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Block: An XR Scenographic Tool
Project partners: Megaverse and University of Leeds
Megaverse is an internationally acclaimed interactive content studio based in Sheffield. They harness the latest digital technologies to craft unique real-time user-centric interactive experiences.
Together with academics from the University of Leeds and funding from XR Stories, Megaverse developed an AR scenographic tool, Block. The tool is designed to help theatre practitioners and live performance creators co-design spaces and scenes with the help of augmented reality (AR).
During the research phase, Megaverse carried out workshops with the support of Dr Joslin McKinney from the University of Leeds. The workshops helped the project team to understand production challenges and key wishlist functionality. It also informed the development process, ensuring the AR scenographic tool was fit for purpose and met the needs of theatre practitioners and industry professionals.
Block acted as a translation tool between technical and non-technical creative teams, to speed up the production workflow. Using the latest Apple AR devices, directors and theatre makers were able to collaboratively create the foundations of a 3D set, and see their design in the real world with AR. The app design was simple enough for anyone to start build structural forms on. The sketched-out scene could be edited and reshaped in real-time, providing flexibility and allowing for the spontaneity of the rehearsal process. Finally, the scene could be exported and developed into a full-scale 3D model.
The project has shown that Block could have a wider use outside of theatre, with potential applications in 3D game design, architecture and exhibition planning.
Ben Carlin, director, and industry partner on this project, says:
"Block has successfully demonstrated how production teams can save time and money by interacting with theatre set designs in augmented reality before committing to a final decision. By removing the barriers of 'real world' limitations and harnessing the flexibility of AR, Block will enable greater scope for innovative storytelling.
We see this XR Stories funded tool as the first of many as we continue to develop our suite of products to enhance live and online experiences."
Categories: Performance, Technology


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Pioneer Girl Project
"Historical Musings: The Contours of South Dakota Political Culture" https://www.sdshspress.com/journal/south-dakota-history-34-2/historical-musings-the-contours-of-south-dakota-political-culture https://www.sdshspress.com/@@site-logo/sdshp-logo.jpg
"Historical Musings: The Contours of South Dakota Political Culture"
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SSAB Americas is the largest producer and supplier of steel plate in North America, strongly positioned and highly recognized in the region for cost efficiency and quality.
SSAB is the largest producer and supplier of heavy plate in North America, with a market share of approximately 28% in 2018. SSAB maintains a strong market position in the energy and heavy transport customer segments. The US accounts for about 85% of sales, Canada 10% and Latin America 5%.
The North American plate market improved in 2018, mainly driven by increased demand and reduced imports. Total demand recovered from relatively low levels in 2016-2017, and therefore has the potential for continued improvement over the coming years. There is a significant need to reinvest in infrastructure in North America. This means several end-user segments, such as heavy fabrication and construction equipment, are expected to improve. Also, demand from wind energy is expected to remain positive, and the outlook for investment in line pipe projects going forward is also favorable.
To achieve its strategy, capacity will be gradually expanded by removing bottlenecks to capture market growth and through new investments in current facilities. Further investment decisions will be made based on the assessments of long-term supply and demand, and the ability to maintain the leading cost position.
SSAB Americas manufactures a wide range of quality steel products including advanced high-strength steels that are used in various industries. SSAB Americas sells products both directly to end customers and to steel service centers. Key customer segments include energy, heavy transport, construction, infrastructure and construction equipment.
SSAB Americas' modern steel mills are located in Mobile, Alabama and Montpelier, Iowa and have a combined annual production capacity of 2.4 million tonnes. Both mills utilize a scrap-based, electric arc furnace (EAF) method to produce steel. The mills are strategically located to cover the industrial heartland in North America, with access to the strategic port systems, intercoastal waterways and major railways, which provide logistical advantages.
SSAB's modern steel mill in Alabama was founded in 2001. The mill includes two quenching and tempering (Q&T) lines with a total production capacity of more than 300,000 tonnes a year. Shipments of these products are accounted for in the SSAB Special Steels division. The newest Q&T line in Alabama is one of the world's most advanced.
In addition to the two steel mills, SSAB Americas operates three cut-to-length facilities located in Houston, Texas; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Toronto, Ontario (Canada). With the flexibility to handle both SSAB's steel as well as steel from external suppliers, these locations process coils of various widths, gauges and grades to meet customer-specific requirements with an enhanced service model.
SSAB Americas operates with the least possible impact on the environment. To produce SSAB Americas' steel, the company uses recovered scrap metal – more than 94% recycled materials. This is material that has been diverted from landfills, everything from discarded appliances to old car parts. SSAB Americas uses recovered scrap tires as a raw material substitute for carbon in the production process. The organization recycles more than 400,000 tires a year, more than 6 million scrap tires to date. SSAB Americas utilizes renewable electrical energy in its manufacturing process, particularly wind energy bought through a certified program. SSAB Americas' production process results in 63% fewer CO2 emissions compared to the 2016 US steel industry average.
SSAB Americas has also been committed to reducing energy consumption, recycling both hazardous and non-hazardous waste, as well as recycling water for conservation. SSAB Americas was the first electric arc furnace steel producer in North America to successfully certify all of its Environmental Management Systems to the ISO 14001 standard. Funding is dedicated annually for ISO 14001 Continuous Improvement projects.
SSAB Americas produces heavy plate and coils. SSAB Americas' steel is 100% recyclable and is made from 94% recycled materials. The durability and high strength of plate and coil produced by SSAB Americas means it lasts a long time, adding years to the lifecycle of products made using SSAB Americas' steel and reducing customers' carbon footprint. This long-lasting steel is used for applications such as transportation, where end users can enjoy reduced fuel consumption, and in the energy sector, contributing to the transition to, more renewable energy resources like wind power.
In 2016, SSAB Americas launched EcoSmart, an innovative customer awareness program designed to showcase SSAB's commitment to sustainability. Nearly 50 customers have been onboarded to the program since its inception. Customers participating in the program receive products and documentation marked with the EcoSmart label, and confidence that SSAB is an environmentally responsible supplier.
SSAB Americas' primary competitors are domestic steel producers, such as Nucor and ArcelorMittal, and imported products.


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You are here:Dorset Council > … > Family Information Service > Family Information Directory > Advice and Support Search Results
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24/7 Grid
The 24/7 Grid is a simple and visual way to design the support around your daily life. You no longer need to wait for a Social Care or Health professional to help you work out the cost of the support you need because you can…
Rachel.mason@247grid.com
www.247grid.com/
Abm - Association Of Breastfeeding Mothers
The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) is a voluntary organisation founded in 1979 by a group of mothers experienced in breastfeeding counselling. Charity status was awarded to the organisation in 1980 and the Association continues to grow steadily throughout the UK. Members of the ABM…
Via Website
www.abm.me.uk
PO Box 207, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7YT
If you or someone you care for has a learning difficulty or learning disability, you'll find extensive information and advice on this site. Our categories are: Disability rights and values, education, employment, help and support, learning disabilities and types of disabilities. Whether you're directly or…
janem@aboutlearningdisabilities.co.uk
www.aboutlearningdisabilities.co.uk
Daresbury Point Green Wood Drive, Manor Park, Cheshire, WA7 1UP
Acas Advisory, Conciliation And Arbitration
The aim of ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. The Acas Helpline provides clear, confidential, independent and impartial employment advice to both employers and employees who are involved in an employment dispute or are…
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Bristol Office South and West Regional Office, The waterfront, Welshback, Bristol, BS1 4SB
Aching Arms
Aching Arms is a baby loss charity run by a group of bereaved mothers who have experienced the pain and emptiness of leaving hospital without their much wanted baby. Our aim is to raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss and bring…
info@achingarms.co.uk
www.achingarms.co.uk
Action For M.E.
Chronic neurological condition myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.), sometimes diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS, or M.E./CFS), affects around 250,000 people in the UK, and 17 million worldwide. Action for M.E. provides information so that people with M.E. can make an informed judgement on the likely effectiveness…
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Action for M.E., 42 Temple Street, Keynsham, Somerset, BS31 1EH
Action For M.E. Children And Young People's Service
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is a long-term (chronic), fluctuating, neurological condition that affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK, including around 21,000 children and young people. Action for M.E. provides information so that people with M.E. can make an informed judgement on the likely effectiveness…
Action For Sick Children
We are The Leading Children's Healthcare Charity in the UK. Our mission is to ensure that healthcare in the UK meets the unique needs of all children and young people and their families. With over 50 years' experience, Action for Sick Children campaigns on all…
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Action for Sick Children, 10 Ravenoak Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 7DL
At Action on Hearing Loss our work includes providing high quality support and care so people confronting deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus have their needs met. We fund research to find a cure for hearing loss and encourage the take-up of new technology and medical…
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1-3 Highbury Station Road, London, N1 1SE
Activity Alliance - Disability Inclusion Sport
Activity alliance disability inclusion sport is a charity working to make active lives possible with a vision that disabled people are active for life. We enable organisations to support more disabled people to be active. We build partnerships to increase the number of disabled people…
www.activityalliance.org.uk/
Sport Park¬ Loughborough University, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3QF


I hate to make generalisations but I'm yet to meet a woman whose spouse handles a cold with equanimity. Every time we talk about this on secret online forums where women congregate to rant about things that no bharatiya nari should, we're in agreement that men tend to exaggerate their illnesses. Clearly, we're not the kind of women who appear in cooking oil ads, worried as hell about their husband's high cholesterol.
When my husband falls sick (and by this I mean, when he catches a cold) it's as if the plague is upon us.
Have you seen those old Sivaji Ganesan movies in which he's trying hard to control his tears despite being on the brink of an emotional tsunami?
That's phase 1. There is a faint tickle in his nose. He can feel his "energy draining". He's a mobile phone losing battery. But he will not tell you what's wrong with him. Maybe because you will compare it with childbirth yet again and dismiss his pain.
In phase 2, the virus has taken charge and is causing havoc. He can't sleep, he can't eat, he certainly can't talk. He has to lie down and take rest because... his nose is blocked. Thankfully, my husband is the self-sufficient sort, so he brews his own Ayurvedic concoctions—ginger, lemon, honey, pepper and I don't know what else.
I don't remember the last time I went to a doctor for an illness. If I have a cold, I wait for it to run its course. If I have a headache, I take a paracetamol and go about my work. But most men seem to believe that they need the doctor if their cold lasts for more than two days... which it obviously will.
The doctor will tell them exactly what you've been saying all along—there's no cure, drink fluids and wait it out. But somehow, it makes them feel better to hear it from a professional.
This is the phase when they finally confess that they are completely unable to do anything and need help. And the distress appears so real that you actually hold off talking about childbirth.
Ah, improvement happens. The black veil that had descended upon the husband is slowly lifting. He can sit up on the couch and watch TV. Food begins to taste good again. He notices the small things that make life great. He is grateful that he has survived this life-threatening cold.


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Last modified 121 days ago (Sept. 22, 2021)
Law enforcement agencies provided these reports of their activities this past week. Routine activities such as patrols, inspections, training, report-writing, and assistance to other agencies are excluded.
Sept. 13 — Contraband found on city property was seized. An Internet scam was investigated as an extortion case. A residence was tagged for a code violation.
Sept. 14 — A resident of Parkside Homes duplexes was found dead. A report of suspicious activity at F and Wilson Sts. could not be substantiated. A vehicle accidentally struck a concrete platform for a vacuum cleaner at a car wash.
Sept. 15 — A lost item turned in by Hillsboro Public Library was returned to its owner, but a found laptop's owner could not be identified. A dog whose leash had broken was found in the 100 block of N. Main St. and returned to its owner. Illicit items and no vehicle registration were discovered when a driver was stopped for disobeying a restricted access sign. Another motorist was warned for squealing tires at Ash St. and US-56.
Thursday — Dogs were reported running free in the 100 block of N. Cedar St. A dog owner was cited for allowing dogs to run free in the 300 block of N. Main St. Dogs running free in the 100 block of S. Cedar St. were found and secured at the owner's residence. The same dogs were reported running free a short time later, but police could not find them.
Friday — Another report of dogs running free in the 100 block of S. Cedar St. ended with police investigating a harassment complaint. Police helped a driver locked out of a vehicle at Bomgaar's.
Saturday — What initially was reported as an unwanted person at Tabor College was determined to be a case of mistaken identity. A dog running free was taken to Hillsboro Animal Clinic for boarding until its owner could be located. Police could not find a reckless driver reported on US-56 but did warn a motorist at Adams St. and US-56 for having a headlight out.
Sunday — Police were called to Hillsboro Community Hospital to help staff members deal with a person there.
Sept. 13 — Police checked on the welfare of a resident in the 300 block of S. Lincoln St. Two dogs were reported running free in the 400 block of E. Santa Fe St. Three drivers were warned for speeding and equipment violations.
Sept. 14 — Police helped free a child locked in a vehicle in the 1100 block of E. Main St. Disconnected 911 calls at Coble and Main St. and in the 400 block of Locust St. were investigated. Three drivers were warned for speeding or equipment violations.
Sept. 15 — A driver was cited for going 102 mph in a 65-mph zone and having no proof of insurance. A report of suspicious activity was investigated.
Thursday — A dog running free in the 100 block of N. Roosevelt St. was taken to Animal Health Center. Police helped a motorist stranded in the 400 block of N. Lincoln St. Another driver was cited for going 85 mph in a 65-mph zone.
Friday — Letters about nuisance properties were delivered. A driver was warned for speeding.
Saturday — Tree limbs were removed from the street in the 300 block of N. Cedar St. Possible animal neglect was investigated. A driver was warned for speeding.
Sunday — Saturday's animal neglect report was determined to be unfounded. Three drivers were warned for speeding and equipment violations.
Last modified Sept. 22, 2021


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BRAY SCOFIELD
Full Name: Bray Scofield
Codename: Beowulf Agate
Organization: U.S. State Department Consular Operation
Creator: Robert Ludlum
Bray Scofield is an agent with the Consular Operations of the State Department.
This two-book series sometimes goes by the name of the evil organization Scofield opposes, largely because the name is in both titles. The Matarese refers to an extremely secret cabal dedicated to bring chaos to the world's governments so that the group's people might step in and rule in their stead.
The organization got its start in the early 1910's when a rich Corsican, learning that jealous men around the world had conspired to break him, resulting in considerable loss of money and the death of his two sons, set out on a mad scheme for revenge. Selecting several influential, and also 'victims' of his enemies, he presented his plan, gave them the remainder of his riches, and then promptly had himself killed.
Sixty some years later, the work of the descendants have brought the world to the brink of anarchy and war. A major part in their latest action involves assassinations done by them but implicating the best agent from both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Unfortunately for the Matarese, neither of these agents take kindly to being framed and both greatly resent the trumped-up charges leading to orders for their deaths.
Bray Scofield is the American agent being victimized and it is he who is the main focal point of the series. He shares billing, however, with two other characters. Taleniekov is the Soviet agent who, in the first chronicle, teaches Scofield of the existence of the Matarese and fights alongside him to vanquish the group's leadership. Cameron Pryce is the CIA agent who, twenty years later, brings Scofield back into action when the remnants of the Matarese.
Interestingly, many references to both books on the web put Scofield in the employ of the CIA, which he is not. He is, however, the key agent for a hush-hush division in the State Department, set up initially to assist diplomats and now a small but still important part of the Intelligence community.
1 The Matarese Circle
Written by Robert Ludlum
Two prominent world figures, a Soviet and an American, are assassinated and evidence points to two key operatives as the culprits and orders for their removal go out. That is when these two fall guys, the bitterest of enemies, begin to work together to take down the Matarese. One of them is Bray Scofield.
2 The Matarese Countdown
Twenty years before, the Matarese was destroyed, or so Bray Scofield thought. Now a brash CIA agent arrives at his Caribbean retreat with word that the cabal is back in action. About to send the agent away, Scofield sees the Coast Guard cutter that brought him explode and Bray knows the Matarese have found him.
It is just not possible, in my opinion, to not love Robert Ludlum. Still, there are a fair number of critics who have gone to great lengths to denigrate his works, for which I'm sure he suffered little.
It is easy to see why they criticize him - he was fantastically successful. Critics for the most part hate mass-market successes.
I, on the other hand, figure that his phenomenal success might be related to the fact that he crafted dynamite stories that hooked the readers and didn't let go for 500 pages. He wrote sagas that made you know and like the main characters and want to see them succeed. He gave the audience bad guys who are obviously evil deserving of being vanquished.
One of the biggest complaints I've heard about Mr. Ludlum's books is the nature of his bad guys, to whit, they are not three-dimensional. They are too black-hat and not enough gray. Still, in a world that gave us Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and so on and so on, to say that evildoers like Mr. Ludlum created don't really exist makes me doubt the eyes of the critics who make such complaints.
I think Robert Ludlum was one of the greatest writers of spy fiction and of international intrigue that the world has ever had. I mourned the day he passed away.
My Grade: A


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Hitman's Competitive Ghost Mode Announced To Be Ended On August 31 And Not In Hitman 3
Suspiciously soon after IO Interactive stated that the upcoming assassin versus everyone title, Hitman 3, is going to be an Epic exclusive that allows them to self-publish, IOI pushed out some equally interesting news.
Ghost Mode, the 1v1 competitive game mode that pit two players against each other in contract assignments, is going to close its operation on August 31 in Hitman. Further, the game mode will not be coming back; IOI announced that there are zero intentions to bring the game mode to Hitman 3.
The outfit that is only unlockable by playing Ghost Mode (The Phantom Suit) will be 'added as an unlock' in the upcoming title. This means that there will be five game modes in total for the upcoming Hitman 3, barring Ghost.
The campaign itself is the standard fare; it needs no introduction with cutscenes and specific individuals to eliminate quietly (or with guns blazing, depending on your mood) that match the plodding progression of plot that the prior two titles have introduced players to. Hitman 3 is going to be the final of the campaign with a 'dramatic conclusion'.
We are super excited to reveal our next game and conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy!
This is HITMAN 3. Death Awaits.#DeathAwaits #HITMAN3 pic.twitter.com/ttiFKjW52y
— IO Interactive (@IOInteractive) June 11, 2020
Elusive Targets is going to be a secondary core of Hitman 3; tasked with finding and eliminating a unique target with little help from the UI and system, Agent 47 will need to blend in with the environment as he browses the individuals near him to find his target. Once the target has been identified, Agent 47 then needs to figure out how to kill them on the fly.
With IOI stating that this is going to be shifted a bit from how it has been experienced before, and they are not yet ready to reveal those details.
Escalations brings back previous missions, yet everything has been dialed up to eleven with new cameras in unsuspecting locations, disguise restrictions based on level, and anything else IOI can figure out to throw at players attempting to complete the objectives placed before them. These tend to restrict common approaches, but arguably add little to the overall replayability of the sandbox levels unless you're a glutton for punishment.
Sniper Assassin has also been named at making a comeback, removing Agent 47's tendency to make things a little personal. Sit with a rifle and wisely eliminate targets before anyone can figure out what you're up to, or where you are.
Contracts Mode is once again going to be the heart of user-generated-content (UGC) for the title; create your own contracts, challenge friends to complete ones that you've crafted (or highly rated ones within the community) and try your hand at new and bizarre experiences that can range from achievement hunting to surmounting next to impossible odds.
Even if you're planning on waiting out the exclusivity agreement with Epic, Hitman 3 is frankly appearing that it's ready to step into the light with a bunch of new sandboxes to play around (and murder people) within.
Read More: Hitman's Competitive Ghost Mode Announced To Be Ended On August 31 And Not In Hitman 3
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One Foot, Two Feet, written and illustrated by Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas: This counting-to-ten book introduces numbers and shows one object — a foot, a mouse, a goose — compared to a group of that same object.
Touch Think Learn: Shapes, written by Xavier Deneux: This colorful, interactive book takes babies on a hands-on, shape-filled adventure. As you read, you can help your baby trace each shape with his or her finger.
I Like Vegetables, written and illustrated by Lorena Siminovich: Explore vegetables of different shapes and colors, learn about opposites, and encourage your baby to discover each vegetable's texture in this touch-and-feel book.
Little Bitty Friends, written by Elizabeth McPike; illustrated by Patrice Barton: The rhyming verses and vibrant illustrations will help introduce your baby to language concepts and elements of the natural world, such as ants, a caterpillar, and flowers.
Thank You!, written and illustrated by Ethan Long: "Bark, bark!" "Hum, hum!" This book includes fun, cartoon-like pictures of animals saying "thank you" in their own ways. Your baby will see different shapes, colors, and objects and will hear many different animal sounds.
Hello, Day!, written and illustrated by Anita Lobel: More animal sounds, combined with large, bright illustrations will introduce babies to meows, moos, and more.
Tuck Me In!, written by Dean Hacohen, illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt: This is a great book to read with your little one before naptime or bedtime. Go through each page with your baby and fold over the blankets until all of the animals — the zebra, peacock, hedgehog, and more — are ready to go to sleep. As your baby gets older, encourage him or her to help you fold the blankets over. This book will introduce new animal names and will also help with fine motor development.
Peck, Peck, Peck, written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins: Babies will enjoy the bright colors and illustrations throughout this book, and they can stick their fingers through the holes made by pecking woodpeckers.
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury: This book takes a rhythmic approach to introducing fingers and toes. Babies will see beautiful watercolor illustrations that mimic their own fingers, toes, and bodies, and they'll hear different numbers, too.
Me Baby, You Baby, written and illustrated by Ashley Wolff: Rhyming phrases create a story of two mothers and their babies who start their day, get ready for an adventure, and head off to the zoo.
Machines at Work, written and illustrated by Byron Barton: This simple introduction to construction includes bold illustrations of big machines, a lot of color, and just a few words per page.
Reading with your baby can be a fun bonding experience for both of you, and it can boost brain and language development and spark a love of books, too. Get started with these 11 titles!
For more suggestions on what to add to your reading list, check out our Growing Readers Program!
related to the best books for babies!!
I will recommend these books in my baby Preschools In Jacksonville Fl.


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Hattie - Name Meaning, What does Hattie mean?
Hattie ▼ as a name for girls has its root in Old German, and the name Hattie means "home leader". Hattie is a variant form of Harriet (Old German): feminine of Harry, from Henry. Hattie is also a form of Henrietta (Latin, French, Old German).
Prominent variation forms of Hattie (#503 VIA LATEST LIST) are Ettie, Halle (#966), Hallie (#577), Harriet (#1349), Hennie, Henrietta, Hettie and Hetty. Adoption of these relations of Hattie reached its most widespread during the years 1880-1889 (ADOPTION OF 0.9%) and has become significantly less since (ADOPTION 0.1%, ▼91%), with versions such as Hettie becoming less fashionable.
Hattie▼ is pronounced similarly to Hittie and Hitty. Other suggested similar-sounding names are Attie, Beattie, Bettie▼, Caitie, Cathie, Catie, Chattie, Dottie▼, Hadee, Hadia, Haelie, Haidee, Hailie▼, Halie▼, Hannie, Harlie, Haydee, Haylie▼, Heddie, Huette, Kaitie, Kathie▼, Katie▼, Kittie▼, Lettie▼, Lottie▼, Martie, Matti, Mattia, Mattie▼, Nattie, Nettie▼, Patte, Pattee, Patti▼, Pattie▼, Tatie and Tottie. These names tend to be less frequently used than Hattie.


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Gene Sharp, Nonviolent Warrior
The world's top scholar of peaceful protest is helping a generation of young activists in the Middle East find their voice.
By Sasha Abramsky
Gene Sharp has labored in obscurity for much of his life. In the past few weeks, however, he has been propelled into the media spotlight—hailed in news reports as the world's top theorist of nonviolent strategy and cited as an inspiration by leaders of the campaign that brought the Mubarak regime down. He has been called a "nonviolent Clausewitz," in reference to the grand military strategist of the early nineteenth century. And in some ways he could also be seen as a nonviolent equivalent of Leon Trotsky—another brilliant strategist, with a penchant for pithy aphorisms, whose ideas (albeit framed in dramatically different ways) offered up the possibility of rolling, and transformational, global revolutions.
Sharp admits that bold claims about his impact on events in the Middle East make him slightly uneasy; he doesn't think he can substantiate them. It is true, though, that his early works—including, most notably, his three-volume treatise The Politics of Nonviolent Action—established his reputation as a leader in the small field of nonviolence studies. And in recent years, From Dictatorship to Democracy, an enormously influential handbook published in 1993 that synthesized and condensed his major findings, has been translated into more than thirty languages. For nonviolent protest organizers, the book has become something akin to Saul Alinsky's famed Rules for Radicals.
Sharp is also the founder and head of the Albert Einstein Institution, a bare-bones, privately funded operation that has been spreading the word about nonviolence for nearly three decades. The organization argues that it reacts to events rather than pushing people in specific countries to embark on specific actions. But despite the modesty of the institution and the man at its helm, there's no doubt that Sharp's ideas have greatly influenced opposition groups from Burma to the Balkans and, most recently, the Middle East.
Robert Helvey, who met Sharp while completing an Army fellowship at Harvard and who subsequently joined the Albert Einstein Institution's board, describes his friend as "obsessed with the need to share his insights into power to stop or reduce the killing of people, especially civilians, in war."
The force of Sharp's emancipatory thinking was on full view in Egypt last month, as a population long thought to be too passive to throw off the yoke of tyranny finally found its voice. "I was surprised by the Tunisian and Egyptian developments," Sharp says. "It was never thought that Arabs could do this, that Muslims could do this. Now the Muslims are doing it. In some cases it's not very disciplined, but in other cases it's very disciplined. In Egypt, it's unbelievable. The stereotypes are all gone."
From now on, he adds, no American president can claim that US intervention is necessary to free an oppressed Muslim population from dictatorship. "These people are capable of freeing themselves," he says. "No outside messiah was needed. It's a great realization."
Despite the fever for democracy that seems to be spreading across the region, though, Sharp does not assume that Egypt's neighbors will necessarily enjoy the same success. "Egypt is bound to inspire people," he explains, "but inspiration alone doesn't do much." Nor does Sharp put much stock in historical determinism. "I don't think it's inevitable, or that there's a force sweeping the world that's sort of mystical. I don't think on those terms," he says.
Nonviolent uprisings are, at their essence, political campaigns. According to the complex analysis of power that Sharp has painstakingly developed over the years, the success or failure of any peaceful revolt largely depends on the campaign's ability to weaken the allegiance of civil servants, police and soldiers to the regime; to persuade fence-sitters to join the opposition; and to prevent tyrannical and violent responses to civilian protest from being implemented—or, if implemented, from undermining the nonviolent movement's strategic game plan. "As that know-how becomes available," he explains, "it's more likely that people will use it skillfully and not just in terms of inspiration and a surprise victory here and there. And that will contribute to profound change—not because of a sense of inevitability but because people have made new possibilities possible."
Of course, one could argue that the limits to such thinking are on display in Libya, where the ruthless (some would say maniacal) dictator Col. Muammar Qaddafi has shown no compunction in unleashing maximum force against his opponents. In such a situation, say critics—and even some of Sharp's friends—strict adherence to nonviolence demands that the protesters pay too steep a price. Imagine, for example, calling on Jews to remain nonviolent during the Warsaw ghetto uprising. There might be, says Sir Adam Roberts, president of the British Academy and a longtime friend of Sharp's, limited instances in which violence is both legitimate and required to stop fast-evolving atrocities.
Sharp disagrees. Although he doesn't claim to be a pure pacifist, he's also unwilling to delineate specific situations in which violent resistance might be appropriate. "The power relationships exist only when completed by the subordinates' obedience to the ruler's commands and compliance with his wishes," he opined in volume one of The Politics of Nonviolent Action. "Even where subjects wish to alter the established order, they may remain submissive because they lack confidence in bringing about the desired changes. As long as people lack self-confidence they are unlikely to do anything other than obey, cooperate with, and submit to their rulers."
According to this logic, the ineffectiveness of nonviolent protest in Libya right now does not stem from Qaddafi's aggressive use of force but from the rebels' inability to plan ahead and to identify and exploit the regime's vulnerabilities. Events in Libya simply unfolded too fast for a sophisticated nonviolent strategy to take root. The key, he says, is "to maximize the areas where nonviolent struggle can be powerful and effective" and "to narrow the area in which violence appears to be the only effective option."
All regimes have fundamental weaknesses, Sharp explains. Nonviolent struggle "concentrates on weakening them further and cutting off their sources of power" until the regime dissolves. "That's the ultimate goal. But it won't happen easily, or quickly, or always."
Gene Sharp grew up in a conservative Republican family in the American Midwest. His formative years were dominated by stories of World War II, images of the horrors of death camps, the onset of the cold war, the atomic bomb. As the images sank in, he developed an abhorrence of violence and totalitarianism; during the Korean War he went to prison rather than allow the Army to conscript him.
Shortly after Sharp was released, he wrote a book about Mahatma Gandhi, who had recently been assassinated and who, Sharp concluded, was misunderstood. Maybe he was a saint, as he was widely being portrayed; maybe he wasn't. To Sharp the question was beside the point. For him, Gandhi was one of the century's great political strategists. He realized that Indians couldn't successfully fight the British Empire militarily and instead carefully crafted a nonviolent strategy that ultimately destroyed the Raj. When Sharp completed the book, he sent a note to Albert Einstein, asking whether he would write an introduction; to his delight, the legendary physicist cum peace activist agreed. Sharp's course was set.
Over the next several decades, Sharp worked on the mammoth Politics of Nonviolent Action while living in England, where he worked as a visiting scholar at Oxford; in Oslo; and in Boston, where he lectured at Harvard and later headed the Albert Einstein Institution. Sharp's opus was followed by a number of texts and policy papers on strategy and resistance, along with a large volume titled Waging Nonviolent Struggle.
Part historian, part sociologist, part psychologist, Sharp became interested in historical examples of nonviolent resistance early in his career—from Gandhi's famous Salt March against the Raj to Norwegian teachers resisting the imposition of Fascist curriculums during World War II, from US civil rights campaigners to antiapartheid struggles in South Africa. He was also interested in theories of power: how rulers rule and how the ruled, in some ways, agree to be ruled; how obedience is inculcated in populations and how nonviolent movements can, by embracing specific nonviolent tactics and carefully targeting the support pillars upon which administrations rest, break the bonds of unthinking obedience and emancipate populations.
"Dictatorships in particular have specific characteristics that render them highly vulnerable to skillfully implemented political defiance," he informed his readers. They have Achilles' heels such as dependence on the population's cooperation and ongoing submissiveness; inflexible command-and-control structures; leaders who are surrounded by yes-men predisposed to tell the leader what he wants to hear rather than what is really going on; the likelihood of rivalries between elites, which can be exploited by savvy on-the-ground opponents; and a predisposition to regionalism, whereby power brokers lay claim to their slice of the ill-gotten pie.
Once enough people and organizations within a society (trade unions, religious groups, sports clubs, civil servants, even the police and military) withhold their cooperation from a regime, Sharp wrote, "The dictators' power will die, slowly or rapidly, from political starvation." If protesters hue closely to nonviolence, this process will "lead to de facto freedom, making the collapse of the dictatorship and the formal installation of a democratic system undeniable."
For Sharp, violence, by contrast, isn't just morally problematic; it is also a peculiarly ineffective way to take on despots. After all, governments have access to more, and more sophisticated, weapons. Their armies are better trained in using those weapons. And they generally control the infrastructure that allows them to deploy those weapons and armies. To fight dictators with violence, Sharp argues, is to cede to them the choice of weaponry. Nonviolence forces the regime to fight on unfamiliar terrain. It is, in many ways, akin to fabled organizer Marshall Ganz's idea that David beat Goliath not by outfighting him so much as outfoxing him [see Abramsky, "A Conversation With Marshall Ganz," February 21].
The worse the regime gets, the more steadfast ought the opposition to be in its commitment to nonviolence. The result will be a "severing of power," a process of political jiujitsu in which the ruler's actions turn against him and he becomes progressively isolated from the people and institutions whose complicity he needs to keep the administration functioning. Take that complicity away, and the ruler will be exposed as naked, a Wizard of Oz character with the curtains pulled back. At the same time, the more the populace resists, the more they will realize their own innate power and, like Dorothy, discover that they had possessed the means of shaping their own destiny all along.
When Sharp first began publishing his theories, the ideas all made sense. But they were so counterintuitive that Sharp's work remained largely ignored for decades. He was like a boutique wine: cherished by a select few, hidden from the broader public. Even his friends and colleagues believed that he was, to a degree, tilting at windmills.
These days, however, with the Egyptian revolution upending longstanding assumptions about the interplay between dictatorships and the people they oppress, Sharp's ideas don't seem so quixotic. Those windmills, says his friend Helvey, might just be morphing into giants.
Sasha AbramskySasha Abramsky, who writes regularly for The Nation, is the author of several books, including Inside Obama's Brain, Breadline USA, American Furies, The American Way of Poverty, The House of 20,000 Books, and, most recently, Jumping at Shadows: The Triumph of Fear and the End of the American Dream. Subscribe to The Abramsky Report, a weekly, subscription-based political column, here.


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Spyro Reignited Trilogy (NSW) Review
I listed Spyro Reignited Trilogy as my fourth favorite game of 2018. That was the PlayStation 4 version of the game, so when one of my favorite games of 2018 was released on the Nintendo Switch--a platform where I can comfortably enjoy some gaming without being stuck to my TV--you bet I was looking for any excuse to replay it! That's exactly what I did over the past month with Spyro Reignited Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch. Here's the full SPC review.
Check out my review of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One original release of Spyro Reignited Trilogy by clicking on this link.
Of purple dragon's majesty...
Last year, developer Toys for Bob showed how remarkable remakes are done with its work on updating the original PlayStation Spyro the Dragon trilogy of games in one fantastic package on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. A year has since passed, and now the complete package, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, has arrived on the Nintendo Switch with the bonus of being able to take the experience anywhere you want with its portable play. Adding some refinements and some drawbacks as well, does Spyro Reignited Trilogy hold up as well on the less powerful Switch?
Sparx isn't just Spyro's companion on his adventures--he's also Spyro's health indicator.
Having played through Spyro's three games for the first time to completion last year on the PlayStation 4, my run through of the games on the Switch didn't take as long--but at the same time, it was just as enjoyable for me. There's easily over 25 hours' worth of content to delve into with Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and after the original, you can see how much each of the sequels builds off its predecessor.
While the original Spyro the Dragon employs a simple start-to-finish progression with its levels, and these are connected by hubs, each level begs to be explored. This is due to the fact that your transport between worlds requires a set amount of a particular collectible to proceed. Sometimes it's a number of gems, Dragon Elders to rescue, or Dragon eggs to nab back from pilfering (and quite cowardly) egg thieves upon which Spyro must give chase to return the eggs.
Come back here, you pesky egg thief!
Generally, levels in the original Spyro the Dragon are relatively brief affairs, but that's only if you're running from point A to point B without going off the beaten path. As stated, exploration from finding gems, Dragon Elders, and other collectibles is paramount to Spyro's progress. Plus, if you're a sucker for collectibles like myself, you probably won't be able to ward off the temptation of aiming for 100% completion in each level.
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage introduces new characters, a more involved story, and more cinematics (including cutscenes that appear at the beginning and end of each level). Spyro also expands his arsenal of moves by paying off a particularly greedy ursine fellow with the gems he discovers throughout his platforming escapades. These moves include the ability to swim underwater, climb ladders, and perform a ground pound of sorts. In addition to these learned moves, Spyro has an incredibly helpful ability to cap off his winged descents across pits and other chasms by having the player press the X button to perform a quick ascent into the sky. No more "just" not having enough height to reach faraway platforms.
Of the three games in the trilogy, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage slightly edges out the original as my favorite.
Additionally, Ripto's Rage brings with it side quests that have Spyro completing special challenges for special collectibles. Some are rewarded by surviving certain platforming perils while others involve mini-games such as controlling a train cart through a hazardous course, beating an NPC in a game of ice hockey, or defeating a group of enemies causing trouble in a level.
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage introduces unique side quests that add even more variety to the series.
Spyro: Year of the Dragon rounds out the trilogy, and it adds even more gameplay variety to the series. This is both a positive and a negative. While being able to play as characters other than Spyro--such as a club-wielding yeti and a missile-toting bird--mostly brings about entertaining variety, some of the other types of variety on display in Spyro 3, such as mini-games like the woefully awkward and clumsy hoverboarding, don't give off as great of an impression.
Speaking of variety, being able to play as several new animal
companions turns the "variety dial" up to 11!
Staying with the theme of "not giving off as great of an impression," we have the boss battles. In Spyro the Dragon, the levels leading up to each boss battle are more challenging and lengthier than the actual bosses, which can usually be flamed or rammed into a quick defeat. In Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, bosses are their own encounters without levels preceding them, but these range from total jokes to hair-pulling in their difficulties. The total lack of checkpoints in these encounters made these particular encounters more frustrating and annoying than they needed to be. It's a shame that with all of the updates and upgrades in both presentation and quality of life aspects of Spyro Reignited Trilogy that the addition of the occasional checkpoint in the more arduous boss battles was not included.
Not all boss fights are created equal. While all are pretty forgettable
in this trilogy, some are just frustrating as all get out!
As mentioned and as expected of remakes of this type, all three games in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy have been touched up dramatically, and although they don't have the same wow factor graphically as the PS4 and Xbox One versions (or especially the newly released PC version, for that matter), the fact that the games hold up rather well visually on the Switch--especially when considering you can play them on a single device that you can hold in your hands--makes for its own kind of wow factor. Something impressive as well is how that the only frame-rate hitches that I noticed were ones that happened during loading screens. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred during actual gameplay. An important point to mention: this didn't matter whether I was playing with the Switch placed in the dock or if I was playing the game in handheld form.
While the visuals may not be astonishing compared to the other versions, Spyro Reignited Trilogy running as flawlessly as it does on the Switch certainly is astonishing all on its own!
Spyro Reignited Trilogy may be a year late in coming to the Nintendo Switch, but it's on the system in style with surprisingly remarkable results. Though Spyro's adventures are dated in some regards when it comes to their designs, overall, each adventure is worthy of a play through (or several) and holds up exceptionally well. If you haven't played these sensationally remade versions of Spyro's original three platforming adventures already, own a Switch, and favor either the platform itself or portability, then enjoy Spyro Reignited Trilogy on Nintendo's hybrid system--because this port is a well done one.
Labels: activision, nintendo, nintendo switch, review, spyro reignited trilogy, switch, toys for bob
Review Round-Up - September 2019
SuperPhillip Central ended summer with a dream vacation to Koholint Island in the remake
of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Nintendo Switch.
A new month begins with a new Review Round-Up. Only three reviews were posted for the month, but for the most part, it was quality over quantity. We got neither of the two with the first game reviewed for September, Whipseey and the Lost Atlas, which got an unsatisfying "D" grade. Following that were two games that share Game of the Month honors, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, both for the Nintendo Switch, and both earning an A-.
Check out every review ever posted on SuperPhillip Central with the SPC Review Archive!
Whipseey and the Lost Atlas (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) - D
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (NSW) - A-
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (NSW) - A-
Which house did you choose in Fire Emblem: Three Houses?
Labels: fire emblem: three houses, review round-up, reviews, september 2019, the legend of zelda: link's awakening


I've seen dozens of strange lighting setups over the years, where people cut corners and use whatever they had available or could afford)—from clamp-on desk lamps to standing work lights and fluorescent light fixtures designed for a garage or workshop. Sure, you may be able to get away with some of these crude basics, especially with today's digital cameras that let you set the white balance to adjust for off-color temperature lighting. But when it comes to shooting green screen, the fewer corners you cut, the better. That still doesn't mean that you have to buy or rent expensive lighting gear to get a good, useable result.
I was inspired at a conference by colleague Victor Milt , who makes homemade light kits from simple materials. You can easily build one of these soft-boxes for less than $100 worth of materials – including white and black foam core, duct tape, hot glue, light sockets, lamp cord, plastic light grid material and Velcro. The compact fluorescent bulbs will cost you a bit more, depending on the quality you use, but this is by far the best alternative to professional studio lighting that I've seen to date. If you take your time and build it correctly, it will look as professional as well.
This professional-quality soft box light can be made into your own configuration, size, and scale using simple tools. As you can see in this image, the plug-in dimmer is an option I chose to control my lights, but it only works with the more expensive dimmable bulbs. You can't find these easily at the hardware store, so if you want optimum color temperatures that are closest to daylight (such as the 5100K dimmable bulbs I used here), you'll have to find a professional online lighting source. I got mine at www.BuyLighting.com and spent about $18 per bulb. At 75-watt light output per bulb, giving me a 450-watt output fixture, that's still a very reasonable price when you consider the alternative of having to buy expensive cool-lighting fixtures and tubes like Kino Flos, or renting lights for a single day.
You can also use bulbs from the hardware store, but mind the color temperature of the bulb—most are very warm, because they try to simulate incandescent bulbs for use in the home. You should aim for daylight or as close to 6000k-6500k as possible, but be sure all your bulbs match color temperature! You can also unscrew a couple of bulbs to diminish the light output of your fixture as needed, if you choose not to use the more expensive dimmable bulbs.
I built one of these lights from Victor's instructions and added a few variations of my own as I went along. I used white duct tape on the inside surfaces to give the light a clean, professional look while maximizing the reflective white space. I also used more hot glue and Velcro than the original plan called for, because I wanted a sturdy and durable design. I used more black duct tape over the heavily glued tabs shown here, to make the light look better and be more durable. In this image, you'll notice the pole attached to the back of the foamcore lightbox, per Victor's instructions to allow you to secure it with clamps vertically to a stand or suspended from a boom extension.
You can also glue or Velcro a sheet of Mylar or frosted white film over the grid to get a softer, more even light, or drape a piece of white silk over the light box for a soft effect. The lights can be on for hours and still stay cool, which is a big advantage over the old-style hot lamps still used in many studios today. The light can easily be collapsed for transport or storage - the screen comes out; then, you remove the bulbs and put them back in their original boxes for safekeeping. You remove the Velcro tabs, collapse the sides of the box, and fasten them together with Velcro tabs.
I also used this simple concept to build some smaller, more compact fixtures for lighting my green screen backdrops. By using some simple components from the hardware store and some green fluorescent bulbs to enhance my green screen backdrop (and use much less light to get the coverage I needed), I was able to put together light fixtures for less than $20 each.
To get "greener greens" that will key better in your compositing software on a portable background or green photo paper, you can also use green compact fluorescent bulbs. Below, you can see that I started with a couple of the green fluorescent bulbs screwed into a T and then attached to a socket plug. I put two of these into a power strip that I glued to the inside of the fixture. Because each of these bulbs draws only 24 watts (but has a 100-watt output), there is no danger of overloading the power strip: you're getting about 400 watts of light with less than a 100-watt draw. These lights burn cool for hours.
You can simply clamp these mini-fixtures to any stand and move them around as needed. You can also stack them vertically or attach them over each other on a stand to get a fuller light coverage. The compact fluorescent bulbs can be placed on a power strip and clamped or gaff-taped to a stand to use as a hair light as well as shown below. Here, we used green photo paper with the green bulbs to get a really decent and even light for our model in a small space in our home office. The end result was a decent green screen we could pull a good matte from.
You can find information on virtual sets here.


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Mexico, Mexico City Guide (B): 48 Hours in Mexico City
More than 20 million people live in Mexico City. Thus it is the largest city in the western hemisphere and the largest Spanish-speaking city on this planet. 4-5 million people use the metro everyday and Mexico City's airport is the largest one in Latin America.
But did you also know that Mexico City is the city with the most museums in the world? No, it's not Paris, London or New York, it's actually Mexico City. It's also a city with more than 100 art galleries and 30 concert halls, it has the fourth highest number of theaters. The oldest university of America can be found here which also has become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
And no, Mexico city is not a poor city with a lot of crime and trafficking. Mexico City is actually the eight richest city in the world. After years of decreasing crime rates, Mexico City is now apparently safer than Washington DC. There is one police officer for every 100 residents.
As you can see Mexico City is a diversified city which has a lot more to offer than it appears by its reputation. It's a very cultural city with several hip and alternative neighborhoods, one of the best street food in the world and hear hear it's much greener than you might expect. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
This article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on iTunes App Store and Google Play. You can download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions featured in this article. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Sights Map
Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Mexico City
Guide Name: 48 Hours in Mexico City
Guide Location: Mexico » Mexico City
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Sight(s) featured in this guide: • Museum Frida Kahlo • Cathedral on Zocalo • Templo Mayor • Sonara Market • Torre Latinoamericana • Museum of Fine Arts • Monumento de la Revolucion • Chapultepec • Hostel Mundo Joven Catedral • Coyoacan Market • Merced Market • Parque Espana • Parque Mexico
Author: Stefka Poessel
Read it on author's website: http://foodandphotosrtw.com/2016/01/14/48-hours-in-mexico-ci
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Must-Try Mexican Foods in Mexico City
While Mexico is a treasure trove in terms of cultural and artistic heritage (ancient history, architecture, etc.), the vast majority of visitors to the country are lured mainly by, let's face it, bodily pleasures. The latter are manifested in the form of sandy beaches, sun and, most...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 17 Must-Buy Local Products from Mexico City
Both historic and modern day Mexico's are worth each other in terms of cultural and artistic heritage. The country's capital Mexico City is a showroom of what the label "Made in Mexico" stands for in its entirety. Whether it's authentic food, drink or piece of craftsmanship...


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Leather sector exports may hit $10bn by 2030
Says commerce minister
8 December, 2022 12:00 AM
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi believed that export earnings from the potential leather sector would reach $10 billion by 2030 if the quality of leather goods could be improved.
"There is an ample scope for improving the leather sector and leather exports from the country. Leather exports can be raised to $10 billion from existing $1 billion by 2030," he said while addressing the inaugural function of "Leathertech 2022."
"But for that, it is very important to improve the quality of leather goods. We've raw materials and skilled manpower and we can advance the industry to a step forward" the minister emphasised.
Leather Goods and Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) organised the expo at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.
The commerce minister said, "There is a huge demand for leather goods in the international market. The leather industry can be easily set up in 100 economic zones being established in 100 special economic zones with the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
Many countries had already come forward to invest in these economic zones at the development stage, he said.
"Investors will benefit if they invest here while jobs will be created for skilled manpower," the minister said.
He said that the government had shifted tanneries from the capital's Hazaribagh to Savar where "the leather industry is growing with the government's special support."
Tipu Munshi said, "Although Bangladesh will lose market preference in 2026, the country
can take the chance of the leather industry shifting from China and Vietnam."
"It is a big opportunity for Bangladesh," he emphasised.
Bangladesh Tanners' Association (BTA) Chairman Shahin Ahmed also spoke at the event chaired by LFMEAB president Syed Nasim Manzur.
Leathertech is being held for the 8th time in the country where 200 companies from 10 countries are taking part. The expo will remain open to the public from 11am to 7pm until December 09.
Mongla rail project to see further delay, cost hike
Business Market
ExxonMobil reports record profits of $55.7 bn in 2022
Electric car sales gain pace despite hurdles
Share sale fails to halt Adani mkt slide in India
UK faces fresh mass strikes as wage talks derail
Most Asian markets rebound from losses after Wall St rally
Midland Bank opens branch in Barishal


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Small Socs! 'Scootah Tunes' talk DJing, Ambitions, and Belfield FM
Posted On February 13, 2020 By Editor
On a mild January Afternoon, the College Tribune sat down with ¾ of the 'Scootah Tunes' collective. The group are music podcasters, bloggers, DJ's and event curators, who have been on the scene since February 2019. They have hosted live sessions and podcasts at 'Belfield FM' and have hosted events in NCAD. I spoke to them on how 'Scootah' came to be, their ambitions, and where they fit in at UCD.
'So, what made you start 'Scootah Tunes' and what inspired you to bring the collective to where it is today?'
"We had to create a blog for a college assignment in 2nd year and promote it. It was the perfect excuse to start up 'Scootah' as I've always had a rough idea that of talking about and promoting Irish music" David said. "We ended up with a fair few followers on Instagram and decided we'd run with it."
'Going forward this year, what have you guys got planned, what would you like to achieve?'
"We'd like more recognition, we'd like to keep on holding more events at a frequent rate, maybe once a month. Although we formed in February 2019, we only started giving it full thought around 3 months ago" They collectively answered. "1 event a month until everyone goes away for the summer."
"What do you think UCD have done and could do going forward to helping you guys out?"
"Unfortunately, UCD haven't given us any big opportunities. That's the reality!" Eoin and Rioghan explained. "If you look at other colleges such as Trinity and NCAD, they've got DJ nights out and they support any groups that come out. Even if we had a full DJ society, I don't think we'd get the support. There are no spaces that they're willing to give to us, I feel like if we started playing a set outside like they used to do back in the 90's, someone would come tell us off."
When I asked about their association with Belfield FM, the group had to clear up a few issues:
"We had a bit of a disagreement with them. On our last podcast we brought up a few bottles of beer while we were DJing. I understand why they were upset; it could have damaged equipment. But the point is that it shouldn't be an issue if we want to have a drink" The group told me. "Afterwards we reached out to them and apologised, we know we shouldn't have done it, but they refused to give us the recorded file, that pissed us off, it was a good set! However, we do have to say we're grateful for the space Belfield FM gave us."
Where would you like to go with 'Scootah Tunes' long term.
"I've a really big picture, it might be an unrealistic dream, but I want all of us to create 'Scootah' into a label." David said with a smile on his face. "For now, I want to keep doing events and making a bit of money, linking up with new artists and people. We've had a lot of fun, especially our last night out with NCAD. It was fantastic. The DJ industry is really tough to crack unless you have a certain image, but we want to break that standard."
The lads went on their way and it was overall a fantastic window into the rollercoaster of a world that is music curation in its purest sense. Expect big things from 'Scootah Tunes' at their next event in March at 'The Bernard Shaw'.
Luke Murphy – Reporter
Tagged: scootah tunes
'VSN' To Release Star Studded Charity Mixtape
How Pink Floyd Let Us Down.
Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
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Семенки́ — село в Україні, в Немирівському районі Вінницької області. Населення становить 338 осіб.

Село розташовується на правому березі Південного Бугу. Через село проходить дорога місцевого значення Брацлав — Нижча Кропивна. Нею можна потрапити на ту сторону річки, до залізничної зупинки «Семенки» і в Нижчу Кропивну. Поїздом тричі на тиждень можна потрапити у Вінницю (пенсіонерам — безкоштовно).

Література
 Са́линці // Історія міст і сіл Української РСР : у 26 т. / П.Т. Тронько (голова Головної редколегії). — К. : Головна редакція УРЕ АН УРСР, 1967 - 1974 — том Вінницька область / А.Ф. Олійник (голова редколегії тому), 1972 : 788с. — С.504(Семенки)

Посилання

 Погода в селі Семенки

Села Вінницької області

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Good News, Bad News in Trump's International Affairs Budget
June 5, 2017 Diana Ohlbaum
by Diana Ohlbaum
Expert reviews of President Trump's proposed budget for international affairs have been almost uniformly negative—and for good reason. Severe and disproportionate cuts for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) would undermine U.S. national security. Skimping on security protections for diplomats and development professionals serving overseas would pave the way for what Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has called "a lot of Benghazis." Massive reductions in humanitarian aid would leave millions of refugees and displaced people without sufficient food, water, medicine, and protection. The renunciation of U.S. leadership in multilateral institutions will almost certainly set back coordinated efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality, end the scourge of HIV/AIDS, limit global warming, and prevent the spread of armed violence and weapons of mass destruction.
To politicos in Washington, the budget may be just numbers on paper. But to real people around the world, it will have life-or-death consequences. An estimated 1 million people would die just as a result of the proposed cuts to AIDS programs.
Yet alongside these immoral, reckless, and misguided cuts, the administration's foreign affairs budget contains a few sound and reasonable reforms. While recognizing that each piece of good news is accompanied by a weightier piece of bad news, the internationalist community should at least acknowledge the areas in which the Trump budget adheres to aid effectiveness principles.
Good News: Instead of making across-the-board cuts, which would have been the easy choice, the Trump budget applies selectivity and focus. In 2010, President Obama pledged in his Global Development Policy that the U.S. government would "be more selective about where and in which sectors it works"—a promise that was mostly honored in the breach. A 2012 bipartisan report by John Norris and Connie Veillette — leaders in the foreign aid reform movement—specifically called for working in fewer countries and eliminating small, expensive-to-operate or peripheral-interest country programs. Several of the countries that the Trump budget drastically reduces or zeroes out entirely— including Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Timor Leste, Jamaica, and Paraguay—were examples that Norris and Veillette cited. Trump's rejection of ineffective and controversial regime-change programs in Cuba took political courage, even though Congress is likely to reinsert the money.
Bad News: Many of the cuts were made for ideological reasons that are not supported by evidence of waste, inefficiency, or poor performance. Family planning programs were completely eliminated, even though unintended pregnancy is a significant cause of maternal mortality, and family planning has been documented to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, lower the risk of infant mortality, and reduce the number of abortions. Funding for all climate-change programs was withdrawn even though helping developing countries to pursue low-carbon growth and build resilience to weather volatility is in U.S. self-interest. Ending support for international programs such as UNICEF and peacekeeping operations flies in the face of performance reviews and evaluations showing their cost-effectiveness and real-world value.
Good News: Inefficient food aid programs were eliminated. The Trump budget proposes to end funding for P.L. 480 Title II food aid and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education program, which have been the subject of critical reports by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Although these programs historically have played an important role in stemming global hunger, the money could be better spent by using cash or vouchers and purchasing commodities locally.
Bad News: Instead of shifting the money to more efficient methods of addressing hunger and malnutrition, the Trump budget would slash overall funding for humanitarian assistance by 44%–while 20 million people in four countries face famine and starvation, and an unprecedented 65 million people have been displaced by war and persecution.
Good News: The Trump budget promotes greater flexibility in foreign aid by merging and streamlining accounts. The proliferation of aid spigots, each with its own rules and restrictions, causes unnecessary complications and delays in spending.
Bad News: Giving the State Department control over all development assistance increases the risk that aid will become transactional, used to achieve short-term U.S. diplomatic and political aims rather than to foster the partner country's long-term socio-economic transformation. To make matters worse, budget and program transparency would be eroded through diminished monitoring and evaluation and the repeal of numerous reporting requirements.
Good News: Personnel expenses were not cut disproportionately. To be sure, funding for diplomatic and consular programs and USAID operations was heavily trimmed, but these reductions were only in the range of 8-10%, as compared to program cuts of 30-50% in most areas.
Bad News: Reorganization is still coming. Alongside the draft plan each U.S. government agency must submit to the White House by June 30 for workforce reductions and organizational restructuring, the State Department is conducting its own review of the foreign affairs agencies, with an eye toward consolidation. This could easily result in additional mission closures and reductions-in-force.
Good News: Security assistance was not spared the budget ax. Foreign Military Financing would receive $1 billion less in 2018 than 2017 (an 18% cut) and counter-narcotics funding is reduced by 28%.
Bad news: The dysfunctional International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which has trained foreign torturers and rapists and has no system for tracking results, was cut far less than any other security assistance program. Furthermore, Trump's budget sets the stage for shifting control of these programs to the Pentagon, with fewer policy restrictions and less civilian oversight.
Good News: Congress is unlikely to go along with many of the cuts. Republicans are pushing back against the Trump budget plan, which both John McCain (R-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) called "dead on arrival.".
Bad news: Steep cuts in domestic safety-net and anti-poverty programs, including food stamps, Medicaid, child health insurance, affordable housing, job training, and federal student loans, are likely to be a higher priority for Democrats than foreign aid. It will be difficult, and rightly so, to restore funds for international affairs if domestic spending is not also increased.
Analysis, US Foreign Policy Budget, Diana Ohlbaum, Donald Trump, Food aid, foreign aid, IMET, international affairs, State Department, USAID
Diana Ohlbaum
Diana Ohlbaum is senior strategist and legislative director for foreign policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and chairs the board of the Center for International Policy. She previously served for nearly 20 years as a senior professional staff member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Dr. Ohlbaum holds a Ph.D. in political science from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Russian studies from Amherst College. Follow her on Twitter: @dohlbaum
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Tag Archives: endangered species
Animals and Politics: Traveling Exotic Animal Ban Reintroduced
May 23, 2019 General"exotic animal ban", Animal Activist, animal cruelty laws, animal legislation, animal rights, Animal Welfare Act, aquarium, circus, circus ban, elephant, endangered species, federal exotic animal ban, lion, Michelle Pardo, TEAPSPA, threatened species, tiger, traveling animal ban, Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act, zoo, Zoo LogicMichelle Pardo
by Michelle C. Pardo
On May 21, 2019 Representatives Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and David Schweikert (R-AZ) introduced the Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (TEAPSPA), a bill that would amend the federal Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the use of exotic and wild animals, including lions, tigers and elephants, in traveling performances. The bill had previously been introduced in 2017. Continue reading Animals and Politics: Traveling Exotic Animal Ban Reintroduced →
Endangered Species Act Case Founders on Lack of 60-Day Notice
August 26, 2018 General60-day notice, animal law, Article III, citizen suit, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, John SimpsonJohn M. Simpson
A federal district court in New Hampshire recently dismissed a citizen suit making novel claims under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because the plaintiff could not prove that he had provided the required 60-day notice to the defendants prior to suit. Strahan v. Nielsen, 2018 WL 3966318 (D.N.H. Aug. 17, 2018). Continue reading Endangered Species Act Case Founders on Lack of 60-Day Notice →
Fourth Circuit Vacates Incidental Take Statement for Gas Pipeline
August 9, 2018 Generalendangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, Fish & WIldlife Service, habitat surrogate, incidental take statement, ITS, John Simpson, take, taking, threatend speciesJohn M. Simpson
On August 6, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit granted a petition setting aside an Incidental Take Statement (ITS) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) which had been issued under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in connection with the approval of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a 600-mile natural gas pipeline proposed to run through parts of West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. Sierra Club, et al., v. U.S. Dep't of the Interior, Nos. 18-1082 & 18-1083 (4th Cir. Aug. 6, 2018). Continue reading Fourth Circuit Vacates Incidental Take Statement for Gas Pipeline →
Fish and Wildlife Service Withdraws ESA Compensatory Mitigation Policy
July 31, 2018 Generalanimal law, compensatory mitigation, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, Fish & WIldlife Service, John SimpsonJohn M. Simpson
On July 30, 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing the agency's Endangered Species Act Compensatory Mitigation Policy (CMP) issued in December 2016. The policy withdrawal is effective immediately. Continue reading Fish and Wildlife Service Withdraws ESA Compensatory Mitigation Policy →
Court Grants Summary Judgment Against HSUS in Endangered Species Act Case
July 25, 2018 Generalanimal law, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, John Simpson, Mexican gray wolfJohn M. Simpson
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico recently entered summary judgment against the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other plaintiffs in a case brought under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) alleging that regulations issued by the New Mexico State Game Commission authorizing the recreational trapping of cougars (Cougar Rule) will cause a "take" of Mexican gray wolves in violation of the ESA. Humane Soc'y of the U.S. v. Kienzle, 2018 WL 3429924 (D.N. M. July 16, 2018). Continue reading Court Grants Summary Judgment Against HSUS in Endangered Species Act Case →
Fisheries Service Designates Critical Habitat for False Killer Whale Population
July 24, 2018 Generalcritical habitat, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, false killer whale, John SimpsonJohn M. Simpson
On July 24, 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a final rule in the Federal Register designating critical habitat for the Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale distinct population segment. The rule becomes effective on August 23, 2018. Continue reading Fisheries Service Designates Critical Habitat for False Killer Whale Population →
Wildlife Agencies Announce Proposed Endangered Species Act Regulations
July 21, 2018 Generalanimal law, critical habitat, delisting, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, Fish & WIldlife Service, FWS, John Simpson, listing, National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS, reclassification, section 7 consultation, threatened speciesJohn M. Simpson
On July 19, 2018, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced three proposed rulemakings that would revise the regulations pursuant to which the Services have implemented the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These initiatives were the result of public comments solicited by the Services in response to Executive Order 13777, 82 Fed. Reg. 31576 (July 7, 2017), which sought comments on how federal agencies could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of federal regulations and the regulatory process. Continue reading Wildlife Agencies Announce Proposed Endangered Species Act Regulations →
Grizzly Bear "Taking" Conviction Reversed by 9th Circuit
June 27, 2018 Generalcriminal offense, endangered species, Endangered Species Act, ESA, good faith, grizzly bear, John Simpson, self defense, take, taking, threatend speciesJohn M. Simpson
On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the conviction of a Montana man who had been convicted of a criminal violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for shooting and killing a grizzly bear that was harassing the horses in a pasture behind the defendant's rural home. United States v. Charette, ___ F.3d ___, No. 17-30059 (9th Cir. June 26, 2018). The government had charged the defendant with one count of "taking" a threatened species in violation of the ESA. The defendant was convicted in a bench trial before a magistrate judge, and the conviction was affirmed by the district court. Continue reading Grizzly Bear "Taking" Conviction Reversed by 9th Circuit →


Withholding the weeks I retreated back to California for solace, I have hesitantly yet assuredly called New York City home for three years now. Since I have been here, I have lived in various pockets of Manhattan: Tribeca, Morningside Heights, and the East Village. I did not feel "home" until I moved into the East Village. The two years I spent there were the two most formative years of my life. As I finished my last years at university, discovered myself as an artist, spent way too much money on Indian food, and burned myself on the exposed water poles- I had time to be alone and really get to know myself.
I do not have everything figured out or much for that matter but my time living in my studio lent me the opportunity to make choices that were influenced only by myself. I did not have an RA asking me to go to the movies or roommates to clean up after, I had to come to everything on my own. Although, I had immense familial support that afforded me to live there, at 3,000 miles away, my day to day was up to me. I enjoyed finding paintings on the street and figuring out where to hang them, having friends over and feeding them the cheapest frozen chicken nuggets I could find, and reading out on my fire escape late at night during the summers.
I was even able to open up my home to friends who visited, who needed to crash between moves, and eventually a roommate, who wonderfully rounded out my days before it was time for us to leave. Even though I lived alone, everyone that took part in my home, is a integral part to my experience and memories; Not to mention, my sanity, because there were weeks I would only associate with people at school/work and then hole up in solitude for far too long.
As my days in the East Village came to a close, I began to appreciate more bits and pieces of the apartment: the pink bathroom tiles, the odd cord that stuck out above the shower, the slant the apartment is built on, the ever lingering smell of a gas leak (ok, not that), and even the dust the collected over the decades this room has embraced. It was mine; and now I almost feel a sense of violation that someone else will get to call it theirs. I have been wondering if the people before me feel the same that I do, or if it is just me who fell in love with my little, roach haven.
Being attached to possessions and objects is not something that I am necessarily guilty of, but more so the memento of what a place or thing means. I didn't save my prom dresses or movie tickets from my first date, because for me it was not something I needed; I need vivid memories to sustain me. As I had all my belongings in boxes I thought, "What if I walk away and somebody takes it all? How would I feel?" Of course, it put a sense of fear in me but then I thought that although it would be an invasion, I was comforted by the thought that nobody could ever steal MY memories. Things and places are just tools that remind us what to think or feel but as long has I have my mind, I will never have to lose or be robbed of what is special to me. This realization allowed me to detach and leave without caving into melancholy.
Now, I have moved to Brooklyn with one of my best friends and a collection of new faces. The transition was almost seamless after I set up shop and smiled at my new, cozy niche. I smiled because I was happy to see my belongings out of boxes but even more so because I knew that however long I spend here I will gain more memories that I will get to carry with me for as long as I need.


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WWE ThunderDome Set In Works At Tropicana Field (Photos)
• WWE ThunderDome Set In Works At Tropicana Field (Photos)
WWE's ThunderDome contract with the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida is up, as the company hosted their last show (tonight's RAW) at the venue.
The ThunderDome will now move to the Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida starting from this Friday's episode of SmackDown.
The building of the huge set is already in process, as reported by Jon Alba of MyNews13.
He shared some photos of the set in early stages on Twitter, which you can view below.
Here is another view of the new #WWE ThunderDome setup at Tropicana Field, per a source. I've praised on @theLTGpodcast how good the set looks at Amway, and I imagine it will look similar here. @BN9 @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/6O3950ol6V
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) December 7, 2020
It's unknown how long WWE plans to stay at the Tropicana Field, but it's obvious that they'll be at the venue at least until the end of 2020.
WATCH: Eva Marie & Maryse Having Fun In Revealing Outfits:
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• Old School WWF Legend Would Have Celebrated His Birthday
Today would have been the 62nd birthday of Old School WWF/WCW Legend "Ravishing" Rick Rude (Real name: Richard Rood).
His great career was cut short due to an injury that happened during a match against Sting in 1994, but even after retiring from active professional wrestling, Rude still appeared as a manager on WWF Television, where he managed D-Generation X, and later on WCW TV where he became a non-wrestling member of the nWo New World Order.
Still to this day, Rick Rude's physique is unmatched in the wrestling business, so his body is considered one of the best in professional wrestling history.
In 2017 he was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his old WWF/WCW rival Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY & † R.I.P.
December 7, 1958 – April 20, 1999
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The influence of vicariance and dispersal on the diversification and evolution of springtails (collembola)
Katz, Aron D
KATZ-DISSERTATION-2018.pdf (7MB) (no description provided) PDF
Title: The influence of vicariance and dispersal on the diversification and evolution of springtails (collembola)
Author(s): Katz, Aron D
Director of Research: Davis, Mark A; Taylor, Steven J
Doctoral Committee Chair(s): Davis, Mark A
Doctoral Committee Member(s): Suarez, Andrew V; Whitfield, James B
Department / Program: Entomology
Discipline: Entomology
Subject(s): Biospeleology
Cave Biology
Collembola
Ecological Specialization
Intertidal Biology
Molecular rates
New Species
Abstract: Vicariance and dispersal are major drivers of the evolution of biodiversity, yet the relative impact of these processes, and the factors that influence them, often remain elusive. Identifying and understanding evolutionary processes responsible for generating diversity is essential for understanding ecological patterns and for the development and implementation of management strategies intended to conserve biodiversity. My dissertation research is focused on the historical, ecological and evolutionary underpinnings driving the origin, diversification, and maintenance of biodiversity in springtails (Collembola). This class of tiny, wingless insect-like hexapods includes some of the most abundant (and perhaps, most diverse) arthropods on earth. They have colonized, diversified, and adapted to nearly every terrestrial habitat from marine intertidal zones and tropical rainforests to polar deserts and caves, yet the evolutionary mechanisms behind their ecological success are poorly understood. Ecological specialization is a central theme in my first two chapters. Species with obligate ecological associations offer simple systems to evaluate biogeographical hypotheses and also provide an ecological context to test the effects and consequences of specialization on patterns of diversity. In Chapter 1, I identify and compare spatial and temporal patterns of molecular diversity for two ecologically distinct and codistributed genera of cavernicolous springtails (cave-obligate vs. cave-facultative species) from a regional cave-bearing karst system spanning the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri. Phylogeographic analysis revealed that evolutionary processes of vicariance and dispersal were both major influences on patterns of cave springtail diversity, but the effects of these processes are also strongly influenced by intrinsic ecological factors, in this case, the degree of cave-dependence. Estimates of genetic structure and divergence times also implicated climatic and geological processes involved in the formation of the modern Mississippi River valley as major factors driving the isolation of cave-obligate species, but cave-facultative species have been able to maintain genetic connectivity across this barrier. In Chapter 2, I developed a molecular dataset for marine littoral-obligate springtails collected along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Panama to identify transisthmian sister taxa, determine processes driving and maintaining their isolation, and to evaluate their timing of origin. I was able to identify multiple geminate species pairs spanning the Isthmus and molecular analyses revealed examples of pre-Pliocene vicariance, post-closure dispersal, and cryptic diversification across the Isthmus of Panama. This study not only demonstrates that ecological specialization can (but not always) reduce genetic connectivity across geographic barriers, but also corroborates recent (and controversial) geological and biogeographical estimates of an early Miocene closure of the Panama Isthmus. These works demonstrate the utility of incorporating ecologically specialized springtails in evolutionary investigations. However, independent timing information is essential for assessing historical factors influencing contemporary patterns of diversity. Unfortunately, springtails (and most other small, soft-bodied organisms) lack a useful fossil record for this purpose. As a result, employing "universal" rates of molecular evolution to estimate divergence times is common, even though evolutionary rates can vary considerable across taxa. In Chapter 3, I assess the validity of the generalized arthropod rate assumption by conducting a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis to evaluate the relative rate of molecular evolution across all major hexapod groups. I found that substitution rates in Collembola are not significantly different from most other hexapod groups and suggest that the use of "universal" insect molecular clocks are appropriate for estimating collembolan evolutionary timescales. An additional yet fundamental challenge impacting all fields of biology is the fact that most biodiversity remains to be discovered or is poorly understood—including many species that are of potential conservation concern. This is exacerbated in collembolan taxonomy, due to the lack of variation in discrete morphological characters, and the general shortage of taxonomic expertise in North America, reflected in the limited number of taxonomic tools available to researchers (and the public) for identifying species in this region. To help address this challenge, I produced detailed morphological taxonomic descriptions for all New World species of the springtail genus Willowsia, including a new species that is endemic to Florida in Chapter 4. Most members in this genus are from Asia, but comparative morphological analysis revealed two unique character states shared only by endemic New World Willowsia and Americabrya, providing prima facie evidence of their independent evolution from a common New World ancestor.
Issue Date: 2018-07-11
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101700
Rights Information: Copyright 2018 Aron Katz
Date Deposited: 2018-08
Dissertations and Theses - Prairie Research Institute
Dissertations and Theses by Institute staff or students advised by Institute staff
Theses and Dissertations -- Illinois Natural History Survey


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Summerzcool Back In Session Tonight
Jimmy Buffett's 2009 Summerzcool Tour continues tonight with a show from the Ford Amphitheater in Tampa, Florida.
The show will start shortly after 8 pm ET and you can listen live on Radio Margaritaville on Sirius 31 / XM 55 or on the web for free at radiomargaritaville.com. Be sure to tune in at 7 pm ET for the pre-show.
You can follow along with the set list and chat with other parrotheads during the show on our discussion board. We'll also be on Twitter during the show, so follow us now!
Grab tickets for this show or for another upcoming show here!
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Article Discusses Urban Meyer's Love of Buffett
Two weeks ago we reported on Jimmy Buffett's attendance at a University of Florida football game. Buffett joined head coach Urban Meyer (pictured right / AP photo by Mark Humphrey) and the team in the locker room after the game. In today's edition of the Miami Herald, they expand on Meyer's love of Buffett's music and escapism:
At heart, Meyer — one of the country's best college football coaches — is a fan of Jimmy Buffett. That's right. Meyer is a Parrot Head. He even owns an official pair of Margaritaville flip-flops.
"Urban doesn't just like Jimmy Buffett, Urban wants to be Jimmy Buffett," said Shelley Meyer, Urban's wife.
"To Urban, Jimmy just has the greatest life because he gets to be laid-back. That's Urban's dream, just to be relaxed and have fun."
There will be no relaxing for Meyer in the next few days. His Florida Gators, ranked No. 2 in nation by The Associated Press with an 11-1 record, play No. 1 Alabama on Saturday in Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference championship.
The playful side of Urban Meyer can be traced back to a warm summer day in Cincinnati where he was a college player and worked part-time at the Timberwolf Amphitheater. That's when Meyer met Buffett.
"He really loves the guy," Shelley said. "We have every Buffett CD ever made and from February to August they literally play nonstop."
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