Teiser, Devadatta era "ben conegut pels primers devots del sutra com l'arquetip budista d'un malvat". En el context de la "promesa de la budeïtat per a tothom, aquest capítol es va entendre àmpliament com a il·lustració del potencial per a la il·luminació fins i tot en persones malignes".

Al Sutra del Lotus, capítol 12, de la tradició Mahayana, el Buda ensenya que en una vida passada, Devadatta va ser el seu mestre que el va guiar en el camí, i fa una declaració sobre com fins i tot Devadatta es convertirà en un Buda amb el temps.

Al sutra Mahāmegha Devadatta s'anomena mahāpuruṣa (gran ésser).

Referències

Bibliografia

 Deeg, Max (1999). The Saṅgha of Devadatta: Fiction and History of a Heresy in the Buddhist Tradition,  Journal of the International College for Advanced Buddhist Studies 2, 195- 230
 Matsunami, Yoshihiro (1979), Conflict within the Development of Buddhism, Japanese Journal of Religious Studies 6 (1/2), 329–345
 Mukherjee, Biswadeb (1966). Die Überlieferung von Devadatta, dem Widersacher des Buddha, in den kanonischen Schriften, München: Kitzinger
 Tezuka, Osamu (2006), Devadatta, London: HarperCollins

Religiosos budistes


text:
Q: I Can not open created PDF on new tab genered by PDFMake.js in Internet Exploer I am working on a projected developed using WEB API2 and AngularJS. I am created report in PDF using pdfmake.js. It works fine for Firefox. But for security reason, I like to restrict the user to use Internet Explorer. Because I need to identify the user terminal using MAC Address.
So I commanded users to use Internet Explorer. In Internet explorer, When I want to open the PDF new tab, PDFMake.js getting error on following line:
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I googled and didn't get any solution of this problem.

A: Following are the things which can solve the issue -

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~ All The Stars decal is roughly 5"x7".
~ Complete instructions and application tool included.
~ Please click through photos, six colors available.
~ Gift packaging is available as a separate listing.
~ Easy to install, and remove. Decals work best on smooth surfaces, though they can be used on walls with a bit of texture, too.
~ Decals can be used on walls, chalkboards, mirrors, windows, doors, laptops, and virtually any smooth surface you can dream up.
I love is to adhere the decal to mat board and frame it.


JDI -- which operates 18 dating websites, including cupidswand.com, and -- must pay a 6,165 fine and reform its practices.
The case is the first for the FTC against an online dating site.
Within the Waterberg there are archaeological finds dating to the Stone Age, and nearby are early evolutionary finds related to the origin of humans.


text:
Ensign Services Open Source Blog About Contact Us
No, Twitter Won't Disappear Overnight
Edwin Schmierer | Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022 | Distributed Systems
In this post we'll explore the question, how does a distributed system actually die?
Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. - Samuel L. Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
At Rotational, we are avid users of Twitter. Like many, we use the service to engage with the communities we care about, stay informed, and learn from others. As such, we have been watching Elon Musk's "Twitter Drama" with concern and interest. One curious sentiment we've noticed is the expectation from many users that Twitter will fail overnight and suddenly disappear due to mismanagement.
We've seen users post eulogies (with the #RIPTwitter hashtag) and read articles foreshadowing Twitter's demise as a social network. This all suggests you'll go to bed after "doom scrolling" on Twitter tonight and wake up tomorrow to a permanent Fail Whale, disconnected from your followers and community.
Putting aside Elon Musk's management decisions and execution (much of which we disagree with), as application developers with a focus on distributed systems, this suggests two fundamental and related misunderstandings about Twitter.
Misunderstanding 1: It's "Just" An App
The first misunderstanding is that Twitter is "just a website" or "just an app". This notion that Twitter is a lightweight app that lives on your mobile device belies a misunderstanding about the brittleness or fragility to online services. This may have been true when Twitter was founded 16 years ago when "Fail Whales" were common across the internet, but times have changed, and Twitter has scaled to serve a global user base that includes 237.8 million daily active users. To support this level of service consistently, Twitter relies on a robust distributed system with custom databases, sophisticated cloud architectures, and networked microservices. Under the hood, it's much more than an app.
Misunderstanding 2: Scaling is "Easy"
The corollary to it's "just an app" is that scaling is easy. It's a digital product, so adding new services and users must be marginal, right? In fact, scaling is one of the most challenging and expensive activities of global apps. Just ask Mastodon and Cohost, potential Twitter substitutes that are buckling at the influx of so many new users.
The dirty truth? Distributed systems break all the time. Failure is the normal state of a distributed system. Software and devops engineers know this so they architect systems to be resilient by default, specifically to ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery. This is often achieved by building in redundancies (data centers, servers, processes, people), and replicating data across the system. Distributed systems engineers try to leverage the most advanced algorithms coming out of academic research to ensure the best data consistency possible in addition to performance. Software and devops engineers also apply important distributed system design patterns such as circuit breakers and fallbacks to manage major issues. In other words, a great deal of time, energy, and resources go into supporting a robust distributed system.
All that resilience comes at a cost, though, creating complexities related to coordination and consistency that are no doubt difficult to explain to an impatient incoming head honcho.
Signals to Watch For
If Twitter does fail, it will fail slowly over time, most likely because there are not enough engineers to maintain the system or as microservices are taken offline to cut costs. Some signals of system degradation and potential failure include:
Speed is a key indicator. If you notice that it takes much longer for your Twitter feed to update, your messages to post, or to load the app, then this could be an indicator that Twitter's system is degrading.
Inconsistencies
If you notice that what you see on your phone is different than what you see on your tablet or laptop (e.g. missing or incomplete data), then it could indicate system failures.
Another signal of degradation is out-of-order direct messages (DMs) or your feed displays in an increasingly non-chronological order.
Unavailable Ancillary Services
In addition to its core microblogging service, Twitter provides ancillary services to developers building tools with Twitter's data. If the Twitter API begins to fail or become unavailable, it could signal that the system in general is at risk.
The Takeaway: Resiliency is More Critical Than Ever
Twitter is emblematic of how distributed systems have come to play increasingly important and arguably dominant roles in daily life. These systems have become integral to modern digital services, commanding a great deal of resources. Resilient distributed systems will only become more critical as more services, more of our time, and more of the economy move online, requiring always-on, available-anywhere computing services.
The risk for Twitter isn't the technical infrastructure, but the business model and leadership needed to maintain and grow its services. At this point, Twitter's fate is unclear. Regardless, the next time you access your favorite app, take a moment to consider the distributed system - and people - who make it reliably available, accessible, and integral to your needs no matter where you are.
Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash.
About This Post
In this post we delve into the logistics of a real world distributed system, and explore what failure does and does not look like.
Edwin Schmierer
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You are here: Home » Why is Building Better in Southwest Florida?
I often hear people talking about their house buying plans and so often it only seems to center around finding a pre-owned home that will fit their needs. Wake up people! Why on earth would you try to make an existing home fit your needs when you could build a brand new home designed to meet your needs?
My question is why would you want the hassle of doing renovation work when you could have your home built how you want it? I can think of so many other things I'd rather do than looking for honest and qualified subcontractors to use. Not to mention, the convenience of being able to customize my home to meet my needs within my budget.
One of the best reasons I can tell you about building a new home in Southwest Florida is having your home meet all of the latest energy and building safety codes such a hurricane impact glass and doors which offer you and your family maximum protection during a hurricane.
Should I go on? A new home has never been lived in by anyone else and their pets. A minimum one year warranty on your home covers things that could possibly go wrong in the first 12 months. A new roof is covered for about 15 years in case or damage or leaks. All of this is so important to consider when you are considering home ownership for the first time. You don't have to worry about unseen mold, water leaks from old pipes, pests or termites and dated worn-out floors.
It may seem like finding an existing home and renovating it yourself would be easier and less expensive, but consider the costs of things that normally need to be replaced on an existing home. A new roof can cost $12,000 and up. The newest and most energy-efficient air conditioning system (which we desperately need in Southwest Florida) can cost $1,000 and up.


A meeting on gender priorities for UNDP activities with participation of leading Russian experts and head of UNDP units in RF. Recommendations and harmonized indicators to be identifies under the project shall be recommended to UNCTs in RF and CIS countries.
International Conference "Civil Education - Global Issue of the Transforming World: Russian Experience, International Vision"
A special event dedicated, firstly, to the International Women's Day celebrated this year under the motto"The latest trends in Gender Equality" and, secondly, to the beginning of the International Polar Year 2007. The prominent polar traveller Vladimir Chukov will present a virtual photo exhibition devoted to the Year.


text:
Nujol is a brand of mineral oil by Plough Inc., cas number 8012-95-1, and density  0.838 g/mL at 25 °C, used in infrared spectroscopy. It is a heavy paraffin oil so it is chemically inert and has a relatively uncomplicated IR spectrum, with major peaks between 2950-2800, 1465-1450, and 1380–1300 cm−1. The empirical formula of Nujol is hard to determine exactly because it is a mixture but it is essentially the alkane formula  where n is very large.

To obtain an IR spectrum of a solid, a sample is combined with Nujol in a mortar and pestle or some other device to make a mull (a very thick suspension), and is usually sandwiched between potassium- or sodium chloride plates before being placed in the spectrometer.  For very reactive samples, the layer of Nujol can provide a protective coating, preventing sample decomposition during acquisition of the IR spectrum.  When preparing the sample it is important to keep the sample from being saturated with Nujol, this will result in erroneous spectra since the Nujol peaks will dominate, silencing the actual sample's peaks.

References

External links
 MSDS data sheet
 Nujol's historic use as an alternative medicine
 CAS Number for Nujol

Hydrocarbon solvents
Infrared spectroscopy
Alkanes


South Australia's state government turned on the switch for the world's biggest lithium-ion battery today, marking a signal achievement for rapid deployment of renewable energy resources.
Technically speaking, the 100-megawatt battery bank built by Tesla isn't the highest-capacity power storage system: Molten-salt batteries, for example, can store more energy for distribution over a longer time. Alphabet's X team, the "moonshot factory" associated with Google, is currently seeking commercial partners for a megawatt-scale, molten-salt battery project called Malta.
Even in the lithium-ion category, there are bigger power storage systems in the works: A battery bank that's being built for Southern California Edison can be expanded to store 300 megawatts of power.
But that battery isn't due for completion until 2021 or so. What's most notable about the Tesla facility connected to Neoen's Hornsdale Wind Farm is that it was installed under the terms of a "100 Days or It's Free" deal with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Today's switching-on ceremony took place just 63 days after the grid-connection agreement was signed in September, although Tesla got a head start on the project before the signing.
This entry was posted in GeekWire and tagged Australia, Batteries, Technology, Tesla Motors. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Q: Kivy installation does not find GL/gl.h? i just wanted to install kivy to test it and make some apps
i installed cython and the other things
then i typed into the terminal (ubuntu 12.04):
sudo easy_install kivy

as answer i got this:
Searching for kivy
Reading http://pypi.python.org/simple/kivy/
Best match: Kivy 1.2.0
Downloading http://pypi.python.org/packages/source/K/Kivy/Kivy-1.2.0.tar.gz#md5=468da8a353c2ea4936eb92d71403c960
Processing Kivy-1.2.0.tar.gz
Running Kivy-1.2.0/setup.py -q bdist_egg --dist-dir /tmp/easy_install-rcrkeK/Kivy-1.2.0/egg-dist-tmp-xdOqxi
[INFO   ] Kivy v1.2.0
WARNING: GLES 2.0 headers are not found
Fallback to Desktop opengl headers.
Build configuration is:
 * use_opengl_es2  =  False
 * use_glew  =  False
 * use_opengl_debug  =  False
 * use_mesagl  =  False
Generate config.h
Generate config.pxi
In file included from /tmp/easy_install-rcrkeK/Kivy-1.2.0/kivy/graphics/texture.c:273:0:
/tmp/easy_install-rcrkeK/Kivy-1.2.0/kivy/graphics/gl_redirect.h:38:22: fatal error: GL/gl.h: El fitxer o directori no existeix
compilation terminated.
 error: Setup script exited with error: command 'gcc' failed with exit status 1

did i something wrong? or do i need to install something?
P.S. sorry for the catalan El fitxer o directori no existeix means File not found.

A: You probably have to install mesa-common-dev, also see: Debian packages search.
If you have a Nvidia card, you may need to install nvidia-glx-dev.
You may experiment the same issue with the file glut.h, which is included in freeglut3-dev. Again, see the Debian packages which contain that file.

A: Install libgl1-mesa-dev package through apt. Also maybe you would wish to look on building instructions at launchpad:
http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~kivy-team/kivy/packaging/view/head:/debian/control

A: sudo apt-get install libgl1-mesa-dev


Boy, is that ever a bad title.
Regardless, I've been using this really neat little "widget" that allows you to view the current phase of the moon, its current percentage of full, and a link to get more moon phase info. You can view a demonstration of it on the blog I maintain for my classroom (it's mostly used for posting homework, in class writing assignments, and a portal for links). The widget is free, gives the viewer the current phase of the moon, and a link to download a piece of commercial software called QuickPhase, which allows you to print out moon phase calendars and create other learning tools useful in studying the moon. My class has been using it, with a moon clock we created in class to determine what time the moon rises and sets during certain phases, as well as get a chance to view the moon. Since we're in Michigan, most of the winter months are spent with overcast skies, so this is a nice way to study the moon whether or not you can see it.
I'm not endorsing the software as I don't own a copy of it, nor do I intend to pay for a piece of software that creates a calendar I could easily create using MS Publisher and a few images of the moon. However, the widget is really nice as the service is free. Simply visit the Daily Moon Phase Module Page, choose the options you'd like for your Moon Phase Clock and enter your e-mail. Once they've verified your e-mail account you're given some code that only requires a simple copy. Then paste it to your heart's content on any webpage you'd like. Of course, if you don't have a webpage you can always use the Current Moon Phase Page, which is just the widget on it's own, no need to send them any information or copy and paste code.
I know this post is ancient, but I still wanted to leave you a note to say thank you for the link. (",) I have had this widget on my google page for a wee while and love to be able to display it on my blog.
What if you want to have your mobile moon in your pocket, to watch the moon phases wherever you are?
Here is some videos about a moon phase app for most mobile platforms, all of them have FREE versions.
i tried putting it in my tumblr, and it doesn't appear anywhere.


Editors Notes: Keep your stud earring game strong with this mirror and pearly pair. They're sparkly and coming with an air of elegance everyone will love.
Style Tip: A crisp suit and these stud earrings and everyone will know you mean business.


SAARC Arbitration Council Jobs 2019 Latest Offers Vacancies for the Positions of PS to Director General. These posts are to be based PUNJAB Islamabad. The aforesaid Jobs are published in The Nation Newspaper. Last Date to Apply is February 15, 2019. More Details About PS to Director General See job notification for relevant experience, qualification and age limit information.


Track along the stalls in which Arthur's steeds have been stabled for the night, to find Lancelot busy examining a particular mare.
No - there is something in her hoof.
There. Give me the knife.
With a quick, deft movement he finds and removes something from the horse's hoof and pats the horse on the nose.
There, there, my old friend: everything's alright now. You'll gallop across the field of battle like a colt.
See to the roan: she needs ointment for her fetlocks.
The groom goes, and Lancelot continues to gentle the horse.
They didn't look properly, did they? They don't know you as I do, old friend.
Does anyone know you, Lancelot?
Lancelot turns, startled to see Morgaine has slipped into the stable. She has changed her gown, and looks more beautiful than we have ever seen her. Lancelot sees it too.
Morgaine! I would not have known you!
You look at me almost as if you thought I was beautiful.
Like a little bird. I longed to hold you, you know: that day on the tor.
What, lay my hand on one of my mother's new-sworn priestesses?
You must think me a brave man indeed.
But now your mother is far away - and I have already defied Avalon.
She gazes into his eyes and slowly he bends forward and they kiss.
A sigh of satisfaction runs through her, as if she is drinking a long-sought vintage.
That is what you have been missing.
Then be a fool no longer, Lance: be a man.
She looks out into the aisle between the stalls, and sees the coast is clear.
And taking his hand, she leads him to an empty, straw- filled stall and shuts the door.
Lancelot looks at her for a moment - and then pulls up her gown and thrusts her down into the straw.
The moon rises over Camelot. Push in on the window of one of the towers. Arthur is looking out into the night.
Gwenhwyfar is lying in bed. After a moment, Arthur turns to her and smiles. But she can't see the smile is a forced one: there is a weariness about the king as he comes toward her.
Lancelot and Morgaine roll apart and lie on their backs in the straw. Lancelot's face is bleak.
It happens, Lance. Think nothing of it.
What was it, then? Don't tell me you imagine this is a sin against God?
She pulls Lancelot into a sitting position, furious now.
You couldn't make love to me because all you could think of was Gwenhwyfar? Was that it?
You fool! She is your friend's wife; she is your queen. You cannot have her, Lancelot.
She doesn't love him; she loves me. She will never bear a child to Arthur.
Won't she, Lance? We'll see about that. And whether she loves him or not is beside the point: She is his queen. He is a good man. She will not leave him for you and I will not let you take her away from him.
Do you understand me? Answer, me Lancelot.
He turns his haggard eyes toward her.
Every day without her is a living death for me, Morgaine.
And she slaps him again.
Tight on a trowel digging through turf. A hand reaches into the earth and draws out a fungus. Morgaine drops the fungus into a leather bag.
Tight on a small sickle slicing a chunk of mistletoe from a tree; the parasitic plant falls straight into Morgaine's hand.
Tight on bright red berries falling into the same hand as it skims along a hedgerow.
The water in a brass cauldron hisses and splutters as Morgaine drops her berries and spices into it. She becomes aware of someone at her door, and turns to see Gwenhwyfar.
You will have your potion, Gwenhwyfar. You will have it tonight.
Gwenhwyfar rushes into the chamber and embraces her.
Thank you, Morgaine, I thank you with all my heart.
Morgaine looks stony-faced over Gwenhwyfar's shoulder.
You have done this kingdom a great service, Morgaine. May God bless you for it.
We track in towards the top of a bleak, roofless tower somewhere out on the moors.
Merlin is in the tower, running his hands over an ancient stone covered in runes, making notes on what he is deciphering. As he does so, something distracts him, and he stares ahead, as if aware that something terrible is happening just beyond his ken.
An even grander feast, with even more food and wine than before. Has Arthur partaken slightly more than is good for him? He slurs his words slightly as he speaks to Morgaine.
We must get you married, Morgaine, now you are no longer a priestess of Avalon. Here are all my companions, splendid fellows, all, and several of them wanting a wife. What about Bedwyr there?
You married me to the Lady Alwyn last month, Sire.
So I did, so I did. It slipped my mind. Well, you can't have Bedwyr, then. What about Lancelot?
A jolt of pain on Morgaine's face.
No, he's your aunt's son, isn't he? Too close a relation. But a good fellow, one of the best.
Another jolt of pain for Morgaine. And also for Gwenhwyfar. She has to stop this.
Morgaine - I have heard much of your skill with the harp. Would you sing for us?
At a nod from the queen, one of the court musicians hands Morgaine his harp, and Morgaine decides to go along with the request.
Gradually, stillness comes over the court as she plays a tune so full of poignant melancholy it has several of them almost in tears.
As she plays, Gwenhwyfar takes the vial containing Morgaine's love-potion and adds it to her drink and Arthur's. To ensure he drinks it, she links her arm through his and they drink together.
Tight on Morgaine's fingers as they pluck the strings of the harp - and when we look out a the Great Hall again it is almost empty.
Morgaine looks over at Arthur, leaning against Gwenhwyfar, almost asleep, quietly puts the harp down and steals away.
Your sister's music has bewitched you, Arthur. Come, it is time for bed.
But Arthur has begun to snore: Gwenhwyfar's face clouds, as she sees her plans coming to nothing. She looks down the table to where Lancelot is sitting in the shadows, leaning back in his chair, a goblet in his hand.
Lancelot, come and help. We need to get the king up to his chamber.
Lancelot comes over, and between them they get Arthur to his feet.
What happened to the music? Lovely music.
Come along, Sire, we have to get you to bed.
Ah, bed; lovely bed. Lovely music, lovely bed. Lovely wife. Lovely Lancelot.
And between them, Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar get him out of the great hall.
Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot get Arthur into the room and over to the bed.
Take his shirt, Lance, I'll never get him undressed otherwise.
Lancelot starts to remove Arthur's shirt, but before he is halfway through, the king has fallen right onto the bed, and the garment tears in Lancelot's hands. He and Gwenhwyfar look at each other: their closeness is almost unbearable to them.
As they pull a blanket over Arthur, his arms suddenly reach up and clasp them both. He pulls their faces down to him.
Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot, two people I love most in the world. Do you love me, Lancelot and Gwen? Come, lie beside me, one on either side. Want to talk to you.
Awkwardly, they sit, one on either side. Gradually, we realize Arthur is rather less drunk than he appears to be.
It's not your fault, Gwen, the child thing. You blame yourself, but I think it's me.
Kingdom needs an heir, Gwen. Otherwise all I'm fighting for is lost. All you're fighting for, too, Lance. A son of yours, Lance, conceived in the king's bed, would be heir to my kingdom. Will you do this for me, my friend?
Cannot? Say not that. I've seen how you two look at each other. I understand, believe me, I understand. Will you do this thing?
It's for my - it's for my lady to say.
Listen to this, my dearest - if I am here with you, and a child should come of this, none of us need ever know for certain. And you will be able to swear, with truth, that the child was conceived in the king's bed.
Gwenhwyfar stands up, and looks from Arthur to Lancelot - and then, with a swift gesture, unties the neck of her gown so it falls from her, leaving her naked. And steps towards the bed.
Patricius is at prayer. As he finishes praying and opens his eyes, he finds himself looking straight at a grim- faced Merlin.
Ah, Merlin. What a pleasure to see you. You do not often grace the holy church with your presence.
You are trying to persuade the king to renounce his oath to preserve Avalon.
I, my dear Merlin? Is that what you believe?
The queen, under your guidance, as you very well know.
The queen has a mind of her own, Merlin, and is a good Christian. Perhaps she sees it is time to put the past behind us and turn our faces to the future.
If Arthur breaks his oath to preserve Avalon, he loses Avalon's support; he splits the nation - and you and I will be swept away in the tides of barbarism.
You may be; I may be. But the holy church will endure, unsullied by ancient superstition.
Or bereft of ancient truths. Patricius - I urge you: defend your own beliefs, yes - but do not try to sweep away every other kind of wisdom. We are all impoverished if you do.
Your time is past, old man: the future belongs to the church. There is nothing you can about it.
Think you so,Patricius? Think you so?
On the clouded waters of the sacred well. They bubble and swirl, and fleeting images appear in them (the Saxon attack on the road, Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar by the fire, Morgaine's potion) but they are so brief and jumbled, they're unidentifiable.
On Viviane's troubled face as she gazes into the well.
All around her, thick morning mist. She looks at Raven on the far side of the well.
I can see nothing. Scraps, mere scraps that make no sense. The sight is leaving me.
Raven shakes her head urgently.
I should be training my successor, Raven. Where is she?
Where is Morgaine, Mother? Where is my Morgaine ...?
The sound of a STICK TAPPING, coming closer: As both women turn, Merlin emerges through the mist, much older now, slow and wheezing, leaning heavily on the stick. Viviane helps him sit down on the stone bench around the sacred well.
Morgaine is at Camelot, Viviane. But as I warned you, she has turned her back on you for what you did to her, and cloaked herself from your sight. You strove too hard, there, lady, and have spun your player out of the game.
Morgaine is no game-piece to me, Merlin. I love her as my own daughter. I want her as my successor. You cannot know the pain I feel at losing her.
Then you should not have tricked her into bearing her half- brother's child, Viviane. However desperate is Avalon's case.
He looks at the Tree of Avalon: sicklier yet.
Arthur knows nothing about the child, Viviane. Morgaine left her son in the far north before she returned to court.
Not ... not with Morgause?
With Morgause. We cannot order everything according to our wishes. Thanks to you, Morgaine has given birth to one in whom the ancient magic runs strong: but she did it against her will, and she has no love for the child.
Morgause will teach the boy the art of survival, which he will surely need. But let that unfold as it will - I have come to talk to you of another matter: a more urgent one.
Arthur is being persuaded to renounce his oath to Avalon.
What? He would never dare! Without the support of Avalon, without the tribes, his whole rule will come crumbling down.
Which we, of course, cannot afford, while Mordred is still a child.
Nor can we afford that the High King who has sworn to us should forswear us. This pressure comes from Gwenhwyfar, does it not? That Christian. You let Patricius outmaneuver you there, did you not?
I did. I regret it. But the task now is not to reproach each other but to fathom how to repair the damage.
Beat. Viviane looks at the weary old man - and her gaze softens.
True, Merlin. We can both err. Forgive me.
It is forgotten. And now: how to bring pressure of our own on Arthur.
There are many under-kings who are loyal to the Goddess: could we send one of them to Camelot to talk to him, remind him of his duties to the old ways?
But his son Accolon is strong in the old faith, and so is Uriens. I will send word to Wales.
Time is of the essence, Viviane. Gwenhwyfar grows more desperate, more demanding every day.
My powers may be waning, Merlin, but I can still achieve a sending. Raven, prepare the herbs.
I must appear this night in the court of Uriens of Wales.
Morgaine walks in the moonlight along the battlements, looking out over the quiet countryside. Suddenly she hears a sound of METAL SLIDING ON STONE, and goes to investigate.
In a dark corner, hidden by a tower, Lancelot is sitting between two crenellations. He looks around guiltily as she appears.
Oh, it's you. I thought some Saxon had scaled the walls.
This isn't because of me, is it? Hardly. Don't tell me you're killing yourself for the sake of that damned Gwenhwyfar.
For Gwenhwyfar and Arthur. I was there. I helped him to his bed.
I was in the bed with them both, Morgaine.
Morgaine looks at him and raises an eyebrow.
So, you got your wish. You made love to the blonde with her husband's consent.
Because I did not just lust after Gwenhwyfar in that bed, Morgaine.
He can't finish the sentence: but he doesn't need to.
Don't laugh at me, Morgaine. I will burn in hell for this. How can I stay by his side, knowing what I know now?
There is no hell, and you are a fool to believe in it. But I understand your problem.
You must marry. You must marry a beautiful, virtuous wife and go with her to live in her father's kingdom, far from Arthur and Gwenhwyfar.
I think I would rather die.
No: you aren't to blame for loving Arthur, you aren't to blame for loving Gwenhwyfar and not me: but destroying yourself, when your land has need of you: that would be a crime. Go from here with a wife, Lancelot. Start your life anew.
Morgaine closes her eyes: and conjours a vision of Elaine as Lancelot sees her.
Elaine, Gwenhwyfar's lady in waiting, has long adored you. I have seen it in her eyes. Pellinore, her father, is a good man, and old. You could take the lady Elaine back to her country without shame.
Such is the force of Morgaine's will that Lancelot does indeed begin to see Elaine in his mind. And then puzzlement comes over his face.
Why are you saying this, Morgaine? I thought, after ... you hated me.
I love you, Lance, fool that I am. I still want you be happy. And I want my brother Arthur to be happy too. While you are in this court, lusting after Gwenhwyfar and the King, that cannot be. Marry Elaine and get you gone from here. Will you do it, Lancelot?
Lancelot looks down at the dizzying drop beneath him and lets out a long breath.
Then, with a sudden, athletic movement, he springs back onto the battlements beside Morgaine.
You are a priestess of Avalon, Morgaine. I can no more disobey you than I can my mother.
Elaine, waiting outside the inner chamber, calls through to the queen inside.
I have loved him ever since I saw him, Your Majesty. I just - never dared hope. And then the Lady Morgaine told me there was hope. And I spoke to him - and - he asked me. Oh, Your Majesty - I am the happiest woman in England.
There is a tension-filled pause - and then Gwenhwyfar bursts out of the inner chamber, her face black with fury.
Lancelot asked you to be his wife? Egged on by Morgaine? And you said yes. Of course you did. What could be more natural? Don't look at me like that, you simpering fool. Take that question off your face or I'll take it off for you.
Evidently Elaine doesn't change her expression fast enough, because Gwenhwyfar slaps her across the face with some force.
You have a husband. Very good! But do I have a child to give the King? No. That's what you'll whisper to the rest of my women: the Queen has her courses again. Get out of my sight - I never want to see you again.
And she strides past her and out of the room.
Arthur is in a conference with Bedwyr, Cai and several others of his companions, poring over a map, as Gwenhwyfar enters. As Arthur looks up and sees her expression, he waves his knights out of the room. The door has scarcely closed behind them when Gwenhwyfar has launched herself on him.
So much for the love of your friend. So much for your dear sister's potions. So much for condemning me to everlasting damnation by that beastliness in our marriage bed.
My courses have come on me. I bear you no child, Arthur.
I took poison from a witch, I slept with you and your friend and gave myself to your lust and ungodliness - and all for nothing.
No baby, no baby ... where is my baby, Arthur? Where is the child I can suckle at my breast? Give him to me, High King, give him to me.
There, there my love. Don't cry. You will have a child, one day, when God wills it. It is in his hands, not ours, Gwen. Don't cry.
God does not reward sinners.
We are all sinners, my sweet. He knows that, and understands.
Unless it is a great sin: something too great for even God to forgive.
Arthur: is there anything on your conscience, anything you did - before you met me, that God might be punishing us for?
The question strikes home. Tight on Arthur's face as he remembers the Great Marriage and Morgaine. But this is something he can never confess.
I have always striven to be a good man, Gwenhwyfar. God knows that.
Then why do you fight under a pagan banner, husband?
She points to the Pendragon banner, displayed on the wall.
Because I am King of a Britain in which followers of God and followers of the Goddess fight side by side against a common foe. Because I am sworn to defend the old ways as well as the new.
You cannot be a pagan King as well as a Christian one. You fight against pagans. You should carry the sign of the Cross, not the emblem of heathens.
God and the Goddess are but different faces of the same being, Gwenhwyfar. To deny one is to deny part of ourselves, to halve our strength. The Goddess is not some Saxon horse-idol: she is the Great Mother to us all.
Gwenhwyfar removes herself from his arms and stands before him.
She is not the great mother to me, My Lord. She will not give me a child. And while you carry that banner God will not give me a child either. You say you are a good man: but you condemn your wife to barrenness - for the sake of an oath to painted savages.
I despise you, Arthur Pendragon. Neither good Christian, nor good pagan, nor good husband to me.
And she storms out, leaving Arthur gazing bleakly after her.
Morgaine is on the battlements, looking down into the castle courtyard, from which the sounds of revelry float up. A voice speaks quietly beside her.
So Lancelot and Elaine are wed.
Morgaine turns to him, and Accolon bows.
Accolon of Wales. Son of King Uriens. And like yourself, Lady Morgaine, a follower of the Goddess.
Morgaine appraises him: he's a good-looking man.
I saw you at the Tournament.
I have heard you once lived on the Isle of Mists.
I trained there, as a priestess.
How I long to go there.
To learn, Morgaine. But if I cannot go there ... perhaps ... you might teach me.
Morgaine looks at him frankly.
Rack focus to a figure on one of the castle's higher towers. It is Gwenhwyfar, watching them.
Igraine is praying alone - and the sounds of a TOURNAMENT drift into the silent chapel. She opens her eyes and looks around, puzzled. And then she begins to see, fading in and out of vision near the altar, a distorted vision of the tournament field of Camelot.
As with Igraine's other visions, the next scene will begin through her slightly distorted, and gradually revert to normal vision.
Mock battle and trials of combat are being held in the courtyard.
Lancelot is there with Elaine: the ceremony over, they are both wearing the marriage garland on their heads - and look surprisingly happy. Arthur claps with delight as one of the contests ends - and turns to see Uriens beside him, with his Christian son, a dark-browed young man named VALOCH, who wears a prominent cross.
Have you thought, My Lord, of the boon I craved of you?
Gwenhwyfar, overhearing, glances questioningly at Arthur.
Uriens has long been a widower, Gwen, and wishes to marry again.
I would like to be allied with your house, my Lady, and I asked the King if there is a woman of your court who might be willing to become queen of North Wales.
You have no need of a new wife, Father. Is not the memory of my mother sacred to you?
Your mother has been dead these seven years, Valoch. We cannot mourn forever.
As Gwenhwyfar listens a smile spreads over her face - as a stroke of genius occurs to her. She turns to Arthur.
Morgaine? But - is she not too young?
I think she would be happy with an older man. She is no giddy young thing. What think you, King Uriens?
The King's own sister? I would be honored, My Lord, if she would have me.
On Valoch, shocked. He knows Morgaine is a follower of the Goddess.
Let us discuss this further, at a later time.
And he disappears into the crowd.
Gwen: Morgaine - for Uriens?
He is a good man, of the old religion you prize so much, as she is, and an important ally. Should we not at least ask Morgaine?
But Gwenhwyfar is already beckoning Morgaine to them through the crowd.
Morgaine - we have had an offer of marriage for you.
How would you like to join the royal house of North Wales? There is one of the old religion there who would wish to wed you.
I will not try to pretend I am a surprised as all that, brother.
Why, he did not tell me he had spoken to you, the sly fellow.
You may tell him I would be happy to live in North Wales.
Well, I am happy for you, Morgaine. Very happy. You shall have Tintagel as your dower.
He stands up: a trumpeter, at his nod, blows a blast and the field falls silent.
There is a stirring of interest around the courtyard Lancelot looks up keenly.
To King Uriens of North Wales.
King Uriens stands up, and comes towards the royal dais.
Crash zoom on Morgaine's horrified face as she realizes she has been tricked.
Crash zoom on Accolon's as he sees the woman he loves being taken away from him by his own father.
On Gwenhwyfar, savoring the taste of triumph over a woman she has come to hate.
Morgaine opens her mouth to protest - and then stops.
I knew then that Gwenhwyfar had taken her revenge on me: and there was nothing I could do about it. To refuse Uriens would be to humiliate a good old man - and cost Arthur the loyalty of half Wales.
Accolon too knew what was at stake - and though as heartsick as I - understood what I had to do.
He shakes his head; Morgaine cannot go back on Arthur's pronouncement. She composes her features, smiles, and reaches out to take Uriens' hand.
The strange thing was, that in taking that step, I brought myself the few years of steady happiness my life was to bring me. Such is the playfulness of the gods.
Viviane is looking into the sacred well, seeing glimpses of the previous scenes, but tantalizingly brief and indecipherable. And then she sees something that startles her: the eyes of Merlin, troubled, in pain.
Merlin has entered a grove of trees and collapsed, exhausted, beside one of them. He tries to rise - and sinks down again. The wind stirs the leaves around him and the branches of the trees CREAK ... as Viviane appears.
Lady of the Lake! Ah, it is good to see you at the last.
No: not at the last: come, I will take you to Avalon, to the house of healing.
I will never see Avalon again, Viviane. My time has come.
Merlin shifts himself so he's sitting back against the tree. The creaking of the branches becomes stronger.
The Goddess is calling me, Viviane. I must heed her.
Arthur will turn away from Avalon, Viviane. We must find Arthur's son - and bring him to us.
We need him, Viviane. And you will find him.
The tree begins to open up - around Merlin.
We have fought well together, you and I, Viviane. The battle goes on. You will lead it well, I know.
I cannot do it without you!
You must try, Lady, you must try. It is the will of the Goddess.
And the tree closes around him.


I curated for the Composer's Voice Concert Series "Wooden't It Be Nice?", an evening of wildly eclectic new music for strings and woodwinds on Thursday, June 16 at 7:30pm at the Firehouse Space.
This concert features 3 world premieres by Masatora Goya, Felipe Salles, and Spencer Snyder, as well as a New York premiere by Ronald Pearl. The concert also features works by Osvaldo Golijov, Dina Pruzhansky, and Gene Pritsker. Performers include Rachel Arky, Molly Aronson, Melanie Chirignan, Kenji Haba, Rachel Hauser, Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, Taka Kigawa, and Michelle Painter.
$10 admission. Please stop by to witness a new flux of contemporary chamber music!!