I'm not the only person in my family who once authored a series. My sister wrote some books, too, at the same time that I was writing about Lisa and the Angels. I don't remember if her series had a theme (I think it was just about some random group of girls from L.A.) but I know the stories were classic! Someone fell down a hole in one of them. I remember that.
Anyway, I'm sad to say that NONE of my sister's stories seem to have survived the test of time. However, a few of her characters live on through Lisa and the Angels! That's right; there are at least three books between us that we wrote, which included some "special appearances" from each other's characters.
In The Singers (the long-lost book where Lisa and the Angels first performed in L.A.) they met my sister's characters for the first time. Then, her characters made a reappearance in this story that you're reading right now; PLUS my sister started writing what was more-or-less her own version of The Performance. It had the same "plot", only narrated from her characters' point-of-view.
Sorry, I don't know if any of that made sense! But if you're wondering who all the newbies in these next couple of chapters are, just know they appear courtesy of "mntill."
Lisa says we have to write in her journal. Lisa's not my boss, so I'm only doing it because I think it's a good idea.
It was five-ten in New York when we stepped out into Anaheim, but only two-ten in California!
I just love to travel!
"Attention, please. Our next station stop will be Anaheim. If you plan to detrain in Anaheim, please check the seats around you so you don't leave any personal belongings behind. Thank you for traveling on the Amtrak San Diegan."
Everybody in our group began to screech. We were on the seventh and final train, almost in ... Anaheim!
Quickly, I pulled out my little red pocket mirror and checked my appearance. My skin needed a tan like a man in the desert needs water, but the rest of my outer self looked pretty good for California. My short hair was smooth, straight, and -- lucky for me -- pale blonde. (As we all know, blonde hair is Prerequisite #1 for being a real California Girl...good thing Racquelle was based on a Barbie doll.) My blue eyes were twinkling, and my makeup was applied perfectly. I winked at my reflection.
"Put that mirror away, Racquelle," scolded Jennifer. "We've gotta gather up our luggage!"
"I'm so excited!" squealed Kathy, who was sitting beside me.
"Yes, me, too," I answered coolly. I folded my mirror and placed it back in my pocket.
Ten minutes later, we were stepping out into the hot, California sun. "Aahh," breathed Kathy. "The moment I've been waiting for."
The train station wasn't nearly as crowded as the one we left behind in Albany. Across the street, some supposedly famous baseball stadium stood tall. My friends tried to persuade me to run to the window and admire it with them, but I declined. California girls didn't care about sports, at least not the kind of California girl I hoped to become.
"It's lovely out here," I said to the cab driver as we cruised along. It really was. There were more hotels and restaurants than I'd anticipated, but the weather was warm, the palm trees were swaying, and the people all looked happy.
"Have you lived here a long time?" Leonard asked.
"Leonard Hope, you know very well that I live in New York..." I began.
"Not you, Racquelle," June hissed.
The taxi driver answered Leonard's question as he pulled into the parking lot of Stovall's Inn. He stopped, and I stepped out of the cab. The taxi driver handed me my bags.
"Thank you," I told him warmly.
The rest of the taxis drove up, and everybody gathered their luggage. Then we crowded into the lobby while Miss Jewell registered us.
"Look at this room," I commented when we entered it. "It's nice!" The room was decorated mainly in pink and gray. It held a table, three chairs, a desk, a dresser, two huge beds, a night table, and a big sink. On top of the sink sat a small freezer. On top of the dresser sat a television set, and on top of the table perched a phone. Off to the side was a bathroom with a shower.
"Homey," I said aloud. "And comfort-"
"Look!" cried Christie, interrupting me. "Free stuff!"
I gasped. Even though I come from a wealthy family, I just adore anything free. And sure enough, next to the sink was a little basket full of soap, cups, two plastic coffee mugs, some shower caps, shampoo, some plastic bags, and some sugar, cream, and coffee beans. All complimentary! Next to the basket, there was even a small coffee machine.
"I call the coffee machine!" I cried.
"Uh ... I'm sorry to disappoint you, Racquelle, but I don't believe it is free," Miss Jewell said gently.
"Why don't you check the drawers for more free things?" she suggested hurriedly.
I opened the night table drawer, and found a Bible that was not free. But in the desk drawer, there was a free bag full of free hotel stationery, two postcards, and two envelopes. And on the table I found a free TV guide, some coupons, and a guest directory. I even found a coupon for Venice Pizza on the floor.
The only other items I found that weren't free besides the Bible and coffee machine (and the furniture, of course) were three local phone books in the top dresser drawer. But that was okay. My roommates let me have two bars of soap, a shower cap, a bottle of shampoo, all the plastic bags (ooh, score, Racquelle!), two pieces of stationery, one of the postcards, one of the envelopes, and the guest directory!
I had not taken a shower since we left Albany (ew!), and I felt disgustingly grimy. But Cyndi hogged the shower first!
That made me mad. I decided not to fight, though. At least not until I had to.
I finally made it to the shower, and washed and washed. Afterwards, I realized I was exhausted. My poor, confused body had experienced all of the time zones in the continental states in just three days, and we kept on changing trains during sleeping hours. I put on one of my bright L.A.-type outfits and flopped onto the soft, comfortable bed I shared with Cyndi, where I immediately fell asleep.
I woke up to the sound of loud stomping above me. At first I thought it was my youngest (adopted!) siblings, Hobart and Lin. Then I remembered I was in California!
"What's going on?" I murmured.
"There's a school group here at the motel," Cyndi's voice answered. "They've been making noise all afternoon."
I sat up. "That's crazy! A school group? It's summertime!"
Cyndi, who was watching a movie on HBO, shrugged. "It's a school group. The desk manager told Miss Jewell."
Well, this did not make me very happy at all. I tried to ignore the constant stomping and shouting above me as I ate the delicious pizza Miss Jewell ordered from Venice Pizza with our coupon, and as we talked about our plans for the next day, and as we watched a movie, and even as I fell asleep. But it was nearly impossible.
When we returned to the motel, the noise had started up again. I was really losing my temper.
And before I knew it, I instinctively dashed outside and up the flight of stairs that led to the room above ours. I turned the knob of the door. It opened!
I had already gone this far, so I stuck my head in the doorway and yelled, "Stop making noise!"
A familiar voice answered, "Leave us alone, Racquelle ... wait a minute." I couldn't believe my eyes when a puzzled-looking ... Erin Heart appeared. "Racquelle!" she cried. "It is you! What are you doing here?"
Erin Heart is one of the good friends we made in L.A. last summer. (Here come my sister's characters!) Her friend Amy Asberg won a radio contest to meet us, and we met Erin and ten other girls through Amy. Just like Amy became my best California friend, Erin became Carrie's. They have a lot in common.
I tossed my hair over my shoulder and answered Erin. "I'm staying here in California for two weeks. With the group. We're performing at Disneyland."
"Wow!" she cried. "This is unbelievable! I'm staying in this motel for two weeks, too."
"Well ... well, great!" I exclaimed. This was pretty exciting news. "Want to see Carrie and everyone else?" I asked.
"Of course!" Erin cried. She got permission from her mother to come to our rooms. As we headed down there, I explained more about Lisa and the Angels' plans, and she told me about the trip that a small group at her school had earned for writing prize-winning essays or something. The school group was only staying for a week officially, but Erin, her mother and sisters, six of the friends we had made last summer, and three other girls would continue to stay in the motel to see other California attractions ... just like us!
I knocked regally on our door. Miss Jewell answered, a panicked expression on our face. "Racquelle," she scolded. "Don't you ever run off like th... oh, my! Erin Heart!"
"Miss Jewell," Erin replied, grinning.
"Come in, come in." Miss Jewell ushered us inside.
"Erin!" Cyndi cried from the bed. "What are you doing here?"
Erin explained about the school group. "Wow!" Cyndi exclaimed. "That's amazing! Lynn wrote and said a group from her school was going on a trip, but I never thought it would be to Disneyland ... much less, to our own motel!"
"Yeah, it's pretty cool," Erin agreed. "We couldn't afford to go to another state, or even to the Disneyland Hotel. But next week, Mom says we're gonna experience California from the eyes of a tourist. We're not even going home to see the other sights. It sounds really fun, all of the trip."
What was more exciting, we discovered, was that Erin's five-year-old sister Kristine was with her. Kristine had exchanged a few "letters" with Christie Wellman, and now they could meet!
"Do you want me to go get her, Amy, and the rest of them?" Erin asked.
"Yes!" Cyndi and I agreed enthusiastically.
"One more thing. Can you tell your school group to keep it down just a little?"
I can't believe it, not only Erin is here, but Amy, Debbie, Jennifer, Kristy, Liza, and Shari, too! It's too bad Katy, Lynn, Tara, Cheryl, and Marie couldn't come. Then it would have been just like last summer!
Still, there's some great other people, including Shari's sister Michelle. She's terrific! I'm just surprised any of them are here!
Meeting up with our old friends delayed us a little, what with Racquelle, Kathy, Lisa, Jennifer, and I joining our best friends from last summer, and Cyndi meeting Michelle. Becca even reunited with Jennifer Worness, who was actually her childhood best friend!
When Cyndi told me about all our old friends, I was just shocked. But I recovered quickly.
Racquelle met up with Amy Asberg. Kathy and Lisa found their friends, Kristy O'Hara and Liza Martineez, in a room together. Christine decided to visit Debbie Rogers. (Christine's friend Katy Olsen wasn't with the school group, either, but Christine and Debbie had met in L.A. and liked each other.) Cyndi's friend Lynn Garcia was also missing from the group, but Cyndi decided to meet Shari Ashley's sister Michelle, who we hadn't met last year. (So she just bursts in Michelle's room all, "Hi, I'm Cyndi, let's hang out!"?) Jennifer found Shari, who had been her good friend. And Becca happily discovered her very old friend, Jennifer Worness. Even Christie met up with Erin's sister Kristine!
Erin, Christie, Kristine, and I crowded into the hotel room that Erin and Kristine shared with their mom and their three-year-old sister, Emily. We started a wonderful conversation about Disneyland.
"Are you gonna go on Space Mountain?" Erin asked me.
I nodded emphatically, being Lisa and the Angels' resident roller-coaster freak. Erin grinned. "Me, too!"
"But that's not the best part," I said slyly. Erin's grin widened. She knew what I was thinking.
"Disneyland probably holds thousands of boys," she began.
"Girls!" Mrs. Heart called from the adjoining bathroom.
"We're leaving now. Would you like Carrie and Christie to walk around with us?"
"Yeah!" Erin cried. She looked at me. "I mean, if that's okay..."
Mrs. Heart smiled warmly. "I'll go ask Marianne Jewell if you two can come with us."
About five minutes later, she returned. "I hope you have your foot spray on, girls, and walking shoes," she announced. "We're taking off."
The five of us cheered, quickly sprayed on some foot spray, and let the younger girls use the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, we were staring into the gates of Disneyland!
"Donald Duck, Mommy, Donald Duck!"
We were strolling down Main Street, the first area of Disneyland. The little kids were going crazy, and I couldn't blame them. It was truly an enchanting place!
"Can we buy a magic trick, Mommy?" Kristine asked.
"We want to go on Space Mountain!" Erin whined.
"Okay," said Mrs. Heart. "Space Mountain it is! We'll go shopping later, Kris."
I looked down at our map. "Space Mountain is in .. Tomorrowland!" I announced.
Tomorrowland was nearby, and easy to find. Space Mountain was located right next to Star Tours. Since it was still fairly early, the line wasn't too long. We rode up an escalator-like thing to the top of the "mountain", which was really a little building. Then we entered the building, and walked down a ramp. It took about twenty more minutes, but finally we were boarding our cars.
"Aughh!" Emily suddenly screamed. "No ride, Mommy! No ride!"
"Oh, dear." Mrs. Heart looked embarrassed. "Well, I don't think Emily fits the height requirement, anyway. I'd better take Christie and Kristine, too."
She and the little kids left just in the nick of time. The ride began the second they disappeared! It was, surprisingly, pretty slow at first.
"Whoa," I said to Erin. "This isn't like I thought it would be! It ..."
All of a sudden, we sped up to lightning pace! It was so cool ... it really felt like we were zooming through outer space.
Erin's mom and the girls were waiting outside the building. "Like it?" Mrs. Heart asked.
We answered with enthusiastic reviews. She smiled. "Good. Well, it's already time for lunch. Where do you want to go?"
We ended up getting sandwiches at a place called The Carnation Ice Cream Shop. They were delicious!
I was walking along, thinking about how pleasant this trip was, when I noticed something that made my heart flutter. "Look, Erin!" I hissed, pointing to the Star Tours line.
She stared, open-mouthed. "Whoa, baby!" she finally managed.
"Babe" was a good word to describe both of the ... identical twin boys we were gawking at. Blonde, with piercing green eyes, they looked about my age, and just a little older than Erin!
Erin turned to her mother. "Uh ... Mom? Would you mind if we went off on our own for awhile?"
Mrs. Heart smiled knowingly. "Tired of the kids, huh? That's fine, girls. Just meet me back in one hour, at Sleeping Beauty Castle."
"Ok!" we agreed. We hurried to the end of the Star Tours line, before anyone could block us from the babes.
"Oh, Carrie!" Erin squealed. "I just love this ride! Don't you?"
I gave her a strange look. "I've never even been on ..." She nudged me. I got the point. "Oh, yes. This is my very favorite!"
I knew Erin was using my fame, but in this case, I didn't mind. Anyway, it worked! The boys turned around.
"Hi," one of them said. "I'm Bruce Reese. This is my brother, Brian." Brian grinned. Bruce continued. "Are you, by any chance, Carrie of Lisa and the Angels?"
"Sure am," I replied. "This is my friend, Erin Heart."
Bruce smiled at Erin. Brian smiled at me. I smiled back. I was melting.
"Wanna go on Star Tours with us?" Brian asked.
"You'll let us?" Erin teased.
Suddenly, a snotty voice said, "Move forward, you boy-crazy girls and girl-crazy boys!"
I turned, and was surprised to see that it was Racquelle. She was standing with Amy Asberg, two other girls, two boys, and a woman -- the members of the school group Amy had been assigned to walk around with.
I rolled my eyes, and obeyed. "Is that Racquelle?" Brian whispered in my ear.
I grinned, and whispered back, "How did you know?"
Star Tours was a pretty cool ride. Afterwards, the four of us exited the building, talking and laughing.
Brian and Bruce asked if they could treat us to a snack. We had just eaten, but we agreed, anyway.
As I sat across the table, gazing into Brian's eyes, I felt something happening inside me. (We don't want to know, Carrie.) He was a little quiet, but he was the nicest guy I had met in ages.
When we finished the food, Bruce said, "Carrie and Brian, do you mind if Erin and I go off on our own?"
"We have to meet my mom in ten minutes," Erin added. "But I know she won't care."
Brian looked at me. "I certainly don't mind, Carrie. Do you?"
That was a silly question. Of course I didn't mind! I was in love again!
Only a few chapters left of this one before it comes to an abrupt end. Up next -- Miss Jewell gets all dictatorish, and Lisa and the Angels perform!
Are you sure Racquelle is based on a Barbie doll? Because she sounds more like a 70-year-old woman. Hoarding free goods? Getting unnecessarily crotchety in line? Uh-HUH.
Also, for a "wealthy" person, she seems bizarrely unfamiliar with hotels.
I do not remember that series having any sort of name or rhyme or reason. sadly it beyond was more developed as a bunch on dolls than on paper. i remember shari ashley had a book that was only about 20 pages called "Coming to America" (because she moved from Australia because I loved Rick Astley but thought his last name was Ashley at the time), and Debbie Rogers lived with just a dad and even thought I for some reason remember imagining her with a brown curly perm she was supposed to be like Mary from the Parent Trap 2, and I THINK Michelle Ashley was some "Albert Ingalls" that did NOT come from Australia, but somehow oh-so-realistically ended up living with the Ashleys (this heart-tugging backstory beyond only happened while playing dolls,although she had some about 8-page story where she went to camp; a faux Anne Wellman younger sister named Carolyn for some reason had a started story called Carolyn's Class Court, where she would have played a judge); Amy Asberg was that same Barbie Doll as Jennifer Owens and was oh-so-originally a rich, reformed snob (that's why she liked Racquelle), Kristy was needlessly a year older than people like Shari and was supposed to be all comedic, Jennifer Wornes was "cool" (but starved, and also needlessly a year older), Marie Yamstizankee was part of a dance duo called It Takes Two and they competed on Star Search (and you had some long, LONG lost story about a dance team called Kevin and Lisa who met them); Erin Heart was a child actress (and if it had been a series, I believe she would have first appeared in a book 3 or something). Her sisters Kristine and Emily MiGhT have been adopted and I think they were the ones to fall in a hole (this being in addition to the characters in my diary falling in a hole). Even I thought characters like Lynn Garcia and Katy Olsen were all boring..


text:
Q: Insert XML element using XSLT in exisiting node

I have the following XML document:
<root someAttribute="someValue" />

Now I want to add a tag using XSLT, so that the document will look like this:
<root someAttribute="someValue">
  <item>TEXT</item>
</root>

If I repeat to use the XSLT once more it should just add another item:
<root someAttribute="someValue">
  <item>TEXT</item>
  <item>TEXT</item>
</root>

It sound's so easy, does it not? Here is the best I got after trying a ton of things:
<xsl:stylesheet xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform" version="1.0" >
    <xsl:param name="message" />

    <xsl:output method="xml" encoding="utf-8"/>

        <xsl:template match="/*">
        <xsl:copy>
            <xsl:copy-of select="*"/>
            <item>
                <xsl:value-of select="$message" />
            </item>
        </xsl:copy>
    </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

It does /nearly/ what I have asked for, except that it "forgets" the attributes of the root element. I have found a number of other solutions here on stackoverflow and elsewhere that have in common with my solution that they loose the attributes of the root element. How can I fix that?

A: You're currently transforming only child nodes, not attributes.
<xsl:template match="root">
    <xsl:copy>
        <xsl:copy-of select="node()|@*"/> <!-- now does attrs too -->
        <item>
            <xsl:value-of select="$message" />
        </item>
    </xsl:copy>
</xsl:template>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


When back-to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria hit the Caribbean in September, they left a broad swath of damage across the tourist-friendly islands there. Less than six months later, they are again ready to welcome vacationers, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Here is the latest update from the most affected islands, but be aware that the recovery is a work in progress and hotel opening dates are not carved in stone. It's a good idea to call before you book.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are open for business, but as with all the hurricane-lashed islands, travelers should do the research before booking a trip. While online booking is still available for most accommodations, if there are any doubts, make a phone call and request photos of the property to ensure all is well.
Power has been restored to 98 percent of the U.S. Virgin Islands; airports on St. Thomas and St. Croix are operating; and cruise ship calls to St. Thomas have returned to pre-hurricane levels.
However, on islands where the airports were heavily damaged, airline schedules may still be in flux, and even passengers with confirmed tickets should reconfirm and frequently check flights.
On St. Thomas, the Marriott Frenchman's Cove reopened Feb. 16, although repairs are ongoing. Others that are open include the Wyndham Margaritaville Vacation Club, Emerald Beach Resort, the Windward Passage Hotel, and the Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Villas. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is to reopen in June.
On St. John, all roads, trails and beaches at the Virgin Islands National Park reopened in December. Among the places that are currently open are Grande Bay Resort, Gallows Point Resort, Estate Lindholm, Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel, and the Sea Shore Allure.
On St. Croix, pictured, the Caravelle Hotel & Casino is closing April 30 for repairs from Hurricane Maria's damage and will reopen Sept. 1. During that time the casino and RumRunners Restaurant will remain open. Others on St. Croix that are also open include The Buccaneer, Club Comanche, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Arawak Bay The Inn at Salt River, and Cottages by the Sea.
More information is available at usviupdate.com.
Electricity has been restored to 85 percent of the islands' population, with full power scheduled for April. Major damage to the water distribution network has affected some areas that rely on the public water supply, but tourism businesses usually have a backup water supply.
Reconstruction and hotel reopenings will continue into 2019, with a total of 400 rooms on the islands and 1,000 berths on yachts currently available.
The Anegada Beach Club reopened Feb. 1. Scrub Island Marina will open its doors again in March, with the resort and spa to follow in July. Oil Nut Bay on Virgin Gorda will begin taking villa reservations in March, although its marina, beach club, restaurant and resort amenities reopened in December.
The Sugar Mill Hotel & Restaurant, pictured, will reopen by April 1, and the Cooper Island Beach Club will open its doors again sometime in April. The BVI Sailing Regatta is scheduled for March 26 to April 1. The BVI Tourist Board is offering a promotion that includes a four-night stay for the price of three at select properties during visits between Feb. 15 and April 15 (bvitourism.com/i-love-anegada; use code ANGW18).
More information is available at bvitourism.com.
Two countries on one island, St. Maarten and St. Martin are both bouncing back from the hurricanes' destruction. St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, has seen electricity restored to 95 percent of the country, and telecommunications have been almost fully restored, said acting tourism minister Cornelius de Weever.
While recovery efforts continue at the harbor, cruise ships are docking, and the airport is open, with its departure lounge in a new provisional structure and a provisional arrival pavilion scheduled to open in March, he said. Currently, the arrival lounge is under a tent. The main terminal of the airport is scheduled to reopen later this year.
In November, the newest attraction on St. Maarten opened: the Rainforest Adventures' Rockland Estate eco-park, which includes the Flying Dutchman, pictured, touted as the world's steepest zip line, and the Soualiga Sky Explorer chairlift. Emilio's restaurant is a new addition to St. Maarten's culinary options, de Weever said.
There are currently 27 accommodations open, totaling 669 units, while 36 others will begin reopening in the coming weeks and months. Belair Beach Hotel is tentatively reopening in March, while the Sea Palace Resort hopes to open its doors again April 1.
The annual Heineken Regatta will take place March 1 to 4, and the St. Maarten Carnival is scheduled for April 12 to May 3.
In St. Martin, the French side of the island, Grand Case Airport is operational, and more than 60 restaurants are open, as are about 300 hotel rooms, with at least 10 more hotels scheduled to reopen before the end of 2018. Hotel La Plantation in Orient Bay will have a partial reopening on April 16.
More information is available at vacationstmaarten.com and st-martin.org.
St. Barth continues to recover with all beaches cleaned and open since November; electricity and water restored to the entire island; and internet and cellphone service widely available. The airport is operating.
WIMCO Villas, a rental and concierge services company, has over 60 percent of its villa portfolio, more than 600 rooms, available for rent. The Hotel Christopher St. Barth reopened Feb. 20, while the Manapany Hotel and Villa Marie Saint-Barth will reopen in March.
The government reports that 49 restaurants are open as are many shops. The St. Barth's Bucket Regatta is scheduled for March 15 to 18, and Les Voiles de St. Barth regatta runs April 8 to 14.
More information is available at saintbarth-tourisme.com/en.
Islanders continue the recovery effort, with electricity and water completely restored. The new year began with the grand opening of the nine-unit Quintessence Hotel in Long Bay and its classic French restaurant, Julian's. Zemi Beach House, pictured, reopens this month, followed by Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla in March and The Reef by CuisinArt on April 1.
Anguilla has more than 20 attractions currently operating, while the Aqua Park will reopen in March.
The airport is operating only during daylight hours. As a result of the hurricane, Anguilla is making improvements to its air and sea facilities. The Blowing Point ferry terminal was demolished to allow construction of a new facility.
More information is available at irma.ivisitanguilla.com.
Pounded by Hurricane Maria, Dominica's hotels only began reopening on Jan. 1, with 388 of the country's 960 rooms now available to tourists. On Feb. 8, a groundbreaking was held for the 120-room Anichi Resort and Spa in Portsmouth, expected to open in late 2019.
The first major cruise ship to call on Dominica (and the first call on Roseau Cruise Ship Berth) since Hurricane Maria was the MV Mein Schiff 3 of TUI Cruises in January. It's expected to return five more times this cruise season.
More information is available at discoverdominica.com.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center reopened in November, and as of December most major resorts were open. Club Med Turkoise reopened earlier this year. Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, pictured, which sustained damage during Hurricane Irma, opened Dec. 14 after renovations and the addition of the Bombay Club, an Indian restaurant, said Cathy Decker, a spokeswoman for Sandals, a resort company.
More information is available at turksandcaicostourism.com.
Antigua sailed through both hurricanes with minimal damage, but Barbuda was slammed by Hurricane Irma. Fewer than 20 percent of the 1,800 Barbuda residents who evacuated to Antigua after the storm have returned. Few homes have been reconnected to the electrical grid. However, construction is to begin later this year on actor Robert De Niro's $250 million Paradise Found resort. There are also plans for a new airport on Barbuda.
More information is available at visitantiguabarbuda.com.
Puerto Rico had catastrophic damage in Hurricane Maria, but at this point, electricity has been restored to 83.6 percent of the island, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, while 98.8 percent has drinkable water. All the island's airports are operational, and there are more than 120 Puerto Rico Tourism Co.-endorsed hotels open, along with hundreds of family-run inns, called paradores, and Airbnb listings.
At Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort, Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve, El San Juan Hotel and others, 2,670 additional rooms are being revamped, with the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar anticipating a March reopening. The island will be adding 3,800 more rooms to its inventory by 2019, a 25 percent increase.
Puerto Rico has more than 120 tourist attractions up and running, along with 13 golf courses and 15 casinos. Cruise operations resumed less than three weeks after the hurricane.
More information available at seepuertorico.com.
Visit Brooklyn Children's Museum, more NYC weekend picks Our picks for what to see and do in the city. 5 girlfriend getaways close to LI, NYCA perfect birthday celebration, bachelorette weekend or mini college reunion for girlfriends doesn't have to require a lot of planning or long-distance travel.


text:
Tag Archives: Mobile
Wander the World with the Fonebud W at CES 2018
January 30, 2018 ces, Interview, smartphone, Special Media, video, wifices, CES2018, Interview, Mobile, smartphone, video, wifiAndrew
Mobile data charges abroad can be prohibitively expensive and tethering for wifi burns through the phone's battery. The new Fonebud W wireless hotspot solves this problem for over 80 countries worldwide. Don chats with Dixon about the features of this new device.
Using your home SIM while in a foreign land typically ends with a large bill when you get back, though seasoned travellers will have a pocketful of SIMs for local telcos. Mind you, it's still a pain making sure that your smartphone is unlocked and forwarding your calls to your new number (unless you have a dual SIM phone). A much better solution would be the upcoming Fonebud W personal WiFi hotspot which works in over 80 countries, particularly in Asia and China. The 10,000 mAh battery will run the Fonebud W for well over a day and can be used to wirelessly charge a smartphone. Yes, it has a wireless charger built-in, though you can still charge with a cable. The small LED screen shows details of connectivity and battery life.
The Fonebud W will be available in Q2 2018 and will cost US$129-$169 including 24 GB data which is valid for a year.
Don Baine is the Gadget Professor and gives lectures at TheGadgetProfessor.com.
https://media.blubrry.com/geeknewscentral/p/media.blubrry.com/tpnlive/p/content.blubrry.com/tpnlive/CES2018-Live-DB-fonebud.mp4
July 30, 2017 review, Samsung, smartphoneMobile, review, SamsungAndrew
The Samsung DeX Station converts a Galaxy S8 or S8+ smartphone into a desktop computer. Plop the S8 in the DeX, plug in a keyboard and mouse, hook up a TV, and you're set with Android on the big screen. That's the theory, what about in practice? Let's take a look.
The DeX hardware is circular device, about 10 cm across, with a top surface that sweeps smoothly back and up to reveal the USB C connector for the smartphone.
Around the base are two USB 2 ports, a full-size HDMI socket, a 100 Mb/s network connector and a USB C for powering the DeX.
Getting setup is simplicity itself. Connect all the hardware up and slot the phone in. There's no additional software to add as it's all built-in to the S8 and the DeX itself. I used a wireless keyboard and mouse combo connecting to a USB transmitter. The TV connected to the HDMI port with a cable and I used the WiFi on the S8 for networking.
When the S8 is placed in the DeX, a prompt appears asking whether to start DeX or to only mirror the S8 screen. Choosing the former gets the DeX desktop in its full HD glory and it looks convincing. But what's it really like?
Let's start with the positives…the DeX desktop is what you'd expect an Android desktop to be like, using familiar apps in a windowed world. It's fast and all the apps on the phone are available through DeX. Google Maps works and it's perfect for YouTube and web browsing. Samsung promotes DeX-optimised apps via its app store.
But while many apps seemed to be quite happy with DeX and run in both full screen and windowed modes, some apps don't like DeX and display as if they are on the S8 in portrait. This is frustrating and while this could be expected for games like Monument Valley, it seems odd that Netflix can't cope – surely this would be seen as a "must have" by Samsung? Some apps don't have all the necessary controls either – it's tricky to pinch-to-zoom with only a mouse pointer.
Of course, games players and movie watchers aren't the target audience for DeX. Samsung see this as a tool for business and promote the benefits of Microsoft apps and Office365 in the literature. For example, instead of a lugging a laptop for a presentation, take DeX, plug it into the data projector and you're sorted. Need to do a quick bit of editing? Steal a desk, connect up DeX, fire up Word and you're working.
Where DeX also scores well is with VDIs (Virtual Desktop Infrastructures) like Citrix. Connect through to your office backend to run a virtual Windows PC and you can be working as if you are at your own desk. From that point of view, it's slick. While DeX isn't going to replace a laptop on an extended business trip, it makes sense for a short visit when you want to travel light.
Pricewise, the DeX station has an RRP of GB£129, though it's already discounted by £40 in several online stores. It's still a percentage on top of the S8 and S8+.
Overall, DeX does what it sets out to do and the key question here is not about the technology. It's whether Samsung's vision and the DeX Station match your way of working. YMMV, as they say.
AT&T Launches Stream Saver for Mobile Data Customers
April 4, 2017 AT&TAT&T, Mobile, Stream SaverShawn Thorpe
Everyone wants more data. Especially mobile users. The obvious solution would be for telcos to just give everyone unlimited data. But, they're not ready to do that just yet. That's why AT&T launched its new Stream Saver program for mobile video:
Stream Saver allows you to watch more video on your wireless devices while using less data by streaming content that it recognizes as video at Standard Definition quality, similar to DVD, (about 480p), so you can enjoy more of what you love on your smartphone or tablet. You will have control over which lines on your account use Stream Saver and can turn it off or on at any time once AT&T activates it.
(Why anyone would turn Stream Saver off is beyond me.) Stream Saver is automatically available for most AT&T customers:
Stream Saver will be added to existing and new customers on many of our postpaid rate plans that include data. It will be included on AT&T Unlimited Plus, Mobile Share Advantage, Mobile Share Value, and Mobile Share plans, the prior AT&T Unlimited Plan, the AT&T 1GB Tablet Plan, AT&T 1GB Car Plan, our Unlimited Data plan, and other select plans. Some specific plans such as select connected vehicles are not eligible.
AT&T also notes that Stream Saver will be available to GoPhone users with existing data plans. However, the service may not be available on all business accounts.
Stream Save is available at no extra cost to customers. I'm guessing AT&T implemented this plan in reaction to aggressive freebies offered by competitors like T-Mobile. I also wonder if Stream Saver allows AT&T to shape this video-based data in some way that makes it more efficient on their end. Either way, if you're an AT&T mobile customer, you can now watch the latest season of your favorite TV show without it eating thru your data plan.
Link Mini NAS and Wireless Hotspot from Fasetto at CES
January 3, 2017 Bluetooth, ces, mobile, storage, Streaming, travel accessories, wifi, wirelessbluetooth, ces, Fasetto, Mobile, storage, streaming, travel, wifiAndrew
Fasetto are making good on their promises from last year's CES with the announcement of the Fasetto Link, a palm-sized pocket NAS and communications hotspot. Building on the Fasetto's cross-platform cloud storage, the Link is a 2″ by 1″ cuboid, packing in a maximum of 2 TB of storage and a range of communication technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth and LTE. The modular design is powered by a Linux-driven Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7420 2.1 GHz processor.
The Link is designed for an adventurous life from the start with a water and temperature-resistant shell that should protect the owner's data from the frozen tundra to the odd cycle in a washing machine. It's water resistant to 45 ft (IP68) with an expected battery life of 5 hours going full pelt but there's no detail on operating temperature. There's an optional battery pack that clips onto the Link for additional time. The Link can be discreetly attached to D-rings and or kept out of sight inside a bag.
"Link combines the most powerful commercially-available hardware with an incredibly sleek, but tough, design," said Coy Christmas, co-founder and CEO, Fasetto. "In Link, we now have a living storage and communications device and platform that lets you stream, store and share all of your digital files through one secure location that can survive almost anything."
In addition to the physical protection, Link has "custom-developed reform security software, user permissions and multiple layers of hardware and software encryption giving users a high degree of security and control over their data." That's reassuring given how much data could potentially be stored in in 2 TB.
If you are wondering what you might do with this, imagine that you've taken loads of digital photographs but you are in the back end of nowhere. Rather than try to transfer or backup all the high quality digital photos across non-existent LTE, the photos can be stored more quickly on the Link's storage via wifi, and then made available to other devices in the local area. That's a fairly tame example as the octacore processor has plenty of power to record extreme sports or stream multiple HD video feeds.
Fasetto Link was named a CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree in four categories, including Wireless Handset Accessories, Computer Hardware and Components, Software and Mobile Apps and Computer Accessories.
GNC and CES followers will recall that Luke Malpass from Fasetto was interviewed as part of the coverage last year and Link availability was expected for Q4 2014. This is has been revised to Spring 2017. Prices start at US$349 for a 256 GB version up to US$1,149 for the 2 TB version. More details at Link's shop where pre-orders can be placed.
If you are attending CES, pop in to see Link in action at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, stand 16734 from 5-7 January 2017.
The Future of the Smartphone, a Pocket Appliance
December 9, 2015 mobile, smartphoneappliance, Mobile, smartphone, Technologytomwiles
There's an article that has been making the rounds the past couple of days or so stating that the smartphone will be a dead product category within five years. The premise of the article seems to be based on a consumer "study" that consists of interviewing a bunch of consumers and what is on their personal technological wish lists.
The smartphone as we know it isn't going away any time soon. As an ultimate and matured convergence device, the vital functions smartphones are now being used for cannot and will not be replaced by some vague "machine learning" unspecified magic technology that will somehow suddenly appear and take over. At risk of being a stick in the mud, the real world doesn't work that way. Forms can change, but basic needs that those forms fulfill remain stable.
For one small personal example, I frequently have to send business documents to my company. Back in the old days, this involved putting paperwork into pre-addressed, pre-paid postage company envelopes and dropping them into a mailbox, ultimately hoping they did not get lost in the mail. Later on, it evolved into companies that would overnight the paperwork back to the office. The next step in the evolution involved scanners hooked to computers with data connections. The final step in this evolution involves smartphones. I simply use a special dedicated smartphone app that takes a picture of each document, automatically corrects for the inevitable skewed image distortions, and turns the document photo into a black and white image that you would swear was scanned in a traditional scanner hooked to a computer. It packages these documents together, asks for a bit of additional identifying numbers, and then instantly sends the documents off to the company. I get an instant email receipt notification on the same smartphone letting me know the documents were successfully delivered to my company. This sort of functionality cannot and will not be replaced by some sort of pie-in-the-sky neural interface or voice-activated clothing. Let's get real.
I recently purchased a new kitchen range that cost about the same amount as a high-end smartphone. Kitchen ranges have been around forever. They have had multiple doses of technology applied to their functions in an attempt to reinvent and reinvigorate the product category. Even with this injection of microprocessor technology, kitchen ranges are still appliances. Millions of people have to buy them, and they come in a wide variety of forms, from the low end to the high end, as fashionable and as expensive as you want. But they are still appliances. When was the last time you got excited by your microwave oven? Thought so.
Smartphones are rapidly in the process of turning into pocket appliances. They are extremely useful, and almost everyone you see has one and is constantly interacting with it. Nonetheless, it is turning into just an appliance.
Home appliances have varying lifespans that can kick out to 20 or 30 years depending on the quality of the item. As a pocket appliance, smartphones are under a lot more physical stress and need to be replaced much more frequently than refrigerators, cook stoves and washing machines.
It turns out that always having a high-quality internet-connected camera/computer in one's pocket is incredibly useful. "Machine learning" isn't going to replace that camera, nor will it replace the constant necessity to look up people, places and things and interact directly with them in real time during the day.
Five years from now, smartphones will still be around in very much the same forms they are today. It is likely we will be on average be keeping them longer. No longer a novelty, they are just a necessary appliance that will require periodic replacement.
Time to get those clothes out of the washer and put them in the dryer.
The Mobile App Gap
November 21, 2015 Android, application, iOS, mobile, SoftwareAndroid, applications, Apps, desktop, Free, IOS, Laptop, Mobile, paid, Softwaretomwiles
The history of mobile applications dates back to simple games such as Snake, Pong, Tetris, and Tic-Tac-Toe included with candy bar phones.
As phones became "smarter," Windows Mobile phones of the mid-2000's and others included the ability to install third-party software, both paid and free.
Next came the era of the high noise level platform app stores that we know and love/hate today. There are tons of both free and paid apps. Some apps are useful to accomplish very specific, pointed tasks with high efficiency. Others apps are arguably less than useless. The good and the bad, the useful and the useless are packaged together in a cacophony of brightly-colored graphics and flowery sales language, all on equal footing and demanding attention. App discovery is often painful, unpleasant and risks device app bloat.
Mobile device ownership and management requires a learning curve. In phase one, the mobile device novice is at high risk of downloading seemingly every app encountered, while actually making use of very little of that which has been installed.
Phase two of the learning curve is typically marked by out of storage memory errors.
Phase three requires the user to decide which useless apps should be deleted so that the mobile device can continue to be updated and/or functional. When deleting apps, there is a tendency for the user to hang on to installed apps if there's even the most remote of chances that the user might conceivably use the app.
The key test to determine whether a particular app should simply be deleted is to ask yourself whether or not you would reinstall it after a factory reset.
It should be noted that apps that the user has paid for will tend to have a higher psychological value placed on them, regardless of whether they are actually useful or not.
In this noisy mobile app jungle, where crap is right alongside cream, people are trying to squeeze the most out of their mobile devices, to extract the maximum productivity.
Mobile devices make great content consumption devices. Proof is all around us. At any given moment when people are around, how many of those people are absorbed with their mobile devices?
As mobile devices become ever more powerful, the next step in the evolution of the mobile device usage learning curve is revolving around increasing demand to accomplish real-world productivity tasks. While some productivity tasks can be accomplished, others are difficult or impossible – not because of computing power limitations – after all, today's mobile devices often have quite powerful processors – no, because of software limitations.
Mobile device operating systems have grown larger and more sophisticated along with the more powerful processors. However, there is a problem plaguing both iOS and Android in the form of an app gap. Apps are wannabe pretenders when it comes to genuine software sophistication. No mobile device apps can compare on equal footing with desktop computer software. Both major platforms – iOS and Android – suffer from this problem.
There is nothing stopping software vendors from developing highly sophisticated mobile software, other than the fact that it's typically just not worth it. For whatever reason, mobile device owners have a pervasive "it has to be free or very low cost" mentality. We are willing to spend upwards of a thousand dollars or even more for a high end mobile device, but balk at the idea of having to pay more than a few dollars for single apps.
If you have ever tried to push a mobile device to better take advantage of its powerful processing capabilities, you quickly run into a problem. Go beyond a certain level of task sophistication, and the apps typically fall flat very quickly. The ultimate test for mobile apps is to take a mobile device and plug it in to a 1080p or higher monitor. Attach a keyboard and if it's an Android device, attach a mouse or trackpad. Try to use the mobile device and the installed apps like you would a full computer. For example, try to push the experience to its limits by editing a long, complex video and see how well it goes. The mobile software will play back high resolution videos without any trouble at all, but try to do something really productive and things quickly fall apart. The problem isn't the processor, but the software.
The mobile app gap situation doesn't look as if it will improve anytime soon. In the meantime, as mobile device owners and users there are a lot of questions we should be asking ourselves.
How much are you willing to pay for mobile device apps? What has been your experience? Have you ever paid for an app and then realized later that it was a waste of money? What is the most you have ever paid for a mobile app and why?
Why are people willing to pay sometimes hundreds of dollars for sophisticated commercial desktop class software without batting an eye, yet close their wallets when it comes to paid apps for mobile devices? Do people perceive mobile devices to have as big of a potential payoff as a desktop or laptop? If mobile computing devices don't have the same payoff potential as a desktop or laptop, then why not? What is the difference between the two systems? What can be done to increase the potential payoff value of mobile computing devices?
Angry Birds 2 hits 30 million downloads
August 14, 2015 GamingAngry Birds 2, Gaming, Mobile, RovioAlan
Angry Birds 2 is now on the market and, like any Rovio game, it's proving popular. The latest in a long series of hit titles from the Finnish company, the game is quickly becoming another success.
The company has announced numbers for the game since its launch, and they are a bit staggering. 30 million of us worldwide have grabbed a copy and begun slinging birds at those little green pigs.
"What a great start to the Angry Birds 2 journey! But keep those slingshots well waxed and in good working order. The adventure on Piggy Island is just getting started, and exciting surprises await around the corner", Rovio states in its announcement.
The statement alludes to more levels on the way, though it seems a bit soon to update this version. More likely we'll see and update to one of the other versions first. Autumn is coming, like it or not, and Seasons seems a strong candidate for this.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 8: My Life with Rocket Boots
02 - Trials of the Cybermancer! The Story
February 22, 2019 Thedude3445
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"
Oh, I'm not dead.
I'm floating about six inches off the ground, and I'm not dead.
Just to let you know, rocket boot protective wear is literally a lifesaver.
Using gravity propulsion technology I can't begin to comprehend, while you're in the magnetized zones set up in the rocket skating rinks (as well as most highways in Atlanta), you have free and untethered control of your rocket boots. With practice, you can fly around at high speeds.
Without practice, you do a lot of falling, but luckily you just bounce up and down a bit off an invisible barrier and float around a bit, thanks to whatever's in the protective gear.
Rocket boots are incredibly difficult to control. I've fallen flat on my face about six times so far and my life flashed before my eyes every time. It has made me realize my subconscious really thinks my fondest memory is that time Karina and I debated over Alien vs. Aliens in the Peach Towers food court and it went on for two hours. Why would I flash back to that one when I failed so utterly at convincing Karina that the original is far superior?
Karina flies on by and skids to a stop, floating just above me. I look up at her as I try to finangle myself back onto my feet.
"Why don't you think Alien is the best one?" I ask.
"Nevermind. How do I keep from not falling and dying all the time? I don't get it."
"It's just practice, Morgan," Karina says. At this, she lifts her left foot up and then begins spinning around rapidly like an ice skater. She even puts her hands on her head ballerina-style.
That proves to be her undoing, and she begins spinning at an increasing rate with no sign of momentum letting up to the point that I have to grab her and slow her down.
"Even… I… need practice… sometimes…" Karina says, her head still bobbing up and down.
"I get the point. But it's still terrifying."
"And… fun!" This time, Karina dashes away, entering a nearby magnetized half-pipe and rocketing up into the sky. She flashes a peace sign at me and lands back down, performing another spin as her boots hit the surface. Just one spin this time. "It's not exactly useful for my job to do most of this stuff, but it's way better than any video game."
"You take that back."
"Okay, until we play Genesis Crush, I will still make the claim. No promises after that."
"Speaking of, I'm wondering how likely it is we won't be harassed by auction robots the entire day again…"
Karina slides a good twenty feet just by crouching and extending one foot forwards. Don't be a show-off. "We can ignore them. If it's a problem, we can just go back to my Dad's house, since it's not like he'll be home the entire weekend or anything."
"Preparing for the tech expo already?"
"Who cares." She hops in the air and does a half-somersault, bouncing off the wall to the half-pipe and propelling her back next to me. I'm still just floating here, mind you. "Who really friggin' cares. Genesis Crush is way more important than any fathers."
"Okay, your dad is apparently really cool but I just haven't met the guy. I'm sorry for all these baseless claims, okay!"
"Damn straight." My father is in the top ten percent of all human beings, easy. "Though, on the topic of rocket skating… what exactly do you do when you have to use them in your job?"
"Ah, glad you asked!" Karina gives a cheery smile as if she had been waiting for me to ask this for eons. "See, at Packard's Pizzas, we have a pretty strict fifteen-minute time limit for our pizzas, or else they're half-off and we don't get any tips. Not that we get many tips anyway… So obviously we use the rocket lane on the highways to go from pizzeria to the closest hub point. And from there, you usually aren't in a safe zone to be skating anywhere."
"Because without the gravity stuff, you're just strapped to two tiny missiles aimed at nothing?" Geez, that makes me feel great about wearing these rocket boots.
"When you put it like that, it sounds worse than it is. It's not impossible if you're good. Especially if you are in desperate need of parkour jumps and you need a bit of an extra boost…"
"Parkour… Karina, are you actually safe out there?"
"I only do it when I have to! If you activate the rockets for just a split-second at a time, you can climb way easier than if you were on your own. You just have to make sure there's no pedestrians around. Or cops."
"That's not at all reassuring…"
"Do you want to learn how to do it?"
"N-no… That sounds like instant death."
"Not for you! You'll heal."
She's got a point.
But just before Karina can start to drag me over to the half-pipe for practice at this morbid climbing exercise–
Ring.
Oh, that's my cellular. It's pretty rare people actually want to contact ME. I wonder who–
"Morgan, this is Chuck. I need to know if you're okay."
"Yeah? I'm fine. My friend and I–"
"You said you were at the rocket skate park, right? Pretty good place, but it's a pretty big waste of electricity. I wish they'd turn it off at night, but since it's connected to the highways I guess that's a big safety hazard, and even if they blocked it off I imagine ruffians would still manage to break in. But yeah, about that skate park… Get out."
Go hole yourself up somewhere safe because that Edd Rockatansky is not a normal manager. He's a criminal."
Uh… duh.
"I mean, I already know K-Store has lax hiring standards. So what?"
"I mean, he's Cybermancer. That kind of criminal."
"Whatever that means. But it's not like he's… he's… he's right in front of me."
There he is, standing right in front of me, at the un-magnetized edge of the skating area, wearing a ridiculous getup. All-black with sunglasses and a huge trench coat. The classic Nintendo Power Glove peripheral strapped to his right arm. K-Store Supervisor Edd Rockatansky, apparently.
"Thanks Chuck, but I've got to… go."
The man in front of us laughs. "You didn't think you'd face me again, did you? Well, you didn't realize that the man you humiliated was none other than… Moonslash."
"Uh, who?"
<== Previous ♠ Next ==>
no tags i cant think of anything clever enough
10 - Dog Days in Hotlanta The Story
December 29, 2020 Thedude3445
Dog Days in Hotlanta – Chapter 26: Before We Get to the Rodeo
November 16, 2020 Thedude3445
Previous: Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 7: Enter Chuck
Next: Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 9: Moonslash
6 thoughts on "Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 8: My Life with Rocket Boots"
Pingback: Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 7: Enter Chuck – ATL
hejin57 says:
Great, it was about time for the larger than life villains of the Retrofuture to show up.
I'm hoping years from now, Morgan will eventually have a collection of rogues and enemies as colorful as a technicolor rainbow.
Thedude3445 says:
There's a reason why ATL is listed as a superhero story on Top Web Fiction!
…I don't know the reason, but it may be related to the villains and superpowered hero I guess?
Pingback: Trials of the Cybermancer! – Chapter 9: Moonslash – ATL
What a Fine Area 51 says:
My god! Moonslash! I should've known from all the little tidbits and foreshadowing.
And the title of the story.


text:
Q: Clustering Algorithm for Mapping Application I'm looking into clustering points on a map (latitude/longitude). Are there any recommendations as to a suitable algorithm that is fast and scalable?
More specifically, I have a series of latitude/longitude coordinates and a map viewport. I'm trying to cluster the points that are close together in order to remove clutter.
I already have a solution to the problem (see here), only I am wondering if there is any formal algorithm that solves the problem efficiently.

A: For a virtual earth application I've used the clustering described
here. It's lightning fast and easily extensible.

A: Google Maps Hacks has a hack, "Hack 69. Cluster Markers at High Zoom Levels", on that.
Also, see Wikipedia on clustering algorithms.

A: You could look at indexing all your points using a QuadTile scheme, and then based upon the scale the further down the quad-splits you go. All similarly located points will then be near each other in your index, allowing the clustering to happen efficiently.
QuadTiles are an example of Morton Codes, and there is a python example linked from that wikipedia article that may help.

A: I looked at various libraries and found them so complex couldn't understand a word so I decided to make my own clustering algorithm
Here goes my code in Java
static int OFFSET = 268435456;
    static double RADIUS = 85445659.4471;
    static double pi = 3.1444;

public static double lonToX(double lon) {
        return Math.round(OFFSET + RADIUS * lon * pi / 180);
    }

    public static double latToY(double lat) {
        return Math.round(OFFSET
                - RADIUS
                * Math.log((1 + Math.sin(lat * pi / 180))
                        / (1 - Math.sin(lat * pi / 180))) / 2);
    }

// This calculates the pixel distance between tow lat long points at a particular zoom level
    public static int pixelDistance(double lat1, double lon1, double lat2,
            double lon2, int zoom) {
        double x1 = lonToX(lon1);
        double y1 = latToY(lat1);

        double x2 = lonToX(lon2);
        double y2 = latToY(lat2);

        return (int) (Math
                .sqrt(Math.pow((x1 - x2), 2) + Math.pow((y1 - y2), 2))) >> (21 - zoom);
    }

// The main function which actually calculates the clusters
1. ArrayList of lat long points is iterated to length .
2. inner loop a copy of the same arraylist is iterated from i+1 position ie leaving the top loop's index
3. 0th element is taken as the centre of centroid and all other points are compared if their pixel distance is very less add it into cluster
4. remove all  elements from top arraylist and copy arraylist which have formed cluster
5 restart the process by reinitializing the index from 0;
6 if the centroid selected has no clusters then that element is not deleted
static ArrayList<Cluster> cluster(ArrayList<Marker> markers, int zoom) {

        ArrayList<Cluster> clusterList = new ArrayList<Cluster>();

        ArrayList<Marker> originalListCopy = new ArrayList<Marker>();

        for (Marker marker : markers) {
            originalListCopy.add(marker);
        }

        /* Loop until all markers have been compared. */
        for (int i = 0; i < originalListCopy.size();) {

            /* Compare against all markers which are left. */

            ArrayList<Marker> markerList = new ArrayList<Marker>();
            for (int j = i + 1; j < markers.size();) {
                int pixelDistance = pixelDistance(markers.get(i).getLatitude(),
                        markers.get(i).getLongitude(), markers.get(j)
                                .getLatitude(), markers.get(j).getLongitude(),
                        zoom);

                if (pixelDistance < 40) {

                    markerList.add(markers.get(i));
                    markerList.add(markers.get(j));

                    markers.remove(j);

                    originalListCopy.remove(j);
                    j = i + 1;
                } else {
                    j++;
                }

            }

            if (markerList.size() > 0) {
                Cluster cluster = new Cluster(clusterList.size(), markerList,
                        markerList.size() + 1, originalListCopy.get(i)
                                .getLatitude(), originalListCopy.get(i)
                                .getLongitude());
                clusterList.add(cluster);
                originalListCopy.remove(i);
                markers.remove(i);
                i = 0;

            } else {
                i++;
            }

            /* If a marker has been added to cluster, add also the one */
            /* we were comparing to and remove the original from array. */

        }
        return clusterList;
    }

Just pass in your array list here containing latitude and longitude

then to display clusters
here goes the function

@Override
    public void onTaskCompleted(ArrayList<FlatDetails> flatDetailsList) {

        LatLngBounds.Builder builder = new LatLngBounds.Builder();

        originalListCopy = new ArrayList<FlatDetails>();
        ArrayList<Marker> markersList = new ArrayList<Marker>();
        for (FlatDetails detailList : flatDetailsList) {

            markersList.add(new Marker(detailList.getLatitude(), detailList
                    .getLongitude(), detailList.getApartmentTypeString()));

            originalListCopy.add(detailList);

            builder.include(new LatLng(detailList.getLatitude(), detailList
                    .getLongitude()));

        }

        LatLngBounds bounds = builder.build();
        int padding = 0; // offset from edges of the map in pixels
        CameraUpdate cu = CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLngBounds(bounds, padding);

        googleMap.moveCamera(cu);

        ArrayList<Cluster> clusterList = Utils.cluster(markersList,
                (int) googleMap.getCameraPosition().zoom);

        // Removes all markers, overlays, and polylines from the map.
        googleMap.clear();

        // Zoom in, animating the camera.
        googleMap.animateCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.zoomTo(previousZoomLevel),
                2000, null);

        CircleOptions circleOptions = new CircleOptions().center(point) //
                // setcenter
                .radius(3000) // set radius in meters
                .fillColor(Color.TRANSPARENT) // default
                .strokeColor(Color.BLUE).strokeWidth(5);

        googleMap.addCircle(circleOptions);

        for (Marker detail : markersList) {

            if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("1 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk1)));
            } else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("2 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk_2)));

            }

            else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("3 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk_3)));

            } else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("2.5 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk2)));

            } else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("4 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk_4)));

            } else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("5 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk5)));

            } else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("5+ BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk_5)));

            }

            else if (detail.getBhkTypeString().equalsIgnoreCase("2 BHK")) {
                googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                        .position(
                                new LatLng(detail.getLatitude(), detail
                                        .getLongitude()))
                        .snippet(String.valueOf(""))
                        .title("Flat" + flatDetailsList.indexOf(detail))
                        .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory
                                .fromResource(R.drawable.bhk_2)));

            }
        }

        for (Cluster cluster : clusterList) {

            BitmapFactory.Options options = new BitmapFactory.Options();
            options.inMutable = true;
            options.inPurgeable = true;
            Bitmap bitmap = BitmapFactory.decodeResource(getResources(),
                    R.drawable.cluster_marker, options);

            Canvas canvas = new Canvas(bitmap);

            Paint paint = new Paint();
            paint.setColor(getResources().getColor(R.color.white));
            paint.setTextSize(30);

            canvas.drawText(String.valueOf(cluster.getMarkerList().size()), 10,
                    40, paint);

            googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
                    .position(
                            new LatLng(cluster.getClusterLatitude(), cluster
                                    .getClusterLongitude()))
                    .snippet(String.valueOf(cluster.getMarkerList().size()))
                    .title("Cluster")
                    .icon(BitmapDescriptorFactory.fromBitmap(bitmap)));

        }

    }

ANY QUESTIONS OR DOUBTS PLEASE ASK WILL CLEAR THEM ALL ...........THANKS


High speed single phase electric chain hoist offers the ability to lift heavy loads with ease and precision.
Light, compact, and powerful, this hoist can be easily installed, transported and offers high lifting speed.
Features include double braking system for added protection, heavy-duty motor for industrial applications, high performance friction clutch to prevent overwinding and corrosion-resistant nickel-plated load chain.


Stare at that object 20 feet away for the full 20 seconds—it takes the full 20 seconds for the eyes to relax.
This is a rest break for the eyes.
Get up, stretch & drink water.
Water helps keep the body & eye tissues hydrated.
If you can't leave your workstation, just make a point to look out the wind ow. This helps keep eye tissues flexible & oxygenated.
Also, keep the screen clean. Fingerprints & dust can actually cause more stress to already strained eyes.


I did 15 years full time sewing-alteration, 10 years with Woolf Brothers in KC, Mo.
14 years sub-teaching, mostly HS.
Married to Richard since 1976. We have adopted daughter- Amy. He has two sons Brian and Ric.
I do custom quilting on my HQ longarm.


text:
HISTORY OF KÜNG
RECORDER - ASSORTMENT
SUPERIO
SERVICE, WARRANTY & REPAIR
MEDIA MUSIC
DOWNLOADS LOGO, PRICE LIST AND DATA SHEETS
DOWNLOADS PRODUCT IMAGES AND DATA SHEETS
The company founder Franz Küng
Franz Küng was born on 11.11.1906 in Schaffhausen. In 1927 he successfully completes an apprenticeship as a piano maker before spending his years of travel in Germany and the Netherlands. In 1933 he returns to Schaffhausen and buys a villa at the Grabenstrasse 3 in Schaffhausen with money that he has borrowed from friends and family. There he establishes a music store and earns some money as a piano tuner and repairman. In 1938 he takes first attempts with recorders upon request due to a ban on imports of these instruments from Germany. Obviously these attempts based on old German fipple flutes filled him with enthusiasm and he applies himself to the development of well tuned and melodiously sounding recorders.
Historic pictures
Franz Küng in fitting the block
The continued development of the recorders
In the 1940s Franz Küng progressively gives up tuning pianos and turns away from the music house. Instead he focuses on the further development of the recorders. By the end of the 1940s he already builds school flutes in 415 Hz (soprano and alto) upon request of Ina Lohr of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (year of establishment also 1933).
In 1951 he wins his first awards for his alto and bass recorders. This is followed by further development of present models right up to the great bass.
He creates the model masterpiece, instruments in all sizes, which are manufactured in exotic kinds of wood such as palisander (rosewood), grenadilla and tulipwood, often elaborately decorated with ivory. A good connection into the USA provides an enormous amount of sales with the years. In the 1960s the annual units of quantity are as high as 70,000.
Strong commitment
Despite his 18 employees Franz Küng does the crucial steps in production such as fitting the fiddle into the mouthpiece and manually tuning each instrument by himself. In addition he leads and controls the manufactory, develops machines, performs the maintenance and repairs all alone. This all sums up to 16- to 18-hour workdays throughout the years.
A change in production
A radical cut changes the situation: The school flutes with the particular German fingering are taken out of the program. That's about half of the manufactory's production. This is a courageous decision taken by the end of the 1960s.
Rebuilding phase in the company
The 1960s are defined by a big upheaval. Fanz Küng's youngest son Thomas starts his apprenticeship as a precision mechanic and flute maker at his father's company. The elder son Andreas studies old music and the recorder at the Schola Cantorum Basilensis after graduating from high school.
At the same time, the company is changing and rebuilding itself in many areas. The old villa gets a whole new floor and expands to two sides.
Even without the huge amount of flutes with the German fingering the manufactory's production takes up such a great deal of time that there is only little time left for the development and improvement of existing models. A number of deficiencies in testing and tuning remain in place too long - the quality and the good name suffer.
First recorders after Denner
During Andreas' studies at Hans Martin Linde's, the first copies as referred to Denner arise: The alto flute after J.C. Denner, the sopranino after I. Denner and a flûte de voix are newly produced.
After the first participation at the festival in Brügge in 1974 (Franz Küng in the role of the exhibitor and Andreas Küng as a competition participant) the subbass CLASSICA is developed and comes on to the market in 1975/76. Various sizes of historically inspired models, all in 415 and 440 Hz, sopranino, sixthflute, soprano (after Haka), flûte du quatre, alto and flûte de voix are developing as a result.
In 1980 there is another big renovation and addition to the factory to follow.
1983 Franz Küng dies at the age of 77 in the factory. He has never retired and worked day in day out even long after his two sons had already been fully integrated in his manufactory.
Andreas and Thomas Küng
Now the two brothers are responsible for the operation. It is clear that an entirely new appearance to improve somewhat as a result of circumstances tarnished name of the company again. This begins with the redesign of the corporate identity, via new developments of different models and machines to more intensive contacts to the outside, except for musicians or amateurs, and of course even more intensively to the music trade.
Thomas Küng
Andreas Küng
A streamlined product range with new model names and a new price structure
The new company appearance demands a streamlined product range with new model names and a new price structure. The new names such as STUDIO, SUPERIO, CLASSICA and HISTORICA arise. The school flute program is redesigned. SUPERIO is developed, inspired by the baroque design of the Rippert alto flute in G (390 Hz). The CLASSICA-model is Franz Küng's well-tried classical model, which is still very popular and available in all sizes from the Garklein to the sub bass.
With the expansion of the SUPERIO-series, the wider product range and the appearance to the outside, the company's image improves continuously. Especially the development of the SUPERIO-bass is an important step in the right direction.
The market shares in Germany and the USA are rising. Thomas Küng continues tirelessly to improve the production bases and the company invests in new machines. Advanced and precise computer-controlled equipment are elaborated in collaboration with a clever mechanical engineer in Switzerland. The aim is to fit the wind channel and labium in the STUDIO soprano and alto so precisely that there is only a manual final process in production needed.
Many new machines are added with the aim to improve and specify the production.
In 2008 the Küng recorder manufactory celebrates its 75th anniversary. Now the groundwork was laid for the future. The signs are good, new markets complete existing markets and the popularity of the recorder is unbridled particularly amongst adult players.
The enormous success of the SUPERIO bass leads to the decision to also renew the great bass and the sub bass. Thanks to the trend to play music in big ensembles and recorder orchestras, the supply of recorders with deep sounds comes at the right moment.
Large numbers of orders come in and the company is confronted with long delivery times. Especially the fabrication of the keys is problematic and the aim is to be able to eradicate these in the course of the year 2008.
The newly developed sub bass conquers the market in the very same year.
K4 - The powerful alto recorder for demanding players
In 2012 a new project starts with the development of a new alto recorder in collaboration with external specialists. The new, unique instrument for demanding players is later named K4. This stands for:
P.I. Bressan, for the drilling profile of the recorder and the luxurious design
Ernst Meyer, Maître Flutier, for the extra wide diapason and the unique voicing
Maurice Steger, the masterly soloist and conductor
Kung, the manufacturer who combines high quality with traditional handcraft
Originated from this cooperation, the K4 alto recorder convinces with its space-filling sound with a strong sonority in high and deep pitch. It is an ideal instrument for players who love an open, free sound. This extraordinary alto recorder has been developed in a long-lasting collaboration with Ernst Meyer.
Since 2015 the K4 is available through the trade. It clearly stands out compared with the recorders built so far.
New executive director Thomas Küng
In 2013 Andreas Küng sells his shares of the company to his brother Thomas and leaves the company. Thomas conducts the company on his own.
Thomas Küng's son Stefan becomes CEO
In spring 2015 Thomas Küng's son Stefan steps into the family manufactory as the new CEO. The business engineer with a background as a precision mechanic enriches the company with a lot of new know how.
Küng Blockflöten GmbH
Grabenstrasse 3
e-Mail: info(at)kueng-blockfloeten.ch
Opening hours - recorder shop in Schaffhausen
8:00 to 12:00 AM / 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Saturday and outside the opening hours by appointment
German Adress for REPAIRS and SERVICES from EUROPE
Please send Packages from Europe to:
FLAUTO DOLCE
Talgasse 2
DE-79798 Jestetten
© 2019 Küng Blockflöten GmbH - All rights reserved.


Sometimes life is stranger than fiction. The £500 million imitation British town, complete with small scale gothic cathedral, red telephone boxes and statues of english heroes such as James Bond and Winston Churchhill, is an example of that. Small scale projects, such as Japan's miniature Austrian town, are weird but ultimately a theme park with none of the nausea or queuing. The odd catch about Thames Town is that there aren't any tourist attractions apart from the fact it's proper British looking. Rather a novelty to be dipped into at weekends and school holidays, the area actually contains hundreds of houses that are genuinely intended to provide legitimate living spaces for a Shanghai bursting with inhabitants at the seams.
Shop fronts reading 'The Fish Bar' and 'Mike's Records' prove to be empty shells, which in a way does represent the current British high street, but also makes the it seem like living there would be like injecting yourself purposefully into the The Village in The Prisoner. It's bit like if Harry Potter World shut the majority of Diagon Alley shops but insisted on renting out bedsits above them. Although over 75% of the units have sold since it's creation from scratch in 2006, yet nearly all snapped up for investment purposes, creating a vast and empty ghost ghost town with only the odd replica of a Queens Guard pottering around. The fate of the huge town so far has been to be used for (definitely not tacky) wedding photos. One of an intended nine replica cities we can't help but think the whole situation is a little bizarre. Paul Rice, a consulting architect on the project, offers a wholly unconvincing statements in dismissal of the claims it is merely a theme park, stating "Disneyland is a dangerous term to use. This is intended as a real town. Thames Town is organic and natural and this project was a chance to build something unique". With fake shop fronts and the paint already peeling off the cathedral stone we're not convinced.


text:
Dante se mistieke reis. Tweede tog: Purgatorio ingelei, vertaal, toegelig, vertolk
J.S. Krüger
Open Access PDF
physical copy
Purchase in Store
Purchase in Amazon
publish new book
Download Book Proposal Form
pdf isbn
e-isbn
78-1-928523-25-3
doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2020.BK242
Theological and Religious studies
Book Discussion Video
The book wishes to bridge the divide between academic literature and popular culture. This is reflected in its style of presentation.
The purpose of the book is threefold:
1. Provision of an Afrikaans translation of Dante's Purgatorio from the original Italian, true to Dante's original intentions, and expressed in idiomatic Afrikaans prose of acceptable aesthetic quality, giving the reader a sense of the beauty and subtlety of Dante's superb literary achievement.
2. Provision of sufficient historical, linguistic and other important information, enabling readers who are not necessarily specialized in the field, to understand the background, context and intentional structure of the great text. Such information is mainly provided in the general introduction, the introduction to each canto, and the endnotes to each of the 33. However, the introduction and endnotes also contain a considerable degree of interpretation of the author's subjective intentions and the conditions of the time, in the larger context of the development of the notion of purgatory in the Western Church, and the place of Dante's work and thinking in the overall historical development of Western Christian theology, which at the time of the poet's supreme synthesis of classical culture and European Christianity and of Church and State, started to demonstrate symptoms of unraveling and decline.
3. Provision of a wide, inclusive theoretical framework of mysticism, enabling an understanding and appreciation of the tendentional drift of Dante's achievement towards an ultimate horizon of silence, not necessarily consciously intended by the poet. In that context the third part of the book (the postscript) proceeds with a comparison of Dante's style and the substance of his thinking, with that of the Theravāda Buddhist master Buddhaghosa. The purpose of this section is to clear a path towards a true pax fidei, beyond mutual indifference or schiedlich-friedlich religious apartheid.
The research methodology applied consists of three major components:
A historical hermeneutic endeavouring to understand and interpret the interplay between the subjective intentions of actors (including Dante) and objective processes and outcomes, often involving an element of tragedy.
A comparative procedure, enabling the simultaneous appreciation of more than one religion (in this case, Medieval Christianity and Buddhism).
An investigation of points (1) and (2) in an ultimately de-absolutizing, relativizing yet loving, accommodating framework sub specie horizontis.
Copyright © 2020 J.S. (Kobus) Krüger (Author)
← Back to Books collection


text:
Cloudy with a chance of space
Spire wants to improve weather forecasting with tiny satellites
Signe Brewster Jan 29, 2015 - 9:00 AM CDT
Science & Energy
Credit: Spire
Will you need a raincoat or shorts tomorrow? Chances are the weather data you use to determine the answer comes from the roughly 20 satellites orbiting Earth that monitor weather systems. And as we all know, their data isn't always enough to produce a reliable forecast.
The Lemur-1 Spire satellite.
Spire, a San Francisco startup that is currently testing a small group of shoebox-sized satellites, will announce Thursday that it will put its soon-to-launch fleet of commercial satellites to work collecting an unprecedented amount of weather data. Spire will have 20 satellites orbiting Earth by the end of this year, and at least 100 3.5 years from now if all goes according to plan. Together, the satellites will eventually provide 100 times more information.
"We want to take advantage of technology that's available, technology that we have developed, and move weather forecasting into an entirely different realm," CEO Peter Platzer said in an interview.
He likened the current state of weather forecasting to driving to a gas station and purchasing a paper map. With more satellites, the experience will be more akin to pulling up Google Maps on a mobile device.
Spire CEO Peter Platzer
Platzer foresees a public/private partnership that moves weather forecasting off of the government and onto private companies, which will be able to provide it for a fraction of the cost.
Spire's satellites will measure the humidity, temperature and pressure — the three main ingredients of weather forecasting — of Earth's atmosphere. The sensors are attached to satellites designed to only last a few years. There are so many that if one fails it doesn't take down the entire system, and replacements with even newer technology will be launched frequently.
Spire is among a growing number of startups to be launching large constellations of satellites into space. Many of the earliest entrants, such as Planet Labs, have been focusing on imaging. Big players like SpaceX and Google are looking at satellite-based internet. Spire is the first to name weather as a major part of its business plan.
"We are just unwilling to accept that the way people think about the weather is just the way it is," Platzer said. "We think it's very un-Silicon Valley."
commercialization of space
Disruptive Technologies: In Conversation with Byron Reese & Lauren Sallata
Byron Reese Sep 4, 2018 - 7:00 AM CDT
Gigaom Change Leader's Summit
Rob High talks Artificial Intelligence with Gigaom
Indoor farming: Good for cannabis, not so good for food
Nathaniel Mott Dec 29, 2015 - 8:06 AM CDT


text:
Miridiba sinensis är en skalbaggsart som beskrevs av Hope 1845. Miridiba sinensis ingår i släktet Miridiba och familjen Melolonthidae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Skalbaggar
sinensis

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Famous Homong singer among those killed in Fresno attack
FRESNO, California - Fresno remains in shock after being the latest U.S. city to endure a mass shooting.
The death toll remains at four, with six others injured following the backyard shooting of a group of people at a party watching a football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears.
The victims, friends and family, numbered around 35 to forty and included a large number of children.
The gathering, in the backyard of a Fresno home was confronted by a lone gunman who arrived and just starting shooting at random.
"Somebody came up on foot, possibly at least one suspect and began firing," Fresno Deputy Police Chief Michael Reid said Sunday. "They fired into the backyard where most of the people were in this party, striking ten people."
The 911 emergency line was flooded with calls resulting if first responders rushing to the scene. They arrived on site around 8:00pm Sunday night.
Officers began performing CPR on injured victims.
Police said they had little idea as to the motives of the gunman.
The four people who died were Asian men. Three died at the scene, while the fourth died in hospital. The Fresno County Coroner's Office on Monday confirmed investigators have identified the four victims but said they were withholding their names until their families were notified. Spokesperson Tony Botti said the victims ranged in age from 23 to 40. The social media site Hmong Talk confirmed the identity of one of those killed as a famous Homong singer. "We have received confirmation from his family member that Xy Lee , the famous Hmong singer was indeed one of the victims that was shot and killed at the family gathering. This is truly a heart breaking time for everyone involved. Thank you for all the beautiful music that you have have created . You will truly be miss! RIP!" the post said.
"My heart goes out to the families that are victims of this senseless violence," Deputy Police Chief Reid said. "We are going to do everything we can to find out who the perpetrators are and bring them to justice."
Fresno Police Lt. Bill Dooley, at an earlier media briefing, advised there was no information on the suspect available.
Fresno police have called on anyone in the vicinity of the shooting who may have witnessed it or took photographs or video in their phone to make contact.
(Photo credit: Larry Valenzuela | Fresno Bee).
Report: Browns to interview Scangarello for OC job
'Oh no, not again'- Remembering the epidemic of plane hijackings from SFO to Cuba
More questions on REAL ID and a drivers license renewal- Roadshow East Bay Times
Saturday Links- SFO Starts Screening For Deadly Chinese Coronavirus
US to Screen Airline Passengers From China for New Illness
Five ways the Packers can beat the 49ers on Sunday East Bay Times
Film Study: Super Bowl LIV's biggest question
Mayor London Breed Announces Holiday Fair at City Hall - Office of the Mayor
Mayor London Breed Announces Gun Buy-Back Event - Office of the Mayor
Giant Ferris wheel to spin in Golden Gate Park to celebrate 150th anniversary - Office of the Mayor
Lakers' Davis slated to return versus Celtics


Gratitude improves our existence. Gratitude helps us sleep better at night, cope during difficult times, and leads to better overall health. Practicing gratitude and writing in a gratitude journal each day is one way to ensure we reap the benefits of gratitude.
Today is World Kindness Day. With the whole world spreading random acts of kindness intentionally today, we wanted to share our ideas of how to do so with you.
If you have ever volunteered, you know it makes you feel good, but why? Let's dig a little deeper into the wealth of benefits that volunteering brings and see how we can grow our gratitude quotient by offering up a few hours each month.
Transform your neural structure. Shade your memories with positivity. Learn to use happy moments to counteract sad ones. After reading this post you will understand how our brain stores memory and how you can use that process to your advantage.


text:
Koster, Isabel Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor, Classics
Ancient/Classical History
Language and/or Literature, Classical/Ancient
Isabel Köster studies the history and literature of the Roman Republic and early Empire with a special interest in the intersection between religion and law. Her publications include articles on the various accounts of the death of Rome's most notorious temple robbers (Classical Journal) and on mythology and invective in Cicero's Against Piso (Illinois Classical Studies). Her current book project examines temple robbery in the Roman world from the third century BCE to the second century CE. Future projects include a study of Roman ideas about divine punishment.
Roman history, Greek and Roman religion, Latin prose literature, Latin historiography and rhetoric, Roman imperialism, Roman crime and punishment
Sacred Objects, Material Value, and Invective in Cicero's Verrines II 4. 151-167. 2017
Feasting Centaurs and Destructive Consuls in Cicero'sIn Pisonem. Illinois Classical Studies. 63-79. 2014
HOW TO KILL A ROMAN VILLAIN: THE DEATHS OF QUINTUS PLEMINIUS. Classical Journal. 309-309. 2014
CLAS 1140 - Bread and Circuses: Society and Culture in the Roman World
Surveys the outstanding achievements of Roman culture and society as reflected in literature; philosophy and art; private and official religion; and legal and political thought. No Greek or Latin required.
CLAS 2110 - Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Rome
Uses art, archaeology, and literature to study, from a contemporary feminist point of view, the status of women in works of Roman art and literature, the development of attitudes expressed toward them, and their daily life. No Greek or Latin required. Same as WGST 2110.
CLAS 4081 - The Roman Republic
Studies the Roman Republic from its foundation in 753 B.C. to its conclusion with the career of Augustus. Emphasizes the development of Roman Republican government. Readings are in the primary sources. No Greek or Latin required. Same as CLAS 5081 and HIST 4081.
CLAS 4091 - The Roman Empire
Intense survey of Imperial Rome from the Roman revolution to the passing of centralized political authority in the western Mediterranean. Emphasizes life, letters and personalities of the empire. No Greek or Latin required. Same as CLAS 5091 and HIST 4091.
CLAS 4761 - Roman Law
Studies the constitutional and legal history of ancient Rome; emphasizes basic legal concepts and comparisons with American law. No Greek or Latin required. Same as CLAS 5761 and HIST 4761 and HIST 5761.
CLAS 7012 - Graduate Seminar
Topic specified in online Schedule Planner. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
HIST 4081 - The Roman Republic
Studies the Roman Republic from its foundation in 753 B.C. to its conclusion with the career of Augustus. Emphasizes the development of Roman Republic government. Readings are in the primary sources. No Greek or Latin required. Same as CLAS 4081 and CLAS 5081.
HIST 4091 - The Roman Empire
Studies Imperial Roman history beginning with the Roman Revolution and ending with examination of the passing of centralized political authority in the western Mediterranean. Emphasizes life, letters and personalities of the Empire. Same as CLAS 4091 and CLAS 5091.
HIST 4761 - Roman Law
Studies the constitutional and legal history of ancient Rome; emphasizes basic legal concepts and comparisons with American law. No Greek or Latin required. Same as HIST 5761 and CLAS 4761 and CLAS 5761.
LATN 2124 - Intermediate Latin 2
Selections from Virgil's Aeneid with attention to literary form and context as well as advanced grammar and syntax. Recommended prerequisite: LATN 2114.
LATN 4014 - Topics in Latin Prose
Author or topic in Latin specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Roman historians, Roman epistolography, Cicero, Roman novel). May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics. Recommended prerequisites: LATN 3014 and LATN 3024. Same as LATN 5014.
Author or topic in Latin specified in the online Schedule Planner (e.g., Roman historians, Roman epistolography, Cicero, Roman novel). May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics. Same as LATN 4014.
WGST 2110 - Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Rome
Uses art, archaeology, and literature to study, from a contemporary feminist point of view, the status of women in works of Roman art and literature, the development of attitudes expressed toward them, and their daily life. No Greek or Latin required. Same as CLAS 2110.
Ph.D., Harvard University 2011
B.A., Smith College 2005
Denmark Country
Ireland Country


A major part of practicing environmental law is the ability to advise based on an assessment of how an agency is likely to behave. The rules and regulations are often not as clear as a regulated party would like. Interpreting the rules and regulations, or using how they have been interpreted in other contexts to determine a recommended course of action, can be difficult. I had a recent reminder, however, that it can also sometimes be quite simple. I was approached by a potential client regarding a landlord tenant dispute that centered on how a dental office handles its waste. The problem was the presence of mercury in the amalgam and possibly in the dental waste. I had never looked into how dental offices deal with their waste. For a variety of reasons, I did not represent the dentist. The call made me curious, however, because mercury is hazardous in such low concentrations that I would have assumed that most dentists have this problem.
A quick review of the materials available online located a recently-published EPA guidance document describing best practices for dental offices. I forwarded it to my dentist friend and he found it quite helpful. So, how do people find out about these things? Federal regulatory material is published in the Federal Register. See www.federalregister.gov. Rules and regulations must be published in draft form and there is a public comment period in which regulated parties have an opportunity to comment on the proposal. It may be cost prohibitive for small businesses to watch for regulatory developments, but many trade organizations have someone reviewing this material so that they can advise their members. As a young attorney, that was one of my roles. Back then, they published a book every day that contained an index of the day's regulatory material. It is easier today because it can be reviewed online.
Agencies spend very little time educating the regulated community and the last thing any business wants is to first become aware of a regulatory requirement by receiving a Notice of Violation. People working in regulated industries know which agencies they need to be concerned about. Thus, watching for new regulatory material that may affect your business, or finding someone to do so, is not so difficult. My dentist case proved that it can also be an easy way to resolve some problems.