text:
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Grieg's piano concerto
Time for a bit of comic relief. Comedy and classical music usually do not mix that well, if we except the sketches of Victor Borge. But I have a soft spot in my heart for this sketch by one of Britain's funniest combinations of the seventies, Morecambe and Wise. Helped by a brilliantly deadpan guest performance of director Andre
Preview Previn, they give a rendering of Grieg's piano concerto that defies description. "I'm playing all the right notes—but not necessarily in the right order." - simply brilliant.
Posted by Art Rock at 4:46 am
Labels: YouTube


text:
Just had to pop on for a funny Maddy moment today. She is a tortuously slow eater (well it tortures me, who has to sit there until she is finished to make sure she gets something into her rapidly getting taller body). I have to constantly tell her, "less talking, more chewing!" and I think she is starting to understand that she is a bit of a slow eater because she looked over at John and said, "Daddy, you're a fast eater. Me? Well I'm just a slow pope!"
We got a good laugh out of that. I love four year olds.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS:
|Another disaster foretold? : the case of the Child Support Agency
|Roberts, Colette M.
|Awarding Body:
|University of Nottingham
|Current Institution:
|University of Nottingham
|Date of Award:
|Availability of Full Text:
The Child Support Agency became operational in April 1993. The government hoped to introduce a system which would be clear and consistent and would deliver realistic amounts of child maintenance from more absent parents than under the old court and Department of Social Security systems. In so doing, the new system would reduce animosity between parents by removing child maintenance from any other divorce or separation negotiations and applying a fixed formula. However, it quickly became obvious that the new system for the assessment, collection and enforcement of maintenance for children was failing. This study adds to the debate about why the system failed by looking at what influenced government policy, both in the setting up of the Agency and in the changes introduced between April 1993 and April 1996. The study draws on evidence from politicians and political parties, the civil service, the voluntary sector and protest groups set up specifically to oppose the Agency. By outlining the attempts made by these various groups to influence the government and by closely examining the detail of the legislation and the formula used by the Agency, the study shows where the government responded positively to lobbying and whose influence was effectively ignored. The study also shows how the government managed to retain its commitment to reducing public expenditure and promoting "family values" as the basis of child support policy, but in practice failed to deliver on the main aims of the policy. Having analysed the failings of the system, the study concludes with some positive suggestions for improvement.
|Not available
|Not available
|Qualification Name:
|Thesis (Ph.D.)
|Qualification Level:
|EThOS ID:
|Not available
|HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare


text:
TpT Teacher Appreciation Sale is May 7-8! I'm having a sale and am offering 20% off all items in my store Be sure to check-out with code TAD13 to get an additional 10% off. Click on the picture to be taken to my store.
I just want to thank all the teachers out there that have put in so much time and effort to educate our kids. I love being part of a group of people that care more about others! I hope everyone has a wonderful week and can find some great deals along the way.


text:
We met at Jack Pine Trail, Sami, Connie, Jane, Peggy, Barb R, and me. We made a rather quick round of the trails without seeing the hoped-for Fox Sparrow.
We proceeded to
to car pool from there. We headed directly to the boat launch off Ottawa
in Vanier - we were looking for the
Western Grebe and Tufted Duck, but saw neither.
We checked a couple of other spots along the bike path towards the
bridge. We saw lots of Lesser Scaup, a
few Horned Grebes and Red-throated Grebes, a few Wood Ducks and some
Ring-necked Ducks. We then went back to Aylmer
to Deschenes Lookout where we saw a raft of male Black Scoters, Back at Ottawa ,
we saw more Scoters. Jane and I called
it a day, but the rest went on to Shirley's Bay and Bill Mason Centre. Andrew
Haydon Park
Bird List
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Blue Jay
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Ring-billed Gull
- Dark-eyed Junco
- American Robin
- Downy Woodpecker
- Mallard
- Lesser Scaup
- Horned Grebe
- Wood Duck
- American Black Duck
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Red-necked Grebe
- Red-breasted Merganser
- Ring-necked Duck
- Common Raven
- Cedar Waxwing
- Canada Goose
- Black Scoter
- Feral Pigeon
- White-winged Scoter
- Great Blue Heron
- American Crow


text:
The past few weeks have been more than a little hectic in the run-up to coming home for the holidays. That's right... I'm typing this post from Nova Scotia, cozy in my mom's house while the snow falls softly outside.
I kept myself busy in the weeks leading up to the day of our departure by helping out with Jayden and my niece Daisy (I had really wanted to share photos of the few days spent with these two amazing little people, however time ran away from me); getting all the Christmas shopping sorted for both of our families and of course there were a couple of Christmas parties to attend. Then on Sunday, the day before we due to travel down to London, Andy was punched in the gut with a nasty bout of D&V. It hit him hard and sucked every ounce of energy he had. It not only left him feeling raw and depleted, it left me with a continuous knot in my stomach - I was almost sick with anxiety that Andy wouldn't recover in time or that I would come down with it myself. However in his usual fashion, my man pulled it together and we managed to get to London as scheduled. He's tough like that my guy.
And here we are!
We had a quiet first day and a half with my Mom, Dad, sister and brother. Tomorrow my other sister and niece arrive. Something we are all looking forward to.
Today Andy and I set off with Mom and Dad to get a tree (the first real tree for them!). However we didn't have much luck and gave up. So later in the afternoon Mom and I donned our winter coats and hats and wearing our glowing Christmas badges we set out on our own to find the perfect tree. Which we did. It's now drying out in the basement. Tomorrow we will put it up and string the lights ready to be decorated on Friday when Tawny and Clara are here.
Andy snapped a picture of Mom and I as we went on our 2nd hunt for a tree:
I'm looking forward to doing a post following Friday's festivities.
Because I didn't have a chance to post prior to leaving England I'm also go to share a montage of photos from the various celebrations that were held before my departure:
On Friday 6th my team at work went out for Thai and many, many drinks:
We all got dressed for the occasion and had a lot of laughs.
Myself, Naheed and Emily.
We share office space with the Core Therapy Team and they invited our team to join their 80's style Christmas party; I was the only taker and don't regret accepting the invitation.
What a crazy, entertaining night.
You would never know that I'm not a lover of 80's fashion eh?
Video killed the radio star...
(I love this quirky photo)
I was desperately seeking
Susan Sandra
Seriously, as much as I abhor 80's fashion, I thoroughly enjoyed that party.
Of course we had to get together with Robert and Dawn the Saturday before we left. We not only celebrated Robert's new job with champagne, but the fact we have such amazing friends in these two. I know Molly is in very good hands while we are away.
I know that my English family and friends will be raising a glass to us in the pub on Christmas Eve, and although we will miss them we are going to thoroughly enjoy our Canadian Christmas. After all it is the first Christmas Andy has spent with my family and the first one in 8 years for me.
Although there are a few differences in the way we celebrate, one thing is definitely abundant in each of our worlds... the love that we all share.


text:
Brainess is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Apple Watch.
Exercise helps keep the body healthy and fit.
And the brain? Will no one think of the brain?
Brainess is a brain game that, in a simple and fun way, helps you stimulate your brain.
Brainess includes 7 brain training games to improve and exercise your memory, vision and compute skills.
In just a few minutes you can have a daily brain exercise and monitor your brain age.
List of included exercises:
• Dice – Memorize and then Tap dice from Low to High
• Signs – Choose the correct math Sign to solve the equation
• Equations – Choose the correct Number to solve the equation
• Memoji – Match pairs of identical cards
• Numbers – Tap the highest Number
• Colors – Tap the Color's Name of the Letters on the top
• Fruits – Pay attention at dropping fruits and answer the questions
Featured by Apple in Great Apps & Games for watchOS 2.
Brainess Walkthrough on Apple Watch
Brainess Video Preview on iPhone


text:
I know how trite it is to go all definitional and all but it's my blog so I'll cut myself some slack. So from Merriam-Webster we have for technology:
1 a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area
b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge;
2 : a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge
3 : the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor
Therefore, what we do is technology - therefore it follows (at least to my simple mind) that when I read in a book like Vintage Tomorrows the following quote, I have to think it applies to us and to what we do.
"We learned that people really do want a different relationship with their technology. They don't see technology as a cold dead thing that is cut off and separated from people. When you grow up with a smartphone in your pocket, technology is a part of your daily life.......We learned that people want their technology to have a sense of humor, a sense of history and most importantly a sense of humanity."
This is all a long way to go to ask a simple question; if what we do is technology and this is what people want from their technology, how are we using these deeply held human desires as design principles?


text:
The signing took place at an investment promotion seminar in Nakhom Phanom, where provincial chairmen committed to co-operating in education, traffic, trade, services and tourism development.
Traffic connections would soon be established to facilitate trade between the two provinces, they said.
At the event, Commercial Counsellor Nguyen Thanh Hung introduced Viet Nam's investment policies and described some of the advantages to investing in the country.
Hung said economic and trade relations between the two countries had strongly developed over the last few years. Bilateral trade totalled US$9.3 billion last year, and Thailand invested in 264 projects in Viet Nam with a total capital of $6.7 billion, ranking 11th among all countries and territories with investments in Viet Nam.
Tourism co-operation was undergoing continuous development, with a significant number of visitors travelling to the countries' twinned provinces which had generated a considerable number of jobs in these areas, he said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang said he expected more Thai enterprises and investors to soon make decisions to boost investment in Ha Tinh.
Cau Treo Economic Zone is located in the border area of Viet Nam and Laos on the East-West Economic Corridor. It is one of nine international border gate economic zones which the Government has prioritised for development in master plans until 2020.
Major sectors in which the Ha Tinh People's Committee called for investment into the zone during the 2011-15 period include industrial park infrastructure, urban and tourism complexes, consumer goods production, processing, installation, recycling, trade, services, hotels and restaurants. — VNS
The Future of Know Your Customer (KYC) with blockchain technology shared by ZeroBank's CTO - Dr. Bao Ly
First Korean cluster investment in Deep C II Industrial Zone


text:
American Bedu recently finished reading the book 'The Ruins of Us' written by Keija Parsinnen. The Ruins of Us is the story of Rosalie and Abdullah. Rosalie is an American who was born to expatriate parents in Saudi Arabia. She lived in Saudi Arabia until she was twelve years old and those years in the Kingdom made a significant impact on her as she grew into womanhood. Rosalie met Abdullah, a Saudi student, when they were both students in Texas. After Abdullah finished University the couple returned together to Saudi Arabia's Eastern province where they made their life together. Over the years they had two children, Faisal and Mariam.
Rosalie had a filled life in Saudi Arabia with her husband, children and many friends. She learned the language, the customs and cultures. She transformed from the gregarious American into a refined and cultured Saudi wife. But…did she become too Saudi for Abdullah?
Abdullah is a successful businessman who expanded the company his father started. He routinely wined and dined with Saudi's elite. No challenge was too much or too big for him. His business activities had him keep long hours and often times trips away from home outside of the Kingdom.
During one trip away, Abdullah meets Isra, a strong Arab woman of Palestinian heritage. He is captivated by Isra and exercises the right of his religion to take another wife. However he fears Rosalie's reaction and withholds the news from her. Rosalie discovers the existence of Isra while shopping at the family's jeweler who inadvertently asked Rosalie how she liked the anniversary pendant her husband had purchased.
As Rosalie has to now contend with sharing her husband with another woman, the family is plummeted into a dark period. Rosalie rejects her husband and no longer wishes to share a bed with him. Her children lose themselves in their own pursuits – young Mariam creates a blog and Faisal finds solace and belonging under the tutelage of a controversial Sheik.
Rosalie is at a loss on what to do. She wants to leave her husband but not at the expense of her children. However before she can solidify a decision or make plans for her future, a crisis arises which brings this broken family back together.
The Ruins of Us captures the full quagmire of emotions of a Saudi wife who discovers that her Saudi husband has taken a second wife. The book takes one into the mind of the Saudi husband and his justification for taking a second wife. Readers will feel Rosalie's pain as she explores her options as an American woman who feels betrayed by the actions of her Saudi husband. The book further captures the mixed emotions of family and friends as they also deal with the consequences of a marriage that has now become polygamous.
Author Keija Parssinen is an "Aramco brat" who grew up in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. She is a provocative and sensitive writer. The Ruins of Us is her first novel. You can learn more about Keija and purchase your own copy of The Ruins of Us at her website, www.keijaparssinen.com. The Ruins of Us is an American Bedu recommended read.
Filed under: America, Books, culture, expat, expatriates, relationships, Saudi Arabia, Saudi blogs, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, Saudi Living, Uncategorized | Tagged: America, blogging, culture, culture shock, customs, Love, marriage, Relationship, Saudi Arabia |


text:
TV that's all about your City
Only Fibe™ TV brings you world premieres of Cirque du Soleil, closer to your favourite teams like the Montreal Canadiens, and goes behind the scenes of popular series like Cardinal and The Launch. TV1 also works with up-and-coming producers and talent to create original series about your city. Available to Bell Fibe TV subscribers, on channel 1, or on the Fibe TV app.
Watch TV1 on the screen of your choice
On your TV
Go to channel 1 or to TV1 from the
On Demand storefront.
On your computer
Watch TV1 directly on
your computer using a web browser.


text:
Hi guys! I'm still here. It's been a wild couple of months but as of tonight I can start getting back to normal. My "special project" at work is done. I am the chief electoral officer for our town, a task I have done for the past 20 years. I thought I had seen it all until this election, which was held yesterday. I have NEVER been involved with anything like this one. It was the most vicious, controversial mess I've ever seen. At times it made the US presidential race seem like child's play. I was insulted, threatened and spit on. Many other staff were threatened as well. On top of this I was working day and night for weeks, including weekends. I'm exhausted but I survived and managed to come out unscathed. I may have worn out my "big girl panties" because I had to wear them a lot. Lol But we have a brand new Mayor and 5 new councillors so I'm hopeful the wounds created recently in town can heal. I arrived at work yesterday at 6:30am with my team and we didn't leave until midnight. I then had to pick up Abby at the neighbors, who graciously babysat her for the day. Today I've just tried to rest up a bit and regroup. Thanks to those of you who checked up on me. I'm baaaaaack 😄
Sunday, October 16, 2016
I'm still standing
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Ira Gruber, an emeritus military historian at Rice, has a book coming out this fall under the title of Books and the British Army in the Age of the American Revolution that I'll probably have to read in my copious free time. For ten years or so I've been very interested in military thought. I've worked on Russian military thought, Salafi jihadist military thought and recently, with my dissertation American military thought on intelligence, so I'm primed to want to read this. Besides, it's got an awesome cover. I am one of those people who think that you CAN judge a book by its cover.
Anyway, here is the description of the book from the publisher.
Historians have long understood that books were important to the British army in defining the duties of its officers, regulating tactics, developing the art of war, and recording the history of campaigns and commanders. Now, in this groundbreaking analysis, Ira D. Gruber identifies which among over nine hundred books on war were considered most important by British officers and how those books might have affected the army from one era to another. By examining the preferences of some forty-two officers who served between the War of the Spanish Succession and the French Revolution, Gruber shows that by the middle of the eighteenth century British officers were discriminating in their choices of books on war and, further, that their emerging preference for Continental books affected their understanding of warfare and their conduct of operations in the American Revolution. In their increasing enthusiasm for books on war, Gruber concludes, British officers were laying the foundation for the nineteenth-century professionalization of their nation's officer corps. Gruber's analysis is enhanced with detailed and comprehensive bibliographies and tables. [Emphasis in original.]
I'm interested by the comment about the importance of British officers starting to read foreign books. The Americans started to bring themselves out of their post-Civil War military doldrums when they (or at least some of them) started learning from foreigners, as well. I guess this is the equivalent in military theory of the old adage that "two heads are better than one." I occasionally worry about this with regard to today's US military. It is an extraordinarily capable organization that adapts as well or better than any military in the world. That said, I see little evidence that it learns much from other militaries.
In any event, I look forward to reading this tome. And enjoying the cover.


text:
Soldier and Pirate
Mary was born England. her widowed mother had moved to the country with Mary's young brother so that her in-laws would not know that she was pregnant. Mary and her mother returned to London when she was aged 4yo in the hopes that her mother's in-laws might provide for them - for this deception to work, Mary was disguised as a boy, or rather, was posing as her dead brother. By the age of 13yo, Mary and her mother were forced to fend for themselves, and soon found employment as a boy-servant to a French Lady.
Mary then gained employment aboard a ship, remaining there until she headed for Flanders and joined the armed cadet in the foot-regiment. Mary acquitted herself bravely in the Spanish war of Succession (1701-1704) but was unable to gain a commission. She quit the infantry and joined the horse-regiment, gaining the esteem of her fellow officers. But Mary fell in love with handsome Fleming and grew negligent in duties and in service till her fellow troopers considered her to be mad - remember she was supposed to be a man. Mary would not allow herself to become his mistress - she was a modest, reserved young lady - so they married, easily obtaining their discharge and set up an eating-house "Three Horseshoes" near the castle of Breda.
They did good trade via fellow troopers. But then Mary's husband died, and the Peace of Ryswick was concluded and trade slowly vanished. Once again, Mary was forced to don men's clothing, She went to Holland and re-enlisted in the infantry, but there was little work for a soldier so she deserted at end of war. Mary then signed aboard merchantman bound for West Indies. When the ship was attacked by pirates, Mary joined them and soon settled in New Provedence Island. Mary signed the King's pardon, but that didn't last, and when money grew short she joined a group of privateers setting out against the Spanish. The crew mutinied, she among them. Though she abhorred piracy, she found it a useful way to make a quick buck. For all intents and purposes she was still a man and no-one thought any different till a rather immodest Anne Bonney took a fancy to her. Anne was disappointed to find that her handsome fellow was another woman - the gallant but jealous Captain Rackman had threatened to cut the throat of Anne's new lover so he had to be let in on the secret.
However, it was not long before love once again penetrated her disguise. From among the ships taken, many craftsmen were taken into service by the pirates, and it was one of these craftsmen that she fell for in a big way and soon revealed herself to him. This young fellow had quarreled with another pirate and was forced to meet and fight him according to the pirate code. Mary was afraid that he might be killed so she also quarreled with the same pirate, met him prior to her lover's appointment and fought him with sword and pistol, killing him. Then Mary entered into a sort of marriage agreement with her man. It was a short-lived marriage as Mary and the other pirates soon captured, imprisoned and brought to trial (1720). Her husband, whom she refused to identify, was acquitted for he was essentially an honest man with no previous piratical tendancies. Her fellow pirates, on the other hand, dropped her right in it, saying how pleasurable and rewarding she had said she found piracy. Mary was found guilty and given the death sentance. But luck was with her, and Mary was given a reprive from execution when she was found to be pregnant. Shortly after her trial, she succumbed to a violent fever and miscarried, dying in prison.
~~~ Melisende (first pub: 1998 Women of History)


text:
'Miss Bala' Remake Coming From 'Twilight' Director Catherine Hardwicke
Posted on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 by Jack Giroux
The director behind Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown, and Twilight, Catherine Hardwicke, is currently circling two projects. One of the projects being a remake of Miss Bala, the acclaimed 2011 Mexican film that was nominated for Best Foreign Picture. The current frontrunner to play the lead is Jane the Virgin star, Gina Rodriguez.
Below, learn more about the Miss Bala remake.


text:
Above is the piece I submitted titled: "Protect Me." It measures 23.5" x 17" produced in beeswax, pigment and pencil on paper. This piece is the first in a new series of work to bring awareness to the Coral Reef and the need to protect the reef. By putting people in the work, I wanted to show how connected we are to the health of the ocean and how we can still make a difference. Not only will I be sharing my ideas through my work, but I will also be giving 50% of the profits to help rebuild the reef.
There was a long table in the middle of the exhibit with simple instructions on how to use the post its written on the cardboard covering.
Reading the Post Its were just as interesting as looking at the art. It was an inventive way to keep the crowd there instead of moving on to the next gallery because everyone wanted to read each new posts and comment on other posts as well.


text:
by Mark Pearson
There can be no doubt about the absolute demands that the gospel of Christ makes upon an Orthodox believer. The Church of Holy Tradition is total in its claim. The goal of the spiritual life is the transformation of the believer, inwardly and outwardly. Body and soul are intimately linked in this salvitic process. For a person to be a peacemaker, a son of God, he must be prepared to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ. It is not good enough for us to want to change the world; Dostoevsky said "everybody wants to change the world, but nobody thinks about changing himself". If we want to transform the world we must start by looking at ourselves.
St Seraphim of Sarov said, "acquire inward peace and thousands around you will be saved" and it is in the acquisition of that inward peace that we become peacemakers in the world and not only for the salvation of our own souls but for others with whom we come into contact. Becoming a peacemaker starts then with our acknowledgment of our personal unpeacefulness, our fractured nature, our own fallenness. In this time of spiritual effort of Lent we are given a number of Biblical examples on which to pattern our lives which help us to shovel away the roadblocks to a peaceful heart. And so Christ gives us the parable of the publican and the pharisee (Luke 18:10-14). And the Church takes prayer of the publican, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner", and makes it the refrain of our lives. We sing :
Let us, the faithful, flee the boastfulness of the pharisee,
Let us repeat in reverence the publican's prayer:
May our thoughts not be poisoned by pride, O Lord;
Grant us the grace to cry aloud from the depths of our hearts:
God, be merciful to us sinners!
(Matins Hymn of Light, Sunday of Publican and Pharisee)
Have mercy on us O Lord, have mercy on us. This is the Lenten refrain as we seek to purify our souls by repentance and gain the kingdom that is within. But we find that we do not even measure up either to the pharisee or the publican:
I surpass the publican in transgressions,
But do not even compete in his repentance!
I have not accomplished the good deeds of the pharisee,
Yet I boldly out-do his boasting!
By your infinite humility, o Christ God.
Establish in me the good deeds of the one,
And the humility of mind of the other,
Confirming in me the good intentions of each,
And save me, o Savior!
(Tuesday Vespers Apostikha in Tone 3, fourth week of Lent)
And humility of heart grants us great joy and peace, for "the gift of God and knowledge of Him is not a cause for turmoil or clamor; rather this gift is entirely filled with a peace in which the Spirit, love and humility reside" and "the heart brought close to hope … makes it peaceful and pours joy into it" as St Isaac the Syrian teaches us.
But still we judge others, we condemn the unworthy, we are filled with self-righteous anger at the wrongs in the world. How can we presume to make peace when we are filled with violent passions? Anger grips my soul and the devil roars in triumph. How can we possibly judge others when we are so deserving of condemnation ourselves? So the wise St Isaac reminds us, "Have clemency not zeal with respect to evil. Lay hold of goodness not justice. Do not find pleasure in judging…. if we become castigators, chastisers, judges, investigators, vindicators, and faultfinders, in what respect does our life differ from the life of the secular world? …. If you love gentleness be peaceful. If you are deemed worthy of peace, you will rejoice at all times. Seek understanding not gold. Clothe yourselves with humility not fine linen. Gain peace not a kingdom." For God is a God of mercy not judgement. "Do not speak of God as "just'," St Isaac tells us, "for His justice is not evident in his actions towards you." And he goes on to say:
How can you call God just when you read the gospel lesson concerning the hiring of the workmen in the vineyard? How can someone call God just when he comes across the story of the prodigal son who frittered away all his belongings in riotous living — yet merely in response to his contrition his father ran and fell on his neck, and gave him authority over all his possessions? Where then is this "justice" in God, seeing that, although we were sinners, Christ died for us? If he is so compassionate in this, we have faith he will not change.
We acknowledge this in the communion prayer of St John Chrysostom when we confess with Simon Peter that "thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God" and we put ourselves first in line when we continue, "who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first".
We struggle to follow Christ's way; "the path to God is a daily cross. No-one has ascended to heaven by way of ease. We know where the easy way leads!", advises St Isaac the Syrian. The path to peacemaking is the way of the cross. We cannot acquire a peaceful soul until we have acquired the virtues of the flesh; humility, repentance, self-denial, compassion, and of course love.
The timeless Lenten spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving give us the means of cleansing our souls. And once again, that wise Syrian sage of the seventh century, St Isaac, tells us, "prayer is the mother of all virtues; capture the mother and she will bring you the children". And so we pray. And if we cannot pray, still we pray the prayer of the publican, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner".
And with prayer comes fasting. Jesus assumed that fasting was a part of a person's spiritual life; "When you fast … " He tells his disciples, and when they were unable to heal an epileptic boy, He tells them that some demons need to be driven out with prayer and fasting. Fasting fortifies the soul, self denial strengthens the body, humility heals the heart.
We pray from the Lenten Triodion:
The fast is here, the mother of chastity
"The accuser of sins, the advocate of repentance …
Faithful, let us cry:
O God, have mercy on us!
Again we cry:
Let us humble the flesh by abstinence,
As we follow the divine path of pure fasting.
With prayers and tears let us seek the Lord who saves us.
Let us put an end to anger, crying out:
Save us who have sinned against you!
Save us, O Christ our king, as you saved the men of Nineveh,
And make us partakers of your heavenly kingdom, o compassionate one!
Let us begin the fast with joy!
Let us prepare ourselves for spiritual efforts!
Let us cleanse our soul and cleanse our flesh!
(Forgiveness Sunday vespers, "Lord I call" in tone 2
And again:
Let us begin the pure fast, O people,
Which is the salvation of our souls.
Let us serve the lord with fear;
Let us anoint our heads with the oil of good deeds.
Let us wash our faces with waters of purity.
Let us not use empty phrases in prayer,
But as we have been taught, let us cry out:
Our Father in heaven, forgive us our trespasses,
For you are the lover of mankind.
(Apostikha in Tone 3, Tuesday Matins, First Week of Lent)
And with prayer and fasting we practice "almsgiving". Peacemaking by another name, almsgiving is founded on compassion. As Christ, in His infinite love and mercy had compassion on those around him at the feeding of the five thousand, as He wept over Jerusalem, as he healed the woman of Samaria, so we too are called to compassion.
"What is a compassionate heart", asks St Isaac, "it is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity, for the animals, for the demons, for all that exists. At the recollection and at the sight of them such a person's eyes overflow with tears owing to the vehemence of the compassion which grips his heart; because of his deep mercy he cannot bear to hear or to look upon any injury or the slightest suffering of anything in creation".
And again, the Lenten prayer book, the Triodion, offers us invaluable counsel; "Come, faithful", we are urged, "Let us perform the works of God in the light!"
Come, let us purify our souls with alms and mercy to the poor,
Not blowing a trumpet, or publishing what we do in charity,
Lest our left hand know what our right has done,
And vainglory steal from us the fruit of alms.
(Apostikha in Tone 8, Sunday Vespers, first week of Lent).
If we set our hands to doing good,
The effort of lent will be a time of repentance for us,
A means to eternal life,
For nothing quite saves the soul as much as giving to those in need.
Alms, inspired by fasting, deliver man from death.
Let us embrace this, for it has no equal;
It is sufficient to save our souls!
(Apostikha in Tone 8, Thursday Matins, second week of Lent)
By these means we struggle to carry our crosses to Golgotha. There we cry "remember me O Lord in Thy kingdom', there like the wise thief we repent of our sins, of our sinfulness, and we turn to Christ. And we receive joy and peace. For, "through the cross joy has come into all the world", the joy of the resurrection brings inexpressible peace to our souls.
I have talked about the process of acquiring inward peace, an effort involving body and soul. But I have not touched upon the subject of salvation. For the Orthodox Christian Christ, the Savior of our souls, is our teacher, He is the victor over death (expressed by the icon of the resurrection), but first and foremost He heals — "the physician of our souls and bodies' as we pray in the Divine Liturgy. We are healed by becoming "sharers in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). God became incarnate in the form of a man to save not only individuals, not only the church, but all creation; the whole cosmos. And it is in this saving plan that the peacemaker plays a role.
I would like to conclude by telling a wonderful story. The Second World war was the occasion of suffering on an incomprehensible scale. We are familiar with the gut rending story of the Holocaust of European Jewry. But in the West we are almost wholly ignorant of the suffering endured by the countries of Eastern Europe as a whole. Twenty million people died in Russia alone by conservative estimates; censuses reveal that the population of Russia did not recover until the mid Seventies. With the background of shattered cities, starving people, haunted by terror, we come across the following story of forgiveness:
In 1944, the mother of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, one of the most loved Russian poets, took him from Siberia to Moscow. They were among those who witnessed a procession of twenty-thousand German war prisoners marching through the streets of Moscow:
The pavements swarmed with onlookers, cordoned off by soldiers and police. The crowd was mostly women — Russian women with hands roughened by hard work, lips untouched by lipstick, and with thin hunched shoulders which had borne half of the burden of the war. Every one of them must have had a father or a husband, a brother or a son killed by the Germans. They gazed with hatred in the direction from which the column was to appear.
At last we saw it. The generals marched at the head, massive chins stuck out, lips folded disdainfully, their whole demeanor meant to show superiority over their plebeian victors.
"They smell of perfume, the bastards," someone in the crowd said with hatred. The women were clenching their fists. The soldiers and policemen had all they could do to hold them back.
All at once something happened to them. They saw German soldiers, thin, unshaven, wearing dirty blood-stained bandages, hobbling on crutches or leaning on the shoulders of their comrades; the soldiers walked with their heads down. The street became dead silent — the only sound was the shuffling of boots and the thumping of crutches.
Then I saw an elderly women in broken-down boots push herself forward and touch a policeman's shoulder, saying, "Let me through." There must have been something about her that made him step aside. She went up to the column, took from inside her coat something wrapped in a colored handkerchief and unfolded it. It was a crust of black bread. She pushed it awkwardly into the pocket of a soldier, so exhausted that he was tottering on his feet. And now from every side women were running toward the soldiers, pushing into their hands bread, cigarettes, whatever they had. The soldiers were no longer enemies. They were people.
[Quoted in
Making Friends of Enemies by Jim Forest; Crossroads, New York]
Mark Pearson, a member of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship, directs the Computer Center at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and is a member of St. Paul's Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio.
Mark Pearson / 806 College Ave. / Richmond, IN 47374 / e-mail: [email protected]
text written: March 1997 / posted on the OPF web site March 22, 1997


text:
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Qatar says Israel's Gaza offensive a "war crime"
DUBAI, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. ally Qatar said on Sunday Israel's attack on Gaza amounted to a war crime and renewed calls for an emergency summit of Arab countries.
"Our (Arab) people in Gaza are subject these days to an unjust aggression which does not differentiate between children, women and old people, and between civilians and fighters," Qatar's ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said.
Tel Aviv rally decries Gaza assault
Posted by Rory Winter at 15:02
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
The morning began with a breakfast with the National and International teams for Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programs. Big Bob and I hosted the event. The kids from the United States were chosen for not only their talent, but for their character. The NBA also hosted the parents of the US team. What a joy it was for me to meet such outstanding parents! They have instilled wonderful qualities in their children--work ethic, character, and respect. Their children will be the future of the game.
Later in the afternoon, we hosted a press conference for Wrigley, NBA and PCA(Prevent Child Abuse). Wrigley is following the NBA's lead in giving to New Orleans. The are donating up to $50,000 to PCA to help prevent child abuse here in New Orleans!
The next event was a reading rally. I got the privilege of reading with The Berenstein Bears author, Michael Berenstein. I made sure to get a copy of the new book, "The New Kitten" for my niece.
As I wrap up my time here in New Orleans, I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization as the NBA. It is certainly about much more than basketball! They have given so much here to the city of New Orleans.
I also glad I got to share some of this week with all of you to give you an inside look at NBA All-Star. I hope to see you all at one of USANA's Regional Conventions!


text:
Jennifer Granholm won't run for the open Michigan Senate seat
I've always liked former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. I thought she might take a look at running for the Senate seat made available by Sen. Carl Levin's decision to retire. Alas, it was not to be.
As is becoming common these days, she rejected the idea using new media, writing on her Facebook page:
Friends, thanks for all of the encouragement on the Michigan Senate seat, but I'm not going to run. I appreciate all of the outreach I've received; for several reasons it's just not right for us (it's a family decision). My best to all the contenders — Levin's US Senate seat will stay blue!
According to Roll Call, Democrats are indeed in a strong position to hold the seat given the way things have gone in Michigan recently.
Potential Democratic candidates include Debbie Dingell, the wife of longtime Rep. John D. Dingell, and Reps. Gary Peters and Dan Kildee.
On the GOP side, Reps. Mike Rogers and Justin Amash, former GOP Chair Saul Anuzis and former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land are mulling runs.
Yeah, but Jennifer would have made things fun.
Labels: Carl Levin, Michigan, U.S. Senate


text:
Guiltless Gobi Manchurian (Manchurian style cauliflower Stir fry)
Serves 4
1 large Cauliflower cut into medium sized pieces.
1 large Onion cut into large square pieces
1 large Capsicum (Green Bell Pepper) cut into large square pieces
1 pinch Garam Masala
Soy sauce or salt to taste
For Marinating:
2 cups Maida (All purpose flour)
pinch of turmeric
salt to taste
Approx. 2 spoons of chilli powder (varies as per spice levels)
Approx. 1 spoon of crushed black pepper
Oil spray (the 0 calories ones you get in grocery stores - I specifically like the butter flavored ones). If Oil spray is not available, you can substitute it with 2 spoons of regular cooking oil.
1.Cut cauliflower in medium sized pieces.
2. Wash and keep aside to drain off excess water.
3.Spray oil on the cauliflower pieces. Alternatively, add oil and mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, mix maida, salt, chilli powder and black pepper.
5. This is the time you want to adjust the spice and salt level of the mixture.
6. Sprinkle the mixture on the cauliflower pieces while tossing them carefully, such that all the pieces have a thin layer of marinate mixture. You can spray another layer of oil spray in the end if you feel the mixture is too dry and wont stick to cauliflower pieces.
7. Set aside this marinated cauliflower for about 2 hours.
8. In a flat wok (kadhai), heat some oil and fry onions and capsicum (bell pepper). Sprinkle a pinch of garam masala to add the flavor. Add soy sauce or salt depending on your preference. Make sure onion and bell pepper are still half cooked.
9. In a separate wok (kadhai), semi-cook the cauliflower mixture. Additional oil is not necessary. Alternatively, you can spread the cauliflower pieces in a plate and microwave it for 5 mins on high.
10. In a broad pan like tava or a skillet, on high heat, mix the cauliflower and onion-capsicum mixture such that it sizzles. Serve sizzling hot.
1. For cauliflower : Fill a large bowl with water and salt and soak the cut cauliflower for 15 mins to kill germs inf any. (I don't know if this works, but I have seen my mother doing this for years and I picked it from there). Wash the cauliflower thoroughly and set it aside for excess water to drain out.
2.If you like the garlic-like smell and taste, mince some garlic and fry it with onion.
3. To add more restaurant-like look, add edible red color to the cauliflower. Personally, I never add color since I like the colors from chilli powder and turmeric.
I have tried this recipe alteast 10 times till date will slight variations each time. So far we have been liking it. Yesterday I cooked it for a few friends. I would say it was well appreciated. So give it a shot and let me know.


text:
Now onto today's card. There are many different versions of this card online and I knew I had to make one.... My daughter informed me that they had a wedding coming up that they needed a card for. So they asked me if I had some free time to make them one. What perfect timing.... Of course, I said, "yes." I just needed the colors of the wedding party. They informed me they were going with orange and brown. So off I went to make the wedding card. Now, the pictures in this blog sport "purple". I had forgotten to scan the card in before sending it off to them. So I had to make another one for this post. I was very surprised at how easy and fun this card was to make. And it looks so elegant too!
To create this 5" x 7" tri-fold card, cut a piece of 7" x 12" white cardstock. Then score it at 3" (for the bride) and 4" (for the groom).
Adhere a 4" x 7" piece of black cardstock on the right flap of the card.
Cut a triangle out of white cardstock and add two (2) rhinestones. Adhere to the card flap.
The flower is made by folding a purple flower (from the Recollections Floral Embellishments) in half -- and then fold it in half again -- and fan it out a bit. Adhere to left side as the boutonniere.
Cut the edge of the card into the shape of the dress. This of course took some time. So I would work with a template first and then transfer it onto the card. I embossed the cuttlebug "Swirls" on the card by using a rolling pin since the card was to big for my cuttlebug. I left the section in the middle where the ribbon lays blank. I then took some clear glitter glue and went over the swirls.
Finally, cut a slit in the fold of the card and thread 5/8" satin ribbon through the slit and adhere it around the card. Top it with a flower or a rectangular rhinestone. Then finish it by stamping your sentiment in the inside of the card. For your matching envelope you will need a 10" x 10" cardstock. Score at 3 1/4" and 4 1/4".


text:
I haven't posted since August??? Wow!
Well, if you have visited my regular blog at all, you know we've been up to something pretty big! We came home from Ethiopia the week before last with our new son. It has been, and continues to be, an amazing journey.
But now... it's time to return to *some* sort of school schedule (which, when I'm overwhelmed usually means Math, Reading and Life) so that's what we've begun this week.
More on that later... more on what it's like to teach ESL for the first time ever (which is going GREAT, by the way), more on what curriculum we're using... just as SOON as I have some time and another big cup of Ethiopian coffee. For now, here are some "school" pictures I snapped this week so far...
Yesterday I gave Minte a book (in Amharic and English, which I ordered from here) to read while I prepared lunch. Momentarily I heard the back door open and close, and here's what I saw when I looked in the backyard:
Isn't that a great way to enjoy a book and the cooler weather? Pretty soon his brother caught on and joined him. I thought this was so cute!
As for math... Here he is after playing a math game, working on his addition using the Flashmaster, which he LOVES:
So, we're back! And I'm still here! I hope to post more soon. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope your school year is going great!
when the tassel flips
2 weeks ago


text:
Since being announced back in May the LG G3 release date has been a complete mystery for buyers in the United States, but now we have the final details for all major carriers. This morning, AT&T officially announced the LG G3 will be available in stores nationwide starting on July 11th, making them the first carrier in the US to offer the new smartphone.
Following announcements from a few other major carriers in the United States, this morning AT&T confirmed LG G3 pre-orders start tomorrow, July 8th, and the official launch date is scheduled for July 11th. They'll also be offering the all-new LG G Watch running Android Wear on the same day.
Read: LG G3 vs Galaxy Note 4: Early Look at Features
Consumers have been patiently awaiting official details after the unveiling of the LG G3 back in May, where the company showed off the new phone but revealed nothing about a release date. Now over a month later we've heard from all carriers in the US but Verizon, although leaks give us a good idea on its release date as well. Below is everything we know about the LG G3 release date across all four major carriers stateside.
With the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 both readily available, consumers have been looking forward to what else is on the horizon for later this summer. One of many upcoming devices is the new G3, and it will finally arrive later this week, then hit all carriers by the end of next week.
LG's flagship G3 smartphone was released in Korea the day after being announced, on May 28th, but now more than a month later no US carriers are offering the device. Not yet at least. The first official announcement came from T-Mobile, who confirmed the LG G3 will be released on July 16th, and now we've heard from AT&T and Sprint as well.
This weekend we confirmed Sprint will be offering the LG G3 starting July 18th, and pre-orders will go live for prospective buyers on the 10th for those looking to reserve their own handset. It appears the $199 pricing term with a new 2-year contract is on board, as expected, as well as monthly payment plans for those who'd rather pay zero up front. A new option that all carriers offer these days.
As we mentioned above, AT&T has also shared their LG G3 release date details bright and early this morning after the long holiday weekend for those in the United States. Just like with the G2 last year, AT&T will be the first carrier in the US to offer the new G3. The LG G3 release date on AT&T is July 11th, then a few days later T-Mobile will be up next delivering the smartphone to its customers on the 16th.
Read: LG G3 vs LG G2: What Buyers Can Expect
Sprint will follow both AT&T and T-Mobile by releasing the G3 nationwide with its own 4G LTE (Spark) network on July 18th, and that marks three of the four major US carriers. So what about Verizon? So far Verizon is the only carrier here in the US that has yet to announce pricing, pre-orders, or availability of the new LG G3.
That being said, we're almost certain the Verizon LG G3 will arrive on July 17th. Last month the popular leakster who gets information early, evleaks, reported July 17th will be the launch for Verizon. Of course that's only a leak and has yet to be confirmed, but given his accuracy in the past it's fairly safe to assume the 17th will be the day.
The image above was also recently leaked and provided by the same source, giving us a look at the new LG G3 across all four major carriers here in the United States. Verizon has a slight exclusive, as expected, offering a black model with aluminum accents for the camera and buttons on the back, while other carriers have titanium colored models with black accents.
All the details have finally arrived and come together. While the LG G3 release date information and dates arrived later than expected, consumers can now rest assured knowing their carrier will have the device in the coming days.
Read: LG G3 Review: One of the Best Android Phones Around
For those wondering what all the excitement is about, the link above should explain everything about the new LG G3. Offering a stunning 5.5-inch Quad-HD display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution while still being smaller than devices with smaller screens. It has stunning battery life, and an exceptional camera with first of its kind features. Users will want to consider the LG G3 this summer.


text:
I just read the blog entry on Wiki Wiki Teaching. I've explored several educational wiki sites and landed on an interesting 5th grade class that collaborated on a Wiki using a shared classroom novel.
I think I could possibly build a Wiki Page with my 6th grade students. We are currently reading,
Rickshaw Girl, by Mitali Perkins. We will also be SKYPING with Mitali Perkins! I am very excited about this. Would it be a good idea to build a wiki page with my class and then invite Mitali Perkins to collaborate with us? Hmm......I think I can do this! Connie and Steve, can you help me?
I'm thinking my students could each add a chapter summary, we could have a Bangladesh dictionary of words in the book, we could add information about the characters, and the plot. Maybe we could post a map of Bangladesh and add something about the area and culture of the people. We just read about Internation Mother Language Day in Bangladesh today. Perhaps we could do some research around that and add that to our wiki.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
2 comments:
Wow, Debbie! That sounds so exciting!!! I really have to collaborate with you . . . you have such great ideas for making literature meaningful to your students in the classroom, while I am still trying to find something that works for me, but is fun for the students. I LOVE that you are SKYPING!!!!!ReplyDelete
I thought of using wikis as a platform for literature circles, but your ideas sound so exciting and fun for teacher and students!!!
You are on to a great idea, Debbie. And you have already made a good start in class. Steve and I will help any way we can, of course. Yes, skyping will be so cool! I am waiting for Mitali's email back:-) Great technology integration!ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
So, this past week was not a good one workout wise. I started feeling bad on Tuesday and ended up going to the dr on Friday. And I have another upper respitory infection. I even missed church this morning. But the antibiotics are finally kicking in and after a late afternoon nap, I'm feeling better and not coughing as much! So I'm planning on going to the YMCA tomorrow. My gym bag is already packed and ready.
My next goal weight is coming up on the 10th, and right now I'm not sure I will make it, but I'm going to be doing everything I can to get as close as possible. I also have to consider that I may have to adjust my goals because of being sick and not working out during that time. But I want to come as close as possible first.
I also need to sit down and work on my menus for the next week. I saw a recipe for a "green monster smoothie" on Pinterest tonight that I'm thinking about trying, at least once. It's made from banana, peanut butter, yogurt, milk, and baby spinach. Interesting, huh? I figure it's worth at least one try.
I'm excited that Christmas is coming up because Elizabeth and Jon will be coming and possibly Adrian, Derek, and Danny! I can hardly wait to see them all! I know I will want pictures, so I'm trying to keep that in mind so that I will stay motivated to keep working out. And then after Christmas, we have the new babies coming!! And I definitely want to be in better shape for that! I always go and stay to help out and with a newborn there's lots of interrupted sleep. So I need to be at my best for that!


text:
Give the gift of Jump-Time with loadable gift cards! Stop by the store or give our office a call for more information!
Our wall-to-wall trampoline dodgeball court takes the game to a whole new, adrenalin packed level! Join a game in progress or bring a team.
Show off your best, big air freestyle moves on our enormous main court.Reserve Jump Time Now


text:
Beyond Asylum: Rethinking Protection Policies to Meet Sharply Escalating Needs (Transatlantic Council on Migration, June 2015) [text]
Independent Whole of System Review of Protection in the Context of Humanitarian Action (Norwegian Refugee Council & IASC, May 2015) [text via ReliefWeb]
"The New Refugees and the Old Treaty: Persecutors and Persecuted in the Twenty-First Century," Chicago Journal of International Law, vol. 16, no. 1 (2015) [full-text via SSRN]
Policy on UNHCR's Role in Relation to Persons Who Are Likely to Be Refugees Who Do Not Apply for Asylum in the Country in Which They Are Present (UNHCR, May 2015) [text via Rights in Exile Programme]
"Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection: Towards a Uniform Content of International Protection?," Chapter in Reforming the Common European Asylum System: The New European Refugee Law (Brill/Martinus Nijhoff, Forthcoming 2015) [eprint via SSRN]
Review: Hathaway and Foster, The Law of Refugee Status, 2nd edition (Free Movement Blog, June 2015) [text]
- See also an extract of a review in IJRL of the same book.
Towards a Refugee Oriented Right of Asylum (Ashgate, June 2015) [info]
- Follow link for table of contents and the text of the introduction.
Web site:
Refugee Law Observatory [access]
- "The purpose of the Observatory is to enhance the capacity of legal practitioners and others interested to understand and apply refugee law in practice using balanced, practice oriented videos on refugee law. It also provides a repository listing events and resources on refugee law."
Related post:
- Thematic Focus: Law/Policy Items (30 May 2015)
Tagged Publications and Web Sites/Tools.


text:
If you d0nt know her well dont easily underestimate her. Sometimes she d0nt do something d0esnt mean that she dont kn0w that thing.
I dont understand with pe0ple nowadays. They seems like - what you see is what you get.. -.-" ??? We dont kn0w people until we meet them. What you see cant describe things that you wanna know.
We all have our own power. Power to live. Power to defend ourselves. Power to defeat people. Power to be m0re powerful than others...
First, we must know our own ability. Others cant control our life or underestimate us. Some people didnt share their abilities to others. Well, it's all up to them. Maybe they think they dont need to show it cause it is too sh0w off.. :P Maybe they dont care at all...or people d0nt know that they're exist.
Life wont always be just about you.. Life's inv0lve everything around us. Whether u like it or hate it. Some people really dont care ab0ut others. They with their own world. Some people build a group and cant accept others to join them. They will say you are not in my gr0up..s0rry! cant get al0ng.. -.-?? What the hell! You think you are cool en0ugh ha?
Before we see others we sh0uld look at ourselves first. hmm, when you look back on you life, you will have moments of which you are pr0ud and maybe a few you are regret. That's life. Yeah...but..emm ok!
Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man -Ian Duncan Smith-
Sometimes people who like to underestimate people is a person who have no confidence in theirselves. Or maybe they jeal0us with others life. Seems so good but their life not as good as others. This kind of person is a human wh0 cant see others over powered them. Do not think that you are the greatest than others. If you are great enough you dont need to depend on others.
I rather use kn0w than judge. I dont judge pe0ple. We kn0w people not by h0w they answer our questions BUT how they ask us questions. We know people after we recognize them. So, how to deal with people who underestimate you? Hmm..lets do it my way! hahaha! Yeahhh!!
Usually, it is a problem that some people underestimate you. Sometimes i feel like that too.. Maybe certain people are complicated in their life and they like to make others life complicated too..WTHell..??? BUT if you are really more than what they say/think you are, then you have to deal with them.
1. be more confidence in yourself..Good job! bc0z this is the 1st step
2. g0lden opportunity to prove that they are wrong, you are right! Proving people wrong is such fun thing yaw.. ^^,
3. just shut your m0uth..speaking to them will only hurt you. There is no used to speak to people who say unmeaning words
4. suprise them that you are not what they think you are..Let their eyes wide open!
5. Just concentrate on your goals and life..Dont ever ever let the negativity let you down. You must concentrate to yourself and be str0ng, always!
6. everytime they look down on you or say negative things remember that this is THE BIG OPPORTUNITY to prove them wrong.
7. Every snicker, mean l0ok, whisper, negative comment is another opportunity for you to just keep silent and remember the day that all their current words will look so0oooo DUMB..the day they will be proven wrong. Feel really damn good!! >.<
You cant control what others are thinking and you cant please everyone..and who cares what people think. Cause in this m0dern cruel world no one cares about you. You can stick up for yourself if you like, but be very careful with your words as you do, keep them simple.
Just say a few words like "you're wrong" or "too bad you think that" or something, and thats all. Sometimes if too long to be quite, it is the time to say it loud and sometimes just a simple word can make people ast0nished or dumbfounded..hahahh!
Mark this oh0kayy! Do not underestimate others because of you have alot of friends. Cause some pe0ple take this as opportunity to underestimate some peeps. What a dumbness way to make others impress about you. You should shame on yourself.. Huh~ What on earth are y0u thinking yaw?? Psycho -.-"
Watch out, you the underestimater maker! The more you underestimate people the very very m0re others underestimate you..! Shame hah?? Shame on you...~~
Life is to enjoy and be free..not to condemn OK..


text:
If you are looking for wrist tattoos, or would like to learn more about this special type of tattoo, you have come to the right place. Wrist-Tattoo.com is dedicated to collecting the best wrist tattoo designs on the Internet - many which have been celebrity inspired - and seeks to become the number one location where tattoo enthusiast, as well as beginners, can learn more in depth about wrist tattoos, their origins, symbolic meanings, why people get them, and how you can go about getting one.
You have read this article wrist tattoo designs with the title wrist tattoo designs. You can bookmark this page URL http://araucari.blogspot.com/2012/07/wrist-tattoo-designs.html. Thanks!


text:
These designs are my initial ideas that i am going to put forward into 3d max to possible make them into idents. I also want to experiment with them with hand drawn materials and photoshop because I feel that I will be able to express myself more clearly as I am more confident with painting/drawing and photoshop. As you can see below I have 3/4 clear favourites that I am going to mess around with.
My favourite on this page is the woman coming out of the lettering because I feel that is an expression of my personality. With the right colours it could look lively and excited, which is part of my personality when it comes to new things. The hair is floating to the side to show a flowing, elegant side to my personality. I have also kept the character simple and carton like to reveal a childish nature that will appeal to everyone.
My 2 favourite designs on these pages are the 'GS designs' in bold that I could animate to be jumping in the air to reveal a surprise. I thought I would keep the text stable yet bold and fun (by having curved edges) to create a respectful but yet again keep the fun/bubbly look to it.
Another design I am in favour of is the eye that blinks to reveal my company name that I want to keep small and unique ( but still in touch with the consumer.) I started with the idea of the eye because it is one of my features that people associate me with that stands out to them.
A Quick Questionnaire
I asked a few of my friends and family that that thought I would be if I was a shape, colour, texture and movement...
1) A purple star that is fluffy.
2) A green piece of Lego because is fun, easily 'fits in' and moves around a lot (I thought this was one of the more random answers.)
3) smooth circle but with jagged movements
4) flowing moment with a denim like texture but has the odd sparkle in the right light. Maybe flowing flower or a continuously flowing line.


text:
Milly has in store.
My list of Things to Do is overwhelming and I don't know where to even start. But I have some basic domestic issues to attend to here at the SIGIS home base and would like to get some yard things done, too. Fingers crossed.
I love spring. Baseball is coming. St. Patrick's Day (and green beer at Hangar 2!) is this week, there are 9 more weeks until summer, and I love the warm, lazy days ahead! Don't forget to spring forward tonight and set your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
On another note, all the news from Japan continues to be horrible. Let's round up some links and see what's going on in the blogs:
Legal Insurrection exposes (again) the bias of PolitiFact.
Pirate's Cove reminds us why Jesse Jackson is irrelevant.
Doug Ross has some stunning images from Japan. The power of nature, indeed.
The Other McCain takes a look at Obama's press conference yesterday. If that's what you want to call it.
American Power finds yet another example of civility from the left.
For your musical interlude, Reaganite Republican remembers Three Dog Night.
Ed Driscoll notes that Peggy Noonan continues to alienate conservative readers.
Fenway Nation has been posting excellent coverage of the disaster in Japan.
No Sheeples Here made me snicker - Harry Reid, cowboys, and Brokeback? OMG.
WyBlog has had enough of Lisa Murkowski, not to mention the RNC NRSC and NRCC. (Hope you're staying dry up there, man!)
Pundette was linked by Mark Steyn, and with good reason; this is a spot on post.
Mind Numbed Robot has a mind numbingly huge roundup but worth every link! Good stuff!
Critical Narrative points out that gas prices have risen 67% under Obama.
Pecan Corner links to a new blog about Paris; it's on my list to check out.
Please do NOT ask Bride of Rove for a restaurant recommendation in the Keys. Bwahahahahaa! She cracks me up.
I've got to get moving. I have to plant some Hollyhocks, shampoo carpets and finish grading To Kill a Mockingbird finals so I can enter report card grades.
Have a great Saturday!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: Spring Forward Edition
1 comment:
- Fenway_Nation said...
Ah yes....I remember the Stars' last game against Boston. I think even the most dispassionate NHL observer would:
3 brawls (two of them before 4 seconds ticked off the game clock) and 2 goals in the first 2 and a half minutes. Boston and Dallas don't play each other that much- I'd expect to see that sort of animosity between the Bruins and Flyers or Canadiens, but not a team they only play once every year or two....
P.S. Thanks for the piping hot linkage
- March 12, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
This is a sequel to my previous post:
Let's use high school stereotypes to cross-contextualize the parable.
On the one hand, there's the quarterback. Most popular kid in school. Big, buff, strong, tall, hunky and handsome. Looks like a Greek statue that stepped off the pedestal. Drives a sports car. Girls stand in line for the chance to date him. He's banking on a football scholarship to get into college. No shortage of offers. After that the NFL. Product endorsements. Sports commentator.
On the other hand, there's the geek. Smartest kid in school. Has a free ride to MIT (even though he will drop out halfway through college to start the newest Fortune 500 company at age 20).
But he's overweight. Wears glasses. Bad hair. Hopeless at sports. Hopeless around girls.
The QB makes fun of the geek in the locker room. Whenever the QB and the geek approach the same door at the same same time, the QB pushes him aside and goes in first. When the geek is standing in line, the QB cuts right in front of him, just to show who's boss. Big dog puts little dog in his place.
One day the school counselor has a message for the QB: his G.P.A. is below what's needed to receive that coveted scholarship. He's failing in math, science, computer science.
The QB needs help. Fast! Somebody to tutor him. Get his grades up. And guess who he turns to?
It's very demeaning for the QB to have to ask the geek for a favor. He never imagined that he'd find himself in that position.
For his part, the geek has a choice: he could refuse. Payback. This is his chance to make the QB suffer for all the indignities he made the geek endure.
But instead, the geek decides to be a friend to the desperate, chastened QB. As a result, the QB comes to respect the geek. Protect the geek.
During summer break, the QB takes the geek with him to the gym. Shows him how to get in shape. They go jogging together. The QB teaches him karate, to give him more self-confidence. Gives him some grooming tips. Pays for contacts.
When Fall quarter starts, the geek is transformed. Girls swoon in the hallway when he walks by. And just hanging out with the QB instantly elevates his social status in the high school pecking order.
Or, if you prefer a love story to a buddy flick, the geek could be the ugly duckling schoolgirl whom the QB unexpectedly falls head over heels for (much to the consternation of his former girlfriend, the head cheerleader) after they spend so much time together as she gets him up to speed on math, science, and computer science.


text:
There comes a point every single summer at which I just cannot bear anymore, well…summer. Even as a kid and as a student, I was able to get all my "Woo! Summer! FREEDOM!" wiggles out within June and early July; when the second half of the season is in full swing, I'm thinking only of school supplies and crisp evenings. Am I a total weirdo for not loving summer? I like popsicles and swimming pools as much as the next lady, but enough already.
Our summer began with a few long weekends we'd planned immediately after returning from HK and Thailand, knowing we'd need something to look forward to after the end of a pretty fantastic break from regular life: a "camping cabin" in Lassen, a weekend in a rented lake house with friends, a pre-July/mid-heatwave visit to Yosemite (where there was no AC, so cold showers were among the top five highlights). Though we've recently found our weekends a little less booked– we've managed to plow through both House of Cards and Orange is the New Black– there are plenty of in-town activities with friends occupying our Saturday nights. As these activities tend more and more toward sedate evenings in, rather than packed cars and multi-hour drives, I'm getting more and more ready to be in the midst of college football season, sweater weather, and sub-80-degree temperatures.
Oh, and another reason to look forward to the final months of this year? We get to meet her in December.
(Yes, I'm showing. Yes, sometimes she sort of looks like Skeletor. Adventures!)


text:
|The yummy, cheesy , cruncy treat;simply great!
Ingredients: (for preparation of a medium sized pie)
Self raising white flour (200gms.),
Potato (3 medium pieces),
Carrot (2 medium pieces),
Capsicum (1 big sized, grated),
Tomato (2 medium sized grated),
Onions (2 medium sized grated),
Tomato sauce (2 teaspoons),
Chili sauce (1 teaspoon) [optional, in case you are fond of the hot flavor],
Oregano (just a pinch),
Sesame seeds ( just a pinch),
Salt as per taste,
Cheese (a combination of mozzarella, Gouda, cheddar and Swiss cheese) [the choice of cheese depends upon you, but this combination will always give the best result].
Procedure: The procedure is a slightly lengthy one but once you start following it meticulously and judiciously it will be the simplest stuff to try on earth. The process is represented schematically with the help of diagrams.
Step 1: Boil the vegetables (potatoes, carrots) together and mash together. Chop the capsicum, tomatoes, and onions into smaller pieces. Put it on fire with 1/2 teaspoon oil till the vegetables become soft and mixes well with the potatoes, carrots. Add the tomato and chili sauces.
Step 2: The self raising white flour should be kneaded into perfect dough with small water and oil. Make smaller balls and roll with the help of a rolling pin to obtain a rounded structure.
Step 3: Take a little of the dough in hand and press in between your palms so that it becomes an elongated structure as shown in the picture above. Make sure that the structures are prepared as thin as possible because these structures will be required to put on the top of the pie once prepared. Keep them aside.
Step 4: Put the mashed vegetable inside the dough placed in a baking tray. Spread evenly with the help of a spoon.
Step 5: Spread shredded cheese (Gouda, mozzarella, cheddar and Swiss) over the mashed vegetable. Spread a pinch of oregano over the toppings.
Step 6: Spread the elongated thin dough over the cheese toppings. Place it in a criss -cross fashion so that the pie gets a netted appearance. Pre-heat the oven at 240 degrees for 10 minutes and then place the vegetable pie in the oven at 220 degrees for 20 minutes. Check in between from the glass of the oven and see the color change. Then you are sure that the pie is ready to be served.
Step 7: When the pie is ready remove it from the oven and get ready to serve it.
When some little guests steps in your house, you might be wandering what to preapre. This is a perfect vegetarian recipe and you can add your innovative skills to it by altering the ingredients. Experimentation can always be a fun- you see. So, rejuvante yourself by experimenting and creating signature dishes . Enjoy the spice of life.


text:
Where I, Ron, blog on a variety of different subjects--social theoretical, historical, cultural, political, social ethical, the media, and so on (I got the Max Weber and Mark Twain in me)--in a sometimes Niebuhrian or ironic way all with an attitude. Enjoy. Disagree. Be very afraid particularly if you have a socially and culturally constructed irrational fear of anything over 140 characters.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Something Wicked This Way Comes: The "Coop" Blues Strike Again
A bit of backstory to begin with: I really had not thought about running for the Board at Honest Weight and really didn't want to do it. I really don't have the Mr. Bourgeois Congeniality temperament for it and hopefully never will. I treasure honesty and forthrightness. Thank you liberal arts education. The promptings of several individuals who said I should run for the Board made me change my mind, however. So did the fact, or so one Board member said, that only three people had applied to run for the Board in April. Given all this I decided to enter the World Board Federation ring. I did an application. I gave it to a Board member. Eventually it found its way to a member of the Board nominations committee.
It was not as simple as this, of course. It never is in a modern bureaucratic setting. Erin Shaw, a member of the Board nominations committee received my application. Erin apparently contacted the member coordinator, Morgaen Hansen,who apparently told Erin I was not a member, an assertion I dispute given that I had not received a refund of my share. Morgaen and then Erin wrote me back saying I couldn't run since I was not a member. Erin wrote that I had to have my membership in order by the 31st of March in order to run for the Board.
I did as she asked. But lo and behold I got called into the hall of the powers that be later that night and told that golly gee a misunderstanding had occurred. The application date for Board applications had not been extended as Erin and another board member, Ned Depew, thought, they told me, so no I couldn't run for the Board. Whether these two Board members, William Frye and Roman Kuchera, had the ability to tell me this on their own without consulting the rest of the Board save perhaps Leif Hartman, an unelected member of the Board (ain't that democracy?) who was hanging at the Corpop tonight, is a question that perhaps should be asked. So must the question of whether Frye and Kuchera were acting on their own or at the behest of others. And if they were acting without full Board approval is that allowed under the by-laws? Speaking of that last question, one knowledgable source told me that what happened in my case was probably not covered by the by-laws.
After this friendly little tête-à-tête Kuchera signed off on my application and even asked me whether I still lived in New York. And no, I said, I had not moved to another state or country in the two or three weeks since I resigned from the Corpop and requested a return of my share payment. Ah, the joys of bureaucracy speak and bureaucracy do. Then Frye and Kuchera left but not without taking my Board application packet. Apparently to them the issue had been decided. They seem to have decreed that the only good contradiction was no contradiction at all. And verily the contradiction (at least two Board members thought the deadline for Board member applications had been extended) disappeared just like a character in the Master and Margarita.
Relevant Primary Source Material With Commentary
1. As a historical and empirical service I post in full the email I was sent by Erin Shaw. It is dated 29 March two days after the supposed original deadline and one day after I handed it. I quote:
I am copying Karen Roth, chair of the nominating committee on this email.
I wanted to confirm that I have received your application as a Board candidate, however, at this time you are not currently a member of the Honest Weight Food Co-op. In order to run you must be a member in good standing no later than March 31, 2015. I will hold off posting your application until I have confirmation that your status has changed.
Please reach out to Karen or myself with any questions.
Thank you,
2. Email from Karen Roth sent on 1 April 2015. First, Roth notes that mistakes were made. I assume, given the context, that she means the mistaken impression of some Board members that the deadline for Board applications was extended. Second, note that Roth is willing to accept my "late" application given this confusion. Finally, note that the greater informality of the fist letter is gone.
"Hi Ron,
I am sorry that this situation occurred. Governance is, at its core, a human endeavor and errors do occur.
Since your communication is the only information I have regarding the situation I am basing my response on it. There was some discussion of extending the application deadline and if you submitted your application based on that information I am sure we could accept your application.
Please forgive me if you know the following information. I include it for clarification. The question of eligibility is based on the definition of shareholder vs. member. A member of the Honest Weight is defined in our by-laws as a person who currently does member labor and this definition can change if you have not worked recently. If you do not have any working hours banked then your, in fact, not eligible to run for the board or vote at membership meetings despite holding a share in the co-op.
That said, I am a little confused by your e-mail. It seems to say that you filled out paperwork to get your share back indicating that you chose not even to be a shareholder. Why then would you seek a seat on the board of Directors?
Karen Roth, Nominations committee"
3. Roth's follow up email to me some ten hours or so later on 1 April. There are once again several things to note here. First, Roth no longer offers to accept my application. Second, Roth interestingly makes the mistake of assuming that Frye and Kuchera acted in the name of the Board. According to Board member Depew, they didn't act in his name. He wasn't even aware of the actions they took. Third, in the ten or more hours between her first email to me and the second one can only wonder whether Roth was contacted by any of the powers that be and told that accepting my Board application was out of the question. Is there, in other words, something else going on in the denial of my application for the Board. Is there a personal dislike of me among some of the powers that be because of some of the things that I have forthrightly and honestly said and written? If there is, of course, this once again proves that while bureaucracies claim to be formal organisations, and they are to some extent, they also are rent through with informal ideologically driven and emotionally driven actions, even among those who like to assert that they are simply enforcing the rules. Speaking of actions, I am not being "mean" in my analysis and interpretations here. I am simply being forthright, honest, and empirically accurate.
"Hi Ron,
Thanks for the clarification.
I see from your note that the board has taken on your issue and made a decision.
Because, as a committee member, I work in service to the board I will no longer engage with you on this matter.
Karen Roth, Nominations Committee"
4. This space is reserved for the official letter I requested from Kuchera and Frye detailing my case and explaining the ruling against my Board application in spite of confusion amongst Board members as to the application deadline, a confusion that impacted when I handed my application in. Since I have not received this letter yet let me note that if I don't receive such a letter this shows, once again, that while bureaucracies are, in part and in rhetoric, formal organisations with written rules or laws (the by-laws of Honest Weight), they also are rent through with informal oral practices that, intended or not, serve to place certain actions of the powers that be behind a veil of secrecy in an attempt, one presumes, to keep certain information from becoming general knowledge (such as, as one member put it, the "bullying" of Board member Ned Depew by four other Board members). I don't, by the way, expect to receive an official letter detailing the ruling against my applications since, as I noted, one knowledgable source said to me, what happened to me was not likely kosher under the existing corporate by-laws.
5. Interesting developments out of the blue within the last hour (2:30 and after, 2 April). I received this reply from William Frye when I asked for an official letter about the actions he and Roman Kuchera took on my Board application on Tuesday. Fascinating. I am not sure what to make of this./
Under the circumstances, I have made no such decision. I voiced my opinion. The issue will be presented to the whole board for a decision next Tuesday evening.
Bill Frye
I replied:
Didn't realize that and didn't recall either you or Roman making this clear.
William wrote back:
You are probably right. It was only later, on considering the situation, that I thought it would be the proper course to take.
6. The letter I sent to the Board:
I was told by one Board member that the period for accepting Board member applications had been extended. I was informed by another Board member that the only problem with my application accepted on the 29th of March, a day after I submitted it, was that I was not a member of the Coop and that I had to have my membership in order by 31 March. Given this the only rational, right, and honourable thing for the Board to do is to allow me, Ronald Helfrich Jnr., and anyone who had the same things happen to them, to stand for the Board.
Analytical Conclusions:
Thanks to years of observation the following picture emerges of Honest Weight. Honest Weight is a corporate bureaucracy, an organisation characterised by a hierarchical structure with a differential reward system and inequalities of power. Honest Weight claims to be a democracy, though how the powers that be slice and dice that term is unclear. It only partially is. It claims to be transparent. It only partially is. It claims to be member run. It only partially is. It is a bureaucracy where simple human fairness seems often to be trumped by pharisaical and scribal technicalities. In all of this Honest Weight is hardly exceptional. For an institution that began life as a countercultural attempt to be exceptional, to be different from the mainstream, that is in itself absolutely fascinating if not surprising to the theoretically and empirically inclined and deserving of further analysis.
None of what took place at Honest Weight Food Corporation the last couple of days, by the way, surprises me. It would have surprised me if it hadn't occurred. In closing let me just say that I hope I have brought a little transparency to what really happens behind the curtain at Honest Weight and I hope I have contributed to the literature on how bureaucracies claim to function (the formal public face dimension) and how they really function (the informal behind the curtain dimension, aka, the reality behind the liberal bourgeois façade). Finally, I hope this essay speaks to members out there who are trying to decide on who they should and who they should not vote for at the next Board election in April particularly those members who remember what a coop really is. I intend to vote for Daniel. I intend to vote against any current members of the Board running yet again particularly Leif Hartmark. I intend not to vote for anyone else, I find the other candidates too corporate in mentality or too close to the powers that be and as a result unable to act as a check and balance on the management team and that, dear readers, is a real rather than a perceived conflict of interest.
One last thing, I want to thank Honest Weight and particularly its elites for giving me so much to write about. I really like it when the muse comes upon me.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Free To Be Discriminatory You and Me...
The bill will work similarly to that of similar bills on the federal level and state level. Hobby Lobby was given the right to discriminate against contraception users because it, or so the Hobby Lobby folk claimed, violated their religious principles, religious principles that go back to a thirteenth century reading of Aristotelean philosophy of telos while Indiana Amish may more clearly gain the right to avoid using a slow moving vehicle sign putting others, in the process, in danger, raising questions about Amish commitment to the common good in the process. The Amish, by the way, are legally allowed to keep their children out of school after the age of 8 in the name of religious freedom. It is, of course, in reality, a practise that keeps Amish children and particularly Amish women potentially free of any thoughts that might undermine Amish patriarchal socialisaton practises that go back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
I suspect that what will happen with this bill will be a couple of things. We don't know what Indiana's religious "freedom" bill says, though some people seem to know what it says before it is even available to read online, but if it is akin to that of Illinois it will allow the state to prosecute groups who violate state and federal non-discrimation statues. The state has to want to prosecute, however. It certainly does provide cover for those who want to discriminate and claim that their discrimination is the product of their religion. Given that there are laws in conflict here--religious exemptions for discriminatory practises and federal and state laws against specific discrimination--these cases will probably end up in the courts costing American taxpayers money. If Hobby Lobby is a guide, religious "freedom" will trump civil rights at the US Supreme Court as presently constituted. The US Supreme Court does have a bevy of White Male Catholic conservatives in its midst after all who seem to be guided by more by Catholic and conservative Christian ideology rather than the secular common American good.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Life in the Pissant Swamp: The Customer is Always Right
Students have known when assignments are due since late September so I don't feel any guilt for this no late papers policy whatsoever. However, as is always the case when assignments are due, I have several students who are asking for an exemption from my no late papers policy. One student wants exemption because when he got home on the date the assignment was due he discovered that the family computer would not work. Another wants exemption because he was driving a car to Florida and did not have access to WiFi along the way. Both cases beg the question of why each student simply didn't copy and paste their assignments on to Blackboard before they left for home or spring vacation.
Ah, there's nothing like a due date for papers in the piss ant swamp.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Related Articles
- Apple Maps vs Google Maps: Features compared
- Android might no longer be free, warns Google
- Google Chrome OS Canary channel receives a new UI, smart text selection to follow soon
- Google Chrome 'Heavy Page Capping' will alert users of heavy-data websites
- Donald Trump grabs the first spot in Google's Image search result for 'Idiot'
- Google acknowledges camera issues on the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Have you ever wondered who created the famous Android System? Well, many of us might not really know since it has been more than a decade when Android was first launched and the creator also has been working silently behind the scenes.
However, according to a recent report the creator of Android OS is set to make the headlines again. While it has just been over two years after leaving Google, Andy Rubin, yes the creator of Android OS, is preparing to take on the smartphone industry. As per the new report, he plans to reveal his new company, Essential, in the coming days.
SEE ALSO: A new Motorola phone teased to launch at the MWC 2017
Also, Essential is rumored to be launching a high-end bezel-less smartphone to compete with flagships from Apple and Google.
Let's get some deeper insights about the developer and the phone.
High-end Smartphone
As Bloomberg notes, Armed with about a 40-person team, filled with recruits from Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Rubin is preparing to announce a new company and serve as its Chief Executive Officer, citing unnamed sources with the matter. It also reports that the company has designed a platform to tie multiple devices together, and is working on a suite of consumer hardware products, including ones for the mobile and smart home markets.
From what has been revealed it looks like the centerpiece of the company will be a high-end smartphone with a large edge-to-edge screen that lacks a surrounding bezel. And, Rubin has already discussed the smartphone with mobile carrier executives just a few days back at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Unique Features
On the other hand, the smartphone is still in the prototyping stage but it is aimed at the top of the market where Apple Inc.'s iPhone and Google's Pixel reside. The smartphone is expected to include high-end materials and the ability to gain new hardware features over time.
Reports also say that Rubin's company is experimenting with enabling the phone's screen to sense different levels of pressure, similar to an iPhone and the company's engineering team is also testing an industrial design with metal edges and a back made of ceramic, which is more difficult to manufacture than typical smartphone materials.
SEE ALSO: Nokia 6 receives 250,000 registrations in 24 Hours
Essential's engineers are developing a proprietary connector that serves double duty for charging the battery and expanding the phone's functionality. The smartphone has also been deemed to come with a magnetic connector that would allow hardware accessories to be attached which will add additional features to the smartphone. According to sources, Rubin's engineers are working on a sphere-shaped camera add-on that shoots high-resolution 360-degree photographs.
Rubin is planning to put the phone on sale around the middle of this year for a price close to that of an iPhone 7, although the plans are still in flux.
All these developments come after Rubin registering Essential Products Inc. with California regulators in November 2015. In 2016, the company also registered "Essential" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, listing smartphones, tablets, accessories and "computer operating software for mobile phones" among its goods and services. However, whether the devices will run on software based on Android is still a mystery.
SEE ALSO: Take a Look at the Must-have Apps that Ensure Women Safety
Funds and Investments
Rubin co-founded Android in 2003 and Google acquired the company in 2005 before officially launching the first version of the OS in 2008. Rubin remained with Google in its Android division until 2013, when he moved over to its robotics unit. In 2014, Rubin departed Google entirely and in 2015 he formed his own tech hardware incubator called Playground Global. The company occupies a sprawling warehouse in Silicon Valley
Bloomberg has reported that the incubator has raised a total of $300 million so far from a number of investors, including Google, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., and HP. The company is in talks with Foxconn to manufacture the new smartphone from Essential.


text:
which has drawn some comments from one of my alltime favorite designers, S. John Ross. (You can find all of S. John's latest awesome work at his site Cumberland Games & Diversions. He occasionally posts a comment here, which always causes me to audibly squeal with delight. It's pathetic, really.) Originality in game design is sorta a pet subject for Mr. Ross. He developed a specific and idiomatic approach to the subject quite some time ago, which you can find in the general RPG stuff section of his Blue Room FAQ. The Blue Room is Ross's personal page for non-commercial stuff and it's chock full of great stuff.
Anyway, today I wanted to riff on a snippet S. John's comments in the Originality thread. I'm going to quote him completely out of context and build my own position from there, basically because I have no journalistic standards whatsoever. Here's the quote:
nobody who just wants to play a Human Fighter need ever feel like the poor cousin in the partyRoss is writing specifically about how he made his nifty Uresia setting broad enough to allow for totally weird character concepts, but grounded enough in the fantasy staples that any of the old guard of fantasy archetypes fit in just fine. So in Uresia a party could be composed of something like a Sailor Scout, a Ninja Pastry Chef, and a Surly Dwarf with an Axe. No big deal. Note that this is one of the virtues of Eberron as well. Richard Baker made it a design goal to find a place for all the core D&D stuff, then built a whole new edifice upon this foundation.
I think this approach is exactly why I find both Uresia and Eberron compelling. From a practical prospective I can pitch these games as "everything you already know about traditional fantasy, plus extra added awesomeness". That's a lot easier to get people onboard for than, say, Arcana Evolved ("trad fantasy with every class and race replaced by new ones") or Tekumel ("what if JRR Tolkien obsessed on Mesoamerica and India rather than Western Europe"). It's not that AE or Tekumel are less rad, just that the learning curve is tougher on the newbies. From an artistic* perspective I'm not ready to abandon orcs and elves because I feel like I still have plenty to say with them. And from a social perspective setting-intense RPGs and the kind of GMs who run them can be a pain in the ass.
On that last count, I think it comes down to this: I want the guy who makes Bob the Fighter to be welcome at the table. Bob may have no backstory, no discernable personality. He's probably nothing more than a Walter Mitty vehicle for putting the player into the adventure. And in my book that's just fine. This hobby needs Bob's player just as much as they need the players who write fanfic about their own PCs. Some games and some GMs want to talk down to Bob's player, telling him things like "You'll need to develop a background compatible with the setting before Bob can come in." or "Bob is a terrible name. Here's a list of names appropriate to the setting. Please pick one." I understand the impulse at work here, but in my opinion elevating the setting over the PC is the exact wrong approach to take in D&D. If you're playing a historical game I can see the concern, but if your D&D game can't endure one or two PCs with lame names and no personality then either your setting is too rigid and/or you're being a control freak. Stop picking on Bob.
On a completely unrelated note, today I discovered that John Kim, keeper of the incredibly neat-o Encyclopedia of Role-Playing Games, also maintains an RPG livejournal. Cool!
*Yes, I said artistic. I side with the "RPGs aren't art" crowd, but I'm not blind to the art in roleplaying. I just loathe any attempt to elevate the artistry above other elements, such as the social aspect of the hobby or the sheer fun of playing silly games.