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>> Opinion
Just anybody can vote?
The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in January 1964. It spelled out that the right of any citizen to vote shall not be denied or abridged by reason of failing to pay a poll tax.
It may be time for a 28th Amendment:
"Resolved, the right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall be granted solely to those who can successfully answer 70 percent of the questions on a simple civics and current events test."
I'd love to see how our various state legislatures would vote on that one. Can you imagine the stirring floor speeches and soaring rhetoric defending the unalienable rights of self-imposed ignoramuses everywhere to the right of suffrage, to hold the power to select our elected representatives? For many of our elected officials those are their constituents, without whom they'd never have been elected.
Two surveys of Americans in recent weeks lend a modicum of credence to this otherwise outlandish-sounding concept.
First was the Zogby exit poll of 512 people who said they'd just voted for Barack Obama. Fully 57.4 could not correctly say which party currently held control of Congress.
Guessing should've rendered a 50 percent result.
Then 71.8 percent did not know Joe Biden, out of the four presidential and vice presidential candidates, had dropped out of a previous campaign after being caught plagiarizing.
When asked, "Which candidate said their policies would likely bankrupt the coal industry and make energy rates skyrocket?" 27.5 percent thought it was John McCain, while only 11.6 percent of Obama backers correctly named their own candidate.
And 82.6 percent did not know Obama won his first election by getting opponents kicked off the ballot.
Only 2.4 percent answered 11 of 12 multiple-guess questions correctly.
The fair criticism of this exit poll is that it was asked of only Obama voters and not of those who voted Republican. They too might have been just as clueless, right?
In that case we turn to a survey of 2,508 Americans by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute for its American Civil Literacy Program. Surveyors asked 33 multiple-choice questions ranging from naming the three branches of our federal government to naming one of the rights guaranteed in the First Amendment.
Many of the questions are quite similar to ones found on the standard test for foreigners to become U.S. citizens. Why should an accident of birth alone grant suffrage?
Fewer than 1 percent of those surveyed correctly answered 90 percent of the questions. Fewer than 11 percent answered 70 percent of the questions correctly, anything less was considered a D or F grade. The average score on the test was 49 percent.
Only 21 percent of those surveyed knew the phrase "government of the people, by the people, for the people" comes from the Gettysburg Address.
Only 27 knew the First Amendment prohibits establishing an official religion.
Liberals scored 49 percent. Conservatives scored 48 percent. Republicans scored 52 percent. Democrats scored 45 percent.
One of the disturbing, though possibly not surprising, findings was that people who said they'd at one time been elected to public office attained an average score of only 44 percent. The citizens are smarter than those we elect?
Those who say they read newspapers, of course, scored higher on the test.
All else being equal, the survey found "a person's test score drops in proportion to the time he or she spends using certain types of passive electronic media. Talking on the phone, watching owned or rented movies, and monitoring TV news broadcasts and documentaries diminish a respondent's civic literacy."
So there you have it, under my 28th Amendment only 11 percent would be granted the right of suffrage.
Now the question is: Under this revised Constitution, would you have the right to vote? Want to find out?
That's easy enough. Get on any computer with Internet access and go to http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx.
Take the test, I've already spotted you a couple of answers, and see how you score on the citizenship scale.
Yes, I took it and scored 90.9 percent, missing three questions, the answers to two of those are disputable. Let me know how you fare.
Thomas Mitchell is editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and writes about the role of the press and access to public information. He may be contacted at 383-0261 or via e-mail at tmitchell@review journal.com. Read his blog at lvrj.com/blogs/Mitchell/.
Posted on: Opinion
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today unveiled a dynamic new website to provide investors and others with the ability to interactively explore a range of new market metrics and access empirical research and analyses that further inform the broader public debate on market structure.
The new website located at www.sec.gov/marketstructure will serve as a central location for the SEC to publicly share evolving data, research, and analysis as the agency continues its review of the equity of market structure. The data and related observations address the nature and quality of displayed liquidity across the full range of U.S.-listed equities – from the lifetime of quotes and the speed of the market to the nature of order cancellations.
"We are launching what we believe to be a game changer that focuses the market structure debate as never before on data and analysis rather than anecdote," said SEC Chair Mary Jo White, who unveiled the website at an SEC news conference. She was joined by officials from the agency's Division of Trading and Markets and its Division of Economic and Risk Analysis.
Earlier this year, the SEC launched its internal Market Information Data Analytics System (MIDAS), which for the first time provided the SEC with data about every displayed order posted on national exchanges. Every day, MIDAS collects one billion records time-stamped to the microsecond. The information comes from the consolidated tapes and proprietary feeds of each exchange and includes posted orders and quotes, modifications and cancellations, and trade executions both on- and off-exchange.
Typically, only sophisticated market participants have had access to all of this data, and even fewer have had the ability to process it. Through MIDAS, experts at the SEC have been extensively studying this data, and their research already has produced important results to help inform the agency's thinking on market structure.
The next step in this market structure initiative is to disseminate the aggregated data and related observations drawn from MIDAS to the public. The SEC's new website allows users to explore key market metrics and trends based on aggregate analyses of tens of billions of MIDAS records over the last year. With the click of a mouse, results are available in clear, easy-to-read charts and graphs.
Ratios related to the number and volume of orders that are canceled instead of traded.
Percentage of on-exchange trades and volume that are not disseminated on the public tape (odd-lot trades).
Percentage of on-exchange trades and volume that are the result of hidden orders.
Quarterly distributions analyzing the lifetime of quotes ranging from one millionth of a second to one day.
The new website contains an interactive charting tool that allows users to compare and contrast data series according to the type of security, market capitalization, volatility, price, and turnover. Users also can explore detailed quote-life distributions, and download data series and quote-life distributions to perform their own analyses. Methodology documents that detail all calculations are provided.
The new website also features staff research papers based on a variety of data sources, and staff reviews that identify and assemble information from the expanding economic literature on market structure topics. One paper using order audit trail data on off-exchange trading provides key metrics describing the underlying nature of off-exchange trading by the 44 alternative trading systems that trade equity securities. The primary observation of SEC staff is that ATS trading looks very similar in many respects to exchange trading. Another paper summarizes current studies that address market fragmentation – both visible and dark.
The new website is just the beginning of this initiative with more studies and analyses to come. SEC staff is looking forward to receiving feedback about the website and its implications.
Joining Chair White to announce the launch of the SEC's market structure data and analysis website were Division of Trading and Markets Acting Director John Ramsay, Division of Economic and Risk Analysis Director Craig Lewis, and Office of Analytics and Research Associate Director Gregg Berman.


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Weather-Cam Project With IBM Bluemix, A Raspberry Pi And Some Time-Lapse Magic #piday #raspberrypi @Raspberry_Pi « Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers!
Because this project has called forth substantial outside interest, I decided to write a blog post describing the details of the build. I've also open sourced all the code I used here. The source code repository itself contains a README with details I don't go into in depth in this post, so I encourage you to check that out.


For the Cuban cigar consumer, the vendor is arguably the most important link in a long chain that begins in the fields of Cuba, and ends with you, the smoker. Why? Because, apart from you providing correct storage conditions for your stock, selecting and working with your vendor are the only things over which you have any control.
1. Choose your vendor wisely.
Most "newbies" who seek sources for genuine Habanos are concerned about getting burned, or receiving fakes. Understandably, they are also concerned about price. We all are: Cubans cigars are expensive. Fortunately, there are many reputable dealers who will supply you with genuine Habanos. But not all vendors are created equal. So, how do you know who to trust?
First of all, be patient. That's hard for those of us who are used to "instant gratification", but rushing into big, expensive orders with unknown sources can result in big disappointments. Spend some time on this board, read current and previous threads on cigar sources, get to know some experienced "Habanophiles", and ask a lot of questions. It's usually better to make your inquiries via email or PM's, rather than on public boards where you might break rules, or upset people. Never introduce yourself on a Cigar Board, or to a potentially helpful mentor, by asking for the names of sources. This is a big turn-off to experienced smokers who have spent years acquiring reliable vendors and developing trusted relationships with them.
So, what should you know about a vendor before ordering?
A fancy website doesn't mean anything. Nor do official sounding guarantees, claims of "authenticity" or glowing client testimonials. Does the vendor advertise on your cigar board? How long has the vendor been in business? Are they an established, high volume internet source, a relative unknown, or do their internet clientele supplement their primary "brick and mortar" business? Finally, and most important, what is the opinion of experienced Cuban cigar smokers?
Does the vendor source their stock exclusively through authorized Habanos distributors? Some clearly state this on their websites, or otherwise let it be known to their customers. Or do they also buy wholesale through questionable "grey market" dealers? While grey-market cigars may very well be authentic, and can often be of good quality, there are serious risks associated with buying from any unofficial, second-hand sources.
While price is obviously important, it should never be your first priority. Good money spent on poor cigars is money wasted. And if you can't get your money back, or a satisfactory replacement, it's even worse. In fact, prices that are too low can be a tip off that the vendor may be dealing in fakes. Or trying to move inferior stock that has been poorly stored, or "picked over" and rejected by knowledgeable parties.
Don't place a big order the first time. Try them out. Many reputable vendors offer singles and samples. When these are available, I have used this "trial" option to help evaluate the quality of their cigars and service. It will also help you to determine which marcas (brands) and vitolas (shapes and sizes) that you prefer before investing your hard earned funds in a box of cigars that you don't even want to smoke.
This is perhaps the most telling area. Does the vendor respond promptly to emails, or phone calls? Do they answer appropriate questions about stock, quality, and shipping? Will they provide recommendations, based on your preferences? Do they guarantee delivery, and your satisfaction? Do they ship promptly? Do they charge your credit card long before your stock is shipped? And most important, how do they handle problems and complaints, which inevitably arise in any long-term relationship?
Some vendors ship by Air Post, which can take two to three weeks. Others use FedEx or other couriers, which can have the package at your doorstep in a couple of days. In some cases, shipping is included in the price of the cigars; others charge extra for it. You have to factor this into the "true" cost of your purchase. How carefully the cigars are packaged can affect their quality, and their susceptibility to damage en route. Determine also whether the vendor ships "intact" in the original box, or "re-bands and re-boxes" to avoid problems with Customs. If you have preferences in any of these areas, be sure to clearly state them to your vendor, before the order is complete.
The quality of a vendor's storage is hard to determine without experience. But it's important to find out. Proper long-term storage, in clean conditions with correct temperature and humidity, can make the difference between an authentic "dud" and a cigar that will be well- preserved, properly humidified, and ready to enjoy after a brief rest in your humidor.
Many reputable vendors guarantee delivery and/or your satisfaction. Without a delivery guarantee, you risk losing both your cigars and your money if the shipment is lost or seized by Customs. If you stay in this hobby long enough, sooner or later you will experience customs seizures, and shipment losses.
Some vendors maintain aged stock, and will provide a list of their aged stock on request. However, not all aged stock is superior, and some are nothing but old cigars that haven't sold, often for good reason. Beware vendors who push "vintage" cigars at inflated prices. Usually, recent stock is the best buy, especially if you plan to age them yourself.
2. Narrow your list of vendors.
Over the years, I have received excellent stock from over a dozen vendors. But there are some real advantages to limiting your business to several tried and trusted sources. I now use only two primary sources, unless I am sourcing some specific rare or aged stock.
It's important to be on a first name basis. The more you order from a vendor, the more credibility and leverage you have, and the better you will be treated. This is just plain common sense, and it is one of the oldest laws of business . The relationship becomes especially important if there is a problem, such as a lost or damaged order.
3. Communicate regularly, and provide them with feedback.
Let your vendors know your preferences. Advise them of your favorite brands and vitolas. A good vendor will notify you when your favorite stock comes in, or when they have something special that you might be interested in. Don't hesitate to ask for their recommendations. They know their stock, and its condition, a lot better than you do.
Take their advice on what's "smoking good" now. If they know your preferences, ask them to make suggestions. You might discover a new marca, or vitola that opens up a new source of discovery, and enjoyment in your developing hobby.
When I order online, I send an email to let my vendor know that the order has been placed, and to express my preferences in terms of box code, wrapper color, and other particulars. Know how long it usually takes each vendor to ship and for orders to arrive. Allow a sufficient grace period before you panic. They'll usually show up, sooner or later.
I usually send another email when the shipment arrives, letting the vendor know the physical condition of the package and the cigars. It's another opportunity to provide feedback, and to say thanks for the service. Later, I will often send the vendor a comment on how the cigars are smoking. Let them know when you are pleased with a cigar. Write them a "mini-review". This helps them to better evaluate the quality of their stock, and update their recommendations.
4. Respect and protect your vendor.
They're bound to happen when you're buying a hand-made vegetable product, sight-unseen, often from halfway around the world. When there is a problem, take it promptly and directly to the vendor, and give them the opportunity to resolve the problem before taking it online to boards or complaining to others. Describe the problem to the vendor in detail, and if appropriate to document damage, send photos. A reputable vendor is concerned about your satisfaction, not to mention their reputation, and will replace damaged or inferior stock. If the vendor doesn't make good, discreetly seek the advice of a trusted and experienced member of your online cigar board.
Before referring a new customer, consider the vendor's preferences. Don't forget that the sale and importation of Cuban products is banned in some countries. Does your vendor welcome new referrals at this time, or are they a membership only vendor? What information would they like regarding a new customer? Ask them. I only refer individuals that I have gotten to know well enough to trust. And I usually contact the vendor first, and provide them with the prospect's name, details and contact information. Then the vendor can be expecting the contact, and be prepared to decide whether they want to do business with the new prospect.
Welcome to the new frontier of Cuban Cigar buying: the internet. It offers a tremendous opportunity to the new Habanos hobbyist who wants to get great cigars, quickly, at fair prices. But remember, it's a wild and unregulated domain, with lots of shady characters and "get rich quick" artists. There is no better example of the age-old warning to the eager but naïve buyer: "Caveat Emptor".
Nice writeup Shrink! Thanks for taking the time to create this, I know it took quite a bit of time.
I remember back when I was reading the CA Cuban forum and reading all the guys saying how they are going to keep their "Sources" a secret teasing the noobs with their knowledge. It's really disheartening to a noob who wants to give the Cubans a go. It seems so elitist when approached that way and it shouldn't be really.
So I started searching the internet. And find sources I did. You are correct, there are TONS of them. What convinced me to buy however, was the forum right here at FOH. Nice to have a place where the Owner is not only an advocate, but an active member of the forums as well!
Nice work, some good advice in there.
Excellent Excellent post shrink......Very nicely stated and well thought out, and most of all very good advise.
That is a very informative post, and I must say that I agree with you 100%.
In the long run, mate, it's easier to go into Rehab, rather than trying to stay one step ahead of the cops. Besides, it will cadge you some valuable publicity.
I'd really love to see the embargo switched to another country.
Very good post. I know personally its a trust thing for me. When you get a call from some long haired fellow in Australia on his dime to BS a bit that make a connection in a positive way. Prez...I have referred several family members...and I guess I never asked if you need to know that prior to me sending them over to look/buy.
Superb information and wise advice indeed. Three cheers for a voice of experience!
» Very well done, mate!
Thanks for the informative guide...a number of these life-lessons I had to figure out myself through trial-and-error, so this confirms what I've discovered & adds to what I came here to learn!
Thanks for sharing that wealth of information! In my short time, I have learned many of these lessons myself & wish I initially had this guide in front of me.
Great post. For me the answer is click on the upper right hand corner of this page where it says International Shop!
» getting burned, or receiving fakes.
A very nice and informative post.
I wish I had stumbled across a thread like this when I first started my venture into Online Vendors. I too was impatient being used to instant gratification.
Thinking I knew it all, I bought several thousands of dollars of fakes from shady vendors. Wilkey now has the majority of them, and I am waiting for him to do his write ups. Hopefully, if this saves one "Newbie" the same heartbreak, my loss and Wilkeys sluething will be rewarded.
It's a war out there when it comes to finding an honest trustworthy vendor.
**** I wish I was as smart as you Shrink. I was just damn lucky because a freind told me to talk to a guy named Rob at Czar and gave a personal introduction. I was getting stared and finishing my search at the same time.
Interests:God, Bikes, Cars, Family (second to the #1, God) and now my new journey to the perfect cigar! Oyeah, real people, not fake or full of it types.
Awesome knowledge to read, thank you.


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Poonam Mehra – Woman Up!
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Wed, 27 August 2014
Episode 9 - So Real
With this episode, this may be the closest that Terry gets to answer that dreaded question of many music fans out there, "What's your favorite album?" The discussion for this episode turns to the 1994 release from Jeff Buckley entitled Grace. Terry highlights some of the behind-the-scenes stories and talks about a few of his favorite songs off the album in hopes of explaining why this solitary release from Jeff Buckley was such a defining moment in music as a whole and not just another great album from 1994.
If you would like to learn more about Jeff Buckley, please seek out our YouTube playlist for this episode. The podcast can be found on iTunes (please feel free to subscribe and comment there) and flickeringwaves.com There is also a Flickering Waves Facebook group page and Twitter account (@flickeringwaves). Episode 10 will not come out until September but there will be an end-of-summer mini-episode coming out for Labor Day weekend.
Direct download: Episode_9_-_So_Real.mp3
Category:music -- posted at: 3:44am EDT

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Home > More > Hot Links > Seventeen's EP 'Semicolon' breaks 1 million in sales
Seventeen's EP 'Semicolon' breaks 1 million in sales
Boy band Seventeen now has two million-selling albums after its latest EP, "Semicolon," breached the one-million sales mark, its agency said Thursday.
"Semicolon" has sold more than 1.06 million copies since its release on Oct. 19, Pledis Entertainment said, citing data from Gaon music chart run by the Korea Music Content Association.
"Semicolon," released four months after the album "Heng:garae," features six songs, fronted by the retro-swing lead track "HOME;RUN."
Woozi, the self-producing band's primary songwriter, said the new album encompasses a wide variety of genres and sound palettes, including swing music, retro funk and bossa nova, ensuring that a broader group of music fans than ever before can enjoy the team's work.
In June, the 13-member act earned the title of the second-biggest selling K-pop artist in 2020 after BTS, with "Heng:garae" selling over 1.37 million units.
This image provided by Pledis Entertainment on Oct. 19, 2020, shows the album art for boy band Seventeen's new special album "Semicolon." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


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We will begin accepting applications for the fellowship and grant matching programs January 1st 2023, and the deadline to submit applications is June 1st, 2023.
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2022-2023 Asbury Grant Spotlight: Alyssia Ocasio, Blueprint Community Church
Born and raised in inner-city Chicago, Illinois, Alyssia is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is a third-generation Latina, whose family originally came from Puerto Rico. In 2008, Alyssia married Hector Ocasio and they have a 10-year-old son named Matthew. In 2013, Alyssia sensed a call to ministry. She earned a BS in Leadership and Ministry from Grace Christian University and served a two-year pastoral residency at Kentwood Community Church while becoming a licensed minister in the Wesleyan Church. She currently pastors Blueprint Community Church in Garland, Texas. Blueprint Community Church first launched on February 28, 2021 and is focused on joining God in bringing unity and transformation to the city of Garland.
Click HERE to see Blueprint Community Church's website.
New Podcast Episode with Valarie Grimes
Valarie is the pastor/planter of Radiant Church Savannah an Evangelical Covenant Church in Savannah, GA. Radiant's vision is to be a church without walls bringing the hope of Jesus to everyone, everywhere." Her passion is to inspire people to realize their God-given purpose. Valarie is a Certified Healthy Rhythms coach, an international speaker, and a Registered Nurse of 27 years. Her most important roles, however, are the ones she holds in her family. She is married to Rahman Grimes, a 35-year partnership. Valarie is the mother of two and a "Gigi" of two of the most brilliant grandchildren ever born. Her desire is to continue to influence others to become Christ-followers and lead Radiant lives.
As we await the CCM Masterclass Library, you can enjoy the Video Library in the meantime!
Making New Disciples in Europe with Øivind Augland and Raphael Anzenberger Expo Europe | Special CCM Video
You can listen to the audio or watch the video of this interview.


I grew up in an old-fashioned neighborhood in the '60s. By old-fashioned, I mean I could walk to school, walk to church, my choice of seven gas stations, two independent markets and one shoe repair shop. Our house was sandwiched between two proper ladies who took their gardening very seriously. Mrs. Winter, a Georgia native, kept a watchful eye on her rose bushes as stray baseballs from our yard seemed to frequently find themselves in that direction. The streets had curbs and sidewalks and maple trees.
As wonderful as all that sounds, the one thing we didn't have in those heady days of yore was air conditioning. It's not that we were poor, or deprived, it just wasn't something commonly found in the large turn-of-the-last-century homes that lined our streets. The $79 window units of today didn't exist yet, at least not in our neighborhood.
The result of our ice-cold a/c deficiency was lots of sleeping with the windows open on hot summer nights. With our house being situated just a block off the main thoroughfare, this lead to hearing a lot of traffic. Things sounded different back then. The light, almost annoying sound of air cooled VWs and Corvairs mixed with the heavier rumble of big blocks through Cherry Bomb mufflers and R Model Mack trucks to create the true sounds of the '60s and '70s. There was a distinct lack of tuned diesel pickup trucks and crotch rockets.
This nightly aural smorgasbord was occasionally punctured by a sound that wasn't like the rest. It started as a low, syncopated rumble waiting impatiently at the red light a block south of our house. When the light changed to green, that low rumble exploded into the most wonderful sound I've ever heard and if I was lucky, the light one block north would change to red and I would get to hear it all again. Except this time, it would go through all the gears and I'd hear that rise and fall again and again as it quickly disappeared into the night, returning the neighborhood to its default nighttime sound track of crickets chirping in Mrs. Winter's prized rose bushes.
Now, keep in mind I was just a kid, maybe eight or nine years old. And from my vantage point 50 years later, it's hard to imagine that I didn't know that wonderful sound was a Shovelhead, but I didn't. My cousin had an Electra Glide and it sure didn't sound like that, so that possibility never crossed my mind. I had to find out what made that intoxicating sound in the night. It was so distinctive and unruly. Maybe it was a Corvette or one of those new Hemis we'd heard so much about.
There's no doubt this was the summer I first used a spring-loaded clothes pin to hold a baseball card (probably Clemente!) to my forks to create a sound. I say "a sound" because it sounded nothing like an internal combustion engine even if you stuck them on the front and back. The only real similarity was that the sound did rise and fall with the rpm of the wheel.
As time passed, the rider must have eventually stopped in daylight hours for gas at one of those seven gas stations while we were hangin' out, jumping on the air hose that rang the bell and helping ourselves to road maps we didn't need, generally driving the owner nuts. All of that would have stopped as we looked on in awe and listened to the bike. That sound was a Harley! The world was different after that.
One of those two markets I mentioned earlier had a magazine rack. On that rack, mixed in with Hot Rod and MAD Magazine was a brand-new magazine featuring choppers called Easyriders. Imagine four nine-year-old boys, clad in cut-off jean shorts, T-shirts and Red Ball Jets, thumbing through Easyriders innocently as only kids can. It's a Norman Rockwell moment. We immediately devised a plan to buy one. Back then you could turn in used glass pop bottles to the store owner and get a nickel or a dime for them. They called it a deposit. Pop bottles were almost everywhere then, unless you were trying to raise money by finding them. Then you had to look in bushes and sometimes down at the creek, because that's where people threw them. Eventually, our gang of four had collected enough to buy our copy. For some reason, I was the one who took it home and when it was discovered by my parents that motorcycles weren't the only thing interesting in Easyriders, we walked back to the market for a conversation with the owner and a refund. The store kept it on a higher shelf after that.
It's fun to remember those days of discovery as we rush headlong in to another summer. They made us the people we are today. And hopefully, there's a kid out there with the window open one night listening eagerly when I leave a stop light.


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The video gaming spectacle known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3 is currently underway in Los Angeles, CA running from June 11-13. During this time game publishers, developers, media and gaming community in general gather to the Los Angeles Convention center to either showcase or experience the latest and greatest(hopefully) the industry has to offer. The event has come a long way since starting in 1995 as an offshoot of the Consumer Electronics Show, or CES as everything around video games had grown exponentially larger – industry, media, and consumers. Every year multitudes of gaming fans keep watch on their online gaming news outlet of choice, or more recently Twitch and YouTube channels dedicated to showing every minute of the array of games and technology on display. Every annual E3 convention is kicked off with several days of press conferences from the major developers and publishers, and with these press conferences come announcement trailers and gameplay footage of upcoming titles. This has become a bit of a spectator sport in itself as game announcements can come as a surprise and create an enormous amount of excitement for anyone who loves video games. After some deliberation, these are the five games that I'm most excited about after seeing from E3 2019.
Square Enix's remake of the beloved Final Fantasy VII has been in the works for quite some time now after being initially announced back in 2015. The game development seemed to go for very long periods of time without any word or update from the developers, with some skeptical the game would ever happen at all. Well…Square Enix finally showed off some actual gameplay of FFVII during its presentation on Monday night and this game looks downright gorgeous with the updated, NOT jagged angular character models of Cloud and Barrett's boss battle with the Scorpion Sentinel from early on in the game. The combat controls have been reworked a bit, with a shift more towards an action RPG that I think is an interesting change particularly when dealing with a game as highly regarded by hardcore RPG fans as FFVII. Another aspect of the game that I feel is a bit strange is the fact it is going to an episodic release, with Square Enix stating the entire first episode will take place in Midgar. Square Enix also stated the game will be large enough to take up two entire blu-ray discs upon release in its completed form; though they admit they are unsure of just how many episodes the game be comprised. Final Fantasy VII is a game that while being the benchmark title for the series, is in need of a face lift as it is one of the first games I mention when the discussion of "games that haven't aged well" comes up(along with Goldeneye and Ocarina of Time)…nevertheless I am incredibly eager to check this out when it releases in March 2020.
Watch Dogs: Legion
The announcement for Watch Dogs: Legion was leaked prior to E3 and like the other games in the Ubisoft's Watch Dogs series, it looks to be a very ambitious game that I sincerely hope they are able to pull off as this game really piqued my interest after watching the demonstration during the Ubisoft E3 presentation. Watch Dogs: Legion is set in London of the not too distant future, where an authoritarian militia-government has control, with soldiers on patrol as well as drones surveying your every move…you know sci-fi dystopian stuff. The premise of the game is similar to that of the first two games, with a group of individuals with the ability to hack seemingly any device have decided to fight back. I admit I have missed out on the Watch Dogs games up to this point so this may be an excellent introduction to the series for me. One of the unique features of this game is the fact there isn't any "main character" as you can recruit and then control ANYONE you see out on the street. The gameplay demo showed the character currently being controlled as they were able to scan and identify different people around the area, with their different abilities and skill sets being highlighted. You could recruit a retired police officer, an amateur MMA fighter, an expert hacker, or someone with an extensive knowledge of drones. The developers at Ubisoft stated you can recruit an army of resistance members with skills as varied as you choose. If a character is taken down while fighting, you are given the choice of either surrender and be escorted to jail with you being unable to use them for a set amount of time or you can choose to keep fighting. If you opt to keep fighting and the character is killed you lose that character indefinitely…perma-deaths will be a thing in this game. Ubisoft also stated that if one of your characters is taken to jail, you will be able to be released back into available use if any of your recruited members who have backgrounds as a lawyer. The highlight of the Watch Dogs: Legion was the portion of the demo where the control was switched over to Helen – an elderly woman who is also a retired espionage agent. Watching Helen shuffle around a London park, feeding the birds one moment and then the next moment she stealthily takes out an armed guard with a taser to the neck…I was pretty much sold by this point 🙂 . Watch Dogs: Legion was announced for a March 6 2020 release.
Ever since Jedi: Fallen Order was officially announced I was eager to see more, especially knowing the Respawn Entertainment would be developing the game. I have stated in the past how much I loved the Titanfall games as well as Apex Legends after it was stealth dropped back in February, so that combine that with the fact it's another Star Wars game it seemed a no-brainer. I really want to see EA get a Star Wars game RIGHT, especially after the debacle around Battlefront 2 and…really any AAA title they have released the past few years. This past Saturday, EA and Respawn demonstrated a gameplay video after much speculation within the gaming community as to what the game even was going to be. In Jedi: Fallen Order you control Cal Kestis – a young Jedi who survived Order 66 has joined a band of rebels led by Saw Gerrera – the guerrilla leader played by Forest Whitaker in Rogue One; whose likeness is also used in the game. The gameplay video showed Kestis traversing the wookie planet of Kashyyyk and fighting Stormtroopers as well as hostile life forms. The gameplay we were able to see didn't seem to be revolutionary in any way, with the traversal and general movements appear to be similar to that of any of the Uncharted games; the combat however, looks pretty enjoyable with really smooth looking lightsaber combat. The video shows Kestis will force-push a broken wall and then jump through and use the Force to freeze a Stormtrooper (a la Kylo Ren) in mid-movement before striking him down with his lightsaber. There is also the ability to freeze blaster fire mid-air and deflecting it back at enemies, along with the lightsaber throws we are used to seeing from the Force Unleashed games a console generation ago. What I did see of the game reminded me a bit of the Force Unleashed, with some of the jumping, and swinging across chasms we have seen from Nathan Drake in Uncharted games. I can't help but still be just the smallest bit concerned given the track record EA has with their usage of the Star Wars universe, but the gameplay video did put my mind at ease quite a bit. Another interesting note about the game is the developers at Respawn have stated that among their inspirations for Jedi: Fallen Order were Super Metroid and Dark Souls and wanted to have the same nature of exploration and at the same time have the strategic combat of the aforementioned games. Jedi: Fallen Order is releasing on November 15 2019 and I certainly plan on checking this game out.
Cyberpunk 2077 – Special Mention*
I haven't gotten to see any actual gameplay of developer CD Projekt Red's follow up to the enormously popular Witcher 3: Wild Hunt so I wasn't going to include it in a list of games that I was able to see actual gameplay from, but I after reading several accounts of the 50 minute gameplay demo being offered to those lucky enough to be at E3, along with watching the Cyberpunk 2077 cinematic trailer that was shown as part of Microsoft's press conference on Sunday…and all I can say is that the hype for this game has been amplified tenfold; it looks to be the closest thing to a Blade Runner video game. Cyberpunk 2077 is set to be released on April 16 2020 and has the potential to be incredible, just watch this trailer…
I really don't need to spend much time discussing what the newest title in the Doom series from iD and Bethesda looks like other than saying "It looks like Doom 2016…just bigger and more of it!" The gameplay video shown at the Bethesda conference Sunday night showed plenty of the over-the-top demon slaying we have come to know and love about the series. This time around you will be fighting not only on Mars and in Hell, but also in other dimensions and planets which I have absolutely no doubt will still provide the same experience as the previous game. Doom: Eternal releases on November 22 2019 and I CANNOT wait!
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake
I could have spent this entire time just talking about all the announcements from the Nintendo Direct Presentation of Tuesday morning. I could hardly contain my fanboy excitement as Nintendo announced a new Contra game – Contra: Rogue Corps, No More Heroes 3, a remake of Panzer Dragoon, Banjo and Kazooie FINALLY being added as characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and in the final moments played a very brief trailer announcing that a sequel for Breath of the Wild was currently in development…OH.MY.GOD :). Allow me to regain my composure for a minute and re-direct back to the game that I am probably most excited for after seeing more of it from E3 – the Link's Awakening remake. I was intrigued when I watched the announcement that Nintendo was going to remake Link's Awakening; a game first released on the original Game Boy back in 1993. I was also cautiously optimistic about the choice of animations used for the remake and being worried they may not do justice to a Legend of Zelda game however, after seeing extended gameplay segments shown by Nintendo over the last couple days I think the creative decision will work out perfectly. The graphics still remind me a bit of Peanuts movie, but it seems to make sense for this particular game. Link's Awakening takes place all within a dream and has a bit of a goofy, oddball quality to it that I have begun to really like after watching the adorable cartoonish Link make his way around Koholint Island. They are including the Color Dungeon from the Game Boy Color DX version and what appears to be a Dungeon Creator in the remake that also looks fun. There is also a Link Amiibo that is being released at the same time as the full game on September 20 2019. I had embarrassingly never played through the entire game at the time of the remake announcement and quickly rectified that issue. (Side Note: I made a post about my thoughts about my playthrough of Link's Awakening for the Game Boy a couple months ago if you care to read)
This fall is looking to be good for gamers as I am already game planning just the handful of games off the top of my head – Link's Awakening, Pokemon Sword/Shield, Luigi's Mansion 3, Doom: Eternal, Jedi: Fallen Order, and Death Stranding just to name a few. What games are you anxious to play later this year or that you're really hyped up about after seeing from E3?
Author Gaming OmnivorePosted on June 12, 2019 September 24, 2019 Categories Gaming-relatedTags Bethesda, CD Projeckt Red, Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, E3, Final Fantasy VII, Jedi Fallen Order, Nintendo, Playstation, Square Enix, Ubisoft, Video games, Watch Dogs Legion, Xbox
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How to setup a Docker cluster and configure service discovery on AWS.
Phil Calcado describes Service Mesh pattern in distributed systems.
Potential architectural fitness of microservices in the context of Master Data Management (MDM).
Adding stream processing into the MSA allows a service estate to be rethought as a kind of distributed database.
GitHub shares with you story on how they moved a critical application to Kubernetes.
Key architectural concepts of the Microservices Architecture(MSA) and how you can use those architectural principles in practice.
From Zero to OAuth2 in Spring cloud.
Different observables and its categories.
This guide will cover the configuration required to run your Lagom-based system on Kubernetes.
Buffered Channels In Go?—?What Are They Good For?
Buffered channels work great when you want to either gather data back from a set of goroutines that you have launched or when you want to limit concurrent usage.
2016 LLVM Developers' Meeting: D. Dunbar "A New Architecture for Building Software"


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THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE Chicago Steel
DOMINANT THIRD PUSHES STEEL PAST MUSKETEERS 5-3
By Chicago Steel, 02/09/19, 10:00PM CST
Three-Point Nights from Fontaine (1-2-3) and Abruzzese (0-3-3) Lead Chicago
SIOUX CITY, IOWA — A three-goal third period proved the difference in the Chicago Steel's 5-3 win Saturday night over the Sioux City Musketeers at Tyson Events Center. Chicago (26-14-1-0, 53 pts.) tied the game early in the third before the game winner halfway through the period gave the team its first and only lead of the night against Sioux City (19-14-5-2, 45 pts.). Steel center Nick Abruzzese, who leads the USHL with 54 points (18-36-54), was credited with three assists while right wing Gunnarwolfe Fontaine scored a goal and added a pair of assists (1-2-3).
The Steel registered the first two shots on net in Saturday's game but it was all Musketeers after that in the first frame as they ended the opening period with a 9-2 shot advantage and a 2-0 lead. Sioux City forward Marcus Kallionkieli broke the scoreless tie on his team's first shot of the game as he beat Chicago goaltender Reilly Herbst over the left shoulder on the powerplay.
The Musketeers doubled their lead late in the first period as forward VIljami Nieminen finished off a slick feed in the slot from forward Albin Nilsson behind the net.
Herbst then made a series of saves to keep the Steel within two early in the second period before right wing Travis Treloar got his team on the board. Treloar received a pass from center Cole Quisenberry at the blue line to set up a breakway where Treloar slipped a forehand shot as he flew to the ice past Musketeers goaltender Jake Sibell.
The Musketeers once again opened up a two-goal lead when forward Kevin Lombardi scored, but Fontaine cut the lead to 3-2 just 44 seconds later. Fontaine fired home a rebound off the pads of Sibell who made the initial save of an Abruzzese shot. The goal extended both a nine-game point (8-4-12) and four-game goal (5-2-7) streak for Fontaine. Abruzzese, who used an inside-out move on a Musketeers defenseman to create his scoring chance, was credited with an assist for his third point of the weekend as Chicago went to the locker room down by one.
Chicago tied the game when right wing Neil Shea scored his 11th goal of the season just 25 seconds into the third period. After Fontaine chased down a loose puck behind the net and found Abruzzese in front of the net, the puck found Shea to Sibell's left where he pounded home the loose puck.
The Steel took their first lead of the game at the halfway point of a dominant third period when right wing Josiah Slavin finished off a beautiful passing play from Abruzzese and Fontaine while on the powerplay. Slavin's goal came as Chicago was outshooting Sioux City 8-0 in the third. Slavin found his way to the front of the net where he finished off a perfect setup pass from Abruzzese.
Steel right wing Mathieu De St. Phalle sealed the win with an empty net goal to cap the strong road effort. Herbst stopped 22 shots to pick up his eighth win of the season in net.
Chicago returns to Fox Valley Ice Arena next weekend to put its 13-game hoem winning streak on the line. The Steel will host first place Musketon on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:05 p.m. on Military Appreciation/Hometown Heroes Night. The Steel then host Team USA U18 for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff on Saturday, Feb. 16 with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving a collectible Steel snow globe.
Tickets for all Steel home games are on sale now starting at just $10 and stadium seating on the glass is available for just $20. Parking is always free.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
©2019 Chicago Steel / SportsEngine. All Rights Reserved.


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You are here: Home1 / 20212 / May
Stern and Sanada Receive $1.3M in Grants from the Office of Naval Research
Three new grants from the Office of Naval Research are the latest in a long line of grant support for Professor Frederick Stern.
https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2017_10_19-IIHR-Wave-Basin-jatorner-0101-web.jpg 667 1000 Jackie Stolze https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IIHR-Official-Vector-logo-01-300x134.png Jackie Stolze2021-05-19 10:13:332021-06-21 09:20:11Stern and Sanada Receive $1.3M in Grants from the Office of Naval Research
The Wetter "New Normal" Affecting Iowans
https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IIHR-Official-Vector-logo-01-300x134.png 0 0 Jackie Stolze https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IIHR-Official-Vector-logo-01-300x134.png Jackie Stolze2021-05-18 11:16:422021-05-18 11:16:44The Wetter "New Normal" Affecting Iowans


When I was in school, I had several teachers that required us to journal on a regular basis. Of course there were certain parameters and topics we had to cover. We were graded according to how well we followed instructions, and whether our writing was free of spelling and grammatical errors. Many clients I work with have had the same experience with journaling. So when I bring up the fact that journaling has been shown to improve mental health, they are hesitant, approaching it like a school assignment. But this is not what I'm suggesting.
1. Find a notebook or journal.
It doesn't have to be a fancy leather-bound diary—a simple notebook with lines will do.
2. Time yourself for 15 minutes.
Set a watch or the timer on your phone.
3. Write about a specific memory or an issue you are currently dealing with.
Don't worry about spelling or grammar. You are not being graded. This is all about getting your emotions out on paper.
4. Do this four days in a row.
Try writing before bed when you are winding down, or during some quiet time when you won't be interrupted.
Unlike the tedious journaling that many of us did in school, this activity is meant to be freeing. You may find that your entries turn into prayers and one-sided conversations with God on paper. One reason I believe this method works is that you are allowing yourself to process things through free association—the same thing one does during therapy.
When traumatic things happen in our lives, we often try to find meaning. Words are meanings, and when you put your experience into words, you might be surprised at the insight and meaning you discover.
So there you go. Give it a shot and let me know what happens.


I fell in love with this project from the first time I saw it on Pinterest. I wanted to do this kind of footprints project, while my babies are still tiny, so when they get bigger they will see how tiny their little feet were one day. =) For some reason I thought I needed to buy a special dough for this. So when I saw it on Pintrest and it was made with all of the ingredients I have at home, which is salt, water, and flour, I was so excited and made it right that day. My toddler loved the idea of playing with dough, specially printing her little footprints. It was a fun project for all of us.
I am thinking of giving this little heart with two little feet, as a gift to my mother for upcoming Mother's Day. I am having a feeling she is going to like this little gift, that my baby girl Anika will present it to her with a bouquet of flowers.
Now mix all of the ingredients together and you are ready to create any masterpiece you would like, in our case it was a heart, a flower, and a weird looking shape for a hand print.
…now there comes the little feet.
Once you finished with your last touches bake it at 200F for 3 hours or until it gets hard as a rock.
Tadaaaa……Our little project is complete.
The project was inspired by www.squidoo.com/salt-dough-footprint-heart.
Thank you! Our grandma loves receiving crafts from her granddaughters!


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Non-Forum Post 12-15-18 02:27 PM Hidrieus I found your review of the Pentax K-5 IIs helpful!
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K1 mark ii - speculation on development roadmap 07-20-16 02:03 AM biz-engineer Made my day! lol!
Pentax K-1 does some horse racing 07-17-16 09:19 AM beholder3 good job!
Lack of cameras - buy abroad? Warranties? 07-13-16 02:10 AM yurko_yr Useful info! Thanks.


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Demokrat Parti may refer to:

 Democratic Party (Northern Cyprus)
 Democrat Party (Turkey, current)
 Democratic Party (Turkey, historical)

See also
 Democrat (disambiguation)
 Democrat Party (disambiguation)
 Partai Demokrat (Indonesia)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Anjali Nair is an Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil films. After making her debut in the Tamil film Nedunalvaadai (2019), she has been seen in films including Taanakkaran (2022) and Yenni Thuniga (2022).

Career
Anjali Nair made her acting debut in Nedunalvaadai (2019), and won positive acclaim for her portrayal of a village-based character, with a reviewer from The Hindu calling her performance a "revelation". In addition, a reviewer from The New Indian Express noted that "debutant Anjali Nair holds this film together", while Times of India wrote the film is "supported by decent acting by Anjali".

In 2022, Anjali appeared in three Tamil films - the police drama Taanakkaran, the thriller Yenni Thuniga and the romantic comedy Kaalangalil Aval Vasantham. Anjali also spoke out against film producers who had asked her to change her stage name, owing to the presence of another actress of the same name.

Filmography
Films

References

External links

Indian film actresses
Tamil actresses
Living people
Actresses in Tamil cinema
21st-century Indian actresses
Year of birth missing (living people)


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Courts Criminal Financial Government Law
Feds Sue to Halt Alleged Chicago Ponzi Scheme
August 24, 2018 August 27, 2018 MARTIN MACIAS JR
Chicago, Ponzi, SEC
(CN) – Hundreds of investors are falling into an ongoing fraud scheme that captures funds from investments in Chicago real estate projects in order to cover earlier fraud, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Nebraska by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
EquityBuild, a Florida corporation with an office in Chicago, began soliciting investments in 2010, promising 12 to 20 percent returns generated by the purchase, renovation and development of real estate on Chicago's South Side.
The scheme involved building an attractive social media marketing presence that raised at least $135 million from more than 900 investors and continues to attract investment, the lawsuit said.
In an 18-page complaint, the SEC said they brought the lawsuit against father and son Jerome Cohen and Shaun Cohen – and their companies EquityBuild, Inc. and EquityBuild Finance – to "halt an ongoing Ponzi scheme."
Jerome Cohen, 63, is CEO and president of EquityBuild. He is a resident of Naples, Florida. His son Shaun, 39, is both president and vice president of EquityBuild Finance and lives in New York City.
A spokesperson for EquityBuild did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
The lawsuit said defendants intentionally hid information from investors, particularly the 15 to 30 percent cut they skimmed from each investment as part of undisclosed fees.
"In many cases they did this by telling investors that the properties being purchased cost substantially more than what Defendants actually paid for them," the lawsuit said. "This meant that investors were not only overcharged, but the real estate supposedly securing their investments was worth much less than what Defendants told investors."
The Chicago developments sustained heavy losses and earned nowhere near the double-digit returns promised to investors.
The Cohen's continually assured investors that if their plan ever slid into default, they could sell the property in a quick sale and get their money out of the investment, the complaint said.
As a result of the continued losses, defendants' investment program "devolved into a Ponzi scheme" wherein they could only pay earlier investors by raising funds from new investors.
Defendants then changed their business model by offering investments in pooled investment funds, but failed to disclose that the funds were being directed to the very same projects as before.
Investors were then forced them to restructure their plans with defendants pushing back the time frames for repayment, the complaint said.
As the scheme started to collapse, defendants "started coming clean about their financial distress and inability to repay investors," yet they continue to solicit investments with "guaranteed" rates of return.
The SEC seeks a jury trial, an injection to stop defendants' operation and an order requiring them to "disgorge the ill-gotten gains."
SEC is represented by staff attorney Benjamin Hanauer.
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South Dakota Effort to Delay Medical Marijuana Implementation Fails
by Greenstar Team | Mar 19, 2021 | Cannabis Laws | 0 comments
In the 2020 election, South Dakotans voted on Measure 26. According to BallotPedia, "The measure established a medical marijuana program in South Dakota for individuals who have a debilitating medical condition as certified by a physician. Under the measure, patients are allowed to possess a maximum of three ounces of marijuana. Limits on the amount of cannabis products a person may possess would be set by the Department of Health. According to the measure, patients registered to cultivate marijuana at home could grow three plants at minimum, or another amount as prescribed by a physician."
The measure passed with a resounding 70% of yes votes.
The wide margin of approval by voters, however, has not kept the South Dakota legislature from trying to delay implementation of the measure.
Delay Attempts
The first sign of an attempted delay was when South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (Republican) announced a plan to delay the implementation of the medical marijuana program until July 1, 2022, a full year later than the measure stated. In her announcement, Governor Noem stated, "We are working diligently to get IM 26 implemented safely and correctly. The feasibility of getting this program up and running well will take additional time. I am thankful to our legislative leaders for helping make sure that we do this right."
Legislature Involvement
On January 27, 2021 the South Dakota House of Representatives introduced House Bill 1100 to attempt to delay implementation. The bill stated that "Due to the pending litigation [surrounding Constitutional Amendment A], the Department of Health's continued efforts against COVID-19, and the complexity of marijuana's status under federal law, the State needs more time to establish a medical marijuana program with integrity and prudency than its current effective date of July 1, 2021."
House Bill 1100 was passed on February 25, 2021 by a vote of 40-28.
The bill was then sent to the South Dakota Senate, where the bill was amended to allow the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana.
An Impasse
The House of Representatives, however, rejected the Senate's changes, upon which HB100 was sent to a conference committee to attempt to reconcile the two versions of the bill. Ultimately, lawmakers were unable to agree to any proposed compromise and so the bill failed to pass.