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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A wash of colors and a bit of ink, just makes me happy.
W/c and Faber Castel brush pen on Moleskine w/c paper--cropped.
Posted by Nita Van Zandt at 04:00 5 comments:
Monday, September 29, 2008
old excellent sketchpaper
I found an old Mead sketchpad, marked $1.75, that has paper as heavy as today's Aquabee Superdeluxe paper. Not as heavily sized, but it took layered w/c really well!
Just an indication of how thin today's "sketch" paper is for much higher cost.
$1.75 for 50 sheets of 12x9. Sigh. Wonder what year that was?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
on the magic carpet
Chaucer is sailing away on his magic carpet here.
The process was to practice w/c glazing, and to create bloom. Glazing takes waiting and going back to the piece, which I usually avoid doing.
But when I painted the green around the rug fringe (I did the background last, which was not a good thing), I saw the surreal floating effect and kept it.
If only we could develop magic-transporter rugs. Think of the fun and convenience!
W/c on
Saturday, September 27, 2008
a flea market find
An excellent brass music stand for $20. I'll be using it as a simple easel for sketching while standing.
Charcoal drawing, then w/c, on 140# Arches.
Friday, September 26, 2008
another innocent victim . . .
. . . of a drive-by drawing.
I didn't do her face right, but it's a first attempt. She held really still though, much better than cats or husbands!
Fountain pen inked over the original light pencil sketch, on Superaquabee Deluxe.
Posted by Nita Van Zandt at 04:00 1 comment:
Thursday, September 25, 2008
a stock image
This cat has become one now. After I've drawn something several times and can do it from memory, I use it for those times I want to play with new art supplies or have minutes to fill while waiting, but not enough to do a new scene.
In this case I didn't do a pencil/pen pre-drawing. It was practice drawing from memory with a brush, direct sketching with w/c.
Layering doesn't work too well on the Aquabee Superdeluxe. It takes a couple light washes, but then the surface starts to break. But this isn't necessarily a subject I'd commit to better paper.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
a cat who holds still
When the real thing just gets too frustrating, I can turn to a nice wooden cat for practice.
Copic brush multiliner and w/c on Aquabee Superdeluxe.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
unsteady on his feet
This stuffed dinosaur is nose-heavy. But I didn't reveal that in his portrait.
4B pencil on Superaquabee.
Monday, September 22, 2008
chiminea redux
Another attempt at this model. With background and penciled shadow. An ink shadow just seemed impossibly harsh.
Fiber tip on Superaquabee
Sunday, September 21, 2008
capturing the town
So many great sketchers/bloggers do cityscapes. I'm always fascinated and impressed. I want to get better at capturing those building/car moments we all pass through.
So many straight lines! Windows! Doors! Wheels! Agh! And to get it down in 10 minutes!
But expanding my themes is a good thing.
Pencil on Aquabee Superdeluxe, w/c added later.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
trying layers
Glazing in watercolors takes a lot of waiting and careful color mixing. I'm giving it a try.
Going back to layer on reds and then lift highlights--gee, that's what the real painters do!
Not sure I'm cut out for it . . .
W/c on Aquabee Superdeluxe.
Friday, September 19, 2008
making it mine
On the cover of the Aquabee sketchbook--gesso with blue acrylic added, then sketching and painting on top.
I have to make the covers of my sketchbooks more interesting than corporate logos and company colors.
Gesso, acrylic, fibertip and w/c.
Posted by Nita Van Zandt at 04:00 2 comments:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
quick and flowery
Three sketches in 30 minutes fills 3 days of posting. Efficient practice, I'd say.
Especially when I can set them up for pre-posting while I'm out looking for new subjects.
Tech pen on Superaquabee.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
a nice stationary chair
So much easier without people in them!
But I did the floorboards from memory, and they're all wrong.
Tech pen on Superaquabee.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
sketching people in action
I'm practicing first drawing all the non-moving parts of the person I'm observing, then trying to catch and remember the moving face and arms, and make it look not TOO awful.
Practicing, merely!
Tech pen on Superaquabee.
Monday, September 15, 2008
smears, brush and digital
I did some streaks and smears, wet on wet, then some digital warping.
After awhile, even I won't remember what the changes were. But I appreciate the undo element of the process.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
mainly tortillon
Saturday, September 13, 2008
always near, but nearly always sleeping
Wherever I am in the house, there's a sleeping cat. He transports through space to each location, often without being visible in the time/space continuum between.
4B pencil that turned into a w/c sketch when I needed color. On Raffine sketch paper, which is gorgeous heavyweight stuff.
Friday, September 12, 2008
smudgy jumble
Sometimes I just have to draw, whatever is closest, with whatever paper and media is closest.
Doesn't mean it turns out at all, it just relieves the drawing pressure.
Drawing can be an addiction.
4B pencil on Aquabee Superdeluxe. No eraser nearby. That might have helped.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
making a path through the chaos
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
top side
Standing over Chaucer as he ate, capturing an aerial perspective.
Fountain pen and w/c on Superaquabee.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
9 houses
Monday, September 08, 2008
nothing obvious
Sunday, September 07, 2008
the comfy chair
The best tv chair at my friend's cottage. It has broad arms for drinks and drawing supplies, lots of afghans and pillows to arrange for comfort, and a lovely, shlumpy feel.
W/c on Aquabee Superdeluxe
Saturday, September 06, 2008
8B pencil and tortillon
I've been skimming through Fast Sketching Techniques by David Rankin. He recommends using a 9B pencil and a smudging stump (the hard rolled tortillons) to have a range of values and quick application.
As a professionally trained artist, he had to work to relax into, and accept, fast, wonky sketching. Funny to think how he teaches it now, when most of us are trying to go the other direction!
I like the method, 2 simple things to carry that provide a large range of values with a painterly feel, no crosshatching.
And as Rankin says, using the tortillon to add values makes the technique something like a dry, single-hue watercolor sketch.
P.S. I used 8B graphite instead of 9B. 9B is relatively difficult to find!
Friday, September 05, 2008
cat and chair
Thursday, September 04, 2008
towel rack
A convenient in-room towel storage and rack for that down-the-hall bathroom. I did just a partial coloring of the wall, not sure that worked.
Tech pen and w/c on SuperAquabee Deluxe paper.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
more wicker
I found another cool wicker chair at a place I stayed in Maine. This chair was the most gorgeous lavendar wicker, didn't look painted. And the cushions were deep maroon.
I'm no longer intimidated by all those little wickers crisscrossing in front of my eyes. Progress!
Pencil on SuperAquabee.
Posted by Nita Van Zandt at 04:00 3 comments:
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
granite everywhere
An attempt at a close-up of one of the millions of rockwalls everywhere in New England. This one happens to be in Maine--can't you tell?
A mere impression of moss and lichen-discolored boulders. But fun to try to catch all the planes and shadows.
Done while sitting on the wall, juggling w/c pens. (I always say that, it's exactly what it feels like.) There's some graphite and w/c pencil in there, too.
Posted by Nita Van Zandt at 04:00 1 comment:
Monday, September 01, 2008
contours of little treasures
Just the outlines, of fish in the bathroom. They sit, rather than swim.
Tech pen on pre-painted background, SuperAquabee.
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Phone: 503-823-2375
fax: 503-823-2387
421 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-823-2375
fax: 503-823-2387
421 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 500, Portland, OR 97204
Fair Housing Advocacy Committee (FHAC) is a multijurisdictional committee of Portland, Multnomah County and Gresham, and bound by an intergovernmental agreement to plan local federal resources to affirmatively further fair housing and access to opportunity. Members of this committee are appointed by the Portland Housing Commissioner, Multnomah County, Home Forward, the City of Gresham, and the Coalition of Communities of Color.
The committee is charged with reviewing data on disparities in housing choice, reviewing and endorsing best practices, coordinating public information campaigns, the regular review of enforcement data, suggesting policies for adoption by jurisdictions, and advocating for resources that will support effective approaches to furthering Fair Housing. FHAC also advocates in the areas of Fair Housing education and outreach, legal service referrals, and policy and planning regarding rental housing, ownership housing and related issues of access and opportunity.
For more information at PHB, contact the Fair Housing and Federal Grants Coordinator:
Kim McCarty
Senior Housing Policy Coordinator
Phone 503-823-5312 or Email firstname.lastname@example.com
Commonwealth Building
421 SW 6th Ave, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97204
Learn about the Fair Housing Advocacy Committee
23.01.060 Discrimination in Selling, Renting, or Leasing Real Property Prohibited
2011 Fair Housing Study in Multnomah County
If you have questions, need additional information, or believe you may have been a victim of housing discrimination, please contact one of these partner agencies.

subset: commoncrawl


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Malek Saleh al-Heshami, a pro-Hadi militia commander, was killed in fierce clashes with the Yemeni forces in the town of Zi Naem in Al-Bayda province, in Central Yemen, the Arabic-language Al-Youm Al-Sabe news website quoted informed sources as saying.
In a similar development, the Yemeni forces killed a Saudi army general in cross-border fire from Yemen on Jizan province.
Major General Abdulrahman bin Saad Al Shahrani, commander of Saudi Army's 18th Brigade, was visiting troops deployed "on the front lines along the southern region when he came under enemy fire.
Shahrani was wounded in the attack and hospitalized, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
Shahrani is one of the two highest-ranking Saudi officers killed in cross-border fire.
The attack came in retaliation for the Saudi-led aggression against Yemeni people.
On Sunday, the Yemeni army and popular forces hit a Saudi military vehicle convoy in the province of Jizan with missiles on Sunday.
The Saudi military convoy comprising tanks and armored personnel carriers came under the Yemeni forces' attack in Jizan in Southern Saudi Arabia.
Several Saudi military men were killed in the Yemeni raid on their convoy.
On Saturday, the Yemeni forces destroyed Saudi Arabia's al-Mamout military base in the Southern parts of the country.
Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen for 152 days now to restore power to fugitive president Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. The Saudi-led aggression has so far killed at least 5,518 Yemenis, including hundreds of women and children.
Hadi stepped down in January and refused to reconsider the decision despite calls by Ansarullah revolutionaries of the Houthi movement.
Despite Riyadh's claims that it is bombing the positions of the Ansarullah fighters, Saudi warplanes are flattening residential areas and civilian infrastructures.


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A new poster for Looper, the time-travelling action flick that pits Bruce Willis against a younger, bounty-hunting version of himself (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt) has been released, further emphasizing the connection between the two characters. While ostensibly playing the same guy, Gordon-Levitt's interpretation of his character in Looper breaches a specific level of imitation, made pretty evident in the image.
Past posters for Looper have emphasized the film's intricately designed time-travelling capsule among other things, but this latest one-sheet continues the film's stark, all-white motif.
The poster isn't very revealing of Rian John's complex time-travel tale but the previously released comprehensive Looper synopsis explains that in the future, but also in the past, a group of hired guns known as 'loopers' are tasked with eliminating any target that is sent their way. Those targets however, are transported back to the looper's time period, making their death a type of paradox, and more importantly a crime without clues.
Gordon-Levitt's Joe has been enjoying a luxurious life as a looper until he comes across a job that initially gives him pause. That job involves eliminating the future's version of himself, played by Bruce Willis.
As expected, younger Joe shakes off his apprehension and gives chase, throwing viewers headfirst into the meaty and complex plot of Looper. But at the same time, the thought lingers in the back of each character's (and the audience's) mind as to what implications completing the job will have.
That leads into the design concept for the posters, which implies that the destruction of one version of Joe reciprocally harms the other. Director Rian Johnson (Brothers Bloom) researched time travel concepts extensively – even work-shopping the script with Primer director Shane Carruth – so don't expect overly large logic leaps to be made, but also don't rule them out entirely.
With a handful of festival screenings right around the corner and the film's wide release set for September, it's almost time for the full truth behind Looper to be revealed. We've seen pieces of the final puzzle, but given Johnson's love of misdirection and surprise, there should still plenty left to unravel.
Looper hits theaters on September 28, 2012.
Source: Looper Network (completed poster courtesy of The Film Stage)


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How to configure Exchange Server 2007 mailboxes
Now that you can create a new mailbox in Exchange Server 2007 and associate a user with it, learn how to properly configure your Exchange 2007 mailbox. Continue Reading
Managing Exchange Server 2007 address lists
Learn how to manage Exchange Server 2007 address lists, including offline address lists, and assign permissions to the lists using AD users and groups. Continue Reading
Troubleshooting Apple iPhone and Exchange Server integration issues
Find out how to configure Exchange ActiveSync to synchronize Apple iPhone and Exchange Server email, calendars and contacts. You'll also get tips and advice on how to avoid common iPhone and Exchange Server setup issues; how to mitigate iPhone ... Continue Reading
How continuous replication works in Exchange Server 2007
Exchange Server 2007 uses two types of continuous replication: local continuous replication (LCR) and cluster continuous replication (CCR). The release of Exchange Server 2007 SP1 introduced a third type known as standby continuous replication (SCR)... Continue Reading
Create a journal rule in Exchange 2007 to secure journaling mailboxes
There are several regulations in Exchange Server 2007 regarding message retention, many of which require you to guarantee that your archives can't be tampered with. Because storing journaling archives off-site isn't allowed in Exchange 2007, you ... Continue Reading
Top Exchange Server performance monitoring and troubleshooting tools
Maintaining a healthy Exchange server is critical to achieving peak performance. Leveraging the monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities of tools such as the Performance Monitor, which prevents growth-related performance issues through capacity ... Continue Reading
Microsoft Group Policy Tutorial
This guide introduces you to Group Policy. From the basics of using GP to run your environment to the changes you can expect after migrating to Windows Vista, we've got all the tips, article and how-to's administrators need to know. Continue Reading
How to protect an Exchange journaling mailbox from email spoofing
In pure Exchange Server 2007 environments, traffic that flows between the hub transport servers and the mailbox servers is encrypted. This makes man-in-the-middle attacks unlikely against an Exchange journaling system, but not impossible. Get the ... Continue Reading
Set up messaging records management (MRM) in Exchange Server 2007
After moving Exchange Server 2007 mailbox data from .PST files to another location, it's best to manage this data using messaging records management (MRM). This tip from Microsoft MVP Brien Posey explains how to plan, implement and test a successful... Continue Reading
Prevent SSL-related synchronization errors on emulated mobile devices
Setting up a Windows Mobile device emulator to test Exchange ActiveSync is easy. Unfortunately, getting the synchronization process to work properly can be tricky. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate issues are the number one cause for these ... Continue Reading
Lock down Microsoft Outlook 2007 to prevent .PST file access
Eliminating the use of .PST files for mailbox data storage in Exchange Server 2007 is the last step to locking down Microsoft Outlook 2007. Read this tip to learn how to completely prevent users from opening .PST files in Exchange Server ... Continue Reading
Using Exchange Server journaling as an email-archiving solution
As more companies choose to archive email messages for e-discovery, ensuring that those archives remain secure is paramount. In this tip, you'll learn how Exchange Server archiving and journaling differ. Plus, you'll discover how to use Exchange ... Continue Reading
Using the NTBackup tool for Exchange Server backup and recovery
Many Exchange Server administrators relish the fact that Microsoft's Windows backup tool, NTBackup, is Exchange-aware. Peruse this fast guide to learn more about the NTBackup tool, including its feature limitations, best practices for backing up and... Continue Reading
Troubleshoot Windows Mobile device emulator synchronization errors
Although it's simple to connect the Windows Mobile device emulator to Microsoft Exchange Server, the synchronization process can be tricky. Learn a few handy synchronization troubleshooting techniques to set up Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) on the ... Continue Reading
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 backup and disaster recovery tutorial
Learn how to create a Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 disaster recovery plan and get the steps and tools you need to back up and restore MOSS. Continue Reading


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Product Description
The DYAD (DS) Multi-Disc Clutch design has been developed to meet the needs of modern high-performance vehicles. The two discs have been developed through constant testing of different friction materials in order to bring the optimal combination available to Centerforce customers. Today's technology has allowed for engine torque to unprecedented levels and still be daily drivers. Drivers need a clutch that can offer; positive engagement, light pedal effort, and high-end holding capacity. The DYAD DS Multi-Disc Clutch by Centerforce offers that and more!
a. No complicated setup or adjustments required
b. Fully dampened clutch system developed for vehicles with extreme power levels
c. Patented ball bearing pressure plate
d. Patented multi-disc floating disc and drive disc design
e. Manufactured with anti-rattle device to reduce floater noise
f. Smooth engagement and light pedal effort
g. Holds over 1300 ft/lbs of torque at the flywheel
h. Precision balanced
i. Greater longevity
j. ARP fasteners
k. Excellent driver control
l. Comes preassembled for your convenience
m. Specification card included!


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Last Friday was a one of a kind day for us. It featured lots of never before seen activities.
The fourth years sponsored an Explorer Debate in front of other Montessori students and parents. It was an interesting experiment in the unique ways students can demonstrate understandings. I was proud of the hard work. The kids were very nervous speaking in public like that. We plan to try this idea again and work more in effective communication.
The fifth years held an open forum on the issues of public policy for Westward Expansion. It was a lively meeting with all the many groups settling the west taking part. I enjoyed seeing some good thinking about the issues of building, mining, and homesteading and the effects this had on people and the environment.
As as if this was not enough, we also had an "I Wonder" in a baking theme. Kate brought in muffins for the class to taste test as she explored how baking soda affects the taste. We were quite surprised to find the taste did not change, but the texture did. The class all agreed the batch with the most baking soda had the right texture!


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All ASHA Teams are invited to send teams/players to the ASHA Lake Placid, NY Tournament April 5 - 7, 2013 hosted by CAN/AM.
Can/Am is anxious to host ASHA, and show us how organized and tuned in to our special athletes they are.
Lake Placid is a perfect, very manageable venue to have a tournament with many activities for the whole family in-between games. I have always thought it the perfect venue for our ASHA teams. All inclusive, they run it, we have fun and relax. They can accommodate all our families, so there would be no limit of teams.
Additional Information for all teams will be arriving soon.
Can/Am website http://www.canamhockey.com/
Yearly tournaments will be held: in Las Vegas, NV or Anaheim CA for April 2014 and Lake Placid or Florida for April 2015.
Please let Debbie McQuilkin know if you have questions and if your team plans to attend or tentatively attend ASAP. firstname.lastname@example.com


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Anyone who's owned a home for more than a couple years will tell you that home maintenance is unpredictable. You may have some idea of when things will give out, but surprises still happen. You can go for long stints without having to replace anything, and then have to replace and fix several things in a short window of time. I've said over and over that you have to budget for home maintenance. But how?
A Typical Emergency Fund Doesn't Cut It
Most financial gurus recommend having an emergency fund to cover unexpected costs. Typically they recommend keeping roughly $1000 in the fund. The fund is supposed to cover any unexpected and necessary expenses. By most stipulations for emergency funds, home repairs and appliance replacements would be appropriate costs for an emergency fund to cover.
The problem with using this kind of approach to cover home maintenance is that home maintenance expenses can easily be far larger than a mere $1,000 or even $2,000. Furthermore, even if you did have enough in your emergency fund to cover a home maintenance cost, draining your emergency fund to cover it would leave you vulnerable to another home repair or other emergency expense.
Home Maintenance Escrow Fund
If you're a homeowner, you are probably familiar with using escrow to pay for your property taxes and insurance. Typically escrow funds are held by a third party to pay for future expenses so that you don't spend the money elsewhere. However, you can apply the same concept on your own. Set up a separate account that's designated for home maintenance.
Most people fund their emergency fund by going into 'super-saving mode' until their emergency fund is fully funded. Once their emergency fund is back to where they want it, they stop contributing until they have to draw from their emergency fund again. Instead of doing this for your home maintenance fund, budget a regular contribution. If you happen to go several months with no maintenance issues, just let your fund grow. You won't regret it when issues do crop up.
How Much To Budget For Home Maintenance
Of course, the million dollar question is how much you should budget. There are so many variables, ranging from size and age of house to where you live. Maintenance expenses also will depend on how much you are willing to do yourself.
Over time, you'll start to get a sense of how much home maintenance will cost you in your particular situation (although until you replace a roof or fix a foundation don't jump to any conclusions). Until you do get a good idea, aim high. One good rule of thumb is to budget 2-3% of the home's value for maintenance. This somewhat factors in location and size of your home (larger homes tend to be more expensive, and areas with higher land values also tend to have higher labor costs). If your home is newer, you're probably safe budgeting 2% of your home value. For an older home, stick with 3%.
Aim For The Worst Case
Ideally, you'll always have enough to cover the worst case scenario. In other words, figure out the most expensive repair you'll have to pay for, and aim to stash that away in your maintenance fund. For most people, this is a roof replacement, although if you have signs of a cracking basement, foundation repair may be your worst case. Whatever it is, get a quote for your worst case scenario.
Obviously, you're not going to reach your target right away. However, if your maintenance fund can't seem to get passed a few hundred before something else crops up, you probably need to increase the amount you're budgeting. On the other hand, if your maintenance stash seems to be growing at a good pace, great! Once you reach your magic number, you may be able to decrease how much you're budgeting, but until then keep it up!
  Some links pay our bills. Our thoughts and opinions remain 100% objective. Find out more.
- While I do strive to only write accurate information and dispense valuable advice, I am not a licensed financial adviser. All information is based solely on my personal experience and personal research and should be treated as such. Find out more.


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Victoria's Department of Education and Training is recruiting for a newly created chief information officer position as part of a restructure affecting how IT services are delivered within the department.
The creation of a CIO position is a product of a 2016 review conducted by the department.
The new position is part of a "move to integrate information management and information technology across the department," a spokesperson told Computerworld.
The department is creating a dedicated IT division, which will be led by the CIO.
"Our current IT services are delivered through an existing division, in conjunction with other information management and technology capabilities across the department," the spokesperson said.
The department is currently recruiting for the CIO position.
"This newly established executive leadership role, reporting to the Deputy Secretary, requires an accomplished Chief Information Officer whose experience encompasses success in large transformation programs, innovation and information systems, strategy development, excellence in the delivery of technical services and value adding management initiatives," recruitment documents state.
The new information management and technology division "will provide services, systems and support to enable the delivery of ICT and information management services including - strategy and enterprise architecture, project delivery and governance, infrastructure, information and technology solutions and service management and support to the central office, regional offices and schools."
Applications close on 5 April.


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I am too busy at work and at the new home to report on recent happenings. So it is time to offload some posts that have been sitting around, let's visit NYC, my fav place on this planet.
The New York City Waterfalls was unexpectedly a controversial public art project. It was dismantled early because when there was wind, the salty and dirty water from the East River was blown onto a nearby park killing the plants, and raining on patrons at riverside restaurants.
In a TED conference, the artist responsible – Olafur Eliasson explains that the Waterfall in NY was not simply a matter of putting nature into the city. It also provides one with a sense of the space of the city. His explanation is interesting. He spent a lot of time outdoors in his native Iceland where there are lots of waterfalls. By observing the speed at which the water falls to the bottom, he can judge how far the waterfall is from where he is standing.
Out of sheer laziness, I missed the waterfalls and have to borrowed these photos from Wikipedia. The project involved four towers of scaffolding, ranging from 90 to 120 feet, situated in NYC's East River, including locations under the Brooklyn Bridge and on Governors Island.
The project's website: NYC Waterfalls.


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Polar SpellChecker Component adds SpellChecking capability to your Windows and Web based applications. It includes 14 free-to-download dictionaries fully functional with the trial version. Full source code comes with the component - at no extra cost.
Version: 5.0Polar SpellChecker Component adds SpellChecking capability to your Windows and Web based application supporting ActiveX/COM, DLL and .NET interface. Polar SpellChecker Component includes 14 dictionaries which are free to download and are fully functional with the trial version.
License: Commercial $239.00
Operating System: Windows
Homepage: www.polarsoftware.com
Developed by:
Full source code comes with the component - at no extra cost! Source code is valuable both for further customization as well as for security reasons. You will find such an extra value with no other SpellChecking component!
Built-in features make Polar SpellChecker Component the best choice for all Windows and Web application developers: it is intuitive to use, yet rich with advanced SpellChecking functionality.
Key features - Easy integration with RichEdit and Edit text controls- Language Tables Builder (SPT)- building Polar SpellChecker Language Tables - support for every possible language- Simultaneous use of multiple dictionaries- Support for text statistics - As-you-type spell checking and auto correction- Informing the developer through events about everything that is going on inside the component - dictionaries based on new and refined words lists (English (US), English (UK), German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Latin, Slovenian , Czech, Croatian and Polish)- improved suggestion algorithm- Non modal dialogs available- Possibility to easily translate or modify dialog - Zoom feature- Allows you to zoom in RichTextBox and work with SpellChecker
SpellChecker Component is compatible with a wide range of development languages and platforms, including:- MS Visual Basic- MS Visual Basic .NET- MS Visual C++- MS Visual C++ .NET- MS FoxPro for Windows- MS Active Server Pages- MS Active Server Pages .NET- MS Visual C# .NET- Borland C++Builder- Borland Delphi- Any other 32-bit programming environments that support ActiveX components


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I came upstairs to my office at 5:15am this morning with a simple plan. I was going to read through the comments to yesterdays post and select one and write a blog post.
5am to 7am is my writing/thinking time. At 7am, I head downstairs and wake the family.
It's 6:53 and I've just finished wading through the 344 comments/suggestions and doing my own liking/voting/replying to them.
Quora cannot hold a candle to this community when it comes to startups and technology and investing. You all are simply amazing. If anyone wants to know my secret sauce when it comes to investing, all they need to do is wade into those comments. It's a gold mine.
I promise I will get to blogging about the top five or ten liked comments. And I will aslo blog about another twenty or thirty topics in there that I particuarly liked. But my time for blogging is over today. Time to wake up the family.


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Posted by GameDemon in Binbougami ga! | 1 Comment
Binbougami ga! episode 06
Epic! This is definitely the best episode yet! Sure, I wish they would drop the whole Dragon Ball Z parody thing, as it's starting to get annoying now, but other than that it was an absolute delight to watch. My hope for Binbougami ga! is higher than ever before now!
We continued to watch as little Ichiko tried to escape from Momiji's (evil?) clutches. Momiji got away alright, but at what cost? Her fortune keeps making things harder and harder for others. Especially for Keita, whom fell off a cliff and was lying there with a broken leg, head wounds and god only knows what else. Basically, he was not going to make it. The fact that he couldn't remain conscious didn't help much either. But fear not young viewers! Momiji soon drained a little bit of Ichiko's fortune and gave it to her, merely so that Ichiko could use it to save Keita's life. I guess Ichiko finally realized what was missing in her life. Good for her!
The next step was for her to return to normal, which succeeded thanks to Momou and Bobby. But Ichiko-chan was a changed person. She was absentminded and overall very clumsy. Everyone was worried about her and tried everything in their power to return her to normal. This finally succeeded when Ichiko made contact with Keita and returned his handkerchief. Awww, isn't that just adorable?
It was quite the hilarious episode. I especially liked the scene where Ichiko found Momou all tied up and gagged in her bedroom. I watched that scene three times in a row. I really hope that the rest of the episode will be just as good as this one, I really do.
Binbougami ga! episode 06 screencaps
super episode!


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How to foster female entrepreneurship and leadership in a country where women represent only 10% of the top-management staff? How to encourage women to make the first step towards economic independence? These were the topics of the conference "A Change with Velvet Gloves", organised by Forbes Magazine Bulgaria and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, together with the Forbes Women Society, on 10 May in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event gathered together over 70 female top managers from various business fields with the aim of elaborating an approach for a broader women`s involvement in business through networking and experience sharing.
Even in a country like Bulgaria, where inclusion of both genders in all areas of life and society has historically been a cultural trait, and where the traditional patriarchal structures have lost their grounds long time ago, women are still highly underrepresented in business. Whereas the average share of women on top management positions in the European Union reaches 30%, in Bulgaria women represent only 10% of the management staff of the biggest businesses and business associations. "That means, women experience tremendous challenges and there is still a long way to go, even in an open society like ours," remarked Yordan Mateev, Editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine Bulgaria, at the event`s opening. Mateev continued that "empowerment and granting equal opportunities for all should remain a top priority. For men and women alike."
Yordan Mateev, Editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine Bulgaria: "We believe that not only politicians, but rather entrepreneurs can make a change. A change towards a better world."
Key Factors for Success
Is it high time for a change of the established social relationships, or women`s empowerment lies deeply in their own attitudes and understanding? According to the participants in the panel discussion, they go hand in hand with each other and add to the complexity of the on-going trend. First and foremost, however, "one needs to be well educated and well prepared to be a role model, regardless of the gender," stressed Svetla Kostadinova, who, for nine years now, has been leading the most successful economic think tank in the country – the Institute for Market Economics. "With this being fundamental, personal character comes next and builds up true leaders. To be able to take in others` opinions, to respect them, and to learn from them is crucial," commented Milena Dencheva, Executive Director of LIDL Bulgaria. In today`s world of challenges and rapid changes, it is of utmost importance to acknowledge the role of women and their potential. A better environment should be created, to allow women to independently seek for life-work balance.
On the other hand, despite the underlined dominance of men in business, the ambience itself does not hinder, but, to a significant extent, encourages women's involvement – this was also made clear during the discussion. The country`s economic growth could unleash tremendous possibilities for women to harness their economic potential. And this is how role models could make the change with velvet gloves. Presenting good examples and fostering motivation and self-confidence, while transferring first hand experience is the very core of women`s empowerment.
Genoveva Hristova, Founder and Executive Director of Ligna Group: "You should never be fully satisfied with your achievements, but always strive for achieving higher goals."
Let Us Talk Openly and Set Goals
In a personal interview, Genoveva Hristova revealed how to put all this into practice. Founding and running one of the largest furniture and design companies in Europe for more than twelve years, Ms Hristova succeeded in a men-dominated business area and shattered well-established stereotypes. Being a highly competitive and at the same time an adaptive person, her wholehearted strife for higher goals has turned her into one of the best role models for entrepreneurial spirit. "So many businesses and people are full of promise, sometimes all they need is just a little encouragement," appealed Ms Hristova at the end of her inspirational success story.
In the interactive final part of the event, all participants were involved in a practical exercise aiming to identify the best ways of women`s empowerment and step-by-step approach towards economic independence. A set of discussions about motivation and education, the role of men, as well as about overcoming the envy of other women`s success, it concluded that there is a lack of an exchange of knowledge and best practices among women at the beginning of their professional career. To assist the achievement of this ultimate goal, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Forbes Magazine in Bulgaria committed themselves to investing further efforts in various collaboration initiatives.


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I was looking up exhibitions at the Tate Modern yesterday when I came across the Your Paintings initiative, and wow, does it sound neat (not to mention ambitious!). A joint venture between the Public Catalogue Foundation and the BBC, it seeks to put online a database of the United Kingdom's 200,000 publicly-owned oil paintings. Whoa. From the Your Paintings website:
The Public Catalogue Foundation is a registered charity set up to create a complete [online] record of the United Kingdom's national collection of oil, tempera and acrylic paintings and make this accessible to the public.
There are an estimated 200,000 oil paintings in the UK's national collection. To give a sense of the scale of the collection, the National Gallery in London has around 2,300 oil paintings. So it's nearly one hundred times the size of that.
The collection includes works by some of the greatest painters of the last 700 years, as well as paintings by thousands of lesser known artists. It offers a remarkable insight into the history, landscape and culture of the United Kingdom.
To help with the project, the PCF and BBC have asked the public to take part in the Your Paintings Tagger, which uses crowdsourcing to build the paintings database. Members of the public can tag people, places, things, and events in each painting, allowing people to search the Your Paintings website for paintings that match their query.
Each painting will be tagged many times by members of the public, and algorithms behind the scenes will calculate which tags are likely to be the most accurate. These tags will then be fed through to the Your Paintings website. The algorithms have been created for the Public Catalogue Foundation by the Citizen Science Alliance based at the Astrophysics Department at the University of Oxford, with input from the Art History Department at the University of Glasgow.
I'm sure Your Paintings will be an endless resource — for educational purposes, those who want to learn about art, and more — upon its completion. In the meantime, you can try tagging some paintings yourself or browse the more than 110,000 paintings that have already been cataloged.
More information on the project can be found via the Public Catalogue Foundation and BBC websites. I'm off to explore the database!
Oh, and Happy Leap Day!
Photo of the National Gallery in London by Taking of Toast


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Jean Paul Sartre's five-volume The Family Idiot portrays Gustave Flaubert, the romantic founder of French literary realism, as a victim of circumstantial suggestion and auto-suggestion living in the clutches of a figurative sort of conversion hysteria; namely, pithiatism.
In the first paragraph of Chapter Eight, 'The Imaginary Child,' Sartre alludes to the characteristic of pithiatism, a sort of hysteria determined by suggestion, in respect to his family idiot:
"This is Gustave as he has been constituted. Of course, any determination imprinted in an existing being is surpassed by the way he lives. In the child Flaubert, passive activity and gliding are his way living this constituted passivity; resentment is his way of living the situation assigned to him in the Flaubert family. In other words, the structures of this family are internalized as attitudes and re-externalized as actions by which the child makes himself into what others made him. Conversely, we shall find in him no behavior, as complex and elaborate as it might seem, that is not originally the surpassing of an internalized determination."
According to Sartre's psychoanalysis, Gustave's being was not wholly defined by circumstances; he would have no self of his own as a mere victim of circumstances devoid of existential independence and freedom. He would be in effect a zombie or a machine unconscious of his own existence; if someone were to act like a machine we would naturally deem him psychotic not neurotic.
Naturally every human being by necessity introjects his social identity from others and projects what he has learned. Nevertheless, the individual, by virtue of its independent will to exist forever without impedance if it could, is bound to put up some resistance to the imposition of conformity, as we can see in every squalling child, and he will invariably get away with what he can get away with while accepting influences that serve his purpose. Thus he becomes his own person; a person being, to some extent, a unique composite of individual existence and social being. Every particular is a coincidence of universal qualities, no two coincidences being identical; hence the individual is somewhat unique.
As far as Sartre, a former member of the French Resistance during the war, was concerned, Flaubert did not actively affirm his existential self in the world. He just did not want to make the effort and thus in part be defined by its resistance thereto. He had what we might call a weak will—at one juncture he reflected that he was cowardly in his youth. He did not seem to know who he really was because he had not looked within; he had not conducted a painful regressive analysis of his self; instead, he avoided himself, using his literary art to paint himself out of the picture.
French Existentialism, with its struggle for freedom through individual responsibility, hails back to the introspective discovery of the self as will; that is, to French Voluntarism, for which Maine De Biran was an introspective pioneer. Biran confessed that, "Even from infancy I remember that I marveled at the sense of my existence. I was already led by instinct to look within myself in order to know how it was possible that I could be alive and be myself."
Sartre, mentioning Flaubert's resentment as a chosen way of living, does give young Flaubert a will of his own in his choice of style; negation or resistance to external influence constitutes the will of the individual, made manifest to us in his behavioral style. And that would leave Flaubert morally culpable for his way of life, at least as a liar.
Mind you that the pithiatic hysteric is a liar who believes in the lie; but this belief represses an otherwise nagging doubt to the so-called unconscious sector of the psyche. The forgetting of the doubt is imaginary; the belief is make-believe or bad faith inasmuch as it is not blind faith. It is a commanding hysterical performance of the kind that has made fools out of many psychoanalysts.
Sartre's Flaubert was a paralytic writer whose acting career had been thwarted by his father, and who was self-blinded to his own existence and suitable self. That is, his neurosis prevented from being himself; that is, a comic actor instead of the serious writer he wound up being.
You see, Flaubert as a boy loved to stage little plays, and fancied himself as a playwright. Sartre, again and again, affords Flaubert's father the brunt of the blame for Flaubert's bad faith or inauthentic personhood; for it was his unappreciative father, whose affection he craved, who constituted the comical would-be actor as a self-contemptible family idiot who would isolate himself, withdrawing himself from his prospective audience to entertain them from afar, passively, in writing, instead of actively or directly, in person.
Otto Rank's conclusion to his lecture, 'The Play within Hamlet – Toward an Analysis and Dynamic Understanding of the Work,' sheds some light on the psychology of playacting distinguished from playwriting:
"I shall attempt to pursue Shakespeare's personal relationship to the material and to its treatment in somewhat greater depth than has previously been achieved. There can be no doubt that the great significance given in Hamlet to the dramatic art and to actors relates to Shakespeare's professional interests and his artistic ambitions. As is well known, he also worked as an actor, sometimes playing roles he wrote. I have tried to explain this psychologically in claiming that acting is a fully valued psychic act and a more basic release for psychic states than the activity of the playwright. It is actually the actor who must complete the drama, who must do what the playwright wishes to do but, owing to psychic defenses, cannot achieve. The actor 'experiences' what the playwright can only 'dream.' If we compare this psychological formula to insights derived from the analysis of the play within the play, we find that there, too, Shakespeare has supplied an unconscious admission of how drama offered him a substitute for many things he had to renounce in life, just as for Hamlet the play replaces acts he cannot carry out due to powerful inhibitions. From the nature of drama itself, it is clear which psychic mechanism allows an actor the release, forbidden to the playwright, of blocked emotions that cannot otherwise be overcome. This is identification, taken as far as the temporary suspension of one's own personality. In Hamlet, of course, broad use is made of identification, and in the interpretation of this drama I have often had occasion to make recourse to it.21 Our investigation shows how such identification functions as a significant component in dramatic talent; it also shows us a motive for selecting an acting career — a motive not to be underestimated. In the child's relationship to the parents, as shown in the analysis of Hamlet, there arise certain forces that can push a personality with talent for identification, that universal artistic ability, directly into an acting career: the wish to be grown up, the wish to enact and imitate the father, to put oneself in his place — all based on the observations the child has made, though he slyly attempts to conceal this from his parents. The actor's favorite roles offer him the opportunity truly to enact these tendencies and to allow himself to be overheard by the spectators, who have essentially become the precondition for his (portrayed) ability to carry out actions. This is the reverse of the childhood situation, which he has partially retained, while partially overcoming it through identification with the father. Thus this brief analysis of the "play within the play" extends to the entire drama Hamlet, which I believe I have made somewhat more comprehensible in its dynamic significance for the inner life of actor and spectator alike."
Sartre cast Flaubert as an idiot and moron. Mind you that those terms may be employed without intent to insult people with mental incapacities due to neurological abnormalities and injuries. The popular word 'idiot,' derived from idios, meaning "one's own," in common parlance used to refer to a "private person" or one withdrawn from public affairs, a person or simpleton or "imbecile," or an ignorant country bumpkin, so to speak.
As Mark Twain insultingly said, "Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of congress. But I repeat myself."
And Linnaeus, as we learn from our etymological dictionary, used the term 'morisis' for idiocy in the sense of mental deficiency. An idiot might be a 'moron,' a term derived from moros, a fool. We notice that 'morose,' meaning gloomy, peevish, fastidious, has a similar root. A morose person is immoral, has bad manners in contrast to moral in the sense of good mores or habits.
In fine, we believe Sartre was in effect calling his favorite neurotic, Gustave Flaubert, stupid in five volumes. A neurotic is stupid inasmuch as their defensive patterns are inappropriate no matter how useful they may be.
Since "neurotic" is no longer included in the official diagnostic manual, should we insert "stupid" in its stead?
In fact, we see that "stupidity" was a word used by French alienists to indicate the form of insanity usually known as "melancholia with stupor," and was defined by Wilhelm Griesinger, in Mental Pathology and Therapeutics (1867) as melancholia in which the patient is lost in self-contemplation.
Neurotic people have a sort of blind spot, or rather a cataract partially obstructing their cognition; they keep doing the same, useless thing over and over again, thus revealing their partiality, or insanity if they are seriously impaired. They appear to be stupid, at least in that respect. According to Sartre, Flaubert's stupidity was in not knowing himself, of being stupid to his bona fide existence and the nature of the being that would accord with his native or existential disposition.
Flaubert himself identified stupidity with happiness: "To be stupid, and selfish, and to have good health are the three requirements for happiness; though if stupidity is lacking, the others are useless."
He was indeed unhappy yet not unsophisticated, unintelligent, or stupid in the usual sense. Perhaps we might opine that Gustave became one of the fools he had played as a child, becoming stupid to his genuine existence in the process.
But that is not clever enough for Sartre's convoluted reflections. He claims that Gustave consumed himself.
"It would be inadequate to say that he plays the fool, that in the unreal world he becomes the imbecile he would be if he were actually afflicted with imbecility; in order to produce the analogue of the persona he represents, he becomes the fool he is. This obscure mass of agitation, terrorized incomprehension, fear, stubbornness, bad faith, and ignorance, which under the name of stupidity is the index of everyone's alienation, is awakened and stirred up by the actor so that he might be unrealized through it as a magnificent idiot. What is he doing other than what he has always done, since a bad relationship constituted him laughable? To be sure, a dialectic operates between the character and the interpreter: the actor transforms the character to the precise extent that he is transformed by it. But these are relations between images. The role serves as an alibi: the actor sheds his persona, he believes he is evading himself in the character. But this is futile: in his befuddled alacrity to be nothing but a strange image, there is a distinct malaise and a deep antipathy, which encourages him to revile himself so that others may triumph. He is conscious, in fact, of choosing this or that disguise in order to make others laugh at him as he has always done."
If we do not understand this, we are probably stupid idiots and damned fools ourselves at the feet of this great analyst—an admirer at Sartre's funeral procession was quoted as saying that he did not understand what Sartre said, but he knew he was a great philosopher, and that was enough.
"Since his sincerity," wrote Sartre, "such as it is, is rejected, and since he does not recognize his own right to feel anything until adults have given their consent, he is condemned by his father's capricious mistrust never to determine whether he is feeling or just imagining his feelings. The deeper meaning of this personalizing revolution is that the child no longer knows whether he exists or is just pretending to exist. Given this option, Gustave unconsciously chooses anti-Cartesianism and, more obscurely, irrationality. If he manages only to produce images, isn't he an image himself?"
So Flaubert does not exist or behave in the way Sartre wants him to exist, according to Sartre's universal definition of existence, which is really a mode of being, a being responsible for oneself according to a Marxist psychologist's desire. Flaubert, then, cannot help the way he is not himself, which unbeknown to him is a radical self; he is a phony, a victim of capitalist society. Therefore Flaubert is subject to a pithiatic form of neurosis.
A neurotic person is an unduly nervous one, a person who is anxious and emotional as the result of some invisible injury. He suffers from a psychic conflict between alternates, neither of which he wants to choose; say, between his ideal self, which others have propped up for him, and his real self, which he consequently despises when he falls short of the ideal. He is trapped between two hard rocks, and, in self-defense, works out an impractical compromise that condemns him to drag his cross around for the rest of his life.
Neurotic behavior seems to be an ineffective or inefficient or even absurd way of doing things to the observer; however, from the subject's perspective, it may be a somewhat effective adaptation strategy inasmuch as it may allay his fears, for example, and make him feel that he has the world under control, or at least his behavior may manipulate others to react in a manner beneficial to him—unfortunately, it often makes matters worse, reinforcing, paradoxically, the neurosis. Still, the neurotic person is purportedly unaware of the true nature of his mental disorder.
Indeed, Sartre appears to have believed that Flaubert was neurotic, not figuratively speaking, but in the sense of mental illness, that he was mentally sickened by a sick i.e. bourgeois society. Disgusted with the self he was being, because he was unaware of his existential self, which should have been a radical self manning the barricades against the stupid bourgeoisie, Flaubert withdrew from society, isolating himself to agonizingly write Madame Bovary, featuring the fictional Emma Bovary, a haplessly romantic, hysterical woman who was incapable of loving any man; no man was perfect, leaving every candidate to fall short of her ideal. Her author would confess that "she is me." He is the hysteric; she is his projection. She will die in the novel; he will wind up with the glory.
According to Sartre's family idiot myth, Flaubert had not quite arrived at the state of neurosis at an early stage in his adolescence, although he was well on his way: "Looking at these passages [from Flaubert's biographic writing]," Sartre reflects, "we are forced to acknowledge that Gustave does not intend to describe to us the tame, continually interrupted reveries of a "well-adjusted" adolescent; rather, he depicts an almost neurotic state, intentional, certainly, but outstripping his clear intention and yet suffered to the same degree that it is produced."
Again the family patriarch is blamed for the neurosis with which Flaubert will be entailed:
"As the undisputed and shrewd head of the family, Achille-Cleophas contributed to maintaining the young man in a neurotic state that gave him a reason to sequester himself at Rouen and end his studies; in this sense, the father's death certainly had the effect, if not of curing Gustave, at least of causing a remission of his illness. But the fundamental and archaic relationship of the child to the father (to convince him of his eminent value) was not altered; hence the remission was accompanied by a profound frustration."
Sartre attributes neurotic behavior to mental rather than physical causes. His rhetoric explicating the mechanics of the inner conflict and its outward results differs somewhat from that of the early masters, but that is of little consequence since the mechanical hypotheses cannot be falsified; strictly speaking, psychoanalysis is not hard science but a soft art if not witchcraft.
When a patient is not able to dredge up something pertinent to her mental disorder from the unconscious, claiming that nothing is there, the doctor may assume that there is something invisible there, and a force called resistance to maintain the repression, and do his best to torture the truth out of her somehow. Who can prove that that the unconscious, that repression, that resistance and so on do not exist? It is easier to come up with something for the doctor to analyze, perhaps a random recitation of ideas from which the Delphic priest may divine the hypostatical associations suitable to his theoretical framework.
Sartre became all too familiar with war hysteria and totalitarian regimes during the war. He said that unwelcome feelings which cannot be assimilated are externalized so that a global defense can be set up against them—a total war for a final solution, a war to end all wars.
We may attribute our faults to others, the enemies, who then are subhuman enough to justify slaughtering them. (Freudians would say that repressed content is unconsciously projected onto or transferred to others).
"Stress is the name we shall give to this unity of the nonassimilable element and the global defense that the totalizing process develops against it, infected precisely to the degree that it tries to neutralize the nonassimilable. In this case, neurosis is stress as much as character disorder. Of course, this totalizing effort to defuse the contradictions or to isolate them achieves its aim only at the price of dangerous divergences, which alter the totalized whole."
The problem with Sartre's voluminous ideologically biased analysis of the great author whom he never knew is that Flaubert was not stupid but wise, and wisdom was at the root of his unhappiness, a wisdom that we all have an intuitive albeit inadmissible inkling of in our own "normal unhappiness," as Freud called it. Sartre was well aware of that, so he himself was playing the fool and at great length. What else is there to do?


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Classic cars were a driving force behind a community group's efforts to raise cash for a foster care charity.
Heckmondwike and District Rotary Club has raised £1,500 for TACT, The Adolescent and Children's Trust.
Club president Orlando Gubbini handed the cheque over to TACT foster carer of five years Carol Sloan, at the Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge on Tuesday.
An MGB 1973 Roadster and 1961 Riley 1.5 were on show after being part of a classic car rally hosted by the rotary club which was a major part of the fundraising.
Orlando Gubbini, president of the Heckmondwike and District Rotary Club said: "Being president allowed me to choose where to direct the charity funds we had collected this year.
"I had learned about TACT through my friend Carol Sloan, one of its dedicated army of foster carers that do such an amazing job in transforming the lives of children in care.
"It was clear to me that TACT would benefit immensely from the money raised."
Carol said: "It is a fantastic charity that has been so supportive to me, my three daughters and husband Pete, while we have welcomed foster children and young people into our home."
She added that it is a very rewarding experience helping young people who have had a tough start in life and watch them grow in confidence when entering her care.;
TACT's area manager Lisa Condor was also present at the hotel. She said the cash would help children to overcome difficult early life experiences.
The club will hold their next classic car rally at the Star, Roberttown, on September 27 from 9am. Entry is £20.


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Deceased July 18, 2007
View alumni profile (log in required)
In Memory
Fred Kelley, '68, of Providence, R.I. died on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, peacefully at home, after a short illness. Fred is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan Kelley, a talented pianist and teacher, his two children, Michael Raymond Kelley of Providence and Bevin Lorraine Kelley of Oakland, Ca (soon to be of Providence); and his brother James Kelley II of Cape Cod. He worked as a systems analyst in Providence and Boston. After retirement, he continued to pursue his interests in baseball,music, science and literature.
For us, Fred's death has stimulated an unusual set of recollections, beginning with decisions to become his roommates at various times in the freshman and sophomore dormitories and in Theta Delta Chi fraternity. Despite his athletic abilities, Fred was painfully shy. He had come from a regimented parochial school to a liberal arts environment and had difficulty making that transition. Throughout his time at Amherst, Fred continued to struggle with a commitment to "academic achievement." His disenchantment with Amherst's academic structure caused him to range into courses or individual explorations with no apparent focus. This disinterest did not extend, however, to the baseball field, where Fred starred, hitting .417 his senior year. After Amherst, he played in various baseball leagues, culminating in the Rhode Island Men's Senior Baseball League, in which he intensely participated up to his death.
While Fred matriculated to University of Virginia's Law School upon graduation, it became apparent that his motivations were elsewhere. Only later did we begin to realize the depth of his intellectual curiosity and eclectic variety of interests. His passions were in music (he played in a balalaika orchestra), rugby, poetry, chess, art and eventually family through his devoted and talented wife Sue and their children Bevin and Michael (both of whom graduated with music degrees from Oberlin having attended there through merit scholarships). He had particular pride in Bevin's musical talent (she graduated from Oberlin with double degrees in violin performance and English), and in the professional stature of his son Michael as a classical violist, and supported Michael's Apple Hill chamber music ensemble as it brought music to young people in divided communities over the world. We were enthralled by his son's chamber music concerts.
Fred read broadly and deeply. He was relatively disdainful of the workplace - he had entered the field of computer programming, but he derived joy elsewhere. Upon retirement, Fred began to contribute his love of baseball and chess to young people in Providence at the San Miguel School, where the school's first scholarship fund is being established in his name. An official at that school wrote that "my brief friendship with him barely scratched the surface. You'd see him studying a chess problem and you'd sense the depth of his mind. But painting? poetry? I hadn't a clue. Too bad because I only knew Fred for his sweet swing and talent with kids. If only I had dug deeper or he had tooted his own horn just a tad louder." When Fred called with the news of his terminal illness, he mailed a book on baseball. He was at peace with his life and fulfilled that he had shared his passions with children. Few of his classmates could have understood the diverse extent of his talents, and his legitimate designation as a baseball all-American spoke only to one aspect of his life.
Fred epitomized the saying "Still water runs deep." Fred's intellect was accompanied by an acute sense of observation, a completely irreverent sense of humor, and a genuine interest in people - at least those who did not take themselves too seriously. He valued deeply his personal friendships. We were privileged to have had a peek into who he really was. Fred enjoyed life, albeit in an unconventional way.
There follows a poem by Fred's brother-in-law, a Professor of English at Brown University. It seems to the three of us, as well as to Fred's family, to have captured Fred perfectly.
Song for a Self-effacing Philosopher
When Politicians spoke with furrowed brows
before admiring crowds,
or charlatans performed cheap tricks onstage
Fred's response was amused contempt
spiced with sporadic outrage
His jeremiads were jolly and insightful,
delineating goofy human farces,
prose, poetry instructive and delightful,
heartening, not bitter
benign, courteous wit.
When some dismaying idiocy of the workplace
threatened to spoil his after-work elation,
Fred might pick up a book, or cheer on the Sox,
or listen to Sue or Bevin or Michael play,
finding his antidote in appreciation.
Fred never sought, as unwise fathers did,
authority in distance or disdain.
He played with his kids like a kid,
and that was quite consistent with fatherhood,
as the results make plain.
Fred was perhaps not perfect. Happily
lost in a book, he may have been quite slow
to answer questions or attend to chores,
for all I know.
But this is a eulogy.
To each of many friends whose stressful fate
mandates exposure to the public gaze,
whether to teach or write, to draw or paint,
to ply the keyboard or to coax the string,
Fred left the lesson the way he played:
just step to the plate
and swing.
--Rick Russom (Fred's brother-in-law)
Charles Johnson '60
Hugh Jones '60
John Quisenberry '60


text:
- Default rate is highest in Nevada (maybe because people tend to use the money in the slot machines or game tables of Sin City instead of putting the money to good use for the purpose they used to get the loan in the first place) Any guesses for which state has the lowest - Well, its Wyoming! Who would have guessed that. :) Go Cowboys and Cowgirls!
- Another key finding was to the influence of the reason for the loan on the default rates. People tend to default half as much for auto and wedding expenses related loans than they tend to for renewable energy. Never trusted those green types.
- And the last but the most alarming finding was that folks who have worked for more than 5 years tend to default more than people just starting out. This is interesting since you tend to make more money over time in any profession (no matter which profession it is). I guess work makes you less honest. If you have other reasons why this might be - feel free to tweet me at @shankar_sahai
I wonder how default rates varies on the gender x-axis.
For transparency, Lending Club provides loan data to the public. This data can be downloaded from the Lending Club website.


text:
Epilepsy Lifestyle is delighted to be in a position to grant potentially life-saving monitors/sleeping solutions to children and adults with epilepsy across the United Kingdom. To know we are helping to keep people safer at night, with the potential of literally saving lives, is so rewarding and is why we continue to work hard obtaining grants and raising money to carry on with this invaluable programme.
Here's how some of our monitors are helping.


text:
Evan is a SEO Associate located in the Philadelphia Branch of Seer Interactive. A recent Temple University Grad and a born & bred Philadelphian.
Prior to Seer, Evan was both a small business manager and an incubator consultant. Evan assisted prospective business owners by performing market analysis and strategy development. Continuously seeking new skills and a passion for creative marketing has led Evan to Seer. Outside of work you can find Evan reading comic books, learning new recipes, and swimming.


text:
American Red Cross Food Pantry
The American Red Cross Massachusetts' Region is part of the largest and most diverse service organization in the United States. Over the last year, more than 165,000 people visited the Red Cross of Massachusetts' Food Pantry, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and mobile market distributions, receiving about a five day supply of nutritionally-balanced groceries, assistance to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and received nutritional guidance in collaboration with local universities.
Athena Capital volunteers joined together to prep, package, and distribute bags of food to a total of 465 families.
For more information on the American Red, please visit: http://www.redcross.org/


text:
Planning a Fall Baby Shower? Use an Autumn, Thanksgiving or Halloween Theme. As the weather cools down and Autumn peeks out around the corner it's time to start planning your Baby Shower for the Fall season!
Discover great ideas for invitations, favors, decorations, food and more for any type of Fall season baby shower.It all starts with an invitation ... choose from whimsical or elegant photo Fall Shower Invitations in warm Autumn shades of the season.
Find festive Autumn colors and elegant rich tones in our Fall Baby Shower Favors ... from fun and festive ... or elegant and formal ... perfect favors for any style Fall shower.
They all make for great holiday baby showers. Using bright warm colors throughout your decorations, favors and food is sure bring big smiles from your guests!
Tip: If you want a traditional Pink or Blue color theme, simply change the colors, keeping the Fall Season Baby Shower theme throughout!
Create a personalized Fall Baby Shower Invitation from the seasonal section. We used "Foliage Flurry" and "Leaf Buttons" from the Thanksgiving Invitations card selection ...
Find lots more personalized and photo Fall invitations on our Fall Invitations for a Baby Shower page. If you Love Fall, You'll definitely love these Autumn themed invitations!
... Or print your invitations at home. Personalize these cute Printable Baby Shower Invitations!
Use these adorable Fall Baby Shower Favors and Halloween Party Favors for your Fall Baby Shower to definitely impress your guests!
(click on image for more selections & pricing)
Looking for Halloween Baby Shower Cake and Cupcake ideas? Visit our Halloween Cakes and Halloween Cupcakes pages for some spooky treats to transform for your baby shower.
Place these sweet treats at the base of the cake, or wrap them in decorative cellophane as favors for your guests to take home ...
(click on images for recipes)
The leaves are made from autumn colored napkins. A perfect decorative touch!
Creative Baby Shower Gifts To Make
Give A Baby Shower Diaper Cake
Baby Christmas Gifts and Holiday Gifts
The Unique Baby Shower Gift Boutique
Best Baby Shower Gifts ... The Top Sellers
Baby Shower Gifts With The Made In The USA Label
Return to Unique Baby Shower Themes
Return to Unique Baby Shower Gifts and Planning Ideas


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Unit Testing -- Data Driven Example
From Joomla! Documentation
This page is a candidate for deletion. The given reason is: The content of this page is _REALLY_ outdated, it's a bad, way to complex example and acutal process of writing a test is much better documented in the Unit Testing Tutorial
This notice should remain for a minimum of 1 week after it was placed on the page. If discussion is still ongoing, it should remain until a consensus is reached, after which the page will either be deleted or this notice removed. If you disagree with its deletion, please discuss your reasons on its associated talk page, as applicable.
Remember to check if anything links here and the page history before deleting.Last edit by SniperSister (talk · contrib) · Last edited on Sat, 18 Oct 2014 03:01:29 +0000
- 1 Anatomy of a Data-Driven Test
Anatomy of a Data-Driven Test
This expands on the basics given in the Simple Example. In this example, we're interested in running a number of tests on the JRequest::getVar() method, each with different parameters. While it's possible to just write one test and then copy it once for each test, this would create a lot of duplicate code, add a lot of needless lines to the test file, and make it harder to organize test cases.
We also need to introduce a mock class with this example. Let's dig into the test to see why.
Defining the Test Criteria for JRequest::getVar()
We'll start by getting an understanding of what actually needs to be tested when we say "test getVar()". Looking at the code, we can learn a few things:
- The getVar() method uses the $hash parameter to determine the source of the variable. This means we should test all expected values for $hash and a few invalid ones as well. We'll need to initialize the data sources too.
- The class maintains a cache in $GLOBALS['_JREQUEST']. This means we should check to ensure that the hash works as expected, and that we need to pay some attention to ensuring that the cache is in a known state when we run a test.
- getVar() calls the protected method _cleanVar() to do the real work. Depending on the value of the $mask parameter, this might result in a call to JFilterInput::clean(). We learn two things. First, we need to test various values for $mask (now in combination with $hash). Second, since testing JFilterInput is the responsibility of a unit test for that class, we will need to create a mock JFilterInput class, so we can isolate JRequest.
Building the Mock Class
The process of building a mock JFilterInput class for this test is discussed in detail in the Mock Objects in Joomla article. It's a good idea to have an understanding of this before proceeding.
Once the mock is defined, we replace the real JInputFilter class by injecting a mock just after the unit test platform is loaded:
* Mock classes
dirname(__FILE__) . DS . 'JFilterInput-mock-general.php',
A Unit Test for JRequest::getVar()
The core of our unit test is simple. For each combination of inputs we want to do this:
* Get the variable and check the value.
$actual = JRequest::getVar($name, $default, $hash, $type, $mask);
$this -> assertEquals($expect, $actual, 'Non-cached getVar');
* Repeat the process to check caching (JFilterInput should not
* get called unless the default is being used).
$actual = JRequest::getVar($name, $default, $hash, $type, $mask);
$this -> assertEquals($expect, $actual, 'Cached getVar');
We check that we get the expected result, and we check that the cache works.
Defining the Test Environment
JRequest gets data from the PHP super-globals ($_GET, $_POST, etc.). We're going to define a helper class that both initializes these variables and holds our data set of tests (see /unittest/tests/libraries/joomla/environment/JRequest-helper-dataset.php). The initSuperGlobals() method will set up the environment. One of the things we do is define an entry called 'tag' in each of the super-globals, each with a value that identifies the source variable.
In our unit test class, we'll define a setUp() method that calls the helper and clears the cache:
function setUp() {
// Make sure the request hash is clean.
$GLOBALS['_JREQUEST'] = array();
This code is called by PHPUnit at the beginning of every test.
Defining a Data Set
What we know about our data set is this:
- We need to test many combinations of the parameters $name, $default, $hash, $type, and $mask.
- For each of these combinations, getVar() should return a single expected result.
- For some of these combinations, JRequest will use JInputFilter. In these cases we need to define the expected calls to our mock class, and the result.
We define each of these tests in an array in our helper class, $getVarTests. Here is a sample entry:
'tag', null, 'request', 'none', 0, 'from _REQUEST',
array('from _REQUEST', 'NONE', 'from _REQUEST', 1),
In this entry, we're passing $name = 'tag', $default = null, $hash = 'request', $type = 'none', and $mask = 0.
We expect the return value for this combination of parameters to be the string 'from _REQUEST'.
We also expect that this test will result in a single call to JInputFilter::clean() with $source = 'from _REQUEST' and $type = 'NONE'. Our mock of this method will return the string 'from _REQUEST', and we expect this method to be called with these parameters precisely once.
You can find the whole data set in /unittest/tests/libraries/joomla/environment/JRequest-helper-dataset.php. When you look at the full test set, you will see that calls where we are looking for the default variable are expected to be made twice. This is because the default is not cached. Our expectations will determine if the cache mechanism is functioning as expected.
Some readers may be surprised when they don't find tests to verify that strings like '123abc' are not numeric. There are no tests like this because although this is the most common use of getVar(), the actual filtering is done by the JFilterInput class, so test cases like that belong with the JFilterInput tests. Our tests merely need to verify that the data is coming from the right place.
Specifying Version Restrictions
The test facility provides a standard mechanism for masking tests by version. You can add version restrictions to the data set as follows: "jver_min" specifies the minimum version; "jver_max" specifies the maximum version; and "jver_below" specifies defines an upper limit to the version.
'jver_below' => '1.5.0' // Specifies any test in the 1.x series before the 1.5.0 release.
'jver_max' => '1.5.4' // Specifies a test that will be disabled in versions 1.5.5 and above.
'jver_min' => '1.6.0' // Specifies a test that will only be active on version 1.6.0 and above.
For data-driven tests, these values will be stored as part of the data set. In your tests, use JUnit_Setup::isTestEnabled(JVERSION, $range) to determine if the test should be run.
PHPUnit's Data Provider Mechanism
PHPUnit has a very simple way to link a data set to a test. Here is an example:
* @dataProvider myDataSet
function testExample($testVal) {
// test code
static function myDataSet() {
return array(array(1), array(2), array(5), array(200));
This code will result in the testExample() method being called four times. The first time the value of $testVal will be 1, the second time it will be 2, and the fourth time it will be 200. PHPUnit recognizes the @dataProvider pragma in the doc block, calls the method named in the pragma to get the data set, and then calls the test method once for each element in the array, passing each element of the sub-array as a parameter to the test method. if the test method took two string parameters, the data set would look like array(array('p1', 'p2'), array('param1', 'param2'), ...).
PHPUnit will consider each of these calls to be a separate test, and if a test fails, it will output the current value of the paremeters used to call the method.
Our Data Provider
Here is the code for the data provider we use in the test. We simply return the $getVarTests array from our helper class.
static public function getVarData() {
return JRequestTest_DataSet::$getVarTests;
Putting It All Together
Finally here is our test case with all the elements in place:
* @dataProvider getVarData
function testGetVarFromDataSet(
$name, $default, $hash, $type, $mask, $expect, $filterCalls
) {
$filter = JFilterInput::getInstance();
$filter -> mockReset();
if (count($filterCalls)) {
foreach ($filterCalls as $info) {
$filter -> mockSetUp(
$info[0], $info[1], $info[2], $info[3]
* Get the variable and check the value.
$actual = JRequest::getVar($name, $default, $hash, $type, $mask);
$this -> assertEquals($expect, $actual, 'Non-cached getVar');
* Repeat the process to check caching (the JFilterInput mock should not
* get called unless the default is being used).
$actual = JRequest::getVar($name, $default, $hash, $type, $mask);
$this -> assertEquals($expect, $actual, 'Cached getVar');
if (($filterOK = $filter -> mockTearDown()) !== true) {
$this -> fail(
'JFilterInput not called as expected:'
. print_r($filterOK, true)
Each element in the sample data set is passed in as a parameter to our test.
The setUp() method has initialized the super-globals already. We start by instantiating a mock JFilterInput object, resetting it, and then defining our expectations for it by calling mockSetUp() for each element in the $filterCalls array.
Don't forget to add a require_once above your class definition to include your helper class.
Then we run the core of our test, calling once with the cache empty and one where there may be a cached value.
Finally, we call mockTearDown(). If this method returns true, then the mock was used as we expected. If not, we dump the details of the discrepancies while failing the test.
Return to Unit Testing


text:
Falling Kingdoms: Falling Kingdoms, Book 1
Falling Kingdoms: Falling Kingdoms, Book 1
War is coming. In a land divided into three kingdoms, old resentments ignite when a young lord slays a merchant boy of the neighboring and long-oppressed Paelsia. Hungry for justice and power, northernmost kingdom Limeros allies with Paelsia, and both swear to bring the extravagantly wealth southernmost kingdom, Auranos, to its knees.
But feuding kingdoms are only the backdrop for the personal journeys of the young people whose lives are upended by the conflict. Princess Cleo of Auranos struggles to be a perfect princess, but her headstrong will to secure safety and happiness for herself and her loved ones thwarts her efforts. Jonas of Paelsia loses his brother to an arrogant young lord and vows to seek vengeance for him. Princess Lucia of Limeros conceals a dangerous secret from her family. Her brother, Prince Magnus, yearns to prove himself to his formidable father and tries to suppress his love for someone he cannot have.
"The strength of this book lies in its often morally ambiguous characters and jaw-dropping did-that-really-just-happen plot twists. It gives the reader plenty of opportunities to pick sides, and the choice is never entirely straightforward."
FALLING KINGDOMS is told from the alternating perspectives of these four characters. Occasionally, a chapter follows the mysterious spirit Ioannes, who surveys the activities of select humans through the eyes of hawks. His appearances read as setup for the novel's planned sequels, which are sure to delve more deeply into the mythology established in this volume. Suffice it to say that the world of the three kingdoms used to be one kingdom in which elemental magic was practiced, but a conflict between goddesses led to the scattering of the elementia, gems essential for the mastery of such magic, and the possibility of such power began to fade from the dividing world.
The strength of this book lies in its often morally ambiguous characters and jaw-dropping did-that-really-just-happen plot twists. It gives the reader plenty of opportunities to pick sides, and the choice is never entirely straightforward. Who will win the war? Who should win the war? Should Cleo fall in love with the arrogant nobleman, the chivalric guard or her loyal best friend? Perhaps even the Paelsian rebel? The surly Prince of Limeros?
Other reviewers have drawn comparisons between FALLING KINGDOMS and George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, more commonly known as "Game of Thrones," the title of the television series based on the books. While FALLING KINGDOMS has a narrower scope, focuses almost exclusively on teenage protagonists and involves a much heartier helping of romance, the comparisons are not entirely unfounded. Both Rhodes and Martin are unflinching in their willingness to kill even the characters you thought were the safest. Both achieve their shining moments in their portrayals of morally ambiguous characters. (The chapters featuring Magnus, the angry and tortured Prince of Limeros, are consistently the most engrossing because the reader cannot quite decide how to feel about him.) Further, Rhodes' and Martin's high fantasy stories include the return of magic, scheming witchy advisors and royal incest.
The language of the book sometimes sounds too modern for the Middle Ages-esque setting of most high fantasy novels and occasionally makes reference to cultural touchstones of European origin. In one such moment, a character says, "My kingdom for a handkerchief," a play on a famous line from Shakespeare's "Richard III," which the inhabitants of Auranos have certainly never seen. Regardless, Rhodes also writes her characters with plenty of passion and forces her readers to feel every longing and betrayal. She has flashes of memorable insight into the workings of such feelings, such as the moment in which Cleo realizes that the man she loves "saw her as she would like to be seen" and is grateful to him for that rare gift.
Rhodes writes her high fantasy under a pen name to distinguish this project from her other books, most of which can be categorized as paranormal romance YA. Fans of Michelle Rowen's Demon Princess, Nightwatchers and Immortality Bites are sure to find a familiar authorial voice in here.
FALLING KINGDOMS introduces a magical fantasy world on the brink of mass chaos and populates it with relatable, flawed and human protagonists before finishing each character's story arc with a cliffhanger. Rhodes had better release the second book soon or rabid fans will be sure to clog her inbox with demands to know what happens next.
Reviewed by Caroline Osborn on November 16, 2012
Falling Kingdoms: Falling Kingdoms, Book 1
(Falling Kingdoms #1)
- Publication Date: March 11, 2014
- Genres: Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Razorbill


text:
Wood as a guiding concept finds its first expression in the design of the catalog cover. Flat and contemporary symbologies identify four contemporary lifestyles and four living environments.
A project that, as a whole, expresses a strong and contemporary character. A publication that not only tells the product and its possible locations but also makes room to profiles and background of involved designers and architects.
The publication becomes original and captivating through the integration of inserts that are intended to anticipate and describe the mood of the different locations hosting
In the middle we find the main insert dedicated to designers and architects who designed and created the collection: Archea – Fuksas – Silvestin. The insert can be removed and used as a small book.
The 3D experience takes you through enticing environments, where wood is the protagonist, where warmth and modernity come together in order to create immersive atmospheres. Each image becomes manifesto of elegance, style, expressions, perfect to accommodate and enhance the collection
I MASSIVI by ITLAS.


text:
Kaspersky Lab, a prominent antivirus vendor has recently revealed that an advanced hacker group whom they call the "Equation Group" has been successfully installing malicious hard drive firmware in more than a dozen hard drive vendors (basically everyone). By reprogramming the HDD (hard drive) firmware, it is an extremely persistent infection that cannot be wiped by formatting the drive or by reinstalling the operating system. It acts as "an invisible, persistent storage hidden inside the hard drive". This malware is surreptiously named "nls_933w.dll".
Although Kaspersky Labs do not name the NSA, Reuters' sources confirmed that this firmware was a NSA creation and this is further evidenced with the malware's close links to other seemingly politically and defense motivated malware programs such as Stuxnet and Flame.
On the bright side, the targets of this malware seem to be mainly in the Middle East or Russia and according to Vitaly Kamluk, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab's Global Research and Analysis Team,
"Only a very select list of victims receive this. This is one of the most rare modules I have seen because it is so valuable, so they don't want to expose it. It's a precious plugin that's used only in specific cases with somebody very important."
It is also very hard to detect:
"It's extremely hard to detect. From the software level it's impossible. You have to disassemble your PC to take out the hard drive and give it to an expert to dump the firmware. And then we think very few people in the world would be capable of analyzing, comparing and revealing the malicious code within that firmware. It's an extremely rare specialist in this area."
So what do we do?
At the moment, it isn't clear how we can check if we are detected and our searches for a removal tool yielded some unconvincing 'removal tools' of doubtful integrity. Just hang in tight and in general if you're not a high value target, most likely you're not affected.
Is it really possible, while I'm sitting here running my computer, for some hacker (NSA) to flash the hard drive firmware? I've flashed the motherboard, graphics card and modem, and it's always a bloody drama, followed by a message demanding an instant re-boot!
No, mostly likely those hard drives come out of the factory and then are intercepted and then delivered. There is some evidence that the NSA does this already.
So, the spooks sit outside the factories that make these HDs, wait for the trucks to exit and then hi-jack them, flash the lot, which would amount to perhaps a couple of thousand; then make sure they were all shipped to the intended target country!? Super spooks, or Kaspershy Lab causing fear and angst?
It wasn't the first time the operators—dubbed the "Equation Group" by researchers from Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab—had secretly intercepted a package in transit, booby-trapped its contents, and sent it to its intended destination. In 2002 or 2003, Equation Group members did something similar with an Oracle database installation CD in order to infect a different target with malware from the group's extensive library. (Kaspersky settled on the name Equation Group because of members' strong affinity for encryption algorithms, advanced obfuscation methods, and sophisticated techniques.)
Frankly the only way this kind of nonsense is going to stop is for the criminal thugs of the NSA to be held accountable. Americans need to put the scum responsible on trial for treason and sedition, applying the death penalty upon a guilty verdict.
Such a shocking news. They just want to keep us under their radar. I hope kaspersky works and brings some removal tool to help people privacy.


text:
Are you sure that you'd call Zeus contemplative instead of ecstatic? "gorging" as well as "screaming and shouting or violence and combat" reminded me of Þórr immediately.
I see.
I've been thinking about this question, especially within the last few weeks and not at least inspired through roleplaying. And your circle gives me the same answer as I did and as my wife did, too- I'm BalðuR. Thank you very much for this assurance 🙂