text:
The Trincomalee Garrison is a common name used for collection of military bases of the Sri Lanka Army located in and around the Fort Fredrick and the town of Trincomalee in the Eastern Province. Due to the large natural harbor, it is one of the oldest military garrisons in Sri Lanka and has been occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. Known as Trincomalee Fortress during World War II.

Trincomalee is home to the Security Forces Headquarters – East and 22 Division of the Sri Lanka Army, Eastern Naval Command of the Sri Lanka Navy and Eastern Zonal Command of the Sri Lanka Air Force. It has several training centers of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, including the Naval and Maritime Academy  and the Air Force Academy, China Bay. Fort Fredrick has a detachment of the 2nd Gajaba Regiment. The Navy maintains a naval hospital in Trincomalee. SLAF China Bay and SLN Dockyard are situated in close proximity to the town.

History
It is not known when Trincomalee started to function as harbor or gained military significance since the days of the ancient Sri Lankan Kings. The earliest known reference to the port of Gokanna is found in the Mahavamsa stating that in the 5th century BC, when King Vijaya who having failed to convince his brother to come to Sri Lanka as his successor, got down his youngest son Panduvasdeva, who landed at Gokanna and was subsequently enthroned at Upatissagama.

King Parakramabahu I used Gokanna (Trincomalee) as his eastern port, to launch a successful invasion of Burma in the 12th Century. Trincomalee which is a natural deep-water harbour that has attracted seafarers like Marco Polo, Ptolemy and Sea Traders from China and East Asia. An English sea captain and historical chronicle writer named Robert Knox came ashore by chance near Trincomalee and surrendered to the military detachment of Dissawa (official) of the King of Kandy in 1659. Hence, it was an important trade city between Sri Lanka and the outside world.

With the expansion of the Portuguese colonial possessions in the coastal areas, they built a fort in 1623 which was captured in 1639 by the Dutch. Known as Fort Fredrick it went through a phase of dismantling and reconstruction until was attacked and captured by the French in 1672. The French handed it back to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) at the Peace of Paris in 1784. In 1795 it was taken over by the British, and the British maintained a garrison till 1948. Trincomalee was the first land to be captured by the British who fought and defeated the Dutch, who did not want to surrender Ceylon as directed by the Prince of Orange, who took refuge in London after being defeated by the French republicans under Napoleon.

The importance of Fort Fredrick was due to Trincomalee's natural harbour. Through Trincomalee, it was believed a strong naval force could secure control of India's Coromandel Coast. It is stated that Trincomalee was visited by Colonel Arthur Wellesley (later the 1st Duke of Wellington) and Midshipman Horatio Nelson (later the 1st Viscount Nelson) at different times during their service in India. Lord Nelson  visited whilst serving as a midshipman on board  and would call it the finest harbors in the world. Arthur Wellesley visited whilst a Colonel in the British East India Company, the bungalow he resided in is known as Wellesley Lodge which is inside Fort Fredrick and now is the officer's mess of the 2nd (Volunteer) battalion of the Gajaba Regiment.

Prior to the Second World War, the British built the Royal Air Force base, RAF China Bay, as well as fuel oil storage and support facilities for the Royal Navy's shore establishment, . After the fall of Singapore, Trincomalee became the home port of the Eastern Fleet of the Royal Navy, and submarines and flying boats of the Dutch Navy. The harbour and airfield were attacked by a Japanese carrier fleet in April 1942 in the Indian Ocean Raid.

Until 1957, Trincomalee was an important base for the Royal Navy and was home to many British people who were employed by the British Admiralty. In the early 1950s The British Government built groups of bungalows within the Fort specifically for their employees. These bungalows still exist and provide accommodation for soldiers of the Sri Lankan Army. One of the groups of bungalows was named Edinburgh Terrace. Children of the British residents attended a Royal Naval School which was part of the Naval Base.

The naval and air bases were taken over by Sri Lanka in 1957, today SLNS Tissa and SLN Dockyard are used by the Sri Lankan Navy, while the Sri Lanka Air Force is based at SLAF China Bay. The Sri Lanka Army has its Security Forces Headquarters - East in Trincomalee.

Trincomalee War Cemetery, is one of the six commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka, it is maintained by Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Navy Base is home to a naval museum called The Hoods Tower Museum. The name of the museum refers to a watchtower built on a hill commanding a 360-degree view of the harbor and the bay.

Training centers
Naval and Maritime Academy
Air Force Academy, China Bay
Army School of Logistics

Units
Units based in Trincomalee
Sri Lanka Army
22 Division - Plantain Point
221 Infantry Brigade - Fort Fredrick
4th Armoured Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps - Clappenberg
2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Gajaba Regiment - Fort Fredrick

Sri Lanka Navy
 3rd Fast Gun Boats Squadron (3 FGS)
 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF)
 7th Surveillance Command Squadron

Sri Lanka Air Force
No. 1 Flying Training Wing
No. 14 Squadron

See also
SLAF China Bay
SLN Dockyard
Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
Gajaba Regiment

References

Sri Lankan Army bases
Buildings and structures in Trincomalee
Buildings and structures associated with the Dutch East India Company


It is almost impossible to find a homeowner who would have not experienced any kind of drain blockages within their property Drain blockage is one of the most irritating issues that homeowners face every once in a while and no matter what the root cause of a drain blockage, dealing with this is no easy job.
Although certain defects in the drain pipe systems are the root cause of blocked drains, there are certain objects that are found to block the drains, as well. Here are some factors that could play a major role in exacerbating the situation.
One of the most prevalent causes of drain blockages is the habit of householders putting different things in the sink that should have actually found their place in the rubbish bin. Sanitary products, nappies and food leftovers are the main culprits, as far as causing issues within the drain system is concerned.
Fatty residues normally washes down and can accumulate within the drains, especially down the water trap in the kitchen gulley. The cold water and grease combined together start to coagulate and stick to the inside of the pipelines. Over a period, the drainage systems lose the efficiency because of the build-up of excess fat.
One of the biggest problems with the loo is the coagulation of foreign subjects that are flushed away in the toilet lines. Over flushing of cigarettes, toilet paper and other objects tend to get stuck in the toilet over a period of time.
Apart from the leftovers, fats and surplus debris from the kitchen flowing down the sink; the other main source of blockage is the hair strands of an individual. Hair tends to trouble even more when the problem of grease is already causing a strong blockage inside the pipelines.
Pipes are quite fragile, particularly the vitrified clay pipelines. If these pipes were installed without following proper industry standards or if they are troubled by any subsequent construction projects, the pipelines can often face problems that take a good amount of time to be noticed, which often results in a blockage.
Plant roots are generally on the lookout for more water resources to satiate their water nourishment needs; household drains could serve as a great water source for such plants. Even the slightest damage in the drains or a miniature default in construction can lead to water leakage, thereby attracting strong roots towards the source.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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El escorpión de Gorgona (Ananteris gorgonae) es una especie de escorpión de la familia Buthidae.

Distribución geográfica
Es endémico de la isla Gorgona, Cauca, Colombia.

Referencias

gorgonae
Fauna endémica de la isla Gorgona
Animales descritos en 1989

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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text:
Alexander Blaszczynski
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia, E-mail: <email xlink:href="mailto:a.blaszczynski@unsw.edu.au">a.blaszczynski@unsw.edu.au</email>
Fiona Maccallum
South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Australia
Keywords Canada Gamblers Anonymous Nordic countries addiction adolescents comorbidity depression disordered gambling ethnography gambling marketing motivation pathological gambling poker prevention problem gambling public health slot machines treatment women youth
Home > No 4 (2001) >	Blaszczynski
This article is available in: HTML jgi:
Journal ID (publisher-id): jgi
Publisher: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
© 1999-2003 The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Received Day: 17 Month: July Year: 2000
Accepted Day: 13 Month: September Year: 2000
Publication date: May 2001
Publisher Id: jgi.2001.4.3
DOI: 10.4309/jgi.2001.4.3
Gambling-Induced Analgesia: A Single Case Report
Alexander Blaszczynski, PhD Affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia, E-mail: a.blaszczynski@unsw.edu.au
Fiona Maccallum, MPsych (Clinical) Affiliation: South Western Sydney Area Health Service, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Australia
[This article and its two response documents print to approximately 27 pages. – The editor]
This client case presentation was peer-reviewed.
Correspondence: Correspondence: Alexander Blaszczynski, PhD, School of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Level 4, Health Services Building, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia. E-mail: a.blaszczynski@unsw.edu.au, Fax: +61 (2) 9828 4910
This paper describes a single case study of analgesia induced by gambling. The subject is a 48-year-old male diagnosed with pathological gambling problems, suffering chronic back pain resulting from a road trauma. The reported intensity of arousal associated with slot machines and roulette produced a state of dissociation or distraction that temporarily reduced levels of pain. Consistent with an operant conditioning model, this reduction in pain was a negative reinforcer that acted to elicit further gambling whenever the pain reached a certain level of discomfort. In the absence of any effective analgesic medication, he used gambling as his predominant strategy to manage pain. He began to enjoy gambling, and within a relatively short period, lost more than he intended and commenced chasing losses. Pain levels decreased following chiropractic interventions, but his gambling continued. The additional, positive reinforcing effects of the excitement generated by the slot machines and roulette gaming became sufficient to maintain persistence in gambling independent of pain experienced. This case highlights the possibility that psychological factors involved in establishing a gambling habit may differ from those involved in maintaining persistence.
Several authors have suggested that the need to escape negative emotional states partially explains the motivation for persistent gambling in a proportion of participants (Blaszczynski & McConaghy, 1989; Jacobs, 1989; Wynne, 1994). The central concept underlying this view is that gambling is capable of producing sufficient arousal to induce a state of narrowed attention, or an altered state of consciousness characterised by amnesic episodes, trance and dissociation. It is argued that this state of consciousness permits a person who is gambling to temporarily 'switch off' from stressful thoughts, reduce boredom (Blaszczynski, McConaghy & Frankova, 1990), escape emotionally from their current situation or cope with feelings of inadequacy or rejection. Although imprecisely defined, the phenomenon of dissociation, the cornerstone of Jacobs' General Theory of Addictions (1989), is claimed to mediate this process.
Studies demonstrate that gambling is associated with subjective and physiological indices of arousal (Anderson & Brown, 1984; Leary & Dickerson, 1985; Dickerson & Adcock, 1987; Roby & Lumley, 1995) and high scores on measures of dissociation (Kuley & Jacobs, 1988; Brown, 1997; Gupta & Derevensky, 1998). Empirical data offered by Diskin and Hodgins (1999) demonstrate the ability of gambling to engross participants during play. The authors demonstrated that reaction time in response to visual stimuli during a laboratory session of gambling was slower and scores on a dissociative scale higher among 12 people with pathological gambling problems who played video lottery compared to 11 occasional players.
We present an interesting case of a male for whom arousal associated with gambling invoked a dissociative-like state (or level of distraction) that induced analgesia for chronic back pain. His gambling rapidly escalated as it was an effective strategy that distracted him from his chronic back pain. According to principles of operant conditioning, removal of pain negatively reinforced gambling and led to the development of a gambling habit. However, consistent with the behaviour completion mechanism model (McConaghy, 1980; McConaghy, Armstrong, Blaszczynski & Allcock, 1983), once his gambling became a habit, he acknowledged that he played independently of pain. He enjoyed gambling for the excitement it generated, and in response to urges triggered by stresses of any nature or source.
Mr. S.M. was a 48-year-old married, self-employed businessman. He referred himself for treatment because, for one year, he played slot machines and roulette excessively. He reported a mean net expenditure of AUD $500 to $800 per session (on infrequent occasions, more than AUD $1,000), frequently playing twice a week for two hours. He endorsed seven of 10 DSM-IV criteria and obtained a South Oaks Gambling Screen (Lesieur & Blume, 1987) score of 11. Mr. S.M. produced bank statements verifying recurrent withdrawals of AUD $200 from gambling venues.
Mr. S.M. consented to publication of this case study.
Mr. S.M., second youngest of four boys, was born in Germany in 1950, went to school, and then migrated to Australia with his family at age 20. His father, a cabinetmaker, died 20 years ago from a heart condition and his mother lives near his residence. His developmental milestones were normal and his childhood unremarkable. The family was close and he maintains irregular contact with his brothers.
In Australia, he commenced but did not complete a diploma in chemistry. He was employed as a technical assistant in a painting and printing research and development laboratory. He subsequently embarked on a relatively successful career as a self-employed businessman, importing goods and earning approximately AUD $240,000 per annum. He is a gregarious and talkative person.
At age 21, he married a nurse and they had three children. He described the relationship as "good." In 1984, because they both worked long hours, they experienced marital difficulties, which resulted in a two-month separation.
Mr. S.M. denied the presence of a family or premorbid history of psychiatric illness, alcohol dependency or illicit drug use. He consumed alcohol socially; less than two standard drinks per day on average; although, because of a car accident, he drank more when he experienced severe pain. There was no evidence suggesting a personality disorder, thought disorder, antisocial or conduct-behavioural problem, nor was there evidence of any significant medical illness prior to the injuries sustained in the accident.
History of physical injuries
In June 1997, Mr. S.M. was involved in a motor vehicle accident and sustained severe bruising, soft tissue whiplash injuries and a fractured spine and sternum but did not lose consciousness. He continued to suffer significant back pain and psychological changes characterised by increased irritability, anger and depression. His back pain was located in the lumbar regions L1 and L2 and upper neck and shoulder area. He described it as severe fluctuating episodes lasting a day or two with continual moderate pain. Using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (Melzack, 1975), his pain was rated at a score of three; which is distressing because of its intensity. Using the rank value method, the following pain scale scores were obtained: sensory, 6; affective, 16; evaluative, 10; and miscellaneous, 13; giving an overall total Pain Rating Index of 45. He stated that he was unable to stand or sit for any length of time and said this had hampered his ability to function at work.
Taking analgesic medication such as Panadeine Forte and Efexor (300 mL) daily temporarily alleviated pain but did not eliminate it completely. When the pain was severe, he would consume several glasses of alcohol over a few hours.
Mr. S.M. became depressed due to the pain, which interfered with his capacity to work and restricted his quality of life. He consulted a psychiatrist for counselling and a hypnotist for pain management and he initiated compensation because of his injuries.
Gambling history
Mr. S.M. commenced gambling at 17, infrequently betting AUD $5 on horse races at off-track betting venues. He also began playing slot machines socially, and infrequently attended a casino with friends and or his wife. There was no reported loss of control over the 15-year period prior to 1998.
In March 1998, Mr. S.M. attended a casino with his wife and won AUD $4,500. Significantly, he noted that gambling (and winning) produced a state of excitement — powerful enough to act as an effective analgesic for his pain. The excitement altered his mood and self-confidence: "Nothing but happy thoughts, I'm on cloud nine."
As a result, Mr. S.M.'s gambling escalated rapidly over the following three months after learning that gambling was effective in reducing his chronic back pain. Whenever the pain increased, he gambled to reduce its intensity. All other concerns and physical sensations were excluded from conscious awareness:
"…the concentration on the gambling is so intense that I don't feel anything. I talk with people at the roulette table and become very happy and relaxed. The concentration is on the gambling. Very important, when gambling just small amounts it becomes boring and the pain becomes noticeable. To chase gives full concentration. The pain disappears. This does not work without real [meaning substantial amounts] money."
On the Jacobs (1989) four-item dissociative scale, he failed to endorse depersonalization ("…ever felt like you were outside yourself watching…") and reported only occasional memory lapses. The remaining two items were rated as frequently: "I'm really into it [gambling], everybody is a shadow when I am playing" and "I feel totally happy, invincible."
The negative reinforcing effects of gambling led to a cycle where gambling represented a costly approach to pain management. He lost substantial amounts and, given his restricted capacity to earn money, was forced to sell investment properties to cover expenses. He began to chase losses and developed erroneous beliefs about his skills and probability of winning. Over three months, he lost approximately AUD $20,000 and made repeated, unsuccessful efforts to cease gambling.
Between March and September, Mr. S.M. was offered imaginal desensitisation (McConaghy et al., 1983) and cognitive therapy designed to correct erroneous perceptions. He reported an estimated improvement of 60 to 90 per cent (as assessed by frequency and amount used to gamble).
Chiropractic manipulation partly contributed to this positive outcome of pain reduction, and his back pain stabilised to tolerable limits. In September 1998, he reported that he gambled less frequently, reduced the amount substantially, and that current gambling sessions were not motivated by the need to induce analgesia. His gambling patterns changed significantly and he often gambled within controlled limits motivated by social enjoyment. He made the conscious decision to play for excitement in weekly one-hour sessions with a net expenditure of $100. However, there were additional binge episodes that were triggered by a range of stresses or depressed moods related to worries over his compensation proceedings and inability to work. At these times, he spent more than intended, losing up to AUD $250 to $350 per session.
At his October 1999 follow-up, he reported continued improvement of approximately 80 per cent from pre-treatment levels of amount and frequency of gambling. However, he still had intermittent lapses during the intervening 12 months in which he lost up to $400 (amounts significantly less than those lost in earlier binge episodes). On one occasion, he was under considerable pressure and decided to gamble despite the efforts of his friends to contain him. He acknowledged awareness of his actions but felt the need to release pent-up stresses and the overwhelming drive to gamble. In another episode, conflict with barristers and anxiety associated with the preparation of compensation reports provoked a serious episode where he gambled AUD $1,000 but aborted the session despite having access to money.
When last seen, in December 1999, he reported no subsequent episodes of excessive gambling. On several occasions he entered gambling premises with his wife, but either did not gamble or limited his gambling to a small amount with no difficulty, deciding to cease despite having AUD $2,000 or more in cash. He acknowledged a persistent underlying urge to gamble but claimed it was controllable. Given his fluctuating pattern of improvement, his prognosis was regarded as positive, but uncertain in the longer term. Cognitive therapy and counselling continued to be offered.
It makes intuitive sense to argue that gambling represents an exciting activity capable of generating sufficient levels of arousal. Gambling offers an opportunity for emotional escapism by narrowing a player's attention, and altering his or her state of consciousness and sense of disconnection from self and environment. From a behavioural learning perspective, the reduction in aversive mood states is a negative reinforcer. Once immersed in gambling, all extraneous aspects of a person's life can be excluded from conscious thought, while attention and concentration are directed at the single task of winning, anticipating the next outcome and the powerful, ego-boosting fantasy associated with winning.
A number of authors have underscored the desire to escape stressful situations, memories and aversive mood states as a primary motivation for continued participation in gambling. Anderson and Brown (1984) first hypothesised that the physiological arousal and subjective excitement associated with gambling could sufficiently narrow attention to allow participants to escape from their current state of emotional distress.
Jacobs (1989; 1998) incorporated this concept as a central feature of his General Theory of Addictions, arguing that such arousal was comparable to dissociative-like phenomena. He has produced convincing empirical data to show that people who gamble experience blurred reality, shift in persona, depersonalisation and amnesia for events occurring during gambling (Jacobs, 1998). According to Jacobs, addiction is defined as "a dependent state acquired over time by a predisposed person in an attempt to relieve a chronic stress condition" (Jacobs, 1989, p. 35). Addiction to gambling specifically arises from an interaction of two predisposing variables: an abnormal state of physiological hyper- or hypo-arousal and negative childhood experiences invoking rejection, inadequacy and low self-esteem.
In this model, the potential to induce a dissociative-like state that diverts attention from chronic aversive arousal states, deflects thoughts of self-perceived inadequacies from consciousness and fosters the emergence of wish-fulfilling fantasies that give gambling its "addictive" qualities. Gambling represents a problem-solving method that permits psychological escape through mechanisms of dissociation.
"[It is a] normal…defence we all use against distractions in everyday life. We also use dissociation as a defense when high levels of psychological distress, physical pain, or sense of helplessness caused by a traumatic incident or a continuing aversive condition overwhelms a person's resources for coping with the stress it engenders" (Jacobs, 1998, p. 4).
That people who gamble obtain elevated scores on measures of dissociation has been found repeatedly; (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998; Kuley & Jacobs, 1988) although with some contrary results. For example, Diskin and Hodgins (1999) found that a small sample of people diagnosed with pathological gambling problems had higher dissociative scores than people who gambled occasionally, but neither differed from normative scores.
However, dissociation is a complex concept that lacks a single framework. It is variously conceptualised as a non-integrated mental module or system, an alteration in consciousness resulting in a disconnection from self or environment, or a psychological defence mechanism (Cardena, 1994). In Jacobs' model, dissociation is used with various meanings with no attempt made to distinguish it from altered states that emerge as correlates of ordinary "distraction." As Cardena (1994) cautions, labelling any simple disconnection between self and perceptions, or emotions and thought as dissociative weakens the utility of the construct. The term should be retained for circumstances where there is a qualitative disconnection from ordinary modes of experience. We are suggesting that there are many normal activities that engross the participant wherein they become so focused they lose perceptions of external and internal stimuli. These activities are enjoyable and participation is sought recurrently. Examples are sporting contests, computer play, reading and board games. Gambling can be conceptualised in the same vein without recourse to more complicated concepts of dissociation.
In the present case study, Mr. S.M. was so engrossed in gambling that he was distracted from pain, which led directly to increased participation. It should be noted that distraction is used effectively in pain management strategies without recourse to dissociation as an explanatory process. Once the habit was established, other factors superseded the analgesic effects as the primary reasons for participation, notably, excitement and erroneous perceptions surrounding the likelihood of winning.
Blaszczynski and McConaghy (1989) adopted a similar position. They argued that gamblers experiencing anxiety selected low-skill games, while dysphoric gamblers chose high-skill games to modulate mood states and achieve optimal levels of physiological arousal (Zuckerman, 1979). However, adopting a neo-Pavlovian, behaviour completion mechanism model, McConaghy and his colleagues (McConaghy, 1980; McConaghy et al., 1983) did not consider dissociation or negative childhood experiences a necessary component of the aetiological process. Rather, a wide range of current external or internal stresses was considered sufficient to trigger the drive to gamble once a gambling habit was established. This behaviour completion mechanism would drive the person to engage in and complete the sequence of behaviours underlying the urge. The person would experience this as a persistent preoccupation and urge to engage in the behaviour and to carry it through until satisfactorily completed. Attempts to impede this process would lead to an aversive state of increased tension and continued drive to complete the behavioural sequence.
In addition to the operant reinforcing qualities of the excitement of winning, the reduction in aversive arousal associated with the urge to carry out a habitual behaviour to completion and aversive emotional state were seen to represent important negative reinforcers. In the case of Mr. S.M., when the physical pain overwhelmed his coping resources, he gambled as a means of temporarily reducing pain through distraction. Once this became a habitual pattern, this strategy was applied to escape negative emotional states.
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McConaghy, N.. Armstrong, M.S.. Blaszczynski, A.. Allcock, C.. ( 1983). Controlled comparison of aversive therapy and imaginal desensitisation in compulsive gambling. British Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 366-372.
Melzack, R.. ( 1975). The McGill Pain Questionnaire: Major properties and scoring methods. Pain, 1, 277-299.
Roby, K.J.. Lumley, M.A.. ( 1995). Effects of accuracy feedback versus monetary contingency in arousal in high and low frequency gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies, 11 (2), 185-193.
Wynne, H.. ( 1994). A Description of Problem Gamblers in Alberta: A Secondary Analysis of the Gambling and Problem Gambling in Alberta Study. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.
Zuckerman, M.. ( 1979). Sensation Seeking: Beyond the Optimal Level of Arousal. New J ersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
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Murder with Clotted Cream–cozy mystery with an emphasis on relationships
January 31, 2021 4:06 PM / 8 Comments on Murder with Clotted Cream–cozy mystery with an emphasis on relationships
Murder with Clotted Cream
by Karen Rose Smith
You can jump right into Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery Series with Murder with Clotted Cream, the fifth book in this series by Karen Rose Smith. The author does an outstanding job of providing information on the characters for the new or returning reader.
Daisy Swanson is co-owner of Daisy's Tea Garden. In this book, Daisy is hired to provide a tea for the actors preparing a play for the Little Theater, newly built by a real estate developer and his actress wife. When a murder occurs at the tea, Daisy finds herself in the middle of yet another investigation. Other major parts of this plot are relationship oriented: Daisy and her boyfriend Jonas, Daisy's daughter Jazzi and her biological mother, Daisy and her own mother Rose, and Daisy's other daughter who suffers from postpartum depression. As you can see, Daisy has a lot on her plate, and it doesn't help that the detective on the case has an ax to grind with Daisy's boyfriend.
There are a lot of suspects to keep you guessing and some danger along the way for Daisy. The book also deals with important parenting issues across the generations. Some of Daisy's investigations are digital or local to her town, but others involve a train trip to New York City. We get to view her not as a one-dimensional heroine but as an independent businesswoman, a caring mom, a widow exploring a friendship blossoming slowly into romance, and a careful observer of those around her.
Notes: 1. #5 in the Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery Series, but great as a standalone.
2. Includes 3 original recipes
Publication: May 26, 2020—Kensington Books
"She knows how to ask questions, and she doesn't treat everyone she meets as if they were hostile witnesses. You might be better served to do the same."
November has descended with a cold grip, and today was a perfect example of a steel-gray day with the reminder of winter in any wind that blew.
Daisy heard Jonas gasp as if Zeke had punched him in his solar plexus. In that one statement Zeke just might have changed Jonas's attitude about life, about love, and about moving forward.
When We Were Young and Brave–kindness in the midst of despair
January 29, 2021 6:55 PM / 8 Comments on When We Were Young and Brave–kindness in the midst of despair
When We Were Young and Brave
During our current tumultuous times, When We Were Young and Brave was somewhat of a difficult read for me, but I'm glad it is now a part of my personal reading journey. Hazel Gaynor's latest book relates a fictional version of the events following Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor as they play out for the students and teachers at the China Inland Mission School in Chefoo, China. With Japan's invasion of China, the Japanese seize and occupy the school, later interning the residents in the much larger prison camp known as the Weihsien Civilian Assembly Center where sanitation facilities are disgusting and meals are meager, nutritionally inadequate for growing children, and almost inedible. Despite the harsh conditions, the teachers protect the children as best they can while rallying them with insistence on routines, cleanliness, and a hearty "chin up" attitude. Of particular note is the role of their Girl Guide troop and standards that help the students in maintaining a positive outlook.
The last sections of the book, "Liberation" and "Remembrance," are remarkable in the beauty of the skillful writing that describes the impact of the American liberation on the camp residents. They gain relief from the fears that haunted them daily, but endure the substitution of new anxieties and questions for the future. Where will they go and what will they do? Is anyone waiting for them at home?
The story is told by alternating narrators. Elspeth is a competent, well-organized, and kind teacher who has a special motherly feeling for Nancy, the daughter of missionaries in China. Their relationship is always teacher and student, but as months of internment become years, Elspeth takes on increasingly more of the commitment for safe care that she made to Nancy's mother as they departed by boat to sail to the school, both as first-timers. We view their ordeals from both Elspeth's and Nancy's points of view.
There are a lot of themes in the book including resilience, relationships, releasing the past, and looking to the future. Symbolism is also important in the kingfisher that becomes the emblem of the new Girl Guide patrol and the sunflower which holds a special meaning for teacher and students.
The characters emerge as three dimensional figures as they are well developed. Realism comes into play with descriptions of the harsh conditions; no one's story is fairytale like or even positive. The setting is well-executed with vivid word pictures. As the Chinese workers slosh through the camp, the odor of the filth of "honey-pot" buckets they pull from the latrines makes an unforgettable olfactory experience. There are also more pleasant descriptions of the beauty outside the camp, but glimpses are rare for those interned. The last two sections make the book a winner for me, but the first sections are also well written and essential to the success of this historical novel.
Category: Historical Fiction
Notes: There is a very informative section at the end of the book that describes the author's research and thought processes and some historical background. The author has also included a brief history of the Girl Guides as that organization plays an important role in the girls' lives. Other additions are a list of books and websites for further reading, including original source documents found at weihsien-paintings.org, and some questions for discussion.
Publication: October 6, 2020—Harper Collins
When she was cross, Miss Kent spoke in a way that reminded me of brittle twigs snapping underfoot on autumn walks. I felt my cheeks go red. Without giving me a ticking-off, she'd done exactly that.
I knew the smile she gave us that morning was the sort of "we must be brave" smile adults use when they're trying to pretend something awful isn't happening.
But, as I'd come to realize about life during a war, nothing stayed the same for long. Just when you thought you'd adjusted and adapted and found a way to cope, the situation changed.
Candy Slain Murder–lots of food and mystery
January 27, 2021 8:36 PM / 6 Comments on Candy Slain Murder–lots of food and mystery
Candy Slain Murder
by Maddie Day
December arrives to provide a Christmassy backdrop to this cozy mystery set in the little town of South Lick, Indiana, where Robbie Jordan owns a breakfast and lunch restaurant that also features vintage cookware for sale. There is a cast of regulars making their appearance in Maddie Day's Candy Slain Murder, but remain fearless, dear Reader, as the author's talents include bringing the reader quickly on board with Robbie's friends and family.
This mystery includes a cold case and a new murder case that appear to be connected. There are a number of characters with potential motives that Robbie has to sort through as she informally interviews various persons of interest as well as those whose knowledge might contribute to her investigations.
Another thread in the story is the surprise appearance of the mysterious half-brother of one of Robbie's employees. Protective of those she loves, Robbie is concerned that this man's claims might not be legitimate. Even his religious ties as a former Quaker turned Muslim are odd. They lead to a discussion of inclusiveness versus discrimination in South Lick with some B&B guests. This thread is interesting, but seems an afterthought as the couple appears only once besides meal times.
I enjoyed the book as I tried to discover the murderer or murderers along with Robbie. There were plenty of distractions to keep me guessing, although I had in mind a resolution that I wanted to see. Happily, I was correct, but it was fun to follow the characters to a satisfactory conclusion.
Notes: 1. #8 in the Country Store Mysteries Series. I have read, out of order, a few of the books in this series. All, including Candy Slain Murder, have worked well as standalones.
2. Six recipes are included in the book and several are holiday appropriate.
3. I am puzzled by Robbie's critical comment on the celebration of Christmas in the little town. They were having a Christmas tree lighting and a visit by Santa. Robbie said of the mayor, "Corrine could have slanted the celebration in a more secular direction." As a Christian, I think the celebration was very secular. There was no nativity scene and no mention of the birth of Jesus, which is the origin of Christmas celebrations.
Publication: September 29, 2020—Kensington
"You're more full of questions than one of them robots on the phone. At least you ain't asking me to press one for this and two for that."
Buck poured on the syrup and tore into his cranberry pancakes so fast I thought they would catch on fire.
"It's one of them, you know, fifty percent of one and a dozen of the other." My jaw dropped at his fractured metaphor.
Consider This, Señora–newcomers in a Mexican village
January 22, 2021 9:29 PM / 6 Comments on Consider This, Señora–newcomers in a Mexican village
Consider This, Señora
by Harriet Doerr
If asked what a particular country is like, the wise respondent does not declare that the whole country is mono-anything. Cities are different from villages, mountains from deserts, and north from south. At the same time, there are cultural aspects that transcend regional differences. This is certainly true of Mexico as I can attest to after being privileged to live in that country for seven years. In Harriet Doerr's Consider This, Señora, she captures the essence of rural Mexico, the things that make me nod and smile as I remember the way it is.
Here are things from the book that are, for the most part, neither bad nor good, just typically Mexican. I list them out, but in the book, they are integrated into the story:
Workmen that don't finish jobs.
Problems solved by greasing the wheels with a little cash.
Extended family relationships determining work placements.
Government promises for utilities only partially or never fulfilled.
Accidents caused by disregard for traffic "suggestion" signs.
Brilliantly colored fiestas.
Beautiful vistas.
No understanding of queues, but extreme politeness one on one.
Animals roaming free.
Very young mothers.
Children working from a young age.
Beautiful babies with wide brown eyes and shy smiles.
The staple food—taco.
Popsicles sold from street carts.
The story is the tale of Sue Ames and Bud Loomis, strangers trying to escape their pasts who meet by chance in a property agent's office in Mexico and buy a large plot of land to both live on and subdivide. Other people join them. Fran is a travel author. Fran's mother, Ursula, is widowed and in her late 70's. Don Enrique, the original owner of the land by ancestry finds a home there. Later the mysterious musician Herr Otto is added to the community. There are locals that make an essential supporting cast including Patricio, gardener and so much more for the Norte Americanos and Father Miguel who is a friend to all.
Consider This, Señora is a gem, a tale of travelers to another culture and how their lives intersect with the land and the lives of the locals. Although not a romance, love is a major theme in the book. Even though she is divorced, Sue has never fallen out of love with her husband. Fran, divorced twice, continues to search for an exciting but long-lasting love with men she meets in her travels. Ursula, widowed, is still in love with the husband she spent her life with. She, especially, contemplates what it means to love.
Sue is altruistic and generous, helping those in need. She takes on Altagracia, her part time maid from a young age, providing needed dental work and opportunities to bathe. As the girl emerges from her cocoon at age sixteen, Altagracia is described as one who "merely by her passage, turned the heads of men." When Altagracia takes on a different domestic position, she supplies Sue with three of her little cousins who are starving. Sue opens her heart to them and provides help to the family.
Harriet Doerr's descriptions are so well-written that the background comes to life enhancing the story without belaboring the details. She also includes a sprinkling of Spanish words adding to the authentic flavor, but most can be understood from context. The book flows, and I read it in one day wanting to know more and more about the characters and the little village of Lomas de Amapolas.
Publication: August 15, 1994—Harcourt (A Harvest Book)
Today had stopped happening. Already it had consigned its events to memory. Touched by the evening chill, she sat outside until dark, wrapped in the mists of her brief, uncertain future and the brilliant patchwork of her never-ending past.
The Mexican sky was excessive too, she believed. Wider than others, it stretched over people who appeared no fonder of life than death, as they darted on bicycles between trailer trucks and buses and hurried hand in hand, whole families strong, across divided freeways.
On all sides of the dead man and the mourners, headstones tilted into weeds. Two cypress trees shaded the crisscrossing tracks of animals, both tame and wild. A crumbling adobe wall bounded the pantéon and protected the dead.
The Wind in the Willows–endearing children's classic for all ages
January 21, 2021 6:02 PM / 10 Comments on The Wind in the Willows–endearing children's classic for all ages
by Kenneth Grahame
My book club decided to read The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, a children's classic written in the early 1900's by a British author. As a retired educator, I felt like this is one of those books I should have read. I downloaded a free copy from Project Gutenberg. It has some illustrations, but I found I would have liked more. The other readers in my group had various ways of reading this classic tale. One had a particularly beautifully illustrated version that I adore. Another friend listened to an audio version recorded on YouTube. At least one group member expressed disappointment that her version was an adaptation. Regardless of the version, however, we all enjoyed reading it.
The Wind in the Willows is a charming tale of a water rat, mole, badger, otter, and toad. With its exquisite language and intricate descriptions, this book is perfect for reading as a family. It was a staple in A.A. Milne's family which I consider high praise indeed. The pace moves back and forth between quiet reflection and raucous adventure. The tale has themes of home, friendship and satisfaction. The characters move through life together with commonalities and differences that serve to make the story even more interesting.
Toad is a favorite character with moods ranging from manic to subdued and intentions to reform that often seem genuine, but sometimes are quite insincere. He has a passion for the latest and greatest "toys" and is always on the lookout for a new adventure. Fortunately, he has supportive friends who will do anything for him. He is a source of humor for the reader.
If you have never read The Wind in the Willows, I strongly recommend it, especially if you enjoy beautiful word pictures. I like researching unfamiliar words, but those who don't will have no problems as the general meaning of words of a botanic nature, Britishisms, and words no longer in common usage are certainly easily understood from context. The Wind in the Willows is a great read, and I am so glad to have added it as part my literary heritage.
Category: Children's Fiction
Notes: Ages 7-14
Publication: 1908 & 1913—Charles Scribner's Sons
Toad talked big about all he was going to do in the days to come, while stars grew fuller and larger all around them, and a yellow moon, appearing suddenly and silently from nowhere in particular, came to keep them company and listen to their talk.
He increased his pace, and as the car devoured the street and leapt forth on the high road through the open country, he was only conscious that he was Toad once more, Toad at his best and highest, Toad the terror, the traffic-queller, the Lord of the lone trail, before whom all must give way or be smitten into nothingness and everlasting night.
Toad sat up slowly and dried his eyes. Secrets had an immense attraction for him, because he never could keep one, and he enjoyed the sort of unhallowed thrill he experienced when he went and told another animal, after having faithfully promised not to.
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder–deadly Polar Bear Plunge
January 16, 2021 1:09 PM / 10 Comments on Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder–deadly Polar Bear Plunge
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder
by Tina Kashian
As usual, even though this is the fifth book in the Kitchen Kebab Series, author Tina Kashian does a brilliant job of bringing the reader up to date on the characters in the series at the same time that they are taking the Polar Bear Plunge in the little New Jersey town of Ocean Crest. The title of the book, Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder, encapsulates the plot—but in reverse order. The frigid swim Lucy Barbarian and her sidekick Katie Watson undertake for charity results, unfortunately, in a drowning, but not one of accidental causes. This death (MURDER) and Lucy's investigation to clear her friend Susan, a local baker, takes top billing in the story. Mediterranean cuisine (MOUSSAKA) comes in second as Lucy manages her parents' restaurant; the book features enticing descriptions of food. Romance is also in the air (MISTLETOE) as Lucy plans her wedding to head chef Azad.
This cozy mystery will have you turning pages quickly as Lucy discovers that everyone who had opportunity to commit this crime also had motive. Secrets abound. Some of Lucy's inquiries edge along dangerous lines, and the local detective discourages her "interference." Gadoo, Lucy's adopted cat, and Cupid, her landlady's shih tzu, learn to tolerate each other, and Gadoo has an exciting major role in this book.
The setting is an ocean beach town that depends for its economic survival on three months of summer tourist trade. This book, however, has a cold Christmas backdrop with a nice mix of mystery and holiday fun.
Notes: 1. #5 in the Kitchen Kebab Mystery Series, but works quite well as a standalone.
2. A recipe section is included with 4 recipes ranging from easy to more complicated.
3. There was a small scene where a character did a coffee reading similar to someone telling the future from tea leaves. I do not read books with a paranormal focus, but this coffee reading was an extremely minor part of the book and would not dissuade me from reading more in the series.
Publication: September 29, 2020—Kensington Books
It was isolated in the evening, and a cold breeze blew from the ocean. A full moon hung like a Roman coin in the velvet sky and illuminated the ocean in an iridescent glow. The sounds of the waves were constant and calming.
The streetlamp cast long shadows on the snow-covered street. Coming from a cheerful and noisy crowd in the park, it was eerily quiet.
The mesmerizing pull of the ocean was Mother Nature's way of clearing her thoughts.
A Dog's Perfect Christmas–meeting life's challenges
January 2, 2021 12:58 PM / 8 Comments on A Dog's Perfect Christmas–meeting life's challenges
A Dog's Perfect Christmas
by W. Bruce Cameron
I have discovered an author I was unfamiliar with, but now I want to read more of his works. W. Bruce Cameron specializes in dog/people stories and knows how to combine some humor with tough reality. His A Dog's Perfect Christmas could be labeled as a "feel-good Christmas story," but it is so much more.
This is the tale of an imperfect family doing their best to survive the everyday struggles and big disasters. By the conclusion of this book, you'll like all of the characters. Hunter loves his family but devotes himself to his job. His wife Juliana gave up her job to raise their children but struggles with inner conflict about her role. Ello (short for Eloise) is their thirteen year old daughter caught in a hurricane of hormones and middle school relationships. Her two younger brothers are three year old twins who excel in wreaking havoc and rely on Ello to be their translator to the rest of the world. Grandpa Sander is a widower whose beloved wife passed away from cancer. Her care drained their financial resources requiring Sander to move in with his son's family. Completing the family is Sander's faithful canine retainer Winstead.
I devote so much of my review to the characters because the characters and how they interact with each other and meet life's challenges is the focus of A Dog's Perfect Christmas. Everyone in this book has specific needs to be met. The family undergoes a major crisis that could have thrown them all into despair, but as they work to stand strong together through the big problem confronting them, there is healing and a renewing of family and spirit.
Dogs play a part in this story that dog lovers will enjoy, especially the thinking process in Winstead's brain as he reacts to his "daddy" Sander's moods and actions. If only there were a puppy, this would be a perfect Christmas story…
I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Forge for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Category: General Fiction
Publication: October 10, 2020—Forge
He saw the tidal forces of rage fighting for control of Ello's face. As a little girl, she had been able to charm her grandfather into reading her one book after another after another. Now, though, she'd morphed into this hideously unpleasant creature, spitting acidic venom.
Winstead and Ruby had already incorporated park visits into their bill of rights, and now gazed at Sander expectantly whenever he stood up out of his chair. They tracked him with eager intensity as he fetched their leashes, then bounded joyfully into the minivan, wrestling all the way to the park.
When Hunter released her, Ruby darted off with crazed energy, racing around the room in celebration, because puppies know how to celebrate everything.


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Alveley Mining Heritage
Final 50th anniversary tribute event
Report on the final tribute event to mark fifty years since the closure of NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly The Highley Mining Co. Ltd, closed 31st January 1969
This final event was generously supported by Halo Leisure, contributors, and so many visitors from near and far on Sunday 1st December. Thanks to all the staff at Severn Centre and to Mark and Kath who opened up Minor's Cafe especially for this occasion and Reverend Mike Harris who made time again to attend, despite his busy schedule, and take photographs and record events on the day.
Alveley Mining Heritage Group displayed all photographs, artefacts and memorabilia loaned or donated to the group over the last four years of this project. Ray Matthews was at hand to talk to visitors about the Cage Detaching Hook (CDH) Sculpture he made and conceived by members of the group, now situated at Severn Valley Country Park.
Visitors admired George Poyner's working model of an incline plane and The Granville Miners set up a display of their proposed memorial which they hope will be in place in Telford Town Park in 2020. Granville Colliery at Doddington was the last deep mine to close in Shropshire and many mine workers moved to Granville after the closure of Alveley. Granville eventually closed ten years later in 1979.
Memorial to local miners
On October 6th 2019 Alveley Mining Heritage Group were proud to unveil our memorial sculpture dedicated to the men, women and boys who worked at Alveley and Highley collieries. The sculpture, based around an original cage detaching hook of the type used at the site, was conceived by group members and brilliantly constructed by Ray Matthews who worked at the colliery as a mechanical engineer.
The memorial sculpture is located at the Severn Valley Country Park, the site of NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly Highley Mining Company. Our thanks to everyone who helped with the event and siteing the memorial.
We are especially grateful to the Mayor of Bridgnorth Ron Whittle OBE and Mayoress Carol Whittle for performing the ceremonial duties.
Archivist Opportunity
Archivist Opportunity - History of Alveley Pit
We have an opportunity for a volunteer archivist with Alveley Mining Heritage Group.
As a fledgling group we are starting the process from scratch so this is an exciting opportunity for anyone with the skills and a little time. We are open to a volunteer job share. We have been generously offered the Education Room for our meetings at the Severn Valley Country Park and are negotiating available space for display and storage. We are an enthusiastic and friendly group and welcome active involvement. Someone with an interest in the history of Alveley pit would be particularly welcome.
Do get in touch to discuss. We look forward to hearing from you!
Keep up to date with Alveley Mining Heritage Group by subscribing to our email newsletter.
Report on the final tribute event to mark fifty years since the closure of NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly The Highley Mining Co. Ltd, closed 31st...
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NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly The Highley Mining Co. Ltd, closed 31st January 1969 A FREE tribute event to the Mine Workers of Yesteryear With...
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AMH Coal Mining Heritage Project 2016-19NCB Alveley Colliery, formerly The Highley Mining Co. Ltd Please can you help with the tune to "Highley...
On October 6th 2019 Alveley Mining Heritage Group were proud to unveil our memorial sculpture dedicated to the men, women and boys who worked at...
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To mark the 50th Anniversary of the closure of NCB Alveley Colliery ( formerly Highley Mining Company Ltd ) in 1969 Alveley Mining Heritage Group...
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The bad, the good, and the hopeful on surveillance reform
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Spotlighting the Most Caring Americans: Part 2
Posted on April 4, 2008 by ros_admin
http://www.caringinstitute.org
GRACE WINERY OWNER HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS CARING AWARD
Award Winner to be Inducted Into "Hall of Fame for Caring Americans"
Senator Robert J. Dole, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Val J. Halamandaris, Founder and Executive Director of the Caring Institute, announce Dick Grace, owner of Grace Winery and founder of the Grace Family Foundation, St. Helena, CA, as one of the 2008 National Caring Award adult winners. This honor is bestowed annually upon the most caring people in America.
"On behalf of our board of trustees, it is a great honor for us to pay tribute to these extraordinary people who have used their lives for the betterment of others. They are wonderful role models and the very personification of caring," said Senator Dole.
Dick was a successful stock broker in Northern California with a wife, children and a lavish house in the suburbs when he first saw the vacant St. Helena Victorian homestead that would become Grace Vineyards. He and his wife bought the property in 1976 and their successful first harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon soon gained a cult following. But life has its ironies: Dick's spiritual path led him to Buddhism and recovery from his own alcoholism. When his wines sold at charity auctions for tens of thousands of dollars, Dick realized its potential for good. The Grace Family Foundation uses wine, "as a catalyst for healing the planet." Wines from Grace Vineyards have fetched as much as $100,000 a bottle, adding up to $25 million for programs that address juvenile cancer, homelessness and abuse. Most of the funds go to projects in Asia, the cradle of Buddhism and Dick's spiritual home. He and his wife, Ann, go there often to build clinics, assist orphanages, and spend time with those they help.
Dick and four other National Caring Award adult winners will be honored during an induction ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2008 at the Frederick Douglass Museum & Hall of Fame for Caring Americans on Capitol Hill, located at 320 A Street, N.E. in Washington, D.C. The winners will receive their awards at the official National Caring Awards ceremony the same evening in Washington, DC.
The Caring Institute was founded in 1985 by Val Halamandaris as a result of his first meeting with Mother Teresa. Its mission is to promote the values of caring, integrity and public service.
For more information, please contact Rosica Strategic Public Relations
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Alternative easy methods to connect a VPN. Other methods are easier than OpenVPN. Try OpenVPN after they are failed to connect a VPN. In Windows, SoftEther VPN Client is very easy to use. OpenVPN Client configurations are difficult than SoftEther VPN Client. If you are using Windows, using SoftEther VPN Client is recommended because it is very easy to configure and stable. SoftEther VPN Client... There are times when you need to remotely connect to a PC using Remote Desktop Protocol while on the go. Here�s a look at Microsoft�s RDP app for Android.
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State Parks in Alberta
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Vinayak is going to Indonesia.
Shivani is going to Manali.
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Travelers are voting Dinosaur Provincial Park, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Spray Valley Provincial Park as the best of 5 state parks in Alberta. Also popular are Bow Valley Provincial Park and Dunvegan Provincial Park in Alberta. Want more? Check out our map of state parks in Alberta or this 1 state parks near Calgary.
Recreation / Outdoor State Parks
50.7682-111.5067
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about two-and-a-half hours drive southeast of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, or…
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Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Alberta, Canada. The park is located in Kananaskis Country approximately 90 km…
Spray Valley Provincial Park
50.8939-115.285
Spray Valley Provincial Park is a provincial park located east of the Rocky Mountains, along the Spray River in western Alberta, Canada.
Bow Valley Provincial Park
Bow Valley Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Alberta, Canada. Established in 1959 in the arch of Bow River, at the confluence…
Dunvegan Provincial Park
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Dunvegan Provincial Park and Historic Dunvegan are a provincial park and a provincial historic site of Alberta located together on one site. They…
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Knightmare Chess Resource Page - Tips, strategy and information on Knightmare Chess, the chess/collectible card game from Steve Jackson Games.
Knightmare Chess - Chess played with cards. Each card breaks the rules in a wild and unpredictable way, giving the game more twists and turns than a roller coaster.


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Lipstick And Tiananmen: China Dives Into Livestreaming Censorship
It may have taken a little while, but the Chinese Communist Party woke up to the risks of losing control of information flows on livestream platforms.
On June 22, a new regulation on the livestreaming industry was issued by Chinese authorities
Jéan Béller
SocietyTHE STRAITS TIMESChinaSourcesWORLDCRUNCHfeatured-postTHE INITIUMSOUTH CHINA MORNING POSTCountries
Dan Wu
Austin Li Jiaqi, China's "lipstick King" and most famous beauty influencer, has been missing since last month from social media and livestreams.
Most trace his absence to a livestream on June 3 when Li was presented with a tank-shaped cake — it was the night before the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
Li had gained a reputation as being loyal to the Chinese Communist Party, and his livestreaming career has been launched in close cooperation with regional governments. Still, his sudden disappearance from his 170 million fans is perhaps the clearest sign that China's massive livestreaming industry now has the full attention of Beijing's powers-that-be.
Booming industry under scrutiny
On June 22, a new regulation on the livestreaming industry was issued by China's National Radio and Television Administration and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. This 18-point guideline lists 31 banned behaviors for livestreamers, raising the bar of entry and requirements for practices in the booming digital economy.
The regulation clearly states that live video makers "must not commit any act that subverts state power or endangers national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," and a "sound credit evaluation system" will be established in accordance with this code.
Other notable points include the requirement that influencers have relevant qualifications to discuss topics such as law, finance, medicine and education. Also, livestreamers are forbidden from showing an extravagant lifestyle on screen, while the platforms are directed to refrain from promoting public figures, who have violated the law or shown "low morals," from being able to express their opinions publicly.
Austin Li Jiaqi and the infamous "tank cake" featured on his livestream on June 3
Austin Li Jaiqi's livestream
Patriotism and political correctness
After Austin Li's disappearance, the direct stress on "political correctness" and "good morals" in livestreaming indicates a significant new lever of control on freedom of speech on such platforms.
Especially with so many influencers in Hong Kong, Taiwan and even foreign webcasters joining livestreaming platforms in mainland China, their opinions and behaviors were also bound to be scrutinized.
The whole industry of livestreaming is now under the eye of Beijing.
On the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, videos featuring patriotic sentiments and "national pride" have been circulating all over Chinese social media, and many Hong Kong artists were asked to show their "loyalty and patriotism" on video.
In fact, this business of patriotism and nationalism is not a new phenomenon, having long been an easy way to attract online audiences. "Professionally patriotic" livestreamers have long been active on various platforms, including a few notable foreign voices joining in, posting videos that praise and sometimes even exaggerate China's "progress."
Of course, these were not the only voices. With frustration at COVID-related policies still alive in most regions in China, livestreaming has also been a medium for people and social activists to voice their dissidence and to reveal social realities.
The release of the regulations themselves also provoked mixed views from online Chinese-language social media. There seems to be a widely shared belief that most video streamers are not "well-intentioned", and are just "hunting" for audiences, often using shock and vulgarity to gain popularity.
The new codes would regulate the industry by setting admission requirements, and could therefore actually improve the quality of video content. Yet on the point of whether influencers should have certain qualifications to discuss certain topics, it is notable that the administration has not yet specified which qualifications are being referred to for what topic.
Many Chinese internet users are opposed to this notion of approving all content, as they think it would be "regrettable and boring" if only professionals could deliver the relevant points in such fields. Still, it is evident that the whole industry of livestreaming is now under the eye of Beijing, especially with its landscape that gives everyone a chance to voice themselves.
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THE INITIUM
Hong Kong only decriminalized homosexuality in 1991, but there had long been an underground LGBTQ+ culture, including male sex workers. They have learned to survive in difficult conditions, but their experiences are far from how they're portrayed in films.
Hong Kong at night
Anatoliy Gromov
SocietyHong KongChinaSourcesfeatured-postTHE INITIUMChinaCountries
Shuhua Zheng
HONG KONG — David's working place is in an old Cantonese style building from the sixties, with a massage bed placed right in the center. There is a TV and a sofa, with walls painted his favorite shade of white. The room is bright and cozy – unlike how certain films would portray the working environment of sex workers.
David entered this profession 20 years ago "as an act of impulse". Now nearly 70 years old, he speaks of his job with a smile on his face. His clients ranges from 18-year-olds who call him "uncle/daddy", to elderly people in their nineties who still have sexual needs to be fulfilled.
In Hong Kong, male sex workers are usually referred as "brother boy", and they usually work individually in separate building units, which are close to residential areas. They can also be seen in massage parlors, or go on paid dates. Different from the general female sex workers in Hong Kong, male sex workers will not be visibly looking for clients on the streets, but would use dating websites or apps and online forums to find customers.
Before and after decriminalization
David's working mode is the only legal mode of sex work operation in Hong Kong. If there is more than one sex worker on the premises, it would be deemed as a "place of prostitution" with both the operator and manager being in violation of the law.
There are no official statistics on the number of male sex workers in Hong Kong. A number from 2011 guesss it would be between 2,400 to 3,700. Before the 90s, homosexual acts were condemned as illegal in Hong Kong, and it is only in 1991 when a bill was passed to decriminalize consensual male sex in private places by adult men who are of and over 21. It was only in 2014 when the government lowered the legal age for sex between men to 16, the same age limit as for heterosexuals.
Due to the legal limitations, homosexual identities had to be concealed in Hong Kong, but LGBTQ+ and sex culture have been actively shifting over the past centuries. Due to the conservative cultures of the past and the lack of formal social areas, public toilets had been secret gay meeting places. There were underground gay magazines and adverts by male sex workers on newspapers. With the decriminalization in the 90s, gay bars and nightclubs began to flourish with the rise of the service industry, while smart phones and social media also popularized "online seductions".
Apart from local sex workers like David, there are also ones coming from Mainland China. Zihao is one of them. He was born between the 70s and 80s in southwestern China. Witnessing the dramatic changes of China's "Reform & Opening Up", he followed the trend to seek fortune in the emerging southern cities. In the 90s, a wide range of erotic venues sprang up in the mainland, with Hong Kongers going north to find sex as the cost is lower. That's when Zihao entered the industry to serve gay and Hong Kong customers as a masseur.
ZIhao is quite frank to admit that he had picked up the profession for the sake of "earning money". He felt that there is no difference between sex work and mainstream works. "We are all just using our own things to make profits. What is wrong with this kind of profession?".
Relationships in secret
Zihao has been away from his home the most of his life. Originally he knew no Cantonese, but Zihao never thought about moving to Hong Kong until he unexpectedly met his Hong Kong boyfriend at a party, and moved with him in 2010. His boyfriend knows about his job, and does not interfere because "loving him is not possessing him". But Zihao admitted that it's inevitable to feel psychological pressure when having sex with others after having a partner.
The gay culture in Hong Kong is even more conservative than the Mainland.
Living in an international metropolitan like Hong Kong, Zihao has had clients from both east and west. He said that sex is a universal body language that is common everywhere, while the expression of sexual pleasure does reveal certain cultural differences in his experiences.
Having lived on the Mainland and in Hong Kong, he feels that the gay culture in Hong Kong is even more conservative than the Mainland. Zihao seemed upset when referring to an event in 2019, when a promotional advert implied that homosexual relations was banned from Hong Kong's airport and metro stations. "Conditions for homosexuals in Hong Kong are so backwards! People are even timid when mentioning 'sex', let alone gay sex." He is also an advocate for legalizing homosexual marriage in Hong Kong.
As homosexual marriage is not recognized, Zihao and his partner did not bother to get registered abroad. Like many homosexual couples, they face the issues of not being able to make medical decisions for one another, nor can they open a joint bank account. Although Zihao is open-minded, he has never held hands with his partner in public spaces because in Hong Kong, "not everyone accepts that."
For David, he has a more difficult love life. He was even married to a girl for a year, but he did have a long-term partner. However, such a romance was taboo in the conservative Chinese tradition. The partner insisted David find a girlfriend and "live a normal life" like him, but their relationship lasted for more than 30 years until his death. David never revealed his profession to his partner, nor did he ever make their relationship public.
Cathay Pacific same-sex advert in Hong Kong
Chan Long Hei/SOPA / Zuma
When David first entered the profession, Hong Kong was experiencing its prosperous golden age. He was very popular at first, even seeing eight clients a day. Now he also uses social media to look for new clients, but publicizing his phone number also led to hostility from strangers. He has received phone calls and messages with insults, but he never cared.
Only 20% can make really good money.
Still, David would not introduce himself as a sex worker to people outside the industry, as it is still deemed to be "dirty, unclean." Zihao only worked from 2006 to 2015. He is now completely cut off from his past as a sex worker because he "wanted his own life". They described the industry as having "mutual supportive peers", but it also showed the best and worst of humanity. "Only 20% can make really good money in this industry, 40% would just survive with it, while the remaining 40% would almost starve."
Zihao had found his home in Hong Kong despite the harsh realities, but he said he "had found his peace". As for David, the profession "brings him freedom", and he is "never empty or lonely with it."
When asked whether he expects any changes after his 20 years of experience, David said he's be happy enough in maintaining the status quo. "Will Hong Kong ever be as open as the Netherlands? No, but I am indifferent. I have enough experience to survive in the industry."
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