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- Direct analysis of auto exhaust (no drying required)
- Real-time quantitative analysis of diverse compounds, including formaldehyde
- Wide linear and dynamic ranges
- Robust and reliable instrumentation
- No need for skilled operators
- Pass/fail answers for process monitoring applications
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inorganic gases are emitted from diverse automotive components, assembled motor vehicle cabins, and as combustion by-products from motor vehicles. Some emissions are highly toxic (including the carcinogens benzene and formaldehyde), some have nuisance value (e.g. causing sensitization), but most are contributors to smog. Recognizing the public health and environmental issues, regulatory bodies and industry increasingly seek to reduce public and environmental exposure to these emissions. Historically, however, no technology has been able to provide simple, rapid, and comprehensive analysis for these diverse chemicals.
SIFT-MS addresses the shortcomings of traditional analytical techniques with a unique combination of benefits that enable it to quantify diverse gases in real time with very high selectivity over wide linear and dynamic ranges,while providing long-term stability, ease of use and ease of integration. SIFT-MS represents a breakthrough in the detection, quantification, and tracing of gaseous emissions for the automotive industry. This page outlines several SIFT-MS-based vehicles and component testing solutions provided by Syft Technologies.
Automobile Industry Challenges
- The composition of automobile exhaust is dynamic – to understand it, measurements need to be made in real time
- Exhaust is complex – requiring not only fast, but also selective analysis
- Small aldehydes (formaldehyde and acetaldehyde) are very important, reactive components of exhaust yet are difficult for conventional direct gas analysis methods to quantify
How Syft can help
- Real-time feedback on the combustion process through continuous, selective, and comprehensive analysis
- Simple, direct analysis of challenging compounds, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde
- Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry – SIFT-MS analysis is robust to humidity
- Very low maintenance instrumentation due to direct, chromatography-free, low-energy SIFT-MS analysis
Despite improvements in fuel quality (including changes to additives), internal combustion engines, and catalytic converters, emissions of VOCs and inorganic gases from motor vehicles remain a significant source of pollution in urban areas due to their numbers. SIFT-MS provides unique opportunities to study and reduce motor vehicle emissions, because it can:
- Analyze individual VOCs and most inorganic gases (such as NOx and SOx) in real-time, even at high humidity, providing a more comprehensive picture of emissions.
- Monitor transient effects such as a sudden burst in emissions on acceleration, which conventional techniques completely miss.
These capabilities enable deeper insights to be obtained compared to results from conventional analytical methods. Rapid analysis provided by SIFT-MS also enables faster feedback of the findings into R&D and production decisions.
Increased regulation of emissions in motor vehicle passenger cabins has led to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) imposing emission standards on raw material and component suppliers to prevent inclusion of sub-standard products in finished vehicles. Analogous to the VIAQ application, conventional analytical technologies for testing components are expensive, complex, and slow.
The comprehensive analysis provided by SIFT-MS – coupled with its high throughput and very low cost of ownership – provides an ideal tool for certifying conformance of every batch of product across diverse compound classes, including aldehydes, phthalates, aromatics, chlorinated organics, and organotin compounds.
Both the OEM and supplier benefit from the rapid turnaround since batches with higher emissions can be identified before shipping, eliminating costly rejections by the OEM. Wide-scale product screening also enables the supplier to identify product issues earlier, optimizing production processes and reducing product losses or re-work.
The comprehensive, simple gas analysis capabilities of SIFT-MS make it ideally suited to detection of gases used in batteries, or that are produced when batteries fail or are abused:
- Acid gases, such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, nitric acid, and sulfur dioxide
- Organic electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries, including dimethyl carbonate and diethyl carbonate.
SIFT-MS is also ideally suited to both fuel cell research and ongoing quality assurance of fuels. R&D applications include evaluation of fuel cell conversion efficiencies and evaluation of the effects of reactive impurities on the fuel cell catalyst (for example, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide). SIFT-MS also provides an economic solution for ongoing quality assurance of fuel gas supplies to ensure that they do not contain compounds
at concentrations that will poison commercially deployed fuel cells.
SIFT-MS analyzes all aldehydes and other VOCs in one rapid, simple front-line test, making wide-scale screening economic. Instant feedback on the acceptability of every vehicle coming off the production line is a reality! This ensures that any deviations from the standard production specification can be identified immediately, allowing corrective actions to be taken.
Self-contained SIFT-MS platform capable of rapid, continuous analysis of VOCs and inorganic gases.
Auto-validation inlet allows switching between sample, calibration standard, and background gas streams.
Remote operation of the Voice200ultra is supported via industry-standard MODBUS or proprietary Voice Remote Control protocols.
Software package for viewing and analyzing SIFT-MS data from multiple instruments, or customizing analyses.
Vehicle Emissions Resources
|Automotive Industry Solutions Brochure
|Analysis of Automobile Exhaust Emissions
Vehicle Emissions Webinars
|Enhanced Tailpipe, Material Emission, and Leak Analysis


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Ghana Premier League side Inter Allies FC have signed Togo international goalkeeper Koami N'Souhoho Mensah for an undisclosed fee.
The Hawks second-choice goalkeeper was available on a free transfer after his contract with Gabonese top flight side Mounana FC expired.
Mensah is making a return to the Ghana Premier League after joining Ashanti Gold between 2008 - 2010.
He also played for Togolese side Dynamic Togolais (Dyto) in 2010/11 before joining Nigerian giants Enugu Rangers in 2012.
N'Souhoho was an integral member of the team that represented Togo at the FIFA U-17 World Cup is South Korea in 2007

subset: commoncrawl


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Sun, 16 November 2014
A listener asks what kind of strap-on harness his wife should get if he wants to be pegged. And, how can she rock some clit stimulation when she's banging him? Dawn and Dylan weigh in.
You know we love hearing from you, so here's how to reach us.
Call or text: 747-444-1840 (standard messaging rates apply)
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Direct download: Hit_It_and_Quit_It_-_Shopping_for_Harnesses.mp3
Category:Health -- posted at: 8:40am EDT


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Spiky Jar host exhibition
Spikey Jar Art Studio artists recently launched their mixed media art exhibition at Abbeyleix Library.
The exhibition is titled 'To the waters and the wild' and is in the library until January 4. Spikey Jar art studio artists included Janet O Grady, Kate O' Brien, Nora Reilly, Fiona Clancy, Doreen Bourke and Imelda McNally.
All involved in the group are past students of Abbeyleix FEC, and have been running the group for the past number of years. They have also hosted a number of successful exhibitions over the years.
The group meet each week in Kate's studio. Even though they all work differently and use various media (textile/fibre art, free machine embroidery, quilting, painting, resin art, glass painting, mixed media, ceramics and recently woodwork); they often find a starting point - an idea, a word, a phrase - then produce their own interpretation through their chosen media.
For more about the artists, people can contact the library.


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South Tyrolean Wine Museum
Goldgasse 1, Kaltern (Caldaro)
1 Apr–11 Nov
Interactive map
We could not calculate directions.
The South Tyrol Wine Museum is located in the centre of Kaltern/Caldaro, in the former tithe cellar of the Lords of Kaltern-Laimburg. The museum offers a tour through the cultural history of wine in South Tyrol: from historic implements that illustrate the work on the estates through the working year to the religious imagery that shows the many links between wine and religion. Over thirty different grape varieties are grown in the museum's small vineyard; the products can be tasted in the autumn.


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When you are feeling disenchanted with the way in which your life is headed, a…
Rune Stones
Posted on September 30, 2014 by Zenory psychic psychic readings rune stones
Rune stones are another tool used by psychics during psychic readings. Rune stones have been used for a very, very long time for accurate psychic readings. Rune stones have different symbols on them which the caster reads to determine the answers to your questions. Rune stones are not always made of stone, and can be made of almost anything such as glass, wood, clay and other materials. You do not have to buy rune stones, you could choose some stones you find outdoors and put the symbols on them yourselves if you like. Some readers swear by pre-made ruin stones, while other psychics feel just as strongly about creating their rune stones themselves. It is up to each psychic reader, and you yourself, what preference you have and what works best for you.
The more rune stones are cast and the more the psychic becomes attuned and attached to them, the more accurate information seems to be given to their personal rune stones. The more your energies combine with those of the rune stones, the more in sync the information coming seems to be. Many clients, although skeptical at first are quite surprised at how accurate and in depth a psychic reading using rune stone is.
You can ask about love, relationships, career, finances, or just about anything when getting a rune stone psychic reading. Although there are not as many rune stones as there are tarot cards in a tarot deck, a wealth of information can accurately come forward. Many clients that have tried a psychic reading using rune stones for the first time have enjoyed it so much that it was not their last. Rune stones are another great method that anyone can use to give a psychic reading or begin their journey to discovering their own psychic gifts.The symbols for rune stones are universal, and can be found online. During your journey through life you can pick and choose stones that speak to you or resonate with you in some way and print the symbols on them yourself. Soon enough you will have your own personal set of rune stones that you already have a connection with. There are many classes and different methods to casting runs stones to give psychic readings as either a professional psychic like the ones on our site or just for fun for yourself and your friends and family.
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Dealing with Overwhelm w/ Anand Sharma
March 19, 2018
Episode #121 Dealing with Overwhelm w/ Anand Sharma
Welcome to the show!
Today I'm back with my friend and co-creator Anand Sharma with another installment in our series Achieve What Matters Most.
Today we are talking about the all-important topic, overwhelm and this is especially close to me right now.
In today's episode Anand and I discuss:
What overwhelm really is and why we function this way,
Why we take on so much,
The demands in our lives and how they've increased,
What we can do to simplify and why it's important,
And so much more!
Guest Bio
Anand Sharma is in the new phase of life wherein his mission is to help people to achieve what really matters to them. What matters to him is a 'meaningful fun'. Coaching and mentoring is not a career for him but a spiritual path to living a fulfilled and balanced life He says he likes to be 'easy busy' and not 'crazy busy'.
He is Founder and CEO of Growth Angle Ltd UK. He is a professional & personal Coach, business consultant, speaker, trainer, facilitator, entrepreneur and an investor based in London, UK. He has more than 40 years of corporate experience spanning the UK, Europe, India, USA, and Asia. He has been a speaker at many international conferences in Europe, India, Australia, and Russia. He was the Global Director-Healthcare for Reckitt Benckiser Plc UK, one of the top global company of FMCG and healthcare brands. He was the Non-Executive Board Director of a pharmaceutical company based in Oxford UK and a Trustee of a Children's charity in the UK. He has B.SC; MBA and coaching qualifications besides he is a licensed Master NLP Practioner trained by Dr. Ricahrd Bandler, the co-creator of NLP. He is also a Master NLP Practioner trained by Ian McDermott, the coach of coaches.


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I am constantly amazed at the medical communities objective in light of new outbreaks of diseases which have plagued man kind for millenia – let's develop a vaccine.
Vaccines have yielded huge benefits to the human race, don't get me wrong. However, people who live in remote areas and cannot access such treatment, need options. These people would benefit from not being subject to the weak link of supply chains, which ever malady they may have.
When I ponder such diseases as malaria with literally billions of cases annually, pills do not cut it for poor people. One set back in the move toward plant based solutions is pill sellers. Wealth creation has its roots in a healthy population. Pill sellers like their business. And it's profits. But how much more could they make if the population was well and able to work to capacity? I venture to say they could make more selling windows, doors and construction materials. These are legitimate businesses in which pill sellers could participate.
Take a boo at this article on papaya – one of my favorites for staying healthy in the tropics. It treats or prevents two of the 4 big killers – malaria and dysentery. I am walking proof that it works!!
Photo to follow!!!
Kind Regards, Tim
Have a marvelous tropical holiday, topped off with a cup of papaya leaf tea daily!! Do some research to see if this product is suited to you!!
My condolences to those who have lost loved ones to the ebola outbreak.


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Social Work
A Reader
Descripción de editorial
What are the key ideas that underpin social work practice?
This inspiring Reader brings together some of the most significant ideas which have informed social work practice over the last forty years. Exploring these fundamental ideas, the book includes commentaries that allow the reader to understand the texts on their own terms as well as to be aware of their relations to each other and to the wider social work context.
An accessible introduction contextualises the reader, summarising the main themes and highlighting key issues. The book is then divided into three main sections, each presenting key texts which have contributed to the development of:
the profession of social work
social work knowledge and values
social work skills and practice.
There is no settled view or easy consensus about what social work is and should be, and the ideas reflected in this volume are themselves diverse and complex. The contributions are drawn from a wide range of perspectives: psychological, sociological, philosophical, educational and political, as well as perspectives which are grounded in the experiences of practitioners and those who use services.
This important resource is essential reading for all social work students.


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Date 'n Game
Dear "The Way Things Are Supposed to Be", Boy meets girl and girl meets boy and they live happily ever after with a dog, a cat, three and a half kids and a white picket fence. Or do they? What happens if boy makes it into his thirties without meeting girl and girl is in … Continue reading
The Hip Hop Offspring of Love Jones NYC
Dear Hip-Hop, I remember the exact day when I first fell in love with you. Unlike Sanaa Lathan's character in Brown Sugar it was not in a park listening to Dana Dane, Slick Rick or Dougie Fresh battle in the Bronx. Rather, I was on a road trip with my family and my father put … Continue reading
365 Days of Non-Dates
Dear Sunny Readers, I first want to be clear that this is not and never has been a dating blog. In its most formal title it can be dubbed a lifestyle blog and in its truest form it is the true adventures of a Sunny California girl dropped in this strange country of Brooklyn. That … Continue reading
Jagged Edge Releases The Remedy
Dear Brian, Brandon, Kyle and Wingo, Thank you for the release of your seventh album. I've been listening to you for the last 15 years and as I anxiously awaited The Remedy I couldn't help but be excited because I knew it was going to be different than The Babymaking Project in that this would … Continue reading
527 Free Hugs at AIDS Walk NYC
Dear Free Hugs, A little over a year ago a friend of mine and I were discussing the Art of Giving a Hug with another friend of mine whom I'll call Carter for the purpose of this blog. We were giving Carter a hard time because his hugs were pathetic. I mean the kind of … Continue reading
700 Lost on 9/11/2001
Dear Suicide Bombers, For years the devastation, tragedy, crisis and eventual war on America has been something that I've experienced as a historical moment in my life. An event that forever changed my life and has forever etched memories in my mind that I can't shake and don't need to see rerun every year on the … Continue reading
Verizon Welcomes the I-Phone
Dear Verizon, You are amazing and I thank you so much for bringing the I-Phone to your network. I am anxiously awaiting the pre-release at 3am tomorrow and will continue to update you with minute-by-minute results of what this network has opened up for its customers. I got online right at 3am and ordered my … Continue reading
New York Moments
Dear ING, Thank you for the experience of the New York City Marathon. I stood today on the corner of 121st street and 5th Avenue so that I would have an equal view of the Marathon runners in their 22nd mile and the performance J-Harris of Maschil Entertainment was doing at 1:30 pm. It was … Continue reading


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Important: Don't Let Your Wireless Provider Spy On You
With the widespread popularity of smartphones, everyone is walking around with a computer in their pocket. Which is awesome. What is NOT cool is that due to flaws in the laws regarding what wireless phone provider (WPP) companies are allowed to do, your WPP company is legally allowed to spy on you and collect info on EVERY single thing you do on your phone. What's worse is that the companies will automatically opt you in to agree to be tracked and spied on, and it's your responsibility to first of all realize that you're being spied on and tracked, and second of all it's your responsibility to opt out of it.
At this point some you might be saying "Well, I don't do anything bad or illegal so who cares if they spy on me and track me?" First of all, you cannot predict everything that will be done with your phone. Perhaps in the future you'll use it for something personal, private, or embarrassing. Or perhaps someone borrows your phone to make a call and also uses it to do something unsavory that you're not even aware of. The point is you just can't predict the future so it's not a good idea to give them free license to spy on your personal habits. Second, you may be saying "Even if they have that info, they're just using it for marketing purposes, it's not like anything bad will happen with it." Wrong. The companies are allowed to use that info for whatever purpose they want, including selling it to third parties. Additionally, the law states that if the government asks them for the info for ANY reason, they must turn it over to them. "But I don't break the law!" Oh really? Did you know that the average person breaks the law at least once per day without even realizing it? Yup, it's true, check it out: Mr Average breaks the law at least once a day
Now don't worry, we don't need to start wearing tin-foil hats and living in the wilderness. I'm going to show you how to opt out of being tracked in under two minutes, and then you don't have to worry about it anymore and you can continue to use your smartphone without being tracked.
Each company has a slightly different process, but they all involve logging into the companies website, finding the proper page, and selecting to opt out of being tracked. I happen to currently have Verizon, so this is what the page looks like for me (I blacked out my phone number for obvious reasons):
People are stupid for wanting sequential downloading of BitTorrent files? Then fix it, Einstein.
This is a very contentious topic and I welcome and encourage discussion, but let's keep it civil. The title of this article merely highlights the contentious nature of the topic.
There is a wiki-style page explaining why sequential downloading of BitTorrent files is bad. If you don't understand it, go research it until you do, then come back here.
Let me preface by saying that I think BitTorrent (BT) technology is amazing and I have much respect for all those who helped it be created and maintained. I am not kicking the proverbial gift-horse in the mouth. I'm thankful for what I've got. I understand the issue of sequential downloading and how it is detrimental to the whole BT concept. Which is why I understand the heated discussion between people requesting the feature and people explaining why the feature is bad. I am not rehashing that debate.
What I want to do is try and intelligently think about the issue and discuss it, and to do so requires a paradigm-shift by those in the discussion. Think about the progression and proliferation of technology. Think about the concepts of supply and demand. Nobody disputes that zillions of BT users want sequential downloading (zillion = a lot). That means there is a huge demand for it. They might not understand BT technology enough to know why sequential downloading (herein referred do as SD) is bad for BT. But it's easy to understand why there is a demand for it. If we take a broader look at the history of technological progression, almost always we see that when there is a huge demand for something but our technology is unable to supply that demand, there is great incentive to innovate and improve our technology to meet that demand.
And so my call to action is this: people may be stupid for wanting SD for BT. But the huge demand for it exists for a reason. Rather than telling people to "not want SD", instead innovate and create to solve the problem. It may be that some innovation in BT technology solves the problem. Or it may be that BT will never be capable of successfully incorporating SD, in which case a new technology is needed. No doubt this problem will be eventually solved. But ignoring a demand does not make it go away. Neither does saying "there shouldn't BE a demand." The demand is there, and it must, and will, be supplied. You can argue about it until you're blue in the face, but that's the simple fact of the matter. It's not easy to solve the problem, and I have much respect for the brilliant minds behind the technology. But pretending or insisting that a problem does not exist is not a solution to that problem. The problem remains. And hopefully soon, a solution will follow.
Let's get this party started.
Everyone should try out Linux (the operating system) at some point.
For those who are unaware, Linux is the operating system (OS) of choice for heaving duty IT work, tech savvy people, and anyone who needs reliability and security.
I recently installed Linux on my secondary laptop, specifically the version of Linux called Xubuntu (pronounced ex-ooh-boon-too). It's lightweight & fast, has everything you need, it's interface is similar to that of Windows so it'll be very familiar to you, plus it's free!
You can even test it out on your Windows computer without installing it; it has a mode where you can try it out; it temporarily runs itself side-by-side by Windows without messing up your Windows installation in any way. When you're done, you simply reboot and there's no record of Linux having ever been on your computer.
Try it with one click: Wubi is a program that will download and run it for you. Once it's installing, I recommend selecting Xubuntu (it's more lightweight and faster than Ubuntu or Kubuntu; but basically all 3 are pretty much the same version of Linux).


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Intelligent Armour Limited is now the official UK Distributor for Potomac Field Gear.
Regarding the move, Intelligent Armour Group CEO Mr Alex Bomberg said "Potomac Field Gear shows great innovation in product design and in research and development of its products, Intelligent Armour and its clients will welcome this innovationâ€. "What Potomac brings to the table will totally change what soldiers and close protection operatives wear in the field and will reduce blast and burn injuries.†We agree. With the Advanced Combat Shirt, Potomac makes an innovative product that not only addresses flame threats but also incorporates features to mitigate heat-induced injuries.
Intelligent Armour video
They are still in the stages of placing Potomac products on their website, but the gear they already have is all there:


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The Merry Wives of Windsor is not a great play. There is an early tradition that another Falstaff play was requested from Shakespeare by Elizabeth I, who loved the character, as did most of her subjects. The company would have also been very happy to have another money spinner of a play with one of the most popular characters he ever wrote making another appearance. We can't know for sure whether this is true but it certainly feels like Shakespeare was writing to order rather than from the heart. The Falstaff in the Henrys is a much darker, more rounded character than the one in Merry Wives and while a lot of the other names are familiar, Bardolph, Pistol, Nym, Mistress Quickly and Justice Shallow, they are not fleshed out and made real. If you have seen Henry IV parts one and two you can't help but feel short changed. Merry Wives is a light hearted romp, probably swiftly written to order, and the best parts are the new characters, especially Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, who have a wonderful time running rings round the men while keeping their dignity and pointing out a few home truths. I am pretty sure that Elizabeth would have liked them very much. There is no harm done, just a few pretensions made fun of and a few egos punctured. It's all good fun and nobody takes anything too much to heart- not even Falstaff who is the butt of most of the jokes.
Nevertheless I was glad to see the play again as it isn't often done. I enjoyed it twenty three years ago when Northern Broadsides performed it outdoors in Valley Gardens, Saltburn. It was only their second production and they have come a long way since. The new production takes a while to get off the ground- the play's fault rather than the company's I think- but once it does it is well paced and there is a lot of laughter and some nice set piece moments which probably work now in exactly the same way that they did for it's first audiences. I shall remember the fat woman of Ilkley running for her life for a long time. With apologies to Barrie Rutter, who is a natural Falstaff and the backbone of the production as actor and director, I have to say that my two stars were Becky Hindley as Mistress Ford and Nicola Sanderson as Mistress Page. They work beautifully together and they are a real pleasure to watch. You understand exactly what they are thinking and get behind them, willing them to succeed. I also liked Andy Cryer very much as Ciaus. He gave an over the top, full blooded performance which did a lot to help the play along- especially in the first half. It was all great fun and there is not enough of that in the world.


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Every Thursday (or thereabouts), "Reverend" Anthony Burch monologues about games and gaming culture for a segment we call "Rev Rants."
However inadvertently, a lot of my rants end up addressing the idea of games as a uniquely expressive art form. There is -- and I don't have to qualify the following statement, because that's why God invented hyperbole -- effectively no one on the Internet who truly believes that games are not an art form, even if we're just talking about the art of entertaining people.
There have been, however, a few instances of confusion regarding what is so artistic about games. If I say, "games are an art form," and you say, "yeah -- just look at how beautiful Okami is!," then we're not talking about the same thing.
Hit the jump for an (unfortunately text-based, as I've been busy editing HAWPs this week) explanation of what I'm talking about.
When I say I'm of the position that games are an art form, I mean to say that when pared down to their most minimalistic aspects, games have a unique, medium-specific ability of expression that makes them different from (not superior or inferior to) other mediums.
This is why I brought up the Okami example before the jump. Okami is a visually beautiful game, yes, but its graphics have nothing -- I repeat, nothing -- to do with its belonging to an artistically unique medium. Making things look pretty is not a game-specific skill. The art style certainly has an impact on one's enjoyment of the game, and it's almost definitely one of the first things that pop into my head when I think about Okami, but I would no more point to Okami's beautiful watercolor graphics to exemplify gaming's artfulness than I would present the cover art for Abbey Road to show how uniquely artistic music can be.
I would point out the Magic Paintbrush Thing mechanic. I would point out anything interactive, anything that could not possibly be done in any other medium. Film, for instance, can be considered a uniquely expressive medium, thanks at least in part to the power of editing. Simply by juxtaposing images against one another, or letting certain shots go on longer than others, you can evoke a totally unique intellectual or emotional reaction compared to anything found in novels or on the stage (see: Eisenstein's Montage Theory). Gaming has many unique powers like Eistenstein's theory of montage (though the actual phrases being used to describe them vary from designer to designer), and to focus on things like pretty graphics or epic stories at the expense of realizing the uniqueness of gaming's other aspects is to pretty much miss the point.
This is why I'm also hesitant to hold up JRPGs as examples of artistic greatness, at least in the way that I've seen them championed by a fair number of people. Final Fantasy VI may have a cool story, yes, but is it delivered in a way specific to the medium? Or is it conveyed through long dialogue scenes and noninteractive cut scenes? I'm not trying to make some sort of qualitative statement about how good or bad JRPG plots generally are, but it's worth noting that game narratives, at least as conveyed through many, many games across many, many genres, aren't particularly unique to our chosen medium. Though you wouldn't be able to experience the fun of leveling up and finding items (activities that are unique to gaming, and are thus worthy of recognition), a FFVI miniseries would be just as effective at delivering narrative as its source material.
The same goes for pretty much any game that doesn't attempt to fuse story with gameplay in a medium-specific way, whether we're talking about something as simple as increasing immersion by never leaving the protagonist's viewpoint and providing environmental story clues (see: Valve, BioShock), or as far-reaching as allowing the player to determine where the story will go at any given time (à la Masq). Or, in getting rid of story almost entirely (Dwarf Fortress, Spelunky, the better parts of Fable II and Far Cry 2).
I more or less shat on "fun" games in my last few rants, but it's worth saying that as a medium, games have the ability to deliver unique fun in ways that other artistic mediums can simply never touch. There is something artful in how unusually satisfying it feels to chainsaw a Locust in Gears of War. There is something aesthetically interesting about dicking around in Wii Sports or Bookworm Adventures that you can't really get through other mediums. I'd love to see our medium use its expressive strengths in other directions as well, but "fun," and the unique dimensions it takes within videogaming, are unquestionable support for the idea that games can deliver unique feelings and ideas through unique avenues.
And if none of that proves they're an art form, I don't know what the hell to say.
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Out of Stock
melissa white & pl blue winter boot boots toddler
We're really sorry - it appears that this product is currently out of stock. Why not check out some of the similar styles below? Don't forget we have a 365 day returns policy on unsuitable items!
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No one should ever be mocked for trying to help the police catch a suspected criminal, but sometimes their efforts shouldn't be plastered on national TV.
An American local news channel recently ran a story about a suspected criminal being caught by the police, however they included a weird piece of evidence in their report.
Police have already apprehended the man, so why did the news report even have to include this thing?
Of course, despite the drawing's low quality, it could have helped police in some way during their investigation… maybe.
Also, bear in mind that the person who made this sketch was a witness, not a professional police sketch artist.
So don't be too mean.
MORE: This joke about David Cameron, Nicola Sturgeon and mistletoe is a right laugh
MORE: Dad accidentally sends his son to school wearing this naughty Christmas jumper


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Rp 396.750
Rp 529.000
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Double side button shirt with pleated accent on back, short sleeves shirt.
Free size; bust: 100 cm, waist: 120 cm, length: 65 cm.
Thick crepe.
Product care Instructions:
Cold gentle machine wash, do not bleach / soak, do not tumble dry, line dry shade, iron low heat.


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Chicken liver & mushroom nests
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
- Easily halved
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal147
- fat8g
- saturates2g
- carbs7g
- sugars2g
- fibre1g
- protein10g
- salt0.74g
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is made from pressing sunflower seeds and extracting the oil. It's usually…
- 3 onions, finely chopped
Onions are endlessly versatile and an essential ingredient in countless recipes. Native to Asia…
- 250g pack chestnut mushroom, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 400g pack chicken liver, trimmed of any sinewy bits
- 3 tbsp brandy
Brandy is a distilled spirit made from virtually any fermented fruit or starchy vegetable.…
- 140g white breadcrumb
- bunch flatleaf parsley, chopped
- handful walnuts, chopped
Walnuts are one of the most popular and versatile of all nuts. When picked young, they're…
- 12 smoked, dry-cured streaky bacon rashers
Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then soften the onions for 10 mins with the pan covered. Turn up the heat, add the mushrooms and fry for about 10 mins until golden and all their liquid has evaporated. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Tip everything onto a plate.
Pat the livers dry, then add a little more oil to the pan. Sizzle in batches for about 20 secs on each side until just golden but not cooked through. Set aside on a plate as you go. Tip in the brandy and let it reduce to 1 tbsp. Roughly chop the livers once cooled, then mix with the oniony mushrooms, brandy, bread and almost all the parsley and nuts.
To cook, wind bacon rashers into the wells of a 12-hole bun tin, like little nests. Spoon in the stuffing (reserving 250g for your turkey), scatter with remaining nuts, then bake, covered with foil, for 20 mins. Uncover and cook for 25 mins more until the bacon is gold. Scatter with remaining chopped parsley to serve.
Recipe Tip
Prepare aheadThe stuffing can be made up to 48 hrs ahead and chilled immediately. Remove from the fridge just before cooking. Alternatively, freeze for up to a month – defrost completely in the fridge before cooking. Once cooked, it will keep in a low oven, or can be reheated, covered with foil for 20 mins, while the turkey is resting.


text:
Friday, July 25, 2008
Round #2 from the 'clearing house' was wrapped up today! My youngest niece is going away to college (RI !!) for her freshman year. Before my freshman year of college, my Aunt and my Grandmother gave me a box of small, silly gifts to take to school with me... one to open each day for about 2 weeks. Sounds silly - yes. There were packs of gum, a coffee mug, hand lotion, a box of raisins, etc., etc... - just dumb little 'tokens', but the handwritten note that was attached to each was just what this overwhelmed, homesick freshman needed! Hopefully my niece will have some fun with her goody lot!! Tomorrow, bright and early we are embarking on the 2 3/4 hour drive to Albany, NY for her graduation party - maybe we'll hit a sale or two on the way?!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
...Clearing House?.
Does anybody else ever get to the point where they feel like the space they inhabit is some kind of a Bizarre 'Clearing House'?? By 'Clearing House', I mean the location for the storage, the accumulating, the sorting, the cleaning, the 'sprucing up', the packing, and FINALLY the dispersal O'Treasures!!! Lately I've been feeling this way. LUCKILY we have a GIGUNDOUS Attic (ie: 'S-studio')!! But still, it is almost kind of a relief to know that 'dispersal' time is approaching! Don't get me wrong... the hunting and gathering of goodies for 'College Bound Nieces', 'Birthdays', 'Goody boxes for adored Youngin's' and 'Christmas Stocking Stuffers' is some of the stuff that keeps me motivated to get out there on weekend mornings!!! Wednesday was dedicated to testing electrical appliances, washing, scrubbing and packing 'going away to college' goodies. Whew!The day was a 'sticky trap' into wistfulness. I found myself longing for those days of preparation for my own ventures away to college, the embarking on the unknown... the possibilities... the freedom...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It's pretty worn, but the graphics are SOO darn cute!! Look at that face on 'The Moon'!!
A few other 'finds' included...
~an adorable 'Mexico' themed vintage table cloth - a couple of small holes, but that just makes it all the easier to serve Margaritas on and not worry about! (.25¢)
~a tiki mug - I think the porch may have a Hawaiian theme next summer (.25¢) and an enamel MacKenzie Childs cup (resell - their enamelware doesn't do much for me.)
(the Grand Finale you've all been waiting for - ha,ha)
~another different Sweater Clip!! Found in a bag of junk jewelry. The bag also had a 'ROLEX' watch - it MUST be real... Right?! Right?! (ha,ha).Now, I'm off to the garden. Until next time...
Monday, July 14, 2008
...the power of motivation
Saturday night we were meeting up with DH's siblings and their other halves to go out to dinner... ...cocktails & appetizers at OUR HOUSE!! So, saling was cut to a bare minimum (though there were MANY!!) in lieu of being productive!
There were flowers to be cut and bouquets to be made... Herbs to be harvested for the Boursin Spread... Berries to pick... Cheese & Cracker plate to create... quick trip by the grocery store for paper towels & kleenex... Floors to be vacuumed... Porch to be swept... Stop to the liquor store...
Blender drinks to be whipped up (MMM... frozen margaritas with fresh raspberries!!)...
and in the end, we had a crisp & clean house and a Wonderful evening!!
I guess it was worth the sacrifice of one morning of junking!!
Friday, July 11, 2008
...the many scents of saling
Aren't they pretty colors though?!
The next sale on the agenda was that of a 'moving, shop-aholic' (per the ad). It definitely didn't meet up to expectations! I did pick up a bagful of trendy hair accessories - all NEW with Tags (so don't get too grossed out!). The house was gorgeous, and everything was VERY CLEAN and upscale... so I don't think that I will have 'napkin issues' with these!
A few other uneventful stops that only yielded a couple of treats for my senses... New Sealed containers of body creme - and Yes., one of them is Avon (Mandarin & Jasmine)! The other is Pineapple, which I just tried out and it is luscious!! I am definitely a Fruity and Spicy type of person (Ginger! Amber! Coconut! - YUM). Although I love the smell of flowers in the garden, floral scents 'on' ME just don't cut it! 'Rose' ...'Lilac'... 'Lily of the Valley'... all just bring to mind 'Little old Lady' - guess it is from a childhood of WAY TO MANY Sunday mornings, sitting inside of a stuffy country church with all of the 'Blue Hairs'!! I hope I haven't offended the 'floral people' out there!! Scent is definitely a personal thing!
Then on to see the 'brand newShiek, who is shabby and vane' . I just discovered that Barbara at Oodles and Oodles lives just one town away from me. In her post yesterday she put up an ad that had been in our paper this week (stop over to her site and check it out!). I wasn't going to go to this sale, as it was a few miles out of my scheduled route, but I couldn't resist. I must have been too late to meet The Shiek, but I found a couple of things to make the trip worth while.
- CUTE heavy duty small stool/chair ($1) - I'm thinking a plant on it...
- 2 boxes of unused 'card' envelopes - tan (350 ct.) & magenta (200 ct) .25¢ ea. - perfect for computer generated correspondence!
- Retro Olive green metal tray (.50¢) - the color said 'take me home!'
- Hawaii pottery shot glass (.25¢)
...and now it is raining... I guess that is a hint to get some items listed, and get all of 'the goods' put away. No excuse of going out to work in the gardens!!
...RAV Thursday
- A couple of beat up, vintage MOTHER GOOSE books with Great graphics (perfect for taking apart!)
- a package of sealed vintage Hallmark poinsettia coasters
- roll of new 'caution' tape (I'm thinking some Halloween fun with this!)
- Anchor Hocking, 1957 milk glass SNOOPY bowl (which I am growing more fond of by the minute!)
- HYALAN Mug (.25¢)
- Italian salad servers (50¢)
- Pampered Chef cheese grater - New In Box ($2.50)
(drumroll please...)
THREE Sweater clips - each from a different location, each $1.00 !!Hope everyone has plentiful hunting this weekend!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
(and I am tagging anyone who reads this, who is also at a momentary loss of inspiration)
48 ODD Things about you!
1. Do you like blue cheese?
...it makes ANYTHING taste better! That was how I survived freshman yr. of college!
2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
3. Do you own a gun?
...water & cap
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic?
...I have never been to Sonic
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
...not generally.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
...Yummy! cheese in the middle and sauerkraut outside... in a New England Dog roll of course!
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
... How the Grinch Stole Christmas - not the movie, the cartoon!
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
... Bloody Mary on weekends, Black Coffee on work days.
9. Can you do push ups?.
... like the ice cream / sherbert ones?
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
... Day/Night pearl ring that was the first piece of jewelry DHgave me.
11. Favorite hobby?
...STUFF acquisition!
12. Do you have A.D.D.?
... no, but others may have a different opinion.
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself?
... easily side tracked (maybe I lied in #12!)
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:
... - what's for lunch, -my back is sore from gardening this weekend, -I want a popsicle.
16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
... didn't leave the house, didn't buy a thing!
17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
...Coffee, water, 7/7
18. Current worry?
...Did that weird dream last night mean something?
19. Current hate right now?
...My lack of motivation
20. Favorite place to be?
... warm sand by cool water.
22. Where would you like to go?
...Yes! I'm ready for ANY travel adventure!
23. Favorite # ?
... 27
24. Do you own slippers?
...Live in them in the Winter!!
25. What shirt are you wearing?
...dark blue-green v-neck t shirt - one without the tag at the neck 8-)
26. What year would you go back in time to?
... I'm pretty content right here... 39 and holding ;-)
27. Can you whistle?
... no
28. Favorite color?
29. Would you be a pirate?
...mmm... yes.
30. What songs do you sing in the shower?
31. Favorite girl's name?
... Lauren
32. Favorite boy's name?
...Christopher or Joseph
33. What's in your pocket right now?
...some change and a screw.
34. Last thing that made you laugh?
...stupid request by a customer.
36. Worst injury you've ever had?
37. Do you love where you live?
...Today I do - it's warm!
38. How many TVs do you have in your house?
39. Who is your loudest friend?
...I don't know, I hang with a pretty mellow crew...
40. How many dogs do you have?
...just one fish.
41. Does someone have a crush on you?
...probably not
42. What is your favorite book(s)?
...Illusions by Richard Bach
43. What is your favorite candy?
...black licorice
44. Favorite Sports team?
...whichever one I'M playing for.
45. Your favorite meal?
...scallops with asparagus
46. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
47. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
...THANK GOODNESS the alarm went off and woke me from that dream!
48. Do you have any odd habits?
...Who... Me?> >
Sunday, July 6, 2008
KOKOPELLI Keyring - Mexican Silver...I fell in love with Kokopelli during a trip to AZ several years ago - don't ask me why - I'm definitely NOT in the market for a ' fertility deity'! Found at a Tiny thrift for $1. (Sorry Bean, this one is all mine!!)
We did stop at one shop that had a few COCONUT HEADS... $25. Each!!! - NOT! A few pieces of sea glass came along for the ride 'in land'... but I forgot to photo them!
Friday found us travelling locally, and our stops enroute were very fulfilling!!A Royal Haeger Bowl and Haeger vase ($3 ea.)
A set of red clay Canadian pottery (resell!)
Saturday proved to be MUCH LESS productive! Only 4 sales listed in the paper - 2 of which ended up being 'drive bys' (sp?) as they only had about half a dozen kids' toys on the sidewalk!!
The theme of the day seemed to be HALLOWEEN! Don't get me wrong, Halloween is my favorite holiday. I found Four NWT (new w/ tag) dish towels and two witches hat dishes for .25¢ ea at the first sale.
The second sale caught me a bit off guard. The woman or should I say 'Girl' (young actually - about My age... ha,ha) having the sale was in the middle of a divorce - and His stuff HAD TO GO! When I picked up a Pirate Mask I was instantly informed "50¢ if you'll just get it out of here!". It did come home with me - just because I am a sucker for anything that combines nautical & Halloween! That was all that I was able to bring myself to purchase there... the 'stuff' just didn't have good karma! Call me weird, but it is what it is.
The free pile at the first sale was BOUNTIFUL!! A milk bottle from a dairy in PA, a new package of gold gauze w/ wire edge ribbon, a 'BEE MERRY' ink stamp and a NEW in cellophane Large (70') roll of Christmas Paper.Now, I must return to reality... unpacking, laundry, mail/bills, tending to neglected-for-a-week gardens... hmm, maybe I'll even throw a little cooking in there today... MAYBE! (I love to bake, but cooking is generally beyond my comprehension!!)
HOPE everyone had a Wonderful 4th of July!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Yummy salad of Raspberries, lettuce, spinach and cilantro!
...Destination MOOSE!
Last weekend was our yearly trip to NH/Maine... We stay in Kittery, ME and while DH goes to work (part time photographer for one of the race magazines) the race in Loudon, NH, I do a little shopping at the outlets and a little vegging by the pool. It's a win/win situation! I have been going to VT-NH-ME at least once a year for the last 20+ years... and never seen a Moose! This year we decided to tack a couple of days onto our trip and go on a 'Moose Hunt' (with camera - NOT gun!!)
Oh, what a journey it was!!
We saw...
Detoured to the top of Mount Washington...
Turkeys! (although I'm sure the moose were hiding, snickering, and saying the same of us!!)...
and a Red Fox,
and another Deer,
and more turkeys,
and a rabbit...
DH and I joke "If we keep stopping, we'll never get to see anything" (quote overheard many years ago of a Father scolding his kids for gawking at a waterfall!!).
and Finally...
Isn't she a Beauty?!!
Now, we want to see a male, with horns! (The journey MUST continue!!)
It was an AMAZING 6 days!
Upon our return home...
(see previous post.)
But, there were many 'Lovelies' awaiting us too!


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I was supposed to go over to the condo with my husband – but I just…can't. It was partially destroyed when a roof leak in the building created a lake of sorts in the ceiling above us that came crashing down, dumping hundreds of gallons of water into our home, bringing with it all kinds of old insulation, mold spores and rodent feces. That was in mid-March. It is now early June. We are living in a hotel – a home for the homeless.
What a baby-huh? I feel as if I am getting divorced again – the house all in shambles, like I have seen it before…scattered pieces of my life thrown hither and yon. The fact that it feels like no one that is "in power" cares really hurts – just like in a divorce or any tragedy – you reach out for help and get doors slammed in your face, backs are turned, telephones not answered. I hope that those folks enjoyed ruining 3 months of my life with my husband and bringing us dangerously close to disasters unspeakable. All I can say is that if this happened in Mystic, Connecticut – or Windsor, Virginia – our place would have been fixed – we would have been given a place to stay – people would not have let us suffer this long.
This would make a great play – three acts – each act occurring in a different part of the US.
What does it matter anyway – I am just one of 6.75 billion humans on planet fit for 3 billion.
And attitudes are beginning to reflect that very fact.
What does ONE matter?
June 6, 2010
anger, making a decision attitudes, disaster, divorce, emotions, feelings, overpopulation 3 Comments
I was supposed to go over to the condo with my husband – but I just…can't. It was partially destroyed when a roof leak in the building created a lake of sorts in the ceiling above us that came crashing down, dumping hundreds of gallons of water into our home, bringing with it all kinds of old insulation, mold spores and rodent feces. That was in mid-March. It is now early June. We are living in a hotel – a home for the homeless.
April 18, 2009
anger, death alone, death, hate, mother Leave a comment
This was one of the last words my mother spoke to me.
"Hate, hate hate," she said in the angriest voice she could muster for a frail little women on her deathbed. I knew it was directed towards me – she was very frustrated about things and she didn't like the answers she got from the people caring for her (and me) a day prior.
In the few months that have passed since her death, I have learned that society is not tolerant with people in mourning – they hate how I react when I get the in your face memories or flashbacks or whatever you want to call them.
I hate having to hold back tears in front of people, even my husband, whom I expected to be more understanding than he seems to be.
I hate that I realized everything about my mother – how much she really loved me, how important I was to her – too late.
"Hate, hate, hate." I sure hope she didn't leave this world hating me. That was the last thing I would have wanted.
I hate being alone – with no close relatives to understand – to hug me – to become my pseudo- Mom, a confidant in times of pain and hurt.
Hate is a strong emotion.
I hate hate.
Massachusetts Toll Takers – What the hell?
March 5, 2009
anger, State employees Boston, Bridges, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State employees, Tolls Leave a comment
OK, so my niece is driving back to the South Shore from dropping me off at the Mini dealership in Peabody so I could pick up my car. She gets to the Tobin ($3.00 toll) and since she doesn't drive the toll roads of MA often, she does not have a Fast Pass. At the toll booth, she performs a complete search of her vehicle and comes up $0.70 short. The jerk writes her a $50 ticket – for being 70 cents short of the $3.00 toll. WTF? He then tells her if she comes back and pays him the 70 cents, he will void the ticket. Long story short: she gets off an exit somewhere in Boston, finds an ATM, withdraws some cash, gets lost in Boston getting back on Rt. 1, gets lost in Revere trying to get BACK onto the Tobin Bridge – to give this guy 70 cents. The icing on the cake: he charges her ANOTHER $3, because she crossed the bridge again.
She was unable to pick up her kids from school – she had to call her husband so he could leave early from his job to race to the school to pick them up.
Calculate the gas wasted (by my niece – driving randomly around the poorly marked streets of Boston, into Revere, through 'lovely" Chelsea), the wages lost (by her husband, leaving work early), how inconvenienced the school was waiting for the kids' father to arrive…To pay the toll taker 70 freaking cents.
Is this the harassment that the taxpayers of MA are paying for?
What if she was a tourist? Nice freakin' impression she would have of the city and the State (excuse me, Communist-wealth) employees.
Welcome to Boston. Screw you.
Secrets and Lies
February 12, 2009
abuse, anger, guilt incest, lies, mother, parents, psychic pain 1 Comment
When was I really born?
Number one, most important.
Secrets from the time I was learning to walk. Staring at the pattern In the carpet. Memorized.
So important, most important.
I memorize other patterns in ceilngs, floors, bedding… Born again hell fire and proclaimations in foreign tongue.
So imortant, so perfect. I too will be saved and I will be so important.
Can't cut the cord, no. Number One, my most important.
Failed relationships, no social skills. Damaged goods.
But oh so important, the baby. The cord will never be cut.
Me in a relationship, a normal one? Don't know how. Me, have friends? No.
Her number one. Her most important.
Ruined life.
Rescue? Protect? Save me please. Even animals – lower life forms protect their number one, their most important.
Selfish, selfish person. Most important? Look in the mirror – go ahead.
I can't.
Your number one? No way. Not ever.
Secrets most important. Lies conveniently forgotten. Who is number one?
Ruined, sad and pathetic life. Psychic pain, eating away at my mind, my body.
All because you were the one that was most important, number one.
Continue to lie to yourself, number one, most important.
Your actions created my destiny. And yours. Pleased with how that turned out?
45 years of lies to yourself. To others.
Sever the cord. Walk away, most important number one.
I will do what you should have done, or what any animal would have done.
Go see yourself in your self-imposed destiny of guilt.
I will keep myself safe, warm, clean and undamaged.To me, myself, most important, number one.
For real. Not a lie. Not any more.


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Child Exploitation and Building Resilience
Date & Time:
SSCB Course: Level 2 Child Exploitation and Building Resilience
Participants must have completed:
• The E Learning Child Exploitation accessed via the SSCB website or Surrey Skills Academy. This is the first level of training which is an introduction and aims to raise awareness of the different forms of child exploitation.
• SSCB Safeguarding Foundation Module 1 and Foundation Module 2
Target Group: This full day workshop is aimed at practitioners in voluntary, independent and statutory agencies who work predominantly with children, young people and/or their parents/carers and who have some understanding of children and young people vulnerable to exploitation.
Course Aim: To develop professional's awareness of child exploitation, understand Surrey's response including developing an understanding of the risk assessment tool and know how to respond to children at risk.
• To understand the different definitions of child exploitation including sexual and criminal exploitation.
• To recognise potential indicators of child exploitation.
• To be aware of the issues around perpetrators and sexual grooming.
• To be able to identify young people most at risk.
• To have knowledge of the multi-agency screening and risk assessment tools used in Surrey.
• To be able to signpost to appropriate services for advice, support and to make safeguarding referrals.
• To know where to access recent research to promote key learning points.
• To receive regular updates and notifications of key research and legislation
Booking has now closed for this event.
Further Information:
Venue Details:
Parking and Directions to the Fire Station:
Parking at the Fire station is limited to the trainers, who can park at the front of the station in the reserved parking spaces. We suggest that delegate's park at Guildford Spectrum (Sports Centre) on Parkway GU1 1UP, which is a 15 minute walk away. Having parked at the Spectrum turn right onto Parkway, walk to the next junction, cross over the road and the fire station is on the left hand side of Ladymead.
Disabled parking is available at the Fire Station.
If the Guildford Spectrum is full then there is some road parking on the roads behind Ladymead and the Guildford Fire Station that have street parking available.
To Guildford Spectrum, Parkway, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1UP
By Car
From M25 London Orbital (Allow 20 minutes)
Exit the motorway at junction 10 (which is signposted as London S.W. / Guildford / Kingston) and follow A3 (S)
Continue on the A3 for approximately 7 miles
Leave the A3 at the A322 Guildford / Horsham / Bagshot / Aldershot exit
At the end of the slip road turn left towards Guildford and immediately left onto A25 Parkway
Continue on Parkway for half a mile, Guildford Spectrum is on the left
From A3 Northbound & Portsmouth
Follow the A3 until the Guildford (A322) exit. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit (A25)
Remain on the A25 for approximately one mile
At Stoke Junction (by fire station) continue straight onto A25 Parkway and follow for half a mile, Guildford Spectrum is on the left
From Dorking (Allow 30 minutes)
Follow the A25 towards Guildford
At Newlands Corner turn left signposted to Guildford
Turn left at next roundabout, continue to the junction of Epsom Road and Boxgrove Road
Turn right at the traffic lights to remain on the A25 - Boxgrove Road
At the roundabout take the second exit and Guildford Spectrum is on the right hand side
Parking at Guildford Spectrum
There are free spaces on the site.
There are short and long stay zoned areas in the car park (Monday - Friday). Please check that you are parked in the appropriate zone on arrival.
By Train to Guildford Fire Station:
From London Road Station (10 minute walk)
Turn right out of the station into York Road.
Turn right at the Traffic lights on to Stoke Road.
At the end of Stoke Road turn left and the Fire Station is on the left.
From Guildford Station (25 minutes walk or 5 minutes walk to bus station & short bus journey)
Turn right out of the station. Taxis are available or walk down the hill following signs to the Town Centre and Friary Bus Station.
Teas and coffees available from the adjoining kitchen and for trainers and delegates to make and clear away during the day as required.
Please bring your own lunch or there are local garages where you can pick up some snacks.
Training Room:
Located on the first floor with lift and disabled facilities.
Equipment provided: Projector, screen and wifi access.
Lap top required.
Trainer Joining Instructions: Guildford Fire and Rescue Service: Ladymead.
Please note the following:
There is a code for the front door of the venue which is 34722# you will need to press this in to enter.
The training room is on the first floor, if you do not have the above code you will need to buzz in; Fire staff will let you in and then you go up the stairs to the left. The training room is on the first floor, first room on the right.
Delegates will need to ring the bell to gain access and the trainer or a delegate needs to let them in using the intercom on the wall next to the door in the training room. You can talk to the person to explain how to find the room. I would delegate his task to one of the attendees who is sitting next to the buzzer.
Do remind people to park in the long stay car park at the Spectrum sports centre. (The short stay is for 4 hours only). The trainer can park at the front of the building (I asked if I could use the disabled space as the others had been taken; I could). There are also some spaces on roads behind the Fire Station. I would suggest people do not park at Ladymead shopping as they may get a parking ticket.
There is a lift and two toilets; one of the ground floor and the other a disabled toilet on the first floor. The handle on the downstairs one needs to be fully pushed down to open and is a little stiff. As there are only two toilets I would suggest people don't leave it to the break as this will cause difficulties in terms of timings. This may be a little disruptive but you don't want long queues!
Wifi code for I pads etc is: Surrey CC: User name surreycc password: froome1
Trainer to take white board/marker pens, flip chart paper and lap top. You can attach the projector lead and wifi to your lap top. The equipment works well.
You may need to rearrange the tables and chairs. There are more chairs in the kitchen attached to the training room. Please return them to their original positions.
Please take milk and biscuits. (Tea, coffee and sugar are available in the kitchen)
Andy Treasure is the manager of the fire service but he may not be around. If you need any help or advice re the venue do ask whoever is there but you will be left to your own devices.
There is a Burger King at Ladymead shopping area but it is very full at lunch time. There is also a garage just up the road (opposite way to the Spectrum where parking is). Delegates have been asked to bring lunch and have parking instructions.
If the tanoy is on the switch to turn it off is behind the flip chart to the left of the door as you come in midway on the wall.
Please can the trainer ensure the room is left in the condition it was at the beginning of the training.


text:
Airport Transportation Anna Maria Island
We provide safe and reliable limousine airport transportation and shuttle services to and from Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Sarasota and the surrounding areas from many of the local airports – Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, etc.
The Hallmarks of Cartier Limousine Services are:
- On time and coordinated pick up – 24/7/365
- Safe and comfortable vehicles
- Reasonable cost
- Safety
- Efficient operation
And most importantly communication with you and your chosen airline to insure prompt and timely arrival and pickup at the airport or your address. The majority of our transportation business is airport transfers or shuttles.
Our 24/7/365 Limousine Services include the following:
Airport Transportation & Shuttles
Corporate and Business Events
Wedding Parties
Sporting Events
Basic Automobile Transportation
Limousine Services
Customized or Sightseeing Tours
Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties


text:
Pecan Truffles
- 6 ounce semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup pecan meal
- 1 1/3 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa, sifted
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen
Combine the chocolate and cream in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the pecan meal, sugar and liqueur. Stir to blend.
Remove from the heat and pour into bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cooled and firm.
Put the cocoa in a shallow bowl. Using a small melon baller or small scoop, scoop out the chocolate mixture and quickly roll into a ball in the palms of your hands.
Drop into the cocoa and roll to coat evenly.
Store in between wax paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.


text:
I saved this to my computer because it's such a neat idea! It's from girlwithmoxy on flickr. It's on her back porch, pointing the way to loved ones who live far away.
Here is one from a favorite movie of Jon's. Teen Wolf.
I'm assuming this is a female Gnome.
I could not remember her name so I typed in "British singer with ratty hair" and Amy Winhouse popped up! How funny is that? Poor poor girl.
Soon I will be starting my Halloween Costume. I have the pattern, I'm just waiting on the fabric. And then I need to gather Jon's outift.
All the costume photos were saved without the owners info so I can't credit these people. I'm really bad about that mostly because I'm in a hurry to save and don't want to take the time to remember the persons name when I'm saving.


text:
Calm Waters
Heavy day and a very flat lake, lovely weather for fishing.
sun setting on the ice of Moon Lake
The little barn on Jamestown Reservoir
Old building and cow trails along the shore of Jamestown Reservoir, ND
Playground and Swimming Hole
the playground and campsite at Lake Ashtabula
fall colors on Lake Astebula, ND
Across the Lake
Devils Lake, ND, so blue today
last light of the day
Cattails along the Shore
Brewer Lake near Erie ND
Summer Fun, next year
the park and playground at Lake Ashtabula, ND in full fall splendor
looking down the lake, Lake Ashtebula, ND in fall
The bay where the dock is located, summer storms moving through.
Abandoned Farm near Twin Lakes
The lake swallowed the yard and driveway and the family moved away.
Lake levels are Rising
Moon Lake, ND
Buttes on Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea and sand buttes, ND
Wind Polished Ice
lake shore in winter
Lake Ashtabula in the fall
palyground on Lake Ashtebula, ND with fall colors
stormy day ice fishing on Moon
Waterline is out of the water
Lake Sakakawea shore, ND
Color Change on Lake Ashtabula, ND
fall foliage, lake shore and hills alive with color
Fall trees, Lake Ashtebula, ND
fall colors on Lake Ashtebula, ND; public campground
Pelicans on the sandbar fishing while watching us fish.
sun set during ice fishing trip
Old Building and Cow Trails
old building on Jamestown Reservoir in ND
Fall Fishing Trip
Shoreline with fall colors on Lake Astabula, ND
Fall Colors
Leaves and grasses all colors along the shore


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1960 Pontiac Ventura
Visually, the 1960 Pontiac Ventura shared much with the rest of the Pontiac line. It was the second year of the the highly touted "Wide-Track" platform, introduced for 1959. As such, the styling was updated from the year before. While the basic platform was unchanged and everything above the beltline remained the same, the lower sheetmetal was new.
The 1960 Ventura was launched in a rare year
for Pontiac: one without a split grille.
Up front, a conventional full-width horizontal-bar grille design replaced the split-grille theme used on 1959 Pontiacs. The new look featured a forward-thrusting center section that was vee'd at the center and framed the horizontal quad headlamps and small round turn signals.
The hood design was also new. It picked up the "V" shape of the grille and the crease formed at its leading edge was carried back to the middle of the front doors. A similar line sprouted in the middle of the rear doors on four-door cars (or just aft of the portals on two-door models) and was carried back to the taillamp panel.
The taillamps themselves were two small round units per side that were faired into "tubes" on the deck panel, giving the impression of small rockets built into the tail. The lower rear panel was attractively sculpted and also housed the optional horizontal back-up lamps at the far ends. The decklid was quite long and flat, almost appearing large enough to land a small airplane. This updating below the beltline, combined with the wraparound windshield and backlight, effectively bridged the gap between the rather bulbous designs of the Fifties and the more angular designs that were to come.
The main external differences between the Ventura and the other 1960 Pontiacs were the Ventura scripts on the front fenders and block-letter series identification on the rear panel. Like the Catalina, the Ventura's sides had a simple midbody spear of brightwork that ran the length of the car. (Bonnevilles and Star Chiefs featured additional adornments on their rear quarter panels.)
While the 1960 Pontiac's front-end design was clean and very attractive, the loss of the split-grille theme did, in fact, water down its identity a bit. It just did not scream "Pontiac" like the 1959s did. It could just as easily have been used on that year's Oldsmobile, and was actually similar in layout to that of the 1960 Oldsmobile.
The Ventura hardtop coupe used an arcing roof, while the hardtop sedan used a flat-top design with a slight rear overhang. Both roofs, which were shared with other General Motors makes, featured very slender rear pillars and expansive rear windows that lent an open, airy feel to the interiors that just wasn't possible with pillared designs.
The interior was both visually appealing and luxurious. Unlike the Star Chief, which brought more-spartan Catalina-like upholstery to the larger 124-inch Bonneville chassis, the Ventura combined an upscale Bonneville-inspired interior with the smaller Catalina platform.
The 1960 Pontiac dash panel, while similar to the unit used in 1959, was revised somewhat with a new gauge cluster fitting into the same dash opening. A horizontal speedometer with four small round gauges underneath replaced the three large round gauges used the year before. Venturas also featured an aluminum faceplate across the passenger side of the dash, accented with a gold script.
The Ventura's tri-tone Morrokide upholstery in a vertically pleated pattern gave a tasteful splash of color to the interior without a hint of gaudiness. The upholstery was slightly different, with a Catalina/Ventura crest on the upper seatbacks of both front and rear seats. Bucket seats, while originally intended to be a Bonneville-only option, eventually were expanded to the Ventura line as well. In order to maintain a sense of pecking order between the Ventura and the top-of-the line Bonneville, all Venturas, regardless of seating choices, used the same side-panel design as the Star Chief.
For more picture-packed articles about great cars, see:
- Classic Cars
- Muscle Cars
- Sports Cars
- Consumer Guide Automotive
- Consumer Guide Used Car Search


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Q&A – Bob Odenkirk (Saul Goodman)
Bob Odenkirk, who plays Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad, talks about fighting on set and his belief in the power of mullets.
Q: Were you fearful for Saul's life this season?
A: All the time. Every time I picked up a script I felt certain it would happen — I was just looking for it.
Q: What was it like getting beaten up by Aaron Paul?
A: One of the most fun experiences I've had as an actor. I love pyrotechnics and fights; all the things that you can't do in real life. I can't believe I get to do this as a living! That was a great day; Aaron was just deeply in the moment and his character. His presence was so powerful that there were times that I had to remind myself not to be an audience to his excellence but to be involved myself. The scene where Walt threatens me in the beginning of Season 5, and the moment when both of them have me over an open grave in the desert; those are also great moments for me in this career.
Q: Saul has had to become more serious as the seasons have gone on. As a comedian, which do you prefer more serious moments or humorous ones?
A: Saul had more fun in the earlier seasons because he got to joke around more. Everything was a big laugh to him. He thought he could make a bunch of money with these people and it seemed to be true. Of course, it all went awry. People probably think I just want to play the jokey part, but that's not true. As an actor, I love playing those moments of danger and fear. So I've had a couple of those scenes in every season. But when he realized that Walter White is a dangerous guy, that was a revelation for Saul. He thought he was getting into business with a level-headed guy.
Q: Everyone has their own favorite Saul line. What's yours?
VIDEO: The Making of Breaking Bad: Season 5 Episode 11, "Confessions"
A: "Congratulations. You are now officially the cute one of the group. Paul meet Ringo. Ringo, Paul." That's a great scene and a great scene for the character. I've had a lot of really funny lines. The other day we were watching the scene where I show Walt the card to the guy who disappears people, and the line, "What, did you expect 'Hajji's Quick Vanish'?" got a big laugh from the audience. Pretty much any monologue has a got a good line or two in it.
Q: Now that you've really owned Saul Goodman, what kind of discussion did you have with the writers and Vince for this season?
A: The most input I've ever had into the character, is the first thing that happened. Vince called me and told to me about the character for about two minutes. I said I have an idea for his hair; a combover with a mullet in the back. But it's cleaned up, so he can go to the office as a lawyer. And he said, "Great, I love that." That's all I've ever pitched, by design.
Q: Saul and Walt are sort of the most scheming and manipulative of the characters on the show. If it [had?] came down to it, who do you think would win that final showdown?
A: Walt. Saul is a devious thinker and he can think on a couple levels and he knows human behavior. But Walter White is more intelligent than Saul. Bottom line, he can go deeper and further than Saul in that realm. The hero in Breaking Bad is the audience for watching all this trauma and pain.
Click here to read an interview with Betsy Brandt, who plays Marie Schrader on Breaking Bad.Read More


text: Photo of the Week : Close-up Crocodiles! This beautiful picture was taken on August 14, 2014, of crocodiles at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) zoo. The photographer is Oluwafunmilayo Oyatogun. Similar Posts: Photo of the Week: Crowned Cranes! Photo of the Week: Elegant Ostriches! Photo of the Week: Rainbows on the Move! Snap Away! Win Prizes in the NCF 'Urban Jungle' Nature Photography Contest in Nigeria.


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The boy had an erector set he loved very much. It was so shiny, so strong, he played with it every day, even when he was supposed to be doing other things. He built the strongest platform he could and then started upward: towers, pillars, cranes, skylights and winches. The erector set platform was limited but reliable. You could pile hopes, dreams, diatribes, recipes and masses of drivel onto it and it would not crumble. Not everyone could play there, however. Admittance was more or less limited to the smarty pants, those who understood erector sets, who knew which cables to tow, levers to pull and buttons to push. The erector set playmates talked a lot but didn't exactly share. They played publicly with themselves and others for the people who adored them.
Then the boy got a Lego set for his birthday. Full of color, all of the pieces clicked together in one way or another. The shapes weren't always pretty and the lego platform was a little unsteady, but the playmates who played with the Lego felt connected by it. For the first time they understood what this game was all about. Blue touched red touched yellow touched green touched orange and ad infinitum. Odd structures were built; smaller groups were formed to explore new ideas and directions. People who didn't technically know what they were doing came and played anyway. Unsteady, unwieldy but pretty and understandable, the Lego toy was familiar, fun and welcoming.
But it was not built to last.
The boy and his friends had so much to do these days, they barely had time for toys at all, much less two (three!) completely different sets of them. The toys required resources: time, special skill sets and yes, even money to maintain. They did not have enough of any of those things and worse, they were being told by everyone that what they really needed to do was to stop playing and focus.
How to pick between toys? It wasn't very hard since the erector set play group was a lot bigger than the Lego play group - and they had money. But what if they could merge the toys together and create one really great, amazing, toy? Simply take the best of both and make everyone happy. Using his best glue gun, a mass of rubber bands and some shiny paper clips the boy and his friends tried to force the two toys to play together. Alas, the erector set had no touch points for the Lego pieces, there was simply nothing to hold on to.
In his heart the boy knew the erector set would have to win. It was, after all a superior toy. He was already growing out of his Lego phase and hardly ever played with it. He would never ever tire of his erector set. After a while he gave up the Lego set, understanding that he would have to live without the pretty colors and ease of use. Shiny metal would rule, and while he might look wistfully on his Lego days, he was also a little relieved to put such childish things behind him.
He put the Lego set away, said goodbye to the friends who could not or would not migrate to the erector set play group, and faced the future.


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It's About You & Your Lifestyle
Upgrading your home to make it the sanctuary of your dreams doesn't mean you have to get rid of everything you love and start over from scratch.
Sometimes it's a matter of designing around your grandmother's heirloom crystal collection or using a treasured piece of furniture as the focal point for your newly designed room. Sometimes it's a matter of taking an old space and making it work for you today. And sometimes it's starting from scratch with a new home and a new vision. I get it.
But what upgrading does mean is working with a professional interior designer who's considerate about your plans, helps you get the very best of what you deserve, and respects your time, taste, and budget.
If you're an empty nester (or soon to be) and preparing for your next chapter in life with an upgraded lifestyle—you've come to the right place.
Together we can create an original, functional, and inspiring home that will suit you today and well into the future!
The right home reflects your personality, supports your lifestyle, and ushers joy into your life—and it all starts with the right plan!
Remodel. Redesign. Revolutionize.
Do you love your home because of all the wonderful memories you've made there over the years… but hate that it hasn't been updated since the day you signed on the dotted line?
Are your kids nearly out of school and now you're ready to embrace the next chapter of your life… these years of YOU?
Or maybe it's simply time to make a move and you want to make your next house the dream home you always wanted?
I'm Wendy, and I can help—and it's easier than you think! Here's how:
Hopes & Dreams Session
The first step in creating your ideal home is to create a plan, and that's what we'll work on together!
Materials & Finishes
It's all about the details, and I'll help you select the very best for your home and budget.
Functionality & Expansions
Add more space and comfort to the home you love in the neighborhood you want to live in: your own!
Custom-Built Anything
If you have a desire for something unique, let me know—it's just the sort of challenge I enjoy!
Reuse & Repurpose
Keep what works, replace what doesn't. Together we can turn your treasures into conversation pieces!
Home Design & Remodel
Increase the functionality of and your love for each area of your home!
Hopes and Dreams Planning Session:
Do you need help falling back in love with your house… or are you ready to fall in love with a new one?
Complete this quick form to get in touch with me so we can start making your dreams come true!
And as a gift, you'll be subscribed to the monthly newsletter with updates introducing you to one-of-a-kind artists, latest in interior design, and more.


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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (27 February 1807 – 24 March 1882 / Portland, Maine)
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You shall hear how Pau-Puk-Keewis,
He, the handsome Yenadizze,
Whom the people called the Storm-Fool,
Vexed the village with disturbance;
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text: Peeped the full album on the Griselda YouTube page. Joint is fire all the way through. Really need a physical release for this. Going to go bug Paul Rosenberg on Twitter for hard copies right now. Ha ha. They stuck straight to the formula for the major label debut. Love this.


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For all studios that will be in Vegas for the AEE, we are releasing our tentative party schedule. This will allow you to put them on your calendar (we KNOW that you will be busy and these are "don't miss" events)
Here's the schedule of events–FREE for Kinkbomb Studios!:
Wed 1/16/13 VIP nightclub party at Chateau
Thurs 1/17/13 Dinner at Scarpetta followed by VIP nightclub party at Haze
Fri 1/18/13 Dinner at Sushi Roku followed by VIP nightclub party at Hyde
Sat 1/19/13 Dinner at Stack followed by VIP nightclub party at 1 Oak
Other events:
Kinkbomb Workshop & Studio Meet & Greet on Thursday Jan 17th at 12pm – join us for lunch and to discuss business! (Location to be announced)
**Friday night is KINK night! Wear your kinkiest gear to Sushi Roku and Hyde! The hottest outfit wins a prize!
Please RSVP for any events you plan on attending by sending an email to email@example.com


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z Systems Solutions Consultant
The new z14, announced July 17, 2017, is larger, faster and more secure than its mainframe predecessors. IBM is focusing this server for enterprise analytics. Let's see how.
For z/OS Mainframes
Analytics on z/OS is BIG! STOP taking mainframe data off the mainframe! IBM has made significant strides to enabling Apache Spark, Python, Anaconda and other languages into the z/OS landscape. The mainframe is ideal for Machine Learning, Apache Spark on z/OS (now called IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS), Data Virtualization Manager for masking access to any mainframe data into a simple query, and Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligence that maintains metadata and query inventories for easy reuse. These tools enable easy query access to any of the traditional mainframe data, including non-IBM such as IDMS.
For Linux on IBM Z Mainframes
Recently, IBM announced the Virtual IDAA for the analytics community. The original stand-alone IBM IDAA machine, which was sold for the last 5 years, has been ported to the z14's IFLs. With the large memory and increased IFLs, high-speed analytics of the IDAA is achieved directly on the IBM Z. This new Virtual IDAA, and the additional announcements of the open source database software, i.e. MariaDB and PostgreSQL, is solidifying the z14 as a DBaaS on IBM's LinuxONE Emperor II or Linux on IBM Z.
Mainline's 2017 IBM Technical University presentation of IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS and Apache Spark
Mainline had the opportunity to present at the 2017 IBM Tech University. They shared experiences on a Proof of Technology (POT) that was executed at one of our customers during the 2017 summer months. This presentation walked through the project steps in planning, preparing and testing the IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS product. Since this product's justification is targeted to serve the company's data scientists, the POT requires a broader scope of objectives than just the technical assurance that a query works. This presentation expanded the discussion to outlining a business case, along with the examples of a broad list of objectives for the analytics community in the customer's enterprise.
Next Steps
There is such a new excitement around the z14! Today, new uses for the mainframe, that were never imagined a few years ago, are now mainstream due to the z14 capabilities.
Please contact your Mainline Account Executive directly, or click here to contact us with any questions.
Additional BLOGs:
1) IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS for Mainframe Data Access – An Evolution of Mainframe Apache Spark
2) The Financial Business Case for IBM Open Data Analytic for z/OS
3) IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS Proof of Technology – What to know to begin your project
4) IBM Open Data Analytics for z/OS Goals, Objectives and Use Case
5) The Evolving Mainframe – Approaching the Analytics Community


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I've wanted to write a column about the Red Bull Rampage for a couple of years now, but didn't think the timing was right. Besides, I don't consider myself a freeride guy, so the heat I would have received was something I didn't want to deal with. But after last week's 10th edition of Rampage I couldn't hold back anymore.
It also appears I'm not alone. Trending on Instagram and other social media sites this morning was the hashtag #fuckrampage. We'll stop with the four-letter bombs there, but read between the lines in this post from Cam Zink following this year's Red Bull Rampage finals and it's obvious people are not happy:
"Everyone send Paul Basagoitia positive vibes! This champion has started a long road to recovery after shattering his T12 vertebrae yesterday and undergoing 9 hours of surgery. He had a winning run going and may have set the record for biggest step down just before going down. Lots of tears have been shed. Keep Paul in your prayers to regain feeling in his legs. There were some horrible people spreading false news that he was OK, but he needs your support more than ever to walk again. Paul, you are the most tenacious human and competitor ever. Love you bud! You'll be back! #fuckrampage"
That final sentiment is one I'd had in the past, but while working at Yuba Expeditions in Downieville this past summer I met Todd Barber, the founder of the Red Bull Rampage. My first question to him was rather pointed: "Are you concerned that someone at the Rampage is eventually going to die?"
See the crash that had everyone talking. Hard to believe Nicholi Rogatkin walked away — and was allowed to keep riding.
Barber is a very cool, calm, collected, friendly and likeable guy, and responded as if he'd been asked that question a hundred times. "No," he said.
He went on to tell me that the riders are extremely calculated in their line selections and that their "dig teams" spend weeks preparing approaches and cleaning up lines to make them safer and more predictable. His response seemed acceptable to me, and after the tragic death of a participant at an Enduro World Series event in Crested Butte, Colorado this summer, I thought maybe Todd was right. Perhaps the premeditated nature of the Rampage makes it inherently safer than an event like the EWS, where a racer can easily clip a pedal on a completely benign trail, resulting in tragedy.
But then this year's Red Bull Rampage happened. With all due respect to Barber, one of the nicest and most modest guys you'll ever meet on or off the trail, I have two big issues with the Rampage. First is the public image it portrays about the sport of mountain biking; it's a magnet for criticism. It's bad enough that there are images and videos of riders sending it off unstable eroding cliffs and massive manmade ramps that blight the natural beauty of southwestern Utah, but worse is the blatant manipulation of the terrain. There's no irony lost on the fact that this event riddled with fall lines, helicopters and massive manmade jumps happens in a town called Virgin.
Having dozens of dig teams on the red rock cliffs hacking away with MacLeods in order to make the perfect transition is like shooting fish in a barrel for organizations like the Sierra Club, who are always looking for ways to portray mountain biking in a negative light. Most Americans who don't mountain bike think of events like the Rampage when they think of our sport, a bro-brah culture of adrenaline-seeking hucksters who only care about going big and getting rad.
We all know this is furthest from the truth, but as in the corporate world, perception is reality.
On the topic of corporate chicanery, the other more significant issue I have with the Rampage is its never-ending quest to go bigger. Every year the stakes get higher, the gap jumps get wider and deeper, the risks that must be taken to win become ever more harrowing. The situation reminds me of my former life in the corporate world, where publicly traded companies are under constant pressure to grow profitability every single quarter. Being stagnant or even experiencing the occasional loss is absolutely taboo, quarterly profits must always improve, and anything less is unacceptable.
It's the same way with the Rampage, every year the stakes must be higher, the jumps bigger and the risks more risky. Forget reality. This is business.
I don't know about you, but to me, this philosophical approach is a losing game. You can only go so big before you hit a ceiling and the risk becomes too great. And in the instance of the Rampage, too much risk equals death. Watching Nicholi Rogatkin fall off what looked to be a 40-foot cliff is a perfect example. All he did was grab a tad too much front brake when setting up for the third of three big drops, and the next thing he knew he was rolling off a cliff. What if that cliff had been 200 feet high? And I won't even go into the discussion about him being permitted to get back up and finish his run.
I honestly feel bad and even fear for the competitors in the Rampage. They are caught in a really shitty situation. Every one of these guys is an astonishing world-class athlete with enormous talent, and understandably, they want to make a name for themselves. And in today's world of "go big or go home," the way you do it is by being invited to the Rampage and pulling off some of the most death-defying feats ever accomplished on a bike.
What do you do when you're on top of a giant mountain and it's too windy for a safe run, but you have a camera in your face and someone saying, "Go! You're on!" with the whole world watching?
For years I thought to myself that these guys were getting paid handsomely by Red Bull for their tremendous risks and being taken care of in the event of a severe injury. But after Basagoitia's accident during the event, riders and dig team members are speaking out (take a gander at the aforementioned hashtag to see for yourself). The truth is that these riders who are putting their lives on the line are getting paid spit and actually have to provide their own insurance for the event, which in Basagoitia's case may have to cover the cost of this helicopter ride.
Help support Paul Basagoitia in his recovery at www.road2recovery.com/cause-view/irideforpaul.
To me, this is the deal breaker. In my eyes, unless the event completely changes its approach, there's only one way the Rampage can go from here – down. And I truly hope that Red Bull will do the right thing and help provide Paul everything he needs to fully recover from his severe injuries.
I read a another quote from Zink contemplating his sixth place finish at this year's Rampage, and really, his sentiments sum up my thoughts on the event completely:
"I didn't do my second run because it wasn't worth it. We are risking our lives out here. Paul got carted off and couldn't feel his legs when they Care Flighted him out. My run was as it was. I mean I could have cleaned it up a hair. I could have done a little bit better but not a lot. It would have been a tiny bit better, maybe fifth, maybe fourth, but they weren't liking what I was doing today, so it wasn't worth risking my life. That heavy of a run – the scariest, gnarliest run I've ever done in my life – to do it again to maybe gain a place or two? It's just not worth it. I've heard Paul is in surgery right now, but he has movement in his legs again, or feeling. I think Bizet is all right, yeah, it's tough, it's tough." – Cam Zink via @deitycomponents
Editor's Note: The Angry Singlespeeder is a collection of mercurial musings from contributing editor Kurt Gensheimer. In no way do his maniacal diatribes about all things bike oriented represent the opinions of Mtbr, RoadBikeReview, or any of their employees, contractors, janitorial staff, family members, household pets, or any other creature, living or dead. You can submit questions or comments to Kurt at [email protected]. And make sure to check out Kurt's previous columns.


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Do you remember the first day of school? I don't, but not because it wasn't a terrifying experience, but probably because I suppressed the traumatic memory into my subconscious.
It's probably one of the worst days in a child's life: the realization that–suddenly–the joys of childhood are over, that the days of being mostly free to do as you please in accordance with your personal interests and curiosities are gone–abruptly replaced by a mechanized, robotic chore known as "grade school".
The heart-wrenching horror of the first day of school was captured yesterday in a viral video where a local news reporter asked one young boy if he would miss his mom. (scroll down for video)
Draped in his dehumanizing school uniform, the boy initially responds with an uncertain, "no". KTLA news reporter Courtney Friel says, "'no?!", then the boy giggles awkwardly, and suddenly–as if the reality of the situation finally struck him–he goes silent for a second and then bursts into tears.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the essence of the school system, captured in a candid TV moment. In fact, if you watch the full news report (below), you'll see the uneasy faces of countless kids, straining their little minds in an attempt to reconcile their parents' words of encouragement with their instinctual aversion to the classroom they're about to step foot in
What I find most tragic is the contrast between the students' bland dehumanizing school uniform and the colorful, cartoon-themed book bags and lunchboxes. At least most school's still allow that small mercy from the systematic disintegration of children's autonomy.
At its core, the first day of school represents the first day of losing your intellectual and physical independence. Sure, your parents placed some limitations on you at home, but nothing compares to the forced-slavery of public schooling–where everything from your physical movements to the focus of your attention is tightly controlled, regulated, and scrutinized (graded). The name of the game is obedience, as I document in my upcoming book "Success Without School: Think Outside The Classroom", which you can listen to the first chapter for Free by clicking here.


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ETFGI: European ETPs keep posting record results
ETFs/ETPs listed in Europe have gathered a record $68.6bn in net new assets as of the end of October 2015, 11% above the record level of $61.8bn of net new assets gathered in all of 2014, according to ETFGI.
This marks the 13th consecutive month of positive net inflows.
The European ETF/ETP industry had 2,141 ETFs/ETPs, with 6,617 listings, assets of $510bn – just short of being a new record level of assets – from 48 providers listed on 25 exchanges in 21 countries, according to ETFGI's Global ETF and ETP insights report for October 2015.
We are on track to end the year with record net inflows and assets in the European ETF/ETP industry. In the first ten months of 2015 record levels of net new assets have been gathered by ETFs/ETPs listed globally with net inflows of $287.3bn marking a 22.3% increase over the prior record set at this time last year.
In the United States net inflows reached $174.8bn, which is 12.4% higher than the prior record set in 2013, while in Europe year to date (YTD) net inflows climbed to an all-time record of $68.6bn, representing a 22.7% increase on the record set YTD through end of October 2014.
In Canada, YTD net inflows are at a record $10.1bn which is slightly ahead of the prior record set in 2012. In Japan, YTD net inflows were up 121.9% on the record set last year, standing at $35bn at the end of October 2015.
"Equity markets performed well globally in October: the Dow was up 9%, the S&P 500 was 8%, all 10 sectors of the S&P 500 were up for the month, developed markets gained 7%, emerging markets were up 8%. Investors put net money into riskier assets including emerging market equities in October." according to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner at ETFGI.
In October 2015, ETFs/ETPs listed in Europe saw net inflows of $7bn. Fixed income ETFs/ETPs gathered the largest net inflows with $3.8bn, followed by equity ETFs/ETPs with $3.4bn, and commodity ETFs/ETPs with $405m in net inflows.
YTD through end of October 2015, ETFs/ETPs have gathered net inflows of $68.6bn. Equity ETFs/ETPs gathered the largest net inflows YTD with $39.5bn, followed by fixed income ETFs/ETPs with $24bn, and commodity ETFs/ETPs with $1.2bn net inflows.
iShares gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows in October with $4.9bn, followed by db x/db ETC with $508m and Deka with $399m net inflows.
YTD, iShares has gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows with $26.6bn, followed by db x/db ETC with $9.9bn, Lyxor AM with $8.5bn, UBS ETFs with $7.3bn and Vanguard with $3.8bn in net inflows.


text:
Here's a link to the recipe, on Heidi Swanson's blog :) Well I used a very similar recipe, from her book Super Natural Every Day. In her book, she adds another 1/2 of buttermilk and instead of 1 cup of raspberries, 8-10 plums are sliced on top. I used nectarines though, because they're simply delicious! And we added some frozen raspberries & blueberries in the mixture too.
Adrian did all the whisking & mixing, whilst I got all the ingredients ready. Good job!