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Baillie & The Boys soon releasing new album
Press release from 2911 Media with courtesy photos
Baillie & the Boys gained prominence in the late 1980s as the trio (Kathie Baillie, Michael Bonagura, and Alan LeBoeuf) first found work singing harmony vocals on singles for Ed Bruce, Dan Seals, and Randy Travis. Bonagura co-wrote Marie Osmond's single "There's No Stopping Your Heart". In 1987, Baillie & the Boys were signed to a record deal with RCA Records. Their self-titled album was released that year, producing three Top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts. Turn The Tide, their second album, was released a year later. It produced four consecutive Top 10 hits on the country charts, including "(Wish I Had A) Heart of Stone", their highest-charting single.
"Michael and I can't even believe it's been so many years since we started on this journey," said Kathie Baillie. "The resurgence of country music from the 80s and 90s is very exciting for us. We, again, are getting calls to sing harmonies on projects, perform shows at venues around the country, even some backyards, and we are making some great new music. We realize the new music won't make it to radio, but it is fun being back in the studio."
"Just like Kathie said, we are excited to still be doing what we love," added Michael Bonagura. "We have a new group of people around us working very hard to rebuild our brand, name, and awareness so things are looking up for 2019."
The trio initially made their impact while singing on jingles for companies such as Burger King, Gallo Wine, Soft and Dry (and others) the trio was signed by industry giant Doug Morris to the Atlantic Records division Big Tree Records; releasing the group's first Billboard charted single; "Please Don't Tell Me Goodnight" in 1976 under the name Bittersweet.
Relocating to Nashville in 1983 and determined to achieve relevance in the Nashville country music scene, the group's three-part vocal harmonies soon found their place and were used by many of the biggest names in country music, including Vince Gill, Lynn Anderson, Marie Osmond, Dan Seals, Moe Bandy. Their success singing harmony was such that one time you could have heard the backing vocals of Baillie & The Boys on five of Billboard's Top 10 Ten Country Singles all in the same week, something no other group has yet to equal!
While performing at one of Music Row's infamous night spots – The Hall Of Fame – the trio was discovered by Jeff Cook (founding member of the group Alabama) who brought them to the attention of Joe Galante (president of RCA Records) who – after hearing the trio perform a live 30 minute audition in his office – signed the act to a recording contract.
Watch for their new album coming out later this year.
Category: *- Features


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You guys, I'm borderline FREAKING OUT right now. Yeah, yeah, if I'm going to make it in the blogging world (seriously, that's a thing), I should play it cool when good things come my way.
HOWEVER, I'm geeking out over the fact that my little site, Mojitos & Munchkins, was featured on SmartMom. What to the WHAT??? Check it out here, friends!

subset: commoncrawl


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By now you will be aware of the events in part of the CBD in Melbourne.
We as a part of the community have been involved in the community support.
There is nothing more to say, so I'll leave you with our sign message….
By now you will be aware of the events in part of the CBD in Melbourne.
We as a part of the community have been involved in the community support.
There is nothing more to say, so I'll leave you with our sign message….
Category : Church sign , Community , Compassion , Family , Forgiveness , God
It happened again today as I was was on my way to meet with someone over coffee (again!!).
I was stopped by two strangers who were on for a chat.
The subject heaven and a woman who posts on youtube about her many and varied experiences in heaven.
According to this person there are Hotrods, Harley's (among other things) and even a flying school, which Christopher Reeves is the CEO of?
The drift is that what ever your passion in this life, your wildest dreams will be realised in 'heaven' and your passions continue, only on steroids!!
Having spent sometime thinking about it it occurred to me that we have some 'out there' ideas on stuff like heaven, Angeles Demons and the like based on little knowledge or true understanding.
I grew up in an era where 'end -times' books, speakers and people with graphs and models ruled the world, at least in 'Christian' circles.
What always intrigued me was no one ever mentioned things that won't be 'in Heaven' like poverty, abuse, exploitation, sexism and so on.
I could be wrong…perhaps we need to put what Jesus said in perspective and not take 'literally' or personally what said when it comes to the poor, marginalised, prisoners, children,the other, outcast,exploited and abused?
Moreover these are the things we ought to strive for now, no waiting for Heaven!!
'your will on earth as in heaven;!!
Perhaps it's all hotrods and Harley's in heaven,,,,,,,but I think not, its much more, so lets make a bit of heaven here and now and wait to be pleasantly surprised by 'heaven"!! I hope there is cheese in heaven!!!!!!
Category : comfortable Christianity , Community , Compassion , Darkness , earth , heaven , your will be done
It's been a while since I last wrote anything here. In that time there has been much of the 'stuff of life' going on. So much in fact I'm not sure where to start, what to say and what to leave unsaid.
Journeying with people as they begin married life, others who are laying loved ones to rest and hearing stories of injustices endured by indigenous peoples, and those who have endured loss due to decisions made to become the person they believe they are.
I often feel inadequate in many of the situations I find myself in, sometimes its a stranger who engages in conversation.
One of those took place today.
As I was parking the bike a person approached as blurted out How can there be a God when the world is so shit?? (a reasonable question)
What followed was a comprehensive list of what is wrong with the world, conspiracy theories and the like.
The conversation, which was one sided, concluded with 'well I have enough of this shitty world, so everyday i throw myself in front of trucks and buses because I've had enough'.
Where is a person supposed to go after a conversation like that? (to the pub????)
So whether we ourselves are experiencing darker moments or we are journeying with others through dark times, may brighter days await us.
Sometimes the words of others best help us understand the darker times.
These words from an Elder at Parihaka (NZ)
After the shades os darkness comes the dusk of dawn,
whilst before lies the shimmering glory of a fair day.
(he maru ahiahi kei muri te
maru awatea he pakiarohhi kei Mia)
…then this line from a song called..we're all in this together
we're all in this together walking the line between faith and fear…..
(not sure of its origins but heard it on a cd by old Crow Medicine Show)
This from the good book in Psalms, read at a funeral recently.
He shall cover you with his feathers, under his wings shall you trust:his truth shall be your shield and *buckler.
(*a smaller shield fitted to the wrist for added protection?)
Category : BEAUTY , Being , Community , Compassion , Despair , Doubt , Family , Fear , First Peoples
"This too shall pass" is a phrase with a long history. Abraham Lincoln sums that history up well in a speech he gave in 1859 – Lincoln said;
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!
For some people this has been a great week. A new grandchild; a new job; a long deserved holiday; it could be a thousand different reasons.
For some people this has been an awful week. A relationship breakdown; bad news at work; an unwanted sickness; again a thousand different reasons.
Our sign this week can be read and understood by both of the above groups, it should teach us to enjoy the good times for the do not last forever and also have hope in the bad times because they, too, do not go on indefinitely.
There is a verse in Paul's letter to the Romans which reminds me of "this too shall pass" – Paul writes "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." To me it reminds me to be in the moment with people, if they allow you to share in their lives then sit with them, be with them, show up and live the moment with them. Reading my Gospels I find that this is what Jesus did. He shared with people where they were, in what ever circumstances he found them, with a grieving centurion or a joyful healed woman.
Over the past few weeks we have been opening the church hall on a Sunday evening to serve food and offer shelter to anyone who wants it. Those who have helped out have had the privilege to sit and eat with many people – the happy ones (like the chap who learned he had just been granted housing), the unhappy ones, the addicted ones, the lonely ones, the ones who just want to listen. We have also been heard and helped by those who have joined us, this community stuff is not just a one way street – we (the volunteers) get as much out of it as those who join us week by week.
Last night I arrived at church to find the place buzzing – people everywhere, eating, talking, joking, one even crying. There was rejoicing and weeping going on and Jesus was there sharing in all of it. I cannot thank the Melbourne Welsh Church, and the elders in particular, for allowing us the opportunity to minister like this every Sunday evening.
So wherever you are in life; with whatever is happening remember that this too shall pass – enjoy the good moments, have hope in the bad for, as in all things, this too shall pass.
As I walk the streets on our city, I witness some of the behaviours of those who are not 'the homeless', so why do we make statements about those who are vulnerable and often have no voice??
Category : be excellent to each other , Community , Compassion , disgraceful. , God , Hope , Hospitality
Back loitering tonight, its cold and wet. I sense despair on the streets tonight………..mean while many of our senior politicians make excuses about their own fate after the election. Leaders spew out hateful words about 'others' who are different…. one multi millionaire business man even suggested we needed a 'dictator' to sort things out!! I wonder if there are many who give a '*flying f*#k' about those who live in misery.
This poem, while written in a different time, still reflects,I reckon on our society today. Obsessed with home ownership, status, creating personal wealth and the accumulation of more stuff we don't need, sadly this includes some of us 'churchies' too!!!
They lie, the men who tell us in a loud decisive tone
That want is here a stranger, and that misery's unknown;
For where the nearest suburb and the city proper meet
My window-sill is level with the faces in the street —
Drifting past, drifting past,
To the beat of weary feet —
While I sorrow for the owners of those faces in the street.
And cause I have to sorrow, in a land so young and fair,
In hours before the dawning dims the starlight in the sky
The human river dwindles when 'tis past the hour of eight,
And then the only faces till the sun is sinking down
And when the hours on lagging feet have slowly dragged away,
And now all blurred and smirched with vice the day's sad pages end,
But, ah! to dreader things than these our fair young city comes,
I wonder would the apathy of wealthy men endure
I left the dreadful corner where the steps are never still,
And sought another window overlooking gorge and hill;
But when the night came dreary with the driving rain and sleet,
They haunted me — the shadows of those faces in the street,
Flitting by, flitting by,
Flitting by with noiseless feet,
And with cheeks but little paler than the real ones in the street.
Once I cried: `Oh, God Almighty! if Thy might doth still endure,
Then, like a swollen river that has broken bank and wall,
The human flood came pouring with the red flags over all,
And kindled eyes all blazing bright with revolution's heat,
And flashing swords reflecting rigid faces in the street.
Pouring on, pouring on,
To a drum's loud threatening beat,
And the war-hymns and the cheering of the people in the street.
And so it must be while the world goes rolling round its course,
Category : Community , Compassion , Despair , Doubt , Friends , Hope , Hospitality , Misery , Sorrow , Who gives a shit
You could be forgiven for thinking that the US was the only place on Earth there was an election going on.
While the quality of candidates both here and there are about on par, you probable won't get wealthy business people from the US suggesting we need a dictator to step in, as we have here in Australia!!
At the very basic level you would hope our political leaders would be the voice of the voiceless and not the wealthy!!
Sure perhaps an enquiry into the union movement is needed, so is one into the banking and finance sector, sadly the issues with the bank/ finance sector are not seen as moral issues, only of the safe schools program or marriage equality are deemed to be the only 'moral' issues up for debate.
We ought to be providing housing for the homeless, shelter for the asylum seeker and support for those who have issues around their mental health.
Sadly these issues are left to smaller political parties with weird names.
So as we become further disillusioned with our politicians we sail towards a 'hung parliament'.
If we do have a 'Hung' Parliament lets hope its 'Well Hung"!!!
Category : Baby Jesus , be excellent to each other , Community , Compassion , First Peoples , Godsmacked , Hope
I was challenged as to how and why I do what i do as i loiter.
I was challenged as to my responsibility in the communities i live and move, so now I'm back on my feet, i need to implement the "KISS' method…….
Category : be excellent to each other , Being , Bubba , Cafe , Community , Compassion , Doubt , Fall , Family , FEELING IT , Fog , happiness , Hope
Category : Church sign of the week , Community , Love , Stranger , Welcome
320 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne, Victoria. 3000


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Mothers who usually proceed through countless things beginning with the birth of the child take some of your makeovers at least once within their lives. A lot in the body of a mother changes once she gets a young child. But mothers who've had children or a young child want to remain fit and slim. Just because a mother has a child doesn't imply she won't wish to look pretty anymore or be within her weight guidelines.
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Nishant provides the strategic vision and drives technology initiatives at Umbrella. His passion for technology is matched by the curiosity to explore its application and push boundaries into new business frontiers. Nishant leads Umbrella's Cloud initiatives designing products and solutions and leading delivery of client solutions.
Nishant thrives on the challenge and creativity in building next generation solutions. After a stint with Trisoft, he set up Claritus in 2008 where he led the team in designing solutions around mobility, geo-location, high performance applications for e-commerce, outsourced product development and content management.
A Masters in Computer Applications, Nishant is an ardent advocate of Open Source Technologies with extensive experience in different verticals including e-commerce, retail and professional services.
Nishant recharges his adrenalin by travelling extensively and listening to old Hindi music, ghazals. Also a movie buff, Nishant binge-watches action movies during weekends.


text: If you are looking for the highly secured atmosphere around your surroundings, then you have an option for this which named "HIKVISION" which a big name today in surveillance sector. This Brand comes with a tribid DVR in which you can run Analog, HD as well as IP CCTV camera too. Very few brands giving this kind of technology in a single DVR. One more advantage with this brand is that, product comes with Burning replacement guarantee. that will impress you with high picture quality (Ultra HD). The CCTV cameras and DVR are very easy to install, given that they are constructed with mounting facilities. This CCTV cameras can install everywhere, be it outdoor or indoor. They are designed with high quality image sensors with high resolution lenses for enhanced operations and also have amazing night vision though. It has a power supply of 12 V with a power consumption of 10 W. It measures 205 MM X 205 MM


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Wim Pijbes, CRASSH Humanitas Visiting Professor in Art History 2015-16, will give an open lecture on how the Rijksmuseum was refurbished. This is part of a series of events on the theme of how to make old masters museums relevant for today and the future. The event will be chaired by Professor Paul Binski (History of Art, University of Cambridge).
How does one re-open a museum with old masters, and more importantly, how does one make that museum relevant for the future? How do we present the collection in a way that is appropriate to the diverse audience of today? How do we use the building which is connected to the busy city? How do we entice people to look at our collection in a whole new way, in fact make them look at old masters in a new and modern way? And how do we navigate between old and modern, ancient and future, stillness and technology, global and local?
Wim Pijbes will take the audience on the journey of the transformation of the Rijksmuseum. He will share his inspiration, his vision, his obstacles, his lessons learned and the triumph that eventually was the re-opening of the Rijksmuseum.


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Janssen hosts first public office hours
HOUGHTON — Houghton County Commissioner Gretchen Janssen hosted her first open office hours with constituents Saturday at the Portage Lake District Library.
The meetings were a campaign promise of Janssen, who represents Houghton on the board. She was appointed as an interim member in June before winning a full term in November.
"I wanted to be more accessible, and transparency was one of the things I was talking a lot about during the campaign," she said. "I felt like this was an opportunity for people to come and ask questions if they had any, and I could talk about some of the things I'm working on as commissioner."
Janssen said the issues in which she is been most involved are recycling and what to do with the Houghton County Jail.
On recycling, Janssen said the county's Solid Waste Committee is looking how efficient the current system is. It is also talking about collections of other materials such as e-waste, household hazardous waste and tires.
County resident Candy Peterson said recycling is an issue where the board might need to lead the public.
"Some of us are very concerned about it, but we can't do it without your leadership," she said. "Then there are other people who aren't concerned at all but they should be, and so we need for you guys to say 'This is what we're going to do as a county, and you all get on board."
Janssen said cost is an issue, as well as the method of doing it. Single-stream recycling, as opposed to people separating materials, provides stronger incentives, Janssen said.
The jail took up much of the hour-long session. The county board will also have a Committee of the Whole meeting about the jail at 2 p.m. March 11 at the fifth floor of the Houghton County Courthouse.
A millage proposal to build a jail addition behind the courthouse narrowly failed in November.
One county resident said he had voted against the proposal because he had felt overtaxed as a owner of multiple properties. He said he had also seen increases due to the taxable value becoming uncapped upon his inheriting the property. The state Legislature has since reversed the uncapping of taxable value for inherited properties, but did not grandfather it.
Janssen said people have still talked to her about moving the jail to the former Camp Kitwen site in Adams Township. Sheriff Brian McLean said the county has looked at it in the past and found it to be cost-ineffective.
"Unless you put the entire county complex there, change the county seat by popular vote to Adams Township, but do you think the North End is going to want to drive to Painesdale instead of Houghton or Hancock?" McLean said.
Janssen said afterward she had not known what to expect from the meeting, although she had predicted the jail would come up.
"I thought the input was really useful," she said.
Janssen said other members are also invited, provided only one shows up at a time. Only fewer than three commissioners can participate in an unofficial meeting, as that would constitute a quorum.
The next meeting will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. May 25 at the Portage Lake District Library community room.


text: Home > Medical > Oral-health > Experts > Question Search health advice Find an answer Question Posted by: Rashieda | 2011/07/18 Q.jaw that clicks 5 years ago, my husband had his wisdom teeth surgically removed. Two weeks later, he tried to stop a fight and got hit on the jaw. It was discovered two days later that his jaw broke in two places at the places where his teeth were removed. on each side of the lower jaw. They then operated again to put plates in his jaw and his jaw braced closed for a couple of weeks, resulting in major weight loss :) Everything healed fine.Now the problem is, the jaw clicks very loudly every time he eats. He is scared that sumthing is wrong. Does he have to go back to the maxilo facial surgeon that operated on him for a consultation, or can a normal dentist know what to do. reason i''m asking is that the specialist is R700 per consult cash. We don''t have any savings left in our medical aid for specialist consults. More: All ExpertsOral health expert Expert's Reply A.Oral health expert It is advisable to see the surgeon who performed the op. The clicking is related to the joint (possible in the area of the fracture) The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical exmanication, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content. 1 user comments C. Posted by: dental expert | 2011/07/18 It is advisable to see the surgeon who performed the op. The clicking is related to the joint (possible in the area of the fracture) Reply to dental expert Want to comment? Your name (optional) Your comment Security × Thanks for commenting! Your comment will appear on the site shortly. × Thanks for commenting! Your comment will appear on the site shortly. Reply to Your name (optional) Your comment Security Close Submit comment


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John Breaux, Jr.
It's with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of John Breaux, Jr. announces his passing from this life on July 29, 2018 at the age of 80.
Funeral services will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 at 1 p.m.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, from 10 a.m. until the time of his service at 1 p.m.
Burial will follow in Pine Island Cemetery.
John was born in Crowley to Clemance Clement on Aug. 6, 1937. John loved the outdoors, especially if he was hunting, fishing or camping. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. John never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
John is survived by his son, David Breaux of San Antonio, Texas; his two daughters, Sharon Courville of Virginia and Karen Breaux Guidry of Pass Christian, Miss.; his two grandchildren, Jimmy Courville IV and Mackenzie Courville, both of Virginia; his sister, Carrie Gautreaux of Batson, Texas; and his first wife, Ella Breaux of Iota.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Clemance Clement; his second wife, Carrie Kratzer Breaux; his son, Robert Breaux;his three sisters, Loraine Gatte, Annette Miller, Vivian Leckett; and his brother, Willard Breaux, .
To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.


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- LIFO (Last-in-First-out)
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LIFO (Last-in-First-out)
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Travel around the base of Uluṟu in the comfort of your coach as your Driver Guide provides commentary about the numerous sacred sites and features to be found at Uluṟu. Continue to the Kuniya Walk where your Driver Guide will escort you to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. View Aboriginal rock paintings and learn about the area as your Driver Guide points out some native flora and explains the Aboriginal and European history of Uluṟu. Later visit the Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre, where you can learn about Aboriginal culture and see Aboriginal arts and crafts. In the late afternoon, we travel to the Uluṟu sunset viewing area. Witness the striking colour changes of Uluṟu at sunset while enjoying nibbles and a complimentary glass of wine. After sunset, an AAT Kings Guide will transfer you to the exclusive barbecue site. The site is within the Uluṟu National Park, adjacent to Uluṟu – Kata Tjuṯa Cultural Centre set amongst red sand dunes and desert oak trees providing a peaceful desert setting. The site is located far enough away from the resort lights to provide a clear view of the stars in the southern sky (weather permitting). Once at the site, you will enjoy a variety of Australian meats and salads, accompanied by a glass of wine, beer or orange juice (menus are subject to change). After dinner, tea, coffee and dessert will be served and your guide will conduct a tour of the night sky, describing and pointing out some of the visible constellations with the assistance of a high beam spotlight (weather permitting). The guide will also explain some Aboriginal stories that relate to the stars before you return to Ayers Rock Resort.
Adult from $285.00pp
Pension from $257.00pp
|Touring, dinner, return transfers
|2.30pm (Apr – Oct), 3.00pm (Nov – Mar)
|2.5 hours after sunset


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Not the greatest movie, but a really really good movie. And a really really good cast, except for Ranbir. Kat does great, Arjun Rampal does really great, Ajay does unsurprisingly great. And there's…Him. The human whine. Not that I am prejudiced.
Going in, I knew 2 things about this movie: massive cast, and based on a cross between The Godfather and The Mahabharata. And both of those facts are true, and somewhat related to each other. In order for him to have the cast he wanted and make them be the characters he wanted, Prakash Jha had to blend the two stories together. What really surprised me was the other stories that ended up sifting to the surface, specifically related to the women characters. Part of that was the hidden 3rd source for the film, the Nehru-Gandhi family and real life Indian politics in which women often play a prominent role. But part of it was Jha just going where the writing took him and landing in some unexpected places.
And Jha also going where his actors took him. That is the main reason many of you have been asking me to watch this movie, because the cast is so interesting to see all together. And for most of them, this is a performance unlike any other in their career.
Prakash Jha is known for Big movies with Big casts. And also for unusual subject matter. He started out in documentary film, specializing in stories of corruption and social rot. And then he translated that sensibility to his films. He's not satisfied with the simple story or the simple answer, with making it just about two people in love, or one bad man who has to be defeated.
He also tends to see something a little different in his actors. He made Madhuri Dixit, at the height of her fame as a gorgeous glamorous woman, into a voice for abused wives in villages. He saw Kajol as a tragic single unmarried mother back when everyone else saw her as the cheerful tomboy. And in this film (and in Chakravyuh a few years later) he saw former male model Arjun Rampal as a potential powerful actor.
The thing is, the actual directing part of the movie, the way shots are framed and the way they are put together and flow one from the other, is pretty bland. Jha is great at assembling this cast and this story, but not so good at actually telling it in the most effective way possible.
There are two problems, one far larger than the other. The first is the overall blandness of it, the resistance of spectacular images, or exciting kinetic editing. Even the dialogue deliver is just a little slow, conversations feeling less like a back and forth and more like, well, reciting dialogue! This isn't a major issue, many directors and films are just a little bit slow but the story carries your attention anyway.
It becomes an issue in combination with the second problem. There are many stories in this film and some of them are far more compelling than others. As we are wrenched from the interesting to less interesting stories, suddenly the slowness of the pace, the beige-ness of the visuals forces itself onto our attention more and more.
(Even the trailer kind of sucks the energy away)
This is the only Jha film I have seen, but from what I have heard about and seen of his other films, this first problem is consistent but the second is not. His directing is always just a little bit bland. But when he really comes to grips with his stories, it doesn't matter, the narrative will carry the audience off no matter how it is presented, as it does in his great movies like Gaangajal. But when he doesn't, when it becomes amorphous and confused, suddenly the whole film falls apart, as it does in his disaster movies like Satyagraha. This film is kind of betwixt and between, some stories and actors are too good to consider this a disaster, and others are just not quite interesting enough.
Now, I know some of you just watched (or rewatched) this film in preparation for this post. And I am prepared for you to disagree with me on who the boring character/actors are and who the interesting ones are. It is probably also partly situational, I will relate immediately to the white woman in a way not all viewers will, for instance. But I think we can all agree that at least SOME of the characters/actors are far far less interesting than others? And the main flaw of the film is the feeling of marking time while you wait for the story you care about to come back? Which is a problem of the director, that he didn't work harder to make sure we cared about everybody.
This is 2 and a half stories that already existed, combined to make something new. First there is The Godfather. In the original, there are 3 brothers and a sister and another foster brother, plus a powerful wise father. The oldest brother was raised to lead, angry and violent and deep into the dark world of his father. The middle brother was raised to be "clean", sent to good schools and kept out of the dangerous world, he is meant for politics and a bright future (kind of funny that in the original politics was the safe clean escape from American crime, and in this one politics is the evil while America is the safe clean escape). The middle brother takes his first step into darkness to avenge his father after an assassination, leaves behind his strong outsider love interest and moves on to a beautiful kind accepting woman. She dies in a car bomb meant for him at the same time that his brother is assassinated. He returns to America, takes charge of the family, and returns to the strong outsider love interest and convinces her to marry him. Only for her to regret it as she eventually realizes his soft peaceful exterior hides a dark soul.
(Look at all the men! That's how you can tell a "great picture" from Hollywood, all male cast. Well, almost all male)
Next there is the Mahabharata. A young woman has a relationship with a powerful man (the Sun God) when she is a teenager. She gives birth to a child she must abandon, then moves on to a respectable marriage to a powerful man. Her husband dies and her children end up trapped in a complicated inheritance dispute against their uncle and cousins. On their side, they have a wise tricky adviser, Krishna. And the strong wife shared by them all, Draupadi. By the side of their cousin is a lowborn but brilliant warrior, one who the heroes dismissed and insulted at their first meeting while their cousin praised him, Karna. Karna is told just before the final battle that his mother is the mother of his enemies, she goes to him and explains that she had to give him up but now wants him to return home, to accept her love and take his place as the oldest son and leader of the brothers. He agonizes, but refuses, because he has a loyalty to the one man who befriended him when he was nothing. He promises his mother not to kill any of his brothers, but remains on the other side. His brothers kill him and are told after his death by their mother what his true identity was. In death, he receives his missing honors.
And finally there is the real story of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which receives just a faint subconscious reference here. Nehru died, and his daughter carried on his work. She had two sons, the oldest was the expected heir, strong and involved in politics, the youngest was almost forgotten, married to a foreigner, living a regular life. The oldest died, and the youngest stepped up and joined politics. His mother died, and he became prime minister. He died, and unexpectedly his foreign born wife became the leader of the party.
What do we get when we combine all these stories in a big blender? This movie!!!! Nikhila Trikha is the daughter of a powerful politician. She has an affair with a leftist leader (Naseeruddin Shah in little more than a cameo), and her son is taken away by her father's adviser, Nana Pataker, and left on the river. He is adopted by the family's driver (in the Mahabharat it is a chariot driver who adopts Karna. That's why so many lost-and-found films have the son being adopted by a driver) and grows up to be Ajay Devgan, a leader of the Dalit community. Nikhila soon marries the younger brother of a powerful political family. Her husband and brother-in-law both live and breathe politics. She has two sons, the oldest Arjun Rampal works closely with his father and uncle in their political party, along with his cousin Manoj Bajpai. The youngest is sent overseas to study literature in America, away from all this. And then while her son is home on vacation, his uncle has a heart attack leading to a succession dispute within the party. Manoj Bajpai assumes he will lead, but his father instead gives control to his nephew Arjun. Arjun starts making plans for the party and meanwhile Ajay is rising through the ranks thanks to his popularity with the Dalit community. Manoj gives him respect and power while Arjun dismisses him. And then Arjun and Ranbir's father is shot and killed. Ranbir stays back and decides it is up to him to ensure that his brother wins the upcoming elections. Ranbir and Nana Pataker increasingly take care of the dirty work of politics (blackmail, murder, assassination, illegal dealings) while Arjun focuses on the speeches and being the public face. Ajay does the same for Manoj, arranging the violent realities of their policies while Manoj does the high level planning. It's worth watching the movie just to get a sense of the insanity and craziness of state level elections in India.
There is also a personal plot line that intersects with the political, he is torn between his white girlfriend from America and Katrina, the wealthy daughter of a family friend who is in love with him. At first he rejects her, then accepts her when it seems that they need her money for the election fight. But her father rejects him, instead insisting on her marrying Arjun as he is the oldest son. Katrina is furious, but agrees. Arjun does not push himself on her, instead giving her space and sleeping on the couch of their shared quarters. He also angrily defends her when during the election he is accused of merely marrying for money. She slowly softens towards him as she sees his defense, his respect, and so on. At the same time, Ranbir's girlfriend has arrived from America and their love is rekindled. But she is disturbed as she sees increasing evidence of his violence and amorality. She tells him she is pregnant and gives him an ultimatum, he agrees to forget all of this and return to America and be with her once the election is won. And then she dies in a car bomb as Arjun is running towards the car to stop her. Ranbir, in revenge, kills Ajay without ever learning they are brothers, and also his cousin Manoj. Ranbir is offered control of the party and rejects it, instead choosing to return to America and hand control to Katrina, his brother's widow. She wins in a landslide.
(One of Katrina's best performances, to me. She successfully convinces me that she is an innocent young woman hopelessly infatuated with this worthless man, so infatuated she cannot see his flaws)
There is a way this story is meant to go. It had to end with Katrina, the widow, on a podium calling for the people to avenge her. Because that's how it ended in real life, with Sonia Gandhi leading the party. But the rest of it was intended to follow the story of the Mahabharata and The Godfather, and there are certain characters in those stories we are meant to care about more than others.
The hero of the Mahabharata is Karna. At least, in many versions. He is the most intriguing, complicated, interesting role. Arjun and Yudhishtira are perfection embodied, which is always kind of dull. Plus, they were literally born to rule. Karna came up the hard way, had to fight for everything he got. He is the first example of the "twice as hard and half as far" rule suffered by talented members of the underclass everywhere. Jha had worked with Ajay Devgan often previously, and Karna is a perfect role for Ajay. He himself came up the hardway, son of a stuntman born into poverty. And his darker skin has been used many times to signify a lower class character onscreen. Ajay's journey, from angry young son of a driver and kabaddi champion, to right hand man of Manoj Bajpai, overseeing assassinations and attacks, to finally dying nobly, should be riveting. And yet, it wasn't. Perhaps because Ajay was so isolated by the plot, by half way through the film he and Manoj were really only interacting with each other while Arjun and Ranbir lived in a rich world of allies and enemies and family. Ajay's story sprang back into focus only when he was brought into that world, when Nana discovered his true parentage and was shaken by it, then brought the news to Nikhila who hunted him down and asked him to come home. Ajay turns her away, telling her that he is a Dalit and his parents are a driver and his wife. That is the strongest moment of his character, to reject the wealth and power being given to him and choose to keep walking his own path.
But that's like 20 minutes before the end of the film. The movie starts with Nikhila donating clothing to the poor on Ajay's birthday, remembering her lost child, and then flashes back to the story of his birth and abandonment. It should close with his rejecting of his heritage. Or at the very least with the recognition of it after death (as the Mahabharata closes his story, with his brothers lighting his funeral pyre). Instead, we open with Ajay, and end with Ranbir. A very confusing unbalanced kind of structure. And in the middle we have a whole lot of Ranbir and the people around him and very little of Ajay.
It could be this way because of the combination of sources. Ranbir is the hero of The Godfather. The overlooked quiet "smart" son, who turns out to be more vicious and wise and free thinking in battle than all the others. And again, it's perfect casting. Ranbir was the son and heir of the Kapoor family, had studied in America, and now was returning to take up the reigns of the family power. He was riding high at this moment, after 4 successful films in a row. He had all the privileges Ajay lacked in his youth, and was (at this moment) showing an equal talent. Ranbir's story is meant to go a certain way, we are meant to identify with him and have him as our guide to this world, be pleased when he earns respect and position in the family, and then slowly be horrified as we see his slide into evil. But Jha changed the ending, just a little bit. Ranbir goes "bad", yes, but in a very Mahabharata way, not completely evil and irredeemable the way the hero does in the original film. And then he redeems himself, rejects violence and power and leaves, a last minute reversal to "I only did this for my brother not for myself".
(This song is way better edited than the film itself, and notice how there is more Arjun and Katrina than Ranbir? It sells a conflict between Arjun and Ajay with Katrina in the corner and Ranbir just flashing by off and on)
It's an illogical character arch. Especially considering what was kept from the original, the slow shift of our point of view through the perspective of the women closest to him. In the original, it is only Diane Keaton who slowly comes to see that he is darker and more dangerous than anyone else in his family. In this, both Katrina and Sarah Thompson Kane go on that same journey. They love him, they cling to him, they forgive him. And then they realize he is more dangerous and more vicious than they could possibly imagine and retreat in horror. And then, they are wrong? Katrina and Sarah both forgive him and reverse their opinion after clearly stating it and their evidence for it in a way that the audience can see they are right? Not to mention that Katrina and Sarah move into the position of moral authority as the film goes on and we see the sins of all the others.
Ultimately Ranbir does everything for his brother, the film argues. He wants no power for himself. But the film doesn't really sell us on that. We like Arjun and can see why Ranbir would be loyal to him. But the viciousness of his actions go beyond that, and there are not enough moments were he seems hesitant, unsure of himself, human. And so Katrina's conclusion, that he is cold and incapable of love, makes sense to the audience. After all she is basing this on clear evidence, she is a childhood friend of Ranbir and he seemed to care for her. He did the decent thing and told her that he did not love her that way, was in love with someone else. Then reversed that and claimed to have fallen in love with her. And when their engagement was not confirmed, claimed to nobly he willing to give her up to his brother. But when his American girlfriend appears, the way they embrace and greet each other tells Katrina that he loved her all along, as much as he could love anyone. Meaning he was willing to break the heart of the woman he loved, and trick a woman he cared about, use Katrina's sincere love in order to get a dowry. And that he then increased the sin by letting Katrina and Arjun both believe that his heart was broken by their marriage, driving them apart in guilt. Arjun, the one person he claimed to be doing this all for. Katrina is the character whose purity and trust was so great, that until now it never occurred to her to doubt Ranbir's honesty until just now. An innocent who confidently confessed her love, accepted his rejection and appreciated his honesty, tried to save what she saw as their "true love" in marriage, and broken-heartedly accepted and honored his sacrifice. Katrina tells him she had a lucky escape and is glad she is married to Arjun instead, and the audience cheers for her, agrees with her, and is impressed with her inner strength.
And then there's Sarah, Ranbir's American girlfriend. She is first introduced as an outsider who doesn't understand what is happening, is left behind and forgotten by Ranbir (as Katrina was when playing the same character in another version of The Godfather, Sarkar). But then there is a twist, she refuses to be forgotten. She tracks him down in India and her determination is proved right when he greets her and reveals his true love for her. And she is ready to sacrifice everything for him, even her own identity, to learn Hindi, to wear saris. She is far from the stereotypical difficult demanding un-understanding and disloyal white girlfriend. She is as loyal and devoted and pure as Katrina was in her love for Ranbir. But she is not betrayed like Katrina was, a discovery of Ranbir's private sins and selfishness, but rather his public sins. She starts to see hints of the power and violence he controls. And finally reaches the breaking point when she witnesses and tries to prevent the kidnapping of a woman, an enemy of the family. Which is when we learn her real motivation. She doesn't mind moving to India, she doesn't mind Ranbir changing his whole life to match is political views, she doesn't even care about if he forgot her for a while and considered marrying someone else. But she will not live in the midst of violence, because she witnessed that as a young girl in Ireland when her father was killed and will not put her children through the same thing. Suddenly Sarah also reaches a point of moral high ground, earned moral high ground, a representative of the innocent bystander of all their actions, one who fully understands the price of political violence. And she, like Katrina, rejects Ranbir as someone who does not consider those he hurts as he pursues his objective. And, like with Katrina, the audience applauds her. With her fresh eyes, we see what Ranbir has done and we are disgusted by it and glad she is escaping.
(This song tries to sell it as a love triangle, but in fact it is a story of two women both rejecting him. Also, once again, the promotional song video is better edited than the film)
And yet, Ranbir is redeemed? Ranbir is given a hero's ending, a flight back to America to nobly take care of Sarah's mother. And complete forgiveness and friendliness from Katrina. No visible signs of guilt, and no anger from others.
Part of the problem with his character is the performance. Ranbir seems to rely on his glasses to do most of the acting. He is smart and quiet, see? Glasses! But I never get a sense of him being torn by inner turmoil. It's supposed to be Pacino, but the thing with Pacino was, he showed us that "Michael" was trying to appear confident and calm, but in moments alone, he was just a scared little boy trying to live up to his family. What was terrifying about the performance was watching him slowly grow into the confidence and calm he pretended to have earlier, to see the last scraps of humanity stripped away. Ranbir never quite manages that, I don't have a sense of him pretending calm and confidence, I have a sense of him pretending humanity. The ending I would expect and enjoy is Katrina punishing him by arranging his death as coolly as he caused the death of so many others.
But the major problem is not Ranbir, it is that, as sometimes happens with adaptations, a hidden truth from the original became obvious in the remake. The hidden truth of The Godfather is that James Caan, "Sonny", is the truly heroic person. The story is a tragedy of what happens after he falls. Sonny is the only one who tries to protect his sister from her abusive husband, who is determined to protect Michael from the darkness of the gang, who brought in Robert Duvall when he was an orphan on the streets just because he cared. Sonny has a temper, but that is because he feels things too much. Michael doesn't feel things at all. The Godfather trilogy was supposed to be about the triumph of Sonny's decency over Michael's evil. In the final film, after Michael had become all powerful and strong, Robert Duvall (the one person still in Michael's life who was closest to Sonny) was supposed to challenge him and bring him down. The ghost of Sonny would do him in. But then there were casting issues and the third film ended up a bit of a mess instead.
That same truth is what comes out clearly, despite intentions, in this movie. Arjun only gets half the screentime Ranbir does and nowhere near the backstory given to Ajay's character. And yet, he is the one that slowly becomes the character you root for. The one truly deserving of Katrina's love, and of leading his party. As the film continues and we are supposed to see Ranbir's growing darkness and brilliance and control through how he runs the dirty tricks campaign, what we also see is that Arjun is not there, not a part of what Ranbir is doing. Yes, Arjun has a temper, yes he is passionate. But he isn't sitting around plotting and planning and lying to those he cares about.
Jha's goal was to make Arjun flawed but not evil, and he managed that, but missed that in comparison and relationship to the other characters, Arjun goes beyond "flawed but not evil" and straight into "good". One of Arjun's first scenes is also probably the worst filmed scene of the movie. Arjun finishes a political meeting, and then goes into another room (or a hallway? Or a different corner of the same room? Really, terribly filmed) and meets a woman and immediately starts, well, standing behind her while she has an orgasm, essentially. I think they are supposed to be having a hot sexual encounter, but thanks to Jha's awkwardness in filming the scene and (possibly) Arjun's discomfort as an actor, the end result is two actors clearly standing at least a foot apart from each other fully clothed.
But the point is for us to see that the sexual encounter is not just consensual, it is ecstatically consensual. At the end of it, she asks Arjun to put her up for an election and he refuses somewhat cruelly. But it is clearly the first time she brought this up, and it is also clear that their sexual interaction was separate from this request, at least in Arjun's mind. So, yes, he is a man who will have sex with an available willing party worker. And he will be cruel and dismissive of her when she asks for a favor afterwards. But he is not a rapist, not by force or mental coercion, she comes to him of her own free will and makes the request after the sex, not before.
Later Arjun will track down a police officer and personally beat him to death. But this is a corrupt police officer who helped set up the death of his father and beat Ranbir, Arjun is killing him in anger for how he hurt those he loved. He also kills that same young woman, because she filed a false rape case against him claiming that he kept her captive for 2 years, having sex against her will, with a promise of putting her up for election. It was bad to kill her, but then the film established her as amoral and uncaring in every way. All of these actions, on their own, are in that "bad but not evil" level.
And then you compare it with Ranbir who calmly orders the death of a man who was begging at his feet just a day earlier, who does terrible things but is too cowardly to get his hands dirty, to feel any passion about it. Who doesn't even feel passion for the women around him. And suddenly Arjun, who turns his back on sexual encounters and lives a life of celibacy in order to be faithful to his young wife, who carries out his own punishments instead of forcing someone else to do it, who dies saving Ranbir's girlfriend when Ranbir isn't quite smart or caring enough to realize what is happening, Arjun becomes the hero.
(Shruti Seth, the woman who plays the rape accuser, went on to star in the Disney India series The Suite Life of Karan and Kabir. Presumably not as a sexual plaything of a powerful man)
That's what makes this film memorable, to me. The way the characters overwhelm the story, the plan for where it is supposed to go. I just wish the film had followed their lead a little more. I wanted more scenes between Katrina and Arjun, more about their odd mutual sacrifice and slow growing secret love marriage. I wanted more about Sarah, Ranbir's girlfriend with her own history of political violence. The cast was too large, the story too diverse, and I cared too much about the people I wasn't supposed to care about.


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Recently, we gave advice about how you can get an allocation from Quantopian. That advice can essentially be summarized as 1) write an algorithm using futures or 2) write an algorithm that uses alternative data. This post is about futures and the high-level criteria that we intend to use in order to make allocations to strategies that trade futures.
Here are some things that we are looking for in futures strategies:
- Consistent Profitability. We are looking for strategies that generate consistent, positive returns. The higher the sharpe, the
better (in general).
- Trades Actively. Evaluates trading opportunities frequently, preferably every day. We are looking for strategies that place many independent bets. An independent bet is a bet that either takes a new position, or reverses your direction (long/short) in an existing position.
- Controlled Risk.
- Expected shortfall (explored in detail below) is a good approximation for the risk associated with a particular futures
portfolio. We are looking for strategies that do not exceed a daily expected shortfall of 1.5% of the portfolio value.
- Have low exposure to the equity market (low beta-to-SPY). This is also something we look for in equity strategies.
- Have low directional exposure to any particular underlying. This is the same idea as position concentration, where we are looking for strategies that are not vulnerable to big price movements in any single asset. With futures, we are looking for algorithms that are not over exposed to any particular underlying or any single contract. One way to lower this type of risk is to diversify across many instruments and trade many futures in different sectors. Another way is to offset contracts on the same chain in such a way that your net risk exposure is close to zero (e.g., curve momentum, term structure). Pairs strategies and strategies that capitalize on economic upstream/downstream relationships also fall into this category.
- Expected shortfall (explored in detail below) is a good approximation for the risk associated with a particular futures
Here are some things that we are not looking for:
- Long-term trend-following algos; aka "CTA-style" trend-following algos. Risk-Premia capture, or passive algos attempting to take
advantage of structural risk premia. For example, no net short VIX futures algos; no FX carry.
- Static exposure to any root symbol. We are not looking for strategies that hold a particular position for a long period of time.
- Holding a static position in a particular root symbol and rolling from one month to the next at expiration is still a static position.
In addition, the criteria on the allocations page still apply to futures strategies.
More specifically, just like with equities, we are looking for futures strategies that:
- Have low exposure to the equity market (low beta-to-SPY).
- Have high capacity. Choosing a liquid universe can help increase capacity.
- Are driven by underlying economic reasoning.
- Are driven by original insights.
And we explicitly are not looking for:
- Strategies that are overfit.
- Ideas that depend on data snooping, forward lookahead bias, or spurious correlations.
- Infringing or misappropriated content.
If you would like more color on any of these criteria, we encourage you to check out the allocations page. We will be adding more detail on the futures-specific criteria soon.
Keep in mind that these criteria apply to both futures-only strategies as well as strategies that trade both equities and futures. If you have a strategy that depends on the relationships between equities and futures, we will evaluate the strategy as a single algorithm. However, if you believe that you have two independent strategies - one for equities and one for futures - running in the same algorithm, we encourage you to split them into the component strategies so that they can be evaluated separately.
Of course, we will base our evaluations primarily on the out-of-sample performance of a strategy. Similar to equities, we expect to evaluate most futures strategies on 6 months of out-of-sample performance. As we mentioned in another post, any time you run a backtest, we save a code snapshot and automatically evaluate it in 6 months. The performance between the in-sample (backtest) and out-of-sample (6 months of data after the backtest is run) periods should be consistent. It does not need to be paper traded, live traded, or entered into the contest to be evaluated.
We haven't yet allocated to any futures strategies, so the 'correlation to peers' is as low as it's going to get.
Expected Shortfall
Expected Shortfall, or Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) can be used to estimate the risk of a particular portfolio of assets. When it comes to allocations, we are looking for strategies that keep their expected shortfall below 1.5% of their portfolio value each day. (i.e., 1-day 95% CVaR < 1.5% of portfolio value each day). With diversified equity long/short strategies, "risk" is reasonably well defined by gross leverage since the assets are all reasonably self-similar; risk as defined by gross leverage is comparable across equity long/short strategies. The same cannot be said for multi-asset class portfolios, and futures are multi-asset class. As such, just like the futures exchanges and brokers themselves, we need to use a "portfolio risk-based capital utilization measure"; we have chosen Expected Shortfall as that measure.
We are working on adding a function to the API that computes expected shortfall. We're also planning to add it as a built-in metric in the backtester and Pyfolio. Until those functions are available in the API, the CVaR function in the lecture series is the best tool for you to use.
Futures Contest
We are actively working on a new contest for futures strategies. I don't have any further details at this point, but you should expect something similar to the current Quantopian Open.
Entering the contest is not required in order for an algorithm to be evaluated for an allocation, but we think that it helps to provide you with direction in terms of what types of strategies we are looking for.
Futures Algorithm Analysis Tool
We are planning to build out analysis tools so that you can get more insight into the risk profile and performance of your futures strategies. Right now, you have Pyfolio for equity strategies. We are looking to build something similar for futures, or extend Pyfolio. Stay tuned for updates.


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A 3D Potential-Field Source-Surface Model for the Evolution of Longitude-Dependent Coronal Structures: We explore a complementary approach to traditional magnetogram-based coronal field solutions. Rosa Everson and Mausumi Dikpati apply a three-dimensional potential-field source-surface model that uses a huge set of the white-light coronal images from 40 years' observations of Mauna Loa Solar Observatory for deriving 3D coronal morphology.
The improvement of techniques for realistically modeling the solar magnetic field has been a priority in solar physics for decades. The challenge of creating synoptic maps of the photosphere that reliably reflect conditions at all locations concurrently is a major limitation to progress in this area. White-light coronal images, which contain morphological information about the 3D corona at the solar limb, have been largely overlooked as a resource for constraining or correcting synoptic maps. We explore a complementary approach to traditional magnetogram-based coronal field solutions that makes use of these images. Applying a modified 3D PFSS model, we investigate the use of white-light coronal images from Mauna Loa Solar Observatory for deriving 3D coronal morphology by empirically fitting model- solutions with observations only. Applying an iterative technique to coronal image data from the solar minima preceding Cycles 22, 23, and 24, and the ascending phase of Cycle 23, we obtain model solutions as linear combinations of low order and degree spherical harmonics. We find that the 3D morphology produced by our method agrees qualitatively with traditional magnetogram-based PFSS approaches for coronas that are dipole dominated. For more complex coronas, additional constraints are needed to account for polarity and correct interpretation of coronal structures. Estimates of the relative strength of dipoles versus multipoles in the coronal field also agree with traditional methods, but the contributions of specific multipoles do not, revealing non-uniqueness in our results. Future work will incorporate magnetogram-based solutions prior to applying the iterative technique.
The Astrophysical Journal, 2017 in press


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When you have gained a SVQ or NVQ level 3 or higher this card will be substituted with a skilled 5 year card. After passing the cscs exam, the professional requires to fill up the form and, mail it to the CSCS centre/offices which will in turn mailing the within few weeks.
Since construction companies ultimately retain the right to create positions, one may have a job title that includes 'supervisor' but whose responsibilities are at 'operative' level.In order to qualify for a card, therefore, you have to pass the CSCS test, otherwise known as the health and safety test, to demonstrate your knowledge and competence. One's safety card will be specifically point to his skill and will accordingly comprises significant information about his status safely stored on its processor chip so it can be easily verified on the site. Choose the right CSCS card to ensure your careers development CSCS which means construction skills certificate scheme was initiated in the construction field in 2010 with an intention of advancing quality and lessening accidents.You have to get your revision books from reputed online sites that offer service or have to attend the right training course to assure success in the exam. Your photograph will be taken at the examination center most likely to attest that no one else is appearing for the test on your behalf. Hence, get cleared with the exam associated to the construction industry and work peacefully within the vital safety standards. The aim is to deliver the elementary level training about the health and safety of the workers working at the construction site. At present, it is very compulsory to all construction laborers to have CSCS card to get admission to the construction site.
are allotted for all achievable levels of construction work talents, and card holders are able to get better their position either by acquiring a notable job experience or by taking special training. I have written many articles on building and construction replated topics like , CSCS Card, CSCS Test, construction work safety. It acts as a proof of your occupational competence and allows you to prove that you can do the job safely. CSCS Card the requirement to set the standards of the Industry Construction field is tamed to add comfort levels and convenience to the existing infrastructure and there are many workers who risk their lives working in such a field as it is prone to more accidents and dangers while on field.There are several websites that imparts the knowledge about CSCS and where you can apply online for the same and to get CSCS card. The which can be obtained by clearing the CSCS test will give you access to work in the construction sites and is now a mandatory requirement from the year 2010. It can be taken at any point of time, the person who is willing to take the CSCS test have to just book himself either through internet or on phone call. The health and safety tests signify the self-confidence of the employer to show an admirable performance in his job course while those who are not qualified for the safety card will get eliminated from the consideration.
Other construction careers such as electricians and plumbers may need only know how to read and interpret building plans in relation to where power and water infrastructure will be placed.The brilliant architectural works of numerous buildings are the hardships of many construction groups.There are no doubt construction skills plays a great in bringing the opportunities in construction sites. The discrimination of the card that is obtained with the clearance of CSCS goes like this where green colour code is for site operators, red colour for trainees and the blue or gold card is for experienced workers.Every one should appear the test and obtain CSCS card on their hands irrespective to their level of work in the industry.
Once you have qualified by completing the test successfully, then you will be the test you will be permitted to own your specific safety card. Most of the companies in this field
especially in UK entertain only employees who have cleared this examination. One thing which is a must in such group jobs is that there should be standardization in the way everybody does the single work. Nearly in all cases, to request for a , an employee needs to be qualified with the construction skills, safety and health test with at least two years of experience in the field. These cards act as an identity for the workers and different types of cards have been given for different workers.Preventing accidents at work with your CSCS card All kinds of construction work are dangerous and there is the hardened effort of many poor workers that is put up into the completion of a construction job.


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To filter the sessions, select one or more options in one or more filters. Click on a filter or start typing to see options. Then click Search.
Location: R32
Instructor: UNGAR[F] M. MASON[G]
Style: Cajun
Jay will teach the melody with slides and more, and also the chords and rhythms used for "seconding." Molly will teach the guitarists how to play Cajun style backup guitar to support the melody.


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He rarely ever has.
He has been a confirmed leftist ever since he was elected to the state assembly.
The Daily Breeze advertised him as a conservative Democrat.
They all say that.
Once they get into partisan office however, they show their true colors every time.
I am so tired of this game.
I am tired of politicians who use the city of Torrance as a springboard for illiberal policies which harm our communities, our state, and our way of life.
Yet today, we have another left-wing lawmaker, who started out by claiming that he was a fiscal conservative in a conservative city.
Now that he sits in Congress, he pushes the extremist LGBT agenda. He is also an avid proponent of amnesty.
His latest YouTube clip showcases his pleading for illegals, and shaming those who would not permit amnesty or pathways to citizenship.
So, I am going to reserve the balance of my time, and make a statement. It's going to be directed to Mr. Rector, not so much on the substance of your testimony, but just on the tone of it.
It's never about substance with Lieu and liberals in general. It's about feelings, tone, etc.
I think that it's easy for people like you and me who wear ties and work in offices to cast aspersions on those with a tenth grade education.
There is no shame in working hard labor or working in an office,
I certainly hope that you're not saying that only those with college degrees or high school degrees should be eligible for federal benefits.
Hope removing federal benefits altogether? Why is the federal government in the business of handing out one person's money to someone else and calling the subsidy "a benefit"?
But let's talk about some of these "folks" with the tenth grade education, such a Maria Isabel Jimenez. .
|Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance)
She was a farm work, seventeen years old.
She worked for nine hours one day in a farm near Stockton, in brutal heat, without shade or water.
Then she collapsed. She was taken to a hospital. Her body temperature was 108.4 degrees. She died two days later.
OK. A farmer worker dies Was she legal or illegal? Who had hired her? Did Congressman Lieu investigate the farm or the company which had employed her? Why was she working in such brutal conditions? What crops was she harvesting, and for whom?
When I was in the California state legislature, I had the opportunity to meet over the years many farm workers whose family members had died in brutal conditions, in the heat, so that you and I can have less expensive orange juice.
Do illegals harvest oranges in California? Where?
Cheaper artichokes, less expensive garlic. . .
How many farm laborers die in those brutal conditions? Jimenez was 17. Where were her parents? Why did they put her through such trying conditions? Are the American people responsible for that young lady's death? Really?!
I just want to suggest that people like Maria Isabel Jimenez, and you kept talking about their net contributions, that her net contribution in dying, that you and I can have cheap grocery bills, so that we can spend less. . .
She's given far more to American society than you and I ever will.
Excuse me? How about the tens of thousands of veterans who have died on secret wait lists? They fought for this country, took wounds and hurts to protect our rights and values.
Their contributions mean nothing?
Individual parents who work two jobs -- they contribute so much to our communities, Those same family members contribute to our cities, our state, too.
Congressman Ted Lieu was not elected to represent illegal aliens or farm workers in Stockton, was he?
Congressman Lieu draws another line out of the Saul Alinksy playbook. Shame people, demonize them as uncaring, and never respond to key issues. I am glad that Congressman Lieu remains in the minority, and I doubt that Democrats will ever see majority rule in the House of Representatives any time soon.
I would like my Congressman not to shame economists and play the shame card to advance immigration "reform." Enforcement must be the watch word from Congress.


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A group of 6 changemakers and innovation-enthusiasts researches the European dimension of sustainable consumption – from organic agriculture to food production and eating - exchanges intercultural ideas and gathers wisdom across generations to co-create local actions for a sustainable future.
Berlin, Germany, Siracusa, Italy
According to futurologist M. Horx, "Slow Food" is one of the 18 trends which will influence life of tomorrow on the field of nutrition. But concious nourishment is more than a trend: It has a political and social dimension, epecially in Europe. The EU as a cultural and economic alliance is rich of various food production traditions and handels policy making issues, such as the "Roadmap to a Resource-Efficient Europe". Furthermore, the financial crisis has a strong impact, esp. in the (agricultural) south and in terms of youth unemployment. We use a common topic for a future-oriented vision: By displaying the diversity of sustainable food initiatives throughout Europe, putting them into a political context, building up a cross-european network and using food for entrepreneurial empowerment.
We want to connect people across borders and ages by creating a cross-european network about sustainable agriculture, permaculture and food innovation that integrates the wisdom of older generations with young people – and fosters entrepreneurship! Through dinners, interviews, workshops and interventions, we will spark inspiration and act as collector and multiplier of knowledge. Besides the website, we'll create a book which displays alternative, traditional and innovative concepts of sustainable food production all over Europe. We chose Sicily as our last stop because many young people leave the island due to unemployment. The final workshop will transform all our learnings into a best practice example and empower young people in Sicily to build their own (food-related) business.
1. Berlin: Public awareness raising through a workshop at D.COLLECTIVE. Collect questions, experiences and personal views on nutrition and consumption
2. Journey: We`ll travel by sustainable transport and visit different places of food innovation
3. Workshops: We`ll give workshops in different cities. As facilitators, we´ll focus on producing new prototypes for a sustainable future
4. Documentation: With articles, photos, recipes, interviews, videos on the website and create a book integrating old and new wisdom.
5. Sicily: With a local innovation hub, we`ll do a workshop on food-innovation and entrepreneurship and transform our learnings into action by creating a concept for a community vineyard.
Outcome: An european map on intercultural sustainable food consumption
Funding requested from Advocate Europe
Total budget


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In case you are new to laser levels, then fear not. Laser ranges save time, effort and money. 5. Handymobi: For organizing home enchancment tasks, browsing and sharing DIY mission concepts; a free toolbox features a unit converter, level instrument, and calculator. The Manleys wanted not only to spruce up the kitchen's look, but in addition to add house and performance, including a laundry room The structure change required tearing down walls, extending the footprint by three ft, and adding assist columns.
Each sorts are helpful, except that self leveling lasers will prevent time and may ensure extra correct outcomes. Greater than half of our home transforming projects every year are carried out for past shoppers or for individuals who have been referred by them – a remarkable achievement in an trade notorious for referral charges in the single digits.
Ensure that your partitions are perpendicular and straight utilizing a three-beam line laser. Typically, laser ranges are used for format jobs that require excessive accuracy. Rotary lasers are additionally twin beam lasers in that one beam is a plumb up dot on the ceiling and the other is a horizontal line around the room. Crystal Adkins, editor at Cell Dwelling Residing, covers a lot of DIY mobile residence reworking initiatives on her website.
Other than aesthetics, one more reason why I do not suggest spirit and bubble levels for development is that they're only correct for the size of the level (round 1 to four feet), which implies you will should hold checking for leveling as much as the opposite finish of your workspace. Most laser levels can be used out of the field, with only a press of a button.
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Hi there, a large part of this article is copied from Wikipedia. I want your help to make this wiki more personal and remove the not working templates and red links.
The Beatles (1960-1970) were an English rock group from Liverpool, who, in a very short time, became the most successful band of all time[1][2]. Although their initial musical style was 1950s Rock & Roll, the group explored a great variety of musical styles, ranging from Tin Pan Alley to rockabilly and from folk to avant-garde. The innovative music and style of John Lennon (1940–1980), Paul McCartney (1942—), George Harrison (1943–2001), and Ringo Starr (1940—) helped to define the 1960s.
The Beatles were the best-selling popular musical act of the 20th century. In the United Kingdom alone, they released more than 40 different singles, albums and EPs that reached number one. This commercial success was repeated in many other countries: EMI estimated that by 1985, the band had sold over one billion discs or tapes worldwide.[3] The RIAA has certified The Beatles as the top selling artists of all time in America based on U.S. sales of singles and albums. [4]
Their early material fused elements of American rock 'n' roll and R&B into a new and influential strain of popular rock 'n roll. With Lennon and McCartney penning most of the band's songs, they established a prototype for the "self-contained" rock group, which departed from the traditional practice of producers, composers and arrangers writing the songs for popular music acts. The Beatles were a major force behind the so-called "British Invasion" of U.K.-based rock 'n' roll bands in the United States in the mid-1960s, inspiring what the media was to term "Beatlemania" (see below). They helped to pioneer more advanced, multi-layered arrangements in both rock and pop and were instrumental in the development of some of the dominant musical styles of the 1960s, notably folk rock, hard rock and psychedelia.
The Beatles' impact extended well beyond their music. Their clothes, hairstyles, statements, and even their choice of instruments made them trend-setters from the 1960s to this day, while their growing social awareness –– reflected in the development of their music –– saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
|This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at The Beatles. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Rock Music Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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Are you interested in AIDS Alabama south, the Southeast's largest AIDS S center serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community? No matter why you are here or how you found us, we welcome you with our mission of advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland. It is our vision to create a thriving LGBTQ community, living powerfully in supportive inclusive environments. There are a number of ways to get involved. JOIN US!
Find Your Center Tour
Are you unfamiliar with the work of Center on Halsted or want to learn more about the impact of the programs and services we provide? Perhaps you are interested in getting involved with the LGBTQ community but don't know what type of commitment is right for you. We welcome you as our guest for an hour long tour where we highlight the diversity of the institution and focus on the personal impact we make on community. Additionally, we will work with you to identify potential opportunities for further engagement of your time, talent, or other resources. For more information about Find Your Center tours, please contact Yossi Held at email@example.com.
If you are a group larger than 3 or have a special interest, need, or topic you would like covered please continue to the group tour page.
Have you been looking for ways to give back to your community? Why not volunteer at Center on Halsted. It is a great opportunity to not only give back, but also meet some amazing people. We have opportunities at varying commitment levels each day of the week suited for your schedule. Sign up for an upcoming volunteer orientation today!
Make a Gift, Become a Member
In order to provide the programs and services that help bring more than 1,000 community members through our doors every day, we rely on the contributions of generous individuals as well as corporate and foundation support.
Rent a Space
Are wedding bells in your future? Can't seem to find a flexible event space centrally located in the Lakeview neighborhood? Come visit and tour Center on Halsted's modern spaces that suit any event need including weddings, conferences, workshops, community meetings, fairs, theater events, and sports activities. No matter the event, we have the space that is right for you. As part of our commitment to the community, we offer discounts for non-profit organizations.
Sign Up
Whether you would like to update your information, join our mailing list or sign up for our twice monthly emails, all it takes is a few minutes to complete our form and immediately get connected.
Become A Mentor
It's easy. Just click "Edit Text" or double click me and you can start adding your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I'm a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
This is a great space to write long text about your company and your services. You can use this space to go into a little more detail about your company. Talk about your team and what services you provide. Tell your visitors the story of how you came up with the idea for your business and what makes you different from your competitors. Make your company stand out and show your visitors who you are.


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Computer Confusion
Editor's Note: This is a weekly column written by Meteorologist Joel Gratz that will take you "behind the scenes" of the typical weather forecast. Joel is the founder of ColoradoPowderForecast.com, where you can sign up for his email alerts. Boulder, CO – Forecasting snowstorms can sometimes be cut and dried. The multiple computer models agree … Continue reading Computer Confusion


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Afraid to try new business management technologies?
You may be putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company job automation is only going to increase. Whether you like it or not. Unless you are the kind of guy to avoid electric drills and only use a manual screwdriver, it may be time for you to look into the powerful solutions available to you to help you run your business. Automating some of your time-intensive administrative functions is a logical first step.
According to AccountingWeb Contributor Morton Brogger, CEO of Huddle, the McKinsey report finds that up to 45 percent of activities individuals are paid to do now, representing nearly $2 trillion in annual wages, can be automated, just by adapting technology that already exists. Imagine that.
What does tech automation mean for your accountant?
Your accountant will spend less time actually crunching your numbers. Many already are running the information you give them through various software systems to give you the information you need to make strategic business decisions. But how are you giving them that data?
What does tech automation mean for you?
Smarter business operations. If you're still running your business on white boards and Post-its and spreadsheets, you're likely losing ground and losing money. Your competitors are going digital — both in their back office and in the field. What if you could enter a customer's job specs right from the job to your estimator? What if your estimator could call up all the necessary data and compile a client-ready bid in 24 hours…or less and send it out for client review and signature? And then a few clicks later, bam!: out go your materials POs.
Use the tools you've got better
Surely you've got a computer, or a laptop, or a tablet, and hopefully a smartphone. So you're already operating in at least the early 21st Century. Now is the time to make all those instruments work harder for you.
Automation is not going to replace your laborers (see the McKinsey chart). It might, however, streamline the functioning of your back office (even if that back office is you!).
Someone needs to lay the tile; install the drywall, shingle the roof. But how you sell the work, bid those jobs, buy materials and assign teams to the field…that's going to change for you if it hasn't already. If you're running an accounting package like QuickBooks, you are halfway there. You're already tracking bank balances online, maybe even doing direct deposit for your teams, and writing checks. You may, at the end of the year, even be sending a copy of your financials via email to your accountant, or even giving them remote access to your computer.
Now take the next logical step
Invest in the right technology — whether you are an accountant or a contractor. You've already got the basics — the hardware, and likely some of the software. Technology (the right technology) can deliver enhanced cost-efficiencies — accurate AIA bids, faster standard bids, better management of estimates, jobs, worker assignments, purchasing, client management, and productivity to ensure your projects stay on schedule and on budget. Imagine, running your business efficiently, cost-effectively, and profitably. Imagine how happy your accountant will be when your business/project management system syncs so easily with your accounting package. Win. Win. Win!
So how do you get there? Do your research. Knowify, for one, can help. We're already helping contractors and their advisors/accountants integrate their business management needs with their accounting systems from an easy-to-use interface accessible from any device — in the field and in the office. If you have any questions or wish to share your feedback, you can find us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Knowify. Built for the real world.


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Posted August 28, 2019
To provide users with different levels of access to funds that are stored, Bank of America is reportedly aiming to patent a security system that is "partitioned" for crypto-wallets.
The North Carolina-based bank filed a "Multi-Tiered Digital Wallet Security" application in February 2018 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Coindesk reported.
The office published the application last week and lists a senior tech manager at the bank, Manu Kurian, as the inventor. Through the application, a process of handling cryptocurrency with a wallet interface that is multi-tiered is described on a peer-to-peer network that is decentralized. With the procedure, users would be asked to enter one out of multiple passwords.
One password would provide access to one tier, and another would offer access to a separate tier. Coindesk described the proposal as something akin to a valet key that can't open the trunk but can open a car door. It also notes that the proposal conceptually resembles specific multi-signature bitcoin wallet types that have been in existence for a long time.
According to the application's background section per the outlet, a need is present for a better digital wallet infrastructure as private keys can be misplaced and third parties don't allow users to have complete control when it comes to their currency. As it stands, Bank of America is said to have won 36 applications for blockchain patents with 31 pending.
Read the rest here


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Afghanistan 127 for 2 (Ihsanullah 57*, Hashmatullah 34*) beat Ireland 124 (Wilson 23, Rashid 3-18, Aftab 2-22) by eight wickets
Ireland opted to bat upon winning the toss on a tired pitch, but that was about the only thing they did right as their batsmen surrendered meekly against a disciplined Afghanistan attack and were shot out for 124. After that, not even Tim Murtagh, with eight wickets in the last two matches, could save them the ignominy of a heavy defeat as the visitors hurtled to their target to clinch the series 2-1.
The moth-eaten adage you miss, I hit couldn't have been reinforced stronger as five Ireland batsmen fell lbw to a very straight line of attack, largely due to their penchant for wanting to work the ball square off their pads, three of those off Rashid Khan's staple googly. Their troubles, however, started much sooner, between overs nine and 11 to be specific.
Till then, they had done well to recover from the early loss of Paul Stirling, who fell caught behind for two in his 100th ODI, poking at a length ball from Aftab Alam that moved away fractionally. William Porterfield and Andy Balbirnie looked set before the former became the first of six Ireland batsmen to cross double figures and squander the start. Looking to drive Alam, he was early into the shot, offering a simple catch to Asghar Afghan at mid-off, who fumbled twice before latching on. Porterfield fell for a painstaking 34-ball 14, followed by Niall O' Brien, who was slightly unlucky to be adjudged lbw off Gulbadin Naib to one that looked to be going over the stumps. When Balbirnie, the in-form batsman with two fifties in the series, nicked Gulbadin to the wicketkeeper four balls later, Ireland had suddenly been reduced to 39 for 4 in the blink of an eye.
Curiously, the next 31 balls was the most productive phase for Ireland as Kevin O'Brien and Simi Singh counter-attacked. The 15th over yielded 13 runs - comfortably the most in the innings - as both batsmen used the pull shot to good effect against some wayward bowling from Gulbadin. But the next over saw the introduction of Rashid and he struck off the last ball the over, trapping Kevin O'Brien plumb in front as the batsman looked to work a googly towards square leg, and missed. Simi fell to the same mode of dismissal in Rashid's next over, leaving Ireland reeling at 72 for six. Gary Wilson and Andy McBrine then had a 37-run stand, also the best of the Ireland innings, but that it came so late was part of the problem rather than the solution. And when captain Asghar pinned Wilson in front for only his second ODI scalp, the end was imminent as Rashid and Mohammad Nabi polished off the tail.
In response, Afghanistan appeared in a hurry to get the runs and lost Mohammad Shahzad early in the process. Shahzad's poor tour continued as his upper cut off Boyd Rankin landed in the lap of third man. But that hardly made any difference to Afghanistan's gung-ho approach, as opener Ihsanullah, who had replaced Hazratullah Zazai, and Rahmat Shah continued to attack, taking Afghanistan to 53 in quick time, before the latter fell lbw to Murtagh at the stroke of lunch. Ihsanullah was unperturbed by the break in play and returned to complete his third ODI fifty in the company of Hashmatullah Shahidi, who struck 34, as the duo took Afghanistan home.


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Social Tennis
Social tennis is on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Please come along and bring your friends. Our coaches, Narelle and Christian, will be on hand to join in and provide some tennis tips. All standards welcome. Members $7, visitors $10.
Contact Christian Anrath 0418 963 341
Narelle Raftery 0402 942 952
Or visit the club.