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Ep 193: Kate Spencer
First Draft Episode #193: Kate Spencer
Kate Spencer, comedian, author of Dead Mom's Club: A Memoir, and co-host of fabulous podcast Forever35 talks about the never-ending quest for confidence, exorcising grief and pain through writing, and how a podcast about serums became a podcast about feelings.
Amy Poehler, comedian, actress, writer, and director, who is not from the same town Kate is from, but they both grew up "outside Boston"
Early on in childhood Kate fell for The BabySitter's Club books by Ann M. Martin, and the Sweet Valley Twins series by Francine Pascal, and then she fell for Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Revisiting The Boxcar Children, written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, with her daughter was a special bonding experience
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and other "kids surviving intense circumstances" books are so fascinating, right?!?
Kate's eight-year-old daughter is plowing through Raina Telgemeier's graphic novels, including Smile, Sisters, and Guts
The Fear Street books by R.L. Stine, It by Stephen King, and V.C. Andrews' books like Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind
The film Grease is not actually appropriate for young kids, it turns out
When she moved to New York City, Kate signed up for classes at the UCB Theater and rose through the ranks in the improv community
I basically demand that Kate read Vacationland: True Stories From Painful Beaches by John Hodgman because she went to college in Maine
The two writers I mention who went to Vermont College for Children's Writing well into their careers are Ally Condie, author of Matched, The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe, and more (listen to her First Draft interview here) and Brendan Reichs, author of Nemesis, Virals, and co-author with Ally Condie of The Darkdeep
On Grief by C.S. Lewis was one of the only books out there for people experiencing loss for a long time
The poet Taije Silverman has written about the grief of caring for her dying mother, and Kate found her work while grieving for her own loss
Kate and her Forever35 podcast co-host Doree Shafrir's conversation on the By the Book podcast, in which Kate discusses finding Twilight by Stephenie Meyer while grieving and how it inspired her to write
"How I Finally Let Go of Grief for my Dead Mom," Kate's piece in Buzzfeed about the pain of letting go of grief
Holly Root, founder of Root Literary, is Kate's literary agent
Kate's husband is Anthony King, who has written for TV shows Silicon Valley, Broad City, Search Party, Playing House and more, and he co-wrote Beetlejuice: The Musical which has been nominated for eight Tony Awards, including best musical
Kate is writing in Scrivener, a writing program
Elana K. Arnold, author of Damsel, What Girls Are Made Of, Infandous, A Boy Called Bat, and more (listen to her First Draft interviews here and here) said in her interview with me that she feels like she might be ready to move on from writing about anger and feminism
A Cup of Jo is the website and newsletter run by Joanna Goddard that is packed
Kate wants to be up front about the fact that Vinter's Daughter sent her their Active Botanicals Serum, she did not buy it herself
The Call Your Girlfriend episode that walked through an OB-GYN appointment
Cat Winters, whose recent book, The Raven's Tale, called for her to research Poe a ton. In that process she discovered that Edgar Allen Poe's #1 hater outlived him, then wrote his obituary and his first biography, which has shaped how we think about Poe to this day. (Listen to Cat's First Draft episode here)
Direct download: Kate_Spencer_FINAL.mp3
Ep 192: Lindsay Smith
First Draft Episode #192: Lindsay Smith
Lindsay Smith, author of the forthcoming Alchemy of War, as well as Sekret, Skandal, Dreamstrider, A Darkly Beating Heart, The Witch Who Came in From the Cold, and the Saints of Russalka series, talks about growing as a writer through D&D, refiguring her writing process after being diagnosed with ADHD, and learning to value more than just productivity.
Hear Lindsay Smith's first episode of First Draft with Sarah Enni here
Lindsay has an AlphaSmart keyboard that she takes on the D.C. train system so she can write while she commutes
One "What if?" that got Lindsay writing Alchemy of War was, "What if I took Inglourious Basterds (movie) but it was like Stranger Things (TV show)?"
Lindsay was inspired to write A Darkly Beating Heart, after visiting Japan and staying in a historically preserved town meant to preserve the Edo Period
Lindsay researched Rasputin for the hot villain in the Saints of Russalka series, including reading books about him and also jamming out to "Ra Ra Rasputin," a disco song by German Euro group Boney M.
Lindsay has written short stories for A Tyranny of Petticoats and Toil and Trouble, anthologies put together by fellow D.C. YA writer Jessica Spotswood (hear her First Draft episode here) and Tess Sharpe
Lindsay wrote a short story in the universe of the Blue Rose role playing game
Stucky: the fandom name for Captain America (Steve Rogers) + The Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnum)
Britta Lundin, author of Ship It (hear her episode of First Draft with Sarah Enni here) wrote for Riverdale (TV show) and is open about loving fandom in a similar way to Lindsay (who loves The Winter Soldier)
Lindsay collaborated with Max Gladstone for The Witch Who Came in from the Cold, a serial story released by Serial Box (founder Julian Yap approached Lindsay about developing and writing it). The first season of The Witch Who Came in From the Cold was released as a book by Simon & Schuster
Lindsay and her husband are in multiple Dungeons and Dragons groups, which she says calls on a whole different skill set from her writing brain
Lindsay turned to KBoards, a forum for self-published authors, to discover the ins and outs of the self-pub industry when she released Web of Frost
The app "Self Control" has been useful to keep Lindsay focused as she tries to figure out how to balance productivity with self-care
Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie and generally super smart person, told me, "Time is the least free thing." (Listen to her First Draft with Sarah Enni here)
Lindsay was paired with an artist for the Strange Romance comic anthology,
Lindsay wrote an angry girl comic for A Soul Divided Slash Caged in Flesh, a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde inspired anthology
Direct download: Lindsay_Smith_FINAL.mp3
Ep 191: Ryan Graudin
First Draft Episode #191: Ryan Graudin
Ryan Graudin, New York Times bestselling author of the Wolf by Wolf series, as well as Invictus and The Walled City, talks about staging Redwall battles in the backyard, how bad teachers inspired her love of history, and how restrictions at key times in her life led her imagination to flourish.
The Redwall series by Brian Jacques
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander were among the fantasy stories Ryan devoured after she discovered Redwall
AIM: AOL instant messenger
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was a novel Ryan devoured, and was so upset by the fact that it didn't have a sequel that she made her first foray into fan fiction
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bret Lott author of Oprah Book Club pick Jewel, who taught Ryan at the College of Charleston, where she majored in creative writing
Cathedrals by Raymond Carver was the kind of high literary fiction that was all Ryan was allowed to write about in college (she turned to fantasy after graduation)
Kowloon, the Walled City in Hong Kong that inspired Ryan to write The Walled City
Jackie Pullinger, a woman who worked inside Kowloon for 25 years, and author of Chasing the Dragon: One Woman's Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong's Drug Den and A Crack in the Wall: The Life and Death of Kowloon Walled City. Hearing her story inspired Ryan to explore Kowloon and to write The Walled City
SNIS: Shiny New Idea Syndrome
Anata No Warehouse, an arcade in Tokyo that replicates Kowloon Walled City in painstaking detail
Bloodsport, the Jean Claude Van Damme movie in which certain scenes were filmed in Kowloon Walled City
Ryan's short pitch for Wolf by Wolf is: Code Name Verity (by Elizabeth Wein) meets Inglorious Basterds (movie) meets X-Men (comic book and movie series)
The Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, which is a fantasy world that takes place in an alternate World War I, which inspired Ryan's approach to World War II in Wolf by Wolf
Alvina Ling, VP, Editor-in-Chief of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, was Ryan's editor for The Walled City, Wolf by Wolf, and Blood for Blood
YALLFEST, an annual young adult book festival that takes place in Ryan's hometown of Charleston, S.C.
Ryan asked Alexandra Bracken, author of Passenger, for advice on writing time travel. Alex told her, "Run--don't do it," but Ryan went ahead and did it anyway
Pam Gruber is a Senior Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and she was Ryan's editor for Invictus
Ryan's next book, a stand-alone YA, is pitched as Lost meets Westworld meets Black Mirror (her nickname for it is TwistyAFBook)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark was one of the books Ryan may not have read unless she was in South Korea with limited access to English-word books
Direct download: Ryan_Graudin_FINAL.mp3
Tue, 7 May 2019
Ep 190: Stephanie Garber
First Draft Episode #190: Stephanie Garber
Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series, talks about turning to writing to escape burnout and depression from her first job, persevering when even her Mom told her the writing thing wasn't meant to happen, and the things that make her nervous about releasing Finale, the final book in her breakout series.
The North Texas Teen Book Festival, which Stephanie and I were both in attendance this year. On the sidelines, we made time to sit down and chat for the podcast!
SASE: an abbreviation for 'self-addressed stamped envelope.' An SASE is an envelope on which you have stuck a stamp and written your own name and address.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer; The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld; and Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr were among the first YA books that Stephanie discovered when she was rediscovering writing, while battling burnout and depression at her first job out of college
Big Sur Children's Writing Workshops, where Stephanie said they "eviscerated" her work—but she loved it
Much like Anne Montgomery in the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, Stephanie is a sensitive person who may or may not have ever exclaimed to be "in the depths of despair!"
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which inspired Stephanie to write Caraval (though the books are very different!)
The Game (movie) directed by David Fincher and starring Michael Douglas, which has a passing similarity to some elements of Caraval
Stephanie has said she wanted Caraval to feel like a Baz Luhrmann movie or a Florence and the Machine song
The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, from which we got our glorious .gif of Leonardo DiCaprio holding out a glass of champagne
Stephanie was inspired to write Caraval after hearing the song "Centuries," by Fallout Boy, which features the lyrics: "Some legends are told / Some turn to dust or to gold / But you will remember me / Remember me, for centuries"
Legend by Marie Lu, which Stephanie erroneously believed was about a character named Legend (it is not). Instead of waiting for someone else to write about that kind of character, Stephanie went and did it herself!
Jennifer E. Smith, who was an editor and still does freelance editing, in addition to being the author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Field Notes on Love, and more! (Listen to her First Draft podcast episode here)
SCBWI, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was one place Stephanie turned to for help editing an early version of Caraval (and the editor there told her it would never sell…)
Prim from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the kind of sister character Stephanie wanted to avoid, especially when she was writing Legendary
Stacey Lee, author of Under a Painted Sky and Outrun the Moon, is an author-friend who Stephanie counts on to always tell her the truth
Direct download: Stephanie_Garber_FINAL.mp3


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Q: cannot change file content owned by me (system file) I'm trying to change content of system file, buy without success.
chown by me. i
m able to open and save file, but once o open again, it resets.
echo 5>/sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_sclk_od

gives no error, but file stays the same.
as far as i get file used by the system.
Please advice how to change it. thanks.
I want to build script to change couple files from same directory.
thanks

A: First, do not change ownership or permissions of system files, doing so can break ubuntu. Most are owned by root and keep them that way.
Second, if you have not already, read up on permissions and sudo
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FilePermissions
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo
These are important for security issues.
Third, rather than editing these files you can usually edit a configuration file somewhere.
Fourth run from a root shell:
sudo -i
echo 5>/sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_sclk_od

And fifth, if you want to redirect with sudo use tee or similar
echo 5 | sudo tee >/sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_sclk_od

See When using sudo with redirection, I get 'permission denied' for details

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Research at Radboud University
New 'Stoeltjesdans'-platform gives teachers more insight into their classroom
14 April 2022 Research news item
The National Stop Bullying Day on 19 April will call attention to the fact that one in ten school pupils still suffer from bullying. That is easily two to three pupils per class. This is partly because busy teachers find it difficult to manage the social climate of the classroom. Yvonne van den Berg, a developmental psychologist at Radboud University, has designed a platform called 'Stoeltjesdans' (a reference to the children's game Musical Chairs) to support teachers.
The Radboud Fund is launching a crowdfunding campaign to increase the reach and effectiveness of 'Stoeltjesdans' and thus make it easier for schools to implement this approach to social safety in the classroom.
Bullying is extremely difficult to eradicate, even for teachers who do their utmost to tackle it. "In practice, teachers are not always aware of everything that goes on in the classroom. One in three pupils who are bullied do not tell anyone about it," explains Yvonne van den Berg. "Our Stoeltjesdans platform helps teachers to get a better grip of what is going on in the classroom."
Gut feeling confirmed
Teachers who use Stoeltjesdans platform are given a short questionnaire for their pupils to complete. The questions include who the pupil's best friends are, who they think is the most popular in the class, who is helpful, and who gossips the most. "The results are processed anonymously but still provide a very good picture of the social dynamics in the classroom," says Van den Berg. "In some cases the results will lead to new insights, in others, teachers may be encouraged to see that their gut feeling about bullying in their class is confirmed."
The results of the questionnaire are also used to suggest the most suitable seating plan for a class. The recommended seating plan is based on current academic insights and is automatically adapted to the teacher's preferences, whether that is seating difficult pupils apart or encouraging new friendships.
A miniature society
Now that social safety is playing an increasingly important role in the social debate, it is understandable that the classroom is also getting more attention, according to Van den Berg. "A classroom is a miniature society, where children gain their first experiences of cooperation and learn that you can be critical of each other while still being kind. They learn that you do not necessarily have to like someone to treat them with respect. If Stoeltjesdans can play even a small part in teaching children these lessons, that will already make it worthwhile."
The Radboud Fund is launching a campaign this month to further build on the academic foundation of the platform. "It would be really valuable if we could share the data from Stoeltjesdans with other researchers, obviously anonymously and without commercial motive. So, we will use the campaign donations to invest in the website and make the data and information more easily accessible," says Van den Berg.
"Teachers share all kinds of strategies with us that work for them. It would be great if we could pass such strategies on to thousands of other teachers and then evaluate whether they actually achieve the desired results. I see myself as an intermediary; I bring researchers and teachers together so that both can gain new insights from Stoeltjesdans . Unfortunately, bullying is extremely difficult to wipe out, but if we continue to learn from each other, we will be heading in the right direction."
Will you help us to make children feel safer in the classroom? You too can contribute to the development of Stoeltjesdans . Find out more or donate on the Radboud Fund's website(verwijst naar een andere website).
Yvonne van den Berg, yvonne.vandenberg [at] ru.nl
Science Communication at Radboud University, media [at] ru.nl, +31 (0)24 361 6000
Behaviour, Education, Upbringing

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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← Arthur Yoria, Tody Castillo at Rudz Advance warning: Mogwai →
SXSW preview: Death is not a joyride.
February 27th, 2009 · 1 Comment
foreverphotographystudio.com
Death is not a joyride. takes the term "art rock" to a new level. With costumes, masks, and a multitude of instruments, this experimental collective has earned itself accolades for its energetic and bizarre live performances and original music. With The Human Zoo, the Austin-based band — Lionel Gonzalez (guitar, synths, piano), John Gouda (drums, glockenspiel), Andrew Noble (viola, mandolin), Kacy Ritter (vocals, synths, harp), and Joseph Salazar (bass, synths, organ) — creates a visual spectacle that continues to earn the band devoted fans.
In preparation for the band's showcase at SXSW 2009, Death is not a joyride. multi-instrumentalists Joseph Salazar, Kacy Ritter, and Andrew Noble recently answered some questions for Houston Calling.
Houston Calling: How did Death is not a joyride. get started as a band?
Joseph: We met through a series of ads in the Austin Chronicle. I had known John through playing in several bands together. Kacy had known Lionel since high school. Actually, Kacy and Lionel grew up in Houston. We met Andrew, originally searching for a guitarist, but when we found out he could play viola that was pretty much it — he was our viola player. We played our first show in 2006. After a series of demo tracks, we recorded our first full-length album with John Congleton, of The Paper Chase, in the summer of 2007. Since then we've just been playing shows and touring when we can in support of that CD.
HC: Have you played at South By Southwest before? If so, how was that experience?
Joseph: This will be our first time to play SXSW for an official showcase. Every year we've gone to see so many bands during that week, and seen some amazing shows, and it is great to finally be a part of the actual festival itself. Plus, we are really happy to be playing with Moth!Fight!, which is one of our favorite local bands.
HC: Your band obviously has some interesting influences yet has to be one of most original ones ever created. What do you consider to be your primary musical influences and how do you think those play into your songs?
Andrew: My primary influences are classic rock, and classical music.
Kacy: Musical influences: Dresden Dolls, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Mars Volta, Bjork, whatever. One of the beautiful things about our collaboration is that we are come from different backgrounds both musically and artistically. I think this creates an amalgam of sound that is unique because we don't have one favorite band as a whole, and we are not trying to synthesize a particular genre.
I think one of the other really important things about Death is not a joyride is that we are influenced by a lot of visual art as well, and we are all committed to developing that part of our project. I am a visual and performance artist myself, currently about to finish my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UT, and this has played a huge part in our creative presentation. We work on all of our artwork ourselves, including everything from the masks to concert posters to album artwork.
Joseph: I think we are all inspired by artists who want to explore new sounds and be a little adventurous. Right now, I'm listening to a lot of bands like Gang Gang Dance, Animal Collective and Black Moth Super Rainbow. Bands like that, which have great songs, but also incorporate a wide array of unusual sounds and production techniques to make something that sounds very unique. Bands you might describe as experimental or art rock?
We also love theatrical live shows. Bands that offer something a little more than just getting up on stage and playing their songs.
HC: How do you approach the songwriting process? Is it a collaborative effort, where everyone brings ideas and you work from them, or does one person primarily bring in the ideas and you branch out from those?
Kacy: There is no primary songwriter in this project, and we all have a hand in what is created. It can create a struggle sometimes, but ultimately it means that what we produce is conceptually and texturally diverse.
Joseph: Usually one person has an initial idea and then we develop that into a song. Everyone has brought ideas that have turned into songs. Some songs start with a riff or melody and then we all play along and come up with parts. Some songs are written, recorded and arranged on a computer, with parts being e-mailed or transferred on CDs. Then we go back and learn how to play the song. It usually depends on the type of song and the direction we want to take with it.
HC: How much of an influence was producer John Congleton on The Human Zoo's sound?
Joseph: The album was pretty much written by the time we went into the recording studio. John Congleton definitely had a big influence on the sound, especially on songs like "Masochism In The Trade" and "Rats at the Fair." We have already given him some new recordings we've been working on for him to listen to, so hopefully he can be much more involved in whatever we do next.
HC: How has digital technology changed the way you record and/or write your music?
Andrew: We use the computers and the synthesizers. Digital recording makes it easy to arrange a song from a series of recorded sections. This is helpful when we are trying to determine song lengths and structure. We have a nice collection of virtual and real synths and drum machines that we use frequently. It's amazing how far technology has gone since the days when you needed an expensive studio with real, not virtual let alone digital, recording equipment and synthesizers the size of a dresser to make a good sounding piece of music. Plus the equipment we use probably has a combined value of under 10 grand, so almost anyone can do this.
Kacy: One of the other benefits of digital technology is that you can try out a lot of different ideas and listen back to them without having to be an "active player" at the same time. This is important for us because we can get an idea of what we are doing sonically and try to be — at least a little bit — more objective in understanding what is being created.
HC: Being from Austin, how do you view South By Southwest and what are you hoping to get out of it this year? What are you most looking forward to at SXSW?
Andrew: SXSW is a big party, and parties are fun. Someone said that Austin is the only town cool enough to bring the coolest bands from all over the world to it, instead of our citizens having to travel to see them. I think that's the coolest thing about SXSW, the free airfare. This is our first time playing in the festival, and what I'm most excited about is having a wristband and being able to see the bands for free. My biggest hope for our band for the festival is that more people experience our music because sharing the music you make is what music making is all about.
Kacy: SXSW is a huge event for Austin, and it really brings a sense of international occasion to our city, which is relatively small. The idea of being able to network with so many great artists in such a short period of time is really exciting!
HC: What are some of the bands you're looking forward to seeing at this year's SXSW?
Dinaj: St. Vincent, Amanda Palmer, Monotonix, Cursive, Dredge, Crystal Method, Sage Francis, Beach House, Thee Oh Sees. We heard Gang Gang Dance was playing but can't find them on the schedule.
Death is not a joyride. play its official South By Southwest 2009 showcase at 9pm on Thursday (3.19.09) at Wave (408 E 6th). The Human Zoo is available now.
Here's a video of Death is not a joyride. performing live:
Visit the band online at www.dinaj.net.
Tags: Interviews · Music · Show listings · SXSW
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1 SXSW previews // Mar 21, 2009 at 4:38 pm
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About Houston Calling
Music reviews and news ... From Houston, Texas and beyond.
Thanks for visiting Houston Calling. David has previously written for Space City Rock, Houston Press, All About Jazz, Splendid, Swizzle-Stick, Envy, Free Press Houston, and Houston magazine.
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The Waterloo Regional Police Service investigation into the tragic cycling death of Robert Linsley continues.
Linsley is the 64-year-old man who was struck from behind on King Street near Conestoga Mall on Thursday, Feb. 2 when a motorist was entering King Street from the Highway 85 off-ramp.
The driver remained at the scene and emergency services were called, but Linsley was declared dead in hospital.
As the police continue to look for witnesses (contact Waterloo Regional Police Service Traffic Branch at 519-650-8500 ext. 8856 if you have dash-cam video of this event or were a witness), the community that knew him is grieving his loss.
The 64-year-old Linsley was an artist, author, lecturer and entrepreneur, who made his home in Waterloo Region in 2002, moving here from British Columbia to teach Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo until 2007. He was married to Yvonne Ip, a board member of the Grand Valley Society of Architects, and had three children.
His career as an abstract artist took him to showings in Barcelona and Berlin, as well as galleries in Canada.
He was a fixture in the artistic community here, where he was involved with CAFKA. He published several publications on, and lectured about, abstract art, and was a familiar figure at Communitech where, through a company he co-founded, Phototechnica, was developing technology intended for photographers who wanted to enhance lighting effects in post-production.
According to his brother, Mark, Linsley was a lifelong cyclist who chose to cycle-commute. He was on his way to his work when he was killed.
Linsley's blog, Newabstraction.net, reviewed the work of other abstract artists, and poignantly, features two articles that were posted posthumously. Friends and family are posting condolences to his Facebook page. According to a post from his brother, Linsley's remains will taken to B.C. for a memorial.
The police investigation, as I mentioned, is continuing.
Merges and diverges are among the great dangers for cyclists. Especially merges, where the driver entering the main roadway from a ramp will tend to check behind and to the left for overtaking traffic, without realizing that there is traffic, in the form of a cyclist, in the roadway ahead.
That is not to say that this is what happened in this instance. See the CTV report from last week for the observation that visibility was not an issue.
There's nothing quite like putting your bike on a spin-trainer to make you realize how much coasting you do when you're road riding.
Southern Ontario has been in the grip of winter for the last 3,000 hours -- which is a lot of time that could have been spent cycling.
Caught in that icy grasp are orphan bicycles, locked up awaiting a better cycling day that just never came. Eventually, there will be a thaw, and the two-wheelers locked into snowbanks around the city will transform from bicicles to bicycles.
Glacial debris on the University of Waterloo campus.
Caught in the ice sheets at the Charles Street bus terminal.
This bike, at the House of Friendship, looks like it was trying to crest the snow bank that trapped it.
On a Queen Street alley in Kitchener: no front tire and no saddle. No wonder it's going nowhere.
I recall a March not so many years ago that I was out doing training rides on the local rural roads every weekend. The roads were dry and the birds were singing.
It's March on Saturday. Training rides, anyone?
Bill Parker, vagabond bicyclist, is still riding around Ontario, as I learned Tuesday night when a caller from the Port Carling area contacted me at the office to ask if this guy is for real.
Now, I am not Bill Parker's agent. I don't know him except what I learned from talking to him. I can't suggest that you let him stay at your place. You can listen to his story, read some of the other posts and make up your own mind. I do think it's remarkable that a lone man can spend four years on the road, riding around Ontario, getting chicken wings and a place to sleep, due to the (albeit cautious) kindness of strangers.
"So Bill Parker was knocking on doors on my road last night in our rural community. Something that simply doesnt happen out here!
"As I was bringing in groceries from the truck I hear this guy across the street introducing himself as an athelete and explaining his story. He has no money, his bike is broken and he is making his way up the Northbay to see a guy about some business.
"He asked my neighbour if he could spend the night on the property. So naturally, my first reaction, go inside and lock the door! Mike comes home and heads over to the neighbours to see what the story is. In the mean time I google Bill Parker and found this, I called the number and spoke with a lovely gentlemen who is following Bill Parker's road trip.
"Bill has been living on the road and biking since 2008! As night falls he either hitches a ride or starts knocking. This Man lives his life relying on the kindness of others. After reading some of the comments from thoes who have hosted Bill inthe past, I was a little less reluctant to help the man.
"Lone behold, he spent the night inthe house up the hill (not currently occupied) I provided a warm meal, gave him the comforter off the bed and offered a pillow. He managed to snag Mikes last beer ( which is an incredible feat all on its own!) and he even managed to talk his way into taking the entire front wheel off of Mikes new Bike so he could continue on in the morning.
"So, if Bill comes knocking, don`t be affraid, yes he is a little socially awkward, a strange but very kind man. Dont be put off by his way of simply coming out and asking for anything he may need. Remember that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time. and just because someone doesnt live their life like you do, it doesnt mean their are not an honast harmless being.Good Luck Bill, safe and happy travel`s"
Feel like a winter bike ride?
If you are free Thursday between 12:15 p.m. and about 1 p.m., you might come out to Kitchener City Hall for the Coldest Bike Ride of the Year. Riders of all abilities will ride from Kitchener City Hall to Waterloo City Hall.
There's a Facebook page if you want to go through the formalities of signing up. The KW Bike Polo people have invited their members to join, and bring their mallets for an impromptu game of shinny.
Unlike Toronto's Coldest Bike Ride of the Year, which was held on Jan. 30 in record-breaking warm temperatures -- it hit 14C that day and some of the riders wore shorts -- Waterloo Region's Coldest Bike Ride of the Year (as determined by average temperatures compiled from the University of Waterloo weather station) will actually be held in winter weather. The predicted high is minus 3C, and the weather gods are saying there should be light snow to begin the day with heavy snow by afternoon.
If you're hesitant about winter riding, here's a chance to ride with a bike-friendly group.
It seems like overkill to put studs on in the winter, but studs have given me more cycling options.
You can always take the main drags, but riding through waves of slushy-salty snow, and dodging the cars that seem to think the roads are bare and dry, is not really my idea of cycle-fun.
So what are the options? Taking the sidewalks? That's even more fun when they are narrowed by snow piles. Bike lanes? That's where the plows push the snow. The spaghetti-like routes of the suburban sideroads will get you there someday and will avoid the traffic, but the checkerboard of hard-pack snow and sheets of ice on poorly serviced sideroads is dodgy riding for the best of treads.
My answer for all conditions is studs. If I'm forced to suddenly go from plowed pavement to snowy margins (cause some motorist was making it tight for me), I feel as if I have sufficient control. On those night trips home, where the roadway is so poorly illuminated that I'm never sure what I'm about to hit, I breathe easier.
Yes, the good studded rubber is expensive. I buy cheap (who would have thought?) and don't put them on until I absolutely have to, and take them off once it is pretty likely I can avoid the last few snow days. May the tread be with you.
I just about spit out a shortbread cookie when The Weather Network announcer, in converstion with a field person on the streets of oh-so-frigid Calgary said, "That's unbelieveable. A cyclist just went by you."
I will be so glad when the cliche of an insane person is NOT a cyclist riding in winter.
The best gift, of course, is that you will ride with us. The next best gift is that you be just out of shape enough that we will win the sprint to the next hydro pole.
1. Fenders. We may peel these off in the good weather, but for slushy roads, nothing beats fenders. Make them light, plastic and/or rust-proof.
2. Winter riding gloves. I have been happy to use the full-fingered glove, but the lobster mitts are especially good on really icy February days.
3. Skull cap-style tuque to wear under your helmet.
4. Lower-face mask. I have used a neoprene face mask, but my glasses fog up. A polar fleece neck warmer that you can pull up to cover your chin and jaw-line will be effective.
5. Bicycle boots or boot covers. I hate having cold feet. And despite the fenders, your feet will be covered in slush in no time.
6. Lights. It's dark in the morning and the evening. Windshields are covered with snow and gunk. Visibility is a priority.
8. Studded tires. The studs on the cheap ones will wear off after a season, but may be all your budget can bear.
I'm starting to see fatbikes everywhere.
The first one was this Salsa Mukluk 2, in the window of Braun's bicycles in Kitchener.
A sweet bike, and surprisingly light considering it has 3.7 inch balloon tires on the thing.
So the next day, I see someone riding something similar along the bottom of my backyard, and then another one on the street. Yeah, it was snowing today, but not long enough to make you put your road bike away, surely.
Patrick Verriet at Braun's says there's a lot of interest in the fatbike (not fat tire bike?) for winter riding, since you can ride with a low tire pressure and essentially have a snowshoe's worth of traction connecting with the road. And bumps? Icy washboard is no problem, although Patrick says he sees the Mukluk as appealing more to those who want to ride the hydrocut or a snow-slicked mountain bike facility.
Remember when ski resorts said they would "never" allow snowboards to mix with skiers? It won't be long before all of them are offering mid-winter ski-hill trail packages for cyclists. Money talks.
Martin Leonard has let his Fatbike Alaska blog go fallow, but there are some good posts there about the challenges of winter fatbiking, and some links. Guitar Ted posted earlier this year about fatbikes at Twenty Nine Inches.
While I like the notion of bike tech that will get more people riding in the winter, the skinny-tire guy in me is a bit revolted by the rubber on these fatbikes. I feel like the old fart rider who says, "If ordinary winter-studded tires were good enough for me pa, they's good enough for me."


DAVID&SCHWEITZER Contemporary is pleased to announce Arnold Mesches participation in the American Academy of Arts and Letters 2017 Invitational Exhibition of Visual Arts. The inclusion of his work marks the Academy's first post-humous participation of an artist in the Academy's Invitational Exhibition of Visual Arts.
Paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and installations by 35 contemporary artists will be exhibited in the galleries of the American Academy of Arts and Letters on historic Audubon Terrace (Broadway between 155 and 156 Streets) from Thursday, March 9 through Sunday, April 9, 2017. Exhibiting artists were chosen from a pool of nearly 165 nominees submitted by members of the Academy, America's most prestigious honorary society of architects, artists, writers, and composers.


When traveling Vietnam with your kids, there are some top tips to pack that you should know. Let's find out what they are in the following information of this article. 1. Medicine and first-aid essentials for your Vietnam travel with kids In case there is something may happen in a strange a country, it's suggested to bring some medicine and first-aid essentials such as aspirin, medication for allergic reactions, antiseptic cream, and bandages. Additionally, you also should pack an insect spray in your luggage to protect you and your kids from mosquitos bite and other insect when abroad. Moreover, Vietnam is a tropical country which is quite hot, especially in the summer, therefore prepare a sunscreen tube is not a bad idea. 2. Clothes and toys for traveling Vietnam with your kids It is so great to encourage your kids to pack their own clothes as they can choose which clothes they like, but you should keep your eyes on them and help them if necessary. Apart from the outfit for sightseeing, you should bring some socks, pajamas, underwear, and a coat for your children. Also, keep in mind the luggage limitation. Don't pack too much clothes if they are not really necessary. Along with clothes, you can bring some toy for your kids as most children love to bring toys with them when traveling (but just 1 or 2 small toys will be much better). 3. Plastic bags and zip bags for Vietnam trip with kids Plastic bags are also necessary if you travel with your kids because it is the greatest way to protect clean clothes from the dirty ones. Moreover, you also need some zip bags for the trip so that stuffs of each child can be put separately. Therefore your children will be able to find their own clothes easily without making your suitcase in a mess to find their clothes during the trip. Just-in: Vietnam visa requirement Before traveling to Vietnam, you should check your Vietnam visa requirement first. If you are not on the exemption list or want to stay in Vietnam more than visa exemption days then Vietnam visa will be a must. As for your kids, if they have their own passports, you have to apply for Vietnam visa for them. ► Check list of nationals of Vietnam visa exemption here. At the moment, there are up to 3 ways to get a visa for Vietnam as follows: Vietnam visa through Vietnam Embassy To apply for this traditional Vietnam visa, applicants need to bring and submit documents directly to Vietnam Embassy or Consulate and wait for at least 5 working days to get visa processed. Also, ask them for more detail as each Embassy has its own requirement and Vietnam visa fees. Vietnam Visa on arrival For those who travel to Vietnam by air, Vietnam visa on arrival may be suitable for which applicants can apply online and get full Vietnam visa when arrive at Vietnam airport. The processing time takes only 1 or 2 working days or even a few hours in urgent or super urgent cases. There are 2 kinds of fees that applicants have to pay including the service fee and visa stamp fee. The service fee is the payment for the visa company's service that you applied for to get approval letter while the latter is the payment for Vietnam Immigration Officer when you get your visa stamped at Vietnam airport. Full up-to-date information about Vietnam visa on arrival for all travelers around the world is available at https://www.vietnam-visa.com/ - a great portal for visa information and assistance. Vietnam e-visa Vietnam e-visa is for those who are in the 46 countries list. This list can be found here. Note that this kind of visa is applicable for one single entry only and valid in 30 days so if your stay in Vietnam is longer, please consider 2 above suitable options. Hope our information can help you prepare for your trip easier and wish you have a wonderful time with your children. Welcome to Vietnam!


Tired of worrying about what to do with the junk car on your property? You're overdue for a better car but are lacking the cash needed for a down payment. Taking the time and effort to sell the junk car doesn't sound like your cup of tea. Junk yards don't have the most honest reputations so you're not wanting to go that route either. What you're looking for is a good reliable name to sell your junk car to. Your search is over, you've found Junk Car Traders.
We're a business that recycles autos and salvages the working parts while giving you much needed cash. We give more cash for junky cars locally than anyone else will, we're sure of it. You'll be glad to part with your junker with the peace that you've gotten the most money for it.
We buy cars in all sorts of conditions because we judge them by weight, not the amount of parts that are functioning. Faster than parting out and selling the car by yourself, that's for sure. If there are plenty of working parts on your car, you'll get paid for them too. When we come to pick up your car in Morgantown, you'll get your cash right away, or we'll help you make a charitable donation, we'll take car of the details and give you the receipt you can save for your taxes.
Many people all over Morgantown have sold us their junk cars, why not you? Does your car have extensive accident damage? Or just full of broken parts and a salvage title? Whatever type of car it is, or even if it doesn't have a title, we want to offer you cash for it.
Your car will be removed for free, and your payout much higher than any junk yard in the Morgantown area will give you.
Live life to the fullest with a dependable car rather than wait around at mechanic shops or waiting to be picked up in the middle of nowhere. A short phone call is what stands between you and hundreds of maybe even thousands of dollars in less than 24 hours.
Call us right now, and we'll come pick up your car immediately. 888-492-3706.


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Core Pages
India and Australia Sign Uranium Deal to Power the Two Nations
OAEC September 30, 2014 Blog No Comments
India and Australia have signed a trade agreement which will see Australia supplying the sub-continent with uranium for energy use as they look to tie up more trade links in Asia.
This deal comes as a great benefit to both nations as it provides Australia with an in to the burgeoning Indian market and gifts them another buyer for their large piles of natural resources in the form of uranium. A third of the world's uranium reserves are in Australia and so the country has massive clout within the market. As India's economy marches forward, one of the fastest growing on the planet, Australia will be looking to make the most of its resources for trade and diplomacy links. The benefit to India is that, as an energy starved nation, it can now move forward in providing more energy in the form of nuclear power and similar deals with France and Russia mean that it is really pushing forward towards its energy goals.
India has been building on its nuclear energy ambitions since 2008 when US sanctions against them were eased and they sold nuclear equipment to the country. India currently has 20 small nuclear reactors within six plants and operates only a few of those but the government has greater ambitions by wishing to raise its nuclear energy capacity to 63,000 MW within 2032 by adding $85 billion worth of reactors in order to combat the crippling power shortages which majorly impact the country's economic growth.
Sanjay Bhattacharya, Indian foreign ministry joint secretary said of the deal:
"For us, Australia is a major supplier of resources, particularly energy necessary for our development needs,"
And Australia is confident of the safeguards in place that will prevent India from weaponising their uranium, which has been a concern to some in the international community. The Trade Minister Andrew Robb declared this week that:
"The negotiations and work that's gone on between authorities in India and Australia have gone on for some years to develop a bilateral nuclear co-operation agreement which meets the international requirements and we are satisfied… that all the requirements have been met,"
These negotiations have actually been ongoing since 2012 when the previous Labor government overturned the trading ban of uranium to India.
For more information on incorporating in Australia visit us at www.startanaustraliancompany.com or email [email protected]
For more information on Incorporating in India visit http://www.openaeuropeancompany.com/country-pages/india.html or email us at – [email protected]
Australian bank accounts
New Indonesian Consul to Darwin Looking to Boost Trade & Solidify Ties
OAEC


A rolling groundswell of progressive developments in the cannabis use seascape, driven by winds of change in North America's political arenas, is underscoring the optimism of hemp-derived cannabinoid product maker Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) (OTCQX: PHVAF) as the company builds its product line with a view on the industry's horizon.
Among the forces driving the exuberance were news that Michigan had become the tenth state (plus Washington, DC) to legalize recreational marijuana use and that medicinal marijuana extract use won over voters in Utah and Missouri, solidly securing more than half of U.S. states in the medical use camp despite ongoing disdain at the federal level.
But even the federal government has been signaling a slow U-turn on its prohibition of cannabis use. Congressional legislators have been preparing to deregulate hemp cultivation in the agricultural industry, and the House of Representatives' swing toward the Democratic camp in the elections likely assures that it will happen in the near future, if agreements stall this year. Cannabis advocates also celebrated the ouster of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the nation's top law enforcement official, noted for his opposition to cannabis legalization, following the elections.
Phivida also celebrated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recent approval of the first pharmaceutical with natural cannabis as an ingredient, which forced the Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify cannabidiol (CBD) from its restricted Schedule 1 drug status to the far more legally accessible Schedule 5, albeit on a basis limited only to products approved by the FDA (http://nnw.fm/cO13o).
Phivida launched its Oki brand (www.FeelOki.com) of active hemp-infused functional beverages and supplements on September 12, anticipating consumer availability in up to 2,400 natural specialty stores nationwide, which could include access to major chains such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, Publix and Albertsons. The company's Vida+ brand (www.HempVidaPlus.com) of CBD hemp oil extracts, tinctures and capsules target a broad market, and the company's August 15 announcement that it will partner with licensed Canadian medical marijuana producer WeedMD Inc. (TSX.V: WMD) (OTCQX: WDDMF) (FSE: 4WE) to establish Cannabis Beverages Inc. ("CanBev") opens even further possibilities in the Canadian market (http://nnw.fm/e0Taw).
On November 2, Phivida announced the appointment of Greg McCauley as its senior vice president of distribution (http://nnw.fm/oANb8) to optimize the company's presence in the high-growth premium functional food and beverage markets.
McCauley brings with him over 30 years of professional networking and experience in the consumer products industry with major brands such as Jägermeister, Muscle Milk and Red Bull.


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01 – Robert W.H. Echlin age 36 (QR1001 EN)
01 – Robert W.H. Echlin age 36 (1904 – May 10, 1940)
On May 10, 1940, a Bristol Blenheim of the Royal Air Force crashed in Piershil. With a deafening bang, the plane landed in a potato field on the Oud-Piershilse road. Private Bram Douw was quickly on the scene and tried to free the heavily injured pilot, Hugh Rowe, from the burning plane. Klaas van Bergeijk, also arrived, cut the pilot's straps loose and they managed to get him out of the plane together. Because of all consternation, they forgot the dome in the middle of the plane in which the gunner was.
The probably already deceased Echlin remained in the burning plane. The following day, 11 May 1940, the 36-year-old Canadian was buried with military honor in Piershil. Even after the war, Robert Echlin remained buried in Piershil and as a result, the cemetery behind the church was given the status of 'Commonwealth War Grave'.
NB: research (by C. Gelderblom) has shown that Bob Echlin was born December 14, 1902 and died on May 10, 1940. That means that Bob was 37 years old when he died. However, the tombstone states that he was 36 years old.
Photos 'Commonwealth War Grave' – Piershil
On the stone is the saying "Per ardua ad astra", the motto of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). It means as much as "through setbacks to the stars." Of course it means that you have to overcome obstacles to reach the top. The grave of Echlin is regularly involved in commemorations. Similarly on May 10, 2000 when former members of the No. 600 Squadron from the R.A.F. visited Piershil. Under the watchful eye of many residents, Mayor Kolbach laid a wreath of red roses. Among those present was Hugh Rowe. Eighty-year-old Bram Douw, who saved the life of Rowe together with Klaas van Bergeijk, was present as well.
Commemoration 1990
Photos commemoration 2007
In Memory of Pilot Officer
ROBERT WYATT HAMILTON ECHLIN
77117, 600 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 36 on Friday 10 May 1940.
Pilot Officer ECHLIN, Son of Edmund Burke Echlin and Margaret F. Echlin, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; husband of Winifred Joan Echlin, of Ottawa, Ontario.
Remembered with honour
PIERSHIL PROTESTANT CHURCHYARD
Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
On Christmas Eve candles are lit throughout the Netherlands at war graves. This has been done in the Hoeksche Waard since 2016, at the Canadian cemetery in Holten this tradition has been going on for more than 25 years. It gave Dick Jansen from Burgum the idea to draw national attention to this promotion via Facebook. Thanks to his efforts, candles are lighted every year in hundreds of places in the Netherlands. The initiative is seen as a wonderful gesture at an emotional moment, for those who gave their lives in World War II for our freedom.
01 – Crashlocation Piershil: click here


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Everton star Toni Duggan backs 'Football For Change' to help disadvantaged young people
Everton star Toni Duggan has backed an initiative called Football For Change, which is aiming to provide opportunities for the most disadvantaged young people in the UK.
The forward, who rose through the ranks with the Blues before leaving in 2013 to ply her trade at Manchester City, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid only to return home this season, believes the football stars and business leaders joining together to support this charitable project have a real power "to make the difference to young lives".
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Coady, André Gomes and Anthony Gordon launched Football For Change earlier this year, while legends like Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Neville Southall have also thrown their support behind the initiative as have Gary Neville and Gary Lineker.
The social mobility movement is bringing together football stars and business leaders to help young people get into education or find employment opportunities, as well as helping others from challenged communities who face barriers unlocking their full potential.
"I am really proud to join the Football for Change team," Duggan said.
"We will help drive positive changes for young people who have been devoid of opportunity in both education and employment – a situation made even worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There's a collective goal from all the players and business leaders involved to give deprived young people the skills they need to prepare themselves for a brighter future.
"It is about making a difference to their lives because too often, those from socially and economically challenged communities face a real struggle to reach their potential, through no fault of their own. I've seen it growing up myself. There is a huge amount of work to do."
Football For Change, which is being sponsored by Swinton Insurance and chaired by its CEO Ian Donaldson, was set up in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic due to the rising number of young people losing opportunities in education and employment, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds being disproportionately affected.
The charity will distribute grants to organisations supporting young people, in the most deprived areas of the country, with a focus on helping them into education, employment and training.
It has set an ambitious target of raising a £250,000 fund at a star-studded gala dinner at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel on 13 November.
Players like Jack Harrison from Leeds and Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke have also backed Football for Change which will use the football stars and business leaders involved, who have succeeded in the face of adversity, as role models to promote social mobility.
Swinton Insurance CEO, Ian Donaldson, said:
"Football For Change has the power to change lives. It is gaining real momentum and is attracting support from business leaders and football stars from all over the country. It is fantastic to have Toni's support."
Much-loved TV personality Matt Lucas is involved in the charitable initiative as are Mark Wright and Russell Howard who will host the fundraiser together in November.
For more information about how you can attend the gala dinner or get involved, please visit www.footballforchange.org.uk or contact josh@footballforchange.org.uk
READ MORE: Blues legends urge fans to support a vital stem cell swabbing clinic at Goodison Park


I love the green and brown birthday card!! I made one just like it this weekend for my nieces little boy. He is turning 1 this month. I want to thank you for posting your card and sharing your ideas and letting people use them.
Thanks for your comment, Christine! My mum made these cards, so I'll pass your comment on to her. This is my old blog address, a more up to date one is at http://www.flushedwithrosycolour.com where I post regularly. Thanks again for your visit!


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Warner Bros 2021 Movies to Debut in Theater and on HBO Max at Same Time
Friday December 4, 2020 2:24 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Warner Bros will debut all its movie releases next year on the HBO Max streaming service at the same time as their theatrical release dates, reports Variety.
Like "Wonder Woman 1984," which lands on HBO Max for Christmas the same time as it debuts in theaters, the films that Warner Bros plans to release in 2021 will be available to HBO Max subscribers for 31 days.
The list of 17 movies includes "The Matrix 4" and Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" remake, Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical adaptation of "In the Heights," the "Sopranos" prequel "The Many Saints of Newark," and "The Suicide Squad."
After the one-month mark, those movies will continue to play in theaters until they reach the traditional home entertainment frame, after which people will be able to rent them through online platforms like Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play.
WarnerMedia chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff referred to the model as a "unique one-year plan." Executives at the company say the initiative isn't expected to continue beyond 2021, but is being considered a temporary solution in response to the ongoing global heath crisis.
The decision highlights the hardship facing movie theaters and the increasing importance of streaming services in the midst of the pandemic, and upends the longstanding business model in the commercial cinema industry of observing a significant period of theatrical exclusivity.
Theater chains usually want to attract audiences for as long as possible before they have the option to stream movies at home, with some requiring a 90-day period of exclusivity before movies go to home streaming services.
It remains unclear whether the 17 movies will still be eligible for awards. The traditional theatrical release plan is a proven route to eligibility, since film awards typically require a theatrical run for their candidates.
HBO Max is owned by Warner Bros' ultimate parent company, AT&T. The service costs $14.99 and is available as a native app on the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, but second and third-generation Apple TV owners need to AirPlay HBO Max content from an iOS device to the TV to watch. HBO Max is only available in the U.S., so international markets won't be affected.
Tag: HBO Max
[ 124 comments ]
Abazigal
the question is... how much are they charging you to watch those movies?? Because disney didn't hold back with that at all...
From what I see, it's available to anyone with a HBO subscription. Nobody is going to have to pay anything extra.
FightTheFuture
This will not be temporary solution. Theaters are dead, Streaming platforms are the winners.
People are social creatures. There's a reason live concerts and sports still sell out stadiums. Many theater chains will die from this pandemic but there will be a resurgence when it's safe again.
Reason077
I do like the Cinema but I think its going to take a long time before everyone is comfortable sitting next to other people, even once it becomes 'safe' to do so.
The cinema experience has actually been great lately. Easy to get good seats and guaranteed not to have anyone sitting next to you. Plenty of space to stretch out and get comfortable ?
I also think it's important to support cinemas during this difficult time. Many of them might not survive, unfortunately.
laurieballard
At least it gives people the choice, getting to the Cinema these days is difficult with a new baby so it helps to have the option to watch them at home.
JRobinsonJr
HBO / Warner should have the balls to say it like it is - what's happening to cinemas is exactly the same as what happened to music stores. Everyone moaned when iTunes arrived and the same is happening now. This isn't temporary by any means and they know it.
Except that regardless of where you get your music - traditional store, iTunes, etc. - doesn't fundamentally change your listening experience. Watching a streaming movie at home is very different from a theater.
Ironman226


Solar Energy system design is hard enough; you can't be expected to analyze and understand all the variables and building codes impacting the existing structure and the loads that will act upon it. At Pacifico Engineering, we have been helping solar energy contractors fit solar energy systems onto the existing structural design of a building for years.
you need to be sure that the structure will be able to support the weight of the system as well as all the other loads that will act upon it such as wind, snow, and other environmental factors that could cause it to damage a building or the system itself.
You want every solar energy system you install to be safe and secure when the job is complete. Not only is this the right thing to do, it also prevents you from returning for expensive call backs that can eat into your profits and create scheduling nightmares.
it is critical that you use an experienced structural engineer to design the structural mounting system. Poorly evaluated structural conditions can result in overloading the existing structure and causing dangerous and expensive roof collapses. These catastrophic failures can damage not only the existing structure, but the expensive system you installed and result in other costly legal and insurance issues as a result.
With our experience, we have developed complicated mathematical equations to evaluate the components and material properties involved in your solar energy system.
We analyze it piece by piece, all the way to the ground. We never guess. We use a proven exact science to structure the layout of where and how panels are placed on a building to ensure the system's and the building's structural integrity for years to come. This analysis and design protects you, the building, the solar energy system and the building's occupants.
Pacifico Engineering's licensed engineers never leave any calculation to chance.


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Mike Krzyzewski Concerned with Player Safety After Virginia Fans Storm Court
Alex KayCorrespondent IMarch 1, 2013
Mike Krzyzewski is no stranger to fans storming the court, but he's starting to become concerned that an incident may arise sooner than later due to these celebrations.
According to ESPN's staff, the Duke Blue Devils head coach raised an issue with fans rushing the floor after his team fell to the Virginia Cavaliers on the road on Thursday night:
When we've lost in the last 20 years, everybody rushes the court. Whatever you're doing, you need to get the team off first. Celebrate, have fun, obviously you won. That's cool, but just get our team off the court and our coaching staff before students come on.
Krzyzewski went on to talk about how it would be extremely easy for a rowdy fan in a hostile environment to hit or push him or one of his players, leading to potential suspensions or a national news story.
Coach K isn't trying to end the surge to the court after a huge win, though. Rather, he hopes to improve security measures for the members of the visiting team and help get them off the court before the wave of fans reaches the playing surface.
When the Cavaliers supporters hit the hardwood, it left the Blue Devils players and coaches scrambling to reach the visiting locker room before being engulfed in a sea of orange and navy blue.
Getting up close and personal with the youth of Charlottesville didn't improve Krzyzewski's mood much. According to a FOXSports report, the coach traded profanities with at least one fan and had to be restrained by a security guard.
Duke assistants Jeff Capel and Steve Wojciechowski and a few Duke players reportedly also traded profanities with fans.
Coach K brushed off the confrontation.
"We always get yelled at," he said. "I've been called more things, about my mother or my kids; that's something that's happened for 25 years. That means nothing. Safety is something, and that's what I'm talking about."
This was the fourth loss for Duke during the 2012-13 campaign, and it was the fourth time the court was rushed. Virginia joins NC State, Miami and Maryland as teams that have defeated the Blue Devils at home this season.
While fans leaving their seats and joining the players in celebration on the court is a long-time college tradition, it's becoming more dangerous to be wearing an away jersey in the middle of the frenzy.
In NC State's upset vs. Duke back in January, a fan in a wheelchair rushed the court with the students and had his chair knocked over and almost trampled by the storming mob. Star forward C.J. Leslie played hero, as he was able to grab the disabled fan before he was seriously injured.
Duke forward Mason Plumlee echoed Coach K's concerns about rowdy fans finding their way onto the floor after an upset win. Plumlee also said people were threatening him on Twitter before the game.
"People run up to you; we don't know any of these. People are tweeting us telling us they're going to hit us in the (groin)," he said. "You don't know what's going to happen; guys should be defensive. Half these people are drunk. You don't know what's going to happen.
"They should do a better job, and I'm sure they'll look and realize that, but (if) they run at us, it's fair game. We're just protecting ourselves."
Expect the NCAA to explore safety measures and punishments for court-storming now that Krzyzewski—one of the most respected voices in all of basketball—has lodged a complaint against the process.


(KALB) - The 2018 regular season has passed us by. It's hard to believe, as well, considering it felt like just yesterday we were kicking the season off.
It's been an exciting season for many schools around Central Louisiana and if you've been following this list, you have gotten to know some of the area's best talent. Week Ten was another perfect showcase for players across Cenla, so without further ado, here's the Top Five Plays of Week Ten.
Daniel Miller helped lead the Tigers to cusp of another district title, only to have Caldwell defeat Marksville in Week 10. This long touchdown run has become the norm for Miller, and the Marksville Tigers hope he's got some more magic left as the Tigers host Baker this Friday night.
The Tioga offense has been exciting all season long and Antonio Logan has been one of the reasons why. Logan gets the edge and gets the touchdown and the Indians get the victory.
Last week's Athlete of the Week Richard Chark makes these kind of plays weekly and he's a big reason why the Trojans are the #9 seed in the 4A playoffs. Despite the play, the Trojans would fall to the Lions.
Back to the Tioga game we go where Tavon Culbert, he's busy shakin' and bakin', puts the skates on THREE, count'm THREE defenders on his way to the endzone. He get's the touchdown and the Indians are the #17 seed in the 4A playoffs.
Many is the number one seed in 2A and it's because they're littered with talented players, including Caleb Leach, who takes this pass 97 yards for the touchdown. Many is rolling into the postseason, with their eyes on another trip to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
In a few weeks, we'll recap the top ten plays from the entire 2018 season, and we'll have some seriously tough decisions to make. Thanks for following us throughout the season and good luck to your schools in the post-season.


This exceptional as-new home promises executive North Shore living with instant lifestyle appeal. Completed in 2014, exquisitely appointed with high-end finishes and appliances for twenty-first-century comfort. Impressive sense of arrival, gated entry, and a handsome oversized front door sweeping into the entry hall. This custom designed residence offers a total of 6 bedrooms, split over 3 levels, this home provides space to meet everyone's needs.
One of the best locations in Auckland with great expansive views to Onepoto Domain. Located only minutes walking to a huge playground in the Domain. This street shares a peaceful modestly while it provides convenience to all nearby amenities.
-The master bedroom is full of luxuries with corner spa bath ensuite with its own separate living/study space.
-Spacious open plan kitchen with Bosch appliances and dining flows to deck with great expansive views to Onepoto Domain.
-Separate granny set up with 2 bedrooms with its own dining, bath, laundry, deck and access.
-Rumpus/media room overlooks garden and domain and flows outdoors.
-Footsteps to local shops, public transports, park and school; Only minutes driving to CBD.
Our vendors have a new job and a new home in Aussie, all that remains is to sell this fantastic huge family home. It will provide fabulous luxury living for one lucky purchaser and their family - make it yours!


text:
package org.ohdsi.webapi.feasibility;

import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonFormat;
import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
import java.io.Serializable;
import java.util.Date;
import javax.persistence.Column;
import javax.persistence.EmbeddedId;
import javax.persistence.Entity;
import javax.persistence.JoinColumn;
import javax.persistence.ManyToOne;
import javax.persistence.MapsId;
import javax.persistence.Table;
import org.ohdsi.webapi.GenerationStatus;
import org.ohdsi.webapi.source.Source;

/**
 *
 * @author Chris Knoll <cknoll@ohdsi.org>
 */
@Entity(name = "StudyGenerationInfo")
@Table(name="feas_study_generation_info")
public class StudyGenerationInfo implements Serializable {
 private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;

  @EmbeddedId
  private StudyGenerationInfoId id;

  @JsonIgnore
  @ManyToOne
  @MapsId("studyId")
  @JoinColumn(name="study_id", referencedColumnName="id")
  private FeasibilityStudy study;

  @JsonIgnore
  @ManyToOne
  @MapsId("sourceId")
  @JoinColumn(name="source_id", referencedColumnName="source_id")
  private Source source;

  @JsonFormat(shape = JsonFormat.Shape.STRING, pattern = "yyyy-MM-dd, HH:mm")
  @Column(name="start_time")
  private Date startTime;

  @Column(name="execution_duration")
  private Integer executionDuration;

  @Column(name="status")
  private GenerationStatus status;

  @Column(name="is_valid")
  private boolean isValid;

  public  StudyGenerationInfo()
  {
  }

  public  StudyGenerationInfo(FeasibilityStudy study, Source source)
  {
    this.id = new StudyGenerationInfoId(study.getId(), source.getSourceId());
    this.source = source;
    this.study = study;
  }

  public StudyGenerationInfoId getId() {
    return id;
  }

  public void setId(StudyGenerationInfoId id) {
    this.id = id;
  }

  public Date getStartTime() {
    return startTime;
  }

  public StudyGenerationInfo setStartTime(Date startTime) {
    this.startTime = startTime;
    return this;
  }

  public Integer getExecutionDuration() {
    return executionDuration;
  }

  public StudyGenerationInfo setExecutionDuration(Integer executionDuration) {
    this.executionDuration = executionDuration;
    return this;
  }

  public GenerationStatus getStatus() {
    return status;
  }

  public StudyGenerationInfo setStatus(GenerationStatus status) {
    this.status = status;
    return this;
  }

  public boolean isIsValid() {
    return isValid;
  }

  public StudyGenerationInfo setIsValid(boolean isValid) {
    this.isValid = isValid;
    return this;
  }

  public FeasibilityStudy getStudy() {
    return study;
  }

  public Source getSource() {
    return source;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Adds a brand new General Ledger report in the Accounting menu.
Fixes Excel report export for empty accounts.
Fixes mobile landing sign in page issue on android devices.
Fixes wrong taxes produced when importing a non-US product template in a US account.
Fixes foreign-currency un-deposited sales receipt that created a bank deposit in home currency bank when allocated to invoice.


text:
Spike Lee war epic starring Vietnamese actress to hit Netflix
By Long Nguyen &nbspMay 9, 2020 | 08:45 am GMT+7
'Da 5 Bloods' will premiere on the streaming platform next month, featuring Vietnamese actress and film producer Ngo Thanh Van.
The American director announced Friday his new film "Da 5 Bloods" would be released globally on June 12.
The movie stars a host of Hollywood actors including Chadwick Boseman, Jean Reno, Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors and Paul Walter Hauser. It was filmed in Vietnam last summer, when Lee posted a photo of himself and Ngo Thanh Van, or Veronica Ngo, online, saying she would play Hanoi Hannah.
Ngo Thanh Van and Spike Lee on set. Photo courtesy of Spike Lee.
As Hanoi Hannah, a Vietnamese radio presenter known for her work during the war, Van portrays a real character for the first time.
"Da 5 Bloods" depicts four veterans returning to Vietnam searching for the remains of their fallen squad leader, amid the lure of buried treasure. Battling forces of humanity and nature, they are confronted by the eternal ravages of the Vietnam War. The film is currently one of Netflix's most high profile summer releases.
Spike Lee is well-known for his directorial work in "Do the Right Thing" [1989], "Jungle Fever" [1991], "Malcolm X" [1992], "He Got Game" [1998], and especially "BlacKkKlansman" [2018], which earned him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Ngo Thanh Van is an A-list Vietnamese actress and producer, appearing in Hollywood films like "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" [2017], "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" [2016] and the upcoming American superhero film "The Old Guard."
Vietnamese actress
Veronica Ngo
Reading: Spike Lee war epic starring Vietnamese actress to hit Netflix


text:
Healthy Aging Guide
Healthy Aging Basics
Healthy Retirement
Eye Health Assessment
Weight Loss & Diet Plans
Healthy Seniors News & Features
Guys, Don't Forget These Checkups as You Age
Guys, a long and healthy life starts having with a plan. Begin with your annual trip to the doctor.
Dos and Don'ts for Senior Fitness
Staying active helps you live a longer, healthier life, and may also boost your brain health. See our dos and don'ts for healthy aging for seniors.
High-Dose Vitamin D Won't Prevent Seniors' Falls
Preliminary studies suggested vitamin D may increase muscle strength and improve balance, so Johns Hopkins researchers investigated whether high doses of vitamin D might reduce the risk of falls in people aged 70 and older.
Biden Fractures Foot, Will Wear Orthopedic Boot
Biden was playing with Major, one of his two German shepherds, when he slipped and fell.
Heart Health and Aging
Your risk of heart disease rises as you get older, but there are things you can do to slow or stop the process.
1 in 3 U.S. Seniors Prescribed Inappropriate Drugs
In fact, these patients are prescribed twice as many drugs as needed and are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized or wind up in the emergency department.
Lockdown Could Worsen Hearing Woes for Seniors
Older adults who use hearing aids may be using them less, because they think there's no one to interact with. This can reduce sound input to the brain and lead to auditory deprivation.
Are Boomers Less Sharp Than Previous Generations?
Looking at two decades' worth of data on U.S. adults, the study found generational differences in tests of cognitive function. That refers to essential mental abilities such as remembering, reasoning and problem-solving.
Getting Out for Better Health
Exercising and socializing linked to better health as people age.
Get the Care You Need in a COVID-19 World
COVID-19 has changed the way we do everything -- especially when it comes to doctor visits. But sometimes you need to see the doctor in person or go to the ER. We asked experts how to get the care you need with the lowest risk.
Katherine Johnson, Famed NASA Icon, Dies at 101
Brilliant at math, she became one of the first living "computers" NASA hired to help with meticulous calculations needed in a world where actual computers were rare, huge, and slow.
Pot Use Among Seniors Nearly Doubled in 3 Years
The proportion of folks 65 and older who use pot stands at 4.2%, up from 2.4% in 2015, according to figures from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Power in Numbers: Your Birthday Influences Care
Among patients who had turned 80 within the past two weeks, just over 5% received bypass surgery. In contrast, the rate was 7% among patients who were about to turn 80 in the next couple weeks.
Life Expectancy in U.S. Increases for First Time in 4 Years
The jump in longevity comes as deaths from opioid overdoses dropped for the first time in 28 years, as did deaths from six of the 10 leading causes.
Racism Linked to Faster Aging Among Blacks
Data were collected in 2000 when participants had an average age of 40, and the follow-up took place 10 years later. At both points, participants were asked about the discrimination they experienced in various situations.
How Well Are You Aging? A Blood Test Might Tell
The scientists analyzed plasma -- the cell-free, fluid part of blood -- from more than 4,200 people between the ages of 18 and 95, and found a link between 373 proteins and aging.
Jimmy Carter Going Home After Latest Hospital Stay
Former President Jimmy Carter was discharged from the hospital after getting treated for a urinary tract infection.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Released From Hospital After Health Scare
The 86-year-old was first evaluated on Friday at a hospital in Washington, D.C., after feeling unwell. She was then transferred to The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. By Saturday, her fever and chills had lessened after receiving intravenous antibiotic therapy and fluids, the spokeswoman said.
Vitamin D Key to Muscle Strength in Older Adults
Vitamin D deficiency is linked with poor muscle health in older adults, a new study finds.
Report Finds Americans' Health Is Flagging
Life expectancy has declined over the past three years, driven down by increasing rates of suicides and drug overdoses.
Exercise Can Lower Older Women's Fracture Risk
Each year, more than 300,000 people in the United States aged 65 or older are hospitalized for a broken hip, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jimmy Carter Released From Hospital After Fall
Former President Jimmy Carter, 95, is recovering from a minor pelvis fracture after he fell at his home in Plains, GA.
Your Dog Might Just Extend Your Life
Dog ownership decreases a person's overall risk of premature death by 24%, according to researchers who conducted a review of the available medical evidence.
Many U.S. Seniors Are Going Hungry, Study Finds
Almost 1 in 10 U.S. seniors doesn't have enough food to eat, a new study shows.
Evidence Shows Optimism Might Lengthen Your Life
The studies also found the more positive one's outlook, the less one's risk for heart trouble or death.
The Longevity Diet
Aging Gracefully: 50s and Beyond
How's Your Memory Holding Up?
The Truth About Exercising and Aging
50 Foods to Help Lower Cholesterol
What Happens to Your Hands as You Age?
Vaccines: Are Yours Up-to-Date?
18 Secrets for a Longer Life
Secrets to Aging With Grace
How Our Bodies Change as We Age
Forgetfulness and Aging: What's Normal?
Low-Impact Exercises
What is Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Tips for Healthy Joints
Genes vs. Lifestyle
Dieting After 40


A town long known for its quaint historic authenticity, Truckee in the past five years has evolved from a sleepy hamlet to a city with the promise of vibrancy. But it's a town mostly seen through car windows or during a quick stop as people make their way to the famous lake and ski resorts beyond its boundary.
In marketing lingo, Truckee is the gateway to Tahoe's North Shore. But plainly stated, it's a base camp for its surroundings, and that's the label the town is committed to with the redevelopment of its downtown railyard.
When first approved in June 2009, the Truckee Railyard project was to be the largest downtown development since the town's founding in 1868. Despite its magnitude, the project received a concerted 5-0 vote of approval from the Town Council and overwhelming public support, including that of every living Truckee mayor, the Truckee Donner Railroad Society and the Truckee River Watershed Council.
Rarely does a project enjoy such broad public support, yet three years after approval, this one remains at a virtual standstill. There are "25 million" small problems in the way, and that's only for phase one, which focuses on infrastructure.
For a town of about 20,000 people, $25 million is a hefty price tag for phase one, but it helps create a project the town almost unanimously thinks it needs — and deserves. No definitive price tag has been established for the rest of the development because it hasn't been designed yet.
It's not enough that National Geographic Adventure recently named Truckee one of the world's Top 25 Ski Towns. If anything, that has forced the competition to step up its game. Major corporations are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the region. Purchases by Vail Resorts of Northstar California Resort (previously Northstar-at-Tahoe) and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and KSL Resorts' acquisition of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are leading many to believe the north side of Tahoe soon will be compared to the ski meccas of Utah and Colorado.
Couple that kind of investment with a growing population, comprised largely of young, smart, successful people — which translates into new business growth — and all the signals show that Truckee must take steps now to prepare for a more robust and prospering economy if it doesn't want to get left behind.
"This is a large, blighted property right in the center of our community, but there's no reason it should stay that way," says Truckee Mayor Joan Jones.
The original master plan envisioned three distinct districts encompassing 75 acres of commercial space, 30,000 square feet of office space, 250 hotel rooms and 100 new residential units, effectively doubling downtown Truckee's size. Within that plan is the goal to meet local demand for a movie theater, a grocery store and, above all, more downtown residents. By creating a residential core, Jones says, the project would supplement an economy that currently relies on visitors, seasonal second homeowners and locals who enjoy an occasional night out.
About 75 percent of the approved space is for residential projects, says Rick Holliday, president of Holliday Development, the project's primary developer.
It was originally thought that much of the $25 million needed for phase one would come from a local redevelopment agency. But in a now familiar narrative, that funding source was eliminated under 2011 legislation.
That scenario was exacerbated by the town's unsuccessful bid to get funds from a state money pool created in 2006 by the sale of Proposition 1C bonds, which, among other things, were designed to support construction of affordable housing.
The reduced plan, which would involve some roadwork and a deal with a theater operator, is being shopped to potential partners. That effort is showing promise, and in recent weeks a new idea has emerged that could sweeten the deal.
Implementing a scaled back program won't diminish the project's broader infrastructure needs, which Mayor Jones describes as "unusual." Two of the biggest issues include the "Balloon Track" and Trout Creek.
The Balloon Track, a loop of railroad track owned by Union Pacific, was built in 1901 to facilitate the turning of snowplow trains. It's in the way and must be moved to the eastern end of the site. The hardest part of that process — negotiating a deal with the Union Pacific — has already been accomplished. With that agreement in place, funding is the only obstacle left for the relocation.
Trout Creek is a slightly different story. As the key watershed feature on the site, it's pinched between the Balloon Track and the highway, and it puts the project site squarely in the 100-year flood plain. Given that the area has already flooded twice in the past 30 years, it's not a problem that can be easily overlooked. Moving the Balloon Track would help ease that constraint, but additional restoration and other efforts to minimize the risk of flood damage are required. Despite the setbacks in the four years since the project was first approved, progress has been made. Some construction, however small, is complete. One small building stands west of the railyard, serving as a model of the mixed-use development envisioned, as well as the look and feel of the architectural design. It even has a tenant, a local baker who moved in in May.
It's a small start, but it's also evidence the town has not given up its dream. The demise of the original financing plans is an impediment, but not something that would stop the project, say supporters, who continue to explore options.
That is a question with no easy answer. In the best case, requiring some moon-and-stars alignment, infrastructure improvements could start in summer 2013 and be complete before the end of that year. The worst-case scenario is that the project never gets built. In the meantime, the project continues to receive broad public support.


text:
Best of times for historical novels
WALK into any good bookshop these days and you'll find the tables and shelves crowded with historical novels, biographies, accounts of wars recent and distant, and romances firmly lodged in a historical setting.
By Manda Scott
PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Jul 11, 2011
Scarlett Johansson starred in the cinema version of The Other Boleyn Girl
Yet it's only a few years since I first wanted to write the four-book Boudica series to explore who we were in the druidic era before the Romans destroyed the amazing, brilliantly creative culture that was ancient Britain. Boudica was one of my all-time heroes – a warrior queen who led her people in battle against the invading force and very nearly won – how much more exciting can you get than that? But when I put the idea to my editor at the time she shook her head and said gently: "History doesn't sell." My soon-to-be new editor said: "That's ridiculous, history is the new gardening! Come to us and we'll make you a best-seller," and of the two, she has been proved spectacularly right.
This coming weekend English Heritage will host its annual Festival of History at Kelmarsh, just north of Northampton. Re-enactors come from every era of British history from before the Roman invasion through to the Second World War and beyond. Roundheads and Cavaliers re-fight the Civil War – the ending never changes – and Roman legionaries march against the barbarians. This year there will be a festival of Historical Literature in the pavilion. There'll be battles, romances, crimes, thrillers, spies and War Horse from Michael Morpurgo – a collection of writers and their writing that would have been impossible only a few years ago because the boom in historical novels has only recently taken off.
In the distant days of my youth I recall some of the great heroes of we history writers. When Rosemary Sutcliffe wrote Eagle Of The Ninth half a century ago she transformed history for many in ways that the drab graphs and line drawings of our history text books never could. Her story of Marcus the Roman and Esca the noble British slave and their search for the lost Eagle through the wild lands of Britain, full of horned-god priests and strange, mystical rites was magical and wild and wonderful. A little later Eleanor Hibbert, better known as Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt or Philippa Carr (she had seven pseudonyms in all) offered a treasure trove of Tudors, Stewarts, Plantagenets, Normans, Georgians, Victorians, all full of wild romance, passion, poisonous jealousy and glorious, colourful historical detail.
Nigel Tranter offered a view on Scottish history that made me feel proud to be a Scot, CS Forester's Hornblower series took me out on the rolling ocean (I still feel seasick when I read one of his books) and Mary Stewart's outstanding Arthurian series that started with The Crystal Cave, lured me into the magic of the past. So my first editor was talking nonsense – historical novels have always been popular if you wrote the right thing at the right time, but never in the history of British publishing has there been such an upsurge in historical novels as there is today. When I first started writing the Boudica series and was doing all the research (I used to be a veterinary anaesthetist: I discovered quite early that the textbooks on Roman military history outnumber the ones on veterinary anaesthesia by about 50 to one), there were four or five of us writing books that touched on Rome.
Now at the latest count there are 23, with the number rising each year. You can read everything from novels filled with detail about Roman legionaries – the "squaddie novels" of the past – to the sex and sandals that we all saw in the TV series Rome: vast orgies interspersed with bits of violence and then back to more eating, drinking and random passion. And it's not just Rome: the Tudor era is drawing its own massive output with everything from CJ Sansom's popular crime series featuring Matthew Shardlake, the hunchbacked lawyer who finds himself drawn ever more deeply into the affairs of Henry VIII's faction-riven court, through the outstanding works of Philippa Gregory that explore the lives of the less famous but nonetheless enthralling characters of the Tudor court (her novel, The Other Boleyn Girl made it to film: the ultimate accolade for any writer) to the more highbrow – but utterly compelling – Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel that won last year's Booker Prize.
In between, we have as broad a range as you could wish for. In recent weeks, I've read a Napoleonic spy story that left me guessing to the last minute, a blood soaked, passionate tale of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, a glorious 18th century romance, and two crime novels set in the Second World War when what happened during the blackout was anybody's guess and people could – and did – get away with murder. It seems we have every time, place and character in history on our bookshelves just now and the numbers just keep growing. So why is historical writing so popular?
You could write a PhD thesis on that but we can find an easy answer by looking at the two most popular eras: the Romans and the Tudors. Both were times when the world was expanding – Rome was pushing the boundaries of its empire ever outwards while Queen Elizabeth I, quite apart from being every little girl's perfect role model (she was queen, she got to wear the most amazing dresses – and nobody made her marry), presided over the discovery of the New World, that awakening time when potatoes, turkey and tobacco all found their way to Britain, when we beat the Armada and our Queen grew ever more glorious. EACH had power clashes, scandals, passion and intrigue but they had their magnificent poets and writers too: Pliny and Shakespeare, Virgil and Marlowe, letting us view them as shining spires of reason rising from the grubbiness of every day life. And so by reading them our lives, for a brief moment, take on that luminescence.
If the writer has done a good job we become who we read and those people had lives that were never mundane: they certainly didn't have nine-to-five jobs. The second attraction is that the past has happened and however untidy it might have seemed at the time, there's a kind of order, a rightness, to be seen in retrospect. We might quibble about, for instance, whether Edward I was really right to hammer the Scots or whether Cromwell was or was not the spawn of the devil for all that he did in Ireland but when we finish a good book and put it down, we can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that at least we don't live in a village faced with total annihilation by a Roman legion, or that we're not likely to be hung, drawn and quartered at the command of Elizabeth I.
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Altera has designed a storage reference design based on its Arria 10 SoCs to double the life of NAND flash and also increase the number of program-erase cycles by up to 7X compared to present NAND flash implementations.
The reference design uses dual-core ARM CortexA9 processor and a solid-state disk (SSD) controller from Mobiveil and NAND optimization software from NVMdurance. NAND flash optimization software monitors the condition of the NAND flash continuously and automatically adjusts the control parameters in real time, extending the flash system's endurance.
FPGA based solution makes specification updates easier to execute compared to solutions based on ASIC SoC.


74 - cmake . && cmake --build .
88 - cmake . && cmake --build .
52 52 + CSV parameter.
53 53 + Any parameter.
54 54 + Random parameter.
55 - + Multiple parameters can be concatenated.
55 + + Multiple parameters can be concatenated.
56 56 * Test packages (grouping).
57 57 * Skip test.
58 58 * Private member test.
6 8 - action: "Build Docker image"
16 15 - action: "Execute: arm-none-eabi-gcc --version"
66 + "Empty params file "
68 + "Unable to open file "
86 85 " A/0, where GetParam() = 42\n"
89 -" A/0, where GetParam() = 4-Byte object < 2A 00 00 00 >\n"


install two steering stations with no need of T-fittings, hence reducing the number of crimps and the risks of leakage. This also applies to one steering station and a power pack for autopilot.
add a second steering station or a power pack for autopilot without intervention on the existing piping.
select the pump outlets (vertical or horizontal) and the types of fittings (straight or elbows) depending on the space available.
reduce the cost of the installation by eliminating the set of T-fittings and the time required for crimping.
Dual outlet pumps are supplied with two interchangeable blank plugs.