Undisputed II follows up to the 2002 film, Undisputed, a film without Scott Adkins and which basically is a film that made no money. Undisputed II is very different from the earlier version.
The movie takes place in Russia, following two combatants from different parts of the world and how their fates shake hands in an underground fighting arena.
Disgraced former Boxer George "The Iceman" Chambers, played by Michael Jai White has been reduced to appearing in Russian vodka commercials to get back on his feet after going broke. Unfortunately, his arrival in Russia sees him thrown in prison after he is framed for drug possession.
The man responsible for Chambers predicament is Russian mafioso Gaga, who has orchestrated the plot in order to pit Chambers against the reigning champion of prison MMA fighters, Yuri Boyka, played by Scott Adkins. Chambers has no interest in the competition, but his efforts at appealing his conviction are blocked at every turn.
In this movie Boyka is the villain where he is essentially the king of the prison fighting circuit and not someone you would want to mess with. He is a well built tall man with impressive muscles, distinctive high and tight haircut in a fade style and numerous tattoos all over his body. His Russian accent is convincing and nobody is using the fuckworlds more often than him.
When he walks into a room he just exudes fury and everyone will move out of the way. He is a man obsessed with becoming the "Most Complete Fighter in the World".
Yuri Boyka brings you brutal and relentless kick box action. During the first fight between Boyka and Chambers, Scott Adkins really struck Michael Jai White in the face with his Guyver Kick!
In order to look like an intimidating opponent for the massive Michael Jai White, Scott Adkins had to pack on a significant amount of muscle, and the added weight made it somewhat more difficult for him to perform flips, somersaults, and flying kicks.
This is the film that really made Scott Adkins famous both because of his acting and his fighting abilities. Boyka now is one of the most beloved characters in the martial arts movie genre. "Undisputed 2" is one film where viewers are proud to root for the bad guy.
If you look up Yuri Boyka tattoos photos, you will see that he has tattoos on his chest back, neck, arm, pecs, shoulders and forearm.
The Star tattoos are probably influenced by Russian prisons, where tattoos tell stories and signify the "rank" or status of the prisoner. Two matching 8-point stars on the prisoner's shoulders mean that he is a professional criminal. Two matching 8-point stars on the knees imply anarchic views ("no one can make me fall to my knees"). Yuri Boyka in the movie Undisputed III: Redemption has them on their chest, so their meaning is probably an amalgamate of the two.
In general, stars tattoos signify the hope of a person to be a star or even determination to reach for the stars. The number of points the star has also determines the meaning. Yuri Boyka workout must be a real challenge, but can help one get a truly ripped and fit physique.
The "Q" looking tattoo on his chest looks like a Japanese symbol enso. It symbolizes enlightenment, elegance, strength, the universe, and mu (the void). In Zen, it is a circle drawn in one or two brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create.
In Russian prisons, barbed wire tattooed across the forehead signifies a life sentence without possibility of parole. Scott Adkins barbed wire tattoo is on his arm, so it probably has an adapted meaning. In general, a barbed wire tattoo is a way to express strength and that one has overcome a particularly hard experience, as well as religious faith.


The Grimm are all about honest style and comfort from toe to heel. Padded tongue and collar hug your foot. The shoes feature interesting asymmetric detailing, a suede upper plus the molded rubber outsole with vulcanized construction adds extra grip when you need it. The Molded Recliner Comfort insole gets you some extra comfort.


Below is an essay on "All Together as One" from Anti Essays, your source for research papers, essays, and term paper examples.
Thesis: A Family is a social structure that consists of a group of people who are important to one another and offer each other love, support and respect, especially in a time of need.
What is a family? Are all families the same? Everyone has been part of a family structure, but the definition of an average family in today's society consists of immediate and/or extended, nuclear, and homosexual groups combined. What do all these groups have in common? Each one shares the importance of each member including love, support and respect, especially in a time of need.
An immediate family consists of parent, spouse, and child including step-children, foster children, step-parents, and foster parents. But to most people growing up in today's society, an immediate family or an extended family is considered two or more people who live under the same roof, and support one another with love and respect. Within an immediate and extended family, parents may be the most influential, but the non-parental adults(siblings, aunt, uncles, and grandparents) may play an important role in the healthy development of their offspring or of the surrounding people within the family. A study asked youths between the ages of 12-17 where they get their support. The majority of the group reported that 75% of their support came from their mother, while their father came in second at 50%, siblings at 25%, aunt 14%, grandmother 13%, and uncle 8% (Benson). Teachers, neighbors, clergy, and youth workers, may be a small percentage of the people young adolescents identify as being helpful, the previous categories of influenced groups identify as being helpful and are also seen more frequently than those in the extended family as well as hold more of an importance for communication (Scales and Gibbons).
Morgan Stanley - Becoming a "One-Firm Firm"


text:
Edinburgh veterinary nurses promoted to the paw-fect jobs
AN EDINBURGH veterinary nurse has swapped a consult room for an office after being appointed Practice Manager.
Elaine Paterson has been promoted to the key role at Braid Vets in Edinburgh, where she was previously Head Veterinary Nurse for nearly three years.
Elaine, who has worked in the veterinary profession since starting as a student nurse in Galashiels in 1993, oversees a team of 15 nurses and nine receptionists at Braid Vets' three sites in Mayfield Road and Leith Walk, Edinburgh, and their Dalkeith surgery.
She joined Braid Vets in 2012 when they took over Esk Valley Vets, where she previously worked, and has quickly risen through the ranks.
After more than 20 years assisting vets in surgery, running nurse clinics and treating poorly pets, she will now focus on the running of Braid Vets – the only practice in Edinburgh with veterinary hospital status.
Elaine said: "It is the team at Braid Vets that makes the practice so special, and it is a real honour to be appointed as practice manager.
"We have a group of lovely people, who are highly skilled and dedicated, so they are a real pleasure to work alongside.
"As much as I will miss the clinical side of nursing, I love the management and organisational side, and I'm looking forward to supporting other people in their role."
Elaine, who is originally from Newtown St Boswells, grew up surrounded by animals as her dad, Bill Crombie, was yard foreman at the local auction mart, and the family lived on site.
Liz McAlpine, a senior nurse with Braid Vets' emergency out-of-hours service, has been promoted to head veterinary nurse.
Liz has worked at Braid Vets for 10 years after joining them from Napier University in Edinburgh, where she studied for a BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing degree.
After originally working as a part-time kennel assistant at Braid Vets while still a student, she worked her way up as student veterinary nurse, senior nurse and now head nurse.
She has spent the last 18 months working for their e-vets out-of-hours service, dealing with pets brought in after road accidents, suffering from serious illness and other emergencies.
Dumbarton-born Liz said: "I love being a nurse and I can't wait to put all my experience to good use in my new role as head veterinary nurse.
"We are a very happy team at Braid Vets. Everyone enjoys coming to work because we get on so well and are given every opportunity to progress in our role."
Braid Vets is part of VetPartners, which is made up of some of the UK's most respected and trusted veterinary practices.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Recently New York City began what might well be the grandest of all urban reinventions, becoming as livable as a city can be. One of the world's most congested places is a haven for bikers, with expanded bike lanes and bike rental hubs seemingly everywhere. Entire blocks have been dedicated solely for pedestrians, creating mini parks where there was only traffic. Add to this stringent gun laws, environmental programs, public health initiatives, great boutique hotels in NYC, and one understands why distant cities have been inspired to adopt similar initiatives. And with reinvention comes inspiration. Today, New York fosters an environment where design, architecture, sustainability, and humanitarian efforts are thriving, giving the destination soul…to say nothing of our boutique and luxury NYC hotels. A visit to New York City always makes for an exciting trip, but today's New York can do more. It can open your eyes. Below find a list of our selection of boutique and luxury hotels in New York City.
Which hotel suits your preferences? Get inspired.
Kit Kemp's signature aesthetic at Crosby Street Hotel mirrors the individuality of New York's SoHo.
Step into a 21st-century Renaissance at Gramercy Park Hotel, where jewel-toned colors and masterpieces whisk you to another time.
Post-industrial Manhattan gets a warm Latin soul at Hôtel Americano, decked out with rich materials, atmospheric lighting, and hi-tech gadgets.
The Ludlow Hotel is the Lower East Side's hip new living room with a singular, loft-like feel and welcoming vibrant public spaces.
Social consciousness meets game-changing design at this hip new hub for downtown New York's creative community.
Midtown Manhattan emits downtown flair with Kit Kemp's stunningly designed home base for the creative class.


Saratoga Series watches feature recessed Roman numeral bezels. The dial is a custom minted Great Seal medallion enhanced with our extreme precision 24K gold accents on silver plate AureTone™ finish. A Swiss parts movement powers each watch, which is complemented by a genuine leather strap.
Saratoga Series watches feature recessed Roman numeral bezels. The dial is a custom minted Great Seal medallion enhanced with our extreme precision 24K gold accents on silver plate AureTone™ finish. A Swiss parts movement powers each watch, which is complemented by a genuine leather strap. Each comes with the security of a lifetime warranty against defect and is accompanied by a unique numbered signet and certificate of authenticity.


text:
Clean Power
Published on October 8th, 2014 | by Jake Richardson
250 MW Of Distributed Solar Power To Be Developed In Mexico By New Partnership
October 8th, 2014 by Jake Richardson
A new partnership has been formed between Schneider Electric, Greenwood Energy, and ILIOSS (a Mexican energy company based in Mexico City )to sell electricity from distributed solar power facilities to customers in Mexico.
The distributed solar systems will be built by ILIOSS and financed by Greenwood Energy. Once completed, the solar arrays will be owned by Greenwood. It is anticipated that they will be finished by 2017 at a cost of $500 million.
Greenwood Energy is the North and Latin American clean energy division of the Libra Group, which is an international business group focused on clean energy and a number of other fields like aviation, shipping, and real estate.
Solar energy's future is incredibly bright in Mexico, and this partnership with ILIOSS further expands our presence in Latin America, one of the world's fastest-growing energy markets. Each new solar system helps our customers reduce energy consumption and costs, while we contribute to helping Mexico reduce its carbon footprint and diversify its energy sources. — Camilo Patrignani, CEO of Greenwood Energy.
Schneider Electric is one of the oldest electric power providers in the world. In 2013, the company had over $3 billion in sales. Schneider will offer long-term sales contracts to customers for the power generated by the new arrays, and provide array components.
Arrays will be located at sites with more than 1,200 square feet of rooftop or parking spaces and with utility bills of more than 30,000 pesos.
"Mexico's energy reform legislation is creating a highly competitive market for commercial power customers. Our partnership with Schneider is evidence of the demand for affordable, reliable, and low emission electricity," said David Arelle, CEO of ILIOSS.
Mexico wants to generate 35% of its electricity from renewables by 2024. Two years ago, only 4% of its electricity came from wind, solar and geothermal, but wind and solar could grow rapidly.
As previously reported on Cleantechnica, Mexico does have a very impressive potential for solar power development: "Mexico's average solar resources for PV (5 kWh/m2/day) are more than 60% higher than the best solar in Germany (5.4 GW of installed PV)."
Image Credit: Mitrush, Wiki Commons
Tags: Camilo Patrignani, David Arelle, distributed solar power, Greenwood Energy, ILIOSS, Libra Group, Mexico, Mexico City, schneider electric
Jake Richardson Hello, I have been writing online for some time, and enjoy the outdoors. If you like, you can follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeRsol
Mitsui To Partner With Indian Company For Distributed Solar Projects →
Mexico's Fires Are Creating Dangerous Levels Of Air Pollution, Real-Time Data Show →
Too Many Cities Are Growing Out Rather Than Up — 3 Reasons That's A Problem →
Which Countries Use The Most Fossil Fuels? →


Since 1976, Marcelin Home Appliance has been the preferred supplier of barbecue grills and outdoor kitchen equipment in Miami and the surrounding area. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff will assist you to choose the right barbecue grill, which will enhance the experience of your backyard gatherings and celebrations.
We carry top brands such as Napoleon, Alfresco, Coyote and more. With these brands, you can rest assured that you are getting cutting-edge technology with high standards. We can cater to any price range with our wide variety of grills and outdoor kitchen equipment.
Copyright © 2018 marcelingrills.com All rights reserved.


Part 4 of the reunion of the Black Gospel Ensemble at Morehead State University on October 8, 2008.
Morehead State University. Office of Communications and Marketing, "Black Gospel Ensemble Reunion: (Oct. 8, 2009)- Pt. 4" (2009). Morehead State Video and Audio Archives. 494.


text:
barack obama dick cheney global warming iraq liz cheney lynne cheney politico pt the family that preys together stays together rand paul
Politico Helps Cheney Family Continues Their Spectacular Charm Offensive Tour
snipy
Politico, which is a publication we all still have to pretend isn't just a retrograde mouthpiece for dickheads, gave human death's head mask Dick Cheney, his bride of satan, Lynne, and his chip-off-the-old-demon Liz (the gay offspring wisely declined to attend) a lunchtime platform to spew some nonsense and hate about oh, so many things really. You have to hand it to the Cheney family. Their hatefulness is really really well-rounded.
You know that Dick is all about explaining how great going to Iraq and killing a couple hundred thousand people and spending trillions of dollars was, but we'll work up to that. Let's start with a little appetizer from Liz about how global warming is just a dirty liberal lie. It's weird that she is able to actually talk while gobbling coal Koch quite so hard, though.
On one occasion, Liz Cheney was asked what the Republican Party should do on climate change. "Nothing," she said, adding that the Obama administration's climate change policies are a thinly veiled attack on the coal industry. "It is bad policy. It is bad science," she argued, saying that the growth of bureaucracy and the Environmental Protection Agency is a bigger threat to the U.S. than climate change.
If only we taught little schoolchildren they should value privatization, strip mining, and small government instead of celebrating Earth Day, America would be a better place.
We're actually not sure why Lynne was there, as she didn't seem to want to pimp her new book, which we thought was the only reason she was crawling out of her crypt these days. Her role seemed to be limited to assisting Liz in refusing to talk about how terrible the rest of the Cheney family is to their gay kid/sibling. Good job, mom.
All right, all right. You've waited long enough. What did Dick have to say that was any more awful than the last time he opened his gaping hell maw? Was it his whining about how the isolationist wing of the Republican party, championed by Rand, Son of Ron, makes him sad? Naw, because we're totally down with Republican infighting. Was it his idiotic throwaway comment about how it is a good thing if Congress does nothing, which is a startlingly disingenuous and absurd statement from a man who basically spent his entire life in the government? Nope, because we know he can do better/worse. Was it how he's pretty sure Hispanics should be Republicans?, No, even though that was pretty stupid.
"I am one of those people who believes that the party ought to be doors wide open for everybody," [...]"And I see a lot of folks in the Hispanic community. Those are people who ought to be conservative — religious. And are here in many cases because they worked very very hard to get here and because they care about those things."
Hmmm. Maybe they don't feel like your party doors are wide open because of how you and your ilk keep threatening to murder them all at the border, basically? Just a thought.
No, to really be awful, Dick had to return to his real roots as a war machine apologist and explain that 'Merica is built for fightin' and that's all, dammit.
Cheney said the next president needs to "turn around the whole trend" of cutting defense dollars.
"That ought to be our top priority for spending. Not food stamps, not highways or anything else," Cheney said. "Your No. 1 responsibility as president is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Awful as that is, it does make sense for the Cheneys of the world, because the Cheneys of the world will be the only people left in America to protect after our infrastructure and economy completely crumble thanks to the Cheneys of the world.
Thank god we dodged having his daughter hold an elective office. We'd be happy to pay for whatever military funding it takes to ensure that never happens.
[Politico/TPM/HuffPo]


Room485 Junior provides an advertising experience for youngsters, building understanding on advertising industry from the insides. Its an intersection of "playducation" & real-world experience. Young students learn by doing from instructors who are professionals in advertising and design world. Students develop ideas and advertising campaigns, videos, apps, products and new business models, take part in ad forums and festivals.
The school provides various types of programs including summer school, internship and fulltime modules.
Here in ROOM 485, we believe in curious minds. We believe in the power of imagination and restless fantasy. We believe in the power & unity of big and small. And thus, we decided to share the beauty of advertising with the future generation.
If ADVERTISING is so much fun - why wait to grow up?!


We also have a range of other tools, such as saws, hammers, wood chisels and the like from brands such as Amtech, and Harris Victory.
If you have a pair of shears in need of sharpening our resident Blacksmith Arthur can sort you out. Located through the tree section, Arthur always has a range of metal work on display for purchase.
Please ring the nursery for further information, or enquiry.


text:
Pelomyiella hungarica is een vliegensoort uit de familie van de Canacidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1928 door Czerny.

Canacidae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A lot of people rave about how social media is a blight on the society; an addiction one can't get rid of; or just another excuse to procrastinate. But what they don't realise is that its popularity makes it the perfect platform to market any brand or business. Maybe social media isn't all pros, but neither is anything else. The fact that it is so widespread and influential makes it all the more important for a business to have a presence on the various social media platforms.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are now more widely used around the world than conventional newspapers, and marketing your brand through these channels is much more lucrative nowadays, especially since it's free. It just requires some amount of skill and a lot of hard work and alertness. Here are some tips on how to use these platforms to your advantage.
The thing about social media is the sheer number of users you can reach out to, and when has it ever been a bad idea to get more people to read about your business? It's a great way to gain visibility, because not only is there much more traffic on it than ever before, but perhaps more importantly, it's also free (or much less expensive than other channels). Another advantage is that because of all the tracking social media platforms do, your advertisements usually reach only targeted audience, who are actually interested in your product or service. All this makes the art of social media advertising a useful tool.
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is what is done to make your business come out on top of any related search results. You could pay to have your website or blog on the top of a search, but you could also use keywords and other smart ways to do it for free! Being active, getting recommendations from other sites and putting out genuinely good content is what will get you the most points here, and higher your SEO ranking, the higher your website would be in someone's search results.
Even those who know about how useful social media can be to promote a business are not always making the best of it. Advertisements are not the only way to get people to like you. You need to engage your present clientele, address any complaints they have and be at their beck and call, and using social media channels is the best way to do that.
It's increasingly common nowadays for someone to post a complaint or review on social media about any establishment. Replying to these reviews, be it good or bad, is usually very helpful. Being polite while doing so, and also being prompt in addressing complaints on these social media channels, is essential.
This is perhaps the most important thing to remember while maintaining your social media presence. If you own a business, you must keep in mind that it's not only your business people have an eye on; it's also you. One wrong move online may very well bring needless attention. Avoid typos or rude comments, especially while posting through your business profile. You must be active, but that doesn't mean you can let your guard down while on social media.
All this said, it's now true that the tech-savvy people of the world are much more likely to succeed in any business than anyone else. Skills like data analytics, SEO, blogging, etc. are not just hobbies anymore. They are now things that make new graduates more employable. Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing are actual job profiles now, creating employment opportunities because businesses are slowly realising its importance and dedicating sectors to this field.


Open Studio - last chance to visit!
This weekend on Fore Hill, Ely - Cambridge Open Studio number 204 - Saturday and Sunday 11am 'til 6pm - 20% off usual retail prices for open studio only - come and have a browse. This is the last weekend my studio will be open but other studios may be open through July - please check the Cambridge Open Studio guide.


People are no longer thinking in terms of red or blue, they are open to the rainbow of political thoughts and colours.
Walking the streets of West Windsor over the last few days the one thing that is very clear is that people are waking up and not willing to tolerate the obvious contempt that the major parties hold them in.
Whether you voted leave or remain, you are probably completely disgusted with the way that our parliament has behaved over the last few years, more specifically the last few days and hours.
Under this current parliament we live in a dictatorship and the EU is at the centre making all the decisions, treating our parliament as puppets.
The local election on 2nd May will underline to parliament what the people want and that they'd best listen because they're next for the chopping block.
Locally you have a chance to make your feelings felt by voting for one or more of the independent candidates who will have your local interests at heart.
They are accountable to you through regular surgeries, down at your local pub and in your local residents association?


Sergio Garcia's chances of a repeat victory, in 2018, at The Masters literally went down the drain on Thursday. Mirroring a scene from the Kevin Costner movie "Tin Cup", Garcia hit five consecutive shots into the water on the 15th hole. His final score on the hole was a 13.
The collective gasps and disbelief in the patrons behind the green of the 15th hole can be heard throughout the highlights of Garcia's epic meltdown.
Garcia ended up shooting an 81 for the round, +9 over par. He is tied for second to last in the field of 85 for The Masters. His Round 2 tee time on Friday is set for 1:38pm EDT/ 12:38pm CDT.
The Masters leader after Round 1 is Jordan Spieth. He carded a 66 good for -6 under par. Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar are immediately behind Spieth at -4 and seven golfers are tied for fourth at -3. Tiger Woods ended the day shooting +1 over par with a 73.


Hard drives able to hold 3 TB of data need to be considered carefully because they might not always work as expected. This round-up of four high-capacity disks compares products from Hitachi, Seagate, and Western Digital, then covers their caveats.
The latest 3.5" hard drives offer up to 3 TB of storage capacity. Western Digital was first with its Caviar Green WD30EZRS, and now Hitachi and Seagate have added competing products to their portfolios.
In this comparison, we put the Western Digital drive up against its 3 TB competitors: two drive from Hitachi (the Deskstar 5K3000 HDS5C3030ALA630 and Deskstar 7K3000 HDS723030ALA640), as well as Seagate's Barracuda XT ST33000651AS.
Sure, the 3 TB labels on the hard drives look impressive, but you have to exercise caution on many computers, which are incapable of recognizing and utilizing the drives properly. Making them run as intended often requires particular platform choices and a suitable operating system. And you can forget about using them as boot drives if you're not using a UEFI-equipped motherboard.
Despite those configuration-related hurdles (which we're going to have to collectively overcome at some point anyway if we want to see even larger disks), 3 TB drives still represent a very important pillar in storage environments, either at home or in enterprises. SSDs are superior in many ways, but they're definitely not in the position to displace conventional hard drives when it comes down to basic data storage. As a result of high capacity, low cost per gigabyte, and low power consumption per gigabyte, magnetic storage remains the only reasonable choice for backup, archiving, and user data.
Our test candidates can be divided into two different camps. One is made up of the Western Digital Caviar Green WD30EZRS and the Hitachi Deskstar 5K3000 HDS5C3030ALA630. Their moderate spindle speeds translate to low power consumption, moderate temperatures, and minimal noise.
The second group is made up of the Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 and Seagate Barracuda ST33000651AS XT. Their 7200 RPM speeds promise more performance. Power saving is not the main focus for these products, which is immediately reflected in their somewhat-higher power consumption.


text:
XXXTentacion – 'Bad Vibes Forever' review: a posthumous record of thin, over-embellished material
The second album released since the rapper's death is a case of diminishing returns
Watch the first trailer for Wu-Tang Clan's new tv show
Will Richards - 4th July 2019
The first trailer has been released for Hulu's new tv show on Wu-Tang Clan. Wu-Tang: An American Saga is a 10-episode series which is set...
Joey Bada$$ reckons he inspired Jay-Z's '4:44' album
Rhian Daly - 12th July 2017
Joey Bada$$ has said that he inspired Jay-Z's new album '4:44'. The Pro Era rapper shared his thoughts on the record, which directly responds to...
Joey Bada$$ reportedly sued for £1.2 million by Donald Trump impersonator for pushing him...
Sam Moore - 21st March 2017
Joey Bada$$ is reportedly being sued for $1.5 million (£1.2 million) by a Donald Trump impersonator after the rapper pushed him off stage. The Brooklyn...
Joey Bada$$ to feature in season two of Mr. Robot
Samantha Maine - 4th March 2016
The rapper is set to have a reoccurring role in the upcoming season
Joey Bada$$ punches paparazzi member outside Kanye West's Fashion Show – watch
Luke Morgan Britton - 12th February 2016
21-year-old rapper involved in incident on Thursday night (February 11)
Joey Bada$$ announces UK tour dates for November
Dean Van Nguyen - 2nd August 2015
Rapper will perform in Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Norwich and Bristol
Rapper Joey Bada$$ says the FBI tapped his phone after Malia Obama wore one...
Luke Morgan Britton - 23rd January 2015
The New York rapper says FBI officers have his 'whole crib surrounded'
Joey Bada$$ – 'B4.DA.$$'
You could call Joey Bada$$ a victim of his own tardiness. Having broken out of the New York mixtape underground with fizzing breakout single...
Joey Bada$$ teams up with Action Bronson and Elle Varner on 'Run Up On...
David Renshaw - 17th January 2015
Rapper will release his debut album 'B4.Da.$$' on January 19


The Miami Dolphins have hired former San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach Dave Fipp for the same role with the Dolphins, according to sources covering both teams.
Fipp steps into the role previously held by current special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who took over in Week 5 after John Bonamego was fired following a disastrous performance by the Dolphins' special teams unit in a 41-14 loss to the New England Patriots on Oct. 4.
Veteran NFL wide receiver Ike Hilliard has also reportedly joined the coaching staff as an offensive assistant, per Jeff Darlington at the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
The Dolphins, who have brought in five new coaches already this offseason, now have just one vacancy to fill with former quarterbacks coach David Lee gone to Ole Miss.
Such a hire might not happen this week, as general manager Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano are both in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.
A walk-on at the University of Arizona who eventually earned a scholarship and started his final two seasons at safety, Fipp began his coaching career with two seasons as the secondary coach and special teams coordinator at Holy Cross.
After a year as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2000, Fipp served on season as the secondary coach at Cal Poly, followed by two seasons as the team's defensive coordinator.
Fipp then served one season as co-defensive coordinator at Nevada with Chris Ault in 2004, followed by two seasons as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for San Jose State. He stepped into a full defensive coordinator role for the Spartans in 2007.
Hired by the 49ers as an assistant special teams coach in 2008, Fipp has been credited with helping a handful of 49ers reach the Pro Bowl, including punter Andy Lee, return specialist Allen Rossum, and special-teamer Michael Robinson.
Fipp worked three seasons for the 49ers–two under special teams coordinator Al Everest and the most recent season under Kurt Schottenheimer. He was let go upon the hiring of Jim Harbaugh as the Niners' head coach in 2011.
A standout receiver at the University of Florida, Hilliard helped the Gators win their first national title in the 1997 Sugar Bowl. An All-SEC an All-American selection as a junior, Hilliard finished his three-year playing career with 29 touchdown catches and was eventually inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame.
Hilliard was drafted seventh overall by the New York Giants in 1997 and went on to spend eight seasons with the team, including the final seven as a starting receiver. He helped the team reach Super Bowl XXXV against the Baltimore Ravens with a career-high eight receiving touchdowns during the 2000 season.
An unrestricted free agent in 2005, Hilliard signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent four seasons with the team, including the 2007 season as a starter.
A neck injury forced Hilliard to retire following the 2008 season, but he finished his 12-year professional career with 546 receptions for 6,387 yards and 35 touchdowns. Among the Giants' leading career receivers, Hilliard currently ranked fifth in receptions, eighth in yards, and 12th in touchdowns.
Hilliard immediately got into coaching following his retirement, serving as a volunteer receivers coach under Jim Haslett with the UFL's Florida Tuskers in 2009. Hilliard was promoted to the full-time wide receivers coach position in 2010 under new head coach Jay Gruden and helped the Tuskers' receiving corps rank second in the league as they lost to the Las Vegas Locomotives in the championship game for the second straight season..
Fipp has plenty of experience at both the college and pro levels as a special teams assistants, working with quality coaches and learning from more experienced men along the way.
While the Dolphins' kicking and punting games need little help, the team's coverage and blocking units in all areas do. The team got better after Bonamego fell in the ax following the first Patriots' game, but Darren Rizzi couldn't fix things over night.
He will have some nice tools to work with including Jonathon Amaya, Lex Hilliard, and Roberto Wallace, but both Fipp and Rizzi will be tasked with making the unit more efficient as a whole.
As for Hilliard, this is yet another inexperienced hire but one that I like a lot. Similar to new tight ends coach Dan Campbell, Hilliard has extensive experience playing in the NFL in the last decade and thus has a wealth of wisdom to share with the Dolphins' young receivers.
Hilliard will also be able to learn from a greatly experienced receivers coach in Karl Dorrell, and could even be groomed for a full-time receivers coach gig if Dorrell eventually becomes an offensive coordinator in Miami or elsewhere.
Considering the Dolphins have let Tony Sparano make fairly inexperienced hires at offensive coordinator, tight ends coach, and now an offensive assistant role in Hilliard, perhaps there is some chance he'll get to stick around in Miami for more than just 2011.


ATV Tours are one of the most popular activities in Playa del Carmen. The Playa del Carmen area is home to vast expanses of Mayan jungle, miles of virgin white sand beaches, and of course awesome jungle trails. There are a lot of ATV tours in Playa del Carmen because there is just so much area to ride. We offer the best prices and best selection on Playa del Carmen ATV tours in town!
BEST PRICES ON ALL PLAYA DEL CARMEN ATV TOURS!
Q: Which one is closest to my hotel?
A: See our handy ATV Tour Map to get an idea where the ATV Tours are located in relation to your hotel.
Q: I'm on a cruise ship - can I do your ATV Tours?
A: Yes. All of our ATV tours are open to cruise passengers, as long as the tour's schedule works with your cruise schedule, but the closest ones will be ATV Jungle Explorer and Jungle Jim's ATV Tour. For Cozumel cruise passengers, the tours will pick you up near the ferry pier in downtown Playa del Carmen.
Q: What is the minimum age to drive?
A: This varies depending on the tour. Please refer to the tour detail pages for this information. If you're under 16 and want to drive, you'll want the ATV Explorer.
Q: What happens if it rains on the day of my tour?
A: All tours run rain or shine. In the tropics, it can rain a little bit every day - however, when it's 90 degrees the warm tropical rain feels very good. Plus, the rain rarely lasts for more than 20 minutes at a time - full day rain is almost nonexistent. Of course, if the weather is really bad due to a storm, your tour will be cancelled and you'll have a chance to reschedule or get a full refund (your choice).
Q: Are the ATVs Automatics?
A: ATVs are split between semi-automatic and fully automatic, depending on the tour you choose. However, even semi-automatic shifting is very easy - even for beginners.
TAKE A RIDE ON THE WILD SIDE WITH OUR ATV TOURS!


text:
<?php

namespace CaptainHook\App\Console\Runtime;

/**
 * Class Resolver
 *
 * @package CaptainHook\App
 */
class Resolver
{
    /**
     * PHAR flag, replaced by box during PHAR building
     *
     * @var string
     */
    private $runtime = '@runtime@';

    /**
     * Path to the currently executed 'binary'
     *
     * @var string
     */
    private $executable;

    /**
     * Resolver constructor.
     *
     * @param string $executable
     */
    public function __construct(string $executable = 'bin/vendor/captainhook')
    {
        $this->executable = $executable;
    }

    /**
     * Return current executed 'binary'
     *
     * @return string
     */
    public function getExecutable(): string
    {
        return $this->executable;
    }

    /**
     * Check if the current runtime is executed via PHAR
     *
     * @return bool
     */
    public function isPharRelease(): bool
    {
        return $this->runtime === 'PHAR';
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Thank you for your interest in working at the Goodnow Library. Please note that the library accepts applications for current vacancies only. An employment application is a requirement of our recruitment process and must be received for consideration. Download the application to your desktop prior to saving and sending.


How could the UK Fintech industry be affected by a no-deal Brexit?
The pressure continues to mount on the UK's Prime Minister to provide some clarity on the exit deal for withdrawal from the EU. Some reports suggest she should consider delaying Brexit, bearing in mind the difficulty that exists in reaching a consensus.
And, with the date set for our exit still 29 March 2019, there is increasing concern surrounding the possibility of a no-deal Brexit and what this will mean for industry.
Why is a no-deal Brexit a possibility?
For those with Brexit fatigue, here is a brief summary of where we are. If the Prime Minister's draft withdrawal deal is passed by Parliament, then Brexit will go ahead in March as planned. The 29 March will mark the state of the transition period deemed necessary to thrash out trade agreements.
The Prime Minster has just announced another delay to this vote, which will now take place on 12 March, just two weeks before Brexit day. Assuming it is passed, the transition would last until December 2020 at the latest. If no agreement on the final terms is agreed during this transition period, the 'backstop' will come into force. The backstop will allow both parties to continue trading. It means the UK would enter a single customs territory, with Northern Ireland remaining under EU single market rules to ensure an open border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
This met much opposition, particularly from the DUP, upon which the Prime Minister relies to stay in power. From this information, global investment research firm Morningstar predicts that there is around a 30% chance of a 'no-deal' Brexit, where the UK would leave with no agreement at all.
London is the European capital for Fintech. Some even consider it the Fintech capital of the world. Businesses in this sector have attracted in excess of $5.08 billion worth of investment since June 2016. In comparison, Paris received $1.38 billion, Stockholm $683 million and Berlin $1.02 billion.
While it's not known how a no-deal Brexit would affect Fintech, below I outline what we do know. Companies should be aware of the following and begin preparations if possible.
What is a third country customs regime?
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Government has said that the UK would enter into a "third-country customs regime" with the EU. This will mean initial supply chain disruption, at the least. There would also be delays importing and exporting software and equipment.
Imported goods and services from the EU would be considered third-party, which means they would have to pay import VAT. This will increase costs. Services from the Fintech industry heading out to the EU will mean the sender paying VAT in the country of entry. There would also be potentially extensive border delays due to more complex checks.
However, London remains Europe's Fintech capital, and it's hoped that venture capitalists will continue to invest while we wait for Brexit clarification. Should we face a no-deal Brexit, this could further spook investors and inevitably this will impact small start-ups the most. To combat this possibility, start-up owners can consider launching their business outside of the UK.
How would workers' rights be affected?
London is the such a successful Fintech hub because it has attracted the best and brightest people from around the world. An EY study shows there are more than 44,000 people working in the capital's Fintech sector, the highest in any city in the world. According to data from Tech Nation, more than 50% of workers in London's Fintech sector are from overseas.
However, the future of EU workers who earn less than a stipulated threshold announced by the Home Secretary, looks more uncertain. For start-ups that want to hire EU staff in junior or mid-level roles, it could mean they only have access to the domestic labour market, which could mean shortages.
Any start-up concerned the rights of its employees to work in the UK should encourage applying for permanent residency if possible. This allows a citizen from outside the country to live permanently in the UK if they have spent more than five years here. The Government says that citizens can apply for permanent residency in the UK until 31 December 2021.
Whether you're for or against Brexit, it's a fact that the vote to leave the EU marks a turning point in our national history. The Government is still negotiating how to extricate the country from the EU. Until they provide clarity, we just don't know how this will affect our economy and the way we do business.
Either way, we are still on the edge of a brand-new era for the UK. Our global position is changing all the time at the moment, and how we work together following Brexit will determine how we're perceived. UK start-ups will have a meaningful role in shaping the UK's brand when we have left the EU.
Over the years, I've worked with lots of start-up investment projects. I've met many entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up owners, and I know how passionate they are about their future. This energy is priceless, and show be harnessed to take the country forward post-Brexit.
At the moment, the UK remains fifth largest economy in the world, but whether this will be the case after Brexit remains to be seen. The Government is working to secure trade deals and presumably make the transition as smooth as possible. In the meantime, there has been speculation that other countries could replace the City of London as the global financial capital. However, the UK has a quality that other countries don't – the ability to directly influence foreign investors through its culture, history and traditions.
How is the UK perceived around the world?
Every year, the British Council conducts a survey called From The Outside In, which shows how young people who live in other G20 countries perceive the UK. Results from the 2018 survey show that the generally positive impression enjoyed by the UK has remained relatively unchanged since the vote. More than 71% say that they still think the UK is an attractive business proposition.
Interestingly, the survey shows that the UK's power lies in its people, not its Government or institutions. More than half of respondents are unaffected entirely by the vote, while 14% say they're more likely to want to do business with the UK. Just 19% say that it has affected their opinion in an adverse way.
Start-ups should utilise information like this to really understand the position they hold not just in the UK's economy, but the wider global business sector. We have a really strong foundation in the UK to work from post-Brexit. Intelligent communication, branding, marketing and an open, trustworthy position can capitalise on this.
What should UK start-ups do?
Lots of people underestimate the role UK start-ups could have in the global economic community. By using the same tactics as established multinationals, start-up owners can grow their client base and their influence. By attracting investment and being agile enough to adapt to the changing needs of the global economy, UK start-ups are ideally placed to create brands, services and products with a human face.
1. Prove your product or service really works.
Our business infrastructure is admired around the world, and our position in the global economy combines to create a generally favourable impression from overseas. And while the UK Government may seem slow to react to situations, the external perception of the UK is still positive.
We benefit particularly from the impression that 'British-made' means quality. The expectation that companies and products from the UK will be exemplary does add some pressure, but also gives an opportunity to prove it's true. This covers everything from the product or service itself, to how you sell it, your online presence, advertising, customer service and social media.
2. Use cultural codes in your communications.
The UK still has the reputation of being mostly polite, well-mannered and trustworthy. Small start-ups should capitalise on this and use it in communications, whether with customers or suppliers. Demonstrating calm, rational, polite customer service and selling techniques can enhance a UK start-up's reputation overseas.
3. Show you are welcoming and open-minded.
A negative consequence of the perception surrounding Brexit is that the UK is intolerant to foreign people and businesses. Show this isn't the case through your marketing, as well as the product and service. Use a language in your communication that is subtly open and welcoming and doesn't alienate anyone. You can also use design to create something accessible, welcoming and appealing to everyone in your target market. This will engender feelings of acceptance within your target demographic and show you are open, inclusive and welcoming.
There is not doubt that UK start-ups can meaningfully contribute to the future of our economy. Working together holistically with overseas customers from all around the world will help to build an impression of a UK that's open for business and happy to work with everyone. Start-ups could form the backbone of the UK's economy after Brexit and improve the way we are seen by other countries.
How will Brexit affect UK small businesses and entrepreneurs?
Small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs are at the heart of the UK's economy. How the sector reacts to Brexit and the challenges it may bring is key to the buoyancy of the economy after the UK leaves the EU.
But with so much speculation concerning the likely terms of the country's withdrawal from the trading block, how should small businesses prepare? I've been investing in exciting entrepreneurs, small businesses and start-ups for many years, and I hope that my advice on how to prepare for Brexit will strike a chord with anyone looking for some assistance.
The deal negotiated by the Prime Minister has just been struck down by Parliament, with a majority of 149 MPs voting against it. This is a blow for Theresa May as she struggles to honour the results of the Referendum and maintain trade links and ties with European countries.
There are now only a few likely scenarios left, which include a so-called 'People's Vote', a second Referendum, a General Election or the UK crashing out of the EU with no deal at all.
It's this final scenario that is causing the most concern for small businesses, and in particular those that rely on smooth cross-border supply chains. The Government is obviously aware of the worries this potential scenario is causing the sector and has published a number of documents on its website with advice for small businesses.
Broadly speaking, businesses should follow the steps taken right now by companies that deal in exports and imports from countries outside of the EU. You can find all kinds of advice, information and statistics about this here, including info on customs, excise and VAT.
These documents provide advice for all kinds of businesses in different sectors. In addition, the Government says that they will contact the UK SME sector with more instructions before the country leaves the EU.
At the moment, the date for Brexit is still fixed at 29 March 2019, but we know that this could be subject to change, given the difficulties in negotiation over the last couple of years.
However, small businesses should consider this the date that we will leave the EU and consider how they will operate under a no-deal Brexit. The issue of the Irish backstop has so far been a stumbling block in reaching a resolution.
The backstop is essentially a form of insurance that would allow Northern Ireland to continue trading under the customs union for a longer period of time. It has been negotiated by the Prime Minister to stop the potentially chaotic scenario of trade ceasing entirely on 29 March 2019, a situation which both sides would like to avoid.
Under the Prime Minister's proposed deal, there is a transitional period for the UK to sort out trade deals and other logistical matters. The idea is that this lasts until July 2020, with the option to extend if necessary. However, as this deal has now been voted down, it's unclear as to the next steps.
Preparing for a no-deal Brexit is the best way forward until we have more clarity from the Government. That way, the worst-case scenario can be dealt with. Either way, small businesses are traditionally resilient and it's their strength that will continue to boost the UK's standing after Brexit.
What will happen to UK entrepreneurs when the EU money runs out?
How will Brexit affect UK entrepreneurs?
We are rapidly approaching the date set for Brexit, and UK entrepreneurs are still largely in the dark about what will happen when EU funding ceases.
The referendum vote in 2016 didn't mention much about European funding structures, and it's unlikely that the average voter knows about them. But they have a huge effect on the UK's SME sector, and when the money stops coming in, we could have a tricky transition period.
An average of 2.5 billion Euros has been pumped into the UK annually from EU funds between 2014 and 2020. Funding structures like the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) and the European Investment Bank have been propping up the SME sector for decades.
UK Government figures show that the biggest percentage of the money coming into the country goes towards funding UK SMEs. Similarly, the European Investment Bank has paid about 117 billion Euros to projects in the UK. This money goes towards innovation and funding small businesses and entrepreneurs. The European Investment Fund goes towards venture capitalists. There are other funds, such as Horizon, that specifically support innovation.
Funding structures like this go right to the centre of the entire EU debate – whether the UK is best off out or in. Either way, when we leave the EU, the money will stop. And it's unclear how this will affect entrepreneurs, despite some Government plans being announced.
How will it affect investment?
There's little doubt that Brexit will affect investment. The EU funding programmes that support entrepreneurs by maintaining a trade environment, clearly play a large part in decisions made by venture capitalists and angel investors.
As an investor, when it comes to deciding what to do with my own money, it's helpful to have a secure infrastructure informing my decisions. We are leaving the EU on 29 March 2019, and whatever the final deal is, there will undoubtedly be a transitional period for investors as well as entrepreneurs. We've already seen the kinds of impact it will have following the EIF freezing funding for VCs directly following the referendum in 2016.
A greater number of leave voters come from regions such as the Midlands and the North East. CEO of the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), Jenny Tooth says: "The irony is that these are the regions that will suffer the most from the withdrawal of EU funds.".
What is the Government doing about the effects of funding withdrawal? They have set up some institutions aimed at lowering the risk of problems due to no EU funding. These include the British Business Bank and an agency named Innovate UK, which will give funding to the tech sector. Less specified help has also been announced for the 'regions' through the Industrial Strategy. Despite these measures, there will be a tricky transitional phase for entrepreneurs in the UK.
Whatever happens to the final deal, both entrepreneurs and established businesses in the UK are facing an unspecified period of uncertainty. When a deal is ratified, trade talks will follow, and no one is sure what that will mean for the UK.
Do you have what it takes to take charge of your start-up?
Over the years working with start-up entrepreneurs, I have seen and heard many ideas that are worth taking forward. However, many of the best ideas get left behind, due to anxiety over disruptive projects and a lack of effective skillsets.
When start-ups soar, it's easy to forget the disruptive ideas that began their journey. And when start-ups fail, it is often down to a leader who doesn't have the right skillset to constantly iterate.
Many of the best ideas come from the abstract. That is, services and products that don't fully exist yet. Instead, they are in the 'thinking' phase, and need the right kind of leadership to move them through to fruition.
With no laid-out roadmap or tangible product, teams can fall by the wayside and ideas that should have been great fail to gain traction. Dealing with innovation and disruptive business ideas requires a unique, and often rare, skillset. Managers who have it are distinct and vital to the success of a start-up.
Recently, Nathan Furr, assistant professor of strategy at INSEAD introduced a concept he calls 'negative capability'. Co-author of 'Leading Transformation: How to Take Charge of Your Company's Future, Furr says that what is often missing from a team is negative capability, which he defines as the ability to effectively function in the abstract.
· Being able to understand complex new ideas.
· Being able to manage the implementation and execution of these new ideas.
· Being able to manage different roles within the start-up in to execute new ideas.
These charateristcs are usually technical, and involve maintaining discipline, leading teams and managing the organisational structure. They're valuable skills for company managers, and particularly so for any company working within an innovative, disruptive environment. However, alone they're not enough to guarantee success.
Effective start-up leaders must be able to take in lots of different ideas and connect information that are usually poles apart. Furr refers to this as "divergent thinking" and maintains that the leader must focus on the end result while also processing a lot of contrasting information.
These disruptive leaders must be able to take the information and "execute on new ideas in order to create something tangible.
If you've read about me in my past interviews you will know that one of my passions and hobbies is collecting art, as well as vintage cars and wine. Every chance I get I make time to attend art shows, with the intention of increasing my art collection. Although over the years I have collected art from the world's famous artists, I've also looked for undiscovered artists with world-class talent.


Here are just some of the ones that caught my eye, for more check out the site by clicking here!
"Heavenly view" doesn't this one just look like an awesome ink painting?
Multimedia - NY Times "One in 8 million"
In the old news category, here's something I discovered that I had missed when it happened in 2009.
The NY Times did this awesome photo+audio series about real people in NY talking about themselves and their lives. It's called "One in 8 million". You may have heard of it because it won an emmy in the "New approaches to documentary" category in 2010.
They're all interesting character studies, probably of interest to anyone studying people, or interested in representing people in fiction. Click here to start exploring this interesting project and begin meeting some of the 54 people depicted in it.
Also, if you're into that kind of thing the way I am, you gotta dig all those awesome accents!
"To play for people is everything. When they come to you they are suddenly in this world you've created"
"She asked me what kind of plant it was so I said it was an eggplant, and she said, "So that where we get our eggs from?" and that's when I noticed a lot of kids in NY don't know where their food comes from you know?"
"Sometimes when I cook I don't taste... I just know."
"And a woman said, "I know you, you're an actress...""
I discovered this via Katie Hosmer's post on my modern metropolis.
Bob Egan finds and shoots the locations used for iconic album covers and superimposes the two.
In each instance you get a bit of info on how he found the spot, and the history behind the location.
It's all quite neatly done! Check out his website for more.
Bob Dylan... And who is that gentleman on the left?
Visit Bob Egan's site to find out!
The truth can't be beat! Or can it?
Bily Joel, An Innocent Man.
Hit up her MyModernMet profile and her photography website (specifically the galleries) to find out more about her!
I don't really have much to say about this asides from the fact that it's pretty damn interesting (source).
Click here to read a well written articles about bananas! It's a good read, hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I don't remember where I found this, but this is where it is from.
I find it interesting how clever or trained people know how to use these to manipulate conversations, whilst others fall into these unwittingly and actually weaken their position in a discussion because of them, but only if the people they addressing have critical and analytical minds.
Her name is Mengyu "Jenny" Chen. Her website is here.
Which are all neat, but there's a lot more cool stuff on her website.
She's apparently a part of a project to save the last Polaroid production plant to keep instant photography alive. So they made ads for magazines that are to be realized on card-stock imitating the look and feel of actual Polaroids, here's one below.
Or her photography, or crafts etc.
Basically, check out her website, you might enjoy it!
By the way. New mail link is on the top left.
I found this neat little app via IZ Reloaded (source).
It essentially lets one experiment with camera settings and see what happens.
I would have loved to have had this back when I was first learning to take pictures, and when, of course, I had to buy film and have it developed to do so.
At any rate, it's fun to play with, and even more so if you aren't used to having control over your shots.
In other news, the format of this blog is going to be changing soon.
Basically, I'm going to turn comments off and add a email link for those who absolutely want to get back to me.
Jacob is eight years old, seeing-impaired, autistic, and seems to dig the midnight special.
The musician's name is Tyler Gregory, you can visit his website here.
One or two people have asked me where I come up with the stuff I post, which was why I was going to post a list of some of the places where I hang out online (ie check daily). But going through my daily ritual of combing through my list of sites, I found two neat ads that I figured I would share with y'all immediately. So I reckon the link post will occur some time in the future.
Check out Casey Neistat's(the creator) youtube channel, he has some other neat vids!
Trends have always piqued my curiosity. Why does one story that has all the elements of another become a mainstream hit whilst the another, potentially superior (at least in my mind), does not?
Yes, marketing, circumstance, timing, etc.
There is a different cocktail of reasons in each case.
I have always been interested to observe how major trends come and go, perhaps because I exist on the fringe it's easier for me to do so... It's certainly easier to observe them as an outsider than to try and chase them and conform to them as an insider.
Here's a look at the lighter side of that phenomenon.
I was originally going to make this a picture post, but then I found a neat video that encapsulates what this is about. So lets start with that. For best effect, full screen the video (click on the little icon that looks like a frame on the bottom right of the vid).
"Some of science's most powerful statements are not made in words. From the diagrams of DaVinci to Rosalind Franklin's X-rays, visualization of research has a long and literally illustrious history. To illustrate is to enlighten.
How many people would have heard of fractal geometry or the double helix or solar flares if they had been described solely in words? In a world where science literacy is dismayingly rare, illustrations provide the most immediate and influential connection between scientists and other citizens, and the best hope for nurturing popular interest. Indeed, they are now a necessity for public understanding of research developments.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the journal Science created the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge to celebrate that grand tradition--and to encourage its continued growth. The spirit of the competition is to communicate science, engineering and technology for education and journalistic purposes."
Archive of winning entries dating back to 2003 is here.
Well worth having a look if you don't feel like watching the video or if you want more.
Of course, the concept itself is awesome, but one of the many things I really like about these, is the way they demonstrate that aesthetic beauty can be found beyond the scope of what is commonly accepted as such. Science is undoubtedly one of the many ways an observer can achieve a different appreciation of the world around us.
Oh, and I also dig how alien some of these shots seem.
Here's something a little different from my usual PGPG posts. Last night I went out for a leisurely midnight flight through the city.
I took some pictures- clichéed clichées perhaps.
After a bit of encouragement from Khnoum, I figured I'd post some of them. They're in the order they were taken, so if anyone cared or knew Paris well enough, they could track my loop through Paris.
Passerelle Solferino, thank you google maps.
Mane street is just off of place Charles de Gaulle.
2h15mins and 16kms later it was time to hit the sack.
I love the idea and the feeling in this video.
The idea that things of global magnitude can occur and be almost irrelevant on a personal scale.
There is something grandly self absorbed in saying "Screw you" to the end of the world.
"I was surfing yesterday, I'll surf today, and tomorrow I die with a smile".
I wasn't quite sure how to categorize this post, and I eventually settled on calling it art.
I recently stumbled onto a site called retronaut, which features thematic retro photo galleries.
Here are some samples (click on the titles to get the whole enchilada) from two galleries I thought y'all might enjoy.
If you like Matthew Buchholz, check out his etsy shop in which you can see many more of his creations (he has a cute picture in his etsy profile).


Web browsers are software applications installed on your computer to surf internet. One of the most commonly used web browser is Google Chrome. Chrome has made web surfing so easy that many of the things have become just a click away for internet users. The Internet Explorer is the fastest internet surfing browser in the internet world. Fast and flawless net surfing requires a browser that is compatible with your PC, correctly installed and progressed to its newest version. In downloading large software and files, web browser plays a decent role. The browser of your computer occasionally stops working due to any software clashes, virus attacks or any other technical problem, therefore you need browser technical support to make your internet surfing calm and pleasant.
However, a user may encounter many problems like slow printing, regular paper jam error, connecting different printers to host computer etc. For these, one need expert printer support in order to eradicate the problems related to printer.
Recommend software to improve daily productivity.
Our certified techs will solve your printer issues ly. Our reasonably priced and efficient services will provide you unlimited access to a host of highly qualified experts. This will leave you with the resources to concentrate on your core activities.


text:
The blog for Mets fans
who like to read
Faith and Fear in Flushing made its debut on Feb. 16, 2005, the brainchild of two longtime friends and lifelong Met fans.
Greg Prince discovered the Mets when he was 6, during the magical summer of 1969. He is a Long Island-based writer, editor and communications consultant. Contact him here.
Jason Fry is a Brooklyn writer whose first memories include his mom leaping up and down cheering for Rusty Staub. Check out his other writing here.
Got something to say? Leave a comment, or email us at faithandfear@gmail.com. (Sorry, but we have no interest in ads, sponsored content or guest posts.)
Need our RSS feed? It's here.
Visit our Facebook page, or drop by the personal pages for Greg and Jason.
Or follow us on Twitter: Here's Greg, and here's Jason.
The Youthful Exuberance of 2019 »
« Mets of the 2010s: 100-91
Inadvertent Design of a Decade
by Greg Prince on 30 November 2019 4:18 pm
A few years ago, Howie Rose suggested to Josh Lewin that if they were to go down to the field from the broadcast booth at Citi Field and ask the players warming up for that night's game if they knew what day it was, most would have little idea because, Howie explained, ballplayers never have any idea what day it is, mostly because it doesn't make any difference to them. Howie's assertion was supported by Nationals beat writer Jesse Dougherty in the Washington Post this past summer. "The challenge," Dougherty wrote, "is playing a 162-game schedule, with few breaks, while traveling between cities and time zones. The hotel rooms start to look the same. So do the plane rides and bus trips to the ballpark each day."
Even though we who are watching have to keep track of the days of our lives, the perception described from the inside of baseball seems to make sense. For ballplayers and those who follow them around, the season is simply one day after another. Or night. The mostly infallible Gary Cohen's only persistently recurring mistake is regularly referring to yesterday afternoon's game as "last night," which drives me a little crazy, but I've come to understand that tic, too. There's a lot of blurring over six months. Wednesday. Thursday. Night. Day. None of it materially affects the outcome of winning and losing.
Besides, whenever Mets baseball is happening, I will most likely bear witness to it.
On Friday night, July 30, 2010, after sleeping through the previous day's matinee from Flushing, I watched the Mets top the Diamondbacks, 9-6. It was a home game, so it wasn't a challenge to stay awake. If the Mets were in Arizona, and it was a night game, it might have been. Mountain Standard Time, which isn't a whole lot different from Pacific Daylight, can make keeping up with the Mets a bit more of a challenge than it is in zones closer to home. Usually not impossible, though. I'd have to be pretty tired to miss an entire Mets game.
For hundreds and hundreds of consecutive regular-season games, I was never quite that tired. Nor was I that distracted or disgusted or otherwise engaged so that every pitch of a given game escaped my notice while those pitches were progressing from the pitcher to the batter or catcher. I had quite a streak going. A handful of times it flirted with an end, but from July 30, 2010, through the eight seasons that followed and into the one beyond it, I always managed to stick an ear into the action just long enough to say, OK, I've heard if not seen or gone to today's or tonight's game. Streak's still on. The closest I came to streak snappage occurred on August 18, 2014, when I mysteriously scheduled a Monday afternoon colonoscopy that coincided with a 12:10 first pitch between the Mets and Cubs. Fortunately, the medical people got to the bottom of things that afternoon before the bottom of the ninth of what became my 672nd consecutive game witnessed in one form or another.
My streak intact from that day forward, I wasn't going to take another chance like that when my next colonoscopy came up. I set it for a Monday morning in May of 2019, with the Mets safely ensconced on the West Coast. As Sean Doolittle told Dougherty, "Every start of a series is a Monday, no matter what." Actually, sometimes you get a wraparound series that goes Friday to Monday (like that one in August of 2014), but what the Mets were about to embark upon wasn't one of those. They were indeed starting their next series that Monday, May 6, in San Diego. It was just another night game to the host Padres. It wasn't going to start any earlier than 7:10 at Petco Park, 10:10 back in New York.
Colonoscopy 2.0 went fine. The procedure is never the issue. The preparation is where they get you. I had to start the prescribed regimen early the Sunday morning before, and that was on the heels of an eighteen-inning game in Milwaukee which felt like it ended five minutes earlier. I missed a bunch of that game from being sleepy. Thanks to Twitter and the MLB At Bat app, I was able retrace some steps I snoozed through and write the whole thing up without resorting to the dreaded WW (Phil Rizzuto's scorecard notation for Wasn't Watching). If "I missed 'x' number of innings" had seemed like an angle that would have optimally entertained, enlightened and informed you, I probably would have detoured from the main storyline and mentioned it. But an eighteen-inning game doesn't need necessarily need angles imported from dreamland. Therefore, once I was more or less awake overnight that Saturday into Sunday, I filled in blank portions of the Mets' 4-3 loss to the Brewers by availing myself of the archives on my iPad; pieced together the irritations of the long evening from commonly tweeted grievances about Angel Hernandez; and wrote up the game, not my fatigue. I figure if re-creations were good enough for Les Keiter in 1959, one posted here at 5:49 AM was good enough for me.
So there was little predawn sleep Sunday morning. Or postdawn. There was barely enough will to make it between colonoscopy prep steps to get to the 2:10 first pitch from Milwaukee. I curled up in my office recliner, watched about an inning-and-a-half of Jason Vargas dueling Zach Davies before conking out. When I awoke, I learned Vargas predictably dropped his pistol first, and the Mets lost, 3-2. I wasn't writing up this game. I just wanted to be able to say I had seen some of it.
That, on May 5, 2019, was Game No 1,390 in the streak that stretched back to July 30, 2010. Game No. 1,391, live from San Diego, would come the next night. Except it didn't. Following the aforementioned procedure, I didn't nap. I was tired, but I was up. As the SNY studio show threw the broadcast to Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile, I was up. While I was up, I decided stretching out on the couch was a good idea. I wasn't recapping this one, either, so I just had to get to the game's beginning to satisfy my streak's requirement. Catching a pitch would do it. Just one pitch. Hell, even if I nodded off, I just had to not stay nodded off for the entirety of the game ahead.
I saw Gary and Todd do their setup. I heard Gary promise they'd be back after this commercial break. During the commercial, I closed my eyes for a minute…
The next thing I saw was the postgame show. The streak that touched every season of this decade was over, bowing out at 1,390 games in a row: 671-719, but no longer counting.
For the record, the first Mets game I missed in nearly nine years was the temporarily infamous Chris Paddack Game. I guess that's what it's known as. I didn't see it or hear it, so how the hell would I know, except for catching up to its details in the minutes thereafter? Apparently, the Padres' young ace was steamed that Pete Alonso was named the National League Rookie of the Month for April rather than Chris Paddack. This was a private war Paddack was waging, one he brought to the mound this Monday night. Having found all the motivation he needed in a slight that was an issue probably only to Chris Paddack, Chris Paddack struck out 11 batters in seven-and-two-thirds innings, limited the visitors from the East to four hits and, with Craig Stammen, shut out the Mets, 4-0.
Not only did this Paddack fellow whom I'd never heard of throughout what he considered his stellar April exact revenge on his imagined rival, he got me good. Paddack and Stammen required only 2:14 to complete their victory. Had the game meandered like most games meander, I'd have been up and sufficiently at 'em in the wee hours to keep the streak going.
Nope. No dice. I couldn't even pretend in my head that the Mets and Padres had somehow filtered into my subconscious. The Mets fell on the Coast and it didn't make a sound to me. The best-laid plans of a man told to lay flat on his stomach the previous morning had gone awry.
I could do only one thing in response. The next night, I started a new streak, still in effect at 127 games. Why wouldn't have I? Except for May 6, 2019; July 29, 2010; and maybe one game earlier in 2010 when I wasn't keeping quite such close tabs on my diligence, I'd seen or heard or attended some if not all (but usually all) of every Mets game played in the 2010s. It was — out of some combination of obligation and passion — what I did. The Mets played, I was there for it. The streak was a thing for me in the way the snub was a thing for Chris Paddack. It didn't really matter, but it added a little spice to what Chris Paddack and I would be doing on a given day or night anyway.
Because I absorbed live virtually every bit of the Mets decade that has just passed — and because I wrote up a whole lot of it as it went on — I feel I'm reasonably qualified to look back in something less than anger at these ten years, the 2010s, and put them in what we'll loosely call perspective.
You didn't ask me to, but it's part of the service.
Not unlike days of the week, decades don't exactly exist in baseball. There are innings that add up to games. There are games that add up to seasons. There's a compressed postseason. And that's basically it as far as determining who wins and who loses. Everything else is a matter of how we opt to organize. "The 2010s" holds no particular meaning for baseball any more than any other decade unless we decide it does. Those stats you occasionally run up against — most home runs hit in the 1950s (Duke Snider); most wins by a pitcher in the 1980s (Jack Morris) — are interesting, but hold no more significance than the most home runs hit in a ten-year span that crosses decade borders…and there's no particular significance in who did what from, say, 1995 through 2004.
What have of the Mets of the past ten years done for us lately? Technically, everything.
But we do get these decades every ten years, and we are stuck with these baseball voids every offseason, so what the hell? Thus, in the days and nights ahead, Faith and Fear in Flushing will bring you The Top 100 Mets of the 2010s, considering the 247 players who played as Mets between April 5, 2010, and September 29, 2019, and ordering what we shall refer to the "best" of them from 100 to 1, countdown (or countup) style.
The parameters aren't too arduous. Rankings will be based on recollections and research, leaning on impressions and accomplishments more than stone statistical rigor. We'll take into account what a player did and if it made us as Mets fans sit up and take notice for at least a spell, maybe no longer than a given day or night during the 2010s. Worth noting in this process: thirty Mets from this decade began their Met tenures prior to 2010, but we're not allotting points based on anything anybody did before this decade began. Also, we're not actually "allotting points". Plenty of thought's gone into this exercise, but there is no discernible Statcast-approved formula at work. Take the rankings as seriously or as frivolously as you like.
I'd love to tell you whittling down 247 players to 100 was a tough task. Honestly, it was more the other way around. Almost everybody seems to rank 30 to 50 places higher than you would intuit before delving into the ten-year roster. Still, I don't mean to strike a dismissive tone. These 247 players were our guys within these ten years. If you missed no more than a couple of games over this period, you've come to think of them as extended family.
I was reminded of their status in our lives (certainly mine) the other night when I found myself watching a Mets Classic: July 20, 2011, Cardinals at Mets, the 157th game of my 1,390-game streak. SNY likes to rerun it all out of proportion to its competitive implications for the home team, I think, because it showcases SNY as much as it does the Mets. It was the first time that the channel sent Gary, Keith and Ron out to the Pepsi Porch to make their call. Two Met home runs would be hit in their direction, including the one that won the game for the Mets in the tenth, but the real fun emanated from interludes like watching Keith Hernandez tipping Orlando the hot dog vendor for his goods and services.
Yet rewatching it, I was taken by the familial aspect of the lineup. Cousin Jose Reyes leading off, leading the league in hitting and peaking as a major leaguer. Cousin Justin Turner batting second, playing second and beginning to show he belonged as a major leaguer. Uncle Carlos Beltran, his bags packed for the trade we understood as inevitable, around in right. Hey, it's Daniel Murphy before he was fully Daniel Murphy to us! And look, it's Angel Pagan all over again!
Angel hit the walkoff homer that fell just a little shy of the broadcast position in right, but the real revelation was remembering those nights and days when what Angel and an unproven Lucas Duda and a last-legs Willie Harris and an endlessly slumping and aching Jason Bay and a theoretically developing Josh Thole and that beguiling pre-celebrity knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and everybody else involved did mattered so much to us. Eventually, everyone from Reyes to Murph would morph into ex-Mets, and what the players who took their spots as Mets did would matter just as much to us. The successors to these individual 2011 Mets, whenever they showed up, whether or not their work was classified Classic, became the new members of our baseball family. That's how being a fan works. You pull for the laundry, sure, but you get attached to those who pull on the shirts and pants of preference every night and day and toss them somewhere near a hamper afterwards. Decades and eras and seasons and games and innings are full of these Mets. You spend most nights and/or days with them half-a-year every year. They add up.
We'll add up a hundred of them in this space, relive what made them relatively special to us, and maybe do a few other 2010s things as well before we get to 2020. I hope it's as much fun as watching the Mets has been for these past ten years.
Check that. I hope it's more fun.
7 comments - (Comments closed) | | Print This Post | Chris Paddack, Days of the Week, Decades, Howie Rose, Jesse Dougherty, Les Keiter, Mets of the 2010s, Streaks
7 comments to Inadvertent Design of a Decade
Kevin from Flushing
Looking forward to this! Sure to spark some fun debate.
Mets of the 2010s: 100-91 « Faith and Fear in Flushing
[…] Inadvertent Design of a Decade » […]
Left Coast Jerry
For what it's worth Greg, even though you broke your streak with the infamous Chris Paddack game, my son and I were there live in San Diego.
At the very least, one of your faithful (and fearful) readers was in attendance.
Mets of the 2010s: 90-81 « Faith and Fear in Flushing
[…] of Faith and Fear's countdown of The Top 100 Mets of the 2010s. An introduction to the series is available here; you can read the first installment here. These are the more or less best Mets we rooted for as […]
December 3rd, 2019 at 1:54 pm
[…] of Faith and Fear's countdown of The Top 100 Mets of the 2010s. An introduction to the series is available here; you can read the most recent installment here. These are the more or less best Mets we rooted for […]
FROM OUR BASEBALL LIBRARY
Piazza: Catcher, Slugger, Icon, Star by Greg Prince is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers.
Amazin' Again: How the 2015 New York Mets Brought the Magic Back to Queens by Greg Prince is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers.
Volume I of The Happiest Recap: 50+ Years of the New York Mets As Told in 500+ Amazin' Wins by Greg Prince is available in print and for Kindle on Amazon.
Faith and Fear in Flushing: An Intense Personal History by Greg Prince (foreword by Jason Fry), is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers.
Zooming in on Mr. Smile
Time & Life
Through the Years (Especially This One)
The 2020 Oscar's Cap Awards
ARCHIVES Select Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005
Copyright © 2021 Faith and Fear in Flushing - All Rights Reserved


ADBIS research papers will be published in a Springer-Verlag LNCS volume. Papers must not exceed 14 pages in the LNCS format (Latex style only for camera-ready papers). The program committee may decide to accept a submission as a short paper if it reports interesting results but does not justify publication of a full paper.
The authors of the best papers will be invited to prepare extended versions of their papers after the conference. The extended papers, after an additional round of review, will appear in a special issue of the Elsevier Data and Knowledge Engineering journal (http://www.journals.elsevier.com/data-and-knowledge-engineering/).
Papers must contain previously unpublished work and not be submitted concurrently to another conference.
Papers are submitted using an electronic submissions system, as detailed below.
An Author of an accepted paper must register to ADBIS 2013 in order to have the paper published.


As most of you know, we are still struggling with our heating at church.
Yesterday it was six degrees in church, and we were forced to cancel the 8.45am and 6.30pm services. We are hoping to get to the bottom of the problem this week, so we can get it sorted.
The Ark will be moving this week – to the industrial estate – and keep posted for updates on the Ash Wednesday service, which is due to be in church. If we can't get the heating working by Wednesday, it will move to the Old School.
Thank you for your patience, and to all those who have donated so generously towards the cost of fixing it. We will get it running again!


text:
Chin-Hao Huang
Chin-Hao Huang is assistant professor of political science at Yale-NUS College. Prior to this, he served as researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in Sweden, and at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. He specializes in international politics, especially with regard to China and the Asia-Pacific region. Huang is the recipient of the American Political Science Association (APSA) Foreign Policy Section Best Paper Award (2014) for his research on China's compliance behavior in multilateral security institutions. His publications have appeared in The China Quarterly, The China Journal, International Peacekeeping, and in edited volumes through Oxford University Press and Routledge, among others. He has testified and presented on China's foreign affairs before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and has also served as a consultant for US and European foundations, governments, and companies on their strategies and policies in Asia. He received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Southern California and B.S. with honors from Georgetown University.
Articles by Chin-Hao Huang
Xi Moderates to US and Others Amid Continued Competition
Southeast Asia was the center of international attention in November as regional and global leaders gathered at the G20 conference in Indonesia, which took place between the annual ASEAN-hosted summit meetings in Cambodia and the yearly APEC leaders meeting in Thailand. Acute China-US rivalry loomed large in media and other forecasts, warning of a clash of US-Chinese leaders with negative implications feared in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. The positive outcome of the Biden-Xi summit at the G20 conference and related actions eased tensions, which was welcomed, particularly in Southeast Asia, but the implications for the US and allies' competition with China remain to be seen. Tensions over disputes in the South China Sea continued unabated. President Xi Jinping made his first trip to a major international gathering at the G20 conference followed by the APEC meeting after more than two years of self-imposed isolation in line with his government's strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Attached Chronology: China - Southeast Asia Relations, September – December 2022
Countering US Initiatives, Taiwan Crisis Complications
Chinese enhanced activism in Southeast Asia in this reporting period focused on countering Biden administration efforts to enhance influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Chinese government intensified its depiction of the United States as disrupting regional order and portraying itself as the regional stabilizer. Beijing's effort faced complications and uncertain prospects as Chinese military forces in August launched large-scale provocative shows of force amid strident media warnings targeting the United States over Taiwan.
Attached Chronology: China - Southeast Asia Relations, May – August 2022
Diminished Priority As Ukraine Distracts America
Southeast Asia stopped being China's high priority as Beijing viewed US initiatives to compete with China in the region as flagging amid preoccupation with the war in Ukraine. Chinese diplomacy added to the reasons Southeast Asian governments generally eschewed support for US-backed sanctions against Russia and carefully avoided major controversy in UN votes on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A Chinese-Solomon Islands security deal resulted in more US and allied attention to the Pacific Islands than ever before, surpassing rare past instances of concern over interventions by the Soviet Union, Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, and others in an area usually considered of low strategic importance.
China's Growing Influence Overshadows US Initiatives
Beijing's extraordinary high-level attention to Southeast Asia since last year continued in the current reporting period. It culminated in President Xi Jinping presiding over a special summit he convened to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue on Nov. 22, which featured an array of Chinese advances. Keenly attentive to US efforts to reverse its recent decline and compete more effectively with China in Southeast Asia, Beijing has relied on ever-expanding Chinese influence in Southeast Asia to eclipse and offset US initiatives. Beijing faced a setback when Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte sharply rebuked Chinese coercion in the disputed South China Sea during the November summit. Similarly, China's role in the political turmoil in Myanmar got noticeable pushback from ASEAN leaders as the humanitarian situation in Myanmar remains unstable.
Pushing Regional Advantages Amid Heightened US Rivalry
China's recognition of the strategic challenge posed by close Biden administration relations with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) powers Australia, India, and Japan reinforced Beijing's strong efforts to preserve and expand its advantageous position in Southeast Asia in the face of rising competition with the United States. Beijing used uniformly critical coverage of US withdrawal from Afghanistan to highlight US unreliability, and attempted to discredit Vice President Kamala Harris' Aug. 22-26 visit to the region, the highpoint of Biden government engagement with Southeast Asia. It also widely publicized evidence of China's influence in the competition with the United States in Southeast Asia, even among governments long wary of China, like Vietnam. That effort underlined the lengths Vietnam would go to avoid offending China in reporting that Hanoi allowed the Chinese ambassador to publicly meet the Vietnamese prime minister and donate vaccines, upstaging Vice President Harris, who hours later began her visit and offered vaccines.
ASEAN Centrality after the Myanmar Coup
On June 14 the Pacific Forum hosted its first Comparative Connections Roundtable on the subject of ASEAN Centrality after the Myanmar Coup. The session was the first in a series of events in which authors from Comparative Connections: A Triannual Journal of Bilateral Relations in the Indo-Pacific, meet to discuss timely matters of importance to the region as a whole.
Featuring Catharin Dalpino, Chin-Hao Huang, Robert G. Sutter, and Ralph A. Cossa
Beijing's Advances Complicated by Myanmar Coup and US Resolve
Beijing confidently forecast continued advances in high-priority efforts promoting regional economic integration, ASEAN's prominence as China's leading trade partner, as well as strengthening supply chain connections disrupted by the pandemic and US trade and economic restrictions. Ever-closer cooperation to counter COVID-19 saw Chinese pledges add to its leading position providing more than 60% of international vaccines to Southeast Asian countries. Nevertheless, the unexpected coup and protracted crisis in Myanmar headed the list of important complications. The incoming Biden administration showed no letup in US-led military challenges to China's expansionism in the South China Sea, while strong high-level US government support for the Philippines in the face of China's latest coercive moves supported Manila's unusually vocal protests against the Chinese actions. Beijing also had difficulty countering Biden's strong emphasis on close collaboration with allies and partners, seen notably in the first QUAD summit resulting in a major initiative to provide 1 billion doses of COVID vaccines for Southeast Asia and nearby areas. The effectiveness of Chinese vaccines was now questioned by Chinese as well as foreign specialists and Beijing's domestic demand was growing strongly, slowing donations and sales abroad.
Beijing Hails Regional Integration, US Seen Sidelined
China faced a less forceful US posture in the South China Sea in this reporting period compared with earlier in 2020. Beijing took advantage of President Trump's failure to participate in the East Asian Summit (EAS) and other ASEAN-led meetings in November. Chinese leaders depicted the United States as disruptive and out of step with what Beijing saw as an overriding trend toward regional economic integration and cooperation. They highlighted the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and ASEAN's new prominence as China's top trading partner, forecasting stronger regional economic growth led by China's rapid rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Beijing remained on guard against US challenges, and it resorted to unprecedented trade retaliation and related diplomatic pressures to compel Canberra to change its recent moves to check Chinese interference in domestic Australian affairs, expansionism in the South China Sea, repression in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and malfeasance in the initial handling of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Some experts were optimistic that the Philippines and China were on the verge of agreeing on joint exploitation of oil and gas in South China Sea areas claimed by both countries, but others remained skeptical.
China Faces Stronger US Opposition in South China Sea
Beijing responded methodically to a major escalation in US challenges to Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea. Officials from Xi Jinping on down reached out to Southeast Asian countries with emphasis on growing economic relations and cooperation in countering COVID-19. Top-level officials generally eschewed public criticism of the United States on South China Sea issues, while government ministries and official and unofficial media used sometimes tough language in criticizing Washington. Overall, Beijing registered satisfaction that ASEAN adopted a neutral stance and most other states showed little sign of leaning toward the US against China.
From Low Priority to High Tensions
For most of the first four months of 2020, China's generally low priority treatment of Southeast Asia featured cooperation on the coronavirus, standard treatment of South China Sea issues, and a visit by Xi Jinping to Myanmar. However, April saw tensions rise in the South China Sea, with an increase in US criticism of Chinese actions and US military moves against Chinese challenges as well as Chinese initiatives and ongoing provocations.