text:
Once you have a large game, with many large 3D models, you will probably start to wonder about the speed and memory usage.
The main tool to measure your game speed is the Frames Per Second (FPS) number. Use the TCastleControlCustom.Fps or TCastleWindowCustom.Fps to get an instance of TFramesPerSecond. Look at these two numbers: TFramesPerSecond.RealFps and TFramesPerSecond.OnlyRenderFps.
In short, watch the
Window.Fps.ToString value, by displaying it anywhere.
It intelligently combines some information, to show you how fast is your application.
Eventually, display directly the
Window.Fps.RealFps value.
In this case, it is easiest to have
TCastleControlCustom.AutoRedisplay or
TCastleWindowCustom.AutoRedisplay set
true, otherwise the meaning of
may not actually indicate the potential speed of your application.
It is
true by default, so you're already set.
If you use
TCastleWindow, you can trivially turn on
You can display FPS using
TCastleLabel. See the manual page about using our user-interface classes. Just update the
TCastleLabel.Caption in every
OnUpdate event to show the current FPS value. An an example, see how examples/portable_game_skeleton/gameinitialize.pas shows the FPS (search for
Container.Fps.ToString there).
Or you can display FPS using
TCastleFont.Print in every
Render event. See the manual about custom drawing. As an example, see how examples/physics/physics_3d_demo/gameinitialize.pas shows the FPS (search for
Container.Fps.ToString there).
Display the value like
Format('%f', [Window.Fps.RealFps]). Or, even better (and simpler), use
Window.Fps.ToString. The
Window.Fps.ToString shows more information, nicely formatted.
You can show the FPS value on some Lazarus label or form caption.
Warning: do not change the Lazarus control too often (like every frame).
Updating normal Lazarus controls all
the time may slow your OpenGL context drastically.
Also, do not write to the console (e.g. using
or anything else (e.g. using our
WritelnLog) every frame
— the very fact of doing this will slow down your application a lot.
If you need to change some Lazarus control,
or write the FPS to some log, use a timer
(like TCastleTimer or
TTimer) to write it e.g. only once per second.
RealFps and
are actually just an average from the last second,
so there's really no need to show them more often.
There are two FPS numbers measured: "real FPS" and "only render FPS". "Only render FPS" is usually slightly larger. Larger is better, of course: it means that you have smoother animation.
Use "real FPS" to measure your overall game speed. This is the actual number of frames per second that we managed to display.
Make sure to have an animation that constantly updates your
screen, or use
AutoRedisplay =
(it is the default since CGE 6.0, so you're probably already set).
Otherwise, we may not refresh the screen continously (no point to
redraw, if both the scene and camera are completely static; this way we let
other applications to work more smoothly, and we save your laptop battery).
Then "real FPS" will drop to almost zero. This can be detected by looking at
Window.Fps.WasSleeping. The output of
also accounts for it, showing "no frames rendered"
or "no need to render all frames".
If you hope to see higher values than 100 (the default
LimitFPS value) then turn off "limit FPS" feature.
(if you use a standard program template, or manually call
Window.ParseParameters) you can do it just by passing
--no-limit-fps command-line option.
You will also need to turn off "vertical synchronization" of the GPU to achieve arbitrarily high FPS.
Note that the monitor will actually drop some frames above it's frequency, like 60. (This is relevant only if "vertical synchronization" is off.)
This may cause you to observe that above some threshold, FPS are "easier to gain" by optimizations, which may lead you to a false judgement about which optimizations are more useful than others. To make a good judgement about what is faster / slower, compare two versions of your program when only one thing changes.
"Only render FPS" measures how much frames we
would get, if we ignore the time spent outside
Render events.
It's useful to compare it with "real FPS",
large difference may indicate that you can make some optimizations
in CPU code (e.g. collision detection or animations) to gain overall speed.
Modern GPUs work in parallel to the CPU. So "how much time CPU spent in Render" doesn't necessarily relate to "how much time GPU spent on performing your drawing commands".
For example: if you set
LimitFPS to a small value (like 10),
you may observe
that "only render FPS" grows very high. Why? Because when the CPU is idle
(which is often if
LimitFPS is small), then GPU has a free time to
finish rendering previous frame. So the GPU does the work for free,
outside of
Render time, when your CPU is busy waiting.
OTOH when CPU works on producing new frames all the time, then you have to
wait inside
Render until previous frame finishes.
In other words, improvements to "only render FPS" must be taken with a
grain of salt. We spend less or more time in
Render event:
this does not always mean that we render more efficiently.
Still, "only render FPS" is often a useful indicator.
It means that
Render is quick.
So we probably don't need to wait for the whole previous frame to finish
when starting rendering a new frame. To some extent, that's good —
you're probably doing useful work in the meantime on CPU, while GPU is working.
Often it means that there is something to gain optimizing the CPU side,
like collisions or animations.
No guarantees: It does not mean that you can actually achieve this number of FPS as "real FPS". At some point, decreasing CPU work will just uncover that we have to wait for GPU to finish anyway. In which case, you will observe "only render FPS" to drop (which is nothing alarming, it doesn't necessarily mean that rendering is less efficient; it just means that GPU speed becomes a factor too).
Then we spend most time in
This is normal if neither rendering nor collisions are a bottleneck
— then we probably just spend time in the
Render waiting
for vertical synchronization to happen, and you can't really achieve more
than 60 real FPS in the typical case with "vertical synchronization"
turned on.
However, if your "real FPS" is much lower than your refresh rate, and your "only render FPS" is equal to "real FPS", then you probably can optimize the rendering. (Make smaller models, use less demanding shader effects etc.)
First of all, watch the number of vertexes and faces of the models you load. Use view3dscene menu item Help -> Scene Information for this.
Graphic effects dealing with dynamic and detailed lighting, like shadows or bump mapping, have a cost. So use them only if necessary. In case of static scenes, try to "bake" such lighting effects to regular textures (use e.g. Blender Bake functionality), instead of activating a costly runtime effect.
Both Lazarus and our build tool support the idea of "build modes".
When you're in the middle of the development and you're testing the game for bugs,
use the
debug mode,
that adds a lot of run-time checks to your code. This allows to get
a clear and nice error when you e.g. access an invalid array index.
If you use our
build tool,
just pass the
--mode=debug command-line parameter to it.
Our vectors are also like arrays, so doing stuff like
MyVector[2] := 123.0;
is also checked (it's valid if
MyVector is a 3D or 4D vector, invalid if it's a 2D vector).
Actually, this simple case is checked at compile-time with the new vector API
in Castle Game Engine 6.3,
but more convoluted cases are still checked at run-time.
When you need the maximum speed (when you want to build a "final"
version for the player, or when you check / compare / profile the speed),
always use the
release mode.
The code runs much faster in release mode. The speed difference may be really noticeable. As of Castle Game Engine 6.3, the ray-tracer is 1.9 times slower in development mode vs release mode. The speed differences of a typical game are usually not that drastic (since you don't spend 100% of your time calculating math expressions, unlike a ray-tracer), but significant differences are still expected, especially if you measure the performance of a particular calculation (not just looking at game FPS).
So in most cases it's really important that you measure the speed only of the release build of your game, and this is the version that you want to provide to your players.
If the player can see the geometry faces only from one side,
then backface culling should be on.
This is the default case (X3D nodes like
have their
solid field equal
TRUE by default).
It avoids useless drawing of the other side of the faces.
Optimize textures to increase the speed and lower GPU memory usage:
Appearance across many X3D shapes, if possible).
This avoids texture switching when rendering, so the scene renders faster.
When exporting from Spine,
be sure to use atlases.
TSprite class) instead of separate images
TGLVideo2D class). This again avoids
texture switching when rendering, making the scene render faster.
It also allows to easily use any texture size (not necessarily a power of two)
for the frame size, and still compress the whole sprite,
so it cooperates well with texture compression.
if not needed.
anisotropicDegree should only be set to
values > 1 when it makes a visual difference in your case.
There are some
TCastleScene features that are usually turned on,
but in some special cases may be avoided:
ProcessEvents if the scene should remain static.
ssDynamicCollisions to
Scene.Spatial if you don't need better collisions than versus scene bounding box.
ssRendering to
Scene.Spatial if the scene is always small on the screen, and so it's usually either completely visible or invisible.
ssRendering adds frustum culling per-shape.
Various techniques to optimize animations include:
If your model has animations but is often not visible (outside
of view frustum), then consider using
Scene.AnimateOnlyWhenVisible := true
(see TCastleSceneCore.AnimateOnlyWhenVisible).
If the model is small, and not updating it's animations every frame will not be noticeable, then consider setting
to something larger than 0 (try 1 or 2).
(see TCastleSceneCore.AnimateSkipTicks).
For some games, turning globally
OptimizeExtensiveTransformations := true improves the speed. This works best when you animate multiple
Transform nodes within every X3D scene, and some of these animated
Transform nodes are children of other animated
Transform nodes. A typical example is a skeleton animation, for example from Spine, with non-trivial bone hierarchy, and with multiple bones changing position and rotation every frame.
Watch out what you're changing in the X3D nodes. Most changes, in particular the ones that can be achieved by sending X3D events (these changes are kind of "suggested by the X3D standard" to be optimized) are fast. But some changes are very slow, cause rebuilding of scene structures, e.g. reorganizing X3D node hierarchy. So avoid doing it during game. To detect this, set
LogSceneChanges := true and watch log (see manual chapter "Logging") for lines saying "ChangedAll" - these are costly rebuilds, avoid them during the game!
Modern GPUs can "consume" a huge number of vertexes very fast, as long as they are provided to them in a single "batch" or "draw call".
In our engine, the "shape" is the unit of information we provide to GPU. It is simply a VRML/X3D shape. In most cases, it also corresponds to the 3D object you design in your 3D modeler, e.g. Blender 3D object in simple cases is exported to a single VRML/X3D shape (although it may be split into a couple of shapes if you use different materials/textures on it, as VRML/X3D is a little more limited (and also more GPU friendly)).
The general advice is to compromise:
Do not make too many too trivial shapes. Do not make millions of shapes with only a few vertexes — each shape will be provided in a separate VBO to OpenGL, which isn't very efficient.
Do not make too few shapes. Each shape is passed as a whole to OpenGL (splitting shape on the fly would cause unacceptable slowdown), and shapes may be culled using frustum culling or occlusion queries. By using only a few very large shapes, you make this culling worthless.
A rule of thumb is to keep your number of shapes in a scene between 100 and 1000. But that's really just a rule of thumb, different level designs will definitely have different considerations.
You can also look at the number of triangles in your shape. Only a few triangles for a shape is not optimal — we will waste resources by creating a lot of VBOs, each with only a few triangles (the engine cannot yet combine the shapes automatically). Instead, merge your shapes — to have hundreds or thousands of triangles in a single shape.
To reduce memory usage, you can use the same TCastleScene instance many times within
SceneManager.Items, usually wrapped in a different TCastleTransform. The whole code is ready for such "multiple uses" of a single scene instance.
For an example of this approach, see frogger3d game (in particular, it's main unit game.pas). The game adds hundreds of 3D objects to
SceneManager.Items, but there are only three
TCastleScene instances (player, cylinder and level).
However, this optimization is suitable only if all the visible scenes (that are actually a single TCastleScene instance) are always in the same animation frame (or maybe they are not animated at all). If you want to play different animations, you have to create separate TCastleScene instances (you can create them efficiently using the TCastleScene.Clone method).
In some cases, combining many
TCastleScene instances into one helps. To do this, load your 3D models to
TX3DRootNode using
Load3D, and then create a new single
TX3DRootNode instance that will have many other nodes as children. That is, create one new
TX3DRootNode to keep them all, and for each scene add it's
TX3DRootNode (wrapped in
TTransformNode) to that single
This allows you to load multiple 3D files into a single
TCastleScene, which may make stuff faster — there will be only one octree (used for collision routines and frustum culling) for the whole scene. Right now, we have an octree inside each TCastleScene, so it's not optimal to have thousands of TCastleScene instances with collision detection.
If you include
ssStaticCollisions or
TCastleScene.Spatial, then we build a spatial structure (octree)
that performs collisions with the actual triangles of your 3D model.
This results in very precise collisions, but it can eat an unnecessary
amount of memory (and, sometimes, take unnecessary amount of time)
if you have a high-poly mesh.
Often, many shapes don't need to have such precise collisions
(e.g. a complicate 3D tree may be approximated using a simple cylinder
representing tree trunk).
Use X3D
Collision node to mark some shapes as
non-collidable or to provide a simpler "proxy" shape to use for
collisions. Right now, using the
Collision requires
writing X3D code manually, but it's really trivial. You can
still export your scenes from 3D software, like Blender —
you only need to manually write a "wrapper" X3D file around them.
vrml_2/collisions_final.wrl demo inside our demo VRML/X3D models.
You can also build a
Collision node by code.
We have a helper method for this: TCollisionNode.CollideAsBox.
Another possible octree optimization is to adjust the parameters how the octree is created. You can set octree parameters in VRML/X3D file or by ObjectPascal code. Although in practice I usually find that the default values are really good.
Avoid any loading (from disk to normal memory, or from normal memory to GPU memory) once the game is running. Doing this during the game will inevitably cause a small stutter, which breaks the smoothness of the gameplay. Everything necessary should be loaded at the beginning, possibly while showing some "loading..." screen to the user. Use
TCastleSceneManager.PrepareResources to load everything referenced by your scenes to GPU.
Enable some (or all) of these flags to get extensive information in the log about all the loading that is happening:
LogRenderer (from
CastleRenderer unit)
TSoundEngine.LogSoundLoading (since CGE 6.5)
TUIState.Log (since CGE 6.5)
Profiler.Enabled and doing
WritelnLog(Profiler.Summary) is a great way to be informed about most loading.
Beware: Some of these flags (in particular
LogAllLoading) can produce a lot of information, and you probably don't want to see it always. Dumping this information to the log will often cause a noticeable slowdown during loading stage, so do not bother to measure your loading speed when any of these flags are turned on. Use these flags only to detect if something "fishy" is happening during the gameplay.
Since Castle Game Engine 6.5: You can also use TCastleProfiler to easily get information about what was loaded, and what took most time to load.
The engine by default performs frustum culling, using per-shape
and per-scene bounding boxes and spheres. If you add
flag to the
Scene.Spatial, this will be even faster thanks
to using shapes octree.
Using the hardware occlusion query is often a good idea
in large city or indoor levels,
where walls or large buildings can obscure a significant part of your geometry.
Activate it by simply turnnig on the flag
Scene.Attributes.UseOcclusionQuery := true.
Note that our simple implementation may sometimes show a lag of 1 frame
when the object is not rendered, but it should be.
You can also define custom culling methods.
See the
We use alpha blending to render partially transparent
shapes. Blending is used automatically if you have a texture with
a smooth alpha channel, or if your
is less than 1.
Note: Just because your texture has some alpha channel,
it doesn't mean that we use blending. By default, the engine
analyses the alpha channel contents, to determine whether it indicates
alpha blending (smooth alpha channel), alpha testing (all alpha
values are either "0" or "1"), or maybe it's opaque (all alpha values equal "1").
can always explicitly specify the texture alpha channel treatment using the
alphaChannel field in X3D.
Rendering blending is a little costly, in a general case. The transparent shapes have to be sorted every frame. Hints to make it faster:
If possible, do not use many transparent shapes. This will keep the cost of sorting minimal.
If possible, turn off the sorting, using
Scene.Attributes.BlendingSort := bsNone. See TBlendingSort for the explanation of possible
BlendingSort values. Sorting is only necessary if you may see multiple partially-transparent shapes on the same screen pixel, otherwise sorting is a waste of time.
Sorting is also not necessary if you use some blending modes that make the order of rendering partially-transparent shapes irrelevant. For example, blending mode with
srcFactor = "src_alpha" and
destFactor = "one". You can use a
blendMode field in X3D to set a specific blending mode. Of course, it will look differently, but maybe acceptably?
So, consider changing the blending mode and then turning off sorting.
Finally, consider do you really need transparency by blending. Maybe you can work with a transparency by alpha testing? Alpha testing means that every pixel is either opaque, or completely transparent, depending on the alpha value. It's much more efficient to use, as alpha tested shapes can be rendered along with the normal, completely opaque shapes, and only the GPU cares about the actual "testing". There's no need for sorting. Also, alpha testing cooperates nicely with shadow maps.
Whether the alpha testing looks good depends on your use-case, on your textures.
To use alpha-testing, you can:
alphaChannel "TEST" in X3D
Castle Game Engine can use Libpng (faster, but requires external library) or FpImage (always possible, on all platforms) to load PNG.
FPImage does not require any external libraries, and thus it instantly works (and in the same way) on all platforms. However, external Libpng is often much (even 4x) faster. That is because Libpng allows to make various transformations during file reading (instead of processing the pixels later), and it doesn't force us to read using 16-bit-per-channel API (like FpImage does).
Since Castle Game Engine 6.5: We will automatically use Libpng if detected (and fallback on FPImage otherwise).
castle-engine compile ... or
castle-engine package ....
In Castle Game Engine 6.4 and older: To use external libpng library, define
-dCASTLE_PNG_DYNAMIC when compiling the engine. E.g. define it inside CastleEngineManifest.xml as <custom_options> and use our build tool to compile your game.
Turn on TCastleUserInterface.Culling to optimize the case when a resource-intensive control is often off-screen (and thus doesn't need to be rendered or process other events). This also matters if the control is outside of the parent scrollable view (TCastleScrollView) or other parent with ClipChildren. This is very useful when creating a large number of children inside TCastleScrollView.
When rendering 2D stuff yourself usign TGLImage, you can often make a dramatic speedup by using the overload that draws multiple images (maybe different, maybe the same image parts) by a single
procedure TGLImage.Draw(ScreenRects, ImageRects: PFloatRectangleArray; const Count: Integer); call.
Since Castle Game Engine 6.5: We have TCastleProfiler to easily profile the speed of operations. The engine automatically uses it to log loading time of various assets. You can use it for more purposes too.
You can compile your
application with the build tool
--mode=valgrind to get an executable ready to be tested
with the magnificent Valgrind tool.
Read instructions how to use Valgrind with Castle Game Engine applications.
In general, you can use any FPC tool to profile your code, for memory and speed. See also FPC wiki about profiling.
To detect memory leaks, we advice to regularly compile your code with
FPC options
-gl -gh.
There are many ways to do this, for example you can
add this to your
fpc.cfg file (see FPC documentation "Configuration file" to know where you can find your
fpc.cfg file):
#IFDEF DEBUG -gh -gl #ENDIF
Then all the programs compiled in debug mode (with
castle-engine compile --mode=debug,
or with an explicit FPC option
will automatically check for memory leaks.
The end result is that at the program's exit, you will get a very useful report about the allocated and not freed memory blocks, with a stack trace to the allocation call. This allows to easily detect and fix memory leaks.
If everything is OK, the output looks like this:
Heap dump by heaptrc unit 12161 memory blocks allocated : 2290438/2327696 12161 memory blocks freed : 2290438/2327696 0 unfreed memory blocks : 0 True heap size : 1212416 True free heap : 1212416
But when you have a memory leak, it tells you about it, and tells you where the relevant memory was allocated, like this:
Heap dump by heaptrc unit 4150 memory blocks allocated : 1114698/1119344 4099 memory blocks freed : 1105240/1109808 51 unfreed memory blocks : 9458 True heap size : 851968 True free heap : 834400 Should be : 835904 Call trace for block $00007F9B14E42980 size 44 $0000000000402A83 line 162 of xxx.lpr ...
It is possible that in the future, we may add
-gl -gh automatically
to the options added by the build tool in the debug mode.
So programs compiled with
castle-engine compile --mode=debug
will automatically show this output.
We don't do it yet, because:
When you exit with
you will always have some memory leaks, that's unavoidable for now.
You should ignore the "Heap dump by heaptrc unit" output in this case.
Same thing if your program crashes with an unhandled exception.
The behavior in case of memory leaks on Windows GUI application is somewhat unfriendly. Memory leaks are displayed using a series of Windows modal message boxes, and you have to click through them, or kill the application.
It's better to switch application to CONSOLE for debugging, and run it from command-line, to observe HeapTrc output.
We do not have any engine-specific tool to measure memory usage or
detect memory problems, as there are plenty of them available with
FPC+Lazarus already. To simply see the memory usage, just use process
monitor that comes with your OS. See also Lazarus units
You can use full-blown memory profilers like valgrind's massif with FPC code (see section "Profiling" above on this page about valgrind).
Copyright Michalis Kamburelis. Thanks go to Paweł Wojciechowicz from Cat-astrophe Games for various graphics. Even this documentation is open-source, you can redistribute it on terms of the GNU General Public License.
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text:
All benefits go towards the Relay For Life Organization.
When Kenny Anderson was approached by his hometown of Palos Verdes to help out with a event to raise money for people with cancer, as well as cancer survivors, he got on the phone and gave his friends a call. Enter the Elwood Relay For Life Organization. Cancer is no joke… it is something we can't predict or prevent. All we can do is help those who can't help themselves. So Kenny brought in Elwood to help sponsor this event as well as bring a little skate sesh demo to the event at Pennisula High School. Kenny, Chris Haslam, Steve Nesser, Danny Montoya, Nate Broussard, John Rattray, and Daniel Espinoza were there thrashin' the obstacle course brought over by Jeff King. It was a great event for a greater cause.
Chris Haslam.
Daniel Espinoza and his car.
Danny Montoya, chain link view.
It's for the blog, bro.
Where there's a launch ramp, there's a backside 360 judo.
Crooked grind tetanus shot out.
Haslam just kickin' it.
Jump ramp thrash.
Adio photographer Ian O'Connor and his lil' assistant.
John Rattray made it out.
Kenny gives John the VIP treatment.
Someone send this guy some Last Words questions.
Danny Montoya signing boards.
Montoya and Nesser.
Nate Broussard makes his appearance. Front blunt.
Nate Broussard frontside noseblunt.
Nate out for Yoon's job.
On the outside looking in.
Break time.
Accepting the Nesser challenge.
The Anderson family made it out.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
News Sections
Martinsville Area Undergoes Assessment
Updated May 5, 2013 1:00 AM | Filed under: Network Indiana
(MARTINSVILLE) - Morgan County Emergency Management has a tough job ahead - they'll be spending the next few days doing damage assessments to report to the state.
Emergency Management Director Jeff Neal says the county is sectioned out and each area is being addressed.
Neal says residents are being allowed back in places like Paragon. The small town was nearly under water Saturday. Neal says it's a "miracle" that no one was killed in the rushing waters.
Have a question or comment about a news story? Send it to firstname.lastname@example.com
1340 AM WBIW, Bedford's Place To Talk. Serving Lawrence and surrounding counties since 1948!
© 2019 Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. WBIW.com and Listen Live Powered by HPC


text:
The good folks at Sapporo have been trying their hand at a bit of space farming: As part of a project with the Russian Academy of Science, the beer company is now selling a limited supply of beer made from barley whose seeds had been stored for five months on the International Space Station. The Japan Times reports that 250 six-packs of Sapporo Space Barley beer will be sold until December 24, at a cost of 10,000 yen (about $111) apiece. Proceeds from the six-packs will go to support science education; their actual contents will most likely proceed to get a few people drunk.
[Via The Food Section]


text:
January 26, 2003
So Many Online Sales, So Little in Tax Revenue
TATE officials across the country have been keeping their eyes on two sets of numbers, and it is sometimes difficult to tell which is growing faster. One is their projected budget shortfalls. The other is online retail sales, which they would like to tax to help fill the gaps.
Forecasters say the states may come up short next year by as much as $80 billion, which would create the biggest state budget crisis since World War II. A merry holiday season in cyberspace, meanwhile, has pumped up the receipts of online retailers — to $78 billion last year, according to Forrester Research, an increase of more than 50 percent over 2001.
That does not count the larger categories of business-to-business online sales and catalog sales, for which sales tax is generally not collected. A study by the University of Tennessee estimates that sales tax is not collected on $234 billion in online business-to-business commerce. And tax on most of what the Direct Marketing Association estimates at $125 billion in annual catalog sales is not collected, either.
The states cannot currently impose the tax because the Supreme Court has ruled that their multiple tax systems would impose an unfair collection burden on retailers that do not have a physical presence in their buyers' various states. Online buyers are actually required to pay sales taxes directly to their states, but they rarely do.
If the states can simplify and coordinate their sales tax systems, they may be able to convince Congress or the courts that collecting the levy will not be an unfair burden.
"Collection of online sales tax could plug 30 to 50 percent of state budget deficits this year and next," said Frank Shafroth, director for state and federal relations at the National Governors Association.
An effort to overcome the Supreme Court's objections made headway last November when 33 states agreed to narrow the differences in their sales tax rules and to provide retailers with software to collect taxes.
"We have developed a simplified process for collection of sales tax that meets the criteria of the Supreme Court and the Congress," said Gov. Michael O. Leavitt of Utah, a leader in the states' effort.
Maybe so. But it is not enough in the eyes of business interests that are lining up against online sales tax collection. Anti-tax groups, direct marketers and online sellers have long opposed efforts to collect online, but new opposition has emerged from broad-based business groups that want concessions on other tax issues in return for their support for the collection changes.
"Before Congress authorizes a mandatory system for sales tax collection, they need to resolve some outstanding issues," said Vincent Randazzo, director of public policy for the Business Roundtable, which represents the chiefs of 150 big companies.
The states are expected to seek a Congressional mandate to collect sales taxes after they win legislative approval for their new tax system in at least 10 states that represent at least 20 percent of Americans who pay sales taxes.
Governor Leavitt said that as many as 25 state legislatures would begin considering acceptance of the new system early this year. Neal Osten, a lobbyist with the National Conference of State Legislatures, said Congressional legislation could be introduced this spring.
Expecting a lobbying showdown, the Business Roundtable has already begun "to touch base with the big players in Washington," said Mr. Randazzo, who declined to specify the chief lobbying targets.
Business groups fret that state officials will use the information they gather from collecting online sales taxes to become more aggressive in seeking income taxes from corporations that have sales but no physical presence within their states.
"Once you have a system in place for identifying out-of-state sales," Mr. Randazzo said, "the states will have all this information they can turn over to their revenue departments and say: `They did $25 million in sales here — we'll collect income tax.' "
Some state officials see the linking of the issues as part of a lobbying strategy by big business. "They want to get their pound of flesh, and they see this as an opportunity," said Mr. Shafroth of the governors' group.
Opponents of online sales taxes have other complaints.
Amazon.com participated in the deliberations that created the states' plan but is not satisfied with the results. "There's not enough simplification," said Richard Prem, Amazon's director for global indirect taxes.
Christopher M. Kelley, a Forrester analyst, said collecting sales tax would have a minimal effect on Amazon and other online retailers. He said they could compensate for the higher cost to customers by expanding free-shipping offers, though that would cut into already thin profit margins.
Sponsors of the tax-simplification process wanted a single tax rate for each state, but that idea was opposed by local authorities and some local businesses that were unwilling to forfeit tax breaks. Some states, for example, exempt "essentials" like food and clothes from the sales tax — though the definitions of exempt catagories varies from state to state, with some areas including goods like candy and belts while others do not. Some states, like California and New York, also let local governments impose sales tax surcharges that only apply in their jurisdictions. The proposed compromise allows three rates per state.
Multiple rates make collection difficult, Mr. Julian said, noting that Federated already spent "tens of millions of dollars" to collect $1 billion a year in sales taxes.
But retailers that have stores virtually everywhere see universal online collection as a matter of fairness. "We're required to collect it," said Wayne Zakrzewski, an assistant general counsel for taxes at J. C. Penney. "Our rivals should also collect it."
Tripp Funderburk, policy director for the e-Fairness Coalition, which represents big retailers like Target, Wal-Mart and Circuit City, as well as real estate interests, said that retailers' profit margins are so thin that "when you give someone a 6 to 8 percent price advantage, that's the government favoring one sector over another."
As online sales eat into sales tax collections, local authorities will have to make up the difference, Mr. Funderburk added, and many are already raising property taxes.
The information technology industry has been very effective in its Washington lobbying, and it is not about to forfeit a tax break that has bolstered both e-commerce and the computer, communications and software sectors that support it.
Walter Hellerstein, a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law, said the simplification camp would have little trouble lining up 10 states — Illinois, Wisconsin and North Carolina should be among the first — but he said they would need "roughly half the states" to overcome lobbying opposition in Congress.
Opponents of the drive for online sales taxes worry that the states may bypass Congress and simply take nonpaying corporations to court, arguing that they have met the Supreme Court's objections and are now allowed to collect.
"Congress has never been willing to stick its foot into the sales tax nexus issue, and I don't see anything that's about to change," Mr. Shafroth said.


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Metamorphoses Book 7: Minos, Aeacus, The Plague at Ageina, The Myrmidons
Minos threatened war against Athens in retribution for his son's death. He had made alliances with many armies, but the army of Aegina didn't join his forces because the king, Aeacus was allied with Athens. So as Minos' Cretan ships were leaving Aegina, Cephalus came to seek help for Athens. Aeacus agreed.
Cephalus asks why there are so many young men in Aegina and most of the men he'd known there years before were missing. Aeacus told him of the plague that Juno had sent on the island because it was named for her rival, Aegina, Aeacus' mother by Jove. In despair at the destruction the plague had reeked on the city's population, Aeacus had asked Jove for help. He said, "'Grant, / Thous best of sires, so many citizens / To me and stock again my empty walls!'" Book 7 -- Minos, Aeacus, The Plague at Aegina, and The Myrmidons, line 26-8 Standing beneath an oak, Jove's sacred tree, he saw a line of ants and wished that their great number could repopulate his city. The tree began to shake and bend. In a dream that night, the ants turned to men, and when Aeacus awoke, the dream had come true.
After that story, Cephalus and his men went to bed.


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- Best of 2011
- Charity Events
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The Prince, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, & My Saber
on December 04th, 2012Print This Post
The only drops of Veuve Clicquot Champagne left last night at the Los Angeles-Berlin Sister City Committee Holiday party, held at Prince Frederic von Anhalt and Princess Zsa Zsa Gabor's Bel-Air estate, were the ones I dropped in the snow after sabraging a bottle. Yes, you read correctly: the snow! Just watch the video, and you will see that it was real snow.
Continue reading "The Prince, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, & My Saber" »
Thanksgiving & Champagne
on November 27th, 2012Print This Post
Thanksgiving is an American tradition. My tradition with Champagne is to sabrage the bottle to open it (en français: sabrer la bouteille). So this past Thursday, before indulging in a turkey, I took my saber and popped the top of a Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, of GAYOT.com Top 10 Value Champagnes.
You can click on the photos to enlarge.
Right Under the Space Shuttle Endeavour
on September 22nd, 2012Print This Post
They were very emotional seconds this morning on the beach in Santa Monica, when the space shuttle Endeavour made her graceful entrance at 11.51 a.m. for its last voyage. Just listen to the crowd on the video I filmed with my left hand while I was taking photos with my right.
Continue reading "Right Under the Space Shuttle Endeavour" »
With Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
on August 01st, 2012Print This Post
By the end of the year, I will be able to taste chef Nobu Matsuhisa's cuisine at his new restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas, and even stay at his first boutique hotel: Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace. I can even continue my meal there, as the hotel will offer 24-hour in-room dining service by chef Nobu.
Watch my exclusive video interview with chef Nobu.
With Actor Jérémie Rénier
on April 21st, 2012Print This Post
This picture with actor Jérémie Rénier was taken just before I was going to see the movie "Cloclo", My Way, at the 2012 edition of COLCOA, the French Film Festival in Los Angeles. I was about to discover a superb performance by Rénier reincarnating French singer Claude François on the screen.
You can watch my exclusive video interview with Jérémie Rénier at GAYOT.com's blog.
« Newer Posts — Older Posts »


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Rosewood Biosafe Puppy Bone Dog Toy Blue. BioCote protected, a more hygienic toy for your puppy and your family.
• Anti-microbial
• Massages gums and reduces plaque and tartar build up
• Satisfies chewing and gnawing urges
• Floats
• Mint scent
• Colour: Blue
• Size: 12.5cm long
Note: This toy is durable but not indestructible, remove immediately if it becomes damaged.


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From the Chauvet Cave paintings to the poems of Rilke
Humans are fascinated by our fellow animals – is that just an evolutionary hangover or something more profound? ... 'There is a crack in everything,' sang Leonard Cohen. 'That's how the light gets in.' Watching animals opens that crack just a little wider, and through it we get a better view – not only of animals, but of ourselves.


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About DouggaDougga is the site of ancient Roman ruins situated in Tunisia, 100km west of the capital city of Tunis. Dougga backpacking tours are a must for any traveller with ancient ruins and a fascinating heritage, and are ideal for day trips on Tunisia getaways.
AirportsDougga airports include:
•Tunis - Carthage International Airport
Safety Tips
•This ancient city is very peaceful and quiet with almost no problems or crime at all
•Some of the ruins have not been uncovered, so be careful when walking through the area
•Wear solid walking or hiking shoes and not sandals or open shoes
•Show respect and do not break or damage any of the ruins
Travel BooksDougga recommended travel books include the following:
•Footprint Tunisia Handbook by Justin McGuinness
•The Rough Guide to Tunisia by Daniel Jacobs
•Lonely Planet Tunisia by Abigail Hole, Daniel Robinson Michael Grosberg
•Antique Cities in Tunisia for a Visit to Dougga, Thuburbo Majus, Mactar, El Jem, Gightis by Slaheddine Tlatli
•Rome in Africa by Susan Raven
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The highlight of my trip had to be Gweru in Zimbabwe, it was my idea of paradise. So much to do there with the animals and the location of it was just beautiful!
— Anne B (27) from Ireland
The trip was great! A very relaxed ride in a mokoro, followed by camping in the Okavango Delta and watching the animals on the islands was awesome!
— Michael & Silke from Germany
I loved every millisecond of the entire trip... Guess what I did in Swakopmund? I skydived out of a plane - woohoo was that AWESOME :-)
— JoJo E (61) from Switzerland
Finally home and had a great time…. I loved the shark diving, Sossusvlei and Himba people. Saw Lions, a Leopard, Elephants, Giraffes, everything really! Thanks for…
— John E from Canada
I did not believe in god till i visited Chobe National Park.
— Juca from Uruguay
Do this on the Cape Town to Nairobi with Gorilla Trek.Tours with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Do this on the 14-day Kruger and Mozambique Safari.Tours with Kruger National Park Game Drive
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
Do this on the Best of East Africa.Tours with Serengeti National Park Excursion
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with Victoria Falls Flight of Angels
Do this on the Best of South West Africa.Tours with White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River
Visit Etosha National Park on the Best of NamibiaTours through Etosha National Park
Visit Okavango Delta on the Best of South West AfricaTours through Okavango Delta
Visit Serengeti National Park on the Best of East AfricaTours through Serengeti National Park
Visit Victoria Falls on the Best of South West AfricaTours through Victoria Falls
Visit Zanzibar Island on the cape town to darTours through Zanzibar Island


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Pick up the Kooba Sarah tote to complete you summer look. The tote handbag has fabulous summer style with woven detailing. The tote itself is made... Read MorePosted on Thu, 05/31/2012
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Pontefract, All Saints' Church
Artist: Grimm, Samuel Hieronymus
Medium: Ink wash on paper
Date: 1773
As the drawing here shows the church was a very large and impressive structure. It suffered damage when Pontefract Castle came under siege during the Civil War and it was abandoned soon afterwards. It was partly repaired in 1838 and transformed into a smaller church.


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Develop a consistent defensive approach to conquering ball screens!
with Sean Miller,University of Arizona Head Coach;2017 Pac-12 Coach of the Year - 3x Pac-12 Coach of the Year;2017 Pac-12 Tournament and Regular Season Champions - led Arizona to six conference titles overall;former Head Coach at Xavier, 3x A-10 champions; 2008 A-10 Coach of the Year
Teams at all levels are incorporating ball screens into their offense. Ball screens have become the go-to action to break down defenses and force them to scramble to help on all scoring options. In this video, Sean Miller shows you how to establish a simple defensive system that can effectively shut down any type of ball screen you'll face.
Building a defensive system should always start from the ground up, and Miller uses on court demonstration to show it. Starting with closeouts and building into help defense and defending ball screens are important in any defensive scheme you run. Using a series of breakdown drills that can be modified to many different situations, Coach Miller demonstrates the teaching points and techniques he uses with his own teams to build ball screen defense.
Vegas Closeouts
Through three variations of the Vegas Closeouts drill, your players will learn how to be "tough on the ball," which is the foundation for a good man to man defense. You'll learn how to increase your pressure on the ball and handle fakes without giving up an advantage. Additionally, two drill variations are demonstrated that will teach players how to stunt and recover against dribble penetration and their responsibilities on post feeds.
Side Ball Screens
On sideline ball screens, Coach Miller uses what they call a "jump" technique to stop the ball handler. Similar to a hard hedge, this technique is a great way to obstruct the ball handler from turning the corner while also allowing the on ball defender to easily go over the top of the screen while keeping the other defender from fouling.
You'll also learn how to use the "jump" tactic with your screen defender to aggressively disrupt the pick & roll. Other concepts such as how to increase your pressure on the dribbler with a semi-trap and loading the floor with help side defenders are also explained. You'll learn how to communicate ball screen coverages in even the loudest game environments.
Middle Ball Screens
Against ball screens occurring in the middle of the floor, several defensive concepts are used based on the personnel and situation involved. The "plug" technique allows the defender guarding the screener to help take away the ball handler's ability to shoot the 3-pointer while still being able to recover to the rolling screener. Miller also tells you how he adjusts to defending screeners that are a threat to pick & pop.
You'll learn how you can apply the "jump" defense to these types of screens in addition to using the "weak" strategy for forcing the dribbler toward your help against flat ball screens.
Breakdown Drills
The successful implementation of any defensive system is going to be dependent on the quality of the drills you use to reinforce these concepts. Miller has three drills demonstrated that he uses to teach his teams to defend multiple ball screen situations in one possession.
During all these drills, Miller emphasizes being tough on the ball and in good defensive positioning.
This video givesBasketball Videos


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What IfsDec 19th, 2010 | By producer
I've been re-watching Deep Space 9. It's arguably the best series of the (post-1960s) Star Trek franchise, and definitely my favorite. This evening, I watched the episode "Battle Lines". As with many of the first-season episodes, it's a bit simplistic. It's an obvious morality play about the nature of war. However… there's something deeper. The
[continue reading…]


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Who is leif garrett dating
Heffner in Saw IV ) who followed in his father's (Dick Van Patten) footsteps. Sheridan was also married to actor Harry Hamlin from September 7, 1991 through 1993.
Also pictured here in our set is our photographer Brad Elterman with Nicolette in Hawaii in 1995.
starlet thoroughly enjoyed selling her sausage socket to the highest bidder!
Our Buzzfotos photographs have been there and lived through them all!
Apparently he was on his bike, but then a vehicle turned into him, and he fell off the motorcycle.
Here's what a source had to say about it: Tags: accident, heroin posession, leif garrett, motorcycle accident, physical therapy, relapse At least he won't go to jail. 70s idol, Leif Garrett pled no contest this morning to heroin possession charges. Drew Pinsky include Jason Wahler, Janice Dickinson, Jeremy London, Rachel Uchitel, Leif Garrett, Jason "Gummi Bear" Davis and Frankie Lons, singer Keyshia Cole's mother. We can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans Janice will be up to!
Although the two were not romantically involved, we thought we'd include it in this post.
Brad said of Nicolette, "I remember her amazing beauty.
Search for who is leif garrett dating:
This amazing foto was taken in 1980 of actress Nicolette Sheridan and 70's teen heartthrob Leif Garrett.


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As you travel, if you happen to make use of public computer systems, do not use sensitive knowledge or information for any purpose, particularly involving cash. Outsourcing and dental travel to Romania is secure as a result of Romania is an EU member country Timisoara is a city with a rich historical heritage but also a very modern city. This sort оf travel insurance coverage covers tһoѕе expenses tһаt һаѵe ѕоmetһing to dо wіtһ medical reasons. Rights teams, Democrats and U.S. allies have condemned the travel ban as discriminatory.
It's permission for travelers from 38 international locations participating within the Visa Waiver Program. Make sure that the travel company gives you with some extent of contact that can be reached any time of the day or night time. He said he was given no reason for the travel ban, though added that he was going through fees together with obstructing authorities establishments and spreading false news after he helped draft an anti-torture bill for parliament in 2015.
Enter the e-mail deal with that you simply used to join Travelzoo and we'll send you a link to reset your password. Here's you final travel checklist: Passport, tickets, credit cards, medicines or prescriptions, automotive rental and resort reservation receipts/agreements, if required, addresses, … Travel More


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Thank you to everyone that came to the Family tournament. We had a great time practicing and competing with all of the dojos around Michigan. As you can see, Michigan kendo is very strong and continues to get stronger. I wanted to thank all of the people that drove a great distance to attend and the senseis that helped to lead the practice afterwards. If you have any good stories or pictures from the event please do not hesitate to post them here or at the website. Thank you again to everyone that helped set up. The results from the tournament are below.
Sandan and up:
1st: Murakami
2nd: Tani
3rd: Takahashi
3rd: Matsuura
1st: Akamatsu
2nd: Kurita
3rd: Tanabe
3rd: Yamauchi
1st: Brooks
2nd: K. Hwang
3rd: Marsch
3rd: Holmgren
1st: A. Akamatsu
2nd: Arai
3rd: A. Hanaki
3rd: Klar
Junior B:
1st: Hill
2nd: Akamatsu
3rd: Yamauchi
3rd: B. Hwang
Junior A:
1st: Arai
2nd: S. Suzuki
3rd: A. Suzuki
3rd: A. Hanaki
1st: Thompson
2nd: Nagamine
3rd: Carolan
3rd: Sato
Fighting Spirit:
M. Suzuki


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Kate Summerscale
Kate Summerscale was born in 1965. She is the author of the bestselling The Queen of Whale Cay, which won a Somerset Maugham award and was shortlisted for the Whitbread biography award. She has also judged various literary competitions including the Man Booker Prize. She lives in London with her five-year-old son.


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Gladiator movie Wallpaper 1440x900 Gladiator, Movie, Gladiator
Gladiator movie Wallpaper was added in 16 Jun 2012. 2565 users has viewed and downloaded this wallpaper. Approximately 1,4 gb bandwith was consumed. You can download Gladiator movie Wallpaper for free. All you need to do is help us grow by sharing this wallpaper if you like it :)
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International Trade
Cargo that has arrived at Puerto Cabello:
- Over 40,000 metric tons of cement for state agency Socialist Cement Corporation
- Over 12,254 tons of beef and chicken from Brazil for state agency CASA
- Over 4,282 tons of powdered
milk, margarine and chicken from Brazil for state agency CASA
170 containers with material and equipment for oil and gas exploration, production and refining, as well as supplies and accessories for the marine industry and agriculture, for PDVSA
Oil & Energy
Maduro says time for OPEC to convene heads of state summit
President Nicolas Maduro says it is time for OPEC to convene a heads of state meeting and that he would present the country's proposals to shore up oil prices to the group. Middle East producers from OPEC, however, have pledged to maintain high output in a fight to defend market share against rising competition. So far, they have stuck to their decision despite calls by other OPEC members, such as Venezuela, for the Middle East to cut excessive output. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/15/us-venezuela-opec-idUSKCN0RF00320150915; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150912/venezuela-proposes-control-over-oil-market)
Venezuela detains three vessels for suspected fuel smuggling
Three vessels suspected of smuggling subsidized fuel from Venezuela's refinery-rich Paraguana peninsula were detained this week by the country's navy, a local commander said. Sources told Reuters that seven people have been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle diesel in a tanker owned by state oil company PDVSA. Admiral Andres Gomez, commander of a local navy unit, confirmed tanker 'Negra Hipolita' was found with an excess load of 50,000 barrels of diesel fuel at the Cardon refinery. Two additional vessels, both from Panama, were detained this week by the Venezuelan navy, also on smuggling suspicions, Gomez added. It was not immediately clear when they were apprehended. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/13/us-venezuela-oil-idUSKCN0RD01K20150913; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150914/venezuelan-navy-detains-three-vessels-for-alleged-fuel-smuggling)
Gasoline consumption down 7 million liters per day in bordering regions
Venezuela says it will save US$ 2.5 billion a year, as gasoline consumption in the bordering municipalities of Táchira (southwest Venezuela) and Zulia (west) states has decreased by 7 million liters of gasoline per day, according to the President of state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), Eulogio Del Pino. Del Pino, who is also Minister of Energy and Mines, says President Nicolás Maduro's order to shut down several border crossings with Colombia on August 19 (in Táchira state) and September 7 (in Zulia state) has helped to clarify the real numbers of gasoline consumption in the area. Due to the shutdown of the Colombia-Venezuela border in Táchira state last August 19, a total of 1.5 million liters of gasoline per day have been prevented from being smuggled into Cúcuta, Colombia, the minister explained. The border shutdown prevents over 260,000 gallons of gasoline from being smuggled into Cúcuta from Venezuela, and gasoline represents 80% of Venezuelan products sold in Cúcuta, the Foreign Office added. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150912/gasoline-consumption-down-7-million-liters-per-day-in-bordering-region)
Venezuela to appeal judgment giving PDVSA refinery to CONOCO
Responding to a refinery loss, Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA says it intends to appeal the U.S. federal court ruling upholding ConocoPhillips' acquisition of its stake in a delayed coking unit at a Texas refinery. PDVSA and Conoco formed a 50-50 joint venture in the late 1990s to operate the unit at the refinery. Phillips 66, which was spun off from Conoco in 2012, currently owns and operates the coking unit and the rest of the Sweeny refinery, located in Old Ocean, Texas. The federal court in New York upheld a ruling last year by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce, which found in an arbitration case filed in 2010 that Phillips 66 had sole ownership in the refinery because PDVSA had forfeited its stake by failing to supply a contractually agreed amount of crude. PDVSA received no compensation for its 50% stake in the delayed coking unit based on a calculation in which the dividends it had received were subtracted from its capital contributions. Analysts said its portion of the refinery was worth over half-a-billion. PDVSA is represented by Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, who frequently represent Venezuela and its state-owned oil company. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2396138&CategoryId=10717)
PDVAL decreases outdoor food market sales operations due to lack of food
Food scarcity nationwide is even hitting government food distribution operations. PDVAL has had to cut down on the outdoor distribution operations, according to sources close to the organization who report: "Operations used to take place 5 times a week, Tuesday to Saturday, but due to shortages they are now taking place only on Saturdays, since last May". The same source reports that PDVAL warehouses used to distribute an average 13 primary products, and are now down to 5-7. More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)
Economy & Finance
Monaldi: The impact of the decline in oil prices on the economics, politics and oil industry of Venezuela
The picture does not look pretty for Venezuela. The macroeconomic crisis will likely get worse for lack of adjustment in an election year. There is even a small probability of hyperinflation and a much higher probability of debt default in 2016. There may be more political instability. The legislative elections should produce a majority for the opposition that could intensify the confrontation and might lead to a push to recall the president in a referendum in 2016–17. Street protests are likely to increase as the economy continues to collapse. The numerous problematic trends in the oil industry have been made worse by low oil prices. However, the new pragmatism in oil policy might lead to some improvement in private investment, but above ground risks could limit its impact. Conventional production would continue falling, so total production is most probably going to remain stagnant in the short term and is highly unlikely to grow significantly in the next two to three years. Extra-heavy production could rise at an increased rate if the current investor-friendly attitude remains in place. In a ten-year horizon production is more likely to increase, particularly if there is a transition to a more credible and stable government, but that potential could remain unfulfilled if political instability remains a serious issue. (Columbia, http://energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/energy/Impact%20of%20the%20Decline%20in%20Oil%20Prices%20on%20Venezuela_September%202015.pdf)
FORBES: How does Venezuela compare to the world's worst managed economies?
Outside of Venezuela, around the world, controlling inflation is seen as the primary concern of most central bankers. In the economic crises of the 1970s and 1980s inflation soared in as a series of economic shocks rocked Latin America. Looking at the deleterious effects of these periods of hyperinflation, the region's central bankers have made stamping out inflation and promoting economic stability their number one priority. Latin America, with its longstanding and heavy reliance on natural resource exports, is remarkably vulnerable to boom and bust cycles as commodity prices rise and fall. Today, successful economies in Latin America focus on responsible macroeconomic management and work to promote economic stability. Even revolutionary leaders such as Evo Morales in Bolivia have adopted conservative macroeconomic management policies and eschewed irresponsible, short-term spending binges in favor of programs designed to create sustainable growth. So, looking at the list of the world's worst performing economies in terms of inflation management a few things stand out. The fact that Venezuela tops the list should come as no surprise. The nation has become a poster child for macroeconomic mismanagement. President Nicolas Maduro, the unfortunate successor to populist icon Hugo Chavez, has inherited a deeply unbalanced economy, and has resorted to desperate PR stunts such as jailing opposition leaders and blaming inflation on business owners rather than working to address the country's underlying economic problems. Within Latin America, aside from Venezuela, only Argentina stands out for its struggles to control inflation. With double-digit inflation, Argentina is the only other Latin American economy besides Venezuela that sits alongside economies such as North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic as one of the world's worst managed economies. If policymakers in Venezuela are looking for a model to follow, they may want to turn their attention to Mexico, which has transformed from being a heavily protected interventionist economy to a much more open country with a strong industrial base. (Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/09/15/6-ways-to-win-at-office-politics/)
Venezuela is in last place in world economic freedom report
For the second consecutive year, Canada's Fraser Institute has placed Venezuela last out of 157 countries that comprise its' 2015 World Economic Freedom Annual Report, with 3.23 points against a worldwide average of 6.86. (Fraser Institute: http://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2015-annual-report)
BofA Merrill Lynch suggests free floating FOREX system for Venezuela
Venezuela needs to lift foreign exchange controls and move forward towards a free floating foreign exchange system, in conjunction with a macroeconomic stabilization plan, says Francisco Rodríguez, director of Bank of America-Merryl Lynch. "It is not a threat for the country, because it does not have to lose international reserves in defending the foreign exchange rate. In that regard, the foreign exchange convertibility within a free floating exchange regime is the best way to defend the country's resources held in the Central Bank. Lifting foreign exchange controls is not something to be afraid of," says Rodríguez. "The Central Bank could hold a transparent auction for US$ 100 million per day at a foreign exchange rate set by the market," he said. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150912/bofa-merrill-lynch-suggests-free-floating-forex-system-for-venezuela)
Politics and International Affairs
Harsh sentence for protest leader a gamble for Venezuela
The stiff sentence handed down to Venezuela's most prominent jailed opposition leader brought a cascade of criticism as President Nicolas Maduro's government continued along a combative path despite a crushing economic crisis, feuds with his neighbors and accusations of authoritarianism. Leopoldo Lopez was convicted of inciting violence during a wave of protests against the country's socialist administration in 2014, and was sentenced to the maximum punishment of nearly 14 years in a military prison. Critics at home immediately said the sentence should rally anti-government voters to the polls for crucial December legislative elections. From abroad, the White House said it was "deeply saddened" by the ruling. Amnesty International, the European Union and U.N. human rights officials joined in condemnation. "This case is a complete travesty of justice," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "In a country that lacks judicial independence, a provisional judge convicts four innocent people after a trial in which the prosecution did not present basic evidence". The conviction of Lopez is likely to end, for now, a behind-the-scenes push by the U.S. to normalize relations with the country it declared a national security threat in March. The White House said Maduro's government was using the justice system to attempt to silence critics. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, began calling for a new round of sanctions in response to what the Republican presidential contender called a "show trial." The outrage in Washington contrasted with silence in Latin America, where no sitting president had yet to criticize the ruling. (The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/09/11/world/americas/ap-lt-venezuela-opposition-leader.html)
US "deeply concerned" about Lopez sentence in Venezuela
Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America Roberta Jacobson says the United States is "deeply concerned" about the conviction of Leopoldo Lopez", and called upon the government here "to protect democracy and human rights in Venezuela". More in Spanish: (Infolatam, http://www.infolatam.com/2015/09/11/roberta-jacobson-profundamente-preocupada-por-condena-a-lopez-en-venezuela/)
Latin American governments start to speak out on López case
Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis has openly criticized Lopez's conviction and that nation's Foreign Ministry indicated it is "concerned about the trial of Leopoldo López and four student leaders". Chile's Foreign Ministry followed suit in a note to the Maduro regime indicated it is "attentively" following the López process and hopes "judicial guarantees for a due process and effective available options so that the parties can appeal a sentence". Their Venezuelan counterpart quickly retorted by asking Chile "not to meddle", either "through direct action or under the influence of foreign powers". Paraguay's Foreign Ministry has said it expects "strict compliance with due process and actual respect for rights". The Peruvian government expressed concern over Venezuela's internal polarization and called for dialogue. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro asked that the international community have access and expressed hope that due process and human rights standards should be observed during the appeals process. (Infolatam, http://www.infolatam.com/2015/09/15/silencio-de-los-gobiernos-latinoamericanos-frente-a-lopez-empieza-a-romperse/)
What about the Vatican?
Considering that this is an overwhelmingly Catholic country where the Holy See has strong connections (its secretary of state Pietro Parolin was serving there till 2013) and that Leopoldo López himself is Catholic, people might have expected Pope Francis or at least a senior Vatican spokesman to issue an instant condemnation of the verdict. But for better or worse, that is not the current papacy's way; it prefers to make its feelings known more discreetly, and to leave things to local bishops. Archbishop Roberto Luckert, one of the country's most outspoken hierarchs, has roundly condemned President Nicolás Maduro for expelling thousands of Colombians from the country. But religious leaders, like political ones, have to make hard choices between keeping relationships and channels of dialogue open, and openly telling hard truths. In the course of his travels the pontiff, who has shown real eloquence in condemning the excesses of the capitalist north, can still expect some hard questions about his attitude to excesses of another kind. Will he denounce left-wing authoritarianism as much as he has denounced the right-wing variety? (The Economist, http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2015/09/pope-cuba-and-venezuela)
Colombia protests for military flyover, Venezuela denies charge
Colombia's government will formally protest and seek an explanation from Venezuela after detecting two military airplanes that flew into its airspace, President Juan Manuel Santos said. The two aircraft entered Colombia's northern La Guajira province without permission, flew about 1.8 miles over the border and then circled above a military unit, Colombia's Defense Ministry said in a statement. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said there was no evidence of any violation of Colombian airspace; and Venezuela's Minister of Defense and Head of the Strategic Operational Command of the Armed Forces (CEOFANB), General Vladimir Padrino López, denied that Venezuelan military aircraft violated the Colombian airspace over the weekend. Padrino López argued that Venezuelan pilots had asserted that they have not violated any foreign airspace whatsoever. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/14/colombia-venezuela-idUSL1N11K01B20150914; Bloomberg, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-13/colombia-says-venezuela-military-planes-crossed-into-territory; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150914/venezuelan-ministry-of-defense-denies-airspace-violation-in-colombia)
Closing the border was the "only way," Zulia governor says
Zulia state Gov. retired Colonel Francisco Arias Cardenas says that closing the border in this region was "the only way" left for Venezuelan authorities to combat the problems of paramilitaries and the shipping of contraband to Colombia.
The top authority of Zulia, a state that shares more than 600 kilometers (370 miles) of border with Colombia, said in an interview that the government is "absolutely convinced that this can be a way, or perhaps the only way we have left, to deal in depth with these problems." "This seems to us a strong but necessary measure that forces people, as in the game of dominoes, to shuffle the cards and change things," said the governor, who stressed the need to "reestablish the border." (The Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2396341&CategoryId=10717)
The top authority of Zulia, a state that shares more than 600 kilometers (370 miles) of border with Colombia, said in an interview that the government is "absolutely convinced that this can be a way, or perhaps the only way we have left, to deal in depth with these problems." "This seems to us a strong but necessary measure that forces people, as in the game of dominoes, to shuffle the cards and change things," said the governor, who stressed the need to "reestablish the border." (The Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2396341&CategoryId=10717)
US says Venezuela fails to comply with anti-drug efforts
US President Barack Obama has sent a message to Congress indicating that Venezuela and Bolivia, along with Burma, are nations that did not - in the past year - honor their commitments on drug traffic and production control under international antidrug agreements. More in Spanish: .(El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)
Venezuelan Supreme Tribunal balks complying with Human Rights Court decision on RCTV
Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal has declared that a decision by the Inter American Human Rights Court, ordering the Maduro regime to restore operating permits to the RCTV television network is "inapplicable". Other regime spokesmen have openly mocked the decision. More in Spanish: (Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/tsj-declara-inejecutable-fallo-de-la-cidh-sobre-rc.aspx#ixzz3lQJmBcj4; El Nacional, http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/TSJ-declara-inejecutable-fallo-CIDH_0_699530314.html; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150911/tsj-pide-al-gobierno-denunciar-en-la-oea-a-jueces-de-corte-idh)
The following brief is a synthesis of the news as reported by a variety of media sources. As such, the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Duarte Vivas & Asociados and The Selinger Group.


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There is absolutely no need for me to go into any of the details into the media frenzy that was going due to the film, The Interview. You're all educated and well read enough to have heard about the hoo-haa surrounding that film.
Whether you believe it to be orchestrated or not, The Interview is out. People have seen it in their droves both legally and illegally. And guess what? It is an utterly terrible film. On every level.
I'm going to be keeping this brief as I don't want to waste many words on this. Was The Interview trying to make some sort of commentary on the political situation between North Korea and the world/USA? Who knows!
I did not laugh at any one point. Barely even broke a smile. The comedy was either ridiculously slap-stick or aimed at 15-year-old boys.
You're probably thinking, this film isn't made for you. Well, I enjoyed the heck out of Pineapple Express and that's very much a stoner comedy. And it was funny.
If there's one positive that might come out of this whole debacle with The Interview is that it's shone a light on digital releases of films as a major release point for a major film. Here's hoping that will at least give the studios food for thought.


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|Avalon Home
4000bce - 399
400 - 1399
|15th Century
1400 - 1499
|16th Century
1500 - 1599
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1600 - 1699
|18th Century
1700 - 1799
|19th Century
1800 - 1899
|20th Century
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July 12, 1960, 11:50 a.m.
The President telephoned with regard to giving the mileage figure in our reply to the Soviet note. The President said he didn't know how we can avoid this. The President said what it must be is that Defense and CIA must think they have tracking radar station the Soviets know nothing about.
The Secretary said most of it is carried on by another Government. The Secretary said it seemed to him if we make the flat assertion that the plane was not over their territorial land we will be asked the same question as if we say it never got within 30 miles, and the Secretary said it weakened our note considerably not to specify.
The President said that is the way he feels, but said the only thing is if the station is there--but the President said we wouldn't have to say anything else.
The Secretary said it seemed to him we can always say it came from direct communication with the plane and the Soviets can't prove or disprove it one way or the other.
The President asked if we didn't have direct communication.
The Secretary said no; the plane was under orders to communicate if they were in danger but did not do so.
The President said it must have been hit by a sidewinder type of thing. The President said he personally did not see the percentage in saying the plane did not go over Soviet territorial waters and not being able to say it never went within roughly 30 miles.
The Secretary said it weakens our case if we don't do this.
The President asked what their argument against this was.
The Secretary said they just say it might compromise us, but if we make a flat assertion it didn't go over territory, he couldn't see the difference.
The President said if we say that and they say they had a tracking station and sent fighters to check up, will we have to say how we know they didn't go closer than 30 miles if you have somebody like the World Court involved would you have to say how you knew this.
The Secretary said only up to a certain point.
The President said here is what he thinks--there is a weakness in the argument of the Air Force and Intelligence. The President said they say we never got out of international waters and never went over Soviet territory and how can you say that if you don't know where the plane was. The President said it seemed to him their argument is silly.
The Secretary said that is just what we have been arguing with them.
The President asked the Secretary to pass along his view to Defense and CIA.
[Here follows discussion of unrelated subjects.]
Source: Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking. No drafting information appears on the source text.


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Crista's photography work with Les Ettes not only compliments her signature shots with scents of grace and simplicity, but also enhances the senses to a level of alluring and irresistible appeal.
Want-Ette is a fruity, clean and fresh nonalcoholic fragrance by Les Ettes. It expresses delicate notes of fig. You can by it for 30 euros – or win it with us! Just answer the question at the bottom of this interviews and cross your fingers…
Why do you think reverting back to analog has become a progressive tool in alternative photography?
It's the whole retro fascination of the past, especially our generation who saw the transition period from the eighties to the digital age. I just love old things.
What's something in the photo biz that's overplayed?
Digital and the fake saturation of colors. You see it a lot in the high-end fashion photography, there's a lack of imagination.
How about something underplayed?
Photography blogs. I've come across so many photographers, especially teenagers, who take amazing pictures. In some ways it allows photography to have a face.
Who's the worst person to take a photo of?
Anyone who kisses at the camera, and Tony Blair.
The best person?
There is no best person; every subject is interesting.
All photos: SSolinas
Tell us how you got involved with Les Ettes.
I already like the concept before I started working with them. They keep a nice image that is consistent from the beginning. I really like the spirit and the idea that a girl doesn't necessarily want to be categorized as a cliché snowboarder girl. She still likes to dress up, and she still likes things that are pretty.
Name a recent moment that made you happy to be a photographer.
I felt really happy at the Les Ettes shoot, and I'm being genuine about this. It felt like a bunch of people who got along and had a lot of ideas circulating. When you work with the right people it clicks, and it made me feel happy to do this as a job.
What does a photographer never leaves the house without?
Without a checklist so they don't leave anything behind, and their camera.
If you were forced to photograph only one more picture ever again, what would it be of?
The Salt Flats in Utah.
Fancy trying the new fragrance Want-Ette yourself? Then write us an email to firstname.lastname@example.com and tell us why you WANT it, the best three reason will be awarded with the brand new fragrance…
Also watch the cute little clip of Crista and Want-Ette


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Growing Like a Champ
Remember when I talked about the plants I purchased on my trip to Monticello? One of the plants was a small variegated citrus.
I potted it up after we got home and it lived by the window in the living room all winter long. Late this spring I put it outside, along with many other potted plants. It spent it's days on the back deck soaking up the sun and the rain.
It hadn't grown a ton over the winter, but I hadn't really expected it to. I figured this summer it would take off, and I was right. I'm just about to carry it back inside and thought I'd take another photo to compare just how much it had grown over the summer.
This little tree is about three times the size it was in the spring when I put it out. I made sure to fertilize it on Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day as the Lemon Ladies Orchard recommended to me when they heard I had a few citrus trees in pots. I'm wondering if this little tree will bloom this coming year? I certainly hope so. I would love nothing more than to be able to harvest a few lemons from it. Or limes from my dwarf lime tree. After all, if I have houseplants, they might was well provide some food too!
Do you have any houseplants that are edible? Any tiny citrus trees in pots?Filed under Trees | Comments (20)
Quote of the Day: Albert Comus
"Autumn is a second spring, where every leaf is a flower."
-Albert Camus
I think peak leaves will happen this week here in NE Ohio, too bad they're calling for gloomy, rainy, snowy weather. I love the changing of the leaves because it helps make this season a little more bearble. It's tough because you know soon enough all life will be dormant and everything will be brown. But the explosion of colors really helps brighten my mood!
What do you enjoy most about the changing seasons (or do you have them where you live)?Filed under Quote, Seasons, Trees | Comments (9)
I Had No Idea
Can anyone guess what kind of tree this bloom belongs to?
I had no idea that maple trees bloomed until I decided to keep bees and started researching nectar sources for the bees in early spring. I must say, I think maples may be my new favorite tree. They give us shade, syrup, these beautiful flowers, and beautiful fall colors.
What's your favorite tree?
Conifers in the Garden
If you remember a few weeks ago I talked about wanting to add more coniferous plants to the gardens here at Chiot's Run. Ironically, while I was out working the other day I noticed a small volunteer pine tree that sprouted up in the side yard.
I'm not sure what kind it is, but it sure is cute. It's only about 4 inches tall. I'm going to dig it up and put it in a pot to help it establish. Later this summer I'm going to plant it in the gardens somewhere. I have all kinds of volunteers in my gardens, usually they're petunias and butterfly bushes, but I've never had a pine tree. You sure can't beat a free tree!
Have you ever had this happen? What kind of volunteers spring up in your gardens?
Maple Sugaring at Chiot's Run
Yesterday Mr Chiots and I tapped 12 of our maple trees here at Chiot's Run. I have always wanted to do it but I thought you could only tap sugar maples, but Saturday I found out this was not the case.
I ran to Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, OH and bought some spiles to tap our trees. Then we spent a half hour tapping our maple trees yesterday.
One tree started running sap as soon as we tapped it, it was very exciting. We hung the jar under it and it produced almost a pint of sap in 2 hours before it got cold.
It's a bit late in the year for us to be tapping, the season started a few weeks ago, but we still have a week or two of sap weather coming. We won't get much syrup since it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. If I get enough for one pancake breakfast I'll be happy.
This is such a great way to learn new things. I would never just sit down and learn about maple trees, but we had a great time looking in our tree book and finding out how to identify maple trees in the winter by their bark. It's a good thing I already knew which trees on our property were maples, since identifying trees in the winter without being able to see the buds is a bit of a challenge. We learned a lot and we're looking forward to the sweet reward!
Anyone else tapping their maple trees? Do you buy local maple syrup?


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Zenyatta Ventures Awarded Discovery of the Year in Ontario and Accepts Award for Top Performing Company on the TSX Venture
8 April 2013
Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. ("Zenyatta" or "Company") (TSXV: ZEN) is pleased to announce that the Company has been awarded the "Bernie Schnieders, Discovery of the Year" for the Albany Graphite Deposit. The award was presented in Thunder Bay on April 2nd by the Northwest Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA) to recognize an exceptional discovery in Ontario during 2012.
Recently the TSX Venture Exchange announced the 2013 TSX Venture 50, which is a group of strong performing companies from the five following sectors: Clean Technology, Diversified Industries, Mining, Oil & Gas and Technology and Life Sciences. The 2013 TSX Venture 50 was determined based on equal weighting of the following measures: market capitalization growth, share price appreciation, trading volume and analyst coverage. The top performing company from the mining industry sector during 2012 is Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. Dr. John Morganti, an advisor to Zenyatta, accepted the award on behalf of the Company in Vancouver on April 4th. "TSX Venture Exchange operates a platform that provides emerging companies with the opportunity to access the capital they need to meet their growth objectives. We are pleased to present the latest group of companies that have excelled in their sectors." - John McCoach, President, TSX Venture Exchange Aubrey Eveleigh, President and CEO stated "Both awards represent external recognition of the remarkable efforts from everyone on the ZEN team. The Company is very grateful to NWOPA and the TSX Venture Exchange for their acknowledgement of Zenyatta's success. The Albany Graphite deposit is a very exciting project and continues to exceed our expectations." Eveleigh further stated, "The Company must also acknowledge the contribution from Constance Lake First Nation, Cliffs Natural Resources, our shareholders, contractors/service companies and Lakehead University. With this extraordinary support the project has achieved incredible success."
To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit website www.zenyatta.ca or contact the Company at email@example.com or Tel. 807-346-1660.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not


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For all the F's I've given and for all the F's I haven't. Here are some that stay on rotation.
FEMINISM | Rhymes with Heroism
Now more than ever we are bringing to the fore; issues women have dealt with alone or with a few confidants and learning that we are not alone in these injustices nor should we accept them. There are heroes in every corner of the world making sure their voices are heard and sounding the alarm, so calamities that have been the norm are no more.
FUNNY |Funny Girl
Power comes from knowing your strengths. I know I'm funny. I navigate life with a sense of humor and have little room reserved in my personality for embarrassment. It's possibly partly responsible for all the courage I can tap into when needed.
FOOD | Pupusas
With so many things of beauty in this world, none can quite compare to the pupusa. It is a traditional Salvadorean dish made of a corn dough and stuffed with the available toppings of your choosing. My favorite is the traditional revuelta that comes stuffed with beans, ground cooked pork, and cheese. Topped with the traditional curtido, pickled cabbage topping, and red salsa.
FEAR | Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Our struggles though different unite us in compassion. We must remember that even if our voice shakes we must speak up. It doesn't have to be loud, just heard. Fearlessness doesn't make a person brave; it's fear that makes us brave. It keeps us from walking in dark alleys at night and going the long way that's well lit. It keeps us from eating the chicken dish we ordered that doesn't quite look finished.


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BPP University BPTC
If your goal is to become a barrister, BPP University's Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) provides the best possible training. We offer advocacy and conference sessions taught in groups of four, true-to-life mock trials and assessments and the widest range of electives of any provider. In addition, our Careers Service pulls out all the stops to help you secure pupillage.
On successfully completing our BPTC, you will be fully prepared for the demands of life as a barrister – and will be eligible to be called to the Bar of England and Wales (subject to meeting the qualifying session requirement of your Inn of Court).
The legal profession can be demanding and being a barrister is not for everyone. It is recommended that you read this important information issued by the Bar Standards Board if you wish to study for the Bar of England and Wales.
The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) is awarded by BPP University.
|Programme details
Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London Holborn and Manchester
|Study Options
|Start date
|1 year full-time
2 years part-time
|Modes of study
|Face to face
|Written and oral skills examinations
|How to apply
|Applications for the full-time and part-time must be made online through BarSAS.com.
|*Subject to demand. Please note programmes/modes may not run at all locations.
^ Further details of eligibility requirements, interest rates and other key terms of the loan are available by visiting the Future Finance website. BPP University Limited acts as a credit broker and is not a lender for this arrangement.
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