The obtuseness of American business is just unbelievable. The month of October saw Bank of America pounded like a piece of raw beef when it tried to impose a five-dollar fee on its debit card users. Bad press rained down upon the company like a rain forest monsoon. Times are tough, everyone has their hand in our wallet trying to shake loose what little cash we have. Imaging my surprise when over my coffee this morning I heard that Verizon was planning to charge a two-dollar 'convenience fee' to their customers, of which I am one. The 'convenience' we would be paying for would be the convenience of paying our bill. Huh?
Lets get this straight. Someone in corporate thought this was a good idea? So the company logic is spend money on advertising telling us how we are getting more by signing with Verizon at a better price than turn around and charge two-bucks a month for paying the bill! I can see Sprint coming up with an ad similar to Southwest Airlines 'No Bag Fees' commercials. What is in the skulls of Verizon executives? Where are the leaders at the company, more importantly where are the thinkers?
At nine this morning my immediate thought was what a public relations disaster this fee would be. How long would the fee last? Even I was surprised by the text from CNN at 3:32 telling me that Verizon was dropping the charge. Here is the deal, image matters. Everyone knows that businesses need to make money. But the nickel and dime strategy of feeing your customers does not fly.
Build the cost into your fee structure and sell your product on the best bottom line value. Charging people for paying their bill is the stuff Saturday Night Live skits are made of. The Verizon public image went from cheap bastards to know nothings in the course of several hours. Verizon should have known it was pulling the pin on a PR grenade.
We often hear that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Of course we think that the 'history' is decades, if not centuries old. Guess what, apparently October must now be considered ancient history. The world of social media, texting and instant communication, which Verizon built its business on, has risen up and smacked its corporate head. Pay attention.
The issue with Bank of America and Verizon was not 'banking fees' or 'bill fees', it was fees. Consumers have had it with them and now have the tools to rally support against unpopular moves by companies. More than ever it is important to be upfront with the customer. Fail at that and your image and bottom line will decline.
Posted on December 30, 2011, in Business, Life, media, New Media and tagged bottom line value, business, cheap bastards, debit card users, fcc, media, public relations disaster, saturday night live skits, southwest airlines, verizon, wireless. Bookmark the permalink.	1 Comment.


You can expect a lot from the 2019 Subaru XV Crosstrek. Smooth gearshifts are achieved thanks to the 2 liter 4 cylinder engine, and for added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain. Subaru infused the interior with top shelf amenities, such as: a tachometer, automatic dimming door mirrors, front fog lights, lane departure warning, blind spot sensor, remote keyless entry, and 1-touch window functionality. Features such as automatic climate control and leather upholstery prove that economical transportation does not need to be sparsely equipped. For drivers who enjoy the natural environment, a power moon roof allows an infusion of fresh air. Premium sound drives 8 speakers, providing you and your passengers a sensational audio experience. Subaru also prioritized safety and security with features such as: head curtain airbags, front side impact airbags, traction control, brake assist, a panic alarm, an emergency communication system, and 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS. When road conditions become unpredictable, rely on all wheel drive to maintain outstanding control. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service. Please don't hesitate to give us a call.


Cisco and InformaCast provide K-12 schools with a powerful, easy-to-use emergency notification system. Real-time video, panic buttons and messages to police radios can all be configured to ensure rapid response times and informed decision making.
During this year's Cisco Live event, Kevin Holcomb, Technical Marketing Engineer for Cisco, recorded several videos demonstrating how K-12 schools can enhance security with Cisco and InformaCast. With emergency notifications that can be sent in multiple formats to devices that include mobile devices, video displays and more, InformaCast helps schools maximize the potential of their Cisco phones.
Many schools have a single point of entry, but do not employ best practices for allowing visitors into the building. Cisco phones with InformaCast can tie into intercoms that have built-in cameras. When a visitor requests entry, staff inside the building will receive a notification on their mobile devices and Cisco desk phone. When the call is answered, staff will see the intercom video feed and can ask why they want to enter the building. They can then unlock the door from their Cisco desk phone or deny entry.
If they deny entry, a message is sent to speakers and displays to alert personnel. Security displays will automatically receive the video feed. This provides security officers with real-time tools to make informed decisions, instead of simply reviewing footage after the incident occurs.
Educators should have access to tools that keep themselves and their students safe in the classroom. InformaCast can create single-touch panic buttons on Cisco phones that make it easy for teachers to reach security personnel.
When the panic button is pressed on the Cisco phone, a message is sent to administrators and/or resource officers requesting assistance. Cisco and InformaCast can then push the closest video camera so they can review footage in real-time. InformaCast is also able to send alerts to phones, speakers, computer desktops and Jabber devices to reach security personnel wherever they are.
The message can be customized to include the room number, as well as pre-built messages with specific details and a room call back number. Recipients have the option to listen in silently to know what is happening in the room, or reach out to teachers in nearby classrooms to check on the situation.
With Cisco and InformaCast, schools can connect directly to police radios for instant communications during an emergency. Schools can set up messages through InformaCast that include information such as the school's name and address using Cisco Instant Connect to send messages over police radio frequencies. This direct line of communication reduces response times to begin managing emergency situations.


The CST 8"-10" Stage 4 Lift Kit With 2.0 Emulsion Shocks CSK-C3-16-4 provides superior fit, function and finish on your 2011-2017 GM 2500HD 4WD. Improved ride quality, O.E. steering geometry, O.E. CV angles, O.E. track-width, thats just a few of the many reasons CST is known as the 2500HD specialists. You could also say CST paved the way for sub-frame style lift kits, twenty years ago and long before the current trend. Fifteen years later, like the 2500HD CST lift kits are still evolving and still continue to uphold our reputation! The Lift Kit includes front & rear lift components and rear shocks for a level stance at 8 inches of lift.
CST has combined their experience in off road racing with trophy truck quality engineering to ensure that your suspension will have increased strength, performance, overall build integrity and perform better than stock. Throughout the initial design and R&D process, CST made sure to retain the factory O.E. suspension geometry and design attributes!
The Stage 4 8-10" adjustable kit for the front end includes a one-piece gusseted sub-frame with a steel full size differential skid plate, fabricated steel, CNC machined front steering knuckles, high strength steering drop center-link with heim jointed support links to minimize wear of the factory idler and pitman arms, differential drop brackets, heavy duty bump stop brackets, extended sway bar end links, brake lines & drop brackets, CST laser cut torsion x-member drop brackets and all of the necessary hardware. This kit will also include four of the Dirt-Series 2.0 shocks along with 5 fabricated rear lift blocks with bumpstop pads, an add-a-leaf kit and zinc-plated u-bolts for 7.5 inches of rear lift!
Steering stabilizer brackets are built into the kit and our stabilizer shock kit can be purchased as an upgrade option (not included). No cutting of the front differential is required or welding of any kind. This 8-10" lift kit retains the factory front wheel track width and has zero issues with the GM Stabilitrak system.
Most factory O.E. wheels and tires will work with the lift kit installed.
Some higher offset wheels may work. Test fitment required.
With the superior design and superior quality you have come to expect from CST, this kit continues to be one of the most popular!
CST Torsion Keys required for 9"-10" front lift, to clear 38" tires.
17" wheels must have no more than 5-1/4" backspacing.
Some models may need additional rear lift components for truck to be completely level.
Front driveshaft recommended for 2011-2014 models, required on all 2015+ models.
Trucks with 2-piece driveline require carrier bearing spacer.
3500HD Owners: This kit was designed and tested for the 2500HD trucks. It can be used on 3500HD and 3500HD Dually if the purchaser / installer is able to provide custom u-bolts for their application. Due to the many different spring and axle configurations, u-bolts are not included or offered for the 3500HD models. Neither XDP or CST offer u-bolts for these applications. You must be able to source them locally. Custom carrier bearing spacer may be required as well.
Truck Freight Item: Allow 1-2 Weeks for delivery. Truck freight charges apply.


text:
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              AND NUMBER > 0;
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        SELECT
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            name,
            start_time,
            end_time,
            create_time,
            number
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            create_time,
            number
        FROM seckill
        ORDER BY create_time DESC
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    <select id="killByProcedure" statementType="CALLABLE">
        {CALL excuteSeckill(
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Naked has done just that for Adelaide, and has always been a place to inspire the fashionista in me.
Hi, I have studied in Preston University, and I am working with a good multi-national company. I have 2 sons, one of them is studying in Preston.
Okay now i have been coming around a lot of stuff people have been saying and writing about Preston university, a university who's name I can proudly mention in my resume.


text:
Returning to work after a career break
Returning to work after a career break can be extremely daunting. Whether the time off was maternity leave, illness or simply just taking some 'me time', it's normal to feel anxious about the prospect of returning to a work environment. For many, the anxiety that comes with returning is due to a loss of confidence, however with the right support and mindset this can be overcome.
Richard Holmes, Director of Wellbeing at Westfield Health, discusses the challenges of returning to work after a career break.
Speak to loved ones
"Family and friends often act as the biggest support network and speaking to them about workplace worries can provide reassurance and remind you of your skills and ability as a professional. For those that have been out of work for a considerable amount of time, speaking to ex colleagues for advice will be a reminder of what a working day consists of. This will be a good way to connect with professionals in a similar field, making the transition back to work smoother."
"If you're returning to an old job, it's important to make a plan on how to tackle your workload. Organisation and forward planning will not only alleviate stress, it will prevent the overwhelming feeling of catching up on the work that has been missed. However, it's also important to remember to shut off from work, so aim to get preparation done early in the evening so you can unwind before going to bed."
"Work anxiety is common after a long absence. Make sure to discuss these feelings with colleagues and line managers so they can help ease it where possible. Employers should be flexible and understanding of people's commitments, as being an accommodating manager is crucial to improving the wellness of staff and rebuilding trust after a long absence."
Don't be afraid to say 'no'
"Taking on too much at work will make you feel stressed and run down so it's better to have a smaller work load and complete tasks efficiently, rather than to over-stretch yourself. To help order your thoughts and stay productive, break down larger tasks into smaller ones and prioritise their importance."
"When returning to work, you may find that you're busier than usual, but make sure you take the time to look after yourself. Help avoid getting run down by eating healthy meals and get at least seven hours of quality sleep a night to help stay charged up for the day. Trying a phased return to work will help you to rebuild your stamina for the working day and prevent burnout and exhaustion during this period."
Paul Kelly, Head of Employment at Black Solicitors LLP, discusses the rights employees have when it comes to returning to work, as well as the consideration employers need to be aware of.
"As there are no laws governing career breaks it is important that both the employer and employee communicate respectively what their expectations are when an employee returns from a career break, especially if it has been a long one.
"Failure to have an open dialogue can lead to resentment and ultimately the breakdown of the employment relationship. With career breaks becoming more and more common, especially amongst millennials, employers are advised to put in place a formal career break policy that sets out their eligibility criteria for taking a career break and the process for employees returning to the workforce after having a break.
"This way both parties know where they stand from the outset and unnecessary conflict can be avoided."
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Anjomneh (; also known as Anjumneh) is a village in Kusalan Rural District, in the Central District of Sarvabad County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 1,407, in 308 families. The village is populated by Kurds.

References

Towns and villages in Sarvabad County
Kurdish settlements in Kurdistan Province

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Directors, Staff and HPFC are proud supporters of Fort Hays State University. High Plains Farm Credit sponsored the January 18th games against Missouri Western. Directors, Staff and families cheered the Tigers to victories and threw out mini-basketballs to the crowd.


text:
So, there was this tsunami in Hawaii...
by B. N. Sullivan
Here in Hawaii, the drama began on Friday evening, Feb. 26, 2010, while I was watching the Olympics on television. As is usually the case when I watch TV in the evening, my mini netbook was on my lap, and I was playing a game on it. In addition to the game, I had Twitter open in my browser -- not wanting to miss anything that might be happening somewhere in the world. (I admit it: I'm a breaking news junkie!)
At exactly 8:36 PM Hawaii time, I saw the first mention on Twitter of a huge earthquake off the coast of Chile. The first report said the magnitude was estimated to be 8.3. A few minutes later, that estimate was changed to 8.5, and a tsunami warning was issued for Chile and Peru. Roughly an hour after that, the magnitude of the quake was upped to 8.8, and it was announced that a tsunami had indeed been generated.
That was it for me. I had no further interest in my game, the Olympics, or anything else on TV, save for the news. I watched the story develop on TV and on the Web until about 3 AM, when I could stay awake no longer. But by that time I knew that a tsunami was headed across the Pacific; that an official tsunami warning had been issued for Hawaii; that coastal evacuations would begin at 6 AM; and that the tsunami was projected to reach Hilo minutes after 11AM on Feb. 27. Believing (correctly, it turned out) that most of my family members and friends on the Big Island already were asleep when the tsunami warning was initiated, I sent tweets and emails to them to give them a heads up about what we all would face when morning came.
Promptly at 6 AM -- right on schedule -- the civil defense sirens along the coast began to wail their warning to those who lived in inundation zones to prepare to evacuate. The sirens warbled again, each hour on the hour, until 10 AM when roads along the coast, as well as those that led into and out of the inundation zones were closed. Coastal evacuees traveled inland and upslope; vessels left the harbors and went far out to sea to wait in open water; some small craft were trailered inland for the duration.
We sat tight at our house, not needing to evacuate since we live on a hill at an elevation about 500 feet above sea level. At 10:30 AM the final warning siren sounded. I have to admit, it was a bit nerve-wracking.
We watched live coverage of the scene at Hilo Bay. Everyone was nervous. After all, the epicenter of the present quake was very near that of another great quake in 1960, which generated a tsunami that wiped out much of downtown Hilo and claimed 61 lives. In addition, people of our era have seen vivid images of the Boxing Day Tsunami that followed a huge earthquake off the coast of Sumatra on Dec. 26, 2004, which swept across the Indian Ocean, killing hundreds of thousands of people. All of this was on our minds, but no one knew exactly what to expect.
The predicted time of arrival for the tsunami came and went. The webcam trained on Hilo Bay showed calm water, under a clear blue sky. Several minutes later, however, the water began to flow out of the harbor into the bay. As the water receded, the surface roiled, there were ribbons of foam, and the color of the water changed radically from transparent blue to a very muddy, opaque brown. Rocks and reeftops that had been submerged were now bared for a moment. Then the water surged back toward the shore.
This cycle was repeated at least six or seven times over the next hour and a half or so, and indeed, officials have said that smaller, less noticeable (to casual observers) surges continued for many hours. When the tsunami warning was lifted, just before 2 PM, evacuees were allowed to return to their homes and businesses along the coast, but the beach parks remained closed. Everyone was warned not to venture into the ocean, due to the possibility of unpredictable and potentially strong currents.
In Hilo Bay, the largest surge turned out to be just over one meter high. There was no breaking wave, but the surge did wash over the breakwater, and briefly covered a dock in the harbor. Although we did not witness it, we heard reports that the tsunami swelled into the mouths of the two rivers that empty into Hilo Bay, surging upstream and turning the river waters very muddy. As the mass of sea water pushed into the rivers, it uprooted vegetation along the river banks, and carried it back out to sea, along with rocks and other debris from the river bottoms. Fortunately, though, the surge was insufficient to cause it to overflow the bay and the harbor to an extent that caused damage. Hilo was spared, and so were all the other coasts of the Hawaiian Islands.
We don't have tsunami alerts very often, and the number of times a tsunami has reached our shores is relatively small. Still, there have been several instances in which a tsunami large enough to do damage did come ashore in Hawaii, did cause destruction, and did cause injury and loss of life. Island residents take tsunami alerts very seriously.
We have warning sirens on all of our coasts, and people know that when the sirens sound, they should immediately head inland and/or upslope and ask questions later! Indeed, during yesterday's event, there were no reports of people who did not cooperate with the evacuation order.
For more information about the tsunami hazard in Hawaii, visit the Pacific Disaster Center's Tsunami page. For tsunami alerts and data, visit the Web site of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, where you can also sign up for email alerts or subscribe to an RSS feed that will bring you alerts in real time.
Logged by BNS
Labels: environmental issues, Hawaii, Pacific, tsunami
Whale Sharks: The biggest fishes in the ocean
There are lots of fishes in the sea, but there are none bigger than the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). These huge sharks live in tropical waters around the globe, and we have had encounters with them in many locations. Seeing these magnificent animals always is a thrill. Their size -- up to about 40 feet (12 meters) in length -- is impressive, and their grace is almost magical.
Unlike most sharks, Whale Sharks are filter feeders. They feed on krill, algae, plankton, and other small organisms suspended in the water. They take in large gulps of sea water, and sieve out the food as it passes over the denticles that cover their pharynx and gill plates. The water is expelled through the gills, while the filtered-out food remains and is swallowed.
No one knows for sure how long Whale Sharks live, but estimates of the creatures' natural lifespan range from 70 to about 100 years. Whale Sharks do not reach sexual maturity until they are about 30 years old. They are ovoviparous: that is, their eggs hatch inside the mother, develop without a placenta, and then emerge as live young.
Whale Sharks are curious and often approach divers and snorkelers to have a look, and will sometimes swim alongside them, but these sharks are not known to be aggressive. Encounters with these enormous but docile creatures are a joy for divers.
Here is a video, shot at Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, that perfectly illustrates the excitement of divers who encounter Whale Sharks in the open water:
If the video does not play or display properly above, click here to view it on YouTube.
If you are interested to learn more about Whale Sharks, we recommend you have a look at this Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Issues Paper, from the Australian Dept. of the Environment, Water, Heeritage and the Arts; and the Whale Shark page on the National Geographic Web site.
Labels: fishes, Indian Ocean, marine life, sharks, videos
Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), a threatened species
When we think of endangered or threatened species in the ocean, we usually think of sea turtles, or whales, or certain kinds of fishes. Unfortunately, populations of some coral species also have been seriously depleted, and some are at risk for extinction.
According to the language of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), a species is considered to be 'endangered' if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A species is considered 'threatened' if it is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.
The pretty Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) in the center of the photo above is officially classified as a 'threatened' species. Acroporid corals like this one are important reef-building corals, and they provide a habitat for fishes and invertebrates..
In the United States, this species is found in the Florida Keys, and along the Atlantic coast of Florida as far north as Boca Raton, but it is absent from U.S. waters in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A. cervicornis does occur in the western Gulf of Mexico, and also in the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands, and Venezuela.
In a few places (very few) it is still possible to see large stands of this antler-shaped coral, but more often these days, the species exists only as small colonies, like the one in the photo above. In fact, reef surveys have shown that, since 1980, populations of A. cervicornis have collapsed, declining by up to 98% throughout the range.
So, what is responsible for such a marked decline? The number one threat to Acroporid corals is White-band Disease, a devastating, rapidly spreading disease that destroys the tissues of the coral. The cause of White-band Disease is poorly understood, but the results are devastating.
A. cervicornis is "particularly susceptible to damage from sedimentation and is sensitive to temperature and salinity variation," according to NOAA. In addition, NOAA lists hurricanes, increased predation, bleaching, algae overgrowth, and human impacts among the factors that threaten Acroporid corals.
Fortunately, conservation efforts have been initiated to manage and protect what remains of the A. cervicornis population. In some areas -- such the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) -- restoration activities also have been undertaken following hurricanes, ship groundings, and the like. Nevertheless, restoration efforts, such as re-attachment of broken coral fragments and attempts to culture and settle coral larvae, are painstaking and have had limited success.
When you snorkel, dive, or go to the beach, NEVER stand on or touch coral.
Do not collect coral, dead or alive. (Federal and State regulations prohibit collection of all soft and hard corals.)
Divers should maintain proper buoyancy, be careful not to kick corals when swimming over them, and keep gear items such as hoses, gauges, etc. secured so that they do not drag across the coral.
Boaters should use mooring buoys wherever they are available. If you must anchor, avoid doing so near coral; instead of throwing your anchor, swim it down and place it on sand.
The above rules apply to all corals, of course, not just Acroporid corals.
More information: NOAA Fact Sheet: Atlantic Acropora corals - 2-page 'pdf' file
Logged by B. N. Sullivan
Labels: Atlantic, Caribbean, environmental issues, Gulf of Mexico, invertebrates, marine life, underwater photography
Mushroom corals: Solitary corals of the Fungiidae family
Do the images on this page remind you of mushrooms? The corals pictured here belong to the Fungiidae family. Note that the family name has the same word root as the English word 'fungus', and these corals are known by the common name Mushroom Corals.
Although the appearance of these corals may look similar to the underside of a mushroom cap, the resemblance stops there. These are stony corals; they are not soft.
While most hard coral species live as colonies of polyps that aggregate and form calcareous structures, most species of corals in the Fungiidae family live as solitary corals rather than as colonies. In addition to being solitary, most of the corals in this family are free-living -- that is, they are not attached to the substrate.
The photos on this page show two examples of solitary, free-living corals from the Fungiidae family. Both of these are Indo-Pacific species, widely distributed across the region from the Red Sea in the west, to the islands of the central Pacific. Both of the corals shown here were photographed in Hawaii.
The image near the top of this page is Fungia scutaria, the most common mushroom coral in Hawaiian waters. F. scutaria also is the largest of the mushroom corals found in Hawaii. It typically grows into an oblong or oval shape that can reach a size of about seven inches (18 cm) in length, although most of the individuals we have seen are about half that size.
The second photo shows Cycloseris vaughani, a smaller mushroom coral species. Cycloseris corals are more circular or discoid in shape. Adults of this species grow to a diameter of about two inches (5 cm).
Both of these species begin the post-larval stage of their lives attached to the substrate by a stem-like structure. As the juveniles mature and take on their adult form, the stem gradually dissolves, and they become free-living adults.
Mushroom corals usually are found in sandy areas near the base of stands of reef-building corals, and on rubble slopes at the outer edges of fringing reefs. They are found less frequently in shallow areas where they would be subject to being tumbled about by waves and surge. They prefer more sheltered environments.
Mushroom corals are known to feed on plankton and the metabolic by-products of the symbiotic algae that live in their tissues, but a team of Israeli scientists carrying out a reef survey in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) recently witnessed mushroom corals feeding on -- of all things -- rather large jellyfish! They documented the species Fungia scruposa feeding on a Moon Jelly (Aurelia aurita). You can read about this amazing discovery in this article (with photos) published by the BBC: Predatory coral eats jellyfish.
See also: Alamaru, A, et al. (2009). Opportunistic feeding by the fungiid coral Fungia scruposa on the moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita. Coral Reefs. DOI: 10.1007/s00338-009-0507-7
Labels: Hawaii, invertebrates, marine life, Pacific, Red Sea, underwater photography
Video: Turtle-watching at Puako, Hawaii
I'm traveling on the U.S. mainland right now. A change of scene can be a good thing, but I do miss the ocean when I'm away from the islands.
This evening I logged on to Twitter to catch up with news from here and there, and what do you suppose I discovered? Someone I follow on Twitter just happens to be vacationing right now in Puako, Hawaii. Looks like we have temporarily traded places. Small world...
Judging by her tweets, Michelle and her family are enjoying their time on the Big Island. Here is some evidence: a video of Hawaiian Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) lazily pottering about in the shallows at Puako, shot by Michelle's son.
Related: Our page about Hawaiian Green sea turtles, and our page with links to all of our stories, photos, and videos of several sea turtles species.
Labels: Hawaii, marine life, Pacific, sea turtles, videos
Sharing Aloha: Hawaii in the spotlight
Our blogger friend Evelyn over at Homespun Honolulu regularly hosts the Carnival of Aloha -- a blog carnival celebrating all things Hawaiian. The theme of the current edition is Preservation and a lot of Aloha, and it is well worth reading.
Topics in the current Carnival of Aloha are diverse, ranging from a thoughtful (and thought-provoking) piece about a visit to an ancient Hawaiian heiau on the Big Island, to reminiscences about a romantic visit to the island of Lanai, to an item about the pineapple fields on Maui. There are several articles about Hawaiian real estate, including one on the current residential market, another on the foreclosure of Hawaii Raceway Park on Oahu, and an article that describes the home in Kailua used by President Obama's family for their vacations in Hawaii -- with photos of the home's stunning interior and grounds. (Don't miss that one!)
And yes, our article about the new Hawaii Marine Debris Action Plan is included, too.
We think there is much in the current Carnival of Aloha that will be of interest to readers of The Right Blue, so we invite you to visit: Preservation and Lots of Aloha Create an Interesting Carnival
One more thing -- speaking of interesting blogs about Hawaii. We spotted a story about an encounter with dolphins in the wild that we know readers of The Right Blue will enjoy and relate to. It's a guest post by Lisa Weber on Pua and Keoki's Best Hawaii Vacation blog: Kayaking with Dolphins, On Their Terms - A Big Island of Hawaii Story
Labels: announcements, Hawaii
Same or different?
This image reminds me of those puzzles: Which one is not like the others?
At first glance, all the fishes in the photo look alike. They're similarly shaped, their bodies are white with lines, and they all have yellow fins and black trim, including a black bar over the eye. But if you look more carefully you will notice that there actually are two species of Butterflyfishes swimming together.
The two fishes in the foreground of the photo -- the ones with the black spots near the trailing edge of their dorsal fins and the diagonal lines on their bodies -- are Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga).
The larger fish in the upper part of the photo is a Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus). Note that it has a broad black arc on its back, instead of a spot, and the lines on its body are vertical rather than diagonal. (And yes, that's another Lined Butterflyfish behind the two Threadfins.)
Both of these are Indo-Pacific species, and they are widely distributed. We have seen them -- usually in pairs -- in many locations from the Red Sea all the way to Hawaii. The ones here were photographed in Honaunau Bay, Hawaii.
Earlier we posted close-up images of each of these species. If you take a look at those earlier photos of the Threadfin Butterflyfish and the Lined Butterflyfish, you will be better able to appreciate the differences in their markings.
So, if you see a pretty Butterflyfish -- white, with lines on its body, and with yellow and black trim -- now you know which details to look for that will distinguish the Threadfin Butterflyfish from the Lined Butterflyfish.
Labels: fishes, Hawaii, marine life, Pacific, underwater photography
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The Right Blue refers to the goal of a lifelong pursuit. Sea water viewed from beneath the surface comes in many hues and shades. Surfers wait for the perfect wave; divers seek the right blue.
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Tiger Cowries: The largest cowries in Hawaii
by B. N. Sullivan Tiger Cowries ( Cypraea tigris ) have several claims to fame in Hawaii. Two of those claims have to do with their size....
Collecting Cone Shells: Special Handling Required
by B. N. Sullivan In the last several posts we have been talking about collecting sea shells , and how divers can find shells underwater ...
What is the difference between 'endemic' and 'indigenous' species?
by B. N. Sullivan When I write about the creatures we have come to know, I nearly always identify both their common name, and their scient...
Leopard Cone - The largest cone shell in Hawaii
by B. N. Sullivan We promised to show our readers some of the shells we have collected over our many years of diving. All of the shells i...
A Queen Conch snail, giving us the eye
Eyes and proboscis of a Queen Conch ( Strombus gigas ) by B. N. Sullivan Conch shells, like all seashells, are created by secretions f...
The Channel Clinging Crab (Mithrax spinosissimus)
Channel Clinging Crab ( Mithrax spinosissimus ) by B. N. Sullivan We were on a night dive in the Turks and Caicos Islands when we came...
Finding Shells Underwater
by B. N. Sullivan I have been collecting seashells since I was a little girl. Early on, my collecting was limited to shells I found washe...
What do you think when you see the ocean?
by B. N. Sullivan When you see a scene like the one in the photo above, what do you think? Do you want to go for a swim? ...grab your m...
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At Die Cut Machines your source for Die Cutting Machines and Crafting Supplies we hope the Grey Scrapbook products and information here meets your needs.
Creating a poster for my room, need ideas?
I think answers could be a bit subjective just because we don't know what You Are interested in. I just made a canvas "poster" for my wall, and painted a twisted tree with really crazy tall grass surrounding it on three sides. It was raining in my painting, so the sky was this metallic shade of grey. I then added this little trademark I always add in my paintings, which is a small bird about to take flight. Bottom line---paint or draw something that is meaningful to you. You could even do a collage of your favorite things, though that can be a little cheesy...But just have fun with it. Best of luck, friend.


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Jamoi's Blog
EE Kestrel Mini-Review
As usual, this loan device came courtesy of Steve and Ted from Phones Show Chat, and is a curious one, something a little different to the flagship devices which get most of the attention of the technology press. I hesitated to title this as a mini-review, it's certainly not a full review, the reasons will become apparent. In the end it's more of a comparison to its nearest competitor and my current day-to-day phone, the Moto G.
The EE Kestrel has a 1.2Ghz quad-core SnapDragon 400 CPU, 1GB RAM, 4G connectivity, a micro SD card slot, 4.5" qHD screen, and a 5MP camera. The obvious comparison is against the Moto G, which now has a 4G model which also has a micro SD card slot. The Kestrel and Moto G share matching CPU, RAM, connectivity and micro SD specs. Their cameras are on par with each other, both pretty poor. Their speakers are similar, both distort at around 50-60% volume. They both have a notification light! Whilst being very similar, here is how they are different...
Kestrel Positives
Price: At £99 the Kestrel wins by between £20-£60 depending on where you buy your Moto G, and if you buy the 3G or 4G model.
First impressions: The Kestrel feels snappy on first use, it doesn't feel like it weighs much either when you first pick it up.
Capacitive buttons: Gives more screen space versus on-screen buttons.
Connectivity: SIM unlocked it works with Three 4G perfectly, which is great given Three is most mobile geeks' network of choice!
Some genuinely very interesting OS additions on top of a base Android build, including:
"Networked apps" - you can control access to wifi and mobile data per app.
"Startup manager" - control which apps can or can't launch on device boot.
"Notification manager" - control which apps can send push messages to the notification panel.
"Do not disturb" - on a schedule, per contact restriction of ringing/vibrating.
"Power saving" - including ability to select protected apps which are kept running no matter what, an analyser to let you know any power-intensive background apps, and another analyser telling you settings that may be adversely affecting battery life (GPS, screen brightness, etc).
"App operations" - show how often each app calls APIs such as location services, personal data, messaging, and device hardware.
Audio profiles (a la S60/S40 in the old Nokia days) and a nice easy way to change between them form the notification shade.
Split screen for settings - with the "all" pane with the usual Android settings menu, and the "general" pane which has just commonly-used settings, not cluttered up by all the other million and one settings in the "all" pane.
Two built-in launchers, although they're called "home screen styles"...
One for normal not tech-savvy folk, which has no app drawer, all icons are on the home screens (a la iOS).
One for even less tech-savvy folk, with big easy tiles (a la Windows Phone) for apps and commonly used functions. This would be truly great for those with no interest in learning to use a smartphone, but who want a little more than a feature phone can offer. This home screen style also bumps up the system font, a giveaway that maybe this is aimed at the older person?!
Left: Choose your home screen style.
Middle: "Standard" style. No app drawer, just lots of icons like iOS.
Right: "Simple" style. Probably aimed at smartphone novices.
Kestrel Negatives
The capacitive buttons aren't very responsive, and their lights turn-off too quickly (the only setting is auto-off and permanently off).
The screen is pretty dull, and only qHD (even the Moto G has 720p).
The charger (top) and headphone (bottom of left edge) ports are in unorthodox places, a little annoying.
Whilst the built-in launchers have their use-cases, anyone reading this blog post would HAVE to install an alternative.
In the capacitive buttons row the Kestrel has an old school menu button instead of a recent apps button.
The OS is v4.3 and unlikely to be updated in a timely schedule, if at all... (a side effect from all the customisations which have been added?)
And the deal breaker... 8GB internal storage. Not so bad given the presence of a micro SD card slot, but this 8GB is partitioned such that apps have less then 1GB. I couldn't even finish installing half of my usual apps. This is exacerbated by the presence of built-in apps like Facebook, Kindle, EE Film and more which you can't uninstall.
Left: I didn't get to install even half of my usual apps when this happened.
Right: There's loads of space left, just not for apps.
I'd conclude that the storage partitioning is a complete deal breaker for me, so much so that I couldn't use it as my full-time device to test it properly, and find out how good the battery life was for example.
Huawei/EE have put some very nice touches on top of Android. Some of these are available on other operating systems of course; on Android they may be available via a big bunch of third party apps, plus the need for root in some cases, but they are all here by default on the Kestrel. Whilst the built-in non-removable apps are a pain, the extras on top of a standard Android OS build are mostly commendable, usable, and designed fairly well. I think a lot of normal (non-geek) users would find them useful. To go a step further, the "simple" home screen and launcher could be the basis of the perfect smartphone for an older person or a complete smartphone novice. This is a great Android smartphone for a novice, as Android is still too complex for the average non-geek, and this device with all its customisations makes it much easier for the inexperienced user.
For the money, you would never expect a great camera, high-end CPU or great quality screen. It's great that the Kestrel does 4G at a cheaper price than the Moto G, but the Moto G has a better screen, doesn't suffer the app space partitioning, and is hugely more likely to be kept up-to-date. I would pick the Moto G over the Kestrel any day, though the Kestrel is a very, very interesting device with some very nice touches.
Labels: android, review
Feels Like a New Moto G
meego (1)


Fionna and Marshall Lee was to the party when they have been attacked by hundreds of monsters. Do you want to help them to kill the enemy? Collect gems to unlock upgrades on the shop. Try to kill all the monsters. How long can you survive in this endless battle? Good luck!
Many people love the animated television series Adventure Time and its main heroes Finn, Jake and Fionna They.is live in the "Land of Ooo." This is a country full of surreal characters and talking animals, where magic and high technology combine to create strange new objects or people engage in adventures. In this action game, developed by Cartoon Network, you can join Fiona and Marshall Lee in their adventures. They were going to the feast of Lumpy Space Prince when they were attacked by a pack of evil monsters! Looks like it's time to fight and move! Jump from enemy to enemy to cut his army! Stay sharp with four different swords with gives you powerful attacks. Are you ready to take this challenge? Begin the battle with Fionna and kill all monsters!


text:
Samrat Upadhyay
Samrat Upadhyay is the author of the short story collections Arresting God in Kathmandu and The Royal Ghosts, and the novels The Guru of Love and Buddha's Orphans. The City Son is his fifth book. He has written for The New York Times and has appeared on BBC Radio and National Public Radio. Upadhyay is the Martha Kraft Professor of Humanities at Indiana University.
ARTICLES FEATURING SAMRAT
Lost in the Way of the City
In his most recent novel, acclaimed Nepali American writer Samrat Upadhyay brings the conflict between village and city to life in the form of a determined, incestuous character named Didi....


Our next MCU kayaking weekend will be on October 22-23rd in Bujagali!
Non-kayakers are more than welcome to join and enjoy a chilled out weekend wit MCU. There are plenty of non-kayaking options from swimming, stand-up-paddle-boarding on the Nile, going on community walks, horseback riding and many more. Email Laura Bierer (laurabierer@gmail.com) if you'd like to come but are not sure about other activities in Jinja.


text:
'Unprecedented' specialist team sent in to improve Telford and Shrewsbury hospitals
By Dominic RobertsonShrewsburyHealthPublished: Jul 29, 2020
A specialist improvement team of "unprecedented scale" is being parachuted into the county's major hospitals in an effort to turn their performance around.
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
NHS supremo Amanda Pritchard confirmed the plan at a meeting of NHS England's board, as the ongoing concerns over Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) were discussed at the highest level of the health service.
The trust, which manages both Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital Telford, has been in special measures since 2018.
It is also the subject of a review into its maternity services that has seen more than 1,800 patients come forward with complaints, with the police also launching an investigation into whether there should be criminal action over the care.
Earlier this month the Care Quality Commission's chief inspector of hospitals Ted Baker wrote to Mrs Pritchard to outline a scathing list of concerns.
Amanda Pritchard, chief operating officer of NHS England and NHS Improvement and chief executive of NHS Improvement.
Now Mrs Pritchard, chief operating officer of NHS England and NHS Improvement and chief executive of NHS Improvement, has said that an "improvement team of unprecedented scale" has gone into the trust tasked with turning it around.
A paper presented to the NHS England board by Mrs Pritchard and Stephen Powis, the NHS national medical director, explained that some of the team had already begun, but a formal start will take place tomorrow.
The report said: "This team have been rapidly brought together and some are already working in the trust, but a formal commencement event is planned for 31 of July."
Louise Barnett, chief executive of The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), said: "We know that further improvements are needed at pace and we welcome the strengthened package of support announced by NHS Improvement.
"The range of measures include senior on-site support to help drive improvements in both quality and safety. This means bringing in more health professionals with senior experience to join teams and share best practice and learning across our hospitals.
"As a trust, we are determined to deliver the improvements that our patients, staff and communities want to see and rightly deserve."
Mr Baker's letter, which came after an inspection last month, sparked serious concerns over the situation at the trust and led to top-level NHS meetings which have seen the specialist improvement team set up.
Failings
He had said: "Our most recent inspection on June 9 and 10, 2020, has resulted in further enforcement action being issued despite us having very limited confidence that this will drive any meaningful improvement.
"This failure to improve demands further action and, as the independent regulator, our only remaining option is to consider recommending Trust Special Administration."
Mr Baker said CQC teams had carried out five inspections at the hospitals since 2018 and had used new inspectors, alongside those who had previously carried out the checks, on each occasion so as to ensure 'fresh eyes' on the issues.
However, he said that the 'fresh eyes' had "consistently identified institutional failings, supported by examples of poor care, consistently articulating SaTH as a significant outlier."
He added: "Equally, specialist advisors who have supported previous inspections of SaTH have expressed concerns of an overall worsening picture when compared to their previous findings."
Mr Baker also suggested that the issues at the hospital were not related to a lack of staff or too many patients.
He said: "Our most recent inspection found significant safety concerns; this was despite staffing levels being such that there was no reason to attribute poor practice to high demand or poor staffing levels."
Local Hubs
By Dominic Robertson
@DRobertson_Star
Chief Reporter
Spike in virus cases among town's children sparks plea from headteacher
Wem | Jan 15, 2021
Coronavirus: Latest number of deaths and confirmed cases in Shropshire, Telford and Mid Wales
Rising cases and drop in funding hits Shropshire hospice


text:
"How many international inquiries is Sri Lanka supposed to subject itself to?" - SL Minister
Click 'play' to listen to the interview
By Tony Cross - Sri Lanka's government will face down pressure for an international inquiry into a video which appears to show soldiers killing prisoners in cold blood, International Trade Minister GL Peiris has told RFI. Peiris insists that the video has been faked by Tamil rebel sympathisers.
The footage, which has been distributed by a group called Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka and broadcast by several TV channels in Europe, is "entirely fictitious", according to the minister.
UN special rapporteur Philip Alston on Friday called for an investigation into the video.
But Peiris indignantly rejects the call.
"How many international inquiries is Sri Lanka supposed to subject itself to," he asks, "now there is the inquiry that Brussels has ordered in respect of human rights in Sri Lanka, that is the European Commission. At this rate it would seem that Sri Lanka does not have the status of a sovereign state at all."
The alleged executions supposedly took place during the offensive which finally defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the LTTE, in May, and were supposedly captured on a mobile phone.
Peiris argues that LTTE supporters have previously produced a video which supposedly showed the guerrillas' leader, Vellupillai Prabhakaran, "with a smug expression on his face, watching his own body" on television after he had been killed by government troops.
"In the Sri Lankan media somebody has done a technical analysis of this and pointed out certain technical flaws, which clearly demonstrate that this is a fake," Peiris claims. But he adds that the govenrment may look into the evidence itself.
Press freedom campaigners, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), reject Peiris's accusation of trickery.
"This happened in January when there were no journalists in the area," says Vincent Brossel in an email to RFI. "It is not easy - even impossible - to get this video off a soldier. It was Sri Lankan journalists with no sympathy for the LTTE who made it public, not some small Tamil group."
While acknowledging US assistance in defeating the LTTE, Peiris is indignant at international criticism of alleged human rights abuses during the war.
"Now Sri Lanka with its modest resources managed to do something that nobody else was able to do, that is to overcome terrorism by military means," he says.
"But what has been the reaction of some countries? Are they pleased about it? Have they expressed solidarity with Sri Lanka? Have they reached out? Have they offered good will and friendship? No. It has always been criticism, judgemental postures, hectoring, all of that."
An estimated 297,000 Tamils were housed in refugee camps as the military pursued their offensive. They are soon likely to face grim conditions when monsoon rains break.
About 59,000 have been returned to their homes, according to the government.
"We're fully conscious of the fact that there is an element of urgency," says Peiris. "These people have to be resettled, the monsoons are going to create a problem."
But "the main constraint is demining", he says. Ordnance left from the war make most of the area too dangerous for resettlement at the moment, he says.
The government has indicated 70-80 per cent will be able to return "in the next few months".
Meanwhile, the military is searching for thousands of LTTE fighters who they believe have hidden among the displaced people, interrogating suspects and separating them from the others.
"Certainly, a significant number have found their way into the camps," says Peiris. "They will have to be isolated from the others and they cannot be sent back immediately into civil society because don't forget that thousands of army personnel … sacrificed their lives to achieve this result. So nobody wants a resumption of hostilities."
And there are arms caches in the evacuated areas, the government says, meaning that guerrillas could use them to stage new attacks.
"If the LTTE cadres that are at present in the camps are simply sent out, then it will be a relatively easy matter for them to secure access to the arms which they have hidden," Peiris says.
"Just one or two big incidents will destroy everything that has been accomplished at very considerable cost in terms of human lives and suffering during the last few months."
The UN children's fund, Unicef, on Monday rejected claims that its communications chief, James Elder, has been spreading LTTE propaganda.
The government says that it is reviewing a move to expel Elder from the country.
© Radio France International
Ban criticizes Sri Lanka over official's visa
By Louis Charbonneau - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Sri Lanka on Tuesday for revoking the work visa of a spokesman for the U.N. children's foundation UNICEF, whom Colombo accuses of spreading rebel propaganda.
"The secretary-general strongly regrets the decision of the Sri Lankan government to expel Mr. James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF in Sri Lanka," U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.
He said Ban would raise the issue with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa "at the earliest opportunity."
Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said on Monday that Elder's visa had been revoked because he had spread Tamil Tiger propaganda. UNICEF denied the allegation.[ID:nCOL462279]
Last week U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice voiced "grave concern" about video footage aired by Britain's Channel 4 television showing what appeared to be the summary execution of unarmed, naked and blindfolded men in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka also said on Monday that it had analyzed the Channel 4 footage and determined it was faked in a way that was typical of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the rebels the government defeated in May after a 25-year war.
It was not immediately clear if there was any connection between the issue of the video footage, which has angered the Sri Lankan government, and the decision to force out Elder.
Philip Alston, U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said last week that he hoped the United Nations would open an investigation to determine whether Sri Lankan soldiers did in fact summarily execute Tamils, which would be a violation of international law.[ID:nN01488204]
Ban has not called for a separate U.N. investigation of the Channel 4 video footage, though he did raise the issue with Sri Lanka's Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.
The Channel 4 footage can be seen here: (http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/asia_pacific/execution+video+is+this+evidence+of+war+crimes+in+sri+lanka/3321087).
Sri Lanka has repeatedly denied that it committed multiple human rights violations during the final months of its war against the LTTE, who had retreated to a narrow strip of coast in northeastern Sri Lanka along with hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Western and U.N. officials said the Sri Lankan army was using heavy artillery to shell the LTTE, even though it knew the rebels were using the innocent civilians trapped in the area as human shields. The army rejected the charge.
U.N. officials say that thousands of civilians were killed during the last months of the war.
© Alertnet
Expulsion of UNICEF staff member brings dismay from UN - UN News Center
Aid worker James Elder 'supported terrorism': Sri Lanka - The Australian
"How many international inquiries is Sri Lanka sup...


Bizarre Bazaar store features ShiShi #87 the sneezing panda, an ultra-rare wild yet friendly beasty that can usually be found channel surfing.
Bring Monstro City to life with the Moshi Monsters' Bizarre Bazaar! Connect it to other sets to espand your Moshling's world.
Grass, trees and other elements are removable and repositionable. Decorate any way you like and change as often as you like.


Relieve muscle pain, back pain, or body discomfort.
Physical treatment is something administered to somebody who has a physical health concern. Physical therapy is a type of treatment which may include movement of joints in different directions and in different speeds, extending of muscles, and movement of the patient's influenced by a part against resistance.
This type of physical therapy is for mobilization and manipulation of joints in addition to activation of muscles that are passive. This type of physical treatment can be handled by a professional physical therapist to ensure the safety and healing of the patient. The physical treatment can also be referred to as manual therapy or manuelle therapie.
What are the advantages of utilizing physical therapy for a treatment?
There are a whole lot of health benefits a physical therapy can bring. Various types of injuries and disorders may be treated with physical therapy. Below are some of the injuries and disorders, a physical therapy can treat.
• Physical therapy to relieve these kinds of muscle strain from fatigue involves simple physical therapy techniques.
Athletes who got injured during a match can recover from their harm faster by doing physical therapy like trying to walk or stretching their muscles.
Patients who spent a long-time bed-ridden should immediately do a physical treatment to enhance mobility and balance.
• Boost muscle motion and time. This kind of therapy is also utilized to improve muscular motion and time consuming by individuals who experience difficulty in controlling their voluntary muscles.
• learn how to adapt to an artificial limb, a walker, or even a cane. Patients who lost a limb and that has impaired limbs should learn to do a regular routine employing those assistive devices.
• Manipulate bowels and Infection. Physical therapy can also be administered to patients who experience difficulty in moving their intestines at urinating.
There are loads of other things that cause having neuropathic pain.


Hi all - Does Articles and all the bundled addons work on PHP7?
Lots of advice here (maybe too much).
You've got me wondering if my blog has the same problem. I haven't seen that error, but then hardly anyone ever leaves a comment.


text:
Q: ERROR: 'ORA-01805: possible error in date/time operation' despite having same versions of DB in client and server I am trying to connect to a remote Oracle DB using ROracle from the client side.
After establishing connection, I execute this query:
dat = dbGetQuery(con, "SELECT * FROM TABLE_01")

This leads to the error:

Error in .oci.GetQuery(conn, statement, data = data, prefetch = prefetch,  :
    Error in try({ : ORA-01805: possible error in date/time operation

I checked the DB version in server side:
SELECT * FROM V$VERSION

PL/SQL Release 11.2.0.4.0 - Production
CORE    11.2.0.4.0  Production
TNS for Linux: Version 11.2.0.4.0 - Production
NLSRTL Version 11.2.0.4.0 - Production

Then I ran genezi in client side:
    genezi -v

System name:    Linux
Release:        4.4.0-36-generic
Version:        #55-Ubuntu SMP Thu Aug 11 18:01:55 UTC 2016
Machine:        x86_64

Operating in Instant Client mode.
Small timezone file = timezone_14.dat
Large timezone file = timezlrg_14.dat

The Oracle version of both client and server is 11.2. But the timezone file seems to be different. How to fix this issue?

A: Most likely you have different timezones installed between the database server and the client.
To check the database version:
select * from v$timezone_file;

To check the client version:
genezi -v

(Which you've done already - your client is on 14. I suspect the database is using a more recent version).

A: I was getting this error when I ran my Ruby on Rails app in a docker container.  (The error did not happen when running the app outside the container.)
I needed to remove this line from my Dockerfile:
ENV TZ America/New_York

And these lines from config/application.rb:
config.time_zone = 'Eastern Time (US & Canada)'
config.active_record.default_timezone = :local

That seemed to solve the problem.

A: I also had the error "ORA-01805: possible error in date/time operation issue" with a client after upgrading the database from 11g to 19C.
Upgraded the client as well but the error remained unsolved.
The workaround was to copy $ORACLE_HOME/oracore/zoneinfo contents into the same directory on the Client side. (not sure if this is supported though, but I will verify)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Munster's Tommy O'Donnell ruled out for rest of the season
Updated / Monday, 2 Apr 2018 10:59
O'Donnell will miss Munster's Champions Cup semi-final against Racing 92
Munster's Tommy O'Donnell has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury he sustained against Scarlets in their Guinness Pro14 clash last weekend.
Head coach Johann van Graan previously told RTÉ Sport that the club suspected the flanker would be "out for quite a few weeks" with the injury, and he will miss the remainder of Munster's season, according to a squad update.
He now joins a long injury list, including Keith Earls, Tyler Bleyendaal, Duncan Williams, Chris Cloete, Jaco Taute and Chris Farrell already.
Munster booked their place in the Champions Cup semi-finals on Saturday following a one-point victory over Toulon, which included a stunning try by Andrew Conway with four minutes to play. They will now face Racing 92 in that final-four clash later this month.
A squad of 23 are heading to South Africa on Monday for their Pro14 fixtures against Southern Kings and Cheetahs, including Simon Zebo, who came off against Toulon with an injury following a collision with Chris Ashton.
Brian Scott, Dave O'Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Dan Goggin and academy player Calvin Nash are also travelling with the group.
Full squad for South Africa: Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway, Alex Wootton, Darren Sweetnam, Calvin Nash, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Dan Goggin, Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray, James Hart, Dave Kilcoyne, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, John Ryan, Brian Scott, Rhys Marshall, Niall Scannell, Billy Holland, Jean Kleyn, Gerbrandt Grobler, Peter O'Mahony, Jack O' Donoghue, Dave O'Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Robin Copeland, CJ Stander.
Johann van Graan


text:
Native Heart Music by Marina Raye
Home > CD Titles
Music to Nurture Your Soul
Allow the heartfelt melodies of Marina Raye's native flutes to draw you into an exquisite world of peace, compassion and bliss. A full-spectrum journey with shimmering keyboard textures and the harmony of nature. Blissful Journey is 61 minutes of healing music, perfect for meditation, massage or relaxation.
Total Playing Time 61:43
Available As Download Only
Winds of Change (8:25)
Touching Earth, Touching Sky (7:39)
Walk Between Worlds (7:18)
Stars Beneath My Feet (7:29)
Playing on the Wind (7:14)
Echoes of Eternity (8:49)
Remembrance (7:29)
Blissful Journey (7:20)
Song Samples
Click the song titles below to hear samples from Blissful Journey.
The Story of Blissful Journey
A few weeks before the recording of Blissful Journey, Charlie handed me a flute he had just finished making, the bass flute that I used on song 3 and song 6. When I played the first few notes on this instrument, I knew that the music from this flute would come from a deep place of peace and bliss. Those first few notes led to the melody for "Walk Between Worlds."
The day before I recorded Blissful Journey, Charlie and I were walking in a desert canyon area near our former Colorado home. It was an extremely windy day. I looked up to the rim of the canyon wall, and silhouetted against an azure sky was a hawk, doing acrobatics on the wind currents. It was a beautiful sight and inspired song 5, "Playing on the Wind."
Blissful Journey begins with a sense of walking on the Earth. The sounds of nature call to us: great horned owl on "Winds of Change" and crickets on "Touching Earth, Touching Sky." Beginning with "Walk Between Worlds," we journey into the mystical realms of the soul with deeply emotive flute melodies and breathtaking accompaniment by guest artist Jim Oliver who surrounded my flute melodies with shimmering keyboard textures. We added the faintest whisper of a heartbeat drum played by Charlie.
The intent of Blissful Journey is to calm the mind and open the heart. May this music be a healing journey that helps us to deepen our vision of a world of peace, compassion and bliss.
Rainbows for Breakast
Artwork Credit: Charles Frizzell.


text:
""" A status bar manager realizes itself in a status bar control. """

# Import the toolkit specific version.
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As more and more companies realize the savings a well-planned computer infrastructure can produce for them, the more your skills as an IT specialist will be in demand. Train today and start your career in this dynamic, leading edge field as an Information Technologist.


text:
Evacuees Continue Arriving At Camp Atterbury As Some Begin Lives Off Base
89.1 WBOI | By Mitch Legan
Sgt. Dylan Bailey
The number of people temporarily living at Camp Atterbury continues to grow, and some have already begun settling in the U.S.
6,603 Afghan evacuees are currently residing at Camp Atterbury, according to Mark Howell, public information officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Howell held a phone conference Wednesday afternoon to update reporters on the latest regarding Operation Allies Welcome.
The Department of Defense tapped the National Guard training post at the end of August as a location to temporarily house people fleeing the Taliban. Evacuees began arriving in early September, with officials initially planning for 5,000 people; Camp Atterbury has enough space to house about 10,000 people, though that capacity could be expanded.
Those at the camp are currently undergoing final health and safety checks before they are resettled across the United States. Fifty-seven percent of the evacuees are male, and 42 percent are female. The group is young, too – 47 percent of the people are 18 and younger, with 40 percent of that cohort younger than 14. A baby was born at the camp Sept. 9.
Credit Department of Homeland Security
Howell said there had been 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the base, and those people are isolating with their families. Vaccines for COVID and other illnesses are being offered.
After evacuees finish their 14-day quarantine, the process of resettling people and finding them sponsor families will begin, which Howell admitted will take some time. Indiana National Guard Brig. Gen. Dale Lyles previously said he expected the process to take 10 weeks.
Twenty-five evacuees completed their final health and safety screenings and have moved off base. Howell didn't say where they had gone, only that they were U.S. citizens, green card holders or their spouses.


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Aussie Rocker Couple With INCREDIBLE Wedding Pics SPLIT!
You may remember seeing photos of two of arguably the coolest people EVER being circulated not too long ago, after they eloped to Las Vegas for the ultimate rocker wedding.
The people who got hitched were actually Aussies, but alas, the marriage of Ainsley Hutchence and Sebastien Fougere was not to last.
What some people may not have known, is that the couple had both been married to other people previously, and both had kids from another relationship, so decided to elope - and have Elvis carry out the service - and celebrate their marriage in a non-traditional (read: very unconventional) way.
The Sunshine Coast couple that after nine years together, four married, and a slew of wedding photos that went viral (by friend Jenneke Storm), have sadly decided to go their separate ways.
'We're still soulmates and best friends,' Ms Hutchence told Daily Mail Australia just four weeks after the split.
As for the reason behind their split, Ms Hutchence revealed that although after the wedding the marriage got even better, this last year the couple has had six BIG fights.
'…it got to a place where we said a few times: "What should we do?".
Just like with their wedding, the couple have had an unconventional break-up, living together up until as recently as a week ago, spending sporadic time together, but also letting each other come and go.
'It's strange. One of us will go through a stage of feeling good and okay with things and the other will think they don't care anymore, then the other will feel okay and we'll be back down again.
'We've tried to work around each other a bit, but maybe we've been in denial a bit,' Ms Hutchence said.
She also revealed that, 'I think he drinks too much, he thinks I work too much', which wouldn't have helped their relationship.
We hope they can work it out!


What is Cost of CABG in India?
CABG cost varies from one hospital to another in India. There are several factors that decide the final cost that the patients may have to incur when they decide to get treated in the Indian hospitals.
What is Heart Bypass Surgery or CABG?
Who needs to undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in India?
What are the different types of Heart Bypass Surgery?
What are the Treatment Options available for CABG Surgery in India?
What are the causes of Coronary Artery Disease?
What are the Preparatory Steps for CABG in India?
How to recover from CABG surgery?
What is the success rate of heart bypass surgery?
Coronary artery bypass grafting is also known as CABG or bypass surgery. It is a medical term that involves detouring of the narrowed area of the artery. This is done surgically to improve the flow of blood to heart muscles. The blood flow is restored with the help of a graft, which is usually taken from the primary vein in the leg. In certain cases, a blood vessel from another part of the body may also be used.
CABG procedure can be conducted as an open surgery, but minimally invasive coronary heart bypass technique has gained an immense popularity in the last few years. Depending on the medical needs of the patients, CABG surgery is sometimes combined with minimally invasive valve replacement. During this procedure, one or more narrowed, blocked or damaged valves are removed and replaced with a synthetic or a biological valve for improved blood flow within the walls of the heart.
People who suffer from coronary artery disease(CAD), which is extreme enough to produce a set of symptoms are recommended to undergo CABG in India. CAD results due to narrowing of the artery and the blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to the muscles of the heart. The narrowing may result because of deposition of fatty material on the inside walls of the artery. This obstructs the flow of blood through the vessels, resulting in the decreased supply of nutrients to the heart tissues. The blood flow through the arteries may also decrease or stop abruptly because of a blockage, which is removed surgically.
Single bypass surgery – In this type of bypass surgery, only one artery is blocked.
Double bypass surgery – In this type of bypass surgery, two arteries are blocked.
Triple bypass surgery – In this type of bypass surgery, three arteries are blocked.
Quadruple bypass surgery – In this type of bypass surgery, four arteries are blocked.
This type of surgery requires the use of an artificial heart-lung machine to make sure that the flow of blood is maintained in all the parts of the body during the surgery. The patient is put on heart-lung pump machine as the surgeons open the chest wall of the patient to perform the grafting procedure on the non-beating heart.
This type of surgery does not require an artificial heart-lung pumping machine as it is conducted on pumping heart. The surgeons make several small incisions around the heart and in the chest to enter small instruments used to perform the grafting procedure.
How can Lyfboat assist you getting CABG Treatment and Surgery in India?
Lyfboat makes it easy for you to get quality medical opinions and find the right healthcare providers in India for heart bypass surgery at best prices. It is a free to use platform; we do not charge any fees from patients. In fact, we negotiate the price that hospitals offer. In some cases, we are able to reduce the cost of the CABG treatment by up to 20% of what Hospitals generally offer.
There are no early symptoms of a CAD. The aforementioned symptoms appear only when the disease has progressed and must be treated with the help of CABG. After the surgery, the CAD symptoms are greatly reduced or completely eliminated.
Since the symptoms of CAD does not appear until the disease had reached an advanced stage, it is important to stay vigil and undergo routine tests if you know that you are at an increased risk of the CAD.
Once cardiac catheterization confirms the damage to the coronary artery, CABG is recommended to correct the condition.
There are certain preparatory steps that a patient is required to undergo the CABG surgery. The patient is informed about the procedure in advances and what to expect from it. He or she conducts a detailed discussion with the patient about the pros and cons of the surgery, what to expect after it and how to prepare for it.
Recovery after CABG surgery takes time. The patient is required to stay in the hospital for at least a week after the procedure. They are advised to practice some deep breathing exercises to fasten up recovery. Coughing is also recommended, as it helps reduce the risk of pneumonia. Dietary intake of high-risk foods such as salty, fried and saturated fat-containing foods should be strictly avoided after the surgery. Foods that build up cholesterol in the blood must also be avoided.
Smoking should be completely stopped after the surgery and efforts should be taken to maintain weight. Patients may have to wait for at least six to eight weeks before returning back to sedentary work. Patients may feel weakness and fatigue immediately after the surgery. However, certain exercises must be performed to gain back strength of the muscles. They should immediately inform their doctor in case they experience any allergic reaction resulting in pain, swelling, and redness. In addition, medical guidance is warranted in the case of fever, chills and any kind of drainage from the site of the incision.
Need help in deciding a hospital?
The risks associated with minimally invasive coronary artery heart surgery is less than open-heart coronary artery bypass.
The success rate of coronary artery bypass surgery is approximately 98%. The threat can be higher for patients with extreme harm to the coronary heart muscle and those with excessive blockage of the arteries. Most CABG operations are now performed on older patients. Mostly on those without other risk factors such as kidney problems or diabetes.
The heart is one of the most sensitive organs in the human body and all disorders associated with it, therefore, must be treated with immense care and responsibility. The best hospitals for CABG in India make sure that they handle each and every case of CAD patient carefully. In addition, these bypass surgery hospitals have the best medical experts who devise an individualized treatment approach to cater to the needs of different categories of patients.
The top Indian bypass surgery hospitals are equipped with the latest technology, machinery, and tools required to conduct all types of surgery, including open heart CABG, minimally invasive coronary heart bypass surgery and minimally invasive valve surgery. All of the diagnostic tests required to be conducted before, during or after the procedure are conducted under the same roof. That is, there is no need for the patient and his or her family members to run from one healthcare facility to another to undergo a test or seek any other facility.
CABG is a complex and a highly-sophisticated cardiac procedure that must only be performed only by an experienced heart surgeon. Moreover, the surgeon should have the knowledge and skills required to use the techniques, tools, and equipment used to conduct coronary artery bypass grafting surgery successfully. Indian heart bypass surgeon strives to produce the highest success rates and this is one of the main reasons why India is known for its quality of cardiac treatment. Moreover, the best CABG surgeons in India attend dozens of conferences, workshops, and seminars around the year to keep themselves updated as per the shift in technology use. They continue to seek further education throughout their careers and this is the reason why they have a competitive edge over the other CABG surgeons from different parts of the world.
Q. What is Coronary bypass surgery?
Heart bypass or Coronary artery bypass is abbreviated CABG. It is a cardiac procedure that involves detouring of the narrowed area of the artery.
Q. What is triple bypass surgery? What is the triple bypass surgery recovery time?
When three heart arteries are replaced, the procedure is known as a triple bypass surgery. Recovery from heart bypass surgery can take 6 to 12 weeks. A person with a triple or a higher bypass is typically considered a high-risk patient.
Q. What is the rate of survival after triple heart surgery?
A patient could get a prolonged life of up to 5-8 years after the surgery.
Q. What are the triple bypass surgery side effects and risks?
Infection at the incision site where the chest was opened for surgery.
Q. How long does triple bypass surgery take?
The triple coronary artery bypass surgery takes three to six hours.
Q. What diet should one follow after heart bypass surgery?
Dietary intake of high-risk foods such as salty, fried and saturated fat-containing foods should be strictly avoided after CABG. Foods that build up cholesterol in the blood must also be avoided.
Q. What are the differences between bypass and open heart surgery?
A Heart bypass surgery or CABG is done when the flow of blood through the arteries is impaired. An open heart surgery may or may not include an opening up of the heart. It may involve surgeries on the arteries of the heart, the muscles of the heart or the valves. A bypass surgery is just a type of open-heart surgery. There may be others like coronary angioplasty, heart transplants etc. Heart bypass surgery may not be performed in an open heart manner.
Q. How much does bypass heart surgery cost?
On an average, heart bypass costs around $120,000 in US. While in India it costs around $5500 to $11000 depending on surgery method and other factors.
Q. Is heart bypass surgery dangerous?
Risk of developing complications is generally low. It depends on patients' health before surgery. The risk of complications is higher if the operation is done as an emergency. If the patient has other medical conditions, kidney disease, diabetes or blocked arteries in legs (peripheral artery disease, or PAD) there is higher risk.
Q. Which is better – heart bypass or stent?
Studies have shown patients with multiple narrowed arteries have better outcomes with heart bypass surgery than with stent.
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PETALING JAYA: Changes in global trade policies, tepid global demand and cost issues are expected to continue to disrupt demand for steel from Malaysia, negatively impacting the sector this year and next.
One good news for the sector, however, is the exclusion of building materials and construction services from the Sales and Services Tax (SST), according to MIDF Research.
In a report, the research house said recovery for the steel sector will be slower than expected, due to more headwinds from the ongoing trade wars.
"Currently, street has priced-in the risk from trade wars such as tariff imposition and duty order from local steel exporter for products bound for the US and Europe.
China's manufacturing sector takes up to 360 million tons of steel annually, close to 60% of the country's annual consumption.
However, demand is expected to decline due to China's environmental health and occupational safety policies.
Global steel demand is expected to be lackluster, growing to 1,616.1 million tons, or 1.8% year-on-year in 2018, and to 1,626.7 million tons in 2019, representing a 0.7% increase.
"This means less demand for export for the local steel mill. Most of the local companies are affected by unwavering overhead costs and operation expenditure making the sector unattractive," it said.
On the SST, the research house noted that the exclusion for building materials and construction services from the tax will give the sector a much needed breather.
The sector has been impacted due to the cancellation and scaling down of several mega infrastructure projects by the government.
"SST will enable steel sector to maintain its product supply to construction sector without any additional cost," MIDF Research said.
Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Research, in a report on Ann Joo Resources Bhd, noted that the steel player's share price has fallen 46% year-to-date.
It lowered its FY18-FY20 earnings per share forecasts by 3%-13% on expectation of weaker demand in the second half (H2) of 2018, and higher electricity cost from H2'18 onwards.
It however, has a "buy" call on the counter.
"We think the stock is oversold with its 12-month rolling forward price earnings ratio at six times," it said.
The research house added that despite the import tariff in the US, the international average selling price of steel has remained relatively stable between May and July 2018, indicating that the import tariff does not tilt the global demand-supply balance.
It noted that even if the US maximizes its local steel plant capacity utilization to 97% in order to substitute imports, the additional supply from US could be offset by China's plan to cut steel capacity in 2018.


Black jade geometric shapes with turquoise spheres and Sterling Silver hooks.
Gold filled shepherd's hook earrings with black jade beads.
Spheres of light green Jade and Rhodochrosite with gold-filled beads and hooks.


text:
Magdalena Solari Quintana (born 23 January 1968) is an Argentine politician, currently serving as a National Senator for Misiones Province since 2017. She previously served as a member of the Posadas City Council. She is a member of the Party of Social Concord.

Solari Quintana was born in Buenos Aires. She studied law at the Catholic University of Santa Fe, graduating in 2001. She was a member of the Posadas City Council until her election to the Senate, and was twice elected to preside the body, from 2013 to 2015.

Solari Quintana was the second Front for the Renewal of Concord (FRC) candidate to the National Senate in Misiones for the 2017 legislative election, behind Maurice Closs. The FRC was the most voted list in the province, and Solari Quintana was elected. She was sworn in on 29 November 2017. In the Senate, she is part of the parliamentary commissions on Women's Affairs, Education and Culture, Justice and Criminal Affairs, General Legislation, Tourism and Accords.

As of 2021, she presides the single-member FRC bloc in the Senate, as Closs joined the Frente de Todos bloc in 2019.

References

External links
Profile on the official website of the Senate (in Spanish)

1968 births
Living people
Politicians from Buenos Aires
People from Posadas, Misiones
Members of the Argentine Senate for Misiones
Women members of the Argentine Senate
21st-century Argentine women politicians
21st-century Argentine politicians


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The Dangers Of Mocking Mental Health In Film
Ashleigh Sandford
Is film irresponsible in its depiction of mental health? Ashleigh investigates.
It's 2016. We live in a progressive society where all military positions are available to women and same sex marriage is legal. Meanwhile, mental illness faces constant stigma in the mass media. Unless you study psychology, chances are most of your knowledge about mental illness comes from newspapers, magazines, films and TV. False representations in the media feed off of prejudice and fear, which encourage damaging stereotypes. It's estimated, that a quarter of the UK's population is experiencing mental illness… So, why is it a taboo subject?
I set out to explore two genres that tend to treat mental health as a joke or as a danger to society to try and understand whether these stigmas are making their way into society.
'…we're men, we're supposed to be tough'
Whenever men are asked to share their opinions about the stigma attached to mental illness. With answers like 'we're men, we're supposed to be tough', it's clear that the discrimination towards men and mental health must change. The 90s, an era of male-gone-mad characters, saw box office successes like 'Goodfellas', 'Fight Club' and 'American Beauty', which dealt with social anxiety, insomnia and depression. Harold Ramis directed a not-so celebrated comedy in 1999, which is considered to have scant regard to realism. Many people presume that mental illness is triggered by traumatic events in the past. It's a myth. They are usually developed with no history of drama. Then again, it's no surprise people believe this with careless scripts like 'Analyze This'.
In this film, Paul Vitti (Robert Di Niro), the lead thug in a New York mafia group, is required to be strong, unemotional and invulnerable. But, what we see is quite the contrary: uncontrollable mood swings, panic attacks and hypersensitivity. Paul witnesses a trauma as a child (the assassination of his father) and the guilt that he was unable to do anything to prevent it plagues him. Since the inability to inflict harm is a serious liability in his line of work, Paul finds reinsurance in Dr Sobel (Billy Crystal). Concerned more with his reputation than wellbeing, Paul discloses, 'If I talk to you, and you turn me into a fag… I'm gonna kill you'. Paul has been shoved outside the conventions of gangster crime. Growing up, boys usually encounter the 'Boy Code' – a set of expectations about how men should think, feel and act: "be tough", "be independent", and "don't show any emotion except for anger." Whether it's a critique or mockery, 'Analyze This' mimics the stigmatizing attitudes within popular culture, with respect to men and mental health.
'Lunatics at large' films are based on people with mental health problems.
Lifting ideas from 'The Truman Show' and 'To Die For', Shira Piven's 'Welcome to Me' is a black comedy, which casts the admirably-awkward Kristen Wiig as an unstable Alice Klieg. After winning $86m in the state lottery, she takes a leaf out of Oprah's book and creates her very own TV show, focused on herself, of course. Alice, who is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, uses the show as an introductory, when she says, 'I was a summer baby born in 1971 in Simi Valley, California, and I've been using masturbation as a sedative since 1991'. While it's a giant step forward from the dated 'crazy lady' of thrillers like 'Play Misty for Me' and 'Fatal Attraction', Alice seems to carry traits unconventional of BPD. With this illness, you can experience hypersensitivity, paranoia and psychotic behaviour – compared to Alice's narcissistic traits. BPD is much more than a 'look at me' exhibition, Piven hasn't represented the many complexities of the mental illness, only that of bipolar mania and schizophrenia – with Alice's personality quirk and manic make-up.
'Lunatics at large' films are based on people with mental health problems. In 'Me, Myself and Irene', Jim Carrey (the shaggy-haired comedian, who will almost-always descend into madness) stars as a state trooper, who is diagnosed with 'delusionary schizophrenia with narcissistic rage'. Having schizophrenia causes difficulties with perceptions (hearing voices), beliefs (paranoid ideas) and behaviours (social withdrawal). After his wife leaves him, Charlie Baileygates (Jim Carrey) stops his medication and unleashes an abhorrent alter-ego called Hank [the rest of the name is way too rude for our sensitive eyes] on the people around him. Charlie defecates on a neighbours' garden, smashes up vending machines and terrorises children, while his girlfriend (Renée Zellweger) awkwardly apologises, by saying he is a 'schizo'. Charlie's symptoms have been blown out of proportion (yes, for comedy effect), but this leaves viewers with a false image of schizophrenia. Peter Farelly advertises the disorder – and Hank, as a violent threat to society – when schizophrenics are far more likely to be the victims than the perpetrators of violence. Does showing an accurate portrayal really sacrifice entertainment value?
Psycho killers, unhinged stalkers and crazy patients are Hollywood's definition of the mentally ill – but, it only invites cinemagoers to assume they should be feared. The shower sequence in 'Psycho' is one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history. The scene opens with Marion (Janet Leigh) taking a shower. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) throws the shower curtain aside (violins screeching in the background) and repeatedly stabs her in the back, leaving her to die. The killer is later discovered to be wearing his mother's clothes, while believing he is his dead mother. Bates, suffering from a personality disorder, is portrayed as a serial killer, who hears voices from his mother to murder others. Such distorted images of the 'homicidal maniac' encourages prejudice to the majority of people suffering, when most violent crimes are committed by those without mental health problems.
Cinematographers, like Yaron Orbach and Edward Lachman, try their best to sexualise people with mental health problems through a seductive, – and equally-degrading lens. From 'The Ward' to 'Excision', young women have been fetishised because of their mental vulnerability. Provocative clothing and pig tails seem a likely match for women casted in these low-psychology horrors. 'The Ward' – a disappointing decline from 'John Carpenter's Halloween', which set the standard for slasher films of the 80s – is guilty of pseudo psychology. The protagonist, Kristen (Amber Heard), is a young patient who was admitted to North Bend Psychiatric Hospital, with a diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). With this illness, many people experience depersonalisation, severe amnesia and derealisation. Filled with clichés and genre tropes, Orbach stresses Kristen's vulnerability as he pans across the shower room, in an establishing shot of exposed women. Later, we learn that Kirsten is one of the multiple personalities of the 'real' Alice Hudson, as are the other inmates: Iris, Sarah, Emily, and Zoey. Bethany Brand, psychology professor at Towson University, says that there are many misconceptions with DID, the most prevalent being 'different people living inside'. Don't believe everything you watch: mental health is a real issue that is affecting the lives of 615 million people across the world..
When asked what traits define film characters with mental illnesses, the top answers were 'violent' and 'weird'. Of course, film is not the only source of negative stereotypes. But, the media is an important part of shaping peoples' attitudes about the world we live in. Films have the ability to spread awareness, and we have the ability to change trends.
So let's talk about mental health. Chat with us over at @rifemag
If you've got any more questions about mental health, you can find out more from Off The Record on the Rife Guide.
Why The Greatest Showman is deceptive and scandalous
Dana was less than impressed with the film's depiction of cruel ringmaster, PT Barnum
Film / May 7, 2020 / Dana Archer
Ten Black Actors Writers And Filmmakers To Get Excited About In 2017
As we celebrate BFI's new Black Star season, Aisha looks at the British future black stars she's most excited about.
Film / October 24, 2016 / Aisha Sanyang-Meek
19 years old. Ashleigh is a freelance writer and avid tea drinker who's known for frantically typing 'dogs' on Google Images, as well as debating social issues and cinema. Part time movie binger. Full-time film student. Ashleigh has contributed to Exeter Daily, Diegesis and Rife Magazine.