text:
The Brazilian blog network: learning to fly
Bora wrote an insightful post about the advantages and disadvantages of blog networks and how he sees they would work in a post-Diaspora blog ecosystem. I thought it would be interesting to compare his views and experiences with blog networks with ScienceBlogs (SB) with my vision of the history of the much smaller network, ScienceBlogs Brazil.
ScienceBlogs Brazil (Sb.br) was not born this way. Back in 2008 – an eternity in Internet time – Atila Iamarino and I decided that a science blog network could make the number of Brazilian blogs about science grow faster. At the time, blogs were starting their exponential expansion in Brazil and there were less than a dozen active science blogs older than a year (and there was us). In August 2008, we managed to launch the blog network Lablogatórios, heavily inspired by SB, with 18 blogs. Two days after our launch, to our great surprise, we were contacted by SB: the network we aspired to be was inviting us to join then. In March 2009, SB.br was launched and we now have around 30 blogs.
Atila and I like to read about Science but there were not enough blogs written in Portuguese to ease our hunger. Moreover, science education in Brazil is deficient and there is a great need for science communication projects. We believed that we could not wait to have a lot of science blogs to make a network, instead we decided to build a network to make a lot of science blogs. The plan was straight forward: we would make a network to attract readers to the few Brazilian science blogs and this would make more people interested about blogging about science. I think this is when a network is beneficial to its bloggers: it is a way to streghten small niches.
When we started inviting blogs to our network, we used three criteria: it should be accurate, it should be well written and it should be frequent. The first bloggers that were invited were the older bloggers but just a few of them accepted, then we invited a few promising bloggers and started some blogs from scratch. When we launched, we had just 4 blogs that were older than a year, 3 brand new blogs and 11 young blogs. Bora mentioned that SB attracted about 10% of the science blogging community. I estimate that we attracted around three-quarters of the active blogs at the time. If the use of popularity as selection parameter biased SB blogger diversity, scarcity biased ours.
The most noticeable bias was our initial female:male ratio (1:8), which was unacceptable (even for Brazilian standards). Also, half of our bloggers were from the state of São Paulo – the richest in Brazil. Finally, we had a massive number of blogs about biology. We have been fighting to increase our gender, regional and subject diversity. Now, our female:male ratio is 1:3, which is the same of the Brazilian bloggers ratio, and bloggers from many other states were incorporated.
One curious aspect of our history was how our strategy to incoporate new blogs evolved with time. In the begining, Atila and I were decided to bring in every blog that was considered good enough. This helped our increase our numbers very fast, specially after we became SB.br. However, a large influx of new bloggers started damaging the sense of community inside the network. We now open two new positions every semester – with occasional special invitations in-between. The new bloggers are not chosen by the "overlords" anymore: they are voted by their future peers. We also have a "test blog" for new authors, a place for people who never blogged to have a go before getting their own blog.
In the technical aspect, Lablogatórios was built in WordPress MU, which was very easy to manage. Our traffic was light enough to let us have a virtual dedicated server. This meant that the site was not costly and the few rupees we manage to gather with adsense and the only ad banner we sold were just enough to pay the bills. In this aspect we benefited hugely becoming SB. We were aware that many successful sites had financial problems due to server costs and other maintenance cost due to heavy traffic. SB.br was so smaller than SB that even MT4 behaved well enough.
What is working
I think the main strength of SB.br is the cohere community forged in the backchannel. We are small enough to have a manageable email lists, where we can bicker friendly away from the public eye. About a third of our bloggers are not engaged in this list but they still maintain some contact with the other bloggers. Moreover, I think I can brag that the fact that Atila and I are also bloggers in the network helped our job as community managers. The fact that we are also the founders of the network also give us enough authority to stop arguments that get… uncivil. We also frequently discuss the future plans for the network with the rest of the community, which reduces the burden of planning our future ahead.
The decision of stop bringing so many new bloggers into the network also helped strengthening the community of science blogs outside SB.br. It is really important to us not to be seen as the best Brazilian science blogs or to give the idea that the only good blogs are the ones in the network. This would certainly hurt our goal to make the number and the quality of Brazilian science blogs increase, as it has been happening even before Lablogatórios.
When we entered the SB we were surprised with the differences in the community dynamics between SB and SB.br. Communication among bloggers in SB always seemed too aggressive and communication between them and the SB overlords was almost null. These two characteristic – that emerged as consequences of SB history – only helped to fuel the Diaspora that was triggered by PepsiGate.
What is not working
Every time a group is formed, the concept of "us" and "them" automatically arises. It is very tempting to defend our Labrothers when they are attacked, grouping on the attacker. It also easier to link each other than blogs outside the network. The fact that we talk a lot in the backchannels also helps to develop a hive behaviour, the same Borg concept used to describe SB, as ideas emerge to the public as a consensus after being widely discussed in private. This affects the way we relate with other bloggers and to our readers. For example, people frequently judge the whole network by the behaviour of a few bloggers. If one of us mistreat a reader (deservingly or not), the blame usually falls on the network.
The feeling that we have the "best science blogs" is also a problem as it takes attention from excellent blogs that are found outside the network. This "best blogs" syndrome also makes easy to interpret any personality traits we have (such as short temper, introversion, extroversion, etc) as a sign of arrogance. The network help us share relevance and credibility but it also makes us share our vices.
In the technical aspect, joining SB solved a lot of our problems but it also created some others. The freedom we had to customize the platform and the homepages greatly reduced. There is some evidence that search engines likes this plaform less than our previous one and MT4 is too complex for new bloggers.
Learning to fly
The history of blogging in Brazil has a delay of two or three years when compared to the blogs written in English. Thus, when we see what is happening "out there", we are a seeing our potential future. Blogs about science have been growing in numbers for some time, most of science journalists have their own blogs and other media are starting to notice us as well. It is also possible to see people trying other media such as podcasts and videocasts. Sophistication is only happening now for us but the question of how to aggregate everything is already on our minds.
SB.br is becoming less and less dominant in the Brazilian science blogging ecosystem, and this is good because it keep us from going stale. Bora had this interesting image of SB being big, dangerous dinosaurs roaming around the blogging ecosystem. And PepsGate definitely seemed like the triggering event that will drive these dinosaurs extinct. In this sense, the SB Diaspora worries me a lot, is this also the future of the Brazilian dinosaurs?
We might, but now that we have the foresight, we will do everything to become birds.
Image from Wikipedia


text:
Nicole M. Foss is co-editor of The Automatic Earth, where she writes under the name Stoneleigh. She and her writing partner have been chronicling and interpreting the on-going credit crunch as the most pressing aspect of our current multi-faceted predicament. The site integrates finance, energy, environment, psychology, population and real politik in order to explain why we find ourselves in a state of crisis and what we can do about it. Prior to the establishment of TAE, she was previously editor of The Oil Drum Canada, where she wrote on peak oil and finance.
Foss runs the Agri-Energy Producers' Association of Ontario, where she has focused on farm-based biogas projects and grid connections for renewable energy. While living in the UK she was a Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, where she specialized in nuclear safety in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, and conducted research into electricity policy at the EU level.
Her academic qualifications include a BSc in biology from Carleton University in Canada (where she focused primarily on neuroscience and psychology), a post-graduate diploma in air and water pollution control, the common professional examination in law and an LLM in international law in development from the University of Warwick in the UK. She was granted the University Medal for the top science graduate in 1988 and the law school prize for the top law school graduate in 1997.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other." — Abraham Lincoln
History has a funny way of circling back on itself.
The facts, figures, faces and technology may change from era to era, but the dangers remain the same.
This year is no different, whatever the politicians and talking heads may say to the contrary.
Sure, there's a new guy in charge with a talent for stirring up mayhem and madness, but for the most part, we're still recycling the same news stories that have kept us with one eye warily glued to the news for the past 100-odd years: War. Corruption. Brutality. Economic instability. Partisan politics. Militarism. Disease. Hunger. Greed. Violence. Poverty. Ignorance. Hatred.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Brush up on your history, and you'll find that we've been stuck on repeat for some time now.
Take the United States of America in the year 2018, which is not so far different from the United States of America during the Civil Rights era, or the Cold War era, or even the Depression era.
Go far enough afield, and you'll find aspects of our troubled history mirrored in the totalitarianism of Nazi Germany, in the fascism of Mussolini's Italy, and further back in the militarism of the Roman Empire.
We're like TV weatherman Phil Connors in Harold Ramis' classic 1993 comedy Groundhog Day, forced to live the same day over and over again.
Here in the American police state, however, we continue to wake up, hoping this new day, new president and new year will somehow be different from what has come before.
Unfortunately, no matter how we change the narrative, change the characters, change the plot lines, we seem to keep ending up in the same place that we started: enslaved, divided and repeating the mistakes of the past.
You want to know about the true State of our Union? Listen up.
The State of the Union: The state of our union is politically polarized, controlled by forces beyond the purview of the average American, and rapidly moving the nation away from its freedom foundation. Over the past year, Americans have found themselves repeatedly subjected to egregious civil liberties violations, invasive surveillance, political correctness, erosions of free speech, strip searches, police shootings of unarmed citizens, government spying, the criminalization of lawful activities, warmongering, etc.
The predators of the police state have wreaked havoc on our freedoms, our communities, and our lives. The government has not listened to the citizenry, refused to abide by the Constitution, and treated the citizenry as the source of funding and little else. Police officers shot unarmed citizens and their household pets. Government agents—including local police—remain armed to the teeth and act like soldiers on a battlefield. Bloated government agencies continue to fleece taxpayers. Government technicians spy on our emails and phone calls. And government contractors make a killing by waging endless wars abroad.
Consequently, the state of our nation has become more bureaucratic, more debt-ridden, more violent, more militarized, more fascist, more lawless, more invasive, more corrupt, more untrustworthy, more mired in war, and more unresponsive to the wishes and needs of the electorate. The policies of the American police state have continued unabated.
The Executive Branch: All of the imperial powers amassed by Barack Obama and George W. Bush—to kill American citizens without due process, to detain suspects indefinitely, to strip Americans of their citizenship rights, to carry out mass surveillance on Americans without probable cause, to suspend laws during wartime, to disregard laws with which he might disagree, to conduct secret wars and convene secret courts, to sanction torture, to sidestep the legislatures and courts with executive orders and signing statements, to direct the military to operate beyond the reach of the law, to act as a dictator and a tyrant, above the law and beyond any real accountability—were inherited by Donald Trump.
Trump has these powers because every successive occupant of the Oval Office has been allowed to expand the reach and power of the presidency through the use of executive orders, decrees, memorandums, proclamations, national security directives and legislative signing statements that can be activated by any sitting president. Those of us who saw this eventuality coming have been warning for years about the growing danger of the Executive Branch with its presidential toolbox of terror that could be used—and abused—by future presidents. The groundwork, we warned, was being laid for a new kind of government where it won't matter if you're innocent or guilty, whether you're a threat to the nation or even if you're a citizen. What will matter is what the president—or whoever happens to be occupying the Oval Office at the time—thinks. And if he or she thinks you're a threat to the nation and should be locked up, then you'll be locked up with no access to the protections our Constitution provides. In effect, you will disappear.
Our warnings went unheeded.
The Legislative Branch: Congress may well be the most self-serving, semi-corrupt institution in America. Abuses of office runs the gamut from elected representatives neglecting their constituencies to engaging in self-serving practices, including the misuse of eminent domain, earmarking hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracting in return for personal gain and campaign contributions, having inappropriate ties to lobbyist groups and incorrectly or incompletely disclosing financial information. Pork barrel spending, hastily passed legislation, partisan bickering, a skewed work ethic, graft and moral turpitude have all contributed to the public's increasing dissatisfaction with congressional leadership. No wonder 84 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing.
The Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court was intended to be an institution established to intervene and protect the people against the government and its agents when they overstep their bounds. Yet through their deference to police power, preference for security over freedom, and evisceration of our most basic rights for the sake of order and expediency, the justices of the United States Supreme Court have become the guardians of the American police state in which we now live. As a result, sound judgment and justice have largely taken a back seat to legalism, statism and elitism, while preserving the rights of the people has been deprioritized and made to play second fiddle to both governmental and corporate interests. The courts have empowered the government to wreak havoc on our liberties. Protections for private property continue to be undermined. And Americans can no longer rely on the courts to mete out justice.
Shadow Government: Donald Trump inherited more than a bitterly divided nation teetering on the brink of financial catastrophe when he assumed office. He also inherited a shadow government, one that is fully operational and staffed by unelected officials who are, in essence, running the country. Referred to as the Deep State, this shadow government is comprised of unelected government bureaucrats, corporations, contractors, paper-pushers, and button-pushers who are actually calling the shots behind the scenes right now.
Law Enforcement: By and large the term "law enforcement" encompasses all agents within a militarized police state, including the military, local police, and the various agencies such as the Secret Service, FBI, CIA, NSA, etc. Having been given the green light to probe, poke, pinch, taser, search, seize, strip and generally manhandle anyone they see fit in almost any circumstance, all with the general blessing of the courts, America's law enforcement officials, no longer mere servants of the people entrusted with keeping the peace but now extensions of the military, are part of an elite ruling class dependent on keeping the masses corralled, under control, and treated like suspects and enemies rather than citizens. As a result, police are becoming even more militarized and weaponized, and police shootings of unarmed individuals continue to increase.
A Suspect Surveillance Society: Every dystopian sci-fi film we've ever seen is suddenly converging into this present moment in a dangerous trifecta between science, technology and a government that wants to be all-seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful. By tapping into your phone lines and cell phone communications, the government knows what you say. By uploading all of your emails, opening your mail, and reading your Facebook posts and text messages, the government knows what you write. By monitoring your movements with the use of license plate readers, surveillance cameras and other tracking devices, the government knows where you go. By churning through all of the detritus of your life—what you read, where you go, what you say—the government can predict what you will do. By mapping the synapses in your brain, scientists—and in turn, the government—will soon know what you remember. And by accessing your DNA, the government will soon know everything else about you that they don't already know: your family chart, your ancestry, what you look like, your health history, your inclination to follow orders or chart your own course, etc. Consequently, in the face of DNA evidence that places us at the scene of a crime, behavior sensing technology that interprets our body temperature and facial tics as suspicious, and government surveillance devices that cross-check our biometrics, license plates and DNA against a growing database of unsolved crimes and potential criminals, we are no longer "innocent until proven guilty."
Military Empire: America's endless global wars and burgeoning military empire—funded by taxpayer dollars—have depleted our resources, over-extended our military and increased our similarities to the Roman Empire and its eventual demise. Black budget spending has completely undermined any hope of fiscal transparency, with government contractors padding their pockets at the expense of taxpayers and the nation's infrastructure—railroads, water pipelines, ports, dams, bridges, airports and roads—taking the hit. The U.S. now operates approximately 800 military bases in foreign countries around the globe at an annual cost of at least $156 billion. The consequences of financing a global military presence are dire. In fact, David Walker, former comptroller general of the U.S., believes there are "striking similarities" between America's current situation and the factors that contributed to the fall of Rome, including "declining moral values and political civility at home, an over-confident and over-extended military in foreign lands and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government."
I haven't even touched on the corporate state, the military industrial complex, SWAT team raids, invasive surveillance technology, zero tolerance policies in the schools, overcriminalization, or privatized prisons, to name just a few, but what I have touched on should be enough to show that the landscape of our freedoms has already changed dramatically from what it once was and will no doubt continue to deteriorate unless Americans can find a way to wrest back control of their government and reclaim their freedoms.
So how do we go about reclaiming our freedoms and reining in our runaway government?
Essentially, there are four camps of thought among the citizenry when it comes to holding the government accountable. Which camp you fall into says a lot about your view of government—or, at least, your view of whichever administration happens to be in power at the time.
In the first camp are those who trust the government to do the right thing, despite the government's repeated failures in this department.
In the second camp are those who not only don't trust the government but think the government is out to get them.
In the third camp are those who see government neither as an angel nor a devil, but merely as an entity that needs to be controlled, or as Thomas Jefferson phrased it, bound "down from mischief with the chains of the Constitution."
Then there's the fourth camp, comprised of individuals who pay little to no attention to the workings of government. Easily entertained, easily distracted, easily led, these are the ones who make the government's job far easier than it should be.
It is easy to be diverted, distracted and amused by the antics of politicians, the pomp and circumstance of awards shows, athletic events, and entertainment news, and the feel-good evangelism that passes for religion today.
What is far more difficult to face up to is the reality of life in America, where unemployment, poverty, inequality, injustice and violence by government agents are increasingly norms.
The powers-that-be want us to remain divided, alienated from each other based on our politics, our bank accounts, our religion, our race and our value systems. Yet as George Orwell observed, "The real division is not between conservatives and revolutionaries but between authoritarians and libertarians."
The only distinction that matters anymore is where you stand in the American police state.
In other words, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution.
America is at a crossroads.
History may show that from this point forward, we will have left behind any semblance of constitutional government and entered into a militaristic state where all citizens are suspects and security trumps freedom.
Certainly, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, we have moved beyond the era of representative government and entered a new age: the age of authoritarianism. Even with its constantly shifting terrain, this topsy-turvy travesty of law and government has become America's new normal.
As long as we continue to put our politics ahead of our principles—moral, legal and constitutional—"we the people" will lose.
And you know who will keep winning by playing on our prejudices, capitalizing on our fears, deepening our distrust of our fellow citizens, and dividing us into polarized, warring camps incapable of finding consensus on the one true menace that is an immediate threat to all of our freedoms? The government.
When we lose sight of the true purpose of government—to protect our rights—and fail to keep the government in its place as our servant, we allow the government to overstep its bounds and become a tyrant that rules by brute force.
Rule by brute force.
That's about as good a description as you'll find for the sorry state of our republic.
The list of abuses being perpetrated against the American people by their government is growing rapidly: SWAT teams crashing through doors. Militarized police shooting unarmed citizens. Traffic cops tasering old men and pregnant women for not complying fast enough with an order. Resource officers shackling children for acting like children. Citizens being jailed for growing vegetable gardens in their front yards and holding prayer services in their backyards. Drivers having their cash seized under the pretext that they might have done something wrong.
Brace yourselves. We are approaching critical mass.


text:
Once upon a time a Cat and a Monkey lived as pets in the same house. They were great friends and were constantly in all sorts of mischief together. What they seemed to think of more than anything else was to get something to eat, and it did not matter much to them how they got it.
One day they were sitting by the fire, watching some chestnuts roasting on the hearth. How to get them was the question.
"I would gladly get them," said the cunning Monkey, "but you are much more skillful at such things than I am. Pull them out and I'll divide them between us."
Pussy stretched out her paw very carefully, pushed aside some of the cinders, and drew back her paw very quickly. Then she tried it again, this time pulling a chestnut half out of the fire. A third time and she drew out the chestnut. This performance she went through several times, each time singeing her paw severely. As fast as she pulled the chestnuts out of the fire, the Monkey ate them up.
Now the master came in, and away scampered the rascals, Mistress Cat with a burnt paw and no chestnuts. From that time on, they say, she contented herself with mice and rats and had little to do with Sir Monkey.
The flatterer seeks some benefit at your expense.
Return to the Aesop library , or . . . Read the next short story; The Monkey And The Dolphin
Or read more short stories for kids in our Children's Library


text:
Cluster algebras were conceived in the Spring of 2000 as a tool for studying dual canonical bases and total positivity in semisimple Lie groups. They are constructively defined commutative algebras with a distinguished set of generators (cluster variables) grouped into overlapping subsets (clusters) of fixed cardinality. Both the generators and the relations among them are not given from the outset, but are produced by an iterative process of successive mutations. Although this procedure appears counter-intuitive at first, it turns out to encode a surprisingly widespread range of phenomena, which might explain the explosive development of the subject in recent years.
Cluster algebras provide a unifying algebraic/combinatorial framework for a wide variety of phenomena in diverse settings ranging from tropical calculus to Lie theory and from Poisson geometry to invariant theory. Possibly due to the fact that cluster-like structures were for quite some time implicit in many areas of mathematics, the field has exploded in recent years.
The program will focus on links between cluster algebras and other areas, such as: polyhedral combinatorics; triangulations of surfaces; Y, Q, and T-systems; additive categorification via quiver representations; quivers with potentials and Donaldson-Thomas invariants; Lie theory and monoidal categorification; Poisson geometry and Teichmueller theory.
To apply please visit http://www.msri.org/web/msri/scientific/member-application (Deadlines: October 1, 2011 and December 1, 2011).
Bibliography (PDF)
Special Opportunity:
RTG Mini-Course and Workshop on "Tensors and their Geometry in High Dimensions"
From September 26-29, 2012, the Berkeley RTG on Representation Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics will host a workshop on "Tensors and their Geometry in High Dimensions," featuring Andrew Snowden, Jan Draisma, and Giorgio Ottaviani giving mini-courses. There will also be opportunities for some of the other participants to give related talks. All the details are available here: http://math.berkeley.edu/~oeding/RTG/index.html. There are no registration fees, however participants are kindly asked to register online. There may be some funding for young researchers.
Keywords and Mathematics Subject Classification (MSC)
Primary Mathematics Subject Classification
No Primary AMS MSC
Secondary Mathematics Subject Classification
No Secondary AMS MSC
October 29, 2012 - November 02, 2012 | Cluster Algebras in Combinatorics, Algebra, and Geometry |


text:
The 62nd Annual Emmy Awards are being held this Sunday, August 29th. Glee has been nominated for a total of 19 Emmy awards. Ian Brennan, co-creator of Glee, has been personally nominated for 2 awards as producer and writer. The following is Ian Brennan's acceptance speech at the 17th Annual Catholics in Media Awards at which the Fox Television show was honored.
A few weeks ago, when we learned Glee would receive this award, the other creators of the show and I sort of looked at each other and said, "Wait, really?" Our first thoughts were that, a) Catholics in Media had not seen our show, or that b) my dad, himself a former Paulist, had bribed them. Then at a certain point we all just sort of shrugged and thought, "we'll take it", thinking cynically that it'll be a great to have when we inevitably begin to be boycotted by evangelical groups, which, a few weeks later, actually happened. And I hesitate to even gratify it by talking about it, but one of the cast members stumbled upon a website so inflammatory that it took several weeks to decipher that it was not, in fact, satirical. This website described the show Glee as, and I swear I am not making this up, "engayenating", and then, in the same article, claims that the Golden Girls turned an entire generation of men gay in the 1980's. Which is harder to argue with. In any case, we were happy to have a religious award under our belt.
But the more I thought about it, the more my puzzlement that we'd be honored with this award puzzled me. My reaction belied a division in my own perception about the Catholic Church, and that's kind of what I'd like to say a few words about.
I think there are kind of two churches, and sadly, when people consider the church, they are forced to think of its contingent that I identify with the least. And I don't mean to bash the Church, I identify very deeply with it, and I'm deeply defensive of it. I recently kind of stopped dating a girl because she made a disparaging remark about Catholicism.
But it's difficult, as Catholic, to see William Donohue go on TV and claim to speak for me and all other Catholics, as if he had that right. Or watch bishops deny communion to people whose beliefs they don't approve of. Or to hear people throw around the term "Cafeteria Catholics", as if the tenets of the Church itself were so flimsy that they can't withstand examination. And, sadly, I think it's that church that most people see. But I believe it to be just a tiny, tiny fraction of the true body of the Church, the one that I grew up in, the one I feel that I know.
The tension of the dialogue
I think that being Catholic is a lot like being Jewish. I believe that it is not a set of beliefs, but a heritage, a two thousand year meditation on the very idea of belief. I consider this its enduring beauty. I believe that therefore, almost by definition, you can disagree with most things the Catholic Church does, and still be Catholic. I believe it is precisely the tension of this dialogue that begets the living church, and is, in fact, what sets it apart. There would be a lot of Catholics who would totally disagree, though that's sort of the point, that they, and the Church, can be wrong, and so can I.
My mom always tells my sister and I, "Don't let anyone tell you you're not Catholic." And I think she's right, just as you wouldn't say someone wasn't Jewish because they liked ham. It's the dialogue between different attitudes towards scripture and towards belief that begets a living church. I believe wholeheartedly that honest, deep skepticism is as holy as religious devotion. I believe that pondering the nature of God, even questioning his existence, is itself a form of prayer. I think the Catholic faith is at its most beautiful when it acknowledges we have minds. Which kind of brings me, in a weird way, to my point.
Just, like, loving us
I have always struggled with belief, as I think most honest people do, and there was day, when I was a teenager, maybe seventeen, and I actually think we may have been raking leaves, but I sort of came to my dad with the fact that I couldn't really fathom how there could be a god. It just didn't seem like it was at all true, and then, with just a flick of his wrist, my dad just sort of turned and offered an explanation, which years later kind of became sort of the last scene in the screenplay "Glee", which is how our TV show sort of began its life and spent its infancy.
I'd like to read this scene to you; those familiar with the show wouldn't recognize the characters anymore, they no longer exist, and the context may not matter, but this scene is two teenagers, the two main characters, sitting on a stoop late at night, after a show choir competition that was ruined when Kervin, who is going through withdrawal from hid dad's prescription pain killers, drinks a fifth of vodka before the performance and projectile vomits all over the stage in the middle of a Peter, Paul and Mary song about the bombing of El Salvador. And Pepper, a freshman girl, tries to console him. Pepper speaks…
"I spent some time kind looking back at some of my journals, and I came across this passage that was like from sixth grade or something, and I found this passage where I had written something which didn't seem to make any sense like it didn't have anything to do with what I'd been writing about and like most of the stuff I write kinda dies in childbirth, like never quite makes it all the way out… but I had written, for some reason, I had written about this time when my mom and I were at Wendy's for lunch and there was this old man sitting by himself just drinking a coffee and eating like just a plain hamburger, like one of the 69 cent ones with just a coffee — and I just… I felt so bad for him, or like didn't feel bad, really, I just kinda felt for him, I wanted to like be with him, I just wanted to sit there and keep him company, and my mom and I sat there and ate and she was talking and the whole time I just like wanted to go over and sit with him, this old man I didn't even know just sitting there alone, eating a 69 cent hamburger by himself in the middle of the day… And there was like no way he could ever know that, you know? Like there was no way he could ever guess that. That I felt that way. And like I thought to myself: just as I secretly love this old man who I don't know sitting across the restaurant from me and there's no way he would ever know, like I believed there could be something, like, way across the cosmos, unbeknownst to everyone, just, like, loving us. And there's no way we could ever know it. It would just be there. And it was like this weird, incredible gift. And I think I've stopped even like needing that love for myself; it was enough to just stand near it and watch it and know it exists. And I think it makes the rest… I don't know. I think it makes everything else pretty easy."
And I don't know, and it may be a stretch, but there's something very holy about raking leaves, racked with skepticism, and your ex-priest dad with a flick of the wrist, explains the existence of God to you. That, to me, is the Catholic Church.


text:
Informative Information for the Uninformed | ||||||||||||||
Windows Kernel-mode Payload Fundamentals
This paper discusses the theoretical and practical implementations of kernel-mode payloads on Windows. At the time of this writing, kernel-mode research is generally regarded as the realm of a few, but it is hoped that documents such as this one will encourage a thoughtful progression of the subject matter. To that point, this paper will describe some of the general techniques and algorithms that may be useful when implementing kernel-mode payloads. Furthermore, the anatomy of a kernel-mode payload will be broken down into four distinct units, known as payload components, and explained in detail. In the end, the reader should walk away with a concrete understanding of the way in which kernel-mode payloads operate on Windows. |


text:
Due to changing economic circumstances, businesses may be receiving income from sources they have never received from, and may be unaware of their tax implications. In the event that they are listed below, you will need to include them in your business' tax return.
Government payments
Due to COVID-19, many government grants and payments have been made to businesses this year. Businesses receiving the following grants will need to report them as part of their assessable income in this year's tax return:
- JobKeeper payments,
- Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy,
- Grants under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program,
- Subsidies for carrying on a business.
Keep in mind that COVID-19 cash-flow boost payments are non-assessable and non-exempt income, meaning they do not have to be included as part of your assessable income.
Crowdfunding income
Crowdfunding refers to the usage of the internet or social media platforms, mail-order subscriptions, benefit events or other methods to find supporters and raise funds for your business' projects and ventures. Profits made through crowdfunding are considered part of your business' assessable income in the case that you have:
- used crowdfunding in the course of your employment,
- entered into a transaction with the intention of making a profit
- received money or property in the ordinary course of your business.
Income from online activities
The current pandemic may have also forced you to move your business operations online for the first time. The ATO provides a clear distinction between online selling as a business or hobby. In the event that you meet the following circumstances while selling online, you will need to report your earnings as part of business' assessable income:
- Your main intention is to make a profit,
- You sell items online on a regular basis,
- The items or services you are selling are commonly available in a physical store, and
- You pay for your online-selling presence.
Other basic income streams such as cash income, investment earnings and capital gains and losses also need to be reported in tax returns as usual.


text:
Toronto was a productive time! (and yes, this is part six of the 2012 North American tour recap)
Release pixie Matt Ravsitar Armstead posted an episode of TFTTF about dealing with harsh sunlight. That episode was pre-recorded before the trip. I pre-recorded a few but didn't use as many as I thought I would. Oddly enough, being far away from home can sometimes turn into a bit of a productivity boost.
I discussed the goings-on at Efke and Kodak on TFTTF with Monika, as the news broke that yet another film manufacturer will leave the playing field.
Explored an abandoned hotel ballroom somewhere in Toronto with Monika and Sean.
At the end of the week we held another awesome workshop, this time digital and grouped around urban photography. A perfect way to wrap up two great weeks in a great city!


text:
Your cart is empty
COD available for orders upto 7000INR | FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING on all order above Rs.999INR
Free Shipping on Indian orders above ₹999
Applique Cotton Saree:
Appliqué is the process of sewing smaller pieces of fabric onto a larger background fabric. It is a technique of forming a single pattern with different pieces of cloth. Pieces of fabric are applied on top of another for decorative or functional purposes.
The basic material for appliqué is cloth. Cotton cloth, which was being used traditionally, continues to be used today. Voile is also used to give it a more classy and delicate look. Multi colored threads as well as fabric swatches are required as per the design. Before the actual appliqué process begins, the background block is cut and prepared for stitching. Sometimes the background fabric is prepared by joining various shaped fabric swatches (squares, rectangles, various geometric shapes etc) and then on top of this base the appliqué work is done.
Once the design is made, an actual-sized drawing of the design is transferred on to a large piece of tracing paper. Tracing paper is placed on top of the design and the design is traced out. Holes are pierced on the tracing paper along the design and water erasable ink is used along the dotted line to transfer the design on to the fabric.Then the fabric is placed on the background fabric and stuck with glue.nOnce the fabric is prepared and the required design is traced on it, 1/2" space is left between design motifs to allow for the seam when cutting out the shapes. The shapes are cut out leaving 1/8"- 1/4″ all around the drawn line for turning under.
Then using a blind stitch or appliqué stitch, the cut fabric is sown with matching thread on to the background fabric. The stitching is started with the background pieces first, working up to foreground pieces. Then the product is given final finishing touches. Any extra threads are cut, and edges smoothened.
As per the design required, different colors of fabric are used. Sometimes the cuttings are in contrast to the base fabric. Sometimes the same color is used for base and pattern, as in white on white, which is very much in current demand.
Manufactured By:
AMOUNEE HANDLOOM VENTURES PVT LTD, 401 Shilp Annex, Ahmedabad 382424, PH 99984500900, Email: email@example.com
Packaged By:
Marketed By:
Country Of Origin: India


text:
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Very Funny Story By Malcolm Gladwell
To listen, go here, and click on the arrow that appears immediately under "The Moth Radio Hour 4". The story starts at 35:10 -- but the other two stories are worth listening to, also.
A more direct link is here, but I don't guarantee it will work.
4 comments:
- andrew said...
Oh, that's hilarious and heartbreaking. I feel far worse for Craig than Malcolm, however.
- 11:34 AM, October 26, 2009
- Alan Adamson said...
That was hilarious? That was awful - the self-absorption was sickening, and the justification by talking about defence contractors made it even worse.
I am worried about people who find that sort of cruelty funny. And Gladwell's supposed self-deprecation is so revolting. - 3:05 PM, November 05, 2009
- Jeffrey Shallit said...
But that's the point: when I listen to it, I'm amazed at the situation, and cringing, at the same time. Somehow that makes it even funnier. - 3:38 PM, November 05, 2009
- Bright Light said...
I listened to this for a second time and found it to be very funny even though I knew what was going to be said. I thought about the issue of honesty, that is, what we "want" to say and what we "actually" say at those times when our friends are going through their rights of passage, such as a choice of a "life" partner. AND, Mr. Gladwell's books are poignant in that way also.
- 11:37 AM, February 25, 2012


text:
I'm a member of a team developing a business application. Basically - it is all about data entry. There are people (thousands of them) sitting whole day and filling the form below over and over in various ways. Or will be, right now they do it on the mainframe.
The question is - if we were to alter the UI, how to approach it? This system is designed to provide features of several others (to replace them) and should display more data then the mainframe "by design". Also I'm assured that all of the data is required for their work and important. Do you have any proposals where to even begin? Could you suggest something without deep knowledge of the system?
Below I'm attaching a simplified mockup of the screen where regular users will spend most of their time. It is 1000px wide and cannot be wider. There are more fields then on the mockup. Also each fields has a label above it.
(yes, I know - it is scary)


text:
By STEPHEN HAWKINS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager's sweet swing. Walker Buehler's calm. Kenley Jansen's resurgence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers got what they needed — again.
"We did what we had to do to force a Game 7," Justin Turner said.
They sure did.
Seager homered again, Buehler pitched six scoreless innings and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Saturday to send the NL Championship Series to a winner-take-all finale.
Los Angeles avoided elimination for the second time in less than 24 hours, staying alive in its pursuit of a third pennant in four years. It hasn't won a championship since 1988.
"I'm still sort of recovering from this one, but already thinking about Game 7," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "That's what you live for."
Turner also homered for Los Angeles, and Jansen threw a six-pitch ninth for his 18th career postseason save.
The NL West and East champions play again Sunday night, with the potential for two rookie starters in a Game 7 for the first time in big league history. The winner gets the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.
Roberts was keeping his options open for his starting pitcher while the Braves plan to go with rookie right-hander Ian Anderson, who has thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings in his three postseason starts. Tony Gonsolin and three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw are among the possibilities for Los Angeles.
"Shoot, we'll go out there and let 'er fly. A Game 7 is another baseball game," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "You have to treat it as such."
The Braves were hoping to celebrate Snitker's 65th birthday Saturday with the franchise's first World Series berth since 1999. But Max Fried took his first loss all year, working into the seventh inning after surrendering three runs during a rocky first.
Buehler, using Stan's Rodeo Ointment to deal with bothersome blisters, threw 65 of his 89 pitches for strikes. He allowed seven hits while striking out six without a walk.
After Atlanta loaded the bases with three singles in a row to start the top of second — the last hit by his Vanderbilt roommate Dansby Swanson — the right-hander really brought the heat, with 10 consecutive fastballs to get out of the jam.
Austin Riley struck out on a 98.7 mph pitch before Nick Markakis took a called third strike on 99.7 mph. Cristian Pache, the 21-year-old rookie who had an RBI in each of his first four NLCS starts, was retired on an inning-ending groundout.
"His mound presence is just unbelievable," Turner said.
Buehler said he has never felt that calm in a game, especially a situation like that. He credited catcher Austin Barnes — and past experiences.
"I've failed in those moments. I've been through it and I've been good after it, but that failure doesn't really scare me anymore," Buehler said. "The more times you go through things like that, your heartbeat kind of changes and can slow down."
It was a much different result than Buehler's postseason debut two years ago in Game 3 of the NL Division Series, when the Braves also loaded the bases against him in the second inning. After a walk drove in a run, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a grand slam on the next pitch.
Fried, who struck out five and walked four in 6 2/3 innings, allowed only two homers in his 11 starts while going 7-0 during the regular season. But the Dodgers went deep twice in three pitches in the first.
Seager pulled a towering shot to right on a 73-mph curveball, and Turner connected on a 93-mph sinker that went 418 feet to straightaway center. Max Muncy walked and scored after back-to-back singles by Will Smith and Cody Bellinger that made it 3-0.
"I came out in a game like this and kind of put us behind the eight-ball real quick." Fried said. "To me, that's unacceptable."
Seager, who homered twice in Game 5 on Friday night, has NLCS records with five homers and 11 RBIs, and still a game to play. His six homers overall are already a Dodgers postseason record.
Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP and first-year Dodger, made a l eaping catch against the right field wall to end the fifth. While it wouldn't have been a homer, it robbed Marcell Ozuna of extra bases, and the Braves a likely run.
Betts let out a emphatic shout while pumping both fists, then celebrated with Bellinger while Buehler held his right arm high in the air.
With Buehler out of the game, Nick Markakis greeted Blake Treinen with triple to right leading off off the seventh and came home on a one-out double by Ronald Acuña Jr.
But the Dodgers' bullpen closed it out from there, with Jansen finishing the victory in an encouraging performance heading into Game 7.
It was Jansen's first save chance in five appearances since closing out the Dodgers' first playoff win this season in the wild-card round. He struck out the side on 12 pitches in Friday night's 7-3 win.
"Two huge outings, not only for us, but him personally, you can just see the confidence he has on the mound attacking guys," Turner said. "That's the Kenley Jansen I and all of us in there all know and love."
Ozzie Albies hit a slow chopper down the first-base line in the Braves sixth that was fielded by Muncy, who then made the tag before the ball popped out. Albies thought he was out and never touched first base. Muncy tossed the ball to Buehler, who tagged the runner already heading back to the Atlanta dugout.
GAME 7s
The Dodgers are playing in a Game 7 for the third time in four years. They won 5-1 at Milwaukee in the deciding game of the 2018 NLCS, after losing 5-1 at home to the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. Atlanta hasn't played in a Game 7 since its 15-0 win over St. Louis in the 1996 NLCS.
The 14 homers by Los Angeles are tied for the most in an NLCS, and two behind the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays for the most in any LCS. … Only once before have the Dodgers won three consecutive potential elimination games to take a series. That was in the best-of-five NL Division Series in 1981. They won the World Series that year.
Braves: Anderson needed 85 pitches to get through four innings in Game 2, when he allowed only one hit with five strikeouts. But he walked five batters in a game Atlanta held on to win 8-7.
Dodgers: Gonsolin's postseason debut starting Game 2 came after Kershaw was scratched because of back spasms. Gonsolin struck out seven but allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Kershaw pitched Game 4 on Thursday.
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


text:
A newly published study reveals that copper alloys rapidly destroy the highly infectious norovirus.
Scientists from the University of Southampton have discovered that copper and copper alloys rapidly destroy norovirus.
Worldwide, norovirus is responsible for more than 267 million cases of acute gastroenteritis every year. In the UK, norovirus costs the National Health Service at least £100 million per year, in times of high incidence, and up to 3,000 people admitted to hospital per year in England.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine, and outbreaks regularly shut down hospital wards and care homes, requiring expensive deep-cleaning, incurring additional treatment costs and resulting in lost working days when staff are infected. Its impact is also felt beyond healthcare, with cruise ships and hotels suffering significant damage to their reputation when epidemics occur among guests.
The virus is highly infectious and can be contracted from contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact, and contact with contaminated surfaces, meaning surfaces made from copper could effectively shut down one avenue of infection.
The study, which was designed to simulate fingertip-touch contamination of surfaces, showed norovirus was rapidly destroyed on copper and its alloys, with those containing more than 60 percent copper proving particularly effective.
Copper alloys have previously been shown to be effective antimicrobial surfaces against a range of bacteria and fungi. The Southampton research reported rapid inactivation of murine norovirus on alloys, containing over 60 percent copper, at room temperature but no reduction of infectivity on stainless steel dry surfaces in simulated wet fomite and dry touch contamination. The rate of inactivation was initially very rapid and proportional to the copper content of the alloy tested. Viral inactivation was not as rapid on brass as previously observed for bacteria but copper-nickel alloy was very effective.
One of the targets of copper's antimicrobial activity was the viral genome and a reduced number of the gene for a viral encoded protein, VPg (viral-protein-genome-linked), which is essential for infectivity, was observed following contact with copper and brass dry surfaces.
Lead author Sarah Warnes, from the Center for Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton, says: "The use of antimicrobial surfaces containing copper in clinical and community environments, such as cruise ships and care facilities, could help to reduce the spread of this highly infectious and costly pathogen.
"Copper alloys, although they provide a constant killing surface, should always be used in conjunction with regular and efficient cleaning and decontamination regimes using non-chelating reagents that could inhibit the copper ion activity."
Co-author Professor Bill Keevil, from the University's Institute for Life Sciences, adds: "Although the virus was identified over 40 years ago, the lack of methods to assess infectivity has hampered the study of the human pathogen.
"The virus can remain infectious on solid surfaces and is also resistant to many cleaning solutions. That means it can spread to people who touch these surfaces, causing further infections and maintaining the cycle of infection. Copper surfaces, like door handles and taps, can disrupt the cycle and lower the risk of outbreaks."
Previous laboratory studies by the University of Southampton have described the rapid death of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens such as MRSA on copper alloy surfaces and also prevention of antibiotic resistance horizontal gene transfer between pathogens.
For more information and scientific references, visit http://antimicrobialcopper.com/
Reference: "Inactivation of Norovirus on Dry Copper Alloy Surfaces" by Sarah L. Warnes and C. William Keevil, 9 September 2013, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075017


text:
by Suzie Grant
And no we won't be delving into politics, religion or even philosophy. We get enough of that stuff on the news. Up until last year I lived in a tiny two bedroom apartment with a view of the parking lot seen here. It was dull, drab, and I hated to sit on the porch because I felt like everyone was watching me. So it never got a lot of use by me at all. But last October we moved into a little larger two bedroom apartment on the first floor with a larger back porch than what we had before and can I just say what a difference it's made. I spend my morning coffee outside on the back porch and listen to the birds. At night my husband and I sit on the porch and listen to the frogs and owls. It's a completely different setting than the one in the city. Don't get me wrong city life has its advantages and though we're still technically in the city, we're far enough out that we can actually really see the wildlife.
I saw a family of deer the other day! I was so excited to see a female with two young fawns just outside my door! It's been well over six years since I've been that close to deer so you can imagine my surprise. We have a cute little mocking bird that sits on the tree next to the woodshed outside of our door and pecks away every morning. I love the tempo he makes. And a frog jumped all the way up from the creek to our back porch just yesterday! I tried not to squeal like a little girl but it was tempting lol.
So I've found my new haven for reading. Once I started writing seriously years ago, it seemed that I'd stopped reading. I could never find enough time in the day to read. It frustrated me because that was the reason I started to write in the first place. Reading was such an integral part of my upbringing that I felt as if I'd lost my best friend.
And then I moved here. One day, weeks ago I grabbed my kindle and sat outside on the porch to enjoy the peace and quiet of the day to read. I lost all track of time and before I knew it, night had fallen like a shroud of mist around me. I realized I was squinting in the semi-darkness and I was forced to take my book inside to finish. I discovered something that day. The reason I had stopped reading wasn't due to lack of time, it was lack of comfort. My stressful life in the city, work, kids, school and then coming home to be mommy, all of this, with no place inside the house to unwind drove my love of reading out the door.
I needed to de-stress my life and find someplace I could just relax. It was difficult in a tiny apartment with a view of the parking lot where a group of teenage boys hang out on a daily basis banging their loud music. And inside the house was just as bad with the TV running nonstop, and multiple bodies (two of them teens) going in and out of the house at all hours of the day made relaxing in any way shape or form, nonexistent. So I'm here to state my view— now that I have one— and reacquaint myself with reading. I discovered that in order to get in the mood for reading, it's very similar for setting the stage for "romance." You need to relax, unwind, and take a breath. So I've rearranged my porch, bought myself a nice "reading" chair and I have a wonderful place to enjoy good cup of Jo along with a great many books!
I am so ecstatic to be back in my reading world, rediscovering my favorite authors as well as enjoying some many new faces. It's been a blessing all around to have moved into my new place but mostly because I remember why I started writing in the first place and I think that has given me back "the magic" of writing. You know that wonderful little thrill you get as the story unfolds right before your eyes. For a minute there it was becoming a chore or a job, but now my writing has that something special in it. And I think we all need to take some time to enjoy "the view" once in awhile. So state your view. Where do you discover the magic of reading? In a favorite reading chair? On your porch? Maybe in the bathtub? And tell me what are you reading now? Me? I'm currently reading Zoe Archer's Warrior and loving it. What about you?


text:
I would like to repeat that TSA spokespersons have confirmed that this is not a dangerous security hole. For example, see this story, where "TSA spokesperson Carrie Hanson" is quoted as saying "'Is this a threat to security? The answer is no.'"
At worst, Chris made it marginally easier to exploit a known low-priority security hole that was already ridiculously easy to exploit.
And for this he gets his door broken and house ransacked by the FBI? You can see why I would be shocked and dismayed by this. If this gets as far as a grand jury I will be horrified.
I don't think he was unjustified. I think it is time people realize that there is no reason you need a boarding pass to get to the gates. Frankly, I don't care who is in the airplane seat next to me, so long as airport security did their screening properly and my seat-neighbor isn't going to cause serious trouble.
It disturbs me that the powers that be reacted so swiftly and strongly to something that is not new, misunderstood, or even that critical to security!
Previously: Generating Boarding Passes


text:
Aviator 1win.
Sign up to play in online casino 1win Play and win at the best online casino. 200% deposit bonus. Instant payout GO TO PLAY.
1win is a relatively new and actively developing online casino.
The 1win website is translated into 14 languages and allows you to have an account in 4 major currencies. The casino is included in the list of proven online gambling companies in Russia, along with the leaders that have been on the market for over 10 years.
1win offers its players not only pleasant bonuses, a huge selection of slots from the world's best developers, but also instant deposits, quick withdrawals of won money and many games that can be played for free.
Features of 1win online casino.
A clear and convenient site.
Laconic design with a pleasant combination of colors. Simple and intuitive creation of a new account, you can choose one of 3 available options:
· Creating an account using your social network accounts. Use your Vkontakte page, авиатор игра на деньги стратегия Odnoklassniki and Google account.
· Registration in 1 click. By definition, this is the fastest way to get started! Just select your country and currency, the rest of the information can be entered later.
· Use e-mail. You will need to provide your email, which will receive a link to activate your game account.
Huge selection of online games.
The casino offers over 4000 gambling games, video slots with beautiful graphics, roulette, poker, blackjack and table games.
Most of the games have a demo mode that allows you to try to play for free and check out how much you like it. The site contains slots from the world's leading developers, including NetEnt, авиатор 1win Quickspin, Playson, Microgaming, Foxium, 1×2 Gaming, Evoplay.
In addition, you have the opportunity to enjoy the game with live dealers. The player is offered 33 tables with several types of roulette, baccarat and blackjack. Live dealer games are provided by providers Netent and Evolution Gaming.
Welcome bonus 200%
New players will receive a welcome bonus on their first deposit. It is activated automatically when funds are first credited to an account. So the casino increases the deposited amount by 200%. So, your account is divided into 2 parts – main and bonus.
The main one contains the funds you deposited, while the bonus one contains 200% of these funds. To withdraw the bonus money, you will have to wager. The amount of the Welcome Bonus can be up to 700 US dollars.
More than 10 ways to deposit funds into an account of player.
as well as the opportunity to have it in four currencies – euros, US dollars, rubles and hryvnias. Choose the most convenient option for depositing money into your account – an e-wallet, Visa and MasterCard as well as your mobile phone account.
Quick payout of won funds.
1win casino offers over 10 payout options, choose the most comfortable one for you from the list of available withdrawal options. You can choose from a bank card, a mobile operator account or e-wallets. The withdrawal speed depends on the chosen method, for example, money can be transferred to a card faster than to an electronic wallet. However, the maximum withdrawal period does not exceed 2-3 business days.
24/7 support of casino players.
In any unclear situation, the support service is always ready to help you and answer all your questions!
There are 3 options available:free call within Russia, live chat and an e-mail.
Sports betting and online cinema.
In addition to online games for real money, on the 1win site you can enjoy sports and e-sports betting. We offer a wide range of lines, great odds, as well as an additional bonus for express bets, which allows you to multiply your winnings. Also, on the 1win website, you can find Live bets and make bets during particular sport event.
Online cinema.
The online cinema 1winTV contains both novelties and recognized masterpieces of world cinema, will help you to relax after the game. However, availability depends on your location.
International reputation.
Play casino games in honest and safest online casino for real money. Keep up playing with the best online casino!
Online games.
Crown and Anchor.
Crown and Anchor is a very simple, but awesome dice.
Your goal is to walk through a minefield. Try it.
Roll the Dice.
You can roll the dice right now. Enjoy and win.
How to play at 1win casino?
To start playing at 1win casino, follow the instructions we have prepared for you:
· Create an account on the casino website or download the mobile application to your smartphone. Use one of 3 ways to create an account – in one click, via social networks or using email.
· Make a deposit using any of the methods indicated on the website; it can be made in US dollars, euros, rubles and hryvnias.
· Open the "Casino" tab, where all the most popular gambling games are collected.
· All games collected on the site are sorted by genre and development company. Use the "Search" window to find your favorite game by name! You can also sort the games on the page using the top horizontal panel. Options such as Popular, Roulette, New, Slots, Blackjack and Tabletop are available for selection.
· All options for playing Poker are collected in a separate section, enter it using the tab of the same name.
· If you win, you can withdraw money in any convenient way or continue playing.
Mobile casino for Android and iOS.
The casino is available on the 1win website. For the game, you can use the browser version for a PC or open the mobile version of the site. In addition, игра авиатор как выиграть you can install the 1win app on your smartphone.
By downloading the application, you will have access to all the functionality of the 1win website and will be able to play anywhere with the Internet. The application is available for devices on iOS and Android, you can download them from the link here or on the official website.
Reviews about 1win casino.
1win has great reputation as an honest and reliable online casino. Check out reviews of real players that we have collected on our website:
· I have been playing at 1win casino for авиатор 1win several months now. The Aviator game went very well for me. I did payout without problems. I got money quickly to my e-wallet.
· I played slots at 1win. In general, impression is positive. You can replenish the deposit from a mobile phone, for me it is very convenient. Payout took less than 1 day.
· Online casino 1win was recommended to me by a friend who has been playing here for six months. Neither my friend nor I had any troubles with withdrawal of money. I also did not have need to contact the support. A friend even managed to win back the deposit, I'm still in the process.
· Among all the casinos I have played in, the most delighted is 1 win. Easy registration process in 1 click and a lot of slots. My bets also went well, the odds are above average and there are many events, even Dota and CS are there.
· The first honest casino I got into. This is not always a case, because in two previous casinos I couldn't withdraw money for vague reasons. Some casinos aren't easy to deal with if you win real money. However, everything is clear with 1win. My money came to my e-wallet in a couple of days. I'm happy to play here.
· I like the 1win online casino. I found this website a year ago, but firstly I placed bets on football. Then I tried it in the casino. In general, it was fun, I won quite well several times. I guess I would play more.
· I play 1win on a mobile app, no problems with log in. I play slots for leisure. It is great gambling experience. Payout has never been problem for me.
· Registration is simple and welcome bonus of 200% is really impressive. All is easy to use and I like interface there. This online casino bring a lot of joy for me.


text:
Another Failed Coup in Venezuela?
The Venezuelan opposition and its backers in Washington may have underestimated the Chavista grassroots.
George Ciccariello-Maher
If you repeat your own lies enough — so goes the apocryphal Goebbels quote — you start to believe them yourself. For two decades, the Venezuelan opposition and its supporters in Washington have smeared Hugo Chávez and now his successor, Nicolás Maduro, as despotic strongmen kept in power solely through military force and paltry payouts to the poor. So it's no surprise that they are once again underestimating both Chavismo and the resilience of its supporters today.
Underestimating the People
We've seen this all before: On April 11 of 2002, the Venezuelan opposition — according to the most credible accounts — unleashed snipers on its own supporters and used the ensuing deaths to justify a coup against Hugo Chávez. But the opposition dramatically overplayed its hand and underestimated the Chavista grassroots, who it routinely smeared as the blind followers of a populist strongman. When coup leaders abolished all branches of government and scrapped the constitution, hundreds of thousands of poor Venezuelans poured into the streets demanding, and eventually forcing, Chávez's return to power.
Much has changed since 2002. A perfect storm of Chávez's death, collapsing global oil prices, a mismanaged system of currency controls, ferocious aggression from the opposition and — more recently — U.S. sanctions, has thrown the Venezuelan economy into a tailspin. Many of the impressive accomplishments of the Bolivarian Revolution — in health care, education and poverty reduction — have quickly evaporated, producing frustration, confusion and desperation among even Chavismo's most hardline supporters.
So when opposition backbencher Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president of Venezuela on January 23, he and his co-conspirators thought the military would quickly fragment before eventually falling in line behind the self-proclaimed president. Things didn't work that way: Aside from a handful of soldiers and the U.S. military attaché, the Venezuelan armed forces remained solidly behind Nicolás Maduro. And despite large demonstrations both for and against the government, there have been no signs of sustained, mass resistance in the streets in favor of the coup either.
Why? In part because the frustration many poor Venezuelans feel today is just that: frustration. They are fed up with the economic crisis, and many place at least a share of the blame on Maduro. But as in the past, most don't see frustration as justifying undemocratic regime change, much less foreign intervention — which the majority of Venezuelans oppose. What's more, wanting the economy to improve has not led many to identify with opposition parties that still represent the most elite sectors of Venezuelan society and have offered no credible solutions to the economic crisis.
The Trojan Horse of Humanitarian Aid
But if much has changed, much has also stayed the same: Unable to believe that the poor might hold such a nuanced position, the opposition has again overplayed its hand and bet it all on yet another failed coup. February 23 marked one month since Guaidó's self-coronation, and also the expiration of the 30-day period during which any interim president must hold new elections. According to even the opposition's contrived reading of the Venezuelan Constitution, since Guaidó never called those elections, he has no remaining claim to the presidency. And so it was that on February 23, Guaidó resorted to increasingly desperate measures, attempting to provoke a crisis by forcing deliveries of US-provided "humanitarian aid" across the border.
It's not difficult to debunk this false humanitarianism. The United Nations refused to participate in what it deemed "politicized" aid shipments, and the Red Cross denounced the border charade as "not humanitarian aid" — and rebuked the unauthorized use of Red Cross insignia by opposition forces. Given that Contra war criminal Elliott Abrams is now in charge of U.S. policy in Venezuela, it's worth recalling that U.S.-backed Contras used the Red Cross insignia toward similar ends in Nicaragua.
And then there's also basic math: While the opposition mounted a spectacle to deliver a few million dollars in aid, U.S. sanctions have already cost Venezuela billions, and will cost billions more. Economist Mark Weisbrot estimates the death toll of the sanctions to be "in the thousands or tens of thousands so far," with more deaths from Trump's draconian tightening of the sanctions almost guaranteed.
In contrast, the Trump government essentially handed over the keys of Citgo's bank accounts and assets — worth around $7 billion — to Guaidó, who has also demanded control of more than a billion dollars' worth of Venezuelan gold held by the Bank of England. And if we harbored any illusions about the humanitarian credentials of the Venezuelan opposition, it's worth noting that it routinely attacks a social welfare infrastructure it associates with Chavismo — most recently burning a warehouse where subsidized food bundles known as CLAPs were packaged and distributed.
Provocation on the Border
On February 23, as in 2002, the opposition sought to sow blood and chaos to justify its coup, but this time it was unsuccessful. Any objective analysis of video footage from the Colombian border makes this clear: On the Venezuelan side, Venezuelan troops were standing in a single line behind riot shields. On the Colombian side, masked opposition protesters hurled molotov cocktails toward them. When two "aid" trucks suddenly burst into flames, Guaidó and most of the media immediately blamed the fire on Maduro. So overwhelming was this media narrative that few observers seemed to notice that the trucks never reached the Venezuelan side, and were almost certainly ignited by those same molotovs.
Desperate for any pretext to justify foreign intervention, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) even blamed Maduro when an opposition lawmaker and his aide were "poisoned" on the Colombian side of the border. Despite an utter lack of any evidence, the international press ran with the story. But it turned out the assemblyman was apparently drugged and robbed by sex workers he had brought back to his room after a night of partying. And when long-simmering tensions between the Venezuelan military and indigenous Pemones on the southern border with Brazil led to violent clashes and several deaths, their longstanding concerns were opportunistically folded into the opposition narrative about aid deliveries. Opposition parties had been stoking dissent among indigenous groups for years, and many of those involved in clashes were less concerned with aid shipments than with what they perceived as years of corrupt military activity in the region.
The opposition has been oddly silent about its own violence, however. When three defecting Venezuelan soldiers hijacked armored personnel carriers, driving them at full speed into the border barriers in order to defect to the Colombian side, they struck a crowd of civilians that included Nicole Kramm, a Chilean photojournalist. Kramm, who was nearly killed in the attack — and whose camera was running the entire time — later described the scene: "This was an attack on civilians. I can't believe they are being treated as heroes. If I didn't run, and was 15 centimeters closer, I would not be here to tell you this."
The Danger Isn't Over
"Plan A" failed on January 23rd and "Plan B" similarly failed a month later, leaving Guaidó in dire straits and without a clear path forward. When he attempted to reach out to disaffected Chavistas by tweeting that Hugo Chávez would not approve of Maduro's actions, Guaidó was attacked by his own supporters on Twitter, revealing old tensions simmering within the opposition coalition. And with all other options exhausted, Guaidó and U.S. vice president Mike Pence failed to convince the Lima Group — a regional coalition of mostly right-wing governments and Canada — to support military intervention. With the threat of U.S. intervention stirring dissension even within the cabinet of far-right Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, Guaidó's coup appears to be on its last legs.
This doesn't mean that the danger is over, however. On Monday, Guaidó made a less-than-triumphant return to Venezuela and, despite his violation of a travel ban, the government has opted not to arrest him for now. If anything, Maduro will protect him at all costs: Amid threats on Guaidó's life, the Lima Group has warned of dire consequences should anything happen to him. If Guaidó were to be killed, however, it would almost certainly be at the hands of a Venezuelan right-wing eager to provoke military intervention (the government has dismantled similar plots in the past).
In the coming months, U.S. sanctions will continue to tighten the economic screws, heaping suffering on those who always suffer most — the poorest Venezuelans — while waiting out defections from the military and the population as a whole. In 1990, Nicaraguans voted the Sandinistas out of power, knowing full well that if they didn't, both U.S. sanctions and the Contra War would continue. With many of the same people once again in charge of U.S. policy today, the strategy remains the same: to "make the economy scream," in Nixon's words. This coup may be failing, but Washington will fail and try again. Venezuela can't afford to fail even once.


text:
2013 is starting off on a quiet note. The weather has been dry except for a couple too brief snow storms in the last few weeks.
There are only a couple months until storm season. Hopefully this one won't be dry river beds and burning sky. For now, I just try to remember the gentle sound of thunder.
Taken March 29, 2012.


text:
Hardware wallets are one of the most secure way to handle your cryptocurrency like bitcoin.
The trezor is a hardware bitcoin and other cryptocurrency wallet made by satoshilabs used to secure online transactions. The security reside in the fact that the private key used to sign a transaction never leave the device to your computer.
The hardware wallet device connect via USB to a host computer. Any transaction that would imply sending money to someone must be signed to be considered valid by the cryptocurrency network, like the bitcoin network. To perform that, the transaction is sent to the hardware wallet device via USB. The user can confirm its authenticity on the device display and press a button on the device to sign it with the private key. The hardware wallet device will send back the signed transaction to the computer to be broadcasted to the internet. In this process, the private key is never accessed by the computer.
On the other hand, the raspberry pi zero is a low cost and small but powerful computer. It is used on numerous projects by ton of developers and hobbyists around the world.
In this web page I will show you how to create your own hardware bitcoin wallet based on the original trezor source code and that run on it on a raspberry pi zero (or pi 4). This is a fun, low cost, D.I.Y. project for any cryptocurrency enthusiasm!
refer to update procedure below before reflashing the SD card- Update 10 May 2023: pitrezor 18.104.22.168
- Based on trezor firmware 1.12.1
- Update 28 August 2022 : pitrezor 184.108.40.206
- Based on trezor firmware 1.11.2
- Update 31 May 2022: pitrezor 184.108.40.206
- Based on trezor firmware 1.11.0
- Update 3 February 2021: pitrezor 126.96.36.199
- Based on trezor firmware 1.10.5
- Now support Pi 0-2w. Still supporting Pi 0 and Pi 4
- Migrated yocto to version "honister"
- Update 20 December 2021: pitrezor 18.104.22.168
- Based on trezor firmware 1.10.4
- Update 29 September 2021: pitrezor 22.214.171.124
- Based on trezor firmware 1.10.3
- Update 26 July 2021: pitrezor 18.104.22.168
- Based on trezor firmware 1.10.2
- Update 23 May 2021: pitrezor 18.104.22.168
- Based on trezor firmware 1.10.0
- Update 30 March 2021: pitrezor 22.214.171.124
- Support of raspberry pi 4
- Update 18 February 2021: pitrezor-220.127.116.11.zip
- Based on trezor firmware 1.9.4
- Updated linux yocto platform to dunfell
- Low cost
- Easy to build if an existing raspberry pi hat is used
- Run on pi zero, pi zero 2w and pi 4.
- Use the original trezor One code. Only a thin layer is used to adapt the code to the raspberry pi Linux platform.
- All code modifications are open source, like the original trezor code.
- 100% Compatible with trezor web wallet to perform transactions.
- Use the hardware random number generator of the raspberry pi for more security.
- Can be very secure if you use a pass phrase (see security section below)
- Support small 128x64 OLED display and/or display via HDMI output.
- Adjustable display scale factor on HDMI output
- Fast boot (around 5 seconds)
- Software is free (but donations are accepted!)
Block diagram
- A raspberry 0 or raspberry pi 4 can be used
- An HDMI monitor can be used as the only display or as a second display with the OLED
- The OLED must have a 128x64 resolution, I2C or SPI
- The OLED and the the push buttons can be installed manually or a HAT can be used, as long as the OLED resolution is 128x64
- For the pi 4, a keyboard can be used as input.
Thus for the pi 4, it is possible to build a pitrezor with just the pi 4, a keyboard and a hdmi screen.
For the pi 0, you need the buttons as input (as part of the hat or soldered directly). The display can be HDMI and/or OLED. Starting with HDMI is a simpler solution when beginning and testing.
OLED Display:
Raspberry pi HAT:
(Picture courtesy of Damian Bevan)
It is also possible to use the Adafruit bonnet (see https://www.adafruit.com/product/3531) or similar HAT. In that case you just have to install the pins on the pi if required and connect the bonnet!
Quick start guide:
List of required components:
Required components for the PiTrezor |
- A raspberry pi zero (v1.3 to avoid unknown compatibility issue). You don't need the pi zero W, it cost probably a little bit more than the regular pi zero, but it will work anyway. The difference is that pi zero W has wifi and bluetooth but this project don't use it. The network drivers are not loaded by the platform so the W can be considered as secure. As mentionnend, you can use a pi 4 also if you already have one but it is more expensive than the pi 0.
- An SD card. The image to write on the SD card is very small (around 100 Megs) so virtually any decent SD card should work. Make sure you have one that is compatible with the pi.
- A good micro-usb to usb cable.
- A mini HDMI male to HDMI female adapter to verify the output via the HDMI output. You need HDMI cable and a TV or monitor too!
- Two push buttons (normally open contact, SPST)
- Some wires to solder the buttons to the p.
- Optionally, an I2C or SPI OLED display. Supported OLED are based on the SH1106 controller or Adafruit controller.
- Optionally, a box or enclosure for a more professional look.
You will also need standard tool like solder iron, pliers, ...
Of course, If you are using the Adafruit bonnet, you don't need separate
push buttons or OLED. Refer to Hat documentation about how to
connect the bonnet to the pi zero.
(English): https://youtu.be/YrKo0QGWIuY
(Spanish): https://lbry.tv/@Loquesemepone:a/DIY-hardware-wallet-basada-en-Trezor:3
Step-By-Step instructions:
- If you don't have the software called "etcher" already installed in your computer, download it here : https://etcher.io/ . This software is used to write the program image to the SD card.
- Download the latest pitrezor SD card image by clicking here and select "save" to save the zip file
- Start etcher and follow the instructions. You will need to connect the SD card to your computer to flash the pitrezor image file.
- After the card is flashed, put it in the SD card slot in the pi.
- Connect the HDMI output to a monitor or tv using the cable and adapter. On the pi 4, use the mini HDMI connector just beside the usb-c connector.
- Connect the USB cable in the USB port near the center of the pi, not the one near the corner. Refer to next picture. For the pi 4, the usb-c connector is used.
- Connect the other end of the USB cable to your computer or a USB power supply. You should see the pi boot sequence in the monitor and after 4-5 seconds the trezor logo should appear. Good! That confirms that your pi and SD card are working correctly.
- At this point you cannot do much, so disconnect the USB cable, HDMI adapter and cable and remove SD card.
- If you are using the Adafruit bonnet, it is time to connect it and go straight to the "Configuration" section below. Otherwise, continue reading
- Solder the 2 buttons to the pi as showed in the following diagram. The left button (called "no") is connected to the pins 30 and 32 (in yellow in the next picture). The right button (called "yes") is connected to the pins 34 and 36 (in red in the picture). This is the default setup but can be tweaked from configuration file. The pi 4 use the same pins.
connecting the button - Put back the SD card in the pi and reconnect the HDMI and USB cable back to your computer.
- It should boot again, otherwise that means something went bad during the soldering of the buttons :(
- Open a browser on your computer and navigate to https://suite.trezor.io/web/
- You can be requested to install the trezor bridge but on chrome it is not absolutly necessary if your system support webusb. Select your operating system to download the correct bridge software if required and perform installation
- If you installed the bridge, close and reopen your browser and go back to https://suite.trezor.io/web/
- If you don't plan to use the bridge on Linux, don't forget to set the permission accordingly. Refer to setting up chrome on linux.
- If the bridge is already installed, you should see a message that invites you to connect your trezor. Connect the USB cable of your pi.
- The browser application should detect the device and invite you to perform the trezor setup.
- During the setup you will need the buttons to, at least, go from one seed word to another.
- If all is working correctly you can disconnect everything to solder the OLED display. The I2C OLED display need 4 wires to solder and the SPI OLED uses 7 wires. Refer to the next picture to determine how to solder the OLED depending on interface. The pins are the same for the pi 4:
- Connect the SD card back to your computer and refer to the configuration section below to correctly configure your OLED model and orientation. Their is only 2 possibles orientations so you can try both and see which one is better for you.
- Reconnect everything and retry your device. Now you should see the output on the HDMI connector if connected and also on the OLED at the same time.
- If that work, put everything in a box!
- Enjoy! And please don't forget to send a donation to continue the support this project update (see below). Any amount is welcome.
The latest pitrezor SD card images:
For Pi 0 : click here for version 188.8.131.52
md5sum of the zip is e1140edb9b73270b02066d202d8ae665
For Pi 0 2W : click here for version 184.108.40.206
md5sum of the zip is 54a17e6afa7555af6a6471dfa1926f94
For Pi 4: click here for version 22.214.171.124
md5sum of the zip is 9497443c921375a508bf5429779d7917
If you connect the SD card in your computer you should see a file named "pitrezor.config" in the first partition (boot partition). You can open this file with your favorite text editor. You will be able to change the configuration variables which are:- TREZOR_OLED_SCALE : This control the scale factor of the display to apply when using the HDMI output. A scale factor of 1 means the default size of 128x64 pixel. A scale factor of 2 will stretch the image to 256x128 and so on.
- TREZOR_OLED_TYPE: Specify the type of OLED connected to the pi zero. The file enumerate the different value and their meaning. Select the one that match your OLED display.
- TREZOR_OLED_FLIP: Set to 0 or 1 to control the image vertically (normal or inverted) This is useful depending how you assemble the OLED in n enclosure.
- TREZOR_GPIO_YES and TREZOR_GPIO_NO : Specify the GPIO number to use for the yes/no button. If you soldered the buttons like mentionned in the tutorial, you can keep the default values.
For the Adafruit bonnet, you must change the values to these:
export TREZOR_OLED_TYPE=1
export TREZOR_OLED_FLIP=1
export TREZOR_GPIO_YES=6
export TREZOR_GPIO_NO=5
Is this secure ?
The main difference of this device versus the real trezor device is that the pi zero stores everything on the SD card. The equivalent of the flash memory for the trezor is stored in a file on the first partition. That means that anybody that has your SD card can access your seed words and private key.However, the wallet supports the usage of a passphrase. The passphrase is a kind of an extra seed word that is not stored on SD card. By using a passphrase, you would prevent a thief that could have your SD card to empty your wallet.
Thus, the recommendation is to always use a passphrase!
Updating from previous pitrezor image
If you are updating your pitrezor to the latest image you will need your seed words with you:- Make sure that you have seed backup available. This mean your word list !! If not, you'll need to transfer all your funds to another wallet and disconnect other services (like U2F, password manager etc.
- Erase (Wipe) your pitrezor from trezor wallet or trezor suite application. This step improve the security before putting back the SD card in a PC in case it is infected.
- Put the SD card in a PC and copy your pitrezor.config file from the SD card to the computer
- Flash the SD card with the latest downloaded image
- Disconnect and reconnect the SD card to your computer
- Copy your pitrezor.config file from the computer to the SD card to overwrite the default version with your own version.
- Eject the SD card from your computer and install it in the pi zero
- Boot your pitrezor as usual
- When you will go to the wallet web site, your pitrezor will be detected as a new device. Select the recover option. You will have to enter all the words of your seed word list (advanced recovery mode is recommended so that your seed will never be entered on a computer).
- Don't
forget to enable the passphrase option after if you were using one
before. You should! If you haven't you can create new hidden wallet with
a passphrase.
For developers
The modification to trezor original code are available in this repo: https://github.com/heneault/trezor-firmware
The platform code is based on yocto to which I added my own layer and some build scripts. The repo is there: https://github.com/heneault/yocto-pitrezor
Questions ?
Comments are welcome in the comment section below. You can also reach me at firstname.lastname@example.com
Scan to send bitcoin donation! |
Donation !
A lot of work and effort has been put in this project and still needed to keep it up to date. If you like it, please consider giving a donation. Any amount is welcome!Bitcoin: 1trezor8MpRmFHcMCLdANpiVoEM9zqe2n
Copyright and Legal Warning
There are inherent dangers in the use of any software available for download on the Internet, and I caution you to make sure that you completely understand the potential risks before downloading any of the software.The Software and SD card image available on this website are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. Use at your own risk.
The use of the software and SD card image downloaded on this site is done at your own discretion and risk and with agreement that you will be solely responsible for any damage to your computer system or loss of data that results from such activities. You are solely responsible for adequate protection and backup of the data and equipment used in connection with any of the software, and I will not be liable for any damages that you may suffer in connection with using, modifying or distributing any of this software. No advice or information, whether oral or written, obtained by you from me or from this website shall create any warranty for the software.
I make no warranty that:
- the software will meet your requirements
- the software will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free
- the results that may be obtained from the use of the software will be effective, accurate or reliable
- the quality of the software will meet your expectations
- any errors in the software obtained from me will be corrected.
- could include technical or other mistakes, inaccuracies or typographical errors. I may make changes to the software or documentation made available on its web site at any time without prior-notice.
- may be out of date, and I make no commitment to update such materials.
In no event shall I be liable to you or any third parties for any special, punitive, incidental, indirect or consequential damages of any kind, or any damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, those resulting from loss of use, data or profits, and on any theory of liability, arising out of or in connection with the use of this software.
© Yannick Heneault, 2018 and up. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Yannick Heneault with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The name and logo trezor are the properties of satoshilabs
The name and logo raspberry pi and raspberry pi zero are properties of the raspberry pi foundation


text:
Nunawading's best Thai massages delivered to your home, hotel or office. Book same-day or in advance, 7 days, 6am – midnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Thai massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout your body. Your Thai massage therapist will perform the treatment on a massage table using their hands, arms, elbows or knees to help manipulate the body into different positions. This will stretch and loosen tightened muscles, release tension and relieve joint pain.
A Thai massage shouldn't cause any pain or discomfort. If you feel uncomfortable at any stage during the treatment let your massage therapist know and they will be able to adjust their technique or pressure to suit your preferences.
If you're looking for a treatment to help relieve headaches, joint stiffness and back pain then a Thai massage might be the treatment for you. After a Thai massage, you can expect to feel more energised and have increased flexibility and range of motion.
A Thai massage through Blys starts from $119 for a 60 minute treatment.
The Thai massage can help:
- Relieve headaches
- Reduce back pain
- Relieve joint stiffness
- Increase flexibility and range of motion
- Ease anxiety
- Improve energy
Unlike a regular massage which involves techniques such as kneading and flowing strokes, a Thai massage is a massage that uses stretching, pulling and rocking techniques to manouver the body into yoga-like positions loosening and relieving tight muscles.
Traditionally Thai massages are fully clothed, however if you're getting a massage with oil, your Thai massage therapist will give you a moment of privacy before the treatment starts to get dressed down to your underwear and hop onto the massage table underneath the towels. If you'd prefer to keep loose clothing on just let your massage therapist know and they will be able to accommodate you.
Yes, your head, back, gluteal muscles, legs, arms and shoulders are treated during a Thai massage.
This depends on your preference and what you're wanting to get out of your treatment. A deep tissue massage is often requested if you're looking to reduce pain, using firm pressure to target areas of concern and release toxins in the body to promote muscle recovery. A Thai massage, while similar to a deep tissue because of its firm pressure requires more active participation and draws on ancient healing practices to stretch and relieve the muscles.
Because your body will be moved and stretched it's best not to have a full meal right before your Thai massage. Eat a couple of hours before the treatment to allow your body to digest the food properly and if you do need to eat beforehand it's best to have a light snack that will be digested easily.


text:
Instagram reports: Please check the settings
DJ Beat$
DJ Beat$'s life has been a tale of excess and indulgence. Beat$ dominated the 2000s producing hits for artists like Beyoncé, 50 Cent and Lil' Kim. Despite his hardships, Beat$ had one of the most prolific runs of any hip-hop producer, and he belongs in the conversation with the all time greats


text:
Meditation on death
A guided meditation given at Sravasti Abbey's monthly Sharing the Dharma Day.
Guided meditation on death (download)
The rest of the Sharing the Dharma Day talk can be found here.
Venerable Sangye Khadro
California-born, Venerable Sangye Khadro ordained as a Buddhist nun at Kopan Monastery in 1974, and is a longtime friend and colleague of Abbey founder Ven. Thubten Chodron. Ven. Sangye Khadro took the full (bhikshuni) ordination in 1988. While studying at Nalanda Monastery in France in the 1980s, she helped to start the Dorje Pamo Nunnery, along with Venerable Chodron. Venerable Sangye Khadro has studied Buddhism with many great masters including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, and Khensur Jampa Tegchok. She began teaching in 1979 and was a resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore for 11 years. She has been resident teacher at the FPMT centre in Denmark since 2016, and from 2008-2015, she followed the Masters Program at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Italy. Venerable Sangye Khadro has authored several books, including the best-selling How to Meditate, now in its 17th printing, which has been translated into eight languages. She has taught at Sravasti Abbey since 2017 and is now a full-time resident.


text:
Don't come back to your locked bike only to find a sad frame missing its wheels and saddle. ABUS's NutFix system protects wheels and seat posts against theft using a physical trick. Thieves don't know the trick, but you do, so you can open them with a standard wrench.
Solid axle nuts sold in pairs.


text:
LippyClip: WHALE HELLO THERE • whale with flowers • Clip On Lip Balm Holder • Stocking Stuffer • Backpack Accessories • Keychain Clip-On
LippyClip: WHALE HELLO THERE • whale with flowers • Clip On Lip Balm H
LippyClips! They're 100% simple, 100% useful, and 200% cute. LippyClips are USA made by LippyClip, a women-run business based in Florida.
The LippyClip was designed to save you time. Stop digging through your purse for your lip balm, finding it melted in your car, or in your pants pockets after it's gone through the wash. The LippyClip perfectly holds cylindrical lip balms such as Chapstick, Carmex, Blistex, and Burt's Bees. LippyClips can easily clip on to a keychain, purse hardware, diaper bag, backpack, and more.
LippyClips make great gifts and perfect stocking stuffers! Teachers, nurses, students, birthday party favors, girls trips, and more.
* Please note that lip balm is not included.
* Patterns on the fabric may shift slightly due to the handmade nature of this item.
Your LippyClip will arrive individually packaged, ready for gift-giving. Includes a sewn-in LippyClip tag to guarantee authenticity.
Spot clean recommended.