text:
Q: Sorting of two ArrayList/List Objects For example, I have two Arrays converted into ArrayList which is firstName and lastName. I want to sort these two lists using the first names, the last name will follow through the first names.
Expected output:
firstNameList = {Andrew, Johnson, William}
lastNameList = {Wiggins, Beru, Dasovich};

My Initial Program:
import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Collections;

String [] firstName = {William, Johnson, Andrew};
String [] lastName = {Dasovich, Beru, Wiggins};

//Will convert arrays above into list.
List <String> firstNameList= new ArrayList<String>();
List <String> lastNameList= new ArrayList<String>();

//Conversion
Collections.addAll(firstNameList, firstName);
Collections.addAll(lastNameList, lastName);

A: Domain
As I have stated in my comment, I would recommend using a Person-POJO to bind firstName and lastName in a semantic way:
class Person {
    public static final String PERSON_TO_STRING_FORMAT = "{f: %s, l: %s}";

    private final String firstName;
    private final String lastName;

    private Person(final String firstName, final String lastName) {
        this.firstName = Objects.requireNonNull(firstName);
        this.lastName = Objects.requireNonNull(lastName);
    }

    public static Person of(final String firstName, final String lastName) {
        return new Person(firstName, lastName);
    }

    public String getFirstName() {
        return firstName;
    }

    public String getLastName() {
        return lastName;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return String.format(PERSON_TO_STRING_FORMAT, getFirstName(), getLastName());
    }
}

To convert two String[]s firstNames and lastNames into a List<Person>, one can provide a method:
    public static List<Person> constructPersons(
            final String[] firstNames,
            final String[] lastNames) {
        if (firstNames.length != lastNames.length) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("firstNames and lastNames must have same length");
        }
        return IntStream.range(0, firstNames.length)
                .mapToObj(index -> Person.of(firstNames[index], lastNames[index]))
                .collect(Collectors.toCollection(ArrayList::new));
    }

A remark on this method: Here, we use collect(Collectors.toCollection(...)) instead of collect(Collectors.toList()) to have some control with respect to list mutability since we are going to sort the list.
From here on there are two general routes: Either one makes Person comparable by public class Person implements Comparable<Person> or one writes a Comparator<Person>. We will discuss both possibilities.

Challenge
The goal is to sort Person-objects. The primary criteria for sorting is the first name of the person. If two persons have equal first names, then they should be ordered by their last names. Both first- and last name are String-objects and should be ordered in lexicographical order, which is String's natural order.

Solution 1: Implementing Comparable<Person> on Person
The logic to implement the comparison is straight-forward:

*

*Compare the firstNames of two persons using equals(...).

*If they are equal, compare the lastNames using compareTo(...) and return the result.

*Otherwise, compare the firstNames with compareTo(...) and return the result.

The corresponding method would then look like this:
public class Person implements Comparable<Person> {
    ...
    @Override
    public final int compareTo(final Person that) {
        if (Objects.equals(getFirstName(), that.getFirstName())) {
            return getLastName().compareTo(that.getLastName());
        }
        return getFirstName().compareTo(that.getFirstName());
    }
    ...
}

While not strictly necessary, it is recommended that the natural ordering of a class (i.e. the Comparable-implementation) is consistent with its equals(...)-implementation. Since this is not the case right now, I would recommend overriding equals(...) and hashCode():
public class Person implements Comparable<Person> {
    ...
    @Override
    public final boolean equals(Object thatObject) {
        if (this == thatObject) {
            return true;
        }
        if (thatObject == null || getClass() != thatObject.getClass()) {
            return false;
        }
        final Person that = (Person) thatObject;
        return Objects.equals(getFirstName(), that.getFirstName()) &&
                Objects.equals(getLastName(), that.getLastName());
    }

    @Override
    public final int hashCode() {
        return Objects.hash(getFirstName(), getLastName());
    }
    ...
}

The following code demonstrates how to create and order a List<Person> from two String[]:
final List<Person> persons = constructPersons(
        new String[]{"Clair", "Alice", "Bob", "Alice"},
        new String[]{"Clear", "Wonder", "Builder", "Ace"}
);
Collections.sort(persons);
System.out.println(persons);

Solution 2: Implementing a Comparator<Person>
A traditional implementation of a comparator realizing the sort comparison given in the challenge-section may look like this:
class PersonByFirstNameThenByLastNameComparator implements Comparator<Person> {
    public static final PersonByFirstNameThenByLastNameComparator INSTANCE =
            new PersonByFirstNameThenByLastNameComparator();

    private PersonByFirstNameThenByLastNameComparator() {}

    @Override
    public int compare(final Person lhs, final Person rhs) {
        if (Objects.equals(lhs.getFirstName(), rhs.getFirstName())) {
            return lhs.getLastName().compareTo(rhs.getLastName());
        }
        return lhs.getFirstName().compareTo(rhs.getFirstName());
    }
}

A example call may look like this:
final List<Person> persons = constructPersons(
        new String[]{"Clair", "Alice", "Bob", "Alice"},
        new String[]{"Clear", "Wonder", "Builder", "Ace"}
);
persons.sort(PersonByFirstNameThenByLastNameComparator.INSTANCE);
System.out.println(persons);

With Java 8, the construction of a Comparator has been simplified through the Comparator.comparing-API. To define a Comparator realizing the order given in section Challenge with the Comparator.comparing-API, we only need one line of code:
Comparator.comparing(Person::getFirstName)
    .thenComparing(Person::getLastName)

The following code demonstrates how this Comparator is used to sort a List<Person>:
final List<Person> persons = constructPersons(
        new String[]{"Clair", "Alice", "Bob", "Alice"},
        new String[]{"Clear", "Wonder", "Builder", "Ace"}
);
persons.sort(Comparator.comparing(Person::getFirstName)
    .thenComparing(Person::getLastName));
System.out.println(persons);

Closing Notes
A MRE is available on Ideone.
I would question the initial design decision to split up first- and last names into two separate arrays. I opted to not include the method List<Person> constructPersons(String[] firstNames, String[] lastNames) in class Person since this is just adapter-code. It should be contained in some mapper, but is not a functionality that is existential for Person.

A: You can do this by merging the two arrays into one stream of Names, with first and last name, sort that stream and then recreate the two lists.
    String[] firstName = {"William", "Johnson", "Andrew"};
    String[] lastName = {"Dasovich", "Beru", "Wiggins"};

    final var sortedNames = IntStream.range(0, firstName.length)
            .mapToObj(i -> new Name(firstName[i], lastName[i]))
            .sorted(Comparator.comparing(n -> n.firstName))
            .collect(Collectors.toList());

    final var sortedFirstNames = sortedNames.stream()
            .map(n -> n.firstName)
            .collect(Collectors.toList());
    final var sortedLastNames = sortedNames.stream()
            .map(n -> n.lastName)
            .collect(Collectors.toList());

A: As highlighted by comments , your problem is you are using two different lists for names and surnames so the ordering process for the two types of data are totally unrelated. A possible solution is creation of a new class Person including two fields name and surname and implementing Comparable interface like below:
public class Person implements Comparable<Person> {
    public String firstName;
    public String lastName;

    public Person(String firstName, String lastName) {
        this.firstName = firstName;
        this.lastName = lastName;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "Person [firstName=" + firstName + ", lastName=" + lastName + "]";
    }

    @Override
    public int compareTo(Person o) {
        return this.firstName.compareTo(o.firstName);
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Person[] persons = { new Person("William", "Dasovich"),
                             new Person("Johnson", "Beru"),
                             new Person("Andrew", "Wiggins") };

        Collections.sort(Arrays.asList(persons));
        for (Person person : persons) {
            System.out.println(person);
        }
    }
}

The Collections.sort method provides the order of the Person array by firstName.

A: Because the firstName and lastName are connected to each other, you should create a class to model them as such. Let's call this class Person:
class Person {
    private final String firstName;
    private final String lastName;

    public Person(String firstName, String lastName) {
        this.firstName = firstName;
        this.lastName = lastName;
    }

    public String getFirstName() {
        return firstName;
    }

    public String getLastName() {
        return lastName;
    }

    // Add toString, equals and hashCode as well.
}

Now, create a list of persons instead:
List<Person> persons = Arrays.asList(
    new Person("Andrew", "Wiggins"),
    new Person("Johnson", "Beru"),
    new Person("William", "Dasovich"));

Now, to sort it, you can use the sorted method on a stream with a comparator. This will create a new List<Person> which will be sorted. The Comparator.comparing function will let you pick which property of the Person class that you want to sort on. Something like this:
List<Person> sortedPersons = persons.stream()
        .sorted(Comparator.comparing(Person::getFirstName))
        .collect(Collectors.toList());

A: A TreeSet could do it:
(using a Person class as suggested by Turing85)
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.TreeSet;

public class PersonTest {

    private static class Person implements Comparable<Person> {

        private final String firstName;
        private final String lastName;

        public Person(final String firstName, final String lastName) {
            this.firstName = firstName;
            this.lastName  = lastName;
        }

        @Override
        public int compareTo(final Person otherPerson) {
            return this.firstName.compareTo(otherPerson.firstName);
        }

        @Override
        public String toString() {
            return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
        }
    }

    public static void main(final String[] args) {

        final Set<Person> people = new TreeSet<>();
        /**/              people.add(new Person("William", "Dasovich"));
        /**/              people.add(new Person("Johnson", "Beru"));
        /**/              people.add(new Person("Andrew",  "Wiggins"));

        people.forEach(System.out::println);
    }
}

but Streams & a somewhat simpler Person class might do too:
import java.util.stream.Stream;

public class PersonTest {

    private static class Person {

        private final String firstName;
        private final String lastName;

        public Person(final String firstName, final String lastName) {
            this.firstName = firstName;
            this.lastName  = lastName;
        }

        @Override
        public String toString() {
            return this.firstName + " " + this.lastName;
        }
    }

    public static void main(final String[] args) {

        Stream.of(
                new Person("William", "Dasovich"),
                new Person("Johnson", "Beru"    ),
                new Person("Andrew",  "Wiggins" ) )

            .sorted ((p1,p2) -> p1.firstName.compareTo(p2.firstName))
            .peek   (System.out::println)

            .sorted ((p1,p2) -> p1.lastName .compareTo(p2.lastName))
            .forEach(System.out::println);
    }
}

A:     String[] firstName = {"William", "Johnson", "Andrew"};
    String[] lastName = {"Dasovich", "Beru", "Wiggins"};

    // combine the 2 arrays and add the full name to an Array List
    // here using a special character to combine, so we can use the same to split them later
    // Eg. "William # Dasovich"
    List<String> combinedList = new ArrayList<String>();
    String combineChar = " # ";
    for (int i = 0; i < firstName.length; i++) {
        combinedList.add(firstName[i] + combineChar + lastName[i]);
    }
    // Sort the list
    Collections.sort(combinedList);

    // create 2 empty lists
    List<String> firstNameList = new ArrayList<String>();
    List<String> lastNameList = new ArrayList<String>();

    // iterate the combined array and split the sorted names to two lists
    for (String s : combinedList) {
        String[] arr = s.split(combineChar);
        firstNameList.add(arr[0]);
        lastNameList.add(arr[1]);
    }
    System.out.println(firstNameList);
    System.out.println(lastNameList);

A: If you don't want to create DTO to keep the first names and last names together, you can use a kind of functional way based on java streams :

*

*create couples with lists to bind those two values

*sort them, base on the first name

*flat the couple, in order to have a list with one dimension

 String[] firstName = {"William", "Johnson", "Andrew"};
 String[] lastName = {"Dasovich", "Beru", "Wiggins"};

//Will convert arrays above into list.
        List<String> firstNameList = new ArrayList<String>();
        List<String> lastNameList = new ArrayList<String>();

//Conversion
        Collections.addAll(firstNameList, firstName);
        Collections.addAll(lastNameList, lastName);

        List<String> collect = firstNameList
                .stream()
                .map(name -> {
                    List<String> couple = List.of(name, lastNameList.get(0));
                    lastNameList.remove(0);
                    return couple;
                })
                .sorted(Comparator.comparing(l -> l.get(0)))
                .flatMap(Collection::stream)
                .collect(Collectors.toList());

A:     String[] firstNames = {William, Johnson, Andrew};
    String[] lastNames = {Dasovich, Beru, Wiggins};

    //Will convert arrays above into list.
    List<String> firstNameList = new ArrayList<String>();
    List<String> lastNameList = new ArrayList<String>();

    Map<String, String> lastNameByFirstName = new HashMap<>();
    for (int i = 0; i < firstNames.length; i++) {
        lastNameByFirstName.put(firstNames[i], lastNames[i]);
    }

    //Conversion
    Collections.addAll(firstNameList, firstNames);
    Collections.sort(firstNameList);
    for (String firstName : firstNameList) {
        lastNameList.add(lastNameByFirstName.get(firstName));
    }

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Nine Unexpected Ways That Jewish Culture Fascinates Asians
By Ruth Schapira
What if we took our New Year Celebration to the streets?
What are we, as Jews, missing?
Clearly something, since others, especially Asians, find that there is an immense value in our Jewish culture and traditions. Aspects of our heritage that we either take for granted or deride as old-fashioned provide them with ample areas of study.
Perhaps by reading this (non-definitive) list of specifically Jewish phenomena that they find interesting and worthy of study, we will be inspired to reclaim our own connections. Here is what has been the subject of examination:
Our method of Talmud study, which engages the mind in different ways than other types of learning. I've written about this curiosity of the South Koreans several years ago here. About 50,000,000 Koreans have studied the Talmud (in a country where most people are Christian or Buddhist). If that wasn't impressive enough, a recent article in the New Yorker called "How the Talmud Became a Best-Seller in Korea" states that every South Korean home has at least one copy of the Talmud. (Reality check–if you're Jewish and reading this: can you say the same?).
The way in which the bonds of connection is reinforced between the generations through home-based rituals. Our many holidays and celebrations reinforce and strengthen family values…all of which are of interest to a nation that wants to advance, yet hold on to family traditions.
Our penchant for beating the Nobel odds. They are exploring the reasons why at least twenty percent of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish, while Jews represent less than 0.2% of the world's population. They want to know the 'secret sauce' that outdoes statistical expectations. (Much has already been written of the "Tiger Mom" syndrome and how it relates to Jewish mothers' approach to success, so I won't go into that here).
Our entrepreneurial success (particularly in Israel, where there are a disproportionate number of profitable tech start-ups relative to the population) and ability to think of ever newer technologies that answer today's problems successfully. Even though for example, founders may not identify primarily as "Jewish" the fact is evident (an obvious example would be Mark Zuckerberg….who, um, married Priscilla Chan).
Judaism as researched from an academic lens. Since the Chinese nation is in a process of advancement, it sees Jews as another ancient people who have excelled while maintaining a distinct identity. There are no fewer than ten academic centers of Jewish studies in Chinese Universities across the country, and students often spend a semester abroad, learning more about Jewish history and culture in Israel or the United States. The deputy director of the Glazer Institute of Jewish Studies at Nanjing University, says that the curiosity reflects "Judeophilia" rather than "Judeophobia" .
Trade potential between the Israel and China. Trade has increased over 20000% in the past two decades, and today reaches over $10.8 billion. China is now Israel's third-largest trading partner, after the United States and the EU. Naftali Bennett, Israel's Economy Minister has described Israel as "going East" in terms of trade and Research &Development.
The ability to keep languages alive that many thought were doomed to extinction. Hebrew was not a spoken, modern language until the 1940's and for years the use of Yiddish has been in decline. Chinese state radio now broadcasts in Hebrew. Jewish experts who China brings as guests for news and business shows are able to speak Hebrew with their Chinese interviewers. A Ph.D. student recently wrote and performed history's first Chinese-Yiddish song (you can watch it here) after studying Yiddish and Hebrew in Israel. She stated that "Nowadays, more and more Chinese are curious about Jewish history and culture." An online news item reported that people living in Russia's Far East (a territory along the Russian-Chinese border) are studying Yiddish. There, "all schoolchildren learn Yiddish as part of the curriculum, even though students of Chinese and Korean descent often outnumber Jewish ones."
The investment potential of connecting with Israeli companies. Stephanie Lee, founder of Beijing Zion Shalom Cultural Development Company, matches Chinese investors with Israeli high-tech startups stated "We really want to learn more about the culture, also the religious customs, and see how children are raised". In the early part of the decade there was virtually no high-tech funding from China. Just two years ago, within a couple of years, Chinese firms invested $32 billion in Israel. Asia's richest man Li Ka-shing, invests heavily in Israeli tech and bio-tech, and over one-third of the startups funded by his company is Israeli. China is in second place (after the United States) as a collaborator with Israeli high-tech firms backed by Israel's Office of the Chief Scientist.
The appeal of Shabbat. A company in Israel, called Shabbat of a Lifetime, arranges a Sabbath meal experience with non-Jewish tourists who want to experience its allure first-hand in homes of traditionally observant Jews. Recently, those who are requesting the program are predominantly from Asian countries.
Please share 🙂 #Israel #startups #JewishCulture #JewishAsianConnection
Further reading on related topics:
Jews With Asian Heritage Pose Growing Identity Challenge to Jewish Establishment
Choose Your Own Identity
Leave a comment	| tags: Jewish community, Jewish Culture, Judaism, Religion and Spirituality	| posted in Jewish Community, Jewish Culture, Jewish Education, Judaism, Religion, Sabbath, Society
Jewish Interfaith Outreach: Making Challah and "Doing Jewish"
Making Challah, Making Connections
Scoop, beat, pour, and mix—then knead, fold, knead, fold. It's the methodical way that you'd make a dough for challah, and the process itself seems quite mechanical, if you were doing it alone in your own kitchen.
But making challah with 20 people in someone's home is quite a different experience, and creating challah with people who are doing it for the first time is exhilarating. I participated in the event as a member of the Advisory Council of InterfaithFamily (IFF-Philadelphia) and it attracted a demographic that would be the envy of any Jewish outreach movement.
Four young millennial-aged couples attended, with a smattering of some young singles, older folks, and a mom with her two kids – their common interest was in 'doing Jewish'. That was the foundation upon which people built connections and shared Shabbat stories along with flour and measuring cups that were set aside at stations, like in some amazing challah bake-off on a Jewish Food Network show.
The event was called "Challah and Conversation" and by the end of the night, there was plenty of both. The environment was open, accepting and casual which allowed participants to feel comfortable asking about the many beautiful and significant rituals surrounding Shabbat. There was curiosity about egg-checking (for kosher reasons), traditions for candle-lighting, the custom some choose to follow for 'taking challah', and questions like: Why do some people tear the challah and not slice it with a knife? Why is salt sprinkled on it? Why is the challah covered? What is the 'Parent's Prayer'?
The most outstanding experience from the evening was not the beautifully braided specimens in personal aluminum baking dishes that everyone was taking home, ready to be baked. Nor was it that everyone would get to savor the experience all over again when that unmistakable luscious challah smell would fill their homes before the Sabbath began. What was undeniably special was that people came together, in the true spirit of learning and community, and shared an experience that brought them that much closer to Judaism, and that much closer to each other.
So, as educators, what can we take away from this experience? Besides taking away a great recipe for challah (click here) the event had all the ingredients for successful outreach:
Experiences that are hands-on work
Interactive learning components so people walk away with something new
Welcoming atmosphere (IFF staff can help with this)
Hosting the event in a person's home
The 'doing Jewish' part is as non-threatening as possible
Casual but intentional follow-up
Leave a comment	| tags: Interfaith, InterfaithFamily, Judaism, Outreach, Sabbath	| posted in Jewish Holidays, Judaism, Outreach, Religion, Sabbath
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Its happening NOW, the most anticipated Big Bear event of the year, OKTOBERFEST!!
Take advantage of our FALL DISCOUNT: Book A Two Night Reservation And Receive The THIRD NIGHT FREE and come to the yearly Oktoberfest that is rated #1 in Southern California!
Oktoberfest is filled with fun for the whole family, featuring live music, German food and bands, games, contests (the stein carrying contest is famed), log sawing competitions, a children's fun-zone, clogging and a huge dance floor in front of the stage to create memories galore this fall in Big Bear Lake. Outside the Oktoberfest venue, you can take a break from the action to stroll along the Budenstrasse (avenue of the Booths) and shop for handmade arts, crafts and collectibles.
Oktoberfest begins Saturday, September 9 – Saturday, October 28, 2017. Weekends Only!
Location: The Convention Center of Big Bear Lake: 42900 Big Bear Blvd.
YESS, Its that time of the year again, Big Bear Lake is open for 2017 boating season and the lake is up over five feet from last year. The Public Launch Ramps are open for all vessels, motorized and non-motorized. Both ramps are located on the North Shore. The East Ramp is close to Stanfield cutoff, near the Discovery Center and the West Ramp is closer to the Big Bear Dam, west of Fawnskin.
Six marinas have everything you need to have a great time on the lake. Get your fishing license, fishing gear, bait and more. Rent a pontoon boat for family fun or try a fishing boat for adventure exploring the fishing coves in Big Bear Lake. So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip with your family and friends and stay in one of our WOW sensational properties here at WowRentals.


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Laying the Groundwork in LA for 2013 Summer
Posted by jcamelio
In Global Initiatives, Summer Programs
Post by Jason Camelio, director of international programs.
If you look hard enough, you might see an ever-so-slight difference in the traffic patterns on the LA freeways during the week of SXSW. For alum and program consultant Tom Griesgraber and I, it really did not make a difference as we crisscrossed the city for meetings and scouting locations in preparation for the new Berklee in Los Angeles summer programs to be held this August. You heard correctly "p-r-o-g-r-a-m-S". Two to be specific. In what has become standard practice, we have reached out to some key Berklee alumni to help us prepare for two programs with that will have a detailed focus on the craft of songwriting, performance and production.
Our first stop was in Studio City to meet with a few of the alumni faculty members who will be teaching at the programs, including a veteran of the program and Berklee Online faculty member David Franz. Our discussions cover a lot of territory and will be massaged into some compelling program content.
2013 Berklee in Los Angeles I at SAMOHI and Barnum Hall in Santa Monica.
Our next stop was in Santa Monica. With the help of alum and director of jazz bands at Santa Monica High School Tom Whaley and director of theater operations Carey Upton, we have secured the music department facility at SAMOHI for the Berklee in Los Angeles: It's All in the Song I – Songwriter and Performer program. This includes the historic Barnum Hall. During our walk though, we had the chance to hear some of these awarding winning groups as they prepared for the spring band competition and Masterworks Concert.
2013 Berklee in Los Angeles II - The Village Recording Studio.
With the details covered in Santa Monica, we headed into town to a world-renown landmark The Village recording studio to meet with alum and manager Tina Morris. Thanks to chief of staff Carl Beatty, director of the Berklee Center in Los Angeles Peter Gordon and Tina, we will be producing a fantastic program in this state-of-the-art facility in West LA. Upon walking through the entrance, we were met with a comfortable reception area with high walls covered with gold and platinum albums. Among them were two of my favorites including Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Californication. Imagine sitting in these rooms for a week of classes this summer learning about the craft of songwriting and production.
After finalizing some additional preparatory details, we headed over to Sunset for a semi-annual pilgrimage to Amoeba. Tom and I did a fine job shopping. A few items I picked up included some choice Wayne Shorter classics, some Reverend Horton Heat, the newest Trey Anastasio, a sweet Jerry Reed double album (at Rick Peckham's suggestion), the King's X Live in London box and more. Plenty of ear candy to last me until August when I get back for the programs.
A surprising final stop for me during this visit was to the School of Rock in Burbank. The school is directed by a fantastic musician and alum of the college from Venezuala, Demian Arriaga. I had the opportunity to meet with an all-star group of his students, talk about music and Berklee and then hear them rip into No Doubt's "Sunday Morning". I did not know what to expect from these young musicians. Demian had only high praise for them. What I heard and saw was some exceptional musicianship, which tells me that the teachers and students are truly dedicated.
Demian Arriaga directs an all-star group at the School of Rock in Burbank.
I could easily spend many more days and leave many more miles of pavement behind me meeting up with our exceptional alumni who play such an important role in supporting the college. They teach and inspire one another and the next generation of young talents that we will soon get to hear. It is a prime reason for Berklee to be holding programs on Los Angeles. I am honored and thankful for our alums' help with laying the groundwork.
jcamelio
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Maison Margiela & Schiaparelli Steal the Spring 2017 Shows
Source: Maison Margiela, Schiaparelli.
Haute Couture finds its center as Maison Margiela & Schiaparelli Steal the Spring 2017 Show Season. It's not often that we have a season so rich in artistic detail. Each collection showcased a series of eclectic styles, but, it was two that literally Brought the House Down. In this world of opposites where the exquisitely strange takes shape, we find daringly different houses playing together on the same high fashion playground. John Galliano marches with fervent steps down Maison Margiela's Runway, while Bertrand Guyon honors the woman who started the great House of Schiaparelli. Follow a moon beam into the extreme where vibrant colors will shock you to scream. Then take a mindful trip into the exquisite abyss as this willful erection vibrates with intensity.
This is a stunning combination of someone exposing the best parts of themselves. Some of the outfits were seen as only half-done, a tribute (they say) to his past. But I say, with utter conviction, I see none of Galliano's work as undone. This is a man who has mastered the Art of Deconstruction. And, while that may sound like an easy task to undertake, we've watched as many great designers struggle with that very concept. True couture lies in its ability to transport you. Every cut provides a new opening, each piece takes you to another place. Distressed looks define new dimension with threaded sections torn into tatters. A fabric revolution comes to be as a fashion fusion transforms the scene. Building unto beauty… the most exciting part of this story lies in the motion of the maker.
There's an old saying, "You've got to tear it apart to know where to start". Sartorial artistry asks us to look at things from the inside out. Here we have a man brave enough to take that conceptual step to the next level. And, it's in that intense resolve that we come in contact with ourselves. Showing styles in such inventive ways makes us rethink the idea of exposure. So, while some may see these pieces as incomplete, I view them as a victory like no other. Life's unrest is expressed in makeup mastery, as an abstract blast is made over the face with Picasso like precision drawn on the skin. Vibrant, blue shadow leaves a streak through the eyes while red runs lines over the lips. A tear-drop dress shape explodes over the runway, as we imagine the entire collection hiding under the giant hoop skirt. This collection features like small, significant vignettes, all answering the call of poetic reflection.
An ode to Elsa Schiaparelli. Bertrand Guyon pays homage to the Art of Elsa, by honoring her memory in this exquisite Haute Couture Collection. Luxury, eccentricity, irony and sexuality define the delicacy of this historically inspired work. And, while there isn't a Lobster Claw Dress made for Salvador Dali, it does carry some of that same mix of intellectual & sexual stimulation. Borrowing from her bombastic revelry, the distinction of this show came in its ability to connect to the concept of ~ Elsa. When you're working under the moniker of such a world-renowned figure, it's hard to imagine how you can stand out. However, here we see Guyon honor her original vision, while aiming to build his own brand. Mark Holgate spoke about the ornate detailing done in his designs as, "Elsa-isms". Very clever, read more at Vogue.com. In the Schiaparelli show we are met with a visual depiction of two females face-to-face, while at Maison Margiela we see giant faces coming through the clouds of tulle. In my humble opinion, these two, brilliant houses represent the best of 2017 Haute Couture.
A Unique Selection from Maison Margiella Via Vogue.com
Images Via Purple.Fr
Powerful Picks from Schiaparelli Via Vogue.com
Christian Lacroix's Schiaparelli Zoo Couture Story
Steal These Critically-Cool Layered Looks for Spring
Lara Stone Shows Off Spring's Cutest Trends in Vogue Paris
Hannah Hollman Shows Spring's "Pop Power" in Elle France


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Celebrating the Birth of the Italian Republic
June 25, 2015 • Featured, Festivals & Events
On June 2, Italy commemorates the birth of the Italian Republic with the Festa della Repubblica Italiana, or the Festival of the Italian Republic.
In 1946, after the fall of Fascism and the end of World War II, an institutional referendum was held June 2-3 to determine whether the Italians preferred their government to remain a monarchy or to become a republic. After 85 years of reign—with 12,717,923 votes against 10,719,284—the monarchs of the House of Savoy were exiled, and Italy became a republic.
Three years later on May 27, 1949, parliament passed Article 260, which declared June 2 as the data di fondazione della Repubblica, or the date of the founding of the republic. It became a national holiday.
Before the founding of the republic, the Italian national holiday was the first Sunday in June. It was known as the Feast of the Albertine Statute, which was the constitution that King Charles Albert conceded to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia in Italy on March 4, 1848.
Between 1977 and 2001, an economic downturn in Italy resulted in Republic Day being moved to the first Sunday in June and stripped of its status as a national holiday. Only in 2001 was the celebration moved back to June 2, becoming a public holiday again.
For Italians, it is similar to France's July 14 celebration known as Bastille Day and America's Fourth of July. On this day, special ceremonies take place in Italy. All over the world, Italian embassies hold celebrations, to which the host country's heads of state are invited. In Italian communities around the world, locals hold special events like parades and festivals.Like many other Italian holidays, the annual Festa della Repubblica Italiana has its traditions. Most notable are the events in Rome, where the morning ceremonies include the laying of a wreath at Italy's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a military parade, presided over by the president of the Italian Republic. The prime minister and other high officers of state also attend.
Later in the day, the public gardens at the Palazzo del Quirinale, the seat of the presidency of the Italian Republic, feature performances by the martial bands of the Italian Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza.
One of the highlights is the flyover by the Frecce Tricolori. Officially known as the Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (National Acrobatic Patrol), the nine Italian Air Force aircraft, in tight formation, fly over the Vittoriano monument, trailing green, white and red smoke—the colors of Italy's flag.
Philadelphia's Italian Comeback
The distinct food and traditions of St. Martin's Day
Where did America get its name?
Capture of Rome came in September, 149 years ago
Protestant roots in the Delaware Valley's Italian-American Community


Why are so many relationships unsuccessful? Why does it seem that this subject is so complex and so many people are challenged with being happy together? This article is a must read to help you repair and maintain your relationship.
The following five key points will help you to balance yourself and your relationship.
Male- Testosterone: Hormones are high with the thrill of the chase and the attempt to win her over. This raises his testosterone level and makes him feel a sense of strength and confidence. He will be more energetic, and more affectionate or attentive. He may also feel more attracted to her when his testosterone is not low.
Female- Oxytocin: During the honeymoon phase, the woman's hormones are high as she feels protected, provided for and loved. This raises her oxytocin level and makes her feel more affectionate. She may also experience more energy, joy, and be more carefree. She may also feel more attracted to her new partner while her oxytocin level is not low. Things that happen in this stage are not a true picture of the real person. There are a lot of relationships that break down shortly after this stage. It may last from six to 12 months. Believe me when I tell you, change is coming.
2. Acceptance of the real person. Okay, so now your hormones have settled and you actually see some faults. They are not so perfect after all. Now what? It is during this time that faults can seem huge and you begin to wonder how you missed it. Realize that everyone has faults and shortcomings- focus on fixing yours and accepting theirs.
3. Avoid distractions from other things/people. It is so easy to get distracted from what is truly important. Your relationship is always going to be in competition with other things–work, personal goals, kids, technology, family, friends, etc. Any type of distraction that keeps you from being focused on your relationship, often has a negative effect. And if that distraction comes packaged in a tall, dark and handsome frame, or in a brick house body with long flowing hair… my advice- Run, Forest, run!
4. Learn how to manage conflict. Just in case you didn't know, there is no such thing as a conflict-free relationship. It will find you. The couples that are the happiest have learned how to minimize and manage their conflict. Steps to help you manage conflict.
Know that it is inevitable. You are two individuals with different thoughts, values, and opinions. Conflict does not have to be negative.
Think before you speak. Refrain from talking too much when you are angry. The words used in angry are often the ones that stick and are never forgotten.
Your partner is not the enemy. Don't feel like that you are in combat with each other. You are not fighting a war, so calm down. Ask yourself, is it really that deep?
You don't always have to be right. Being right is not always what is important. Too much wasted energy. Focus on peace.
5. Happiness is a choice. If you want to be happy in your relationship, make the decision to be happy. No one is perfect and no relationship is perfect. You can either dwell on the negatives or highlight the positives. Highlighting the positives will lead you to a healthy happy relationship.
Dr. Gladney, America's Emotional Wellness Doctor, has reached over 40 million. She works with individuals, companies, organizations, and churches. She has appeared on national media including; Tom Joyner, Michael Baisden, and Roland Martin. Her new book- "If You are in the Driver's Seat, Why are you Lost? A Roadmap to an Amazing Life," is now available. Check out her website creatingamazinglives.com and follow her on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.


Our Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academy is a locally owned and operated franchise of Kids 'R' Kids International located in Duluth, Georgia. We are proud to provide innovative facilities that enhance educational programs designed for children 6 weeks through 12 years of age.
All Kids 'R' Kids Academies share a common desire to provide a safe and happy place where children of all ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds can learn together.
Our well-trained staff is a resource for families—to discuss the intricacies of child care and early education while providing other necessary support—and they share the families' goals for the success of the whole child.
We are confident you and your family will have a great experience with us!


The best science fiction authors are often described as some of the most creative minds in the world. Yet, this is such a genre that is as easy to love as it is difficult to define. The world of sci-fi is a unique experience as, unlike other genres, it allows for an author to take their imagination to new limits and thus provide a surreal experience for their readers. Even still, the science fiction genre has thrived in the English language with some remarkable writers. It would be unfair to rank these names in order of importance and have thus been ordered chronologically along with their best books.
Often called "The Father of Science Fiction" along with H.G.Wells and Hugo Gernsback, as well as the second most translated author between Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare, Jules Verne had a profound influence on most of Europe and the genre of science fiction. He was a French novelist, poet and playwright.
When one thinks of science fiction authors, H. G. Wells is probably one of the first names that come to mind. Not only was he the best but also the most impactful in the sci-fi genre with some smash hit novels that are still ripe to be spawned into films. He wrote novels, history, social commentaries, textbooks and is also labeled "Prophet of Science Fiction" among Gernsback and Verne.
Best known for publishing Amazing Stories, the first magazine in the genesis of science fiction, Gernsback was an editor, writer, publisher and inventor. His significance in the field of sci-fi is manifested in the fact that annual awards presented at the World Science Fiction Convention are named "Hugos" in his honour.
The first person to be named the Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974, Heinlein is a legend when it comes to the Sci-Fi genre. As controversial as he was influential, Heinlein took the science of his writings very seriously and raised the bar for Sci-Fi's literary quality on the whole. He has won Hugos, Retro Hugos, was the bestselling science-fiction writers only to be succeeded by Isaac Asimov and Arthur Clarke (collectively referred to as 'The Big Three') and even invented some words of the English language. He anticipated early descriptions of the waterbed and the cell phone in his novels many years before they were invented.
Owing to his monumental career, Clarke is called the "Prophet of the Space Age" and the third member of "The Big Three" science fiction writers. Arthur C. Clarke was a British science fiction author, inventor, undersea explorer and TV host. He has won many prestigious honours such as Nebulas, Hugos, Kalinga Prize from UNESCO and Sri Lankabhimanya in Sri Lanka. His masterwork novel, is not only the most influential book but also a well-received movie.
Author of the most multi-layered and intricate novel of the sci-fi genre, Dune (1965), Frank Herbert was not only a magnanimously successful sci-fi author but also a short story writer, journalist, book reviewer, photographer, ecological consultant and teacher. His literary career revolved around his magnum opus and its five sequels which were translated in over a dozen languages, stands as the bestselling sci-fi novels of all time and won Nebula and Hugo awards for best novel in 1966.
Possibly the most popular of the "The Big Three of Sci-Fi", Asimov was a biochemistry teacher by profession and a prolific science fiction writer. He published over 500 books with books included under ever section of the Dewey Decimal Classification except for philosophy. His three major series of novels set the stage for modern sci-fi novels much like Heinlein.
One of the most widely read and loved authors of his generation, Ray Bradbury was the giant of science fiction and fantasy. He left a legacy of books, film, television and theatre apart from inspiring many sci-fi writers that were yet to come and fueling further interest in futuristic literature with his masterpiece novels.
Father of modern cyberpunk, and sometimes called the most important novelist of the past two decades, William Gibson is acclaimed for coining the term "cyberspace" and laying the early foundations for the rise of the information age, reality television, virtual environment and the world wide web. Gibson has authored twenty short stories and ten critically acclaimed novels and many articles for major publications.
Often referred to as the voice of modern science fiction, Orson Scott Card is an American novelist, public speaker, professor and producer. He won Nebulas and Hugos for the first two parts of Ender's Saga for two consecutive years – the first person to receive these prestigious awards twice in a row.


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Теорія цінності руїн - теорія, розроблена Альбертом Шпеєром; згідно з нею руїни будівель мають свідчити про велич їх будівників і власників . Згідно з цією теорією будівлі після руйнування повинні не поступатися величчю розвалинам давнього Риму. Руїни повинні надихати нові покоління на величні справи. Теорія отримала визнання в Німеччині часів Третього Рейху. Незважаючи на те, що ця теорія не є загальновизнаною в архітектурі, на практиці важливим елементом архітектури багатьох міст Європи є руїни, наприклад, руїни Колізею в Римі або руїни одного з кварталів міста Вуковар, постраждалого у війні за незалежність Хорватії.

Див. також
 Руїни

Примітки

Теорія архітектури
Руїни

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: HttpRequest Timeout exception when making http request from a class inherited from System.Configuration.Install.Installer I want to launch an EXE after completing the installation, so I wrote a custom launch condition like below:
    [RunInstaller(true)]
        public class InstallerClass : System.Configuration.Install.Installer
        {
            public InstallerClass() : base()
            {
                this.AfterInstall += new InstallEventHandler(InstallerClass_AfterInstall);
            }
            void InstallerClass_AfterInstall(object sender, InstallEventArgs e)
            {
                Directory.SetCurrentDirectory(
                Path.GetDirectoryName(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location));
                ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo(
                Path.GetDirectoryName(
                Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location) + "\\MyApp.exe");

                psi.WorkingDirectory = Path.GetDirectoryName(
                Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location);
                psi.Verb = "runas";

                Process p = new Process();
                p.StartInfo = psi;

                p.Start();
            }
.
.
.        }

Issue: MyApp.exe is creating http request to get some data from server. I get Timeout exception every time if MyApp.exe get Launch from here. If I run MyApp.exe separately, it successfully creates http request without timeout. Below is the code for http request:
HttpWebRequest request = (HttpWebRequest)HttpWebRequest.Create(uri);
request.Timeout = TimeOut;
request.Credentials = CredentialCache.DefaultCredentials;
request.Proxy = WebRequest.DefaultWebProxy;
request.UseDefaultCredentials = true;
request.AllowAutoRedirect = true;
request.KeepAlive = false;
request.Method = "HEAD";
request.SendChunked = true;

using (HttpWebResponse response = (HttpWebResponse)request.GetResponse())
{
returnValue = response.StatusCode;
}

Why am I getting timeout exception? Where am I doing wrong?

A: When an installer runs it runs with special permissions/rights...
Perhaps you could log what the values of request.Credentials = CredentialCache.DefaultCredentials; and request.Proxy = WebRequest.DefaultWebProxy; are when running successfully versus the timeout case


So it happened then. Im tired. I have been for a few days now. I feel fatigued, almost exhausted. Something is not right. I feel sleep deprived. Although at the same time I do not feel sick, I have no cold, no flue. It could be just any other day, except that Im tired. It happened before of course and I believe in our lives in general, these episodes occur from time to time. Nothings strange about it. Yet, it is to a degree frustrating, because in my case I never really get to the core on why I get so tired. It appears to me, often, that everything goes fine, I have a great flow, things are happening, I meet people, Im productive, I train, I even have short rest periods and sleep well. I think. Then when I actually get this tired and look back, what did happen?
True for a long time, a month or two I had this great productive flow. So many things happening on all fronts at the same time. Finally, my book publishing business is growing, and sales start to increase. My endeavour with Zinzino has started to take off, I got new customers and even managed to set up a recurring event, every other Tuesday. My training increased a lot in volume and quality, I felt I was truly back. I averaged about 10h a week for two weeks, cycling and running. Even my previous injuries seemed to have disappeared. But, I admit, and I think this holds true for so many of us. Sometimes we can get caught up in this productive generous flow of activities that we somehow forget to rest enough. I thought I did, but apparently I didn't. Just at the beginning of this week I took a rest in my bedroom in the middle of the day, for say, an hour or so. It felt great, but whats more it felt like I could relax. Rleax (!). That has to mean that I haven't felt that feeling for quite some time. Just chilling, relaxing, doing nothing in particular. And here comes the great lesson to be learnt. As we get more and more productive and experience a sense of flow in our lives, we may forget to balance ourselves and our activities. We still need the same amount of rest as before, not less, perhaps more. But as time goes, those precious periods tend to get shorter and shorter. Instead we, without thinking about it, cram in even more activities in order to get even more productive.
So what have I been up to? What did my last week look like? I was indeed productive, and it was a great week, so rewarding. I managed to pull of about 10h of training, from last Saturday, until last Friday. That includes a few sessions of long-distance cycling and running. I managed to attend one full day conference about marketing and selling at the Gothia Towers here in Gothenburg. I also attended a small seminar for a few hours about investing in China. Moreover I attended a session about mental coaching and how to face your fears with Johannes Hansen, a mental coach here in Sweden. I also worked for two full days at my current day job, while attending my own company where I initiated the next launch of my book, Adventure and Cycle Touring. I can go on with this list, on and on. Of all these activities, I think its the fact that you use your brain power constantly that is draining energy. Like any physical efforts, such as an Iron-Man contest, you perform well during the competition, but afterwards you are fatigued for some time. The brain works exactly the same way. Think, think a lot, figure out stuff, implement methods, trial and error, your mental energy is constantly being used. The more things you do, the more rest you need. Thats all about balance. And when you are well into whatever you are up to, that is the very first thing you tend to forget.
I know, I have been here before. I imagine other factors can contribute as well, a small cold, bad weather for a long time, relatives and family members being sick perhaps. You get so much signals and projections from your surroundings. But at the end of the day its all about what you have in your head, your mental fitness and awareness. We all get tired, its life. We just need to respect it, and take care of ourselves more. I know I do.
If you feel fatigued, do what I did today, turn of the alarm clock. Sleep. meditate. Do some yoga. You are soon back, Im sure.


text:
require 'rubygems'
require 'bundler/setup'
require 'rails/all'
Bundler.require(:default, 'development')

require 'active_support/all'

# silence depreciation warnings
ActiveSupport::Deprecation.silenced = true

if ::ActiveRecord
  ## enable_logger idea thanks to https://github.com/travisjeffery/dotfiles/blob/master/.railsrc
  require 'logger'

  def enable_logger
    ::ActiveRecord::Base.logger = Logger.new(STDOUT)
    ::ActiveRecord::Base.clear_active_connections!
    nil
  end

  def disable_logger
    ::ActiveRecord::Base.logger = nil
    ::ActiveRecord::Base.clear_active_connections!
    nil
  end

  # Hit all models for auto-completion
  def show_tables
    # ::ActiveRecord::Base.establish_connection(
    #   Rails.application.config_for(:database)
    # )
    ::ActiveRecord::Base.connection.tables.each do |t|
      t.singularize.classify.constantize rescue nil
    end
  end

  # logging into console by default
  enable_logger
end

=begin
env RUBYOPT="-I$HOME/code/rubygems.org -renable_db_debug_logger.rb" bundle exec rails console

cd $HOME/thescore/sports/thescore-pulse/pulse &&
(bundle check || bundle install) &&
env RUBYOPT="-I$HOME/code/andxyz-dotfiles/ -renable_db_debug_logger.rb" bundle exec ./bin/console
=end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We have assisted many families in the Chicagoland area and throughout Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Will County, Kane County and Kendall County, for more than a decade. We know how paramount it is to work with an attorney who is responsive to your needs and zealously advocates your interests.
Divorce: Through mediation and/or litigation, our divorce and family law firm can help you gain the most equitable, fair results from your divorce, including distribution of the marital home and other assets, reasonable child support payments and child custody rights enforcement. We also assist with collaborative divorce, in which the parties agree to seek an amicable end to their marriage.
Parenting Agreements: We care for and defend your parental rights to healthfully raise and support your children in a loving and proper home and seek to find the arrangement that meets the best interests of your family in custody and visitation decisions.
Child support: Arami Law Office assists in making sure you are given or are paying a reasonable amount of financial support that is needed to raise and parent your children in a quality environment. Support payments cannot be changed unless the court accepts and modifies the divorce/child support order. If either the custodial parent and/or noncustodial parent has a life altering change in financial status, we can assist you through the proper and legal action that will need to be taken to revise the order for your support payments for your children appropriately.
Spousal maintenance: Divorce should not lead to financial instability. At the Arami Law Office, we help you establish a fair amount of spousal maintenance.
Asset division: The property you and your spouse acquired during your marriage is divided equitably under Illinois law. Our job is to make certain that this division is fair, just and reasonable for both sides.
Pre- and postnuptial agreements: Arami Law Office anticipates unforeseen challenges and will draft thorough premarital agreements that safeguard both spouses' concerns and interests and prevent considerable conflict and distress should you ever file for divorce.
It is a privilege and an honor to serve each and every one of our clients. Therefore, we pledge to be responsive to your needs and to zealously advocate your interests and the best interest of your family by diligently and passionately applying our dedication and experience in your case.
Arami Law Office assists clients in family and divorce law matters in Chicagoland area and throughout Cook County, Lake County and other collar counties in the State of Illinois. If you're facing changes in your family life and need the support of a compassionate, knowledgeable and experienced attorneys, please contact us today online or by phone at 312-212-1399 to set up a consultation.
We can meet with you at our office, or discuss your case with you over the phone. We pride ourselves in our accessibility and make certain to help each and every client in a timely manner.


text:
Concert Review: MONSTER MAGNET at Gorilla Manchester
Gorilla - Manchester, UK - 31 May 2018
Mark Dean June 26, 2018
Photo © Jeremy Saffer
I have not seen Monster Magnet for several years, I think it was actually at a festival on a sunny afternoon possibly in the UK. However, the dark space rock that they play is more suited to the sweaty confines of a small club. They have survived now for over thirty years despite never achieving commercial success fame and fortune. Personally, I was quite surprised that they were playing in this particular venue, believing that they would have been more ideally suited to playing another venue-ie the Club Academy. A more mature audience was packing the venue even before the support band hit the stage. Unfortunately, due to the delay in getting into the venue, we missed on the support band. Bang on the scheduled slot of 9 pm the heavy groove of music kicked in, individual band members appeared through the smoke before the space lord mutha himself, Dave Wyndorf, came into view.
Blasting straight in with the title track of the Dopes To Infinity album the band immediately start laying an earthy groove they quickly follow-up with several new tracks.Mixing both old classics with newer numbers all tunes are received with an equally positive reception by an enthusiastic and sold-out audience. Preferring to focus on the tunes rather than on stage banter Dave and the band served up their music with a suitably psychedelic backdrop and light show. The set seems to fly and in no time at all the band are off before returning for a three-song encore. It's not new or original what Monster Magnet serve up but that it still entertains and gets heads banging and delivers entertainment. The band always deliver quality and a good time. They certainly do it on festival stages when I last saw them for example on a sunny afternoon in Milton Keynes. However, it is in a packed out hot small club with sweat quite literally running down the walls where it feels the most satisfying. The band finally exit to with grins as wide as the audience members that have just been watching them. Job done again, Mr. Wyndorf – see you next time around.
Concert Review and Photos: Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals in London
Concert Review and Photos: STATIC-X at The Firmament
Concert Review and Photos: RIVERSIDE in San Francisco
Concert Review and Photos: ELDER at Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm
Concert Review and Photos: EVANESCENCE at Sands Bethlehem Event Center
Concert Review and Photos: OM in Stockholm
Concert Review and Photos: AVANTASIA in Stockholm
Concert Review and Photos: DROPKICK MURPHYS in London, UK
Concert Review and Photos: METAL ALLEGIANCE in San Francisco, CA
Mark Dean
I'm a 40+ music fan. Fond mostly of rock and metal - my staple musical food delights. Originally from Northern Ireland, I am now based in the UK-Manchester. I have a hectic musical existence with regular shows and interviews. Been writing freelance for five years now with several international websites. Passionate about what I do, I have been fortunate already to interview many of my all-time musical heroes. My music passion was first created by seeing Status Quo at the tender age of 15. While I still am passionate about my rock and metal, I have found that with age my taste has diversified so that now I am actually dipping into different musical genres and styles for the first time.
Concert Review: THY ART IS MURDER at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas
Concert Review and Photos: THE WINERY DOGS at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL
Concert Review and Photos: BLESSTHEFALL in Greensboro, NC
Concert Review and Photos: TRIVIUM with ARCH ENEMY at The Fillmore – Charlotte
Concert Review and Photos: DAN REED NETWORK in Manchester, UK
Concert Review and Photos: DANCE GAVIN DANCE in Columbus, OH


Jan 08, 2004—This article was originally published by RFID Update.
January 8, 2004—"RFID will change the course of business over the next 20 years," says Gartner research director Jeff Woods. "Gartner estimates that there will be at least one commercial user by 2023 in the Fortune 500 strictly because of RFID."


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R.I.P. Marilyn Burns (May 7, 1949 – August 5, 2014)
A Horror Honey Tribute by Lisa
It was just last week that I wrote a piece about my favorite Final Girl. It was, of course, Ms. Marilyn Burns. Marilyn Burns, via Sally Hardesty, ran screaming into my heart when I was very young. She has always held a place in my horror heart and now that heart is broken.
Today the very sad news of her passing was shared. The fact that it was TMZ that broke the news feels like a knife in the back. They don't truly care about Marilyn Burns. Not like her horror family does. We have loved her since day one and she has never disappointed. Marilyn Burns was always more than happy to meet fans and endlessly talk to them about Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Can you imagine how many times she has told her stories from the set of that film? But every single time she told it as if it was the first time. Marilyn Burns is a shining example of a truly gracious and beautiful lady. There has never been a negative word uttered about her because she really was that lovely.
It's hard to talk about her passing without talking about how it has affected me because I am feeling a truly deep loss. When we lose someone, I believe it is much more wonderful to speak about them and tell stories of why they were so cherished than it is to focus on the loss. It is my deep hope that this comes across as a celebration of her character and spirit and not about me. This is all about Marilyn.
As a woman whom I have held in high regard for most of my life, it is difficult for me to grasp that she has moved on. It was only a few months ago when I was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to call her up on the telephone and conduct an interview. I was granted this wish by a Mr. Shawn Ewert.
Marilyn met director Shawn Ewert at Texas Frightmare a few years back and they struck up a genuine friendship. While writing his first feature film, he had a part just for Marilyn and she was absolutely honoured for the opportunity. Can you imagine? You are directing your first feature film and Marilyn Burns is the one talking about how she can't believe how lucky she is to be working with such a talented director? That is the kind of beautiful person Marilyn was. She spoke so highly of everyone she had the pleasure to work with and she was grateful for every single moment she had in her career. Even when she was actually tied to that bed in Eaten Alive and left there for a little to long. Even when she was actually being poked by a broom in the cab of that truck. Even when she was literally tied to that chair, gagged and surrounded by foul, rotten food. Everything she did in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, she did it full on. She said that she always wanted "to give Tobe a 10 every time" and that is exactly what she did. The fear, confusion and emotional drain that you can see on her face and feel coming through that screen is 100% authentic.
What should have been her first break-out role ended up being taken away and given to a young woman named Susan Sarandon. Did Marilyn cause a scene or throw a tantrum? No. She graciously accepted being the stand in for Ms. Sarandon. Thank goodness for this classy attitude because it was on this set that she met Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkle and the rest is history.
Even though she was now the breakout star, she simply didn't think she was good enough to land the role of Linda Cassabian in Helter Skelter. All of the actresses were very concerned about the prospect of having to shave their heads for a role in Helter Skleter and Marilyn wasn't immune, however, she knew that she couldn't just breeze into L.A. and start making demands because she didn't want to be a "little miss picky." Again, her class paid off and she got the one role that didn't require head shaving or wearing a skull cap. Just like with her previous film experiences, Marilyn gushed about everyone that she met and spoke very highly of the experience and how much she learned.
When asked about her experience filming Eaten Alive, she did something people don't seem to do anymore. She thought about her words and chose them carefully. Careful not to complain or say anything negative, she simply said that she had to remind some of the actors that they were, indeed, acting.
Marilyn absolutely lit up when asked about going to horror conventions. She loved, loved, loved it and simply couldn't believe her luck that she got to experience them as she did. She exclaimed, "Can you believe it? People like something you did? You should be proud and grateful that they care. That's just a give." Her brother always picked her up from the airport after conventions and he said that was his favorite time to pick her up because she was so happy. She never once took for granted what she meant to us, her fans. That's class.
Marilyn continually supported the entire Texas Chainsaw Massacre family and film legacy. When Kim Henkle returned to write Texas Chainsaw Massacre; The Next Generation, she did an uncredited cameo and thought it was a blast. When speaking of filming Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, you could feel her exuberance over the phone. She had the most wonderful time reuniting with everyone and returning to their roots. When Kim approached her about doing a cameo in his newest film, Butcher Boys, she didn't hesitate and she spoke of how wonderful everyone was and what a great time she had.
In addition to Marilyn, I had the unique opportunity to speak to many actors in Shawn Ewert's film Sacrament. Before having the opportunity to speak with her, I got to hear from the two leads in the film, Troy Ford and Avery Pfeiffer, about how absolutely wonderful she was to work with. Avery spoke of how fun she was and how she never tired of answering his many questions. They both spoke of how truly nice, gracious and open she was. When I told her this, she was gobsmacked that they had such wonderful things to say. Marilyn was a genuinely humble woman and it is so rare anymore to come across that.
Speaking on the phone with a personal idol is one level of amazing, but to have her be so gregarious and make me feel we had been girlfriends for years is something else entirely. I will never, ever forget her calling me back. Never in my life will I forget how I felt when Marilyn Burns called me and said, 'Hi Lisa!" Meeting her in person put me over the moon. When Shawn introduced us at the Sacrament premiere, her face lit up and she said, "Oh, Lisa!" She then looked at Ed Guinn and told him that I was a wonderful interviewer. You could have pushed me over with a feather in that moment. This is the kind of woman Marilyn Burns was. She was always kind, gracious and classy. She had no reason to treat me, or anyone else that she touched, with so much love, but she did. This is the point behind sharing my experience with Marilyn. She touched my heart because she was a beautiful woman inside and out and I am so humbled and grateful to have had the opportunity to be graced with such light. Marilyn Burns was one in a million and my heart goes out to her family, friends and every single person who is feeling her loss.


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Arx Carolina
Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under Charlesfort, Fort Caroline, fortifications, history, Parris Island, St. Augustine
If you happen to be combing through books and the Internet for information about forts and fortifications in early South Carolina history, you're likely to encounter an illustration titled "Arx Carolina," along with a vague description of its subject. I've been asked about this image several times recently, and I've discovered a number of contradictory explanations. Let's see if I can briefly set the record straight.
Arx Carolina is the title of an engraving by Arnold Montanus first published in Amsterdam by Dapper in 1671—one year after the English-Barbadian settlement at Albemarle Point in Carolina. It depicts a triangular fort based on contemporary European designs, and includes corner bastions, wooden revetments, a moat, drawbridge, and gate. Some history texts identify this fort as the early English settlement of Charles Town at Albemarle Point, while others claim that it represents the fortifications at New Charles Town on the peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. There are also writers who state that it depicts the brief French settlement of Charlesfort on Parris Island, South Carolina, and still others that identify it as the French settlement of Fort Caroline near modern Jacksonville, Florida. So which is it?
In his Narratives of Early Carolina (1911), page 140, Alexander S. Salley Jr. cites Thomas Ashe's 1682 publication Carolina; or a Description of the Present State of that Country, which identifies "Arx Carolina" as the fort built by Jean Ribault and his followers in 1562 on what is now known as Parris Island, South Carolina. Salley states that the name is the Latin form of "Fort Charles" or "Charlesfort," and was named for King Charles IX of France. Yates Snowden's History of South Carolina (1930), volume 1 page 31, however, identifies "Arx Carolina" as Fort Caroline at the mouth of the St. John's River in Florida.
Ribault's settlers abandoned Charlesfort in 1563, barely a year after its creation, and the next French attempt at settlement in the New World was planted at the mouth of the St. John River, near modern Jacksonville, Florida. In mid-1564 French settlers erected at that site a fort that English-speaking historians call "Fort Caroline." A year later, in the autumn of 1565, a Spanish force destroyed Fort Caroline and replaced it with a fort of their own. The French counterattacked in April 1568, however, and burned the Spanish fort, which the Spanish abandoned the following year in favor of the new settlement of St. Augustine. If you're curious, The History of Beaufort County, South Carolina (USC Press, 1996), volume 1, pp. 23-28, includes a good description of this period, and the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology has a website devoted to the Santa Elena and Charlesfort.
It is clear that the 1671 engraving of Arx Carolina does not depict either the 1670 or the 1680 English settlements of Charles Town. It is not entirely clear, though, whether this image depicts the French settlement of 1563 at Parris Island or the 1564 settlement at Jacksonville. It is significant, however, that Montanus's 1671 image of Arx Carolina was reprinted ca. 1710 with the subtitle "Charles Fort, sur Floride."
Yes, I'll agree that it's an interesting and historically significant illustration, but we have to remember that it was created more than a century after the subject it depicts was wiped off the face of the earth, and the artist certainly never laid eyes on the fort. Arx Carolina represents an important chapter in the early contests for settlement in North America, but it doesn't have any direct connection to the fortifications of colonial Charleston, South Carolina.
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Gifts for the Person Who Has it All
Here is an ultra-special gift guide for the person in your life that has it all—especially the one who appreciates gifts with an extra personal touch.
This list is for those in your life with impeccable taste and a taste for authenticity. These selections will really show you care, and want to lavish the most on the one you love.
Baccarat Decanter and Glassware
For the wine connoisseur: the ultimate in elegance and grace. Baccarat has teamed with a renowned vintner for the first time in their 255-year history. Jean-Charles Boisset (seen in the photo at the top of this post), was born into the world of wine in Burgundy, France, where his parents founded their family winery. From those beginnings, Boisset has expanded his empire to include wineries from Burgundy, the South of France, Napa Valley, and Russian River Valley, and a luxury lifestyle brand.
"Wine is the ultimate expression of the senses and art of living. It requires the most refined vessels to present itself. Our dream collection with Baccarat provides sensory experiences that unite the palate, mind and heart!" said Boisset, who has collected Baccarat pieces from a young age and is known for the impressive Baccarat chandeliers that adorn his wineries and tasting rooms.
Baccarat's collaboration with Boisset includes one wine glass designed for white, red or rosé, a Champagne glass, plus wine decanter and a stunning Champagne decanter.
The handmade glasses and decanters retail at $380 for a two-glass set of the wine glasses, $380 for a two-glass set of the Champagne glasses, $860 for the wine decanter and $960 for the Champagne decanter. Available online at jcbcollection.com or on the baccarat site: us.baccarat.com
Sieger By Fürstenberg The Seven Collection: DROPS
I adore this company's designs. Not only are they a wonder to look at, they also are a joy to touch and use. The Seven dinner service's concept is that its seven versatile pieces can be used and combined in any number of ways between breakfast and dinner. For instance, the cup for hot /cold beverages can also function as a bowl for ice cream. The plates, can be used as a saucer or platter, but also as a lid for the bowls to keep meals warm and to store them.
In the DROPS collection, cobalt-blue drops are applied by hand, to create unique patterns. Each item is one of a kind, no two are the same. The gorgeous cobalt blue and bright white create a striking pattern for joy every day.
This set really adds a new energy to the table, the interplay between the different patterns and textures constantly generates new, thrilling combinations on the finest white porcelain.
Designed by Michael Sieger, handcrafted in Germany at Porzellanmanufaktur Fürstenberg. Drops is also available in Satin White, Geometric Blue, Floral Blue, Light Gold and Hanami.Dishwasher-safe. Prices range. The Dinner plate, $187.20; Small cup, $92.81. Available online at artedona.com.
Sieger By Fürstenberg Luna Collection
To go along with the dishware are Luna vases in the Drops pattern. These are also one of a kind pieces of art bearing the same hand-applied cobalt-blue dots in lively patterns. The vases come in three sizes, making a joyful setting for bouquets big and small, and hardly even need flowers as they are striking, sculptural ornaments on their own.
Comes in three sizes, Small, $423.17; Medium, $470.36; Large, $627.67. Available online at artedona.com.
Sieger By Fürstenberg Of Kings & Queens
Here's a beer mug of a different caliber from this company. Of Kings & Queens collection is designed to breath fresh life into beer imbibing. Designed by Michael Sieger, the porcelain and gold beer mugs offer an elegant, slender reinterpretation of the classic beer tankard. The shape and material allow beer's ingredients—water, hops, malt and yeast – to achieve their full potential.
Inspired by the Doric columns, the straight-lined design and concave facets are a key design element. The mug sits snugly in the hand thanks to the slender, finely formed handle. The matte satin finish on the outside gives it a nice, final touch. This makes a grand gift for the beer aficianado.
Porcelain, satin-matte on the outside, 24-carat gold on the inside. Available in two sizes, .33 and .5 liter. Handcrafted in Germany. Small, $344.51. Large, $407.44. Available online at artedona.com
Yellow: The History of a Color by Michel Pastoureau
This book really knows about yellow. Fun fact: did you know tennis balls were not always yellow, but white? They switched to yellow with color TV, so viewers could more easily follow the game. Also, back in Rome, a wedding ceremony required that the couple be dressed in yellow and that they enter together a room painted yellow.
You'll learn this and more in this wonderful tome to the history of yellow, with a wealth of captivating images. With its striking design and compelling text, yellow becomes a feast for the eye and mind. I just adore the cover, which has a unique attitude that begs to know the story behind it.
The author, Michel Pastoureau, is a renowned authority on the history of color. He traces the visual, social, and cultural history of yellow, focusing on European, East Asia, India, Africa, and South America societies. In the book you'll see that yellow in European antiquity was almost sacred, a symbol of light, warmth, and prosperity. Warm yellow recalled honey and gold, serving as a sign of pleasure and abundance. In ancient China, yellow clothing was reserved for the emperor, while in India the color is associated with happiness.
Yellow: The History of a Color by Michel Pastoureau, (also in the series: Red, Blue, Black, and Green), Princeton University Press, $39.95
Sicily is my Love Smeg and Dolce & Gabanna
No one will complain about getting an appliance as a gift when it's designed by Dolce & Gabanna. These specimens will lure even the most kitchen-shy into domestic bliss.
Kettle The kettle is decorated with Sicilian cart motifs and colorful patterns. The bottom half is characterized by oval shapes that showcase Mediterranean bounty—yellow lemons, oranges, and fiery red Etna cherries.
The body is powder-coated steel with a polished chrome base. Holds 1.7 Liters/ 7 cups Jug capacity with soft-opening lid.
It has a removable stainless steel limescale filter. It automatically shuts off when it reaches a temperatuve of 100°C/ 212°F or when water is not detected. The base swivels 360° and has a built-in cord wrap.
2-Slice Toaster Traditional motifs cover the surface, inspired by local terracotta vases from Sicily. The iconography features various types of birds, majestic roosters, and sailboats heading off towards the Mediterranean horizon.
The body is powder-coated steel with a polished chrome base, with 2 extra wide slots. It features an automatic pop up and removable stainless steel crumb tray. Built-in cord wrap keeps things neat. Functions with 6 browning levels and 3 pre-set programs to reheat, defrost, toast a bagel.
The collection also offers a mixer, citrus juicer, espresso machine, blender, slow juicer, as well as major appliances: an oven, fridge, and hood.
Kettle, $650. Toaster, $650. Purchase in New York City at Bergdorf Goodman, and Columbus Circle Williams-Sonoma. Find the store locator on the website.
Smeg, Sicily is My Love, smegusa.com
Great Escapes Europe
Whether you know someone who's a world traveler or just someone who would marvel at Europe's most amazing destinations, Great Escapes Europe: The Hotel Book will fit the bill.
From a 150-year-old Portuguese estate to Norway's Budsjord, last stop on one of the loneliest pilgrimage routes in the world, Angelika Taschen scours the European continent for the most beautiful places to rest your head. This updated guide profiles each hotel through postcard-ready photography and key information.
Great Escapes Europe: The Hotel Book Also on amazon.com
The Gift of Travel
Speaking of travel, a gift of experiences rather than things is truly the ultimate gift for that person that has it all. You'll be providing priceless memories to cherish in lands fare and wide. Choose from these trips that personalize the travel experience, and give intimate looks at the places on their lists.
For those who crave a truly local culinary experience, Traveling Spoon connects travelers to home cooked meals and cooking lessons in local homes around the world. Experiences are 100% vetted and private. Example destinations: witness heritage pasta making in Florence, learn to grind curries in Thailand, make tortillas in a beautiful home in Mexico City. Photos show scenes from Bali (above and below)
Experiences range from $80-250 per person. Choose from 160+ cities in over 50 countries. travelingspoon.com
Walk This Way
For the Francophile on your list, give the gift of fanciful exploration through Medieval villages, rolling fields and forests, gently flowing rivers, with On Foot Holidays' self-guided walking tour. This exploration of the Dordogne region in central France includes stays at waterside inns and former chateaus. Highlight: a tour of the ancient pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, where buildings are perched on cliffs overhanging the valley.
The journey includes fine dining of local specialties and a Michelin-starred restaurant at the journey's end. Rates start from about $900 per person. onfootholidays.co.uk
For the person obsessed with the drama, history and beauty of Italian cinema, let them experience it first-hand at Hotel Mediterraneo in the heart of Rome. They offer an unparalleled experience with their program: Dormire Sul Set ("Sleeping on Set") in partnership with Cinecittà, the famous movie studio. Cinecittà, built in 1937, was the location of nearly all of Fellini's productions, plus still hosts sets of Ancient Rome, Jerusalem and Florence circa 1400.
The Bettoja Hotel group's Hotel Mediterraneo and it's sister property, Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio, have also been featured in shows and movies, as seen in HBO's The Young Pope, Ocean's Eleven, The Americans, and the FX series Trust.
The Sleeping on Set experience starts at $350 for a Junior suite and includes an exclusive breakfast with views from the roof, plus a guided tour and lunch on the Cinecittà set for up to 15. bettojahotels.it
Creative Workshops in Tuscany
For your creative pal, purchase a personal, creative journey to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Cookbook author and food-stylist, Annette Joseph and her husband Frank, bought a dreamy a medieval fortress in the countryside of northern Tuscany. La Fortezza was once a medieval defense tower in a region of over 120 castles and now functions as the couple's Italian summer home and a creative space offering workshops and retreats.
La Fortezza offers breathtaking views of mountains and is surrounded by acres of olive groves, chestnut trees, fruit orchards, and an organic kitchen garden. An outdoor pizza oven adds to the ambiance offering a spot to make regional breads and pizza with local ingredients. Guest quarters include six stylish bedrooms with private baths.
Workshops offer excursions and incredible opportunities to meet the local artisans and merchants and producers of the region. Annette personally teaches classes in addition to internationally known painters, photographers, and writers.
Some of the La Fortezza Workshops for 2020:
The Slow Food Experience: Visit regional vineyards, cheese makers, an Amaro liqueur lab, a flour mill, and dairy. Includes a truffle hunt and three-course truffle-infused luncheon.
Her Dark Materials Old Master Photography: Learn Old Masters-style set-ups and lighting.
William Abranowicz Lifestyle Photography: Participants will be taught to simplify the technical aspects of photography, and understand light and composition to create well-executed, emotionally impactful images.
All About Olives: Will guide you how to harvest, cook, press, and learn all things related to olives.
Workshop Fees start at $3,875 per guest and include a five-night stay. In addition to scheduled workshops, private groups and retreats are also welcome.
Annette Joseph is an expert on entertaining, cooking, and styling. Her recipes and party ideas have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Epicurious, The Huffington Post, and Southern Living, among numerous others.
Tablet Plus Membership
Tablet Hotels is a website which highlights and rates the world's best boutique hotels. Whenever I am planning a trip, it is my go-to for booking the most interesting hotels, as they also include reviews from members and fantastic tips.
The Tablet Plus membership starts with a free 30-day trial, and offers perks like room upgrades, free breakfasts, late check-out, spa credits, and more. It also includes discounted rates on hotels and access to exclusive events (like Michelin dinners). A dedicated team of travel experts assist in planning a journey. In case of a mix-up in booking, they will act on your behalf to straighten things out. They also guarantee the lowest prices for their hotels.
Tablet Plus costs $99 annually.
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