text:
LONDON — Jenn Suhr walked with a purpose over to the stands to see her husband, who gingerly wrapped an American flag around her shoulders while she sobbed into his chest.
Yes, they've come a long way together. From training in a pair of huts connected together to form a jumping pit — to winning an Olympic gold medal on her sport's grandest stage.
Suhr, who won the silver medal in Beijing and has since fought through an Achilles injury and a long, mysterious, sometimes-debilitating illness that turned out to be a gluten allergy, got the Olympic gold she needed to round out her resume.
"It's very emotional," she said. "It's something you work very hard for for four years. And heartbreak and joy and some more heartbreak. To overcome it and come out on top, is something that whenever I thought of, I started crying. I knew it was going to be emotional."
She vaulted 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75 meters) to defeat Cuba's Yarisley Silva, who cleared the same height but lost on a tiebreaker because she had one more miss in the competition.
Suhr also beat two-time defending Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia, who failed to become the first woman to win the same individual track and field event at three consecutive Olympics. Isinbayeva settled for bronze with a vault of 15-5 (4.70).
"To beat Yelena and her resume and her record, it's an honor," Suhr said. "That's the only thing I can say, to have someone so good in the field and come out on top, it really is an honor. It's a special title in that situation."
The Suhr victory, finished out in the spitting rain at Olympic Stadium after all the other events had concluded, was a surprise gold for the United States on a night when it couldn't catch a break anywhere else.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor staggered to the finish in the men's 400-meter hurdles for fifth place in a race won by 35-year-old Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic. Sanchez finished in 47.63 to beat American Michael Tinsley to the line.
Defending champion LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. wasn't even in the 400-meter final after pulling up with a hurt hamstring in the semifinals the day before. With no other American men in that final, 19-year-old Kirani James gave Grenada its first-ever Olympic medal. He took the lead at the halfway point and ran hard to the finish line even though he hardly needed to — winning in 43.94 seconds.
It was the first time since the 1980 Moscow Games that someone other than an American won the men's 400.
"It's probably crazy at home right now," James said. "There's probably a road party right now in the streets. I don't think there are any words to describe the celebration right now."
James, the defending world champion, was widely dismissed as truly the best 400-meter runner in the world because his victory last year over Merritt came as the American was just getting back from a 21-month doping suspension. Merritt wasn't even in this race. James, however, has no need to apologize.
"It's a huge loss not having in him in the event," James said. "But you know, it is what it is. Hopefully he can recover from this injury fully and come back stronger."
Earlier on the track, Americans Lolo Jones and Dawn Harper, the defending Olympic champion, made it through the first round of 100-meter hurdles qualifying, along with world champion Sally Pearson of Australia.
In the women's 200, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica provided the only bit of drama in preliminaries, barely making it into the top three to move on to Wednesday.
Allyson Felix, Carmelita Jeter, 100-meter gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and 400-meter winner Sanya Richards-Ross also made it through. Richards-Ross had the best time of the bunch at 22.48 seconds after a restless four or five hours of sleep the night before with her new gold medal.
"I just feel lighter and free and so I'm just going to go out there and give it my best and hopefully make it through the semifinals as well," she said.
While Richards-Ross was expected to win in the 400, Suhr wasn't really the favorite, not only because of Isinbayeva's presence, but because of all she's been through the last four years.
Some might say the real drama started at the Beijing Olympics, where television cameras caught her husband and coach, Rick Suhr, berating her minutes after her runner-up performance. At that time, few knew they were romantically involved. They married in January 2010.
This time — a much different scene at the end.
Rick Suhr discovered his future wife playing pickup basketball in 2004, saw a fantastic athlete there and turned her into a pole vaulter. They worked out in a pair of Quonset huts Rick pushed together at his home in western New York.
As time passed, Suhr kept expanding the practice facility upward — as his wife's jumps threatened to scrape the roof.
An investment well worth it.
"That's all I kept thinking," Suhr said. "We're doing this for more than one person. It's not just me."


text:
Every credit union facility has its own unique set of security threats. Even so, a number of "hot points" are consistent from institution to institution, market to market, location to location, according to "Maintaining a Focus on Facility Security in the Age of the Electronic Channel," a white paper from Diebold.
While a credit union's individual needs may affect how it secures these hot points, some best practices can help guide the development of a security strategy. From outside at the perimeter to a variety of internal areas, people, and devices that require protection, effective facility security is all about safeguarding the hot points from the outside in.
"Maintaining a Focus on Facility Security" cites eight common hot points and how to make them less vulnerable to criminals.
1. The perimeter
Because there's less control of the environment surrounding a facility, the perimeter is often more vulnerable to criminal activity than other building zones. Even so, when it comes to protecting the perimeter, it's all about the basics.
Appropriate lighting can deter criminal activity—by up to 20%, according to some estimates—and improve members' perception of security around the perimeter. Exterior lighting should meet or exceed lighting specifications, which are governed by regulation in most states.
The configuration of the perimeter, as well as the placement of equipment, can also affect security. Physical obstructions around a facility's perimeter can help harbor those with malicious intent. Points of entry and exit, as well as the areas surrounding ATMs and night depositories, should be free of such obstructions.
Strategically placed cameras around the facility's perimeter not only enable monitoring services and the capture of video that may be critical for the prosecution of criminals, they also help thwart criminal activity.
Prime locations for exterior cameras include the main entrance, parking area near the main entrance, ATM locations, after-hour depositories, drive-up lanes, remote staff entry/exit points, and employee parking areas.
2. The drive-up
Today's drive-up remains a primary form of convenience for both consumer and business banking. And it continues to be a hotbed for would-be criminals who aren't brazen enough to take their activities into the branch.
Tools such as bullet-resistive (BR) products and two-way video can enhance security in the drive-up.
BR windows are designed to protect tellers who are in members' line of sight. And when used in conjunction with BR windows, BR drawers and pass-through trays can further enhance the security of the drive-up environment for both consumers and personnel.
Financial institutions can further mitigate risk to drive-up tellers by relocating them from the drive-up window to more secure locations within the branch. Two-way video can enhance security for tellers without sacrificing their level of consumer service.
3. Night depository
The night depository continues to be a vital component of business banking. Unfortunately, it also remains a prime target for robberies and other malicious activities.
The use of cameras in conjunction with after-hour depositories can help discourage criminal activity and capture critical video in the event of a security breach. Dual cameras can offer views of both the depository chest and the surrounding exterior scene.
Surveillance can record images from the front of the depository and from within the unit as envelopes or bags fall into the chest, creating permanent, visual transaction records. Connection to the facility's video monitoring capabilities can enable around-the-clock evaluation of activity at the depository.
After-hour depository alarms can be integrated into a financial institution's existing alarm system. Alarm options include door contact alarms, heat thermo alarms, and seismic detectors.
These devices can detect a wide variety of attacks, such as external prying, torching, hammer attacks, and jamming of the drum assembly.
4. Employee entrances and parking areas
Safety is a critical employee concern that has immeasurable impact on recruitment and retention for financial institutions. Adequate lighting and video analytics in key employee areas can help ensure optimal security.
Employee entrances/exits and parking areas can be primary targets for potential robberies, internal theft, and other crimes. Similar to exterior consumer entrances and self-service areas, adequate lighting in key employee areas will not only deter potential criminal activity, but also foster a perception of security among the employee population.
One technology that's emerging for security applications, video analytics, can be applied to help detect suspicious activity in employee areas. Using parameters the credit union identifies, the technology uses sophisticated software to analyze live or recorded surveillance video.
Analysis detects differences between actual activity and activity that's identified as normal. It can then alert the financial institution to events of interest through actions such as triggering an alarm, alerting personnel via pre-defined protocols, or gathering data for later review.
NEXT: Securing the lobby, teller area, vault, and ATMs

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Kevin Mills
Up until about a month ago (today is 9/22/13), the only programming language I'd ever really used was THUMB (Assembly, and the instruction set for ARM). I learned THUMB a couple of years back when I was involved in the GBA Pokémon ROM Hacking community - I learned it, and while I got pretty comfortable with it, I never did much of note.
Over this past year, I attempted to learn a high level language. I know it's weird that I learned an Assembly language before even attempting to learn a high level language, but whatever. I tried Visual Basic, C#, and Java.
I found good tutorials for them, but, I learned about a days worth of each - Java might have been two days worth.
I found working with more complex data types weird. Arbitrary variables were incredibly weird to me. However, my real problem was that I hated the way programming languages are taught.
It wasn't that I was struggling to understand or anything like that - it was more that I was struggling to care.
Teaching a particular syntax or function, and using it in some contrived program tailored to that function, followed by playing with it until you can reasonably predict how altering it will affect is quite effective at making people understand it.
However, it is also incredibly tedious.
This semester, I decided to take a beginning Python course. I figured a grade would be enough to maintain my attention long enough to get to the really fun parts of programming.
I was... sort of right, I guess. It held my attention better, but it was still rather boring, because I still had no goal to work to.
It's kind of weird, but when learning something, I prefer to have a particular goal, and jump in, completely in over my head, and try to work my way up to that goal.
This is how I got the idea of developing a compiler for a very Pythonic language. As I thought about it more and more, I knew that developing a language similar to Python in Python would be a great test and goal.
That was less than a week ago. In that time, I've arguably learned more about Python learning how to use PLY than I had in just under a month of my class. Plus, it also makes me laugh, because, really - Python is the first HLL I've ever made any attempt to learn. And, a month ago, I'd never looked at or written a single line of Python, and I'm already using it to develop a language?
For anyone that's interested, the language is Tungsten. I chose the name for several reasons: Tungsten is two-syllables, easy to remember, and even has a similar rhythm as Python; Tungsten (the element) has the highest melting point of any element, and Tungsten is a very HLL; it gives me a great excuse to use a file extension not in the name, as Tungsten's chemical system is "W", which makes me way happier than it should; another option I was considering is naming the language a number, and, with Tungsten, I can call the compiler 74 (Tungsten's atomic number).
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text:
Adoption: Heaven's Gift
As told by Vanessa, age 47...
"Surprise! You're infertile!" my gynecologist said to me one day when I was in for my yearly exam.
Well, she didn't actually say that, but she might as well have.
I was lying in that most uncomfortable position, while the doctor poked around with her cold instruments. I stared at the ceiling and gripped the thin tissue sheet that was supposed to cover me. "So do you see anything odd down there?" I asked. The doctor glanced up. "Everything looks fine," she said, then looked at me more closely. "Why? Have you been experiencing anything that I should know about?"
"No, not really," I answered. "It's just that Steve and I have been trying to get pregnant." She gave a thoughtful "hmmm" and continued her prodding. I tried not to squirm. She held up a long stick that looked like an overgrown Q-tip. "You can sit up now." I breathed a sigh of relief and pushed myself up, being careful to grab the pink tissue sheet and tuck it in around me.
"So how long have you been trying to get pregnant?" she asked, as she pulled off her thin rubber gloves. "Oh, about a year and a half." She paused and examined me for a moment with her eyes.
I could tell what she was thinking. I felt a little colder and tugged at the tissue again.
"You know," she said finally, "infertility is defined as a year of unprotected sex without conception. You may want to consider having some tests done."
The tissue tore in my hand. Infertility? Tests? I swallowed. "Uh ... but, oh, are you sure?" She shrugged her shoulders. "You said it has been over a year?" "Yes, but" "But?" "Maybe our timing has been off." "Maybe," she answered, but I could tell she didn't believe it. I cringed.
"Still, if you're serious about getting pregnant," she continued, "I'd highly recommend the tests."
I swallowed again, hard, then took a deep breath before answering. "Okay, if you say so. What do I need to do?" She picked up her pencil and scribbled something on a sheet of paper. "Not just you, Steve too." I grimaced. Steve was going to hate this.
The doctor watched me for a moment. When I didn't say anything, she nodded once and continued writing. "I'm ordering the preliminary tests. How does next week sound for you?"
A Chance for Adoption
And so began the journey that would last for the next eight years. During that time we had enough tests and procedures to make me feel like a human pincushion, as well as two miscarriages and numerous heartbreaks. We were about to consider other options when a call came from my husband's 22-year-old cousin.
She asked for Steve, and I handed him the phone. After about forty-five seconds, a startled expression crossed his face, followed by eager anticipation. His eyes met mine. "We'll take the baby!" he nearly shouted into the receiver.
My hand flew to his arm. "What's going on?" I mouthed the question. He put his palm over the lower half of the receiver and quickly whispered, "Shanna's pregnant. She says she doesn't want the baby. She was planning to abort, but she'll have the baby if we want to adopt it."
My mouth fell open. "Is she serious?" He nodded, then spoke into the receiver again. "Yes, yes, absolutely. That'll be no problem. Just send us the bills." He paused while Shanna spoke on the other end of the line. Steve grabbed my hand in his and grinned. "Okay, then, we'll talk to you again later," he said into the phone. "Take care now. And thank you. Thank you so much." He hung up.
"Can you believe it?" he said to me as he turned, grabbed me, and swung me into the air. "We're going to have a baby at last!"
But I wasn't so sure. After two miscarriages, I knew how attached a woman could become to the baby growing in her womb. Still, I laughed with him and wondered, Could this be it, Lord?
In the following months as Shanna grew larger and larger, so did our hopes. Steve's family was so excited for us. They began buying baby clothes and planning a party for the new arrival. Shanna was pleased, too. Despite my doubts, she continued to reassure me that everything was going to happen as planned. She called every week with updates and always told me about her doctor visits.
I went in with her to her 22-week ultrasound appointment and saw the baby for the first timea little girl. The sight brought tears to my eyes. Will that be my baby, Lord?
The baby was due in September, and somewhere around mid-July I started to really believe that this was going to end happily for us, that we would finally have a baby of our own. I began to plan the nursery and buy pink little girl things to decorate it. Then, three weeks before the baby was due, Shanna called again. When she asked for Steve, I knew something was wrong. He took the phone, and immediately his features hardened into a look of pain. After a minute he hung up the phone and turned to me. "She says she's keeping the baby."
The words dug into my heart like talons. Steve gathered me in his arms. We stood there, too hurt to cry, too stunned to speak, with the morning light pouring through the kitchen window to make a rainbow of colors on the tile counter top. In the weeks that followed, as the baby was born and Shanna took her home, no one seemed to understand our pain.
Steve's family couldn't see why we would stay away from family gatherings where the baby would be. From their view, we were overreacting. After all, the family still got a new baby.
All the gifts they bought were given to the baby just the same. It was only Steve and I who felt the loss. We were left to grieve alone.
After the failed adoption attempt with Shanna, we continued infertility treatments and also tried to find another baby to adopt. So the waiting started again, along with the hoping, the disappointments, the wondering if it would ever happen for us. "Doesn't anyone care? Doesn't anyone understand?"
I cried so many times during those years when I felt abandoned by God and forgotten by him. Little did I know that He really did care. He understood. He had a plan. But I wouldn't find that out for another three years. By that time infertility treatments had eaten up our savings.
Steve had recently lost his job and was now working as a Kelly temp. I was a substitute teacher. And, to top it off, we'd sold our house and moved to a rental in a nearby town. In other words, not only was the possibility of continuing treatments looking grim, but we weren't exactly what an adoption agency or birth mom would be looking for. All my hopes for a baby came crumbling down around me. I felt there was no way I'd ever be a mom.
But just when life looked the bleakest, another call came.
I was working a Christmas job at the mall when my friend Sally handed me the phone. "It's Steve," she said. "He says it's important." A dozen red and green ribbons in my hand, I took the receiver with the other. "Hey, hon, we're pretty busy here right now," I said, as another customer approached my booth. "Would you like a brand-new baby boy?" Steve blurted out. "Call me back in ten minutes." "Oh, okay." I hung up the phone, then stopped.
Did Steve just say what I thought he said? Something about a baby? I grabbed the phone again, turning to my customer. "I'm sorry, I need to make a call. Sally will help you."
I quickly dialed home again and waited. The phone rang and rang and rang. Finally I hung up. The next ten minutes dragged by like an 18-wheeler going up a steep grade. Finally the phone rang. I snatched it up. "Steve, is that you?" Steve laughed. "Did you even hear me the first time I called?" "Not really. Did you say something about a baby?"
"A baby boy. Shelley from next door called about him this morning."
"Tell me more."
"Well, his mother's a 14-year-old rape victim who chose to go ahead with the pregnancy and place the baby up for adoption. Shelley's sister was going to adopt him, but she just found out she's pregnant, so Shelley called us."
I was silent.
"Did you hear me? They want to know if we want to adopt the baby."
"Are you sure it's for real this time?"
"Pretty sure. Shelley says so."
My mind spun around the possibility. A baby? For me? For us? I cleared my throat. "You said yes, didn't you?" Steve laughed again. "I said I'd talk to you, but I was sure you'd agree."
"Of course I do!" The customer at the counter gave me a strange look as my voice raised an octave.
"Well, the mother's in the hospital tonight and is supposed to be induced tomorrow morning. I'm five minutes from there now. Can you meet me?"
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
I slammed down the receiver, grabbed my coat, and headed for the parking lot. "I gotta go!" I yelled to Sally. "I won't be back until tomorrow. Cover for me?"
"Sure," she shouted back. "But this better be good."
"It is!"
I reached the hospital in record time, met Steve and hurried up to the room. The moment I met Missy, I knew she was a special girl. She looked up at us from the bed and smiled. "So you're the family Shelley told me about?" She extended her hand. I took it in my own. "I'm so glad my baby's going to such a good home." She closed her eyes. I leaned over and squeezed her hand tighter. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to us."
Her eyes, deep brown and innocent, opened and looked up into mine. "It was the only way I could think of to make good come from the awful thing that happened to me." I nodded, as any words I would have said clogged behind the lump in my throat.
For two hours we sat with her and talked until visiting hours were over. "Come back tomorrow," she called as a nurse showed us out of the room. "You'll want to be here when he's born."
That night was the longest of my life.
The next morning we went to the hospital and sat in the waiting room. Casey was born at eleven minutes to seven that evening. The nurse ushered us into the birthing room. Missy sat up in the bed with a baby in her arms. Her mother stood beside her. Missy looked from the baby to us. A smile lit her face. "He's perfect," she said. "Healthy and perfect." I held my breath, fearing what else she might say, hoping for what I had thought was impossible.
Slowly she lifted the baby and held him toward me. She whispered as she placed him in my arms, "My gift to you."
At that moment, as I looked into Casey's tiny, scrunched up face, I knew that the tests, the pills, the lunch hours with no lunch were all over. I was immediately enamored and fascinated with the small bundle in my arms and amazed that God and Missy were granting us this precious gift.
When we got home, my sister was waiting for us with packages of onesies, sleepers, blankets, wipes and over two hundred diapers. The next day friends and family brought over a bassinet, a stroller, a car seat, cans of formula and all kinds of miscellaneous baby things. By the time we brought Casey home, we had everything we needed.
The next day my parents came to visit. When they'd first heard about Casey, they immediately brought up a dozen objections. "What if they take him away?" "What if she changes her mind?" "What if this turns out like the last one?" They were determined not to get attached until everything was finalized.
But as soon as they came through the door and took one look at the tiny baby in my arms, they were instantly transformed into Casey's grandparents.
On the day of my shower for Casey two weeks later, my mother wept when I introduced her to Shelley. She gave her a big hug and said, "Thank you for my grandson!"
I was filled with wonder at what God had done for all of us.
Then two years and ten months later another call came, and to make a long story short, a baby daughter joined our family.
We're in our late forties now, and the kids are eleven and eight. Today I can look back on the heartache of infertility and see that through all the pain, through all the disappointments, God hadn't forgotten us.
Despite my doubts and questions, God knew what he was doing. And though I may not have believed it when we were going through the tests, procedures, miscarriages and failed adoption, God's plan was in operation. In fact, everything turned out just right.


text:
Esprit is an international fashion brand that has represented style and quality since 1968. Founded in San Francisco by Susie and Doug Tompkins, Esprit works on a basis of creativity and responsibility fused with a sunny Californian attitude.
Effortless style, authenticity and easy-going living are at the heart of the brand philosophy. These positive values shine through at every level, from the laid-back tailoring and hand-crafted details to the made-to-last quality, use of natural materials and responsible production. International designers bring the brand's charisma and energy to life with inspiring collections for women, men and kids. There is something stylish and unique for every occasion from contemporary and relaxed casual basics to the perfect dress for life-defining moments, be it at work or play.
The new vertical Trend capsule collections reflect runway themes, colours and shapes, while Esprit's new denim division raises the bar in quality, washes and finishes. Sportswear, bodywear, accessories and shoes complete the range and ensure customers look great, whatever they are doing. Recent high profile collaborations with top models Gisele Bündchen and Christy Turlington capture the spirit of Esprit and inspire customers to rediscover the beauty of a natural, relaxed style.
Esprit has a presence in over 40 countries with more than 900 directly managed retail stores and over 8,500 wholesale points of sale, including franchise partners and sales spaces in department stores, who share the company's quality standards and brand essence. In September 2011, Esprit announced a long-term programme to invest in revitalising the brand and its collections. The plan aims to re-establish Esprit as an inspiring fashion brand with a clear identity and sustainable profitability. In-store investment includes revamping its own retail as well as wholesale selling space into havens where customers can escape from the hustle and bustle of the High Street. This creates a unique shopping experience with warm, cosy spaces where customers can explore the brand's stylish new collections. This chic celebration of style, culture and fashion aims to revive customer awareness and take them on a journey of discovery into the inspirational world of Esprit. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1993, Esprit has headquarters in Germany and Hong Kong and markets its products under two brands, namely the Esprit brand and edc.
Pricing – 66%
Speed – 87%
Value – 87%


text:
major macro economic indicators
|2018 (e)
|2019 (f)
|GDP growth (%)
|Inflation (yearly average, %)
|Budget balance (% GDP)
|Current account balance (% GDP)
|Public debt (% GDP)
(e): Estimate. (f): Forecast.
- Labour market supported by positive demographics and excellent training
- Very high per capita income
- Abundant renewable energy (geothermal, hydropower)
- Strong tourism potential
- Volcanic risk
- Small and very open economy; constraint monetary policy
- Volatile activity linked to dependence on tourist inflows: erratic failures concentrated in construction, trade and accommodation
- Lack of tourist infrastructure outside the capital
- Concentration of production and exports (aluminium and seafood products)
- Wage growth higher than productivity growth
Risk assessment
Cooling growth
Although growth will remain strong, activity is expected to slow significantly in 2019. The slowdown will come mainly from exports (50% of GDP). Tourism revenues (40% of exports) will likely increase moderately in line with capacity saturation, high service prices, and sluggish European demand. Moreover, even if international fish prices continue to rise, the related exports are likely to be affected by falling catches and a review of quotas following Brexit. The third key component of exports, aluminium, may see both prices (impact of US tariff measures) and production stagnate, even as the price of alumina (the imported raw material) increases further. At the same time, imports will continue to be supported by brisk domestic demand, ultimately causing trade to make a largely negative contribution to growth. Household consumption is expected to continue to surge, driven again by robust wage growth. Unemployment will be limited to 3%, despite the slowdown in tourism, which employs one third of the workforce directly or indirectly. The employment rate will remain high (79%), despite the arrival of foreign workers, particularly from Poland. Over the past four years, household purchasing power has increased by 25%. It is expected to continue to rise significantly, despite the inflationary pick-up linked to the impact of krona depreciation (in the second half of 2018) on the price of imported products, as well as wage increases above productivity growth. Inflationary pressures are expected to ease during the year with moderate growth, particularly in tourism, the increase in the key interest rate from 4.5% in November 2018 to 5%-6% at the end of 2019, which will take pressure off the krona, and the sharp slowdown in housing prices. Finally, while business investment seems to have peaked, construction – both public and private in housing, hotels and roads – will remain vibrant owing to undercapacity in these sectors. In addition, private sector debt went from representing 350% of GDP in 2009 to 160% by 2016 (roughly evenly distributed between companies and households, almost entirely in krona) and has remained at that level ever since.
Small public and current account surpluses
The small government surplus is expected to continue in 2019. Excluding debt interest, the surplus could exceed 3% of GDP. However, this performance needs to be set against the high level of economic activity, with the budget balance turning out to be mildly negative when adjusted for the economic cycle and excluding interest. Increased tax revenues resulting from the favourable economic situation will continue to be put towards improving public services and reducing debt. The additional revenues will be used to finance infrastructure projects (hospitals, retirement homes, roads, ports, etc.), as well as increased social transfers for young parents and housing. The government should also continue its environmental efforts with measures to protect natural sites and increase the tax on CO2 emissions.
The current account surplus is expected to shrink further in 2019, echoing the trade surplus, which is set to decline from 3.6% to 1.8% of GDP as imports considerably outpace exports. However, the tourism-related services surplus will continue to exceed the goods deficit. The income balance shows a small deficit, with remittances from foreign workers still limited and investment income abroad equalled by that of foreign investors. Although the last remaining restrictions on capital movements were lifted in March 2017, these flows, as recorded in the financial account (FDI, portfolio), remain small. Moreover, in the first half of 2018, capital outflows outweighed inflows, reflecting pension fund investments abroad and the narrower real yield spread. Foreign investments other than direct investments are subject to a special reserve requirement whereby 20% of the investment amount must be held in a non-interest bearing account with the central bank for one year. Foreign exchange reserves are not expected to change much and represent about seven months of imports. External debt (82% of GDP as at June 2018, with 47% of the total debt owed by companies (60% under intra-group loans), 40% by the financial system and 12% by the government) will continue to decline.
A patchwork coalition with a narrow majority
Following a new round of early elections in October 2017, the political scene is even more fragmented, with eight parties in Parliament. Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir leads a patchwork coalition government composed of her own left-leaning Green Party (11 seats out of 63), the centre-right Independence Party (16 seats) and the centrist Progress Party (8 seats). Strategic ministries have been assigned to the last two parties. Despite having a small majority (35 seats out of 63), the coalition has managed, thanks to the consensus on fiscal policy, to hold out longer than the previous three governments, which survived for less than a year.
Last update : February 2019


text:
[This post was updated on 02 Aug 2011]
It is with pleasure that we welcome ICC New Zealand (ICC NZ) as the latest chapter within the ICC family. ICC NZ is now registered with the New Zealand Charities Commission.
Four trustees have graciously accepted appointments to the new chapter. They are Paul Devine, who has been appointed director; Margaret Saunders who has been appointed Secretary-Treasurer; Pastor Neil Thompson, who is responsible for marketing and Mr. Brent Ennor. ICC NZ has opened a bank account, and Pastor Thompson is working on the marketing material which will soon be ready for distribution. Once this material is prepared, the trustees plan to share the news about ICC NZ around the two Adventist conferences in New Zealand. They tell us that service to others is their motivation.
Here is more background information about the trustees of ICC NZ.
Margaret and her husband, Owen, run a successful farming business in the South Island. Owen is also chairman of the local Adventist Church School Board and chairman of the Bainfield Adventist Charitable Trust in Invercargill, that provides residential care for 50 people. The Trust also provides financial assistance for child and youth-orientated needs in New Zealand. Margaret has been on two ICC Cambodia mission trips, while Owen has been on three, all coordinated by ICC Australia.
Pastor Neil Thompson is the New Zealand Union Conference Youth Leader based in Christchurch. Neil knew Merilyn Beveridge, former ICC Australia Director, from his work as a youth leader in Victoria, Australia. Neil is strongly committed to ICC and its mission and has also been on two mission trips to Cambodia, both of which were coordinated by ICC Australia.
Brent Ennor is a successful businessman based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Brent has a heart to help others less fortunate than himself. He has set up a trust called Mainland Christian Foundation. This is designed to assist South Island students to attend the church's tertiary institution, Avondale College, in Australia and to assist local churches also.
In addition Brent's eldest son and daughter in-law are actively involved in areas of the third world. Jessica works for ADRA based in Sydney, Australia, after completing an undergraduate degree in International Development. Reuben was one of the photographers for the recent Asian Aid documentary and has just returned from Africa and Asia as part of consultancy on media for ADRA Australia. Reuben is a very talented, creative photographer. This exposure through his family has provided Brent an insight into third world countries and their needs.
Paul Devine became involved with ICC a few years ago when Pastor Neil heard that Merilyn and Don Beveridge where traveling to South New Zealand and were looking for someone willing to accept the responsibility of starting an ICC chapter in that country. Neil was Paul's church pastor at the time, and he suggested to him that this might be a challenge he would enjoy. Pastor Neil arranged a meeting between Merilyn and Paul. Since that meeting, plans have been underway to start a New Zealand chapter for ICC.
Paul and his wife Shirley worked for 6 years in the Western Pacific Union Mission based on Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands. As part of Paul's work as the WPUM Education Director, he traveled through the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Kiribati visiting schools and staying in the villages with the local population. As part of his role he also traveled through Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. Later as a principal of a boarding school in New Zealand, Paul also traveled through parts of Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan.
All four of the trustees have bought into the way ICC operates its orphanages, which they see as a model that offers children the example of how a family was designed to operate. They also strongly believe in the micro-finance programs initiated in various Asia/Pacific countries where ICC has children's villages.
New Zealand is a very small country, with a population of around 4.5 million. There is a Seventh-day Adventist Church membership of approximately 11,000. Operating a charity within guidelines of the New Zealand government can be a challenge. According to Paul Devine, "For a donor to receive tax deductibility, 50% or more must be spent in New Zealand. As we intend that all our money is to go overseas, minus administration costs, you can see we have a problem. As a result we plan to work with ADRA NZ on some joint development projects.
Paul says that after ICC NZ has developed a track record over several years, "the system" allows them to approach a member of parliament and ask them to sponsor ICC NZ when new entities are being considered for tax deductibility purposes. If approved then all donations would be tax deductible. This is their medium-term target.
It is a blessing to have ICC New Zealand join the ICC family! We look forward to watching and supporting the development of this chapter.
Thanks for reading!
Kent Greve
International Development Director ICC


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CALGARY - A central Alberta woman has been convicted in a pit-bull attack that left another woman seriously injured and lying in a pool of blood.
A Calgary judge said there's no doubt Rita Phillip of Sundre commanded the dogs to attack the woman at a trailer home in August 2012.
Deanna Wolfe was found unconscious behind a closed bedroom door and was so badly mauled that emergency responders thought she was dead.
She suffered life-threatening wounds to her arms and face, lost an ear and has had several surgeries.
Wolfe, who was 26 at the time, was a friend of Phillip and was visiting her.
Queen's Bench Justice Jo'Anne Strekaf found Phillip guilty of aggravated assault and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Wolfe, who was in the courtroom Tuesday, said it was important for her to personally hear the verdict.
"This part is just like ... the closing of this attack," she said outside the courtroom. "I can put it behind me now."
She also said she is pleased with the outcome.
"I feel really happy ... nobody else will get hurt. And there's a big lesson about owning a pit bull, the right way and the wrong way to do it."
Officers responding to a 911 call found the two dogs in another room of the trailer, throwing themselves at the door trying to get out.
Phillip, 59, was arrested several days later at a Calgary casino.
The dogs had come to the attention of officials before. The town of Sundre had declared the two dogs vicious in 2011 following an attack on another dog at the same trailer park.
They had to be muzzled and on short leashes when out in public and confined to a pen when in their yard.
Wolfe said her life has been difficult since the attack. She said she has had constant nightmares about Phillip and her dogs.
"I'm injured to an extent where I don't even like looking at my injuries. I don't like looking at the scars that I have," Wolfe said. "No one should have to live like the way I do."
Phillip would only say she "feels good."
She's out of custody until her sentencing later this year.
(CHQR, The Canadian Press)
Also on HuffPost


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Called to testify before a government media oversight commission, editorial cartoonist Xavier Bonilla--known by his penname Bonil--showed up with a pair of four-foot-long mock pencils. But rather than having a small eraser on the tip, one of Bonil's giant pencils was nearly all eraser.
It was a fitting prop. At the January hearing, Bonil was ordered, in essence, to erase one of his cartoons criticizing the government and to redraw it more to the commission's liking. The strange decision prompted some critics to suggest that Ecuador be renamed "Borrador," which means eraser in Spanish.
"How can you correct a cartoon?" Bonil said during in a recent interview with CPJ at his home just south of Quito. "It's absurd."
But these are absurd times for Ecuadoran journalists. They must do their jobs under a restrictive, year-old Communications Law that is filled with ambiguous language demanding that journalists provide accurate and balanced information or face civil or criminal penalties.
Under the law, a state watchdog, called the Superintendency of Information and Communications (SUPERCOM), monitors media content. It was the SUPERCOM that ordered Bonil to correct his cartoon. It also fined Bonil's employer, the Guayaquil-based daily El Universo, about $95,000 for printing the drawing.
Meanwhile, President Rafael Correa has become Ecuador's media-critic-in-chief. He has sued newspapers and investigative reporters that have denounced government corruption. He constantly insults journalists, including Bonil, on his Saturday TV broadcasts.
"He is sick," Correa said of Bonil in a televised speech in February. "We are going to fight with all our might against these cowards and ink assassins." Correa also invited his 1.6 million followers on Twitter to send insults to Bonil, and about 2,000 did so.
Bonil, 50, has been skewering Ecuadoran politicians since the 1980s, becoming along the way Ecuador's best-known editorial cartoonist. He has worked for the newspapers El Comercio and Hoy, the newsmagazine Vistazo, and since 1995 has been drawing on average seven cartoons a week for El Universo.
Past governments either laughed at or ignored his comic barbs. One exception was Lucio Gutiérrez, who as president in the early 2000s expressed anger over Bonil's habit of depicting him with a Pinocchio-length nose. But Gutierrez quickly stopped complaining, in part because it simply brought more attention to the issue of his honesty.
By contrast, Correa's campaign against independent journalists has been relentless. Partly due to government hostility, the investigative magazine Vanguardia shut down last year, while the Quito newspaper Hoy stopped publishing its print edition on June 30.
Bonil remains extremely critical of the Correa government in his cartoons but admits that he's changed some of his tactics to avoid trouble. For example, he says he probably doesn't draw Correa as much as he used to. And although he praises El Universo for giving him full editorial freedom, Bonil says that the editors have sometimes suggested that he tone down his drawings.
"I am like a bird that is still free to fly but now I am always looking around for signs of trouble," Bonil said. "The atmosphere is much heavier."
Another way Bonil avoids trouble is to fictionalize real-life events, especially those involving lawsuits. That's because Article 25 of the Communications Law--the same article invoked in January to sanction Bonil and El Universo--prohibits journalists from commenting on the innocence or guilt of defendants in ongoing legal cases or investigations.
When Bonil learned about an egregious case of graft at Ecuador's state-run oil company, his subsequent cartoon depicted a patient talking with his psychologist. In the cartoon, the patient says he had a dream about government corruption. His doctor responds: "That's not a dream. That's a nightmare."
"Before I would have addressed the issue directly," Bonil said. "But with the Communications Law you have to be very careful. The problem now is that readers might not understand what I'm referring to."
Bonil's most famous cartoon was the one that drew the wrath of the SUPERCOM. The drawing depicted a December 26, 2013, raid in which agents confiscated the computers and documents of journalist Fernando Villavicencio, who had written investigative reports alleging government corruption and is an advisor to an opposition politician. The accompanying text said, "Police and officials raid Fernando Villavicencio's home and take away documentation of denunciations of corruption."
Correa insisted the raid was related to the journalist's use of what Correa claimed were illegally obtained government emails. Villavicencio claimed the raid was aimed at confiscating information in his computers that implicated the government in corrupt acts--hence Bonil's accompanying text.
But at a news conference, Carlos Ochoa, the head of SUPERCOM, justified the sanctions, saying that the cartoonist's assertions were incorrect and that the cartoon "stigmatized" and "delegitimized" the actions of the government officials who carried out the raid.
"The media here have a very abusive attitude," Virgilio Hernández, a congressman for Correa's Alianza PAIS party, told CPJ last month. Even if the journalist is an editorial cartoonist, he added: "If you make an accusation, you have to back it up with facts."
Bonil, giant pencils in hand, along with his lawyer tried to argue his case before the SUPERCOM. After a hearing that lasted only about 15 minutes, the SUPERCOM fined El Universo and gave Bonil 72 hours to come up with a new drawing.
But the cartoonist had the last laugh with a new cartoon dripping with sarcasm.
In it, Bonil depicted government agents arriving at Villavicencio's door with bouquets of flowers. Villavicencio invites them in with a smile, saying: "What a pleasure! I was waiting for you." He then insists that the agents take away his computers because he has full confidence in the Correa government.
Afterwards, Bonil said, "Correa was really angry."


text: Mission The mission of the Department of Mathematics of Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College is to provide for our multicultural student population, a majority of whom are female, minorities and from non-traditional backgrounds, a supportive learning environment, a strong foundation of basic knowledge in mathematics, and to prepare them for a variety of careers in mathematics and related fields. To advance this mission, the Department of Mathematics emphasizes for all its students a conceptual understanding of mathematics together with problem solving and higher order analytic skills. The department strives to develop students' ability to think precisely, creatively and critically, to speak clearly and persuasively, and to be aware of the intellectual power and significance of mathematical reasoning in today's technological society. The Department of Mathematics is committed to the highest standards of excellence in teaching and service. Goals To provide students with the mathematical knowledge and skills they need to pursue careers in Computer Information Systems, the Natural Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Mathematics, Allied Health, Business Administration, Accounting, Public Administration, Health and Human Services, Paralegal, and Office Administration and Technology. To provide students in the liberal arts programs with a broader understanding of the foundation of mathematics, permeating different topics and transcending mere computation, with emphasis on logic and systematic constructions leading to more sophisticated mathematical models. The mathematics curriculum provides a variety of offerings that survey the meaning of mathematics as a logical system. The particular models chosen to exemplify these logical principles will vary from time to time depending on the current interests of our students and faculty. As such models are meant to be illustrations only, the choice can be selective without any change of purpose. Although the language of instruction is English, a few sections of some courses in the Mathematics Department are offered in Spanish, depending upon student needs. Language-enhanced materials are used in all developmental courses to support students' linguistic needs. Effective Fall 2003, no student may be placed in a college-level Mathematics course who has not passed or been exempted from the CUNY Mathematics Skills Test. Students planning to continue study in mathematics or mathematics related areas are advised to consult with the Mathematics Department Chairperson.


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High-Power Ideal for Long Distance Application
SparkLAN WMIA-198ANH is a high-speed 802.11n High-Power 5GHz Mini PCI module with Atheros AR9220 chipset, which delivers up to 300Mbps data rate. Its superior RF performance helps extending wireless range and coverage to farther distance. Operating in the 5GHz band, the less crowded frequency band, WMIA-198ANH greatly reduces the chances of interference.
Secure Wireless Connection
WMIA-198ANH features advanced WEP encryption, WPA, and WPA2 to help to protect data over wireless communication without sacrificing the performance. SparkLAN WMIA-198ANH is the affordable and ideal choice for you to quickly and easily integrate with your wireless enabled applications.


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Set your system to Sleep Mode and carry it with you wherever you go to exchange certain game data like Mii™ characters, high scores and special items with other users you pass on the street.
There are tons of games with cool StreetPass features, and the list keeps getting longer. Challenge each other, exchange items, recruit helpers, and more!
Be sure to turn on the StreetPass feature in each game, so you can take advantage of StreetPass tags and information.
StreetPass Mii Plaza is the place to greet new Mii characters, outfit your own character, and play games with your new friends.
Both StreetPass and SpotPass connect your Nintendo 3DS to the world, but they work very differently. StreetPass lets you swap data with other people and SpotPass is a way to receive new content from Nintendo via the Internet.


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The mornings started with small glassy waves in front of the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. By the afternoon the thermal winds had kicked in and two full slalom ladders of men and women were run at the MINI kiteboard World Cup. Bryan Lake won both of his finals on the men side and Smunty and Withington each won one final. The course was setup by the race director with shorter legs and more marks to make the course more technical.
The first slalom ladder started in the building thermal winds and riders needed to use their bigger kites to get off the beach in the on-shore winds. The first round was run with no upsets and the top riders advanced. The first semifinal Adam Koch and Gunnar Biniasch both crossed the line early and were disqualified and the race was rerun without them, giving two unseeded riders a chance at a final. The ladders were setup with six riders in the final and semifinal. This made the start more challenging because riders really wanted to be ahead of the pack before the start, so that they could have more room at the first mark and the lead. The final was won by Bryan Lake who was perfect right from the start. Julien Kerneur from France tried to challenge him but Bryan was too strong.
For The second slalom ladder the wind had picked and some riders decided to go down to their 11 and 13 meter kites. This time all the starts were perfect and no one was disqualified. All the riders were getting their timing better on the starts and started pushing each other. The final had all the top riders except Koch who broke a line on his way to the starting line, they were all within meters of the start line when the green flag went up and the race was on. It was a close battle to the first mark with Kerneur and Lake battering for the lead, in the end it was Lake who took the win with Kerneur second and Whithington third.
The womens racing was very exciting with all the girls getting a better feel for the course and starts. It was too close to call right from the start with a tight race to the first mark. After a few exchanges it was Warenka Smunty who won the first womens final. The second final was won by Jessica Withington was on fire with her 17m kite and dominated the whole race.
Kevin Langeree and Alex Pastor put on a great display of freestyle close to the beach while the racers were on the water. The light winds did not stop them. They both put up their 15m kites and played on the kickers and flat water in-between the waves. A few more knots are still needed to run the freestyle, but the conditions are perfect for the light wind Slalom.
Saturday should be very exiting with more Slalom racing and freestyle on the Riviera Nayarit. Follow us on twitter and facebook.
Read original article: PKRA News:Lake and Smunty keep winning in Mexico


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November 25, 2016, 11:55 pm
Dion Waiters started and played 35 minutes in Friday's win over the Grizzlies, finishing with 15 points (6-of-15 shooting), four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Waiters has played well over the team's last four games returning top-120 value and averaging 15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He can get hot just as fast as he can get cold, but if you're in need of some quick points and a trickle of other stats, Waiters could potentially help you.
Fantasy News
January 21, 2020, 12:57 amDamian LillardPG, Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard went ballistic in Monday's 129-124 OT win over the Warriors with a career-high 61 points to go with 10 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and 11 3-pointers.
Lillard drilled a huge 3-pointer with 14.9 seconds left in the grill of Alec Burks to tie up the game and send it to OT and hit another dagger in OT. He put up a Herculean effort to ensure that the Blazers would not lose at home tonight in what was one of his best games ever played. The Blazers will continue to lean massively on Lillard and he's proven time and time again that he's up to the challenge.
January 21, 2020, 12:56 amHassan WhitesideC, Portland Trail Blazers
Hassan Whiteside had a monster night on Monday, dropping 17 points with 21 boards to go with two assists and six blocks.
Whiteside briefly left the game with a quad injury, but returned to the game. It looks like we've avoided any major scare as Whiteside logged 43 minutes and closed this one out. He was crucial in securing defensive rebounds and hit two clutch free throws to help seal the victory for the Blazers.
January 21, 2020, 12:55 amAnfernee SimonsSG, Portland Trail Blazers
Anfernee Simons scored 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting to go with two bards, three dimes, two blocks and a triple on Monday.
Simons drew the start in place of C.J. McCollum, but didn't do much with it. He has a decent stat set, but he just can't capitalize on the opportunity.
January 21, 2020, 12:54 amCarmelo AnthonyPF, Portland Trail Blazers
Carmelo Anthony scored 14 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block on Monday.
Melo fluffed up the stat sheet as much as he could and provided an efficient scoring night which was the minimum we expect with C.J. McCollum out. Don't expect these shooting nights to come often, but the numbers should continue to pile up as the Blazers are in dire need of help.
January 21, 2020, 12:53 amD'Angelo RussellPG, Golden State Warriors
D'Angelo Russell scored 27 points on 9-of-27 shooting to go with eight rebounds, nine assists and five triples on Monday.
Russell continues to be the steady hand for a Warriors team that's full of injuries and new rotation players on a nightly basis. There's the threat of him resting down the stretch, but the Warriors are so bad even with him that they don't really need to. Plus, the team wants to see what he and Steph Curry look like playing alongside each other.
January 21, 2020, 12:53 amAlec BurksSG, Golden State Warriors
Alec Burks scored a team-high 33 points on 11-of-23 shooting to go with seven boards, eight dimes, a steal, two blocks and two triples on Monday before fouling out.
Burks hit his two triples in crunch time when the Warriors needed it most, but he fouled out while going for a rebound in OT. He's played heavy minutes lately and should be rostered in all leagues because of his ample opportunity.
January 21, 2020, 12:52 amEric PaschallPF, Golden State Warriors
Eric Paschall started and logged a team-high 42 minutes on Monday, notching a 22 point and 13 rebound double-double to go with two dimes and a steal.
Paschall got eh starting nod with Draymond Green (finger) sitting out and produced another fat line for owners. We've seen this before though, so we advise caution when thinking about scooping him up.
January 21, 2020, 12:51 amMarquese ChrissPF, Golden State Warriors
Marquese Chriss led the Warriors' bench on Monday with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Draymond Green sat this one out and Omari Spellman (21 minutes, three points, five rebounds, one steal and one triple) looks like he's now behind Chriss in the rotation, but the frontcourt is a revolving door. It's hard to pin down who the guy to own his here so we can't advocate for grabbing Chriss off the wire.
January 21, 2020, 12:50 amDamion LeeSG, Golden State Warriors
Damion Lee scored four points on 1-of-7 shooting to go with nine boards, four assists and a steal on Monday.
Lee fell flat in 39 minutes after posting a strong 21-point line before and even though he was bad tonight, he's worth holding onto in standard leagues. On a team full of question marks, Lee has proven himself to be one of the most consistent players on the Warriors.
January 21, 2020, 12:16 amDevin BookerSG, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker led the Suns in their 118-120 loss to the Spurs on Monday, scoring a game-high 37 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists and four triples.
Booker went 13-for-23 from the floor, 4-for-6 from deep and 7-for-7 at the line in another hyper efficient night shooting the ball. He missed a go-ahead three-point attempt at the buzzer, but he's been a fantasy monster this season thanks to his new found efficiency.


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Daily AWS Wtf and German Rails Conference
05 August 2009 by Mathias Meyer
I've started a new blog (don't worry, I have not abandoned this one), specifically targeting experiences, wtf's and workarounds for the latter on Amazon's Web Services. I've been working quite a lot with them recently, and there's heaps of dark corners around, and things you need to be aware of. That's what that blog is about. Head on over to Daily AWS Wtf and give it a read. It's powered by the people of Peritor, so there'll be other people writing too.
The annual one and only German Rails Conference (some might call it Rails Konferenz) is upon us. I'll be speaking about legacy code, and I'll also be giving a tutorial on refactoring Rails applications, together with Jonathan Weiss. It's a great one day conference with a German audience. Great occasion to meet the German Rails scene. Hope to see you there!


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Report: State Dept. Suffered 'Systemic Failures'
The State Department suffered from "systemic failures" in its response to the terrorist threat in Benghazi, and had insufficient numbers of security, according to an investigation of the attack on the U.S. consulate. WSJ's Margaret Coker reports. Photo: REUTERS.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... good morning ... welcome to the New Saab I'm Ralf Winkler ... relying on locals for security was a fatal mistake in Libya ... that's the key takeaway from a new independent panel report on the September eleven attacks at U S consulate in big Ozzie Wall Street Journal's Margaret Coker ... knows Libyans headed out and joins us now from Abu Dhabi met Matt Maher good morning ... when a typical evening we acclaim argued that a violent still ... love them but let let's get that that Mrs NBC series now ... talk about this being a mistake ... relied on ... locals for security this this was the key problem in ... the scene indeed the Qassam attacks was that ... it's really at work or if it isn't wet came out late last night to take your time and to be considered something that that his officials have been talking about our great work for a number of weeks back the Libyan security guards who were on duty that night on September eleventh in the attack advantage the IndyMac Bank that ended ... the trip there were not sufficient to stop the attack ... well it'll team but we had there with about seven million store on duty half of them are on top of them were not ... sch and they were up against them of the people and independence ... ok ... and ... you mention the reviewers nighttime surveillance video here that showed a local police truck ... speeding away on before before the arm of the Senate on the cars we actually don't know was in the truck ... why its data weigh in ... are there any details ... did you have any details about about what was happening was in that video ... ay ay ay ... ducky about twelve hours a day after the hour ... that the of the massacre back on September twelve ends in that time and interviewing members of ... the Indian guy ever on TV and security matters that night ... we know taking the witness statements and combined them with ... winter now been classified ... as a deal with it that that the Americans have had an intervention for the time to be attacked but we see it is really a chaotic scene ... video cameras that were at the in the car with compound only cover as a small portion ... of the actual and landed that that the compound at NASA's sch and ... that that friend gauge and it shows that that that was the current human being ... is that it's unclear who the people were the guy that I have spoken to stay at that that the guards that were on duty that night were in the car it with ... the ... critics at least get all the didn't have any relation to the attacks in and isn't trying to figure out whether their weddings and some sort of ... the lady in a conspiracy that that that ... the insecurity people in townhouse and instigate them on or or allow the things that come with them in the night that the Americans are still looking and that opportunity ... okay now ... its import to note here that ... in the report he talks about how Best or Stevens's ... self rejected ... U S military personnel more robust ... security force if you will because he wanted to keep ... a low profile ... so ... what is the takeaway easy is it we we just move the needle from the highest level since the ... second half before security on embassies and consulates that didn't even know wanted ... more ... I really if this were the last ten years and most of the American at the United Nations in the region are are are are are considered fortunes America when there is the isthe inside jokes about House Kelly and deep into voting that the ARU gains eleven and in the defense okay gonna be it from the start and since the fall in America to be remembered again that the revolution in eighteen months ago ... were it not be in and these new democratic forces trying to to reshape and restructure their society ... the security situation in India have been chaotic one of the reasons why ... the US consulate and then that the state of an intended to resemble ... the rest of the diplomatic three that come ... in in in the sense is that there was there was this that that ... that that was the three of chaos that is ... going to happen given that at present there inside the house to be I ... think that the security services just aren't up to snuff but at the same time there was also did the C I a an ex felons ... do at a mile away from the conflict itself with the reasons red carpet state who heads the purported throughout the year this fall ... the the the the uh it was conducting covert operations the statement by the NCAA would ... than the present their top thirty people would be enough to see ... compensation being in the second half ... of the and feel them and it seems that the CAA officers at the other car with ... a buy at the end I felt that they are ... an essential explains why he wanted to ... keep a low profile ... make it much for joining us this morning ...


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Artist description:
Just a little fractal abstract I was playing with.
Java Draw Created May 31, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 Whitemorn.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
love fractal works....you did great...5/5..
VERY VERY cool!! You are SOOOO multi talented! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE your creativity!!! 5/5
Nice work!!
Nice , I like fractal I have a program to do them but I just can't it's sooooooooo complicated....5/5
Wow! this actually looks really cool! :D


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When The Vampire Diaries returns on Thursday (8/7c, CW), Damon Salvatore (Ian Salvatore) will be his usual witty self as he tries to persuade Klaus (Joseph Morgan) to help him.
9 life lessons learned from The Vampire Diaries' Caroline Forbes
"I just came up with a list. It's called 'Things You Suck At,'" Damon says to Klaus in the exclusive sneak peek below. "No. 1: Finding Katherine. No. 2: Covering up your secret phone conversations with that little backstabber Haley."
So how are Katherine and Haley related? And will Damon convince Klaus he needs to help find them?
Watch to find out:
The Vampire Diaries airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.


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Adam's Avenue unplugged is one of San Diego's best festivals. Each year they offer an ample line-up of talented and unique musical acts. On April 27th at 2:30pm, Actor John C. Reilly was accompanied by local musician Gregory Page and North Dakota born folk singer, Tom Brosseau during a set at the Normal Heights United Methodist Church. An hour later, across the street, The Spirit Family Reunion, a Brooklyn based group, filled Adams Park with their unique brand of homespun, foot-stomping music.
This year, Adam's Avenue Unplugged featured 135 musical acts. It took place along a two mile stretch of Adams Ave. spanning from University Heights to Kensington. Musical acts performed in restaurants, bars, coffee houses, churches, and parks.
The people watching during the festival, was nearly as excellent as the music.
I found 22-year-old Breanne Meulink outside the United Methodist church on Saturday afternoon. Inside, musician Ross Altman crooned old labor and anti-war songs into a microphone on the Larry Robinson Memorial stage.
Meulink wore a one piece jumper accessorized with barefeet, bangles and hair beads.
The 22-year-old is moving to Costa Rica next month where she will work as an adventure tour guide at an eco-resort.
"My friend's parents just opened the resort and they needed workers," Meunlink explained.
Breanne was accompanied by her friend Lauren Nelson who was visiting San Diego for the weekend from Oregon. Nelson wore a thrifted floral dress paired with an elephant necklace and a Brandi Melville V-fringe brown purse ($25).
Nearby I found friends Jessica Robinette and Amy Schultz browsing the vendor stands.
Jessica wore a vintage floral jumpsuit with a Forever 21 chunky belt. Amy wore a t-shirt she bought on the boardwalk in Venice Beach and shorts from a boutique in Santa Monica.
If you missed Adam's Avenue unplugged this year, there is always the Adams Avenue Street Fair falling on September 28 & 29th.
Here's a clip of the Spirit Family Reunion to tide you over until the next Adams Avenue Unplugged.
More from SDReader
- More stories by Siobhan Braun
- Festivals everywhere — OB, Adams Ave., Mission Valley, and Palomar Mountain — June 21, 2017
- Festival style on Adams Avenue — Oct. 5, 2014
- Adams Avenue music festival only free to you and me — March 14, 2014
- Enchanted by Normal Heights — Aug. 13, 2013
- Adams Avenue Old Folker — April 18, 2012


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Welcome to Hotel de Flandre
Boutique hotel in the centre of Ghent
Hotel de Flandre is a cosy hotel which offers 63 charming rooms and suites. The hotel is centrally located, in the heart of the medieval city centre of Ghent and at walking distance of the most famous tourist attractions. The hotel is located in a carefully renovated mansion that dates back to the 18th century. It is a listed monument and on the inside conserves the original Napoleonic staircase.
In the annex of Hotel de Flandre, at 25 m distance from the main building, there are 17 brand-new rooms. They combine a unique design with state-of-the-art amenities. The annex has a meeting room equipped with all modern meeting facilities.
Hotel de Flandre also addresses business travellers who want to stay in Ghent for a longer period of time and lets 5 carefully renovated and decorated business flats.


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DES MOINES, IOWA Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was unchanged at 4.9 percent. The current rate is seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than the year ago rate of 5.6 percent. The U.S. jobless rate for December was also the same as the prior month, remaining at 7.8 percent.
"The modest pace of job growth in 2012 managed to drop the state's unemployment rate below 5.0 percent in the final months of the year," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. "The December data also reflected a stronger hiring pattern in construction, which was reflected in both monthly and annual job gains."
The number of unemployed Iowans decreased slightly to 80,000 in December from 80,200 in November. The level stood at 93,400 one year ago.
The total number of working Iowans edged down to 1,558,600 in December from 1,560,500 in November. The December figure compared with 1,573,300 for December 2011.
Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment
Total nonfarm employment added a slight 300 jobs in December, bringing the total to 1,494,200. The monthly gain in the goods-producing industries was fueled by hiring in the construction sector, while losses in retail trade hampered private service growth this month.
Construction added 1,400 jobs in December, the most of any sector. The increase was partially due to growth in specialty trade contractors. Additionally, this sector added jobs in three of the last four months, and is now up 4,400 jobs since September. Both professional and business services and leisure and hospitality added 800 jobs this month. Education and health services advanced by 500 jobs with most of the gain centered in educational services. On the other hand, trade and transportation declined by 1,400 jobs this month. Within this super sector, retail and wholesale trade posted losses of 1,700 and 900, respectively; while transportation grew by 1,200. Government decreased by 900 jobs, and manufacturing lost 600 jobs following two months of larger-than-expected gains.
The December nonfarm employment total was 14,400 higher than one year ago. Despite the monthly loss, manufacturing was up 7,100 jobs over the year, surpassing all other sectors in annual growth. Durable goods factories added 4,600 jobs, while nondurable goods plants contributed 2,500 jobs. Construction grew by 3,400 jobs, and financial activities was up 2,300. Job losses were confined to three sectors: retail trade (-3,100), transportation and warehousing (-1,500), and state government (-1,200).


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- I have been trying to eat a healthier diet. Will I be able to find healthy food choices in the Bon Appétit café?
- Can you tell me how many calories are in the foods in the Bon Appétit café?
- How will you handle my concerns about a food allergy?
- What types of choices should I expect in a Bon Appétit café?
- I'm concerned about my weight. Does Bon Appétit offer diet foods?
- How does Bon Appétit address religious dietary needs?
- I follow a specific diet for (lactose intolerance, celiac disease, diabetes, etc.) and need to be able to stay on my diet. Will this be possible in the Bon Appétit café?
Healthy Food Choices
Q: I have been trying to eat a healthier diet. Will I be able to find healthy food choices in the Bon Appétit café?
Congratulations on your nutrition goals! Nutrition is a personal issue for many people. In fact, when we talk to our guests, we hear about a wide range of foods, diets and eating patterns they define as "healthy." Bon Appétit is committed to offering choices that fit many nutritional goals.
We start with a simple set of "Kitchen Principles." The principles were created by Bon Appétit to ensure the highest level of food quality. All Bon Appétit chefs follow these standards, which include use of fresh, sustainable products and cooking from scratch. You will find our foods are alive with flavor and nutrition and look, smell, and taste delicious.
The result of following these principles is a menu that reflects an ever-changing variety of healthy foods from basic fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, to exotic ethnic, vegetarian, vegan dishes and more! You can request many items cooked to order in our exhibition-style stations, and find foods that meet many personal nutrition goal, be it disease prevention, sports performance or more specific dietary needs.
Our cafés also use a unique labeling program to help you identify café items with certain nutritional qualities. We use color-coded stickers to identify items that are vegetarian, vegan, organic, made without gluten, well being and/or in balance with 2010 US Dietary Guidelines and/or abide by our environmental and community programs of Farm to Fork and Seafood Watch. In addition, please talk to our onsite chefs and managers who will be happy to direct you to the best choices for your specific needs.
Food Calories
Q: Can you tell me how many calories are in the foods in the Bon Appétit café?
A: We can certainly help you identify healthy choices in the Bon Appétit cafés but exact nutrition content information, like calories, is more difficult.
Bon Appétit menu items are prepared fresh, from scratch, in our kitchens each day. Our chefs take advantage of local and seasonal ingredients and do not follow specific, standard recipes in which the ingredients are weighed or measured. In fact, menu items that do repeat may be slightly different each time they are served because of seasonality and availability of the freshest ingredients. We cook like many people do at home, tasting and adjusting throughout preparation so that the final menu items meet our standards for flavor and quality. Without a standardized recipe, specific nutrition information is likely to be inaccurate.
It is, however, fundamental to our principles to incorporate as many healthy cooking techniques as possible. Our chefs are required to use healthy fats, focus on healthy, nutrient-rich ingredients, as well as to consciously put healthy food choices on the menu. Our chefs are trained in what we call "stealth nutrition" so that they think about core nutrition principles as they plan their menus.
If you are looking for a calorie controlled meal choice in your Bon Appétit café, think about choosing one of our "In Balance" items, which contain a balanced portion of whole grains, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins all prepared with a minimal amount of healthy fat, and typically contain approximately 600 calories.
The Nutrition Facts Tables section on this website provides the average calorie information for foods that are commonly served in the Bon Appétit cafés. We also recommend looking at the USDA's new guidelines for a balanced diet, at choosemyplate.gov.
Food Allergies
Q: How will you handle my concerns about a food allergy?
A: Bon Appétit takes food allergies very seriously. We are careful to train our staff on food allergy awareness issues, but because of the complexities of food allergies, we prefer to work individually with you on your specific dietary needs. Our onsite chef and/or manager will meet with you individually to develop a plan that may include special menu items, ingredient identification, special preparation and communication to necessary staff to ensure that you can eat safely. You may also use our corporate registered dietitian as a resource for food allergies.
Café Offerings
Q: What types of choices should I expect in a Bon Appétit café?
A: The offerings will vary somewhat from café to café. However, all Bon Appétit menus are driven by our passion for great food.
A few examples of items you will always find in our cafés:
- An extensive salad bar including fresh greens, twelve or more vegetables, beans, lean protein options, composed salads, crunchy toppings and house- made salad dressings.
- A fresh deli bar featuring turkey and roast beef, slow-roasted in each kitchen as well as a variety of other meats, cheeses, vegetables, condiments, spreads and breads.
- A selection of house- made soups, always including a vegetarian option.
- Two or more hot entrée options with tasty sides including whole grains and fresh vegetables.
- An exhibition area where we cook to order for you. The menu will vary from basic stir-fries to ethnic and regional favorites.
- Our cafés also include an extensive grill, pizza and dessert menu, fresh fruits, beverages and a wide range of condiments.
Weight Management
Q: I'm concerned about my weight. Does Bon Appétit offer diet foods?
A: These days the approaches to weight management are more varied than ever. Some people swear by low fat while others have gone to low carbohydrate or just count calories. Bon Appétit will not try to dictate which is right for you. Our menus provide choices for all of these approaches. All Bon Appétit menus include a wide selection of fresh lean meats and vegetarian proteins, extensive salad and fresh vegetable options, whole grains and beans, as well as milk, soy milk, yogurts, fruits, which is the right portions, will support weight management.
Special Dietary Needs
Q: How does Bon Appétit address religious dietary needs?
A: The availability of kosher foods and other foods that are important in religious dietary observances vary from café to café. Please contact your onsite dining services for the options that are available in your café.
Q: I follow a specific diet for (lactose intolerance, celiac disease, diabetes, etc.) and need to be able to stay on my diet. Will this be possible in the Bon Appétit café?
A: The use of multiple stations and exhibition areas encourages a "have it your way" system, allowing you to follow any personal diet that you desire. However, if you have trouble identifying which items meet your needs, we are here to help. The General Manager and Executive Chef can answer questions and help you get to know what foods work for you in the café. In most cases, the choices are already there. If not, we will also work with you to prepare items that meet your dietary needs. When appropriate, you and the onsite staff can also consult with our corporate registered dietitian for help with making menu choices.
Disclaimer: We attempt to provide nutrition information that is as complete as possible. The nutritional values are based on USDA data, common cooking techniques, and data from our suppliers. Variations may occur due to the use of regional suppliers, seasonal influences, differences in product preparation at the kitchen level, recipe revisions, and other factors. This information is always subject to change and will be updated periodically. Aug 2013


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Best Shots Extra: AVENGERS VS. X-MEN, BEFORE WATCHMEN, More
Avengers Vs. X-Men: Round 6
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, and Laura Martin
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
Published by Marvel Comics
Review by George Marston
'Rama Rating: 9 out of 10
In Avengers Vs. X-Men: Round 6 we get our first glimpse of the "Phoenix Five" in action as they jet around the globe doing the seemingly impossible, bringing peace and prosperity to every corner of the Earth. But is everything as it seems? The Avengers — and even some X-Men — seem to think that the good deeds the Phoenix Five are performing are too good to be true. Judging by the reaction the Phoenix Five are getting from the ancient scholars of K'un-L'un, the Avengers might be right.
In one of the series' best cold opens so far, we finally get to see Charles Xavier's reaction to what his X-Men have become. It's kind of fascinating to see the interplay between Xavier, whose position as the leader of mutantkind has been supplanted by Cyclops — who takes as much of his leadership style from Magneto as he does from Professor X. The relationship between these three men is definitely at the core of the X-Men mythos, and it's becoming one half of the emotional heart of AvX. Jonathan Hickman is finally digging deeper into the motivations and consequences of what's going on in this series, and while there's a lot less smash-'em-up fisticuffs, there's a hell of a lot more depth of character, as Xavier beseeches Scott to understand the true price of power that seems to bear no cost. As each side of the conflict is driven to extremes, with even Captain America considering a lethal solution to the problem of the Phoenix Five, the truly powerful scenes lie in moments like Beast's major decision.
AvX #6 also finally sees some outside forces weighing in, with the Scarlet Witch playing a pivotal role in the issue's conclusion, and the scholars of K'un-L'un pressing the idea that Iron Fist has to take action. With this issue, AvX has become everyone's problem, so to speak, and so begs the question of where characters like the Fantastic Four (other than Thing) will fall when it gets down to brass tacks. There is a major morality play at stake here, and like the recent "Ends of the Earth" in Amazing Spider-Man, it forces the reader to ask the question of whether peace and prosperity can actually be achieved through coercion. Unlike "Ends of the Earth," the answer is a little less cut-and-dried, as the healing force whose motives are in question is controlled by characters who, until now, have mostly been benevolent. Marvel's hero vs. hero shtick wore out its welcome in the years following Civil War, and while it was almost a relief to return to a point where the villains were the guys you expected them to be, it's becoming strangely clear that Marvel's characters are at their most powerful when they don't get along. It's probably an extension of the Stan and Jack style of the dysfunctional family dynamic, and while a return to years of internal conflict doesn't particularly sound appealing, there's no arguing that Marvel is finally getting somewhere with the emotional core of this story.
Olivier Coipel is a more than welcome addition to AvX's cast of creators. His art carries a certain edge and energy that screams across the page, even in more subtle moments. His take on the revised outfits of the Phoenix Five is breathtaking (Cyclops's crotch aside), and there are so many terrific panels, scenes, and pages that it's hard to list them all. Even something as simple as a single panel shot of the founding Avengers is gorgeous under his pencil, and his usual collaborators Mark Morales and Laura Martin do their typically fantastic job of supporting and enhancing the linework. The art falters only during the issue's lone fight scene, when the panels get tight and the action is a little hard to follow. Unfortunately, that's a fairly big black mark on the issue, as that sequence is something of a climax, but the two pages that stand out are such a small fraction of the whole that it's not enough to detract too much from the overall experience.
Avengers Vs. X-Men is really shaping up to be about "choice;" the choice to take responsibility for your actions, the choice to do what you think is right, and what happens when that choice is taken away for what seem like the right reasons. As these choices are made, and lines are drawn, crossed, and drawn again, it's hard to find sympathy for anyone but characters like Beast and Hope, who, more than anything, have become caught in the crossfire. Unlike AvX's obvious forebear Civil War, it's a lot more difficult to pick a side in the conflict. The world is a grey area, and only becomes black and white based on the choices made by the people who inhabit it, and it's those choices that are driving AvX towards something potentially world altering.
Before Watchmen: Comedian #1
Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by J.G. Jones and Alex Sinclair
Lettering by Clem Robins
Published by DC Comics
Review by David Pepose
'Rama Rating: 3 out of 10
Nobody laughs for the Comedian. Nobody cries for him. And perhaps the biggest missed opportunity for this Before Watchmen book? Nobody cares about him, either.
Unlike the previous two Before Watchmen prequels, Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 assumes you already know everything about Alan Moore's antihero, and proceeds instead to put the Comedian through his paces. It's interesting in a trivia sort of sense, seeing how Eddie Blake affected American history, but his emotions and motivations remain too opaque to hook readers.
Part of this issue's problem is the disconnect between the script and the art. Brian Azzarello and J.G. Jones are both stellar craftsmen in their own right, but having an issue that is populated largely by historical figures doesn't play to Jones's strengths. Inking himself, this is definitely a different-looking style for Jones, feeling far thinner and less lush than, say, his halcyon days on Wanted. Yet the content does elude him. Eddie Blake's relationship with the Kennedys is the focal point of this issue, but the family hurts more than helps. They're just off-model enough to be distracting, not human enough to elicit sympathy or admiration when the inevitable occurs.
It's only when Jones is allowed to have some action — it's a quick sequence, with panels turned at an angle like a fast-paced Transporter flick — that the heat comes back. But unfortunately, the emotional moments return shortly thereafter, coming off as flat even as it tries to emulate original series Dave Gibbons. While Gibbons was a master of composition — he always kept his subject in focus — Jones occasionally leaves dead space.
The other problem with the Kennedy connection is that that's all Azzarello has to humanize Eddie Blake. Without that connection, we've pretty much seen this exact act in the original Watchmen, down to Eddie searching desperately for a drink when his world falls around him. If anything, Eddie seems a lot mellower than either his teenage self or his Vietnam days — when did this loose cannon seem so tame? Even his killing of an American icon just seems sleazy and half-heatedly exploitative rather than a shocking, horrifying revelation.
You can't win all of them, and it seems that the third time is not the charm for Before Watchmen. Whereas the first two installments stood on their own two feet as accessible, standalone stories, Azzarello and Jones lean a little too heavily on Alan Moore's original text, leading to a story that emulates the tone but never really hits the right note. And that's the sad punchline for Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 — we're not laughing on the inside. We're not even crying. The reality is even worse — we're not reacting at all.
Saga #4
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Fiona Staples
Lettering by Fonografiks
Published by Image Comics
Review by Lan Pitts
'Rama Rating: 10 out of 10
When you have an opening scene and a startling page that introduces you to a sex planet, you know you're in for something a bit different. Saga has set the bar for creator-owned books and stories, and shows no signs whatsoever of putting on the brakes.
With the revelation of Marko being engaged to another woman from the cliffhanger of the last issue, Alana did not take that well, as any woman wouldn't. The dialog between the two is endearing and doesn't come across as forced. You get a more understanding about their relationship and how much in love they really are. The issue is actually halved between the heroes, and the villain that we've seen before, The Will, but here he gets a moment to really flesh him out. We've seen his reputation mentioned before and how talented he is at assassinations, though in this issue we're introduced to a whole new side to his that sort of makes us root for him. Saga #4 ends with a nice dramatic moment, but in this story, it's a good bet that nothing is what it seems.
Brian K. Vaughan flexes his creative wings here, and puts us in an environment that no other book on the shelves can take us. The idea of a planet where your most perverse dreams can become reality is quite the visual experience. I'm not sure what is going on in half of those panels, but having The Will just not say anything during any of his exploration of it, is an interesting touch. How Vaughan has constructed this mysterious character is just fun to watch it all play out. What he's done for Marko and Alana's relationship is some of the best dialog I've read all year. Only four issues in, and these two feel like old friends or the series has been going on for much longer; they're just so fleshed out. The Alana/Izabel dynamic just adds the right amount of humor and wit to the story to balance out the dramatics and gore in the issue.
The visuals and design of everything just comes at your eyes and you can't pull away easily. That is the magic of Fiona Staples' style. How she takes you from one part of the galaxy to the next with such panache is stellar. Her use of cinematic angles and great facial expressions tell a great story, even with certain characters never saying a word or having a sound effect added to them. The nature of the planet Sextillion is something you won't forget easily. The colors and bright lights with some alien freak-a-leaks is something of the most unique pages I've seen in a while. Everything she puts on paper seems so alive.
Saga #4 proves that this book has only really just begun telling its story, and with the pace it's keeping, it is surely one book not to be missed. Vaughan and Staples are quite the duo and bring to you a story of compassion, mystery, enchantment, teenage ghosts, anti-hero freelance mercenaries, and prostitutes that are just heads and legs. Thanks, comics.
Next Men: Aftermath #44
Written by John Byrne
Art by John Byrne and Ronda Pattison
Lettering by Neil Uyetake
Published by IDW Publishing
Review by Scott Cederlund
'Rama Rating: 8 out of 10
In Next Men: Aftermath #44, John Byrne doesn't say "goodbye" to these characters but he put them away more ceremonially than he did back in 1994 when he ended the original series. Their story really ended six issues ago but Byrne has used Aftermath as a coda to give one final and odd curtain call to the characters, bringing them all together for one final time but not even really doing that. Titled "Crazy Quilt," there's probably not a more apt description for this issue that feels like the thoughts of a storyteller who has a lot to say before the end of the issue.
Byrne's whole approach to his return to Next Men has been puzzling. The original series in the early 1990s felt like him trying to reclaim the mainstream from the Image founders. The stories were solid superhero fare. Since he relaunched the series over a year ago, Byrne's approach to the characters has been that of a writer and artist returning to unfinished business. In some ways, Next Men has been an obligation hanging over Byrne for two decades and it ended up being one that he decided to have fun with.
For the last couple of issues, the Next Men, possibly alternate versions of the team and a menagerie of other characters have been wandering around this ever-changing tableau, unsure of where or when they are. How this relates to the story before this when the Next Men seemingly rewrote history to ensure that they wouldn't exist still remains a mystery as Byrne pushes and twists the characters as far as they can in this final issue and answers only a few of the questions he's posed. Thanks to a reality-altering character, you're never even too sure who in this book is real and who is just a memory of a happier time.
A lot of the narrative sleight of hand that Byrne does in this issue are repeats of what he's done in this series over the last 20 years but without the threat of having to neatly reset everything to normal for the next story arc, Byrne demonstrates a playfulness in this series that was often missing from his overly-serious storytelling. Without that next issue where he has to continue the story, Byrne ends up not telling the Next Men's story but a story about story. With Sandy, a girl who can mold reality to whatever she wants it to be, Byrne creates a story that explores the wants and wishes of his characters and shows how those have formed the core of Aftermath.
With this last issue, Byrne tries to see how far he can bend and break these characters one more time before snapping them back into some sense of normality in the end. He gives his characters an ending they deserve even if it isn't one that aligns greatly with how he originally started out the series. While Next Men has always been about desire and longing, Next Men: Aftermath #44 pushes those themes into some puzzling meta-commentary on comics in ways that the book was never really about. But the story that Byrne left dangling almost 20 years ago has been told over and over again during the time these characters were in hiatus. In returning to chronicle their end, Byrne screwed with the series status quo but took his readers on a wild ride into an imaginative world of superheroes, history and the possibilities of what he could have done with these characters.Got a comment? There's lots of conversation on Newsarama's FACEBOOK and TWITTER!


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Interior: Leather
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Vin: 1N4AA5AP1DC815652
Engine: 3.5L V6 DOHC 24V
Mileage: 132,136
Stock #: 815652
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Tahoe Fund implements 'Plate Spotter' program
Tahoe Fund, an environmental nonprofit, has started a program to reward owners of Lake Tahoe license plates with free lift tickets this season.
Tahoe plates spotted by official "spotters" and the general public will be entered to win free lift tickets every week until March 20, according to a press release. The program is designed to raise awareness of Lake Tahoe license plates, and to reward and encourage renewals and new Tahoe license plate purchases.
More than 96 percent of the funds raised through the Lake Tahoe license plate sales go directly to the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada Division of State Lands to fund hiking and biking trails and watershed restoration projects.
Tahoe plates "spotted" by the Plate Spotting Team will be photographed and eligible for the weekly drawing of two lift tickets at a participating Lake Tahoe area resort. The public is invited to spot plates and upload their own photos to the Tahoe Fund Facebook page as well. Each week's winning plate will be posted on the Tahoe Plate Spotting Web page, http://www.tahoeplatespotting.com and the Tahoe Fund Facebook page and promoted via social and multiple other media outlets.
The Tahoe Fund is also again running the popular Plates for Powder promotion to drive sales of Lake Tahoe license plates. Anyone who purchases a new Lake Tahoe license plate in either California or Nevada before April 15 is eligible to receive two free Alpine or Nordice tickets to one of the 11 Tahoe resorts participating in the program. For information on Plates for Powder, visit http://www.TahoePlates.com.