text:
In 2002, voters approved Measure E, a $337 million general obligation bond to renovate existing campus buildings and construct new classrooms to alleviate over-crowding and expand the educational and training programs at Santa Ana College, Santiago Canyon College, the regional education centers and the district operations center of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD). The Board of Trustees must select candidates to serve on the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee to oversee the application of bond funds.Representatives
The Citizens' Oversight Committee must consist of:
Qualifications & Term
Committee members must be at least 18 years of age and may not be an employee or official of the district nor a vendor, contractor or consultant of the RSCCD. All committee members serve in an uncompensated capacity for terms of two years and not exceeding three consecutive terms. The committee shall consist of members from the following areas: students enrolled and active in a community college support group or student government; a member active in a business organization representing the business community located within the district; a member active in a senior citizens' organization; a member active in a bona-fide taxpayers association; a member active in a support organization for the colleges such as a foundation and members of the community at-large representing both Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College.
Committee members are asked to attend three meetings a year. Meetings last approximately one hour and are held at the District Operations Center or on the campus of Santa Ana College or Santiago Canyon College. Meeting attendance is important, as no official business can be conducted without a quorum. The bylaws state that failure to attend two consecutive meetings may result in removal from the committee by the Board of Trustees.
Application Process
Any person interested in being appointed to the Measure Q Citizens' Oversight Committee is asked to submit a completed application form and a letter of interest which includes a summary of qualifications and explanation of their interest in serving on the committee. Applications will be accepted until all committee positions are filled.All application forms and letters are to be submitted to:
Raul Rodriguez, Ph.D.ChancellorRancho Santiago Community College District2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Download Citizens' Oversight Committee Application
Appointment Process
RSCCD will identify appointees to the Citizens' Oversight Committee using the following process:
Inquiries regarding the Citizens' Oversight Committee application and appointment process should be directed to:
Peter J. HardashVice Chancellor, Business Operations/Fiscal ServicesRancho Santiago Community College District2323 N. Broadway, Suite 404Santa Ana, California 92706(714) 480-7340Contact by email


text:
You said all we love
we leave behind,
and that
was the hardest part.
You said that life
is like a whitetail flashing
on the blind, high road of doves.
I was just another aimless driver
with tired eyes
chasing starfire
to the spiraling end of strife.
All you love, you will give up:
both the wheel
and your want of flight.
And you kept staying out
until daylight.
I would assassinate the laws of physics
just to watch the sun creep through the vines
together one last time
in the bitter morning.
So, when summer's still far off,
and winter's not yet gone,
O, my Paula —
just to say your name
brings weight back to my feet
and I drown
The mercury of pavement
has become sand
in the cupped hands
of every life
Deep inside,
O, my Paula,
I died, and now,
I have come back
to where once we lived
to come to terms with
all I would have yesterday denied,
but it's too late.
The recognizable landmarks seem to fade
& here I am another day
with your name on my guitar.
Wherever in this world you have been,
Dancing on the fevered
stage of night,
I hope you're still living
but if for some reason,
you never started,
this song's for you
and I said it would be.
You deserve the whole world,
here it is

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
How Entering a Contest Literally Changed My Life
Sound dramatic? This catchy headline is an example of one of the many things I learned by participating in the creativeLIVE workshop, "Build a Successful Creative Blog" taught by April Bowles-Olin of BlackburgBelle.com
But this headline isn't just "link bait".
Here is the story…
Reading my myriad emails one day, I saw that PhotoJoJo was promoting a contest to win a fancy camera. I personally only use my iPhone to take pictures (and, up until April 2013, my Motorola Razr!) but my husband is a photographer and he's always saying he needs another camera, so I entered. The contest was run by Snapknot, a blog for photographers, and of course, to enter you needed to sign up for their newsletter. This was not a problem for me, being a serial newsletter subscriber. I figured I could just as easily ignore their newsletter as I could the dozen others that pour into my inbox.
One day, though, Snapknot promoted a free online class for photographers, maybe it was for Photoshop, I can't remember, but being a knowledge junkie I clicked the link and ended up at the creativeLIVE home page.
It may as well have been Heaven.
Free classes for creatives? Five channels? Every Day? Yes, please! I immediately created an account and started RSVPing for classes. My first was "The Art of Selling What You Make" by the ultra fab Tara Gentile. After that, I was hooked. I watch creativeLIVE just about every day now.
So, a couple months back, I was checking out the calendar and saw a new class listed, April's class for bloggers. Of course I RSVP'd. Then, for some reason, I decided to take the next step and apply to be in the audience. I do stuff like that sometimes. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would actually be chosen so imagine my shock when I got the email from producer Kate welcoming me to the studio audience. I instantly panicked. Side note, I have suffered from anxiety for a while, but this past year it has ramped up to pretty much full-blown panic disorder and mild agoraphobia. So I was all sorts of stressed out, which I blogged about here. But, I love living life and collecting experiences, so I just knew this was something I had to do, whatever it took.
I worked out all the details, made the plans and traveled with my husband from San Diego to San Francisco so I could be a part of the adventure. I am so glad I did. Besides the amazing information, instruction and encouragement that April graciously shared with us, I got so much more out of it. I built relationships. Working from home, I felt very isolated at times. I didn't have the "tribe" that my mentors spoke of. That all changed with this workshop. I met some truly amazing ladies; my fellow front row participants and April, all the wonderful people at creativeLIVE, and the fantastic community that was built from the vast online audience. I found my tribe and it rocks.
The greatest takeaway from April's workshop is the relationships. They are vital to creating a successful blog and a successful business. In particular, the friendship with the simply marvelous Jane Dolan. We became "accountability partners" after meeting at the workshop and it has made a huge difference for me. I need to be kept accountable and Jane is the perfect partner. Not too hardcore, not too laid back, and I don't want to let her down. We click. If you are struggling with keeping on task, I highly recommend getting a compatible partner to help you stay accountable.
And my friend Kimberly, shown here wigging out with April at a CL wrap party.
I've also kept in touch with Sage Grayson and her wonderful blog, Shasta on Twitter and Instagram and Jennifer's blog. I try not to be a creepy stalker and "like" everything they put out, but they are all really good at what they do.
So, when I say that entering that contest changed my life, I am not being hyperbolic. My life changed. I have learned so much from creativeLIVE and from April's class, and a lot of it was stuff I learned about myself.
"This post is a part of the "What #BelleLive Taught Me" blog tour. In order to continue your journey, visit Anastasia Parmson & Tiny Trailer Adventures, or for a full list of participants please visit jocavagnis.com . Thanks for stopping by!"


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*Pokemon Black 2 came Thursday! It is so awesome! I love that Cheren's a gym leader. And I love the second gym. I also love that my team didn't go to plan thanks to Dream World and Dream Radar. I just got badge number 4 and I just... guh I love it so. Pokemon is just so awesome.
*Tiny Morgan was nice enough to get me an awesome present: a ticket to Destination Star Trek on Friday. Yay! But more on that in section 2: ie the bad.
*Going will mean meeting Sisbean early, yay!
*Axewound's album came before the last post and I've been lsitening to it a fair bit lately. It's better than I expected (I may have said that already but I'm too lazy to go back and check)
*I got free bingo so went Monday. Alas, won nothing
*I've won something, but don't wanna squee too much till I have the confirmation mail which hasn't come yet.
*The other week I got a venus fly trap! Life goal achieved!
*The Supernatural run is back to progressing
*The tribble Star Trek eps are awesome
*Having a massive fight with mum Saturday which was so fucking pointless and ruined the whole day.
*I fell today on the way back from printing stuff at the library and my knees still hurt.
*Monday the cunt at pertemps put me on a stupid course so now I have to go in there for monday-wednesday for two weeks. It sounds like what I've already done though, ugh.
*I still need to sort my courses for next year, which I meant to do Sat (couldn't causa fight) and today (couldn't causa fall) ugh.
*Today the ticket people decided that they need an authorisation letter fsigned by the card holder... which can't get here in time for when I go. We're trying to sort it, but it pisses me off.
So.. ugh. Rightt now the bad outweighs the good slightly.


text: Kids , Toddlers (1-3 yrs) A Parent's Guide to Baby & Toddler Heuristic Play New moms often encounter the term Heuristic Play for the first time at a mother and toddlers group or when their child starts crèche. Heuristic Play actually sounds much grander than it really is but do not underestimate its value. Read Next: Have You Joined everymum's Toddler Group Yet? What is heuristic play? It is a term coined by child psychologist, Elinor Goldschmeid, who developed treasure baskets for babies and the heuristic play approach for toddlers which describes the activity of babies and young children as they explore objects from the real world. The thinking behind it is not new and is something that we are all familiar with. Give a young child a present and more than likely, he or she wants to spend time scrunching the wrapping paper or eating it instead of playing with the toy itself. Our parents and grandparents already knew about this without even realising it. We played with saucepans and wooden spoons in the kitchen which we banged together, we stirred and poured rice with a jug and a funnel and a highlight was to have a basin of water! Heuristic is defined as enabling a person to discover or learn something for themselves. It is rooted in young children's natural curiosity. As babies grow, they move beyond being content to simply feel and ponder objects to wanting to find out what can be done with them. By using a treasure basket with children at this age you are providing them with rich mental stimulation, which not only activates the growth of the brain but also provides highly satisfying learning experiences. Household or kitchen utensils offer these opportunities and can occupy a child for surprising stretches of time as they concentrate on stacking pots, exploring the objects or sometimes just enjoying the new and interesting banging noise of a wooden spoon on a saucepan! We live in a world where plastic toys dominate the shelves of toy shops, but plastic is dull and disappointing for babies, and whilst each rattle may look different each one smells, tastes and feels the same - it doesn't stimulate their senses. Read Next: Stimulate Baby's Senses to Encourage Development Using heuristic play with babies stimulates all the senses, creating a rich learning experience as during this stage, a baby's primal instinct is to explore objects by handling and sucking on them in order to find out about their physical characteristics. Parents love watching their children discover and explore which is inherently what treasure baskets and heuristic play encourages. It is not a novel idea as children have been fascinated with exploring household items for generations. Nothing delights more than a child's sense of wonder when they make a discovery and in turn it appeals to our sense of wonderment and delights as we observe children developing wonderment of their own! When a child makes a discovery or an interesting sound is produced, they often repeat the action again and again, to test the result which strengthens cognitive development as well as muscle control and hand/eye co-ordination. What should go into the basket? There should be a wide range of objects both natural and man-made that will stimulate all of the senses and that can be used as open-ended tools for exploration and imagination. Include a good range of textures, shapes and materials and all should be non-toxic with no tiny pieces. Consider some of the following... an old CD, a sparkly glitter ball, keys, hand bells, a bracelet, a serving spoon, saucepan and a lid, various sizes and shaped wooden spoons and implements, homemade shakers (plastic bottles containing coloured rice), castanets or wooden object to tap together, felt, silky ribbon, shiny fabric, a lemon, bag of lavender (safely tied!) and other objects of wonder which are found in the home. Read Next: Swimming With Your Baby Don't forget it is an approach, not a prescription, so the content of the baskets is up to you but will probably discover that your child will favour a particular item such as silky piece of fabric or a bell which they will always seek out first. Rotate the content of the basket regularly so that your child's interest is sustained and remember, do not leave it out all day as it will no longer be exciting and interesting. Please use common sense when deciding on what to put in the basket. Don't use things with sharp edges, things that may be a choking hazard, etc. Never leave your child unattended while playing with the basket. This article was written by Giraffe Childcare for eumom.ie Share this article to connect with everymum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest About the Author Giraffe Childcare. Childcare that shapes a lifetime. For more information, visit giraffe.ie Comments Please login to leave a comment.


text:
Describing Frank Zappa's music to someone who has never heard it is a bit like describing New Orleans to someone who has never been there. You can mention the obvious: It's colorful, raunchy, a bit absurdist, truly original and can be just as complex as it is banal. But you can't fully understand it until you've experienced it.
For Dweezil Zappa, son of the late avant-garde rocker and composer, reviving the Frank Zappa experience is the driving force behind "Zappa Plays Zappa, " the tribute show he organized to honor his father's music and help it reach new audiences. Now beginning its third year of touring, "Zappa Plays Zappa" has garnered consistent praise from critics because of its no-nonsense, profoundly respectful renditions of the Frank Zappa catalog. The show comes to the House of Blues on Wednesday.
One of the most prolific artists in American music, Frank Zappa's career spanned more than 80 albums and 30 years, spent largely at the fringes of popular music and comfortably planted in the avant-garde with chamber pieces, rock operas and orchestral works. But, since his death in 1993 from prostate cancer, Zappa has been remembered more as an underground hero with a cultlike following -- someone who wrote wacky songs dedicated to breasts and beer (literally) -- rather than a serious American composer.
Just as New Orleans is often misunderstood as simply a frivolous bed of indecency, Zappa's music often is shelved as a lewd novelty act. For Dweezil Zappa, the determination to illuminate his father's musical legacy has informed every aspect of "Zappa Plays Zappa, " which he performs with a cast of accomplished jazz and rock instrumentalists, as well as Ray White, who toured with Frank Zappa in the 1970s and '80s. In a recent phone interview, the 39-year-old guitarist shared his hopes for the tour's third year.
(Dweezil Zappa)
What was the original inspiration for Zappa Plays Zappa?
The overall concept was something I was thinking about for a long time, but the work required to do it right was a Sisyphean task, just to put it mildly. So I really had to get organized and see how to make it happen. I studied the music for two years on my own before I even got the band together, just to see if I could do what I wanted to do.
What did you want to do?
I wanted to play it note for note, because I really feel Frank's music has been overlooked, especially his work as a composer.
The real goal for what we do is to let people hear Frank's music . . . unadulterated, as close as possible to the original. This is the most respectful celebration of what's out there.
Why do you think he's overlooked, and what do you want new audiences to take away from the music?
Think of the kid that grows up and the only thing he's ever heard is Green Day or Puff Daddy. They're not going to have any idea of what this music offers, because they're so used to the more mainstream pop sound. If you grow up not really knowing all of what's possible in music, hearing this stuff for the first time, it'll blow your mind.
The more you learn about Frank's music, the more you hear it, the more you want to know. There's more than 80 albums. It's insane the amount of variety that's in this music. The youth of the music today has no idea what they're missing.
As "Zappa Plays Zappa" has progressed, how have the audiences changed? Do you think you are reaching newer listeners?
Well, this is the third year we're touring, so we'll see how much more of a change there is. Even in 2007, there were a lot more young people and a lot more first-timers coming to the show. Ideally, you want the core fans who have always been there to continue to embrace it as you also spread the word and introduce the new fans.
How do those goals inform the material you include in the show?
We're always striving to learn new material, things that are not often played, or playing versions that are specific to an album version or specific to a live arrangement. The thing is, a lot of times we're playing things . . . on tour that have never been played on stage. We go out of our way to not do the obvious.
Every year of the tour, you have focused on pretty specific periods in your dad's career. What kind of material did you select for this tour?
The overall message that I always try to put into what we're doing is focusing on Frank as a composer and a guitarist. We've touched on some really strong periods in the '70s. Now we've done more of a time warp, and we've done more stuff from the early years. We've (also) chosen to do quite a few songs from the "You Are What You Is" album, some more stuff from "Sheik Yerbouti" and some more obscure tracks from "Joe's Garage."
"Meticulous" is a word that comes to mind when thinking about Zappa's music, including your performances of it. How did you and the band go about learning these songs, many of which have complex arrangements, virtuosic solos and dozens of changes in key and meter. Were you working from written scores, or figuring it out from the recordings?
There are many instances where there are scores and stuff written on paper. That's handy. But the majority of stuff in score form is not songs like you would necessarily believe, so when it comes to songs where you have a lot of different parts in them, we have to do a lot of transcribing. Many times we'll pull out the master tapes not just to get the right notes, but to get the texture of the instruments, because the timbre of the instruments is just as much a part of the music as the notes themselves. We want it to really embody the character of the true songs.
How much flexibility, if any, do you allow into your interpretations of the songs?
What I do allow is if there's a song that exists on a record, and there's also a live version that's been released, if I like certain elements of different arrangements I might make a hybrid arrangement. Here I have one version connected to another version. In that case, making a new version out of components that were originally made, conducted, rehearsed by Frank, that's OK with me.
It drives me crazy when people try to . . . change (the songs) around just to draw attention to themselves, using Frank's music as the bait. Usually in most examples of that, people take out the exact things that make Frank's music interesting.
Why, because they think it will make the music more accessible?
I don't know. I think they do it because they can't play the hard parts, so they just say, "Let's leave that part out."
How do you think your performance style compares with your dad's?
I've seen people make comments before that I don't have the same stage presence as Frank, and that's a good thing, because my purpose on stage is not attention on myself but to draw attention to the music. I really do take a backseat to the whole thing.
Somebody made a really interesting observation once, which I appreciated. They said that . . . the show was like taking a tour of the finest museum and me, Dweezil, being the curator who never stands in front of the paintings when they're trying to take a picture. I'm taking a tour with them of this music, but I'm not getting in the way of the music. There's no dance troupes coming out, pryotechnics. It's just real people playing music. What a concept.
Molly Reid can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com or (504) 826-3448.
What: Dweezil Zappa tribute concert to his father Frank Zappa.
Where: House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., (504) 529-2624.
When: Wednesday at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7.
Tickets: $35 and available at www.ticketmaster.com.
I love his son, he's adorable


text:
Oakland, Berkeley, And East Bay News, Events, Restaurants, Music, & Arts
Contemporary big bands may not swing like Basie, but they make up for it in lots of ways; gorgeous orchestrations, surprising instrumental combinations, adventurous harmonic structures. Three recent releases demonstrate the point.
David Murray has gone a long way since breaking out of Oakland in the mid-'70s. He's still a fire-breathing tenor saxophonist whose main early influences, Archie Shepp and Albert Ayler, are readily discernible, but he's been very adept at finding unexpected settings for his passionate outpourings. The David Murray Latin Big Band seems an unlikely idea but it works amazingly well. The leader is joined by a few longtime collaborators such as baritone saxman supreme Hamiet Bluiett, but most of the musicians are Cuban. They set up the bright rhythmic bounce one expects in any Latin context but with all kinds of things layered on top, from ultra-dense chords to supersonic sax solos. A triumph for all concerned.
Even more exotic in terms of cross-cultural experimentation is the new offering from the Orchestre National de Jazz, Charmediterraneen. The idea here is to present music that reflects influences from around the Mediterranean mixed into a jazz context. The aim is often as much to juxtapose and superimpose different styles as to blend them, and such blends as are offered can be extreme, as when the haunting oud of Anouar Brahem is joined by the jazz-rock electric guitar of Olivier Benoit. It's a kaleidoscopic potpourri.
Listeners who want something less extravagant may be interested in Stefon Harris' new disc. The young vibraphonist doubles on marimba and often uses the piano and drums in similar roles, so that one remains aware of the leader's own instrumental orientation as the guiding force in the music. Harris does draw on different sources, from cool jazz to Brazilian music to funk, but the idea here, as the title suggests, is unification, and the synthesis is seamless.
Contact the author of this piece, send a letter to the editor, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
News - October 26, 4:00 AM
News - October 22, 3:09 PM


text:
Marthinusen & Coutts, a division of ACTOM, recently executed the sub-assembly of six gearless mill drives for Minera Panamá's remotely situated Cobre Panamá project in record time, and as a result was able to hand the machine over to the mechanical teams for professional assembly well ahead of schedule. Minera Panamá, the Panamanian subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals, is currently developing the Cobre Panamá project, located in Colón province. The mine life has been estimated at more than 30 years and will produce around 300,000 t/y copper, 100,000 oz/y gold and 2500 t/y molybdenum. Marthinusen & Coutts has a proven track record partnering with customers on similar complex projects, while still being able to offer a cost competitive solution. Significantly, the company has an established reputation as an expert in gearless mill drive refurbishment, winding termination and testing of motor segments. Projects previously successfully completed by the division include the installation of six Siemens gearless mill drives at various mines in north west Zambia.
Contact Richard Botton, Marthinusen & Coutts, Tel 011 607-1700, email@example.com
The post Massive motors installed in Panamanian mine appeared first on EE Publishers.
Source: EE plublishers


text:
AfriGeneas Free Persons of Color Forum
Re: Williams, Chester County PA FPOC
In Response To: Re: Williams, Chester County PA FPOC ()
Hi Carl,
Looks like we are researching the same family. You are a cousin of my cousins! So Jane's maiden name is Potts?
Do you have any more details? Will be glad to share with you what I've collected so far.
Feel free to email me at the above address.
Messages In This Thread


text:
While open-world adventures through the crumbling ruins of ancient civilizations have largely belonged to the family of Myst-style puzzlers on PC, the PlayStation has quietly been responsible for a different kind of game. Titles like ICO and Journey have forsaken the graphically realistic, technology-intensive first-person designs of their computer-based brethren in favour of highly stylized third-person experiences with a more hands-on approach and even a greater element of danger. Fortunately, such games have begun migrating across platforms, with newer titles like ABZÛ releasing for both PC and consoles. Often requiring a degree of dexterity to succeed, these are not your granddaddy's point-and-clicks, but their focus is clearly on exploration, environmental storytelling, and very personal narratives beneath their more action-oriented exteriors.
The latest exhibit for the console-driven adventure is RiME, a game about a young boy who washes up on the shore of an uninhabited island following a shipwreck. Its cel-shaded 3D artwork is gorgeous, and the gameplay is more substantial than many of its ilk, offering 7-8 hours of jumping, climbing… and yes, plenty of puzzle-solving as well. Its length does come at a cost, however, as the objectives start to feel repetitive even with a clever repackaging of familiar environments, and a story that will barely fill five minutes of your attention along the way. As initially mysterious and ultimately poignant as it may prove to be, the underlying narrative is so slight as to be practically non-existent as a motivation throughout, and feels like something of a cheat when all is revealed dramatically at the end. RiME is not a perfect adventure, then, but it's certainly a welcome breath of fresh air for those looking for something a little different.
You might think the first order of business for a castaway would be survival, but our young unnamed protagonist awakens ready to hit the ground running – literally. That's good, as this is a deceptively expansive island filled with the remains of what was clearly a once-mighty civilization to investigate. Of course, you might want to pause a moment before setting off, soaking in the beautiful sights of rocky outcroppings, lapping ocean waves, small waterfalls and fountains, plus an array of abandoned towers and temples adorned with bizarre sculptures. Listen, too, to the soothing ambient sounds befitting an island left to nature, and the orchestral soundtrack with its variety of lovely, often melancholy violin- and piano-heavy scores. Soon enough, you'll even get to see the scenery transform before your eyes thanks to a stunning day/night cycle that shifts from cloudless blue noon to purple dusk to a veritable starburst in the night skies and then back again. Much of your time will be spent inside the manmade structures with their own architectural attractions, but it's the outdoor landscapes that captivated me the most, particularly when other impressive weather elements factored in later on.
It isn't immediately obvious what to do at first, but after a little aimless wandering you'll discover that the island isn't entirely uninhabited. Small furry animals scurry about here and there, one of which is a red fox that takes a particular interest in your affairs, forging ahead and barking (do foxes really sound like annoyingly yappy pet dogs?) for you to follow at key intervals. Actually, saying "key" is being overly charitable, as I often found the little critter AWOL whenever I needed it most, only to show up when there was really only one way to go.
Direction matters here, as RiME really isn't as "open-world" as its layout suggests. True, you can freely explore the rugged terrain, and interiors often have hub areas with branching paths, but apart from a few "find X number of item" quests, in general you can only accomplish one goal at a time so you're continually being funneled one way or another. Occasionally the game falls prey to the horrible tendency of being overly maze-like (especially, you know, that entire maze level in the dark), but typically it's not that hard getting to where you want to go… so long as you know where that is. (Fox? Hey, fox! Dammit, ran off again!) The best games do a great job of leading you so subtly that you're never sure you're going the right away until suddenly you're there. That happens frequently here, but sometimes not. Zig just once when you should zag in the wrong place, and you can waste a whole lot of time with no indication you're on the wrong track.
What challenge there is in getting from place to place stems largely from the platforming, but the physical element is rarely very demanding. Either through keyboard/mouse or gamepad control (I preferred the latter), you'll guide the young protagonist with one hand and the camera with the other, jumping where necessary and stopping to push, pull, or carry the odd interactive object like sliding blocks, switches, and energy orbs. Navigation is smooth, with lots of room to maneuver in most cases, and jump timing is extremely generous. The few times I thought I'd misjudged a leap, my "nonononoNO!!" was inevitably followed by an "oh wait, never mind" as the hero reached out to grab the intended visibly-scuffed ledge anyway. In fact, RiME is actually a good choice for adventure gamers who aren't used to action games but are looking to brave something a little bolder than point-and-click. It's meant to make you FEEL a bit like Lara Croft without all the stress of tomb raiding. If you do plummet to your death, you're instantly restored right at the point of your demise, no harm, no foul.
Most of your jumps will be up and over obstacles, but a few require jumping into the water. Swimming is also very easy, though. You can run out of air, as indicated by the screen edges darkening the longer you hold your breath, but there's plenty of time to reach the nearest convenient underwater air bubble to replenish. The benefits far outweigh any minor inconvenience, as it opens up a whole new turquoise world of fish schools and submerged ruins to explore. Less beneficial and more inconvenient elsewhere is the "stealth" component, for lack of a better word. You don't really need to be sneaky, just get to a shelter ASAP whenever a giant pteranodon-type flying creature is in the vicinity. The first few times this happened, it added a nice little jolt of tension; the next thirty, not so much, particularly when trying to solve a puzzle or when it becomes unclear where you need to go. Sometimes less is better.
While many games have their share of "aha!" moments, RiME is rife with "ha!" moments instead. No, not laughter, but player-controlled exclamations from the boy that are somehow able to embolden flaming blue lanterns, crack open jars, activate mystical statues and explode energy orbs. (Try it in the absence of interactive objects and the boy will simply hum, representing the sum total of voice acting here – or language of any kind.) This ability is not particularly intuitive the first time it's required, but subtle prompts for all essential interactions appear on-screen to eliminate any confusion. As a help function this isn't necessary for the most part, and some may perhaps find it overly intrusive, but it's occasionally useful for knowing when you're positioned correctly. Even so, the push/pull mechanic is inexplicably wonky in places, though it's easy enough to try again from a different side.
Indoor areas tend to be far more puzzle-intensive, generally involving some kind of obscure environmental manipulation, whether rotating pillars, providing energy to the correct conduit, activating symbols, or aligning shapes with a special viewer. There's nothing complicated at first about finding keys for doors or orbs for platform-raising pedestals, ha-ing all the way (just in case). Soon, however, new wrinkles are added, such as energy pulses only affecting moon symbols instead of sun, alignment patterns missing pieces needed to fit correctly, or artifacts having to be activated simultaneously. Sometimes very specific positioning is required, and timing can be an issue, making strategizing your moves even more important.


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Calls are free and we are open seven days a week 8am till 8pm > 0800 731 8470
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United States
As if chocolate doesn't make people ridiculously happy anyway, Seattle's Theo Chocolate is a feel-good company built on a passion for its product and values of organic, non-GMO and Fair Trade-certified yumminess, in fact, it's the U.S.'s first organic and Fair Trade chocolate factory. Housed in the former Redhook Brewery... more »
Seattle is the hometown of some of the best-known international brands and, together with a certain ubiquitous global coffee chain, Boeing is one of the city's biggest exports. Located 40km north of Seattle near Everett, Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour offers the only public tour of a... more »
Located on-campus at U-Dub (University of Washington), Henry Art Gallery has been pushing the boundaries of artistic expression since 1927. 'The Henry' champions the contemporary art and ideas of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and beyond from the advent of photography in the mid-19th century to today's... more »
In a city surrounded by water and defined by its way of life, Seattle Aquarium is a delightful portal to the creatures of the underwater world of Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest coast. Located on the waterfront, Seattle Aquarium is one of the nation's premier aquatic zoos with six... more »
Alki Beach Park is Seattle's beach-bound playground - a 4km stretch of sand reaching from Alki Point to Duwamish Head and River on Elliot Bay. Although the salty water of Puget Sound is a chilly seven to 13 degrees Celsius, some hardy types brave the bracing temps while summer draws... more »


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Capital One's Manager of Social Media and Digital, Carla Kochalski, sat down with us to take us behind the scenes of their social media command center and to share how it's changing the way they do business.
"We wanted to become a bank like no other bank."
Carla Kochalski, Manager of Social Media and Digital for Capital One, explains one way they decided to do that: take direct feedback from social media and create a visual tool to express it internally — a social media command center.
But at Capital One, the command center is more than just a shiny object. Carla laid out four main objectives for how it brings value to the business:
- Employee empowerment and education
- A strategic space for people across departments to gather
- A tool to spark change within the organization
- A way to disseminate unfiltered feedback from the customer
The first objective: Use social to bring more humanity into banking.
"We wanted to empower people who aren't in social media throughout the business to use social analysis and incorporate that into their data," she explains.
That meant communicating not only Capital One's presence in social media, but also the conversations people were having about them. Carla says the screens outside of the command center room help create a very visual reminder of the important role of social media.
"We wanted people passing by to take a minute of their day to realize that this was unfiltered feedback from our customers and our fans."
Secondly, the command center is a physical place where real-time marketing thrives.
As a big time sponsor of organizations like the NCAA, Capital One has huge real-time marketing opportunities during events like March Madness. With ten screens, a creative station for content creation, four cable tuners, video conferencing, modular tables, and a collapsible wall to make the room bigger, the social command center presents the perfect place for those moments to happen.
"We made it very flexible so that it's not just a place for people to walk by and see what's going on, but also a good workable space for people across departments to gather," she says.
"As an idea generator, it's been huge."
Carla says their Principal Product Manager of Social Media Monitoring, Andrew Kauz, hosts "social empathy sessions" in the command center with different departments. They use the place to talk about issues, look at the social data, and come up with ways to solve it.
She explains, "We've become a part of the process that helps Capital One think about how we serve our customers. We have a focus group, and now, we have the social media data we've gathered from listening to look at and brainstorm ideas."
The final objective: Disseminate the voice of the customer.
In terms of the command center's governance, their enterprise social team is the relationship and product manager. Led by Principal Product Manager, Andrew Kauz, they're spreading smaller versions of the command center by providing anything from installation guidance to training for analysts across departments to pull their own reports from social.
Now, any department at Capital One with a TV screen can project social media reports from the command center.
"However," Carla warns, "The social command center shouldn't be the first thing on your checklist."
"This is probably not something a lot of people want to hear. Everyone wants a social media command center because it looks really cool, but the command center only works if you have the rest of your ducks in a row."
Carla says that means knowing what problem a social media command center could solve for your company, your value proposition, and your response model among the teams.
Say hi to Carla on Twitter and ask her about her favorite new gadget or work fashion trend.


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Fill out the form or call us at 1-866-622-8153 and see what the ADP® team of payroll experts can do for you.
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*In order to receive two months free payroll processing, you must be a new ADP Canada Co. ("ADP") Client, have 1-49 employees and have entered into ADP's standard form services agreement by December 31st, 2020 (agreement must be signed and submitted by this date) for TeamPay by ADP® or ADP Workforce Now On the GoSM or Comprehensive Outsourcing Services. Free payroll processing applies to the recurring payroll processing fees paid by you to ADP. "Recurring payroll processing fees" exclude, without limitation: (i) set-up fees; (ii) any underlying payroll funding obligations (wages, taxes, third party remittances); (iii) any fees for official bank cheques, Year-End services (e.g. T4 tax forms), tax or special one-time reports, third-party remittances or cheque stuffing; (iv) refundable deposits or third-party pass-through charges (including delivery charges), (v) direct expenses/charges (e.g. NSF fees); (vi) penalties and interest; (vii) fees for shipping, delivery and installation of equipment or software, custom programming, the sale or leasing of equipment or software, or maintenance; and (viii) income derived from the float. The promotion only applies to TeamPay by ADP or ADP Workforce Now On the Go or Comprehensive Outsourcing Services and excludes any ancillary services provided by ADP (e.g. time and attendance management). Cannot be combined with any other promotions. ADP reserves the right to discontinue or modify this promotion at any time.
ADP and the ADP logo are registered trademarks of ADP, Inc. Copyright © ADP Canada Co. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Terms


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- Home
- Antivirus
- Products
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- English ▾
Security Shorts: February Highlights
Lavasoft News has compiled a list of "security shorts" - summaries of other online security stories making news around the world this past month.
Burger King Twitter Account Hacked
Burger King is grappling with the trials and tribulations of social media after their Twitter account was hacked by a McDonald's fan. Their official Twitter page, which has more than 89,000 followers, has been changed to feature their rival's food and even their logo and Twitter name have been changed, appearing as McDonalds @BurgerKing... Read more
Apple, Facebook, Twitter hacks said to hail from Eastern Europe
Investigators say the surge of malware attacks on U.S. companies may be coming from Eastern European cybercriminals rather than being Chinese state-sponsored espionage... Read more
Sentencing for "Sabu" delayed, while Hammond awaits trial with same judge
The sentencing for LulzSec leader-turned-FBI informant Hector Monsegur, nicknamed "Sabu," was canceled. Monsegur was scheduled to be sentenced in New York, but the hearing was not held for an unknown reason. He faces up to 124 years in prison, but is expected to receive a much lighter sentence considering he cooperated with federal agents to help them arrest at least... Read more
New Wave of Phishing Scams Uses Facebook Info for Personalized Spam
Check your privacy settings. Scammers are tapping into the personal data available through Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn to pose as your friends in fraudulent emails. Watch out for these personalized scam messages and take steps to prevent them... Read more
I was a victim of an online dating scam
After years of dating frustration, Montana resident Debbie Best thought her luck had finally changed when she met a handsome antiques dealer from Florida through an online dating site... Read more


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Face Oil Concentré
For international orders, please click HERE.
This product is currently sold out.
Hydrate. Brighten. Protect. Soften.
Voted Japan's number one face oil by VoCE Magazine, this 99% natural brightening treatment is designed to improve skin's barrier function and fight against environmental stressors. Packed with active antioxidants, it works to form a protective barrier to smooth and soften skin while slowing transepidermal water loss. With its light, airy feel, Lumiére performs like a dry oil, penetrates quickly, and imparts a soft glow without feeling heavy on the skin. Best for healing scars, hydration, and preserving elasticity.
- Lipophilic vitamin C helps prevent photo-aging and improves the appearance of scars.
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Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Octyldodecanol, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate. *Aromatherapy grade essential oil blend


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All of the stories I posted under my old pen name, Girl Friday, have now been posted here. You can find them under the tab named 'Girl Friday Stories'. These stories are all M/F or M/F/F and feature adult content not suitable for minors. They are definitely not safe for work (NSFW).
These stories were written when I first started out, back around 2003/2004. There are a couple of more recent stories there, too.
If you find something you enjoyed, please let me know.
Thanks for reading!


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David Cameron has chosen the electoral battleground on which he wants to fight in 2015: economic management, welfare reform, immigration control, and leadership – to contrast his strengths against Ed Miliband's weaknesses.
These may or may not be the main issues will decide the election – the NHS and tax will surely feature, too – but the outlook for the Party is very challenging, whether or not the Prime Minister fights the campaign of his choosing. The mountain that he must climb is dauntingly steep.
Many left-wing Liberal Democrats have peeled off to Labour. UKIP is taking disproportionately from the Conservative vote. Above all, Miliband has a demographic advantage. He needs a smaller poll lead to win than Cameron does.
Put all this together, and victory will be very difficult to achieve, especially given Tory weaknesses in northern urban seats and among ethnic minority voters, as well as women. Under his leadership, there have been many achievements and some mistakes.
Michael Gove's pioneering work at education is one of the former. The handling of the same sex marriage issue is one of the latter. But it is altogether too easy simply to blame the Party leadership for problems that stretch back for over 20 years – since the last Tory election victory.
The long and short of it is that polls consistently find a smaller pool of voters prepared to vote Conservative than Labour. Modernisation is as essential to change that as ever – but it must be a modernisation that works.
Tony Abbott, Stephen Harper, John Howard, George Bush, Margaret Thatcher – all the successful right-of-centre leaders in recent times have been able to win over battling, striving, pound-stretching voters on modest incomes.
Many of them now can't afford to buy their home – especially younger ones. They are fearful of losing their jobs, if they have one at all. They see little point in saving, because all too often the effort isn't worth the return.
This is why ConservativeHome launched pre-conference a campaign called simply: Homes Jobs & Savings For All. A home of their own, a secure job and enough savings to draw on in need – these are the essentials for people and families.
Success is good and aspiration is vital. But most voters simply want a decent life for themselves, their families and their neighbourhoods. Real modernisation means targeting them – especially in the midlands and northern marginals.
Homes, Jobs and Savings For All may not be glamorous and certainly isn't novel. But it does speak to the needs of modern Britain. It offers a way to the Party both of doing well and doing good – of showing that it understands the country it seeks to serve.
There will more about all three from us over the coming months. We hope to hear the Prime Minister speak about Homes, Jobs and Savings for All when he addresses the conference this afternoon.


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Paul Houseman
This is our first interview in our newly started section! First off is Paul Houseman from Finland, a young and very talented composer.
Paul Houseman on Radio Rivendell
Official webpage
What musical education have you had?
Hmm, let me think... none!
What inspired you to start writing/composing?
I was an avid fantasy role-playing fan as a 10-year old kid, and eventually ended up designing my own, suprizingly complex games with designed characters, cities and stories. For many years, in retrospect, making my own "worlds" seemed to fill the gap of having no external interest in life (such as friends, school or hobbies.) Being very inspired by my favorite composer Nobuo Uematsu, I decided to give a shot at making my own background music for my games at the age of 12. The rest is blur.
Assuming you learned how to play musical instruments, which instrument
helped you begin your composing career?
It was some obnoxiously horrible-sounding synthetizator that I was learning to play "Axel F" and "Turtles" -themes with all day long, to the convenience and entertainment of my beloved parents and neighbours. Good times, I'm suprized my parents bought me a real keyboard later.
Do you use choral arrangements as well as instrumentals?
The choir is one of my favorite elements, I add it whenever it might fit to the setting. I'm trying to avoid having actual lyrics in my instrumental music, since without words, music is more true from a cinematic storytelling aspect. Just an opinion, though!
What instruments do you prefer to use in your compositions?
I'm a brass-guy. Other favorites include the string section and percussion. Oh, and piano! My orchestration style depends entirely on my project.
How old were you when you first started composing?
12, though I wouldn't call it composing.
What influenced your music then and how has that changed?
Nobuo Uematsu was my musical "mentor" then. Right now I'm leaning more into film music, so let's say I'm being influenced by Hans Zimmer and John Debney the most, I always check out their newest scores and think of new and creative ways of stealing from them.
How long does it generally take you to compose a piece?
It usually takes only a few hours to compose a piece, I work extremely fast. The actual production takes longer, it always takes the next day to return to the piece and refine it into something potentially impressive and worthy of listening. Some cues take longer than that.
Do you think your music fits in a fantasy or roleplay environment?
Most definitely it does! If there's someone using my music in the background when playing pen/paper RPGs, I'm happy and honored. I've been considering writing music specifically designed for that, might be an interesting project to take on. Perhaps a CD with looping music for cities, battle, sneaking, bar scenes, night / day exploration music would be interesting, either in a fantasy or cyberpunk setting. Will keep you up-to-date! : )
If you could be anyone/thing in Middle Earth, who or what would it be, and why?
I most definitely see myself as a dark wizard. I'll go with Saruman. I'd love to have a house like his, what an inspiring place to make my dark music in it would be! Then I could make all other wizards my slaves and have them write my music for me, copying my style and giving me credit for it... what?
What music software programs have helped you further your composition goals?
I'm stuck with relatively old software in terms of sequencing, nor do I have much interest in keeping up with the Joneses on this anyway. The most inspiring program was a free program called Anvil Studio, my first sequencer. Then I got Cakewalk and never went back. Some sample libraries are very inspiring as well, such as EWQLSO and Advanced Orchestra. Most of my samples have been heavily edited by myself though, and many have been recorded by me. I find the thought of having something unique inspiring.
If you use synthesizers what do you think their use does for your music?
Synthetizers add the healthy dose of "in-human" precision and power to the music, that a traditional orchestra cannot achieve. My style has in it's nature to blend synthetizer and orchestra, even if it's at the expense of "realism" and intimate sound. I prefer electronic bass instruments over real ones.
Do you consider yourself an 'artist' in the sense you create within the realm of your own vision?
Good question, since in my line of work, the director is the person whose artistic direction I have to follow! I always bring my original ideas to every project though, and often score something without any direction (which is when I get the best results in my opinion). I also write "concert" pieces, obviously those are more personal, reflecting something I've been inspired by recently. I have lots of very small personal music in my computer, but I won't post it anywhere since I doubt my fans are very interested in those.
If you couldn't be a composer, what else do you think you'd be doing?
Probably directing movies or writing science fiction or being a junkie.
If you could work with any other composer/band, who would it be?
You mean splitting the glory in half!? Hah! I have worked together on the same projects with a few composers and bands, all those experiences have been positive but I just consider myself lucky so far.
What musical composers most influence you?
I'd have to say Hans Zimmer and his "Media Ventures" buddies. I find myself constantly stealing from John Debney and James-Newton Howard too. Nobuo Uematsu's influences lie deeper within my creative soul, I hope to write music like he does some day and have the freedom that he has.
What is your relationship with other composers in the field, have they been helpful and supportive?
In most cases, absolutely horrible! I choose not to talk in detail about artistical choices with other composers, since they didn't write my music and I didn't write theirs. I'm sick of hearing how my music "could still develop", as if I didn't know that, and as if complexity and slowly developing boredom was something I aimed for over catchyness. I have many many great composer friends though, they are usually really cool and talented people and often supportive!
Do you consider that you have a 'musical signature' of your own - if so, what are its recognizable characteristics?
I would say that my musical "signature" lies within the sound itself, there's a texture in it that nobody else has. From a musical point of view, I think my music is considerably more progressive than most composers I've heard, be it for better or worse.
Who was the first person to recognize your potential in the business of music composition?
Career-wise, the most supportive person has been director Nick Hallam, he's getting me all these great projects from Australia through his connections. Otherwise, I think I plowed my own road to where I'm now by being active and making the kind of music I liked. Thank God it paid off!
Do you think Radio Rivendell gives your music a wider and more appreciative audience?
I certainly hope so! It seems to be a very busy community of fantasy music
lovers, my kind of people Smile
What market holds the most promise for you as a composer and why?
At the moment I'm leaned very much towards film scoring, though I've gotten the hang of making CD albums too. I'm co-composing two film soundtrack albums at the moment. The other one is a secret (for now), the other one is "Initium", co-written with my friend, composer Michael Law. Looking at future, nothing is impossible, but I'm very happy with where I'm now, I wouldn't move to Hollywood or anything to that effect. I'm just a Finnish guy making music in his house.
What projects do you have coming up on the horizon?
I'm currently negotiating a deal on a high-profile fantasy RPG, incidentally! Very excited about that. I'm also starting to work on "Desolation Angels", which is a great little road movie and will let me explore a lot more quiet and simple style of music. I'm also signed up for Nick Hallam's new space epic "Welcome to the Cosmos".
What advice would you have for budding composers who are just starting out?
I'm just a 20-year old, bratty little raggamuffin with 0 EXP points, so take this with a grain of snot: Be yourself and not somebody else! Do all the movies you're offered for experience in the beginning, film scoring is harder than you'd probably think. Money comes a bit later, but that doesn't mean you have to be a bitch and sell your art for free constantly. Always hold on to the rights of your music, only sell the "usage rights". There are many composers out there and therefore, "enough" is not the same it used to be - that's why you have to be good at selling yourself to the industry. Build a good sound library and learn what's "hot" at the moment, then make a good demoreel and try to network with interesting people. Don't set anything in stone, we all know variety and unpredictability is what makes life interesting. For example, I thought I'd never score a romantic comedy, and that's exactly what I ended up doing. The most important thing is to have fun (as cheesy as it sounds).
Thanks for the opportunity and have fun everyone!
/ Paul Houseman
Page on Radio Rivendell | Official webpage
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Kaisen Records serve up a discofied stomper from label boss Yuga and compatriot RoyTson
If there's one thing this reviewer's a sucker for, it's a Tyree Cooper hip-house vocal. And I'm about 87.93 per cent sure that's where (or rather who) the uncredited vocal on this discofied stomper from Kaisen Records boss Yuga and fellow Italian producer RoyTson comes from. It definitely is a sample, though, cos a quick Google shows the same vocal cropping up on quite a lot of other records... including some gabber thing from 2003, which is a bit odd really given that it goes on about "House music is what we all need" and such.
Aaaaaanyway... vocal aside, Stars On 45 is an uptempo, driving houser that's vaguely tech-tinged, yes, but more importantly absolutely dripping in disco flava. It's not gonna make any friends among the chin-stroking community, admittedly, but that throbbing disco bassline and soaring, chorus'd female "wooh-ooh-ooh-ooh" backing vox will ensure maximum damage on those house dancefloors where unselfconscious fun takes precedence over scoring cool points.
The disco-house sound does seem to be making a bit of a comeback of late, so who knows how this might fare commercially? Either way, it's as fine an unashamed cheese slice as you'll hear this week, I can promise you that.
Words: Russell Deeks
Release date: 10 April
Review Score: 8
Tags: Yuga, RoyTson, Kaisen Records


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We're getting more and more excited here at Soft Kitty. In 15 days, we'll be venturing to the U.S.A. to bring Scallywag Rags Don Diego Vega home.
A blog to rave about our favorite thing, Kittens!
For our Cattery please visit: wwwsoftkitty.ca
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Sunday, 29 July 2012
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Fascinating Rhythm are a 50+ strong Ladies Barbershop Chorus. Like all singing groups, our voices are organised into different voice sections and, in Barbershop singing, these range from the highest voice, Tenor, down the scale through Lead, Baritone to the bottom with the Bass section.
Each section has its own leader supported by an assistant, and the whole chorus is directed by a Musical Director (MD). Each song is learned by heart – we don't sing with sheet music in Barbershop which means that we also don't have to stand still while we sing. To make the most of this opportunity, we also have a choreographer who helps to create the right visual effect for song staging.
The sections within Fascinating Rhythm: In Llandudno 2019


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1. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importrareddy Mar 11, 2019 10:56 AM (in response to cjohn001)
Yes, indexes are for the establishing relations, that can be used in the optimized query plans, navigation in odata and also during the materialization table creation and index maintenance. As per why switch not being honored in Designer could be a bug.
2. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importcjohn001 Mar 11, 2019 1:20 PM (in response to rareddy)
Hello Ramesh,
not sure if there is really an error in Teiid Designer or if just my thinking is wrong. I just activated the index feature and I got the indexes as additional entities exported in the package diagram of my source, see attached screenshot.
Does this mean, that Teiid needs to know from the presence of the index in the mysql database to actually use it, rather than using a direct table access to the relevant attribute in the mysql database? So far I thought the index is a mysql database internal construct which only the database uses to improve query performance. To my best understanding I would not write a sql statement different for querying an attribute with and without index or is this something I would have to do in sql and I just did not know so far?
3. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importrareddy Mar 11, 2019 1:56 PM (in response to cjohn001)
I am not sure (do not know) what was the original intention behind them was. I always seem to remember to delete them if I accidentally imported them. The difference is "index keys" vs "indexing". Teiid cares about the "index keys", PK, FK, Unique etc. Where as source databases, as well as Teiid in the case of materialization, make use of the "index keys" to indexing i.e. btree based lookups. Anyways, that is the way I see it.
4. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importcjohn001 Mar 11, 2019 2:21 PM (in response to rareddy)
Hello Ramesh,
so if I understand you correct, than teiid only needs the knowledge of index keys in case of materialization to build a btree on the column itself. Hence as long as I am not using matrealization I do have no need for them. Ok understood, than I can delete them again. The index feature in the importer than starts to make sence and I would expact that the behavior than is correct.
Best regards,
5. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importrareddy Mar 11, 2019 4:48 PM (in response to cjohn001)
I also said they need for optimized query plans before
6. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importcjohn001 Mar 11, 2019 5:10 PM (in response to rareddy)
now I would like to know more
I am currently discussing a similar topic with Steve.
[TEIID-5680] Improve performance of odata expand operations - JBoss Issue Tracker
In the Teiid importer settings in Teiid Designer, there are different options to get a cardinality value for the tables in order to optimize queries. So using the " Import Statistics" switch in the importer solved a performance issue with join operations for me. Seems like the switch only works for Oracle and mysql databases. From the tooltips in the exporter settings it seems like using "import indexes" together with "use any index cardinality" also results in cardinality data.
Do you know more about the optimization involved here? Would I end up with better parameters for optimization in case of exported indexes?
A question that is still open in the discussion with Steve is how Teiid can get the cardinality info interactively. He sketched an approach which is planned for openshift. However, is the way via the indexes a potential possibility to get cardinality data at startup from the database?
Maybe we should shift the discussion than into the linked issue, the info would than be in one place.
7. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importrareddy Mar 11, 2019 5:25 PM (in response to cjohn001)1 of 1 people found this helpful
I do not know too much about Designer and its various options to gather the data. Import Statistics is the correct one for sure. Basically when the cardinality information is there, then the optimizer makes better decisions on pushdown functionality and/or planning the join planning.
Interactive/runtime update of this information has been a long time request, and it is costly so we never took it upon doing. [TEIID-245] Update costing metadata at runtime - JBoss Issue Tracker
Yes, if you are inclined you can do this during startup, as it is just a property on the view, you can do I think "ALTER View Options (add cardinality)" something like that. But in order for you to grab the costing information, you would need to write a MetadataFactory that can read this information from data source and apply to the view. Note this can make deployment times longer, but if you are OK with it then it is not too difficult. Yes, java coding is required
8. Re: Teiid Designer Question regarding Index Importcjohn001 Mar 11, 2019 5:35 PM (in response to rareddy)
than I will probably shift this into a future decission. First I would like to get my app running. Optimization and scaling than will be the next steps Looks like I will not find a way around this Java thing than


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We recently got a new addition to our basement -- a bouncy house -- so that was a HUGE hit at his party today as well!
We usually have parties in the morning before nap time, but since we had a wedding last night and what not, we decided to do a late afternoon Sunday party instead! And it actually worked out really well and was a ton of fun!
There wasn't a theme for this party (oops) but Patrick did request a Mickey cake (even after I basically begged him to let me make him cupcakes! but nope, he wanted a cake!!), so that I guess was kinda the theme for his party?? Doesn't really matter, he had a blast regardless!
I literally had to wake everyone up at 3:30pm to get ready for the party! Everyone, Mike included, fell asleep (probably because it was so rainy and just a perfect afternoon for a siesta!) so at 3:30 I decided it was time to get everyone up and get the party started!
Everyone started rolling in around 4pm and the kids had an absolute blast. The basement was CHAOS with all of the kids but it was so much fun! Between the ballpit and the bouncy house the kids were in toy heaven. I can only imagine how great future parties will be!
After some play time we had dinner (yummy all beef hotdogs, chips, and fruit) and then it was time to cut the cake and sing happy birthday!
Patrick was beaming and SO EXCITED for his cake (that he picked out!). He blew out all of the candles and everyone cheered, especially his biggest fan Rosie. Haha!
After cake we did presents and then some more play time before everyone departed by 6pm! Kids birthday parties are short and sweet, just how we like them!
All in all it was a great day -- Patrick got a ton of Mickey and the Roadster Racers toys, Transformers, and a bunch of art supplies. I hope he likes what he gets from us on Tuesday too!
I cannot believe my little dude, my #1 main man is going to be FOUR on Tuesday! Time sure flies. I feel like this was just yesterday and now my dude is FOUR...has one year left of preschool before he's in kindergarten! I cannot believe it. Patrick, you're such a joy to have in our family -- we love you so much buddy and can't wait to continue watching you grow and turn into an amazing young man!


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Password-based authentication for Git is deprecated, and we recommend using a personal access token (PAT) when prompted for a password instead, which is more secure. Treat your token just like a password. For more information, see "Creating a personal access token."
Updating your credentials via Keychain Access
- Click on the Spotlight icon (magnifying glass) on the right side of the menu bar. Type
Keychain accessthen press the Enter key to launch the app.
- In Keychain Access, search for [hostname].
- Find the "internet password" entry for
- Edit or delete the entry accordingly.
Deleting your credentials via the command line
Through the command line, you can use the credential helper directly to erase the keychain entry.
To do this, type the following command:
$ git credential-osxkeychain erase
> [Press Return]
If it's successful, nothing will print out. To test that it works, try and clone a repository from your GitHub Enterprise Server instance. If you are prompted for a password, the keychain entry was deleted.


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Regardless of political beliefs, there are constants within the foundation of our national identity. One is the Oath of Office members of Congress swear to:
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
With ongoing debate of what the Constitution means, interpretation can be deemed subject to whatever one wishes it to be. Yet from the conception of the nation the stabilizer has been the ethics and morality of members of Congress.
Many could with reason argue that there is little proof that elected officials have either ethics or morals.
Morals are based upon strong or commonly held beliefs of what is right and wrong. There are lines in the sand that most people would consider define which side of the line is right or wrong.
Ethics are usually defined as basic principles of decent conduct.
The mid-term elections are in November. They may determine which party will control the government during the next two years.
Voices daily are raised in anger accusing this side or the other of violations of their morals and lack of ethics. Perhaps the reality is the values of the citizens who vote and of those who do not.
Americans get the government they deserve. It is their morals that are on trial in November.
Ed Horn


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DungeonSticks - Wet Caverns is a modular cavern design system that is fast and easy, and designed to use with a gridded battle map! Perfect for for your next campaign in Dungeons & Dragons and other role playing miniature games.
EC3D developed DungeonSticks to help players build out caverns on top of a battle mat or table. The focus was quick and easy setup, portability, player visibility, and easy printing/painting. The connection system is a simple drop-in rotating joint that requires no additional clips or fastening mechanism, and allows the walls to move to fit organic shapes.
The goals of this system are:
• Faster and easier than complete tile sets to print, paint, and setup
• Reusable, flexible, and combinable with very minimal teardown / setup
• Easy storage, transportation, and stacking when not in use
• Create an 3rd dimension effect without the need for full floors/walls (by leveraging short walls and full-height doors, columns, etc)
• Offer nearly-zero visual impairment or sight blocking for players on the table.
• Not sacrifice design/aesthetics, but make the pieces beautiful for players to look at and full of detail without overcomplicating painting.
• Harken back to an old-school "runehammer-esque" feel when used on the table.
• DungeonSticks: Caverns contain a set of base construction items to build themed organic caverns of all types including walls, couplers, and entrances. They are designed to work with 1" grid systems with limited loss of playable floor space in the interior.
🎥 Check out this video on how these amazing terrain sticks work! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rjOFw4_2XE&feature=youtu.be
❗ These are printed on a FDM printer and are not resin miniatures.
📐 Scale is typical of 28mm-32mm miniatures but does vary based on the designer. Some models may run large. Please refer to the product photos for reference. Products are shown on a 1-inch grid with a standard 20 sided die or 28mm miniature.
📦 Includes: 2 entrances, 4 straight walls, 4 curved walls, 4 indented walls, 2 couplers
📅 Processing / Print time on this item is typically 1-3 days from order placed. Please note, all orders are subject to a 7-14 day processing time.
🚚 All orders are shipped via United States Post Office. PLA has a melting point starting at around 120 degrees F -- please do not allow your shipped items to sit in the hot sun for long periods of time. If you need special shipping arrangements, please contact us directly.
🎨 Custom print colors, paint jobs and scale adjustments may be available. Contact us directly for quotes on custom requests. Paint jobs start at $10/hour with a 2 hour minimum.
🔨 Some of our products may require assembly. If you need instructions, please contact us and we can send you pictures. We recommend Gorilla Gel glue, or epoxy glue.
🔍 Our 3D Printed items are printed with PLA filament or a photopolymer resin. PLA is recommended for indoor use only. Items may require sanding and priming prior to painting or use. Small imperfections and print lines maybe seen. We do our best to provide you with an accurate expectation with highly detailed and realistic pictures. If you are unsatisfied with your print job, please contact us directly.
🛑 Items are not intended for children. These items are used for tabletop miniature wargaming.
❌ All items that are used for scale are not included in this purchase. Items may include die, minis, terrain, tiles and copies of the original item but show in a variation of color. If you are unsure of what you are receiving for the purchase price, please contact us prior to ordering.
📜 Source Models are copyright EC3D / Heros Hoard, provided as an officially licensed seller. Please visit our Partners Page for links to all of our partners' library of designs. We are capable of printing nearly ALL of designs offered by EC3D / Heros Hoard, please contact us for requests of any of their files and we would be happy to add the product for you!


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***It should be mentioned here that Kim's house sits on a laaaaarge piece of property, is very old, and very--let's just say--atmospheric.***
The wholesome activity we'd chosen for the evening was sitting in the kitchen talking (about boys I assume) and roasting marshmallows--using forks--over the gas stove. (Hey, it works, alright?)
Suddenly we hear a noise and both stop to listen.
We hear the noise again and it's coming from the front of the house.
Being young girls, highly excitable, and in an "atmospheric" house, we go to investigate.
We find the front door slightly ajar. "Oh" Kim says, "it doesn't always close tight. The wind probably blew it open."
Nevertheless, being the sensible girls we are, we return to the kitchen and arm ourselves with the largest knives in the knife drawer. Then we sit down and continue talking.
A minute or two later, we hear another noise and both freeze, straining our ears for any sound. I'm sitting with my back to the sink and kitchen window.
Kim is facing me and sitting next to the stove.
In a split second, I hear Kim scream and watch as every drop of blood drains from her face. She's looking directly over my shoulder towards the kitchen window. I swivel my head to see a white face floating in the darkness and smiling and my Banshee screams join Kim's. By now we're both on our feet running across the room. On my way off the bar stool, I fling the knife I'm holding behind me towards the ghostly apparition. Instead of my would-be attacker, the knife hits a glass bowl and knocks it into the sink where it shatters loudly--adding to the cacophony. Kim also throws her knife, barely missing my knee-cap.
Now we're both across the room and turn to face what is surely to be the last thing we'll see before our untimely murders. We're gripping each other, white-faced, defenseless, and still screaming like--well--little girls.
It takes a second to sink in.
It's Stacy. Kim's older sister. She's standing on the porch outside the kitchen window.
She'd gotten home from work, heard us in the kitchen and decided to scare us. So she simply walked out on the deck and popped her head up in front of the window with a big smile on her face.
The ironic thing is, had she actually been an attacker, we would have been defenseless having stupidly thrown away perfectly good weapons.
It's pretty amazing neither of us had a heart incident that night. Or a pee incident for that matter! I think it took a week for my heart-rate to return to normal.
To this day, that is the most scared I have ever been.
I told you my scary story, now you tell me yours!


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Scent and memory are a funny thing. It's amazing how you can be minding your own business, pass by someone on the street who is wearing the same cologne your boyfriend in 8th grade wore, and suddenly you're in his basement in the dark…sitting on the floor playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo 64. For real. Get your mind out of the gutter. We were only 13!
This morning, I reached up to grab my hairspray only to find out that the can was empty. If you know me, you know that this is somewhat of a tragedy. I'm a girl who loves her hairspray. Thinking I might have some squirreled away somewhere, I dug around in the drawer where I keep spare toothpaste and contact solution and came out with a bottle I've had for a while. Several years ago, I was Betty Draper for Halloween and tried to do it as authentically as possible (pantyhose with the seam up the back, red lipstick, curled hair that was set with rollers) and bought a can of Aqua Net to really do it right. It's been in the drawer ever since.
Just one spray of this stuff sends me back to my grandmother's house, into the back room that belonged to my mom and aunt when they were growing up- the room that became my grandmother's closet and dressing room after they moved away. There was a built in vanity along the wall where my grandmother kept her Aqua Net and lipsticks and lotions. I'd often stay in that room when I came for a visit and hang out in there while my grandma was getting ready. My grandmother moved out of that house more than 10 years ago and she passed away seven years ago, but every time I use Aqua Net I'm back in that room and I can picture the very 60's yellow-y carpet and wood paneled walls, the poster of the kitten on the wall telling me to "Hang In There" (that poster always made me sad and I didn't like it next to the bed), the water color of a sunset that hung on the ceiling, the tiny windows that overlooked the side yard and the creek beyond. I see closet where I staged a photo shoot of my stuffed animals the Christmas I received my very own camera (my mom wasn't too happy when she paid to develop the film and realized the WHOLE ROLL was Care Bears, bunnies, and lambs). I'm suddenly in the tiny bathroom next to the bedroom with my grandfather's shaving cream mug and brush next to the sink and the Palmolive that my grandmother used to give me bubble baths in sitting on the tub ledge. Huh. Palmolive. That's another one to add to my list.
The scent of Bactine always, always, always turns me into a 17 year old who, after begging her mother for a year, was finally allowed to get her belly button pierced. She was given instructions to leave the silver hoop in for two months and to clean it regularly with Bactine and she followed those instructions to a T until she got sick of the hoop and changed it for a little barbell just shy of the two month mark. She kept her bellybutton pierced until she was 29 years old and finally decided it was time to grow up, just a little bit.
Some of the scent-related memories are bittersweet. The smell of hand sanitizer sends me back four and half years to the hospital where my then boyfriend's sister was battling cancer for the third time. She was only 32. We used hand sanitizer and donned surgical masks before going in to visit her. She'd had a bone marrow transplant and her environment needed to be sterile. She didn't survive her fight with cancer. I only knew her a short time, but I'm glad I have something, even something so small, that reminds me of her and what a wonderful person she was and that I'm lucky to have known her.
Fall is my favorite time of year. Leaves in piles on the ground mixed with the smell of smoke coming from a chimney and the crisp scent of cool air take me to Halloweens past and dressing up in costume and running around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. Sometimes when I'm walking home from the bus stop in the evening, I'll stop and soak in that smell. It's a quintessential New England scent and always reminds me of autumn at home in Vermont.
Having a scent trigger a vivid memory isn't something that happens to me every day, which another reason it's such a special occurrence. I love the random instances when you're suddenly taken back in time and reminded that life is more than the day-to-day: it's the people you love, the places you've gone, and the memories you've made.
"Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousand of miles and all the years you have lived." – Helen Keller
Song of the Day: The Background by Third Eye Blind


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Recent Peer-Reviewed Publications & Book Chapters
Charlot, L. R., Doerfler, L. A., & McLaren, J. L. (2020). Psychotropic medications use and side effects of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 64, 852– 863. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12777.
Holingue, C., Kalb, L. G., Klein, A., & Beasley, J. B. (2020). Experiences With the Mental Health Service System of Family Caregivers of Individuals With an Intellectual/Developmental Disability Referred to START. Intellectual and developmental disabilities, 58(5), 379–392. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-58.5.379
Kalb, L.G., Beasley, J., Caoili, A., & Klein, A. (2019). Improvement in mental health outcomes and caregiver service experiences associated with the START program. American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 124(1), 25-34. DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-124.1.25
Beasley, J., Kalb, L.G., & Klein A. (2018). Improving mental health outcomes for individuals with intellectual disability through the Iowa START (I-START) program. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(4), 287-300. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2018.1504362
Kalb, L. G., Beasley, J., Klein, A., Hinton, J., & Charlot, L. (2016). Psychiatric hospitalisation among individuals with intellectual disability referred to the START crisis intervention and prevention program. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60(12), 1153-1164. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12330
Beasley, J. B., Klein, A., & Weigle, K. (2016). Diagnostic, treatment and service considerations to address challenging behavior: A model program for integrated service delivery. In Rubin I.L., Merrick J., Greydanus D.E., Patel D.R. (eds) Health care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan (pp. 1629-1644). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_129
Charlot, L. & Beasley, J.B. (2013). Intellectual disabilities and mental health: United States-based research. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 6 (2), 74-105. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2012.715724
Other Articles
Beasley, J. B. (Ed.) (2007). U.S. Public Policy: Assessment of Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs [Special issue]. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities. 10(3).
Charlot, L. R., & Beasley, J. B. (2005). Specialized inpatient mental health care for people with intellectual disabilities. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 8(3), 100.
Beasley, J. B. (2004). Importance of Training and Expertise to Assess "What Works" for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Mental Retardation, 42 (5), 405-406.
Beasley, J. B. & Hurley, A.D. (2003). The Design of Community Supports for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 6(2), 81-85.
Beasley, J. & DuPree, K. (2003). A systematic strategy to improve services to individuals with coexisting developmental disabilities and mental illness: National trends and the "Connecticut Blueprint." Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 6, 50-58.
Beasley, J. (2000). Family Caregiving Part III: Family Assessments of Mental Health Service Experiences of Individuals with Mental Retardation in the Northeast Region of Massachusetts from 1994 to 1998. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 3(3).
Beasley, J. (2000). Why Individualized Habilitative Plans May Fail: When Challenging Behaviors are Symptoms of a Psychiatric Disorder." Mental Retardation, 38 (2), 179.
Beasley, J. & Kroll, J. (1999). Family Caregiving Part II: Family Caregiver-Professional Collaboration in Crisis Prevention and Intervention. Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 2(1), 22-26.
Beasley, J. (1998). Long-term co-resident caregiving in families of persons with a dual diagnosis (Mental Illness and Mental Retardation). Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, 1 (1), 10-16.
Book Chapters
Beasley, J.B. (2005). Crisis Prevention and Management. In I. L. Rubin & A. C. Crocker (Eds.), Medical Care for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities (pp. 510-517). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
Beasley, J.B. (2002). Trends in coordinated and planned mental health service use by people with dual diagnosis. In J. Jacobson, & R. Fletcher (Eds.) Contemporary Dual Diagnosis: MH/MR Service Models, Volume II: Partial and Supportive Services (pp. 35-51). Kingston, NY: NADD.
Beasley, J.B. & Kroll, J. (2002). The START/Sovner Center Program in Massachusetts. In R. Hanson, N.A. Wieseler, & K.C. Lakin (Eds.) Crisis Prevention and Response in the Community (pp. 95-127) American Association of Mental Retardation., Washington, D.C.
Fletcher, R., Beasley, J., & Jacobson, J., (1998). Support Service Systems for people with Dual Diagnosis in the USA. In N. Bouras (Ed.) Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders in Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation (pp. 373-390).
Other Publications
Beasley, J.B. (2013). US Public Policy Update: Crisis Intervention Approaches in the Community: Food Drops or Farming. The NADD Bulletin.
Moser, J. (2012). Improving Preparedness and Flexibility in Web-Based Trainings for North American START Teams. The NADD Bulletin, 15(5), 89-90.
Beasley, J.B. (2012). The United States V The State of Georgia 2010 Olmstead Settlement Agreement: U.S. Public Policy Implications. The NADD Bulletin (16)1.
Hurley, A.D. & Beasley, J.B. (2011). Using Web-Based Technology in Consultation for the National START Teams. The NADD Bulletin, 14(1).
Hinton, J. & Beasley, J.B. (2010). US Public Policy Update: North Carolina Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, respite and Treatment: NC START. The NADD Bulletin, 13(3) 58-59.
Martin, K,, Robson, S., Beasley, J.B., Dailey, T. & DuPree, K. (2006). Transitional Housing to Reduce Inpatient Stays. The NADD Bulletin, 9(4), 82.
Horner, R, Dunlap, G., Beasley, J., et al. (2005). Positive Support for Behavioral, Mental Health, Communication and Crisis Needs. In K. C. Lakin and A. Turnbull (Eds.) National Goals and Research for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [White Paper] (pp. 93-107). Washington, DC: The ARC of the United States & AAMR.
Beasley, J.B. (2004). How well does your state serve people with co-occurring mental illness and intellectual disabilities? The NADD Bulletin, 7(4), 78-79..
Fletcher, R. & Beasley, J.B. (2003). Three US Public Policy initiatives to improve services to people with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental illness. The NADD Newsletter, 6(3), 60-61.
Beasley, J.B. (2003). The START/Sovner Center Model. The NADD Newsletter, 6(3), 57-59.
Beasley, J.B. & Kroll, J. (2002). The START/Sovner Center Program in Massachusetts. In R. Hanson, N.A. Wieseler, & K.C. Lakin (Eds.) Crisis Prevention and Response in the Community (pp. 95-127) American Association of Mental Retardation., Washington, D.C.
Beasley, J.B. (2001). Collaborative Services in Massachusetts: The START/Sovner Center Program. Impact, 14(1), 16-17.
Beasley, J. (1997). Factors Which Contribute to Planning & Development of Housing Options for Individuals with Dual Diagnosis (MI/MR)". The Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter, 6(5), 89-93.
Beasley, J. (1997). The Three A's In Policy Development to Promote Effective mental Healthcare for People with Developmental Disabilities. The Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter.
Beasley, J. (1996). Mental Healthcare Policy Update 'Clinical' vs. 'Person-Centered' Service Delivery. The Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter.
Beasley, J. (1995) Commentary on: "Where, Oh, Where, Has Common Sense Gone?" Mental Retardation.
Sovner, R., Beasley, J.B., &Hurley, A. (1995). How Long Should a Psychiatric Inpatient Stay Be for a Person with Developmental Disabilities? The Habilitative Mental Health Newsletter.
Sovner, R., Hurley, A., Beasley, J., & Silka, V. (1995). Commentary: Fifteen-Minute Medication Follow-up Visits. The Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter.
Beasley, J. & Kroll, J. (1994). The START Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation: Preliminary Considerations and Diagnostic Protocol. National Association for the Dually Diagnosed Newsletter.
Beasley, J. & Kroll, J. (1992). Who is in Crisis, the Consumer or the System? National Association for the Dually Diagnosed Newsletter.
Beasley, J, Kroll, J., & Sovner, R. (1992). Community-Based Crisis Mental Health Services For Persons with Developmental Disabilities. The Habilitative Mental Healthcare Newsletter.


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The Month of Muharram
With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan. Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:
"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."
(Surah At-Tawbah:36)
From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:- The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."
In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports:
"that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."
The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)
The tenth day of this sacred month is known as Aashora. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar. Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.
This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."
But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.
Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora
The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."
One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.' Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)."
These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.
One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year."
These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.
Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.
May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
Did You Know
The significance of the Day of Aashora is from the time of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashora to the martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded.
We must have a greate respect to Allah Beloved Prophet Muhammed(S.A.W), his Family members, and his Companions etc..
The martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was indeed a great tragedy but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Having love for Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) does not necessarily mean that his blessed name should be lamented upon especially when he gained the status of a Shaheed (Martyr), but instead one should convey Thawaab (reward) to him and donate on his behalf for the pleasure of Allah (on Allah's name).
Lamenting, mourning, displaying grief and beating heads is forbidden in Islam. To carry out these acts especially on this Day of Aashora is a Bid'ah (an bad innovation in Islam). To take part in them or to look at them with respect is not permissible.
Dirges (songs of mourning) should be abstained from as they have been clearly prohibited in the Ahadeeth.
Some people think that it is not good to marry in the month of Muharram.
This is also a baseless conception.
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It's winter and the kid has been saying he wants something. Soup. It's cold but "I don't know what I want."
He saw a picture of a green soup and told me this morning "I want that." Not sure what that was but I made him a very vegetable based cheese soup. Pretty simple to do and really this is not a recipe but a suggestion. You could switch out the vegetables and it would be just fine.
I would however use a good cheddar. I like Cabot's Extra Sharp and do not skip coating the cheese with the corn starch.
Serve with a good toasted buttered bread and enjoy.
4 tablespoons of butter
1 Large crown of broccoli chopped
1 large carrot diced
1 rib of celery diced
3 leaks chopped and cleaned
3 cloves garlic – smashed
4.5 oz good cheddar grated – about 2 cup
6 cups chicken stock
¼ cup flour
5 teaspoons cornstarch
3 Slices od good bread.
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Butter and toast the bread in a 450 oven until browning and turn off oven.
Once cooled chop up the bread and set aside
Place about ½ cup of the broccoli aside as a garnish – just the very small tops of the crowns.
Melt the butter in a heavy soup pot
add all the vegetables and 1 teaspoon both salt and pepper and cook on medium for about 15 minutes
Stir frequently
Add the flour and stir in for about 2 minutes
Add the stock and bring to a boil for 20 minutes
Turn of heat and let it come to a rest and cool
Either use an immersion blender or a blender (in small batches) and blend the soup until smooth
Bring the soup back up to a simmer
Toss the grated cheese with the cornstarch
Gradually whisk the cheese into the simmering soup.
Serve soup with the toasted bread crumbs, broccoli crowns and a splash of olive oil on top.
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