I know. Sounds crazy - right? I prefer answers to my unanswered prayers. We all have them. Some big. Some small(er). We're all looking for the answer we desire. The goodness of restored joy....restored vitality of life. We can't help ourselves, our hearts ache to believe in such things.
I've heard from a couple of my readers in the last couple weeks. They are worried about me after reading my last post, "Even If You Don't". Have I given up? Have I lost my faith? Why on earth would I write about the other side of the coin? That awful "tail-side" face of doubt.
Unfortunately, I am so ridiculously human that this journey sometimes gets the best of me. I felt led to share my weakness. There are so many reasons why Bart Millard's testimony was comforting to me. Hearing him speak about his son's chronic medical issues makes me feel less alone. I love his honesty about his struggles and I thought you would too.
Funny thing is......I've given up so many times on this crazy idea of mine.....that Olivia would be restored. But inevitably, I'm always drawn back to Hope again. It's like I get lassoed by an invisible rope that holds me tight and won't let me go. The idea that I could simply wiggle out of the loop escapes me as I allow the tightening to commence. The gentle tugging from despair's darkness into the light of day is a rescue that never gets old. Deep down I know I don't want to break free, unbelief is lonely and can present itself in so many ugly ways. Daylight feels safer.
It never fails. Each and every time I'm drawn in close, I receive some sort of revelation to my situation. In this particular instance, I came across a sermon from Bill Johnson at Bethel Church in Redding California entitled "Answer's Matter", and it reignited my hope for Olivia.
This sermon provided me with so many nuggets of truth. Bill explains that "prayers without answers are pointless and that complacency and ignorance tolerate unanswered prayers. He went on to say that we were not designed for unanswered prayers.....that's why there is no instruction for it in the Bible. There can be a delay, there can be room for a process, but we were not designed to coexist with unfulfilled prayers. We are made to co-labor with God to help release His will and purposes for our lives on this earth."
Say what? Just what I needed to hear.
Just when I tried to give up for the 100th time, I immediately feel the tugging of the rope from these life-giving words. So much to unpack from the first five minutes. Complacency. Ignorance. Co-labor.
Merriam Webster defines complacency as "marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies". Is that my problem? As I dove in and studied related words other negative synonyms popped up, like conceitedness, ego, egotism, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, vainness, vanity. And here I thought it just meant being lazy and unmotivated. Can this be true of me?
Complacency can and does become a heart thing when you are alone in a fight for such a long period of time. You begin to rely on you. After several years, most family and friends moved on with their lives while my heart remained the same.....broken. I couldn't shake my one objective....to save Olivia. And herein lies what could be my complacency. Pride, self-opinion and ego trump the real Savior. What's equally enlightening is that I can have this misplaced pride while experiencing the feelings which are the exact opposite.......words like self-loathing, self-doubt, timidness, passivity and shame. I didn't protect her. No wonder I feel like my prayers for wisdom go unheard. It's like these words....these feelings are a pack of wolves chasing me here, then there.....always towards the darkness, not the light. Words like should've and could've dominate the night.
Ignorance, on the other hand, shouldn't be my problem. From day one of this nightmare, I've taken her to every "expert" physician I hear about within driving distance. Aren't we taught that experts lack ignorance? It's kind of why they are experts - right? So many hours waiting to see each and every one of them. They all have given me zilch. How is it that she can become so incredibly weak, to the point of being hospitalized, and all the tests come back normal? Is she a mystery or could their tests be wrong? Could it be that my ignorance is that I've relied on ignorance for 17 years? Even though God is known as The Great Physician, my reliance has always been on the physician with "skin on". I've been told over and over that God works through doctors. Not always. I guess I forgot the full meaning of Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
This sermon reminded me of truth.
Every. Single. Time. Jesus ministered to someone, he brought deliverance.
I was reminded of Matthew 4:24 "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed--and He healed them."
The disciples became experts in Jesus's healing ministry. They were walking alongside Him, healing people left and right. Jesus even says, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven", in Luke 10:17-20.
There is just one instance they were not to bring healing, that of the epileptic boy. Does this verse sound familiar to those who have followed my journey this far? I have written about this Bible story so many times. I've even gone as far as to say that Olivia and I are the Mother/Daughter version of this Father/Son journey. You can read my older posts on this scripture here, here, here & here. Needless to say, I've gotten some mileage out of meditating on this story.
To refresh your memory, the story is about a father, whose son has been having seizures since childhood. He has spent years trying to help his son. He hears about the disciples and takes him to them, but they are unable to heal him. The disciples do not understand why they are not able to free the child, and therefore brings him straight to Jesus. He chastises the father and disciples about their lack of faith and delivers the child. Read the full story here (Mark 9:17-29).
Olivia's doctors remind me of the disciple's and their efforts to free the child. Doctors are accustomed to helping people as did the disciples. For Olivia, they never had an explanation on hand. For years and years, the dogma recited was.......you guessed it........it's genetic (which recent extensive genetic testing obliterated). It's Olivia's fault and in 20-40 years science will have an explanation.
As Bill explains, the disciple's reaction to the mystery of their failure is the exact opposite. They were unsatisfied with the result. They had to know why they were not successful, so they went to Jesus. What they didn't do was create a theology around what didn't work, as to say, this is ok."
That darn pride exists everywhere......even in the conventional medical system, where complacency runs rampant for the patient who doesn't respond appropriately.
I've made the rounds to all the experts in every field, including the religious arena. Most of the spiritual "experts" (i.e. Pastors) I've met with were extremely thoughtful and caring people, but none were ever bold enough to stick it out with me. Friends continue to support me as much as they can, although 17 years is a long time to believe for something. I was struck by Bill's candidness when it comes to supporting people with unanswered prayers. He says, "In our attempts to comfort people in loss, we tend to create untrue places of safety, untrue tenants of faith, and untrue doctrines that make unanswered prayers ok. I can't look for answers that keep me comfortable in the middle of a mystery when it's supposed to aggravate me to a breakthrough. Some things are not supposed to be comforting some things are supposed to be provoking. Some things are just simply to summoned me out of what would be a complacency because complacency and/or ignorance tolerates unanswered prayers."
Even if the night is long, I'm reminded that He's in the waiting.


Got7 is a K-pop boy group formed by JYP Entertainment in 2014. The group is composed of seven members who hail from South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and the United States. JB, Jinyoung, Youngjae and Yugyeom are from South Korea, while Mark is a Chinese-American from Los Angeles, Jackson from Hong Kong and BamBam is from Thailand. Prior to their debut as part of Got7, JB and Jinyoung, debuted in 2012 as part of the duo JJ Project.
Mark Tuan was born on September 4, 1993 (age 23) and is the oldest member of the group. He is a Chinese-American from Los Angeles of Taiwanese descent. In 2010 JYP Entertainment cast Mark in the US and he came to train in Korea the same year. Mark's first pre-debut appearance was on an episode of Mnet's reality-survival program WIN: Who Is Next alongside Jackson, BamBam and Yugyeom, which aired on September 6, 2013.
Jackson Wang, simply known as Jackson was born on March 28, 1994 (age 22) and a native of Hong Kong and also a former representative of his country's national fencing team. In 2011, he earned two gold medals at the Asian Junior Olympics in Thailand in sabre. He claimed that earning a gold medal was one of his parents' requirements for allowing him to train in Korea. His father was a gold medalist for sabre fencing in the Seoul Asian game in 1986, while his mother was a Chinese National Gymnastics member. His first pre-debut appearance was on an episode of Mnet's reality-survival program WIN: Who Is Next, which aired on September 6, 2013. Jackson alongside Mark, BamBam and Yugyeom competed against YG Entertainment trainees. Shortly after debut Jackson became a variety star in South Korea due to his appearance on the SBS reality series Roommate, for which he was awarded the Newcomer Award at the 2014 SBS Entertainment Awards, In December 2015, Jackson also made his Chinese television debut as one of the presenters (alongside He Jiong) on the Chinese version of the show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, called Go Fridge, which was also well received. In 2015 Jackson was appointed as a new MC for SBS's music show Inkigayo.
Kunpimook Bhuwakul (Thai: กันต์พิมุกต์ ภูวกุล), commonly known by his nickname BamBam (Thai: แบมแบม) was born on May 2, 1997 (age 19). BamBam is from Bangkok, Thailand, and was cast at a young age and sent to train in Korea. As a child he was part of a dance crew named "We Zaa Cool" alongside Blackpink's Lisa. BamBam made his first TV appearance on an episode of Mnet's reality-survival program WIN: Who Is Next, alongside Jackson, Mark and Yugyeom. In 2016 BamBam joined together with fellow member Jackson the South Korean variety show Real Men for a special season with the theme of "Enlisting Together". BamBam and fellow member Jinyoung were also permanent hosts for Mnet's M! Countdown alongside Key of Shinee from March 2015 till March 2016.


Is it an egg? Is it a Meg? Let your students decide!
A Sidekick "Boxes" file that gets your students moving in this interactive crowd game!
A 4-week series on the life of David, teaching students how to relate and respond to the authority figures in their lives.
A guided small group lesson around a difficult topic. Use this to encourage students in the aftermath of a peer's suicide.
AH! You've been asked to do a wedding! Now what? Read this, and fear no more.
Are you about to teach a group of middle school students? Read this and be SLIGHTLY less terrified about it, but a lot more prepared.
Do your students know their Yules from their Advents? Figure it out with this Christmas Version of Dictionary Dash!
Can your students guess these fall words by their definition? Be the quickest to win!
A 5-week series on Hosea and its powerful connection to the gospel.
In this screen game, your students will attempt to guess the correct word by its definition.
A screen-based trivia game all about America's most addictive cookies.
Take a picture of what really matters.
1-off message about desiring a refreshing dose of passionate faith.
Three interactive lessons share the life-guiding gospel truths found in Romans.


Your Sacred Center is the key to maintaining inner peace. The green reflects heart energy at the core of the sacred center. Through visualizing this ball of green light energy a soothing sense of inner peace comes into the body, mind and spirit. As we move to a calm inner world we will notice a shift in the outer world moving to a greater sense of peace.
Spend more time in the inner world garden of life.
Outer World peace and living our true call.


MPR will continue to hold events at the 1,000-seat Fitzgerald Theatre despite the sale.
St. Paul's oldest theater, The Fitzgerald Theatre, is getting a new owner—not to mention a familiar one.
Minnesota Public Radio announced Tuesday afternoon it had reach a deal to sell the venue to First Avenue.
MPR's decision to sell was based on a Historic Structures Report it commissioned several years ago that examined the needs of the facility and how it fits with MPR's mission.
"As we carefully considered our stewardship of this historic facility, the changing needs of our community, and our vision for serving more people, we decided it was best to look for a new potential owner and caretaker of this beloved theater," wrote Jon McTaggart, president and CEO of Minnesota Public Radio, in an email to MPR members.
MPR has owned the theater, commonly called "the Fitz," since 1980 when it was then known as The World Theater. Though MPR says it will continue to hold events at the venue, relieving itself of ownership duties will allow the nonprofit to conduct events elsewhere in Minnesota, extending MPR's geographical reach.
McTaggart said First Avenue was a good partner for the sale because of the vision each organization shares around serving the community. First Avenue, which has largely operated in Minneapolis through the venues it owns and promotes, has made efforts of late to go beyond its home base into Minnesota's capital.
Over the last-half decade, First Avenue has added two St. Paul venues to its empire: the 2,400-person capacity Palace Theatre and the 350-capacity Turf Club.
At the start of October, First Avenue officially added Fine Line Music Café to its enterprise. The deal for Fine Line, located in Minneapolis' warehouse district, was announced just over a month ago and First Avenue assumed ownership October 1.
First Avenue also owns and operates its flagship venue in downtown Minneapolis, the 1,550-person capacity Mainroom, and the neighboring 7th Street Entry which fits up to 250 guests.
The deal between MPR and First Avenue still has to be finalized, and details have not yet been disclosed. Both sides expressed excited about the deal with McTaggert suggesting it would be a win-win for everyone involved.


text:
Q: What's the difference Between Character Stream and Byte Stream in Java and Char vs Byte in C? In java people say inputstream reads a file byte by byte then using buffered reader they change to characterstream.But in C char refer to byte(8 bit).Then what we call as character and byte in java.

A: In Java a byte is a signed 8-bit value, and a char is an unsigned 16-bit value. The Character is both a wrapper type for char and a utility class for a number of useful method supporting char
The key difference between an InputSTream is that it reads binary data, one byte at a time. A Reader is for reading text and it decodes bytes into char using the character encoding you set or the default encoding e.g. UTF-8 can turn 1, 2 or 3 bytes into a single char.
I suggest you learn more about the very basics of Java.  It will save you a lot of time with these sort of questions.

A: For the C/C++ part, in those languages, a char is guaranteed to be at least 8 bits, so a char is at least as wide as a byte. I have been coding C since 1990 and C++ since 1992, and I have never seen a real platform/compiler combination where char and byte are not equivalent.
Also note that the other integer types are signed unless otherwise specified (e.g. 'int' is a signed integer), but 'char' is equivalent to 'unsigned char'.

A: A stream is a way of sequentially accessing a file. In Streams you can process the data one at a time as bulk operations are unavailable with them. But, streams supports a huge range of source and destinations including disk file, arrays, other devices, other programs etc. In Java, a byte is not the same thing as a char . Therefore a byte stream is different from a character stream. So, Java defines two types of streams: Byte Streams and Character Streams .
Byte Streams
A byte stream access the file byte by byte. Java programs use byte streams to perform input and output of 8-bit bytes. It is suitable for any kind of file, however not quite appropriate for text files. For example, if the file is using a unicode encoding and a character is represented with two bytes, the byte stream will treat these separately and you will need to do the conversion yourself. Byte oriented streams do not use any encoding scheme while Character oriented streams use character encoding scheme(UNICODE). All byte stream classes are descended from InputStream and OutputStream .

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
SORAS Group cares
Genocide survivors of Mugina sector in Kamonyi District are delighted to have reached their objective, which was to grant a cow to each family of Genocide survivors. In 2012 SORAS Group granted to 8 families among 16 families of genocide survivors of Mugina sector and then these families committed themselves to give cows to other families, once they get calves. The process has been well conducted and up to now each family has its own cow and that's why Friday, August 21, 2015, they celebrated this achievement.
SORAS Group's representatives attended that solemn event along side with Mugina sector officials. During this unforgettable moment, the representative of genocide survivors, acknowledged what SORAS Group has done for them so far and took the opportunity to request the maintainance of this cooperation.
In his remarks, the SORAS Group representative, said that it is very encouraging to collaborate with the remarkably dedicated people and he assured them that this collaboration will go on and SORAS Group will expand the support it is giving to them since 2011.
The executive secretary of Mugina Sector, in his remarks acknowledged this helpful support that SORAS is providing to the Mugina genocide Survivors and urges the beneficiaries to take care to the cows that they got and thanked them for having shown their dertermination to preserve properly the support that was given to them.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Avaliable now on Digital HD and DVD in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Japan and South Korea.
Rent or buy the movie from one of our partners.
Own your own physical copy on DVD with a lot of bonus features!
© 2019 Vilsen. All rights reserved.


To work in co-ordination with the nursery team but to maintain overall management of the kitchen processes.
To stay within the budget provided by head office.
How this will be achieved?
Cleaning rotas set up and correct colour coded equipment and clothes used for various tasks. Cleaning and sanitising products used to achieve the highest level of cleanliness. Cleaning routines to be carried out every day.
Food products to be stocked up sufficiently to cater for the current numbers of children and to be able to provide what is on the menu. Stocks rotated to be keep within date. Storage cupboards regularly tidied and re-organised.
Based on research for the needs of young children in their diet and the types of meal that work with young children work out a three week rotating summer and winter menu. Meet with director and nursery manager to change and update accordingly.
Undertake hazard analysis in line with environmental health requirements. Risk assess any high risk foods available on the menu. Keep clear records so that the director, Ofsted or environmental health can follow an audit trail.
Be aware that nursery staff may need to use the kitchen but remain professional and do not allow the staff to interrupt work schedules or discuss nursery business in the kitchen. Also do not allow them to impact on the hygiene levels in the kitchen.
Keep a list of equipment that needs replacing or new equipment required. Discard dangerous or faulty equipment right away if this poses a risk. Plan ahead with the budget regarding new purchases to be made.


text:
Tag: Tourism
Air India's Direct Washington-Delhi Flight
Inaugural Launch of Air India's Nonstop Washington-Delhi Flight is Celebrated in Style
"Today, we celebrate an important partnership and welcome Air India's direct air service to Dulles", Virginia's Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe said at a press conference, soon after the first flight, AI 103, arrived from Delhi. Continue reading Inaugural Launch of Air India's Nonstop Washington-Delhi Flight is Celebrated in Style
Garden Tourism Festival in Delhi
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Vows to Make Delhi a Tourism Hub
Inaugurating the 28th Garden Tourism Festival, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pledged to work hard on turning the capital city into the "tourism hub" of the nation and putting it on par with developed global cities. Continue reading Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Vows to Make Delhi a Tourism Hub
Air India to Offer Direct Flights from Washington to Delhi
Air India Unveils New Nonstop Service between Washington and Delhi
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said, "Instead of putting walls up around our country, we are taking barriers down and building a bridge which is 7,480 miles, opening up new opportunities to link the Commonwealth of Virginia to the great country of India". Continue reading Air India Unveils New Nonstop Service between Washington and Delhi


text:
Go Hiking Hiking Guide Wilderness Peak Loop
Wilderness Peak Loop Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk. https://2fwww.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/wilderness-peak https://2fwww.wta.org/site_images/hikes/boardwalkatbigbottommarsh.jpg/@@download/image/BoardwalkAtBigBottomMarsh.jpg
Wilderness Peak Loop
Issaquah Alps
Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
4.0 miles, roundtrip
Gain: 1200 ft.
Highest Point: 1598 ft.
(32 votes) Log in to rate
WTA worked here: 2020
The narrow boardwalk on Cougar Mountain's Wilderness Peak. Photo by Quantum Guru.
306 Trip Reports for this trail, below
Hike by WTA Correspondents: Alan Gibbs
Hike trails named in honor of mountaineers Jim Whittaker and Nawang Gombu, of 1963 Mount Everest ascent fame. Wilderness Peak may not be Everest, but it is the highest point in King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and it does have some wonderful old-growth conifers. This loop hike offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides, huge mossy boulders, and a low swampy area traversed via a narrow boardwalk.
Begin your hike on the Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail. It immediately crosses a rustic bridge and begins to switchback uphill. It's a very green forest walk, with a lot of ferns and moss, a few small streams and some large glacial erratic boulders. In spring, be alert for wildflowers including trillium, yellow violet, and avens.
In 0.5 mi, turn right at the sign onto the Gombu Wilderness Cliffs Trail. This 1.3 mi trail will rejoin the Whittaker Trail at its upper end, but it provides a shorter, somewhat steeper route to the summit of Wilderness Peak. The first few yards of Gombu's trail trend slightly downhill, but very soon your climb will resume. It's a fine forest trail, traversing some fairly steep hillsides, but despite the name there are no genuine cliffs.
Eventually, the route drops a few feet, and early in the season there may be a small pond to the right of the trail. The uphill resumes for a short while, then the trail crosses a ridge and drops to rejoin the Whittaker Trail at its upper end. Here, an 0.1 mi side trail leads to the gently rounded, forested "summit" of 1,598-foot Wilderness Peak, the highest point in the Cougars.
There is no view from the summit, although there is a bench for any hikers who might want to sit after the 1,200-foot climb from the trailhead. You can sign the "summit register" if you like, and add comments about anything unusual you may have seen on your way up.
When you are rested you could return the way you came, but it's much more interesting to continue your hike as a loop and return via the Whittaker trail.
The ongoing Whittaker trail heads gently downhill to the west and in 0.5 mi reaches Shy Bear Pass, where several trails meet. (Yes, a few black bears do make the Cougars their home, but a sighting of the eponymous bashful bruin here is very unlikely.)
Continue on Whittaker's trail as it bends around toward the east and descends some more. Soon, the trail crosses the marshy area of Big Bottom Bog. Early in the season there will be a lot of standing water, and mud later on. The tread here is on a very narrow boardwalk that zigzags around large boulders. Be alert for any hikers who might be coming from the opposite direction, and if you encounter any try to cope the best you can.
Continuing on, you will pass still more large boulders, including one huge overhanging rock with a "cave" beneath it, offering a possible storm shelter for any hiker or critter in need.
All too soon, your trail returns to the junction with Gombu's trail, and you will have completed the loop part of your hike. From there, just stay on the Whittaker trail to return to your trailhead.
Extending your hike: Want to double the length and fun of your hike, but with only a little more elevation change? You can add an additional loop to your route when you reach the half-way point. As you approach Shy Bear Pass, be alert for the signed Shy Bear Trail on your right and take it westward. After about 0.4 mi, pass a junction with the Quarry Trail and continue on the Shy Bear Trail. Soon, your trail drops down to Shy Bear Marsh and crosses the marshy area on a rustic boardwalk.
About 0.5 mi beyond the boardwalk, be alert for a weathered sign on the left that announces the junction with the Deceiver Trail (no history is provided, so you are free to speculate about the name.) Turn onto this trail and continue generally south and east. In about 0.5 mi, note a signed trail on the right leading to Doughty Falls. Early in the season the water will be running, although in late summer the falls may be dry. The falls are small, but they are picturesque and it's well worth the short side trip for a look (perhaps 200 ft, with 45 ft elevation loss.) If you are here in the early afternoon on a sunny day, the falls will be brightly lit by the sun.
Return to the Deceiver Trail, continue on and come to a fork that may be unsigned. Your map may indicate the right fork leads to a viewpoint. You can check it out if you like, but it's minimal. Trees continue to grow, and today the view window is very small. To reach it, you have to hike up over the knoll you see in front of you, then drop a few feet down the other side. If you go that far, you will find a bench at the viewpoint.
Back at the unsigned fork on the Deceiver Trail take the left fork, shown on your map as the Long View Peak Trail. It will lead you back to Shy Bear Pass in about 1 mile, passing a junction with the Ring Road Trail along the way. From the pass, resume your hike on the Whittaker trail, and return to your trailhead.
Whittaker Wilderness Peak (#COUGAR-E4), Gombu Wilderness Cliffs (#)
King County Parks
Harvey Manning
Winter Walks and Hikes Puget Sound
Ed 2 (2002)
Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer
Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region
Green Trails Cougar Mountain / Squak Mountain
No. 203S
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
map often available at trailhead
or downloadable from king county website.
From I-90, near the western edge of Issaquah, take Exit 15 and head south on Highway 900 (aka 17th Ave NW or, later, Renton-Issaquah Rd SE.) In a bit over three miles from I-90, be alert for a blue sign with white letters on the right side of the road, which reads "Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park / Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead." Slow down, and just before the sign turn uphill on the asphalt road that leads into a small parking area at an elevation of 395 feet. There is room for about a dozen cars, and no permit is required. A portable toilet is available but no regular water source.
You can look over the information board, and often you will find paper copies of a trail map available for the taking. If you prefer, the trail map can be downloaded in advance. It takes several clicks to get there. From www.kingcounty.gov begin with "Services / Parks and Recreation," then "How do I Find / Hiking Trails," then "Backcountry Trails," then "Cougar Mountain," and finally "Cougar Mountain Map." The map is on Page 2 of the downloaded pdf file.
Park trails are open from 8 AM until dusk. The Whittaker and Gombu trails are designated for hikers only, i.e. no bikes or horses. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Practice Leave No Trace on Trail and in Camp
306 Trip Reports


text:
2019 Daytime Emmys hosts announced: Mario Lopez and Sheryl Underwood return for the 3rd year in a row
Daniel Montgomery	dan_something
Invision/AP/Shutterstock
"The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) is happy to announce that two of daytime television's brightest stars, Mario Lopez and Sheryl Underwood, will lead the magnificent celebration planned for this year's 46th Daytime Emmy Awards," said academy President Adam Sharp in a statement on April 16. He was revealing the emcees for the main awards ceremony that will take place on May 5 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Burbank, California. This is the third year in a row that Lopez and Underwood will preside over the festivities.
Academy SVP David Michaels added, "I am thrilled to have one of the most entertaining combinations in daytime television hosting our grand gala at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. With their combined wit and charm, plus America's favorite arbiter, Judge Judy, receiving this year's lifetime achievement award as well as the best of daytime nominated in all genres and a stellar list of presenters yet to be announced, it promises to be a memorable night for the daytime community."
SIGN UPfor Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions
Lopez is an Emmy winner for Best Entertainment News Program as host of "Extra," and he's nominated again this year. Underwood is also an Emmy champ, having claimed Best Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2017 along with her fellow "The Talk" hosts at the time Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne and Aisha Tyler. Underwood is currently up for that award again, this time with Chen, Gilbert, Osbourne and recently added hosts Eve and Carrie Ann Inaba.
In addition, the academy announced that David Osmond has been tapped to host the Creative Arts Awards taking place on May 3, while "General Hospital" alum Carolyn Hennessy will be hosting the May 5 Emmys red carpet and post-show events. Osmond was a Daytime Emmy nominee last year for the family series "Wonderama." Hennessy, meanwhile, earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for "GH" in 2010 and won Best Digital Drama Supporting Actress for "The Bay" in 2017.
PREDICTthe Daytime Emmys now; change them until May 5
Be sure to make your Daytime Emmy predictions so that Hollywood insiders can see how their shows and performers are faring in our odds. You can keep changing your predictions until winners are announced on May 5. And join in the fierce debate over the 2019 Daytime Emmys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our daytime TV forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
Daytime Emmys Best Drama Series: Every Winner in Emmy Awards History
How the 'West Side Story' hair and makeup team worked with Rita Moreno to create Valentina's look…


text:
Home General Issues Guest Contributor Corey Gilkes: On Cheating and the Other Wo(man)
Guest Contributor Corey Gilkes: On Cheating and the Other Wo(man)
This is a first of sorts for me. After years of amateur research into Classical Africa to enlighten fellow Trinidadians about the richness of their culture, this is the very first time I'm actually writing on a site based in Africa itself (and hopefully I do not make it the last time, I tend to have that effect). I learned of this website after a debate initiated by a two-part essay I wrote on another website entitled "The Myth of Monogamous Morality." I read some of the articles here and came across one entitled "Why People Cheat" and I thought I'd offer my views on this very sensitive topic and hopefully link it to another article I read named "The Other Woman." I liked how the first article featured the views of other people apart from the writer and attempted to go beyond the usual judgemental, religiously-influenced views I normally encounter.
There were, however, some key points that in my opinion were either insufficiently explored or missing altogether in both of them. Like many discussions I have come across and even books written by psychologists and anthropologists, there seems to be an assumption that does not need to be examined that the monogamous model is the moral benchmark for any discussion exploring extramarital/third party sexual interaction (as you will see I try to refrain from using the word "cheat" or as we say in Trinidad, "horning"). That sexual arrangement has been posited as the only moral model for so long, particularly in societies influenced by patriarchal Western Christian values, that many of us give it not even a second thought that that may also hold clues to understanding the problem. This is because even before the existence of Christianity, that was becoming the approved social model among a certain religious group that would later influence Christian thinking. Wherever men and women co-exist there are always matricentric ideas – generally communalistic, open and fluid and patricentric ideas – generally authoritarian, individualistic, possessive and competitive. These ideas informed patterns of behaviour and values though they are by no means restricted to any one gender or sex. But, as I discovered in my research, and I stand to be corrected, there was always a delicate balance between the two principles that were usually irrevocably slanted towards the patriarchal principle in response to some cataclysmic occurrence or series of events such as war, famine and ecological conditions – sometimes all of the above.
How did we even arrive at viewing sex and relationships using monogamy – and closed, exclusive monogamy to be precise – as the moral benchmark? Research has shown that human beings are by no means naturally monogamous, increasingly evidence is showing and confirming that the ideas we have about romance and exclusive emotional attachments are myths, yet that monogamous pairing seems to be an article of faith. A few things should be noted about the monogamous model; in fact they may very well be THE points of departure before one embarks on any discussion on sex and what is morally acceptable. In the Americas our moral ideas prohibiting third-party sexual interaction – along with premarital sex – stems from two main streams that were very strong in the patriarchal mindset of ancient Eurasia and Arabia and had nothing to do with any god. One is that it presented a serious threat to male claims to property rights in ancient cultures where the concept of fatherhood was being developed and linked with paternal inheritance. The other and probably the oldest stream was a belief very strong in many patriarchal cultures that sex was something extremely dangerous, corrupting and was a power held by women. Therefore, it had to be contained along with the women who possessed that "contaminating" power. The chief means by which this was accomplished was by creating and imposing notions of guilt and sin; women were particularly targeted and made to feel ashamed for their bodies, particularly their genitals, and their very sexual selves. In fact, I remember as a child growing up in the 70s and 80s my mother and other women referring to their genitals and breasts as their "shame."
The interesting thing is that at first monogamy was not the approved social/sexual model; this nonsensical idea that open relationships, swinging, polyamory, friend-with-benefits/sexual friendships, etc, is eroding the "traditional marriage" assumes that monogamy WAS traditional. Most of these other arrangements were "traditional" and existed for thousands of years prior to the imposition of monogamy. In patriarchy, there was a shift towards singular authoritarian models in all aspects of life and men were considered the aggressor in all aspects of life – keep in mind we are looking at the period following the end of the last Ice Age and in the Eurasian region roving, hunter-gatherer, militaristic lifestyle was how a clan functioned in order to survive. And so the more open, fluid arrangements that existed among matricentric cultures were contracted and applied only to men. Sexual fidelity was absolute for women but only relative for men and that thinking carried on through to the rise of the Greek, Roman and Islamic civilisations. It was Christian thinkers who carried it through to the level it is at now in the West and in countries that were colonised by the West, and to a different extent, Islam. Theologians like Tertullian and especially Augustine (who was quite a player in his younger days) advanced ideas that ALL sex was sinful because any interaction with women brought men into intimate contact with a being who was inherently sinful because of her very nature. However, since children were needed, the best way to restrict the "sin" was to confine it to one man with one woman (another expectation was that by encouraging marriage, thus going back on an earlier disapproval of marriage altogether, and by rigidly encouraging monogamy, it would KILL sexual desire, eliminate sex and thus bring about the return of the Christian saviour who had not come in the time frame they had originally anticipated). Part of the influencing ideas came from Greece as well as Levite Judaism; Augustine drew from these sources and developed the doctrine that informs the way we approach sexual relations with each other….to this day.
Ms Darkoa further said in one of the replies in the Comments section that often in spite of the love and attention a woman or man may be given they may still "cheat" and that "cheating is a sign that there is something fundamentally flawed within the relationship." Now it's not that Ms Darkoa was wrong in this assertion – there are very few absolutes or either/or perspectives in these topics – the facts show that many an affair started because one person felt neglected or for whatever reason was not happy in the relationship as they once felt. But again, here one sees an assumption posited by patricentrically-influenced ideas and theories that have profound influence in our respective societies. Namely, the notion that only one person (the proverbial "The One" or "Soulmate" as s/he is referred to in the West) can necessarily fulfil all one's security, emotional, intellectual, sexual and spiritual needs. Thus, if either party becomes emotionally/intimately involved with a third party, then there is necessarily something wrong within the relationship. My research, conversations and even personal experiences have indicated that the main problem lies not so much in the relationship or the person (dey too damn sinful, dey weak, dey is cowards, no discipline!!) but, again, in the closed monogamous model itself and that fallacious belief that one can only be emotionally attached to or hold feelings of love for one partner and one partner alone.
In 1982 Dr Lynn Atwater published a book entitled "The Extramarital Connection" in which she interviewed hundreds of women who had had extramarital relationships. She informs us that many of those she interviewed did not have unhappy marriages or relationships or did not fall out of love with their spouses. A similar study showed the same thing among a high percentage of husbands and boyfriends. Among the common reasons given was that the third element possessed qualities or interests their spouses/SO did not have. If we use Angel's response in The Other Woman, we see exactly what scholars like Atwater have been saying for years. I myself know of a woman who is married and had a relatively brief relationship with an old schoolmate. She did love her husband, still does, but many of the activities and pursuits that are closest to her he has no interests in while Kerry, her other friend, did. In Kerry she found someone who shared her passions and provided an emotional support that her husband did not and she loved both of them (whether or not the love was "equal" is frankly irrelevant). Needless to say she felt very guilty for a long time and she kept her relationship with Kerry a secret from her husband until they eventually parted.
My point is that I am not arguing for any home-wrecking, certainly not for the dismantling of monogamy – as if such a thing was even possible – in favour of polygamy which in many cases is no less patriarchal, or anything else. What I am saying is that we need to expand and redefine the rules we follow regarding sexual interaction given that the dynamics of travel, work and communication has moved way beyond what was the reality 2, 3, 4000 years ago. Atwater said "We have inherited a repressive set of legal, moral and religious codes that we still use to guide our attitudes, yet these codes were never designed to meet the problems of modern intimacy that confront us today." I argue that they are not appropriate now, they were not appropriate then, and must now be expanded to create environments where informed, consenting adults can interact with each other intimately – however they choose to define it – without having to hide from their principal partners and especially without having to do so under clouds of guilt and sin because of what some people think the Almighty ordered written in some book.
Previous articleBoyfriend, Man Friend or Partner?
Next articleA link to bell hooks article on "Penis Passion "
http://adventuresfrom.com
Rape Fantasy – The Need for New Terminology By OLUKO
A plea for decongestion by Dr Stella Nyanzi
Vagina vs Vulva: Does It Matter Which Word You Use?
Merrymary March 3, 2011 at 11:26 am
Interesting article!! Maybe the make up of the human being is not to stick with one person for ever and ever indeed but its deep!!!
But it does pose a problem of regard or disregard for peoples "feelings". I doubt everyone would and could accept that they might ultimately have to share someone.
Nana Darkoa March 3, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Hmmm, I don't even know what to say in response to this article. Firstly thank you for sharing such a thorough, thought stimulating piece. As someone who is just embarking on a new relationship you've made me think a bit more about what happens if I or my partner meet someone we really fancy…my thought process so far has been "I have no intention of cheating" but with this article in mind I think my new strategy will be to be open about how I feel, if I feel the desire to cheat for e.g. So strategy would be to have an open conversation and take it from there. Thanks Corey!
Corey Gilkes March 4, 2011 at 7:24 am
You're most welcome Nana and thank you for allowing me the space to write my views.
@ Merrymary
The "makeup" of most humans is indeed not to be monogamous and certainly not forever and ever (the notion of beig married "till death us do part" is actually relatively recent; the ancients did not necessarily approach marriage in that light and some scholars speculate that the average marriage lasted between 4-7 years [which, as it turns out, is how long the average relationship today goes before numerous changes take place tha may bring couples closer or move them apart]) Having said that, the reality is that many couples CAN remain monogamous and have been ableto do so and remain happy. My issue really is with the idea that that must be the model for all people; the human species is far too complex and diverse. But that diversity is exactly why in patriarchy we have had this one model-for-all imposed; patriarchal ideology is by its very nature singular and authoritarian; it has very little tolerance for diversity because a different view is a potentially threateneing view.
As for the question of feelings and disregard of feelings, this is where communication SHOULD play a part. I'd hasten to point out that that communication should occur before any serious step into the relationship is taken. A lot of the angst stems from the unspoken assumptions of exclusivity; we have had the exclusive, closed model imposed on us since birth so it is assumed that that is how we will be in relationships. The complexities of the human makeup is never properly explained so when we interact with other people (in ways the creators of these ideas never thought imaginable 3000-odd years ago) and find ourselves drawn to them, we have all kinds of turmoil because of the unspoken cultural expectations
One other thing ad this goes particularly of the feelings and discomfort one may have with "sharing" someone. Much of this stems from the mindset patricentrism has created of a somewhat childish sense of possession vs loss. Upon marriage or going steady the spouse/SO ceases to become a person but is now one's private possession. So anytime a third party enters into the picture, that sense of loss or impending loss of your "property" reflexively kicks in. This is something one has to consciously examine and I have no clear answer; hell, I often state that it may too late for most people and my writings are really for those 21 and under; most of us over that age are incapable of learning anything, the mind is almost completely closed off to new information unless it is to reinforce what we already know and want to believe (of course that could just be me being cynical so be warned)
But the point is that yes, many will have a problem sharing and inasmuch as that comes from being socialised in a certain way, they need to make it clear what they are comfortable with early on in the relationship and not leave it open to assumptions.


The multi-volume Perspectives series brings together leading scholars to debate some of the most challenging issues in biblical studies, theology, and pastoral ministry.
Each volume of this series presents a point-counterpoint exchange concerning a given topic. The general format is a chapter presented by a prominent person concerning each topic with a brief response by the other contributors.


text:
Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram
Scroll through to find out what we're up to, and what we've been doing. These listings cover events, walks, presentations and publications and we'll do our best to keep up to date. For daily happenings, follow our latest social media posts (right).
May 2 to May 3
Wye Valley River Festival
The Wye Valley River Festival takes place every two years, using various locations in this beautiful valley for creative engagement with the natural world. It's a stunning place, and we're delighted to be among the artists involved this year alongside the team from the Wye Valley AONB, with an installation among the trees at Symonds Yat. There will be more info on the festival website soon, but for now mark the dates: the festival runs from May 2-17th. We'll be there with our installations on May 2nd and 3rd.
March 30 to April 24
NOW.HERE Exhibition at the Vallum Gallery
Somehow nearly ten years have flown past since we started working together. The 'NOW.HERE' exhibition at the Vallum Gallery in Carlisle will share a selection of our work from the last decade, drawing on collections made in previous projects as well as work that we've not yet shared, including a new Utah set. There will be a preview evening and a public talk linked with this exhibition, dates TBC - watch Facebook and Twitter for details. More info here.
Artistic Provocateurs : Envecon 2020
We're very curious about the impact of economic philosophy and practice on the state of the environment, and the way that the natural world is valued. So we're delighted to have been invited to the 2020 Envocon Conference run by Eftec (the UK's network for environmental economists) to share artwork and provoke debate among delegates about cost and value and our connection to the natural world. The event is for environmental economists and interested parties from academia, consultancy and the public and private sector - a multi-sector conference providing an opportunity to share research methods and results and practical experience in applying environmental economics in the UK and elsewhere. If this sounds like your kind of thing, check out the details here.
Presentation in Edinburgh: The Hutton Club
Very pleased to be kicking off the year with a talk at the Hutton Club at the University of Edinburgh. We'll be drawing on several years of work in the field, including photography, poetry, walks, conversations and debate, as we consider multiple perspectives on place and the complexities of landscape care and management. 2020 is going to be a year of significant change on many levels - a continuing climate and biodiversity crisis, political shifts (we can no longer avoid talking about Brexit) and the need for active changes. What part does art play in geographical research and in day-to-day appreciation of the challenges we face? Come along if you can! 4pm at The Hutton Club, Old Library, Institute of Geography, 1 Drummond Street, EH8 9XP.
Poetry Reading, Brewery Poets at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
Harriet will be reading alongside two other Brewery Poets - Mark Carson and Antony Christie - in the lovely intimate venue of the Warehouse at the Brewery. Grab a drink from the VATS bar and join us ... doors open at 7pm. Booking and info here.
Taking The Long View: U3A Talk, Windermere
We carried out The Long View project in 2015-2017 but of course the seven trees are still there, and we still visit them. Looking forward to sharing images, poetry and a wider discussion about the Lake District landscape with the U3A group in Windermere: Marchesi Centre, Holly Road, LA23 2AF.
November 4 to November 10
Artists in the Field Exhibition, London
Delighted to be part of this exhibition bringing together work from 14 artists working 'in the field' and taking an artful approach to geography - through research, expeditions, inter-disciplinary collaborations, and presentations. The exhibition is in place for a week to include the Explore weekend (8-10th December), with an Artists in the Field panel discussion on Sunday 10th November. The exhibition and panel discussion are being curated by our fellow artist-geographers and all-round good people Andrew Ranville, Luce Choules and Alice Pedroletti. Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR. Free Entry.
'In Our Hands' ~ Film Premier
Super excited about this. Earlier this year Harriet was asked to write a poem for Friends of the Lake District to mark their 85th anniversary, and something beautiful has grown from this. The poem has become a performance and a film, lovingly crafted by Terry Abraham, with the lines read by more than 30 people. The premier of the film will be shown on the big screen at Rheged, with introductory talks by Harriet, by Douglas Chalmers (Chief Executive, Friends of the Lake District), and by film maker Terry Abraham. Join us if you can! https://www.rheged.com/event/in-our-hands-premiere/
Wild Words in the Landscape
We're very chuffed to have been invited by the John Muir Trust to present this event. We'll be taking people on a thoughtful journey through the physical and cultural landscape of the Cumbrian hills, with reflections on other parts of the UK's uplands with images, poetry and stories. Join us and the John Muir Trust for the evening at George Fisher in Keswick. Following the talk we'll be running a drop-in creative session. Doors Open 7pm. Tickets and Details here.
International Perspectives : Key Note Presentation
We've been given the wonderful opportunity to work with Principia College in Illinois, USA, as Annenberg Scholars. At the end of our week with the students we'll be giving a presentation at this annual event. If you happen to be nearby ... come along!
September 17 to September 20
The Light of Things : Making Sense of Here
This is the first of two residencies that we're running as part of Sense of Here, and it's hugely exciting to be welcoming a group of emerging artists to join us in the Lake District. We're partnering with the Wordsworth Trust and Grizedale Sculpture to run this 4-day residency, and linking with the wider programme being run by Great Place : Lakes and Dales. More information here - and in December we'll be sharing the work produced by the residents.
The Archive of Lost Woods
To mark the proposed destruction of ancient woodlands along the route of HS2, which deeply sadens us, we've teamed up with the Woodland Trust and have created a site-specific artwork. The Archive of Lost Woods is an immersive art installation, sited in one of the 108 woodlands that are due to be affected as land is cleared to make way for the building of HS2 (even though HS2, currently, is pending review). The event is open to a limited number of guests, by application. More information and ticket booking here.
September 13 to November 10
Westmorland Landscape Prize Exhibition, Rheged
We were absolutely delighted to be selected for this show at Rheged in Penrith. The Westmorland Landscape Prize 'celebrates and interrogates our relationship with landscape.' Our work will be on show alongside 70 other pieces chosen from over 1000 submissions. 'The Light Walk' piece is a response to our seven-day walk between seven remarkably ordinary trees in midsummer 2016, as part of The Long View (more on The Long View exhibition here). The exhibition is in place 13 September - 10 November. Find out more from the Rheged website here.
Poetry in Motion - Another Waynwright Day
Delighted to be taking part in this exciting day organised by Amy Bray, founder of Another Way. In one day, the aim is to have events taking place on of as many of the Wainright summits as possible. We'll be on Helm Crag above Grasmere. Weather permitting we'll be siting an artwork on the summit, and whatever the weather we'll be there to share bisucits and build a poem drawing in contributions from anyone who wants to join in. So do stroll up and see us! The day will mark the launch of Another Way, whose mission is 'to empower people to change their own lives for the health and happiness of themselves, their community and our planet.' It is also a record breaking attempt for the most people simultaneously summitting each of the Wainrights in the Lakeland fells, 'highlighting the need to bring our planet back from the brink of disaster.' More details on Amy's website here: Another Way.
Timber Festival, The National Forest
Hurray! We're returning to the wonderful Timber Festival this year not just as punters, but with a site-specific installation: a new Haiku in the Trees drawing on our previous work in Cumbria, but composed especially for the National Forest, which holds stories of transformation and new life. Delighted to be part of an exciting gathering of artists, musicians, writers and creatives sharing their passion for the natural world, and trees in particular. Come and join us to enjoy the festival, join debates, walk with poetry, and dance into the night.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - Previous | Next - Page 1 of 9
Latest Social
Sign up here to find out what we are doing and what we are thinking.
Tweets by @butnorain
M: 07813 829368 / 07866 452605
E: inspire@somewhere-nowhere.com
© Copyright 2015 somewhere-nowhere. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy


text:
'Cowboy Bebop' Creator Couldn't Bear Watching The Netflix Adaptation Of His Work
Super Bowl LV May Double Down On Social And Racial Justice Ads – Report
By Bruce Haring
Bruce Haring
Forget lost puppies and horses, adult-like babies, and weird stunts involving snack foods. Instead, this year's Super Bowl ads will prominently feature social and racial justice issues, along with Covid-19 messages, according to a sports business trade report.
The NFL has already embraced such messages, placing "Black Lives Matter" on player helmets and in end zones. Super Bowl LV will be televised by CBS this year and played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Feb. 7 if the league schedule is not adjusted by pandemic concerns.
"It's going to be 'Black Lives Matter,' it's going to be COVID. It's going to be [about] coming together," said Bill Oberlander, cofounder and executive creative director of the ad agency OBERLAND, speaking to Front Office Sports.
Peacock Clears 20M Subscribers, Helping Comcast Nip Wall Street Q4 Estimates
The reason for the social justice turn is simple, according to a study conducted by Oberland's firm and real-time market research firm Suzy: Brands are more at risk from saying nothing than speaking out against racism.
The survey found that roughly 80% of consumers want brands to respond to racism by making a statement or donating money to anti-racism organizations. And 35% of consumers ages 19-26 say they've stopped buying from brands that have not spoken out against racism since George Floyd's death on May 25.
The new "You Love Me" video from Apple's Beats by Dre was cited as one such example of what football fans can expect. The spot featured tennis champion Naomi Osaka and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace talking about how they are loved for what they do, but not as a people.
"You love Black culture. But you do love me?" asks the video message. The spot has already garnered 22 million YouTube views.
"I can't imagine that advertisers are not going to use this as an opportunity to speak up on behalf of their brands — or on behalf of the social impact that's going on all around," Oberlander predicted.
Implementing such social messages is tricky. Pepsi was excoriated for its Kendall Jenner ad featuring the model calming a protest confrontation with police by offering the soft drink.
The Super Bowl generates more than $400 million in annual ad revenue and is typically the most-viewed television event of the year.
Super Bowl LV
10 Gregory Allen Howard Dies: Screenwriter On 'Remember The Titans' And Producer Was 70
Latest TV News
CNBC: Denise Contis & Timothy Kuryak To Exit As Network Moves Out Of Primetime Originals
'Cowboy Bebop' Creator Couldn't Bear Watching The Netflix Adaptation Of His Work


text:
Home Women In Action Action Makers
Action Makers includes female directors, writers, and all those who contribute to action.
Rosemary Rodriguez
Rosemary Rodriguez is a director and producer. She has directed an impressive list of shows such as The Walking Dead, The Tick, Rescue Me, Law & Order: SVU; The Good Wife, and Jessica Jones. She also directed the pilot of Cagney & Lacey. She has brought out the best of the powerful women in all of these shows.
Women In Stunts - February 17, 2016 0
Director, writer and producer, Kimberly Peirce is one of the 105 people invited to join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2008. She is a director and writer, known for BOYS DON'T CRY (1999) starring Hilary Swank. his film earned numerous honors including the Best Actress Oscar and Golden Globe for Hilary Swank.


CRR and I drove into the countryside on a recent lazy weekend, and veered off the main highways onto those beautiful lanes that remind us why we love living in Virginia. We visited two vineyards, enjoyed the scenery and then wandered into an orchard where we had picked apples with the boys when they were young.
Turns out it was cherry season. We've lived in Virginia for 30 years and didn't realize cherries were grown here. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, apples – we've picked them all. But cherries? We were pleasantly astonished.
We picked huge bags full of cherries at $2 a pound. We gobbled some on the way home and schemed what to do with the rest. We compromised. I spent a couple hours sitting on the patio pitting the cherries. Then I froze half of them and CRR began fermenting his half for cherry wine, or whatever will result.
Bring the cherries and their juices to a boil. Set aside. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt in a bowl. Incorporate the milk and set aside. Melt the butter in a 2-quart baking vessel. Pour the batter over the butter. Carefully pour the cherries over the mixture. Do not stir. Sprinkle a teaspoon or two of raw or turbinado sugar over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until batter is browned. Serve warm or at room temp. Ice cream is optional: we tried 3 variations: pistachio, vanilla bean and pineapple coconut.
Confession: We have been cucumber failures. Utter abysmal defeat. Bugs got 'em. Disease got 'em. So we quit trying. Garden what you're good at, right?
Then last year we cleared some gardening space in our back yard. It's a long story but we almost quit the erratically-managed community garden where we've rented for a decade. At the last minute, CRR caved. So we've got two gardens: our back yard and the community garden mile away.
Time to experiment. We have about six hours of direct sun at home, so we tried vegetables that have failed us time and time again in the full-sun community plot. The sugar snap peas have had a spectacular season. No issue there – we eat them right of hand, or in salads. Arugula and butter lettuce have had a long spectacular season, apparently loving the cool shade. We love it.
But the cukes. O.M.G. After two months of agonizing over their lazy interest to thrive, BOOM, the vines took off. I watched the cute little yellow blossoms turn into tiny cucumbers-to-be. They're climbing the trellises and threatening the tomatoes.
Now we are reaping the harvest. Suddenly we have 6-8-10-inch muscle-bound cukes. Gulp. After so many years of failure, I am ill-equipped to deal with this onslaught.
I'm making a mandoline-thin sliced cucumber feta salad for dinner tonight. But clearly I need more ideas. Send me your recipes! #Help!
Sandy K. Johnson is a journalist who writes real news and is a fierce protector of the First Amendment.
More cruises to Cuba are setting sail from ports on Florida's coast this year as the market for American tourism settles down after Obama eased travel restrictions in 2015. My family just returned from a week-long cruise with stops at Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos and, yes, Havana.
Caution: These cruises aren't Love Boats. They are regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which means travelers must participate in educational activities, often called people-to-people exchanges. An educational visa is required.
We loved the educational vibe on our cruise. The cultural activities were fun and interesting: lessons on Cuban history, santoria, salsa dancing classes, African-Cuban history, performances by Cuban dance and music groups, rum-tasting, and more.
For us, the on-ship highlight was an improvised talk by four Cuban exiles who were returning "home" for the first time. They described their ambivalence and the downright hostility of some of their older relatives whose grudge against the Castro brothers remains strong. In the end, all said they were compelled to go back to Cuba to see what had changed and to see relatives left behind five decades ago. One was Elena, a retired teacher who couldn't resist the opportunity to return to Havana after 55 years to meet a half-sister for the first time. We later saw them walking down the street holding hands.
As part of the people-to-people requirement, we were encouraged to engage with Cubans on shore. We were schooled in basic Spanish phrases, currency tips and cultural do's and don'ts. Once on shore, we chatted with shopkeepers, artists, vendors, people who have opened cafes in their homes (paladeres) and yes, the drivers of the vintage 1950s cars that are the staple of the taxi fleet. We roamed the streets of Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos and Havana. Cuban people were friendly and curious. Love of baseball was a common denominator.
We'd been pondering how to visit Cuba for several years and knew lodging is scarce (and likely without AC). The cruise ship helped resolve that issue – it gave us comfortable rooms and amenities, we only had to unpack once and transportation between cities was taken care of. The downside to cruising is we had less time on shore. We had to rush some of our "must see" sites.
We're big Teddy Roosevelt fans so we were thrilled to see San Juan Hill, the site of the military victory in 1898 that propelled his political career. Note that the locals call the conflict the Spanish-Cuban-American War, because while freed from Spanish rule they were then occupied by Americans for decades.
Another highlight was the Museum of the Revolution in Havana. The museum is filled with relics and photos depicting Castro's takeover and the subsequent 50-year standoff with the U.S. (from his vantagepoint of course). In front of the museum sits a tank commanded by Castro at the Bay of Pigs, when exiles disastrously failed to invade. An area adjacent contains the "Granma," the boat Castro commanded on his ultimately successful invasion in 1959.
The island really is stuck in a time warp. Castro time, that is. Half a century of U.S. embargo and then the loss of their patrons in the USSR has left a crumbling — but proud — country.
We have only two regrets. One, baseball season was over, so we didn't catch a few innings of Cubano ball. Two, we didn't get out into the countryside. We heard the Vinales Valley in western Cuba is incredible. We would have liked to tour a sugar cane or tobacco plantation, since they are staples (rum and cigars) of the Cuban economy. Or do some hiking in the Sierra Maestra or Escambray mountains, where Castro's guerrillas plotted their revolution.
It'll start our to-do list for next time. We couldn't get enough of this colorful culture and people, blended like a fine mojito.
Addendum: Here's a 2-minute video about travel to Cuba.
It's the 4th of July holiday weekend and, naturally, the Dakota kids have laid in an awesome amount of meat to grill. No matter that we're going out for several meals – it is the principle of the thing. Holiday = grilling.
I started giggling, thinking of all the marketing and labeling shenanigans that have been foisted on the unthinking public: Light, lite, natural, low-fat, low-cal ,etc.
Protein has been particularly susceptible: organic, farm-raised, free-range, 100% gluten-free, hormone-free, 100% vegetarian raised, wild-caught, blah blah.
People, read the labels. Then decide for yourself whether you really care that your fish was "wild caught," when in fact it was wild caught in Thailand, where food safety rules may be, er, rather lax. Or that your pork loin, "100% farm-raised," contains up to 15% water, vinegar and marinating chemicals.
CRR and I grew up with the original organic protein. Our parents raised the cattle, chickens and pigs that went to slaughter to pack our freezers. We snagged trout and walleye and perch directly from the rivers and lakes. But I also don't sweat animals that have been raised in confinement – check out how super-expensive Kobe beef is raised.
If you really care, do your homework and make your own informed decision as a consumer. Free-range may mean something completely different than what you think. You may not actually know what a GMO is — but Jimmy Kimmel does.
Just don't be fooled by stupid labels that some PR firm was paid millions to snooker you.
Back to the beef. Americans eat 24 billion pounds of home-grown beef a year; fewer than 1 billion pounds are imported, primarily from Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
And if you want to be truly informed, read this 92-page list of USDA rules about meat additives. Then go shopping, and know what you're talking about.
And Happy 4th of July. Grill away!
Sandy Johnson is a journalist and a gardener, equally passionate about both. She lives in Alexandria, VA. Visit her on her blog, Grassroots & Gardening.
CRR is a tree hugger. Growing up on the sparsely-treed prairie, it was probably preordained that he would become a lover of trees.
During the Dust Bowl, topsoil literally blew away as winds howled down the prairie. With little natural tree cover, there was nothing to stop the clouds of dirt. Convinced that trees could break the wind, FDR ordered up "shelterbelts," rows of trees planted by CCC and WPA workers. By 1942, 220 million trees had been planted along 18,600 miles stretching from the Dakotas to Texas. Those rows of trees defined the countryside where we grew up.
Now we have a big suburban yard with dozens of tree specimens, and CRR can name them all. When we first bought the property, the yard had been neglected for years. He brought in an arborist to identify the trees and diagnose what ailed them.
The arborist condemned the persimmon that shades the patio and a giant locust that towers over the property.
The arborist underestimated CRR's tree powers.
He slowly nursed the persimmon back to health, with some foul-smelling ointment and a burlap c oat that wrapped it for two seasons.
The giant locust was a bigger project. The arborist predicted it would eventually split in two, fall, and damage our house (or our neighbor's). CRR brought in a landscaper who cabled the thickest trunks together – even the derecho of 2012, with its winds gusting up to 80 mph, didn't bring it down.
Snowmageddon took a big chunk out of the magnificent magnolia that graces our front yard. The tree doctor said it would never regain its shape – wrong again, with CRR's pruning guidance.
When 9-year-old Sam brought home a sycamore seedling from his school's Earth Day celebration, he and CRR planted it and nursed it to the rangy specimen it is today.
His latest project? A bigleaf magnolia, a mere sapling now that promises plate-sized blooms in a year or two.
For his attention to the trees — mulberry, sycamore, magnolia, dogwood, crepe myrtle, arborvitae, pine, persimmon, locust, tulip poplar, ornamental cherry, cypress and a forest of hollies – CRR has earned the title of tree whisperer.
Happy Father's Day to a wonderful husband and father of our two sons.
Sandy Johnson is a journalist and a gardener, equally passionate about both. She lives in Alexandria, Va.


text:
import acos_client.v21.base as base

from member import Member

class ServiceGroup(base.BaseV21):

    @property
    def member(self):
        return Member(self.client)

    # Valid LB methods
    ROUND_ROBIN = 0
    WEIGHTED_ROUND_ROBIN = 1
    LEAST_CONNECTION = 2
    WEIGHTED_LEAST_CONNECTION = 3
    LEAST_CONNECTION_ON_SERVICE_PORT = 4
    WEIGHTED_LEAST_CONNECTION_ON_SERVICE_PORT = 5
    FAST_RESPONSE_TIME = 6
    LEAST_REQUEST = 7
    STRICT_ROUND_ROBIN = 8
    STATELESS_SOURCE_IP_HASH = 9
    STATELESS_SOURCE_IP_HASH_ONLY = 10
    STATELESS_DESTINATION_IP_HASH = 11
    STATELESS_SOURCE_DESTINATION_IP_HASH = 12
    STATELESS_PER_PACKET_ROUND_ROBIN = 13

    # Valid protocols
    TCP = 2
    UDP = 3

    def get(self, name, **kwargs):
        return self._post("slb.service_group.search", {'name': name}, **kwargs)

    def _set(self, action, name, protocol=None, lb_method=None, hm_name=None,
             **kwargs):
        params = {
            "service_group": self.minimal_dict({
                "name": name,
                "protocol": protocol,
                "lb_method": lb_method,
                "health_monitor": hm_name
            })
        }
        self._post(action, params, **kwargs)

    def create(self, name, protocol=TCP, lb_method=ROUND_ROBIN, **kwargs):
        self._set("slb.service_group.create", name, protocol, lb_method,
                  **kwargs)

    def update(self, name, protocol=None, lb_method=None, health_monitor=None,
               **kwargs):
        self._set("slb.service_group.update", name, protocol, lb_method,
                  health_monitor, **kwargs)

    def delete(self, name, **kwargs):
        self._post("slb.service_group.delete", {'name': name}, **kwargs)

    def all(self, **kwargs):
        return self._get('slb.service_group.getAll', **kwargs)

    def all_delete(self, **kwargs):
        self._get('slb.service_group.deleteAll', **kwargs)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


A few friends of mine and I recently decided to do an overnight cycling trip from Portland out to Astoria, something like 90 miles each way on the road with a night at a hotel in between. Did a fair amount of research on different companies specializing in these types of bags and was delighted to see that Western carried such a high quality bag. Everyone in our group ended up buying some type of a bag specifically for the trip and although everyone made it just fine, mine was the only Apidura, it easily had the most cargo space, was the easiest to get inout of and, if I do say so myself, looked the slickest. Great bag, high quality, can't wait for the next trip.
(though it looks a tad sloppy when folded small) it's surprising how volumous it is when expanded, plus the top bungies can hold down my pair of sandals or vest. When loaded, I notice the bike remains stable and not out of balance. The loaded bag moves minimally. I opted for the non waterproof version. If any contents need to be waterproof, simply wrap in a plastic bag. Apidura makes high quality gear that is practical.
A solidly constructed bike bag. There's plenty of room for everything you'd want to carry. When getting off your bike, remember that the pack is there. I almost tipped over when my leg clipped the pack because I forgot it was there.
Just returned from a 1200 mile trip down Baja California, Mexico with this saddle bag and I'm very satisfied with it. Easy to tighten down to the saddle and seatpost, with minimal swingingshifting when out of the saddle. The webbing on the top was very handy to stash a jacket, food, etc., and kept things secure. It seems very durable. Can't comment on waterproofing, as conditions were dry.
A perfect addition for a long day in the saddle. Holds my pump, a day's worth of food, a jacket and a couple spare tubes easily. Haven't tested waterproofness. Only downside is how much it sways left to right when I stand up on the bike.
Strong, secure, simple and easy to use.
I use this bag on my 29-er. I wanted to carry some extra items while riding the C&O canal without having a rack or saddle bags. This has done the trick, the bag has tons of room and you don't notice it on the bike at all. I had several energy bars, two bottles of Gatorade, some tools and a rain jacket stuffed in the bag with a lot of room leftover.
Seriously love this thing. Super light and durable. The velcro is very strong. Fast shipping.
I bought the Apidura medium bag planning some ultralight credit card touring in spring. So far I've taken it out for a few tests. The saddlebag is light, well made, and it's hard to notice it while pedaling. While probably not as heavy duty as those with internal frame, this modelsize is perfect for an overnight, or a day outing at the beach. Look forward to take it on its first road trip!
We take weekend bike trips and usually will pack way more than we need. Typically we'd each have a mid sized back pack that we'd carry to the hotel or wherever we were staying and then go on our rides. I looked at Ortleib and Topeak and decided on Apidura. On the most recent trip to Martha's Vineyard we decided that the Apidura seat and handlebar bags would be our only luggage. We'd get on the ferry, go to the hotel and ride. They were perfect. Cut down on non essential gear. The handlebar bag is exceptionally spacious and both were easy to attach. There really is plenty of room in the saddlebag for a weekend trip for one person and the handlebar bag was perfect for stowing extra jacket, tools, tube and food.
Have used the Apidura for a year now on a regular daily commute. No signs of wear, stitching and hardware are all still perfect. I would recommend this based on how well it is made and how functional it is.
(Great to not use a backpack while commuting).
Excellent rackless option! Go big though.
My primary bike doesn't have rack mounts, I didn't feel like rigging something with P-clamps, and I despise riding with a backpack, so large bikepacking seat bags were my best option. This has been my trusty bag for a whole season now and I've really grown to appreciate it. For daily commuting, the MEDIUM size is large enough to carry my lunch bag and business casual clothes. I do have to plan ahead and bring my towel and shoes separately, but that's not too terribly difficult.
I've also taken this on several overnight camping trips. It holds an entire 3-person tent, ground cloth, stakes, and poles included! I also manage to stuff my inflatable pillow and small camp stove in there as well. It's astonishing what will fit in here.
My only regret is getting the Medium size. The large would probably offer just enough space to not have to treat each camping trip like an exercise in weight cutting.
Pro Tip - stuff the front or nose of this bag as tightly as possible. If there's room to compress and wiggle, the bag will do find it by mile 30 and start riding crooked or swinging a bit much. Nothing you can't fix, but best to not have to deal with it at all.
Apidura makes great bags, a bit expensive, but the materials and construction are both very solid. Zero complaints.
Love this way more than I thought I would.
I love getting things I need for a ride off my back. I commute from work, so spare clothes, lunch, gear, etc. all goes in the pouch instead of a backpack. It's larger than I need most days, but someday hope to bike longer distances and it will be perfect. The ONLY thing I dislike is there is no separation within the pack (an interior or exterior pocket for keys, money, small items) would be awesome!


The storage of gases in porous adsorbents, such as activated carbon and carbon nanotubes, is examined here thermodynamically from a systems viewpoint, considering the entire adsorption-desorption cycle. The results provide concrete objective criteria to guide the search for the "Holy Grail" adsorbent, for which the adsorptive delivery is maximized. It is shown that, for ambient temperature storage of hydrogen and delivery between 30 and 1.5 bar pressure, for the optimum adsorbent the adsorption enthalpy change is 15.1 kJ/mol. For carbons, for which the average enthalpy change is typically 5.8 kJ/mol, an optimum operating temperature of about 115 K is predicted. For methane, an optimum enthalpy change of 18.8 kJ/mol is found, with the optimum temperature for carbons being 254 K. It is also demonstrated that for maximum delivery of the gas the optimum adsorbent must be homogeneous, and that introduction of heterogeneity, such as by ball milling, irradiation, and other means, can only provide small increases in physisorption-related delivery for hydrogen. For methane, heterogeneity is always detrimental, at any value of average adsorption enthalpy change. These results are confirmed with the help of experimental data from the literature, as well as extensive Monte Carlo simulations conducted here using slit pore models of activated carbons as well as atomistic models of carbon nanotubes. The simulations also demonstrate that carbon nanotubes offer little or no advantage over activated carbons in terms of enhanced delivery, when used as storage media for either hydrogen or methane.


As noted in this  prior post, Chairman Schapiro responded as follows.
Nice answer, but as I noted in the prior post, DOJ penalties are calculated by reference to the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines where an important factor in determining the ultimate penalty amount is value of the benefit received by the company from the conduct at issue.
Despite the SEC's response that it does not double-dip in FCPA enforcement actions involving a DOJ component, like in many instances of enforcement agency rhetoric, the reality suggest something different.
Consider the recent Total enforcement action (see here  for the prior post). At $398 million in total fine and penalty amounts, the action is the third largest in FCPA history. The action involved a DOJ component ($245.2 million) and a SEC component ($153 million).
It is clear from the enforcement agency documents that approximately $150 million represented a double-dip.
The DOJ DPA sets forth the Sentencing Guidelines calculation and notes that the base fine was $147 million "which corresponds to the value of the benefit received in return for the unlawful payments." This base fine amount is the most significant factor determining the fine amount after the culpability score multiplier is added to it.
The SEC's order states that Total's improper payments "netted Total approximately $150 million in profits." Based on this figure, the SEC ordered Total to pay $153 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest.
In other words, Total repaid the approximate $150 million benefit it received from the alleged improper payments twice – first to the DOJ and then to the SEC.
And it is not unique to the Total enforcement action. Nearly every FCPA enforcement action that involves a DOJ and SEC component, in which the SEC seeks disgorgement, involves the same dynamic.


text:
Funding, Growth, How I Did It, Legal
UniQuest clean tech start-up Brisbane Materials snags $5 million
Michelle Hammond
Clean tech start-up Brisbane Materials, which has emerged from research commercialisation firm UniQuest, has closed a $5 million Series A funding round as it seeks to scale up its R&D, manufacturing and marketing both domestically and overseas.
Brisbane Materials, based in Brisbane and Silicon Valley, is a specialty materials company focused on creating innovative materials solutions for solar and other applications.
It has patented technology for creating high-performance, low-cost, wide-area coatings of porous silica and other materials, made at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
For solar applications, the company's anti-reflective coatings provide a cost-effective power increase when applied to glass, plastic and other substrates.
Now, the company has closed a $5 million Series A funding round, including $2.5 million from first-time investor Southern Cross Renewable Energy Fund.
This fund was set up specifically to assist early stage Australian companies in the renewable energy sector.
The round was led by Southern Cross Venture Partners and included co-investor New Venture Partners. It will help Brisbane Materials scale up its R&D and manufacturing operations.
The funding round will also enable the company to expand its sales and marketing efforts around the world.
"To be the very first recipient of an internationally supported clean tech syndication is… a very significant achievement," UniQuest managing director David Henderson says.
"[It is] also a resounding vote of confidence in university-based Australian renewable energy research."
According to Henderson, the Brisbane Materials journey began with a "serendipitous discovery" by former PhD student Dr Michael Harvey, who is now the company's chief technology officer.
"Harvey [was] working with his technical co-founder, UQ's Professor Paul Meredith," he says.
"Under the experienced leadership of US-based CEO Dr Gary H. Wiseman, the BMT team has continued to develop its unique anti-reflection solar energy technology."
"This injection of funds has opened up a whole new chapter in its research commercialisation story, and we are proud to have been involved thus far."
In March last year, UniQuest provided seed funding to form Brisbane Materials, along with angel investors in Silicon Valley and a Queensland Government grant.
In July this year, Brisbane Materials formed a strategic partnership with EV Group, a leading supplier of turnkey manufacturing systems for the solar, display, electronics and other markets.
Under a cooperation agreement, EVG has optimised its large-area coating systems for the company's unique materials and processes.
This has enabled the two companies to provide to customers a turnkey solution for high-yield fabrication of anti-reflective coatings with industry-leading performance and cost.
Brisbane Materials and EVG are jointly exhibiting at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, which is being held in Frankfurt from September 24-28.


Julep Beauty, Inc. has announced the cancellation of its customizable monthly beauty boxes.
It is with heavy hearts that we mark the end of an era. After over seven great years and lots of collaboration and feedback from our loyal customers along the way, we have decided to retire our monthly subscription program effective immediately.
We will no longer run our Julep Beauty Box Subscription Program.
You will not receive another subscription box.
Your subscription account is now canceled. No Further Action is Required.
You get to keep your Maven perks and we increased your discount! All legacy Mavens who are active subscribers as of today's date now get 25% off full retail price + Free U.S. standard shipping on all Julep.com orders.
ALL Jules are now expired with no value.
We truly appreciate all of your support and ongoing feedback through the years. We believe that once a Maven, always a Maven. We thank you for being a loyal subscriber!
Julep's parent company, Glansaol, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in December of 2018. The company filed a motion seeking court authority to sell substantially all of its assets to AS Beauty LLC as a going concern.


On 9 August 2018, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Pskov completed loading at the Port of Sabetta (YNAD), with the first cargo of LNG produced from the second high-tech production line at the Yamal LNG plant. Yesterday marked the launch of the second production train at Yamal LNG, which happened six months ahead of schedule, Sovcomflot announces in its press release.
Pskov is a state-of-the-art Atlanticmax LNG carrier with a cargo capacity of 170,000 cubic metres. She was built to order for Sovcomflot Group in 2014, to transport LNG under a long-term time charter agreement with Gazprom. The vessel is currently sub-chartered to Yamal LNG and transports LNG from the Yamal Peninsula to West European ports.
Pskov has ice class Ice2 (according to the classification of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping) and is equipped to operate at low temperatures. The type of cargo system (reinforced membrane structure) is suited to operations in challenging climatic conditions, as confirmed by trials conducted in collaboration with experts from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and the Krylov State Research Centre (St. Petersburg).
After completing cargo operations, the LNG carrier left the Port of Sabetta and is now sailing westward along the Northern Sea Route. The current ice conditions along her route allow the vessel to proceed without icebreaker assistance.
Sovcomflot Group (SCF Group) is Russia's largest shipping company, as well as a global leader in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons and the servicing of offshore oil and gas exploration and production. Its owned and chartered fleet includes 147 vessels with a total deadweight of 12.7 million tonnes. 79 vessels have an ice class.
The first cargo of liquefied natural gas produced on the first production line of the Yamal LNG plant was also transported by a Sovcomflot Group vessel, namely the Arctic LNG carrier Christophe de Margerie. On 8 December 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin started cargo operations at the Port of Sabetta.


Outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy working with children are invited to this training to help teach preschool environmental education programs (PEEPs). Programs are 1 hour long, offered twice per day on the third Thursday morning of each month. Programs may also be expanding into local preschools this fall. This training is not required, but is helpful for first-time volunteers. Training for assistant positions is also available by signing up and attending PEEPs programs.
No experience is necessary for volunteers and all training and materials are provided free of charge.


text: Q: QQ plot for log-logistic and 2 parameter exponential in r Is there any package in R, which help us to plot QQ plot for log logistic distribution and 2 parameter exponential distribution? What methodology can be adopted for the same?