Every year more and more companies take steps towards reducing their carbon footprint and achieving the lucrative goal of zero waste to landfill. This is something which has become a target not only for businesses but also homes and other organisations which want to reduce their waste and save money.
Two companies which have recently achieved their zero to landfill goals are the food giant Nestle and Cardiff Airport. Nestle has transformed its factory in Newcastle upon Tyne, diverting waste to anaerobic digestion (AD) in order to achieve zero to waste. While Cardiff Airport has managed to recycle all the waste produced in its everyday operations.
This makes them examples to the thousands of other companies across the UK which are still sending their waste to landfill sites despite the increasing charges. Nestle's approach began with the opening of its own AD site last year, and were soon sending four tonnes of solid waste and 200,000 litres of liquid effluent to the facility for treatment.
Once in the air tight tank, bacteria breaks down the material as there is no oxygen present, producing biogas and a digestate byproduct. The gas is then used to power a combined heat and power (CHP) engine, which creates around 200 kilowatts of electricity, giving the company around 8% of its site's energy requirements.
Andrew Griffiths, Sustainability Manager at Nestlé Fawdon, commented: "We're proud to announce that one year on from launch, we've achieved our target of zero waste to landfill at our Fawdon factory, thanks to the installation of a new anaerobic digester.
Cardiff Airport's success has grown from a more conventional approach, with everyone who works on the site putting in an effort to manage waste on its premises responsibly. The airport has put practices in place which enable disposal of food, plastic packaging, grass cuttings and heavy pieces of old or broken equipment either by recycling or through efficient waste-to-energy techniques.
Cardiff Airport managing director Debra Barber said: "Thanks to the innovative processes now in place at Cardiff Airport we are able to ensure that absolutely no waste goes to landfill but instead goes towards creating new energy and materials.
At Recycling Services our team is dedicated to continue their hard work in achieving their goal of helping companies reach their zero to landfill targets. If you would like to find out how our services could help eliminate the excessive time and cost of your current waste management solution, or to set up your own zero to landfill solution then call one of the team today on 01952 204471 01952 204471.


text:
Q: Renaming or Moving WP-Content Pros/Cons I'm still learning WP. Previously I had done a 1-click installation of WP. Everything worked fine. But now, I'm planning to install it manually.
What are the Pros/Cons of these?
1 Renaming wp-content
(I have heard some plugins won't work. Could I maybe just rename wp-content in the plugin code?)
2 Moving wp-content or wp-uploads
Any harm in doing this?
Thanks.

A: I always recommend installing WordPress manually yourself. Some companies will insert a link crediting the hosting provider for the install. In the past, I've experienced 1-click installations that are not running the latest version of WordPress.
In terms of migrating your website, you should follow this guide: http://codex.wordpress.org/Moving_WordPress. Smashing Magazine also provide an easy tutorial: http://wp.smashingmagazine.com/2013/04/08/moving-wordpress-website.
In a nutshell, you'll download the whole site via an FTP (including the WordPress core files, plugin folders, uploads and your themes) and then transfer these files to the new server. Using something like phpMyAdmin, you'll need to export the old database, create a new database on the new server and then import the data. You'll find all the information you need in the links I've provided.

Update
In the comments @Dan has suggested this article in the codex for those who wish to move the wp-content directory: http://codex.wordpress.org/Editing_wp-config.php#Moving_wp-content_folder.
@Brijesh This article explains the benefits of moving your wp-content folder and gives you detailed instructions: http://www.paulund.co.uk/move-wp-content-folder-to-different-location.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Expecting the unexpected. That's where the magic is.
King & Fields Studios is a result of two world-renowned studios coming together to deliver an unmatched photographic experience to our clients.
It all started back in 2015 when Ben & Erin of Chrisman Studios moved to Charleston and had a dream of opening a photography studio one day. Around the same time, they met Raheel & Maryam of Fia Forever Photography who had been dreaming about connecting people through unforgettable experiences with their own photography.
Together, we imagined a studio that would have relevance and longevity in our community that would stand the test of time and become an essential, must-have portrait experience for Charleston residents and vacationers who come here year after year from all over the world looking for meaningful family time.
We're excited to announce that this dream has come true for us.
Welcome to King & Fields Studios, where your ultimate photographic experience awaits.
We are so grateful to you for trusting us, and we're so excited about creating photographs for you that will bring endless joy into your home every day.
We can't wait speak with you!


text:
Do you have gigabit Internet at home?
Pending Install
Join the First Gigabit Beta Tester Community and Shape the Future of the Internet!
Do you have a gigabit Internet connection at home? Do you want exclusive access to the latest apps developed especially for fiber-optic connections?
KC Digital Drive is building a community of gigabit app beta testers, and you can be a part. We want people willing to use their ultrafast connections to help entrepreneurs, startups, game designers, and other tech companies test their products before launching them to the world.
As a Gigabit City Lab beta tester, you'll be among the first to test exciting new applications like Hyperaudio, FitNet, or Software Lending Library and discuss them with your peers. We'll bring you news and information about the world of gigabit apps, along with new apps to test as soon as they're available. You'll get to join a cutting-edge community that provides valuable feedback to people developing apps for the gigabit age.
How to Join the Gigabit City Lab project. All it takes is the high-speed connection you may already be using at home, via a provider such as Google Fiber, Comcast or AT&T, and excitement for the future of the gig!
The program is expected to launch in the spring of 2015.
Home broadband access, preferably a fiber-optic 1Gbps connection
Excitement for the future of the gigabit Internet
Ability to test apps and provide user-experience feedback via frequent surveys
Participation in an online discussion forum
1. Fill out the form to signal your interest.
2. In a few days, you will receive a link to a mandatory survey.
3. Once you have completed the survey, you will be added to our community of beta testers.
3. Watch your inbox and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more Gigabit City Lab news.
Since Google started rolling out in Kansas City, KC Digital Drive has been working with local and national partners to launch new applications and web services that use our newfound wealth of bandwidth. We know there is less buffering, better video conferencing, and the ability to record eight shows at once—but we're looking for more, and we want your help.
We've been working with teams in education and health care, government and the arts, even the guys who predict the weather, to identify real-world needs and use cases. Working with national partners like Mozilla and US Ignite, we've hosted a couple gigabit hackathons and launched a Gigabit Community Fund. And we've established 1 Billion Bits to help software developers think about the Internet of the future.
Now we need the users to complete the loop and continue building the gigabit future!
What if I don't have a gig?
If you're interested in gigabit apps, please sign up! We're interested in all sorts of high-speed uses. And we'd love for you to join the community regardless of your current home Internet speed.
Is this just for Kansas City?
No. Connectivity between cities is one of the great promises of the gigabit web. With beta testers around the country, we'll be able to test the "in between" Internet infrastructures that can still lead to bottlenecks, even with a gig to the home.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Duketon Mining Limited is an Australian mineral exploration company.
Focussed on discovering gold and nickel deposits within the Duketon greenstone belt north of the town of Laverton, Western Australia.
Duketon Mining has a large portfolio of tenements prospective for both gold and nickel and is firmly focussed on maximising shareholder returns. Duketon Mining is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:DKM).
Duketon Mining continues to invest in its asset base of multiple exploration projects through objective decision making, good exploration process, considered use of new technologies and significant volumes of drilling.
© 2019 Duketon Mining Limited. All rights reserved.


"It was a fantastic evening, it's great to see who's out there. The event was really relaxed, casual and I felt very very comfortable. I'd highly recommend it!
It was a very organised event. The two hosts really took care of everyone that were there. There was enough space to move from date to date and the food was delicious!
I really met some beautiful people tonight. The host were really friendly, I was really nervous when I walked in, but after speaking to the host in 2 minutes, I felt like I knew these people. I would absolutely recommend this to all my single friends!


What is the Federal Reserve System? How does it operate? Who conspired to create it and what is the ultimate price WE pay? The Creature from Jekyll Island tells the story you haven't heard. Here is an audio presentation, given by G. Edward Griffin himself, shortly after publishing "The Creature" in 1994.


KODI Nikorima will return to full training next week after a shock trip to surgery over Christmas.
Nikorima was hoping to be free of the operating room in the 2018 pre-season after having to deal with a shoulder reconstruction this time last year.
But some sudden pain while on an overseas holiday with his partner changed all that.
Nikorima was able to deal with the abdominal discomfort until he returned home, but as the pain worsened it quickly became clear what was wrong.
"I had my appendix taken out about three weeks ago," he said today.
"It all off a sudden came on.
"I was enjoying a bit of down time with my partner in Thailand and on the last day I was getting a bit sick.
"I had no sympathy from her because she is a nurse and thought I was carrying on a bit.
"But four days later I was getting lower back pain and I had all the symptoms for appendicitis.
"I checked into hospital and I had it taken out."
After playing in the 2017 World Cup with New Zealand, Nikorima was due back at training this week.
But the recovery from surgery means he is restricted to light duties.
He is hopeful that designation will change next week as he gets excited about the season ahead.
Nikorima has sensed a new buzz around the Broncos already after some off-season facility and roster changes.
"I have only got this week I will be spending in rehab," he said.
"I will be running around and starting weights again.
"But next week I will be back with the team which I am really excited for.
"It's a new year and I am sensing a bit of a good vibe around the place.
"We have a new facility and a new-looking squad and a young squad - I am excited to see what they can bring."


The president encourages women to ask their lawmakers for change. Of the ten states that are not taxing tampons, five of them do not have sales tax at all.
A California assemblywoman introduced legislation on the first day of California's 2016 legislative session to eliminate sales tax on feminine hygiene products. California women spend $20,000,000 annually on taxes for these items, while other essential health items such as medical ID tags, walkers and medications are already tax exempt. For California women, that is an average of $7 per month.


BCR Members have the opportunity to schedule private lessons with the coach of their choice. Lesson rates vary by coach from $50-$100/hour.
Email membership@boulderrowing.org stating what type of lesson you wish to have, which coach, and proposed days and times.
Our Membership Chairperson will forward your email to the coach who will respond promptly to schedule the lesson.
Private lessons may be shared (e.g. semi-private) at the coach's same rate as long as all parties, and the coach, agree to the arrangement.
Coaches are not allowed to arrange private lessons "on the side" with Non-BCR Members due to insurance requirements and legal liability.


Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 30, 2015 – Argentina defeated Iran 3-1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21) in the first game of 5-8 semifinal of the FIVB Men's U23 World Championship at Al Nasr Club in Dubai, on Sunday.
Argentina will play against the winner of Brazil vs Korea game for the fifth place, on Monday. Iran will play for 7th place against the losers. Argentina's main man was Pablo Koukartsev with 23 points. Iran's Javad Hosseinabadi scored 15 points for the Asian team.
Argentina started the game with winning the first points. After Argentina's 8-4 lead, Iran fought back and levelled the game at 10-all. Thanks to Pablo Koukartsev's effort, South American team again took the control and finished the set with a 10-2 run (25-17).
Iran took the initiative in the beginning of the second set. After 9-7 Asian team scored 10 points in a row to make it 17-7. Argentina could not be able to shorten the gap and Iran won the set 25-16.
Third set was well balanced. Iran led both technical timeouts (8-6, 16-13) but Argentina's aggressive played helped them to level the game at 16-all. Iran did not lose the control until leading 23-22 but Argentina finished the set with three points in a row, 25-23.
Lead changed in the fourth set several times. After the second technical timeout which Iran reached 16-14, it was Argentina all over again. Strong spikes and serves caused problems for Iran and Argentina eventually won 25-21.


From complex aerospace machined products to simple brackets, Spartan Aerospace serves leading companies in commercial aerospace, military aerospace, firearms, defense, and vehicle manufacturing.
A global provider of aircraft engine, firearms, and military vehicle parts, Spartan Aerospace manufactures precision components--everything from small stampings and brackets to large complex machined and welded products.
Spartan Aerospace has been awarded a number of certifications and accreditations in recognition of high quality work.
Spartan Aerospace helps satisfied customers in the commercial aerospace, military aerospace, firearms, defense, and vehicle industries.


Located in Disney's Hollywood Studios, The 50's Prime Time Cafe is probably one of my favorite spots to visit for a bite to eat. Though I prefer it as a lunch option, dinner here also does not disappoint!
When you step into the 50's Prime Time Diner you are stepping back in time to a world where mother knows best, elbows are not allowed on the table, and you have to finish your meal to get dessert.
You will find each table is set to look as though you are sitting in a kitchen of the 1950's. The decorations are time appropriate and black and white televisions play food related clips from classic TV shows such as Leave it to Beaver and Father knows best.
You are served by cast members who take on the roles of family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. They will remind you of your manners and insist that you help set the table. They are very animated and truly transport you to a different era. They also provide a ton of entertainment!
When it comes to the food you can always count on an enjoyable meal here! That being said, a lot of guest are surprised that they do not offer standard fare such as burgers. This is because you are not eating at a diner, you are eating in a family kitchen and should expect home style food with a dash of nostalgia. Some of my favorites include the fried chicken, the chicken pot pie, and the meatloaf.
For dessert the most popular item is the s'mores which are absolutely just as you remember them tasting…delicious! This is also a great place to get a milkshake and the PB&J shake is out of this world!
Next time you are making your reservations for dining you may want to consider a trip back in time at the 50's Prime Time Cafe!
This entry was posted in Dining and Restaurants, My thoughts, Uncategorized, Why I Love and tagged 50's Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood Studios. Bookmark the permalink.
← Too Little to Ride? No Problem!


We're happy to offer assistance, advice, and to answer any questions you may have.
W. Cross & Co. Ltd, 36 East Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1AQ.
In the heart of Newton Abbot, our showroom is easily accessible and has plenty of car parking nearby.


text:
Capture Hong Kong's unique beauty with photographer Kelvin Yuen
Written by South China Morning Post
Viewing the natural greenery of Hong Kong can calm and de-stress you, while simultaneously taking your breath away. Hiking gives you the best vantage from which to appreciate this. Get the perspective of award-winning landscape photographer Kelvin Yuen Sze-lok in our interview below and scroll down for hiking routes that will have you shaded by subtropical forest, looking out across the famous skyline.
Award-winning landscape photographer Kelvin Yuen Sze-lok won his first photography prize at 19. The Hong Kong-born artist has travelled all over the world, but to him Hong Kong is a photographer's paradise and a city unlike any other.
Kelvin Yuen never imagined winning the first photo competition he ever entered. With his eye on the prize of gear and an airline ticket, Yuen entered while in his first year at Hong Kong Baptist University and won first prize and an honourable mention in the youth division of the Taiwan section of National Geographic's International Photo Contest 2015.
Five years down the line, the 23-year old photographer has been recognised in the International Landscape Photographer of the Year awards, and ranked second in 2019's World's Top 10 Landscape Photographers. He travels around the world for photo assignments and for leisure, but Hong Kong holds a special place in his heart.
What's so great about Hong Kong is that in a matter of hours you can cover several locations.
"Its public transport means it's easy to move around the city and you get a wide range of spectacles, from cityscapes to mountains, waterfalls and dramatic nature scenes," he says. Though Sai Kung is his favourite place to photograph for its rugged wilderness and view of the Milky Way at night, Yuen also likes the view from the Tsing Yi and Eagle's Nest Nature Trails, as well as from The Peak — a favourite with tourists.
As its name alludes, The Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and offers some of the best views of Victoria Harbour via its Peak Circle Walk. Lugard Road is part of the circuit and the first place where most visitors arrive at a lookout to see Hong Kong in all its glory. Named after Hong Kong's 14th governor, Sir Frederick Lugard, the road was built in 1913–1914 and remains a hotspot among seasoned hikers, runners and visitors.
I love the perspective it offers me as I photograph the city below. It is layer after layer of district, mountain, district, mountain.
Yuen says, "In the past few years I must have visited Lugard Road on The Peak over a hundred times. I love the perspective it offers me as I photograph the city below. It is layer after layer of district, mountain, district, mountain." His preferred time to shoot is at dusk, when the lights of the city burst into life and the sky turns into a kaleidoscope of dark shades.
However, it is not easy to capture that perfect shot. "First, I visualise what I want to capture. Then, I will need to scout the location. Take a few draft photos, check the weather, understand the seasons and study the environment, then I go back and try to capture what I have in my mind's eye. It is a lot of going back and forth before I get what I want."
Lugard Road in springtime, when wind conditions permit, allows Yuen to capture the rising fog that blankets the city while skyscrapers and mountaintops pierce through. "You try to prepare for it but you don't always get what you want because the weather can change very quickly."
He proudly remembers a shot of the top of the ICC (International Commerce Centre), which came out as a gleaming island surrounded by a sea of clouds. "I was shooting on Lugard Road towards the end of day and the fog came up thick and then I saw a single building sticking out."
Recommended explorations
Tsing Yi Nature Trails
These trails take you up many steps, but it's worth the climb for the sweeping views of the waters, bridges and lands surrounding Tsing Yi Island. There are many sitting-out areas along the way. Be sure not to overlook the wild flowers, such as Bougainvillea in vibrant fuchsia shades, and Trailing Lantana with small purple flowers.
The Peak to Lung Fu Shan Country Park: classic skyline views and unexpected ruins
A must-do hike with classic city and mountain views from The Peak, modern landmarks and World War II ruins — feel connected to the city yet so far removed.
Eagle's Nest Nature Trail: take a walk on the wild side
A shaded trail packed with flora and fauna including birds, monkeys, wild boar and trees found nowhere else in the world.
Hikes and Walks
Discover hidden treats in rural Hong Kong with chef Christian Yang
Find nature's melodies in Hong Kong with singing bowl artist Tsang Man Tung
Great Outdoors Hong Kong 2020-2021
5 Senses


Two cultures united with the same objective ~ "Health and Education"
The optical surgeries occurred on October 27,28, &29. Dr Calles, the ophthalmologist and surgeon, performed 7 cataract and 19 ptyrergium surgeries on the first 2 days and follow up exams on the 29th. Many thanks go the the clinic staff – Martha, Sam, Anna, Betsy, and Rudy who all worked extra hours to pull this off. Also to Norma Vermeulen for coordinating the project and Dra Eva for providing the required medications. Thanks also to Dianna Olson and her organization 'Life on the Border' for donating money for the lion share of the expenses.
Pterygium (Pronounced Terry Gee Um) is a growth on the surface of the eye, most often on the nose side, that is caused by over exposure to the sun (UV) and dust. Most common among field workers, seamen and surfers around the world, it is often called "Surfers eye".
The lesion can grow, most often from the nose side towards the Cornea, at a rate of one 1/16 of an inch per month. If it is not detected or remains un- treated, and exposure continues, in time the Cornea will be attacked resulting in blurred vision, then focus issues and finally loss of sight in the effected eye. At that point, the only solution is a Corneal Transplant. A Cornea Transplant can be quite expensive. Without insurance coverage it might cost about $12-14,000 which includes surgical center, surgeon and tissue costs.
Early detection may require an inexpensive, minor, 30 minute, out-patient surgery with 99+% success rate. Mabel's clinic operates strictly on donations; all medical services are performed by fully qualified but uncompensated career medical volunteers.
A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth that starts in the clear, thin tissue (conjunctiva) of the eye. This growth covers the white part of the eye (sclera) and extends onto the cornea. It is often slightly raised and contains visible blood vessels. The problem may occur on one or both eyes.
The exact cause is unknown. It is more common in people who have a lot of exposure to sunlight and wind, such as people who work outdoors.
Risk factors are exposure to sunny, dusty, sandy, or windblown areas. Farmers, fishermen, and people living near the equator are often affected. Pterygium is more common among farm workers, seaman and surfers who may not protect their eyes from UV (Proper sunglasses) and / or dust. It is rare in children.
The main symptom of a pterygium is a painless area of raised white tissue that has blood vessels on the inner or outer edge of the cornea. Sometimes the pterygium has no symptoms. However, it may become inflamed and cause burning, irritation, or a feeling like there's something foreign in the eye. Vision may be affected if the growth extends far enough onto the cornea.
A physical examination of the eyes and eyelids confirms the diagnosis. Special tests are usually not needed.
Treatment is usually not needed. Using artificial tears to keep the eyes moist may help prevent a pterygium from becoming inflamed. Mild steroid eye drop can be used to calm inflammation if it occurs. Surgery can be used to remove the growth for cosmetic reasons or if it blocks vision.
Most pterygia cause no problems and do not need treatment. If a pterygium affects the cornea, removing it can have good results.
Ongoing inflammation can cause a pterygium to grow farther onto the cornea. A pterygium can return after it is removed.
People with pterygium should be seen by an ophthalmologist each year, so that the condition can be treated before it affects vision.
Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if you have had a pterygium in the past and your symptoms return.
Taking steps to protect the eyes from ultraviolet light such as wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim may help prevent this condition.
…On this day… We were all blessed in many ways; let us count a few of our many gifts …our eyes & hearts were opened, our hands were steadied, we were afforded this opportunity … and with God given abilities we came together … On this day, 4 eyes were saved … tomorrow … 4 eyes will see a baby smile, a flower bloom and the word read in gratitude . and with these gifts we will go on trying to do our best .


Saturday Sound Off – #METO and the difficulty of creating believable characters.
November 9, 2018 11:48 am / 8 Comments on Saturday Sound Off – #METO and the difficulty of creating believable characters.
Several things recently got me thinking about the difficulty of creating solid, flesh and blood and sympathetic characters, even when those characters do things that you can never imagine yourself doing.
The first was an interview with John Boyne who has done it time and again in his novels. The next was starting to read Milkman, this year's Man Booker prize winning book. I have so far only read the first 50 pages, but already it is teaching me things about our recent history and about the craft of writing from deep inside the head of a character. Set in Northern Ireland during the 1970s it appears to be an indictment of the stifling masculinity and the paranoia that drove the violence on both sides of the sectarian divide.
The second thing was this article by a woman film maker about the way men portray women and her admiration for two movies in which women have, in her opinion, successfully portrayed men.
When I think about my own writing I can't escape the conclusion that too many of my characters are merely poor reflections of aspects of myself. But I also think that the problem of men portraying women, and vice-versa, is just one facet of a much more complex problem: can a heterosexual accurately portray a homosexual? A white middle class person a poor immigrant? Any of us any other person's deep inner personality and thought processes?
It is important because the narrative arts – theatre, film and literature – are the windows through which the rest of us are enabled to experience the lives of others. If those lives are miss-represented then it creates the cultural attitudes that drive some men to behave inappropriately toward women or certain politicians to spread fear of migrants seeking a better life. And, conversely, it is the way that better life is portrayed in the media that attracts those migrants in the first place.
My date this time describes herself as "a Welsh girl who now lives in Turkey with her family." When she is not writing or drawing, she loves to cook with fresh produce from the market, and look after her "thirty-odd street cats and one street dog".
"I enjoyed many years teaching primary-aged children in beautiful Swansea. Although I never dreamed of giving up my chosen career, my life shifted focus when I had a set of twins and another child just seventeen months later. My husband and I had waited seven years to have children so when we were blessed with them, they became our main priority. I decided to take time away from my profession to enjoy time with them.
While they were toddlers we spent a couple of weeks a year in Turkey on holiday. After a while we decided to move there for a couple of years.
Turkey is a friendly, family-orientated place, as anyone who has visited will know.
Next I wondered about the temperature in Turkey, especially as the British Isles is currently experiencing one of the longest, hottest summers for a long time and some people are finding it difficult to cope with. In addition, the small coastal village she calls home sees a huge increase in population every summer.
She recently published the fourth book in her series about Vikings. I wanted to know what drew her to that period in our history as the setting for her stories.
"I've always loved history and most of my books contain snippets in some form. I grew up in the old Roman town of Isca (the modern village of Caerleon, not to be confused with Exeter, fp), surrounded by history.
My father's enthusiasm for the ruins, museums, and castles firmly cemented history into my heart.
My next question was posed before I realised how long it is since she left teaching. I wondered if recent cuts in all public service budgets in the UK, including education, had influenced her decision.
She offers a long list in response to my question about authors she admires – and has a cheeky question she would love to ask the Brontë sisters.
"There are so many! My tastes vary greatly from the Brontë sisters, Virginia Woolf, Shakespeare, and Mario Puzo to the modern Nora Roberts, JK Rowling, Cassandra Clare, and Janet Dailey.
"when my children are in school.
Like most independently and self-published authors she feels uncomfortable with self-promotion, and marketing is not her favourite part of the process.
I learned quite a lot from my conversation with Ceri – that Turkey is not as bad a place to live as I had supposed; that there are at least two Iscas; and the location and political status of Transnistria, among other things. I hope you now feel equally well informed!
I suggest you check out her Facebook page and her Goodreads page where you will find links to all her books.
My thanks to Sally Cronin for featuring Strongbow's Wife on her blog, along with an excellent review.
For anyone that's interested, there are two ways in which the Strongbow story connects with Archbishop Becket. Both he and Henry II were close friends with the Bristol merchant Aoife's father first turned to for help in regaining his kingdom. And, once Beckett had been murdered in Canterbury Henry felt the need to atone. His mission to Ireland, suggested by the Pope some years earlier probably seemed like a good way of doing so.
via Sally's Cafe and Bookstore – Author Update – Frank Parker, Gigi Sedlmayer, Sally Cronin and Andrew Joyce.


It's only the hottest activity ever! Race down an active volcano and get the thrill of a lifetime.
Some might think it's completely insane, but swinging down a canyon is a great way to have safe extreme fun.
Camping on the ground is too mainstream, so if you want to upgrade your camping game, get a Flite Tree Tent from Amazon and try doing it with a Tentsile hammock tent up in the trees.


text:
package cz.paulrz.montecarlo.single;

import cz.paulrz.montecarlo.accumulator.Accumulator;
import cz.paulrz.montecarlo.parallel.CpuPool;
import cz.paulrz.montecarlo.random.RandomGeneratorFactory;
import org.apache.commons.math3.random.NormalizedRandomGenerator;
import org.apache.commons.math3.exception.MathInternalError;

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.concurrent.*;

/**
 * User: paul
 * Date: 29/9/11
 * Time: 08:25 AM
 */
public final class ParallelMonteCarloModel<TValue, OutValue> implements IMonteCarloModel<TValue, OutValue> {
    private final Accumulator<TValue, OutValue> summary;
    private final PathValuation<TValue> pathValuation;
    private final RandomGeneratorFactory randomFactory;
    private final boolean useAntithetic;
    private final boolean useBridge;
    private final GenericProcess1D process;
    private final double duration;
    private final int timeSteps;

    public ParallelMonteCarloModel(RandomGeneratorFactory random,
                                   GenericProcess1D process, double duration, int timeSteps,
                                   PathValuation<TValue> valuation, Accumulator<TValue, OutValue> statistics,
                                   boolean useAntithetic, boolean useBridge) {
        this.summary = statistics;
        this.useAntithetic = useAntithetic;
        this.useBridge = useBridge;
        this.randomFactory = random;
        this.duration = duration;
        this.process = process;
        this.timeSteps = timeSteps;
        this.pathValuation = valuation;
    }

    public int addSamples(int samples) {
        List<Future<List<TValue>>> executionList = new ArrayList<Future<List<TValue>>>(CpuPool.numOfCpu);
        final int samplesPerPartition = samples / CpuPool.numOfCpu;

        for (int i = 0; i < CpuPool.numOfCpu; ++i) {
            Callable<List<TValue>> callable = new ValuatedPathsWorker(samplesPerPartition);
            Future<List<TValue>> submit = CpuPool.executorService.submit(callable);
            executionList.add(submit);
        }

        for (Future<List<TValue>> future : executionList) {
            try {
                List<TValue> result = future.get();
                for (TValue value : result) {
                    summary.addValue(value);
                }
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new MathInternalError(e);
            } catch (ExecutionException e) {
                throw new MathInternalError(e);
            }

        }

        return samplesPerPartition * CpuPool.numOfCpu;
    }

    public int addSamples(int minSamples, double eps, int maxSteps) {
        throw new MathInternalError();
    }

    public Accumulator<TValue, OutValue> getStats() {
        return summary;
    }

    private final class ValuatedPathsWorker implements Callable<List<TValue>> {
        private final int samples;

        public ValuatedPathsWorker(int samples) {
            this.samples = samples;
        }

        public List<TValue> call() throws Exception {
            final PathGenerator1D pathGenerator = createPathGenerator();
            final int allSamples = useAntithetic ? samples * 2 : samples;
            final List<TValue> result = new ArrayList<TValue>(allSamples);

            for (int i = 0; i < allSamples; ++i) {
                final Path path = pathGenerator.next();
                final TValue pathValue = pathValuation.value(path);
                result.add(pathValue);
            }

            return result;
        }

        private PathGenerator1D createPathGenerator() {
            if (randomFactory == null){
                try {
                    return new SobolPathGenerator1D(process, timeSteps, duration, useBridge);
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    // fallback...
                }
            }

            final NormalizedRandomGenerator random = randomFactory.newGenerator();

            if (random == null)
                throw new NullPointerException("Random factory returned null generator");

            if (useAntithetic && useBridge)
                return new AntitheticBridgedPathGenerator1D(process, timeSteps,
                        duration, random);
            else if (useAntithetic && !useBridge)
                return new AntitheticPathGenerator1D(process, timeSteps,
                        duration, random);
            else if (useBridge)
                return new BridgedPathGenerator1D(process, timeSteps, duration, random);
            else
                return new SimplePathGenerator1D(process, timeSteps, duration, random);

        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Swagger Apache CXF JAX-RS Maven I am having trouble using swagger with Apache CXF, JAX-RS services.
beans.xml:
<bean class="org.springframework.beans.factory.config.PreferencesPlaceholderConfigurer"/>
<bean id="apiListingResourceJSON" class="com.wordnik.swagger.jaxrs.listing.ApiListingResourceJSON"/>
<bean id="apiDeclarationProvider" class="com.wordnik.swagger.jaxrs.listing.ApiDeclarationProvider"/>

Example use:
@Path("/")
@Api(value="/", description="VenturoSoft eMustering Services")
public class Service {
    final static Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(Service.class);

    @GET
    @Path("/echo/{input}")
    @Produces(MediaType.TEXT_PLAIN_VALUE)
    @Consumes(MediaType.TEXT_PLAIN_VALUE)
    @ApiOperation(value = "Get Ping", response = String.class)
    public String ping(@PathParam("input") String input) {
        return PingImpl.ping(input);
    }

Pom.xml:

    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.wordnik</groupId>
        <artifactId>swagger-jaxrs_2.10</artifactId>
        <version>1.3.12</version>
    </dependency>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.mangofactory</groupId>
        <artifactId>swagger-springmvc</artifactId>
        <version>1.0.2</version>
    </dependency>

Run:
mvn tomcat7:run-war

But when I load:
http://localhost:13000/jaxrs-service/api

I get no response.
http://localhost:13000/jaxrs-service/echo/echoSomething

Works as desired.

A: You're looking at some very old dependencies.  From your code, it looks like you're using JAXRS.  If that's the case, the latest dependencies should be:
<dependency>
    <groupId>io.swagger</groupId>
    <artifactId>swagger-jaxrs</artifactId>
    <version>1.5.4</version>
</dependency>

Please follow the JAXRS sample here:
https://github.com/swagger-api/swagger-samples/tree/master/java/java-jaxrs-cxf
Which should show you how to correctly configure the server.


"For low-income individuals and families, a wildfire can mean the difference between staying housed and becoming homeless. Affected families need support to rebuild their lives, and we are proud to help give them a lifeline in this critical time," said Elise Buik, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
United Way of Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County will work collaboratively to identify and vet organizations best positioned to serve those who are most in need and United Way of Greater Los Angeles will distribute the funds.
Disaster relief is a critical component in United Way of Greater Los Angeles' fight to end poverty. Last year, United Way of Greater Los Angeles worked with United Ways across Southern California to provide relief for California's most destructive fire season through the Southern California Wildfire Mudslide Relief fund, which raised more than $800,000. This new fund will continue United Way's work in serving vulnerable members of our community through one of their most devastating life events.
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is continuing to monitor the other fires in Southern California and will add them to their Disaster Relief Fund when need dictates. Updates will be posted at https://www.unitedwayla.org/en/give/disaster-relief-fund/.
In addition, immediate donations can be made directly to those impacted in Ventura County* by texting UWVC to 41444. Please check text link for processing details.
United Ways of California improves health, education and financial stability results for low-income California families by coordinating the statewide community impact and advocacy work of California United Ways. For more information about United Ways of California, visit www.unitedwaysca.org.


Here it is - the long awaited holiday weekend! Three days of leisurely time for you, your family, your friends. No matter what the weather says outside (here it sounds a bit like 'Jingle Bells' if you know what I mean, don't get fooled by the pic above, that was taken last week in sunny Greece - more about that next week on the blog), make the best out of it and have a great and happy time. If you celebrate Easter this weekend, I am wishing you a very festive and happy weekend. If you are celebrating anything else or right about nothing, have a happy time no less! Oh and if you have a bit of extra time, why don't you redecorate a corner of your home? Reshuffle some of your furniture pieces? Finally hang those art prints and pictures? Bring in a dash of spring into your happy home? You know what I mean. Hugs all around & smiles on your faces! See you next week!
Elegant, a contemporary mix of mid-century designs and nature inspired hues, a grown-up look for stylish urban homes - voilà, that's what comes to my mind when I look at the brand new Stockholm 2013 collection by Ikea which will hit the stores as of April. My second thought is: perfect timing as I am planning a little living room redo this spring.
The new collection is the upscale line in Ikea's broad assortment of furniture and home accessories and has a strong design angle - every piece seems consciously designed and aimed at a grown-up clientele. Refined materials such as velvet, shagreen, nut wood and bone china underline the collection's sophisticated approach and please the the visual as well as tactile senses. The colour range transmits a timeless idea of interior design with cues from nature such as green, various brown hues like cognac, chocolate, mud and others, but also yellow, mustard, black.
Paying due respect to its name and Ikea origin, this collection is strongly influenced by classic Scandinavian design and makes reference to the stylish 50s and 60s of the past century. The Stockholm 2013 collection focuses on the living room, dining room and bedroom and is accomplished by selected decoration items.
What do you think of the new Stockholm 2013 collection by Ikea?
Happy Interior Blog is reaching slowly its 1.5 years - let's call it baby maturity. One of the things I vividly remember from my early blogging days (sounds like it's been centuries ago) was the first time meeting with one of the leading interiors and decorating blogger celebrities Holly Becker. I met Holly at her first book's presentation in Munich and wrote about it HERE.
Now after almost 1.5 years I am flipping through her second book 'Decorate Workshop' or - as entitled in German - 'Wunderbare Wohnideen', published by Callwey. Holly's second book is aimed to be a practical day-to-day guide for interior design and decoration projects. With the easy step-by-step approach the reader learns how to embark on an interior design project and how to let go the fears and concerns. Compared to Decorate, this is a more practical work manual rather than a coffee table book. However, the easy to read guide is beautifully visualized by the photography of Debi Treloar.
Instead of snapping a few pics of the inspiring pages, I've opted for two quick Vine videos to give you a rough idea of the book's structure and content. Many of you might have it in their book shelves already. And for those who don't - reconsider! It might come in very handy for your next design project!
Hello my friends! I'm back after a little getaway to sunny Greece and a fabulous design hotel. Soon more here on the blog. But for the time being let us indulge in a new '5 Happy Inspirations' post.
Some of you might know that I am one of those indecisive persons when it comes to interior design, styling and decoration. I love colourful details, I like natural styles with lots of wood, I adore rich textures and patterns with an ethnic vibe. Chaotic? Maybe. But one could also say eclectic, right? It's all about how you mix and interpret the pieces.
1. My German fellow blogger Kai of Stilsucht has launched his first product in collaboration with the designer Thomas Schmitz. The hook named 'Cliffhanger' has its natural habitat in primarily - but not exclusively - typical German 'Altbau' (old buildings) high ceilinged, raw, pre war buildings, since two parallel water pipes are necessary to utilize the clever helper which is simply clipped between them.
2. Add a dash of summer with the 'Palm Trays' by Smart Living Objects. Made of rubber wood and coated with summery hues they are perfect to make you smile, even with the current weather!
3. I 'luuuuv' me some copper! How about this sleek pendant light with polished copper and a textile cable by the Dutch design team Ontwerpduo with Vij5? Yes, iconic Dutch design!
4. Cushions are my soft spot. And this one with a calming natural look is my 'coup de coeur' - the 'Sea Grass Cushion' by Nordic Elements is on my wish list!
5. The 'Lock' bamboo dinner table by the Dutch design label Plankton is an eye-catcher due to its spectacular base. Moreover, it's made of sustainably grown bamboo thus good for your home and for our environment!
The British Week on Happy Interior Blog continues. Today I'd like to make you feel the 'design pulse' of one of London's super popular neighbourhoods, Notting Hill. During the 'Meet the Blogger' conference in London I was very happy to join the fabulous design walk organised by the impeccable London coinnesseur Tina Bernstein.
Above all I want to thank Tina for the decent starting time - 1 p.m. was just about acceptable for a morning grouch like moi. Just in time we flocked around our style sheppard in the Tom Dixon store at the Docks and followed her along like a little chicken family all the way through Notting Hill and Portobello district.
Our next stop over were the vintage stores Phoenix on Golborne and Les Couilles du Chien - realy treasure troves for vintage loving hearts. We wandered along, passed by the cool and urban Pizza East restaurant with its weathered blue Tolix chairs (snap, snap) and arrived at the fabulous and colourful Pedlars boutique. Free coffee to warm our hands and bodies, a healthy dose of vibrant colours to please our eye and super friendly staff who introduced us to the store's concept and product lines. We loved it!
Warmed up and already loaded with shopping bags, we continued our design tour to yet another highlight, Ceramica Blue. If you love ceramics then this is the place to stop and shop! The shop owner was super friendly and offered an extra 15 % discount so I couldn't help it but add yet another shopping bag to my lugagge.
SCP was our next stop - the big and bright streetside store with lots of design classics was another visual highlight. Fibreglass Eames chairs in retro colours, soft and fluffy sofas in green and blue, Donna Wilson cushions and String wall units made us think about travelling back home with bulky lugagge. Yet another presentation of the store's philosophy, concept and product range gave us valuable insights into SCP. Chapeau!
Last but not least, we visited the headquarters of made.com. Their showroom on the 9th floor revealed stunning sights everywhere - the London skyline all around and fabulous sofas, coffee tables, chairs in the showroom itself. A young and dynamic team welcomed us with bubbles and snacks and a little tour made me almost click on the order button on my iPad - but alas, they do not deliver to Germany. Yet. I'll stay tuned.
With this post I am signing off till next Wednesday my friends. I am off to a little design & holiday trip. You know, I need more content for my upcoming 'From Place To Space' post so stay tuned. If you want to see where I am heading to later today, follow me on Instagram for on-the-go snaps in a new metropolis.
1. Nobody does retro as the Brits do. How about this retro inspired rain print by Eloise Renouf? At least it reminds us that there are no rainy days in a happy home!
2. Speaking of retro - the mid-century day bed sofa by Hopper & Space is a flirty fellow and a 'coup de coeur' for colour lovers.
3. The view of the calm sea is soothing and balancing - and incredibly stylish above a sofa in the living room or above your bed. Seen at Ribbon Squirrel.
4. The handpulled Scandinavian fish screen is in fact - British! Handmade by the fab British artist Jane Foster.
5. Playful, cute and oh so trendy. The linen tote bag with neon knitted bottom is an eye-catcher for your next home decoration shopping spree. Guaranteed! Seen at Memake.
Which one would you give the Brit Award to?
Yesterday I took you to London to join in the fun I had while attending the 'Meet the Blogger' conference. Later this week I will take you on our 'design tour' through Portobello and Notting Hill, that was part of the blogger conference, too. Hence, I've decided to make this a UK week on Happy Interior Blog. The 'Happy Brits Awards' if you want so.
Fiery, pink velvet sofa: One accent piece of furniture can set the entire tone of a room. In this case, the fiery, pink velvet sofa has a strong visual power and speaks of the creative minds living in this home. Its colour is reflected in the cushion on the other sofa and caught up by the large scale art above it.
Large scale art: This is the next highlight. A grand room calls for grand art. Here, the colourful painting adds interest and drama to the room and creates a sort of 'colourful cell' with the sofa.
Bay Window: For someone living in Germany, bay windows are a sheer highlight to me. They are not common at all here and every time I'm in the UK, I like to peek through the bay windows in the happy homes of the Brits.
Two weekends ago I attended the 'Meet The Blogger' conference in London. 'Nomen est omen' in this case - meeting bloggers was the essence of this conference and I loved meeting some good old friends, meeting other fellow bloggers for the very first time and thus making many new friends. I can't even start naming them, there are too many and I am afraid of forgetting a name or two. Apart from schmoozing with my favorite blogging folks, we also had the opportunity to learn something and refine a few blogger skills.
The keynote was spoken by the 'Queen of Pastels' and super successful Yvonne Eijkenduijn of Yvestown who also hosted an on situ styling workshop. My blogging brother Will of Bright Bazaar revealed some of his Photoshop skills and later I attended a photography workshop with the talented interiors photographer Paul Craig and a design terminology lesson with the charming Ana Aguilar.
The intense all day conference was later on rounded-up by a great burger dinner at the über-cool restaurant Byron in the West End. Around midnight I had to go to bed - I've networked, talked, learned, laughed so much that day, that I was absolutely happily tired. Moreover, I knew that Sunday will bring more fun at the 'Design Walk' through Notting Hill so a good night's sleep was more than needed. That's it for today, I will share my 'Design Walk' impressions with you later this week. So stay tuned. Oh, and happy Monday!
Yeah, weekend time!!! And yes, I am off again - back to visit my family in Austria. Plus I am so excited cause I am going to work on my interior styling abilities in April! How? What? Well, let me tell you one thing (if you don't know it already): One of my highly admired blogger friends and designer and stylist, Justina Blakeney, has decided to host an online interior styling workshop. She has partnered with Skillshare to teach her first ever online course called 'Interior Styling - The Fundamentals to style your space like a pro'. Video tutorials, great online resources and styling homework to do at home will be part of the online course. And the best ever: The queen of jungalow herself will give helpful feedback and advise about our styling projects. I am pretty excited, just like the little kids before the very first day at school! The course starts April 1st and lasts till April 12th. If you want to be my classmate, sign up HERE. Happy weekend, friends!
I've mentioned a few times that I have a really hard time to commit to one single interior style. I have corners in my apartment with a Scandinavian vibe, I have my funky vintage finds, I have some ethnic slash folksy accessories. And it is weird as everything has a certain appeal to me. On the other hand, I like that cause it always challenges my eye to juggle things together in a somewhat aesthetic way. If I succeed or not, that is a whole new question.
Speaking of folksy art for interior styling I got myself playing on my laptop. I juggled a few online finds into a sort of inspiration board for a folk art styled living room. I've put a few things together: A vintage leather sofa for the tactile and natural feel (No. 2, by Avandeo), a framed Frida Kahlo portrait to set the tone on the wall (No. 1, by AllPosters.de), hand-embroidered cushions with folksy colours to embellish your sofa (No. 3, by Heidi Merrick), a leafy fiddle fig tree for a dash of jungle fever (No. 4, seen on House Tweaking), a hand-woven African basket for storage (No. 5, by Dioum African Art) and finally, a vintage kilim rug to tie the colourful blast together (No. 6, via Ebay).
If you like a bit of folksy art for your happy home, here is an excellent kick-off: The cool folks at AllPosters.de, the German outlet of Art.com, is one of the leading online retailer for wall art. Their portfolio bursts of abundance and if you are looking for a great way to personalize your walls, that's the address to search for. But for one of you this search will have a shortcut - AllPosters.de offers the shown framed Frida Kahlo portrait (retail value 150 Euros) as a giveaway to one of you! All you have to do is leave a comment under this post and tell me where you'd hang it. The giveaway is open internationally and will close next Friday at midnight CET. Good luck my stylish friends!
Ten days ago I invited 30 German lifestyle bloggers to Munich for a weekend full of fun, design, shopping and networking. Last week I covered the first part of our 'Blogs & Coffee' weekend HERE, today I want to share the rest of our discoveries with you.
Saturday afternoon was reserved for discovering some of my favorite interior design stores and cafés in the lively Glockenbach quarter. First, I took my blogger friends to my favorite boutique 'Ladoug'. This is a real gem in downtown Munich. Small, intimate, full of beautifully curated homewares, mostly vintage and handcrafted, scouted by the charming owner Andrea Douglas. Not only will you dive into a dreamy world when entering the boutique, but the owner will also tell you one or two anecdotes from her trips around the globe in order to find these fine home decoration goodies. My secret favorite: the vintage Moroccan wedding cushions.
Later on we continued to a kooky store bursting with industrial and vintage finds called 'Delikatessen'. This is the place to head to if you look for one-of-a-kind vintage furniture pieces, local designs, fine ceramics, industrial pendants. We literally fell in like a horde into the store and snapped our way along.
A short coffee and cake break was squeezed in at the beautiful organic 'Kranz Café' before we headed to a new concept store in the Schwabing area called 'Weissglut'. Weissglut means 'incandecence' in German and you will reach a state of glowing when you roam through the super stylish concept store with carefully selected homeware pieces, home textiles and fashion in the basement. The owner is a friendly chap and will tell you about the idea if asked. So head to this cool store if you happen to be in Munich. Dinner was organized in the über-cool restaurant 'Theresa'. Since it was too dark for nice pics, see my blog post about the restaurant HERE to have an idea of how stylish it is (and yummy by the way).
Sunday morning marked our farewell breakfast in the dreamy-white café 'White Rabbit's Room'. Easy to decode, the theme is based on the world famous Alice in Wonderland story. A white washed interior, exposed bulbs, wooden furniture, colourful tableware and yummy food - all good reasons to stop by and have a break in the Haidhausen area. Plus, a little store completes the café for those who fall in love with the accessories and tableware.
So, isn't this all super enticing? Don't you want to jump to Munich for a quick visit?
Hello friends! After a few days without blogging I am back and full with new inspirations and ideas for more happiness at home. Some of you might know that I spent the last weekend in London attending the 'Meet The Blogger' conference. I had the great honour to finally meet one of my favorite stylists and shop owners in person, Karine Candice Kong of the sublime 'Bodie and Fou' online store. We laughed along, chatted along and I can say - we really clicked!
For quite a while I was actually flirting with the exquisite linen beddings from 'Bodie and Fou'. The new colour range finally made me give in - I've order the blue linen bedding for more morning happiness in my bed! So I thought it might be a cool idea to share my five favorite finds from the new spring/summer 2013 range of 'Bodie and Fou'. So here they are. Oh, and don't forget to tell me what is your favorite?
1. Natural Basket; 2. Blue linen bedding; 3. Wooden chopping boards; 4. Orange wire pendant light; 5. Turquoise industrial stool 'Have a Seat'.
How many things can you pack into one weekend? Meet friends, make new friends, learn something, discover new places, travel, get some creative work done, eat out, party. Well, I am in the middle of all this - here in London! I am so lucky to be attending the 'Meet the Blogger' event in London. A fab keynote speaker, interesting workshops, a cool design walk and lots of fun with fellow bloggers - I can't complain, right? And as usual, I will share all my discoveries and experiences with you my friends - soon here on the blog and in real time on Instagram, Twitter and Vine.
Have a wonderfully colourful weekend, wherever you are! I will see you back on Wednesday here on the blog!
P.S. Don't forget to join my little giveaway on Instagram - win a 'Happy Blogger' tote bag!
As soon as the charming illustration arrived, I framed it and started a project I've envisaged for so long: a little gallery wall. I've decided to start with four prints for the time being, I have a fifth one waiting to be framed and hung. My approach is to let the gallery wall grow slowly. For now, I love how the new Caitlin Shearer illustration looks on my wall. Don't miss to check out her wonderful work HERE and HERE.
What do you think of her work? Happy Friday!


I would like more information about 30-32 W. 10th Ave 1BR.
These large one bedrooms offer a great location close to the corner of High Street and 10th Avenue, just steps away from Gateway! All units are a bit different so photos will show multiple layouts.


text:
Auricularia (Auriculaire) est un genre de champignons basidiomycètes de la famille des Auriculariaceae.

Liste d'espèces
Selon  :

Notes et références

Liens externes

Genre de champignons (nom scientifique)
Auriculariaceae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Largest ever outdoor ad at Dubai airport
The advertisement has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest 'banner' in the world. Ad-Air estimates that some 15 million people will see the advertisement every year. While Ad-Air does not disclose the price of its individual mega-advertisements, Ad-Air has stated that its prices range from R525,000 to just over R1 million per month. Ad-Air has also acknowledged that it has rights to 30 airports globally. Expect to see similar giant ads at both Los Angeles International Airport and Chicago O'Hare next year.
Sorough Real Estate plans to fill the advertising space with a million pictures of faces from people around the world. For every picture uploaded Sorough will donate one U.S. dollar to the United Arab Emirates' Red Crescent organization, the Middle Eastern equivalent to The Red Cross.
Ad-Air
www.ad-air.com


This is a small safety-critical embedded system controlling a personal insulin pump.
This is an information system for managing the healthcare of people suffering from mental illnesses.
This is a weather data collection system installed in remote environment.
This is a collection of learning tools for students from age 4 to 18.
This is a discussion of the causes of the explosion of an Ariane 5 rocket on its maiden flight.
This is a description of the hardware and software architecture of the Airbus 340 flight control system.


text:
layout:     post
title:      "Making the board"
subtitle:   "Category: Minesweeper"
date:       2016-04-13 11:30:00
author:     "Tom Hanson"
tags:       "JavaScript,  Minesweeper"
categories: "minesweeper"
header-img: "img/learnjs-bg.jpg"
codepen:    "http://codepen.io/tomhanson1985/pen/JXegpO"
---

I decided to make the actual spaces using javascript as well, seeing as this is supposed to be a way of improving my knowledge! Heres how it went:

Space.prototype.createSpace = function() {
    //create divs to hold info
    this.sp = document.createElement("div");
    this.ol = document.createElement("div");
    this.sp.classList.add('space');
    this.sp.classList.add(this.b);
    this.ol.classList.add('cover');
    //reference to the container
    this.wrapper = document.getElementById("minefield");
    //variables for how many bombs are nearby
    if(this.b !== true && this.bombsNear !== 0 ) {
        //if it is not a bomb space then print out the number of bombs around that space
        this.ap = document.createElement('p');
        var text = this.bombsNear.toString();
        this.a = document.createTextNode(text);
        this.ap.innerHTML = text;
        this.sp.appendChild(this.ap);
    } else if (this.b === true ) {
        //if it is a bomb space put an SVG bomb in
        this.sp.innerHTML = '<svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" x="0px" y="0px" width="512px" height="512px" viewBox="0 0 512 512" enable-background="new 0 0 512 512" xml:space="preserve">\
        <g>\
            <path d="M218.255,131.197c16.958,0,33.379,2.285,48.987,6.542V91.448h-92.995v45.008 C188.357,133.027,203.091,131.197,218.255,131.197z"/>\
            <circle fill="#020202" cx="218.255" cy="316.947" r="171.502"/>\
            <path fill="none" stroke="#000000" stroke-width="10" stroke-miterlimit="10" d="M218.255,108.849c0,0-6.776-113.407,92.398-60 c79.104,42.599,117,17,117,17"/>\
            <polygon points="422.598,23.551 430.759,46.499 452.756,36.042 442.3,58.04 465.247,66.2 442.3,74.36 452.756,96.358 430.759,85.901 422.598,108.849 414.438,85.901 392.441,96.358 402.897,74.36 379.948,66.2 402.897,58.04 392.441,36.042 414.438,46.499  "/>\
            </g>\
        </svg>';
    }
    //stitch it all together
    this.sp.appendChild(this.ol);
    this.wrapper.appendChild(this.sp);
};

I first created all the divs I needed, gave them all the classes I felt they need, then ran a check. I was checking to see two things:

A. that the space was not a bomb

B. if the space had any bombs around it(I'll come back to how I figured that out in a moment)

If both of those conditions were met I created a paragraph tag inside the main container and filled that with the amount of bomb spaces that are near this space(I will come back to how I did this i promise!)

If the space was a bomb then I just drew an svg bomb in the space and moved on.

Finally I stitched it all together and you may notice I have updated my

I would also point out now that as per my previous thoughts - I did need more properties for each space. The space object now looks like this:

function Space(space, x, y) {
    this.space = space;
    this.x = x;
    this.y = y;
    this.b = false;
    this.bombsNear = 0;
    this.neighbours = [];
    this.revealed = false;
}

this.space just holds a reference to which number in the array of spaces in the board that space is - I'm not sure If I will actually need that but I figure it doesn't hurt for the space to be aware.

this.bombsNear starts as 0 and then I run a check (that I will eventually get round to telling you about) on all squares around it and updates the number based on that.

this.revealed is pretty self explanatory and changes to true when a square is clicked on.

this.neighbours - As discussed before, the most complex one of the lot, an empty array to start, which after being run through a loop holds a reference to all spaces surrounding this space. This was the final property I added and probably the most critical in getting the game to work.


I was seeing someone who was in a very dark place. Sometimes when you hit rock bottom it's hard to see the wood for the trees and I was in the middle of it all trying to bring him out of it, so naturally, I felt compelled to put my thoughts into lyrics and write about it.
I came up with the guitar riff through a stream of consciousness while fiddling with the acoustic guitar, and decided to record it straight away to not forget it. These things are too precious to lose! In terms of the lyrics, I put all my thoughts to paper and looked for some decent rhymes and what melody would fit with a particular line. When I felt I had all the bits sussed out, I demo'd it using a click on my old digital eight-track. I played the main guitar riff throughout the whole song on one track, the vocals on two tracks (main + backing vocals) and another track for the guitar solo bits. The lyrics were changed slightly when we hit the studio with the band to record, but the main feel of the song remains the same.
Not particularly. I think as a whole, the song works pretty well. When I perform it on my own rather than with a band, I use a loop pedal for the main riff, so I can play the solo bits using some effects like a bit of drive and some delay. It's quite a fast-paced song, so you really don't want to mess up the loop at the start! I do prefer playing it with the band though, it just has more oomph!
I only started studying at BIMM a month or so ago, but I'd be open to collaborate with other students to try and push the envelope and get out of my comfort zone. As a solo artist, I tend to be a control freak, but trying out new things can bring the best out of you. Hit me up if you feel we could do something cool.
Meeting people, networking, and learning things that seem self-evident yet I hadn't thought about. The tutors are dead-on and I'm looking forward to booking a few tutorials and getting some good advice.


RxTOOLKIT® is pleased to announce its support of the Patient Safety Movement Foundation (PSMF) and its mission to eliminate preventable deaths by 2020 (0X2020™).
The Patient Safety Movement Foundation believes that reaching ZERO preventable deaths in hospitals by 2020 is not only the right goal, but also an attainable one with the right people, ideas, and technology. Many pieces of the puzzle already exist. Solving this problem is a matter of connecting the dots.
We recently became a committed partner of the PSMF and have signed an official PSMF Commitment to Action. You can view RxTOOLKIT® and other committed partners on the PSMF website by clicking here. Once on the page, click on any logo to view each committed partner's Commitment to Action.
We are also thrilled that PSMF has decided to feature Pharmacy Technicians University on their resource page!
We couldn't agree more and are proud to be a part of the PSMF's commitment to action! We fully support their ultimate goal of reducing the number of preventable deaths in hospitals to ZERO by 2020!
Please feel free to contact us if you would like more information about RxTOOLKIT's Commitment to Action or Pharmacy Technicians University.


text:
/* this file has been autogenerated by vtkNodeJsWrap */
/* editing this might proof futile */

#ifndef NATIVE_EXTENSION_VTK_VTKDISTANCEWIDGETWRAP_H
#define NATIVE_EXTENSION_VTK_VTKDISTANCEWIDGETWRAP_H

#include <nan.h>

#include <vtkSmartPointer.h>
#include <vtkDistanceWidget.h>

#include "vtkAbstractWidgetWrap.h"
#include "../../plus/plus.h"

class VtkDistanceWidgetWrap : public VtkAbstractWidgetWrap
{
	public:
		using Nan::ObjectWrap::Wrap;
		static void Init(v8::Local<v8::Object> exports);
		static void InitPtpl();
		static void ConstructorGetter(
			v8::Local<v8::String> property,
			const Nan::PropertyCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);

		VtkDistanceWidgetWrap(vtkSmartPointer<vtkDistanceWidget>);
		VtkDistanceWidgetWrap();
		~VtkDistanceWidgetWrap( );
		static Nan::Persistent<v8::FunctionTemplate> ptpl;

	private:
		static void New(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);

		static void CreateDefaultRepresentation(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void GetDistanceRepresentation(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void GetWidgetState(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void NewInstance(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SafeDownCast(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SetEnabled(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SetProcessEvents(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SetRepresentation(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SetWidgetStateToManipulate(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);
		static void SetWidgetStateToStart(const Nan::FunctionCallbackInfo<v8::Value>& info);

#ifdef VTK_NODE_PLUS_VTKDISTANCEWIDGETWRAP_CLASSDEF
		VTK_NODE_PLUS_VTKDISTANCEWIDGETWRAP_CLASSDEF
#endif
};

#endif


text:
PM Morrison Hits 'Pause' on Migrant Intake
March 21st, 2019 1,992 Total Views
The prime minister has hit "pause" on Australia's annual migration intake as he tries to redirect more new arrivals away from overcrowded capital cities and into struggling regional towns.
Scott Morrison is reducing the number of annually available places from 190,000 to 160,000 for the next four years as he tries to ease pressure on road and rail networks in the country's biggest cities.
Mr Morrison says Australia has thrived from steady population growth but for the past two decades infrastructure and services have struggled to keep pace.
He points out the vast majority of migrants have settled in the major cities – particularly Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth – putting significant pressure on roads and public transport.
New visa categories are now being introduced to force 23,000 skilled migrants to spend three years working in regional towns before applying for permanent residency.
International students will be offered enticements to study outside the capitals.
Mr Morrison says he wants ordinary workers in capital cities to spend less time stuck in traffic, and help struggling rural and regional communities inject life into their towns.
He denied concerns about congestion were driven by racism, insisting migrants were not to blame for failing infrastructure.
"Migration and those who have come to Australia to make a contribution, not take one, has been an enormous boon for Australia. We want to continue to encourage that," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
The prime minister has also defended the timing of his government's migration intake announcement, despite it occurring days after the Christchurch terrorist attacks.
He voiced frustration at those conflating the issues for political gain.
"This is a practical problem that Australians wanted addressed, that migrant communities wanted addressed," he said.
Mr Morrison is certain the plan will have no impact on the federal budget.
"If we were to take the figure below 160,000 that would have had a direct fiscal impact on the budget," he said.
Immigration Minister David Coleman is confident the 23,000 workers who obtain new regional visas will comply with the requirements.
Mr Coleman said existing state-sponsored regional visas had a 99 per cent compliance rate, and he expects similar figures when the requirements are extended to other applicants.
"Permanent residency is top of the list in terms of the incentives for people. We certainly expect that these will be well subscribed and that there will be a very high level of compliance," he said.
Skilled migrants should not expect "immigration police" to come knocking on their doors, but rather a "strong self-assessment process" involving demonstration of where people have been, he said.
Workers on the three-year regional visas will also be able to shift between various towns.
"As long as it's outside the big cities," Mr Morrison said.
"To maintain the flexibility in that it is really important. Otherwise it becomes an unworkable program."
Labor is willing to lower the annual migrant intake to 160,000 but leader Bill Shorten has warned against "dog whistling" on population policy.
The number of employer-sponsored skilled migrants allowed into Australia is being bumped up slightly to 39,000 places, but there will be no change to the family stream of the program, which offers 48,000 visas.
International students be granted an extra year of Australian work rights if they graduate from regional universities.


If I had to choose between makeup and skincare to splurge my money on, I would choose the skincare. Fair enough makeup makes everything look prettier and you don't need to worry about your spot mark, however, when you think about the long term, skincare is the one that will be making difference in the long run. What do you think? When I was a teenager, spending £5-10 on a product was more than enough, however, as you age the priorities change and I don't have a problem spending £50 on a trusty serum. Luckily, you don't always need to splurge that much on products, there are good and way affordable products in the market. M&S own brand products are definitely on that affordable and good list. I'd say, they are worth giving a try. I was sent some M&S FORMULA Skincare goodies and all I could say, my love for that brand is growing more and more!
I've used quite a few products from M&S Formula skincare range and all I could say is not only the products are affordable, they are also effective! If you want to have high end quality with reasonable price tag, you might want to walk around M&S beauty isle! Out of those 3 Formula Skincare products, 2 of those products are new to my skincare routine. I've tried Formula Daily range products, however, Formula Daily Advanced range was new to me. Before I start mumbling more, better start with the reviews of the products!
My only experience with hot cloth cleanser is with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cleanser. It has been a product I really like, expect the price tag. I prefer to keep my cleanser products' price below £20. I was excited to try FORMULA Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser which comes with its own muslin cloth. It has such light floral fragrance, which is not overwhelming. What does it do? It nourishes, hydrates and leaves your skin baby soft and hydrated. If you're new to hot cloth cleansers, let me tell you how they work… Cleansing cream cleans and nourishes the skins and the muslin cloth provides polishing effect, removing any dead skin as you clean the cleanser off. I make sure to lay the muslin cloth delicately over my face, so the steam can open up your pores and help the cleanser penetrate. That way, the result is way better! Apparently, you can even remove the traces of waterproof mascara, however, I haven't tried it so I can't say anything about it. I prefer to clean my makeup with micellar water before using the hot cloth cleanser as the second cleanse. This cleanser is gentle, so if you have sensitive skin you don't need to worry about it being harsh to your skin. It leaves my skin feeling looking healthier and well hydrated. I use it twice a day and I love how soft my skin gets. There's no breakouts but a glowy skin!
FORMULA Hyaluronic Acid Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser is £11 for 200 ml. It is good and delivers the same results as the more pricey one. If you want to try hot cleansers, definitely add this to your list. I'm sure it won't disappoint you!
As well as using chemical exfoliators, I also like using the physical ones. Some might find the physical ones too hash, luckily my skin is not that sensitive! I don't know when was the last time I used thermal exfoliator before FORMULA Hyaluronic Acid Thermal Exfoliator Polish. This self heating thermal exfoliator definitely provides intense skin polishing effect. You see the effects ot if instantly! I use it twice a week, whenever I use it, my skin not only feels soft but looks brighter. I would recommend it to anyone but the people with very sensitive skin. It has large grains which is not too ideal for the sensitive skins. If you like physical exfoliators to renew your skin, this should be added to your list. It helps to remove any dry patches, gives you smoother and baby soft skin. It might just be me, but I really like the heating feeling this exfoliator gives.
FORMULA Hyaluronic Acid Thermal Exfoliator Polish is £9 for 100 ml. You only need a little to get an effective result so it would last for long time! It is a reasonably priced exfoliator which delivers what it promises.
The first time I tried FORMULA Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream was over a year ago, it was one of the M&S Advent Calendar products, as well as M&S Advent Calendar 2017 too. FORMULA Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream has many active ingredients which is fighting the 10 signs of ageing. There are many things I like about that cream. The consistency of it is just right. It is rich without being too heavy, it is lightweight and it sinks into the skin straight away. It is deeply moisturising. There's no greasy feeling at all. All you do is take a pea size and massage into the skin before going to bed. And the result? My skin looks brighter, smoother, plumper and radiant. In the morning, my skin is makeup ready like I've applied a primer to get it looking smooth. If you're looking for a cream that would make you look like you've had eight hours' sleep, even when you haven't, then you might want to try this. Just to add, after a long night of drinking and partying, don't expect it to make miracles and give the same result!
FORMULA Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream is £22 for 50 ml. Since I got the full-size, it has been a staple of my night skincare routine and it's already on the to-repurchase list. Would I recommend it? I would highly recommend it! I think it would be a little heavy for the younger skin, however, for anyone late 20s or over, definitely go for it!
You really don't need to spend too much to get effective products. I am really impressed with Formula Daily Advanced range and I've already purchased another cleanser from the range, FORMULA Facial Cleansing Milk. The range is reasonably priced and the result is as good as the high-end products. If you're looking for new products to add to your routine, then definitely check some of FORMULA ones!
Have you tried anything from M&S Beauty Formula skincare? If yes, then what are your favourites? Which skincare products have you been loving lately?
*Gifted, however, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.


Wide Mediterranean beaches, leafy pedestrian promenades, unique architecture and innovative dining have turned Barcelona into one of the most alluring destinations in Europe. The word clearly has.
Carnival Corporation officially opened its second cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelona with an inauguration ceremony attended by government, business and community representatives. During the.
Disney Cruise Line is proud to offer special military rates to military personnel during select sail dates on 3- and 7-night Disney cruises.
Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas — the biggest and most expensive ($1.35 billion) cruise ship ever created — will set sail from Barcelona on Friday. After accepting the new ship last.
Barcelona to Mediterranean Viking Ocean Viking Star Cruise Reviews Barcelona to Europe – Western Mediterranean Viking Ocean Viking Star Cruise Reviews Barcelona to Italy Viking Ocean Viking Star.
The world's largest cruise has set sail this week, leaving its port in France for Barcelona, Spain, where it will begin its maiden voyage on March 31. Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas has.
In a Truly Rare Occurrence, Three Windstar Ships (50% of the Fleet) Sail from One of Europe's Most Beautiful Cities BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In a perfect world of.
A couple celebrating their honeymoon on a cruise departing from Barcelona were shocked to find a racially insensitive artwork in a corridor aboard their ship, the MSC Seaview. The painting shows a man.
Barcelona (AFP) – Novak Djokovic admitted he is suffering from a lack of match-practice after slipping to a surprise defeat in his latest comeback from injury at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.
This Royal Caribbean Cruise will take you on a journey through three different countries within Europe. You will begin your journey at Barcelona where you can enjoy the colourful creations of.
Carnival Corporation today officially opened its second cruise terminal at the Port of Barcelonawith an inauguration ceremony attended by government, business and community representatives. The.
Norwegian (NCL) Norwegian Spirit Cruise Reviews for Romantic Cruises to Caribbean – Eastern from Barcelona Norwegian (NCL) Norwegian Spirit Cruise Reviews for Romantic Cruises to Europe – Eastern.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal cruised into the Barcelona Open quarterfinals by defeating fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday. The top-ranked Nadal converted on his.
BARCELONA — When river cruise giant Viking announced plans a few years ago to get into the ocean cruise business, many industry insiders scoffed. They said Viking never would be able to secure the.
MIAMI, May 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, today officially opened its second cruise terminal at the Port of.
Barcelona (AFP) – Rafael Nadal won his 11th Barcelona title on Sunday when he breezed past Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1 in the final. It was world number one Nadal's 55th career.
Find your dream cruise with MSC Cruises. To book a cruise, search for your desired destination, ship and travel dates.
BARCELONA (AP) — Roma made the already daunting task of beating Barcelona that much harder after scoring two own goals to help the Spanish side secure a 4-1 victory in the opening leg of their.


"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God? 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?' " The Lord Had Pity 18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. 19 The Lord answered and said to his people, "Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
God already knows what we need before we ask him. He knows what we have done and not done. He asks us to return to him with all of our heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning. He wants to wash us from our transgressions and cleanse us from our sins. Then he wants us to work together with Him by living righteously and telling others what he has done for us. Are you thankful for what the Lord has done for you? Do you judge others or try to show what a good Christian you are? God asks us to be servants, not a stumbling block.


These beautiful paper bags feature pink flowers on a white background.
Paper bags are great for small merchandise bags or favor bags. Most popular as a paper bag for small items like jewelry. Great for boutiques, craft fairs, etc.
Bags measure 8.5x11 inches on the outside.


Guys, there's more to yoga than sitting on a mat in stretchy pants. Do it right and it helps you lift more in the gym and improves your performance in traditional "manly" sports.
Before you step into any yoga studio in Singapore, what do you expect to see? Lithe, young women in the trendiest Lululemon outfits folding themselves into human pretzels? That is the stereotypical image that may have stopped some from placing a toe on the mat – men, especially.
The irony is, yoga was created thousands of years ago in India by men, for men. Today, you'd be lucky to spot male participants in a room full of women.
For instance, The Yoga Space, which opened in mid-2018, sees men making up about 30 per cent of its classes, though "it's not always the same for each class", according to co-founder Jing Lu. Even in the more established set-ups such as Yoga Movement, the percentage of male participants isn't any different, said its director and co-founder Alicia Pan.
It's a sentiment shared by Raymond Tan, who jogs a few times a week and has no qualms trying rock climbing and CrossFit. But the 32-year-old sales manager draws the line at stretching in "a room full of women who can touch their toes". "I don't think my ego and body are flexible enough to take the humiliation," he laughed.
READ: Should you attempt yoga if you have asthma, a headache or are on your period?
"Men are not open to yoga because social media sends the wrong message; the crazy leg-behind-head postures, the splits and the back bends. And I'm guilty as charged!" said Hafiz Sazali, 35, who has practised yoga for close to four years and has been teaching it for three years.
Even the men who practise yoga started out feeling apprehensive. "The first time I stepped into a class, I felt intimidated by everything," said consultant physician Wong Chen Seong. "Everyone in class seemed so comfortable and confident on the mat, and moved with a grace and strength I couldn't even imagine," said the 36-year-old.
Most men who exercise generally focus on building strength and cardiovascular fitness. Just step into any gym and you'll see that the free weights section and treadmills are the busiest spots.
Spending 45 minutes on a yoga mat might be the farthest thing from a man's mind. But to be considered physically fit, you'll need to work on your flexibility, too – one of the components that make up fitness.
Moreover, doing the same exercises, whether it's weight training or running, means that the same muscles are being worked again and again; sometimes, leading to a plateau in performance. And that's where yoga can take you out of your workout rut, according to Sazali.
Yoga's benefits don't only apply in the gym but in other sports, too. "For example, yoga allows us to gain good hip flexors, which is an added advantage when we are bouldering or climbing," said Badwal.
Knowing how to perfect complex postures, taking care of your mental and physical being, and learning to connect with yourself are traits that are masculine and alpha.
As for thinking yoga is all about smoothie sipping and "too feminine", Acroyoga practitioner and teacher Leonard Heng said: "Knowing how to perfect complex postures, taking care of your mental and physical being, and learning to connect with yourself are traits that are masculine and alpha".
The 23-year-old added that having tools like breathing exercises can also help to reset and ground you.
While Sazali noticed that there's a growing trend for yoga, it's "not selling like hot cakes compared to other 'manly' sports such as HIIT, weighted routines or running".
"But I'm seeing a good number of guys who are coming in lately. There are a few military personnel as well. I'm happy that these military guys are open to receiving knowledge that will benefit their strenuous activities every week," he said.
Lu of The Yoga Space said that the male participants are also in it "to stay in shape and to complement other workouts that they do". "We have many runners, cyclists, CrossFitters – all of them use yoga to help improve their performance in other sports," she said.
As for getting in on the yoga game early, most of the men have their partners to thank for. "My wife was the one who dragged me out from the house to try it out with her. She started a few months earlier and thought it will make a good bonding time," said Bryan Chao, a 39-year-old teacher, who has been practising for three years and goes for classes three times a week.
"It gave me a greater body awareness and mobility from all the stretches and inversions. I believe that helped me to be better aware of my form and technique when I play basketball, swim and jog, and in preventing unnecessary injuries," said Chao.
Dr Wong, who was also introduced to yoga by his partner, changed his mind about yoga being "too slow-paced" and "that it was all about stretching and sitting on mats".
"Yoga has definitely helped with my posture and core strength [in running], as well as the mental fortitude to keep going when the going gets tough," said the avid yoga fan who took up yoga in 2016 and has been practising almost every day.
How do you decide which yoga class is for you? Pan suggested going back to the drawing board even though "most men are already quite strong but not flexible". "If there is an imbalance between strength and flexibility, many of them are relatively more prone to injuries. A basics class is very helpful to stretch out any tight muscles and also gain flexibility," she said.
But if that's not you want, there is also "a lot of strength and conditioning involved as well", said Pan. For many men, inverted poses may come easier to them as they tend to have better upper body strength than women.
Added Heng: "From foundation to advanced classes, there are sessions available for all levels. There are many types of yoga, from Yin which is a slower stretch to Power classes which are really intense".
If you're not sure what types of yoga are available and how they differ from each other, here's a list of different yoga types to help you figure it out.
No matter which form of yoga you do, "just remember that everyone else in there is giving his or her best effort, too, and there is no time for judgement," said Heng. "Your sole competition is you and how to be better than the previous you."