I've had three days where the majority of my operating has been on 40m SSB and almost all the QSOs I've had have been good proper chats. Don't get me wrong, I love the quick fire operating style where one just works station after station in quick succession but it's always nice to slow things down and actually talk to people for more than just a couple of seconds and that's what I've been doing this week.
On day #136 all QSOs except the last one were on 40m – I worked DG5BKM, Marco who's located on a farm near Hamburg followed by MX0NCC/P, Gary who was on holiday in Great Yarmouth. After that I had a chat with PD4RM, Hans in Zevenaar in the Netherlands and then directly after working Hans I was called by G3LWM, Jeff. I've known Jeff for many years as he used to live near me and it turns out that he's moved down to Somerset. It was a real surprise to be called by him and we had a quick chat. After that I spoke to MW0MAU, Mark who is 10m north of Cardiff.
To finish off day #136 I switched over to 80m specifically to try and work G5FZ who were scheduled to be operating on 3,617kHz to commemorate Guy Gibson and 617 SQD RAF taking off from RAF Scampton (two miles east of their shack) to bomb the Ruhr dams with Barnes Wallace's bouncing bomb. I have to admit to some concerns about this commemoration and that some people may consider it to be in bad taste but a read of their website here soon made me agree with them and think otherwise. This period of operation attracted a lot of attention and when they finally appeared, somewhat later than their scheduled starting time of 21:39, there was a huge pileup. The operator did a good job of handling it and first worked his way through the numbers before opening up for anyone to call. Within an hour or so the pileup had diminished and not only did I work them using the callsign of the Martello Tower Group but they were also worked using my son's callsign of M6DHU with his limited power of just 10 watts.
After work on day #137 I had a tune around the higher bands and exchanged a quick 5-9 report with Vlad, 6W/RK4FF in Senegal on 15m before changing back to 40m and working EA1XF, Carlos in Gijon, northern Spain, OS4S, Wim in Gent and MX0HFC, Bob at the Humber Fortress club.
To finish off these three days, on day #138 I first worked M3HJH, Harry in Hyde near Manchester, M3ZXX, Kel in Ironbridge and finally GI7FHU, Ian in Gilford, Northern Ireland, all on 40m again.
A few days ago I mentioned my logbook in this blog. I was really quite surprised by one of the stations I worked in the last three days who told me that he'd not made a note of my callsign as he doesn't keep a logbook and he only used my callsign the once when he replied to me. Now I know that it's not a legal requirement in the UK (and other countries) to keep a log but this did make me feel a little sad that this station wasn't keeping any record at all of who he spoke to and will have nothing to refer back to in the future. I know I won't be sending him a QSL card as if he has no record of the contact, he certainly can't confirm it!


This is the very first time a post something other than a comment.
This is the best I have to offer, I did it myself through iMovie (first and only time I used it therefore be patient), comes from videos downloaded from YouTube (huge thanks again to all uploaders including Brian May!) as well as from mines.
I hope this works and is good enough for all of you.
This also serves as a big thank you for all the shares you all granted over the years and will also upload in the future.
I wish you all a wonderful and queenie 2018!
Thank you!!! very very much!! I was there...from Argentina to Bologna only for the show!
Merci beaucoup ! What about the same with QAL in France?
Thank you. From Argentina to Bologna for the show II (ha, ha). Next time we could meet and talk after the gig, softcalavera2. Ok, maybe in Buenos Aires 2018.
Yes, and I went to Amsterdan gig too. I think that the south american tour will be imminent.
Please!! SEED !!! Thank you!!
Again..!!!Please!! SEED !!! Thank you!! I`m 82.5% !!!!!
Can someone please seed or put on Mega?


text:
[Podcast] Nerds Assemble 73: Gold plated ninjas and democratised content
Console, Film, Latest Videos and Podcasts, PC, TV Shows, Videogames
[Hex Comic Archive] Romance, panel by panel
[Review] Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
[Retrospective] The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (TV series)
Books, TV Shows
Hex Dimension's top 10 posts of 2014
[Diary] Pathfinder: I know Kung-Fu
[Podcast] Nerds Assemble 102: Gamescom 2014 surprises
Comics and Graphic Novels, Console, Film, Latest Videos and Podcasts, PC, Videogames
[Hex Bookshelf] Gaiman, King, Rice: supernatural novel picks
Books, Hot
June's recommendations are in! This month the Hex Dimension team have been asked to talk about their favourite supernatural novels. One author in particular has proven to be a particular favourite…
It took me a while to think of something to write about for this one, because I haven't really read that many supernatural books. Out of the incredibly short shortlist I had in my head, I eventually settled on Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman . This was simply because American Gods seems just a bit too fantastical to be counted as supernatural, but Neverwhere gets that balance of real world and magical just right.
The books follows the trials and tribulations of young office worker Richard Mayhew, who accidentally finds himself stuck in the world of London Below, a sprawling subterranean city filled with monsters and killers and angels. Teaming together with the sneaky Marquis de Carabas, the magical Door and the deadly Hunter, Richard sets out trying to find his way back to where he belongs, the "real" world.
This motley crew are all brilliant characters who stick with you long after the book is finished. But it is London Below that is the real star of this novel, brilliantly thought-out and wonderfully described by Gaiman. It is both hauntingly beautiful and also just plain haunting, and Gaiman's love for the real city of London shines through in the writing. But this book is so much more than a supernatural love letter to a city. It is a testament to the imagination and to the hidden yet beautiful parts of life that we so easily overlook.
David Hurd
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
The first time I read Anne Rice's Interview With The Vampire – I was captivated by the world she had created.
The characters of Lestat, Lois and friends leapt from the page. Their adventures and quarrels staying with me evermore. It's a truly great vampire novel, instead of having your bog standard monster vampires that are simply out for blood, the vampires in this book still had human feelings. Their emotions were still intact.
Yes they had immortality and needed blood to live – yet they tackled that in their own ways. Some were happy to hunt, whilst others would rather feast on the blood of rats. It's an amazing story, one that every body should read at least once. Then you need to read the rest of the Vampire Chronicles ….
The Shining by Stephen King
Before the iconic Stanley Kubrick film, there was the novel. The Shining by Stephen King is one of the author's earliest works and follows the Torrance family as they take up residence at the Overlook Hotel to oversee its care during the harsh, out-of-season weather. A tale of psychic awakenings and madness, it's not a light read by any standard.
I suppose The Shining was the tipping point in terms of King's style, where he really began to get into describing anything and everything the characters were in, doing and thinking. At the same time, this reach towards realism in the novel always makes the supernatural elements that more breathtaking and frightening – the way normality begins to show some very jagged cracks, but believable, when little Danny begins to see things. This is the kind of supernatural novel that allows you to suspend your disbelief, which is obviously a very good thing.
This is the first Stephen King novel I read and this supernatural-horror novel forever holds an association with summer for me. It's just the kind of long novel you could do with during a holiday. This is in spite of its less than summer-esque settings of winter and me having never read it during the summer, though now that I think about it – perhaps it's time to return to the Overlook Hotel…
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
It took me a while to come up with a book this week. Supernatural fiction just isn't something I have any interest in. The only one I could even remember reading was The Lovely Bones , and I pretty much hated it. I thought I may have to sit this one out – but then I remembered Neil Gaiman.
Gaiman's stories are… different. While definitely supernatural, they construct such vivid, alien worlds that they often brush shoulders with fantasy, a genre I'm much more at home with. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman is no exception, using West African myths to create a tale of animal spirits, mysterious powers, demonic possession, and mother-in-law jokes.
While all his books are sharp and witty, this is the only Gaiman solo-act that I'd call a comedy. Fat Charlie (who isn't fat) finds his life in meltdown when, following the death of his dad, a mysterious stranger turns up claiming to be his brother. Not a long-lost brother or anything, just a twin brother that Fat Charlie forgot he had. Oh, and their father was a god. And a kind of demented supernatural buddy-comedy spirals out from there.
Which isn't to say it's not dark. It can get downright scary – especially whenever there's birds involved. But if supernatural drama or horror isn't your thing, and you'd prefer some levity with your unholy powers, you should definitely try Gaiman's Anansi Boys . Otherwise, if you do want drama and horror, try anything else he's ever written!
Which are your favourite supernatural novels? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter .
Anansi BoysAnne RiceHex BookshelfInterview With The VampireNeil GaimanNeverwhereStephen KingsupernaturalThe Shining
[Hex Comic Roundup] Out with the old, In with the new
[Opinion] Agents of SHIELD is better than Captain America 2
The Hex Dimension is what you get when a bunch of people want to write about the things they love (or loathe) and who don't really care how geeky their readers are. It may or may not like candy floss and may enjoy the musical talents of Trent Reznor.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The museum is located in both the ground floor and the basement of the Apponyi Palace. Grape growing and wine production have always played a significant role in the history of Bratislava. Through its original collections, the museum documents the history of viticulture, vineyard management and the production of sparkling wine by two prominent companies - Hubert J. E. and Palugyay, which were well-known not only in Bratislava, but received a host of international prizes.
The first and second floors of the Apponyi Palace showcase historical interior equipment and furniture. The first floor with its original decoration - wood wall covering and wall paintings - is furnished as a reception piano nobile that is aimed at creating the impression of noble interior areas from the late 18th century. For their part, rooms on the second floor, where wall paintings were discovered, feature samples of furniture that was typically used by members of an upper-class in Bratislava from the late 18th to the late 19th century.


Skeletal muscle is positively expressed by anti-myoglobin in a cytoplasmic pattern.
Mukai K, et al. Localization of myoglobin in normal and neoplastic human skeletal muscle cells using an immunoperoxidase method. Am J Surg Pathol. 1979; 3:373-6.
Corson JM, et al. Intracellular myoglobin--a specific marker for skeletal muscle differentiation in soft tissue sarcomas. An immunoperoxidase study. Am J Pathol. 1981; 103:384-9.
Brooks JJ. Immunohistochemistry of soft tissue tumors. Myoglobin as a tumor marker for rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer. 1982; 50:1757-63.
Kahn HJ, et al. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic assessment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma. Increased frequency of diagnosis over routine histologic methods. Cancer. 1983; 51:1897-903.
Furlong MA, et al. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in children: four cases in the pediatric age group. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2001; 5:199-206.
Furlong MA, et al. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in adults: a clinicopathologic study of 38 cases with emphasis on morphologic variants and recent skeletal muscle-specific markers. Mod Pathol. 2001; 14:595-603.


Cape Byron Lighthouse sits on the rugged headland and has been there for more than a century - take a tour of the tower. The waters around the headland are filled with marine life with turtles, dolphins and humpback whales travelling through on their annual migration. A must see.
Byron Bay was once a quiet seaside village but in the last 10 years has been developed into a seaside destination with resorts, backpacker hostels, great restaurants and cafes, entertainment, festivals, tours and adventures, art galleries, unique boutique shops, day spas & eclectic therapies and so much more.
Byron Bay is ideally located between Brisbane and Sydney with a 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane or a short flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast Airport. Because of this easy access, Byron Bay has become a very renown holiday destination for those looking for complete relaxation in a fabulous natural environment or for those looking for the adrenalin rush of outdoor sports and activities. Visit our Things to Do Page.


text:
New Brisbane underground
By AAP – Sunday 17 November, 2013
The Queensland government has announced it will build a new underground for the city, which is estimated to cost $3 billion less than previous plans.
A train and bus tunnel will be built under the Brisbane River as the Newman government's cut-price alternative to the defunct Cross River Rail project.
The $5 billion Brisbane underground will link Dutton Park and Bowen Hills by a 5.4-kilometre tunnel by 2021.
New stations will be built at Woolloongabba, to service sports fans, and Roma Street and George Street in the city, to service the new government precinct and the university.
The world's biggest boring machine will dig a 15-metre-wide tunnel to fit two train lines in the lower section and two bus lanes in the upper section.
The project aims to double the city's train capacity across the river to 48 an hour, remove 200 buses off-inner city streets and get people to work from Beenleigh to the city 14 minutes faster.
Premier Campbell Newman says the project is $3 billion cheaper than Labor's doomed Cross River Rail project and the council's Suburbs to City bus link.
Savings were made by boring one tunnel instead of two, taking an inner-city route that is easier to dig, and dumping plans for a Dutton Park station, which required the resumption of 108 properties.
The need for more trains across the river was flagged as far back as 2005, when the former Labor government was warned the Merivale Bridge would hit capacity in 2016.
Projects failed to get up, but Premier Campbell Newman insists his government will follow through.
"I hope I can convey how excited I am," he said.
"There's been too much conversation in the past."
When asked if the state could afford the project, Mr Newman gladly deferred to his treasurer.
Tim Nicholls says Projects Queensland will turn to the private sector to help build the project.
Direct funding from the Commonwealth isn't expected, but it could be offering private investors a government guarantee to reduce risk.
Infrastructure bonds could also be issued, Mr Nicholls said.
"I'm confident that the finance can be found," he said.
"We wouldn't be doing anything to imperil the state's credit rating.
"There is an appetite in the market for helping government deliver these sorts of projects."
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk expects a cost blow out because of the size of the tunnel and questions whether there would be asset sales or more service cuts.
"It absolutely astounds me that they don't have the funding details for the proposal," she said.
"They haven't said where the money is coming from and I'm very concerned this means one thing, asset sales."


Below is the recap from my Week 4 Newsletter. View the email in your browser here.
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This week certainly contained some challenges! On Tuesday I presented Lauren's Law (HB 190), my bill that emphasizes responsible gun ownership, to the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee. I was disappointed and surprised by the lack of questions and discussion, despite testimony both in favor and against the bill. As a legislature, we're missing the opportunity to have a hard, but crucial, conversation. The bill was ultimately held by the committee, and I hope to work with my fellow legislators and stakeholders in reaching a compromise that moves the bill forward. Another difficult hurdle came on Thursday, when I presented HB 111, a bill that would work to hold repeat Domestic Violence offenders more accountable under the law, to the House of Representatives after a favorable recommendation from the House Judiciary Committee. Despite bipartisan support, the bill was voted down by the majority and will not go any further this session. I believe deeply in the importance of this legislation for providing safety and justice to survivors, and I plan on continuing to tackle this issue in my work to combat domestic violence in our communities.
On a positive note -- HB 184 Civil Air Patrol License Plate is coming along well, as we have worked to gather the necessary funds to support the creation of the new license plate. Now it's just a matter of getting back on the committee calendar! I also spoke with Lauren McCluskey's mother, Jill McCluskey, today about her views and goals for HB 190, Lauren's Law. Lauren's friends and family have been incredible advocates in her memory, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help honor her legacy through real, concrete change. Finally, my most recent bill, HB 400 Murder Mitigation Amendments, was released today to House Rules Committee. I am also proud to co-sponsor a number of exciting bills with representatives from both parties. You can see all of my legislation here.
While running for office I grappled with the fact that, as a Democrat in a legislature held overwhelmingly by Republicans, sometimes things would feel like an uphill battle, and issues were going to fall along partisan lines. What I believed then, and what I continue to believe, is that there are nonpartisan values and issues that need to be discussed and dealt with. The vast majority of issues we've faced as a legislature have been managed in a bipartisan and united fashion. I feel honored to work alongside my Republican and Democrat colleagues, and I look forward to the next three weeks.
On February 14th, America recognized the one year anniversary of the Parkland High School mass shooting. In the past year Utah has experienced its own tragic events related to gun violence, including the January 2019 shooting at Fashion Place Mall and the October 2018 murder of University of Utah student, Lauren McCluskey. In the past year we've seen brave young Utahns join a national movement towards ending gun violence. Utahns have called for the legislature to work toward safer schools, secure public spaces, and initiatives curbing Utah's suicide rate, and the wealth of gun legislation up for consideration this year shows that Utahns are ready to have these conversations.
In direct response to Lauren McCluskey's murder, I am sponsoring HB190 (Liability of Firearm Custodians) to create the opportunity for civil liability when firearm owners recklessly lend their guns to other individuals. Lauren's killer was not legally allowed to own a firearm, and had he not been able to borrow one from a friend, he may have been slowed or even stopped and Lauren could still be alive. This bill is supported by the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah as well as several other gun violence prevention organizations, as well as Lauren's family.
I am pleased to report that HB190 was moved out of the House Rules Committee today, and should be heard by the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee next week. I believe in the value of this legislation, and I hope my fellow legislators will be willing to have the crucial conversation about ending gun violence. This issue is important to Utahns, and it's important to me.
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has reached out to express concerns about legislative attempts to repeal Proposition 3. Please know that I am actively working to ensure that Medicaid Expansion is upheld and implemented. Your comments, and your votes, matter to me. Thank you for staying active in the process and advocating for issues that matter.
As the final votes are tallied the margin of victory grew to over 10% and over 1,500 votes. We are so proud of our family, friends, staff, and volunteers who made this possible, and in awe of the overwhelming support of the people of this district.
Our goal was a resounding victory that did not rely on a partisan wave- and we accomplished our objective. This victory is owed to the way Andrew's vision for this community resonated with each of you; a community that works together to ensure that Utah's prosperity leaves no one behind. Andrew is so excited to work with each of you in the coming years to ensure that his vision becomes our reality.
Here's to hoping your Thanksgiving holiday is filled with peace and plenty. As we are filled with gratitude for our family, friends, and community- we are also so grateful for your continued support.
There are so many ways to help out this holiday season! The Road Home is an important part of Midvale City and I am always grateful for opportunities to support their work. As we move into colder months, they are in need of blankets for the adult men and women they serve!. Donate online using smile.amazon.com/ch/87-0212465 to have part of your purchase come back to The Road Home or bring donations to 210 S. Rio Grande Street, Monday through Sunday, 8am-7pm. Thank you!
The voters of HD44 elected me to protect their interests, and one I heard about overwhelmingly on the campaign trail was Proposition 2. Fittingly, one of my first meetings on my very first day on Capitol Hill was about the future of Prop 2.
From my view, there are far too many unknowns in this compromise to consider its current form as a reasonable alternative to the ballot initiative voted for by the people of Utah. I will continue to watch for updates, but I am determined to ensure that Utahns receive the treatment and resources they need.


- The origin of evil - how it all began.
- Why so much evil; and why it is still increasing. Why life is unfair.
- How to detect and thus escape Satan's hidden traps that are ensnaring most of the world.
8. Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
Rapes, killings, terrorist attacks, drive-by-shootings, catastrophic disasters by land and sea appear to be universal and are far too common and are happening in quicker succession than ever. Today, we and our children have become hardened to these almost unthinkable and unbearable atrocities and disasters. Cracking the Code pulls back the curtain on the origin of this evil and why it is escalating.
You say, "Hey, don't talk to me about these terrible problems we're facing. I don't need to be told again and again what I already know. Tell me, 'How do we stop this deadly disease that is sucking the life blood out of America and the rest of the world?'" Cracking the Code answers this billion dollar question and much more.
This book provides a solution – the only solution that works. Cracking the Code will take you back to the very beginning – to the root of the problem – where it all started. You will be taken behind enemy lines and crack this top-secret code. Then it's completely up to you to make the ultimate difference. The only difference that can and will change our children, family, and friends before it is forever too late.


I love the feather colours of these birds.
Cuban Tody measure 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.
I love the markings of this one. Really pleased with how it turned out.
Black Throated Blue Warblers breed in North Eastern United States and South Eastern Canada. They winter in the Caribbean. They measure 11 - 13 cm in length and weigh between 8 - 12 grams.
Black Throated Blue Warbler measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
Many thanks to Ron Knight for the reference photo.
I love how this one is clinging to the tree. I did quite a few glazes to build up the depth to the feathers.
Great Spotted Woodpecker measures 6 x 8 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.
This one was rather fun to paint as everything just seemed to work.
Kirra Beach 3 measures 12 x 12 inches and is painted on Ampersand Smooth Panel.
I love this ones markings.
Red Naped Sapsuckers are found in North America. They measure around 19 - 21 cm in length and weigh between 32 - 66 grams.
Red Naped Sapsucker measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.
White Crested Elaenia's are found in South America, They measure around 13.5 - 15 cm in length and weigh between 12.5 - 24.3 grams.
White Crested Elaenia measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
On one of my holidays to Tasmania a few years back, I specifically went looking for the Pink Robin. On the forest walk, I never come across him but when I got back the car, there he was admiring himself in the car's side mirrors. I took lots of photos but only ended up painting one aceo from the batch I took mainly because the photos are not the best reference photos to use - he is sitting on a blue car mirror and the background is not that great either. 900 plus paintings later, I have started to revisit my earlier photos as I see things a little bit differently now. For this one, I love the tilt of his head but that was about all I liked in the reference photo. So I ended up adding a branch, changing the background colour and highlights. Really love how the painting turned out.
Pink Robin measures 6 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love the feather colours of this one. Really pleased with how it turned out - everything just seemed to work.
Silver Throated Tanagers are found from Costa Rica through to Panama and western Colombia to western Ecuador, They measure around 13 cm in length and weigh around 21 grams.
Silver Throated Tanager measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love the tilt of this ones head.
Golden Crowned Sparrows are a large American Sparrow found in the Western part of North America. They measure 15 - 18 cm in length and weigh between 19 - 35 grams.
Golden Crowned Sparrow measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
Chestnut Crowned Warbler measures 5 x 5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love this ones feather colours and the angle of it's head.
Orange Crowned Warbler measures 5 x 5 inches and is painted in Colourfix Smooth paper.
I have had this one printed out for quite awhile to paint - I keep adding to my pile so some of them get forgotten about until I sort through the pile and rediscover them.
The Goldcrest is the smallest European bird measuring around 8.5 - 9.5 cm in length and weighing about 4.5 - 7 grams. They are found over much of Eurasia.
Goldcrest measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
Hume's Leaf Warblers or Hume's Warblers breed in the mountains of inner Asia and winter mainly in India. They measure around 10 - 11 cm in length and weigh between 5 - 8.8 grams.
Hume's Leaf Warbler measures 3.5 x 2.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I enjoyed painting this one as everything just seemed to work.
Northern Parula measures 5 x 5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love painting chickadees. A lot of layers/glazes went into this one to build the depth to the feathers.
Mountain Chickadee No 3 measures 6 x 6 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love the blue feathers of this one. I did quite a few layers with glazing in between to get the depth to the feathers.
Mountain Verditer Flycatchers are found in Southeast Asia through to Sumatra.
Mountain Verditer Flycatcher measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth Paper.
I love how this one is perched on the branch singing away.
Sedge Warblers breed in Europe and Asia and winter in Africa. They measure around 11.5 - 13 cm in length and weigh about 12 grams.
Sedge Warbler measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.
I love how this one is perched on the branch. I did quite a few layers to the head feathers to get the required depth.
Evening Grosbeak measures 5 x 5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.
I love these ones markings. Really pleased with how he turned out.
Rufous Capped Warbler No 5 measures 5 x 5 inches and is painted on Colourfix Smooth paper.


Small businesses are an integral piece to the communities they serve. They offer a familiar face, a local product, jobs, and personalized service that are often lost with large corporations. However, in this new age of e-commerce, your favorite neighborhood store can reach far beyond its community and the confines of its brick-and-mortar walls. Achieving scalability for regional, national and even international distribution used to require resources only available to large national brands. That is no longer the case, and with the help from a third party logistics provider (3PL), small to medium-sized business (SMB's) can deliver the same online and fulfillment experience to their customers as major enterprises. A recent article from Inbound Logistics details some of the key benefits a 3PL can offer to small businesses. Click this link to read more about 3PL's and SMB's.


text:
Book Launch - Lay Studies by Steven Toussaint
09 July 2019 Tuesday
Unity Books
Unity Books and Victoria University Press warmly invite you to celebrate the launch of 'Lay Studies' by Steven Toussaint.
ABOUT THE BOOK In Lay Studies, Steven Toussaint conducts an impressive range of lyric inventions, pitching his poems to that precarious interval between love and rage. Beneath their formal dexterity and variety, these études sustain a continuous meditation on the concords and dissonances of worshipful life in an age dominated by spectacle, violence, and environmental devastation. With great skill and compassion, he depicts scenes of domestic life in his adopted home of New Zealand, a transient year of religious and artistic soul-searching in the United Kingdom, and a growing sense of dislocation from his native United States in the Trump era. These are poems of profound contemplative inwardness, conjuring and conversing with a vast tradition of literature, scholarship, and art. Lay Studies is a powerful collection and a welcome music. Cover: Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, 'Bird', 1913–14 (circa). © Kettle's Yard, University of Cambridge These are elegant poems. They have verve, they have wit and no little learning. They reveal a mind like a knife. An ear of the same quality. All of which = what's needed in a calamitous time that calls itself the Information Age. —John Taggart Steven Toussaint writes with a formidable blend of intellectual toughness and technical command. These finely worked poems range over a wide territory, local and global, religious, social (a devastatingly intelligent piece, 'Yes or No', evoking the world of online pseudo-discourse), and offer many memorable images and phrases (a favourite is 'The furious pleasure / of a man being listened to'). This is an excellent collection of demanding and rewarding poetry.—Rowan Williams
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Steven Toussaint was born in Chicago in 1986. In 2011, he immigrated to New Zealand and now lives in Auckland. He has studied poetry at the Iowa Writers' Workshop and the International Institute of Modern Letters, and philosophical theology at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of a previous collection, The Bellfounder (2015), and a chapbook, Fiddlehead (2014).


text:
"""Tests for the plugin."""

# Test library imports

import os
import pytest
import requests
import os.path as osp
from qtpy.QtWebEngineWidgets import WEBENGINE

# Local imports
import spyder_terminal.terminalplugin
from spyder_terminal.terminalplugin import TerminalPlugin
from spyder.py3compat import getcwd

LOCATION = os.path.realpath(os.path.join(os.getcwd(),
                                         os.path.dirname(__file__)))
LOCATION_SLASH = LOCATION.replace('\\', '/')

TERM_UP = 10000
WINDOWS = os.name == 'nt'

EXIT = 'exit'
CLEAR = 'clear'
if WINDOWS:
    CLEAR = 'cls'

PWD = 'pwd'
if WINDOWS:
    PWD = 'cd'

def check_pwd(termwidget):
    """Check if pwd command is executed."""
    if WEBENGINE:
        def callback(data):
            global html
            html = data
        termwidget.body.toHtml(callback)
        try:
            return LOCATION in html
        except NameError:
            return False
    else:
        return LOCATION in termwidget.body.toHtml()

def check_fonts(term, expected):
    """Check if terminal fonts were updated."""
    if WEBENGINE:
        def callback(data):
            global term_fonts
            term_fonts = data
        term.body.runJavaScript("getFonts()", callback)
        try:
            return term_fonts == expected
        except NameError:
            return False
    else:
        fonts = term.get_fonts()
        fonts = fonts.replace("'", '"')
        return fonts == expected

def check_num_tabs(terminal, ref_value):
    """Check if total number of terminal tabs has changed."""
    value = len(terminal.get_terms())
    return value != ref_value

@pytest.fixture(scope="module")
def setup_terminal(qtbot):
    """Set up the Notebook plugin."""
    terminal = TerminalPlugin(None)
    qtbot.addWidget(terminal)
    terminal.create_new_term()
    terminal.show()
    return terminal

def test_terminal_font(qtbot):
    """Test if terminal loads a custom font."""
    terminal = setup_terminal(qtbot)
    # blocker = qtbot.waitSignal(terminal.server_is_ready, timeout=TERM_UP)
    # blocker.wait()
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: terminal.server_is_ready(), timeout=TERM_UP)
    qtbot.wait(1000)

    term = terminal.get_current_term()
    port = terminal.port
    status_code = requests.get('http://127.0.0.1:{}'.format(port)).status_code
    assert status_code == 200
    term.set_font('Ubuntu Mono')
    expected = '"Ubuntu Mono", "Ubuntu Mono", monospace'
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: check_fonts(term, expected), timeout=TERM_UP)
    terminal.closing_plugin()

def test_terminal_tab_title(qtbot):
    """Test if terminal tab titles are numbered sequentially."""
    terminal = setup_terminal(qtbot)
    # blocker = qtbot.waitSignal(terminal.server_is_ready, timeout=TERM_UP)
    # blocker.wait()
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: terminal.server_is_ready(), timeout=TERM_UP)
    qtbot.wait(1000)
    terminal.create_new_term()
    terminal.create_new_term()
    num_1 = int(terminal.tabwidget.tabText(1)[-1])
    num_2 = int(terminal.tabwidget.tabText(2)[-1])
    assert num_2 == num_1 + 1
    terminal.closing_plugin()

def test_new_terminal(qtbot):
    """Test if a new terminal is added."""
    # Setup widget
    terminal = setup_terminal(qtbot)
    # blocker = qtbot.waitSignal(terminal.server_is_ready, timeout=TERM_UP)
    # blocker.wait()
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: terminal.server_is_ready(), timeout=TERM_UP)
    qtbot.wait(1000)

    # Test if server is running
    port = terminal.port
    status_code = requests.get('http://127.0.0.1:{}'.format(port)).status_code
    assert status_code == 200

    terminal.create_new_term()
    term = terminal.get_current_term()
    qtbot.wait(1000)
    # Move to LOCATION
    # qtbot.keyClicks(term.view, 'cd {}'.format(LOCATION))
    # qtbot.keyPress(term.view, Qt.Key_Return)
    term.exec_cmd('cd {}'.format(LOCATION_SLASH))

    # Clear
    # qtbot.keyClicks(term.view, 'clear')
    # qtbot.keyPress(term.view, Qt.Key_Return)
    term.exec_cmd(CLEAR)

    # Run pwd
    # qtbot.keyClicks(term.view, 'pwd')
    # qtbot.keyPress(term.view, Qt.Key_Return)
    term.exec_cmd(PWD)
    qtbot.wait(1000)

    # Assert pwd is LOCATION
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: check_pwd(term), timeout=TERM_UP)

    terminal.closing_plugin()

def test_output_redirection(qtbot):
    """Test if stdout and stderr are redirected on DEV mode."""
    spyder_terminal.terminalplugin.DEV = True
    terminal = setup_terminal(qtbot)

    stdout = osp.join(getcwd(), 'spyder_terminal_out.log')
    stderr = osp.join(getcwd(), 'spyder_terminal_err.log')
    assert osp.exists(stdout) and osp.exists(stderr)
    terminal.closing_plugin()

def test_close_terminal_manually(qtbot):
    """Test if terminal tab is closed after process was finished manually."""
    # Setup widget
    terminal = setup_terminal(qtbot)

    # blocker = qtbot.waitSignal(terminal.server_is_ready, timeout=TERM_UP)
    # blocker.wait()
    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: terminal.server_is_ready(), timeout=TERM_UP)
    qtbot.wait(1000)

    terminal.create_new_term()
    initial_num = len(terminal.get_terms())
    term = terminal.get_current_term()
    qtbot.wait(1000)

    term.exec_cmd(EXIT)

    qtbot.waitUntil(lambda: check_num_tabs(terminal, initial_num),
                    timeout=TERM_UP)
    final_num = len(terminal.get_terms())
    assert final_num == initial_num - 1

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Jin Roy Ryu Joins CSIS Board of Trustees
Press Release — December 1, 2020
WASHINGTON, December 1, 2020: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is pleased to announce that Jin Roy Ryu, chairman and CEO of Poongsan Group, has joined the CSIS Board of Trustees.
"I am delighted to welcome Roy to our Board of Trustees," said CSIS president and CEO John J. Hamre. "CSIS will benefit tremendously from his global vision and innovative spirit."
Since 1999, Ryu has served as chairman and CEO of Poongsan Group, which his late father Chan-u Ryu founded in 1968. Today it is one of the largest manufacturers of copper products and munitions in the world.
Ryu is actively involved in the leadership of numerous business organizations, including as vice chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries and the Korea International Trade Association. He also supports a number of philanthropic and educational organizations. He is board chairman of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation in South Korea, vice chairman of the Korea Mecenat Association, trustee of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, and a member of the Board of Visitors at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York and the Board of Governors of the PGA Tour's First Tee program. In 2015, Ryu played an instrumental role in bringing the Presidents Cup golf tournament to South Korea for the first time and chaired the tournament's organizing committee.
For his distinguished service and steadfast efforts to enhance South Korea's standing within the global community, the South Korean government awarded Ryu the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in 2005 and the Order of Civil Merit, Moran (Peony) Medal, in 2012.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world's greatest challenges.


Mexico - one hundred millionth country where most people make Europeans and mestizos, but 7% of the population are Indians, Aztecs, Mayans and others.
Among Mexican - immigrants from the continent - can meet representatives of many nationalities, Poles, Spaniards, Hungarians, Jews, Russians, Armenians.
Most of the population - Roman Catholics, but 6% - Protestants, mainly Lutherans.
United Mexican States - federal republic. Head of state and government - the president. Legislative - bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
Mexico is divided into 31 administrative staff (Spanish. Estados) and one Federal District (Spanish. Distrito Federal), which together are called federal entities (App. Entidades federativas). States are divided into municipalities (municipios), among which, depending on the size and population of the state can vary from a few to hundreds.
Each state has its own constitution and the governor, who is elected by universal direct suffrage.
Federal District - a special political entity that includes the central part of the capital metropolis of Mexico City. Since 1997, residents of the capital district elected head of government, which has fewer rights than governors.
Currency in Mexico - Mexican peso, but as tourists come with dollars, they can pay all tourist areas of the country.
Import and export of foreign currency is not limited (declaration required), national - the equivalent of $ 10 thousand.
Persons aged over 18 years is allowed duty free import of 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 3 liters of spirits or wine; a small amount of perfume, 1 camera, 1 camera, as well as gifts and other goods worth no more than $ 300. Additional goods worth less than $ 500 and can be imported duty free, but will need to prove their non-commercial use.
At the entrance to Mexico must complete a customs declaration, which must list all valuable items imported into the country.
The import of fruit, vegetables and products of these plants and seeds (the last allowed to import only under special license of the Ministry of Agriculture), flowers, fresh meat and meat products (import canned meat except pork, let) medicines without documentary evidence necessary for their use (need a prescription or medical card), psychotropic substances and pornographic publications.
The import of firearms and ammunition permitted only with the authorization received at the Secretariat of National Security (App. Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional). The penalty for the importation of drugs are very strict - violators punished by a prison term of 25 years and hefty fines.
Pets must have a veterinary certificate of international standard, issued more than 5 days prior to entry, cats and dogs - an additional certificate of vaccination against rabies.
Prohibited the export of archaeological values, antiques, precious metals, rare birds and animals and their skins and stuffed. Export of tobacco products and alcohol free.
All passengers departing on international flights of the country will be charged a fee of $ 18-29, depending on the airport. On payment of the fee are exempt children under 2 years of transit passengers and diplomats.
Mexico - one of the states in which there were ancient Indian civilizations of America. There are remains of ancient cities of the Maya and Aztecs to the pyramids, temples, stone building, houses. Among them are: Aztec pyramid Tenayuka; Major temples, Teopansolko; famous Sun Stone calendar in a stone circle with a diameter of 3.6 m and weighing 24 tons, Stone Tisok. In Mexico City you can visit: the ancient city center with the remains of the Aztec royal buildings; Cathedral (XVI-XVII centuries). ancient basilica Hva-dalupe; Iglesia de la occupations, San Agustin, San Lazaro, San Juan de Dios (XVII-XVIII centuries). Mint; Palace de los Virreyes (1696-1703); Square of the Three Cultures.
In the capital, there are three large and many small markets. The streets are noisy. Many cars everywhere heard music - restaurants, bars and cafes. In the evenings, dozens of groups of musicians "maryachis" are on the streets for a few pesetas. Once or twice a week in organized concerts of folk music and folk dances. Specific sights include the Mexican race riders - "charros" who exercised the ability to go around horses, lasso and have t. N. A popular bullfights. Art breeding flowers and vegetables on the water Mexicans borrowed from their ancestors - the Aztecs.
Mexicans - kind, funny and cheerful, love to talk and listen to gossip. They are welcoming towards foreigners, though wary of the American style of communication and Spanish. Ardent patriots love holidays and often hold them.
Complacency in dealing manifested even in the fact that residents of Mexico used to accompany almost any conversation grin. Also owned (especially in provincial areas) welcome everyone, even strangers, such as going to the public transport.
In Mexico - a real freedom of speech and its people communicate with each other without any limitations. However, newcomers unfamiliar people or Mexicans are very polite and complied with all the rules of etiquette.
Most of the population is very clean. It is believed that the clothes must be new, elegant and always clean. At the business meeting decided to wear a tie.
In Mexico, a banned or not approved abortion. So many families three or more children - the norm. Until children are special treatment, they indulge in every way and many allow. In addition, Mexico is preserved cult of motherhood, mother - holy concept for Mexicans. Widely celebrated Mother's Day on 10 May.
Generally Mexican woman has a husband unequal status. Thus, few women in business, although there is a tendency to increase their influence. Head of the family is usually the man.
Pastime Mexicans go to the cinema, drive their children to the circus or involved in golf, football, horse riding, hunting, diving and others. Jolly nightlife famous tourist centers only.
Glory in material prosperity are not usually accepted, but the car has to be expensive Mexican. In the cases of Mexico residents appreciate punctuality, but in an informal conversation time is of great importance.
For Mexico travel comfortably by bus also developed rail network. In cities run city buses in the capital is up. You could also take a taxi. Most cars cause the hotel, including taxis have meters. To rent a car you should have a credit card.
In order to rent a car, you must present a valid driver's license of international standard English, and be at least 21 years. The cost of rent - from $ 60 per day (with insurance) in long-term lease (three weeks) the rent reduced by almost half.
Ukrainian Mexico - ethnic minorities. You can find different information about the number of newly arrived Ukrainian from 400 to 1,500. After all, not all of them are registered with the Embassy of Ukraine as well as to conduct accounting difficult. In group "Ukrainian Mexico" on Facebook registered 500 participants.
According to some, considering all the waves of migration, Ukrainian can be up to 100 thousand people.
The first Ukrainian in the state came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which obzhylys Campeche. Most rural migrants are employed in the agricultural sector in Central and Northern Mexico, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Ukrainians also living in Mexico City, Puebla, Cuernavaca, Toluca, Monterrey, Campeche, Veracruz and Acapulco. There is a small group of Ukrainian women married to citizens of Mexico.
Ukrainian public life of Mexico is not too active. The largest non-governmental organization is to unite Ukrainian Mexico "Slavutich", headed by Natalia V. Khotyayintsev, acting Chair of Ukrainian National University of Mexico City and Monterrey, Ukrainian dance ensemble, Ukrainian restaurant in Mexico City and one newspaper. On all other activities Ukrainian little is known.
Of those who went to this Latin American country over 20 years ago in search of a better life are a significant part of researchers, teachers, musicians, actors and circus artists. They mostly work in the host country contracts.
For example teachers of exact sciences, which in Ukraine in 1990 paid a salary of $ 5 in Mexico immediately gave $ 800.
Now through changing immigration trends are most newcomers Ukrainian specialists in IT technologies. Mexico also transferred from other countries Ukrainian - employees of large international companies.
In addition to IT and engineering, many of our compatriots are working in tourism and restaurant business.
The minimum wage in Mexico is about $ 120, but the presence of higher education and knowledge of foreign languages ??can earn much more. Most young educated Mexicans receive from $ 1,000, depending on the scope.
In general, one of the most prestigious professions in Mexico - medical professional. Doctors who work in public hospitals receive about $ 2 thousand. Private - more, including dentists. Well make good engineers and professors-researchers. Their salary reaches $ 3-4 thousand.
The cheapest apartments in the area can be demeaning arenduvaty for $ 250, small houses - for $ 400, a large house with a swimming pool in a prestigious area will cost $ 1,5-2 thousand.


text:
Q: Create a string from c++11 time_t that is convertable to .net DateTime This is a follow up question to this question:
Standard conformant way of converting std::time_t to System::DateTime?
I need to convert a c++11 time_t to .NET DateTime by a string. The program needs to take the value of the current time_t, create a string which is going to be written to a file, and then another program which is written in C# is going to read that value and convert it to DateTime.
The problem is that I don't have access to the C# code so I need to make the needed string in the c++ side. Currently, the C# side knows how to convert strings in this format:
2018-05-13T10:03:18.4195735+03:00

I'm not sure if this is a regular conventional string that represents a DateTime and how exactly to create it.
Edit: In addition to the time_t value I also got the milliseconds value as a chrono::seconds::rep so you can just assume I got both

A: This is the ISO 8601 format, an international standard to represente date and time.
In your case, you have <date>T<time><zone>
<date> = 2018-05-13 (YYYY-MM-DD)
<time> = 10:03:18.4195735 (hh:mm:ss.sssssss)
<zone> = +03:00

You can see more information about this convention here: ISO 8601
Probably they're using something to parse it to DateTime.
I don't know much about C++, but looks like you can use GetTimeZoneInformation to get the timezone (Windows only). The time and date I think you already have, though they're asking for more precision than milliseconds. Looks like you can get only 1/1000000 of second in C++ with chrono (one nanosecond), which would be 6 decimal places. Do they really need it so precise? If not you can just add a 0 in the 7th decimal place.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The temporary nature of a pop-up restaurant demands a disruptive brand. When our friend Cyrus Keefer came to us with his concept, we attacked the challenge collaboratively with a "no rules, dare me" attitude. Thus, Defié Moi, was born.
Chef Cyrus Keefer has a name in the Baltimore food scene, and he's well known for his highly experimental, asian-infused flavor profiles. He dared himself to reach a pinnacle in this concept where nothing was sacred, anything was fair game.
His cuisine was to be inspired and driven by French and Asian influences.
Inspired by the food and the 'tude, we pushed through a rapid naming process. The idea of daring mixed with French influences to create the restaurant experience's brand name. Defié Moi, which translates to "dare me," is one part statement and one part rallying cry.
Defié Moi's core brand logo is a representation of a Chinese dragon mixed with defiant typography and Chinese characters that roughly translate to "Dare Me." These elements combine to convey the notion of French-Asian fusion with a daring, bold approach. This mark became the epicenter of the brand, but set the stage for other elements in support.
The secondary marks and graphic elements bolster the main brand logo. Inspired by French and Asian design, we created a seal and insignia to use when a full logo design wasn't necessary to the piece. We pulled together the brand with the colors inspired by the Chinese flag, but gave them more vibrancy to be a bit more defiant.
Finally, the typography selected was a mix of traditional and modern to convey the feeling of classic craft meets modern artistry.
The result is a popup restaurant brand that defied the norm and demanded attention.


Born and raised in Germany before WWII, I got my Ph.D. at the University of Freiburg in 1962. After getting my PhD., I married a fellow mathematician and we immigrated to the US in 1963, where we have been teaching at a university ever since, first at Ohio State, then since 1968 at Binghamton University.
As long as I can remember, I had three goals in life: become a scientist (originally a physicist, since mathematics was so boring in school), have a career and have a family. In this pursuit, I had very few role models. It was not exactly easy to reach those goals, but all this pales compared to the obstacles previous women had to overcome.
What if I would have lived during my grandmother's time? My grandmother, Erna Thie nee Sandow, born in 1882 into a family of musicians in Berlin, was a budding concert pianist when an injury to one of her fingers forced her to switch careers. She became an elementary school teacher, the only career open to girls at that time. I am sure, nowadays she would have ended up somewhere in academia. As every female teacher of her generation, her contract contained a clause, saying that she would have to quit her job if she got married. That was what she had to do in 1909 when she married my grandfather. She did not give in. She founded her own private elementary school and only shortly before WWII she was forced to close it. At the end her school had become the haven for many Jewish children who were forced out of the public schools.
When I was growing up, I saw nothing out of the ordinary ín the fact that my grandmother had a career. I thought that was what women did. Only later I realized how unusual she was for her time.
I had two role models in Germany from the generation of my mother: Ruth Moufang and Hanna Neumann, both mathematicians. Ruth Moufang was not permitted to get her Habilitation during NS-times but could do so after WWII. I met her in the fifties in Frankfurt. The first time I saw her lecturing when I visited Frankfurt, escaping Erlangen for a short time because I just had split up with a boyfriend. Seeing her gave me the confidence that succeeding in academia was not impossible.
Later on when I met Hanna Neumann, I got reassured that success in academia and raising a family by a couple who are both mathematicians is not impossible. Hanna and her husband Bernhard were one of the first pioneers in this respect.
Now to my generation. Born and raised in Germany in a very dark and austere time made you appreciate what you had. It created a hunger for learning. Nevertheless, my childhood memories are brightly lit scenes. The end of WWII finds me in a one-room school house in a small village. You learned your lessons and those of the older students too. l became a voracious reader, in particular old school texts of my Uncle. I dreamed of visiting Yellowstone Park. l became a teach-aholic: helping in the nursery school, teaching my playmates and siblings. But there were also afternoons in the ñelds, making hay, picking apples, harvesting potatoes.
Finally, after WWII, I could enter the gymnasium with a two-year delay. I remember the "Kohlenferien," weeks off because schools could not be heated. Once a week we came to school in our coats and got lots of homework. Learning was with high intensity: Prime numbers! Fascinating! My father, out of work, had time for his family. We made chlorine gas out on the porch. Chemistry was my first love.
I finished the gymnasium in 1955 and got my Abitur in Düsseldorf. Looking back to that time, it was essential that it was an all-girls high school. Here a quote from the first female four-star general in the US army: "Limitations are not part of our vocabulary". This was our attitude. In my school, our intellectual development was not hampered by the social aspects dominating co-ed schools in the US. I was ready when entering the university: there were no barriers, only what you did counted, not who you were.
How would things have been if I had been raised in the US? Yes, I would have made it with my "no limitations" attitude. A recent PhD. student of mine went to an all-girls high school. Her "no limitations" attitude shows. So does it for my son's wife who first went to Bryn Mawr, then got a PhD. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Chicago. Another case in point is a colleague of mine in biology who combines academia and family. She went to Smith College.
Would I have continued in academia in Germany after the PhD? Yes! But being married to a fellow mathematician? I doubt it. This was unheard of 50 years ago and appears to have not changed now. Recently I read in a German publication "Mathe – nichts für Madchen?" (Math is not for girls?). There was an increase of female Ph.D.'s in the fifties and sixties but this was not followed by an increase of academic positions held by females. They say they don't know why. I can tell them. Here is one of them!
For that reason, my husband and I immigrated to the US in 1963. First, we were at Ohio State and then at Binghamton since 1968. In the U.S., raising a family and having a career for the parents is not impossible, but not a cakewalk either. We made it. We raised two sons and each of us had a career. We were lucky.
Combining academia with raising a family is hard for males too. But it is harder for women: the tenure clock ticks, the biological clock ticks. Equality is on paper. Men don't have to bear children! Formerly they hired the husband and they took the wife in stride. Now often things are reversed. But that is not right either. Should hiring be done blindfolded, as if not married? That is also not right. So far there is no patent solution.
I can do my math with it. I hate to do housecleaning, because I can't do my math with it. I hired a cleaning lady. My advice to academics: get all the help you can. You need it and can afford it.
Whatever you do, there will be some years your career will be dormant. You are on automatic pilot. I got back to it about 30 years ago when my sons were in their last years in high school. My research output accelerated. At that time I started out the best thing I ever did: Working with PhD. students. Fourteen have finished. It is something that gives me tremendous satisfaction. You can make a difference is some one's life! You cannot ask for more in life! It is indeed a wonderful life!
A special thank you to Charlotte Haddad, who suggested Dr. Kappe for this project.


As Internet horror stories continue to grow in popularity and YouTube becomes cluttered with innumerable videos of people reading them, even professional filmmakers are answering the siren song of adapting the stories into short films. It has reached a point where considerable technical skill and creativity goes into some of them.
We talked about this story under its alternate title "The Keyhole." A man rents a hotel room and is told not to look into the room next to his. When he does, all he sees is red. He thinks that someone must have put a red dress across the keyhole. In truth, he is looking at the horribly bloodshot eye of a long-dead hotel guest.
Brandon Christenson's short film adaptation of this story is really exceptional. Robert Scott Howard establishes a character with very little dialogue, and Rusty Meyers as the clerk is colorful without becoming a cartoon character. The effects work on the inhabitant of the room with no number is terrific, producing one of film history's creepiest blinks. Also, the movie has a wry little joke about pretzels that is played subtly enough that it doesn't distract from the story or the unnerving atmosphere.
This hardly seems like the sort of story the owners of the YouTube channel Totallysketch would be able to adapt competently. That channel's most popular videos are broad comedies based mainly around cleavage. Its guest stars have included YouTube celebrities like Shane Dawson and Jenna Marbles, who are about the least scary people imaginable. And when the channel attempted a feature-length horror film, it produced the widely reviled 2013 movie Smiley.
For all that, The Expressionless works very well as a horror short. The production values are great for the small scale of the work, and director Michael Gallagher stages the story superbly. Naturally, the real standout is Denna Thomsen as the titular character. She doesn't look like a mannequin, but her performance is terrifying enough in its own way during the more subdued scenes. Indeed, when she begins killing, if anything, it's a step down in terms of scariness.
"Sonic.EXE" is perhaps the worst creepypasta to ever become popular. The plot: Tom receives a CD from his missing best friend, with a note telling him to destroy it immediately instead of playing it. Tom puts the disk in his computer to play the game and finds that it's been modded in scary ways. The character Sonic is evil in the game and has black, bleeding eyes. Sonic effortlessly kills all the characters Tom uses in the game then threatens the player in his nightmares. The story ends with Tom playing the game again, hearing a voice behind him, and then turning to find . . . a Sonic doll.
Despite attracting enough fans to get thousands of pieces of fan art and to motivate someone to modify the original Sonic game as described in the story, "Sonic.EXE" is more laughable than scary. Beyond's Tom fear of a small doll and his stupid decision to play the game despite his missing friend's warning, the 8-bit laugh of a character named Kefka is described as scary—here's the sound; judge for yourself.
The author also has a weird obsession with stating each action's duration with ridiculous precision (e.g., "I sat there for maybe 25 seconds"). As a result, creepypasta.wikia, the site that made the story popular, eventually listed it as "trollpasta." This meant it was so badly written that it was likely made so on purpose. But the author objected strongly to this label, indicating that he'd meant it sincerely.
Jake Pound's ability to convert this story into a successful short film is borderline miraculous. Jake is a competent enough actor and sensible enough not to oversell the emotions of playing the game, and his use of sound is very effective, even if he keeps some of the less effective choices such as the Kefka laugh. His best decision is definitely to change the ridiculous ending so that the audience isn't forced to try to find a little doll scary.
Originally a story from Reddit's NoSleep section, "The Smiling Man" has become an urban legend of unusual simplicity. As we've described before, the supposedly true story tells of a man walking down a street seeing someone doing an odd dance with a big smile on his face. The crazy person runs up to him and looks at him in a manner which is ambiguously threatening. Author blue_tidal only claims that "he looked completely insane," making it unclear whether he was any danger at all.
Probably the greatest strength of Michael Evans's adaptation of "The Smiling Man" is that it features no dialogue, which gained it significantly more of an international audience by removing language barriers. It's probably no coincidence that it's currently by far the most viewed video on this list.
Another nice touch is how Sean Simon initially reacts to seeing the Smiling Man by chuckling at him. The filmmakers were well aware of how this movie skirts the line between horror and comedy and acknowledge it rather than try too hard to make the movie scary. Blue_tidal seemed very satisfied with it despite some nitpicks about its accuracy.
Scott Cawthon's indie horror game Five Nights At Freddy's features a security guard who must check monitors and doors to keep himself from being killed by roving animatronic characters. Although critics found the story behind the game convoluted, the character design and scares more than make up for that as far as the public was concerned. It's an especially big success considering that Cawthon's previous games were all fairly minor Christian games. Supposedly, this hit game was inspired by a criticism of one of his earlier games that the 3-D characters all looked like creepy animatronics.
Jake Pound returns here for another short film which is much shorter than his Sonic.exe adaptation. His movie is about a man playing the game rather than a security guard. Many more people have played the game than been a security guard in circumstances the least bit similar to those in it. The image of Freddy Fazber glowing in the background is perfectly done, looking desaturated but detailed. Since Pound uses a bit of game footage for the final shot, that part doesn't look so realistic, but it's still an effective jump scare.
The Midnight Man ritual is a ceremony performed in deepest night to summon a humanoid being. The summoners must then try to survive the being's efforts to catch them and torture them to death.
The ritual's steps: Write your full name on a piece of paper, bleed a drop of blood onto it, turn out the lights, put the piece of paper on the front door, light a candle, and then create a circle of salt. You must now avoid the Midnight Man if he manifests in your home and stay out of the circle until 3:33 in the morning, making sure the candle doesn't go out for more than 10 seconds.
8-BitMassacre's video of someone deciding to test the ritual is a real standout in several ways. It's the only "found footage" horror movie on this list. While the main character doesn't become very sympathetic, he's still very believable as the kind of person who would do this. The Midnight Man himself is impeccable both when he stalks the hero and during the jump scare at the end. The audio during his appearance is especially well done.
This is one of the more wryly amusing creepypastas on the net while still having a creepy premise. A student named Tom finds a photograph of the most beautiful girl that he's ever seen, and she's holding up two fingers, flashing a peace sign. He asks if anyone knows who the person in the photo is, and no one has any idea. That night, he hears giggling and tapping on his window and goes out to investigate. No one's there. The next night, it happens again, and he once more follows the sound of giggling, bringing the photo with him. A passing car hits him, killing him. The driver gets out and sees the photograph. The girl in it is now holding up three fingers.
John Chris Lopez's adaptation is shot almost entirely in black and white, with a few exceptions, such as the petals of some flowers. The film improves on the story a bit. Tom in the short film is a photographer who finds the photo (more suspiciously, the photo's in a frame this time). He sees the woman as a vision instead of just hearing tapping and giggling, making his willingness to walk out into the street a bit more sensible.
This story predated the whole concept of creepypasta, with Snopes claiming that it dates back to at least 2004.
A babysitter is at an unfamiliar home. She notices odd inconsistencies around the house, like water left running on its own. Also, there's a life-size statue or mannequin in the house, either of a clown or an angel. On the phone with the homeowners, she asks about the weird statue. The homeowners tell her that they don't have one.
The UK film team Bloody Cuts made a really exceptional adaptation of this story starring Bethan Hanks as the babysitter and Paul Ewen as the "statue." Even though, by now, everyone has heard some version of this story and knows where it's going, the production values make this a pretty unique experience. Just the shots of odd trinkets and toys scattered around the house are disquieting. The lighting and camerawork are particularly strong.
The Rake is believed to have been conceived in 2005 on the site 4chan and then codified in 2006 on a blog for SomethingAwful.com by Bryan Somerville. It's an emaciated-looking humanoid monster with long claws that sneaks into people's homes and does various things to them. Sometimes he's violent, and sometimes he is deadly. Other times, he's merely threatening. For hundreds of years he has appeared around the world, numerous times on video.
Go For Broke Pictures, the makers of the aforementioned 2 AM, have gone a more violent route than most with their version of Rake. Director Shun Ostubo's creature is a powerful predator with hollow eye sockets instead of a sneaking, sickly creep.
Before we even see the monster, it's already killed a father character. While the majority of the story centers on the surviving family members trying to avoid the beast, the last scenes are wonderfully made pieces of pseudo-historical evidence of the monster. The photos of the apparent victim from above and the crime scene investigation are particularly creepy.
Slender Man is still the most popular creepypasta character despite numerous parodies and a considerable degree of saturation. He is also one of few horror figures to inspire actual murder (unsuccessfully, so far). At some point, creator Eric Knudsen will undoubtedly allow a commercial motion picture or other production to be released. Until then, we have numerous videos and games to occupy our time.
Most videos about Slender Man are made to be as unpolished, vague, and amateur as possible to ape the style of the viral series Marble Hornets, which made Slender Man popular. Gearmark Pictures went in a completely different direction. Their film about Slender Man is slick and professional.
Their story is about a Confederate soldier from the American Civil War trying to protect his little sister Emily from the mysterious being. The acting in this film is so good that Slender Man himself isn't even the scariest part. Scarier is Daniela Leon's portrayal of Emily after she falls under the unknowable predator's influence.
An urban legend about the Pokemon games, similar to Lavender Town Syndrome, tells of a particularly dark bootleg version of Pokemon. A man receives a black cartridge and plays as a ghost character who can kill all enemies instantly with a move called "Curse." Then he begins to kill all the human characters with it until the world is emptied out. He considers that maybe the bootleg, modified version of the game was meant to be a lesson in mortality for children.
Pokemon Black became the main focus of one of the best parodies creepypastas have ever received: a video by Ridgway Films entitled Creepypasta. Despite broad humor (a cereal box full of game cartridges is the first sign of the game's unnatural power) and some extremely campy acting, the film includes some surprisingly creepy moments. The shot of the protagonist surrounded by Pokemon ghosts is surprisingly horrific for how absurd it is. Even people who don't find Internet stories about video games interesting at all should give it a look.
Dustin Koski has a story of his own about his last camping trip. Everyone's free to make a film of their own out of it.


Summary: Studies using alveolar organoids and in vivo alveolar regrowth post-pneumonectomy establish many dynamic and cell-type-specific roles for BMP signaling in regulating adult alveolar regeneration.
Summary: The transcription factor Tbx3 is required for eye formation. Although neither Tbx3 nor Pax6 alone is sufficient, together they can determine retina from pluripotent cells in Xenopus.
Summary: The direct binding of Noggin to Wnt modulates non-canonical BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signalling to regulate cell proliferation and cell fate during early tooth development.


text:
Q: Group corresponding rows value in a columns Python There is a .csv file with 6 columns. Grouping is do be done based on duplicate values of column 1; all the values in corresponding columns (remaining 5) should be merged into a single column.
Sample Data
col1    col2            col3        col4    col5    col6
1234    Some Text       Reg1        Value1  Txt      A
2345    Any Text        Reg1        Value2  Txt      B
3456    Some Text       Reg2        Value3  Txt      C
1234    Another Text    Reg3        Value2  Txt      D

Sample Data Screenshot
Below is the code, I am using
import csv
import sys

if len(sys.argv) < 2:
   print('To few arguments, please specify input filename')
   sys.exit()

filename = sys.argv[1]

accs = {}
with open(filename, mode='rU') as f:

reader = csv.reader(f, delimiter=',')
for n, row in enumerate(reader):
    if not n:
        # Skip header row (n = 0).
        continue
    acc, res, reg, col4, col5, col6 = row
    if acc not in accs:
        accs[acc] = list()
    accs[acc].append((res,reg,col4,col5,col6))

def listToStringWithoutBrackets(list1):
return str(list1).replace('[','').replace(']','')

with open('output.csv', 'w', newline='') as csvFile:
writer = csv.writer(csvFile)
for key, value in accs.items():
    writer.writerow([key, listToStringWithoutBrackets(value)])

print("Output file, with a name Output.csv has been created in the current working directory!")

I have referred to Sample Code for Group by in Python Below is the result I am getting (as I have used List with Key as Col1 and other columns as values)
col1    col2
1234    (Some Text,Reg1,Value1,Txt,A),(Another Text, Reg3, Value2, Txt, D)
2345    (Any Text, Reg1, Value2, Txt, B)
3456    (Some Text,Reg2,Value3, Txt,C)

Expected result (Actual result required)
col1    col2                    col3        col4            col5        col6
1234    Some Text, Another Text Reg1, Reg3  Value1, Value2  Txt, Txt    A,D
2345    Any Text                Reg1        Value2          Txt         B
3456    Some Text               Reg2        Value3          Txt         C

The expected (desired) result is required without using 3rd Party Library.
Any help!

A: import csv

reader = csv.reader(open('1.csv'), delimiter=',')
ans = dict()
for n, row in enumerate(reader):
    if n == 0:
        titles = row
    else:
        num = row[0]
        if num in ans:
            t = ans[num]
            for i in range(1, len(row)):
                t[i].append(row[i])
        else:
            tmp = []
            for other in row:
                tmp.append([other])
            ans[num] = tmp

writer = csv.writer(open("2.csv", 'w'))
writer.writerow(titles)
for row in ans.values():
    tmp = []
    for key in row:
        if isinstance(t, str):
            tmp.append(key)
        else:
            tmp.append(",".join(key))
    writer.writerow(tmp)


PANCHAYAT & Social Justice Department will observe Prohibition Week from the date of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi ? October 2. Programmes will be organised in the State during the Week. A State-level programme will be held at Community Hall, TT Nagar, between October 2 and October 8.
PANCHAYAT & Social Justice Department will observe Prohibition Week from the date of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi — October 2. Programmes will be organised in the State during the Week. A State-level programme will be held at Community Hall, TT Nagar, between October 2 and October 8.
A poster exhibition will be inaugurated on the first day of the Week at T T Nagar Community Hall. Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Social Justice Minister Rampal Singh will open the exhibition.
On October 3, a painting competition will be held followed by a Kavi Sammelan in the evening. An extempore competition will be held on October 4, quiz competition on October 5, essay writing competition on October 6, a rally by the NGOs on October 7 and prize distribution competition on the concluding day.
Students from all the schools and colleges of the City can participate in these competitions. The competitions will be organised in three groups — eight to 11 years, 12 to 17 years and 18 to 22 years.
Drawing sheets will be provided by the department. The participants will be required to bring brush and colours. Prizes will also be given to winners of different competitions.
The first prize of Rs 250, second prize of Rs 150 and third prize of Rs 100 will be given besides consolation prizes of Rs 50 each.


After many years of living and working in Frederick, MD, I find myself here, in Durango, CO. It is so beautiful here, but I am starting a new, fresh life and in turn, a fresh private practice. My practice in Maryland was so fulfilling. It was truly a joy to work with so many inspiring individuals and watch them grow toward healing and vitality in their lives.
When I first moved here, I wasn't sure what I would do. First, I took some time to get settled and to get to know my surroundings. It soon became very clear that I had to continue my private practice as a therapist, just in a new location. Thanks to the advances in technology and my license in Maryland, I am still able to do some distance counseling with clients who I already know and have seen grow to new heights. And, I am beginning to meet new clients here in Durango. So far, they have been inspiring as well.
In this blog, I will hope to write about the things that I do in my practice, inspirational moments, and topics that might interest my clients and others out there in the blog-o-sphere!


text:
Education/News/February 2019/Wikimedia, Tourism and Education: Launching project ISAL
Wikimedia, Tourism and Education: Launching project ISAL
Author: Paulo Santos Perneta
Summary: Wikimedia Portugal and Instituto Superior de Administração e Línguas da Madeira join efforts on the first large scale Wikimedia in University project in Portugal, about Education, Wikimedia and Tourism in Madeira; Also this month in Portugal: Wikimedia Portugal partnership with Centre for Lusophone and European Literatures and Cultures on focus at the commemorations of the 30 years of the University of Madeira; new education project with ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa bound to start in late February.
Wikimedia, Tourism and Education: Launching project ISAL[edit]
Not 30 years had passed since the Atlantic archipelago of Madeira started being settled by Portugal - commemorating its sixth centenary this year - when, in 1455, the islands saw their first documented tourist, Alvise Cadamosto, tasting its honey and wine, and writing down the uses and curiosities of its inhabitants. It's only natural that little more than five centuries later, in 1980, it would be the place where one of the earliest tourism focused superior education schools of Portugal would be established, in 1980: Instituto Superior de Administração e Línguas da Madeira (ISAL). And it is also where the first large scale Wikimedia in University project in Portugal is starting right now. Last 13 February, at ISAL's main auditorium, the first workshop/meeting of this project took place, with the presence of institute board and about 15 teachers, to present the Wikimedia projects - with a focus on Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata - and set the basis for the project involving teachers and students of the institution bound to start this semester, in March 2019.
After a lively and participated debate, an initial model was settled for improving the contents of the Wikipedia articles of the region 11 municipalities and 54 civil parishes ("freguesias"), all of them in dire need of amelioration, using the different competences of the classes the students are in: cultural heritage, history, nature, and so on. The article writing will be accompanied with photo documenting activities, to illustrate the articles and improve Wikimedia Commons contents on those subjects. The work developed this way will then be used as part of the evaluation of the students. When the articles attain a fair degree of quality and stability, students of foreign languages, as English, German and French, could translate the contents on those languages and help improving the respective articles in each foreign language Wikipedia. A second, more practical meeting with the teachers, eventualy including an editing workshop, is planned to take place next 20 February, with the first Wikipedia editing workshop with the students planned for 1 March. In the meanwhile, one or more scientific papers about this projects are expected to be developed evaluating the project success, and taking lessons aiming at bettering any future instances of it.
Also this month in Portugal[edit]
"The Women of/in Madeira" - activity with CLEPUL at the University of Madeira during Art & Feminism 2018
Open Day - 30 years of the University of Madeira: As part of the commemorations of the 30 years of the University of Madeira (UMa), the university is organizing next 20 February an Open Day at the Senate Room, at Campus Penteada, Funchal. Paulo Perneta, member of Wikimedia Portugal and researcher at the Centre for Lusophone and European Literatures and Cultures of the Faculty of Letters, University of Lisbon (CLEPUL), will be presenting the projects and initiatives that have been developed in a joint partnership with Wikimedia that started in 2017 and was signed one year ago, including Wikipedia articles creation and improvement and co-organization of Art & Feminism initiatives.
ISCTE university buildings in Lisbon
Education project in ISCTE bound to start in late February: In a month that is proving to be quite rich for Education & Wikimedia in Portugal, a second Wikimedia in University project is bound to start next 28 February, with a class on Wikipedia scheduled for a classroom of 23 students of the Post-Degree on Sistemas de Informação Aplicados às Organizações, at ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE), as part of the discipline "Seminary" by professor Manuela Aparício. Ana Cravo from Wikimedia Portugal is coordinating this project, which sets the onset of a new educational partnership in Portugal. ISCTE is located precisely next to the National Library of Portugal, which is our partner in a number of other projects, opening a very interesting and promising panorama of future cooperation between both institutions in Wikimedia educational and GLAM projects.
Social Media channels or hashtags: http://twitter.com/wikimediapt https://www.facebook.com/WikimediaPortugal ISAL Madeira WMPT
Retrieved from "https://outreach.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Education/News/February_2019/Wikimedia,_Tourism_and_Education:_Launching_project_ISAL&oldid=197353"


Muslim Hands is currently running 130 schools serving orphan and disadvantaged children around the world.
After locating a need for education provision in an area, we construct purpose-built schools which provide students with high quality facilities and a tailor-made space for learning and playing.
By donating to our School Building Fund, you will be giving a wonderful sadaqa jariyah to ensure that children from the most deprived communities have access to a high standard of education in a secure and engaging learning environment.


Pine Creek Structures in Wilkes-Barre, PA!
We have over 100 buildings to choose from in-stock, some up to $750 OFF! If you don't see exactly what you are looking for, we can customize one just for your needs & budget! Our buildings are Amish-Made, so they will outlast all of our competitors and can even be moved if you decide to re-locate. We offer an idustry leading, 6-Year Top-To-Bottom Warranty on our heavy duty structures.
We also offer FREE DELIVERY within 20 miles of the store if we can use our delivery truck and trailer. For tight yards, or difficult access, we have options! Call and ask Scott about the shed mule, Build on Site, or for a custom delivery quote.
Here is a great video about our delivery truck.
This is the Shed Mule in action. Give it a watch!
If you come after hours, be sure to check out our Brochure Shed!
From I-81 North: Take Exit 170B. Take Exit 1 off Route 309 (Cross Valley Expressway). Turn left onto Route 315 North. Pine Creek Structures is 1.8 miles on the right.
From I-81 South: Take to Exit 175A. Follow Route 315 South for 4.1 miles. Pine Creek Structures is on the Left.
10x16 New England Cottage with Shiplap Siding!


The 'Chappelle Show' star died from leukemia on Wednesday.
Charlie Murphy, Chappelle Show star and Eddie Murphy's older brother, has died, publicist Domenick Nati told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 57.
Murphy died from leukemia on Wednesday, said Nati.
Murphy became a household name through Dave Chappelle's Comedy Central skit show thanks to his amazing stories of interactions with other celebrities during the height of his brother's fame in the 1980s. The most popular short turned into a skit about the late Rick James.
Murphy also appeared in numerous movies, TV shows and even lent his voice to some video games.
The actor and comedian was on record as saying he was a hothead when he worked as a bodyguard for his brother. He said he loved Eddie so much, and thought he was so funny, that he would pick fights with people who did not laugh at his brother's jokes when he performed.
Murphy is also remembered for his amazing tale about the legendary musician, Prince, which was made into a skit for Chappelle Show. Murphy said he and friends played basketball against Prince and his entourage one night in the 1980s. Murphy said he was shocked how good Prince was at the game. Afterward, Prince made everyone pancakes. Prince was on record saying the story was true, even the breakfast.
"Terribly saddened … Charlie," comedian Paul Mooney wrote.


The equity markets have been mired in uncertainty this week, as geopolitical hotspots Syria, North Korea and Afghanistan all have caused a bit of a risk-off trade in stocks.
Then there are the homegrown policy concerns still plaguing Wall Street, including healthcare reform and corporate tax reform. After saying he would pivot to tax reform following the recent Congressional failure on healthcare, President Trump now appears to be renewing his efforts on the healthcare front.
While the geopolitical and policy uncertainty abroad and in Washington are weighing down stocks here, what we really need to start seeing is a return to good earnings to let us know what's next for markets.
Thursday, we got the first salvo in the Q1 earnings bombardment, and we got it in the form of earnings from several key financial bellwethers.
For those wanting to see positive hard data start to back up the recent positive sentiment indicators, today was a pretty good day.
Three of the four major financials reporting today bested estimates, including JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C) and PNC Financial Services Group (PNC).
So, is this ray of earnings light from these banks enough to illuminate the way forward for the bulls?
In the case of JPM, it reported EPS of $1.65 on revenues of $25.6 billion in Q1. This easily bested expectations. On the revenue front, JPM saw a 34% year-over-year gain to $1.65 billion in its investment banking operation.
That's an upbeat sign for the economy and markets going forward.
JPMorgan's high-profile CEO Jamie Dimon also made some upbeat comments about the quarter, and about the future of the bank and the economy in the firm's earnings release.
"U.S. consumers and businesses are healthy overall and with pro-growth initiatives and improving collaboration between government and business, the U.S. economy can continue to improve … We will be there to do our part, strong and steadfast in good times and bad, and working every day to support our clients and our communities."
Dimon also noted that the bank's consumer businesses continued to grow. The bank saw $622.9 billion in deposits, up 11% year-over-year. Loans also increased by 5% to $466.8 billion.
"The consumer businesses continue to grow core loans at double-digits, outperform the industry in deposit growth, and we once again had very strong card sales volume growth this quarter — reflecting our commitment to providing our customers the innovative products and services they want."
The JPM loan metrics are encouraging, as they somewhat contradict the recent data we presented in Tuesday's Afternoon Edition, "How Come Nobody Wants to Borrow Money?"
As for the other financials reporting Thursday, there were good metrics from Citigroup (C), which bested estimates on both the top and bottom lines.
The company reported quarterly profits were up 17% from the same quarter a year ago, driven by higher revenue and the lower cost of credit.
C's top line increased 3% to $18.1 billion, beating estimates of $17.8 billion. On the bottom line, EPS roared in at $1.35 vs. estimates calling for just $1.24.
PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) also posted an earnings beat, with EPS of $1.96 vs. estimates for just $1.84. Revenue for the quarter also was strong at $3.88 billion, a 6% rise year over year, and better than the $3.77 billion analysts were anticipating.
The only financial stock that didn't knock it out of the park was embattled money center bank Wells Fargo (WFC).
Not surprisingly, the phony account scandal took its toll on the bank's top and bottom lines. Still, Q1 profit managed to come in flat even though revenue fell short of estimates.
The bottom line here is that this first round of bank earnings is encouraging. And despite the noise of geopolitical tensions and Washington policy concerns, hard economic data might actually be OK for Q1.
At least, that's what the bulls are hoping for.
Gold bulls sure are having a party right now. And Sean Brodrick, our resident small-cap mining expert, says the party hasn't even gotten started in earnest!
You know who hates this market right now? Every investor who hasn't bought gold and miners, thinking the rally this year is just a flash in the pan. I see "sour grapes" stories in the mainstream media all the time, talking about how gold is doomed. Doomed! DOO-OOMED!
Ha! I welcome their hatred of this rally. Their bitterness. They'll change their minds eventually. And you know what? Plenty of 'em, when they finally go long, will STILL make money.
That's because this gold rally hasn't even really started yet. Let me show you a long-term chart of gold.
This chart shows the last big bull market in gold, and the subsequent 5-year-long bear market, and the new bull market.
Wait! No! It doesn't show a new bull market at all. Even though I'm certain gold entered a new bull market at the beginning of 2016, chart-wise, that rally isn't enough to break the big bearish trend that has been in place for six long years!
That's right. The downtrend started before the official bear market began. Gold has trended lower for six years!
So could the bears be right? Could gold's doom be nigh?
Well, sure. If every darned fundamental that I've been hammering about didn't exist. Peak gold. Rising inflation. The ballooning Asian middle class. The cyclical nature of gold. And more!
But those bullish forces DO exist. The tide in gold has turned. And we are getting closer to a big breakout.
And let me tell you this: Every investor who is long gold and miners should stand up and give President Trump a standing ovation. He's the force behind the recent gold rally.
First he bombed Syria. Then he threatened North Korea. Then he dropped all talk of China being a "currency manipulator." Then the Prez told the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. dollar is "too strong."
Result: The U.S. dollar looked back over its shoulder wistfully, then did a nose-dive off the roof. And as the greenback tumbled lower, gold jumped higher. That's the "seesaw of pain" I keep telling you about.
Then today, Mr. Trump bombed an ISIS target in Afghanistan. And gold gleamed even more.
Sure, I expect that what Trump giveth, he can taketh away. If and when things smooth over with North Korea, we'll see a pullback in gold. Likewise, he talked the dollar down one week, so he can talk it up the next.
And there is still plenty of bearish sentiment lately. That's why many miners have been laggards. Investors do not believe it. Heck, mining companies don't believe it. French investment and bullion bank Natixis tells BullionVault that producers are selling gold into the current surge.
Why? I'll tell you why! Because a five-year bear market has crushed their hopes. They see a six-year downtrend looming dead ahead, and they are panicking.
But downtrends are made to be broken. Oh boy, are they.
The fact is, gold is making higher highs and higher lows. We HAVE hit peak gold production. Gold is so cyclical it should be in the Tour de France. And those cycles are gearing up. Way up.
Let me show you one more chart before I go. Showing that you haven't missed the boat. It's a chart of gold's daily price action through Wednesday.
Sure, gold bulled through overhead resistance at $1,260. That resistance is now support. But there is even bigger resistance at $1,309.
Now, we might get there quickly. Recently, I told you just how quickly gold can fill an overhead gap in volume.
But gold might also zig-zag. The market causes the maximum amount of pain to the maximum number of investors — you know that. We could even see gold zag downward to test its recent uptrend before it really breaks you.
You know, in your gut, that such a dip would be a heck of a buying opportunity. But too many will listen to the sour grapes of Wall Street. It's very hard to buy that kind of dip.
But if such a dip happens, those who do buy it could position themselves very nicely for gold's next big bull move.
And when that happens, I have a select group of smaller gold and silver stocks. They're overlooked by Wall Street. And they should shine very brightly indeed.
And that big rally is coming. Sour grapes be damned.
The Dow fell 138 points (-0.7%) after the U.S. dropped the "mother of all bombs" on an Islamic State target in Afghanistan. The 21,600-pound, GPS-guided, non-nuclear bomb was aimed at a cave and tunnel complex where ISIS fighters move freely. All sectors on the S&P 500 ended the day in the red.
• Saudis sell $9 billion in bonds: The first international sale of Islamic bonds saw five-year notes sold at 2.93% and 10-year notes at 3.65%.
• Adding to the case for rising rates: Weekly jobless claims dipped to 243,000 last week. (Economists expected 245K.) And producer prices saw their largest year-over-year increase in five years.
• Oil up 1.8% for the week: The Saudis continue to express interest in extending OPEC's production-cut deal past the summer.
• Holiday weekend: Stock, bond and commodity markets will be closed tomorrow. European and Asian markets will also be closed Monday. However, the U.S. and Canadian markets will be back in business on Monday. And that's when we will return with your next Afternoon Edition. So, let us take this opportunity to wish you a safe and happy long weekend!
DEAR BRAD,ALL IS HAPPY WHEN THE FINAL IS HAPPY.FROM ALL INFORMATIONS , HWO YOU GIVING ME THIS MONTHS THIS IS REALY POSITIVE.I KNOW MUCH GOOD , THAT THE GOLD WILL GO IN HIGH POSITION.AND I THINK , THAT ALL IS CHANGE IN POSITIVE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR NICE WISHES TO ME FOR THIS WEEKEND. BECAUSE THIS WEEKEND IS SPEZIAL FOR ME-THE FEST FOR EASTER.FOR ME THIS DAYS IS MUCH FORCES FROM THE YEAR.OF THIS DAYS JESU GO TO OWN FATHER AND ASC FROM HIM ALL LOVE OF THIS WSELEN TO COME OVER US-THE LITTLE PERSONS .I WILL ASC FROM GOD PEACE OF THIS WORLD, HEALTH FOR EVERYONE AND MUCH LOVE.OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM I WISH ALSO HAPPY FEST , HAPPY EASTER AND REALISIRT YOU YOUR GOOD IDEAS .WITH MUCH RESPECTS AND FROM ALL MY HEART-THANK YOU FOR YOU SUPPORT IN THIS SO MUCH DIFICULT MOMENTS AND MONTHS IN MY LIFE.-TATYANA MIRCHEVA-DATA-14.04.2017-BREMEN -GERMANY.
hi brad, why is every thing so complicated? my head is spinning. things there, things here. gold bugs, warmongers, babysitters. what next? gimme the simple life.


BEADSMITH-Vintaj: 8 Ounce Ball Pein Jeweler's Hammer. Imprint words onto altered blanks or create a distressed look on charms and findings. Overall hammer length is 11-1/2 inches with a 10-1/4 inch tapered wood handle. Hammer head is 3-1/4x7/8 inches. This package contains one Ball Pein Hammer. Imported.