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, English title: The Swishing Sword a.k.a. Human Skin Peacock, is a 1958 Japanese film directed by Kazuo Mori.

Cast

 Fujiko Yamamoto
 Raizo Ichikawa as Shinpachiro Nasu
 Shoji Umewaka
 Seizaburo Kozo
 Mieko Kondo
 Sonisuke Samawara

References

External links
  http://www.raizofan.net/link4/movie3/kujyaku.htm

1958 films
Films directed by Kazuo Mori
Daiei Film films
1950s Japanese films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home » COVID-19 and Health Crisis » Workers resist unsafe conditions
Workers resist unsafe conditions
By Martha Grevatt posted on March 25, 2020
All over the country, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, workers are fighting for and winning safer working conditions, the right to stay home and income protection. They are both unionized and nonunionized and work in a range of occupations. Here is a sampling of their successful struggles.
Cleveland construction workers win right to stay home
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced a "stay at home" order on March 22 that went into effect at midnight the next day. All "non-essential" businesses were ordered closed.
The order, however, deemed housing construction "essential," meaning that construction of new, expensive condos in areas being gentrified would continue.
Construction workers, fearful for their safety, were being forced to continue working without proper sanitation, on jobs where safe "social distancing" was impossible. The workers, who argued that their work is in no way essential and they should not have to work under unsafe conditions, had been told by officials in Cleveland's building trades unions that if they took a voluntary layoff they could not collect unemployment benefits.
On March 23, workers reported to work as usual at a construction project in a Cleveland neighborhood recently reinvented with the made-up name "Hingetown." This small section of Ohio City is undergoing a second wave of gentrification, forcing many residents to seek housing elsewhere and tying up traffic with an abundance of luxury apartment construction.
Unwilling to continue working unsafely, the union electricians walked off the job, while union plumbers began a sit-down. Before morning's end, and after workers met with construction company management and union leadership, the workers won the right to take voluntary layoffs and collect unemployment.
Workers at other construction sites have reportedly been taking similar actions. They need supporters to call Gov. DeWine at 614-644-4357 and ask that he declare this unsafe work non-essential.
Trader Joe's workers win hazard pay
Under the banner "We won!" on March 20, the Coalition for a Trader Joe's Union announced a victory won from the company in response to a petition seeking a "special bonus pool" for all the company's employees. The concession was time and a half pay in recognition of the hazards Trader Joe's workers face by keeping stores open in the midst of the pandemic.
The coalition is still seeking paid sick leave for workers who are at high risk and paid family leave for workers who have children at home from school but no access to child care.
Another key issue concerns workers' right to wear gloves when working cash registers. While the corporation claims to have a policy providing this minimal protection, workers complain of still being sent home without pay for refusing to work registers without gloves.
DCH1 Amazonians United Members together with Amazon workers from around the world
Amazon workers win paid time off for all
With so many workers temporarily out of work, the struggle for paid time off is of primary importance, especially for low-wage workers. Amazon warehouse workers at the DCH1 warehouse in Chicago began demanding PTO in January after reading in the employee handbook that everyone working 20 hours or more a week was entitled to it. The company tried to claim only full-time workers could take days off with pay.
Most of the workers at DCH1 are Black and Latinx. When they met with the company, "They talked to us like stupid workers who can't read." (Amazonians United) The workers' group, DCH1 Amazonians United, distributed leaflets and wore buttons that read "Amazonians United for PTO." Strike talk was part of the conversation.
The campaign for PTO picked up steam when the COVID-19 crisis really hit, and Amazonians also began demanding protections to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
On March 20, the company issued a memo informing all Amazon workers — not just workers at DCH1 — they were eligible for PTO.
NYC's $12 billion emergency relief
A $12 billion relief plan to help businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic in New York City was proposed at the March 19 City Council meeting. The multipronged plan includes a temporary universal basic income for all New Yorkers and unemployment protections for those who have had their hours cut, workers in the gig economy and freelancers.
The plan is projected to be paid for by the federal government. But if that doesn't come through, it can be funded by city bonds, which helped the city rebuild after the 9/11 disaster in 2001. Based on the council's estimates, over 500,000 workers and more than 40,000 businesses are among the hardest hit in NYC.
A broad coalition of worker justice advocates also held a virtual press conference on March 20 to call for expansion of New York City's Earned Safe and Sick Leave Act. That would expand unemployment insurance, extend paid sick leave to workers at gig companies, and establish a fund for workers who otherwise would not qualify for assistance, such as undocumented workers and those categorized as independent contractors: Uber and Lyft drivers, Amazon Flex delivery drivers, food delivery workers, nail salon technicians, home care workers, janitors and others.
Teamsters Local 804 fights for New York UPS workers
For workers deemed "essential," the fight for safe working conditions is paramount. This included package delivery workers. Because they are unionized, United Parcel Service workers are better-protected from COVID-19 than their counterparts at FedEx and Amazon. Representing UPS workers in New York City, Teamsters Local 804 President Vinnie Perrone sent an update to members on what the union has demanded from the company.
Demands included cleaning and sanitizing trucks and buildings, staggered start times to reduce overcrowding and cleaning work to be done by union members.
Management has agreed to the demands, but Perrone reminded members: "We all need to stick together and keep the pressure on to make the company comply with CDC and OSHA guidelines and protect members and the public." (teamsterslocal804.org)
Grevatt, trustee of UAW Local 869, retired last year from FCA after 31 years. Sue Davis (UAW Local 1981, National Writers Union) and Betsey Piette contributed to this article.
Market Elections: How democracy serves the rich
https://www.workers.org/2020/03/47141/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Researchers claim nations have plenty of opportunities to meet demands for marine protein.
WORLDWIDE — Countries around the world can increase production of manufactured seafood and comfortably meet the world's increasing demand for seafood without having to occupy large swaths of the oceans' surface, according to a study recently published by a group of researchers and scientists from U.C. Santa Barbara, UCLA, Nature Conservancy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The study, published in "Nature, Ecology and Evolution" on Aug. 14, made a strong case for countries to actively pursue marine aquaculture interests as part of an international effort to keep up with forecasted growth in seafood consumption.
Wild fisheries, the study hinted, would unlikely be able to keep up with the increasing worldwide demand for seafood.
Scaling aquaculture farms to meet increasing global demand for marine proteins does not have to come with a large footprint, according to the study.
Producing seafood in the open ocean would be more efficient than similar efforts on land, according to the study.
"The majority of existing aquaculture takes place on land, in freshwater and in near-shore marine waters. However, problems, such as high resource use, pollution and habitat destruction have created a generally negative reputation for aquaculture in several countries and pose challenges for continued expansion," the study stated.
"Open-ocean aquaculture appears to have several advantages over the more traditional culturing methods, including fewer spatial conflicts and a higher nutrient assimilation capacity, highlighting the opportunities for sustainable marine development," the study continued.
Researchers, however, stated they must still determine whether adaptive measurement practices and other sustainability elements would be in place to allow large-scale open-ocean aquaculture farms to become common.
Nonetheless the collaborative study maintained marine aquaculture was an opportunity worth pursuing to address growing populations, increased seafood demand and peaking wild fishery catches.
The world's population is forecast to reach 10 billion people by 2050, according to the report, likely increasing the pressure of food systems to regularly produce and delivery animal protein.
"Momentum is building to look towards marine aquaculture to meet the growing protein demand," researchers stated. "The relative sustainability of marine aquaculture compared with land-based meat production and the human health benefits of diets rich in fish make it even more pressing that we consider aquaculture's potential.
"Oceans represent an immense opportunity for food production, yet the open ocean environment is largely untapped as a farming resource," the study's researchers continued.


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Plantae Blog
Plantae Presents: Florian Busch and Katie Murphy
May 19, 2020 /0 Comments/in Blog, Plantae Presents, Research Skills /by Mary Williams
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many seminar series and conferences have been canceled or postponed. In response to this, and to make sure plant scientists can continue to communicate their latest work to their peers, The American Society of Plant Biologists launched a virtual seminar series via our online community, Plantae. This is the 8th seminar in this new series, each of which features two speakers (read more). A list of upcoming seminars and recorded videos can be found here.
Recorded Tue May 19th
Florian Busch: Carbon isotope discrimination in C3 plants: Assessing CO2 diffusion inside the leaf mesophyll
Florian Busch is a Research Fellow at The Australian National University. He obtained his PhD from the Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany, during which time he worked closely with Norm Hüner at Western University in London, Canada. After several years of post-doc work with Rowan Sage at the University of Toronto, Canada, and Susanne von Caemmerer at The Australian National University, he moved on to his current position working with Graham Farquhar. He will start his own group at the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, UK, later this year. Florian is a theoretical and experimental plant physiologist interested in all aspects of photosynthesis. His focus is on linking different photosynthetic processes with mathematical models to study the biochemical limitations of carbon fixation and to gain a quantitative understanding of how plant carbon uptake responds to changes in their environment. @FlorianABusch
Katie Murphy: Terpenoids in maize: from biosynthesis to bioactivity
Katie Murphy is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Zerbe Lab at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on diterpenoid biosynthesis in maize and how these molecules relate to the plant stress response. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from Stanford University, where she studied anther development in maize with Dr. Virginia Walbot. Katie is the Early Career Representative to the ASPB Women in Plant Biology Committee and is an ASPB Ambassador. She recently won the UC Grad Slam for the best short presentation of her research. @GMOhmygod
Additional Q&A with Katie Murphy
What specific role do dolabralexins play in maize in addition to these stresses as all plants get affected by biotic and abiotic stresses?
So far we have shown roles in biotic and abiotic stress, and you can hear about their role in determining the rhizosphere microbiome at my talk at Plant Biology 2020 Virtual summit. There are other stressors (herbivores, UV, etc.) that we are interested in exploring, as well.
Can you provide dolabralexins exogenously and complement the phenotypes of Zman2 mutants?
We cannot yet make or purify enough dolabralexins to apply them exogenously to maize plants to complement the mutant phenotype, but that's something we are working towards in the future as we increase our heterologous production systems.
Are the dolabralexins secreted to apoplast in roots?
We have preliminary evidence that dolabralexins are secreted from maize roots into the rhizosphere and are following up with more experiments.
Question for the speaker: Do overexpressor of the enzymes that produce defense metabolites have problems with growth?
So far, we do not have overexpression lines of any parts of this pathway in maize. Work from another lab has generated an overexpression line of a maize enzyme in rice and shown it to be more resistant to disease without other growth complications (under the conditions they tested). You can read about it here: Shen, Qinqin, et al. "CYP71Z18 overexpression confers elevated blast resistance in transgenic rice." Plant molecular biology 100.6 (2019): 579-589.
Do you think dolabralexins have an effect on all fungi or just specific fungal groups?
So far, we have only tested Fusarium species, although we do see susceptibility across different species. In the future, we hope to test other fungal species as well.
Are dolabralexins also presented in the wild relatives of maize (teosinte)?
We have not yet looked into maize wild relatives, but do see the genes encoding the biosynthetic enzymes in the teosinte genomes that are available. The kauralexins have been shown in many zea species, you can find more info here: Ding, Yezhang, et al. "Multiple genes recruited from hormone pathways partition maize diterpenoid defenses." Nature plants 5.10 (2019): 1043-1056.
You show mutant plants that reduce all classes of non-gibberelin diterpenoids. How can you be sure that the observed phenotypes are because of dolabralexins?
With the Zman2 mutant showed we cannot be sure that the observed phenotype is due to dolabralexins and not also kauralexins, or other changes in metabolism. Our current work is on mutants downstream in these pathways to isolate the metabolite groups, and we evaluate the transcriptomic and metabolomic data to identify other potential changes in the mutants. We use other lines of evidence – such as induction under stress conditions and function in vitro – to support evidence for the roles of these specific molecules.
Do we know the mechanism of Dolabralexin antifungal activity?
We do not yet know the mechanism of dolabralexin antifungal activity but are actively exploring this.
Do you know about the transcriptional regulation of genes of these novel metabolites?
We don't yet know about the transcriptional regulation of these biosynthetic genes, but we think this is an interesting research avenue to explore.
So, these molecules have an antibiosis effect of fungi, but it does not completely stop its growth, do you know if these molecules have been tested with FOC R4, which is a major banana problem nowadays?
So far we have tested select fusarium species, but have not tested FOC R4, although this would be very interesting because it is such a major issue for banana.
Is this dolabralexin reported in dicot crop for example in Soybean?
Dolabralexins have only been found in maize, not in any other monocot or dicot species.
In the case of QPM varieties, any terpenoid compound activities noticed???
We have not tested any QPM (quality protein maize) varieties, but are interested in diversity across maize lines for the production of these metabolites.
This webinar is freely available thanks to the support of the American Society of Plant Biologists. Join Today.
If you would like to sponsor an upcoming webinar please contact community@plantae.org
Have additional questions? Let us know in the comments below!
Plant Biology 2020 Worldwide Summit
Glyphosate Resistance Decoded: the reference sequence of the extrachromosomal...


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Q: CS50, PSET5-Speller. Help on the error while running valgrind I am getting the following error.
==14574== Invalid read of size 1.
==14574==    at 0x4C33614: strcasecmp (in /usr/lib/valgrind/vgpreload_memcheck-amd64-linux.so)
==14574==    by 0x40108C: check (dictionary.c:38)
==14574==    by 0x400C89: main (speller.c:113)

Looks like you're trying to access 1 byte of memory that isn't yours? Did you try to index into an array beyond its bounds? Take a closer look at line 38 of dictionary.c.

Following is my code block which contains line 38.
bool check(const char *word)
{
    node *cursor = hash_table[hash(word)];

    while (cursor != NULL)
    {
        if (strcasecmp(cursor -> word, word) == 0)  //This is line 38//
        {
            return true;
        }
        cursor = cursor->next;
    }
    return false;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: How to disable navigation keys in Vim? I want to disable the usual keys to navigate on a text editor that is the Up, Down, Left, and Right buttons in Vim text editor.
It would enforce the vim-style HJKL keys to be used for the same purpose.

 I just want to train myself, haha.

I guess it might be done through mapping those keys to nothing in vimrc

A: You're right: it can be done by mapping those keys to nothing, or to be precise, to <Nop>.
:nmap <Up> <Nop>
:nmap <Down> <Nop>
:nmap <Left> <Nop>
:nmap <Right> <Nop>

See
:help <Nop>

A: For all who would like to take this approach one step forward: https://github.com/takac/vim-hardtime
It basically limits hjkl movements, so moving around with something like jjjjjjjjjhhkkkkkkk will not be possible, which is a real trap to fall into once you get used to those keys. If enforces you to move around more efficiently instead of redundant repetitions.
It can be toggled on/off anytime.


Alternate Names: Im; iminazole; 1,3-diazole; glyoxaline.
Physical Data: mp 90-91 °C; bp 255 °C, 138 °C/12 mmHg.
Solubility: sol water, alcohols, ether, acetone, chloroform.
Form Supplied in: colorless crystalline solid; widely available. Drying: 40 °C in vacuo over P2O5.
Purification: can be crystallized from C6H6, CCl4, CH2Cl2, EtOH, petroleum ether, acetone-petroleum ether, or water; can also be purified by vacuum distillation, sublimation, or by zone refining.
Imidazole has a pKa of 7.1 and is thus a stronger base than thiazole (pKa 2.5), oxazole (pKa 0.8), and pyridine (pKa 5.2). It is both a good acceptor and donor of hydrogen bonds. The pKa for loss of the N-H is ~14.2, i.e. imidazole is a very weak acid.
1. Lalonde, M.; Chan, T. H. S 1985, 817. Greene, T. W.; Wuts, P. G. M. Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2nd ed.; Wiley: New York, 1991. Kocienski, P. J. Protecting Groups; Thieme: Stuttgart, 1994.
2. Corey, E. J.; Venkateswarlu, A. JACS 1972, 94, 6190.
3. Hanessian, S.; Lavallee, P. CJC 1975, 53, 2975.
4. Cunico, R. F.; Bedell, L. JOC 1980, 45, 4797.
5. Ogilvie, K. K. CJC 1973, 51, 3799. Ogilvie, K. K.; Iwacha, D. J. TL 1973, 317. Ogilvie, K. K.; Sadana, K. L.; Thompson, E. A.; Quilliam, M. A.; Westmore, J. B. TL 1974, 2861. Ogilvie, K. K.; Thompson, E. A.; Quilliam, M. A.; Westmore, J. B. TL 1974, 2865.
6. Aizpurua, J. M.; Palomo, C. TL 1985, 26, 475.
7. Veysoglu, T.; Mitscher, L. A. TL 1981, 22, 1299, 1303.
8. Torkelson, S.; Ainsworth, C. S 1976, 722.
9. Glass, R. S. JOM 1973, 61, 83.
10. Bender, M. L.; Turnquest, B. W. JACS 1957, 79, 1652. Bruice, T. C.; Schmir, G. L. JACS 1957, 79, 1663. Bender, M. L. CRV 1960, 60, 82. Looker, J. H.; Holm, M. J.; Minor, J. L.; Kagal, S. A. JHC 1964, 1, 253.
11. Fife, T. H.; Benjamin, B. M. JACS 1973, 95, 2059. Kirby, A. J.; Lloyd, G. J. JCS(P2) 1974, 637. Chiong, K. N. G.; Lewis, S. D.; Shafer, J. A. JACS 1975, 97, 418. Pollack, R. M.; Dumsha, T. C. JACS 1975, 97, 377. Belke, C. J.; Su, S. C. K.; Shafer, J. A. JACS 1971, 93, 4552.
12. Mazur, R. H. JOC 1963, 28, 2498. Wieland, T.; Vogeler, K. AG(E) 1963, 2, 42; LA 1964, 680, 125. McGahren, W. J.; Goodman, M. T 1967, 23, 2017. Stewart, F. H. C. CI(L) 1967, 1960.
13. Beyerman, H. C.; van der Brink, W. M.; Weygand, F.; Prox, A.; Konig, W.; Schmidhammer, L.; Nintz, E. RTC 1965, 84, 213.
14. Mitin, Y. V.; Glinskaya, O. V. TL 1969, 5267.
15. Berlin, Yu. A.; Chakhmakhcheva, O. G.; Efimov, V. A.; Kolosov, M. N.; Korobko, V. G. TL 1973, 1353.
16. Staab, H. A.; Braunling, H. LA 1962, 654, 119. Staab, H. A.; Jost, E. LA 1962, 655, 90. Staab, H. A. AG(E) 1962, 1, 351.
17. Baker, D. C.; Putt, S. R. S 1978, 478.
18. Ishida, M.; Sugiura, K.; Takagi, K.; Hiraoka, H.; Kato, S. CL 1988, 1705.
19. Hauser, C. F.; Theiling, L. F. JOC 1974, 39, 1134.
20. Effenberger, F.; Mack, K. E. TL 1970, 3947.
21. Eng, S. L.; Ricard, R.; Wan, C. S. K.; Weedon, A. C. CC 1983, 236.
22. Garegg, P. J.; Samuelsson, B. CC 1979, 978; JCS(P1) 1980, 2866.
23. Garegg, P. J.; Johansson, R.; Ortega, C.; Samuelsson, B. JCS(P1) 1982, 681.
24. Corey, E. J.; Pyne, S. G.; Su, W. TL 1983, 24, 4883. Berlage, U.; Schmidt, J.; Peters, U.; Welzel, P. TL 1987, 28, 3091. Corey, E. J.; Nagata, R. TL 1987, 28, 5391. Soll, R. M.; Seitz, S. P. TL 1987, 28, 5457.
25. Garegg, P. J.; Johansson, R.; Samuelsson, B. S 1984, 168.
26. Garegg, P. J.; Samuelsson, B. S 1979, 469, 813.
27. Bessodes, M.; Abushanab, E.; Panzica, R. P. CC 1981, 26.
28. Liu, Z.; Classon, B.; Samuelsson, B. JOC 1990, 55, 4273.
29. Kato, J.; Ota, H.; Matsukawa, K.; Endo, T. TL 1988, 29, 2843.


2. to be destined for: to head for trouble.
It will do you no good to refuse," continued the Princess; "for I need your head for my collection, and in the Land of Ev my will is law.
Displaying a new three-layer head for blow molding equipment.
After some bewildered standing around, most of the kids head for waterplay," a large sink filled with green water and different sized household containers which, as the children pour water back and forth, help them grasp the notion of quantity.


text:
Morris Island facts for kids
For other uses, see Morris Island (disambiguation).
Morris Island Lighthouse
Morris Island is an 840-acre (3.4 km²) uninhabited island in Charleston Harbor in South Carolina, accessible only by boat. The island lies in the outer reaches of the harbor and was thus a strategic location in the American Civil War. The island is part of the cities of Charleston and Folly Beach, in Charleston County.
Morris Island was heavily fortified to defend Charleston harbor, with the fortifications centered on Fort Wagner. It was the scene of heavy fighting during the Union Army's campaign to capture Charleston, and is perhaps best known today as the scene of the ill-fated assault by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an African-American regiment. The regiment and this assault, where it suffered over 50% casualties, was immortalized in the film Glory.
After the Confederates abandoned Morris Island in 1863 the Union occupied it. In the next yearthey transferred 600 Confederate officers from Fort Delaware to Morris Island; 50 of whom were quickly exchanged. The others were utilized as Human Shields in an attempt to silence the Confederate artillery at Fort Sumter; in reaction to what the Confederacy did with POWs in Charleston to deter Union ships from firing on the city. None of these men were killed by artillery fire though several died of sickness. They soon became known in the South as the Immortal Six Hundred.
Land erosion has destroyed a great deal of the old fortifications on the island, including some parts of Fort Wagner.
Union Army mortar battery on Morris Island, 1865
Morris Island Light
Morris Island is also the site of the Morris Island Light, a lighthouse that stands on the southern side of the entrance to Charleston Harbor, north of the town of Folly Beach.
Plans to commercially develop the 125 acres (506,000 m²) of high ground on the northern tip of Morris Island as a luxury residential area resulted in several groups fighting to have the island declared a national historical park or added to the Fort Sumter park.
In January 2005, Charleston developer Harry Huffman, listed the 125 acres (0.51 km2) for sale on eBay for $12.5 million. Huffman was in negotiations to sell the island to a consortium of preservation groups, but claimed to have listed the island to see if there was any other interest. Charleston zoning regulations permit no more than 5 homes to be built on the island.
On February 2, 2006, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a non-profit private land conservation organization, announced the purchase of Morris Island for $4.5 million. Ginn Resorts had previously purchased the island for a reported $6.5 million. In May 2008, TPL and partners (including the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the South Carolina State Ports Authority, the Civil War Preservation Trust, and many private donors) purchased the island on behalf of the City of Charleston from Ginn Resorts for $3 million. According to TPL, the city and county are working "to complete a management plan to protect the island's nationally significant historical and natural resources."
Morris Island Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.


The International Spy Museum is your chance to fulfill a dream many of us have in childhood: namely, to be a spy. It's for those who love spies, spy gadgets, and spy movies (especially James Bond), as well as for those who love history and can appreciate stories of real-life undercover operatives and hair-raising adventures.
BUT there are some things this museum is not-- namely cheap when it comes to admission-- or enough to keep little kids (and perhaps some teens) fully occupied... except under certain circumstances which I'll explain later.
Because the admission fee is relatively hefty, particularly in a town like Washington, DC, were so many things are free, you'll want to read my full review before you decide whether a trip to the museum is right for you at this time, particularly if you have small kids.
First, I'll discuss the museum highlights, then help you decide whether or not museum is right for you. You may want to start by watching the four-minute film below which gives you an overview of what you'll see at the International Spy Museum.
When you arrive at the museum, you can enroll in their School for Spies. You'll be given an undercover as an agent and then watch a briefing film which explains what it's like to be a spy. As you move on through the museum, you'll see exhibits on spies from the battlefield to the ballroom (think Mata Hari), plus my personal favorite part of the entire museum: Exquisitely Evil: 50 years of Bond Villains.
If you don't mind paying extra, you can enjoy two interactive spy experiences. The first one is called Operation Spy, a one-hour live-action spy adventure where you are the spy, and the second is called Spy in the City which lets you see Washington, DC, through the eyes of a spy by taking a GPS-guided tour of the city.
Each experience takes about one hour. Both are only for individuals ages 12 and up. You can purchase them as part of a Museum Combo ticket (which gives you admission to the museum plus the interactive experience) for $28.95. Purchased by itself, each interactive mission is $14.95. So it is possible to visit the museum the first time, then come back for one of the missions alone on a different visit.
Admission - Is it worth the price?
Admission to the International spy Museum is $21.95 for adults ages 12 to 64, $15.95 for seniors, military, and law-enforcement, $14.95 for youth ages 7 to 11, and free for children ages 6 and under.
Unless you spring for some of the specially priced missions, you may find that kids under age 10 won't appreciate the museum fully and will zoom through things that adults might enjoy lingering over for hours. So if you do have little ones, you may be better waiting until they are older and can easily read and enjoy detailed explanations of spy exploits before you fork out admission to the museum.
Having said that, even if you do you think your kids are too young to enjoy the museum now, I still recommend that you stop by the museum simply to browse their amazing gift store, which is absolutely packed with spy gadgets, books about spies, videos, and yes, life-size cutouts of James Bond.
Museum hours vary by the time of year, but are generally 9 AM to 7 PM during spring and summer, and 10 AM to 6 PM the rest of the year. However, they can vary by date, so be sure to go to www.spymuseum.org to check the latest hours. The museum is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The gift shop at the museum is worth a visit by itself!
The International Spy Museum does not have a dedicated parking garage. However, there are a number of parking garages nearby or, you may be able to get metered parking on the street, particularly if you visit on a Sunday when Washington DC tends to clear out. On Sundays you have the added benefit that metered street parking is free all day.
The International spy Museum is very close to Ford's Theatre, which in turn is only a few blocks away from the Newseum, both of which are completely worth a visit. So the last time we were in Washington DC we stopped in the Spy Museum after visiting Ford's Theatre simply so we could browse the gift shop (and take the photo with the life-size Sean Connery cutout!).
Want to do Washington DC for less? Check out my Free Washington DC page!


Welcome to the world of Dead Exit. You have to leave now or you'll die!
Well if you insist on proceeding, go check out the Steam page before you get eaten!
The city is overrun, but maybe you can still save a few people and get the hell out of here. You need food, fuel, a vehicle, and some survivors. That's a lot to ask when the city is crawling with dead.
Dead Exit is a card game that acts out the brutal nature of surviving in a zombie apocalypse, and knowing when to cut your losses and run. Control your base and make good use of resources and survivors. Many will die, but don't make their sacfices in vain. Play to survive on your own, or online with up to 8 players. Make alliances, but be wary because any of them could stab you in the back at the worst possible moment.
XboxOneUK.com "Dead Exit is a brilliant entry into the tabletop game genre"
BiggBossBattle.com "This is a really fun card game for a pretty low price"
Hope you all enjoy the game as much as the critics did!
stop hanging around here and go get the game.


Like having A.D.D IN HD.
Who is your comic inspiration?
I always loved Benny Hill because he was a funny old man who acted like a kid.
If you weren't a comic what would you do?
Probably direct science fiction movies.
What do you think of South Florida audiences?
They're the best because they are so up to date with everything!
For showtimes and tickets call: 954-981-5653 or visit: http://ftl.improv.com.


text:
package com.mapswithme.maps.bookmarks;

import android.net.Uri;
import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
import android.support.annotation.Nullable;
import android.text.TextUtils;
import android.util.Log;

import com.mapswithme.maps.bookmarks.data.PaymentData;
import com.mapswithme.util.CrashlyticsUtils;

class BookmarkPaymentDataParser implements PaymentDataParser
{
  private static final String TAG = BookmarkPaymentDataParser.class.getSimpleName();

  final static String SERVER_ID = "id";
  final static String PRODUCT_ID = "tier";
  final static String NAME = "name";
  final static String IMG_URL = "img";
  final static String AUTHOR_NAME = "author_name";

  @NonNull
  @Override
  public PaymentData parse(@NonNull String url)
  {
    Uri uri = Uri.parse(url);
    String serverId = getQueryRequiredParameter(uri, SERVER_ID);
    String productId = getQueryRequiredParameter(uri, PRODUCT_ID);
    String name = getQueryRequiredParameter(uri, NAME);
    String authorName = getQueryRequiredParameter(uri, AUTHOR_NAME);
    String imgUrl = uri.getQueryParameter(IMG_URL);
    return new PaymentData(serverId, productId, name, imgUrl, authorName);
  }

  @Nullable
  String getParameter(@NonNull String url, @NonNull String parameterName)
  {
    Uri uri = Uri.parse(url);
    return uri.getQueryParameter(parameterName);
  }

  @NonNull
  private static String getQueryRequiredParameter(@NonNull Uri uri, @NonNull String name)
  {
    String parameter = uri.getQueryParameter(name);
    if (TextUtils.isEmpty(parameter))
    {
      CrashlyticsUtils.logException(
        new IllegalArgumentException("'" + name + "' parameter is required! URI: " + uri));
      return "";
    }

    return parameter;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Whenever Barack Obama satisfies this week with Xi Jinping throughout the Chinese president's first state stop by at America, one product probably won't be on the agenda: the chance that the usa and Asia can find by themselves at war when you look at the next ten years.
The Trick Life Of Provided by the online casino
The Debate Over Payout Games
In policy circles, this seems since unlikely as it will be unwise.
Yet a century on, World War I offers a reminder that is sobering of ability for folly. As soon as we state that war is "inconceivable," is this a declaration by what is achievable when you look at the world—or no more than exactly exactly exactly what our minds that are limited conceive? In 1914, few could imagine slaughter for a scale that demanded a category that is new globe war. Whenever war finished four years later on, European countries lay in ruins: the kaiser gone, the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved, the Russian tsar overthrown by the Bolsheviks, France bled for a generation, and England shorn of their youth and treasure. A millennium by which European countries have been the governmental center worldwide stumbled on a crashing halt.
The question that is defining worldwide order with this generation is whether or not Asia additionally the united states of america can escape Thucydides's Trap. The Greek historian's metaphor reminds us associated with attendant threats each time a increasing energy competitors a ruling power—as Athens challenged Sparta in ancient Greece, or as Germany did Britain a hundred years ago. Many such competitions have actually ended defectively, usually for both countries, a group of mine during the Harvard Belfer Center for Science and Global Affairs has determined after analyzing the historic record. The result was war in 12 of 16 cases over the past 500 years. Whenever events avoided war, it needed huge, painful changes in attitudes and actions regarding the part not merely of this challenger but in addition the challenged.
In line with the trajectory that is current war involving the united states of america and Asia into the years ahead is not only possible, but greatly predisposed than recognized at this time. Certainly, just by the record that is historical war is more likely than maybe perhaps not. More over, present underestimations and misapprehensions associated with dangers inherent in the U.S.-China relationship add significantly to those dangers. a danger connected with Thucydides's Trap is the fact that company as usual—not simply an unexpected, extraordinary event—can trigger conflict that is large-scale. Whenever a power that is rising threatening to restore a ruling energy, standard crises that could otherwise be included, such as the assassination of a archduke in 1914, can start a cascade of reactions that, in turn, create outcomes none associated with parties would otherwise have opted for.
War, but, just isn't unavoidable. Four for the 16 instances inside our review failed to end up in bloodshed. Those successes, along with the problems, offer relevant classes for today's globe leaders. Escaping the Trap calls for effort that is tremendous. As Xi Jinping himself stated during a trip to Seattle on Tuesday, "There is no such thing as the alleged Thucydides Trap on the planet. But should major countries time and once more result in the errors of strategic miscalculation, they could produce such traps on their own."
More than 2,400 years back, the Athenian historian Thucydides offered a robust insight: "It had been the increase of Athens, together with fear that this motivated in Sparta, that made war unavoidable." Others identified a myriad of adding reasons for the Peloponnesian War. But Thucydides went along to one's heart for the matter, targeting the inexorable, structural anxiety brought on by an immediate change within the stability of energy between two rivals. Observe that Thucydides identified two key drivers of the powerful: the increasing power's entitlement that is growing feeling of its value, and interest in greater say and sway, from the one hand, in addition to fear, insecurity, and dedication to protect the status quo this engenders when you look at the founded power, in the other.
In the event about that he penned into the fifth century B.C., Athens had emerged more than a half century as being a steeple of civilization, yielding improvements in philosophy, history, drama, architecture, democracy, and naval prowess. This shocked Sparta, which for a hundred years have been the leading land energy regarding the Peloponnese peninsula. As Thucydides saw it, Athens's place had been understandable. As the clout expanded, therefore too did its self-esteem, its awareness of previous injustices, its sensitiveness to cases of disrespect, and its own insistence that previous plans be revised to mirror brand new realities of energy. It was additionally normal, Thucydides explained, that Sparta interpreted the Athenian position as unreasonable, ungrateful, and threatening into the system it had established—and within which Athens had flourished.
Thucydides chronicled objective alterations in general energy, but he additionally dedicated to perceptions of modification one of the leaders of Athens and Sparta—and exactly how this led each to bolster alliances with other states within the hopes of counterbalancing one other. But entanglement operates both methods. (it absolutely was because of this that George Washington famously cautioned America to watch out for "entangling alliances.") Whenever conflict broke away between your second-tier city-states of Corinth and Corcyra (now Corfu), Sparta felt it required to arrived at Corinth's protection, which left Athens small option but to back its ally. The Peloponnesian War observed. Whenever it finished three decades later on, Sparta ended up being the nominal victor. But both states lay in spoil, making Greece susceptible to the Persians.
Eight years prior to the outbreak of world war in European countries, Britain's King Edward VII asked his prime minister why the Uk federal government had been becoming therefore unfriendly to their nephew Kaiser Wilhelm II's Germany, instead of maintaining its attention on America, which he saw given that greater challenge. The minister that is prime the Foreign Office's chief Germany watcher, Eyre Crowe, to create a memo responding to the king's question. Crowe delivered their memorandum on New Year's Day, 1907. The document is really a treasure within the annals of diplomacy.
The logic of Crowe's analysis echoed Thucydides's insight. And their main concern, as paraphrased by Henry Kissinger in On Asia, ended up being the annotated following: Did increasing hostility between Britain and Germany stem more from German abilities or German conduct? Crowe place it a bit differently: Did Germany's search for "political hegemony and maritime ascendancy" pose an existential hazard to "the independency of her neighbors and finally the existence of England?"
The British Grand Fleet on its option to meet with the Imperial German Navy's fleet when it comes to Battle of Jutland in 1916 (AP)
Crowe's solution had been unambiguous: ability had been key. As Germany's economy exceeded Britain's, Germany will never only develop the army that is strongest on the continent. It is eliteessaywriters.com/blog/research-paper-topics legit might soon also "build as powerful a navy as she will pay for." Easily put, Kissinger writes, "once Germany achieved naval supremacy … this in itself—regardless of German intentions—would be a goal hazard to Britain, and incompatible because of the existence associated with British Empire."
36 months after reading that memo, Edward VII passed away. Attendees at their funeral included two "chief mourners"—Edward's successor, George V, and Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm—along with Theodore Roosevelt representing the usa. At one point, Roosevelt (an avid student of naval energy and leading champ associated with the accumulation regarding the U.S. Navy) asked Wilhelm whether he'd think about a moratorium into the German-British naval hands competition. The kaiser replied that Germany had been unalterably devoted to having a effective navy. But as he continued to explain, war between Germany and Britain had been merely unthinkable, because "I became mentioned in England, extremely mostly; personally i think myself partly an Englishman. Close to Germany we worry more for England compared to some other nation." After which with emphasis: "I ENJOY ENGLAND!"
Nonetheless conflict that is unimaginable, nevertheless catastrophic the possibility effects for several actors, nonetheless deep the social empathy among leaders, even blood family relations, and nonetheless economically interdependent states may be—none of those facets is enough to stop war, in 1914 or today.
In reality, in 12 of 16 situations during the last 500 years by which there is a quick change into the general energy of the increasing nation that threatened to restore a ruling state, the effect had been war. Whilst the table below suggests, the battle for mastery in European countries and Asia within the last half millennium provides a succession of variants on a typical storyline.
Thucydides Case Studies
(For summaries of those 16 cases therefore the methodology for picking them, as well as for a forum to join up improvements, subtractions, revisions, and disagreements utilizing the situations, please go to the Harvard Belfer Center's Thucydides Trap Case File. With this first period associated with the task, we during the Belfer Center identified "ruling" and "rising" abilities by using the judgments of leading historical records, resisting the urge to provide initial or idiosyncratic interpretations of occasions. These records use "rise" and "rule" according for their mainstream definitions, generally speaking emphasizing fast changes in general GDP and strength that is military. All the instances in this initial round of analysis originate from post-Westphalian European countries.)
whenever an increasing, revolutionary France challenged Britain's dominance regarding the oceans while the stability of energy in the European continent, Britain damaged Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet in 1805 and later delivered troops to your continent to beat their armies in Spain as well as Waterloo. As Otto von Bismarck desired to unify a quarrelsome range of increasing German states, war using their typical adversary, France, proved a successful tool to mobilize popular help for their objective. Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, a quickly modernizing Japanese economy and armed forces establishment challenged Chinese and Russian dominance of East Asia, leading to wars with both from where Japan emerged due to the fact leading energy in the area.
Marco Yañez
info@listonados.com.mx
52 (81) 8311 4034
Av. Adolfo López Mateos 1099-A-8, Col. Margarita Salazar, Sn Nicolas de los Garza, Monterrey, N.L.
LISTONADOS


Note: Construction next to the Carlton Center has blocked vehicle access to Broadway north of 17th Street.
Originally built as the high-end Carlton Hotel — 32 of the 120 rooms even had a private bath — the building served railroad passengers for many years. Owner Anton Huth named the hotel after his son. Later owners changed the name to the Earle Hotel.
It was one of the earliest restoration projects in the Union Station Historic District and now serves as office space for a variety of tenants, including the University of Washington Tacoma.


The expansion of our company to the European Union (2015.) - Network Manager d.o.o.
We are proud to announce that we have opened a new companies office on 1st September at the new location in Szeged, Hungary. After many years of experience in the IT market, the company Network Manager has managed to gain significant references, both at home and abroad.
By opening an office in Hungary, member of the European Union, cooperation between our company and clients from all over the world is significantly improved.
Extending of our company is expected in the future at some other new locations.


text:
Tim Thorpe Is Awarded Order of Australia Medal
Huge congrats to our very own Tim Thorpe, who has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to broadcast media – and in particular, to community radio.
The Vital Bits host has been presenting the weekend morning program since 1989, but his shows on the Triple R airwaves go back over 30 years, including stints on the Anchovy Brothers, Axeman's Jazz and Blokes You Can Trust.
Tim's a massive part of the Triple R world, also working as our Saturday receptionist (or 'Weekend Station Manager'), and we can't imagine life here without his warm and beautiful personality.
Ask Tim what radio he's most enjoyed recently, and he'll typically refer to the latest young graveyarder who's just cutting their teeth. No matter how much work Tim has to do, he's never too busy to make time for people – whether that involves helping them out in the studio, or sharing a cuppa and having a yarn to calm their nerves before jumping on air.
We're bloody chuffed that his legendary status has been now been made extra-official. Well done, Tim!
Tim Thorpe
Vital Bits


All Sessions are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FACILITATOR: SR. JANET SCHAEFFLER OP continues the ministry she was involved in for many years in parishes and as Director for Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She leads days of reflection/retreats, parish missions and workshops/presentations; facilitates online courses for the University of Dayton, Boston College, and the Vibrant Faith Institute; serves as a pastoral services team member for RENEW International; Janet created and publishes GEMS - a monthly newsletter from an ongoing international best practices study on adult faith formation. In April 2010 Janet received the Distinguished Service Award in Catechetics from NCCL (National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) and has been named as one of the people who have made a "significant contribution" to the field of Christian religious education in the North American context by the "Christian Educators of the 20th Century Project," Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA Janet is author of numerous books which include Deepening Faith: Adult Faith Formation in the Parish; The Creed: Understanding and Sharing What We Believe; The Spirituality of the Catechist; Teaching Kids to Care; Conversations; How to Talk to Children about Jesus; Activities for What Makes Us Catholic; and is a contributor to The Seasons of Adult Faith Formation.


At CAPA we're passionate about creating meaningful learning abroad experiences that will provide you with lasting memories and help you build global competencies to jump start your career. If you want to know how to get started on planning your own study abroad adventure, or if you have questions about how being part of our Globally Networked Learning approach to teaching and learning can create new opportunities in your life, contact us today!
We look forward to helping you GO BEYOND.
Are you looking to host an intern from CAPA?


text:
site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | section: | slug: unbeatens-nevada-kansas-state-clash-in-cayman-islands | sport: collegebasketball | route: article_single.us | 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories
Parrish: Top 25 and 1
Unbeatens Nevada, Kansas State clash in Cayman Islands
Nevada and Kansas State will put their unblemished records on the line Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Cayman Islands Classic in George Town, Cayman Islands.
By FLM
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:14 am ET • 1 min read
The Wolf Pack (5-0) handed Tulane its first loss of the season with a 75-66 decision on Monday evening. The Wildcats (4-0) followed that with a 77-57 victory over Rhode Island.
Kansas State never trailed against the Rams, racing to a 17-point lead at halftime before cruising through the second half.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin scored 15 points, Keyontae Johnson 14 and David N'Guessan 12 for Kansas State. It was the first time this season that Johnson was not the Wildcats' leading scorer.
Markquis Nowell had 12 assists to go along with nine points.
"They wanted to play fast," Kansas State coach Jerome Tang said following the game. "I just felt we were faster. We wanted it to be an up-and-down game. (Markquis) did a great job of reading the defense and delivering the ball on time on target."
The Wildcats will look to play a cleaner game. They committed 21 turnovers against Rhode Island.
The Wolf Pack attempted 38 free throws overall against Tulane and made 7 of 13 shots from 3-point range in the second half to pull away. Nevada trailed at the half 32-29 after connecting on just 20 percent from the field in the first half.
Jarod Lucas had 22 points for the Wolf Pack and Tre Coleman added 13, highlighted by four made 3-pointers. Kenan Blackshear had 11 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Wolf Pack defense has held its first five opponents to 38 percent shooting or worse from the field.
"I'm really proud of our guys, how they battled," Nevada coach Steve Alford said. "You can't win this thing unless you win the first one."
Nevada was down to eight scholarship players Monday. Daniel Foster did not play after sustaining an ankle injury last Friday. Center K.J. Hymes hurt his back during pre-game warmups.
"That's not what you want to hear in warmups, as a coach, that you're down a big," Alford said, "because we're already down enough bodies."
Our Latest College Basketball Stories
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Following on from my last post Lessons Learned Writing Java and Kotlin Microbenchmarks, this post presents some preliminary results examining The Cost of Kotlin Language Features in preparation for my presentation at KotlinConf in November.
The code behind the investigation is all available on GitHub. There you will find a framework that uses JMH to run benchmarks, and then runs JUnit tests on the results to check assertions about their relative speed. The actual benchmarks and tests that I'm running are also there, along with benchmark results and the sets of those results that are used in the tests. The separation allows me to reject results that are suspect for any of the reasons discussed in my previous post.
Note that, since that post, John Nolan has helped greatly with the statistics of comparing benchmarks and contributed the statistical comparators that the framework uses.
I'm publishing these results ahead of KotlinConf to give an opportunity for peer-review, so please do give me your feedback about the content, experimental method, code and conclusions. If you're reading this before November 2017 it isn't too late to save me from making a fool of myself in person, rather than just on the Internet.
With this in mind, let's dive straight in and look at the baseline tests.
With JMH benchmarks it is important that data used in the benchmark is passed in from the outside world (via State objects), and consumed by the benchmark framework (using the Blackhole)- these limit optimisations that would allow some or all of the benchmark code to be skipped altogether. As pretty much any JMH test requires the use of these devices, I've included them in the baseline benchmarks.
In the @Test we see assertions about the relative performance of the @Benchmark methods. The test shows that the Java code is quicker by between 0.5 % and 1%, with the default Confidence Interval of 95%.
Here is a sample benchmark run shown graphically (the error bars are the mean error with 99.9% confidence).
Given that the Kotlin and Java look functionally identical, you might expect that we shouldn't be able to detect any difference in the runtime of the code. There is a subtle difference though, revealed when we examine the bytecode emitted by the Java compiler.
The Kotlin compiler always checks that arguments passed to non-nullable parameters are, in fact, not null (at least for public functions). I suppose that in a pure Kotlin world these could be dispensed with, and there is a compiler flag to disable them, but the reasoning goes that any old Java code could be invoking your method with nulls, so it's better to find this out as early as possible.
This price is paid for invocation of every public Kotlin method, so it's as well that the check is relatively cheap. In this case you have to run the benchmarks for many iterations before you can see a statistically significant effect.
In the rest of this series I'll rarely compare Java results directly to Kotlin, but when I do, it's worth remembering that at least some of any slowdown detected will be due to parameter null checks rather than the rest of the benchmark method.
I hope to have the next installment of this series, covering string interpolation, published in the next few days.


text:
package fm.lazyseq

import fm.common.{Resource, Serializer}
import java.io.DataInput

final class TmpFileLazySeq[A](resource: Resource[DataInput])(implicit serializer: Serializer[A]) extends LazySeq[A] {
  private[this] val reader = SerializerReader(resource, serializer)

  final def foreach[U](f: A => U): Unit = reader.foreach(f)
}


If you search on YouTube, there are loads of videos about making your own wedding gown, but relatively few about sewing a bridesmaid dress. Understandably, bridesmaid dresses play second fiddle at a wedding and also come with some stigma: they're awkward, unglamorous and you can only wear them once. But according to Martha Stewart Weddings, bridesmaid dresses don't all have to be matchy-matchy, so if you're interested in sewing your own (for budget or style reasons), consider reaching out to the bride and discussing an appropriate color and style.
Who What Wear suggests you keep in mind what the dresses will look like when photographed. You want to maintain the look the bride is envisioning for the wedding pictures. Once you're in agreement with the person who'll be walking down the aisle, you can start thinking about your DIY bridesmaid dress. Below are videos about how to sew them from scratch as well as ideas for what you can do with your bridesmaid dress after the big day.
Alexandra Beuter aka. D.I.Y. Bride didn't want all of her bridesmaids wearing the same dress so she shopped around and took screenshots and pictures of a variety of dresses she thought were complementary but not the same. Then she asked each bridesmaid what kind of dress she preferred, offering options to the pickier participants. In the video, Alexandra talks about more choices she made for her wedding, making the piece a good background video for any do-it-yourself bride.
For many DIY sewists making a bridesmaid dress, following a pattern is the best way to ensure the sections are properly shaped and sized. LadySasa used a Butterick pattern to create a burgundy prom dress for her sister, and similar fabrics and patterns can be used for burgundy bridesmaid dresses. In addition to cutting and sewing the pieces, she also explains why an underlining is important to maintain the curves of a shaped dress. The lessons she teaches along the way, including sewing in a zipper and using specific sewing machine feet, can be applied to the making of many different dress patterns. The video is a great primer for any who hasn't made a dress before.
While the flower girl dresses described in this Simplicity video are for children, a lot of the instructions apply perfectly to a bridesmaid dresses since both tend to have similar tailoring and fabrics. Cutting the fabric in line with the pattern, sewing a hidden zipper and bunching fabric are all covered in detail.
Since many bridesmaids only wear their dress once, "Project Runway" finalist Althea Harper has great tips for upcycling formal dresses like bridesmaid gowns. Her ideas include no-sew suggestions like tacking in straps, adding a belt and lifting the hemline.


text:
Diversions Front Page Money
Mom wars with HOA over purple playground
Faces fines, jail time over backyard swing set
By Cheryl Chumley
Published August 14, 2015 at 1:59pm
A purple playground could lead to jail time for the homeowner.
A mom from near Kansas City, Missouri, Marla Stout, has gone to war with her local homeowners' association about a purple-colored playground set she erected in her backyard for her children, and a court date looms to determine if she will face fines – or worse, jail.
"It's been there for two years," she said on "Fox & Friends" on Friday, of her children's playset. "We've gone back and forth, we've asked [the HOA] to give us suggestions for other colors."
But to no avail, she said. The HOA maintains the purple color doesn't fit the neighborhood, and they've told her repeatedly to take it down, even fining her at one point. And the punitive measures could include jail, if any standing fines aren't eventually paid, according to homeowners' association contracts.
"We go to court next Friday, August 21, before a judge and we'll see what happens," Stout said. "In order for us to ever go to jail, obviously, we would have to be found to be wrong and we would have to refuse to pay. Right now, we don't owe the homeowners' association anything ... they originally fined us, we appealed that fine, it was overturned."
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In previous media interviews, Stout said the HOA rules don't refer to colors that must be used for play sets.
"What it says," she told WDAF-TV, "is it has to be harmonious with the community and with nature and there is nothing that dictates the color of the swing set."
Stout said purple was "harmonious" because it blends with tree leaves in the fall.
She said she also suggested gray as a replacement color, but "they don't like gray either," she said, on "Fox & Friends."
"We got very frustrated," she said, of the long-running ordeal.
Reason magazine reported the HOA's letters to Stout included references and warnings of imprisonment if the color wasn't changed.
"[They] said that if we didn't remove the swing set from the subdivision in a couple of weeks, we go to jail," she said, the magazine reported, citing KMBC-TV.
Another letter reportedly warned any HOA lawsuit would cost Stout's family "greater than any principle you are trying to prove," Reason reported.
Cheryl K. Chumley is a journalist, columnist, public speaker and author of "The Devil in DC." and "Police State USA: How Orwell's Nightmare is Becoming our Reality." She is also a journalism fellow with The Phillips Foundation in Washington, D.C., where she spent a year researching and writing about private property rights.
@ckchumley
Lead ammo now OK for national parks, public lands
300 companies line up to bid on border-wall build
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'Environmental justice' on Trump-EPA chopping block
White House clears Kellyanne of 'nefarious' Ivanka plug


Greenpeace Brazil has released a report at the World Social Forum in Belém showing that up to 80 percent of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is due to an increase in raising cattle for human consumption.
Brazil has quickly become the largest exporter of beef in the world, but they are not satisfied with their current market share and plan to increase production. The plan flies in the face of their supposed commitment to tackle climate change. The country is currently the fourth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, 75% of which stem from deforestation.
Our Amazon team used specialized techniques to analyze and compare satellite images of vegetation (or lack thereof) on the ground, and data showing the growth of infrastructure, such as roads and agribusiness. It is the first time that these two types of data have been put together in this way. Our maps in the report Amazon cattle footprint, clearly show how much former rainforest is now used for cattle pastures in Mato Grosso.
Unfortunately, similar as in the United States, the government fully backs the agriculture industry with many politicians firmly in the pockets of agribusiness. They've even recently proposed legislation to prevent environmental groups from setting up in the Amazon.
However, with the economy moving how it is, expansion is becoming less and less of an option.
What can you do? Try going vegetarian, or at least making sure the beef you're eating comes from cows raised near where you live.
Water is a Human Right: Take Action!


text:
Grammar Nazi Violations, Part 1
Nothing brings out the "grammar Nazi" like edits, beta reads, and telling somebody that you're a writer. Sometimes, people go a bit crazy with the red pen and that power to correct goes overboard. And sometimes it's right on track. The trick is knowing the difference between technically correct and personal preference on the part of the reviewer. Advice is like opinions: you can take it or leave it, but you need to know how to discern it properly so you know which is which.
Being in beta reads and edits for Convergence have once again opened my eyes to common writing errors. I'm guilty as charged, as I've been corrected on these things myself. Today, I'd like to start sharing these lessons with you by talking about two mistakes that modern writers commonly make while drafting their novels:
Passive voice. The best definition I found of "passive voice" is when the subject of the sentence is acted on by the verb. I know that's as clear as mud, which is why most people define it through an example, i.e. "The truck was driven by Zack." It's not technically wrong, but it's not the best way to express what happens. Think "show, don't tell." "Zack drove the truck" has more clarity and efficiency as an active voice sentence than the truck being driven by Zack. I heard in an English Grammar Boot Camp course that passive voice is preferable in police or scientific reports, so the truck being driven by Zack is preferable if Zack's a criminal apprehended during a high speed chase in a truck that's now in the impound yard. However, if he's a sweet sun conure driving Bubbles (his Quaker sister) to Sonic for some tater tots, it reads a lot smoother to say "Zack drove the truck." You aren't confused by whether the truck or Zack are more important. You can save that energy to ponder more important things, like how a parrot is driving a truck.
I know, it's silly to use my birds as an example, but I think you get the point. Active voice is action driver, and saves words by putting the noun and verb in the proper place. Sure, I've been criticized for my writing being too strong and bold by some business or journalistic writers who don't care for my style, but they're in the minority behind the good book reviews and readers thanking me for keeping my writing clear and full of action.
Plus, passive voice is one of my pet peeves. If you think in terms of "show, don't tell," then you see why this is annoying.
Starting and/or ending a sentence with a preposition. I'll admit that I'm still stuck in the days where it's improper, but no rule is absolute and there are situations where it's fine. The problem is knowing when to bend, and when you're interrupting the flow of thought/reading. "I washed my hands. But the trash can fell over. So I had to wash them over again," is choppy and slows down the flow of reading, whereas "I washed my hands, but the trash can fell over so I washed them twice," reads smoother and keeps the action flowing. It's not technically wrong, but I go with the experts in recommending that you minimize it to keep a good "flow" in your writing.
Those are two mistakes that I've both made and seen in writing. Next time, I'll move on to the other two errors that are common in modern writing.


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Nestle unveils one billion dollar Mexico investment
Nestlé is to invest $1 billion in Mexico, building two new factories in the country which is the 6th largest global market for the company.
The announcement was made by Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke during the World Economic Forum in the Swiss resort of Davos.
The 5 year investment will fund a new infant nutrition factory in Ocotlán, in western Mexico's Jalisco state, and a pet food factory in the city of Silao, in the central Mexian state of Guanajuato.
It will also be used to expand Nestlé's cereal factory in Lagos de Moreno, also in Guanajuato state, with state-of-the-art technology, making it the company's largest in the region.
Bulcke said "This investment is a striking example of our commitment to Mexico, and our long-term vision in a market with high growth potential".
The investment would, enable the creation of 700 direct and 3,500 indirect jobs, as well as bolstering the amount of raw materials purchased locally.
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto said he welcomed the news of the "encouraging" investment.
"I want to express my recognition to the company which has deep roots in Mexico and continues to trust in our country," he said during a joint press conference in Davos.
The factories in Mexico, the second largest market in Latin America for Nestlé, will also produce goods for the wider region.
Some 40% of the products made at the new infant nutrition factory in Ocotlán, for example, will be exported to Latin America and the Caribbean. Nestlé has been present in Mexico for eight decades and offers a portfolio of more than 80 brands and a range of 1,600 products.


The Take tells the story of the growing number of factory workers in Argentina who, instead of acquiescing in unemployment when their factories are shut down, take matters into their own hands by occupying the factories and starting them up again, without the oversight, or permission, of their former bosses. The workers' motto: "Occupy, Resist, Produce." In particular, the film focuses on the efforts of 30 workers to re-start the bankrupt Buenos Aires auto-parts factory ("Forja San Martin") that once employed them.
Film-makers Lewis & Klein begin the movie by telling us that their visit to Argentina was driven by the desire to demonstrate something their political leanings demand they believe, namely that there are alternatives to global capitalism. Klein narrates: "There's only so much protesting can accomplish…at a certain point, you have to talk about what you're fighting for." To which Lewis adds, "So we decided to shut up for a while. Our opponents wanted alternatives…so did we." And where better to look than a place where workers are casting off their chains, running their factories by direct democracy and (according to the workers) doing a better job of it than their former bosses?
As for various kinds of "bosses," well, any good drama needs a bad guy, and The Take features 2 of them. One is former Argentinian President Carlos Menem, whose policies (implemented at the urging of the International Monetary Fund) are blamed for the countries serious economic woes. The other villain is Luis Zanon, owner of another factory — the Zanon Ceramics Factory — now also under worker control. If this weren't a documentary — if you didn't see Zanon with your own eyes — he wouldn't be a plausible villain. He's too perfect for the role…like a smoother, better-groomed version of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons. He smiles into the camera and smugly states that, yes, of course, he will get his factory back. The government will give it back to him, he claims. The subtext: that's how things work for rich Argentinians with connections in high places.
In the cooperative, we'll all be administrators. I'll check on what he does, and he'll check on me. Of course, we're going to have to be more conscientious, and not be too bourgeois, like before under the boss…when you would duck around the corner for a break whenever you could. Now, no. If a light is on, turn it off if it's not necessary. There won't be exaggerated salaries like there were before, which is one of the things that caused all thiss…the salaries will be equal.
Of course, it's not so clear that what Freddy envisions is really the "alternative" to global capitalism that Lewis and Klein are seeking. It's just a different management structure. Under control of the Cooperative, Forja San Martin will still buy raw materials and sell finished products, while consuming energy and producing pollution and waste along the way. The decision-making process will be different, but the fundamentals of commerce will not.
One final note: the context — one that includes financial desperation and political upheaval — makes it hard to evaluate, ethically, what goes on in this movie. Everyone seems wrong, in some way or another. The Argentinian government is portrayed as corrupt, and corporate bosses as evil. On the other hand, what the members of the cooperative have done is illegal. They've stolen control of the factory. And in any sane world, no amount of corporate malfeasance could justify unilateral appropriation of a multi-million dollar piece of property. But if the story told by the film-makers is even close to accurate, the world the workers live in is anything but sane, and they're struggling, after all, to feed their families without the help of the power-brokers who see them as mere pawns in a very high-stakes game.
The cynic in me, of course, doesn't believe Freddy's claim that under the Cooperative, everything will be better. Why would anyone shirk their responsibilities, when they're part-owners of the factory? See the enormous literature on collective action problems. How could things not go well, given that all workers have equal input through a democratic decision process? See the literature, and history more generally, on the limits of direct democracy. And so on. But despite these academic worries, the film is well worth watching, as is the experiment — however naive — in alternatives forms of commerce currently under way in Argentina's worker-managed factories.
See more movie reviews from this Blog.
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On the issue of stealing, it may be a little more complicated than this. Remember that the factory is worth less than the workers are collectively owed in back pay.Besides this, the workers' claim is that the factory owners behaved illegally, which gives them a legal right to take over the factory. The fact that the bankruptcy judge does not recognize this is an important point against them. However, they do appeal to appropriate authorities — legistative officials.On a larger scale, Locke, Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Jefferson, etc. would affirm a right of revolution. In recent years this has expanded to some amount of civil disobedience. Which is simply to say that when the constituted authorities refuse to enforce justice, people have some limited right to circumvent the law.
No, that's not at all what I mean when I refer to the problems of collective action. It has nothing to do with states ruled by elites. So your entire last paragraph is off-target.
'Problems of collective action' arise any time a group (of any size) tries to accomplish a common goal, in conditions under which all tend to benefit regardless of their contribution. Basically, it's hard to coordinate people in the absence of a boss (or leader or something), even when they all value the common goal.
Very interesting! The spirit of the workers reminds me a lot of what is happening in parts of Detroit right now. I am putting this on my Netflix queue.


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The Ultimate Thai Temples Guide
Thailand's temples celebrate a variety of beliefs and cultures. Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions are represented through ornate temples. Since the last update, Thailand has 41,205 Buddhist temples (Wat), of which 33,902 are in use. Each has its history and cultural value, but you don't need to be spiritual or a culture lover to appreciate its design or surroundings.
Foreign visitors are often drawn to the beauty of Thai temples, thus creating a temple tour to explore them as they travel around the country. In addition to admiring the architecture, Thai wats are places to pray for good fortune, make merits, light incense for ancestors, and converse with resident monks.
While most of Thailand's temples are magnificent in their ways, a handful really stands out. Here's a list of those impressive wats to add to your Thailand vacation's temple tour. Some are well-known and simple to reach, while others are a little more off the beaten path but worth the effort to visit.
Wat Bang Kung (the banyan tree temple)
Where: Samut Songkhram
Located in Thailand's smallest province is the Samut Songkhram's old ordination hall with one of the most photogenic Buddhas. The Ayutthaya-era temple was abandoned, leaving nature to take over. Banyan tree roots engulfed the structure in which the seated Buddha figure rests.
Wat Ban Rai (the elephant and turtle temple)
Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
This North-East Thai temple has a water shrine. The elephant-shaped construction is made up of millions of ceramic mosaic tiles. The creative design makes it look like an elephant from the ground but a turtle from above.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Phrachomklao Rachanusorn and the floating pagodas
This fantastic temple (also known as Wat Phrabat Pu Phadaeng), located on the peaceful mountain of Doi Pu Yak in the northern Thai district of Lampang, demands visitors to put in some effort. But the hike is worth it when you see the 'floating pagodas' at the mountain's summit. They provide an added dimension to this one-of-a-kind temple experience.
Wat Huay Pla Klang
Wat Huay Pla Klang is a relatively new addition to Chiang Rai's temples. The colossal 260-foot-high (80-meter-high) statue of Kuan I'm (the Goddess of Mercy) captures the eye as you approach the temple. The calm white figure rests atop a tiny hill, with visitors able to climb the inside stairs for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. In addition, a nine-tiered pagoda stands next to the central temple tower.
Wat Khua Suwan
The provincial capital Phatthalung is off the beaten path, but it is home to one of Thailand's most beautiful natural wonders, the Thale Noi wetlands. It is also a pleasant spot to spend a few days exploring, with the intriguing Wat Khua Suwan being one of the city's primary attractions.
You can climb the stairs behind the main temple buildings to enter a cave filled with Buddha sculptures. Plus, a second stairway takes you up the mountain to a point where you can enjoy spectacular views of Phatthalung and the summit of Khao Ok Thalu in the distance.
Wat Khun Samut Chin (the temple surrounded by the sea)
Khun Samut Chin's temple illustrates coastal degradation and rising sea levels. The rest of the community moved inland, and inhabitants built concrete paths to the wat.
At low tide, the temple is accessible over silt, but at high tide, it's unreachable; the sea surrounds it. As a result, part of the ordination hall becomes submerged, although most of the interior has been raised to prevent this.
Wat Ku Tao
Wat Ku Tao is one of Thailand's most beautiful temples, blending Burmese and Chinese Confucian traditions and showcasing stunning pagodas representing the five most recent Buddhas and an unusual chedi. Many compare the chedi to a giant stack of watermelons, which explains its name: 'Tao' means melon in Lanna Thai.
The temple was created to house the remains of Prince Saravadi, the Burmese overlord of Chiang Mai, who died in 1607. As a result, Wat Ku Tao is unique among Chiang Mai's Thai temples.
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew, or Wat Larn Kuad (the million bottle temple)
Si Saket
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaeo is the formal name of this temple in Isaan, but Wat Larn Kuad ('million bottle temple') describes what makes it so distinctive. More than a million green bottles were recycled to decorate the establishment's religious buildings, with bottle caps becoming mosaics. The unconventional building materials allow natural light to flood the temple and need little maintenance.
Chang and Heineken bottles make up most of the glass. The monks began gathering them in the 1980s. They started this project to educate the community about living more sustainably and revolutionize garbage disposal. The first building took two years to erect, and there are now 20 more. For example, the monks also similarly decorated crematoriums, restrooms, prayer rooms, and monks' homes.
Wat Niwet Thamprawat (the church temple)
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is Thailand's only cathedral-style wat. Near Bang Pa-In Palace in Ayutthaya, the temple exhibits King Rama V's love of European architecture. Monks from the wat run a cable car crossing the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Noy (the smallest temple in Thailand)
You can't go into Thailand's smallest temple ('noy' means little in Thai). This remarkable temple looks like a shrine or spirit house inside the Nan National Museum. Above, you can see a small white structure under the tree on the far left.
According to local history, the monarch of Nan built this temple after King Rama V visited in the late 1800s. The Nan nobleman misjudged the number of temples in Nan and informed the king of one less. Thailand's most miniature temple was swiftly built from white limestone to atone for the oversight and ensure the king had the correct number. This 6-foot-wide, 10-foot-tall temple can be seen in Nan.
Wat Pa Dong Rai (the lotus flower temple)
This 2019 Udon Thani landmark resembles a lotus bloom on a lake. Inside, enormous glass windows resemble lotus petals, and frescoes depict Buddha's life. Ban Chiang National Museum is nearby.
Wat Pa Phu Kon (the colourful temple on the hill)
This temple's hilltop location in Udon Thani province makes it difficult to reach without a vehicle. However, it is a must-see if you're in Udon Thani. The temple's interior is just as impressive as its facade, with a 20-meter Reclining Buddha carved of marble.
Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Wat Phra Dhammakaya is the centre of the Dhammakaya movement, a 1970s offshoot of Buddhism that emphasizes the True Self in all living things. The temple has 300,000 Buddha images, 3,000 monks and other worshippers.
Mass meditation and prayers are held there. It's Thailand's largest temple, with 100,000 worshippers.
Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Wat Phra Kaew is a famous Thai temple due to its history and location in Bangkok's Grand Palace complex. It's the holiest Thai temple. The temple's jade Emerald Buddha was found in Chiang Rai in the 15th century and moved to Bangkok in the 18th.
The Indian saint Nagasena predicted the Emerald Buddha would bring "prosperity and preeminence" wherever it went. However, only the King or Crown Prince may touch the portrait as Thailand's defender.
Wat Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol (the stainless steel temple)
This Hat Yai temple has the world's first stainless steel chedi. Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol was built to honour King Rama IX and commemorate his 60th anniversary in 2006. The chedi sparkles in the sun and glows with illumination at night.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Doi Suthep, a temple on Doi Suthep Mountain with views of Chiang Mai, was founded in the late 14th century.
The story goes: Sumanathera was advised to journey to Pang Cha to find a relic in a dream. He finds a bone, assumed to be Gautama Buddha's shoulder, which glows, replicates, moves, and vanishes. Sumanathera took the bone to King Dhammaraja of Sukhothai, but he couldn't see its magic. Sumanathera brought the bone to King Nu Naone of Lanna. The bone shattered in half and was placed on a white elephant that was unleashed into the bush and climbed Doi Suthep before dying. King Nu Naone built a temple near its death location.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is one of Thailand's most important temples because of its intact Lanna architecture and 2,500-year-old Buddha hair strand. The temple has been conserved in its original state, unlike other Thai temples that have been modified and modernized.
It still features open viharas, naga stairs, and other Lanna and Thai Lu architecture characteristics. Other historical items include bullet holes in the temple railings fired by Nan Thipchang, an infamous folk hero, and a highly important Buddha picture – Phra Kaew Don Tao.
The massive Viharn Luang in the temple complex is the oldest wooden viharn in Thailand, erected in the late 15th century.
Wat Phra That Phasornkaew
Without conveyance, the Phetchabun local temple is difficult to reach. But If you can make it to Wat Phrathat Phasornkaew, you won't be disappointed. The magnificent white temple and statue of the five Buddhas compliment Khao Kho's mountain setting. In addition, the temple contains a pagoda styled like a lotus blossom decorated in mosaic tiles and colourful pottery.
Wat Rong Khun (the white temple)
Wat Rong Khun, in Chiang Rai, is known as the White Temple. It is a stunning blend of modern and classic design created by Chiang Rai artist Chalermchai Khositpipat. The temple is densely packed with symbols signifying Buddhist paradise and hell.
The extraordinary artwork is a labour of love and faith by the Thai man, who has committed significant sums of his own money to build one of Thailand's most impressive temples. It has been under construction since the late 1990s. The temple is open to visitors, although renovations are expected to continue until 2070.
Wat Rong Seua Ten (the blue temple)
In 2016, a new temple was built on this site. Wat Rong Seua Ten has a similar design style to Chiang Rai's White Temple. Phuttha Kabkaewa, a student of Chalermchai, is credited with the artwork.
However, unlike in the White Temple, photography is allowed inside the main hall, with a white Buddha picture and beautiful artwork on the walls and roof.
Wat Saen Suk (the hell temple)
Bang Saen
Most Buddhist temples display tranquil Buddha pictures, but that's not always the case. For example, Wat Saen Suk is a 'hell temple' in Bang Saen, Chonburi, containing horrific images and sculptures illustrating what awaits immoral people.
Thai Buddhists believe in reincarnation; however, the soul remains in either paradise or hell between death and rebirth. Wat Saen Suk is the largest hell temple in Thailand.
Wat Sam Pasieo (the Doraemon temple)
Suphanburi
At first glance, this temple in Suphanburi, north of Bangkok, seems ordinary, but recently commissioned murals inside the temple add fun and unique characteristics. For example, Doraemon, Angry Birds, and i-Pads are hidden in some artwork.
It's a subtle approach to urge younger visitors to look for the figures and ponder the more serious Buddhist ideas in the paintings. Visit with a local guide so they can point out the figures in the murals.
Wat Samphran (the dragon temple)
Wat Samphran is a modest temple 40 kilometres from Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom province. Its primary feature is a 17-story dragon statue wrapped around the building like a vine. This temple isn't in any travel book hence few travellers visit.
In addition to stunning views, the building's top floor depicts the birth of Buddha with sculptures. According to mythology, a newborn Buddha can walk, and wherever he steps, lotus flowers grow. Also, outside the main building, there are other intriguing statues. We urge walking around the property to find more surprises.
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam (the temple that glows in the dark)
Wat Sirindhorn Wararam in Udon Thani is an attractive sight by daylight but even more so by night as it transforms into a unique artwork. The 'Tree of Life' on the temple wall and the floor in front of it glow in the dark thanks to fluorescent paint.
Wat Srisuphan (the silver temple)
One of Northern Thailand's most peculiar temples sits south of Chiang Mai's Old Town. Wat Srisuphan lies in Chiang Mai's silver-making Wualai neighbourhood.
Since the early 1500s, the temple has stood in this location, undergoing redesigns and modifications. The temple most recently incorporated local silversmiths in 2004. Thus, the main ordination hall (ubosot) shimmers in the sunlight. Most of the work is done with zinc and alloy, but the sacred icons inside are made with precious silver.
Wat Thammikaram and Mirror Mountain
The Wat Thammikaram temple complex lies on both sides of the road at Prachuap Khiri Khan Beach's northern end. Both sites have dozens of monkeys, and the temple's hilltop views of Prachuap Khiri Khan are remarkable.
A shrine and tiny temple exist atop Khao Chong Krachok (Mirror Mountain). You should visit Ao Noi's teak wood temple further around the bay if you have any energy left after climbing and descending the 396 steps.
Wat Tham Pha Plong
Chiang Dao
Wat Tham Pha Plong is a noteworthy Thai temple due to its remote setting in a cave, surrounded by jungle, and only reachable climbing 500 steps that lead to its stunning gold stupa. Once you've completed the long ascent to the temple, you'll find the perfect setting for meditation, awareness, and prayer if you're so inclined. You can overcome anything with patience and perseverance! This is the knowledge to be gained from the experience of visiting this temple.
The famed Buddhist monk Luang Poo Sim found Pha Plong Cave while wandering the forest alone. HM King Bhumibol awarded him the highest priestly honour in 1992 for dedicating his life to preaching the Buddha's teachings.
Wat Tham Seua
This temple is not connected to the famed Tiger Temple in Krabi (also included in this list below), albeit having the same name. Nevertheless, this temple's gorgeous backdrop makes it worthy of inclusion. Wat Tham Seua is a must-see in Kanchanaburi.
Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple)
The cave in which this temple resides once housed a tiger. The animal's memory is honoured by a shrine inside the cave and main temple, but the clifftop shrine beyond the cave is what makes Wat Tham Seua noteworthy.
More than 1,200 steps lead up the 600-meter cliff. Those who make it are rewarded with Krabi's farmland, mountains, and estuary views.
Wat Tilok Aram (the temple on the lake)
Phayao visitors shouldn't miss a boat ride on Kwan Phayao Lake. The 1930s irrigation project built the artificial lake. The initiative assisted locals but destroyed several buildings. This includes 15th-century Wat Tilok Aram.
Today, a floating platform and Buddha image on the lake rest above the submerged ruins of the historic temple.
Wat Yannawa (the boat temple)
Wat Yannawa is easily accessible by public transportation in Bangkok. Despite this, foreign visitors rarely witness it, which is a shame because it's one of Bangkok's most attractive temples. The boat-shaped shrine hall with mast-like chedis is unusual.
Located on the Chao Phraya River, the boat was designed during King Rama III's era (1824–51). The king commissioned the design to remind future generations of the importance junk boats played in Bangkok's development.
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Description This is a private collection of photographs held by Mrs. Elizabeth Lillicrap. Presently it includes 57 pictures kindly made available for the "Virtual Shanghai" project. All these picture were taken by Mr. William Turner, greatgrandfather of Mrs. Lillicrap, except for those on which he appears himself. These pictures were taken between 1898 and 1901.


Replace 2004 Burnham Oil Boiler or switch to Natural Gas boiler?
Moved into a 1907 house in Portland, OR. Came with Burnham Oil Boiler from 2004, model LE2-GBI2S. It works but has lots of issues. Wanted opinions on repairing it (expensive) or replace with natural gas boiler (really expensive). The natural gas direction will be about 4 times more expensive.
Considerations. This is installed in a nice, high-ceiling basement that I'd like to convert to living space. Current mis-tuned boiler is medium loud and a little sooty and takes up a large corner. Air quality goes down after it's been running a while. Will air quality greatly improve when it's running properly? I understand natural gas is smaller footprint, quieter, and cleaner. Can I wall in to reduce noise? What type of venting required?
I'm not familiar with boilers, but am just getting started with lingo and how they work, bare with me.
Pressure reducing valve to regulate system pressure from make up water line is currently not functioning.
2 new auto air vents one on boiler one upstairs on one of the radiators currently not functioning.
What would you do? Scrap the boiler because too many problems or repair? Again going with a new natural gas boiler will be about 4 times more expensive.
Sound like a lot of issues. Only you can decide but I would hate to give up on a 12 year old boiler...sounds like it wasn't installed right......Hopefully someone that knows what he's doing will install the new one.
May I point out that everything about that boiler which needs fixing and replacing, except the tuneup, will also need to be done for a new boiler? Granted there are a fair number of problems, some of which are -- as @EBEBRATT-Ed said -- real safety issues.
From the description it sounds as though the burner hasn't been properly cleaned and tuned up for quite some time. Like... maybe since new. Just doing that, once the vent pipe and flue issue is fixed (which should be done yesterday, if not sooner, along with the pressure relief valve)(note that the pressure relief valve may be weeping because the system really is overpressured, given the faulty backflow preventer and pressure reducing valves)(I would get the rest of the issues cleared up as soon as possible, as well, like within the next week or two at the longest) you may find that any soot and odour problems disappear.
Thank you for the feedback. Vent goes into chimney. I have good photos, if that's helpful to share, know how to add them to the thread?
- Going to get the chimney, vent, and boiler power vaced this week.
- Is replacing the pressure release valve and tuning something a homeowner can tackle? Moderately mechanically minded and have done a decent amount of DIY work, but more on the carpentry end.
Doesn't sound like anything major to me. Just sounds like it hasn't been serviced in quite some time. Wouldn't make sense to me to scrap a 12 year old boiler based on what you have written. You just need a good boiler man to come in and get you squared away. And then you need to make sure you invite him back once a year.
After a power vac company accidentally broke the front door insulation during cleaning, a different boiler tech came out and discovered a large expansion tank tucked between the ceiling joists that was full. After we drained it the TPR valve and incoming PR line stopped dripping and the temp and heat gauge were within range (previous tech took their redlining as being broken). The boiler was insanely dirty and nearly all 14 fireholes in the chamber clogged, turbulators broken or rusted to nothing. Tune up, replacing some worn or broken gaskets, etc., next.