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Digital Pipelines
Theintroduction of the Alesis ADAT in 1992 was a huge step toward theannihilation of analog technology and the development of theall-digital studio. True, digital audio technology had been around fora while at that point, but it really wasnt until the ADAT and,later, the Tascam DA-88 hit the streets that the majority of musiciansbegan to understand the potential of this technology.
The success of these two machines initiated a quest to improvefidelity in other areas. Soon digital mixers popped up, digital audioworkstations gained widespread popularity, digital dynamics processorshit the market, and various digital support gear joined the party.
Today studios on virtually every level can produce an almostentirely digital recording, starting at the soundmodule/sampler/preamp, going to the console, to the multitrack, througheffects processors, and finally to 2-track. Several companies have evenstarted to manufacture microphones and speakers with built-in digitalconverters, so the digital chain can begin and end right at thetransducers. For better or for worse, the all-digital world hasarrived.
The mere presence of digital devices, however, does not make astudio completely digital. Sure, the more digital equipment you own,the greater fidelity your recordings will have. But to reallycapitalize on this technology, you need to have digital connectivitybetween gear. After all, the signal path is only as strong as itsweakest link, and if youre constantly sending audio throughconverters, from analog to digital and back again, degradation isinescapable.
Although 2-channel digital transfer formats such as S/PDIF andAES/EBU are a big part of successfully connecting equipment, whatreally makes the all-digital studio possible is multichannel (that is,more than 2-channel) digital audio transfer formats, specifically ADATOptical and Tascams TDIF. These two protocols have revolutionizedthe industry almost as much as their respective MDMs have. Today peoplewho dont even own ADATs or DA-series recorders are using ADATOptical and TDIF connections to get from one piece of gear to the next.This month, we take an in-depth look at these two formats, the productsthat use them, and ways of getting from one format to another.
History Lesson
Neither ADAT Optical nor TDIF was originally designed to be what ithas evolved into. The initial idea behind each was to provide a way totransfer multiple audio tracks simultaneously between identical MDMs(ADAT to ADAT, or DA-88 to DA-88), not between MDMs and other gear.
Our story begins with Alesis circa 1991 and the development of therevolutionary ADAT. While the company was designing the original unit,the good folks at Alesis realized that they needed to provide a meansof transferring audio digitally between two machines. After all, theADAT was to be a modular recorder, intended to connect with others ofits kind; it would be silly if users lost a generation every time theymade a backup tape or copied tracks to another machine. Alesis knew alltoo well that critics would have a field day if it didnt come upwith a solution.
At the time, AES/EBU and S/PDIF were the only widely used digitalaudio formats, and they could handle only two channels of audio.Obviously, using either one to transfer eight tracks between ADATswould be cumbersome. So Alesis created its own format that was capableof carrying eight separate signals, and ADAT Optical (also known asLightpipe) was born. I distinctly remember doing a session in 1993 andbeing amazed to discover that the ADAT could digitally transfer all itstracks from one machine to another at the same time. Wow!
In 1994, Alesis realized that Lightpipe had much potential that wasnot yet being exploited. The company started offering ADAT Opticalconnectivity on some of its higher-end synthesizers and signalprocessors as a way of directly interfacing with an ADAT. Othermanufacturers realized that this format could potentially become the defacto standard and wanted to get in on the action. Shortly thereafter,the ADAT Group was formed, consisting of third-party manufacturersworking together to build (and capitalize on) the ADAT empire. Todaymore than 300 companies belong to the ADAT Group, and a good portion ofthem manufacture products with Lightpipe connectivity.
Over in the competing camp, Tascam wheeled out the DA-88 in 1993,and along with it came the companys answer to Lightpipe, theproprietary Tascam Digital Interface Format (TDIF). That was around thesame time that Alesis began contracting with third-party developers. Sodid Tascam, and a struggle over digital data formats soonensuedanother battle in the war already occurring between the twocompanies.(For an interesting retrospective look at the state of MDMsin the early 90s, check out "Brave New World" in the October 1993issue of EM.)
Fast-forward five years to 1998. The ADAT and DA-88 have establishedtheir places in the annals of audio history, Alesis and Tascam haveboth expanded their lines of MDMs, and the Lightpipe and TDIF protocolsare more popular than ever. Alesis has even created an entire divisiondevoted to developing and promoting ADAT Optical technologies. At thispoint, Lightpipe connections are certainly more abundant in third-partyproducts than are TDIF connections; thats probably because ADATsare more popular than DA-series recorders in personal studios. In anyevent, its almost unheard of for a major digital product to bereleased today without options for ADAT Optical, and very often TDIF,connectivity.
In a moment, well take a look at some of the products thatsupport each format, as well as the many products on the market thatchange signals from one format to another. But first, lets take alook at the nuts and bolts of the unique format that spawned arevolution.
Lighting the Pipe
Although Lightpipe and TDIF accomplish the same thing, they do so invery different ways. The ADAT Optical protocol works on a 24-bit NRZ(Non-Return-to-Zero) encoding scheme that sends information along ahigh-bandwidth fiber-optic cable.
What does that mean in English? Basically, each audio channel can becarried at 24-bit resolution (regardless of whether youreactually working with a bit resolution that high). The samples from alleight audio channels are organized into a single block of informationcalled a "data frame," each of which contains 256 bits. If you do themath, youll discover that this leaves 64 bits that can be usedfor synchronization and specialized "user" applications (discussedshortly).
This data frame is then sent through a fiber-optic cable by means ofa light transmitter (hence the name "Lightpipe") and is received in theother unit by a light-detecting element. A single-sided, 5-volt powersupply runs the system. When all is said and done, the receiversoutput produces an exact replica of the signal that was introduced atthe transmitter, save for a nominal propagation delay.
Lightpipe cables typically can run up to about 33 feet, althoughsome people have had success with runs as long as 50 feet. By usingmore expensive glass cable, you can run ADAT Optical cables quite a bitfarther, even without special drivers. Alesis claims that it hassuccessfully tested runs up to 100 feet using these speciallyterminated glass cables.
One of the greatest benefits of an optical format is the low cost ofthe cables; in fact, theyre so cheap that Alesis gives away a1-meter cable with every new ADAT. Also, the connections are smallenough to fit on a PCI card or digital-mixer card without the need fora breakout box, and the fiber-optic design virtually eliminates thepossibility of electromagnetic interference and ground hum.
But the coolest thing about the ADAT Optical format is that afteryou account for sync bits and various other information bits, four bitsare left over in every data frame. Of those, two are reserved forpotential future uses to be determined by Alesis (for example,upgrading the system resolution without the need to change formats),and the other two are denoted as "user-definable." This doesntmean that just any ADAT owners can simply decide what they want to sendthrough the Lightpipe; rather, these bits are available to designerslooking to implement Lightpipe in new products. For example, themanufacturer of a remote-controlled digital mic preamp could use theextra bits to send control messages between the stage unit and the mixposition.
The ADAT Optical format is free to anyone who wants to incorporateit into a design; all you have to pay for is licensing the ADAT logo,should you decide to use it to market your product. As I mentionedearlier, Alesis recently created a separate division, AlesisSemiconductor, devoted to the development of Lightpipe. Its mandate isto promote ADAT Optical as the industry standard in digital audiotransfer. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen, but itseems like a good bet. Although the companys plans for futureLightpipe implementation are still hush-hush, the live-sound industryappears to be the next frontier. The use of Lightpipe in home-theatersystems opens up a great many possibilities, so that direction willprobably be explored, too. The future looks exciting for the pro-audioindustry and consumers alike.
Keep in mind that although the ADAT Optical specification currentlysupports 24-bit data, not all gear is capable of handling 24-bitdigital audio transfers. Some equipment can send and receive only20-bit information, a limitation of the Alesis controller chips used toimplement Lightpipe in certain products. In fact, Alesiss currentcrop of ADAT recorders supports 20-bit Lightpipe transfers only.
T-otally DIF-ferent
Tascam was reluctant to provide me with information on the specificsof the TDIF format (something about the folks in Tokyo not wanting usto publish their secrets). I searched the Internet, talked to myengineering friends, and begged and pleaded, but I still came up withsquat. Tascam keeps this stuff pretty well guarded!
Heres what I do know: whereas the Lightpipe format collapsesthe multichannel digital information into a single frame of data, TDIFuses a multiwire 25-pin D-sub cable that transmits channel informationindependently, without creating a composite stream. Obviously, thesecustom cables are a bit more expensive than optical cablea 3-footcable retails for $110, and a 16-foot cable will cost you $135butthey can be run farther than their optical counterparts, albeit withmore susceptibility to interference.
The Supporting Cast
Of course, this article cannot possibly serve as an exhaustive guideto every product that supports ADAT Optical and TDIFthere aremore than 300 companies manufacturing Lightpipe products alone. But Ihave compiled a list based on data provided by Alesis and Tascam andfrom new-product information that I gathered at the 1999 Winter NAMMshow in Los Angeles. Its not comprehensive, but I think itsa good representation of the gear that affects most personal-studioowners. The focus here is on digital connectivityspecificallyTDIF, Lightpipe, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF options. (Unless noted otherwise,AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O refer to 2-channel connections.)
MDMs. Ironically, simply interfacing between two identicalMDMs doesnt seem very exciting anymore. But being able to connectthose machines to the wealth of mixers, DAWs, hard-disk recorders,sound cards, synths, outboard gear, and even competing MDMs thatsupport TDIF and Lightpipe certainly is exciting. (Actually, with theadvent of onboard digital patch bays, the ability to digitally transferfrom one MDM to another is quite cool in itself.)
Lightpipe I/O currently comes standard on the full line of AlesisADAT recorders, including the ADAT XT20, LX20, andpost-production-oriented M-20. ADAT recording is now at 20-bitresolution, but you can set the Type II recorders to produce a 16-bitoutput signal complete with dither so that theyre compatible withthe older ADAT-XT and "blackface" models.
Other MDM manufacturersnot surprisingly, companies that havedeveloped S-VHS recorders based on the ADATalso offer Lightpipeconnectivity. For example, the 20-bit Studer V-Eight offers eightchannels of ADAT Optical I/O. If you feel like dusting off a 16-bitFostex CX8 or RD8, each of those units provides standard Lightpipeports, as does the Panasonic MDA-1. (The Fostex and Panasonic MDMs areno longer manufactured, so theyre not included in the table"Putting It All Together.")
On the Tascam front, 8-channel TDIF I/O is standard fare on all ofthe DA-series multitracks, including the DA-38, the DA-88, and theultrahip DA-98. All three Tascam decks can interface with the AES/EBUformat via the optional IF-88AE.
Interestingly, youll find no TDIF connections on thediscontinued Sony version of the DA-88, the 16-bit PCM-800; there areonly eight channels of AES/EBU. Not surprisingly, Alesis doesntoffer a TDIF option for ADATs, and Tascam doesnt provideLightpipe connectivity. Tascam, however, recently released a niftyTDIF/Lightpipe converter, the IF-TAD.
MHDRs. The ability to digitally connect a modular hard-diskrecorder (MHDR) with an MDM can be a valuable asset to thepersonal-studio owner. For example, you might want to use the MDM asyour main recording medium, fly tracks out to the MHDR for editing, andthen fly them back to the MDM, all the while maintaining sync betweenthe decks. Or you could do all your work within the MHDR and use theMDM just for backup purposes. Many people use a combination of MDM andMHDR simply to double their track count.
Akai, Fostex, and E-mu are leading manufacturers of MHDRs, and allthree companies offer Lightpipe I/O options for their units. The FostexD-90 offers eight channels of Lightpipe I/O as a standard feature, andthe D-160 has two Lightpipe ports for interfacing with a 16-track ADATsystem. Both 16-bit units offer optical S/PDIF I/O for backing up datato DAT. E-mus 16-bit Darwin recorder has an 8-channel Lightpipeoption in addition to the S/PDIF I/O that ships with the standardunit.
Akais machines offer both ADAT Optical and TDIF connections.The Akai DR8 and DR16 Plus recorders have options for 8-channelLightpipe I/O, 8- channel TDIF I/O, and 8-channel AES/EBU I/O.Connections for AES/EBU and S/PDIF come standard with both decks.
Rolands DM-800, predecessor to the companys popular VSline of production systems, had an option that allowed 8-channel TDIFand Lightpipe connections. So, if you can find a DM-800, it may or maynot be outfitted for multitrack digital audio transfer. For those folkswho have $24,950 to spend, Otaris 24-track RADAR II system offers24 channels of TDIF I/O.
Digital mixers. In any studio, audio is constantly beingrouted between the multitrack and the mixing console, so maintainingdigital integrity is probably more important here than anywhere else inthe signal path. Thats why most digital mixers offer an abundanceof connectivity options.
The Panasonic WR-DA7s digital I/O must be configured fromscratch by adding expansion cards. It has three card slots, each ofwhich can accommodate an 8-channel ADAT Optical, TDIF, or AES/EBU(hardware switchable to S/PDIF) card. There is also an 8-channel A/D/Acard, and the mixer provides switchable AES/EBU and S/PDIF 2-trackinputs and record outputs (on XLR jacks). Furthermore, aux sends 1 and2 employ S/PDIF on RCA jacks.
Sporting just as many I/O options, the Yamaha 02R offers fourexpansion slots that accept 8-channel Lightpipe, TDIF, and AES/EBUcards. The stock mixer also comes with AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O. The02Rs smaller cousin, the Yamaha 03D, offers the same card optionsbut has only one available slot, as does the even smaller 01V. The 03Dprovides both AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O, while the 01V offers S/PDIF only.The long-anticipated Mackie Digital 8Bus (D8B) also has threecard slots for adding Lightpipe or TDIF inputs, and it comes standardwith AES/EBU and S/PDIF connections.
The Tascam TM-D1000 comes standard, of course, with 8-channel TDIFI/O. The TM-D1000 also gives you two XLR AES/EBU outputs; an optionalexpansion card adds eight more channels of TDIF plus four channels ofAES/EBU or S/PDIF. The Tascam TM-D4000 ships with S/PDIF and AES/EBUI/O and allows you to install up to three 8-channel cards foradditional TDIF, ADAT Optical, AES/EBU, or analog I/O. Tascamstop-of-the-line console, the TM-D8000, provides 24 dedicated TDIF tapereturns and inputs that can be configured to accept analog, TDIF,S/PDIF, or AES/ EBU signals.
The Spirit Digital 328 offers 16 channels of ADAT Optical input, 24channels of Lightpipe output, and 16 channels of TDIF I/O on the baseunit, along with AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O. Similarly, thenow-discontinued Korg 168 RC provides 16 channels of Lightpipe I/O andstereo S/PDIF, but it has no TDIF or AES/EBU ports. The 24-bit RolandVM-3100 will have an optional interface box that adds both Lightpipeand TDIF connections.
Finally, for those with fat wallets, RSP Technologies ProjectX ($3,500 for a basic system) can be outfitted with both Lightpipe andTDIF cards, as well with an 8-channel AES/EBU card or several A/D/Acards.
Audio cards/DAWs. Although youd think that a digitalaudio workstation is a self-contained environment, in reality it rarelyis. Many people prefer to use DAWs like MHDRs, employing them asediting and processing tools rather than as comprehensive recordingsystems. Others like to back up data to a particular MDM format simplybecause random-access storage can get to be a bit expensive. And thentheres the fact that any facility set up to work on outsideprojects should be equipped to handle whatever tape format the clientmight provide. So even if you use a DAW, chances are youll needto connect to other gear.
For the past five years, Digidesigns Pro Tools system hasremained the most popular Macintosh-based DAW for audio production. ProTools is a customizable working environment, and to get any I/O withit, you have to buy interface modules. Pro Tools can interface directlywith an ADAT system by using the Digidesign ADAT I/O Bridge, arack-mount unit that provides 16 channels of Lightpipe I/O. Digidesigndoes not currently make a dedicated TDIF module, but that doesntmean you cant use Pro Tools with, say, a DA-88. Youd justneed to have a format converter to translate the TDIF signals tooptical or AES/EBU and then fly the audio into the appropriateDigidesign interface (the ADAT I/O Bridge for Lightpipe, or the 888 forAES/EBU). The same, of course, is true for any piece of gear discussedhere that doesnt support a particular format.
A strong entry into the cross-platform DAW market last year wasEnsoniqs PARIS. Like Pro Tools, PARIS offers a customizable I/Osystem in the form of a modular expansion chassis. The Interface MECcan be loaded with up to nine 8-channel A/D, D/A, or ADAT Opticalcards. S/PDIF I/O is standard on the MEC, as well as on most otherPARIS interfaces. The A/D and D/A cards both offer 24-bitconversion.
The cross-platform Lexicon Studio accommodates a number of digitalformats. As of this writing, two I/O modules are available: the LDI-12Toffers two channels of analog I/O and two channels of switchableS/PDIF/Lightpipe I/O, while the LDI-16S provides eight channels of bothTDIF and analog I/O. Options are available for the LDI-16S that addeight channels of AES/EBU I/O or eight channels of ADAT OpticalI/O.
The PC-based V8 workstation from Digital Audio Labs can use optionalPCI I/O cards for interfacing with both Lightpipe and TDIF devices.Multiple I/O cards may be cascaded, and the V8 provides full transportcontrol of ADAT and DA-series recorders directly from software. AES/EBUand S/PDIF I/O options are available as well.
Soundscapes integrated PC-based SSHDR-1 hard-disk recordingsystem comes standard with eight channels of TDIF I/O and two channelsof S/PDIF I/O. But to send and receive Lightpipe signals, you must havean additional I/O module. The companys Mixtreme PCI audio cardprovides 16 channels of TDIF; however, youll still need anexternal breakout box to gain access to Lightpipe and other types ofI/O. There are three I/O modules that can be connected to eithersystem: the SS8IO-1 (balanced analog/Lightpipe/TDIF), the SS8IO-2(TDIF/Lightpipe), and the SS8IO-3 (unbalanced analog/TDIF), all ofwhich will be discussed later. TDIF ports are used to connect allSoundscape hardware.
The Otari PD-80 digital audio workstation has options for TDIF andLightpipe and comes standard with AES/EBU I/O. Otaris RADAR IIsystem provides TDIF connections on the base unit, and you can gainADAT Optical and AES/EBU I/O with the assistance of the companysstand-alone UFC-24 format converter. The Pyramix Virtual Studio fromMerging Technologies also offers TDIF and Lightpipe I/O options.
As part of its Soundlink line of products (which includes the 168 RCmixing console), Korg has introduced the 1212 I/O, a cross-platform PCIaudio card that offers 8-channel ADAT Optical I/O, as well as 2-channelanalog and S/PDIF I/O. More analog I/O channels can be added using thecompanys 880 A/D and 880 D/A, both of which can also function asstand-alone Lightpipe-to-analog converters.
Along the same lines, Sonorus offers the StudI/O PCI audio card,which provides two sets of optical I/O parts that can be independentlyswitched between stereo S/PDIF and 8-channel ADAT Lightpipe formats.When used in combination with one of the companys hardware AudI/Ounits, the StudI/O can accept AES/EBU, TDIF, and analog signals.SEKD recently rolled out its Prodif Gold ADAT card, which bringsLightpipe and S/PDIF signals into and out of a PC.
Also taking advantage of the Lightpipe format is Mytek, best knownfor its high-end mastering converters. Through a joint venture withSonorus, it has developed the expandable DAW 9624, which consists of aStudI/O card and the Mytek 8X96-series 24-bit/96 kHz 8-channel A/D andD/A converters. In addition, the Mytek units provide conversion to andfrom AES/EBU and TDIF (optional). The DAW 9624 is yet another great wayto bring analog signals into an ADAT system.
One of my favorite devices is the MOTU 2408. This ingenious box canserve either as the front end to a DAW or as a stand-alone audio-formatconverter. The 2408 supports 24 channels of I/O that can use anycombination of its three sets of TDIF ports, three sets of Lightpipeports, two sets of S/PDIF ports, and eight analog inputs and outputs. APCI card allows direct connection to either a Mac or a PC for use witha variety of software applications, and you can connect additional2408s to your system for a total of 72 channels of simultaneousI/O.
Lastly, the cross-platform ADAT Edit package from Alesis simplyprovides eight channels of Lightpipe I/O on an ADAT/PCR PCI card. Itdoes not come with other types of digital or analog I/O.
Synthesizers. It seems only logical that synths with multipleoutputs should take advantage of TDIF and Lightpipe. Well, itstaken a while, but manufacturers are now coming around. Obviously,Alesis would be foolish not to implement Lightpipe on its synths: inthe companys current product line, the QS7 and QS8 have ADATOptical outputs.
Korgs Trinity line of workstations, including the Trinity,Trinity Pro, and Trinity ProX, offer Lightpipe output options. Andusing the Kurzweil DMTi format converter, you can interface a K2500with both Lightpipe and TDIF devices. I think well see a lot moreof such products in the next few years.
Other gear. Although TDIF and Lightpipe are designed to carrymultiple audio channels, they can also serve lesser functions. Severalcompanies have recently started incorporating these formats into theirmulti-effects processors and preamps.
Currently, you can find ADAT Optical and TDIF outputs on several micpreamps, including the Drawmer 1962 tube preamp, which delivers a24-bit signal in either format at the output. The Aphex 1788 8-channelmic preamp can also be outfitted to connect with TDIF- andLightpipe-friendly units (a great solution for live recording).
The Studer D19 MicValve 2-channel mic/line preamp card for themodular D19 series offers ADAT Optical output and 20-bit D/Aconversion. The companys D19 MicA/D for the same series alsosupports Lightpipe. Alesiss Q2a descendant of theQuadraverb, the first non-ADAT machine to employLightpipeprovides ADAT Optical I/O, as well.
Digital Labs has pioneered quite a neat device: the first FiberOptic Patch Panel for ADAT Optical and S/PDIF optical formats. This boxallows you to patch digital signals just as you would on an analogpatch bay. The single- rackspace panel has eight fiber inputs andoutputs on both the front and rear panels. Also included is aToslink-to-glass connector that allows you to run cable lengths up to amile.
Confounding Conversion
Its great to be able to stay in the digital domain throughoutthe recording and mixing process, but what happens when you need tosend eight or more channels from one multitrack format to another, orto analog, or to a completely different digital format such as AES/EBUor S/PDIF? Several companies make format converters, and they come inall shapes and sizes. What follows here is the lowdown on the currentcrop of useful little boxes that will get you from one format toanother.
But remember, its not always necessary to have a stand-aloneconverter to go from format to format. Other devices (especially mixersand DAWs) can often be used to convert signals, provided they offercompatibility with the formats youre working with.
For example, if you have a Panasonic WR-DA7 with a sufficient numberof expansion cards, you can generally get wherever you need to go, beit from Lightpipe to TDIF, Lightpipe to S/PDIF, TDIF to AES/EBU, orTDIF to analog. The same is true of the Yamaha series of digitalrecording consoles: an 02R or 03D makes a great centerpiece for astudio, simply because of all the I/O options it provides. (For acomparative look at the gear discussed in this article, including thedigital formats supported, refer to the tables "Putting It AllTogether" and "Converters Compared.")
Alesis AI-3. The Alesis AI-3 ($499) is a stand-alone8-channel A/D/A converter that translates signals to and from theLightpipe format. The AI-3 provides eight analog inputs and outputs onbalanced 1Ú4-inch TRS connectors. The converters are 20-bit with128-times oversampling and deliver a dynamic range of 96 dB. The frontpanel comes with signal-present and peak LEDs for each channel, and theunit can be switched between +4 dBu and -10 dBV operation.
Apogee AD-8000. The AD-8000 ($5,995) is a comprehensive8-channel conversion solution, capable of interfacing with ADATOptical, TDIF, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and the analog world. It features eight24-bit A/D line-level converters that boast a dynamic range of 114dB.
The AD-8000 outputs the converted signals through Lightpipe(optional), TDIF (optional), or eight channels of either AES/EBU orS/PDIF (selectable). The unit has stereo S/PDIF and AES/EBU inputs aswell, and options provide an additional two or eight analog outputs.The AD-8000 can also be used as a multiple-format conversion system totransfer signals between all available interfaces simultaneously. Andbecause all outputs are active at once, the AD-8000 makes a greatdistribution system.
The AD-8000 features the patented UV22 process for translatinghigh-resolution digital audio to 16 or 20 bits without losing quality.In addition to the standard 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rates, the AD-8000locks intelligently to word clock or any digital input, including video(with the optional video synchronization card).
Apogee FC-8. The FC-8 ($549) is a reasonably priced transfersystem for moving between TDIF and ADAT Optical. The unit isbidirectional, so the TDIF and ADAT machines can each act as eithermaster or slave, and the FC-8 will simultaneously transfer signals inboth directions. Housed in a freestanding enclosure about the size of aDI box, the FC-8 has three LEDs that indicate Lock, TDIF Active, andADAT Active. In addition to the 25-pin TDIF port and the optical port,theres a BNC connector that provides word-clock output.
Apogee Rosetta AD. The Rosetta AD ($1,295) is a 2-channel,24-bit A/D converter that outputs either ADAT Optical, TDIF, AES/EBU,or S/PDIFall are standard on the base unit. (Apogee is planning acompanion unit, the Rosetta DA.) There are also two AES/EBU outputs, sotwo signals can always be fed simultaneously from the unit. The RosettaAD features balanced XLR connections and has an impressive dynamicrange of 120 dB. Sampling rate on the standard unit is switchablebetween 44.1 and 48 kHz, but as an option you can also get the RosettaAD with selectable 88.2 and 96 kHz rates ($1,995). An A/D/A version,the PSX-100 ($2,995), is also available.
Graham-Patten ADAT Interfaces. This line of converters isdesigned for use with computer sound cards that offer only ADAT Opticalconnections. Four models are available.
The ADAT-1 ($1,499) converts eight channels of analog audio into aLightpipe signal. Input connectors are 1Ú4-inch TRS jacks, andlevel trims are provided for each of the inputs. A/D conversion is20-bit. Audio sampling and the ADAT output can be internally referencedor synchronized to word clock or to an AES3-ID signal from thereference input. Two versions are available: one that operates at 44.1kHz and another that works at 48 kHz.
The ADAT-2 ($1,499) is the D/A companion to the ADAT-1. It adds astereo headphone output with associated volume control to allowmonitoring of any channel pair. There is also a sync output providingeither a silent AES3-ID signal or word-clock reference.
The ADAT-3 ($899 to $1,299) takes four AES/EBU pairs and convertsthem into a single 8-channel Lightpipe stream. It has a referenceinput/output connector and a 9-pin D-sub miniature remote-controlconnector. The ADAT output can be synched to any one of the main AESinputs or to word clock or a secondary AES3-ID sync signal fed to thereference input. With the ADAT-3 synched to one of the AES inputs, youcan also use the reference connector to output word clock. The controlconnector allows you to individually mute each input pair andidentifies which of the main AES inputs is being used as the syncsource. Six models of the ADAT-3 are available. The ADAT-3/A0,ADAT-3/A2, and ADAT-3/A4 have AES/EBU inputs on XLR connectors, withzero, two, or four sample-rate converters, respectively. The ADAT-3/B0,ADAT-3/B2, and ADAT-3/B4 have AES3-ID sync inputs on BNC connectors,with zero, two, or four sample-rate converters, respectively.
The ADAT-4 ($899) performs the reverse function of the ADAT-3. Here,Lightpipe signals are converted back into four AES/EBU pairs. The AESoutputs are synchronous with the ADAT input, and there is also a syncconnector providing a silent AES3-ID sync or word-clock output. Twoversions are available: the ADAT-4/A uses XLR connectors, while theADAT-4/B employs BNC connectors.
Korg 880 A/D and D/A. The Korg 880 A/D ($950) and 880 D/A($800) are designed for use with either the 168 RC or 1212 I/O toexpand the analog I/O of those units via ADAT Optical. However, you canalso use these gizmos with any device that supports Lightpipe. Bothunits offer eight balanced analog connections on 1Ú4-inch TRSjacks, with 18-bit A/D and 20-bit D/A converters.
Kurzweil DMTi. The DMTi ($1,310) is another converterdesigned for use with a specific productin this case with theKurzweil K2500. But it works well as a stand-alone converter fortranslating between ADAT Optical, TDIF, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF.
On the input side are eight channels of K2500 protocol, eightchannels of TDIF or Lightpipe (optional), and two stereo channels ofAES/EBU (one of which is switchable to a stereo channel of S/PDIFoptical). Outputs include four stereo AES/EBU channels (or three stereoAES/EBU and one stereo S/PDIF optical), eight ADAT or TDIF channels(optional), and eight Kurzweil Digital Stream channels. In order totransfer directly between TDIF and Lightpipe, two DMTis arerequired. Any of the outputs can be synched to an external clock or to44.1 or 48 kHz internal rates.
Lucid Technology ADA8824. The latest offering from thishigh-flying converter company is the ADA8824 ($3,295), a 24-bit A/D andD/A interface designed for Lightpipe systems. The ADA8824 changes eightanalog signals into ADAT Optical (and vice versa) using delta-sigmaconverters that yield a dynamic range of 113 dB; special digitallycontrolled attenuators on the inputs and outputs help the user achievethe greatest dynamic range possible. Connections are made via balancedXLR jacks. There are also eight channels of AES/EBU I/O and an S/PDIFI/O. The 2-rackspace unit features discrete LED meters for eachchannel.
Midiman Pipeline 858. The Pipeline 858 ($899.95) is an8-channel, 24-bit conversion system that takes analog signals andoutputs them in Lightpipe format (or vice versa). The Pipeline providesbalanced and unbalanced analog I/O, selectable word widths, MIDI I/O,word-clock I/O, and selectable internal sample rates of 44.1 and 48kHz. The Pipeline also features patented BitRazor technology, whichautomatically encodes and decodes 24-bit audio on two ADAT tracks,turning any ADAT into a 24-bit recorder.
Midiman SAM. The other offering from Midiman is the SAM($399.95), the "S/PDIF ADAT mixer." It accepts Lightpipe and S/PDIFI/O, providing conversion between the two formats. But with the SAM,you can also mix all eight ADAT Optical signals down to a stereo pairof S/PDIF, using the individual channel gain and pan controls includedon the unit.
MusicNet AD24 and DA24. Available from Wave Distribution, thehalf-rackspace MusicNet AD24 ($749) and DA24 ($549) provide 24-bitanalog-to-Lightpipe and Lightpipe-to-analog conversion, respectively.All analog connections for the two units are via XLR jacks, and bothsupport 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rates. The DA24 also is switchablebetween 16- and 24-bit conversion.
The AD24 can generate or sync to word clock, while the DA24 onlygenerates word clock. The AD24 features a Calibration mode that keepsthe converters internal modulators and integrators properlymatched. The DA24 includes a deemphasis filter that eliminates thehigh-frequency boost that is often used with commercial CDs.
Otari UFC-24/8. The UFC-24/8 ($2,595) universal formatconverter from Otari can transfer up to 24 channels at a time to andfrom PD, SDIF-II, Lightpipe, TDIF, and AES/EBU formats. (There are 8AES/EBU channels on the base unit, and it can be retrofitted for 24channels). You can link multiple units to provide sample-accuratetransfer of more than 48 channels.
All outputs (except whats being used as the source) are activesimultaneously, so the UFC-24/8 also makes a terrific distributionsystem. MIDI I/O is provided for control of routing presets andinput-format selection. You can save all parameters of the UFC-24/8, asSystem Exclusive data, to a MIDI storage device and later recallit.
Prism Sound MR-2024T. The Prism MR-2024T ($2,570) is designedto bring AES/EBU connectivity to Tascam DA-38, DA-88, and DA-98recorders. The MR-2024T converts between TDIF and AES/EBU or S/PDIF(selectable) and offers some other features aimed at high-qualityapplications.
The recording mode can be set to eight 16-bit tracks, six 20-bittracks, four 24-bit tracks, or two tracks at 24-bit and 96 kHz. TheMR-2024T tags the tape so that the correct mode is always selected onplayback. You can connect a second Tascam machine to the same MR-2024Tas a security backup; a monitor selector is provided to determine theplayback machine.
The MR-2024Ts synchronization options are versatile. UsingDA-88 sync, the transport can run free or locked to video or word clockwhile the unit provides sync outputs. Alternatively, the MR-2024T cansynchronize the DA-88 to an AES3 or S/PDIF input. You can slave up to16 machines, for a total of 96 tracks at 20-bit or 64 tracks at24-bit.
Sonorus AudI/O. Sonorus recently introduced a line ofconverters intended to work as both stand-alone units and interfacesfor the companys StudI/O digital audio card.
First up is the AudI/O AES/8 ($999), which has eight channels ofTDIF, Lightpipe (used to network with the StudI/O card), and AES/EBU(switchable to S/PDIF) I/O. The outputs are not simultaneouslyavailable, so the AES/8 cant operate as a distributiondevice.
Also available are the AD/9624 and DA/9624 ($2,995 each), bothhigh-quality 24-bit/96 kHz converters. The AD/9624 accepts analogsignals via balanced XLR connections and converts them to Lightpipe,four pairs of AES/EBU outputs, or TDIF (optional). The DA/9624 takesany of these digital data formats and delivers it as analogsignals.
Sonoruss AD/24 ($799) and DA/24 ($599) are also 24-bitconverters, but both are designed to work with digital data only in theLightpipe format. Analog connections are handled by balanced XLR jacks,and the internal clock runs at 44.1 or 48 kHz. All three units provideword-clock connections.
Soundscape SS8IO-1. The SS8IO-1 ($1,695) provides a means ofconverting signals between TDIF and Lightpipe, and between eitherformat and analog. The 2-rackspace unit offers eight channels ofbalanced analog I/O on XLR connectors, which are fed to 20-bit Crystalconverters. Simultaneous transfer in both directions is possible. Ifyoure connecting the system to a Soundscape DAW or audio card,the TDIF port is used to make the connection, so the SS8IO-1 can serveas either an analog or ADAT front end. Word-clock and Superclock RCAjacks are included. The internal sampling rate is switchable between44.1 and 48 kHz.
Soundscape SS8IO-2. The SS8IO-2 ($349.95) offers many of thesame functions as the SS8IO-1, except it lacks analog I/O. Thehalf-rackspace SS8IO-2 can serve as a TDIF-to-Lightpipe converter or asan ADAT interface for a Soundscape mixing system. (If youre usingthe Mixtreme audio card, which has two TDIF ports, you could employ theSS8IO-2 as a Lightpipe I/O and use the spare TDIF port for TDIF, givingyour system eight channels of each format.) As with the SS8IO-1, datacan be transferred in both directions simultaneously, word-clock andSuperclock connections are present, and the clock is switchable.
Soundscape SS8IO-3. The third offering from the folks atSoundscape is the SS8IO-3 ($599), which converts between eight channelsof unbalanced analog audio and TDIF. This unit is designed to providean inexpensive analog I/O solution for owners of the Mixtreme digitalaudio card, but it also serves as a stand-alone unit for convertingTDIF to unbalanced analog.
Spectral Translator. The Translator ($995) gives you aneffortless way of transferring eight audio channels from one digitalformat to another. The unit provides compatibility with Lightpipe,TDIF, SMDAI, and Yamaha Y2 devices. An upgraded model, the TranslatorPlus ($1,495), adds AES/EBU transfer.
The Translator can slave to external clock signals from any of thesupported devices. If the selected source is not present, theTranslator provides master clock to keep sync-dependent equipmentrunning. A handy bypass mode ensures that you never have to disconnectcables.
Studer D19 MultiDAC. The MultiDAC ($3,175 for a basicsystem), part of Studers D19 line of modular processors, delivers24-bit D/A conversion from a number of formats. AES/EBU inputs arestandard, and there are options for either ADAT Optical or TDIF inputs.Outputs appear on balanced XLR jacks. A monitor output is alsoincluded, and you can selectively monitor certain channels or sum alleight channels into a rough submix. This one is a stretch for thepersonal studio, though: I dont know of too many that areequipped with a Studer D19 rack.
Tascam IF-88AE. The IF-88AE ($1,245) is a single-rackspaceunit designed to bring AES/EBU capabilities to a DA-series multitracksystem. It has four XLR jacks that accept AES/EBU signals, in additionto a D-sub jack for TDIF signals. Conversion can take place in eitherdirection, so the IF-88AE makes a decent stand-alone converter for anyTDIF or AES device.
Tascam IF-TAD. Lo and behold, Tascam blinked first! TheIF-TAD ($199) is a converter designed to connect ADAT Optical and TDIFdevices. It has LEDs to indicate data present for each format, as wellas a BNC word-clock output. I was floored when I saw the IF-TAD in anAlesis third-party developer catalog. When Alesis and Tascam startadvertising each others products, you know that times havechanged for the better.
Piping Hot
Perhaps were getting a little carried away with all this fussover digital connectivity. With the wide array of options andaccompanying confusion, the eternal cynic in me says, "Give me ananalog cable...I want a TT patch bay!" But I know those days arenumbered, and thats probably for the better.
The death knell of analog has sounded, and the all-digital world isupon us. We must be prepared for the new millennium, and ADAT Opticaland TDIF will play a big role in ensuring that we are. Without a doubt,these two formats will be around long after the ADAT and DA-seriesdecks disappear.
FormerEMAssociate EditorJeff Caseyis still looking to get a record deal but recently realized that heprobably needs to finish producing the record before that willhappen.


text:
Today the weather has turned windy again and I went for a short walk, getting blown to bits in the cold wind. I thought I'd grab the chance while it had stopped raining for a while. I was especially keen to see how the snowdrops are doing and I was pleased to see they've grown and there are lots more flowers now.
There are quite a lot of new leaves growing in the hedgerow. Not on the blackthorn, but there are Honeysuckle leaves, and something else I'm not sure of.
Back in the garden I took a few more photos of the willow, the ivy and some shoots coming up which I think are daffodils and spanish bluebells.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Private deposits increased in May
Last Update: 10:49
Bank of Greece (BoG) released end-May 2017 bank volume data, which show a rise in total deposit balances by Eur197 mn m-o-m in May (+4.7% yoy and -1.64% ytd) to Eur129.9 bn, as a result of the increase in private deposits by Eur421 mn m-o-m (+3.4% yoy and -1.62% ytd) to Eur119.4 bn.
General govt deposits declined by Eur224 mn m-o-m to Eur10.5 bn. Private loan balances dropped by Eur904 mn m-o-m, on a reported basis and by Eur395 mn m-o-m (-1.0% yoy) on adjusted basis (adjustments take into account reclassifications, write-offs and exchange rate variations).
See Also:


text:
I went to an all art school, so there are a lot of hippies with purple hair and nose piercings. I would walk around with Hollister or AF jeans and tank-tops while holding a big bottle of protein shake on my hand and everyone thought I was a giant meathead. But when you watch their student work it's usually no better than mediocre. When I showed my work, even the professors were mind blown. Dressed and looked like a jock, I was actually the hippie in an all hipster school.
I like all-American brands for the same reason I enjoy build muscles. The only way to conquer your fear of what you are not is to thoroughly become it. Being born and raised in Taiwan, everything American seemed so out of my reach. I secretly despised their materialism based ideoloy, but deep down inside I was just jelly as fuck.
In high school I've always wanted to bang white cheerleader girls. I remember fapping at the stadium during homecoming pep rally's. I would use my video camera and secretly zoom in on all the girls' legs and collect the footage for future "references" on my V8 cassette. I would watch those girls get taken home by shredded football players on Friday nights and feel depressed. I would go home, lock myself in my room, pop in my Britney Spears CD and chat with girls I meet on AOL. I still think one of the reasons why I spend so much time trying to bang girls nowadays is to make up for lost times in high school and college.
I still wear Hollister from time to time because I feel a certain kind of contradiction oscillating within my body…and it gives me this paradoxical space that I can operate in; a kind of freedom to be as fucked up as possible on the inside while appearing as clean cut and normal on the outside. (like my muscles).
It's not a well kept secret that brands like Hollister and AF is racist and they never have Asian models.
After experimenting with white girls, I think I still prefer asians better. This is just from my own experience, but I think asian girls (especially in Taiwan) are more like blank slates – they are more down to make weirder videos with me because their identities are more translucent and flexible and deep down inside they don't really know who they are. In a way, white girls in America have more ego – their identities are more fixated, and they are less likely to get out of their comfort zone to become the 'Other'. But for many asians, they spent their whole life being perceived as an 'Other', and it's much easier to flip into the costumes of other 'Others'. Seeing a nice ass on an Asian girl is like finding a diamond in a rough. And rareness is always sexy. It's also stereotypical assumed that asian girls are more prudent and innocent. But seeing an Asian girl that is wild in bed who also has an ass is like holding in your hand a diamond within a diamond. This is why so many white guys have yellow fever. There is nothing more sexy than breaking stereotypes and going against cultural rules and standards. This is why anal sex is appealing to some people and why some girls find it exciting to give blow jobs.
Whenever I go to the mall I would always walk around in Hollister and Abercrombie stores, checking out the young white girls that work there and sniff around the clothes to get baked on teenage hormones. I even spread some display perfumes on my own neck. I would go home when I'm finally high enough to imagine what it would be like to go back to high school now with this body and what I have in my brain now.
You can apply the same idea to a human being. Every man has two aspects; the finite brain and the Infinite Mind (dual/non-dual, relative/Absolute). Your personality, your every thought, emotions and beliefs…even scientific and philosophical doctrines reside in the dualistic realm of the finite brain (inside the Yin/Yang circle), which the Infinite Mind (the space outside the circle) serves as a Witness.
Think of the finite brains as represented by distinct dots on a sheet of paper. The paper represents the infinite/non-local field of awareness that the individual dots merely partakes in and arises from. One can permanently access the Infinite through years of meditation, or briefly, through psychoactive plants and being in flow states during artistic or athletic endeavors. Self-Realization at the highest form is simply recognizing your true nature not as an individual, finite brain/body, but as a Infinite field of awareness that permeates you, me, and the cosmos.
It's crazy to suspect that some of the most respected scientists and intellectuals today, like Stephen Hawkins and Richard Dawkins never realized their full human potential. They are examples of finite brains pushing themselves to the limit without crossing over to the other dimension. Perhaps they are too intelligent to transcend their own intelligence. The good news is, anybody with half a brain have the capacity to gain access the Infinite mind.
My first pair of Jordans wasn't even an Air Jordan. It was called Jumpman Pro Strong, worn by Vin Baker on team Jumpman.
Jordan, being the cheeky cunt he was, needed people to carry on his legacy so he could continue to inject his mind into mindless consumers, so he hand selected a few players to represent his Brand. One Sunday afternoon, I went to the mall with my mom after she had finally agreed to buy me a pair of Jordans as a reward for getting into the county youth orchestra.
After purchase, I immediately unboxed them and worn the shoes to my best friend Johnny's house to look for validations. He knew everything there is to know about shoes and worn the Jordans 12s to school everyday. Because of this, he was the closest thing to a mentor for me during math class. He revealed to me that the shoes I bought were not Jordans but Bakers. WTF? After explaining to me the whole high brow branding concept I felt very sad, confused, and disappointed. I worn it around the house for 2 weeks, looking at my feet in front of the mirror while listening to my Slim Shady LP because I was too ashamed to wear them to school.
Finally Eminem convinced me to not give a fuck, so I rocked them to school. But I felt self conscious and ashamed. Picture a skinny 110 lb Asian kid with hair split from the middle with glasses who sucked at both math and basketball wearing Jordans that were not Jordans. On top of that, my legs were short and those high tops made them appear even shorter. This was when I developed my fetish with calves. Everywhere I go I was examining the anatomical structure of calves and their aesthetic relations with the kinds of shoes and socks people wear. This was the initial training of my perceptual skill and OCD tendencies, which would continue to unfold today as I make videos and sculptures.
Suddenly, the power of the BBC struck me. I noticed how much more graceful, balanced and authentic Jordans look on athletic black people's high-cut, long, skinny calves, and how pretentiously ugly they looked on Asians. It was like a cringe-worthy pseudo intellectual trying to sound 2deep4u
Two people could lace on the exact same pair of shoes, but on Asians they are beta and on blacks, alpha. This was the first time I came to see the value of all objects to be relative and mind-dependent; there really is no such thing as an objective reality, and that everything was consciousness.
After more analysis on balance, structures, and form, I knew I needed to change not just my body, but my mindset in order to fit in those shoes. I started weight training. I knew I talked about getting into lifting because I wanted to be a cheetah as a small child, but this was just a different line converging to the same ideal to reinforce the circular feedback loop between form and function. I would work hard to build up every part of my body, especially my glute, and except for my calves (I still don't train them) to make them appear thinner in proportion. I trained my vertical jump to 40 inches standing and surpassed all the black kids in my school who I used to admire in gym class. I lost my virginity, and along the way amped up my knowledge of sneakers and purchased dozens more pair of shoes. By the time I was finally able to wear them freely without the fear of judgements, I had completely lost interest in Jordans.
There is a guided meditation at the 4:15:00 mark. Give it a shot and let us know what you think. I find this exercise the perfect complimentary to bodybuilding. Do this on your off days to stay safe.
I avoid seeing really hot girls. Maybe this is why I don't watch TV- the overabundance of glamour and beauty really makes me depressed. Whenever I see a model or a celebrity, I try really hard to peel her skin off with my mind; I try to strip away the ideological and the conceptual layer of her being and deal with her in the pre-lingual/biological abstract. I try to think of her as a bundle of neurons, sweat glands, bone marrow and hair. I visualize her DNA and gastric acid; I analyze the inner workings of her organs and the way she defecates. I focus on her various odors, the plaque between her teeth, and the colonies of bacteria on her skin.
Human beings are only skin deep, and underneath the most beautiful super model, there lays a monster comprised of wet clumps of organs, tubes, hunks of bloody meat, lifeless electric impulses, and other repulsive and disgusting dead matter. Despite how we might look on the outside, most of our physical properties and composition are not very attractive.
If God made man in the image of himself, did he also make our INSIDES in the image of Him? One comfortable notion that comes out of this concept and image is that the unattractive and repulsive insides that we all share make us more alike, more heterogeneous, and equal than we otherwise would. If you flip both my below average-looking ex-girlfriend and Marilyn Monroe inside out and place them next to each other, I doubt you would be able to tell the difference between the two. When you consider what most parts of our physical bodies look and feel like, there is a sense of serenity and comfort inknowing that we really are not that much different from each other. Unfortunately, this sense of reassurance is embedded within the hideous and revolting side of our very own nature.
Indeed, our skin is the only organ that holds us together, just barely and scarcely preventing the hideous monsters that reside within us from breaking out of their thin shells. Compare the thickness and overall breadth of our skin to the rest of our bodies that lies underneath. The skin is thin and miniature in comparison. To me, there is a sense of insecurity in knowing that immediately beneath this feeble layer of tissues and cells, there lays wet muscle, distorted arteries and other disgusting organs that make up the majority of who we are as physical beings. Even our thoughts, seemingly so divine, abstract, beautiful and creative are governed by electric impulses and grey matter – simply wet and slimy meat. So when a girl loves me, is she merely in love with my skin and meat? Is that it?
Whenever I date a girl, I'm always be fearful of two things. First, I would be afraid that my skin would fail on me, break down, and the monster that it barely holds would come out and devour, both physically and psychologically, the girl who I am desperately trying to look good for and impress. Secondly, whenever I find a girl attractive, I usually fall for her mind, but the mind is nothing more than the brain. If I am so in love with the beautiful and lovely words she utters the eloquent poems and letters that she composes, should I also be in love with the ultimate source of such beauty and eloquence?
Our beauty is literally only skin deep. But, in perspective, the sense of beauty and satisfaction that we derive from our outside is only illusionary. If you look at the skin under a microscope, you will be shocked at how unaesthetic and repugnant it is. I apologize for taking away your last hope for beauty. Indeed, even the only barrier concealing the hideous monster within us is itself a source of discomfort and disgust when examined upon closer inspection.
If you still don't find human beings disgusting, let me try to convince you of our monstrosity by mentioning our origins. Remember how Frankenstein was created? His body was sewn up from pieces of flesh and skin of other dead bodies. But was the way he was created any different from the way we were created? Frankenstein is a magnification of our bodies and minds, in a metaphorical sense that point to our very own nature and who we really are. Think of how WE were created and you would come to the conclusion that we are also made up of dead stuff.
The notion of our sentient beings would cease to seem so glamorous if we remind ourselves that the source of our conscious bodies originate from various unaesthetic and dead material. First, there is the sperm and the egg, which is not only extrinsically unattractive, but is intrinsically made up of senseless and mindless organic material. Then there's the food that your mother ingested and digested to feed you during pregnancy. It's nothe onthing but dead matter converted into muscle, brain, bones, and organs. What stitches us together is comprised of what was once dead – animal corpses, excrement, and bits and pieces of inorganic matter like dead stars and the primeval soup that is shattered, spread out, and left over by the violent explosion of the Big Bang.
Atoms and particles that reside in our bodies once held residence in the bodies of all sorts of different objects and organisms: When a body dies, worms eat the body, chickens eat the worm, and we would in turn, eat the chickens. So life (as we know it) is not very appealing when examined from the perspective of its origins. We all have our beginnings in materials taken from a host of other repulsive objects. The forces that bring these parts together to form our bodies, consciousness, and, eventually, human beings are nothing but contingent and accidental ones. From this perspective, life is made from the dead, with dead matter swimming and swirling into each other in a meaningless void that is DEAD and LIFELESS.
Ok, let's zoom out a little bit and focus on our external properties. Forget about the organs, the brain, and all of their origins. You can't SEE them on a day-to-day basis (unless you are a medical student or a doctor); focus on what you can directly observe. But can you end our sense of anxiety simply by forgetting about the skin that we so heavily depend upon? I don't think so. Our physical appeals, if they do exist, are fragile and unreliable. Even the most attractive of us feel insecure, anxious, and self-conscious about our appearances from time to time.
Everyone is imperfect in some way. Even if you are not seriously deformed, you worry about what your mate will think of you in the morning, right when your messy self wakes up from a temporary death. You worry about your bad breath, whether your gel is wearing off, and, for girls, whether your makeup is smeared or ruined by external factors beyond your control. The shape of your nose, the sizes of your eyes and ears, the size of your muscles are all exposed and open to criticism, despite the fact that they seem to look acceptable when you checked yourself out in the mirror this morning.
I am going to end with sex here, because I think it is the most monstrous of all human acts and interactions. Sex I think, reveals the most beastly and debased side of us. It is an act that consists of blood, odor, violent penetration, frenzied movements, disturbing psychology, exchange of body fluid, potential spread of disease, unsettling noises, and even death. We must reveal some of our most ugly body parts to the very partners who we desperately try to impress. The imperfections of our bodies that are hidden so well underneath clothes and makeup are as completely exposed during sex. Despite the eroticism of our sexual organs, they are, in any other context, ugly, smelly, and anything but attractive.
We also need to reveal our most primal and debased psychological and emotional side to our partners during sex. The moaning, the way we breathe, the wet and slimy sounds that the vagina makes while it is being violated and penetrated, and the eerie and unsettling "slapping" sounds made by the impact of ferocious humping: all of that would seem downright depraved or sickening in a non-sexual context. It is amazing that our psyches and our minds can filter these monstrous elements out of the erotic picture to allow us to enjoy sex despite its imperfections.
But sometimes our security system breaks down. During sex, we find ourselves thinking, from time to time, "What the fuck am I doing? Who is this monster that I am humping and why is it making such weird noises? NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE! Why am I relentlessly and repetitively making such absurd back and forth movements? Those are moments when the real penetrates the symbolic; the barriers of language, ideology, illusions, and concepts break down, exposing the good old monstrous sides of our humanity.
人只是隔著一層皮膚,即使在最美麗的超級模特的皮膚下,也只是一個由濕乎乎叢生的器官,血管,大塊的肌肉,無生命的電脈衝,和其他令人厭惡的死細胞組成的怪物。不管我們外面看上去如何,我們大部分的機體組成並不是如外面那麽光鮮的。如果上帝造人是依照他自己的樣子的,他是否也是依照他的內在來造我們的呢?從以上的定義能推導出一個令人高興的概念,那就是無論我們看上去多麽不同,我們的那些並不漂亮甚至令人討厭的內部是多麽的相像。如果你把我那位長相一般的前女友和Britney Spears從裏到外翻過來並排放在一起的話,我懷疑你是否能夠分辨出來她們。當你在意我們外表的身體和感覺的時候,有一種使人平靜和舒服的感受,那就是我們大家沒有什麽不同。可惜這種讓人安心的感受深埋於我們的心底,又與我們的本性相違背。
如果我們提醒自己我們自身這個有意識的身體是由各種並不美麗甚至是死去的材料組成的話,人類物種這個概念將不再顯得那麼光鮮亮麗了。起初是精子和卵子這些不僅是外在毫無吸引力而且在本質上無感無意識的有機物質。然後是你的母親在懷孕期間攝入和消化的食物。這些看似沒有意義的死的物質轉化成肌肉,大腦,骨骼和器官。那些將我們的身體縫合在一起的是那些曾經死了的 動物的屍體,排泄物,和類似死亡恒星的零星碎片的無機物。以及劇烈的宇宙大爆炸打碎,散開,遺留下來的原始液質。


text:
Wikimammenn:An davarn/Miz Gouere 2017
Sauter à la navigation Sauter à la recherche
|Ouzhpennañ ur gemennadenn
Miz Gouere 2017[kemmañ]
⇑ An davarn • Miz Mezheven 2017 ≪ Miz Gouere 2017 ≫ Miz Eost 2017 • Rann nevez e tavarn miz Gouere 2017
The MediaWiki developers have been slowly improving the accessibility of the user interface. The next step in this transition will change the appearance of some buttons and may break some outdated (non-updated or unmaintained) user scripts and gadgets.
You can see and use the old and new versions now. Most editors will only notice that some buttons are slightly larger and have different colors.
However, this change also affects some user scripts and gadgets. Unfortunately, some of them may not work well in the new system. If you maintain any user scripts or gadgets that are used for editing, please see mw:Contributors/Projects/Accessible editing buttons for information on how to test and fix your scripts. Outdated scripts can be tested and fixed now.This change will probably reach this wiki on Tuesday, 1 August 2017. Please leave a note at mw:Talk:Contributors/Projects/Accessible editing buttons if you need help.
--Whatamidoing (WMF) (talk) 27 Gou 2017 da 18:56 (CEST)


text: Review: Edge of the World – Les TechnoFeatureMusicReviews1 min read Like a character out of a dystopian movie script, Les Techno projects an effortless mystique and a slight strangeness to his music that makes you scream and squeal with strange, twisted, stomach-churning delight. His latest single "Edge of the World" is a dark, but vibrant track that bangs with the thrilling certainty or vampires at midnight. The drums are ferocious as Les wails and croons behind them. The effects on the record are as equally encouraging as his voice, creating a tense and bleak void to hear. Here is another song of his, entitled "Where Were You?"


text:
Bush-Clinton TV Ad For Haiti
The Accurate Source To Find Quotes To Bush-Clinton TV Ad For Haiti."
[Bush-Clinton TV Ad For Haiti]
[William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (William Jefferson Blythe III; August 19, 1946)]
We Americans are always at our best we hear and heed the cries of others.
[George Walker Bush (July 6, 1946)] Source: LYBIO.net
When confronted with massive human suffering Americans have always stepped up and answered the call to help.
[Bill Clinton]
But there's never been anything on a scale of human tragedy in our own hemisphere like what we're now witnessing in Haiti.
[George Bush] Source: LYBIO.net
Today President Clinton and I are joining together to appeal to you with real urgency.
[Bill Clinton]
Give now and lives will be saved.
[George Bush]
Thank you
[Bill Clinton] Source: LYBIO.net
Thank you.
Bush-Clinton TV Ad For Haiti. Give now and lives will be saved. Thank you. Complete Full Transcript, Dialogue, Remarks, Saying, Quotes, Words And Text.


text: I get questions such as; why do I need to exchange or "flush" fluids on my car. I will discuss why you should change fluids, and what can happen if you don't. This list will cover the most common fluids today.     AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID- is a form of hydraulic fluid used to propel and lubricate. It has many detergents and additives to make sure the moving parts inside your vehicles Transmission stay clean and cool. This fluid turns a brownish color as it ages due to the heat developed in the transmission. Left unchanged this fluid will lose its lubrication and cleaning properties. This could lead to Sticking shift valves or solenoids and premature bearing and clutch wear. This fluid is usually vehicle specific today and should be changed every 30,00 to 50,000 miles depending on fluid type and driving habits.       BRAKE FLUID- is a hydraulic fluid made to withstand the extreme temperature of the braking system. Brake fluid is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. This moisture can cause internal steal components to rust or corrode. Also, 3% moisture content will lower the boiling point nearly 100 degrees! With todays sophisticated Antilock and Stability control systems clean and dry fluid is extremely important to prolong expensive components life.       ANTIFREEZE OR COOLANT- is used to keep your vehicles engine cool and protect metals in the cooling system from rusting and corrosion. As coolant ages its ph  level changes from neutral to acidic. Left unchanged this can cause corrosion to the radiator, heater cores, gaskets and water pumps. I've seen coolant so corrosive it has dissolved the plastic impeller on some water pumps. Changing the coolant every two years can save substantial money on cooling system repairs.       POWER STEERING FLUID- Another type of hydraulic fluid with cooling and lubricating properties. Todays sophisticated steering and stability systems need clean fluid to operate properly. Fluid darkens due to heat and wear of the pump and rack or steering gear itself.  Fine metal particles can cause excessive wear on the power steering pump and gear.       DIFFERENTIAL FLUID- Otherwise known as gear lube. Lubricates and cools the gears and bearings inside the drive axles front and rear on pickups and SUV's. As the vehicle is propelled this fluid forms a barrier between the two gears to avoid metal to metal contact. As this fluid ages it loses some of its lubricating properties allowing the metal parts to wear. These particles begin to wear internal bearings and seals causing leaks and bearing failures.      ENGINE OIL- This is probably the most vital of all fluids. Engine Oils are formulated to provide maximum protection with detergents, to keep parts clean. We have changed our oil service intervals a few times in the last 30 years. 2,000 miles was the normal 30-40 years ago. Then 3,000 and now 4,000 to 8,000 miles. One thing that has stayed the same is it is cheaper to change oil than to repair the damage caused by not changing it. With todays oils I am confident most any oil and filter will perform well in most vehicles for 4,000 miles. Add premium semi synthetic oil and a premium filter and 6,000 miles is acceptable. With full synthetic and a premium filter along with an additive such as BG MOA 8,000 miles is acceptable. The oil monitoring system in many vehicles today can't tell what kind of oil or filter are installed. Most manufacturers are calling for full synthetic oils, the oil life system is programed for this. If you install conventional oil it will not meet any of the manufacturers specifications and can cause severe damage. The main thing here is to error on the side of caution. Todays cars are very sophisticated and repairs can cost thousands of dollars. Using a inferior oil or filter just isn't worth it. Here at Williamson's Repair & Tire, we use premium filters and the proper oil for your vehicle.       Keeping these fluids properly serviced will cut down on failures and save money on repairs. Refer to your vehicles owners manual for the proper maintenance schedules. Many of us today fall into harsh driving conditions such as: stop and go traffic, towing, dust and other airborne particles, higher temperatures and full throttle acceleration. The fluids will need to be serviced more often under these conditions.


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Generate Group have been working with businesses of all sizes for decades and we are an industry leader in Point of Sale (POS) technology. Thanks to our rental packages and bundle rebates, Generate Group has made it easy for small businesses to acquire the same technology that big businesses enjoy. We can help you streamline your sales process, manage your stock control, create simple and easy to understand reporting, and its so easy to use, you and your staff will love it.
Retail businesses need a comprehensive management solution that delivers a broad range of individually essential and powerful capabilities. Casual staffing means the POS must be simple to use and easy to learn quickly. Customer service, process control and automation are key priorities that generate real value. EFTPOS Integrated with POS provides simple, fast, accurate transactions and eliminates operator entry errors. Generate Group can provide all this, and our 24 hour support team is there every step of the way to help you generate value for your business.
Industry standard Fashion Matrix that supports Garments, Shoes, & Braziers by Label, Year, Season, Style/Fabric - Season - Colour - Size - Cup Size
"Excellent results with minimal effort." Thane, Club Manager
What are the main benefits of choosing Generate Group for your business?
Do you have a seasonal business? Ask us about our seasonal rental plans. Click here


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The Text: Thalia Revisited Written April 14, 2014 I. Muse of Thought I think I'd like to see you wearing white all decked out in Austin and…… Read more ""Thalia Revisited" (Poem, 04/14/2014) Doc. #025″
Category: Poetry
"The New Poetics" (Poem, 04/14/2007) Doc. #024
I've often feared that what I really am isn't a fiction writer or a comedian or a social critic, but a poet, and not even a good one at that. I can think of few things worse in this life than having one's calling be the pursuit of finely-crafted verse.
"Ex Boyfriend" (Poem, 02/19/08) Doc. #022
I've been short my entire life. Short for my age, then short for a man. My driver's license said I was 5'5″ for years because I would rather break the law than give up my imaginary two inches (male readers will understand what I'm talking about)…
"The Great Divide" (Poem, 05/03/08) Doc. #020
To a certain extent, I still take my writing this seriously, but I also sometimes, like, you know, get lazy and like, just kind of go with whatever word will work. It's fine.
Untitled "because of the flute that follows you" (Poem, 02/??/07) Doc. #018
Whatever the reason, my poetry career has greatly benefited from the fact that, from the ages of 7 to 23, I could fall in love at the drop of a hat. The girls and women I fell in love with have walked away from this experience with mixed results.


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Vincenzo De Risi
Visiting Scholar (Feb 2018-Dec 2019)
CR1 Senior Research Fellow (tenured), CNRS–Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University Diderot, Paris, France
Vincenzo De Risi graduated in philosophy and mathematics at the University of Rome, and got his PhD in philosophy at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. He was fellow of the Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Storici, DAAD fellow at the Leibniz-Archiv in Hannover, and Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Technische Universität Berlin. From 2010 to 2016, he was Independent Research Group Leader at the MPIWG, directing a research team investigating the history of geometry in relation with the history of the concept of space. In 2016–17, De Risi was appointed Leibniz Professor at the University of Leipzig, and was fellow of the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences in Leipzig. He has been a visiting scholar at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, the University of Urbino, the History and Philosophy of Science Department of Pittsburgh University, and the Logic and Philosophy of Science Department of the University of California Irvine. Since 2017 he has been a senior research fellow in the French CNRS, working at "SPHère – Science, Philosophie, Histoire" in Paris. His studies focus on the history of geometry, the history of epistemology, and the history of the philosophy of space from Antiquity to the Early Modern Age.
Selected Publications
De Risi, V. (2007). Geometry and Monadology. Leibniz's Analysis Situs and Philosophy of Space. Basel/Boston/Berlin: Birkhäuser.Read More
De Risi, V. (Read More
Ed.). (2014). Saccheri, Gerolamo: Euclid vindicated from every blemish. Cham [u.a.]: Springer.
De Risi, V. (Read More
Ed.). (2015). Mathematizing space: the objects of geometry from antiquity to the early modern age. Cham: Springer.
Euclid on the Road. Cross-Cultural Transmission, Translation, and Transformation of the ElementsMORE
- Institute Event
Geometry and Philosophy of Space in Isaac BarrowMORE
Geometry and MechanicsMORE
On Euler's Spherical GeometryMORE
Ancient Theorems and ProblemsMORE
Geometrical, Astronomical and Geographical Notions of Space in the RenaissanceMORE
On the Early History of Subterranean Geometry. Elements of Context and Possible InfluencesMORE
Frege's Grundlagen §64 and the Mathematical Practice of Definitions by Abstraction in the Nineteenth CenturyMORE
Geometrizing World Images. How Geometry Shaped R.J. Boscovich's Natural PhilosophyMORE
The Telling of the Unattainable Attempt to Avoid the Casus Irreducibilis for Cubic Equations: Cardano's De Regula AlizaMORE
L'enseignement de la Géométrie par Conrad Dasypodius, à Strasbourg, au XVIe SiècleMORE
Poincaré's Creation of Algebraic Topology: "Reasoning Well from Badly Drawn Figures"MORE
Summer Colloquium
On David Hilbert's Arithmetization of Geometry: the Axiomatic Method and the Unity of MathematicsMORE
Summer Colloquium
Ptolemy on Uniform Circular MotionMORE
Summer Colloquium
Quantities and Causation: Leibniz's Use of the Principle of the Equivalence of HypothesesMORE
Summer Colloquium
The 'Euclidization' of Ptolemaic Astronomy in the Middle AgesMORE


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- Home
- Departments
- Public Works
- Transportation
- Transportation Options
Transportation Options
The City of Eugene's Transportation Options Program works with community stakeholders and agency partners to plan, promote, and educate the community about active and smart modes of transportation.
Transportation Options Programs Include:
- Providing resources and education materials for all types of smart transportation
- Coordinating multiple transportation community events throughout the year
- Working in neighborhoods to promote safe and responsible transportation habits
One of the great resources we have for trip planning, tracking trips, and finding carpool/bikepool partners is Get There and the Commute Tracker app. Check them out, register, and start earning miles and awards!
A one-stop shop for all of your transportation resource needs.
Learn all about the City of Eugene's upcoming transportation events.
- Eugene Sunday Streets
- SmartTrips: Eugene
- Breakfast at the Bike Bridges @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
View the City's current and upcoming transportation projects.
- 13th Avenue Bikeway (Campus to Downtown)
- Amazon Active Transportation Corridor
- Transportation System Plan Opens a New Window.
- Other Transportation Projects @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>


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Black Truffle Salt SJ With Bamboo Spoon 3.5 oz
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Brine for Birds
Up to 10 lbs of meat Hallelujah! You are on your way to the tastiest and juiciest roast, ever! Brining is a fine old culinary tradition that's enjoying a well-deserved...


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Black Widows Have It Right
Men are pretty much useless. Have sex and then eat them. That's the way to go! What a week… (rant ahead…)
Men are pretty much useless. Have sex and then eat them. That's the way to go! What a week… (rant ahead…)
Animal House Update – We had our first warm day, and sure enough – a party. Bob told me that he was thinking about having a fire, and he named… Read more »
Time for another Animal House Update – and looking at whether cleaning house changes behaviors… It has been unreal. Bob has been helping with the dishes after dinner. Surprise number… Read more »
So, we are looking at whether cleaning the house changes behavior. This is the latest update… I was away for a week dog sitting. I was afraid of what I… Read more »
Here is another Animal House update. We are looking at whether a clean house can change behavior. I've gotten the house to where it is easily manageable. But that's when… Read more »
I was raised in a female household. I was a single mom with a daughter. I really had no idea what it was like to have boys in the house!… Read more »
Things have been so crazy here with Bob in and out of the hospital that I haven't had much time to update the story. We are attempting to answer the… Read more »
So, we've been working on turning a party house into a home. And the question is – will a clean and orderly home environment make changes in behavior? Here's the… Read more »


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Gas and Oil Lease Services
MAJR Resources offers onshore oil and gas lease services coast-to-coast. Although we mainly service projects in Texas, we go where our clients need us. From Coast to Coast, our mission is to increase production and maximize efficacy.
We help our clients operate at full capacity while minimizing costly downtime. This is how we approach each and every project. Focusing on a cost-effective and safe working environment, MAJR Resources is committed to teamwork, safety, and superior results.
Mineral Rights
The truth is, the oil and gas industry is constantly evolving. As new litigation comes into play, this leads to new interpretations of mineral conveyances as well as previous leasing details. When it comes to the leasing of your minerals for both exploration and development — this will be one of the most challenging transactions you'll make. It's also one of the most important.
Based on this evolving industry, it's critical that you structure leasing terms in a thoughtful, proactive manner. After all, you may need to live with your lease for decades. This step should not be taken lightly, as it requires careful wording, and ultimately knowledge of the industry through expert guidance and support.
Leases will vary, so it's important to understand each and every detail prior to any mineral exploration or extraction.
Your Trusted Landman Services
At MAJR Resources, we have a long history of successful outcomes for our clients, thanks to comprehensive landman services designed to help you reach your goals. Our seasoned professionals have the skill and experience to research titles, negotiate leases, and navigate permits on your behalf, providing the end-to-end services that get your project underway quickly and efficiently. Read More
We go where you need us and we're capable of managing and coordinating projects of any size and scope, whether you're interested in a small parcel or you're exploring the potential of a larger region. Our comprehensive services address:
• Title research
• Previous use history (drilling, etc.)
• Land inspection
• Mineral receivership situations
• Lease negotiations
• Right-of-way negotiations
• Acquisitions
• Permits
• Project management
• and more
You have more important matters to attend to where your business is concerned. When you partner with MAJR Resources for landman services, you won't have to worry about the hours of research and coordination needed to negotiate favorable leases for mineral rights. We'll do the heavy lifting for you with efficient and effective outcomes.
Customized Services for Your Specific Needs
Every project is unique, and at MAJR Resources, we understand that you expect customized services suited to your specific needs. Our highly qualified team of professionals is ready to deliver the personalized solutions that will help you achieve your goals in the most efficient, convenient, and cost-effective manner possible. When you need reliable landman services to launch your next venture, contact the experts at MAJR Resources to get started.


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Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The Growing is Good
5 comments:
- Sunnybrook Farm said...
We have tomatillos growing wild here, a much smaller plant but they are a weed. Maybe I should be growing them if the wild ones do so well.
- July 2, 2014 at 5:55 AM
- Gorges Smythe said...
Nice old tractor.
- July 2, 2014 at 6:06 AM
- Harry Flashman said...
I am always surprised at what big gardens so many people have. But I shouldn't be. It's a great idea, a money saver and you know what you are eating, which is more than I can say with things I buy at the store.
You put the time in and it shows in how well your garden is doing.
- July 2, 2014 at 8:35 PM
- Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...
Your Garden looks wonderful.
That squash ...yummie!
I don't know that I've ever grown a Tomatillo...is it like a tomato?
What else, besides Salsa can you make with it?
Japanese Beetles? a garden problem?
Someone told me last year to buy them and that they EAT GRASSHOPPER LARVA... I'm glad now I didn't! That's the last thing I need is ANOTHER BUG TO CONTEND WITH.
- July 2, 2014 at 10:06 PM
- Kathy Felsted Usher said...
Japanese beetles for grasshoppers? I can't imagine anyone wanting them. Tomatillos are more like a citrus fruit and not at all like a tomato but they grow sort of like them. Maybe like a ground cherry,
- July 3, 2014 at 4:59 AM


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Dynamically adding Facebook XFBML plug-in to your page using jQuery
Posted by सन्दीप on जुलाई 18, 2010
Note: Cross posted from firstname.lastname@example.com.
I was trying to add some of the facebook social plug-ins to my home page at www.sandeeprawat.com which display a kind of splash screen at first (not a splash actually but a simple visible <div> and hidden content on the page) and then on clicking on the page, it renders the hidden content of the same page and adds some XFBML plug-ins and a twitter gadget. I didn�t want to download everything on the page load since it will never be shown to a user if she never click on the splash screen and it would mean unnecessary load time. So I what i tried to was to add the content dynamically on the onClick handler. Now here is the …
Note: Cross posted from email@example.com.


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Nothing is sacred. Modern art, work, education, things that irritate me in life, all of them are treated with the same scathing disdain… hence Tez Talks.
Just follow the category links to find short, (hopefully) humorous stories of things that have happened to me on my eventful journey through life… some of them are just downright ridiculous and you will be left wondering if they are true. Well, yes, they are. Really.


text: Terri shot my engagement photos as well as my wedding photos. On both days she made us feel at ease and comfortable taking photos. She went above and beyond to make sure she got the best possible photos by checking out the venue and the other photo locations beforehand. Terri was quick to send sneak peeks after the wedding and we received all our high quality photos promptly after the wedding.


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I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of … or decrease the presence of these dark circles that have been creeping onto my face over the past few months. I tried the cucumber thing a few times but realized I didn't have the luxury of lying down for 10-15 minutes a day with cucumbers over my eyes. I then tried Almond Oil which worked slightly but wasn't giving me the results I wanted to see. And lo and behold I find To Go Spa which specializes in "Eyes". But before I give too many details lets get into an overview of just what To Go Spa is about.
OVERVIEW: ToGoSpa is offering a subscription box called the "ToGoSpa Society" that comes with 15 pairs of "Eyes" which with replenishing and rejuvenating properties that help alleviate the tired, puffy, dark circle look we get under eyes when we don't get enough rest or have had a long night. The box also comes with a "benefit" product which is a full size item either from the "To Go Spa" line or a another line that fits the bill to be included. Depending on what you want they offer different value/amounts for different prices. The basic subscription box with 5 "Eyes" packets costs 40.00 a month. If you opt to receive more packets, or include the face mask it will cost a bit more. But before I get into that let's dive into what came in the box and how I used it.
I was sent 15 "Eyes" Packets in various "flavors" each containing a different main ingredient. They sent the "Green Tea", "Ice Water" and "Coconut" each focused on improving a different aspect under your eye. These packets retail from 12.50 each (1-4) and the more you buy the cheaper it becomes. These packets are extremely refreshing (I keep mine in the refrigerator) and are said to hydrate, moisturize, sooth, and nourish. While I find all this to be true the effects aren't lasting (which is understandable and expected) so you will have to do the process a few times a week to have great results. They also slide down from time to time, but I found that if I used them during my face mask time they stayed put. I share my progress results below after using the "Eyes" packets a few times a week.
The box also consisted of an entire To Go Spa face mask (35.00 for a pack of 3) I haven't tried this mask just yet (I'm saving it for a super stressful time … which will be soon)
and the "Benefit" product was Boss Babe Body "Wild Lime Coconut" (retail 20.00)
I love love love love this product! This is my absolute favorite product I've received in a box for the body. I've been dying to buy or make a coffee scrub for my skin especially to battle my bacne issues, but I just never got around to it. Boss Babe body is boss and I'll be bringing a full review on it at a later date with the results!
FINAL THOUGHTS: If you are interested in these products I definitely recommend signing up for the subscription box instead of buying them a la carte. This box came with over 100.00 dollars worth of product for only 65 a month. You can go for a cheaper box (without the face mask) that would cost you 40.00 dollars a month. I rate this box a 5/5 (my first time woohoo!) because they sent me products that were practical yet I would never think I needed/wanted until I got them. Now I'm figuring out how to add not only this box but my obsession with the Boss Babe body scrub into my monthly budget! You can get your hands on a ToGoSpa Subscription Box here!
If you want to learn more about subscription boxes that can blow your mind check out our unboxing series here!
If you loved what you read sign up for our mailing list here and never miss a post! Also get your hands on our free Protective Styling E book: Protective Styling Like A Pro Maximum Growth & Length Retention.
*disclaimer: Links may be affiliate links. This box was given to me to review with monetary compensation. My thoughts and opinions are my own*
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Hey there! I'm Melissa, co-founder of Trials n Tresses, natural hair and beauty lover, binge tv watcher and lover of life. When I am not creating content for TNT, I'm busy teaching the future of society.


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The Glenn County Sheriff's Office says that a recent social media post that threatened to "shoot up" Willows High School is not credible.
According to deputies, they received a report of a possible threat to Willows High School by a student's Snapchat photo.
Authorities say that the photo contained a Willows High School student holding a firearm and wearing a mask captioning the picture with "guess who is shooting up the school Monday."
The student distributed that picture amongst his friends and reached the sheriff's office, which prompted authorities to have an in-depth interview with the student and his guardians.
Deputies determined that the student did not have the intent or means to carry out the act and the teenager was referred to the Glenn County Juvenile Probation for further evaluation.
The Glenn County Sheriff's Office would like to remind the public that students are not in any danger as a result of the incident.
Willows High School will continue to have classes on Monday.
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- Red Bluff police: school shooting threat deemed not credible
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- Deputies find Hamilton City school threat not credible
- Sheriff says Red Bluff school threat not credible
- School officials alert Pleasant Valley High parents of social media threat
- Enterprise High School student makes gun threat on social media, police say
- Hamilton City Teenager Arrested for Alleged Social Media Threat
- Police increase presence at Diamond View Middle School after social media threat


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Infinity Domeless Titanium 4 in 1 - 14mm/18mm - Male/Female Free Silicone Jar
The Infinity domeless titanium nail is a 4 in 1 plus e-nail compatibility! This nail comes with a titanium adapter that fits both male and female 14mm and 18mm stems. Simply reconfigure the nail to your liking. The Infinity nail also features 2 dish sizes for your preferences; large or small. Use both dishes to hold e-nail heating element.
- Domeless Nail
- Grade 2 Titanium
- Fits both Male and Female stems


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UPES Dehradun's Management Program on Contemporary Developments in Legal and Corporate Policies [August 3 – 4]
This Program is aimed to provide an excellent opportunity to potential corporate leaders for understanding the linkages and emerging issues between law, enterprise and public policy enabling the person to grow individually and professionally.
The Program is designed to learn and make best use of the legal experts, whom we would try to bring in from the corporate, litigation or academia; to name a few; Professor B T Kaul, Chairperson, Delhi Judicial Academy; Mr. Badrinath Durvasula, Vice President, Adani Group, an expert of Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation and Arbitration; Mr. Rajiv Kr. Choubey, General Counsel, HCL Infosystems, expert of Corporate Laws and Environmental Laws and Compliance; Mr. Prem Sharma, Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. and Advocate Kirti Singh, Supreme Court of India, an expert of laws relating to Women Rights.
We hope that mid-career level executives, from the corporate, human resource and legal fields would participate in the Program, though others may also apply.
(Exclusive of all Service Tax)
Residential : 20,000/- Non-Residential : 15,000/-
(10% Early Bird discount available till 15th July , 2017 )
Any organization sponsoring more than three participants to a program will be entitled to a complimentary nomination for the program provided that at least three participants actually attend the program.
Dates: August 3 – 4, 2017
Venue: Centre for Management Development, Energy Acres,
Bidholi, Dehradun, 248007.
The fee for the program is payable by demand draft payable at New Delhi/Pan India cheque payable at par. The cheque or draft should be in favour of "Centre for Management Development, New Delhi". Fee can also be paid through Electronic Fund Transfer.
The details are:
Account Name : Centre of Management Development
Bank Name : Axis Bank, Hauz Khas, New Delhi
Account No. : 911020061194835
MICR No. : 110211048
IFSC Code : UTIB 0000 552
For Participation Queries:
Dr. Neeraj Rawat, Assistant Director, Outreach
Ph.: +91 99972 12288
E-mail: [email protected]
For Academic Enquiries please contact:
Dr. Tabrez Ahmad (Program Faculty Chair)
e-mail id: [email protected]
Dr. Sandhya Kumari (Program Faculty Co Chair)
Ph: +91 9999 408 605
e-mail id: [email protected]
For details, please visit this link.
Registration Link is here.


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Cut a dash in "The Calveslake Tor" Waistcoat from our Totnes Collection.This waistcoat pairs complimentary tones of Marine Blue and Sea Green 100% wool tweeds with a Camel/beige, wool shawl collar. The back & lining of this waistcoat is a rich two-tone gold paisley fabric for maximum impact when worn without a jacket.
Just one size 42" Regular length waistcoat available from stock at this Hot Offer Price.
BackFront Lining


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Judith 29 y.
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TGSC provides AutoGlass Business Process Management (BPM) expertise and solutions.
At TGSC Services Group, our mission is to help each of our clients achieve "best in class" results and exceptional Return on Investment in their auto glass business process activities.
We accomplish results that produce streamlined processes and yield improvements in customer acquisition, loyalty and retention through the consistent application of our Core Principles:
Auto Glass Expertise: Demonstrate auto glass expertise in all aspects of auto glass business process management and create tangible benefit for our clients with this knowledge.
Service Management Approach, not transaction processing: Manage all interactions so as to contribute to our clients "best in class" levels of profitable customer retention and consumer brand loyalty.
Rapid Technology Deployment: Utilize relevant technology, and practical experience, to rapidly deploy technology solutions that enhance and transform business processes for all parties in Claim Service Management.
Customization and Transformation of Business Activities: Understand the clients' needs and goals, be willing to assess the "status quo", and employ a disciplined and ongoing business analysis approach to find and generate business improvements for client organization. Demonstrate flexibility in our approach and outlook. Tailor and customize solutions to meet the needs of our clients.


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Meredith Castellucci – Business Development Manager
There are happy people, and then there's Meredith. Meredith has an infectious positive spirit that draws people in, effortlessly promoting connection and collaboration. It's no big shocker that she's navigating the business development arena with ease. Meredith enjoys spending time with her husband and can be found at the gym, out for a run or at one of the local spots for a HIIT workout.