Gorilla Glass is the registered trademark for a toughened glass, manufactured by U.S. glassmaker Corning, Inc.
It became highly popular as a cover glass for portable electronic devices such as high-end mobile phones.
The manufacturer claims that Gorilla Glass offers high scratch resistance and incredible hardness, which allows the use of thinner glass panels on devices, without the inherent fragility, which traditionally comes with thinner thickness.
The invention for manufacturing this sort of protective glass had supposedly been gathering dust for quite some years in Corning's warehouse, until Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO back then, commissioned Corning to develop a new scratch proof display cover glass for the first iPhone.
The rise of touchscreen phones popularity since then has turned the manufacturing of Gorilla Glass into a lucrative business niche for Corning.
In 2012, Corning introduced a second generation of the material, called "Gorilla Glass 2" and devices using it started shipping in the first half the same year. According to the manufacturer, the advantages of the second generation include even thinner construction, higher transparency to light and allows for even better touch sensitivity.
Gorilla Glass 3 was announced in 2013 and the popular Samsung Galaxy S4 (released in the first half of the year) is announced as the first phone to feature it.
The new generation is marketed as having Native Damage Resistance™. Marketing talk aside, the new glass reportedly provides enhanced scratch resistance, reduced scratch visibility, and better retained strength once a scratch occurs. According to the manufacturer, the Gorilla Glass 3 is stronger, and is 3x more scratch-resistant than Gorilla Glass 2. Plus some 40% less scratches are visible once they occur.
Gorilla Glass 4 was announced at the end of 2014. With better damage resistance than its predecessor and the capability to made thinner while offering the same performance.
Gorilla Glass 5 was introduced in July 2016 while later that year in August Gorilla Glass SR+ was introduced for wearables.
Gorilla Glass 6 was introduced in July 2018. Corning's scientists were able to engineer "an entirely new material" that would better survive multiple drops. Tests show that Gorilla Glass 6 survived fifteen drops from 1 meter before actually breaking. This is apparently twice as many drops that Gorilla Glass 5 can withstand.


We will celebrate Shabbat together on Friday, October 12 at 7:30 PM. I hope you will be there!!
The Kids' Shabbat Party and Kabbalat Shabbat Services will meet on Friday October 26 at 5:30. Parents may bring a meat-free, shellfish-free dinner for their kids to eat then, if they wish. Friends and members of all ages, both the young and the young of heart, are welcome!! This is a great opportunity for intergenerational connection; please join us!!
The Congregational Shabbat Service on October 26 will begin at 6:30, followed by our Potluck dinner at 7:30. I hope that you will join us to create and share the warmth of our community and to enjoy the companionship of being a part of it. RSVPs to ksider@hotmail.com for Potluck, along with the main course dish that you bring, ensures that we have enough food for everyone. All dishes should be meat-free and shellfish-free. We are in need of "potluck people" to set up and clean up. Please let Ken know that you will be able to make this happen!
Temple Beth El has converted!!!! We have entirely switched from disposable single-use plates, cups and cutlery to materials that are fully compostable!! I have been taking our compost home to my pile, but if you compost and would like to share the wealth, please let me know!!!
Shabbat Morning Torah Study will meet on Saturday, October 13 and 27. Coffee and Shmooze starts at 9:00 AM, followed by Torah Study at 9:30 AM. We are reading the Book of Samuel. No previous knowledge is needed. Please note that this group is lively, opinionated, vociferous and at times argumentative. We have a lot of fun!!
Lunch and Learn will meet on October 13 and 27 as well. We will be turning our attention to Wise Aging, a program of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, my other spiritual home away from home. This program provides new resources and support to live the later years with spirit, resilience, and wisdom. It is based on a book by my friend and teacher, the late Rabbi Rachel Cowan, may her memory be for a blessing, and Dr. Linda Thal. I have a limited number of books for the group; to reserve a copy, please send an $18 check to me at the Temple, made out to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund. We start lunch at noon, and begin our studies at about 12:30. In this group we strive to become our best selves, and to find techniques that help us to stay calm, focused and aware. Please free to drop in to see what it's all about, and bring a meat-free, shellfish-free lunch dish for yourself or to share. No previous knowledge is needed.
Your feedback on this year's High Holy Day experience is welcome and necessary. Please share your thoughts directly with me, both about things you enjoyed or areas that you think we can improve on. In this way, I will be able to hear your ideas directly from you, understand directly from you what you are thinking and feeling, and work towards improving our experience next year.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at rabbimollykarp@gmail.com at any time.


text:
Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Caroline and I am a PhD student at the University of Sheffield. My research project focuses on Striga - a genus of parasitic plants that devastates harvests by infecting food crops. I am exploring the defence reactions that can make host plants more resistant against Striga. Due to my ongoing battles with anorexia, I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked but I am determined to finish the course.
This blog charts the ups and downs of life in the lab, plus my dreams to become a science communicator and forays into public engagement and science policy....all while trying to keep my mental and physical health intact. Along the way, I'll also be sharing new plant science stories, and profiles of some of the researchers who inspire me on this journey. So whether you have a fascination for plants, are curious about what science research involves, or just wonder what exactly I do all day, read on - I hope you find it entertaining!
Life in the Lab
An interview with Professor Mary Williams – a pioneer for improving plant sciences education
Having taught hundreds of undergraduates over the years, Mary Williams was constantly frustrated by how few of them decided to study plants rather than animals or medical sciences. In 2009, she took on the challenge of writing the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology – an educational output of The Plant Cell Journal. This provides up-to-date, reviewed and downloadable teaching resources that allow University lecturers to integrate the most cutting-edge plant science research into their lesson plans. I caught up with her at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Experimental Biology to hear her views on the best ways to engage young people with plants.
Please describe your own journey within Plant Science
I did a regular PhD and PostDoc in Plant Science and as I was finishing my PostDoc, I got interested in spending more time teaching. I took a position at what's called a "Primarily Undergraduate Institution" (Harvey Mudd College) which in America is like a Liberal Arts College where students can get their undergraduate degree but they go elsewhere for their PhD. The nice thing about these places is that the faculty are encouraged to be innovative and put a lot of time and effort into their teaching. So, as opposed to teaching being a sort of "add-on" to your really important work in research, it's actually a very valuable part of what a faculty member there does. They actually prioritise excellence in teaching over excellence in research which is pretty interesting, but that's because these institutes are set up to specialise in undergraduate education. However, I felt that, although I was a really good teacher, we always had very small numbers of students interested in plants. I always found that frustrating because you can stand on your head and do cartwheels and say "Aren't plants amazing?" and all the students say "Yes BUT…we're interested in dementia and cancer!"
I was there for thirteen years and actually lots of different things happened including that I got married to a Scottish man! We were discussing if he would move to California or I would move to Scotland. At the time, the Journal that I worked for – The Plant Cell – had been exploring the idea of introducing an educational component to the journal. They envisaged a thing called "Teaching Tools in Plant Biology" and offered me the role of Editor. I was really excited by this for several reasons – one of which was that it would allow me to move to Scotland and continue to do something I really enjoyed! I was very keen on using my interest in education in trying to broaden the impact I was having beyond a small number of students to try and see if there was a way to disseminate plant science education more broadly.
Can you describe the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology?
These articles are written for distribution around the world and are used very broadly around the world. I write articles to try and bring the excitement of plant science research to undergraduates. They draw on current research as a starting point and they simplify it and interpret it so that students can see that plant science is very exciting and important. It's a little different to starting with photosynthesis and saying "You've already seen this in high school, now we're going to teach you as a University student." We try and think of what things will get students really excited about plant science, how can we do it a little differently so they are motivated to learn it effectively as undergraduates and maybe even pursue it. There is an image that's very pervasive in a lot of primary and secondary schools that plant science is boring. When students go into their biology class, there's a jumping mouse and a plant and unless the plant's a Venus Flytrap they don't engage with it in the same way. We who appreciate plants and how sophisticated they are, we can look behind the surface and we're aware of the amazing biochemistry that's going on…but for kids who don't know anything about that, they just see something which might as well be plastic - it seems inanimate.
So how can we get children and young people excited about plants?
Time-lapse movies that people make and put on YouTube are very good because you can see, for example, a plant spinning around as its trying to find a place for its tendrils to grasp…people are amazed to see how active a plant is, they can suddenly see that it's alive!
There's also a garden in Montreal, Montreal Botanic Garden, which was designed for sight impaired people and it's a collection of plants which have particular qualities of either texture and smell. They let blind children touch the plants, get the oils on their hands and smell them… I think that's such an interesting way of getting people to be more aware of plants by asking them to touch and smell them. So they've got kids experiencing plants in a different way to what we're used to.
How can we get more adults interested in plant science?
For me the biggest problem plant scientists have right now is this GMO issue. When you say to someone "I do plant genetics", it's almost always the first thing out of their mouths: "You don't do that GMO stuff, do you?" We've built this black hole of public relations that is really difficult to get out of. You can say "Yes but, there's Golden Rice and that's a very high-nutrient substance that can alleviate disease…" and they say "I don't like Monsanto!" so you end up in this downward spiral when you try to talk to people about plant research. People seem to be much more accepting of the role of science in health and medicine than they are in food. It seems that the harder plant scientists try to talk to people about what they do, the worse it gets.
How successful have the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology been so far?
The number of downloads is constantly increasing. It's a young enough project so that people are still discovering it. When I go to a conference, I talk to a lot of people who find them incredibly helpful when they're teaching, particularly for younger people who are moving into teaching – they can find a resource that's ready to use as a starting point. The fact that there is primary research, pretty pictures and simple explanations makes it a nice way to build your own teaching – we envision these as a level in-between a text book and a review article so it's particularly well suited for more advanced undergraduates. Graduate students also use these a lot for self-teaching, so when they find out that they're going to start teaching about cytokinin, or even start researching about it, they find these are a very easy entry point for building their knowledge. Everything we've seen says they've been very successful in helping people teach and learn about plant science in a new way.
For more information about the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology, please see http://www.plantcell.org/site/teachingtools/
Posted by Searching for Content at 10:13
What have I been reading recently?
The Guardian's mini series on how to be a science communicator - a great series of articles covering everything from pitching ideas to editors, reporting from conferences and keeping a blog. Plenty of tips to keep me going! https://www.theguardian.com/science/series/secrets-science-writing
Preserving the packaged salad....
An interview with Professor Mary Williams – a pion...
Bioinformatics, careers, conference dinners...and ...
Life in the slow lane...
Frogs, telephone interviews and women in science...
We're on the Today Programme...Tomorrow!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How Can I speed Up this Sub? Copy and Paste from last column to another one I m working on a file with about 1200 rows and more than 171 columns. I am trying to consolidate some data and the following Sub is a part of a bigger work. I ended up in having the sales data in different columns (nothing we can do about it - this is a consequence of a text to column transformation). So what I am doing is taking for each row the last data (which is my sales) and move them into the same column but this is very time consuming. I am wondering if you have some tips to make this process faster:
Sub MoveSales()
Dim DestinationWs As Worksheet
Dim MyRange As Range
Dim destinationLastRow As Long
Dim LastColumn As Long
Dim row_no As Long
Set DestinationWs = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Testing")
destinationLastRow = DestinationWs.Range("A" & Rows.Count).End(xlUp).Row

Application.ScreenUpdating = False

For row_no = 2 To destinationLastRow

Dim lColumn As Long, ColLetter As String
lColumn = DestinationWs.Cells(row_no, Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column
ColLetter = Split(Cells(1, lColumn).Address, "$")(1)

Set MyRange = DestinationWs.Range(ColLetter & row_no)
For Each cell In MyRange
cell.Copy
DestinationWs.Range("FP" & row_no).PasteSpecial Paste:=xlPasteValues
Next cell
Next
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Thank you

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If you are a small business owner, you are responsible for practically everything that happens in your business, and you are also responsible for what happens to you during retirement. That includes finding and researching the best retirement plans for small business owners.
You might think that there is only one cookie-cutter retirement plan for people like you, however, the truth is that there are several types of retirement plans for small business owners. While there are those that are appropriate for one-man teams, some are better for businesses with employees.
Many small business owners are familiar with a Self-Employed 401(k) and find themselves setting it up, however, there are other options including the SEP IRA, the SIMPLE IRA, and the 401(k) plan.
If you have a rather large organization with up to 100 employees, it will be better to set up a 401(k) plan because of the setup costs, fiduciary responsibilities and other features you won't find in the other IRA plans.
If you have less than ten employees, you should explore the first three, to repeat, the Self-Employed 401(k), SEP IRA, and the SIMPLE IRA. Each plan has different features that cover contribution limits, the ability to cover employees, administrative responsibility, among other features. Choosing the right plan requires understanding the nuances of each plan and matching them with your priorities.
Why do you need to carefully research retirement plans for small business owners? First off, the plan you were initially considering may help secure your employees' future but not yours. Second, having a retirement plan attracts and keeps good employees. And lastly, there are tax benefits to having a retirement plan since contributions are deductible as a business-related expense. So, which plan is right for you?
SEP IRA or Simplified Employee Pension IRAs for self-employed individuals and small business owners with employees. The contributions are made by the employer exclusively. Contributions are treated as a business expense. The main advantage of this IRA plan over others is that it is easy to setup and maintain. Also, there is no initial setup and annual maintenance fee.
SIMPLE IRA or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees is for businesses with up to 100 employees. Contributions are made by both the employer and employee similar to a 401(k) plan. The key advantage of this retirement plan is that there is less administration work involved because it's mainly a salary deduction plan. Also, it offers a low-cost option of $25 per plan participant or a $350 plan fee.
Self-Employed 401(k) plan is for self-employed people that have the most generous contribution limits. But it is only good for businesses with employees who do not have any ownership interest or are considered "common law" employees. Also, there is no initial setup and maintenance fee.
The information we provide in this article is just general information on three types of retirement plan options for small business owners. You can find more information by seeking the help of an advisor.


text:
PRAGMA locking_mode = normal;
SELECT * FROM abc;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
It introduces the terms search.
tivotoday.com
It sends the form search
To add to favorites
Page of beginning
HDTV (TAVD)
ADSL TV
Telecinco will send two new channels for the TDT
Telecinco Sports will most of dedicate its programming to those sports that, in spite of being Olympic in the majority of the cases, almost do not have cover in the sport programming of the generalist televisions
Telecinco will send before end of the month of November two digital channels, one completely dedicated to the sport and another one to the fiction, under the names of Telecinco Sport and Telecinco Stars, respectively. The third digital channel of the chain will follow, like until now, emitting the conventional programming. Telecinco tries to be therefore the first group in starting up the 100% of its supply of Terrestrial Digital Television (TDT), to drive the implantation of this technology in Spain.
Telecinco Stars will be dedicated exclusively to the fiction and tries abrir a window on the Spanish audio-visual industry, according to has declared an executive of the chain. Because according to him, we understand that to support and to foment the Spanish cinema it is possible to be done of another way, not only losing money. Series, preopenings and making off will be the ingredients of the new digital channel.
The launching of the digital channels faces many challenges. Most important it is the little penetration of the TDT in the Spanish homes (arrives to little more than 1%) and the deficiency of hearing data, a very important tool for the programmers of any television.
Therefore, Telecinco will make a great sounding through its generalist chain, with which it will ask the viewers who express their preferences and, mainly, the sports that more throw in lack in television and the series and films that they would more like to see again in the small screen.
(SatCesc, 29-09-05)
Note: Prohibited the copy or total or partial distribution of the contents of tivotoday.com in any commercial mass media. © 2005 is only allowed to use the holder with the concrete connection of the news tivotoday.com


Thank you to all of you who helped Mrs. Mack with her recycling Good Deed. Mrs. mack has been collecting bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts, and all other kinds of packing materials so that she can send the children's artwork home safely. Precious sculptures have a much better chance of surviving on the after-school playground if they are wrapped in something soft! Mrs. Mack kept a lot of "non-decompositional" plastic out of our trash. Feel free to help with this project this year and next. There is always great Lower School art that needs to make its way home to you.


A Complete Chess Course is a comprehensive manual for those new to chess, which explains with great clarity the basics of the game.
Using innovative methods, Gude ensures that readers quickly grasp each key concept before building on it by introducing new ideas.
This is an interactive course. With a total of 280 questions and exercises to tackle, the reader will quickly gain skills rather than mere knowledge.
Gude strips the mystery away from tactics and combinations by looking first at the strengths and weaknesses of each piece in isolation, and then showing how they work together with each of the other pieces.
He also presents guidelines on chess strategy that will help shape the reader's understanding of chess, and a wide variety of patterns for the reader's all-important 'mental database'.
The section on openings explains the main aims of each major opening, and the style of game to which they tend of lead, together with some key variations.
Later chapters provide examples of how to launch attacks, putting together the skills from earlier chapters, and deal with issues such as chess training, psychology and competitive chess at club and tournament level.
Antonio Gude is an extremely experienced chess writer and teacher from Spain. Several of his books on tactics and for beginners are long-standing best-sellers in Spanish language. Gude has also translated a great many books, including some of the classics of chess literature.


text:
Q: In TSQL converting JSON to XML? I have a development to execute dinamyc queries stored at column table, all was programmed to manipulating parameters in XML, but there is some other apps that send the parameters in a json, so I would like to know if some one have made something to convert a Json to XML in T-SQL

A: Just to update this, You can now use OPENJSON to convert to a table and then translate the result to a XML document.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/json/convert-json-data-to-rows-and-columns-with-openjson-sql-server
SELECT *
FROM  OPENJSON('{"title": "Sample Konfabulator Widget","name": "main_window" }') as DATA
FOR XML RAW, ELEMENTS

A: This function works for my tasks:
http://sqlsunday.com/2013/05/12/converting-json-data-to-xml-using-a-t-sql-function/

A: how to assign this SELECT statement to a local variable
for ex:
DECLARE @data XML
@data = SELECT *
FROM OPENJSON('{"title": "Sample Konfabulator Widget","name": "main_window" }') as DATA
FOR XML RAW, ELEMENTS

A: Research from this thread (To find a faster solution) lead me to discover the following built-in SQL Server functions added from 2016 onwards..
ISJSON (Transact-SQL) tests whether a string contains valid JSON.
JSON_VALUE (Transact-SQL) extracts a scalar value from a JSON string.
JSON_QUERY (Transact-SQL) extracts an object or an array from a JSON string.
JSON_MODIFY (Transact-SQL) changes a value in a JSON string.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/json/json-data-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver15


Emma has been working together with clarinetist John Macfarlane and pianist Hein Putter as a trio: Trio colla Voce. On 31st October, they will perform during the concert series organised by the Leiden University Hospital "LUMC." The programme consists of Louis Spohr's (1784-1859) Sechs deutsche Lieder and a new composition by Emma: 'The Hag,' on a poem by Robert Herrick (1591-1674), written especially for Hallowe'en. The concert will be broadcast on hospital radio.
The concert is free and members of the public are welcome.


The EAS asserts that the outcome of the Brexit referendum will not affect the EAS's co-operation with UK institutions and colleagues involved in music education and in music teacher training. Over the past years, the EAS and its UK members have contributed significantly to the promotion and strengthening of European integration, and the society remains committed to continuing all partnerships, across Europe and beyond, in our music education work.
← Call for Papers EAS2017 (Salzburg) now open!


text:
'Joker' Leads 2020 Oscar Awards with 11 Nominations Including 'Best Picture' and 'Best Actor'
• -
New 'Birds of Prey' Trailer Details Harley Quinn's Breakup with the Joker, Ewan McGregor Becomes Black Mask (VIDEO)
'The Flash' Solo Film Gets Release Date in 2022, 'The Matrix 4' Scheduled for Same Day as 'John Wick 4'
'Crisis on Infinite Earths' Part 2 Recap: The Search for the Paragons
Robert Downey Jr. Reveals If He Would Ever Return as Iron Man
'Black Widow' Trailer: Natasha Squares Off with Taskmaster in New Footage (VIDEO)
'Morbius' Trailer Debuts: Jared Leto Transforms into a Vampire in this 'Spider-Man' Spinoff (VIDEO)
Stephen Dorff Happy for 'True Detective' Co-Star Mahershala Ali to Take Over 'Blade', Open to Return as Deacon Frost
Taika Waititi Reportedly Being Pursued to Direct a New 'Star Wars' Film
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Screenwriter Refutes Claims the Film Took Direct Shots at 'The Last Jedi'
'The Mandalorian': Jon Favreau Confirms Season 2 Coming in Fall 2020, Teases New Character
'The Mandalorian' Season Finale Recap 'Chapter 8: Redemption': This Is The Way
'American Horror Story' Renewed Through Season 13 on FX, Sarah Paulson Set to Return
'American Horror Story' Creator Ryan Murphy Teases Season 10 'Might Be Our Last'
'American Horror Story: 1984' Recap 'True Killers': Rebel Yell
'American Horror Story: 1984' Recap 'Slashdance': Mindhunter
'Better Call Saul' Renewed for Sixth and Final Season on AMC
'Better Call Saul' Season 5 Debut Date Revealed, First Photos Released (PHOTOS)
'El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie' Review and Recap: 'Good Luck, Mr. Driscoll'
New 'El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie' Trailer Drops Revealing Jesse's Showdown with Mystery Character (VIDEO)
'Game of Thrones' Spinoff 'House of the Dragon' Not Expected to Debut Until 2022
Former 'Game of Thrones' Showrunners Sign On to Produce 'Lovecraft' Movie Based on Vertigo Comic
'Game of Thrones' Prequel 'House of the Dragon' Officially Ordered to Series at HBO
'Game of Thrones' Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss Exit Planned 'Star Wars' Trilogy
'Mayans M.C.' Season 2 Finale Recap 'Hunahpu': Sleep Now in the Fire
'Mayans M.C.' Renewed for Season 3 on FX Following Kurt Sutter's Exit
'Mayans M.C.' Recap 'Itzam-Ye': Let's Go to War
'Mayans M.C.' Recap 'Kukulkan': The Reaper Arrives
Rutger Hauer, star of 'Blade Runner' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', Dies at 75
'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dead at 39
'Supergirl' Casts 'True Blood' Star Mehcad Brooks to Play Jimmy Olsen
'True Blood' Series Finale Recap 'Thank You': Meeting the True Death
'The Walking Dead' Has No Timetable Set for the End of the Series
'The Walking Dead' Movie 'Very Different' from the TV Show, Film Will Debut in Theaters Only
'The Walking Dead': New Series Title Revealed Along with Teaser Trailer (VIDEO)
'The Walking Dead' Mid-Season Finale Recap 'The World Before': Trust Should Be a Four-Letter Word
• 'Game of Thrones' Spinoff 'House of the Dragon' Not Expected to Debut Until 2022
• 'Superman & Lois' Picked Up to Series on the CW
• 'Better Call Saul' Renewed for Sixth and Final Season on AMC
• video 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' Season 3 Trailer Teases the Devil's Worst Nightmare (VIDEO)
• Taika Waititi Reportedly Being Pursued to Direct a New 'Star Wars' Film
'Game of Thrones' Recap 'The Long Night': The War for the Dawn
By NerdcoreMovement
NerdcoreMovement
NerdcoreMovement.com is your one stop destination for all things nerd, pop culture and geek related. Comic books, TV recaps and reviews, movie previews, trailers, and hot chicks reviewing video games. What more could you ask for?
Episode 3final seasonGame of ThronesRecapreviewThe Long NIght
In the 'Game of Thrones' recap, the living battle the dead in the war to end all wars as the Night King finally leads his attack against Winterfell…
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
The war between the living and the dead has been teased since the opening scene of the pilot episode of 'Game of Thrones' eight seasons ago.
What started out as myths and legends about creatures known as White Walkers soon spiraled into a full blown army of the dead led by the Night King — a monster who is death animated, created by the Children of the Forest to kill the living and for centuries that has been his only purpose.
Over the course of the past eight seasons, the Night King has quietly grown his army, bringing the dead back to life and creating new White Walkers with the help of some Wildlings such as Craster, who handed over all of his male children for years.
If the stories are to be believed, the White Walkers last attacked thousands of years ago during a time known as 'The Long Night' before they were finally driven back by the living during the 'Battle for the Dawn'.
Now the Night King is leading his horde into Winterfell to kill every living creature in the Known World and just as important is eliminating the Three-Eyed Raven aka Bran Stark to ensure the history of this world doesn't survive.
What unraveled over nearly 90 minutes in the latest episode of 'Game of Thrones' is the biggest and most prolific battle scene in film or television history — and it all paid off in the end.
Lives were lost. Characters we loved are no more. But the Great War is won.
With that said, let's recap the latest episode of 'Game of Thrones' titled 'The Long Night'…
Dead Before the Dawn
The episode of 'Game of Thrones' picks up just moments after last week's ended with the Army of the Dead arriving at Winterfell and the combined forces of Daenerys' army, the Northmen, the Knights of the Vale along with the last remnants of the Night's Watch and the Wildlings prepare to greet them.
Inside the castle walls, Samwell and Tyrion walk around the people shouting with weapons clanging together as the soldiers get into place to prepare for the battle ahead. There's an obvious tension in the air as the greatest threat to life itself sits perched just outside the walls of Winterfell.
As the Dothraki horde awaits with Ser Jorah Mormont leading them, a lone rider appears out of the snow but it's not one of the dead. Instead, it's Melisandre having returned to Westeros as she promised to give the living one last chance to defeat the dead.
She has Jorah command the Dothraki to lift their arakhs in the air as she grabs one and says a prayer. A second later, the entire Dothraki armament is sitting on horseback with their arakhs burning with fire as they charge out into the night to meet the dead.
Jon Snow and Daenerys watch from above as does anybody in a position to see outside the castle walls. They watch this horde of Dothraki screamers, blades made fire, charge into the dead but within seconds the lights start to blink and then eventually fade.
A matter of seconds have passed and the entire Dothraki horde has been overwhelmed — including Jon's direwolf Ghost, who charged into the fray yet never returned. The few people who do return include Jorah and the last remaining Dothraki survivors as they run towards the gates at Winterfell with the Army of the Dead close behind them.
A second later the dead arrive — and they crash through the army meant to stop them.
Brienne and Jamie are almost immediately overrun as are their soldiers. Grey Worm is forced to lead a retreat back into the castle as the Unsullied are being slaughtered. The plan to slow down the dead isn't working and they are forging that much closer towards the castle walls.
In the midst of the battle, Samwell is tacked and nearly killed if not for his brother Dolorous Edd, who comes to his rescue. Sadly a second later as Edd helps his Night's Watch brethren back to his feet, a knife comes jutting out of his face as a wight kills him in front of Sam.
The first major casualty of the war is the last leader of the Night's Watch.
Sansa watches from one of the towers at Winterfell, horrified by what she's seeing unfold. Arya tells her sister that it's time to join the rest of the people in the crypts where she will be safest. Sansa doesn't want to abandon her people but Arya knows that's where she will be abie to do the most good. Arya then hands her sister a dragonglass dagger and Sansa replies that she doesn't know how to use it.
"Stick them with the pointy end"
~ Arya to Sansa
Jon and Daenerys attempt to offer the armies some reprieve as they dive into battle on the backs of their dragons, Drogon and Rhaegal, raining down fire on the hordes of the dead. Still the flames aren't enough, especially after both of them end up blinded from a swarm of snow, ice and wind that comes flying at them.
Meanwhile, Melisandre was able to make her way back inside before the fighting began when she met Ser Davos Seaworth yet again. He had promised that if he ever set his sights on her again that she would perish after she ordered the death of Princess Shireen Baratheon. Melisandrea knows that Davos wants her dead and she reassures him that she won't be around much longer.
"There's no need to execute me, Ser Davos. I'll be dead before the dawn"
~ Melisandre
As the armies are forced to flee for cover inside the gates of Wintefell, Grey Worm orders that the trenches should be lit on fire to give them a little more time. Davos signals with torches, which is meant to alert Daenerys on the back of her dragon to rain down fire, thus lighting the trenches surrounding the castle.
Unfortunately, Daenerys is still in mid-flight and due to the snow and fog in the air, she's unable to see the torches giving her the signal.
That's when Melisandre makes her move by walking out into the fray with Grey Worm and the Unsullied there to protect her. Once again she says a prayer and at the end, the trenches light up in flames as the Army of the Dead are finally held at bay — for a moment anyways.
As the fighting slows for a moment, another screech is heard in the distance and that's when the Night King finally makes his first appearance in the battle, riding on the back of his dead dragon Viserion. The Night King motions towards his army and the wights start piling on top of the trench, sacrificing body after body while stamping out the fire that was lit to keep them out.
Finally a path is cleared and the wights begin pouring through the line as they reach the castle at Winterfell.
As the wights come barreling towards the walls, climbing over each other until reaching the top, Brienne, Jamie and the rest of their soldiers attempt to hold the line but the numbers are just insurmountable. Arya is able to use her new weapon to fight back as she kills several wights as she makes her way through the castle where she grew up but over time the sheer numbers overwhelm her as well.
Arya is eventually knocked to the ground after smacking her head on a wall and she's left to fend her herself while Beric Dondarrion tries to reach her. Sadly, 'The Hound' has been frozen in fear ever since the initial charge failed and the Army of the Dead are now inside the walls at Winterfell.
Down on the ground, Lady Lyanna Mormont is commanding her troops to protect the gate but it's all for naught after the giant wight smashes through the doors before killing several more people. The giant swats Lyanna away like a fly before returning to grab her from the ground and crush her with its bare hands. Just before Lyanna expires, she manages to thrust her dragonglass dagger into the eye of the massive creature.
The giant wight falls dead with Lyanna Mormont still in its grasp. A few seconds later she dies from her injuries doing what she had always pledged — she fought for the North.
As for Arya, she's now running through the castle to avoid the Army of the Dead that has made its way inside. She eventually finds herself in the library, quietly trying to move around the room to avoid alerting the wights of her presence.
Arya finally escapes with a distraction but it's short lived success as the wights soon just break through the walls and come after her. Thankfully this time, Arya has backup as Beric and the Hound show up to lend her support.The two of them fight back the dead as Arya is able to escape.
Again the numbers become too much and Beric Dondarrion is eventually stabbed to death by the Army of the Dead. Beric was brought back by the Lord of Light on several occasions and now he has served his purpose by protecting Arya Stark.
The Hound manages to get Arya out of danger before they run into the Great Hall where they run into Melisandre, who appeared to be waiting for their arrival.
It wasn't all that long ago that Melisandre was on Arya's kill list after she took Gendry away back in season 2. Arya doesn't murder the red priestess but instead recalls the prophecy she was told when last they met.
Arya: "You said I'd shut many eyes forever. You're right about that, too"
Melisandre: "Brown eyes, green eyes and blue eyes."
The last part is key because we all know the Night King, the White Walkers and the Army of the Dead all have blue eyes.
Melisandre then repeats a phrase to Arya that she has known since training with her 'dancing teacher' Syrio Forel back in the first season.
"What do we say to the god of death"
With that, Arya gives Melisandre and the Hound one last look before she rushes back into the fight.
Outside as the battle continues, the Night King swoops in on the back of his dead dragon and rains down fire to open up a hole in the walls at Winterfell. The Night King then pursues Daenerys on the back of Drogon as the blue flames from her former child draw closer and closer. Out of nowhere, Jon arrives on the back of Rhaegal as they crash into the Night King and Viserion.
The two dragons engage in a battle in mid-air with Rhaegal taking the worse of the damage until Daenerys arrives to lend a hand. As Drogon crashes into Viserion, the Night King is tossed off his back as he crashes back down to the ground.
Rhaegal soon follows as his injuries are too severe to allow him to fly any further and as he slams down on the ground, Jon is also thrown off his back.
Finally, Daenerys flies overhead until she spots the Night King standing down below her looked back up at the sky. She pauses for a moment and then shouts 'Dracarys' as Drogon lets out a bellowing flame that blankets the ground below in fire.
Daenerys waits for the flames to clear and she's horrified a second later when the Night King emerges unscathed. He draws a spear from his back and Daenerys is forced to fly away or risk another of her children being killed by the Night King.
With the Night King on the ground, he is now headed towards the Godswood where he will attempt to destroy the Three-Eyed Raven. Jon sees the Night King and knows exactly where he's going and he is determined to stop him.
Down in the crypts, Tyrion feels useless while he sits with all the women and children not able to fight. He does spend some quality time with his former wife Sansa, who tries to tell him that they are both doing what they can by being in the crypts and not out on the battlefield.
Tyrion: "Maybe we should have stayed married"
Sansa: "You were the best of them"
The sweet moment soon turns sour when Sansa mentions how the dragon queen would surely come between them and Missandei has finally heard enough and she reminds the lady of Winterfell that without Daenerys Targarye, the North would have already joined the Army of the Dead.
As the fighting draws closer and closer to the crypts with screaming heard from outside the doors, everybody quiets down and awaits word of what's happening.
The Night King prepares to go after Bran but not before Jon Snow makes one last charge at him.
They standoff in the field outside the Godswood but before Jon can even draw his sword to fight, the Night King raises his hands and all of the dead Dothraki, Northern soldiers and Unsullied who died in battle that day have their eyes turned blue and they all join him in the Army of the Dead.
It's a nightmare come true as Jon watches the people he just battled alongside raise up and prepare to kill him in service to the Night King.
Inside the crypts, things soon turn horrific as well as the skeletons of the long dead Starks come back to life and start breaking out of their graves. The people in the crypts are in just as much danger because they are surrounded by the dead coming back to life thanks to the Night King.
Tyrion and Sansa clutch hands as they hide behind one of the graves. Tyrion eventually kisses Sansa's hand as they run for their lives.
Upstairs inside the castle courtyard, Ser Brienne, Jamie and everybody else are still attempting to battle back against the Army of the Dead when the reanimated corpses of their fellow soldiers start rising up against them as well. The numbers are simply too much and there's no way the living should survive the night.
The War for the Dawn
With Jon Snow unable to reach his brother, he's forced back into the courtyard where he attempts to find a way back out to the Godswood. Unfortunately, his path is blocked when Viserion crashes down into Winterfell and starts unleashes his dragon fire. Jon is stuck trying to survive the dragon and he can't get to his brother Bran.
As for Daenerys, after she lands in an attempt to help Jon, the wights seize her dragon and begin climbing on his back trying to get to the queen. Drogon shakes and fights back but in the midst of his thrashing, he tosses Daenerys to the ground before he takes flight to get rid of the last of the dead still clawing into his scales.
Daenerys is defenseless on the ground until her knight in not so shiny armor comes to the rescue as Jorah Mormont makes one last charge to rescue his queen. He begins fighting back against the Army of the Dead that is now surrounding them as he wields the greatsword Heartsbane and with each flash of his Valyrian steel blade, the wights are cut down.
Daenerys even picks up a dragonglass sword to give an assist but over time Jorah begins getting chopped down as he sustains several wounds to his body.
Meanwhile, the Night King has finally made his way down to the Godswood where he intends to snuff out the Three-Eyed Raven once and for all.
Theon and the Ironborn do their best to protect Bran but again the numbers are just too much and eventually all of them but one are killed.
Theon is left alone, the last man standing to protect Bran from the Night King. He's offered some words of encouragement in what Bran believes will be their final moments.
"Theon, you're a good man. Thank you."
~ Bran Stark
With that, Theon charges into the breach but he's quickly cut down by the Night King, stabbed in the belly and left to bleed out in the snow. Theon died as he lived most of his life as a member of the Stark family in Winterfell.
Finally, the Night King arrives at his prize as he stares down at Bran and prepares to draw out his sword.
From the night sky, Arya then leaps out of nowhere in an attempt to kill the Night King but he catches her by the throat in mid-air. Just when it appears that the Night King will add another Stark to his list of victims, Arya drops the catspaw — the Valyrian steel dagger that was once used in an attempt on her brother's life — into her other hand.
She then plunges the dagger into the Night King — in the same spot where the dragonglass used by the Children of the Forest to create him pierced his skin. With one thrust of her dagger, Arya seals the Night King's fate as he shatters into a million pieces of ice and a moment later all of his army falls behind him as well. And just for reference sake, Arya has practiced that move before if you go back to last season when she got into a sparring match with Brienne.
The remaining White Walkers shatter and the wights who follow them just fall lifeless to the ground. Out in the courtyard, Jon turns to face Viserion but just before the dragon can unleash his flame, he falls dead like everything else.
Outside the walls after the dead have fallen, Jorah Mormont finally succumbs to his wounds as he lays on the ground with Daenerys holding his head. He can't even speak a final word before he expires as Daenerys cries for her fallen friend and advisor.
Down in the crypts, Tyrion and Sansa are able to lead everyone to safety including Varys and Gilly, who survived the attack from the dead.
And with all the fighting done, Melisandre emerges one last time as she walks out beyond the gates and through to the other side. Ser Davos gives chase, wondering if perhaps this is his moment when he can finally avenge Princess Shireen.
Instead of killing her, Davos watches as Melisandre drops her necklace into the snow and she quickly transforms from a beautiful, fiery redhead into a withered old woman with grey in her hair. A second later, Melisandre falls dead to the ground and soon blows away like dust as her mission was finally completed. She saved the living from the dead and now she can sleep forever.
The great war is finished — the Night King has been defeated and the Army of the Dead is no more. Lives were lost — Dolorous Edd, Lyanna Mormont, Beric Dondarrion, Theon Greyjoy, Melisandre and Ser Jorah Mormont — are all gone. By all accounts, Grey Worm, Brienne, Jamie and the rest survived — but we are still awaiting word on Jon's direwolf Ghost, who jumped into the fray and then never returned.
Now what's left of Daenerys' army will forge ahead with one goal in mind — to remove Cersei Lannister from power and return the Targaryen dynasty to the Iron Throne.
'Game of Thrones' returns next Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET for one of the final three episodes of the series…
'Avengers: Endgame' Review: The Perfect...
'Game of Thrones': Watch the Preview for Episode...
'Better Call Saul', 'Fear the Walking Dead' Renewed at AMC
'Mayans M.C': First Teaser for 'Sons of Anarchy' Spinoff Released (VIDEO)
'Mayans M.C.' Recap 'Camazotz': Get Ready You Mother for the Big Payback
MORE IN Featured
'Breaking Bad' Movie Gets an Official Title, Release Date and Trailer (VIDEO)
'It' Review: A Truly Terrifying Update of a Stephen King Classic
Sony Plans on Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio 'Spider-Man' Spinoff Films
'Scream Queens' Star Billie Lourd Cast in 'American Horror Story' Season 7
'The Handmaid's Tale' Season 2 Trailer Offers a Bleak Look at What Lies Ahead (VIDEO)
Bryan Cranston Reveals the Most Emotional Scene He Shot During 'Breaking Bad'
'Superman & Lois' Picked Up to Series on the CW
How Pop Culture Is Transforming the Online Slot Industry
'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' Season 3 Trailer Teases the Devil's Worst Nightmare (VIDEO)
'Game of Thrones' Final Season Episode 2 Preview (VIDEO) - Nerdcore Movement on 'Game of Thrones' Final Season Premiere Recap 'Winterfell': A Crown for a King
'The X-Files' Season 11 Debut Recap 'My Struggle III': Find Him on 'The X-Files' Season 11 Debut Recap 'My Struggle III': Find Him
'The Walking Dead' Review: The Saviors Strike Back In Bad Choice-Filled Finale - Viral News Everyday on 'The Walking Dead' Mid-Season Finale Recap 'How It's Gotta Be': Prepared to Die
'Walking Dead' Star Andrew Lincoln: "This Is the Biggest Death We've Ever Had" - Viral News Everyday on 'The Walking Dead' Mid-Season Finale Recap 'How It's Gotta Be': Prepared to Die
'Supergirl' Recap 'Wake Up': Days of Future Past - Nerdcore Movement on Watch the Full Trailer for 'Crisis on Earth X' Arrow-Verse Crossover (VIDEO)
Nerdcore Movement is proudly powered by WordPress


text:
Person › Details
Benedikt Timmerman (Genticel S.A. (Euronext Paris + Brussels: GTCL))
Timmerman, Benedikt (Genticel 201304 CEO + Founder)
Organisation Genticel S.A. (Euronext Paris + Brussels: GTCL)
Today Genkyotex S.A. (Euronext Paris + Brussels: GKTX)
Group Genkyotex (Group)
Product HPV vaccine
Genticel S.A.. (4/24/13). "Press Release: Genticel Secures EUR 18.2 Million (USD 23.7 Million) in Capital Funding". Toulouse.
Genticel, a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative vaccines for patients infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), announced today that it has raised EUR 18.2 million (USD 23,7 million) in additional capital. Wellington Partners, based in Munich, Germany, led the round which included all current institutional investors i.e. IDInvest Partners, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners (EdRIP), InnoBio fund*, IRDI and Amundi Private Equity Funds. Dr. Rainer Strohmenger, General Partner at Wellington Partners, joins the Supervisory Board of Genticel.
Genticel is a France-based vaccine developer that focuses on therapeutic vaccines against high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The company has been spearheading the development of vaccine solutions for women infected with high-risk HPV types (16 and 18) but who have not yet progressed to cervical high grade lesions or cancer. Today, no therapeutic options are available for this very large population of women whose medical need has only recently been revealed by the increasing availability of HPV screening. These tests are rapidly being adopted in first line cervical cancer screening programs in the USA and Europe.
The first preventive vaccines against high risk HPV 16/18 infections were introduced into global markets as of 2006 and have seen widespread adoption. However, there is still no effective treatment against established infection with high-risk HPV types. ProCervix, Genticel's lead product is a unique proprietary HPV16/18 vaccine for the treatment of infected women who have not yet developed high-grade cervical lesions or cancer. ProCervix is designed to eliminate HPV16 and/or 18 infected cells.
The new funds will be used to advance Genticel's key product candidates, i.e., two therapeutic HPV vaccines. The lead vaccine, ProCervix, has successfully finished phase I clinical study. The phase I trial (n=47) revealed no dose limiting toxicity and no patient drop-out. In addition, ProCervix induced a dose-dependent immune response as well as viral clearance in a substantially larger percentage of patients as compared to placebo. ProCervix will enter into phase II development in order to demonstrate proof of efficacy. This bivalent product, built on Genticel's proprietary CyaA antigen delivery technology, carries antigens originating from both HPV16 and HPV18. Genticel's other pipeline product is a CyaA-based multivalent HPV vaccine with additional virus subtype coverage.
"The commitment from Wellington Partners, one of the most reputable life science investors in Europe, is further endorsement of Genticel's therapeutic HPV vaccine development," said Benedikt Timmerman, founder and CEO of Genticel. "The Wellington life science team members are bringing outstanding clinical development and medical expertise to our shareholder base, both from therapeutic vaccines and from cervical cancer screening. They have immediately understood the unique properties of our lead product ProCervix. This investment will allow us to take ProCervix through a multi-center multi-national phase II program. It will further strengthen our database supporting the efficacy and safety of this highly novel, curative treatment for high-risk HPVinfections."
"We are highly excited about Genticel's lead project ProCervix," added Dr. Rainer Strohmenger, General Partner at Wellington Partners. "It showed compelling data in the phase I clinical trial suggesting that it can cure an infection with high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 in 3 out of 4 treated patients, thus effectively preventing progression of the infection to high-grade cervical disease. There are more than 90 million women in the world infected with HPV 16 and/or HPV18 types who could benefit from this treatment, making this market a clear blockbuster opportunity."
Recent estimates by the World Health Organization suggest that world-wide approximately 300 million women are carriers of HPV infection at any given time and approximately 500,000 patients are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year.
Advisors to Genticel:
Legal: BRUNSWICK - Philippe Beauregard
Industrial Property: - EGYP - Anne Desaix
External auditor (Commissaire aux Comptes): SYGNATURES - Jean Laberenne
Advisors to Wellington Partners:
Legal: JONES DAY - Geoffroy Pineau-Valencienne
Industrial Property: GRAF VON STOSCH Patentanwaltsgesellschaft - Andreas Graf von Stosch
CASALONGA - Murielle Robert-Lemeur
Finance: EXPEN - Olivier Younès
About Genticel S.A.
GENTICEL is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Paris and Toulouse, France, which develops vaccines for patients infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Besides ProCervix, its other pipeline products include CyaA-based multivalent HPV vaccines with additional virus subtype coverage.
For more information, please visit http://www.genticel.com
Genticel
Mme Yolande Misseri
business@genticel.com
Media & Analysts Contact
Andrew Lloyd & Associates
Juliette Dos Santos / Céline Gonzalez
juliette@ala.com / celine@ala.com
* managed by CDC Entreprises, future entity of bpifrance ,
Prologue-Biotech, 516, rue Pierre et Marie Curie - 31670 Labège - France
Tél. : 33 (0) 5 61 28 70 60 - Fax : 33 (0) 5 61 28 70 69 - E-mail : business@genticel.com - Site web : www.genticel.com
More documents for Benedikt Timmerman
[1] Genticel S.A.. (2/28/17). "Press Release: Genticel becomes "Genkyotex". Genticel's General Meeting Approves the Strategic Combination with GenKyoTex SA [Not for Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States]". Toulouse & Geneva...
[2] Genticel S.A.. (12/22/16). "Press Release: Genticel and Genkyotex Announce Intention to Enter into Strategic Combination [Not for Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, or the United States]". Toulouse & Geneva....
[3] Genticel S.A.. (12/13/16). "Press Release: Genticel Reports Final Results of GTL001 Phase 2 Trial in HPV16/18-infected Women". Paris & Toulouse....
[4] Genticel S.A.. (11/30/16). "Press Release: Genticel Successfully Completes Determining Milestone in Partnership with Serum Institute Regarding Use of GTL003 in Multivalent Vaccines". Paris & Toulouse....
[5] Genticel S.A.. (9/22/16). "Press Release: Genticel Presents First Half 2016 Financial Results and Updates Its Operational Outlook". Paris & Toulouse....
[6] Genticel S.A.. (7/6/16). "Press Release: Genticel Appoints Eumedix as Strategic Advisor to Support Company's Access to Innovative Drug Candidates". Paris & Toulouse....
[7] Genticel S.A.. (6/23/16). "Press Release: Genticel Reports 18 Months Interim Analysis of GTL001 Phase 2 Trial in HPV16/18 Infected Women". Paris & Toulouse....
[8] Genticel S.A.. (1/27/16). "Press Release: Genticel Reports Initial Results at 12 Months from Phase 2 Trial of HPV Immunoterapeutic Candidate, GTL0001". Paris & Toulouse....
[9] Genticel S.A.. (1/25/16). "Press Release: Business Update – Fourth Quarter 2015". Paris & Toulouse....
[10] Genticel S.A.. (1/7/16). "Press Release: Genticel to Evaluate Roche Molecular Systems' cobas HPV Test in Preparation for Phase 3 Porgram of GTL001". Paris & Toulouse....


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading;
using System.Linq;
using ConsoleExtender;

namespace FreeSpaceInvaders
{
    public class Field
    {
        public static List<RankList> Ranklist = new List<RankList>();
        public static int Score = 0, LivesCount = 3;
        public static int Speed = 300;
        public static bool IsChangedStatus = true, IsChangedScore = false;

        static string lines;

        static Field()
        {
            string[] content = new string[10];
            string ranks = string.Empty;

            if (System.IO.File.Exists("Ranking/ranklist.txt"))
                using (System.IO.StreamReader reader = new System.IO.StreamReader("Ranking/ranklist.txt", Encoding.UTF8))
                    ranks = reader.ReadToEnd();

            if (ranks != string.Empty)
                content = ranks.Split(new string[] { "\r\n" }, StringSplitOptions.None);

            int end = 10;

            for (int i = 0; i < content.Length && i < end; i++)
            {
                try
                {
                    string[] info = content[i].Split(new string[] { " - " }, StringSplitOptions.None);
                    Ranklist.Add(new RankList(info[0], int.Parse(info[1])));
                }
                catch (Exception)
                {
                    end++;
                    continue;
                }
            }

            Ranklist = Ranklist.OrderByDescending(x => x.Result).ToList();
        }

        public static void GetFieldOptions()
        {
            Console.Title = "Free Space Invaders!";

            Console.InputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
            Console.OutputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;

            ConsoleHelper.SetConsoleFont(9);
            ConsoleHelper.SetConsoleIcon(SystemIcons.Exclamation);

            Console.SetWindowSize(95, 35);
            Console.SetBufferSize(95, 35);

            lines = "   <" + new string('-', Console.WindowWidth - 8) + ">";

            Console.CursorVisible = false;
            Console.TreatControlCAsInput = true;
        }

        public static void ShowStatus()
        {
            IsChangedStatus = false;

            Console.SetCursorPosition(0, Console.WindowHeight - 5);
            Console.WriteLine("{0}\n     SCORE: {1:0000} {2} | FREE SPACE INVADERS |  {2} LIVES: {3}\n{0}",
                lines, Score, new string(' ', Console.BufferWidth / 2 - 29), new string('♥', LivesCount).PadRight(3, ' '));
        }

        public static void CheckForAvailableKey()
        {
            while (Console.KeyAvailable)
            {
                ConsoleKeyInfo userKey = Console.ReadKey(true);

                if (userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.LeftArrow)
                {
                    PlayerShip.MoveLeft();
                }
                else if (userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.RightArrow)
                {
                    PlayerShip.MoveRight();
                }
                else if (userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.Escape)
                {
                    Console.Clear();
                    Environment.Exit(Environment.ExitCode);
                }
                else if (Program.IsPlayerShootNow == false && (userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.Spacebar || userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.Enter))
                {
                    Thread shoot = new Thread(PlayerShip.Shoot);

                    if (Program.ShootSound != null) Program.ShootSound.controls.play();

                    shoot.Start();
                }
            }
        }

        public static int Introduction()
        {
            Console.Clear();
            Field.GetFieldOptions();

            string freeSpace = @"
@@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@       @@@@@@  @@@@@@     @@@      @@@@@@  @@@@@@
@@      @@  @@  @@      @@           @@      @@  @@    @@ @@     @@      @@
@@@@    @@@@@@  @@@@    @@@@         @@@@@@  @@@@@@   @@   @@    @@      @@@@
@@      @@ @    @@      @@               @@  @@      @@ @@@ @@   @@      @@
@@      @@  @   @@@@@@  @@@@@@       @@@@@@  @@     @@       @@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@";

            string invaders = @"
 @@@@  @@     @@  @@       @@   @@@      @@@@@@    @@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@
  @@   @@ @   @@   @@     @@   @@ @@     @@   @@   @@      @@  @@  @@
  @@   @@  @  @@    @@   @@   @@   @@    @@    @@  @@@@    @@@@@@  @@@@@@
  @@   @@   @ @@     @@ @@   @@ @@@ @@   @@   @@   @@      @@ @        @@
 @@@@  @@     @@      @@@   @@       @@  @@@@@@    @@@@@@  @@  @   @@@@@@";

            char[] arrow = { '-', '-', '-', '>' };
            int space = 12, choice = 1;

            for (int i = 0; i < arrow.Length; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - space + 1 + i, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - choice - 2);
                Console.Write(arrow[i]);
            }

            int count = 15;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

            for (int i = 0; i < freeSpace.Length; i++)
            {
                if (freeSpace[i] == '@')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (freeSpace[i] == '#')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (freeSpace[i] == ' ')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (freeSpace[i] == '\n')
                {
                    Console.WriteLine();
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 39, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - --count);
                }
            }

            count = 0;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

            for (int i = 0; i < invaders.Length; i++)
            {
                if (invaders[i] == '@')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (invaders[i] == '#')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (invaders[i] == ' ')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (invaders[i] == '\n')
                {
                    Console.WriteLine();
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 37, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + 6 - --count);
                }
            }

            string[] menus =
            {
                "NEW GAME",
                "INSTRUCTIONS",
                "RANK LIST",
                "ABOUT US",
                "EXIT"
            };

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(12, Console.WindowHeight - 2);
            Console.Write("Recommended settings for best performance -> Font: Consolas, Size: 18");

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
            for (int i = 0; i < menus.Length; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 5, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - 3 + i);
                Console.WriteLine(menus[i]);
            }

            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 11, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - 2 + menus.Length);

            while (true)
            {
                while (Console.KeyAvailable)
                {
                    ConsoleKeyInfo userKey = Console.ReadKey(true);

                    if (choice <= 4 && userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.DownArrow)
                    {
                        Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - space + 1, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + choice - 4);
                        Console.Write(new string(' ', arrow.Length));

                        choice++;
                        for (int i = 0; i < arrow.Length; i++)
                        {
                            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - space + 1 + i, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + choice - 4);
                            Console.Write(arrow[i]);
                        }
                    }
                    else if (choice > 1 && userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.UpArrow)
                    {
                        Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - space + 1, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + choice - 4);
                        Console.Write(new string(' ', arrow.Length));

                        choice--;
                        for (int i = 0; i < arrow.Length; i++)
                        {
                            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - space + 1 + i, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + choice - 4);
                            Console.Write(arrow[i]);
                        }
                    }
                    else if (userKey.Key == ConsoleKey.Enter)
                    {
                        Console.SetCursorPosition(0, Console.WindowHeight - 1);
                        return choice;
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        public static void MenuInstructions()
        {
            string[] alien = @"  /--\
<======>
  \--/".Split('\n');

            Console.Clear();

            int left = -12, top = 3;

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;

            for (int i = 0; i < 30; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15 + i, top - 1);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15 + i, top + 25);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < 25; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15, top + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 44, top + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkCyan;

            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 24, top + 3 - i);
                Console.WriteLine(string.Join("", Invaders.Ship3[2 - i]));
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 30, top + 2);
            Console.Write("= 10 PTS");
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 23, top + 8 - i);
                Console.WriteLine(string.Join("", Invaders.Ship2[2 - i]));
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 30, top + 7);
            Console.Write("= 25 PTS");
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Cyan;
            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 24, top + 13 - i);
                Console.WriteLine(string.Join("", Invaders.Ship1[2 - i]));
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 30, top + 12);
            Console.Write("= 50 PTS");
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 21, top + 18 - i);
                Console.WriteLine(string.Join("", alien[2 - i]));
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkYellow;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 30, top + 17);
            Console.Write("= ??? PTS");

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 24, top + 21);
            Console.Write("EASTER EGG!");

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 10, Console.WindowHeight - 4);
            Console.Write("---> BACK TO MENU");

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkGreen;

            string[] messages =
            {
                "                       Message:",
                "Brother, you have only one mission - To Save The World!",
                "You will encounter lots of difficulties on your way...",
                "Please, defend us from the Alien invaders and flying",
                "            saucers! We believe in you!",
                "                       Options:",
                "                        -------",
                "  Use keyboard's arrows |  <  | to move Left",
                "                        -------",
                "             -------",
                "         and |  >  | to move Right",
                "             -------",
                "      Use [SPACE] or [ENTER] to shoot",
                "      Use [ESCAPE] to leave the game"
            };

            for (int i = 0; i < messages.Length; i++)
            {
                if (i == 0 || i == 5) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Cyan;
                else if (i > 0) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkGreen;

                Console.SetCursorPosition(36, 3 + i + i);

                if (i == 5)
                {
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(36, 3 + i + 7);
                }

                if (i >= 6)
                {
                    Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(41, 3 + i + 8);
                }
                if (i >= 12)
                {
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(41, 3 + i + i - 3);
                }

                for (int j = 0; j < messages[i].Length; j++)
                {
                    if (i >= 6 && (messages[i][j] == '-' || messages[i][j] == '|')) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.DarkMagenta;
                    else if (i >= 6 && (messages[i][j] == '<' || messages[i][j] == '>')) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
                    else if (i >= 6) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                    Console.Write(messages[i][j]);
                }
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            while (Console.ReadKey(true).Key != ConsoleKey.Enter)
            {
                // Some code here
            }

            Program.FromOtherMenu = true;
            Program.Main();
        }

        public static void MenuAbout()
        {
            string team = @"
@@@@@@  @@@@@@      @@@      @@@   @@@
  @@    @@         @@ @@     @@ @ @ @@
  @@    @@@@      @@   @@    @@  @  @@
  @@    @@       @@ @@@ @@   @@     @@
  @@    @@@@@@  @@       @@  @@     @@";

            string goofy = @"
@@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@   @@
@@      @@  @@  @@  @@  @@       @@ @@
@@ @@@  @@  @@  @@  @@  @@@@       @@
@@  @@  @@  @@  @@  @@  @@        @@
@@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@@@@@  @@       @@";

            Console.Clear();

            int count = 16;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

            for (int i = 0; i < goofy.Length; i++)
            {
                if (goofy[i] == '@')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (goofy[i] == ' ')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (goofy[i] == '\n')
                {
                    Console.WriteLine();
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 20, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - --count);
                }
            }

            count = 2;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

            for (int i = 0; i < team.Length; i++)
            {
                if (team[i] == '@')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (team[i] == ' ')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (team[i] == '\n')
                {
                    Console.WriteLine();
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 20, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + 8 - --count);
                }
            }

            int left = 3, top = 10;

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;

            for (int i = 0; i < 60; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15 + i, top - 1);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15 + i, top + 11);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < 12; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 15, top + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(left + 74, top + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
            string[] messages =
            {
                "FREE SPACE INVADERS was developed as a team project",
                "   for the C# Part 2 Course in Telerik Academy.    ",
                "",
                "         Team Goofy. All Rights Reserved.          ",
                "",
                "            FREE SPACE INVADERS ® 2013             ",
                "",
                "       Visit us at www.flextry.wordpress.com       "
            };

            for (int i = 0; i < messages.Length; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(22, 11 + i);

                if (i == messages.Length - 1) Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
                for (int j = 0; j < messages[i].Length; j++)
                {
                    Console.Write(messages[i][j]);
                }
            }

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 10, Console.WindowHeight - 4);
            Console.Write("---> BACK TO MENU");

            while (Console.ReadKey(true).Key != ConsoleKey.Enter)
            {
                // Some code here
            }

            Program.FromOtherMenu = true;
            Program.Main();
        }

        public static void MenuRankList()
        {
            string ranking = @"
@@@@@@     @@@      @@     @@  @@   @@  @@@@  @@     @@  @@@@@@
@@  @@    @@ @@     @@ @   @@  @@  @@    @@   @@ @   @@  @@
@@@@@@   @@   @@    @@  @  @@  @@ @@     @@   @@  @  @@  @@ @@@
@@ @    @@ @@@ @@   @@   @ @@  @@  @@    @@   @@   @ @@  @@  @@
@@  @  @@       @@  @@     @@  @@   @@  @@@@  @@     @@  @@@@@@";

            Console.Clear();

            int count = 16;
            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

            for (int i = 0; i < ranking.Length; i++)
            {
                if (ranking[i] == '@')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (ranking[i] == ' ')
                {
                    Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                    Console.Write(" ");
                }

                if (ranking[i] == '\n')
                {
                    Console.WriteLine();
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 31, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - --count);
                }
            }

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
            for (int i = 0; i < 45; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(25 + i, 26);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(25 + i, 10);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++)
            {
                Console.SetCursorPosition(25, 11 + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
                Console.SetCursorPosition(69, 11 + i);
                Console.Write(" ");
            }

            Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.SetCursorPosition(40, 12);
            Console.Write("Top 10 players:");

            if (Ranklist.Count == 0)
            {
                Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                Console.SetCursorPosition(29, 17);
                Console.Write("-> There are no players in ranking...");

                Console.SetCursorPosition(35, 19);
                Console.Write("Be first with own record!");
            }
            else
            {
                for (int i = 0; i < Ranklist.Count; i++)
                {
                    Console.SetCursorPosition(27, 14 + i);
                    if (Ranklist[i].Name.Length >= 20)
                        Ranklist[i] = new RankList(Ranklist[i].Name.Remove(19).Insert(19, "."), Ranklist[i].Result);

                    Console.Write("{0,2}. {1} - {2} PTS", i + 1, Ranklist[i].Name, Ranklist[i].Result);
                }

                Console.SetCursorPosition(27, 14 + Ranklist.Count);
                Console.Write(".....");
            }

            Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;

            Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 10, Console.WindowHeight - 4);
            Console.Write("---> BACK TO MENU");

            while (Console.ReadKey(true).Key != ConsoleKey.Enter)
            {
                // Some code here
            }

            Program.FromOtherMenu = true;
            Program.Main();
        }

        public static void ThreeSeconds()
        {
            Console.Clear();

            string[] seconds = new string[3];

            seconds[0] = @"
 @@@@@
    @@
    @@
    @@
    @@
    @@
    @@ ";

            seconds[1] = @"
@@@@@@
@@  @@
    @@
   @
  @
 @   @
@@@@@@ ";

            seconds[2] = @"
@@@@@@
    @@
    @@
@@@@@@
    @@
    @@
@@@@@@ ";

            for (int i = 2; i >= 0; i--)
            {
                int newLines = 7;

                Console.Clear();

                Console.SetCursorPosition(15, 20 - newLines);

                for (int j = 0; j < seconds[i].Length; j++)
                {
                    if (seconds[i][j] == '@')
                    {
                        switch (i)
                        {
                            case 2: Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.White; break;
                            case 1: Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green; break;
                            case 0: Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red; break;
                        }

                        Console.Write(" ");
                    }
                    else if (seconds[i][j] == '\n')
                    {
                        Console.WriteLine();
                        newLines--;
                        Console.SetCursorPosition(43, 20 - newLines);
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                        Console.Write(" ");
                    }
                }

                Console.WriteLine();
                Thread.Sleep(1000);
            }
        }

        public static void EndGame()
        {
            WMPLib.WindowsMediaPlayer endSound = new WMPLib.WindowsMediaPlayer();
            if (Program.BossSound != null) Program.BossSound.controls.stop();

            string message = string.Empty;
            bool isWinner = false;

            string gameOver = @"
#                                                                #
  #                                                            #
    #                                                        #
      #                                                    #
        ##################################################
        #                                                #
        #    @@@@@@@      @@@      @@@   @@@  @@@@@@@    #
        #    @@          @@ @@     @@ @ @ @@  @@         #
        #    @@  @@@    @@   @@    @@  @  @@  @@@@@      #
        #    @@   @@   @@ @@@ @@   @@     @@  @@         #
        #    @@@@@@@  @@       @@  @@     @@  @@@@@@@    #
        #                                                #
        #                                                #
        #    @@@@@@@  @@       @@  @@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@    #
        #    @@   @@   @@     @@   @@        @@    @@    #
        #    @@   @@    @@   @@    @@@@@@    @@@@@@@@    #
        #    @@   @@     @@ @@     @@        @@ @@       #
        #    @@@@@@@      @@@      @@@@@@@@  @@   @@     #
        #                                                #
        ##################################################
";

            string winner = @"
#                                                                #
  #                                                            #
    #                                                        #
      #                                                    #
        ##################################################
        #                                                #
        #           @@   @@  @@@@@@@  @@   @@            #
        #            @@ @@   @@   @@  @@   @@            #
        #             @@@    @@   @@  @@   @@            #
        #             @@@    @@   @@  @@   @@            #
        #             @@@    @@@@@@@  @@@@@@@            #
        #                                                #
        #                                                #
        #   @@       @@@       @@  @@@@@@@  @@     @@    #
        #    @@     @@ @@     @@   @@   @@  @@ @   @@    #
        #     @@   @@   @@   @@    @@   @@  @@  @  @@    #
        #      @@ @@     @@ @@     @@   @@  @@   @ @@    #
        #       @@@       @@@      @@@@@@@  @@     @@    #
        #                                                #
        ##################################################";

            try
            {
                if (Boss.BossTime && Boss.Hitted <= 0)
                {
                    if (System.IO.File.Exists("Sounds/winner.mp3"))
                    {
                        endSound = new WMPLib.WindowsMediaPlayer();
                        endSound.URL = "Sounds/winner.mp3";
                        endSound.settings.autoStart = false;
                        endSound.settings.playCount = 10;
                        endSound.controls.play();
                    }

                    message = winner;
                    isWinner = true;
                }
                else
                {
                    if (System.IO.File.Exists("Sounds/game_over.mp3"))
                    {
                        endSound = new WMPLib.WindowsMediaPlayer();
                        endSound.URL = "Sounds/game_over.mp3";
                        endSound.settings.autoStart = false;
                        endSound.settings.playCount = 10;
                        endSound.controls.play();
                    }

                    message = gameOver;
                }
            }
            catch (Exception)
            {
                return;
            }
            finally
            {
                Console.Clear();
                Console.Clear();
                int count = 17;
                Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - count);

                for (int i = 0; i < message.Length; i++)
                {
                    if (message[i] == '@')
                    {
                        if (isWinner) Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Green;
                        else Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Red;
                        Console.Write(" ");
                    }

                    if (message[i] == '#')
                    {
                        Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                        Console.Write(" ");
                    }

                    if (message[i] == ' ')
                    {
                        Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                        Console.Write(" ");
                    }

                    if (message[i] == '\n')
                    {
                        Console.WriteLine();
                        Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 33, Console.WindowHeight / 2 - --count);
                    }
                }

                Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;
                Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Yellow;
                Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 8, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + 5);
                Console.WriteLine("Your score: {0}", Field.Score.ToString().PadLeft(4, '0'));

                Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.White;
                Console.CursorVisible = true;
                Console.SetCursorPosition(Console.WindowWidth / 2 - 10, Console.WindowHeight / 2 + 8);
                Console.Write("Enter your name: ");

                Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Magenta;
                Console.InputEncoding = Encoding.Default;
                Console.OutputEncoding = Encoding.Default;

                string name = Console.ReadLine();
                name = name.TrimStart().TrimEnd();
                if (name == null || name == string.Empty || name.Length == 0) name = "unknown";
                if (name.Length >= 20) name = name.Remove(19).Insert(19, ".");

                Console.CursorVisible = false;

                Ranklist.Add(new RankList(name, Field.Score));
                Ranklist = Ranklist.OrderByDescending(x => x.Result).ToList();

                try
                {
                    // Write names and scores to the ranklist file
                    using (System.IO.StreamWriter writer = new System.IO.StreamWriter("Ranking/ranklist.txt", false, Encoding.Unicode))
                        for (int i = 0; i < Ranklist.Count; i++)
                            if (Ranklist[i].Result > 0) writer.WriteLine("{0} - {1}", Ranklist[i].Name, Ranklist[i].Result);
                }
                catch (Exception)
                {
                    Environment.Exit(Environment.ExitCode);
                }

                Console.ForegroundColor = ConsoleColor.Gray;
                Console.BackgroundColor = ConsoleColor.Black;

                Console.SetCursorPosition(33, 28);
                Environment.Exit(1);
            }
        }

        public struct RankList
        {
            public string Name;
            public int Result;

            public RankList(string name, int result)
            {
                Name = name;
                Result = result;
            }
        }
    }
}


Back with parallel lines again to essay the similarities of story and dreams.
Each sets the viewer off on a journey that meanders through the venue of a fantastic landscape, brought into high-relief detail by the teller's idiosyncratic store of impressions.
In dreams and narrative imagination, the currency is events. These events are under no obligation to pay heed to convention. In fact, events often stray from the restrictions of convention, onto the verges of taboo, whether the personal taboos of the viewer or the conventions in which the viewer is raised. The degree of stray from the leash of convention produces delicious cocktails of satisfaction mixed with the thrilling fear of discovery.
We can, and often do, have experiences in dreams that are complete trespasses on convention. Sometimes, as we catch ourselves in dreaming flagrante, we awaken, nervous and eager to reassure ourselves we would not do such a thing in reality before wondering if we had not been all along doing the very thing in waking dreams or fantasy.
You have heard individuals in reality telling you, "In your dreams, Lowenkopf," by way of making some judgment on a goal or dream of yours, either expressed, as in, "Some day, I'm going to bring my marathon time down under three hours," or implied by your behavior and attitude.
So far, you've launched dreams, daydreams, fantasies, all with extra baggage room to carry the luggage of taboo. These play against plans, goals, agendas, words chosen with some deliberation to represent things which may still be difficult to accomplish but which breach no taboos.
You see the possibility of arguing fantasies as early drafts of desires, agendas, and goals. Dreams are the unedited manifestations of desires, fears, unacknowledged goals, Some of these unacknowledged goals may venture into taboo, forbidden or unthinkable liaisons or activities. Some dreams place you in fearful situations to remind you of apprehensions you've tried to deflate with rational equations of logic or with an entirely rational process of trumping them with some coming to pass of you inheriting a quantity of power sufficient enough to ward off the fears.
Agendas that begin in reality often present major obstacles which you must cope with if you are to have success. This is also where, after a lifetime of trying to understand story, you recognize you've conflated story with agenda. You proceed in reality, looking for ways to cope with opposition or reversal.
If the goal at the end of the agenda retains its value for you, how quickly agenda crosses into your dream life, where that part of your story and problem solving mechanisms suggest stepping over into the areas of taboo, first to provide you with a sense of completion then a greater determination to advance toward accomplishment of your agenda. You use agenda here rather than goal for the important nuance that goal may be a one-time thing, something as basic as a mere sexual encounter as opposed to an agenda, which is the consequence of the braided interaction of sexual activity, respect, admiration, combined forces, and not to forget companionship.
How easy is it to substitute some status goal for the mere sexual encounter? Quite easy. The terms, conditions, and pieces are beginning to line up in perspective for you.
Having one thing published in one place is not as important as a continuous dialogue relative to your work and its future appearances, even more so its potential for evolution along ways you've addressed to some degree but which are still open-ended.
At some point, your reality life and your story life jumped the tracks of parallelism. They became conflated for many hours during the day before jumping back to their geometric integrity. You quite enjoy living this way. Often, you can indulge the ironic self-humor of telling yourself, "In your dreams, Lowenkopf." Such states produce an existential sense of being game ready for challenges of curiosity and discovery.
There may be delightful as well as scary taboo-breakers in dreams, but even in dreams, there is no free lunch--only the dream of one.
You must be free to investigate and pursue the journeys your imagination prepares for you, even when some of its offers appear to be a free lunch or a desirable agenda. And you must be willing and able to set at least one foot back on the soil of reality from time to time to test the balance.
Early in your days in the publishing craft, when you wished to support the acquisition of a project, even one in its near-completed form, you were required to estimate the amount of in-house hours for content editing, copyediting, and research.
Where ever your fantasies, dreams, and curiosity take you, the no-free-lunch mantra must be recited so that you can set the required foot down on reality as you assess the consequential editing time necessary.


This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19th, 2018 at 17:55	and is filed under Daily Life w/ Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.


Employee engagement occurs when an employee feels an emotional connection to an organization and its goals, such that they are wholeheartedly invested in that organization's work. Studies have consistently found that high levels of engagement are significant contributors to an organization's success. As such, having a successful engagement strategy is essential to moving any business forward. Below are 4 steps to building an effective employee engagement strategy.
For better or for worst, understanding your existing level of employee engagement is where you need to begin. As the saying goes – you can't know where you're going until you know where you've been. You can gain a current understanding of the current state of employee engagement within your organization in several ways. For instance, a proactive approach can involve having forthcoming town hall sessions; conducting employee surveys; or incorporating pointed questions into your performance management process. You can also take a responsive approach such as conducting exit interviews to understand whether there are issues in the workplace environment that are impacting your engagement or examine recent challenges that may exist such as workplace litigation, administrative intervention or union organizing. Whether you choose one approach or a combination thereof, the key is to ask the right questions to gain more transparency and understand what the true state of your engagement is with your workforce.
Ask employees what they would like to see – what do they see lacking. You can spend thousands of dollars implementing an engagement program that has all the bells and whistles, in fact companies are currently spending more than $720 million per year on employee engagement, but, if your engagement strategy doesn't touch or connect with your particular employee population it will have been wasted money and effort. So where do you begin? You can start by gaining an understanding of your employee demographics (by function, age, geography, education, tenure, attitudes, etc.) and learning what is important to them. A word of caution however, don't make the mistake of assuming that the most important factor in employee satisfaction will be compensation. In fact, Glassdoor Economic Research has found that across all income levels, the top predictor of workplace satisfaction is not pay. While it is a factor, it is not the leading factor that produces engagement. So, look beyond the money – what are the aspects of work that are either their biggest pain points or their biggest recompense. Perhaps you have a large segment of your population that values work-life balance where creating greater workplace flexibility would be greatly appreciated. Or you have individuals that crave being a part of something greater than themselves where an organization that engages in charitable efforts would help them with fulfilling that sense of purpose. A workplace culture that is aligned with the needs and values of its employees and vice versa will consequently encourage higher levels of engagement.
Once you've determined what are the types of initiatives and/or efforts that would positively impact engagement, documenting and communicating the plan is essential to success. You must be able to visualize what you need to achieve and how you're going to get there – but more importantly, communicate that vision to the relevant stakeholders so that they can buy into the vision. One helpful approach is to use the goal setting acronym SMART which in this case stands for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, and Time-bound. First, be specific – lay out what are the specific target areas your strategy will seek to address and explain why you will be focusing on those areas. The more specific you are, the easier it is to know what actions will lead you to it. Next, measure – explain what you hope to accomplish from this endeavor and what will be the measures of success. Assign – specify who will be responsible for which actions in executing the strategy. Then, be realistic – state what are the realistic results you hope to achieve bearing in mind any restraints you may be dealing with, i.e. available resources, budget, time, etc. Finally, ensure you are spelling out time related milestones that specify when the different steps should be taken, and respective results achieved. In sum, the more transparent the entire engagement plan and the more clearly you set expectations about the plan, the more likelihood you will attain buy-in and build the trust and engagement you are seeking.
Now it's time to bring the strategy to life and make it happen. Implementing your engagement strategic plan is as important, or even more important, than the plan itself. So many well-intentioned strategies die on the vine because the plans become nothing more than a document that sits on a shelf. Critical to implementation is determining the Who, When and the How. Essentially, take your strategic plan and identify who will be responsible for each aspect of the plan. Track when the milestones you've identified should be taking place and ensure you've incorporated a method of accountability. Lastly, how will the tasks be accomplished – whether it be contracting external resources, purchasing necessary equipment, or creating an internal project team – understanding what is necessary to accomplish the goals is pivotal to proper implementation. And then get it done!
Following these 4 critical steps will move an engagement strategic plan from great intentions to actions that drive true employee engagement. If your organization needs help understanding its level of employee engagement or creating a responsive employee engagement plan please contact info@hrandbeyond.com – we'd be glad to help.
Join our growing community of business leaders and get new posts on Workplace Best Practices sent directly to your inbox!