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How do organisms interact with microplastics that now pervade our rivers and oceans?
Microplastics are 'transformed' by rivers and oceans, interacting with organisms and the environment with unknown consequences for human and environmental health.
By Quest Contributor
The University of Birmingham
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Plastic pollution has garnered media attention - and public worry. But microplastics - tiny particles of less than five millimeters - are now widely abundant in our ecosystem. They may pose direct threats to human health and ecosystem functioning. Experts at the University of Birmingham are investigating the scale of microplastic pollution and the potential impacts they may cause now, and in the future.
How do organisms interact with microplastics in our waterways?
Concerns about plastic pollution have sparked high profile campaigns worldwide, and emotive images of marine animals ensnared in plastic waste fill the media. However, these 'macroplastics' are only one part of the story. The vast majority of this plastic waste is carried out to the oceans via multiple sources, primarily rivers and waterways.
Microplastics - particles less than 5mm in diameter - are increasingly abundant in the ecosystem too. Some, known as primary microplastics, have been manufactured to be small particles, such as cosmetic 'beads'. Secondary microplastics are those resulting from from the breakdown of larger fragments of plastics, through the mechanical abrasive effects of being washed down a river or battered by ocean waves, or through washing machines, such as microfibres in synthetic fleece clothing.
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A not-so-micro problem
The sources of microplastics are manifold, including waste-water inputs, runoff from roads and sealed surfaces or inappropriate waste management. While waste-water treatment can reduce the amount of plastics, a large number of particles continues to end up in rivers around the world. Further, biosolids as residuals of waste water treatment processes may be used in agriculture as fertilizers, meaning that microplastics can find their way into soils and potentially valuable groundwater resources via other pathways that are as yet not well understood.
Microplastics may pose greater risks to human and environmental health than the more visible macroplastics, because they can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed by organisms and potentially move through the food chain. Potential health consequences of this are as yet poorly understood. Some plastic additives such as bisphenoyl-A (BPA) have been recognised as potentially harmful to the endocrine system and are largely phased out of food packaging. They can, however, still reach and harm the environment through the breakdown of the plethora of other plastic products.
From river to ocean: a transformation
There are two important implications for research. Firstly, we need to better understand the mechanisms by which plastics are transported through our rivers to the oceans, their change and potential decay along these pathways and their accumulation in rivers, sediments, soils and organisms. Second, research is needed into the effects of such plastics on the affected ecosystems, including organisms at all levels of the food chain. Academics at the University of Birmingham are seeking to address these concerns in a series of interdisciplinary research projects.
How plastics are transported, accumulated and break down in freshwaters is a focus area of Professor Stefan Krause, a hydrologist with an interest in biogeochemical cycling, contaminant transport and ecohydrological feedbacks in complex landscapes. His work examines the fate, transport and environmental impacts of microplastics in rivers.
"Rivers are not just transporters of plastic but are transformers of plastic," he explains. Krause's work on river flow dynamics and particularly exchange fluxes between rivers and their streambed sediments shows how plastics behave and "age" as they are transported. Understanding of these processes enables predictions about their accumulation and degradation pathways as well as potential impacts on exposed organisms. For example, a microplastics survey of the River Tame and its tributaries conducted by an interdisciplinary team of students and researchers at the University of Birmingham proved the impossibility of making simple predictions about microplastic concentrations in urban river environments based only on the presence of waste water treatment works or local population density. Hydrodynamic factors - such as alterations in flow velocities resulting from variability in the shape of waterways and in particular the presence of lakes for example - can result in increased deposition of microplastic particles together with other sediments.
Professor Krause explains that the environmental conditions in which plastics are transported or accumulated determine how they are altered and potentially broken down. Low density plastics such as polystyrene or polyethylene floating at the surface of the river will be exposed to sun light, causing chemical and physical changes that bypass those higher density plastics that are suspended in the river or even have found their way into the sediment at the river bed. Further, sediment-bound plastics may take years or even decades to make their way into the oceans, by which time their interactions with biological materials including different types of microbial biofilms will have changed their properties and behaviour, contaminants may have sorbed on their surfaces and they may have caused long-term exposures to vulnerable organisms.
Understanding how plastics are transported and transformed in water is a first step for researchers who want to quantify their potential impacts and risks, providing the basis for determining how plastics affect human health.
Tiny particles, massive impact
Professor Iseult Lynch is an environmental nanoscientist at the University of Birmingham, focusing on behaviour of nanoplastics, the very smallest of particles, which range from 1 - 100 nanometers (nm) and microplastics. Lynch believes this tiny size makes microplastics behave in interesting and consequential ways. As particles reduce in size, the proportion of surface area to volume increases. The chemical behaviour of particles this small is then driven more by the properties of their surface area than by their constituent materials. As such, the ways that nano- and microplastics interact with the environment cannot be predicted from the behaviour of macroplastics.
Microplastics have already found their way into zooplankton, fish, invertebrates and mammalian digestive systems. There are concerns they may accumulate in organisms via a 'Trojan Horse' effect in which they bind to other entities rather than enter through simple inhalation or ingestion; Professor Lynch's work is identifying ways in which nanoplastics can bind to organic materials to create new substances. Contaminants adhere to the surface of microplastic particles and biofilms that may have formed around them, and which are a food source for some organisms. These particles are then consumed by organisms that would not normally ingest plastics. Far from being inert and inactive particles, microplastics - even those free from BPA - appear to interact with biological materials in ways that may prove to be harmful, for example, by making organisms appear full without providing nutritional content thereby impacting growth and reproduction potential.
Sentinel of change - the water flea
Professor Lynch's research is examining the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on daphnia, or water fleas, which are important sentinel organisms for providing information on the impact of water pollution because they are filter-feeders, and therefore micro- and nanoplastics in the water can enter their gut and cause stiffening or constipation. Lynch's research is demonstrating that daphnia release proteins that attach in a process known as adsorption, forming an ecocorona around the nanoplastic particles, that changes how organisms interact with the nanoplastics.
Left - Daphnia, commonly called water fleas - credit: blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo
Upper-right - Polyethylene beads visible in the gut of the daphnia - credit: PhD student Katie Reilly (Professor Lynch's lab)
Lower-right - Nano-scale plastics are highlighted with a fluorescent tag as the microplastics are too small to see - credit: Dr. Fatima Nasser (Professor Lynch's lab)
Essentially, the ecocorona is a complex created between microplastics and organic materials present in the environment, as physical adsorption confers a biological identity over the existing chemical one. It is thought that this adsorption fundamentally changes the behaviour of these nanoplastics. For example, such plastics appear to be taken up more rapidly and excreted more slowly than simple plastics which can only exist in laboratory studies, as absorption of biomolecules occurs instantaneously in real environments, allowing them to accumulate in the tissues of organisms to a far greater degree than if they were absorbed based on diffusion gradients alone. Further, these coated nanoparticles appear to have certain toxic effects on their host organisms, probably related to enhanced retention in the gut. However, Professor Lynch explains that this is unlikely to manifest as acute toxicity, being more likely to lead to subtle, longer-term effects such as slow starvation or impaired development, which are harder to study in vivo.
Microplastics - from problem to solution?
The contaminants of concern are not only the plastics themselves, but the kinds of compounds that might stick to their surfaces, like heavy metals and pharmaceutical products. These can increase in concentration at the microplastic surface and once taken into the tissues of feeders positioned low in the food chain, there is a possibility of bioaccumulation - the progressive increase in concentration by organisms higher in the chain. Toxicity effects are not yet well understood and are thus an important avenue for research. Academics must also focus on improving technologies for waste water treatment works, which are currently effective at removal of macroplastics but continue to release large proportions of microplastics into rivers and via biosolid fertilisers and irrigation potentially also into agriculture.
Despite concerns that micro and nanoplastics are deleterious for human health, experts are also interested whether nanoparticle science could, through the same underlying mechanisms, have human and environmental benefits too. There are already known examples of surface area adsorption technologies being applied in this way. For example, ceramic cordierite in catalytic converters removes nitrogen oxides from combustion engine exhausts. Domestic water purification filters are based on granular activated carbon. And carbon black can adsorb ingested poisons.
However, nanoplastics may have additional applications. Their affinity to bind with toxic compounds could help remove toxic substances from water, although the challenge will be how to contain the nanoplastics once they have bound to contaminants, in order not to aggravate the problem by releasing vectors into the ecosystem. Knotty problems require complex solutions. Both Professor Krause and Professor Lynch see a hopeful future as workers across disciplinary boundaries work together including hydrologists, ecologists, sedimentologists, fluvial geomorphologists, economists, human geographers and clinical scientists working with chemists, environmental scientists and ecotoxicologists.
Banner image credit: Aurora Photos / Alamy Stock Photo
Professor Stefan Krause
Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry
Stefan's interdisciplinary research group on coupled groundweater and surface water systems investigates the multifaceted impacts of global environmental change on hydrological fluxes, biogeochemical cycling and contaminant transport, and ecohydrological feedback functions in complex landscapes.
Stefan's profile
Professor Iseult Lynch
Professor of Environmental Nanosciences
Iseult Lynch is the Chair of Environmental Nanosciences at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on the environmental interactions of nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces with biological entities from macromolecules to organisms.
Iseult's profile
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On September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest the town of Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish Crown, thus initiating Mexico's War of Independence. Factually, the country did not achieve independence until 1821, but it is this event, known as the Grito de Dolores which is commemorated every year in town squares across Mexico.
Today, and into the weekend, you will see a variety of people waving the Mexican national flags and having all sorts of other related activities occurring as a result of the celebration. Here in Playa, the Independence Day celebration takes place in the Plaza of the municipality, which is decorated from the beginning of September with red, white and green lights and Mexican flags. On the 15th, at 11 pm the President of the Playa del Carmen goes out onto the central balcony of the Palacio, rings the bell (like Miguel Hidalgo rang in 1810), and cries to the people gathered in the square below, who enthusiastically respond "¡Viva!" The celebrations continue on the 16th with civic ceremonies and parades in the principal avenues of Playa del Carmen, were children of different school participate.
The Spirits will be high. The people have earned their sovereignty equally as much as the USA. With that responsibility, Mexico has developed into what it is today based of character it has earned through the challenges that befall any nation. Today is a day of observing this fact, and is a good time to learn and appreciate more of the unique dynamics that have gone into Mexico Today.


Ever since the kids were born and we committed to staying home for Christmas (we used to travel to my in-laws, but it's a treacherous drive through the mountains, so we only drive that way in the summer now), we've had the Christmas Eve tradition of ordering dinner in from my very favorite restaurant. It was a hole-in-the-wall, family-owned Chinese restaurant that my family has been going to since I was four years old. Sadly, this past year, the owners retired, sold the business, and the food isn't even close to what it once was.
We debated getting take-out from several other places for Christmas eve, especially since I decided to host Christmas dinner for the first time this year, but in the end, I decided I wanted to cook...just something simple.
I've been thinking about trying soup and bread bowls for a while now, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Following Frieda's suggestion, I used Peter Reinhart's Italian bread recipe from the BBA. I divided the dough into 6 ounce portions and formed them into tight boules to try to encourage them to rise up instead of out. It worked nicely.
Before dinner, I cut out the tops of the bread bowls, and pushed in the sides to try to create a wide opening. Following Mags' suggestion, I brushed the insides with olive oil and toasted them at 350F for about ten minutes.
I was concerned that the 6 ounce bowls turned out pretty small and thought maybe I should make bigger ones next time. Buuuuut, I'm not sure. The bowls were small; I could only fit one small ladle of soup into each. But there was a perfect amount of bread. The guys just had second scoops of soup, so maybe that's the answer.
For the soup, I made Byerly's wild rice soup. The last step of the recipe is to add the cream and sherry and then serve. I found that the flavors didn't meld; next time, I think I will either make the soup ahead of time or cook it for longer.
Either way, it went perfectly with the bread bowls.
Ooh, I want to make bread bowls now, and I don't even like soup that much. =P Sounds like a wonderful Christmas Eve meal.
Oh, that looks just wonderful! I need to do this one soon...we love soup in bread bowls. Perfect time of year for it.
Oooooh, the bread bowls look soooo cute! I love them!
It looks delicious. Hope I can taste it one of these days..
These looks delicious. I'll have to give them a try.


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Business innovations in online training, higher education: Start of something big?
The U.S. lament that there are plenty of jobs but not nearly enough people with the training to qualify for them may fade with the introduction of the on-line "NanoDegree."
AT&T, in collaboration with on-line educator Udacity, has just announced this initiative in vocational training. According to New York Times columnist, Eduardo Porter, the relatively short and inexpensive course "is intended to teach anyone with a mastery of high school math the kind of basic programming skills needed to qualify for an entry-level position at AT&T as a data analyst, IOS applications designer or the like…. It may finally offer a reasonable shot at harnessing the web to provide effective schooling to the many young Americans for whom college has become a distant, unaffordable dream."
AT&T spokeswoman Charlene Lake explains that, "We are trying to widen the pipeline. This is designed by business for the specific skills that are needed in business." Udacity's Sebastian Thurn goes further, in effect challenging traditional higher education institutions: "It is like a university… built by industry." The "NanoDegree" program is a career precursor to the kind of program Google has developed with Udacity for its employee-programmers working on Google platforms.
With all of its merits, however, make no mistake: The "NanoDegree" providers do not claim to be delivering the fully-rounded educational experience of the traditional four-year undergraduate experience. And many colleges and universities across the country are themselves evolving such programs to make even liberal arts students better prepared for business careers. Harvard, at the top of the educational food chain, has just established a supplemental online program called Credentials of Readiness (CORe) intended to give liberal arts students what it calls "the language of business" — accounting, analytics and economics.
All of this promising ferment at the business/higher education interface is further nourished by innovative commitments such as Starbucks just-announced program to pay employees' college tuition.
Business In Society will transmit (as space and time allow) additional news on such significant business educational/training innovations received via our Contact Us page.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Tokyo, Japan – February 1, 2016 – LINE Corporation, owner and operator of the free call and messaging app LINE, today announced that Koji Kotaka has been appointed as an external board member. The decision was approved at a special board of director's meeting on January 27, 2016 and a special shareholders' meeting on February 1, 2016. Kotaka assumes his new role starting today.
Left Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.
Appointed as Independent Director at Asia Growth Capital Ltd.
Released as Independent Director at Asia Growth Capital Ltd.


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Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team
The TRT meets on the third Friday of the month at 11:00am
All Marin CAMFT members are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP at least 2 days prior to bethleibmft@gmail.com, so she can get you the Zoom link.
Winter 2022 Update from Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team
Greetings Everyone,
Happy New Year and Welcome 2022!
The Marin CAMFT Trauma Response Team, (TRT), is excited for the new year and the new adventures ahead. We have made significant progress in our collaboration efforts with the staff at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. The goal is to provide skilled mental health volunteers during school crises, critical incidents and larger disasters in Marin as well as other Bay area counties. Under the auspices of the Marin Medical Reserve Corps, (MMRC), TRT members will be deployed by county officials as part of the national Medical Reserves Corps program developed after 9/11.
Through our TRT/MMRC collaboration, TRT members will be pre-vetted, receive monthly training and be the foundation for a larger team of skilled mental health volunteers. To learn more and join this important effort, please reach out to one of the TRT chairs whose contact info is listed below.
Dee Treshnell, who revitalized the Trauma Response Team efforts with Marin CAMFT and lead the School Crisis Team has stepped back from these roles and will be sincerely missed. Her leadership, experience with schools, and sense of humor gave the team an outstanding foundation. The School Crisis Team serves school districts in Marin when disaster strikes and school counselors are overwhelmed. In her absence, Beth and Kathleen are reaching out to team members and the larger Marin CAMFT community for someone with organizational and school experience to co-chair the TRT School Crisis Team. Please let us know if that is you!
Two mental health news items are important to highlight. First, a National State of Emergency was declared for the mental health of America's youth and in October, 2021, a national state of emergency for the mental health of America's youth was declared by leading child health care groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Children's Hospital Association.
Representing more than 77,000 physicians and more than 200 children's hospitals, this declaration draws attention to the pandemic's worsening effect on youth's already significant mental health challenges. "Today's declaration is an urgent call to policymakers at all levels of government - we must treat this mental health crisis like the emergency it is," urged Savio Beers, AAP President Dr. Lee.
With Marin County already having one of the highest teen suicide rates in the Bay area, additional attention to youth mental health needs, programs and resources is much needed. What are you observing in your practice?
Second, add this phone number to your contacts: Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
This is a 24/7 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Spanish speakers can call the hotline and press "2" for 24/7 bilingual support. Interpretation services are available in over 100 languages.
In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA), has a Disaster app that offers first responders immediate access for any type of traumatic event at every response phase. Download the app and learn more about the hotline at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.
If you're interested in participating in the TRT, please join our monthly meetings which include speakers and discussions on topics such as disaster mental health, trauma, experiences in the field, and pertinent trainings. Our meetings are on the third Friday of the month at 11 am. Please contact Beth to get the Zoom link.
Trauma Response Team Co-Chairs
Beth Leib, LMFT
bethleibmft@gmail.com
Kathleen Ries, LMFT, MS, MPH, RD
lifesperfect@sbcglobal.net
Fall 2021 Update from Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team
Greetings and wishing you all the best with your continued good health and safety.
The Marin CAMFT Trauma Response Team (TRT) has been on alert during these challenging times of COVID, California fires and school crisis events. Our TRT consists of two teams: Disaster Mental Health and School Crisis.
We recently responded through our partners at the County of Marin Office of Education to a school crisis. Our team connected with local school administrators, teachers and students to support them through the return to classes and a difficult time. We are proud of our team's response in trying times as we continue to grow and develop our Disaster Mental Health and School Crisis Teams.
We are cultivating stronger working relationships in our Marin community, which includes our members joining the MMRC (Marin Medical Reserve Corps) at: https://www.marinhhs.org/mmrc, as well as pursuing further trainings in Critical Incident response and Suicide Prevention.
TRT members who want to deploy for a local school crisis and/or critical incidents will need to join the MMRC. Participating in the MMRC is easy and affords greater coordination with the Marin County Crisis Unit and Office of Emergency operations.
The Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative is led by Kara Connors. An important goal for the year is to increase our connection with this amazing team. Their meeting dates are listed at the County website: https://www.marinhhs.org/suicide-prevention.
Our partnership with the Red Cross remains strong and will aid in quick deployment to disasters and traumatic events in the community. Red Cross Disaster Mental Health training enables us to deploy to disasters within Marin County, the greater Bay area, and California.
Kathleen Ries, a lead for our Trauma Response Team, is the head of Disaster Mental Health for Marin Red Cross, which further strengthens our involvement and readiness for disasters. Our team is becoming a vital part of response to disasters, trauma and school crisis in Marin County. We welcome new members and encourage you to reach out to our team leaders. Our meetings are energetic and involve speakers in the field, member input and future plans for the team.
We meet on the third Friday of the month at 11:00am and our meetings are open to all Marin CAMFT members.
Our philosophy is that our team is only as strong as each individual member. We promote involvement, idea sharing and goal setting by all of our members. In this way, our team better serves all communities in Marin.
Summer 2021 Update from Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team
Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team has been increasingly active and engaging with our community this year. We've been connecting with our members and with the community with very positive and exciting results!
The number of team members both on our Trauma Team and our School Crisis and Support Team has increased. Two members, Tammie Grant and Pam Lister, gave excellent presentations at recent meetings. Discussions have generated so much interest that our meetings now include an optional lobby session in which we continue our discussions after the meeting.
These monthly meetings are open to all Marin CAMFT members. Our next meeting is Friday, July 9th at 9am. If you'd like to join, please contact one of our co-chairs below and we'll send you the Zoom link. This meeting has been canceled; please check back later for an announcement when the Committee will meet again.
In keeping with our community outreach goals, we've initiated several online meetings with the leaders of numerous County agencies that share our intention to meet the needs of our Marin population, by creating a joint response to disasters, crises, and traumatic events. Specifically, our team could offer pro bono mental health support along with Marin County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services staff. We'd like to thank Todd Paler, Program Manager of the Crisis Unit, and Kara Connors, Marin HHS Senior Program Manager for Suicide Prevention, for meeting with us and including us in this important community effort.
Another exciting development is that we are now more "present" on the Marin CAMFT website and easier to find, with the Trauma Response Team page now moved to sit with the other direct links within the header of marincamft.org. We are very thankful to have Lisa Wenninger share her expertise and time as we move toward increasing our presence as we add newsletters, team requirements, and potentially, a blog. Our continuing effort to increase our visibility will make our presence and team more accessible to those who seek support and to those who wish to join our team.
The good news just keeps coming . . . Our three leads, Beth Leib, Kathleen Ries, and Dee Treshnell, recently met in a retreat format to evaluate "where we are" and discuss our potential goals for the year. We held a productive online retreat on May 21st for our Trauma Team members wherein ideas and goals from the team were shared. Our members' visions aligned with our original vision and intention for our Trauma Response Team. Every team is only as strong as each individual member! We greatly appreciate all of the keen insights and wisdom from our valued members.
New Marin CAMFT members are welcome. If you're interested in helping our community during critical incidents and disasters, please attend a few of our meetings and consider joining our Trauma Response Team. Let's move forward in offering support to our community as disaster mental health workers.
Wildfire season is here and Marin is in a serious drought. Our rainfall levels over the past year have been the lowest on record in more than 140 years. Marin residents may experience new levels of anxiety and fear due to the intensity and duration of wildfires in the past few years. How do we prepare ourselves and support our clients? UCSF Department of Psychiatry posted a timely article, Coping with Wildfires and Climate Change Crises, at psych.ucsf.edu.
We wish you all an enjoyable and safe summer that includes people, places, and experiences that we have all missed during this challenging year.
Spring 2021 Update from Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team
Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team invites members who are interested in learning more about our team to attend our monthly Zoom meeting, typically held on the third Friday of every month at 11:00 am PT, though sometimes this schedule varies. Please RSVP to bethleibmft@gmail.com if you're interested in joining us and we will confirm the next meeting and you'll be on the list to get the Zoom link. We are looking forward to seeing you!
We have several projects underway for 2021:
building our skills as a trauma response team
our new School Crisis Team, already in the works and then accelerated due to the tragedies of youth suicide in our community in early 2021
offering pro bono sessions to those most affected by COVID-19
We encourage you to join our team at this intersection, where we meld former members and their expertise with new members who are adding positive energy and enthusiasm. You may contact any of the Co-Chairs below if you would like more information or to get involved.
Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team invites members who are interested in learning more about our team to attend our monthly Zoom meeting this Friday, January 22nd at 11 am. Please RSVP to bethleibmft@gmail.com by 12 noon on Thursday, January 21st in order to receive the Zoom link for this meeting. We are looking forward to seeing you!
We are excited about our upcoming speakers including Tammie Grant, Melissa d'Amore and Pam Lister.
We encourage you to join our team at this intersection, where we meld former members and their expertise with new members who are adding positive energy and enthusiasm. You may contact any of the Co-Chairs below if you would like more information or to get involved. Marin CAMFT's Trauma Response Team invites members who are interested in learning more about our team to attend our monthly Zoom meeting this Friday, January 22nd at 11 am. Please RSVP to bethleibmft@gmail.com by 12 noon on Thursday, January 21st in order to receive the Zoom link for this meeting. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Here are highlights from the Trauma Response Team:
Psychological First Aid
Co-Chair Kathleen Ries presented an engaging quiz on Psychological First Aid (PFA) principles at our August monthly meeting. PFA is usually required in a significant disaster or collective trauma such as wildfires or a global pandemic. While attending to others in a disaster, trauma response workers need to remain calm in an often chaotic environment. Our calm presence, tone of voice, eye contact, and confidence have a huge impact on others. Attunement, empathy, and stabilization are keys to soothing, grounding, and helping others to self-regulate and strengthen their resilience. Connectedness counterbalances adversity.
In a disaster, the licensed mental health professional triages three levels of reactions: normal stress reactions; severe stress reactions; and reactions that pose a potential danger to self and others. PFA skills also provide the framework for our own self-care, connecting to others with kindness, calm and compassion, helping people feel safe, meeting people's basic needs, encouraging good coping, giving realistic reassurances, connecting people with their local resources and support systems, and giving accurate and timely information.
Update on current local collective traumas
Dennis Scremin, our liaison for the Red Cross, reported on the numerous fires and evacuations in the Bay area. The challenges of managing an evacuation while addressing the needs of social distancing, hand washing, cleaning, and mask wearing are enormous.
Speakers at our monthly meetings
Our team is enjoying and benefitting from our recent addition of speakers at our monthly meetings. Dennis Scremin spoke at our September meeting. On October 16 at 11 am, Melissa d'Amore will be speaking on Disaster Mental Health and Trauma Recovery. On November 20, Pam Lister will speak on being "in the field" during deployment and will share some of her positive, uplifting experiences.
Our three exciting areas of focus
We are excited about the educational component of our meetings as well as the engagement of our team with the community. It has been rewarding to get to know our new team members. While we understand that Covid-19 has changed our lives and perhaps affected some of our commitments, we are hoping that more of you will attend our next TRT Zoom meeting on October 16. If you'd like to attend this online meeting, or want more information, please email any of the three co-chairs below. We want to learn more about each of you, as well as determine who is interested in our three main areas of focus for the months ahead. These areas of focus include:
1) Disaster Response Team Activity in conjunction with the Marin Red Cross Mental Health Team.
2) School Crisis Counseling for students, school staff, and parents. The location will be announced as a pilot when approval has been secured.
3) Pro Bono Mental Health Services for those most impacted by Covid-19, including first responders and survivors (2 or 3 sessions to help people find resources and cope.)
Please let us know if you would like to get involved with our School Crisis Counseling Pilot and/or our Pro Bono Covid-19 Mental Health Services. We invite Marin CAMFT therapists to join our Trauma Response Team and help us launch these two new programs.
If you have any trauma referrals or other suggestions for our TRT, please contact us through our Marin CAMFT voicemail at: (415) 459-3484, extension 2.
We are looking forward to connecting with you, expanding our team, and serving our beautiful community in the months ahead.
Dee Treshnell, LMFT
deetreshnell@comcast.net


text:
namespace mojo {
namespace test {
namespace {

class RouterTest : public testing::Test {
 public:
  RouterTest() : loop_(common::MessagePumpMojo::Create()) {}

  void SetUp() override {
    CreateMessagePipe(nullptr, &handle0_, &handle1_);
  }

  void TearDown() override {}

  void PumpMessages() { loop_.RunUntilIdle(); }

 protected:
  ScopedMessagePipeHandle handle0_;
  ScopedMessagePipeHandle handle1_;

 private:
  base::MessageLoop loop_;
};

TEST_F(RouterTest, BasicRequestResponse) {
  internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(), false);

  ResponseGenerator generator;
  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);

  Message request;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

  MessageQueue message_queue;
  base::RunLoop run_loop;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(
      &request, new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue, run_loop.QuitClosure()));

  run_loop.Run();

  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  Message response;
  message_queue.Pop(&response);

  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));

  // Send a second message on the pipe.
  Message request2;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello again", &request2);

  base::RunLoop run_loop2;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(
      &request2,
      new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue, run_loop2.QuitClosure()));

  run_loop2.Run();

  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  message_queue.Pop(&response);

  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello again world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));
}

TEST_F(RouterTest, BasicRequestResponse_Synchronous) {
  internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(), false);

  ResponseGenerator generator;
  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);

  Message request;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

  MessageQueue message_queue;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(&request, new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue));

  router1.WaitForIncomingMessage(MOJO_DEADLINE_INDEFINITE);
  router0.WaitForIncomingMessage(MOJO_DEADLINE_INDEFINITE);

  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  Message response;
  message_queue.Pop(&response);

  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));

  // Send a second message on the pipe.
  Message request2;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello again", &request2);

  router0.AcceptWithResponder(&request2,
                              new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue));

  router1.WaitForIncomingMessage(MOJO_DEADLINE_INDEFINITE);
  router0.WaitForIncomingMessage(MOJO_DEADLINE_INDEFINITE);

  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  message_queue.Pop(&response);

  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello again world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));
}

TEST_F(RouterTest, RequestWithNoReceiver) {
  internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(), false);

  // Without an incoming receiver set on router1, we expect router0 to observe
  // an error as a result of sending a message.

  Message request;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

  MessageQueue message_queue;
  base::RunLoop run_loop, run_loop2;
  router0.set_connection_error_handler(run_loop.QuitClosure());
  router1.set_connection_error_handler(run_loop2.QuitClosure());
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(&request, new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue));

  run_loop.Run();
  run_loop2.Run();

  EXPECT_TRUE(router0.encountered_error());
  EXPECT_TRUE(router1.encountered_error());
  EXPECT_TRUE(message_queue.IsEmpty());
}

// Tests Router using the LazyResponseGenerator. The responses will not be
// sent until after the requests have been accepted.
TEST_F(RouterTest, LazyResponses) {
  internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(), false);

  base::RunLoop run_loop;
  LazyResponseGenerator generator(run_loop.QuitClosure());
  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);

  Message request;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

  MessageQueue message_queue;
  base::RunLoop run_loop2;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(
      &request,
      new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue, run_loop2.QuitClosure()));
  run_loop.Run();

  // The request has been received but the response has not been sent yet.
  EXPECT_TRUE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  // Send the response.
  EXPECT_TRUE(generator.responder_is_valid());
  generator.CompleteWithResponse();
  run_loop2.Run();

  // Check the response.
  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());
  Message response;
  message_queue.Pop(&response);
  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));

  // Send a second message on the pipe.
  base::RunLoop run_loop3;
  LazyResponseGenerator generator2(run_loop3.QuitClosure());

  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator2);
  Message request2;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello again", &request2);

  base::RunLoop run_loop4;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(
      &request2,
      new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue, run_loop4.QuitClosure()));
  run_loop3.Run();

  // The request has been received but the response has not been sent yet.
  EXPECT_TRUE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  // Send the second response.
  EXPECT_TRUE(generator2.responder_is_valid());
  generator2.CompleteWithResponse();
  run_loop4.Run();

  // Check the second response.
  EXPECT_FALSE(message_queue.IsEmpty());
  message_queue.Pop(&response);
  EXPECT_EQ(std::string("hello again world!"),
            std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(response.payload())));
}

// Tests that if the receiving application destroys the responder_ without
// sending a response, then we trigger connection error at both sides. Moreover,
// both sides still appear to have a valid message pipe handle bound.
TEST_F(RouterTest, MissingResponses) {
  base::RunLoop run_loop0, run_loop1;
  internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  bool error_handler_called0 = false;
  router0.set_connection_error_handler(
      [&error_handler_called0, &run_loop0]() {
        error_handler_called0 = true;
        run_loop0.Quit();
      });

  internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(), false);
  bool error_handler_called1 = false;
  router1.set_connection_error_handler(
      [&error_handler_called1, &run_loop1]() {
        error_handler_called1 = true;
        run_loop1.Quit();
      });

  base::RunLoop run_loop3;
  LazyResponseGenerator generator(run_loop3.QuitClosure());
  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);
  router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);

  Message request;
  AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

  MessageQueue message_queue;
  router0.AcceptWithResponder(&request, new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue));
  run_loop3.Run();

  // The request has been received but no response has been sent.
  EXPECT_TRUE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  // Destroy the responder MessagerReceiver but don't send any response.
  generator.CompleteWithoutResponse();
  run_loop0.Run();
  run_loop1.Run();

  // Check that no response was received.
  EXPECT_TRUE(message_queue.IsEmpty());

  // Connection error handler is called at both sides.
  EXPECT_TRUE(error_handler_called0);
  EXPECT_TRUE(error_handler_called1);

  // The error flag is set at both sides.
  EXPECT_TRUE(router0.encountered_error());
  EXPECT_TRUE(router1.encountered_error());

  // The message pipe handle is valid at both sides.
  EXPECT_TRUE(router0.is_valid());
  EXPECT_TRUE(router1.is_valid());
}

TEST_F(RouterTest, LateResponse) {
  // Test that things won't blow up if we try to send a message to a
  // MessageReceiver, which was given to us via AcceptWithResponder,
  // after the router has gone away.

  base::RunLoop run_loop;
  LazyResponseGenerator generator(run_loop.QuitClosure());
  {
    internal::Router router0(std::move(handle0_), internal::FilterChain(),
                             false);
    internal::Router router1(std::move(handle1_), internal::FilterChain(),
                             false);

    router1.set_incoming_receiver(&generator);

    Message request;
    AllocRequestMessage(1, "hello", &request);

    MessageQueue message_queue;
    router0.AcceptWithResponder(&request,
                                new MessageAccumulator(&message_queue));

    run_loop.Run();

    EXPECT_TRUE(generator.has_responder());
  }

  EXPECT_FALSE(generator.responder_is_valid());
  generator.CompleteWithResponse();  // This should end up doing nothing.
}

}  // namespace
}  // namespace test
}  // namespace mojo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


we can increase the stretch in a progressive fluid movement that increases the deepth of the stretch in a safe manner.
Amore advanced medical/rehab based stretch. PNF stretches combine stretching and contracting the muscle range of motion. Used by Healthcare Professionals due to its more complex and strenuous execution, it can increase flexibility in a rapid manner.
A progressive movement that is used with Dynamic and active stretch to safely and effectively increase flexibility, mobility, and range of motion. Bringing the sttetch through a progressive motion with periods of rest gives the ability to acclimate and adapt leading to deeper safer movements.
Fascia is a intricate network of connective tissue, that attaches, stabilizes, supports, protects and encloses muscle systems, organs and the entire body.
By stretching and releasing the adhesions that form we can increase range of motion by decreasing the restrictions.


text:
Annie Perreaultová (* 28. července 1971, Windsor) je bývalá kanadská závodnice v short tracku.

Je držitelkou tří olympijských medailí, z toho jedna je individuální: zlato na trati 500 metrů na olympijských hrách v Naganu roku 1998. Krom toho má zlato ze štafety v Albertville roku 1992 a bronz ze štafety z Nagana. Z mistrovství světa má čtyři zlata ze štafet (1990, 1991, 1992, 1997).

Těsně před olympijskými hrami v Llliehammeru roku 1994 se vážně zranila, při pádu si způsobila otřes mozku a musela projít několika operacemi. Nemohla se tak norských her zúčastnit a soustředila se na vidinu her v Naganu. V prosinci 2000 se znovu těžce zranila poté, co na ni během soutěže v Japonsku spadla jiná bruslařka a řízla jí bruslí do stehna. Kvůli ráně, která si vyžádala 150 stehů, byla rychle převezena na pohotovost a vynechala téměř celý rok 2001. Vrátila se sice ještě na ovály, ale hry v Salt Lake City roku 2002 absolvovala již jen jako náhradnice kanadského týmu. Rok poté závodní kariéru ukončila.

Reference

Kanadští shorttrackaři
Olympijské vítězky v short tracku
Kanadské olympijské vítězky
Kanadští bronzoví olympijští medailisté
Bronzoví olympijští medailisté v short tracku
Narození 28. července
Narození v roce 1971
Ženy
Žijící lidé

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Caddy bags have arrived! Have you received your starter roll of caddy-bags for use with food waste? These corn starch bags will easily break down into compost and are designed to line the food caddy and make the whole process of recycling food waste less messy. But if you are happy using newspaper to wrap food waste then carry on with that system. Get more bags from www.caddyliners.com or by phoning 0844 472 1871. If you don't have a caddy you can collect one from the Abbey Road Reuse and Recycling Centre while stocks last.
Our recycling system changed at the beginning of October. Instead of kerb side sorting from the green boxes we now have blue-lidded bins for mixed dry recycling.
The other big change is that only the green (organic waste) bin is collected weekly. The blue and grey (landfill) bins are collected fortnightly – the grey bin one week and the blue the next.
So this is what goes in the blue bin – paper, card (NEW), glass bottles and jars, food and drink cartons (NEW), plastic bottles, other hard household plastics (NEW), metal tins and cans, aluminium foil, aerosols.
We can't put in soft plastics – like polythene bags, carrier bags, cling film, plastic seals over ready meals.
The problem with this is that unless you label them they'll be left behind with a bossy Brent label telling you off for not recycling more! And how are we meant to leave a small bag of batteries? On top of the bin maybe?
If you're finding it a bit much housing three 240 litre bins in your front garden you can ask Brent for slim-line versions of the blue bin and the green (garden and food waste) bin.


Northern Ireland: The "Speed of Light" tour!
Tired beyond belief with ears still ringing from my flight, "Billy, Don't Be A Hero" in my head and no WiFi, I was almost pathetically grateful to the powers that be that my dorm room was underbooked, giving me the whole room to myself. It was a relief to be alone at last and even more of a relief to feel that way after a period of being uncharacteristically lonely (a post about that is on its way).
The "get me to my dorm before I kill someone" pose.
The last time I was in Belfast, I spent a grand total of 24 hours there with the most horrible cold, practically delirious and eating supernoodles with two German tourists and an Australian guy with one hand twice the size of the other due to a spectacular spider bite. This time, fully healthy and with double the time to spare, I took myself on a self-choreographed "faster than the speed of light" Northern Ireland dash!
I'm sure I've mentioned that I love Berlin because it's full of art and bulletholes. Well, Belfast has a similar creative vibe- murals everywhere (you can do several different street art tours), tiny independent coffee shops and cafes, and strange sculptures where you least expect them. (Though sadly I missed seeing the C.S. Lewis tribute statue.) I find places that have had a turbulent history often seem more artistically inspiring. I guess no matter what you're going through, you can still create something beautiful and powerful which needn't cost more than a few cans of paint- which makes me wonder what we'll see coming from America in the next few years.
I didn't have much time to spend in the city itself as I'd already booked a coach tour to see some of the coastal places I've always wanted to visit but I managed to cross paths with one of my best friends who had been in Belfast for work- we went to "Made In Belfast" for a quick dinner here, which was amazing and full of goats cheese. <3 Seriously, go to this place if you have tastebuds.
Belfast is a hard place to get around compared to places like Dublin and Cork. It's more spread out- there are several 'centres' and though there are buses, it takes quite some time to walk around- which I chose to do and then regretted as the heavens opened! Still, though people used to sun and sand may get a depressing mental image, I was enjoying myself. If I have to stay in a city, I feel more at home when I'm surrounded by graffiti, barbed wire and stories than painfully fashionable people and trendy bars.
I sadly missed hearing about Vandal Belfast– I only learned of its existance after I got home but next time I visit, this place will be top of the list of things to check out. Geek culture AND pizza? I'm there. They're doing a Buffy day right this minute!
Our next stop was Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. I have no problem with heights or swingy bridges so couldn't wait to skip across but after all of the stories about panicky people having to be flown/boated back to the mainland, I thought it would be FAR worse than it actually was. It's only a few steps and is pretty sturdy. (I was picturing a fraying Lara Croft style thing that looked as though it could drop at any moment).
I didn't get nearly enough time on here- even though it's a tiny little island, there was so much to take in and stunning views everywhere I looked. I was overjoyed to see so few fences and 'caution' posters- if you're silly enough to lean over a cliff then you're a bit of an idiot, aren't you!?
It seems I matched my eyeshadow to the scenery, haha! I think it's Urban Decay.
I have often read that people have found the Giants Causeway disappointing! I disagree. The view rocks and there were more columns that I had expected. Based on other accounts, I imagined one small and interesting section of the coast that had been artistically photographed to look panoramic and enormous- like a really good estate agent's photos. Nope- the basalt columns stretched for a longer distance than I could walk in the time allowed and though the area was a little crowded and touristy, that isn't the coastline's fault!
Ireland is host to several filming locations for Game of Thrones and you can now do specialised tours! If you want to read a first-hand review of one, please check out this blogpost by fellow blogger Faraway Lucy.
Just to end on a Game of Thrones note (and if you don't follow my instagram, you won't have seen…..) I got to hang out with some wolves the other day! These are Tala and Summer, from Watermill Wolves. Is there anything you'd like to know about them? I'm considering posting a monthly interview with some of my fascinating friends and the guys at Watermill Wolves would definitely make the list!
I made the coat myself and you can see it properly in a future post.


text:
Wed 11 Dec, 2019, 7:00 PM (EST)
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics - 12/11/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction
By: Kevin
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
Wednesday December 11, 2019, 7:00 PM (EST)
Indiana -1; Total 209.5
Stream live sports and ESPN originals on-demand on ESPN+ for only $4.99 a month. Sign up now!
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The red-hot Boston Celtics (17-5) will look for their fifth straight win when they travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers (15-9) in a matchup of two probable Eastern Conference playoff teams. The Celtics hold the East's second-best record while Indiana currently sits sixth in a matchup that could possibly be seen in the first round of the playoffs later in the year.
Boston started the season as the hottest team in basketball, racing out to a 10-1 record, but Boston lost Gordon Hayward to a broken hand and it went on the road for five straight games and for seven of nine games and the Celtics lost three of four games in the middle of November. But since a 103-102 win against Sacramento, Boston has won six of seven as well as taking its last four in a row against the likes of Miami and Denver.
Balanced scoring is Boston's calling card, and that was evident in Monday's 110-88 win over Cleveland. Kemba Walker scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field while going 5-of-9 from 3-point range. He also dished out seven assists. Jaylen Brown added 20 points shooting 9-of-15 from the field to go along with seven rebounds, while Jayson Tatum hit 4-of-6 long-range shots for 19 points and 11 rebounds. Hayward scored 14 points in his return to the court after injury, and Daniel Theis scored 10 with three blocked shots. The Celtics shot 57.7 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range as a team.
Walker and Tatum lead Boston on the season scoring 21.8 and 21.1 points per game respectively. Walker averages 5.1 assists per game while Tatum grabs 7.2 rebounds per game as well. Brown adds 20.0 points per game to create the lone triumvirate to average 20.0 points per game from the same team. The next closest team is the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams averaging more than 20.0 points per game, Montrezl Harrell scoring 19.1 per game, and Paul George averaging 23.4 points per game, but not yet qualifying to be placed on the NBA's official stats yet. Hayward scores 18.3 points with 6.9 rebounds per game, and Marcus Smart adds 11.8 points per game.
Indiana finds itself among the elite of the Eastern Conference but hasn't been anywhere near as consistent as the Celtics. But the Pacers have been better as of late, going 8-3 over their last 11 games after starting the year 7-6. But even with that better play, Indiana has won just three of its last six with a bad road loss to Detroit stuck in the middle there. The Pacers have shown the ability to win against the top-tier teams in the league with a 121-102 win over Utah, and they also have two wins over above-.500 Brooklyn.
Things didn't go well for Indiana on Monday when it fell to the Clippers, 110-99. With the fans booing every time former Pacer Paul George touched the ball, Indiana allowed George to score 36 points while making seven 3-pointers in the game. Harrell had a big game off the bench, scoring 26 points with eight rebounds to account for 62 of the Clippers' 110 points. Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana in scoring on Monday with 20 points and Domantas Sabonis added 18 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. Doug McDermott scored 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range off the bench, and T.J. Warren and Jeremy Lamb each scored 12 in the loss.
Brogdon is Indiana's leading scorer on the season with 19.1 points to go along with 7.5 assists per game. Warren and Sabonis both average 18.4 points per game while Sabonis ranks fourth in the NBA in rebounds averaging 13.5 per game. Lamb scores 15.7 points per game and Myles Turner adds 10.9 per game.
Don't be fooled by this spread. Boston is the best in the NBA against the spread at 14-6-2 this season. And while the Celtics are certainly a different team on the road than they are at home with a perfect 10-0 record at home while only being 7-5 on the road, Boston is still 7-4-1 against the spread away from TD Garden and an even better 4-1 against the spread as an underdog on the road. This is the exact position Boston thrives in against the spread, so don't be fooled. Take Boston plus a point and enjoy the win.
Boston +1
Kevin Eubanks has been covering sports in one facet or another for nearly three decades. His award-winning writing has been read the world over whether he was covering Liga MX soccer, Lakers basketball, or the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team, working media relations for multiple universities, or just covering high school sports or little league baseball. In short, Eubanks has done it all. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge with the world on Sports Chat Place.
spread M/L total
No Odds
221o -106 221u -114
-2.5 +123 2.5 -149
209o +0 209u +0
-2 -111 2 -109
218.5o -102 218.5u -119
-6.5 -103 6.5 -118
5.5 -125 -5.5 +104
-103 -115
1 -120 -1 +100
1.5 -109 -1.5 -110


text:
Home > Entertainment > Celebrity > Johnny Depp
A History of the Domestic Abuse Allegations Between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
By Sara Belcher
Feb. 26 2020, Updated 1:43 p.m. ET
When Amber Heard and Johnny Depp got married in 2015, it was a private ceremony and Johnny's second marriage. The pair went through a public and very messy divorce, with allegations of domestic abuse made by both parties. The history of the claims goes back almost four years when the pair announced their decision to split.
Now, both parties are headed to court over the defamation lawsuit. Here's everything you need to know.
Amber filed for divorce in 2016 and filed domestic abuse charges.
The abuse claims started when Amber filed for divorce from Johnny after only 18 months of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." Only four days later, she also filed for a temporary restraining order from Johnny, claiming domestic abuse.
"During the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me," she claimed in her filing of the restraining order. "I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him."
Within three months, the couple reached a settlement on their divorce, and the split was finalized in January 2017. By the time they reached the settlement, Johnny and Amber released a joint statement about their relationship, claiming it was "intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love."
"Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain," their statement continued. "There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future."
Amber published an op-ed in the Washington Post about domestic abuse in 2018.
Almost two years after her divorce with Johnny was finalized, Amber published an op-ed with the Washington Post calling for reform around how survivors of abuse are treated.
In the piece, she referred to herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse," never mentioning her claims filed against Johnny but alluding heavily to them.
"Friends and advisers told me I would never again work as an actress — that I would be blacklisted," she wrote. "A movie I was attached to recast my role. I had just shot a two-year campaign as the face of a global fashion brand, and the company dropped me. Questions arose as to whether I would be able to keep my role of Mera in the movies Justice League and Aquaman.
I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse."
Johnny filed a defamation lawsuit against Amber in 2019.
Johnny was dropped from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise four days after her op-ed was published, leading him to file a $50 million lawsuit claiming defamation. Amber moved for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
In the court filing, Johnny's lawyers allege that her op-ed "depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her," and instead alleged that he was the victim of domestic abuse in their relationship.
Since Johnny filed the defamation suit, new pieces of evidence have been released suggesting that Johnny was also a victim of domestic violence in their relationship.
The evidence includes audio recordings of their arguments, where Johnny can clearly be heard saying "I left last night. Honestly, I swear to you, because I just couldn't take the idea of more physicality, more physical abuse on each other... Because had we continued it, it would have gotten f-----g bad. And baby, I told you this once. I'm scared to death, we are a f-----g crime scene right now."
Amber also can be heard admitting to "hitting" Johnny.
"Babe, you're not punched ... I don't know what the motion of my actual hand was, but you're fine," she said in the recordings. "I did not hurt you, I did not punch you, I was hitting you."
The conversation is clearly about Amber getting physically aggressive because she tells Johnny "I can't promise you I won't get physical again. God, I f-----g sometimes get so mad I lose it."
Amber's lawyers released a statement about the recordings, defending Amber's claim that she was abused.
"The fact that a woman fights or talks back does not mean that she has not been the subject of repeated domestic violence and abuse," the statement read. "It's a myth to say, as Mr. Depp apparently is implying, that if Ms. Heard slapped him, then she can't also be a victim. That is just not true."
Johnny has denied the claims of abuse since 2016, and is appearing in court for a libel lawsuit against The Sun over similar allegations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
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For the design of the new Street Burger restaurant, among many experiences, we brought the signage of the toilets directly from the streets of eastern Berlin, the ampelmann, that little man with a hat at the Gothic traffic lights. Also, the walls stuffed comic strips ensure congestion in the use of the restrooms! It's to go to Street Burger and check it out!


You might be interested in this set of 4 Lena Liu porcelain eggs from the Danbury Mint Butterfly Garden Collection. These eggs are in really good condition, don't have any issues. Each one has its own gold tone metal stand for display. And, they still have the faux diamond near the top of the egg.
These porcelain eggs are named: Lilac & White Admiral, Rose & Monarch, Hibiscus & Northern Blue and Morning Glory & Ringlet.
Each on measures about 4-1/2" tall, including stand, x 2-1/2" in diameter.


text:
Q: Is there a false function in tinkerpop gremlin? We have one photo sharing service in which one can allow or deny other set of users to view or not. We exposed this service as an API /view?caller=userId&photoId=photoId. We're using AWS Neptune Graph database service to maintain this authorization and using tinkerpop java library.
For the code maintainability, we fetch possible paths from other class methods and call canUserView method from the outside.
Public class Authorizer {
    List<Role> roles;

    public Authorizer(List<Role> roles) {
        this.roles = roles;
    }

    public boolean canUserView(User user, String photoId) {
        return graph.V(user.getId()).hasLabel("user").or(getPossibleTraversals(user)).hasId("photoId")
    }

    private GraphTraversal<Object, Vertex>[] getPossibleTraversals(User user) {
        List<GraphTraversal<Vertex, Vertex>> traversals = roles.getTraversal(user).map(traversal -> traversal).collect(Collectors.toList())
        return traversals.toArray(GraphTraversal[]::new);
    }
}

and in the role class getTraversal for the code performance, based on the user information I supply the required traversal or I can supply the failure traversal.
Now the question is how to supply the failure traversal here. For now we assume some unavailable vertex Id for failure traversal. The code is like the below.
public class Role {

    public GraphTraversal<Object, Vertex> getTraversal(User user) {
        if(user.satisfies(this)) {
            return __.V("assumedUnavailableVertexId").hasLabel("absolutelynotpossible"); //This ID and label assumed
        } else {
            return actualTraversal();   //This will construct the possible traversals
        }
    }
}

How to return the failure traversal for the if case in Role? Is there any way to remove this assumption ?

A: I have often seen something as simple as constant('Not allowed') used when a traversal needs to return an indication that there was an error/issue.
In this case (if you need clean generic checking from the compiler etc) you would need to start with something like Traversal <Object,Object> as different paths through your code can potentially now return different types of Traversal.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The film American Honey swept the boards at the BIFA's last night, winning 4 of the 6 categories it was nominated for with Best Film, Best Director for Andrea Arnold, Best Actress for Sasha Lane and Outstanding Achievement in Craft for the cinematography of Robbie Ryan.
The other big winner of the night, at the ceremony opened by Jennifer Saunders at Old Billingsgate in London, was Under the Shadow, winning 3 of its 6 nominations by picking up Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Avin Manshadi and Babak Anvari getting the Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director.
Surprisingly I, Daniel Blake only picked up 2 awards, for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, as did Adult Life Skills, for Best Screenwriter and Best Supporting Actor.


It has been a while since I have posted, but in that time I have been working through and torquing all the control surfaces and control columns etc. I had an issue with the autopilot servo arm where it started to bind with the Elevator push rod when given full "UP" elevator. I lengthened the servo push rod arm about 3/16 inch to where it now avoids binding. With that corrected, I will now validate all my torques and verify secured wiring in the tail cone and under the seats before I put all the covers and seats back in place. Next steps after that are to finish the panel, rivet on the top forward skin, then prep for the first engine start. Oh, and then there is that pesky empennage fairing which has been avoiding me for the last few weeks. Weather might be getting warm enough to do something about that too. Not much left after that..
Oh, I also have been working on final touches with tips and lighting. Here is a video I shot last time I was at the hangar.


text:
Robert Fripp Says Video Series With Wife Toyah 'Upset Some King Crimson Fans'
Lauryn Schaffner Published: October 25, 2022
YouTube - Toyah
When COVID-19 forced the world to go on lockdown in the spring of 2020, a lot of people's creative sides flourished, and they came up with ways to entertain others from home. King Crimson's Robert Fripp and his wife Toyah Willcox started a series of themed videos of cover songs, but the rocker now admits that it "upset" some of his band's fans.
The collection of videos, which came to be known as the couple's "Sunday Lunch" series, first kicked off in 2020, but it wasn't until they covered Metallica's "Enter Sandman" in January of 2021 that their channel went viral within the rock and metal community. Since then, they've tackled songs by Guns N' Roses, The Prodigy, Sex Pistols, Motorhead, Motley Crue and many more.
They're not simply covers though — they're eccentric and fun, which is what made them unique. While Fripp typically sported the same attire during the majority of the videos, Willcox often dressed up to go with the aesthetic of the song and danced around while singing. And apparently, some people just don't like fun.
"At age 76, why should I give a fuck?" Fripp explained to The Telegraph in a recent interview, adding that he and his wife believe it is the performers' jobs to bring people joy during dark times, like a global pandemic.
"We're keenly aware of what people have experienced during lockdown. I mean, banged up in a small apartment while your mother's dying and you can't go to the funeral. My wife said to me, if all we've done in two years is help one person through their bad time, it's all worth it," he continued.
"So I'm not sure if that meets a criteria of serving what is highest in music, but for me, it's a real undertaking that I respect. And I am quite prepared to strap on a guitar and rock out to a classic riff in order to achieve it... But it upset some King Crimson fans."
If you don't hate fun, you can check out their latest cover of Korn's "Blind" below, and head over to Willcox's YouTube channel to see more of their videos.
Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp Cover Korn's "Blind"
10 Rock + Metal Covers More Famous Than the Originals
Know of any rock or metal cover versions more famous than the original? Check out the list below for 10 great examples.
Source: Robert Fripp Says Video Series With Wife Toyah 'Upset Some King Crimson Fans'
Filed Under: King Crimson, Robert Fripp, Toyah
Categories: Music News, Videos
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text:
package org.apache.ignite.internal.processors.configuration.distributed;

/**
 * Implementation of {@link DistributedProperty} for {@link Boolean}.
 */
public class DistributedBooleanProperty extends DistributedProperty<Boolean> {

    /** {@inheritDoc} */
    DistributedBooleanProperty(String name, Boolean val) {
        super(name, val);
    }

    /**
     * @param name Name of property.
     * @param initVal Initial initVal of property.
     * @return Property detached from processor.(Distributed updating are not accessable).
     */
    public static DistributedBooleanProperty detachedBooleanProperty(String name, Boolean initVal) {
        return new DistributedBooleanProperty(name, initVal);
    }
}


President Donald Trump should lower the boom on Robert Mueller, the special counsel probing Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election – because the ex-FBI chief could topple the commander in chief and the GOP's hold on Congress, Trump's former political adviser Sam Nunberg told Newsmax TV.
"Yes, I think he should, he should fire him," Nunberg, a New York City-based attorney, told host Miranda Khan on Thursday's "America Talks Live."
"This is a cloud on the administration, and this can result in not only us losing the Congress for no reason, because of this kangaroo investigation going on, but it could result in possibly this administration going down."
Trump told The New York Times on Wednesday he never would have appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions if he had known Sessions would recuse himself in the Russia probe because of meetings he had with Russian officials.
Session's decision, which put Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in charge of the Russia probe, "did not serve the president well. . . . Then [Rosenstein] summarily appoints Mueller, who is leading a kangaroo investigation. It's like Kafka-esque," Nunberg told Khan.
"[Rosenstein] apparently is part of the Washington, Georgetown elite and – wanting to rehabilitate himself with them after writing the [James] Comey memo to get Comey [the FBI director] fired – appoints Mueller."
Mueller, investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia in last year's election, is said to be examining transactions involving Trump's businesses as well as those of his associates.
The president told The New York Times on Wednesday that any digging into matters beyond Russia would be "a violation. Look, this is about Russia."


We went to the Summerwood TX ponds for our photo session. "I can't wait to feed the ducks" she exclaimed when we met! And why was I not surprised?! It's such a fun location, where families love to spend time by the water, at the gazebo, run around the playground … but most of all bring yummy crumbs for the ducks at the park. So that lingered in my head as Emerson perfectly posed at each spot I had picked. She has the patience of an angel.


The driver will automatically detect the position format from the first NMEA position sentence supported.
Driver can be used to decode quality information from NMEA sentences.
Driver will automatically detect the heading format from the first NMEA gyro string.
The driver does not actively communicate with the positioning system;it listens to the incoming messages.
After starting up, or after a "Reset I/O" command has been issued by the QINSy Controller, the driver waits for the first NMEA position sentence that can be properly decoded. The NMEA type of this sentence will determine the next NMEA position sentences that are decoded.
All NMEA quality information sentences and NMEA gyro compass sentences that are received before the second NMEA position sentence will be considered to be part of one NMEA block.
The format of the last NMEA quality information sentence or NMEA gyro compass sentence will be used to define the NMEA sentence that will trigger an update of the driver data buffers. There is a command line option to disregard gyro compass sentences as trigger strings.
If only NMEA position sentences are received (during the auto-detection phase), then the driver position data buffer is updated for each valid NMEA position sentence of the right format.
Be aware that the auto-detection process will take at least two valid position sentences (twice the position update cycle time) after starting up the driver.
The auto-detection process will be restarted after each "Reset I/O" command.
This driver can be used when an NMEA position, NMEA quality sentence(s) and NMEA heading are received on the same port and at the same update rate.
If the gyro is updating faster than the positions, then the data have to be split and separate position and gyro systems have to be defined on separate ports.
The driver also assumes that the position sentence is output first, before quality and gyro heading.
Driver will not decode any xxGGA, xxGLL or xxGGK strings if the position fields are empty.
The "NMEA Position + Heading ($xxGGA/$xxHDT)" and "POS M/V (NMEA GGA GST GSA + HDT)" entries have been retained for backwards compatibility. They are the same as the "CheckSum" driver.
When the NMEA input data block also contains a $xxHDT, $xxHDG or $xxHDM sentence, the driver can also be used to decode the heading data. The driver currently only supports True Heading observations. If a HDM heading is obtained, magnetic variation should be entered as for example a (C-O) value, with negative values for westerly variations, since (C-O) values are added to the raw heading observations, or a $xxHVD or $xxHVM sentence should be included. Values obtained from HDT and HDG strings are always true headings.
Add a system of type "Gyro's and compasses", select the same NMEA driver and enter the same serial I/O parameters as with the NMEA position driver. See the description under "GYRO SYSTEM DRIVERS". When this "NMEA Position + Heading" driver is used, a serial interface cable does not have to be split.
In the Controller one can choose which positioning components need to be used in computation.
This means that the height of the positioning system cannot be trusted and that tide will be used as alternative height source.
This means that the height reported by the positioning system is accurate and will be used as height component.
The reported SD's by the positioning system (in the $xxGST string) will be used when available. This means that the realtime SD's are used and these are the best option to get a more realistic view on the performance of your survey system.
These are the values entered in the computation in the fields: Position a priori SD and Height a priori SD (only in Accurate Height, otherwise SD of the Tide observation will be used).
These values are predefined values by the manufacturer or by experience when using them in a static environment. They represent accuracies that can be achieved when the equipment is working accordingly.
This is the value entered in Database Setup on page 2 of the device setup, under Position Parameters: A-priori SD.
Height a priori SD = 2x value (only in Accurate Height, otherwise SD of the Tide observation will be used).
The statistical information from $xxGST and $xxGSA sentences are shown in a Positioning System Display.
The RMS value of the range inputs from the $xxGST sentence is displayed in the MDE box.
The age of the DGPS data from the $xxGGA sentence is displayed in the Unit Variance box.
When no $xxGSA sentence is available, the Satellites tab just indicates the number of satellites in use (decoded from $xxGGA sentence).
The standard deviations of the latitude, longitude and altitude (height) errors are shown in an Observation Physics Display as the so-called quality indicator of the corresponding positioning system observation.
The various statistical measures can be used to define an alert and even to pause storage when such a value is above a certain limit. Start up an Alert Display and add an alert of type "Raw Data Alert".
The position mode and position RMS alerts can only be defined for the (positioning) system.
The quality indicator (sd) alerts must be defined for the system and the specific observation, latitude, longitude or altitude (height).
The Time Plot Display can be used to show the standard deviations reported by the $--GST string.
The statistical information from $--GGA and $PDAS messages are shown in a Positioning System Display.
The RMS value of the $--GGA position inputs from the $PDAS message is displayed in the 'Quality measures - a' box. The standard deviations of the latitude, longitude and altitude (height) values from the $PDAS messages are shown in the 'SD's - Latitude, Longitude, Height' boxes.
The position mode and position RMS alerts can only be defined for the system.
It is not advised to change the Driver.io options if you do not understand the impact of the changes. It's better to consult the Support department for a solid and durable solution.
The Drivers.io will be overwritten when installing a new QINSy version if the date of the last update of the existing file is older than the one in the new installation CD / MSI.
Command line parameter "NOCS" will disregard all checksum fields.
"NOTH" will not accept an NMEA gyro compass sentence as buffer update trigger sentence, i.e. the data buffers are updated after each NMEA position sentence (or accompanying quality sentence if one was encountered during auto-detection).
parameters "1", "2" or "3"
Command line parameters "1", "2" or "3" are only applicable to GGA sentences.
Add "2' to decode only the second field. Be aware that the command line for the corresponding entry for the heading driver must also be changed.
Default is "3" which means that the height value is obtained as the sum of the first and second height fields in a GGA sentence, i.e. the antenna altitude field and the geoidal separation field.


text:
Top 10 Badass Mistresses
They say that behind every powerful man is an even more powerful woman. But throughout history, not every woman standing behind her man was his wife. Some mistresses were confidantes or muses, some became liabilities. But all of them left their mark. Meet the top 10 most badass mistresses in history.
10. Ashley Dupré
In 2008 Ashley was 22 years old and working as a high-end call girl in New York when she took the train to Washington DC to meet a new client. He turned out to be New York governor Eliot Spitzer, and when his predilection for prostitutes became public because of an unrelated FBI investigation, he was forced to resign. Dupre, who knew Spitzer as "Client 9" was arrested but never prosecuted and turned her moment in the spotlight as "The Most Famous Hooker in America" into a lucrative media career, appearing on several reality shows, magazine spreads, and as a weekly sex columnist for The New York Post newspaper. In addition to being a columnist for the New York Post, she's starred on a reality series called Famous Food. Dupré came in third; first and second prizes were given a partnership stake in the Lemon Basket. She is also a professional singer. Jerry Cooper, a musician she was living with, heard her singing Aretha Franklin's "Respect" in the shower.
9. Marion Davies
Top Ten Badass Mistresses
Silent film actress Davies met William Randolph Hearst, publisher of Hearst magazines and one of the richest, most powerful men in the world when he backed one of her films in 1918. She started getting starring roles and became hugely famous soon after their affair began and by the mid-1920s, their relationship was an open secret in Hollywood. Hearst built San Simeon, the largest privately owned house in the world for Davies. The couple hosted Hollywood stars, politicians and other luminaries for lavish weekend parties that became legendary. Davies and Hearst never married because Hearst's wife's divorce settlement demands were too high, but he left half of his fortune to Davies when he died. She married a longtime friend 10 weeks later.
8. Gennifer Flowers
Model and actress Flowers claimed very loudly and very publicly that she had had an affair with then presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992. Clinton vehemently denied the affair but rumors were so persistent that he felt compelled to appear with his wife Hillary on 60 Minutes to deny them. By 1998, in the wake of other sexual scandals, Clinton was forced to admit the affair, but not before Flowers had successfully sued members of his White House staff for defamation of character, posed for Penthouse Magazine, and written a memoir about the affair. She has since said that the publicity surrounding her relationship with the 42nd president of the United States netted her about $500,000. When George Stephanopoulos and James Carville tried to defame her character, she sued them for slander, claiming that they created a phony campaign to discredit her. Judicial Watch represented her in the matter. What a Badass!
7. Lola Montez
Montez, whose real name was Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, was born in Ireland in 1821. Not much is known about her early life, except that as a teenager she became an actress on the European stage. During one of her performances, the beautiful Montez caught the eye of King Ludwig of Bavaria, who made her his mistress. Almost immediately, she became the aging king's political confidante and she was eventually able to take the reigns of power in the kingdom. Lola ruled Bavaria for over a year, until a coup largely caused by her iron-fisted policies forced Ludwig to abdicate and Lola to flee. She spent the rest of her life as an actress, racking up 2 bigamist marriages and a murder charge along the way. She died in New York at the age of 40.
6. Wallis Simpson
It's not often that mistresses of the rich and famous wind up marrying their paramours, but American divorcee Wallis Simpson did just that…and almost brought down the British monarchy in the process. In 1934, Edward, Prince of Wales became besotted with Simpson and the 2 began an affair, despite the fact that the prince was expected to find a suitable wife. In the eyes of the British monarchy a newly divorced American did not fit the bill. When he became king in 1936, Edward wavered about ending his love affair but finally decided that he would rather have his mistress than the throne of England. On December 11, 1936 he took to the radio to abdicate, announcing that he couldn't be king "without the help of the woman I love". England's monarchy was thrown into a tailspin, but Edward and Wallis' marriage lasted for 35 years, until Edward's death in 1972. The Duchess of Windsor died on April 24, 1986. She was buried next to her husband in the Royal Burial Ground, as "Wallis, Duchess of Windsor".
Throughout her lifetime, Wallis was plagued by rumors of other lovers. The gay American star Jimmy Donahue claimed to have had an affair with the Duchess in the 1950s, but Donahue was known for his inventive pranks and rumor spreading ways. Although she never had children, rumors were floating around about her being pregnancy and having abortions, most notably involving Count Ciano in China. However, there's no solid evidence to prove this.
5. Anne Boleyn
Top Ten Rebellious Mistresses
Until 1534 the official religion of Britain was Catholicism. In that year, King Henry the Eighth created a new religion so that he could marry his mistress, Anne Boleyn. Boleyn was a lady-in-waiting to Henry's wife, Queen Catherine, and Henry became obsessed with the idea that Anne could produce the male heir that his wife had not. When the Catholic church refused to grant an annulment of Henry's marriage he left the church and took all of England with him, creating The Church of England….which grants divorces. Anne and Henry married but the king soon became suspicious of other affairs and had Anne executed. Henry went on to marry 4 more times and never did father a son who lived to become king, but he and Anne were parents to perhaps the most famous queen in history: Elizabeth I. Her sister Mary Boleyn was also a lover of King Henry, but that is a topic of the next discussion.
4. Elizabeth Taylor
Top 10 Coolest Mistresses
The legendary actress was known for her beauty, her glamor, her violet eyes and her 8 marriages. But she was also a notorious mistress. Twice. In 1959, Taylor began a torrid romance with her recently-deceased husband's best friend, singer Eddie Fisher. Fisher was married to sugary-sweet actress Debbie Reynolds and when news of the affair became public, Taylor was nearly blacklisted in Hollywood and abandoned by fans. In 1964, long after she had divorced Fisher, Elizabeth became involved with actor Richard Burton. Both were married and the movie-going public was outraged. The relationship garnered so much attention that the Vatican condemned it as "erotic vagrancy". The 2 went on to marry each other, divorce, then remarry and divorce each other again. The Taylor/Burton relationship is considered by many to be one of the greatest romances of the 20th century.
3. Carrie Fulton Phillips
Born in 1873, Phillips became the mistress of Ohio senator Warren G. Harding in 1906. Even after Harding became a U.S. Senator, the affair was kept secret. But when Harding became the Republican nominee for U.S. President, rumors began to circulate and Carrie, who by now had broken with Harding, made an unprecedented move. She blackmailed the Republican party, asking for hush money in return for not revealing hundreds of Harding's love letters. The party, feeling it had no choice, paid her and Harding went on to become the 23rd president of the United States. Carrie Fulton Phillips died in 1960. At the time of her death she was still receiving a yearly 'stipend' from the Republican party.
Queen of Egypt, mistress of both Julius Caesar and his lieutenant Mark Antony, Cleopatra's fame has not diminished in the 2000 years since she died. Though no record of what she looked like exists, her name has become synonymous with female beauty. She became a deity in Egypt after her suicide (supposedly by allowing herself to be bitten by a poisonous snake) and is still celebrated for her wit, political acumen and loyalty to Egypt. Cleopatra's relationships with the 2 famous Romans were ones of necessity. Her loyalty was to Egypt and when her attempts to stop Roman invasion militarily failed she used the only means she had left: sex.
1. Marilyn Monroe
Considered the most desirable woman of her generation (or perhaps of any generation) actress Marilyn Monroe's extra-marital relationships with both President John F. Kennedy and his Attorney General brother Bobby have been the subject of tabloid gossip for the past 50 years. Director of the FBI and Kennedy enemy J. Edgar Hoover knew about the affair and spent years trying unsuccessfully to get hard evidence that would ruin the Kennedy brothers' political careers. Eventually Monroe's fame and what was seen as her emotional instability became liabilities to the president and his brother, and the affairs were ended. She died at the age of 36 from an overdose of sleeping pills and rumors about the Kennedy brothers' involvement in her death persist even to this day. Marilyn was only one of many of the Kennedy brothers' mistresses, but she tops the list because of her fame, beauty, and influence on popular culture.
Honorable Mention: Catherine the Great
The Most Powerful Badass Mistresses
Shocking?! I bet. The Russian Empress was a mistress of many men throughout her "Golden Era" reign. When her husband Peter the Great failed to pay attention to her and cheated on her, she went on to find a man who would impregnate her. When she dethroned and assassinated her husband, she continued to take advantage of the everyday men for her own satisfaction. One of them was Count Grigory Grigoryevich Orlov who had fathered two of her children. She definitely is worth examining in this Top 10 List of Badass Mistresses.
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Top 10 Best Camera Apps for Android Phone ▶


text:
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins Review: An Action Packed, Messy Origin Story
Directed By: Robert Schwentke
Written By: Evan Spiliotopoulos (screenplay by), Joe Shrapnel (screenplay by), A0nna Waterhouse(screenplay by)
Starring: Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Úrsula Corberó, Samara Weaving, Haruka Abe, Tahehiro Hira, and Iko Uwais
Based on the iconic G.I. Joe character, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins stars Henry Golding as Snake Eyes, a tenacious loner who is welcomed into an ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage after saving the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach Snake Eyes the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing something he's been longing for: a home. But, when secrets from his past are revealed, Snake Eyes' honor and allegiance will be tested – even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins has the unenviable task of trying to make the 80s kids cartoon translate onto the big screen. And this effort is a noble one, with lots of hits and misses as a result. The first thing I'll get to is yes, Henry Golding can play an action hero. The fighting isn't as fluid as I would have hoped but he moves over into the action realm well with a strong portrayal of Snake Eyes. And the rest of the cast is enjoyable as well, filling out the G.I. Joe universe with some fun and sometimes overly dramatic characters. I liked Koji as Storm Shadow, with his intense demeaner at times. And Weaving as Scarlett was a nice surprise to see. She had a supreme confidence that comes from being a Joe and it translated perfectly on the screen. And special shout out to Iko Uwais (from the Raid series) as Hard Master.
And the setting of the film is a lot of fun as well. The movie is set in Tokyo, with the energy, lights, and excitement that comes with it. But after the initial vision of the world, you get a more tranquil Japanese castle setting that is a peaceful respite from the city. The Japanese influence in this film is apparent, with plenty of Japanese text and a high energy, neon credits sequence that incorporates both Japanese names and the English equivalents. And the film also takes you into some of the enjoyable aspects of Japan, like neon-soaked alleys and a bath house. But the setting is also good for some of the noir aspects of the film, with secret meetings in rain soaked alleys and a game of cat and mouse as we discover that there is more to this story than meets the eyes.
But some of the absurdity of the G.I. Joe universe just leaks in here. For one, the characters are all called by their callsigns, which makes sense, but some of them are silly. Snake Eyes gets called "Snake Eyes" or "Snake" even before he has become the iconic hero. There is a training person named Hard Master and Blind Master, which sound silly when you think that they are Japanese warriors and supreme fighters. And the film has to tie this into the Joes vs. Cobra mythos, which leads to some odd suspension of disbelief scenes. This film feels like it was trying to go for a Batman Begins origin story, and succeeds in that respect in a few instances, but has too much overall G.I. Joe baggage to pull it off. The benefit that Batman Begins had was that that time in Bruce Wayne's life was more free form, all you had to do was have him emerge as Batman. Here they have to establish the Joes, Cobra, and several main characters, which makes for a messier integration.
But probably most egregious is that the action in this film is hit or miss. When it hits, it is exciting to see. Seeing Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow going blade to blade with waves of bad guys is a treat, and there is a car chase that is very well done as well. But early on, the hand to hand combat has a decidedly shaky cam and blurred look to it. The action has some sort of motion blur on so that it is tough to focus on what people are doing, and this is not helped by some dark footage and a shaky camera that makes it extra hard to focus. It was actually a little discomforting to watch since it was hard to focus and frenzied. And on top of that, there is some CG at the end that is bad and feels wholly unnecessary.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins shows Golding as a decidedly more crazy, less rich Asian fighter, with some intense summer action and a neon-drenched Tokyo that ties into the greater G.I. Joe story.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins is in theaters on July 23, 2021. For showtimes, click here.
Labels: GI Joe, Rent it, Reviews, Snake Eyes