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Philip Ball visited Roger Penrose (85) in Oxford, talked to him, and wrote the profile
Roger Penrose and the vision thingin the Prospect Magazine. It's fun reading but I surely have mixed feelings. Penrose is a very creative guy who has done some cool things and I agree with many of his views about the organization of the research and "style" that is being suppressed. On the other hand, his views on many important technical questions – and not just difficult ones – are childishly wrong and the self-congratulatory tone of the article is undoubtedly excessive.
Much of the article is about the funding and researchers' freedom to think. I sort of agree although my agreement has its limits, as I will discuss momentarily. People are being overwhelmed by bureaucracy and the expectation to publish regularly which is why they spend lots of time by writing papers, often papers that almost nobody reads, instead of working on potentially bigger things with an X Factor that could wow everybody – and they could do these things in a more relaxing atmosphere.
Penrose or Ball also complains that things are too polished, you need pizzazz, and state-of-the-art facilities. Well, I don't think so. I – and others I know – didn't have a problem to largely denounce polish and pizzazz. And state-of-the-art facilities aren't that bad. They just naturally come with the growing wealth of the society. I assure you that I would be doing just fine as a homeless guy – and this is not meant to be an exaggeration or a joke. On the other hand, I don't see how state-of-the-art facilities could hurt.
People publish papers because there's some competition and they need to show that they have something to be hired or rehired or given grants. You can't eliminate this feedback entirely. To some extent, one must always get research-related jobs or grants because he has already shown some ability to produce interesting results. The system just couldn't work well if it were employing random people as researchers, could it? So if I take the article literally, I think that Penrose is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Some relationship between a typical researcher's material well-being or job sustainability and his output has to exist which will always place some pressure on his or her production of some results. The society or special sponsors could fund many more people "without too many questions". I think that it could work better for some folks, usually top folks. But I don't think it would work well for a majority of the researchers. For the median researcher, research is just another job and it has to be verified that he or she is actually doing something.
I think that the Harvard Society of Fellows was a nicely balanced job environment. You may be nominated, a shortlist is picked, some candidates undergo interviews – with a bunch of senior Harvard scholars in diverse fields – and about 10% of them get hired as Junior Fellows. Their salary is higher than the regular postdoc salaries. For three years, their only duty is to attend a monstrous dinner on Monday with the senior fellows and guests (often Nobel prize winners and other VIPs) and somewhat more regular Tuesday, Friday lunches with junior fellows only.
The dinners have about 7 courses and to guarantee that the special cooks of the Society have the resources, some junior fellows volunteer and serve as wine stewards, cheese stewards, and chocolate stewards – buying wine, cheese, and chocolate sometimes for $100 a bottle, pound, or bar. ;-)
And they have to interact with everyone else – because the founder of the Society, a former president of Harvard, believed that the interaction between smart folks from different fields is very important. It was surely fun and intellectually stimulating. At the end, I am not quite certain whether these interactions are so important for the progress of the disciplines themselves. A junior fellow isn't obliged to write any bureaucracy over 3 years and doesn't have to teach. It's really "forbidden" at some level for anyone to use him or her in the teaching process but in practice, exceptions are often granted.
I think that this setup is the most relaxed or generic one that makes sense. It was a good enough environment for me to do research and other things. I do believe that it could spread – and similar jobs could be established even at less famous universities, perhaps with lower salaries. And I think that a similar setup could be established even for achieved "mature" scholars. But I don't believe that most of the young people trying to do some scholarship could be funded in this way. The room for abuse is just huge. If you have tens of thousands of such people in the world, it's just impossible that each of them discovers some results of global importance.
Ball's article admits that funding issues didn't get "bad" just in recent decades. Albert Einstein didn't turn out to be a complete loser as a physicist but he still had to work as a bureaucrat in a Swiss patent office during the most productive year of his career. Well, it's unavoidable. Einstein was really zero in science before 1905. It changed abruptly and the revolution couldn't have been quite predicted before it took place. And after all, I think that his job in the patent office was convenient enough and it could provide him with a better environment to think about important ideas than most other jobs or environments, including jobs at universities.
There are surely lots of things that both Penrose and I have always found annoying. Like writing one's CV. Holy crap. But again, I think that at the end, Penrose tends to go too far and miss the importance of some mechanisms that can't be quite eliminated. Ball worships Penrose almost as a unique and singular living genius – well, the words are probably too much – but we also see criticisms of some inventions such as the h-index:
One widely-used metric is the so-called h-index, which measures consistency of citation: if you have published 20 papers that each earn at least 20 citations, your h-index is 20. Even though this number is, by construction, bound to rise over the course of a career, Penrose's h-index is still nothing special today—which shows it is not a measure of everything that matters in a creative and influential scientist.The h-index is a rather arbitrary metric. There are many situations in which I find the overall number of citations a better metric – that's surely the case of a researcher who makes a revolution and writes 1 or several papers only. But when I look at the INSPIRE's value of Penrose's h-index, I see he has 36 or 38 (published in journals or all). Sorry but I find this number to be an utterly fair and reasonable quantification of Penrose's contributions to research in related fields of science. So you know, I would dare to say that there is an alternative to the "conclusion"
Penrose's h-index is still nothing special today—which shows it is not a measure of everything that matters in a creative and influential scientist.The alternative is that the index at 36 or 38 shows that Penrose is overhyped by journalists, book publishers, and some filmmakers. Quite generally, Penrose's image and not just his cold hard results is cool. I am attracted to that image of a genius that doesn't need to rely on anyone else, too. But I am still sane enough to realize that much of it is "arts", a creation of the writers of popular articles and reviews such as Philip Ball himself.
Penrose is very broad but there are other broad people, too. A problem with some very broad people is that they're shallow, that there is no specialization in which their thinking and knowledge really reaches the greatest depths. Think about some skillful people who have many hobbies. They can do lots of things but they're very far from the top professional or Olympic athletes in all of them. Now, you know, I think that Penrose is ultimately also rather shallow in the fields that I know. I will discuss it at the end.
Ball describes some circumstances of big intellectual events in Penrose's life. He comes from a highly intellectual family. The Escher pictures, impossible staircase and Penrose triangle etc., were invented by Roger Penrose along with his father. Ball also discusses how Penrose got into general relativity when it wasn't really hot – which is nice evidence that Penrose really evaluates the substance independently and wasn't "in it for the money". And he brought Hawking to general relativity etc. The fresh film about Hawking is mentioned, Penrose isn't too satisfied with the actor who was supposed to be Penrose (and not quite with the film's "Hawking", either).
Finally, I want to mention Penrose's criticism directed against some pillars of contemporary theoretical physics. Recall that his words fashion, faith, and fantasy that appear in the title of his latest book refer to string theory, quantum mechanics, and inflationary cosmology, respectively.
These three F-words are just three ways to insult important and ingenious ideas that Penrose decided to dislike, for wrong, irrational, as well as personal reasons. He picked "fashion" for string theory because it still seems like a doable task to convince others that string theory should go away soon. But you know, it hasn't. String theory will soon be 50 years old and there still doesn't seem to be any alternative how to go beyond quantum field theory. String theory is still the only game in town. Ball and Penrose may work hard to deny this fact but that's the only thing they can do against it. They know that if they actually had a counterexample, another comparably promising game in town, they could name it and boast it. Even 47 years after the birth of string theory, there's nothing of the sort. When some theory is studied for 47 years – by some three generations of physicists – does it really make any sense to call it "fashion"?
Quantum mechanics was insulted using the word "faith" because Penrose knows that it is unlikely that he will convince others that it's a fad that will soon die away. Instead, it's already pretty old – over 90 years – which is why Penrose chose to compare it to some religions that are also old. If you believe in quantum mechanics, you must be analogous to religious bigots, Penrose implicitly and sometimes explicitly says. He proposes that general relativity should survive in its exact form while quantum mechanics has to be "bent". This contradicts pretty much everything that physics has learned about these matters, especially in recent decades. The postulates of quantum mechanics are as rigid as the basic rules of logic or probability calculus – they're really just an "update" of the classical ways to think. On the other hand, general relativity is just another effective field theory, bound to be corrected by numerous corrections of many types when studied more accurately. It's clear which of them has to "bend" to become more compatible with the other. Penrose has no justification for his opposite assertion which is why he hasn't published any – after all, there isn't any. An average researcher with the h-index at 38 surely knows better than Penrose. I think it's embarrassing for Penrose to say such things.
Inflation is insulted as "fantasy" simply because Penrose relies on the irrational reaction by the laymen who find some numbers in cosmology and especially inflation too large, impossible to imagine, which is why they tend to buy such demagogic labels. Again, there is nothing scientifically justifiable about this criticism.
In the case of the criticisms of string theory, Penrose boasts to have "different reasons" to criticize string theory than your median Šmoits in your city's sewerage system. He knows that the criticisms concerning testability are bogus – string theory obviously is testable in principle and basically none of the ideas he has ever worked on in his life are testable in practice, either, which is why such a criticism would be silly and suicidal even from his perspective. Unfortunately, the bulk of the stupid people prefer to hear the criticisms by Šmoits and not Penrose. So not only Penrose has made zero contributions to string theory: he hasn't tangibly influenced the demagogic anti-string movement, either.
Penrose says that the extra dimensions are "unstable" and the total number of dimensions above four is bad because "twistors are cool and only possible in four dimensions".
This simple sentence summarizes basically all the reasons why Penrose thinks it is legitimate for a theoretical physicist in 2017 to reject string theory. But a good theoretical physics graduate student knows why these comments are just plain rubbish. String theory's vacua are stable. This is most obvious if you start with the vacua that have a high degree of supersymmetry. Supersymmetry generally guarantees stability – either of the spacetime or objects. It's basically because in supersymmetric theories, the energy may be written as the square of a Hermitian supercharge operator,\[
\] or a sum of such squares etc. This formula guarantees that the energy is non-negative and it can't drop any deeper from the ground state – and a decay or an instability would need the energy to drop deeper. This basic idea may be applied to states in the whole spacetime or excitations of an object (such as a brane) etc. Penrose's comments that the stringy extra-dimensional spacetimes are unstable is just stupid. If he revealed these "views" while being hired as a formal theoretical particle physicist today, he would indeed be rejected, not hired, and it is absolutely sensible that he would be rejected because his "opinions" are just plain stupid and the worshiping by some journalists who don't have a clue about the stability of spacetimes (and much simpler things, too) can't change anything about these matters.
His comment that "twistors only work in four dimensions" is also misleading. First, spinors obviously exist in every dimension, the group \(SO(m,n)\) has a locally identical cousin \(Spin(m,n)\) which has spinor representations. Twistors are more than spinors, they allow you to replace the spacetime coordinates by some spinor-like coordinates instead. We know how it's done in \(D=4\) but qualitatively similar constructions exist in other dimensions, too. In some sense, this "coincidence in \(D=4\)" arises because a spinor has (about) the same number of components as a spacetime vector. But similar coincidences also exist in \(D=3,4,6,10\), the dimensions in which superstring theory exists classically. Quantum mechanically, one of those cases is favored but it is \(D=10\), not \(D=4\). The spacetime dimensionalities that actually offer us the maximum "synergy" between vectors and spinors are the maximally dimensional supersymmetric spacetimes in \(D=11\) (M-theory) and, with some disclaimers, \(D=12\) (F-theory). And contemporary theoretical physics knows many "hybrid" descriptions that use some spinorial degrees of freedom for some dimensions and vector degrees of freedom for others, perhaps in curved spacetimes, and other related things. The opinion that Penrose's minimal, non-supersymmetric, \(D=4\) twistor is the only thing of the kind that is worth studying is an indefensible symptom of his egotism.
It's questionable whether the "existence of a twistor description" is a law of physics one should expect. It's not quite clear whether twistors are totally sufficient to describe quantum gravitational phenomena in \(D=4\). All such things have been intensely studied in recent 15 years. It's too bad that Penrose wasn't able to register any of this progress. I have often dreamed about the resuscitation of Isaac Newton – we could see his happy eyes if he were taught relativity, quantum mechanics, string theory that he would surely understand. I think that Newton was really smart and let me admit, yup, I would love to resuscitate him to finally have a real peer. ;-)
But you know, Penrose calms down my desire to resuscitate Newton. Maybe Newton's eyes wouldn't be happy at all. Maybe he would react just like any average man. That's surely how Penrose reacts to much of the progress in string theory – but even in the twistor minirevolution. He clearly doesn't have a clue what was going on. It's sad because what has been happening was and still is extremely exciting. The amount of ingenious ideas found by some ingenious people – and those who are "in" surely know that there are other people who are about as ingenious as Penrose if not more so – has greatly surpassed the original ideas realized by Penrose. The amount of related stuff that just works is already large.
While I have still lots of respect for Penrose, I see how much of his fame has been fabricated. On one hand, Penrose is worshiped as a natural genius who doesn't need to rely on any "infrastructure" let alone grants, CVs, and h-indices. On the other hand, his being a top physicist increasingly depends on journalists, book publishers, and perhaps filmmakers. Arts are exciting but science is something else and at the end, one's importance to science is more tightly correlated with boring and imperfect indices than with the enthusiasm of the folks in the humanities and the entertainment industry.


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|1,321 free recipes at www.edenfoods.com
Serves 4 | Prep Time 10 minutes | Cook Time 15 minutes
1/2 cup Eden Whole Leaf Dulse
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups Eden Oat Flakes
2 ounces Eden Dry Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, 1/2 package
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the dulse on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until crispy. Remove and set aside.
Bring water to a boil and add the oat flakes. Reduce the flame to medium low, cover and simmer 5 minutes. While the oats are cooking, place the baked dulse and pumpkin seeds in a blender. Grind to a fine powder by pulsing and mixing several times. Place the oats in serving bowls, garnish with berries and sprinkle the pumpkin seed dulse condiment on each serving.

subset: commoncrawl


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Traditional lei greeting; guided sightseeing; visit Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial & Museum
Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu'u Bake Shop, and Kona Coffee Living History Farm; luau and Polynesian show
Lunch at Kilohana Plantation and scenic train ride; visit 'Opaeka'a Falls and Spouting Horn; visit Waimea Canyon and Kauai Coffee Company
Visit `Iao Valley, Lahaina
Grand Hawaii Vacation 2020 with Globus Tours
13 days
Whether you're snorkeling in Hawaii's tranquil waters, admiring the spectacular beauty of Kauai, or just relaxing on the warm sands of Waikiki Beach, no one brings out Hawaii's best like Globus. From Pearl Harbor's famous Battleship Row to a festive luau with authentic Polynesian dancing, Hawaii's allure to vacationers is powerful indeed and on this Hawaii tour, you'll visit Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui—along with their most famous attractions.
Feel the sand in your feet as the ocean waves roll over them, and marvel at the black-sand beaches on Hawaii's Big Island. Watch the surfers attempt to master the waves in Waikiki Beach. Be mesmerized by the pineapple and sugar cane fields, and thoroughly savor Kona coffee, some of the best coffee in the world! Revitalize your spirit at Kauai's Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific;" Maui's Haleakala National Park, with its volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rainforest; and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you'll learn about this active volcano.
On this Hawaii tour, Globus has also arranged some out-of-the-ordinary experiences for you. In Kona, sample the famous Hawaiian sweetbread at a Punalu'u Bake Shop. Coffee fans will enjoy visiting the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, where you'll learn about Kona's coffee industry, and Kauai Coffee Company, Hawaii's largest coffee plantation.
All of this and more await you in the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands. So let Globus handle all the details on this Hawaii tour while you relax, capture photos, savor the food, and enjoy yourself on this amazing vacation
Upon arrival to the island of Oahu, you are greeted in the traditional Polynesian way—with a warm aloha and a LEI of fresh flowers. Transfer to your hotel in Waikiki. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
A breakfast get-together with your Tour Director reviews activities scheduled throughout your stay. Next, a tour of PEARL HARBOR's famous Battleship Row. Listen to a narration of the dramatic air attack of December 7, 1941, and visit the USS Arizona and the impressive MEMORIAL dedicated to the 1,102 men still entombed. You will also have an opportunity to visit the MUSEUM, an excellent way to learn about Pearl Harbor Day, the Japanese strategy and military craft, and the individuals involved in the attack. Then, on to Punchbowl National Cemetery with its beautiful views of Honolulu. Other sights include Chinatown, the Hawaii State Capitol, royal 'Iolani Palace, and the statue of Kamehameha the Great. Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at your hotel.
Today is free to relax, swim, enjoy water sports, or laze on the beach. Take the optional excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center for authentic island arts, crafts, history, music, a dinner buffet, and a spectacular Polynesian show with more than 100 performers. This evening, enjoy an optional sunset cruise with dinner, Hawaiian cocktails, and splendid views of the glittering Waikiki coastline and Diamond Head.
Board a morning flight to the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Upon arrival in Hilo on the east coast, drive to HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. Here, see Kilauea Crater, rising 4,090 feet above a volcanic wonderland of steaming fire pits, lava tubes, and fern forests. Next, enjoy an included lunch followed by a stop at PUNALU'U BAKE SHOP to sample the famous Hawaiian sweetbread introduced to the area by Portuguese sugar workers in the 19th century. This traditional favorite is not to be missed! Continue on to Kona, your home for the next three nights.
This morning, visit the KONA COFFEE LIVING HISTORY FARM, a working coffee and macadamia nut farm, where you have the opportunity to learn about the history of Kona's coffee industry and the remarkable pioneers who established these farms. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a festive LUAU. You'll have the chance to learn to hula, try some traditional Hawaiian specialties like poi, and see captivating performances by Polynesian musicians and dancers.
Today is free for independent activities. Find a special place to relax poolside and enjoy the warm tropical sun and balmy breezes, enjoy an optional snorkeling cruise to Kealakekua Bay, or join the optional helicopter flightseeing excursion.
A scenic flight to the "Garden Isle" of Kauai, whose lush landscapes featuring orchids, hibiscus, and plumeria are often used as a setting for Hollywood films depicting tropical paradise. Upon arrival, proceed to KILOHANA PLANTATION and join your Tour Director, who hosts a special lunch. Afterward, enjoy a narrated TRAIN RIDE which takes you on a tour of the historic plantation that passes through fruit orchards, lush gardens, and tropical farmland. Next, view pretty `Opaeka`a Falls on the Wailua River before continuing to your resort.
Spend the day as you please! Take in refreshing ocean breezes from the beautiful white-sand beaches, immersing yourself in the heart of the island's beauty. No activities have been scheduled today to give you time to relax and enjoy your oceanfront resort. Optional tours include helicopter flightseeing or a zipline adventure in the mountains.
Drive to Waimea, once the Polynesian capital of Kauai and the site where Captain Cook landed in the islands in 1778. Sightseeing highlights include WAIMEA CANYON, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and Hanapepe Valley. A stop at the largest coffee plantation in Hawaii, KAUAI COFFEE COMPANY, includes time at the visitor center, where you can learn about coffee production and the history of the Kauai Coffee Company. En route back to your hotel see SPOUTING HORN, the famous blowhole created from a lava tube. Spend your last evening on Kauai relaxing at the resort, exploring further, or indulging yourself in some souvenir shopping.
A morning flight takes you to the "Valley Island" of Maui. Drive to the lush `IAO VALLEY to see the `Iao Needle, a spectacular volcanic spire. Visit LAHAINA, then continue on to Ka`anapali, your home for the next three nights. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Enjoy a free day in Maui. Perhaps take an optional excursion to Haleakala National Park, site of the huge volcanic Haleakala Crater, known as the "House of the Sun." In 1980, this native ecosystem of cinder cones and dense rainforest was designated an International Biosphere Reserve. Another choice is the "Road to Hana," one of the world's most impressive drives, with 54 bridges and numerous waterfalls. There's plenty of time in the afternoon to relax and enjoy your hotel's facilities and beach.
Today enjoy an included CRUISE. From mid-November to mid-April, take a cruise to search for the humpback whales that populate the waters. The remainder of the year features a cruise on the Reef Dancer, a semi-submarine that features an underwater viewing cabin where you can observe marine life and the beautiful coral reef. From the deck of the boat, enjoy beautiful views of Lahaina. The remainder of your day is at leisure until tonight's farewell dinner.
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Terms and Conditions
Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Globus, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $449. Required intra-vacation air segments are: Honolulu/Hilo; Kona/Lihue; Lihue/Kahului. Air prices were effective on June 5, 2019 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.Supplement to upgrade to oceanfront rooms in Honolulu, Kona, and Maui and oceanview in Kauai: $580.Prices are per person, based on double room occupancy.
Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase.
Single Room Supplement:
$1,760 to $1,895; oceanfront rooms in Honolulu, Kona, and Maui and oceanview in Kauai $2,270 to $2,405
Triple Room Reduction per person:
$185 to $205; oceanfront rooms in Honolulu, Kona, and Maui and oceanview in Kauai $355 to $375
Extra Nights per person in Honolulu (city view):
January-November (2020): in single room $278; in twin room $144; in triple room $129
January-March (2021): in single room $298; in twin room $155; in triple room $138
Extra Nights per person in Honolulu (oceanfront):
January-November (2020): in single room $437; in twin room $224; in triple room $182
January-March (2021): in single room $471; in twin room $241; in triple room $196
Extra Nights per person in Maui (partial oceanview):
January-November (2020): in single room $384; in twin room $213; in triple room $186
January-March (2021): in single room $410; in twin room $226; in triple room $198
Extra Nights per person in Maui (oceanfront):
January-November (2020): in single room $441; in twin room $242; in triple room $205
January-March (2021): in single room $472; in twin room $257; in triple room $218
2021 prices and itineraries are subject to change. Details will be available in June 2020.
Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Globus, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (the Traveler) and Globus, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.
View full Terms & Conditions
Important Notes
- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required for Globus to reserve space for you. View Terms & Conditions for limited exceptions.
- The following charges are not included in the land vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; Intra-vacation air unless specified in the itinerary; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $11.20 per person, passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $4.00 per segment, and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government-imposed added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas (except on Cuba programs) and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Globus Group Leader in Cuba, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature.
Booking your Vacation with Air
For air departure dates within 331 days, you'll be offered a choice of carriers and flight schedules as well as price points to choose from when selecting your flights. Your schedule will be provided to you at the time of booking (schedules are subject to change by carriers). Globus offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex Air allows flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. Guaranteed air-inclusive prices: air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $300 per person non-refundable air deposit is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus non-refundable per person service fee ($30 for North/Central America, $50 for Europe/Middle East and $80 for all other destinations. Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Air-Inclusive Vacations — Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air-inclusive vacations include government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees, or you can visit www.iflybags.com for up-to-date baggage pricing/restrictions. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.


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Minutes walk to the marina
Star Rating
Cowes week rental Accommodation, Cowes Isle of Wight for 12 people
If you are looking for a holiday or short break in Cowes then we have a huge range of holiday accommodation to choose from. We have apartments, cottages, town houses and country houses.
Property Ref: 121
Very impressive newly renovated (2011) four bedroom house with seperate two bedroom annexe. Huge entrtaining areas and large garden with decked area, the remainder laid to lawn. Fully fitted kitchen and seperate utility area with mega-flow tank so loads of hot water for the many bathrooms. Big TV's wifi etc. make this a great house for entertaining. Beds can be doubles or twins in all but one room. The annexe has two bedrooms, a further bathroom, and a living room, perfect for owner accommodation or for guests needing privacy.+ More details
Property Ref: 126
Six bedroomed house sleeping twelve on Mill Hill Road. Lots of bathrooms, parking and outside space. All rooms have TV and washbasins, three are en-suite. Good sized entertaining rooms, wifi and usual ameneties. Big utility area perfect for drying clothes and storing sails. Parking for two cars. A spacious house perfect for teams or corporate use.+ More details
Property Ref: 132
A fabulously well presented detached property minutes walk of the marina with sea views. Sleeps 12 comfortably. Ample parking. Situated on a quiet street so ideal for those wanting peace and quiet whilst being close to the action.+ More details
Property Ref: 76
A very large and spacious six bedroomed house on one ot the most prestigious roads in Cowes. Walkable from the town centre with sea views and loads of entertaining room. Newly redecorated with large garden and parking for at least ten cars. Ideal for corporate or large family use.+ More details
Property Ref: 83
A stunning Victorian tardis! Corporate heaven, with 5 bedrooms and many en suites, bath and shower rooms. Seaviews, decked garden, conservatory, and stunning kitchen make this an ideal property for corporate lets. The owners are able to provide a catering package if required.+ More details
Property Ref: 25
Well presented semi detached house with good sized garden and parking. Sleeps up to twelve in seven bedrooms, two singles, two twins, two bunk rooms and one convertible twin/king sized bed. Kitchen, two dining rooms one seats eight and the other fourteen and lounge. Two bathrooms both with bath and shower over. Handy for Shepards Wharf and GBR.+ More details


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Today, Twitter rolled out several enhancements that make it easier to view photos and videos on Twitter — in particular, on profiles and in search results.
- Large photos, right on the page. Click a photo from a profile page or in search results to see a larger version of that photo without leaving the page.
- Video. Media galleries now include videos from Vine, YouTube, Vimeo, and other partners whose videos appear in expanded Tweets.
What's more, tweet pages now let you see more of the conversation related to a Tweet. Check out this Tweet from @jimmyfallon, asking users to tweet embarrasing stories, or this Tweet from @NickKristof, asking why there are so few female bosses. Scroll down to view more replies to the Tweet, and you can see replies to those replies too.


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Latest News
WA Prokiller 2000F, Maruzen MP5K, KSC Glock 19 (2001-10-20)Prokiller 2000F
More power from a full length silencer encased inner barrel, this full auto pistol packs a wallop. With the inner barrel extended to almost twice its original length, the power of the 2000F rivals that of the original Prokiller 2000, but with the option of full-auto too! Get one now!
M1A2 Abrams RC Tank
The original RC tank was a hit and this latest M1A2 replica will surely play to the hearts of many of our customers. Featuring 360 degree turret, ability to climb steep inclines, and the power to shoot a BB 25 meters from its barrel, this RC tank makes for some interesting skirmishing scenarios.
Maruzen Gas Blowback MP5K
Probably the most anticipated release of Summer 2001, Maruzen has been in the works to release a full auto gas blowback version of the popular MP5K. Gas will be charged into each magazine so you can keep shooting as long as you have an ample supply of spare magazines. Features metal front sights and magazines in two sizes, this machine gun will surely be a hit.
Another widely anticipated release for this year, TOP has been working on the electric M249 for some time now. Slated for a late October release, we have received many inquiries on this 5.2Kg machine gun already. Rumor has it that it will readily take a Marui M16 magazine as well, just like the real steel version. Stay tuned for the latest on this beauty!
KSC TMP Hard-Kick Version
For fans of the KSC TMP machine gun, KSC has released an improved version with its patented hard-kick technology for greater blowback feel. Combat Magazine chose this Japanese Tomb Raider to pose for the new TMP. Frankly we still prefer Angelina Jolie!
KSC Glock 19
The Glock 19 has just been released. Sporting a much shorter frame than the Glock 17, the Glock 19 has a highly metallic lower frame that provides much greater realism to the touch. Priced to go, this new pistol is great value. Get one for yourself now!


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Top flight deals to Brasília (BSB)*
Fly to Brasília with KLM
Together with our global network, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers flights to Brasilia, serving Brasilia International Airport (BSB). With favourable flight schedules, we'll get you where you need to be on time.
Top Brasilia attractions
- Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil: an imposing structure which houses art galleries, a cinema and a café.
- Chapada Imperial Natural Reserve: a haven of wildlife, boasting more than 30 waterfalls.
- Flyboard Brasilia: an opportunity to try a new extreme water sport and feel like you're flying!
- Museu Nacional: an architectural icon which hosts art exhibitions and cultural events.
- Catedral Metropolitana: visually stunning, this is the Roman Catholic cathedral serving Brasilia.
From scuba diving and flyboarding to walks in the beautiful parks and the best sampling of Brazilian cuisine, Brasilia has the stage set for an unforgettable journey.
What's the best way to get around Brasilia?
Try to avoid the midday sun if you want to explore Brasilia on foot, and instead why don't you hop on a bus? The main bus station is at Rodoviaria, at the crossroads of Eixo Monumental and Eixo Rodovario, where you'll find many of the major tourist attractions. Taxis cost more during the evenings and weekends, so make sure you keep a map with you to avoid any "unexpected" detours.
What's the weather in Brasilia?
Brasilia has its wettest months between January and April, and again between October and December. The rain is at its heaviest between October and December, but that doesn't bring down the temperature! During Brasilia's "coolest" month, which is July, the temperature is still a nice 25°C (77°F).
Weather in Brasília
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18 °CWednesday12/08/2020
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*All amounts are in USD. Taxes and surcharges are included. No booking fee is applicable, but a payment surcharge may apply. Prices shown may vary depending on fare availability. You will see the final amount when selecting your payment method.


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Lil Wayne & Young Money: On Tha Bus Part 1
An Unreleased Can't Feel My Face Song Seems To Be Playing In The Background In The Beginning. Curren$y Spitting A Song Who's Title Seems To Be 'Have A Party'.. Wayne Symphatizes With 50 Cent At The End.
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The key features of an ORDBMS are:
- The ability to model easily extrapolated information within the data model itself, through use of user defined functions
- Extensibility with regard to types and functions, written in general purpose programming languages
Towards an Object-Relational AlgebraOne way to think of object-relational modelling is in the language of relational algebra. I haven't been able to find accepted notation for functions on individual tuples, so here I use f(relation) notation, to show that the function operates over the set of tuples in the relation.
Relational algebra as defined by Dr Codd is extremely important but it cannot solve certain classes of important queries and so SQL has gone beyond it. Important blind-spots include:
- Transitive operations at arbitrary depth. Transitive closure and "n next highest values" are both examples of this.
- Calculated data problems
We already know that elements of a tuple are functionally dependent on others if, and only if, for each value of the dependency, there is only one functionally dependent value. So if a is functionally dependent on b, for every b there is exactly one valid value of a. Functional dependency, as in algebra, is value-based, not expression-based.
I am choosing an algebraic-inspired notation for this, where f(R) is a function of relation R if, and only if, for every tuple in relation R, there is only one f(R).
f(R) is trivial if for every tuple (a, b, c) in relation R, f(R) returns a value or a tuple that is a subset of the tuple processed. So if for every tuple (a, b, c), if f(R) = a, or if f(R) = (a, c), then the function is trivial. Every trivial function also represents a trivial functional dependency within the tuple.
A function is relational if it can be expressed solely through relational algebra. All trivial functions can be expressed relationally (using π operations) and therefore are also relational. A relational function thus always specifies a functional data dependency in or between relations. Relational functions have the property of always denoting global functional dependencies.
A function is non-relational if it cannot be expressed solely through non-relational algebra, for example if it involves processing of the actual value of one or more of the tuple elements or their functional dependencies. If we have a relation (Emp) containing an attribute salary_per_wk, and annual_salary(Emp) = πsalary_per_wk * 52(Emp), then annual_salary is non-relational because it involves actual processing of data inside the tuple. Relational functions often can be expanded in relational operations but as far as relational operations, non-relational functions are black boxes and function very much like attributes of a relation.
For example id(R) = πid(R) and c(R) = πname(σid=id(R)(C)) are both relational functions, but only id(R) is trivial. c(R) represents essentially a join and subselect.
An example of a general operation in functional notation might be:
π age(R) (R). Similarly we can πname(R)(σage(R)=41(R))
Of course, we must be careful. Since age(R) is only locally functionally dependant, indexes are out of the question and we must be careful about specifying constraints. However defining a relation such that age(R) < 65 might prove problematic unless we are re-checking every day.
This would be similar to the following statement in PostgreSQL:
SELECT r.name
FROM employee r
WHERE r.age = 41;
where name and age are table methods. This allows us to store less information in the database (and hence with less duplication and chances for error) and extrapolate important information out of the data that is stored. It also allows us to store data in ways which are less traditional (nested structures etc) for the sole purpose of writing functions against it in that specific format and thus modelling constraints which cannot be modelled using more traditional structures (though as we have seen that poses significant gotchas and complexity costs).
Similarly recursive queries require recursive operators to work. I place a capital Greek Sigma (Σ) to signify recursion above the join operator. This is borrowed because it is the series designator elsewhere in mathematics. An optional maximum depth is specified as a subscript to the Σ. So Σ5 would indicate that the expression or join should be subject to no more than 5 iterations. In a recursive join, the join is repeated until the θ condition is no longer satisfied. The functions of path(R) and depth(R) are functionally dependent on the output of a recursive join, so Σ5 is identical to (σdepth(r)=5(Σ(...) r)). The choice of the Σ is also helpful because while Σ always returns an extended superset, σ always returns a subset.
Since path is functionally dependent on the output of a recursive join, we can prove transitive closure over a finite set using recursive self-joins, functions, and boolean operators. We can also express next highest N tuples results. Alternatively the Σ can be followed by parentheses to show that an entire expression should be repeated until it brings no further results into the set. In a Σ expression the set is divided into two subsets: previous and new. New results are those returned by the last iteration, and are the only ones processed for join conditions. On each iteration, the "new" tuples are moved into the previous set and the tuples which satisfied the join condition are moved into the "new" set.
I also use three other symbols for specifying order-dependent information. ω (omega) denotes a "window" order and partition in which aggregates can be applied to tuples in order, tuples can be removed from the beginning (α with a subscript for number of tuples to "skip") or truncated from the end (τ with a subscript for the number of tuples after which the set is to be truncated). These allow me to approach the problems which SQL can address but relational algebra cannot. An interesting property of ω is that the window order only is valid for some specific operations and is lost on any join or select operations. These operations have interesting properties as well but they are somewhat outside the scope of this posting. I will however note that it is usually cleaner to solve next N result issues with window ordering, tuple omission, and truncation than it is with recursion and aggregates.
Next: Towards a simple explanation of object-relational database systems.


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underleveraged(redirected from Underleverage)
Also found in: Dictionary.
Describing a company with too little debt. While it sounds strange, a company may be underleveraged because interest on bonds are usually tax deductible for the issuing company; thus, a bond issue can create higher earnings per share for stockholders. There is no metric for determining when a company is underleveraged and investors decide on it based on their personal perceptions.
Of, relating to, or being a firm that has insufficient debt in its capital structure. Because bond interest is deductible for tax purposes and is generally fixed in amount for a long period of time, some use of debt can often result in greater earnings per share for stockholders. Determining whether a company is underleveraged is usually a matter of opinion.


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Brenchel want to provide a stable financial situation for their baby especially with Brendon still studying, and I thought the idea of Brenchel babies was cute.
If they really wanted to include the Helicopters, they should have put them at the start of the leg,and have them skydive to the digging site.The finish line would have been SOOO much better if it was a sprint, not a drop. Caroline and Jennifer and Cancer were so close together, but, a helicopter landing and taking off (which had to happen in between Dave and Caroline) would OBVIOUSLY stretch the gap. Plus, the helicopters had to fly around a route through the city, so there was no chance of any catching up. Like last season's finale, it had serious design flaws: starting with a luck task and then linear tasks to the FL. The only difference is that racers didn't struggle in this luck task, allowing there to be teams close to each other. Although this was a close finish time-wise, with less than a 5-minute gap between Cancer and Caroline and Jennifer, the latter had no chance of winning after the two teams arrived at Maverick Helicopters.
Meanwhile the other team that can not be mentioned became whining, petulant silly men whom by the end of the Race, I had no respect for at all with their behaviour. Inexcusable for a man who said he was 60 and was actually 59.
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/exclusive-the-amazing-race-all-stars-runners-ups-jennifer-wayne-and-caroline-cutbirth-talk-(part-1)-16341.phpReality TV World: Congratulations on second place, girls. I know it's not first but it's still an accomplishment. Jennifer Wayne: I know, we were four seconds away from being millionaires! Reality TV World: Oh wow. You lost by literally only four seconds? I was going to ask how long after Dave and Connor you got to that Pit Stop mat. Caroline Cutbirth: It was four seconds. The thing that was crazy is, we were in the cab at the cluebox and then Dave and Connor passed us, so we didn't really think anything of it. But the person who pulled the clue first got to jump first. And so the fact that they pulled the clue first, I was in the helicopter five seconds before Dave, but they pulled the clue first so they took off first. So literally, we counted last night, and we got there four seconds after them. So we were just like, "Oh my gosh! We were four seconds away from a million dollars." Bad leg design screwed over a more deserving winner :/
Tbh they would hands down be the best threepeater team ever on TAR.
Quote from: David on May 25, 2014, 03:43:06 AMTbh they would hands down be the best threepeater team ever on TAR.No. Unless it's the Cha Chas or Charla and Mirna.. otherwise. NO. LOL.
Many teams in the history of TAR have been robbed truly due to poor leg design, Nary and Jaime, Aja and Ty, Katie and Rachel etc.But the twinnies are definitely NOT one of them. The twinnies were on the first flight but were dumb (they even admitted it themselves) enough to lose their lead while looking for a bridal shop. Leo and Jamal were with them and recovered from it but these two never stop to think and process their thoughts but instead found out that they were last and fumbled/panicked. The twinnies were never robbed, but got eliminated exactly the fair and square way, IMHO.
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Cornering Shallow-Water Crappie
Pratt — The Kansas crappie spawn is one of the most exciting times of the year for many Kansas anglers. In response to warming April weather, breeding fish are moving into lake shallows, and anglers are already catching them as they move to spawning waters close to shore. This concentrates the fish and makes great fishing for boaters and shore anglers. Reservoirs from Glen Elder in the northwest, Perry and Tuttle Creek in the northeast, Cheney in the southcentral, and LaCygne and Melvern in the southeast are reporting crappie caught in shallow water, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism's (KDWPT) Fishing Reports web page, the most currently-recorded biologists' fishing reports
Crappie move to shallow areas when water temperatures reach the mid-50s and wait to spawn at water temperatures of 60-65 degrees. They may spawn as shallow as 2 feet deep and are most active at dawn and dusk, when light levels are low. Look for spawning fish near vegetation, brush, and rocky gravel shorelines.
Live minnows are good crappie bait, especially during cool spells when fish are less active. Hook the minnow just under the dorsal fin to keep it lively. Use a bobber to set depth, and keep a minnow near structure where the fish are hiding.
When crappie are most active, small, colorful jigs can produce even better catches. Small spoons, spinners, or crankbaits can be effective, as well. For the avid fly fisherman, crappie present a welcome challenge and bite well on a variety of flies. Those that imitate minnows and nymphs are best.
Most crappie anglers use ultralight spinning gear because the fish generally weigh less than a pound. Monofilament line of 4- to 6-pound test allows an angler to cast tiny jigs and provides better feel for light bites. A slip bobber or float can help keep a small jig at just the right depth and might help avoid snags.
Spawning crappie are easily frightened by noise, so approach shallow fishing spots quietly. Some anglers use 8- to 10-foot rods, wading and dipping a jig in a technique known as "doodlesocking." Dipping the jig in partially-submerged timber and brush, the doodlesocker can fish from spot to spot without spooking the fish. This is an effective method when crappie are in water about 3 feet deep or shallower.
For visual tips on crappie fishing year-round, the 25-minute video, Kansas Crappie Bonanza, will help crappie anglers be more successful. Available to view free of charge on the KDWPT website, the video shows basic fishing strategies for any season and provides ample advice and tips from crappie guides and fishing experts on how to catch crappie anytime. Although weather is incorporated into the different strategies, the video focuses on the fun of crappie fishing no matter what the weather.
For anglers fishing for food, it doesn't get any better than spring crappie fishing. This year, the top crappie reservoirs include Lovewell, Hillsdale, Melvern, Big Hill, and Perry. The best small lakes include Cedar Lake in Olathe, Hargis Creek Lake in Wellington, Scott State Fishing Lake, Carbondale City Lake East, and Polk Daniels Lake in Howard.
For more information on crappie fishing prospects, go to the KDWPT website, and click "Fishing." Reservoir ratings for both black and white crappie may be found under Fishing Forecast. Anglers can report their own experiences and read those of others on the department's Public Fishing Reports page. Water temperatures typically vary from north to south in Kansas, so movement may begin later in some of the state's northernmost lakes.
Because they are prolific in most Kansas waters, crappie creel limits are liberal — in most places, 50 fish per day. Some lakes have more restrictive length and creel limits. Check the 2012 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary, available wherever licenses are sold, or the KDWPT website for details. Fishing conditions may vary depending on weather, particularly storms and heavy run-off. For up-to-date information on lake conditions, go to "Where To Fish In Kansas" on the KDWPT website/.


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STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF TWO KEY FACTORS FOR DNA REPLICATION IN EUKARYOTIC CELLS by Yu-Hao Paul Chang A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (GENETIC, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY) August 2010 Copyright 2010 Yu-Hao Paul Chang
Object Description
|Structural studies of two key factors for DNA replication in eukaryotic cells
|Chang, Yu-Hao Paul
|Author email
|email@example.com; email@example.com
|Doctor of Philosophy
|Document type
|Degree program
|Genetic, Molecular & Cellular Biology
|Keck School of Medicine
|Date defended/completed
|Date submitted
|Restricted until
|Restricted until 06 Aug. 2012.
|Date published
|Advisor (committee chair)
|Chen, Xiaojiang S.
|Advisor (committee member)
Goodman, Myron F.
Langen, Ralf
Rees, Douglas
|Genomic DNA replication is essential for the transmission of genetic information; during this process, minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex, the cellular replicative helicase, unwinds duplex DNA to enable DNA synthesis by polymerases. Eukaryotic DNA replication is a tightly regulated process and the recruitment of MCM to the replication origin and its activation require the participations of the GINS complex and more than ten additional DNA replication factors. My thesis project focuses on the structural studies of the GINS complex, as well as a MCM functional homolog, Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen (LTag) helicase.; The crystal structure of the full-length human GINS hetero-tetramer was determined in order to further understand the functional role of GINS. The four subunits each has a major domain composed of an α-helical bundle-like structure. With the exception of Psf1, other subunits each has a small domain containing a three-stranded β-sheet core. Each full-length protein in the crystal has unstructured regions that are all located on the surface of GINS and are probably involved in its interaction with other replication factors. The four subunits contact each other mainly through α-helices to form a ring-like tetramer with a central pore. This pore is partially plugged by a 16-residue peptide from the Psf3 N-terminus which is unique to some eukaryotic Psf3 proteins and is not required for tetramer formation. Removal of this N-terminal 16 residues of Psf3 from the GINS tetramer increases the opening of the pore by 80%, suggesting a mechanism by which accessibility to the pore may be regulated. The structural data presented here indicate that the GINS tetramer is a highly stable complex with multiple flexible surface regions.; For the helicase part, I attempted to understand how LTag helicase assembles on the origin, initiates origin melting and DNA unwinding by determining the structure of a dimeric LTag bound to the EP half of the SV40 viral replication origin. This is the first LTag structure with both the origin binding domain (OBD) and the helicase domain visible and shows that the linker region between OBD and helicase domain is very flexible. The structural information reveals how a dimeric LTag recognizes and assembles on the replication origin: LTag is brought to the viral DNA by OBD recognizing its minimal binding sequence 5'-GC-3'. Once a LTag monomer encounters its canonical penta-nucleotide recognition sequence, it is locked onto the replication origin. The subsequent recruitment of the second LTag molecule to the same half of the origin is mainly mediated by protein-protein interactions between the two LTag subunits. This dimeric structure bound to the origin may also suggest a new mechanism of origin melting: DNA bending induced by LTag hexamer assembly at the replication origin at an angle to the global directionality of DNA creates torsional stress that is released by origin melting. The LTag Zn domain forms part of the LTag hexameric central channel and thus may play an important role in DNA bending and origin melting. It is also important for anchoring LTag hexamer to the replication origin by encircling dsDNA. The models proposed here for LTag assembly at the replication origin and origin melting may have general implications to other eukaryotic counterparts.
|DNA replication; GINS origin; helicase; SV40 large T antigen
|Part of collection
|University of Southern California dissertations and theses
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|University of Southern California
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|Los Angeles, California
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|University of Southern California. Libraries
|Electronically uploaded by the author
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|University of Southern California
|Chang, Yu-Hao Paul
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|Libraries, University of Southern California
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|STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF TWO KEY FACTORS FOR DNA REPLICATION IN EUKARYOTIC CELLS by Yu-Hao Paul Chang A Dissertation Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (GENETIC, MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY) August 2010 Copyright 2010 Yu-Hao Paul Chang


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No, not that Bishop. In this case it's a guy high up in the UFO religion of Raëlism, who alleged Ubisoft canceled a fatty contract with him after his membership became known.
Daniel Chabot, described as a bishop in the Church of Raël, runs an employee-coaching firm in Quebec. He claimed that when Ubisoft Montreal found out he worships UFOs, they ended the training program he was conducting for them.
A Quebec judge threw out his lawsuit, which only sought $10,000. Lord, those Canadians are temperate people. Down here it would have been for several million. And it would have gotten tossed, too.
You might remember the Raëlians, who aside from the whole UFO-religion kookiness were at least on the ball to pick the week between Christmas and New Year's, the slowest news cycle of the year, to fool mainstream journalists with their claim they'd cloned a human. The Dec. 26, 2002 announcement was later declared a hoax.
Court Rejects Lawsuit by Raëlian Church Bishop Against Ubisoft [Montreal Gazette via GamePolitics]


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Charlie Sheen's one-man (with porn stars) rebellion against sanity apparently is over – and as he gets back on track this week with his new FX show "Anger Management," he's hardly traveling alone.
The star-crossed actor has gone from human train wreck to leading what we'll call the Attack of the Bad (and Furry) Boys – a comedy crazy train filled with semi-reformed wild men and semi-cuddly beasts.
Comic Russell Brand, who has successfully battled his own demons while managing to keep his bad-boy status intact, joins Sheen in FX's new lineup Thursday with a weekly late-night talk show, "Brand X." Sheen's "tiger blood" also seems to infuse canines and bears. "Wilfred," the alternately disturbing and hilarious man-as-dog comedy, is back for a second season on FX. And "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane co-wrote, directed and provides the title character's voice in the upcoming "Ted" – the R-rated tale of a profane, bawdy teddy bear who is preventing his thirty-something owner from growing up.
The various efforts offer a chance for temporary regression for the audiences, which we're guessing will be guy-heavy. The timing, at the beginning of the summer, seems optimal for the masses to kick back and enjoy some escapist comic irreverence.
There's something embarrassingly alluring about the opportunity to live vicariously through a leering, bong-puffing teddy bear – and even through Sheen, now that he's made the rocky journey from pathetic to, hopefully, wickedly funny again. With "Anger Management," in which the actor plays a "non-traditional therapist" based on the Jack Nicholson character from the 2003 movie, Sheen is in on the joke, as he was in the pleasingly silly "Hot Shots!" and "Major League" flicks.
Perhaps the greatest appeal of these bad boys (and animals) is that they ultimately are safe dates (even if Wilfred, his neighbor Ryan's furry, Australian Id, might have cost his human best friend his sanity). They're at least safe bets for some summertime laughs. As we get ready to board Sheen's new crazy train, check out a preview of "Ted," which hits theaters Friday:
Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NYCity News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.


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Located 195 miles from the northern port city of Antofagasta, San Pedro de Atacama is a charming oasis village in the rugged Atacama Desert.
Originally settled by the ancient Atacameño civilization, the town is today considered the archaeological capital of Chile, attracting thousands of international visitors each year. Just off the Plaza de Armas or main square, you can find the impressive RP Gustavo Le Paige SJ Archaeological Research Institute and Museum which contains 300,000 artefacts and ethnographic pieces from the past 11,000 years.
Another must see attraction is the attractive San Pedro Church (Iglesia San Pedro) which is the focal point for many of the town's festivities. Although it has been subject to a number of upgrades and repairs, the exterior walls date back to 1744 and are still in original condition.
If rest and relaxation is what you're after, head to Oasis Alberto Terrazas. The water in the naturally heated spa comes from a mineral well and has an average temperature of 73°F, making it perfect for a soothing dip. Built by local businessman, Alberto Terrazas, the pool is open all day, every day.
Local Festivals
Carnaval: Held at the end of February, the Carnaval features lots of dancing and local food.
San Pedro Feast Day: Every year on June 28, dancing troupes from nearby towns gather in San Pedro to celebrate the town's feast day.
Christmas Day: San Pedro is transformed by religious dances and celebrations in honor of the Boy Jesus.
Local Adventures
Tours of the desert and the altiplano leave regularly from San Pedro. There are a large number of local tourism operators who lead trips to the many major attractions, which include:
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
Just 11 miles (18km) from San Pedro de Atacama in the Cordillera de la Sal mountain range, this popular destination is known for its eerie moon-like landscape featuring odd shaped rock and sand formations, caverns and salt outcrops that resemble intricate sculptures. Every night at sunset, the desert landscape is bathed in colors before the dark, cold night sets in. The valley is particularly beautiful when there is a full moon. Visitors need to pay a small entrance fee on arrival.
El Tatio Geysers
The largest grouping of geysers in the Southern Hemisphere is found 59 miles (95km) form San Pedro and is located 13,123 ft above sea level. To make the most of your visit, it's best to leave before sunrise but it's definitely worth the sacrifice. Every morning at daybreak, huge jets of steam burst up from the ground reaching heights of up to 30 ft. The plumes are emissions from an underground river that flows from the nearby Tatio Volcano and they are most intense between 5.00 and 7:00am.
It is important to come prepared with warm clothes and a bathing suit. Pre-dawn temperatures are often below 32º F (0ºC) but during the day, the temperature rises above 70º F (21ºC). It's a good idea to bring sunblock and sunshades as well. Visitors also need to maintain their distance from the geysers as the crater edges are thin and may collapse.
Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Lake)
Located 34 miles (55km) south of San Pedro, the Salar de Atacama is 62 miles (100km) long and 50 miles (80km) wide, making it the third largest salt lake in the world. Beneath the salt bed lies a hidden lake which occasionally breaks through to the surface forming small lagoons. Viewing conditions are perfect thanks to the dry air. Thousands of exotic birds flock to the lake, including flamingos, Andean sea gulls and highland plovers. The road that passes through the town of Toconao and has stunning views of the Lascar and Licancabur Volcanoes
This colonial town, 24 miles (39km) from San Pedro, is famous for its church bell tower and handicrafts, which are both made from volcanic liparite stone. In the town centre, it's common to see llamas and vicunas mixing with the people and on the edge of the town you can find the Quebrada de Jerez (Sherry Gully), made famous for its peculiar stone carvings.
Puritama Hot Springs
These desert hot springs are located in a mountainous canyon 12,000 ft above sea level and about 18 miles (29km) to the north of San Pedro. The open air pools, which are equipped with bathrooms and changing rooms, are set among waterfalls and are linked by a wooden boardwalk. The temperature of the sulphate hot springs ranges from 77º to 91º F and it is claimed that they have healing properties. To get there, you need a 4WD.
Pre-Columbian Fort of Quitor
Less than two miles (3km) from San Pedro, this pre-Inca construction dates back to the 12th century. Declared a National Monument in 1982, the fort is constructed out of large rocks that are piled on top of each other in a way that seem to defy gravity. The ruins are found at a bend in the canyon above the Rio Grande.
Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains) and Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley)
The unusual geological formations in the Salt Mountains appear suddenly along the road connecting San Pedro to Calama. They contain large quantities of calcium sulphate and at first sight, they appear to be sprinkled with salt. Millions of years ago, the mountain range, which was created by a shift in Earth's tectonic plates, lay at the bottom of a lake. The rain, wind and powerful desert sun have continued to shape the range for centuries.
The road to San Pedro also crosses "el Valle de la Muerte" or Death Valley which has incomparable vistas at sunrise and sunset.


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You may remember Max Tannone, whose name sounds like a beauty product crossed with an Italian political philosopher - from his previous 'mashup' work done for The Beastie Boys (Doublecheck Your Head) and the Jay-Z vs. Radiohead deal that was Jaydiohead.
He now returns with something new, this time setting Mos Def tracks to music of 'classic dub and reggae' (via Sheena Beaston). Whilst these things are often quite crap, this rises above the frivolity and is a genuine thing of quality, though you could always debate its longevity...I have to say 'History Town' is the finest chunk.
Listen to the whole thing below. No prizes other than pride for picking out the 'classic' tracks.
Album art, if you can call it that, looks like this:
Where's the Judge Dread, eh?! More Max Tannone stuff can be found here.


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If you want a robust router for your home network that works so well that once set up you can just forget about it, the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router EA4500 is not necessarily for you. This is a router that you will check on regularly, not so much because you have to, but more because you want to.
The router is the first in the Linksys EA series that Ciscolaunched two months ago. It didn't get reviewed until now because the heart of the new series, the Cisco Connect Cloud solution, went live just last week. After playing with the new cloud-based approach to home routers for a few days, I can confidently say that it will change the way you think about networking entirely, mostly for better.
Note that this is the review of the Linksys EA4500 router. I did a separate review of the Cisco Connect Cloud solution for home networking that
The Linksys EA4500 is very similar to the
That said, the EA4500 is not perfect; it lacks support for 802.11ac and doesn't offer a way for users to manage it without having to log in with an Cisco Connect Cloud account. Its 2.4Ghz band's performance could also use some improvement.
Nonetheless, at around $170, the new router makes an exciting home networking solution and an excellent investment. Those who are more comfortable with the traditional way to manage a home network, or feeling uneasy -- and rightfully so, because Cisco Connect Cloud requires a constant connection to Cisco to work, which might lead to privacy risks -- should also check out other great alternatives, such as the
Design and ease of use
The Links EA4500 look exactly the same as the Linksys E4200 and Linksys E4200 v2. Similar to the rest of routers in the Linksys E and Linksys EA series, the EA4500 more resembles a jewelry box than a networking device, with its flat shape and glossy, smooth-finish top. The router shares the same compact power adapter as the Linksys E4200 v2.
Like the E4200 v2, the new EA4500 4-gigabit LAN ports and 1-gigabit WAN port on the back. There's also a push button for the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) feature, a recessed reset button, and a USB 2.0 port that can host a printer or a USB external storage device for the router's network-attached storage (NAS) function.
Like all routers in the EA Series, the E4500 originally comes with a classic Web interface, and Cisco Connect software that helps novice users set up and manage the router very easily. However, starting June 26, the new Cisco Connect Cloud firmware has been automatically pushed to EA series routers, except for those that have been explicitly opted out of the automatic firmware update setting. For those who have been anticipating Cisco Connect Cloud, this is a good thing. For others it might just be an unpleasant surprise.
This is because together with the new firmware, the router can no longer be administrated without a Cisco Connect Cloud account, which requires a live Internet connection to work. While it's quite easy to get an account (and it's free), this also means the router is now connected to Cisco at all times, whether or not you want it. On top of that, the new interface is so different from the previous version that most users will at first have problem finding where things are.
Basically, the new interface now has two parts, Apps and Router Settings. Apps, or embedded apps, are the features of the router, while Router Settings contains all the common wireless router settings. Though I find this is a better way to organize things, it's completely different from any other traditional Web interface for routers and understandably has a bit of a learning curve to say the least.
Note that if you buy a new EA4500 now, chances are it's already preloaded with Cisco Connect Cloud firmware.
Personally, I find the Cisco Connect Cloud a welcome change; I was able to program the EA4500 to do all I needed for an advanced home network network with lots of customized settings. I did notice one odd thing about the new Cisco Connect Cloud interface: the password for a DynDSN service, if you use one with the router, is no longer masked as asterisks but appears in plain characters. This poses a risk of losing your DynDNS account if somebody happens to see your computer's screen when you're changing the router's settings.
Whether you have an existing EA4500 router with an updated firmware or one that comes with Cisco Connect Cloud firmware preinstalled, it's very easy to get the router up and running. The only step you need to do is go to the router's IP address, which by default is 192.168.1.1, sign in via a Cisco Connect Cloud account and associate the router with that account by typing in the router's admin password (by default it's admin). From then on, each time you want to change the router's settings or manage its features, you can sign in via the Cisco Connect Cloud portal, or via the Cisco Connect Cloud mobile app.
Note that currently, the only easy way for you to manage the router without having to sign in with Cisco Connect Cloud is disconnect it from the Internet. In this case, however, you can only manage the Router Settings part, minus the Security portion. On the other hand, even if you're fine with the fact that your home router's connected to Cisco, note that the router's settings and features can't be changed if the Cisco Connect Cloud portal is down. The router itself will still function with its existing settings, however.
The good news is if you want to avoid having to use the Cisco Connect Cloud entirely, you can. You just need to switch back to the classic Web interface by downloading the previous version of the firmware from the Cisco Support page and then reflashing the router. After that, make sure you don't opt for the automatic firmware update.


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Pattern Spiky Dino Earflap Hat by Adrienne Engar & Dino Spike Crochet Pattern by Emily
Craft Crochet
Size 6months – 2 years
Crochet Hooks Used 5.5 mm (I) & 4.5 mm
Yarn Debbie Bliss Cotton DK in 55 (Lime) & Louisa Harding Ondine in 11 (Blue & Green variegated)
Sunday April 17 2011 Starting the dinosaur hat today. Have decided to make the 6mth-2yr size as we've no idea how big my new nephew's head will be when he's born and it will have the advantage of still hopefully fitting him when his first winter arrives next year.
Am using DK weight yarn instead of worsted so have gone up a couple of hook sizes. My swatching says that 5.5mm hook should work to give me gauge.
Monday April 25 2011 Finished the beanie part. Have used considerably less rows in the repeat round – 5 when pattern called for 9-19!. Frankly rather concerned about the finished size.
The Louisa Harding is noticeably finer than the Debbie Bliss, was worried about my edging being too open but I think it's OK. Have gone down to a size 4.5 hook to make the spikes.
Not happy with the first spike I made using the pattern – would take 2.5 to fill the space and they're far too shallow. Also, the way that they're finishing just won't work (very irritating) Have found another spike pattern which works perfectly TheBoyTrifecta.com The really annoying thing is that I thought I was buying a complete and well done pattern – I'm happy to support designers by buying their patterns but I do expect the pattern to make the item shown in the photograph.
Thursday April 29 2011 Finished! I ended up stuffing my spikes with the ends of the yarn and then sewed them in with a fresh bit. Very very pleased with it, will get photos up shortly.
Wednesday May 4 2011 OK, finally got the details of this one posted here. I'm extremely chuffed with it!


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chromatographykrō˝mətŏg´rəfē [key], resolution of a chemical mixture into its component compounds by passing it through a system that retards each compound to a varying degree; a system capable of accomplishing this is called a chromatograph. The retarding system can be a surface adsorbant, such as silica, alumina, cellulose, or charcoal, capable of reversibly adsorbing the compounds (see adsorption). The earliest use of this technique, by the Russian botanist Mikhail Tsvett (c.1903), involved the separation of highly colored compounds, hence the name chromatography [Gr.,=color recording].
Sections in this article:
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Chemistry: General


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CROMWELL, Conn. - Hunter Mahan watched Jay Williamson hit two great approach shots from the 18th fairway on Sunday. Mahan stepped up both times and hit his just a little better.
Mahan earned his first PGA Tour victory Sunday by winning the Travelers Championship over Williamson with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
The win came a year after Mahan finished second in the tournament, and three days after he shot a 62 on the same course to take a first-round lead.
"Knowing that you can win and actually winning are two different things," he said. "And to win the way I did is just amazing to me. To have to birdie in a playoff, especially after he hit that shot in there is mind-boggling."
Mahan shot a 65 Sunday, but was trailing by a stroke on the final hole to Williamson, a 40-year-old journeyman playing just his second Tour event this season on a sponsor's exemption.
When Williamson hit a 161-yard second shot to within 12 feet, the crowd roared.
Then Mahan hit a 144-yard approach to within 7 feet.
Williamson missed a 12-footer for birdie, and Mahan put his in the cup, pumping his fist and sending the pair back to the tee.
"I just kept plugging away," he said. "Jay gave me a little opening on 18 and I'm glad I made it."
Williamson went right after the flag again in the playoff, and his second shot landed just over 7 feet away.
Mahan then hit his 134-yard approach to within 2 feet.
Williamson pushed his putt right, and could only watch as Mahan made what was almost a gimme.
"I hit it too hard and I hit it too high," Williamson said. "I'm not proud of either putt, but I'm proud of the way I played."
Mahan, 25, had just one other top-10 finish this year, tying for fifth at the Shell Houston Open in April. But he plays this tournament well, posting one of his two career second-place finishes.
His 62 on Thursday was one shot off the course record, and his 71 on Friday was his first round out of the 60s in this tournament since he shot a 72 during the third round in 2005.
"After that 62, I felt it almost came out of nowhere.... I felt like I could play good here, I know I can win."
Mahan earns just over $1 million for the win and a spot in next year's Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii and the Masters.
Williamson gets $648,000 for second. Coming into the weekend, Williamson was seventh on the Nationwide Tour money list with $153,249 in earnings. His also earned a trip to Flint, Mich., for this week's Buick Open. He was hoping to get back his PGA Tour card with a win, but said he learned a lot in the loss.
"I can play with these guys," Williamson said. "And I learned that I'm going to be a golfer for a while."
He said he's hoping other PGA events will now give him exemptions.
"I really feel like if I was a great putter I would have won by a lot," Williamson said. "But I know what I need to work on to get to that next level."
Williamson has had 279 other PGA Tour starts, and his best finish had been a tie for third in the 2003 BellSouth Classic.
Nick O'Hern shot a 66 Sunday to finish at 11 under, good enough for third place. Vijay Singh shot a 65 and finished fourth.
It was Singh's third best finish of the season, behind his two victories. He said he plans to take next week off and get an MRI taken on a sore right elbow.
"I'll rest for a few days, and then back to business," he said.
Mahan made four consecutive birdies, starting at No. 10, and led Williamson by two strokes coming down the stretch.
Williamson got back within a stroke by making birdie on the 15th, and Mahan dropped into a tie for the lead with a bogey on the par-3 16th.
Mahan then hit his second shot at 17 over the green, and two-putted for bogey.
Williamson went straight for the pin, and just missed a 20-foot birdie putt, hitting the lip right. But his par gave him the lead going into the final hole.
Bo Van Pelt had the shot of the day, following up bogeys on the 14th and 15th holes by acing the 171-yard 16th with a 7-iron.
"Bill Haas had hit a really good shot with a 7-iron right before me, so I knew it was the right club," Van Pelt said. "It took one hop, and I think then it just kind of dribbled in - pretty exciting."
It was the second ace of this tournament and the 28th in the tournament's history. Craig Perks had a hole-in-one on Thursday on the par-3 eighth hole.
Van Pelt finished the tournament at 8 under, good enough to tie for sixth place.


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The Brikodiac: forum-made zodiac of the Brikverse. All time is divided into sixteen titles, hand chosen from Brikwars history. They are the Years of Brikthulhu, Super Tank, Minifig, Mech, Proto-fig, Triangle, Undead, Rule Tome, OTC, Armoured Car, Pirate, Deadly Spaceman, Castle, Iceworlder, Two-by-Two, and SHIP. It was crafted by the Honorable Leprechaun in early G.R. 2,011, in the midst of a roaring blizzard surely sent by the gods themselves. Explanations for the choosing of each category can be found [here].
Also made shortly after the Brikodiac was completed, Leprechaun also drew up a chart that related the sixteen categories to all the years up until the turn of the Modern Era, G.R. 1,900, to the supposed end of the world, Ragnablok, in G.R. 2,012, to aid other mortal who looked upon it. This is used to find where years of birth, death, or other years of importance correspond to the titles.


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In Beijing, the smog is hazardous. ITV's Angus Walker reports.
BEIJING — Air quality in Beijing was the "worst on record" on Saturday and Sunday, according to environmentalists, with pollution 30-45 times above the recommended safety levels.
With a thick smog wrapping the Chinese capital since Friday, the city's pollution monitoring center warned the city's 20 million residents to stay indoors.
Data posted on Sunday by the monitoring center showed particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) had reached more than 600 micrograms per square metre at some monitoring stations in Beijing, and was as high as 900 on Saturday evening.
The recommended daily level for PM2.5 is 20, according to the World Health Organisation. Such pollution has been identified as a major cause of asthma and respiratory diseases.
"This is really the worst on record not only from the official data but also from the monitoring data from the U.S. embassy — some areas in (neighboring) Hebei province are even worst than Beijing," said Zhou Rong, climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace.
The Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center said heavy pollution had been trapped by an area of low pressure, making it harder to disperse, and the conditions were likely to last another two days.
Related: Beijing's pollution could cut 5 years off life span
Pollution has been identified as one of the biggest challenges facing China's leaders, with outgoing president Hu Jintao saying during his address to the Communist Party Congress last November that the country needed to "reverse the trend of ecological deterioration and build a beautiful China."
China said at the end of last year that it would begin releasing hourly pollution data for its biggest cities.
Beijing has already committed to a timetable to improve air quality in the city, and has relocated most of its heavy industry, but surrounding regions have not made the same commitments, said Zhou.
"For Beijing, cleaning up will take a whole generation but other regions don't even have any targets to cut coal burning. I bet the pollution here is mainly from those surrounding regions."


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Biff America: Making dirt year round
Biff America
I opened up the refrigerator, looking for leftovers, and found a plastic bag full of garbage. Not figurative garbage, but a real bag of rotting fruits, vegetables and some other unrecognizable stuff. Another man might have thrown it away; I brought it to the garage.
My mate and I love winter. When those first cold days of August arrive in the High Country we both get excited. It is in our blood, Ellie is Swedish – for her people skiing is both a sport and a way to get to the store to buy lutefisk when the Saab breaks down. My heritage is French Canadian and Irish Catholic – we thrive on cold, damp and guilt.
Certainly we both enjoy the warmer times of year. We love to bike, hike and spend time in the desert and on the beach. But it is winter when we feel most alive.
Unfortunately, when we put away our bikes, shorts, sun hats and hiking boots we also decommission our compost bin. That changed this winter.
For those of you unacquainted with the practice of composting, let me explain. You have a container in which you place your household waste – rotting fruits and vegetables along with leaves and grass – and wait until it decays enough to turn into dirt. Hopefully this container is not located within smelling distance from your home. If you wait long enough – and bears, skunks, crows or your neighbors don't knock it over – in a few months' time' you get some free dirt.
I know what you are thinking, FREE DIRT!! I got to get in on that program! But full disclosure demands that this does take effort and can cause some hardships. Invariably, you have a bunch of garbage in your house waiting to be brought out to the composter. Often, the time between when something is declared compost worthy and when it is taken from your kitchen to the composter is a few days (or until I notice it). That ripening swill often smells badly and attracts fruit flies. On occasion my mate has hidden the offending compostables in the refrigerator.
So not to simply deem the entire enterprise a fool's errand, it is crucial that you keep your eyes on the prize – free dirt. Otherwise, one might question the effort, smell and inconvenience. Last summer alone we created close to a bucket of fine soil that would have cost us over five dollars.
So it is understandable that when the mercury drops and the snow falls for us, it is a mixed blessing. Yes, soon we will be sliding on snow, but on the downside the compost bin is frozen solid.
You can imagine my surprise and delight when Ellie brought home an electric indoor composter that not only heats the garbage, but stirs it as well. And even more joyful, this is all done in the convenient location of your home.
The owner's manual warned that initially you might notice a slight odor emanating from your new apparatus. They didn't mention that they considered "slight odor" one that could set your nose hairs on fire.
We decided to suffer through it and hope for an improvement. You would think after about seven weeks we'd get used to it – not so.
The smell aside, the indoor composter was convenient. No longer was garbage left on our counter waiting to be placed in the outdoor bin. Now, peels, rinds, scraps and the rest could go into the heated, indoor bin to spin, fester and percolate. You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs and you can't have a container of decomposing foodstuff without it smelling like, well, decomposing foodstuff.
After much pleading on my part, our new composter was moved into the garage.
Before then I wasn't aware that a vehicle could absorb odors. To be honest, after having the composter in our home for a couple of months and now in our garage where we keep our vehicles and recreational gear, I can hardly smell it any more. But, I have had hitch hikers ask to be let off in the middle of nowhere only minutes after I have picked them up.
My mate is fairly stink tolerant (our nearly two decades of marriage can attest to that), but when our cars and ski gear began smelling we almost gave up. Lucky for us there is a fair amount of composting info online. After spending hours in chat rooms commiserating with other composters from around the world Ellie found that the secret ingredient that we were missing was simple sawdust. Now, whenever we put a fresh batch of slop in our composter we lightly season it with sawdust.
Currently our garage has a rancid, rotting smell with a woody undertone that is much preferred.
There has been talk about once again moving our new composter inside. My worry is that there is not enough room in our refrigerator for both garbage and sawdust.
Jeffrey Bergeron, under the alias of Biff America, can be seen on TV-8-Summit and read in several newspapers and magazines. He can be reached at email@example.com.
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That weekend looks good, oh wait, so does that weekend. From football to festivals, there are enough events to fill your calendar and make you seem super popular. So plan a visit or four and spend your weekends exploring what makes north Florida the perfect destination to come and play as you are.
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