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Second-story men: Ellipsis everyone's cup of tea
DJ Ellipsis
Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
Saturday, May 17
The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar is (a) bazaar in both senses of the word. It is the only eatery/café not located at ground level on the Downtown Mall.
Walk-up stairs transport you to a world where the types of tea and methods of drinking it are as diverse as the clientele who patronize the joint. You can find gourds and teacups for sale, as well as various other tea-drinking-related paraphernalia. The décor is eclectic and ethnic with hanging plants, high backed chairs, and eastern artwork all over the walls. The atmosphere is calming and the staff welcoming.
In the last few months the Twisted Branch has been host to a few musical guests as colorful as the teas on the wall behind the bar. Not long ago, I caught three West Coast underground hip-hop acts there. It was quite an odd experience seeing them perform their rapid-fire lyrics over abstract beats to a small crowd of folk comfortably relaxing on couches drinking Yerba Mate shakes...
This time around the music was transplanted from the clubs of Orlando, Florida, in the form of DJ Ellipsis and his body-rocking Two-step and UK Garage selection. The deep kicks and snapping snares of Two-step and Garage unevenly stutter underneath a low rolling bass and various blips and other computer-generated effects.
It's a sub-genre that has recently been popularized with the success of British acts The Streets and Ms. Dynamite (who's rumored to be inking a deal with Dr. Dre). At first the scene was laid back as if people were hesitant to turn the docile venue into a full-blown dance party. That sentiment was soon lost as Ellipsis– with the help of MC Waterloo– laid on a barrage of infectious beats and dub-style vocals reminiscent of the London underground. It wasn't long before people had pushed tables to the side and turned the middle of the café into a dance floor.
Ellipsis' cool demeanor behind the boards contrasted with the hard edge of the music. He carefully selected and mixed tracks with the precision of a veteran. When the evening ended, the night manager had to fight to get people to leave. Everyone wanted more drink and more music.
Word has it that Twisted Branch will play host to many more events like this one. So if you're looking to be transported from the same old everyday Charlottesville lifestyle, you may want to tune in to what's going down above the Downtown Mall.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dropcam is a San Francisco, CA startup that provides video monitoring hardware and software so customers can view high-definition video from iOS and Android devices or the Internet. Consumers and small businesses can use Dropcam's video platform to monitor homes, offices, or pets. The company offers a free, real-time streaming service as well as Cloud Video Recording (CVR), a subscription service that gives users the ability to review stored footage over a 7 or 30-day period and make clips. Dropcam launched in 2009, and in 2013, received $30 million Series C funding round, led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), and with participation by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Accel Partners, and Menlo Ventures.
By 2011, Dropcam was storing up to 100 GB of data per customer each month. Initially, the company developed its own storage solution, which proved to be time consuming. "Storage was our biggest issue," says Greg Nelson, Vice President of Software Engineering. "We had to spend time architecting our storage solution, which made it difficult to scale." Additionally, Dropcam was renting services from a managed hosting provider and it would take close to 24 hours to onboard a new server.
While Dropcam considered other cloud providers, the company chose Amazon Web Services (AWS) because of cost and the maturity of AWS solutions. "We need to scale horizontally and can't afford single points of failure. The storage capability of Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and the elasticity of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) were the key reasons we chose AWS," says Nelson.
To avoid service interruptions, Dropcam migrated to AWS in stages. In the first phase, Dropcam modified its software for the cloud and ran its platform on both AWS and its other hosted environment. After migrating camera feeds to AWS, Dropcam switched customers over to AWS at the end of each subscription period. Nelson relates, "Overall, the transition took about 1½ months, without any impact to our customers." Dropcam took advantage of AWS Support, Developer level for help configuring Amazon EC2 instances.
Dropcam runs video streaming and storage servers on Amazon EC2 and Amazon S3, and uses Amazon DynamoDB to scale and maintain throughput. "DynamoDB grows with the number of cameras that are connected to the service," says Nelson. "Throughput is very steady as cameras come online. Growth in the amount of writes scales linearly with the number of cameras." Dropcam's developers don't have to write queries to horizontally partition databases, and report consistent and low latency with DynamoDB. "With our previous solution, it would take 5 to 10 seconds to load an event on a smart phone or on the web. By using DynamoDB, we reduced delivery time for video events to less than 50 milliseconds," says Nelson.
For CVR subscribers, the service splits video into blocks that are stored on Amazon S3 and captures metadata for motion detection and image analysis. Dropcam's engineers used Java and Scala to write in-house software to process and store video on Amazon S3 and to connect smartphones and computers to servers. When a user watches a live feed, the server acts as proxy for footage coming in from the camera and sends it out to the viewer. To watch stored footage, Dropcam reconstructs the video stream from the blocks stored in Amazon S3.
Dropcam uses a Python web framework for Dropcam.com and the API servers used by iPhone and Android applications. The stack includes a Postgres database running on an Amazon EC2 instance with Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS). All services run in multiple Availability Zones in the US East (Northern Virginia) Region. Figure 1 demonstrates Dropcam's environment on AWS.
By running on AWS, Dropcam can use scripts to automate AWS services and can scale horizontally by using Amazon S3 to split data into partitions. "We would have to hire an operations staff to scale if we kept using our previous solution," says Nelson. "We're a small start-up company focused on building software for the user. Leaving operations, storage, and servers to AWS helps us do that."
Using Amazon EC2, Dropcam can add compute capacity without a 24-hour delay. "We're running about 125 instances now and we launch new instances each week," Nelson relates. "Using AWS, we just run a script and a new server is ready in a couple of minutes."
Additionally, Dropcam developed a computer vision framework that uses algorithms to process streams of inbound data in real-time. If a change occurs outside of specified parameters, it's flagged as interesting and alerts the user. For example, a user would receive an alert if there were unexpected movement in the home. The Dropcam team originally used a Postgres database for analysis, but found that the database couldn't scale to meet their requirements, and switched to DynamoDB and Amazon EC2. "DynamoDB provides a fast and reliable data store that we can rely on to scale with the application," says Nelson. "DynamoDB is so fast, we don't have to use memcache to alleviate database load."
Dropcam has a continuous service model and takes advantage of Amazon EC2 Reserved Instances (RIs) to alleviate costs. "We have a consistent workload and using 3-year Heavy Utilization RIs matches our use case," says Nelson. "The discount ends up being around 67 percent, which is a big win for us."By running on AWS, Dropcam can use scripts to automate AWS services and can scale horizontally by using Amazon S3 to split data into partitions. "We would have to hire an operations staff to scale if we kept using our previous solution," says Nelson. "We're a small start-up company focused on building software for the user. Leaving operations, storage, and servers to AWS helps us do that."
To learn more about how AWS can help your web applications needs.


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Digest Comment - The Great Firewall Down Under
Australia Poised to Begin Internet Filtering Program Unprecedented in Scope for Modern Democracy By Debbie Rosenbaum Editorial Policy
If the presumption that democracy depends upon the widest possible access to uncensored ideas, data, and opinions is true, then there is cause for great alarm as one of our nation's closest democratic allies moves to drastically curtail this foundational freedom within its boarders. The Australian government will likely enact legislation that will make sweeping, compulsory Internet censorship a startling reality for all Australian citizens. Spearheaded by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and backed by $44.2 million from the government's $125.8 million Plan for Cyber-Safety budget, the planned filter (part of the NetAlert program) will render Internet access in Australia similar to that in Iran or China.
Australia's Federal Government announced its ambitious web censorship plan in December 2007. The goal of the program is seemingly well intentioned: to shield children from violent and pornographic sites. (See the Australian government's "Children Are Sacred" report, which discusses instances of child sexual abuse in the Northern Territories). The Family First Party, a relatively minor party with only one Member of Parliament, originally championed the filter, also known as the "clean feed" policy. The Party's proposal has earned wider support from both Senator Conroy and the Rudd-Labor Government. Senator Conroy is expected to call for bids from Australian software makers, and reportedly wants to begin live trials by the end of the year.
A filtering system of this scale faces significant barriers that may undermine the initiative's effectiveness. First, large numbers of citizens will potentially bypass the filter entirely using readily available software. The vocal and active communities that oppose Internet censorship will likely make anonymizer programs such as TOR readily available, which would allow users to easily bypass censorship filters. Surely, not every user will be sophisticated enough to implement such technology, but widely used peer-to-peer networks such as BitTorrent may provide another pathway for the exchange unfiltered data. In Australia, the majority of Internet traffic – and the bulk of illegal content – travels over peer-to-peer networks, which are unable to be censored by current filtering technologies. Second, the filtering program itself leads to negative externalities for all web users, including those that have no interest in the blocked content. Statistics suggest that about 1% of websites blocked by modern filters are blocked accidentally, thus creating unnecessary and unwarranted censorship, or "overblocking." Additionally, even as Internet users demand ISPs deliver content faster than ever before, government studies indicate the filter "would result in a slowdown [ranging] from 18% through to 78% of current, unfiltered speed."
To date, there is little detailed information available from the government about its filtering plans, but it likely will ultimately require ISPs to offer filtered Internet service to all homes, schools and public Internet points accessible by children. Experts believe the filter will impose a two-tiered censorship model. The first tier, mandatory for all covered Internet access points, would block "illegal" material; the second "optional" tier would block material deemed unsuitable for children, such as pornography, delivering only a "clean feed" service. If implemented, users would be able to opt out of only the secondary layer of the filter.
The mandatory filter targets "illegal content," a term that the government has not yet attempted to define. Family First supports blocking all pornography that may be accessible by children, but the probable scope of the statute itself remains unclear. How exactly will the government deal with content that exists in the gray area between clearly legal and clearly illegal? For example, material rated above R 18+, which is currently legal for Australian adults to view, could potentially fall under the mandatory blacklist and thus could not be accessed through any Australian ISP. Likewise, it remains unclear whether controversial subjects such as euthanasia, pro-anorexia, and online gambling will be included in the mandatory tier. While the exact composition of the tiers remains unresolved, early indications are that in the case of gray-area material, the filtering system will err on the side of blocking content. Such a vague statutory definition has the potential to create an ever-expanding filter that would have a devastating effect upon free speech in Australia.
By enacting such far-reaching, mandatory Internet censorship, Australia joins more repressive governments including those in China, Cuba, Iran and North Korea. China is by far the biggest offender when it comes to Internet censorship – the nation's Internet filtration policy is considered more extensive and more advanced than in any other country in the world. The Chinese government has a longstanding set of policies restricting the information to which citizens are exposed, and what they may say in public. Reporters Without Borders refers to China as the "world's biggest prison for cyber-dissidents."
Studies indicate that China blocks access to most websites about both Taiwan and Tibet. More than 60% of the first 100 Google search results for "Tibet" and 47% of "Tawian" are blocked. Preventing access to these sites is likely motivated by the government's efforts to combat independence movements in Tibet and democratic reform efforts. More broadly, China blocks most content regarding "human rights" or "democracy" that specifically reference the country. Critics of censorship worry that it contributes to human rights violations, and abuses of the right to freedom of expression and information, epitomized in the suppression of political speech. The situation in China demonstrates how Internet censorship can be used – and abused – for political manipulation.
Although the Australian Constitution does not have any express provision relating to freedom of speech, the country has made efforts to defend this fundamental right. For instance, Australia is a signatory to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ("ICCPR"), which seeks to guarantee everyone the right to freedom of expression. Although some parts of the treaty have been implemented into law in Australia, the government has not implemented the free speech provisions and therefore they are not technically enforceable by Australian courts.
In the United States, efforts to filter Internet content have not gotten very far. In Reno v ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1997),The Supreme Court found that all provisions of the Communications Decency Act ("CDA"), which made it a felony to use the Internet to display or send "indecent" material that could be seen by a minor, are unconstitutional as they apply to "indecent" or "patently offensive" speech. The Court supported the legislative goal of protecting children from exposure to adult material, but ruled that the provisions of the law unconstitutionally undermined the free-speech rights of adults and harshly refuted the government's defense of the Internet censorship law. In a separate concurrence, Chief Justice William Rhenquist and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor agreed that the provisions of the CDA are unconstitutional except in their narrow application to communications between an adult and one or more minors. The Supreme Court noted that broad filtering systems would place an unacceptably heavy burden on protected speech, and threaten a large segment of legal Internet use. The decision was praised for recognizing what Congress did not -- that speech cannot flourish under the shadow of censorship.
Digital media is a powerful platform for spreading political opinions, religious views, personal perspectives, and other core speech. Just a few years ago, the Internet was barely a part of political campaigning, yet it has become an important, low-cost tool for candidates and political activists all over the world to get their message out. For example, when the military government of Myanmar cracked down on protests by Buddhist monks in 2007, citizen journalists used blogs to share vital information -- acting as a vital resource for traditional news outlets. Even when nations disagree, the Internet allows dialogue to enhance understanding. Palestinian and Israeli children exchange videos documenting their daily lives. In Iraq, American and British soldiers -- as well as Iraqi citizens -- share their experiences with YouTube audiences around and the world.
As a new media technology, the Internet empowers people. It has provided access to information, unprecedented in its scope, low-cost, and speed. It has revolutionized communication across the globe, providing both feasible and inexpensive access for everyday people. If we accept the argument that uncensored speech is fundamental to a thriving democracy, then more is at stake than mere Internet censorship in Australia. All nations, organizations, and individuals who believe in the promise of free speech, and its broader importance to human rights, have an ethical obligation to oppose this Internet filter. Freedom of Speech is vital to freedom of thought, the engine of democracy. It helps drive innovation and the free exchange of ideas. We Americans, with our strong Free Speech tradition, have long reaped the benefits of an open society; the United States should especially oppose Australia's filtering proposal. Censorship of this magnitude in any democratic society is a threat to the citizens of every democratic society.
For more information, please visit:
Australian Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy The department responsible for implementing the two-tiered filtering program
NetAlert Program Homepage Programs currently available, for free, to Australian homes to allow voluntary filtering
Australian Communications Media Authority Australian regulatory body responsible for the Internet
No Clean Feed A website organized to educate and organize opposition to the filter
Electronic Frontiers Australia A pro-online civil liberties website featuring a useful F.A.Q. on the current state of the policy
Open Net Initiative Organization dedicated to investigating and exposing government Internet filtering programs


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Death Row Inmate Nicklasson Remains Optimistic
ST. LOUIS - Just hours away from his scheduled execution, Missouri death row inmate Allen Nicklasson is optimistic that his life will be spared.
Nicklasson is scheduled to die by injection at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for the 1994 murder of Richard Drummond, a businessman killed by Nicklasson and two other men after Drummond stopped to offer assistance when Nicklasson's car stalled on Interstate 70 in mid-Missouri.
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay on Monday, and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster appealed, seeking a hearing before the full appeals court. By mid-afternoon, no decision on the appeal had been made.
Nicklasson's attorney, Jennifer Herndon, says the 41-year-old inmate is in good spirits and happy, even as plans for the execution continue.
(A correction was made to this story: The Associated Press originally spelled the inmate's name "Alan" instead of "Allen").


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Welcome to Grand UK Hotels
At each of our hotels you'll enjoy the good company and hospitality of our friendly management and staff, and an extra specially warm welcome at any time of the year.
In the evening our hotels host a regular programme of entertainment, from live singers and comedians to sing-a-longs, dancing and competitions. And when it's finally time to retire at the end of a happy day, you can be sure that your bedroom is clean, comfortable, and complete with private ensuite facilities, colour television and tea and coffee making facilities. Most have direct dial telephone too.
Food is particularly important when you're on holiday, and at Grand UK Hotels you will not be disappointed. Start each day with a hearty breakfast, and in the evening look forward to a mouth-watering three course dinner guaranteed to satisfy the healthiest of appetites.


text: Often hailed as "the Mexican Madonna," Gloria Trevi is not only one of the most daring and cutting-edge Latin stars of all time -- she's also one of the most important, due to her sometimes sociopolitical music, which can be quite challenging and provocative. Trevi was born Gloria de los Angeles Treviño on February 15, 1968 in Monterrey, Mexico. Growing up, Trevi was not only interested in Latin music but was seriously into American and British rock and listened to Led Zeppelin, the Doors, Deep Purple, Pat Benatar, and Janis Joplin (among others) extensively. Against her mother's wishes, Trevi left home when she was only 12 and moved from Monterrey to Mexico City to pursue a career in the arts. At first, life in Mexico City was a struggle for Trevi, who survived by doing everything from singing on the streets for money to selling tacos; she also taught aerobics for a while. After briefly singing with the all-female group Boquitas Pintadas in the mid-'80s, Trevi became a full-time solo artist and recorded her debut solo album, Qué Hago Aqui?, in 1989. Released on an independent Mexican label, that album and its lead single, "Dr. Psiquiatra" (which made it to number one on the Latin charts), were a smash -- and in 1990, Trevi landed a deal with RCA/BMG's Latin division. By 1993 she had sold more than five million albums overall. The Mexican Madonna was selling out large venues all over Latin America, where she embraced mostly Spanish-language material but also performed covers of songs by Zeppelin, the Doors, and other English-speaking rockers on-stage. Between her albums, live performances, and racy pinup calendars (which sold millions of copies), someone who had been dirt poor as a child had become one of Mexico's wealthiest, most affluent and famous women. In the early '90s, Trevi was extremely controversial. The thing that made her so shocking to social conservatives in Mexico and other Latin American countries was her image -- an image as defiantly and blatantly sexual as Prince or Madonna. Like Madonna and Prince, Trevi promoted sexual freedom in a very in-your-face way. Trevi wasn't the only female artist of Mexican descent who was often compared to Madonna in the '90s; the late Tejano star Selena (a bilingual Chicana from Texas) was also described as one of Madonna's Mexican counterparts. But Selena, for all her sex appeal, was never as controversial or over the top as Trevi, whose live performances went out of their way to shock, taunt, and offend social conservatives. Trevi's antics included wearing a bandolier of condoms across her bare chest and bringing young male fans on-stage so that she could strip them down to their underwear. But there was more to Trevi than shock value and titillation -- much, much more. Her material often had a decidedly feminist outlook, and she brought a sociopolitical perspective to topics like drugs, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and abortion. Upsetting social conservatives was exactly what Trevi set out to do; in many respects, she was the Mexican equivalent of a riot grrrl. Some Latino journalists have compared her to Irish agitator Sinéad O'Connor -- a very outspoken feminist -- and Trevi was often quoted as saying that she hoped to run for president of Mexico someday. In fact, one of her pinup calendars depicted her as a nude presidential candidate. Más Turbada Que Nunca, released in 1994, became her fourth consecutive album to top the charts in Mexico, and two tracks hit the top of the Latin charts in America ("El Recuento de los Daños" and the title track to a film, "La Papa Sin Catsup"). Si Me Llevas Contigo was released the following year. In 2004, her sixth full album, Cómo Nace el Universo, became a big hit in both Mexico and the U.S., where it eventually reached platinum status. The live album La Trayectoria followed in 2007, as did another studio effort, Una Rosa Blu, which became her first to crack Billboard's Top 200. The self-titled Gloria followed in 2011, followed by a live album, a compilation and in 2013, De Pelicula. The album reached number two on various charts and topped others. Its success was in part due to the track "Libre Para Amart." Though it wasn't released as a single, it was performed by Trevi in her first starring role as Aurora Valencia, in the telenovela ¿Quién Mató a Patricia Soler? Trevi's next album, Amor, issued in August of 2015, topped the Latin albums charts. It was her second to do so after 2011's Gloria, and marked her tenth to make the Top Five. The hits compilation Pelo Suelto Con... Mis Número Uno followed in 2017. She and sister Latin rock legend Alejandra Guzman teamed for the studio effort Versus, issued in June on Sebastian Krys' Rebeleon Entertainment label. The album proved a vehicle for Latin American and U.S. tours of major arenas. It debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, the first ever collaborative date to do so. It marked Trevi's fourth number one and Guzman's first. In 2018 she was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. ~ Alex Henderson


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Washington State redshirt freshman Drew Loftus had a plan. He was "exhibiting signs of intoxication," so it was one of those plans, but it was still a plan: He would bide his time during the evening. Maybe have a couple extra drinks, to take the edge off. Wait until about 1 a.m—just when they least expect it. Walk casually into the Dissmore's IGA grocery store. Pick up some eggs—wink, wink. And then, when the time is right:
Pullman police said Loftus took the two bottles from the liquor aisle and attempted to hide them in the waistband of his jeans. He then purchased some eggs from the store.
Dissmore's employees noticed the tequila in his pants. The manager blocked him from exiting the store and notified police.
Loftus then attempted to return the tequila to the shelf, but Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said it was too late.
"You can't get more possession than shoving it down your pants," Tennant said.
Loftus, notes the story on The Daily Evergreen, was transported to the police station without the eggs.
Now, for motive: What would a Washington State football player want with two bottles of liquor?
WSU Football Player Arrested At Dissmore's For Attempted Theft Of Alcohol [Daily Evergreen]


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wedding dresses bloomington indiana
The one particular type of wedding dress that was once seen on every bride was the ballgown wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline. The sweetheart neckline combined with a dramatic ball gown skirt styled wedding dress was a signature style that many brides were seen wearing on their special wedding day. Although big ball gowns with sweetheart necklines were the big buzz back at one point, brides have evolved into something else with simpler silhouettes and more fashion forward designs. Most modern brides will lean towards an A-line, sheath, trumpet or fit and flare bridal gown shape. wedding dresses


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Pear Tart
Pear Tart
Do you want to impress without the effort? This is the dessert for you. The key ingredients for this recipe are a nice quality tart pan and the almond extract. It is a simple recipe that delivers on the flavor and the impression.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup plus
1 Tbsp sugar (reserve)
1 large egg
1/2 tsp almond extract
4 Barlett pears
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Spray with cooking spray, a tart pan (9 or 10 inch) with removable bottom. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy; beat in the egg and almond extract. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add the flour mixture, until fully incorporated (dough will be soft).
Spread the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan. Use floured fingers or a floured cup and even out the crust.
Peel, core and cut each pear into 1 1/2- to 2-in. wedges. Arrange pears (slightly overlapping) in a circular pattern with tips pointing toward center. Repeat in the opposite direction. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and remaining sugar.
Bake until the crust is golden brown and the pears are tender, 65 to 75 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour.
In a saucepan, heat the jam and lemon juice. Cook, stirring constantly, until the jam is melted. Brush the jam mixture over the tart.


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Blending Modes: NormalBy Nikolai Sklobovsky.
This mode is the first, default, and, as its name implies, is by far the most commonly used blending mode of all twenty two of them.
Lets see how it works.
First of all, as with all blending modes, you need to have at least two different layers (otherwise there is nothing to blend with). There are numerous ways to get those. You can start with a blank document, paint something, then add a new layer (a new layer is always created in Normal mode) and paint something else.
- selecting Layer|New|Layer menu command,
- pressing Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N,
- or, my personal favorite, by clicking the New Layer icon on the bottom of the Layers palette.
The reason I like it the most is the lack of the confirmation dialog. This button simply creates a new transparent layer and lets me go with my own business.
MaskingOpacity slider allows us to change the whole layers transparency level. But what if we want more control over it? Layer Mask to the rescue! Lets perform the Layer|Layer Mask|Reveal All menu command, or simply click on the Add Layer Mask icon located at the bottom of the layer palette. Nothings changed, except for the Layers palette structure yet... Note: there is a separate excellent tutorial on Masking availalble here.
The sky meets the groundYou dont always have to go through the channel copying. A lot of times the mask can be constructed in a much easier way. Lets consider a classic trick that can often replace a need for an HDR image Heres one of the typical original unedited raw shots where the sky and the ground provide two incompatible targets. The image looks totally flat and uninteresting. The two parts of the image require two different exposures and two totally different post processing methods for each to look nice, yet both are the parts of the same image. What do we do? Well, if you shoot JPEG, you better take two different shots, targeted carefully for each part of the future image and pray to Aperturia, the Muse of Photography that your settings were dialed in correctly. However, if you, like me, are shooting RAW its a childs play.
FillIf you take a closer look at the top of Layers palette, you will notice that right under the Opacity slider there is another one named Fill. Not only they do look similar, at first glance they also seem to work similar. In fact, you can redo all the above examples from this article using the Fill slider instead of Opacity and the results will be absolutely the same. So, whats the difference? The difference lies in a somewhat advanced issue called Layer Blending Styles. The topic itself is extremely large and cannot be covered in terms of this little tutorial. In fact were going to cover it later, style by style, once were done with the Blending modes. But as of now lets use one simple effect that would let us see the difference between the Fill and the Opacity.
Bottom LineNormal blending mode allows you to stack several layers on top of each other in a most intuitively understandable way, like the sheets of paper.
You can, however, modify this behavior by adjusting the Opacity of the layer, gain a greater control over the transparent areas by adding the Layer Mask, and if youre hardcore enough to work with the Layer styles, you can split the transparency control between the Opacity and the Fill sliders, the former affecting everything and the latter leaving the styles, or effects, unchanged.
You can discuss this tutorial or ask questions on Digital Grin.
Happy Blending!


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Kent State Game Watch Parties Scheduled for GoDaddy.com Bowl Game
Sunday, Jan. 6
Kent State University Game Watch Parties Scheduled for GoDaddy.com Bowl Game
After winning a program record 11 games, the Kent State Golden Flashes football team will take on Arkansas State on Sunday, Jan. 6, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Game. This is the third bowl appearance for the Golden Flashes. They attended the Refrigerator Bowl in 1954 and the Tangerine Bowl in 1972.
For fans unable to travel to Mobile, they can still cheer on the Golden Flashes with fellow Kent State supporters. The Kent State University Alumni Association will host game watch parties across the country in areas with larger populations of Kent State alumni, including Denver, Pasadena, Calif., Charlotte, N.C. and Raleigh, N.C. For Kent State fans in Ohio, there will be multiple watch party locations.
Visit www.ksualumni.org/bowlwatch for more information.
Jan. 6, 2013
Canton: 8:15 p.m., Jerzee's All American Bar & Grille, 2531 Fulton Road NW, Canton, OH 44718
Dayton: 8 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 2082 Alex Bell Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449
Lakewood: 8 p.m., Around the Corner, 18616 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107
Mayfield Heights: 8 p.m., The Boneyard, 5900 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44124
Middlefield: 8:30 p.m., El Patron Restaurant, 15585 W. High St., Middlefield, OH 44062
Warrensville Heights: 8 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 26200 Harvard Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44122
# # #
Media Contacts:
Lisa Mascellino, email@example.com, 330-672-5368
Emily Vincent, email@example.com, 330-672-8595


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Barbara Jane Mackle
On December 17, 1968, Barbara Jane Mackle, a student at Emory College and the 20-year-old daughter of a millionaire real-estate developer is kidnapped from the Rodeway Inn in Decatur, Georgia.
Mackle was sick with the flu, and her mother had driven to the Atlanta area to take care of her daughter and then drive her daughter back to the family home in Florida for the Christmas break. A stranger, Gary Steven Krist, knocked on the door claiming to be with the police, and told Mackle that a friend Stewart Hunt Woodward had been in a traffic accident.
Once inside, Krist and his accomplice, Ruth Eisemann-Schier, disguised as a man, chloroformed, bound and gagged Mackle's mother and forced Barbara Jane at gunpoint into the back of their waiting car, informing her that she was being kidnapped. They drove her to a remote area near South Berkeley Lake Road near Duluth and buried Mackle in a shallow trench inside of a fiberglass-reinforced box. The box was outfitted with an air pump, a battery-powered lamp, water laced with sedatives, and food. Two plastic pipes provided Mackle with outside air. Krist and Eisemann-Schier demanded and received a $500,000 ransom from Barbara Jane's father. The first attempt at a ransom drop was disrupted, when two policemen drove by. The kidnappers fled on foot and the FBI found their car, abandoned. Inside the car, the authorities found, not only documents giving Krist's and Eisemann-Schier's names and former addresses, they also found a photograph of Barbara Jane Mackle in the box holding a sign that read "Kidnapped."
The second ransom drop was successful. On December 20th, Krist called and gave to a switchboard operator of the FBI vague directions to Mackle's burial place. The FBI set up their base in Lawrenceville, and more than 100 agents spread out through the area in an attempt to find her, digging the ground with their hands and anything they could find to use. Mackle was rescued alive and unharmed. She had spent more than three days underground. Krist was soon arrested off the coast of Florida in a speedboat bought with part of the ransom money. Eisemann-Schier was arrested 79 days later. She was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, paroled after serving four years. Krist was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1969 but was released on parole after 10 years. Krist received a pardon to allow him to attend medical school. He practiced medicine in Indiana before his license was revoked in 2003 for lying about disciplinary action received during his residency. In March 2006, Krist was arrested on a sailboat off the coast of Alabama for smuggling drugs and was sentenced to five years in prison but released in November, 2010. After the ordeal, Mackle wrote a book about her experience: 83 Hours 'Til Dawn, published in 1971.
Visit Michael Thomas Barry's official author website – www.michaelthomasbarry.com & order his true crime book, Murder & Mayhem 52 Crimes that Shocked Early California 1849-1949, from Amazon or Barnes & Noble through the following links –
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mayhem-Shocked-California-1849- 1949/dp/0764339680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352214939&sr=8-1&keywords=michael+thomas+bar
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-and-mayhem-michael-thomas-barry/1110912205?ean=9780764339684


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Senior art history and creative writing students read selections from "Compendium 2008," an anthology of their writing and images.
Current Perspectives – visiting artist and scholar series
Nathan Mabry ('01 ceramics)
"The Big Draw," day-long event of drawing activities for all ages.
Urban walking tour
A guided tour of art-related sites in the Southmoreland Neighborhood, hosted in conjunction with Urban Culture Project's Locate/Navigate: Exercises in Mapping.
"Artists Engaging Communities"
Educator ArtLab with visiting artist Mel Ziegler
Lecture by visiting artist Mel Ziegler
Gallery talk with Judy Ancel, director of The Institute for Labor Studies, a joint project of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Longview Community College
"Rules of Engagement: A Roundtable Discussion on Art and the Public Realm"
Co-organized by the H&R Block Artspace, the Kansas City Art Institute, American Institute of Architects, Art in the Loop and Kansas City's Municipal Art Commission.
Gallery talk with Michael Frisch, assistant professor of architecture, urban planning and design at UMKC.
Gallery talk with Christopher Leitch, director of The Kansas City Museum
"America Starts Here: Mel Ziegler" and "Public Art" on the Heartland Labor Forum radio program with Judy Ancel on 90.1 FM KKFI
The Kansas City Art Institute's viewbook provides an overview of KCAI's academic programs, students, faculty, alumni and campus. Download the viewbook here (PDF)


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by Lou Mancinelli
The debut novel "Extraordinary Renditions" (Coffeehouse Press, 2010, $14.95) by Roxborough's Andrew Ervin, 42, was greeted with a chorus of acclaim that would undoubtedly warm the heart of even the most successful best-selling authors.
According to a typical accolade in the New York Times, one of many rave reviews, "The variety of viewpoints and the author's evident intimacy with an ancient foreign capital are promising, and Ervin makes it plain that he is taking on weighty themes: history, empire, race, the power of art."
A review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune insisted, "Ervin keeps his emotionally and politically fraught setting animated, thanks largely to his skill at inhabiting each of his characters. . . . [Extraordinary Rendition's] ending makes a poignant case for the power of art in an age of war."
Publishers Weekly selected it as one of the best books of 2010. The Huffington Post called it one of the year's most memorable works of fiction. Ervin's own book reviews have appeared in The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and elsewhere.
"Extraordinary Renditions" is actually a collection of three novellas. In one, Lajos Harkályi is a Holocaust survivor and world-renowned composer who has returned to Budapest to premiere his final opera, the melody from a lullaby his mother sang to him before she was taken to a concentration camp. In the second, Private First Class Jonathan "Brutus" Gibson is being blackmailed by his commanding officer at the U.S. Army base in Hungary. In the third, aspiring musician Melanie Scholes is preparing for the most important performance of her career as a violinist in Harkályi's opera.
In "Extraordinary Renditions" Ervin has sought to create a story reflective of real life in which there is no main character but rather a web of players. The seeds of this story were planted when Ervin moved to Budapest in 1994 with his then-girlfriend (now his wife) after graduating from Goucher College in Baltimore with a degree in philosophy and religion the previous year.
Ervin launched his career as a writer not in Philadelphia but in Budapest, where he found work writing for English-language papers. He also worked as a tutor and eventually for an internet company creating video games. After five years in Hungary, Ervin moved back to Philadelphia with his wife in 1999, but a high-paying e-commerce gig "slowly turned into another shithole job." He hated the way he felt at the end of the day after the drive home from King of Prussia on I-76."I didn't like the idea of working for money-grubbing weasels," said Ervin.
By 2001 he had fought off and turned away from the corporate world. He proceeded to earn a master's degree in English and creative writing at Illinois State University. By 2008 he had added an MFA in creative writing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UI). While he studied, his wife, the flutist Elivi Varga, also studied for her doctorate in music at UI.
After grad school, Ervin taught for two years at Louisiana State University. The whole time he had been publishing book reviews. His first ran in Budapest. When he moved back to Philly, he contacted the City Paper, which published some of his reviews. Since then, Ervin has gone on to receive steady assignments, and his literary reviews appear in major publications. He is also an adjunct professor at Temple University, where he teaches creative writing.
Ervin maintains an interesting position in the literary world. He is both a published critic and an author, and has thus seen the publishing world from both ends. He used to read unsolicited submissions at The Southern Review, LSU's literary journal.
While technology may seem to be leading creative young people to film or other mediums, for Ervin the novel is still, and will remain, a potent form. "The novel is not going to go away but it is going to be joined," he said.
As it were, becoming "joined" is also a theme of "Extraordinary Renditions." Before the book begins, it poses a quote from Hungarian philosopher and literary critic, György Lukács, that asks, "Who was to save us from Western civilization?"
For Ervin the quote serves as both a piece of humor and a poignant message about the modern world. The local author wanted the quote to remind the reader of the effect of the Americanization of eastern Europe. The effects of the transition from communist to capitalist. "The quote speaks to being aware of the influence America is going to have abroad," Ervin said.
For more information, visit andrewervin.com. "Extraordinary Renditions" can be ordered at coffeehousepress.org/shop/extraordinary-renditions/


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Not everyone wants to buy a new TV just to get access to all the latest smart TV streaming media features. And you don't have to. A streaming media player, like Roku 3, Amazon Fire TV, Nexus Player, or Apple TV can provide nearly all (or sometimes more) of the streaming media services and games that a smart TV includes built in, and they're only $99 or less.
So if you want to add streaming audio and video to your home AV system, you now can choose between a small set-top-box (why do we still call them that when they don't sit on top of TV sets anymore?) player, or a stick version that connects directly to the TV's HDMI port. Roku 3 or Roku Stick? Fire TV or Fire TV Stick? If you're stuck between a stick and box, here are some considerations before you buy:
Price - The first thing you'll notice when comparing a streaming box to its streaming stick sibling is the cost. A Roku 3 box costs $99, as does the Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV (Apple doesn't have a stick version, yet). The Roku stick is only $50, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is $39, and the Google Chromecast is only $35. On price alone, it seems like the stick is the much better deal.
Connections - All three of the streaming media sticks require one HDMI port to connect to a TV, plus a free USB port on the TV to connect for power. If your TV doesn't have an available USB port, then a wall plug adaptor can also be used. To connect to your broadband network for streaming, all three sticks use Wi-Fi. If your Wi-Fi connection is strong, then you may be satisfied with that; however, for more reliable streaming, especially for high-definition movies and games, a wired Ethernet connection to your router is better, and for that you need the box versions of Roku or Fire TV, not the stick. Both the Roku 3 player and the Fire TV box include an optical audio output, which can be plugged directly into your AV receiver. This is useful if you have an older receiver or can't use the receiver's HDMI connection, but still want the best sound experience from your system (most audio return channel outputs on TVs downconvert the surround sound audio to stereo).
Size - The size of a streaming stick is one of its best features. They're about the size of a USB thumb drive, so they're completely out of sight when plugged into an HDMI port on the back of the TV. With a streaming media box you need someplace to place the box. If you rely only on antenna and streaming, you can have a TV with no attached boxes to worry about. The size also makes them easily portable. You can buy one stick and move it around to the various TVs in your house without much trouble. They're also easy to take with you on trips or visits (you'll only need to reconfigure the wireless connection).
Remotes - Here's an area where the boxes rule. First, Chromecast doesn't have a remote. You use your smart phone as the remote, and for some people, the convenience of that will be great. If you like a good remote, though, then you should opt for a streaming box over a streaming stick. Let's take Roku first, The Roku 3 comes with a small, but very good, Bluetooth remote with an included headphone jack (and some cheap purple earbuds). The remote that comes with the Roku Stick does not include a headphone jack. Amazon's Fire TV comes with a nice remote that includes a microphone for voice search. The stick version of Fire TV also has a remote, but the voice search feature is omitted. The remote on the Nexus Player also supports voice search.
Speed and Power - If you're an impatient person, the speed factor might be a deal-breaker for you. In order to make the streaming media players small and less power hungry (and cheaper) they don't have nearly the processing power and memory of a streaming media box. This will make them slower when launching apps and searching content. It can also impact gaming. In fact there are games the Fire TV stick can't play but the Fire TV box can. Also, if you power your stick with one of your TV's USB ports, it will need to completely boot up each time you turn the TV on, which could take a few minutes. The box version are always plugged into a wall and always on.
Content - With a few exceptions in video games, the content on streaming media sticks vs. streaming boxes is identical. There is one issue that might convince you to purchase that new TV instead, and that's 4K. Currently there is no streaming media device (except Sony's $699 FMP-X10, and that's primarily a hard-drive video server) that can deliver Ultra HD 4K video. A company called Nanotech has been promising one for a year, but it's still not available. If you want to watch streamed 4K video from Amazon, Netflix or any of the other services that will be coming online this year, you need to use the app built directly into the TV. Will Roku, Apple, and Amazon eventually come out with 4K video players? Probably, but not so far.
So which wins, the Roku 3 or Roku Stick? The Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick? Google Chromecast or Apple TV? That largely depends on how you use the system and what you want to get out of it, but understanding the factors above should make the decision easier for you.
This article was originally published by our content partner EH Network.


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Friday Night Fright (Orphanage)January 26, 2016
For those looking for the ULTIMATE GHOSTLY ADVENTURE, we have a dare for you to spend Midnight in a Haunted House. This challenge could take you INSIDE the Haunted Orphanage on Friday Nights or The Jennie Wade House on Saturday Nights. This is a DRAMATIC 90 minute adventure INSIDE a truly Haunted House where you will encounter a "GHOST" guide who will attempt to Scare You To Death with some of the Most Terrifying Stories Imaginable!
Did we forget to tell you that the LIGHTS GO OUT AT MIDNIGHT! So Beware!
The Orphan Adventure (Friday Night Fright) is held every Friday Night April 1st through November 4th, The Jennie Wade Adventure (Saturday Night Suspense) is held every Saturday Night beginning April 2nd through November 5th.
**Either Tour may not be suitable for young children**


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Demand for gold coins in the US has soared since the presidential election, as small investors fret about the lack of action to address America's ballooning debt.
The US Mint's sales of American Eagles, one of the most popular gold coins, leapt 131 percent in November, hitting their highest level in more than two years. The Royal Canadian Mint also had its strongest month of sales this year.
Terry Hanlon, president of metals at Dillon Gage, one of the largest bullion dealers in the country, said sales had risen sharply "within a day or two" of the election.
"You've got a lot of people who are very worried about the economy. With the election they saw that nothing was going to change," he said.
While coins are a small part of the overall gold market, the jump in sales highlights gold's role as the favored investment of disenchanted Americans. The political gridlock in Washington and the prospect of further quantitative easing when the Federal Reserve's "operation twist" expires at the end of this year have fuelled demand for precious metals among small investors.
"They don't believe in Uncle Sam any more," said the head of precious metals at a large bank.
Tobina Kahn, who runs a jewelery dealership in Chicago, said: "Obama did me a favor in some ways. Now people are buying gold and jewels not because they like them but because of fear. They're trying to protect their wealth."
Despite the increase in coin purchases, the gold market has struggled for momentum in recent weeks. Prices last week dropped below $1,685 a troy ounce for the first time in a month and some hedge funds have begun to lose patience with the precious metal's lacklustre performance.
"The institutional investors cut back and are more on the sidelines now," said James Steel, head of precious metals strategy at HSBC in New York. "But the coin market is dominated by retail investors and the man on the street is still pretty committed to gold."
The jump in sales of American Eagles was amplified by a rush among dealers to stock up before the end of the year when the US Mint switches production from "2012" to "2013" coins.
But dealers said the rise in sales largely reflected a big increase in demand. Mr Hanlon said that Dillon Gage had record sales volumes on several days in November and that overall sales had risen 32 per cent by volume from October's levels.
Other mints also witnessed a buying spree. "November was a very strong month for gold Maple Leaf sales," said Chris Carkner, head of bullion sales at the Royal Canadian Mint, whose Maple Leaf coins are one of the world's top gold coins by circulation along with American Eagles.


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Probably everyone has heard about federal and state crimes but the majority of people doesn't differentiate them. Let's make it clear and define both of the terms.
Federal crime is an illegal act that is made against U.S. federal legislation and is prosecuted by federal criminal law. Federal crimes are investigated by:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
When federal cases go to trial they are prosecuted by United States Attorney in each judicial district in accordance with already established laws. Federal crimes can range from illegally downloading songs from Internet to RICO, drug trafficking, corruption or immigration crimes.


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A sweet octogenarian waiting for her appointment suddenly developed chest pain and shortness of breath in the lobby.
Mary, knowing how good Pissy and I are at handling REAL medical emergencies, immediately called 911. I'd run over to the hospital for a minute, and so the staff got him to check her blood pressure and hold her hand until paramedics arrived.
By the time I returned paramedics were loading her onto a stretcher to go to ER.
She immediately grabbed my hand and said "Dr. Grumpy, I'm so glad to see you. Before I leave could you get me more samples of Nomohurtz? It seems to be helping."


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Autumn School on Correlated Electrons:
Emergent Phenomena in Correlated Matter
- Anfang
- 23.09.2013
- Ende
- 27.09.2013
- Veranstaltungsort
- Forschungszentrum Jülich
Emergent phenomena are the hallmark of many-body systems, and yet to unravel their nature remains one of the central challenges in condensed-matter physics. In order to advance our understanding it is crucial to learn from the different manifestations of emergence as well as from the interplay of different emergent phases, such as magnetism and superconductivity. For addressing such problems, it is necessary to master a broad spectrum of techniques from traditionally separate branches of research, ranging from ab-initio approaches based on density-functional theory to advanced many-body methods to electron-lattice coupling and dynamics. In this school we aim to analyze emergence in some of its major manifestations in the solid-state and compare methodologies used to address specific aspects. The aim of the school is to introduce advanced graduate students and up to the essence of emergence and the modern approaches for modeling emergent properties of correlated matter.
Fax: +49 2461 61-2620
E-Mail: email@example.com


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For the week ending 26 May 2007 / 9 Sivan 5767
Help for the Disabled
Concern for the ability of disabled people to use public buildings has led to the widespread installation of ramp entrances and accessible bathrooms.
Such features, however, seem to be sorely lacking in most Israeli synagogues. A recent survey of 80 synagogues revealed that 94% of them lack a ramp or special bathroom and 70% of them lack both.
Ma'agalei Tzedek, the organization which conducted the study, has joined forces with other social and religious organizations in an effort to raise national sensitivity to the problems faced by the disabled in coming to the synagogue.
In a Jerusalem Post article of February 16, 2007, Ma'agalei Tzedek is described as "an organization established by religious Zionist youth who want more emphasis put on issues of social justice and not just the Greater Israel settlement ideal."


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But before we give over to her...a reminder! My Blog's sidebars on both sides have links to follow KATE WALKER and CHRISTINA HOLLIS blog tours for MEGA GIVEAWAYS! Follow and Comment for giveaways and to go in the Grand Prize Draw!
So over to Michelle now....
Michelle Style on the Web:
Website Blog Facebook Twitter
Thank you Michelle for being with us here and for this giveaway!


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Recognition of Perfection before Attaining it
It is obvious that man's actual perfection, i.e. moral perception and intuitive knowledge, is possible only for those who have reached it. But as the attainment of voluntary perfections depends on knowledge and awareness, it is necessary that these perfections be somehow recognized beforehand, so that they would become favourable and voluntary, and be obtained by choice and will-power. If the means of recognizing them was exclusive to findings, their acquirement would never be possible.
Thus, the recognition needed beforehand is not of the intuitive type. It is rather the same subjective recognition and is termed as 'acquired knowledge' which is obtained through reasoning and deduction from rational premises or inference from indisputable historical principles. Basically, this discussion is for researchers who intend to recognize perfection and to find a way to reach it. One who has reached true perfection is no longer in need of such discussions.
Therefore, expecting to recognize the truth of human perfection prior to reaching it in the same way that we recognize our own moral perceptions is totally out of place. We have no choice other than finding a subjective, and not an intuitive knowledge towards it by way of reasoning and realizing its specifications by the aid of reason and tradition.
Of course, we will try to select the preliminaries of reasoning from the simplest and clearest positive and moral teachings, so that both the conclusion would be clearer and more assuring; and the benefit would be more general. But, in the meantime, we will also refer to some traditional reasonings or to more complex rational proofs well.
Can Man's True Perfection Be Recognized by Experience?
One might possibly reflect that in the same manner that the perfection of a tree or an animal can be recognized through experience and experimentation, in the case of man too, the issue can be solved with the help of scientific experimentation.
That is to say, can a large number of people be subjected to experimentation at various times and in different places so as to see what perfection they reach and what their ultimate limit is? And with this very means, one can retrace the criteria of development and the way of reaching ultimate perfection.
But a little deliberation indicates that the issue on man is not so simple because primarily all kinds of vegetations and animals are inferior to man in terms of existential perfections. For this reason, all human beings could recognize and investigate their perfections, but those human beings who have not attained true perfections could not basically understand the origin of these perfections and the ones who possess them. In this respect, they resemble children who want to test a perfection exclusive to mature people. Rather only experts who have, at least realized the primary degrees of man's true perfection can have a share in this investigation.
Secondly, the perfection of every type of vegetation and animal has a specific and limited boundary which can be easily learned and recognized. Over the centuries, no difference in terms of type of perfection and its ultimate limit has been seen among the members of one species. In this way, by examining a number of them, one can become confident that their typical perfection is that which has been recognized so far; for instance, the perfection of an apple tree is to bear a fruit with a specific flavour, colour, fragrance and size. Or the perfection of the honeybee is to live according to a particular system and to produce a sweet and fragrant fluid called honey.
Of course, it is possible that apple and honey possess properties and advantages which man has not realized as yet. But whatever these advantages are, they belong to the apple and the honey which this tree and animal have (respectively) produced all through the centuries. But when we glance at man - this strange and mysterious being - we find that despite his relatively small size and his similarity with other animals in many material ways, he has features which make him completely distinguished and distinct. It is man whose existential secrets are diurnally unveiled and who divulges a new facet of his skills. It is man who has not stopped moving and changing for a minute since creation.
Each day man makes more apparent the various manifestations of his teachings and industries all over the world. Still these salient and astonishing developments are all the material fruit of this wonderful tree; yet the recognition of its moral fruit is not so easily possible. It might be that man's spiritual and moral wonders are greater than his material ones as those who tread the world of spirit express matters which cannot be understood by others and perform acts which cannot be justified and rationalized with material laws and which can in no way be denied. With all this in view, can one say that recognition of man's existential limits is thoroughly practicable in the same way that the perfection of vegetations and animals is realized?
Thirdly, only sense perceptions can be directly put to examination while spiritual perfections and moral virtues cannot be directly experimented and weighed. Even if the signs of many of them can, to some extent be experimented, indeed the recognition of the spiritual source from which these signs originate and the evaluation of its perfection cannot be experimented.
With respect to the afore cited points, it is not strange that philosophers and scientists are in disagreement over the recognition of man's actual perfection.
Views of Philosophers on Man's Perfection
With regard to differences which philosophers and thinkers have in their world views, it is natural that they should express different views about man. But analysis of all these views and of their relationship with various isms renders no significant benefit. For this reason, we will suffice with only mentioning a few basic views.
(1) Man's perfection is obtained by ever more enjoyment of material pleasures. To reach them, one must employ learning and technology to reap benefit from natural resources and riches, so that a more peaceful and enjoyable life would be procured. This view is based on materialism, Epicureanism and individualism.
(2) Man's perfection rests on the collective enjoyment of natural blessings. And to reach it, effort must be made for the welfare of all classes of society. The difference between this view and the former one is that this view is based on socialism.
(3) Man's perfection is in spiritual and moral progress which can be attained through mortification of the flesh and struggle against material pleasures. This view is the exact opposite of the preceding ones.
(4) Man's perfection is in intellectual progress which is obtained by way of learning and philosophy.
(5) Man's perfection is in intellectual and moral development which is attained through learning the sciences and acquiring virtuous habits. The last two views, like the third one, are inconsistent with materialism with this difference that in the third view, man's body is considered an enemy which must be fought and by victory over which (one can) reach human perfection. In the last two views, however, the body is deemed a device which must be employed to reach perfection. The difference between the fourth view and the fifth one is obvious but at times, the fifth view is regarded as the interpretation of the fourth view.
Evidently, each of the aforementioned views, as well as other views not put forward here, are based on particular philosophical principles which must be considered beforehand, pursuit of them requires a series of profound philosophical discussions which are not in tune with the trend of this discussion. As we noted in the introduction, the method of discussion here is to use the clearest moral and positive learning and to abstain from complex reasonings which necessitate a great deal of preliminary arguments. In this way, the discussion will be more advantageous, that is to say, people who are not too familiar with philosophical issues and traditional reasoning, can reap benefit from it.
Moreover, in the twists and turns of reasonings in which naturally, inclinations to a particular philosophical movement and a specific principle are found, we would not face the reaction of the proponents of other philosophical movements and the bias of the opponents. Furthermore, so long as there is the possibility of (going on) a short cut and a direct path, there is no use in treading crooked and inconvenient paths.
For this reason, we will try not to conduct the reasoning for the recognition of man's true perfection on specific philosophical bases which are accepted by only some movements or on specific verbal views which are acceptable for only a particular group. We will rather start the discussion from the simplest and clearest of our own learnings with regard to man. It is evident that the requisite of starting off from such preliminaries is not that in the course of reasoning and deduction no confrontation with some philosophical views would occur and that the conclusion drawn from the discussion would be accepted by all movements and religions. Such an expectation is principally like expecting the agreement of contradictory things which is necessarily impossible.


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Australian author Bryce Courtenay, best known for his novel The Power of One, has died with his family and pets by his side. He was 79.
The writer of bestsellers such as The Potato Factory, Jessica, and Tommo & Hawk, died at 11.30pm on Thursday at his Canberra home.
Courtenay did not let his fight with stomach cancer slow him down, with his final book, Jack of Diamonds, was released only 11 days ago by Penguin.
The South African-born author left his final word in a moving epilogue in this last book.
Courtenay wrote: "It's been a privilege to write for you and to have you accept me as a storyteller in your lives. Now, as my story draws to an end, may I say only, Thank you. You have been simply wonderful."
Courtenay's widow Christine has expressed her gratitude for the support she's received.
"We'd like to thank all of Bryce's family and friends and all of his fans around the world for their love and support for me and his family as he wrote the final chapter of his extraordinary life," she said in a statement released by Penguin Australia on Friday.
"And may we make a request for privacy as we cherish his memory."
Penguin Australia chief executive officer Gabrielle Coyne paid tribute to Courtenay's energy and commitment.
"It has been our great privilege to be Bryce's publisher for the past 15 years. We, as well as his many fans will forever miss Bryce's indomitable spirit, his energy and his commitment to storytelling," Coyne said in the statement.
Courtenay's long-standing publisher at Penguin Bob Sessions noted that the late novelist took up writing in his fifties, after a successful career in advertising.
"His output and his professionalism made him a pleasure to work with, and I'm happy to say he became a good friend, referring to me as Uncle Bob, even when we were robustly negotiating the next book contract," Sessions said.
"He was a born storyteller, and I would tell him he was a latter-day Charles Dickens, with his strong and complex plots, larger-than-life characters, and his ability to appeal to a large number of readers."
Courtenay is survived by Christine, who is his second wife, his sons Brett and Adam, and grandsons Ben, Jake and Marcus. His other son Damon died in 1991 from AIDS-related complications arising from a blood transfusion.


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Sebastian Stan played his share of bad boys battling their demons, including Carter Baizen in "Gossip Girl," Blaine in "Hot Tub Time Machine" and Jack in NBC's short-lived "Kings."
Now he gets to step it up in the USA Network drama "Political Animals", playing not just a bit of a bad boy, but a bad boy in a really intense place. He brings to life T.J. Hammond, son of Elaine Barrish Hammond (Sigourney Weaver), who is a former first lady, unsuccessful presidential candidate and now secretary of state.
As a member of one of the country's most scrutinized families and the first openly gay son of an American President, T.J. has spent his life trying to please others while attempting to find a place for himself in the world.
For Stan, 28, doing the six-part series has been an opportunity to find himself in a very pleaseant world, working with the likes of Weaver and Ellen Burstyn, who plays his grandmother.
Tell us a little about your character in "Political Animals"?
T.J. is constantly trying to find himself in different situations. Whether it is with his parents or simply wherever he is constantly trying to understand his surroundings and find his footing. He feels he is a representative or spokesperson for his family – the pressure of that weighs on him and leads to a more intense, insane kind of lifestyle with his substance abuse.
In the series, T.J. is the first openly gay child in the White House. He struggles with drugs and alcohol. How did you avoid clichés when approaching the character?
It's very important to mention that [show creator] Greg Berlanti wrote these people as people. There was nothing about it that was caricature. I was very lucky – for various reasons – but I had a script in front of me that was a map to follow. So that was already never going to lead me to a stereotype. At the same time, I personally thought that instead of dealing with how he has these issues and how he's going to be a crazy person, the truth of the matter is it is another character that strives to be loved. And to give love.
So I simply avoided thinking about the other things and just followed the greatly written text. And tried to remember that this is someone who just wants to belong in the world that's closing in on him.
This is Sigourney Weaver's first foray into television. What was it like to work with her?
As an actor she's very perceptive, intuitive and instinctive. Overall, towards me, she was a mother figure. It was just so funny because we would do a scene and sometimes she would come up to me afterwards and there would be something she would do, like grab my earlobe or tap me on the chest, and it was just the way that it was in the scene – she really embraced all of us. It was really wonderful working off of somebody of that stature who was so giving.
Well it's pretty cool to have Sigourney Weaver playing your mom and Ellen Burstyn playing your grandmother.
Absolutely. I told Ellen she has one of the best, most incredible smiles I have ever seen. When she smiles you feel like something is right in the world.
You only recently finished filming, correct?
Like this last weekend, this past Saturday! We had long, often 14 hour days, but it really was like working with family.
"Political Animals" deals with the press intrusion on the family's life. How do you feel about all the media attention you receive now?
We now live in a world where everyone is a target, everyone's being monitored in some way. It applies to everyone. You strive to do something right in the world and hope it lands the correct way but everyone has their own opinion. My point is everyone has an outlet to speak about something these days. It's out my control so why should I judge that or pay attention to it. So I don't.
Do you read what is written about you?
No. T.J. would read all that. He would be somebody who constantly reads what people are saying about him. Where was he at, what was he doing there. He's also constantly trying to cover his tail. In his mind he is thinking, 'I went to a club last night. What happened? Who saw me? What are they saying? Did I do something wrong? Because I can't remember because I was a lunatic last night.' He's struggling with addiction in the public eye so someone like that would definitely read everything said about him.
What's with all the bad boy roles?
[Laughs] I have absolutely no idea. It's not me. I can't even walk down the street in New York and hold an ice-cream cone without dropping it or having it drip on me. Everything I try and do in my work is very different than how I am and how I feel and how I lead my life. I'm interested in characters and people who are striving at something that is ultimately good, but they're having a hard time doing it.
I'm trying to see the humanity in it but ultimately they're just more fun to play. They really are.
"Political Animals" airs Sundays at 10 ET/9 C on USA.


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Peoria and a handful of other Tri-County municipalities have not adopted their own ordinances banning smoking. Without those laws, those municipalities could lose out on half of the revenue from fines, which will go to the state. Most government officials are awaiting clarification about the ban's rules.
When the Peoria City Council failed to get enough votes to pass a local ordinance enforcing the state's smoking ban, at-large Councilman Eric Turner cringed.
"We as a council kind of stand out as idiots on what we did," Turner said about a Dec. 17 decision to not adopt a local ordinance allowing 100 percent of revenue from smoking ban fines to go to the city's coffers. "I don't like doing little things that makes us look different in the state."
Peoria, however, is not alone in not having a local ordinance mirroring the state's Smoke Free Illinois Act that goes into effect midnight on Jan. 1.
A check of some of the larger communities in the Tri-County Area shows that very few governmental bodies have adopted ordinances allowing their communities to recover 100 percent of the fine from a smoking ban ticket. Instead, as it stands now, 50 percent of the ticket will go to the municipality where it was served, while the balance goes to the state.
In addition, without local ordinances, tickets will be referred to state's attorney's offices for prosecution. How those tickets will be handled in Peoria County and elsewhere remains unknown.
Most governmental officials are awaiting clarification about the smoking ban's rules and others issues surrounding it from the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bipartisan legislative oversight committee of 12 legislators.
But the committee doesn't meet until Jan. 9. It is reportedly considering a second draft of rules that could pertain to prosecution and including how outdoor beer gardens are regulated.
"There is going to be confusion on this whole thing until people make some mistakes and it gets ironed out," said Turner, who also serves as the city's acting liquor commissioner and would, under a local city ordinance, handle some of the smoking violations. "There is no municipality that thoroughly understands what they can or cannot do."
City Attorney Randy Ray said Peoria will enforce the law as it reads now by preventing anyone from smoking inside a public place and places of employment must be smoke free within 15 feet from entrances, exists, windows and open and ventilation intakes.
Ray said it is his understanding the city will enforce beer gardens by allowing smoking beyond the state's designated 15-foot limit from entrances, windows, etc. However, he said JCAR could further define how to address that issue on Jan. 9.
Washington City Administrator Bob Morris also is interested in seeing how beer gardens are addressed. He said there have been two beer garden requests within the city in recent months.
"Like everyone, we are waiting," Morris said.
Washington does not have a local ordinance banning smoking. Neither does Pekin or East Peoria.
Morton has one that, according to Police Chief Nick Graff, is a simple reflection of the state law. Eureka is considering one as well.
The Peoria City Council likely will reconsider a local ordinance when it next meets Jan. 8. The council voted 5-4 to adopt a "Smoke Free Peoria Ordinance," but enacting a city ordinance requires six votes. Two council members who were absent from the Dec. 17 meeting could vote in favor of enacting the ordinance.
Reach Journal Star reporter John Sharp at (309) 686-3282 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Mars during the 2003 opposition, nearly twice as large as this years!
(Photo by Author).
After a wintertime drought of evening planets, March and the beginning of northern hemisphere spring sees the return of the classical naked eye-planets to the PM skies, not the least of which is Mars. Currently rising low in the east at sunset in the constellation Leo, Mars reaches opposition this weekend on March 3rd at 20:00UT/15:00EST at a distance of 0.6741 Astronomical Units (A.U.s) or 62,661,510 miles from Earth. [Read more...]


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Would a lone Green wiping out Young Libs be a terrorist?
Posted by Dave Bath on 2011-07-24
Perhaps I was wrong in an earlier post about how a lefty watermelon lone gunman would be labelled by the media here.
I'd thought the label "madman" would be applied if the mass-murderer was white and non-moslem, if the mass-murderer was from the left or the right.
But, thinking about the effect of who was killed by Breivik, the gutting of the Norwegian lefty talent base, I think the likes of the Murdoch press would identify such politically-motivated terrorism as such, if and only if it was something like a (very hypothetical) watermelon mass-murderer, going into a Young Liberals annual general meeting and wiping out a similar proportion of talent.
If a red, a green, an atheist, or even a small-l-liberal worried about climate change, took out a similar percentage of conservative proselytes and propagandists – especially if wiping out a generation of them, it would not be portrayed as the work of a sole lunatic, it would be labelled by Bolt and Murdoch as the inevitable consequence of the ideology, and the tabloids and other conservative organs would be calling for latte-sippers to silenced, bugged by anti-terrorist squads, and removal of habeas corpus from all those who are left of Genghis Khan, who side with the vast majority of climate scientists, they'd want the Greens to be a proscribed terrorist organization, they might even push for scientific journals to be blocked by ISPs.
Can you imagine Tony Abbott at a press conference, asking questions indirectly of Bob Brown about whether he, as Greens Leader, accepted responsibility for a decimation of Young Liberals? The Mad Monk would leap at the chance.
I don't want to imagine what Bolt would write, but I can imagine the likes of Gerard Henderson, in measured tones, saying "It's not surprising this happened, a fundemental precept of the environmental movement, adopted by many in the left, is that the world's population and need for resources is at critical overload, and together with the left's hatred for Tony Abbott especially and people who wait for more science on climate change, with people who want economic growth and the resource consumption required … well … it's an effective way of getting what they want. Even the left-wing press like The Age, and websites like GetUp must recognize the effect of their rhetoric on susceptible individuals, and adjust their reporting and propaganda accordingly."
Of course, I'm a watermelon, so while I think the tragedy in Norway was a terrorist act, perhaps one of the most effectively targetted bits of political violence in decades, I wouldn't go so far as to say anyone who reads Hayek or Bolt should be considered suspect, that Hayek (useful if taken in context), that Bolt (bad, but should be ridiculed and shamed rather than banned), or even that the school of conservative will inevitably lead to the destruction of civilization..
But … what do you think the rightie media and the unprincipled politicians who make up most of the vocal right would do if the perpetration of a massive crime on their political allies by their political opponents took place?
I guess that's the difference between the current leaders of the left versus those on the right who use and support the likes of Bolt. The decent righties, and there are quite a few of them, would probably join the left, after consideration of the effects of Breivik's actions, and label them terrorist, and label as terrorist the (extremely hypothetical) action by a greenie against the young libs.
Those who refuse to label Breivik as a terrorist, who refuse to recognize the impact of extremist righties, are probably hypocrites, would probably be happy to label left or environmental opponents as enemies of civilization given the least excuse.
Of course, it's not the average righty who would be such a hypocrite – they just mightn't want to think so hard about Breivik as a terrorist. Let's be clear – it's time the good righties took charge and muzzled the rabid dogs among them.
And just as importantly, the left should not use the tragedy as a pretext to attack reasonable righties, to remove freedoms – merely ask, but ask strongly, that the rabid dogs should be muzzled, and that we can have a debate with the reasonable righties, not be forced to engage with the unreasonable ones.
Notes/See Also
- "Dummies Guide To Mass Murderers" (2011-07-24).
- "What turned Breivik into a gunman and/or bomber?" (2011-07-23)
- "Was the Norwegian atrocity strategic?" (2011-07-24)


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Head Finder
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Loss Prevention Officer at MVW (Marriott Vacations Worldwide)
MVW (Marriott Vacations Worldwide)
Koloa, HI 96756
This job is no longer available
Are you ready to grow your dream career while making others' vacation dreams come true? Marriott Vacations Worldwide is a world premier organization for Vacation Ownership with resorts at destinations around the globe. Join our team and help deliver unforgettable experiences that make vacation dreams come true.
Job Summary
Do you always maintain your composure? Consider yourself dependable? Value a cooperative, team-oriented environment? If so, Loss Prevention at Marriott Vacations Worldwide might be the place for you! You will have the opportunity to look after the well-being of our Owners and guests, while experiencing our dedication to the well-being of our associates.
As a Loss Prevention Officer, you will ensure the security of our property and guests at all times. Your responsibilities will also include, but are not limited to, patrolling all areas of property, assisting guests/employees during emergency situations and completing incident reports. To ensure we are providing the best services to our guests, as a Loss Prevention Officer, your duties will entail successfully managing stressful situations while delivering consistently high quality service.
Follow all company policies and procedures; report accidents, injuries, and unsafe work conditions to manager; complete safety training and certifications; ensure uniform and personal appearance are clean and professional; maintain confidentiality of proprietary information; protect company assets. Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards; anticipate and address guests' service needs; assist individuals with disabilities; thank guests with genuine appreciation. Speak with others using clear and professional language; prepare and review written documents accurately and completely. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others; support team to reach common goals. Comply with quality assurance expectations and standards. Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time. In addition some states may have additional licensing/registration requirements to be considered for this position. Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 10 pounds without assistance. Perform other reasonable job duties as requested by Supervisors.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled
We've found other interesting jobs in Koloa, HI for you


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Although this may be the case in a small percentage of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, I believe that most of these facilities are working hard at keeping conditions at or above the standards of State and Federal guidelines. Yet, it still remains the case that when a loved-one's health is declining and a choice must be made as to whether that elder can or should remain in the comfort of his/her own home, families struggle with which choice is best for their loved-one.
Let's explore areas that families review when faced with such decisions - it might help you to better understand what your clients are facing. And remember, empathy is a good thing in our business.
The decision making process revolves around several key components: money, safety, and emotions.
You might think that money is the easiest to deal with, yet most folks have no idea what an assisted living facility would cost for one year; nor would they know how to calculate what they qualify for in a nursing home. The assistance of a professional is surely needed in those situations. And, if the family was deciding on home care, clearly the family could easily contact a Visiting Angel office to help with the cost associated with our provision of care.
Safety is certainly foremost in all family members' minds; whether it's protecting their loved one from falling, safety concerns like turning off the stove, or struggles with mobility like reaching a telephone in an emergency - the safety and protection of our loved-ones is always first in our thoughts. It might be wise to have a professional, such as an occupational therapist, perform a safety assessment on your loved-one's home. Typically, they are not very expensive and oftentimes packed with useful information. A safety assessment can help a family with the feasibility of remaining in the home or how much it might cost to bring the home up to reasonable safety standards.
Finally, we can all sympathize that the emotional side of making the decision to either remain at home or move to an appropriate facility is never easy. Many elders will not want to have such a discussion (and quite frankly, most of their loved-ones won't relish in such a talk either). So, it is best broach the topic slowly. Plant the seed for such a move. Allow the senior to bring up the topic at a time best suited to their emotional state.
Understand that an elder may have feelings of grief at the potential loss of their home, especially if they have lived there for many, many years. There will also be feelings associated with their loss of independence. Just think back to the many articles that have been written about "taking away Grandpa's car keys." This loss of control is a very difficult hurdle to cross and must be handled within one's own timeframe.
Have you ever moved residences? If so, try to remember back on how difficult it was: logistically overwhelming (all that packing, all that needless stuff you had accumulated over the years - what to keep, what to get rid of), leaving your familiar surroundings, leaving your friends and having to make new friends (or face the prospect of being alone), and the list goes on and on and on ... The stress is potentially enormous.
Making the decision to leave one's home and enter the next (and most likely last) phase of one's life is extremely difficult. We can only speculate how hard this must be for our elders to do - some handle it well, others poorly. Yet, we all must handle it at some point in our lives. If the family is close-knit and communicates well, the decision making process will be easier; mind you not easy, just easier. If the family is not very close or there is much dissention among the kids, this process could potentially be long and arduous. Either way, it is best if the senior is able to come to grips with the situation at hand and ultimately make the final decision as to where to live.
Other Articles
With his caregiver Helen, Angell's humor, his sense of fun, his innate frankness shone. She blessed his life.
With his caregiver Helen, Angell's humor, his sense of fun, his innate frankness shone. She blessed his life.


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Emma Thompson will NOT return as Professor Trelawney for Deathly Hallows films.
Nov 11, 2008
Actress Emma Thompson has given a new interview to MTV where she states she will NOT return in her role as Professor Trelawney for the remaining Harry Potter films. Instead she will be making a second Nanny McPhee film, noting "I'm making my own ˜Nanny McPhee' next year. They mean much more to me."
She continued:
"The Harry Potters are great big franchises that are something I'm not
emotionally attached to or necessarily particularly creatively attached
to' Thompson explained. "That's more like doing a turn, whereas the
Nanny McPhees are something I've written. The art is in those films,
they're very handmade, they're something that's very close to me. Those
are the ones I really care about."
Thanks much to MTV for mailing!


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My photographer buddy Rob Adamo and I wanted a side project to work on together, so I suggested a study on a certain subculture of people I had been curious about since my years living in Huntington Beach, where some of my neighbors were people who lived in vans and RV's parked along the curb in front of my house. They called themselves "rubber tramps," and most of them lived in their vehicles by choice, not because of any financial shortcoming. Far from destitute, these people are proud of their lifestyle and consider tramping a noble existence, liberated from the materialistic expectations of mainstream society.
One of the most memorable tramps was Joey Racano, who camped on my block for about 10 years. He had his own website, was a serious environmental activist, had recorded two pretty good blues albums, and played guitar and sang a few nights a week at local bars. He lived in a beat up old van with a pet black crow and a pitbull. During the 10 years I knew him, he saved a beautiful coastal wetland (Little Shell) and another sacred Indian burial ground (Bolsa Chica) from being bulldozed and developed into high end residential communities. At the Bolsa Chica location the developers had already finished building three giant houses before Joey and other activists finally got the operation shutdown. If you're heading north on PCH from Huntington Beach, you can still see the abandoned houses growing mold on the cliffs overlooking the surf.
After my story about Joey the activist, Rob was sold on the idea. So a few days later we packed up the gear and went out try to find some tramps around the Tampa Bay area. We located our first subject, a gnarled dude named Gator, lurking in a WalMart parking lot holding a cardboard sign that read: "Visions of a cheeseburger"…. So classic! He entertained us with stories about war in Nam and Laos, although we did the math and he would have been 16 at the time he claimed he was on those secret combat missions in the Mekong Delta. The next weekend, on the night before we had planned to go on another search, I literally stumbled upon Kay Alexander — a "former student, former employee, former boyfriend and former band member" — who was at Frenchy's having a beer. Dressed in leather from head-to-toe, Kay pulled up the stool beside me and asked if I knew a place he could park his van where the cops wouldn't hassle him. I told him he could lay low at my house if he would let us do an interview and shoot some photos. Seriously, an art director couldn't have styled Kay any better. He's probably the most naturally photogenic guy I've ever met. The last encounter was with a hippie family in the Ocala National Forest. According to Paige, the mom, they had lived in their old school bus for 15 years. She told me her son had never known any other way of life. He was born in the bus, educated in the bus, taught himself guitar in the bus, wrote fiction in the bus, and, according to him, he damn sure wouldn't trade any house in the world for that rickety bus.
After our time with each of the characters we met, both Rob and I felt mixed emotions. Some of the situations were sad and others were uplifting. But in each case, the tramps had chosen to live in a vehicle instead of a house. They enjoyed the unrestrained freedom of the open rode, and for that we had nothing but respect. If you ever run into one of these modern-day hobos, don't pity them. They aren't stressing over rent or a mortgage and their horizons are usually as broad as they are beautiful. As much as you thrive on routine, they get off on the ever-changing scenery of a life in constant motion. So just roll by, tip your hat and know they are doing just fine.
This entry was posted on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 at 11:47 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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Call For Your Obligation Free Quote
1300 764 372
Target: Moving 3 Bedroom Unit/House. (Load average 40-45m3)
Means: 2 Experienced Removalists and 10-12 Tonne truck (Each truck have an option of having a 3rd man)
Materials: Thick Removalist Blankets , Removalists Ropes, Elastic Straps, Tape, Bubble Wrap, Shrink Wrap, Trolleys , Dollies, Tailgate Lifter(available upon request).
Please speak to our professional team to give you the best advice in regards to the truck size and the amount of removalists needed to secure a stress free move.
What It includes
The table above is ONLY a guide, individual moves vary in their individual requirements.
Call Six Brothers on 1300 764 372 today to secure your move.
Service details
– Minimum of 2 hour charge applies on all jobs
– Rates are billed in half-hour (30 minute) increments; charges are from door-to-door – from the initial pick-up location to the final drop off location
– Our fair half-hour (30 minute) call-out fee applies for Sydney metro, or more for outer limits and country areas to cover return travel time
– A 5% fuel levy applies to all Sydney Metro and for distances over 20kms, 10% is applied to 40km and over, 20% fuel levy added to anything over 80km
-Additional charges may apply if the destination fall through toll road/highway
– A surcharge of 1.5% applies for MasterCard and Visa
– You can upgrade to a 3rd man for $20.00phh excl. GST
– We recommend you take out insurance for your move- Removal Insurance
Also Note
If you are using a large truck with us please make sure there is adequate space on the property and the street. Please check for signs at both locations for any vehicular size restrictions.
Shift Time
– 7-7.30am Definite Start
– Between 9-1 (anytime within this time frame with half hour notice before arriving
– Between 11-3
– 3pm onwards
Please bear in mind that we may run a little late or early, depending on the previous move, We will call you half hour prior to arriving at the pick-up address.
" This is the third time Six Brothers Removalist has moved us in two years. We are always very happy with the
removal crew, hence our loyalty to you. Keep up the good work! Many thanks. "
Cremorne – 1 Bedroom Removalist Work