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Bear in mind that my perspective is as a parent of a child who is gay.
Allow me to break it down.......
We, the undersigned Orthodox rabbis, rashei yeshiva, ramim, Jewish educators and communal leaders affirm the following principles with regard to the place of Jews with a homosexual orientation in our community:
1. All human beings are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect (kevod haberiyot). Every Jew is obligated to fulfill the entire range of mitzvot between person and person in relation to persons who are homosexual or have feelings of same sex attraction. Embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism.
This is a fine preamble along the lines of the Declaration of Independence and The Declaration of the Rights of Man, both composed in the late 1700s. It is always good to begin a statement in broad, glowing terms.
2. The question of whether sexual orientation is primarily genetic, or rather environmentally generated, is irrelevant to our obligation to treat human beings with same-sex attractions and orientations with dignity and respect.
I question why this had to be inserted at all, but it becomes more clear a few points later on.
3. Halakhah sees heterosexual marriage as the ideal model and sole legitimate outlet for human sexual expression. The sensitivity and understanding we properly express for human beings with other sexual orientations does not diminish our commitment to that principle.
With this point, the rabbis are making it clear exactly where they stand.
4. Halakhic Judaism views all male and female same-sex sexual interactions as prohibited. The question of whether sexual orientation is primarily genetic, or rather environmentally generated, is irrelevant to this prohibition. While halakha categorizes various homosexual acts with different degrees of severity and opprobrium, including toeivah, this does not in any way imply that lesser acts are permitted. But it is critical to emphasize that halakha only prohibits homosexual acts; it does not prohibit orientation or feelings of same-sex attraction, and nothing in the Torah devalues the human beings who struggle with them. (We do not here address the issue of hirhurei aveirah, a halakhic category that goes beyond mere feelings and applies to all forms of sexuality and requires precise halakhic definition.)
Once again the question of whether or not sexual orientation is genetic is raised again.
Back in January, NoPeanuts made the following comment:
The thing that these Rosh Yeshivahs, particularly Twersky keep talking about is that the issues surrounding homosexuality, particularly its origins and transitionality are an ongoing debate in the medical community, very much up in the air.
I have never heard this from a certified healthcare professional.
5. Whatever the origin or cause of homosexual orientation, many individuals believe that for most people this orientation cannot be changed. Others believe that for most people it is a matter of free will. Similarly, while some mental health professionals and rabbis in the community strongly believe in the efficacy of "change therapies", most of the mental health community, many rabbis, and most people with a homosexual orientation feel that some of these therapies are either ineffective or potentially damaging psychologically for many patients.
We affirm the religious right of those with a homosexual orientation to reject
therapeutic approaches they reasonably see as useless or dangerous.
Again, the issue is raised. But this time there is a discussion of the "efficacy" of "change therapies". In spite of the affirmation that homosexuals have a "right" to reject "therapeutic approaches they reasonably see as useless or dangerous". This is not an unequivocal statement. This affirmation does not recognize the declaration made by the American Psychiatric Association that reparative therapy does not work.
There seems to be "a reasonable doubt" casting a shadow over this statement. There is a disproportionate amount of discussion around genetic causes and choice.
6. Jews with a homosexual orientation who live in the Orthodox community confront serious emotional, communal and psychological challenges that cause them and their families great pain and suffering. For example, homosexual orientation may greatly increase the risk of suicide among teenagers in our community. Rabbis and communities need to be sensitive and empathetic to that reality. Rabbis and mental health professionals must provide responsible and ethical assistance to congregants and clients dealing with those human challenges.
Thank you for that.
7. Jews struggling to live their lives in accordance with halakhic values need and deserve our support. Accordingly, we believe that the decision as to whether to be open about one's sexual orientation should be left to such individuals, who should consider their own needs and those of the community. We are opposed on ethical and moral grounds to both the "outing" of individuals who want to remain private and to coercing those who desire to be open about their orientation to keep it hidden.
Again, thank you for this point.
8. Accordingly, Jews with homosexual orientations or same sex-attractions should be welcomed as full members of the synagogue and school community. As appropriate with regard to gender and lineage, they should participate and count ritually, be eligible for ritual synagogue honors, and generally be treated in the same fashion and under the same halakhic and hashkafic framework as any other member of the synagogue they join. Conversely, they must accept and fulfill all the responsibilities of such membership, including those generated by communal norms or broad Jewish principles that go beyond formal halakhah.
We do not here address what synagogues should do about accepting members
who are openly practicing homosexuals and/or living with a same-sex partner.
Each synagogue together with its rabbi must establish its own standard with
regard to membership for open violators of halakha.
Those standards should be applied fairly and objectively.
I can live with this point.
9. Halakha articulates very exacting criteria and standards of eligibility for particular religious offices, such as officially appointed cantor during the year or baal tefillah on the High Holidays. Among the most important of those criteria is that the entire congregation must be fully comfortable with having that person serve as its representative. This legitimately prevents even the most admirable individuals, who are otherwise perfectly fit halakhically, from serving in those roles. It is the responsibility of the lay and rabbinic leadership in each individual community to determine eligibility for those offices in line with those principles, the importance of maintaining communal harmony, and the unique context of its community culture.
It goes without saying that any baal tefillah should live up to a high standard. However, there is a political reality to every organization and this usually manifests itself in that any minority, including a sexual minority, will more often than not, not find a place there.
10. Jews with a homosexual orientation or same sex attraction, even if they engage in same sex interactions, should be encouraged to fulfill mitzvot to the best of their ability. All Jews are challenged to fulfill mitzvot to the best of their ability, and the attitude of "all or nothing" was not the traditional approach adopted by the majority of halakhic thinkers and poskim throughout the ages.
The "all or nothing" attitude does not stem from the homosexual but it comes as a result of his or her rejection from the Orthodox Jewish community.
11. Halakhic Judaism cannot give its blessing and imprimatur to Jewish religious
same-sex commitment ceremonies and weddings, and halakhic values proscribe individuals and communities from encouraging practices that grant religious legitimacy to gay marriage and couplehood. But communities should display sensitivity, acceptance and full embrace of the adopted or biological children of homosexually active Jews in the synagogue and school setting, and we encourage parents and family of homosexually partnered Jews to make every effort to maintain harmonious family relations and connections.
This sounds like the statement is advocating celibacy and a life without intimacy.
12. Jews who have an exclusively homosexual orientation should, under most circumstances, not be encouraged to marry someone of the other gender, as
this can lead to great tragedy, unrequited love, shame, dishonesty and ruined
lives. They should be directed to contribute to Jewish and general society in
other meaningful ways. Any such person who is planning to marry someone of
the opposite gender is halakhically and ethically required to fully inform their
potential spouse of their sexual orientation.
This is the one case where a person should be "outed" to protect the other party.
To sum up, in spite of their best efforts, this statement is lacking.
At first glance, I liked the statement and I was glad it was written, but after a second reading, I had issues with it. It loses its lustre and it does not go far enough. Had it been written as soon as possible after the symposium and after the nasty remarks by the Rabbeim, then it would have had more of a meaning and more of an impact.
By the third reading it seems apologetic and uncertain.
It is clear that they have not come to terms with the fact that homosexuality is not a choice.
More to come....
Be well.
Saul David


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The Ohio Environmental Council works with more than 120 environmental, conservation, and community groups in Ohio that share a common goal: to ensure clean air, safe water, and conservation of Ohio's natural resources for our families and future generations.
Together, the OEC and our Group Members represent a powerful green voice at the local and state levels to bring positive, lasting change. To become a Group Member, your group must be a nonprofit organization that shares our goal.
The suggested contribution for a Group Membership is $75, although this can be adjusted on a sliding scale.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Featured
- Afropunk Army
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Stop Los Angeles From Building a $4 Billion Mental Health JailThe #JusticeLA campaign, a broad coalition made up of local and national stakeholders and community members and born from the work of family members in Los Angeles who have had loved ones harmed and killed by the Los Angeles jail system has been struggling with the Board of Supervisors on their dissonant plan to invest at least $4 billion dollars into jail expansion in Los Angeles County for almost a decade. The #JusticeLA campaign is partnering with health workers from across the spectrum of service and health advocacy to demand the long overdue end to caging as a response to public health issues. Jails and all forms of incarceration are bad for human health. Achieving humane, high quality and accessible health care for the roughly 170,000 people who are incarcerated every year in Los Angeles, the largest jail system in the world, is an urgent task, specifically because jails and other forms of incarceration are not health care institutions. On the contrary, jails are fundamentally harmful to human health. Understanding people inside primarily as criminals, not patients, jails isolate people from their families and communities, deprive people of control and agency over their bodies, subject people to unsafe environments and cause long-lasting trauma. Recent scholarship has outlined many of these harms on incarcerated people and their communities, showing, for example, how incarceration worsens mental health disabilities (Schnittker 2015) and shortens lives (Nosrati et al 2017). The previously approved $4 billion jail plan poses a significant and urgent threat to the health of those most criminalized, including Black and Latinx people across Los Angeles. The county is already home to the largest mental health facility in the country, Twin Towers jail. Eighty percent of the current jail system population is either Black or Latinx and an alarming 70% of the current jail population reports having a serious medical, mental health disability, or substance use condition. Over one thousand people per year die in local jails across the country. Half of all deaths of people incarcerated in local jails are the result of some type of illness including heart disease, liver disease, and cancer. As the largest jails system in the world, the Los Angeles County jail system contributes to all of these trends as reported by incarcerated people, their families, and by health workers themselves who provide services in the jails and as loved ones return home. Expansion of the function, scope, geography, or size of the current jail system will continue to result in both the reproduction of these harmful trends and/or the reliance of law enforcement contact and justice system involvement for what has historically proven to be inadequate and harmful "treatment." Negative health outcomes in jails disproportionately affect marginalized communities. For example, roughly one out of every three deaths of Black people in local jails is the result of a heart attack which could be prevented in community-based treatment. While Black people make up less than 9% of the Los Angeles County population, Black people constitute 30% of the County jail population and 43% of those incarcerated with a serious mental health disability. Additionally, 75% of incarcerated women in Los Angeles are women of color. In the seven-year period between 2010 and 2016, Black women were sentenced to 5,481 years of jail time for charges that can be solved using public health strategies that build our communities rather than law enforcement which often undermine them. The construction of a women's jail will exacerbate these trends and other negative health outcomes as incarcerated women of color will be further isolated from their families and communities. On Febraury 12th, The County has a historic opportunity to break away from the public health crisis of criminalization and incarceration by stopping this jail construction plan and diverting resources towards community-based alternatives that prioritize the dignity and wellbeing of our families and loved ones throughout Los Angeles.4,630 of 5,000 SignaturesCreated by James Nelson, #JusticeLA
Stop Children from Dying During Divorce and Custody ProceedingsA mother who is a veteran had to return home from Iraq and fight the battle for her children. The children were taken from her safe and sustainable home, and 50/50 custody order. The mother was falsely arrested. The charges where dismissed but the ramification lingered. Nine years later the mother and her children have no relationship. The children were forced to live full-time with their abusive father leaving them vulnerable to mental, physical and emotional abuse at critical developmental stages in there lives. The court's decision has traumatized the mother and placed the children in danger. As of September 24, 2018, at least 657 children have been murdered by a parent involved in a divorce, separation, custody, visitation, or child support situation in the U.S. since 2008. Abusive parents are often granted custody or unprotected parenting time by family courts—placing our nation's children at ongoing risk. Researchers who interviewed judges and court administrators following some of these tragedies found that most believed these were isolated incidents. Needed reforms have not been implemented. Many court-related child homicides occurred after family courts granted dangerous parents access to children over the objections of a protective parent. We recognize that the women's right's movement is still a work in progress. Marginalized women face multiple oppressions, and we can only win freedom by bringing awareness on how they impact one another. The women of color need a national movement to uplift the needs of the most marginalized women and children. As women of color we need to stand for our human rights to parent the children we have in a safe and sustainable community.403 of 500 SignaturesCreated by Mother's Standing For Children
SIGN NOW, TELL MAYOR DUGGAN: Stop Illegally Kicking Black Detroit Families Out through ForeclosuresBecause BLACK CITIES MATTER. Displacement through Development and Gentrification is racial violence targeting Black people across this nation. Mayor Duggan, the City of Detroit, and greedy developers have their eye on Detroit and are working to push out Black and Brown families who have been the lifeline of this great city through thick and thin. Illegal Property Tax Foreclosures are being used to "clear out" working-class Black and Brown families in Detroit to make room for white gentrifiers. TELL MAYOR DUGGAN TO STOP EVICTING FAMILIES IN TAX FORECLOSURES From 2011 to 2015, the Wayne County treasurer foreclosed upon about 1 in 4 Detroit properties for nonpayment of property taxes. The Great Depression was the last time in American history that we experienced this record numbers of property tax foreclosures. According to the Michigan Constitution, no property should be assessed at more than 50% of its market value. But, between 2009-2015, the City of Detroit assessed 55% to 85% of its properties in violation of its state constitution. Since property taxes were based on these ridiculous and illegally inflated numbers, it is no surprise that residents weren't able to pay. As a result, over 100,000 working families have lost their homes, and many Detroit neighborhoods have been devastated. Black people in Detroit have been hit hardest of all by illegal property tax foreclosures. Tell Mayor Duggan to do right by Black Detroit families and communities of color who face homelessness without due process or justice in unscrupulous, illegal foreclosures.159 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Roslyn Ogburn
Affordable Housing for Miami Families Affected by SlumlordsIn 2014, low-income residents forced to live in slum-like conditions due to lack of resources began to organize for their rights to affordable, dignified housing and formed the "Smash the Slumlords" campaign. The women organized community meetings, educated other residents about their rights, garnered support from the city mayor and sought out legal action against slumlords. Conversations focused on the collective need and partnership with other grassroots organizations recruited allies from outside their community and helped bring the campaign into public light. Legal action against one slumlord led to his prosecution and the City of Miami placed his property under their control. Afterwards, the residents of Liberty City rightfully demanded that the slumlord face greater consequences and that the buildings be repaired. However, when it became apparent that the buildings were so woefully neglected that they could only be condemned and destroyed, the City faced a new challenge: where to relocate the families in a city where there is a chronic shortage of affordable housing stock? In response to this dilemma, SMASH has tasked itself with developing expedited affordable housing units for these families on a Community Land Trust (CLT). Unlike other affordable housing projects, this one would be unique for its prioritization of extremely low-income families, and the community driven design and management process through the CLT model. This would not only provide the slum affected families of these buildings with the transitional housing units they need, but it could also be re-used for every set of families that find themselves in similar circumstances. Once they are relocated, their original buildings can be condemned, destroyed and rebuilt into permanent affordable housing where the families have a right to return.68 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Adrian Madriz
NYCHA ignores serious repair complaint in order to focus on gentrificationNYCHA has been assisting investors with gentrification and aiding them in denying Section 8 tenants their Rent Stabilization rights.When the City and State Retirement Fund is invested into the property- New York Public Authority Law 2429-rentals should apply; which gives the Section 8 tenant rent stabilization rights. NYCHA moves to evict the tenant using HQS because a Section 8 tenant doesn't have the Private Right of Action and isn't 3rd party to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract; and therefore the eviction can't be challenged in a court of law.25 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Loronda Faison
Roland Martin #NewsOneThis show provides an outlet for African Americans to be informed about political issues and community issues as well. This show provides truth and allows us to #StayWoke.95 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Janelle Branch
No HUD Cuts!Donald Trump and Paul Ryan are threatening to cut more than $7 billion in HUD funding and plan to eliminate the CDFI fund. These programs are essential to supporting low-income people across the country. These cuts will specifically target low-income people, especially people of color and immigrants living in public housing or receiving rental subsidies. The cuts are mainly toward public housing, but programs like Housing Choice Vouchers, CDBG, and HOME that low-income people in both rural and urban areas rely on will also be targeted. Treasury's CDFI fund that helps low-income people become homebuyers will be completely eliminated. For specific data how these cuts will affect your city: https://affordablehousingonline.com/FY18-hud-budget-cuts#1 For more information: nocutscoalition.org How you can get involved (besides signing this petition): 1. Call or email your Senators and Representatives for your region. http://whoismyrepresentative.com/ 2. Join us for the Tenant March on Washington on July 12th! https://goo.gl/EgMq3n123 of 200 SignaturesCreated by Community Voices Heard
Tell the N.C. Chamber of Commerce: Stand Against DiscriminationBusinesses across the country have spoken out against North Carolina's HB2, the so-called "bathroom bill." But not the N.C. Chamber of Commerce. Maybe that's because the Chamber's leadership benefits from provisions hidden inside the law that give bosses a green light to discriminate against African Americans and pay North Carolina workers less than a living wage. HB2 overturns policies that protect North Carolina's lesbian, gay and transgender community, 29% of which is African-American. The new law also overturns local anti-bias ordinances that protect everyone, regardless of race, national origin, age, disability, gender or religion. It bans workers from filing discrimination claims in state court. And it undercuts the ability of local elected officials to guarantee fair treatment for their citizens. In short, it's a major attack on democracy. It's time to tell S. Lewis Ebert, CEO and President of the N.C. Chamber of Commerce, to join other business leaders and use his influence to call for the repeal of HB2. House Bill 2 uses the inflammatory slogan of "men using a girl's bathroom" as a cover for a law that takes power away from voters and their local elected officials. The truth is that transgender women have used women's restrooms for years; the only safety problem has come when they use the men's bathroom and get attacked. Providing safety was at the heart of Charlotte's new policy, but scary rhetoric can distract and deceive. The heads of Bank of America, Apple, IBM, Levi Strauss, Kellogg and dozens of other companies have spoken out against HB2, but not S. Lewis Ebert. We saw how the rhetoric of "voter fraud" frightened North Carolinians and provided cover for sweeping legislation that cut early voting, ended several voter protections, increased contribution limits, repealed the public campaign financing program that helped elect African Americans to the state courts, and allowed more corporate money in state elections. We can't let yet another deceitful attack on democracy happen.2,454 of 3,000 SignaturesCreated by Jen Jones
RETURN NORTH CAROLINA FARM UNJUSTLY SEIZED BACK TO BLACK FARMERWe are very concerned what appears to be a glaring and very violent assault on small farmers, Black farmers, and the right to self-determination in this country, via the recent seizure of North Carolina Farmer Eddie Wise's land. On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, around 7:30 a.m., at least fourteen (14) Federal Marshals in full military gear with full-scale military guns drawn, along with several county sheriff officers, descended on the 106 acre farm in Nash County, NC, and forcibly escorted Eddie Wise and his wife, who was still in bed and suffers from a debilitating medical condition, out of their home and off the land that they have owned for more than 20 years. Reportedly, farmer Eddie Wise had been working on his loan with Farm Service Agency (FSA) until Farm Services Agent Paula F. Nicholls and Mike Huskie took over his case. Not soon after, Mr. Wise's loan increased and sky rocketed to almost $60,000 more within only a month's span of time, thus lending to an escalated foreclosure process and, the seizure of property and an incredible number of subsequent questions and outrage from people all across the country. Mr. Wise and his wife Dorothy have suffered the height of indignity and racist degradation. This process is highly problematic and we see this seizure as a major threat to family farms nationwide. Not only did the Federal Marshals render Eddie and Dorothy immediately homeless and landless, they did not allow them to take any of their belongings except the clothes on their backs. They also insisted on "securing" every firearm legally owned by Mr. Wise. Mr. Wise was in fear of his life and the life of his wife. "I believe if I had shown one ounce of resistance, the Federal Marshals would have killed me. I actually believe that's what they came to do" said Mr. Wise, his eyes moist with tears. Saving their land has been a long and exhaustive process for the Wise family. The ugliness of the one dimensional unfairness, racial characterization, and mental traps set for this family and thousands of other Black farmers by USDA, and a corrupt legal system, defy reason and logic. Black farmers are a racial minority and do not represent a large political power block, therefore they are unfairly treated like terrorized slave captives in their own country, a country they were vital in building. MORE BACKGROUND ON FARMER EDDIE WISE: 1. In 1993 the Wises applied for a loan to purchase a 106-acre hog farm. Wise said that at first the FmHA (now FSA) County Loan Officer didn't let him know that the farm had been "earmarked for minority farmers." Then officials tried to reappraise the farm to increase the value, but the value actually dropped. Last, a White farmer who wanted the farm paid a Black woman to apply for him. She was one of the final two applicants whose names were drawn from a hat. "We won the draw," Wise said. Wise continued to face resistance from the county loan office, which is now demanding that he provide a production history going back five years and a production plan for the new farm. 2. Eddie and Dorothy Wise raise hogs on 106 acres near Whitakers, in east-central North Carolina. Eddie is a fourth-generation hog farmer but the first to own a farm; his father and grandfather were sharecroppers. During a 20 plus career in the military, and as an ROTC instructor at Howard and Georgetown Universities, Eddie raised hogs in his spare time. It was his dream to return home to North Carolina and farm full-time. When he retired from the Army in 1991 at the age of 48, that's what he set out to do. Dorothy Wise grew up in Washington, D.C., but she too hoped to one day live on a farm. When she and Eddie met at Howard University in the 1980s and she discovered he was a farmer, it seemed that her wish had come true. Still, it took the Wises five years, until 1996, to secure the loans they needed to buy their farm. They were repeatedly turned down by local government loan officers who, the Wises are convinced, did not want African-American farmers to succeed. It was only through determined effort and much research and legwork that the Wises were able to receive the financial help for which they qualified. Prior to them being ordered off their property, the Wises had 250 hogs, which they raised from birth and would sell to a black-owned pork processor in the area. Eddie's lean pork, raised without hormones or antibiotics, is sold at a premium in area supermarkets. Finding such a market niche is the only way the Wises can compete with the much-larger farms that mass-produce hogs for the large meatpacking companies. For the last 40 years American Black farmers have lived a hellish nightmare deliberately orchestrated by the USDA and its local Farmers Home Administration (FmHA – now the Farm Service Agency, FSA) offices to confiscate Black-owned land and homes. A review of the now historic Pigford v. Glickman Class Action by Black farmers will help one to understand the extremely vicious attack against black farmers and the USDA's own Civil Rights Action Team report, (CRAT February 1997). (For details on the Black Farmers Class Action, See https://www.blackfarmercase.com/Background.aspx or http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/pigfordmonitor/index.htm). We demand a full investigation, a halt to all land seizure and illegitimate farm sales and to return Eddie and Dorothy Wise's farm and property to them immediately. For more information, contact email@example.com. ------------------------------- Check out BFAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BFAA.org/ and here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/106046796096003 To support Farmer Eddie Wise and Dorothy Wise: www.gofundme.com/39m8623g31,515 of 35,000 SignaturesCreated by Gary Grant
Release the 911 calls that prompted Corporal Casebolt's response at the Craig Ranch Community Pool!This is important because this incident is one in a long line of incidents that continue to demonstrate that Black youth are routinely dehumanized in our society. Implicit bias and perceptions of Black youth directly impact they way that they are engaged. Because these youth were seen to not belong in the area, the officers did even attempt to engage them as residents or even guests but rather as intruders. This is evidenced by the fact that the teenager who filmed the incident was white and therefor was not engaged by the police at all - despite capturing the entire event on camera. We have seen in past, how these interactions can quickly turn deadly. The community can not begin to heal until these issues are exposed and confronted in a honest and transparent fashion.44 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Teresa Maxwell
Release the 911 calls that prompted Corporal Casebolt's response at the Craig Ranch Community Pool!This is important because this incident is one in a long line of incidents that continue to demonstrate that Black youth are routinely dehumanized in our society. Implicit bias and perceptions of Black youth directly impact they way that they are engaged. Because these youth were seen to not belong in the area, the officers did even attempt to engage them as residents or even guests but rather as intruders. This is evidenced by the fact that the teenager who filmed the incident was white and therefor was not engaged by the police at all - despite capturing the entire event on camera. We have seen in past, how these interactions can quickly turn deadly. The community can not begin to heal until these issues are exposed and confronted in a honest and transparent fashion.28 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Teresa Maxwell
#NoNewNYPD PetitionWe have calculated that with $100 million in many of these priority areas, we could accomplish the following: - $100 Million could be invested to employ 310,000 youth this summer. - $100 Million could be invested to hire 2,000 social workers or special education teachers. - $100 Million could be invested to provide 62,500 people in low-income households with free transportation. - $100 Million could be invested to increase resident association budgets by $281,437 in all 334 NYCHA buildings. Our communities are defining safety beyond policing. New York's elected officials have the opportunity and duty to do the same. Communities of color are being systematically over-policed while also being displaced by rising rent and gentrification. Mayor de Blasio, Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and City Council -- We demand that you serve the best interests of the people and redirect the $100 million currently in the proposed budget for additional police, to programs that will make our communities stronger. For more information go to www.safetybeyondpolicing.com958 of 1,000 SignaturesCreated by Safety Beyond Policing Campaign
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NBC Announces Fall 2013-14 Line-Up
NBC has released it's official Fall 2013-14 television schedule!
The network moved it's latest hit Revolution, starring Billy Burke, to Wednesday nights. Taylor Kinney's Chicago Fire is also moving to Tuesday nights, while Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation will takeover Community's Thursday spot.
New sitom's The Blacklist starring James Spader, Sean Saves the World starring Sean Hayes, and The Michael J. Fox Show will also air on Thursday nights.
The highly anticipated Dracula starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers will on Fridays as a lead-in to Grimm.
Be sure to check out NBC's full Fall 2013-14 schedule inside…
(New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)
8-10 p.m. – The Voice
10-11 p.m. – THE BLACKLIST
8-9 p.m. – The Biggest Loser (New Day and Time)
9-10 p.m. – The Voice (New time)
10-11 p.m. – Chicago Fire (New Day and Time)
8-9 p.m. – Revolution (New Day and Time)
9-10 p.m. – Law & Order: SVU
10-11 p.m. – IRONSIDE
8-8:30 p.m. – Parks and Recreation (New time)
8:30-9 p.m. – WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
9-9:30 p.m. – SEAN SAVES THE WORLD
9:30-10 p.m. – THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW
10-11 p.m. – Parenthood (New Day and Time)
8-9 p.m. – Dateline NBC
9-10 p.m. – Grimm
10-11 p.m. – DRACULA
Encore programming
7:00-8:15 p.m. – Football Night in America
8:15-11:30 p.m. – NBC Sunday Night Football


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Inspirational headquarters for The Greenpower Centre.
Fordingbridge recently had the pleasure of creating the new headquarters for The Greenpower Education Trust, an organisation that promotes engineering to the younger generation.
The building was designed to achieve an energy performance certificate rating A. Key architectural generators for the project were to provide a building that was sustainable, promoted teamwork and provided a sense of community. The building would provide a base for engineering participants and also an inspiring workplace for the Greenpower team.
Careful attention has been given to the shape, form and section of the building, to maximise daylight, control solar gain and enable better insulation properties through the building's wildflower green roof.


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Some of you are aware of my involvement with our local charity here in town called Christian Community Action. A little over a year ago a group of women got together to form the Charity League with the sole purpose and mission of filling in where needed and helping spread the word about CCA and it's efforts to help the poor and needy in the area. Our group has grown exponentially in such a short time and has found ways to plug in and help with fund raising and filling a great many needs in various areas. We've been able to be a part of the Back To School Store, The Christmas Store, The Prom Dress Drive, The Food Pantry, the Resale Stores, etc. Our latest venture was our very first Annual CCACL High Tea. Lots of planning and preparation went into the event and, if I do say so myself, it was a huge success.
One of the main needs for the event were beautiful tables for the guests to enjoy so a group of us volunteered to take on the challenge. I scrounged up "tea themed" décor from around my house like these teapots above to create my table.
I bought an inexpensive soft green sheet to act as my table topper. (Notice my teapots here?)
Fortunately I used to collect English china and dishware so I had quite a bit on hand. I decided to mix and match my china and chargers just for fun.
Since I had friends from different groups coming to the event I used place cards to seat them for easier conversation.
Me at my table just before the crowd arrived.
Everyone did such a fabulous job decorating the tables. Here are some of the beautiful table displays:
We decided we needed one extra table so we all pooled our leftover decor and efforts and managed to create this table in a pinch. Not bad for last minute and leftovers, huh?
My friends, Margaret and Leslie, who had never met before, became fast friends that afternoon. (I do believe there was even a little conniving going on between them for the auction items!)
My sweet friend, Cindy, was one of the first to arrive.
My husband, Doug, volunteered to be a server. A much needed asset for the High Tea to function smoothly. Thanks hubby, you're the best!
We had a wonderful turn out. Susan, our president, informed the ladies of the agenda for the day and CCACL's function and goals.
Our "High Tea Expert", Michelle, explained the protocol for the High Tea and the flavors we would be sampling.
Friends Julia, Diane and Susan were also in attendance. Thanks, girlfriends, for coming!
Thanks to Terry, we auctioned off lots of wonderful prizes.
My sweet friend, Leslie, and I.
All in all considering it was our first High Tea, and considering we served 185 ladies or more, it went – surprisingly – very smoothly. A great time was had by all, a substantial amount of money was raised, great gifts were auctioned off and the message of CCACL was spread to more and more women. We expect to grow by leaps in bounds this year as a group and in our efforts to help those in need.
We've already had several comments from guests who are looking forward to next years High Tea! How cool is that!
Happy Decorating!


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I Was in Sacramento on business over the weekend. Pretty boring trip, but I did snap these two shots at the airport. Pretty cool as far as public art goes in my book.
I was thinking how cool it would be to try climbing to the top--except for the whole getting arrested part after I came down.
I just Googled the display, and here's what I found:
by Brian Goggin
"SAMSON" is two 23-foot tall pillars constructed of over 700 pieces of refurbished luggage dating from the conceptual genesis of the airplane to the present. The sculpture is attached to the exterior of the existing columns using a concealed steel bracing system. At the base of the towers of luggage are large carts, designed to emulate the luggage carts which are used by personnel to haul suitcases from the airport to the airplane. To the disoriented traveler, the proliferation of baggage will be toweringly awesome while at the same time refreshingly humorous.
Visually, the baggage supports the airport ceiling, just as the travelers who use the airport metaphorically support the space itself. If the carts were to move, the roof itself might come tumbling down.
Through luggage, we can see portraits of former travelers, the unique qualities of the bags seemingly imbued with aspects of their former owner's personalities. One is invited to imagine the object's hidden stories, how their owners packed belongings, the travels they might have taken together. The simple act of looking becomes a point of departure for the imagination.
2 years ago


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Best Crackhead All Time
I know being a crackhead is really a bad thing, but who does not like a good crackhead in the movies? These guys/girls are great! We can all take a little pleasure and get high on making fun of our favorite crack head. I know the movie Savages just came out and it deals with cocaine trafficking, so that got me thinking about crackheads. You see that is my thought process here people it's sad but true. What does it really take to be a world-class crackhead? Well first off you need to be able to consume large quantities of nose candy. White lips and slurred speech are good qualities to possess if you are a crackhead. So here is my list for the prestigious Top Crackhead Of All Time…Enjoy! I am leaving a poll to let the people decide, please click a damn button you lazy bums and vote;)
Top Crackhead All Time
- Pookie (New Jack City) — who did not love Pookie?
- Tony Montana (Scarface) — not a true crackhead but the man still did a boatload of yayo
- Johnny Quid (RockNRolla) — I just liked this movie;)
- Tyrone Biggums
- Floyd aka Brad Pitt (True Romance) — great movie highly recommended
- Chris Tucker (Dead Presidents)
- Henry Hill (Goodfellas) — Not a true crackhead but still damn close
- Ezal — (Friday)
- Huggy aka the Fat Kid from Lean On Me…gooooo ooooooonnn Jump!
- Basehead (Menace 2 Society)– one word cheeseburgers
Honorable Mention: Halle Berry (Losing Isiah), Gator played by Samuel L Jackson, C.Bale (Fighter), Uma (Pulp Fiction)


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Sunday, March 23, 2008
A Quick Introduction to Monte-Carlo and Quasi-Monte Carlo Integration
One method for estimating the areas of such regions is Monte Carlo integration. This is a conceptually simple, but very effective solution for some difficult problems. The basic idea is to sample over a region of known area, checking whether sampled points are within the region of interest or not. The proportion of sampled points found to lie within the region of interest multiplied by the (already known) area of the sampled region is an approximation of the area occupied by the region of interest. A related technique, Quasi-Monte Carlo integration, utilizes quasirandom ("low discrepancy") numbers in place of random ones.
An Example
To illustrate Monte Carlo integration, consider a problem with a known analytical solution: calculating the area of a circle. Suppose our circle lies within the unit square, ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 on both dimensions. This circle's center is at (0.5,0.5) and has a radius of 0.5. By the well-known formula, area of a circle = pi * radius squared, this circle has an area of:
>> pi * (0.5 ^ 2)
ans =
Using MATLAB to approximate this measurement using Monte Carlo, we have:
>> n = 1e5; % Set number of samples to draw
>> rand('twister',9949902); % Initialize pseudorandom number generator
>> A = rand(n,2); % Draw indicated number of 2-dimensional coordinates in unit square
>> AA = sqrt(sum((A' - 0.5) .^ 2))' <= 0.5; % Determine whether samples are within circular region of interest
>> mean(AA) % Estimate area of the circle via the Monte Carlo method
ans =
So, after one hundred thousand samples we are off by a small amount. Note that in this case, the area of the total sampled region is 1.0, so there's no need to divide. Let's see how well the Quasi-Monte Carlo technique performs:
>> n = 1e5; % Set number of samples to draw
>> HSet = haltonset(2); % Set up the Halton quasirandom process for 2-dimensional samples
>> B = net(HSet,n); % Draw indicated number of samples using quasirandom numbers
>> BB = sqrt(sum((B' - 0.5) .^ 2))' <= 0.5; % Determine whether samples are within circular region of interest
>> mean(BB) % Estimate area of the circle via the quasi-Monte Carlo method
ans =
In this instance (and this will be true for many problems), quasirandom numbers have converged faster.
See also the Mar-19-2008 posting, Quasi-Random Numbers. As mentioned in that post, coordinates of a regular grid could be substituted for the random or quasirandom numbers, but this requires knowing in advance how many samples are to be drawn, and does not allow arbitrary amounts of further sampling to be used to improve the approximation.
Naturally, one would never bother with all of this to calculate the area of a circle, given the availability of convenient formula, but Monte Carlo can be used for regions of arbitrary, possibly highly irregular- even disjoint- regions. As with the bootstrap, simulated annealing and genetic algorithms, this method is made possible by the fact that modern computers provide tremendous amounts of rapid, accurate computation at extremely low cost.
Further Reading
For a good overview of the Monte Carlo method, see:
Monte Carlo Method
10 comments:
- Delip Rao said...
A very good illustration to start lectures on MC. However, as with any Monte Carlo method, you might want to run the experiment several times and report mean results. For instance, I wrote a similar code in R using the Mersenne-Twister generator and got the answer 0.78537 on first attempt! It will be a good idea to just find the variance of the estimate or provide a chernoff bound.
- Will Dwinnell said...
Yes, you make a good point. Though the case I demonstrated was typical, there is no guarantee that things will always work out this way.
Thanks I like this blog (I like examples)!! To extend your example, if I wanted to find out the intersection of 4 circles inside the square we basically see if it is inside all 4 circles independently?
Next we could replace the 4 circles with 4 crazy sets of equations.
Even when I don't know the actual equation, take for instance finding the area under an ROC curve I should be able to use this method!!
what are some of the good pseudo random generators and are there any guidelines for choosing one over the other.
- Will Dwinnell said...
Thanks for your comments, Swami.
You are correct that Monte Carlo integration could be used to estimate the area of quite complex regions- even ones which are only known by calls to complex functions. In fact, this is one of the most important applications of such methods in practice, for example for financial calculations.
I would suggest, though, that calculation of the AUC ("area under the [ROC] curve") is probably more efficiently handled by code written specifcally for that purpose, such as my SampleError function, which I described in my Jun-20-2007 post, ROC Curves and AUC and in my Jul-14-2007 post, Calculating AUC Using SampleError().
There are a variety of pseudorandom number generators, but I haven't bother constructing my own, since the ones provided in the base MATLAB product (rand and randn) are of such high quality. I go over a few details of their use in my Dec-07-2006 post, Quick Tip Regarding rand and randn, and in my Jan-13-2007 post, Revisiting rand (MATLAB 2007a).
Thanks Will.. You have a lot of useful stuff here.
I'm moving from SAS to Matlab so your data management articles are very useful too, still I find that it is difficult to import data (large datasets) into Matlab.
Is there a convenient way to convert a small dataset into an equation (for instance the data associated with the ROC). I know this is a regression problem (i.e. i can simply fit some equation) but I'm wondering if there is a different if not better way to do it.
- Will Dwinnell said...
As you say, this is a regression (or "curve-fitting") problem, for which MATLAB provides a variety of solutions. Which is best will depend on your particular problem.
The backslash operator, polyfit, interp1 and pchip in base MATLAB are a good place to start, and can be fairly flexible with a little imagination (such through the use of nonlinear transformations). The Statistics Toolbox and Curve Fitting Toolbox (among others) also provide yet more tools, and of course there is a wealth of code available on-line for free. See my Nov-14-2006 posting, Finding MATLAB Source Code And Tools for ideas about where and how to search.
One other possibility is my own GASplineFit routine, which I described in my post GASplineFit: A Flexible Curve Fitting Routine (Jan-19-2007).
Will, thanks again... you've been a great help...
Hi, I like this blog very much. Can you repost your sampleerror function on the blog, since it seems it can not be downloaded. Thanks.
- Will Dwinnell said...
ying ding,
I do apologize for that. I believe the file links will be restored this weekend. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me (see View my complete profile on the main Web log page) with your e-mail address and I will e-mail the code to you.
- commissioner said...
I think adding the MATLAB link for monte carlo simulation would be appropriate here as well. There are many techniques one can learn in conjunction with this post.


text:
The Message International Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine published by ICNA. What you find in 'The Message magazine' is a universal publication for the whole of Muslim community. Echoing the concerns and ideas pertaining to Muslims in America, this non-profit publication is a forum for the youth searching their Islamic identity in a western land.
Fill out my Wufoo form!


text:
Happy Birthday Hotfoil Stamp (76 x 64mm | 3 x 2.5in) - Classic Sentiments
Happy Birthday Hotfoil Stamp (76 x 64mm | 3 x 2.5in) - Classic Sentiments
Ultimate Crafts-Classic Sentiments Hotfoil Plate: Happy Birthday. These are the perfect addition to your next paper crafting project. For use in conjunction with the foil'N Go Pro Machine. This package contains one 3x2-1/2 inch metal die. Imported.
Place a hotfoil plate on the heating platform of the GoPress & Foil machine (CO725334) and let it warm up for 30 seconds or more. Place a piece of foil (colored side down and precut to the size of the plate) on top of the plate. Cover with card or project piece to be foiled. Close lid, remove platform from heating unit and run slowly through a die-cutting machine. Open lid and take out project. Peel off extra foil to reveal design. A hotfoil plate can also be used to emboss the design into cardstock using the GoPress & Foil Machine unheated. Open the cover, place plate on platform, cover with cardstock and run through a die-cutting machine. Open the cover, take out the project and reveal the design embossed in the cardstock.
We Also Recommend


text:
GAB December 2013 Meeting
G.A.B. Office, 212 E. Washington Ave., Madison WI 53703
Event Type
A. Call to Order
B. Director's Report of Appropriate Meeting Notice
C. Minutes of Previous Meetings
- October 22, 2013 Meeting
- November 19, 2013 New Board Member Briefing
D. Personal Appearances
E. 2012 Voting Equipment Post-Election Audit
F. Interim Report on Use of Electronic Poll Books
G. Approve Proposed Administrative Rule: GAB Chapter 5 Ballot and Electronic Voting Equipment Security
H. Report on Campaign Finance Audits and Forfeitures Collected
I. Legislative Status Report
J. Director's Report
- Ethics and Accountability Division Report – campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying administration.
- Elections Division Report – election administration.
- Office of Director and General Counsel Report – agency administration.
K. Closed Session
- 5.05 (6a) and 19.85 (1) (h) The Board's deliberations on requests for advice under the ethics code, lobbying law, and campaign finance law shall be in closed session.
- 19.85 (1) (g) The Board may confer with legal counsel concerning litigation strategy.
- 19.851 The Board's deliberations concerning investigations of any violation of the ethics code, lobbying law, and campaign finance law shall be in closed session.
- 19.85 (1) (c) The Board may consider performance evaluation data of a public employee over which it exercises responsibility.


text:
Grady Jarrett
Falcons bolster secondary with Clemson CB Terrell at No. 16
By Paul Newberry Apr. 23, 2020 10:32 PM EDT
Falcons' 'Trader Tom' Dimitroff expects more draft-day deals
By Charles Odum Apr. 16, 2020 12:10 PM EDT
Falcons to wear all-black home uniforms as part of redesign
Apr. 08, 2020 10:32 AM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in 2020 as part of a redesign the team says respects...
Quinn says Falcons' strong finish must carry over to 2020
By Charles Odum Dec. 30, 2019 05:42 PM EST
Quinn wants to return as Falcons coach, but status uncertain
By George Henry Dec. 23, 2019 06:46 PM EST
49ers can clinch top seed in NFC with win at Seattle
By Josh Dubow Dec. 23, 2019 05:47 PM EST
Falcons score 2 early touchdowns, beat woeful Jaguars 24-12
By Paul Newberry Dec. 22, 2019 04:38 PM EST
By The Associated Press Dec. 19, 2019 02:36 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE (5-9) at ATLANTA (5-9) Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox OPENING LINE - Falcons by 7 RECORD VS....
Matt Ryan, Falcons rally in final seconds, stun 49ers 29-22
By Janie Mccauley Dec. 15, 2019 08:18 PM EST
Saints-Falcons Preview Capsule
By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2019 10:43 AM EST
Early missed opportunities doom Falcons in loss to Bucs
By Charles Odum Nov. 24, 2019 07:23 PM EST
Falcons vs Bucs: 2 teams with an eye on 2020
By Paul Newberry Nov. 21, 2019 07:38 PM EST
Panthers have been unable to solve Matt Ryan
By Steve Reed Nov. 14, 2019 04:11 PM EST
Falcons-Panthers Preview Capsule
By The Associated Press Nov. 14, 2019 12:47 PM EST
Falcons looking for consistency after ending 6-game skid
By Charles Odum Nov. 11, 2019 07:34 PM EST
NFL Today, Week 10
By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2019 09:08 PM EST
SCOREBOARD Monday, Nov. 11 Seattle at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m. EST. The top two teams in the NFC West meet in primetime...
Titans edge Chiefs in Mahomes' return; Packers hold on
By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2019 05:18 PM EST
Falcons stun first-place Saints, 26-9
By Brett Martel Nov. 10, 2019 04:20 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints 11/10/2019
Nov. 10, 2019 01:25 PM EST
The Latest: Minkah's magic leads Steelers past Rams 17-12
By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2019 12:08 PM EST


text:
Celebrating over 20 years!
For over 2 decades Marengo Fabricated Steel has been designing and manufacturing Custom Tanks and Tank Trucks for a wide range of international Industrial Applications.
We are the exclusive manufacturer for DarPro Solutions (a division of Darling International). Providing tanks for large restaurant chains, warehouse clubs, fast-food chains, and the world's largest retailer.
Our on-staff engineers can help bring your ideas to life. We can complete any size project from design, prototyping, to finished product.


text:
Ways to give
Make a secure, tax-deductible one-time or recurring gift using your credit or debit card.
Make a tribute gift with the option of sending an e-card.
617.437.0707 x104
Our offices are open Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30PM
Checks should be made out to From the Top and mailed to:
From the Top
140 Clarendon St. Suite 301
Boston, MA 02116
Attend an Event
Learn about our 2020 Fundraising Events
Gifts of Stock
Please call 617.437.0707 x104
Our offices are open Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30PM
Amazon Smile
Support From the Top while you shop on Amazon! Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com, designate From the Top as your charity, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to From the Top. Learn more and sign up here!
Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees and/or employees' spouses. If your company has a Human Resources department, that's a good place to start.


text:
I must have been asleep for much of my schooling as I remember nothing about even the simplest of grammar rules.
I purchased a book about writing on the weekend that has 50 techniques to become a better writer and includes exercises with each section. I was pretty excited to read the first section which discusses identifying the subject and verb in a sentence and positioning them for best effect. Simple right? The first exercise was to go through some articles in a newspaper and identify subjects and verbs. I had no idea what I was doing and had to get Carm to help. I was hopeless so went online to study up. Two of the sites had quizzes - the results were dismal. I guess I have to practice more.
I will keep trying! (subject = I, verb = will try?) What is "keep"? Maybe "will keep" is the verb? Or is it "will keep trying"?
I try. I will try. I have tried. I'm hopeless. I was hopeless. Hopefully, I won't always be hopeless.
The other day I was laughing in my my head about karaoke and how silly it is (not that I wouldn't have a go if I could sing a little bit), and then thought to myself that I was being mean, and that my writing was a karaoke of literature. I'm not a great writer but I can pretend with my internet karaoke machine blog.
"The past is always tense, the future perfect." ~Zadie Smith


text:
|SINGPromos is now on Telegram. Click here to follow us now
ASUS Unveils the ZENBOOK. Chairman Jonney Shih introduces the latest in ultra-portable notebook technology and design with the ASUS ZENBOOK™ that features a perfect blend of elegance and power
Manhattan, New York (October 11, 2011) ― ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih unveiled the long-anticipated ZENBOOK™ that fuses masterpiece design and incredible performance at a global launch event in New York along with Intel Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sales and Marketing Group, Tom Kilroy. The "Ultra Era" event opened with a vivid, yet tranquil dance to Moon Water featuring a performance artist from the internationally renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan.
The performance set the tone of the event, to display that the ASUS ZENBOOK™ is designed to be effortlessly enjoyable without compromising on performance. It exudes the perfect balance of elegance and power in an Ultrabook.
Mr. Shih then introduced four key incredible principles that guided ASUS' development team during the ZENBOOK™ design phase.
Pure Design – Art melds seamlessly with technology upon viewing the ASUS ZENBOOK™. The silver exterior panel features a concentric circle design that refracts a halo of light that excites the senses. With a thickness of 0.11″ at the front and 0.35″ at the rear, the ZENBOOK™'s exterior lines are sleek, making it the thinnest Ultrabook on the market and perfect for users constantly on-the-go or in the classroom.
Unrivalled Performance – The ZENBOOK™ is designed with an instant-on feature that resumes the system in about 2 seconds* and features incredible standby times up to 2 weeks*, which is four times more than the industry standard. Although svelte and sleek, the ZENBOOK™ packs an impressive and uncompromising list of technological breakthroughs. It uses the latest Intel® 2nd generation Core™ processors (optimized for mobile use), SATA Revision 3.0 solid state storage (SSD), Bluetooth™ V4.0 and USB 3.0.
ASUS has also added USB Charger+ technology, which uses the powered USB 3.0 port to recharge portable devices in a fraction of the time it would normally take. To accommodate all of these technologies, ASUS engineers designed custom cooling technology using a V-shaped channel with a unique copper fin design for improved airflow and cooling. When battery life dips below 5 percent, the ZENBOOK™ will automatically save files in progress to prevent data loss.
Incredibly Green – The ZENBOOK™ provides its users a peace of mind in knowing that they are consuming less energy. It utilizes ASUS' patented Super Hybrid Engine II technology, which intelligently conserves battery life and allows the ZENBOOK™ to have up to 25% more battery life* than other Ultrabook designs.
Transcending Audio – Recognizing that an ultrabook is not only a tool for work, but also for entertainment, each ZENBOOK™ is equipped with ASUS SonicMaster technology, an optimized fusion of hardware and software developed by the ASUS Golden Ear team and Bang & Olufsen ICEpower®. SonicMaster provides a wide sonic spectrum surround sound that can fill a room with smooth jazz or the tranquil sound of a mountain stream.
Leading Technology Partnership – Intel's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sales and Marketing Group, Tom Kilroy, expressed his excitement that Intel contributed the incredible processor technology for ASUS's groundbreaking masterpiece.
"Today's introduction of ASUS ZENBOOK™ is a vivid proof that Ultrabooks are ushering in a fundamental transformation of personal computing," said Mr. Kilroy. "In the few months since Intel first unveiled this new type of device, ASUS has delivered an amazingly light design powered by the visibly smart performance of the second generation Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors. It's packed with the security, responsiveness, and other exciting features, that deliver on the promise of the Ultrabook, to offer the most complete and satisfying computing experience."
Specifications – All Models (Available in SG)
|Intel® Core™ i5-2467M
|Intel® Core™ i5-2557M
|Intel® Core™ i7-2677M
|Operating system
|Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium – 64bit
|11.6″ LED-backlit TFT LCD Display resolution: HD 1366×768 / 16:9
|13.3″ LED-backlit TFT LCD Display resolution: HD+ 1600×900 / 16:9
|SATA Revision 3.0 128GB SSD
|SATA Revision 3.0 128GB
|SATA Revision 3.0 256GB
|Wireless Connectivity
|WLAN 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth™ V4.0
|Battery Life – Estimate
|35W (5+ hrs) Standby Time: 1 Week
|50W (7+hrs) Standby Time: 2 Weeks
|Digital 0.3M Pixel
|Bang and Olfusen ICEpower® and ASUS SonicMasterTechnology HD Audio
|Stereo speakers designed with Bang and Olfusen ICEpower® Technology
|1x Headphone-out & Audio-in Combo Jack
1x micro HDMI
1x mini VGA
|1x Headphone-out & Audio-in Combo Jack
1x micro HDMI
1x mini VGA
1 x SD card reader
|Dimensions / Weight
|0.11″ at the front, 0.35″ at the rear
11.7″ x 7.7″ x 0.11-0.67″ (2.43lb)
|0.11″ at the front, 0.35″ at the rear
12.8″ x 8.8″ x 0.11″-0.67″ (2.86lb)
|$1,398 (GST Incl)
|$1,498 (GST Incl.)
|$1,998 (GST Incl)
*Product test results, specifications and features may change without prior notice. Check www.asus.com for further details.
NEW: Get a Samsonite Luggage Prestige 69cm Spinner Exp with built-in scale (worth SGD670) (with min spend of $800) plus 2-years annual fee waiver when you sign up for a HSBC Revolution credit card at www.hsbc.com.sg.


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LMRK Finds Significant Petroleum Contamination Found in Gulf Seafood Samples
Tue, 2010-12-14 10:19 | by Waterkeeper Alliance
According to independent tests by Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper (LMRK), several food species sampled off coastal Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico showed significant levels of petroleum contamination. High levels of petroleum hydrocarbons were found in flounder, speckled trout and oysters that otherwise appeared "pristine" upon initial visual inspection.
LMRK also noted that petroleum contamination appeared to be moving up the coastal food chain with high levels of the same hydrocarbons found in samples taken from local sea gull populations.
More information is available from the LMRK Web site and in a Dec. 13 article from Facing South:


text:
Bigmouth Laughing Clowns
The bigmouth laughing clowns
have left the fairground for the big-time carnival.
No more sideshow alley jeering for them
– small balls lobbed down their throats;
gullets choking on jets of juvenile water.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
– are a double-act on the up-and-up –
they're on the plaza; getting the last laugh on the stage;
vulgarised on prime-time
with their novel routine of verbiage.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
have their guttersnipe public
(laughingstocks) eating out of their hands
gobbets of popular wisdom and wise-cracks,
laughing 'til it gags.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
are on their way: the resistible rise –
inveigling themselves, charming
into hearts and minds
until they become adorable.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
fled the funfair
to jam their double-act down our throats,
as we once rammed our ping-pong balls
and scooshed our water down theirs.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
are set fair to stay:
eminence, now; pre-eminence, soon enough.
For, now that their blague isn't merely funny,
the world is cowed by their bonhomie.
The bigmouth laughing clowns
have their impresario behind them,
still swivelling their bigmouth faces
to the crowd this way, to the crowd that way
– a bit of colour for these drab days.
The bigmouth laughing clowns'
ascent has been meteoric.
But, wait: for meteors briefly flare
then fall from grace – the firmament – and descend
as dead dust on the face of nowhere.
Douglas Lipton was born and educated in Glasgow. He has spent most of his working life in Dumfriesshire as an English Teacher, Special Educational Needs Teacher and FE college Educational Support Worker. He attended the famed Glasgow University Department of Extra Mural and Adult Education Creative Writing Class inaugurated by Philip Hobsbaum.


text:
Johnson upsets No. 1-ranked C.C. Carroll
Recommended Video:
Johnson junior Tate Huebner might have been the last one at Wolff Stadium to know the Jaguars had just upset the top-ranked Class 5A team in the state Friday.
Huebner, a pinch-runner, had his head down when he slid into home on Cody Dunlap's game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh, giving Johnson a 3-2 victory over Corpus Christi Carroll.
"I was just running, and time seemed to stop for a while after I slid," Huebner said. "It wasn't until I saw everybody celebrating that I was like, 'I guess we won.' It was insane."
Corpus Christi Carroll (26-4) began the season as the top-ranked baseball team in the nation and had Courtney Hawkins, a projected first-round draft pick, on the mound in the seventh.
But Johnson pitcher Tyler Day had a no-hitter going into the fifth, and the Jaguars (28-6) made a late comeback to take Game 1 of the best-of-3 series.
With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Keaton Bohrmann led off with a single. Huebner entered and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.
Dunlap, who also had the series-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh in the second round against South San last week, hit a hard grounder to the gap between second and third base.
Carroll shortstop Trey Rodriguez chased the ball down and threw home, but the throw was high, and Huebner was safe to win the game.
The series concludes today at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi. Game 2 is set for 2 p.m., with Game 3, if necessary, to follow 30 minutes later.
Friday's game almost was postponed when South San sought a temporary restraining order after Johnson's victory against the Bobcats included a controversial call.
A Bexar County judge dismissed the injunction, allowing Johnson to play on.
Day only allowed two hits, and both Carroll runs came off errors in the fifth inning to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Johnson climbed back, getting a run in the fifth off a Corbin Cessna single and tying the game in the sixth when Joseph Collazo tripled and scored on a Mark Whitehead sacrifice fly.
"We've been talking about getting those one-run games all season long," Johnson coach Gordon Gesell said. "It's a good day to be a Jaguar."
In the first game of the playoff doubleheader, O'Connor junior Mark Ecker allowed just two hits in a 3-1 victory over Churchill in the first game of their best-of-3 series.
O'Connor scored twice in the first inning off two Churchill errors, and Ecker did the rest, striking out four in his complete game. The Panthers' busiest player was center fielder Jake Marler, who caught seven fly balls for outs.
The series concludes today at Wolff Stadium. Game 2 is set for 11 a.m., with Game 3, if necessary, to follow 30 minutes later.
Ecker (8-0) said he will be available to pitch in relief today if needed.
"I can close," Ecker said. "This is the playoffs. I'll be ready if I'm needed."
Twitter: @mysahighschools


text:
Added some information about how the testing will go to the OP The function will be tested live i.e. implemented in the script! There is no better way to see how it works than that, right?
Added some information about how the testing will go to the OP The function will be tested live i.e. implemented in the script! There is no better way to see how it works than that, right?
Last edited by Markus; 09-25-2014 at 01:43 PM.
You should incorporate the fact that the portal colors change every log in. For instance, looking at my .gif and NKN's .gif, the portal is blue in mine, but purple in his.
So within those 25 trials maybe 5 trials per log in?
Scripts: ClarityNex | ClaritySlayer | ClarityElfThief | ClarityBurialArmour | ClarityMudRunes | ClarityWells | ClarityProTables | ClarityArmadyl | ClarityHarps
ClarityDominonTower | ClarityAltar | ClarityCitadel | ClarityBarrows | ClarityEsswraith | ChampionScrollCamperTools & Extensions: OpenGL ID Highlight Tool | SRL-6 Messaging System | SRL Companion | Item DTM Generator | BBCode Converter
I'll use around five accounts, switch every 4-7 loads as usual. Should take most random factors into account as I can't run it for more than three hours straight.
Wow, this thread grew pretty quickly. Good to see my old code has been used as an example I might give this competition a try later this week. I might have an old school trick up my sleeves
Same, and same. @Markus, apologies in advance if I end up embarrassing myself.
[10/14/13:19:03] <BenLand100> this is special relatively, just cleverly disguised with yachts
No need to, I'd love you all to participate.
The currently submitted finders weren't perfect so you still have a good chance of winning!
Everybody get your portal finders in! Quite a bit of GP up for grabs!
Fyi: My account got permed so my prize might be delayed in getting to you :/
<slacky> I will build a wall
<slacky> I will ban reflection and OGL hooking until we know what the hell is going on
Hello people, (Long time no post )
I just couldn't resist taking a part of this competition.
Bear with me, it has been like 1, 5 years since I touched Simba
Simba Code:function FindPortal() :Boolean;
Le, I, X, Y, W, H, Bmp, Bmp2: Integer;
TPA: TPointArray;
TIA, TIA2 :TIntegerArray;
ATPA :T2DPointArray;
TBA :TBoxArray;
PortalPoint :TPoint;
Result := False;
Bmp := bitmapFromClient(mainScreen.getBounds);
Bmp2 := bitmapFromClient(mainScreen.getBounds);
GetBitmapSize(Bmp, W, H);
If (W < 100) or (H < 100) then
for Y := 1 to H - 1 do
for X := 1 to W - 1 do
If FastGetPixel(Bmp, X, Y) <> FastGetPixel(Bmp2, X, Y) then
TPA.Append(Point(X, Y));
ATPA := TPA.cluster(5);
TBA := ATPA.getEachBounds;
Bmp := ContrastBitmap(Bmp, 100);
Le := Length(TBA);
If (Le = 0) then
SetLength(TIA2, Le + 1);
for I := 0 to Le - 1 do
If (Distance(Point(0, TBA[I].Y1), Point(0, TBA[I].Y2)) > 40) then
TBA[I] := IntToBox(0, 0, 0, 0);
for I := 0 to Le - 1 do
for Y := TBA[I].Y1 to TBA[I].Y2 do
for X := TBA[I].X1 to TBA[I].X2 do
If FastGetPixel(Bmp, X, Y) = clWhite then
PortalPoint := MiddleTPA(ATPA[TIA2.returnInArray(MaxA(TIA2))]);
Mouse(PortalPoint, MOUSE_MOVE);
Result := isMouseOverText(['rtal'], 50, True);
Edit: Updated code.
Note: I didn't wan't to use any kind of Minimap symbols to aid on this one, mainly because of the challenge :P
So how above code works:
Script gets 2 Bitmaps, calculates difference between them and outputs TPA.
Divides them into ATPA Using TPA.Cluster.
Clears all ATPA's which height is more than 40px.
Grab first bitmap again and add Maximum brightness to it (So pretty much everything is white).
Calculates white color from inside all ATPA Boundaries.
Results biggest amount white color Index and applies it to ATPA Index.
Above code should work very well, angle doesn't matter, all it needs that portal is just a little bit shown in mainscreen.
Ask if you have any questions about the code
Last edited by Home; 10-08-2014 at 08:45 PM.
@Markus; let me know if/when you want my GP.
Pretty short, but works perfectly!
The GIFs make it look slow but it takes about 40-60ms per search.
Good luck to everyone participating!
Simba Code:program ClarityPortalFinder;
{$I SRL-6/SRL.simba}
DESIRED_TEST_LENGTH = 60; //in seconds
TIME_DELAY = 100; //delay between repeated function performance trials, in ms
//Place these functions in your script so that they are in the correct order, the
//portal point will result from findPortal; in line 112;
bmp, dtm, x, y: integer;
captureBox: TBox;
pnt, portalPoint: TPoint;
timer: TTimeMarker;
{<credit to Bonsai>}
procedure greyBmp(var bmp: integer);
b, g: integer;
b := copybitmap(bmp);
g := greyscalebitmap(b);
freebitmaps([bmp, b]);
bmp := g;
function getMotionBitmap(b: TBox; n: integer = 1; c: integer = 255): integer;
image1, image2, work1, work2, diffBmp, i, j, w, h, old, new, diffCount: integer;
image1 := bitmapfromclient(b);
image2 := bitmapfromclient(b);
getbitmapsize(image1, w, h);
diffBmp := createbitmap(w, h);
work1 := copybitmap(image1);
work2 := copybitmap(image2);
for i := 0 to w - 1 with n do
for j := 0 to h - 1 with n do
old := fastgetpixel(work1, i, j);
new := fastgetpixel(work2, i, j);
if (old <> new) then
if (diffCount > 6000) then
if (c = 0) then
fastsetpixel(diffBmp, i, j, old)
else if (c = - 1) then
fastsetpixel(diffBmp, i, j, new)
fastsetpixel(diffBmp, i, j, c);
result := diffBmp;
freebitmaps([image1, image2, work1, work2]);
{</credit to Bonsai>}
function processMotionOutput(b: integer): TPoint;
oldTarget, w, h, i, dtm: integer;
pnt: TPoint;
tpa: TPointArray;
oldTarget := GetImageTarget();
getbitmapsize(b, w, h);
findcolors(tpa, 255, 0, 0, w - 1, h - 1);
if length(tpa) >= 15 then
result := tpa.getMiddle();
smartImage.drawPolygon([point(result.x, result.y + 10), point(result.x, result.y + 30)], clBlue);
smartImage.drawPolygon([point(result.x + 10, result.y), point(result.x + 30, result.y)], clBlue);
smartImage.drawPolygon([point(result.x - 10, result.y), point(result.x - 30, result.y)], clBlue);
smartImage.drawPolygon([point(result.x, result.y - 10), point(result.x, result.y - 30)], clBlue);
smartimage.drawCross(result, 5, clBlue);
smartimage.drawCircle(result, 25, false, clRed);
function findPortal: TPoint;
dtm, x, y: Integer;
dtm := DTMFromString('mWAAAAHicY2FgYMhkYWDIAeJUIM4AYlFGBgZuIOYFYnYgLu7az3BlmhrDtCg1BmdnZwY2oB5mJMyIhkEAAIX2By0=');
if findDTM(dtm, x, y, minimap.getBounds()) then
pnt := minimap.pointToMainscreen(point(x, y));
captureBox := IntToBox(pnt.x - 40, pnt.y - 40, pnt.x + 40, pnt.y + 40);
bmp := getMotionBitmap(mainscreen.getBounds(), 2);
result := processMotionOutput(bmp);
writeln('Found portal in: ' + tostr(timer.getTime) + 'ms');
//Testing code
smartEnableDrawing := true;
while getTimeRunning < (DESIRED_TEST_LENGTH * 1000) do
findPortal; //Result of this function is TPoint of the portal.
Last edited by Clarity; 10-08-2014 at 01:56 AM.
Scripts: ClarityNex | ClaritySlayer | ClarityElfThief | ClarityBurialArmour | ClarityMudRunes | ClarityWells | ClarityProTables | ClarityArmadyl | ClarityHarps
ClarityDominonTower | ClarityAltar | ClarityCitadel | ClarityBarrows | ClarityEsswraith | ChampionScrollCamperTools & Extensions: OpenGL ID Highlight Tool | SRL-6 Messaging System | SRL Companion | Item DTM Generator | BBCode Converter
Woops! Guess I disappeared again.
Will try them asap! Got exams now *hates differential equations*
@Markus Any update on this?
New to scripting? Procedures & Functions for Beginners
Do you use your computer at night? Just get f.lux
I'll look into it later this week, thanks for all the submissions!
I might actually try this if I knew didn't know there was already over 3 entries from skilled people here. Seeing things like this challenges me to get better at scripting and try to achieve what I probably couldn't now.
Guides:Lape Basics ---Multi-Dimensional Arrays --- Dung Guide , Scripts:Cooking guilder --- Enslaved Fletcher --- EnslavedHumidity
@Markus; Any news on this competition?
My Outdated ScriptsEdgeville Log Cutter | Edgeville AIO Jewelry | AIO Pickpocketer | Urn Activator | Slayer Tower | Slaying KuradalMy Working Scripts:Function Pointers and Why You Should Care! | Forms and Saving Settings | The Magic Behind Programming Tutorial | Recursive Recursion
Will take a good look at this in the first week of February, dw!
@J J; is the winner!
His portal finder is very accurate and works in both RS3 and OSRS without modifications!
Sorry it took three years to go the grading but never late than never!
Edit: sorry! It's a tie with @Clarity! His finder is just as good
Both finders use very similar approaches: use the symbol location from the minimap and convert it to MS coordinates. Very smart.
Last edited by Markus; 01-15-2017 at 09:54 AM.
There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)


text:
So I was sitting in front of the computer sometime in September 2005 watching an episode of DEADWOOD and thinking about how Alan Moore lucked into all those lovely postmodern ideas like assembling disparate adventurers of the 19th Century into the 20th Century model of a superhero team and remembering how much fun it was to write MINISTRY OF SPACE when my computer told me it'd finally downloaded a piece of public domain film I'd started torrenting four hours earlier. In a rare moment of nostalgia, I'd decided to download an episode of one of the old FLASH GORDON serials. Buster Crabbe running around, with his peroxide hair that he was so embarrassed about that he used to keep his hat on all the time while in public, unconscionable rudeness in 1930 America. Total nostalgia trip for me, because all of those things — the FLASH GORDON serials, the old BUCK ROGERS serial, KING OF THE ROCKETMEN and all that — were shown on British tv when I was a kid. "Steam-powered STAR WARS," my dad used to call them.
And I'm watching DEADWOOD, the American cable tv series that eviscerates the Western genre, mixing history with fiction in its imagining of the last days of the Wild West. And it suddenly occurs to me. Where did the space heroes go when they weren't in space anymore? I found myself looking at the clapboard and pine of the Deadwood camp and seeing it made out of bits of abandoned 1930s sci-fi rocketship, and a fifty-year-old Flash Gordon calling people "cocksucker."
So I noted it down and put it in the Loose Ideas folder on my computer desktop. I told myself that I didn't particularly want to do another "retro" book. God knows there were and are enough shallow retakes of old genres and materials around, ironic or straight.
But the fucking thing nagged at me.
I decided this year, 2006, that I wanted to do a fairly dense longform serial in the 22-page unit. I spent most of June trying to develop up a new book. Tossed three or four ideas. Because this thing, this concept, kept rearing up in my field of vision.
Looking through my Loose Ideas folder, I found a concept I developed back in the 90s, that'd had a few false starts due to artists bailing and the like. It was a setting in search of a story that deserved it, to be honest. The only thing about it that worked was the setting — Ignition City, earth's spaceport, a circular island on the equator, fringed by launchpads. It was hot and dry during the day due to all the space launches — Ray Bradbury's "Rocket Summer" — but at night the weather took its revenge, and it rained and blew, and all the propellant propulsion expressed out of the clouds in the rain…
I started pulling up maps of islands, and through a misclick found myself looking at Iceland (which is spelled Island in the Icelandic), a country I've visited a few times over the years. Iceland has a forbidding "interior", the moonlike centre of the country. NASA in fact trained Apollo astronauts in the interior as preparation for the moon. The country is so raw that some travel guides still refer to Icelandic towns as "settlements."
And there it was. Where did the space heroes go to die? To the settlement in the interior of earth's only spaceport, Ignition City.
I swore kind of a lot. I didn't want to do another retro book, but the bastard thing was writing itself right in front of me.
If there's one thing I've learned in all these years of writing professionally, it's that you need to go with the flow. I'd be a fool to ignore a story that was writing itself.
I made one attempt to distract myself. I'd been thinking about writing something about explorers, and did some investigatory Google work, hoping that it'd lead me to something interesting that'd become a useful story hook. I ended up at the biography of a man called Lionel Crabb, a British diver and explorer who disappeared in unusual circumstances in the 1950s. Crabb's nickname was Buster.
I gave up and dropped a publisher a note to tell them I had a new serial for them. I mean, you can't argue with that. Someone was trying to tell me something.


text:
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American country-pop singer-songwriter. In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", which peaked at number six on the Billboard country charts. Later in October 2006, she released her self-titled debut album, which produced five hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts and was certified 3× Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The New York Times described Swift as "one of pop's finest songwriters, country's foremost pragmatist and more in touch with her inner life than most adults".
According to Nielsen SoundScan, Swift was the biggest selling artist of 2008 in America with combined sales of more than four million albums. Swift's Fearless and her self-titled album finished 2008 at number three and number six respectively, with sales of 2.1 and 1.5 million. She was the first artist in the history of Nielsen SoundScan to have two different albums in the Top 10 on the year end album chart. Fearless has topped the Billboard 200 in 11 non-consecutive weeks. No album has spent more time at number one since 1999-2000. It also was the first album by a female artist in country music history to log eight weeks at #1 on The Billboard 200. In mid-January 2009, Swift became the first country artist to top the 2 million mark in paid downloads with three different songs. As of the week ending February 8, 2009, Swift's single "Love Story" became the country song with most paid downloads in history and the first country song to top the Mainstream Top 40 chart. According to the 2009 issue of Forbes, Swift is ranked as the 69th most powerful celebrity with over $18 million in earnings this year.
Taylor's Heart Tattoo isn't actually real. It was initially done in Henna. Swift had originally stated that she would get a tattoo of a heart on her foot if she sold 2 million records, that mark has come and gone, she said she has changed her mind because she does not feel she would be a good roll model to the younger people that look up to her, She says she'd be living her life this way whether she was doing country music or not, but she feels its important to be a good role model... Taylor had several fake star tattoos on her upper chest and the inside of her wrist for a promo photo shot as well. Can real ones be far behind?
Want to find out what some of TAYLOR SWIFT's fake tattoo designs & symbols
Check out: Heart Tattoos, Star Tattoos


text:
Leftover Laminating Film
As an art teacher for 29 years, I can find a use for anything that's left over! I have found that you can take the ends of the laminating rolls home and do little laminating jobs with your iron. I turn mine down a bit, turn off the steam, put a piece of cardboard on my ironing board and go for it. Start at one end, don't stop until you get to the other end and DO NOT go over the same section again. With a little practice you can do a good job on single sheets and small things.


text:
The Pablo Picasso Alzheimer's Therapy – New York Times
Interesting connection: Art appreciation seems to ease Alzheimer's symptoms. Less memory loss. Less repetition.
Super interesting… there's a lot to say here. There are of course many documented cases of particular brain lesions causing marked changes in personality or hobbies. But this appears to be something different. There is both an interest change (ie. people are more interested in art) but the neurological disease itself is somehow lessened (temporarily) by the interest itself.
The article mentions that there is very little research in the area. Does anyone know of any studies? It's fascinating to think that such a simple, non-invasive therapy could be so powerful.
Either that, or it just means that art critics ("It's like he's trying to tell a story using words that don't exist" — critic or patient?) have something in common with those with neurodegenerative disease. 🙂


text:
Dgrin Mini-Challenge #260 - Paths, Trails, and Roads Less Traveled
Let's see some trails, pathways, lanes and roads! Entries may also include people and animals using, crossing, or even blocking the way. Paved roads - and sidewalks - are fine but would prefer not to have busy thoroughfares.
Looking forward to seeing your entries!
This challenge will end on Thursday, February 1st, at 6 pm Eastern Standard time.
1. Have fun sharing and seeing what others share!
2. The host supplies a topic and you post 1-3 images. The host judges the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and is not eligible to enter.
The 1st place winner then chooses the next topic, judges the winner and then passes on the baton to the new champion.
3. Any photo you've taken is eligible, regardless of when taken or camera used.
4. Any amount of post-processing is allowed. However, it is helpful if you list your camera and lens along with your photo.
You may comment on other contestant's images. If you want someone to leave you some critique or criticism, just ask within your post.
5. The winner has up to three days (72 hours) to begin a new mini-challenge, or the honor goes to the #2 finisher and so forth.
1. Enter 1-3 photos and put them in a single post.
2. Either embed your image in the thread or, if you must, supply a link to it. Keep in mind, however, most people don't want to click to open photos hosted elsewhere (i.e. on your website).
3. Also try and resize your photos prior to posting so they're sized appropriately for viewing without having to scroll (~800 pixels on the longest side works best.)
4. Give each image you enter a title.
5. Enjoy discussion with members about their images, don't let this just be an entry thread!
6. When quoting a post change the IMG urls to a 200x200 size picture so it is clear your post is feedback and not another entry. (see here for help)
7. Don't be hesitant, share'em and enter!
Mini-Challenge pointers:
1. Upon winning a mini-challenge round your first step is coming up with a new theme, and start a new thread using the same format as others have used.
2. Make sure to notify the admin of this thread to update the main thread links with your entry thread.
3. Feel free to watch the thread as it grows or wait to the end time and look at all the entries all at once.
4. After the time/date has passed, then officially close the thread with a single post notifying everyone of the fact.
5. After you're finished judging start a new thread (again use the prior formats) and post your Winner and runners-up, it is important to have runners up incase the winner does not show within the 72hr window.
6. PM the winner with this info above and let them know they have 72hrs.
7. After the 72hrs and the winner does not show up, notify the next runner-up and post a message on the Winner thread of the fact.
8. Remember, if you're the Winner, you run the show.
Here are a few examples. I will try to add more later:
JAG Photomaniac Wasilla, AKSuper Moderators Posts: 7,454 moderator
2 Garden Path to Fountain. St. Petersburg Russia~JAG (Joyce) - Challenges Moderator
My site: JAG Creations
"How to" Blog JAG Creations be a fan.0
grandmaR Major grins Southern Maryland Registered Users Posts: 1,745 Major grins
This is a tough one for me. Since most of our recreation involves riding a bike on a path or road of some sort or wandering on a path or trail, I have hundreds of choices which bring back many fond memories. Here are three of my personal favorites:
1) The "Waalwege" in Schenna, Italy (South Tirol) are a network of paths bordered by century old canals used to irrigate the many hillside vineyards and orchards.
2) Last summer's cycling vacation took us to Burgundy. This was taken jjust outside the village of Pommard - those vineyards are growing very expensive grapes!
3) This one I took a few years ago riding through a nearby forest. I came upon the scene and slammed on my brakes and whipped the camera out of my handlebar bag. Fortunately the long zoom was already mounted and I was able to capture this sweet father/daughter scene from a distance..
Just for fun:
In the forest not far from my house. This was taken on the way home from work one afternoon last summer.0
Great to see so many great entries here already! Thank you, @JAG, @grandmaR and @sarasphotos!0
slpollett Major grins Registered Users Posts: 1,096 Major grins
This is at Muleshoe Bend State Park between Austin and Marble Falls, TX. a couple of years ago. In all my years of living in Texas, I have never seen the bluebonnets so widespread and so thick as they were at this park. We were there on a chilly, foggy, overcast day and it was still beautiful. None of my pictures do any justice at all to the scene. It was several miles of blue as far as the eye could see.
A few more from Muleshoe Bend, not for judging. This area so flush with bluebonnets that year is normally under the lake, but due to the drought (at the time) the wildflowers were just so phenomenal. Last spring, we had so much rain that lake levels are back to normal and sadly this area is now under water again. But, wow, was it drop-dead gorgeous a couple of years ago!
Anyone interested can see the full gallery here: https://psphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Muleshoe-Bend-Recreation-Area/
Sherry P.Visit my galleries at: http://psphotos.smugmug.com/ and/or http://pollettsquaredphotography.smugmug.com0
Thank you for entries, @slpollett. I love seeing these fields of bluebonnets! We were in Austin, Texas a few years ago and saw a few but nothing like this display.0
CHANDLERJA Light Seeker Registered Users Posts: 400 Major grins
Light is everything in life and photography.0
@CHANDLERJA Jeromy, I love the the red truck rushing by in your 2nd shot!0
kurzvorzwoelf Straight from the trenches Stuttgart, GermanyRegistered Users Posts: 315 Major grins
@sarasphotos Wow, Sara. Your entry number three is out of this world. It has everything a good photo needs - a superb composition, great light and a very emotional subject. Well done!
Wise words from the Dog of Wisdom: If your ball is too big for your mouth, it's not yours.
I'm here to learn and progress. Honest feedback and criticism on my images is warmly appreciated!
My SmugMug site - kurzvorzwoelf.com0
Oh, thanks @kurzvorzwoelf , I've always been fonds of that photo.0
pegelli Major grins BelgiumRegistered Users Posts: 5,938 Major grins
Waiting for the fog to lift, otherwise it's not safe to continue
Less travelled path, probably better with these shady characters around
A man and his dogs, a nice walk through the crisp morning coldPieter, aka pegelli
My SmugMug0
lkbart Wandering in left field~ Derby, KansasRegistered Users Posts: 1,779 Major grins
Great theme & some awesome entries! Love all the bluebells & the forest walks, lovely shots!
Glad somebody had a chainsaw (also glad I wasn't driving!)
Evening walk
A photograph is an artistic expression of life, captured one moment at a time . . .
Fun to come back (from a chilly weekend in Phoenix) and see entries from @CHANDLERJA, @pegelli, and @lkbart! Thank you!0
gazoo n00b Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins0
@gazoo thank you for your entry!
I am enjoying the variety of entries. There is still time for folks to enter this mini. It will end on Thursday at 6pm EST.0
StueveShots Major grins PNW MountiansRegistered Users Posts: 542 Major grins
This is a fun topic--and there have been so many great entries! I end up with lots of photos of paths and walks and (often) the backs of loved ones, because I am always playing catch up to the three men in my family with their long, long legs. I'll share a few:
Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, California, United States
Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland National Park, England
St. Fagens National Museum of History, Cardiff, Wales
Cavalier Life is a Bokeh Foresthill, CaliforniaRegistered Users Posts: 2,425 Major grins
1) A fern trail
2) Into the storm
3) Buggy rideJo West
Photos: jowest.smugmug.com
Book1: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LUBMI1C
Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079V3RX6K
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jo.west.160
Just back from a trip to Cuba, so I am sliding in under the wire yet again. I have three from my archives, and threw in one from Cuba as a bonus (just to share). I am loving the inspiration in the great images
- Baker Range from Mount Cheam
Mount Baker in September
A long way from anywhere, British Columbia
Street and houses, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba
Dave Gillespie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/0
- Baker Range from Mount Cheam
@DavidRGillespie - thank you for your great entries. Could you let me know which 3 of the 4 you would like to be your "official" entries! Thanks.
Flying home from a conference today and will close the mini around 6pm tonight. Then comes the hard part! But great to have so many fine images shared here.0
Thanks Gretchen. The first three are the "official" entries.
Dave Gillespie
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/0
This mini is now closed. I just returned from a conference, but will try to post results this weekend. Thank you all for participating!
(And David, thank you for the clarification!)0
BMW Kurt Adventurer, Photographer Registered Users Posts: 207 Major grins


text:
Been busy teaching and traveling and recently got home from teaching at the South African National Quilt Festival in KwaZulu Natal --- and very influenced by the colors and patterns of Africa (not to mention the fabrics!).
I was blotto from the time warp, but happy to be back at my sewing machine after watching my students sew for a week. About the only thing I could do was to finish the string quilt I had started before I left for a new baby my daughter's good friend had recently.
Finally got it together and quilted, but when I took a photo to post on my blog I was a bit taken aback on how totally wonky it really was. But hey, string quilts are supposed to be wonky - right? And when you cut and sew without a ruler, that's what happens.
By the way, I might pass along something I finally figured out as I was sewing these strips down to the paper. I realized that I only needed to sew one seam to the paper: set the first one down and put one on top of it, as usual. Sewed the two to the square of paper and folded the paper back. Then I just sewed one strip to another without the paper, used the paper to trim when I was done, and only had one seam to rip. OTOH - maybe that's why this looks so wacko.
Cheers, everybody! Enjoy.
warm regards,


text:
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschungwww.gsi.de
GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH operates a large, in many aspects worldwide unique accelerator facility for heavy-ion beams. The research program at GSI covers a broad range of activities extending from nuclear and atomic physics to plasma and materials research to biophysics and cancer therapy. Well-known is the discovery of six new chemical elements. Challenging new accelerators will be built in the FAIR project which will take place with international collaboration partners within the next years.


text:
alternating(redirected from alternatingly)
Also found in: Thesaurus.
al·ter·nate(ôl′tər-nāt′, ăl′-)
v. al·ter·nat·ed, al·ter·nat·ing, al·ter·nates
a. To occur in a successive manner: day alternating with night.
b. To act or proceed by turns: The students alternated at the computer.
2. To pass back and forth from one state, action, or place to another: alternated between happiness and depression.
3. Electricity To reverse direction at regular intervals in a circuit.
1. To do or execute by turns.
2. To cause to alternate: alternated light and dark squares to form a pattern.
adj. (-nĭt)
1. Happening or following in turns; succeeding each other continuously: alternate seasons of the year.
2. Designating or relating to every other one of a series: alternate lines.
3. Serving or used in place of another; substitute: an alternate plan. See Usage Note at alternative.
4. Botany
a. Arranged singly at each node, as leaves or buds on different sides of a stem.
b. Arranged regularly between other parts, as stamens between petals.
n. (-nĭt)
1. A person acting in the place of another; a substitute.
2. An alternative.
[Latin alternāre, alternāt-, from alternus, by turns, from alter, other; see al- in Indo-European roots.]
al′ter·nate·ly adv.
happening in succession
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
|alternating - (of a current) reversing direction; "alternating current"
electricity - a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
direct - (of a current) flowing in one direction only; "direct current"
|alternating - occurring by turns; first one and then the other; "alternating feelings of love and hate"
adjective interchanging, changing, shifting, swinging, rotating, fluctuating, occurring by turns, oscillating, vacillating, seesawing alternating cycles of REM and non-REM sleep
každý druhýstriedavý
alternating[ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪŋ] adj [periods, layers, stripes] → en alternancealternating current n → courant m alternatif
adj → wechselnd; a pattern with alternating stripes of red and white → ein Muster mit abwechselnd roten und weißen Streifen; alternating current → Wechselstrom m


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Confidence in Tech Hits 2014 High
Consumer confidence in the tech sector has continued to surge, reaching another 2014 high, the Consumer Electronics Association said Tuesday.
The CEA Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE) jumped 172.5 in August, a 1.2-point gain from last month. The CEA Index of Consumer Technology Expectations (ICTE), however, decreased.
"U.S. consumers appear to be brushing off geopolitical concerns that are hampering sentiment in Europe and elsewhere," Shawn DuBravac, CEA's chief economist and senior director of research, said as part of the announcement.
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Tag Archives: hip
Gift Ideas Under $15.00!
Everyone loves getting a gift- but finding a thrifty and stylish one can be hard! Here is a list of Etsy gifts under $15.00 for any occasion! Pssssst- did you know that not only our economy benefits from buying local, … Continue reading
Posted in appearance, artisan jewelry, bohemian, buy local, create, fashion, flower child, free spirit, freedom, hippie, hope, indigo children, jewelry, jewelry making, laugh, local goods Tagged accessories, appearance, art, artisan, artisan jewelry, artisanjewelry, bath, beach, beauty, bed, bohemian, boho, create, cute, design, diy, earrings, etsy, explore, fashion, favorite, feathers, flower child, free spirit, fun, gifts, gifts under $15, girl, girly, give back, green, gypsy, handmade, hip, hippie, jewelry Leave a comment
Was up late last night thinking of some new techniques and patterns I wanted to try, PLUS thinking of how to do a great indoor photo shoot for some of my new pieces. Shipping orders out today- so happy to … Continue reading