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text:
Local Musician Has Investors Singing The Blues
Investors Lost Nearly $500,000 To Country Music Swindler
An Oak Creek country musician who woos his fans with tales of imminent success, convincing them to invest in his music career, is now accused swindling them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.Jim Hudson worked in the country music circuit as Jim Harley, half of the duo Smith & Harley.Oak Creek police arrested him after several business partners reported that Hudson had used their investment money for other purposes.Carol Scott had booked Hudson's act over the years. She had lost track of him after she and her husband Roger retired and moved away, but reconnected last year."He was very handsome," Scott said. "He asked how I was doing. I say that Roger passed away and I've got my house up for sale. That was just what he wanted to hear."Scott said Hudson then asked her to be his business partner."He said 'You can be my business partner and you'll get 300 percent of what you give me,' " she said.Hudson convinced her to give him $12,000 to take his band on tour.After buying him a Cadillac and a giving him a credit card, Scott was about to mortgage her home when she discovered she wasn't his only business partner.Oak Creek police discovered that more than a half-dozen people had been taken in by Hudson's tall tales. The stories ranged from medical bills to head surgery due to injuries sustained in the Gulf War.Police discovered that Hudson never served in the Gulf War, and that his claim of head surgery actually went towards a hair transplant. He has been charged with misrepresentation and giving false statements.WISN 12 News' Colleen Henry spoke to Hudson at his Oak Creek home. He claimed he had used the investment money to make a CD."I did what what we were agreeing to do," Hudson told 12 News.When asked about the hair transplants instead of surgery for a plate in his head, Hudson said "I'm going to leave that alone."Hudson said he has been struggling to promote his CD because of health problems, and that his record company dropped him from the label because of the felony charges.When asked about whether he could still hit it big in the country music business, Hudson said "I think there's a chance." And when asked if he would pay his victims back after he makes it big, he said "Once I can get back and start selling, that's what you do. Why wouldn't you?"Hudson has pleaded no contest to two of the the six felony charges and will be sentenced in Milwaukee County court on Friday. He faces a maximum 12 year sentence.Smith of Smith & Harley was not involved in the scheme.
OAK CREEK, Wis. —
An Oak Creek country musician who woos his fans with tales of imminent success, convincing them to invest in his music career, is now accused swindling them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Jim Hudson worked in the country music circuit as Jim Harley, half of the duo Smith & Harley.
Oak Creek police arrested him after several business partners reported that Hudson had used their investment money for other purposes.
Carol Scott had booked Hudson's act over the years. She had lost track of him after she and her husband Roger retired and moved away, but reconnected last year.
"He was very handsome," Scott said. "He asked how I was doing. I say that Roger passed away and I've got my house up for sale. That was just what he wanted to hear."
Scott said Hudson then asked her to be his business partner.
"He said 'You can be my business partner and you'll get 300 percent of what you give me,' " she said.
Hudson convinced her to give him $12,000 to take his band on tour.
After buying him a Cadillac and a giving him a credit card, Scott was about to mortgage her home when she discovered she wasn't his only business partner.
Oak Creek police discovered that more than a half-dozen people had been taken in by Hudson's tall tales. The stories ranged from medical bills to head surgery due to injuries sustained in the Gulf War.
Police discovered that Hudson never served in the Gulf War, and that his claim of head surgery actually went towards a hair transplant. He has been charged with misrepresentation and giving false statements.
WISN 12 News' Colleen Henry spoke to Hudson at his Oak Creek home. He claimed he had used the investment money to make a CD.
"I did what what we were agreeing to do," Hudson told 12 News.
When asked about the hair transplants instead of surgery for a plate in his head, Hudson said "I'm going to leave that alone."
Hudson said he has been struggling to promote his CD because of health problems, and that his record company dropped him from the label because of the felony charges.
When asked about whether he could still hit it big in the country music business, Hudson said "I think there's a chance." And when asked if he would pay his victims back after he makes it big, he said "Once I can get back and start selling, that's what you do. Why wouldn't you?"
Hudson has pleaded no contest to two of the the six felony charges and will be sentenced in Milwaukee County court on Friday. He faces a maximum 12 year sentence.
Smith of Smith & Harley was not involved in the scheme.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: JSON Return with Params Error I Want to Get all The state Using the reference key of country in the state table to json result so i can cascade in a dropdownlist of ASP.NET MVC and Having this Error:
The parameters dictionary contains a null entry for parameter 'countryId' of non-nullable type 'System.Int32' for method 'System.Web.Mvc.JsonResult StateList(Int32)' in '_5._1_Presentation.MVC.Areas.Registration.Controllers.RegistrationController'. An optional parameter must be a reference type, a nullable type, or be declared as an optional parameter.

this is my Service, Controller Repo Query
Controller
public JsonResult StateList(int countryId)
    {
        var state = _countryState.GetAllState(countryId);

        return Json(new SelectList(state, "CountryId", "StateName"), JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
    }

Service
public IEnumerable<State> GetAllState(int countryId)
    {
        var GetallState = UnitOfWork.State.GetAllStateByCountry(countryId);

        return GetallState.ToList();
    }

Repo Query
public class StateRepository : BaseRepository<State>, IStateRepository
{
    public StateRepository(DbContext context)
        : base(context)
    {

    }

    public IQueryable<State> GetAllStateByCountry(int Id)
    {
        DbSet.Where(dto => dto.CountryId == Id)
            .Include(dto => dto.Country);
        return DbSet;
    }
}

This is all I get but I cant Really Figure out were the Issue is coming...
Will Really Appreciate your help...
this is the Controller calling the country to the dropdown
public ActionResult Index()
    {

        var queryCountry = _countryState.GetAllCountry();
        ViewBag.CountryName = new SelectList(queryCountry, "CountryId", "CountryName"));

        return View();
    }

A: Make countryId nullable as :
public JsonResult StateList(int? countryId)
{
    if(countryId != null){
     var state = _countryState.GetAllState(countryId);
     return Json(new SelectList(state, "CountryId", "StateName"), JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
    }
    else{
     return Json(new{ }, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
    }
}

A: The error is in how you are calling the action method. You aren't passing a countryId but as it is not a nullable type an exception is thrown.
You can either:
Change the countryId to be an int? (but you'll need to handle null's in StateList as GetAllState doesn't take an int?)
or
You can check how you are calling the action and ensure you are passing the countryId.
Edit
In your comment on @Exception's answer you mention you are calling the URL like this:

localhost:28636/Registration/Registration/StateList/1

If you are using the default routing you will have a route defined like this:
routes.MapRoute(
    name: "Default",
    url: "{controller}/{action}/{id}",
    defaults: new { controller = "Home", action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional }
);

This is going to try to map the 1 you have sent to a parameter called id but your parameter is called countryId so no value is mapped to countryId. As countryId is not nullable an exception is raised.
Renaming your parameter to to id like this:
public JsonResult StateList(int? id)
{
    var state = _countryState.GetAllState(id);

    return Json(new SelectList(state, "CountryId", "StateName"), JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
}

will fix your issue or alternatively you can call the URL with the explicit parameter name like this

localhost:28636/Registration/Registration/StateList?countryId=1

Edit 2
After the comment:

Yes it Okay but there is a problem, It retrive evry state from database intead of getting the state where Country Id is =1

I think this is because you are filtering the results but not returning them. Instead you are returning DbSet. Your GetAllStateByCountry should be more like this:
public IQueryable<State> GetAllStateByCountry(int Id)
{
    return DbSet.Where(dto => dto.CountryId == Id)
        .Include(dto => dto.Country);
}

A: Modify your controller code to this:
public JsonResult StateList(int? countryId)
    {
      if (countryId != null && countryId.HasValue)
      {
          var state = _countryState.GetAllState(countryId.Value);
          return Json(new SelectList(state, "CountryId", "StateName"), JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
      }

      return Json(null);

    }

By doing this - you will allow nulls for countryID and you will return an empty json in case they pass you a null value for countryID.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I'm toasting Canadian, Ryder Hesjedal for his fine fifth place at today's Montepaschi Strade Bianche. It may not be a victory but it's bloody close to it. At the final climb Thomas Lofkvist, Mick Rogers & Maxim Iglinskiy (the eventual winner) took off and were the final three heading to the finish. Only Filippo Pozzato could react from the tiring Canadian. It wasn't his day but I feel it's coming. Hesjedal said, "I didn't feel that great, and I had to dig deep all day. To get fifth with the field that's here, I'm pretty pleased with where I'm at."
It's a great start to his season!
Negotiating through the back streets of Siena is challenging!
Too bad Thomas didn't win. But he rode really well! Stretching out the field.
He was one of picks. Great ride!


Circa 1870, impressive Gothic style, Victorian mahogany open library bookcase in four sections. The architectural cornice surmounted by pierced circular mouldings interspersed by protruding gothic trefoil decorations over a rounded frieze with repeat gothic carvings. The bookcase with canted edges has four adjustable shelves with fluted mahogany fronts in each of the four upper open sections. The base with a canted moulding to its top has a gothic decorated frieze over four cupboard doors, each with applied central carvings, all on an enclosed plinth base. The top and base sections split in two.


If you would like to have one of the ways to write down music for the guitar the use of the guitar tablature will be crucial to consider. To create the music, you should understand that the system uses the numbers instead of the standard music ways. To create the music via the use of the guitar tablature is different from the other standard methods of music notation.


View a vast selection of Continental Tires Dws, all carefully selected. We are a leading provider of Continental Tires Dws, find a wide and ever-changing deals for sale.
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openGear is the award winning, industry standard, modular terminal gear platform and it continues to be adopted by end users across a diverse range of markets.
Cobalt Digital is proud to have been a founding partner of this customer centric, open-architecture platform, that allows users to select the best solution for their needs from multiple openGear manufacturing partners all while maintaining a standardized rack frame form-factor and software GUI.
The openGear system is comprised of a 2RU, 20-Slot "card cage" that supports high-capacity redundant power supplies, dual genlock inputs and Gigabit Ethernet frame controller for use with the DashBoard remote control and monitoring software.
The frame controller resides in a dedicated 21st card slot which leaves 20 slots available and does not detract from the extreme densities that are achievable with Cobalt Digital's award winning processing and distribution cards.
9000 Series product numbers designate openGear modular cards.


text:
Are eggs vegan?
By Editorial StaffSeptember 1, 2022Vegan Info
The question of whether eggs are vegan or not tends to spark some debate. It's easy to assume that no chickens are hurt in the process of collecting their laid eggs. And since eggs do not actually contain a fetus, where is the harm? The most common assumption is that a chicken lays an egg, the egg gets taken, and it ends there. Unfortunately, this is not accurate. In order to grasp the inaccuracy of that assumption, you have to look at the full picture.
For one, how does an egg farm end up with only female chickens (hens)? How do these hens manage to lay so many eggs per year? What happens to the hens once they are no longer capable of laying eggs? The answers to these questions are where egg farming takes a very dark turn.
Why are eggs not vegan?
Here are the main reasons why eggs are not vegan.
Hens are slaughtered once they are no longer fertile
Eggs are essentially the product of a hen's ovulation. Similar to humans, hens only ovulate during the fertile stages of their life. Once a hen is no longer fertile, at approximately 6 years old, they are considered worthless by egg farmers. The most cost-effective way to dispose of an infertile hen is to send her away for slaughter. A healthy, well cared for chicken can live up to 20 years old [1].
Hens are exploited in order to produce more eggs
In the same way that female cows are exploited in order to produce milk, hens are exploited in order to produce an unnatural amount of eggs. Egg-laying hens are genetically engineered and bred selectively to lay significantly more eggs than they would in the wild. Instead of laying 10 to 15 eggs per year as they would in nature, hens in egg farms are producing up to 300 eggs per year [2]. Laying so many eggs is physically and emotionally exhausting for a hen and detrimental to its quality of life. Not to mention, most egg farm hens are cooped up in tiny cages with no sunlight, and little to no walking space.
Male chicks born on egg farms are instantly slaughtered
As many as 6 billion male chicks born on egg farms are slaughtered every year globally [3]. Since chicks born from egg-laying hens are not the same breed used for producing chicken meat, the male chicks are slaughtered as soon as they're born. There would essentially be no economic advantage to raising them, so they are considered worthless in the egg industry. Most often, these chicks are disposed of by being thrown into industrial-sized blenders.
Eggs are a chicken byproduct
Lastly, while they are not meat, eggs are still not vegan because they are an animal byproduct. Given that they are the unfertilized egg of a hen, eggs are considered an animal product in the same way that dairy is.
Are backyard eggs vegan?
Many people like to believe that it's not cruel to eat eggs from a backyard chicken coop. Some people will even go as far as to say that it's vegan to do so. They often believe this because of the small scale and the care that they provide their chickens. So, are backyard eggs vegan?
Eating eggs from a backyard chicken coop is not vegan at all. For one, by taking your hen's eggs away from her, she will think she has to lay more. This only benefits the person taking the eggs away for consumption. It takes a hen 24 hours to produce an egg [4], so forcing your hen to restart this process right after laying an egg is simply cruel. It's also exploitation. Chickens are highly intelligent animals and deserve more in life than just laying eggs.
Secondly, egg-laying hens purchased for backyard coops are commonly purchased from the animal agriculture industry. Not only is purchasing an animal not vegan, but directly supporting such a business is not vegan either.
If you want chickens in your backyard and plan on caring for them as family members, please adopt them from a rescue organization and leave their eggs alone.
How long do chickens live? My Pet Chicken. Accessed September 1, 2022.
Eggs: What Are You Really Eating? Free From Harm. Accessed September 1, 2022.
12 Egg Facts the Industry Doesn't Want You to Know. Free From Harm. Accessed September 1, 2022.
Is It Okay For Vegans To Eat Eggs From Backyard Chickens? Minimalist Vegan. Accessed September 1, 2022.
12 Best Vegan Protein Powders in Canada in 2023 September 30, 2020
The 5 Best Agar Agar Substitutes That Are Easy to Find November 20, 2020
10 Best Vegan Honey Substitutes and Why We Love Them September 30, 2022
The 5 Best Nut Milk Makers in Canada in 2023 November 11, 2022
5 Best Vitamin D Supplements for Vegans in Canada in 2023 December 16, 2022
How to Make McDonald's Big Mac Sauce at Home (And Vegan) January 30, 2023
The 5 Best Instant Pots in Canada in 2023 November 16, 2022
Gluten-free High in Omega-3 High in Protein Non-GMO Nut-free Organic Soy-free Vegan Baking Vegan Leather
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text:
Big Asteroid Is Heading Close to Earth
Posted by Admin | Apr 8, 2017 | Health | 0 |
A relatively large asteroid will cross Earth's orbit around the sun this month. Astrophysicists and astronomers say there is no chance of a collision, but it will be the closest flyby of an asteroid that large for at least another 10 years. Asteroid 2014 JO25, discovered three years ago, is about 650 meters (2,100 feet) in diameter, 60 times as large as the small asteroid that plunged into our atmosphere as a meteor and exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in 2013. That blast was felt thousands of kilometers away and caused havoc on the ground, damaging more than 7,000 homes and offices and injuring 1,500 people. Asteroid 2014 JO25's pass by Earth on April 19 will be a near miss, cosmically speaking. The U.S. space agency NASA said no one should worry: "There is no possibility for the asteroid to collide with our planet, [but] this will be a very close approach for an asteroid of this size." The Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union classifies 2014 JO25 as a "potentially hazardous asteroid." (Astronomers classify asteroids as "minor planets"; when they pass close to Earth they are termed "near Earth objects.") WATCH: NASA Animation: Asteroid 2014 JO25's Orbit An animation of the intersection of Earth's orbit and that of 2014 JO25, prepared by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a unit of the California Institute of Technology, makes it look like an awfully close call, but the hard facts are more reassuring: At its closest point, the asteroid will be about five times as far from Earth as the moon is, more than 1.75 million kilometers away (1,087,400 miles). Although the asteroid is expected to be twice as reflective as our moon, it will be difficult to spot in a night sky filled with stars, and certainly not without help. Scientists say the sort of telescope amateur astronomers use should be adequate to pick out the space rock as it whizzes across the sky at 120,000 kilometers per hour (74,500 mph). EarthSky.org, a website that follows developments in the cosmos and throughout nature in general, has posted an article with detailed information to help sky-watchers find the asteroid on April 19, and for a day or two afterward. Professional astronomers also will be tracking 2014 JO25 closely. Puerto Rico's Arecibo Observatory, an extremely powerful radio telescope center, will study the asteroid for five days. After all, it's not often that something as big as this comes along, even a couple of million kilometers from home. NASA says 2014 JO25 hasn't been this close to Earth in the past 400 years, and it will be at least 500 years before it comes back for a repeat close encounter with our planet. Asteroids actually pass close to Earth fairly often, but it's their size that matters. Asteroid 2017 GM made one of the closest passes by Earth ever seen — 16,000 kilometers (9,900 miles) above sea level — less than a week ago, on April 4. Little notice was taken, however, because that chunk of space rock was about the size of a small car.
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I gave a couple of reasons as to why Kaguya-sama interested me in my Season Preview. For one, a lot of people have talked glowingly of the manga the anime is based on and I always take that kind of stuff into consideration. And two, the idea of a student council president and his second-in-command locked in a psychological war based around one of them confessing to the other sounds so good on paper that it'd be a shame if it wan't funny.
There was, however, one preliminary detail that I can't believe I missed. Apparently, Kaguya-sama is directed by Shinichi Omata a.ka. Mamoru Hatekayama, the same director who brought Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu to audiences in 2016 & 2017. Now that merits both eyebrows raised. Omata's direction, which ranged from grounded realism to evocative style, was a big reason why Rakugo worked so well as a series. I bring this up not just because I think whatever Omata works on now ought to be worth checking out but also to better wrap my head around how evocative Kaguya-sama is proving to be.
No doubt, the adventures of Kaguya (Aoi Koga) and Miyuki (Makoto Furukawa) is oozing with style. Dramatic close-ups, exaggerated facial expressions, single colored backgrounds, kaleidoscope effects, assorted graphics, a faux VHS filter, you name it. Very rarely is a scene every played straight here. For me, it's the biggest draw of this anime. Watching Kaguya and Miyuki try to one up each other over movie tickets, a love confession, and their own stinking lunch is indeed hilarious in of itself. Both Aoi Koga and Makoto Furukawa are doing an excellent job delivering their lines in such over the top fashion too. Still, the visual direction really accentuates the comedy, allowing the content to garner larger and more consistent laughter than it already would have without it. And while not the most fluid animation out there, I am impressed with the effort put in by A-1 Pictures. This show is easily their best looking show in quite some time and it goes to show how far a good director can take their crew during a production.
That said, I am worried that this anime might end up being style over substance. From a writing standpoint, a premise such as Kaguya-sama's merits being structured within a series of gags and that puts longevity into serious question. I may have found all three scenarios in this episode enjoyable (the lunch bit is easily the best one) but its success is still short-term. They did nothing to convince me that I want to see variations on the same plot done over and over again. The visuals will most likely help keep the experience from feeling stale but pretty aesthetics can only sustain a story for so long. Here's hoping the writing can stay creative for a whole cour.
If nothing else, maybe this show will still be worth watching for Kaguya and Miyuki's associate: the one, the only Chika Fujiwara (Konomi Kohara). That right there is the real breakout character of this story. She is such an adorable third wheel in this story. I just love how she acts so oblivious to Kaguya and Miyuki's "war" and yet her actions seemingly help fuel the conflict, even creating obstacles for it to comedic effect. At the very least, please show more of this character.
Bless whoever pulled numerous all-nighters animating this OP. It's like A-1 Pictures is trying to beat Bones and their Mob Psycho 100 openings for style points. That song is also going to get stuck in my head.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is officially available on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu.
This entry was posted in Anime, Episode Reviews, First Impressions and tagged A-1 Pictures, Anime, Comedy, Episode Reviews, First Impressions, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensei-tachi no Renai Zunousen, Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Psychological, Romance, School, Seinen. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
author@dukelagrange.com
© 2018 by Star Wheel Books
Media kit available here
DUKE LaGRANGE
EVERYONE'S FAVORITE BOUNTY HUNTING PLAYBOY
Full Name: Lafayette "Duke" LaGrange
Planet of Origin: Nova Texas
Occupation: Bounty hunter
Awards/Accomplishments: "Favorite Bounty Hunter-Playboy" (15 times), Bounty Hunting Digest
Weapon of Choice: Ol' Betsy (Widowmaker Sonic Shotgun), Laser Revolver ("Pulse Pistol")
They Said It: "Holy hedgehogs!" / "I'm Duke LaGrange...Adventurer. Trailblazer. Poet. A true man of the universe."
There isn't much on record about the childhood of Lafayette LaGrange. His parents dropped him off as an infant at a local brothel deep in the heart of Nova Texas; that establishment of lustful interactions was his home until adulthood. Most of his adolescence is shrouded in mystery, legend, and flat-out fabrication; but it is well documented that he was mentored in his adolescent years by rogue outlaw and folk hero, H.A. "Duke" Dallas (a frequent visitor of the brothel). Duke Dallas and his favorite business partner, Mistress Trixie, taught the young Lafayette everything from sharpshooting to gambling (more accurately, cheating) to how to treat a lady (Duke, admittedly, forgot most of the latter).
At some point in Lafayette's teenage years, tradgedy stuck the brothel when Mistress Trixie was brutally murdered by a disgruntled cowboy after losing a high-stakes game of cards to Duke Dallas. For the first time in his life, Duke Dallas had to live with the negative consequences of his less-than-moral actions. He swore off every vice that had plagued (and stimulated) his very being - after tracking down and bludgeoning the killer to a painful demise, of course. Dallas, embarrassed by his lifetime of unrealized misbehavior, fled Nova Texas without even a simple "goodbye" to Lafayette.
Over the next years, Lafayette joined the local law enforcement branch but could not keep down a steady gig due to his constant partying. After his third strike and subsequent firing, he pursued - what he felt - was the best career option for a man of his skills: bounty hunter.
Taking on the nickname of his mentor, armed with the combat skills that Duke Dallas bestowed upon him, and driven by the loss of the beloved Miss Trixie at the hands of a dangerous thug, Lafayette "Duke" LaGrange set out to catch the most awful, notorious, and downright sinister criminals in the known universe. Of course, you can take the boy out of the brothel, but you can't take the brother out of the boy - so Duke's reputation as a playboy quickly became as renowned as his bounty hunting skills.
Duke, alongwith his trusted sidekick, Ishiro'shea, now traverse the cosmos bringing criminals to justice (for the most part) and enjoying their fair share of booze, women, and general debauchery.
The funniest sci-fi romp featuring drunk space ninjas and anthropomorphic musk oxen that you'll read all year!


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The Infinite Noise: A Bright Sessions Novel (The Bright Sessions #1) (Hardcover)
By Lauren Shippen
Not on our shelves. Usually ships in 2-5 days.
This is book number 1 in the The Bright Sessions series.
#2: A Neon Darkness (The Bright Sessions #2) (Paperback): $11.99
#3: Some Faraway Place: A Bright Sessions Novel (The Bright Sessions #3) (Paperback): $11.99
Lauren Shippen's The Infinite Noise is a stunning, original debut novel based on her wildly popular and award-winning podcast The Bright Sessions.
Caleb Michaels is a sixteen-year-old champion running back. Other than that his life is pretty normal. But when Caleb starts experiencing mood swings that are out of the ordinary for even a teenager, his life moves beyond "typical."
Caleb is an Atypical, an individual with enhanced abilities. Which sounds pretty cool except Caleb's ability is extreme empathy—he feels the emotions of everyone around him. Being an empath in high school would be hard enough, but Caleb's life becomes even more complicated when he keeps getting pulled into the emotional orbit of one of his classmates, Adam. Adam's feelings are big and all-consuming, but they fit together with Caleb's feelings in a way that he can't quite understand.
Caleb's therapist, Dr. Bright, encourages Caleb to explore this connection by befriending Adam. As he and Adam grow closer, Caleb learns more about his ability, himself, his therapist—who seems to know a lot more than she lets on—and just how dangerous being an Atypical can be.
"What if the X-Men, instead of becoming superheroes, decided to spend some time in therapy?" (Vox on The Bright Sessions)
LAUREN SHIPPEN, author of The Infinite Noise, is a writer best known for her work in fiction podcasts. She is the creator and sole writer of the popular audio drama, The Bright Sessions. She went on to executive produce The AM Archives and co-produce Passenger List before founding Atypical Artists, a company dedicated to audio storytelling. She wrote MARVELS, an audio adaptation of the popular comic, released in 2019 by Marvel and Stitcher. Lauren was named one of Forbes's 2018 30 Under 30 in Media and one of MovieMaker Magazine's and Austin Film Festival's 25 Screenwriters to Watch. She was born in New York City and grew up in Bronxville, New York. She currently lives in Los Angeles but travels frequently to New York.
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
Young Adult Fiction / Coming of Age
Young Adult Fiction / LGBT
Young Adult Fiction / Superheroes
Publisher: Tor Teen
Series: The Bright Sessions
"Enthralling." —Shelf Awareness
"Emotional and inventive, Lauren Shippen has written a queer love story for anyone who's ever felt like an outsider. The Infinite Noise managed to make me swoon even as it broke my heart. A thoughtful and tender exploration of mental health, it will make you want to go to therapy, whether you have superpowers or not." —Britta Lundin, Riverdale screenwriter and author of Ship It
"The Infinite Noise is a marvelous book about love, mental health, and connection. Lauren Shippen writes with a clean and honest warmth that is deeply refreshing, and her sharp representation of depression and anxiety rings true. Once I started reading The Infinite Noise, I couldn't stop; now that I've read it, my life has become a matter of waiting to get my hands on whatever Shippen creates next." —Sarah Gailey, Hugo Award winning author of Magic for Liars
"Fans of the podcast will revel in this closer look at the lives of the characters, and readers new to the franchise will drop into this world without missing a beat. Give this to fans of the podcast, as well as readers who enjoy Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Rainbow Rowell's work, and Welcome to Night Vale." —School Library Journal
"The author gives emotions form, texture, and color, taking readers along on Adam's and Caleb's journeys while remembering that a boyfriend is not an antidote to life's supernatural—or mundane—problems.... A warm, satisfying love story with depth." —Kirkus Reviews
"Shippen does a superb job of handling a swirl of complex emotions, ranging from subtle to fiery as the boys struggle to complete each other and share their differences." —Booklist
"This is a story that is informative, intense, and complex. It will keep young adults reading until the very end." —The Midwest Book Review
"A refreshing look at the superhero genre." —The Advocate
"Lauren Shippen writes with empathy, honesty, and grit, painting a raw, vivid picture of found family and the fraught, complex ties that bind them." —Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue on A Neon Darkness
Praise for The Bright Sessions
"A gripping character drama with blockbuster-worthy plot twists." —The New York Times
"Created by the brilliant Lauren Shippen, The Bright Sessions is probably my number one favorite podcast right now." —Patricia Thang, Book Riot
"[The Bright Sessions] combines shades of The X-Files and the HBO psychotherapy drama In Treatment, plus the youthful characters of a WB drama like Roswell or Smallville, into one compulsively listenable tale.... A testament to the simple power of good storytelling." —Vox
"Radio dramas for the podcast age often veer towards either solid writing or engrossing performances. Rare is the show that satisfies on both fronts like The Bright Sessions.... Shippen never loses sight of the impressive character work that drives the show." —IndieWire
"Part Professor X, part Sigmund Freud, Dr. Bright has a specialty: treating 'the strange and unusual....' Start at the beginning and binge away an afternoon on Dr. Bright's couch." —WIRED


Understanding Brain Injury - A Guide for the Family Explains the impact that a brain injury in one family member can have on the entire family. Contains information on the structure and function of the human brain; the causes of brain injury; the recovery process; and behavior and communication changes after brain injury. Document is in PDF format.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Provides answers and information about frequently asked questions and important issues facing TBI survivors. Also offers a daily blog, in-depth articles, links to resources, and commentary on developments in research and recovery, and a library of videos from brain injury survivors and their families.
Brain Injury Association Provides information, education and support to assist the 5.3 million Americans currently living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their families. Call toll-free 1-800-444-6443 for brain injury information.
BrainLine A national multimedia project offering information and resources about preventing, treating and living with TBI. A service of WETA, the public TV and radio station in Washington, D.C.
Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) A collaborative effort toward optimizing PH and TBI treatment for the U.S. Department of Defense. Establishes quality standards for clinical care; education and training; prevention; patient, family and community outreach; and program excellence.
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) Serves active duty military, their dependents and Veterans with TBI through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.
Facts About Concussion and Brain Injury Brochure Explains what can happen after a concussion, how to get better and where to go for more information and help when needed. Document is in PDF format.
Facts About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) General information on TBI from the Brain Injury Association of America.
Gateway to PTSI Information Comprehensive gateway to information on PTSI from four organizations. Includes articles, guides, Web links, mini-courses, 800 phone access and e-mail pen-pal resources.
National Alliance on Mental Health - Veterans Resource Center Resources for Veterans and active duty military members as well as their families, friends and advocates. Includes information on TBI/PTSI, how to obtain VA benefits, women Veteran resources, online discussion groups and more.
National Center for PTSI Information Center In-depth information on PTSI and traumatic stress for a general audience. Includes FAQ, fact sheets, where to get help and more.
National Institute of Mental Health - PTSI Information Provides comprehensive information on PTSI. Includes signs and symptoms, treatment, getting help and related information.
Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress (PILOTS) The largest index of published materials on trauma and PTSI.
Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance Center A learning, collaboration and benchmarking tool for the grantees and others affiliated with the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Program.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Injury and Recovery Brochure from the National Alliance on Mental Illness that addresses PTSI.
VA Office of Mental Health Services (OMHS) VA Web site that provides information about mental health conditions and services.


Butterfly Life is a women-only 30-minute workout franchise that claims to be a superior version of Curves (since they use weight-based, not hydraulic, equipment). In December, 2005, experienced business owner Linda McBride purchased an existing Butterfly Life franchise location in Woodland, CA. After struggling to achieve profitability for 20 months, she closed the club in August, 2007. In an interview with UnhappyFranchisee.com in August, 2008, she shared with us the lessons she learned from her experience, and offers her hard-learned due diligence tips for those considering franchise ownership.
UF: Linda, thanks for sharing your story with those who are looking to start their own businesses, and for offering advice based on the hard lessons you've learned. Tell me, why did you decide you decide to become a Butterfly Life franchise owner? Describe the process you went through to determine which franchise to buy.
Linda: My husband & I had run the pest company since 1990. I wanted a business that was more "me" . I Belonged to Curves loved the concept. The owner of the one I belonged to had 3 franchises and was doing well at all of them averaging 500 members each. I researched many franchises but liked the concept of classes all day that Butterfly Life offered.
UF: How did you first learn about Butterfly Life?
Linda: I saw a banner ad online. I clicked on it and filled out a form online requesting more information. Janet Lossick contacted me by phone. I have my original notes and one of the first things I wrote is Mark Mastroff as director.
UF: How did you first hear about your specific franchise? What attracted you to the company?
Linda: I researched many franchises but liked the concept of classes all day that Butterfly Life offered. I also liked the fact that they used weight based equipment. The idea of helping women get healthy was what most appealed to me.
UF: Describe the company's sales process and your interaction prior to becoming a franchisee.
UF: You ended up purchasing an existing club?
Linda: Yes, I purchased a club that had been opened 12 months. I was the second owner of the club – the first claimed bankruptcy after 12 month. However, I thought with the marketing and support that was promised, this could be a successful club.
UF: What marketing and promotional guidance, programs & support were provided? Were they effective?
Linda: No. We were told to pay to have the postcards mailed out each month which cost $1500 to $1800/mo. The best return I ever received from this 8 new members.
Virtually nothing that was promised branding wise ever materialized.
UF: Was the ongoing support what you expected? Why or why not?
Linda: At first it seemed helpful but later it was simply the same old thing every time. When I complained about membership being a problem, I was told I was the only one having the problem. They didn't want the franchisee's talking to each other but eventually I did start calling other clubs only to find out my problems were their problems my complaints were their complaints.
UF: Were the positive aspects of your experience?
Linda: I had the greatest members on the planet. I had so many ladies getting healthier. It was a great place for the ladies to let their hair down, get exercise and have a good time!
UF: When did things start to go wrong?
UF: What single factor contributed most to making you an unhappy franchisee?
Linda: Not receiving the support I was promised.
more time and give me a game plan but it was too little too late.
UF: Have you tried to resolve your issues with the franchisor?
Linda: I told them I could not afford to stay open and I was told that if I closed I would be sued for monthly franchise fees and my landlord would sue me for the balance of my lease so I should stay open.
UF: What was the outcome?
UF: What would you like to see happen at this point?
Linda: I think BFL owes all franchisee's restitution for the lies and misrepresentation.
UF: Do you think that the franchise concept itself is viable?
Linda: Possibly. Under different management at the top of corporate.
UF: What was the biggest mistake did you make?
Linda: Trusting Mark Golob and Tom Gergley was the biggest mistake I made. Looking back, I should have gotten all their "promises" in writing.
UF: How has your franchise investment decision affected your life?
Linda: I'm bankrupt and don't see how I can ever recover the money before retirement.
UF: What advice would you give to prospective franchise owners?
Linda: Research research research. Call every franchisee you can find a phone number for. What questions should they ask? How far are you from profitability? Are you on on track for the goals you set? Are the people at corporate office helpful and supportive? Do they brand the name or is it up to you?
Visit similar businesses in your area or in a neighboring town ask them questions – offer to take them to lunch to talk.
UF: What warning signs should they look for?
Linda: Big promises in the presentation and meeting at corporate that aren't in writing.
UF: Thanks very much for sharing your story and advice, Linda.
Another sad story. I'm in the same boat. We co-owned a Curves that experienced phenomenal success at first, becoming a franchise of the year in 2004. Then a relative and co-owner asked us to buy her out. Foolishly we agreed, thinking her wealthy father, who bought the club for her in 2002 and asked my wife to be her business partner and mentor, would support our decision.
Four years later, we're facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. And we've got two children ages 6 and 3. I'm terrified we'll never recover before retirement.
Try to understand! Franchisors are not required to disclose the unit performance statistics of their systems to new buyers or to current franchisees. This gives them the advantage of always keeping the unit owners in the dark as to how the system is doing in terms of the individual franchisees. They report only system sales to the IRS and as long as they are complient with the regulatory rules, they can perpeturate themselves for a long time before the system itself actually stands or fails. . The goal of the franchisor is to capture market share and if this means that franchisees are sacrificed in the process, this, apparently, is legal under current regulatory policy because it permits franchisors to perpetuate themselves and stimulates the economy and feeds the special interests; i.,e. the banks and lenders, the developers, the Landlords, the American Bar Association and local, state, and federal government revenues. The only party to fail in the arrangement is the franchisee whose personal assets and debt stand up the franchisor and feed the interests of the other parties involved in franchising.
If franchisors can continue to sell new franchises out the front door and discounted franchises out the back door, they can survive until the word gets around and they can't continue to churn visibility in the economy. Remember that "discounted units" present an opportunity for the second generation franchisees who may have a chance of making it because of reduced overhead, i.e. reduced debt and lowered rent. Most systems contain a good share of second and third generation franchisees who got their businesses at a great discount over the original startup franchisees. Even if units fail, all of the time they are trying to get to break even, they are feeding the franchisor and the special interests and government revenues because the frachisor gets his profits in the form of royalties off of the gross sales of the franchisee and not off of the profits of the franchisee.
Talking with ex-franchisees is no substitute for hard financial performance statristics of the units that compose the system. Why should franchisors be allowed to sell their franchise "product" to the public without disclosing the MATERIAL unit performance statistics then in their possession to new buyers?
Try to understand that the Item 20 references are just cover for the franchisors that permits then NOT to make any representations within the actual contract or the FDD as to the success of the franchise. This protects franchisors in the courts from charges of fraud when in the actual boilerplate contract, the new buyer indicates that they haven't been promised any success or profits from the franchisors.
While it is against the law for franchisors to make earnings claims outside of the actual contract/FDD, they make constructive earnings claims all through the sales process but can disclaim these earnings claims in the package of t he government FDD and the adhesory contract. After over 30 years of government regulation of franchising, only a small percentage of franchisors make "earnings claims" because the government has deemed "earnings claims" to be "optional" and not "material" to new buyers of franchises.
I am so sorry for your pain and I understand your fear! Try to spread the word to others so that the government will stop subsidizing franchisors and will regulate franchising in a manner that the true risk of the investment is disclosed to new buyers in a timely manner. If the government did this, only the truly viable franchisors would go on to stand in the economy and good faith buyers of franchises would invest in good faith KNOWING the risk of the investment up front before they signed the one-sided contracts that premeditate the success of the franchisor even when the franchisee fails. But, of course, there wouldn't be as many franchisors out there. Franchising, as a model, does often overcome the very brutal statistics of startup of small businesses because the risk is bourn by the franchisee, the resourse, and even when the franchisee fails, the franchisor doesn't if he can acquire the assets, or abet the acquisition of the assets of the failure for pennies on the dollar to continue in the servive of the franchisor.
You are young and you have young children and you will survive but try to think about how and why this happened to you and whether or not "franchising" as a business model should be growing in our economy and providing more of the job numbers for government to report to the citizenry. Franchise jobs are generally not good jobs with benefits or a future —-even for the owners of the franchises who are destroyed by their good faith purchase of a franchise that is sold as the answer to The American Dream and their solution to a good job with profits.
Linda-let's all say "thank you" to Carol Cross. This woman has it going on!
HINT: Everybody who has ever owned a BFL franchise should be reading and coping her post and forwarding it to EVERY goverment office and agency in their state. Ok AAFD chapter members-lets start writing those letters, if you haven't already. It is time to make our stories and feelings known all across America and beyond. And once again, thank you Sean!
Carol Cross – YOU ROCK!
We need you to Lobby for franchisees everywhere!
Thank you so much for your blog – I shall follow it to the letter.
Carol Cross – You are awesome! What is your background? We have corresponded before through Franchisepick. I have sent stacks of communication to the FTC, the Ca. Dept. of Corporations, the Governors office, the US Attorney General, our state attorney general, our state assemblyman along with your blog you posted several months ago. You are an amazing, articulate writer. I want to thank you for taking the time to inform us of how and why the laws are enacted by the various government agencies………but not enforced! I, again, will copy your new blog and send it off to the powers that be.
Our voices may be a distant echo, but are getting louder each passing day. The bureaucrats won't be able to turn a deaf ear much longer. We filed a second complaint with the DOC six months ago and have finally been adviswed that it has been passed on to "higher managerment" whatever that means! By the time they get around to "protecting the franchisee" we could all be broke. I was told three years ago when we filed our first complaint with the DOC, that they didn't have the manpower to handle all complaints efficiently. We're also waiting to go forward with arbitration….but guess what….the AAA (another big business corporation) who is handling our case decided in mid stream to make some changes we were unaware of. They say it was a glitch in the system! I think the AAA along with JAMS should be investigated regarding fair practice. Maybe that will be our next cause. You're right….all these big business corporations must be working together because of one thing…………big money!!! If we the people don't stand up and bombard these bureaucrats with our outrage, we will have no one to thank but ourselves. EVERYONE MUST GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND LET THE LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT WE WILL NEVER STOP PROTESTING UNTIL THEY ENFORCE THE LAWS THEY THEMSELVES ENACTED AND WRITE NEW LAWS TO PROTECT THE FRANCHISEE.
And thank you Sean……for always being supportive and looking out for our best interests. We need more like you!
I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I had joined a Butterfly Life in Minnesota this June. Just recently there was a sign posted on the door that the owner was having health issues and was going to be closed for a few days. Now, today I pull up to work out and the door is locked, desk and furnishings gone! The excerise equipment was all that was left. I called my bank and cancelled my automatic withdrawal payments as soon as I got home. Will that be enough? Should I be worried about the owner having my account info? I have never had this problem before. The only phone number I was given was the local fitness center and that is disconnected. Any advice I would appreciate it!
Don't Worry I know here personally also a fellow ex-club owner you have nothing to fear. She did have health issues, but this franchise has cause much more ruin. Sorry you were not informed, she tried to let everyone know.
Another one bites the dust. And as I sit in my club with my world crumbling I wonder how many others have sat in my seat. 80-100 I have lost all and still continue to believe that I should have been able to do something about it. Just try harder, do this, do that. Please pray for me and my family. We fell for the — Martha Stewart, TV Commercials, Book in every BB and Barnes and Noble…. Pitch !! Trust me this franchise will blow up and you want to be part of it… Yeah right !! I have read this blog on and off and continued to push to get more members, ect. At first it was difficult for me to understand why someone would take there life. I can function no longer. God Bless everyone who has gone before me. I pray that you all get closure to your law suite. Time for me to pick up my pieces. I should have done my due diligance. Fooled me once, fooled me twice. Oh yeah I can even remember being told – dont have the lawyer go in depth on the franchise aggreement, it is a standard aggreement. I've lost everything and it is my fault.
Leanne: Sorry this has happened. There are a lot of us ex-franchisees out here who have lost so much due to the misrepresentation and fraudulent inducement of those at Butterfly Life. Go to http://www.butterflylife.com and call the main number they have listed. I would be surprised to hear what corporate has to say. I'm sure they'll blame it on the owner of the club saying she didn't know how to run a business. Actually, they probably won't be answering any phone calls. Let us know the outcome. Again, we're all truly sorry.
Leanne – in this particular case, my understanding is that the owner has a close family member who is terminally ill and she choose to close the club to be with him. I believe she did try to inform all of her members.
Leanne: Wondering is talking about another doomed Minnesota Club…. We went from 5 to 1 in less than a year. We did the best we could with what we had… A great concept and nobody there to bring it to life. I know you probably enjoyed yourself there. I know she was a great motivator before it got the best of her. I myself suffered health issues from this, ending up in the hospital for longer than I would have wanted to. And she still choose to move forward and open her club. Hoping to be able to be successful and change womens lives. But that is not your concern or do you need to listen to the complaining about how we were wronged and corporate. Just know that she loved you guys and that is the hardest part to let go, our women…. The people who touched us more than you know! We give thanks to all you believed in us!


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    size_a.append('span').html(' ');
    size_a.append('a')
          .attr('href', 'javascript:void(0);')
          .html('+')
          .on('click', function() {
            self.__cell_size *= 1.25;
            self.__draw(self.__cell_size, svg, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables);
          });

    color_control.append('p').text('Select a variable to color:');
    color_control
      .append('ul')
      .selectAll('li')
      .data([undefined].concat(string_variables))
      .enter().append('li')
        .append('a')
          .attr('href', 'javascript:void(0);')
          .text(function(d) { return d ? d : 'None'; })
          .on('click', function(d, i) {
            color_variable = d;
            set_filter(d);
            self.__draw(self.__cell_size, svg, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables);
          });

    var variable_li =
      variable_control
        .append('p').text('Include variables: ')
        .append('ul')
        .selectAll('li')
        .data(self.__numeric_variables)
        .enter().append('li');

    variable_li.append('input')
               .attr('type', 'checkbox')
               .attr('checked', function(d, i) { if (to_include.indexOf(d) >= 0) return "checked"; return null; })
               .on('click', function(d, i) {
                 var new_to_include = [];
                 for (var j in to_include) {
                   var v = to_include[j];
                   if (v !== d || this.checked) { new_to_include.push(v); }
                 }
                 if (this.checked) { new_to_include.push(d); }
                 to_include = new_to_include;
                 self.__draw(self.__cell_size, svg, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables);
               });
    variable_li.append('label')
               .html(function(d) {
                 var i = self.__numeric_variables.indexOf(d)+1;
                 return ''+i+': '+d;
               });

    drill_li =
      drill_control
        .append('p').text('Drill and Expand: ')
        .append('ul')
        .selectAll('li')
        .data(original_numeric_variables.concat(string_variables))
        .enter().append('li');

    drill_li.append('input')
            .attr('type', 'checkbox')
            .on('click', function(d, i) {
               var new_drill_variables = [];
               for (var j in drill_variables) {
                 var v = drill_variables[j];
                 if (v !== d || this.checked) { new_drill_variables.push(v); }
               }
               if (this.checked) { new_drill_variables.push(d); }
               drill_variables = new_drill_variables;
               self.__draw(self.__cell_size, svg, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables);
             });
    drill_li.append('label')
            .html(function(d) { return d; });

    self.__draw(self.__cell_size, svg, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables);
  });
};

ScatterMatrix.prototype.__draw =
  function(cell_size, container_el, color_variable, selected_colors, to_include, drill_variables) {
  var self = this;
  this.onData(function() {
    var data = self.__data;

    // filter data by selected colors
    if (color_variable && selected_colors) {
      data = [];
      self.__data.forEach(function(d) {
        if (selected_colors.indexOf(d[color_variable]) >= 0) { data.push(d); }
      });
    }

    container_el.selectAll('*').remove();

    // If no data, don't do anything
    if (data.length == 0) { return; }

    // Parse headers from first row of data
    var variables_to_draw = to_include.slice(0);

    // Get values of the string variable
    var colors = [];
    if (color_variable) {
      // Using self.__data (all data), instead of data (data to be drawn), so
      // our css classes are consistent when we filter by value.
      self.__data.forEach(function(d) {
        var s = d[color_variable];
        if (colors.indexOf(s) < 0) { colors.push(s); }
      });
    }

    function color_class(d) {
      var c = d;
      if (color_variable && d[color_variable]) { c = d[color_variable]; }
      return colors.length > 0 ? 'color-'+colors.indexOf(c) : 'color-2';
    }

    // Size parameters
    var size = cell_size, padding = 10,
        axis_width = 20, axis_height = 15, legend_width = 200, label_height = 15;

    // Get x and y scales for each numeric variable
    var x = {}, y = {};
    variables_to_draw.forEach(function(trait) {
      // Coerce values to numbers.
      data.forEach(function(d) { d[trait] = +d[trait]; });

      var value = function(d) { return d[trait]; },
          domain = [d3.min(data, value), d3.max(data, value)],
          range_x = [padding / 2, size - padding / 2],
          range_y = [padding / 2, size - padding / 2];

      x[trait] = d3.scale.linear().domain(domain).range(range_x);
      y[trait] = d3.scale.linear().domain(domain).range(range_y.reverse());
    });

    // When drilling, user select one or more variables. The first drilled
    // variable becomes the x-axis variable for all columns, and each column
    // contains only data points that match specific values for each of the
    // drilled variables other than the first.

    var drill_values = [];
    var drill_degrees = []
    drill_variables.forEach(function(variable) {
      // Skip first one, since that's just the x axis
      if (drill_values.length == 0) {
        drill_values.push([]);
        drill_degrees.push(1);
      }
      else {
        var values = [];
        data.forEach(function(d) {
          var v = d[variable];
          if (v !== undefined && values.indexOf(v) < 0) { values.push(v); }
        });
        values.sort();
        drill_values.push(values);
        drill_degrees.push(values.length);
      }
    });
    var total_columns = 1;
    drill_degrees.forEach(function(d) { total_columns *= d; });

    // Pick out stuff to draw on horizontal and vertical dimensions

    if (drill_variables.length > 0) {
      // First drill is now the x-axis variable for all columns
      x_variables = [];
      for (var i=0; i<total_columns; i++) {
        x_variables.push(drill_variables[0]);
      }
    }
    else
      x_variables = variables_to_draw.slice(0);

    if (drill_variables.length > 0) {
      // Don't draw any of the "drilled" variables in vertical dimension
      y_variables = [];
      variables_to_draw.forEach(function(variable) {
        if (drill_variables.indexOf(variable) < 0) { y_variables.push(variable); }
      });
    }
    else
      y_variables = variables_to_draw.slice(0);
    y_variables = y_variables.reverse();
    var filter_descriptions = 0;
    if (drill_variables.length > 1) {
      filter_descriptions = drill_variables.length-1;
    }

    // Formatting for axis
    var intf = d3.format('d');
    var fltf = d3.format('.f');
    var scif = d3.format('.1e');

    // Brush - for highlighting regions of data
    var brush = d3.svg.brush()
        .on("brushstart", brushstart)
        .on("brush", brush)
        .on("brushend", brushend);

    // Root panel
    var svg = container_el.append("svg:svg")
        .attr("width", label_height + size * x_variables.length + axis_width + padding + legend_width)
        .attr("height", size * y_variables.length + axis_height + label_height + label_height*filter_descriptions)
      .append("svg:g")
        .attr("transform", "translate("+label_height+",0)");

    // Push legend to the side
    var legend = svg.selectAll("g.legend")
        .data(colors)
      .enter().append("svg:g")
        .attr("class", "legend")
        .attr("transform", function(d, i) {
          return "translate(" + (label_height + size * x_variables.length + padding) + "," + (i*20+10) + ")";
        });

    legend.append("svg:circle")
        .attr("class", function(d, i) { return color_class(d); })
        .attr("r", 3);

    legend.append("svg:text")
        .attr("x", 12)
        .attr("dy", ".31em")
        .text(function(d) { return d; });

    var shorten = function (s) {
      if (s.length > 16)
        return s.slice(0, 12)+'...'+s.slice(s.length-8, s.length);
      return s;
    };

    var reshape_axis = function (axis, k) {
      if (self._is_numeric_str_key(k)) {
        var sk = self._str_to_numeric_key(k);
        axis.tickFormat(function(d) { return self.__string_variable_values[sk][d]; });
        if (self.__string_variable_values[sk].length < 10)
          axis.ticks(self.__string_variable_values[sk].length);
        else
          axis.ticks(2);
      }
      else
        axis.ticks(5)
            .tickFormat(function (d) {
                          if (Math.abs(+d) > 10000 || (Math.abs(d) < 0.001 && Math.abs(d) != 0)) { return scif(d); }
                          if (parseInt(d) == +d) { return intf(d); }
                          return fltf(d);
                        });
      return axis;
    };

    // Draw X-axis
    svg.selectAll("g.x.axis")
        .data(x_variables)
      .enter().append("svg:g")
        .attr("class", "x axis")
        .attr("transform", function(d, i) { return "translate(" + i * size + ",0)"; })
        .each(function(k) {
          var axis = reshape_axis(d3.svg.axis(), k);
          axis.tickSize(size * y_variables.length);
          d3.select(this).call(axis.scale(x[k]).orient('bottom'));
        });

    // Draw Y-axis
    svg.selectAll("g.y.axis")
        .data(y_variables)
      .enter().append("svg:g")
        .attr("class", "y axis")
        .attr("transform", function(d, i) { return "translate(0," + i * size + ")"; })
        .each(function(k) {
          var axis = reshape_axis(d3.svg.axis(), k);
          axis.tickSize(size * x_variables.length);
          d3.select(this).call(axis.scale(y[k]).orient('right'));
        });

    // Draw scatter plot

    var cell = svg.selectAll("g.cell")
        .data(cross(x_variables, y_variables))
      .enter().append("svg:g")
        .attr("class", "cell")
        .attr("transform", function(d) { return "translate(" + d.i * size + "," + d.j * size + ")"; })
        .each(plot);

    // Add titles for y variables
    cell.filter(function(d) { return d.i == 0; }).append("svg:text")
        .attr("x", padding-size)
        .attr("y", -label_height)
        .attr("dy", ".71em")
        .attr("transform", function(d) { return "rotate(-90)"; })
        .text(function(d) {
          var s = self.__numeric_variables.indexOf(d.y)+1;
          s = ''+s+': '+d.y;
          return shorten(s);
        });

    function plot(p) {
      // console.log(p);

      var data_to_draw = data;

      // If drilling, compute what values of the drill variables correspond to
      // this column.
      //
      var filter = {};
      if (drill_variables.length > 1) {
        var column = p.i;

        var cap = 1;
        for (var i=drill_variables.length-1; i > 0; i--) {
          var var_name = drill_variables[i];
          var var_value = undefined;

          if (i == drill_variables.length-1) {
            // for the last drill variable, we index by %
            var_value = drill_values[i][column % drill_degrees[i]];
          }
          else {
            // otherwise divide by capacity of subsequent variables to get value array index
            var_value = drill_values[i][parseInt(column/cap)];
          }

          filter[var_name] = var_value;
          cap *= drill_degrees[i];
        }

        data_to_draw = [];
        data.forEach(function(d) {
          var pass = true;
          for (k in filter) { if (d[k] != filter[k]) { pass = false; break; } }
          if (pass === true) { data_to_draw.push(d); }
        });
      }

      var cell = d3.select(this);

      // Frame
      cell.append("svg:rect")
          .attr("class", "frame")
          .attr("x", padding / 2)
          .attr("y", padding / 2)
          .attr("width", size - padding)
          .attr("height", size - padding);

      // Scatter plot dots
      cell.selectAll("circle")
          .data(data_to_draw)
        .enter().append("svg:circle")
          .attr("class", function(d) { return color_class(d); })
          .attr("cx", function(d) { return x[p.x](d[p.x]); })
          .attr("cy", function(d) { return y[p.y](d[p.y]); })
          .attr("r", 5);

      // Add titles for x variables and drill variable values
      if (p.j == y_variables.length-1) {
        cell.append("svg:text")
            .attr("x", padding)
            .attr("y", size+axis_height)
            .attr("dy", ".71em")
            .text(function(d) {
              var s = self.__numeric_variables.indexOf(d.x)+1;
              s = ''+s+': '+d.x;
              return shorten(s);
            });

        if (drill_variables.length > 1) {
          var i = 0;
          for (k in filter) {
            i += 1;
            cell.append("svg:text")
                .attr("x", padding)
                .attr("y", size+axis_height+label_height*i)
                .attr("dy", ".71em")
                .text(function(d) { return shorten(filter[k]+': '+k); });
          }
        }
      }

      // Brush
      cell.call(brush.x(x[p.x]).y(y[p.y]));
    }

    // Clear the previously-active brush, if any
    function brushstart(p) {
      if (brush.data !== p) {
        cell.call(brush.clear());
        brush.x(x[p.x]).y(y[p.y]).data = p;
      }
    }

    // Highlight selected circles
    function brush(p) {
      var e = brush.extent();
      svg.selectAll(".cell circle").attr("class", function(d) {
        return e[0][0] <= d[p.x] && d[p.x] <= e[1][0]
            && e[0][1] <= d[p.y] && d[p.y] <= e[1][1]
            ? color_class(d) : null;
      });
    }

    // If brush is empty, select all circles
    function brushend() {
      if (brush.empty()) svg.selectAll(".cell circle").attr("class", function(d) {
        return color_class(d);
      });
    }

    function cross(a, b) {
      var c = [], n = a.length, m = b.length, i, j;
      for (i = -1; ++i < n;) for (j = -1; ++j < m;) c.push({x: a[i], i: i, y: b[j], j: j});
      return c;
    }
  });

};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The Town initiated efforts in the winter of 2017 to develop a Manufactured Home Strategy to address the redevelopment threat of the manufactured home communities in Chapel Hill. The foundation for this strategy involved proactively engaging residents and owners of the Town's four manufactured home communities to develop potential solutions that are responsive to residents' needs and interests. After extensive engagement, the Town created Manufactured Home Strategy with four key components.
Engage manufactured home park residents, owners, potential developers and neighbors to create proactive solutions.
3. Identify potential sites for development of new housing.
4. Develop a coordinated plan to apply to any manufactured home community faced with redevelopment.
Provides an overview of the Manufactured Home Strategy and updates on our strategy implementation.
This report summarizes the Town's analysis of Town-owned properties that could be used for affordable housing development and serve as potential relocation of manufactured home and other low-income households facing displacement.


text:
Q: Finding the equation of aline in implicit form If I am given two points, (-2,0) and (0,-1), how do I find the equation of the line in implicit form that passes through these two points? Additionally, how do I convert that equation to point-normal form? i.e N * (x-p) = 0?

A: Let the equation of the line is $y=ax+b$.  When $x=0, y=-1$, $b=-1$.  Now we have the equation $y=ax-1$.  Now we substitute $x=-2, y=0$, $0=-2a-1$, and $2a=-1$, so $a=0.5$. We have the equation $y=0.5x-1$.


text:
BlackPeopleMeet Review 2020
BlackPeopleMeet creates an environment specially concentrated on an African-American dating scene. It's not just for black singles; regardless of your race, if you have a preference for African-American people, then this service might be exactly what you're looking for. This easy-to-use platform offers members some simple yet effective ways of finding and engaging with other like-minded individuals who are all looking for romance in one form or another.
When was BlackPeopleMeet Founded?
This site has been around for some time now. It began back in 2002 and has become a well-known contender in the online dating scene for an African-American demographic. Operating for nearly 20 years, it's no wonder BlackPeopleMeet has managed to create such a distinct name for itself.
Who Owns BlackPeopleMeet?
This platform is run by People Media, a company from Texas that owns 12% of the 50 highest-ranking dating sites. This company owns SingleParentMeet.com, BBPeopleMeet.com, CatholicPeopleMeet.com, LoveAndSeek.com, JPeopleMeet.com, and SeniorPeopleMeet.com. People Media is recognized as one of the top companies in niche dating.
Registration and Profile
Unlike with some sites, BlackPeopleMeet has a quick and easy sign-up procedure that will have you registered and ready to find romance in less than five minutes. When setting up your account, new users will go through five separate screens that will lead them through this process. While some sites ask for every bit of information they can get out of people, BlackPeopleMeet only asks for users' date of birth and zip code of the area where they live.
If you feel the need to share a bit about yourself, there is a biography section where users can tell other members some tantalizing details to get them hooked. Feel free to be as vague or descriptive as you wish. You'll also get to include a maximum of 30 pictures on any user profile. If you want to make things easier, you can directly bring in your photos from a Facebook account.
A nice aspect about this site is that every member gets to see every other member's uncensored profile photo without having to first make a match or upgrade to a paid membership. Unfortunately, users can only send messages to other people's profiles if they are on a paid subscription. Each member is provided with just shy of a dozen featured matches every day. You'll notice that on the right-hand side of the page, there's a selection of featured users who you're able to engage with straight away.
Instead of seeking someone directly, members can play a number of games to make matches. The "I'm Interested" game functions along the same lines as many of the "like or dislike" style apps that you're probably familiar with. When playing this game, users will find a stream of profile photos accompanied by the relative details such as another user's age, what area they live in, and when they last visited the site. This site also offers another similar game called "Who Do You Like" where people can choose between two plausible matches, or move on to the next set of profiles if neither of them caught attention.
How to Search for People on BlackPeopleMeet?
Whether you're a free member or you're on a paid subscription, you can use the search feature to find and browse any active users on the site. The search functionality works similarly to many other sites; just type what you're looking for in the search field and hit enter. However, you might get more out of this site by playing the matching games.
How to Delete BlackPeopleMeet Account?
Getting rid of your account is fairly straightforward. Simply click on a gear button at the right-hand side at the top of the page and select an option that says "My Account." After that, you can check out your account details by hitting "View Account Status" in the Account Status section. Here you choose whether you'd like to delete your profile.
For a niche dating site, BlackPeopleMeet currently has a strong user base of over five million members. Although there are users from many different locations around the world, almost 20% of this site's members reside in the United States. Roughly 90% of those who are just visiting this site are also in the US.
BlackPeopleMeet is the biggest dating platform for African-Americans who are looking to invigorate their love-life. Part of this site's success is due to the fact that it accommodates a specific demand in an online dating market. Other races are signed up with this site as well, so it's not only for black people, despite its name. There are around 30,000 members using this platform each week. The user percentage is split pretty evenly between men and women, but there are a bit more female members overall.
BlackPeopleMeet is mainly designed to bring people of the opposite sex together. However, users can search for same-sex profiles whenever they feel like it. There is also an option of choosing whether other users of the same gender can see your profile. If you decide that you only want users of the opposite sex to visit your profile, then same-sex members won't find your profile during their search.
This site fills a gap in the marketplace that has been neglected for years. Whether you are looking to make new friends, find someone to date with no strings attached, or start a new committed relationship, BlackPeopleMeet probably has someone who has the same goals in mind. Although this site is tailored towards African-American romance, all races are welcome to join. Regardless of your ethnic background, if you're interested in meeting up with African-American singles, you're sure to find someone who is right for you.
Whether you're looking for someone who shares the same religious views as you or hoping to hit it off with someone who has an entirely different take on things, you'll be glad to know that BlackPeopleMeet has a diverse collection of members from all walks of life. All beliefs are welcome, so feel free to express yourself openly and honestly when searching for the right match.
The cost for a premium membership at BlackPeopleMeet is pretty average in comparison with other online dating services. Signing up for a one-month subscription will cost you US$16.75 per month, a three-month subscription will cost $13.95 per month, and the cheapest package is the six-month subscription, which will set you back just $11.95 each month.
Users should be aware that initial subscription costs come with a once-off $3.99 processing charge. You can pay for your membership via cheque, credit card, or PayPal. It should also be noted that from time to time, BlackPeopleMeet offers a one week free trial period where users get to experience what it's like to be a premium member. To receive updates regarding when the trial period takes place, you'll need to go into your settings and make sure that the promotional notifications option is activated.
Setting up your account and your profile won't cost you anything. As a free member, you get to use the search function to browse through all valid profiles on this site. Profile photos can be seen by all users, and you'll also be able to flirt with members that you find attractive. Unfortunately, if you don't want to upgrade your account to a premium subscription, then you won't be able to send any messages to other users.
As a premium member, you will have a chance to enjoy this site's full functionality by using its several features. As well as being able to message other members, you will be able to view which users have classified you as a favorite and which members are flirting with you.
Premium members also have access to ProfilePro, a writing feature that employs a number of experienced writers to give your profile a makeover to make it more enticing. This can be a very helpful tool if you're drawing a blank when trying to figure out what to write about yourself.
PromoteMe is another attribute to help bring your profile to the attention of other members. Using PromoteMe will place you above other profiles in the match search results. Similarly, MatchMe is a feature that can be used to make your profile show up more frequently in users' featured matches.
There is also something called ConnectMe, which allows you to go further than simply messaging another user. Essentially it provides users with a temporary phone number so that they can call a potential match without having to worry about exposing their real-life phone number. This way, you can listen to what your possible match sounds like without disclosing any sensitive info.
How to Cancel BlackPeopleMeet Paid Subscription?
Premium members will have their contracts renewed autonomously. Similar to account deletion, if you're hoping to drop your subscription, you'll need to open up your settings by clicking the gear on the right-hand side at the top of the page, then select "My Account" and go to your Account Status. After you have chosen to "View Account Status," you'll need to select the option "More Account Status Changes," and from there, you can proceed to mark the "Remove Automatic Renewal" feature. Once you've done that, your subscription should be removed after your contract expires. However, there is a possibility that you'll still be billed for another fresh subscription. If this happens, then you'll need to get in touch with the cancellations office during working hours. You can see this site's contact information in the bottom section of this review.
Is BlackPeopleMeet Safe?
One thing you should know is that BlackPeopleMeet might have a few fake accounts here and there. This is because there isn't a particularly comprehensive sign-up process, and there's also no verification method to confirm a user's identity. Although that might be a bit off-putting, BlackPeopleMeet claims that their users' safety is always an important consideration. If you have a run-in with a dodgy profile, you can report this user to customer services.
There are numerous tools on your profile for you to use to describe who you are and what you're looking for. Even though the site allows filling out a range of fields to sell yourself better, not a lot of members make use of these features because these details aren't compulsory. In any case, the profile customization aspect for this site is fairly decent.
Because the sign-up process is so quick and easy, there is a small chance that some of the profiles you encounter might actually be fake. You'll also notice that there is no identity confirmation procedure, which increases the possibility of running into bogus accounts. Additionally, some of the staff working at BlackPeopleMeet will sometimes set up dummy profiles to test out various elements of the site.
The way the site is structured is simple and effective. One of the trickiest factors when it comes to running a website that has a certain amount of features is maintaining an elegant flow. The site's features are managed from one convenient navigation section on the left-hand side and the top of the page. This makes for a very basic and practical experience when finding your way around. You'll find that the search results, along with the various segments of your profile, will load up with ease. So, while BlackPeopleMeet does not have particularly outstanding features and functionalities, it does an excellent job of keeping things simple. Such simplicity is often more important than fancy perks because it makes the site comprehensive and user-friendly, even for people without advanced tech skills.
How does BlackPeopleMeet Work?
The platform is versatile, but its main focus is on connecting African-American singles. A quick sign-up means you can start browsing for a potential match in just a few minutes. Free members don't have a lot of access to the site's useful features, so if you're thinking of joining, then you should consider subscribing to a premium membership. Searching for members is free to all users, but as a premium member, you can also use features such as PromoteMe and MatchMe to increase the odds of finding a suitable match. You can also only message another member if you are on a paid membership. All in all, most dating sites that run on subscriptions have the same logic. While it is a bit disappointing that free users cannot do much with this site, these limitations also work against scam accounts. So, on the whole, BlackPeopleMeet does a good job of keeping its users entertained and safe.
There's no need to worry if you do a lot of traveling or don't own a desktop or laptop. The site should be accessible via your mobile's web browser. There is also a mobile app that you can get from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. The app version does not lose any of the important desktop features and ensures smooth, uninterrupted communication on the go. Anyone can download the BlackPeopleMeet app for free, but chatting will call for a paid subscription. Members can use both the desktop and the app version on one subscription, though — there is no additional charge for that.
Alternatives of BlackPeopleMeet
A few other sites you may want to check out are eHarmony, Elite Singles, and Christian Mingle. None of those examples specialize in black dating, but they target serious relationships and have plenty of users worldwide. Elite Singles, for example, places its main emphasis on having a degree, while Christian Mingle is faith-centered (which you probably guessed from its name).
There are also some other niche services similar to BlackPeopleMeet that are focused specifically on African-American dating. Take a look at BlackCupid.com and AfricanDate.com in case things aren't working out for you on BlackPeopleMeet. Both of these sites are operated by other companies but, essentially, they provide the same services and results.
BlackPeopleMeet seems to be an inclusive platform that offers a decent service for a particular market. It may be lacking in some areas, but overall, it delivers what it's designed to do. People Media is a big name in the world of niche online dating services, so you should feel comfortable knowing that your experience on one of their sites is bound to be fulfilling. BlackPeopleMeet is a secure place for black singles and other races to find love, friendship, or just a casual encounter. Most importantly, users do not need to be black to join. In fact, many BlackPeopleMeet users are fine with dating a non-black person. So, despite its clearly defined niche and focus, BlackPeopleMeet is not race-exclusive, and we thank them for it.
Company: PeopleMedia, Inc.
Address: PO. Box 12627 Dallas, TX 75225
Email: via website contact section
https://besthookupwebsites.net/blackpeoplemeet-review/BlackPeopleMeet
Profiles 700 000
BlackPeopleMeet users sign up here as well:
Diverse platform
Most members have similar goals
Fairly up-to-date approach to sexual preferences
Majority of member activity is in the US
Free members have limited functionality
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