text:
Historical Notes:
It was the second dawn. The blazing light of the instant of creation was fading into eternal darkness – but against that failing, crimson, glow, the first and greatest suns had begun to shine, and to seed the cosmos with the stuff of life.
We are all born of starstuff. Elements forged in the hearts of suns make up our bodies, their shining drives the cycles of our worlds. The raw force of life derives from the fires of exploding suns. Such were the womb of the Celestial Dragons – of the stars, Firstborn.
There were those to whom the light was anathema, the glorious song of creation a grating dissonance. To whom the silent, abyssal, void of a cosmos unborn had been a peaceful refuge. Aberrant exiles from older realms. The Great Old Ones, the lords of the infinite night.
Even in the depths of the abyss, the massed light of the young galaxies shone at last – and the great old ones stirred. A billion years had passed while light made it's way into the void, but the powers of darkness rose at last to claim and corrupt, or destroy, the new cosmos.
There could be no peace. No sharing or compromise. The Dragons had no choice. In defence of themselves and the forming worlds, they fought and learned the arts of war. They drove the dark ones back, banished some, and slew others. They held – but the golden age was over.
The price of life was eternal vigilance. There could be no final victory against the infinite depths. The joyous, carefree, children of the celestial dawn are no more; billions of years of war changes even a race of near-immortals. Life grows and evolves, without end.
Fierce and predatory, arrogant – and more then a bit ruthless – few Celestial Dragons are nursed between the stars in the ancient way; the "gentler" environments of planets allow children to thrive without constant care. Adolescent competition – and the efforts of the corrupted servants of the great old ones – weeds out the seriously weak and foolish. Honor, pride, greed, and the "military virtues", have taken precedence over kindness, mercy, and affection. The ancient duties of guardianship admit no less.
"Seeded" on a world, young dragons learn and grow. As adolescents, they are left on their own. It is their rite of passage. They may battle and dominate each other, ally, or even fall to the minions of the old ones, with little interference from their elders amid the stars. The vast majority survive. As a side benefit, worlds get guardians who're attuned to them – and familiar with their ways and powers – when the great old ones move against them.
The elder war has left few illusions . War is awful. Losing is worse. There is only one rule in all-out war; the winner(s) do what they want with whatever's left of the losers and their property. That's why all-out feuds and duels between dragons are discouraged. Space is far too vast to truly forbid them, but they are frowned on.
-Translated and summarized from the hereditary archives of the Arith Vaya.
In the interests of a balanced presentation:
In a way it's difficult to blame the Great Old Ones. There they were; refugees, outcasts, and survivors of far older realms, their universes senescent in entropic decay. Adrift with a few small worlds in a near-infinite void. Suddenly there was light, heat, mass and energy in profusion, spilling into the darkness. They reached out to claim this abundance of new resources as their own – and found that it was infested with strange and unexpected creatures that didn't want to let them have any.
From their point of view, I'm sure that the Celestial Dragons would have been more then willing to play host for a few elder guests, but this bunch wanted to move in, rearrange space and time, and remodel the local laws of nature to suit themselves.
It didn't help much that both sides found each other fairly incomprehensible.
Still, even at this late date, there may be room for understanding. While meaningful translation of the thoughts and desires of beings which exist under such alien natural laws is extremely difficult, I believe that my current system should suffice. Provided that the final tests show no malfunctions in the system, I will attempt the contact invocation tomorrow.
-From the personal journals of Igan*ith$ Vrol#^kun of Nygoth, shortly before the corruption of the empire took hold. Circa -2.1 Billion Years AD.
Dragon Biology:
Celestial Dragon Physiology is – by earthly standards – a bizarre mix of the fantastic and the familiar.
Their "flesh" is made up of ionized plasma, a wild flux of exotic high-energy subatomic particles, and high-energy photons, bonded and restrained by fields of energy and animated by a supernatural life force. Their "metabolism" is a bizarre mixture of nuclear fusion and magic with an occasional bit of high-energy chemistry thrown in at the surface layers – to add more muted colors and a sense of taste. While they may look and feel solid – outside of their faint stellar luminescence and low-level neutrino flux – it's even more of an illusion then the jelly-like solidity of protoplasm. If injured, they "bleed" ionized plasma and high-energy radiation – giving the impression of a neon bonfire trying to digest an aurora. They're immune to most extremes of temperature (at least if they're given a few moments to adjust their surface structure). Finally, while they're inherently immune to chemical drugs, intoxicants, and poisons there are magical effects, and exotic isotopes which wouldn't have much effect on a human, which do work just fine. Killing one is not generally a good idea. As the energy fields which restrain their internal plasmas, radiation, and multi-million degree temperatures collapse they tend to detonate like a small hydrogen bomb.
With effort, they can even learn to compact and rearrange their mass to imitate other lifeforms. In fact, young dragons raised among another species will learn to imitate that species instinctively.
Adult Celestial Dragons have little need to "eat". Absorbing the ambient magical and radiant energies of space and the hydrogen of the interstellar medium suffices for most of their needs – and drawing a few hundred pounds of hydrogen from a handy gas giant, brown dwarf, or nearby sun. If a project, or attack, arises that personal energies are not sufficient to handle – well, that's why the power-stations most species call galactic black holes were constructed.
Children are another matter. In addition to raw mass and energy they need complex nuclei, focused magical power, a fair amount of life energy, and protection from current (post VMO-era) space conditions, to survive and grow. While their parents can nurture them for the first few millennia, unprotected exposure to space can kill them in minutes. Given the danger of distractions (such as the great old ones, weapons from prior conflicts, random space travelers, and other oddities) in space, it's a lot easier and safer to park them in an environment where they can survive on their own – such as in a planetary biosphere.
Children tend to enjoy eating, and usually eat a lot more than the (relatively modest) amount that they actually have to have. Without their parents to feed them extra life force, they will occasionally need to eat large amounts of low-energy life forms (plants), modest amounts of mid-energy lifeforms (insects, small fish, kryll), or the occasional higher-energy lifeform (cows, large birds, etc). Despite occasional tales, they normally do not eat sentient creatures – although there have been incidents when they're severely provoked.
Children can be safely "parked" for a few years in almost any planetary biosphere. Things get a bit more complicated when they're actually born in one. When that happens they bond with its energy fields, just as they normally do with their parents energy fields. This is useful: they can sense major disruptions of those fields, they can readily learn to shapeshift to creatures – especially the local sentient creatures, if any – native to the planet in question, and they can exert their full powers without having to be nearly as careful about it to avoid causing major disruptions as their elders do. If there are native sentients, the kids will pick up their culture, tactics, viewpoints, and strategies quickly and easily – which goes a long ways towards keeping them from becoming overly predictable – and thus quickly dead – in adult life.
On the downside, until they fully differentiate themselves from those fields (usually at about 3000 years when they reach early adulthood) their moods and behavior are influenced by those same biological and magical energy fields, severe disruptions in them can cause them considerable pain, hindrance, and weakness, and the destruction of those fields can severely harm, or sometimes even kill, them. If a nursery-world is destroyed, most of the children will die with it even if every effort is made to rescue them. The effort is virtually always made – their parents and elders do care about them – but it rarely succeeds.
Their overall anatomy is relatively familiar, apparently because they – as firstborn – arcanely set the morphogenic field for many of the higher lifeforms native to this universe. Others, of course, are "patterned" after the Great Old Ones" – but they're usually aberrant. Humans would say that their anatomy resembles a gargoyle's. They are bisexual, reaching adolescence/first-stage sexual maturity (acute interest and the ability to enjoy themselves) around 600 years, but cannot actually produce offspring until full sexual adulthood/second-stage sexual maturity, at about 60,000-120,000 years. Pregnancy lasts about 200 years., and – while unplanned pregnancies are (very remotely) possible – is usually the result of several centuries or millennia of careful energy matching and lots of trying. Once pregnant, a dragoness will usually put the developmental process magically "on hold" until a suitable nursery-planet is located, certified reasonably secure, and a sufficiently large group of other prospective parents – usually 20-60 pairs – have gathered. They nursery-planet chosen will have native sentients (to supply servants, company, resources, and playmates/ things) who haven't yet achieved star travel – or learned to reliably recognize the celestial dragons – but who are building a higher civilization. While there are various reasons, the simplest is the most important; a couple of billion years of experience has shown that worlds fitting those parameters are best for the children. Similarly, they are left more or less on their own when the group hits adolescence at about age 600. They'd only rebel against their parents otherwise anyway and, once again, letting them sort themselves out gives the best long-term results.
Secondarily, when a species is building a higher-level civilization it is at its most vulnerable point. It is experimenting with new technologies, magics, and psychic powers, and it is broadcasting clues to its presence. It is an ideal conquest for the great old ones; young enough to have many untapped potentials, plastic enough to be easily twisted, still instinct-driven enough to be quickly-breeding, expansionistic, and to have not yet mastered its own psychology, still reliant on easily-disrupted technologies, with enough powerful madmen to "invite them in", and still relatively unaware of the danger. Such an era in a races history is dangerous for the children – but it also offers them far greater opportunities for growth, more choices, and more resources and powerful allies as adults if they survive that long. It is statistically a good, if frightening, exchange for them, buying a far greater chance of a long life as adults in exchange for a slightly greater chance of dying very young – and it is the time when a race most needs dedicated local guardians and advice from elders who understand them well.
It is both their best chance and their duty. Attempts are made to keep the nursery-planets safe from major menaces, to conceal them as long as possible, and to make sure that they're located in relatively safe zones – but things will happen. The children will defend their adopted home and race, recruit individuals with impressive personal psychic, mystic, or "mutant" powers to help them, and disapprove of – and normally oppose – organizations such as Genocide. "That sort of thing" is one way that worlds fall to the Lords Of Darkness.
This doesn't necessarily make them "good guys". They tend to be arrogant and greedy, feel that being the first and oldest line of defense gives them seniority and entitles them to all kinds of special privileges – and virtually always want to dominate and give the orders. The kids can be a substantial pain in the ass – but they're still an incalculable gift. The Celestial Dragons have very few children. They are difficult to conceive and – sadly – their parents are all too likely to see them die. Even if the kids survive to adulthood, experience counts – and between one new immortal and one experienced immortal in a war zone, which is likely to go first?
Small Celestial Dragon Children are carefully protected, but adolescents are allowed to find their own way. Due to their innate toughness – and to the not-unexpected fact that their parents usually give them excellent training and plenty of resources – when a cadre' is "seeded" on a planet and left for their rite of passage casualties are rare (unless the locals destroy themselves and their biosphere), although they may (very rarely) kill each other or (far more commonly) enslave each other for a time. As a rule, however, 90% or more eventually "graduate" – which is at least as well as Sparta did.
Socially, a young Celestial Dragon usually absorbs most of it's standards, ideas, and behavior patterns from the species it grew up among. The dragons tend to be spread fairly thin; although they do have excellent communications there are distinct limits on virtual communities. One thing they almost all share is a disinterest in, and mild contempt for, technology. It may be powerful, but it's so easy for the "enemy" to tamper with. They tend to use nice, reliable, magic and personal powers instead. They do all respect formal challenges and contracts as well: once they're entered into the Dragonseye Network, they're binding.
Psychologically, they're young. Most of them are a bit thoughtless, more than a little bit sex-obsessed, arrogant and demanding. They usually feel somewhat sorry for, superior to, and a bit patronizing towards, the host species. Most are pretty helpful, although weird obsessions and hobbies are all too common. They tend to sort themselves out into a pack dominance hierarchy.
The males tend to compete madly for the females – in part because such relationships often last into full adulthood, and thus offer a chance to pass on their genes (or the magical tendencies which pass for them) early, before they start getting discouraged about being parents. They also tend to compete for the Flight Leader position – a sort of a cross between "alpha male" and "battle coordinator". While competing by demonstrating your skills, foresight, and effectiveness in the position is good, competing by simply beating up everyone else is also acceptable: power and tactical skill are also important. Being Flight Leader offers a good deal of respect, as well as tending to attract the girls, but its risky as well: Flight Leaders are primary targets. Battle casualties, and idiocies attempted to impress, are almost invariably far higher among males than females.
Males enslaved by other males are generally forced into long-term submission, mystically marked as property (leaving them socially out of luck among other dragons), and usually emasculated. Fortunately, that's all easily undone when they're released later on. Females enslaved by males become concubines almost automatically.
Females tend to compete somewhat more subtly and with less of an attempt to eliminate each other. With them, they're after the social and support positions – safely behind the lines and with the free time to look after their own interests and (eventually) children. Being a good planner and manager is one of their ambitions. They tend to have slightly conflicting ideas about the adolescent boys: they find many of their antics, and their eagerness to blatantly dominate each other, pretty silly. On the other hand, being claimed by a really powerful, protective, male – and thus being kept safe in his harem – is a pretty standard fantasy.
Females enslaved by females tend to get used as assistants and bargaining chips. Males enslaved by Females are unusual; they may be traded away, used as assistants, or kept as paramours, although that's usually considered beneath the dignity of the female involved. Most are emasculated simply because it keeps the other males from getting jealous.
Of course, given a few millennia more to grow up in, both sexes tend to wind up as pretty stable people.
We are the First, the children of creation's dawn. When the choice came to us, we chose to stand guardian over the life that was, that is, and which is yet to be. For thirteen billion years we have fought the long defense. We have watched races rise from their beginnings, seen the first questions stirring in nascent minds, helped them rise to stand beside us – and have seen them Transcend, and pass beyond, while we remain. We shall not follow them until the need for guardianship has passed, the last stars have grown cold, and the final night has fallen, Last, as we were First.
You are our younger cousins, the children of the planets as we were children of the stars – and while we endure, the darkness will not have you.
Sample Draconic History: Chi'an of Earth's Dragon Circle:
Chi'an's personal timeline starts off in the early 1200's – when the Genghis Khan and his mongol horde began making a mess of China, Asia, and most of what small portion of Europe wasn't sunk in the dark ages. While none of this was a real threat to a pair of adult celestial dragons, it wasn't the most congenial – or serene – of atmospheres in which to raise a child.
They relocated to "North America" (as it would later be known). The locals were friendly, scattered, and could readily supplement the oriental servants they'd brought along in "exchange" for trivial exercises of their more helpful powers.
Chi'an was born around 1250. His earliest years were spent in the great forests of North America – spiced up with an occasional visit to the great indian empires of South and Central America… He sometimes felt a little sorry for the things that so often happened to helpless human children – but "events" that involved adults were often good sport.
Around 1340, Chi'an was almost "eight". With China – still one of the best combinations of sophistication, comfort, and acceptance of dragons, on earth – once again fairly stable, and his shapeshifting abilities reasonably well stabilized, his parents took Chi'an on a leisurely "tour" of Europe, the early renaissance, and the fading glories of Constantinople. Mixing with the human kids, Chi'an had some quite – interesting – little adventures along the way. Quite a few of the more obnoxious humans of the time didn't find them quite as much fun…
By 1420 the family was once again firmly established in China. Chi'an's "look" didn't quite fit in – it was a compromise between Amerindian and Chinese ethnicities – but it was close enough for a supernatural being.
In 1450 Chi'an was nearly "ten", and was working out an enthusiasm for the magical arts with the help of some of China's taoist occultists and whatever else he could find to teach him. Unlike most childhood enthusiasms, Chi'an's interest in magic has yet to wane.
Around 1490 Chian decided to drop in on his old home in North America… Along the way he got entangled with the spanish inquisition (Which was actually having some success exterminating the cultist-servants of the Great Old Ones and even got a few of their stronger creatures). He rescued a few innocents – but saw nothing wrong with punishing – and disposing of – the guilty.
When he finally got around to heading for "America", he came over with Columbus – just for the fun of riding the boat. A little later, Chi'an was greatly annoyed to discover that Malasin (Another young dragon) was firmly ensconced with the Aztecs, and was unwilling to share any of the goodies. The resulting squabble led to Chi'an quietly assisting Cortez's takeover of the Aztec empire – and began an ongoing rivalry which was not to be resolved for centuries. Besides – the Aztec priests had some elemental lore, artifacts, and "writings" he wanted to examine.
By 1550 the fun had palled. Chi'an collected his new toys and headed back towards China. He was just "eleven". along the way, he visited several other dragons (and some interesting creatures) in the Slavic wilderness. He had quite a quarrel with Vasilko – an adolescent dragon who was assisting Ivan the Terrible – along the way…
At least he got along fine with most of the others.
Back in China, the Jesuit priest-magi were disposing of various elder terrors, the pesky mongols were making inroads again, and piracy was rampant. It was a lot of fun for awhile – but by 1650 the family decided to move back to North America. It would be practical to set up a decent estate and to buy servants who – as property – could be readily magically bound not to reveal anything about their masters now that the place was getting well organized. Chi'an was now almost "twelve".
By 1700 "home" was well organized and Chi'an was doing a lot of hunting, trapping, and general "poking around" in the wilderness… Given that he didn't want to upset things around home, he only got involved in the "French and Indian Wars" when his looks made it inevitable.
He was roughly equivalent to thirteen in 1775, and so was old enough to enlist in the revolutionary war. He'd been wanting to get some "real" experience with tactics in any case, and most of the weaponry was little threat to a celestial dragon – so his parents had no objection to the idea. Chi'an continued to gain experience during the Napoleonic wars. In 1837 he attended the coronation of Queen Victoria – and studied a bit of Celtic magic.
Meanwhile, Malasin was taking advantage of the fact that the Celestial Dragons had seen just how industrial revolutions went before to quietly acquire a great deal of money. He again came into contact – and conflict – with Chi'an again when he supported the Opium Wars in China where Chi'an still had some personal friends.
In 1860 Chi'an was "almost fourteen" – and it was time for his – and most of the other "youngsters" – rites of passage. That was why their parents had come to earth.
Failure is fairly rare – but the parents worry a bit anyway. They'd never interfere – but they'd done their best to get them ready.
It was just in time for the Civil War. Chi'an didn't get involved in that one very much. He was far too busy acquiring magical resources, and trying to keep Malasin's meddling from interfering with his home. He had to push through the purchase of Alaska to make sure that no one would interfere with his access.
In 1874 Chi'an helped some werewolves get settled in the new Yellowstone National Park.
The ongoing argument with Malasin came to a head in 1883; Chi'an would've settled for a "simple" dominance- struggle, but Malasin, believing that his investment in military gear would easily overpower Chi'an – and still holding a grudge over the incident with Cortez – wanted an all-out formal duel. In a direct battle, his gear proved no match for Chi'an's magic, although something in their struggle apparently provoked an eruption that destroyed their battleground; the island of Krakatoa. Reduced to slavery, Malasin remains Chi'an's property, servant, and financial manager, today. Presumably he regrets making it an all-out duel; Chi'an's never bothered to ask.
The "Boxer Rebellion" in 1900 heralded the beginning of the first major upwelling of magical and psychic power into public consciousness since the Enlightenment.
World War One was appalling. War was understandable, but so much pointless slaughter? So many people knowing they were being thrown away and going anyway? It simply wasn't sane.
What Chi'an thought of "trench warfare" simply isn't printable.
1922 was interesting. While it never became publicly known, the tomb of Tutankhamen – like the tomb of every pharaoh – contained a small horde of magical artifacts. Lesser items made to assist the pharaoh's ritual duties when they were made, millennia worth of accumulated mana made them something far more.
The Second World War was something of a crisis point for earth's dragon-children. For many, the first world war had been the start of social conscience; they would prevent the pointless slaughter if they could. There wasn't time for this anyway. Earth was broadcasting on too many frequencies to hide.
Sadly, their efforts had relatively little effect on the war. While they had a great deal of power, wealth, and influence for individual people, there simply weren't enough of them to actually have much "direct" influence on global events.
After WWII the dragons discovered that Vasilko (See; 1550, above) was working with Stalin to rule the Soviet Union… More importantly, they discovered around 1948 that he'd been so busy indulging himself, and gathering power, that he'd neglected to keep minions of the Great Old Ones out of power.
Actually, they could have excused a bit of "careless neglect" – but most of them thought Vasilko was a shithead anyway.
Taking out the minions – cultists and lesser mages – proved fairly straightforward… Vasilko elected to put up a fight, and actually beat two other dragons (Chi'an released them later), before Chi'an defeated him, early in 1950. Without supernatural aid, Stalin died a little later on. Vasilko joined Malasin as Chi'an's personal property.
Since then, Chi'an's been gathering up mystic relics and tomes, studying magic, trying to lure one (or more) of the available female dragons into his "bed" – and trying to position himself as flight leader… As of 1980 or so, he's roughly equivalent to 15.
Can you survive in space? Good! You're coming with me… LOOK. THIS is what remains of a fallen world: a ball of scorched and radioactive stone, a lifeless memorial to a dead race! This is what will happen to the Earth if it falls to the darkness and the elders are forced to intervene. You are broadcasting. You are probing into space. Your presence and activities can no longer be hidden!
The Earth is my home as well, and you are my friends, the people I have grown up among – but if I must send your civilization back to the stone age, or sacrifice millions to save the remainder from THIS, then that is what I will do!
-Chi'an Lung
The Dragon Circle
There are 47 young dragons on Earth (23 boys and 24 girls), all of them adolescent. Most are currently built on about 60 points plus disadvantages. They began their Rite of Passage in 1860, and have mostly sorted out their dominance-order: Chi'an is currently acknowledged (somewhat grudgingly in some cases) as Flight Leader and (barring any recent changes in status) 12 (mostly ex-) males and 8 females have been enslaved as a result of battle- or other high-stakes challenges. More subtle personal relationships are still being worked out.
If a new dragon-character wants to own one or more of the unaccounted-for slaves, simply buy 50-80 point followers and note how they were acquired. While most slaves are released (and males get their sexual functions unblocked) after their masters reach adulthood and settle down, that usually takes several thousand years. There are still 14 females (10 free, 4 slaves) and 10 males (6 free and 4 slaves) unaccounted for.
Yes, an awful lot of the relationships here revolve around Chi'an and the enslavement rate is way over average for a crop of kids. That's really because Chi'an was the only one who was actually a player character and because serious conflicts make for exciting play. In-game it simply means that Chi'an is (at least currently) dominant and that this batch of kids are on the more combative end of the usual bell curve distribution.
Known Males:
Chi'an Lung, Male, Alaska: magician, runic artificer, coordinator, and enhancement. Generally accepted as flight leader, mostly because he's good at it, secondarily due to raw power. Has arranged it so that anyone who currently acknowledges him as flight leader gets the use of two overall levels and an emergency pullout system as long as they do so. Tends to be obsessed with magical knowledge and power. Owns quite a few of the current dragon-slaves on Earth since he draws on them to bolster his personal magical power – and because most of the competition was for the flight leader position. Fairly well known as a powerful mage and occasional hero, generally not known as a dragon.
Darvian, Male, Northern Canada: power-bestowal and technological enhancement, agents and bases. Runs Near Space Defense – a fairly substantial military air force using extraterrestrial technologies – from a set of bases in Antarctica, the Canadian northwest and on the Moon. Generally seen as second-in-command when problems come up. A kind of dragon-geek.
Ilarion Drake, Male, New York New York: enhanced strength and toughness, uses dragonfire melee weaponry, runs Jevex Inc, a mining and natural-resource exploitation company. Likes to collect precious metals and stones and has very poor taste by current standards; he always did like Versailles.
Kanmari, A.K.A "Rainbow Serpent", Australia: dimensional manipulation, astral travel, and teleportation. One of the few really public "superheroes" among the circle, and more team-minded than most of the other youngsters.
"Serpentine", Male, Africa: transmutation-construction, shapeshifting, and remote linking. Runs Viper (a sizable franchise-based criminal organization) and sells secret underground bases to support his art collection hobby. After all, so many great works are held by people who don't want to sell them, what can be done but steal them?
Known Females:
Ar'Rong, Female, India: skillmaster, "dragon's eye" computer and instrumentation expert, tactician. Employs a small group of superhuman agents, apparently worked for the last Archmage and helped organize the Tournament of the Dragon this time around. "Leaked" the contents of Asura's personal diary to Chi'an (and thus got her out of the way) when Asura disrupted some of her plans.
Ezhdeha, Female, Indonesia: relatively subtle, but broad-area, mental powers, can coordinate and mildly enhance sizable groups as well as grant minor powers. Likes to work with animals and sells enhanced/modified pets and familiars, but occasionally takes on human students who want to develop psychic talents (and occasional annoyances who join the pets). Has mildly enhanced her shapeshifting so as to take on the "old hag" form which so many of her students and customers seem to expect.
Jamethial Dreamweaver, Female, United States: electromagnetic manipulation, hypnotic lights, telekinesis, and sonics (often combined to create virtual environments). Jamethial craves wealth, parties, and attention, and has been taking some risks to get them: while she's been able to switch entertainer-identities for the last century, her current rock-star role will make future changes exponentially more difficult.
Lohikaarme, Female, Finland: clairvoyance, minor precognition, and illusion. Tends to stay out of trouble and to make herself difficult to find, but occasionally passes out tidbits of information designed to help shape events.
Zheng Yi Sao, Female, China: weather control, minor summonings, the Mandates of Heaven. Has been playing the role of demigoddess, and running her coastal fiefdom as a minor subkingdom, for several centuries – getting involved with larger matters only enough to make sure that things stay that way. Notable for her ownership of Kadath, an apparently still-functional male. She apparently feels that adolescent males (and many of the females) are pretty silly, and that the males are much better behaved when leashed.
Known Female Slaves:
Asura Windwalker, Female, property of Chi'an: spirit-summoning, channeling, and shamanistic magic. Asura liked "bodice-ripper" romance novels and had fantasies of being imperiously claimed by a powerful, protective, male*. When Chi'an got lucky and got the details of her fantasies he was quite enthusiastic about following the script.
* This isn't too uncommon (20% or so) in female dragons: it's a sound evolutionary strategy in a multi-billion-year war, especially for the young. Just like the males tendency to fight for dominance, most of them grow out of it.
Chizura, Female, property of Chi'an: presence-enhancement, communication, and social talents. Chizura lost a duel with Asura Windwalker, and became her property. When Chi'an claimed Asura, Chizura was a bonus prize.
Luchair, Female, property of Chi'an: underwater abilities and water manipulation. Luchair felt pestered by the boys once they hit adolescence and tried a "beat me in a series of underwater tasks and I'm yours; get beaten and you're mine" gambit. She easily defeated Herensuge (who thought "catch me and I'm yours" was a come-on) and Kaarme (who thought he could win) before being casually beaten and taken as his first concubine by a well-prepared Chi'an. Ownership of Herensuge and Kaarme was lagniappe.
Naga, Female, property of Chi'an: mystical martial artist, with greatly enhanced speed and dexterity. Freely offered herself to Chi'an (and was happily accepted) after the Darkstorm War, whether due to his rescue of her, to liking Asura's descriptions, to feeling a need for protection, or to simply wanting to belong to the now-accepted Flight Leader.
Known Male Slaves:
Baen, Male, property of Ch'ian: speedster, desolidification, and enhanced senses. Baen attempted to simply seize the Flight Leader position, Chi'an, and Chi'an's properties, by brute force after he felt that his other rivals had settled down or accepted the situation. He'd already beaten up one other boy who'd controlled some useful resources, but Chi'an turned him loose after he managed to beat Baen; he felt that Baen was a horse's ass – and that losing to him (he'd turned out to be pretty dangerous) wasn't much of a disgrace.
Herensuge, Male, property of Ch'ian: minor hunting talents, P'an Kung telekinetic martial art. A cheery and persistent optimist, who thought that Luchair was just teasing and really wanted to be caught by him.
Kaarme, Male, property of Ch'ian: athletics, various minor general enhancements. Somewhat impulsive and inclined to over-estimate his abilities, Kaarme thought that he could easily beat a slightly-younger girl in a physical contest. Given that Luchair's talents were far more specialized than his, he was wrong.
Kadath, Male, property of Zheng Li Sao: better -than-average mastery of dragonfire and tulpa master. Originally defeated by Leontius and traded away in exchange for various goods. Kadath tends to try and keep other males away from his mistress; since, if she finds an acceptable free boyfriend, he thinks he'll be emasculated almost automatically.
Leontius, Male, property of Ch'ian: biomagical manipulation, organic transmutation. A few centuries older than most of the others, Leontius developed a minor set of powers allowing him to have satisfactory sex with humans* and to father half-dragon children on them. The others found this grossly perverse when they found out about it, and not giving the kids immunity to aging (even if they weren't full-blooded dragons) was even worse. He actually got beaten up, enslaved, and desexed by committee, but has been turned over to Chi'an since Chi'an's general acknowledgment as Flight Leader.
* Most young dragons do experiment at some point: after all, they're raised with humans, they're shapeshifters, and they rarely see any other dragons – but the problems inherent in having "flesh" harder than steel, being 500 times as strong as a human, and in being a plasma-entity tend to make it awkward if not fatal for the human involved.
Malasin, Male, property of Ch'ian: industrialization, personal technologies. Business manager for Chi'an. Malasin spent some time with the Aztecs, founded British Ironworks to exploit his foreknowledge of how industrial revolutions went, and challenged Chi'an to a formal duel over a long-running feud that started with the Spanish Conquest. After he lost, Chi'an made him his business manager and had him put some relatively enlightened labor policies into effect.
Sarkan, Male, property of Ch'ian: very long-range dragonfire attacks and missile deflection. Viewing Darvian and his long-range defense force as a direct competitor, Sarkan challenged him to a formal duel – unaware that Darvian had anticipated him and had gotten some magical equipment from Chi'an. Darvian sent him to Chi'an as a thank-you gift – thus implying that Sarkan wasn't even worth keeping.
Vasilko, Male, property of Ch'ian: political manipulation and mental powers. A backer of Ivan the Terrible and Lenin, Vasilko ran much of Russia behind the scenes for centuries. Sadly for him, he focused too much on political power and failed to note the operations of several darkness cults DESPITE being a fairly powerful telepath. When the rest of the dragons found out, they pretty much declared open season on him. He defeated a couple of other boys before Chian took him out, but Chian let them go afterwards.
Yoshima Masamori, Male, property of Ch'ian: martial artist and master of samurai-style dragonfire weapons. Raised "samurai", and nostalgic for that period of history, Yoshi picked the losing side of almost every conflict he got involved in since 1600. Apparently interested in both Naga and in being Flight Leader (and frustrated in both interests), he insisted on formally challenging Chi'an – and lost badly. Chi'an feels that he's a complete loser, and keeps him as a pet.


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Difference between revisions of "CSR Strategy"
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* See: [[CSR: Imperial and Love Where You Live]]
* See: [[CSR: Imperial and Love Where You Live]]
== and Sponsorship ==
Another way for companies to generate a feeling of responsibility and caring around their brand is to give money to worthy causes. As part of its Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, the tobacco industry has long been philanthropic to various causes.
Another way for companies to generate a feeling of responsibility and caring around their brand is to give money to worthy causes. As part of its Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, the tobacco industry has long been philanthropic to various causes.
Latest revision as of 09:07, 31 October 2019
Corporate Social Responsibility
To promote voluntary measures as an effective way to address tobacco control and create an illusion
of being a 'changed' company and to establish partnerships with health interests.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to activity whereby controversial companies attempt to win back social respectability by changing their image. Often though, this is mainly a public relations exercise, without any real changes in policy.
CSR has been pioneered over the last two decades by the oil, chemical and tobacco industries. For example, oil companies have been presenting themselves as environmentally friendly and transparent, leading to an accusation of "greenwashing", which is defined in the dictionary as "disinformation disseminated by an organisation so as to prevent an environmentally responsible image". [1]
By the late 1990s, after suffering significant defeat in the courts costing them billions as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement, the tobacco industry also started introducing CSR policies to enhance its reputation. Since then, CSR has been used strategically to try and prevent effective government regulation to reduce tobacco consumption. Tobacco companies have attempted to avoid legislative regulation by offering voluntary forms of corporate governance instead. PR Companies such as KPMG, have an important role in advising and developing CSR strategies.
- A list of pages in the category CSR Strategy
- 1 WHO: CSR of the Tobacco Industry is an Inherent Contradiction
- 2 Stakeholder Engagement and Dialogue
- 3 Partnerships and Good Corporate Citizenship
- 4 Philanthrophy and Sponsorship
- 5 Good Governance
- 6 Relevant TobaccoTactics Resources
- 7 Notes
WHO: CSR of the Tobacco Industry is an Inherent Contradiction
CSR is an increasingly important tool for companies trying to improve their image. However, there is no widely agreed framework for CSR which specifies minimum standards of social performance - even though public institutions such as the European Commission have tried.[2] This creates an opportunity for any kind of company to present itself as socially responsible, and therefore, it has allowed tobacco companies to develop CSR programmes even though tobacco use is the world's leading cause of preventable death. Tobacco-related deaths are projected to rise to 8.3 million people in 2030 (from 5.4 million in 2005) as the activities of multinational tobacco companies spread the smoking epidemic to developing countries.[3]
Since tobacco companies are not permitted to advertise or promote their products by law, engaging in 'corporate social responsibility' activities offers an alternative route to reach various audiences. However, such activities may be a violation to The World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (to which the UK is a signatory). The Guidelines to article 5.3 of the Convention are quite specific on this point, and state the following:
- 26. The tobacco industry conducts activities described as socially responsible to distance its image from the lethal nature of the product it produces and sells or to interfere with the setting and implementation of public health policies. Activities that are described as "socially responsible" by the tobacco industry, aiming at the promotion of tobacco consumption, is a marketing as well as a public relations strategy that falls within the Convention's definition of advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
- 27. The corporate social responsibility of the tobacco industry is, according to WHO, an inherent contradiction, as industry's core functions are in conflict with the goals of public health policies with respect to tobacco control.
And under Recommendations it says:
- 6.1 Parties should ensure that all branches of government and the public are informed and made aware of the true purpose and scope of activities described as socially responsible performed by the tobacco industry.
- 6.2 Parties should not endorse, support, form partnerships with or participate in activities of the tobacco industry described as socially responsible.
- 6.3 Parties should not allow public disclosure by the tobacco industry or any other person acting on its behalf of activities described as socially responsible or of the expenditures made for these activities, except when legally required to report on such expenditures, such as in an annual report.[4]
Stakeholder Engagement and Dialogue
On the advice of external public relations consultants, the use of dialogue between a company and its major stakeholders has become a key public relations(PR) strategy. The argument is fairly simple: if the workings of business could be seen as open and transparent, then such businesses would not be suspected of having anything to hide. In the late 1990s, Philip Morris and then British American Tobacco (BAT) initiated a series of stakeholder engagement meetings as part of a concerted campaign to rebrand themselves as responsible tobacco companies. [5] [6] [7]
A few years later, BAT launched a website called BATresponsibility.eu to highlight BAT's first EU Social Reporting cycle. It was a result of stakeholder consultation sessions facilitated by Pavel Telička, the former EU Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Protection issues between September 2006 and January 2007. BAT has periodically undertaken further dialogue sessions, most recently in 2010 (In 2013 the site has ceased to exist). The last one was organised by auditing firm Bureau Veritas and facilitator Acona - the slogan: "CSR is all about managing risk and opportunity" [8]
Engaging in a dialogue with stakeholders and opposition can be a double-edged sword. Previously secret documents from the tobacco archives illustrate how the tobacco industry was advised to use dialogue to break the "confrontational postures" of special interest groups. In 2000, John Sharkey, who had worked in the tobacco industry for 20 years including for BAT, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco International (JTI), advised his industry colleagues that the tobacco industry "must be seen to be listening, must be seen to be trying to fix things, and above all must engage in continuous dialogue. Continuous dialogue makes outright opposition much less easy or, at least, seem much less sensible and more political".[9]
Divide and Rule
Sometimes, the desire for openness and dialogue is a PR strategy which is intended to co-opt the opposition, or split it with a deliberate 'divide and rule strategy'. The TobaccoTactics page on Project Sunrise, for instance, shows that in 1996 Philip Morris developed a plan to "drive a wedge between anti-groups." Having studied 600 internal industry documents about the project, researchers concluded that Philip Morris' intention was "explicitly to divide and conquer the tobacco control movement by forming relationships with what it considered 'moderate' tobacco control individuals and organisations." The tobacco industry deliberately tried to position itself as the rational voice in the smoking debate. Researchers argue that "Philip Morris sought to strip some tobacco control advocates - those who rejected its offer of partnership - of public credibility by characterising them as extremists".
- See: Project Sunrise
Partnerships and Good Corporate Citizenship
Through partnerships with other organisations, tobacco companies try to enhance their reputation as a good corporate citizen, involved in governance. Some of those partnerships have a direct link to a company's policy on CSR. BAT for instance subscribes to the Institute of Business Ethics, a charity encouraging high standards of business behaviour based on ethical values. The Institute helped the company with developing policies on governance and transparency, and with the publishing of BAT's Social Report.
With other partnership projects, the benefits for the tobacco industry are more indirect. Imperial Tobacco, for instance, is one of the founders of a campaign set up to encourage individuals, companies and local groups to clean up after themselves. McDonald's and Wrigley (fast food and chewing gum) are the other two companies involved in Love Where You Live. The fact that this campaign was set up by three major waste and litter producers could be construed as "greenwashing". The campaign is coordinated by Keep Britain Tidy, an environmental campaign group with over 50 years experience, while the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the fifth partner. The page CSR: Imperial and Love Where You Live explains that the involvement of the government, effectively helping to position Imperial as 'a concerned corporate citizen' could very well constitute a violation of the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Philanthrophy and Sponsorship
Another way for companies to generate a feeling of responsibility and caring around their brand is to give money to worthy causes. As part of its Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, the tobacco industry has long been philanthropic to various causes.
For example, one undated internal Philip Morris document records that the company was concentrating on supporting projects in three areas: the arts, higher education, and hunger and nutrition. It noted that "since 1958, Philip Morris has been among the strongest corporate supporters of the arts". [10] In the late nineties, the company announced a $100 million donation to fight hunger. [11]
Current Giving
On its website, Philip Morris argues that "More than 40 years ago, long before corporate social responsibility became a catchphrase, our predecessors at Philip Morris Companies were granting money to causes they held dear." On its website it identifies five areas of "giving that we focus on: hunger and extreme poverty, education, rural living conditions, domestic violence, and disaster relief ... Today, PMI provides over $30 million annually to support charitable causes around the world. In 2011 we supported 274 charitable projects across 58 countries. In total more than 3.5 million people were impacted globally by PMI charitable giving. [12]
BAT now says on its website that "We recognise the role of business as a corporate citizen and our companies have long supported local community and charitable projects. We approach corporate social investment (CSI) as an end in itself, rather than as a way to promote ourselves, and our companies have always been closely identified with the communities where they operate ... Our global CSI expenditure in 2011 was £13.6 million." [13]
In its Annual Report, Imperial Tobacco says "We have revised our approach to community investment to better focus on supporting countries of need and those which are most important in terms of tobacco supply and our business presence. We allocated around £3 million to partnership investment.." [14] Meanwhile, Japan Tobacco International says on its website that "JTI realizes its goal of corporate philanthropy through more than 120 partnerships around the world". [15]
Good Governance
Recent research by the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath has shown that British American Tobacco and Philip Morris are using a wide range of CSR tactics to:
- broker access to public officials
- influence policy preparation
- break up opposing political coalitions
- rebuild the company's reputation for instance:
- - as a provider of reliable information
- - as a platform of voluntary regulation[3]
Relevant TobaccoTactics Resources
Cessation Support as CSR Strategy
A quite cynical example of good corporate citizenship (and of Hiring Independent Experts), is that of Philip Morris funding a centre for smoking cessation research at Duke University in the US. In return, the staff of the centre is on the board of PM's QuitAssist initiative.
Reputation Enhancement
In May 2011, Durham University was criticised for accepting a £125,000 donation from British American Tobacco (BAT) towards the Chancellor's Scholarships for Afghan Women appeal. The appeal assists women to come to Durham from Kabul University to study their postgraduate degrees for five years.
- ↑ Concise English Dictionary, Definition of "Greenwash", 10th Edition, 1999
- ↑ See for instance: Commission of the European Communities, Promoting a European framework for Corporate Social Responsibility, Green Paper, Brussels, 18 July 2001, accessed April 2012, and same author, Implementing the Partnership for Growth and Jobs: Making Europe a Pole of Excellence on Corporate Social Responsibility, March 2006, accessed April 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gary Fooks, The limits of corporate social responsibility: Techniques of neutralisation, stakeholder management and political CSR, Journal of Business Ethics, in press - April 2012
- ↑ World Health Organisation, Guidelines for implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: on the protection of public health policies with respect to tobacco control from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, point 3, 2008, accessed April 2012
- ↑ KPMG, BAT, The Project - The Way Forward, 15 November 1999, 15 November 1999
- ↑ BAT, Draft Role Profile, Stakeholder Planning & Development Manager, September 1999
- ↑ Philip Morris, Philip Morris calls for constructive dialogue - "It's time to talk", 13 October 1999
- ↑ BAT, Stakeholder Dialogue 2010, Accessed August 2011 - the website went off line late 2012; Acona, What we do, accessed October 2012
- ↑ John Sharkey, Tobacco Industry's Response to the New Social and Legal Environment, 26 August 2000
- ↑ Philip Morris Companies, Corporate Philanthropy Summary, Undated
- ↑ James B . Hyatt, Corporate Giving - Philip Morris launches $100M anti-hunger drive, Philanthropy Journal Online, 10 March, 1996
- ↑ Philip Morris, Our Charitable Giving Program, Website
- ↑ BAT, [1], Website, accessed May 2011
- ↑ Imperial Tobacco, 2011 Annual Report
- ↑ JTI, Corporate Philanthropy, Website, Accessed May 2012

subset: commoncrawl


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Canon has today unveiled two new EF lenses in the shape of the 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and 35mm f/2 IS USM, both due to land in the UK next month.
The 24-70mm f/4L IS USM includes a new macro function designed to 'optimise the placement of lens groups', for shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.7x.
The nine-blade aperture lens features two aspherical elements, plus two Ultra-low Dispersion lenses.
Meanwhile, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (pictured) is billed as the first ever 35mm prime lens to incorporate optical Image Stabilizer technology.
Canon claims: 'A bright, fixed f/2 aperture allows photographers to employ a shallow depth of field, and optical IS offers users a 4-stop light advantage, allowing the capture of blur-free images in low light conditions when shooting handheld.'
The 35mm f/2 is expected to cost £799, while the 24-70mm f/4L will carry a £1,499 price tag.


text:
New York, NY, USA – Don't miss An Evening with Chick Corea & Touchstone featuring Tom Brechtlein (drums), Carles Benavent (bass), Jorge Pardo (sax/flute) and Rubem Dantas (percussion) on Thursday, June 16. With the core members of the renowned flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia's band, Chick revisits the heart of his Spanish-influenced compositions from his classic Touchstone
album and continues his flamenco-based explorations with new music for this stellar quintet. Throughout his four-decade career, he has constantly sought inspiration from his Castilian heritage. His renowned work, Spain, was drawn from his roots, and to this day, remains a strong foundation among his musical offerings.
Corea captured the music of his group Origin on the albums Live at Blue Note and a six-disc set, A Week at the Blue Note.
He recently presented the return of his Elektric Band and music from his new CD, To the Stars, to sold-out crowds around the world.JVC Jazz Festival – New York wraps up its series at Rose Theater with Michel Camilo: Solo, Duo & Trio on Friday, June 17. The dynamic Dominican pianist presents his music in three figurations with the Michel Camilo Trio featuring Charles Flores (bass) and Dafnis Prieto (drums) with special guest David Sanchez (saxophone). Equally renowned as a composer, Camilo's works have been performed and/or recorded by artists ranging from Dizzy Gillespie to the Manhattan
Transfer. His diverse resume includes performances with symphony orchestras around the world, compositions for films and collaborative projects with Paquito D'Rivera, Katia, Marielle Labeque and other entertainment greats. He recordedLive at the Blue Note in 2003, his first live album as well as his first record with a Cuban rhythm section. The two-CD set scored a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album. His debut solo piano album, Solo, was released in January and features Brazilian music, jazz standards and original compositions, further showcasing his diverse talents and exuberant technique.
Kicking off the Rose Theater series on Tuesday, June 14, is 100 Years and a Day: Doc Cheatham Centennial Jazz Party featuring trumpet stars Nicholas Payton, Clark Terry, Warren Vaché, Randy Sandke, Jimmy Owens and Theodore Croker (Doc's grandson) with Howard Alden (guitar), Chuck Folds (bass & producer of the concert), Jim Galloway (saxophone/clarinet), Jimmy Heath (saxophone), Earl May (bass), Benny Powell (trombone), Catherine Russell (vocals), JVC Jazz Festival producer George Wein (piano), Frank Wess (saxophone), Jackie Williams (drums) and WKCR announcer and jazz historian Phil Schaap as host of the evening's festivities.
Adolphus Anthony "Doc" Cheatham, born June 13, 1905, didn't have to toot his own horn; he had a ton of friends to do that for him and from the looks of the line-up turning out to celebrate what would have been his centennial year, his memory and music remain cherished. His sense of humor, debonair style and stellar technique made him a favorite of fans and musicians alike. In fact, some say that he didn't reach his true stride until he was in his 70s; and 20 years later, he played with a range, power and total confidence of trumpeters half his age. He suffered a stroke just 11 days shy of his 92nd birthday and shortly before then, he would let loose with some notes that made even his closest
friends stand back and wonder. His discography includes Doc Cheatham & Nicholas Payton in 1994, Swinging Down in New Orleans in 1995 and Live at Sweet Basil in 1996. He shared the stage and recorded with some of the best, and it's no surprise that so many friends will celebrate the master at Rose Hall.
Piano Masters Salute Piano Legends: Celebrating Ellington, Evans, Han*censored* & Monk, produced in association with Mark Morganelli & Jazz Forum Arts, takes over Rose Theater on Wednesday, June 15, featuring Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, Uri Caine and Randy Weston performing on a 9-foot Steinway Grand Piano in solo as well as trio format with bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Al Foster. The incomparable Randy Weston will salute Duke Ellington and Geri Allen will pay tribute to Herbie Han*censored*. Uri Caine will celebrate the music of Bill Evans while Kenny Barron will honor Thelonious Monk, whose music Barron featured with his legendary quartet Sphere.
Allen grew up in Detroit and earned a degree in jazz studies from Howard University and a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Moving to New York City, she performed with Betty Carter, Oliver Lake, Mal Waldron, and Charles Lloyd. Allen's first major label release was 1992's Nurturer. In 1996 she was the first woman to win the coveted Danish Jazzpar prize. Her first new CD in six years, Life of a Song, features Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette. Barron played professionally as a teenager in Philadelphia. At 19, he moved to New York, played with Dizzy Gillespie for five years, then with Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, and Yusef Lateef. The '80s saw the birth of the quartet Sphere with Buster Williams, Ben Riley, and Charlie Rouse. Fifteen years after Rouse's death, Sphere reunited in 1998 with saxophonist Gary Bartz. A five-time Grammy nominee, Barron released the quintet album Images in 2004.
Uri Caine, another Philadelphia native, began playing with jazz greats Philly Joe Jones, Hank Mobley, and Mickey Roker. While at University of Pennsylvania, he played with Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Benny Golson, J.J. Johnson, and Stanley Turrentine. Caine has recorded 15 CDs as a leader and has arranged and recorded the music of Mahler, Wagner, Beethoven, Schumann, and Bach's "Goldberg
Variations." His most recent release is 2004's trio CD Live at the Village Vanguard. Weston was born in Brooklyn and spent the '40s and '50s hearing jazz giants Count Basie, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. The first of his 47 recordings as a leader was 1954's Cole Porter in a Modern Mood. In the '50s, playing with Cecil Payne and Kenny Dorham, the 6'8" Weston wrote many of his best loved tunes, including his greatest hit, "Hi-Fly." Moving to Africa in the late '60s, he settled in
Morocco, where his music absorbed the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa. His latest CD is 2003's Spirit the Power of Music.
Tickets for JVC Jazz Festival concerts at the Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall are available at the Box Office, Broadway at 60th, (212) 721-6500 or www.jalc.org. For information and a Festival brochure, call (212) 501-1390 or (212) 501-1393 for Group Sales weekdays from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or write JVC Jazz Festival – New York, P.O. Box 1169, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023.
For more information, visit the official JVC Jazz Festival – New York website at www.festivalproductions.net.
The Buckingham Hotel (www.BuckinghamHotel.com), located at 101 West 57th Street at Sixth Avenue, is the official host hotel of the JVC Jazz Festival – New York. For the special rate, call (888) 511-1900 and ask for the JVC Jazz Festival Room Block.
JVC, sponsor of JVC Jazz Festivals worldwide since 1984, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of high quality audio and video products.
Author: World Music Central News Department
World music news from the editors at World Music Central


text:
Advaniji goes further aggressive on digital medium!
6 comments :
- niceguy251 said...
I have left my comment on other space where details are given.
Take care
- February 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
- pisku said...
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- February 18, 2009 at 1:48 AM
- Shayari said...
Hey Sindhu:)You are tagged!
- February 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
- wikiplugs said...
Dear Blogger,
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Something which crawls more posts/stories than normal RSS limit ?
check some examples at
website: www.13above.com (See the Vertical Banner Here on the right panel…)
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- February 28, 2009 at 11:43 AM
- Abhishek said...
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- February 28, 2009 at 2:57 PM
- Abhishek said...
BTW, just wanted to inform you that I implemented your idea.
- February 28, 2009 at 2:59 PM


text:
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I am not a professional Top 10 list writer, but occasionally one slips out. Here's one to keep around:
10. You know at least five different words or phrases to describe all the blogs on the planet.
9. You can't remember your child's name, but you have total recall of your entire blog roll.
8. You've ever taken a sick day from work so you can update your blog (this requires altering the time log so your boss doesn't know you're actually wasting time when you said you were on your death bed).
7. You've ever experienced "blog anxiety" when you are away from a computer for too long.
6. You actually become upset with a blogger because they haven't updated their site in several days, and you are hopelessly addicted to anything they write.
5. You've ever complained about journalism accuracy or ethics, and then linked to a news site with which you have zero familiarity.
4. Your spouse refers to you by your blogging moniker, because you've unconciously stopped responding to the name your parents gave you.
3. You have thousands of "friends" you trust with your most intimate thoughts, but you would not trust them with your children.
2. Your spouse no longer complains about you eating in front of the television. They now beg you to clean up the empty convenience store cups, dirty dishes, and food wrappers that are now drawing ants around the computer.
1. You own this shirt.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Top 10 signs you are a blog addict
Posted by Matthew Self at 2:15 PM
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The Way of Peace, The Way of Love, The Way of Non-Violence: John Lewis Pre-Releases Graphic Novel at Amalgam
On Wednesday, June 27 a large and diverse crowd gathered inside of Amalgam Comics (2578 Frankford Avenue) for a special pre-release and signing of congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis's third installment of his autobiographical graphic novel 'March.' Co-written by Andrew Aydin, the comic chronicles the struggles and triumphs of Lewis's long history in civil rights activism.
According to Ariell Johnson, owner of Amalgam, Lewis's team reached out to her events coordinator to set up the signing, which was specifically meant to coincide with Lewis's trip to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia this week. It took months of planning.
"It was such an honor meeting him. It's so unreal," Johnson said. "I still haven't wrapped my mind around it. It's been [very busy], just kind of ripping and running, so I don't think it's had a minute to really settle."
"As a black woman, the fact that he was standing up for me even though I wasn't born yet, and […] the things that they achieved got us to where we are now," Johnson added. "We're not in a perfect place, and there's still much more work to do, but even the fact that I'm able to own this business."
Johnson told Spirit News that one woman who attended the book signing was close to tears when she thanked Amalgam for hosting the event. Johnson believes that many are honored to have the congressman visit their neighborhood.
"I think even if you don't fully get it now, in ten years, you'll understand what a big deal that was," Johnson said. "That he would show a little additional love to Philly is really cool."
One of those honored by the congressman's presence was attendee Deirdre, 20. She was part of "a student group that [used similar techniques] and based its charter on SNCC's charter," so, for her, the event was very important as a way to recognize and remember the work of people like Lewis.
"We're meeting someone who is a historical legend. He is part of America's great tapestry of demonstrations and civil rights legislation," Deirdre said. "[It reminds the community that] a lot of this is bigger than ourselves."
Vernette Carroll, another attendee, found the event particularly significant. Carroll first met Lewis when she was 16, participating in the civil rights movement in Arkansas while Lewis was the chairman of SNCC.
"I was at the first march on Washington," Caroll recounted. "I was at all the demonstrations in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, I went to jail, [was] hit over the head… we were trying to integrate a restaurant at the time and the state trooper said, 'No, you can't come in,' and then they started beating us over the head. […] We did pay a price, a real big price. I was only a teenager."
Carroll says that in her opinion, activists of today should maintain respect, and "have to come together and know that everyone is the same. When you see flowers, they [all look different] but they're all the same. Just different colors. There's no such thing as race. When you need blood, they're going to ask for type. They're not going to ask for race."
Carroll moved to Philadelphia in 1969. She was planning to write to Lewis and travel to Washington D.C. to see him before learning that he would be in Philadelphia this week.
"It feels awesome [to meet him again]," Carroll said. "I didn't think he would remember me but he said he did."
Carroll plans to write a book based on her experiences, using snippets she has of newspapers and photographs from her time as an activist saved in a scrapbook. She brought the scrapbook and a young photo of herself to show Lewis, in remembrance of their shared and individual experiences.
The 'March' series, now in its third installment, draws from the experiences of Lewis and heavily relies on his recollections and input to take shape. According to Top Shelf Comix, the first installment became a " #1 New York Times and Washington Post bestseller and an award-winning landmark in the graphic novel field. The sequel, March: Book Two, was released in January 2015."
Leigh Walton, Editor of the 'March' book series, was skeptical of the idea of the books at first. He wary of the age-old celebrity comic cliche in which artists create the story and celebrities detachedly sign the cover (does anybody remember this William Shatner gem?). Walton said that after talking with Aydin, it was clear that they would struggle to keep up with Lewis's vigor and workhorse actions. He finds it reflective of Lewis's abilities to lead so victoriously in the civil rights movement.
Walton believes that the approach to effective protest must be specific, creative and convincing.
"Essentially the technique of non-violence is to make injustice intolerable," Walton said. "[In March,] the congressman is dedicated to dramatizing things and expressing them in a clear and universally understandable way, so that when a third party is watching you confront an agent of injustice or an unjust situation, they are forced to acknowledge, 'This is not right, I have to stand up and do something about this, how can I stay neutral?' It's a way to yank people out of their complacency, to dramatize the conflict of right and wrong."
As the event came to its conclusion, Spirit News was able to pull Congressman Lewis aside for an interview. We asked Lewis what advice he has for young people in America today.
"Young people… should use 'March' as a guide, as a road map," Lewis said. "Before we went on any sit-in, any march, we studied, we prepared ourselves. We studied the way of peace, the way of love, the way of non-violence. We were disciplined we had the dos and don'ts of the sit in movement, things like be orderly, sit up straight, don't talk back, and abide by the way of peace, the way of love, the way of non-violence, and respect everybody. Respect the police officers, respect the opposition, and never hate, for hate is too heavy a burden to bear."
He added: "It's very moving to see these principles dramatized through graphics. It makes it real. People can be inspired, people can feel it, almost touch it. [Youth can see that if] the young people more than 50 years ago can do it, in a non-violent fashion, we can do it."


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Please can everyone in Killearn area run a broadband speed test? Right now for the G63 postcode area it's only showing Download: 4.8 Mbps and Upload: 0.4 Mbps. Which is very slow indeed!
Please check your broadband speed test at www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest
2 Responses to "Please run a broadband speed test"
I got the same result just now (Tues. 5th Sept, 12.14, G63 9SD, 4.8Mbps download, "bursting to 9.8 Mbps", 0.7 upload, "bursting to 0.8 Mbps") which is ~1/2 to 1/3rd of what I would expect.
I live down in Blane Smithy and have been unable to get any form of broadband connection to my house since I moved in April. Sky have promised me that fibre is due this month but still no word. Does anyone know the current situation with the exchange? I'd happily settled for any kind of connection right now. ?


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Goalundo Ghat
Goalandaghat or Goalanda
Skyline of Goalandaghat, Bangladesh
|Coordinates: 23°44′N 89°45.7′E / 23.733°N 89.7617°ECoordinates: 23°44′N 89°45.7′E / 23.733°N 89.7617°E
|Dhaka Division
|Rajbari District
|Goalandaghat Upazila
|• Total
|149.03 km2 (57.54 sq mi)
|• Total
|• Density
|620/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
|Time zone
|Official Map of Goalandaghat
Goalundo Ghat (also Goalanda and Goalondo) (Bengali: গোয়ালন্দঘাট) is a small town and pourasabha in Goalandaghat Upazila, Rajbari District, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh, South Asia. There are two railway stops one at Goalundo Ghat and one at Goalundo Bazar.[1] The town has an area of 4.86 km2 and a population of 22,000 inhabitants (2001 estimate).[2]
Historical significance[edit]
The Eastern Bengal Railway opened the line from Kolkata to Goalundo, on the southern bank of the Padma in 1871.[3] Goalundo was for many years a major transportation hub for travel in eastern parts of Bengal and Assam. Here is a brief on the importance of Goalundo Ghat in earlier years: "If one goes from Calcutta to Dacca the rail journey is broken at Goalundo and from there to Narayanganj is continued by steamer. The night mail from Calcutta deposits one at Goalundo in the early hours of the morning. It is situated at the junction of the Padma, or Ganges, and the Brahmaputra, and daily services of steamers connect it with the railway systems at Narayanganj and Chandpur, and with the steamer services to Madaripur, Barisal, Sylhet, and Cachar. There are also daily services of steamers up the Padma to Digha Ghat , Patna in the dry season, and Buxar in the rains, and up the Brahmaputra to Dibrugarh. From that it will be seen that Goalundo occupies a very strong strategic position in the waterways of Bengal, a position which has been made much stronger by railway development."[4]
Even after partition of India in 1947, the East Bengal Express ran up to 1964. That was the last direct link with Kolkata.[5][6] The Goalundo Ghat railway link has since been used only for internal travel in Bangladesh.
Changing scenario[edit]
Bus/road travel has since gained primary importance in Bangladesh. Most people use buses for travel from Dhaka and other places to Benapole and then cross over the border for links to Kolkata.[7] For a long time road transport has been using the Daulatdia-Paturia ferry crossing nearby. The ferry also carries long distance buses across the Padma.[8]
The Government of Bangladesh has invited in November 2011 international tenders for the construction of the 6.1 km long second bridge across the Padma connecting Paturia and Daulatdia on a public-private partnership basis at a cost of 2 billion dollars.[9]
- ^ "Bangladesh Railway Route Map" 2001
- ^ Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, results from census 23 January 2001. Data corrected upwards by 6.23 percent, according to officially estimated loss during the counting process, with the result rounded to the nearest thousand.
- ^ R.P.Saxena. "Indian Railway History timeline". Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Goalundo Ghat – From the Hooghly to the Himalayas (1913)". IRFCA. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ Sangeeta Thapliyal. "India-Bangladesh Transportation Links: A Move for Closer Cooperation". Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Geography – International". IRFCA. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Getting to Benapole". i-guide. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Dense fog disrupts ferry service for 12 hrs". Dail Sun, 11 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ "Government invites tender for 2nd Padma Bridge Project". Bangladesh, 19 November 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
|This Bangladesh-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.


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If there's one thing Marvel Comics' Daredevil AKA Matt Murdock learned from his late pugilist father, Battlin' Jack Murdock, it was how to get back up again after being knocked down. In recent years the character has endured a number of physical, emotional and psychological assaults including the outing of his secret identity, imprisonment, and his wife being driven insane by an old nemesis.
Losing his wife to mental illness was particularly hard on Murdock and he sought to recover from that defeat in an unusual manner. He took control of his old enemies, the ninja assassin cult known as the Hand, and tried to turn them into a force for good. What the emotionally vulnerable Murdock didn't know was that he had walked into a trap. A cabal within the Hand wanted him to take control of the group so they could manipulate him and bring out his baser instincts.
The cabal's corruption of Daredevil became complete when he gave into anger and murdered Bullseye, a longtime enemy, an act which allowed him to be possessed by a demon. In last year's "Shadowland" mini-series, a host of Marvel's street-level heroes were able to rescue Matt and he later fled New York in shame. Announced today at C2E2, writer Mark Waid and artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin bring Matt Murdock back to the Big Apple for an all new ongoing "Daredevil" series this summer. CBR News spoke with Waid about the July-debuting series.
CBR News: So Mark, you're sort of following up your work on "Amazing Spider-Man" with a run on another one of Marvel's premiere, street-level vigilantes in Daredevil. Is that coincidence? Or is there something about the street-level corner of the Marvel Universe that you find especially compelling?
Mark Waid: It's almost coincidence, but you're overlooking the other commonality between DD and Spidey -- they're both edited by Steve Wacker, an editor always eager to take a chance on a young tyro like myself. That said, across the broad spectrum of the Marvel Universe ranging from its most human characters to its most cosmic and space worthy, I'll gravitate to the local neighborhood boys any time. Their problems are easier for me to relate to.
You've done quite a bit of work for Marvel over the years, but this is the first time you've written a story with Daredevil in a starring role correct?
Correct. In fact, I can't remember ever having written Daredevil before outside of a quick cameo here or there.
Which aspects of Matt Murdock's character do you find especially compelling as a writer?
His thirst for justice. I think his need to see justice for the innocent springs from his own memories of how unjust it was that, as a child, fate "rewarded" him for a good deed by taking his sight away. On a personal, primal level, I think Matt came to terms with that long ago, but it still taps a core wound in him when he sees something unjust about to happen to someone else. Over the years, especially the recent years, Matt's come to believe that, ultimately, the universe can stay fair and balanced so long as good men fight to make it so. Now, that may not be true -- but that's the philosophy that keeps Matt sane. He has to believe that all the anguish he's endured in his life has some purpose, is part of some overall cosmic order -- because if it's not, then hello, insane asylum.
Daredevil is a character who's been through a lot in the last couple of years and it sounds like Andy Diggle is taking him on his first steps down the road to redemption in the current "Daredevil Reborn" mini-series. I understand you don't want to spoil Andy's story so you can't say much, but what sort of emotional state is Matt Murdock in when you begin this series?
Odd. Genuinely odd. He's returned to New York convinced he can go one of two directions: he can either keep wallowing in (justifiable) misery given the nightmares he's suffered, or he can put it all behind him and act like it's cool to just turn the clock back a few years. But it's not cool. His friends and his allies are annoyed and disturbed by Matt's attempts to hand-wave his recent actions away, and he's gonna find out pretty soon that it's not that easy to win back hearts and minds.
Tonally, it's still very much a crime series, but we're toning down the noir a bit and playing up the high adventure a bit more. He's the Man Without Fear. I want to see that constantly. I want to see him diving face-first into perils that would make Green Lantern shriek like a little girl.
How new reader friendly is this series? With Daredevil returning to New York, it seems like you'll be dealing with the fallout from "Shadowland." Is that correct?
Yes, but not physically, not directly. Emotionally. Enough time has passed since Matt's disappearance where Hell's Kitchen is basically back to normal. Not that he'd really notice -- because for the first time in ages, he's relocated uptown. And, again, this is a seemingly bizarre decision that will raise some eyebrows with his pals.
In terms of plot and theme, what is your first arc of "Daredevil" about?
Having returned to New York and reclaimed the Daredevil identity, Matt's trying to rebuild his law practice -- but it's going disastrously. Even if the majority of locals aren't totally convinced the rumors are true about him having a double identity, the attorneys he goes up against in court are eager to bring it up early and often to force mistrials or worse. Matt's doing his clients no favors by representing them -- so he has to find a new way to practice law, and I'm proud to say we've never seen it before in this series, and it really works.
Who are some of the supporting players you're interested in dealing with in "Daredevil?" Will we be seeing old favorites, entirely new characters or a mix of both? Will we also see some of the street-level heroes that have become linked with Daredevil such as the Black Panther and Spider-Man?
In time, sure. Spider-Man, in particular, is a gimme. In fact, you'll see lots of Marvel heroes because NONE OF THEM TRUST HIM RIGHT NOW given his various breakdowns. Several will be playing through in the first few issues as Matt works to reconnect with his peers. Trouble is, to them, Matt's become the guy who they like and root for but who they live in fear will disappoint them -- again. If you like David Duchovny in "Californication," you'll LOVE the new Matt Murdock.
In your opinion who are some of Daredevil's most interesting foes and do you have plans for these characters? Will you be leaving your own mark and adding some new rogues to his gallery?
No plans for the existing foes, except to say that -- with all due respect to the fantastic work of all my predecessors -- I can go a long, long time without ever seeing Kingpin or a ninja again. You'll see some new villains, but more interestingly, you'll see some Marvel bad guys who don't normally face off against DD. Artist Paolo Rivera, for instance, suggested Klaw, Master of Sound, and I got on that like black on a bowling ball.
Speaking of Paolo, you're working on "Daredevil" both with him and another exceptional artist, Marcos Martin. What do you feel they each bring to this book in particular? And will they be rotating in and out of the book on an arc-by-arc basis, or how is it set up?
Right now, the plan is to rotate them on an arc-by-arc basis, keeping the arcs fairly short, but both are working on issue #1, which has two separate stories. Man alive, you should see what they're doing. They're reinventing the entire visual language of the character!
How far along do you have your run on "Daredevil" planned out? Can you give us any hints or teases as to what kind of year 2011 will be for the Man Without Fear?
I'm on for the foreseeable future, and Steve and I have talked about the first year in some detail. I can't be too specific right away because we're trying to coordinate properly with the rest of the Marvel line, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt working with (or being drafted into?) one of the existing Marvel teams before long. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Vulture, Electro and Namor along the way, but no promises.
Any final thoughts you would like to share about your work on "Daredevil?"
Just that I don't think I've ever had this much fun writing a Marvel character, ever.


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Turnpike's 42" concrete median barrier
Extensive safety enhancement project on Boston Extension - In 2004 the Turnpike built a 42" concrete median barrier between the eastbound and westbound traffic lanes. "These are vital safety improvements" said Turnpike Chairman Matt Amorello. What the Turnpike builds between Lincoln Street and the Turnpike should be at least as safe.
Posted by Harry Mattison on 12/12/2005 10:31:00 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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VB code: String manipulation downloads
We have updated our string manipulation downloads with four new code snippets that help programmers reverse strings, use a delimiter to break a string into parts and more. Continue Reading
VB code: Data controls downloads
These VB code downloads let programmers control what goes into data boxes and how that information can be moved from one data box to another. Continue Reading
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These VB code downloads help developers create and organize the graphics that enhance an application's UI. Continue Reading
VB code: Application security downloads
These VB code snippets allow developers to enhance application security, strengthen passwords and encrypt messages. Continue Reading
VB code: New additions, June 2007
Our most recent VB code downloads, covering topics like database programming, graphics and WinForms, can all be found in this chart. Continue Reading
Database programming downloads from VBCode.com
In this feature, SearchVB.com highlights database downloads from our sister site, VBCode.com. Continue Reading
Learning .NET: Application development resources for the .NET Framework
Whether you're learning .NET or consider yourself a .NET Framework pro, these resources will augment your skills in areas like Ajax, Visual Studio and .NET 3.0. Continue Reading
Top Visual Basic code downloads of 2006
Here we highlight the 25 most popular VBCode.com downloads of 2006. There are numerous entries for enterprise, database and Web programming. Continue Reading
SearchVB.com's Top 10 Downloads of Fall 2006
Here we offer fast access to the 10 most popular downloads on SearchVB.com this October, November and December. Continue Reading
Recent VBCode.com downloads, December 2006
Here we highlight the latest downloads from VBCode.com, including TextBox controls, file management aids and a variety of security measures. Continue Reading
SearchVB.com's Top 10 Downloads of Summer 2006
Here we offer fast access to the 10 most popular downloads on SearchVB.com this July, August and September. Continue Reading
Extensible Object Markup Language Resource Kit
This quick reference links to tips and articles related to XOML, the Extensible Object Markup Language in Microsoft's Windows Workflow Foundation. Continue Reading
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Here we highlight the latest downloads from VBCode.com, including TextBox controls, file management aids and a variety of security measures. Continue Reading
Windows Communications Foundation Resource Kit
Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is Microsoft's unified programming model for building service-oriented applications with managed code. This resource kit is a starting point for those seeking information on WCF, formerly known as Indigo. Continue Reading
VBScript Resource Kit
Scripting languages will always be with us, and VBScript is among the most popular. Use this page as a handy starting point for VBScript learning. Continue Reading


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You said, we did! Following patient feedback we are pleased to be able to offer face-to-face GP appointments for non-urgent routine consultations. Call us on 01271 372672.
If your contact details have changed, please can you update Reception with the correct details for mobile, landline and email address if you have one. Can you also please ensure that you let Reception know if you are unhappy for us to text you.
Please note that all our telephone calls are recorded for training and security purposes.
Surgeries are held every morning and afternoon every weekday. Our telephone lines open at 08:15 Monday to Friday.
Outside of normal surgery hours, if you require medical advice, or, If you require medical assistance but it is not an emergency then call 111.
NHS 111 is free to call from both landlines and mobiles - for more information click here.
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
The Surgery will be closed on all bank holidays and public holidays. Please remember if you order repeat medications that your prescription may be delayed over this period, so we encourage our patients to order slightly earlier to take in to account the surgery closure dates.
All Surgeries within North Devon are closed for 1 afternoon per quarter for Doctor and Nurse training. The Surgery will be closed from 1pm on these days and all requests for medical attention will be handled by 111. The dates of these closures are as below:
Wed 22nd Jan 2020 1pm-6pm
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Standing at 6,288 feet, New Hampshire's Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern United States. Originally called Agiocochook by native Americans, the mountain boasts some of the planet's most severe weather.
Mount Washington's weather is notoriously extreme. In winter, Mount Washington experiences sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, snow and ice that essentially turn the peak into an Arctic outpost in a temperate climate zone. In fact, winter conditions at its summit can rival those of Mount Everest.
Mount Washington receives very high levels of precipitation — about 97 inches of precipitation per year on average. A large portion of this precipitation falls as snow. Just over 4 feet of snow fell during a 24-hour period on February 1969 — setting a record.
Hurricane force winds occur an average of 110 days per year. Mount Washington holds the Northern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere records for directly measured surface wind speed — 231 mph, which was recorded on April 12, 1934.
Not surprisingly, the historic, original structure at the summit is chained to the mountain to keep it in place during the most extreme conditions.
On January 16, 2004, the summit weather observation registered a temperature of −43.6 °F and sustained winds of 87.5 mph, resulting in a wind chill value of −102.59 °F on the mountain. During a 71-hour stretch from around 3 p.m. on January 13 to around 2 p.m. on January 16, 2004, the wind chill on the summit never went above −50 °F.
The official record high temperature at the summit is 72 °F on June 26, 2003 and August 2, 1975. The official record warm daily minimum is 60 °F. Readings of 60 °F or more at the summit are seen on an average 16 days annually.
According to the Mount Washington Observatory, more than a quarter million people visit the summit each summer by car, train, or foot. Whenever you visit, we recommend that you be prepared for weather extremes!


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No one disputes that Ryan McGowan had a thing for guns.
The onetime Sacramento County sheriff's deputy bought 41 handguns from 2008 through 2011, including high-powered weapons that were unavailable to the general public.
Federal prosecutors say the gun purchases reflected much more than McGowan's affinity for firearms. They allege the former deputy was part of a secret – and illegal – gun-dealing operation that involved three other officers from three different area law enforcement agencies.
The case, which began four years ago with undercover operatives and wiretaps, went to trial Monday before U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley in the latest step of what has been a twisting legal path.
The case against McGowan is a reprise of a 15-day trial held last year. That trial ended with the acquittal of one man accused of buying a weapon from the officers and a mistrial for McGowan and Robert Snellings Jr., 64, the firearms dealer alleged to have conspired with him. The jury could not reach a verdict against either of those defendants, leaving the government to try again in the case now in court.
To date, the only successful prosecution to come out of the investigation was a Sacramento Superior Court trial in which a jury found McGowan guilty of possessing an illegal shotgun and of providing a large-capacity ammunition clip to a federal undercover agent.
McGowan faced up to three years and eight months in prison; he got a 90-day jail sentence. Online court records show he served 30 days on the sheriff's work crew.
McGowan, who was fired from the Sheriff's Department, now faces a jury trial expected to last two to three weeks and hinge in part on testimony from Lu, his former colleague.
His lawyers have maintained that he simply was a gun enthusiast who picked up a few extra dollars – and sometimes lost money – buying and selling weapons through Snellings, a federally licensed firearms dealer.
Snellings' attorney, Patrick Hanly, has argued that his client believed he was conducting legal business and, if anything, fell victim to "the complexity of the gun laws in both California and nationally under federal law."


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Growing up in a family of scientists, it was natural for Terry De Gunzburg to begin her studies at medical school, but she abandoned that for the world of art and creation.
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Through another unexpected stroke of luck, she became a Studio Makeup Artist. One day when no one else was available, Maria Carita sent her to take charge of the makeup at a photo session: not only for Vogue magazine, but the Haute-Couture issue!
Not knowing precisely what was expected of her, she went straight to the honest essentials, concentrating on what she was best at, with perfect success. "An impeccable mouth, an invisible complexion, full, separate lashes… I focus on my know-how!" says TERRY.See all products
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Height:5 ft 4 in (162 cm)
Weight:110 lbs (49 kg)
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Former JPMorgan CIO Ina Drew has offered to return two years of compensation following the bank's multi-billion trading loss, CEO Jamie Dimon said on a conference call this morning.
Drew was a 30 year veteran at JPMorgan who was head of risk management.
She retired just days after JPMorgan revealed the trading loss in the chief investment office in London related to derivatives trades.
Get the latest JPM stock price here.