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Russia uses illicit capital to undermine Balkan democracies
Illicit capital, the Kremlin’s most potent sharp power tool, circulates in and out of the Western Balkans on a staggering scale, enabled by governance weakness, endemic corruption, organised crime, and a rampant shadow economy, write Vanya Petrova and Ruslan Stefanov.
Ukraine’s heroic resistance to Russia’s aggressive war has been the latest jolt to the European Union’s geopolitical conscience. A year after the full-scale invasion the European Commission has, rightly, quickly extended the prospect of membership to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
After all, the three countries are indeed the first line of defence to the Kremlin’s real and openly stated ultimate goal – the destruction of the EU. Yet, many doubt the resolve of all member states to act upon this promise would last or deliver.
And the real stress test would be whether the EU would find a way to take the next step of enlargement in the Western Balkans by 2029.
EU membership has long captivated the imagination of the elites in the Western Balkans. However, for many of those in the region, the idea of a bright European future often seems like an inconceivable fable.
Although the EU-Western Balkans summit last December signalled new hope, the decades-long deadlock remains unbroken, leading to frustration and stagnation. This creates a vacuum that foreign malign forces, most notably Russia, have been cunningly exploiting.
With 51% of Serbians willing to vote against EU membership in a referendum, and 40% still fond of Vladimir Putin, despite his atrocities in Ukraine, the region’s simmering ethnic divisions, state and media capture, and the legacy of Russian cognitive bias make it a prime target for Moscow’s ongoing hybrid war against the EU and the democratic West.
Russia has established a pattern of malign economic impact in Europe through cultivating an opaque network of patronage across the region to influence and direct decision-making in key markets and institutions.
Illicit capital, the Kremlin’s most potent sharp power tool, circulates in and out of the WBs on a staggering scale, enabled by governance weakness, endemic corruption, organized crime, and a rampant shadow economy.
The size of illicit financial flows (IFFs) is estimated at $1-1.5 trillion a year on a global level, while IFFs in the Balkans stand at around 6% of the region’s GDP. This is twice larger than the corresponding average for the world.
This undermines the rule of law, erodes the functioning of criminal justice systems, and jeopardises the business environment. Illicit flows drain public resources, reduce the scope and quality of public services, and thus undermine confidence in state institutions. They also create powerful networks of influence, serving local or external malign interests.
As a transnational problem, curbing the tide of IFFs requires coherence within and between national and international normative frameworks, and coordinated action within the scope of EU enlargement and the Berlin Process.
A new EU approach to economic security, including the accelerated rollout of the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, and improving sanctions enforcement, investment screening, and asset forfeiture systems, is necessary.
The sooner such common tools for stemming IFFs are able to cover through their higher capacity the Balkans, the EU and the not-yet-EU, the better. This applies to other such law enforcement agencies, such as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol. Frontex, etc.
While not all funds that run through IFFs originate from predicate crimes, capital generated legally, quasi-legally, or informally may be transferred through illegitimate channels and held in offshore jurisdictions.
Thus, authorities in the Balkans must allow money laundering to be investigated as a separate crime, and beneficial ownership transparency should be enforced to prevent, detect, prosecute, and sanction financial crimes.
Enforcement of transparency requirements for beneficial ownership is vital, as is the stricter security vetting of investments by third parties in SEE and European companies or operations.
More attention should be given to the crypto sphere, which comprises prominent new channels to move money illicitly in and out of the region, especially due to the lower-than-average levels of compliance with international standards on risks from virtual assets.
A lot has been done and can further be done on a policy, technical and administrative level to shore off the Balkans from foreign malign influence and deprive Russia of more opportunities to weaken democratic Europe.
Yet, like in the previous enlargements in the region, it all has to start with a political vision and resolve from the leaders of the free world, to lay out a clear timeline for the next batch of accession.
Europe stands to benefit geopolitically from completing its enlargement in the Balkans, while the peoples of the region will gain freedom, peace and prosperity, provided both sides are not poisoned by the white-noise-disinformation blanket.

domain: finance


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Take a historic villa on Italy's legendary Amalfi Coast; create a panoramic swimming pool on one of its terraces, perched directly above the sea, and a gorgeous garden on its roof; fill its rooms with beautiful works of contemporary art and design; add LCD televisions, a home theater and an emotional pool and you've got Villa Ferida!
Located in Praiano and with spectacular views of the sea, Villa Ferida occupies the sumptuous 17th century home of the noble Fusco family.
Recently restored and transformed into an incredibly contemporary hideaway, the villa, available for exclusive let, provides service and amenities worthy of the finest hotels on the Amalfi Coast.
The sophisticated combination of antique and modern, of traditional architecture and cutting edge design, can be found throughout the villa: in its beautiful bedrooms, stylish sitting rooms and super cool kitchen and dining area.
If you like cooking, you'll love Villa Ferida's professional kitchen. If you'd rather relax while somebody else prepares the pasta, you can always request the services of a personal chef instead!
The Amalfi Coast's beautiful beaches may be only a short walk or boat ride away, but don't be surprised if you end up spending most of your holiday at the Villa: basking in the sun by the panoramic swimming pool, relaxing in the roof garden, or floating in the emotional pool.
One of the reasons Villa Ferida is such a popular holiday destination is, of course, it's location: slap bang in the heart of the Amalfi Coast , in the sunny seaside town of Praiano and within easy reach of Amalfi, Positano, Maiori, Minori, Conca dei Marini and Nerano.

domain: artistic


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Background and Purpose- The impact of transfer status on clinical outcomes in the DAWN (DWI or CTP Assessment With Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake-Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention With Trevo) population is unknown. We analyzed workflow and clinical outcome differences between direct versus transfer patients in the DAWN population. Methods- The following time metrics were analyzed for each group: (1) last known well to hospital arrival, (2) hospital arrival to eligibility imaging, (3) hospital arrival to arterial puncture, (4) qualifying imaging to arterial puncture, (5) last known well to arterial puncture, (6) last known well to reperfusion. The primary end point was the rate of functional independence (90-day modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score, 0-2). Using univariate unconditional logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios and 95% CIs for the association between clinically relevant time metrics, transfer status, and functional independence (mRS 0-2). Results- A total of 206 patients were enrolled. Among these, 121 (59%) patients were transferred, and 85 (41%) patients presented directly to a thrombectomy capable center. Median time last seen well to hospital arrival time was similar between the 2 groups (678 versus 696 minutes). The time from hospital arrival to groin puncture was significantly longer in direct patients compared with transferred patients 140 minutes (interquartile range, 105.5-177.5 minutes) and 88 minutes (interquartile range, 55-125 minutes), respectively (P<0.001). Differences in treatment effect or differences in rates of mRS 0-2 in the thrombectomy treated patients were not statistically significant in direct versus transfer patients (odds ratios for mRS 0-2, thrombectomy versus control, were 5.62 in direct and 6.63 in transfer patients, respectively, Breslow-Day P=0.817). Conclusions- Although transfer patients had a faster door to puncture time, benefits of thrombectomy, and rates of mRS 0 to 2 in the treatment group were similar between direct and transferred patients in the DAWN population. These results may inform prehospital and primary stroke centers triage protocols in patients presenting in the late time window. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02142283.
Keywords: groin; puncture; thrombectomy; triage; workflow.

domain: medical


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Longtime X-Men movie franchise star Hugh Jackman is currently in the middle of filming Deadpool 3, where he reprises his iconic role of Wolverine opposite Ryan Reynolds. Now, Jackman has shared a new photo on Twitter, showing his scruffy, bearded look.
So it would appear to suggest that Jackman will sport a bearded look for Marvel’s ‘ole Canucklehead at some point during the film. You can check out the photo Jackman shared below:
HUGH JACKMAN SHOWS OFF HIS NEW BEARDED WOLVERINE LOOK FOR DEADPOOL 3
Of course, it’s not all that unusual for Hugh Jackman to sport a beard for the Wolverine role. He’s grown it out before for previous entries beyond his giant, muttonchop sideburns, sporting the bearded Wolverine look in the 2013 movie The Wolverine and the older, grayer bearded look for the acclaimed film, Logan.
Filming on the threequel began in May. Also, there is a deadline fast approaching for the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, to sign a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The deadline for the union’s current contract with the AMPTP is set to expire on June 30. After that time, if a new deal is not signed with the AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA could declare a labor strike much like how the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has also declared a strike against the AMPTP.
So, it begs the question, can Deadpool 3 wrap filming before SAG-AFTRA declares a possible labor strike? It remains to be seen. If the film does not wrap filming before the strike issues are resolved, principal production will likely have to be put on pause.
Marvel Studios has already paused multiple productions while the strike issues are still ongoing. There could soon be an industry-wide shutdown of the entertainment industry for scripted and filmed entertainment productions.
Also, Walt Disney Studios recently gave Deadpool 3 a new release date of May 3, 2024. While that may sound insane, the film was originally scheduled for a September 2024 release. Then it was moved to November 2024. Now, it’s scheduled for a May 2024 release, and that was precipitated by the current WGA strike.
Now, the date may be merely a placeholder for the threequel. It was originally held by Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World. That sequel has been pushed back to August 24, 2024. This simply might have been a play by Walt Disney Studios to adjust the schedule due to the strike issues and maintain a hold on that date for the first weekend of May. It’s a date Marvel Studios has typically used to great success over the years. But for now, Deadpool 3 is due to arrive in May 2024.
Deadpool 3 is directed by Shawn Levy from a script by Ryan Reynolds, Levy, Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux, Rhett Reese, and Paul Wernick. The film stars Reynolds and Jackman, who are back in their respective roles as Deadpool, aka Wade Wilson, and Wolverine, aka Logan.
Returning for the sequel are actors Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Karan Soni as Dopinder, Rob Delaney as Peter, Stefan Kapicic as Colossus, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and Leslie Uggams as Blind Al. New to the cast are actors Matthew Macfayden and Emma Corrin, but their roles are currently unknown.
This will mark the first Deadpool film produced by Marvel Studios, as the previous entries were produced by 20th Century Fox before The Walt Disney Company acquired the studio. How this sequel will connect to the MCU remains to be seen.
What do you think of Hugh Jackman’s bearded look for Deadpool 3? Do you like that Jackman grew it out again for the role? Are you excited about his return as Wolverine for the threequel? Let us know what you think about the news on The Illuminerdi’s social media.
SOURCE: Hugh Jackman’s Twitter

domain: news


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Hello~It could be a pinched nerve due to some vertebrae in your upper back that is out of alignment, possibly seeing either a physical therapist, Osteopath or chiropractor might help, also, some stretches.
Another thought that comes to mind is it could be heart related. I don't want to alarm you, but some of the symptoms can be related to heart issues. You are fairly young still, but heart issues can be no respecter of age or person, and sometimes folks as young as their twenties can have them.
If it doesn't get better, then I would see your GP, he will be able to determine what is going on and will be able to prescribe the needed tests.


Looked at only as a piece of stunning industrial design, the LG Portable LED Projector ($700) has enough to make Dieter Rams and his ilk a bit jealous. Taken for what it is — a highly-portable, internet-connected LED projector — there's not much there that disappoints. This tiny device (under five by five by three inches and weighing just over a pound) packs everything you'd want in a projector: built-in Wi-Fi, the ability to project up to a 125-inch screen, HDMI connection, and WXGA (1280 by 800) resolution. It can also mirror content from any Miracast-equipped device. Unfortunately, that seems to rule out iOS devices, at least for now.


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Paan Singh, on record
Irrfan Khan, out to ‘immortalise’ the story of India’s rebel runner, talks about playing Spider-Man’s newest opponent and other projects. The actor plays the antagonist in the blockbuster summer release.bollywood Updated: Feb 25, 2012 13:49 IST
He was missing in the first trailer of Mark Webb’s superhero film, Amazing Spider-Man, but Irrfan Khan has now been sighted in the second promo. The actor plays the antagonist in the blockbuster summer release. Nels Van Adder (played by Irrfan) pitches in with his superior intellect to help Rhy Ifan’s Lizard take down Peter Parker’s masked superhero in this Spider-Man film.
Buzz is that if he survives the encounter, Van Adder could reappear in future installments of the franchise. He may be even metamorphosing into the red-skinned, yellow-haired Proto Goblin from the Marvel comics.
Quiz Irrfan on this and he shrugs, “I don’t know the ‘sources’ of these stories since I myself am clueless about what will happen or who will be there in the next Spider-Man film. I haven’t even seen this one yet. But it’s a big high for an Indian to be a part of a popular folklore in the American film industry. I like the way Marc Webb approached me with the role. I wasn’t just another Indian actor for him, he had seen all my movies and the respect he accorded me was fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Irrfan has been shooting for another international movie in Punjab. “Qissi is an Indian, German, French and Dutch co-production. I play a sardar and have come straight from the fields. The turban is gone but I’m still wearing the ‘kada’ (bracelet) and have to look into the mirror again and again to convince myself that this guy in a jacket who’s at the studio promoting Paan Singh Tomar is the same Irrfan,” he laughs.
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s biopic on one of India’s greatest athletes opens in the theatres on March 2 and Irrfan is hoping the film immortalises his achievements. “Paan Singh Tomar won the steeplechase event at the National Games for seven straight years, yet, when we were researching the film, we could not find any records on him. It’s so sad,” sighs the internationally acclaimed actor.
To add to the irony, the hero on the tracks, gives up running, quits his post of a ‘subedar’ in the army to become a dacoit. However, Irrfan is quick to dispel any misconception about his reel life avatar turning bad. “ He was a rebel with a cause, not a rebel without a pause. Even in the Chambal ravines, Paan Singh led a disciplined life. He didn’t loot for money or picked up girls from the villages. He had his values and his self-respect. It was the system that let him down,” asserts Irrfan pointing to the film’s promo, ‘Bihad mein baaghi hote hain, dakeit milte hai Parliament mein’ (There are rebels in the wilderness and dacoits in Parliament).
First Published: Feb 25, 2012 12:43 IST


To track Salesforce to Salesforce activity and updates, create custom reports.
|Available in: Salesforce Classic|
|Available in: Contact Manager, Group, Professional, Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, and Developer Editions|
Workflow is available in: Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited, Developer, and Database.com Editions
When it comes to using custom reporting to efficiently manage your Salesforce to Salesforce connections, the possibilities are endless! Here are some ways you might use custom reports in Salesforce to Salesforce:
- Create a custom report with the Connections with Accounts report type to track connection activity and other connection details. The report only displays connections that are associated with accounts.
- Create custom report types to view connection information for each of your published or subscribed objects.
- Create a custom report to view records that are shared with multiple connections. Alternatively, to view records shared with multiple connections in a list view, add the Sent Connection Name field to an existing or new view and verify that enhanced lists are disabled.
- Create a custom report with the Connections with Leads report type to view all leads that you shared with connections and that the connection then deleted.


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Belly Dancing, the Blue Mountains and Bad-Assery: An Interview with Devi Mamak by Rachael Lundy
While attending the 26th annual Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival, The Ruby Lady caught up with one of the most rock and roll Tribal Fusion Dancers in Australasia, Devi Mamak, to talk Heavy Metal, creative collaborations and what it means to be a dedicated artist.
Words by Rachael Lundy (The Ruby Lady)
In early May, during Las Vegas’s The Tribal Massive, a festival that boasts some of the biggest names in Tribal Fusion, including Zoe Jakes, Amy Sigil, Kami Liddel and formerly Rachel Brice, the San Francisco born and Sydney raised Devi Mamak’s name popped up. Her hand in continuing to shape the ATS format, as well as her frequent performances in prominent American festivals such as Tribal Fest, has made her a household name in the American Tribal Fusion scene. To hear her casually name dropped a full 7,000 miles away from home filled me with an Australasian pride (New Zealand and Australia are pretty much the same country, right?) matched only be my feeling of coolness-by-association. Needless to say, my week long immersion in ITS, my first cued improve experience, was a humbling one to say the least, and I needed as much additional street cred as I could get my hands on.
But even suggest for a moment to the Blue Mountains based mother of two that she may be belly-dance-famous and she will be quick to modestly scoff at such accusations. In fact, belly dance was not an art form that Mamak had much interest in even starting, let alone excelling in. As a self-confessed “party girl” in her younger days, her youthful existence of heavy drinking and clubbing eventually caught up with her (rocking through the RSA club to our interview with no shoes on and finishing it up with a quick vodka show her health scare hasn’t managed to completely slow her down even today), Mamak looked to dance to fill the gap. “Because I was so ill I started seeing a naturopath…and her other job was that she was a belly dance teacher. I had become comfortable with her and I really missed going out clubbing and dancing all night so I thought well, I’d just do a dance class instead. I didn’t particularly want to do belly dancing, I would have preferred something else”. As her consistently sold out workshops in Australian and global festivals, including this year’s Sydney Middle Easter Dance Festival can attest to, the belly dance community is mighty lucky she didn’t end up doing “something else”.
But how can a dancer achieve so much in a form that didn’t instantly ignite an all-encompassing passion? Mamak puts it down to one simple, ingrained trait of hers- unwavering dedication. “I’m the kind of person” she says “that when I do something I do it fully”. With a long history of training in classical piano composition, she is no stranger to the work hard play hard mantra. No wonder then, that she was more than surprised when the majority of her fellow students at the time were just looking for a bit of fun and sparkly costumes. Shocked and disturbed when she returned to her second belly dance class to find that “no one had practiced” she found herself in a “whole new world” of hobbyist mentality. “So I progressed a lot quicker, not because I was better but because I practiced”. When asked about how she copes with a seeming lack of dedication within the belly dance community, she says; “I find it frustrating because I’m like ‘even if it’s a hobby, don’t you want to be really really awesome at it? And they are just like, ‘we are happy being semi-awesome’. I just have to let that go and realise that my thing doesn’t have to be everyone else’s thing”.
This frustration has also led Mamak into one of the most important creative elements of her dance and life- collaboration. As Mamak quickly outgrew the belly dance community at large, she started to seek out like-minded people to work with, and she says there is no better place in the world to do this than her small but arty Blue Mountain community.
“The Mountains, specifically the mid and upper mountains, are quite arty so there’s a lot of opportunity to collaborate”. Working with local artists, fusing her love of piano and belly dance, and working alongside eccentric local venues is what not only makes her art great, but her life fulfilled. “There was a place up in the Mountains called “The Workshop” that belonged to a friend of mine, this old eccentric guy that used to make our costumes, and he lived in a big warehouse that was really just a dirty old shed, but he had turned it into this beautiful art. He would have these big parties and fundraisers for local events and causes, and he would ask us to dance and I was always happy to do those gigs for free”. Sadly, this landmark of the Blue Mountains creative community has been pulled down to make room for apartment buildings.
And Mamak’s collaborative tendencies don’t escape her family ties, either; her son’s Dark Metal garage band is one of her favourites in the Mountains and she often plays keyboard with them. When asked how living in the Blue Mountains influences her work, she replies “in order for me to produce good work I have to work with people who are really good at what they do and that I get along with. It’s the people there [in the Mountains]. A lot of great people. A lot of crazy nut job people too, but I don’t deal with them”. If a reluctant belly dance star, mother-son Dark Metal band member whose favourite hang-out space is an old, re-appropriated shed thinks you are crazy, then you must be quite a colourful character indeed.
From teaching to performing, collaborating, creating, music making, travelling, gardening, being a mother (and leading a colourful social life), Mamak approaches all areas with her life with an unwavering sense of dedication that many strive for but rarely achieve. But the likes of Devi Mamak show us that dedication doesn’t have to be an anxious, nose-to-the-grind-stone journey. “Because of my age, and just because of the person I am, it really has to be fun for me”. It’s people like Mamak that show us the dedication doesn’t have to come at the expense of friends, family and fun, but actually enriches it. And she firmly believes that individual belly dances, and the community at large, could benefit exponentially from a little dedication: “We [dedicated people] never feel satisfied with where we are because we are always lifting the bar. Ultimate success is a Greek myth! But without it you never get better. People say “don’t beat yourself up” but I think it’s ok [to do that] sometimes”. Some true pearls of wisdom from a true rock and roll belly dance hero.


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Restaurant we love: The General NYC
Original design by: ICRAVE
As seen in: Hospitality Design
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Plus we've found glue-up tin ceiling tiles that you can add to your ceilings or walls. We also think an eBay search or a trip to your local antique store will help you discover some fans and lanterns that will serve as fittingly great décor accessories!
Please note: We sell restaurant furniture. We are not restaurant designers. Our recommendations come from inspirations designed by professionals. We're in no means attempting to steal intellectual property, which is why we've given credit where credit is due. We just want to offer some helpful collections of products we think could accomplish a similar look, so even those of you shopping on a budget can get a hot restaurant design!

domain: design


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£2,500.00 ex. VAT
Includes free mainland UK delivery
If you’re looking for a ‘wow’ factor for your primary school library, this is the unit to do it. Great book display and a fun reading den design which brings a smile to every face. Children of all ages love to curl up inside with a book like a reading cacoon. It’s practical too, strongly constructed with wipe-clean vinyl cushions. The Hideaway is library furniture which will appeal to one generation of children after another. It is especially successful with boys; put the right books on it and you’ll find that boys much prefer choosing from the Hideaway than the standard library shelves.
Capacity: 132 paperbacks

domain: library


Describe your style in three words?
Classic, effortless, minimal.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Gaz Coombes at my local venue, Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes, a few years ago. It’s rare to see one of the best British songwriters play in a small venue in MK, so it was pretty special!
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’d open up for The Who and Jimi Hendrix at the show where Jimi set his guitar on fire, so that I could go on before him and set mine alight first.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The clothes and British-ness of Mods and the attitude of punk.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
George Harrison. I love him because he was the underdog, he wrote so many genius tunes and was behind a lot of The Beatles’ directions, but always seemed cool with being in the background. 'All Things Must Pass' is my favourite post-Beatles album. Plus, he was always full of great one-liners.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge. There’s just such a great vibe about the whole place. You can tell everyone who works there does it purely because they love music and giving people a good time. There’s definitely something in the air up there, too.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Stephen Fretwell. I don’t really know much about him or what happened to him, but I love his record Magpie and especially the song 'Rose'.
Dan Stock has shared the striking video to 'Take It Too Far', the title track from his debut EP release for Heavenly Recordings.
Hailing from Milton Keynes Dan's sound and approach has been compared to Stiff Records era Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.


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A hearing on the damages owed to former real estate developer Rick Jones by a homebuyer who did not go through with a home purchase has been moved.
Madison County Associate Judge Thomas Chapman had been set to rule on the damages issue July 29.
However, upon the oral motion of plaintiff's attorney Harry Sterling, the damages hearing was moved to Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Jones won a default judgment against defendant Melissa Tucker earlier this year from then-presiding judge Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis.
Jones sued Tucker last year, claiming she breached a contract the two had to purchase a home in one of Jones' developments.
Jones also has a breach of contract suit pending against the city of Wood River over another botched land deal.
The Wood River suit was filed at nearly the same time as the Tucker suit.
Wood River is fighting the suit and it remains pending before Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla.
No attorney has entered an appearance on Tucker's behalf.
Jones is currently serving time in prison pursuant to a plea bargain. He was indicted on federal tax evasion charges.
The case is Madison case number 09-L-891.


I have a Ruby on Rails application that I manage from a sysadmin perspective. This application in installed on a pool of load balanced application servers. These application servers a running Apache 2 and Passenger 3.0. The application files are stored in a ramdisk because IO on the application servers are ridiculously slow.
The backend database is stored on a pair of MySQL clusters (active/passive). Several clients use our application and each have a separate MySQL database.
Currently, we have X copies of the application (X being the number of clients). The difference between each copy is just the database.yml. Since we are using ramdisks, "disk" space is expensive and I'm thinking that there has to be a better way to solve this problem.
Ideally, I would like to be able to specify the database.yml in the Apache virtualhost but that doesn't look possible with my current setup. The database.yml would be attached to the domain name accessed. If there is a way to do this, it would really be really fantastic.
Another approach would be to make a whole lot of symbolic links instead of storing copies of the application. I guess that doesn't sound too bad but I don't really like this solution.
How would you approach this problem and solve it ?
If you need more information, just ask and I'll be happy to answer. I'm not so sure whether this belongs to SF or SO but smells more SO to me.


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I didn't get to see the video, but I got to hear it, and I don't really know who the singer was, and I know I saw the movie, but can't remember it... darn. I actually think it was a great version, better than Mariah - I think she just screams, and I can't stand that. Thanks for sharing .
Thank you, I appreciate your comments! Leave a link to your blog so I can visit you!

domain: entertainment


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I first saw the Thor: The Dark World trailer a few days ago, and I’m not sure if it has made me more or less excited about the film. To be honest, I’ve been so excited about it that it’s going to be pretty hard bringing my enthusiasm down to apathy, but still. Despite the fact that Iron Man 3 is coming out first in Marvel’s cinematic phase two, the next Thor movie is the one I’m most excited about, probably for three reasons: 1) I wasn’t that impressed with Iron Man 2, whereas it should be interesting to see what direction they take the first Thor sequel in; 2) I imagine the Thor film will tie in more to Avengers Assemble, if for no other reason than the fact that the Big Bad from the latter film is in it; and 3) Christopher Eccleston is going to be playing Malekith. Did you get that? The Ninth Doctor is going to be playing the bad guy in Thor: The Dark World! He’s not featured in the trailer, though. Speaking of which, I probably should get on with speaking about what is featured in it.
Two of the things that I am looking forward to in the new Thor film are changes to the CGI and camera angles. I had heard before that the CGI and overall look of the film are going to be toned down compared to the original. The trailer seems to go along with this, with an overall darker look and less flamboyancy. Even Asgard, which struck me as a little too garish in Thor, looks dimmed. I will be highly impressed if they pull off a toning-down of Asgard in The Dark World, as they won’t be able to completely revamp it. What I’ve seen so far looks really good in that respect, though. With regards to camera angles, I’m just going to come out and say the camera angles – specifically the tilted ones – drove me mad in Thor. It might not have bothered you before, but I challenge you to go back and watch it whilst looking out for the camera angles. If your neck isn’t aching from tilting your own head by the end of the film, I applaud your self-control. In this second film, though, there hardly seems to be any tilting, not even in scenes like Thor standing up in battle. This, my friends, strikes me as a very good thing.
I’m really hoping that this new film will get into some more detail in terms of characterisation. There was some development with Thor’s character and Freudian problems with Loki in Thor, but I’d still be keen to see the next film going a bit more in-depth with this. Even exploring the limits of Asgard’s “gods” would be an interesting route to go down. This might sound strange, but after seeing Loki’s overgrown hair in the trailer, my first thought was that we might get to hear some more about just how human the gods really are. Because if you can’t control your hair growth, you obviously aren’t that all-powerful, are you? Additionally, Natalie Portman’s character (she is so unmemorable that I literally cannot remember her name at the moment) could use some more personality, especially as she seems very much the damsel-in-distress in this film.
Speaking of Natalie Portman’s character (I will post her name when it comes back to me), I seriously do hope they give her a slightly more original role than “captured love interest”. Either that, or they could kill her off. Just kidding! I’m not one for sacrificing characters gratuitously (I still believe [censored name for spoilers] from The Avengers is alive), but at least it would be unique. Ah, but then Thor might become all broody, and nobody likes a woe-is-me superhero. Well, I’m not sure how to tackle it. Hopefully the filmmakers do know what they’re doing, however.
On the good news front with female characters, the roles of Darcy and Sif are looking promising. I thought Darcy was quite funny in the first film, and it looks as though she appears at least once to yell “[Natalie Portman’s character]!” (still can’t remember it). Fingers crossed she appears more than that, hopefully with some good lines. Sif definitely looks to have a more important role, what with the trailer’s battle close-ups and facial expressions. She didn’t appear much in the first film, but she came across as a cool and well-acted character nonetheless. Given the drawn-out looks she gave Thor previously, I imagine the writers might be exploring some sort of unrequited love there. After all, Sif was Thor’s wife in mythology. Again, I’m okay with that as long as the filmmakers try to put something of a new spin on it.
As for the actual plot of the film: I have no idea what’s happening. All I know is that Malekith the Accursed is going to be involved somehow and there’s something to do with darkness happening. If memory serves correctly, before the world of Norse mythology there was nothing, but out of that nothingness came a mighty cow. I’m not even joking. Oh, I would be so overjoyed if the film featured a god-cow attacking earth. Perhaps revenge for enslaving their kind? There are potential mootives*, believe it or not. Any other ideas? Because that’s the best I have for Thor: The Dark World’s plot.
Lastly, I have to ask: why was Malekith not mentioned in the trailer? I suspect this is to prevent some sort of a spoiler, such as when they didn’t show Sean Bean in Mirror, Mirror**. Regardless, I’m curious to see what accent they give him. Christopher Eccleston is British, but will Marvel go that far and have yet another Evil Brit? I could probably fill an entire post with my disbelief that Loki has ended up with a Queen’s English accent despite being brought up in a literally alien world with an American-accented brother, yet it happened anyway. I sincerely hope that, if Malekith is miraculously British, it is lampshaded. Otherwise this is just going to turn into anti-British propaganda, I swear.
On a whole, I’m looking forward to the film. If nothing else it should be interesting to see where the filmmakers take certain aspects. And Doctor Who is in it, so that’s reason enough to see it in itself.
By the way, I am aware that this post severely digressed from just being about the trailer and more into my expectations for the film as a whole. Well, if you can think of a better name for this post which is more to do with the film and less to do with the trailer, let me know. I will seriously consider changing it. As always, please let me know what you think about Thor 1, Thor 2, the trailers, what I’ve said, or anything else to do with the above in the comments. Even if it’s just to comment on how attractive Loki looks, which is what a lot of people have been doing on YouTube. I shall not judge.
** Trust me, I have ruined nothing there. The plot twist is painfully obvious when you watch the film. If you watch it, that is. I suggest you don’t watch it.


The modern world runs almost entirely with the help of computers. Being that as it is, computer science is critical to software development and the use of artificial intelligence, but what exactly is computer science? More specifically, what is the role of computer sciences in software and artificial intelligence development?
What is Computer Science?
Computer science, simply put, is the study of computers and their computing process, and their functions in theoretical and practical applications. Computer science uses multiple fields of study and the principles therein to contribute to the imagination and creation of new artifices. Mathematics, engineering, and other sciences inform the logic-based software programs that run off of coded algorithms.
Incorporating techniques drawn from probability, statistics, electronics, and physics all play into the final products that are a vast variety of software and hardware available today. It should be noted however, that computer science as a discipline is only one category of the broad term “computing”. The five separate, but interrelated disciplines are computer science, information systems, information technology, software engineering, and computer engineering.
Computer and information research scientists are responsible for the invention, testing, and creation of computational technologies. Some principal areas of application within the field of computer science include computer systems and their networks, human-computer interaction, numerical analysis, and security.
These scientists work to build an understanding of how and why certain technologies work together to create real-life solutions through investigation, programming data, and networks as well as understanding how this technology of computers affects the world.
Foundational Concepts in Computer Science
There are two foundational concepts upon which computer science rests: computer literacy and digital citizenship.
Computer literacy is the term that describes the general use of computers and their programs in private or personal settings. This considers the use of these technologies through their various hardware mediums such as computers, tablets, cell phones, databases, and software. The hardware— the physical components which make up computer systems— is directed by the software: A set of program instructions that guide the hardware in its abilities to perform pre-programmed tasks. Applied software directs functions dictated by the user. Examples of software include word processors, databases, inventory management systems, and spreadsheets.
Building on computer literacy, digital citizenship refers to the ability of persons to employ computer usage appropriately and responsibly in our modern economy. The consideration of these acceptable uses for computers both in theory and practice are theories that must be considered during, before, and after the development of hardware and software systems. This is especially true in the development of artificial intelligence.
Subcategories of Computer Science
There are three primary subcategories of computer science: Theory, human-to-computer interaction, and systems. The theory comprises the uses of various fields of science which enable the development and testing of the applicability of algorithmic systems to accomplish the tasks set forth. Human-to-computer interaction considers how the creation and implementation of computer systems (hardware and software) affect humanity in real-world applications.
Systems are the consideration of the development of the hardware and software that enact the directions given by users. Each of these put together makes up a sketch of how computer scientists seek to address societal functions and problems across the world through the development of software systems.
What is Software Development?
Software development is the creation, design, and production of supporting softwares that enable computers to function. The software itself, as previously noted, is the set of instructions that give commands for that computer to accomplish various tasks. Software systems house functions that are key to the system running properly. These are things like its hard disk, utilities, hardware management, and many other operational functions.
There are three subcategories that make up the field of software development: Programming, Software Engineers, and software developers.
Software engineers are the people responsible for the engineering of computer systems. They implement code languages to create solutions that have practical applications. They work in tangent to system programmers, analysts, and other engineers to design systems, and theorize potential services, and performance capabilities. They do this by considering the needs of users, whether this is for individual private usage or businesses, through mathematical models and scientific analysis.
Developers are people who use programming and design theory to construct software that meets the needs of users. They accomplish this by utilizing diagrams, writing code, and creating models which become the basis by which they can determine the efficiency of software systems. Designing things like computer programs and applications, they focus on how these systems will be enacted in various hardware like laptops, cell phones, or video game consoles.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence utilizes computers, machines, and their software systems to enact human-like reasoning to solve problems or enable desired actions. It is the ability of a digital presence to perform tasks that are typically reserved for human function.
Computers or machines, programmed by software engineers and software developers with an understanding of computer science, are thus artificially enabled to function in ways that help human beings in their various tasks. As such, computer science is an inseparable element in both software development and artificial intelligence sciences.
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The most charming characteristic of Detroit rockers Electric Six is their audacious irreverence: When coupled with frontman Dick Valentine's overeager growl, their songs championing sex and drugs take on an amusing irony. This is most prevalent on "Infected Girls," their ode to unprotected sex and STDs, on which Valentine bellows his absurd chorus ("Calling unprotected girls! Infected girls do it better!") over a slinky, jumpy electro beat.
Valentine seems to revel in pushing his lyrics several notches beyond sleazy: Amid a celebration of substance abuse on "I Buy the Drugs," he interjects a Los Angeles post office box address that will fill any "prescription." "Rubber Rocket" is a not-so-double entendre with lyrics about plugs and sockets, in the midst of which Valentine drops a line that perfectly captures his frustration ("Girls like you make guys like me make love to a computer"). Those slightly less sordid lines may be the exception to the album's over-the-topness, but Electric Six just oozes with a playful energy, especially at their most cheeky.
Night Kills the Day's debut is a more brooding effort with obvious sonic allusions to the Cure and Depeche Mode. The dark, gothy influences serve them well, particularly on "Dive!" with its trancelike, haunting chorus, "We are, we are, we are, we are the godforsaken generation."
-- Catherine P. Lewis
.: Originally published: The Washington Post: 30 March 2007, Page WE10


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Speaking to GovInsider recently, Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel discussed how Christchurch has not only bounced-back following the 2011 earthquakes, but instead has thrived and future-proofed itself. Resilience, she says, is what Christchurch has shown; taking the opportunity to re-invent and improve itself.
EPIC is cited as being one of the successes of the post-earthquake regeneration. The technology hub has become a cornerstone for local tech, hosting many organisations of varying sizes.
To read the full interview with our mayor, click here.


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Playing in Seiffen's Adventure World
No matter if you are in Seiffen with your kids or if all the toy making has inspired you, there is always a good reason to play! In Seiffen, there is no better place to play than the Seiffen Adventure World. Here, you can take the summer toboggan run and experience a breathtaking rush of speed over a total length of 913m down the Ergebirge hills. If you like it more leisurely there is also the model railroad exhibition and the adventure playgound. If you become hungry during your activites, please visit our Restaurant "esSBahn", where the food is served on rail.

domain: hobby


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GOLDEN, Colo., Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ — Golden Minerals Company ("Golden Minerals" or the "Company") (NYSE MKT: AUMN) (TSX: AUM) announced today it has completed several sales transactions totaling up to $1.3 million. The Company has sold 45 mining concessions totaling 770 hectares located in the Zacatecas District, Zacatecas State, Mexico, to Capstone Mining Group for the sum of US $700,000. Golden Minerals has also entered into an option agreement with a private party to sell its 1,100 hectare Peruvian Otuzco property for US $450,000. The Company has received $150,000 under this agreement, with the remainder payable in 2015 if the option is maintained and exercised. In addition, the Company has sold miscellaneous surplus equipment located in Argentina for$130,000.
Golden Minerals is a Delaware corporation based in Golden, Colorado. The Company is primarily focused on operations at its Velardena Properties, the advancement of its El Quevar advanced exploration property in Argentina, and the exploration of properties in Mexico.
Golden Minerals Company
Director of Investor Relations
SOURCE Golden Minerals Company

domain: geography


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THE TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE OF "THE AMAZING RACE" SPRINTS TO THE FINISH LINE WITH YEAR-TO-YEAR GAINS IN VIEWERS AND ADULTS 25-54
CBS Tops Sunday in Viewers for the 10th Consecutive Week and Also Places First in Adults 25-54
The two-hour season finale of THE AMAZING RACE, which saw married teammates Dave and Rachel Brown cross the finish line first in historic fashion after winning a record eight legs, posted year-to-year increases in viewers and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Sunday, May 6.
From 8:00-10:00 PM, THE AMAZING RACE 20 was first in viewers (9.39m) and adults 25-54 (3.7/09) and second in adults 18-49 (2.6/07) with its season finale. Compared to last May's finale of THE AMAZING RACE 18, THE AMAZING RACE 20 was up +9% in adults 25-54 (from 3.4/08), even in adults 18-49 and added +420,000 viewers (from 8.97m, +5%).
For the night, CBS was first in households (5.7/09) and viewers (9.29m), tied for first in adults 25-54 (2.9/07, with ABC) and second in adults 18-49 (2.0/06).
Updated Sunday ratings will be available tomorrow.


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The 2016 Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, has found a new life – introducing a dramatic urban development that brings BIG’s radical geometries to Toronto.
The 27-metre-long pavilion, constructed of 1800 lightweight components of fibreglass, has been installed on the site of Westbank King Street, a new building planned for the centre of Toronto that recalls the stack-of-blocks design of Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67. The pavilion and the planned building ‘both consist of modular elements that are manipulated into something organic,' Bjarke Ingels said during a visit to Toronto. ‘In each case, we’re trying to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.'
On September 15, the pavilion opens to the public with UNZIPPED, an exhibition of 10 BIG projects emphasising the architects’ ongoing collaborations with development company Westbank and its founder Ian Gillespie. These include two formally ambitious mixed-use towers, both under construction, and a previously unannounced infrastructure project: a biomass-fuelled power plant, for Vancouver, that will be topped with a large commercial greenhouse. In this work, ‘we try to put the basic elements of the city together in a way that creates a lively and engaging urban environment,' Ingels says.
The Toronto project – extremely unorthodox in its urban design – certainly pursues that ambition. Set in a block of Victorian industrial buildings, the structure consists of approximately 500 residential units organised into four ‘mountains', recalling the irregular stacks of Safdie’s famous structure. These rest atop office and retail space and four heritage brick buildings.
The landscape architecture, by Canadians PUBLIC WORK, includes a central courtyard that will host live performances, and a set of trees and trellis that extend on top of the building’s many small terraces. The goal? To emphasise ‘indoor-outdoor living', Ingels says, ‘and to create a real sense of community for the residents.'
Gillespie, the developer, echoes that point. ‘Dense urban living is our future,' he says. ‘We’re exploring how architecture can make it better and more beautiful.'
Read more about the afterlife of other Serpentine Pavilions here
For more information visit the website of BIG
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Byredo introduces its first fine jewellery collection
Byredo fine jewellery launches with the ‘Virasaat’ collection, meaning ‘inheritance’, influenced by founder Ben Gorham’s Indian heritage
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
True to Type is a new Korean furniture brand for future generations
Seoul-based Jinsik Kim launches True to Type to explore craftsmanship and aesthetic purity through furniture and objects
By Rosa Bertoli Published
2023 Doolan Best Building award goes to Cuddymoss by Ann Nisbet Studio
The 2023 Doolan Best Building award is given to Cuddymoss, a ruin in north Ayrshire transformed into Scotland's finest building of the year
By Ellie Stathaki Published
Tomás Saraceno’s spider-led show at Serpentine has legs, and lots of them
‘Web(s) of Life’, the first major UK show by Tomás Saraceno, is a living, collaborative and multi-species call to climate action involving everything from dog-friendly sculptures to ‘spider diviners’ – but no phones allowed
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
Steve McQueen to screen his harrowing film 'Grenfell' at London’s Serpentine
Acclaimed film director and artist Steve McQueen will screen his film, Grenfell, at London’s Serpentine South gallery (7 April-10 May 2023), six years after the Grenfell Tower block blaze killed 72
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
Barbara Chase-Riboud at Serpentine: alternative monuments, parallel histories
‘Infinite Folds’ at Serpentine North Gallery celebrates Barbara Chase-Riboud, the American artist, novelist and poet who has spent more than seven decades pondering history, memory, and the public monument
By MZ Adnan Last updated
AA Bronson on the radical, enduring legacy of General Idea
General Idea, an art group that pioneered a queer aesthetic, is celebrated in a retrospective at the National Gallery of Canada (opened during Pride Month and running until 20 November 2022). Surviving member AA Bronson speaks about their origins, and impact on art and social justice
By Benoit Loiseau Last updated
Stan Douglas in Venice: a hypnotic chronicle of youth, revolt and liberation
Stan Douglas’ captivating two-part exhibition for the Canada Pavilion in Venice is a haunting and meticulous reconstruction of historical events
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Last updated
Adam Pendleton’s Canada solo show explores fragmentation of language and representation
‘These Things We’ve Done Together’, at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), marks Adam Pendleton’s first solo show in Canada
By Hannah Silver Last updated
Niemeyer pavilion enriches the landscape at Château La Coste
Château La Coste's latest architecture addition is a sculptural pavilion designed by the late, great Oscar Niemeyer
By Deyan Sudjic Last updated
Theaster Gates’ design for Serpentine Pavilion 2022 revealed
The American artist and urban planner reveals his plans for the Serpentine Pavilion 2022. Black Chapel has spirituality, music and community at its heart
By TF Chan Last updated


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Michael David II Bar Mitzvah Invitation
The stylish Michael David II Bar Mitzvah Invitation prints digitally on both sides of 120# matte card stock and features a brilliant green-to-deep blue gradient as the background. The Bar Mitzvah’s name will print along the left with the date in at the bottom in jumbo letters as shown. The backside displays a woven geometric pattern.
- Measures 5-1/2″ wide by 8-1/2″ high.
- Shown with flat white ink.
- Displayed with combination lettering styles Myanmar Text and Lithos Pro.
- The Reception enclosures print on matching single card stock.
- Response enclosures print on matching single card stock.
- Includes bright white envelopes printed with your name and address.
- The Thank You notes print on White Matte folder stock.
- Comes with blank bright white envelopes.
- Single White Matte envelopes accompany this Bar Mitzvah invitation.
- Let us do the guest addressing for you! Contact us for details.


News : BenchmarkPortal Joins NICE inContact DEVone Developer Program Adding Automated Benchmarking to CXexchange Marketplace
Salt Lake City, UT, USA, Sept, 2017 -- NICE inContact (Nasdaq:NICE) announced that BenchmarkPortal has joined the DEVone developer program and has automated benchmarking products available on CXexchange marketplace. Products on CXexchange are designed to integrate with NICE inContact CXone™.
BenchmarkPortal's iBenchmark offering provides automated benchmarking that augments CXone reporting capabilities with regular updates of key performance metrics that managers use for measuring their operational progress and their competitive position.
2018 Top Ranking Performers Present:
CONTACT CENTER & CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT
BERLIN - ORLANDO - MACAOFIND OUT MORE!
"We are very excited for this partnership with NICE inContact and being part of CXexchange," said Bruce Belfiore, BenchmarkPortal CEO. "Our technology helps customers obtain vital benchmarking data, and, by including seasoned professionals as part of the offering, we provide a level of service and business intelligence found nowhere else. iBenchmark relies on our patented technology, and is now integrated with CXone."
Paul Jarman, CEO, inContact:
"CXone is an open technology platform allowing companies like BenchmarkPortal to provide innovations to all of inContact's end users. Having products readily integrate with CXone, like iBenchmark, provide value-added services to help contact center operations improve competitive positions. We welcome Benchmark Portal as part of the CXexchange marketplace."
#contactcenterworld, @inContact, @BenchmarkPortal
Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Today's Tip of the Day - Do You Really Look After Your Best Customers?
More Editorial From NICE inContact
About NICE inContact:
inContact, Inc. provides on-demand customer contact center platforms to approximately 650 contact centers across the globe. With its roots in telecommunications and network infrastructure, inContact is unique in its offering because it combines a powerful connectivity backbone with a world-class software platform. The inContact platform includes: a powerful Automated Call Distributor (ACD) with skills-based routing, Computer Telephony Integration (CTI), Interactive Voice Response (IVR) with speech recognition, an innovative online hiring solution, an eLearning application, workforce management functionality, and a customer feedback and survey solution.
BenchmarkPortal is the source for Contact Center best practices with our Benchmarking, Education and Consulting services. Our mission is to help you run your center more efficiently and effectively. We are still continually growing our database, already the world's largest, for call center metrics by conducting data drives twice a year to have the most up to date information in the industry.
Published: Wednesday, September 20, 2017
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eGain customer engagement solutions power digital transformation for leading brands. Our top-rated cloud applications for social, mobile, web, and contact centers help clients deliver connected custom...


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I'm a 26 year-old genderqueer boycreature from Vermont. This Tumblr is devoted to connecting with my trans peers worldwide and also sharing my experience from beyond/between the gender binary. This is an ode to embodiments of intentional androgyny, permanent liminality, genderf*ck, chaos magic, and the subversion of oft-uncontested heteronormativity. Stay tuned and watch me sing myself into being... :) In addition to gender-related stuff, there may occasionally be content relating to spirituality/the occult, gaming, ecology, sci-fi, psytrance and other magickal things.
Posts tagged transgender
internalwarf4re said: Can you tell me a little bit more about yourself? I am interested in this whole "genderqueer" thing
Hi! Sorry it’s taken me forever to answer this, I’ve been neglecting this blog a tad due to school. It’s an important question, and exploring/expressing my own particular brand of “genderqueer” is the reason I started this blog.
My blurb up there is a bit mysterious because I don’t use the word transgender or FTM to refer to myself, although categorically speaking that might be where I belong. I simply say I’m a “genderqueer boycreature”… But I was not born male (or to put it in more literal terms, I wasn’t assigned male at birth). I was born with what some would call, if they didn’t see the gestalt of my appearance, “girl parts”. :P
Genderqueer is a description that many people can claim, whether transgender or transsexual (don’t identify with the sex they were assigned at birth), cisgender (do identify with the sex they were assigned at birth) or by people who identify as third gender/neuter/eunuch/androgyne as well. Since it describes gender and not sexuality (per se) it is also used irrespective of one’s sexual orientation; there can be lesbians genderqueers, and straight genderqueers, although my experience is that people who identify with that term tend to refer to their sexuality with the umbrella term “queer”, which is a more vague and perhaps slightly more political (and profound) descriptor of sexuality…as it is actually more of a term describing one’s way of being and world-view (I use it to describe myself).
It hard to generalize with these things, but genderqueer basically indicates that someone doesn’t feel they can solely rely on the words “male” or “female” to describe their gender or who they are… although people certainly can and do identify as a genderqueer woman or a gendequeer man. Or they may just refer to themsevles as simply “genderqueer” without any other sort of gendered qualifier.
I identify as both genderqueer and transgender. The terms to me are interchangeable… at least in that they refer to the same phenomenon, namely that my configuration of gender identity (the way I think of myself in gendered terms) with my anatomy, behavior and presentation is not standard or the norm. I’ve felt “genderqueer” since I was a teenager, and Transgender is something I adopted more recently, in the last 2-3 years (I’m 26). I guess transgender is slightly more “clinical”, in that it refers to the fact that I have realized that my gender identity is closer to societal understandings and constructions of “male” rather than “female”. It also indicates to me that along with that I understand that it is possible with the aid of clothing, grooming habits, hormones or surgery to ease the feelings of dissonance that afflict transgender people (thus it also has involved the realization that I’m not alone). It took a while for me to come to that understanding, and once I realized I was transgender (and had always been), I considered that it would sort of replace what I’d been calling genderqueer, because maybe I just didn’t quite know what I was feeling and had just decided to call it that. But I’ve come around to continuing to embrace the term “genderqueer” even after arriving at the life-changing understanding that I was transgender.
I think this is because genderqueer to me helps to explain my non-binary identity, as well as my gender presentation (what some might call style) which is androgynous. Even though I’m transgender, I perceive myself as deviating from the norms for masculinity and maleness in our culture. While I don’t really feel like it’s correct to say I’m “more femme” or feminine than other transgender males, I do feel like I express my masculinity differently than them, but it doesn’t feel right to say that some people are more masculine than others, but rather than people interpret and perform masculinity and femininity differently. For some guys it really does make sense to say that they are not masculine, and are femme or feminine, but for me it makes more sense to just say I’m genderqueer. Essentially, even if I was not taking hormones or planning on having chest reconstruction (the latter is still a question mark for me) I would and will always be genderqueer — I’ll either be perceived as a very masculine woman or a very androgynous guy. So “gendequeer” is kind of my way of acknowledging that and making peace with it. :)
Honestly, sometimes I feel like my gender identity is best described just as “David Bowie” (lol) or by reference to various human-animal hybrids, or to the tattoo that’s etched across my chest in old-english style font that just says “Earthling”. :) But I know that you can’t put that sort of thing on a passport, hence the long tedious journey of attempting to figure out where I fit in, on, or outside of society’s gender binary system. Of course, many wise people will say that who cares about fitting in, and I would wholeheartedly agree with them. I would say to that, that I only care because that particular society wanted to put me in a box that I didn’t belong in (female), so I’d like to see if I can trick them into putting me into a different box (male), thus executing perhaps one of the greatest magic tricks known to manz. The latter box is a slightly better option than the former box, and a better platform from which to engage in gender-bending hijinks appropriate to how I feel: I can only be an androgynous guy if I’m a “guy” first. :D
The popular rhetoric of “becoming a man” or “becoming a woman”
I can’t explain coming out as transgender as the result of the desire to become a man, as FTM transgenderism is sometimes described as in “popular culture”. Becoming a man or desiring to be one assumes that one was not a man before. Thus I do not participate in that language to describe myself, or any other gender-variant people if I can help it.
Even though superficially it does appear that transsexuals (transgender people who use hormones and/or surgery for the purposes of altering sex characteristics) go through a change from one “state” or category to another, the irony is that this creates the possibility of very problematic readings into the motivations behind transition by cis and even other trans people. Essentially it is difficult for most people to not engage in a very “flat” reading of “transition” undergone by some transgender people.
The issue for me, arose when I realized (not simultaneously) that A) I was not seen as male by others and B) I had, despite this, always felt male or masculine in terms of gender.
However, once these realities were able to be reconciled with one another, a new reality was irrevocably realized: that of being able to identify as transgender, which was merely a further elucidation of an identity that had already recognized itself as genderqueer.
The tendency for others, during the course of my navigation of these issues, to describe me as “desiring to be male” need to be resisted and not internalized (be careful my fellow trans companer@s, because it is all too easy to unknowingly absorb the rhetoric of the oppressor — the one who names you). This rhetoric is simply false and does a huge disservice to all people, not just transgender people. Desiring to LOOK male and desiring to BE male are two very different things. It is important to point out that many people who are born male desire to look “more” male, testified to by the amount of advertising of fashion and grooming products to men, and in fact it is these people that form the majority of the consumer base whose desires for augmenting displays of masculinity and maleness are constructed and catered to. It is not surprise that transgender men also desire to participate in the cultural conversation of masculinity/femininity by looking “more male”. The metaphor of the continuum must be invoked here, instead a binary consisting of two opposing, non-overlapping ontological categories.
Put philosophically, it is not possible to desire “being”, since we are either alive or dead. However, it’s easy to forget that here in the good old USA, as this is a consumerist society where we are programmed with the idea that we can “be” whatever we want (which serves capitalism all too well, as “becoming” is associating with consuming in “more” and “better” ways, emulating the virtuous celebrities, which are like deranged saints)… BUT I reject the idea that that programming is a part of my gender or the processes necessitated by that identity. It is incredibly offensive to imply that transgender people are “enabled” somehow by neo-liberal/consumerist/capitalist society.
So please, forget the notion that transgender or transsexual people “want to be or become” a gender. They possess as full a humanity as anyone else.

domain: sociology


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New Holland Agriculture to showcase its range of Farm Mechanization Solutions at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Kisan Mela
The brand will showcase its six tractors, a Combine Harvester and biomass management solutions at the PAU campus in Ludhiana on 23rd and 24th of September.
Ludhiana, 22 September 2022
New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial, will be present on 23rd and 24th of September at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Kisan Mela.
The brand’s stall 95-97, 111-113 & Mela Mural 2 will be showcasing six state-of-the-art tractors that include New Holland 3600-2 TX Super, 3037 TX Super, 3600 TX Super 4WD, 3630 TX Super 4WD, 5620 TX and 3600-2 all-rounder. A Combine Harvester TC5.30, Square Baler – SSB BC5060 and Rake RKG129 will also be on display.
Commenting on the participation at the Kisan Mela, Mr. Raunak Varma, Managing Director and Country Head, CNH Industrial – India & SAARC, said, “We have strategic growth plans for the Indian market and our time-tested products in the farm equipment segment are well suited for Indian conditions and offer superior value proposition to our customers. Punjab and Haryana are strong markets for us and participation at PAU Mela gives us an opportunity to engage with our existing and prospective customers. We are sure that our range of farm mechanization solutions will excite a lot of visitors and will help make farming more productive and efficient.”
PAU Kisan Mela is taking place on-ground after two-years of virtual shows due to the global pandemic. The Kisan Mela offers local farmers an opportunity to engage with various brands, understand and explore the latest farm solutions that are available in the market and get valuable insights for farming under one roof.
New Holland Agriculture aims to support the farmers in their journey to a more productive, efficient and effective way of farming with its products backed by superior technology and performance.
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domain: agronomy


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Microfluidic devices (MDs) have emerged as novel analytical tools in many areas of science and industry. Their inherent qualities such as low power requirements, low sample consumption, rapid and parallel analysis, and automation provides unique opportunities to create novel and more powerful devices with a myriad of applications. In recent years poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) has been widely used for microfluidic, optical, and nanoelectromechanical structures and in low-cost replication processes such as replication molding and templating. Of particular interest is the work of Quake et al. who has utilized multilayer soft lithography (MSL) to develop versatile MDs for a myriad of biological applications. We are currently extending the use of MDs employing MSL in a variety of biological applications. Although MDs based on PDMS have been widely used, there is still a need to develop other mechanisms for the manipulation and injection of small volumes of sample in PDMS structrues. Herein, we describe a simple, external in-line magnetic valve for use in MDs constructed of PDMS and employing small magnets. Furthermore, we demonstrate the integration of capillary electrophoresis (CE) onto the MD to separate small biological species.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 389 - 390
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip

domain: chemistry


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History as Romantic Art: Bancroft, Prescott, Motley, and Parkman, by David Levin. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press. 260 pp. $5.50.
In his introduction to "History as Romantic Art," David Levin writes: "Behind the histories of George Bancroft, William Prescott, John Motley, and Francis Parkman lies the conviction that the historian is a man of letters."
One suspects that this conviction diminished in American historical writing after Bancroft, Motley, and Parkman completed their great works. And it has never fully returned. Narrative history was their forte. Each practiced it with a deftness unmatched in today's effort for strict scholarship. They wrote voluminously and yet interestingly.
New England born and reared, and Harvard educated, all four were strongly influenced by romanticism--and it is this point which Professor Levin uses as his theme. Yet his book is much broader in scope. It illustrates quite graphically how the forces of rationalism, democracy, Christianity, and progress affected the writings of these historians. The conscious effort of each one to reach his reader with something of interest--even with something to excite readers--is carefully told by Professor Levin.
It was Bancroft's multi-volume "History of the United States" which witnessed the coming of age of American historical writing; then came Prescott's "The Conquest of Mexico," followed quickly by his other works on Spain and Spanish America; Motley turned his attention to "The Rise of the Dutch Republic," and Parkman rounded out the era with his masterpiece, "Montcalm and Wolfe."
Professor Levin believes "they found in romantic conventions a way of giving the Past artistic order and contemporary moral significance." This is true. Moreover, they did not divorce literary methods from historical theory. But on this point, Professor Levin falters, for he leaves unanswered the question of how deliberately these four historians imposed "romantic formulas on the historical record."


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Cat Grooming Health & Safety Policies
- Cats that arrive or pick up for grooming services more than 15 minutes late will incur a $15 late charge.
- No call/no show appointments will be charged IN FULL.
- Grooming appointments canceled less than 48hrs in advance will incur a 50% cancellation charge.
- Drop off/pick up - Cats coming for grooming appointments must be dropped off at the scheduled appointment time and picked up when finished. Happy Cat Spa will call or text when appointments are finished. Drop off/pick ups outside of the appointment time may not always be available and require arrangement and approval in advance and may require a room rental for the day at $25.
- Need to leave your kitty for the day? Cats that cannot be picked up at the end of the appointment can rent one of our spacious hotel rooms while waiting for pick up. They will be supplied a litter box, water, cozy bedding, and the rental fee is $25. Pick ups MUST be completed by no later 4:30pm otherwise a full night's rental fee will apply ($45-$55 depending on room type.) Rooms will be chosen by HCH staff and are subject to change without notice based on availability. Please note - during times of high volume, Happy Cat Hotel may not have day rentals available for grooming clients and cats must be picked up when finished with their groom.
Happy Cat Hotel Crate Policy - Please note, ALL cats MUST enter and leave the facility in a cat carrier, 1 cat per carrier. There are NO EXCEPTIONS. Loose cats are NOT permitted in the facility under any circumstances. Leashed cats are not acceptable. This is for the safety and security of your cat, other feline guests, yourself, and our team. If you do not have a crate for each cat, crates will be available for purchase at the Happy Cat Hotel Gift Shop.
Flea/Tick/Worm Prevention Policy - Happy Cat Hotel & Spa welcomes both indoor and outdoor cats with open paws, however, in an effort to keep all of our guests happy, clean, healthy, and able to enjoy the full Happy Cat experience, ALL cats MUST be up-to-date on flea/tick/worm preventative prior to checking in. Any cat found with fleas/ticks/worms or evidence of fleas/ticks/worms will be subject to immediate quarantine and a full groom including flea & tick bath. Charges up to $150 PER CAT will be assessed.

domain: pet


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GGPoker has informed PokerNews that the online poker giant is launching a Poker Integrity Council (PIC) to help put a stop to rampant cheating within the game.
The council includes five well-respected members, and not all are connected to GGPoker. Jason Koon other Fedor Holz (GGPoker), Andrew “Lucky Chewy” Lichtenberger (LearnWPT), Seth Davies (Run it Once), and Nick Petrangelo (Upswing Poker) have been selected to help fix one of poker’s biggest problems — cheating.
Jason Koon Speaks
Koon, who what hired last summer to serve as an Integrity Ambassador for GGPoker, is one of the top players in the game, and has also spearheaded the anti-cheating efforts.
“I joined GGPoker with an important objective in mind; to help the GGPoker team make their poker games more secure and fair than ever,” Koon said. “It’s an honor to launch the Poker Integrity Council and take another massive step in ensuring online poker is safe for all players. Our long list of allies also means that the wider community will be better protected via the industry-wide blacklist; we’re sending a united message that there’s no place in this game for cheaters.”
Koon has over $38 million in live tournament cashes, according to Hendon Mob. hey Won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2021, and a strong reputation within the high-stakes community.
What is the Poker Integrity Council?
Council members will be called upon to investigate integrity issues on a case-by-case basis. Once an online poker account is flagged for reasons such as potential real-time assistance (RTA) use, ghosting, or other illegal activities, the PIC will review hand histories and then make a ruling on if disciplinary action is necessary.
Punishment for being caught cheating at GGPoker following a ruling from the PIC could include a simple warning, an account suspension, or a permanent ban from the poker site with the confiscation of funds. That will all depend on how blatant the violation is, among other factors.
Even worse for those permanently banned for serious offenses, the PIC is working with major live tournament operators to install an industry-wide ban. That includes the World Series of Poker (WSOP), World Poker Tour (WPT)Triton Poker, Poker After Dark, Kings Casino, Asian Poker Tour (APT) and many more.
The purpose of the Poker Integrity Council isn’t just to kick cheaters off the GGPoker platform. It is also to eliminate cheating altogether in poker, online and in live games.
Over the past few months, a handful of players within the high roller scene have been accused by their peers of cheating both online and in live tournaments. Bryn Kenney, Jake Schindlerand Ali Imsirovic are the three biggest stars facing serious allegations of cheating.
Although GGPoker, and other poker sites, cannot specifically address specific accounts, it has been rumored that Schindler and Imsirovic were both banned for using RTAs. Kenney, on the other hand, has been accused of running a collusion and ghosting scheme on GGPoker. PokerNews obtained text message records that appear to corroborate some of the accusations.
If the Poker Integrity Council is successful in cleaning up the game, Koon and GGPoker will be heroes.


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Origins Available: Irish
The Connaghand surname comes from a proud and ancient past. The name Connaghand appeared originally in Gaelic as O Connachtain.
Early Origins of the Connaghand family
The surname Connaghand was first found in County Sligo
(Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht
in Northwestern Ireland
, where they held a family seat
from very ancient times.
Early History of the Connaghand family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Connaghand research.Another 408 words (29 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Connaghand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Connaghand Spelling Variations
Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations
. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Connaghand revealed many variations, including Cunigan, Conigan, Cunnigan, Conaghan, Conaughan, O'Cunigan, O'Conaghan, Connaghan, Connaughan, Kinneghan, Kinnegan and many more.
Early Notables of the Connaghand family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Connaghand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products
and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Connaghand family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of Irish families
left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name Connaghand: Bernard, Hugh, James, and Michael Conaghan, Cornelius, Edward, Hugh, and William Conahan, Cormack and John Connaghan, Patrick Connahan, and Henry Coninghan, arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1865.


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Are you finding it challenging to choose an oral health provider that can meet the unique needs of your complex case? At Chapel Hill Dental Care – Joseph G Marcius DDS, we have over 25 years of experience in IV sedation and gentle dental care — even for the most phobic patients.
We cater to individuals with advanced dental concerns, special needs, medical concerns, and even a fear of the dentist due to past traumatic experiences. In fact, over 70 dentists refer their patients to us for IV sedation dentistry.
Your Initial Visit
During your complimentary consultation, our compassionate team will listen to your concerns, and gain an understanding of your long-term oral health goals. Dr. Joe will assess your situation and work with you to conjunctively formulate a plan to address these issues. Ultimately, we want you to be able to enjoy comfortable care and a healthy smile, no matter what it takes.
Why are Our Consultations Free?
There is no charge for an initial consultation. We truly believe that you should feel comfortable and confident with your oral health provider, regardless of who it is. That’s why we offer this service to prospective patients and their families, in an effort to ease the process as much as possible. We’re confident that you will have never felt so relaxed inside of a dental office!
What’s the Next Step?
Depending on how much information we gather during your consultation, we may or may not need you to return for a more extensive examination to decide the next logical step in managing your case. We want you to become very familiar with our compassionate team well before we begin performing any type of treatment. Here, dentistry is personal…not just our job.
Book your consultation with Dr. Joe today. Call now.

domain: health


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ESCATEC, one of Europe's leading providers of contract design and manufacturing services, has launched a new service for customers - Value Analysis Value Engineering (VAVE). This looks at products both in the design stage and in production to see how they can be improved in terms of cost of manufacture and functions. The VAVE program for one customer resulted in savings of over a million euros in a year.
Johan Halling, ESCATEC's General Manager in Penang, Malaysia, explained: "VAVE uses a multi-disciplinary approach to question and evaluate more than just how to reduce the Bill Of Materials (BOM). It looks at the functions of the device and deconstructs each function to determine the costs of implementing it - materials, labour and overheads. This can reveal that some functions are very expensive but not really necessary and so can be eliminated. Similarly, some functions are inexpensive and yet can provide important USPs to improve the appeal of a product. By understanding the drivers and their costs, most products can be optimised, improved and made for less."
Practical examples include replacing welded parts with ones that screw together or even snap fit. Reducing manual assembly steps with automation if the capital cost of automation can be recovered in an appropriate timeframe given the life of the product. Even packaging for a device can often be improved to ensure safety in transit plus reducing the volume of the packaging to cut transport and storage costs.
"Naturally, a key part of any proposed changes is to do a risk analysis," added Halling. "This is particularly important for medical products as significant changes would require re-approval which is expensive and time consuming. This means that the electronics, being the vital part of a device, stays the same while the chassis and similar low level aspects can be changed."
Michael Walser, Head of R&D at ESCATEC, emphasised: "Doing VAVE during the design stage of a new product can be even more effective as substantial savings and improvements can be made before it even goes into production. This can make the difference in turning a project into a highly profitable and successful one."
The new VAVE service is not only available to existing ESCATEC customers but also to companies who just want a VAVE analysis done in their existing products or products in the design phase. This can take the form of two-day collaborative workshops called "Check it out" that bring together all the relevant disciplines to analyse a product. One workshop resulted in a 45% saving in manufacturing costs while another increased optical efficiency by 30%.
The ESCATEC Group provides fully-integrated electronic and mechatronic design and manufacturing solutions to assist customers in achieving success in their market. Its one-stop solutions and best-in-class service enable companies around the world to operate more profitably, sustainably and efficiently. Founded in 1984, its history is full of innovation, which made it a first choice partner for many European and North American OEMs. The Swiss-owned company perfectly blends Swiss business philosophy and attention to quality, precision and detail with the advantage of low-cost, mass-volume manufacturing capabilities in its Asian factories.


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Linen Quilted Play Mat
Hand-woven with love, our quilted linen play mats are made from the very softest natural fibers and dyed in delicate, neutral hues. Thick cotton filling and our signature stone washed linen make this mat cozy, portable and easy to wash.
We use premium Belgian flax dyed in small batches by skilled artisans. Slight color variations may occur between batches that add to the unique hand-crafted beauty of each item.
These quilted children's playmats have been tested to ensure they meet the highest levels of CPSC compliance.
Ethically sourced from global artisans.
We partner with fair trade certified collectives to source hand-crafted home and lifestyle goods from female artisans around the world.
These products showcase hours of artisan work and generations of skill passed from mother to daughter.
We strive for heirloom quality craftsmanship and use only natural fibers and natural or AZO free dyes.