2009-05-20 Assigned to ACRES-FIORE PATENTS reassignment ACRES-FIORE PATENTS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ACRES, JOHN F.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device with durational game elements. The durational game elements can change default settings in the game environment of the gaming device for a specified duration. The duration can be based on a period of time, a number of wins or losses, or a number of games played.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/144,999, filed Jun. 24, 2008, entitled GAMING DEVICE WITH UNLOCKABLE FEATURES, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
This disclosure relates generally to gaming devices, and more particularly to gaming devices with durational game elements.
Playing games of chance is a popular recreational activity. There are many types of games of chance including table games where players wager against a live dealer such as blackjack, Pai Gow, roulette, Baccarat. Other types of games of chance are offered as automated machines. Examples include slots, poker, bingo, etc. Still other types of games of chance allow players to wager against one another, such as a poker table. In return for a wager, games of chance generate randomly determined outcomes, some of which result in a winning event. Games of chance are often played with wagers having financial value but some games of chance are played with points or other freely available currency having no fiscal worth.
Games of chance may be played in casinos, or at home using electronic devices or mechanical equipment. Gambling via Internet, whether for fun or for money, is also a popular activity.
Automated gaming machines typically have a single game environment. For example, gaming machines will have a specific color scheme, specific symbols, etc.; in other words, a specific 'look and feel'.
One of the problems with conventional automated gaming machines is that the player may become bored with the game environment on a certain gaming machine and decide to stop playing for that reason. Further, there is no incentive for the player to continue to play on any certain gaming machine because the game environment will never change. Consequently, a need remains for a mechanism by which the game environment can be changed over time.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example video slot machine according to some embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates an unlockable feature management screen according to some embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates an unlockable feature acceptance screen according to some embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a conditional unlockable feature acceptance screen according to some embodiments of the invention.
The gaming device 10 may further include a secondary display 25. This secondary display 25 may be a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma screen, or the like. The secondary display 25 may show ancillary information to the player. For example, the secondary display 25 may show player tracking information, secondary bonus information, advertisements, or player selectable game options.
During typical play on a gaming device 10, a player plays a game by placing a wager and then initiating a gaming session. The player may initially insert monetary bills or previously printed tickets with a credit value into the bill acceptor 37. The player may also put coins into a coin acceptor (not shown) or a credit card into a card reader/authorizer (not shown). The credit meter 27 displays the numeric credit value of the money inserted dependent on the denomination of the gaming device 10. That is, if the gaming device 10 is a nickel slot machine and a $20 bill inserted into the bill acceptor 37, the credit meter will reflect 400 credits or one credit for each nickel of the inserted twenty dollars. For gaming devices 10 that support multiple denominations, the credit meter 27 will reflect the amount of credits relative to the denomination selected. Thus, in the above example, if a penny denomination is selected after the $20 is inserted the credit meter will change from 400 credits to 2000 credits.
Referring to FIG. 2B, a video gaming machine 10B may include a video display 20B to display virtual spinning reels 22B and various other gaming information 21B. The video display 20B may be a CRT, LCD, plasma screen, or the like. It is usually preferable that the video display 20B be a touchscreen to accept player input. A number of symbols 23B appear on each of the virtual spinning reels 22B. Although FIG. 2B shows five virtual spinning reels 22B, the flexibility of the video display 20B allows for various reel 22B and game configurations. For example, some video slot games 10B spin reels for each individual symbol position (or stop) that appears on the video display 20B. That is, each symbol position on the screen is independent of every other position during the gaming sessions. In these types of games, very large numbers of pay lines or multiple super scatter pays can be utilized since similar symbols could appear at every symbol position on the video display 20B. On the other hand, other video slot games 10B more closely resemble the mechanical spinning reel games where symbols that are vertically adjacent to each other are part of the same continuous virtual spinning reel 22B.
Each of the gaming devices in FIGS. 2A through 2C has a game environment. The game environment can include sounds emitted from the gaming device and any portion of the visual information displayed to a player.
Gaming devices 71 coupled over an optical line 64 may be remote gaming devices in a different location or casino. The optical line 64 may be coupled to the gaming network 50 through an electronic to optical signal converter 63 and may be coupled to the gaming devices 71 through an optical to electronic signal converter 65. The banks of gaming devices 70 coupled to the network 50 may be coupled through a bank controller 60 for compatibility purposes, for local organization and control, or for signal buffering purposes. The network 50 may include serial or parallel signal transmission lines and carry data in accordance with data transfer protocols such as Ethernet transmission lines, firewire lines, USB lines, or other communication protocols. Although not shown in FIG. 3, substantially the entire network 50 may be made of optical lines 64 or may be a wireless network.
Referring to FIG. 4, a video slot machine 110 includes unlockable symbols 123B-1, 123B-2, and 123B-3 that are different from the default symbols (i.e., symbols 23B shown in FIG. 2B) displayed on the machine. Unlockable symbol 123B-1 is a static symbol that is different from the default symbols ordinarily displayed on the video slot machine 110. For example, unlockable symbol 123B-1 could be a gold coin that is displayed in place of a specific default symbol on the reels 122B. Unlockable symbol 123B-2 is an animated symbol that is different from the default symbols ordinarily displayed on the video slot machine 110. For example, unlockable symbol 123B-2 could be a stick figure that moves within a pre-defined area of each of the reels 122B (as shown by the dotted figures and arrows) and that is displayed in place of a specific default symbol on the reels 122B. Unlockable symbol 123B-3 is a modified presentation of one of the default symbols ordinarily displayed on the video slot machine 110. For example, unlockable symbol 123B-3 could be a default symbol that has been modified to flash on and off (as shown by dotted accent lines).
A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that unlockable symbols 123B-1, 123B-2, and 123B-3 are just a few examples of many possible unlockable symbols that fall within the scope of the invention. Further, according to some embodiments of the invention, the unlockable symbol 123B could be the same as one of the default symbols, such that triggering the unlockable symbols 123B results in replacement of one of the default symbols with another one of the default symbols. The net effect of such a change is to decrease the total number of symbols present on the reels 122B. The player may perceive this change as increasing the chances of obtaining a win result, but the chances of obtaining a win result are not necessarily increased.
Unlocking of the unlockable features on the video slot machine 110 can be associated with many possible triggers. For example, triggering of a specific unlockable feature can be associated with a pre-set number of consecutive plays by a single player on the video slot machine 110. Many other triggers can lead to unlocking of the unlockable features including, but not limited to: a specific amount of credits wagered by a player; an amount of time the player has spent on a single machine; an amount of credits won by the player on a specific machine; a number of plays without a payout on a specific machine; and trend data associated with the player. Each trigger has an underlying basis. For instance, when the trigger is 500 credits wagered by a player, the underlying basis for the trigger is the number of credits wagered by the player. Also, the unlockable features can be tiered such that a first unlockable feature is unlocked when a first condition is reached, a second unlockable feature is unlocked when a second condition is reached, and so on. The unlockable features can be cumulative, such that the second unlockable feature adds to the first unlockable feature, or the unlockable features can be sequential, such that the second unlockable feature replaces the first unlockable feature.
The triggers that result in unlocking of unlockable features can be machine specific and/or player specific. In other words, the triggers can be tied to the player's use of a specific machine or the triggers can be tied to the player's use of many different machines over time. In the latter case, the player's status with respect to the triggers can be maintained in the player's account. As an example, a trigger for an unlockable feature could be a total amount wagered by a player on a given day, independent of which machines the wagers were placed on. The total amount wagered can be tracked in the player's account such that when the trigger is met, the unlockable feature is unlocked on whichever machine the player is using at that particular time. The unlocked feature can then be available on any machine that the player uses, as long as the player is using their player account on the machine.
The video slot machine 110 can determine whether any unlockable features have been triggered on an ongoing basis as a player sequentially initiates gaming sessions on the machine. If the player provides identifying information to the video slot machine 110, the machine can determine if any unlockable features are available to the player based on the player account associated with the player before the player initiates a first gaming session. Then, video slot machine 110 can determine whether any unlockable features have been triggered on an ongoing basis as the player sequentially initiates gaming sessions on the machine.
As shown in FIG. 4, gaming information 121B can display the status of unlockable features on the video slot machine 110. For example, the gaming information 121B can display a message indicating new unlockable features (new from the player's perspective) have been unlocked. Further, the gaming information 121B can display a message indicating that unlockable features are available and also indicating the conditions upon which the unlockable features can be unlocked.
Many aspects of the game environment on the video slot machine 110 can be altered by unlockable features. For example, the color scheme of the gaming display 120B can be tied to an unlockable feature such that when the unlockable feature is triggered, the colors of different elements in the gaming display 120B can be changed. As another example, the number of reels 122B can be changed when an unlockable feature is triggered. Additionally, the flow of a gaming session can also be altered by unlockable features. For instance, a 'multiple stops' unlockable feature can be activated so that the player can stop each reel 122B on a video slot machine 110 independently by sequentially pressing a stop button. Although the player may perceive that the 'multiple stops' unlockable feature improves the player's chances of obtaining a win result, this is not necessarily the case.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many other types of unlockable features could be provided and the unlockable features do not have to be specific to the game environment. For example, an unlockable feature could unlock a different game on a particular gaming device, different music (which could be designated in the player account), television programming, and/or drink service. Also, unlockable features could provide features outside the context of the gaming device such as free food (a steak dinner at a particular venue), a free night stay at a particular venue, a ticket to a show, etc. Further, an unlockable feature could be recognition on a public display of the player's accomplishment. For instance, a particular venue may have a display showing a 'Lucky Players List' and an unlockable feature could allow the player's name, picture, an animated likeness of the player, etc. to be added to the list.
Another aspect of the game environment that can be modified by the unlockable features is the sound scheme. For example, the background music associated with the video slot machine 110 and the sounds associated with particular events can both be altered by an unlockable feature. Also, event sounds can be tied to the unlockable symbols 123B. In one example, an unlockable symbol 123B could be an animated face that has moving lips timed to correspond with sounds emitted from the speaker 26 to give the impression that the animated face is 'talking' to the player. The animated face can provide words of encouragement (i.e., "Give it another try; your luck is bound to change") or taunt the player (i.e., "Give up now; you're never gonna win") dependent upon trend data associated with the player. Alternatively, the animated face can simply provide statements that are not tied to any particular trend data (i.e., "Nice weather we're having").
The unlockable features can be organized into unlockable feature packages. Each unlockable feature package can include multiple unlockable features including, but not limited to: a different color scheme in the gaming display 120B; different unlockable symbols 123B; and a different sound scheme. For example, a 'stick figure' unlockable feature package could replace multiple default symbols with animated stick figures performing various activities and sounds corresponding to the various activities. As another example, an 'animated faces' unlockable feature package could replace one or more default symbols with animated faces, which may or may not 'talk' to the player as described above.
Further, unlockable features from various portions of the gaming display 120B could 'interact' with each other. For example, if a 'stick figure' unlockable feature package is activated, when the stick figures show up on more than one reel in the gaming display 120B at the end of a gaming session, the stick figures from different reels could interact with each other. For instance, the stick figures could throw a football back and forth while the reels are stopped. A person or ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ability of game features to interact can itself be an unlockable feature. In other words, the unlockable feature could be the default symbols interacting with each other instead of sitting idle.
Interactions between symbols can take place when the game is idle, right before a gaming session commences, right after a gaming session ends, or during a gaming session. When the interaction occurs during a gaming session, the gaming session may pause to allow the player to see the interaction and then proceed as usual. As an example, while the reels are spinning during a gaming session, the wheels may stop and a stick figure (the moving symbol) from one reel may climb over to another reel and displace one of the symbols (the moved symbol) on the second reel (by kicking the symbol to the stick figure's old spot for example) and then the reels can resume spinning until the gaming session ends.
This in-session interaction can be an indicator that a win result is imminent in the particular gaming session, thus heightening the player's excitement. In other words, either the symbol that moved or the symbol that was moved during the interaction can turn up in the payline of a win result, so that it appears as if the win result is due to the movement of the symbol. Accordingly, players that are familiar with the game will know that when an in-session interaction appears, the player is likely to win, with the only question being whether the player will win based on the moving symbol or the symbol that was moved (with the win amount being determined by which of the symbols the amount is based upon).
Although it may be advantageous to the casino to identify to the player what unlockable features are available on a machine, this does not have to be the case. Unlockable features can be triggered without any prior knowledge by the player. Further, even if the player does know what unlockable features are available, it is not necessary that the player even know what the triggers are for the unlockable features, or in what order the features will unlock. From the player's perspective, the triggering of the unlockable features could be tied to unknown events or even have the appearance of being random. Further, a player could opt out of unlockable features altogether either on a particular gaming device or through an opt-out feature in the associated player account.
The video slot machine 110 can also include an unlockable feature management button 129B. The unlockable feature management button 129B can be displayed in the gaming display 120B whenever an unlockable feature is active on the video slot machine 110. The unlockable feature management button 129B can be activated by the player (by touching the button on a touch screen, for example) to cause the video slot machine 110 to display an alternate screen as shown in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 5, upon activation of an unlockable feature management button 129B by a player, the video slot machine 110 can display an unlockable feature management screen in the gaming display 120B. The unlockable feature management screen can include: a list of active unlockable features 129B-1; a list of available unlockable features 129B-2; and/or a close button 129B-3. The list of active unlockable features 129B-1 can display to the player all of the unlockable features that are currently active on the gaming machine. The player can disable any or all of the active unlockable features from the list of active unlockable features 129B-1 by, for example, touching the feature in the list.
The list of available unlockable features 129B-2 can display to the player all of the unlockable features that are available on the machine along with the trigger for unlocking each of the available unlockable features. Alternatively, the list of available unlockable features 129B-2 can display only those unlockable features for which the player is likely to achieve the trigger within a pre-set time interval. For example, if a player has wagered 95 credits on a specific machine and a first unlockable feature is triggered when the player wagers 100 credits, the first unlockable feature may be displayed in the list of available unlockable features 129B-2. On the other hand, if a second unlockable feature is not triggered until the player wagers 1000 credits, the second unlockable feature might not be displayed in the list of available unlockable features 129B-2.
The close button 129B-3 can be used to close the unlockable feature management screen and return to the gaming screen, as shown in FIG. 4. The close button 129B-3 does not necessarily have the word "Close" on it; the button could have any other word that would indicate to the player that they will be returned to the previous screen, such as: "Cancel", "Return", or "Back".
According to some embodiments of the invention, when an unlockable feature is triggered, the gaming device 110 can prompt the player to accept or decline the unlockable feature. The gaming device 110 can prompt the player by, for example, displaying an alternate screen in the gaming display 120, as shown in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 6, during the course of game play, if a player triggers an unlockable feature, the video slot machine 110 can display an unlockable feature acceptance screen. The unlockable feature acceptance screen can include: an identifier 129B-4 for the triggered unlockable feature; a description 129B-5 of the triggered unlockable feature; an accept button 129B-6; and a decline button 129B-7. The identifier 129B-4 can indicate to the player which unlockable feature has been triggered. The description 129B-5 can provide a brief description of the effect that the triggered unlockable feature will have on the game environment. The accept button 129B-6 and the decline button 129B-7 can be used by the player to either activate the unlockable feature or decline to activate the feature. The accept button 129B-6 and the decline button 129B-7 do not necessarily have the words "Activate" and "Decline" on them. The buttons could have any other words on them that convey to the player that the unlockable feature can be activated or declined including: "Accept", "Reject", "Cancel", or "Continue".
The triggers for the unlockable features can be linear, non-linear, or a combination of both. For example, a new unlockable feature can be triggered at each linear increment of an underlying basis (i.e., 50, 100, 150 . . . credits wagered on a given machine). Alternatively, a new unlockable feature can be triggered at non-linear intervals of the underlying basis (i.e., 50, 150, 500 . . . credits wagered on a given machine).
According to some embodiments of the invention, the unlockable features can be conditional. As used here, the term conditional means that by choosing to activate a first unlockable feature the trigger point for a second unlockable feature becomes more remote from the player's current status. As an example, the trigger for a first unlockable feature might be 5 minutes of play time on a given machine and the trigger for a second unlockable feature might be 10 minutes of play time on the machine. However, if the player chooses to activate the first unlockable feature when it is triggered, the time is reset, so that the player will have to play for an additional 10 minutes in order to trigger the second unlockable feature. Thus, when the unlockable features are conditional, the player has to play for 15 minutes to unlock both the first and second unlockable features, but if the unlockable features are not conditional, the player would only have to play for 10 minutes to unlock both the first and second unlockable features. When the unlockable features are conditional, the player can activate only the second unlockable feature by declining to activate the first unlockable feature after 5 minutes and accepting the activation of the second unlockable feature after 10 minutes.
Referring to FIG. 7, a conditional unlockable feature acceptance screen includes similar features to those described above with respect to FIG. 6. However, the conditional unlockable feature acceptance screen also includes a tempt message 129B-8. The tempt message 129B-8 notifies the player of what unlockable feature will next become available if the player does not activate the currently triggered unlockable feature.
Conditional unlockable features can be especially suited for situations in which later unlockable features are perceived to be 'better' by the player than earlier unlockable features in a non-linear fashion. This is the case independent of the validity of the player's perception. For example, the player may perceive that a second unlockable feature, such as 'fewer number of reels', is more likely to result in wins for the player than a first unlockable feature, such as a blue color scheme. Therefore, the player may be willing to forego the first unlockable feature so that the second unlockable feature can be triggered sooner. The validity of the player's perception regarding the fewer number of reels is not important. Conditional unlockable features can increase the perception of 'scarcity' of the later unlockable features and thus increase the player's excitement at having triggered the later unlockable features.
In some cases, the player may not know which unlockable features become available later, but the player may know that by foregoing the earlier unlockable features, the player increases the chances of triggering the later unlockable features (or decreases the trigger point for the later unlockable features). Additionally, the player may perceive that the later unlockable features are 'better' than the earlier unlockable features. Thus, the player may choose to gamble on foregoing the earlier unlockable features in the hopes of triggering the later unlockable features. Such behavior by the player can be termed meta-gambling, as the player is gambling about gambling. Conditional unlockable features can be used to encourage meta-gambling because in addition to the desired outcome of payouts from the gaming machine, the player has a secondary desired outcome of achieving later unlockable features. This meta-gambling effect can be used to encourage a player to prolong play on a given machine or in a given venue, as opposed to changing machines and/or venues.
According to some embodiments of the invention, unlockable features can be managed through the use of unlocking points. A player can accumulate unlocking points on an individual machine basis or on a player account basis. Specifically, the player can accumulate unlocking points while playing on a given machine and the unlocking points can be used to unlock features only on the given machine. Alternatively, the player can accumulate unlocking points on their player account from play on multiple gaming machines and the unlocking points can be redeemed to unlock features on any of the gaming machines. The current number of unlocking points available to a player can be displayed in the gaming display 120B of the video slot machine 110. Alternatively, the player may not even be aware of the existence of the locking points. The number of unlocking points necessary to trigger the next available unlockable feature can also be displayed in the gaming display 120B, as player information 121B for example. Unlocking points can be used to enforce conditional unlockable features because when the player chooses to activate a conditional unlockable feature that has been triggered, the appropriate amount of unlocking points can be deducted from the player account (or the number of unlocking points accumulated on the machine). It should be noted that unlocking points (and unlockable features in general) do not need to be tied to positive player statistics. In other words, a player could accumulate unlocking points even when the player is not getting 'win' results from their gaming.
Unlocking points can also be used to tally multiple player statistics into a single value that can be easily redeemed by the player for unlockable features. For example, specified amounts of play time can be tallied as a specific number of unlocking points and the amount wagered by a player on a given day can also be tallied as another specific number of unlocking points. In this way, the unlocking points can represent an aggregate of the many player statistics that can lead to triggering unlockable features.
Alternatively, each player statistic can be tallied as a separate pool of unlocking points. For example, a player account can accumulate first unlocking points that are associated with an amount of time played and second unlocking points that are associated with an amount wagered on a given day. These different unlocking points can be redeemed cumulatively or separately to unlock unlockable features.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that different unlockable features can be available on different types of gaming machines. For example, a 'reduced number of reels' unlockable feature would be applicable to a video slot machine, but not applicable to a video poker machine. Similarly, an 'animated card faces' unlockable feature would be applicable to the video poker machine, but not applicable to the video slot machine. Consequently, the same trigger point for a particular underlying basis can lead to different unlockable features being triggered on different machines. For example, if the underlying basis is amount of credits wagered by a player, at a trigger point of 50 credits, a 'reduced number of reels' unlockable feature could be triggered if the player is playing a video slot machine, while an 'animated card faces' unlockable feature could be triggered if the player is playing a video poker machine.
Unlockable features can also be organized into levels. In other words, instead of unlocking a specific feature when a certain trigger point is reached, the trigger could be used to set a player level (i.e., Level One, Level Two, Silver Level, Gold Level, etc). The player level can then be used as a proxy for the unlockable features. For example, a Level Two player can have certain unlockable features available, while a Level Three player can have certain additional or different unlockable features available. The player levels can be managed locally on a specific gaming device or they can be managed in the player account.
Also, unlockable features can be organized into categories. For example, unlockable features could include: gaming machine play modes (that affect play on game, reels, etc.); visual or aural game environment features (colors, sounds, etc.); external features (free drink service, steak dinner, show tickets, etc.); and vanity features (overhead displays, recognition messages emanating from the gaming device, etc.). A player could choose which category of unlockable features the player would like to have available either on a machine-specific basis or in the player account.
According to embodiments of the invention, unlockable features can be used to change the game environment on a gaming machine. The unlockable features can be triggered by many different player statistics accumulated on a single machine or multiple machines using a player account.
Any of the unlockable features described above can also be of limited duration. Specifically, when an unlockable feature is activated, a durational limit can also be set. The durational limit can be static in the sense that it is fully defined when the unlockable feature is activated or it could be dynamic in the sense that it can be re-defined after the unlockable feature is activated. The durational limit can be, for example, a period of time, a number of games played, a number of win results, and a number of lose results, among other things. The durational limit can be consecutive or cumulative. For example, if the durational limit is a number of win results, it could be a number of consecutive win results (i.e., consecutive) or it could be a set number of win results without regard to how many lose results are intermingled with the win results (i.e., cumulative). In the case of a dynamic durational limit, the durational limit can be changed responsive to subsequent events on the gaming device. For example, an initial durational limit may be 10 minutes, but the durational limit may be extended to 15 minutes responsive to a specified number of win or lose results in the initial 10 minutes.
As described above, unlockable features do not necessarily have to be accepted or acknowledged by the player to become active. Thus, as the player is playing on a given gaming device, the player may just notice that certain symbols are becoming active on the gaming device and subsequently disappearing after some duration, without the player having any knowledge that this effect was responsive to an unlockable feature being activated.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example video slot machine with a durational game element according to some embodiments of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 8, a video slot machine 210 includes a durational game element 223B-1 that is different from the default symbols (i.e., symbols 23B shown in FIG. 2B) displayed on the machine. In this example, durational game element 223B-1 is an animated 'Stick Figures' symbol that is different from the default symbols ordinarily displayed on the video slot machine 210. The durational game element 223B-1 has a durational limit of some time period, 90 seconds of which is remaining, although, as described above, the durational limit could be tied to other events such as number of wins.
As shown in FIG. 8, gaming information 221B can display the status of the durational game element 223B-1 on the video slot machine 210. For example, the gaming information 221B can display a message indicating the amount of time remaining for the durational game element 223B-1. Further, the gaming information 221B can display a timer 221B-1 giving a graphical representation of the time remaining for the durational game element 223B-1.
changing at least one of the symbols for a predefined duration when the tracked gaming-device parameter satisfies the predefined criterion.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of credits wagered, consecutive plays by a single player, time spent playing the gaming device, credits won, and number of games played without a win.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein changing at least one of the symbols comprises at least one of changing the symbol to a different symbol, animating the symbol, and changing lighting of the symbol.
changing the at least one symbol upon acceptance of the offer.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying information about symbols that can be changed to a player of the gaming device.
changing at least one of the symbols based at least in part on information related to the identity of the player.
an actuator operable by a player of the gaming device to substitute for a predefined duration the at least one alternative symbol for at least one of the default symbols.
8. The gaming device of claim 7 wherein the alternative symbol comprises at least one of a different symbol, an animated symbol, and a lit symbol in which the lighting changes.
9. The gaming device of claim 7 further comprising an interface through which an offer to substitute the at least one alternative symbol is made, wherein actuation of the actuator comprises acceptance of the offer.
10. The gaming device of claim 7 further comprising a display on which information about the symbols that can be substituted is presented.
changing at least one of the audio-visual features for a predefined duration upon acceptance of the offer.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the parameter is selected from the group consisting of credits wagered, consecutive plays by a single player, time spent playing the gaming device, credits won, and number of games played without a win.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein changing at least one of the audio-visual features comprises changing a first symbol to a second symbol, animating the first symbol, and changing lighting of the first symbol.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising displaying information about features that can be changed to a player of the gaming device.
changing at least one of the features based at least in part on information related to the identify of the player.
a second process constructed and arranged to change at least one of the audio-visual features of the one gaming device for a predefined duration when the player record meets the predefined criterion.
17. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein at least one of the audio-visual features comprises a plurality of symbols from which a subset is selected during the course of the game.
18. The gaming device of claim 16 further comprising an interface through which an offer to change at least one of the audio-visual features is made.
19. The gaming device of claim 16 further comprising a display on which information about the audio-visual features that can be changed is presented.


SaskCulture Inc. is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer-driven organization, which works with its membership and other community partners to build a culturally vibrant province. SaskCulture, through funding from Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation, supports a network of organizations that work to engage the people of Saskatchewan in a variety of cultural activities.
The Multilingual Association of Regina Inc. (MLAR) shall advance education in international/heritage languages (other than official languages of Canada) by providing materials and services (such as training workshops, teaching aids and course materials) to non-profit member Heritage Language Schools in Regina andsurrounding areas.
SIA is a non-profit organization that provides services for immigrants and refugees in Saskatoon. Our organization works in partnership with community and immigrant-serving agencies, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and a wide network of private and government funders.
CASLT promotes the advancement of second language learning and teaching throughout Canada by creating opportunities for professional development, by encouraging research, and by facilitating the sharing of information and the exchange of ideas among second language educators.
Multilingual Services of Saskatchewan Provincial Library provides books and materials in many languages, which are free to borrow through your local library.
The Saskatoon Open Door Society was established in 1980 as a centre to welcome and assists refugees and immigrants moving to Saskatoon.
The Regina Open Door Society is a non-profit organization that provides settlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants in Regina.
Regina Immigrant Women Centre is a non-profit organization which provides programming for the education, integration, enrichment and empowerment of immigrant and refugee women and their families.
IWS is a non-profit, grassroots equality-seeking women's organization dedicated to assisting immigrant and refugee women and their families, residing in Saskatoon.
The URI team is dedicated to enriching international engagement and promoting the vibrant growth of the U of R here at home and around the world.
The Global Gathering Place is a non-profit drop-in centre that provides services for immigrants and refugees in Saskatoon.
Courses at the Lifelong Learning Centre are designed to be taken for personal interest and to realize the joy of learning. They are creative, intellectual and physical in nature with no formal education required. Enjoy all the fun of learning without the pressure of homework or exams.


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5 January 2018. Related: Other news.
1 October 2017. Related: Other news.
26 June 2017. Related: Other news.
24 April 2017. Related: Other news.
27 February 2017. Related: Prevention and transmission, Other news.
29 November 2016. Related: Prevention and transmission, Other news.
1 August 2016. Related: Conference reports, Other news.
22 March 2016. Related: Other news.
1 February 2016. Related: Other news.
1 December 2015. Related: Prevention and transmission, Other news.
1 October 2015. Related: Other news.
1 June 2015. Related: Other news.
24 March 2015. Related: Other news.
1 December 2014. Related: Prevention and transmission, Other news.
1 October 2014. Related: Other news.
27 May 2014. Related: Conference reports, Other news.
27 May 2014. Related: Other news.
1 October 2013. Related: Other news.
25 July 2013. Related: Other news.
29 May 2013. Related: Other news.
1 April 2013. Related: Other news.
1 February 2013. Related: Other news.
1 December 2012. Related: Other news.
1 October 2012. Related: Conference reports, Antiretrovirals, Treatment access, Prevention and transmission, Cure research, Other news.
1 October 2012. Related: Other news.
1 August 2012. Related: Conference reports, Other news.
1 June 2012. Related: Other news.
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Questions about example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Strugle"
Struggle: To have a hard time doing. Example: He struggled to get his grades up.
where* after a long , sometimes bitter struggle* but we still feel like we're lacking something* live a long long time* the more dreams will come true, but the dreams fade* the passion for life* *modern medicine *still haven't *terrible *aggressive *forward to, and I wish I can improve more but it's hard when I'm just reading through , but I understand your idea and theme, so that's good. Good job!
strugle does this sound natural?
Now all Europeans are said that they are united in a strugle against Islam. does this sound natural?
Now the Europeans are saying that they are united in the struggle against Islam.
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "culm"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "rowing"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Strudel"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strudy"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strug"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Struggente"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "struggimento"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strugging"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Struggles"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strugles"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Struguri"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "struja"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "struke"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "struktur"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strum"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "Strummin"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strung"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "strunggle"
Example sentences with, and the definition and usage of "struny"


text:
FRAUD: EFCC Finally Awakens; Grills Ambassador Sarki
By ElombahNews	 On Aug 22, 2015
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] seems to have finally awakened to its responsibility as Ambassador Usman Sarki was seen leaving the EFCC
Wuse 2, Abuja, premises after hours of intense grilling.
[Pictured: EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde]
It is self-evident that the EFCC woke from their slumber on realisation that the United States FBI, Justice Department, state department, and others have directly started investigations on the case.
In an earlier report titled "Lamorde Accused of Negligence; Persons with Disabilities petition Buhari for his sack", Elombah.com had published how sloppy the EFCC were in investigating the fraud case involving Ambassador Usman Sarki and Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu.
An organisation, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc. [ERPDI], speaking through its President, Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, had severally petitioned various offices and individuals alerting them of alleged fraud involving Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu on "poor and helpless Nigerians with disabilities as his victims."
The EFCC officer who interrogated Ambassador Sarki as gathered by Elombah.com was Aminudeen Mohammad, head Bank Fraud Investigation Unit.
Offices and individuals petitioned include EFCC, President Muhammadu Buhari, Secretary of State to the United State, John Kerry, United States Attorney General's Office and United States Institute of Peace.
Photo: Ambassador Usman Sarki Living the EFCC office today after facing interrogation
Ambassador Sarki was accused by Persons with Disabilities International of "knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspiring with Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu to engage into corruption and defrauding Innocent Nigerian Investors of more than 4 billion Naira."
Elombah.com gathered that Ambassador Sarki was ordered to appear before the EFCC on September 8, 2015. However, in order to avert the popularity that might follow the invitation, he went to the EFCC earlier.
Incidentally, his accusers, some of the Nigerians Investors defrauded were at the EFCC Office to file official complaint about Alhaji Iliasu's continued fraudulent acts, after being released on bail by the EFCC and promptly invited journalists.
During interrogation, Ambassador Usman Sarki informed the EFCC that he visited their office earlier than September 8, 2015, because he will be busy preparing for the UN General Assembly Meeting and President Buhari's first visit to the assembly, which will take place at the UN Headquarters New York, from September 24-27, 2015.
It could be recalled that his accused accomplice, Alhaji Abdulrauf Iliasu was earlier sent packing from him Aso Rock residence and subsequently arrested by the EFCC but was granted bail while the case lingers in court.
Speaking about the upcoming UN Assembly, President of Persons with Disabilities International, Chief Eric Ufom condemned the fact that Ambassador Sarki will be in the team of Nigerians that will welcome President Buhari to the US.
He stated: "It is sad that this same known and recognized Nigerians Diplomat, who knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspired with Alhaji Iliasu to commit grievous diplomatic rape and blunder that brought huge embarrassment and shame to Nigeria, is the same person that will be champion and receiving, President Buhari, whose main mission is to 'Fight Against Corruption'.
"It is sad and very unfortunate that this same Ambassador Usman Sarki that knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspired with Alhaji Iliasu to engage into corrupt and fraudulent acts, with the names of poor and helpless, more than 25.5 Million, long-neglected or ignored Nigerians with Disabilities, continued to represent Nigeria at this very important United Nations."
Chief Ufom, therefore, expressed strong wish that President Buhari and his advisers should order Ambassador Usman Sarki's immediate recall back to Nigeria for more questioning.
The attached p
Please find the amended ERPDI press statement during President Muhammadu Buhari's visit to the United States.
Press Statement by: Disability Equal Rights Newswatch
Nigerians With Disabilities in Diaspora Pleads with President Buhari for the Immediate Resignation of the EFCC Boss Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde Due to His Deliberate Failure to Charge and Prosecute Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Olarenwaju and Ambassador Usman Sarki's For Corruptions and Fraud
(WASHINGTON-DC: JULY 23, 2015) – Today, the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari his delegation ends 3 days official visit to Washington, DC and leaves the United States for Nigeria.
While speaking at the recently concluded, United States Institute of Peace, organized conversation, on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari had strongly emphasized that, "The fight against corruption is a full time job that the Federal Government will carry with sustained resolve. I have always maintained zero tolerance for corruption. I am even more committed to fighting this number one enemy decisively because I am convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that the much needed impetus for our country's survival is held back by corruption. I will not allow this to continue."
For decades, Nigeria's endemic corruptions became an incurable cancer in the Nigerian society. This, has been successfully, passed on from one Nigerian Generation, to another with impunity and without fear of being charged or prosecuted, by the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies; and which today, President Buhari has truly, declared fully time war against corruption.
"The government will plug the leakages that fuel corruption in Nigeria," continued President Buhari.
It is very unfortunate that, Nigerians in a very high government, Business, Banking and other positions, who Nigerians trusted, were the actual people, who unprofessionally, unethically and immorally, has been directly or indirectly, involved in perfecting and legalizing, corruption in Nigeria. This made it harder and almost impossible for Nigeria to successfully, monitor and combat those endemic corruptions being committed by those in power, whose duties are to stop it.
H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, who for decades, has been a career diplomat, unprofessionally, undiplomatically, unethically and immorally, knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspired with Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, and used the Office of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Headquarters New York, names of Nigerians with Disabilities, United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Developments, Head of civil service of the Federation, Offices of the Special Advisers to the Former President Jonathan on Ethics and Values, to engage in corrupt practices.
Fayemi's wife promises more attention to vulnerable children in…
H.E. Ambassador Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, advices Nigerians with Disabilities Living in the United States and their DPOs, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc, and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities of Nigeria in the Diaspora, USA, to always come and register any of their inventions or programs or projects for Nigeria, at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United States New York before going to Nigeria to execute it.
On October, 2012, and thereafter, Nigerians with Disabilities Living in the United and their DPOs, officially presented to President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration, through the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, represented by Ambassador Usman Sarki, program to establish, Disability-Inclusive Community-Bases Institute of Rehabilitation Centers for independence Living, Post-Polio Clinic and wellness through the 6 Geographical Zones of Nigeria.
Ambassador Usman Sarki, recruited Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu through his Brother Alhaji Shetima, to take charge of representing him in establishing and executing our program or project mentioned above, Emphasis added to criminal act of, "Theft of Intellectual Property."
On July 17, 2013, during the 5th Session of the UN Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, H.E. Ambassador Usman Sarki, who is the Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, while representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria at this UN General Assembly, used that forum to jump start his unprofessional, undiplomatic, unethical and immoral intent to fraudulently use the names of Nigerians with Disabilities, in conspiracy with Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, to engage into corruptions, where he stated;
"In order to make life meaningful for Nigerians living with disabilities, the Government has approved the construction of a National Rehabilitation Institute and Resource Centre. When Completed, the Centre is expected to become a hub for the West-African Region in the area of research pertaining to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities."
Ambassador Sarki, who was fully aware that there was no such approval made by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or its agencies to construct a National Rehabilitation Institute and Resource Center, nor was there any kind of meeting held by the Government to establish such center, and Ambassador Usman Sarki knew that he cannot be able to produce any kind of munities of meeting where such discussion and decision took place, but he knowingly or deliberately and intelligently, mislead and misinformed the world with such wrong information, due to his selfish reasons to commit fraud with his statement.
On December 3, 2013, Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, attended the International Day of Persons with Disability event at Abuja, with the intent to recruit Nigerians with Disabilities for use in perfecting their fraud. He wasted no time to succeed in recruiting some, which he used to establish within ten days, Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, at Abuja Nigeria.
Alhaji AbdulRauf Olarenwaju Iliasu, thereafter, successfully, defrauded innocent, Nigerian investors, who wanted to help rehabilitate and take care of Nigerians with Disabilities, more than 3 billion Naira, by convincing them, with the copy of Ambassador Usman Sarki's July 17, 2013, statement at the UN Headquarters, New York.
Unsuspecting Nigerian Investors paid Billions of Naira, to Alhaji Abdulraud Olarenwaju Iliasu and his Federal Civil Services Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society's United Bank of Africa (UBA) account # 677236-1 and Zenith Bank with the captions of;
"Federal Civil Services Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society
The Presidency Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria"
Through the aforementioned Alhaji Iliasu's address, with the words, "The Presidency…," our Nigerian unsuspecting investors were unaware that Alhaji Iliasu, has nothing to do with the Presidency or Former President Goodluck Jonathan.
EFCC investigative staff, Mr. Ibrahim, Phone numbers, 08065755551, 08095755551, 08085585551, Mr. Titus of the ICPC, Phone number 08170000670, ICPC Mr. Emmanuel Phone Number 08058849737, Mr. Sunday Obua of the IGP Office Phone number 08033129778 and the National Human Rights Commission Mr. Omodara phone number 08034104538, did excellent jobs, by conducting very successfully through and extensive investigations, showing valid, debatable and veriable volumes or mountains of evidence and proves beyond reasonable doubt, which established prima facie entitlements for Ahjai Abdulraud Olarenwaju Iliasu and Ambassador Usman Sarki to be arrested, charged and prosecuted for knowingly or deliberately and intelligently conspiring with each other to engage in corruptions and defrauding unsuspecting innocent Nigerians investors of billions of Naira.
Pastor Emmanuel Oguntuyi, Head of Chancry, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Headquarters New York and the Mission's Attorney of records, also conducted their investigation, as organized by Ambassador Usman Sarki for use in covering himself up, but then, Pastor Oguntuyi, who is a Priest refused to cover up the crime and wrote good report. His New York Phone number is; 6462709737.
Dr. Sarah Jibril, Special Adviser to the Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, issued, published disclaimers by several Nigerian Newspapers, against Alhaji Iliasu, for using their office to defraud innocent Nigerian investors.
Alhaji Iliasu, knowingly or deliberately, impersonated that he was the Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Ethics and Values. He successfully, defrauded unsuspecting Nigerian investor of 40 Million Naira. Dr. Sarah Jibril, as soon as she became aware of this fraud, turned Alhaji Iliasu to the IGP Office of the Fraud taskforce, who arrested and charged him. Alhaji Iliasu was convicted and sent to Prison. He was thereafter bailed out of Prison by Justice Begore. This case is still pending at Abuja Court and Alhaji Iliasu refused to appear before the Judge, when ORDERED several times to Appear before the Judge.
In fact, several Uniformed Nigerian Police Officers, protects Alhaji Iliasu and roams the streets of Nigeria with him on a daily bases with a motor convoy and serine
The EFCC Boss, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who has been fully aware of these known and recognized corrupt practices, committed by Ambassador Sarki and Alhaji Iliasu, but he, knowingly or deliberately looked the other way; and has failed to bring them to justice, same ways that he just started to drastically, bring similar valid cases to justice.
The EFCC Boss, in dealing with these serious issues of constitutional concerns, for Nigerians with Disabilities, he knowingly and deliberately, engaged, himself into discrimination against people with disabilities, disparate treatments, stonewalling of true investigations, obstruction of justice, concealing and covering up facts, and selective enforcements of the EFCC rules and regulations; and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crime Law.
Mr. Lamorde grossly, violated the mandates set by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), signed by Nigerian on March 31, 2007 and ratified on September 24, 2010.
Nigerians with Disabilities Living in the United States, led by Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari for the EFCC boss, Mr. Lamorde, to resign or be replaced with a new EFCC Credible Boss, immediately for failure to arrest, charge and prosecute, Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Olarenwaju Iliasu and Ambassador Usman Sarki, same ways others were addressed.
Nigeria in one of the World's richest oil and gas producing Nations, by with huge pockets of poverty because of Nigeria's known and recognized endemic corruptions.
More than 25.5 Million long-neglected or ignored and marginalized, poor and helpless, Nigerians with disabilities, directly, suffers from the consequences of Nigeria's known and recognized endemic corruptions.
Today, Nigerians with Disabilities, were wrongfully, being classified and called terrorists by their Government, who forcefully removed them off the streets of Kaduna State and other states of Nigeria because of Nigeria's terrorism and endemic corruptions, which they do not have any hand on, but for Mr. Lamorde & others, failure to do their jobs right
Send your reports/articles/eyewitness accounts to publisher@elombah.com
Follow us on twitter handle @Elombah; Like our Facebook page: "Elombah.com"
Buhari suspended Immigration Boss over tragic recruitment – Presidency
Caleb Danladi Foundation Trains Widows on Vocational Skill Acquisition
Fayemi's wife promises more attention to vulnerable children in Ekiti

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I'm smiling only because of the great learning that happened the studio this past week. The preceding mess and trouble in clean up has me not smiling so much, but you can make a soufflé… etc. So I broke some eggs on Monday morning trying to do my first very large scale sculpture using a 5 gallon bucket of plaster. When it comes to plaster it's best to keep in mind how messy it is and lesson number one is. ALWAYS HAVE A PLASTIC DROP CLOTH COVERING THE FLOOR. If I had listened to that inner voice then I wouldn't have now spent over two hours on cleanup. . . Next, lesson MAKE CERTAIN THE EDGES OF YOUR MOLD BOX ARE SEALED. As I started to pour, a small flood of plaster began. Next lesson IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CRAFTED A SOLID DAM , DOUBLE CHECK AND SHORE IT UP. I had a pathetic clay wall dam to separate the sections and that dam blew.. finally, DON'T FORGET MOLD RELEASE AND OIL SOAPING OF PARTS. .. also USE A FUNNEL!
So I didn't lose the original sculpture, but I may need to redo some of my mold box parts. Onward!!


Chiropractic care is delivered in many ways. The most effective way we have found to restore, revitalize, and continue to grow a high level of health is through customized care plans. The care plans that our practice members participate in are designed specifically from the evidence we gather from the thorough consultation and examination on the initial visit, and are tailored as we go with the help of regular progress examinations to ensure the best care and results possible.
During the initial assessment, Dr. Grier customizes the examination to fit the needs of the person, utilizing highly trained hands, nervous system scanning technology, photographic posture analysis, and digital x-ray as indicated to get most well-rounded view possible of a person's health.
With this approach it is common for us to see profound results with people when other medical or chiropractic approaches have failed. We routinely see a return to health and vibrancy in children who have been dealing with chronic ear and sinus infections, sleeping problems, digestive challenges, and behavior issues. We also see health return to people whose lives have been interrupted by chronic pain syndromes, headaches, and issues like high blood pressure, insomnia, and general poor health. While having fewer symptoms is wonderful, it is really the return to living a happy, productive, and enjoyable life that is the true product of a well-constructed and delivered chiropractic care plan.
While many are used to a chiropractic approach that is limited to focusing on the symptom a person has, essentially receiving adjustment and being told to come back if the problem persists, we take a much deeper look because we know people were designed to be vibrantly healthy, and symptoms are just one way our bodies can tell us that all is not well.


text:
Carren Jao
Carren Jao is a digital producer for KCET and PBS SoCal. She is responsible for developing editorial strategies and supporting content for KCET and PBS SoCal's original productions, as well as digital projects. She manages the development of articles and short videos for the Emmy award-winning arts and culture series Artbound, Southland Sessions, the James Beard-nominated food series The Migrant Kitchen, Lost LA and more.
Earth Focus tells the story of Harry Reid, a politician who grew up in an Old West mining town, saw the possibility of a New West emerging in Nevada, and rode that change to power.
Watch Documentary
S3 E1: The Youth Climate Movement Around the World
In-depth profiles of four young environmentalists: Alexandria Villaseñor in California, Carl Smith in Alaska, Ayakha Melithafa in South Africa and Litokne Kabua in the Marshall Islands.
S3 E2: Coal Mining in South Africa
South Africa faces a stark reality as the continent's largest greenhouse gas emitter.
S3 E3: The Price of Gold in Peru
This episode follows chief environmental prosecutor Karina Garay as she works with the police, army and navy in destroying illegal mines and arresting miners in protected areas
S2 E1: Fueling Change - Oil Extraction in Alaska and California
The global demand for oil and gas has long-lasting impacts on the communities that supply it.


text:
var Registry = require('./registry');
var Permission = require('./permission');
var schemas = require('./schemas');
var Hoek = require('hoek');
var _ = require('lodash');
var utils = require('./utils');
var mongodb = require('mongodb');
var marked = require('marked');
var jwt = require('jsonwebtoken');
var Joi = require('joi');

var defaultOptions = {
	alwaysRequireAuthentication: false,
	authStrategy: 'jwt-token',
	userRegistration: true,
	maxBytes: 1048576 * 1000,
	authentication: {
		strategy: 'scoped-registry-auth-mongodb',
		options: {}
	}
};

exports.register = function (plugin, pluginOptions, next) {
	var Hapi = plugin.hapi;
	var options = Hoek.applyToDefaults(defaultOptions, pluginOptions);
	Joi.assert(options, schemas.RegistryConfig, 'Invalid registry configuration');

	mongodb.MongoClient.connect(options.mongodb, function (err, db) {
		if (err) {
			throw err;
		}

		var authOptions = options.authentication.options;
		authOptions.mongodb = db;

		var permission = new Permission(options.permissions);
		var AuthStrategy = require(options.authentication.strategy);
		var authStrategy = new AuthStrategy(authOptions);

		var registry = new Registry(options, db);

		var internals = {
			isRegistrationActive: function () {
				return options.userRegistration === true && _.isFunction(authStrategy.createUser);
			},
			permissions: function (pkgName, user) {
				return permission.permissions(pkgName, user);
			},
			canInstall: function (pkgName, user) {
				return permission.canInstall(pkgName, user);
			},
			canPublish: function (pkgName, user) {
				return permission.canPublish(pkgName, user);
			},
			_createToken: function (tokenData, reply) {
				Hoek.assert(!tokenData.password, 'Password should never be included');
				return reply(null, jwt.sign(tokenData, options.secret, options.jwtOptions));
			},
			validateTokenData: function (tokenData, reply) {
				authStrategy.validateTokenData(tokenData, function (error, isValid) {
					if (error || !isValid) {
						return reply(error, isValid);
					} else {
						delete tokenData.password;
						return reply(err, isValid, tokenData);
					}
				});
			},
			createUser: function (data, reply) {
				authStrategy.createUser(data, function (error, tokenData) {
					if (error) return reply(error);
					internals._createToken(tokenData, reply);
				});
			},
			validateCredentials: function (data, reply) {
				authStrategy.validateCredentials(data, function (error, isValid, tokenData) {
					if (error || !isValid) {
						return reply(error, isValid);
					} else {
						internals._createToken(tokenData, function (error, token) {
							return reply(error, isValid, token);
						});
					}
				});
			}
		};

		plugin.register({
			name: 'hapi-auth-jwt',
			plugin: require('hapi-auth-jwt')
		}, function (err) {
			Hoek.assert(!err, 'Error loading jwt plugin');
			plugin.auth.strategy(options.authStrategy, 'jwt', {
				key: options.secret,
				validateFunc: internals.validateTokenData
			});
		});

		var writeAuthStrategy = options.authStrategy;
		var readAuthStrategy = {
			strategy: options.authStrategy,
			mode: options.alwaysRequireAuthentication ? 'required' : 'optional'
		};

		/**
		 * Get package information (may for a specific version)
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/{package}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get package',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.info(request.params.package, function (error, info) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Failed to receive package information', error));
						} else if (info) {
							return reply(info);
						} else {
							return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/{package}/{version}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get package version',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageVersionParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.info(request.params.package, function (error, info) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(Hapi.error.internal('Failed to receive package information', error));
						} else if (info && info.versions[request.params.version]) {
							return reply(info.versions[request.params.version]);
						} else {
							return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Publish new package or star/unstar
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'PUT',
			path: '/{package}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				description: 'Publish a new package/version or star/unstar package',
				payload: {
					maxBytes: options.maxBytes
				},
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageParams,
					payload: schemas.PackagePayload
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					var data = request.payload;
					var permissions = internals.permissions(request.params.package, request.auth.credentials);
					var star = !data.versions && data.users;

					if (star && permissions.install) {
						var username = request.auth.credentials.name;
						var star = data.users[username] || false;
						registry[star ? 'star' : 'unstar'](data._id, username, function (error) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Failed to star/unstar package ' + data._id));
							} else {
								return reply().code(201);
							}
						});
					} else if (!star && permissions.publish) {
						registry.publish(data, function (error) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
							} else {
								return reply().code(201);
							}
						});
					} else {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					}
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Unpublish package or version
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'PUT',
			path: '/{package}/-rev/{revision}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Unpublish versions',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					payload: schemas.PackagePayload,
					params: schemas.PackageRevisionParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					if (!internals.canPublish(request.params.package, request.auth.credentials)) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					} else {
						var data = request.payload;
						registry.update(data, function (error) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
							}

							return reply().code(201);
						});
					}
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'DELETE',
			path: '/{package}/-rev/{revision}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Unpublish package',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageRevisionParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					if (!internals.canPublish(request.params.package, request.auth.credentials)) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					} else {
						registry.unpublish(request.params.package, function (error) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Unpublish package failed', error));
							}

							return reply().code(201);
						});
					}
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Tagging of versions. Deletion of tag is currently not supported by npm client?
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'PUT',
			path: '/{package}/{tag}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Create a new tag',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.TagParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					var version = _.isString(request.payload) ? request.payload : null;

					if (!internals.canPublish(request.params.package, request.auth.credentials)) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					} else if (!version) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.badRequest('Version missing'));
					} else {
						registry.tag(request.params.package, request.params.tag, version, function (error, count) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
							} else if (count < 1) {
								return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
							} else {
								reply().code(201);
							}
						});
					}
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'DELETE',
			path: '/{package}/{tag}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Delete a tag',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.TagParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					if (!internals.canPublish(request.params.package, request.auth.credentials)) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					} else {
						registry.untag(request.params.package, request.params.tag, function (error, count) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
							} else if (count < 1) {
								return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
							} else {
								reply().code(201);
							}
						});
					}
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * File/tarball handling. Deletion is automatically performed on unpublish.
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/tarball/{package}/{filename}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get package tarball',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.TarballParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					var filename = utils.unescapeName(request.params.filename);
					var packageName = utils.unescapeName(request.params.package);

					if (!internals.canInstall(packageName, request.auth.credentials)) {
						return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('Not allowed to access this package'));
					} else {
						registry.fetchArchive(packageName, filename, function (error, stream) {
							if (error) {
								return reply(Hapi.error.internal('Fetching tarball failed', error));
							} else if (stream) {
								return reply(stream).code(200);
							} else {
								return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
							}
						});
					}
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'DELETE',
			path: '/tarball/{filename}/-rev/{revision}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Remove package tarball',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.TarballRevisionParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					reply().code(201);
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Full package listings - used for local search in general. How does it work for
		 * scoped-registries?
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/-/all',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Search for package',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.all(null, function (error, result) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
						} else if (result) {
							return reply(result);
						} else {
							return reply().code(204);
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/-/all/since',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'List changed packages since',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					query: schemas.AllSinceQuery
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.all(request.query.startkey, function (error, result) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
						} else if (result) {
							return reply(result);
						} else {
							return reply().code(204);
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Search call - not sure this is used by npm client. Seems like the client performs
		 * local search based on /all data. How is it performed for scoped-registries?
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/-/all/search',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'List changed packages with keyword',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					query: schemas.Search
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.find(request.query.query, function (error, result) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Publishing failed', error));
						} else if (result) {
							return reply(result);
						} else {
							return reply().code(204);
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * User related routes
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'PUT',
			path: '/-/user/org.couchdb.user:{username}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Create or authenticate user',
				validate: {
					params: schemas.UserParams,
					payload: schemas.CreateOrAuthenticateUser
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					internals.validateCredentials(request.payload, function (error, valid, token) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Error during authentication', error));
						} else if (valid && token) {
							return reply({token: token}).code(201);
						} else if (valid === false) {
							return reply(Hapi.error.unauthorized('User credentials incorrect'));
						} else if (internals.isRegistrationActive()) {
							internals.createUser(request.payload, function (error, token) {
								if (!error && token) {
									return reply({token: token}).code(201);
								} else {
									return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Error during registration', error));
								}
							});
						} else {
							return reply(Hapi.error.forbidden('User registration is disabled / not supported.'));
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/-/user/org.couchdb.user',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get currently authenticated user',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					return reply(request.auth.credentials);
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'PUT',
			path: '/-/user/org.couchdb.user:{username}/-rev/{revision}',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Update user',
				auth: writeAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.UserRevisionParams,
					payload: schemas.UpdateUser
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					return reply(Hapi.error.notImplemented());
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Additional routes - not supported by npm client
		 */
		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/-/status',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Registry status',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.status(function (error, status) {
						if (status) {
							return reply(status)
						} else {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Failed to receive registry status', error));
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/{package}/readme',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get readme',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					var packageName = request.params.package;
					registry.info(packageName, function (error, document) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Fetching readme failed', error));
						} else if (document && document.readme) {
							return reply(marked(document.readme)).code(200);
						} else {
							return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		plugin.route({
			method: 'GET',
			path: '/{package}/{version}/readme',
			config: {
				tags: ['api'],
				description: 'Get readme',
				auth: readAuthStrategy,
				validate: {
					params: schemas.PackageVersionParams
				},
				handler: function (request, reply) {
					registry.readme(request.params.package, request.params.version, function (error, readme) {
						if (error) {
							return reply(error && error.isBoom ? error : Hapi.error.internal('Fetching readme failed', error));
						} else if (readme) {
							return reply(marked(readme)).code(200);
						} else {
							return reply(Hapi.error.notFound());
						}
					});
				}
			}
		});

		/**
		 * Expose through plugin interface
		 */
		plugin.expose('registry', registry);
		plugin.expose('authentication', authStrategy);
		plugin.expose('internals', internals);

		next();
	});
};

exports.register.attributes = {
	name: 'scoped-registry-api',
	version: require('../package.json').version
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


THIS INDENTURE made the four and twentieth day of June, in the sixteenth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, Charles the Second, by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c., Anno. Domini, 1664. Between His Royal Highness, James Duke of York, and Albany, Earl of Ulster, Lord High Admiral of England, and Ireland, Constable of Dover Castle, Lord Warden of the Cinque ports, and Governor of Portsmouth, of the one part: John Lord Berkeley, Baron of Stratton, and one of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, and Sir, George Carteret of Saltrum, in the County of Devon, Knight and one of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council of the other part: WHEREAS his said Majesty King Charles the Second, by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England, bearing date on or about the twelfth day of March, in the sixteenth year of his said Majesty's reign, did for the consideration therein mentioned, give and grant unto his said Royal Highness James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix next adjoining to New Scotland in America; and from thence extending along the sea coast unto a certain place called Pemaquie or Pemaquid, and so by the river thereof to the furthest head of the same as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river of Kenebeque, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river Canady northwards; and also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being toward the west of Cape Codd and the Narrow Higansetts, abutting up the main land between the two rivers there, called or known by the several names of Connecticut, and Hudson's river; together also with the said river called Hudson's river, and all the land from the west side of the Connecticut river to the east side of the Delaware Bay: and also several other islands and lands in said Letters Patents mentioned, together with the rivers, harbours, mines, minerals, quarries, woods, marshes, waters, lakes, fishing, hawkings, huntings, and fowling, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and heriditaments to the said several islands lands and premises belonging and appertaining, to have and to hold the said lands, islands, hereditaments and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, unto his said Royal Hiness James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns for ever; to be holden of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, as of the manner of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common soccage, yielding and rendering unto his said Majesty his heirs and successors of and for the same, yearly and every year, forty beaver skins, when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days after; with divers other grants, clauses, provisos, and agreements, in the said recited Letters Patents contain'd, as by the said Letters Patents, relation being thereunto had, it do and may more plainly and at large appear. Now this Indenture witnesseth, that his said Royal Highness James Duke of York in hand paid by the aid John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof the said James Duke of York, doth hereby acknowledge, and thereof doth acquit and discharge the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret forever by these presents hath granted, bargained, sold, released and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island, and Manhitas Island and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson's river, and hath upon the west Delaware bay or river, and extendeth southward to the main ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of the Delaware bay; and to the northward as far as the northermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware, which is forty-one degrees and forty minutes of latitude, and crosseth over thence in a strait line to Hudson's river in forty-one degrees of latitude; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called by the name or names of New Caeserea or New Jersey: and also all rivers, mines, mineralls, woods, fishings, hawking, hunting, and fowling, and all other royalties, profits, commodities, and hereditaments whatever, to the said lands and premises belonging or in any wise appertaining; with their and every of their appurtenances, in as full and ample manner as the same is granted to the said Duke of York by the before- recited Letters Patents; and all the estate, title, interest, benefit advantage, claim and demand of the said James Duke of York, of in or to the said and premises, or any part or parcel thereof: All of which said tract of land and premises were by indenture, bearing date the day before the date hereof, bargain's and sold by the said James Duke of York, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, for the term of one whole year to commence from the first day of May last past, before the date thereof, under the rent of a peper corn, payable as therein is mentioned as by the said deed more plainly may appear: by force and virtue of which said indenture of bargain and sale, and of the statute for transferring of uses into possession, the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, are in actual possession of the said tract of land and premises, and enabled to take a grant and release thereof, the said lease being made to that end and purpose, to have and to hold all and singular the said tract of land and premises; with their, and every of their appurtenances, and every part and parcel thereof, unto the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret their heirs and assigns for ever; yielding and rendering therefore unto the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, for the said tract of land and premises, yearly and every year the sum of twenty nobles of lawful money of England, if the same shall be lawfully demanded at or in the Inner Temple Hall, London, at the Feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel yearly. And the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret for themselves and their heirs, covenant and grant to and with the said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns by these presents, that they the said John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, their heirs and assigns, shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the Said James Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, the said yearly rent of twenty nobles at such time and place, and in such manner and form as before in these presents is expressed and delivered. In witness whereof the parties aforesaid to these presents have interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.


On Saturday, December 10th, 2016 St Patrick-St Vincent will host the Brookside Christian Knights for an opportunity to play in the CIF 6A bowl championship game next weekend. There will be many Brookside Christian fans that are not able to make the trip and they will have to look for alternative options when it comes to consuming this game. It will likely be the case that many seek out the St Patrick-St Vincent vs Brookside Christian radio broadcast live online through a streaming audio feed. Some will seek out live TV broadcast or video options as well.
With this being just one of 12 California CIF bowl semifinal games taking place on Saturday we cannot expect to see a statewide TV broadcast on ESPN, ABC, NBC or CBS. In fact, it might be quite difficult to find any type of video broadcast. There may be some fans that are using Periscope or Facebook Live to provide a live stream but this will likely be the only way you will get to see this game.
If you are willing to listen to the game there should be some local AM and FM radio stations that have this game on tonight. We suggest downloading the TuneIn radio app which hosts many of the local radio stations that have a website with a realplayer live audio stream. If you have an iPhone or Android smartphone you can download this app for free and start using it right now.
How are you going to watch or listen to this game? Are you going to drive to St Patrick-St Vincent High School and buy a ticket? Are you going to try to find it on a local radio station?


PBB alum Vivoree Esclito was lucky enough to bond with the Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez during MEGA Exclusives with BYS banquet on January 11. On an Instagram post, Vivoree shared how much she admires the globally-renowned performer.
She wrote on her caption: "The one and only. Mama and I used to sing her songs. Jamming namin yun noon pa.
We'd love to see these BYS women perform together!
Ang galing mo Vivoree. You started from the bottom but look at you now. You slowly but surely climbing the stairs to stardom. We witnessed your ups and downs and we know how brave you are. We were there since the start and we'll gonna be there till the end. You brought so much happiness and inspiration to us. We will never get tired of you. We love you, V. Continue to shine brightly cause you're not just a star but our sunshine.
I dol ko rin yan si Miss Regineat Sarah G.si Vivoree pag nahasa pa to ng husto mas may ibubuga pa to medyu kabado lang sya minsan pag nagpeperform kaya medyu shakey yung boses but still good i love Vivoree she's so pretty.
Yes po..I love and hoping so soon that they be singing together..pls po..
Regine Velasquez Is Set to Record a 30-Song Album!


text:
MEL Magazine
© 2022 MEL Magazine
MEL Films
Tasha Reign
Drugs, Work Ian Lecklitner August 2, 2020
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The Dudes Who Smoke Weed Before Work Say It Helps Them Perform on a Higher Level
If man is a cog in the vast machine of capitalism, some would argue that cannabis is our lubricant
Brian, a camp counselor, gets ready for work like anyone else. He eats breakfast. He sips coffee. He showers. And then he smokes a phat bowl.
If you think that last bit is abnormal, think again: A 2019 survey found that 5 percent of Canadians smoke weed before work, and a spokesperson for the Brightfield Group, a cannabis-minded market research firm, told the New York Post that there are "millions of Americans" getting righteously high in the workplace on a "regular basis."
Some of our most cherished celebrities have built wildly lucrative careers that revolve around them smoking weed before — and during — work. Snoop Dogg keeps a salaried blunt roller in his posse. Seth Rogen is stoned during "100 percent" of his performances. Willie Nelson is high "pretty much all the time."
If man is a cog in the vast machine of capitalism, some would argue that weed is our lubricant. Brian, for instance, tells me that his routine consumption helps him be more creative and interactive with the kids at his camp. "We place creative roadblocks in our minds, and weed has always helped me clear that roadblock," he says. "Creativity is important to kids, so I find that it helps me bond with them more."
Jack, a software engineer, says smoking before work helps him grind through the tedium of monotonous testing. "It helps with the mundane logistical things," he says. "It actually helps me do a better job, because I stop thinking about the other things I could be doing with my time and how this work is bullshit. It makes it less agitating."
For Jonathan, a customer experience data analyst, vaping in the mornings helps him dial in on reports and spreadsheets. "I'm dreamy in the mornings, and it helps ground me," he says. Andrea (an alias), a law clerk, says weed "helps me calm down enough to sort through the shitshow that's the American legal system. It's almost like it helps me slow down enough to understand how to communicate. My brain moves too fast after reading and trying to reconcile a bunch of case opinions, statutes and legal practice guides. Once I slow down, it's easier to articulate the nuances."
Then there are workers like Sean, a sales associate in a clothing store, who simply smoke to relieve the stress of keeping their noses to the grindstone. "I generally smoke before work out of boredom, but also as hangover relief during morning shifts on the weekends," he says.
For all of these workers, smoking before clocking in provides some sort of assistance, but it also requires careful precision. "It definitely makes it hard to focus if I smoke too much," Jonathan admits. "Strains are important. Some would definitely make me want to just chill or space out." The best strains for work, he claims, have a wide spectrum of cannabinoids and a low amount of psychoactive THC.
On some days, for instance, Sean has surpassed the limits of being productively high at work, and he warns against it. "My boss was pretty perceptive," he says. "That coupled with the fact that I was generally high energy while not stoned made him pick up on it a little, and he asked if I was alright. I just said I was feeling under the weather."
Phew, close call.
To avoid instances of additional anxiety caused by smoking weed before work, Andrea keeps her consumption to when "I've already done and organized all of my research."
You got it boss man
A post shared by Four Twenty (@fourtwenty) on Jun 29, 2020 at 7:25pm PDT
For the most part, these anecdotes support the notion that weed can contribute to productivity in the workforce. The science, however, is all over the place. One study of thousands of employees and hundreds of employers found that weed has the potential to slightly decrease productivity, but some sectors displayed an increase. Broadly speaking, we know that weed can result in short-term memory problems, impaired thinking and decreased alertness. Then again, as my colleague Andrew Fiouzi recently wrote, "There is some evidence that suggests that for people with ADHD, smoking weed can actually help them focus." As Jonathan notes, "Cannabis affects everyone uniquely."
Even among those who swear by smoking at work, the impact that weed has on them can be hard to anticipate at times. A chronic smoker describes this experience well in a 2014 VICE article: "On some days, smoking helped me relax and focus on doing one task at a time. On other days, weed made me struggle to concentrate, and I spent three hours on Reddit instead of working."
In some ways, then, smoking weed before work is a gamble. It may get you in the zone, or it may make you spend your day thinking about Cheetos. Therefore, some jobs may be more suitable for weed smokers than others. "I've tried to smoke, then do something with tools, like machinery, and I understand wholeheartedly why companies drug test," Jack says. "You can't be doing that shit when you're high, because you'll kill someone." Brian adds, "If you're a lawyer, maybe smoking weed after work is a better option. But if you're working in customer service, teaching or doing any sort of creative thinking, smoking weed can benefit you greatly."
To that end, there are also questions about the ethics of smoking before work, even in jobs where being high is relatively harmless (clearly, operating heavy machinery while stoned is a terrible idea). Again, though, many believe the ethics of smoking at work boil down to what you do for a living. As one Quora browser writes, "Office job? Go for it. Surgeon? Get the fuck. If a lack of muscle control could harm you or others, please don't."
If you work a job where being high has no chance of harming others, though, Jonathan argues that the act of smoking before work is entirely morally sound. "Cannabis is like our best friend in the plant world," he says. "The same cannabinoids in the plant are found not only in other plants, but in our body itself. We need to expand our understanding of reality and the human condition. We work really hard, and we should have something that balances it out. There are a lot of societal pressures, and cannabis helps you reflect and respond appropriately."
Furthermore, Jonathan argues that humans have been smoking before work since we first discovered weed, and that any negative stigma we feel toward doing so is largely cultural — several African tribes have a history of smoking weed before going to war so they felt stimulated to perform "hazardous feats," and historically, in rural areas of Jamaica, the belief is that cannabis "permits the individual to face, start and carry through the most difficult and distasteful manual labor."
So, is weed before work helpful or harmful?
It seems that depends on the person and the job. But whether we can come to an agreement or not, one thing is definitely true — smokers are gonna smoke.
Ian Lecklitner
Ian Lecklitner is a staff writer at MEL Magazine. He mostly writes about everyone's favorite things: Sex, drugs and food.
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