text:
Taipei Performing Arts Center
© OMA by Chris Stowers
Architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis
OMA is a leading international partnership practicing architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis. OMA's buildings and masterplans around the world insist on intelligent forms while inventing new possibilities for content and everyday use. AMO, a research and design studio, works in areas beyond architecture that today have an increasing influence on architecture itself: media, politics, renewable energy, technology, publishing, fashion.
OMA is led by nine partners - Rem Koolhaas, Ellen van Loon, Reinier de Graaf, Shohei Shigematsu, Iyad Alsaka, David Gianotten, Chris van Duijn, Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, Jason Long - and maintains offices in Rotterdam, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Doha and Dubai.
OMA-designed buildings currently under construction include, Taipei Performing Arts Centre, Qatar National Library, Qatar Foundation Headquarters, Bibliothèque Multimédia à Vocation Régionale in Caen, Bryghusprojektet in Copenhagen, Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, Prince Plaza in Shenzhen, and Faena Arts Center in Miami.
OMA's recently completed projects include Timmerhuis, new home for Rotterdam's municipal offices (2015); Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow (2015); Fondazione Prada in Milan (2015); G-Star Headquarters in Amsterdam (2014); Shenzhen Stock Exchange (2013); De Rotterdam, a large mixed-use tower in the Netherlands (2013); CCTV Headquarters in Beijing (2012); New Court, the headquarters for Rothschild Bank in London (2011); Milstein Hall at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York (2011); and Maggie's Centre, a cancer care centre in Glasgow (2011). Earlier buildings include Casa da Música in Porto (2005), Seattle Central Library (2004), and Netherlands Embassy in Berlin (2003).
AMO often works in parallel with OMA's clients to fertilize architecture with intelligence from this array of disciplines. This is the case with Prada: AMO's research into identity, in-store technology, and new possibilities of content-production in fashion helped generate OMA's architectural designs for new Prada epicenter stores in New York and Los Angeles. In 2004, AMO was commissioned by the European Union to study its visual communication, and designed a coloured "barcode" flag - combining the flags of all member states - that was used during the Austrian presidency of the EU.
AMO has worked with Universal Studios, Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, Heineken, Ikea, Condé Nast, Harvard University and the Hermitage. It has produced exhibitions at the Venice Architecture Biennale, including The Gulf (2006), Cronocaos (2010) and Public Works (2012) and for Fondazione Prada including When Attitudes Become Form (2012) and Serial and Portable Classics (2015). AMO, with Harvard University, was responsible for the research and curation of the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale and it's principle publication Elements. Other notable projects are a plan for a Europe-wide renewable energy grid; Project Japan, a 720-page book on the Metabolism architecture movement (Taschen, 2010); and the educational program of Strelka Institute in Moscow.
Approach to Design & Architecture
The main objective of any design exercise executed within the firm is to provide the client with new, original concepts and a practical architecture with, occasionally, visionary ambitions. In all projects OMA strives to go beyond the standard solution and is consequently able to redefine typologies. Our strategy to tackle projects is based on two fundamental principles: research and collaboration.
Within research, OMA's philosophy rejects any rush to architectural form. It is our proven experience that by taking adequate time to think with our clients before we start to 'design', we can ultimately accelerate the design process and provide buildings of greater quality for a given budget. Working in an initial research and programming phase that can data collection, research of significant precedents (both good and bad), we can identify the core questions and jointly create solutions without confusing them with reactions to architectural proposals. As an example, OMA has applied this method of research successfully in the design process of the Seattle Public Library. From this research, it has been found that given the development of 'new media', the classical library concept is predisposed to considerable adjustments.
During every phase of the design process, OMA leads an extended series of intimate collaborations—brainstorm sessions, presentations and workshops—between clients, engineers, architects and other crucial participants of intellectual collaborations such as curators, sociologists, and anthropologists mobilized by our AMO think tank; as well as practical collaborators such as cost estimators, construction managers, contractors, and specialty consultants. Through these events, programmatic and engineering concepts are fully integrated in the formation of the initial design concepts, rather than being an 'afterthought' to aesthetic imperatives; this provides the client with the maximum built quality. By means of this approach, the knowledge of all advisors can be used to come up with an optimal design from which all criteria have been analyzed. The client can be an active member within the design team and during the workshops. The design is therefore a product, which is realized in close collaboration with the client.
OMA believes strongly in design as a process, and approaches each condition imposed on a project as an opportunity rather than a constraint. This is the attitude with which we approach codes, regulatory agencies, costs, and most importantly, the unique challenges and requirements of any given program. Addressed skilfully, normally restrictive factors have assisted OMA to provide innovative architecture while meeting tight budgets and rigorous design and construction schedules.
- Catégorie
- Architectes
- Lieux
Rotterdam, Pays-Bas
- Doha, Qatar
- Hong Kong, China
- New York
- Queensland , Australie
- Employés
- 300
- Site web
- www.oma.eu
- Fondé
- 1975


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Several companies will manufacture tiny homes, which are being used as primary residences, vacation homes and even portable homes that owners haul around the country with a truck. For about $45K (not including shipping) Tumbleweed Houses will build you a 102 square foot home in about three months. They also offer do-it-yourself instructions for between $695 and 995. Alchemy Architects offers the ultra modern weestudio, a 364 square foot home with a base price of $69,500.
If you take a look around, you will see a tiny culture emerging all around us. Tiny cars such as the Smart Car have overwhelmed projections with 14,000 sold in the U.S. and a year-long waiting list, according to Business Week. You can get a laptop that fits in an envelope and a dog that fits in a purse. Small is trendy. As author Seth Godin said, "Small is the new big." With sales of small cars greatly outnumbering sales of larger cars, this shift in consumer demand could easily carry over to Americans becoming more likely to buy small or tiny homes to minimize their housing costs and environmental impact. There is an untapped market, which presents a great opportunity for investors in tiny real estate or the next Smart Car for the housing market.
Labels: tiny home , tiny houses , tiny real estate

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In Honor of Our Troops on Memorial Day
Image credit: clipartfan.com |
For Cpl. R. J. Roberts, USMC
America At War In Iraq – March, 2003
The message on my computer screen
said click on The Presidential Prayer Team –
the Adopt Our Troops link
and be given a soldier to pray for
until the end of the war
I didn't know any soldiers
stationed in Iraq, personally
soldiers who startled us with Shock & Awe
soldiers who endured stinging sand
blazing days and shivery desert nights
Didn't know any who engaged in combat
manned planes, 'copters and tanks
or risked biological warfare
during that arduous trek to Baghdad
Didn't know any at all
so I clicked on the website
…but was unable to access the link
When the morning paper arrived
the front page held a full color photo
of a British medic
examining a newborn Iraqi baby
cradled in a cardboard box
with the flaps torn off
I placed my hand upon the soldier
Jesus, bring him home, whole
laid my hand upon the infant
O Lord, please have him grow up
safe and strong
in a land free of terror…
At work, later that morning
a co-worker approached my counter
softly singing a hymn
How lovely to hear singing
in times like these, I remarked
My son left Tuesday, she said
Our eyes locked
mother to mother
I'd like to adopt your son, I told her
I'll pray for him every day
until he comes home
He is a Marine, she said
serving in the air delivery platoon
Cpl. R. J. Roberts
He'll be on the ground
distributing supplies in Iraq
I know he'll return
Our pastor prophesied
a few years ago
that R. J. will become a preacher
He's not a preacher yet…
though I suppose
there's a very good chance
he may be preaching right now
When I got home
I fastened a yellow ribbon
to my front porch railing
Maude Carolan


text:
Another heretofore unfinished old post, this one from January 2010:
I was over at the aviation department last week and happened upon the installation of a new Stratasys rapid-prototyping machine.
It has a much larger build chamber than NIAR's previous ABS machine — this one is something like 14″ x 14″ x 18″.
The case was open and I was intrigued by the thick blanket of insulation around the build chamber. I asked the installer if the whole chamber was heated and he said yes, to 80°C. Interesting point of reference, as RepRap / CupCake owners seem to have settled on 60°C as the standard temperature for heated build platforms.
It was fairly dark inside the build chamber and I couldn't get a great shot with my cell phone camera, but you can see the extrusion head with two nozzles for support and build material. I found it interesting how extremely broad and shallow the white nozzle cones are — maybe it helps prevent snags?
With the lab manager's blessing, I fished two filament strands out of the trash. The upper, black filament is ABS; the lower, translucent brown filament is a dissolvable support material that apparently washes out in an agitated hot water and detergent bath. Wish I knew exactly what it was!
I measure the diameter at .070″ ± .001″ ≈ 1.778mm ≈ 1.75mm ≈ .069″, so it looks like they're using 1.75mm filament. The stretched section on the end is recognizable as having been in the hot end and then backed out.
Note the toothmarks all the length of each filament (about 3m), suggesting that either something is pushing the filament from that far back or (more likely) the hot end has a quick-release for cleaning and this filament was run through the machine after removing the hot end.


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The Economic Collapse
posted June 17, 2012 by The Economic Collapse
The election results from Greece are in and the pro-bailout forces have won, but just barely. It is being projected that the pro-bailout New Democracy party will have about 130 seats in the 300 seat parliament, and Pasok (another pro-bailout party) will have about 33 seats. Those two parties have alternated ruling Greece for decades, and it looks like they are going to form a coalition government which will keep Greece in the euro. On Monday we are likely to see financial markets across the globe in celebration mode. But the truth is that nothing has really changed. Greece is still in a depression. The Greek economy has contracted by close to 25 percentover the past four years, and now they are going to stay on the exact same path that they were before. Austerity is going to continue to grind away at what remains of the Greek economy and money is going to continue to fly out of the country at a very rapid pace. Greece is still drowning in debt and completely dependent on outside aid to avoid bankruptcy. Meanwhile, things in Spain and Italy are rapidly getting worse. So where in that equation is room for optimism?
Right now the ingredients for a "perfect storm" are developing in Europe. Government spending is being slashed all across the continent, ECB monetary policy is very tight, new regulations and deteriorating economic conditions are causing major banks to cut back on lending and there is panic in the air.
Unless something dramatic changes, things are going to continue to get worse.
Yes, the Greek election results mean that Greece will stay in the euro – at least for now.
But is that really a reason for Greeks to celebrate?
Right now, the unemployment rate in Greece is about 22 percent. Businesses continue to shut down at a staggering rate and suicides are spiking.
So far this month, about 500 million euros a day has been pulled out of Greek banks. The entire Greek banking system is on the verge of collapse.
Meanwhile, the Greek government is still running up more debt. It is being projected that the Greek budget deficit will be about 7 percent of GDP this year.
The Greeks went to the polls and they voted for more of the same.
Are they crazy?
Someone once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Unfortunately, it looks like things are going to continue to get worse in Greece for quite some time.
And the rest of Europe is heading into a very bleak economic future as well.
At the moment, unemployment in the eurozone is at a record high.
Most analysts expect it to go even higher.
To say that Spain has an unemployment problem would be a massive understatement. The unemployment rate in Spain is even higher than the unemployment rate in Greece is. In fact, unemployment in Spain is the highest that it has ever been since the introduction of the euro.
The Spanish banking system is a complete and total disaster at this point. The Spanish government has already asked for a 100 billion euro bailout for its banks.
But that might not be nearly enough.
Spain is facing a housing collapse similar to what the United States went through back in 2008 and 2009. Right now, home prices in Spain are absolutely collapsing….
Fresh data yesterday shows how desperate the crisis is becoming in Spain. The property crash is accelerating. House prices fell at a 12.6pc rate in the first quarter of this year, compared to 11.2pc the quarter before, and 7.4pc in the quarter before that. Prices have fallen 26pc from their peak.
"Fundamentals point to a further 25pc decline," said Standard & Poor's in a report on Thursday. It may take another four years to clear a glut of one million homes left from the building boom.
Meanwhile, money is being pulled out of banks in Spain at a very alarming rate. As panic spreads we are seeing slow motion bank runs all over Europe. Over the past few months massive amounts of money have been moved from troubled nations to "safe havens" such as Switzerland and Germany.
Investors are getting very nervous and yields on Italian and Spanish debt are spiking again.
Last week yields on Spanish debt hit their highest levels since the introduction of the euro. Without massive ECB intervention the yield on 10 year Spanish bonds will almost certainly blow well past the 7 percent danger mark.
The credit rating agencies are indicating that there is danger ahead. Moody's recently downgraded Spanish debt to just one notch above junk status. Spain is heading down the exact same road that Greece has gone.
The situation in Europe is very grim.
Greece is going to need bailouts for as far as the eye can see.
Spain is almost certainly going to need a huge bailout.
Italy is almost certainly going to need a huge bailout.
Ireland and Portugal look like they are going to need more money.
France is increasingly looking vulnerable, and Francois Hollande appears to have no real solutions up his sleeve.
As I have said so many times before, watch Europe.
Every few weeks there are headlines that declare that "Europe has been saved" but things just keep getting worse.
The governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, said the following a few weeks ago….
"Our biggest trading partner is tearing itself apart with no obvious solution."
And that is the truth. There is no obvious solution to the problems in Europe. The politicians could kick the can down the road for a while longer, but in the end there will be no avoiding the pain that is coming.
The equation for what is happening in Europe that I have shared before still applies….
Brutal austerity + toxic levels of government debt + rising bond yields + a lack of confidence in the financial system + banks that are massively overleveraged + a massive credit crunch = A financial implosion of historic proportions
We are watching a slow-motion financial train wreck that is absolutely unprecedented happen right in front of our eyes and our politicians are powerless to stop it.
It is going to be a long, hot summer for the European financial system.
On election day in Greece, the mood was incredibly somber. Instead of celebrating, most Greeks seemed resigned to a very hard future. As an article in the Telegraph described, the entire nation seems to be grinding to a halt….
This is the election that is supposed to decide whether Greece stays in the euro. Yet as it, and Europe, face what could be their Katrina moment, the dominant sense here is not of panic, or fear, or even hope – but of a country in suspended animation, grinding to a halt.
The Athens Heart shopping centre, in the southern suburbs, is polished, full of big brands, and almost totally empty of customers. "We've had five sales all day," says Steryiani Vlachakou, the assistant in the Champion sportswear store. "It's been getting a lot, lot worse."
Sadly, it is not only Greece that is doomed.
The truth is that all of Europe is doomed, and when Europe falls the entire globe is going to feel it.
So get ready for the hard times that are coming. The pain is going to be immense and most people are not even going to see it coming.


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Heartbeat - French artist Charles Pétillon's first public art installation (and his first ever live work outside of France) in Covent Garden. 100,000 giant white balloons fill the grand interior of the 19th Century Market Building. Heartbeat stretches 54 metres in length and 12 metres in width, and incorporates gentle pulsating white light to symbolise the beating of a heart and reflect the history, energy and dynamism of the district. The complex yet fragile composition represents Charles' largest and most ambitious project to date and will run from 27th August until 27th September. Charles is best known for Invasions, a series of arresting sculptures which challenge perceptions of everyday scenes by filling the likes of derelict houses, basketball courts and even cars with hundreds of white balloons.
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EVERETT — The owner of several Everett bikini barista stands was arrested Wednesday for investigation of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Baristas at two stands, including a 16-year-old girl, reportedly were giving customers sexy shows for tips, a violation of city adult-entertainment codes. During the shows, they allegedly revealed their private areas to undercover cops.
Police allege the activity occurred at two Grab-N-Go espresso stands at 2030 Broadway and 333 SE Everett Mall.
The owner, Bill Dwayne Wheeler Jr., 29, of Everett, was booked into the Snohomish County Jail just before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Wheeler reportedly kept tabs on the baristas inside the stands using surveillance video and his cellphone, according to police reports.
The baristas told detectives they weren't paid wages for working in the stands, only tips.
Another man involved in the business also was arrested Wednesday for investigation of sexual exploitation of a minor, Everett police officer Aaron Snell said. The second man, 27, later was released pending further investigation. He's described by police as a co-owner of one stand.
Police last month arrested four baristas in the case, city officials said. The baristas, in their teens and 20s, all were released while the investigation continues.
Police invested about eight hours of undercover work over a six-week period, according to a statement the city released about the case.
The case was called "Operation Show Stopper."
The sexy shows reportedly could be seen by drivers, passersby and children at a local school, the statement says. The city also had concerns about loitering and lewd conduct by customers.
The baristas are accused of misdemeanor-level offenses.
City prosecutors still are reviewing the case against the baristas, city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said Wednesday evening. Those decisions are expected to happen soon.
One of the baristas was issued a criminal citation by Everett police, Reardon said. The woman was arraigned Wednesday morning on four counts of violating adult-entertainment codes and three counts of lewd conduct. She pleaded not guilty.
Police were back at the stands Wednesday afternoon, Snell said. They obtained a judge's permission to search both properties for potential evidence.
Sexual exploitation of a minor is a felony under state law.
Wheeler has denied any wrongdoing. He is the son of Bill Wheeler, who went missing in 2010. The Wheeler family was at the center of a 2009 prostitution investigation involving baristas performing lewd acts at espresso stands.
Bill Wheeler never was found.
There was no evidence of prostitution activity at the stands in the recent investigation, according to police.
The shows allegedly cost $10 to $20.
In a statement to police, one of the baristas, 29, wrote that she was trying to pay off bills and that she regretted what happened.
She wrote: "Biggest mistake of my life. :("
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; email@example.com.
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text:
Why inline CSS and JavaScript code is such a bad thing
When I review web sites, and also in my own projects with a number of different team members, I almost constantly stumble across something web developers should really refrain from: inline styling and inline JavaScript code.
What is inline style and inline JavaScript?
Let's begin with explaining what I mean with having CSS and JavaScript inline: it is when you integrate your HTML code directly with either of them, resulting in having presentation and interaction code spread all throughout the page. Like this:

News
What is so bad with it?
Except for not being very pretty code, and hard to get a good overview of it, there are some real disadvantages to this:
- HTML file size
- Your HTML code will weigh more, i.e. a web page riddled with similar code will have a kb size that is a lot larger than necessary.
- Lack of caching
- Poor accessibility
- When it comes to inline JavaScript code, such as in the above example, it's applied to an element which doesn't have any built-in fallback interaction handler (i.e., like a link takes you to the URL specified in its
attribute etc). This means that it won't work when JavaScript, for one reason or the other, isn't available. - Difficult code maintenance
- When it comes to making changes to the code, I'm sure every web developer would agree on that having code in just one centralized location is a lot more preferable than changing exactly the same kind of code snippets spread all over the files in the web site. Maintaining similar code to the above for an entire web site would be hell.
Doesn't everyone have JavaScript nowadays?
First: no they don't. Second: some people purposely turn it off (for instance, the NoScript Firefox extension has had 31 million downloads to this date). Third, very often is not up to the end user, but external circumstances that they don't control, which will, to some extent or another, lead to JavaScript being unavailable. These factors are:
- Antivirus programs and firewalls being a bit too harsh in their JavaScript security judgement.
- Company proxy servers filtering out code (for example, read An important lesson learned about AJAX and accessibility).
- Other company internet access settings preventing proper JavaScript execution.
How you should develop
Any Interface Developer who's fairly skilled knows that he/she should strive for a structure there the content (HTML code) is completely separated from the presentation code (CSS) and interaction code (JavaScript). What this means is that, naturally, you can't cut the ties completely, but there should be no inline CSS or JavaScript code in your HTML.
The only acceptable dependencies are through id
and class
attributes for CSS and JavaScript hook-ins.
Taking the above bad example code, let's rewrite it properly:
<link rel="stylesheet" href="css/base.css" type="text/css" media="screen">

News
CSS code, in separate file (base.css)
#container {
width: 800px;
margin: 1em auto:
font: bold 1em/1.2 Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
#navigation {
float: left;
width: 400px;
padding: 1em 2em;
font-size: 0.9em;
JavaScript code, in separate file (base.js)
window.onload = function () {
document.getElementById("get-news").onclick = function () {
// Get news through AJAX
A bit nicer, isn't it?
When to use id
and when to use class
Basically, it's very simple. An id
is unique for a web page, i.e. it should only appear once. The class
attribute, on the other hand, can be in a document as many times as desired. My rule of thumb is that normally I use the id
attribute for larger blocks in a web page, like site container, navigation, main content etc. Otherwise, I always use the class
Event handling in JavaScript
The code in the example is the old DOM Level 1 way of applying events to an element. It works fine for one event per element, but not if you have multiple events you want to apply, or the risk that someone else's code will overwrite your event (or vice versa).
But what about major players, like Google?
So, by now you have hopefully agreed with all my arguments and is ready to take a plunge into the brave new interface developing world. But, just out of curiosity, you take a look at the most popular web site in the world, Google, and think:
Wait just a minute now! Robert is having me on.
The start page, and especially the search results page, is filled with inline styling and JavaScript events. If they do it like that, it has to be the best way, right? Well, no. Google has some crazily talented JavaScript coders, as well as geniuses in other fields, but when it comes to HTML and CSS, they are actually somewhat infamous amongst talented Interface Developers.
In August a couple of years ago, my friend Roger rewrote the Google code with real proper code, and he goes more into detail explaining what he did in his post.
At the end, though, we need to consider the ridiculously high amount of visitors Google get every day, and for them it's all about performance, performance, performance (for anyone interested in delving deeper into that, please read Improve your web site performance – tips & tricks to get a good YSlow rating). For them, cutting down any HTTP request is crucial, although that's no excuse for not having valid code.
The most sensible option for Google would be to have one style
block located at the top of their HTML code, and one JavaScript
block located at the bottom of their HTML code (read more about why in Where to include JavaScript files in a document) and just have id
and class
attributes to connect that code to.
In the end, though, I really think that the benefit of having the code whatsoever anywhere in the HTML code is negligible, and besides, as soon as we're talking about returning visitors (for instance, I visit Google each and every day), having external includes would be more beneficial and vastly better for performance as well as bandwidth usage. Also, in comparison, the Google Mobile page is in a much better state, so having the regular one being so poor does really have any valid motivation – I think it's more of a left behind that hasn't been seen to properly yet (they're probably terrified of changing it).
Therefore, as stated above, make sure to include all your CSS and JavaScript code from external files. Start today! Move all inline code away from the HTML code, and you as well as your team and web site visitors will feel better right away. 🙂


text: This Japanese rectangular isshu gin silver coin was minted under Emperor Komei sometime between 1847 and 1866. Each rectangular coin can be identified to the reign of a specific ruler, although the date in most instances can only be determined by the period of the Emperor's rule. This marked the end of the Shogun era and the dawning of the modern age. This artifact represents some of the rare rectangular coins minted in history and is hand framed in a 14kt gold pendant.


text:
Reach potential customers while they're actively browsing, researching or comparing the types of products you sell. Connect with those most interested in what you have to offer, using precise segments that classify users based on their demonstrated in-market behavior and purchase intent.
What is it?
In-market audiences is a way to connect with consumers who are actively researching or comparing products and services across Google Display Network publisher and partner sites and YouTube. To qualify someone as being in-market for a specific product or service, Google takes into account clicks on related ads and subsequent conversions, along with the content of the sites and pages they visit and the recency and frequency of the visits. In this way, Google accurately categorizes users so you can target those most interested in your offerings.
Why you'd use it
In-market audiences can drive incremental conversions, helping you to connect with consumers as the last step before they make a purchase decision. Leveraging real-time data and a powerful classification system based on demonstrated in-market behavior, these segments can help you to present the right offer at the right moment to those most interested in your products and services. Use in-market audiences in combination with Remarketing to drive highly qualified users to your site and improve overall remarketing efficiency for your campaign.
Reach potential customers while they're actively researching and comparing products, regardless of what site they're currently visiting.
Available in-market audiences include:
- Apparel and Accessories
- Autos & Vehicles
- Baby & Children's Products
- Beauty Products & Services*
- Business Services*
- Computers & Peripherals
- Consumer Electronics
- Consumer Software
- Dating Services*
- Education
- Employment
- Financial Services
- Gifts & Occasions
- Home & Garden
- Real Estate
- Sports & Fitness*
- Telecom
- Travel
*In Beta
To read more about Google in-market audiences, visit the Help Center or contact your AdWords Account Manager.


text:
Power and benefits of the Gayatri Mantra
Narad Muni says –
The chanting of this mantra once a day eradicates all the sins committed during the course of that day.
If chanted 10 times it eradicated all the sins committed during the course of the day and night.
If chanted 100 times it eradicates all the sins committed during the whole month.
If chanted 1000 times all the sins committed during the course of the whole year are eradicated.
100,000 Chants will free one from all the sins which one has committed during the entire life time.
1 Million Chants will remove all the sins committed during all other births and reincarnations.
10 Million Chants will give one liberation from the cycle of life and death.
Narad Muni further says that one should face eastwards and recite the Gayatri Mantra. Kara Mala, Sphatik and Sandalwood Malas are the recommended Malas for Japa of the Gayatri Mantra.
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text:
A huge and powerful strike of British dockers against low pay, unsafe conditions and casual, precarious employment contracts which, with international solidarity, won nearly all its demands and marked a turning point in UK working class history.
The dangerous nature of port work, combined with low pay, poor working conditions and widespread social deprivation ensured that the workforce looked to their trade unions for protection. As a result, industrial relations were strained throughout the history of the port.
Casual labour
The first major eruption of unrest came with the Great Dock Strike of 1889.
It took place against the background of growing trade unionism among unskilled
workers and discontent at the wretched living conditions of dockers and their
families. At the root of this was the casual nature of dock labour, organised
via the 'call-on' and the contract system.
The situation on the eve of the strike
A fluctuating trade
Until the late 19th century, much of the trade of the port was seasonal. Sugar
came from the West Indies, timber from the north, tea and spices from the
Far East. It was difficult to predict when ships would arrive since bad weather
could delay a fleet.
The number of ships arriving during a period of four successive weeks in 1861
at the West India Dock was 42, 131, 209 and 85. On some days there were many
ships in the docks, on others very few.
There was very little mechanisation - the loading and discharging of ships
was highly labour-intensive. Demand for men varied from day to day because
there was very little advance notice that a ship was arriving. The dock companies
only took on labourers when trade picked up and they needed them.
The 'call-on'
Most workers in the docks were casual labourers taken on for the day. Sometimes
they would be taken on only for a few hours. Twice a day there was a 'call-on'
at each of the docks when labour was hired for short periods.
Only the lucky few would be selected, the rest would be sent home without
payment. The employers wanted to have a large number of men available for
work but they did not want to pay them when there was no work.
Ben Tillett of the dockers' union described the 'call-on':
"We are driven into a shed, iron-barred from end to end, outside
of which a foreman or contractor walks up and down with the air of a dealer
in a cattlemarket, picking and choosing from a crowd of men, who, in their
eagerness to obtain employment, trample each other under foot, and where like
beasts they fight for the chances of a day's work."
The spark
The dock strike began over a dispute about 'plus' money during the unloading
of the Lady Armstrong in the West India Docks. 'Plus' money was a bonus paid
for completing work quickly. The East and West India Dock Company had cut
their 'plus' rates to attract ships into their own docks rather than others.
A trade depression and an oversupply of docks and warehousing led to fierce
competition between the rival companies. The cut in payments provided the
opportunity for long-held grievances among the workforce to surface.
The dockers walk out
Led by Ben Tillet, the men in the West India Dock struck on 14 August and
immediately started persuading other dockers to join them. The Dockers' Union
had no funds and needed help.
The support they needed came when the Amalgamated Stevedores Union, under
Tom McCarthy, joined the strike. Not only did they carry high status in the
port but their work was essential to the running of the docks.
Support from the stevedores
The stevedores' union issued a manifesto, entitled To the Trade Unionists
and People of London. This called on other workers to support the dockers:
"Friends and Fellow Workmen. The dock labourers are on strike and
asking for an advance in wages ... 6d per hour daytime and 8d per hour overtime.
The work is of the most precarious nature, three hours being the average amount
per day obtained by the docker.
We, the Union of the Stevedores of London, knowing the condition of the dock
labourers, have determined to support their movement by every lawful means
in our power...
We now appeal to members of all trade unions for joint action with us, and
especially those whose work is in connection with shipping - engineers and
fitters, boiler makers, ships' carpenters, etc. and also the coal heavers,
ballast men and lightermen. We also appeal to the public at large for contributions
and support on behalf of the dock labourers."
A general strike?
Other workers followed the lead of the stevedores, including the seamen, firemen,
lightermen, watermen, ropemakers, fish porters and carmen. Strikes broke out
daily in factories and workshops throughout the East End.
The port was paralyzed by what was in effect a general strike. It was estimated
that by 27 August 130,000 men were on strike.
One newspaper reported:
"Dockmen, lightermen, bargemen, cement workers, carmen, ironworkers
and even factory girls are coming out. If it goes on a few days longer, all
London will be on holiday. The great machine by which five millions of people
are fed and clothed will come to a dead stop, and what is to be the end of
it all? The proverbial small spark has kindled a great fire which threatens
to envelop the whole metropolis." (Evening News & Post, 26
August 1889)
The strike committee
The dockers formed a strike committee to organize the dispute and decide on
its aims. The main strike demand was 'the dockers' tanner' - a wage of 6d
an hour (instead of their previous 5d an hour) and an overtime rate of 8d
per hour.
They also wanted the contract and 'plus' systems to be abolished and 'call-ons'
to be reduced to two a day. They also demanded that they be taken on for minimum
periods of four hours and that their union be recognized throughout the port.
Picketing the docks
The Strike Committee organised mass meetings and established pickets outside
the dock gates. They persuaded men still at work and 'blacklegs' to come out
on strike.
As the men gathered at the dock gates there were accusations that they were
intimidating those who stayed at work. One observer wrote to The Times to
"Sir, - During this week I have witnessed the most open intimidation
practised by the men on strike - howling crowds going from dock to dock and
warehouse to warehouse, stopping business and threatening vengeance on all
who did not comply with their demands, until now there are thousands who are
out who had no desire to strike, but were compelled to do so ... those who
dare to work for their wages are being brutally maltreated and threatened
with worse if they dare attempt to work in defiance of the strikers' wishes.
I saw several men severely injured today on Tower Hill (the blood being made
to fly in all directions) by gangs of strikers ... What are the authorities
for if not to protect peaceable citizens in earning an honest living? A LOVER
OF FREEDOM" (The Times, 24 August 1889)
During the strike, 22-year-old Richard Groves was charged with assault and
with threatening two men. His colleague, Alfred Kreamer, aged 49, was charged
with intimidating several people. On the whole, however, it was peaceful and
the strikers showed remarkable self-restraint.
Hardship: No rent!
Landlords who tried to collect their rents faced resistance. A white banner
was hung across Hungerford Street, Commercial Road, which said "As
we are on strike landlords need not call." Another at the top of
Star Street, Commercial Road read:
"Our husbands are on strike; for the wives it is not honey,
And we all think it is right not to pay the landlord's money,
Everyone is on strike, so landlords do not be offended;
The rent that's due we'll pay you when the strike is ended."
At first food was distributed to dockers and their families. Soon, shilling
[5p] food tickets, which were accepted by local tradesmen, were issued instead.
However, despite appeals for help, not enough money was coming in to meet
the needs of the increasing numbers on strike.
As the strike progressed into its second and third weeks, there was great
hardship in East London. By the end of August many dockers and their families
were starving.
The employers' view
The employers were now confident that they would be able to force the men
back to work:
"What the cost would be of granting the demands of the men, I cannot
exactly say, but it would be at least £100,000 and that would mean we
should have to raise our rates.
We cannot afford an advance in wages, for it would either destroy any possibility
of dividend to the shareholders of the joint companies or tend to drive shipping
from the port. When the pinch comes, as come it must, the hopes of the strikers
will receive a severe shock and I shall be surprised if there is any backbone
left." (Mr Holland, Chairman of the Dock Directors, interview on
16 August, 1889)
During the strike the port was at a standstill and the dock companies were
losing money. Despite this, they believed that giving into the dockers' demands
would set a dangerous precedent.
Crisis point
The crisis of the strike was reached at the beginning of September. Without
more money, it seemed that the strike could not continue. H. H. Champion,
the Strike Committee's press officer recalled:
"Things looked very black indeed – for though the collections
made in workshops and in the streets, supplemented by contributions from the
older trade unions and from private individuals, had reached a considerable
sum, they were totally inadequate to provide even a shilling a day for a tenth
of the families who were without means of subsistence."
Australia to the rescue
From the beginning of September however money poured in from Australia. The
first instalment of £150 was sent by the Brisbane Wharf Labourers' Union.
The press reported:
"Meetings at which resolutions of sympathy with the strikers are
passed are being held nightly throughout Victoria, and a similar movement
is on foot in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart…
A large and important meeting of citizens was held here yesterday at which
resolutions were adopted expressing sympathy with the London dock workers
on strike, and promising to support them to obtain their demands. The Chairmen
announced that over £500 had been collected from all classes of the
inhabitants, including Cabinet Ministers, and nearly all the members of the
Queensland Parliament." (The Pall Mall Gazette, 5 September 1889)
Scent of victory
In all, over £30,000 was raised by the
Australian dockers and their allies. It arrived at just the right time and
meant the end of worries about feeding the strikers and their families.
The dockers could now face a longer strike and the leaders knew they could
now concentrate on the picket lines. Defeat through hunger now seemed very
unlikely and the dockers scented victory.
The Mansion House Committee
On 5 September, when the strike was in its fourth week, the Lord Mayor of
London formed the Mansion House Committee.
Its aim was to try to bring the two sides together to end the strike. Ben
Tillett and John Burns represented the dockers at the negotiations.
Cardinal Manning
An important member of the committee was Cardinal Manning (1808-1892), Roman
Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. He had shown that his sympathies were
with the dockers, many of whom were Catholics.
The Mansion House Committee persuaded the employers to meet practically all
the dockers' demands. After five weeks the Dock Strike was over. It was agreed
that the men would go back to work on 16 September.
Effects of the strike: A new union
After the successful strike, the dockers formed a new General Labourers' Union.
Tillett was elected General Secretary and Tom Mann became the union's first
President. In London alone, nearly 20,000 men joined this new union.
The success of the Dockers' Strike was a turning point in the history of trade
unionism. Workers throughout the country, particularly the unskilled, gained
a new confidence to organise themselves and carry out collective action. From
750,000 in 1888, trade union membership grew to 1.5 million by 1892 and to
over 2 million by 1899.
Burns's view
John Burns explained the importance of the strike:
"Still more important perhaps, is the fact that labour of the humbler
kind has shown its capacity to organise itself; its solidarity; its ability.
The labourer has learned that combination can lead him to anything and everything.
He has tasted success as the immediate fruit of combination, and he knows
that the harvest he has just reaped is not the utmost he can look to gain.
Conquering himself, he has learned that he can conquer the world of capital
whose generals have been the most ruthless of his oppressors."
Some interesting sources on this here:


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Oasis Needlepoint
B8 - Flower Child
Pickup available at 179 Lancaster Avenue
Usually ready in 24 hours
B8 - Flower Child
179 Lancaster Avenue
Pickup available, usually ready in 24 hours
179 Lancaster Avenue
Malvern PA 19355
United States
Stitch painted canvas by Oasis Needlepoint. This piece can be finished as a pillow or framed as a picture.
18 Mesh mono canvas
Design: 10" x 10"
Canvas Size: 13" x 13"
Threads sold separately
Please note that due to the many variations in monitors and browsers, the actual product color may appear different from the image shown.


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LED T8 Tube Lights
LED Tube Lights are the hassle free replacement for T8 tubes and will work comfortably with the existing fittings. LED Tube Lights are available in various lengths from 2ft tubes through to 6ft. They also come in a variety of colour temperatures including daylight, cool light and warm white.
You might typically find LED Tube Lights in corporate installations, office buildings or industrial units.


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Sometimes you want to know exactly how a piece
of furniture is constructed. Not only the front or the (in)sides of a chest,
but the back and the bottom as well. The fun of having a digital
camera is that it allows you to see these otherwise unrevealed pieces of
information. You just point your camera to the spot you want to see and click.
It automatically adjusts the lighting, diaphragm and shoots a perfect photo for
you, although it might take a few tries to get a nice shot. Then you only have
to look at the display to have the side of the furniture piece revealed to you that
was once hidden from sight.
Using this "shoot first, have a look later"
approach sometimes gave surprising results, as will be shown by the following
A 14th century chest from Kloster Isenhagen
Chest TR-NR-409 / ISN Ba 83 from Kloster Isenhagen
This relatively small hutch type chest made of oak stands
in a corner of the Chapter house in Kloster Isenhagen. It is dated
dendrochronologically around 1375. On the left of the lockplate the initials L E H are
burned, which were the initials of the nun who once owned the chest. Directly beneath the lock the initials K I are found, which stand for Kloster Isenhagen. The hutch
is made in oak in the Braunschweiger construction style (see K.H. von
Stulpnagel –Die gotischen Truhen der Lunenburger Heidekloster for more details
on this construction type). Inside the chest is a small drawer. The lid is
fastened with iron hinges and decorative iron nails are found on the front of
the chest. The lock with lock-hinge is still complete. Height of the chest is 69 cm, width 85
cm and depth 53.7 cm. (TR-NR-409 / ISN Ba 83).
The arrows show the small marks LEH on the left and the large marks K I below the lock plate.
The side of the chest showing part of the iron thorn hinge.
The thickness of the planks used for construction varies between 3.5 and 4.5 cm.
The top of the chest showing the iron strips.
Aside from the ubiquitous spider webs, our
camera spotted at the underside of the bottom an extra wooden rail which
supported the bottom planks.
The underside of the chest with spiderwebs. The thickness of the bottom planks is 2 cm.
A medieval chest from the open air museum in Hosseringen
This is a hutch type chest made of oak of around 1495
(dendrochronologically) comes originally from Bohlsen, but is now standing in the open air museum in Hosseringen
in a large farm from Lower Saxony. It was found in 1978 in a shed, and has
the marks and repairs of an extended use. At the backside, one of the legs is
replaced by a forked stem, which is nailed to the chest. The front of the chest
shows a large hole, and one of the sides has a wooden rail hanging on one nail.
The lock, however, looks remarkably good. The lid of the chest has two "four-pass"
carvings, which found on other medieval chests as well, e.g. the 'travelling chest' of
the abbess of Isenhagen. Height of the chest is 86.05 cm, width 175.05 cm and depth 76 cm.
The two sides of the chest, showing that quite some parts are in disrepair.
The replaced leg of the chest.
Taking an photo from the underside was a surprise. The
chest did not have a bottom at all! The photo directly shows the underside of
the lid and the inside of the chest. The lid is reinforced by two added rails
that are nailed to it. You can also see the grooves where the side drawer was
The inside of the chest shown from beneath: a reinforcement of the lid by two added rails.
A medieval chest from the church in Süderburg
The church of St. Remigius in Süderburg houses
a heavy iron-bound medieval chest dating from 1303. It is now used as an almonry.
Such chests were often used as archive-chests, and could with use of the rings
and rope easily be transported to safety in case of calamity. There was only
one way to have the camera have a look at the underside of the chest, and that
was to turn it over (no-one else was in the church, thus no-one objected…).
The chest from above showing the hole for the coins as well as a large ring on the middle iron band.
Two rings for carrying the chest are on the side of the chest.
The front lock is open, but one side has an additional modern padlock.
Now there happened to be a large hole in the bottom of the chest! Once crudely hacked to steal the coin, or provide an anchor for the chain that held the chest to a pillar of the church? Who knows … The church records mention that the chest has been forcibly opened in 1557, 1562 and 1588. However, what you can notice from the hole is the immense thickness of the oak planks used to build the chest.
Robbery! A hole hacked in the bottom of the chest.
The shoot first, look later approach was also used on the stone church tower. This used to be part of a medieval castle, but was reused in 1370 as a church tower. Inside the tower a free-standing wooden clock-tower stands. Of course, this could only be seen by the camera peeping through a hole.
The church tower of Suderburg and a part of the wooden clocktower built inside the stone church tower.


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All of the information on this website is meant for personal use. There are no rights to be derived from the information. Alterations and typos will be reserved. We use our efforts to make sure the information on our website is as complete and detailed as possible. ProFlags BV will not accept any responsibility for damage however caused by usage, incompleteness or falseness on this website.
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Latest fashion catwalk and runway shows from Milan, Paris, New York, Amsterdam, London. Text and image.
January 29, 2017 by Jetty Filed under
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Our own fashiondictionaryDubai show A too colorful, too shiny, too long, over the top glamorous show with bad music and a plastic/botox front row.More Fashionlingo...


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I watched the first episode of Band of Brothers last night to see if it held up (it does). The episode centers on the training and deployment to England of Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, led by Lt. Herbert Sobel. In the miniseries, Sobel is played by David Schwimmer and is depicted as a real hardass who earns the hatred of his men while pushing them to be the best company in the entire regiment.
In real life, Sobel rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, fought in the Korean War, was awarded the Bronze Star, married and had three children. The part of Sobel's Wikipedia entry about his later years is among the saddest things I have ever read:
In the late 1960s, Sobel shot himself in the head with a small-caliber pistol. The bullet entered his left temple, passed behind his eyes, and exited out the other side of his head. This severed his optic nerves and left him blind. He was later moved to a VA assisted living facility in Waukegan, Illinois. Sobel resided there for his last seventeen years until his death due to malnutrition on September 30, 1987. No services were held for Sobel after his death.
Rest in peace, Lieutenant Colonel Sobel.


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When a woman falls for man, it happens because her heart tells her so –right? Precious! But wait, is that really the case? How many times does the average woman fall in love? I surmise the answer can be derived from intense research of Sex and the City episodes –that's arguable, perhaps. However, according to new research by the University of Texas at San Antonio, it is hormones that determine how and what kind of man a woman falls for.
Latest Tweets
@jesseosher https://t.co/ZwlqIlG9QW
- Tuesday Dec 8 - 12:04pm
RT @nadiyashah: Nearly all the best things that came to me in life have been unexpected, unplanned by me. - Carl Sandburg #quote
- Sunday Dec 6 - 1:23am


text: THE GREATEST TALENT EVER ASSEMBLED FOR ONE STORY! THIS IS THE BIG ONE! In celebration of Marvel's 80th Anniversary, we have gathered together the greatest array of talent ever to be assembled between the covers of a single comic book! Names from the past, from the present, and even the future! Every page is filled with all-new work from this cavalcade of comic book luminaries! There is a mystery that threads throughout the Marvel Universe - one that has its origins in MARVEL COMICS #1 and which unites a disparate array of heroes and villains throughout the decades! What is the Eternity Mask, and who is responsible for the conspiracy to keep it hidden? And what new player will make their startling debut as these secrets are peeled away? Featuring the entirety of the Marvel Universe of characters!


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Freelance PHP Developer
Yea! I'm a happy web application developer
Yea! I'm a happy web application developer
I wrote my first web application with PHP in October, 2000. I wrote and read hundreds of thousands of lines of code since that day. Today my code is cleaner, smoother and more organized.
I love to write Object Oriented code using PHP MVC frameworks.
I'm the developer and maintainer of a powerful CMS Open Source that I use for almost all my projects.
As Confucius said "Choose a job you love, and do not even have to work a day in your life". That means to be a Freelance PHP developer for me.
Almost every new web application is a new intriguing challenge. A new world to explore and to play with. New people to meet and new things to learn. Sometimes I face a really hard problem, that keeps me stuck for a day or more, but wouldn't so nice if it was too easy :).
I spend almost all my time writing PHP code, a wonderful game. But not only code is my work.
The most important part is to clearly communicate with Clients, Collegues or Partners. Before to start to write code is very important to be sure to have really understood which is the goal to reach.
When you know where you're going, you can not miss the road and spend time in the wrong direction.


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Frequently Asked Questions: Legal Processes
- Controversies and Disputes
- Commissioner Appeals (Formerly State Board Appeals)
- School Ethics Commission
Issues other than special education arising under school laws are generally heard and determined in the first instance by the Commissioner of Education. Alleged violations of the School Ethics Act are heard by the School Ethics Commission, and matters involving teaching staff member certification are heard by the State Board of Examiners. Effective August 6, 2012, pursuant to P.L. 2012, C.26, tenure charges are heard and decided by arbitrators.
School law matters other than special education and tenure charges are heard through a contested case process established by statute – N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq. (Administrative Procedure Act) – for all state agencies. In general, an agency head may hear a matter personally and individually but once a contested case is initiated, it is transmitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) if facts are in dispute or legal issues are complex. At OAL, an administrative law judge (ALJ) will conduct a hearing and issue a report called an "initial decision," which will contain recommend findings of fact and conclusions of law to the agency head transmitting the case. The agency head then makes the final decision in the matter, following review of the record and consideration of the parties' exceptions to the ALJ recommendations. The final decision of the agency head is appealable to the Superior Court, Appellate Division.
In most education cases, the Commissioner is the agency head who receives, transmits and decides the matter. However, the School Ethics Commission serves as agency head in school ethics cases and makes the final determination as to whether the School Ethics Act has been violated. In these cases, the Commissioner's role is to review and make the final decision on the penalty recommended by the Commission for any violations found. For cases involving teacher certification, the State Board of Examiners generally acts as the agency head.
As of July 7, 2008, School Ethics Commission decisions finding a violation of the School Ethics Act and all decisions of the State Board of Examiners are appealable to the Commissioner. The Commissioner's decision constitutes final agency action appealable to the Superior Court, Appellate Division, pursuant to the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, R. 2:2-3. Prior to enactment of P.L. 2008, c. 36 on July 7, 2008, appeals from final decisions of the Commissioner, the School Ethics Commission and certain decisions of the State Board of Examiners were heard and decided by the State Board of Education, which issued a final administrative agency decision appealable to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court.


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Acknowledgments | ||
Many individuals and several agencies provided information and assistance in the preparation of this atlas. The GIS students at the Federal Prison Camp, Lexington, Ky., prepared index maps and created spatial data from historical well maps. Staff members of the Kentucky Natural Resources Information System provided technical and programming assistance. Reports from the Kentucky Division of Water, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Kentucky Geological Survey, the Water Resource Development Commission, the U.S. Census Bureau, and other agencies were used. And finally, the atlas would not have been completed at this time if the Water Resource Development Commission had not promoted the project and provided both financial and technical support. |


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Tooth decay affects everyone, with studies reporting that 92% of adults have had a cavity at one point in their lifetime. In more serious instances of tooth decay, however, the nerve of the tooth may become infected. This type of infection requires a root canal, in which the affected nerve is removed, and the interior of the tooth is cleaned and filled.
Tooth Anatomy
Although each tooth is covered by a hard outer shell, the interior of a tooth consists of dental pulp. This pulp is soft, containing blood vessels that bring nutrients to the tooth. Each tooth also has an associated nerve, which resides within a root canal passing from the tooth's root into the dental pulp. This nerve provides information about temperature, allowing teeth to sense heat or cold.
Symptoms of Nerve Infection
Damage to the dental pulp or nerve tissue leads to a rapid multiplication of bacteria within the interior of the tooth. The result may be an abscess, a small pocket near the root of the tooth that becomes full of pus. This infected area commonly causes the following symptoms:
- Intense pain or sensitivity when pressure is applied to the tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, even after the heat or cold has been removed
- Darkening or discoloration of the affected tooth
- A small, persistent pimple that forms on the gums
- Swollen or tender gums
- Swelling in other areas of the face, neck, or head
Nerve infection may occur due to deep decay, although repeated dental procedures, facial trauma, chipping or cracking of a tooth, or large fillings may also contribute to an abscessed tooth.
What to Do if You Think You Need a Root Canal
Only a visit to the doctor can confirm whether a tooth's nerve has become infected. We will perform an oral examination and X-rays to confirm whether the tooth is abscessed. If a root canal procedure is needed, a small hole will be placed in the tooth. The pulp and nerve tissue are removed from the tooth, which is thoroughly cleaned and filled. Then, the hole is sealed with a special compound to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth's interior. The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia to numb pain.
If you think you may have tooth or nerve decay, call our Braintree, Massachusetts office today to schedule a diagnostic appointment.


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Robert Plant Wanted to Flee From Alison Krauss Tryout Session
Robert Plant recently explained how he wanted to flee from the tryout session with Alison Krauss that led to their award-winning 2007 album Raising Sand.
He said he was already feeling out of his depth in having to sing a set melody so that Krauss could duet with him because he never was restricted that way in Led Zeppelin.
In a recent episode of the Broken Record podcast, Plant told Rick Rubin how the singers performed together at a gala event, and both felt there might be more to explore musically. Knowing they were "so radically different" as artists, they invited producer T Bone Burnett to play the role of "master magician," although Plant "didn't know what [Burnett] was going to be all about."
You can listen to the interview below.
The trio agreed to try four songs over four days and gathered at Krauss' Nashville home. "The door flung open, and there was Alison being really charming," Plant said. "And behind her, this big imposing shed, John Henry Burnett! So I went, 'Shit! … There's two of them!' They said, 'Come in! What key?' I said, 'I don't know what key; I don't know what key anything is!'"
He sat down and enjoyed a cup of tea, then thought, "OK, where's the microphone? Where's the reverb, where's the slap-back ... where's the 45-millisecond delay? Where's my stuff?" But he realized "there was nothing, there was just two couches and an acoustic. … And I felt so exposed and vulnerable. 'How do I get out of here, man?' … I could feel the moisture at my brow. 'I've gotta get out of this place!'"
But Plant persevered and later went to a nearby studio to lay down four tracks with their complete backings. "The four days came and went," he said. "I fled to Clarksdale!" While on the drive he listened back to the recordings and thought, "Wow, this is really cooking!"
"It blew my mind when I heard it," Rubin said. "Mine, too!" Plant replied.
Led Zeppelin Solo Albums Ranked
Why Led Zeppelin Won't Reunite Again


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I want to hug a....
Your basket is empty and sad Yay! You have 0 item(s) in your basket!
We here at Squishable feel very strongly that Squishables are pretty much the best things ever, and we bet your store's customers will too. Toy stores, comic book stores, gift stores, um...hair salons... there are very few retail spaces that wouldn't be even cooler if they carried Squishables. Your customers are awesome! Give them awesome stuff!


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Germs Gaining Resistance to Hand Gels in Hospitals
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 — Potentially dangerous bacteria already resistant to antibiotics are now developing resistance to common alcohol-based hand gels, a new study reports.
A bacteria called Enterococcus faecium is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, and it's been shrugging off antibiotics at an increasing rate, said senior researcher Timothy Stinear. He is a molecular microbiologist at the University of Melbourne in Australia.
"It's a WHO [World Health Organization] and CDC-recognized superbug," Stinear said. "In the hospital it is already resistant to nearly all classes of antibiotics."
Now E. faecium appears to be developing resistance to alcohol-based sanitizers, possibly in response to the vast use of the antimicrobial gels in hospital hand-hygiene programs, Stinear and his colleagues have found.
"E. faecium has adapted to the health-care environment," Stinear said.
E. faecium and other enterococci are bacteria found in the gut, and typically are not hostile or harmful, the researchers said in background notes.
However, these germs have emerged as a major cause of hospital-associated bacterial infections, the study authors noted. This family of bacteria account for a tenth of hospital-acquired bacterial infections worldwide, and are the fourth and fifth leading cause of blood poisoning in North America and Europe, respectively.
According to Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, "E. faecium is a highly prevalent bacterial species that is a very common cause of infections that range from bloodstream infections to urinary tract infections." Adalja was not involved with the new study but was familiar with the findings.
"The vancomycin [antibiotic]-resistant form of this bacteria, which the CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] estimates kills more than 1,000 people a year in the U.S., is a priority pathogen that is involved in many hospital-acquired infections," Adalja explained.
In the new study, Stinear's team collected 139 E. faecium samples between 1997 and 2015 from two Melbourne hospitals and exposed them to diluted isopropyl alcohol, to see how effectively alcohol would kill off the bugs.
Bacteria samples dating from 2009 onward were on average more resistant to alcohol, compared with bacteria collected prior to 2004.
To see whether this resistance would translate into more infections, the researchers introduced different strains of E. faecium onto the floors of mouse cages. They then wiped down the cages with isopropyl alcohol wipes, which should have effectively disinfected them.
Bacteria that had developed a resistance to alcohol sanitizers were better able to dodge disinfection and colonize the guts of mice placed in the cages, the findings showed.
Genetic analysis of alcohol-resistant bacteria found that they had developed several mutations in genes linked to cell metabolism. These mutations appear to make the cellular membranes of E. faecium more resistant to solvents like alcohol.
"We were able to identify and document the specific genetic changes that have occurred in the bacteria over the 20 years, which also helps to explain the increased tolerance," Stinear said.
These mutations have developed as hospitals have become more stringent in infection control, relying heavily on alcohol-based rubs as a way to keep harmful pathogens from spreading, he explained.
"Alcohol-based hand hygiene use has increased 10-fold over the past 20 years in Australian hospitals, so we are using a lot and the environment is changing," Stinear said.
Adalja agreed. "Bacteria like Enterococcus are very adept at evolving mechanisms to survive in the face of harsh conditions, so it is no surprise that this species is developing tolerance to alcohol-based sanitizers," he said.
Stinear said that harsher hand rubs containing higher concentrations of alcohol will be needed to overcome this resistance.
Hospitals also need to make sure that the rubs are used thoroughly by staff, making sure that all skin surfaces on the hand are covered and given enough contact time to kill the bugs, the study authors added.
"Furthermore, there also should be an enhanced focus on hospital cleaning as well as isolation of patients found to be colonized with" antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Stinear said.
Adalja suggested that a search should be made for other good antimicrobial agents that could take the place of alcohol rubs.
"As hand hygiene with alcohol-based sanitizers is a key prevention tool in hospitals, tolerance to alcohol rubs will be very problematic and may necessitate the use of alternative methods to optimally prevent its spread," Adalja said.
The new study was published Aug. 1 in Science Translational Medicine.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
Posted: August 2018
Source: Read Full Article


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Types of Astigmatism And How They Can Be Corrected
Astigmatism is a type of refractive error characterized by an irregularly shaped or non-spherical cornea, the outer front surface of the eye. Although this condition may sound concerning, it's relatively common, affecting approximately 1 in 3 individuals around the world.
Additionally, astigmatism doesn't affect the health of the eye, but rather how the eye focuses light onto the retina.
A perfectly spherical cornea refracts all the light entering the eye with the same focusing power, so there is one focal point within the eye. An astigmatic eye, on the other hand, has two different refracting powers of light, so there are two focal points within the eye that affects visual clarity.
Most people with astigmatism also have other refractive errors, like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
The hallmark symptoms of astigmatism are:
- Blurred vision (both near and far distances)
- Difficulty with night vision
- Irritated eyes
- Frequent eye strain
- Headaches
There are 3 types of astigmatism and several ways to correct this refractive problem.
Types of Astigmatism
The 3 main classifications of astigmatism are based on the principal meridian of each eye. Think of the eye's meridian as a plane or axis of the eye — for example, the horizontal meridian and vertical meridian.
When the horizontal axis is steeper than the vertical, it creates a stronger focusing power in the horizontal meridian. The difference in the focusing powers results in two different focal points on the retina and the blurry vision associated with astigmatism.
Myopic Astigmatism
When one or both of the eye's principal meridians is myopic (focuses light in front of the retina), the result is myopic astigmatism. There are 2 subdivisions of myopic astigmatism:
- Simple myopic astigmatism: when incoming light creates 2 focal points — one in front of the retina and one in the correct position — directly on the retina.
- Compound myopic astigmatism: when the 2 focal points are both in front of the retina, and in separate locations.
Examples of this type of astigmatism as they appear on the optometrist's prescription are plano /-2.00 x 180 or -2.25 / -1.00 x 90.
Hyperopic Astigmatism
Hyperopic astigmatism occurs when both or one principal meridian is farsighted (focuses light behind the retina).
This type of astigmatism is also divided into 2 types:
- Simple hyperopic astigmatism: when one focal point lands correctly and directly on the retina, and another virtual focal point sits beyond the retina.
- Compound hyperopic astigmatism: when both focal points are 2 separate virtual locations behind the retina.
Examples of this type of astigmatism as they appear on the optometrist's prescription are +2.00 /-2.00 x 180 or +3.25 / -1.00 x 90.
Mixed Astigmatism
Mixed astigmatism is when one principal meridian is farsighted (beyond the retina) and the other is nearsighted (in front of the retina).
Regular vs. Irregular
Another way to classify astigmatism is regular vs. irregular. Regular astigmatism is when the principal meridians are either horizontal or vertical meridians, and irregular astigmatism occurs when the principal meridians are not at the horizontal or vertical angles, such as 135 or 45 degrees.
Examples of this type of astigmatism as they appear on the optometrist's prescription are: +2.00 /-2.00 x 135 or +3.25 / -1.00 x 45
Ways to Correct Astigmatism
Whether you have myopic, hyperopic or mixed astigmatism, your vision will be blurred. The degree of blurred vision will vary from patient to patient. Your optometrist will recommend the most suitable corrective method for your eyes.
For people with mild to moderate astigmatism, prescription lenses in the form of glasses or standard contact lenses do a fine job of correcting the refractive error.
Another option for correcting astigmatism is through refractive surgery; however, this choice is less popular due to the possible complications of surgery.
For patients with high levels of astigmatism, standard contact lenses usually aren't an option due to the highly irregularly-shaped cornea. Instead, scleral contact lenses are a safe, comfortable and effective way to correct vision for hard-to-fit eyes.
Why are Scleral Lenses Optimal For Astigmatic Eyes?
Scleral lenses have a larger diameter than standard soft lenses. The large lens vaults over the cornea and sits on the sclera (the white of the eye) with a nourishing reservoir of fluid in between the lens and the cornea.
The customized scleral lens acts as an artificial cornea, creating a new corneal shape that refracts light correctly for clear and comfortable vision all day long.
Scleral lenses are made of high-quality material and maintain a rigid shape, so the lens remains stable, no matter the degree of astigmatism.
What's more, many optometrists prescribe sclerals to their patients with corneal abnormalities as a therapeutic tool in post-surgery patients.
Scleral contact lenses provide crisper and more stable vision than standard soft lenses, in addition to offering a continuously nourishing and breathable environment for the cornea.
How We Can Help
Our knowledgeable and experienced eye care team is trained to fit all types of patients with scleral lenses. Our goal is to provide each patient with crisp and comfortable vision, no matter their level of astigmatism or corneal abnormality.
Our optometry clinic has the latest diagnostic technology to provide you with the most efficient and accurate eye exam.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Zlatin, contact Eye Q Optometrist today.
Eye Q Optometrist serves patients from New York City, Scarsdale, Rye , and Mamaroneck, New York and surrounding communities.


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For nearly five decades, the research team at Novus has been developing and improving nutritional solutions for the beef and dairy industries. The Novus team has solutions for optimizing nutrient utilization and improving reproduction, as well as other challenges producers may face.
MFP® feed supplement offers the benefits of methionine supplementation in dry form and contains cherry flavoring to improve palatability. MFP is an effective source of methionine activity and delivers a naturally occurring precursor of L-methionine called HMTBa. The effect of HMTBa on improving microbial protein synthesis in the rumen and supplying methionine to the animal is promotion of milk, fat and protein yield in lactating cows. During the close-up period, HMTBa alleviates dry matter intake depression and bolsters gain and feed efficiency in growing cattle.
As the world's most popular liquid methionine solution, using ALIMET® provides producers with better blending and handling than DL-methionine products. MFP feed supplement offers the benefits of ALIMET supplementation in dry form with enhanced flavoring to improve palatability. MFP mixes and handles easily in the mill and can be incorporated at any level in straight mineral mixes and protein mixes or with products high in fat, such as propylene glycol.


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There are countless articles and research papers on the benefits of acupuncture, but did you know that it can also be used to combat the signs of aging? A natural alternative to surgery or Botox, facial acupuncture is merely an extension of traditional acupuncture and Chinese medicine philosophy.
Unlike an injection of Botox or some other filler, facial acupuncture addresses not just the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles but it also helps to restore your skin's overall health. Now, you might be worried about acupuncture needles placed in your face, but acupuncture is safe and effective and is recognized by the World Health Organization and there are established guidelines for practice just like any other health profession. Practitioners are also licensed by their state's department of health so you can be confident that you are in good hands.
What to Expect
During a typical procedure, your acupuncturist will insert approximately 40 to 70 tiny and painless needles (like the size of a hair) into your face. The science behind it works like this: as the needles puncture the skin, they create wounds called microtraumas. These small punctures work to stimulate your lymphatic and circulatory systems which work together to deliver the nutrients and oxygen our skin cells need to nourish the skin from the inside out. Another benefit is that facial acupuncture helps to produce collagen which improves the skin's elasticity which then minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
Cosmetic Acupuncture vs. Botox
Now that you know what to expect with a typical facial acupuncture session, let's look at the difference between this and a typical Botox treatment. Unlike facial acupuncture, Botox can't treat the wrinkles that are due to aging or exposure to the sun. Botox only works on smile and frown lines. Users also might not be able to raise their eyebrows or have other facial expressions.
With Botox treatments, there is also a risk of paralysis of the surrounding muscles, and it could also cause the upper eyelid to droop. Botox also provides only temporary results. Think of it this way, the more you get Botox, the more you need to achieve that same result. And Botox treatments can get pricey with some costing up to $600 every three to four months. And one of the biggest concerns is that the long-term effects are just not that well known.
What the Research Says
A 2013 study found that facial acupuncture contributed to better skin elasticity. Other studies have reported outcomes like the skin becoming more delicate and fairer, diminished wrinkles, brighter complexion and an overall rejuvenation that isn't just confined to the face.
A typical course of treatment consists of approximately 10-14 consecutive treatments depending on the desired results, two times per week for five to seven weeks. Users may notice positive results after just a few sessions, but the full course of treatments allows for deeper and lasting results. Regular maintenance sessions can help to maintain results.
It's also important to note that your acupuncturist will not just treat your face, but your whole body as well. Each treatment is tailored to how each patient is aging. No two people receive the same treatments because each person's aging process is their own. There are a variety of issues that can develop due to aging such as sleep disorders, chronic pain or digestive issues. All of these things must be addressed for any acupuncture treatments to be effective.
Your acupuncturist will do a thorough health intake to assess your issues, address your concerns and answer any questions. If Botox and its side effects have you nervous about long-term use, talk to your acupuncturist about facial acupuncture and how it might get you results that are just as good, if not better, with far less risk. Put your best face forward with facial acupuncture!


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Be free, watch with HDfury
to capture when we design our products.
Our design
Harnessing the power of electronic technology for the purpose of creating quality audio/video experiences has always taken a specialized skill and understanding. When we founded our company in 2007, many technologies were in their infancy… some still had yet to be invented. Even in those early days, HDfury was known for its unparalleled expertise, creative thinking, and tireless energy for getting the job done right.
That reputation stands today, with a proven track record of project excellence in producing and distributing devices that run the show of light, video, sound, integrated control systems, streaming, recording, broadcast, TV, and newly emerging performance technology. HDfury unites professionals from all over the world, developers from Finland, US, Swiss and Russia with successful production facility from Taiwan are working hands in hands as a Pro Team.
We take pride of what we do and value friendly relationships among strong individuals united with one common goal. Our highly qualified employees can find individual approach to each client and that brings our customer support to the next level. We are open to discussion and welcome any feedback so you can send your questions and/or suggestions using the contact form or online chat and we will get back to you asap.
HDfury has always been a design company at heart. The Innovation Department, responsible for the development of new concepts and products is the beating heart and the engine of the company.
The brand new HDfury Vertex, following the release of the HDfury Integral and HDfury Linker, breathes the legacy of 10 years of design and knowledge. Having evolved over time, the iconic all-in-one HDfury remains unsurpassed with regards to its defining functionalities.
Now all of our upcoming devices, including the HDfury Vertex, will share the same design principles: design and engineering, aesthetics and functionality, form and function, have come together seamlessly.
How does that turn into real AV World? Watch Vertex, an optimal UHD Premium device passing and scaling all HDR/HDMI/HDCP signals in existence today, offering iOS/Android APP, Windows GUI, InfraRed, WiFi control with On Screen Display and Informative OLED display. Simply, Tomorrow's Hardware Today.
Why choose us
At HDfury, we provide the market most innovative and disruptive devices as well as customized solutions – from design and procurement, to installation and service- all tailored to meet the exact needs of our clients. Our team goes beyond the basics in each of our operations to provide leading-edge solutions that exceed expectations and stand the test of time. When a vision becomes a reality it is not by chance, there is a successful team of people behind it. We look forward to making your project a success story as well.
Rocking the HD and UHD scene since 2007! HDfury is installed in, at the Miami American Airlines Arena, Manchester United Stadium and others places where reliability and efficiency count such as Luxury cruising boats, airplanes, theaters and others.
Quality has always been at the core of us, as we want our products to last whilst being used every day. To ensure the highest quality, we like to be in charge of the entire development and production process – from the first sketch to the final furious device. We produce limited quantity of exclusive design for professionals, installers and experts around the globe.
Integral, Linker and Vertex (as well as previous models) are endorsed by top notch calibrators and professionals integrators in the HT industry.
We ship everyday and overnight! Slow economic or fast shipping in express with tracking number! We can reach any place in the world in 2 days MAX.
Team HDfury have a proven successful history in designing the most advanced video converters ever!
Our devices are though, made and tested by and for HT addicts&hobbyists. We offer trade-in, upgrade and replacement service to our customers!
HDfury unleash your full equipment capabilities and give a new life to your existing AVR or Display hardware!


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I made this hexagon crib quilt for a sweet friend's baby girl earlier this year. It was one of those projects that got started and then put aside and then finished and then put aside before making it's way to this space. It's similar to the one I made Elsie and Jeremy for their wedding but on a smaller scale and made from vintage sheets I had in my stash. I think it's also one of my favorites!
I knew the basic colors she was looking for and mixed in stripes to help balance out all the florals. I stayed within the pink, peach, yellow colorway and used an organic cotton batting and another vintage sheet for the back. Since machine-quilting a hexagon design would be really tricky to manage on my machine I just hand-tied it together in the center of each flower with embroidery thread. I don't remember the specific measurements but I was going for crib-sized which is about 45" x 60".
I'd suggest this project to anyone who feels mildly comfortable with sewing but it may be a bit much for a beginner. The key to any sewing project with lots of pieces you need to align is to stay consistent in everything - your measuring, your cutting, and your seam allowance. The more consistent everything is, the better it's going to look. However, I'm of the opinion that imperfections in quilts only add to their charm!
1. Supplies: Gather cotton fabrics in 5-8 coordinating prints or colors. Vintage sheets are great because they usually don't cost much but you can always use solids or prints from your local fabric store. The amount of fabric you'll need depends on the size of your quilt. I used about 1/2 yard of seven different fabrics plus half a full-sized sheet for my backing. This turned out to make a 45" x 60" crib quilt. You'll also need low loft batting, straight pins, painter's tape, rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, cutting mat, iron, ironing board, sheers, three skeins of embroidery thread (or more), cereal box. 2. Print out the hexagon shape or source your own. You can enlarge or shrink it according to your taste. I traced mine onto chipboard (cereal box) to use as a template. Then I placed that template directly onto fabric I'd folded four times, and using my acrylic ruler to mimic the edges, cut around it with my rotary knife. 3. Each flower will have six of the same fabric for the petals and a different fabric for the center. 4. Place one of the petals face down on top of the center petal and align the edges you're going to stitch together on the left side. Pin in place.
5. Place those two hexagons under your machine and stitch from about 1/4" in from the edge starting about 1/4 from the top of the left side all the way to about 1/4" from the bottom of the left side. I started and ended my stitching with just enough room to bend my hexagons to stitch the next petal to the center. Fold it back and iron flat. 6. Instead of placing the next petal below it on the center petal, I'm placing it face down on the petal I just stitched. Stitch those two together at the edge where they'll meet being sure to mimic the 1/4" starting and stopping points and stitching 1/4 from the edge (seam allowance). 7. Then fold that same petal so that it's facing down on top of the center petal and align the edges where they meet. Pin. 8. This is a close up to see how to make sure your corners are meeting up as best they can. This will give you the crispest folds when you iron it flat.
9. Go ahead and stitch that edge. You can see I'm leaving a tiny bit of space between the stitching from the last hexagon and the stitching on this one. This helps the fabric have some folding room. 10. Lay those three pieces flat and iron your seams. I tend to iron all of the connecting petal edges in the same direction but then iron the center petal seams flat. 11. Repeat with the next petal by folding it on top of the last petal you just added. 12. Repeat until you have added all of the petals to form a complete flower. 13. Iron the front and back flat. 14. This is a close up of my corners. Some are great and some are a bit wrinkled but don't fret. 15. This is how the back seams should look. 16. Continue making flowers until you're happy with your amount.
17. Once you've laid out all of your flowers, pin two together by folding one flower carefully over where you want your petals to meet. Starting on that petal, stitch your edges together where they should meet. You'll have to do some flower wrestling as you go to keep lining the right edges up. Unfold after a few petals to see where you're going and to make sure you're not sewing the wrong edges together. After you do it once you'll figure it out. 18. Iron everything flat. You'll have some blank spots along your edges that you'll need to add filler hexagons to. Continue with your color pattern to give it a seamless look. This part might feel tedious but it's necessary. Once you're done, trim your edges so they're straight.
19. Next is the quilting. I stitched mine together and folded it right side out and stitched up the hole by hand so I layered my batting and then my sheet backing face up before placing my quilt top face down. If you're going to be doing a sandwich quilt and adding binding you'll want to put the backing down face down and then the batting and the quilt top face up. For a smooth fit I taped my cotton batting to the floor so that it was stretched flat but not taut. It'll shrink in the wash anyway. Then I put my large vintage sheet over it face up and then finally put my quilt top face down. I aligned my edges with about 2"-3" of extra backing fabric and batting around the perimeter of the quilt top. 20. Next I pinned my three pieces together with straight pins. I added them in all of the full corners, in the center of each flower, along the edges, etc. I over did it because I didn't want any bunching. I suggest starting from the center and smoothing your way out to opposing sides.
21. Then I stitched all around the perimeter of the quilt top edge with about 1/2" seam allowance starting from almost the center of one side. I stopped stitching when I got to about 8" from where I started. This is necessary for turning the whole thing right side out. 22. I trimmed the excess from my edges and turned it right side out and then ironed the edges flat all the way around. 23. I got busy hand-tying next making sure to stitch through from the top twice before double-knotting my embroidery thread and trimming to about 1" of thread. 24. Lastly I hand-stitched my opening shut with an invisible stitch and trimmed all the excess loose threads. Your final step would be to wash and hang dry for a cozy look. I recommend washing in cold water and hanging to dry to keep your quilt in good shape much longer.
I was thrilled with how it turned out! Finishing a quilt always feels like such an accomplishment because there is a lot of work that goes into each one but it's such a therapeutic experience for me, too. It usually means a few movies on Netflix, enjoying Ruby working along side me with her own project, and chats with Sebastian about whether lightning can strike you while you're taking a bath, etc. Those peripheral experiences while making a quilt always stay with me longer because I'm so focused while I'm sewing. They seem to embed themselves in a shared memory.
I know this quilt is being appreciated by it's family and I'm happy to share my process with machine sewing hexagons. I tried the traditional paper piecing long ago and realized I just didn't have the patience for it yet and knew it could surely be done with the right amount of give and take on a machine.
There are so many ways color patterns could be manipulated using hexagons to make something completely different. This turned out to look more traditionally like a Grandma's Garden pattern but using a random mix of solids or stripes could look much more modern and geometric.
As with any quilting project my best advice is to just get started. You may not finish it in a weekend but each time you try you learn something new and gain confidence in your sewing skills.
If you're not feeling up to hexagons I have a much more simple quilt tutorial for beginners using large squares. You can pair it down to a smaller size and it can easily be finished in one sitting.
Feel free to link up to this tutorial if you make your own and be sure to send photos!