text:
artificial intelligence data data analytics IoT
IoT analytics: Reaping value from IoT data
The internet of things (IoT) is increasingly becoming a key component of many companies' data-driven transformation strategies.
Indeed, organisations that have embraced IoT are already seeing benefits such as improved operational processes, better inventory management, and enhanced equipment maintenance — to name a few.
But a successful IoT strategy is more than just connecting a bunch of devices and sensors to the internet and gathering data from these "things." IT must establish the ability to effectively analyse the vast amounts of data IoT creates in order to make sense of it and gain real business insights.
That's why an analytics strategy for IoT should be a top priority for any company looking to get the most out of all the connectivity.
Organisations can enjoy a number of advantages in leveraging the IoT data they gather, says Carlton Sapp, senior director and research and advisory leader at Gartner.
These include contextual awareness of equipment and systems; improved decision-making, optimisation and supervisory control of equipment and resources; reduced costs associated with data management; proactive, predictive and prescriptive management of equipment; and environmental compliance.
These opportunities are pervasive in use cases such as fleet optimisation and management, asset management, financial risk management, and smart cities, Sapp says.
But they require a sound, streamlined approach to the data end of IoT. Here are several tips for dealing with IoT data, and getting the most out of these resources.
Build an IoT analytics organisation and infrastructure
Once an organisation has an idea of its IoT analytics business goals, it needs to identify the key stakeholders who will be involved, says Stacy Crook, research director for IoT at IDC, and ascertain whether or those stakeholders require additional skills to make the project successful.
"It is a well-known fact that data science skills are in short supply in the industry, but these are essential for IoT analytics projects," Crook says. "So the project may require hiring new employees, or outsourcing certain parts of the project to third parties," if in-house data science skills are thin.
Organisations should also consider appointing a chief data officer (CDO) to champion IoT data analytics efforts and lead the data governance strategy, Crook says.
Because IoT is essentially a big data problem, IDC suggests organizations consider how their existing infrastructure could also serve IoT use cases. "Although older big data architectures might have been focused on batch-oriented workloads, increasingly there are tools available to run real-time workloads over this same backbone," Crook says.
Leveraging the same infrastructure for various IoT workloads can have benefits in terms of preventing data siloes and providing the ability to more easily run cross-functional data analysis across those workloads, Crook says. "It can also provide data governance and security benefits," she says.
Deploy an architecture that supports IoT data growth
Companies need to start with the right IoT data architecture and understand how to manage IoT data at various locations.
"Data emanating from IoT endpoints offers new and unique challenges, such as unreliable network access and combining devices that may be distributed over large distances and generate data in multiple formats over multiple protocols," Sapp says.
Today, most IoT data is telemetry data, but endpoints are increasingly emitting image and audio data that should be handled by persistent data stores, Sapp says. "Start with an appropriate IoT data architecture that will support the expected growth in the volume of IoT," he says.
Organisations often fail to effectively manage IoT data, due to a lack of a flexible/elastic data architecture. "Data will continue to grow, so design an architecture that leverages analytics and data mining techniques that identify critical information that can be used to improve processes, improve decision-making, or reduce costs," Sapp says.
For example, telecommunications companies are successful at reducing the cost of moving data over a network by taking advantage of IoT analytics at the network edge that reduces "noisy data."
"Those organisations focus on scalable edge-centric data architectures that are designed for rapid knowledge discovery in IoT data," Sapp says.
Deliver analytics across data pipelines
The IoT data architecture should also support analytics across data pipelines (via streaming) and in local data stores to take advantage of faster decision-making and reduced costs, Sapp says.
Organisations can do this by focusing on data-centric design patterns when creating and deploying IoT analytics, including the use of event-driven architectures.
"Start by distributing analytics at the edge, on streaming pipelines, on the platform, and in the enterprise," Sapp says. Organisations should take advantage of streaming IoT data pipelines as a source to deploy analytics to improve latency and reduce costs and security vulnerabilities, he says.
For example, the U.S. Department of Defense often performs analytics over streaming data pipelines to reduce the throughput of data over a network, Sapp says. It also leverages IoT edge analytics to avoid sending any data over a network, using operational analytics closer to the source of data.
There will most likely be multiple analytical environments deployed to support disparate analytics, Sapp says.
"Environments may range from operating systems to embedded analytics software," he says. "Be prepared to deploy IoT analytics across a landscape that spreads from the network edge to the corporate enterprise. For example, utility organisations leverage distributing IoT analytics across various infrastructures to support fleet management."
Leverage artificial intelligence
Organisations should enhance what they can do with IoT data by taking advantage of AI, Sapp says.
"Edge intelligence is an emerging field that uses AI as an analytic method deployed at the network edge, to develop intelligent applications from IoT data," Sapp says.
These intelligent applications range from video surveillance to intelligent supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. For example, environmental organisations use IoT data to build intelligence control systems to maintain environmental compliance.
Adding AI to the IoT architecture Is becoming an operational imperative, Sapp says. IoT systems, including endpoint devices, must become smarter and more autonomous in order to deal with the ever-increasing magnitude of data. To make these systems smarter, organisations need to deploy AI and machine learning.
Be a cloud native
Given the huge volumes of data generated by IoT applications, for many organisations the cloud will be the only answer for getting a hold on data management, including analytics.
"It's not worth it to build the scale and speed needed to really manage this volume in real time," says Greg Meyers, group CIO and chief digital officer at Syngenta, a company that produces agrochemicals and seeds.
"Trying to manage it yourself in your own data center or on your own infrastructure is hugely self-defeating," Meyers says.
IoT gives Syngenta the ability to manage its customers' farms and fields, which are usually arbitrarily aggregated into small micro segments. "Humans are great at managing averages, but computers are better at managing variability," Meyers says. "IoT lets us understand why things that are happening in one area are different than things that are happening maybe 100 meters away."
Leading public cloud vendors are offering services to help companies with IoT analytics. For example, Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers IoT Analytics, a managed service that enables companies to run and operationalise sophisticated analytics on massive volumes of IoT data, without having to worry about the cost and complexity typically required to build an IoT analytics platform.
Microsoft offers Azure IoT, which includes a data analytics service called Azure IoT Central to provide analytics capabilities to examine historical trends and correlate various telemetries from connected devices. And Google provides Cloud IoT, a set of tools to connect, process, store, and analyse data both at the network edge and in the cloud.
Prioritise data governance, security, and privacy
Organisations need to ensure they have governance, security, and privacy mechanisms in place for IoT data analytics processes. Much of the data generated by IoT will be sensitive or have competitive value — and needs to be carefully managed and protected.
"Reassess current data governance practices [to] include machine data," says Nicholas Colisto, vice president and CIO at Avery Dennison, a manufacturer and distributor of adhesive materials, apparel branding labels, and tags.
"From my experience, IoT governance is an immature area," Colisto says. "In a previous company, I faced a situation where a business unit deployed an IoT system without seeking IT involvement, and simple operational tasks and tools to audit devices and apply firmware were not considered."
Companies need to consider IoT data risks based on confidentiality, privacy, and retention requirements, Colisto says. "For example, if you are working with personal data, consider the issues that can arise from algorithmic bias or inability to comply with regulations such as GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation], which can lead to legal action and damage your company's reputation," he says.
Leverage IoT data for new revenue opportunities
Data generated from IoT can be valuable both inside and outside the company.
Chemical manufacturing company Texmark Chemicals launched an effort to modernise operations at its plant by deploying sensor-enabled pumps. Using technology from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Aruba Networks, the company gathers operational data from pump sensors that measure temperature, pressure, vibrations, flow, and power. This data is analysed to predict equipment failures before they happen.
Through a "workshopping" process, Texmark realised that having sensor-enabled equipment not only helps the company monitor its assets and processes, but has opened the possibility to new business models, says Doug Smith, CEO.
The use of IoT becomes an additional selling factor prior to contract negotiations, Smith says. "Clients are beginning to realise the value of having access to data coming off contractor assets," such as industrial pumps, he says. Clients then ask Texmark to add sensors to their pumps and provide them with the data.
"In essence, we are developing a library of historic performance attributes that can be catalogued and shared with other companies using similar equipment," Smith says. "When deploying machine learning analytical models, the more data acquired, the greater the accuracy in the analytical prediction."
By sharing IoT data with pump manufacturers or fellow suppliers, "we could prove the new business model, as long as the documentation is clear and precise," Smith says. "Meanwhile, customers are impressed we have deployed instrumentation and software analytics to capture, analyse, and report on such data — allowing for more cost-effective decisions."
This new data-as-a-service offering enabled by IoT can distinguish Texmark from competitors, Smith says, and creates a stronger bond with customers while empowering employees to achieve more from their work.
What is an iNFT and how does it work?
Alethea AI, an open AI developer company, has teamed up with London-based artist Robert Alice to bring a virtual being to life, and they're auctioning it
Data will be key for stronger supply chains in 2021
For more in-depth insights, discussions and expert opinions on all things Fintech, check out the latest issue of PCN Magazine. The events of 2020 disrupted


text:
FAX BLIZZARD PRECEDES TALK ON HEALTH CARE
KATHY HENSLEY TRUMBULL Washington BureauSUN-SENTINEL
President Clinton's health care speech tonight may go down in history as the speech that stirred a million fax machines.
Groups from every front are pushing to ensure their side is heard.
Their messages are being sent on television, in newspapers and a burst of campaign contributions. Fax machines whir and chirp with an endless outpouring of opinion.
Officials from the highest levels of the administration have been assigned to meet with small groups and press the president's position.
The speech, before a joint session of Congress, is scheduled for 9 tonight. It is scheduled to be broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, Cable News Network and C-SPAN.
The battle has begun even before the speech:
-- The American Association of Retired Persons is advertising in newspapers in 20 metropolitan areas - including ones in South Florida - and running a television ad on CNN that shows a family and tells viewers and readers: "If we're going to have health care reform, let's get it right."
-- The American Medical Association, which has a plan of its own and opposes many of Clinton's proposals, is making appointments with reporters for its doctors to comment immediately after the speech.
-- The Democratic National Committee is helping people across the country plan "watch parties" for the speech and will crank up fax machines to "expose opponents of reform," according to former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste, head of the committee's National Health Care Campaign.
-- The Health Insurance Association of America is running an ad that warns: "They choose, we lose."The association opposes Clinton's proposal that virtually all health care coverage be bought through large regional alliances.
Members of the Health Care Reform Task Force, led by Hillary Rodham Clinton, have predicted that of the 1,500 insurance companies now in business, fewer than 400 would survive if Clinton's plan were adopted.
Florida has already approved a similar plan of alliances. Gov. Lawton Chiles is among 10 governors invited to listen to the speech in the House chambers; he will share his reaction afterward from the north lawn of the White House.
None of the groups want to appear to be opposed to the plan - but they all want to protect their interests and influence the details.
The White House is getting involved too. It has set up an "intensive care" room at the White House that already is sending 400 faxes every night to selected members of Congress and interest groups to try to cast the plan in its best light.
For other groups, the weapon of choice is money.
A Common Cause study released on Tuesday reported that medical industry groups have given $2,005,237 to members of Congress since January.
"With health care reform moved to the top of the national agenda by the 1992 election and by President Clinton, the medical industry recognizes that the fight now is not over blocking any change, but over who will be the winners and losers in a new health care system," said Fred Wertheimer, president of Common Cause.
The AMA, for instance, has increased its contributions by 35 percent - $164,368 in the first five months of 1993 against $122,150 during the same period in 1991, according to the study of campaign reports.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


An educational display stimulates thought, teaches facts, or shows a process. Often posters have less than 60 seconds to get their message across, so planning is important!
What is a super poster?
Grabs Your Attention. Visuals should be interesting, colorful, and creative. Their appearance should draw you to read them.
Have a Border. A border will "lift" your visual off a drab wall. Creative borders can create the illusion of movement. Borders can be actual lines or open margins. Your poster should have at least a one inch border on all sides.
Have Consistent Lettering. Select a lettering style that is easy to read (must be able to read at least 10 feet away). Don't use more than three different styles or it will look cluttered. Height should be consistent within a word (unless for a special effect).
Have a Third Dimension. Gimmicks are the most effective way to attract the reader. Try to create the illusion of the poster jumping towards you.
Include Essential Information. Keep basic information direct and to the point. A reader should be able to get all the information as they walk past.
Pay Attention to Detail. Check and double check spelling. Erase any pencil lines you've used as guides. Keep your poster clean and neat.
Educational Posters are a"hands-on" learning tool to help 4-H'ers develop skills in presenting a main idea accurately and effectively to an audience. Youth learn design elements, develop creativity, and present new and familiar ideas about their 4-H projects doing educational posters.
Stevens County 4-H members are required to have an educational poster at the NE WA Fair. Check the fair book for specific department requirements.


According to the tradition that in the early nineteenth century the pastry chef Giovanni Podio, skilfully mixing three ingredients (Piedmont hazelnuts, sugar and egg white) gave life to these singular and refined desserts.
Tradition has it that in the early nineteenth century the confectioner Chivasso John Podium, expertly mixing only three ingredients (piedmont hazelnuts, sugar and egg white) gave life to these unique sweet as refined. The Nocciolini Chivasso (which originally were called "Noasetti") were then taken to higher reputation of two master confectioners, Ernesto Nazzaro and Luigi Bonfante. It was Ernesto Nazzaro, in 1904, to deposit with the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Italy the trademark of "Noasetti", which reads "Awarded the highest honor at the Universal -Parigi- 1900". Luigi Bonfante contributed instead to make known throughout Italy Nocciolini that no longer packaged in the original tin box, overlaid by that time the pink package that still distinguishes them.
Discover all products in the category "Cookies and Waffles"


Celebrating its 3rd successful year this year, the "What's Your Story?" competition gives young people the opportunity to consider the power of the internet.
"We've asked many questions and tackled many themes since the launch of the Australian competition in 2014. This year we want to know how the Internet impacts young people's lives – for better or for worse," said Tim Falinski, consumer director at Trend Micro Australia.
"There are often gaps or misperceptions between the reality of the internet for a young person versus what we as adults perceive or worry about. The internet is a very powerful tool but that can be harnessed in a very creative and positive way and that's what we want our young people to show us this year," added Falinski.
All poster submissions are available on the website for public viewing, rating and comments. Those with the highest views and ratings will be shortlisted for a judging panel.
The competition is a fun activity for families and classrooms around the country and for youth clubs too. Closing date for entries is 9th November 2016, public viewing and rating ends November 16th with winners announced week of 28th November 2016.
To learn more about the competition details, submit a poster, or be inspired by past winners, visit here.
To support its vision of making the world safe for exchanging digital information, Trend Micro aspires to make a difference by using its expertise to make the world at large a better place. Trend Micro has made a commitment to make the Internet a great place for young people around the world through its world-wide employee volunteer program, grants and donations to eligible organizations, and partnerships with those who share its vision and mission.


As human beings, we generally attribute behaviour to intrinsic qualities such as when when we blame someone's failure to succeed in the job market on their incompetence rather than the recession. This means that we rarely give thought to the ways in which our physiology and biology determine how we act in specific circumstances due to our inability to comprehend its impact without scientific knowledge. Neuroeconomists would consider this a fundamental misunderstanding. This article will explore the biological origins of behaviour beyond the more common understanding of environmental or cognitive influence.
With the persistence of evolution, humans have developed frontal lobes that are responsible for higher-order thinking such as decision-making that operate alongside the primitive part of our brain known as the limbic system. This newer addition to our cerebral hardware (brain) allows us to weigh our choices by using our intuition rather than just emotions. This is the basis for Antonio Damasio's "somatic marker hypothesis" in which he suggests that our frontal lobes allow us to place an emotional value on our choices and allow us to unconsciously choose more favourable outcomes. Emotions are often thought to be the source of our compulsion, but scientific evidence suggests that they are an essential part of our rationality due to our brain's ability to use them positively in most cases. Case studies on individuals who have had to remove their frontal lobe and other parts of the brain associated with emotion due to medical reasons have been shown to have severe issues making decisions as they are unable to use their intuition (instincts) to weigh possible outcomes.
When it comes to deciding between instant or delayed gratification, the animalistic limbic system is responsible for stimulating the desire for the immediate reward, while newer brain structures are responsible for the calculation of trade-offs that consider our deepest values to come to a decision. The development of our neurobiology seems to be in sync with the increased complexity of economic systems as our decisions become more varied. This understanding of brain structure can also explain why we are constantly reminded to work hard to reap the benefits in the long run rather than settle for what we can gain instantaneously with little to no effort in the short run due to the influence the limbic system holds over our decisions. The "reap what you sow" attitude prevails in capitalism as the person who continues to develop their skills with the hope of gaining access to higher-level jobs will gain the benefit of better pay and expertise in the future while those who settle into their job roles become static due to a lack of development.
Our biology doesn't just determine our decisions, it also has a significant role in explaining our motivations. Tremblay and Schultz (1999) showed that the larger the size of the reward, the greater the number of neurons that were active in the "orbitofrontal cortex" of monkeys suggesting more a higher drive to win the reward. Other experiments with rats have shown that an increase in the size of rewards increased their speed of reaching their goal suggesting increased motivation. While it is readily assumed that humans have much more complicated reward systems, in reality, we possess the same animalistic drive for pleasure and success as much as we like to think that we have more sophisticated ideals.
While behavioural economics has helped us gain an understanding of our economic behavior in terms of our sociocultural context, biological explanations have often been neglected due to the need for advanced technology that has only been developed in recent years. So what do we do with all this new information and research? At the very least, we should be mindful of how much control our bodily functions have over our lives and appreciate the fact that there are concrete scientific explanations for why people act the way do beyond pseudoscience and theoretical psychology. We should also recognise the many factors that influence individual behaviour beyond one's character or environment.


The sleek curved design of the Akaroa provides a design fitting of today's modern home and yet still adds a touch of elegance to a villa of yesteryear. It is equipped with a no-fuss, easy clean ash pan and packs the punch of 16.2kW maximum output. The Akaroa will not only make a statement but also keep your home warm this winter. The built in ash pan ensures that disposal of ash is easy and convenient.


text:
Uber stops self-driving car project following first pedestrian death
By Nick Lavars
Uber stops self-driving car pr...
Uber has suspended its self-driving operations after a fatal accident in Tempe
Uber's autonomous car project has been gathering steam since starting off in Pittsburgh in September 2016
Uber has suspended its self-driving operations after one of its vehicles was involved in a fatal collision, causing what is believed to be the first pedestrian death attributed to autonomous cars.
Uber's autonomous car project has been gathering steam since starting off in Pittsburgh in September 2016, deploying self-driving Volvo XC90s in San Francisco, Toronto and in the Phoenix area. It was there, in the city of Tempe, that the accident took place.
Although a human was behind the wheel at the time, the car was operating in autonomous mode, striking a pedestrian crossing the road at approximately 40 mph (64km/h), according to Tempe police, while showing no sign of slowing down. The 49-year-old woman was rushed to hospital and later died from her injuries.
Officials note that the investigation is still in its very early stages, and reporters were told in a press conference on Monday that cameras mounted inside and outside the vehicle captured the accident and the footage will help them learn more. They have confirmed the pedestrian was crossing the road outside the crosswalk.
Uber suspended its self-driving operations following the crash, and announced on Twitter that it was "fully cooperating with Tempe Police and local authorities as they investigate this incident."
The company's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also weighed in on Twitter, saying "some incredibly sad news out of Arizona. We're thinking of the victim's family as we work with local law enforcement to understand what happened."
Autonomous driving is a fast-moving field with a lot of big names investing serious resources in the technology, including Renault, Ford, GM and VW, just to name a few. It is way too early to tell what sort of impact this incident will have on the burgeoning industry, but as the first pedestrian death attributed to an autonomously driven car, it is undoubtedly a significant moment.
"There is still so much to know about the Tempe driverless car accident resulting in a loss of life," tweeted Anthony Foxx, who served as the US Secretary of Transportation during the Obama Administration and has been previously shared his belief in the driverless revolution. "That said, this is a wake up call to the entire AV industry and government to put a high priority on safety."
AutomotiveRoad SafetyAutonomous VehiclesUberSelf driving cars
Nick Lavars
Nick has been writing and editing at New Atlas for over six years, where he has covered everything from distant space probes to self-driving cars to oddball animal science. He previously spent time at The Conversation, Mashable and The Santiago Times, earning a Masters degree in communications from Melbourne's RMIT University along the way.
Daishi March 20, 2018 05:08 AM
Maybe it's time for Uber to have a reality check and realize they have easier problems than this they are failing to solve. By the time self driving technology is both stable and inexpensive the patents for the work over the last 5-10 years will likely be expired. Waymo has been testing self driving cars since 2009 so their tech is >10 years old now. I was told level 4 autonomy would happen by 2018 and here we are. Tesla chose not to put a speedometer on the dash of the Model 3 because in a self driving world who needs one? When full autonomy is actually a thing with the 3s coming off the line now even still be on the roads?
sweetcheeks March 20, 2018 08:40 AM
The headline is misleading - they have *suspended* rather than *stopped* the project. Also in the first paragraph you say that the death is "attributed to autonomous cars" - the cause if not known at the moment. The death is likely to be attributed to the person who stepped in front of a car doing 40mph.
Buzzclick March 20, 2018 10:31 AM
Wait a minute. This pedestrian walks her bicycle onto the street at night. Uber Volvo doing 40mph, and this high tech car didn't or wasn't able to brake or veer away?
Something stinks here.
I have a sense that this burgeoning industry of self-driving autonomous vehicles (which will be enormously expensive in infrastructure costs) is building such a huge momentum that it will sweep this incident under the rug as expediently as possible so that it becomes yesterday's news and quickly forgotten. The priority here is to take this technology in to a revolution of the road system, and no one is going to stop it, even if it's not really needed.
jd_dunerider March 20, 2018 11:20 AM
I'm curious to know if it made a calculation based on the surroundings and attempted only braking instead of swerving and braking to risk fewer lives. Either way, probably don't go walking into 40mph traffic outside of a crosswalk, hardly seems like the fault of the autonomous car.
Bruce H. Anderson March 20, 2018 01:24 PM
I was bound to happen. People are not machines, certainly capable of making more mistakes than most algorithms may be prepared for.
EZ March 20, 2018 05:01 PM
Nobody can stand in the way of new technology in the US or any other country. Big money trumps the lowly human.
Daishi March 20, 2018 07:02 PM
I've driven as many miles as Ubers autonomous car program and I've never hit (or much less killed) a pedestrian.


I'm leaving for parts where the wireless don't roam (or rather, it would roam if I weren't too damn cheap to pay for it), so just throwing together some things you might want to check out.
French-Fry Master and South Jersey King of the Geeks, Glenn Walker, talks about the selection of Ben Affleck as the new Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder's will-be-here-someday Superman/Batman movie. He reminds those who are screaming about the selection to think back to 1989, when people were up in arms that Mr. Mom was slated to play the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Hollywood altering film. I think the only thing that depresses me is the knowledge that many of the younger screamers are asking, who the hell is Mr. Mom?
Resident Maberry Novel-in-Nine Workshop kook, likely secret agent, and first time novelist Tom Joyce weighs in on the passing of Elmore Leonard. He touches on the doors the late, great Mr. Leonard opened, and the occasional mangy dogs that unfortunately were allowed to wander in. If you get a second, poke around Tom's blog for a few minutes. If you don't find something that makes you laugh, I'll give you your money back.
Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey, the anthology published by the South Jersey Writers Group and including "No Fun Joe", the laugh-a-minute retrospective on bachelor parties, drunk driving, and death written by yours truly, is now an e-book. If you haven't bought your copy yet, grab a few. Remember, for every copy we sell a certain percentage goes to the Landbound Orphan Baby Seal Association of Oklahoma. Or don't buy a copy, and let those poor baby seals suffer, if that's the way you want to be.
And finally, since my post last week about the joys of being a pop pop garnered TWICE the hits of any of my post since….well since ever. Here's a random picture of my granddaughter! Enjoy!


Epoch ElectroTennis – Japan's first console.
It's not often you find the bargain to end all bargains – unless you live in Japan that is. Welcome to the Epoch Electrotennis.
The Epoch Electrotennis is Japan's first console. Now just to be clear, there were other gaming consoles in Japan before the release of this machine (in 1975), but this console is the first to be released by a Japanese company on home soil, and if you're going to release a pong clone, why not make it the strangest you can….
Truly wireless – does not need to be physically connected to the TV, or connected to power. The Electrotennis broadcasts it's own analogue signal over the airwaves!
Unlike most pong clones of the time, this one allows the player to move the bat in and out as well as up and down – revolutionary!
In practice the most striking point (at least for me) about this machine is the fact that it broadcasts it's own signal. The signal that it puts out is amazingly strong too! The pictures bellow show the system on and working, and I did not have an antenna plugged into the TV to get the picture you see there – I am pretty sure the neighbours could see me playing if they were on the right channel!
All up it's a very interesting machine, and well worth playing. Is it worth it's current selling price? Well if you're buying it for gameplay then I would say no, but if you're buying it for the history then who am I to argue. Would I pay $1,500 for one? Nope, but I wouldn't knock someone that would.


For most of us, chilly liquids can help decrease bloating and ache. Milkshakes, frosty herbal tea, as well as sugar-free slush products are great cold drink alternatives. Cold drinks could also minimize soreness, specifically those with hypersensitive enamel.
Risk-free food are mashed potatoes, sauces and smooth soups, prepared fresh fruits, baked sea food, and noodles dishes that don't require a lot nibbling. Scrambled eggs, omelets, and hard boiled eggs are safe breakfast options.
Cream soups, noodle cereal, as well as gentle stews are fantastic lunch along with dinner alternatives. Refined gound beef stew is normally safe, nevertheless ought to become prepared to melt the various meats rather than just heated up.
Additional safe choices in terms of food items are applesauce, ice cream, glaciers pops, gelatin candy, sugar-free puddings. Any meal possible to swallow with no gnawing/excessive chewing is okay.
Whatever you decide to take in is just as essential as your food intake following wisdom teeth removal. Generally, we advise that patients use a salt water wash during the initial several hours after the extraction surgery. Afterward, you might use a gentle mouthwash as recommended by your dental office, Affinity Dental Clinic. Soreness, puffiness, fever, as well as excessive soreness may be signs and symptoms of infection; therefore tell your dentist about it to avoid complications.
We're here for you. Contact us if you have any questions about wisdom teeth today!


"I Want To Hold Your Hand Sheet Music PDF The Beatles" for Piano Sheet Music, Scoring Piano / Vocal / Guitar , Original key: G Major, number of pages sheet music PDF: 5, and Lyrics song I Want To Hold Your Hand Sheet Music PDF The Beatles Free Download.
"I Want To Hold Your Hand Sheet Music" by Beatles, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and recorded in October 1963, it was the first Beatles record to be made using four-trackequipment.
Free Download I Want To Hold Your Hand Sheet Music The Beatles. Contains printable Sheet Music PDF format.


text:
package com.hellocode.model;

public class XMLPodCastURL {
	 String title;
	 String author;
	 String link;
	 String summary;
	 String subtitle;
	 String copyright;
	 String language;
	 String ownerName;
	 String ownerEmail;
	 String imageURL;
	 public void setTitle(String title) {
		this.title = title;
	}

	public void setAuthor(String author) {
		this.author = author;
	}

	public void setLink(String link) {
		this.link = link;
	}

	public void setSummary(String summary) {
		this.summary = summary;
	}

	public void setSubtitle(String subtitle) {
		this.subtitle = subtitle;
	}

	public void setCopyright(String copyright) {
		this.copyright = copyright;
	}

	public void setLanguage(String language) {
		this.language = language;
	}

	public void setOwnerName(String ownerName) {
		this.ownerName = ownerName;
	}

	public void setOwnerEmail(String ownerEmail) {
		this.ownerEmail = ownerEmail;
	}

	public void setImageURL(String imageURL) {
		this.imageURL = imageURL;
	}

	public void setCategory(String category) {
		this.category = category;
	}

	String category;

	public String getTitle() {
		return title;
	}

	public String getAuthor() {
		return author;
	}

	public String getLink() {
		return link;
	}

	public String getSummary() {
		return summary;
	}

	public String getSubtitle() {
		return subtitle;
	}

	public String getCopyright() {
		return copyright;
	}

	public String getLanguage() {
		return language;
	}

	public String getOwnerName() {
		return ownerName;
	}

	public String getOwnerEmail() {
		return ownerEmail;
	}

	public String getImageURL() {
		return imageURL;
	}

	public String getCategory() {
		return category;
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Ubuntu 18.04.3 freezing on boot I got new Dell Vostro 3480 laptop. It had Ubuntu 18.04 preinstalled. I updated to 18.04.3. With 18.04.3, after the BIOS, the screen freezes and it does not boot. The login works sometimes, but does not work other times.
What could be wrong? I have built-in intel graphics. I tried following things,
1. Setting WaylandEnable=false in /etc/gdm3/custom.conf file
2. Setting lightdm as display manager
3. Disabling splash screen on boot-up, so I can see boot console messages. But there are no console messages. The screen freezes before console messages are displayed.
I have now reverted back to 18.04 and I don't experience any problem with 18.04.
What could be the issue with 18.04.3, any ideas?
Thanks

A: This is problem due to intel microcode issue. There are two solutions to this problem,

*

*add a instruction dis_ucode_ldr in your grub file,

*Update the BIOS. The updated BIOS seems to be working for my Dell Vostro.

You can see more details in a comprehensive forum post Ubuntu 18.04.2 boot stuck on purple screen after updates

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Red Driver 2 Red Driver 2 is an amazing 3d racing challenge with 4 different modes. Race your ford mustang or chevy camaro around and be the fastest car on the highway.
Description: Pick up your artist's brush and color your favorite characters from the world of Narnia.


21/02/2010�� Parents sound off on ages for cell phones, computer use and social networking. For more click here: http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/par...... To set individual ringtones for your contacts in your cell phone, you'll need to select the contact and select the ringtone you'd like to hear when they call you. The process is slightly different for iPhones and Android phones.
When to Get Your Kid a Phone. I'm one of PCMag's phone experts, and also a parent, so I've thought a lot about this. Mobile phones are useful, powerful, and helpful. when is the season finale of how to get away Most phone companies, in different areas, have a 2 or 3 digit code they can give you to use to make your own phone ring. Follow the directions of your phone company for using the ring back number. In many areas, you need to pick up the receiver of the phone, dial the code that they gave you, then hang the phone back up for a second.
To rule out the phone being switched off or set to auto divert, you can immediately ring again from a different number, or disguise your number using the relevant code for your country (141 from a how to grow spring onions from onions Before we get started � cell phones get warm Now cell phones can get warm. Smartphones are electronics after all, so if you are a new smartphone owner and are concerned about your warm cell phone then your phone might be ok, but cell phones shouldn�t get HOT.
When to Get Your Kid a Phone. I'm one of PCMag's phone experts, and also a parent, so I've thought a lot about this. Mobile phones are useful, powerful, and helpful.
To set individual ringtones for your contacts in your cell phone, you'll need to select the contact and select the ringtone you'd like to hear when they call you. The process is slightly different for iPhones and Android phones.


text:
首页 > Science and Technology 科学技术 > 正文
Canadian Polar Bear Population Drops Sharply
A new report suggests Canada's Western Hudson Bay polar bear population has dropped 27 percent during the past five years.
Every autumn, bears living along the western edge of the Hudson Bay pass through the sub-Arctic town of Churchill, Manitoba.
The yearly movement has helped make the area's bears one of the most studied groups in the world.
Bear-watching adds about $5.3 million to the local economy each year.
But a report recently issued by the government in Canada's northern territory of Nunavut found that just 618 polar bears remained in the area in 2021.
This represented a 50 percent drop in the population from the 1980s.
Polar bears depend on frozen salt water, called sea ice, to help them hunt seals for food.
But the Arctic is now warming about four times faster than the rest of the world.
Around Hudson Bay, seasonal sea ice is melting earlier in the spring, and forming later in the fall.
This is forcing bears to go longer periods without food.
John Whiteman is chief research scientist at the nonprofit conservation group Polar Bears International.
Speaking to Reuters news agency, he called the population drop "totally shocking."
Whiteman said scientists fear that if continued sea ice loss cannot be stopped, it will one day lead to a total loss of the area's polar bear population.
Scientists warned that a direct link between the population drop and sea ice loss in Hudson Bay is not fully clear.
This is because four of the past five years have seen reasonably good ice conditions.
Experts say climate-caused changes affecting the local sea population might also be driving polar bear numbers down.
Scientists are also concerned because the rate of population decline has sped up in recent years.
Between 2011 and 2016, for example, the polar bear population dropped just 11 percent.
There are 19 populations of polar bears spread out among Russia, Alaska, Norway, Greenland and Canada.
But Western Hudson Bay is one of the southernmost populations.
Scientists predict the bears there are likely to become among the first to disappear.
A 2021 study in the journal Nature Climate Change found most of the world's polar bear populations are in danger of collapsing by 2100 if worldwide carbon emissions are not heavily reduced.
Researchers said the number of deaths in young bears and female bears in Western Hudson Bay is worrisome.
"Those are the types of bears we've always predicted would be affected by changes in the environment," said Stephen Atkinson.
He was a lead writer of the government report and has studied polar bear populations for more than 30 years.
Young bears need energy to grow and cannot survive long periods without enough food.
Female bears struggle because they use up a lot of energy caring for young bears.
Atkinson said the ability of polar bears in the Western Hudson Bay to reproduce will decrease, "because you simply have fewer young bears that survive and become adults."
I'm Bryan Lynn.
Every autumn, bears living along the western edge of the Hudson Bay pass through the sub-Arctic town of Churchill, Manitoba. The yearly movement has helped make the area's bears one of the most studied groups in the world. Bear-watching adds about $5.3 million to the local economy each year.
But a report recently issued by the government in Canada's northern territory of Nunavut found that just 618 polar bears remained in the area in 2021. This represented a 50 percent drop in the population from the 1980s.
Polar bears depend on frozen salt water, called sea ice, to help them hunt seals for food. But the Arctic is now warming about four times faster than the rest of the world. Around Hudson Bay, seasonal sea ice is melting earlier in the spring, and forming later in the fall. This is forcing bears to go longer periods without food.
John Whiteman is chief research scientist at the nonprofit conservation group Polar Bears International. Speaking to Reuters news agency, he called the population drop "totally shocking." Whiteman said scientists fear that if continued sea ice loss cannot be stopped, it will one day lead to a total loss of the area's polar bear population.
Scientists warned that a direct link between the population drop and sea ice loss in Hudson Bay is not fully clear. This is because four of the past five years have seen reasonably good ice conditions. Experts say climate-caused changes affecting the local sea population might also be driving polar bear numbers down.
Scientists are also concerned because the rate of population decline has sped up in recent years. Between 2011 and 2016, for example, the polar bear population dropped just 11 percent.
There are 19 populations of polar bears spread out among Russia, Alaska, Norway, Greenland and Canada. But Western Hudson Bay is one of the southernmost populations. Scientists predict the bears there are likely to become among the first to disappear.
"Those are the types of bears we've always predicted would be affected by changes in the environment," said Stephen Atkinson. He was a lead writer of the government report and has studied polar bear populations for more than 30 years.
Young bears need energy to grow and cannot survive long periods without enough food. Female bears struggle because they use up a lot of energy caring for young bears.
The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English.
conservation - n. an organized effort that aims to protect animals, plants and natural resources
emission - n. the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source
type - n. a person or thing that is part of a group of people or things that have similar qualities
decline - n. a decrease
What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works:
Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.
前一篇:2023-01-07 [Ask a Teacher] Veggie, Vegetarian, or Vegan
后一篇:2023-01-08 [As It Is] Macao Eases COVID Rules, But Tourism, Casinos Yet to Recover


We do not currently have any active ads for Medical Products Distributors For Sale In Birch Hills County, AB. Register now to sign up for alerts when new ads matching this criteria are added, or create a free Businesses Wanted ad.
Durable medical supply for sale in Dallas, Texas asking $45,000.00. We have medicare, medicaid, and private insurance.


text:
ACCEPTED

#### According to
Index Fungorum

#### Published in
Zentbl. Bakt. ParasitKde, Abt. II 103: 172 (1941)

#### Original name
Penicillium westlingii var. lunzinense Svilv.

### Remarks
null


I'm sure if the punishment fits the crime, or is more severe, you're going to start stamping out a lot of things that are going on in football.
Capital punishment is the most premeditated of murders.
Capital punishment in my view achieved nothing except revenge.
If I offered you a thousand dollars to take off your shoes, you'd very likely accept--and then I could triumphantly announce that 'rewards work.' But as with punishments, they can never help someone develop a *commitment* to a task or action, a reason to keep doing it when there's no longer a payoff.
It's not just that humiliating people, of any age, is a nasty and disrespectful way of treating them. It's that humiliation, like other forms of punishment, is counterproducti ve. 'Doing to' strategies -- as opposed to those that might be described as 'working with' -- can never achieve any result beyond temporary compliance, and it does so at a disturbing cost.
Every sin provokes its punishment.


text:
Q: Self-invoking JavaScript (brackets) There is a piece of code :
(function aaa(){alert("555")})()

and this :
(function aaa(){alert("555")}())

What is the difference?

A: If you put the first one together twice, it only runs the first one before producing a TypeError:

(function aaa(){alert("555")})()(function aaa(){alert("555")})()

If you put the second one together twice, it runs both of them before producing a TypeError:

(function aaa(){alert("555")}())(function aaa(){alert("555")}())

In short, they're two different style choices for scoping code to avoid cluttering the global namespace, but the second one in my experience tends to be favored more since it's less prone to erroring when multiple scopes are concatenated together. It's best to always begin the scope with a semicolon to ensure that it executes when concatenated like so:

;(function aaa(){alert("555")}());(function aaa(){alert("555")}())


text:
Asia Focus Australia - Faith and Love in ACTION!
By living and sharing the faith we desire to spread joy and gladness in His name across the Nations
FiRE 80 - June 2019
The latest FiRE newsletter is now available and contains stories about the cutting edge of mission in Nepal, Team Australia leaving a mark in Africa, the amazing story continues in Vietnam, updates on the Sumatra school project and a wrap up of AFA's mission in 14 countries.
Written by Asia Focus On June 6, 2019 In Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Laos, Liberia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, South Sudan
Lutheran Mission Nepal Updates
Pr Robindra has put together an update on the continued work of Lutheran Mission Nepal to empower churches by helping the church leaders in discipleship and planting churches.
Written by Asia Focus On June 1, 2019 In Nepal Tagged Robindra Das
President's Annual Report 2018
2018 was as eventful, wonderful as well as stressful as every other year if not more so – with plenty of drama and pain mixed in as well. Overall the number of donors and interest in AFA keeps growing. But like the LCA itself, we are also suffering from the effects of a declining church as people age and die or join other churches and stop to support Lutheran-based mission work.
Written by Asia Focus On May 1, 2019 In Liberia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, Indonesia, India, Bhutan, Philippines, Myanmar, South Sudan Tagged Fricke
March Newsletter now available
The latest FiRE No79 for March 2019 is now available and contains stories about a gigantic milestone reached in Vietnam, and amazing journey and insights from Sabah, reaching the unreached in Vietnam and a special project for Pr August's 50th anniversary of ordination. Please note that Pr August's special project needs support by April 20th if this vision is to become reality.
Written by Asia Focus On March 31, 2019
Pre-Christmas report from Bhutan
Rev. Wangchuk has sent through Christmas greetings and an update on the latest mission efforts in Bhutan. Our prayers are with the spreading of the Gospel over the festive season.
Written by Asia Focus On December 24, 2018
December Newsletter now available
The latest FiRE No78 for December 2018 is now available and contains stories about Religion and the real 'thing', why amazing growth in places like Nepal, the despair of asylum seekers in Bankok, and a roundup of of all AFA missions.
November FiRE newsletter is now available
The latest FiRE No77 for November 2018 is now available and contains stories from trips to Vietnam and India, a message from Bhutan with love, a shining light from the darkness of Liberia, and a testimonial journey from darkness to light.
Written by Asia Focus On November 29, 2018
August FiRE newsletter now available
The latest FiRE newsletter for August 2018 is now available and contains the Myanmar Wars emergency and AFA's "Helping Hands" response, an amazing trip to Vietnam, the deepening darkness of Nepal, the 6 stages of a dying church, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
Written by Asia Focus On September 10, 2018
Myanmar Wars Emergency - Update 3
At this time Australians are inward looking and rise up to help their heartbroken farmers in a fantastic way as they should. But who speaks for the ignored and forgotten by all humanity except for a few small Christian aid groups most people have never heard of? Who speaks for those who suffer and die in silence with literally no hope left (except in Christ), fellow Christians?
Written by Asia Focus On August 23, 2018
ON THE JOURNEY IN VIETNAM
On 21st July 2018 at the Lutheran Orphanage in Vietnam I wrote in my diary, "I think every child came forward for blessing and prayer. They look up to us with angelic and expectant eyes. These are the unexpected blessings on the journey. I thought I came to teach Valbi: (Vietnam/Australia Lutheran Bible Institute), but here I am teaching 100 orphans of all ages, and praying for them, and blessing them. And there's more. They pray for me and bless me.
Written by Asia Focus On August 23, 2018 In Vietnam Tagged David Christian, VALBI
July FiRE newsletter now available
The latest FiRE newletter for July 2018 contains the Myanmar Wars emergency and AFA's "Helping Hands" response, a new beginning in the Philippines, changing times for Nias, missionary imperatives for the 21st century, Liberia's ministry growing day by day, the vexed question of women's ordination, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
Written by Asia Focus On July 3, 2018
Myanmar Wars Update No 1
This year alone large numbers of people have died in Myanmar. Right now some 100,000 are displaced (refugees), most of them Christians – and the world either does not know it, does n ot want to know it, or is simply silent. Large parts of the Katchin and Karen States of Myanmar are in rebellion. It is confirmed that the Christian villages are always treated far worse by the Army than the Buddhist villages.
Myanmar War Emergency: Breaking the Secrecy and Silence
Myanmar Emergency - "Helping Hands" Action Now
At the present time thousands die in Myanmar, some 100,000 are displaced (refugees), most of them Christians – and the world either does not know it, does not want to know it, or is simply silent.
Daily Threat of Assassination: Life in the Balance
To be a Christian leader can mean death, pure and simply, whether 2000 years ago or in 2018. Yes, death! This is what a key AFA leader in Nepal is presently faced with – 'pay $150,000 or die'.
Written by Asia Focus On April 16, 2018
April FiRE newsletter now available
The latest FiRE newsletter for April 2018 is now available and contains lessons from China, India's caste system, young people for Christ in Thailand, hearts on fire in Vietnam, the Easter Gospel from Laos, a killer stalks in Nepal, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world
February FiRE newsletter available
The latest FiRE newsletter for February 2018 is now avialable and contains a special on India's daily battles, the gift of new life through LSC in Thailand, expanding mission work in Nepal, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
Written by Asia Focus On March 5, 2018 In India, Thailand, Nepal Tagged FiRE
December FiRE Newsletter available
Our December newsletter is now available for download. In this issue you can read about the power of the Gospel in Vietnam, an overwhelming trip to Nepal, India remaining our No.1 mission challenge, our 3 education centres across Asia, and many more articles from our mission projects
Written by Asia Focus On December 20, 2017 In Vietnam, Nepal, India Tagged FiRE
October newsletter now available
Our October newsletter is now available for download and contains an exploration into India to visit the church of the poor people, the Myanmar goat parade, Australia tilting towards atheism, the face of silent suffering in Indonesia, and latest news from Vietnam, Sabah, Nepal and other mission projects around Asia.
Written by Asia Focus On October 18, 2017
Ten amazing days in Vietnam
I have just spent 10 amazing days ministering in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Vietnam, ELCV. I did this through Asia Focus Australia. How privileged I was that I was asked. I heard the call of God in that invitation and went.
Written by Asia Focus On October 8, 2017 In Vietnam Tagged trip, ELCV, David Christian
Introducing AFA's new Treasurer - Judy Brauer
My passion has always been for overseas travel – but not the usual touristy stuff. I'd rather get off
the beaten track. I want to see the world through the eyes of real people. There's no better way to do that than through Asia Focus Australia.
In 2016 I participated in my first overseas mission trip with AFA to Bhutan and Nepal. This was a life changing journey where God spoke to me and said, "You can do more". To see first-hand the
poverty and need, but then to witness the amazing work of AFA – I was certainly challenged.
Written by Asia Focus On October 8, 2017 In Personal Bios


This weekend, I did an experimental "prophetic business incubator" with 33 professionals. The location was Moravian Falls, on the property where Rick Joyner (one of the All-Time Top 20 Christian Authors) writes his books. He told me it is a unique geography with an "open heaven" for writing. My partner for this experiment was Dave Yarnes, a brilliant licensed commodities broker by day (and VP of Morningstar Ministries when not doing 500 million a month in currency trades).
We both shared our perspectives on the prophetic process for seeing your future business and building into it from where you are right now. It's a combination of Personal Convergence and Organizational Convergence! Moving AS ONE! … a slice of heaven on earth.
The Convergence Code ™ is all about becoming the person you are uniquely called to be so that you can create the job you are uniquely called to do!
Once you step into that role, you are the smartest person in the world in that assignment!
1. If you want wind in your sails and sales in your wind, start thinking "Kingdom" and not just business. Build a kingdom culture inside your company and make God your Senior Partner!
Since the kingdom is "righteousness, peace and joy" one third of your work needs to be joyful. In other words – 1/3 of your culture needs to be fun!
What percent of the time are you in the convergence zone?
3. Your culture is your brand! Values, culture and business strategy are all connected.
4. While joy (or "fun") may seem like things aren't serious, the opposite is true. The freedom that comes with joy enables you to have a highly innovative success oriented environment.
In order to stay ahead of competition (or potential competition) you need to have an atmosphere of "urgency." You can be seriously focused while enjoying the process of setting and exceeding your own high standards.
Finding your own passion, message and gifting are part of the journey into career convergence. The atmosphere you carry needs to be one that exhibits your own personal "Zappos" list of core values.
6. It's all about the "experience" people have when you engage them.
Be focused on meeting the needs of others (customer or employer) with a "wow" experience and you'll uncover your own unique brand expression.
7. Again, I am sharing just a snippet of information. Nobody achieves recognition as an authority in their niche' overnight, but the great news is that it is possible. In fact, it's never been easier—especially if you start observing these things now and learn from the model others are building in plain sight.
Question: Where are you in the process of convergence? Please leave a comment below.
Thank you for sharing. I really wanted to be there… Maybe next time I will have the finances.
Lance you have a way of putting into words things that i sense within and can hardly verbalize. I honor the gift of God in you. Be blessed!!!
This is brilliant! You've listed in bullet points what I've been expressing to my husband and my kids for years. "Do the thing you were made for with all your might! Everything else will fall into place!" It is so true! I decided at 10 years old to become a hairdresser. The woman across the street from us where I grew up was a hairdresser and she was able to, seemingly with magic, get my unruly frizzy wild hair to flow like Farrah Fawcett's! I went from crying because I couldn't do anything with it at all, to crying because I was amazed that MY hair could do what it was doing! I knew then that I wanted to make that kind of magic for other girls. When I got to high school, vocational school was offered as an alternative to college prep and I took it! I had my professional license (and one the top 3 scores in my class on the board exams) a month before I had my high school diploma! Now, I can honestly say there isn't a client I don't enjoy, there isn't a facet of the business I hate, and there is always room to grow and learn more! I am getting to do what I love and get paid to do it!
Wow- love that passion, you saw it and now you have it and id bet your really good at it to.To live your passions is a truly great place!
I love this post. It is both scary and trajectory building all in one. I believe (in response to the italicized question) that I have been reprogramming from what I am NOT. Over the last few years I have learned more an more about what make me tick and what I love, like, and hate. I feel confident that even in my "not knowing" I am moving closer to convergence now than I ever have in life.
I am currently in the process of recovery from surgery (brain) but reading your blog has brought me some clarity in what it is that God destined for me to do!! There ARE things that I have done throughout life that have brought me great joy and I can look back (while I have this time to do so!!) and take stock of moments of breakthrough. Now is my time to begin to actually notice where it is that God is taking me. People have prophesied different things over my life and I had been confused about them in the past. I am feeling like this year is the year for these to all come together into one – and look at this, it is my 50th birthday year! While it is difficult to think with head pain, when I have moments where I CAN think… THIS is what my mind rests on…God's plan and my stepping into it! Thank you Lance! Keep 'em coming!!!
This is your Jubile year, we are to be freed from being enslave, if we choose to be so, many arent ,because they dont have that knowledge. Do a study on Jubile and see what you can believe for in your life.
Good stuff! Love the peace that comes with the concept and just seems to fit like a good shoe. Kingdom culture in the work place….Love it!
Hi, Alice. Spitfire Ministry sounds very interesting 🙂 I just wanted to encourage you to go for building a website! You can do it for free at weebly.com, and it is very simple…it has a drag and drop format, and also a blog format.
I am working on a new website, but I included my old one here so you could take a look.
I understand what you mean about being stuck. I feel that way too. I keep praying to be able to see past the obstacles to the road ahead. Grace, Grace!
This would work well in homemaking and advancing the kingdom of Yah through family members.
The idea of convergence or even of being more than just a wage earner was so foreign to me ,until we discovered Lance, now we are building a business for businesses around night dreams and loving it.Life breeds life!
Dearest sir, you' ve driven our way of thinking into freedom concerning the business and the kingdom of God in it. Still, we would love to see a few books written by you. Is this possible? Blessings from beautiful Greece.
I don't know really. I think I need more courage. I am a software developer. I went into software development for the security of a job and the reasonable salary. I like developing and get excited about it, but at heart I am a teacher really. When I teach others I love it. So will just need to sort it our somehow.
I happened to notice your comment and have 2 things….
1. Perhaps you could teach others about software development through your own training program. You could put out videos, have classes, etc.
2. I have an idea for a software program and have been looking for someone in the business to talk to about what it would take to create. Would you like to discuss it?
Awesome post! What happens when those moments I listed in #2 are like once or twice a year and less than 2-5% of my life? Is it normal to feel like you're no where closer to doing those things than you were 8 years ago even though you've been as faithful as you know how with what is in front of you? How do you take practical steps towards doing more of these when the opportunities that provide convergence are not up to you besides wait on God and continue to be faithful with what is in your hand? What is my part and what is God's part?
Wow!!! Been praying for God to show me exactly step by step on the process to how to achieve this very thing…absolutly amazing so glad somebody has a message on how to find your place I could go on & on in more detail but it's an answered prayer!
Thank you very much. I honestly thank God for you. You are helping me to define things in my life. Life is getting much better as I do this.
I really want you to know that God has and is using you in a tremendous way in my life. My life is better because you have lived and are in your convergence. I honor you Mr. KILLER SHEEP!
This is a great post. It's all true. So, here is where I am. I have a small staff and some of them semi answer to me and also to another supervisor. I am not complaining because we save families and children daily, it's very fulfilling work. However, we do not have the human resources we need to cover 11 literacy and early childhood programs stretched across our state – soon to be 12. How do we push aside the endless tasks and find time to enjoy? We are in satellite offices In our homes. I am on the edge of convergence and need to have success in this area of managing staff to move on. I struggle with not being able to read their body language when we talk, and not being in an office with my supervisor or senior staff to learn from them. I hat feeling constantly overwhelmed.
This is a great post. It's all true. So, here is where I am. I have a small staff and some of them semi answer to me and also to another supervisor. I am not complaining because we save families and children daily, it's very fulfilling work. However, we do not have the human resources we need to cover 11 literacy and early childhood programs stretched across our state – soon to be 12. How do we push aside the endless tasks and find time to enjoy? We are in satellite offices In our homes. I am on the edge of convergence and need to have success in this area of managing staff to move on. I struggle with not being able to read their body language when we talk, and not being in an office with my supervisor or senior staff to learn from them. How do I grow in this area?
So many things are seeming to come to prepare for convergence, and I'm having to deal with major interference as well. There is strong temptation to be discouraged but also God's daily reminder to "rejoice always!" So I continue on – in hope, in the faith that I have, in the encouraging and the challenging that I receive from my apostolic alignment and from the little things I hear Him say to me in my days. One thing I know – my God is very big to me, but He needs to become sooooo much bigger. Thank you Lance for giving yourself to educate and prophetically encourage the Family!
Im clearly in this process. Mentally I have transitioned to understand the process, but physically the transition seems protracted and difficult.
Awesome article! Very helpful…thank you for the practical application. I'd like to read more about timing. How do I discern the right times and seasons to step into the next phase God has planned for me? I get so excited and eager about stepping into the "dream" God has placed on my heart, I don't want to step ahead of His timing.
I would like to hear more about the destiny process . Ex: The process Joseph followed to fulfill his destiny . Thanks see you at covenant :•) .
Lance, thank you for all you do to move us along. Heard you @ Messiah in 2008 and have eagerly listened & read nearly every morsel you have passed on. Please do not leave the scriptural applications out of your instructions. The sling-shot principle really registered with me and my life has changed greatly from hearing you teach it. The "Success Keys" were timely as I was actually on a sabbatical when I read it. The sabbatical was for seeking the LORD's face concerning my life, gifts, talents and direction after quitting my hourly wage job. THIS article is follows suit. Thank you for listening and Baruch HaShem for getting me to conference in 2008. (had no plan to go, someone prophesied I needed to be there, that there was something there that I needed to hear; shrugged it off, someone else called to say the LORD laid it on their heart to pay for me to go, became a little more receptive; another offered a ride for last two days of conference; when all was done the only 2 days I was there was last two days, heard your two classes on Friday… "Gladiator" AS ONE….timely.) Again…Baruch HASHEM!!!!!
i'm 65 years old and wondering when things will "converge" for me. have had a good run as gift sales rep in 2 states for 15 years. economic changes have dealt a blow. i need a change, not sure where to go, but financially i still need to work. like your material. hopefully my "destiny" work is coming soon. that has been my main prayer the last 5 years.
Dr Wallnau, Thank you, this is fantastic info. God was just telling me to move into all of what he's telling me to do but to do it with JOY.
Loved the statement, "It's all about the "experience" people have when you engage them." I am in the middle of the 7M University study and have gone from thinking that I knew what God has called me to do because I felt that that is what I should be doing to recognizing more of where my passions lie. Because my passion has to do with family and developing community that functions as a family, I would like to learn more about that mountain and effective ways of developing and implementing that vision.
Lance, after I've read your first post on convergence I went for a short vacation to hear from God. It is so awesome how prophetic words from my past, my giftings, talents and passions all came together for me in a spotlight moment.
I wrote everything down and started to pray through this. For the first time in many years I have a vision and a plan to reach my zone. Thanks so much. South Africa will be a better place because I am stepping into my zone.
Every time I read or listen to you I receive a deeper revelation of how to be me in my uniqueness and so I can more effectively assist others to connect to their identity and assignment and see transformation in their lives by who they're being and how they influence others! Thanks for bringing clarity and freedom!
Thanks for sharing. I'm eating up everything that can get me to what I was created to do.
Thank you, Lance! This is very helpful. I am working on building an online business for the first time, and I really love the Christian perspective! It is hard to find these type of resources. I don't know much about business, just learning as I go. I am so glad you started this blog!
Awesome teaching! I am encouraged and feel empowered for the next chapter in my career. Thank you and God bless your ministry that it will continue to inspire and evoke change for His glory!
Question: Where are you in the process of convergence?
I found great material here for taking action with my thought process. I'm set up my own values and listed the things that have brought me joy over the past year and outlined what I was doing. Very helpful. I'm searching for clarity right now as I am about to relaunch my blog and I believe I am in a convergence process. Thank you Lance so much!
So encouraging Lance. I often wonder, Lord am I hearing right and then you speak such clarity and insight into the process. This will be such an encouragement also to our team. Thank you.
Thank you Dr. Wallnau!!!! Bite size questions to help me to determine and step toward CONVERGENCE! Awesome!!!!
I opened my business less than a year ago and now that I have completed some preliminary necessities it's time to move into the next phase of growth and expansion. This model seems to fit with what I need. The info contained here is helpful to me. Thank you.
Correct me if I am wrong, I read in your teaching, not just in a buiness sense, but also business in the Kingdom way and those not called to business, they also are to operate in the Kingdom. Your stiring us up to a convergence, that is so we all can also converge together into a oneness. This is why the blog was set up, so that iron can shapen iron, no one person has all the answers, but a answer may be in one of us.
I needed to hear this-read this-I am building relationships and creating fans, but still feel I am in the dark regarding my GOD role. I trust it will all come together at some point but geesh I am in my 50's it is time!
i am great company with work colleagues, they invited me for the first time out for dinner. well, the joy, atmosphere was awesome, i know we will become more connected. all commented, we needed a ngood laugh, in fact tears were flowing with joy ! we have just been given a brand new mini bus to advertise our company, which is going to attract more users. i work in a centre for children out of mainstream education, also with their parents and local community. we need more staff, as we have many more referrals now, as authorities have to be extras vigilant in their care of vulnerable children and families. wqe are making a difference, joiniung with other organisastiuons who want to support, be part of our work, kingdom work !
Thanks Lance, really helpful! Am going to print off and put on my notice board. After listening to you and Dr Mark Chironna (and the Holy Spirit -dont panic) over the years I started my own business in the last 6 months. After not being able to find a job that scratched my itch and paid enough I decided to create my own! One that enables me to do what I really enjoy and what I'm good at. My job is 'me', out there. I also found asking myself "what would you do if you weren't a Christian?" really helpful as it bypassed all the religious nonsense in my head. Keep it coming. It's REALLY helpful.
I am 61 years young and hoping to leave the workplace soon. I might encourage you to broaden your audience. We are not all trying to make more money although we all must prosper. I sense I am finally converging on my future "job" although it is not in the workplace.
Thanks for the new insights and perspective. Much to ponder!
I've been ready for a big change for awhile! 8 years ago I got my BS degree in human services and wanted to be a Social Worker. Life happened and I could not pursue my Masters in Counseling. I still can't afford it. I am in a job only for the money, not living my dream in that area (for the past 15 years). I truly feel like Joseph! Other doors of ministry are opening up for me but most of my time and energy is devoted to my day-job to make financial ends meet.
I like everything you send out,but I always feel like I am always left wanting and never really get to where I need to be. I feel a little frustrated. When I share some of my concerns for destiny most look at melike I just need more faith or they change the subject because they cannot answer me. I will not give up. Keep it coming!
I love the idea of fun and have learned to embrace more joy as I turn 60 to be thankful and always think BIG because Ephesians 3:20 says God can do anything; far more than I can conceive or imagine in my wildest dreams through the Spirit who gently works within me!
I find the greatest energy and joy in creating teams and developing synergy to hit key outcomes. There is a huge wow factor when creating something (ministry or business) from nothing or rebuilding something that was broken or deemed useless. Some endeavors have been successful, more have not been. It is not easy for me to discern what is a worthy and God-inspired investment when I see potential in almost anything.
Thank you for your wise, spot-on input. I'm moving ahead, finally with my unique knowledge in the world of teaching Fastpitch Softball Pitching skills expecting to use the Internet selling memberships for exceptional insights using blogs and video, much like you do, to other teachable coaches (on one level) and young student pitchers, almost all girls,and their parents (on another level).
I might add- you prophesied over me in Bakersfield a couple of years ago. I appreciate and honor your ministry!
May HE bless you and the team richly I love what we share Blessings!!!
Lance, Last year I started a new job. A job i thought I would never have. I have so much fun at my job every day. I dont think this is my dream job. Am I in denial about convergence>? We have God as our Senior partner. Many people are thrilled with our work. Ok time to evaluate core values, can you break that down a little more? My values need to be my atmosphere>?
The Wallnau has been a blessing for me to really understand the work of the Holy Spirit in my career-ministry path. i wish i would have had exposure to it a long time ago. Lance bless you for your teaching.
Brilliant, as usual. Fresh from the meetings at ANC I am once again renewed in my belief that the mountains are scalable.
Wow, great article. Very true, every company needs to have those core values, and bringing the Kingdom to that company is part of that convergence.
Not to be rude though, it didn't really address as to how to find your "dream job"….but thank you for the insight Lance! Love you brother, God bless.
Love it! Yes, I do want to read and learn more! You are such blessing to me!
I would like to know about convergence.
I am a stay-at-home mother/wife but I feel that this is very right and good and I would love to see my growing family get into the convergence and be there to encourage and help in any way. Go team!!! I love Lance's timely messages.
Thank you for your posts, works and services. Do please pray for me though. You've asked some great questions and I do feel far from convergence. My wife and i love speaking to youth about our love story, healthy relationships and purpose, but I need God to truly guide me as we seek to find balance in worth of pay and worth of service without losing ourselves. Thanks.
This is some of the most inspiring readings I have read. Thanks a lot for posting. I love it!
Lance… Your insights and gifting resonate inside of me like few teachers I have ever known! Thanks for so generously sharing what God is giving you!! Please stay in that Zone… We need you there!!
We'dmlike to have more input from main results from the open heaven meeting.
Lance, I love the topic and want to help people reach convergence. I'm the Executive Director of a non-profit in NJ that assists people in career transition. I appreciate the work that you've done on the topic.
This helped me find "my why." I believe pieces of my business will fall in place now.
I am in the beginning of the convergence zone and praying for the people I am suppose to be doing it with. I have a concierge and event planning business. CEME.
It would be interesting to create an online environment like a stadium or resort place so that people could come to your events online. That would be neat.
This is awesome! Kingdom culture is the avenue to great success! Kingdom mentality unlocks doors to success in a whole new way! Much of our culture has become complacent and lackadaisical hence the lower rate of success for many business owners! This blessed me it was very good!
Hello there, You've got done a fantastic job related. I will definitely digg it as well as privately suggest to my pals. I'm certain they are taken advantage of this web site.
Jim and I want to go to inaugural ball with you.


text:
Q: pandas concat reordered columns It might be duplicate but can`t find the proper question. If so, please, point the link towards it.
pandas 0.25
I have 2 dataframe (df1 and df2), both from pd.read_csv() function, everything by default. The first row is a header, there are Cyrillic and English column names. The df1 has a proper order of columns, df2 is not. Like:
df1 = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'д']
df2 = ['b', 'c', 'a', 'д']
In the case of concat([df1, df2], axis=0), which order of columns will be? It will inherit the order of df1 or df2? Is there any cases (e.g. name of columns), when behavior of the function may change?


Technologies help us deliver on a business strategy. Without a strategy, there is no rationale for deploying technologies. In addition, there is no rationale for digital transformation, unless there is a need for business transformation. If you believe this as we do, then strategy development will be a priority. Strategies, however, are developed under the guidance of a doctrine. The purpose of a doctrine is to create a high level understanding of what we we want to achieve with our strategy, and the concepts that must be employed to achieve it. An organization's doctrine will guide strategy development, and the tactics needed to achieve a goal.
Many executives consider digital transformation important, but an IT issue. We, however, believe IT serves only one purpose - supporting the needs and strategies of the business. If the business doesn't perceive a need, or have a business strategy that requires digital transformation, then there is no transformation role for IT to play. All of our research, however, concludes that organizations must be engaged in business and digital transformation or they will fail at winning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.


Setting Aside Arbitral Awards in Singapore: A Problem in the Standard of Review?
a breach of the rules of natural justice occurred in connection with the making of the award by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced.
Two recent Singapore High Court decisions provide an excellent analysis of the Singapore courts' approach in determining applications to set aside arbitral awards. In TMM Division Maritima SA de CV v Pacific Richfield Marine Pte Ltd,  SGHC 186 ("TMM"), the application to set aside an award pursuant to two consolidated arbitrations failed. In BLB and another v BLC and others,  SGHC 196 ("BLB"), the application to set aside an award similarly failed. However, the Honourable Justice Belinda Ang ("Ang J") held that the arbitrator had failed to deal with certain counterclaims. Those issues were therefore remitted back to the tribunal for consideration.
In TMM, the Honourable Justice Chan Seng Onn ("Chan J") neatly summed up the position of the Singapore courts and their pro-arbitration and pro-enforcement stance in the opening paragraphs of his judgment. However, Chan J also recognised the increasing difficulty and lengths to which courts have to go to in order to distinguish between meritorious and unmeritorious challenges.
" However good or bad in the eyes of a party, the decision of an arbitral tribunal with the requisite jurisdiction is final and binding. This general proposition of law is a manifestation of the fundamental principle of interest reipublicae ut sit finis litium or finality in proceedings. Arbitration will not survive, much less flourish, if this core precept is not followed through by the courts. The integrity and efficacy of arbitration as a parallel dispute resolution system will be subverted if the courts appear unable or unwilling to restrain themselves from entering into the merits of every arbitral decision that comes before it. As is well-established under Singapore arbitration jurisprudence, the power to intervene in arbitrations generally, and more specifically to set aside awards, must and should only be exercised charily, in accordance with the rules under the applicable arbitral framework.
" … The parties' opposing positions embody a tension that is becoming increasingly apparent in the context of curial challenges to arbitral decisions. On one hand, the supervisory function of the court requires it to step in to provide relief in cases of genuine challenges. On the other hand, the linked principles of minimal curial intervention and finality in proceedings demand that this power of intervention be exercised warily and only in meritorious cases where statutorily prescribed grounds for setting aside have been established. This tension is further heightened when the losing party attempts to air its grievances before the court as complaints of breaches of natural justice or other established grounds of challenge and in doing so attempts to re-open the arbitration or traverse over the issues in the arbitration. The court must firmly resist any such attempts".
Given such concerns, Ang J held that "in a borderline case the benefit of doubt would invariably favour the tribunal" (see paragraph ).
Extensiveness of review – is there a problem?
What is perhaps problematic is the extent of the review that the Singapore courts must/should engage in for such applications. The Singapore courts are obliged to accept and determine such applications. However, it cannot always engage in an exhaustive review of the arbitration proceedings and the award as if it were sitting as an appellate court. Such an approach would defeat the finality of arbitration proceedings. It would also increase the costs associated with arbitration and drag down the speed and efficiency of arbitration as a method of dispute resolution.
" When a challenge is brought against an award, the court has a duty to entertain and engage the challenge. That is what the IAA and Model Law provide and that is what the court must do. If the complaint against the award is that the arbitral tribunal did too much or did not do what it was supposed to do, regardless of whether one couches the challenge under natural justice or excess of jurisdiction, the court is effectively asked to review the actions or inactions of the arbitral tribunal. Invariably, the court must look at the evidence on the record to determine the merits of the challenge. However, it does not follow, and neither do I accept, that this process always entails sifting through the entire record of the arbitral proceedings with a fine-tooth comb.
In this respect, Ang J also noted that the review in TMM was "far more extensive than that undertaken in this [the BLB] case". Ang J eventually held that (a) there was in fact a problem on the face of the award, (b) something was amiss and (c) to understand the award and arguments involved, "some degree of review was required". This suggests some sort of threshold test whereby the court's scrutiny takes place only after its discovery of some error "on the face of the award".
A review of recent arbitration case law in the Singapore courts provides a rough but helpful gauge as to the extent of review that the courts have engaged in. For the purposes of this exercise, we will focus on those applications to set aside which require factual examination of the proceedings and the award. In other words, we have not considered cases which involve the interpretation of the arbitration clause, or whether signatories are a party to the arbitration agreement or whether an arbitration clause had been incorporated into a separate agreement. A further caveat: we have roughly correlated the length of each judgment (based on the number of paragraphs) with the extent of review undertaken by the court. However, we have not taken into account how many of those paragraphs in each judgment were devoted to examining the factual record or the length of the relevant paragraphs.
Furthermore, oral arguments before the High Court in TMM "stretched over several days, during which TMM's counsel made substantial arguments in addition to their written submissions" (see paragraph ).
Also, notwithstanding Ang J's observation that the review in TMT was in fact far more extensive than in BLB, the Singapore High Court's decision in BLB still comes in at 104 paragraphs.
The Court of Appeal case of Soh Beng Tee & Co Pte Ltd v Fairmount Development Pte Ltd,  3 SLR(R) 86, the locus classicus for applications to set aside an award for breach of natural justice, is 99 paragraphs long.
The most recent Singapore Court of Appeal decision on breach of natural justice in L W Infrastructure Pte Ltd v Lim Chin San Contractors Pte Ltd,  1 SLR 125 spanned 94 paragraphs (see our analysis of the case here). The High Court judgment which gave rise to the appeal (Lim Chin San Contractors Pte Ltd v L W Infrastructure Pte Ltd,  2 SLR 1040) took just 54 paragraphs. Even earlier in those proceedings, the High Court decision which had initially remitted an issue back to the arbitrator in the first place and from which arose the subsequent fights (Lim Chin San Contractors Pte Ltd v LW Infrastructure Pte Ltd,  4 SLR 455) involved an examination over only 53 paragraphs.
On the issue of pleadings, the Court of Appeal's judgment in PT Prima International Development v Kempinski Hotels SA and other appeals,  4 SLR 98 took 78 paragraphs (our analysis of that case can be read here). The High Court decision below in Kempinski Hotels SA v PT Prima International Development,  4 SLR 633 was 118 paragraphs long.
The High Court decision in Quarella SpA v Scelta Marble Australia Pty Ltd,  SGHC 166 was 59 paragraphs (our take on the case can be found here). This was despite it being an "easy case" in the sense that it was obvious that the applicant's prospects of success were low. The learned judge made the very pointed remark that "besides examining the guidance of the [Singapore] Court of Appeal…Quarella would not have had to venture too far to find literature that would have indicated that the prospects of it succeeding in the setting aside application on this ground were dim" (see paragraph ).
Solution in the form of costs orders?
Thus far, the Singapore High Courts have not addressed this issue of whether failed challenges to arbitration awards merits special costs considerations. However, we do note that the Singapore Court of Appeal has held that indemnity costs would be awarded when a party institutes court proceedings in breach of an arbitration agreement, thereby necessitating an application for the stay of proceedings (see Tjong Very Sumito and others v Antig Investments Pte Ltd,  4 SLR(R) 732).
One way to discourage parties from launching unmeritorious challenges to arbitration awards is to penalize them in the form of costs orders. We have written about the Hong Kong courts' approach to a failed challenge of an arbitral award. In particular, the Hong Kong courts take the default position that, save in special circumstances, indemnity costs will be awarded for an unsuccessful challenge to an arbitration award. The difference between an indemnity costs order and a standard costs order can be substantial, where the former could be twice that of the latter.
In this respect, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal had held in Gao Haiyan and Another v. Keeneye Holdings Ltd and Another  HKCA 43 that, permitting the losing party to only pay costs on the lower standard basis would in effect cause the victorious party "to subsidise the losing party's abortive attempt to frustrate enforcement of a valid award" (citing A v R  3 HKC 67 at  to ).
However, an indemnity costs order will still not be a full indemnity. Accordingly, the victorious party in the arbitration would still be out of pocket in defending an unmeritorious challenge against its award in the courts. Nonetheless, it may be argued that this is probably the most appropriate balance to be struck between all the competing considerations viz the finality of awards and the courts' obligations to fairly consider applications to set them aside.
The Singapore courts may yet address this issue.
This entry was posted in Arbitration, Hong Kong, Singapore and tagged case law, indemnity cost, jurisdiction, natural justice, setting aside, singapore court of appeal, Singapore High Court. Bookmark the permalink.
1 Response to Setting Aside Arbitral Awards in Singapore: A Problem in the Standard of Review?


text:
The Four-Window Method
Thursday, December 9, 2010 ScottOden Comments 2 comments
During the course of the past few days I've had the pleasure of chatting with a goodly number of writers. It's been good for my soul to talk shop with knowledgeable peers. But one question that invariably cropped up concerned my method of writing. How did I prepare my drafts? And as I explained it, curious looks would blossom over the visages of my brother-and-sister scribes.
Apparently, my method is just a little odd.
Here are the mundane bits: I write on a laptop, a very austere Dell with no bells, whistles, or Internet access, and use two four-gig USB drives to back up my files (one in a fire safe, one on my person); I use Microsoft Word exclusively — I've never found any need for a specialized "writing program", especially when you're just going to export your work to Word for publishers, anyway. Lately, I've not been able to put in desk-time every day, but when I do I write for at least four hours, usually in the mornings. Afternoons are reserved for PR or editing, and evenings belong to my wife.
Where I go askew is with the process of composition. I write one scene at a time, but in four Word windows. One window for dialogue, one for exposition, a third for bits of description or color or notes to myself (sometimes that third window will also contain a brief synopsis of the scene I'm working on), and the last window is where I assemble the draft. So, using the prologue for THE LION OF CAIRO as an example, the contents of first window would look something like this:
*That . . . that b-blade!
Yes! You feel it, do you not? It is the Hammer of the Infidel, and none can stand before it! What is your name, dog?
*Assad.
The Hammer of the Infidel kills before ever the final blow is struck! Even the gentlest caress of the blade strips a man's resolve from him to leave him naked and trembling at the edge of the Abyss! Assad, eh? My brothers will know the name of the fool who thought to challenge the chief of the Afridis!
*A fine trick, since your brothers are already in Hell!
In this window, I use an asterisk to identify my POV character . . . in this instance the protagonist, Assad. I read the dialogue aloud to myself, tweaking inflection and wording to make sure I'm saying exactly what the plot needs me to say — I try to remember the dictum that every word of dialogue should advance the plot or the character.
In the second window I start drawing the scene with words . . . and it looks really disjointed, even at times mixing tenses:
Baber Khan ran a thumb and forefinger along the edge of his salawar, collecting the Assassin's blood. His grim smile widened as he licked his fingers clean.
Assad sat with his head bowed, oblivious to the blood dripping down his lacerated cheek. The knuckles of his right fist were white where he gripped the hilt-shard of his saber. My birthright. His lips writhed, nostrils flaring as he fought off the fearful paralysis induced by that devil-haunted blade by focusing on the broken steel before him. My father's saber!
Baber Khan laughed. He stepped closer and raised his salawar, its tip poised for a killing blow.
Assad glanced up. Before the Afridi chief could react, the Assassin exploded with the unexpected desperation of a wounded lion. He launched himself at Baber Khan, drove the hilt-shard gripped in his right fist into the Afghan's groin. Blood spurted and steamed as his ferocious bellow turned to a shriek. The jagged length of blade bit deep; Assad sawed upward, ripping Baber Khan's belly open to the navel.
The thing that makes this work for me is this: I know what's going on, who is saying what and to whom. Action, to me, should be as choreographed as a ballet, with each participant reacting to the other in a realistic fashion, as skill, training, and personality dictate.
The third window in this instance is fairly sparse, with a few notes to myself:
Assad is younger; show him as impetuous.
Kurram, per REH, is the village of the Afridis.
Look to Frost Giant's Daughter for inspiration — battle in the snow, hot breath in cold air, pale sunlight.
And finally, once I have the elements of a scene to my liking, I open the fourth window and splice dialogue and exposition together. I polish as I go, sometimes going back to the drawing board if an element doesn't fit like I need it to. It's almost like I'm handcrafting the pieces to a puzzle, with only a sketch to go by.
Here's the finished version:
"That . . . that b-blade!"
"Yes! You feel it, do you not?" Baber Khan replied; he ran a thumb and forefinger along the edge of his salawar, collecting the Assassin's blood. His grim smile widened as he licked his fingers clean. "It is the Hammer of the Infidel, and none can stand before it! What is your name, dog?"
"Assad," the young Assassin replied. He sat with his head bowed, oblivious to the blood dripping down his lacerated cheek. The knuckles of his right fist were white where he gripped the hilt-shard of his saber. My birthright. His lips writhed, nostrils flaring as he fought off the fearful paralysis induced by that devil-haunted blade by focusing on the broken steel before him. My father's saber!
"The Hammer of the Infidel kills before ever the final blow is struck! Even the gentlest caress of the blade strips a man's resolve from him to leave him naked and trembling at the edge of the Abyss!" Baber Khan laughed. "Assad, eh? My brothers will know the name of the fool who thought to challenge the chief of the Afridis!" He stepped closer and raised his salawar, its tip poised for a killing blow.
"A fine trick," Assad said, glancing up, "since your brothers are already in Hell!" The Assassin exploded with the unexpected desperation of a wounded lion. He launched himself at Baber Khan, drove the hilt-shard gripped in his right fist into the Afghan's groin. Blood spurted and steamed as his ferocious bellow turned to a shriek. The jagged length of blade bit deep; Assad sawed upward, ripping Baber Khan's belly open to the navel.
So, there you have it. The Four-Window method is a little more involved than simply writing scenes out, but it works for me. If you're a writer, too, do me a favor and post something about your own method of composition . . . use the comments section or, if you prefer, write your own blog post and send me a link!
BG Staff, Blog Entry, Writing
Art Evolution 13: Den Beauvais
AMC's The Walking Dead: Devouring six million viewers, and me
Daniel Nyikos
That seems like of a lot of work, but at the same time it seems like it takes a lot of the guesswork and juggling out of the writing. I think I might try this!
Also, Baber Khan sounds like someone straight out of an El Borak story. So props for that, too!
beket
Yeah, I have a similiar method, only it's a thousand little pieces of paper spread out all over the desk.:-)
Okay, sadly, there's a lot of truth to that, but I tend to be very straight forward when writing, typing in on a no-internet access laptop, in Microsoft Word. But I "take notes" within the doc which I cut and paste in chronological order throughout and when I get to that point in the story, I expand the notes. Of course, I'm writing short fiction, so the story doesn't [usually] get too complicated.