Philip Yancey has been writing for three decades. That experience and understanding is apparent anytime you read his work. He has a beautiful knack of viewing life and ordering it on paper. Yancey's insight, imagination, and gentle faith are refreshing to any reader.
He is transparent on being wounded by the church, sifting through faith issues, harboring doubts, and other struggles in his Christian journey. Through it all, this earnest pilgrim finds his way back and strengthens his faith and reliance in God. I appreciate his honest desire to seek the Lord. The words of his journey and stumbles on the path now provide encouragement to other believers who need a solid footing in Jesus.
Grace Notes, Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim is a compilation of Yancey's total work. The pages are drawn from his twenty plus books and numerous articles. They capture inspiring and provoking images for any believer. This book is ideal for daily devotions or starting a new spiritual discipline. The readings will correspond to particular days and themes on the calendar. Some readings will follow the church calendar for Christmas, Easter, the Ascension, and Pentecost, but keep in mind that the days will vary from year to year.
Take time to discover the Grace Notes of Philip Yancey. You will appreciate the experienced writing, spiritual depth, and brotherly encouragement that he provides.


text:
Vote Early and Avoid the Rush
North Texas Jobs with Justice helped with a "Vote Now" rally on October 20, the first day of early voting. We gathered by the Records Building in downtown Dallas through the lunch period. Most of us had signs that said simply "vote." Among us were members of ACORN, Communications Workers ( a bunch ), Transport Workers, Office and Professional, Amalgamated Transit, and Teachers. Women far outnumbered men at the event.
We were urging people to vote early because the lines are just going to get much worse between now and November 4.
One TV channel covered the event. State Representative Roberto Alonzo was kind enough to join us. Recordings were made for KNON radio's "Workers Beat" program, Wednesdays 8-9 AM on 89.3 FM and www.knon.org. Newspapers reported record turnouts for the first day of early voting. Predictions have been made that Texas has never had so many voters!
Early voting ends October 31.
Meanwhile, unions continue contacting members to encourage them to Get Out The Vote (GOTV). The Dallas AFL-CIO and the Tarrant AFL-CIO are dispatching activists every Saturday. The United Auto Workers union is calling active members from their headquarters in Euless. JwJ founding member Jay Dunn is leading another effort to call all UAW retirees from the District Headquarters on Mockingbird in Dallas.
On October 20, two Ironworkers stopped by to help with the telephoning effort. Mike Martin (pictured while telephoning) asks for help with delegations to employers on behalf of low-paid construction workers.
One is on Wednesday 10/22/08 at 1:00 P.M.
The Hope of Heart
12377 Merit Drive #300
Contact June Hunt - Brent Ray or Scott Heflin
The other will be on Thursday October 23rd at 1:00 P.M.
2400 Lake Side Blvd.
Contact Mark Chutchiane
Mike Martin of the Ironworkers

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This weekend some of the greatest ladies I know are getting together to celebrate our friend Ellie's engagement. I am so excited! This is the year for engagements and weddings, I think! I'm almost entirely booked to photograph weddings for the months of August and September. I've added a free gift to all of my booked wedding clients this season; a finely-combed and personally curated "goodie-bag" of wedding-must-haves and must-knows. In the bag, I've included the best sites, inspiration, and vendors that I have come across over the years! Here's a little inside scoop: ModCloth is on the list! I'm in love with all things ModCloth - so my love for their vintage-inspired wedding shop came as no surprise to me! The best part are the prices! In my experience, whenever you add "wedding" to anything, prices immediately become astronomical. Not with ModCloth!
Pictured above are some of my favorite pieces.
I love the Everybody Prance Now flats because they're elegant and simple. On top of the cuteness, they're versatile (you can totally use these babies beyond the big day).
A whole new paragraph about the dress because I need to preface -- when Matt and I get married; it's going to be the smallest of small. Our investment priorities are: documentation, and food and libations. We want our family and friends to have so much fun, we want full-on continuity of delicious food and wine, and comfort and worry-free everything-- and we want reputable artists documenting the day so we can show our someday babies photographs from a day that surely will be one of the best we've ever had.
With that in mind; I just will not spend hundreds of dollars on a dress. Besides, I know me. It's inevitable that I will spill wine and saffron-lemon aioli down the front of me before the end of the night. That's why; the Windy City Maxi Dress. It's super simple but can easily be dressed up with an embossed tie or satin sash. Love it, because guys: $85.
Lastly, can we just with this necklace? It's the Quest for the Best Necklace and it's already in my cart.
P.S ModCloth has amazing home & gift pieces as well-- a great place for wedding gifting, registry, or just as an excuse to spruce up your space!
in-review | acure (organic + affordable skincare).
chantal came for a girls night a while back and taught me about acure - my new most favorite skin care line, because -- it's 100% organic and super inexpensive! you might remember chantal from her featured post in community artistry. she is an incredibly talented make-up artist and skin care guru. she is also the writer of askderm's skinfacts. if you haven't checked out askderm yet, well - you should. they have a wide array of products and will price match any competitor. this is my go-to for all things skin care!
first! we used the foreo luna coupled with the acure sensitive facial cleanser. we applied a penny-sized dollop on the silicone bristles, turned on the luna, and washed in a circular pattern for two minutes. the foreo luna is a deep cleaning technological method that sends t-sonic pulsations to deeply cleanse and revitalize skin. i am picking up this cleanser for sure.
second! we exfoliated with acure brightening facial scrub. this scrub includes organic sea kelp, french green clay, and lemon peel - a great deep cleanse that refreshed both my skin and my senses!
third! we applied the acure cell stimulating facial mask. what a sight. there were photos involved but all are locked in the vault. i love the combination of french green clay, moroccan argan oil, and chlorella, all working together to draw out deeply imbedded impurities without drying your skin.
fourth! we moisturized with acure oil control facial moisturizer. i've already ordered this because it is the best. acure uses lilac stem cells to balance and heal blemishes and chlorella growth factor to rejuvenate damaged skin cells. my favorite was that it relieved the tightness, dried super quick, and i couldn't even tell it was there!
i hope you enjoyed this review! have you tried acure or shopped with askderm? i'd love to hear what your favorite products are!


text:
Title: Dane County, Wisconsin, Arrest Policies Project: A Process Evaluation
Author(s): Brenda K. Uekert Ph.D.
Corporate Author: Institute for Law and Justice
Date Published: February 2000
Sponsoring Agency: Institute for Law and Justice
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
Grant Number: 98-WE-VX-0012
Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Institute for Law and Justice
1219 Prince Street, Suite 2
Dataset: DATASET 1
Type: Program/Project Evaluation
Format: Document
Annotation: This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Arrest Program in Dane County, WI, which was funded under a Federal grant intended to encourage jurisdictions to implement mandatory or pro-arrest policies as an effective domestic-violence intervention that is part of a coordinated community response to domestic violence.
Abstract: The first section of the report addresses the project environment, which encompasses county demographics, the county criminal justice system (with attention to procedures pertinent to domestic-violence cases), the county's nonprofit community's involvement in domestic-violence services, and Wisconsin's domestic-violence laws. The section of the report that describes project planning and implementation notes that the Arrest Project was divided into two phases. The original grant proposal called for the development of a database and the creation of a lethality assessment for domestic-violence cases. The continuation grant proposal requested funding to expand the project in the areas of prosecution, advocacy, training, and bail monitoring. A multidisciplinary committee was created to manage project development and implementation during both grant periods. The overall project goal was to hold domestic-violence perpetrators accountable for their actions and increase victim safety. The development of a lethality scale to assist staff in identifying potentially lethal batterers was achieved; however, the risk-assessment tool remains unproven, and its future is uncertain. Police officers are complying with the district attorney's request to complete and submit the risk-assessment forms; however, there is no systematic protocol for the handling of cases in accordance with risk-assessment outcomes. The development of the Domestic Violence Offender Database has been delayed, primarily due to factors beyond the control of the District Attorney's Office. The criteria for eligibility for the bail monitoring program remain vague. The strengths of the project are well-qualified staff that have considerable experience in domestic violence; a substantial level of coordination and collaboration between advocates in the criminal justice system and the nonprofit community; and a committed and active community task force. The evaluation touts the project as having the potential to become a national model for a coordinated response to domestic violence. Recommendations are to examine the validity and usefulness of the risk-assessment tool; continue database development and expand accessibility; determine eligibility criteria and evaluate the bail monitoring program; develop a protocol for handling domestic violence/child abuse cases; expand outreach to rural communities and underserved minority populations; and encourage probation to participate in domestic-violence initiatives.
Main Term(s): Female victims
Index Term(s): Domestic assault; Domestic assault arrest policies; Domestic assault prevention; Interagency cooperation; NIJ grant-related documents; Police domestic violence training; Pretrial intervention; Pretrial procedures; Pretrial programs; Prosecution; Victim services; Victim services training; Wisconsin
Note: Dataset may be archived by the NIJ Data Resources Program at the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data


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/ Method And Madness Showcases Wild Cherry Wood Finished Irish Whiskey
Method And Madness Showcases Wild Cherry Wood Finished Irish Whiskey
By Nino Marchetti / September 25, 2019
The Method and Madness series is crafted by Pernod Ricard's Irish Distillers at the Midleton Distillery as a type of experimental playground for the distillery team to showcase offbeat Irish whiskeys from. Two of the latest are particularly fascinating, making use of finishing casks put together from offbeat wood types sourced from France.
The first, the Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished In Wild Cherry Wood is, according to those behind it, the first ever single pot still Irish whiskey that has been finished in nine casks crafted from wild cherry wood, sourced from France, for between seven months and four years.
Wood from the cherry tree is characterized by its porosity, which results in what's said to be significant interaction between the wood and the whiskey and has reportedly added "complex flavors of shredded ginger, coconut and black tea to the ex-bourbon and sherry cask-matured whiskey."
Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished In Wild Cherry Wood (image via Irish Distillers)
"Since 2014," said Kevin O'Gorman, Master of Maturation at Midleton Distillery, in a prepared statement, "our research into maturation in different wood types has challenged our expertise and approach to whiskey-making – but none so much as our experimentations with wild cherry casks.
"The rare, porous wood is different to anything that we have handled before, so it has been a real achievement to create the perfect balance of flavour – the result is a world-first in Irish whiskey, with a nose of coconut fibre and ginger, a palate of fresh green herbs, black tea and unmistakable pot still spices and a long, fresh finish with prickly spice and hazelnut."
Joining this first whiskey is another single pot still Irish whiskey, this time finished in barrels crafted from acacia wood, sourced from France, for between one and four years. Initially matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, the dense acacia wood is said to have "a tight grain that slowly imparts rich nutty and chocolatey flavors and a dark mahogany hue."
This second expression, the Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood is bottled at 46% ABV and prices at €92, or around $105 USD (only to be found through the Celtic Whiskey Shop in Ireland). The other offering, meanwhile, shares the same bottling strength and price (to be found in six markets, including Ireland, the UK and global travel retail). You'll find some official tasting notes below for both.
Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished In Wild Cherry Wood
Nose: Box Hedge Clippings, Coconut Fibre, Shredded Ginger
Taste: Fresh Green Herbs, Black Tea, Pot Still Spices
Finish: Long and Fresh, Prickly Spice, Toasted Hazelnut
Method and Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Acacia Wood
Nose: Sugared Almonds, Wood Spices, Crushed Cloves
Taste: Coffee Beans, Dark Chocolate, Chilli Oil
Finish: Fading Spices, Charred Wood, Barley Husk


I'm Victoria, i'm just 16 years old. I started to listen to Enigma because one afternoon i heard "Callas went Away". That moment was magical and then i wanted more and more of those special sounds, i don't have just one moment 'cause every time i listen Enigma is special for me as each album. Thank you Enigma.


Did you know the clock is being turned back in state capitals every day?
The focus on the presidential election belies the impact state politics and public policy in state capitals is having on millions of Americans; particularly people of color. Every day the actions of governors and state legislators are affecting the quality of life of citizens, infringing upon equal opportunity, and negatively influencing the manner in which Americans view and treat their fellow citizens. This article from Vox details how public policy is being influenced at the state level. The fascination with all things Washington has distracted us from the critical role states are playing in shaping the future of our nation.
Elementary and secondary education, higher education, local law enforcement, oversight of public utilities, elections management and criminal justice are just a few of the concerns handled by state governments.
It is why we are launching a monthly e-newsletter - States Matter! - focused entirely on developments in state capitals, legislative trends and information that you can use to be a more effective advocate for progressive policies in your state. For just $24 annually, we will bring States Matter! to you electronically the third Thursday of each month. You can subscribe via Pay Pal or go directly to the NorthStarNews.com home page and the Donate button in the top right corner of the page. When you click the Review Donation and Continue button, on the next screen type the e-mail address where you want to receive the newsletter in the box marked: Add Special Instructions to the Seller. The first edition of States Matter! launches October 20, 2016.
Do you know what's going on under your State House dome?
In the last few months we have witnessed important decisions of national impact that were all rooted in state-level politics. In North Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory has shown total disregard for the voting rights of Blacks by pushing regressive measures such as Voter ID that aim to undo the success of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in expanding access to the ballot. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has launched a full-scale attack on public sector labor unions. The people of Kentucky saw the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health-care law signed by President Obama, blocked. In Ohio there have been successful legal challenges to the use of provisional ballots that disproportionately disfranchise voters of color and the poor. The Baltimore Police Department has come under heavy criticism in a scathing report issued by the U.S. Department of Justice. The transportation infrastructure of states across the country is in disrepair as partisan battles prevent legislative action.
Many states continue to attempt to turn back the clock and reverse hard fought and blood-earned victories that affirmed the rights of African-Americans, language minorities, women and the LGBQT community. It's time we paid much greater attention to what is happening in the halls of state government.
Don't wait until it happens in your state.
Subscribe today to States Matter! For just $24 per year we will bring you the latest news out of state capitals across the country directly to your in-box and alert you to policies that might be heading your way. Subscribe today!


text:
<?php

/**
 * Base class for implementing any kind of data conversion.
 */
abstract class CConverter {

	abstract function convert($value);

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


For those of you who didn't watch it, Now You See Me aspired to be a caper film with magic. Sort of. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, and Dave Franco, not to mention Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, it told the story of a bunch of magicians who rob a bank WITH MAGIC. It was silly, good fun, even if the cliffhanger ending sucked, and no one was surprised when Summit announced there would be a Now You See Me sequel. The sequel might not be coming out until 2016, but anyone who was on the fence about seeing it might just change their mind after this latest casting news. An experienced magician is joining the cast, you guys. Caine revealed that Daniel Radcliffe has been cast in Now You See Me 2 — as his son.
"There's a sequel to Now You See Me and we're shooting in London," said Caine in an interview with a blog called Hey You Guys. "I shoot in December, the whole of December in London, and my son is Harry Potter. I thought it'd be funny, me and Daniel Radcliffe as father and son." Caine starred in the original film as insurance benefactor Arthur Tressler who at first sponsors the Four Horsemen magicians before they make his own money disappear and he swears revenge. And Harry Potter is playing his son. Yes, please.
Of course, Radcliffe has been no stranger to magical or supernatural films since the end of his stint as the boy wizard. His first major movie release following Harry Potter was the supernatural horror film The Woman in Black, and he's currently about to release a supernatural black comedy called Horns. Although Radcliffe said it was unlikely that he'd ever return to the Harry Potter franchise — unlikely but not impossible — it's great to see that he hasn't completely turned his back on magic. Besides, wizards are just magicians who can actually do magic, right? And if his on-screen father is any indication, then we'll get to see Radcliffe play the villain instead of the hero.
Nothing more is currently known about Radcliffe's role in the movie or about the plot, but seeing a new side of Radcliffe is a bonus for every Potterhead. It might come as a surprise to those who watched him grow up on-screen in the Harry Potter movies, but Radcliffe is a powerful actor of great nuance and I, for one, have been waiting to see him get that one role that will establish him in Hollywood for something other than simply appearing in Harry Potter. Emma Watson has already found her place as a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and everyone's current favorite feminist icon (aside from Beyoncé), but Radcliffe's films remain less mainstream and more for people who are already fans of his. It's his time to shine.
Besides, I just want to see Radcliffe do magic again. Once a Potterhead, always a Potterhead.


text:
Zalophus is een geslacht uit de familie van de oorrobben.

Soorten
Het geslacht kent de volgende soorten:
 Californische zeeleeuw (Zalophus californianus)
 Galápagoszeeleeuw (Zalophus wollenbacki)
 Japanse zeeleeuw (Zalophus japonicus) †

Afbeeldingen

Oorrobben

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This Venture Capital firm sought to create an inspiring open space, while also preserving privacy for their clients and team.
The Pivot team worked with local vendor Creative Wood to design and fabricate custom workstations in stunning walnut wood and warm laminates, with blackened steel supports to complement the architectural finishes. Aeron chairs and all height-adjustable desks facilitate healthy sitting and standing postures. Storage and power are easily accessible in millwork side walls, and custom Filzfelt acoustical materials provide tactile softness and quiet calm. Custom ebonized salvaged wood conference tables from Urban Hardwood are fitted with integrated power for a seamless experience for employees and visitors alike.


The awarding of colours was for service to a club as well as sporting prowess. The records include nomination forms and lists of recommended recipients providing their names, positions held and reason for nomination. There is also a copy of the guidelines for recommendations.


text:
François Pallu, född den 30 augusti 1626 i Tours i Frankrike, död den 29 oktober 1684 i Muyang  i Kina, var en fransk missionär och biskop i Östasien, särskilt i Kina, medgrundare av  Missions Etrangères de Paris, och en aktiv förkämpe för stärkandet av Vatikanens rättigheter gentemot det portugisiska patronatssystemet.

Efter studier i teologi och juridik blev Pallu prästvigd 1650. Efter ett möte 1653 med pater Alexandre de Rhodes, som var på resa för att vinna biskopar och missionärer för Östasien, begav Pallu sig till Rom och blev där utnämnd till titulärbiskop och till apostolisk vikarie för Tonkin och administrator av Laos och fem sydkinesiska provinser. 1660 grundade han tillsammans med fader Pierre Lambert de la Motte i Paris missionsseminariet Missions Etrangères de Paris (M.E.P.), det första missionsseminariet for sekulärpräster över huvud. 1662 bröt Pallu upp och begav sig till Siam och grundade ett prästseminarium även där 1664.

Efter att ha vistats i Rom 1667-70 återvände han till Siam, där han tillsammans med Louis Laneau blev mottagen under store hedersbevisningar av kungen, som gav dem religionsfrihet. På vägen vidare mot Kina 1674 kom han oförutsett till Manila, där han blev arresterad av spanjorerna och tvungen att resa tillbaka till Europa. Under sin nästa Romvistelse började Pallu en kraftfull kampanj mot jesuiterna och mot Spaniens och Portugals patronatsrättigheter i Fjärran Östern. Detta ledde till två påvliga dekret 1678 och 1679 som förordnade att alla missionärer i padroadoområdena skulle avlägga lydnadslöfte gentemot de apostoliska vikarier som Rom utnämnde.

1681 utnämndes Pallu för en sjuårsperiod till generaladministrator för missionerna i hela Kina och lämnade på nytt Rom för att bege sig till missionsfältet. Det var först 1684 som han kom till landet och gick i land i Fujian. Hans försök att få missionärerna att avlägga lydnadslöftet ledde till kraftigt motstånd bland ordensbröderna. Kort före sin död utpekade han pater Charles Maigrot M.E.P. och pater Bernardino della Chiesa O.F.M. till sina efterträdare i Kina.

Bibliografi
Relation abrégé des missions et voyages du Evêque François envoyez aux royaumes de la Chine, Cochinchine, Tonquin & Siam, 1668, 1682, ital. 1669, Utdrag i: A. Launay, Histoire de la Mission du Tonkin, Documents I, 1927, 1-8, 14-15;
Mémoire sur l'état présent des missions et des evesques français, vicaires apostoliques dans la Chine et dans les autres royaumes de l'Orient, Etat sommaire des missions de la Chine et l'envoy des trois evesques dans les nouvelles églises de cet empire, ca. 1660, i: A. Launay, Lettres de Mgr. Pallu I, 1904, 392-403
Lettres de Mgr. Pallu, Vicaire Apostolique du Tonkin 1658-1684, I, II, 1905, ed. Adrien Launay
Med Pierre Lambert de La Motte: Instructiones et munera apostolica rite obeunde, perutiles missionibus Chinas, Tunchini, Cochinchinae, atque Siami, 1669.

Franska biskopar
Kinesiska biskopar
Romersk-katolska kyrkan i Kina
Missionärer i Thailand
Födda 1626
Avlidna 1684
Män
WP:Projekt Kina
Personer från Tours


The whistleblowers alerted the SEC that from 2008 to 2013, JPMorgan Chase failed to inform certain wealthy clients of conflicts of interest in managing their money.
The SEC's whistleblower program has been an important tool since its inception in 2011. The award distributions are made from an investor protection fund established by Congress. The standard to obtain an award requires that the whistleblower's information must be unique, useful and lead to a successful enforcement action. Whistleblower awards can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the money collected by the SEC where sanctions exceed $1 million.
Eccleston Law, LLC helps individuals file and document their SEC whistleblower claims while maintaining confidentiality. Please contact us for further information.


text:
Home / News / National
Thursday,26 Nov 2020,03:56 pm
3 killed as cyclone Nivar wreaks havoc in TN
Chennai/Puducherry, Three persons were killed and an equal number injured as the very severe cyclonic storm Nivar wreaked havoc in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Thursday.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, three persons lost their lives due to rain related incidents and three got injured. The state government also said that 26 cattle had also died in the storm.
On its way the cyclone also damaged several houses, uprooted trees and power lines in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore, Marakkanam and in Puducherry also.
A total of 101 houses, including thatched huts and tiled houses were damaged by cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government said.
According to the government, about 380 trees were uprooted by Nivar and 14 acre banana plantation was also damaged.
In Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district, police said the fallen trees have been removed to ease the flow of traffic.
The government said it was carrying out the repairs quickly to restore power lines. A total of 19 electric poles, which fell down, have been repaired.
At Marakkanam near Puducherry, several power poles fell down and the fishermen community requested the Tamil Nadu government to restore the power lines at the earliest.
In the suburbs of Tamil Nadu capital Chennai, water got logged due to rains affecting the residents as well as the traffic flow.
Bus services that were stopped from November 24 afternoon ahead of the cyclone were resumed on Thursday afternoon in seven districts of Tamil Nadu.
Suburban train services in Chennai will also be resumed at 3 p.m.
About 2.27 lakh persons have been housed in 3,085 relief camps.
Chief Minister K.Palaniswami appreciated the work done by the Greater Chennai Corporation and Greater Chennai Police in removing the fallen trees and helping the needy.
Palaniswami also visited Cuddalore to inspect the cyclone damages and meet the affected people.
In Puducherry also several trees were uprooted by the cyclone and the power supply was disrupted.
Puducherry Chief Minister V.Narayanasamy told a news channel that power supply will be restored in a phased manner on Thursday itself.
He said, a lot of trees have fallen due to the cyclone and rain was continuing.
Narayanasamy said the low lying areas were inundated and work was on to drain the water. "Fallen trees were being removed. Power supply was disrupted and it will be soon restored in a phased manner in 12 hours", he said.
As regards the cyclone damage to life and property, Narayanasamy said the assessment will be made and by this afternoon an estimate of damage will be known.
He said 80 relief camps have been set up in Puducherry. Camps have also been set up in Karaikal.
Narayanasamy said, "By God's grace people of Puducherry escaped the fury of Nivar."
He also inspected the cyclone damaged areas and urged the people to stay indoors and fishermen not to venture into the seas.
According to the weather department the cyclone lays centered over coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry about 25km north of Puducherry with wind blowing at a speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph.
Nivar will move northwest and weaken further into a cyclonic storm during the next three hours, the IMD said.
The cyclone began its landfall on Wednesday night about 10.30 p.m. after moving at a speed of 16 kmph for six hours.
In an early morning tweet, Puducherry's Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi said: "Good #MorningNutrition. Puducherry has faced the Cyclone, collectively and resolutely. Making us a stronger and a more experienced team."
Even after landfall, the cyclone was likely to maintain its intensity for about six hours and weaken gradually.
The sea along the coast was very rough with huge waves were hitting the shores.
The IMD said, "Under its influence rainfall at most/many places with heavy to very heavy fall at a few places with isolated extremely heavy falls are likely to occur over Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor, Kurnool, Prakasam and Cuddappa districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph very likely to prevail over interior districts (Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupattur, Vellore) of Tamil Nadu and Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in the early morning to forenoon, the weather department had said.
The Puducherry government too has announced Thursday as a public holiday.
Twenty five teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.
(IANS)
Allahabad HC sets aside extension of Sunni Waqf Board term
Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe among 119 Padma winners for 2021
Galwan hero Santosh Babu honoured
Six from Kerala conferred Padma awards


One Color - Quarter size wood ball marker.
Minimum Quantity If you require less than the mimimum quantity listed please call to see if we can fulfill your request. Please note there is most likely a less than minimum charge and we will advise you of the cost once we have all the requirements of your order.
Please include any notes or requests in this field you feel are important to let us know regarding your order, artwork, printing guidelines, event date or product selection(s).
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Plastic ball marker, 11/16 Inches diameter (about the size of a dime). ..


text:
Where do cultures go when they die? The story of Codfish, the Indian, and the phonograph.
Posted on October 22, 2014 by uminnpress
When the Edison phonograph was first made in the 1890s, people used it to
record their own voices. It later became one of the first commercially produced
machines when it was used to play music. It worked by vibrating the stylus up and down
while moving across the wax cylinder (Hill & Dale method).
Image credit: Museum of Technology. Via.
BY BRIAN HOCHMAN
Assistant professor of English at Georgetown University
Meet Jesse Walter Fewkes, one of the most influential anthropologists of the late nineteenth century. His colleagues at Harvard University, and later at the Bureau of American Ethnology, called him Dr. Fewkes. But behind his back they liked to refer to him as "the Codfish," a nickname that I'm willing to bet has a great story behind it.
In March of 1890, Fewkes traveled to Calais, Maine, in order to visit several members of the Passamaquoddy tribe. According to Fewkes, the Passamaquoddy were fated to die out. All that seemed to make their culture authentic and unique—the patterns of their language, the sounds of their music, even the distinctive look of their clothes and art—seemed in danger of disappearing. Their culture needed to be preserved before it vanished into obscurity.
Scores of American ethnographers, amateurs and professionals alike, made trips like Fewkes's as the nineteenth came to a close. Most were acting on the assumption that the world's indigenous cultures were destined to be left behind and lost forever as history progressed. But Fewkes differed from his contemporaries in how he wanted to solve this longstanding problem.
On his trip to Calais, he brought along a cylinder phonograph. He wanted to put the Passamaquoddy on wax, so that the sounds of their culture could survive long after the tribe itself had vanished.
In hindsight, this seems like an eminently reasonable thing to do. If you want to record a dying language or a sacred song, what else but a phonograph would you want to bring with you? But this line of thinking obscures just how audacious, just how strange, his actions really were in context. The cylinder phonograph had been perfected only a few years prior, and the unwieldy model that Fewkes wanted to use in the field was ill-suited for traveling to remote locations. At the time, moreover, wax cylinders were notoriously prone to physical deterioration, occasionally wearing out only after a few uses. Fewkes's contemporaries in the field of anthropology had even dismissed the machine as too unreliable to be of any scientific value.
In short, the cylinder phonograph had all of the promises—and all of the pitfalls—of a new medium. Fewkes's trip was a technological experiment as much as it was an ethnographic errand. He wanted to harness the power of sound recording to preserve the remnants of the Passamaquoddy, but doing so required a leap of faith.
So why did he do it? Why would Fewkes lug a fragile and unproven machine to Calais, rather than simply rely on a more established method of documentation? And why did so many Americans—anthropologists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers alike—go to similar lengths in this period, turning to newfangled technologies to fulfill the age-old dream of permanent cultural preservation?
These were some of the questions that inspired my work on Savage Preservation. The more reading and research I did, the more I came to realize that men like Fewkes were motivated by something other than a naïve faith in technological possibility. I came to see that Fewkes and many others in this period believed that cultural differences actually determine our ability to hear and see the world around us. It wasn't that new devices like the phonograph and the motion picture camera were somehow more accurate or more permanent than other forms of documentation. It was that they were mechanically neutral, untainted by the inborn cultural biases that limit our faculties of perception. Fewkes was thus motivated by racial worldview.
This surprised me. Scholars are accustomed to thinking that audiovisual media mostly work to "construct" ideas about race. But here, in 1890, the reverse was equally true. Fewkes's ideas about the Passamaquoddy were helping to construct the phonograph. His sense that Indians were irretrievably different, and thus naturally doomed to disappear, enabled him to imagine a social role for the device that wasn't all that obvious at the time.
Fewkes's worldview haunts the history of modern media technology. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, anthropologists like Garrick Mallery turned to serial photography—and later, motion pictures—to document Native American sign languages. Filmmakers like Robert and Frances Flaherty experimented with new film stocks in order to capture the tattooing rituals of indigenous Samoans. Photographers like Fred Payne Clatworthy and Franklin Price Knott capitalized on popular interest in the world's "vanishing races" to pioneer the autochrome, the world's first commercially viable color photography process.
In short, efforts to preserve disappearing cultures helped to shape audiovisual technologies whose social functions we typically take for granted.
Was Fewkes right in March of 1890? Were the Passamaquoddy actually dying out, and were the spiraling grooves of the wax cylinder actually their final resting place?
Fast-forward 120 years and decide for yourself. The Passamaquoddy live on, and they have actually had a hand in keeping Fewkes's old recordings alive.
Brian Hochman is author of Savage Preservation: The Ethnographic Origins of Modern Media Technology. He is assistant professor of English at Georgetown University.
"Savage Preservation is an eye-opening account of the mutually entangled origins of ethnography and the meanings of modern media: recorded sound, color photography, documentary film. Not only does Brian Hochman enrich his readers' sense of culture as a concept available to historical change, he demonstrates convincingly that North American media studies remains haunted at its core by the racial 'science' of earlier generations."
—Lisa Gitelman, New York University
Posted in UncategorizedTagged American Studies, Anthropology, Author features, Media Studies, Native American Studies, photography, Race Studies, Scholarly books, Science and Technology, Visual Culture
LGBT History Month: A look at behind-the-scenes groundwork that leads to the headline-grabbing victories.
A sustainable planet is a nuclear-free planet.


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Press Center News 2021 RSP Machine Learning Experts Help Develop AI-Driven VFX
RSP Machine Learning Experts Help Develop AI-Driven VFX
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA—Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) has added two post-doctoral researchers from the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) to lead a new initiative centered on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to its visual effects pipeline.
Dr. John Bastian and Dr. Ben Ward will develop pipeline tools based on machine learning and other AI applications as a means of streamlining visual effects (VFX) production and creating visuals that look more photo-realistic.
Artificial Intelligence is widely regarded as having the potential to revolutionize VFX production and RSP is committed to working at the forefront of this new technology. "AI holds great promise for visual effects applications, especially in terms of accelerating labor intensive tasks and augmenting human creativity," says RSP's Managing Director Tony Clark. "Our early work with AI has produced spectacular results and we are eager to push development further."
Working through AIML, which is associated with the University of Adelaide, Bastian and Ward recently collaborated with RSP on visual effects sequences for Marvel Studios' current box office hit Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings. They developed a novel technique for facial replacement that was used in high-intensity martial arts combat sequences. Machine learning tools were employed to train neural network models of principal actors and apply them to the faces of stunt doubles. The process proved significantly faster than traditional means of facial replacement and produced more lifelike results.
At AIML, Bastian and Ward have been post-doctoral researchers involved in researching and developing machine learning and computer vision technology for three years. They have contributed to projects related to medicine, defense, agriculture, manufacturing, environmental sustainability and general science. Both men earned their PhDs in computer science from the University of Adelaide.
In their new roles, Bastian and Ward will work with RSP's creative team in applying AI tools to specific production challenges. They are currently involved in three film and series projects involving facial replacement applications like those used in Shang-Chi. They will also seek to develop general workflow tools for such routine visual effects in both 2D and 3D, AI can be a means of relieving artists of tedious, labor intensive tasks, speeding up the delivery of visual effects and controlling costs.
"Our focus is on building AI-tools that can be integrated into RSP's existing workflow to overcome the limitations of current technology," Ward says. "It's about helping artists improve results, achieve outputs faster and push beyond what was previously possible."
Bastian says that AI should be viewed as a means of empowering artists. "AI can help artists accomplish incredible artistic effects without the tedium of executing every frame in a long sequence," he explains. "Facial replacement was a good place to start because faces are largely rigid, but we'll soon be able to do the same with the human body. We'll be able to make an actor taller, shorter, skinnier, or more muscular. With AI the possibilities are limitless."
Rising Sun Pictures' VFX supervisor wins AACTA Visual Effects Award for Elvis
Rising Sun Pictures' (RSP) VFX Supervisor Julian Hutchens, alongside fellow nominees Tom Wood, Fiona Crawford, Joshua Simmonds and Adam Hammond, today won the 2022 Australian Academy of Cinema and Tel ...
De-Coding the Matrix
The futuristic world depicted in The Matrix series is complicated. But then, what would you expect in a world where machines treat humanity simply as a power source? The construct they have devised to ...
Break+Enter rebuilds the New York subway system for Season 2 of Netflix's Russian Doll
New York City — Break+Enter, A Nice Shoes company, served as a key visual effects provider on the second season of Russian Doll, the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series starring Natasha Lyonne, and co-c ...


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"Here We Go" is a fight song of the Pittsburgh Steelers that was written by Roger Wood in 1994. It has sold more than 120,000 copies since its introduction. It remains popular among Pittsburghers despite being updated due to the departure of several of the players mentioned in the original lyrics and that the Steelers no longer need to win "that one for the thumb" after having won Super Bowl XL.  The song was updated following a 2006 online vote conducted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

References

National Football League fight songs
Pittsburgh Steelers
1994 songs


The composite set of presuppositions, beliefs, and values a person possesses that shape how he or she see reality and determines how he or she will act. It refers to the collective set of fundamental convictions people hold and on which they base their actions ... A set of assumptions and perspectives that are true, partly true or completely false, which we hold consistently or inconsistently, consciously or unconsciously, through which we make sense of our lives and our world. This is the case for individuals and collectively for a society or culture, as well.
"...liberalism, [for instance] as an ideology, has a creedal character and is rooted in a fundamentally secular worldview. To begin with, liberalism starts with a basic faith in human autonomy extending well beyond a mere attachment to personal freedom. Autonomy means to be self-directed, to govern oneself in accordance with a law which one has chosen for oneself. Each of the ideologies attaches this autonomy to some manifestation of humanity, be it the individual or some community such as the state or nation. Liberalism assigns this autonomy to the individual, who is deemed to be the centre of the cosmos."


This week, world news publisher, BuzzFeed News, posted an article about Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, and his scathing remarks and accusations regarding a Thai cave rescuer.
The article follows Musk's initial accusation and subsequent apology regarding the cave diver that was involved in rescuing a junior football team trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.
Early on in the Buzzfeed News piece, the writer confirms that the Tesla CEO stated that the email content was 'off the record', yet the article prints his accusations and scathing remarks towards both the cave diver and the journalist in question, including screen shots of the email trail. If you've not had chance to read the piece, I'd strongly suggest doing so, just so you can understand the magnitude of what's at Tesla's door now.
From a PR point of view, and potentially a legal one, this is a nightmare for Tesla.
While the seriousness of these accusations is a separate issue, and to be taken very seriously, there's something to learn from Musk's mistakes. Firstly, unless both parties agree to it up front, you are never off the record with press. No matter how many times you state it, how quietly or reluctantly you say it, if there is evidence that you said it, journalists are well within their right to print it.
In emails as scathing as the ones in question, the journalistic opportunity in printing them is colossal – as showcased by how many other news outlets have printed stories about this since. In this case, the reason for printing the information has been positioned as an example of powerful, wealthy personalities being able to make these accusations with little or no information at the detriment of the private citizen on the receiving end.
Will the journalist behind this piece lose any respect from peers, other journalists or PR professionals? Absolutely not. There's a mutual understanding between these groups of people and none of these unwritten rules have been broken.
If we ask the same question of respect for Musk, however, the outcome may be a little different.


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Liferea (acrónimo del inglés Linux Feed Reader, Lector de Suministros de Linux) es un agregador para suministros de noticias en línea. Es compatible con la mayoría de formatos de suministros, incluyendo RSS, RDF y Atom y permite importar y exportar listas de suscripción en formato OPML. Liferea intenta ser un agregador rápido, fácil de usar y fácil de instalar para GTK+, lo que permite usarlo con el entorno de escritorio GNOME. Es software libre y está disponible bajo la Licencia Pública General de GNU. Liferea también da soporte a Podcasts.

Pronunciación

El autor, Lars Linder, quien es alemán, pronuncia el nombre del programa como // (IPA).

Características distintivas
Está escrito en C y no utiliza ningún lenguaje de programación interpretado.

Para leer fácilmente artículos vinculados o comentarios de un blog, Liferea permite sitios web leer utilizando un navegador integrado, que puede ser o bien Mozilla / Firefox / XULrunner con GtkHTML o, en las versiones más recientes, con Webkit. Además, el usuario puede configurar muchos navegadores externos predefinidos (por ejemplo, Netscape, Opera, Epiphany, Konqueror) con los que abrir los enlaces.

Al clasificar las suscripciones en carpetas, el usuario puede leer todos los titulares de una carpeta a la vez. Al habilitar una preferencia la carpeta de filtrado, se pueden ocultar todos los titulares previamente leídos

Al igual que el cliente de correo Evolution, Liferea admite carpetas de búsquedas, que permiten al usuario guardar las búsquedas. Cada carpeta de búsqueda contiene todos los títulos que coinciden con sus reglas de búsqueda definidos por el usuario.

Liferea permite sincronizar con los servicios de terceros como TinyTinyRSS y TheOldReader.

Como usarlo
Para añadir un nuevo feed, haga clic en el botón de Añadir suscripción. Entonces usted tiene que introducir la URL del feed y el resto lo hace Liferea por sí mismo. El feed aparece en el lado izquierdo de la ventana. Usted puede cambiar la frecuencia de actualización haciendo clic derecho sobre el feed y haciendo clic en Propiedades en el menú. Para leer el artículo completo, haga clic en Inicio en el enlace del navegador en la derecha haciendo clic en una noticia. Incluso puedes buscar en las categorías, al hacer clic en el botón de búsqueda.

Integración en el navegador
En Epiphany hay una extensión de suscripción de noticias, que permite añadir feeds de noticias durante la visualización de sitios web.

Para Firefox 1.5 hay una extensión (Feedbag) que permite añadir las suscripciones con un simple clic en el icono de la barra de direcciones de Firefox LiveBookmarks.

Desde Firefox 2.0, Liferea se puede utilizar sin una extensión especial. Para suscribirse a nuevos feeds desde Firefox, el script de ayuda de Liferea "liferea-add-feed" tiene que ser configurado en las preferencias de suscripción de feeds de Firefox.

Referencias

Véase también

 Akregator

Enlaces externos

 Sitio web oficial
 Blog oficial
 Proyecto en SourceForge
 Proyecto en GitHub

Software libre
Software de Internet
Redifusión web
GNOME


Spirit of the Land is a personal project by Zambia-based photographer Stephen Robinson. He is a professional photographer with over 25 years experience in photography in Africa, operating from his Zambia base. He has specialized in nature photography including wildlife, environment, ecology, conservation and landscape work. He also undertakes photography assignments in the commercial and industrial fields, including the production of photography-based communications and advertising publications.
During his many years of travelling to remote locations in unknown Zambia, he found himself repeatedly making the same mental note: "must come back and do the landscapes". Many years later, the current Spirit of the Land project arose from this ambition. His personal gallery features a selection of this project work.
The Spirit of the Land project aims to document the landscape of Zambia, especially its unknown and remote landscapes, in a distinctive style. For this, the photographer chose the panoramic format, which he believes better replicates the way the human eye explores and takes in a scene. The photographs are therefore presented just as they were viewed in-camera by the photographer's eye full frame, without selective cropping or enlargement. In so doing, he aims to give the viewer some idea of the "feel" of a landscape; and of the emotive power the natural landscape has over the human eye.
The initial work in the project was premiered in two major one-man exhibitions in 2005 and 2006 entitled Spirit of the Land and African Spring. The latest work in the project is on the subject of amenshi [water]. This features the two major river systems that arguably make Zambia the most important source of fresh water in Southern Africa - the Zambezi Basin System and the Congo Basin System. An exhibition of this new work was premiered at another major exhibition in 2007. As with the previous exhibitions, this was hosted and supported by the French Government via the Alliance Francaise de Lusaka.
Over 3500 people have visited these Spirit of the Land exhibitions, and many others have visited various smaller project shows, collective art exhibitions and gallery shows at which the work has been shown. The exhibitions have been met with an overwhelming response and considerable interest in limited-edition fine art prints of the photographs. The most frequent response from the exhibition-goers is: I didn't know Zambia had this.
In recent and future Project work, the central theme of landscapes is extended to include photography illustrating the peoples of remote Zambia. Here the photographer gives his impressions of how closely the day-to-day survival of many remote populations is dependent on the fragile natural resources and environments depicted in the landscapes.
The photographer seeks to increase awareness of the unknown but stunning wild places that Zambia has - and to emphasize the need for real action on the environment to save both it and the livelihoods of the millions who depend so directly on it.
The project website was launched in January 2006. This on-line exhibition of the work has been visited by over 40,000 people from all regions of the world. Visitor use and feedback has shown that the website has become (although unintended) a global resource for educational use and for the promotion of Zambia in both the travel and tourism and the development and investment fields.
The project continues as new work is added from all parts of Zambia.


16 psi - Fits Most Manufactures Radiators. Designed to be used with overflow tanks. Aluminum top features fine knurled perimeter for easy grip. Convex billet tops are packaged unassembled with the radiator cap to allow proper positioning of logo when installed.
Copyright © 2019 Sachse Rod Shop. All rights reserved.


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Millwall midfielder reportedly closing in on move back to homeland – South London News
Jessica — June 12, 2022 comments off
Maikel Keiftenbeld is reportedly set to sign for Dutch side FC Emmen when his Millwall contract expires.
The Lions had still been in negotiations with the midfielder over new terms. Kieftenbeld will be a free agent at the start of next month.
Now RTV Drenthe Sport are claiming that the former Birmingham City player will make a return to his home country.
Emmen won the Eerste Divisie title last season and will be in the top flight for the 2022-23 campaign.
Kieftenbeld, speaking to the South London Press in late April, said: "I spoke to the club during the season and they told me they would look at it at the end of the season, which is fair enough. I can understand – there are more important things than Maikel Kieftenbeld at the moment because we are pushing for the play-offs.
"I'm confident the club or the manager will get in contact with me at the end of the season about my future.
"I'm not from England and there will be a time that I go back to Holland to be around my family and friends a bit more.
"I know I love England, I love the Championship and I love Millwall – the fans and the people who work here. I'm really enjoying it.
"When I first signed for Birmingham, I never thought I would stay this long in England but it is just the people, the clubs, the fans and the whole atmosphere in the stadiums. First I saw it at Birmingham and now I see it at Millwall."
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/millwall-midfielder-reportedly-closing-in-on-move-back-to-homeland/
closing homeland London midfielder Millwall move News reportedly South
Man arrested on suspicion of murdering missing woman, 24, from Deptford
Two men shot in south London on New Year's Eve
The Tapas Room announces closure of Deptford restaurant


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Q: Кнопка "возврат" с сохранением состояния запроса api. Reactjs Подскажите пожалуйста, как сделать возврат к элементу(кнопке) по который кликнул.
Суть такая: Есть две страница - главная со списком элементов и страница подробного описания. они сделаны с помощью react-router.
На странице со списком формируется api запроса, который отдает 20ть элементов. далее когда доходим конца списка, обновляется api запрос - подгружаются еще 20ть элементов, ну и т.д

По клику на кнопку(I choose you), мы попадаем на страницу с подробным описанием. Соответственно на странице с подробным описанием  есть кнопочка "назад", по нажатию на которую я хочу вернуться назад) Вот я хочу вернуться назад к элементу по которому кликал. Сейчас же по нажатию на кнопку "назад", при возврате на главную страницу происходит api запрос с нуля.
Кнопка "назад" описана так:
const handleGoToHomePage = () => {
     props.history.push({
       pathname: "/",
    });
  };

Подскажите пожалуйста, решить такое? как я понял, мне нужно сделать отмену api запроса. благодарю

A: Одним из возможных решений может быть такое:
страница с подробным описанием получает window.location.pathname убирает из этого значения свою часть path, и полученную строку использует для push

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


a Location, put it into play.  Can't get any simpler than that.
Location (taken out via TSC Troopers).
You _can_ play Master's Domain if you don't have a Location in your Endurance.
not of much use, but at least it gets the card out of your hand.
And of course, Master's Domain is a Master card.
for some purposes you can treat it as another copy of a particular Location.
you can have up to nine (ten with pg Darius).
you're using that Slash, get the Ruins instead.
Domain is useless (although playable) until you've reshuffled.
be more desirable for him.
One strategy for Master's Domain is the one mentioned by Jeff Barnes below.
can get a bit more of a kick by using MD.
use for those Master's Advances and Stratagems (or he doesn't have them).
Any Persona with less than six Masters allowed should look at MD with caution.
still want to use these for Master's Stratagem, however.
increases your chance of getting that critical Location out into play.
large and small deck versions of practically every Persona in existence.
then go ahead and use Master's Domain.
Chessex/Verona/Master's Domain that it can help you with.
have 2 Veronas and need to stretch a bit, or (2) you're playing Chessex.
but I don't play with Verona decks and I have better uses for my Master slots.


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STEVE & ASH DUETS ARE SPREADING JOY ACROSS THE REGION
Retirement Home Entertainment
Cafe/Restaurant Performances
Themed (Costume & Music) Singing Grams, Delivered In-Person OR Virtually!
Dicken's Theme Christmas Caroling
MUSIC THAT
LEAVES A
BOOK STEVE & ASH
I had the delightful pleasure of enjoying a hybrid-streamed concert of two delightful local singers. Ashley Brown, a performer of many years on the Central Coast was joined by her father, "Mr. Brown," to create an evening music concert of the vocal arts. This wonderful new genre of hybrid performance includes a small COVID-conscious audience and a larger digital audience.
This appropriately intimate production of personal song choices reflected a retrospect of various genres of music geared to have a touch of history, whimsy, drama, and humor. Inside the personal residence, the setting was simple and straightforward with no undue ceremony - as the VOCAL performance was the focus, it was refreshingly, right on spot!
Ashley's sweet pure tones, combined with the full baritone of Mr. Brown made for an engaging melodic journey throughout the show. From the enchanting opening number "Secret Love" to the heart-rending closing number "Wind Beneath my Wings" (dedicated to a family member with cancer), the show is well-paced and lends itself more to a stroll through a personal musical memory lane. Standouts of the show included Ashley's rendition of "Colors of the Wind" and Mr. Brown's sentimental version of "Can't Help Falling in Love with You." This hybrid performance (live-streamed) style was new for the "Browns," but the amiable nature and personal stories and rapport smoothed any issues, into delightfully memorable and endearing moments. Simply, in a word, ENJOYABLE. I can only recommend seeing this family duo, whenever possible, as I can only speculate that this is just the beginning of greater performances to come.
— Jason Sumabat,
Director of Central Coast Follies
Steve and Ashley are a brilliant duo! They are truly working very hard to make beautiful for the world to enjoy.
As their voice teacher, I can vouch that these two singers are very hardworking and accomplish all of the goals they set out to conquer.
I am very proud of their work ethic and all of the success they are having with their duets series!!!
I highly recommend Ash and Steve as performers!
— Chad Ruyle
Sing With Miss Brown
Steve & Ash
Book A Show
© 2021 Ashley Brown of San Luis Obispo. With love by Brad4ord Marketing


Q&A from Allure Magazine March 2013 issue.
Do you smell your own perfume on other people?
"I once sat next to a woman who smelled strongly of cigarettes and also of First [his perfume for Van Cleef & Arpels]. They were parallel scents -- not necessarily agreeable, but I accept it."
Does scent ever influence your opinion of a person?
"There are odors that influence me enormously. Alcohol. Of course I detect that at once, and along with that, understand the melancholy, the unhappiness of a person I meet. I am not talking about a little alcohol, but the smell of habitual dependency."
Are there any fragrances that give you a false impression of someone?
"Yes, very strong perfume. That may lead me to believe the wearer is a very strong woman with a strong personality. However, that may not be necessarily true. The perfume defines the woman at first, but sometimes that really isn't her."
Can perfume make a woman more attractive that she really is?
"Perfume is an artifice, like lipstick or a new dress, except unlike lipstick, it's an invisible artifice. It's all a very subtle game that can make a man thing, I am attracted, or, There's too much character in her, I need to distance myself. It's a game men and women play, and they don't even know what they are doing."


More than 40 specialists across the glass industry, academia and policy took part in a British Glass seminar about waste heat recovery technologies last week , exploring its potential to help the sector achieve economic and environmental benefits.
Presentations from global waste heat recovery (WHR) technology providers Zippe, Air Liquide, Area Impianti, PraxAir and Heliex were given alongside information about uses of waste heat, policy and funding.
Mark Pudner, British Glass Senior Technical Adviser said, "This event gave people a convenient forum to look at the whole range of options, compare notes and learn from each other.
"It's part of our ongoing work with members to help the industry get the best from this technology."
By covering a wide range of options with an expert group, this event set out to help companies quickly and conveniently focus their attention on the most feasible solutions.
David Burns, Energy Manager at Encirc said, "The presentations were good, and there really was information going both ways because we were asking some tough questions.
British Glass and its members are currently working with the UK Government to finalise a voluntary action plan for reducing glass industry CO2 emissions and energy consumption as one of the eight industries involved in the Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Roadmap 2050 project.
As part of this, the glass sector has already identified WHR as one of the most promising technologies to help glass manufacturers mitigate against fluctuating energy costs, comply with legislation and improve environmental performance.
British Glass Environmental Advisor Valli Murthy said, "Helping the supply chain and other stakeholders to collaborate – so manufacturers have the evidence and support they need to make changes – is a key part of that Roadmap action plan.


Many might say their favorite tune from Angels and Airwaves is "The Adventure". Mine has always been "Call To Arms". There are a few different interpretations about this song found on the internet but I've always thought of it as a simple yet powerful message that hope is always around and together, you and I, with deep belief, can get there, wherever and whatever it is that is our goal.


Tenants moving out before next collection day?
Having a gathering that will generate extra trash?
Want to do some cleaning and have debris removed before next service day?
Need debris removed from a small home improvement project?
How do I request On Demand Service?
Contact Commercial Refuse Business Office at 428-6928 or by email for specifics. We'll ask you to describe what you have that needs to be collected.


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Man United stake offered to Saudi Arabia PIF before Newcastle takeover
October 4, 2022 MasterMind
Saudi Arabia's PIF were offered a 30 per cent stake in a Premier League club – thought to be Man United – for £700m but with no actual control over managing them a year before their Newcastle takeover
PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan has revealed they were offered a 30 per cent stake in a Premier League club a year before they bought Newcastle United
The share would have cost £700m but didn't come with any managing control
Saudi investors were linked with a buy-out of Manchester United in early 2019
PIF went on to purchase a complete controlling stake in Newcastle for £305m
By Adam Shergold for MailOnline
Published: 10:20 EDT, 4 October 2022 | Updated: 10:27 EDT, 4 October 2022
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) were offered a 30 per cent stake in a Premier League club – believed to be Manchester United – for £700million before they bought Newcastle United.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of PIF, said they looked at clubs in Italy, France and the United Kingdom before their £305m takeover at Newcastle, which was completed in October last year.
Al-Rumayyan said PIF were approached 'on the basis that we take 30 per cent of the ownership, and we don't interfere at all in terms of managing the club, for £700m.'
See also Erik ten Hag challenges Manchester United youngsters to impress during winter training camp in Spain
Reports in early 2019 suggested Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the chairman of the PIF sovereign wealth fund, was interested in buying United from the Glazer family.
No deal materialised and the Saudis turned their attention to buying Newcastle, who offered them and their fellow investors Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers complete control, in 2020.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), has revealed they were offered a 30 per cent stake in a Premier League club in 2019
The Saudi investors were linked with buying a share of Manchester United in early 2019
Their £305m deal took over a year to be ratified.
In an interview in Saudi Arabia, Al-Rumayyan said: 'Football, of course, is one of the most important sports there is. Whether domestically or abroad.
'It's the No 1 sport in the world. And why the Premier League? Because it's the best league in the world. No other league competes with it.
'There are 20 teams, three are relegated and three are promoted. The advantage of the Premier League is that any of the 20 teams can beat the best team in the league.
'When we looked at it, we looked at it from a financial perspective. By the way, it wasn't the first offer we got regarding a football team. We looked in Italy, France and the UK as well.
See also Kolo Touré appointed as new Wigan manager on three-and-a-half year deal | Wigan Athletic
PIF went on to buy Newcastle United for £305m – Al-Rumayyan is pictured in the stands at St James' Park with fellow investor Amanda Staveley
Man United's American owners, the Glazer family, have always insisted the club isn't for sale
'For example, in the UK there was a team that approached us on the basis that we take 30 per cent of the ownership, and we don't interfere at all in terms of managing the club, for £700m.'
Al-Rumayyan went on to say that Newcastle offered far better value because PIF had more control over the club.
He added: 'Then we bought Newcastle, who offered us 100 per cent of the ownership.
'But Amanda Staveley and her husband who got us the opportunity told us, "We like it so much, we would like to be with you." That was perfect.
'Then came the Reuben family who are one of the biggest property investors, saying that, "We would like to come with you", and these are one of the biggest investors in Newcastle.
Newcastle's players celebrate one of their goals in Saturday's 4-1 win over Fulham
The club's fortunes have improved since the Saudi owners appointed Eddie Howe as manager
See also Jonathan Morgan: 'Burnley brought me in on my merits rather than perception and biases' | Women's football
'I said, "Perfect! Tell them to come". So now they have a skin in the game.
'We bought the whole team for £305m, instead of having only 30 per cent in another team for £700m.'
Newcastle were fighting relegation when the Saudi takeover took place but their fortunes improved after Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce as manager and they ultimately finished 11th.
They have lost only once in the Premier League so far this season, but have drawn five times and won only twice to sit seventh.
Newcastle beat Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage on Saturday and host Brentford this weekend.
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Sometimes, people are not ready to start taking English lessons with a private teacher right away when starting to learn a language. Language lessons can put some pressure on the student and they might want to feel that they already have some understanding of their target language before committing to language lessons.
Luckily, these days the Internet provides a wide selection of online resources to help you get better at English on your own and we have compiled a list of the best sites and apps to help you out. Just remember that although these resources are free, to truly master English, you would probably need to start getting lessons with a qualified teacher who can explain the more complicated aspects of English. Before you get started, you can also read about how difficult English might be for a foreigner.
The easiest way to get started learning a language is to sign up for one of the many free language learning apps. You can try Duolingo, Memrise or Busuu, or all of them at once. They all have their strong and weak points, and teach with slightly different methods, complementing each other quite nicely. Signing up to all or some of these apps will give a nice boost to your English skills (Duolingo can also be used to learn some rather exotic language if that's what you're looking for).
These language learning apps do, of course, come with a slightly limited usage, since they can only give you the basics of your target language – teaching some basic (or advanced) vocabulary, and sentence structure. The gamification of learning makes them fun to use, but their lack of flexibility to your specific interests make them a limited resource.
Dave's ESL Café – A must-visit site for all English-enthusiasts. Dave offers clearly labelled and concise grammar lessons, in addition to many other resources that a language learner might need. You can spend hours on his site!
BBC Learning English – A good guide for English, the BBC offers information on grammar, pronunciation and highlights differences between "original" English and its US cousin.
Breaking News English – This site will help you with your reading and understanding skills while at the same time educating you about what is going on in the world. A collection of interesting and alternative news pieces will make learning new useful vocabulary easy and fun.
About English as a Second Language – The About pages are an excellent source of good quality material for improving your English. They offer lessons on grammar and other aspects of the language as well, but we like using their site to learn everyday practical English.
HelloTalk – Although technically not an online resource since it's an app, we're such a fan of HelloTalk we felt like it needed to be on the list. This app connects you with native speakers of your target language (in this case, English) from all over the planet and you can spend your day exchanging texts and audio files.
Activities for ESL Students – Although the site itself is getting a bit old now, the activities and quizzes they offer are timeless and a great way to help you test yourself with your English skills.
The Internet offers a wide variety of great resources to help you get started learning English or help you get re-started if it's been a while since you've practiced your language skills. The list we've provided here is of our personal favourite resources, but you should also definitely focus on reading native English newspaper articles, for example. There are also numerous English learning podcasts out there to give you some great listening practice. And you can (almost) always use meet ups or Couchsurfing meetings in your area to get some first person speaking practice.


Once upon a time, implant positioning was associated with long surgical procedures.
New technologies have revolutionised this situation, enabling patients to obtain natural-looking teeth right from the moment the implants are inserted.
With this technique, only 4 implants are inserted (in some cases 6 implants are used) and a screw-on immediate-load prosthesis is in position within 24 hours of the operation. As of today – provided your condition allows – it will no longer be necessary to wait for months before being able to bite on new teeth.
The process may combine the extraction of damaged teeth with the immediate positioning of implants, thus reducing replacement time to a minimum.
You can have a complete dentition with fixed teeth after just a single operation.
Use only four implants to reinstate prosthetically an entire dental arch, obtaining considerable savings.


Subaru's keyless entry feature is one of the most convenient innovations we've released in recent years. Once programmed, you can literally lock your keys in the car and go about your day without having to carry or even lose them. It's easy to get back into your vehicle using a simple pin code you program into the security system. It only takes a few minutes to program the code, and these easy-to-understand instructions will help you expedite the programming process.
Any of Subaru's vehicles with push-button start feature should have pin code access. To get started, you will need to have your key fob handy.
The first step is to find the pin code button. Unlock the vehicle, walk around to the back, and open the rear gate and stop it when it is halfway open. Locate the gate's unlock button above the license plate housing and then find the pin code button about 12 inches directly to the right of the unlock button.
Next, you will need to prepare your vehicle for a new pin code. Hold down the lock button on your Subaru key fob and press the pin code button at the same time until you hear the vehicle produce an audible series of chirps. Press the lock button one time. This tells your Subaru you are programming a number.
Now it's time to program the actual five-digit number. After pressing the lock button in the previous step, use the pin code button to input your five-digit code. For example, if you want to program the number 32321, tap the pin code button three times for the first number. You will hear a single chirp confirming your Subaru saved the number. Then tap the button two more times for the next number, wait for the chirp, and so on.
Once all five numbers are programmed, you will hear a series of chirps. This confirms that you need to input the same numbers again to lock in the code. Follow the same procedure, and your Subaru will blink its taillights right after you program the final number.
To unlock your vehicle, simply tap the pin code button the correct amount of times for each number in your code. The vehicle will chirp after each number of the code is accepted, and it will unlock when the entire five-number sequence is successfully entered.
The award-winning staff at Camelback Subaru are ready to demonstrate this innovative technology and much more when you visit. We have a complete line of new and used vehicles that will meet your driving needs. Our financial staff will help you find the most affordable loan or lease options available so you can drive home with a great vehicle today!


Some Adventists have experimented with Jewish festivals over the years wanting to tap into some Old Testament blessings. This experimentation has generated some good debates and only a handful of Adventists try to implement these festivals.
"The Wednesday after Quinquagesima Sunday, which is the first day of the Lenten fast. The name dies cinerum (day of ashes) which it bears in the Roman Missal is found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary and probably dates from at least the eighth century. On this day all the faithful according to ancient custom are exhorted to approach the altar before the beginning of Mass, and there the priest, dipping his thumb into ashes previously blessed, marks the forehead of each the sign of the cross" (Catholic Encyclopedia).
"A liturgical book ascribed to Pope Saint Gregory I, called sometimes the Sacramentary of Adrian I, owing to the fact that he sent it to Charlemagne between the years 781 and 791 when the latter wished to introduce the Roman Rite into his kingdom" (New Catholic Dictionary).
I don't know about you, but it seems Ash Wednesday is one day we can leave to our Catholic friends.
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Vintage filigree, Victorian style, solid brass Rococo knobs with light patina. These are charming filigree, Rococo revival design dresser drawer pulls constructed of solid brass. Vintage, these dresser knobs are reclaimed. They have a solid base & mount. Good condition, nice weight & most importantly quality craftsmanship. Hand picked for rarity, quality & beauty. These cabinet knobs are NOT reproductions but authentic, vintage hardware. Give your furniture, cabinets or newly created heirloom instant period appeal with distinguished, elegant solid brass hardware.


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Q: Record audio from text to speech ios AVAudioSession I am using Xamarin to develop an iOS app. I need to be able to record the audio from AVSpeechUtterance to a file, or stream the audio buffer from internal audio to a method that will populate a byte array.
I've searched high and low on how to record internal audio (from text to speech api). I'm only able to use the internal microphone for recording, not the audio being played by app.
Currently using Xamarin's example for text to speech:
    public void Speak (string text)
    {
        var speechSynthesizer = new AVSpeechSynthesizer ();

        var speechUtterance = new AVSpeechUtterance (text) {
            Rate = AVSpeechUtterance.MaximumSpeechRate/2,
            Voice = AVSpeechSynthesisVoice.FromLanguage ("en-US"),
            Volume = 0.5f,
            PitchMultiplier = 1.0f
        };

        speechSynthesizer.SpeakUtterance (speechUtterance);
    }

Hints/solution can be C#, Swift or Objective C. I just need to be pointed in the general right direction.


Authors: Jay Karajgikar, MD, PGY-4, Radiology Resident, Diagnostic Radiology, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, N.Y., John O'Donnell, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, N.Y., Ralph Milillo, MD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, N.Y.
I selected this case because when I initially came across it, I knew it was a rare entity that I would not encounter very often in my career. I knew that Charcot joint could affect the foot and ankle but not about how it could affect the major joints of the upper extremity, and I suspected there would be other residents and attendings who felt the same way. It is an entity in which knowledge of disease pathophysiology can greatly help in understanding its radiographic and MR appearance. This entity is applicable not just for the musculoskeletal radiologist but for the general radiologist as well.
Readers should learn that although it is more common in the joints of the lower extremity, neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot joint) can also occur in the upper extremity and spine. The 6D's is a very helpful mnemonic for learning the radiographic features of Charcot joint (dense bones, degeneration, destruction of articular cartilage, deformity, debris or loose bodies, and dislocation). The most common causes of neuropathic osteoarthropathy include diabetes, syphilis, and syringomyelia.
Primarily, I learned that while neuropathic osteoarthropathy most commonly affects the foot and ankle, it can also occur in the upper extremity. I also learned about the neurotraumatic and neurovascular theories that explain the underlying pathophysiology of Charcot joint.
My attendings initially showed me this case as an unknown interesting case, and we discussed the differential diagnosis in addition to the entity of Charcot joint. After deciding to submit to Case in Point, they were extremely supportive in going through the pertinent imaging findings and in creating educational questions.
I personally have benefited greatly from many of the cases in the Case in Point archive, especially early on in my training. Case in Point is one of the primary forums through which residents and attendings can test their knowledge and stay on top of their skills through a vast array of interesting pathology and new cases published daily. I felt like this was the perfect forum for a case like mine, with a common entity in an uncommon location.
The appeal of online learning, especially case-based programs like CIP, is its easy accessibility. In a world where we are all multitaskers, it is easy to take a few minutes and go through an interesting case. Nowadays, we all have smart phones and other mobile devices that allow us to quickly go through an online case and test ourselves and read up on an entity.
I am a regular reader of CIP, not only to test myself, but also to build my fund of knowledge through the archived cases. GI/GU cases are my favorite because I will be going into body imaging.


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Stumped
Director: Robin Berghaus
GENRE: Bear | Differently Abled | Documentary | Gay | Health/Medicine | Relationships
SECTION: Documentary | Showcase
Expected Guests: Director, Robin Berghaus
In 2011, Boston filmmaker Will Lautzenheiser was on the verge of teaching his first film class. An innocuous visit to the doctor changed everything. What began as irritating leg pain ended up being a life-threatening infection. Within days, all of Will's limbs were amputated.
While his tribulations don't sound like the basis for a humorous, feel-good film, Robin Berghaus's feature documentary is filled with surprises. This captivating portrait of patience, perseverance, and perspective explores the physical and emotional challenges that come with a sudden, life-altering event. It helps that Will is a distinctive personality whose first order of business after leaving the hospital is to perform stand-up comedy.
The film's warmly honest, all-access approach allows viewers to experience one man's struggle to regain independence. We watch as Will's partner, Angel, adjusts to his new role as a caretaker. The dynamics of this sweet, difficult, and complicated relationship are illuminating and thought-provoking. Berghaus expertly balances multiple levels of human drama with fascinating details about the science and medicine behind transplant surgery. Stumped is an unexpected survival story that addresses issues of identity, diversity, and the strength of the human spirit.
This film is a recipient of a Frameline Completion Fund Grant.
Creative Growth Art Center / United Nations Association Film Festival
Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall


By Melina, Ballard High School, WA It is very difficult to come up with a definitive word that describes what it means to be a female athlete. I could certainly bombard this page with adjectives that many before me have used to capture the essence of it: strong, bold, relentless, etc. But what is the use of a single cliché in such a complex issue, and one so close to me? The truth is that the use of any one of those one-dimensional words implies that female athletes are one-dimensional.
At the age of 16, I have yet to experience "the moment." There is no poster of me, among my teammates, hoisting a trophy in the air in that trademarked victory smile. That particular poster is of a girl athlete sportswriters love to call strong, bold, and relentless. She's the girl I know I'm trying to be, but our paths haven't crossed yet. For now, my reality is this: I live in the world of chipped nail polish, the world of sweat, blood and tears.
I live to be called "bro", while debutantes and cheerleaders around me are called "babes." I thrive in the land of late nights and early mornings, the first one in the gym and the last one out. I know blisters, bruises, and breakdowns like the back of my hand. With four concussions, I know what it means to live in the moment and lay it all on the line.
Still, I play 3-on-3 with boys who will apologize after they swat me. My own brother has called me—the girl who dove on blacktop for loose balls at age of 10—a "wimp" more times than I can remember. I receive more respect than some; yet, I'm still not seen as an equal.
I've come to find that every boy beaten by a girl reacts in a limited number of ways. Some sulk, others are angry, and some try so desperately to be stoic that it seems as though they've quit breathing, and the rest start to show off.
"I thrive in the land of late nights and early mornings, the first one in the gym and the last one out. I know blisters, bruises, and breakdowns like the back of my hand. With four concussions, I know what it means to live in the moment and lay it all on the line."
For what? For getting beaten by a girl in a shooting competition? The boy would certainly not be punished had he lost to a teammate, nor to a player on the JV/C team. So why am I viewed as so much less that losing to me is shameful? In the one area of the game—shooting—where strength, size, and agility do not matter, why is it so intolerable for a boy to lose to me?
Luckily, there are those in the world who idolize female athletes. Sometimes, even their smallest, quietest recognition makes it all worth it. I often enjoy shooting baskets at the park close to my house, and at the start of this summer, I was doing just that with a friend. When we took a break to get water, a mother and her daughter approached me. The little girl was wearing a colorful bandana in her hair and sheepishly standing slightly behind her mom, clutching a small basketball.
I never thought that anyone would feel that way about me. I'm an athlete, not the prom queen, nor the star of the music, nor the valedictorian. I am a varsity basketball player. Yet to her, that is the coolest thing anyone can be.
"Go ahead," I replied warily.
Just a few years earlier, I could've said that same thing to any one of the five seniors that graduated my freshman year. I spent my whole life looking up to them, never realizing that one day, someone would look up to me just the same.
"In the one area of the game—shooting—where strength, size, and agility do not matter, why is it so intolerable for a boy to lose to me?"
Being a female athlete is brutal. It's unfair and it's time consuming. In the end, you get half the fans at your games as the boy's teams, even if you have twice as many wins. To me, strength and power do not define what it means to be a female athlete. Audacity and determination do not do it either. The true motif of female athletics has much more to do with inspiration. Continuing to work in the face of doubt, disrespect and disregard is inspiring. Doing what you love, regardless of how it clashes with societal norms, is inspiring. Believing in full that women can be strong, bold and relentless is inspiring. In this context, inspiration is not a word but an idea, a thread that ties together every aspect of what I am. It encompasses all the defeat and triumph, all the injuries and recoveries, all the highs and lows. Inspiring is not finite, but ever changing. There is no close to my story, just as there is no end to the struggle of female athletes. But it is my hope that we will continue to fight, and continue to persevere and thus, continue to be inspiring.


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Tamilnation > Struggle for Tamil Eelam > Conflict Resolution - Tamil Eelam - Sri Lanka > Norwegian Peace Initiative > Ceasefire Agreement & Lifting of Ban on LTTE > Quantity Deficit and Quality Surplus
Quantity Deficit and Quality Surplus
S.M.Lingam
A Ceasefire Agreement brokered by the Norwegian Government is in force in Sri Lanka. This ceasefire means the cessation of armed struggle between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan armed forces. Therefore now we have to focus our attention and energy on the peaceful methods of political struggle. Our aim should be to Educate and enhance the understanding of our people. That is to continue our liberation struggle in an unabated way by "other means".
According to the Ceasefire Agreement even the LTTE members can visit the army-controlled areas and engage in political activities there. So now at the height of our liberation struggle, there is a period of time when the LTTE members can visit the entire areas of Northern and Eastern provinces. Now they have the chance of visiting all people and interacting With them. Therefore all people concerned must make the full use of this invaluable opportunity. Through more discussions and interactions with our people, We must try to reevaluate, what we have done in the past? What lessons we have learnt from those past experiences? What are our current problems and how To overcome them and bring about a bright future for our people?
Situational Awareness
When you go for a flight training school, there they teach you about "situational awareness". To know Where you are. If you are flying in an area where the Mountaintops are 10,000 feet high and you find yourself at 8,000 feet without knowing where you are, then you are in danger. As a pilot you should always be vigilant and aware of the place over which you are flying. That constant and continued 'Situational awareness' is a must for a pilot. In the same way if our aim is to arrive safely at our destination then all members of our Tamil community must be aware of our precarious situation and act accordingly. Such a continuous 'situational awareness' should permeate all aspects of our activities in life. Whenever we forget or abandon our situational awareness then we must know that we are getting into trouble.
Why this talk of 'situational awareness'? As Tamils, even in India or in any other country we are a minority community. That means we are less in number and Therefore our political and other influences of having a say in matters is very much limited. So we have to find ways and means to compensate our decrease in quantity by increasing our quality, to offset our quantity deficit by quality surplus. And that is our basic 'situational awareness'.
The first and foremost step to improve our quality and strength is having that situational awareness and as a result of it we must have the eager and earnest desire and a determination to improve our lot. We need to remind ourselves that political struggles are always contests of will where the other side tries weaken our will and determination and thereby try to defeat us. Hence we must try to educate and increase the awareness of our people with a conscious and dedicated effort. The winning of the minds and hearts of our people is more important than collecting money from them. To make my point clear I shall give an example from the Indian freedom struggle. Motilal Nehru, the father of the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was a leading lawyer in British India.
When Motilal joined the Indian freedom movement, he told Mahatma Gandhi that he can earn a lot of money by practising his law profession and donate that money to the Indian National Congress. But Mahatma Gandhi told Motilal that it is more important to give 'yourself' to the cause than giving 'your money' to the cause. Further, we must understand that in a freedom struggle sometimes we may lose a conquered territory of land but we never lose the conquered minds and hearts of our people. Once conquered it is ours thereafter. Besides, conquered land must lie inside a border or Boundary of a country, but conquered minds and hearts have no such spatial limitations. They can be inside or outside of a country. True awareness is the source power that motivate our people to make their various types of contributions willingly, to the liberation struggle. That is why that awareness and the resulting willingness is of primary importance.
Improving Qualities
Before the current ceasefire agreement, Sri Lanka was like an open-air prison for the Tamils living there. Hundreds of Tamils have been arrested on suspicion and tortured and held in prison without trial for long periods of time. The day-to-day living and movement of other Tamils are restricted through various passes systems and humiliating security checks by Sinhala armed forces. Even essential medicines are denied to them and an economic embargo is strictly enforced. Those who were able to escape this prison system there, are now living as refugees and immigrants in Western countries. So it is safe to say that Lankan Tamils are either living in prison or in exile. Our situation is just like that. Writing about his life in the Robben Island prison, Nelson Mandela says:
"Prison is designed to break one's spirit and destroy One's resolve ...all with the idea of stamping out that spark that makes each of us human and each of us who we are. .......... We supported each other and gained strength from each other ... by sharing we multiplied whatever courage we had individually... the stronger ones raised up the weaker ones, and both became stronger in the process. Ultimately, we had to create our own lives in prison."
What Nelson Mandela wrote about his prison life? especially the intention of his oppressors, how they faced the situation and emerged from the prison 'Undiminished' should give us some clues to endure and end our sufferings.
As Mandela points out we must support each other, especially the stronger ones should help the weaker ones and multiply our courage and strength. As a minority community fighting against oppression we must be united and cooperate with others and act in a coordinated way. A minority community can't afford dissension and infighting among them. Already we have made such blunders and as a result have suffered much. Now we have to fight the battle against our own failures and incompetence. Our Tamil Intelligentsia living in Sri Lanka and outside must participate fully in our liberation struggle. Our thinkers and writers must contribute their best to bring about a high level of political awareness and Tamil national consciousness among our people. All of us must understand that our liberation struggle is our collective effort to regain our human dignity and as such it is our part of the worldwide struggle for human rights and human dignity. That is why all of our people must cooperate fully and should make a Coordinated and dedicated effort to win our rights. During the Indian freedom struggle Mahatma Gandhi wrote:
"I am sad to see how many of our men and women of India who are well bred, of high caste, of good education, and of means, who simply cannot see the truth of our cause for freedom and who simply will not involve themselves in India's problems. These good people are a curse to India - the curse of timid decency - and are a part of the tragedy of our times."
Therefore let us not become 'a curse' or 'a part of the tragedy'. Since we are forced to live in conditions over which we have little or no control, it become imperative that we gather 'assets' that can be taken with us anywhere. In other words we must try to gather more of the inner riches or weightless wealth. Most important of such weightless wealth is education.
Traditionally the Tamil community gives a pride of place to education. Every parent makes his or her maximum effort to give their children the best education possible. In a knowledge-based economy it will always pay to know more. Having a higher educational qualification is a passport that allows you to cross borders and boundaries easily. Besides only a high level of proper education and passion can give us an enduring sense of political awareness and Tamil national consciousness. Education must serve us not only as a means to obtain employment and earning but also as a motivating force for our awareness and emancipation.
The weaker can overcome the stronger. Because of the 'human factor', that is the will to resist, seeking new and ingenious ways to fight injustice, to be relentless in energy and hope. It is human beings who make history and not the other way round. We must make use of all political means at our disposal - the power to think, plan,write and organize. No one is exempt from some obligation to our emancipation. In all seriousness we must first rely on ourselves and we must do that with a full commitment to success. We need to ask what it is that we can do, then by an act of collective will we must do it. It is slow and hard work but it is doable and achievable in the best sense.
In the post-September 11 world the only dependable thing we are left with is our own strength - the invisible and invincible riches. Because it is our own strength, therefore it is under our own control and others can't interfere in it. We must try to make the full use of it. Our shared sufferings, humiliations and misery have given our people some awareness and Tamil national Consciousness. Now we are presented with a period of time when we can deepen and strengthen those qualities. Cementing and strengthening our awareness is indispensable. The ultimate success of our struggle depend on our 'quality surplus', that is we can earn our victory when we are only worthy of it.