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AT&T Paid Michael Cohen's Firm for 'Insights' Into Trump Administration
Updated May. 08, 2018 7:28PM ET / Published May. 08, 2018 7:27PM ET
AT&T acknowledged on Tuesday that it sent money to Michael Cohen's limited-liability company so that it could receive "insights" about the Trump administration. The revelation comes after The Daily Beast confirmed that a firm controlled by a Vladimir Putin-aligned Russian oligarch also paid Cohen's firm. The LLC was the entity that paid $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels as part of a hush-money agreement to ensure that she would stay silent about an alleged affair with President Donald Trump. Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti, alleged earlier Tuesday that AT&T made four payments of $50,000 each to the LLC. AT&T also said the LLC "did no legal work for us, and the contract ended in December 2017."
Read it at CNBC


Years ago I dated a girl who loved Animal Crossing. Her friends loved Animal Crossing too. That's not surprising…it was a massively popular game. I had nothing against it; I'd just never played it.
They booted it up one day and passed me a controller and helped me start a new character. I had no control over what my character would look like, and as soon as the game started I was responsible for paying off a home loan and making pointless deliveries to animal-people I didn't know or care about.
That was the game. Also I had to be extra nice all the time to the animal-people or they'd move out and then, I guess, I'd feel bad about it.
It didn't click with me. I got nothing out of it. Again, it was a hugely popular game so I figured I just wasn't cut out for it. There was no appeal. As Mario I could rescue a princess and as Link I could swordfight and as Olimar I could command armies…but Animal Crossing just gave me a dead-end job in a virtual town and that didn't feel like enough of an escape from my dead-end job in my real town.
Flash forward to a few weeks ago, however, and I got Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I love it. Genuinely, truly, I think it's a brilliant game. Even though, from what I can remember at least, it's very similar to the game that left me cold so long ago.
Things change. Contexts shift. The world spins underneath you and if you're not paying attention you end up in a different place altogether.
I'm in a different place altogether.
And Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a perfect — I'm not using that word lightly — little Zen garden.
The game doesn't just give you a virtual town full of virtual trees to shake and virtual clothes to wear and virtual bees to chase you around.
It gives you a place to breathe.
Does it sound sad that someone — anyone — would have to turn to a video game in order to find a place to catch their breath? I don't think so.
We all need to find a place like that.
Usually, for me, it's in a book.
Other times it's in a particularly insightful film.
Sometimes it's in a conversation over a cup of coffee with somebody I care about deeply and may never see again.
This time, it's digital. And it's a world wherein I can rely on things.
Sure, I can hurt the feelings of the animal-people…but why would I? If I'm asked to deliver a package from the frog to the ostrich, I could keep it for myself…or I could follow through and get words of grateful excitement from her. The characters in Animal Crossing appreciate everything you do. They may only be characters…but that kind of appreciation always feels good.
Which is what impressed me about the game most of all. When I first started playing New Leaf I thought I'd go into it with ironic detachment. Why not? A silly little isolated village with its sunshine and rainbows and friendliness? Come on. So I named it Narcisso in tribute to the complex, layered deviousness of the central city in The Crying of Lot 49 and posted silly things on the town message board.
Sure. I could post mean things. And I could anger my villagers. And I could chop down all the trees.
Go for it, the game said.
But while you do that…the rest of the characters will be over here. Enjoying themselves. And appreciating each other. And, well, being happy.
A lot of games struggle to keep players interested in doing good. They funnel you on a path toward the villain. They prevent you from sending profanity to friends. They oppressively lower your gun if you aim at a friendly character.
Animal Crossing simply makes good behavior preferable.
Want to piss off the aardvark in your neighborhood? Good. You can. But if you're doing that…why are you doing that?
Wouldn't you rather share a moment with that aardvark on the beach at sunset? Wouldn't you want to be her penpal when she reaches out to you because she's lonely? Wouldn't you want to make her day by changing into that t-shirt she was so excited to give you just because you're you and she appreciates that?
It's a virtual town, as silly and pointless as that virtual, silly, pointless town I tried to enjoy years ago.
But I'm in a different place now…and the value of having a place to breathe — a town that will always have a place for me, no matter what — is immediately apparent to me in a way that it never was before.
We can play a war game because, in reality, we'd never be able to survive a war. We can play a game about a post-apocalyptic wasteland because, in reality, we'd never want to see one. With Animal Crossing we can play a game about making others happy…because we know, in reality, it's never that easy.
It's no substitute for the real thing.
But it's nice, sometimes, to visit a world in which comfort and appreciation are reliable aspects of daily life.
The sky is blue, the water is clear, and the dog plays guitar for you on Saturday nights.
Because, in reality, it's not.
And as long as it's yours, you might as well make it a great place to be.
Look at all those happy photos. Glad to hear you're still enjoying the game. I finally renovated the museum today — Redd kept screwing me on art. I don't care for that Redd.


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It works the same way for rubbish bins. Pour a small amount in the bottom of the bin and let the baking soda do all the work for you! It will help neutralize odours so you don't have to. You can also use an even more natural product to keep the bins smelling fresh. In the kitchen, many people put lemons down rubbish disposals to get rid of foul odours. The things that are put down drains are... Get Sanitary Bins For Your Precious Female Employees. Fresh & Clean provides female employees with a washroom hygiene service that is designed to give complete hygienic peace of mind.
It is important to clean out your recycling bins and recycling containers on a periodic basis. Food residue will eventually attract unwanted critters as well as bugs and even develop a pungent aroma. how to clean clothes with oil stains If you have old furniture, broken or unwanted white goods, appliances, electronics, building site debris, green waste or any other type of rubbish, Paul�s Rubbish Removal is your company for a fast and hassle-free rubbish removal and clean up service in Sydney. We also provide same-day rubbish removals all across Sydney�s metro!
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Bins out. Bins must be out by 5.30am on the day of collection. You must place your bins on the kerb or on the nature strip half a metre apart, and allow one metre at either end to allow for safe collection.


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U.S. Delegation Returns Empty Handed From Moscow
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
The Kremlin blindsided U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with unexpected challenges during her October 13-14 Moscow visit, her first to Russia in that official capacity. The Russian side distorted the agenda previously agreed with Washington and frustrated U.S. goals across the board. Moscow timed its surprise moves precisely to Clinton's arrival, so as to confuse the U.S. side and preclude a coherent timely response during Clinton's talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
On October 13, the Secretary Security Council Nikolai Patrushev announced the Kremlin's intentions to change Russia's military doctrine with regard to the use of nuclear weapons. The amendments substantially lower the threshold for such use. They envisage the possibility of Russian nuclear strikes at an operational-tactical level in regional and local conflicts. Under the amendments, Russia explicitly reserves the right to carry out preventive nuclear strikes in such conflicts; and also the option of first use of nuclear weapons if necessary to prevail in a conventional regional or local conflict (Izvestiya, Interfax, international news agencies, October 14).
The U.S. delegation failed to respond to this well-publicized, clearly pre-planned, and apparently unanticipated challenge to core U.S. positions.
The Obama administration has made the political objective of nuclear disarmament a top priority of its Russia policy. It has also given up the planned anti-missile shield in Central Europe, hoping for a Russian quid-pro-quo on U.S. concerns in other theaters (a deal precluded, however, from the outset by the administration's own arguments for abandoning the shield). Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation topped the agenda of Clinton's visit. Moscow's public response through Patrushev amounts to a rejection of the U.S. administration's nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation goals. It suggests that Russia will not cooperate in bestowing a nuclear disarmer's mantle on the American president; and that the anti-missile shield's abandonment has failed to restrain Moscow, while possibly emboldening it.
Relegating Georgia to the back burner and abandoning the missile shield in Central Europe has not elicited Russian cooperation on Iran sanctions. The U.S. delegation returned empty-handed from Moscow on the sanctions account. In the run-up to the visit, the White House and State Department had optimistically interpreted a highly ambiguous statement by Medvedev at the United Nations that Russia does not necessarily rule out support for another round of sanctions against Iran. With the administration's own timetable for imposing "crippling," or at least "biting" sanctions on Iran expiring, and with the missile shield's abandonment expected to elicit Russian cooperation at the last moment, the U.S. delegation hoped to demonstrate success on that account in Moscow.
Clinton argued that Russia could join the United States in "leadership that we can demonstrate for the rest of the world on issues [such as] Iran, North Korea, and nuclear non-proliferation and arms control -the important matters that the United States and Russia should be leading on, so that the rest of the world can see the level of cooperation" (Russian Federation President's website, October 14). Lavrov and the other Russian officials, however, rejected not only sanctions on Iran at this stage, but even the talk about sanctions as counterproductive.
Moscow also uses the threat to deliver S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran as a bargaining card with the United States. According to Clinton in a German press interview after the Moscow meeting, this issue "was of course raised there and we will continue raising it. Thus far, they [Russians] have not delivered any [such] missiles to Iran. We regard this as a good sign" (Die Welt, October 19). Among lesser goals, the U.S. delegation said that it had "reason to hope" (Reuters, October 13) that Boeing would land a contract to build aircraft for Russia's new state-controlled airline. Faced with multiple U.S. solicitations at every high-level meeting, Moscow feels that it can wait out and manipulate the process through arbitrary linkages and trade-offs.
The U.S.-Russia joint working group on civil society issues is widely seen as representing a U.S. unilateral concession, rather than a classical trade-off. The United States is receiving nothing in return for accepting the deputy chief of Russia's presidential administration, Vladislav Surkov, and other Kremlin "political technologists" to predominate on the Russian side of this "civil society group." Surkov, a godfather of Nashi, will be co-chairing the civil society working group alongside Michael McFaul, the U.S. White House senior adviser on Russia. In Moscow, Clinton said that she expects the Russia expert McFaul to manage this group effectively (Ekho Moskvy, October 14).
Turkey Signs Strategic Cooperation Agree..Next
U.S. Delegation Displays More Caution Th..
The July 2018 issue of Militant Leadership Monitor features a brief on Boko Haram's missing commander, Man Chari, as well as profiles of Tihama Resistance Brigade Commander Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Shuae Hajari; IS Russian Propaganda Master Abu Jihad; The New Ideologue-Warrior Leader of TTP, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud; and Syrian Tiger Forces Commander... MORE

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Valerie Bertinelli: Worthy of Love
Valerie Bertinelli and Rob Lowe are living their best lives on Literally this week. The incredible conversation goes everywhere—from Malibu hangs, and roofing houses during the 80s actor's strike, to all the Van Halen DRAMA. On today's episode you'll also find out how Valerie got her role on One Day at a Time, and the unique gift MJ gave Eddie after recording a solo on Beat It! Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Nicholas Sparks: Capture the Voice
It's all about the written word when Nicholas Sparks joins Rob Lowe. On this episode you'll hear how Nicholas' writing process differs from most authors, his new book Dreamland, what happens when a book is turned into a movie, and both Rob and Nicholas swap Stephen King stories. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Stephen A. Smith: The Heated Exchange
Sports lovers unite when Stephen A. Smith and Rob Lowe get together in the aftermath of one of the greatest days in football history. On this episode you'll hear about Stephen's new book 'Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes,' their thoughts on the current trends within the NFL, NBA, and MLB, as well as how analytics have shifted the sports discussion nationwide. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Sona Movsesian: Slash on the Wall
It's Team Coco all day everyday when Sona Movsesian joins Rob Lowe to talk comedy, Big Red, and so much more. On today's episode you'll hear how Sona worked her way up from being a page to Conan's assistant, how being a child of immigrants has affected her life, and why jumping is helpful in keeping a zest for life! Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Jann Wenner: The Diet of America
Music lovers unite when Jann Wenner and Rob Lowe are talking. On today's episode you'll find out why Bob Dylan may be the best songwriter of all time, how rock 'n roll has evolved, the unique position Jann has had to take between creative minds, how Mick Jagger hypnotized Rob Lowe, and the importance of the song "Margaritaville." Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Re-Release: John Stamos: A Good Influence
When John Stamos talks to Rob Lowe it is a who's who? of handsome memes. On today's episode you'll hear about John's new True Crime podcast Snatching Sinatra, the time Rob partied on stage with The Beach Boys, and what traits John shares with a famous serial killer! Plus the guys peruse the late Frank Sinatra's phone book. Got question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Tim Meadows: The Right Kind of Funny
There's truth in comedy when Tim Meadows and Rob Lowe are behind the mic. On Today's episode you'll hear about Tim's long history with improv, some of Rob and Tim's favorite moments in SNL history, Tim's new movie "It's a Wonderful Binge," and both men team up to plan for the SNL "Perspectives" movie that's long overdue. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Katie Couric: The Prompter is Off
The tables are turned when Katie Couric guests on Rob Lowe's podcast! In today's episode you'll hear how Katie learned to roll with the punches while interviewing, why it's important to always get your checkup, and Katie's thoughts on the evolution of journalism. All of this and a glimpse into Katie's new venture, "Katie Couric Media."
Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Whoopi Goldberg: Dream Big Baby
It's old friends and fond memories when Whoopi Goldberg and Rob Lowe reminisce. On today's episode you'll hear about the time Rob and Whoopi's 1984 Clean Water caravan got pulled over for speeding, why Whoopi keeps a landline and rarely has her cell phone on her, the experience of making Ghost and how no one knew the type of film they were creating, and the incredible impact of her new film Till. All of this and Rob's idea for a Paul Lynde biopic! Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Jon Taffer: The Reaction Business
Nothing is being shut down when Jon Taffer joins Rob Lowe on the mic! On today's episode you'll hear how the NFL Sunday Ticket began, the devastating meeting that prompted Jon to create Bar Rescue, which memorable nightclub had the robot from ROCKY IV, and why authenticity is the key to success. Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Trace Adkins: Hard Bark
Music and acting unite when Trace Adkins and Rob Lowe are behind the mic. In this episode find out why Trace was nervous to work with Susan Sarandon, the difference between "country" and "western," how a hand injury helped stylize Trace's guitar playing, and the unconventional voice preparation Trace does before taking the stage! Got a question for Rob? Call our voicemail at (323) 570-4551. Yours could get featured on the show!
Rob Lowe's iconic career spans four decades in film, television, and theater. He is also an acclaimed author and has been nominated for two Emmys, six Golden Globes and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, in which he won two. He has starred in the '80s classics "St. Elmo's Fire," "About Last Night," and "The Outsiders," as well as television classics such as "The West Wing" and "Parks and Recreation." Rob's incredibly diverse career also includes scene-stealing work in "Behind Candelabra," "Austin Powers," and "Tommy Boy." His two memoirs, "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" and "Love Life," are both New York Times Best Sellers. He has taken his first memoir and made it into a touring show called "Stories I Only Tell My Friends: Live!," which received rave reviews throughout the country and sold out in London. Rob also directed and starred in a remake of the four-time Academy Award-nominated film, "The Bad Seed," and starred alongside Kristin Davis in "Holiday in the Wild" for Netflix. Rob recently starred in and produced FOX's highly anticipated "9-1-1" Texas-set spinoff "9-1-1: Lone Star" alongside Liv Tyler. Created and executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, the series was the highest rated broadcast drama debut in five years and FOX's most-watched drama debut in 11 years. Lowe has been married to jewelry designer, Sheryl Lowe, since 1991. They have two sons, Matthew and John Owen.
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Khalsa (Panyabí: ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, pronunciación panyabí: [ˈxaːlsaː], "Ser puro, ser claro, estar libre de, ser liberado") se refiere tanto a una comunidad que considera el sijismo como su fe, como a un grupo especial de iniciados sijs . La tradición Khalsa fue iniciada en 1699 por el décimo gurú del sijismo, Gurú Gobind Singh. Su formación fue un acontecimiento clave en la historia del sijismo. Los sijs celebran la fundación de la Khalsa durante el festival de Vaisakhi.

Gurú Gobind Singh inició la tradición Khalsa después de que su padre, Gurú Tegh Bahadur, fuera decapitado durante el gobierno de la sharia islámica del emperador mogol Aurangzeb. Gurú Gobind Singh creó e inició la Khalsa como un guerrero con el deber de proteger a los inocentes de cualquier forma de persecución religiosa. La fundación del Khalsa inició una nueva fase en la tradición sij. Formuló una ceremonia de iniciación (amrit sanskar, ceremonia del néctar) y reglas de conducta para los guerreros de la Khalsa. Creó una nueva institución para el liderazgo temporal de los sijs, sustituyendo el anterior sistema de masand. Además, la Khalsa proporcionó una visión política y religiosa a la comunidad sij.:127

Tras la iniciación, un Khalsa sij recibía los títulos de Singh (masculino) que significa león y Kaur (femenino) que significa princesa. Las reglas de vida incluían un código de conducta (Rahit, como no fumar, no consumir alcohol, no cometer adulterio, no comer carne) y un código de vestimenta (las Cinco K).:121-126

Etimología
"Khalsa", deriva de la palabra árabe "Khalis" "خَالِصٌ" que significa "ser puro, ser claro, estar libre de, ser sincero, ser verdadero, ser recto, ser sólido".

El sijismo surgió en el noroeste del subcontinente indio (hoy partes de Pakistán e India). Durante el dominio del Imperio Mogol, según la profesora Eleanor Nesbitt, Khalsa significaba originalmente la tierra que poseía directamente el emperador, que era diferente de la tierra jagir que concedía a los señores a cambio de una promesa de lealtad y tributo anual. Antes de "Guru Gobind Singh Ji", la organización religiosa se organizaba a través de los masands o agentes. Los masands recaudaban los ingresos de las regiones rurales para la causa sij, al igual que los jagirs lo hacían para el emperador islámico. La Khalsa, en el sijismo, llegó a significar la lealtad pura al Gurú, y no a los masands intermediarios que cada vez se corrompían más, afirma Nesbitt.

Contexto
Los sijs sufrieron persecución religiosa durante el dominio del Imperio Mogol. Gurú Arjan Dev, el quinto gurú, fue detenido y ejecutado por el emperador mogol Jahangir en 1606. El siguiente gurú, Gurú Hargobind, militarizó formalmente a los sijs y subrayó la naturaleza complementaria del poder temporal y el poder espiritual. En 1675, Gurú Tegh Bahadur, el noveno gurú de los sijs y padre de Gurú Gobind Singh, fue ejecutado por el emperador mogol Aurangzeb por resistirse a la persecución religiosa de los no musulmanes y por negarse a convertirse al islam. Los hijos de Gurú Gobind Singh fueron asesinados por negarse a convertirse al Islam.

Fundación

En 1699 el décimo Gurú del sijismo, Gurú Gobind Singh, pidió a los sijs que se reunieran en Shri Anandpur Sahib el 13 de abril de 1699, el día del Vaisakhi (el festival anual de la cosecha). Gurú Gobind Singh se dirigió a la congregación desde la entrada de una tienda montada en una colina (ahora llamada Shri Kesgarh Sahib). Desenvainó su espada, según la tradición sij, y luego pidió un voluntario entre los reunidos, alguien dispuesto a sacrificar su cabeza. Se presentó uno, al que llevó al interior de una tienda. El Gurú regresó a la multitud sin el voluntario, pero con la espada ensangrentada. Pidió otro voluntario y repitió el mismo proceso de volver de la tienda sin nadie y con la espada ensangrentada cuatro veces más. Cuando el quinto voluntario entró con él en la tienda, el Gurú regresó con los cinco voluntarios, todos a salvo. El Gurú había sacrificado 5 cabras de las que procedía la sangre. Los llamó el Panj Pyare y el primer Khalsa en la tradición sij. Estos cinco voluntarios eran: Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh), Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh), Himmat Rai (Bhai Himmat Singh), Mohkam Chand (Bhai Mohkam Singh) y Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh).

Gurú Gobind Singh mezcló entonces agua y azúcar en un cuenco de hierro, removiéndolo con una espada de doble filo para preparar lo que llamó Amrit ("néctar"). Luego se lo administró al Panj Pyare, acompañado de recitaciones del Adi Granth, fundando así el khanda ka paul (ceremonia de bautismo) de un Khalsa, una comunidad guerrera. Una vez bautizados los cinco primeros Khalsa, el Gurú pidió a los cinco que lo bautizaran a él como Khalsa. Esto convirtió al Gurú en el sexto Khalsa, y su nombre cambió de Gurú Gobind Rai a Gurú Gobind Singh. Gurú Gobind Singh dispuso que los nombres Singh y Kaur fueran para los sijs con el fin de reducir la discriminación de castas y crear un sistema paralelo de títulos aristocráticos similares a los utilizados por los jefes de las colinas vecinas de Rajput de Anandpur Sahib.

Introdujo ideas que cuestionaban indirectamente los impuestos discriminatorios dispuestos por las autoridades islámicas. Por ejemplo, los que se cobraban a los no musulmanes que también se cobraban a los sijs, como la jizya (impuesto electoral a los no musulmanes), el impuesto a los peregrinos y el impuesto Bhaddar, este último aplicable a todo aquel que siguiera el ritual hindú de afeitarse la cabeza tras la muerte de un ser querido y la cremación. Gurú Gobind Singh Ji declaró que los Khalsa no necesitaban seguir esta práctica, porque el Bhaddar no es dharam, sino un bharam (ilusión). No afeitarse la cabeza también significaba no tener que pagar los impuestos por parte de los sijs que vivían en Delhi y otras partes del Imperio Mogol. Sin embargo, el nuevo código de conducta también provocó desacuerdos internos entre los sijs en el siglo XVIII, especialmente entre los Nanakpanthi y los Khalsa.

Gurú Gobind Singh Ji sentía un profundo respeto por la Khalsa, y afirmaba que no hay diferencia entre el verdadero Gurú y el Sangat (panth). Antes de la fundación de la Khalsa, el movimiento sij había utilizado la palabra sánscrita Sisya (literalmente, discípulo o estudiante), pero el término preferido a partir de entonces fue Khalsa. Además, antes de la Khalsa, las congregaciones sijs de la India tenían un sistema de Masands designados por los gurús sijs. Los Masands dirigían las comunidades sij locales, los templos locales, recolectaban riquezas y donaciones para la causa sij. Gurú Gobind Singh Ji llegó a la conclusión de que el sistema de Masands se había vuelto corrupto, los abolió e introdujo un sistema más centralizado con la ayuda de la Khalsa que estaba bajo su supervisión directa. Estos desarrollos crearon dos grupos de sijs, aquellos que se iniciaron como Khalsa, y otros que siguieron siendo sijs pero no realizaron la iniciación. Los sijs khalsa se veían a sí mismos como una entidad religiosa separada, mientras que los sijs Nanak-panthi conservaban su perspectiva diferente.

La tradición de la comunidad guerrera Khalsa iniciada por Gurú Gobind Singh Ji ha contribuido al debate académico moderno sobre el pluralismo dentro del sijismo. Su tradición ha sobrevivido hasta la actualidad, y los sijs iniciados se denominan sijs khalsa, mientras que los que no se bautizan se denominan sijs sahajdhari.

Vestimenta y código de conducta

Gurú Gobind Singh Ji inició la tradición de las Cinco K de la Khalsa,

 Kesh: pelo sin cortar.
 Kangha: peine de madera.
 Kara: brazalete de hierro o acero que se lleva en la muñeca.
 Kirpán: espada.
 Kachera: calzón corto.

También promulgó un código de disciplina para los guerreros de la Khalsa. Se prohibió el tabaco, el consumo de carne sacrificada según el ritual musulmán y las relaciones sexuales con cualquier persona que no fuera su cónyuge. Los khalsas también acordaron no relacionarse nunca con los que seguían a los rivales o a sus sucesores. La co-iniciación de hombres y mujeres de diferentes castas en las filas de la Khalsa también institucionalizó el principio de igualdad en el sijismo, independientemente de la casta o el género de cada uno. Según Owen y Sambhi, el significado de Gurú Gobind Singh Ji para la tradición sij ha sido muy importante, ya que institucionalizó la Khalsa, resistió la continua persecución del Imperio mogol y continuó "la defensa del sijismo y el hinduismo contra el asalto musulmán de Aurangzeb".

Prohibiciones
Las cuatro prohibiciones o restricciones obligatorias de la Khalsa o vida de la Khalsa en la época de Gurú Gobind Singh Ji son:

 No perturbar el crecimiento natural de los pelos.
 No comer la carne kutha de ningún animal.
 No cohabitar con una persona que no sea su cónyuge.
 No consumir tabaco, alcohol o cualquier tipo de droga.

Un Khalsa que rompe cualquier código de conducta deja de ser un Khalsa y es excomulgado del Khalsa Panth y debe ir a 'pesh' (bautizarse de nuevo). Gurú Gobind Singh Ji también dio a los Khalsa 52 hukams o 52 directrices específicas adicionales mientras vivía en Nanded en 1708.

Deberes y guerreros
A un Khalsa se le ordena, ser honesto, tratar a todos como iguales, meditar en Dios, mantener su fidelidad, resistir la tiranía y la persecución religiosa de uno mismo y de los demás.

Uno de los deberes del Khalsa es saber manejar armas. Esto se consideró necesario debido a la creciente persecución de los gobernantes. Antes de unirse a la Khalsa, la mayoría de la gente se dedicaba a profesiones como la agricultura, la alfarería, la albañilería, la carpintería, los labaneros, etc.

En octubre de 1708, Gurú Gobind Singh Ji encargó a su discípulo Banda Singh Bahadur Ji que dirigiera a la Khalsa en un levantamiento contra los mogoles. Banda Singh Bahadur Ji estableció primero un reino sij y luego introdujo las reformas agrarias en forma de desmantelamiento de los grandes latifundios y distribución de las tierras a los campesinos. Él y sus compañeros fueron finalmente derrotados y ejecutados, pero se convirtió en un icono entre los sijs. Tras un largo exilio, la Khalsa se reagrupó bajo el mando de Nawab Kapur Singh, que reunió a los líderes locales de la Khalsa y creó el Dal Khalsa, un ejército de coalición. El Dal Khalsa luchó contra los mogoles y los afganos, lo que finalmente dio lugar a la creación de una serie de pequeñas repúblicas llamadas misls (confederaciones autónomas) y más tarde a la formación del Imperio sij.

Tras la caída del imperio mogol y el posterior establecimiento del imperio sij en el Punjab, el Khalsa se convirtió en una fuerza de combate fuerte, multirreligiosa y multinacional, modernizada según los principios europeos: el Ejército Sij Khalsa que tuvo un enorme papel en la expansión del imperio. Dirigido por generales como El propio Maharajá Ranjit Singh Ji, Misr Diwan Chand y Hari Singh Nalwa. Derrotó con éxito a todos sus adversarios, incluidos las tribus y el ejército afganos, los jefes de las colinas, los misldars, los chinos, los tibetanos y los gurkhas. A la muerte del Maharajá Ranjit Singh Ji, en 1839, el ejército del Imperio sij estaba formado por 120.000 hombres, con 250 piezas de artillería. Se incluían las levas irregulares.

El nombre oficial del estado (imperio sij) de los sijs era "Sarkar-i-Khalsa": Gobierno del Khalsa. Las fronteras de este estado se extendían desde el Tíbet hasta Afganistán y desde Cachemira hasta el Sutlej en el sur e incluían regiones de Punyab, Jaiber Pastunjuá, Cachemira, Ladakh, etc. El "Sarkar-i-Khalsa" se disolvió durante dos guerras libradas contra los británicos entre 1846 y 1849.

Iniciación
La iniciación en la Khalsa se denomina Amrit Sanchar (rito del ciclo vital del agua de la inmortalidad) o Khande di Pahul (iniciación con la espada de doble filo). Cualquier persona de cualquier religión, edad o grupo de conocimiento anterior puede tomar el Amrit (Amrit Chhakh) cuando esté convencida de que está preparada. Este bautismo lo realiza el Panj Pyare frente al Gurú Granth Sahib. El devoto debe llegar al lugar del bautismo, normalmente un Gurdwara, por la mañana después de haberse bañado completamente incluyendo haber lavado su pelo y debe llevar los 5 artículos del uniforme de la Khalsa. Tras el bautismo, el nuevo Singh o Kaur debe respetar las cuatro restricciones o rebautizarse si incumple alguna de ellas. Jasjpit Singh, en el libro de Lucinda Mosher, describe la toma de Amrit como un gran compromiso: "Te comprometes con Dios, con la creación de Dios, contigo mismo, y renuncias a ti mismo. Es como renunciar a tu propio ego y aceptar a Dios en tu vida - y aceptarte como uno con toda la creación".

Tensiones iniciales con los discípulos no khalsianos

Con la creación de la Khalsa, Gurú Gobind Singh Ji había abolido todas las divisiones sociales existentes, como era fundamental en las enseñanzas de Sri Gurú Nanak Dev Ji. En su nuevo orden, el antiguo más bajo de los bajos estaría con el antiguo más alto; todos se convertirían en uno y beberían del mismo recipiente. Todas las creencias anteriores relacionadas con la familia, la ocupación, las costumbres y las ceremonias fueron declaradas inútiles por el Gurú. Esto provocó el malestar de los seguidores conservadores del Gurú y protestaron. Muchos se apartaron de la ceremonia, pero el Gurú declaró que las castas bajas debían elevarse y habitarían junto a él.

El redactor de noticias del gobierno mogol, Ghulam Mohyiuddin, informando al emperador escribió:

Sri Gur Sobha (siglo XVIII) de Senapati contiene dos secciones (adhyays) sobre las controversias que surgieron, cuando los discípulos de Sri Gurú Gobind Singh Ji en Delhi escucharon las noticias de su nueva orden. Gran parte de la controversia expuesta en Sri Gur Sobha gira en torno al bhaddar, el afeitado ritual de la cabeza tras la muerte de un familiar cercano, que fue desaconsejado por Sri Gurú Gobind Singh Ji. Según Sainapti, al crear la Khalsa, Sri Gurú Gobind Singh Ji dijo que el bhaddar es bharam (ilusión), y no dharam.

Se produjeron tensiones entre los discípulos Punjabi Khatri del Gurú en Delhi y los miembros de la recién formada Khalsa. Un destacado discípulo khatri fue expulsado del lugar de culto (dharmasala) por negarse a unirse a la Khalsa. Otro discípulo fue expulsado por comer con él, lo que inició una cadena de expulsiones posteriores. Los discípulos expulsados convocaron una reunión de la comunidad, en la que dos khatris adinerados exigieron a la Khalsa que presentara una orden escrita del Gurú en la que se indicara que se había promulgado un nuevo código de conducta obligatorio. Una familia khatri que se negó a seguir el ritual del bhaddar fue boicoteada por la comunidad khatri. El consejo khatri (panch) cerró el bazar para presionar a los khalsa. Los khalsa solicitaron la intervención de los funcionarios estatales, que obligaron a reabrir las tiendas. Más tarde, se estableció la paz entre los dos grupos en una sangat (congregación). Sin embargo, la hostilidad entre algunos khatris y los khalsa persistió en los últimos años.

A diferencia de los sij Khalsa, un sij Sahajdhari es aquel que venera las enseñanzas de los Gurús sij, pero que no se ha sometido a la iniciación. Los sij Sahajdhari no aceptan algunos o todos los elementos de los códigos de vestimenta y comportamiento de los Khalsa.

Situación actual

Hoy en día la Khalsa es respetada por toda la gama de sijs; sin embargo, no todos los sijs son amritdharis. La cuestión del código de conducta de la Khalsa ha provocado varias controversias. A principios de la década de 1950 se produjo una grave división en la comunidad sij canadiense, cuando la Sociedad Khalsa Diwan de Vancouver (Columbia Británica) eligió a un sij bien afeitado para formar parte de su comité directivo. Aunque la mayoría de los primeros inmigrantes sijs en Canadá no eran khalsas, y la mayoría de los miembros de la sociedad eran sijs no khalsas bien afeitados, una facción se opuso a la elección de un no khalsa para el comité directivo. Las facciones de Vancouver y Victoria (Columbia Británica) se separaron de la Sociedad Khalsa Diwan y crearon su propia sociedad gurdwara, llamada Akali Singh.

La Khalsa ha sido una institución predominantemente masculina en la historia sij, y la autoridad de la Khalsa recae en los líderes masculinos. En la época contemporánea, se ha abierto a las mujeres, pero su autoridad sigue recayendo en los hombres sijs.

3HO es una Fundación occidental que surgió en 1971, fundada por Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, también conocido como Yogi Bhajan. En su comienzo esta fundación se enfoco en entregar las experiencias de Kundalini Yoga. Pero los estudiantes al ver que su maestro Yogi Bhajan era Sikh, también quisieron serlo. Convirtiéndose en poco tiempo en el grupo de Sikhs más grande de Norteamérica.

Cada año, los khalsas exhiben sus habilidades militares en todo el mundo en un festival llamado Hola Mohalla. Durante el Hola Mohalla, se realizan ejercicios militares junto con simulacros de batallas, seguidos de concursos de kirtan y poesía del valor. Los Khalsa también encabezan a los sijs en el desfile anual de Vaisakhi.

Demografía

En todo el mundo hay cerca de 25-30 millones de sijs khalsas que siguen estrictamente las 5 K y se atan el turbante con el pelo largo y el bigote y la barba.

Véase también

 Chakram
 Gatka
 Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex
 Langar
 Nihang

Referencias

Fuentes citadas

 Dhavan, P. (2011) When Sparrows Became Hawks: The Making of the Sikh Warrior Tradition, 1699–1799, Oxford University Press: Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-975655-1.

Enlaces externos

 Quién y qué es un Khalsa?(en inglés)
 Creación de la Khalsa (en inglés)
 Ascenso de la Khalsa  (en inglés)
 Orden de la Khalsa (en inglés)

Códigos guerreros
Palabras y frases en panyabí
Wikipedia:Artículos con texto en urdu
Wikipedia:Artículos con texto en panyabí

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Q: Hyperledger Fabric chaincode - could not import github.com/hyperledger/fabric-contract-api-go/contractapi I am new to Hyperledger Fabric and when I followed the Hyperledger Fabric chaincode tutorial, the go importing failed as below. How to solve it? Thank you! The Hyperledger Fabric version is 2.4. Go version is 1.18.

A: This sounds like its more of a general golang question about dependencies than anything specific to hyperledger fabric, so maybe worth reading about go module dependencies for example https://go.dev/doc/modules/managing-dependencies

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Barbara Thompson (instrumentista)
 Barbara Thompson (náufraga)
 Barbara Thompson (patinadora)


One of Australia's most dynamic performers, singer, songwriter and original founding member of the iconic Australian Band Taxiride, JASON SINGH has over 20 years experience in the industry delivering energetic power-packed performances.
With TAXIRIDE Jason, was at the top of the Australian music industry with nine top 40 hit singles including the top five hits "Get Set", "Everywhere You Go", and the most played song on Australian radio in 2002 "Creepin' Up Slowly".
Establishing itself as one of Australia's premier live bands playing countless sold out shows, Taxiride toured the world including supporting Tina Turner across Europe with two sold out shows at Wembley Stadium. Taxiride enjoyed two consecutive number one platinum selling albums and won the 1999 ARIA for 'Breakthrough Artist – Single'.
As a solo artist, Jason has had two Top 10 ARIA club hits with "The World As You Know It" and "One World".
In 2013 Jason released his highly anticipated solo album Humannequin, produced by the legendary Australian producer Charles Fisher. Humannequin showcases Jason's flawless vocals and songwriting prowess to a tee. As one reviewer put it Humannequin "sets a new benchmark with sky scraping pop songs." (Herald Sun, Melbourne).
Following the success of Humannequin, In 2015 Jason Singh embarked on his most exciting and original challenge yet The Jason Singh Project. Setting himself a goal of delivering six singles in 12 months, Jason wrote, produced and released a new single every eight weeks out of his home studio in Melbourne. Each single from The Jason Singh Project demonstrated Jason's innate sense of melody and classic songwriting ability. The tracks deliver against the range he is known for from big sounding multi-formatted pop rock tracks to synth-pop gems.
Always writing, and with a new mantra of "Be Completely Vulnerable", Jason's new music planned for 2017 will see a departure from the power synth pop of the Jason Singh Project, and take a huge leap into the adult contemporary space, offering both modern sophistication and edge.
"I want to be right where I am. Right where I'm standing, in my music and in my life".
Jason's corporate clients include: Tennis Australia, Ronald McDonald House Charities, NAB, Toyota, Crown, Australian Hoteliers Association and the Melbourne Grand Prix to name just a few.


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Q: PXE boot chaining to hardcoded TFTP server? My existing network environment provides the following:

*

*DHCP server that sends PXE clients to a particular TFTP server

*TFTP server with SYSLINUX "pxelinux.0" file for booting

The SYSLINUX installation defaults on timeout to "boot from local disk", which allows existing clients to reboot correctly but also provides for the option of booting into a rescue or provisioning environment.
I am testing a new provisioning environment which resides on a different TFTP server than the one pointed to by the DHCP server. Existing clients depend upon the current environment, but I'd like to refer test clients to the new TFTP server for provisioning.
Ideally I'd like to be able to use a particular menu option from the SYSLINUX prompt that would cause the client to boot from another (hardcoded, rather than DHCP-server-provided) TFTP server.
I tried installing a custom gPXE image as a menu option on SYSLINUX. The custom image (re-)acquired a DHCP address and went to the hardcoded TFTP server, but it's missing a piece that I don't think gPXE is capable of fulfilling.
The new provisioning system is based upon Cobbler, and it depends upon the usual PXE sequence where the client looks for a file named with its MAC address before settling for a less-specific, and eventually generic, file. From what I can tell, it appears that gPXE isn't capable of doing this mac-address-based boot sequence.
Can anyone tell me of another way to do this? I've been banging my head for several days on this problem. Thanks in advance!

A: PXE/TFTP chaining within same server
Put the other PXE boot loader as kernel.
This is the example I used to chain load BSD PXE boot loader from Linux PXE chain loader.
LABEL openbsd
    MENU LABEL ^OpenBSD 3.9
    KERNEL openbsd_3.9/pxeboot.0

PXE/TFTP chaining to another server
pxechain.com used to chain load other PXE server.
pxechain.com is available within syslinux-common package in Debian/Ubuntu or syslinux project archive under different filename pxechn.c32.
Example:
LABEL pxeserver2
        menu label Switch to 2nd PXE server...
        kernel pxechain.com
        append 192.168.10.254::pxelinux.0

Example2: (Thanks to Ashark) In case your pxelinux's config file name and/or path to it differs on both pxe servers, you should explicitly define them with options -p and -c, otherwise, it wont't work (it will try to use a value defined by dhcp that was used for current booting).
On the DC-ISO2 server config:
LABEL DC-ISO1
        MENU LABEL DC-ISO1 (BIOS mode)
        KERNEL pxechn.c32
        APPEND 192.168.1.1::pxelinux.0 -c default -p /
        TEXT HELP
Boot the legacy dc-iso1 menu in bios mode.
        ENDTEXT

On the old DC-ISO1 server config:
LABEL DC-ISO2
        MENU LABEL DC-ISO2 (BIOS mode)
        KERNEL pxechn.c32
        APPEND 192.168.1.2::/configs/pxelinux.0 -p /configs/ -c bios.cfg
        TEXT HELP
Boot the new dc-iso2 menu in bios mode.
        ENDTEXT

Technically, you can now even disable DC-ISO1's dhcp server (but not tftp), and you will always boot to DC-ISO2 first, while being able to switch between both server's menus.

A: Take pxelinux.0 from Ubuntu 10.4 LTS. That will go through the "normal" iteration: MAC - IP in HEX - ... default.
It would be simpler to tell your DHCP server NOT to anwer to certain requests and set up another DHCP in the same network (not authoritative) that answers your test-server requests (and does not answer to anything else).


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The major Doncaster collection of butterflies which has to be hidden from view
It is a complete collection of British butterflies - but sadly you will not see it on open display at Doncaster museum.
Thursday, 21 June, 2018, 09:58
A small selection of British Butterflies, part of a collection, donated to the museum by the family George Hyde. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP Museum MC 9
Although the museum has a comprehensive collection of butterflies and moths, it cannot put them in the open because of the delicate nature of the collection.
The light and the air in the main section of the museum would cause too much damage, says bosses.
We are revealing the collection as part of our series of stories looking at the hidden collections at Doncaster Museum, which are not currently on public display, for conservation or space reasons.
Entering the room where the collection is stored, the smell of camphor, or mothballs, is instantly clear.
The collection was passed onto the museum in the 1987, after the death of the Doncaster man, George Hyde, who had collected them.
Born in Doncaster in 1902, George Hyde was a renowned entomologist - and expert in insects. He specialised in lepidoptera, which is butterflies and moths.
He went to Doncaster Grammar school and worked at the Doncaster Plantworks, which made steam locomotives, before "retiring" at 48 to become a full time researcher and photographer.
He was a member of the Doncaster Naturalists' society as well as the Royal Entomological Society.
One of his early mentors, who he met in 1917, was Dr Corbett, who was the first curator of Doncaster Museum.
Mr Hyde was particularly interested in butterflies and moths from Hatfield Moors and the destruction of their natural habitat.
His collection includes specimens from all over the UK and specimens which he bred himself. His widow donated his collection to the museum when he died in 1987, as well as his collection of birds' eggs, collected in the 1930s.
Peter Robinson, curator of human history at Heritage Doncaster said: "He pretty much collected all the species in Britain. Some of them were collected locally, and some of them are caterpillars.
"Sadly, it is difficult to display because it is light sensitive, and the butterflies are very vulnerable to pests. That is why the mothballs are there. They would just fade in the light. But the collection is there for researchers into butterflies, and hey are visited by researchers."


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The Moody Blues - Los Angeles, USA 1983.
This is The Moody Blues recorded live in concert at the LA Forum (Los Angeles, USA) on Saturday, 3rd December, 1983, the concert was subsequently featured in full on a Westwood One broadcast first aired on the 31st December 1983.
This was part of 'The Present' USA tour that included Stevie Ray Vaughn as the opening act.
Source: FM stereo Westwood One broadcast.
Sound Quality: Good stereo MP3@160kbps.
Genre: Prog Rock, AOR, Symphonic Rock...
Set: Full concert performance.
01. Sitting at the Wheel
02. Gemini Dream
03. Tuesday Afternoon
04. The Voice
05. Going Nowhere
06. Stepping in a Slide Zone
07. The Story in Your Eyes
08. Hole in the World/Under My Feet
09. Painted Smile/Veteran Cosmic Rocker
10. Driftwood
11. Talking Out of Turn
12. Running Water
13. Gypsy
14. Isn't Life Strange
15. Blue World
16. I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)
17. Nights in White Satin
18. Legend of a Mind
19. Question
20. Ride My See-Saw
Links: Official site HERE.
Comments: The band continue to…
Beehive Recommends - King Wilkie
OK it's a double header today, with a second Beehive Candy recommendation, and this is superb (I know, in my opinion).
A little record label called Casa Nueva based in Boston, USA, recently put out their first release, King Wilkie Present: The Wilkie Family Singers by the acclaimed Brooklyn-based stringband King Wilkie.
I'll quote the press release because as I listen again to the album now, this kind of summarises matters..
"It's a cinematic concept album, consisting of songs written and recorded by the fictional, dysfunctional Wilkie family as part of a music therapy program spearheaded by the mysterious Dr. Art. This haunting backdrop is brought to life with music that draws from clattering, rustic stringband sounds, while adding more contemporary and eccentric overtones – from shimmering electric guitars to wheezing, Salvation Army brass. Special guests include Robyn Hitchcock, Peter Rowan, Abigail Washburn, Sam Parton (The Be Good Tanyas), David Bromberg, and John McEue…
Beehive Recommends - First Aid Kit
A quick update on one of my favorite new bands First Aid Kit.
The band are touring throughout August and have just launched their new website This Is First Aid Kit.
They are also recording and filming various covers following on from a very feisty version of Fleet Foxes 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' some months back.
You are invited to suggest songs for them to perform and can do this through their website.
So far covered are Buffy Sainte-Marie's classic 'Universal Soldier', Johnny Cash's 'Walk The Line' and most recent a version of Graham Nash's 'Simple Man'. All can be viewed and listened to over at their new site.
Tiger Mountain Peasant Song:
MP3: HERE.
From the debut 'Drunken Trees' EP check out the excellent 'Cross Oceans'.
Finally if you are at an event that includes First Aid Kit on the bill, don't be surprised if they turn up elsewhere for an impromptu session this summer!
Beehive Recommends - The Dimes
I may be a little late in on The Dimes, who are based in Portland, Oregon, and made quite a splash with their 2007 debut release, The Silent Generation, getting praise and from everyone from SPIN and Magnet Magazines... to USA Today and NPR... and a ton of blogs including Large Hearted Boy, KEXP, Three Imaginary Girls, Pampelmoose and many others.
Having received some promo material back in June, I kinda lost site of this one until I decided to spend some time going through each mail, and am I pleased I listened to their 'New England' EP !
Based on real stories and events born of and around Boston, Massachusetts, the four song EP is rich with texture and a consistent pastoral thread, complete with mandolins, acoustic guitars, stomps, claps, banjos, melodicas and more pop-laden harmonies than you'll know what to do with.
The record reveals a glimpse of the latest material from The Dimes, as they wrap up a new full-length record based of the same themes, due out August 2009. Th…
Nick Lowe - Live In London 2001.
This is the second Nick Lowe concert to appear on the Beehive, this one some sixteen years later, and it's a superb concert Live at the London Palladium, back on October 14th, 2001.
Source: Soundboard
Sound Quality: Very good stereo MP3@192kbps.
Genre: Pub Rock, New Wave, from rock to country to soul to pop.
01 Intro By Robert Elms
02 Let Things Slide
03 Intro by Nick Lowe
04 What's Shaking On The Hill
05 Half A Boy
06 Has She Got A Friend
07 Faithless Lover
08 Man I've Become
09 True Love Travels On A Gravel Road
10 I Live On The Battlefield
11 You Inspire Me
12 Cruel To Be Kind
13 Indian Queens
14 Let's Stay In
15 Band Introduction
16 Wildest Dream
17 I Knew The Bride
Band Line Up:
Nick Lowe - rhythm guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Geraint Watkins - keyboards
Robert Trehern - drums
Steve Donnelly - lead guitar
Links: Official site HERE. Wikipedia piece HERE.
Comments: This concert was part of the promotion for the then new 'The Convincer' album. It contrasts dram…


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Review: Wreck-It Ralph 2 - Ralph Breaks the Internet
Today is the day we have been waiting for since last year's D23 Expo, where it was revealed that the original voices of the Disney Princesses would be reunited for the Wreck-It Ralph sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. There are a lot of different things I want to comment on after seeing this movie last night, so my review is going to cover two very different aspects. Since this is a princess blog, the first half of my review will cover the Disney Princess scenes in the film, which is the reason that many of us were excited about seeing it in the first place. If you just want to know about the movie itself, feel free to scroll down to the second half of my review, where I will discuss the plot and my overall enjoyment of it.
Ralph Breaks the Internet foreshadows its big princess reveal by showing two generic video game princess characters in the background of the opening scenes. Is Wreck-It Ralph a Disney Princess movie? Technically, yes. Vanellope is revealed to be a princess at the end of the original film when we learn that Turbo reprogrammed her coding to hide her royal status. However, she chooses to forgo the gown and title for her comfy clothes and spunky attitude. For that reason, she was not included in Disney Princess merchandise until this movie, where the animated heroines play a major role. When the Disney Princesses meet Vanellope for the first time, it's no surprise that they have trouble understanding just what kind of a princess she is. She doesn't match most of the stereotypes such as being cursed or finding true love, but they come to accept her after she reveals that everyone thought her problems were solved when a "big strong man" showed up, something that comes up again in a big way during the movie's climax.
The second half of the scene, in which the princesses wear their comfy pajamas and hoodies, was cut short from what was allegedly shown at the D23 Expo. According to eyewitnesses, there was originally a section where the princesses discussed their secret flaws, such as Snow White needing glasses and Jasmine being allergic to cats despite having a pet tiger. Afterward, Vanellope was supposed to say something along the lines of "I thought you were all boring and perfect, but you're just as messed up as the rest of us!" None of that was included in the movie. It particularly doesn't make sense to cut this because a doll set that the Disney Store released of this scene included a pair of glasses for Snow White and an inhaler for Jasmine, which will be confusing to anyone purchasing it who didn't attend the Expo. Even though there was a joke during the end credits about the film not including all the scenes that were in the trailers, I have to say I felt a little disappointed about not being able to watch the scene in its entirety. Another teaser video that was not included in the movie was the famous princess selfie scene that Disney used as the new social media covers for their princess pages. It included a cameo from Pocahontas's raccoon, Meeko, revealing that he bites.
The princesses show up again to save the day during the climax. It was pretty ridiculous, but I won't spoil it for those of you who are eager to see what kind of role the princesses will play in Ralph and Vanellope's story. The scene was entirely about deconstructing the "Damsel in Distress" stereotype that the Disney Princesses have had for many years. The way they went about it was so forced and over the top that I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked to. Though I'm sure many princess fans will find it hilarious, it had an overwhelming air of fan service. Fortunately, there were other aspects of the princesses that didn't feel forced, such as when they taught Vanellope that being a Disney Princess means singing about your heart's desire, culminating in a surprise new musical number from the legendary Alan Menken!
Ralph Breaks the Internet is about Ralph and Vanellope entering the world of the internet through the arcade's new Wi-Fi system to purchase a replacement steering wheel from eBay for Vanellope's game, Sugar Rush. Ralph is determined to save Vanellope's game because he can't imagine his life without her. It gets major props for being the first Disney movie I've seen in a while that does not invoke the same story formula that they've been using for roughly the past five years. The conflict is very much internal, focusing on Ralph's unbreakable bond with Vanellope and his determination to keep her close to him no matter what it takes. It makes sense that Ralph would be overly clingy. If you recall from the first movie, no one was very nice to him until he met her due to his character being forced into the role of the villain in his own game. Someone who finally gets a taste of true friendship after so many years of being alone would certainly have a difficult time letting it go.
The movie doesn't take itself too seriously, which makes it a lot of fun. It also doesn't lose sight of the heart of the story, making it memorable. Ralph and Vanellope's journey through the internet is filled with colorful characters who introduce them to both good and bad aspects of the online world. J.P. Spamley brings them through a questionable pop-up ad where they learn they can earn money through certain games, introducing Vanellope to the grungy racing game called Slaughter Race, which she enjoys a lot more than her whimsical candy world of Sugar Rush. Yesss, a character featured heavily in ads for the movie, is an algorithm who helps Ralph make money by creating lots of silly viral videos. In that way, the movie pokes fun at how people are entertained by some of the most ridiculous things on the internet, especially if they're bored at work. Ralph Breaks the Internet is chock-full of one-liners and memes, many of which didn't even make into the final cut. The fact that so many scenes got pulled, including some that were already show in the trailers, helped it stay just as focused as it needed to be to teach a simple lesson about friendship and letting go. I'd love to be able to watch a reel of deleted scenes from this movie someday.
Overall, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a zany and fun adventure about friendship and social media memes. The internet gets a little overwhelming with all the franchises that Disney paid to include in the film as well as all of the Disney and Star Wars character cameos, but that adds to the fun and humor of the experience. The final scene with the princesses was just as epic as it was silly. The reason Wreck-It Ralph 2 truly succeeds as a film is that all of the zaniness and fun builds up to a valuable life lesson about the true meaning of friendship. If you're able to stay until the very end of the credits, there's one last surprise that I won't ruin for you.
animation disney disney princess disney princesses movies reviews wreck-it ralph
Review: Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs
There are a ton of cultural discrepancies involved in the production and distribution of the recent "Snow White"parody movie, Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs, and I mean a ton. It was produced by a Korean animation studio called Locus Animation. Despite having been around for roughly a decade according to their website, they have never produced an animated movie before this one. Even though the main characters look vaguely Korean and one uses ofuda talismans as an attack, the movie has a full cast of American voice actors. You may have heard of Red Shoes from the controversy it caused at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where numerous people complained about a billboard for the movie featuring a skinny and fat version of Snow White with the tag line "What if Snow White was no longer beautiful and the 7 Dwarfs not so short?" This billboard sparked anger from the western world about the princess body image issue over to the implication that being skinny is equivalent to…
The Swan Princess Has a Live-Action Concept Trailer
Yesterday was November 18th, which was dubbed National Princess Day in 2017 in honor of the anniversary of The Swan Princess. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this underrated classic, the filmmakers got together to create a concept trailer that would give its fans an idea of what a live-action remake might look like. Don't get too excited though. There are no concrete plans for a live-action "Swan Lake" adaptation as far as we know. The team behind The Swan Princess is extremely enthusiastic about the film, even 25 years later and are looking into every avenue they can find to keep its legacy going. Earlier this year, they released the ninth sequel in The Swan Princess franchise and are currently working on the tenth. Executive Producer Seldon Young is eager to keep the fandom going through any means possible. Yesterday, he released this concept trailer for a live-action remake in the hopes that it might attract enough interest to set such a project into motion.
Forever Royal: The Last Sofia the First
Back around 2012, a friend of mine sent me a press release about how Disney was making a new princess show about a little girl from a poor village who becomes a princess overnight when her mother marries the king. The endearing image of the little girl on the press release instantly caught my attention with her unique reddish-brown curls, playful expression, and gorgeous lavender dress that was dripping with pearl accents. Something about this description and image got me so excited for the series that I got to work right away on making a grown-up sized cosplay of Sofia's elegant gown. The series premiered on Disney Junior with a TV special called Once Upon a Princess in which Sofia received her legendary Amulet of Avalor and sang about her insecurities for her future life as a princess heroine in the song "Not Ready To Be a Princess." I loved her instantly. Over the next six years, she took me on a four season-long journey filled with Disney Princesses, fairies, mermaid…
Is the Daughter of the Village Chief a Princess?
Being a princess can mean different things to different people. Being a Disney Princess gets a little more complicated. There's a joke from Disney's 2016 Moana about what makes a Disney Princess when Moana tries to tell Maui that she isn't a princess, and he claims that if she wears a dress and has an animal friend, she is, which is pretty much on par for Disney standards. Even though Moana isn't listed on the official Disney Princess page due to her movie being recent enough to market off its own name instead of the Disney Princess name, she was still included in the Wreck-It Ralph 2 trailer. Moana is pretty clear about how she sees herself is in the song "I am Moana" in which she states "I am the daughter of the village chief." The lovely Auli'i Cravalho who lends her voice to the spirited protagonist is also rather vocal vocal about how she considers Moana more of a heroine than a princess. Of course, with the way princess culture has evolved…
Let's Welcome Disney's First Jewish Princess!
When I first learned that Elena of Avalor was going to do a Hanukkah episode, I was hoping for a two-part special like The Magic Within that would provide enough time for the first Jewish Disney Princess to assert her individual identity outside of being Jewish. However, just like the Maccabees, I will make the most of what I've been given. "Festival of Lights" came out today as a single episode that focused almost entirely on Jewish characters celebrating Hanukkah, and I do not want to downplay the historical significance of it in any way, shape, or form. I've seen many holiday princess specials, and this is the first one that Disney has released about characters who grew up with the same traditions as me. This is so important because it normalizes Judaism for today's audience of children by showing them that not all fairy tale princesses celebrate Christmas.
"Festival of Lights" had a similar story to most Christmas specials except that it was about H…
Review: Elena of Avalor - The Magic Within
I watched today's Elena of Avalor special, The Magic Within, expecting a drawn-out about Elena getting new powers that cause her dress to change color with her emotions using them to win a temporary victory over her current foe, Ash Delgado. All of this happened within the first few minutes, and then I got something I did not expect--Elena coming to terms with her cousin Esteban's deception. Betrayal has been an ongoing theme in princess shows as of late. Last week's Tangled season premier, Rapunzel's Return saw Rapunzel dealing with the effects of Cassandra's betrayal. The new season of Disenchantment had Bean struggling with her conflicted feelings after learning that her mother was actually evil. Esteban's betrayal of Elena was a little different from these, however, because it happened long before the beginning of the series.
The third season of Elena of Avalor premiered last week and left me underwhelmed compared to the massive revelations in Tangled. Now …
Dyesebel Is the Best Mermaid Princess Show You've Never Seen
In 2008, the Philippines released a mermaid princess telenovela that was based on a popular graphic novel by Mars Ravelo in 1952. Dyesebel is loosely based on the story of "The Little Mermaid" with a few distinct differences. It was Dyesebel's mother, Queen Lucia, who first fell in love with a human and left the underwater world of Sirenea to be with him, sacrificing her memories of her life as a mermaid in the process. Dyesebel was born on land, but because of her tail, her mother returned her to the sea, entrusting her to her best friend, Banak, to raise her. Her human father, Tino, was murdered by humans who believed that mermaids were bad luck. Unaware of the circumstances of her birth, Dyesebel grew up curious about the human world until one day, she fell in love with a human and was doomed to follow in her mother's footsteps. The 2008 adaptation of Dyesebel is performed in the native Filipino language, Tagalog, but I was able to watch it with English subtitles …
What's Coming in 2020
Last year was quite possibly the biggest year for princess media ever. I don't think anything from 2020 will compare to the sheer number of princess anniversary events, TV shows, books, and movies that 2019 bestowed upon us, but that doesn't mean we won't have anything to look forward to in the coming year. Two of our favoriteDisney Princess cartoons will be ending soon, leaving us with a tiara-shaped hole in our hearts. Fortunately, the advent of Disney+ allows for even more original content from the studio than feature films or Disney Channel specials, promising some low-key princess entertainment while the cinemas get overrun with live-action remakes. One such upcoming Disney+ original princess movie is Secret Society of Second-Born Royals.
Secret Society of Second-Born Royals stars the immensely talented Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who played the title role in Andi Mack, one of my favorite shows from the last decade. In this upcoming Disney+ original movie, she will take on t…
The Burning Question: Is Mulan a Princess?
Mulan is a wonderful animated feature that was released by Disney in 1998. Showcasing a young woman who broke tradition by disguising herself as a male soldier and saved all of China in the process, it is, in my opinion, one of the most empowering films for girls on the market. Yet, with my reputation as a self-proclaimed princess expert, there is one burning question that people are always asking me: "Is Mulan a princess?" She was not born to a king or queen, nor did she marry a prince, so why is her visage so often plastered alongside the other royal heroines? The short answer is that she's not a princess, but she is a Disney Princess. Why aren't the two mutually exclusive? The answer to that is a bit more complicated.
When the Disney Princess line was launched in 2001, it initially focused on the main six--Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, and Jasmine. However, since Jasmine was the only heroine of color in the line, it expanded shortly thereafter to in…
Odette turned into a swan. Ariel turned into a human. Tiana turned into a frog. Thumbelina turned into a faery. Transformation is such a huge theme among fairy tales that it is practically embedded into their DNA. If you think beautiful transformation sequences are just a visual motif, you would only be half right. This theme is so common among fables because it represents a storytelling technique that has existed ever since stories started being told. Every good story takes a character on a complete journey, whether physical or metaphorical, that changes them by the time they reach its end. Likewise, each princess or prince who has transformed into their final form by the end of the movie leans a powerful lesson from their experiences. We see that lesson visually through the magic of animation and visual effects. For me, transformation sequences are the ultimate high point of traditional animation.
Every fairy tale princess begins her story as a sheltered ingenue who is thirsty for k…
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November Is Basically Princess Month Now


text:
Microphysogobio chinssuensis is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.

References

Microphysogobio
Taxa named by John Treadwell Nichols
Fish described in 1926


text:
Марк Корне́лій Малугіне́н (; V—IV століття до н. е.) — політичний, державний і військовий діяч Римської республіки, цензор-суфект 393 року до н. е.

Біографічні відомості
Походив з патриціанського роду Корнеліїв, його гілки Малугіненів. Про батьків, дитячі роки його відомостей немає.

393 року до н. е. вперше і востаннє в історії Стародавнього Риму було запроваджено посаду цензора-суффекта, яку обійняв Марк Корнелій. Його було призначено аби замістити одного з цензорів того року — Гая Юлія Юла, який помер тоді під час якоїсь моровиці. Марк Корнелій успішно провів люстрацію, податкове визначення громадян на Марсовому полі та приніс трьох тварин у жертву богу Марсу.

З того часу про подальшу долю Марка Корнелія Малугінена згадок немає.

Джерела
 Timeline — Censors of Rome During the Roman Republic  Bibliographia
 «Цензор» у William Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (Londinii, 1842/1890), текст, pp. 260—266

Корнелії Малугінени


First graders are active not only in learning number facts to ten and twenty but also building "number sense" by using manipulatives, pictures and other supports to better understand numbers. For children with disabilities, they need extra time to learn number sense. It needs to be paired with lots and lots of use of manipulatives. They also need to be discouraged from using their fingers, which will become crutches when they are in second or third grade, and expected to regroup for addition and subtraction.
CCSS Math Standard 1.OA.6: Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 – 4 = 13 – 3 – 1 = 10 – 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 – 8 = 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13).
Look at numbers as sums including five: Have students make the numbers to 10 and write them as composites of 5 and another number: i.e. 8= 5 + 3.
Look at numbers in the context of ten. In other words, how many do you need to add to 6 to make ten? This will later help students decompose addition greater than ten: i.e. 8 plus 8 is 8 plus 2 plus 6, or 16.
Make ten frame cards with the attached pdf, running them on card stock and laminating them for durability. Use round counters (these are two sided, red and yellow)though any sort of counter will do: teddies, dinosaurs, lima beans or poker chips.
I've also created some free printable worksheets to give your students practice seeing and identifying the numbers on the ten frame. You can find them here.
Give your students lots and lots of practice!


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TaylorMade launches new M-family of clubs
In Equipment, News
The name may sound familiar, but the performance promises to be on another level.
TaylorMade launched its new line of clubs overnight in Florida and fans of the equipment giant have plenty to look forward to in the New Year.
"Our goal is to make last year's product look old," says Brian Bazzel, TaylorMade's senior director of product creation for metalwoods.
In truth, Bazzel's new metalwoods are just the beginning. It's what TaylorMade has done with its wedges and golf ball that could be the big talking points of 2017. But more on those another time.
The makers of the winningest drivers on the US PGA Tour in 2016 have pushed the boundaries of golf club engineering with the next generation of M metalwoods, highlighted by the new M1 & M2 drivers, fairways and hybrids. The company has shifted its focus on materials and geometry designed to deliver improved launch conditions, increased personalisation and more forgiveness for every golfer, answering the challenge to once again design the best-performing drivers in company history.
M1 Driver
By way of a new, lower density Titanium alloy called 9-1-1 and an added carbon toe panel that accounts for a total of 43 per cent more carbon composite than its predecessor, the new M1 460's mass properties have been optimised to deliver optimal launch conditions, more personalisation and increased forgiveness.
The iconic two-tone crown of the M1 driver incorporates a proprietary 6-layer carbon composite panel that is precision-fit to the skeletal titanium body using an FF2FF process – a breakthrough engineering technique that results in craftsmanship of the highest quality with manufacturing repeatability for consistent, aggressive looks and undeniable performance.
The new carbon composite crown saves more weight because the composite is 10 per cent thinner, the bonding ledge is 18 per cent shorter and the adhesive is half the thickness than the original M1. Furthermore, the new M1 also has a composite sole panel that utilises the same thinner composite, shorter ledge and thinner adhesive approach as the crown. The combined weight savings of the new M1 composite crown and sole panel construction is 8g lighter than an equivalent titanium construction.
In saving this critical weight, engineers were able to design a new, more aerodynamic T-Track system that houses 27g of moveable weight (2g more than the first generation M1), 12g of which reside in a re-designed back track that has been lengthened by 12.7 mm (19 per cent longer) giving the golfer more high-to-low adjustability (64 per cent more CG movement). The 15g located in the front track allows for the weight to be distributed from heel to toe (7 per cent more than its predecessor) and the adjustment to their draw or fade bias by up to 25 yards. Engineers used the extra discretionary weight to make the footprint of the clubhead larger (4 per cent) leading to a higher moment of inertia for more forgiveness.
Both the 460 and 440cc models feature a new 4-degree ultra-lightweight aluminium loft sleeve (back sleeve compatible) and three new stock premium shafts: Fujikura XLR8 Pro 56 (hi-launch), MRC Kuro Kage Silver Dual Core TiNi 60 (mid) and Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65 (low), three of the most popular shafts on Tour and with consumers alike, along with a new premium performance Lamkin UTX grip with cord for greater durability and all-weather performance.
Available on January 27, 2017, the M1 460 driver will be offered in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models will be offered in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts. The M1 440 driver (RH only) will be offered in 8.5°, 9.5° & 10.5° loft options.
M1 Fairway
Constructed with a 450 stainless steel body, strong Ni-Co C300 face and same 6-layer Carbon composite crown as the M1 driver, the completely re-designed and reshaped M1 fairway has a track system that has been shifted more rearward to make room for a new open channel Speed Pocket designed to deliver more ball speed & more forgiveness.
Similar to the M1 driver, a carbon fiber crown is bonded onto te head of the new M1 fairway by way of the same FF2FF manufacturing process and replaces the majority of the steel that was formerly on the crown and also lowers the centre of gravity. The track was moved back behind the Loft Sleeve pocket in order to make room for a through-slot which promotes faster face-flex and ball speed on mis-hits low on the face and also reduces backspin leading to more overall distance.
The new design of the open-channel Speed Pocket is designed to deliver more distance through increased speed and lower spin, as well as forgiveness by way of ball speed protection on shots struck low on the face. A new advanced design with a recessed rear sole – divided by the sliding weight track delivers improved sole to ground performance.
Golfers can personalise this new, longer M1 fairway more than ever with the new ultra-lightweight aluminum 4-degree loft sleeve, 25g draw-neutral-fade sliding weight and over 30 no upcharge aftermarket shafts.
Available on January 27, 2017, the M1 fairway will be offered in 15° (3), 17° (3HL) and19° (5) loft options while LH models will be offered in 15° and 19° options.
M1 Rescue
The new M1 Rescue features a moderate sized, tour-proven shape and a newly designed sole that will appeal to a larger demographic of player, offering more playability from an increased variety of lies.
The sole is engineered with TaylorMade's first-ever sliding weight system in a hybrid – and the company's most adjustable ever – providing golfers the opportunity to not only experience the neutral/fade biases of its predecessor but with the added option of draw setting – as well as anything in between for ultimate shot shape adjustability and personalisation.
In addition to the new 27g sliding weight track and advanced sole design, the head comes equipped with a new, 3-degree ultra-lightweight aluminium loft sleeve. Premium components again are offered as stock options, with a MRC Kuro Kage Silver hybrid 80g shaft in R, S & X flexes as well as a 70g A flex along with a new Lamkin UTx grip.
The M1 Rescue will be offered in 17° (2), 19° (3), 21° (4) and 24° (5) options while LH models will be offered in 19° and 21° options.
Along with the new Geocoustic design, the M2 driver houses a newly-designed Speed Pocket that is three times more flexible than its predecessor.
The new Geocoustic feature combines geometry and acoustical engineering to unlock more forgiveness and best-in-class sound. The new breakthrough in geometry is the sunken sole portion of the driver. This section utilises an ultra-light, thick-thin 9-1-1 Titanium, a design that enabled engineers to free up volume while not raising the centre of gravity.
The freed up volume allowed engineers to make the driver's head larger, both the visible footprint as well as the club's face (7 per cent), ultimately making the driver not only appear more visibly forgiving, but feel more forgiving at the same time. The new lower density 9-1-1 Titanium body, 6-layer carbon composite crown and minimal sound ribs allowed for 25g of discretionary mass to be relocated low and back in the sole of the club. Together, these applications combine to increase the overall inertia of the M2 driver over the 5,000 g-cm2 barrier without sacrificing low CG, hot trajectory or aerodynamic performance.
The M2 is equipped with the new, ultra-lightweight 4 degree, 12 position aluminium loft sleeve and the Fujikura Pro XLR8 56 (high launch) in A, R, S and X flexes along with a new dual-texture 360 performance grip for great feel throughout the swing.
In addition to a standard model, TaylorMade is also offering a higher-launching, more draw-biased model of the M2, the M2 D-Type (also 460cc). The D-Type driver (D representing draw) combines multiple draw-biasing design technologies to deliver an average of 12 yards, and up to 20 yards, of built-in draw-bias to help players who consistently fight fade-to-slice trajectories find more fairways.
M2 and M2 D-Type are offering more than 30 additional premium custom shaft options at no upcharge. Available on January 27, 2017 the M2 driver will be offered in 9.5°, 10.5° & 12° loft options, while LH models will be offered in 9.5° and 10.5° lofts.
A recessed 6-layer carbon composite crown, inverted cone technology (for the first time in a TaylorMade fairway), a new Geocoustic-driven sole design and a longer, more flexible Speed Pocket combine to create a low CG that produces fast ballspeeds for an incredibly long, high launching and low spinning fairway.
RocketBallz broke engineering boundaries that enabled engineers to create a fast fairway wood that revolutionised the industry. Now the point has been reached where these playable fairways can be engineered to be so fast that using inverted cone technology can deliver driver-like performance in a wood more often throughout a larger area of the face.
For golfers looking for a more personalised fit, several aftermarket shafts and grips are available at no additional charge. Additionally, it comes with a new 47g Dual Feel Performance Grip for men and 37g Winn version for women.
Available on January 27, 2017, the M2 Fairway will be offered in 15° (3), 16.5° (3HL) & 18° (5), 21° (5HL) and 24° (7HL) loft options, while LH models will be offered in 15°, 16.5° & 18° lofts.
Completing the M2 metalwood family in 2017 is the M2 Rescue. The low-profile body of the M2 Rescue has a tiered two-tone crown that showcases the distinctive and iconic look TaylorMade's M series of product has become known for. Underneath the hood lies the engine of the club, which lies on the sole, where a longer, more flexible Speed Pocket offers speed and forgiveness. The new Geocoustic sole design and a short, fluted hosel work in tandem to optimise sound and feel at impact. This Rescue is designed to help average golfers replace a long iron with higher, longer and more draw biased performance.
Available on January 27, 2017, the M2 Rescue will be offered in 19° (3), 22° (4), 25° (5) and 28° (6) lofts while LH models will be offered in 19°, 22° and 25° lofts.
TaylorMade has also taken innovation to the next level with a fresh approach to engineering with the M2 irons and the introduction of the all-new M1 irons to round out the M family of irons to complement the M1 and M2 metalwoods. In 2015, RSi irons were a breakthrough in game-improvement design.
In 2016, M2 was a breakthrough in distance-iron design. Taking everything they learned from the creation of those two products, TaylorMade engineers embarked to create a series of products in M1 and M2 that take aim at delivering distance, height, forgiveness and feel with predictable, consistent performance.
M2 '17 Irons: Ultimate distance meets ultimate forgiveness
The 2017 M2 irons are the culmination of several years of developing meaningful technologies designed to help golfers achieve more distance, peak trajectory and forgiveness; overall, a more consistently performing iron swing after swing.
As is the case with the M1 irons, as clubhead dimensions continue to get thinner across the face and topline, the challenge to design an iron with best-in-class sound and feel becomes more and more difficult. Engineers have utilised technologies first developed in RocketBladez irons (Speed Pocket), the Face Slots introduced in the RSi irons and an ultra-low centre of gravity ('16 M2), effectively combining them in one product to produce a remarkably long and forgiving iron while maintaining playability.
The key to unlocking performance in the M2 irons is a combination of low CG and maximum COR. For example, even while adding Face Slots (which slightly raise CG), engineers have been able to lower CG and improve consistency by way of several significant changes, including a 33 per cent thinner overall topline, 7 per cent shallower blade height and a 20 per cent deeper Speed Pocket with 33 per cent thinner front wall for even more flexibility.
Engineers also developed a new thinner, wider six-sided fluted hosel that saves 5 grams (compared to 3 in the original M2 iron), allowing for the repositioning of 2 grams of discretionary weight lower in the clubhead. The new hosel bend slot also allows for a 30 per cent improvement in bending.
Similar to the M2 metalwoods, the new M2 irons were designed employing TaylorMade's new 'Geocoustic' engineering techniques; acoustics tuned through geometry – better feel through geometry, better sound through 3-D damping and an optimised rib structure to create ideal frequencies for pleasing sound and feel. This is accomplished through the incorporation of lightweight ABS and carbon fiber to increase rigidity and improve sound absorption of the badge.
Available at retail on January 27, 2017, M2 irons will be offered in 4-iron through LW. Players will have a choice of the REAX HL 88 by FST steel shafts (S,R) or the M2 REAX graphite shafts (75-45g / S,R,A,L) in addition to numerous additional custom shaft options.
M1 Irons: Distance and forgiveness with optimal control
Complementing the M2 irons are the all-new M1 irons, an entirely new line that completes the M family of product. The intention while designing the M1 irons was to bring as much of the speed, forgiveness and playability of the M2 but deliver it to the player who prefers a slightly more compact look along with additional control and workability.
This was achieved by using many of the same technologies as M2 while adding a tungsten weighting system to allow for more freedom to create the shapes needed without sacrificing low-CG, COR or MOI.
To do this, the company first focused on removing weight high in the clubhead, utilising 15-gram high-density Tungsten added in the toe-side sole of the 3 through 7 irons to lower and centre the CG; designed to create even more speed and thus more distance by way of an increased moment of inertia on off-centre impacts.
As with any centre of gravity optimisation equation, discretionary mass is the currency which engineers necessitate. Through the incorporation of Tungsten, TaylorMade was able to locate the COG less than 1mm from centre face along the heel-toe axis as well as drop the vertical position of the COG in the 3 through 7 irons. The company has also redesigned its fluted hosel, which is now a 180° design that has successfully accomplished weight savings without compromising the look preferred by better players at address.
Incorporated into TaylorMade's M1 irons are the company's proprietary Face Slots, which are designed to increase flexibility at the boundary of the clubface to improve consistency of ballspeed on off-center impacts. They also boast more refined Speed Pocket Technology, a slot in the sole that is intended to increase face flexibility and protect ballspeed on impacts below face centre while increasing launch angle and ball speed
Similar to the new M2 irons, the M1 irons also implement TaylorMade's Geocoustic engineering; acoustics tuned through geometry. TaylorMade's fin badge is a feature that works in conjunction with Face Slots to dampen unwanted low-frequency, long duration sounds. The sound of the M1 is optimized using thin yet stiff head geometry combined with strategically placed reinforcements in the topline.
"The improved M2 irons as well as the all-new M1 irons represent a breakthrough in combining incredible distance with industry-leading forgiveness. Through the use of innovative technologies and purposeful design, these irons will appeal to a wide range of golfers seeking the complete performance package," says Tomo Bystedt, TaylorMade's Senior Director, Irons.
Available at retail on March 1, 2017, M1 will be offered in 3-iron through SW. Players will have a choice of True Temper's popular XP95 steel shafts or MRC Kuro Kage Silver graphite shafts in addition to numerous additional custom shaft options.
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