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Thelemic Magic Square added by Kyla Clay in the Hermetic Library visual pool
Thelemic Magic Square
Thelemic Magic Square added by Kyla Clay in the Hermetic Library visual pool
An irregular hodgepodge of links gathered together … Omnium Gatherum for July 16th, 2014
Hannah Kunkle's Controversial Project Turns Kim Kardashian Into The Devil, The Virgin Mary And Even Jesus — Victoria Casal-Data, Beautiful/Decay
"Perhaps in time to come the so-called Dark Ages may include our own."
"As I began to write my forthcoming novel Venus in Winter, I found an article about the practices common in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of placing a shoe within a wall or of concealing other collections of items as 'witch deposits' that intended to deflect malevolent spirits or witches' curses. Witch deposits might include 'lucky' items such as family heirlooms or objects associated with someone considered spiritually powerful. Another purpose for witch deposits may have been the desire of the householders to leave their mark after they were dead and gone."
"The priests inveighing against these charms were particularly intent on discouraging the use of magical characters (alphabetic or sigilic writing that conveys spiritual power). They sometimes waxed poetic: 'The demon slithers in the characters like the serpent beneath the flowers.' This ties nicely into his statement that 'the unknown always inspires the Church with fear.'
Lecouteux summarizes part of this history thus: 'Implicit in the background are notions of natural, licit magic and illicit black magic,' ((p. 30)) after giving one of many examples of a churchman condemning the talismanic art as being an implicit pact with a demon, a pattern which, as he points out, is 'commonly repeated throughout the sixteenth century.' What this means to me is that the Faustian current which arose in early modern magick didn't just appear without help. Apparently, it is as possible to call an egregore into being by constant execration as by constant evocation!
"Representatives of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) stated that they will destroy the Kaaba after they capture Saudi Arabia, APA reports quoting Turkish media that ISIS wants to take control of the city of Arar in Saudi Arabia and start operations there.
ISIS member Abu Turab Al Mugaddasi said that they would destroy the Kaaba in Mecca: 'If Allah wills, we will kill those who worship stones in Mecca and destroy the Kaaba. People go to Mecca to touch the stones, not for Allah.'"
"Readymake: Duchamp Chess Set is a 3D-printed chess set generated from an archival photograph of Marcel Duchamp's own custom and hand-carved game. His original physical set no longer exists. We have resurrected the lost artifact by digitally recreating it, and then making the 3D files available for anyone to print.
Inspired by Marcel Duchamp's readymade — an ordinary manufactured object that the artist selected and modified for exhibition – the readymake brings the concept of the appropriated object to the realm of the internet, exploring the web's potential to re-frame information and data, and their reciprocal relationships to matter and ideas. Readymakes transform photographs of objects lost in time into shared 3D digital spaces to provide new forms and meanings."
"This journal chronicles a deeply personal voyage of self-discovery that Jung did not wish to be published while he was alive for fear that the book could ruin his professional and personal life, and that people would think him mentally unstable. However, it's the belief of Jungian scholar Sonu Shamdasani that Jung intended for this work to eventually be published. Shamdasani points to the fact that Jung's journal is addressed, 'dear friends,' and that that he would often lend the journal to friends and patients during his lifetime. After Jung died in 1961, his heirs were reluctant to release the contents of the book, and kept it stored away in a bank vault in Switzerland. It took Shamdasani 3 years to convince his heirs to allow The Red Book to be published, and an additional 13 years for the entirety of the calligraphic text to be translated from German to English."
"In this technological age, there are few places that cannot be reached in relative ease and comfort. For a pilgrimage, however, the journey is as important as the destination. […] You gain much by connecting with the environment through which you are travelling. It lends context to the site you are visiting as well deepening the sense of achievement felt at the end."
"As I usually say, if one is lucky, one gets old. One of the goals of traditional magic has always been to extend life. For a Vedic yogi 'immortality' meant a lifespan of 100 years or more, as average lifespans of 40 or 50 years rolled on by. For many of my generation, and many more of those just following, 100 years will be achieved by the magic of modern culture and scientific medicine, far more effectively than it was ever managed by sorcery or alchemy.
But, as they say, 'Eat right, achieve wisdom, die anyway.' Our spans are not determined by our effort, but by the capricious (or sneaky) cutting of the thread, the song ended in a half-measure, the nail-flick of a passing giant. To this annoyingly unfair reality, we can only respond with resignation. Our fate is not in our hands."
"During the conference banquet, some of the conference participants were wondering if there's a collective noun for Gower scholars, and Brian Gastle joked that it should be called a 'recension of Gowerians.' On the last day of the conference I expanded Gastle's joke on twitter and Facebook and other people began submitting their own suggestions for other collective nouns for medievalists."
"A troop of Anglo-Saxonists
A roundtable of Arthurians
An orientation of cartographers
A compaignye of Chaucerians
A gathering of codicologists
A circle of Dante scholars
A Swerve of Shakespeareans
A fellowship of Tolkienists"
"Stretched and bound over wooden frames, the animal pelts of Australian artist Ruth Marshall are so utterly realistic looking that it is difficult to believe that they are not in fact fur and hide. Constructed out of knitted yarn, they compel us to consider the endangered species killed and skinned by poachers and collectors."
"One of the common misunderstandings when you tell people that you are a Gnostic is that they hear the more familiar word 'Agnostic.' (This becomes quite amusing when they mishear 'Agnostic Priest,' or 'Agnostic Eucharist.') This becomes a good opportunity to elucidate one of the truisms of contemporary Gnosticism: You have to be an Agnostic before you can become a Gnostic."
"What I love about this is whereas what I do is essentially translating mystical concepts for a generation of kids raised on crap like VICE and stoner comedy, he takes a vastly more scientific approach."
"Perhaps it might seem strange to some that I wasn't seeing this all in a Wiccan shop or Occult store. Perhaps where I found these things may seem even more strange: an Anarchist café in Seattle.
But this shouldn't sound strange at all. Paganism and its beliefs mirror the struggle of Anarchists, and the indigenous activists who host ancestor prayers at that same cafe, and the queer trans* folk who hold meetings and organize protests against corporate pride events or the killing of a man who didn't have correct fare on the light rail."
"They are fighting against hegemonic control of existence, the limiting of human life itself; against the structures which displace people from the earth, disconnecting them from the strength and influence of spirits and ancestors, and turn humans into consumers and producers and subjects of hegemonic control of the powerful. And particularly, they are all fighting against the crushing oppression wrought upon the world by Capitalism.
We should be too, if our beliefs are more than mere opinion."
"Like a Golem, a corporation is made by words; its articles of incorporation once signed and seal by the Secretary of State bring it to life. At one time 'life' might have seemed like hyperbole, but living in the age of the Citizens United ruling, corporations have personhood before the law and with it 'human' rights. It will continue doing what it was set up to do unless commanded or forced to stop. This can be very hard to do when those with the power of command are benefiting (making profit) from the creature's actions. It is effectively immortal, only to stop functioning when it runs out of cash or credit, its life blood so to speak. It can only 'die' if it is disbanded by sale, in which case it continues in another form, or experience 'true' death by the revocation of its articles of incorporation, which will actually end it. Like the Golem, it will only stop when its words of creation are 'erased'."
"The universe is a pretty dark place – but according to astrophysicists it is much too dark.
Scientists have been left scratching their heads after noticing there is a huge deficit of light."
"Some have written much about whether or not professional clergy is useful to Paganism. Others have written to deride or uphold 'Big Name Pagans.' I'm not going to do any of that. What I want to do is talk about the reality of my life. And some hard numbers. I'm offering this to give people a better idea of what we might actually be talking about in the midst of these conversations.
People have asked how I planned my career trajectory. What did I do to end up where I am? My first response is surprised laughter at the question."
"In the late 1990s two remarkable Bronze Age timber circles were discovered on Holme Beach, Norfolk (East England). One of these popularly known as – 'Seahenge' – was excavated in 1998 and 1999.
Since the excavations the second circle has been monitored and evidence of damage by coastal processes has been recorded. In the last year dendrochronological (tree ring) dating has shown the timbers used to build this circle – 'Holme II' – were felled in the spring or summer of 2049 BCE, exactly the same time as those used to build 'Seahenge' and places the construction of both circles early in the Bronze Age."
Image of Holme II courtesy Norfolk Council Historic Environment Record
"This question of intersectionality isn't the first time that science is playing catch-up to traditional knowledge, and it won't be the last. As Pachamama Alliance's accompanying blog explains: 'Scientific research is bringing knowledge of the natural world full circle, offering biological and theoretical authority to the enduring truth of indigenous wisdom.' Yet, among all of these enduring truths, intersectionality is one of the most central. 'Perhaps the most universal indigenous perspective is the idea of a world inextricably interconnected, on all levels, and across time,' the Pachamama Alliance wrote."
"In an excellent 2013 article, Jonathan Klein lays out the many ways in which cognitive biases undermine the software development process. Whether it's fundamental attribution error ('my bugs are easily excusable mistakes, your bugs are the result of unforgivable sloppiness'); confirmation bias ('that's enough testing, we know that this works!'); bandwagon effect ('Bob's the bull-goose devops person, it would be silly to doubt his views on this software'); hyperbolic discounting ('a shortcut that saves me a day's work now is OK, even it costs me ten days' fixing in a year') and negativity bias ('the last time we did this it was a huge pain in the ass, screw it.')
But more importantly, Klein also suggests ways that you can mitigate these universal biases in your own software development practices — procedures that you can follow to make sure that when your stupid brain tricks you, you can spot the slight of mind."
"Each age has its visionaries, and the 21st century is no exception."
"Prophets are by definition those who provide insight into the future. Whether they are secular or religious, all claim superior knowledge and spark either interest, laughter or hostility. They find legitimacy in persecution; but they also deliver messages of hope, justice and the promise of a better future.
The very fact that their predictions leave no-one indifferent points to our subconscious fascination with them. The dominant attitude in our Western societies is generally to dismiss prophets as fools and impostors, relics from the most obscure times in our history. Yet we often forget that new religious movements also appear every year."
"Today conspiracy theories are a staple aspect of academia, entertainment and politics, though the term conspiracy theory isn't always applied. There are thousands of conspiracy theory claims made across all forms of media distribution. The vast ocean of information on these subjects is far too great for any individual or even any government to fully absorb.
On that basis, it is crucial that any person or group wishing to explore such matters should begin with a set of reliable information filters and organising principles. You will already have filters and organising principles of your own, but it's likely that many of those perceptive habits are unconscious. It's also likely that you have picked up those habits in non-conspiracy theory contexts."
"However, the type of scepticism we naturally hold unconsciously in our daily interactions with strangers tends to veer towards the idea that some people are simple opportunists trying to make a buck here or there or in some other way take short term advantage of us. We tend to be less adept at defending ourselves against society's more cunning manipulators, especially the more intelligent ones."
"When providing directions to a place, web and mobile mapping services are all able to suggest the shortest route. The goal of this work is to automatically suggest routes that are not only short but also emotionally pleasant. To quantify the extent to which urban locations are pleasant, we use data from a crowd-sourcing platform that shows two street scenes in London (out of hundreds), and a user votes on which one looks more beautiful, quiet, and happy. We consider votes from more than 3.3K individuals and translate them into quantitative measures of location perceptions. We arrange those locations into a graph upon which we learn pleasant routes. Based on a quantitative validation, we find that, compared to the shortest routes, the recommended ones add just a few extra walking minutes and are indeed perceived to be more beautiful, quiet, and happy. To test the generality of our approach, we consider Flickr metadata of more than 3.7M pictures in London and 1.3M in Boston, compute proxies for the crowdsourced beauty dimension (the one for which we have collected the most votes), and evaluate those proxies with 30 participants in London and 54 in Boston. These participants have not only rated our recommendations but have also carefully motivated their choices, providing insights for future work."
If you'd like to participate in the next Omnium Gatherum, head on over to the Gatherum discussions at the Hrmtc Underground BBS.
This Lucifer's Sigil is an art print of an illustration by Sarah Anne Lawless, and may be of interest.
An irregular hodgepodge of links gathered together … Omnium Gatherum for June 11th, 2014
Mihai Mihu's LEGO diorama for "Lust" from Dante's Inferno
"After putting myself in too many people's shoes, and seeing the world through everyone else's eyes for too long, I start to become a warped and weary alien to myself. I no longer recognize my own face and I need to recharge. This is when I head to my studio to sit."
"I have to confess that what I've found mindblowing about exploring the Occult is that the church has slandered it as being daemon worship, and because of that, a group of gothed out weirdoes have decided that they love the idea worshipping Satan. Even though the Occult doesn't actually involve that (it's about mastering your daemons and making contact with your Holy Guardian Angel), they're just going to make it about that anyway because they're just…so…hard."
"One of the signs which has become a trademark of being in a dream is the inability to read the written word or at other times to decipher numbers on a clock face or elsewhere. Such figures most often appear to blur before the eyes. There are times when the oneiric traveller is blest with clarity of vision wherein the characters in the given instance are crystal clear, but such instances are typically rare. It is significant that there is a crossover between the experience of legible and illegible scripts in both the waking and dream worlds."
"With the use of oneiric praxis, sigils of the wake world can be brought to the dreamscape, as well as drawing the dream texts upon the waking consciousness. No doubt the viewing of sigillic devices could produce the atmosphere of the dream in the waking consciousness of one unaccustomed to seeing such scripts."
"Good news for fans of anthropodermic bibliopegy, bibliomaniacs and cannibals alike: tests have revealed that Houghton Library's copy of Arsène Houssaye's Des destinées de l'ame [The destiny of the soul] (FC8.H8177.879dc) is without a doubt bound in human skin."
"The first artefacts to shoot for the moon could be three religious and philosophical texts. The Torah on the Moon project, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, has been courting private firms to deliver a handwritten Jewish scroll, the Sefer Torah, to the lunar surface. If they succeed, later flights will carry Hindu scriptures called the Vedas and the ancient Chinese philosophical work, the I-Ching.
Each document will be housed in a space-ready capsule designed to protect it from harsh radiation and temperature changes on the moon for at least 10,000 years."
"These educational tools help users to evaluate the copyright status of a work created in the United States between January 1, 1923 and December 31, 1977—those works that were created before today's 1976 Copyright Act. Many important works—from archival materials to family photos and movies—were created during this time, and it can be difficult to tell whether they are still under copyright."
"This is probably the most esoteric question that normal people from all walks of life have to answer routinely; the Samuelson Clinic has really done an important public service here."
"Here begins the book Aldaraia in accordance with that which our authorities proclaimed to us; they were from God and from the celestial parts and it was revealed to them in the desert about celestial matters."
"We perform our task correctly only when we don't force our own mind into every ancient book that falls into our hands; but rather read out of it what is already there."
"The Neoplatonic writings of the 6th century writer known as pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite have influenced, and continue to influence, Christian theologians and esotericists, amongst others, to this day. Typically, a handful of Dionysius' topics are discussed: his angelology, his sacramental theology, and his treatment of the divine names are on the top of the list. This paper treats one of these subjects, Dionysian sacraments"
"The evidence of Joseph Smith's close connection to occultism and Freemasonry, and how this influenced the origin and development of the LDS Church is not well known outside of scholarly circles. This article summarizes the evidence for Joseph's personal involvement in both Freemasonry and occultism, and their influence on the Mormon religion."
"Actor Sir Christopher Lee is marking his 92nd birthday by releasing an album of heavy metal cover versions.
Two of the songs come from the Don Quixote musical Man of La Mancha, which was a Broadway smash in the 1960s.
'As far as I am concerned, Don Quixote is the most metal fictional character that I know, the Hobbit star said.
'Single handed, he is trying to change the world, regardless of any personal consequences. It is a wonderful character to sing.'"
"Thelema rejects all these notions that enslave humanity to a deity that would demand certain beliefs and actions and punish those who disobey. Satan represents the rejection of this belief system and the exultation of the individual. Is Satan central to Thelema? No. Is Satan mentioned in Thelema? Yes, frequently."
"I believe Traditional Witchcraft is a poetic reality humming the nocturnal mysteries of Night. I believe the Witch is concerned with Solace and comfort, the same solace we find resting in the Night. I believe the Witch is a creature tied to the land whose heart is a crossroad where the fire of Need gushes forth from the fountain of the soul like a veiled spring of fiery droplets of gold and silver."
"The word 'Rosicrucian' is one that most readers will have heard many times. Yet if I were to ask for a definition of the word I would probably be given a wide variety of different answers. I might be told that it was something to do with esoteric Christianity, with alchemy, or with Cabala. All of these things are part of the answer, but not the whole answer.
So what is Rosicrucianism? For the time being let us call it a current of thought and ideas which has been flowing through history for at least three and a half centuries and probably quite a bit longer, sometimes underground, sometimes coming to the surface, but always pushing human beings towards certain goals. I say that we can trace the current back three and a half centuries because that was when it first came to the surface. So let us go back to that moment in history."
"Nikolay Tarasov was fishing in a river near his home in Tisul, in the Kemerovo region of Siberia, when he caught something unexpected—and very old."
"Museum curators dated the figure to over 4,000 years old. Carved in horn which was later fossilized, the Bronze Age figurine shows a pagan god."
"Alchemy may be described, in the words of Baudelaire, as a process of 'distilling the eternal from the transient'. As the art of transmutation par excellence, the classical applications of alchemy have always been twofold: chrysopoeia and apotheosis (gold-making and god-making)—the perfection of metals and mortals. In seeking to turn 'poison into wine', alchemy, like tantra, engages material existence—often at its most dissolute or corruptible—in order to transform it into a vehicle of liberation. Like theurgy, it seeks not only personal liberation—the redemption of the soul from the cycles of generation and corruption—but also the liberation (or perfection) of nature herself through participation in the cosmic demiurgy. In its highest sense, therefore, alchemy conforms to what Lurianic kabbalists would call tikkun, the restoration of the world."
"A main thesis of this paper is that one of the ways for Rudolf Steiner research to become more scientific is to proceed in accordance with a genuine historical and critical methodology. It attempts to show that even though some of Steiner's chief critics support this method in theory, they often fall short of a historical-critical approach in practice. Using the example of the unresolved problem of whether Steiner could be a character in his own Mysteriendramen, the author provides a number of methodological, historical and biographical indications for approaching this problem. He tries to demonstrate the fruitfulness of this method by addressing the question of Steiner as a drama character from the new perspective of literary pseudonyms. In conclusion, he maintains that a scholarly historical-critical approach to spiritual science was advocated by Steiner himself."
"Since everyday and spiritual concerns are variations of the same thinking processes, [Andrew] Newberg thinks it's essential to examine how people experience spirituality in order to fully understand how their brains work. Looking at the bigger questions has already provided practical applications for improving mental and physical health."
"Men find it very hard to apply a little criticism to the sources of their beliefs and the origin of their faith. It is just as well; if we looked too close into first principles, we should never believe at all."
"Gauguin's art depicts Tahitians as they are sleeping, worshipping, and engaging in other quotidian activities. But whereas Cheever, Chekhov, Roth, John Updike, and other literary artists used their keen perceptive abilities in the pursuit of sober realism, Gauguin put his artistry to the purpose of imaginative proto-surrealism.
Gauguin, who rejected European cultural and religious constraints, thought of himself as a savage in the eyes of the civilized world. Oviri (1894, his personal favorite amongst all his sculptures) and many of his other works were regarded as radical for a variety of reasons, not least because they subverted traditional, conventional ideas of feminine beauty."
"Equality. That's the secret agenda, folks. Feminism isn't about women first, it's about women too."
"It is however, the first time that a group of these primates develops some technical concepts as elaborate as these on their own. A few individual apes seem to have originally developed a rudimentary technique of rather poor efficiency, but the group gradually improved it through experimentation and observation over the last few months. They are now able to create and maintain a fire, which they have been using mostly to scare off predators and cook some of their food."
"Taking a weekly Tech Sabbath allows us to step off this wheel of endless sameness. It's a ritual that pushes us out of the norm, to pursue different activities, and use different parts of our brains. In so doing, it refreshes and rejuvenates our minds and spirit. It provides the motivation to unhook our wired craniums from the matrix of cyberspace and explore the pleasures of the real world."
"Here is a piece of music, which was composed with a sort of 17th century computer called the Organum Mathematicum, devised by Athanasius Kircher and fully described by his pupil and assistant Gaspar Schott"
"Mihai Mihu completed a series of creations depicting the 9 circles of Hell. While staying true to the theme of poetic justice served to the sinners, Mihai portrays the punishments through his own interpretations. The recurring architectural elements and portrayal of the sinners tie the scenes together in a way that's easy for the viewer to transition through. In this short interview, the builder talks about his project and the individual circles of Hell."
"If we really think that whatever kind of mind we generate from these efforts is going to be anything like us, then we're probably in for a big surprise. We have to be prepared for—as opposed to scared about—the possibility that any machine intelligence will have vastly different concerns from us. "Occult Wisdom" means knowledge hidden from those who don't know how to look for it and, without an understanding of how these new minds will experience our world, humanity will never know everything we might.
As I've explored these ideas, over the years, I've found that the most valuable approaches have often come from the intersections that others might overlook. The intersection that's been most useful to me is at the center of weird science, philosophy, religious studies, pop-culture, and magic. I've written articles, taught classes, and organized conferences arguing that "The Magical" is one of the most useful-but-underused tools we have for rethinking and understanding these ideas."
"If a deep neural network is biologically inspired we can ask the question, does the same result apply to biological networks? Put more bluntly, 'Does the human brain have similar built-in errors?' If it doesn't, how is it so different from the neural networks that are trying to mimic it?"
"The potential implications of the unexpected results were quickly apparent to Henrich. He knew that a vast amount of scholarly literature in the social sciences—particularly in economics and psychology—relied on the ultimatum game and similar experiments. At the heart of most of that research was the implicit assumption that the results revealed evolved psychological traits common to all humans, never mind that the test subjects were nearly always from the industrialized West. Henrich realized that if the Machiguenga results stood up, and if similar differences could be measured across other populations, this assumption of universality would have to be challenged.
Henrich had thought he would be adding a small branch to an established tree of knowledge. It turned out he was sawing at the very trunk. He began to wonder: What other certainties about "human nature" in social science research would need to be reconsidered when tested across diverse populations?"
If you'd like to participate in the next Omnium Gatherum, head on over to the Gatherum discussions at the Hrmtc Underground BBS.
"Final sketch from a design project before creating the physical token for Arnar."
Sketches from the design process and conversation about a Token for Arnar.
Dragon's Blood Incense Sigil Paper from Rosarium Blends may be of interest.
"Self igniting sigil paper infused with the resin of 'Dracaena cinnabari', the original and true dragons blood, spoken of in so many occult formularies. Scented slightly with other aromatic resins to form a self igniting incense paper to be inscribed with sigils and fired off in ritual.
The paper sizzles and sparkles like a lit fuse without flame and produces a sweet scent tempering the martial influence of the dragons blood resin. Focusing, enhancing and directing the effects with the sigilized intention and will of the practitioner."
Design History: The Trademark in Nazi Germany and the Modern Logo from Mark Gould on Vimeo.
Design History: The Trademark in Nazi Germany and the Modern Logo is a video by Mark Gould from the School of Visual Arts MFA Design, added by VJ PsyScottic. Although there's unfortunately the clear trigger about Nazis here to distract, this talks about logo design in a way that anyone interested in sigils and seals might find familiar.
"Steven Heller surveys the Modern German trademark as designed by its Modern German Master, William Defke. An interesting look at how the use of trademarks, logos and eventually all forms of media were, and continue to be used by governments and big corporate media as elements of codes, and symbols to transmit messages to the masses."
The Hermetic Library video pool is a scavenger hunt for video from a living Western Esoteric Tradition. If you would like to submit your work for consideration, head over to the Hermetic Library video pool or contact the librarian.
If you're in the the London area, you should check out John Constable's one man play dramatizing Austin Osman Spare at Treadwell's which opens November 21st, 2013. It runs for four dates, so even if you can't catch it on opening night there's other chances: November 21-22 and 29-30.
Spare: One Man Play
21-22, 29-30 November 2013
John Constable
London artist and occultist Austin Osman Spare (1886–1956) comes alive in this new one-man play. Set in the artist's studio at the Elephant and Castle on the night of a Blitz bombing, it shows Spare growing old in poverty, yet fiercely committed to his vision. In the course of the night, a rogue sigil unleashes unpredictable consequences. This 'play conceived as an act of magic', performed by the author, is both an homage to AOS and a playful exploration of Constable's own esoteric work to 'set us free from ourselves.' John Constable is a poet, playwright and magical practitioner best-known for The Southwark Mysteries, and for his acclaimed stage adaptation of Gormenghast. Previous solo shows include I Was An Alien Sex God ('mind-blowingly weird' The Independent). Premiere performances last Spring were sold out, and received acclaim.
Price: £10
Time: Doors 7pm, for a 7:30 start
The Hermetic Library visual pool is a visual scavenger hunt for images of a living Western Esoteric Tradition. If you would like to submit your work for consideration as part of the visual pool, head over to the Hermetic Library visual pool or contact the librarian.
The Hermetic Library visual pool is a visual scavenger hunt for images of a living Western Esoteric Tradition. If you would like to submit your work for consideration as part of the visual pool, head over to the Hermetic Library visual pool or contact the librarian.


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Volunteer with The Friends of St. Andrew Bay!
If you want to become more active in restoring and maintaining the biodiversity and beauty of St. Andrew Bay and its watershed, consider joining the Friends of St. Andrew Bay Volunteer Team!
Volunteering for Friends of St. Andrew Bay and our partners can be as easy as submitting a photo for the Friends of St. Andrew Bay Newsletter, or as complex as scuba diving or computer programming! Whatever your talents, volunteer opportunities are available through Friends of St. Andrew Bay that will allow you to participate in preserving and maintaining the beauty and biodiversity of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed for generations to come.
Check here regularly for volunteer opportunities based upon the Action Plans outlined in our Ecosystem Management Program, "The St. Andrew Bay Ecosystem, Our Environment".

subset: commoncrawl


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INFINITE Sungkyu's solo album "27" tops Hanteo weekly charts
INFINITE's charismatic leader Kim Sungkyu's second solo album 27 topped the weekly album sales chart on the Hanteo site.
Since returning as a solo artist with his second album, Sungkyu's 27 has been well received with positive chart results, staying strong on the top ranks on Korean music sites.
Coming back with double title tracks, Sungkyu started his promotions last week on music programs with "Kontrol" and "The Answer." The album also includes four other tracks, namely "Alive," "Daydream" featuring Boderline (Epik High's Tablo and Nell's Kim Jong Wan), "Reply" featuring Park Yoon Ha, and the intro track "27."
Reported to be a realistic reflection of the 27-year-old Sungkyu's life, the album shows the growth of Sungkyu and another side of him from being the leader of INFINITE.
27 was wholly produced by Kim Jong Wan and was released on May 11th.
Source: OSEN


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There are trends that we watch to see if they will gain "ground" to see if they will become a fad or stick around and become a real trend. There are also some trends that transcend from one industry to the other. We see that often times with the fashion world and how it affects bridal fashion and vice versa. This cocktail trend – savory sips – is one that I have seen at cocktail lounges but now I am also seeing them at private parties. Not only is a fun trend for your guests, it's not difficult to execute at all and the possibilities are endless. Take advantage of the fresh herbs and vegetables growing in your area by patronizing your farmer's market. Click on the links below the image for any of these savory cocktail recipes…
Cucumber – Rosemary Gin & Tonic
Ginger Bourbon Fizz & Sweet Ginger Sparkler
Eat Boutique via Snippet & Ink
Savory Peach Cocktail
Rhubarb Mimosa
Creole Watermelon
Mango-Habanero Tequila Cocktail
Meyer Lemonade with Basil
Spicky Cocktails via Refinery 28
Ichiban Collins, Rodriguez Sour,Genki, Not Tonight


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This summer has been a time of turmoil and change in our lives. But as often as I can, I go to the river and sit on a large rock, allowing the sights and sounds and the energy to open my heart and soul to the flow of the Universe.
Two days ago, I went to the river with this question in mind: What are the really important lessons in life?
As always, the river provided answers:
- Walking along the riverbank, I noticed how the extended drought had left the rocks exposed. A week ago, this was a desolate area full of mud and rocks. Today, growing among the rocks, was purple loosestrife, clinging to whatever small bit of soil it could find now that the river had moved away from the banks. The lesson: No matter how bad things are, there is always a little soil you can cling to, and in that soil, you can create life again. Never lose hope.
- At my feet I found an opened mussel shell, probably the remains of some hungry raccoon's nightly feast. The outside of the shell was dark brown, covered with dirt and algae, nearly unnoticeable in among the rocks at the riverbank. Yet when I looked inside the shell, the iridescent pinks, mauves and creams made me sigh with wonderment. The lesson: What looks ugly on the outside can have, inside it, a small piece of joy and beauty. Take the time to discover the beauty in all things.
- I sat on a large, flat rock that overhangs the river where the rapids begin. The wind was blowing warm and fast from the south, bringing with it gray clouds and rain showers. Overhead, several large predatory birds circled and climbed on the winds. At first I thought they were searching for food, but soon it became clear that they were simply enjoying a ride on the wind. The lesson: Be "in the moment" as much as possible, enjoy the simple things that life brings you, and take time to play every day.
- The wind picked up and I knew rain was coming, but I was loathe to leave this peaceful place. I noticed that there were few insects around; the wind was simply too much for them. However, an industrious bumble bee was attempting multiple landings on the loosestrife, despite how the wind buffeted him away from his target again and again. The lesson: Persevere. Even when the winds of life push you around, always be the best Self you can possibly be.


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***This is from Jenny Young, an AF Mom sharing a helpful tip :
There is a website and app that tracks the flights they take to basic and any other flights. Its called Flightaware.com and the app is called the same thing. It will tell you if they are delayed and when they land or take off. We used this and we knew he landed minutes before he called and told us he landed.


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Letter written by Seth Alden from Portsmouth Grove to his sister on March 21, 1863
Primary tabs
Portsmouth Grove (Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island) Mar 21
Dear Sister
I was a looking for
a letter two night (tonight) from you but I
did not get one the mail has just
come in but I guess it will come
[sheuer? "sure"?] to morrow as you have wrote
a few lines in Sea [Jama?] letter I think
that I will do like wise perhaps you
have not got my letter but I think
that you have and did not get it untill (until)
the very last of the week and have not
had a chance to put it into the office
I am getting along wisely have not
got farly (fairly) over my Journy (journey) yet I have
got a bad cold I am glad to hear that
the boys are getting those discharges
I have most forgot [hough? "who"?] it was
for I have lost the letter but
Mel Burse (Burse, Mel) is one of them and Albert (Elles, Albert)
Give my love
to all I think
it is all up about
me Coming home
[Hu?] and perhaps
it is all for the best
I am as well
Countented (contented)
as you Could
exspect (expect) you
know that I
never liked
a master to say
you go hear (here) and
you go thare (there)
and you [cant?]
do his and
that Seth (Alden, Seth H.)
Albert) a nother Seulhess (soldiers) has had
a good time I suppose and I
have not heard from him we
parted and [??] what you have wrote
I am glad to hear (hear) that you are all
well and have got snmthing (something) too
do Carroll (Carroll) wrote that that money
was plenty and I exspect (expect) that
wages are good be they doing good
buisness (business) with the [Fadey?] I have
not heard mutch (much) about that since
I came out it is 8 months today
since I Enlisted I have [e?] got
four months pay in my packet
and when I shall get eny (any) more
I have got three twenty dollar
bills and I have been thinking
about sending some of it home
in a letter most all the boys have
got two or three letters since we have
been hear (here) I will give you my post
offic (office) adres (address) Mr Seth H Alden (Alden, Seth H.) U.S.A
Gen Hospital Portsmouth GroveRI (Rhode Island) (Portsmouth Grove, Rhode Island)


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Come join us for dinner at Buddy's favorite restaurant, Logan's Roadhouse, on July 31st from 4pm to 10pm to help raise money for the Foundation.
Click here to get your ticket!
How does it work? Simply enjoy a great meal at Logan's Roadhouse, present the attached ticket, and up to 20% of the food sales will be presented to the Buddy Christian Foundation.
Please feel free to share and invite anyone and everyone. The only catch is you must bring the ticket with you and no tickets can be given out on Logan's Roadhouse Property.
We hope to see you there!


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On Sunday, January 26th, 2020
1026 Venice Drive, Bryan, TX 77808
Listed by Raylene Lewis, REALTOR® & Hosted by Carol Sunseri, REALTOR® from 1-4 pm!
For Directions or information call Carol at 817-279-3416
Large 3/2.5 home on a corner lot in Siena Subdivision. Grand open floor plan downstairs flowing with wood laminate throughout kitchen, dining, living, and half bath. The kitchen includes gas range, enormous pantry, and copious granite counter space. Bonus loft upstairs for second living, play, or game room. All bedrooms boast walk-in closets for a plethora of storage. Enormous backyard with patio and additional pergola for more entertainment space providing that highly sought after shade for our Texas summers. The great neighborhood offering a community pool, playground, a duck pond with adorable pergola on the peninsula, and trails for walking/biking.


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Stick Season
By Rachel Barenblat, The Velveteen Rabbi
I used to own a long, soft, narrow-wale corduroy dress that always seemed to call to me around this time of year. Its colors were muted: taupe and pale purple and deep fir-green. One day I realized that it matched the Berkshire hills in their November colors: the taupe brown of bare trees seen from a distance, the muted purple of distant hillsides at early twilight, the deep green of conifers on the highest parts of the hills.


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I'm one among the millions of people who love chocolate flavored baked treats but unfortunately my husband is not. So I have to keep alternating between chocolate and non-chocolate treats to please my son and husband respectively.
My son like me will just drool when he hears the word chocolate. So he gets upset if I don't bake anything chocolaty. He has been requesting me to bake chocolate cupcakes/muffins for a very long time now. I have been baking a lot of non-chocolate muffins like these vegan mango muffins, high-fiber carrot bran muffins and gluten-free banana muffins recently.
So it was time for something decadent and very chocolaty. I knew which recipe it had to be because I have this pending in my bookmarks list for almost a year now. It's chocolate ricotta muffins!. As usual I have made changes to the original recipe to make it egg free, slightly healthful and to make a smaller batch. And as usual like my other chocolate flavored recipes this one didn't fail me and was devoured by everybody other than my husband. Poor him, he doesn't know what he's missing. Just leave it at that!
Eggless Chocolate Ricotta Muffins Recipe
|Prep Time
|Cook Time
|20 Mins
|25 Mins
|12 Muffins
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese (see My Notes for vegan version)
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup milk (I used 2%)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup avocado oil (any oil of your choice)
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C for 15 minutes. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients mentioned in Part 1.
- In another medium sized bowl sitr together the wet ingredients listed in Part 2.
- Fold in the wet mix into the flour mix and stir until just combined.
- Spoon 1/3rd of a cup of batter for each muffin and bake it for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.
- Transfer the muffin tin to a cooling rack and leave it for about 5 minutes if you have used paper liners. Remove the muffins from the tin and place it on the wire rack to cool completely.
- I didn't have whole wheat pastry flour in hand so used a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour.
- You can also add some white chocolate chips to make these triple chocolate muffins.
- For a vegan version, pureed silken tofu can replace the ricotta cheese, 1/3rd of a cup of non-dairy milk mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar for the buttermilk and any non-dairy milk for the 2% milk should do the trick. I have not tried this but I think it will work out pretty good.
- I usually prefer serving whole wheat muffins the next day allowing for the flavors to settle down. So I would suggest baking these or any other whole wheat muffins a day ahead.


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Philly Gossip: Sally Field and Andre 3000 Jump Rope on Dispatches from Elsewere, Plus a New The Servant Teaser
Hope you're out and about enjoying this beautiful day. I have a feeling that we are now w/i months of our first snow storm.
The new IPhone takes great photos, but not so great through windows with yellow street lights…just saying.
Thursday I started getting tips that Dispatches from Elsewhere with Jason Segel, André 3000, Sally Field, Eve Lindley and Richard E. Grant, would be filming on Locust St, but as I am in the middle of Social Season I didn't think I'd be able to catch them. Luck be a lady, after my Friday night event I heard they were just starting to film. I was a little surprised they could secure a set on Locust St on a Friday night, but they did. I headed to my favorite deli Schlessinger's and got a front row seat.
Although the reflective window was a bit to deal with I think you can make out Andree 3000 and Sally Field.
Although I had my camera with me, but I took these photos with my phone as I didn't want to create a ruckus as sometimes happens when a paparazzo is on the scene. Everyone was great and recognized me, including Jason Segel who gave me a thumbs up and greeted me with a big smile when he saw me through the window at Schlessinger's. That was very nice.
Earlier in the day they were filming at 832 Lombard Street. Thanks to a PhillyChitChat instagram follower for sending me this shot. There's a smiling Jason in front of the window. If you're keeping track, this is probably filming for the 6th episode of the 10 episode series. Filming is scheduled to continue through November.
M Night Shyamalan's new Apple TV Series formerly called Crumpet, now called The Servant has dropped. The new TV series was filmed in the Philadelphia area. See you tomorrow on PhillyChitChat. Follow me on Instagram, Twitter and FB for up to the moment happenings.


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This shape was definitely the hardest! I really wanted to try one of each though and am so grateful that I was able to find the time. As I kept turning it around, my eyes kept focusing on the contours that ultimately became the squirrels face and hands. It made me think of begging squirrels. We do feed squirrels but most of our bird feeders are squirrel proof. This drives the squirrels crazy but still they keep trying. All of this made me think of a squirrel in fancy dress, hoping for access to the feeder. I'm happy with how the squirrel came out but I think this pandemic has taken it's toll on my thoughts…..
Fancy for the Feeder
Add Comment
Sweet ProdigySuper Gobbler
Very creative thinking. This is a convincing design that really makes it look like the shape of the cookie was made for the squirrel.
PUDING FARMGobbler
sooo cute cookie and story
IcingsugarkeksSuper Gobbler
@Sweet Prodigy posted:
Very creative thinking. This is a convincing design that really makes it look like the shape of the cookie was made for the squirrel.
Thank you Christine. This really was so much fun. You upped the difficulty level perfectly.❤
@PUDING FARM posted:
sooo cute cookie and story
Thank you so much my friend.😘
@Icingsugarkeks posted:
Thank you so much Gabi!😊😘❤🍪
Tina at Sugar WishesCookie Queen in Training
So sweet.
@Tina at Sugar Wishes posted:
So sweet.
Thank you for all your kind words Tina.
Petra FloreanSuper Gobbler
So so cute dear Lisa❤
@Petra Florean posted:
So so cute dear Lisa❤
Thank you Petra!❤
Manu biscotti decoratiCookie Queen in Training
You are so creative!
@Manu biscotti decorati posted:
You are so creative!
Awww. Thank you Manu. This challenge was so inspiring.❤
Joanna ManuelGobbler
Brilliantly done


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Thing 1 is Lam Research, a Semiconductor Equipment company. I have held it for weeks but given the market's short-term risk profile, am taking well earned profit as I did with its fellow, AMAT. LRCX's quarter is out and we have our answers. It was indeed correct for us (NFTRH) to be bullish on the Equipment sector for Q2's results reporting.
Thing 2 is Cabot Microelectronics, a Semi [manufacturing] materials company, which just had a nice quarter. It's further below radar than LRCX (i.e. the casino style momos are not in it) and I think I will hold it for a while longer.
Subscribe to NFTRH Premium for your 25-35 page weekly report, interim updates and NFTRH+ chart and trade ideas or the free eLetter for an introduction to our work. Or simply keep up to date with plenty of public content at NFTRH.com and Biiwii.com. Also, you can follow via Twitter @BiiwiiNFTRH.


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What are the differences between a savings account and fixed deposit? In short, savings account lets put in and withdraw money at any time without penalty on your interest earnings. As for fixed deposit, you have to put in a specific amount of money that needs to be locked down by the bank for a period of time. If there is a withdrawal during the lock down period, you will lose ALL or 50% of your total return.
Therefore, despite having to put our savings in fixed deposit, most of us will still have a substantial amount of savings in our savings account as well. Who doesn't need to prepare liquid cash for daily expenses and emergency use, right? In that case, why not put them into a savings account that generates you return equivalent to or even higher than fixed deposit?
Putting money into savings account has never been so rewarding! Last year we brought to you an article on OCBC 360 savings account which offers up to 4.10% of interest . In case you missed it, here's the link to that article : Have your savings account gain interest like fixed deposit. Just recently, OCBC has launched a brand new savings account, the OCBC Booster account that could let you earn up to 4.45% interest! That's right, it's a whopping 4.45% which is better than any fixed deposit rate at the time of writing. OCBC Booster account is available in both conventional and islamic banking.
"You don't need a Fixed Deposit account to get higher interest rate!"
Is it true that you can really earn up to 4.45% of interest? The answer is YES! All you need to do is to maintain a minimum of RM 30,000 in the account to earn the first 3.25% of interest. Then, sign up for a savings plan or put in a lump sum into Unit Trust investment to earn another 1.20% of interest, which brings the total to 4.45%.
As OCBC calls it "Wealth Bonus", this 1.20% can be earned through 2 methods for conventional banking:
And as for Islamic banking, there's only 1 method available:
If you'll like to know more, here's the link to the official page : OCBC Booster Account or you could drop by any OCBC branch to enquire more on this. Just don't let your money sit in a normal savings account!
OCBC 360 and OCBC Booster saving accounts both have their own unique features to cater to different target market. Although OCBC 360 may give you slightly lower return (4.1%), the requirements to fulfill are also more lenient and more achievable for certain people. Do have a read on both the accounts and decide for yourself on which suits you best!
Now go forth and SAVE!!
This is not a paid advertisement as FINPosts is a strictly neutral party which aims to deliver only the best financial recommendations for our readers. Do shoot us an email if you have better alternatives or suggestions and we would be more than thrilled to share your thoughts with others on our site. Stay tune for our next exciting post!
Do subscribe for our free weekly money tips and occasional mystery gifts!


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Tom Felton bundles up in a comfy coat while leaving at Craig's Restaurant on Sunday night (January 3) in West Hollywood, Calif.
The 28-year-old Harry Potter alum was joined by his longtime love Jade Olivia, with whom he hopped into his killer Lamborghini to head home.
Tom recently took to Instagram to wish fans a happy new year, and to remember his late dog Timber.
"Many wishes of new year happiness xx #timberlives," he captioned the shirtless pic, which you can see below!
10+ pics of Tom Felton and Jade Olivia out to dinner together… More Here! »


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Infographic: Creating the utilities workplace of the future
The changes that will be required in the workplace over the next decade will force Utilities organizations to significantly alter the systems and policies that employees work with. But utilities players face particular challenges in improving the flexibility of working hours and practices and in implementing technology to better support innovation. There is a growing need to restructure operations and diversify, with digital technology providing the means to generate efficiencies and improve services. However, many organizations are struggling to adapt.
Learn here how to develop your workplace transformation strategy for Utilities now.
Learn more: Develop your workplace transformation strategy for Utilities now.


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Pompadour is one of the most preferred hairstyles for men of all ages. It is suitable for almost every man with different facial features and styles. You can sport this style of haircut for every occasions from weddings to parties or casual looks and work.
Pompadour can be so versatile that can be sported for many different occasions with different styles. You can style it into slicked back or side parted for special events and business meetings. Textured and relaxed Pompadour hairstyles are perfect for young guys who like to sport a cool and trending hairstyle. Medium length Pompadour is one of the most preferred styles it is a safe and cool haircut for men. Pompadour looks as its best on thick and straight hair or wavy hair, if you have thin hair texture it would be wise to go with shorter Pompadour haircuts. Shaves sides and undercut style is also very popular among young guys and teens, so feel free to make some changes about classy Pompadour style and be inspired by these looks below!
1. Pompadour Hair with Shaved Style
[adinserter name="Block 1″]
2. Classy Pompadour Haircut for Men
3. Men Shaved Haircut with Pompadour Style
4. Pompadour Dark Brown Hair for Men
5. Classy Pompadour Hair


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Hopefully Councillor Jaye Robinson wasn't looking to keep her low profile at City Hall intact. To use some mixed football terminology, Mayor Ford has handed the homelessness ball off to her, called a timeout and left the field to enjoy the halftime show. Run, Robinson! Run!
Only the most obdurate ally of the mayor, at this point, refuses to acknowledge that there may be some question about the numbers city staff is giving in terms of shelter space and beds available to the people living on our streets. The official line is everything's OK, hunky dory. The supply meets the demand for anyone needing a place to stay. Those using and working in the shelter system disagree. They've declared an emergency and point to 8 dead bodies in 2013 as proof.
How to get to the bottom of this quandary? Yesterday twenty-three councillors voted to debate the matter, to get city staff to show that their numbers are valid and that the city is doing all that it can to provide shelter to those who need it. Now. When weather conditions are at their most unforgiving. The mayor and twenty other councillors including Councillor Robinson, believe everything is fine and that the matter will be handled all in due time at next month's Community Development and Recreation Committee meeting.
Respect the process, people. Mayor Ford is all about respecting the process.
That argument was persuasive, at least coming from Robinson who is the chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. More palatable certainly than Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday and Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong waving around staff numbers and accusing their colleagues of crying wolf. Or Councillor Doug Ford's insisting that the real problem with people out on the street was that they didn't want to use the shelters. So what could we possibly do about it?
So debate done. A two-thirds majority was not achieved. Everybody, as you were. We'll talk again in March. Fingers crossed no one else dies in the cold and inclement weather between now and then.
Having provided cover for the mayor on the matter, Councillor Robinson must now realize this is all on her plate. Mayor Ford has washed his hands of it and will continue to tout the numbers he likes in order to maintain everything's being taken care of, nothing he's done with the budget (the best budget ever in the city of Toronto) has adversely affected shelters or people living on the streets. His conscience is clean.
But if he's not right. If with further digging, it's discovered there is a discrepancy. If city staff numbers don't ultimately match up with the facts on the ground, Mayor Ford will shrug and say he only proceeded using the information he was given, so he can hardly be held accountable. What was everybody on the Community Development and Recreation Committee doing? Were they asleep at the wheel?
By managing to quash the emergency debate yesterday, the mayor has put this matter behind him. He was never a big fan of dealing with the homeless and shelters anyway. Ultimately, his core constituency doesn't have a problem with that. I'm not sure Councillor Robinson has that luxury.
While she helped spearhead the derailment of the mayor's brother's Port Lands plans nearly 18 months ago, Councillor Robinson has otherwise quietly stick-handled playing along with Team Ford. She is the remaining female face on his Executive Committee and votes less often along party lines on key issues than any of the other committee members. Such independence is going to be put to the test while in the spotlight of a very hot button topic.
In her role as CDR Committee chair, Councillor Robinson is going to have to challenge city staff to show that their data on shelter space and beds is robust without Mayor Ford having her back. He will hold tight onto the numbers we're being given now because they back his claim that all is well and good. Councillor Robinson will be driving full on into a solid wall of resistance while being pursued by a whole truckload of denial wanting to hear only one answer.
Her reputation as a nonpartisan member of council is at stake. If the information coming from city staff is what they say it is now, Councillor Robinson should walk away unscathed. If there's any sort of suggestion that all is not what we're being told, she's going to have some difficult decisions ahead, starting with a mayor not wanting to hear what she'll need to say.
But it's a position she put herself in by standing up and arguing against having a council debate on the question. She assumed full responsibility. Going forward, Councillor Robinson will be the face of City Hall's response to homelessness in Toronto.
That's Councillor Jaye Robinson, Ward 25 Don Valley West.
— coo-coo-coo-chooly submitted by Cityslikr


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SelTec provides expert Technology Consulting, Managed IT Services, Cybersecurity, Document Storage, Regulatory Compliance and Technical
Services for your Law Firm.
When dealing with E-mail Archiving and Data Storage management, law firms must comply with the Federal Regulations on Civil Procedures (FRCP) mandating that organizations must know where their data is, how to retrieve it and how to meet data requests.
We have the tools and the deep knowledge of leading e-mail archiving, data storage and compliance solutions that your law firm may need. You can count on SelTec to provide you with best of services.
Our well-established Managed IT Services solution ensures smooth operation of your organization through:


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Aviator Eats: PicklesMay 12, 2020
Aviator Eats: Pickles & Pickling Liquid
Pickling is a fantastic way to extend the shelf life of vegetables straight from the supermarket or that have gone unused in your fridge and may soon be turning. From burgers, sandwiches, and cheese plates, and more. Beyond just cucumbers, many other vegetables hold up well and you can use the pickling liquid for peppers, cauliflower, onions, fennel, and more.
- 2-4 cucumbers (between 1-2 pounds, traditionally Persian or Kirby are used but any type works)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed or sliced
Optional But Recommended Seasonings
- Red pepper flakes – 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
- Dill seeds – 2 to 3 teaspoons | fresh dill can also be used
- Black Peppercorns – 1 to 2 teaspoons
Other Excellent Seasoning Options
- Jalapenos
- Cilantro
- Cumin seeds or powder
- Fennel seeds or powder
- Yellow mustard seeds or powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Sumac
- Wide mouth mason jars – it is strongly recommended to sanitize the jars by boiling the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. We prefer to use a one-quart jar for this recipe.
- Slice cucumbers into round slices or spears. We recommend a mandolin for round slices.
- Place the cucumbers and garlic in jars. Fill the jar up as much as possible without smashing the cucumbers.
- Combine liquids and seasonings in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Pour the pickling liquid into the jar(s). Once the jars are cool to the touch they can be placed in the fridge or stored in a cool dry place until opened. You may have leftover pickling liquid
Helpful Hints
- The pickling brine is a great marinade for chicken when you finish the pickles
- You can make a cold brine by reusing the brine after you finish the pickles


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Designed specifically for employed individuals or individuals with a regular income whether you want to make a major purchase, finance a wedding or a personal project, apply for a Personal Loan Facility to help you get where you're going.
✅ Maximum term of 48 months
✅ Ideal for furniture and appliances, home computers, motor vehicles, property, holidays, stock market
Simply fill out the enquiry form and we will be in contact regarding next steps.
Fill .in your details below and a First Capital Bank representative will contact you with further details.


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Today is the day that Florin moves (up and out) of Blacksburg to the greater Peoria, IL area!
He's packed and ready to go, complete with a new briefcase and everything (Thanks, Nana!):
And even Calen didn't want to be left behind; I think he figured that if he curled up and was small enough, maybe we wouldn't notice him in the car before we drove off:
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Even Calen doesn't want to see Daddy go!
Posted by Amber D. (Evans) Marcu, Ph.D. at 08:51
Labels: Around the house, At work, Life changing news, Travels
No comments:
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We've always suspected that uncompromising anti-food groups like the Center for Science in the "Public Interest" really only have one set of interests in mind: their own. Routinely rushing to demonize another food or ingredient, they've long used things like salt and sugar as convenient punching bags without much consideration for the long-term fallout. Today The New York Times reports that the Law of Unintended Consequences may soon be rearing its head in some schools. Politicians have decided to take kid-favorite flavored milks off the menu because of the public health movement's sugar haranguing (emphasis added):
When students went back to school Monday in the District of Columbia, they were served only low-fat white milk. Berkeley, Calif., schools banned chocolate milk, and Florida school officials are considering it. …
Flavoring milk, some school officials and milk processors say, is the only way to get students to drink it. Milk provides a host of nutrients, including calcium, protein and vitamin D, which recent studies show is deficient in about three-quarters of teenagers and adults.
"It's better for them to have some milk with some flavoring and a little added sugar than to go without milk," said [the School Nutrition Association's Diane] Pratt-Heavner, whose organization last month helped release a study that showed that elementary school children drank 35 percent less milk at school on average when flavored milk was removed.
Too much sugar can be unhealthy, and it can cause kids to gain weight, just as too much of any food can. But there's nothing wrong with some sugar, unless your health compass only recognizes absolutes.
Anti-sugar demagogues aren't doing much good here, except for furthering their own agenda and influence. And despite the popular idea that banning some beverages is only done "for the children," it appears that the kids won't be any healthier when the dust settles.


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Sunday, 12 February 2017
Slow Sunday Rainbow Stitching
7 comments:
Hope all of you get to feeling better soon.ReplyDelete
I love the colour of this star! What a great rainbow scrap challenge quilt!ReplyDelete
Those are some TINY triangles!! I think I'll stick to small squares. :PReplyDelete
I can certainly empathize with you about this being a very bad year for colds and flu. I am glad that you are feeling well enough to get into the sewing room!ReplyDelete
I am glad you are feeling better, hopefully you will continue to stay well. Your RSC project is very pretty!ReplyDelete
Such a fun project! Hope you're feeling much better soon!ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry you have all been sick. Disinfect those light switches, doorknobs, remotes, phones, keyboards. Stop the madness! (Seriously, I hope you're feeling better soon.) Love the triangles - SO cute!ReplyDelete
I love reading all your comments, and am grateful for each one. I try very hard to answer them all, but lately I haven't quite been able to answer all of them.


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Best Picture: Django Unchained
I probably don't need to bring this one up again. But this is my blog so back off! Anyway, Quentin Tarantino continues to push the form forward more and more as others try to resist change. More than anything, "Django" was the most interesting, and often the funniest, film of the year. By embracing inaccuracy, it provided a more accurate satire of backwards southern nobility than any serious historical film could ever dream up. The fact that "Django" both balanced a somber condemnation of slavery with farce on the level of "Blazing Saddles" is still a marvel to me. As the Academy voters grow younger and younger, one day they will embrace Tarantino for the master he is, and his films for the masterpieces they almost always are.
Best Director: Michael Haneke (Amour)
Maybe "Amour" went on a little too long for my taste, but I cannot overlook Haneke's haunting work. Sometimes, the emotions behind "Amour" are too overwhelming for me to even think about. Haneke presented aging and old age in such a removed way that it actually draws us closer to the characters. By stepping back, all of the small details and actions are allowed to unfold.
Phoenix was the unsung hero of cinema in 2012. After his surreal performance art hoax that culminated in the documentary "I'm Not Here," Phoenix shows why he is secretly one of the best actors working today, in a performance that could define his career. As self-destructive outsider Freddie Quell, Phoenix had to take on the task of both being the observer and the weirdest guy in the room. He roams around with slouched posture, almost resembling an alcoholic caveman. And in a film so dark and difficult to interpret, he provided some very overlooked comic relief. If you didn't laugh at that fart, then you're not human.
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
As Tiffany, Jennifer Lawrence is masterful at controlling the character's turbulent mood swings, and channeling all of the right emotion at the right time. That is why the most unforgettable scenes of this film, including one that takes place outside a movie theater on Halloween, and one in which Lawrence basically gets to dig in to Robert De Niro, revolve around her outstanding performance.
Best Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook)
I was tempted to put Christoph Waltz here for his eloquence and being able to basically be a living embodiment of Tarantino dialogue. However, it wasn't until I watched Robert De Niro's return to form in "Silver Linings Playbook" that I realized how much I missed his presence on screen. Unlike his classic performances in "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull," De Niro, while tough, actually provides some of the film's most moving moments. While he manages to steal the spotlight from the two fantastic leads every time he asks that someone hold the remote, he never tries to dominate the screen. In that, he does what every supporting actor should. Only someone with as much experience and talent as De Niro could strike that perfect balance.
Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)
While I never reviewed, anyone who knows me knows that I wasn't necessarily taken by "Les Miserables." However, I have just as many good things to say about Hathaway's performance as I do bad things to say about the film.* In just one scene, she combined acting and singing in a way I've never seen before. My biggest complaint about musicals is that big musical numbers can often distract from the emotional core of a scene. However, this was not the case for Hathaway's big solo. After she finished singing "I Dreamed A Dream," my only thought was, "Anne Hathaway just won the Oscar." I stand by that thought.
Best Original Screenplay: Django Unchained
Yes, I'm giving out more "Django" love. Tarantino really does belong near the top of the greatest screenwriters of all time. Some would think that he would have never been able to top his early career Oscar win. However, he keeps getting more and more ambitious with every film. Besides twisting history, "Django Unchained" hits a perfect balance of hilarious absurdity and dead serious historical social commentary. Plus, now that Tarantino has figured out how to write for Christoph Waltz, he was able to create one of his best characters ever. Some scenes might feel like they go on for so long, but I always felt like I could keep watching and listening. Also, Quentin is a man so gifted and knowledgeable that he knows how to create violence that is sometimes silly and other times realistic (listen to his recent Fresh Air interview. He also talks about his mom dating Wilt Chamberlain. Seriously.).
Best Adapated Screenplay: Argo
I was tempted to give this one to "Silver Linings Playbook." But as well written as that one is, I think it is overwhelmingly a triumph of acting. While "Argo" mostly could have done without the backstory of Mendez's son ("I just wanna go home and read to my son!" should be a new movie trope), the rest of the film is a classic thriller. The Hollywood scenes are fun and self-referential, but the film also splits equal time with the seriousness of the hostage crisis. "Argo" serves as a study of the fascinating politics of both the U.S. government and the film industry. Mainly, "Argo" delivers the most memorable line of dialogue written in any film this year: "Argo f**k yourself."


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Kharma – Moment of Violence [EP/2018]
Artist: Kharma
Album: Moment of Violence – EP
Have you ever been under the gun? Under such enormous pressure that milliseconds stretch to weeks and minutes feel like years shaved off of your life? That every excruciating, miniscule breadth of time that passes feels like it won't end.
If you use that definition of a "moment"–the kind that spans inordinate amounts of time and wears away at the edges of your sanity and humanity—then, yeah, Kharma's sophomore effort Moment of Violence is accurately named–because it delivers far more than the standard "minute" of intense, immolating energy. Laden with rambunctious, ruthless and driving hardcore influence with touches of beatdown and metallic elements to sharpen the band's roughest edges, Kharma's latest effort is the very definition of visceral. Refusing to slow down for even a second, Moment of Violence is a series of bewildering breakdowns, scathing riffs and fast-footed two steps that carry on the bands political mindset and pissed-off demeanor well into the societal downward spiral that is 2018. Catchy, crushing, cruel and heavier than all Hell, Kharma's follow-up to their acclaimed debut is absolutely everything a fan of raw, riveting heavy music could ask for.
The title of Kharma's 2018 record only promises a single moment of violence, but rest assured—the listener gets so much more. From the raunchy introductory number, through "Paper Gangster," and to the very end of the jarring, brutalizing "Distress," the band are at their peak, bringing riff-heavy, fluid and furious displays of no-holds-barred aggression with the grace and elegance of a ballerina—but the brash, careless disregard for the listener's welfare of a spiked wrecking ball. With bouncy, bold percussion that oscillates from hardcore-influenced, breakneck patterns and explosive booming toms to snappy, ear-splitting snare hits punctuating spline-slicing breakdowns, the band's foundation has never been stronger. "Paper Gangster" is likely the track that first sees this dynamic fully achieved—with the percussion working as a marvelous framework for snappy, slinking bass that adds fluidity and transition to the segments that join the thrashy leads of "Distress" and define the back-busting heaviness of "Moment of Violence," the aptly named eponymous track of the album. Together, the bass and percussion work as a scaffold for the brazen fretwork Kharma unleash. Technicality? No—that's not the name of the game. Neither is subtlety. Kharma are out to split wigs with Moment of Violence, and their instrumental dynamic does so brilliantly. Just about every track sees the group unleashing all sorts of hell—with "Distress" hitting heavy and hard with metallic influence and over-the-top hardcore fervor and tracks like "Good Riddance," "Paper Gangster" and "Hands of the Oppressor" bringing ever so slightly beatdown-tinted brutality right to the listener's doorstep.
Kharma's oppressive reign over the listener's headphones and speaker system doesn't end with the excellent and aggressive instrumentation. The band's vocal element is just as aggressive and raw as one can possibly imagine. With harsh barks (not of the arf-arf variety), gritty, raw mid-range yells and low bellows that share air time with shrill shrieks, Moment of Violence is a surprisingly versatile record when it comes to the band's vocal talents. Furthermore, their lyrics are contemporary and relatable—involved with personal grudges, disdain for…well, just about everything, but everything slightly dusted with a political overtone that gives it a remarkable level of relevance. It doesn't brow-beat the listener with ideology, it doesn't strive to create a new political rhetoric—it's just pissed, and if it were anything else, it would be a stark contrast to the band's instrumentation. However, like everything else, the band's frontman works smoothly and impressively with Kharma's style and sound—making Moment of Violence all the more violent.
Kharma take hardcore from yesteryear and blend it with modern polish (but not too much polish), innovative structure, personal points-of-view and plenty of piss and vinegar. The result is Moment of Violence—a short but sweet album that lights an infernal fire under the hardcore scene's ass. Heavier than ten elephants, and more likely to flatten the listener than an entire bridage of steamrollers, Moment of Violence knows no bounds, just as it knows no tact or softness. It is a harsh, unkind album for a harsh, unkind world—and it's exactly what we need.
For Fans Of: King Nine, Bulldoze, Everybody Gets Hurt, Drowning
By: Connor Welsh


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text: As CEO & President Glympse, Chris is responsible for leading the company's growth and global strategy, facilitating company activity in sales, marketing, partnerships and product development. With over 25 years experience in the technology industry, he has great success translating corporate business visions into effective technology strategies and changes. Chris has spent 20+ years in various executive leadership roles in the software, mobile and IoT industries. Before coming to Glympse, he spent 12 years as CEO and President of UIEvolution (now Xevo), a global leader in enterprise software for the connected car, mobile, hospitality and the Internet of Things.


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Stagnant wages. Debt stress. Oh Venezuela.
Three key articles that stand out this week are 1) Patrick Gillespie's "Wages fell in 80 of 100 biggest U.S. cities during recovery" in CNN Money, 2) Sally Bakewell's "The $29 Trillion Corporate Debt Hangover That Could Spark a Recession" in Bloomberg, which goes hand-in-hand with Peter Eavis' "Toxic Loans Around the World Weigh on Global Growth" in The New York Times, and 3) Ricardo Hausmann's "It could be too late to avoid catastrophe in Venezuela" in the Financial Times.
Other items that are worth a mention:
- Evergrande Real Estate is asking its bond holders to relax its borrowing limits despite the reality that it is paying out increasing dividends to its shareholders all the while having "reported negative operating cash flows over the past five years."
- ChemChina is acquiring Syngenta for $34bn should the authorities agree; it will be largest outbound acquisition by a Chinese company, but more importantly it appears to me that this will become a key method for wealthy Chinese to get around tightening capital controls for getting money out of China.
- The liquid natural gas market should brace itself for a price war now that U.S. producers are sending their first shipments of LNG to Europe, Russia will be damn sure to make it unprofitable for U.S. companies like the Saudi's have been doing to the Shale gas providers. Not so good for Cheniere…
- Because I forgot to mention this last week, in case you were wondering, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was cleared by the newly appointed Attorney General (the last one was sacked) for the $680 million that was found deposited into his personal bank accounts. All a big misunderstanding. The money was a personal donation by the Saudi royal family and all but $61 million has been returned. Well the Swiss authorities are calling BS and have "found 'serious indications' that about $4bn was misappropriated" from Malaysia through the 1MDB investment fund.
Interesting graphics:
From Bloomberg Graphics, passive investment managers winning at the expense of active managers.
From the Financial Times, US junk debt yields rated triple C and lower have jumped.
*Note: bold emphasis is mine, italic sections are from the articles.
Wages fell in 80 of 100 biggest U.S. cities during recovery. Patrick Gillespie. CNN Money. 28 Jan. 2016.
This article really speaks to why for most people in the U.S. it does not feel that the economy is on firmer footing or is growing for that matter. Bottom line, wages in most cities have not recovered in most cities and especially for minorities.
"American cities powered the U.S. economy out of the recession and into its recovery. Out of America's 100 largest metro areas, almost each one improved on some measure of economic growth, employment, productivity or average wealth per person. The one red flag: wages."
"Median wages declined in 80 of those cities between 2009 and 2014, according to a new study released Thursday by the Brookings Institution. The wage declines were more pronounced among minorities than whites. Also, the wage gapes widened between races in cities with economies that ranked high overall."
"Only eight cities out of the largest 100 saw median wages and employment rates rise while its poverty rate fell."
"Denver, San Jose, Calif., Provo, Utah and Charleston, S.C. are among those few metro areas that saw economic inequality decrease overall… However, the median wages of white workers in Provo rose about 2% between 2009 and 2014. And the paychecks of black workers declined by nearly 20% in that time period."
"Wage growth has been largely absent during the U.S. economic recovery, and it's a big reason why many middle class Americans feel they haven't benefited. Only in recent months has wage growth started to move in the right direction nationally."
The $29 Trillion Corporate Debt Hangover That Could Spark a Recession. Sally Bakewell. Bloomberg. 28 Jan. 2016.
"There's been endless speculation in recent weeks about whether the U.S., and the whole world for that matter, are about to sink into recession. Underpinning much of the angst is an unprecedented $29 trillion corporate bond binge that has left many companies more indebted than ever."
"Credit-rating downgrades account for the biggest chunk of ratings actions since 2009; corporate leverage is at a 12-year high; and perhaps most worrisome, growing numbers of companies – one third globally – are failing to generate high enough returns on investments to cover their cost of funding."
"While not as pronounced as the rout in global equity markets, losses are beginning to pile up in the bond market too… Investors lost 0.2% on global corporate bonds in 2015, snapping a string of annual gains that averaged 7.9% over the previous six years."
"Worsening debt profiles contributed to S&P downgrading 863 corporate issuers last year, the most since 2009."
"Much of the cheap credit accumulated by companies was spent on a $3.8 trillion M&A binge, and to fund share buybacks and dividend payments. While that tends to push up share prices in the short term, bond investors would rather see that money spent on strengthening the business in the long term."
But… "S&P's global credit market outlook is stable and analysts estimate earnings will recover this year. Investment-grade firms have accumulated record amounts of cash, which will insulate them from market turbulence, according to a report from Citigroup Inc. this month."
"At about 3%, overall borrowing costs for companies around the world remain below the average of 4.5% in the preceding two decades even as spreads have widened."
"As of the second quarter, high-grade companies tracked by JPMorgan Chase & Co. incurred $119 billion in interest expenses over the last year, the most for data going back to 2000, according to the bank's analysis."
A somewhat more pessimistic outlook on this…
Toxic Loans Around the World Weigh on Global Growth. Peter Eavis. The New York Times. 3 Feb. 2016.
"Beneath the surface of the global financial system lurks a multitrillion-dollar problem that could sap the strength of large economies for years to come."
"Some analysts estimate that China's troubled credit could exceed $5 trillion, a staggering number that is equivalent to half the size of the country's annual economic output."
"In Europe, analysts say bad loans total more than $1 trillion."
Bad loans are on the rise in the energy and commodities sectors, in Brazil and elsewhere…
"If you have a boom and then a bust, you create economic losses. You can hope the losses one day turn into profits, but if they don't, they are a drag on the economy." – Alberto Gallo, head of global macro credit research at the Royal Bank of Scotland.
"China's financial sector will have loans and other financial assets of $30 trillion at the end of this year, up from $9 trillion seven years ago, said Charlene Chu, an analyst in Hong Kong for Autonomous Research."
According to Chu, "the world has never seen credit growth of this magnitude over such a short time. We believe it has directly or indirectly impacted nearly every asset price in the world, which is why the market is so jittery about the idea that credit problems in China could unravel."
"Headline figures for bad loans in China most likely do not capture the size of the problem, analysts say. In her analysis, Ms. Chu estimates that at the end of 2016, as much as 22% of the Chinese financial system's loans and assets will be 'nonperforming.' In dollar terms, that works out to $6.6 trillion of troubled loans and assets."
Ms. Chu "estimates that the bad loans could lead to $4.4 trillion of actual losses."
It could be too late to avoid catastrophe in Venezuela. Ricardo Hausmann. Financial Times. 3 Feb. 2016.
For those that haven't been following the falling knife that Venezuela has become…
"Domestically, the most likely scenario is an imminent economic collapse and a humanitarian crisis. Internationally, it will imply the largest and messiest emerging market sovereign default since the Argentine crisis of 2001."
"Why Venezuela? First, because while most other oil exporters used the boom to put some money aside, former president Hugh Chavez, who died in 2013, used it to quadruple the foreign debt. This allowed him to spend as if the average price of a barrel of oil was $197 in 2012, when in fact it was only $111."
"The year 2015 was an annus horribilis in Venezuela with a 10% decline in gross domestic product, following a 4% fall in 2014. Inflation reached over 200%. The fiscal deficit ballooned to 20% of GDP."
"In the free market, the bolivar has lost 92% of its value in the past 24 months, with the dollar costing 150 times the official rate: the largest exchange rate differential ever registered."
"As bad as these numbers are, 2016 looks dramatically worse."
President Nicolas Maduro is at odds with the National Assembly (opposition candidates were recently elected despite the government controlling the media and many opposition members having been locked up as a matter of practice since Chavez and his successor have been in power) "…the government has not announced any plans to address the domestic imbalances or the balance of payments problem. It has no strategy to seek the financial assistance of the international community. It has not even increased petrol prices from their current level, where $1 buys over 10,000 litres."
"The fallout for Venezuela's neighbors and the global economy will be substantial… Exporters to Venezuela are owed tens of billions of dollars of unpaid bills.
Under these conditions, a disorderly default, on a scale similar to the Argentine crisis, is almost inevitable."
While the IMF was set up to help avoid situations like this, Venezuela "has not let the IMF in (the country) since 2004."
Other Interesting Articles
Bloomberg Businessweek
- Russia's Great Shift Downward
- What's Not to Like About Cheap Oil? Well …
- Private Equity's Golden Age Wasn't So Golden After All
The Economist
Bloomberg – Hong Kong Property Slump Worries Investors 2/1
Economist – GDP'd off: Weak American growth is probably a blip 1/29
FT – Nigeria asks for $3.5bn emergency loans 1/31
FT – Swiss wreck efforts by Malaysia to contain 1MDB scandal 1/31
FT – Putin lines up state sell-offs to plug budget hole 2/1
FT – Malaysia stifles dissent as public unrest grows 2/1
FT – China Vanke tale shows share class divide 2/1
FT – US millennials caught in the parent trap 2/1
FT – Global competitive easing leaves US alone 2/1
FT – ChemChina closes in on $34bn Syngenta deal 2/2
FT – Global gas market braced for price war 2/3
FT – Risk of US recession back on the agenda for markets 2/3
FT – US junk debt rated triple C yields 20% 2/4
NYT – China Company Accused of Fleecing Investors of $7.6 Billion 2/1
NYT – Walmart Sues Puerto Rico, Claiming an Unfair and Onerous Tax Burden 2/3
NYT – Xi Jinping Assuming New Status as China's 'Core' Leader 2/4
Mauldin Economics – Tokyo Doubles Down 2/1
The Real Deal – Midtown (NYC) has more than 80 blocks of massive and very available office space 1/29
Reuters – Mid-tier Chinese banks piling up trillions of dollars in shadow loans 1/31
WSJ – Currency War: U.S. Hedge Funds Mount New Attacks on China's Yuan 1/31
WSJ – Credit Suisse, Barclays to Pay $154.3 Million to Settle 'Dark Pool' Investigations 1/31
WSJ – Japan's Negative Rates Are Rocket Fuel for Property Stocks 2/2
WSJ – Amazon Plans Hundreds of Brick-and-Mortar Bookstores, Mall CEO says 2/2
Special Reports


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The Czech Republic on Wednesday evening followed in the footsteps of U.S. President Donald Trump and said it recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.
"The Czech Republic currently, before the peace between Israel and Palestine is signed, recognizes Jerusalem to be in fact the capital of Israel in the borders of the demarcation line from 1967," said a statement issued by the Czech foreign ministry.
The statement also stressed that the Czech Republic "considers Jerusalem to be future capital of both states, meaning the State of Israel and the future State of Palestine."
"The Ministry can start considering moving of the Czech embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem only based on results of negotiations with key partners in the region and in the world," it added.
Trump had earlier on Wednesday announced that the United States officially recognized the city of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and announced that the American embassy in Israel would be relocated to Jerusalem.
"After more than two decades of waivers, we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. It would be folly to assume that repeating the exact same formula would now produce a different or better result," Trump said.
"Therefore, I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel."


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With the holidays officially around the corner, it's time to think about festive cocktails. My grocery store recently had some gorgeous black mission figs so I picked up a few and knew I wanted to include them in this fun fall harvest gathering. Believe it or not, a fig old fashioned is actually quite common. Okay, maybe not THAT common. But it's definitely a thing and I highly recommend giving it a try.
I did a bit of testing and honestly, hated what I came up with. I couldn't figure out what it needed. Wasn't sweet enough, needed a different bit of something. Then I stumbled onto this recipe from The Kitchen (a favorite show to watch on Saturday mornings) and had to give it a whirl. The recipe includes balsamic vinegar which you're probably thinking, um I don't want to drink that! But yes you do. It's an acid, just like lemon, and can help create that tart and brightness a cocktail needs. Especially with something heavier like bourbon. Plus, shrubs, a common cocktail addition for that something acidy but sweet, is oftentimes made with vinegar of some sort.
Personally, I don't keep orange juice in the house, so I swapped it with lemon juice and just upped the maple a tad to counterbalance the tartness. If you don't have fresh figs readily available, you can definitely use dried figs. I'd recommend rehydrating them in some of the balsamic vinegar before adding it to your shaker. Which would really give you pretty much a shrub. See what you just did there, you little mixologist, you! You can also add the dried figs to your bourbon and let it soak. Then you'll have some delicious fig infused bourbon that you can enjoy on the rocks as is.
Fig Old Fashioned Cocktail
How To Make An Old Fashioned With Figs
- 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon – you can also use a rye or whiskey if you prefer
- 1-2 black mission figs, halved – remove the stems.
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of maple syrup
TIP – If you don't have fresh figs, dried ones will work too! Just hydrate them in one of the liquids above.
Step One
Add your figs, lemon juice and vinegar into a shaker and muddle with a muddler
Step Two
Add ice and bourbon. Cover and shake like crazy. At least 60 seconds.
Step Three
Strain into a coupe glass or a standard old fashioned low ball glass. Garnish with a halved fig.
If you want to start small and try just a classic old fashioned cocktail, they're super easy to make. Just bourbon, a sugar cube, couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water.


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Word on the curb is that comedian Mike Epps beat up an Atlanta-area funny man for ragging on his drug use.
A local stand-up comic by the name of Lavar Walker was allegedly beat up by Epps and his crew outside of Atlanta's Uptown Comedy Corner last Saturday (May 31, 2014).
Walker had recently posted an instagram video where he spoofed Epps? beef with comic Kevin Hart. He appears in the video with white powder on his nose, an apparent jab at rumors of Epp's cocaine use and the funny man and his friends didn't think it was so funny.
Video + more details below…
A source told Rodney Ho of the AJC that Epps, in town shooting a Starz TV comedy ?Survivor?s Remorse,? saw the parody online, heard Walker was at the club and went there to confront him.
On the Instagram video below, you can see Lavar Walker parody a social media war of words between Mike Epps and another nationally known comedian, Kevin Hart. That video is what many say sparked the beating that landed Walker in Grady Memorial hospital.
VIDEO: Mike Epps Accused of Assaulting Atlanta Area Comedian WXIA-TV News Footage
According to Walker?s lawyer, Chris Stewart, said Mike Epps didn?t like the parody and came after Walker with his entourage at the comedy club.
?He was told Mr. Epps wanted to see him outside,? Stewart told Channel 2's Diana Davis.
Minutes later, Stewart said Epps had two of his associates beat up Walker in a parking lot.
?That?s not funny and for this to all happen over that Instagram joke is ridiculous,? Stewart said
According to WSB-TV's news report:
Another local comedian said he saw what happened.
?I was shocked by it all to go down like that, especially with Mike Epps who?s supposed to be a superstar. Why would he get involved in something?? Bo Micadelic said.
Witnesses say Walker never knew what hit him. When Walker walked out of the door, Micadelic claims one of Epps? bodyguards cold cocked him in the face and when he was down, kicked him in the head. He said Walker never fought back.
?He was basically pleading for them to stop,? Micadelic said.
The police report does not identify the two men who allegedly beat Walker. It also says Epps drove off. Micadelic said Epps taunted Walker as Walker was calling 911.
?And Mike Epps walked back out the deck, looked at Lavar and said, ?Are you going to call the police now?? And then he said, ?Don?t make any more videos of me.??
Walker was not available to speak on camera, but his lawyers said they?ll pursue criminal charges against Epps and file a civil suit.
?This type of violence over silly things like a joke video has to stop and people have to be held accountable for it,? Stewart said.
While there has been no 'official' word from the Epps camp, he has responded on twitter, stating:
It's real out there in the field!


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Fila Women's Axilus 2 Energized Tennis Shoes
The Fila Axilus Energized 2 Tennis shoes were created to provide players with premium tennis footwear that is backed by the pros. This updated tennis shoe offers a lightness and responsiveness that makes playing in these a real treat. A protective, molded forefoot cage offers abrasion resistance, stability and a more comfortable fit.


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If you are looking for a cabinet that offers plenty of space and will support heavy-duty sewing and embroidery machines, Bertha is for you.
When open, she offers 16 square feet of sewing space! Just open the two side leaves and quilt leaf on the back to work on larger sewing projects to prevent dragging and fabric bunching. What's even better is the quilt leaf slides horizontally along a metal rod behind the cabinet for custom positioning. But don't worry, Bertha can become a tidy cabinet tucked away when you're not using it.
We are aware of the following sewing machines that are too large to fit into the Bertha Cabinet:
The following machines fit the Bertha Cabinet but with issues:
Please be advised that this list may change as new models are introduced. It is extremely important to measure your machine prior to ordering to make sure it will fit.