text:
Home Opinion Perspective
12:00 AM, April 03, 2020 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:52 AM, April 03, 2020
Corona-shaming exposes the fault lines of our society
A group of Italy-returnees stage a protest inside the Ashkona Hajj Camp after they were quarantined there upon their return, on March 14, 2020. File Photo: Collected
Zobaida Nasreen and Gopa Biswas Caesar
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlett Letter, we read about how adulterers had to wear the sign "A" across their chest. We even have examples in local literature and popular culture like the one of Hurmati , from Shahidullah Kaiser Sangshaptak, or that of Rakhee Gulzar's character in the 1998 hit Indian film Soldier.
Yes, after a collective shout, we are stamping overseas returnees with "PROUD TO PROTECT BANGLADESH/ HOME QUARANTINED UNTILL..." in a similar way. We believe it is important to explore the meaning(s) this mark bears in the present scenario in Bangladesh. It denotatively means that the returnees bearing this temporary mark need to be quarantined for 14 days, to limit the contagiousness that has caused the present pandemic. But, for the returnees, the "isolation" associated with the aforementioned mark/stamp connotes "untouchability". And, with the series of viral videos of angry returnees at the Ashkona Hajj Camp to the carefree rashgolla-loving biker from Shariatpur, the Covid-19 disease has "earned" the status of a kharap rog where many ranging from patients, doctors and nurses to friends, family members and neighbours of the returnees tended to hide the symptoms. However, when the stamp should have only indicated that they have returned from abroad, they are all facing a strong surge of stigma even though many of them do not have the disease. Things have escalated to a level that local residents are almost on the verge of banning the returnees from entering their own mohallas, because they have decided by now that these "stamped" people are bad news.
For long, "living in a foreign country" was a symbol of status but things have changed dramatically. Now, in this era of corona, the news of someone's coming from a foreign country provokes a sense of fear, social shaming and stigma. We are advised to keep ourselves away from a sneezing neighbour, to shut doors on our ailing caretakers, etc. for safety measures. We even learned how not to hanker after the money (i.e. banknotes)! But this has been socially understood and collectively practiced in a "strange" way that requires attention. Rather than limiting public gatherings or maintaining social distance and personal hygiene, somehow our netizens seem more interested in pinning the blame on something or someone. Therefore, soon after the government decides that the bodies of the patients who died from Covid-19 would be buried at Khilgaon-Taltola graveyard, the locals protested and put up a notice at the entrance gate asking the government to not bury the bodies there, and suggested they should find some "safer" place outside of Dhaka instead. The intensity of our will to cut all contacts with them became pictorial when "grown-ups" of Diabari protested after it was announced that Diabari would make space for institutional quarantine of the returnees. The idea of living our last painful days alone, without any kith and kin around, followed by the most deserted cremation is getting on our nerves. Such a formidable crisis has never crossed our thresholds—and now, when it did, we are barely trusting anyone. This is the era in which we have learned how to un-trust, we are flooded with distrust, and as a nation susceptible to rumour, we have learned how to mistrust, too.
In Jashore, we red-flagged residences of the overseas returnees, but another in Manikganj is seen to spread maya-mohabbat among his village mates. In response, netizens are trolling them. Journalists hopped in and probably "duly" ran sensational stories about how sassy, selfish, and unruly the returnees are. We are starting to see them as an uncouth and rude group of people who are putting our safety at stake by refusing to practice the ideal model of conduct which means social distancing and self-quarantine. Some of them are asked to go for forced "isolation" and that immediately creates the dichotomy of us-vs-them.
A us-vs-them narrative is already gaining a lot of popularity. We are often taking breaks to raise questions like why we are still allowing flights from coronavirus-stricken countries and occasionally, ridiculing "surreal" comments made by important people of the country that give the impression as if they cannot care less. But the panicky selves within us gradually learn to overlook the lack of preparedness which was required as we almost got a three months' notice before the virus came to our shores. But all our minds seek is to find a bad guy—in this case, overseas returnees and the dead. We are trying to banish them from our very own utopic "land of the living" which looks like a very long shot, right now.
How does this dichotomy act in our society? Is it making us inhumane to some extent? Except for a few hospitals, most of the hospitals are denying patients with flu, cough, sneezing, breathing problems and other symptoms which are common in a Covid-19 case because they are not at all equipped to provide treatments to such patients. Moreover, handling even one patient can lead to the quarantine of the entire hospital along with infecting all the staff and other patients.
A few days ago, a person died at Shivganj, Bagura. He returned home from Gazipur with fever and cough and fainted due to high fever. His wife's attempt to call for an ambulance did not work out, a phone call to the hotline failed. Nobody responded to his family's plea for getting medical attention, as all are afraid they might get infected with the virus too. Having one member in the family with possible symptoms might make the whole family pay a high price socially. It might lead to having police interrogating the entire family of a suspected Covid-19 patient and getting the entire area surrounding the house locked down. The behaviour of all the residents of that area, including the security guards, changes overnight, even before one is confirmed as a Covid-19 patient. Such stigmatised gaze is getting more intense as citizens countrywide are counting their locked-down days.
Not just in Bangladesh, Covid-19 patients across the world have reportedly suffered from such social stigma and xenophobia, and proper treatment was denied in many cases. The first Covid-19 patients and their family members were inundated with hate messages and social-shaming. The exacerbation of social shaming is leading people to hide their symptoms from the health professionals as well as neighbours.
Despite the IEDCR's repetitive denial of the transmission of Covid-19 at a community level, it keeps requesting people to contact their hotline numbers if they have any symptom of the coronavirus. However, people keep complaining that they are not being able to get through the hotline.
The way the state is handling the pandemic is fuelling the stigma and xenophobia in society. And as we write this piece, we came across the news of a local hotel in Sylhet kicking out an international guest with Covid-19 symptoms, who lied in the street for a while before a rescue team took him to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.
In regular press briefings, the IEDCR director states that they cannot reveal the identities of the deceased as they may face social harassment—while it would be just enough to say that it is because of medical ethics. All the claims made by netizens in social media about their severe lack of preparation in handling an epidemic of this magnitude fall into places, thanks to the ceaseless attempts to sweep their shortcomings under the carpet.
When one of us asked our domestic help to take a break during the lockdown, she replied with gloomy eyes, "Why? I do not have that kharap rog." It makes us wonder how the coronavirus is gradually becoming a kharap rog and how we are collectively contributing to the social manifestation of this disease. It is high time that we addressed these social issues. It is because of such stigma and sometimes xenophobic behaviour that an Indian citizen of Chinese descent, who has never been to China, had to stand in front of his vandalised laundry store with a placard claiming, "I have never been to China!"
Zobaida Nasreen teaches anthropology at Dhaka University. She can be reached at zobaidanasreen@du.ac.bd. Gopa Biswas Caesar teaches at Dhaka University, and can be reached at gopa.caesar@gmail.com.
Sexualising and policing girls' bodies
Can a woman register a Muslim marriage?
How long shall we go on to blame the victims?
The 'Wonder Drug' takes a quantum leap!
Are grades all that matter?
Discovery of magnetic iron ore reserve in Dinajpur
Mobile financial services: Strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering, anti-terror financing measures
Democracy in clear and present danger
Children need less screen time and more active play
More from Perspective
Homebound: The first eight days
Covid-19: Why Bangladesh could be amongst the worst affected during this pandemic
What about workers in the informal sector?
The centrality of reason
Coronavirus pandemic: time is running out


A significant rockfall occurred at the Hickman Bridge Trailhead off Utah Highway 24 on March 23, 2013. Several hundred tons of material fell, blocking the only trail access to Hickman Bridge. The trailhead was officially closed upon discovery of the rockfall.
Due to the size of the rockfall, additional precautions were taken before the trailhead about be reopened. The trailhead has been delineated and the trail has been realigned around the debris pile. This work was accomplished with assistance from the Rocky Mountain National Park trail crew. A portion of a retaining wall just beyond the rockfall was washed out during this seasons flooding in September. Please use caution when hiking through this area. Masonry work will be performed in the spring as warmer temperatures allow.
The Hickman Bridge Trail, 2 miles round-trip (3.2 km) is one of the most popular trail in Capitol Reef National Park. This trail provides great views of the reef, Capitol Dome. the spectacular Hickman Bridge and also provides access to the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs Trail.
Caution is advised while hiking and visiting all locations in canyon country. Inherent dangers exist including rockfall hazard, flash floods, loose footing, and lightning. Stay alert, be aware of hazardous conditions and check with the visitor center staff for additional updates or weather conditions.


● This is the strongest bracket made to attach to a solid back.
● Brackets are ¼" thick steel, powder coated in black.
● Brackets will not bend, break or move out of position.
● Use with solid back.
● Hole adjustable in ½" increments in width, 1" in height.


*HOT* Barnes & Noble: Leap Frog Leap Pad Explorer only $66!
To check the inventory at your local Barnes and Noble, check here for the pink LeapPad, and here for the green LeapPad. This coupon is only valid in-store and expires on 11/24/11.
I got one at Fred Meyer tonight with the 25% off coupon!! At first I went to the Freddys off Cornelius Pass Rd and they did not have any. I asked a sales associate if they had some in the back. She went and checked the store computer and told me they had none, she went on to tell me that the Beaverton store has 4 and that the off of TV HWY has 19!! So, I went to the TV HWY location and when I got there the Leappad was not on the shelf. I asked another sales associate where the Leappad is and told her that I was told they have 19. The sales associate finally went to the back and brought one out for me. So, if you are looking for a Leappad the Hillsboro store off of TV HWY has them!!!
Think I could use this on the innotab?
Note: This item does not qualify for coupons or promotional discounts unless expressly stated.
Medford has it, woo hoo!!!! Bought it at Fred Meyer for $75 with coupon this week, taking it back to get this one, in PINK and cheaper!
Tracy is the Fred Meyer coupon for this in Sunday's paper?
Found it! Thank you so much for this, I have to drive 25 miles to get it but it's still worth it!!
Fred Meyers has a deal for 25 % off toys this week with the coupon in the ad too. It worked for the leappad making it only $74.99!!!!
the stores told me that they dont even have the option to order them right now.
none of the stores in the area have any 🙁 i called all of them as soon as i saw this post.
Out of stock – everywhere.
I want it for my daughter & nephew.
Can you have it shipped to the store (i.e. use coupon today to pay and pick up when it is in stock?!) This is a great deal!


text:
Self-Leadership
Rewired to Thrive
THE MAGIC OF
We are a team creating a community. We care about connection and coherence. We believe in theory and experience.
Every single one of us walks our talk in both our personal and professional lives. Which puts us in the unique position to deliver transformation, rather than just information.
HELENE PHILIPSEN
Founder & Consultant
Helene is a consultant, coach and counsellor from Copenhagen, Denmark. She is specialized in personal leadership development and is passionate about psychology, human growth hacking and the unlearn method that she has developped and applied in her work for nearly a decade now.
Helene is a TEDx speaker and was a radiohost and co-producer on the radio America Out Loud. She co-authored several books and has published guides on stress, emotional eating, addictive patterns and codependency
Helene is also our online training manager because she implements the latest intuitive engagement and learning techniques to ensure knowledge and healing is easy, exciting and at your fingertips.
Helene enjoys wearing a t-shirt that says "keep talking - I'm diagnosing you" and isn't shy about saying "if you work with me, you risk feeling seriously good about yourself afterwards!"
Being the wife of a Navy veteran and a mom + stepmom of 3 big humans, she knows the importance of resilience and balance, from the inside and out.
Female leaders; Mind, Body & Soul
helene@unlearn-rewire-relearn.com
ANDREA PENNINGTON
Facilitator & Consultant
Andrea is an American medical doctor and meditation teacher who specializes in burnout recovery and building resilience.
She is also a science nerd and the one that makes sure that we are always updated on and using the latest trends and research in stress physiology and neuroscience.
Andrea is currently producing a documentary film about resilience to showcase how everyone has the innate capacity to heal, recover and thrive after the drama and trauma of life subsides.
Andrea is an author and publisher of multiple books and a 3 x TEDx speaker.
Andrea has been featured on major global platforms like CNN, Discovery, Oprah Winfrey show and many more...
In8Vitality
andrea@unlearn-rewire-relearn.com
LAU PLOUG ALBJERG
Associate Coach & Consultant
Lau comes from an international career in marketing and brand management across some of the world's most well known brands, where he has been responsible for various regions across northern Europe.
Lau's corporate background combined with his training as a coach in cognitive behavioral coaching, makes him a perfect partner for companies and individual clients looking to bring positive meaningful change to their organisation or personal career aspirations.
He holds a Master in Digital Media Management from the University of London, and is passionately engaged in the Diversity and Inclusion agenda at workspaces as well as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
On top of being an associate coach with UNLEARN he is working as a career management consultant and brand specialist for the world's leading outplacement and talent development agency in London.
Lau is located between London and Copenhagen and all his facilitation can be conducted in both Danish and English.
lau@unlearn-rewire-relearn.com
DORTE OLIVARIUS
Dorte Olivarius Koustrup is an on/off expat Dane, and is our genie on Awakening Joy, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion. Dorte has served her clients live and online - through courses, 1:1 programs, workshops and talks in Norway, United States and in Denmark.
Dorte is also a mother of three, and is forthcoming, unpretentious and warm. She makes meditative practises uncomplicated, very straightforward and enjoyable. Dorte has a lot of experience working with humans going through stressful situations.
Dorte holds various degrees. A Master of Science (M.Sc) from Handelshøjskolen in Aarhus, an MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) from Aarhus University in Denmark and University of Massachusetts, USA, and is also an MSC (Mindful-Self-Compassion) Teacher from Center for Mindful Self-Compassion - an education founded by Kristin Neff and Chris Germer.
Dorte has many years' of experience as a teacher. In 2006-2015 she was lecturing various subjects to students, as well as being a counselor for college students (at Copenhagen Business Academy) dealing with difficult - often stress-related - situations during their studies.
Awakening Joy
Selfcompassion
M.B.S.R.
dorte@unlearn-rewire-relearn.com
©unlearn, 2021

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Dear Friend of the Rhode Island SPCA,
2020 marks our 150th anniversary year. While it was not quite as celebratory as envisioned, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are here today because of our ability to adapt to decades of change and because of the unwavering commitment from supporters such as you.
So as history has shown, we are once again adapting to meet the current needs of the pets and people of Rhode Island and doing it with the same passion and dedication that has made us the longest standing animal welfare organization in the state.
While we are a private, non-profit organization, we also provide an invaluable service to the State of Rhode Island through the services of our Division of Law Enforcement. In 2020 we have conducted 52 animal cruelty investigations so far. We would not be able to provide this service along with offering a number of other essential programs in animal welfare, without the support and generosity of the community and our donors.
As we look toward 2021, we hope that you will continue to support our mission of "speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves" and give as generously as possible today.
Best wishes from the Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers at the Rhode Island SPCA
Click Here to see our Fall Appeal Newsletter
For questions or additional information, please contact Colin Heroux, Development and Community Relations Assistant at 401-438-8150 x8 or cheroux@rispca.com.


I've been on both sides of the tracks when it comes to language-learning. I've worked as an English teacher for overseas learners for going on a decade now, but long before that, I had a passion for learning languages.
Ten years ago I started teaching on a volunteer project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in a very informal set-up where people from a favela community came to free classes on an ad-hoc basis. Their main priority was speaking and socialising. This experience prompted me to get my CELTA in 2011, after which I worked in a language institute in Portugal for two years, learning the ropes, you might say. I then freelanced for 18 months in Colombia, mostly on a one-to-one basis, before going back to working in a language institute in Italy for just over two years. In between all this, I've taught in summer schools in the UK and done university pre-sessionals with would-be postgraduates.
So you might say I've seen the profession from a wide range of angles.
I probably started teaching English because my love of learning languages drove me to travel, and the two have gone neatly hand-in-hand ever since. I did Spanish through high school, but probably only learned properly at university, where I did English and Hispanic Studies, which included Spanish, and Portuguese from scratch. The degree involved six months in Brazil then Argentina, and since graduating, I've spent about two and a half years in Portuguese-speaking countries, and a touch more in Spanish-speaking ones. While it was good to do the nitty-gritty groundwork in the languages at university, I really honed them while living abroad and I got to a near-native standard. In the case of Italian, I've never taken a class and only ever self-taught, obviously combined with living in Italy. I've recently passed a B2 CEFR exam in Italian, but in hindsight could have passed a C1, while I've got C2 in Spanish and Portuguese.
My next challenge is Russian, and I aim to learn it completely independently.
So, DIY is the way forward as a language student.
The point of this article is not to give a summary of my CV or academic achievements, but to say how my experience as both language student and teacher has led me to believe that the best way to learn foreign languages is ultimately by doing it myself.
After reading about, being told about, and finally implementing the raft of language-teaching methods that are out there, you find out what works, and through watching your learners learn, you pick up things that are useful for your own language-learning. Simple examples include: recording vocabulary in context, listening to podcasts and making sure you use a new expression as many times as possible so that it sticks.
Arguably, I don't actually need a teacher to do these things with me; I simply have to know that they are good habits to have.
In the majority of classrooms around the world, there is a lot of what I'd call non-teaching, which most likely outweighs the useful stuff. Think of a teacher explaining when a grammar component is used, listening to song lyrics and doing gap-fills or reading a dialogue. All non-starters in my classroom and study room. Yes, grammar rules are useful, but we don't need to know about them. Songs are great for hearing intonation patterns and learning expressions, but the time taken to do such gap-fills doesn't justify the outcome. Dialogues should be models to be moulded, not simply read out loud.
The point being here is that so much time in the classroom is wasted on doing things that aren't actually that useful for our language-learning.
An argument that frequently does the rounds is the following: If we want to drive a car or play an instrument, we don't study 'how' to do it. We simply do it. They are treated as skills rather than subjects, and it is argued that English should be thought of in this way too. I completely agree. There's no point knowing about the language if you can't actually use it, and so many classrooms and teachers are geared towards teaching you about the language, with a sort of checklist mentality (often imposed by employers), rather than how to actually use it.
Teaching English as a subject is not an approach that I believe to work.
Most institutes want to enrol as many students as possible, and promise to make them fluent in an obscenely short space of time. I've taught in so many over-subscribed classrooms where the learning styles, levels, interests and needs differ vastly. It's tantamount to teaching four classes in one, and this means that even the best teachers and students can't make the most of the limited time they have together.
I don't believe that the average language classroom is a rich learning environment.
I mean this in the least offensive of ways. I see time and time again that language teachers simply go through the motions, and I won't deny that I've done it myself. We pluck something out of a course book, often without considering whether our students know it, or if it's relevant to them. There are of course reasons for this. Many outsiders would argue that teachers only have to teach 25 hours a week, a lot less than in other professions. What they forget is that teachers are often expected to teach 15 or more different groups a week. For each one, we have to prepare lessons and materials, mark work from previous classes, do school admin, all while trying to take students' individual needs into consideration. A tough task.
It's often said that teachers are the worst students. I'd most likely spend too much time thinking about my teacher's flaws.
I've learned over time that the best way to learn a language is to go out there and use it. Clearly, this is a lot easier if you have access to native speakers. Speaking to housemates, sending emails, listening to train station announcements and reading instructions are all things much more easily done in an L2 environment. But they are still things we do out of necessity, and this is the way teaching ought to be. The question must be: 'What does the student need to learn?' And the learners should be the ones at the forefront of their own learning.
Rather than a language 'teacher', what is needed is a language 'speaker', on whom you can practise and test out what you think you know.
A lot of what I'm saying above is dependent on one thing: self-motivation. In order to be able to practise with native speakers, you need to get yourself to an adequate level to start with. This requires determination, knowhow and access to resources.
This may explain why so many people feel the need to have a teacher: because they don't know how to learn a language.
Luckily, I do. Most of what a teacher can teach me in those beginner lessons, I can do by myself with a book, audio tape and the Internet, all of which can make me listen and repeat, fill gaps and guess and check meanings of words.
Am I being blinkered and unfair on people who have never taught or studied languages?
Perhaps I am. I studied my first foreign language in the classroom, and through this experience have been able to retain and remove aspects of the classes I've liked and disliked in my own self-study today.
Maybe it is only through learning your first foreign language that you realise that you are in control of your learning and your teacher is a mere facilitator.
The key is to learn 'how' to learn a language.
Come and ask me how my self-taught, no-teacher Russian is going in a year's time!
Do other people agree that a teacher is not necessarily required to learn a language?


text:
The Remains of the Day Chapter Abstracts for Teachers
Prologue, July 1956
• The novel is the story of an aging butler named Mr. Stevens.
• Stevens spent all his professional life in the employ of Lord Darlington at Darlington Hall.
• Stevens' employer now is the current owner of Darlington Hall, Mr. Farraday, an American.
• Stevens is about to embark on a road trip to meet Miss Kenton, a former head of housekeeping at Darlington Hall.
• Miss Kenton has been gone for 20 years but a recent letter from her makes Stevens believe that she is interested in returning to her former position
Day 1, Evening
• While on the road, Stevens stops to take in a beautiful view and an old man beckons him further up the hill to see how spectacular it is.
• While he drives, Stevens ponders the qualities that make a good butler.
• Stevens' father was also a butler and the days of service then did not require all...
(read more Chapter Abstracts)


text:
BMW 3 Series saloon (2011-2018)
BMW 3 Series saloon (2011-2018) - Engines, drive & performance
All BMW 3 Series models are fun to drive, from the basic diesel to the range-topping petrol
An entertaining driving experience is at the heart of the BMW 3 Series' appeal. With good grip, firm suspension and well weighted steering, the BMW is a joy to drive on twisting back roads.
There is, however, a slight 'dead spot' in the steering when you're driving at motorway speeds. That's apparently due to feedback from US and Chinese buyers, who disliked having to make twitchy steering inputs. It works, but we don't think it'll suit everyone. It's worth noting also that despite the 3 Series long being a benchmark for a great driving experience, the newer Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia are very strong contenders in this area, too.
BMW offers adaptive dampers, which are a must for any 3 Series model, no matter how much power it has. The way the 3 Series controls its body is excellent and these dampers definitely improve the overall ride quality.
All models have a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. However, for around £1,500, you can add an excellent eight-speed automatic. If you can afford to do so, we'd recommend it, as not only does it deliver silky-smooth shifts, in most cases it's also more efficient than the manual. This gearbox has a Sport+ transmission mode, but the gearchanges can feel a little sharp and jerky when this is used.
BMW 3 Series petrol engines
Even the entry-level engines deliver keen performance, with the three-cylinder 1.5-litre BMW 318i going from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds. This engine has to be worked harder to deliver similar performance to the entry-level diesel but it's surprisingly refined.
More reviews for 3 Series saloon
BMW 3 Series Touring estate
BMW 330e hybrid saloon
BMW M3 saloon (2014-2019)
BMW 3 Series Touring estate (2012-2019)
BMW 3 Series GT hatchback (2013-2019)
Move up to the 2.0-litre BMW 320i and BMW 330i and the 3 Series starts to get significantly quicker, taking from 7.2 and 5.9 seconds respectively to do 0-62mph. If you spend a lot of time around town or popping to the shops, one of the less powerful petrols should suit you fine.
Excluding the very expensive BMW M3 high-performance saloon, the fastest standard BMW 3 Series is the BMW 340i, which will go from 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds – almost as quick as the entry-level Porsche 718 Cayman. With the optional adaptive M Sport suspension (around £500), the Comfort mode is perfect for UK roads but all the other settings feel too firm. This makes it unfortunate that BMW won't let you mix and match the settings - if you want the most aggressive throttle and steering response, you also have to the firmest suspension setting.
The 340i is certainly fast and remains quiet at cruising pace, but the engine lacks a little character and it's hard to justify the extra money you'll pay to buy and run the car compared to the 330d. As indulgent as it may sound, if you're in the market for a fast, petrol-powered 3 Series, the M3 saloon is a better option if you can afford it.
Don't discount the diesels; they're very nearly as fast as the petrols. For instance, the BMW 320d actually has 6bhp more than the 320i petrol and accelerates from 0-62mph in around 7.5 seconds. For most buyers (especially high-mileage motorway drivers) this fast and frugal model is the pick of the range. It's a little noisy in stop-start traffic, but becomes smooth and responsive once you're on the move and feels even quicker in the real world than the petrol 320i. It's definitely our top choice.
Whatever engine you pick, you'll get the same entertaining and engaging driving experience. In many respects, the standard four-cylinder diesels serve up more fun, thanks to their softer suspension and more natural steering feel. Sport models and above get Performance Drive Control, which allows you to alter the steering weight and accelerator response at the touch of a button. Some enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn the steering is these days slightly less direct than you'd expect from a 3 Series, in order to make the car less 'twitchy' while cruising on the motorway.
M Sport models have stiffer suspension, which results in a firmer ride, although if you value comfort over handling, it's possible replace this with the standard springs and dampers at no extra cost. You can also add the optional adaptive dampers, which stiffen the suspension for enthusiastic driving and soften it when you want to relax. They're a very useful option no matter what version of the 3 Series you choose.
The really good news is that the 3 Series' sporty driving experience doesn't come at the expense of refinement. The four-cylinder diesels rattle a little at a standstill, but get smoother at speed, while wind and road noise are well suppressed. And, apart from the M Sport models with their firmer suspension, the BMW 3 Series irons out potholes effectively, offering a comfortable experience for both driver and passengers.
Hybrid engine
The 330e PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, producing 249bhp between them. It's good for a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph, while the 25-mile all-electric range can be saved for when you want to use it. The 330e is incredibly quiet in full battery mode, and BMW has done a great job of keeping engine and road noise to a minimum at higher speeds. It feels a little heavier going around corners but it's not too noticeable, plus this version is very quick.


text:
Nitpicking Page 1977
By gibsonfan159,
gibsonfan159
Location:NC, U.S.
On 5/12/2018 at 12:23 PM, Daeron said:
Does Jones use bass pedals during the sections (piano solo/blues jam/etc.) of No Quarter when he's on the grand piano?
That might sound like a silly question but I'm not a musician and I don't have the greatest of bootleg ears 😅
You know, now that I think about it I actually don't think he uses the pedals while on the Piano. Only the mellotron. Which is why the blues jam sounds so "empty" in a way.
gibsonfan159 59 posts
Bonzo_fan 22 posts
ZepHead315 18 posts
Nutrocker 11 posts
badgeholder
Location:Los Angeles
No mention of Keith Moon on the 23rd?
1 hour ago, badgeholder said:
What, how well he performed?
Location:Menegroth
21 hours ago, gibsonfan159 said:
Yeah I've often wondered about that. I guess it would've been awkward moving the pedals back and forth as he moves between keyboards during the same song.
I suppose that would mean he probably doesn't use pedals during STH after he steps away from the mellotron.. I know he moves to the piano during the guitar solo on at least some of the versions of STH this tour (inc. I believe all of the LA shows).
confounded_bridge
Location:Greece
On 5/15/2018 at 7:44 PM, gibsonfan159 said:
If you listen to NQ jam (nutcracker) on 5/22/77 or 4/28/77 you will find out that he is using the pedals on the grand piano.
"For the tour in 1977, Led Zeppelin hired a new keyboard technician named Ed Kolakowski, who had worked preparing live pianos for many artists (including classical pianist Artur Rubenstein and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney). Kolakowski spent a great deal of time preparing Jones' piano setup and monitors, and Jones felt the piano was "spot on" every night. One of the unusual requirements was the making of a special leg for the piano: As the standard leg spacing would not accomodate the bass pedals underneath, Kolakowski designed a special leg machined of aluminum that would replace the wooden leg and thus allow the extra space for the bass pedals."
http://www.led-zeppelin.org/studio-and-live-gear/1802
On 5/14/2018 at 5:22 AM, gibsonfan159 said:
Kashmir- The drums have a perfect "Levee" echo to them. 4:18, mellotron knocked out of tune. 6:30, Bonham's fills on the outro are simply devastating. Monstrous version with the mellotron low in the mix and Bonham going nuts at the end. It's hard to tell if this trumps the 6/22 version without a better source for it, but it's close. "A+".
As a tape instrument, mellotron cannot get out of tune. Jonesy sometimes dropped the pitch on purpose to create this effect during the "all i see, turns to brown" part.
The pitch knob controlls the mellotron's motor speed. For the 1977 tour, Jonesy used Jimmy's double black mellotron (model "mark V"). This mellotron is responsible for the epic sound of kashmir in 1977, and it was more reliable than the older one.
20 minutes ago, confounded_bridge said:
I was being a little sarcastic, but didn't he often (especially in 75) have a lot of problems with the motor control not producing a note in key? I read somewhere that a mellotron wasn't meant to be constantly moved around and had to be constantly adjusted before each show, even then not having correct pitch.
Slowfoot
Location:Uk
I thought that the mellotron tapes were limited by their size so could only be used for short bursts at a time before resetting and that under hot lights I.e. on stage the tapes could stretch and cause the equivalent of tuning and pitch issues. Hence it's unpredictability on the 75 tour.
3 hours ago, Slowfoot said:
Yes, I remember reading that a note couldn't be played more than a couple of seconds. Sounds like a real shitty instrument. It was basically an old sampling machine.
the-ocean87
Nitpicking Page 6/25/1977 (Badgeholder's Annual Meeting)
A day off to rest and back at it. Very good sound
Final Assessment- Takes a few numbers to get warmed up, but then they deliver just fine. Page and Bonham are noticeably more relaxed than the previous nights, but still do amazing things. Highlights are IMTOD, a superb SIBLY, No Quarter, Kashmir, Trampled Underfoot, a perfect Stairway and Communication Breakdown.
Thanks. Never listened to this show. I found another version of it that is better sounding than the "Badgeholders annual meeting" version.
Edited May 18, 2018 by the-ocean87
The tapes were affected by the strong stage lights and the smoke from the audience. The problems are noticeable on the 75 tour. A note could be played for about 8 seconds.
It was not the most reliable instrument, but nothing can replace its sound on kashmir, stairway and the rain song. Its "haunting" sound makes the rain song orchestration so remarkable. The 79 and 80 versions leave me cold.
Nitpicking Page 6/27/1977 (Mike The Mike, Winston Remaster)
Good audience recording with the guitar up front and amazingly clear. If you're listening along and taking note of my time-stamps, the version I'm using for this is the 2006 Winston remaster, with the opening note of TSRTS starting at the 0:17 mark. This set also has a nice 8 song acoustic section.
TSRTS- Verses drag a little. First solo- Almost perfect, with the articulation off just a little at the end. 4:22, Page does a four note pull off that sounds awesome. Outro solo- Energy is full speed now. Maybe a little sloppy at 5:02. Plant's voice isn't as strong on this one. "B+".
Sick Again- Raunchy intro with lots of attitude. Minor flub at 0:21. Those extra notes at 0:27 sound great. First solo- Very minor sloppiness at 2:38. Played well, but didn't seem to have much passion behind it. Outro solo- 5:00, that bend didn't work at all. 6:00, turkey gobbling. This solo had some nice little runs, but was extremely erratic with no phrasing, worse than this part usually does. "B+".
NFBM- Good first half. Harmonica- Very lackluster. I know Plant has the ability to go off on a harmonica, he just seems to always play the most basic stuff on this for some reason. 3:18, awesome drum fill. Solo- 5:09, not great articulation and he fudges the end of this run. The phrasing is very good though and it's a fairly good solo. This is a good, solid version reminiscent of the album version. "B+"
OTHAFA- Excellent intro. Page's amp overdrive is through the roof when he turns up for the chorus. Solo- The dissonant beginning has a cool, spacey vibe. 3:28, I'm not really sure what he's doing here. I would say bad articulation, but he could be playing with his teeth or something. 4:32, ok, I think he's using a heavy delay effect that's distorting the sound. This solo was..different, but good. Very psychadelic. 6:55, Page hits the same chord twice here. Plant sings a passionate outro. 7:30, loses his way a bit. 7:48, flub. Apart from the weird solo and outro flubs, I really like this version, especially with the heavy guitar tone. "B+".
SIBLY- Powerful intro, with emotional guitar that isn't overdone. 2:06, Page misses that chord a bit. Solo- Page does some unique stuff on this one. Played and phrased very well. 5:32, minor chord flub. This is a very somber version, akin to the earlier versions in 70 and 71. 7:49, Bonzo says screw it, this is the last night here and goes off. Plant credits Page as "James Patrick". Even with a few flubs, "A".
No Quarter- 2:22, very nice Plant vocal. I always appreciate when he goes the extra mile for something. Nitpicking Jones- 5:37-7:50, Jones' opening warm-up on the piano is something else here. I'm not kidding, I listened about seven times. Excellent Jones section. Blues jam- Jimmy is hesitant at first, then comes in with that atrocious guitar tone. He does some basic blues routines any amateur could do and that's about it. Then Jones comes back in with expert playing. Page had to be intimidated by his musicianship. Solo- 19:11, small flub. 20:16, a flurry of inarticulate notes that remind me of the "Fool In The Rain" solo. 22:07, starts off with a sweep and does a nice run here. 22:37, this bend was good the first two times but he overdoes it here. 23:17, bad articulation. When Page slows down he sounds good, but every time he speeds up on this solo it's a slopfest. 25:48, a pretty good series of runs. 27:13, awesome "Black Sabbath" style riff. 27:42, another awesome chorded riff. "A+" for Jones, "B+" for the version overall.
Ten Years Gone- Good beginning. First solo- Starts out great, then Page gets badly off track at 3:05 and just barely recovers. Second solo- He never gets a good flow going on this one. Third solo- He loosens up a bit, though he's still struggling some at 7:00. The delay section at 7:32 is quite effective and sounds good. Outro solo- Sloppy at 9:06. The lackluster lead playing knocks this down to a "B".
Kashmir- Page's chording gets a little messy at times, but it's an overall good performance. There is a noticeable lack of energy though. "B+".
Trampled Underfoot- Page comes in a little sluggishly on the intro. Solo- Again Page comes in like he was caught off guard and starts doing some spacey-vibed lead playing instead of shredding like he usually does. However, the spacey, delay heavy phrasing actually works quite well for this. 6:38, he gets some awesome wah runs down. The uniqueness of Page on this makes it interesting although the whole thing doesn't gel well as a whole. Still a solid "A".
Achilles Last Stand- The intro lacks the aura it usually has. Page sounds slightly out of it through the chord changes. Bonham and Jones however are very tight. First solo- He's definitely done better, but he puts this together nicely. 5:08-5:14, a little sloppy. 7:17, the delay section isn't bad, but doesn't quite hit right. 8:04, he's really struggling with the syncopation on this. 8:32, that was a pretty cool ending though. Compared to the previous performances, I'd have to knock this down to a "B" considering Page's general sloppiness.
Stairway To Heaven- 4:28, "Bonzo, I've got some good news!" Bonzo does some excellent stuff through here. Solo- He changes it up some and the phrasing seems a little off in the beginning. I'll be honest, this is some shitty playing that makes 1975 sound good. 9:33, flub. 10:10, embarrasing. He should've kicked in the delay effect and done another space vibe solo. He was obviously poisoned backstage by Jack Daniels. "C+".
WLL- Partial.
Rock And Roll- Good energy. Solo- Starts off great, then sounds like he breaks a string at 2:00. Downhill from there. "C+".
Final assessment- This show is fairly solid overall, but never really gets above average and definitely has some valleys (Stairway solo). Page isn't entirely on and the band lacks some energy and enthusiasm. I think they were ready to go home. The previous night was better performance wise. Apart from the unique Trampled Underfoot solo and the massive acoustic section, there's not much noteworthy.
I have to say I've surprised myself more with this 1977 LA run more than any of the 75 shows I did. Page absolutely did play on a pre-75 level. Maybe not as consistent as pre-75, but the old maestro was still in there in 77 on occasion. And how Mike "The Mic" Millard got such great recordings is amazing. Especially the guitar which is almost soundboard quality. This guy deserved the audio equivalent of the Nobel Peace prize.
ZepHead315
I have to say I've really been enjoying your analyses here. Completely agree with you on LA '77 being better than any show in '75. In fact, when all is said and done, I personally think these LA shows and the two Copenhagen warm ups are the only post '73 shows that are musts.
Out of curiosity, since you've clearly listened to these shows in great detail, what would your "best of LA '77" compilation look like? I did one myself and I'd love to compare and contrast your list with mine.
Best Of L.A. 77
TSRTS- 21st. Pure energy.
Sick Again- 23rd. The heaviness of this one sets it apart. Plus flawless lead from Page.
NFBM- 26th. It's a good, solid version with a well structured solo from Page. Though it's hard to top the energy from the 21st.
IMTOD- 25th. I may biased toward the better audio, but this also has the better solos.
OTHAFA- This one is tough for me. The solo from the 22nd is certainly phenomenal to a casual listener, but as a guitar player I don't think it's that great. It's a flurry of delay heavy triplets that Page repeats throughout. There's no impressive phrasing or lightning fast runs, plus a noticeably flubbed intro. I'd go with either the energetic 21st with Bonham going crazy or the 26th which is the most solid version.
SIBLY- 25th. 21st, 23rd, and 25th are all exceptional versions. 21st has the energy (almost too much for this song). 23rd is near perfect with Plant sounding great. 25th has the best mood and solo.
No Quarter- 23rd. It's the overall best version, though I prefer Jones' solo from the 27th.
Ten Years Gone- 23rd. 21st is good, but it almost rolls too fast. I think Plant might've been better on other versions, but Page's pedal-steel style licks are perfect here and give it a southern rock feel.
Kashmir- 25th. Bonham rocks the shit outta this one.
Trampled Underfoot- 25th. This one is menacing with Page playing perfectly. His riffing during Jones's solo is deadly.
Achilles Last Stand- 22nd. A couple of flubs, but it doesn't matter. The frantic, nervous pace of this one sums up the mood of the song perfectly. Plus a great series of solos.
Stairway To Heaven- 25th. The 23rd has more energy, but the 25th is just performed better overall.
Rock And Roll- 21st. A good, energetic version with Bonham sounding lively.
Communication Breakdown- 25th.
It'll Be Me- 26th.
If anyone wants to tackle the acoustic sets and solos, be my guest. That way we can assemble a complete playlist.
37 minutes ago, gibsonfan159 said:
That's a pretty good list, with some interesting and unorthodox picks!
I've got to say that for the longest time the 25th Kashmir didn't do much for me, but I've been warming up to it lately. It's now neck and neck with the 21st for me. Ultimately, I'd still personally choose the 21st, simply because I love Plant's ad libs there.
The 26th is the show I'm least familiar with, so I'll have to do another listen for your picks there.
For IMTOD, I'd choose the 22nd simply because I've never heard a heavier or more brutal version. I'll admit I don't care for Trampled Underfoot from this tour (too slow and plodding) so I'd say it doesn't matter much to me. I'd personally go with the 23rd for SIBLY, only because I think it's the most balanced out of them all. The 21st is energetic with great vocals, while the 25th has a great solo. The 23rd is the best of both worlds to me. I picked Rock and Roll from the 23rd due to Keith Moon's guest appearance.
I picked the 23rd for Stairway for one big reason: there's a cut in the 25th version! Listen around 3:10 or so (right after Plant does his "ah ah ooohh!" vocals). It's small but noticeable. (Okay I just listened to it again and I can't decide if it's a cut or just both Page and Jones switching up at the exact same time. Either way, it's a bit jarring. Besides, the 25th solo is great, but I detect a few flubs here and there. The 23rd is, imho, one of the all time great Stairway solos. One of Jimmy's best ever.)
Other than that your choices are identical to mine.
For the acoustic set, I'd go with:
TBOE - 27th. Great vocals from Plant and a nice warm vibe.
GTC - 27th. Ditto.
That's Alright Mama - 26th.
Going Down South/I Can't Be Satisfied - 27th.
Black Country Woman - 21st. Plant's vocals here are incredibly strong.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp - 27th. Even with the broken string, the Dancing Days tease alone makes this a must imho.
As for the solos:
Over the Top - 23rd. Keith Moon's guest appearance makes for a nice, fun version. Though if we're talking in purely technical terms, I'd choose the 22nd. VERY brutal and powerful with a nice upbeat pace.
Noise solo - 22nd I guess since it ultimately flows into Achilles. The 27th version might work if it weren't so goddamn long!
Once again, thanks for doing these nitpicks! On to Earls Court!
Edited May 20, 2018 by ZepHead315
9 hours ago, ZepHead315 said:
I thought the 25th (and 22nd) captured the daunting, "desert" vibe more. The 21st just lacks that mood to me, though it's a great performance.
You're right, something weird happens there. I don't think it's a cut though because Jones seems to stay on track while Jimmy is off. Or at least the guitar and keyboards are out of sync for a second. If it was a cut they would at least still be in sync.
As far as the solos, I can't argue. Both are monumental performances. I liked the rhythm Bonham throws in at 9:36 on the 25th.
Bonzo_fan
Location:The Dust That Blows High In June
The 23rd & 25th do indeed have great Stairway's, but I've gotta go with the 22nd for Stairway for two reasons:
1. Plant doesn't sing "does anybody remember laughter/forests?", and;
2. Jimmy jumps straight into the solo, rather than staying on the 12-string neck for an extra bar compared to the studio version.
2 minutes ago, Bonzo_fan said:
Did he do this in any other live version of Stairway? Nothing comes to mind off the top of my head. Wonder he why decided to do it that particular night. Must have been in a good/creative mood.
Just now, ZepHead315 said:
I feel like I've heard it once before, but I forget where. Same for Plant skipping "does anybody remember laughter?"
paplbojo
3 minutes ago, ZepHead315 said:
I think one of the '73 msg shows, unless I'm mistaken.
17 minutes ago, paplbojo said:
Yeah, I feel like it was in '73 too, but I wasn't going to guess one of the MSG shows. Was it one of the European shows?
EDIT: Just flipped through every '73 show on TYOLZ, and he doesn't make any mention of either thing happening in any of the posts, which doesn't mean they didn't happen in '73...
Edited May 21, 2018 by Bonzo_fan
Nitpicking Page 7/17/1977 (Conquering Kingdome)
The Winston Remaster is the way to go, but since the Conquering Kingdome boot is the most readily available I'll be using it for the time stamps. I think it is also used for the EVSD DVD. Sue Dounim was nice enough to send me her excellent matrix so I could get more of an audience feel compared to the dry soundboard. The soundboard version does enhance some sloppiness if that sort of thing bothers you. The audience sources were just way too distant for an accurate judgement.
TSRTS- Bonham certainly sounds on tonight. Good energy out of the gate. Plant sounds alright here. Bonham takes off again right before the first solo. First solo- Good start, but loses articulation on the last part. Outro solo- 4:59, not good. Bad articulation throughout. "A" for energy, but realistically a "B+".
Sick Again- Plant's pre-pubescent yodel at 0:08 never fails to make me chuckle. Otherwise solid intro. Plant semi-squeaking throughout. First solo- Not bad at all, good phrasing and fair articulation. Outro solo- Slopfest. Professionally embarrasing. I'm sure it's the "Sleeping sickness". "C+".
NFBM- Squeaky Plant. Good start. Harmonica- Plant gets a good solo in there. Solo- 6:00, maybe not the best technically, but he's playing fairly solid here. Not a bad version at all, "A".
OTHAFA- Page checks his tuning before starting. Intro sounds a little hesitant, but not bad. 3:05, Page is lagging a little. Solo- Not a good start. 4:00, turkey gobbling. Again at 4:20. 4:35, these bends just don't work. 5:07-5:22, slop. 5:37, he tries to get more aggressive but it just doesn't flow well. Jones is sounding quite excellent in the background though. 6:26, spoke too soon, Jones flub. Plant gets some decent vocals in on the outro. "C+".
SIBLY- Solid intro. Plant sounds decent. Solo- Not a bad start, but he gets sloppy at 5:20 and starts repeating phrases uncreatively. Bonham livens things up toward the end. 7:35, flub. Though Plant can't really let loose with his vocals, he has the appropriate downtrodden mood for the song. "B".
No Quarter- 2:39, Plant squeak. Nitpicking Jones- He gets a very entertaining routine going, containing everything from classical to jazz to gospel to blues. Bonham comes in for a good barrelhouse groove. Solo- Page is doing some decent guitar work, but it honestly sounds like he's stepping on the Jones/Bonzo jam. I just don't understand the extra harsh guitar tone he uses for this part. 16:07-16:42, he comes in on the original solo and has some decent fluidity and phrasing. 17:59, this sounded alright the first round but he attempts to go another round and quickly abandons it. 19:05, not great articulation but he's phrasing very well. 22:10 is a little messy. A pretty good second part of the solo and some good noodling on the outro. "B+".
Ten Years Gone- 1:15, Plant squeak before he even begins. Good beginning. First solo- Sounds great, but at 4:46 Page cuts that riff short and miraculously both Jones (playing guitar and bass pedal) and Bonham correct the time immediately and almost unnoticeably. That's truly a feat when you think about it. 6:11, my favorite Plant part of the song is how he sings this verse live, but he chokes a bit here. Second solo (6:13)- Quite good. 7:09, easy Rob. Third solo (8:12)- Some good bends and a unique riff at 8:43. The delay solo and outro all sound pretty good. Robert hurts this a little, but it's still a solid "B+".
The Battle Of Evermore- Jones about to sneeze at 4:00. 6:28, the echo effect on Plant's vocals sound strange through the soundboard. Pretty solid version. "B+".
Going To California- The plus side of the dry soundboard is the amazingly clear acoustic section. A very good version with all the instruments perfectly balanced. Good emotion from Plant and good mandolin work. "A".
Black Country Woman- "It's about the lousiest possible thing you can do is to throw firecrackers". No Rob, cheating on your wife with her sister and writing a song about it is. Let's take a listen lol. A solid version. "A".
Bronyaur Stomp- Page's intro is subdued and a little off track. Sounds great once Plant comes in. 4:00, Page breaks a string and Jones does an amateurish upright bass solo, but Plant's ad libs show it's all in good fun. Page's breakdown- Now Page is no Doc Watson, but he gets a very entertaining solo section in here. Good version, "A".
WS/BMS- Definitely an adventure, though it seems unstructured and off track at times. No one can argue Page's ability to paint a vast landscape with just a guitar. "B+".
Kashmir- Slow and heavy pace. 2:32, love that scream. 3:14, Page and Jones are out of sync on the chords. 4:12, Jones' Arab motif here sounds good. 4:32, Plant is straining when he returns to the verses. 7:13, Page sounds a little sloppy on the outro runs and Bonzo's drum fills are a little too straightforward. A decent version, but has enough flaws to knock it down to a "B+".
Over The Tiles- Bonham sounds inspired as he quickly gets some dynamic snare rolls going. Certainly not the most technical Bonham, but fairly listenable.
Guitar Solo- Page abandons the noise solo due to apparent technical issues and just goes straight into the theremin and bow section. Anyone complaining?
Achilles Last Stand- 0:36, Jones straining those bass notes. 3:18, Bonham loses beat for a second. First solo- Not a good flow at the start, but gets some decent runs in later. Second solo (6:32)- Page sounds like he's lagging behind. Third Solo (7:45)- Not bad, not great. An alright version, barely a "B+".
Stairway To Heaven- Jones' Rhodes piano crowds the mix a little, and nothing is more 70s cliche than a Rhodes. Decent first half. Solo- A good, semi-fluid start. 8:04, I think Page always does his best work on this "Soft" section, where he slows down and throws in more intricate minor scale runs. Bonzo also throws in some nice fills. 9:15, he speeds up again and loses articulation. 9:49, a beautiful piano riff. The final four bars are a little sloppy but this was a nice solo overall. "A".
Whole Lotta Love (Partial)- Good energy on this.
Rock And Roll- Raunchy and energetic. Solo- Bonham messes with Page and speeds the tempo up and down but Page bites back and comes out alive. "A".
Final assessment- I had always been critical of this show and though it certainly does have some major duds from Page, he manages to remain stable in most other areas. It's just a giant step down overall compared to the L.A. run and Plant struggles with his scratchy vocals the whole way through. The acoustic set is really what shines and actually sounds great on the very dry soundboard. I think Page's sloppiness on the first few numbers is what really paints such a bad picture of this show.
Location:Citizen of the World
7 hours ago, gibsonfan159 said:
This right here was worth the whole review. Damn you made me laugh and I really needed it today.
Naughty, naughty Mr. Plant.
Man this makes me wish you would've nitpicked the acoustic sets and solos from the LA shows too 😅 ha ha just messing with you. I'm glad you went back to '77 though. Do you think it's fair to say that this show (while not great) gets a somewhat undeserved reputation for being worse than it actually was?
1 hour ago, Daeron said:
. Do you think it's fair to say that this show (while not great) gets a somewhat undeserved reputation for being worse than it actually was?
I think the general reputation is fair, but it's also accented by the audio and video sources. Sloppy Page, hoarse Plant, bad audio, bad video, broken strings; it's like a perfect storm for a bad impression. I wouldn't match it up with any L.A. show, not even the stairway solo.


How much do Pacers suites cost?
Prices typically range from $2,000 - $8,000 for Indiana Pacers suites. Prices vary based on day of game, opponent, and the location of the suite. The reason for such a large price range is because the opponent can fluctuate Pacers suite prices that much. Luxury suite prices for concerts and other events at Bankers Life Fieldhouse can vary widely based on the type of event.
This Indiana Pacers suite is located on the lower level. It features first class amenities such as premium in-suite catering options, HDTV, interior/exterior seating, upscale furnishing and a dedicated suite attendant. Guest attending a Pacers game in a suite at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse will have exclusive access to VIP clubs and private entry into the arena.
After a breakout season in 2018, Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers have high expectations this year. Most of last year's team will return, in addition to free agent acquisitions Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott. The Pacers were just one game shy of defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, which has motivated them to come back even stronger.
Victor Oladipo was an easy choice for Most Improved Player last season. Besides improving in nearly every statistical category, Oladipo proved he can be the best player on a legitimate playoff team. His ability to lead the Pacers and control the offense was remarkable, along with his electric speed and highlight dunks. After bouncing around from Orlando to Oklahoma City, it seems as if Victor Oladipo has found his home as an All-Star in Indiana.
Darren Collison and Cory Joseph will split time at the point guard position, joining Oladipo in the backcourt. Rookie Aaron Holiday may also see significant time on the court if he proves he is ready. On the wing, Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott will provide much needed depth behind Bojan Bogdanovic. Evans is a tremendous playmaker, while McDermott's shooting ability makes him an elite threat beyond the arc.
The frontcourt combination for Indiana will be the same as it was last season: Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young. Turner is one of the best young players in the league, and his development will be important to keep an eye on this season. His elite length and athleticism make him a threat on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Thaddeus Young is a savvy veteran who played a crucial role for this team last year. Aside from his slashing and scoring on the court, Young's value comes off the court as a mentor to young power forward Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis enjoyed a fantastic season last year after being acquired from Oklahoma City. Turner and Sabonis are two players who Nate McMillan and the coaching staff hope can become Indiana's frontcourt duo of the future.
A Bankers Life Fieldhouse suite will feature first class amenities such as premium in-suite catering options, HDTV, balcony seating, upscale furnishing and a dedicated suite attendant. Guests attending a Pacers game in a Bankers Life Fieldhouse suite will have exclusive access to VIP clubs and private entry up to the Krieg DeVault Club Level. The most common private suite at Bankers Life Fieldhouse will include 14 tickets with an option to purchase up to 10 additional tickets. Guests will also receive 5 VIP parking passes with their Pacers suite.
Indiana has long been known for its love of basketball, so entertaining any Hoosier at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is a great way to build a relationship with clients or just have fun with family and friends. The Pacers had a good season in 2016, they went 45-37 and finished with the seventh seed in the East, but this season the Pacers have the chance to be special. Larry Bird went to work in the offseason to improve the team. The Pacers traded for Thaddeus Young and Jeff Teague then signed big man Al Jefferson in free agency. Adding Young, Teague and Jefferson to a team built around superstar Paul George makes the Pacers an extremely exciting team in 2016, not to mention a legitimate contender in the East. Thaddeus Young and Jeff Teague will allow the Pacers to play a much more up-tempo and high-scoring pace than the team has previously.
Paul George has rewarded the faith that the Pacers put in him a couple seasons ago when they traded away Danny Granger to clear the way for him. George has turned into a dynamic scorer and excellent defender, making him one of the best players in the league. The other player the Jazz hope will be a cornerstone going forward is Myles Turner. Turner was the 11th pick out of Texas in the 2015 draft. In his rookie season he quickly showed that he should have been picked much higher as Turner has become one of the few players in the NBA that can stretch the floor, score in the post and protect the rim on defense. If Turner can continue his development into the Pacers second star alongside Paul George, Indiana should compete for one the top-four seeds in the Eastern Conference.
An Indiana Pacers suite will feature first class amenities such as premium in-suite catering options, HDTV, balcony seating, upscale furnishing and a dedicated suite attendant. Guest attending a Pacers game in a suite at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse will have exclusive access to VIP clubs and private entry up to the Krieg DeVault Club Level. The most common private suite at Bankers Life Fieldhouse will include 14 tickets with an option to purchase up to 10 additional tickets. Guests will also receive 5 VIP parking passes with their Pacers suite. Bankers Life Fieldhouse will also host Amy Schumer, WWE Night of Champions and Carrie Underwood.
The Indiana Pacers have spent most of the 2014-15 season towards the bottom of the Central Division and Eastern Conference. Although playing in such a weaker Eastern Conference still leaves the door open on making the playoffs. The Pacers have done their best without their star player this year, Paul George. George has missed this season due to injury. Pacers' head coach Frank Vogel is certainly hoping that Paul George will be back to his All-Star form again in the 2015-16. David West is the team's most consistent scorer this season. West is averaging over 15 points per game. The Pacers have had their share of injuries to their guards. C.J. Watson, Rodney Stuckey, Donald Sloan and George Hill have all been hit with injuries at some point this season. Luis Scola is a good presence off the bench, averaging around 20 minutes per contest. Roy Hibbert's defense is much improved from a year ago. Hibbert is averaging nearly 2 blocks per game. An Indiana Pacers suite will feature first class amenities such as premium in-suite catering options, HDTV, interior/exterior seating, upscale furnishing and a dedicated suite attendant. Guest attending a Pacers game in a suite at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse will have exclusive access to VIP clubs and private entry up to the Krieg DeVault Club Level.
Thank you for signing up for specials at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Enter your email address below to stay in touch. We'll sign you up for our newsletter, which will inform you of the latest inventory and events at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We promise we will never sell or distribute your information.
The seating chart below shows where the Indiana Pacers suites at Bankers Life Fieldhouse are located.


text:
Bravo to Air Chelsea Clinton Reality Show Starting Next Week
By News Lo Entertainment, Today's Headlines April 21, 2014
NEW YORK – Mere minutes after Chelsea Clinton announced her pregnancy at a forum hosted by the Lower Eastside Girls Club, Bravo TV revealed it had acquired the rights to a series documenting the former first daughter's road to motherhood. The show is set to join a long line of quality reality television programs including "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," "Rich Kids of Beverley Hills," and fan favorite, "Snoop Dog's Father Hood."
The series will follow the exploits of Chelsea Clinton along with her husband Marc Mezinsky, a hedge-fund manager. The network confirmed that Chelsea's parents, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and 2016 presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will certainly be making cameo appearances.
The network claimed that Mezinsky's parents, two former members of Congress, "might show up too or something–who cares?"
"This isn't just gonna be a weekly stop and chat. As we speak, we're setting up cameras and microphones in Chelsea's kitchen, her bedroom, and her shower. We're talking an all-access pass to the birth canal of the former president's daughter," a Bravo executive announced as Hillary Clinton beamed proudly from the stage.
While a spokesperson for the younger Clinton and Mezvinsky declined to answer questions about the due date, how long the couple knew about the pregnancy, and why they chose to make the announcement at the Girls Club event, she did mention the child is due this fall and that the TV show will run Thursday nights at 9 p.m. EST (with a special, three-hour Fourth of July Clinton-tacular).
She offered a few additional tidbits. Next week's premiere will feature Bill Clinton going on a hilarious run to Babies R' Us. Once Chelsea gives birth, a crossover episode in which Kardashian child North West and the Clinton baby go on play dates is likely.
Though there is no confirmed title yet, an industry insider claims Bravo has narrowed it down to "Crowning Around With Chelsea Clinton," "Chelsea Clinton's State of the Uterus," and "Bill Clinton's Daughter Is Pregnant You Guys".
Reception to Bravo's big announcement from the television viewing public has been largely positive. "The Clintons are the closest thing we have to a royal family," said Samantha Strutton a Clinton voter and frequent Bravo viewer. "These are folks that the American people have been behind since day one. The nation deserves to be there, at least symbolically, as Chelsea receives her first sonogram, as she grapples with morning sickness and mood swings, and most importantly we should be able to crowd around her in the emergency room as she finally pushes the baby out into the world. Anything less just wouldn't be respectful."
According to Bravo's formal press release, a 24/7 live feed of Chelsea's womb is set to launch immediately after the series premiere at BravoTV.com.
Chelsea ClintonChelsea Clinton newsChelsea clinton news manNewslo
Entertainment July 7, 2020
Top 5 Movies Every Finance Major Should Add to Their Watch List
Entertainment September 18, 2019
Benefits of Kids Song and Music in Early Childhood Development


text:
Tag: Cinepocalypse
Michael Lehmann talks Airheads at Cinepocalypse
Written by:Danielle SolzmanPosted on: June 19, 2019 June 19, 2019
Filmmaker Michael Lehmann spoke with Solzy at the Movies in a phone interview prior to Thursday night's screening of Airheads to close out Cinepocalypse. Airheads will screen as the closing night selection of Cinepocalypse in honor of the film's 25th anniversary. How honored are you to be screening a 35mm print of the film? Michael Lehmann: I am really jazzed about it. I think that it's a great way to see a movie. Obviously, it…
"Michael Lehmann talks Airheads at Cinepocalypse"
Cinepocalypse 2019: Tammy and the T-Rex
The entire premise of Tammy and the T-Rex is one of the most preposterous ideas ever but one cannot help but be entertained. What we know at the start of the film is that Tammy (Denise Richards) and Michael (Paul Walker) are dating. Tammy's ex, Billy (George Pilgrim), is the type of ex-boyfriend who thinks he owns her. He doesn't give a shit that Tammy is now with Michael. Billy's grand plan turns up to…
"Cinepocalypse 2019: Tammy and the T-Rex"
Cinepocalypse 2018: Bound with Lana Wachowski
Written by:Danielle SolzmanPosted on: June 28, 2018
There's something special about watching Bound for the first time with the presence of one of the film's directors, Lana Wachowshi, in the theater. Wachowski was present for a Q&A following the retrospective 35mm screening during the 2018 Cinepocalypse Genre Film Festival. Bound, which marked the feature directorial debut for the Wachowski sisters, changes up the game for mob thrillers. Fronted by two women, Corky (Gina Gershon) and Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the men more or…
"Cinepocalypse 2018: Bound with Lana Wachowski"
Cinepocalypse 2018: Wolfman's Got Nards
Written by:Danielle SolzmanPosted on: June 28, 2018 July 1, 2018
Wolfman's Got Nards is a documentary that explores the production and following of The Monster Squad. What draws this documentary apartment from other documentaries about 1980s movies is that director Andre Gower was an actor in The Monster Squad. The director played Sean in the 1987 classic. While the film is considered to be a cult classic, I must confess that I never heard of the film going into the Cinepocalypse announcement. Gower's documentary is…
"Cinepocalypse 2018: Wolfman's Got Nards"
Howard the Duck: The Worst Marvel Film Ever
Howard the Duck is the single-worst film based on a Marvel Comics character to come into existence. A 70mm print screened during the 2018 installment of the Cinepocalypse Genre Film Festival. Aside from the sound in some places, it's an otherwise impressive print. I cannot however say the same about the film. If you think Daredevil, Elektra, and the recent Fantastic Four movies were the worst Marvel has to offer, think again. What makes this…
"Howard the Duck: The Worst Marvel Film Ever"
Tommy Avallone talks The Bill Murray Stories
Tommy Avallone spoke to Solzy at the Movies ahead of the Cinepocalypse screening of The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned From A Mythical Man. The film premiered at SXSW in March and will be holding the Midwest premiere on Saturday afternoon at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Thanks for joining us today. How are things treating you? Tommy Avallone: I'm doing good. It's 10 AM here. I'm a little late starting my day but…
"Tommy Avallone talks The Bill Murray Stories"


text:
The Unseen — американская панк-группа, образованная в 1993 году в Хингем, штат Массачусетс. Одна из наиболее заметных хардкор-групп направленных на возрождение стрит-панка. Первоначально группа называлась The Extinct (в пер. с англ. «Вымершие»).

История
Группа была сформирована в городе Хингем, штат Массачусетс в 1993 году. Затем они переехали в Бостон, находившийся неподалёку. Наряду с другими молодыми стрит-панк-группами, они намеревались возродить английский стрит-панк 1980-х годов. Квинтет выпустил лучшую, на тот момент, компиляцию для европейского рынка в июне 2000 года под названием Totally Unseen: The Best Of The Unseen, в котором содержались два ранее не издававшихся трека.

Состав группы

Настоящий состав
 Марк Ансэн — ударные, вокал (1993—2003), вокал (2003 — настоящее время)
 Трипп Tripp Андервуд — бас-гитара, вокал (1993 — настоящее время)
 Скотт Ансэн — гитара, вокал (1993 — настоящее время)
 Пэт Мелзард — ударные (2002 — настоящее время)
 Джонни — ритм-гитара, бэк-вокал (2006 — настоящее время)

Бывшие участники
 Пол Руссо — вокал, ритм-гитара, ударные, бас (1995—1997, 1998—2003)
 Брайан «Чейнсав» Рейли — ритм-гитара, вокал (1997—1999)
 Марк Карлсон — вокал (1993—1995)
 Брэд Логан — бас-гитара (временные замены)

Дискография

Студийные альбомы
 Lower Class Crucifixion (1997)(первоначально выпущен на VML Records, переиздан в 1998 году AF Records)
 So This Is Freedom (1999) (AF Records)
 The Anger & The Truth (2001) (BYO Records)
 Explode (2003) (BYO Records)
 State of Discontent (2005) (Hellcat Records)
 Internal Salvation (2007) (Hellcat Records)

Сборники
 Totally Unseen: The Best Of The Unseen (2000) (Step-1 Records)
 The Complete Singles Collection 1994—2000 (2002) (Punkcore Records)

Винил
 Too Young To Know… Too Reckless To Care 7" (1995 Rodent Popsicle Records)
 Protect And Serve 7" (1996 VML records)
 Raise Your Finger Raise Your Fist 7" (1996 VML records)
 Tom and BootBoys Split 7" (1998 Pogo 77 records)
 Boston's Finest — Split 7" with Toxic Narcotic (1998 ADD/Rodent popsicle records)

Клипы
 False Hope from Explode
 Scream Out from State of Discontent
 You Can Never Go Home from State of Discontent
 Break Away from Internal Salvation
 Paint it Black (Originally from The Rolling Stones)

Ссылки
 The Unseen на Lastfm
 The Unseen на Myspace

Панк-рок-группы США
Группы хардкора
Музыкальные коллективы, появившиеся в 1993 году
Музыкальные коллективы из Массачусетса

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A Year of Funerals
Brood – Short Stories
The Dead City, Book 3: The Wolf Witch
By Henriette Rostrup
The final battle against the wolf-witch Grimelda awaits!
Alif wakes up in a stranger's bed, in a stranger's house, where the wolf-witch Grimelda holds him hostage. A piercing howl has yanked him out of a deep slumber. His old friends Grimus and Linnea have come to rescue him. Because Alif is the Boy, the one who will unite the children and lead the rebellion against the wolf-witch who has bewitched The Dead City. But Grimelda won't give up without a fight, and time is running out. Will Alif succeed in gathering all his strength? Can he unite the children and lead them into battle before it's too late?
"It is very easy to be absorbed by Henriette Rostrup's trilogy The Dead City. The story is thrilling with lots of action, but there's also room for pensiveness. The protagonist, Alif, is both likeable and identifiable, and Rostrup narrates in a vibrant and youthful language, which will attract the target audience.
Where the two first volumes were almost separate stories, Rostrup succeeds in bringing all the strands of the story together in Volume 3. We hear how the sleep sickness came about, and Linnea's secret is revealed.
'The Wolf Witch' is a successful end to Henriette Rostrup's sombre and thrilling trilogy for young readers, who loves evocative stories without too much focus on the gory details.
litteratursiden.dk
"The Dead city is a great series for novice readers of dystopias, because even though is it sombre, there isn't a lot of explicit death and destruction. The story deals with themes such as relations, friendships and social order, wrapped in a overall theme of good versus evil.
'The Wolf Witch' distinguishes itself by having a very well-balanced end to the trilogy. It is very well mastered.
benteskou.com
"It is a really great conclusion to the trilogy, which maintains the level of suspense and dark tone from the earlier volumes."
Danish library Association
"I think the books are great, because they're a bot scary and super exciting. I'll recommend them to people who love action and a little bit of horror.
I'll give it 5 stars. "
Mascha - 12 years


Is there a way to discourage premature answers?
Should we have a more centralized approach to book recommendations?
A certain kind of serial downvoting?
What's the recommended way to raise a possible proof as a question?


Design and implementation of a hardware-software embedded system simulation framework. The framework integrates cycle-level instruction set simulators with transaction-level models, consisting of CPUs, GPUs, and interconnection network. An operating system runs on the CPU, and a GPU driver provides the functions required by CPU-GPU communication such as memory transfer and kernel execution.
Research efforts focusing on characterizing and modeling failure modes of present generation (40-30 nm) and next-generation flash memory devices (sub 20 nm). Development of novel flash memory systems that manage and/or mitigate the impacts of these failure modes and continue to support storage demands of embedded applications despite the continually degrading endurance and reliability specifications of these flash memories.


text:
Robbie Williams suggests debunked Pizzagate conspiracy theory is true: "The right questions haven't been asked"
He made the claims in a new YouTube interview.
Robbie Williams (Picture: Getty)
Robbie Williams has bizarrely suggested that the Pizzagate conspiracy theory hasn't been properly debunked.
The singer was interviewed by journalist Anna Brees, with a trailer for the second part seemingly showing the moment in which Williams discusses the conspiracy theory – which falsely alleged that Democrat Party officials and US restaurants were involved in a human trafficking and child sex ring.
It was widely debunked in the run-up to the 2016 Presidential Election, but Williams appears to suggest that the theory has not been properly investigated.
"Look, there might be a personally reasonable explanation for that language, who knows. The fact that we don't know means that nothing has been debunked. Yes, there was no basement in the particular pizza place," he says in the clip.
Megastar Robbie Williams gives one of the most brave and insightful interviews of his career.
Happening tonight at six. I'll be on the live chat and available to take questions. Link here and taster below on the msm debunking conspiracy theories https://t.co/wmTBMglfqr pic.twitter.com/Ecg3owO5Ii
— Anna Brees (@BreesAnna) June 24, 2020
"That's not the debunking that I want, as a civilian, a human that's going 'hey, this bit, this bit's really fucking weird, what is that bit'.
"Nobody's been asked, nobody's said and there's been no answers. But the overarching reporting on this story is debunked fake news. It's not. The right questions haven't been asked to the right people in the right places.
"Just as I take my popstar hat off, my celebrity hat off, and just talk as Robert from Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 7HA, opposite the Ancient Briton, big up Stoke-on-Trent – just as that guy for a moment, that's watching from the terraces, why aren't those questions being asked?"
He went on: "And also, if there is an explanation and it's perfectly reasonable, then the explanation is perfectly reasonable. It doesn't feel like it."
His interview with Brees comes after he previously discussed the fictitious scandal with YouTuber Chris Thrall in May, having mentioned a theory involving "a dough based food with a dairy topping on it"
Williams said: "This sort of out of control red pilling can come back and bite a lot of people in the a**e."
Conspiracy theorists previously alleged that emails sent by Hillary Clinton's campaign manager John Podesta contained coded messages which implicated the Democrat Party in a paedophile sex ring.
They claimed that children were being abused and Satanic rituals were taking place in the basement of Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria based in Washington DC.
It led to gunman Edgar Maddison Welch storming the restaurant in December 2016 and firing a series of shots before he was arrested.
The theory has been debunked on multiple occasions and no alleged victims have ever come forward.
In the first part of the video, Robbie also says he was inspired to speak out after being accused of "the most heinous plot you could ever imagine a human being involved with".
Brees' video description also states that he is "curious to explore so-called conspiracy theories around the sexual abuse of children by powerful politicians and high-profile celebrities."
Representatives for Robbie Williams refused to comment.


text:
Taqi Ahmed
Birth Day: Not Known
Birth Place: Karachi
Profession: Actor, Model
Zodiac: Not Known
Taqi Ahmed Father Name: Ahmed
Taqi Ahmed Height: 5 feet 10 inche
Hair Color: Light Brown
Beard Color: Brown
Hobbies: Traveling
Favourite Color: Grey, Black
Favourite Food: Home Made Foods
Drama Debut: Meri Maa (2014)
Film Debut: Hijrat (2016)
Taqi Ahmed Age: Will Update Soon
Taqi Ahmed is well known Pakistani model turned actor. He was born and brought up in Karachi Pakistan. Taqi belongs to very well educated family. He completed his studies from Karachi Pakistan and started his career with modeling. He got fame in modeling in very short period of time because of his perfect and handsome look. Later on Taqi Ahmed worked in many brands TV commercials such as Forhan's Hair Tonic and Dalda. In 2014 Taqi Ahmed made his drama debut with a Geo TV drama serial 'Meri Maa' in which he played supporting role but his acting attracted many audience and he made place in drama industry. Later on Taqi Ahmed played lead and supporting roles in many Pakistani dramas in which Mera Nam Yousuf hai on A Plus, Yahi Hai Zindagi on Express Entertainment, Kuch Dair Khizan and Yahi Hai Zindagi Season 2 are famous. In 2016 Taqi Ahmed made his film debut with a HUM Films film 'Hijrat' he played supporting role in that film but in 2017 he played lead role in a Pakistani film 'Arifa'. Note: The information provided here is based upon various studies from Newspaper , Web, books, and other resources. If you see any mistake or wrong information about celebrity you can contact us Here. We will update it after verification.
Arifa Pakistani Movie 10/01/2018


To protect the TV from image retention , a screen saver is activated if operations aren't performed for a while.
In this this condition, only BRAVIA is displayed on the bottom right area of the screen.
The screen saver is cancelled and returns to the previous screen when the remote control is operated.
The screen saver run time can be changed with the following procedures.
Select Daydream in TV category.
Select from the following time.
NOTE: Sony recommends setting 5 minutes to avoid image retention and keeping the panel lifetime longer.


When it comes to providing access to dental care for our kids, Minnesota should be too embarrassed to smile.
Our state currently ranks at the bottom of the pack – 49th of the 50 states – when it comes to the Medicaid payment rate for pediatric dental services.
Unfortunately, we're not doing much better when it comes to helping adults access dental care. Minnesota is also near the bottom – fourth worst – in the payment rate for adult dental care services.
Because of the current low payment rate, many dental clinics – especially small clinics and clinics in Greater Minnesota – cannot afford to serve low-income patients, contributing to our state's access crisis where low-income patients with serious dental problems cannot get the treatment they need.
Supporting "Help Minnesota Smile" means significantly improving access to critical dental care services across Minnesota.
Improving dental access is both the right thing to do and the fiscally smart thing to do. Better access to dental care means fewer emergency room visits, which will save taxpayer money for uncompensated care. The cost of dental-related visits to hospital emergency rooms in Minnesota has been estimated at over $150 million over a three-year period.
Join our effort! Click here to email lawmakers and encourage them to Help Minnesota Smile.
Why Aren't We Smiling Now?
Minnesota currently ranks at the bottom of the pack – 49th of the 50 states – when it comes to the Medicaid payment rate for pediatric dental services. Minnesota is also near the bottom – fourth worst – in the payment rate for adult dental care services.
Because of the low payment rate, many dental clinics – especially small and rural clinics – cannot afford to serve low-income patients, contributing to Minnesota's current access crisis where low-income patients with serious dental problems cannot get the treatment they need.
Moving Minnesota from the bottom of the pack to the average among the states would cost approximately $100-$120 million over the upcoming two-year biennium (FY 18-19). The state's General Fund spending for FY 18-19 is projected to be approximately $45 billion, making the state funding request less than 0.3% of the state budget.
The proposal would not increase eligibility, rather it would focus on providing additional funding to increase dental care access, which is particularly needed in Greater Minnesota where two counties currently have no dentist and several have dentist ratios of 1 dentist per 10,000 residents or 1 dentist per 5,000 residents.
Better access to dental care will mean fewer emergency room visits which will save taxpayers money for uncompensated care. The cost of dental-related visits to hospital emergency rooms in Minnesota has been estimated at $148 million over the past three years.
We need your support today. Take the pledge to help us ensure that lawmakers, state agencies, and the Governor are thinking about the 1.2 million people who need our help to access the care they need.
I support raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services. Send me updates on this issue.


text:
Current: A dash of lime - a new twist that may cut carbon dioxide back to pre-industrial levels
Receive more stories like this from SCI via email
Scientists say they have found a workable way of reducing CO2 levels in the atmosphere by adding lime to seawater. And they think it has the potential to dramatically reverse CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, reports Cath O'Driscoll in SCI's Chemistry & Industry magazine published today.
Shell is so impressed with the new approach that it is funding an investigation into its economic feasibility. 'We think it's a promising idea,' says Shell's Gilles Bertherin, a coordinator on the project. 'There are potentially huge environmental benefits from addressing climate change – and adding calcium hydroxide to seawater will also mitigate the effects of ocean acidification, so it should have a positive impact on the marine environment.'
Adding lime to seawater increases alkalinity, boosting seawater's ability to absorb CO2 from air and reducing the tendency to release it back again.
However, the idea, which has been bandied about for years, was thought unworkable because of the expense of obtaining lime from limestone and the amount of CO2 released in the process.
Tim Kruger, a management consultant at London firm Corven is the brains behind the plan to resurrect the lime process. He argues that it could be made workable by locating it in regions that have a combination of low-cost 'stranded' energy considered too remote to be economically viable to exploit – like flared natural gas or solar energy in deserts – and that are rich in limestone, making it feasible for calcination to take place on site.
Kruger says: 'There are many such places – for example, Australia's Nullarbor Plain would be a prime location for this process, as it has 10 000km3 of limestone and soaks up roughly 20MJ/m2 of solar irradiation every day.'
The process of making lime generates CO2, but adding the lime to seawater absorbs almost twice as much CO2. The overall process is therefore 'carbon negative'.
'This process has the potential to reverse the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. It would be possible to reduce CO2 to pre-industrial levels,' Kruger says.
And Professor Klaus Lackner, a researcher in the field from Columbia University, says: 'The theoretical CO2 balance is roughly right…it is certainly worth thinking through carefully.'
The oceans are already the world's largest carbon sink, absorbing 2bn tonnes of carbon every year. Increasing absorption ability by just a few percent could dramatically increase CO2 uptake from the atmosphere.
This project is being developed in an open source manner. To find out more, please go to www.cquestrate.com, a new website, launched today.
- ends -
For more information, contact: SCI Marketing, T: +44 (0)20 7598 1586, F: +44 (0) 20 7598 1545, E: marketing@soci.org
About SCI
SCI, the society where science meets business on independent, impartial ground is a unique international forum which anyone can join where they can share and exchange information, ideas, new innovations and research and access SCI's growing database of member specialists between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety. Originally established in 1881, SCI is a registered charity with members in over 90 countries. For more information on SCI activities and publications, click here.
About SCI: where science meets business
SCI is a unique global multidisciplinary network connecting scientists, business people, students and other key players involved in science-based innovation. SCI promotes innovation via its international network to advance the commercial application of science into industry for the benefit of society.
SCI works across crucial sectors as diverse as food and bio-renewables, water, environment, energy, materials and manufacturing, and health and wellbeing.
soci.org
digitalmedia@soci.org
Scientist behind world's first cultured beef burger to deliver March SCItalk
Earthshot Prize finalist delivers Bright SCIdea business training
Innocent's Andy Joynson to deliver February SCItalk on 'the blender' eco-factory
SCI CEO Sharon Todd to officially open new Quotient Sciences facility
BP studies feasibility of new ammonia cracker in Germany to provide green hydrogen
New catalysts could make acrylics from corn cheaper than fossil equivalent


text:
Q: Create Batch File I have this assignment from my teacher in regards to creating a batch file that does something. its pretty huge assignment, but one part i stuck. it asks:
If the value of the userdomain variable is equal to the value of the computername variable then
Store into a file called output.txt the following information:
1.  The current username
2.  The current computername
So im thinking, my username(domain username) would never be same as a computer name anywhere in the world! lol
So that would NEVER happen! in this case i should do nothing!
So im confused. What am i missing?!

A: It is possible to give the computer the name of the user account in a domain. That is not forbidden. That your computer has a different name than your user account in domain or locally does not mean it is not possible.
@echo off
setlocal EnableExtensions DisableDelayedExpansion
:RunNameCompare
if /I "%COMPUTERNAME%" == "%USERNAME%" (
    setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
    echo User name: !USERNAME!>output.txt
    echo Computer name: !COMPUTERNAME!>>output.txt
    endlocal
) else (
    echo/
    echo Computer name and user account name are different.
    echo/
    %SystemRoot%\System32\choice.exe /N /M "Simulate identical names [Y/N]: "
    if not errorlevel 2 set "COMPUTERNAME=%USERNAME%" & goto RunNameCompare
)
endlocal

For understanding the used commands and how they work, open a command prompt window, execute there the following commands, and read entirely all help pages displayed for each command very carefully.

*

*choice /?

*echo /?

*endlocal /?

*goto /?

*if /?

*set /?

*setlocal /?
See also the following pages and articles:

*

*Wikipedia article about Windows Environment Variables

*Microsoft article about Using Command Redirection Operators

*Microsoft article about Testing for a Specific Error Level in Batch Files

*Single line with multiple commands using Windows batch file

*This answer for details about the commands SETLOCAL and ENDLOCAL

*DosTips forum topic ECHO. FAILS to give text or blank line - Instead use ECHO/
The outer SETLOCAL and ENDLOCAL are used to create a local environment on running this batch file so that even after taking the simulate identical names option, the predefined environment variable COMPUTERNAME has its original value after running the batch file from within a command prompt window as recommended on debugging and verifying a batch file in development.
The inner SETLOCAL and ENDLOCAL are used to be able to output correct into file output.txt even computer and user account names containing command line critical characters like &()[]{}^=;!'+,`~|<> or ending with a space and a number in range 1 to 9 without enclosing both names in double quotes.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
MLB Futures: NL Cy Young Award Picks
Who will win the National League Cy Young Award in 2020? Ben Rolfe analyzes where the value lies in the market
Thu, February 27, 3:18 PM
BEST BET: (1u) Aaron Nola @ +2200
2019 saw Nola strikeout over 10 hitters per nine innings pitched for the first time in his career
His HR/FB nearly 5% higher in 2019 than at any other time in his career
The reason we're backing Aaron Nola
It was a strange year in 2019 for Aaron Nola, who saw his ERA jump by 1.5 and his FIP rise by a whole run. The reason for that rise is largely due to an increase in his HR/FB rate to a career high 17%. That rise was driven by an increase in hard hit rate and his exit velocity in 2019 was higher than any other year of his career. However, a lot of his other numbers were very similar to his career average, with the only other exception being a higher walk rate than any other time in his career. The big positive though was a rise in K/9 to over 10 for the first time in his career. Despite pitching 10 less innings than in 2018, he topped his 2018 strikeout numbers in 2019. Last season is a concern, but these odds for a pitcher we know has the talent to put up superb numbers and following a season he struck out more hitters than ever before, simply feel too high.
(1u) Jacob deGrom @ +330
deGrom has won the last two NL Cy Young Awards despite winning just a total of 21 games across the two seasons
The reason we're backing Jacob deGrom
How do you not back deGrom? In the last two years he has thrown 421 innings and struck out over 520 hitters while allowing less than 100 runs in total. Across the two seasons his ERA is just 2.05 and his WHIP is below one. To win a Cy Young while winning so few games is extremely impressive. To do it twice is simply amazing. In fact, no starter has ever won the NL Cy Young Award while winning less than 13 games, but deGrom has done it twice. A player that can make history like that is more than capable of winning a third straight award, something that has not been done since Randy Johnson won four in a row between 1999 and 2002.
(0.5u) Noah Syndergaard @ +2800
Syndergaard started more than 30 games for just the second time in his career in 2019 and has shown the talent required to win this award in the past
The reason we're backing Noah Syndergaard
After Syndergaard proved he is capable of staying healthy for a full season he now just needs to put together his best performances with that health in 2020. Syndergaard has never registered a strikeout rate below 24% in his MLB career and last year was the first time since his rookie season that his FIP was above three. It he can pitch to his very best for 30 starts then he is more than capable of winning this award. Backing Syndergaard's talent at reasonably long odds is a smart bet to make this offseason.
(0.5u) Chris Paddack @ +4000
Paddack struck out 153 in 140 2/3 innings with a 3.33 ERA in his rookie season
The reason we're backing Chris Paddack
Paddack exploded onto the scene in 2019 with performances that suggest he has a bright future. He struck out 26.9% of the hitters he faced and if he can build on that in 2020 then he will rival the best in the league. Given he was hit reasonably hard in 2019 and still only gave up a 3.33 ERA, there is still plenty of room for improvement. These odds at +4000 are simply too high for a player who has already demonstrated he has the talent to match the best in the league after just one season.
(0.25u) Joey Lucchesi @ +10000
At home last season, Lucchesi had a 2.56 ERA and struck out 89 in 91 1/3 innings
The reason we're backing Joey Lucchesi
His performances at home last season showed us that Lucchesi has the raw talent to be one of the best pitchers in the league. His strikeout rate dropped a little in 2019 but striking out over 10 hitters per nine innings in 2018 demonstrates he has the strikeout upside you need for this award. He needs to up his consistency, but we have seen pitchers make that leap in their third season in the majors before. At +10000 it is all about backing talent and Lucchesi has plenty of that. If nothing else, watching Lucchesi pitch is a lot of fun, and a small bet on him to win the NL Cy Young would be fantastic motivation to watch him each and every week.
24/02/20 National League Cy Young Player Award Picks