text:
2018 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Year in review, part 1
A look at the 10 biggest negative WPA events
By Thomas Smith@colbylives Oct 30, 2018, 3:00pm CDT
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Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Now that I've had a little time to catch my breath and get over a disappointing conclusion to the season, it's time to pick up the pieces and move forward. However, before I can move forward, we have to tie things up regarding the season. This will be the first in a four-part series, looking at the biggest WPA plays of the season as well as the biggest WPA games of the season. Today, I'll take you through the 10 plays that registered the largest negative WPA scores of the year.
If you suspected that relievers would be victimized on this list, you'd be right. All 10 of the events were registered by relief pitchers. A total of seven different relievers will account for all 10 of the events. Without further ado, let's jump into it.
#10: Brandon Morrow - June 6 (-.348)
On June 6, the Cubs were at home against the Phillies. The pitching matchup featured Jose Quintana against Aaron Nola. If you followed this feature this year, you know that the Cubs had an amazing record in games started by the elite pitchers of the National League. Anthony Rizzo started the scoring with a second inning home run. Willson Contreras and Javier Baez added an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in the fourth as the Cubs built a 3-0 lead. Steve Cishek allowed a three-run home-run to Aaron Altherr with two outs in the sixth inning (-.307) after relieving Quintana with two outs and two on.
The score remained tied until the ninth inning when Brandon Morrow was summoned. Brandon allowed a single to Altherr. That brought Dylan Cozens to the plate and he hit a two run homer (-.341).
This won't be the last time this week that you see this game talked about as this was the Jason Heyward game. The Cubs would walk this one off 7-5.
#9: Justin Wilson - September 8 (-.370)
This one was a game played in Washington. The pitchers were Cole Hamels and Jefry Rodriguez. Victor Caratini hit a grand slam in this one in the second inning to open the scoring. The Nationals would score one in the fourth and two in the sixth off of Hamels to cut the lead to 4-3. Kris Bryant added an RBI double in the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Steve Cishek would strike out the first batter he faced but he then allowed a single and a double to cut the lead to just 5-4. At that point Joe Maddon summoned Justin Wilson to face Bryce Harper. Bryce Harper slugged a two run homer to give the Nationals a 6-5 lead. That would be the final score.
#8: James Norwood - July 11 (-.394)
The Cubs were in San Francisco for this one. Johnny Cueto faced off with Mike Montgomery. The Giants sent eight men to plate in the first inning and scored four runs. Jason Heyward homered in the third to cut the deficit to 4-1. Kris Bryant homered in the fifth with Heyward along for the ride to make it 4-3. Javier Baez homered in the seventh to tie the score.
The score would remain tied until the 13th inning. James Norwood got a few cups of coffee with the Cubs in 2018 and in this one he made his major league debut. James pitched a scoreless 12th then retired the first two batters he faced in the 13th. He just couldn't get the last out. A Brandon Belt walk, an Andrew McCutchen single and a Buster Posey single walked it off for the Giants. That's quite a trio to face in your major league debut.
#7: Brandon Morrow - March 30 (-.396)
In the season opening series in Florida, there would be a few significant WPA-related happenings. This game saw Kyle Hendricks and Caleb Smith match-up in what looked like a mismatch on paper. Kris Bryant opened the scoring in the third inning with a solo homer. Ex-Cub Starlin Castro would get the run right back with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. That 1-1 score would remain unchanged until the 17th inning.
In the bottom of the inning, Eddie Butler, who had entered the game with two outs in the 10th inning, retired the first two batters of the inning. 21 outs recorded, a full seven inning relief stint. Eddie has 39 career starts. The longest outing of his career was this relief outing. With two outs, he allowed back to back singles and Joe Maddon brought Morrow into the game to make his Cub debut. It was a short one as he allowed an RBI single to the first batter he faced.
#6: Steve Cishek - August 31 (-.423)
This is another Cubs/Phillies game. This time in Philadelphia. Nick Pivetta started for the Phillies and Jose Quintana for the Cubs. Javier Baez opened the scoring in the fifth with a solo homer. The Phillies got the run back in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out RBI single.
The theme of low-scoring extra-inning games continues. It was 1-1 to the 10th inning. Cishek had retired the final batter of the ninth inning and then went back out for the 10th. He retired the first batter but then allowed a walk-off homer.
#5: Brandon Kintzler - August 19 (-.467).
The Cubs were in Pittsburgh for this one. Yet another Jose Quintana start as he squared off with Jameson Taillon. Kyle Schwarber opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second. (Sad that without looking, I remember exactly how this game went). In the sixth inning, Gregory Polanco had an RBI double to tie the game 1-1.
The score would remain tied until the 11th (I did say this was a theme). Brandon Kintzler pitched the 11th and he retired the first two batters he faced, but the third, Adam Frazier hit a walk-off home-run in this 2-1 Pirates victory.
#4: Randy Rosario - June 21 (-.468)
This one was a Cubs-Reds game in Cincinnati. Matt Harvey started for the Reds against Kyle Hendricks. Javy Baez opened the scoring in the third inning with a two-run double. The Reds opened the sixth inning with a Billy Hamilton walk, but then Hendricks got a strike out and fly out. That's when the wheels began falling off. Joey Votto walked, Scooter Gennett singled to load the bases and Eugenio Suarez drew the bases loaded walk for the first Reds run of the game.
That's when Joe Maddon went to the pen. Randy Rosario faced Jesse Winker with the bases loaded and two outs. The result? A grand slam. Rosario would allow three more singles and another run before finally getting the third out. The Reds won the game 6-2 with each team scoring all of their runs in one inning.
#3: Brandon Morrow - May 5 (-.505)
For this one, we have a Cubs-Cardinals game in St. Louis. Tyler Chatwood was still in the Cubs rotation for this one and he faced Luke Weaver. The Cubs put four runs on the board in the second inning without a home run being involved. There were fives singles however. The Cardinals responded with four runs of their own in the fourth. Their rally involved a walk, a hit by pitch, an error and a double. The Cubs added solo homers by Javier Baez in the sixth and Anthony Rizzo in the seventh to take back control.
The Cubs took that 6-4 lead to the ninth inning. That set the stage for Brandon Morrow. Unfortunately, this wasn't a good day for Brandon. He walked the first batter he faced, then recorded a strike out before allowing a single. That set the table for Marcell Ozuna to upstage Morrow. Ozuna hit a two run double to tie the game. An inning later, Kolton Wong would homer with a man on for a walk off 8-6 Cardinals victory.
#2: Justin Wilson - June 19 (-.695)
This one was from the Cubs-Dodgers Wrigley Field series. Tyler Chatwood was once again on the hill for this one and Kenta Maeda was the opposition. Joc Pederson opened the game for the Dodgers with a home run. Kris Bryant gave the Cubs the lead with a two-out bases-loaded double in the second. Anthony Rizzo added to that lead with a two-out RBI-single of his own in the fourth. Yasiel Puig cut the lead to 3-2 with an RBI-double in the sixth.
The score remained 3-2 until the ninth inning when Justin Wilson was handed the ball for a save opportunity. He walked the first batter he faced. Then one out later he allowed a single. He got a strike out and that brought Kyle Farmer to the plate with two outs and runners at first and second. Farmer doubled and Justin Turner came all of the way around from first with the eventual winning run in this 4-3 Dodgers victory.
#1: Luke Farrell - May 6 (-.908)
2018 was a pretty remarkable year for Cubs WPA. They saw a positive WPA moment of .906 and this negative moment at .908. It was a year where if you stopped watching before the final pitch, you may have missed something. You may recall that we already covered the May 5 game. It was a nightmarish trip to St. Louis in early May. In this one, Jon Lester and Michael Wacha matched up. Anthony Rizzo gave the Cubs an early lead with a first inning sacrifice fly. Jedd Gyorko tied the game back up with a solo homer in the second. Kris Bryant lead off the fourth a homer of his own to give the Cubs the lead again. Kolton Wong's RBI-triple in the sixth tied things at 2-2. It stayed that way until the 14th inning. In the top of the 14th, Javier Baez hit a solo homer (this will not be the last time we talk about this event in this series).
In the bottom of the 14th, Joe Maddon summoned Luke Farrell, who promptly struck out the first two batters he faced. Then with two outs in the 14th, Harrison Bader had an infield hit. That brought Dexter Fowler to the plate. Fowler generally had an abysmal 2018 season marred by injuries and ineffectiveness. But on this day, he experienced neither as he delivered a two-out, two-run, walkoff home run.
Relievers almost never get to be on the positive side of the WPA Play of the Game, but as you see here they are given ample opportunity to be on the wrong end of it. Brandon Morrow was victimized three times, but of course the closer will be put into these situations more than any player on the team. Thus, he was victimized three times in only half a season. Justin Wilson appears twice, one of those was in an attempt to close out a save of his own.
But it isn't only closers we see here. We see names like Luke Farrell, Brandon Kintzler, Randy Rosario and James Norwood. Five games blown by guys who seemed unlikely to see leverage situations for the Cubs in 2018. I take two things from that. One, no matter how good your bullpen looks on April 1, May 1, June 1 or even July 1, almost all bullpens are in a constant state of flux. The second is that these games highlighted the Cubs offensive woes. Six of the 10 losses were in extra innings. A couple of them were 1-1 games well into extra innings.
For a team that was built initially around offense, this team really struggled in 2018 at pushing a run across the board when it really needed to. Early in the Cubs rebuild, Tim and I used to have conversations about secondary consequences. In those instances, we were usually talking about defense. Bad defense is a fact of life in the minor leagues, but an error or even just a play with a little difficulty that isn't made can extend an inning for the pitcher. More pitches thrown in a single inning can wear down a pitcher and might be a factor that leads to pitcher injuries. In this instance, I talk about unintended consequence, because some of these long games may have contributed to a Cubs team that once again appeared to run out of gas late in the season. Also, the March 30 game in which Brandon Morrow warmed up on multiple occasions may have contributed to the injuries that ended his season.
Next time, I'll visit the 10 biggest positive WPA events of the season. That one is sure to leave a better taste in your mouth. As always, thanks for reading.


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Q: package option conflict with section name i'm trying to design section appearance and I've done this so far and everything works fine but when I add explicit option to my class, I lose the name of chapters. I can't figure out why that happens??
\documentclass[explicit]{biditufte-book}
\geometry{showframe, twoside}
\usepackage{xcolor}
\definecolor{mybluei}{RGB}{0,173,239}
\definecolor{myblueii}{RGB}{63,200,244}
\definecolor{myblueiii}{RGB}{199,234,253}

\usepackage{tikz}
\usepackage{ptext}
\usepackage[localise=on]{xepersian}
\settextfont[Scale=1.2]{Tahoma}
\setdigitfont[Scale=1]{Tahoma}
\setcounter{secnumdepth}{2}

%chapter Design
\newcommand\chapnumfont{%
  \fontsize{380}{130}\color{myblueii}\selectfont%
}

\newcommand\chapnamefont{%
  \normalfont\color{white}\scshape\small\bfseries
}

\titleformat{\chapter}
  {\normalfont\huge\filleft}
  {}
  {0pt}
  {\stepcounter{chapshift}%
  \begin{tikzpicture}[remember picture,overlay]
  \fill[myblueiii]
    (current page.north west) rectangle ([yshift=-13cm]current page.north east);
  \node[
      fill=mybluei,
      text width=2\paperwidth,
      rounded corners=6cm,
      text depth=18cm,
      anchor=center,
      inner sep=0pt] at (current page.north east) (chaptop)
    {\thechapter};%
  \node[
      anchor=south east,
      inner sep=0pt,
      outer sep=0pt] (chapnum) at ([xshift=-20pt]chaptop.south)
    {\chapnumfont\thechapter};
  \node[
      anchor=south,
      inner sep=0pt] (chapname) at ([yshift=2pt]chapnum.south)
  {};
  \node[
      anchor=north east,
      align=right,
      inner xsep=0pt] at ([yshift=-0.5cm]chapname.east|-chapnum.south)
  {\parbox{.7\textwidth}{\raggedleft#1}};
  \end{tikzpicture}%
  }

\titleformat{name=\chapter,numberless}
  {\normalfont\huge\filleft}
  {}
  {0pt}
  {\begin{tikzpicture}[remember picture,overlay]
  \fill[myblueiii]
    (current page.north west) rectangle ([yshift=-13cm]current page.north east);
  \node[
      fill=mybluei,
      text width=2\paperwidth,
      rounded corners=6cm,
      text depth=18cm,
      anchor=center,
      inner sep=0pt] at (current page.north east) (chaptop)
    {};%
  \node[
      anchor=south east,minimum width=2in,
      inner sep=0pt,
      outer sep=0pt] (chapnum) at ([xshift=-20pt]chaptop.south)
    {};
  \node[
      anchor=south,
      inner sep=0pt] (chapname) at ([yshift=2pt]chapnum.south)
  {};
  \node[
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      align=right,
      inner xsep=0pt] at ([yshift=-0.5cm]chapname.east|-chapnum.south)
  {\parbox{.7\textwidth}{\raggedleft#1}};
  \end{tikzpicture}%
  }
\titlespacing*{\chapter}{0pt}{0pt}{3.5in}
\titlespacing*{name=\chapter,numberless}{0pt}{0pt}{3.5in}

\newcounter{chapshift}
\addtocounter{chapshift}{-1}
%section Design
\newlength\outermargin
\newlength\innermargin
\setlength{\innermargin}{1in}
\setlength{\outermargin}{\dimexpr\paperwidth-\textwidth-\innermargin\relax}
\titleformat{\section}%
 {\normalfont\Large\color{gray}\setlength\fboxrule{0.8pt}}% format applied to label+text
 {\llap{\colorbox{yellow}{\makebox[\outermargin][l]{\raisebox{0pt}[\dimexpr\height+\fboxrule][\dimexpr\depth]%
 {\vphantom{lp}\color{blue}\bfseries\thesection\enspace}}}}}% label
 {0pt}% horizontal separation between label and title body
{\rlap{\hspace{-\fboxrule}\framebox[\linewidth + 2\fboxrule\relax][r]{\vphantom{lp}}\colorbox{red}{\makebox[\outermargin][r]{\raisebox{0pt}[\dimexpr\height+\fboxrule][\dimexpr\depth+\fboxrule]%
 {\vphantom{lp}}}}}\enspace}% before the title body
[]

\begin{document}

\chapter{فصل}
\ptext[1]
\section{قسمت}
\ptext[1-4]
\subsection{زیر قسمت }
\ptext[1]
\section{قسمت}

\end{document}

A: It's easy. When you're using explicit option you should mention section number by #1.
 \documentclass[explicit]{biditufte-book}
\geometry{showframe, twoside}
\usepackage{xcolor}
\definecolor{mybluei}{RGB}{0,173,239}
\definecolor{myblueii}{RGB}{63,200,244}
\definecolor{myblueiii}{RGB}{199,234,253}

\usepackage{tikz}
\usepackage{ptext}
\usepackage[localise=on]{xepersian}
\settextfont[Scale=1.2]{Tahoma}
\setdigitfont[Scale=1]{Tahoma}
\setcounter{secnumdepth}{2}

%chapter Design
\newcommand\chapnumfont{%
  \fontsize{380}{130}\color{myblueii}\selectfont%
}

\newcommand\chapnamefont{%
  \normalfont\color{white}\scshape\small\bfseries
}

\titleformat{\chapter}
  {\normalfont\huge\filleft}
  {}
  {0pt}
  {\stepcounter{chapshift}%
  \begin{tikzpicture}[remember picture,overlay]
  \fill[myblueiii]
    (current page.north west) rectangle ([yshift=-13cm]current page.north east);
  \node[
      fill=mybluei,
      text width=2\paperwidth,
      rounded corners=6cm,
      text depth=18cm,
      anchor=center,
      inner sep=0pt] at (current page.north east) (chaptop)
    {\thechapter};%
  \node[
      anchor=south east,
      inner sep=0pt,
      outer sep=0pt] (chapnum) at ([xshift=-20pt]chaptop.south)
    {\chapnumfont\thechapter};
  \node[
      anchor=south,
      inner sep=0pt] (chapname) at ([yshift=2pt]chapnum.south)
  {};
  \node[
      anchor=north east,
      align=right,
      inner xsep=0pt] at ([yshift=-0.5cm]chapname.east|-chapnum.south)
  {\parbox{.7\textwidth}{\raggedleft#1}};
  \end{tikzpicture}%
  }

\titleformat{name=\chapter,numberless}
  {\normalfont\huge\filleft}
  {}
  {0pt}
  {\begin{tikzpicture}[remember picture,overlay]
  \fill[myblueiii]
    (current page.north west) rectangle ([yshift=-13cm]current page.north east);
  \node[
      fill=mybluei,
      text width=2\paperwidth,
      rounded corners=6cm,
      text depth=18cm,
      anchor=center,
      inner sep=0pt] at (current page.north east) (chaptop)
    {};%
  \node[
      anchor=south east,minimum width=2in,
      inner sep=0pt,
      outer sep=0pt] (chapnum) at ([xshift=-20pt]chaptop.south)
    {};
  \node[
      anchor=south,
      inner sep=0pt] (chapname) at ([yshift=2pt]chapnum.south)
  {};
  \node[
      anchor=north east,
      align=right,
      inner xsep=0pt] at ([yshift=-0.5cm]chapname.east|-chapnum.south)
  {\parbox{.7\textwidth}{\raggedleft#1}};
  \end{tikzpicture}%
  }
\titlespacing*{\chapter}{0pt}{0pt}{3.5in}
\titlespacing*{name=\chapter,numberless}{0pt}{0pt}{3.5in}

\newcounter{chapshift}
\addtocounter{chapshift}{-1}
%section Design
\newlength\outermargin
\newlength\innermargin
\setlength{\innermargin}{1in}
\setlength{\outermargin}{\dimexpr\paperwidth-\textwidth-\innermargin\relax}
\titleformat{\section}%
 {\normalfont\Large\color{gray}\setlength\fboxrule{0.8pt}}% format applied to label+text
 {\llap{\colorbox{yellow}{\makebox[\outermargin][l]{\raisebox{0pt}[\dimexpr\height+\fboxrule][\dimexpr\depth]%
 {\vphantom{lp}\color{blue}\bfseries\thesection\enspace}}}}}% label
 {0pt}% horizontal separation between label and title body
{\rlap{\hspace{-\fboxrule}\framebox[\linewidth + 2\fboxrule\relax][r]{\vphantom{lp}}\colorbox{red}{\makebox[\outermargin][r]{\raisebox{0pt}[\dimexpr\height+\fboxrule][\dimexpr\depth+\fboxrule]%
 {\vphantom{lp}}}}}\enspace#1}% before the title body
[]

\begin{document}

\chapter{فصل}
\ptext[1]
\section{قسمت}
\ptext[1-4]
\subsection{زیر قسمت }
\ptext[1]
\section{قسمت}

\end{document}

Notice I just added #1 to:
{\vphantom{lp}}}}}\enspace#1}% before the title body

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Town of Palm Beach United Way, Community Foundation provide $342,000 to rebuild homes in the Bahamas
The Town of Palm Beach United Way and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties have combined funds from each of their Bahamas Relief Funds to rebuild homes in the Northern Abacos following Hurricane Dorian. Each organization...
About 1,400 come out for Turkey Trot
Runners wearing pilgrim hats, pushing strollers, toting dogs –- and a few with serious faces -– were among the about 1,400 participants in Thursday morning's United Way Turkey Trot. ″This is amazing," said Philadelphia visitor Amanda Loren, a 27...
Annual Palm Beach toy drive kicks off Monday
In Palm Beach, the beginning of season means fund-raisers, parties and holiday decorations. It's also the start of the annual Holiday Toy Drive. Now in its 26th year, the toy drive is a partnership of the Palm Beach Daily News, the Town of Palm...
Thanksgiving Volunteers: Helpers describe why giving back is a tradition for them
A fast-paced volunteer activity presents itself at turkey day races. Missy Agnello of Palm Beach has volunteered at the Town of Palm Beach United Way Turkey Trot since it was still a neighborhood run — before it became official. "It's a great...
United Way panel begins allotting Dorian recovery funds
A new public dock on a small island in the Northern Abacos and projects to repair five Bahamian churches that can double as community centers got the green light this week from a Palm Beach-based committee allocating funds raised in the aftermath of...
Palm Beach society: United Way kicks off annual fund-raising campaign
Members of the Town of Palm Beach United Way Business and Professional Committee toasted to the beginning of this season's fundraising campaign with cocktails at The Colony. The 30-member committee gathered Sept. 25 to kick off the campaign...
Town of Palm Beach United Way announces 11th annual Turkey Trot
The Town of Palm Beach United Way will be hosting its 11th annual Palm Beach Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day at Bradley Park. The race, set for Thursday, Nov. 28, will begin at 7 a.m. for the "Drumstick Dash" kids' run, and at 7:30 a.m. for the...
Palm Beach United Way raises $550,000 for Dorian relief
The Town of Palm Beach United Way had, as of Thursday, raised more than $550,000 to help victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. The United Way has exceeded totals set by three $100,000 matching grants, and additional matching grants are...
Town of Palm Beach United Way Bahamas relief drive gets new matching grant of $100K
The Town of Palm Beach United Way's relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas has been offered a new matching gift of $100,000 by the Cathleen McFarlane Foundation, a West Palm Beach-based non-profit focused on assisting...
Local organizations mount robust aid effort for Bahamas
But Scarpa, who is on the board of directors at the Town of Palm Beach United Way, wanted to give in a way that would inspire others to help. So he pledged to match, dollar for dollar up to $100,000, every monetary contribution given to the United...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Our puny brains can't handle all this data.
I was trying to figure out how much data is flying around on the internet and I stumbled into this report by CISCO.
Their estimate of daily global internet traffic in 2016 was about 23 million times as big as the estimate for 1992. That's a lot of data flying back and forth. It's no wonder we all feel overwhelmed.
The full scale of the internet has gone way beyond comprehensible.
Which helps explain data visualization and it's relationship to data science and AI.
Data Visualization – Let's use pictures to make complex data approachable for people.
Data Science – Forget people, let's just create a bunch of random algorithms that can make better guesses than we can.
Machine Learning/AI – This is too confusing…let's just let machines sort all this stuff out.
The historical data in the CISCO report was only quasi standardized, so I rewrote the traffic data using "1992 internets" as the base.


text:
Indeed, the Karaoke Shack has a cookie policy too
The Karaoke Shack Cookie Policy
Firstly, read this cookie policy in conjunction with our privacy policy.
Like all websites, the Karaoke Shack uses cookies, so we have a cookie policy to match. To clarify, cookies are small but harmless text files. Indeed, your machine accepts these files to help our site provide a better user experience. They also help the user to interact with the us far better.
In general, cookies retain user preferences and store information. They also provide anonymised tracking data to third party applications like Google Analytics.
Indeed, this is the Karaoke Shack cookie policy page
Above all, they tell us what browser you are using and the language that you use. This obviously enables your PC/phone etc., to better interact with us.
As previously noted, cookies will make your browsing experience better. However, you may prefer to disable cookies on this site and on others too. In short, the most effective way to do this is to disable cookies in your browser. Therefore, we suggest consulting the help section of your browser. Moreover, you may like to take a look at the About Cookies website which offers guidance for all modern browsers.
To Sup Up
In the first place, we have explained that when you visit websites, cookies are necessary for effective communication. Should you indeed require any other information about cookies, get in touch with us. Furthermore, you may wish to discuss these things in the Karaoke Forum. Indeed, you are welcome to the forum for all karaoke matters. Of course, we list all the new discs as and when they are ready too. Obviously, we have many other forum categories such as a karaoke news forum. In fact, we also have an off topic forum for those who have no interest in karaoke. With this in mind, we have a little of everything for everyone. Indeed, pop over now and join us!


Weighted dipping or dip belts are an excellent training aid to further increase and build strength. Our belts are very comfortable with a large padded support backing.
You basically, unhook the clip - slide on the free weights and use at a dipping bar /station / machine and is also excellent for added resistance during pull up exercises.
It is one of the best ways to increase mass on the triceps, back and stretch the chest. Dips are one of the most basic exercises and effective done correctly. Also great to perform variations and add weight for other exercises.
Specifically designed for serious workouts - Load up and go!


Some souvenirs from this colourful place on the south coast of County Cork.
Did I ever mentioned that I am always happy to walk around this capital? I will leave here 21 pictures of my last trips there.
As a fan of the TV show, it is difficult to drive in county Clare and miss this famous house. If you have more time I also suggest to spare some time in Kilfenora. Between the Vaughan's Pub and the lovely people from the surrounding accommodation, this will definitely be a good refreshing time.
A last tour in Belfast before things will get more complicated. This city is a dense blend of history, culture and it just doesn't look like that at first. Driving in town will first look "small" but the more you spend time, the more you need time to decrypts all symbols.
The the west of county Cork, the Beara Peninsula will charm you with its view, people and quiet surroundings. I can just remember how relax I was by just thinking about it.
For a couple of hour or a couple of days, this city is definitely worse the visit. A train takes 15 min from the airport and leave nearly every 5 min.
Childhood or not, Alsace is one of the best compromise in Europe, Celte, Germanic, French and most of central in Europe. Alsace is rich in history.
Koln (Cologne) made me laugh last time time I went there. Imagine a whole day of transports to reach the destination and the first place you see is a pub called the Corkonian. Anyway, if you have more time, the Cathedral is beautiful, the old town as well and carnival is a must do here!
Before famous for its gold mines, Pilgrim's Rest is now a charming and famous touristic stop in Mpumalanga. It is particularly interesting to visit and understand how this yellow stone shaped this area and the country.
Between clouds and sunny spell, let walk around and discover some of the typical views from Paris.


text:
Jurassic World Raptor Paddock – Isla Nublar (S/F)
October 22, 2015 Sickle_Claw
Overhead shot of the raptor paddock and clearing
The Raptor Paddock was located in Isla Nublar's restricted section. During the Jurassic World incident there were four Velociraptors housed in the paddock. This paddock was specially built to contain and house Velociraptors as part of the secretive I.B.R.I.S. Project. The compound was on the eastern side of the island, located near steep cliffs. The paddock consisted of a titanium octagon in the middle of a large clearing.
The clearing around the paddock area had multiple shipping containers for storage as well as a small covered area to the side that could act as a makeshift office. There were two stairwells near the entrance of the paddock that provided access to the a walkway along the top of the octagon area. This walkway also included a cross sectional walkway bisecting the paddock so that guards could observe the animals from relative safety.
Trainer Barry Handling one of the raptor
The paddock's primary entrance was a large steel cage, which had safety doors on either end. First, a paddock worker would have to unlock the first cage, lock it behind them before they unlocked the second to gain access to the paddock. This second door could close via remote within the steel cage for safety reasons.
There was also a separate steel cage, wherein the handler's could directly interact with the raptors without needing to enter the paddock. This area utilized steel muzzles to restrain the animals so that they could be handled or tested by park staff if needed. There was an additional area of the paddock, 'stables' in which the velociraptors could be housed if a transfer between paddocks was needed. This could be opened remotely so that safe removal of a solitary animal could be attempted.
The Jurassic World Incident
During the Jurassic World incident, the four raptors housed in this paddock were Blue, Charlie, Delta, and Echo. They were being trained to determine if they could successfully resist killing on command, the test subject being a pig. Owen Grady rewarded them with a snack for their success, while Vic Hoskins congratulated him.
As Owen headed towards the steel cage entrance, Vic Hoskins described his plans for military applications of the velociraptors in some detail, causing an argument. However, a newly hired staff member, Leon, fell into the paddock distracting the raptors. Owen was forced to enter the paddock, and was able to hold Blue, Delta, and Charlie at bay long enough for Leon to escape. Then at the behest of Barry, he narrowly escaped in time. Owen then gave Leon a lecture about the velociraptors, warning him not to underestimate them.
Velociraptors in containment
The paddock is seen again when Barry was attending to Delta during routine medical treatments. Vic Hoskins arrived and attempted to convince Barry about the military applications of the raptors. Further conversation was disrupted by the news about the Indominus Rex breakout, and while Barry went to attempt to resolve the issue, Vic Hoskins immediately informed an unknown party over the phone that his plans were coming to fruition.
Owen Grady returned to the paddock later that night, with Claire Dearing, Zach Mitchell, and Gray Mitchell. Initially attempting to stop Vic Hoskins from utilizing the raptors to track the hybrid, he compromised on the condition that he would lead the hunt. Owen Grady worked with Vic Hoskins and the ACU in the nearby shelter to devise a plan for how best to approach the Indominus.
Owen later introduced Zach, Gray, and Claire to the raptor paddock and the raptors. He reiterated to them that they were dangerous and untrained. As the Ingen soldiers made preparations for releasing the raptors, Claire Dearing and her nephews took shelter in a nearby ambulance. The velociraptors were released, and the InGen team proceeded to hunt the Indominus Rex.
A short while later, the Velociraptors returned, now allied with the Indominus Rex. They killed some of the InGen soldiers stationed at the paddock, including one who was attempting to hide in the ambulance. The vehicle sped away from the attack, leaving the raptor paddock behind.
Posted in: Camp Cretaceous Canon (CC-JW), Encyclopedia, Locations (S/F), S/F (Spielberg/Film) Canon
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Tylosaurus proriger (S/F-T/G)
Considered one of the largest of Mosasaurs, Tylosaurus or "knob lizard" is a marine reptile and not a dinosaur. Tylosaurus is…


text:
Rabi' al-akhir (arabiska: رَبِيع ٱلْآخِر), även känd som rabi' al-thani (arabiska: رَبِيع ٱلثَّانِي) är den fjärde månaden i den islamiska kalendern. Den elfte shiaimamen al-Askari föddes den 8 rabi' al-thani.

Källor

Muslimska kalendern
Månader
Islamiska termer

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Save the Children Documents Impact of Syria's Healthcare System Collapse on Children
March 9, 2014; Reuters
While public attention is galvanized on the crisis in Ukraine as Russia absorbs Crimea, other international crises are sliding off the radar screen. In Syria, children are suffering by the millions. That's due in part to the collapse of Syria's healthcare system. The international NGO Save the Children reports that 60 percent of Syria's hospitals have been damaged or destroyed and half the nation's doctors have left since the start of the civil war there three years ago.
The death toll from fighting is now over 140,000, but the Syrian American Medical Society estimates that 200,000 Syrians have died from chronic illnesses due to lack of doctors, treatment, drugs, and clean water. The impact on children has been horrific. The Save report, "A Devastating Toll," says that children's limbs have been amputated because hospitals didn't have the equipment to treat them, newborns have died in incubators because of power cuts, and parents are administering intravenous drips for their children because medical staff aren't available to help. Polio has returned to the country, infecting 80,000 children due to the breakdown of Syria's vaccination program. More than 100,000 Syrians have contracted Leishmaniasis, a skin disease caused by sandflies.
Syrian children are traumatized and weak. In addition to the breakdown of the medical system breakdown, Syrian children are caught in the crossfire of a civil war and some will end up victims of the Syrian air force's practice of dropping "barrel bombs" loaded with shrapnel in civilian areas.
To the extent that the regime in Damascus is going to allow humanitarian aid to get into the country, the nexus for its agreement is Russia. That's one of the reasons why the world is dancing so delicately with the Putin government's actions, fearful that pushing too hard in Ukraine might mean losing whatever threads of support Russia might be willing to offer to the Syrian situation. In the meantime, children die.—Rick Cohen
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When Does "The Bachelor" Start? What Can We Expect the Next Season?
When Does "The Bachelor" Start? What Can We Expect the Next Season?
When does The Bachelor start? After learning that Arie Luyendyk Jr. is the new Bachelor for 2018, fans of the hit romantic TV series are anxious to learn when their favorite show is returning! If you want to learn more about The Bachelor 2018, then you came to the right place. Keep reading for all the details!
While the show already has its leading man picked out, it doesn't have a premiere date yet. All we know is that the show is set to return in January 2018 on its home network, ABC. It's not the news fans want to hear, but it's all anyone knows so far!
We were surprised to learn that Peter wasn't tapped to be the next Bachelor—almost as surprised when we learned it was going to be Arie! While many thought that the Wisconsin native was going to walk down the aisle with Rachel Lindsay, it turns out that he was never the first choice.
Although things started off great with Peter, it was revealed later on that he wasn't ready to take the plunge after an accelerated courtship in front of millions.
On Peter's hometown date with Rachel, he revealed that even though he had gotten to know her quite well, he wasn't 100% sure there would still be a connection there, outside of the show.
Can We Expect Some Travel?
The Bachelor franchise is known for its exotic locations and envious dating destinations, and there's no reason why this season will be any different. In case you didn't know: Arie loves to travel and his ride or die woman needs to have that same passion for travel from the start!
Arie has already said that he's in this for the long haul, which means you can probably expect him to get down on one knee by the end of the season!
Who doesn't love to see a happy ending, and this season we might actually see one!


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Reza Aslan on the America of Today
The Islamic Monthly
https://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/22920/reza-aslan-on-the-america-of-today
The Islamic Monthly: A lot has happened in the past year, with respect to police brutality and other civil rights issues. If anything, it has stirred up so much discussion about race in America. We are seeing images of the Confederate flag coming down but at the same time black churches being burned. Is this a pivotal moment in American history?
Reza Aslan: The conflict over race in America has been a feature of this country since long before its founding. The Civil War. Reconstruction. Jim Crow. The Civil Rights Movement. Even after federal laws were put in place to deal with the legal status of African Americans in the United States, these conflicts never abated. I think there were times, as a result of societal stress, that racial conflicts rose to the surface. And I understand why, with the election of President [Barack] Obama, many people simply assumed that those conflicts were put behind us. But let's be honest with ourselves — these conflicts never dissipated. What's happening today is just a part of a very long process of dealing with racial tension in this country. It's a part of our very identity as Americans, the very history of the United States.
The Islamic Monthly: How do you reconcile the tremendous progress, politically speaking and with respect to individual rights, in curtailing discrimination against minorities with the reality that minorities remain targets of bigotry and discrimination on a daily basis?
Aslan: I would question your premise that there have been all these laws to curtail injustice and inequality. On the contrary, we have seen both the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action laws gutted by the Supreme Court. These are two major pieces of legislation whose entire purpose was to address the yawning gap between African Americans and white people in this country, and they have essentially been disintegrated in the last decade. Bill after bill passes through state assemblies with the purpose of disenfranchising poor and primarily African-American voters. When it comes to our federal laws, we're going backward on the issue of African Americans, and, in particular, poor Americans. This is the same racism that we have always had in this country. It ebbs and flows, but it remains ever present.
The Islamic Monthly: But do you think there is something related to the demographic changes going on that is a little bit unique to the time period running? America is going to be a majority-minority country relatively soon. If you look at the arch of the country, that's going to be something totally new. Do you see that as playing a role in how these things are playing out now versus maybe the process with the historical that you spoke about previously?
Aslan: Yes. But when it comes to federal laws, I think the effect of those demographic changes is at the moment benefiting those who are against racial inclusion and integration. As is often the case, when you have these profound changes in society, what you first get is an overreaction to them. What we are seeing now, particularly under Obama's presidency, is an extreme overreaction on the part of those conservatives who are not happy with the trajectory of the racial, religious and cultural landscape of this country.
But to your larger point, I think that once these demographic changes become a reality, then you are going to see far greater potency from these marginalized communities. We're already seeing some trace of that. The very public condemnation of Donald Trump's egregious statements about Mexican immigrants in this country is a perfect example of what I am talking about. Economically speaking, he paid a huge cost when NBC, Univision, and Macy's [cut ties with him]. And yet, he still skyrocketed to the very top of the GOP field. What we are witnessing here is a very clear tension between a national culture that says we will not tolerate this kind of bigoted behavior, a marginalized community that for the first time has the power to punish that kind of rhetoric, and a conservative base that not only agrees with those kinds of statements, but is willing to reward it with their votes.
The Islamic Monthly: What do you think this means to the Republican Party then?
Aslan: The Republican Party is on a bus driving off the edge of a cliff. I don't see a way in which a Republican becomes a president in the near future. They'll continue to dominate state houses, but they are not positioned to win a general election. To rally the base, you have to do and say things that are so odious to the general population, and they will not let you forget it. That was Mitt Romney's big mistake. He just simply assumed that he could say whatever he wanted to during the primary, and then he would just talk to the center during the general election. It's what Republicans have always done. Except that we don't live in that world anymore. We live in a world in which everything you say is recorded and played back over and over and over again. You cannot get rid of your previous statements. We have yet to see if Jeb Bush learned that lesson from Mitt Romney.
The Islamic Monthly: In this political space, if the Republicans are incapable of winning an election, do you see a transition where you have a Democratic Party that looks a little bit more Republican, except on some social issues? A new party or maybe the lower side of the Democratic Party turning itself into another party? Do you see the demographics change? Do you see political parties realigning maybe 20, 30 years down the road?
Aslan: I don't think so. We have been talking about a third party for a very long time. The American political landscape is simply not built for it. We are given two options, and increasingly those two options look more and more alike. But there are significant differences — primarily when it comes to domestic issues, cultural and social issues — that are going to be used to help people make a distinction between Democrats and Republicans. But I don't see a third way opening up any time soon.
The Islamic Monthly: How has Islamophobia changed over the past four years? If you were to chronicle it, how does the narrative change from movements to messages to tactics?
Aslan: It's become more mainstream. That's probably the most obvious trend that we have seen with Islamophobia in this country. It used to be a matter for the fringes. Even after 9/11, it still maintained its status within the fringes. If you recall the 2004 presidential elections, Muslims were not an issue. Nobody on either side used anti-Muslim sentiment to gain any kind of traction. It really wasn't until the 2006 congressional elections that you started seeing this used as a wedge issue. 2004 was about homosexuality, and that issue was very deftly used to create wedges and conflicts among the voting classes. But in 2006, certainly by 2008 with the election of Barack Obama, anti-Muslim sentiment rose to the surface, becoming part of the political mainstream. By 2012, it was absolutely off the hook, with a majority of GOP representatives vowing that they would not allow a Muslim to serve in their cabinet. That kind of rhetoric would have been unimaginable in 2006. Yet, it became so much a part of the political mainstream in 2012, the Republican candidates who propagated it were rewarded for their statements and their rank bigotry.
The Islamic Monthly: Can you draw a parallel of Islamophobia following the trajectory of other minorities in American history? Is there a predictable trajectory with relation to Islamophobia or anti-Muslim sentiments by which you can foresee what it would be like in the next 10 or 15 years, or do you think this is a unique trajectory?
Aslan: No, I don't think there's anything unique about Islamophobia. If you look at statements being made about Muslims in this country — that they are un-American, that they do not represent American values, that they are foreign, that they are exotic, that they are the quintessential "other" — those exact statements were made about Jews in this country during the interim War period. They were made about Catholics in this country in the 19th century. We actually passed laws curbing Catholic immigration. We had an entire political party that at one point was the third most powerful political party in the United States, and it was predicated almost singularly on not just curbing Catholic immigration, but also on getting rid of the Catholics who were here in the first place. In the interim War period, the kind of anti-Semitism that one would hear from the political mainstream would have been shocking even to the most grotesque Islamophobe in this country today. Business leaders like Henry Ford published the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in his newspapers as though it was news, forcing his dealerships around the world to sell them. Religious leaders like Father Charles Coughlan, who was unquestionably the most popular tent revival preacher of his time, traversed this country talking about the Jews as Christ killers. He was ultimately arrested by the FBI for stockpiling weapons in preparation for the final battle against the Jews. National heroes like Charles Lindbergh blamed the Jews for World War Two, calling the war a Jewish conspiracy in order to drag the United States into a conflict in Europe. Today, that kind of rhetoric has no place at all in the political mainstream. Yes, it certainly still exists in the extremes. Anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish sentiment are still very much alive in this country. But it's back in the fringes where it belongs. Catholics and Jews are as much a part of the religious fabric of this country as anyone else.
The same is going to happen with Muslims. Muslims just happen to be the newest sort of outsider in this country. Anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States is very much connected to anti-immigrant sentiment. Even though Muslims came to America as slaves long before the establishment of this country, nearly two-thirds of American Muslims today are first-generation immigrants. That's a huge number. Yet at the same time, nearly 70% of Muslim immigrants — first-generation immigrants in the United States — are American citizens. That's the highest citizenship rate of any immigrant community in America. They also have the highest literacy rates, the highest education rates and the highest income rates.
This has partly to do with the American identity itself, which is a malleable thing. Most other countries were able to form their identity at a very early stage based on some sense of homogeneity. We have never had that in the United States. And so the American national identity has had to form itself in a dramatically different way. It's not based on a common culture, ethnicity, race, language or religion. It's based on an agreement over a set of values, a set of principles. But those values and principles, in times of societal stress, are going to be in flux. They are going to be in need of constant redefinition and reinterpretation. And so, we always need some "other" to define ourselves against. It's very difficult to say what it means to be American, but it's very easy to say what is notAmerican. Right now, Muslims have become the opposing pole, the most easily recognizable "other," the thing which people can use to define themselves against at a time in which their identities are in crisis.
The Islamic Monthly: It's hard to imagine that the country would allow for billboards on buses that vilify segments of the African-American or Jewish communities as un-American, but it's commonplace with respect to Muslims. How does free speech find its limits in America?
Aslan: Within one generation, that kind of speech will be unimaginable. But I also want to emphasize that we will probably find somebody else to demonize and identify ourselves in opposition to. This is the inevitable consequence of how we construct American identity. A country of immigrants cannot rely on any kind of homogeneity to define itself. It's going to constantly look for someone to identify itself against and that someone is very often going to be whoever is the newest face — whether that's Mexicans, Japanese, Catholics, Jews or Muslims. We will always find someone to define ourselves against.
It's not whether there are or should be free speech issues involved in these kinds of bigoted statements. It's about there being a price to pay for them. It's perfectly legal for someone to make some disgustingly anti-Semitic billboard and pay to have it posted on a bus. The problem, however, is that as a result, the bus company is going to suffer financially, and the organization that paid for the poster is going to be censored, even economically punished. There is a price to be paid for that kind of public anti-Semitism. Currently, there is no price to be paid for public Islamophobia. On the contrary, there is actually a reward for it. You get rewarded by the media, you get rewarded by voters, because you are tapping into what is a widespread dislike and misapprehension toward Muslims in this country.
The Islamic Monthly: You are talking a lot about this being the new face and Muslims. But how do you factor African-American Muslims into that?
Aslan: I find that there is this strange and unnecessary division and even conflict between indigenous Muslims in the United States and Muslims of immigrant backgrounds. You see this all the time, particularly from African-American Muslims who will say, "I can't go to that mosque because that mosque is full of immigrants. And they don't really consider me to be truly Muslim because they have this Pakistani or this Arab conception of what Islam is." And the African-American Muslim experience simply does not match the immigrant Muslim experience. Moreover, the African-American Muslim experience is tied to the larger African-American experience, which of course, has created enormous ripples within African-American Islam. And that is something that is very difficult for immigrant communities to reconcile. On the flip side, what you hear from a lot of immigrant Muslim communities is that the Islamophobia they are dealing with on a daily basis doesn't really apply to African-American Muslims, that somehow they are immune from it because they are not "foreigners." And so they don't understand what it truly means to be a Muslim in America, because frankly, they are Americans.
That, I think, is really a tragedy because there's so much that the indigenous Muslim community and the immigrant Muslim community have in common. There are so many ways in which they could be allied together to promote their common causes. Sadly, I don't really see that happening, except for in a few places like in New York, where you have large African-American Muslim communities. But for the most part, I think it's a real tragedy, the lack of cooperation between these two communities in the United States.
The Islamic Monthly: What is your sense of the liberal anti-Muslim sentiment developing through voices like Bill Maher and others who perceive the illiberal nature of certain aspects of Islam to be highly problematic?
Aslan: My problem with that kind of liberal critique of Islam is that it's given in the guise of somehow representing liberalism. But it's not representing liberalism. Bill Maher, of course, is the worst at this. He will say the most bigoted, uninformed statements about Islam. And then when he is criticized, he will simply say in his defense, "I'm a liberal! I can't be a bigot!" That to me is absurd. It's not liberal to call for the racial profiling of an entire people, as Bill Maher has repeatedly called for. It's not liberal to generalize about an entire class of people based on the actions of the few. Unfortunately, the term has just become this kind of catch-all to allow for the spouting of the same grotesque statements that one finds among the far right.
The Islamic Monthly: The Department of Homeland Security's Countering Violent Extremism program has been met with significant controversy, where some argue that it represents an effort by the government to more overtly monitor Muslim communities. Is there a way for the government to be involved in addressing extremism at the local level without creating this issue?
Aslan: The problems I have with the CVE program are twofold. One, there is no Islamic extremism problem in the United States. That's a fact that the CIA and the FBI agree with. There is no extremism problem among Muslims in the United States. The vast majority of these terrorism arrests — even those that can be even remotely considered legitimate — have been nothing short of entrapment by the FBI. The cases in which you can absolutely agree that we have an extremist, who was arrested before they could act — those are infinitesimal numbers as opposed to what we see, for instance, in Europe, which has a real problem of Islamic extremism. But it's still small in Europe. There are reams and reams of stories about the enormous number of British Muslims who are joining ISIS. It's a huge number, something like 600. Except that it's 0.02% of the Muslim population. That's not a problem. Something that represents 0.02% of a population is not under any definition a problem.
The second reason I reject the whole government program is because it pretends that the extremism problem in the United States is exclusively with Muslims. Even the FBI's own statistics have proven that to be false. A recent article on the front page of The New York Times said that the victims of domestic terror attacks in the United States by white supremacists is double that of so-called Islamic terrorists. It's actually six or seven times that because those statistics have a very narrow view of what is and what is not terrorism. Take Michael Wade Page, the white supremacist who went into a Sikh temple and killed six people. That doesn't count in that statistic; for some reason, that's not called terrorism. When Joseph Stack, the anti-government radical, flew his plane into an IRS building, killed a government agent and left behind a manifesto with anti-government right-wing conspiracy theories that ended with the statement that violence against the United States government is the only solution, that wasn't considered terrorism. Even with the most ridiculously limited interpretation of terrorism that you could possibly find, it's still twice as many victims for anti-government and white supremacist groups. Yet, have you seen any federal subsidized government program to address anti-government terrorism or white supremacist terrorism in this country? It's all political, as far as I am concerned. If this were really an attempt to try to safeguard the homeland against extremist ideologies, then it would actually address what is a very real threat to American citizens, and that is white supremacist and anti-government extremists. But it doesn't.
The Islamic Monthly: There are several schisms developing within the Muslim community as of late, controversies surrounding the Muslim Leadership Initiative, White House iftar, CVE and other issues that pit those who seek to work within existing institutions versus those who feel the only way to change the situation is to critique it from the outside. What do you think these internal discussions represent with respect to Muslim Americans? Is there something happening in America in general that is guiding this set of discussions?
Aslan: No, I really do see it as a political maturity among American Muslims. As I said, two-thirds of American Muslims are first generation, and two-thirds of that two-thirds are from South Asia. Many American Muslim immigrants are from countries in which the concept of political participation or civic participation is totally a foreign concept. I mean, yes, you vote, but the notion that you would spend money on campaigns, that you would join political action committees, that you would go door to door trying to convince citizens of your opinion, that you would even bother to join the marketplace of ideas in a public realm — that is completely foreign to most Muslim immigrants in this country. And so it is going to take a generational shift. I do have one criticism of it, however, which is that it tends to be so narrowly focused on "Muslim concerns" or "Muslim issues." You know what I haven't seen enough of is American Muslims using their clout to advance causes for the general good — be it issues of climate change or poverty alleviation or LGBT rights, issues that have nothing to do directly with the Muslim community, but are about the betterment of American society. That's really lacking in the American-Muslim community. But I do feel as though that is something that's going to rise eventually, that it's a gradual process whereby, as we continue from generation to generation, we will see a greater maturity in tackling the subjects through a Muslim lens, but not exclusively for the betterment of Muslims.
The Islamic Monthly: Is there something happening in America in general that is guiding these sets of discussions or disagreements within the American-Muslim community or that may allow for this ripening of our maturity?
Aslan: America has always been this way. From the very beginning, we spent so much time praising the Founding Fathers and we forget how much they loathed each other and how often they expressed that loathing for each other. This is part of America — that's part of our vibrant political participatory landscape, and it's just that American Muslims are late to the game. That's all.
The Islamic Monthly: Why did you feel compelled to write about marriage equality in the way that you did?
Aslan: I am passionately for marriage equality — and for gay rights in all forms. I have many deep loving relationships with gay and lesbian couples and individuals. I know them as human beings. It's impossible for me to "otherize" them or to think of them as a symbol for anything. And so for me, this is a deeply personal issue. But I wrote the letter with Hasan Minhaj primarily because I wanted to create a space for Muslims to have a larger conversation about it. If you read the letter — I think it's been a little mischaracterized as a call for people to change their minds. We actually state very clearly that if you think this is Haram, fine — we disagree with you, but you're free to express your opinion. On social media, where this conversation caught fire, we went out of our way to always allow space for comments from those who disagree with us. Everywhere we looked, we saw these robust debates taking place within other religious communities. And we saw nothing happening within Islam. And we thought primarily, that's because Muslims were afraid to say anything. Not that they were afraid from other Muslims. On the contrary, they were afraid to make their voices heard in a country that so deeply marginalized their opinions. And so, we wanted to create that space for dialogue on social media. We were absolutely blown away by the volume of the conversation, and by how positive it was. But even the negative response was surprising to us, because there were so many people who said, "Religiously speaking, I can't agree with this interpretation. But I do believe that we should support the decision because of the kind of country we want to live in — that civil rights are for everyone and that democracy isn't a buffet." The real surprising thing was that it went global. That's what we did not expect, because our letter was very clearly geared toward the American Muslim community. What was wonderful and shocking was seeing it spread to Pakistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany, Britain and France. They are having these conversations, just in a different social context than we have them here in the United States. But it's a conversation that needs to be had.
Most importantly, the letter was a reminder to Muslims that this conversation of LGBT issues within Islam has been going on for 1,400 years. It's not like this popped up all of a sudden. There are dozens and dozens of legal and jurisprudential arguments and debates over the last one-and-a-half millennia about this very same topic. Far more so than in Judaism or Christianity. We wanted to tap into that history and get people access to resources where they could explore these issues more deeply.
The Islamic Monthly: I am curious if people would say whether you could or could not offer this type of open letter five or 10 years ago.
Aslan: Probably not. I have always been a supporter of LGBT rights, ever since I knew what LGBT even meant — but I think that the response would have been different.
The Islamic Monthly: Recent decisions by the Supreme Court with respect to the right of Muslim women to wear hijab and the right of gay couples to marry seem to indicate that the country is moving increasingly in the direction of ensuring individual liberties. At the same time, the court'sCitizens United decision and the resulting floodgates of campaign funds into the political process arguably make the country less equal from an economic perspective. How do you see these trends playing out in the long term?
Aslan: I would say that these are long-term trends. The move toward individual liberty is a 250-year-old process. The move toward liberalism and social progressivism is a 250-year-old process. We tend to think there are these conflicts that arise between conservatives and liberals over certain issues like same-sex marriage or the role of women in society or the role of African Americans, etc. But the truth is that society is moving toward progress inch by inch, step by step from the very beginning. Those on the right will occasionally win battles, but they will always lose the war. Whether it's about slavery, women's suffrage, health care, or LGBT — the left always, always wins because that is the natural progression of society in this country. So I don't see votes like theCitizens United decision as going against that notion. From the very moment that we created a federal currency and a federal bank in this country, we created a system whereby those with power — whether from owning land, people or a corporation — have a greater voice in society than those without power. Ultimately, the Citizens Unitedjudgment said that money is voice. If money has a role to play in the political sphere, then it cannot be curtailed any more than voice can. That is the equivalent of saying that some people have a greater voice than others. And we have always known that to be the case in this country. Whether it's landowners or slave owners or the titans of industry, it is always the case that the more money you have, the louder your voice is. The Supreme Court decision simply codified that reality. I don't think it created a new one.
Is it going to wreak havoc in our political elections? Of course. Because laws were put in place over the last hundred years to create some sort of parity when it comes to the volume of a person's speech and how much money they can insert into politics. Those laws, which are not in the Constitution, are no longer valid. So now we're going back to the way things were in this country, where the powerful get to openly decide who our political leaders are going to be.
The Islamic Monthly: What is your sense regarding the long-term implications of the Iranian nuclear deal with the Americans? Why do you think that Obama was pushing for this deal now? How does it factor into his legacy? What will it mean for American foreign policy today and tomorrow?
Aslan: I think that this is the most significant foreign policy achievement of President Obama's tenure. And he needs it because he really hasn't had many other significant foreign policy achievements. There's an enormous distance between his rhetoric and his actions. The New START Treaty has begun to crumble with Russia. How he dealt with the promotion of democracy — as he promised in 2008 — has been an absolute disaster in the Middle East. His handling of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been catastrophic, though now he has a year left, and the perfect political environment to actually do something about it. Support for Israel in the United States has never been lower than it is today, even among Republicans. So all Obama really has left is this nuclear deal with Iran. But it is a big deal because it's not just about curbing Iran's nuclear program. I know that the Obama administration has gone out of its way to limit the scope of this agreement to Iran's nuclear program, both in the negotiating rounds and its rhetoric to the media. They don't want to talk about anything else. But in a very ingenious way, he's also realigning America's priorities in the region by establishing a different set of alliances. People much smarter than me have said this is not about getting into bed with Iran; this is about getting out of bed with Saudi Arabia. President Obama has smartly realized that the Saudi regime is crumbling from the inside. It's a source of radicalism and extremism around the world, and almost every single problem that we have with transnational Jihadism, from al-Qaida to ISIS to Boko Haram, can be traced to Saudi Arabia. We are desperate to get out of that relationship, and the only way to do that is through energy independence. So, he has, unlike any president in history, exploited America's natural energy resources so that we can become energy independent. This deal with Iran is not just about nuclear negotiations; it's the first step toward interdependent trade relationships and perhaps even the normalization of ties between the U.S. and Iran. It's an attempt to realign the United States to move away from the Gulf monarchies and focus instead on Turkey and Iran as the region's main players in the coming century. And it will profoundly change the nature of the Iranian government by creating an Iran that is much more integrated with the rest of the world and thus, as a result, will have to be far more responsible at home.
The Islamic Monthly: Any last-minute thoughts on the America of today?
Aslan: We are a work in progress. And that work is going to be defined by each successive generation of immigrants who make this their home. People refer to America as a melting pot, and that is a terrible metaphor. A melting pot indicates that everyone's uniqueness melts away into a common whole, and that's not what happens here. If anything, America is a sponge, it absorbs each new culture, each new identity that comes to its shores. As it changes them, it too changes — by expanding the very nature and substance of what it means to be American. These are sometimes frightening events. They make people uncomfortable. People look around and don't recognize the economic, social, racial or religious landscape that they are living in. They start to hearken back to some kind of idealized, imaginary past. But there is no past in America; there's only the future. And we are moving toward a future that will be unlike that of any other nation. We will be the first country in the world to be a majority made up of minorities. That is something to celebrate.
The Islamic Monthly: What's the one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
Aslan: I am the biggest Oakland Raiders fan. I bleed Silver and Black.
Related Topics: Islamophobia, University of California, Riverside receive the latest by email: subscribe to the free mef mailing list


…to the website of children's author Katey Howes, where you can learn about and connect with Katey, her books, and her blog.
Katey Howes is thrilled to be making books for children. She also makes bad jokes, great apple crisp, and messy mistakes. Katey lives in Upper Makefield, Pennsylvania (really!) with her husband and three adventurous daughters makers. A former physical therapist specializing in brain injury, Katey now divides her time between writing award-winning stories and raising kids with a love of books. She also contributes to parenting, literacy and STEM websites including All the Wonders, The Nerdy Bookclub, STEAM Powered Family and Imagination Soup. Find Katey on Twitter @kateywrites and on Instagram @kidlitlove.
Receive email updates when there's big book news brewing.


No one approaches financial planning with the goal of paying more taxes. With effective tax management, small changes can achieve big goals over time. Good investment returns are important, but comprehensive tax management may help you reap even greater gains.
*Neither APFS nor its representatives provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal or accounting professional before making any decision.


https://soundslikenoise.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ships-in-a-storm1.mp3Haughton Forrest was a French born artist who immigrated to Australia in 1881. Forrest's paintings of wild stormy seas and tranquil countrysides belong to the aesthetic of the Romantic Period. Ships in a Storm is typical of his portrayal of the ocean as an inhospitable space which refuses to be tamed by human activities.
Ships in a Storm follows in the lineage of other Romantic artists, such as Turner and Delacroix, who chose to depict scenes of boats in peril. In this early industrial era there was a general feeling of nostalgia for the past, with many artists and writers reflecting upon the precariousness of a society which was losing contact with nature.
This sound composition moves from the breakwater and climbs aboard both boats as they sway and creak in the rough sea. Bells ring from the boats indicate their proximity to each other. Here sound acts as a guide in the darkness of the storm.
Simply wonderful! You've captured the essence of 19th century romanticism perfectly in sound. These sounds could equally represent Emilie Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights', Géricault's 'Raft of the Medusa' or Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. I love your 'Sound and Art' concept but this example, for me at least, is the best so far because it reaches out far beyond just one picture. Your sounds are a statement of the age of romanticism.
Thanks Des! It took a while to piece this one together. I think you are right with your comment, the sounds (and fear of) a storm at sea translate beyond a single regional area. I think the Romantic period is going to be a good place to find some more works to interpret.
Much like painters may create landscapes, sound artists may create soundscapes, like this one of the sea during a storm. The evocative power of these constructions are undeniable and art galleries are employing these sound artists to add a new and powerful element to their shows. Here is a reblog from Sounds Like Noise featuring a sea soundscape inspired by a painting, Haughton Forrest's Ships in a Storm. It is quite magical.
Beautiful! I was looking for sea sounds art and I am so glad I found your blog. I reblogged to synkroniciti.com as part of an ocean theme we are running this week. Thank you so much! This so evocative.
Thanks for adding the link. I'm happy to have been included.


LOS ANGELES (VIP NEWS) — John Mayer is mounting his first major concert tour in three years following an extended vocal hiatus brought on by throat issues.
The artist's tour in support of 2012's "Born and Raised," which topped the Billboard 200, kicks off July 6 at Milwaukee's SummerFest and continues into October.
Mayer will visit over 40 cities in four countries during the trek, including dates at Colorado's famed Red Rocks (July 16) and the Hollywood Bowl (Oct. 5), as well as festival stops at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sept. 17), and Rock in Rio in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Sept. 21).
Opening for Mayer on nearly all the dates will be "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips. A dollar from each ticket will be donated to the NCIRE to support returning Veterans.
To warm up for the tour, Mayer will perform at the sold-out Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on April 25 and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 26. They will mark his first full-length concerts since a throat granuloma forced him to cancel initial tour plans around "Born and Raised," his fifth studio album. In January he played a brief set at a benefit concert in Montana.
In this week's Billboard, Mayer tells his harrowing journey in the past year to repair his vocal cords after unsuccessful surgery. He's calling his recovery a dream come true, especially since it means he can sing for his fans again.


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Scottish History For Dummies
By (author): Knox, William
Series: For Dummies
Subject: HISTORY / General
From The Publisher* Explore the fascinating history of Scotland in an easy-to-read guide
Want to discover how a small country on the edge of Northern Europe packs an almighty historical punch? Scottish History For Dummies is your guide to the story of Scotland and its place within the historical narratives of Britain, Europe and the rest of the world. You'll find out how Scotland rose from the ashes to forge its own destiny, understand the impact of Scottish historical figures such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and David Hume and be introduced to the wonderful world of Celtic religion, architecture and monuments.
History can help us make connections with people and events, and it gives us an understanding of why the world is like it is today. Scottish History For Dummies pulls back the curtain on how the story of Scotland has shaped the world far beyond its borders. From its turbulent past to the present day, this informative guide sheds a new and timely light on the story of Scotland and its people.
Dig into a wealth of fascinating facts on the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages
Get to know how Scotland was built into an industrial economy by inventors, explorers and missionaries
Discover the impact of the world wars on Scotland and how the country has responded to challenges created by them
Find up-to-the-minute information on Scotland's referendum on independence
If you're a lifelong learner looking for a fun, factual exploration of the grand scope of Scotland or a traveler wanting to make the most of your trip to this captivating country, Scottish History For Dummies has you covered.
William Knox, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer of History at the University of St Andrews, Scotland's first university.


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Sony X900F vs X950G: Review and Comparison
July 25, 2021 October 23, 2020 by Naheed Nazneen TuLi
Looking for a perfect TV for your home theater but could not figure out which could be better? Or confuse between Sony X900F vs X950G? Sony usually offers impressive picture quality with many advanced features. That's why, this is obvious because there are a ton of different models from different manufacturers in the marketplace.
Sony X950G is an upgraded version of X900F which was released in 2019. However, you will find several similarities between these two at a first glance which will confuse you to figure out the differences. If you don't scrutinize or is a general viewer, the performance between Sony X900F vs X950G may seem similar.
Sony XBR65X900F 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED...
Sony X950G 55 Inch TV: 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV...
How I differentiated the products: Sony X900F vs X950G
Sony X900F
X950G
49" not available
Picture processor
X1 Ultimate
Acoustic Multi-Audio
X-Wide angle
Only for 75" and 85"
Yes (ARC)
Yes (eARC)
Smart TV Platform
Android TV 7.0 Nougat
Android TV 8.0 Oreo
Input lag (1080p @ 60 Hz)
40.9 ms
Native contrast
Apple Airplay 2 & Homekit
Netflix Calibrated mode
Powerful processor
If we look closely, we see there are some crucial differences that make the overall performance better for the Sony X950G. to begin with, the X1 Ultimate process is twice as faster as the X1 Extreme and has better performance. The processor has Object-Based Super Resolution which can detect objects in a picture and emphasize them making the details and clarity better.
Winner: Sony X950G
Although it is said that the brightness may not be visible to the naked eye, it is true that that the brightness of X950G is more than the X900F. So, it is definitely logical to go for a better X950G. The brightness depends from scene to scene. You can use in them is bright rooms without facing any problem.
Broader viewing angle
The X-Wide angle came from the Master Series Sony Z9F. this makes the wide-angle broader so if you have multiple people watching the TV sitting in different directions you must choose the 75" or 85" models of X950G. The X900Fdoesnt have a wide-angle but they have a little better contrast ratio compared to the X950G which loses the contrast due to the Wide-angle.
Better audio system
Both TV has a sound power output of 20W but the Sony X950G has Acoustic Multi-Audio whereas the X900F has bass-reflex speakers. The bass-reflex produces crystal clear sound with deep bass which is ideal for watching movies or music. Also, comparing the Sony X900F vs X950G we see that the X900F doesn't support Dolby Atmos but the X950G does.
In the Acoustic Multi-Audio speaker, there are two tweeters placed at the back of the TV. The four front-facing speakers and vibrating Frame tweeter allow sound and action to match. It also has two subwoofers that deliver immersive and punchier bass. Overall, the sound will be more detailed, realistic and it will come directly from the center of the screen.
X900F vs X950G compatibility differs in some cases. X950G supports Apply AirPlay 2 and Homekit. While for some users, it doesn't make any difference, others will simply choose X950G over X900F because of this feature.
Winner: Tie
The installation of both Sony X900F vs X950G is simple and straightforward. They come with a clean cable solution. You can run cables through the pedestal feet of the TV and they also are mounted on walls. The Sony X900F comes with VESA wall mounting standards.
The X950G is known as the new flagship 4K LCD TV. Comparing Sony X900F vs X950G picture quality, it is seen that the TVs deliver high-quality image without much difference between the models. They both have 4K HDR resolution and with full-array LED it can produce true colors of each object. The screen has a good contrast ratio. Although the contrast between TVs differs, the difference is not very noticeable.
The images are crystal clear and the colors are vivid and pronounced. Dual Database Processing has two purposes, one is to reduce noise and another is to upscale it. This makes the image clearer with details and depth. The Triluminous display has a backlight and works with a 'wider color gamut' to ensure the color looks more natural and true-to-life.
These models use the X technology which is a proprietary of Sony and includes X-tended Dynamic Range Pro (6x) and X-motion clarity. the first one deals with color contrast by ensuring you see the clear details between the white and raw black color. And the second one reduces motion blur allowing fast-moving objects to display with clarity.
They also have IMAX Enhanced technology which focuses on color contrast so that users can have an immersive experience. Between Sony X900F vs X950G, the X950G has Netflix calibrated mode. This is to ensure that users view the same content created in the studio by filmmakers or directors. It will deliver close to the original cinematic vision.
The main intention of creating the Sony Master series was to ensure you see the original movie clip just as the director intended you to see. to achieve that, Sony X950G uses a powerful X1 Ultimate processor that produces content by converting and upscaling regardless of low- or high-quality source. It also balances 'color saturation', contrasts, and upgrades the overall picture quality, which is kind of similar with Sony x950h.
The X1 Ultimate processor has Object-Base Super Resolution which the X900F processor doesn't have. It captures each object in a scene and their resolution and color are adjusted for a detailed picture. The X900F has an X1 Extreme processor assures that you won't regret buying this TV.
It is more powerful than the 4K X1 processor. It creates images with better contrast avoiding any deterioration of picture quality. Moreover, it can convert all source to near 4K HDR quality. The image you see will look more realistic and cinematic.
Sony X900F has 4 HDMI 2.0b ports. The 4 inputs will be compatible with 4K HDR content and HDCP 2.2. Among them you can use the HDMI 2 and 3 for 4K (60Hz) and 1 and 4 for 4L (30/24Hz).
So, you can connect a 'high-bandwidth" device like 4K UHD Blu-ray, gaming console, or HTPC/gaming PC. The Sony X950G has 4 HDMI 2.0b inputs that support 4K HDR (60Hz) and HDCP 2.3. both these TV also has 3 USB ports and Ethernet jack.
Both these TV works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The TVs comes with remotes but they are not very sleek and has many buttons. While X950G has a thinner and metal build remote control with soft buttons, the X900F has a heavier remote but it has easy-to-press buttons as well.
While the Sony X900F uses Andriod TV 7.0 Nougat Smarty TV platform, X950G uses the next version which is Andriod TV 8.0 Oreo. There are notable differences in their functions like Picture-in-Picture mode, Project Treble, and etc. consumers will experience a better user interface, easier navigation, and overall performance.
As mentioned above the X900F uses Android 7 for Smart TV features. It gives you access to different content that you can stream from online. The Android 8 in Sony X950G is said to be a better version with an easy-to-use user interface that makes overall performance better. These TVs support HEVC/H.265 and VP9 codecs which is needed for streaming 4K and 4K HDR content.
Flexibility in use
The overall ease of use is better in X950G due to its better processor that makes it faster. The eARC is another feature that reduces the hassle of connection. Both Sony X900F and X950G has built-in Chromecast.
It also has Miracast which helps you in screen mirroring. This means you can view your mobile screen on your TV. Sony paid attention to minute details like they have a button dedicated to Netflix on the remote for convenience.
Sony X900F vs X950G: Gaming, Movies or Sports:
Usually, different TV comes with different gaming features. Some TV comes with FreeSyngc and VRR compatibility. Along with gaming features, screen resolution, motion-clarity, input lag, and response time plays a huge role to play games smoothly.
Comparing Sony X900F vs X950G for gaming, the X950G has lower input lag and good response time which makes it ideal for gaming. The X900F also has low input lag but in terms of 1080p input lag, the X950G wins significantly.
You can play games from the Google Play store or can connect a maximum of 4 wireless gamepads if you want to play with friends.
Winner: X950G for gaming.
For movies, we sometimes prefer dark rooms so here the TV should be able to represent the dark scenes accurately. Both TVs has decent motion clarity that minimizes blur and they can produce picture without judder and stutter. The audio is good but many users may want to upgrade it with a soundbar.
You can watch movies from Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Hulu, HBO Go, HBO Now, Showtime, etc.
Winner: Tie for movies.
If you want to watch sports in daylight or bright rooms with friends and family, you should choose the X950G. although the X900F has an anti-reflecting coating that helps it to deal with reflections, it has a very poor wide angle.
X950G can also be used in bright rooms and the 75" or 85" model has the X-wide angle feature. You can watch sports from ESPN, NFL, Fox Sports, etc.
Winner: X950G for sports.
Product Differentiators
Most users directly choose the Sony X950G over X900F because of its compatibility with Apple AirPlay 2 and Homekit. Also, it has a more powerful processor and supports Dolby Atmos content. The X900F can be used for watching movies or sports but doesn't have eARC or better input lag. The navigation may also be slower.
The cost of X950G is more than X900F. So, you can buy the cheaper X900F and with the extra money, you can buy a streaming service like Steam Link or Nvidia Shield.
This will help you not to deal with slow Smart TV apps and interface. On the other hand, you can choose the X950G because it supports Homekit and Apple AirPlay 2. The Smart TV features are decent to use, it has better brightness and overall performance. Also, if you want a TV for gaming purposes then we recommend the X950G.
Sony X900F vs X950G: Which one should you choose?
Sony TV is the most popular brand among consumers. The build quality and innovative technology is the main reason for its popularity. If you are wondering, Sony X900F vs X950G which one should you go with, then we have an answer.
X950G is a the undisputed winner because it has a snappier UI, the faster response of voice assistants and other additional features like Netflix calibrated mode. It also has more brightness and higher screen sizes have a wide-angle view. Although we recommend going with X950G, if you simply want a TV screen then you can also buy the X900F and go with a media streaming device.
Author's Pick: Sony X950G
Both these TV have a great performance to price ratio. It uses several proprietary technologies to make picture quality better. They also emphasize audio quality as well as response time and input lag.
If you want a wide-angle view then you can choose one from 75" or 85" X950 models. Whether you go for X900F or X950G, you will be satisfied with their performance.
This part is going to answer some of your questions that might arise while walking in the pavement of these type of TVs.
Does Sony X950G have parental control?
Yes, the Sony X950G comes with a 'parental control' feature for kids. You can select a particular channel or block certain channels. There are three options: Child, Youth, and Young Adult. Once you have selected your options you can protect the setting with a 4-digit password.
How does the Sony X900F save power?
this TV uses different methods to save power like the Light Sensor Technology or Advance Contrast Enhancer. It has a power-saving mode which saves power by increasing or decreasing backlight brightness.
The Idle TV Standby will switch off your TV 1, 2, or 4 hours later if within this time you don't press the remote. Also, the Auto Shut Off will turn off the TV when it will not identify any input signal for 15 minutes.
Find out the verity of TVs difference between Insignia and Toshiba
Which brand has the best TV TCL or Vizio


Details: A bold new take on a classic Nike silhouette, Bo Jacksonu0027s signature Air Trainer 1 Mid has been given a lifestyle makeover. Constructed with full leather upper featuring brogue inspired punched detailing. Sizes are in Men Sizes.


Christmas products perform well throughout the year, showing a strong peak around November. Christmas gifts and collectables are our fourth strongest items in terms of quantity, with our previously stocked Christmas Designs Nail File Matchbook coming in third overall for quantity sold. This has been replaced with the New Christmas Pug Nail File Matchbook, featuring the pug motif which is very popular among the young at present. The product is currently twenty-second on our best-selling product list in terms of quantity.
When considering unique purchases, Stamford Hex Incense Sticks - Frankincense & Myrrh ranks ninth out of all our products.
Christmas gifts are suitable for most types of store, as they offer a strong seasonal appeal.
The following guide supplies data based on unique purchases to give a sense of the products' popularity among individual stores and customers.


Get 2 Adult Lift Tickets for only $30!
Get 2 Adult Lift Tickets for only $30! 75% off!
Here's your chance to spend a few minutes in the car and have hours of fun this winter! All you have to do is head to nearby Mount Southington in Plantsville, CT (Right next to Bristol, Connecticut.) Conveniently located just minutes off of Exit 30 on I-84, Mount Southington has 14 trails, a progressive terrain park, and 7 lifts. Kids will love the Glacier Learning Area and Mt Southington has Connecticut's only machine cut half-pipe. So make your thrills local this year and head to Mount Southington! Open 7 days a week – mid week 10a to 10pm and weekends and most holiday 9a to 10pm.
Valid for TWO 8 Hour Flex Adult Lift Tickets. Tickets are valid only for offer specified.
No cash or credit back on unused amount. No cash exchange.


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El municipio de Rock (en inglés: Rock Township) es un municipio ubicado en el condado de Cherokee en el estado estadounidense de Iowa. En el año 2010 tenía una población de 187 habitantes y una densidad poblacional de 2,01 personas por km².

Geografía
El municipio de Rock se encuentra ubicado en las coordenadas . Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, el municipio tiene una superficie total de 93.17 km², de la cual 93,14 km² corresponden a tierra firme y (0,03 %) 0,03 km² es agua.

Demografía
Según el censo de 2010, había 187 personas residiendo en el municipio de Rock. La densidad de población era de 2,01 hab./km². De los 187 habitantes, el municipio de Rock estaba compuesto por el 96,26 % blancos, el 2,67 % eran de otras razas y el 1,07 % eran de una mezcla de razas. Del total de la población el 2,67 % eran hispanos o latinos de cualquier raza.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Municipios de Iowa
Localidades del condado de Cherokee (Iowa)


Introducing the Aspire Breeze 2 Starter Kit, the next evolution of the famous Aspire Breeze! Just as its predecessor, the Breeze 2 features a pod system with replaceable Aspire U-tech coils to ensure the most flavorful and inexpensive vaping experience.
The Aspire breeze 2 no longer features the air-activated on/off switch from the previous Breeze version, instead leveraging the more reliable power button.
Aspire also released a new U-tech coils version at 1.0 Ω optimized for nicotine salt eLiquids. All Aspire U-Tech coils are compatible with Aspire Breeze and Breeze 2.
The Aspire breeze 2 has an aluminum alloy body with a stylish satin finish in various colors.
The Aspire Breeze 2 is very similar to other ultra-compact vaporizers like the Eleaf iCare's. But one significant improvement made by Aspire in this category is the U-Tech coils - these coils are good quality coils which should satisfy most MTL vapers at any nicotine level.
This is my 5th Breeze & I love it. It's only my 5th because I've dropped a couple from too much height & they didnt survive the fall, due to a cracked pod. The device is great & works great. I can't be any happier unless VS starts carrying the other colors for this device that the Aspire Breeze 2 makes. Better believe I'll be ordering more when those colors show up here.
It is okay but I've had mine for less than a month and the small plastic pieces that holds the tank on ( flimsy plastic) already broke . I wouldn't waste the money on this design .
I started using this a few weeks ago with the 1.0 coil. Since I am allergic to PG, I didn't know if it would work for me or not.
I had to tone down the nicotine to 12 mg, VG only, and either coil that came with the Breeze 2 works just fine.
As long as the seals have some eJuice on them, there is no leaking. The person above with the throat burn might have the nicotine level a bit too high. After I switched to 12 from an 18, this is my preferred device over my PockeX or my Nautilus Mini.
Much easier to carry around and I have had no leaking issues.
The Breeze 2 lives up to the reviews I read. Smooth, good draw, compact. I did watch a You Tube video to put it together but that was easy enough once I saw someone do it.
There are a lot of things I like about this unit and also a few things I don't like. Pros : compact unit, lightweight, easy to carry and conceal. Cons: messy to fill, hits way hotter than I'm used to and I developed a cough after using it exclusively for a few days. I normally vape using a Nautilus mini and a Halo 50 watt mod. I would use this all in one to keep in my purse for a night out but not for everyday use.
Wonderful Product. Compact, easy, well done.
I've had and used a slew of vapes, from the first 'cigarette' look alikes to complicated mods. Aspire got it right with Breeze 2. From the packaging to the unit, quality. It's simple. Easy to set up. Easy to fill. Easy to vape great big clouds of yummy.
No hassles, no problems, just easy.
I vape pretty heavy. The Breeze 2 won't quite last me all day, but generally I'll run a tank dry before I drain the battery. The Breeze 2 allows you to vape while plugged in and charging, so there's really no down time aside from filling the pod.
If I could find a gripe, it might be nice to have a bit better battery level indicator, but not much of an issue since the pod kind of reminds me it's time for a charge when it empties. Also, it's hard to find spare pods at present, but I'd love to have multiple pods so I might quickly switch flavors.
If I have one complaint about the Breeze 2, it's that 3ml of juice doesn't last nearly as long as I'd like!
Out of the box, this device is GREAT! Does what it's supposed to do simply and directly.
Compared to other brands this device scream QUALITY, from the packaging to the feel.
I wanted a device to replace a JUUL I was using to quit smoking. I wanted something that would easily fit in my pocket, have longer battery life, and a larger juice resivior. I was tired of having to take a charger with me just to go out for a night on the town.
I can still drain a 3ml tank in the course of a night, but the Breeze 2's battery has the strength to last the night.
High quality down to the packaging. Simple and easy to use. With the Breeze 2, your toughest decision is what to vape.
I'm fairly certain that I'm going to eventually loose the cap, but it's not even necessary. You won't be sorry with the Breeze 2.
Great device. If you are thinking about getting it, do it. This thing is awesome.....for a mouth to lung vaper. I use 50/50, 18 mg Magic Monkey Dirty Dans Custard standard juice (not nic salt). The 1 ohm coil is perfect with the air half open. It is on day 10 and doing fine. The battery lasts all day with the 1 ohm coil, which for me is longer than the 3ml tank. The .6 ohm coil is hot and harsh with that juice, but I put a 65VG/35PG 9mg juice in, opened the airflow all the way, and the vape was warm and not harsh, but I really cant direct lung hit it....too restricted even when slipstreaming. Got the 1.2 ohm coils but havent tried them yet, but judging by the 1.0's I think they will be ok.
BTW...I have Used all sorts from drippers, sub ohm tanks, RBAs, RTAs, Squonk, and many MTL devices. Like DL, but went back to MTL to reduce juice cost and clouds.


Introducing their incredible new 475 metre long indoor go kart facility, which features an amazing three storey high race track!
Their European style indoor hire kart track features a huge ramps, cambered turns, tunnels, esses, hairpins and sweepers. Their unique track surface is designed by Slideways Go Karting Australia and is like no other in the southern hemisphere, allowing the karts to drift and get Slideways! It also means it takes some skill to achieve a good lap time using smooth steering, throttle and brake control, designed for heart pumping racing action.
Slideways Go Karting Gold Coast is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, right beside the M1 Motorway at 10 Spencer Road Nerang, providing easy access from all areas of the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Logan regions.
Being indoors, it's a perfect wet weather activity.