text:
import os
import timeit

import numpy as np

import theano
import theano.tensor as T
from theano.tensor.shared_randomstreams import RandomStreams

from logistic_sgd import LogisticRegression, load_data
from mlp import HiddenLayer
from denoising_autoencoder import DenoisingAutoencoder

class StackedDenoisingAutoencoder(object):
    def __init__(self,
                 numpy_rng,
                 n_ins,
                 hidden_layers_sizes,
                 n_outs,
                 corruption_levels):

        # 隠れ層オブジェクトのリスト
        self.hidden_layers = []

        # 自己符号化器のリスト
        self.autoencoder_layers = []

        # パラメータのリスト
        self.params = []

        # 隠れ層の数
        self.n_layers = len(hidden_layers_sizes)

        assert self.n_layers > 0

        theano_rng = RandomStreams(numpy_rng.randint(2 ** 30))

        # 学習データのミニバッチ(入力データと正解ラベル)を表すシンボル
        # これまでの実装と違って複数のメソッド内で使うので属性にしている
        self.x = T.matrix('x')
        self.y = T.ivector('y')

        # ネットワークを構築
        # 隠れ層の数だけループして積み上げていく
        for i in xrange(self.n_layers):
            # ユニット数
            if i == 0:
                input_size = n_ins
            else:
                input_size = hidden_layers_sizes[i - 1]

            # 隠れ層への入力データ
            if i == 0:
                layer_input = self.x
            else:
                layer_input = self.hidden_layers[-1].output

            # 多層パーセプトロンの隠れ層
            # fine-tuningで重みを更新するため
            hidden_layer = HiddenLayer(rng=numpy_rng,
                                       input=layer_input,
                                       n_in=input_size,
                                       n_out=hidden_layers_sizes[i],
                                       activation=T.nnet.sigmoid)
            self.hidden_layers.append(hidden_layer)
            self.params.extend(hidden_layer.params)

            # 自己符号化器だが重みは多層パーセプトロンの隠れ層と共有
            # そのため自己符号化器のparamsはない
            # 自己符号化器で重みとバイアスの初期値を求めたあとfine-tuningでそのまま重みとバイアスを引き継げる
            autoencoder_layer = DenoisingAutoencoder(numpy_rng=numpy_rng,
                                                     theano_rng=theano_rng,
                                                     input=layer_input,
                                                     n_visible=input_size,
                                                     n_hidden=hidden_layers_sizes[i],
                                                     W=hidden_layer.W,      # 隠れ層の重みを共有
                                                     bhid=hidden_layer.b)   # 隠れ層のバイアスを共有
            self.autoencoder_layers.append(autoencoder_layer)

        # MNISTの分類ができるように最後にロジスティック回帰層を追加
        self.log_layer = LogisticRegression(
                            input=self.hidden_layers[-1].output,
                            n_in=hidden_layers_sizes[-1],
                            n_out=n_outs)
        self.params.extend(self.log_layer.params)

        # fine-tuning時のコスト関数を計算するシンボル
        # 多層パーセプトロンと同じく負の対数尤度
        self.finetune_cost = self.log_layer.negative_log_likelihood(self.y)

        # 分類の誤差率を計算するシンボル
        self.errors = self.log_layer.errors(self.y)

    def pretraining_functions(self, train_set_x, batch_size):
        """自己符号化器を学習するpre-training用の関数リストを返す
        教師なし学習なのでxのみを渡す"""
        # 学習に使うミニバッチのインデックス
        index = T.lscalar('index')

        # 複数の自己符号化器で異なる値を指定できるようにシンボル化する
        corruption_level = T.scalar('corruption')
        learning_rate = T.scalar('lr')

        batch_begin = index * batch_size
        batch_end = batch_begin + batch_size

        # 自己符号化器を学習する関数を生成
        # 入力層に近い方から順番に追加する
        pretrain_functions = []
        for autoencoder in self.autoencoder_layers:
            # 誤差と更新式を計算するシンボルを取得
            cost, updates = autoencoder.get_cost_updates(corruption_level, learning_rate)
            fn = theano.function(
                inputs=[
                    index,
                    # Paramにした引数を関数呼び出し時に与えるときはPython変数名ではなく、
                    # Tensorの引数の名前(corruption, lr)で指定できる
                    theano.Param(corruption_level, default=0.2),
                    theano.Param(learning_rate, default=0.1)
                ],
                outputs=cost,
                updates=updates,
                givens={
                    self.x: train_set_x[batch_begin:batch_end]
                }
            )
            pretrain_functions.append(fn)

        return pretrain_functions

    def build_finetune_functions(self, datasets, batch_size, learning_rate):
        """fine-tuning用の関数を返す"""
        train_set_x, train_set_y = datasets[0]
        valid_set_x, valid_set_y = datasets[1]
        test_set_x, test_set_y = datasets[2]

        n_valid_batches = valid_set_x.get_value(borrow=True).shape[0] / batch_size
        n_test_batches = test_set_x.get_value(borrow=True).shape[0] / batch_size

        index = T.lscalar('index')

        gparams = T.grad(self.finetune_cost, self.params)

        updates = [
            (param, param - gparam * learning_rate) for param, gparam in zip(self.params, gparams)
        ]

        train_model = theano.function(
            inputs=[index],
            outputs=self.finetune_cost,
            updates=updates,
            givens={
                self.x: train_set_x[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size],
                self.y: train_set_y[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size]
            },
            name='train')

        test_score_i = theano.function(
            inputs=[index],
            outputs=self.errors,
            givens={
                self.x: test_set_x[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size],
                self.y: test_set_y[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size]
            },
            name='test')

        valid_score_i = theano.function(
            inputs=[index],
            outputs=self.errors,
            givens={
                self.x: valid_set_x[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size],
                self.y: valid_set_y[index * batch_size: (index + 1) * batch_size]
            },
            name='validate')

        def valid_score():
            """各ミニバッチのvalid誤差のリストを返す"""
            return [valid_score_i(i) for i in xrange(n_valid_batches)]

        def test_score():
            """各ミニバッチのtest誤差のリストを返す"""
            return [test_score_i(i) for i in xrange(n_test_batches)]

        return train_model, valid_score, test_score

def test_stacked_autoencoder(finetune_lr=0.1, pretraining_epochs=15,
                             pretrain_lr=0.001, training_epochs=200,
                             dataset='mnist.pkl.gz', batch_size=1,
                             hidden_layers_sizes=[1000, 1000, 1000],
                             corruption_levels=[0.1, 0.2, 0.3],
                             valerr_file='validation_error.txt',
                             testerr_file='test_error.txt'):
    datasets = load_data(dataset)
    train_set_x = datasets[0][0]
    n_train_batches = train_set_x.get_value(borrow=True).shape[0] / batch_size
    numpy_rng = np.random.RandomState(89677)

    print "building the model ..."

    sda = StackedDenoisingAutoencoder(
        numpy_rng,
        28 * 28,
        hidden_layers_sizes,
        10,
        corruption_levels)

    # Pre-training
    print "getting the pre-training functions ..."
    pretraining_functions = sda.pretraining_functions(train_set_x=train_set_x,
                                                      batch_size=batch_size)

    print "pre-training the model ..."
    start_time = timeit.default_timer()
    for i in xrange(sda.n_layers):
        # pre-trainingのエポック数は固定
        for epoch in xrange(pretraining_epochs):
            c = []
            for batch_index in xrange(n_train_batches):
                c.append(pretraining_functions[i](index=batch_index,
                                                  corruption=corruption_levels[i],
                                                  lr=pretrain_lr))
            print "Pre-training layer %i, epoch %d, cost %f" % (i, epoch, np.mean(c))

    end_time = timeit.default_timer()
    training_time = end_time - start_time

    print "The pretraining code for file %s ran for %.2fm" % (os.path.split(__file__)[1], training_time / 60.0)

    # Fine-tuning
    print "getting the fine-tuning functions ..."
    train_model, validate_model, test_model = sda.build_finetune_functions(
        datasets=datasets,
        batch_size=batch_size,
        learning_rate=finetune_lr
    )

    print "fine-tuning the model ..."

    # eary-stoppingのパラメータ
    patience = 10 * n_train_batches
    patience_increase = 2.0
    improvement_threshold = 0.995
    validation_frequency = min(n_train_batches, patience / 2)

    best_validation_loss = np.inf
    test_score = 0

    start_time = timeit.default_timer()

    epoch = 0
    done_looping = False

    fp1 = open(valerr_file, "w")
    fp2 = open(testerr_file, "w")

    while (epoch < training_epochs) and (not done_looping):
        epoch = epoch + 1
        for minibatch_index in xrange(n_train_batches):
            train_model(minibatch_index)
            iter = (epoch - 1) * n_train_batches + minibatch_index

            if (iter + 1) % validation_frequency == 0:
                validation_losses = validate_model()
                this_validation_loss = np.mean(validation_losses)
                print "epoch %i, minibatch %i/%i, validation error %f %%" % (epoch, minibatch_index + 1, n_train_batches, this_validation_loss * 100)
                fp1.write("%d\t%f\n" % (epoch, this_validation_loss * 100))

                if this_validation_loss < best_validation_loss:
                    if this_validation_loss < best_validation_loss * improvement_threshold:
                        # 十分改善したならまだ改善の余地があるためpatienceを上げてより多くループを回せるようにする
                        patience = max(patience, iter * patience_increase)
                        print "*** iter %d / patience %d" % (iter, patience)
                    best_validation_loss = this_validation_loss
                    best_iter = iter

                    test_losses = test_model()
                    test_score = np.mean(test_losses)
                    print "    epoch %i, minibatch %i/%i, test error of best model %f %%" % (epoch, minibatch_index + 1, n_train_batches, test_score * 100)
                    fp2.write("%d\t%f\n" % (epoch, test_score * 100))

            # patienceを超えたらループを終了
            if patience <= iter:
                done_looping = True
                break

    end_time = timeit.default_timer()
    training_time = (end_time - start_time)

    print "Optimization complete with the best validation score of %f %%, on iteration %i, with test performance %f %%" \
            % (best_validation_loss * 100.0, best_iter + 1, test_score * 100)
    print "The training code for file %s ran for %.2fm" % (os.path.split(__file__)[1], training_time / 60.0)

    fp1.close()
    fp2.close()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    test_stacked_autoencoder(dataset="../data/mnist.pkl.gz",
                             hidden_layers_sizes=[1000, 1000, 1000],
                             corruption_levels=[0.1, 0.2, 0.3])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Addressing the second annual day, Mr Jayam Raja told that in his earlier years, Raja was studying in film Institute and Ravi was studying Viscom. Both used to fight about the importance of both the courses. So Raja used to feel jealous whether the Viscom is great. But he is happy that this MASC is having both the studies in one college.
The parents of these students need not worry about them as they are learning more about film industry. This industry will patron even the persons without knowledge about the industry. so need not worry about them.
The job done for happiness will bring more satisfaction than the job done for money. When the Passion becomes Profession, we need not explain about the satisfaction.
Art is the only thing that can relax us from many of the sorrows and problems. So performing an art gives utmost satisfaction than any other job.
If you want houseful board, then the film should be understood by all.
Knowledge should be backed by creativity and difference. then only you can stand alone in a group and win the race.
Animation and graphics plays a major roles in the industry now.
Film Festival at Russian Centre for Science and Culture..


Balakrishnan says Redington Value is honoured to be appointed as a Tableau distributor.
Regional VAD Redington Value, has signed a distribution agreement with a global provider of visual analytics, Tableau Software, to deliver revolutionary visual analytics offerings to enterprise customers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets.
In terms of the partnership, Redington Value will help Tableau to expand its partner-led business in the MEA market to include a value-added distribution tier. This, said Redington Value, will help Tableau and its partners to expand their reach and deliver greater value to end user customers.
Ed Dolman, vice president, EMEA Partners at Tableau said: "We are delighted to partner with Redington Value, one of the largest and most reputable distributors in the Middle East and Africa. We are confident that Redington Value's team will give us the competitive edge we need and help us to deliver our powerful visual analytics platform to more businesses across the region."
Redington Value stated that it will assist channel partners and offer easy access to training materials and sales resources to enable them to become Tableau experts. According to Redington Value, partners now have an opportunity to showcase the advantages of the solutions through in-depth proof of concepts (PoCs), together with company's support.
Ramkumar Balakrishnan, president, Redington Value, said: "We are honoured to be appointed as a distributor. The region's appetite for effective solutions to manage and decipher the increasing deluge of data is greater now than ever before."
Balakrishnan added that Tableau's solutions meet a clear market demand in MEA. "We look forward to building a robust analytics practice in the region with Tableau's visual analytics offerings," he said. "Together with our channel community, we are enthusiastic about taking Tableau's regional business to new heights."
Headquartered in the USA, Tableau is a provider of visual analytics interactive platform, which allows people to quickly answer questions with data and share insights across their organisation.


text:
About the Merdeka Award TrustBoard of Trustees
The Grant
About The GrantCriteriaTerms of EngagementPast RecipientsApplicationFAQ
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About The AwardObjectiveCategoriesNomination & SelectionCommitteesPast RecipientsCommemorative BookFAQ - The Award
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RECIPIENT / PROFILE
Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
Professor Dato' Dr Goh Khean Lee
Professor Dato' Goh Khean Lee's achievements in Gastroenterology and Hepatology have had a deep and lasting impact in Malaysia and, also Internationally.
Professor Dr Harith Ahmad
Member of the Nomination Committee
Professor Dato' Goh was born on 15 July 1956 in Penang. His father was a government officer in the Inland Revenue Department and his mother, a schoolteacher. He spent the first five years of his life in Penang before the family moved to Ipoh where he studied at St Michael's Institution. His father was later posted to Kuala Lumpur and Professor Dato' Goh studied at La Salle Brickfields before continuing his secondary education at St John's Institution.
A bright boy, he did well at school and was accepted into University of Malaya's medical school. "In those days there was only one medical school, University of Malaya. To get into UM was a big achievement," he says.
He read for a Bachelors Degree of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malaya between the years 1975 and 1980.
In 1984, he began his career as a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, and rose through the ranks to become Professor of Medicine in 1998. While working at the University Hospital, he pursued his higher professional specialist degree obtaining his MRCP (UK) qualification in 1984.
Professor Dato' Goh has spent training stints at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow in 1987 and at the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, in 1991.
Finding that good clinical practice required good clinical research, Professor Dato' Goh began publishing papers on gastroenterology and internal medicine. As a senior fellow in Gastroenterology and Advanced Therapeutic Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Amsterdam, he studied advanced therapeutic endoscopic biliary and pancreatic work acquiring valuable experience in the field. "The professor there suggested that I do a thesis on Helicobacter pylori, the germ that causes ulcers, which was what I did, earning my doctoral degree," he says.
Professor Goh obtained his doctorate Doctor of Medicine (Mal) in 1997 and is one of few Malaysians in the medical field with a doctoral degree.
Inspired by the excellent clinical and research work that was going on in Amsterdam, Professor Dato' Goh began transforming the sub-specialisation into a recognised unit back home in Malaysia.
"The experience in Amsterdam was an eye-opener and indeed they were ahead of their time. When I came back, the Deputy Director of University Hospital, also agreed that we needed to formalise and develop a top-class gastrointestinal endoscopy unit and so we did, building it to what it is today," he says.
As the Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy unit at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Professor Dato' Goh established the division and unit as one of the best in the country with an excellent international reputation.
"We started off doing endoscopy in a surgical, minor operating theatre before moving into the current space at UMMC in the mid 1990s. The use of scopes enhances the discipline so we shared this very much with surgeons. Surgeons being surgeons, they spent more time operating so they left a lot of the endoscopy to non-surgeons. Endoscopy is a full fledged discipline so you spend your whole life doing it, almost," he adds.
The Unit was fittingly recognised by the World Digestive Endoscopy Organization which, after a stringent selection process awarded its prestigious "Centre of Excellence" award to the UMMC GI Endoscopy unit in June 2008.
The UMMC Endoscopy Unit is the only one in Malaysia and one of only four centres in Asia accorded this prestigious honour. The GI Endoscopy Unit at UMMC is now a highly sought after training centre both locally and internationally.
To unwind, Professor Dato' Goh reads history and enjoys playing tennis with his children. He says his family is his source of strength. Wife, Su Lin is a consultant ophthalmologist in private practice; and he feels that his daughters Li Yen (a third year medical student in the United Kingdom), Li Syuen and son, Li Han are growing up too fast.
Pioneering the discipline of gastroenterology and endoscopy as an established sub-specialty in Malaysia
A prolific writer and researcher, Professor Dato' Goh has published 196 peer reviewed full papers in international journals, seven book chapters, and 287 published abstracts to-date. He continues to publish consistently and was awarded the prize of "highest impact paper in a journal" by University of Malaya in 2008.
Professor Dato' Goh has the highest number of publications and citations in the biomedical field in Malaysia with papers in high impact journals such as the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and GUT.
His expertise is widely acknowledged internationally and he is globally known as an international authority and leader in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy.
"Stimulation and interest in my work keeps me going," he says. Personable and modest, Professor Dato' Goh is well-liked and highly regarded by his patients and his peers in the medical fraternity.
He is currently the President of the Asia Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE). In May 2011, he was voted Vice President of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), the first Malaysian to be given such an honour.
He has spoken at numerous international meetings and served as an invited faculty member for various international endoscopy workshops and currently serves as Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He also sits on the Editorial Board of seven international journals and has had stints as a visiting professor at the University of Arizona, USA (2004) and University of Magdeburg, Germany (2005).
His scientific contributions have earned him fellowships in a number of International medical colleges and societies including:
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow
Royal College of Physicians, London
American College of Gastroenterology
American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Hong Kong Society of Gastroenterology
Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India
Professor Goh's work credo has always been "honesty, hard work and humility." He believes that in the field of clinical medicine there is no alternative to hard work.
"In medicine you don't work smart. You always have to work hard. When you say you work smart, you're basically not working or you're riding on other people. I am very disdainful of that," he says.
As a teacher and mentor, a testimony to his work is the large number of his students who are now highly successful gastroenterologists in their own right, both locally and abroad.
Since 1993, the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit at UMMC has been holding annual therapeutic endoscopy workshops and the Centre has gained wide international reputation and prestige. Cases are conducted and transmitted live to an audience who can interact with the physician performing the procedure. The Centre started accepting international trainees from 2005.
"The aim of these live workshops is to also bring in the top guns (invited faculty, leading experts and pioneers in the field) from overseas so that they can share with us and we learn from them. We run three working rooms with 500- 600 participants a year," he says.
The Centre treats almost 10,000 patients a year encompassing various forms of endoscopy work such as therapeutic, diagnostic, curative and palliative endoscopy.
Professor Dato' Dr Goh has been instrumental in putting the nation on the map as a centre of excellence in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology that has benefited thousands while inspiring the younger generation to become better physicians.
His professional achievements have had a deep and lasting impact in Malaysia and, also, internationally. His dedication and passion has elevated the practice of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Malaysia to Global Standards and reflects the Merdeka Award's ideals of fostering a culture of excellence.
Merdeka Award Secretariat
Level 71, Tower 1
merdekaaward@petronas.com.my
About Merdeka Award
Find out more about Merdeka Award programmes here.
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To avoid any appearance of conflict of interest staff of the Merdeka Award's Founding Partners - PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell, and their immediate families are ineligible for the Grant.
Before filling in the online application form, please pre-prepare soft copies of the following documents, which should be attached with the online application.
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3. Academic Transcripts PDF, DOC, DOCX
4. Attachment Proposal
A 2-page well-thought out and presented Attachment Proposal that clearly states your proposed area of study, the institution where you propose to pursue the research, your research objectives and aims, and what you hope to achieve in your field at the end of the 3-month research period. Please identify three (3) internationally-recognised institutions (outside of Malaysia) that you would like to do your attachment at. (Note that the Merdeka Award reserves the right to replace the proposed host institution at its discretion). PDF, DOC, DOCX
5. Attachment Budget
A proposed Attachment Budget for the three-month attachment (detailing tuition fees, travel, accommodation, books, insurance and other research-related costs), with exchange rate and inflation taken into consideration. PDF, DOC, DOCX
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Two Letters of Recommendation from people who are qualified to provide insight into your potential for success and leadership PDF, DOC, DOCX
7. Resume/Curriculum Vitae PDF, DOC, DOCX
Any other document that you wish to submit to strengthen your application including copies of articles written, reports of volunteer work, extra-curricular certificates etc. PDF, DOC, DOCX
Each file/document uploaded MUST NOT exceed the maximum file size of 5MB.
Note: In the event that more files need to be uploaded, please combine the files and upload them under the category "Others" and ensure that file names are reflective of their content.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Bill Haley & His Comets Bill Haley - Bill Rocks
Jetzt probehören:
$17.92 * $19.04 * (5.88% Saved)
catalog number: BCD16807
weight in Kg 0.2
Learn more about Bill Haley & His Comets
1-CD-Album DigiPac (6-seitig) with 32-page booklet, 31 tracks, playing time 79:48 minutes. The... more
Bill Haley & His Comets: Bill Haley - Bill Rocks
1-CD-Album DigiPac (6-seitig) with 32-page booklet, 31 tracks, playing time 79:48 minutes.
The hoopla surrounding the purported fiftieth anniversary of rock 'n' roll in 2004 didn't quite ring true. Yes, Elvis made his first record in 1954, but Bill Haley, who died neglected and alone on the Mexican border twenty-five years ago on the 9th of February, went to his grave wondering why he'd been written out of the story. True, the Pennsylvania polka bars where Bill Haley stumbled across his music didn't have the eye candy appeal of Memphis after dark, and yes Bill Haley was almost middle-aged and had a goofy little kiss curl, but he was in the charts with rock 'n' roll as early as 1953, and he'd figured it out several years before that. So yes, Bill Haley was first, and some say that he's still the greatest. No one at Bear Family would argue with that!
Bear Family presents, for the first time ever, a complete cross-section of Bill Haley's rockin'est recordings. Some were made for Holiday and Essex Records in the early 1950s and some for Decca in the mid-to-late 1950s. Here's his version of Rocket '88' from 1951 which proves Bill Haley was already on the verge of figuring it out. Later Essex recordings like Rock The Joint and Crazy, Man, Crazy (the absolute guaranteed first rock 'n' roll hit from 1953!) proved that he was indisputably first. Then, of course, Bill Haley switched to Decca and his early Decca singles, Shake Rattle And Roll and Rock Around The Clock, were the shots heard around the world. Rock 'n' roll had arrived, ushered in by Bill Haley &, His Comets. This is what the revolution sounded like!
Article properties: Bill Haley & His Comets: Bill Haley - Bill Rocks
Interpret: Bill Haley & His Comets
Album titlle: Bill Haley - Bill Rocks
Label Bear Family Records
Price code AR
Edition 2 Deluxe Edition
Artikelart CD
Haley, Bill & His Comets - Bill Haley - Bill Rocks CD 1
01 (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
02 Shake, Rattle And Roll
03 Dim, Dim The Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)
04 Happy Baby
05 Mambo Rock
06 Rocket '88'
07 Birth Of The Boogie
08 Razzle Dazzle
09 Two Hound Dogs
10 Rock The Joint
11 Burn That Candle
12 Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie
13 See You Later, Alligator
14 Real Rock Drive
15 The Saints Rock 'n' Roll
16 A.B.C. Boogie
17 R-O-C-K
18 Crazy Man Crazy
19 Hot Dog Buddy Buddy
20 Rockin' Through The Rye
21 Rip It Up
22 Fractured
23 Rudy's Rock (instrumental)
24 Choo Choo Ch' Boogie
25 Don't Knock The Rock
26 Live It Up
27 Forty Cups Of Coffee
28 Skinny Minnie
29 Lean Jean
30 Where Did You Go Last Night?
31 Green Tree Boogie
Bill Haley The hoopla surrounding the purported fiftieth anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll ... more
"Bill Haley & His Comets"
The hoopla surrounding the purported fiftieth anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll 2004 didn't quite ring true. Bill Haley might have lobbied for 2001...fifty years after he'd covered Rocket '88'; or 2002…fifty years after he'd recorded Rock The Joint; or 2003...fifty years after he broke into the pop charts with Crazy, Man, Crazy, a record that fit every criterion of rock 'n' roll. But, of course, Bill Haley said not a word; he had died neglected and alone on the Mexican border in 1981, and even at the time of his death he was wondering why he'd been written out of the story.
True, the Pennsylvania polka bars and union halls where Bill Haley stumbled upon his music didn't have the eye candy appeal of Memphis after dark, and true, kids didn't want to be Bill Haley as they wanted to be Elvis Presley, but he was absolutely, definitively first.
Perhaps the only ingredient of rock 'n' roll (as we would come know it) that's missing from these recordings is the music's democratic ideal. You could buy a guitar and with a little aptitude and a few weeks' patient study you could pick out a Duane Eddy tune or an Elvis solo, but you would not be able to play much of the music on this collection.
The basic truth about rock 'n' roll
The basic truth about rock 'n' roll has been reiterated in thousands of books, documentaries, and articles. It was the fusion of R&B, country, and pop, but while Elvis talked about seeing the very primitive Arthur Crudup, Bill Haley's idea of R&B was the tightly marshaled swing of Louis Jordan and the showmanship of the Treniers. While Elvis thought of Hank Williams and Bill Monroe as country, Bill Haley thought of the Sons of the Pioneers. It was a difference that resolved itself to age and geography.
Elvis was ten years younger than Bill Haley, and he came from the South, while Haley grew up on the east coast. Make no mistake, though, Bill Haley paved the way for Elvis. When RCA Victor in New York signed Elvis away from Sun Records, they were hoping they'd signed someone who could reach the market that Haley had opened up: a market that no one knew existed before Haley.
The full story of Bill Haley
The full story of Bill Haley's early years is told in Chris Gardner's extended biography. Included with our definitive collection of early Bill Haley, 'The Real Birth Of Rock 'n' Roll' (BCD 16509). Briefly, William John Clifton Haley was born on July 6, 1925 in the Detroit suburb of Highland Park.
His father, Bill Sr., was a transplanted Kentuckian and his mother, Maude, was British. Bill Sr. moved the family to Boothwyn, Pennsylvania during the Depression and kept his head above water by working in the shipyards. He played the banjo and Maude played light classics on the piano. Bill Jr.'s desire to play music was inhibited only by the shyness that probably stemmed from self consciousness over his one blind eye.
Before the end of the Second World War, though, Bill Haley was trying to carve out a career in music. He was very much in the thrall of pre-War faux cowboy music. He wore the hat, sang the songs of an idealized west, and yodeled. In fact, he told Canadian dee-jay Red Robinson that he was an Indiana state yodeling champion, although no one has ever been able to confirm (or deny) that claim. There were rumors that he'd made his first recordings with the Downhomers in 1945, but that seems unlikely. By the end of 1947, Haley was back in eastern Pennsylvania after stints throughout the northeast, and made what were probably his first recordings for Jack Howard's Arcade Records with his group, the Four Aces of Western Swing.
Billy Williamson and Johnny Grande
He had a spot on WPWA in Chester, Pennsylvania, and formed a partnership with two future Comets, steel guitarist Billy Williamson and accordionist Johnny Grande. He'd also signed away parts of his income, apparently in perpetuity, thereby setting the stage for the financial problems that would dog him to the grave…and beyond. In 1948, though, a percentage of Haley's income didn't amount to much. "I was working until 2:00am in the clubs and opening the station [WPWA] at 6:00am," he recalled to the 'Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin'. "Seven days a week!"
In 1949, Haley changed the name of his group to the Saddlemen (to avoid conflict with another popular local group, the Four Aces) and moved them through a number of brief label affiliations, including a fling with Atlantic Records via a lease deal. In 1951, Haley signed with Dave Miller, an engaging if morally ambiguous man. Who at least knew how to get records distributed outside eastern Pennsylvania. (one of his labels, Palda, issued records by the other Four Aces). Miller later found his niche as one of the godfathers of the budget record business. At one time, was responsible for more records cluttering up thrift stores and charity shops than anyone else—even Andy Williams.
Dave Miller met Bill Haley at the Twin Bars in Gloucester, New Jersey, where the Saddlemen had a regular gig. Miller had just taken a sales trip down South and returned with a copy of Jackie Brenston's Rocket '88', then atop the R&B charts. The practice of covering R&B songs for the country market was gathering steam, and Miller saw potential for Rocket '88' in the country market. "I played the record for Bill," Miller said in an interview quoted in 'The Real Birth Of Rock 'n' Roll,' "and he was quite reluctant to record it as it wasn't his 'bag' – he being a country artist. But Billy Williamson and a few of the other fellows in the band said Bill, we have nothing to lose, so Bill did make the cover of 'Rocket '88', which sold very well locally. If Haley was truly reluctant, he nevertheless brought a distinctly black feel to his recording. It was the first intimation of greatness. The other side, Green Tree Boogie, was more firmly in the country boogie mold. (ie. with the emphasis firmly, if engagingly, on country)
Now we fast-forward to 1952.
R&B bandleader Jimmy Preston, who was from Haley's adopted hometown, Chester, cut the frantic Rock The Joint as a Good Rockin' Tonight spinoff in 1949. An R&B dee-jay in Chester used Preston's record as his themesong, so Haley undoubtedly knew it well. "Out on the job one night, just kidding the band," Haley told 'TV Radio Mirror' in 1957, "I went into 'Rock The Joint.' Billy (Williamson) and Johnny (Grande) started to laugh and joined in. Al Rex hit it on the bass. We really got a kick out of it ourselves. Then I looked around -and, so help me- people were dancing. I turned to the guys and said, 'What on earth did I do?" The guitar solo was by Danny Cedrone, leader of another local group, the Esquire Boys.
It doesn't take a degree in musicology to figure out that it's the same solo that Cedrone would replicate almost note-for-note on Rock Around The Clock two years later. It was a fiendishly difficult solo, and the first great rock 'n' roll guitar setpiece. Haley, incidentally, wrote Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie for Cedrone's Esquire Boys. Parenthetically, it's worth noting that Haley's record wasn't the first white cover version of Rock The Joint; that honor goes to the sadly neglected Jimmy Cavallo, who, in 1951, cut a version modeled closely on Preston's. Haley seemed reluctant to commit himself to this new music. Preferring the economic certainties of the east coast country music dances. But he slowly began to realize that he'd seen the future…and it rocked.
The Saddlemen became the Comets
At the suggestion of Bix Reichner (who hosted a jazz show on WPWA and later wrote songs for Haley), the Saddlemen became the Comets, and the first single under the new name was Real Rock Drive. Although credited as the composer, Haley had in fact rewritten Tani Allen and Buck Turner's Bullet recording of Tennessee Jive. Bullet's publishing company, Volunteer Music, sued right away, despite Turner's advice that they should wait to see if Haley's disc became a hit. Essex stopped working Haley's record, and promptly issued Crazy Man Crazy.Haley's new manager, 'Lord' Jim Ferguson, persuaded Haley to quit the beer joints in favour of high school gigs. Despite the fact that it meant a drop in earnings. It proved the smartest thing we ever tried, wrote Haley's accordionist, Johnny Grande, in 1957. The kids taught us.
We tried our experiments on them.
When their shoulders started moving and their feet started tapping and their hands clapping. We knew that a certain tune was worth keeping in the act....Bill noticed that their favorite expression was 'Crazy!'. He took their word and their football chant, 'Go! Go! Go!' and gave it back to them in a song". Crazy Man Crazy entered the Pop Top 10 and the die was cast. Everyone around Haley began to sense that they were onto something – even if no-one knew quite what. Grande described the painstaking process by which Haley had evolved his sound: We rehearsed in the studio every day for two years. One of the engineers gave us a big assist by putting our trial runs on tape. And playing them back so that we could study them.
When we were broke he would sort of delay putting it on the bill. Always we were looking for something. We'd take a standard like 'Ida' and we'd play it every way we could think of; - fast, slow, loud, soft, hillbilly, waltz, dixie, progressive. 'Haley was like a scientist putting one thing after another into a test tube,' Billy (Williamson) says. 'And he'd be so happy when one experiment turned out right'. One of the most important experiments happened one day when we were studying some Count Basie records. Since we didn't have brasses, we fooled around with the strings, trying to get the same effect, trying to build volume. Haley with the bass discovered that when he plucked the strings in the accepted way, it came out rrom-pahhh. If he back slapped them, it changed the accent to rrom-pahhh. That's how the heavy back beat became the basic form in our rock & roll."
Crazy Man Crazy
The follow-ups to Crazy Man Crazy showed that Haley still hadn't truly grasped what was happening. At two of the sessions after Crazy Man Crazy, though, he presented a song called Rock Around The Clock. But Dave Miller refused to cut it because of an ongoing dispute with the music publisher and co-writer, James Myers. The song had been written in 1953 by Max C. Freedman, a Philadelphia songwriter, already 60 years old. He'd written Sioux City Sue in 1945, and had worked stints as an announcer and radio personality.
He would later put lyrics to operettas. After Miller refused to cut Rock Around The Clock, Myers placed it with veteran country artist Sonny Dae. The song made its inauspicious debut on Jack Howard's Arcade label! Bill Haley Bill Haley - Bill Rocks
Read more at: https://www.bear-family.com/haley-bill-bill-haley-bill-rocks.html Copyright © Bear Family Records
Customer evaluation for "Bill Haley - Bill Rocks"
From: Peter S. On: 11 Aug 2017
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Bill Haley - Bill Rocks


text:
Q: Element-wise array replication according to a count My question is similar to this one, but I would like to replicate each element according to a count specified in a second array of the same size.
An example of this, say I had an array v = [3 1 9 4], I want to use rep = [2 3 1 5] to replicate the first element 2 times, the second three times, and so on to get [3 3 1 1 1 9 4 4 4 4 4].
So far I'm using a simple loop to get the job done. This is what I started with:
vv = [];
for i=1:numel(v)
    vv = [vv repmat(v(i),1,rep(i))];
end

I managed to improve by preallocating space:
vv = zeros(1,sum(rep));
c = cumsum([1 rep]);
for i=1:numel(v)
    vv(c(i):c(i)+rep(i)-1) = repmat(v(i),1,rep(i));
end

However I still feel there has to be a more clever way to do this... Thanks

A: To add to the list of possible solutions, consider this one:
vv = cellfun(@(a,b)repmat(a,1,b), num2cell(v), num2cell(rep), 'UniformOutput',0);
vv = [vv{:}];

This is much slower than the one by gnovice..

A: Here's one way I like to accomplish this:
>> index = zeros(1,sum(rep));
>> index(cumsum([1 rep(1:end-1)])) = 1;

index =

     1     0     1     0     0     1     1     0     0     0     0

>> index = cumsum(index)

index =

     1     1     2     2     2     3     4     4     4     4     4

>> vv = v(index)

vv =

     3     3     1     1     1     9     4     4     4     4     4

This works by first creating an index vector of zeroes the same length as the final count of all the values. By performing a cumulative sum of the rep vector with the last element removed and a 1 placed at the start, I get a vector of indices into index showing where the groups of replicated values will begin. These points are marked with ones. When a cumulative sum is performed on index, I get a final index vector that I can use to index into v to create the vector of heterogeneously-replicated values.

A: What you are trying to do is to run-length decode. A high level reliable/vectorized utility is the FEX submission rude():
% example inputs
counts = [2, 3, 1];
values = [24,3,30];

the result
rude(counts, values)
ans =
    24    24     3     3     3    30

Note that this function performs the opposite operation as well, i.e. run-length encodes a vector or in other words returns values and the corresponding counts.

A: accumarray function can be used to make the code work if zeros exit in rep array
function vv = repeatElements(v, rep)
index = accumarray(cumsum(rep)'+1, 1);
vv = v(cumsum(index(1:end-1))+1);
end

This works similar to solution of gnovice, except that indices are accumulated instead being assigned to 1. This allows to skip some indices (3 and 6 in the example below) and remove corresponding elements from the output.
>> v = [3 1 42 9 4 42];
>> rep = [2 3 0 1 5 0];
>> index = accumarray(cumsum(rep)'+1, 1)'

index =

     0     0     1     0     0     2     1     0     0     0     0     2

>> cumsum(index(1:end-1))+1

ans =

     1     1     2     2     2     4     5     5     5     5     5

>> vv = v(cumsum(index(1:end-1))+1)

vv =

     3     3     1     1     1     9     4     4     4     4     4

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


As technology evolves, it provides increased and diverse ways for people to maintain contact and share information. Whilst this may be beneficial for many, it creates significant challenges for keeping children safe. Although our primary focus is on keeping children safe, it is worth noting that technology also raises challenges for adults in not only keeping themselves safe but also understanding the technology which children are now using and the risks which children may unknowingly be exposing themselves to.
Technology also enables children and their families to communicate in ways which they were never able to before, for example more children than ever have their own mobile phones, email accounts and accounts on online networking sites such as, Facebook and Twitter. These technology advances which children nowadays have at their fingertips sometimes raises difficulties in the management of contact between foster children and their birth families.
A child's care plan clarifies the structure which contact between children and their families should be. Sometimes this can be fluid and flexible and in some cases it can be clearly stipulated. Children and young people tend to carry their mobiles around with them and if they exchange numbers with birth relatives or communicate with them via email or online networking sites it can be almost impossible for carers to regulate the amount of contact, or to gate-keep what is being discussed. The challenges though extend beyond the contact which children may have with birth families to the potential of having contact with individuals who they do not know. Unfortunately there have been occasions whereby children as well as adults have been misled on the internet into believing they are talking to someone who is of a particular identity but it has later transpired that the person with whom they thought to have been communicating with was hiding behind a false identity by using a fake name and photos and sharing other details which have been uploaded or shared in dialogue.
There are no easy answers to the problem of how to manage the effects of technology, so it is important to encourage carers and parents to be aware of the issues which may arise and to think creatively about how to respond to them. Most importantly, we need to look out for changes in the child's mood or behaviour and to be aware that communication through technology whether mobile phone apps or online may be raising issues which the child needs help to deal with.


text:
New Kent supervisors approve machinery and tools tax decrease for 2019, discuss lower business property tax rates
Ashley Luck
New Kent County supervisors, county adminstrator, county attorney and commissioner of revenue discussing lower taxes at the board's Nov. 28 meeting
New Kent County supervisors, county adminstrator, county attorney and commissioner of revenue discussing lower taxes at the board's Nov. 28 meeting (Ashley Luck)
Ashley Luckaluck@tidewaterreview.com
New Kent supervisors and officials hope to attract new businesses to the county with lower taxes.
County commissioner of revenue Laura Ecimovic brought two tax proposals to the board at its Nov. 28 meeting.
Ecimovic said in preparation for the 2019-2020 budget season, she has looked at the county's tax rates and wants to reduce the machinery and tools tax rates so the county can be competitive.
"We have one of the highest machinery and tools tax rates in the state," Ecimovic said. "We want to attract more manufacturing-type businesses here."
The county's current machinery and tools tax rate is $1.50 per $100 in assessed value, Ecimovic said she recommends lowering it to 75 cents or $1.
"Henrico County, who is our next-door neighbor, has the lowest rate in the state at 30 cents per $100 in assessed value," Ecimovic said.
With Ecimovic's new depreciation schedule and rates, the 75 cent machinery and tools tax rate lets the county have lower rates than Henrico over an estimated 21-year depreciation schedule.
The county's depreciation schedule and rates range from 20 to zero percent over more than 11 years calculated, with the current depreciation rates ranging from 35 to zero percent.
"The $1 rate gets us competitive and has less of a burden on our businesses," Ecimovic said. "But with 75 cents we will have one of the lowest if not the lowest rate in the state."
The county would collect $122,000 less in taxes with the 75 cent rate, but both Ecimovic and Economic Development Director Matthew Smolnik think the lower taxes will be incentive for businesses to choose New Kent.
All of the supervisors agreed that the 75 cents rate will hopefully attract new businesses and help current ones, supervisor W.R. "Ray" Davis Jr. said he would prefer the $1 rate to stay competitive, but it's not too low.
The supervisors approved (4-1) a motion for staff to prepare for a tax rate reduction of 75 cents for machinery and tools effective Jan. 1, 2019, with Davis voting against the motion.
Business property tax
Ecimovic also discussed lowering business property taxes for 2019.
With the state's tax limitations depending on population size, Ecimovic said the county should consider amending the code to reflecting its growing size.
"We are growing more and more every year, we are currently just under 22,000 residents," Ecimovic said. "The state's code of tax limitations requires that populations over 25,000 but under 50,000 require a minimum threshold of $50,000 for business tax rates."
Ecimovic said she thinks the Weldon Cooper Statistics study will report that the county population is more than 25,000 people. The study comes out in the end of January.
Ecimovic also wants to lower business license taxes and the overall business property tax rate, but keep the $30 fee for businesses that make less than $50,000 and more than $10,000.
The proposed license tax rates include decreases for contractors from 12 cents to 10 cents, retail business from 15 cents to 14 cents, wholesale businesses kept at 4 cents, service and miscellaneous from 27 cents to 23 cents, professional and real estate businesses at 44 cents to 32 cents and utility businesses kept at 42 cents per $100 assessed value.
The business property tax rate being proposed at $3.25 or $3, it is lower than the current $3.75 rate, according to Ecimovic.
Ecimovic brought it to the board for general discussion and consensus for the upcoming 2019-2020 budget season. The supervisors agreed they want to do something about the business property and license taxes and will take it into consideration.
If the county lowers the business license taxes it would lose $102,014 in business license revenue. If the business property tax rate was lowered to $3.25 the county would lose $72,870 in revenue and $109,304 if the rate was lowered to $3, according to documents prepared by Ecimovic.
Ecimovic said she hopes that lowering the taxes for both machinery and tools and businesses will bring more businesses and keep businesses in the county, as well as give the county a competitive edge over others.
Luck can be reached at 757-291-2038, aluck@tidewaterreview.com or @ashleyrluck on Twitter


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Burger Island 2: The Missing Ingredient - Burgers. Tasty Burgers. Lots of Tasty Burgers.
While winter brings us frost and snow, somewhere people lie in the tender sun and taste the most delicious food in the world. Where? - you will ask. On Burger Island! You are welcome back to the tropical paradise where you'll have a chance to cook the best snacks ever and have hours of time-management fun.
Kiddie size, Regular or Jumbo size? You choose!
The business at Beach Burger was thriving, until one day all the customers simply disappeared. Investigation conducted by Patty Melton, the main heroine, and her faithful Pierre, discovered that they just went to Burger Chief, freshly opened by their competitor Edie Cole Iverson. Of course, our heroes were not going to leave the situation as it was, and quickly came up with a solution. But for implementing it they needed tp consult their local friend, the Tiki Guy. Logically, they go to visit him at his tribe's place, and find out that he has also disappeared! The mysterious pelican brings a note saying the genius cook has been kidnapped, and all his recipes have been stolen, including the Great Sauce (that's why the competitor's burgers tasted so familiar!). But the main secret ingredient still remains secret, and Tiki Guy will reveal it to Patty and Pierre if they save him. Of course, they are willing to help their friend, and they start the quest of more than 130 stages.
If you have played the first Burger Island, you have already tried the game play the second part offers. You have a counter with four spots for orders, a grill and a set of ingredients. And, of course, a host of impatient customers waiting for their food. Your task is to click fast, watch carefully and try to fulfill several orders at a time - for real commercial success! And watch the thermometers next to orders in order not to miss some especially demanding customers. You will cook appetizing burgers, omelets and nachos - be sure to get some snacks for yourself before starting.
One great thing about the game is that you can decide where to go next by choosing one of the branched paths in the form of islands. This gives you much freedom in the game.
There are also some bonus games - first, the simpler, you have to help Pierre balance his numerous trays. And second, the most addicitve - you create your own recipes in the Experimental Kitchen, combining ingredients no one could ever dream of combining sometimes.
One of the most attractive features of the game is its graphics. The funny and cartoon-like character make you laugh, and the tropical environment reminds of hot summer days.
So, if you are a fan of time-managements, Burger Island 2 is a nice choice, though not presenting any significant innovations. Are you ready for the burger challenge?
This is Burger Island 2: The Missing Ingredient review. Download this game here.


A great historical divisional rivalry featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants kicks off a new weekend of football. I'll start our look at Thursday, Friday, and marquee Saturday action right there. Then, I'll be back with you Friday afternoon to look at sharp betting in the rest of this week's NFL.
PHILADELPHIA AT THE NY GIANTS: I held back a little on the release of today's report because it looks like it's going to be rainy Thursday night in the Meadowlands. Wanted to see if the Wise Guys hit the Under. Hasn't happened yet. And, it may not happen given how skittish sharps are about asking two defenses in the same game to succeed for them. The Over/Under is only down a point to 44, from the opener of 45. Keep an eye on that through the late afternoon. Definitely interest in the Giants as a divisional home underdog, as an opening line of +3 has been bet down to +1.5 or even +1 depending on where you shop. That also means the Giants will be a popular choice in two-team teasers at prices ranging from +1.5 to +2.5, because you can use six points to move them up to +7.5 to +8.5 (crossing both the three and the seven). So, sharps LOVE the Giants at +3, and are going to like them in teasers.
TEXAS TECH AT TCU: Host TCU gets the smart money at -7, but it stops coming in once a store is at -7.5. So, interest in the Horned Frogs on the key number, but not above it. No buy back yet on Texas Tech. The Over/Under has come down from 61 to 58.5. That suggests support for TCU's defense and ability to run clock. Conditions should be great, so that's not a weather-related line move.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT TEXAS STATE: Limited interest in this game from all accounts. An opener of Georgia Southern -17.5 is still painted. Quants did play the Over, as the total has risen from 51 to 53.
SOUTH FLORIDA AT TULSA: Sharp interest on the home underdog. An opening line of USF -7.5 was bet down to the touchdown. The Wise Guys didn't believe the public would play this game, so they didn't bother waiting around to see if +8 became available. Respect for this host and the key number from the math guys. The total is down 1.5 points from 63 to 61.5.
ARIZONA AT UTAH: It's amazing how far Arizona has fallen in perceptions this season. Utah opened at a tall -13, and the game was bet UP. We're now seeing -13.5 everywhere. I do believe dog lovers would come in on the key number of +14. But, the Wildcats just aren't a team anyone wants in this spot (tough home field). The total is down from 53 to 50.5. Similar situation here to TCU/Texas Tech in that the Wise Guys are looking for the superior host to use its physical advantages to control game flow and run clock.
WASHINGTON AT OREGON: Looks like a tug-of-war developing here between home dog Oregon +3.5 and Pac 12 championship favorite Washington at -3. Both sides have their constituencies at favored prices. Oregon should have beaten Stanford on this field a few weeks ago, and will have a loud crowd supporting them. Washington is inconsistent on offense depending on the opponent. And, that season-opening loss to Auburn looks worse now than it did at the time.
WISCONSIN AT MICHIGAN: Wow, huge move through a key number for the Wolverines. An opening line of Michigan -6.5 is all the way up to -9…with 9.5 being tested. Sharps are betting this like they know five Badgers are about to be suspended. There is some dog interest waiting on the sideline to see what it can get. Why is this line so high? Remember that a lot of sharps LOVED Michigan entering the season, and apparently haven't changed their minds yet. Also, Wisconsin is just 1-4 against the spread, with a shocking home loss to BYU on the resume.
WEST VIRGINIA AT IOWA STATE: I'm including this one because West Virginia now has a real chance to win the Big 12 after Oklahoma was upset by Texas last week. And, Iowa State can be a feisty underdog. Cyclones bullied Oklahoma State last week, and covered as a home dog against OU. Quants love this West Virginia offense (and quarterback). They've helped lift the opening line of -4.5 all the way up to -6.5. Dog lovers will jump in hard at +7 if it comes into play. Many will settle for +6.5 if that's the best they're going to get. Iowa State is typically a respected home dog with old school guys.
GEORGIA AT LSU: Probably another tug-of-war game. Loaded Georgia gets support from some sharps at -7. But, LSU is a very appealing home underdog at +7.5. Talk about "defensive dogs!" Great test for the Bulldogs, who have one of the easiest schedules of the top contenders. It would have been easier to love LSU if it hadn't played in such a tough battle last week vs. Florida.
MICHIGAN STATE AT PENN STATE: An opener of Penn State -14.5 has been bet down through the key number of 14 to Nittany Lions -13.5. No buy back yet. So, even though that's only a one-point move…it's a SIGNIFICANT move on the Dog because the number stuck just below the key number. Maybe the public will hit the TV home favorite and bring -14 back into play. For now, we know that sharps love Michigan State at +14 or higher. Huge drop on the total from 58 down to 53. Part of that is the chance for rain. The rest, the perception that this will settle into a defensive battle. If the weather clears up, I know some sharps that will hit the Over because of Penn State's preferred style this season.
More coming tomorrow as I look at the rest of the NFL. Don't forget that you can purchase my daily BEST BETS right here at the website with your credit card. If you have any questions call the VSM office at 1-888-777-4155. Don't forget to ask about baseball. The NLCS starts Friday night with the LA Dodgers at Milwaukee. Friday, the much-anticipated ALCS featuring the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox.
Thanks for reading. See you again Friday afternoon.


WASHINGTON — Touting his four years as secretary of state, John Kerry on Thursday attempted to explain one of the most contentious moments in American diplomacy during his tenure: President Barack Obama's failure to enforce his "red line" warning to Syria about using chemical weapons.
In a news conference meant to promote his achievements, Kerry said that Obama didn't backtrack in 2013 on his ultimatum to Syrian President Bashar Assad not to attack rebels or civilians with his chemical weapons arsenal. Kerry said this "unfair perception" nevertheless hurt U.S. credibility.
The elaborate explanation of events more than three years ago reflected the lingering importance that many of the Obama administration's critics, as well as some international allies, ascribe to the episode. Even some U.S. officials have grumbled that Obama signaled that he wasn't prepared to use force in Syria or the Middle East, and could buckle under pressure.
Although Obama has rejected such reasoning, it has been harder for him ever since to convince America's friends and foes that the U.S. maintained a credible threat of force in response to aggression elsewhere, such as Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
In 2012, Obama said any use or movement of chemical weapons by Assad would cross a "red line" and draw a U.S. military response. A year later, when U.S. officials determined that chemical weapons were used to kill hundreds outside Damascus, Obama sought congressional approval for military action and then pursued a diplomatic solution with Russia.
Kerry noted the shift came after then-British Prime Minister David Cameron failed to get parliamentary approval to join in airstrikes and after many U.S. lawmakers voiced their reluctance to approve the use of American force. He said Obama ultimately opted for a better solution: a diplomatic deal that enabled Syria to give up its declared chemical weapon stockpiles.
"The bottom line is, folks, the president never retracted his intent to (use force), he just got rid of the need to do it by embracing a different approach that got all the weapons out," Kerry told reporters at the State Department. He said the negotiated response was more effective than military action because there was no guarantee airstrikes could have accomplished the same thing.
Kerry acknowledged that people far and wide saw the sequence of events as Obama backing down. And he said that view damaged America's effectiveness.
"I will acknowledge to you absolutely, I heard it all over the place," he said. "The perception hurt, yes. The perception hurt."
Kerry said, "I don't think it's fair because I don't think it actually reflected the decisions that he made and it doesn't reflect the reality of what we were able to achieve."


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As you have no doubt been told a thousand times, Rhubarb is not a fruit but a vegetable. Who cares? It has recently made the transition from boring old granny standby to luxury product. It is no harder to grow than it always was, but you will now find eager takers for any surplus you have!
There are many different varieties of Rhubarb available, as a quick internet search will show. If you are offered a plant by an allotment neighbour who is splitting up a clump, the odds are very strongly that it will be Timperley Early, the commonest variety (and none the worse for that). It is one of the earliest to crop and still a very good choice for the allotment.
"FORCED" RHUBARB
The rhubarb that the foodies rave about is not a particular variety, but rhubarb that has been 'forced' in a particularly extreme way. In the Yorkshire 'rhubarb triangle', the roots are lifted and put into darkened heated sheds, where the stored goodness in the large roots produces blush-pink, delicately tender stems. It's possible to 'force' rhubarb on your allotment without all that palaver. The results won't be quite so exquisite, but they will certainly win over anyone who has had unforced rhubarb and disliked it.
RHUBARB FORCERS
Left: poncy terracotta ones are expensive, will probably get nicked, and are too small anyway.
Right: an old composter with an incinerator lid works well, and has plenty of room for long stems. The lid lets essential air in, but still excludes enough light.
By excluding light, you prevent the development of coarser flavours. The warm, sheltered surroundings bring on the stems early. Ventilation is important as if the stems get too warm they will rot.
Don't force the same clump year after year - it won't be able to take the strain. If you want to force your rhubarb you will need at least two clumps, so they can take it in turns.
WHY CAN'T I EAT RHUBARB AFTER MIDSUMMER?
The sourness in rhubarb is due to the presence of oxalic acid. This is mild during the cooler weather, but once the temperature starts to rise, so do the levels of oxalic acid. Soon they reach a level where they will make all but the most robust digestive system very unwell indeed.
However, demand from market gardeners has led to the breeding of new, later-cropping varieties which can used be through most of the summer and autumn.
"Valentine" is a maincrop variety, but is less acidic than most and will suit more delicate digestions. Available from Mr Fothergills.
"Cawood Delight" is a late-spring cropping variety, ready from the end of May. It isn't a robst plant and even the RHS says it needs 'good growing conditions'. One to coddle a bit, then. Available from Chris Bowers & sons
"Livingstone" is a genuinely autumn-cropping variety, according to the RHS. It continues to produce new stems until the first really cold weather. Available from Thompson & Morgan and Mr Fothergills.
Right: rhubarb varieties under trial in the vegetable garden at Wisley


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Germany Prehistory – Iron Age
By itypejob | January 18, 2022
Early phase of the Iron Age or Hallstatt (about 800-400 BC). – The civilization of the earliest Hallstatt period in southern Germany is the product of the merger of the primitive population – preserved eg. on the heights of the Swabian Alb – with the immigrant populations probably from the eastern regions of the urnfield civilization. This civilization represents a transitional phase, which also descends into the Hallstatt age: in connection with it we can distinguish, for western and southern Germany, two main periods of the Hallstatt civilization, one more ancient (800-600) and one most recent (600-400). The influx of new populations from the Illyrian area of the Eastern Alps, where iron also comes from, gives it its characteristic physiognomy. A commodity as important as iron now becomes salt, which is closely connected with the Hallstatt civilization. Typical of the earliest Hallstatt phase are the long iron sword and polychrome pottery in western and southern Germany. Here too an abundant material coming from the mounds, as well as from the houses and above all from the fortified castles on the heights, it attests that this first phase of the Hallstatt period had a relatively peaceful development. Towards 600, with the beginning of the migrations of the Celts and also as a consequence of the Germanic migrations caused by the worsening of the climate in the northern regions, a certain restlessness takes over. The custom of building castles spreads, and the dominance of a few individuals over the tribes is asserted. Indigenous production is increasingly giving way to imports from the south. Princely tombs of the century. VI and V, magnificently decorated, contain bronze vases from northern and central Italy and gold objects. The influence of the Hallstatt civilization extends as far as Silesia and central and north-western Germany; it manifests itself with the greatest intensity especially in the most recent phase of the Lusatian civilization. The two techniques, the old one, local, of cast bronze, and the new one, learned from the South, of beaten and laminated bronze, exist at the same time. The most important find made in the Germanic settlements is the golden treasure of Eberswalde, preserved in a clay vase of the Lusatian type; Schuchhardt wants to see in it the private treasure of a chief of the Germanic tribe of the Semnons.
Second phase of the Iron Age or La Tène (400 – beginning of the Common Era). – Already in the Hallstatt era, the Celts had the dominance from a cultural point of view. The appearance of the civilization of La Tène, typical of true and proper Celts, does not represent such a clear departure for North and East Germany as for South and West Germany. The first historical information on the Germanic peoples is now beginning to appear, first with the Greek historians, later with the Romans; Celtic-type names also begin to appear, such as. that of the Hacynia forest, which corresponds to the middle German mountainous area (Mittelgebirge), and many of those of rivers still in use today. The Greek name of Celts corresponds to the Roman name of Gauls. Thus we also come to know the name of individual Celtic tribes, such as the Elvezî, the Volci, the Boi, the Treveri and others who, after having settled in Germany coming from the West, invade western, southern and part of central Germany.. Based on the distinction between Gallic burial tombs and Germanic cremation tombs, the boundary line of the two races and its gradual displacement can be established, concluding that the Germanic population during the last centuries before the Common Era exercised a strong pressure on the regions of the South-West, which large parts of Germany were never occupied by the Celts, that finally in other areas the Celtic civilization in the broad sense had already suffered a sudden end in the Hallstatt period. The La Tène style is quite well known to us for numerous objects found in the tombs (at first in mounds, later in tombs dug into the ground or Flachgräber) and in homes; In this way it is possible for us to clearly determine their individual characteristics and to distinguish four phases, characterized by an increasingly pronounced barbarism, which however is accompanied by an ever more accentuated tendency towards simplification. Except for a few cases, this civilization of La Tene in Germany is nothing special compared to that of France. The style is the product of the mixture of the Ionic-classical style with a singular decorative style based on animals and certain ornamental motifs, such as the swollen spiral band; and it appears increasingly clear that the influences did not originate so much from the Mediterranean basin, but from Eastern Europe (with which Central Europe was in very close contact since the Neolithic age), especially from the Greek-Scythian manufacturing centers.. oppida of Caesar, and imitate prototypes of the southern regions; the others are small quadrangular entrenched systems, which in part reach the age of the wars against the Romans.
According to collegesanduniversitiesinusa.com, the further development of civilization in Germany, up to the fall of the Roman Empire (400 AD) belongs for the most part to history, no longer to prehistory. In unconquered Germany, indigenous civilization continues to develop on the basis of elements inherited from the La Tène civilization. But the Roman civilization that crosses the Danube and the Rhine is making itself felt more and more on the trade routes, as communications between Italy and the Danube become more frequent. Germanic tribes increasingly develop their own individuality: they are the Alamanni, the Franks, the Baiuvari, the Thuringians, the Lombards, the Vandals, the Goths. Innumerable necropolises, in which the dead are placed facing the East surrounded by weapons and ornaments, provide us with a idea of the height reached by the applied art of the ancient Germans; since, even taking into account all the influence exerted by the Roman art of the Late Empire, a considerable part of what remains was created by them by their own impulse, resorting to the treasure of the forms received from the North and the East. Throughout the period up to the Roman conquest, v.Germanic peoples.
Germany Prehistory - Neolithic Age
Germany Prehistory - Bronze Age
Germany Prehistory - Paleolithic Age
Germany Language in Middle Age
Germany Language in Early Age
Germany Language in Modern Period
Germany Lithological Composition of the Soil
Germany Literature - From 1350 to 1750
Germany Merchant Navy
Category: Europe Tags: Germany
← Germany Prehistory – Neolithic Age Germany Prehistory – Bronze Age →


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E: course-enquiries@wmin.ac.uk westminster.ac.uk/fashion
© 2019 MA Menswear. All Rights Reserved.
MA Menswear
London Fashion Week Mens
Liliana Sanguino Ramirez - programme leader
As an experienced course leader, with an MA in Academic Practice, Liliana has overseen students to careers at Celine, Acne, McQueen, JW Anderson, Dolce and Gahanna and Chloe among others, and tutored winners for the H&M Design Awards Prize and the Jury's special prize for LVMH. As an East London businesswomen, she is responsible for the era-defining George & Dragon venue and more recently The Queen Adelaide. In 2015 Liliana curated the Colombian stand at the International Fashion Showcase during London Fashion Week, winning Best Stand and Best Designer.
Matthew Miller - Design Tutor
London-based Matthew Miller made his debut in 2011 and has become renowned for his unique aesthetic that combines classic tailoring and functional sportswear. Whilst rooted in the political and ideological his collections retain a sense of versatility with emphasis on cut and fabric tactility. Miller sees the wearer as integral to a garment's worth and, therefore, integral to the inherent character of each piece. He has undertaken several collaborations including Timberland, Ben Sherman and G-Shock.
Charles Jeffrey - Design Tutor
Glaswegian designer, illustrator and radical creative Charles Jeffrey, has been hailed by Dazed as 'the ringleader of London's next generation of club kids.' His brand Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY encompasses a fashion label and a cult club night, each informing the other. The LOVERBOY night forms the primary research for Jeffrey's collections, with his tribe of friends and creative collaborators - artists, performers, musicians, drag queens and poets - contributing to the egalitarian spirit of the brand. Jeffrey works with set designer Jack Appleyard on the creative direction for the label's runway shows and special projects. Jeffrey currently shows as part of Fashion East's MAN line-up in partnership with Topman.
Liam Hodges - Design Tutor
Liam Hodges, a Kent boy originally, is interested in expressive polysyllabic masculinity and creating a luxury brand that is for people who live for the week, not the weekend. His signature style is big garish shapes and hardwearing workwear detailing communicated through a strong graphic language communicated on oversized t-shirts and knitwear. Liam has won the support of titles including Another Man, Dazed & Confused, i-D, VMAN, GQ Style, Dansk, Hypebeast, Complex, Showstudio, 7th Man, and Fucking Young to name a few. His designs have been worn by Drake, FKA Twigs and Big Sean.
Andrew Groves - Design Tutor
As Course Director for BA Fashion Design at Westminster, Andrew Groves has taught a new generation of designers including Liam Hodges, Ashley Williams, Claire Barrow, Mary Benson and Robert Einer. Other graduates under his tuition are now working at companies such as Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Burberry Prorsum, Alfred Dunhill, Topman, Alexander McQueen, Harrods, Belstaff, J.W. Anderson, Bottega Veneta, H&M, Adidas, Aitor Throup, Timothy Everest, and James Long.
Richard Gray - Illustration Tutor
Richard Gray is a fashion illustrator who first collaborated with Anna Piaggi in 1988 - the year her famous Doppie Pagine for Italian Vogue was invented. He has worked with designers such as Agent Provocateur, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Boudicca, Antonio Berardi, Miguel Adrover, and Benjamin Kirchhoff. His editorial work has included Vogue Italia, Vogue Gioiello, Vogue Pelle, V Magazine, Io Donna, Entertainment Weekly, The Sunday Telegraph Magazine, Madame Figaro, and Flaunt Magazine.
Joyce Thornton - Industry Liaison Tutor
As director of industry relationships for fashion at Westminster, Joyce Thornton liaises with industry to ensure that students are able to have the very best start to their career. Her long career spans design and management roles as well as 10 years with pioneering fashion forecaster WGSN. She has secured internships for students in the last two years with a number of companies including Louis Vuitton, Craig Green, Loewe, Thom Browne, Aitor Throup, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Givenchy and Martin Margiela.


Phew! What a week! My sister is getting married (yay!) and we threw an engagement party for her on Friday. I have been busy tying up loose ends on my application for a child development home (yay again!) aaaand….Thanksgiving will now be hosted at our house in less than three weeks(yay??) That last one was a surprise. All in all I managed to keep it together on the home front but haven't been good about writing. I have been reading a lot about screen time, especially for toddlers, and thought I would share some brain science and screen time stats. The first article is not related to screen time but is helpful in giving a frame work for how children do learn. It also makes you think about the whole child that you are raising and what they really need from us in the way of emotional response.
Maybe on this 'Simple Sunday' we can take a few minutes to think about how we can slow things down and not always be worried about 'occupying' our children. I have found that sometimes when you stop trying to distract or engage the child will end up having the most productive fun.
What are your thoughts on kids and TV? How much is okay? What crosses the line?
Twin Coach: Brain Science That Will Blow Your Mind.


text:
Kilsund är en  tätort i Norge, belägen på öarna Tverrdalsøya och Flostaøya på var sida om Kilsundsfjorden i Arendals kommun, Aust-Agder fylke. Fram till 1961 ingick Kilsund i Flosta kommun. Mellan 1962 och 1991 låg Kilsund i Austre Molands kommun, därefter i Arendals kommun. I Kilsund finns bevarad en del bebyggelse från 1800-talet. Företaget Kitron hade produktion i Flosta åren 1966 till 2005. Företagsnamnet är en sammandragning av Kilsund och elektron. Kitron, som verkat även i Sverige, grundades i Kilsund.

Referenser

Orter i Aust-Agder fylke
Arendals kommun

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Many modern metal pipeline products are manufactured with corrosion resistant coatings and as such require no additional protection for normal conditions.
For exposed metal pipes and fittings, CIVILPIPES offer a range of products that enhances the pipelines resistance to corrosion.
The local authority will determine the appropriate level of corrosion protection required for the ground conditions and the materials in use.
Protection of metal pipes, joints, fittings and components above and below ground.
Synthetic fabric impregnated with petroleum compounds.


Chicago, IL – February 19, 2019 - Stocks in this week's article are The Meet Group Inc. (MEET - Free Report)	, Verint Systems Inc. (VRNT - Free Report)	, First BanCorp. (FBP - Free Report)	, Sotherly Hotels Inc. (SOHO - Free Report)	and AIT Therapeutics Inc. (AITB - Free Report)	.
Market sentiments have been relatively positive over the past few days. While this indicates that fresh investments could be profitable, one could end up buying overvalued stocks.
Wondering how to select the right stocks? Here, expert advice can be very helpful. So, one way is to follow rating upgrades by brokers.
As brokers directly communicate with the top management, they have in-depth idea about what's happening in a particular company. Further, they diligently go through the company's publicly available documents and even attend conference calls.
Moreover, brokers have a thorough understanding of the overall sector and industry. They place the company fundamentals against the current economic backdrop to figure out how the stock will fare as an investment.
Hence, when brokers upgrade a stock, you can rely on their judgment. But solely depending on broker upgrades is not a good way to build your investment portfolio. Several other factors should be taken into consideration to ensure steady returns.


text:
package util.exceptions;

public class IFCError extends RuntimeException {

	private static final long serialVersionUID = 6683567867045022307L;

	public IFCError(String message) {
		super(message);
	}

}


text:
Q: Which Leaflet Basemap with shaded relief should I use for a WebGIS? I'm having difficulties to show shaded relief in our Basemap.
Where can I find a free and clean basemap service, that shows only shaded relief? With no labels, no roads, no rivers, no cities, etc., ready to use my cartographic base.


text:
Q&A: George Morgan III, of NAACP in Erie, talks of hopes for unity
Lisa Thompson @ETNThompson
"At the end of the day, I want to see everybody succeed," Morgan says. "I want to see everybody happy."
George Morgan III, 36, an Erie native, graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees, respectively, from Penn State Behrend and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He works as an academic success coordinator for students in Edinboro's School of Business and serves as the treasurer of the Erie branch of the NAACP. As the nation observes Black History Month, Lisa Thompson asked Morgan to reflect on the state of inclusion in Erie. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Listen to a longer version:
We've heard so much about young people — especially young people of color — leaving Erie because there just aren't opportunities here. Why did you stay? What are your hopes?
While in graduate school, I desired to pursue a career in higher education to become a community activist. After earning a master's degree from Edinboro University in 2007, I moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and worked as an AmeriCorps Vista community service coordinator at American International College. I helped the college establish and maintain community partnerships, identify community needs, and determine ways for the campus and community to collectively address those needs.
I returned home to Erie in 2008 because it was only a one-year commitment. I was torn between staying in Massachusetts to search for gainful employment and coming home to pursue the same. But as the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder said, "Home is where the heart is." I returned to Erie with the desire to pursue a similar career path. However, in my humble opinion, I do believe it is good for people to experience living in a different environment and getting out of your comfort zone.
I'm hopeful in the sense that if Erie can continue to create robust job opportunities and competitive wages, I think more people would stay due to the cost of living compared to bigger cities.
Why does Erie, like so many Rust Belt communities, still struggle with inclusion?
I believe a stark resistance to change, complacency with the current environment and how things get done or don't get done seems to be prevalent. The NAACP receives a lot of complaints with regards to how people are treated while at work, the existence of toxic work atmospheres and unequal opportunities for advancement. Things like that seem to come up.
What, in your view, are the best strategies that leaders and also everyday citizens can embrace to change this dynamic?
My perspective is to continue to embrace diversity in the community and work environment, and genuinely promote an inclusive culture that is supportive of all people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
I commend Mayor Joe Schember and his administration for their robust efforts to address racism and hope that their community and economic initiatives come to fruition. I think preconceived beliefs, implicit bias and stereotypes are all components of racism. One big issue is that people within our society tend to harbor subconscious biases that remain difficult to root out and then those influence close friends, family, the children they're raising, etc.
I'm hopeful that these biases can be significantly diminished, maybe even eradicated through education, a willingness to change one's mentality and have an open mind and not a sense of entitlement and superiority.
How do you go about that? Would it help to have workshops or training to help people recognize these dynamics?
Yes. I don't think it's the overnight process. I think it's something that's gradual and probably should happen over time. (It might be) training, workshops and cultural competency classes. It could also be coming out of your comfort zone. Go into a cultural event that you wouldn't normally go to, just to see what it's like. It might change your perspective on things.
What are the biggest barriers to progress?
A lack of job opportunities in the area and the treatment of people at their current places of employment serve as barriers to progress. People are migrating to the south because of better job opportunities. For example, Texas is an economic giant, particularly in the areas of technology, business and manufacturing.
The lack of urban development and the need for community benefit agreements also serve as barriers to progress, in my opinion. Another thing I'd like to mention: I'm no guru in regards to criminal justice, but I personally believe criminal justice reform is a must. California enacted a law that eliminated its cash bail system. I think eliminating cash bail for nonviolent suspects or people who pose no threats or minimal threats to the society would be ideal while awaiting trial.
I believe instituting a pretrial service to determine if an individual is a safety risk to the community should be looked into if it is not already. Being free while awaiting trial can provide individuals with an opportunity to continue working if they are employed or seek employment opportunities during that time to ensure his or her family can survive.
What role does the NAACP play in this?
The mission is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all people and to eliminate race-based discrimination. So I think advocacy on behalf of under-represented people, continuing to educate and inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and the lack of inclusion would be a component of the role. Also, seeking reform and other resolutions within the community and assisting members and the greater Erie community with seeking out and searching for new job opportunities as they arise. And then in a nutshell, just continue to address racial and economic disparities.
Do you make a pitch to other young people to stay in Erie?
Not necessarily a pitch, no. I think that it is a great place to live and to raise a family. It's conveniently located to Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and other surrounding states. We have great entertainment, but I think it could get a little bit better.
I think the nightlife could be a little bit better. I would love to see a jazz place, more speakeasies like Room 33. More diversity. I don't really get asked a question from young people about should they stay, but if they were to ask me, I'd say it would be good. Definitely give it a chance because we're growing. I think we just have to continue to work collectively, not individually, to be on the same page. I have hope.
Are young people engaged enough in some of the things that need to be raised in Erie?
I don't think they are. They have a voice and the NAACP is here to hear their voice. We have one of the largest youth memberships in the state. My vision is to establish a college chapter. I only need 25 students from each university so we can be recognized at the state level. I believe it's important for our college students to engage with fellow millennials to stress the importance of voter education, registration and participate in the electoral process.
I would eventually like to create a peer-mentoring program once college chapters are established. During the civil rights movement, college students were a big part of the movement.
Voter apathy, I don't know if it's at its high right now, but it's high. People are not passionate about the right to vote. They don't feel as if their vote matters. But their vote is essentially their voice, so it's important that we educate the youth about the right to vote and why it's important to vote. We're nonpartisan. You can vote the way you want to vote, but you need to get there.
Who inspired you?
First, it would have to be my mom, Marion Morgan-Gayle. My mother's side of the family is originally from Alabama. They migrated to Erie in the 1960s. She is a hard worker and very, very educated. And you know, from her experience in the South and coming up here, experiencing racism firsthand at home, she always said, this may happen but you need to react in the right way.
The teaching was always love in my house. Despite what goes on, you love people regardless of how they treat you, you continue to love them. And to me, growing up, it was a steadfast commitment to the well being of others. That was taught in my house, no matter how you get treated, you continue to love, spread love to people, because eventually the love that you give to other people, it's going to be reciprocated.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom I studied at Penn State Behrend, was also an icon to me. He put his life on the line for everybody to live a better life in the future.
I would also like to see an end to wage and other disparities between men and women. I think this year marks the 100th anniversary of the women's suffrage movement. I've got two beautiful daughters, Olivia, 3, and Alicia, 1. They keep me moving. And then my wife Lisa, she's a guidance counselor at Diehl Elementary School. She's working with a very diverse population, kids that have a lot of needs, a lot of talented kids, too. I think of my daughters in the future and I want them to have a really bright future in a better life than what I'm living.
At the end of the day, I want to see everybody succeed. I want to see everybody happy. In my mind, that's the utopian society. We can get there gradually, but I really think that if we just work as work as a team and that acronym, "(together) everyone achieves more." If everyone just thought that way, I think we could move in a better direction, put differences aside. Everybody's different.
I have faith and I have hope that it will get better. I liked the fact that we live in a melting pot. Society and statistics are indicating as early as 2042 that Hispanics are going to be the majority. It's a beautiful thing. I think race is only skin deep. We all learn from each other. We can all get along. Let's all get along and move forward.
Lisa Thompson can be reached at 870-1802 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ETNthompson.


Almost all advice for early stage startup companies focuses on product-market fit, which is the point at which it's clear that your product is meeting a market need in a reproducible way and your business can scale.
While I agree with that advice, it takes quite a while before you can even determine if you have product-market fit. You need to identify the market, define the problem, build a product and test it with customers. After that process, it's unlikely you have product-market fit (it's very hard to attain) so you repeat the process over and over again until you find it or give up.
There is a much earlier point in the company building process where you can save yourself a lot of time by being more critical, which I call Problem-Market Fit. All successful companies are started to solve a problem (see Are You Sure You Are Solving a Problem?) but few founders spend time validating that it is even possible to build a successful company on the problem they choose to solve.
Do customers consider it one of the top 3 problems they have?
Would customers immediately adopt a solution if you provided it to them right now?
If you solve the problem, do you have ways to distribute your solution to the customers?
I am always shocked at how many companies are started, and how much effort invested, to solve problems where the answer to at least one of these questions is 'no'. If your problem isn't one of the top 3 problems a customer has, you will have trouble getting their attention since they will be focused on those other problems. If they won't adopt it immediately, the problem likely isn't acute enough to warrant a brand new solution. If you can't distribute your solution, then it doesn't matter how great your solution solves the problem because no one will ever see it.
This will require you to speak with many, many customers and do in depth market research. However, days spent in doing this will save you months or years of your time in the future!
If you can't answer 'yes' to all of those questions, you don't have Problem-Market Fit and you are going to have a tough (if not impossible) road ahead. Before building a product, ensure you have Problem-Market Fit or else it won't matter how many times you iterate.
My new company, Outlier, helps you understand your business by automatically digging through your data and finding important opportunities and problems. Don't spend time scanning dashboards and spreadsheets, let Outlier find the insights for you.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on July 24, 2017 by Sean.
Hi Sean, while I agree with you in principle, the evidence that abounds all around us weaken your argument. Over and over, we keep seeing how visionaries imagine a future and work hard to create it. The iPhone, or Facebook, or Amazon, and even the Computer were all products and services people never thought they needed. If Zuckerberg had asked people what they thought about a website where you told/showed your friends what you are doing, what would their answers have been? Most defining solutions go against the grain at first, until they grow to become the standard… Electricity took roughly 60 years to reach the entire US.
As Peter Thiel opined, the future is a series of events that haven't happened yet. How do you then check or validate problems people don't even know they have? Yes, take calculated risks. Understand the problem, but also be courageous enough to believe in your ideas, even if you are the first person to do so.
Social was a problem Zuckerberg was trying to solve, but Facebook wasn't his first one – it just happens to be the one you remember because it succeeded. Your examples are products that were designed to solve a problem and you are right, people are horrible at imagining products to solve their problems.
However, they are great at telling you about problems they have or acknowledging them if they do. In 2006 everyone in the mobile industry knew we needed better phones. Nokia was rolling out bigger and bigger phones, while Blackberry was winning with keyboards but the user experience was universally poor. We wanted to do more with our phones, but the screen size and inputs were limiting. The iPhone's innovation was to solve that problem that was widely acknowledged in a unique and innovative way.
There is no such thing as a problem people don't know they have. If you are solving a problem people really don't have, they aren't going to use it. What you can do is solve a problem they have that they didn't even know could be solved OR solve a problem they have in a new and unique way.
This makes sense. Thanks Sean!


What Is Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease?
Stenosis (narrowing) of the artery walls in intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) develops similarly to atherosclerosis of the heart: from the buildup of plaque, also known as an atherosclerotic lesion.
ICAD is often asymptomatic for years, and when it does present symptoms, it can be during a life-altering event such as an ischemic stroke (loss of blood supply to the brain), brain hemorrhage or death.
How Is Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease Diagnosed?
Your physician can evaluate your risk for intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) and determine if brain imaging such as an MRI is needed.
If you do have ICAD and need a surgical procedure, a cerebral angiography will help your neurosurgeon determine the best site for treatment.
Your doctor can recommend lifestyle adjustments to lower the risk of a major stroke. Medications may be prescribed to lower your blood pressure and reduce the cholesterol in your blood. Other medications such as anticoagulants and antiplatelets may also be prescribed.
Neurological Surgery, P.C. (NSPC) is a private practice of premier physicians, with neurosurgeons who specialize in cerebrovascular and endovascular conditions, including intracranial atherosclerotic disease, brain aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVM).
Endovascular therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats ICAD from inside the blood vessel. During a balloon angioplasty and stenting procedure, a tiny catheter is inserted into a groin artery and threaded up past the narrowed intracranial artery. A stent is then guided into position at the blockage and a balloon is inflated to dilate the stent. The catheter and balloon is retracted, leaving the stent in place to keep the artery open and improve blood flow.
Located in the New York tri-state area, NSPC has convenient offices on Long Island, in NYC and surrounding areas to provide you with premier ICAD treatment and care.