"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, That he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified".
These verses show us something very important. It reveals to us to "the purpose and continuity in God's plan to save sinners". The steps of foreknowledge (chapter 2), predestination, calling, justification and glorification all consist of the very people that God chose. No one is added in between processes and no one is left behind. Those that God hand-picked out of the sinful human race, are part of this process. Then why is there such controversy on this matter? The Methodists and Salvation Army teaches you that a true believer can be lost. Basically, meaning that a person can be saved one day and lose it the very next. Let us examine closely to these beliefs.
These verses were suggesting to those "professing" Christians that were eventually proven false by their wicked lives. A key word to note here is "never". Jesus said "I never knew you" instead of "I once knew you, but not any longer". Fellows says it bluntly "However, well they start, if troubles or worldly obsessions cause them to go back, there was never a true work of grace".
1) Peter writes "If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud". (2 Peter 2:20-22).
This passage shows us that Peter is writing about the false teachers. Once again those that "professed faith in Christ". However, they began to teach falsely and went back to their sinful lives. Their knowing of Christ was an intellectual knowledge only. This teaches us that you cannot just have "head knowledge of Christ and salvation" we must believe it from the heart as well (reference to Romans 10:9,10).
2) "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will same him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).
This second passage from James shows us of a person that is restored and saved from death. But, if this person was not restored and continued in their sin, then they would not be rescued from death. Thus proving that their faith wasn't authentic.
Well, the value of this doctrine is to encourage us so that whenever we are going through something difficult we know that God's grace will endure to the end. God has promised us that with his help we will reach the very end. Some may ask, whether the doctrine of perseverance gives some people false assurance. However, if the practice of the other truths aren't applied (as we spoke about earlier) then yes, it can encourage false assurance. Fellows says it clearly when he says "The promises of God have no validity for those not walking with the Lord, but for those who truly love Christ and seek to follow him, these promises are a precious comfort".
Fellows clarifies that the doctrine is sometimes referred to as "perseverance" and "preservation". These two designations gives us both side of this doctrine. For instance, God will "preserve" his own people, but we must "persevere" simultaneously. We cannot just sit back in hoping that due to preservation we don't need to do anything. We must go forth with our goals and endure. It is important to note that God utilizes means in order to carry out his purposes. There are times were God will "warn" us in order for us to get back on track. For instance, Paul wrote to the Galatian churches, he said "I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you" (Gal 4:11). Why did he say such a thing? Well, firstly he was deeply worried about the people converting back to the ceremonies of the Jewish law. However, he did so to warn them so that the genuine believers may react and try to work more fervently. So it is important to have warnings and promises so that one may not rely just on the promise but to work towards it.
In John 17:17 we can see that in Jesus' prayer, we are sanctified by the truth (God's Word). If we are persevering to the end we mustn't abandon the Bible. David says "My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end" (Psalms 119:112). One of the most dangerous ways to think, is one believing they know everything about the Bible. However, we are always learning, because there is so much to learn from God's Word. We need constant repetition because God's Word keeps sanctifying us and helps us to persevere.
One of the words we can examine is "shielded". This word is used when its "kept under guard" or "protected". We are essentially protected from falling away. If God has begun the good work on us, then he will surely finish it. If we have started the Christian life, then we will arrive at the finishing line.


Highly motivated Seller reasonable offer will be considered.Beautiful lot to build your dream home. Over 2 acres close to the city and still plenty of privacy and charm. This is a growing area with many beautiful homes near by.
Offered by Sellstate Premier. Copyright 2019 Carolina Multiple Listing Services. All rights reserved.


Private investigator within the uk is really a private investigating agency based in the UK. We have a significant customer data base with lots of people from a lot of distinct walks of life. The majority of our customers are from matrimonial backgrounds but we do have corporate clients also. We're a very friendly agency with many people working for us because they have employed a private investigation agency themselves ahead of. We have a great understanding of how our clients are feeling in the time they get in touch with us. We comprehend that it can take plenty of courage to choose up the telephone to call about a personal problem.
When a brand new client calls in we take time to speak to them about their situation. We like to get as a lot details about the case as possible before we decide on the right course of action to take. We have many diverse solutions to the issues that contemporary day throws our way. You'll find electronic devices that may record men and women speaking, such as, in a car or a house. There's also a satellite device that can track vehicles movements. This device is according to a car's satellite navigation method and is accurate to up to 300m. This device may be employed with surveillance to uncover out where a person is going and who they are meeting.
When we have decided on a course of action to take we run it by using the client. When the client has agreed we arrange for the work to be carried out. We would probably use 1 of our operatives inside the field. We only use the top and they are normally ex military Unique Forces or ex Police operatives. They will do a wonderful job for us and when it truly is finished we will present you having a report which we will go by way of with you. You could at this point make a decision to do some far more work with us.


A group of engineers at Tufts University has developed a series of 3D printed metamaterials with particular microwave or optical properties that go beyond what is possible using conventional optical or electronic materials. The manufacturing methods designed by the researchers demonstrate the potential, both present and future, of 3D printing to broaden the range of geometric designs and material composites that lead to tools with novel optical properties. In one case, the researchers drew inspiration from the compound eye of a moth to create a hemispherical device that will be able to absorb electromagnetic signals from any direction at selected wavelengths. The research was released today in the journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering, published by Springer Nature.
Metamaterials extend the capabilities of conventional materials in devices by making use of geometric features arranged in recurring patterns at scales smaller than the wavelengths of energy being detected or influenced. New developments in 3D printing technology are making it possible to create many more forms and designs of metamaterials, and at ever smaller scales. In the study, researchers at the Nano Lab at Tufts describe a hybrid fabrication approach using 3D printing, metal coating and etching to create metamaterials with complex geometries and novel functionalities for wavelengths in the microwave range.
For example, they produced an array of little mushroom shaped structures, each holding a small patterned metal resonator at the top of a stalk. This special arrangement permits microwaves of specific frequencies to be absorbed, depending on the chosen geometry of the 'mushrooms' and their spacing. Use of such metamaterials could be valuable in programs such as sensors in medical diagnosis and as antennas in telecommunications or detectors in imaging applications.
The products of combining optical/electronic patterning with 3D fabrication of the underlying substrate are described by the authors as metamaterials embedded with geometric optics, or MEGOs. Other shapes, sizes, and orientations of patterned 3D printing might be conceived to create MEGOs that absorb, enhance, reflect or bend waves in ways that would be difficult to achieve with conventional fabrication methods.
There is plenty of technologies now available for 3D printing, and the current study utilizes stereolithography, which focuses light to polymerize photo-curable resins into the desired shapes. Other 3D printing technologies, for example two photon polymerization, can provide printing resolution down to 200 nanometers, which permits the fabrication of even finer metamaterials that can detect and manipulate electromagnetic signals of even smaller wavelengths, potentially including visible light.


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CHF Map Redesign
The Central Hazardous Materials Fund (CHF) is a nearly $10 million fund that promotes and supports environmental cleanup on federal lands across the U.S. As a member of the CHF team, I was tasked to redesign the static html-based map.
The original html-based map, where you click on a region that was hyperlinked to the page below (a series of tables based on the region, which you had to scroll through to find the site).
The tables need to be updated quarterly, in order to keep up with the constant total finding dollars.
Created with Excel and ArcGIS Online, the new CHF Map featured site-specific data, zoom capabilities (for security reasons, the site disappears, if you zoom in past a city view), regions outlined, bureau logos, and up to date information. The 2.0 version will include a short write-up (with current status) about the site, a photograph, and links to more information.
Click here to see the CHF MAP

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A blend with some earthiness and slight chocolate undertones.
A blend of Indonesian, African, and South American coffees roasted to a full city plus roast. This special blend brings out the quality characteristics of the origins. Complex, everything from brown sugar and peach in the nose to hints of clove to cocoa powder.


Beginning Elevation: 8,127 ft. Ending Elevation: 8,254 ft.
Access from Vail : Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. Turn left and continue to the bridge. There is limited parking at 2 pull-offs just beyond the bridge.
Trail Highlights : From the Buffehr Creek Bridge, proceed 1/4 mile on the Garmisch Trail before turning right onto the North Trail. Ascend a series of switchbacks, at the first junction turn right and follow the North Trail to the Buffehr Creek Single-track. After passing a beaver pond on the right and through a pile of avalanche debris, cross Buffehr Creek. From Buffehr Creek, climb steeply for approximately one mile on an open hillside. At the top of the switchbacks, take the right fork onto the North Trail. From here the trail enters an aspen stand; openings along the way provide scenic views to the south and east. Take note of the old lean-to after leaving the back of the drainage. Begin the descent to Red Sandstone via a series of switchbacks where the stand of aspen begins to thin. The first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of the Gore Range and the Red Sandstone drainage.


Karl and Pat Beardsley are the pastors of Harrisburg's homeless. Every Friday and Saturday night Karl and Pat work with Bethesda Mission and serve food and drink to the homeless in Harrisburg. During the cold winter months, they also provide warm clothing.


This is the "News -31st December, 2014."
The Directors of Gombe Junior School and its sister School Scooby Doo organized a mega End of Year Staff Party for all their group employees on 18th December, 2014 at the pool side of Scooby Doo campus. The party was so interesting and colourful in that all people enjoyed till late in the night.
During the party, lots of food stuffs, snacks and all types of drinks were served without limit. People ate, drank and danced together with their friends. It was on this same party that people exchanged gifts with their friends of the year. Every member of staff had bought a gift for the chosen friend.
After the exchange of gifts, a hot dance was opened and people enjoyed themselves. The party was also made more colourful when a prominent Uganda artist (David Lutalo) joined later and entertained the members.The party was also joined with other invited guests who came and enjoyed together with the staff members.
As our schools continue growing bigger and better, serious construction is going on at Gombe Junior School as a way of bettering its Infrastructural outlook to suit the standards needed. The classroom block has been completed and a new dining block also being erected. Great thanks go to our Directors for this great investment.


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Moody's downgrades Japan's debt rating
Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday downgraded its rating on Japan's debt.
NEW YORK – Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday downgraded its rating on Japan's debt.
The agency said it lowered the rating because of Japan's large budget deficits and growing government debt.
Moody's cut Japan's government bond rating to Aa3 from Aa2. The new rating is three notches below Moody's top Aaa rating. It said the outlook for the rating is stable.
The downgrade puts Moody's Japan rating in line with other major agencies. Both Standard & Poor's and Fitch rate Japan AA-, three notches below their top AAA ratings.
In May, Moody's warned it could downgrade Japan after the world's No. 3 economy slipped back into recession in the first quarter due to tumbling output and exports following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Frequent administration changes have prevented Japan's government from adopting effective long-term economic and fiscal policies, Moody's said. The country's economic problems were compounded by the natural disaster and the subsequent nuclear crisis.
"These developments further hamper the economy's ability to achieve a growth rate strong enough to steadily reduce the budget deficit," Moody's said.
Moody's has maintained its AAA rating on the United States. Standard & Poor's earlier this month took the unprecedented step of downgrading the U.S., citing its large deficits and political gridlock.
LAPD probe threatening letter to Craig Ferguson
Billion-dollar weather disasters smash US record
Calif. man gets life sentence for hacking deaths
Herman Cain: Communities have right to ban mosques
Connecticut Woman Charged With Keeping Son in Dog Crate
IRS chief apologizes for employees' rudeness


Despite the fact that California has legalized marijuana for recreational use, it is clear that some of the dangers associated with the drug are a legitimate threat. Marijuana is not harmless, as many people believe. In fact, levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, have increased over the years, paralleling the increase in ER visits, deaths on the road, and rates of marijuana addiction.
For families in Lynwood, California, the threat of marijuana is serious. For those who are in their teens and those who use the drug every day, the risk of addiction is highest, but about 1 in 9 people who experiment with the drug will ultimately develop an addiction.1 Anyone who uses the drug and gets behind the wheel is not only putting their own safety at risk but the safety of others in the car and on the road as well.
Because marijuana is an addictive substance, families who are in crisis can turn to comprehensive and research-based addiction treatment programs just as they would for any substance of choice. Call now to speak with a treatment advisor about your options for rehab and recovery.
Complete addiction recovery necessitates the assitance of a high-quality rehab program in Lynwood. Many clinics offer a menu of options to meet an individual's needs, such as inpatient or out-patient rehab, 28-day, 30-day or 90-day programs with long-run gains, and executive private options. Whatever your decision, Lynwood rehabilitation centers find ways to beat the dependence.
Breaking free from Opiates, Mushrooms, alcohol or any other drug you or your loved one is addicted to takes an individualized treatment strategy. Two options of drug or alcohol abuse treatment facilities in Lynwood can help you succeed: either In-patient or Outpatient Rehab. Inpatient counseling offers long term benefits with an extended stay in a great rehab clinic. Outpatient treatment options may be more fitting, but lack the support and resources of 60-day programs to get clean and sober. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and we are here to help you choose the best fit.
View Lynwood Treatment Services Lynwood, California is a suburb of Los Angeles. Eighty-six percent of the residents are Hispanic and the median age is just under 28. This is a demographic that has been affected by the economic downturn in recent years, and census data bears this out. Average incomes are approximately one-third lower than the California average, while unemployment is over one-third higher.
Economic pressures are a major factor in substance abuse, as those struggling attempt to medicate themselves in order to deal with the stress. This may seem to work for a time, but invariably, it only makes things worse.
When you come to the point that you are drinking or self-medicating, not to feel good, but rather to simply keep from feeling bad, it's time to get professional help.
Some may wish to know if spiritual counseling is part of the program as well.
Rates of addiction and alcoholism among Latinos are similar to those found among other groups. However, according to several studies, Hispanic women who are less assimilated into US mainstream culture are less likely to have substance abuse problems. There are several hypotheses as to why this is (culture may play a part), but no clear consensus.
To get help in locating the right treatment program in Lynwood for your situation, please call us to speak with one of our counselors today.
Isolating yourself from the location of the substance addiction can help eradicate disturbances and temptations that prevent complete recovery. When viewing rehabilitation as a therapeutic hideaway, addicts will find luxury exclusive programs in cities outside of Lynwood, California. Offering retreat-like features, the highest-quality clinics help achieve a physical, mental and emotional improvement. However, those looking for treatments outside of the facility may find a center near your residence is an easier decision to make.


If you haven't read Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree lately I would suggest doing so.
When word broke two Sunday's ago that Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend died tragically in a car wreck, the sports world was once again rocked with sadness.
Actually, anyone with a sense of dignity was rocked with sadness.
Unfortunately, a life lost at the young age of 22 is all too common. Most, if not all of us have seen a life end too soon — be it completely unforeseen or a deadly illness waiting to strike. However, all of us have lost someone, and death at any stage is truly sad.
Unlike the boy in The Giving Tree, Oscar Taveras never grew old. He will never have the opportunity to live up to the "Albert Pujols-like" comparisons. We will never truly know what baseball legacy Taveras would have left the world.
But that legacy is completely beyond the point. The world lost a baseball player with exceptional talent, but we also lost the life of a young man with more qualities to life than swinging a baseball bat.
When I saw pictures of Taveras' funeral procession, it offered a reminder of how one person can make a difference in this crazy world. He was a lot more than a "top prospect" to the people of the Dominican Republic: he offered an example of hope, prosperity, and love.
A high school colleague, Eric Senseman, recently wrote on his blog, The Struggle Against Time and Distance, about a friend, Wade Abadessa, who passed away from Ewing's Sarcoma. I'm not sure one could more perfectly express the sadness brought by any death, be it young or old.
"If death is generally a terrible occurrence, then an untimely death is even more so," he writes.
Eric runs in competitions throughout the country, hence the name of the blog. But the name, to me, offers a deeper thought to life: we are constantly struggling to manage ourselves against the clock. For some of us, the clock runs out sooner than expected.
The Giving Tree is a perfect example of the "struggle against time and distance". The young boy, who once loved to swing from the tree's branches, soon recognized he needed more than "happiness" to sustain life. So he sells the tree's apples for money, builds a house with its branches, and takes basically everything the tree has to offer. But ultimately, the boy grows old, and true happiness, acceptance, and the enduring love both showed from the beginning are what both seek. It's the most basic understanding of how history repeats itself.
In my opinion, Oscar represents the Tree's loyalty. We asked a lot from him, and he offered everything he could until his time card finally punched one last time.
Oscar had talents far beyond baseball, and for anyone fretting how his death may change the scope of a baseball organization, I ask you to take a step back and recognize what Oscar's life meant to people away from the diamond.
Sports, in general, offer an interesting perspective on life. But unlike life, sports judge winners and losers based on a final score; Oscar's life ended with no score needed — he won.
As I mentioned at the time, something was "Rapture-esque" about his first career homerun. In his second MLB at-bat, Taveras slugged a hanging breaking ball into the right-field bullpen. It came against the would-be World Champion San Francisco Giants as the rain began to pour at a sold-out Busch Stadium. A delay ensued. Perhaps it was a moment for reflection.
Oscar was awarded with a standing ovation from 44,426 in attendance. Everyone deserves a standing ovation in life, no matter one's struggle against time versus distance.
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What Happened To The St. Louis Cardinals?


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ORICA-BikeExchange finish Vuelta with four stage wins and third overall
The Vuelta a Espana concluded this evening with ORICA-BikeExchange walking away with an impressive four stage wins and third overall with Esteban Chaves.
Dane Magnus Cort put the icing on the cake for the Australian outfit by claiming the final stage sprint in Madrid, giving the 23-year-old his second stage victory in what was his debut Grand Tour.
Chaves' bold, long-range attack on yesterday's penultimate stage saw the 26-year-old return to third position overall after he lost it in the individual time trial to Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) the day prior.
It's the second Grand Tour podium this season for Chaves and the Australian outfit, following his second place at the Giro d'Italia in May. Briton Simon Yates also finished sixth overall to give ORICA-BikeExchange two riders in the top ten.
"The objective this year for me and the team was to try to do two big tours strongly on the general classification and I think we did it," Chaves said after the podium.
"Also for the team, this is a really important one because we won four stages and had two riders in the top ten."
When asked if he can take the final step on the podium, Chaves greeted the question with his famous optimism.
"Why not, all is possible," he said. "Things arrive when it's time. This year it's not my time, maybe next year, maybe in two years or maybe in three, you never know."
"The most important thing is that you keep trying, you keep believing and continue to work and it will happen."
On speaking about the three weeks of racing, sport director Neil Stephens was full of praise for the entire nine-rider team.
"Two riders in the top ten, a rider on the podium, four stage wins - all on varying terrain and with young riders. It just shows the promise and belief we have in this team," Stephens said.
"There were obviously the race winners in Movistar but we were one of the major players and we did a fantastic job.
"We took four stages but there were an additional two or three stages that we really animated the race and put everything on the line. These were critical days for the GC and the team executed every piece of the plan to perfection on these days."
Cort's success on stage 18 and tonight's final stage was joined by victories from Briton Simon Yates (stage six) and Belgian Jens Keukeleire (stage 12) – each rider's first taste of success at a Grand Tour.
"This is unbelievable," Cort said. "This is my first Grand Tour. It was incredible to get one stage but to get this one in Madrid too is amazing."
"Plus we had two other stage wins, a podium and two in the top ten overall. It's been an amazing month with this group."
The peloton rolled out of Las Rozas bound for Madrid for the 21st and final day of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana.
After the traditional celebration for overall winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar), the racing began in earnest as the bunch hit Madrid for the fast and technical circuit.
Four riders formed the breakaway of the day, but they never threatened a bunch sprint finale.
After being positioned by teammate Keukeleire, Cort was too strong and took the final honours.


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Tag: Miami Dolphins
Dolphins lose 2023 first-round draft pick, fines owner Stephen Ross $1.5 m over tampering with Sean Payton and Tom Brady
August 2, 2022 August 2, 2022 Staff
From ESPN: The NFL has stripped the Miami Dolphins of two draft picks, including their 2023 first-round selection, and suspended owner Stephen Ross and fined him $1.5 million after an investigation into alleged violations of league policies related to the integrity of the game. In addition to the first-round pick, the Dolphins also will forfeit their 2024 third-round selection. Ross, meanwhile, is suspended through Oct. 17, during which time he isn't permitted to be at the Dolphins' facility or represent the team at any team event. He also can't attend any league…
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Dolphins move back up to no.6 pick after deal with Eagles
March 26, 2021 March 26, 2021 Staff
From Micheal David Smith of Pro Football Talk On a wild day of trading in the NFL, the Dolphins have now made two big moves. Shortly after pulling off a blockbuster trade with the 49ers to send the third overall pick to San Francisco, the Eagles have traaded the 49ers' 2021 first-round pick, No. 12 overall, to the Eagles. Philadelphia will ship the sixth overall pick in this year's draft to Miami for No. 12 overall and a 2022 first-round pick. (The Eagles will also ship the 156th overall pick…
football, News, NFL, Sports, The LatestMiami Dolphins, NFL draft, Philadelphia Eagles, sportsLeave a comment
49ers make deal with Dolphins to acquire 2021 no.3 overall pick
March 26, 2021 March 26, 2021 Brandon King
The San Francisco 49ers have made the first splash of the NFL draft season with a move to the acquire the Miami Dolphins' third overall pick. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, San Francisco is sending two 2021 picks, which includes their no.12 overall selection and the 102 pick , as well as first round picks in 2022 and 2023.
football, News, NFL, Sports, The LatestFootbal, Miami Dolphins, NFL, NFL draft, San Francisco 49ers, sportsLeave a comment


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Michelle Sagara
Cast in Ruin
No Naked Ads -> Here! $urlZ Cast in ruin, p.10
Cast in Ruin, p.10
"Not the storm. But the Shadows have gone nuts in the last couple of days."
"Since the People arrived?"
"The giants?"
"Is that what they're called hereabouts?"
"Nah. We call them the Norannir."
"It's what they call themselves." Morse grinned. "It's more or less what they call anyone who isn't a Shadow, and we adopted it. The other Imperial guy—"
"Sanabalis." When Severn cleared his throat, Kaylin added, "Lord Sanabalis."
"He's attempting to learn some of their language, and attempting to at least teach their kids some of ours. The kids pick it up faster."
"What else have the Norannir been doing?"
"Anything. I mean anything they're asked to do, if we can make it clear. But…they're not afraid of the Shadow. They hate it, don't get me wrong, but they don't fear it. They don't fear the Ferals, either; they make camp beside the damn border, and they watch." She grimaced. "Truth is, they make the streets safer just by living there.
"But our people? They're fuckin' mice. They scatter at the sight of the Norannir."
"Big surprise. They were generally smart enough to scatter at the sight of you, and you weren't eight feet tall and wielding an ax they probably couldn't lift on a good day."
Morse was willing to concede this, but only barely. "I wanted them to be afraid. I was a threat. Avoiding me? Made sense. But avoiding the Norannir makes none."
Clearly, life in Tiamaris—the fief, not the Dragon—agreed with Morse; she'd never cared much whether people made sense before.
"They'll stay if the Lady's with them, though. They love her more than they fear the Norannir."
"We can probably work with that."
Tara, who had been walking in silence toward the Tower—with the odd stop to look at dirt or grass—turned to look at Kaylin. She raised a brow to make clear she'd heard the words and wanted details. "The Norannir are going to be living in the fief. They may make their way out in ones and twos—I did, Severn did—but this is where most of them are going to stay. The rest of the People who already live here don't have much choice, and even if they thought they did, they wouldn't say anything.
"But they trust you now." In truth, it had taken much, much less time for that trust to build than Kaylin would have guessed. "If they trust you enough that they're willing to risk their lives in the presence of the strangers, we can work with that. We can make the strangers seem less, well, strange."
"How?" Morse demanded.
"I don't know how much time Tara has, but…these language lessons. Sanabalis has a good idea once in a while; he's trying to teach the kids. What if we do it in the other direction?"
"We teach the human kids the Norannir language. Tara can be there to help. It doesn't have to be much, and it doesn't have to be useful right away. But the kids'll spend time with the Norannir, and anything that doesn't terrify kids…"
"Who's going to volunteer their kids?"
Kaylin said, "I don't know. But we won't be the ones asking—Tara will. Besides, not all the kids have living parents. Offer them a meal and they'll come." Morse nodded and they both looked at Tara.
Tara, however, looked ahead to the Tower. "Come," she said quietly. "You asked me about the sword."
"You said you didn't—"
"I don't. I don't, but I can—in the words of the fief—guess."
The Tower doors still boasted no door wards, and this, more than anything else, made it instantly feel like home. Or as much a home as a rising pillar of white stone, surrounded by carrot, beet, and potato gardens could ever be. The doors rolled inward as Tara approached them, but many, many of the fancier buildings in the City had doors that did that, as well. Here, she bowed to Maggaron.
"You will be safe within," she told him.
"What I see—"
"You will be safe. You cannot harm me. And if I do not wish you to leave, you will remain within the Tower for the rest of your natural existence."
He didn't find this as off-putting as Kaylin might have were she in his shoes. Instead, he nodded. "I have no weapon to offer," he added, as if this made sense. Clearly, to the Norannir, it did. Tara nodded.
Kaylin, on the other hand, said, "This sword—"
"It is yours," was his grave reply.
"Yes, I got that. But—did it happen to come with a sheath?"
His brows, which were pale, rose in an arch that almost touched his hairline.
"I'll take that as a no."
Maggaron looked to Tara; Tara said nothing. Together, they entered the Tower, shadowed by Morse. Kaylin and Severn pulled up the rear.
As Towers went, this one—at least in the front—was stable. The foyer looked the same as it had any other time Kaylin had crossed the threshold, and the long wide halls still looked as if a Dragon in native form could comfortably maneuver them. The doors were doubled, and wide, where they could be seen at all. Given the changing nature of Castle Nightshade, this brought Kaylin some comfort.
Maggaron had no difficulty entering the doors; nor did he find the halls themselves in any way cramped or confining.
"Where are we going?" Kaylin asked when Tara opened the doors that led into the main—or what Kaylin assumed was the main—halls.
"To the mirror," was the quiet reply.
Kaylin managed to hide a grimace, in large part because Tara had already turned and begun to walk away. The mirror within the Tower wasn't an actual mirror; it was a small pool whose still water was reflective. Kaylin's previous experience with said mirror hadn't exactly been comforting.
Tara raised a brow, as if she could hear the thought; given who she was and where they were, she probably could. "I think you will find the visit less exciting this time," she offered.
"Think?"
"You are unusual, so there is always the possibility that something entirely unforeseen could occur."
"This has something to do with the sword?"
"No. Not directly."
"With Maggaron?"
"No. I find him curious," Tara added, "because it is clear to me that he is not immortal; it is clear, as well, that he has a true name. These two things should not be able to coexist."
Kaylin cleared her throat.
Tara raised a brow. "I am aware of your claims, Kaylin. I am aware of what you carry. I am not yet aware of how it affects either you, or the name itself; nor am I certain whether or not the name can be used against you, as true names can otherwise be used.
"But in the case of this man, the name can be so used; it is part of him."
"You can tell that just by looking?"
"You cannot?"
"Never mind." Kaylin turned to Maggaron and said, "Mejrah called you Ascendant. What does that mean?"
It was his turn to look confused. "You do not understand what an Ascendant is? But you—you are Chosen."
"I'm what passes for Chosen in this world. And in this world, until a few weeks ago, there were no Norannir. And no Ascendants, either."
Join the club, Kaylin thought. "The Norannir now live in a world that's mostly populated by people like me. Or like my companion, Corporal Handred."
"And Dragons."
"There aren't so many Dragons as all that," Kaylin replied. "One of them is the Lord of this fief. I think there are five Dragons in total; one of those five is Emperor, so he'd be considered the Lord of the fief I live in. Which is not this one."
"And this Tower? Is it not yours?"
"No, it is definitively not mine. It's the home of Lord Tiamaris—the one with the large wings, the long neck, and the impressive set of teeth." Pausin
g, she added, "What are Dragons to the Norannir? I get the impression you didn't have them at home."
"Our stories of our own home are best told by the elder: she is the keeper of our tales." He had stopped walking, but so had Tara, and she'd tilted her chin in that particular way that meant she was paying attention.
Kaylin watched his expression as she asked her next question. "The Norannir clearly hadn't seen Dragons before they came here. They were really…uncomfortable…about their transformation to and from Dragon form the first time they saw it—they thought the Dragons might be Shadows.
"But you saw Tiamaris and recognized him. Maggaron, you knew Dragons."
Tara approached the closed double doors at the hall's end. They were exactly as Kaylin remembered them, as was the rest of the hall. They rolled open into a room that was also familiar: runes glowed on the walls, separated by standing pillars; these pillars surrounded a shallow, circular pool of water that was absolutely still.
Maggaron hesitated, still pinned by Kaylin's gaze. At length he turned and followed where Tara led. He hadn't answered the question; Kaylin knew it was because he would have lied. Which made no sense. "Maggaron—"
"If you want an answer I am sworn not to give, you have the option of forcing it from me."
She cursed briefly, and in Barrani. This cheered her up; she was going to have so much fun at the office with that word.
They entered the room, Severn pulling up the rear, and the doors rolled quietly—but not ominously—shut behind them. Every part of this building was in some way part of Tara; it was her physical form, her body. Sanabalis might not understand why the citizens of the fief didn't fear the Avatar, but Kaylin did; Tara, at her most terrifying, stood against things that had demonstrably killed—or worse—people's neighbors in the past few months. While people had famously short memories, they weren't that short.
"Kaylin?" Tara asked.
She lifted the sword that was still entirely without a scabbard.
Tara frowned. "Do you wish me to take it? You don't mind?"
Something about the way she asked the question caused an answering frown across Kaylin's lips. "Should I?" She held the weapon out. It was, absent runes, a sword. It looked decently forged, decently put together; the hilt was fancier than Kaylin would have ideally liked, because fancy hilts were a total pain in the butt to keep clean.
Tara held out a hand, and Kaylin put the sword's hilt—not the blade, as Maggaron had done—into her palm. Tara was watching her face closely. "You feel…nothing?"
"Should I?"
"I don't know. I would have said, had I been asked, that you must." She turned to Maggaron. "You gave her this blade."
He nodded, and then his glance bounced off her gaze and landed somewhere on the wall just past her shoulder. "I did."
"Did you not feel its pull?"
He was silent.
Tara frowned again. She lifted the sword, examining the runes along the blade as if she were reading a letter.
"What do they say?" Kaylin asked her.
Tara was silent, absorbed in her inspection. When she spoke again, it was to the Norannir. "Could you have given her this blade at all if your name were entirely your own?"
He grimaced. "I do not know, Lady. The blades call us when we are finished our training and we are taken to the spire of ascension. If we are not called, we go no further, although many who have failed the test of sword have gone on to lead, and lead well."
"When you say call, what do you mean? Do the swords literally speak?" This question, Kaylin could have asked. She hadn't, but she was interested in the answer.
His answer was quiet, and long in coming. "Yes," he finally said.
Kaylin glanced at the blade that now rested in Tara's hand. "It didn't speak to me," she told the Avatar. "It changed shape, but it didn't speak."
Tara examined the sword once more. After a pause she spoke, and the word traveled down Kaylin's spine as if it had been hissed in her ear. The sword's runes began to glow, the color shifting from pale blue to a white gold that was hard to look at for long. Tara's eyes, when she looked up, were literal stone, which happened when she forgot to maintain their appearance. The rest of her face looked normal. "Tara, what do the runes say?"
Tara was silent for a long moment, scrutinizing the blade's flat. At length she said, "I cannot read them. I cannot see them clearly, Kaylin. I can sense that they are there, no more. The sword—it did not speak to you."
"No. Should it have?"
"But it took a shape that you could more easily wield. Maggaron, did the sword speak to you?"
"I answered—"
"No, not upon your ascension. Today. In the streets of the heartlands."
Once again, he turned away. "Yes, Lady."
"When? I apologize if this is uncomfortable," she added. The words were not gently spoken.
"When she spoke my name," was the soft reply. "When the Chosen spoke my name, the sword spoke to me." He started to speak, stopped, and turned away completely, but his expression was so wounded Kaylin reached out and caught Tara's shoulder, pulling her back.
Tara, eyes still marbled stone with no whites, no pupils, and no irises, frowned. "If we do not understand the nature of the weapon's interaction with this man, we will not understand the weapon itself."
"It doesn't matter," Kaylin said, pitching her voice as low as possible. "I think we can guess at the answer to at least that question."
Tara hesitated, and then color returned to her eyes as they lost that disturbing appearance of carved rock. "Can I ask him what the last thing the sword said was?"
Kaylin, looking at the blade, could also guess the answer. "I think—I think the sword told him to give it to—to someone else."
"To give it, Chosen, to you," was the soft reply. "I have not heard her voice for so long—" He shook himself then. "She must be speaking to you; her shape is now yours. You cannot hear her?"
"Well, no. It's a sword—I didn't expect it to try to hold a conversation."
He appeared to be genuinely scandalized; it made him look younger. "Please—try. She has a voice, and if you hear it once—" his voice broke, but this time he continued "—you will hear it until you fall."
"As you did."
"As I did."
"And you can't hear her now?" It was hard, to give a sword a gender.
"No, Chosen. She is no longer mine, and I—I am no longer hers."
Tara, mindful of Kaylin's words, said, "But you carried her into the Shadow, and she absorbed some of what you absorbed."
"And you're certain the sword is both whole and safe?"
"Safe? She is as you see her."
"Safe to use. Uncorrupted."
"She cannot be corrupted." There was no doubt at all in his words.
Kaylin lifted a hand. "She might not be corruptible," she pointed out, "but the fact is you used her to cleave great chunks of ground to open a crevice that passed beneath the borders here. It doesn't matter if she can't be changed if you can use her at the command of Shadows."
He said nothing.
"Maggaron—"
"I will not speak of it further unless you force the words from me," he replied. "But she is—as she always was—blameless. I could not cast her away; the weakness was mine. She is now in your hands. Mejrah knows; take her to Mejrah and she will begin to teach you."
Tara shook her head. "I do not like this," she finally said.
"The sword?"
"Or the connection between the sword and the bearer. There is something that is not quite right here." She turned to Kaylin. "I suggest that you do not wie
ld the weapon until more of its nature is understood."
Kaylin shrugged. "I'm not great with a sword, anyway. Do you want to keep it for now?"
Tara hesitated again, and then nodded. She carried the sword to the still, and untouched, surface of the mirror, and lowered it gently toward the water. The mirror's surface began to ripple. Tara spoke slowly as she held the sword—Kaylin couldn't understand a word of the speech. But the rhythm of the words implied ritual, not conversation.
The water began to rise, and the Avatar frowned. She spoke again, and this time the cadence was different—but Kaylin saw no images reflected in the water's surface; there was too much turbulence. "Tara?"
Tara frowned. She shifted her grip on the hilt and brought it down into the water in one sudden rush of movement. The water parted. Anywhere where the sword's edge was, it wasn't.
"Tara, the water's not supposed to do that, is it?"
"It is not entirely water, and as you have apparently surmised, no."
"You weren't going to leave it in the water, were you?"
"No, Kaylin. But I wished to access information about the runes on the blade itself."
"I cannot access any information relevant to this weapon at all. The mirror does not…see it…clearly."
Kaylin wasn't certain how mirrors—of any kind—"saw." It wasn't one of the technical details explained in Magical Theory 101; if it had been, she'd probably have paid a lot more attention. But as a student in that particular class, she'd been expected to accept as incontrovertible truth whatever the teacher laid down as "fact."
What she'd taken out of the class, however, was basic: when magic was working properly, things were fine. When magic broke down—like, say, carriage joists—things went downhill very quickly, and not in entirely predictable ways. "Maybe we shouldn't try."
Tara lifted a brow. "Perhaps. But I find the sword disturbing. I am aware of the ways in which weapons were imbued with magic; with the oldest of magics, the enchantments were not entirely predictable. Even so, there is something about this blade that is strange. I will keep it for the moment."
Cast in Ruin by Michelle Sagara / Fantasy have rating 4 out of 5 / Based on32 votes
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Illustration by Khadija Said
'My mind was not there, I was heartbroken': Black key workers are being forced to grieve at work
Black people in the UK have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. From a woman who lost four relatives to the disease and had to swiftly return to work, to black families still grappling with the realities of racism in healthcare, Timi Sotire speaks to key workers about their experiences.
Timi Sotire
The grieving process is distressing, but undergoing it during a global pandemic is an experience that most can't even fathom. Black people are at a greater risk of dying of Covid-19 in the UK, and the community has experienced grief on both a personal and collective level. To make matters worse, Black key workers are risking their lives fighting the virus on the frontline, with many Black women having to return to work soon after losing a loved one to Covid-19. Their struggles continue to remain unnoticed and they're left to silently suffer whilst the government ignores their concerns.
In April, I lost my grandma to Covid-19. As the matriarch of our family, she devoted the later part of her life to care for our family – assisting her children in raising her grandchildren. She had the warmest presence that just felt safe – it's the small things that I will cherish forever, such as hearing her whisper "ọmọ grandma" (grandma's child in Yoruba) in my ear whilst squeezing me tightly, my head resting on her chest. Towards the end of her life, she lived with my auntie, uncle and their three children, which included a new-born baby girl. When the nation was preparing for lockdown, we asked grandma if she wanted to self-isolate in another house. She refused, selflessly deciding that she'd continue looking after her grandchildren to help the family.
When grandma was admitted to hospital, the nurses were frank with us: she just wasn't a priority to them. In her final moments, grandma was left in a hospital bed, her lungs filling with water whilst her oxygen levels steadily declined. Despite her central role in my family, the hospital took my grandma's age and underlying health conditions as signifiers of the supposedly dispensable nature of her life. Over three months later, our family is still shaken by her sudden passing.
My mother, an NHS pharmacist, has found work triggering after losing her mother. "It is very difficult, dealing with people having the same symptoms as her. I review patients' discharge summaries, and I ask myself: what did I do wrong? What could I have done differently?" She doesn't have the privilege of using work as a distraction, "I was always revisiting the days leading to mum's death, angry at how I managed it. You can't forget what happened because you're reminded of it every time you go to work."
"I was working throughout all of it and continued to work even when he passed. I haven't taken any time off"
Little thought is also given to NHS staff who return to work due to financial necessity. My mother is contracted as a freelancer and did not receive paid bereavement leave, returning to work just 14 days after grandmas' passing, "if I don't go to work, I don't earn any money", she says.
Unfortunately, my mothers' case is not unique. Ade*, a social worker, lost her husband to Covid-19 in April. He suffered from a stroke in 2008, leaving him brain damaged and partly paralysed, losing his ability to talk. Because of his underlying health conditions, when he was admitted to hospital, the staff did not treat the virus – instead they swiftly placed him on palliative care. Ade tells me that she never stopped working whilst he was in hospital, "I was working throughout all of it and continued to work even when he passed. I haven't taken any time off. As a freelancer, I just can't afford to." The anger in her voice is evident, as she goes on to exclaim, "I am an NHS worker, but because I am not permanent, there is no support. We are left to sort ourselves out."
Multi-generational homes are rising in the UK, meaning that the high number of older people dying from Covid-19 will affect families in more ways than the government is recognising. As they lived under one roof, my auntie relied on grandma's assistance for her one-year-old daughter whilst she worked as an NHS nurse. Since grandma passed, she has been forced to find childcare at a time when safe options are extremely limited.
My auntie tells me that her workplace has consistently refused to accommodate her. Sounding anxious, she exclaims in a flurry, "I've asked so many times if it was possible for me to work from home. They always say no. This is the time I need them most, and they've just decided not to do anything." Feeling helpless, my auntie has had to use her annual leave so that she can stay at home two days a week. "If grandma was around, she would be looking after the children for me," she adds. "I can't afford to put my child in day-care five days a week. That will mean half of my salary will go on childcare alone."
Timi Sotire with her grandmother, Christiana Abiodun Abe
Samara Linton, the co-editor of The Colour of Madness, an anthology exploring the BAME mental health experiences in the UK, tells me that "when people talk about deaths, we just view it as numbers. We forget that, for every person lost, there's a community of people that have been affected. When there is an excess of black people dying, there is an excess of trauma within that community. There's a collective grief as well as a personal grief."
Jemar Tisby coined the term "kinship calamity" in reference to unification of black people through common oppression under white supremacy. Constantly hearing about the deaths of individuals like you, whether that is due to Covid-19 or at the hands of the state, results in a sense of collective trauma shared across the Black community. These Black women are fed a constant stream of bad news surrounding Black death whilst dealing with their own personal grief, and are given no respite in their day jobs. It goes without saying that this never-ending cycle of morbidity will have a negative impact on their mental health.
Lorraine Mighty works in higher education, and after losing four loved ones to Covid-19, has returned to work whilst caring for her two children. For her, this year has revealed the ever-present nature of death in the Black experience. "Now more than ever, we've seen the fragility of our life," she says. It is easy to feel exhausted and alienated, as you're reminded that these societal inequalities can very easily be localised in your life, and that yourself and your loved ones are at risk.
My auntie notices how her mental health has deteriorated in the past few months. "What has happened to me has taken such a toll on my family and mental health, I'm really anxious every morning because I don't know what's going to happen," she says. My mother explains that the all-consuming guilt weighs on her mind at work, "even when I first returned to work, I felt so bad. I knew I wasn't doing my job correctly. My mind was not there because I was so heartbroken."
Yet, employers show little care to their staff when returning to work after losing loved ones. "[They] are not willing to be flexible," declares Samara. "We can't be 'business as usual' because this is not a usual time." My auntie says, her voice shaking, "I get so angry because I know that work doesn't understand what I've been through. I lost my mother, she was living in my house and looking after my children. They just expect you to go back to work with no struggle as if you're a robot." Unfortunately, this lack of care shown towards Black NHS workers has merely been exacerbated by the recent pandemic – not only are Black NHS staff underrepresented in senior management roles, but a 2019 study revealed that 28% of Black NHS staff have experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from staff in the last 12 months.
"We forget that, for every person lost, there's a community of people that have been affected"
Lorraine is concerned at how reactive employers have been in this period. "They need to not just solely follow government advice – it's the bare minimum," she tells me. "Employers need to realise that there is a disconnect between what the government is saying and the lived reality of their members of staff." This is especially true for black staff, and concrete measures need to be put in place to ensure that black employees are protected, not just now, but in the future too. Lorraine echoes this sentiment. "They need to be considerate of the needs of black people, there needs to be safe spaces for discussion," she adds. "This might be with a line manager, but it might also be mental health support around."
On a governmental level, Ade expressed disappointment at how her family was treated after her husband's passing. "They talk so much, but do nothing," she says. "It's such a traumatic experience, and it would be nice if the government could just acknowledge it." To make matters worse, Ade's family has been failed by the benefits system. "My husband used to be on benefits. The day he died; the benefits stopped. They accidentally paid me some benefits after he passed, but they've asked for it back." Such a clear disregard for Black lives has been shown by this government, which my mother exclaims to me, "The government's done nothing to understand the pain that we're going through."
Yvonne Field is a part of The Ubele Initiative, a social enterprise with a mission to contribute to the sustainability of the African Diaspora community. During the Covid-19 pandemic, their efforts have been diverted to creating the Majonzi fund, dedicated to providing therapeutic support to BAME communities impacted by Covid-19, as well as providing small grants for family memorials once lockdown is lifted. Yvonne tells me that the high number of Black Covid-19 deaths "impacts us all personally and on a wider community level".
Recognising this, Yvonne says that The Ubele Initiative is devoted to ensuring that BAME communities are given the time and space to properly remember those they've lost after lockdown. "Minority communities are in shock. It's come out of the blue," she says. The Ubele Initiative is pressuring the government to carry out an independent enquiry and be held accountable for their gross mishandling of the pandemic. "The government needs to admit that they got this really wrong," she says firmly. "They need to know about the abject devastation it's caused for us."
My grandma's unexpected passing has irrevocably altered my life. Black families across the country are either grieving the sudden deaths of those they love or paralysed by a perpetual feeling of anxiety surrounding the health and wellbeing of those around them. More care needs to be given to Black key workers who are facing these struggles – they shouldn't be an afterthought.
*Names have been changed to protect identities
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Niggli, Wolfgang M, Dressage: A Guideline for Riders and Judges, 2003, J.A. Allen, London.
I refer to it often. It does everything its title promises. I often take it to table discussions as a means of disabusing others' misunderstandings.
Causing me to wonder how much progress the "sport" of Dressage has made these recent five decades.
Embedded in Eurodressage's obituarial article is a youtube of Niggli discussing leg and heel position at the 1994 USDF Symposium. I, for one, like his delivery and use of language. Amazingly, he speaks as he writes. Surfing around that youtube link, there are many more clips from the 1994 USDF Symposium, which he conducted with Betsy Steiner.
I dugg some of your posts. I thought they were handy, very useful. Thinking of hands, would you write about hands?
This is the straight stuff 1. Bibliography: Wolfgang M. Niggli (1922-2011) book is a definitive resource for anyone who wants to practice Dressage correctly. You present so much in DressageUnderground, its almost tiring, but satisfying to read. You definitely put a new spin on a substance thats been statute nigh for years. Good job, just major!
I am glad to know where you get your information. The leg position clip was especially helpful. I need to spend some time reading others of your articles, and to read the books you note. Thanks for the Bibliography.


text:
Submitted on Wed, 11/16/2022 - 6:26 PM EST
Brownlow Winner Patrick Cripps (file photo)
First year field umpire Michael Pell and three others were arrested in mid-November for leaking Brownlow votes. Apparently. the votes from specific matches were leaked. The AFL was alerted by one of its betting partners who detected suspicious betting and the AFL launched an investigation, leading to the arrests. The irregularities and leaks did not compromise the Brownlow count on the night according to the AFL. The bets which raised red flags ranged in size up to several thousand dollars.
However, the fallout could be severe in that it allegedly involves a match official divulging information. A police statement said in part that, " ... The criminal offenses police are investigating are engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of event or event contingency, and using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes ...". When the three others were arrested, cell phones and computers were also seized. Criminal charges are pending, but conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Police are investigating how many matches potentially had votes released and the magnitude of the bets involved. If the allegations are found to be true, the umpire could also face AFL sanctions.
Submitted on Tue, 11/01/2022 - 7:27 PM EDT
Naismith Gets the Tap-Out
In mid-October, the Kangaroos and Adelaide traded draft selections, allowing the Roos to move up a notch or two in the draft order. North received selection 23 in this year's draft in exchange for pick 59 and a future second-round selection. Gold Coast, Sydney, and West Coast delisted players while Essendon looks to get twin "favorite sons".
The Kangaroos also delisted midfielder Jared Polec. Polec was originally drafted by Brisbane but was later traded to Port Adelaide. He joined North at the end of the 2018 season and played every game in 2019. However, he was restricted to 18 games over the next two seasons due to injury. He was delisted at the end of 2021 and added to the rookie list. Polec, 30, was hampered by a foot injury early in the season and required surgery.
Lions Roar Into Preliminary Final
Submitted on Fri, 09/09/2022 - 7:41 PM EDT
by Troy Thompson, reporting for AFANA from the MCG in Melbourne
Ah Chee Celebrates (Densham/AFANA)
A pleasant Friday evening welcomed the 62,162 crowd to the MCG for tonight's Second Semi Final. Before the first bounce the official business for the night got underway. With all players, official and match day staff lined up on the ground, the Welcome To Country, a minute's silence was observed for Queen Elizabeth II following her death this morning and the lowering of the stadium lights, God Save the King was played. Delta Goodrem sung Advance Australia Fair accompanied by guitar in the minutes leading up to the start of the match. Just to top it off a little bit of ACDC's Thunderstruck rolled up to the bounce.
Big forward Joe Daniher was a late out today, for family reasons. His loss up forward would mean all the focus was on Hipwood and less options up forward for the Lions who had three goals kicked by the big man in the previous game. The Demons dominated early and led the Brisbane to the ball and in all the statistical categories. Ed Langdon, unguarded in the pocket, kicked the first goal of match after five and half minutes, from 35 meters out with the set shot. Melbourne had more early chances as they had the ball in their forward half for most of the first quarter. The usual suspects in the middle for Melbourne led the way with Oliver and Petracca up and about early.
Swans Down Dees Despite Buddy's Zero Goal Return
by Troy Thompson, reporting for AFANA from the MCG, Melbourne
Swans fans show colors (File photo)
It was the first time crowds were able to be at an MCG final in three years and over 77,000 rolled into this Friday night's 2nd Qualifying Final. At the end of the home and away season both teams finished on 16 wins, with just 2.7% between them on the Premiership ladder. But if there was anything to indicate how this might go, the Swans came into this match having won their last six home and away matches, while Melbourne lost to both Collingwood and the Bulldogs in that time.
Last season's Premiers, Melbourne, won the toss and kicked to the city end. On their home turf they would be eager to try to put the Swans out of contention early. So it looked in the first quarter. The Demons looked the best coming out of the blocks but breaking the early run of play, the first goal went to Hayward when ball, long to the square, spilled free and Hayward snapped the goal. Bailey Fritsch showed he was ready to fire when he cut off a pass to Gawn, and his set shot from 40 meters out from goal leveled the scores.
Fired Up Demons Demolish Dockers
Submitted on Sat, 07/30/2022 - 5:21 AM EDT
by chris kowald, reporting for AFANA from Optus Stadium Perth
Triumphant Demons 2021 (file picture)
After a month of indifferent form, the Melbourne Demons demolished the Fremantle Dockers on a damp and windy night at Optus Stadium. The Demons were hot from the opening bounce, contesting and tackling to put the Dockers under pressure. Luke Darcy was strong in the ruck for Fremantle, opposed to Luke Jackson and later Max Gawn, Darcy controlled the early taps but it was Christian Petracca and Todd Viney who won clearances for Melbourne. The Demons got away to an early lead with small forwards, Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Spargo booting two goals and the mobile Bayley Fritsch adding one. The Dockers were rushed into poor plays by the ferocity of the Demon pressure around the ball. Halfway through the first quarter the Dockers recovered from the early onslaught and pushed forward to register goals from the pacy Michael Frederick and the skill of Michael Walters. Under pressure Fremantle turned the ball over too easily by hand and foot and Melbourne players found space in groups of two or three, to punish the poor defensive work of the Docker midfielders. Fritsch added another goal to give the Demons a useful lead by the first break.
Majak Daw Calls Time
by Lisa Albergo, reporting from
Daw Kicks a Goal (file photo)
At the end of June, Melbourne's Majak Daw announced his retirement after 12 seasons. He was the first player of Sudanese decent to be drafted by an AFL club. He was drafted as a rookie by North Melbourne in 2010 and debuted in 2013. He was elevated to the seniors in 2015, delisted and "re-rookied" at the end of 2016. He played 54 games and kicked 43 goals for North before being delisted at the end of 2020. He was set to play in the Northern Football League in 2021 but the Demons selected him in the 2021 Supplemental Selection Period. He failed to play any senior games for Melbourne, but was a consistent player in the VFL.
Daw said he was extremely proud of the of what he achieved during his career, "I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that North Melbourne and Melbourne ... have provided me ... I walk away from the game with immense pride in what I've been able to achieve and the challenges I've been able to overcome. With my current injury troubles, I've taken the opportunity to reflect on where I'm at and where I'm heading and in speaking with my management and the club, we've all agreed that the timing is right for me to retire ... I can focus on the next stage of my life and spend much more time on my most important and favorite job, being a loving and caring father to my son Hendrix. I would like to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the wider football community for their support and care ... I walk away ... with life-long memories and friendships and real pride in what I've achieved."
Melbourne Down Determined Hawthorn
by Troy Thompson, reporting from Melbourne
Max Gawn (file photo AFANA)
Melbourne started the game without their coach Simon Goodwin, out due to the health and safety protocols. Hawthorn started with goals, to Koschtizke who marked on the lead and two to Breust who played on and snapped truly. Fritsch kicked Melbourne's first twelve minutes into the game after the Demons caught the Hawks out the back of the contest on a turnover. Oliver and Petracca dominated around the ground for the Demons. But the Hawks were able to get some good movement halving the center clearances.
Ward kicked the Hawk's third, but it was Koschtizke who deserved the credit when he backed into the contest preventing Hunt from marking and the spill favoring the goal kicker. The Demons worked their way into the game to be just two points down at quarter time thanks to Petracca hitting Tom McDonald with a short pass for a goal and young Toby Bedford marking and kicking his first goal for the club. The Dees were on the board early but it took a review to determine whether the first one was a goal to Harms or a mark to McDonald. It mattered little to Melbourne as McDonald eventually took the paid mark from point blank range.
Melbourne Demons Back Goodwin
Submitted on Sat, 02/12/2022 - 5:33 PM EST
by Lisa Albergo, reporting f
Goodwin at MCG "Big Freeze"
In mid-February, allegations surfaced regarding the behavior of Melbourne Coach Simon Goodwin. There were reports of bullying at the club and reports that, ahead of the 2021 season, he was drinking and gambling with players at a hotel pub. Goodwin, along with the entire football department was reviewed ahead of the season and some changes were made. Goodwin spoke to the board and denied the allegations of bullying.
The AFL got involved last February with then-Demons President Glen Bartlett and club director Mohan Jesudason attending an online meeting with commission chairman Richard Goyder and AFL boss Gil McLachlan, who reportedly told the group he had previously shared information with then-Demons chief executive Gary Pert in late 2020 about the drinking incident.
Post-Trade Delistings 2021
Atley Pressures Coniglio
Shortly after the trade period concluded, Brisbane, Melbourne and North Melbourne delisted some players.
The Lions cut Tom Joyce, Brock Smith, rookie Connor Ballenden, and Cam Ellis-Yolmen. The club plans to re-select Ellis-Yolmen (who joined the club at the end of 2019 as a free agent) as a rookie. Ellis-Yolmen managed just nine games in 2020 and none in 2021. Ballenden, a Lions academy product, played three AFL matches, while Joyce and Smith never managed a senior game. The Lions are considering offering them VFL playing contracts if they fail to find another AFL home.
2021 Delistings and Retirements, Part Seven
Submitted on Thu, 09/30/2021 - 6:07 PM EDT
Birchall Spoils Roughhead
Two days after Melbourne's Grand Final victory, it was back to business for the club with three players being delisted, one retiring and another deciding to look for better opportunities elsewhere. Jay Lockhart, Aaron Nietschke and Austin Bradtke were delisted, while Aaron vandenBerg will seek opportunities elsewhere and Neville Jetta announced his retirement. Lockhart played twenty-two games since joining the club as a preseason supplemental selection in 2019. Bradtke and Nietschke never played a senior game with the latter suffering three ACL injuries in his time at the club, vandenBerg played 51 games for the club.


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Despite being mid-November, Portugal laid on warm temperatures and light winds for the opening day of the RC44 Cascais Cup, the final regatta of 2018 for the high performance one design monohulls.
However with an offshore easterly to southeasterly blowing, the swell failing to line up with the breeze and often coming from different directions, combined with the ebb flowing west out of Lisbon's Tagus River for most of the day, racing today was a most complex exercise for the tacticians. It also was for the race committee; PRO Peter Reggio somehow managing to find conditions stable enough to hold a second race, after his first attempt had to be abandoned following a major right shift.
In the opening race Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika, the overall 2018 RC44 Championship leader, started as her crew intended. They pulled off a good mid-line start on starboard and managed to control the fleet as half the boats headed off on port. Playing the left side at the top of the beat seem to pay for both Team Nika and Igor Lah's Team CEEREF but it was Prosikhin's team that led around the top mark with Chris Bake's Team Aqua squeezing into second. The Team Nika crew then managed to avoid putting a foot wrong and carried their lead around the remainder of the course.
The second race, with the course aligned to the new southeasterly breeze, wasn't so fortunate for Team Nika when she and Nico Poons' Charisma were called over early at the start. However Team Nika's tactician Dean Barker somehow found a way back in, recovering to reach the top mark in third place.
"We were going well upwind which was nice," recounted Barker. "We managed to pass a couple of boats and get back into contention." Team Nika held third for the rest of the race – a nice comeback.
Prosikhin congratulated his tactician: "Dean found a very nice lane, so we were in clear wind. We are happy - we out-performed our expectations for the first day. We'll do our best to stay where we are, but everything is open, anything can happen – one bad tack or gybe can make all the difference, but that is the thrill of racing in this fleet. Today was comfortable, safe, we had boat speed, good angles, good conversation with the trimmers. It was a pure speed race and finally we did a better job than the others."
However Team Nika finished the day second overall, beaten by a point today by Chris Bake's Team Aqua, which scored 2-1.
"A 2 and 1 on a day like that – I'm please," said Team Aqua's tactician Cameron Appleton, beaming. "We had some okay starts and we were able to get ourselves some nice clean breaks. The guys sailed really well."
Team Aqua won the second race, doing especially well out on the left side of the first beat. This allowed Bake's team to round the top mark first ahead of Frenchman Hugues Lepic's Aleph Racing, and hang on from there. Perhaps Team Aqua made the best of the tricky conditions: "You were punching along the swell on starboard and then into it on port. The boat screws around, it unloads and loads, it was a case of whether you chase it or just find a happy medium," continued Appleton.
Enjoying his first day of racing on the Russell Coutts-conceived owner-driver circuit was Paulo Mirpuri aboard Mirpuri Foundation: "It was really nice. The wind conditions were very light, but still we could race, which is the good thing about this class." The Portugese skipper and his Spanish crew were forced to abandon today's first race after experiencing rudder issues, but then finished a respectable fifth in race two. "In that we did very well downwind. We were mid-fleet, but it was a good result considering I'm still getting used to the boat. In general it was a very good experience."
Tomorrow the forecast is again for light winds with a building swell but the high rollers coming in with the big wind on Saturday-Sunday. "It won't be an easy regatta," continued Cameron Appleton. "And the waves are only going to get bigger. With some of biggest waves up at Nazaré on Sunday and all of the surfers from around the world flocking there, you wonder how it is going to work out for us..!"


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Australian research institute awarded AUD$320,000 grant to increase organic polymer solar cells efficiency
Researchers at the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) at the University of Wollongong in Australia have been awarded a new Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant of AUD$320,000 over three years. As such, they will work with Konarka Technologies in an effort to increase the efficiency of organic polymer solar cells.
August 27, 2010 Becky Beetz
With this grant, the institute said Dr. Attila Mozer, Dr. Tracey Clarke and Professor David Officer will look at developing a fundamental understanding of how electrical charges are generated under solar irradiation in organic materials, which will be used to increase the efficiency of organic solar cell technology.
According to IPRI/ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science executive director, Professor Gordon Wallace, "this funding is critical in being able to build on our capabilities in solar cell science".
"We have invested substantially into developing state-of-the-art characterisation facilities at IPRI, and it is exciting that we are now able to collaborate with Konarka to achieve what will hopefully be continued, significant progress towards efficient polymer solar cell development," he said.


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Slightly-Smaller-iPads Just Aren't Doing it for Me
To all the people out there who don't own the latest iPhone (feels like I'm the only one though), have you noticed how big they are? They're freaking huge!
The Motorola T191 – perfection. Image taken from startexenergy.ru
I remember when my family first joined the mobile phone revolution, with a tiny silver Motorola in 2002. It was a huge excitement – finally, we could call people when we were outside, without having to read hooker numbers and their accompanying messages in phone booths! It was small, easy to use, slick, shiny, amazing. It seemed that the mobile phone had a bright future ahead. But it held a dark harbinger of things to come – Snake.
Now, make no mistake, Snake is one of the finest games ever made, and to some degree, whoever invented it deserves praise. But what's it doing on a phone? Does it help you make calls in any way? And this is where things, I believe, went wrong. You see, mobile phones could have gone in two different directions. They could either have gotten smaller, and simpler to use, like all other electronics, or they could have crammed extra random things that aren't related to its original function. So which side did we end up at?
Well, the iPhone 6 Plus is 15 centimetres long and almost 8 centimetres wide. Just think about that. Eight centimetres wide. Forget how amazingly thin it is or whatever, does that even fit in your pockets? I'll save you the hassle of finding out – of all my pants, only one of them manages this feat. It's so wide, you can't operate the thing properly without two hands; it's actually wider than my thumb is long. It apparently has a real 1080p screen, some amazing digital camera or something, and lots of other stuff, but is that worth forcing you to use two hands to operate something which is meant to be convenient? I'm not sure.
What was wrong with this? Image taken from wikipedia.org
What saddens me (yes I do think 'saddens' is appropriate in this situation) is that the march of the mobile phone wasn't always going in this obviously wrong direction. Phones were actually getting smaller; the model before my dad's phone was slightly larger and chunkier. One advancement which I particularly liked was the flip-phone. This was great; you could drop them and only feel bad as opposed to actually dealing with a cracked screen for the rest of your living existence. Plus there was always that very slight feeling of swag when you hung up by snapping the lid shut. Most importantly, they kept phone sizes small, as the screen could be folded over. It was all going so well! So why did we leave this direction?
Well, the aforementioned iPhone came around in its first iteration, that's what happened. Here was the definition of a phone crammed with extras. Of course, Apple fans flocked to this new computer-in-a-phone, as they do towards every new nonsensical Apple item. On seeing this, other companies apparently implemented a policy of applying the saying 'if you can't beat them, join them' to this stupidly over-crammed phone instead of the older and less exciting method of 'logical thought', and as a result, phones turned into 'smartphones' and got bigger screens, more 'functionality', more 'apps', and grew big, like the iPhone. Let's be honest here. The Samsung Galaxy is a perfect case study into how much a company can 'join them' – it looks, frankly, the same as an iPhone, and its purpose is to be 'as good as an iPhone'. Meanwhile, Apple execs are laughing their heads off at this whole debacle; their loyal customers would never change companies anyway. They even made a spin-off of their phone, the iPad, which as far as I can tell, doesn't even have a useful primary function. I bet they did it just to see if they could also make tablets a thing and convince customers that not having a physical keyboard was somehow a good idea. Apple are actually the biggest trolls in the electronics world.
We've all seen this. Image taken from fixinazip.com
The iPhone and the stupid Android companies that followed in its mudprints made us normal people have to deal with phones that have infuriating touch-screen keyboards, a huge screen no one wants and cracks at the slightest shock, and batteries that barely last a day. Even worse, it's taught us to choose phones with bigger screens and more processing power (with associated power consumption), even though that's objectively worse.
Basically, the iPhone came and ruined everything.
I want my Motorola V3 back.
Update: I bought an iPhone in March 2015.
March 2, 2015 piratespobox	backwards progress, flip phone, iphone, iphone 6, mobile phone, phone, progress, smartphone, technology
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London is gripped by madness, dominated by cosmetic surgeons, lifestyle coaches and pill-pushers. Within this insanity, a neurotic businessman reconsiders the course of his life when a freethinking outsider crashes into it. But she doesn't want him, or anyone.
Justin must put his business aside and concentrate on what it means to live, love, and be loved in return. He created an unattainable standard for women that drove them to buy his miracle pills and pushed them into the arms of his surgeons. Due to this, he has enemies both legal and criminal, that want to end ventures permanently. Throughout this chaos, Luna hopes to help him achieve redemption, while he's still breathing that is.
PopCulturePipeBomb.com, UnofficialAlanMoore.com, TheNerdLeague.com, ComicsCrusaders.com, Reynardcity.com, MOGUL.com, Nerdmost.com, APlacetoHangyourCape.com and GeekeryMagazine.com.
An intriguing story with beautiful art, Coronary is worth checking out!


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Home > Queen Elizabeth > Queen Elizabeth's funniest moments caught on camera.
Queen Elizabeth's funniest moments caught on camera.
by Pratishtha Mahajan - 13th July 2018 0
Memories are to be captured forever with us. What makes those memories more memorable is when you capture them at just the right moment.
Here are some of the pictures of Queen Elizabeth captured by photographers at the right time.
Also read: The Most Awkward Stories Of Queen Elizabeth Meeting Famous Celebrities.
What's so funny, eh?
Her Majesty is seen cracking some jokes with her firstborn, Prince Charles during the sack race at the Braemar Gathering.
Isn't this the time to leave?
This picture was taken in the year, 2018. It was the Royal Windsor horse show. The Queen loves horses, but at this particular horse show back in May, she had places to be and some important people to see.
Hey girls!
Australian hockey player, Jayde Taylor had her selfie photo-bombed by the most unexpected person. It was Queen Elizabeth herself. This picture was taken at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre
Rain, rain go away.
This picture was taken in the year, 2013. It was at the Royal Windsor Horse Show when the rain started. And, it seems like Her Majesty is upset about getting wet clothes.
Hey! Don't do that William.
This picture was taken in the year, 2012. We really wonder what the Duke f Cambridge said or did to cause Her Majesty to make that face. Maybe, he said one of these words that the royal family is never, ever allowed to say.
I don't like this weather.
This picture was taken in the year, 2012. This we can understand. Standing on the grass in high heels isn't fun for any woman, especially when that woman is a royal.
Also read: These WORDS Are NEVER Spoken Or Used By The Royal Family.
I am too tired for this.
This picture was taken in the year, 2011. When you work as hard as the Queen, it's hard to not get caught yawning. It would be better if someone else took the wheel.
Prince Harry bought the sweetest christening gift for Prince Louis.
President Trump made some major mistakes while meeting the Queen.


Al Habtoor Motors is one of the leading automobile distributors in the UAE today and has become synonymous with global brands such as Mitsubishi along with an impressive stable of high-end, luxury cars.
Al Habtoor Motors, a name renowned for quality and excellence in the UAE Automotive Sector is equally synonymous with global brands like Mitsubishi along with an impressive stable of high-end, luxury cars. Established in 1983, the company has earned an enviable reputation for delivering first class motoring experience for its customers.
Driven by professionalism and high standards of customer service, Al Habtoor Motors has an empowering work ethic and its philosophy is based on the total commitment of its employees, recognized as its most valuable asset.
WRIGHTBUS INTERNATIONAL HAS SIGNED A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH AL HABTOOR MOTORS LLC IN DUBAI.
2013 Al Habtoor Motors Emirates Business Women Council Al Habtoor Motors Co. L.L.C. In recognition of outstanding support and significant contribution to "Mother of the Nation Book 2013"
The Al Habtoor Motors philosophy, 'We Strive, You Drive' is founded on empowering our team of employees from the day they join us. The people we employ are our strongest asset.
We invest genuine time and resources into encouraging and supporting each one of our team to be forward thinking, ambitious and creative as they develop in their field of expertise with us. Through this empowerment, we have gained an award-winning reputation for providing our customers with a first class service from the team we have created.
If you are looking for a rewarding and exciting career in the motor industry and want to be part of a pioneering and inspiring company, Al Habtoor Motors has an unrivalled reputation for its career opportunities.
Al Habtoor Motors offers the full range of Mitsubishi passenger cars, 4x4s and commercial vehicles along with heavy vehicles from FUSO and the TEMSA range of luxury coaches and buses.
Al Habtoor Motors is also the official dealer of two prominent Chinese vehicle manufacturers - Chery and JAC.
Al Habtoor Motors was awarded the prestigious FUSO Award for achieving 'Number One Position in the World' for its outstanding efforts to maintain top market share over the last 10 years.
In 2016, Al Habtoor Motors was awarded the 'Best Customer Service' Award at the Daimler Trucks Asia Distributors Award 2016 ceremony held in Chennai, India.
During the same year, Al Habtoor Motors was also appointed the official dealer of Wrightbus International - one of the world's pre-eminent bus manufacturers, in the UAE.
Al Habtoor Motors expanded its regional presence after being awarded the franchise of FUSO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As part of this landmark achievement, Al Habtoor Motors FUSO - KSA has established dedicated state-of-the-art sales, customer and service network for FUSO's customers across Saudi Arabia.
Al Habtoor Motors is an exclusive distributor for some of the world's most coveted names luxury and sports cars like the majestic Bentley, fastest on earth Bugatti and super sports car McLaren.
Al Habtoor Motors has been awarded 'Dealer of the Year' for achieving 'Highest Middle East and North Africa & India Sales' by Bentley, with the impressive news being publicized by Bentley UK to all dealers worldwide.
Highly respected within the UAE automotive industry, Al Habtoor Motors is regarded as both inspirational as a place of work and truly results focused when it comes to customer satisfaction. 'We strive, You drive' captures the very essence of the company and its service performance as one of the most progressive automobile companies in the country, which has placed excellence, innovation and technical expertise at its very core.
Buying a new car is always a big decision and involves a substantial investment. Which is precisely why from the moment you walk into Al Habtoor Motors, we make sure your experience is as comfortable and reassuring as is possible.
It also gives me immense satisfaction to say we sell cars differently. We have a special 'Hear and Care' policy that allows our knowledgeable and well-trained team to understand your exact requirements first and then guide and help you in making the right decision.
When you buy a car from Al Habtoor Motors, we do not just let you drive away either. Your purchase automatically marks the beginning of a relationship of 'Lifetime Value' with us. This assures you of comprehensive after sales and technical service with the help of our well-equipped service facilities and trained technical team. As a company we have always prided ourselves in our service and are continuously striving to take it to the next level. Which is why with any vehicle from Al Habtoor Motors, whether it's a Mitsubishi, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, JAC, Chery, Temsa, FUSO or Wrightbus you get nothing less than the best from us. Always.
To be the UAE's leading, respected and preferred automotive retailer operating consistently at a level of excellence by providing the highest value to our customers and stakeholders.
To live the company's philosophy of delighting customers with world class vehicles, excellent experiences, undivided expertise backed by competitive pricing, and serving our customers, employees, stakeholders and communities with dependability, integrity and respect.
Our values define who we are and these are the fundamental beliefs of our organization and its leadership, which influence the way we work together, the way we serve our customers and engage with our communities.
Commitment: With honor, integrity, unity and respect.
Excellence: With the highest quality in service experience, technical expertise, products and pricing.
Innovation: With the future landscape of our customers' needs and wants, developing solutions that grow our business and, addressing customer requirements through constant creation and evolution.
Buying a car is an important decision. We value our customers who give us the opportunity to be a part of this significant milestone. "Miles of Smiles" is our Customer Charter that clearly spells out the standard of services we provide our customers. It will be the commitment and promise from all our employees to deliver these services and hold ourselves accountable for the same.
"Miles of Smiles" is our company philosophy for ensuring that we provide our customers the best products and services which will ensure their motoring experience is a joyful journey. Our sales and service teams will deal with them with professionalism, integrity and will service them with a smile. Our aim is to always give them best in class service.
Provide them world class products and services.
Meet our commitment, and strive to exceed their expectations.
Ensure our staff are knowledgeable and serve the customer with professionalism and integrity.
Provide our customer a pleasurable shopping experience.
Always use genuine, quality approved parts and processes.
Select and train our technicians to the highest standards.
Proactively provide customers service and safety reminders.
Suggest products and services that are important for their safety.
Help them purchase a car of their choice with the promise of a fair value.
Market our products honestly and explain our invoice and payment details.
Give 10% additional trade allowance for car trade-ins with full AHM service history.
Deliver their car within 5 working days of purchase.
Provide them extended service timings.
Proactively inform them in case of any delays.
Strive to get the job right first time, reducing repeat repair time.
Be approachable and we will take feedback to improve our services.
Revert on customer's queries and suggestions within 2 working days.
Maintain customer confidentiality and privacy.
Take appropriate action on their feedback to improve our service standards.
Copyright © 2018. Al Habtoor Motors. All rights reserved.


Who is former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos?
WASHINGTON -- Former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos has been sentenced to 14 days in prison for lying to the FBI.
He is the first former campaign aide to be sentenced in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.
Papadopoulos apologized for his actions, telling a judge that he had made a "dreadful mistake" and was eager for redemption.