"As the pace of Krabbé's prose gains and falls in waves of poetic exuberance and drifting doggerel, readers gain deeper insight into cycling, the primeval forces that take control of cyclists, and the possibility for Machiavellian machinations in even the simplest contest of prowess."
At fewer than 150 pages, Sam Garrett's translation of Tim Krabbé's The Rider packs the magnificence and minutiae of classic European cycling into tight quarters.
Sprinter not pull his turn.
Amateur not spare an ounce.
Eighty-odd kilometers into the 1977 Tour de Mont Aigoual, the peloton is forgotten. Forty-plus bicyclists pedaling en masse for eighth place. The lead group consists of seven riders including Krabbé, our protagonist.
As a reviewer's cheat, I'll hang the translator/author/narrator clarifications here: I have not read The Rider in the original Dutch. I, point of fact, have no plans to learn Dutch, though I have developed an appreciation for the color orange. Therefore, please bear with the careless collapsing of translator, author, and narrator into one imaginary figure—Krabbé.
My conceit mirrors Krabbé's own application of his name to the main character in the novel. Where Krabbé, author of The Vanishing and The Cave, stops and Krabbé, sports journalist-turned-dedicated cyclist, begins is of limited interest here. Rather, the confusion adds fuel to the stirring conflagration of narrative styles and varying tempos in the text. A section in which Krabbé reflects on his sporting career at age five or fifteen can follow on the heels of a description of a particularly grueling climb up one of the race's many cols. A passage on the history of the Giro d'Italia can distill into a philosophical musing on the order of, "The facts miss the heart of the matter; to give us a clear picture, the facts need a vehicle, the anecdote" (117).
Commentators may spin "Chaingate" in terms of bad sportsmanship or unbending drive, but more nuanced and critically sympathetic strands extend from lines or pockets of text in The Rider. As the pace of Krabbé's prose gains and falls in waves of poetic exuberance and drifting doggerel, readers gain insight into the gentlemanly understandings of cycling, the primeval forces taking control over the cyclists, and the possibility for Machiavellian machinations in even the simplest contest of prowess. The Protean speed of the narrative allows for easy reading on trains, at stoplights, and in snippets before sleep. Yet more likely are dashes of ten or fifty pages, tearing through a third of the novel in a sitting.
A quarter of a page might detail a kilometer of cycling as it happens. That this trails a three-paragraph description of a specific race from Krabbé's career builds force beyond narrative. When combined with nonsense fueled by physical exhaustion, we get a section two-thirds of the way into The Rider, "LITTLE ABC OF ROAD RACING." Multiple definitions and biographies slide off the page in rants of complete subjectivity. In the same way that tales of his history in sport pair with semihistorical reflections, the accumulation of information and inspiration contributes to the textured evocation of passion that is the text.
I fall firmly, as you ought suspect, in the class of cyclists more receptive of Krabbé's style. I cannot overstate my awe at his ability to consistently capture thoughts with stunning simplicity. There is his early image of the ball bearing unimpeded that is sublime, and his realization, "I bicycle and can read at the same time," is pure joy. The Rider, if read as a time trial, will be an amusing sports book by a clever writer. If, on the other hand, you attempt to recover memories of the text through a more careful eye to the line, The Rider will reward you for your efforts, as any old route well-attended can gain a novelty pleasing, strange, and most welcome.


We finally got around to visiting Gythio this week. Our plan was to catch the bus into town for the market and for our first proper explore of the town. Having done a little research it wasn't looking too promising as the Gythio tourist office themselves state "there are not really mentionable ancient objects to be seen, only a small Roman theatre, so just enjoy Greek life'. We need a few bits, such as a new mobile phone as our emergency phone no longer charges, perfect opportunity for our first retail experiences in Greece then. We were up with the lark and stood waiting for said bus at 8.45 – it came along bang on time, just unfortunate we were stood in totally the wrong place so it sailed straight past! The reason we were stood in wrong place is currently not clear, some believe it was the campsite receptionist giving duff information, or though it could also be that one of us didn't actually listen to what she told him – jury is out. As the next bus wasn't due for five hours it was shanks' pony to town for us, no complaints from someone else so possibly that was tilting the evidence against said person?
Just before we arrived in town we came to what is apparently a small island, called Kranai, although an island it is now connected to the shore by a causeway and is more of an island-let – it's just a little patch of land a few hundred metres from the shore. It's major and possibly only claim to fame is that it's where Paris and Helen stayed before heading off to Troy, after Paris had abducted Helen from nearby Sparta. I am never sure whether this is Greek history or Greek mythology and will admit I had to look it up it, for anyone else as unclued up as me it is the latter The island also has a museum of the Mani (third one so far) and a lighthouse but the major draw seems to be the taverna. When we passed it was heaving, Nico (bet that was his name) was singing loudly and many a Greek mama could be seen twirling around the restaurant after having had an ouzo or two too many. On a dreary day the ouzo and dancing looked more fun than the tourist stuff. We kind of disagree with the Greek Tourist Board that there isn't anything that good to see here though, Kranai on its own is worth the stop.
Back in town there are two waterfront areas, the first runs along from Kranai to the port, then a second area around the harbour front. Waterside restaurants line the streets on both stretches, where the waiters risk their lives daily running across the roads to serve people sat on the harbour edge tables. At the far end of town there is a shopping area, not sure about shopping its more about cake. Every third shop was a bakery or a cake shop, either very old fashioned where you could see the bread being baked in the wall oven or at the other end of the scale with the most exquisite cakes imaginable. We found a phone shop and bought a cheapy for €18 but other than that there wasn't much we wanted to spend our money on so we made do with a latte in one of the harbour-side cafes. The street market was in full flourish, not a massive market with the majority of stalls selling fruit and vegetables.
A couple of miles around the coast at Valtaki beach is the weirdly fascinating hulk of metal that is the "Dimitrios" is freight ship built in the 1950's that was shipwrecked in 1981. Considering the length of time its been there at first it looks remarkably intact, you can walk right up to it, nothing stopping you except you will get wet ankles. Closer inspection does show its disintegrating, gaping holes through the sides and the structure doesn't look like it has that many more years before it collapses. As with pretty much everything in Greece there is nothing that tells exactly why it is there and what happened to it. According to the internet rumours range from a ship smuggling cigarettes from Turkey to Italy and being set on fire to evade capture by the Greek authorities, to it being a ghost vessel of unknown origins. What the true story of how and why its there, who knows. Whatever it is, its very eerie being left there to rot but it is very photogenic and must be a bit of a tourist draw as there is a very good looking restaurant on the beach named after the ship.
We needed to refill one of our LPG tanks this week and I was just a bit nervous after the problems we faced in Tuscany with filling. Greece continued to prove that everything is easy as we pulled in and the chap filled us up without any questions or concerns. We thought we had used a full tank in the last 7 weeks but as it was only €5 to fill it there must have been at least a third of a tank of gas left. As we don't use gas for heating a tank usually lasts us a good couple of months, as I intend to cook less and make more use of salad as the weather improves we should be using even less.
On the cash / budget front we are doing brilliantly so far. Campsites are all reasonably priced here in Greece so we are benefiting there with good deals even when we do not do long stay. Fuel is coming in way under budget as we are now moving only fairly short distances between campsites. We admitted at the start we really just stuck a finger in the air to set our budget, it would be easy to think that therefore it isn't difficult to be under the plan but it could just as easily been the other way round. We are by no means feeling restricted on our budget, for us the being away and experiencing these places is outweighing any need to go out for meals or buy crazy souvenirs (with the exception of fridge magnets of course!).
As always there has been an upside of a downside, this week the poor weather has had a positive impact on route planning. I now have some squiggly lines on the maps all the way up to Hungary. These lines have varying coloured stickers on them that denote whether there is an aire or campsite or other place we might be able to stopover. Experience has shown that we cannot trust campsites that advertise as open to actually be open. Emailing ahead is proving the best bet and so far less than half have emailed back to say they are open. Then there is the other extreme with a lovely Dutch site in Romania telling us they are closed but if we are stuck then just turn up and they will put us up in the garden somewhere for a few days, we love Dutch campsites and the Dutch – they never seem to see anything as a problem. Our experience in Portugal, when we used seven Dutch sites as we could never find a good small Portuguese one, was the Dutch run some of the best small campsites anywhere.
With both Romania and Bulgaria looking like they were 'planned' I was extremely happy until I took a closer look and realised my campsites either side of the border where absolutely nowhere near a point we could cross the Danube. Again ignorance plays a major part as I thought there would be hundreds of crossing points not just a handful. Back at the drawing board it looks like we will take one of the extortionate ferry routes, we don't have a budget at all for any ferry crossings (how rubbish is that?) so it will be whatever it is and we will make a saving somewhere to cover it.
As our week finishes we were out earlier today and popped out to Kranai island on the way back, it was something we should have thought more about first. The causeway is about wide enough for a car and a motorhome can just barely squeeze down – which we realised after we were on the causeway – nothing else to do but carry on turn around and slink back down it. This photo was on the way back – it was worse on the way out as my side of the van was teetering over the sea but I was too nervous to pick up the camera! Fair-play to the boss man, he might be rubbish listening to where the buses run from but he is pretty damn good on squeezing the van up the tight spots!
Our plans for the next week are not as exact as they are for the next two months, if we see the sun we head for the Mani for a few days, if we don't then there isn't currently an alternative. Luckily the weather has done a real about turn since Saturday lunchtime and we have been back with sunshine and its been very warm. There is still a blustery wind, which occasionally blows up to a gale for half an hour and brings an accompanying sandstorm, generally though its warm and hazy. Our forecast for the week is storms tomorrow followed by a fried egg forecast – fingers crossed.
The forecast for this week was heavy rain, we were ready for it to start on Monday. Instead we had clear skies and not a hint of rain. We sat out in our chairs feeling smug that no rain was coming our way, discussing how rubbish the weather forecasts were. Obviously this is the Greek way of lulling you into a false security because for the last 3 days it hasn't been what you would call heavy rain, more akin to standing under a very fast flowing waterfall. The Greeks are telling us they need the rain so its welcome which I guess is understandable, we aren't too devastated by it as despite rain, thunder and lightning its still warm. Now if it carries on past this week my sympathies may change but its fair to say that the inside of the van has never been so clean or tidy so we have made good use of the time in between venturing out between storm clouds. The lightening has been fairly spectacular, close enough to take the wifi box off the wall in reception a couple of nights ago, hence no internet here until today. Forget that we pitched up by the pool, we now have our own pool on one side of the van, a good couple of inches of water which doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Our Swiss neighbours left yesterday to catch the ferry to Crete, a lightbulb moment as we too could pop up the road 10 minutes for the weekly ferry. The idea was mulled around for an hour or so and all the pros and cons considered. The main pro is that the weather is better in Crete, but then its already better in Greece than some places. The main con is cost and time, €350 and its 6 hours each way on a ferry. Add the two together and we probably don't need to go as there is plenty to keep us here but its so annoying that people keep giving us great ideas :). At this stage we are not going but never say never, if this rain hasn't stopped by the time the ferry goes next week we may well be on it and hang the expense.
Our home for the next couple of weeks, if we stay put, is Gythio (Githio), another town with the trademark steep and narrow lanes with the houses hugging the side of Mount Koumaros right down to the sea. We did walk along the beach to town on Sunday, it was a little further than we thought so by the time we arrived we only had an hour or so of daylight left so we had to turn straight around and head back. The further South we go in the Peloponnese the postcard prettier places become and this certainly lives up to that image. It is as much a working town as a holiday destination with the habour having ferries leaving for several islands, as well as cruise ships docking, mainly in summer. We drove through on our way out yesterday and there is plenty there to see and do so tomorrow we will investigate further with a full day in town combined with a visit to the local markets.
Our campsite backs onto Mavrovouni beach, its just over 5km long and at this time of year very peaceful. The sea is crystal clear and very clean, due to this the caretta sea turtles come here to lay their eggs early each summer. Despite the number of campsites and bars along the beach the turtles are looked after by groups of volunteers who monitor the nests and many of the bar owners dig trails for the turtles to make sure they can come up and down the beach without being disturbed by holidaymakers. We are loving the 'modesty huts' on the beaches, it would seem the Greeks like a bit of propriety when changing for a swim – then next door there are beach showers hidden amongst the banana plants so not sure how much modesty goes on in those!
In between rain the olive harvest is taking place all around the area, including on the campsite, its usually done in October / November but for whatever reason its done much later here . For the last few days a couple of guys have been climbing in the trees 'combing' the olives out of the top branches. Then they start up the chainsaw and hack out half the branches before throwing said branches into a mechanical comber to get the olives out of them. Its all very labour intensive, despite the machinery six trees took a full day. There must be 100 trees on the grove so the sound of chainsaws is going to be with us for sometime to come. The better quality olive oil comes from harvests where no machinery is used, the cheapest comes from harvests where full tree shaking machinery is used. As our site is midway between the two we will be buying a bottle of two to bring home and see if we can taste any difference from mass produced supermarket oils.
As Wednesday was Iain's birthday we braved the weather and cleared off for a day out in the van. There is nothing he likes more than clambering up hills in the rain (not!) so I had chosen the medieval fortress-state of Mystras, which is perched on the the side of a mountain, as a suitable destination. Approaching from Sparti we went through Mystras new village and the old city seemed to appear in stages, the castle is at the top of the hill, then there is the palace probably half way up, a monastery to the left and then a dozen or so churches scattered across the hill. Between all this are the remains of the houses, shops and various other buildings that formed the city, together with parts of the two walls that enclosed it all. The castle was built in 1249 but the city took off when the Byzantines became rulers a few years later and the whole hill was covered with the densely populated city when it fell to the Turks in 1460. Whilst the imperial family of Constantinople held power the city became an important cultural centre where the growth of humanistic studies impacted throughout 15th century Europe.
There are two entrances, one near the top of the hill and another midway down. We took the top entrance first, €5 each entry and that covered the lower gate entrance too. The lady who took our money told us the palace was closed for renovation but we should climb to the castle at the top of the hill. Mainly cobbled or with large flat stones as a path we went up, and up, and up. It is one hell of a walk to the top, made so much more interesting by the stone and cobble path being good and slippy. When we finally arrived at the top I have to be honest, we both said "is that it?" Lots of castle walls, yes very old walls but walls all the same, looks better from a distance as some castles do. The views though made the whole trek worthwhile, snowed capped Taygetos mountains on one side and a view across the valley over Sparti (or is it Sparta, it depends on which map you have with you how you spell any town here) to the other. Coming back down was even more entertaining, the two of us slipping and sliding over the stones, discussing just how far the drops over the side were and wondering why we were the only tourists there (what is with people who never go out in the rain, because when it rains we never see anyone out other than in the coffee bars?).
We drove down to second entrance, from where the paths were nowhere near as slippy, and access to the numerous churches, cathedral and the monastery itself. The churches are beautifully restored on the outside, inside they have preserved amazing high quality frescos that date back through the 18 century in some, to the 13th and 14th centuries in others. The monastery is still occupied, although we didn't see anyone we could hear the chatter of the nuns behind the tiny cell doors and the multitude of cats they keep were clear to see, although their donkey was nowhere to be seen. Without a doubt it would be easy to spend a whole day there just wandering around the site. We must be way too touristy because we were both shocked and a little disappointed not to be find a cafe there, all that history and our major concern is where is the cake! After all that traipsing around we were well looking forward to coffee and a good pastry, instead it was back to the van for birthday toast – no, not quite the same.
We drove back through Sparti (Sparta) and we were intending to stop off for a look, but as we came to the edge of town it was one of those 'do we need to' minutes, too many cars, too many people and not enough interest to park up and walk around. I always have the feeling we might be missing something amazing when we bypass out these places but bigger towns are not holding a lot of interest for us when there seems so much to see and do in the villages where its so much easier to park up and get out and about. Neither of us feel that comfortable parking the van in busy towns, we only stopped at Lidl for a couple of bits on the outskirts of Sparti and within minutes there were Roma children begging at the van. Young children probably only 6 or 7 years old but their parents were sat in a van on the otherside of the car-park watching, makes us uneasy so we would rather just avoid the whole thing and keep away from the areas they frequent.


Colorado BBQ Challenge competitor Jonathan Knopf prepares the meat for this weekend's cook-off Tuesday June 13, at his home north of Silverthorne.
On Tuesday morning, pit master Jonathan Knopf started prepping six racks of pork ribs, or about 80 individual ribs. On Saturday, only eight of those will make it into the 10-by-10 inch box he'll deliver to the Colorado BBQ Challenge judge's room in Frisco, where his meats will be rated on appearance, taste and tenderness.
Anything can go wrong over that five-day span, Knopf explained as he deftly trimmed away excess fat from the bottom of a rack at his home north of Silverthorne.
Naturally, something went very wrong at Knopf's first competition 11 years ago in New Jersey: The grease port on his team's smoker clogged, and when they opened it up, a fireball billowed out, singeing mustaches and eyebrows and burning a 3-foot hole in their tent.
There was a bigger problem though — their meat was on fire.
"Teams were coming over with fire extinguishers ready to spray the meat and we said, 'No, no, no!'" Knopf recalled.
Knopf's one-man team, Crazy Coyote, will be one of 66 vying for the coveted Grand Champion title this weekend, not to mention bragging rights for beating some of competitive barbecue's best.
"We've been getting some of the biggest names in the barbecue world, and that's exciting — it shows that we've gotten a pretty big reputation," said Frisco events manager Nora Gilbertson, who is coordinating the BBQ Challenge for the sixth year in a row.
The competition has been around since 1993, when it was just a handful of teams barbecuing in the Historic Park. They decided to make the event a fundraiser for the community, and since then the BBQ Challenge has raised more than $800,000 for county nonprofits, Gilbertson said.
This year, Gilbertson estimated that the event would draw around 35,000 people to the streets of Frisco, more than the entire year-round population of Summit County.
They come to sample the world-class barbecue (around half the competitors sell to the public) but also for a host of other attractions including three days of live music, chef demos, pig races, a whiskey tour and the Bacon Burner 6K run.
Gilbertson said there will also be more than 100 vendor tents selling barbecue, beer and souvenirs.
Amid the revelry, however, cook teams will be working around the clock, sleeping in campers and RVs to keep a close eye on their smokers; barbecuing at high elevation can be tricky, requiring pit masters to adjust their cooking temperatures to ensure judges get that perfect, evenly-cooked bite.
Knopf, now competing for the third time in the BBQ Challenge, recalls the thin air spoiling his first practice cook several years ago. His smoker stopped getting hotter, or "stalled," several degrees short of his ideal cooking temperature, forcing him to leave the meat in longer than usual.
When it came out, he recalled, it practically disintegrated. That may sound mouth-watering to laymen craving fall-off-the-bone ribs, but it runs afoul of the Kansas City Barbecue Society judges' scrupulous standards.
"Cooking for competition is very different from cooking for customers," Knopf explains as he peels away the fatty membrane on the bottom of a rack of ribs — a step skipped by many restaurant pit masters.
That's where he'll catch an hour of sleep here and there after firing up his smoker at midnight on Thursday. Then the playbook takes over, with different meats going on at different times, coordinated for the 10-minute turn-in windows set for each meat category on Saturday.
In the mean time, he'll rarely leave his tent spot, except at least once at 11 a.m. on Saturday for a quick shot of liquor with the other pit masters, a BBQ Challenge tradition.
"The camaraderie is a really big part of what we do," Knopf said.
Other than that, he said, being present throughout the process is key in case something goes wrong.
"What if my grease port clogged and it started a fire?" he asked, grinning.


Paraiso Bay condo offers one of the most unique communities in the world.
The Paraiso Bay offers fabulous living on an exclusive waterfront real estate location in the very center of Miami. Paraison Bay condos are surrounded by water and provide beautifull unobstructed views while taking a relaxing walk contemplating the sunset or an early morning jog around the walking path. Paraiso bay condo living is tranquil, scenic and convenient.
ALL units facing Biscayne Bay with amazing views of South Beach.
Great amenities in the base of both towers , all facing the water.


"I am overjoyed with the IMS program and the services 1st Providers Choice offers. There is no question converting to electronic medical records with 1st Providers Choice is one of the best business decisions I have made to date. The staff is professional, incredibly knowledgeable, terrific instructors and eager to help at a moment's notice. Any transitions made in my practice, e.g., conversion to electronic prescriptions including controlled medications, have been smooth. The protection electronic medical records and escripts provides to me, my practice, my patients and the local pharmacists is appreciated by all.
"I truly feel we have found the right EMR to meet our needs here at Hansen Medical. It meets our patient care and healthcare needs. The staff at 1st Providers Choice has been exceptional helpful and are very knowledgable, very patient and understanding. The system is easy to train on. Beginning, as all new technology, was frustrating.
Using this technology is the future and a platform to grow with our patients and new data.
I have had two chiropractic EMRs within the last two years. Because I practice functional medicine, they could not provide all of the functions I needed to process a comprehensive consultation, examination and SOAP note for me. With the IMS system, I am now able to place all of my nutritional supplementation and extensive patient information in my notes without typing them. Using the touch screen is easy and quick. The software conforms to what I need. It creates templates for all kinds of cases so I don't have to continually say the same thing over and over again. Not only did it provide an extensive neuromusculoskeletal examination with subluxations and joint fixation for the extremities, but an internal examination notes so I can examine the patient's heart, lungs, and other organ systems. I was even able to customize my kinesiological examination along with the appropriate treatment. I don't dread taking notes anymore. But most of all the customer support is there for me. They are friendly, courteous and willing to help in any way they can. I highly recommend 1st Provider's Choice for your office.


One of my favorite writers in Spain, Sue Eatock who lives in Grazalema – Andalucía, has been studying the wildlife in her area for more than 10 years now. In one of her latest articles she explains why Grazalema gets the highest rainfall in Spain.
"Grazalema has the highest rainfall records in Spain'. This is a phrase that is commonly found on the internet, but without further explanation could be very off putting to the holiday maker! Mountains will always alter their local climate where-ever they are in the world, and this is no exception. Note that only a few hours drive away at the eastern end of Andalucia is Europe's only desert!


text:
Q: Is there a way to create an Azure DevOps Task without having to send multiple objects for each value? Is there a way to set --for example-- the title and the team names in one operation instead of doing something like this?
[
    {
        "op": "add",
        "path": "/fields/System.Title",
        "from": null,
        "value": "Test of REST functionality"
    },
    {
        "op": "add",
        "path": "/fields/System.State",
        "from": null,
        "value": "New"
    }
]

If not, what would be the best way to go about creating a method/functions/class that create the object for the work item I'd like to cerate?

A: I'm afraid there's no way to do that in one operation. You have to specify the required field values based on your requirement.
You can reference the following samples to create or update the work items using the API.

*

*Create a bug in Azure DevOps Services using .NET client libraries

*WorkItemsSample

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Keto diet queen shared the exact steps to recreate the crispy snack she craves.
Jenna Jameson is still going strong on the Keto diet. After shedding about 80 pounds on the high-fat, low-carb eating plan, the former adult entertainer is still in her kitchen cooking up Keto-friendly goods. That includes batches of her "savage cabbage" that's risen to Instagram fame. And if you're in the market for a crispy snack, keep reading — Jameson shared exactly how she makes the vegetarian dish.
In an Instagram Story, the keto champion broke it all down. Got a cabbage, some olive oil, and a sheet pan handy? Great! Here's what you do: "First what I do is I wedge [the cabbage]," Jameson shared. "Just cut it, plop it on a pan, drizzle it with olive oil. And when I say drizzle I mean just like rock and roll it." Oh, and by rock and roll it, she means dump on a hefty dose of oil.
Jenna Jameson Celebrates Reaching Her 123-Pound Goal Weight: "Keto Works"
After adding Himalayan sea salt, pepper, and perhaps a bit of paprika, Jameson bakes the cabbage until it's "super crispy." She can't give an exact time, but when it's ready, you'll know. "Just watch it, let it get super crispy," she shared.
Beau Clark Is Out With a Hilarious Cooking Tutorial — Watch!
How Much Do the Kardashians Make for Instagram Diet Ads?
What Happened After Lisa Rinna Drank Cannabis?


text:
Guo Xiang
Chinese philosopher
Last Updated: Jan 1, 2020 See Article History
Alternative Title: Kuo Hsiang
Guo Xiang, Wade-Giles romanization Kuo Hsiang, (died 312 ce, China), Chinese neo-Daoist philosopher to whom is attributed a celebrated commentary on the Zhuangzi, one of the basic Daoist writings.
Guo was a high government official. His Zhuangzizhu ("Commentary on the Zhuangzi") is thought to have been begun by another neo-Daoist philosopher, Xiang Xiu. When Xiang died, Guo is said to have incorporated Xiang's commentary into his own. For this reason the work is sometimes called the Guo-Xiang commentary.
Guo deviated from Laozi in interpreting Dao ("the Way") as nothingness. As nonbeing, Dao does not produce being—that is, it cannot be regarded as a first cause. Guo thus maintained that everything produces itself spontaneously. The "self-transformation" of a thing as well as its existence is conditioned by other things and in its turn conditions them. Applying this general principle to human affairs, Guo argued that social institutions and moral ideas must be changed when situations change. Guo also gave a more positive meaning to the Daoist term wuwei ("nonaction") by interpreting it to mean spontaneous action, not sitting still. In these points Guo deviated from original Daoism, but the result which he inferred from his conception of nonaction agreed with Zhuangzi's thought. For Guo meant also that everything has a definite nature; if it follows its own way, it finds satisfaction and enjoyment; if it is not content with what is, and craves to be what it is not, then there is dissatisfaction and regret. The perfect person (zhenren) ignores all such distinctions as right and wrong, life and death; his happiness is unlimited.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Matt Stefon, Assistant Editor.
Daoism: The scholiasts
…not long afterward annotated by Guo Xiang (died 312), in whose work the fundamental Confucian bias is even more prominent. The writings of these men have in recent years sometimes been called "neo-Daoism," but nothing could be more misleading. Their primary aim was to harmonize Daodejing and Zhuangzi with their…
creation myth: The unknowability of creation
In the Chinese tradition Guo Xiang (died 312 ce) questioned the origin of the basic oscillation of the Daoist movement. For Guo there is no such thing as Non-Being for Being is the only reality. Being could not have evolved from Non-Being nor can it revert to Non-Being. As…
Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
… wrote Sijiufu ("Reminiscence") and, with Guo Xiang, a Neo-Daoist contemporary, the Zhuangzizhu, a famous commentary on the works of the early Daoist philosopher Zhuangzi. The other members of the group were the poet Liu Ling, the musician Ruan Xian, the devout Daoist Shan Dao, and Wang Rong (who was known…
subjects of study
"Zhuangzi"
Dark Learning
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Biography of Guo Xiang
China knowledge - Biography of Guo Xiang

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
<?php

class ModelsResultsetTest extends PHPUnit_Framework_TestCase
{

	public function __construct()
	{
		spl_autoload_register(array($this, 'modelsAutoloader'));
	}

	public function __destruct()
	{
		spl_autoload_unregister(array($this, 'modelsAutoloader'));
	}

	public function modelsAutoloader($className)
	{
		if (file_exists(__DIR__.'/models/'.$className.'.php')) {
			require __DIR__.'/models/'.$className.'.php';
		}
	}

	protected function _getDI()
	{

		Phalcon\DI::reset();

		$di = new Phalcon\DI();

		$di->set('modelsManager', function(){
			return new Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Manager();
		});

		$di->set('modelsMetadata', function(){
			return new Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Metadata\Memory();
		});

		return $di;
	}

	protected function _prepareTestMysql()
	{
		require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
		if (empty($configMysql)) {
			return false;
		}

		$di = $this->_getDI();

		$di->set('db', function(){
			require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
			return new Phalcon\Db\Adapter\Pdo\Mysql($configMysql);
		});

		return true;
	}

	protected function _prepareTestPostgresql()
	{
		require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
		if (empty($configPostgresql)) {
			return false;
		}

		$di = $this->_getDI();

		$di->set('db', function(){
			require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
			return new Phalcon\Db\Adapter\Pdo\Postgresql($configPostgresql);
		});

		return true;
	}

	protected function _prepareTestSqlite()
	{
		require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
		if (empty($configSqlite)) {
			return false;
		}

		$di = $this->_getDI();

		$di->set('db', function(){
			require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
			return new Phalcon\Db\Adapter\Pdo\Sqlite($configSqlite);
		});

		return true;
	}

	public function testResultsetNormalMysql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestMysql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$robots = Robots::find(array(
			'order' => 'id'
		));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function testResultsetBindingMysql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestMysql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$robots = Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function testResultsetNormalPostgresql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestPostgresql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$robots = Robots::find(array('order' => 'id'));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function testResultsetBindingPostgresql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestPostgresql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$robots = Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function testResultsetNormalSqlite()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestSqlite()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$robots = Robots::find(array('order' => 'id'));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function testResultsetBindingSqlite()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestSqlite()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$robots = Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		));

		$this->_applyTests($robots);
	}

	public function _applyTests($robots)
	{

		$this->assertEquals(count($robots), 3);
		$this->assertEquals($robots->count(), 3);

		//Using a foreach
		$number = 0;
		foreach ($robots as $robot) {
			$this->assertEquals($robot->id, $number+1);
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 3);

		//Using a while
		$number = 0;
		$robots->rewind();
		while ($robots->valid()) {
			$robot = $robots->current();
			$this->assertEquals($robot->id, $number+1);
			$robots->next();
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 3);

		$robots->seek(1);
		$robots->valid();
		$robot = $robots->current();
		$this->assertEquals($robot->id, 2);

		$robot = $robots->getFirst();
		$this->assertEquals($robot->id, 1);

		$robot = $robots->getLast();
		$this->assertEquals($robot->id, 3);

		$robot = $robots[0];
		$this->assertEquals($robot->id, 1);

		$robot = $robots[2];
		$this->assertEquals($robot->id, 3);

		$this->assertFalse(isset($robots[4]));

		$filtered = $robots->filter(function($robot){
			if ($robot->id < 3) {
				return $robot;
			}
		});

		$this->assertEquals(count($filtered), 2);
		$this->assertEquals($filtered[0]->id, 1);
		$this->assertEquals($filtered[1]->id, 2);

	}

	public function _applyTestsBig($personas)
	{

		$this->assertEquals(count($personas), 33);
		$this->assertEquals($personas->count(), 33);

		//Using a foreach
		$number = 0;
		foreach ($personas as $persona) {
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 33);

		//Using a while
		$number = 0;
		$personas->rewind();
		while ($personas->valid()) {
			$persona = $personas->current();
			$personas->next();
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 33);

		$personas->seek(1);
		$personas->valid();
		$persona = $personas->current();
		$this->assertEquals(get_class($persona), 'Personas');

		$persona = $personas->getFirst();
		$this->assertEquals(get_class($persona), 'Personas');

		$persona = $personas->getLast();
		$this->assertEquals(get_class($persona), 'Personas');

		$persona = $personas[0];
		$this->assertEquals(get_class($persona), 'Personas');

		$persona = $personas[2];
		$this->assertEquals(get_class($persona), 'Personas');

		$this->assertFalse(isset($personas[40]));

	}

	public function testSerializeNormalMysql()
	{
		require __DIR__.'/config.db.php';
		if (empty($configMysql)) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$this->_prepareTestMysql();

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array('order' => 'id')));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeBindingsMysql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestMysql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		)));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeNormalPostgresql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestPostgresql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array('order' => 'id')));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeBindingsPostgresql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestPostgresql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		)));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeNormalSqlite()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestSqlite()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array('order' => 'id')));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeBindingsSqlite()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestSqlite()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$initialId = 0;
		$finalId = 4;

		$data = serialize(Robots::find(array(
			'conditions' => 'id > :id1: and id < :id2:',
			'bind' => array('id1' => $initialId, 'id2' => $finalId),
			'order' => 'id'
		)));

		$robots = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($robots), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTests($robots);

	}

	public function testSerializeBigMysql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestMysql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$data = serialize(Personas::find(array(
			'limit' => 33
		)));

		$personas = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($personas), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTestsBig($personas);

	}

	public function testSerializeBigPostgresql()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestPostgresql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$data = serialize(Personas::find(array(
			'limit' => 33
		)));

		$personas = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($personas), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTestsBig($personas);

	}

	public function testSerializeBigSqlite()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestSqlite()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$data = serialize(Personas::find(array(
			'limit' => 33
		)));

		$personas = unserialize($data);

		$this->assertEquals(get_class($personas), 'Phalcon\Mvc\Model\Resultset\Simple');

		$this->_applyTestsBig($personas);

	}

	public function testResultsetNormalZero()
	{
		if (!$this->_prepareTestMysql()) {
			$this->markTestSkipped("Skipped");
			return;
		}

		$robots = Robots::find('id > 1000');

		$this->assertEquals(count($robots), 0);
		$this->assertEquals($robots->count(), 0);

		//Using a foreach
		$number = 0;
		foreach ($robots as $robot) {
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 0);

		//Using a while
		$number = 0;
		$robots->rewind();
		while ($robots->valid()) {
			$robots->next();
			$number++;
		}
		$this->assertEquals($number, 0);

		$robots->seek(1);
		$robots->valid();
		$robot = $robots->current();
		$this->assertFalse($robot);

		$robot = $robots->getFirst();
		$this->assertFalse($robot);

		$robot = $robots->getLast();
		$this->assertFalse($robot);

		try {
			$robot = $robots[0];
			$this->assertFalse(true);
		}
		catch(Exception $e){
			$this->assertEquals($e->getMessage(), 'The index does not exist in the cursor');
		}

		try {
			$robot = $robots[2];
			$this->assertFalse(true);
		}
		catch(Exception $e){
			$this->assertEquals($e->getMessage(), 'The index does not exist in the cursor');
		}

		$this->assertFalse(isset($robots[0]));
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Individual needs may vary. Start with 1 half-teaspoon daily and gradually increase to 3 teaspoons (or more, as needed). When bowels are comfortably loose, this is the optimal amount. The total quantity of Natural Calm you are taking may be broken down into two or three portions per day, taken with or without food. For Fastest Results: Place powder in a glass or mug; add approx. 2-3 oz of hot water. Let it fizz, then stir until dissolved. Fill with warm or cold water and enjoy. You can also simply add Calm to a glass or bottle of cold water.
Ingredients: Ionic magnesium citrate (created from a highly absorbable proprietary blend of citric acid and magnesium carbonate), organic orange flavors, organic stevia.
Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, soy, wheat, sugar, starch, preservatives or artificial color or flavor. No added fructose. Cruelty free. Vegetarian formula.


text:
St John's Ben Rhydding
Music for Funerals
Home Growth Groups
CYFA
Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Ben Rhydding Community Choir
Wharfedale Recorded Music
St Johns Environmental Committee
CTI 2000
Malawian Rice Challenge
The Parish of St Johns
Home > Worship > Messy Church
Messy Church is:
Messy Church is a form of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality.
It's primarily for people who don't already belong to another form of church.
It meets at a time (and sometimes in a place) that suits people who don't already belong to church, usually Saturday afternoon.
It typically includes a welcome, a long creative time to explore the biblical theme through getting messy; a short celebration time involving story, prayer, song, games and similar; and a sit-down meal together at tables. All elements are for, and should include, people of all ages, adults and children.
It's all-age.
It's fun.
It's a church for people at all stages of their faith journey and of any age
It models and promotes good ways of growing as a family: a nuclear family, an extended family, and a global and local church family.
'Messy Church Logo Copyright Bible Reading Fellowship © 2013.
See www.messychurch.org.uk


text:
Wednesday | November 27th, 2013
IRS To Look At Groups' Primary Purpose On Political Activity
eddie-adkins
New political activity rules for tax-exempt organizations proposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have some in the sector calling the move an attack on First Amendment free speech rights.
While the rules target 501 (c)(4) organization and political lobbying and activism, they can also apply to 501(c)(3) groups.
Activities that will be counted as political activity under the proposed regulations include voter registration drives, nonpartisan voter guides and events such as debates at which candidates appear. The public will have 90 days to comment on the regulations from the time they're published in the Federal Register.
Organizations classified as 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are permitted to undertake political activity, so long as it does not constitute the group's primary purpose. Nonpartisan activities such as voter registration drives currently are not counted against that threshold. The IRS uses a "facts and circumstances" determination on a case-by-case basis to decide whether a given group's political activity is its primary purpose.
The facts and circumstances test "all very specific to an organization," according to Viveca Novak, editorial and communications director at the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C. "It is subjective and can be ambiguous. What the IRS is trying to do is just have some bright line rules."
According to a Treasury Department, the following constitute political activities.
Communications that expressly advocate for a clearly identified political candidate or candidates of a political party.
Communications that are made within 60 days of a general election (or within 30 days of a primary election) and clearly identify a candidate or political party.
Communications expenditures that must be reported to the Federal Election Commission.
Grants and Contributions
Any contribution that is recognized under campaign finance law as a reportable contribution.
Grants to section 527 political organizations and other tax-exempt organizations that conduct candidate-related political activities (note that a grantor can rely on a written certification from a grantee stating that it does not engage in, and will not use grant funds for, candidate-related political activity).
Activities Closely Related to Elections or Candidates
Voter registration drives and "get-out-the-vote" drives.
Distribution of any material prepared by or on behalf of a candidate or by a section 527 political organization.
Preparation or distribution of voter guides that refer to candidates (or, in a general election, to political parties).
Holding an event within 60 days of a general election (or within 30 days of a primary election) at which a candidate appears as part of the program.
Marcus Owens, the former director of the IRS Tax Exemption Division and now a lawyer at the Washington, D.C. firm Caplin and Drysdale, said, the proposed rule "eliminates some of the tax rule ambiguities and replaces them with election law ambiguities. There's still a lot of uncertainty. There's just different words describing that uncertainty."
Owens believes the regulations go too far in restricting activities that, because of their nonpartisan nature, did not count as political acts. "It means that for groups like the League of Women Voters, which publishes voters' guides, that won't happen in all likelihood," he said. "What we'll be left with is biased guides from political groups. Instead of more objective presentation, the public is going to get bombarded with partisan communications."
Some groups agree with Owens that the proposed regulations go too far, saying that they infringe on free speech. "These proposed new regulations put the First Amendment rights of Americans at even greater risk," Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice in Washington, D.C. said via a statement. "With this move, the Obama Administration opens a new front in its war against political dissent."
Owens points out that some of the activities that the regulations call political activity, such as get-out-the-vote drives and issue communications, are permitted for 501(c)(3) charities and foundations, which are restricted entirely from political activity. "The Treasury has created a harsher rule," he said. "They could have mimicked the standards private foundations have to adhere to but instead went with a shotgun approach that does a disservice to the public."
Gary Bass, executive director of the Bauman Foundation in Washington, D.C., called the proposal "extremely troubling for those who believe in democratic practices." He worries about the implications for 501(c)(3) groups: "If nonpartisan voter registration, get-out-the-vote, etc., are political for (c)4's, how can they not be for (c)3's?" he asked rhetorically.
Bass, like Owens, is critical of the proposal's ambiguity. "Once again, nonprofits don't know what they can do," he said. "The first principle for a rule should be to encourage democratic practice while stifling abuses. This NPRM (notice of proposed rulemaking) abandons such a principle."
Further, he said the proposed rules will have a chilling effect on foundation funding for nonpartisan civic engagement like voter registration. "Even if there is a legal pathway, it will scare the hell out of foundation legal counsel—and encourage foundations to stay out of this area of funding."
Other groups are more optimistic about the proposal. "The proposal is good for no other reason than it gets the ball rolling on a critical issue," said Craig Holman, Ph.D., a government affairs lobbyist with the Washington, D.C. group Public Citizen. "It admirably attempts to offer some clarity in what nonprofit groups can and cannot do and reduces the discretion of the IRS in evaluating activities of nonprofits. Overall, it is a positive step by the Treasury Department."
Fred Wertheimer, president of Democracy 21 in Washington, D.C., agreed. "Democracy 21 applauds the action taken today by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to initiate a rulemaking to address the inadequate rules that have been used by the IRS to determine 501(c)4 tax-exempt status," said Wertheimer in a statement.
This proposal does not deal with the threshold above which 501(c)(4) organizations cannot go with their political activity before losing their exempt status. The Treasury Department will release guidelines on the threshold, according to its release.
« NPT Blog: Leaders Fight For Clear, Fair Political Activity Rules
#Giving Tuesday Triples Year-Over-Year »


A fun listen and a internet cookie for Tom for his awesome pilot but a bit too much metagaming in parts.
It's slightly less of a tragedy when you learn that the main reason that Burke was but in charge of the expedition was that he had "a very impressive mustache" . That expedition could be a Fiasco game.
"What if he just died?" after shooting at the centuries old priest was the best line of the game.
It ended up as a very silly game with a fun concept. Being able to talk to the monsters/cultists makes for an interesting Cthulhu game, for sure.


A charming and simple game for very young children (and sad old farts who collect football games).
Two goals, two paddle players, a metal dividing barrier and hours of fun!
Plastic pitch, two paddle players, central dividing rod, lovely ball and clever pitch surround.
Not really anything to say - big slab of plastic on a long rod!
Nice elastic pitch surround, well designed.
Lovely ball, a ball bearing inside a plastic ball shell.


text:
Q: Html.imageGetter don't show img in Base64 android I am trying to show a img in Base64 with Html.fromHtml
I have a tag  with Base64 string of one image.
That is my code:
public class GlossaryAdapter extends BaseAdapter{

    ...
    private Resources res;

    public GlossaryAdapter(Context context, ...) {
        this.res = context.getResources();
        ...
    }

    public View getView(int position, View convertView, ViewGroup arg2) {
        ...
        holder.tvContent.setText(Html.fromHtml(glossary.getContent(), new Html.ImageGetter() {
        @Override
        public Drawable getDrawable(String source) {
                try {
                     byte[] data;
                     data = Base64.decode(source,Base64.DECODE);
                     Bitmap bitmap = BitmapFactory.decodeByteArray(data, 0, data.length);
                     return new BitmapDrawable(res, bitmap);
                } catch (IOException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                    return null;
                }
            }
        }, null));

glossary.getContent() contains:
<img src="AAAY5671NF..." />

I tested this string in a html page and works. Show the image.
I am using Android 1.6.
And this Base64 class: http://androidcodemonkey.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-base64-encode-decode-android.html
I got no errors. But nothing is showing.
If I change the return to 'null' I got a small gray square.
any ideas?

A: After a long time...
get imageBytes(BLOB) from db.
Enconde to Base64 and pass to src.
Decode and set bounds of bitmap.
Works!
@Override
    public Drawable getDrawable(String source) {
            try {
                 byte[] data;
                 data = Base64.decode(source,Base64.DECODE);
                 Bitmap bitmap = BitmapFactory.decodeByteArray(data, 0, data.length);
                 Drawable d = new BitmapDrawable(res, bitmap);
                 d.setBounds(0,0,72,72)   // <-----
                 return d;
            } catch (IOException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
                return null;
            }
        }


Tallowwood is an extremely hard, durable and versatile Australian native hardwood species. Its timber products are suitable for a wide range of applications. With its warm golden honey colour, its exceptional durability and its interesting grain features it is highly sought after by Designers and Architects.
Tallowwood offers an elegant neutral toned palette, with no compromise on durability (termite and rot resistance). A large tree that grows in the dryer climates of Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland, Tallowwood is one of the original timber species used for hardwood flooring in Australia and is used for a wide range of applications.


The driving force behind trans-agrar is Barbara Sabel.
Barbara holds a degree in Translation (English and Spanish) and has a passion for the English language. Some 20 years ago, she discovered another passion – namely for agricultural machinery. Barbara then turned this subject field and the English language into a powerful combination that inspired the self-explanatory 'trans-agrar' brand name.
As globalisation gathers pace, customer requirements become more sophisticated, and that includes the range of languages. Consequently, trans-agrar has expanded to become an international network of specialist translators who are coordinated from Heidelberg.
Barbara Sabel herself translates between English and German while acting as a project manager for multilingual projects. Combining linguistic skills with in-depth knowledge of the subject matter (something of an exception in the agency landscape), she adds real added value to translations bearing the trans-agrar hallmark in the form of expert supervision and the classic 'four-eyes' principle.
In parallel, Barbara Sabel is conducting academic research into an area she has defined as 'Cultural differences in technical journalism and how translators can bridge the gap'. She has already presented her initial findings at international congresses in Berlin and Chicago.
Another area of interest outside the day-to-day business is the problematic nature of 'Scientific language in English and German'. Barbara has designed and run courses for German native speakers who are keen to adapt their written style to make it more reader-friendly prior to publication in English.
Barbara Sabel plays an active role in the German Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ), where she also serves in a mentoring capacity. She is also a member of the German Terminology Association (DTT) and the Association of Literary Translators (VdÜ). In the past, Barbara has organised advanced training courses for budding translators at the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences and lectured at Cologne University of Applied Sciences and the University of Heidelberg.
At trans-agrar, we translate content rather than words. For this reason, we do not hold back from checking with the author. That's because proper understanding is the first step on the way to a correct translation. Consequently, only technical translators with the relevant professional experience are recruited to the trans-agrar team. When translating, our guiding principle is "What would the text look like if it had been originally composed in the target language?".
At trans-agrar, we pride ourselves on being a provider of premium-quality translations with an agricultural content.
At trans-agrar, we believe in transparency.


The Obamacare $685,000,000 debacle will surely influence how people vote on the Jackson Health Upgrades on the ballot in the November 5th Miami-Dade Election. However, by itself, the issue raises troubling questions. This referendum was funded by a PAC calling itself Citizens for a Healthy Miami-Dade, and according to their Campaign Treasurer Reports much of the money raised came from special interest groups. For an interesting discussion on this point, see Examiner articles at: http://www.examiner.com/article/vote-no-on-jackson-health-upgrades. Taxpayers currently give JMH $350 Million a year and now they're asking for $830 Million more? We have become all too familiar with waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse. Enough is enough. The SIB Reporter recommends Vote NO on the Jackson Health Upgrades.


text:
(thing) by aneurin Thu Oct 25 2001 at 19:17:30
The Temptations' tenth studio album released in February 1969 as Gordy 939 , an imprint of Motown Records.
The group line up was,
Melvin Franklin
Original track listing
I Heard it Through the Grapevine
Runaway Child, Running Wild
Why Did She Have to Leave Me(Why Did She Have to Go)
I Need Your Loving
Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me
I Gotta Find a Way (to Get You Back)
Gonna Keep on Tryin' Till I Win Your Love
Cloud Nine is the album that marks the beginning of the Temptation's psychedelic soul phase; in comes Dennis Edwards as replacement for David Ruffin, in come the conga drums and the wah-wah pedals, the socially relevant lyrics and the marathon funk mini-epics. It also marks the point at which Norman Whitfield takes effective control of the group's direction; with the sole exception of Hey Girl (a Carole King/Gerry Goffin composition), every track comes from the stable of Norman Whitfield/Barret Strong.
The album features the two big hits Cloud Nine (which has all five of the Temptations sharing the lead) and Runaway Child, Running Wild, nine and-a-half minutes worth of a funky blues groove (oddly reminiscent of the Doors circa Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Cafe). Both of which served to define that psychedelic soul sound.
Not that they completely abandoned the conventions of the Motown sound; there are also sweet orchestrated ballads such as Hey Girl as well as danceable soul like Why Did She Have To Leave (Why Did She Have To Go), and I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back) the latter as good an example of the classic Motown groove as you'll ever find, featuring some of that old James Jamerson bass magic.
There's even a version of Heard It Through The Grapevine, already a hit for both Gladys Knight and the Pips and Marvin Gaye. All of which makes the album something of a mixed bag as if they couldn't quite shake off that Sound of Young America thing quite yet.
I'm riding high on cloud nine
You're as free as a bird in flight
There's no difference between day and night
It's a world of love and harmony
You're a million miles from reality, cloud nine
(thing) by Gamaliel Sun Dec 02 2001 at 21:04:12
A 1987 album by George Harrison, produced by future Traveling Wilburys bandmate Jeff Lynne. Though most of the attention and praise for Harrison's solo work is lavished on the triple album All Things Must Pass, as it should be, this little gem is often overlooked. At the time, it was his first album in five years, and it was a commercial success, mostly on the strength of the hit single "Got My Mind Set on You", as well as a critical one. As a result, Harrison returned to the public eye for a few years in the late 80s and early 90s, touring sucessfully and working with the Wilburys until he retreated into the obscurity of his private life again, where he would largely remain until his death.
The album is perhaps best described as insubstantial, not in the sense of being inconsequential or lightweight, but etheral, intangible pop tunes without the mystical freight of some of his other work. The cover, with Harrison in mirror shades and a Hawaiianesque shirt, clearly indicate he's having fun here, but it's not all upbeat, as the clouds behind him are tinged with grey.
1. Cloud 9
2. That's What It Takes
3. Fish on the Sand
4. Just for Today
5. This Is Love
6. When We Was Fab
7. Devil's Radio
8. Someplace Else
9. Wreck of the Hesperus
10. Breath Away from Heaven
11. Got My Mind Set on You
(idea) by Oktober Wed Jan 08 2003 at 19:28:23
The phrase 'to be on Cloud Nine' means to be in a state of utter bliss, elation or euphoria. Apparantly, this expression originates from the United States Weather Bureau, from around the 1950s. They categorize clouds into types, nine being a cumulonimbus (the massive ones with flat bottoms and rounded tops) - the highest type.
Cumulonimbus clouds occur at around 30-35,000 feet, so being on cloud nine was supposed to be as high as you'd want to get !
RoguePoet thinks that another source could be The Nine Choirs Of Angels - the highest of which is The Seraphim, ninth. The other end could be the nine circles of hell, of which a writeup can be found here. Might be on to something, but I definately have seen the nine types of clouds mentioned in two or three places. Anyone have any other perspectives on this ?
(thing) by anyend Sun May 22 2005 at 10:30:44
Cloud 9 is an idiom for a state of joy, euphoria, or extreme happiness. Usually "cloud 9" is coupled with the "on" preposition.
"Those chocolate bunny ears were so good I was on cloud 9! I love consuming simulated fluffy animals!"
There are a couple theories regarding this expression's origin. An early cloud classification system had nine levels of cloud classification. The cumulonimbus clouds, the most fluffy cotton candyish of clouds, were slotted in at the 9 position. Clouds, heaven, angels have long been associated. A true state of euphoria might be considered being up on the cloud 9 level, upon the most aesthetically pleasing of clouds.
Alternatively, the number 9 is considered a very pure number. It's a trinity of trinities. Three times three. Hence the expression "dressed to the nines", which means well dressed. So being up on a cloud numbered 9 is surely a good thing, if you adhere to a childhood fantasy of heaven. For those who believe oxygen deprivation has the greater downside, well, it's a somewhat silly allusion.
A strong possibility for the origin comes to us from Buddhism. In Buddhism one ascends 10 clouds. Cloud 9 is a state of enlightenment, where one's acts are done without regard for the self. However, the expression's popular use makes this suspect. Being on cloud 9 almost always refers to a rather selfish state of self satisfaction.
(person) by gnarl Sat Apr 10 2010 at 11:00:30
One man is known to have fallen from cloud nine and survived.
Cumulonimbus incus, referred to as cloud nine by cloudspotters, can reach heights of 65,000 feet only stopping in growth at the borders of the troposphere and stratosphere, where its anvil of ice crystals spreads out, feeding negative charged ice crystals into the storm inside. All airplanes fly over or around these clouds as passing through could destroy them.
In the late 60s, Lt. Cl. William Rankin was on a routine flight in an F8U-209 Crusader jet and at around 47 thousand feet passing over a cumulonimbus cloud when his engine lost power. He pulled the lever to transfer auxiliary power, but that broke off in his hand. He had to eject.
As he free fell into the thundercloud, although he was able to put on his oxygen mask, his body expanded in decompression, and all exposed skin began to frostbite, numbing him from the sharp pain he initially felt. Battered by large hailstones, after ten minutes of falling, when he thought he was at 10,000 feet his parachute opened. Then his real troubles began.
Winds kept him in the cloud for another half hour, pulling him up and down as far as 6000 feet, twirling him around until he vomited, thrusting him through thick rain that he had to hold his breath to keep from drowning, lifting him up into his chute or looping around it. The hundreds of thousands of hailstones were picking up electrons from hitting ice crystals, building up the charge that causes lightning, which Rankin experienced as seeing huge blue blades several feet thick. The extreme heat of lightning (27,000 degrees C) explodes the air around it in millionths of a second, resulting in thunder.
"I didn't just hear the thunder,' Rankin later wrote, 'I felt it."
Convinced of his death, the afterimage of a fork behind his chute gave him the vision of a glowing cathedral, and as this burned away, he found he was in less turbulence and thinner rain, and was soon tangled into a tree in a Carolina pine forest. With no broken limbs, he orientated himself to a road, and was picked up and taken to hospital: heavily bruised, covered in frostbite, with the impressions of his flight jacket's stitches over his body from expanding 10 miles up on cloud nine, and hoping to be back in the skies by the next month.
He died at the age of 89 in 2009.
(this was inspired by reading about it in The Cloudspotter's Guide. Rankin wrote a book a year after his experience, now out of print, called 'The Man Who Rode the Thunder'; every single review online of the book is enthusiastic. In 1975, skydiver Mike Mount was also sucked into a cumulonimbus at a height of 4500 feet and had a similar experience inside.)
Everything2 Decaversary Interviews: gnarl E Ticket Cloud 9 Pilgrimage to tourists' paradise
Wreck of the Hesperus Sonnet LXXX Throw me to the sky and let the clouds tear me up The Cloudspotter's Guide
Devil's Radio China Drum This Is Love The Traveling Wilburys
George Harrison Seventh heaven The X-Files July 7, 2002
I would like to step out of my heart and go walking beneath the enormous sky This bridge that is my back See You In Heaven When I am an old man
How far can an animal fall and survive? The Star Trek Project
Drinking Alone in the Moonlight
Socioeconomic mobility in both directions
Cloak and Dagger


Helsetek is a foodtech startup with focus on developing new products based on fermentation of crops.
Helsetek has been a part of the Accelerace accelerator program, that help startup companies accelerate and scale up their business model and finetune their companies. Helsetek is one of more than 500 companies that Accelerace already have accelerated.


Click the button below to add the Organic Cotton Table Runner (20" x 93") - Pale Aqua to your wish list.
An eco-chic pale aqua table runner can accent any eco friendly dining table or side table to match any casual or dressed up dining occasion. What makes this linen organic? Made in the USA, this lime table runner is made using fair trade, certified organic cotton fabric dyed with water based pigments that have been screened for biodegradability. Use this Pale Aqua table runner on its own or layered under a small Whispering Grass light blue table runner. Eco Care: For the lowest impact on the environment, hand wash or wash in cold water using an eco-friendly detergent and hang to dry.


text:
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA02;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB08;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB09;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA04;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA05;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB02;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB11;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB10;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PB21;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA11;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA10;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA22;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA23;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA15;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA20;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA07;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA18;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA16;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA19;
extern const pin_obj_t pin_PA17;

#endif  // __MICROPY_INCLUDED_ATMEL_SAMD_BOARDS_FEATHER_M0_BASIC_PINS_H__


text:
NEWSWEEK MAG: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY TO HOST REBUTTAL (Morano speaks) TO DEM 2020 CLIMATE FORUM
Less than half a mile away from where at least nine candidates, including Senator Bernie Sanders, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang are slated to speak, the College Republicans will host their own panel of speakers.Titled, "Climate Forum: a Rebuttal," Rowan Saydlowski, vice president of Georgetown's College Republicans, said in a statement that the event's goal was to provide an "alternative perspective" for students.
On Thursday night, Georgetown students will have the choice to attend the climate forum or the rebuttal.For those opting for the rebuttal, they'll have the chance to listen to five speakers, identified as the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow's Marc Morano and Paul Driessen, CO2 Coalition's Caleb Rossiter and Patrick Michaels and the Institute for Energy Research's Kenny Stein.
In 2016, Morano discussed his film, Climate Hustle, with scientist Bill Nye. During a clip of their meeting, Nye asked Morano if he agreed that 2015 was the hottest year on record, to which he responded that he agreed that was what government agencies claimed.Morano has accused people of using global warming as a fearmongering tactic and in April, dismissed former Representative Beto O'Rourke's climate change plan, claiming that carbon dioxide was not pollution and calling his plan a "tepid" Green New Deal.
Morano to speak at Georgetown University – Climate skeptics to counter MSNBC Democrat candidate forum at university
Morano's talk is titled: 'Climate emergency' CANCELLED! Politicians cannot legislate weather, storms and the climate.
https://www.newsweek.com/climate-change-georgetown-forum-rebuttal-1460034
BY JENNI FINK ON 9/19/19 AT 3:00 AM EDT
College Republicans at Georgetown University will host an event on campus to counter a climate change forum that is set to feature a number of 2020 democratic presidential candidates.
In coordination with Our Daily Planet, Georgetown's Institute of Politics and Public Service will host two days of climate change-centric conversations between presidential candidates and young voters. Moderated by MSNBC hosts Chris Hayes and Ali Velshi, the event will be a town-hall-style event and streamed live.
Less than half a mile away from where at least nine candidates, including Senator Bernie Sanders, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and entrepreneur Andrew Yang are slated to speak, the College Republicans will host their own panel of speakers.
Titled, "Climate Forum: a Rebuttal," Rowan Saydlowski, vice president of Georgetown's College Republicans, said in a statement that the event's goal was to provide an "alternative perspective" for students.
The upcoming presidential election will be the first election many college-aged voters will be able to participate in and it makes sense that a climate change discussion would be hosted on campus since several polls identified it as a top issue for the young voting demographic. College Reaction, a polling and research company, released a survey in September that found almost 31 percent of respondents put climate change as their number one issue, followed by the economy and health care.
On Thursday night, Georgetown students will have the choice to attend the climate forum or the rebuttal.
For those opting for the rebuttal, they'll have the chance to listen to five speakers, identified as the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow's Marc Morano and Paul Driessen, CO2 Coalition's Caleb Rossiter and Patrick Michaels and the Institute for Energy Research's Kenny Stein.
The speakers have been criticized for being climate change skeptics and even deniers for raising questions or outright rejecting claims about the extent to which climate change was caused by humans.
In 2016, Morano discussed his film, Climate Hustle, with scientist Bill Nye. During a clip of their meeting, Nye asked Morano if he agreed that 2015 was the hottest year on record, to which he responded that he agreed that was what government agencies claimed.
Morano has accused people of using global warming as a fearmongering tactic and in April, dismissed former Representative Beto O'Rourke's climate change plan, claiming that carbon dioxide was not pollution and calling his plan a "tepid" Green New Deal.
"GUCR does not necessarily endorse every view of every speaker we bring; however, we see our role at the university as providing a platform for right-wing perspectives where there otherwise may not be a space for them," Saydlowski said in a statement.
While the majority of speakers at Georgetown's Climate Forum were Democratic presidential candidates, it wasn't the only party set to be represented. Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, who is challenging President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, will also attend.
Over the weekend, Weld shared his plan for dealing with climate change in New Hampshire. Among the list of actions he would take would be to rejoin the Paris Climate agreement and make the United States carbon neutral by 2050. He criticized Trump for having a plan that would be "doing nothing at all."
Mo Elleithee, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service, in a statement, credited the event with being a "tremendous opportunity" for candidates to "dive deep" into the issue while engaging with young voters.
Filed under: debate, mediacd


text:
ACCEPTED

#### According to
The Catalogue of Life, 3rd January 2011

#### Published in
Darwiniana 16(1-2): 356 (1970)

#### Original name
Scleroderma hypogaeum var. michiganense Guzmán, 1967

### Remarks
null


Hey there Pals i' m back again with new short article today in this we share See Who Visited Your Facebook Profile App? In net there are several facebook application which asserts that their customers can quickly figure out the persons "Who have actually visited their facebook profile", but all those apps are working. Facebook is one of one of the most popular as well as commonly utilized social networking internet site worldwide, most of us knows that. That there are countless fake Facebook account are still active, you must care for your Facebook profile, But you have seen a great deal of Facebook individuals getting deceived by third-party apps and sites. Such websites assert to show you a checklist of users Who visited your Facebook profile, however they take your personal info instead.
Yes, You can! Though there are no main means, you can do it taking advantage of a 'Who viewed my Facebook profile lately Chrome extension'.
Yes, you could actually learn Who has viewed my Facebook profile by utilizing genuine, functioning and trusted apps and also sites as well as, during my research, i have learnt several ways for that. I am uncertain concerning it' s legitimacy, however.
Today most of us likes to figure out Who is more thinking about him and it is a human propensity, It has actually made this undeclared showcased of facebook as a most desired function. So pals we back to the point. As I said it is not advised to utilize any kind of third party facebook application blindly. However it is not entirely impossible to understand Who takes a look at my facebook.
" is by utilizing a Google Chrome extension named Social Profile view notification. The best thing about this expansion is that it is available absolutely free on Chrome Apps store, and it lets you see your account visitors on social media sites. To get begun with it, adhere to the actions stated below.
- Currently go to https://www.facebook.com and also log in with the account to understand Who Watched My Facebook Profile Not Buddies.
- Then you will see that there is one more alternative called "Visitor" have been added.
If you are not pleased with the above approach to find out Who saw your Facebook Profile, after that could use hands-on approach and it function pretty exact and far better than Chrome expansion. Just merely follow listed below mentioned steps and before starting, just make certain you are logged right into Facebook with your account.
- Browse through https://www.facebook.com, After that You will see your news feed. But you need to be at your timeline below. So click the first name of your own given on heaven navigation bar on the top of the websites.
- Right Click anywhere on the web-page to obtain the menu. And, Now click on the view page source tiny menu. You can additionally push your key-board CTRL+U rather. Now you concern both action result.
- Currently, you could see a long web page with incomprehensible code. Press Ctrl+ F at this action to obtain the search box. After that, look for "InitialChatFriendList" without quotes.
- As you can see in this photo, number of numbers after this text. Those are facebook account Who Lately saw your facebook profile. To see Who those IDs are check Who saw your facebook profile, you should include the very same 'facebook.com/' and enter into your address bar of your internet browser.
So pals I am uncertain about the readability of this technique. As I claimed previously, I got this one during my study. The very first approach id restricted for it shows individuals with Facebook Profile Notification extension only.
just recently can be learnt making use of over mentioned methods. If you are the one Who was curious to know about your Facebook account site visitors, after that you utilize it to find out them. It's great to see Who checked out Facebook account as might discovered some mutual friends among them and you might discover some new friends also.
", you could let me know of it by going down a remark below. I will connect to you as early as possible to fix the concern.


, choices the top libraries together with best quality only for you, and this photos is considered one of pictures libraries in our very best graphics gallery about Fix My Resume. I am hoping you might as it.
published by means of designlover with 2018-08-15 21:31:41. To view many photos in Fix My Resume images gallery please follow this specific url.
Always remembers to explore the following image album, which also includes the Fix My Resume With Fix My Resume Fresh Elegant Cover Letter Writing Service Awesome picture showed above. If you have any thoughts, questions or just want to say hello to other people, please do not hestitate to submit your opinion/ideas via the following comment form.


Meet Edmir A. wearing Edmir A.
Home Crew Meet Edmir A. wearing Edmir A.
I grew up in Bosnia and have been in Berlin since '91.
What did you do before you came to work at ic! berlin?
The wonderful air, the lovely people, the peace and quiet.. but most of all the fact that you can get a döner anywhere!


your career plan begins at e & s academy. there are three main reasons you should have a career plan.
3.	protect your family e&s academy is a family-owned institution. since the start of our organization, we�ve had success giving valuable education while offering a positive environment. we are known for our hospitality and our expertise in the medical training industry.


text:
Posts Tagged 'society'
Shame on Racist Air France!
In: Business Stories
Indian passengers flying Air France allege racial bias
Mumbai, INDIA:Over 50 Indian passengers flying Air France had a "harrowing" time at Paris airport after their aircraft developed a technical problem and complained on Tuesday on reaching here that they were victims of "racial" profiling.
The passengers, who spent 28 hours in Paris, said they were confined to a lounge at the airport there from 10 pm on Sunday till 7 am the next morning and given "hardly any food and water".
The passengers, on their way to Mumbai from the US via Paris, said while the other Nationals were taken to hotels shortly after their plane returned to the Paris airport due to apparent technical problem following a four-hour flight, Indians were taken to the lounge and given just a bottle of water and a sandwich.
Giving details of their "harrowing" time, one of the travellers, Vineeta Sengupta said, "No foreigner would have been treated like the way Indians were treated. People were lying down on the floor over there (at a place at the airport) where immigration takes place".
Accusing Air France of "racial" profiling, a girl passenger said that the officials there even had threatened that they would be handed over to the police if they did not stop protesting.
Sengupta said the 53 to 54 Indian passengers were later "huddled out" of the airport on a "group visa", which the authorities could have provided much earlier, and taken to a hotel.
No reason has officially been given for the delay.
Tags: air france, air france flight, air travel, community, culture, francais, france, news, paris airport, people, racial bias, racism, racist, reviews, society, thoughts, tourism, travel, update, us via paris
Britons DUMP their PETS as recession bites
In: pets
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in UK said the number of abandoned animals soared 57 percent last year to 11,586 the equivalent of more than 30 a day.
Britons may have a reputation as animal-lovers but they are increasingly dumping their pets as they struggle to cope with the impact of economic downturn.
The number of abandoned cats was up by 50 percent and a third more dogs were discarded, the charity said. Horses, farm animals and exotic pets were also being chucked out.
In addition to the actual numbers being thrown out, there had also been a 52 percent rise in inquiries from the public looking to give up their pets.
Tim Wass, chief officer of the RSPCA inspectorate, said the cause was "everything to do with the economics about owning a pet" from paying for food to veterinary bills.
"It's a huge rise and I'm afraid that we can only point to economics to find a solution to the current problem," he told BBC radio.
"It's affecting pretty much every animal. We're really struggling to cope at the moment." Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Britain's best-known animal refuge centre, located in south London, said in December it was at bursting point after taking in more than a thousand more strays than it had done a year earlier.
Tags: ABONDONED ANIMALS, animals, bitch, canine, CAT, cat images, cat pictures, CATS, cheshire cat, dalmatian, deary, dog, dog pictures, dogs, domestic, economy, farm animals, feline, gee, great dane, health, hound, images, kennel, kitling, kitten, kitty, labrador, news, pat, pet, pets, photos, polecat, pooch, poodle, precious, pug, puppy, pussy, random, recession, rspca, show dog, society, species, veterinary
Taliban – A Nuclear Threat?
Taliban militants have extended their grip in northwestern Pakistan, pushing out from a valley where the government has agreed to impose Islamic law and patrolling villages as close as 60 miles from the capital.
Police and officials appear to have fled as armed militants also broadcast radio sermons and spread fear in Buner district, just 60 miles from Islamabad, officials and witnesses said Wednesday.
The fall of the district, Buner, did not mean that the Taliban could imminently threaten Islamabad. But it was another indication of the gathering strength of the insurgency and it raised new alarm about the ability of the government to fend off an unrelenting Taliban advance toward the heart of Pakistan.
In recent days, the Swat militants have set their sights on Buner, a district just south of the valley, sparking at least one major clash with residents. The moves indicate the militants want to expand their presence beyond Swat to other parts of Malakand at the very least, under the guise of enforcing Islamic law.
Many in Buner are now too frightened to speak to reporters. However, a lawmaker from the area told The Associated Press that the militants had entered the district in "large numbers" and started setting up checkpoints at main roads and strategic positions.
Critics, including in Washington, have warned that the valley could become an officially sanctioned base for allies of al-Qaida — and that it may be just the first domino in nuclear-armed Pakistan to fall to the Taliban.
Pakistan Nuclear Missiles Beging Guarded by PAK Army
The U.S. has been keeping a watchful eye on Pakistan's nukes since it first detonated a series of devices a decade ago.
"Pakistan has taken important steps to safeguard its nuclear weapons, although vulnerabilities still exist," Army General Michael Maples, chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month. Then, he immediately turned to the threat posed by al-Qaeda, which, along with the Taliban, is sowing unrest in Pakistan.
"Al-Qaeda continues efforts to acquire chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials," he said, "and would not hesitate to use such weapons if the group develops sufficient capabilities."
Nowhere in the world is the gap between would-be terror-martyrs and the nuclear weapons they crave as small as it is in Pakistan.
Nor is their much comfort in the fact that Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal who was recently ordered freed from house arrest by the country's supreme court, was the Johnny Appleseed of nuclear proliferation, dispatching the atomic genie to Iran, Libya and North Korea. But U.S. and Pakistani officials insist it is important to separate Pakistan's poor proliferation record with what is, by all accounts, a modern and multilayered system designed to protect its nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
Tags: afganistan, al-qaeda, alquadea, bomb, buner, extremists, fata, images, militants, north west frontier province, nuclear, pakistan, pakistani taliban, photos, shariah, society, swat, talib, taliban, taliban fighters, terror, terrorists, threat, war, war on terror
Top Celebrity Gamblers – SNAPS
In: gambling Alerts
Nothing represents the best of the VIP world better than celebrity gamblers. They are rich, successful, and glamorous. These luminaries make the best out of the luxurious and pampering lifestyle that is offered to them by casinos, tournaments and basically anywhere they go, simply for their star appeal!
George Clooney, former star of E.R. and numerous hit films such as Solaris, Intolerable Cruelty and Syriana, did not only star in gambling related movies such as Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12, but has also taken an active role in the gambling business when he invested an unknown sum of money in a $3 billion resort in a Las Vegas. He is the co-owner of Las Ramblas, a casino-hotel-condominium complex.
George Clooney has invested $3 billion in Vegas casino complex.
"I wanted it to be like old Vegas and old Hollywood. It's going to be a classy joint," Said Clooney.
Ben Affleck, star of hit movies such as Pearl Harbor, Armageddon and Daredevil is said to be the most serious gambler in Hollywood. In June 2004, the 31-year-old actor bested a field of 90 poker players in the Commerce Casino's California State Poker Championship, including professional player Stan Goldstein, who finished 2nd and Chuck Pacheco, president and co-founder of Castle Rock Entertainment, who finished in 3rd place.
Affleck won $356,400 in that event and a $25,000 seat in the 2005 World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship.
Jennifer Tillly
Jennifer Tilly, is a veteran and semi-professional poker player. The star of The Fabulous Baker Boys, Bullets Over Broadway and Bound, is a regular at tournaments.
In 2005, Tilly won a World Series of Poker bracelet and $158,625 in the Ladies' No-Limit Texas Holdem event while outlasting 600 other players. She is the first non-poker celebrity to win a World Series of Poker event. She followed up this achievement and won the third World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament held at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles in September 2005.
After her victory she appeared on The Tonight Show on NBC to talk about her experience at the WSOP, and garnered a cover article in CardPlayer magazine the following month.
Tobey Maguire, Spiderman himself, was one of the players that were defeated by Ben Affleck at the Commerce Casino's California State Poker Championship but he soon made a strong comeback when in October 2004 he won $186,000 at a $2,000 buy-in tournament at the Hollywood Park Casino.
Matt Damon, the star of Dogma, Saving Private Ryan and The Talented Mr. Ripley, is also the star of one of the best poker movies ever made, Rounders. During the filming of Rounders, Damon and co-star Edward Norton were coached by poker legend Johnny Chan.
A famous line that Damon had in the movie touches on the view that he admits he has on poker: "Why do you think the same six guys end up at the final table at the world series of poker every year? Are they the luckiest guys in Las Vegas? No, it's because they've got skills."
Hugh Hafner
American publisher and founder of Playboy magazine. Hugh Marston Hefner, icon and spokesman for the 1960s sexual revolution and libertarian ideals, was born in Chicago in 1926. He opened his "Playboy Casino Clubs" which in less than two years had expanded to 12 nationally; and he held casino licenses in Atlantic City and Britain.
Mathew Perry usually goes to Bellagio hotel casino in Las Vegas with his pals to play casino games.
Tags: ben affleck, casino, celeb, celebrity, championship, daredevil, elite, friends, gamblers, gambling, games, gaming, george clooney, glamorous, hollywood, Hugh Hafner, jennifer tilly, las vegas, life, lifestyle, luxury, Mathew Perry, Matt Damon, media, people, photo, photograph, photos, pictures, playboy club, poker, poker players, rich, snaps, society, stars, successful, Tobey Maguire, us, usa, vip, vips