text:
Note from 2019 Linus: this post shares ideas and opinions that I no longer agree with. I'm keeping this post in my blog for historical reasons, but my perspectives on protests, motivations, and social justice movements have evolved and grown over the last many years, and now, I think I was making a pedantic and counterproductive point in this post, which I regret arguing for.
I considered taking this post off the web and off this website, but I want this blog to be a faithful record of how my writing and thinking have changed over time, and it wouldn't be complete without the pieces that I now consider wrong, where I've changed my opinions and marked them as such.
This past Saturday, on the 13th of December, there was a coordinated protest spread around the United States, triggered by the recent events at Ferguson. It's a solidarity movement to fight against police violence and racial bias, under the slogan "Black Lives Matter". A few had asked me to participate as well, but I politely refused; this post is my thoughts on this particular campaign – what I love and disagree about it.
If my understanding is correct, the protest is in defiance against the extremely biased police violence, or racial profiling, of the local police forces in Ferguson. And many others have taken place since, from simply wearing a shirt with the slogan to shutting down local police departments. I don't disagree with the premise at all. Racial bias in incarceration is a very real problem, starting at the level of the local police and extending up to the court decisions and prison cells. Data shows that blacks are significantly more likely to be incarcerated (placed in prison) than other races under the same crime, as well as more likely to face the death penalty and more likely to be convicted in the first place. It's a startling wake-up call to anyone who thought the 21st century United States safe from racism. But discrimination doesn't only pertain to the actions that people take against certain groups of people; it's the act of classifying a certain group of people as different from the rest because of a certain trait. Because discrimination is a mindset of sorts, there is a cycle of reinforcement that happens, where the thought that a certain group is negative makes you filter out only those stories in your perception of the world, making you even more sure of your – perhaps flawed – belief. In that way, it's not the reality shaping your thoughts; it's the discriminatory ideas that shape how people construct the world.
I disagree with the notion of fighting discrimination with discrimination.
With that in mind, the main reason I'm partially against campaigns such as this one is the fact that while fighting for the rights and justice of a certain group of people, it also singles out that group as inherently different from others. The reasons are justified, but I disagree with the idea of classifying a group of people as separate from others, because that's still a way of discrimination. By fighting for better black treatment, the campaign also suprports the differentiation of African American people from others, and that counteracts the larger purpose of the campaign that is racial equality. In essence, there is a conceptual difference between fighting for African American rights and fighting for universal human rights, and I support the latter much more than the former. The key slogan "Black Lives Matter" around which this campaign is formed only makes sense when you assume that "Black Lives" are necessarily different from the lives of others, which does nothing more than to fortify the mental boundary between the African American communities and the rest of the world. In an attempt to support one group of people, I think we may turn to supporting only one group of people, and those two views are more different than they are similar.
A similar discussion happened after the ex-Harry Potter cast member and womens' rights activist Emma Watson spoke at UN's HeForShe Event this year, stating that the battle for gender equality isn't one only about women, but about the equality between men and women**. The idea of equality itself rests on the mutual recognition from both sides of the fight, and when the battle shifts to only look at the conflict from one perspective, the fight for equality becomes less about the equality and more about the fight. The movement for black rights isn't just about the African American population; it involves everyone.
Discrimination isn't at all an event of the past, and it's a problem that's taking too much longer than it should have to resolve. Regardless of what the society paints the picture to be, the reality stand that racial bias is still buried deep in the way we as a community view the world. But I think one of the reasons the problem still persists is the ways in which we approach the issue. In fighting for the better treatment of certain people, I think we may be counteracting the idea that we want to throw away in the first place. Some of you may say I'm overanalyzing a harmless and wholly positive movement. Nonetheless, I still think it's crucial to remember that the notion of equality involves more than one group of people, and the problems can't be solved by blindly fighting on the side of the victim. A critical mistake that is far too easy to make in a maelstrom of media and news in events like this is to simply follow the crowd, look where they are going, and listen to what they say. But what's even more important is that each of us consider the situation from multiple angles, remember that while this problem and many others are problems of national policy, it's also a matter of human communication and connection, and our ability to accept and imagine others complexly, as human beings, is crucial to start looking for a solution together.
* One piece of data corroborating this comes from the prison statistic provided by the United States Department of Justice in 2008
** And others, as well, but for the sake of the argument at hand, I'll still to the flawed gender dichotomy
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text:
I want to download only a part of a big website
(www.netdoctor.de), but this part
(community.netdoctor.com/ccs/de/depression/index.jsp) is not
separately /directly available by the browser, but only
available by links using the homepage www.netdoctor.de as a
base. Can you tell me how to download only the part despite
this fact ? Possibly by using filters ?
Greetings, Katharina
Created with FORUM 2.0.11

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Comparing Yourself To The New Supply
So, you just got discarded by the narcissist you were dating. And now you see them with a new supply. Instead of moving on, you stalk them, think about them, and, most of all, you compare yourself to the new supply…um, I mean the new lover in their lives.
The relationships seem to be everything you wish it was with you.
And now all you do with your every waking hour is think, "what do they have that you don't have?"
If you want to stay stuck in the stage of rage, you are in right now and not move on with your ONE LIFE to find someone who will love you and respect you the SAME WAY YOU DO THEM, then keep on comparing yourself to the new supply.
In this article, I want to explain a few benefits that you gain from wasting your time…umm…please excuse me.
What I mean to say is, use your time productively, by stalking…umm…please excuse me.
What I mean to say is, observing the new relationship with your narc and their new supply…umm…excuse me.
I mean their new lover.
I know how painful it can be to be thrust to the side as if we are nothing.
And I also know how AMAZING IT IS TO OBSESSIVELY THINK ABOUT THE NEW SUPPLY AND THE NARC.
Who cares if you have a restraining order placed on you, or you lose countless hours of sleep, or you become severely depressed.
It will all be worth it in the end when they finally take you back.
I mean, our stalking only logically has to lead up to that, right?
Let's begin, shall we?
Keep Comparing Yourself To The New Supply
Benefit # 1: Rapid Aging
Due to you stressing the hell out over this one person you lost as a lover (because we all know that life only gives us ONE PERSON who will ever love us) you will start to age at a much faster pace.
Now, you may be asking, "How is me, looking and being older beneficial for my relationship with the narc?"
And the answer is that you become DEPENDANT, WORTHLESS, and YOU BECOME THE WORST VERSION OF YOURSELF.
Now that you have become so undesirable, you can never be taken away from the narcissist by someone else.
And this tantalizes their sadistic…um…their loving and caring nature.
See, they need you to be worthless because the moment you gain any value, you will move on from them.
In becoming garbage, you help to ease their fragile petty egos.
So, lower yourself, stress yourself out, become less than, and stress the hell out because this will show the narc how much you love them.
TRUE LOVE MEANS TO SUFFER and to SUFFER FOR NO REASON.
Benefit # 2: Grow Ever So Slightly Insane
Hey! You know what they say.
"We all go a little crazy sometimes when we are in love."
Who needs reasons and rationality when you have faux love?
The significant benefit of comparing yourself to the new supply is that you will feel like you are not good enough.
And so, now this toxic thought of not being good enough will force you to start doing irrational things.
Such as trying to BECOME the new supply.
And you know what, you should do it.
Screw having your way of thinking. Screw being uniquely you. And screw thinking logically anymore.
Because love conquers all.
Including sanity.
So drive yourself insane and become someone you are not to gain the love of someone who cannot understand love.
This makes sense, right?
And if it doesn't, who cares you are creeping further, and further down the rabbit hole of insanity.
The insanity you gain will shield you from pain.
Benefit # 3: Waste Your Life Away
We get one chance at life. We get one go at this experience. The best way to live it is NOT in doing things you love. It is NOT in being someone YOU WANT TO BE. And it is NOT in finding someone who will also LOVE YOU the same way you love them.
No, the best way to live this life is by chasing after someone who ONLY wants to make your life as miserable as possible.
The best way to spend this life is by consistently thinking about the narcissist and the new supply and on how much you are missing out on.
See, this is using your time effectively.
What do you gain?
What do you learn?
How does this make you better and happier?
It doesn't.
Isn't this such a GREAT way to use your time?
This Is A Spoof: Stop Comparing Yourself To The New Supply
Listen! This is a spoof.
The reason that many of us feel so depressed and fall so low in self-esteem is that we get discarded and IMMEDIATELY see the narcissist back in a relationship.
It makes many of us feel like we are not good enough.
And for some of us, we become obsessed with the new supply as we are with the narcissist.
And this is what they want.
You have to understand that they didn't pick that new supply up off the street right away. They were grooming them and preparing to get with them for some time now.
Comparing yourself to them will only drive you insane.
And you have to understand that narcissists do not love or care about anyone.
The best way to get back at them and to regain your self-respect, self-esteem, and confidence is by moving on from them and focusing on you.
See the relationship for what it is and go out and find someone opposite of them.
We get one chance at life, live it while you can.


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Cajuns drop close one at Georgia Southern
STATESBORO, Ga. — Malachi Seraphin-Williams had a career-high 15 points, but the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns dropped a 63-60 decision to Georgia Southern on Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse.
Georgia Southern (9-12, 5-5 SBC), which has won four of its past five games, jumped out to an early 7-0 lead with 8:16 left in the first quarter. The Eagles led 13-1 when Patrice Butler made a layup with 4:15 left in the first period.
Louisiana (11-8, 5-5 SBC) then went on an 11-1 run and Jasmine Thomas made a jumper while being fouled and knocked down the free throw with five seconds to go in the quarter to cut the Georgia Southern lead to 14-12 at the end of the first frame.
The Cajuns took their first lead of the game when Nekia Jones made a layup to put Louisiana in front 16-14 with 9:50 left in the second period.
Thomas made two free throws to give the Cajuns a 25-19 lead with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter.
Georgia Southern then went on a 19-3 run to close out the first half and take a 38-28 lead at halftime.
Louisiana opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run and tied the game 40-40 when Kimberly Burton made a layup with 2:18 left in the third period.
Simone Fields made a layup with five seconds to go in the third quarter and the Cajuns trailed 44-42 at the end of the third frame.
The Cajuns led 50-46 after Seraphin-Williams connected on a 3-pointer with 6:28 to go in the game. Seraphin-Williams made two free throws with 4:47 remaining in the contest to put Louisiana in front 53-50.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from the Eagles gave Georgia Southern a 56-53 lead with 3:44 left in the game.
Jaylyn Gordon made a layup for the Cajuns with 1:48 to go and tied the game 59-59. Alexis Sams responded for the Eagles with a jumper to put Georgia Southern in front 61-59 with 1:27 remaining in the contest.
Gabby Alexander then made 1-of-2 free throws with 1:07 left in the game to trim the lead to 61-60. After a defensive stop, Jones missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 11 seconds left in the game.
The Cajuns then fouled Patrice Butler to send her to the line for two free throws. Butler knocked down both to give Georgia Southern a 63-60 lead with seven seconds remaining.
Louisiana had one last shot at the buzzer, but Gordon's 3-pointer from the corner was well off to secure the win for the Eagles.
Angel McGowan led Georgia Southern with 17 points while Butler had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles.
Jones and Fields had nine points each for the Cajuns.
Next up, Louisiana will travel to play Georgia State on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT in Atlanta. The game can be seen on ESPN3 or heard in the Lafayette area on ESPN 1420-AM and worldwide courtesy of Radio Pup.


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From Guernica to slavery, Spanish vet recalls war horrors
published : 10 Jul 2016 at 12:44
writer: AFP
BILBAO (SPAIN) - Luis Ortiz Alfau was 19 and working at a food warehouse when Spain's civil war began in 1936, as general Francisco Franco led an uprising against a democratically elected Republican government.
Luis Ortiz Alfau is one of the last surviving witnesses of the atrocities of the Spanish civil war, from the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica to the forced labour camps
Today almost 100, Luis is one of the last surviving witnesses of the atrocities of that conflict, from the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica to the forced labour camps.
"I joined a battalion of the Republican Left in the first days of August in Bilbao," he recalls at his flat in his hometown of Bilbao in northern Spain, surrounded by his archives and his computer.
"As the son of a Republican I had to join because they would surely call me up and I wanted to defend freedom and the legal Popular Front government," adds Luis, wearing a traditional round Basque beret.
Hundreds of thousands of people died in the war, which pitted the elected leftist government against Franco's right-wing Nationalist forces, backed by Hitler and Mussolini.
"We would practise with brooms... we didn't have rifles or any war material," says Luis, a 99-year-old widower who lives alone.
- 'Collect the dead' -
Luis refuses to be presented as a brave hero and says he never fired a single shot during the three-year war that began on July 18, the most devastating conflict in Spanish history.
"I was lucky to be assigned to the transmissions section. I was a living phone. I would go from the battalion command to the trenches with an envelope," he recalls.
"The messages would ask for weapons, they would say, 'We can't hold on' or 'We have had many casualties.'"
His battalion was resting in a neighbourhood in the Basque town of Guernica on April 26, 1937 when German planes dropped dozens of tonnes of bombs -- an atrocity that shocked the world and was immortalised in Picasso's haunting anti-war painting that year named after the town.
"We had to go out and collect the dead and wounded, everything was burning and full of smoke, I had never seen so much blood," he said.
Historians estimate as many as 1,600 people were killed when aircraft from Hitler's "Condor Legion" sent to Spain to support Franco's forces carpet-bombed the Basque town.
Franco blamed "red vandalism" -- a reference to Communists and other leftists -- for the destruction of the city.
- 'Eat raw lizards' -
In February 1939, Luis fled to neighbouring France where he experienced the hardships of the camps where Spanish Republicans -- deemed "undesirable" -- were confined.
Journalist Ander Izaguirre, who was asked by a Basque government institute to write a biography of Luis, says "what is impressive" about his life story is that he "passed through the most important places of the war and post-war".
When France entered World War II in September 1939 by declaring war against Germany, Luis -- like thousands of other Spaniards -- thought the time was right to return to Spain.
But he was arrested at the border and in June 1940 was sent to one of the 121 forced labour camps that were set up by Franco, according to British historian Antony Beevor, to punish the losing Republican side.
Luis likes to say that he is alive because he knew how to use a typewriter.
Thanks to this skill, he was assigned the job of scribe in the labour camp that was tasked to build a road through the valleys of the frosty Pyrenees mountains on the border with France in "inhuman conditions".
"I was privileged, I stayed with the officials in a small house, but the rank and file were in the outskirts in the barracks for livestock," he recalls.
"Some weighed just 38-40 kilos (83-88 pounds). They would eat vegetable peelings that were thrown to the pigs, even raw lizards."
- 'Slaves of the Franco regime' -
Luis said he still feels "shame" for having contributed, against his own will, to the hunger the prisoners endured when his corrupt lieutenant demanded that he hand over part of the funds meant to buy food.
When he finally returned to Bilbao as a free man in 1943, Luis quickly realised that jobs were reserved for "those who had fought with Franco".
He only found work after he bribed a civil servant to eliminate his record as a former Republican fighter.
Luis, who will turn 100 on October 13, says he is "wonderfully happy" and pleased that he has the chance to bear witness in the name of the former "slaves of the Franco regime".
An amnesty law passed in 1977 -- two years after Franco's death -- pardons crimes committed during the war and dictatorship that followed.
But a judge in Argentina has opened an enquiry into Franco-era crimes and Luis was able to outline "everything that dead Republican prisoners can never tell".


text:
ARR Rail is a company focussed on development of innovative products and processes and the demonstration of its capability in this respect is best done through past achievements.
Dr Jay Jaiswal, as Director – Track Engineering & Technologies for the Rail Sector of Tata Steel Europe, was responsible for the research and development activities of the company for a large number of years. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the development of many innovations, a number of which resulted in the generation of Intellectual Property Rights for the company. Some examples of past and current innovation initiatives are:
A metallurgically engineered steel for improved resistance to wear and rolling contact fatigue. The product is now fully commercialised with rapidly growing deployment within the UK railway network.
A scientifically proven process that challenged the long held industry belief that high carbon steels can only be weld restored using high temperature preheat.
This process is based on the proven ability to weld restore high carbon steel rails without the need for high temperature preheat.
The feasibility of the use of image acquisition and analysis for track inspection was demonstrated within the European Commission sponsored project.


text:
The Browns were forced to shutter their facility for the second straight day Thursday after two more players tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports.
In the midst of their first 10-win season since 2007, the Browns' luck on the field hasn't translated to keeping the coronavirus out of their organization. The team announced Wednesday that it had to close its headquarters due to additional COVID-19 cases, but were able to return in the afternoon after contact tracing had been completed.
Cleveland shut the facility down for a second time Thursday morning, but again hopes to have the contact tracing process completed again in time to practice in the afternoon.
In Sunday's loss to the Jets, the Browns were without Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan People-Jones, KaDarel Hodge, B.J Goodson and Jacob Phillips, all of whom were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to kickoff.
The COVID-19 chaos comes at an inopportune time for the Browns, who are fighting for their first playoff berth since 2002.
Should the Browns lose to the Steelers Sunday, they would need either a Colts loss or a Titans loss along with wins by the Ravens and Dolphins in order to make the postseason.


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Pedro Martinez is runner-up for Boston superintendent
Former Washoe County School District Superintendent Pedro Martinez was close to becoming superintendent of Boston Public Schools on Tuesday, but he didn't get the job.
Boston's school board, called the Boston School Committee, debated for three hours on Tuesday over which finalist should be hired as superintendent.
Their choices: Tommy Chang, a superintendent overseeing 132 schools within Los Angeles Unified School District; Guadalupe Guerrero, deputy superintendent for San Francisco Unified School District; and Martinez.
There was a fourth finalist — Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools Dana Bedden — but he dropped out that same day.
Martinez received two votes, but the five other committee members chose Chang and will now enter contract negotiations with the area superintendent from Los Angeles.
"He (Martinez) has intentionally confronted us with the shortcomings of our district. I want to thank him for that," noted committee member Michael Loconto before throwing his support behind Chang. "He's been a teacher, he's been a principal."
Martinez has no classroom or in-school experience. His career in education started at Chicago Public Schools, where he was chief financial officer from 2003 to 2009. He then came to Washoe County to serve as deputy superintendent, but he soon left for the same job in Clark County School District. By 2012, though, he was back in Washoe as superintendent, a job he retained until a few months ago.
Martinez resigned in 2014 following a heated battle with the Washoe County School Board.
In a closed door meeting in July, the School Board tried to fire Martinez for allegedly falsifying his accounting credentials. The attempted firing ignited a legal battle in which the district ended up paying Martinez a $700,000 settlement, and the state levied fines against the six board members present in July for breaking Nevada's Open Meeting Law.
Boston School Committee President Michael O'Neill praised Martinez for "owning up" to what happened there.
Members of Boston's Hispanic committee lobbied for Martinez on Tuesday, asserting that he personally knows their struggles, and that shouldn't be ignored. About 40 percent of Boston's student body identifies as Hispanic
After two years of having its school system run by an interim superintendent, Boston's school board debated over three finalists for the position of superintedent


text:
SUPER Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has attributed his quick recovery from injury to work done on him by Super Eagles trainer who was sent to Turkey by coach Gernot Rohr.
Onazi narrated that he is now "100% fit for the World Cup.
"I wish to thank coach Gernot Rohr for getting the Eagles physical trainer to come and work with me at my club," Onazi revealed.
"I'm now 100% fit and ready for the World Cup."
The hard working midfielder said the Eagles will go with a mentality to win their games so as to go beyond a tough group stage that has Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.
"It's most important to get the first two games, but I believe if we won our games, we will go through, that's the mentality we will take to the World Cup," he said.
He has scored two goals in 20 appearances for Trabzonspor and said his most immediate is to help his Turkish club clinch a Europa League spot.
They are currently fifth on the table with 49 points from 32 matches.


text:
I have decided to take my writing career to its next logical level. After much pondering and consideration- I feel this to be an important and decisive move in the right direction. Over the years I have noticed that most successful authors have "Meet The Author" events where fans turn out to meet the author in person and possibly have the good fortune to shake a hand and/or get a book signed. Since I lack a published book, an agent and a large fan base- I have decided to launch a grass roots effort to get my name and writings out into the world. I live close to a university, so there are a lot of undergraduate and graduate students who walk past my home everyday. I often sit at my window envying their youth and purpose. I figured I have nothing to lose by setting up my coffee table in my driveway, putting out some copies of various short stories I have written, some information about my literary blog and a sign that reads "Meet The Author." I have always believed in self-reliance. If you build it- they will come.
Yesterday was my first day sitting in the driveway- behind a "Meet The Author" sign. I wore my black suit with a black t-shirt and black converse shoes. I don't have glasses but I realize that this prop may allow me to look more literary (so I may go to Target and buy some cheap reading glasses later today). There was little wind yesterday and the clouds abstained from covering the sun that hung diligently in the sky. I sat behind my coffee table in a fold up chair that had been rusting away in my garage. I made sure that I was outside by 8 a.m so as to catch the morning rush. Hundreds of students passed me by, many curious about what I was doing, but none stopping to meet me in person. At around eleven a.m I came in for lunch.
I spent the rest of the afternoon outside. I did not read because I wanted to look welcoming and available to whomever wanted to meet me. Instead, I watched the birds hop from tree to tree and the squirrels hobble across the sprouting grass. I watched feral cats walk around in the suburban park that sits across the street from my house. All these perplexed creatures seemed to look at me with the same curiosity of the students. "What the hell is he doing?" they wondered as they tried to make sense of a man dressed in a black suit spending his day sitting in a driveway. I noticed the way the animals looked at me was different from the glances of humans. There was something considerate and compassionate in the animal stares. It was as if they were not only confused but also taking pity on an author that no one seemed to want to meet.
When my wife returned home from work at around three I had to move the coffee table so that she could get her car into the garage. After I explained to her what I was doing all she could do was laugh, turn around and walk inside. I heard her shout "what time do you want to eat dinner!" but I did not respond since I was in the middle of an important event. I placed the coffee table back in its original spot and continued to sit and wait. The light of day was slowly fading so that I could no longer see clearly the various animals in the park. The trees started to become vague outlines of themselves. Hundreds of students again passed me on their way back to where they had come from. Back to a life of studying, possibilities, ambitions, opportunities and microwaved dinners. Several students looked at me but again, no one stopped to meet the author. I was feeling a bit disillusioned and could swear I heard a female voice yell from a distance what sounded like the word "fool."
Then, as night was almost finished coloring everything in with black and gray crayons- a medium-sized Asian man made his way up to my coffee table. He looked like he might be a graduate student since he was wearing glasses and had a few books under his arm. I was getting ready to pack everything up when he said to me in a kind of broken English "You are the author?" I turned towards him and for the first time that day I said, "Yes, I am." "I love America Writers….you guys so funny and sad, kinda tragic," he said. I thought of Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Faulkner. "My name is Randall Sokoloff and these are some things I have written," I said pointing to the copies of my short stories on the table. He looked at them like he was investigating cellular activity through a microscope. Then he looked up at me and repeating one of the titles of my short stories, "The Man Who Swallowed His Wedding Ring, that is so silly," and then he laughed and I laughed with him. "I take this one," he said and I told him that he was welcome to take more than one. "Give some stories to your friends and tell them that they can come meet me in person this week!" Then he asked me the question that I had been waiting for all day, "would you mine signing story for me?" which I did with a hint of pride that I had not felt in a long time. We shook hands and he walked away with my short stories under hims arm. I immediately turned my head to see if my wife was looking out the window and had witnessed my victory. She was not there but my cat, who sat on the window ledge, had seen it all.
I will continue to sit out on my driveway at least until Saturday. Even if I only meet one person a day that is good enough for me. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. My hope is that next year or by the time I turn forty-two I will actually have a novel published that I will be able to present to passers-by. For now the copied versions of my short stories and information about my blog will have to do. If you care to come and meet the author in person, I am on the corner of Oak and 14th. I will be sitting in my driveway from 8 a.m. until dark at least until Saturday. Just look for the park across the street, the animals perched in the trees, the man in an rusting folding chair wearing an all black suit and/or the sign that in large black ink says "Meet The Author."


text:
Ugh. There's no other word that completely expresses our impressions of Ego & Company's Slide Case for iPhone 4 ($35), a new accessory that trumps the worst wasteful packaging practices we've previously seen by literally doubling them. Two separate hard plastic boxes and cardboard wrappers are unnecessarily used to hold the top and bottom halves of the Slide Case, cumulatively giving you more stuff to throw away (or hopefully recycle) than keep. Seemingly designed without much knowledge of iPhone 4 hardware and protection challenges, the matte-finished Slide Case manages to block the top microphone hole, close off the headphone port to everything but Apple's slim plugs, and offer no protection for any of the iPhone's buttons; there's no flash-assisting black shield around the camera hole, either. Due to the tightness of a front bezel shield, any screen film you may self-supply will be pulled off by the case during insertion. On the other hand, you can choose different colors for the top and bottom of the case, which are lined with an unusually thin and nicely cut "next-generation cushion padding." There are over 100 combinations to be made from the 11 colored pieces. If Ego & Company was as thoughtful in the design of the case and packaging as it was in selecting colors and tailoring the inner lining, the concept might rate more than a "pass."
Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Ego & Company
Website: www.Egoncompany.com
Model: Slide Case
Price: $35
Compatible: iPhone 4


text:
We can learn from French decor, design
I am inspired by many of the details found in French design, both old and new. The regal yet comfortable form of a bergere chair, the intricate painted details on a bedroom dresser and a collection of crystal candlesticks are each welcoming symbols of the style. True French design places value on fine linens for all occasions and puts them to use everywhere, from tabletops to window dressings. There is an attention to detail that spans generations, a love for their history and the affluent way of life that now circumvents all classes and can be seen in simple farmhouses as well as in a Paris pied-a-terre.
A celebration of refined meets mid-century modern fills the pages of a gorgeous new book by Betty Lou Phillips, "The French Way With Design," published by Gibbs Smith. In this oversized coffee table tome, Dan Piassick's grand photographs literally invite you in to sit at a round steel chateaux dining table on one of the tailored Parsons chairs or the richly upholstered curved banquette. Phillips has chosen homes on both sides of the Atlantic that have been decorated in the French way, and they make it look effortless. The homeowners' lifestyles are enriched by their surroundings. Every room has surprises, secrets and inviting charm.
One of my favorite rooms is the harmonious living room shown here. It glorifies textiles' important qualities. There is so much more to any fabric when it is wrapped, sewn or hung in such a way as to show off its texture and color. "Luxury is in each detail," proclaimed Hubert de Givenchy, French aristocrat and fashion designer. In a modern take on tradition, distinctive waterfall pleats, intricately rendered in Clarence House linen, tumble from a custom-made sofa. The cushions are softened with Turkish corners. Blue and white striped draperies keep the mood casual, while softly pleated lampshades add another dimension to the wealth of textures. The room is washed in shades of blue — not just the fabrics, but the mixed-media paintings on panels by Marissa Starr, finished with a high-gloss resin, that shine like the Mediterranean Sea behind a chic chandelier.
Phillips shows stunning examples of the French kitchen where everything is sous la main, meaning within easy reach or literally under the hand. She notes that professional-looking appliances and state-of-the-art cabinets are often missing. Instead, open shelves brim with pitchers, pottery, platters and other paraphernalia that illustrate just how passionate the French are about their cuisine. Gleaming copper pots, pans, bowls and molds hang in clear view. Wooden countertops are cluttered with cutting boards, a chef's collection of knives, small appliances and baskets for breads, fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. The decor is most often rustic, where unglazed, oversized squares or octagons of terra-cotta tile have the flavor of Provence, Burgundy and the Loire Valley, where clay is plentiful. Floors are wood, stone or black-and-white tile.
For tips on hanging art, Phillips dedicates a chapter to timeless lessons taught by the French museums on the art of hanging art, not an easy task. One lesson states, "Whereas small paintings scattered around a room disappear on generous walls, when grouped together and hung inches apart, they make a strong statement." There are 12 more lessons — one more reason to seek out this essential guide to French decorating, which provides lessons that can be put into practice anywhere, any time.
Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis .com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at www.twitter.com /debbie_travis, and visit Debbie's new website, www.debbietravis.com.


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"The ultimate outcome is increased revenues for governments and the ease of doing business for business owners, who must be registered and have an identification number. This helps to fund investments in infrastructure, social investment, human capital development and more." – Osinbajo
I am delighted to be here with you this morning, at the launch of this historic system and event itself, the new National TIN Registration System.
The world is constantly changing, and along with it, the accepted ways of doing everything, including the management of economic and financial systems.
As international boundaries dissolve under the reality of a globalizing world, and as financial and economic activities increasingly transcend geographical limitations, tax administration itself, must of necessity continually adapt.
Tax administration is built around data – without credible and comprehensive data, an efficient tax system would be an impossibility.
To function optimally, tax systems have to be aware of important statistics such as numbers of eligible individuals and businesses, volume of economic activity, and then design and implement strategies to take advantage of these available data are also crucial.
This is where the need for proper identification of eligible taxpayers whether they be individuals or corporate bodies, comes in. A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a vital instrument to uniquely identify, as well as, register new taxpayers and bring them into the tax bracket.
The drama team (which had put up a skit) did an excellent job of explaining just how important this is for every type of business, to come into the tax bracket which makes life easier for anyone doing business, whether local or international.
It gives the managers of the national tax administration systems the capacity to conveniently and efficiently access and connect information from multiple sources. It forms the basis for projecting future revenues and for making realistic expenditure plans for governments.
This new TIN Registration System will utilize existing data from a variety of authorized identity management agencies, and help build a database that is reliable and verifiable.
To elaborate more on that, what we have at the moment is data from Corporate Affairs Commission, Identity Management Systems and TelCos. All of that data is relevant for tax purposes and what it does is to bring all the data together in one particular system which is through our tax identification number.
The ultimate outcome is increased revenues for governments and the ease of doing business for business owners, who must be registered and have an identification number. This helps to fund investments in infrastructure, social investment, human capital development and more.
I am pleased to note that this new initiative aligns fully with the Federal Government's strategic objectives as outlined in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and all the other documents which are meant to power Nigeria's economic development.
Mention must also be made of how this new TIN system supports our Ease of Doing Business ambitions for Nigeria. The increased automation of tax systems frees up room for businesses, small and large to thrive, away from the strictures of unnecessary bureaucracy. This reduces the possibilities of indiscretion and petty corruption with people asking for money.
An easier operating environment will have positive implications for corporate bottom-lines with the expected positive impact on tax revenues.
What we seek to achieve is to attract business, not just international business, but even more importantly, local business. It is local investment that delivers the local economy the most, and if it's easy for the local person to do business, it becomes even more attractive for international businesses to come into the country.
In the light of the foregoing, all agencies critical to the optimal success of this initiative; the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBBS), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), have all been directed by President Buhari to provide the fullest co-operation to the JTB, especially in the release of the relevant individual records.
The Joint Tax Board led by its chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler, all the partners and stakeholders who have made this possible, deserve our commendation for this giant leap. The Nigerian business and economic environment are better for your hard work and continuous innovation. Congratulations!
It is now my special pleasure to proceed to the official launch of the new National TAX Identification Number Registration System.
Thank you very much for listening.


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Day 381 MarchDoodle More Floral Designs
I'm going to go back to searching for styles. I get an image in my mind, but I can't seem to get it to work. But, as you can see by the number of different designs, I'm committed to giving the style a try.
These were created in Procreate, and I'm going to take another class or two in Affinity Designer, which I like because I can place my designs just so without trouble. In Procreate, when you place an image off to the side, it literally cuts it off, and although you can undo, it's just frustrating to not be able to just move things around and not worry about making duplicates. Every time you duplicate something, it looses some of its integrity, and that causes issues with pixelation. If I were a better artist, this probably wouldn't be a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly love Procreate– its made my growth possible. This is just a slice of my life that shows my struggles.
So….. what's your struggles in your hobby?
art, Art Techniques, Challenges, CLMOOC, Prompts, Slice of Life, sol
Sheri Edwards View All
Geeky Gramma ~~
Retired Middle School Language Arts/Media Teacher ~~
Writer and Thinker~~
Art from the Heart


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GW's SirValiant Brown announced Tuesday night he will forgo his final two years of college eligibility and enter the National Basketball Association Draft held June 27.
"I made my decision, I'm going pro," Brown said. "I've got the talent, the skills and the heart to play at the next level."
The sophomore guard said he faxed a letter to the office of NBA Commissioner David Stern April 26 indicating his desire to withdraw his eligibility from college. Brown said he received a reply letter from Stern later that day indicating that the letter had been read.
Brown said many factors contributed to his decision, including the recent resignation of head coach Tom Penders. Penders resigned as the Colonials coach April 20 amid turmoil surrounding new sex crime charges for Attila Cosby and alleged phone fraud among four players.
"To change from (Penders') style of play would have been hard for me," Brown said.
With the May 13 deadline for declaring for the draft approaching, Brown said he did not want to wait any longer to make his decision. He said he received full support from his family, friends and high school coach Mike Harris.
When asked if he would stay at GW if current associate head coach Rob Wright was named head coach, Brown said that would be "another decision for my family and I to deal with."
Brown told The Hatchet last week that he would remain a Colonial if Wright was promoted to head coach.
Wright, who interviewed for two hours last Friday with Athletic Director Jack Kvancz and his committee for the head coaching position, said Tuesday night that he appreciates Brown's full support, but felt Brown "wanted to get out there and test the waters."
"Val's biggest problem was that he didn't want to be a student anymore," Wright said. "This is his dream."
When asked if academics was a reason for Brown's early departure, Wright said Brown "might have been struggling a little bit," but declined to comment further. Brown said academics "was not the reason I'm making the decision."
Wright said he was aware of Brown's decision and found out about it officially when the NBA called Wright to confirm that the league received Brown's letter of intent. Wright said the rest of the athletic department found out officially after the league faxed Brown's letter to GW Sports Information on April 26.
"I think if he gets the opportunity, he'll do very well," Wright said. "Val is going to be a NBA player someday. Val is a great kid with a wonderful personality, but sometimes he gets himself into hot water because of the choices he makes."
Brown said his eyes are not set on one team.
"I'd like to play for the (Washington) Wizards, Chicago, the (Los Angeles) Clippers, but it really doesn't matter," Brown said. "I just want to play."
Brown said he does not plan to hire an agent so that he can return to GW in the fall if he wants.
"I want to keep my options open," he said. "It's a risky business and that's why I don't have an agent."
Brown can pull his name out of the draft at any time until June 20. Because Brown does not have an agent, he has up to 30 days after the June 27 draft to return to GW if he is not selected.
He said he is unsure what he will do if he is not drafted.
"I sit back and I think about the repercussions and I visualize," Brown said. "But I'm not picturing the possibility of not being drafted."
Brown will spend the next month working out and practicing in anticipation for a pre-draft camp held in Chicago June 5-8, the only camp non-seniors can attend.
As for the GW coaching search, Wright said he thought Friday's interview in the Smith Center conference room went "very well."
"I want to be a head coach," Wright said. "I don't want to be an assistant anymore."
University of North Carolina-Greensboro head coach Fran McCaffery met with Kvancz Tuesday, and GW interviewed Maine University head coach John Giannini Monday, according to a GW official who wished to remain anonymous.
GW women's head coach Joe McKeown and Kevin Clark, a former associate head coach at GW and a current associate under Mike Jarvis at St John's University, interviewed for the position Saturday, the official said.
The official said the coaching decision is expected to be made Monday. Kvancz was unavailable for comment.
This article appeared in the May 3, 2001 issue of the Hatchet.


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How to Rent a Boat in Split, Croatia
Last Updated on November 1, 2022
''Sea'' it to believe it
On Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, Split, is known for its liveliness and has become one of the most popular cities to visit on the Adriatic Sea. With its speedy economic growth and investments in tourism, there are dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops booming within the distinctive old walls so you will be sure to stay entertained and keep busy while here.
Positioned between the mountains and the sea, Split, is admired for its architecture and beauty in the city and its surrounding areas making it a perfect weekend trip or gateway for the islands near in the region.
After spending time in the beautiful city with all its entertainment and history that it offers, why not enjoy the nature and the world-famous beaches within a short distance from the coast. Although Split has its very own beaches, each with their own and unique special traits, they can sometimes become overcrowded with travellers during the peak season.
Experience the surroundings that Split has to offer with just one trip of the Mediterranean's most famously beautiful sites, its amazing clear sea, isolated islands, watersports hotspots, historic havens, hidden beaches and its mild climate with just one comforting boat trip.
With sweeping beaches, rocky coves and its climate consisting of very hot summers and receiving more than 2600 hours of sunshine annually, you can find refreshment, unwind and sail through the sparkling blue waters of the sun-kissed coastline, Adriatic…sounds perfect, right? So, what are you waiting for?
Here's how to rent a boat in Split
What type of rental is for you?
There is a variety of factors that dictates the type of rental that you need. Do you want to rent a boat in split for a day or for several days? Do you need a boat with or without the skipper? What type of boat would you like to get? …and in the end, it all comes down to your budget.
One day rental (with the skipper)
As the Adriatic Sea offers secluded bays, natural wilderness, and unbelievable turquoise waters, Split is the perfect starting point to discover all of this.
With nautical tourism thriving, you can now rent your own boat, but by Croatian Law, you need to be licensed. Specifically, the licence you'll need is "Boat leader licence category B". To get a licence you need to complete the course and examination at the Harbour Office after which you will receive a Boat Leader's License Category B issued by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia.
Although getting a licence is not super complicated, why bother with it if there is an adequate alternative available? The alternative is: renting a boat with a skipper. Not only you'll avoid all that licence acquisition process, but you'll also get a professional who is familiar with the boat, its equipment and manoeuvring abilities.
So, why worry about all the struggles and hassle when you can rent a boat in Split with a skipper through a local agency? Renting a boat in Croatia with a skipper brings a variety of advantages to the table. The most obvious of which being the local knowledge and privileged insights to show you and your group a side of maritime Croatia you may otherwise overlook entirely.
Getting away from the beaten path from the comfort and luxury of your own private boat is what unforgettable Croatian adventures are all about.
In addition, when you rent a boat in Split (and Croatia) with a captain, you and your guests have all the time in the world to relax, soak up your surroundings and indulge in whatever takes your fancy.
Most popular predefined day tours
Renting a boat and taking a day trip with a local agency provides you with the best possible experience as you get to see some of the rarest locations and untouched parts that you may not have been able to discover on your own.
Blue Cave and 5 islands tour:
The most popular and requested day tour is the Blue Cave and 5 island tour. On this tour, you get to experience the natural phenomenon of the Blue Cave on Biševo Island, Vis, Budikovac, Paklinski, and Hvar. The experienced skipper can show you sunken old ships, American bomber plane remaining's from World War II, home of the endangered monk seals and filming locations of TV shows like Mama Mia. If you're lucky enough, you can expect to experience dolphin watching during the tour. Skipper always gives his best to find a way to meet them and does shortstop so you can take amazing photos and enjoy the moment.
Blue Lagoon and 3 islands tour:
In addition to the Blue Cave and 5 islands tour, there are also 3 Island tour and Blue Lagoon tour. Tree island tour offers you something new, the island of Brač and the world's famous Zlatni rat beach (Golden Horn), an ideal place for swimming and snorkelling and Blue lagoon's crystal clear waters are ideal for relaxed swimming and snorkelling.
When doing a day tour in the arrangement with the local agency you get tour tailored just for you. You get to combine places, activities, and the attractions while having zero worries on your mind. There is plenty to miss if you choose to go on your own, but nothing when you let experienced locals do!
One week or longer (nautical marinas in Split)
Having a rich nautical history like Split has means that there is a great offer for any taste. There are 4 nautical marinas in Split area, ACI Marina Split, Marina Zenta, Marina Spinut, and Marina Kastela. ACI Marina Split is situated in the city centre and it's within a walking distance from Diocletian Palace. It has the widest offer of all boat types available for charter. Boats range from smallest to the largest 30+ meters long new yacht fully equipped.
You also have available sailing boats, motor yachts, catamarans, and cruising gulets. Next, the best rental spot is Marina Kastela, with a wide selection of all boat types available for bareboat and crewed rental. Marina Zenta and Marina Spinut have a slightly lower offer of yachts and sailboats available for rental but they are still a great place to check.
Spending a week or more on the Adriatic Sea is a lifetime memory that you can't put the price on. There are numerous spectacular places to visit, so wherever you decide to go you won't regret it. The most popular and interesting route is a one-way route from Split to Dubrovnik. It includes visiting places like Hvar, Korcula, National Park Mljet and the Pearl of Adriatic – Dubrovnik.
Dalmatian's beloved bond
If you have the opportunity to take a trip out on the crystal-clear sea, there is no better place to do so than on the Croatian coast as it is one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Mediterranean.
This coast is one of the safest to navigate in and offers plentiful locations to explore.
With the waters being calm and shark free, you will be sure to have a relaxing time while taking on the views and enjoying your favourite glass of wine and possibly spotting dolphins along the way, who doesn't love a good show?
Dalmatian's long history of sailing proves that whether you are an amateur or professional you have plenty of opportunities to explore the coastline.
If you have less experience in sailing, merely rent a boat in Split with a knowledgeable skipper who can teach you the ins and outs.
Courses are also available to improve your skills. If you have the skills to manage sailing on your own there are many licensed agencies available for you to rent your own boat according to your desires. But with the help of a skipper, it allows you to enjoy your free time all while taking the most spectacular pictures.
If you prefer to take out a small fishing boat, extravagant yacht or a sailboat they are all readily available. Again including a skipper who is there to alter and make recommendations on different routes in case of bad weather.
The Croatian love for the sea is plentiful and ready to be shared among everyone who wants to experience firsthand what the salty Mediterranean Sea has to offer. As well as its history including fun facts such as how the renowned traveller, Marco Polo, was born in Korcula, an island on the Adriatic Sea.
Other articles you will love:
- 10 Best Things to Do in Split [Croatia]
- Balkans Travel: 61 Places to Visit in the Balkans +Transport & More
- 22 Unique Things to do in Croatia This Summer
- 10 Things to do Around the Elaphiti Islands, Croatia
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Paul Johnson farms 450 acres of wine grapes in Monterey County for his family's Johnson Vineyard Co. Normally, a range of local wineries, under multiyear contracts, buy his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. But after last year's harvest, Johnson began to worry when no winery clients renewed their contracts.
Now, the 2019 harvest season is well under way, and Johnson is facing a hard reality: As much as two-thirds of his crop may go unsold.


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By Mike U. Crismundo
BUTUAN CITY – Members of the Manobo tribe in Caraga region received bags of inbred rice seeds from the government, in an effort to help them in this time of crisis due by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Department of Agriculture (DA 13) Regional Spokesperson Emmylou T. Presilda told The Manila Bulletin on Friday afternoon that the members of Ocao Farmers' Association of Rosario, in Agusan del Sur province initially received 30 bags of inbred rice seeds through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the DA – Caraga Region 13.
Together with his members, Rodel Rodrigo, chairman of the Manobo Association, received the rice seeds turned over by Ariel Obillos, SAAD Area Coordinator, at Barangay Novele, in Rosario town, Agusan del Sur province, the region's DA 13 spokesperson added.
"We are thankful that the DA through SAAD has provided us with rice seeds. This would have cost us P1,500. With these free seeds, our production cost is lessened,", said Rodrigo, in vernacular.
The supply of rice seeds and other agricultural inputs are part of the SAAD interventions that aim to establish agri-communal enterprises in areas with high poverty incidence in the region.
Since 2019, members of Ocao FA (27 indigenous people and 3 non-IPs) have undergone technical training on rice production.
With the training and agricultural inputs, the association will have the means to plant rice by the next cropping season covering 30 hectares.
For this year, the association will receive a total worth of ₱875,800 for rice production support.
Rice production and livestock production is the main force in the labor market in ADS. As such, this intervention will eventually help address concerns on food production and poverty at the local level.
DA – Caraga, although slightly hampered by the CoVID-19 pandemic, continuously rolls out interventions to the SAAD recipients in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, DA 13 Regional Spokesperson Ms. Presilda added.
For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture – Caraga.


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Your next step is my Wellness Assessment where we explore in depth the presenting problem and establish the baseline of intervention. This is an in person, 2 hours session and there are no obligation for further therapy/coaching
During our Wellness Assessment we will focus on three main areas:
Why you have this presenting problem
This is the blueprint of you. Why have you made the unconscious decision to be where
you are today
How you do the presenting problem
This is the process phase. How you do one thing is how you do everything
What are the details and focus of your problem
This is the content phase. Your personal history will uncover the details of your Why
and How
As a result of uncovering your blueprint, process and content this may provide enough awareness and allow one to take action. By taking action and making that first move removes negative emotions and hesitations
In completion of the Wellness Assessment, we determine whether it's the right time to
take the journey and which method best suits your needs


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By Linda Breggin and D. Bruce Myers Jr. The last century marked a sea change in the way agricultural operations are conducted. This "industrialization" of agriculture has significantly increased efficiency and yields, but it also has generated — as an unintended byproduct — pollution. The pollution resulting from commodity crop operations can have harmful effects locally and … [Read more...] about Subsidies with Responsibilities: Placing Stewardship and Disclosure Conditions on Government Payments to Large Scale Commodity Crop Operations
Sackett v. EPA
By Turner Smith and Margaret Holden The Supreme Court has historically maintained a complicated, tumultuous relationship with Clean Water Act cases. However, on March 21, 2012, the Court aligned in rare form to issue a unanimous, clear opinion in Sackett v. EPA. The decision establishes Administrative Procedure Act judicial review for Administrative Compliance Orders under the … [Read more...] about Sackett v. EPA
Ocean Governance for the 21st Century: Making Marine Zoning Climate Change Adaptable
By Robin Kundis Craig The variety of anthropogenic stressors to the marine environment — including, increasingly, climate change — and their complex and synergistic impacts on ocean ecosystems testifies to the failure of existing governance regimes to protect these ecosystems and the services that they provide. Marine spatial planning has been widely hailed as a means of … [Read more...] about Ocean Governance for the 21st Century: Making Marine Zoning Climate Change Adaptable
In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig "Deepwater Horizon"
By Brendan Selby This Comment discusses the ongoing litigation arising from the oil spill around the Deepwater Horizon rig. In particular, it analyzed the causation standard for claims for pure economic loss against the background of maritime common law and OPA's economic loss provision, which most courts have found to eschew the common law pure economic loss rule. Following … [Read more...] about In re: Oil Spill by the Oil Rig "Deepwater Horizon"
The Dormant Commerce Clause and Water Export: Toward a New Analytical Paradigm
By Christine A. Klein Facing water shortages, states struggle with competing impulses, desiring to restrict water exports to other states while simultaneously importing water from neighboring jurisdictions. In 1982, the Supreme Court weighed in on this issue through its seminal decision, Sporhase v. Nebraska ex rel. Douglas. Determining that groundwater is an article of … [Read more...] about The Dormant Commerce Clause and Water Export: Toward a New Analytical Paradigm


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The birth and demise of an idea: Teledesic's 'Internet in the sky'
This is how a plan to take over the world ended with a whimper.
Last week, Teledesic laid off all but 10 employees and suspended its satellite contract.
With that, the Bellevue company started by Craig McCaw and Bill Gates deep-sixed its plans to build a global broadband satellite network.
Teledesic blames the collapse of the telecommunications industry.
"We think there's still demand in the market for these services," said Todd Wolfenbarger, spokesman for Teledesic. "But absent of some other partner, it's not going to happen."
But while the state of telecom delivered the fatal blow, observers say the satellite industry was on its last legs anyway and the delays and distractions within Teledesic certainly did not help its chances.
Even though this area has heard plenty of company swan songs, the imminent closing of Teledesic feels more bittersweet. Teledesic was about more than Bill Gates, Craig McCaw and the world's biggest data network. It captured the dream that technology could bring the world together.
In the post-bubble world, it may seem ludicrous that anybody would have put money into such a wildly ambitious scheme. But at the time of Teledesic's genesis, most connections to the Internet were simple dial-up modems that poked along at a fraction of today's speeds — if you were lucky. The Internet had just begun to take off; traffic was said to be doubling every 100 days. Then-Vice President Al Gore was proclaiming that the emerging digital divide needed an immediate remedy.
A powerful pair
Originally started in California in 1990, the project really took off when McCaw and Gates each invested $5 million in the venture in 1994. At the time, the pairing was akin to Elvis and the pope on tour together. They were Seattle's most prominent business leaders, both having defied conventional wisdom in their industries to build billion-dollar companies. McCaw's fortune was freshly minted after he sold McCaw Cellular Communications to AT&T. Gates had his Microsoft empire.
What got lost in the hubbub was that Gates was never more than a passive investor. The $5 million he put in was chump change — 0.05 percent of his net worth, the equivalent of someone with $100,000 investing $50.
Still, the two names lent the project weight. It was beyond pie-in-the-sky. It was 840 pies — more than the total number of satellites in space at the time. They called it "Internet in the sky." It would cost $9 billion.
Field hospitals would use it to beam images to consulting doctors in cities. The military could send information to forces in remote areas. Faraway spots that lacked even basic telephone service would be able to access data beamed down at high speeds from orbiting satellites.
Covering the world
Teledesic's executives flew around the world to persuade countries to set aside a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum — the air waves — to carry signals from Teledesic's network. The company persuaded the United Nations, then the U.S., to set aside the spectrum.
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal invested $200 million. Boeing pledged $100 million. Motorola pitched in $750 million. Based on company announcements and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the company raised about $900 million in cash.
Euphoria seemed to surround the venture; the company had managed to get the world to support its project and it had raised a vast amount of money for what was still just a start-up.
Where it fell short was actually building and launching satellites.
When the project began, Teledesic said it would begin operating by 2001. When Boeing signed on as the prime satellite contractor in 1997, the design shrank from 840 to 300 satellites. Service would now begin a year later, in 2002.
Then, in 1998, Boeing was replaced by Motorola, pushing the start date to 2003. In 1999, the company and its 100-plus employees moved from Carillon Point in Kirkland into a Bellevue warehouse it named The Broadband Center.
Industry troubles set in
Three months later, the satellite industry began to fall apart. Iridium and ICO, two competing satellite mobile-phone companies, filed for bankruptcy after finding little demand for their services beyond fishing boats and oil rigs. Teledesic's start date was delayed to 2004.
McCaw himself became preoccupied with raising $1.2 billion to buy what was left of ICO and merge it with Teledesic. At one point he invested $74.6 million to keep Iridium afloat, while he debated whether he would purchase that company as well.
Not everyone was pleased with the direction the company seemed to be heading. David Montanaro, a shareholder and former employee, filed a derivative lawsuit against Teledesic's management in October 2001, claiming it used Teledesic resources to support McCaw's interest in ICO.
Meanwhile, the chief-executive office was a revolving door. Russ Daggatt was appointed CEO in 1993, then became president when David Twyver was hired as chief executive in 1996. McCaw fired Twyver a year later, assuming the position of co-CEO himself and hiring Steve Hooper as the other co-CEO. Daggatt was brought back as interim CEO for a period, then the company hired Greg Clarke in 2000. He was eventually replaced by McCaw and Bill Owens, who became co-CEOs.
In 2001 — the year the Teledesic satellite network was originally supposed to light up — the company scaled back. Now with 75 employees, the company was trying to sublet The Broadband Center, and the merger with ICO was called off because of the weak economy.
By the time it signed on its third contractor, Alenia Spazio, replacing Motorola, it was down to 50 employees. The plan was reduced to 30 satellites, the price tag cut to $1 billion.
Reaching an end
Last week, the withdrawal was nearly complete. A contract with Alenia Spazio to build the first two satellites was suspended, and the remaining employees are winding down the company, figuring out what to do with the assets.
Montanaro argues that it was management that let the company down.
"The reason the company failed: It's abuse, neglect, mismanagement, misgovernance. Not that there aren't a lot of challenges in the marketplace but that's not the issue," Montanaro said.
He contends in his suit that resources from Teledesic were diverted to ICO, including a $200 million loan.
The company declined to comment on the litigation.
Ironically, dragging its feet may have saved Teledesic. If the company had signed a $1 billion contract to build the planned satellites, it's likely it would have to file for bankruptcy protection in order to shut down. As it stands now, Teledesic is a solvent company with cash on hand. While the company wouldn't disclose current numbers, in June 2000 it had $95.4 million in cash and investments, plus the $200 million loan it made to ICO.
"They haven't burned up public money so I think that's a big improvement (over its competitors)," said Tom Watts, a satellite analyst for S.G. Cowen Securities.
Economics of wireless
Another factor in Teledesic's difficulties may have been how land-based wireless networks have developed beyond many expectations. When Teledesic started, cellular networks could transmit only voice, and no one had announced plans to handle data on those voice networks.
Fast-forward to this year, and wireless companies from AT&T Wireless to T-Mobile are rolling out data services that run at dial-up modem speeds, with technology-handling broadband rates expected soon.
In addition, because competition among wireless equipment manufacturers has kept a tighter lid on costs, an AT&T Wireless can build a broadband network at a fraction of the price of a satellite network. Land-based wireless companies can also build the service incrementally — one city at a time. A satellite company has to pay for, build and launch the entire network before signing up the first customer.
Still, wireless companies are inclined to build their services mostly in urban areas. Teledesic maintains that government and defense agencies need a way to transmit large amounts of data in remote areas.
Watts says that's moot now, given the collapse of the telecom industry. The capital markets have shut down to telecom-related businesses.
"Given the Globalstar and Iridium failures and global satellite failures, (Teledesic) would be difficult to finance at least," he says. "And in the current economy, money is not available for speculative satellite ventures."
Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or email@example.com.


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Swedish House Mafia cancel Ultra Korea performance at the last moment
It has been a tumultuous week for the Ultra setup in Korea with the recent cancellation announcement from the Swedish House Mafia trio, the brunt of which has been directly borne by the thousands of Dance music fans in the region. Prior to this, they were faced with the understandable cancellation of shows by Martin Garrix which had to be done due to the injury suffered by the Dance music star. While Garrix showed ample commitment to continue performing for the fans during his show in Las Vegas on May 25th after having suffered ankle damage during the performance, it was found that he would have to undergo surgery and subsequently cancel his shows – which included a performance at Ultra Korea event on the opening day.
And while the Ultra Korea setup worked towards managing the Garrix crisis and working towards making the festival a better experience, a new one cropped up soon enough as the legendary trio of Swedish House Mafia took to their social media to announce, through a region-restricted post, the cancellation of their performance at the Ultra Korea event due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.
The trio were bound to play at the last day of the festival, which would now be closed by another act. While it surely imposes a bad experience on the fans, Ultra Korea have committed to do their bit after announcing full and partial refund for day-wise and complete event ticket holders through a recent post on their official Facebook page.
You can follow the Ultra Korea events through our coverage here.


text: One of the challenges of being a diabetic is to be able to adjust to changes in life on the fly. I've got one coming up very soon, read that tomorrow. I will be starting a new job and will need to make changes to my pump. Can't you just change the settings before you start? I can hear that comment being made by eager beaver home grown experts in diabetic therapies. OK my question is this, how do you change the settings? You will be working harder and longer than before so you need to lower your insulin, right? Not so fast. You can not possibly know how hard you will be working not to mention your daily activities will change even after they get set. Unless you have been trained top know how much insulin to drop to keep you steady.. That's not to say I have no control over this. For 9 weeks I have been growing roots on the couch, well more than normal at least, so going back to work will be quite the change in life style. Of yeah it's also on 3 rd. shift at night. It was the shift that really messed me up at a former job. The pump is a diabetics best friend as long as you know your body and understand the pump. What is most likely to happen is a temporary basal setting. Maybe 50% of normal to keep me from having to eat a bag of skittles every two hours. lol Until you know how your activity is going to change and how your body is going to react, you should not be making any permanent changes. Of course eating will also change so there will added compensation for that. Remember it is a three way balancing act to control diabetes. My last comment is an apology to anyone who follows these posts. Things got a little out of hand the last couple weeks with a home project as well as Mom ending up in the hospital and now in a nursing home for a while.


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Do your research before you get pleasantly surprised. Read more…
Ever enrolled in a class at university and wondered about the instructor? What is his teaching style like? Whether or not he was an easy grader? Or whether it's going to be one of those long classes with the teacher going on and on in a monotonous tone as you glance at your watch to check if anytime was passing, only to see that a minute just went by, even though you could have sworn it was 15?
Well, "Eih Nizamo" will definitely fill you in.
"Eih Nizamo" – a website dedicated to rating professors in institutions around the Arab World- is a student run initiative with a mission statement of "making life easier by offering students a resource where they can read upon on what others have to say about potential professors."
With just one click, you can get a fairly accurate review of the Professor and what his "Nizam" is. The review is based on the average result of opinions that students have provided by participating on the site. You can also help other students out as well and provide your opinion of any Professor by logging on to the site and providing your honest opinion of the Instructor.
"Eih Nizamo" is presently available in the following countries: Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.
For more information check out "Eih Nizamo" at www.eihnizamo.com http://www.eihnizamo.com/
– Khaleejesque


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Note all articles are independently researched and written by myself. However, if you buy via one of the links it may be an affiliate and I may earn a small commission.
Graham and Green's website says this Gordon table lamp is inspired by 1940s design, and there's no denying the retro appeal of the design. However, with the distinctive shape of that shade, it reminds me of a much later design – Arne Jacobsen's AJ lamps, which dates to 1960.
The main difference is the stand: the Gordon lamp has been mounted onto a metallic stand and base, which brings more of an industrial look and prevents the lamp from being purely an imitation design.
While a AJ lamp would cost you around £500, this lamp costs £95.
Buy it online


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Teacher Inset, Chinese Pre-U, Chronicle of a Blood Merchant
Do you teach Cambridge Pre-U Mandarin?
If you have spent most of your career teaching a Chinese language, the prospect of teaching literature in translation might seem daunting.
With this in mind, I am offering training days specifically designed to help teachers deliver the literature element (paper 4) of the new Cambridge Pre-U Chinese syllabus. My own grandfather was Chinese (surname of Wah gives it away) so I have what could be described as an innate genealogical curiosity in Chinese literature and culture; I am looking forward to sharing and developing this personal interest with you on my courses.Book Here


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Note from The Storyteller: If you have not read postings prior to the one that follows, I recommend that you do so. There is insight that may help as you walk the road toward spiritual maturity. All of the prior postings can be found at the following website: www.waiting4thetrain.com. Also, please forward this email to everyone you think would be interested in and may benefit from the devotional postings. Thank you!
"I have just about again finished the apostle Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus," Stan began, "and I was really struck by something he said near the end of the letter."
"What's that?" I asked.
"Paul said that he was sending his friend and brother in Christ, a fellow by the name of Tychicus, to the people in Ephesus so they would know how he, Paul, was doing."
"So," I replied, "how and why were you struck by that?"
"It made me realize," Stan responded, "that God sends people into my life to let me know how others are doing so I can respond as God would have me respond to their situations."
"And," Stan continued, "it made me realize that there have been times, probably way too many times, when I have failed to recognize that God sent a 'Tychicus' to me."
"Not only that," he said, "there have way too many times when I did not respond as God intended when I heard how another person was doing. I ignored what he or she needed as well as how I could have stepped up to be and to do what God intended in response to that person's needs."
"For me," Stan concluded, "it is absolutely essential that I be alert to the people God sends into my life to tell me how others are doing. I need to get my self-focus out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to lead me to be prepared to watch for and listen to each 'Tychicus' God sends into my life."
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. Ephesians 6:21.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you send people into my life to let me know how others are doing and how I can respond to whatever needs they may have. Please forgive all of the times I have failed to recognize someone you sent, as well as all of the times I have failed to listen about and respond to the needs that you presented through the people you send. Please, Lord, open me to always be on the alert for each "Tychicus" you send into my life so that I will not only listen, but I will be prepared to and actually do respond exactly as you want. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.


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George Friedman, Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law, has published "SCOTUS Rules in Epic Systems: What It Means for Securities Arbitration," Securities Arbitration Commentator, Vol. 2018, No. 3. In his paper, Professor Friedman examines the potential impact the United States Supreme Court's recent decision in Epic Systems Corp. may have on arbitration within the securities industry.
Here is the abstract:
In a 5-4 decision split along ideological lines, the Supreme Court on May 21 held in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, No. 16-285, that the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") permits employers to use arbitration clauses containing class action waivers, notwithstanding the National Labor Relations Act's ("NLRA") protections of workers' rights to act collectively. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority Opinion, joined by Justices Alito, Kennedy, and Thomas, and Chief Justice Roberts. The Court's liberal wing dissented in a blistering Opinion authored by Justice Ginsburg, joined by Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor. This article covers what the decision may mean for the securities industry.


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Food industry group in South Africa leads World Food Safety Day discussion inspired by 2020 theme
A 1.5-hour talk about 'No food security without food safety' on YouTube, moderated by Charles Katsande of FoodBev International Consulting Pty Ltd, saw the participation of 92 people on 5 June 2020. Organized by the South Africa-based organization, the event connected people from many parts of the world including various countries in Africa and Europe as well as Australia, Canada, India and the United States.
A sub-theme of 'know food safety, no harm' was also developed.
The panel of five experts each elaborated talks that aligned with the calls to action from the 2020 theme 'food safety, everyone's business', which recognized the roles of governments, agricultural producers, food business operators, consumers and the collaboration of everyone along the food supply chain.
- Takudzwa Kufa: "Covid-19: An Opportunity to create and reinforce food safety culture"
- Thembi Blaai: "Complexities of Food Safety Systems in Africa: Challenges and Solutions"
- Edson Chifamba: "Food security and role of smallholder scale dairy sector"
- Darshita Patel: "Keep it Safe - Business Operators must ensure food is safe"
- Morgan Togi Chinoda: "Food Safety in the eye of the Producer/Supplier versus Consumer"
Watch the event on YouTube
- (3)
- Animal Feed (8)
- Antimicrobial Resistance (25)
- Antimicrobial Resistance (61)
- Codex Texts (17)
- Contaminants (7)
- Contaminants (5)
- Elections (6)
- Food Safety (111)
- Labelling (8)
- Nutrition and Labelling (1)
- Nutrition and Labelling (7)
- Observers (21)
- Pesticides (7)
- Standards (76)
- World Food Safety Day (139)


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Bible Commentaries
God commanded Moses, before he die, to avenge Israel of the Midianites, Numbers 31:1,Numbers 31:2.
he chooses twelve thousand men, and Phineas: the kings of Midian and Balaam slain, Numbers 31:3-8.
Their women and cattle taken; and cities burnt: they bring the spoil to Moses and Eleazar, Numbers 31:9-12.
Moses is wroth with the officers for saving the women alive; commands them to kill every male child, and woman that had known man; the rest saved alive; and to purify themselves and the captives. Numbers 31:13-21.
A law for dividing the booty; executed; and the sum of the booty, Numbers 31:25-40.
The tribute. offering of the Lord given to the priests and Levites, Numbers 31:41-47.
The captains make an offering to the Lord; which is laid up in the tabernacle for a memorial, Numbers 31:48-54.
Verse 2
Of the Midianites, for their malicious designs and practices against Israel, both by hiring Balaam to curse them, and by sending their women to enslave them. The Moabites also were guilty, but God out of his own good pleasure, and in kindness to Lot, was pleased to spare them, the rather, because the measure of their iniquity was not yet full.
Verse 3
For the affront and injury which they offered to God, partly by their own idolatry and lewdness, and partly by seducing God's people into rebellion against him. God's great care was to
avenge the Israelites, Numbers 31:2, and Moses's chief desire was to avenge God rather than himself or the people. Withal he doth hereby insinuate, that God and his people have the same cause, the same friends and enemies.
Verse 5
A thousand of every tribe, to prevent emulations or divisions. God would send no more, though it is apparent that the Midianites were numerous and strong, because he would try and exercise their trust in him, and because he would hereby give them an earnest of their Canaanitish conquests.
Verse 6
Phinehas had the charge not of the army, as general, (an office never committed to any priest in all the Old Testament,) but of
the holy instruments, & c. as is here expressed, and was also sent to encourage, and quicken, and confirm them in their good enterprise. It is not here mentioned who was the general, whether Joshua, as some think, because he is not named amongst those who went out to meet the returning host, though that might be for other reasons, or some other prince, nor is it worth while to determine. The holy instruments; either,
1. The ark, with the things belonging to it, which before the building of the temple they did sometimes carry into the war for the encouragement of their army. See Numbers 14:44; Joshua 6:9; 1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Samuel 14:18. But why then is it thus ambiguously expressed, seeing in all the other places it is called by its proper name? Nor is the ark ever so called in Scripture. Or,
2. The trumpets, as it here follows, the words being thus to be read, the holy instruments that is, the trumpets; for and is ofttimes put exegetically for that is, or to wit, as Genesis 13:15; 1 Chronicles 21:12, compared with 2 Samuel 24:13; Zechariah 1:4; Zechariah 9:9, &c. Or rather,
3. The holy breastplate, wherein was the Urim and Thummim, which was easily carried and used, and very useful in war upon many emergent occasions. See 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7.
And the trumpets, which were to be used in war as well as in the service of the tabernacle. See Numbers 10:9; 2 Chronicles 13:12.
Verse 7
Namely, all whom they took in that war, or all who lived in those parts; for it is probable (and was then very usual) some colonies of them were sent forth to remoter places, which therefore had no hand either in their former sin, or ill this present ruin, of whom we read after this, Judges 6:0. And herein they did according to God's own order concerning such people, Deuteronomy 20:13; only their fault was, that they did not consider the special reason and great obligation which they had to involve the women in the destruction, for which reason Moses blames them afterward, Numbers 31:15,Numbers 31:16.
Verse 8
The kings, called dukes or princes of Sihon, Joshua 13:21, because they were subject to him while he lived, but upon his death they resumed their kingly power.
Zur, the father of Cozbi, Numbers 25:15.
Balaam also.
Object. He was gone and returned to his own place, Numbers 24:25, which was Aram or Mesopotamia, Numbers 23:7.
Answ. Either he did go thitherward, but in his journey made some stay in Midian, where he was overtaken by Divine vengeance; or understanding the success of his wicked counsel left with Balaam, in the sin and slaughter of the Israelites, he returned, partly to enjoy the reputation and reward of his counsel which he had lost before, and partly to employ his hellish arts against Israel, now they were, as he thought, forsaken by their God, and exposed to his malice. Here Balaam dies the death of the wicked, and not of the righteous, as he desired, Numbers 23:10.
Verse 10
Partly, to blot out the name and memory of so lewd and vile a people; partly, lest any of the Israelites should be tempted to settle there, and so be discouraged in their progress to Canaan; and partly, lest they should be possessed by other people who might prove as bad neighbours to them as these would have been.
Verse 13
Partly to put respect upon them, and congratulate with them for their happy success; and partly to prevent the pollution of the camp by the untimely entrance of the warriors into it.
Verse 14
Because they had spared those who were most criminal, and who by the law of God and of nature were worthy of death.
Verse 17
Among the little ones, which they were forbidden to do to other people, Deuteronomy 20:14, except the Canaanites, to whom this people had equalled themselves by their horrid crimes; and therefore it is not strange, nor unjust, that God, the supreme Lord of all men's lives, who as he gives them, so may take them away when he pleaseth, did equal them in the punishment.
Every woman that hath known man; partly for punishment, because the guilt was general, and though some of them only did prostitute themselves to the Israelites, yet the rest made themselves accessory by their consent, or concurrence, or approbation; and partly for prevention of the like mischief from such an adulterous generation.
Verse 18
Not known a man, to wit, carnally: See Poole "Genesis 4:1; Genesis 19:8; Leviticus 18:22.
Keep alive for yourselves; either to sell them as slaves to others, or to use them as servants to yourselves, or to marry them, when you have prepared and instructed them.
Verse 19
Seven days; according to the law, Leviticus 15:13; Numbers 19:11,Numbers 19:12.
Purify with the water of sprinkling, Numbers 19:9.
Verse 20
All your raiment, to wit, your spoil and prey. See Leviticus 8:15; Leviticus 14:49. All these things had contracted some ceremonial uncleanness, either from the dead bodies which wore them, or the tents or houses where they were, in which such dead bodies lay, or from the touch of the Israelitish soldiers, who were legally defiled by the slaughters they made.
Verse 27
The congregation hath some share, because the warriors went in the name of all, and because all having been injured by the Midianites, all were to have some share in the reparations; but the warriors, who were but 12,000, have a far greater share than others of their brethren, because they underwent greater pains and dangers.
Verse 28
One soul, i.e. one person, as it follows here and Numbers 31:30.
Verse 30
One portion of fifty; whereas the former part was one of five hundred: the reason of the difference is, partly because this was taken out of the people's portion, whose hazards being less than the others, their gains also in all reason were to be less; partly because this was to be distributed into more hands, the Levites being now numerous, when the priests were but few.
Verse 32
The rest of the prey; all which was now left of the prey. It is so expressed because they took more, but some of the persons were since killed, Numbers 31:17, and some of the cattle was spent for the necessary provisions of the army.
Verse 41
Either now upon his consulting of God in the case, or formerly in general rules and laws for such occasions, such as Numbers 18:8.
Verse 50
For their error, noted, Numbers 31:14-16, and withal
for a memorial, as it is said Numbers 31:54, or by way of gratitude for such a stupendous assistance and deliverance, as appears from the word therefore in the beginning of this verse, and from Numbers 31:49.
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Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Poole, Matthew, "Commentary on Numbers 31". Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. https://www.studylight.org/
the First Week of Advent