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CG Technical Director, Matt Aldridge
My first run in with the rat was when I caught a glimpse of new artwork up on the wall outside of Farzad's office. It was the coolest looking thing I had ever seen and simply couldn't wait to build it. This is the part where I ran to my producer begging and pleading with him to let me have 'em. After a bit of "I want it, I want it, I want it" he caved and I was off to the land of Farzad where this little beauty had been drawn.
The first step for bringing an Oddworld character to life is the all important Hand-off meeting. I sit across from Farzad's desk while he and I go over the key points of the Rat's design. We focus on what kind of expressions the character needs to make, how he will move, and any areas that I see potential snags. You can always make something work on paper but translating it to 3D can expose all kinds of problems or limitations that weren't apparent before. Having a sculpture made helps to expose some of these issues and find creative solutions for them.
There's a lot to consider when modeling a character for cinematics. How big of a role do they play in the game? How close will the camera get? How many do they expect to have on screen at once? With these in mind I try and keep the model light and efficient, yet still detailed enough for all of his game scenes. This also factors into how much time I'm given to complete the task. One does not need to spend a great deal of time for a character that won't be seen very large and has very little screen time. So with this in mind I'm off to begin work.
Before starting any digital modeling I always go low tech first with a pad and pencil. I start by drawing different patterns to figure out how I'm going to approach the model and lay out his various surfaces, a sort of poor mans road map. Once I've got a pretty good guide on paper I launch Maya and begin blocking out our rat. Three days later with a few tweaks here and there from Farzad, I have Oddworld's first rat on my computer screen ready for Lorne to see.
Our rat is built out of NURBS ( Non-Uniform Rational B-splines) in Maya which means that he'll be composed of many different pieces of geometry. The trick with Nurbs is to make all of those separate shapes tangent on all sides so it appears to be one solid piece.
So here we see a shaded wire frame view showing the many lines of informationmaking up his shape. For the image on the right, I've spaced all of the patches showing how they fit together and give the illusion of a solid rat.
A benefit for using Nurbs is that we can control the tessellation of each patch dependent upon each shot. Below is an example of how we can tessellate the geometry to increase the smoothness of the model for closer cameras. If the rat is far off in the distance then we only need the bare amount of information to generate his image on screen. There are instances where we need to have the rat in full frame and this low of a setting won't hold up that close to the camera. We can literally set the amount of detail we want on the rat so it will always appear smooth and organic. Here I have the rat on a tessellation of one in the middle and on the right he's on a level of 3, so that's triple the amount of geometry that I actually modeled. Having more spans of geometry makes for more information the computer has to process when it calculates the final image, thus the more detail the longer it takes to get your images. This is why we want to have control over the level of detail when we render our movies.
Next we send the rat off to our paint department where he gets his textures and wrinkles painted. This is a small sample of his front face map. After we get these pictures back from paint I sit down and setup shaders that will control how the skin reacts to light, the depth of his bumps, and how shiny or moist looking he is.
Now we have to setup the rat so he can be animated. I review the blueprints and anatomy to place bones in the character which will be used to deform his geometry later. On the left is a quick sketch Farzad did for me to show where the spine and skull should be in his structure. The image on the right is a lo res version of the rat with his skeleton visible. We make a greatly simplified version of our characters like this because it can be manipulated faster in the computer which makes for speedy animation feedback.
With the bones in place I next setup his deformations and any special controls that our animators will want on the characters animation rig. For some characters like the rat if the animator selects the foot control they can also control all of the toes with the same object that dictates the orientation and translation of the foot. This helps to block out animation faster and still allows the animator to go in and control each individual bone if they need to.
With all of his controls in place we send him off to be animated for the first time. Animator, Mauricio Hoffman was the first guy to touch the rat and given the task to figure out how it would look hopping around Oddworld.
Once everything is signed off on the high res we then place our new character in the pipeline and end up with the latest glowing eyed Inhabitant. I feel pretty confident that I'm the only guy out there with a pig nosed, one legged rat under his belt…Mother would be so proud.


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We loved everything about shooting this cute young punk couple's wedding at the Red Corral Ranch outside Wimberley.
First they had great style, each of the bridesmaids dyed their hair with pink streaks, all of the guys wore Guaraberras and they were married by a Church of the Subgenius Ordained Minister-plus they had beautiful flowers with vegetables everywhere!
Second they had great food - a Crawfish Bowl with Gumbo and cornbread and salad by Pink Avocado and an amazing cake made especially for the bride by a pastry chef friend.
And third they had incredible music- a dance party with karaoke to everything from the Misfits,Beastie Boys, to Neil Diamond, Kermit the Frog and the Chicken Dance.
Their exit was just as unique- Star Wars light sabers to a horse drawn carriage.
Added bonus- incredibly loving friends and supportive family!
Congratulations Hilary & Clint! (can we come to your next party?)
See their SLIDESHOW here!
Slideshow song: She by the Misfits
Venue: Red Corral Ranch
Flowers: Luscious
Catering: Pink Avocado
Cake: Shayna Brannan
Ceremony Muscian: Doug Clark
DJ: Jason
Punk Wedding!
Monday, April 27, 2009
One Response to "Punk Wedding!"
- Shannon Lowry said...
Fun. That's it. We're getting married again. Will you photograph it? I can't stand looking at all these amazing shots without having my own. love, love you.
- May 3, 2009 at 6:15 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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Technology in Addiction Recovery Treatment
People have become more reliant than ever on technology to make their lives easier in a variety of ways. There is a surplus of technological resources at our fingertips video communication, cell phone, computer, virtual reality, etc. Virtual reality is becoming increasingly common, and there seem to be apps for all aspect of our lives, no matter how obscured it may be. The same apps we use to play games and chat with friends are now utilized in the medical field to help fight alcohol and drug addiction, changing the way the disease is treated.
Opioid dependence is a serious public health issue. In some opiate replacement therapy with buprenorphine, apps and a secure automatic pill dispenser (http://www.epill.com/medowheelsecur.html) are used in conjunction with one another.
To see a list of apps that can help you on the path to recovery, click here: https://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/resources/mobile_apps
Posted on September 1, 2017, in addiction recovery, pain medication addiction, Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.


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I have long been a fan of the online gift store The Handpicked Collection
The Handpicked Collection is an online and mail order gift company specialising in unusual gifts which have been carefully selected by their panel of lifestyle experts. Established in 2007 by Jo McGivern, Handpicked offers a one stop destination for discerning shoppers looking for well priced, beautiful quality things to give and keep
I have to admit I do scour The Handpicked Collection catalogue when it arrives and I love to mooch around their website and ooh and ahh quite a lot. My favourite things to look at area always their outdoor selections. They do stylish and family friendly really well. Not always an easy mix.
As regular readers will know I really do love my garden.
Here are 5 of my favourite family friendly outdoor items from their website at the moment…..
A five star insect hotel
A gorgeous hedgehog house
A traditional family croquet set
This amazing circus tent
This fabulous Welly boot holder (£29.95)
Oh I could have shown you much much more!
We were lucky enough to be sent the welly holder to review.
It is a very simple home assembly (that for once I managed all by myself) and it holds all our wellies beautifully.
We don't have a porch so our wellies normally clutter my car boot or the conservatory and when wet and muddy are just a pain to have hanging around. Turning them upside down and leaving them out on the welly stand ensures they get a good wash but stay dry ready to be worn. And it keeps them out my way.
A perfect family gift!
I do think The Handpicked Collection is rather lovely!


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Welcome to the Passenger Facilitation section of Rockwell Collins Talking Airports.
Here you will find articles and links to more information from Rockwell Collins related to any aspect of passenger facilitation, however some articles may appear under more than one category depending on the content.
This section will cover topics on;
- Common Use Identity Management
- Automated Passport Control
- Automated Border Control
You can be automatically notified of any new articles by subscribing to this section at any time using the link in the tool bar near the top of the page or by clicking the category in the menu on the right and choosing the relevant subscribe option at the top of the page.


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One-room apartment with quality repair is located in the center of the city. The apartment is located on the 2 floor of a 5-storey building, next to it there is an art cafe unknown Petrovsky.
The balcony and windows overlook the quiet courtyard, which guarantees peace and quiet. There is everything necessary for comfortable living: Wi-Fi, bed linen, towels, slippers, dishes. There is a new double bed with a good mattress.
Rent price:
300 UAH. – 2 hours, every extra hour 50 UAH;
650 UAH. – The night (from 20.00 to 09.00);
700 – 800 UAH per day.


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text: Home About Services Legal FAQs Testimonials Resources Contact Us Facebook Linkedin Twitter (201) 488-1825 Newsroom DUI/DWI: Calibrating the Alcotest Breathalyzer Machine MAY 7, 2019 In 2000 the State of New Jersey started using the Alcotest Instrument (current model used by most New Jersey police departments is the Alcotest 7110 MK III C) to conduct breath tests for purposes of testing the BAC... Divorce & Marital Torts MAY 2, 2019 "Tort" is a broad legal term meaning an accidental or intentional wrongful act that injures another person. Civil law suits are often based on torts. Most people are familiar with tort actions based... Speeding & Point Violations APRIL 30, 2019 Traffic violations are fairly typical in New Jersey, with speeding as the most cited violation. A speeding violation will result in points on your license coupled with a hefty fine. Pursuent to New Jersey law, motorists are required... Wills, Trusts,and Estates APRIL 28, 2019 Why are estate laws so important? They provide you with the ability to plan the distribution of your property after you pass. Additionally, taking advantage of these laws will give you the ultimate protection with regard to your... Preparing for the Divorce Process MARCH 27, 2019 Dissolving a marriage can be one of the most emotionally and physically overwhelming experiences in a person's life. To make the divorce process marginally easier, it is critical you first contact a trusted and experienced... DUI & Alcotest Machines MARCH 16, 2019 Law enforcement today is more vigilant than ever when it comes driving under the influence. In the state of New Jersey, if you are suspected of drunk driving or driving under the influence, you most likely will be asked to take... The Most Important Things to Be Aware of When Adopting FEBRUARY 25, 2019 Adopting a child is perhaps one of the biggest steps in a relationship for any couple. Before jumping into the adoption process, it is important to know the correct steps that go into the process... What is Child Support? FEBRUARY 22, 2019 Establishing child support can be one of the more confusing and emotionally exhausting aspects of divorce. Indeed, many people beginning the divorce process are unsure exactly what child support is... Contact Us Leave us a message Name Email Message Send message 540 Hudson Street - 5th Floor Hackensack, NJ 07601 (201) 488-1825 275 Madison Avenue - 14th Floor NY,NY 10016 (212) 878-6699 Powered by:


text: Premium quality Copper-Phosphorus filler brazing metal rods Silver-5 (5% Silver) for brazing copper-copper or copper-brass in air-conditioning and refrigerator. Specification: ANSI/AWS A5.8 and ASME SFA 5.8 (BCuP-3). Rod Size: 20" x 1/8" x 0.050" (500 x 3.2 x 1.3mm). Chemical composition %: Phosphorus: 5.8-6.2, Silver: 4.8-5.2, Copper: remain. Brazing temperature range: 1350F-1550F (723C-843C). When heated quickly to its liquidus, Silver-5 will flow rapidly and easily penetrate into tight clearance connections. With slower heating the alloy melting range provides the ability to filler wider gaps. No flux is required for copper brazing. Apply appropriate flux for brazing brass or copper to brass. Often chosen as an economical alternative to higher silver content alloys for copper and brass applications.


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Abstract Collage on Aluminum #14
Original artwork of Collage on Aluminum
Signed by Val Kilmer
12″ x 30″
* May take 1-2 weeks for delivery
**Due to the nature of metal, some paintings will exhibit scratches, rust, oxidations, and/or uneven surfaces. These irregularities are all considered part of the artistic design by the artist and included in the unique wholeness of the art piece. Certificate of Authenticity included.


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Earlier in November 2019, Mumbai police freed a 16-year-old girl - Farhat* - from sex...
International Conference on Women Trafficking
Submitted by Anonymous on 12 July 2017
Human trafficking has become the fastest growing crime and the second largest illegal trade in the world, generating over $150 billion a year globally. The trafficking of humans to be exploited for personal and financial gain transcends borders and continues despite national and international laws prohibiting such offences. 124 countries have criminalised human trafficking in line with the UN Trafficking Protocol.
The adoption of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking In Persons, Especially Women and Children by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 signified a continued effort by the international community to end trafficking of humans. The emphasis on women and children speaks to the reality that they are targets for traffickers as they can be sexually exploited and are powerless to fight back. According to UN Women, "Adult women account for almost half of all human trafficking victims detected globally. Women and girls together account for about 70 percent, with girls representing two out of every three child trafficking victims. Women are often trafficked for sex, domestic servitude, forced marriage, and as labourers in the garment industry.
In India, the problem of women trafficking continues to grow at an alarming rate. With modernisation and increased access to technology, the commercial sexual exploitation of women continues to evolve to include online transactions and expand beyond the traditional red light areas. Traffickers transport women between Indian states, and traffic women from neighbouring states of Bangladesh and Nepal, and as far as Eastern Europe and South East Asia. The Indian Government has responded by amending current laws to increase the minimum sentences for traffickers, as well as setting up Anti-Trafficking Units in vulnerable police districts.
Rationale for the Conference
- To facilitate convergence by bringing the international anti-trafficking community together in an elevated forum. It is a platform that will set the scene for collaboration and coordination among stakeholders in the anti-trafficking community.
- To mobilise stakeholders to address the problem of human trafficking on an international level through the sharing of best practices undertaken by government agencies, policymakers, NGOs and members of civil society.
- To bring attention to the current trends of oppression and violence against women and to discuss the changing nature of trafficking.
- To highlight international protocols and procedures of investigation, prosecution of traffickers and successful victim rehabilitation.
Salient Features of the Conference
- To underscore the areas of gross violation of human rights committed against women through the act of trafficking.
- To disseminate information concerning the evolution of women trafficking as a result of modernisation, migration, war, and economic growth.
To bring together international experts in various fields, including members of civil society, law enforcement, and government agencies, to share current policies and best practices being used to combat and eliminate women trafficking.
ICWT Conference Schedule | ICWT Conference Speakers | ICWT National Speakers
Overview | Day one | Day two


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Activity fishing, generally known as more info recreational fishing, can be a well-liked action among males, but some women of all ages also be a part of the activity. The sport is played making use of a fishing rod, reel, line, hooks, and bait. The exercise is played underneath particular principles which are specified through the Worldwide Sport Fish Association (IGFA). The game is generally played by anglers and fishing fanatics who use sport fishing boats.
There are many will make and models of boats, but activity fishing suggestions have certain policies and one among these will be the use of an proper and great h2o vehicle that will be used during the sporting action. A very good activity fishing boat also has lots of functions which might be useful for that action, and selecting the ideal boat can make a large variation.
There are actually a superb quantity of boat producers on the planet, but certainly one of probably the most common manufacturers that are known to quite a few fishing enthusiasts and anglers is Lund. It is actually especially well-known in North America, the place the sport of fishing is extremely popular. Lund includes a competitive set of sport fishing boats that have exceptional high quality, toughness, and aesthetics.
A valuable boat in sport fishing will not only healthy the rules. It also must have the functions that give convenience and gain to your angler. An instance of the is definitely the Lund 186 Fisherman GL, that has 7 seat bases exactly where an angler can transfer his swivel seat to locate his finest angling place. It's a rod storage locker where by the consumer can sustain to eleven rods which he can use for just a range of fishing pursuits.
Additionally you have a decision concerning the 1800 plus the 2000 Sport Angler from Lund. It functions the SportTrak that's a trademark accessory of Lund. It is made from a rod holder and brackets that enable anglers to simply established up their rods completely ready for use. In addition, it has a different rod holder for trying to keep extra rods. The styles fluctuate in duration, the 1800 getting 18′ 6" along with the 2000 being 20′ 6".
For roomy storage, the 1975 and 2075 Pro-V can provide for you. It has two stay wells and two bait wells where you can keep just as much catch while you want and possess as a lot of bait to use. The 4 swivel seats and six seat bases supply room for good business and versatile angling areas. In addition it contains a rod storage locker with 15 rod compartments to get a large amount of distinct fishing approaches.
The 2150 Baron delivers optimum comfort, spaciousness, and several companions to provide. With its duration of 21′ 10" and beam of 100", it could have a large load and it offers comfortable accommodation with 4 swivel seats and two flip-up seats. There are two dwell wells along with a bait properly which allow the angler to help keep as a lot of capture alive. It also has rod storage with ten rod compartments.


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From cabinets of Gucci earrings, to displays of Hugo Boss watches, as you walk into Goldsmiths Southampton, it's impossible not to be tempted. The shop has an air of sophistication and you know you won't be leaving without buying a really special piece that you'll forever remember where it's from. You don't go to Goldsmiths to get cheap jewellery you wear once because it's 'in fashion' – do ya know what I mean?
The new look Southampton store has doubled in size since its recent reopening, meaning more space to look around and ponder the beautiful jewellery from counter to counter. (And to have a glass of champagne while you look, of course!) There's such an array of classic jewellery, it's impossible to know where to start. But once you've overcome the sheer joy of being in a room so full of diamonds, you can start to appreciate the individual pieces and the detail.
Having tried on a couple of Hugo Boss watches that didn't fit, (I don't own a watch so thought this would be a brilliant idea, but then remembered that my wrists are outrageously small so watches never fit #SmallWristProblems) I thought I might as well try on the Gucci range, *sigh*. It was displayed so beautifully on studded, burgundy, velvet cushions. There were classic Gucci charm bracelets, ornate pendants, and watches with constellation backgrounds (which I LOVED). I also tried on an incredibly delicate gold bangle that bent onto your wrist in the most malleable way, but never lost its shape (amazing?!).
After much deliberation, I opted for a pair of simple Gucci symbol earrings – timeless, elegant and classic. Obviously you can't try them on for hygiene reasons, but you're given a special earring stick (technical term ofc.) to hold them up so you can see what they look like. Andy, the Store Manager, went out of his way to help me make my decision, and was so informative about all the jewellery in the Goldsmiths shop. I even saw an identical pendant necklace that Kate Mids wore on her wedding day #fangirl.
I actually felt like a Made In Chelsea star throughout the whole experience – obviously I mean that in the BEST way. The service in Goldsmiths was outstanding, the jewellery is absolutely divine, the packaging is exquisite and my Gucci earrings are legit my new favourite thing and I haven't taken them off since. If you're considering buying that certain someone that certain something, pop into Goldsmiths, even if just for a look but it'll be hard to prise yourself away when those diamonds start twinkling.


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Perpetual Contact: Mobile Communication, Private Talk, Public Performance
Editor: James E. Katz, Mark Aakhus
Publisher: Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2002
Review Published: January 2003
In what is likely the "first international attempt aimed at codifying what is known about the social aspects of mobile communication on national culture or comparative bases" (xxii), this book is an anthology comprised primarily of the research presented at a workshop held at Rutgers University in 1999. Representing twelve different countries (USA, Ireland, Italy, France, Korea, Norway, Netherlands, UK, Findland, Israel, Denmark, Bulgaria) and a wide spectrum of academic disciplines and marketplace perspectives (communications, sociology, political science, popular culture, science and technology, anthropology, business, engineering, psychology, and library studies), the two editors (both from Rutgers) are able to take the work of twenty-six people and systematize the pastiche of research into a meaningful work of nineteen articles and two essays in an appendix. The editors capture, in their own words, the "first steps towards building a multidimensional conceptual framework and outlining what is known and what needs to be learned about the social aspects of mobile communication" (xxii). More about the conceptual nature of this work appears later in this review.
The overall structure of the book includes three distinct parts with an appendix. Part 1 focuses upon national and comparative perspectives. Part II centers on the interpersonal and micro-behavioral aspects of relating to others using mobile technology. Part III discusses the macro-behavioral functioning of public groups and a variety of social structures which provide a foundation for the possibility of perpetual contact between individuals in isolation and in public spheres. Finally, the Appendix highlights the theoretical work of Emanuel A. Schegloff as a foundation by which the technological might be better understood within the deeper context of human symbolic interaction.
Each article is well written and each adds a dimension to the overall structure, flow, and development of the text. As one would expect, a good source list is provided for each article allowing the reader a wonderful resource for further reading and investigation. The coverage of topics is broad, it is rich in information providing a depth of understanding, and it is an interesting read. Editors Katz and Aakhus weave together a number of variables into a grid for grasping and understanding the topic of mobile telephonic communication in a multiple number of contexts on a number of different levels. This work provides a wonderful hybrid definition of the issues all planned to move forward the state of communication theory concerning the personal/social use of this technology.
Katz and Aakhus frame this discussion of mobile personal technology by signifying the nature of the issues circling the integration of this technology into the fabric of an individual's life and of single and multiple communities. Those issues include the following items: symbols, power, order, command, negotiation, maintenance of the social order, and self conceptual identity. In general, a social scientific perspective guides the investigation of a technology which allows humans to transpose space and time for the conducting of personal and professional individual and social activities. Allowed in that general framework are multiple methods of coming to know, including both quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
Allow me a short space to identify the contents of each section of the book. Part I deals with national and comparative perspectives of using mobile phones for instrumental and expressive purposes such as: work, safety, social interaction, information, mobility, coordination of daily life, both public and private uses, issues of continuity and change, concerns of transportation and connection, practices in developing the human concept of time, the development of regulatory schemes, and basic access for all segments of the population. All of these socio-cultural themes aid us in understanding how a society is reproduced, reinforced and extended by the symbolic and social dimensions of the mobile telephone.
Part II focuses upon interpersonal relationships and other forms of microbehavior. Of special interest is the production of individuality and personhood brought on by the spread of asynchronous telephonic discourse. As this technology is seen as an important factor for the social construction of reality, the development of new cultural artifacts by the use of mobile telephones is linked to many demographic and psychographic variables. This section of the book unpacks a lot about the use of mobile phones in practical, theoretical, and philosophical perspectives. In fact, Chantel de Gournay provides an apt summary of this ninety page section of the overall work by stating in her article that the blending of both the public and the private spheres is "an ideological phenomenon, which is not reducible to technological developments but more profoundly, challenges the legitimacy of social norms and institutions" (198). It is that sort of intriguing investigatory mindset which makes this a must read book for those interested in the impact of not just mobile telephonic interaction but of technology in general on individuals, groups, societies, and cultures.
Part III concerns itself with public performance for both groups and social structures. Among some of the stimulating ideas presented include: a redefining of mass society, the pragmatics of everyday life, the negotiation of new interaction strategies, the notion of what it means to be both absent and present at the same time, and the general concept of a "floating world" where the epistemology of knowing one's world is able to be withdrawn from daily living. This section, as did the other two, provides a wonderfully rich perspective from which to view, comprehend, and speculate about the current uses and future potential of mobile communications technology.
In a very interesting move, the editors provide bookend chapters (first and last) for all of the other research reports. The first chapter sets the stage for the questions at play and the final chapter summarizes the knowledge of mobile communications by postulating a new theory for a deeper grounding for their work. The theory of "Apparatgeist" will be given more attention shortly. However, the machine-mind/spirit acknowledges how mobile communication technology alters the nature of public space and the commonly received notion of private relationships. As a special feature, the appendix contains two articles by Emanual Schegloff (and he also authors one of the chapters) which position the entire project into the theoretical work of conversation analysis. This framework provides for an accepted analytical stance to render judgments of the importance and the impact of mobile technology as to how people manage access to each other and form appropriate identities through technological interaction. In essence, the rules of communication we take for granted provide not only a starting point for understanding this technology, but a context for fully understanding how this new technology is becoming an increasingly important apparatus of how people are now negotiating their way through the human condition.
One of the important considerations of a text like this is the general orientation to technology taken by the authors. It is safe to conclude that this is not a technological determinist treatise. This tool of business, of culture, and personal identity is viewed from the already entrenched cultural codes and stabilized rituals of a society and thus not capable of singular revolutionary change of the basic social system. As a consequence, this book takes an evolutionary change model as its primary focal point and that, I argue, is the best position to hold. Technology seldom dictates cultural activity, but usually the culture provides a context for the opportunity for the technology to flourish. There is no naďveté of any of the authors on this point; this is especially true of Katz and Aakhus. However, the first and last chapters provide a more sophisticated and deeper understanding of the issues involved with a more pedestrian sense of perspective from other contributing authors. In essence, the editors provide the theoretical threads that hold the entire work together.
The new theory which the authors postulate in this book is called "apparatgeist" meaning machine/spirit. I think that this sort of framework not only fits the mobile telephone technology well, but it provides a broader framework for understanding the relationship between technology and humanity. Katz and Aakhus spend the final chapter of the book seeking to make meaning of mobile technology and the many ideas offered by the other contributors. As they state, "our purpose is not only to make sense of the myriad social and thematic issues raised but also to suggest a novel theoretical approach" (301). Their definitional theory allows for both sides of the equation (technology - humanity) to be given each its due attention. At times the technology is emphasized and other times the humanness of it all is able to take precedence. Simply, multiple options to the two common variables are allowed interplay with all of the myriad of social and psychological variables mixing in infinite fashion to allow for a variety of situational applications of the new technology. One aspect of the geist (spirit) which could be further developed by the theory and made practical in the use of the technology is the actual ontological decisions made and encountered by the individuals using mobile telephony. For example, the notions of the "spiritual" sense of humanity might yield interestingly rich results. However, the bottom-line purpose of the theoretical approach is to "understand still better how people fit these new devices into their lives and to what effect" (316) and this the book does well.
At points, it seems as though a few of the researchers are unaware of the "diffusion of technology" literature which would provide a rich and an accepted context in which to situate mobile telephonic technology. Also, I find it interesting that no mention is made of Brian Winston's 1986 book, Misunderstanding Media, and some of his ideas; namely, the concept of the radical suppression of potential prescribed by existing and dominant modes of technology and human practice. It might prove interesting to use such a notion to explain the social conditions which limit the penetration of mobile telephony into any country's social order.
I advocate that there is enough practical, theoretical, and philosophical information available to appeal to a wide range of readers. However, a more purposeful and sensitive addressing of Post-Modernity and its relationship to technological diffusion would give a broader perspective to not only view this particular form of apparatgeist, but for the whole set of issues raised when one studies technology and culture. An entrenchment of Modernity is mentioned, but the topics of the absent/present, a de-centered sense of self, the axiological concern of the loss of moral bearings, the nature of relationships, and the uprooting of meaning from a material context all beg to be defined in the context of Post-Modernity and not solely Modernity. This certainly would provide a rich vein of potential research activity -- especially for those interested in the philosophical moorings of technology.
Perhaps a sign of a good book is the number and the sort of questions which arise after reading it. This must be a good book because it certainly sets the context for the asking of a lot of questions. So, where might future research take us? The text itself is full of possible suggestions and questions for further investigation; specifically, there are good sets of questions asked by a number of authors and for quick reference such lists exist on pages 89, 189, and 297. Additionally, I offer the following thoughts as to a few research areas and specific questions:
Tim Detwiler:
Tim Detwiler is a Professor of Communication Arts at Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, Michigan. His research interests include the integration of technology into culture, the self-conceptual impact of technology on organizational behavior, and a rhetorical understanding of the spiritual nature of technology. <email@example.com>


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Hazard Based Planning
Template for the Development of a Municipal Hazard-Specific Emergency Plan
Guidance on populating this template
- The development and implementation of this hazard-specific plan is voluntary since it exceeds the requirements of the current legislated program. While municipalities currently have emergency response plans that are designed to address all hazards, recommended practices suggest that risk-based emergency management programs are more robust.
- Municipalities may choose to include hazard-specific plans as part of their emergency response plans as annexes and appendices, or as stand-alone documents.
- The template provides guidance and emphasizes those elements and actions in the individual hazard plans that are specific to that hazard and may differ from the municipal emergency response plan.
- The components of emergency management: prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery should be examined when creating the documents as there maybe some relevancy as to what is required before, during and after the event.
- The distribution of this plan will be left to the discretion of the Municipal Emergency Control Group. It is recommended that it be made available to those agencies identified in the plan, as appropriate, based on the sensitivity of the information contained within.
- This document should help in the formalization of knowledge transfer and sharing.
- Municipalities may modify any part of this document to fit their needs.
Many municipalities in Ontario have been adversely affected by severe weather, such as high winds, snowstorms, and prolonged periods of extreme temperature. These atmospheric hazards can pose a significant threat to public safety, health, the environment, property and the economy. The impact of severe weather may be localized, as in the case of a tornado, or widespread, as in the case of an ice storm or temperature extremes.
The purpose of this guideline is to assist municipalities in developing a Severe Weather Emergency Plan. The development and implementation of a severe weather plan is voluntary since it exceeds the requirements of the current legislated program. While municipalities currently have emergency response plans that are designed to address all hazards, recommended practices suggest that risk-based emergency management programs are more robust.
Aim and Scope
The aim of this plan is to allow for a more coordinated response to an emergency arising from [insert hazard]. [Include a definition of the hazard – specifically where several hazards are put into one category (for example: severe weather may be a category that contains blizzards, wind storms, ice storms, etc.)]
The scope of this plan is to identify lead agencies and detail their responsibilities in the case of an emergency caused by [insert hazard]. The plan should also detail resource and emergency information requirements.
Authority and Maintenance
[Identify the authority this plan falls under (e.g. by-law)]
[Discuss the review and revision cycle of the plan, who is responsible for it, and how often the task will need to be carried out. It is recommended that this be done annually or after an event related to the hazard (i.e. after an exercise, after an actual emergency)]
Example: This plan is published as Annex H to the Town of Trillium Emergency Response Plan as authorized by By-law 01-05; and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, RSO 1990. The custodian of this plan shall be the Town of Trillium Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC), who is responsible for the annual review, revision, and testing of this plan."
Description of Hazard and Risk (refer to Municipal Community Risk Profile)
Characteristics of Hazard
[Geographic area potentially affected (i.e. Can the hazard affect the entire community or a specific facility/area? Include a map if it's a specific area). Does the hazard have the potential to migrate outside of municipal boundaries?]
[If applicable, describe the typical lead time and/or the time of year that the hazard is most likely to occur.]
Characteristics of Risk
[Include information on probability and consequence from your HIRA. Example: a community may identify flooding as a hazard and have a flood map; however, the risk would be the potential damage to lives and property within that floodplain. (Consider the time of the day, week, or year with respect to potential municipal impact)]
[If applicable, include maps of the impacted facilities/areas.]
Implementation of Plan
[Who has the authority to implement the plan (e.g. municipal emergency control group, lead agency)?]
[Who maintains the notification list of external partners?]
[Who notifies those who have responsibilities under this plan and how?]
The author must state who has the authority to initiate the notification process and implement the Plan. The authority may lie with key individuals, such as any member of the Municipal Emergency Control Group or a department head. The person responsible for maintaining the notification list for internal personnel and external partners should be clearly indicated. A clear and succinct notification process must show who is responsible for making the notification contacts and list the primary and secondary notification methods.
Functional Roles and Responsibilities (specific to this plan)
[Detail what agencies and individuals would have a role in the implementation of the Plan and list specific responsibilities. Consider the following:
- Who is the initial community lead agency1? (e.g. fire, police, health, public works, EMS). Is there a need for an outside agency to be the lead? (e.g. an on-site hazardous material emergency or a train derailment).
- Are multiple agencies required to assist with the response? If so, who are they? (ie. municipal, upper-tier, provincial, federal, industry, and NGOs)
- What are the roles and responsibilities of the lead and other response agencies involved2?
- Identify where emergency response plans for external agencies are located (e.g. website, intranet site, EOC, etc.).
- Will the Incident Management System be utilized? Is it a single or unified command?
- Who are the partners (additional subject matter experts required in the EOC to provide additional expertise)]
Evacuation and Shelter-In-Place
[What is the protocol for both Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place?
- Consider: Is there a need to evacuate or to shelter-in-place specific for this hazard that is different from your existing evacuation and shelter plan?
- Outline shelter-in-place, evacuation procedures, and evacuee hosting, if applicable (e.g. pre-planned evacuation routes, and procedures for determining an evacuation route specific to the emergency).
- Identify Reception Centres, Evacuation Centres and Responsibilities
- Plan for pets/livestock
- Consider hazard impact on evacuation routes
- Detail the extent of municipal assistance that would be considered in assisting evacuees (financial, logistics/advice)]
Arrangements with Neighbouring Communities and/or Lower and Upper-Tiers
[Detail arrangements (mutual assistance agreements, MOUs, etc.) with neighbouring communities to provide assistance, such as the hosting of evacuees, the availability and use of alternate EOCs and/or Hazmat teams, and human resource sharing. Remember that your outside resources from neighbouring communities maybe already committed as they have been impacted by the same event and/or their response may be delayed.]
[Detail the extent of municipal assistance that would be considered in assisting evacuees (financial, logistics/advice).]
Emergency Information and Communications
[Provide hazard-specific emergency information and/or directions to where the information is housed. Consider including pre-written news releases and/or key messages. Refer to your municipal Emergency Information plan, if applicable.]
[Identify hazard-specific communications authorities and arrangements (e.g. what broadcast media to contact during and after business hours, arrangements for joint information with province and other agencies, and public alerting systems).]
[Provide information on or web links to public education materials (Preparedness) for this hazard that have already been released by the municipality. This information can be used to support emergency information efforts during a response (e.g. to media, public, neighbouring communities).]
[Consider including information regarding language and communications barriers for at-risk populations. Consider a variety of communication channels that may be of assistance (e.g. alternate language radio, translation of key messages).]
[Include drafted media releases or public alerting strategy.]
[Identify resources needed to support the response to this hazard and the process for acquiring them (e.g. contact Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, external suppliers, 24/7 suppliers, Supply Chain Management).]
[Include planning considerations for resources, including equipment and personnel:
- Staging areas and base camps (e.g. parking lot for trucks, rest areas for personnel)
- Access routes and transportation
- Need for specialized skill-set(s)
- Availability and accessibility of resources (required/source information)
- Cost and reimbursement
- Repair and maintenance
- Food and shelter
- Safety and security of personnel
- Critical Incident Stress Management
- Succession planning for protracted emergency
- Re-deployment or demobilization of resources
- Return of borrowed or leased resources
- Reference to Support Plans/Supplemental Plans (annexes)
- Inventory/location/items]
[Include a contact list of resource suppliers.]
[Outline financial procedures and obligations, such as:
- Pre-existing contracts with 24/7 suppliers
- Extra-ordinary expenditures
- Expenditure authorities (e.g. who can sign a purchase order?)
- Human resources considerations (e.g. tracking of over-time, volunteers, collective agreements)
- Potential cost recovery (e.g. third party liability)
- Location and procedure for accessing emergency petty cash
- Donations Management
- If applicable, contact Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (see ODRAP Guidelines at http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page237.aspx)]
Support/Supplemental Plans:
[EOC opening/activation, EOC operations, public works agreements, fire services agreement.]
Reduces the likelihood of the event.
[List prevention actions taken to date for the hazard - such as land use planning]
Reduces the impact of the event.
[List mitigation actions taken to date for the hazard such as back-flow valves in vulnerable wards]
[Consider what preparedness initiatives are needed for the plan (e.g. training, public education, communications)]
Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP)
[Based on recommended practices, consider including COOP as part of the risk management process. Consider locations of municipal services, facilities and infrastructure as they may be affected by a hazard.]
[The goal is for the municipality, citizens and businesses to recover from the event. This includes restoring the physical infrastructure where possible or desirable as well as addressing the emotional, social, economic and physical well-being of those involved. Actions to facilitate this may occur during the response such as donations management or notifying the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing re: ODRAP – (understand ODRAP and when and under what circumstances Council might utilize ODRAP. Consider the composition of an ODRAP committee and provide training).]
[Consider mitigation actions during recovery operations to lessen the impact of future reoccurrences of similar events such as utilization of land use planning for floods.]
[Consider establishing a recovery information centre where the impacted individuals can obtain additional information on the recovery process.]
Post-Event Activities
[Consider post-event reporting procedures, such as:
- Quick tactical de-briefing (hot-wash)
- More detailed operational de-briefing
- Questionnaire (to volunteers, contractors, media, owners of facilities used, etc.) in order to identify gaps and future considerations for improvement
- Development of an After Action Report, a financial report, and a report to program committee/council]
[Discuss who generates the above, when they will be created, to whom they will be presented, and how the lessons learned will be incorporated into the hazard plan.]
1 The lead agency may change during the course of the emergency.
2 You should work with external agencies to develop their list of responsibilities.


text:
Join this Unforgettable Holy Land Tour to Israel with Ezra Adventures
Join me in Israel on the first ever Israel Rising Book tour May 6-15, 2020! Israel Rising is the best-selling book that combines the prophecy of Ezekiel 36 with 2000 years of historical eyewitness accounts and stunning then and now photography demonstrating Israel's prophetic transformation. Ezekiel 36 will come to life as we compare the scriptures and the old photos with the landscapes in front of us! We will travel together to many of same locations where these angles were captured by the original photographers 100+ years ago. Interact with local Israeli believers that are restoring the land, worship with them in the Galilee and receive a signed copy of Israel Rising.
Right now, we are living in the times the Bible spoke of 2600 years ago as the physical land is responding to just as scripture said it would! Come see the dramatic historical changes for yourself, be a part of how "Israel is Rising" and walk through the pages of your Bible!
Doug Hershey
Ezra Adventures - Founder
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 (Depart Home)
*All dates & locations subject to change
May 7
Arrive in Tel Aviv
The modern metropolis of Tel Aviv overlooks the breathtaking Mediterranean coastline. After passing through Ben Gurion Airport (voted one of the best in the world), you will meet your group, share your first meal and spend time getting to know one another. Built on the ancient port of Jaffa, where Peter had his rooftop vision, Tel Aviv is home to one of the oldest harbors in the world.
May 8
Central Coast & Jezreel Valley
Worship and bond with your group as you get to know this lush valley, which produces much of the fresh fruit and vegetables you'll enjoy every day of your tour. Visit Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. Encounter God on Mount Carmel, where Elijah called down fire from heaven. And look out over the Valley of Armageddon (Megiddo), as you gain new insights into biblical prophecy.
Sites you'll see include:
- Caesarea by the Sea
- Mount Carmel
- Megiddo
- Nazareth Village
- Mount Precipice / Nazareth Overlook
May 9-10
The Galilee, Golan Heights & Northern Boundary
Wake up to a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm. Then sail these same waters in a first century replica boat. Learn of ancient Jewish traditions in Capernaum's 4th century synagogue. Gather on the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, millennia ago. Participate in a service project with Beautiful Land Initiative to transform the landscape and worship with local believers. Rededicate your faith by being baptized in the waters of the Jordan.
Sites you'll see include:
- Mount of Beatitudes
- Capernaum
- Magdala
- Nof Ginosar (Jesus Boat Museum)
- Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee
- Baptisms in the waters of the Jordan
- Caesarea Phillipi
- Tel Dan
- Mount Bental
May 11
Lower Jordan River Valley
Tour the ancient Roman ruins of this desert oasis as you learn little-known facts about its fortresses and walled cities, like Bet She'an. Then, share and enjoy fellowship in unique settings like Jericho, the world's oldest city. You'll never forget the moment you enter Jerusalem and its iconic skyline comes into view. After your group shares this pinnacle experience, wrap up your evening with heartfelt worship and a timely message.
Sites you'll see include:
- Bet She'an (Roman decapolis city of Scythopolis)
- Jericho Tel
- Israel Museum: Model City & Dead Sea Scrolls
- Haas Promenade
May 12-14
Jerusalem & The Old City
Walk the gold stone streets of Old City Jerusalem and meet Israelis shopping with you in the marketplace. Leave your own prayer at the Western Wall as you stand beside God's chosen people at the holiest site in Judaism. Behold the famous Temple Mount; pray in the Garden of Gethsemane; sing in the Upper Room. Stand on the Mount of Olives and gaze at the gate Jesus will walk through when He returns. Enjoy another delicious Mediterranean dinner recounting the day's adventures with new friends.
Sites you'll see include:
- Southern Steps
- Davidson Center
- Western Wall & Plaza
- Jewish Quarter & Cardo
- Arab Quarter
- Christian Quarter
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Via Dolorosa
- Sisters of Zion
- Saint Anne's Church
- Pool of Bethesda
- Armenian Quarter
- Mount Zion
- Upper Room
- Saint Peter's in Gallicantu
- City of David
- Mount of Olives
- View Temple Mount
- Palm Sunday Road
- Dominus Flevit
- Garden of Gethsemane & Church of All Nations
- Garden Tomb
- Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum)
- Friends of Zion Heritage Center
- Shiloh
- Har Bracha Winery
Judean Wilderness & Dead Sea Regions
Journey into the wilderness of Ein Gedi, the rocky refuge where David penned the Psalms. Open your Bible as your group takes turns sharing their favorites. Get a bird's eye view from the famous fortress of Masada. Then, enjoy the beautiful descent down to the lowest point on Earth: the Dead Sea. Conclude your tour with new friends by relaxing in these mineral-rich waters. Then celebrate what God has done during your tour with a time of testimony and praise.
Sites you'll see include:
- Masada
- Qumran
- Qasr al-Yahud (Jesus Baptismal Site)
- Ein Gedi
- Dead Sea & Swim
May 14
Night Departure
Actual departure time based on airline schedule.
Friday, May 15, 2020 (Arrive Home)
Home of the Bible
Israel is a place where hidden oases are tucked away amid windswept deserts, where rocky cliffs are carved by ancient rivers and where historical ruins lie within sight of modern architecture. A melting pot of religion, culture and spiritual depth, a Christian tour to Israel is far more than a typical vacation. It is a journey into the origins of belief—one that will connect your faith today with the depth and power of the Christian story. For followers of Christ, a trip to the Holy Land is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a place that doesn't just bring the Bible to life but adds a visual dimension to the beliefs you've staked your life upon.
Biblical Sites
Visit the places of the Bible to see where Jesus lived, walked and where His disciples began sharing the Gospel of His love.
Middle Eastern Culture
Soak in the sights, sounds and life of a culture from across the globe.
Historic Landscapes
Come see the variegated deserts, gardens, oases and seas of the Middle East.
Tour Pricing
Included in the Tour:
- Teaching from Doug Hershey at significant biblical sites
- Study materials for your pre-tour preparation
- International round-trip group air transportation (not included in Tour Only option) and transfers to group hotel
- Outstanding accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner included along with four special lunch stops during the tour, including a special St. Peter's Fish Lunch
- Israel's best tour-operators and licensed, hand-picked tour guides
- Travel by private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach
- All porterage, taxes and gratuities; Entrance fees to all sites
Tour Only
New York, NY (JFK)
This event is exclusive to those who book in advance through Inspiration Cruises & Tours. Booking through a secondary travel agent at the same hotels will not allow you to participate in any event programming.


text:
TRAVELERS 1st AID
> Cold Sore Aid - 1oz bottle
Cold Sore Aid - 1oz bottle
Cold Sore Aid is a remedy derived from the Banana flower bud (Musa x paradisiacal) Turmeric Root and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum). The banana flower bud is a traditional ethnobotanical medicine from the Hawaiian Laau Lapaau Medica. The extracted ingredient includes the slimy sap from the cut flower bud, which was traditionally smeared on the tongue and lining of the mouth of the young patients for use in the alleviation of cold sores. In this Bioresonant Phytotherapeutic formulation turmeric root and clove is added. Turmeric root is a broad spectrum antibiotic and antiseptic. Clove is an antiseptic and contain Eugenol which is known as a local anesthetic. Together, they create an effective remedy for the topical treatment of cold sores.
Price: $14.95


text:
Nick Kwas asked me what I think about his song Big adventure
Ok, here my opinion:
- perfect production
- good arrangement
- good chorus singing
- the song itself is a good composition.
- expressive vocals, good understandable.
- vocals: first tone at 1m43s a little out of tune.
- in the beginning the voice is ok, soft as it is; the message obviously is "think about this". At the end "so walk right out of door" needs more power, it's a little too soft. convince the listener that you mean it like wanna say "move your ass, lazy bone! and now go and change the world"
- i dont like the crash cymbal.
- changing in tact (~0m40s) can be a prob for airplay in commercial radio - if you target mainstream
Here the link to the song:


text:
We are a design and supply company that designs wood structures and then supplies the materials package to an authorized Borkholder Building or New Energy Home dealer. At this point, the dealer has sold the building or home and will then construct the new structure. We offer a quick pricing program, design and engineering service, submittals to state agencies, and marketing assistance for their business related to the two categories.
The ideal home would be a home that has very little or no energy consumption, and therefore has virtually no impact to the environment or to the owners ongoing budget. It will have addressed all 3 forms of heat transfer ? conduction (R-value), radiation and convection. It will have a very comfortable environment due to stable temperatures created by the right combination of materials used.
The obvious signs are the amount of dollars that are paid per month to heat and cool their current structures, how quickly the temperatures swing so as to activate the HVAC, and whether there are hot and cold spots throughout the house. Using a thermal camera is very useful to identify the problem areas, since you typically can't see what the cause is for many of the previously listed issues.
A typical problem with many homes being built today, and not just in IL, is that there is a dependence on using the old way of building. We need to think through better and more energy efficient techniques that will create a structure with more value without additional cost. Another common mistake is a dependence on solely what the R-value of a product is and not on the composite structure of the entire wall or roof structure, which ignores some very significant energy losses that can occur through the natural migration of energy.
There are a few simple and inexpensive things that can be done immediately; such as removing trim around windows and doors and foaming the cavities if air flow can be detected, wrapping hot water pipes and heat ducts if in unconditioned spaces, and weatherizing and protecting your entry doors. Using a thermal camera will identify many of the problem areas, whether that means hiring someone that offers that service or purchasing a camera yourself if this is a long term trek. It can then be used after the fix is done to determine whether it was effective or not. There are a few other solutions to preventing the radiant heat migration through the roof or the sidewalls that are not very expensive, but will typically require a contractor to do the work. As roofs are replaced and exterior surfaces are changed, real change is seen. Think through the alternate options of the "cool roof" paint systems, thermal barriers on the wall surfaces, changing windows, HVAC changes, and integrating solar systems into the equation.
Home performance Contracting is a company who will come into your home and through a series of tests and a thermal camera, will identify most of the problem areas. Through their audit, the homeowner will be able to see how severe the problem is and discuss some possible solutions. They will be able to obtain references to contractors who specialize in those areas. It is often an excellent place to start if you know there is a problem but have no clue where to begin.
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text:
A letter to my bank.
Letter you may want to send to your bank to clarify potential situation
Dear Sirs,
In view of current developments in the banking market, if one of my cheques is returned marked 'insufficient funds', does that refer to me or to you?
Yours Faithfully.
The BBC
What's it for?
Would someone tell me what the BBC is for please? If it was almost any other product or service I would not be so troubled, I would just boycott it. But I can't can I? Even if I avoid consuming any BBC products I still have to pay the tax.
So, put my mind at rest. Convince me that the current situation is reasonable.
What is the BBC for? Why does it get to be paid from a tax directly levied on almost every household? What does it do that is so special?
I don't mean the smashing period dramas or the superb documentaries. Who makes them anyway? Is it a BBC team of BBC employees or does the BBC just sign the cheque? That was not rhetoric. I don't know, someone tell me, does the BBC actually make these types of program? Even if it does make them, what is so special about this programming that, given a level playing field, a commercial company could not make them?
The news and current affairs content perhaps? News!? John Sergeant has quit something called 'Strictly'. More on that soon I can assure you. I agree, some of the current affairs programs are great. Unfortunately, there are not many. Again, who makes these programmes? Why can't commercial companies make them?
Ah, I know – no adverts! Oh, but wait a moment, that's not true is it? Firstly, there seems to be just as many minutes per hour not taken up by actual programs on the BBC as on the ITV channels. At least you get a variety of products advertised by ITV, on the BBC they just advertise, well, the BBC! Trailers, I can understand, they are useful but why keep advertising the BBC in general all the time … it is boring and it is deceitful to claim that it is not advertising! Secondly, the constant … no, wait, this deserves its own paragraph…
Secondly, the constant 'cross pollination' between BBC programs is so tedious. I like news. I have no interest in a program that makes a nice bonus by getting people to phone in and vote on hapless celebrities and wannabes getting out of their comfort zones. And then, such programs start to actually take them selves seriously. Anyway, I want to watch news but I can't watch news without being bombarded by the latest pr/advertising campaign for some BBC production masquerading as a news article! John Sergeant was somehow compromising the credibility of an amateur dancing competition by being crap and loveable? After days of this we get article after article about the man quitting. And he was a proper journalist.
Imagine how the commercial companies must view this. What would they pay for that kind of publicity? How does Kevin Spacey feel down at the Old Vic when he has the BBC backed Joseph and his colourful coat or whatever it's called just down the street playing to packed houses every night? Check this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7318812.stm to find out.
Ah … the web site. At last. It's brilliant. One of the best. I think that context is important here – I choose from well organised content and then I read it … somehow, reading it is more neutral.
So, that's good.
What about the harmful consequences of having a tax funded corporation, able to generate additional income in many ways, with no democratic accountability (we pay but we don't get to vote – I've heard that before somewhere), pumping hours and hours of programming into our homes? The culture is celebrity, the measure of success the ratings and this corporation significantly shapes the culture of our nation. Their journalists, even the good ones, have forgotten what being a journalist means. They are more concerned with form than content and function. A decent interview can so easily be derailed by some pompous celeb journo trying to score points.
I could, and probably shall, at some point, go on and on … for now, some constructive thoughts…
I believe that there should be some state funding for something that we might as well call the BBC. It should come from the state budget, collected through normal taxation. Everyone pays just like we pay for hospitals, schools, the army and many other things. Any additional income generated by the BBC should be deducted from the funding that it receives. That keeps everything clean and clear. No commercial interest.
The BBC should have real resources of its own, its own program makers and associated trades and professions. It should make the good stuff*. It should not make news and current affairs programs unless a way can be found to re-create the ethos of people like Brian Redhead (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Redhead). How can that be done? We live in world where one can no longer trust individual principles to transcend the power of the organisation unless that organisation has a powerful and enforceable constitution. I am open to suggestions as to how a state funded news organisation could be constituted in order to protect it from itself and I'd love to hear what it is (*the good stuff) that only the BBC can do.
So, help me out … tell me what you think.


text:
Switch, The
Lottery Ticket
Green Day Rock Band [PS3]
Flight of the Conchords [DVD]
James and the Giant Peach [Blu-ray]
Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Upcoming Movies
Power of the Dark Crystal
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
Alice in Wonderland
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Toy Story 3
Clash of the Titans
Iron Man 2
Jonah Hex
The Expendables
Mary Elizabeth Winstead » Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Michael Cera » Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Allison Pill » Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Edgar Wright » Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Will Ferrell » The Other Guys
Mark Wahlberg » The Other Guys
Movie Trailers
Monsters- Trailer
Monsters- Teaser Trailer
I'm Still Here- Trailer
Skyline- Trailer
The Virginity Hit- Red Band Trailer
Charlie St. Cloud- Feature Trailer
Top Stars
Jessica Alba
Angelina Jolie
Gerard Butler
Jake Gyllenhaal
Colin Farrell
Ewan McGregor
Latest Polls
Javier Bardem vs Casey Affleck
Transformers vs Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Fantastic Four vs. Rise of the Silver Surfer
Spider-Man 3
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
40 Year-Old Virgin vs Wedding Crashers
Prisoner of Azkaban vs. Goblet of Fire
Gerard Butler vs. Viggo Mortensen
The Site
About Us
Contact Us
Partner Links
Movie Mistakes
Jennifer Lopez on
The Back-Up Plan
Published April 22, 2010 in
Movie Interviews
By Fred Topel | Image property of
CBS Films
Jennifer Lopez's latest romantic comedy hits close to home. In
The Back-Up Plan
, she plays a woman embarking on single motherhood via a sperm bank. Then she meets Stan (Alex O'Loughlin) who doesn't know what he's getting into. Lopez had just had her own twins, so she related to the script.
Jennifer Lopez on The Back-Up Plan
"For me just the experience of being pregnant was something that I obviously could relate to," Lopez said. "All the different feelings and emotions and everything in the script, there was just so much for me in there that I related to and loved playing. Just everything. It was just perfect timing for me."
When Lopez met the screenwriter, Kate Angelo, they bonded over pregnancy stories. "When we first met, we met at this aerobics class. I don't know why aerobics is such an '80s term. It was a boot camp. She comes up to me and I had just signed on to the movie. I was really excited about it. It was right before Christmas. She said, 'I'm Kate Angelo.' I was like, 'Hi.' She was like, 'I wrote
The Back-up Plan
.' I was like, 'Oh my god.' She's like, 'I just had a baby too.' It was very kind of like perfect. It was so fresh in our minds."
Lopez wasn't looking to make the tell all movie about her own pregnancy. She just knew it was time to get back in the spotlight. "I mean, it was just time for me to do a movie again, I think. I just love romantic comedies. It was just the first thing that I wanted to do back. So we started looking for one and this one came up. It was just perfect. I mean, obviously throughout my career I've always felt like certain things come to me at the right time. When I look at the work that I've done, it's always very kind of indicative of where I was in my life at the moment. This was the same thing. It was just very kind of serendipitous that it happened this way. It was perfect."
The Back-Up Plan
The Back-Up Plan
There have been many leading men to win the heart of Mr. Lopez on screen, so O'Loughlin had a lot to live up to. Perhaps Lopez knows how to pick 'em. "I think with romantic comedies it's a lot about tone because different romantic comedies have different tones. I think you have to really understand what the director and what kind of story he wants to tell and what kind of tone he wants the movie to have. Once you're there, sometimes it actually gets created on the set as well with how you start playing with an actor with the material and what the director likes. He's like, 'That's good. Let's go in that direction. Let's do that.' It becomes created through the actors with the director during the film. I think everything needs to be played real, for reality's sake, for truth. That is the drama and the comedy. When you do that it's funnier and when you do that, you really do hit the emotional beats. I do it the same way as I do a drama. I just play it for truth and then maybe have a little bit of fun with it sometimes."
Of course, a steamy love scene helps too. "We know we have to do it. We signed on for it. Even when it's not PG-13 and you sign on for it, you know that it's something you're going to have to do. But it's one of the things it's like, 'Eh, the love scene's coming up.' You know what I mean? Always, for me anyway. Still, even as an actor when you have a kissing scene it's still weird. Even when you like the person. We totally know that it's part of our job. You asked us if it was weird. It's weird."
The Back-Up Plan
opens to theaters on April 23rd.
For the trailers and more movie info, go to the
The Back-Up Plan
Movie Page
You Like? (Bookmarks)
Add to Heffee!
Compiled By (Sources)
Fred Topel
Sources: Image property of
CBS Films
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Allison Pill on Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Edgar Wright on Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
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Organising an event involves taking care of a variety of legal and licensing issues. Bridgend County Borough Council is responsible for dealing with licensing for different activities:
Applicants for licences under the Licensing Act 2005 should contact Bridgend County Borough Council's Licensing department at an early stage for advice and to answer any queries that come up, as the Act is undergoing a number of changes.
Here are some of the basics in relation to licensing, which are correct at the time of the latest revision of this guide, but make sure you check with the relevant department:
Under the Licensing Act 2003, Regulated Entertainment is defined as any entertainment that is provided to members of the public, or a section of the public, or with a view of making a profit. This definition is likely to change and you are advised to contact the Licensing Team to discuss what type of activities you wish to stage.
The descriptions of entertainment are as follows:
Bridgend County Borough Council offers one to one advice sessions to help you complete your application form.
Please note that the licensing process can take up to two months to complete and will involve consultation with agencies and the public.


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There is a profound freedom in walking a path and after turmoil, experiencing the freedom that comes with acceptance.
I am finally there.
My childhood abuse, my infertility, my frustrations with my employer. Freedom. Acceptance of what each is, acceptance that this is my path, acceptance that all I can control is the present moment. Losing the desire to control more. A life long journey.
At 45, almost 50 (😉), I feel like my uninhibited but much wiser life is commencing. I am embracing me. My me. I still can't accept compliments graciously, maybe in time, and I'm okay with that. I feel free. And happy.
All is as it should be.


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CAIA's Career Center is an easy-to-use, comprehensive resource connecting job seekers with employers in the growing AI field. Use your knowledge and credibility to advance your career or build a talented team for your organization. Opportunities targeted to CAIA Charterholders are prioritized.
Job Description
This position comprises two parts. The main responsibility is to work on derivative trading, modeling and structuring related issues. The job duties associated with this role include, but not limit to:
Skills and Abilities


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ALLEGAN, Mich. (AP) – Is fifth-grader Kenton Stufflebeam smarter than the Smithsonian?
On a winter break trip with his family to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, the 11-year-old southwestern Michigan boy noticed that a notation, in bold lettering, mistakenly identified the Precambrian as an era.
Since it opened in 1981, millions of people have paraded past the museum's Tower of Time, a display involving prehistoric time. Kenton was the first to point out the error.
Kenton, who lives in Allegan but attends Alamo Elementary School near Kalamazoo, said his fifth-grade teacher, John Chapman, had nearly made the same mistake about the Precambrian in a classroom science lesson before catching himself.
"I knew Mr. Chapman wouldn't tell all these students" bad information, the boy told the Kalamazoo Gazette for a story published Wednesday.
So Kevin Stufflebeam took his son to the museum's information desk to report Kenton's concern on a comment form.
Last week, the boy received a letter from the museum acknowledging that his observation was "spot on."
"The Precambrian is a dimensionless unit of time, which embraces all the time between the origin of Earth and the beginning of the Cambrian Period of geologic time," the letter states.
The solution to the problem would not involve advanced science but rather simply painting over the word "era," the note said.
While no previous visitors to the museum had brought up the error, it has long rankled the paleobiology department's staff, who noticed it even before the Tower of Time was erected 27 years ago, said Lorraine Ramsdell, educational technician for the museum.
"The question is, why was it put up with that on it in the first place?" Ramsdell said.
Excited as he was to receive the correspondence from museum officials, he couldn't help but point out that it was addressed to Kenton Slufflebeam.
In Allegany.


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All of the latest Mission real estate listings can be found on this page. Use the provided search tool to discover beautiful Mission homes for sale.
Mission—A Peaceful Community In A Great Location
The quiet, peaceful city of Mission is a fantastic place to call home. Featuring gorgeous mountain views and easy access to the Fraser River, the lush rural surroundings provide a gorgeous backdrop for residents to enjoy. For amenities, quaint local shops and boutiques bring character and provide numerous services to locals. The US Border and Abbotsford are also only a quick drive away for any day trips.
Mission is notable for having 17 schools throughout the city making it an ideal location for families. Wherever you find your new Mission home, you can be sure that excellent educational options will be close by!
Search For Mission Real Estate Using The Provided Map Tool
The map tool below makes it easy to discover what is available on the Mission real estate market. Constantly updated with the latest homes for sale in Mission, BC, this tool is a fantastic asset for any home buyer. Use the filters at the top of the map to set any preferences for your home search.
If you would like to view one of these Mission homes for sale in-person, don't hesitate to give Danny and Claudio a call!
You might also be interested in:
Houses For Sale In Mission, BC | Condos For Sale In Mission, BC


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Finding fun in Vancouver! Events, shows, tourist traps, etc. There's so much to do in this city, let's explore!
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Curious Flea Market!
This weekend out in New West is the Curious Flea Market! What makes it so curious? The Battle of the Curious encourages folks to bring out their weirdest item that they can find and the most curious object will be immortalized forever in the Curious Hall of Fame, and the winner will receive a lovely prize!
The Curious Flea Market runs today from 10-5 and on Sunday 11-4! Check it out!
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text: Having the courage to make decision even when you are feeling uncomfortable takes practice and the will to not expect things to be perfect after you make a decision while under stress. Sometimes, we are asked to do things that make us uncomfortable; i.e., taking a last minute trip where you have to make the decision to go the next day and do not have time to plan your outfits, make arrangements for transportation, etc. You just have to say, "yes" and then get it done! Everything you might have wanted to do for the time you will be away will still be there when you return! Be brave and do not be afraid of the unknown. Adventures are wonderful.


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These best-selling ¾ yoga tights are simple, comfortable, durable, and a signature style for this Canadian company. Comes in plain, braided, striped, and new pattern prints.
We still have some of these available from last season, click here to see if your size or colour is still in stock, or send us an email to see if we have it in our magical retail store.
Fabric: Stretch Jersey 280g/m 63% Viscose from Bamboo 27% Organic Cotton 10% Spandex
Availability: In stock
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© 2015 Still Eagle :: Hemp, organic cotton, fair trade clothes.


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I am reblogging this post from 'Make It Ultra'. It lists very helpful, practical, positive foreward movement for days when we struggle. And some days we do! Happy Thursday everyone! 😊
Category: Uncategorized
Our story of loss, hope and happiness
I follow this Blogger and have found her posts to be so honest and pure. This post in particular is about their journey through loss and new life with a rainbow baby. Having people in our family who have experienced this pain and sadness, I hope they, and others find some comfort, and know that… Continue reading Our story of loss, hope and happiness
Last of the Bathroom Upgrades!!!
All I really had left to finish was to hang the cupboard doors which required new hinges, in black, and some lovely white knobs for contrast. Then...the mirror. I believe I saw on Pinterest where someone used wainscoting as trim, with some really pretty cornice squares for the corners, and glued it - with No… Continue reading Last of the Bathroom Upgrades!!!


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At the Public Information Centre, attendees
will have the opportunity to review and provide input on three different
preliminary design options and speak with the project team. Cycle tracks or
separated bike lanes require more width than typical bike lanes. In order to maintain traffic flow and bus
service, the design will result in the removal of on-street parking along the
south side.


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Halton, formerly a separate village, is now part of the town of Runcorn, Cheshire, England. The name Halton has been assumed by the Borough of Halton, which includes Runcorn, Widnes and some outlying parishes.
The village stands in an elevated position at 240 feet (73 m) compared with the surrounding area which lies at about 100 feet (30 m). At its centre is an outcrop of sandstone which rises to a height of 252.6 feet (77 m).[1] On the summit of the outcrop are the ruins of Halton Castle. The major road, Main Street, passes below the castle, to its west and south, and Castle Road leads up to the castle.
There is evidence of human occupation in the Stone Age and during the Roman era.[2] The village[3] is recorded in the Domesday Book in the hundred of Tunendune[4] and towards the end of the 11th century the first castle, which became the seat of the Barons of Halton, was built on the hill.[5] The Tunendune hundred court was absorbed into Bucklow hundred by 1260 so government statistics for Halton over many later centuries are indexed by Bucklow hundred.
During the medieval period a deer park measuring 100 acres (40 ha) lay to the south and the west of the village. At this time Halton had a weekly market and annual fair.[6] The village held a court leet and the castle was used as a prison.[7] During the Civil War the castle was held by the Royalists and twice besieged by Parliamentary forces. Following this the castle fell into ruin.[8] The importance of Halton declined with the coming of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the chemical and other industries in Runcorn.[9]
The village is now entirely residential. It is surrounded to the west and north by the estates of Runcorn New Town. To the south is Halton Lea, a shopping mall, and other retail and entertainment outlets. To the east is Town Park. The castle is a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument, and there are a number of other listed buildings in the village. There are two public houses, the Castle Hotel, which is incorporated into the structure of the castle and which contains the former courthouse, and the Norton Arms. In the village are two active churches, the Anglican Church of St Mary and Trinity Methodist Church. The Village has a Millennium Green, one of a series of 245 charity-run public Greenspaces created at the Turn of the Millennium.
See also
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Halton.
- ^ Height, EarthTools, archived from the original on 1 April 2012, retrieved 6 November 2008
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 1–4.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Domesday Map Online: Halton
- ^ http://domesdaymap.co.uk/hundred/tunendune/ Domesday Map Online: Tunendune Hundred
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 7–8.
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 19–21.
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 25–28.
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 57–58.
- ^ Starkey 1990, pp. 147ff.
- Starkey, H.F. (1990), Old Runcorn, Halton: Halton Borough Council


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Indian Premier League: Three held over betting
Police have arrested three people suspected of illegal betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The men were arrested on Thursday at a hotel where two IPL teams were staying after a match in the northern city of Kanpur
Police told the BBC that the men had contact with low-level staff at Green Park stadium to obtain information about the condition of the pitch.
Two IPL teams and three players were banned in 2013 on corruption charges.
The IPL is considered to be the world's showcase for Twenty20 cricket. Top Indian and international players take part, contributing to what is one of the world's most-watched cricket tournaments.
But the tournament has also faced allegations of corruption, spot-fixing and bribery. Spot-fixing involves players bowling wides and no-balls at certain times arranged beforehand with bookmakers.
Other than horse racing, sports betting of any kind is illegal in India. Despite that, illegal betting syndicates are known to be active in the country.
- Should India relax cricket gambling ban
- Cricket board asked to probe IPL
- Calls to legalise betting in India
- Police 'watching' more IPL players
Rahul Srivastava, chief spokesperson of the police, said the men secured information about the pitch's condition through WhatsApp to influence their betting decisions.
"We are questioning the arrested individuals to find out if more people are involved in the betting racket," he said.
Police arrested the men after a tip-off from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's anti-corruption unit, he said.


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Aircraft, Auto, and Machine Parts
SDI's SpectraSure™ technology has a vast array of applications. SpectraSure™ can postively identify legitimate components for automobiles, aircraft, and other machinery. With SpectraSure™, you can feel confident knowing your product is impossible to counterfeit.
The Problem
It is estimated that counterfeit automotive parts in the U.S. is $3B and worldwide represents about $12B. According to Brand Owners Protection Group, counterfeiters in the United Arab Emirates accounted for more than 12% of the $3.8B automobile spare parts market from 2005 to 2013.
While reduced sales and lost profits are a problem, Ken Feldman, the Global Brand Protection manager at Ford Motor Company stated that half of the $8B in parts imported into Saudi Arabia in 2012 were counterfeit.
The Solution
SpectraSure™ is a non-organic taggant unique among covert and overt security markers in that it is impossible to reverse-engineer due to the underlying physics and the proprietary manufacturing processes. Even using sophisticated mass-spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, counterfeiters cannot discern and duplicate the mark.
Unlike many other taggants, SpectraSure™ can be incorporated into the product, applied to the product and its packaging and can be authenticated in real time, on-site, and on-demand. There is no need for long lead-time and costly laboratory analysis. The SpectraSure™ readers authenticate the mark in milliseconds.
The SpectraSure™ taggant does not decay over time, can be encoded for specific and targeted tracking activities, and can withstand environmental extremes far in excess of the item marked.
The auto, aircraft, and machine part production process involves a wide variety of sophisticated and costly equipment. No two fabrication lines will be identical. However, there are common themes within the manufacturing and supply chain. The SpectraSure™ system can be integrated into:
- The manufacturing process by directly incorporating the SpectraSure™ taggant
onto the part itself;
- The supply chain anywhere machine parts are inspected and tested, including distributors and authorized sources;
Integration of SpectraSure™ is performed without disruption or down-time to manufacturers or distributors.
Whether you require complete operation and maintenance of your SpectraSure™ system, supply of SpectraSure™ taggant and readers, or a tailored approach, the SDI team can help. For more information and to initiate the SpectraSure™ process, contact us directly using any of our convenient methods.


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Assumptions, complexity, and openness — A response to Brian Phillips
Categories: Analytics Perspectives, High-Level Discussions
Eric Vormelker hijacked my celebratory post with an article from Brian Phillips in Slate that questioned the move toward analytics in soccer. (Quite all right, Eric!) The article hits on points that I've made in previous posts on soccer analytics. Being self-referential in blog posts is bad form, so I'll just point you to the posts that I've made in the High Level Discussions category. But perhaps it's best to summarize previous comments in a single post, and I'll incorporate those comments in my response to the article.
I have learned over the years that journalists and numbers do not get along very well; the former are uncomfortable with working with and talking in numbers, and it shows in too many articles. This article isn't quite so bad — there is actually much to recommend about it as a corrective to overly-optimistic talk about sports analytics — but some spots illustrate the unease that lots of journalists feel toward anything numerically inclined. Phillips' objections to the growth of soccer analytics can be condensed to three arguments: soccer is too complicated to be explained numerically, there is very little agreement on assumptions used to generate metrics, and the proprietary nature of match data and metrics prevents the growth of grassroots analysts.
Phillips makes an excellent point about soccer in that it is a simple game that is actually quite complex. He writes
"There's just one problem with the sport's newfound sophistication, which is that soccer happens to be a quaint, starry-eyed endeavor that can't be explained by the numbers…"
I can't find much to disagree about that statement. But I'd amend the last part slightly:
"There's just one problem with the sport's newfound sophistication, which is that soccer happens to be a quaint, starry-eyed endeavor that can't be explained fully by the numbers…"
which I think makes a more accurate statement. Soccer is a simple game of great complexity, sublime beauty, and sheer unpredictability, yet a game with discernable patterns. (When was the last time you watched a match and said that this is looking like one of those typical 0-0 games, or 2-0 game with the second goal on a late breakaway?) It is possible to describe some aspects of the game in the language of mathematics, and perhaps develop some subtle understanding of the sport as well. But I don't think you can describe everything about soccer in particular, and sport in general, solely by numbers. Moreover, I believe that those who claim so risk not just their own credibility, but also that of the wider sports analytics community. Like any good and honest researcher in the physical sciences, those in the sports analytics community need to be up front about the uncertainties involved with the metrics that they develop. Then the end users can decide if the results that are generated by these new measurements truly mean anything. It reminds me of the saying I learned in graduate school: "Everyone believes an experimentalist's results except for the person who conducts the experiment, and no one believes a computationalist's results except for the person who writes the simulation!"
The second argument that Phillips makes against soccer analytics is that all of the metrics come with their own set of assumptions that sporting managers have to discern. Again, this is not unique to sport analytics; all scientific, technical, and engineering research starts with a set of assumptions and attempts to proceed from there. Again, it is the duty of analysts to be up front about the assumptions that are used, but there will be assumptions. Soccer is a complex game, you can't explain everything, but you can explain some things and you will have to start somewhere. It's up to the sporting managers to determine if those underlying assumptions hold up to initial scrutiny. So yes, despite the use of soccer analytics, front-office people at professional clubs will still have to use their brains. Sorry.
The third argument Phillips makes about the proprietary nature of soccer analytics is a more serious one, and one whose implications I have wrestled with since starting this site (and company). Baseball sabermetricians had a much easier job when it came to developing advanced metrics in that game data were already available. It may not have been easy to find, but there were game details dating back from the 19th century and all it took was a community of people to compile those data. Soccer has a much more severe challenge in that even results data are incomplete, and results provide little information beyond who played, scored, got substituted, or ejected. Detailed in-match data were difficult to collect and often unreliable before the video era, and not many statistics were collected anyway (assists weren't collected by FIFA until 1994, which happened to coincide with a World Cup in the USA). It is easier to collect in-match data for matches in Europe and North America, but obtaining those data is still difficult due to ownership issues, particularly in Europe. It would be possible to collect match result data in a collaborative open-source fashion, but in-match data collection will remain behind the firewall of the clubs and the league. Open-source soccer analytics have their place, but the scope is likely to be more limited than it is with baseball or other sports.
So Brian Phillips says that soccer analytics has limitations because of the sport's inate complexity, the varying list of assumptions between proprietors, and the lack of an open-source ethos in the field. To the first two, I respond, "Yes, but I don't have a problem with either one." The problems are hard, and there will always be assumptions to be made, and both matters require researchers of high levels of integrity and transparency within reason. To the third, I must admit that I am still trying to come up with a coherent policy on that issue, but I do aim to help grow the soccer analytics community. If more people understand my work, more will be accepting of it. That's the hope, anyway.
UPDATE: It's a Big Soccer-lanche! Thanks!


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Problem: Given a vector of about 40 values
m with normal error
sd compute the weighted average of the values weighted by the chance that they are the maximum.
I have come up with 2 different approaches to solve this. The first is numerical integration, the second is monte-carlo sampling.
import numpy as np
from scipy import integrate
from scipy.stats import norm
m = np.arange(-1,1,.03)
sd = np.ones(len(m))*.12
def integ():
n = len(m)
dx = .05
ts = np.arange(-2, 2, dx)
cdfs = np.ones(len(ts))
for i in range(n):
cdfs *= norm.cdf(ts, m[i], sd[i])
def func(i, x):
return norm.pdf(x, m[i], sd[i]) / norm.cdf(x, m[i] , sd[i]) * cdfs
ans = np.zeros(n)
for i in range(n):
ys = func(i, ts)
ans[i] = integrate.simps(ys, dx=dx)
ans *= m
return ans
def monte():
a = np.random.normal(size=(len(m),nn))*sd[:,None]+m[:,None]
vals = (a==a.max(axis=0)).sum(axis=1)/nn
vals *= m
return vals
Both of these solutions work, but they are in the range of
1/1_000 of a second rather than the
1/1_000_000 of a second I am looking for.
This code is a prototype that I will eventually be writing in c++, but I want to make sure that this function is possible to calculate quickly enough for the change to be worth it, so I really don't care about formatting or readability, just performance.


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Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) agreed to pay $375 million to acquire privately held Counsyl, Inc., which operates a high-complexity clinical laboratory dedicated to women's health.
Counsyl's lab services include carrier and non-invasive prenatal screening, including its Foresight Carrier Screen, Prelude Prenatal Screen, Reliant Cancer Screen, as well as supporting services through Counsyl Complete, a suite of solutions that integrate Counsyl screening into clinical workflows and patients' lives.
Since the company's founding, Counsyl has championed key advances in screening for women and their families, screening more than 850,000 patients, serving more than 17,000 healthcare providers, and providing more than 60,000 genetic counseling sessions.
Counsyl has experienced rapid growth, and in the last 12 months has performed over 280,000 reproductive genetic tests. Upon acquisition, Counsyl will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Myraid. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.
In November 2017, Counsyl announced it had received $80 million in financing from Perceptive Advisors, a New York-based life sciences investment firm, and the addition of Lily Sarafan, chief executive officer of Home Care Assistance (HCA), to the company's board of directors.