Ted Ukrop sips a cup of coffee in the vaulted lobby of his design-driven Quirk Hotel on West Broad Street in Richmond where the ceiling towers 20 feet above his head.
"I always felt that Richmond needed a cool hotel. I always knew somebody was going to do it, and I would regret it if it wasn't me," says Ukrop, a scion of the Ukrop family that for decades operated the most successful group of grocery stores in the region.
Housed in a century-old building that once was a luxury dry-goods store, the hotel has 74 guest rooms, with art in all of them. Half of the rooms are painted an eye-popping color — a Benjamin Moore "Love and Happiness" pink. Each hotel floor features a papier-mâché portrait of an animal or a person.
Ukrop and his wife, Katie, co-own the hotel with a group of investors. The couple also own an art gallery next door.
Ukrop says his family and other investors spent more than $20 million in transforming the building into a hotel, including the addition of a seventh-floor to accommodate four terrace suites and a two-tier rooftop bar.
Condé Nast Traveler has named Quirk one of the best new hotels in the world, with one of the best rooftop bars in the U.S.
Quirk made its debut a year ago, just in time for the UCI Road World Championships in Richmond. The international cycling races, which had not been held in the U.S. for nearly 20 years, proved to be something of a coming-out party for the changing culture and economy for a region once known as a staid cigarette manufacturing center.
A study estimated the 10-day event, which drew cycling fans from around the world, had an economic impact of $161 million in the region. More important, however, was the exposure the area received from international television coverage.
The region's international close-up came at an opportune time. In several areas, the region has been on a roll.
Manufacturing LLC, a French joint venture that will make cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients in Henrico; and the biggest of all, Tranlin, a Chinese company subsidiary that plans to build a $2 billion paper plant in Chesterfield County.
"We'll see dirt fly in the spring of '17 when the weather gets right," says Garrett Hart, Chesterfield's economic development director.
The Richmond metro area saw net growth of 26,121 jobs last year, an increase of 4.1 percent compared with 2.7 percent in Virginia and 2 percent nationwide.
Chesterfield's employment, for example, last year grew 6 percent to more 140,000 jobs, ranking it fourth in the nation in employment growth among large counties. The county expects to add another 76 jobs soon. Niagara Bottling plans to invest $95 million to establish a manufacturing and bottling facility at the Meadowville Technology Park.
The Richmond area also now has eight Fortune 500 companies, up from six last year. Goochland County-based food service company Performance Food Group and Henrico-based specialty insurance company Markel Corp. joined Altria Group (Henrico), Dominion Resources (Richmond), CarMax (Goochland), Genworth (Henrico), Owens & Minor (Hanover) and WestRock (formerly MeadWestvaco, Richmond).
Ted Ukrop has been a witness to the revival of downtown Richmond, now one of the fastest-growing areas in the region.
In the 1990s, his family bought eight buildings around the Quirk site, creating loft apartments in some of them while hoping for a revival throughout the Broad Street corridor.
At the time, vacant and deteriorating buildings in the area were like tombstones. Downtown's decline was driven in part by waves of suburban flight and the closing of the city's two landmark department stores, Miller & Rhoads (in 1990) and Thalhimers (in 1992).
From 1970 to 2000, the city lost more than a quarter of its population, shrinking from nearly 250,000 to fewer than 200,000, according to the U.S. Census. Today, the population has rebounded to an estimated 220,000.
In 2000, there were only 6,000 people living downtown. By 2010, there were 15,000. Now, there are more than 20,000.
In 2014, a study by VCU and Venture Richmond, a promotion and marketing group, found that various parts of downtown experienced dramatic growth in recent years, fueled in part by state and federal tax credits as well as the city's tax abatement program for rehabilitated properties.
Lucy Meade, Venture Richmond's director of marketing and development, estimates that overall investment during the past 10 years totaled about $4.5 billion.
Recent downtown development, completed last year or underway this year, has amounted for more than $1.04 billion, the organization says. That includes 2,149 loft apartments, 369 hotel rooms as well as more than 2.1 million square feet of commercial and arts and education, and medical space.
One reason for downtown's comeback is a renewed interest in urban living, especially among millennials, taking place nationwide. Forbes magazine last year ranked Richmond as the fastest-growing rental market for millennials in the country. Zillow, a Seattle-based real estate and rental research firm, recently reported that more millennials live alone in Richmond than in any other U.S. metro area, in part because they have the income to support themselves.
Quirk is not the only talked-about property on Broad Street. East of the hotel, at North Third and East Broad, is one of Richmond's most dramatic Art Deco landmarks, the 87-year-old former Central National Bank building. Now known as the Deco at CNB Apartments, the 23-story tower has begun renting 200 apartments after a $36 million, multiyear renovation project.
In the other direction, at the corner of West Broad and Belvidere streets, construction is underway at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. The $37 million building at one of downtown's main gateways is expected to become a cultural linchpin when completed next year.
The city also is getting its share of new skyscrapers. The $124 million, Gateway Plaza, an 18-story tower in the financial district, was completed last year. Its main tenant is the law firm McGuireWoods LLP.
A few blocks away, a $93 million, 21-story office and apartment building is under construction. SunTrust Banks Inc. will move its Richmond division main office into the high rise, at 10th and East Byrd streets, while much of the remaining space will be used for 187 luxury apartments.
Dominion Resources has begun the demolition of an existing office building, Richmond Plaza, to make way for a 20-story office tower at 111 S. Sixth St., that will replace that existing building.
Existing buildings also are seeing new use. Chester-based Shamin Hotels spent more than $40 million converting a downtown office building into two hotels with a rooftop restaurant and bar.
Used-car retailer CarMax has turned a former music venue on the city's Canal Walk into a technology and innovation center for 80 to 120 employees.
Jane Ferrara, chief operating officer with Richmond's Department of Economic & Community Development, says the UCI championships and the newly completed Capital Trail between Richmond and Williamsburg, have put the focus on cycling in the city.
"Millennials are attracted to cities with things like bike lanes and bike trails, different ways of getting to work," Ferrara says.
People from other generations also are discovering attractions in the city. At Quirk, Ukrop says some of his best lunch customers are "older ladies" who remember a time when a meal at a downtown department store was an elegant treat.
Quirk's Maple & Pine restaurant, however, will never be mistaken for the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room.


What might make teachers stay?
The theme of this month's #blogsync project is the matter of why so many teachers leave the profession in the first five years.
As with so many things, it sometimes helps to look at matters from a different point of view. It is hard to understand the myriad of factors that affect human behaviour, and so hard to understand the many factors that might lead to an individual teacher deciding to opt out of the profession. But what if we looked at the factors that might help to motivate teachers to continue to stay in the profession and develop increased skill and expertise in the field?
Which of those are attainable within the first 5 years for the average newly-qualified teacher? How many of those departing teachers, who might otherwise have been successful and positive contributors to our education system, feel that they lack one – or perhaps all three – of these opportunities?
I've been teaching for 7 years now, and lead my own team. I am fortunate enough to work in a school where the leadership team recognises the strengths of its staff and encourages them to take a lead on a broad range of areas. I work in a classroom where – within reason – what happens is entirely up to me. Of course, I am required to demonstrate that what I do has a positive impact, through observation, assessment and the like, but within those parameters, I hold a considerable amount of autonomy over my daily work.
That autonomy has allowed me to make changes to the way I work, to the curriculum, to teaching styles… a whole host of things. Not always with fantastic outcomes, but always in a safe environment where it is possible for me to say "that was a disaster" and not feel concerned for my post!
How many new teachers have that opportunity? Or rather, perhaps we need to ask how many of those new teacher who have left never had that opportunity? Of course there are risks involved in autonomy, but there are also risks involved in removing it entirely. The overwhelming view of teachers at all levels today appears to be that the gradual decline of autonomy within schools is a matter of regret. Curricula, exam syllabuses, strategies, inspection frameworks: all of these limit our schools' autonomy in some way, but perhaps if we can at least maintain that which remains for all our teachers – including those who are still making mistakes – then perhaps we can reduce some of the exodus?
Of course, the freedom of autonomy comes with responsibility, and a responsibility that is much better managed with increased experience. Which leads us nicely onto the next theme.
I haven't masted my profession. In fact, I would say that I frequently fail at it. If Gladwell was correct about the 10,000 hours then I should be at least half-way there and I'm not convinced.
The reality is that mastery is probably too much to hope for. But I do know that I've got better. I know not because of Ofsted or observations or data – although all of those have been part of that journey – but because I know and understand a lot more about my craft than I did when I began. And I will know more in another year's time.
So if we can never achieve mastery – or at least, certainly not within those vital first five years – then what hope have we?
I'm going to venture into risky territory here and wonder if we might not learn something from Catholic guilt. Maybe if we all permanently carried around the guilt of original sin and our own misdemeanours we might become better at managing our failings?
Because in real life, there is always something more that could be done. The marking of books could always have been more thorough. Each lesson could have had one additional differentiation tweak. Each plan could be just that bit more detailed. Each child could have just a little more time. But each of those little failings soon adds up. It is all too easy to become overwhelmed with a list of failings, rather than recognising what has been achieved.
I won't ever be the perfect teacher, and I will never truly master my profession. And now safe in the knowledge of that burden, I can really focus on being the best teacher I can be – while hopefully still having a life. How do we make sure that new teachers entering the profession are supported to recognise their limitations, without making them feel like failings? Because after all, if anything draws people to teaching, it is most likely to be the third of those great values.
At some point every one of will have sat in an interview explaining to some university professor why we wanted to enter the profession. And while we may not all have been entirely honest in our responses, it is fairly likely that the vast majority felt that it would provide some sort of higher purpose: it's not just any old job.
Often we contrast purpose with financial incentive. "Teachers aren't in it for the money" we claim – and rightly so in my opinion. Yet often in this world of ours we find ourselves talking only of another currency. We professionals who came into the career that would allow us to foster relationships, to educate, to engage with young people, find ourselves talking in the same hard numerical terms as any city banker.
That's not what I see as my purpose. That's not to say that I don't want to use data. On the contrary, I think it can do a great deal to help me to achieve my purpose. But perhaps like the difference between a charity worker welcoming a big donation, and a banker welcoming a big bonus, I want the currency to be a means to an end. And I know that it is.
But what of those teachers who find their role dictated by the currency. The schools for whom the currency becomes the be-all and end-all. What offer of purpose does this provide to new teachers? Particularly those new teachers for whom, in the early years, a lack of mastery means that the demand for the currency leads to an erosion of autonomy in pursuit of the goal. What then?
Maybe if we can re-introduce some autonomy and purpose, and the freedom to work towards mastery, without demanding it from the off, then maybe we can start to stem the tide?
The Dan Pink talk you base this on is one of my favourite TED talks and has influenced everything I try to do for myself and for my students. The way you have applied this to teaching seems spot on to me & I think the points about the need for autonomy and what mastery looks like are particularly apt. It was a real pleasure reading this, thank you.


Zak Abel Single "You Come First" Feat Saweetie Video out Now! The record was co written & produced by Will Simms at 1 2 One.
CliQ "Clap Clap" The Remixes out now on STMP Records "Clap Clap" was co-written by Will Simms here at 1 2 One Entertainment.
Zak Able "You Come First" Feat Saweetie. Lyric Video Out Now. The record was produced and co written by Will Simms here at 1 2 One Entertianment.
Zak Abel "You Come First" Featuring Saweetie. Was co written and produced by Will Simms at 1 2 One.
Will Simms X Eugy "Complicated" Video Out Now.
The second single from Will's artist project Will Simms X Eugy "Complicated" is out today via Island Reocrds. "The chemistry was instant and 'Complicated' was born" Will Adds.
The Vamps Night & Day Edition hits #2 on the UK Album Chart. Both versions of the album contain songs produced & co-written by Will Simms here at 1 2 One.
"Clap Clap" from CliQ is available on STMPD was co-written by Will Simms here at 1 2 One.
Lao Ra "No Pressure" was co written and produced by Will Simms here at 1 2 One Entertainment.
Will Simms produced and co wrote the platinum record "Lo Malo" for Aitana & Ana Guerra.
Will Simms Produced and Co Wrote the huge now platinum selling record for Aitana & Ana Guerra for Universal Music Spain.
The new single "Naked" from The Tide was co produced by Will Simms. Will also co wrote and produced a number of titles and singles on this debut album for Virgin Records.
1 2 One Manager Paul Kennedy is proud to present producer client Will Simms with his #1 Official Chart Award for The Vamps Album Night and Day Album that Will produced and co-wrote a number of songs for.
The Vamps "Night and Day" album goes Number 1 in the UK with 2 songs produced and co written by Will Simms. Huge thanks to Universal UK and the whole team that made this possible.
The 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. Via Billboard.
We are so happy for producer-songwriter client Will Simms who completed his new publishing deal today with Pharassed Differently. As Will would say peace and Love.


text:
Films: Lies (1999) - Girl on the Bridge (1999) - Audition (1999) - Eyes Wide Shut (1999) - Fight Club (1999) - Ghost Dog (1999) - Une Liaison Pornographique (1999) - The Matrix (1999) - Romance X (1999)
Non-fiction: Last Night a DJ Saved my Life (1999) - Brewster and Broughton
Napster is the killer app that will be undoubtedly remembered more than any other MP3-related software. When Napster hit the Internet in 1999, it allowed anyone with a connection to find and download just about any type of popular music they wanted, in minutes. By connecting users to other users' hard drives, Napster created a virtual community of music junkies that's grew at an astonishing pace.
Simon Reynolds Faves 1999
Dr. Doom---First Come, First Served (Funky Ass Records)
Retro-sci-fi sounds and cosmic paranoia lyrics make these undeniable, even if Kool Keith fits almost too patly the emerging Afro-Futurist/black science fiction canon, per Greg Tate/John Corbett/Kodwo Eshun.
http://members.aol.com/blissout/faves99.htm
House Singles
Marshmellows - Soulpower - official site
DJ Rolando - Knights Of The Jaguar
Roy Davis Jr - Remember the Day
Soldiers of Universal Love - Got 2 Get 2 Heaven
Femi Kuti - Truth Don't Die (Kerri Chandler remix)
Lenny Fontana Presents Black Sun - Spread Love
Marcel - On The Beach
Karizma - The Power EP (Black Vinyl 015)
Trüby Trio - Galicia
Maurice Fulton - Revenge of the Orange
Mr Scruff - Get a Move On (Moondog's Birds Lament)
Vince Montana Jr - I'm Still The Best [...]
Jovonn & DJ Deep - Pitch Black EP (Next Moov Traxx 001)
Moodymann - Shades Of Jae Part 1&2 (KDJ 21)
Cesaria Evora - Carnival de Sao Vincente (Wave/BMG)
Lenny Fontana presents Black Sun - Spread Love (Estereo 017)
Pepe Bradock - Burning (Kif S.A. 008)
Joe Claussell - Je Ka Jo (Ibadan 020)
Moloko - Sing It Back
Vol. 1-Disco Spectrum [2CD Amazon US]
John Davis Orchestra - Bourgie Bourgie Rare Pleasure - Let me down easy Ramona Brooks - I don't want you back Fresh Band - Come back lover' Omni feat. Connee Draper - Out of my hands Revelation - Feel it Logg - You've got that something Frontline Orchestra - Don't turn your back Clyde Alexander - Gotta get your love Baby'O - In the forest DISCO 02 Two Man Sound - Que tal America Azoto - San Salvador Esther Williams - I'll be your pleasure Salsoul Orchestra - Take some time out for love Exodus - Together forever Hudson People - Trip to your love Ramsey & Co. - Love Calls John Gibbs & The US Steel Orchestra - Trinidad Family of Eve - 'I wanna be loved by you'
Programmed (1999) - Innerzone Orchestra [Amazon US]
Future-jazz visionary Carl Craig's Innerzone collaboration project highlights his pedigree as a producer, arranger, and all-around genius, ranking him with the likes of Stepney and Jones. Craig has created an album that genuinely manages to break new ground, merging the musical past with the technological future, blurring the textures of the electronic and the organic. "Manufactured Memories" like "Blakula" sets the abstract pace, as breaksmith Fransico Mora executes immense live drum technique (as he does throughout) within an electronic framework. Like some lost studio session tapes of Herbie Hancock, Sun Ra, and Max Brennan, "Basic Math" and "Timing" are avant-fusion workouts. As some plunder and exploit, claiming originality, Craig makes no secret of the inspiration drawn from the others' works (including the superb reinterpretation of the Stylistics' "People Make the World Go Round"). By borrowing, reconstituting, and making his own, he has created something very unique and utterly sublime. --Amazon.co.uk [with the Stylistics cover of People Make the World Go Round.]
Grassroots - Ashley Beedle[1CD, Amazon US]
Ashley's faves, from jazz to hip hop, from disco to reggae. The way it should be. Eclecticism rules.
1 Introduction (Windy City Theme) - Windy City 2 The Liberation Song (Red, Black and Green) - Gil Scoot Heron & Brian Jackson 3 Sweet Thing - Rufus & Chaka Khan 4 Let Me Down Easy (12'' Disco Version) - Rare Pleasure 5 My Babe's Got ESP (Special Disco Version) - Four Below Zero 6 Welcome To The Club - Blue Magic 7 Stan's Theme - Stan Ivory 8 Gibraltar - Freddie Hubbard 9 Hihache - Lafayette Afro-Rock Band 10 J Dub's Theme - feat. No Self Control + The Band Son Of Bazerk 11 Canned Interlude - Unknown 12 Doin' It - Gwen McCrae 13 Feel Up (Original US 12'' Version) - Grace Jones 14 Adventures In Success (Dub Copy) - Will Powers 15 Stop Bajon...Primavera - Tullio De Picopo [...]
David Mancuso Presents the Loft, vol 1 [Amazon US]
Ain't No Stopping Us Now (Version) - Risco Connection | Is It All Over My Face (Unreleased Original Full Length Version) - Loose Joints | The Spirit's In It - Patti Labelle | Get Ready For The Future - The Winners | Life On Mars - Dexter Wansel | Say A Prayer For Two (U.S. Remixed Version) - Crown Heights Affair | Love Money - T.W. Funkmasters | Love Honey, Love Heartache (Larry Levan Vocal Mix) - Man Friday | Serious, Sirius Space Party (Club Version) - Ednah Holt | Yellow Train - Resonance | Mysteries Of Love (Instrumental) - Fingers, Inc. | Devotion (Bam Bam's House Mix) - Ten City | High Priestess - Karma | Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango
Faze Action - Plans & Designs [Amazon US]
Could the producers, arrangers and song-doctors of Philly and Salsoul have ever, in their wildest, most self-aggrandising dreams, imagined that one day there would be such a thing as "classicist disco"? That's what Faze Action's Robin & Simon Lee (brothers, not a typo) are. Like Brian Jones and Keith Richards poring over their blues records, Faze Action are purist scholars of the form -- for them the Salsoul Orchestra is Howlin' Wolf and Walter Gibbons is Muddy Waters. Plans & Designs's near eleven-minute title track-- an art-disco percussadelic symphony of tremor-rendous timpani and melodramatic violas, violins and cellos--is the best thing of its ilk since Dinosaur L's "Go Bang" (Arthur Russell at his Van McCoy-meets-Steve Reich peak). Cool CD packaging too, with the silver disc coming in an inner cardboard sleeve just like a vinyl 12 inch.
1. Plans And Designs 2. Original Disco Motion 3. In And Out 4. In The Trees 5. Astral Projection 6. Turn The Point 7. Vortex 8. Plans & Designs String Reprise [...]
Magnolia (1999) - P.T. Anderson [Amazon.com]
This third feature from Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights) is a maddening, magnificent piece of filmmaking, and it's an ensemble film to rank with the best of Robert Altman--every little piece of the film means something, and it's solidly there for a reason. Deftly juggling a breathtaking ensemble of actors, Anderson crafts a tale of neglectful parents, resentful children, and love-starved souls that's amazing in scope, both thematically and emotionally. Part of the charge of Magnolia is seeing exactly how may characters Anderson can juggle, and can he keep all those balls in air (indeed he can, even if it means throwing frogs into the mix). And it's been far too long since we've seen a filmmaker whose love of making movies is so purely joyful, and this electric energy is reflected in the actors, from Cruise's revelatory performance to Reilly's quietly powerful turn as the moral center of the story. While at three hours it's definitely not suited to everyone's taste, Magnolia is a compelling, heartbreaking, ultimately hopeful mediation on the accidents of chance that make up our lives. Featuring eight wonderful songs by Aimee Mann, including "Save Me." --Mark Englehart
Being John Malkovitch (1999) - Spike Jonze [Amazon.com]
Being John Malkovich is a 1999 film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze.
The film centers around a puppeteer named Craig Schwartz, who gets a job at the Lestercorp company in the fictional Mertin-Flemmer building in New York City. One day he finds a door in the wall of an office; going through it, he is transported into the brain of actor John Malkovich. He sees, hears, and feels everything Malkovich experiences for about fifteen minutes, and is then deposited into a ditch next to the New Jersey Turnpike. Schwartz and Maxine, a co-worker to whom he is unrequitedly attracted, set up a night business charging people to experience it. Schwartz eventually becomes adept at controlling Malkovich and resides in the body for several months before an ending in which he is absorbed into the body of the unborn baby of Maxine and Malkovich (conceived while Schwartz's wife Lotte was inside Malkovich).
The film was widely praised for its originality, both in terms of the script and Jonze's direction. Kaufman's blending of fact and outrageous fiction was a theme continued in his next film with Jonze, Adaptation (which features Kaufman himself as a character and briefly touches on the making of Being John Malkovich). Jonze's direction and the performances of the lead actors was also viewed favourably by most critics. As well as Malkovich's performance as himself (or at least a version of himself; his middle name in the film is Horatio, which is not his real middle name), Cameron Diaz's small role attracted considerable attention, at least partly as she was almost unrecognizable as the dowdy Lotte. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_John_Malkovitch [Apr 2005]
Todo Sobre Mi Madre (all about my mother) - Pedro Almodovar [1 DVD, Amazon US]
After her son is killed in an accident, Manuela (Cecilia Roth) leaves Madrid for her old haunts in Barcelona. She reconnects with an old friend, a pre-op transsexual prostitute named La Agrado (Antonia San Juan), who introduces her to Rosa (Penélope Cruz), a young nun who turns out to be pregnant. Meanwhile, Manuela becomes a personal assistant for Huma Rojo (Marisa Paredes), an actress currently playing Blanche DuBois in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire. All About My Mother traces the delicate web of friendship and loss that binds these women together. The movie is dedicated to the actresses of the world, so it's not surprising that all the performances are superb. Roth in particular anchors All About My Mother with compassion and generosity. But fans of writer-director Pedro Almodóvar needn't fret--as always, Almodóvar's work undermines conventional notions of sexual identity and embraces all human possibilities with bright colors and melodramatic plotting. However, All About My Mother approaches its twists and turns with a broader emotional scope than most of Almodóvar's work; even the more extravagant aspects of the story are presented quietly, to allow the sadness of life to be as present as the irrepressible vitality of the characters. Almodóvar embraces pettiness, jealousy, and grief as much as kindness, courage, and outrageousness, and the movie is the richer for it. --Bret Fetzer for amazon.com
The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez [Amazon US]
Anyone who has even the slightest trouble with insomnia after seeing a horror movie should stay away from The Blair Witch Project--this film will creep under your skin and stay there for days. Credit for the effectiveness of this mock documentary goes to filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez, who armed three actors (Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Josh Leonard) with video equipment, camping supplies, and rough plot outlines. They then let the trio loose into the Maryland woods to improvise and shoot the entire film themselves as the filmmakers attempted to scare the crap out of them. Gimmicky, yes, but it worked--to the wildly successful tune of $130 million at the box office upon its initial release (the budget was a mere $40,000).
For those of you who were under a rock when it first hit the theaters, The Blair Witch Project tracks the doomed quest of three film students shooting a documentary on the Burkittsville, Maryland, legend of the Blair Witch. After filming some local yokels (and providing only scant background on the witch herself), the three, led by Heather (something of a witch herself), head into the woods for some on-location shooting. They're never seen again. What we see is a reconstruction of their "found" footage, edited to make a barely coherent narrative. After losing their way in the forest, whining soon gives way to real terror as the three find themselves stalked by unknown forces that leave piles of rocks outside their campsite and stick-figure art projects in the woods. (As Michael succinctly puts it, "No redneck is this clever!") The masterstroke of the film is that you never actually see what's menacing them; everything is implied, and there's no terror worse than that of the unknown. If you can wade through the tedious arguing--and the shaky, motion-sickness-inducing camerawork--you'll be rewarded with an oppressively sinister atmosphere and one of the most frightening denouements in horror-film history. Even after you take away the monstrous hype, The Blair Witch Project remains a genuine, effective original. --Mark Englehart
American Beauty (1999) - Sam Mendes [Amazon US]
From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves with a mesmerizing confidence and acuity epitomized by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine of the story, and his very first lines hook us with their teasing fatalism--like Sunset Boulevard's Joe Gillis, Burnham tells us his story from beyond the grave.
It's an audacious start for a film that justifies that audacity. Weaving social satire, domestic tragedy, and whodunit into a single package, Alan Ball's first theatrical script dares to blur generic lines and keep us off balance, winking seamlessly from dark, scabrous comedy to deeply moving drama. The Burnham family joins the cinematic short list of great dysfunctional American families, as Lester is pitted against his manic, materialistic realtor wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening, making the most of a mostly unsympathetic role) and his sullen, contemptuous teenaged daughter, Jane (Thora Birch, utterly convincing in her edgy balance of self-absorption and wistful longing). Into their lives come two catalytic outsiders. A young cheerleader (Mena Suvari) jolts Lester into a sexual epiphany that blooms into a second adolescence. And an eerily calm young neighbor (Wes Bentley) transforms both Lester and Jane with his canny influence.
Credit another big-screen newcomer, English theatrical director Sam Mendes, with expertly juggling these potentially disjunctive elements into a superb ensemble piece that achieves a stylized pace without lapsing into transparent self-indulgence. Mendes has shrewdly insured his success with a solid crew of stage veterans, yet he's also made an inspired discovery in Bentley, whose Ricky Fitts becomes a fulcrum for both plot and theme. Cinematographer Conrad Hall's sumptuous visual design further elevates the film, infusing the beige interiors of the Burnhams' lives with vivid bursts of deep crimson, the color of roses--and of blood. --Sam Sutherland for amazon.com
Sweet and Lowdown (1999) - Woody Allen [DVD, Amazon US]
Woody Allen makes beautiful music but only fitful comedy with his story of "the second greatest guitar player in the world." Sean Penn plays Emmett Ray, an irresponsible, womanizing swing guitar player in Depression-era America who is guided by an ego almost as large as his talent. "I'm an artist, a truly great artist," he proclaims time and time again, and when he plays, soaring into a blissed-out world of pure melodic beauty, he proves it. Samantha Morton almost steals the film as his mute girlfriend Hattie, a sweet Chaplinesque waif who loves him unconditionally, and Uma Thurman brings haughty moxie to her role as a slumming socialite and aspiring writer who's forever analyzing Emmett's peculiarities (like taking his dates to shoot rats at the city dump). The vignettelike tales are interspersed with comments by jazz aficionados and critics, but this is less a Zelig-like mockumentary than an extension of the self-absorbed portraits of Deconstructing Harry and Celebrity. The lazy pace drags at times and the script runs dry between comic centerpieces--the film screams for more of Allen's playful invention--but there's a bittersweet tenderness and an affecting vulnerability that is missing from his other recent work. Shot by Zhao Fei (The Emperor and the Assassin, Raise the Red Lantern), it's one of Allen's most gorgeous and colorful films in years, buoyed by toe-tapping music and Penn's gruffly charming performance. --Sean Axmaker for Amazon.com
Wonderland (1999) - Michael Winterbottom [DVD, Amazon US]
I avoid the "grade inflation" so prevalent at this site. There are few movies I rate "5", but this one certainly deserves it. It has the feel of Magnolia, but with more subtlety. Wonderland depicts modern urban alienation, but with tremendous human compassion and artfullness instead of cold philosophy or polemics. The directing and photography are both top-notch. The occasional visual gimmick works because it is employed only where appropriate. Unlike Magnolia, the several characters intermix throughout the movie. Our understanding of the them is established with impressive economy. The only criticisms I have are the several instances of indistinct dialogue (I'm thankful for subtitles) and the lack of extras on the DVD. --A viewer for amazon.com
Man on the Moon (1999) - Milos Forman [1 DVD, Amazon US]
"There is no real you," jokes Lynn Margulies (Courtney Love) to her boyfriend, Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey), as he grows more contemplative during a battle with cancer. "I forgot," he says, playing along, though the question of Kaufman's reality is always at issue in Milos Forman's underappreciated Man on the Moon. The story of Kaufman's quick rise to fame through early appearances on Saturday Night Live and the conceptual stunts that made his club and concert appearances an instant legend in the irony-fueled 1970s and early '80s, Man on the Moon never makes the mistake of artificially delineating Comic Andy from Private Andy. True, we get to see something of his private interest in meditation and some of the flakier extremes of alternative medicine, but even these interludes suggest the presence of an ultimate con behind apparent miracles of transformation.
Screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (The People vs. Larry Flynt) allege that transformation was Kaufman's purpose--more than a shtick but less than a destiny. As we see him constantly up the ante on the credibility of his performance personae (the obnoxious nightclub comic Tony Clifton; the insulting, misogynistic professional wrestler), Forman makes it harder and harder to detect Kaufman's sleight of hand. But it's there, always there, always the transcendent Andy watching the havoc he creates and the emotions he stirs.
Carrey is magnificent as Kaufman, re-creating uncannily detailed comedy pieces etched in the memory of anyone who remembers the real Andy. But while Carrey's mimicry of Kaufman is flawless and funny, the actor probes much deeper into an enigmatic character who, in life, was often a moving target even for those closest to him. --Tom Keogh
eXistenZ (1999) - David Cronenberg [1 DVD, Amazon US]
Director David Cronenberg's eXistenZ is a stew of corporate espionage, virtual reality gaming, and thriller elements, marinated in Cronenberg's favorite Crock-Pot juices of technology, physiology, and sexual metaphor. Jennifer Jason Leigh is game designer Allegra Geller, responsible for the new state-of-the-art eXistenZ game system; along with PR newbie Ted Pikul (Jude Law), they take the beta version of the game for a test drive and are immersed in a dangerous alternate reality. The game isn't quite like PlayStation, though; it's a latexy pod made from the guts of mutant amphibians and plugs via an umbilical cord directly into the user's spinal column (through a BioPort). It powers up through the player's own nervous system and taps into the subconscious; with several players it networks their brains together. Geller and Pikul's adventures in the game reality uncover more espionage and an antigaming, proreality insurrection. The game world makes it increasingly difficult to discern between reality and the game, either through the game's perspective or the human's. More accessible than Crash, eXistenZ is a complicated sci-fi opus, often confusing, and with an ending that leaves itself wide open for a sequel. Fans of Cronenberg's work will recognize his recurring themes and will eat this up. Others will find its shallow characterizations and near-incomprehensible plot twists a little tedious. --Jerry Renshaw [...]
Extension du domaine de la lutte (1999) Directed by Philippe Harel, novel by Michel Houellebecq
A true anomaly in the French cinema scene,this despairing work has no equivalent in the contemporary production.One would rather have to look on the side of Louis Malle's "le feu follet" (1963)(the fire within) to find something not completely unlike Harel's effort.
Writing on Drugs (1999) - Sadie Plant [Amazon US]
In this exhilarating literary exploration, Sadie Plant traces the history of drugs and drug use through the work of some of our most revered, and infamous, writers. Rather than exploring drug use as an avenue to spiritual transcendence, Plant focuses on the way that drugs themselves make precise, recognizable interventions in consciousness, in cultural life, in politics. She argues that the use, production, and trafficking of drugs--narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens--have shaped some of the era's most fundamental philosophies and provided much of its economic wealth. "The reasons for the laws and the motives for the wars, the nature of the pleasures and the trouble drugs can cause, the tangled webs of chemicals, the plants, the brains, machines: ambiguity surrounds them all. Drugs shape the laws and write the very rules they break, they scramble all the codes and raise the stakes of desire and necessity, euphoria and pain, normality, perversion, truth, and artifice again." [...]
An Underground Education (1999) - Richard Zacks [Amazon US] [FR] [DE] [UK]
An Underground Education : The Unauthorized and Outrageous Supplement to Everything You Thought You Knew About Art, Sex, Business, Crime, Science, Medicine, and Other Fields of Human Knowledge
Forget the history you were taught in school; Richard Zacks's version is crueler and funnier than anything you might have learned in seventh-grade civics--and much more of a gross-out, too. Described on the book jacket as an "autodidact extraordinaire," Zacks is also the author of History Laid Bare, making him something of an expert guide through history's back alleys and side streets. There's no fact too seamy or perverse for Zacks to drag out into the light of day, from matters scatological and sexual to some of history's most truly bizarre episodes. Curious about ancient nose-blowing etiquette? What about the sexual proclivities of Catherine the Great? Throughout chapters such as "The Evolution of Underwear" and "Dentistry Before Novocaine," Zacks proves a tireless debunker of popular myths as well as a muckraker par excellence.--Amazon.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Dynamic Top Bar Text Based on Current Page in Zurb Foundation for Apps App I am building a single page application using Zurb's Foundation for Applications and Angular.
What is the recommended way to display different text in the top bar (nav bar) based on the current route?
For example, I would like to have the page title associated with current route appear in the Top Bar (a simple form of breadcrumbs).
I am following the standard app structure provided Zurb's CLI tool. My Top Bar is defined in index.html.

A: The Foundation for Apps framework uses ui-router. Therefore, to access router state information, for example, the name of the current route/page, use the following in an HTML template:
{{$state.current.name}}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Israel, Judaism
Netanyahu's devastating, irrevocable indictment of Obama
by • March 3, 2015 • 0 Comments
The PM knowingly sacrifices what remained of his relationship with the president in a bid to thwart 'a very bad deal' with Iran
BY DAVID HOROVITZ March 3, 2015, 9:03 pm
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 (Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)
It was widely suggested, ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu's spectacularly controversial address to Congress on Tuesday, that the prime minister would have to deliver the speech of his life in order to justify the damage he would inevitably be causing to relations between his government and the Obama Administration. In the event, Netanyahu did deliver the speech of his life… and caused devastating, presumably irrevocable damage to his relationship with President Barack Obama.
On CNN, former administration official Martin Indyk called ties between the two leaders "toxic." And that was moments before Netanyahu began his address. It's hard to imagine the adjective that would best describe feelings in the Oval Office once the prime minister was done.
The next meeting between the two men will be fascinating to contemplate. And while Obama will hope even more fervently now that there will be no next meeting — that Netanyahu will fail to win reelection — the prime minister will not have done his electoral prospects any harm at all with this address. Many undecided Israelis will be asking themselves whether, in a moment of crisis, they can envisage Isaac Herzog holding the American parliament similarly mesmerized in support of a cause of passionate concern for Israel, and the answer will be no.
Although diplomatic in tone — and complete with deliberate Churchillian flourishes — "some change, some moderation," he intoned of Iran under Hassan Rouhani — Netanyahu's speech was in essence a devastating assault on Obama. He began, dutifully, with expressions of appreciation for the president, and for everything the president has done for Israel. But he continued, for the vast majority of his address, to explain the profound misjudgment of Iran — its ideology, its goals, and the immense danger it constitutes to Israel, the region, the United States, and the world — that lies at the heart of the "very bad deal" emerging from the US-led P5+1 negotiations. And thus, by extension, he was explaining the profound misjudgment of Iran at the core of Obama's worldview and policies.
While Israelis broadly oppose the deal they see taking shape, and mistrust Obama when it comes to stopping a nuclear Iran, there was no consensus in Israel about the tactic of addressing Congress at this juncture, no little criticism of the move as an electoral gambit, two weeks before Israeli election day. And Netanyahu is indeed an ultra-sophisticated politician whose only regret about the timing of the speech was that it didn't start two hours later — when it would have gone out live, albeit with the court-mandated five-minute delay, on the main 8 p.m. Israeli news broadcasts.
But Netanyahu's address had a clear practical goal as well. He was lobbying Congress, and lobbying the American public watching at home to pressure Congress, to assert its maximal capacity to thwart the progress of the deal that Obama has cooked up. While 50 or 60 legislators elected to absent themselves, the vast majority of Republicans and Democrats were there to nod sagely at Netanyahu's elaboration of Iran's rapacious, religiously driven ideology and territorial ambitions, to applaud, to jump to their feet, to be won over.
For all the cynicism and the political filtering over Netanyahu's motivations, furthermore, the prime minister is convinced, in his heart of hearts, that Iran is determined to advance its benighted ideology across the region and beyond. The prime minister is convinced, in his heart of hearts, that the deal taking shape will immunize the ayatollahs from any prospect of revolution from within or effective challenge from without. The deal "doesn't block Iran's path to the bomb," he warned. "It paves Iran's path to the bomb."
And the cardinal fact is that the prime minister is convinced, in his heart of hearts, that the Islamist regime in Tehran is bent on the destruction of Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei "tweets that Israel must be annihilated," Netanyahu wailed, repeating: "He tweets! You know, in Iran, there isn't exactly free Internet. But he tweets in English that Israel must be destroyed."
Although a first response to his speech from an unnamed White House official said that Netanyahu had offered "no concrete alternative" to the deal taking shape, and that his speech was "all rhetoric and no action," and despite Obama's subsequent elaborate defense of the US approach, the prime minister did offer an alternative. He urged the P5+1 to recalibrate, to reconsider, and then to push for a better deal. And "if Iran threatens to walk away from the table — and this often happens in a Persian bazaar — call their bluff," he advised, the wise, wary Middle Easterner lecturing Obama and the other Western naifs. "They'll be back, because they need the deal a lot more than you do."
When "my long-time friend, John Kerry," had confirmed to Netanyahu that "Iran could legitimately possess" 190,000 centrifuges enriching uranium when the deal expires; when the terms taking shape would leave Iran a year or less from a break out to the bomb; when Iran could be relied upon to play "hide and cheat" with the inspectors; when Iran would be free under the deal to continue development of the missiles with which it could deliver nuclear weapons — when these and other dangers were being built into an Obama-pushed agreement, then, yes, the price of alienating the current US administration is quite clearly one that Netanyahu is willing to pay.
Of course it is. For Obama will be gone in two years. But the way Netanyahu sees it, the way Netanyahu spelled it out with such compelling detail and passion on Tuesday, if this kind of deal is finalized with Iran, the ayatollahs will be threatening us all, and will be capable of doing far more than just threaten, for the foreseeable future.
Read more: Netanyahu's devastating, irrevocable indictment of Obama | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-devastating-irrevocable-indictment-of-obama/#ixzz3TNpc18TV
← Netanyahu bashes Iran deal, but no longer demands zero enrichment
Benjamin Netanyahu Speech to Congress 2015 →


Save your Sunday evening: the party will keep going at Japan Expo Sud with an exceptional screening, the second Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel movie, showed in partnership with Wakanim. After the success of the first one, discover Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel II. Lost Butterfly on Sunday night on the Ichigo stage!
Attention, the premiere is reserved to the festival attendees: you must have a ticket valid on Sunday.
Released for the first time in 2004, Fate/Stay Night is first of all a visual novel video game. It was adapted many times, as manga, anime, and animation films. Japan Expo Sud is inviting you to discover the French premiere of the second opus of Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel.
Directed by Tomonori SUDÔ and with a soundtrack by Yuki KAJIURA (Pandora Hearts, Noir, Gundam Seed Destiny...), Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel II. Lost Butterfly will unveil on Sunday at 5.30pm in the comfort of the brand new Ichigo stage.
Attention, the premiere is reserved to the festival attendees: you must have a ticket valid on Sunday on top of your ticket for the premiere, both sold on our website.
Warning: some scenes are not suitable for young viewers.


On a day coming soon, the Pono should finally see light of day.
Being a Neil Young fan, and music lover in general, I was naturally quite interested in the news that the Pono was finally going to be released sometime in 2014… maybe.
Neil Young has been touting the device for a few years, most notably on the Late Show with David Letterman show in 2012, but it hasn't seemed to have gotten much further than a pipe dream.
However, this may be changing as Young has recently raised over US$2 million (B64 million) in just two days since launching his Kickstarter campaign.
Quite impressive, but what exactly is the Pono?
So far, we know that it is a music player that aims to provide a much higher quality listening experience, using the FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) standard. Young, being an MP3 critic, argues that the Pono will offer a quality listening experience that he hasn't heard "since vinyl".
There are still a few key questions that need answering though, such as whether the Pono will feature DRM music that would be locked to the Pono player. Also, which studios and artists will be featured in the store?
Cnet's Steve Guttenburg has already questioned the viability of the store, considering that many studios simply don't record at the quality levels required for Pono.
Still, if Young can raise enough support from the artists creating the music, he may have a good shot at circumventing this problem, by getting them to put pressure on the studios.
Albums are expected to cost between US$15 (500) and $25 (B800), with the player expected to retail at around US$400 (B12,000). Pretty pricey, if you ask me – but maybe worth it?
It's great to see a legend such as Neil Young support a better music experience (which I am always open to) but I have to question the placing of this product.
With such a hefty price tag, and smartphones being the now de facto music players of choice, I have to wonder at the mainstream traction that this would gain.
That, and the Pono player is terribly shaped. An elongated triangle in my pocket? No thanks Neil, you're dreamin' man.


text:
U.S. Factory Output Climbed In July, Lifted By Auto Production
The gains suggested that manufacturers are adjusting to the obstacles of a stronger dollar, tepid economic growth abroad, and lower oil prices, which have led energy companies to slash their orders for equipment and pipelines.
Josh Boak, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Auto plants, clothing makers and plastics factories drove a sharp rebound in U.S. manufacturing in July.
U.S. factory production climbed a seasonally adjusted 0.8 percent last month after a revised estimate showed that output had dipped 0.3 percent in June, the Federal Reserve said Friday. The gains suggested that manufacturers are adjusting to the obstacles of a stronger dollar, tepid economic growth abroad and lower oil prices, which have led energy companies to slash their orders for equipment and pipelines.
"Industrial production is turning around after weakness in early 2015," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist at PNC Financial Services.
Much of the improvement came from motor vehicle output, which surged 10.6 percent in July. Auto sales jumped 5 percent to 1.5 million, with luxury brands such as Acura, Audi, Infiniti, Lincoln and Volvo accounting for double-digit gains.
Output at clothing and leather factories rose 1 percent last month, as did the manufacturing of plastics and rubber products. Some of those gains were offset by reduced output by oil and coal refiners, as well as by a drop in productivity at machinery plants.
Some analysts suggested that the gains in auto production weren't as impressive as the numbers might indicate. Jesse Hurwitz at Barclays Research noted that auto plants generally close temporarily in July to retool for new model lines and that the shutdown this year was shorter than normal. This would mean that the Fed report exaggerated the gains in motor vehicle output last month and that auto production might dip in August.
The Federal Reserve said overall industrial production — which includes not only the key category of manufacturing but also mining and utility output— rose 0.6 percent. Mining, which includes oil and gas wells, rose 0.2 percent last month but remains down 2 percent over the past 12 months. Utility output, which often fluctuates sharply from month to month depending on weather, fell 1 percent.
Factories have been battered for much of 2015. Winter storms slowed and even stopped some assembly lines in January and February.
The slowdown extended into spring. Orders for equipment and machinery were hurt by the rising value of the dollar, which makes U.S. goods more expensive overseas and depressed exports. Lower oil prices, which slowed orders from energy firms, also reduced output.
The dollar has risen about 20 percent against a basket of foreign currencies in the past 12 months, according to the Fed.
Crude oil prices, which were around $60 per barrel in the spring, fell close to $41 in early trading Friday, levels not seen since the global financial crisis. The decline has forced energy firms to curtail drilling, eliminating much of the need for new pipelines and equipment that had boosted factory orders in years when prices were closer to $100 a barrel.
Over the past 12 months, manufacturing output has risen just 1.5 percent.
Still, the steady consumer demand for autos is a positive sign for a manufacturing sector facing many headwinds. Other indicators show evidence of increased consumer demand that could help support broader economic growth.
Factory orders rose 1.8 percent in June, the government reported earlier this month. Much of the gains came from surging demand for commercial aircraft, a volatile sector that can vary widely from month to month.
A key category that serves as a proxy for business investment plans edged up 0.7 percent after declines in April and May. For the first half of the year, this category has declined 3.5 percent from the same period a year ago and has slowed overall economic growth.


text:
Clipperrace 11.10.2017
12. Oktober 2017 12. Oktober 2017 Dr. Irvin Krumnacker
RACE 2 DAY 7: PSP LOGISTICS BACK AT SEA AS LEADERS APPROACH HALFWAY POINT
PSP Logistics slipped lines from Piriapolis (Uruguay) yesterday evening to bring the Clipper Race fleet back to its full complement as the leaders approach the halfway point to Cape Town in the Stormhoek Race to the Cape of Storms.
After spending the past five days receiving repairs to rudder damage, sustained after a whale collided with the boat earlier in Leg 2, the team is expected to resume racing in twelfth position, once it reaches the closest position of the collision. There will be no redress awarded but PSP Logistics will be under race conditions, meaning it will still be eligible to compete for the bonus points in the Elliot Brown Race 2 Ocean Sprint.
Skipper Roy Taylor is pleased to be back on the high seas, saying: "A remarkable job was done in Piriapolis by members of the Clipper Race Office and Maintenance Team (Dan Smith, Justin Haller and Matt Pettit) considering the damage sustained.
"Now into our first night watch for a wee while and everybody is getting settled back into routines and looking forward to commencing racing sometime tomorrow evening."
Meanwhile, the leading pack is making great progress towards Cape Town and there are less than ten nautical miles separating the top three teams.
Andy Woodruff, Interim Skipper of first-placed Greenings, reports: "We should pass the halfway point of Leg 2 by lunchtime today as we make our way rather quickly towards it. I am also excited to see if we can break the 300 mile a day barrier today – we have to be close to it!"
Garmin and Dare To Lead, in second and third place respectively, are hot on the heels of the race leader with Dare To Lead Skipper, Dale Smyth, explaining: "We are currently riding hard the easterly side of a depression and making good pace."
Whilst keeping pace with the race leader, it is very close racing with the rest of the fleet as well and he added: "The competition is so tight out here that after 1500 nautical miles we are still fighting out mile per mile with about seven boats. One mistake or bad sail change could take you from first to tenth quite easily. The next few days look fast so we should gobble up another 1000 miles easily."
Fourth-placed Sanya Serenity Coast is around 40nm off the pace, but preparing for more wind, with Skipper Wendy Tuck reporting: "Well, the next blow is here now and I expect will increase over the next couple of hours. All good and we are prepared for it. All the heavy weather steerers are looking forward to it; it's a bit like a Southern Ocean training run."
Taking a more southerly course is GREAT Britain, currently in fifth and around 60nm off the lead, while Visit Seattle is converging with the fleet in sixth position after heading north for to secure a bonus point in the race to the Scoring Gate. HotelPlanner.com and Nasdaq are very close together, in seventh and eighth respectively, and around 80nm behind the race leader.
Qingdao, in ninth, has been continuing to celebrate its three bonus points for being the first team to reach the Scoring Gate but Skipper, Chris Kobusch, explains: "Since then Liverpool 2018 [in tenth] has been hot on our heels and, even though the team had some problems with their Mainsail battens, Liverpool 2018 is still within AIS (Automatic Identification System) range and the distance to them has been more or less the same over the last day or so."
The teams in the east are preparing for an incoming front, which is currently over Unicef in eleventh position. Clipper Race Meteorologist, Simon Rowell, explains that the front is not travelling much faster than the teams further east and that they should get strong north-westerly winds for at least another 24 hours making for an action-packed day or so ahead of the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint.
To stay up to date on the fleet's progress, keep a close eye on the Clipper Race Viewer. All positions were correct at time of writing.
Want to catch up on the action and news from life on board during Race 2? Then read the Skipper Reports and Crew Blogs, which are all available on the Clipper Race Team Pages.
← Volvo Ocean Race 11.10.2017
Volvo Ocean Race 11.10.2017 →
Clipperrace Race3 08.11.2017
8. November 2017 26. November 2017 Dr. Irvin Krumnacker
11. September 2017 11. September 2017 Dr. Irvin Krumnacker


I hope y'all had a great weekend. It was downright blustery here yesterday and I'm not quite ready for that. It will warm back up to normal fall temps this week, thank goodness. Let's do fall first and then winter, Mother Nature.
Last week I made some changes in the sitting room. After buying the vintage horse paintings that I shared last week I found the perfect spots for them which led to a revamped gallery wall. I can count on one hand how many times I used the lamp sconces that we hung on the wall a few years ago. I liked the look, but we never used them so I decided they could go and the paintings would hang in their place. I also did something else in here I have wanted to do for some time.
After taking the sconces down I patched and painted the holes and then hung the two horse paintings. Then I decided to add these these small vintage plates, too. This room is a mix of French and English antiques with an equestrian vibe thrown in.
You can see the before with the sconces from this post when I shared It's All in the Details....the metamorphosis of a gallery wall.
This pillow is perfect for this time of year.
When I shared the Master Bath Details and Sources I told y'all that I had two vanity stools due to one of them not getting cancelled after getting an email that it would be delayed. This is the other one I bought from Pier One and I'm glad it works out as an ottoman in here.
This is my favorite painting I found in an antique mall a few years ago.
It has hung right here ever since I brought it home.
And this is what I have wanted to do for quite some time. I took the drapes down. The way the rod cut across the window was just not right, but I kept living with it. Well, not anymore. Now the architecture of the window can shine without being covered up.
I'm loving the new revamped gallery wall and the more open feeling in here with the drapes gone.
Love your revamped gallery wall Kim. The theme goes so well with your room. I think removing the curtains from the window really opens up your space too. Love it!
Love the new look and the dog print...of course. The room feels brighter now with the drapes gone. Such an inviting space.
This room is gorgeous, Kim...the gallery wall is wonderful, and I absolutely love the mix of fabrics in this space. Your collected-over-time goodies really take the room up to a special place. Love!
It's so pretty. That armchair by the window looks like the perfect spot for curling up with a book.
LOVE the opened up window! I recently took down the drapes in our bedroom and had plantation shutters installed. I'm so happy with the clean look. Also adore the dog painting and love collecting those as well. Where did you get the chair with the plaid fabric?
Ooops, I mean the chair with the striped fabric.
Looking good Kim! I also have a penchant for anything equestrian or hunt related so I love your room and it's accents. …wonder what will happen to those sconces - any plans yet?!!
Love the changes Kim. I love the light that streams in now, but your decor still adds so much warmth to the space.
Love the refreshed gallery wall and love that you took the drapes down!....unless you need privacy, I always love to have a great window with lots of character stand alone to "shine"
Love that "Gather" pillow too!
Kim, your gallery wall looks so beautifully collected and put together. Also love your gorgeous needlepoint pheasant pillow on the sofa. I have some vintage mid-century pheasants that I love taking out every Fall and displaying.
The "gather" pillow is perfect for the feel of this room. It has such a comforting appeal. The whole room is gorgeous! Love the window! And yes, the architectural detail shines through! If I walked in this room and was told to pick one item to take home, I have not a clue what I'd pick. I love it all! Guess I'd just take the room!!! Thank you for sharing your eye for perfect detail!
Visiting from Met Monday -- enjoyed seeing your pretty room.
Very cozy...I adore the picture with the dogs. I've been on the hunt for one myself for years. Great find!
I love this room Kim. Just beautiful. I too love that hunting dog picture. So sweet. Great find.
I am so in love with this room, I swear I would live in there all winter! Love that you removed the drapes. In our last house we had VERY few drapes as we didn't need them for privacy. My sister would get freaked out:) Love the new gallery wall too! have a great week! happy Halloween!
This looks great! I love the architecture of your window. Is the striped ottoman the one that came from Pier 1? Do you know the name?
Kate, I don't know the name. It is a vanity stool if you just search that on their site.
The gallery wall is beautiful, I love the addition of the plates, this is probably my favorite room in your home!
I want to sink into that chocolate sofa, and have tea and scones with you, discussing how pretty the view is out that lovely window. And maybe some dogs on our laps, too.
Is the small ottoman in front of the striped chair from Pier 1 or is it an antique?
It is actually a vanity stool from Pier One and I ordered it in September. They may still carry them.
I just love your beautiful home. It's elegant and still looks cozy. I have the Murphy sign hanging in my own home. I picked it up at auction for practically nothing. Thanks to you,I now collect demi johns. Love, love, love them.
I love the new gallery wall. This room is really lovely and I love the window without the drapes. We have plantation shutters everywhere except my office and our guest room and I love the simplicity and the beautiful light they let in. That is a darling stool and works perfectly with that chair.
That window is absolutely beautiful, so I think removing the drapes was a good move. The gallery wall looks great.
Love your look. I'm looking for a new paint color, to go with similar earth tone colors. I can't do the new gray. What is your main paint color?


Formerly 'D & H Welding Electrodes (India) Ltd'. Igniting Solutions .... crusher jaws and hammers, minerals grinder, mental, buckets teeth and lips, rail crossing,.
I keep thinking of making a homemade jaw crusher but why re-invent ... I imported the 9"x12" Crusher from India, bought the twin cylinder ... I load the crusher with the loader bucket and sell the crushed material for road base.
... AAC Plant, Raymond Mill, Jaw Crusher, Bucket Lift Machine and Ball Mill offered by Balaji Construction Machines & Spares, Satara, Maharashtra, India.
From large primary jaw crusher and impact crusher to cone crusher and . ... Speed Monitoring System Applications Conveyor Belts, Bucket Belt Conveyor.
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Some roller crusher machines may be equipped with roller jaws crushers¡¯ buckets. The roller jaws crushers¡¯ buckets can be used for storing the materials.
supplied over 2,50,000 tonnes of equipment and spares to Indian Mining sector. ... Draglines with 20 Cu.m bucket and 90 m long boom also ... Jaw Crusher. ➢.
Durable design with harden steel jaws that keep wear to a minimum. • Mechanically operated .... the Crusher Bucket eliminates the need to transport, hire or purchase ... JCB India reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice.
Crushing Equipment Manufacturer - Aavishkar Machinery is the leading manufacturer of Crushing Equipment in India.
MnSteels Jaw Crusher Plates; MnSteels Customer Sites; Replacement Cone Crusher Plates for Cone Crushers ... Manganese Excavator Bucket Teeth.


Barong Barong is a Dutch brand based in Amsterdam and inspired by the Balinese way of life. All of our pieces are handmade and designed in Bali.
All our jewelry is based on Sterling Silver with high quality coatings, combined with the beauty of natural materials such as stingray, water snake, silk and semi-precious gemstones.
With the ability to combine every piece of jewelry we allow you to express yourself and to create your own story.


text:
Q: What is the equivalent command of 'minikube addons list' in Kubernetes? The command 'kubectl addons list' throws an error:
Error: unknown command "addons" for "kubectl"
Run 'kubectl --help' for usage.
The command 'kubectl plugin list' seems to return something different.
error: unable to find any kubectl plugins in your PATH
Thanks

A: as you have stated that you want to enable ingress in your kubernetes cluster:
it works differently on full-blown k8s than in minikube.
in kubernetes, you will need to deploy and configure and ingress controller. having done that the ingress controller will then watch resources of type "ingress".
check the official documentation here for a list of supported ingress controllers and here for an example how to deploy the nginx ingress controller


text:
package de.knoobie.project.nagisa.gson.model.dto.json.artist;

import de.knoobie.project.nagisa.gson.model.dto.json.common.Names;
import lombok.Data;

public @Data class ArtistLinkage {

    private String link;
    private Names names;

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
	xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0 http://maven.apache.org/xsd/maven-4.0.0.xsd">
	<modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>
	<groupId>com.deleidos.analytics</groupId>
	<artifactId>kafka-client</artifactId>
	<version>0.0.1-SNAPSHOT</version>
	<name>kafka-client</name>

	<build>
		<plugins>
			<plugin>
				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
				<artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
				<version>3.3</version>
				<configuration>
					<source>1.8</source>
					<target>1.8</target>
				</configuration>
			</plugin>
			<plugin>
				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
				<artifactId>maven-surefire-plugin</artifactId>
				<version>2.18.1</version>
				<configuration>
					<skipTests>true</skipTests>
				</configuration>
			</plugin>
		</plugins>
	</build>

	<dependencies>
		<dependency>
			<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
			<artifactId>commons-lang3</artifactId>
			<version>3.4</version>
		</dependency>
		<dependency>
			<groupId>log4j</groupId>
			<artifactId>log4j</artifactId>
			<version>1.2.16</version>
		</dependency>
		<dependency>
			<groupId>junit</groupId>
			<artifactId>junit</artifactId>
			<version>4.12</version>
		</dependency>
		<dependency>
			<groupId>org.apache.kafka</groupId>
			<artifactId>kafka-clients</artifactId>
			<version>0.9.0.0</version>
		</dependency>
		<dependency>
			<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
			<artifactId>commons-collections4</artifactId>
			<version>4.1</version>
		</dependency>
	</dependencies>
</project>


All from Leucos is wall sconce providing upward and downward light, as well as a soft pleasant glow through its etched glass diffuser. Light sources can be independently operated. Polycarbonate mounting bracket supports hand-molded Murano glass diffuser. Matching faceplate mounts directly to standard junction box. All Light is designed by Roberto Pamio.
D: 11", W:5.4", H: 4"


An ongoing series about uprooting our lives in America and moving to France. For what's happened before, see previous Jours of Our Lives entries here.
I OPENED THE sliding glass door of our swish room in the Palais Jamais, which once was the palatial home of a grand vizier to the sultan. This posh hotel, an oasis in the Moroccan landscape, is one of my favorite places to stay in the world. As I stepped onto the terrace, the sun was up and shining, the air cool. I looked down upon the hotel's manicured Andalusian gardens and sapphire pool and, beyond, to the ancient medina that sprawled across the panorama. Its warren of path-sized streets and buildings bloomed with the minarets of scads of mosques. We knew they were there but not in such numbers.
The morning call of prayers had been our crowing rooster that someone was up, while dawn still had the good sense to hold back. I slid back into bed while Jim showered. Within minutes, a flock of petite birds were hopping into our room, flitting up on chairs and the foot of my bed. No doubt they had breakfasted on the plates of nuts, fruit, cookies, and crumbs of croissants in the elegant Palais many times before, but no luck with us. Our stash was covered, though the brave little birds added to my curious morning sensation that some people unwittingly refer to as cheerfulness; or in this case, perhaps it was the dizzy delight of waking as a sultaness.
Aziz was waiting when we made it out the door. He'd brought our first-rate guide for the next few days, Mr. Omar. Official guides in Fes wear djellabas, which are long flowing robes with attractive hoods that drape down the back or are pulled over the head. Men and women alike slip them over their clothes. They are the Moroccan national costume, and one sees them everywhere. I'm guessing George Lucas must have been introduced to Morocco before envisioning Star Wars, because his characters are fitted out in shades of this gear. The guides top themselves off with a maroon fez. Omar looked quite distinguished in his.
We took a short drive with a couple of stops along the way, but next was the medina, which I was dying for Jim to experience. I had taken this tour of Fes years before, and I knew how shocking this old center is to the Western sensibility. Picture a noisy human ant colony bustling through the business of the day. Enigmatic energy pervades the exotic sights, sounds, and smells that jolt the brain. Dyers of textiles, cutters and molders of brass trays and pots, weavers and woodworkers diligently work in dimly lit cave-like rooms with dirt floors to create the exquisite crafts for which Fes is known. Old wrinkled men with white beards and young men with black hair work briskly, and the traditions and skills are passed down to each new generation. The tanneries are outdoors with big vats of rank-smelling dye. One's eyes are agape, senses standing on end—when suddenly you're warned to jump out of the way for a donkey packing some sort of goods, even the garbage. No cars can get through.
The stalls of the sellers are jam-packed with fruits and nuts, djellabas and the cloth to make them, household essentials, spices, henna for hair dye and impermanent tattoos, brass works, and rugs. Fried fish, boiled eggs, breads, sweets, and brochettes are cooked and sold. Crates of live chickens are awaiting the ax or to be taken home by a buyer. The streets are alive with workers and shoppers, babies slung on their mother's backs. Darlings, it is madly untamed though not in the fashion of the old American West. It is rather a sense that time has stood still (though the life within continues to turn at a furious pace).
The walls in the medina are centuries old and gloomy, so you can literally walk by a palace and never know. It's always the interiors that reveal the fantastic colors, fabrics, mosaics, and tiles of this culture. We stopped at several mosque doorways to get a glimpse of the rich inner sanctums, but tourists are allowed into the Medersa Bou Inania, a deep-rooted theological college and a striking example of the fine Moroccan plasterwork and woodcarving.
One of the most beautiful palaces you can visit in Fes is the home of the rug cooperative Aux Merveilles du Tapis, which has a huge selection of old and new Arabic and Berber carpets. I must alert you: It is dangerous to be surrounded by such beauty. One sits on a lush banquette and is served a glass of steaming mint tea while a selection of handsome carpets is brought for her scrutiny. The clever merchants start with the new ones, which, let me tell you, are something to shake a stick at. Then they tantalize you with the old ones which have an opulent patina of age and design, a history of life that sings.
Jim and I were drawn to the Berber pieces, which were patterned with tribal symbols and icons. Of course they were old ones. Jim stayed out of it, but after three hours of my-mama- was-Scotch/Irish haggling, we became the owners of les tapis de Maroc and at a miraculous third of the price from where we started. I like to bargain, but had never been at it like this—with pros. It was astonishing. Right place/right time/out of my mind, proud and pleased with myself. Jim tartly suggested the guilt would arrive later.
We consumed a delicious lunch starting with the typical first course of salads—various mixtures of aubergines, onions, courgettes, peppers, tomatoes, beets, carrots, olives, and beans slathered and cooked in olive oil and savory spices that define the distinctive Moroccan palette. Omar led us back through the snaking streets, and we made one last stop at one of the hand-painted ceramic shops. The plates, bowls, dishes, and mosaic tables of all sizes and shapes are another of the remarkable crafts found in Fes. I know which dinner-party-sized slab I want when I get my mas in the South of France.
What a brilliant, long, and exhausting day! But after freshening up, we continued on to dinner and maybe the best meal of our trip. La Maison Bleue is another old palace with a wonderful restaurant and rooms to be let where you can imagine Humphrey Bogart delivering his lines (this is one of my gauges for authentic and cool). Course after course of delectable food was marvelously delivered while mysterious North African music—the playing of lutes and the wailing of chant/songs—sounded through the room. The musicians danced while spinning the tassles on their fezzes.
AS I WENT to sleep, it was the voices of women—their chorus in carpets—that sang in my head.
This column is dedicated to my mother, Bobbye Ann McAlister Arnold.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos by Beth Arnold. Not subject to use without permission.
Beth Arnold lives and writes in Paris, where she produces her "Letter From Paris" new media project.
Jours of Our Lives illlustration by artist (and couturier) Elizabeth Cannon. To find out more about her, click here.
You can find the Chasing Matisse book by James Morgan here at Amazon--or you can find it in or order it from your favorite book store.
If you'd like to start at the beginning of Jour of Our Lives, click here.


text:
Thursday, 26 April 2012 06:46
A baker's dozen for summer 2012
Previewing some of this season's cinematic offerings
The summer movie season used to be easy to pinpoint. For years, Memorial Day marked the season's official unofficial beginning. That was just how it worked. However, over the past few years, that starting date has been slowly creeping earlier and earlier into May. It's clear that the first big summer film of 2012 is 'The Avengers' despite the fact that it comes out on May 4. That's right. May 4. We're only a year or two away from a summer movie season that starts in April.
Let's have a look at some of the more eagerly-anticipated films of this summer. Granted, it's a whole lot of what we've come to expect out of Hollywood: there are sequels and reboots galore. That's not necessarily a bad thing; some of these movies look absolutely spectacular. But there are also some star-studded comedies, adaptations of books and musicals and some animated fare as well.
Published in Cover Story
A night at the Oscars
Picking the 2012 Academy Awards
It's that time again; time for the Hollywood elite to roll out the red carpet and part themselves on the back. That's right - it's the Academy Awards.
As someone who spends a lot of time at the movies, this is one of my favorite times of the year. Awards such as the Oscars are great because they inspire conversation - who do you think will win, who do you think should win, which movies did you see, which movies did you like, which did you hate - and on and on and on.
So I'm once more putting my prognostication skills on the line. These are my picks for some of the big awards come Sunday night. Again, these aren't necessarily the people and films that I think should win. They're the ones I think will win. Sometimes, they're the same. More often, they're not.


F for fierce: F Sport version of redesigned Lexus GS will also be available in some markets as a hybrid with blue badges (pictured).
LEXUS has revealed the first official images of its aggressive new GS F Sport sedan a week ahead of its simultaneous debuts in Australia and North America next week.
First seen at South Africa's Johannesburg motor show in early October, the first F Sport version of the Toyota premium brand's redesigned large luxury sedan will follow the V6-powered GS350 into local showrooms by June.
While the all-new GS F Sport will be produced in both GS350 petrol and GS450h hybrid guises, only the latter will be sold in Europe, where Lexus is now a hybrid-only brand.
As is Lexus tradition, the GS350's second-quarter 2012 release here will be followed within months by the petrol-electric GS450h hybrid, with the GS350 F Sport expected to arrive here before then in June.
Lexus is on record as saying that this time round the GS450h will negate the need for an eight-cylinder version of the GS, because of its V8-like performance coupled with four-cylinder efficiency.
It is not yet clear whether the GS450h F Sport, which is cosmetically differentiated from the non-hybrid F Sport model primarily by a blue Lexus badge, will also be sold here.
However, Lexus Australia is expected to reveal its new GS rollout strategy when the GS350 and GS450h make their local debuts in Melbourne on November 2 – almost simultaneously with the GS350 F Sport's US debut at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas next week.
While the F Sport version brings no additional powertrain performance, the chief mechanical upgrade is the debut of the Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system.
LDH combines the new GS's active four-wheel-steering system - Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) - and an F Sport-tuned version of the adjustable damping suspension system - Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) – that will be optional on other models.
Integrated with the car's Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Lexus says the rear-drive GS sedan's new LDH system also combines with larger-diameter anti-roll bars and uprated suspension bushes to deliver a more engaging drive.
It says LDH monitors vehicle speed, steering direction and driver input to calculate the optimum angle for all four wheels to help improve turn-in response, rear grip, vehicle control and overall agility when cornering.
A first for Lexus, DRS alternates between turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels at speeds under 80km – albeit by small degrees – to the same direction over that speed to assist high-speed stability and handling.
An electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system will also be an option across the new GS range – at least in the US. Depending on conditions, it can vary front-to-rear torque distribution from 50/50 to as much as 30/70.
In lieu of a fully-blown IS F sports sedan-style GS F model, which could rival BMW's M5 with V10 firepower from the LFA super-coupe, other F Sport upgrades include lighter performance brakes with larger two-piece front discs and higher-friction pads, and an integrated four-wheel steering system - a first for a hybrid vehicle.
Externally, the GS F Sport gains 19-inch sword-spoke alloy wheels similar to those seen on the smaller IS F. The dark metallic alloys wear staggered-width 235/40-section front and 265/35 rear tyres – the widest ever seen on a Lexus sedanThe biggest visual change, however, is the GS F Sport's unique bodykit, which comprises more aggressive side skirts and front and rear bumpers with larger side and lower air intakes featuring an integrated mesh design.
As is common in the automotive industry, the most sporting version of the new GS wears a front bumper similar to the concept that first previewed it – in this case the LS-Gh, which was on show at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne last July.
However, the new GS' trapezoidal 'spindle' grille design, which marks the start of a new Lexus design direction, continues from the standard G350.
At the rear, the GS F Sport – which is Lexus' answer to the M and AMG sports packages available for the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-class respectively - is differentiated by a grey metallic lower diffuser flanked by a large chromed exhaust outlet on either side, while a subtle rear boot lip spoiler and F badging complete the more sporting look.
Inside the GS F Sport, which will join the CT200h F Sport and IS250/350 F Sport model in the Lexus range, the doors and new 16-way power-adjustable sports seats are finished in dark red 'Garnet' leather trim, while aluminium dashboard highlights and an F Sport steering wheel and alloy door sill plates are also included.
Standard on all GS models will be four driving modes - Eco, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+, allowing drivers to choose between maximum performance or efficiency.
For Australia, there are no changes to the GS350's 3.5-litre V6, which delivers 223kW and 376Nm of torque, and accelerates the new GS to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds.
"The all-new GS350 F Sport is a vehicle that will appeal to the sporting driver, those who seek performance and comfort without compromise," said Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb.
"With dynamic handling, incredible stopping power and a true sporting feel, the GS350 F Sport is a vehicle that offers the best of everything to the enthusiast.
As we've reported, the new GS450h, which made its global debut a month after the new GS350 at the Frankfurt motor show in September, sprints to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds – down from 6.2 seconds – and shares its electronically limited 250km/h top speed with the GS350.
The fourth-generation GS, which comes with 10 airbags including a driver's knee airbag, is 20mm wider (1840mm) than the previous GS, while the track has also been widened by 40mm and 50mm at the front and rear respectively.
Lexus says the bodyshell's torsional stiffness had been improved by 14 per cent – another factor in the claimed overall dynamic improvement in the car.
The current third-generation GS landed in Australian showrooms in February 2005, debuting with a 4.3-litre V8 and direct-injection in the 3.0-litre V6, while the current GS450h became the first large hybrid luxury car on the Australian market in May 2006.


We have been a wholesale roaster for a little over two years now and are looking at opening a cafe in the near future. It is a family run business & we want to do it right from the start.
Wonder how many barista's out there have formal training? Would like to hear a little of your experiences.
well, I was trained by a trainer who does roasting and also latte art for a week before starting my shift and later when twice to SCAA for cupping training and also certified as a barista.
Lots of training and constantly upgrading.
I was trained by Mike Marquard, of Kaldi's Coffee Roasters (who recently won the MWRBC, congrats!). He focused primarily on the consistency of the shot. We weighed dosings until I could consistently dose to within .05 grams of the goal. We then studied the pour- when to know it's a good shot, when to stop, etc. Then came the inner workings of the machine, maintenance, etc. Cuppings are a monthly even, required every other month from the baristas. Now I'm running my own shop! Any further questions, holla.
This blog hasn't moved for a while. I've been in the coffee industry for 12 years. I taught myself with the help of belissimo. Since then I've done a tour with Sbux, Peets, It's a Grind and a couple of independents. I guess I've had alot of people tell me how to do coffee, but I'd say that I'm the only one that makes me passionate about serving the perfect cup of coffee. I've trained countless people and the passion is what I've tried to impart. A love for coffee and the product one produces. I've stressed the importance of how the drink is built and how the shot is pulled. So in all I've taught more about coffee than I've ever learned simply because I love the experience. If there is a Barista training, it's not about the technical skill, it's about the passion.
It really is about technical experience, but you can only appreciate and learn that if you have passion. I know a whole lotta people passionate about coffee but have no idea how to pull a shot of espresso... just some food for thought... I have NEVER had a good espresso from Sbux, Peet's or It's a Grind, so... I hope that you can hone in your skills and prove me wrong.
why don't you considered hiring a well knowledge Barista trainor to do your training, standardizing the menu.


text:
Q: Facebook SDK Swift - Use of undeclared identifier I am getting Use of undeclared identifier for every Facebook Object I use
Following this tutorial:
TUTORIAL: HOW TO SHARE IN FACEBOOK SDK 4.1.X FOR SWIFT
But I've got the following error:

I've added Facebook framework via cocoapods:
pod 'FBSDKCoreKit'
pod 'FBSDKShareKit'

And it was installed successfully

I've added bridging header
#ifndef Bridging_Header_h
#define Bridging_Header_h

#import <FBSDKCoreKit/FBSDKCoreKit.h>
#import <FBSDKShareKit/FBSDKShareKit.h>

#endif /* Bridging_Header_h */

The bridging header is connected:

I've configured my .plist
<key>CFBundleURLTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleURLSchemes</key>
            <array>
                <string>fb*****</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>
    <key>FacebookAppID</key>
    <string>*****</string>
    <key>FacebookDisplayName</key>
    <string>*****</string>
    <key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
    <dict>
        <key>NSExceptionDomains</key>
        <dict>
            <key>facebook.com</key>
            <dict>
                <key>NSIncludesSubdomains</key> <true/>
                <key>NSThirdPartyExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy</key> <false/>
            </dict>
            <key>fbcdn.net</key>
            <dict>
                <key>NSIncludesSubdomains</key> <true/>
                <key>NSThirdPartyExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy</key>  <false/>
            </dict>
            <key>akamaihd.net</key>
            <dict>
                <key>NSIncludesSubdomains</key> <true/>
                <key>NSThirdPartyExceptionRequiresForwardSecrecy</key> <false/>
            </dict>
        </dict>
    </dict>

Here is the code:
let content : FBSDKShareLinkContent = FBSDKShareLinkContent()
        content.contentURL = NSURL(string: "<INSERT STRING HERE>")
        content.contentTitle = "<INSERT STRING HERE>"
        content.contentDescription = "<INSERT STRING HERE>"
        content.imageURL = NSURL(string: "<INSERT STRING HERE>")

        let button : FBSDKShareButton = FBSDKShareButton()
        button.shareContent = content
        button.frame = CGRectMake((UIScreen.mainScreen().bounds.width - 100) * 0.5, 50, 100, 25)
        self.view.addSubview(button)

A: First step is create Podfile, for example:
use_frameworks!
pod 'ChameleonFramework/Swift'
pod 'GBDeviceInfo'

Save file and install or update pods by command:
pod install / pod update

Next, you should add in general settings framework:

A: If you use Pods and your project is on Swift you don't need to import headers from pods to Bridging_Header_h
It's suficient to import needed SDK to you swift file like:
import FBSDKCoreKit
import FBSDKLoginKit
import FBSDKShareKit

A: For Swift users: Facebook Swift SDK 0.7.0 and 0.8.0 seem to be completely FUBAR, there is no way to get imports to work properly even on a completely new project.
Revert to 0.6.0 by specifying the following in your Podfile, and the tutorials and imports will work again:
pod 'FacebookCore', '~> 0.6.0'
pod 'FacebookLogin', '~> 0.6.0'
pod 'FacebookShare', '~> 0.6.0'

A: I was stuck at it too until I found that it is a debug and release issue.
instead of using
#ifndef Bridging_Header_h
#define Bridging_Header_h

#import <FBSDKCoreKit/FBSDKCoreKit.h>
#import <FBSDKShareKit/FBSDKShareKit.h>

#endif /* Bridging_Header_h */

You should use
#import <FBSDKCoreKit/FBSDKCoreKit.h>
#import <FBSDKShareKit/FBSDKShareKit.h>

#ifndef Bridging_Header_h
#define Bridging_Header_h

#endif /* Bridging_Header_h */


Sunday gatherings! We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month for fellowship, conversation, and food! And we ALWAYS have a great time! If you are a single or married, student or professional in your twenties (or thirties!), please join us! Our meeting locations and times vary, so please contact us for more information about our next meeting. Hope to see you at our next gathering!


Commenting system on blogs is a great way to share the experience, interact and engage with your site visitors. Blogs traffic can be measured using comments that a blog is receiving. A blog without comment is not a blog, but sometimes you will need to enable or disable comments on Blogger pages and posts.
Blogger comment system is flexible, has more options as well as Blogger makes it easy to enable or disable comments on pages. There are two pages where you will need to enable or disable comments static index pages and blog post pages. Here are some reasons to hide or disable comments in Blogger.
If any of your blog posts gets older then you can stop comments and just show existing comments.
If you receive too many spam comments then you can disable comments.
In Blogger you have easy option to enable or disable comments on all pages. If you don't want anyone to comment on any of your pages including post pages then here you go.
In your Blogger dashboard go to settings >> posts and comments and you will have overall comment settings for Blogger.
Embedded: This is the default option that appears in all your pages. This options sets comment box below the content.
Full page: In each posts this option will sets a link below which says "post a comment". This link takes visitors to a separate page to make their comments.
Popup window: In this option user will be making their comments on popup window.
Hide: This is the option that you needed. By enabling this users cannot make comments on any pages. But existing comments still show up.
Also you can set who can comment? And enable comment moderation as well.
While the above method disables comments on all pages, but in this method you can enable or disable comments on particular page or post. The steps to enable or disable comments in Blogger are clear and simpler.
Now you will have your page or post editor.
In the right sidebar you will see page and post settings.
Now click on options and you will see comment settings for that page or post.
Select the suitable option and click done.
Don't allow, hide existing: By enabling this option users can never make comments and never see comments.
Once done go and check out your page or post, you have disabled comments. You can follow this step to enable or disable comments on any particular page like your wish.
Hope this helps you to enable or disable comments on Blogger pages. Please share and leave your comments. Subscribe to get the latest updates from us.


text:
Steelers place Joey Porter on leave after arrest outside a Pittsburgh bar
The Steelers assistant will get some mandatory time off.
By Christian D'Andrea@TrainIsland Jan 9, 2017, 3:50pm EST
Share All sharing options for: Steelers place Joey Porter on leave after arrest outside a Pittsburgh bar
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter has been placed on leave from the team following his arrest Sunday night, according to reports.
Steelers assistant Joey Porter has been placed on leave from the team after his arrest last night.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 9, 2017
Porter, a key assistant who also spent eight of his 13 years as a player with the franchise, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness and making terroristic threats, after an altercation with a doorman outside a bar in the South Side area of the city.
A police report of the incident suggests the 6'2, 250-lb Porter was "extremely agitated" and had "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his mouth and glassy, bloodshot eyes."
He initially refused to allow officers to handcuff him before acquiescing. He was arraigned on the charges early Monday morning and was released from jail on $25,000 bond.
There's no timeline on Porter's suspension, but the leave will likely last at least through this week's divisional showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. That could be a huge blow for the Steelers if they need someone to inappropriately step onto the field and goad an opposing player into a personal foul penalty on Sunday.
NFL playoffs 2017: Live updates, news and scores for Sunday's Wild Card games
Matt Moore concussion inquiry reveals Dolphins did not follow protocol
Steelers don't care if they're the nastiest team in the NFL playoffs