text:
Lunar Mystery: Woman and the Moon (part2)
by Roslyne Sophia Breillat
The moon has long been associated with female qualities of receptivity, feeling, moistness, fertility, nurturing, intuition, healing. For aeons we have gazed in awe at the golden radiance of her fullness reflected in the ocean.For aeons we have gazed in wonder at the delicate silver arc of her crescent-shaped sister shining gently amongst the stars.
The ancients worshipped the moon as the beneficent giver of divine power. They honoured her as the gracious receptacle of intimate secrets and sacred knowledge. During each of her powerful transitions she was portrayed as a different aspect of woman. These phases were named Maiden, Mother and Muse or Crone.
In her earliest phase, the moon’s delicate silver crescent represents the nubile virgin beginning her adventurous journey across the heavens. Preparing to enter life from a deeper part of the feminine psyche, she symbolises newness, purity and innocence.
The Lunar Goddess now begins her waxing phase of birth and growth, her unfolding of maturity, wisdom and freedom. For a young woman this phase heralds menarche, the dawning of her first menstrual period.
When the moon is round and glowing, she represents the maternal Goddess of love, the pregnant mother with her full ripe belly. Her golden rotundity symbolises fecundity and abundance for her fertilising powers are potent now. Her powerful presence bestows her creative gift of life to the earth and her bounty. Mother Nature’s womb opens to her heavenly beauty and insects sing her praises all night long. This phase represents woman’s maternal aspect embracing the fullness of her childbearing and mothering years.
When the moon begins to wane she is preparing to disappear into the dark void of her mystery. The Moon Goddess silently slips from existence through entering the deep abyss of her lunar consciousness. No longer visible, her potent presence emanates from an unseen place. This phase is for introspection, stillness and silence. She is now assimilating the changes of her waxing and waning phases.
During this transformation she prepares to reappear as the sparkling crescent moon. For a woman this transition represents her rebirth as the wise and mysterious Muse or Crone. Hecate, Dark Moon Lilith, woman beyond existence is the mythical ruler of this mysterious cycle of emotional and psychological death.
During this phase the ancients watched in awe and fear as her glowing light disappeared from view. Her unseen influence upon the earth is powerful at this time.
Through consciously embracing menopause, a woman will experience deep wholeness and completion from experiencing all the phases of the Lunar Goddess. As the Wise Crone, she simultaneously knows the innocence of the Maiden, the fertility of the Mother and the truth of the Muse.
Even if she has not physically been a mother, she has psychically and energetically experienced this phase of her life. Neither old nor young, neither attached to age or youth, she joyfully embodies all aspects of the Lunar Goddess. The transforming power of her essence is that of the fullest and darkest moon. She contains the elixir of the Holy Grail, the abundance of the Earth, the stillness of the lake, the wildness of the storm. She represents all that gives, nurtures, takes in, receives, contains and transforms.
When a woman ceases menstruating, her psyche dances differently with the changing phases of the moon’s cycles. No more will her womb bleed with the lunar influence of oceanic tidal flows, for she is now inspired and influenced from a deeper place of inner knowing.
In ancient cultures this aspect of her female essence was sacred. She now cradles the immortal presence of life within her womb without menstruation, birthing or mothering.
During and after menopause, woman’s natural affiliation with the moon potentially becomes more profound, inner, intuitive, perceptive. Through acceptance and surrender, she softens ever deeper into her wisdom, her wildness, her mystery, her power.
After emptying, filling and replenishing for many years with the moon’s phases, her body is rapidly changing in preparation for a new phase, a new life. For many women this intense transition is felt as dramatic, disorienting, disturbing and erratic.
If a woman is experiencing great disharmony throughout these disruptive sensations, she can minimise this by simplifying her outer life as much as possible. She needs calm and sensitive focus for receptively tuning in to this strange new transition. Through eliminating everything unnecessary from her life, a deeper space, openness, stillness and power will inspire this potent flow of inner changes.
Throughout pagan cultures the lunar deity is worshipped as the wise and intuitive ruler of the feminine psyche. Not always content with the dark of night as her realm, she often appears at will during daylight hours. Daring to show her delicate face amid bright sunshine, she then remains high in the heavens long after the sun sleeps.
Mysteriously turning her face every few days, she always manifests in a different part of the evening sky. She takes form for several nights as a tiny crescent. Then she swells and grows like a ripening fruit, changing colour and shape until she is glorious, round and golden.
There are moments when this inconstant and unreliable heavenly ruler of cyclic change slowly rises at dusk. There are moments when her capricious presence doesn't bother to appear until the late hours of darkness. When her fullness and light have caused the night to shine as day, she turns her beautiful face once again, preparing to metamorphose as a fine arc of silver.
And so it is with woman. The enigmatic inconsistency of her feminine nature cannot be measured, controlled, quantified or manipulated, for it vibrates so finely with the instinctual pulse of its own rhythm. Ever in tune with her lunar nature, her body subtly yet powerfully flows from one transforming cycle to another.
When she begins her sacred menopausal pilgrimage she is gifted with the opportunity to sing, dance, create, live, love and be as never before. No longer flowing in tune with her lunar menstrual cycle, she is asked to courageously move beyond all she has known. She is now learning to be who she is as a woman in a totally new way. She is being asked to live as the dark of the moon.
As your consciousness becomes more aligned with the dark side of the moon, you will know gratitude for this awesome opportunity to sink so deeply into the quiet stillness of your inherent nature. You will become more perceptively attuned to the impersonal female ocean beyond fertility, beyond menstruation, beyond death, beyond fear.
If you fully embrace this important transition everything you say and do will be graced with wisdom and inspired by truth. You will inwardly die and rebirth. You will settle into a new place of being. You will become the mystery of the Muse and the power of the Crone. You will know true freedom. You will know All.
This innermost facet of woman’s psyche is both adored and feared by man, for he subconsciously recognises it as his self-undoing. Reflecting all that he loves and fears in the feminine psyche, the timelessness of her lunar essence draws him like a moth to a flame. It promises to fulfil his every need whilst threatening to destroy him with this unfathomable mystery that he loves.
Every woman has the capacity to unite with her lunar consciousness, for deep within, beneath layers of worldly fears and distractions, she already is this power. Through learning to love his woman's ever-changing lunar rhythm, the rhythm he will never understand, he will know stillness, humility, passion and the authority of his solar power. When he opens to the moon within his woman, he opens to the shining one, his divine inner lover. If he learns to love her through her many lunar transitions, he will know true fulfilment. For like the moon, she reflects the light of his love.
2008 © Roslyne Sophia Breillat
www.wildheartwisdom.com - Roslyne Sophia Breillat -
Within the womb of every woman glows the consciousness of Mother Earth. Wildheartwisdom is a web site for nurturing the truth of this powerful feminine spirit and offers support for the female psyche’s many cyclic transformations. Wildheartwisdom focuses upon the deeper joy and purpose of menstruation, lovemaking, pregnancy, childbirth, mothering, relationships, menopause and beyond. Find spiritual guidance for healing from eating disorders, sexual abuse, miscarriage and abortion. There are currently three galleries featuring Sophia’s art and a selection of her article excerpts. As wildheartwisdom evolves more art and articles will be added as well as an extensive resource section. Sophia’s beautiful art and illustrations are for sale and she is currently seeking a publisher for her two books.


text:
The perilous 1,000-mile journey to save Africa’s endangered black rhinos
28 October 2022
Simalaha’s Community Cookstove Programme has been awarded the Gold Standard for a certified Carbon Credit future.
Simalaha Community Conservancy is a protected area of 180 000 hectares sitting at Zambia’s edge, and a vital building block in the reconstruction of key migration routes and wildlife dispersal areas within the biggest terrestrial cross-border conservation system in the world – the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Initiated by the Sesheke and Sekhute Chiefdoms, the Conservancy is a flagship of successful community-led conservation that leverages the responsible management and protection of natural resources and wildlife in a manner that benefits both nature and people.
Here, what started out as a hopeful environmentally-friendly cookstoves pilot project has now matured into a certified carbon asset management programme that promises to benefit the local wildlife, forests and communities whilst contributing to Zambia’s climate credentials as a nation.
The programme, that aims to scale, improve and successfully implement a cookstoves programme for low-income housholds within Simalaha, was initiated by COmON foundation, Peace Parks Foundation and Commonland. COmON provides a loan to Commonland who are financing and programme managing the project with African Stove Company (TASC) as Technical partner and Peace Parks implementing the project on the ground.
Thus far, 10 000 cookstoves have been distributed that deliver both climate and sustainable development impacts. These fuel-efficient cooking innovations require only a few small pieces of wood to boil water and cook family meals, with much less smoke, thus contributing to cleaner air, improving health and living conditions, eliminating the burden of fetching firewood and saving precious time for women who previously needed to walk long distances gathering large amounts of firewood.
The benefits also extend to the health and restoration of Simalaha’s ecosystems: by reducing the consumption of wood and charcoal by up to 30%, deforestation can be turned around. In step with improved natural resource and energy usage, greenhouse gas emittance could also be cut by 80%.
In addition to these social and environmental wins, the project now also promises to help uplift people out of poverty through a new stream of income opportunity. The economic objective of this initiative involves turning any reductions in Greenhouse Gas emission into carbon credits, which can in turn be ‘sold’ for a monetary return to the communities. Now that Gold Standard – a certification body focused on both quantifying and maximising the impact of climate and development activities – has registered the programme, the ecological integrity this signifies is crucial. In validating the energy efficiency of the cookstoves, it affords the programme a place in the voluntary carbon market, and a chance for the community to trade with businesses looking to offset their emissions. Not only will this offer the community premium returns on the investment seeded by Commonland, but it will also scale up benefits – by accounting for carbon footprints far beyond the conservancy.
We expect over 74 000 Voluntary Emission Reduction (VERs) carbon credits will be issued in 2022, and more to be issued the subsequent years. After the deduction of programme expenses the balance of the revenue generated from the sale of the carbon credits will be donated to the Simalaha Conservancy Trust to fund development initiatives identified by the communities living within the conservancy.

domain: news


text:
Are my Chianti accommodations in the same place as the cooking classes?
|Title:||Are my Chianti accommodations in the same place as the cooking classes?|
|Category:||Expectations & Planning for our Chianti Vacations|
|Author:||Sophie Townsey||Updated:||Jan 31, 2019||Views:||3,998|
|Tags:||cooking classes in chianti chianti cooking cooking class location cooking in tuscany cortona|
All of the accommodations in Chianti are in the Palazzo Leopoldo resort. Our cooking classes are held at the kitchen of restaurant Girarrosto, which is a short 2-minute walk from where we all stay.
One of our classes is held while we are in Cortona on an excursion. Our class is at a private villa on the outskirts of town. Franca and her son, Francesco, will teach us their family-style Tuscan home-cooking from recipes that have been passed down through generations. These are the times we savor at CDV as we get the opportunity to mingle with the locals and share their love and passion of their Italian heritage.

domain: geography


Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale
Behind the wheel of the ultimate race-inspired version of coupe
As it’s inspired by Maserati’s MC Trofeo race series, you’d expect the MC Stradale to be an uncompromising stripped-out special. But while it’s the lightest, fastest, most ferocious GranTurismo on sale, it’s still luxurious and comfortable, in a similar vein to the Jaguar XKR-S and Aston Martin V12 Vantage. It costs £21,500 more than the brilliant GranTurismo S, but it’s so talented, many customers will be unable to resist.
It’s the fastest, lightest and most powerful Maserati you can buy – and one of the most desirable supercars ever. This is the GranTurismo MC Stradale: a 442bhp 4.7-litre V8 coupé that seeks to apply the firm’s racing knowledge to the road.
We’ve already driven the Porsche 911 GT3 rival in Europe and loved its ballistic pace, pin-sharp reactions and surprisingly comfortable ride. Is the flagship just as impressive on UK roads?
Watch our video of the MC Stradale being driven at Blighton Circuit below:
It’s jaw-dropping to look at. The MC Stradale adds to the GranTurismo’s gorgeous shape with twin bonnet vents, and a new front bumper and spoiler with deeper side skirts. There’s a boot spoiler and a diffuser-style rear bumper with fresh twin exhausts, which now sit closer together.
If that’s not enough, you can specify matt paint (although this adds £15,000 to the £109,995 price), as well as bright red Trident decals, for £512.
Inside, you still get a luxurious dash with beautiful dials and that exquisite clock on the console. But the cabin has more of a racing feel. The rear seats are ditched – replaced by an optional roll cage – while up front are carbon fibre seats, trimmed in Alcantara. The company has also deleted the air-con and sat-nav, reduced the soundproofing and fitted some lightweight alloys and ceramic brakes. As a result, the MC Stradale weighs 110kg less than the regular GranTurismo.
Engineers have taken know-how from Maserati’s GT4 and Trofeo race cars and fettled the suspension for faster steering response. They’ve dropped the ride height by 10mm, stiffened the springs and added thicker anti-roll bars and sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres.
But the star of the show is the V8. It gives 442bhp – that’s 8bhp up on the GranTurismo S’s engine, thanks to an ECU remap. Rivals are more potent – the Audi R8 V10 GT has 552bhp – but the MC Stradale is still incredibly fast, with 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds (three-tenths quicker than the S) and a top speed of 187mph.
And the best bit is the soundtrack; it’s one of the finest of any car ever. Select the new Race mode and the V8 crackles at idle, before its note reaches a screaming crescendo at the 7,500rpm red line as baffles in the exhaust open wider
and for longer. The Race mode has another trick up its sleeve: amazingly fast gearshifts.
Provided the engine is revving at more than 4,000rpm and the throttle is more than 70 per cent open, the six-speed automated manual box will bang through each ratio in a mere 60 miliseconds. And your head will be forced back violently with every pull on the steering wheel paddle.
However, the MC Stradale still has the refinement of a true GT car. Although it turns into corners faster, stops more quickly and grips harder than the standard model, when you select the Auto or Sport modes, the newcomer barely feels any less comfortable than the regular GranTurismo.
It’s not perfect. There’s more pitch and roll than in the smaller, stiffer 911 GT3 – the Maserati never manages to shake off its sheer size and 1,770kg weight – while the four-point harnesses and roll cage are showy options.
Bosses are calling it a racer for the road, but the MC Stradale is more GT car with everything turned up to 11 – and that’s a good thing. It offers even more soul and emotion than the stock GranTurismo, but it’s still usable every day. That is some feat.


Hu knew. Chinese president Hu Jintao knew that upon coming to Washington for Obama’s nuclear security summit he would have to have a serious chat about currency with President Obama and Secretary Geithner. Hu also knew that he wasn’t ready to cooporate.
On Monday, talks between the three economic power players (Jintao, Obama, and Geithner) ended in a total lack of budging on the part of the Chinese. Hu said that revaluing the yuan would not only not solve trade imbalances between the two countries, but it wouldn’t help U.S. employment either.
America begs to differ. And once again, AAM has a map to prove it.
As U.S. policymakers have strongly encouraged domestic consumption,
“exports, for now, remain a major engine of economic growth in China, a reason why the government has kept the yuan virtually re-pegged to the dollar since mid-2008 as China’s export sector was hit by the worst global economic downturn in decades. The move followed a more than 21% appreciation in the yuan against the dollar between mid-2005 and mid-2008.”
According to an Associated Press article on the meeting, “The yuan was only one of several issues Obama and Hu discussed — Iran’s nuclear program chief among them. Bader described the meeting as ‘positive and constructive’ and the presidents are ‘familiar and comfortable with each other.’ ”
We’ll wager that China taking its sweet time revaluing the yuan doesn’t sound positive nor constructive to the millions of Americans that have lost, and are still losing, their jobs.
On top of this, Hu made a few demands of his own, including urging the United States to “loosen its export controls over high-tech products.”
Read more about the meeting here, here, and here.


text:
Being a new mom or the parent of a young child can be overwhelming.
Aside from being on call 24/7 – even if you work outside your home – babies and young children can challenge you to your core.
They are irrational, unpredictable, and often exhausting, yet you love them more than you ever thought possible.
Having worked with parents for over 30 years, I can confidently say that parenting today is more difficult than it has ever been. These days most parents are overwhelmed by all the books, websites, social media sites, online “experts”, mommy bloggers, and the comments and advice of friends, family, and even strangers, telling you how to raise your children.
It’s so confusing.
Before you know it you don’t know what you think or believe and you start to lose all your confidence.
It’s hard to know where to turn and whom to believe.
Well, I’m here to tell you that you can turn to me. I am here to help you find your own inner strength and capacity, and to encourage you to trust your heart and your intuitive “knowing”.
When you work with me I will offer you all my over 30 years of experience working with children and parents, all my training, education and knowledge, and my great passion and love for babies, children, and parents.
I am totally on your side. I look forward to working with you.
Group Coaching is also available.
Questions? Get in touch.
Ready for a coaching session? Click here for rates and to book a session with me.
“I needed this article this morning! Thank you for those kind and understanding words. It is so refreshing to hear another positive point of view.”
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to compliment you on this amazing blog! For some reason, I hadn’t come across it previously but I am sure glad that I did tonight. I shall be reading more of the articles that many were of interest, and recommending it in the childbirth education classes. Thank you so much for informative, compassionate, at times humorous, and well-researched reflections.”
“As a working professional and a new mom, I wanted advice from someone who was both current and had a wide breadth of knowledge. Judy helped me with everything from breastfeeding to co-sleeping to working through my emotional experience as a parent. Her support was instrumental. As new moms, we should all have some time with Judy.”
“As a new mother, I sometimes felt bewildered and overwhelmed. Judy Reminded me of the wisdom and instincts that I already had and taught me the skills that I needed. I always went home reassured, empowered, and refuelled.”
“Great podcast. Loved listening to this. Great reminder to follow your heart, trust your intuition and to connect on the right level with your baby who does just that! Thank you. I like the podcast approach “
“Thank you for this amazing resource of information. It’s incredible and ever so helpful. For someone who struggles herself with emotional and mental health, I am so pleased to find your blog with an abundance of tips, testimonials, and science!”

domain: psychology


- This event has passed.
Coffee and Contracting | Virtual
August 6, 2021 @ 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Join our PTAC Counselors via Zoom for an opportunity to discuss government contracting, procurement assistance and other relevant contracting topics informally and from the comfort of your own office.
No fee to attend, but registration is required
Register here: https://ptacofsc.ecenterdirect.com/events/5645
More info? Call 734-462-4438 or email


text:
I know I can’t really call this recipe “bulgogi” because bulgogi is actually thinly sliced beef marinated in an exceptional Korean sauce. The reason why I’ve christened this recipe with bulgogi in its title is this: I used the traditional bulgogi marinade as the flavoring for these pork chops. It’s the kind of thing that happens when you’re craving a certain taste, but have got the wrong thing in your refrigerator. Well, I guess I can’t say pork chops are wrong; meat is meat, and chicken, beef, and pork generally seem to absorb flavors quite well.
I was inspired to make a bulgogi sauce after I read about New York Hot Dog & Coffee’s bulgogi wraps and hot dogs. While it’s been years since I could bring myself to eat a hot dog after reading how much mysterious filler, chemicals, and strange ground up parts are in one, I found myself clicking through pictures of the menu and salivating. That hot dog looked good. It was like one of those Jenny Jones nerdy to hottie reveals. Dressed up, I was more inclined to eat it. “No, no, no,” I said to myself. I wasn’t going to give in to mystery meat. What I really wanted, I decided, was that bulgogi.
I’m in my last week in NYC here, and I had some pork chops in the freezer begging to be eaten and a wallet that wouldn’t forgive me if I let them go to waste. So, here these chops are: garlicky, savory, sweet, and full of that umami flavor.
Recipe for the marinade (for two medium, thinly pounded chops):
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tbsp. honey
2 cloves of garlic, mashed and coarsely chopped
some red pepper flakes
1/2 tbsp. sesame oil
1 green onion, chopped.
1. Mix the marinade together, and add the meat to it. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Add it to the pan, cook it til done, and eat!

domain: food


text:
Whether it’s a magazine cover, high fashion photo shoot or a day at the beach, celebrities have never been shy about leaving their tops behind.
Alessandra Ambrosio gave fans a special Valentine’s Day gift this year by sharing a topless photo of herself on Instagram. Peering over her back and pink “hottie” bottoms, the Victoria’s Secret Angel wrote, “Who is ready for #valentinesday?”
Outside of the lingerie world, several movie stars have also bared their bod for the camera.Keira Knightley graced the pages of Allure in last December, “Sexiest Woman Alive” Mila Kunis stripped down for the cover of Esquire and Nicole Kidman showed her naked backside for V Magazine’s travel issue.
Kate Upton also posed topless on several occasions — with the most recent being her second consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover. The 20-year-old bombshell also went topless for Vogue Germany and Cosmopolitan in recent months.
So, without further adieu, launch the gallery above for 30 steamy photos of topless celebrities.
Who do you think pulls off the topless look best? Weigh in below.

domain: celebrity


Experimental Characterization of an Ethanol DI - Gasoline PFI and Gasoline DI - Gasoline PFI Dual Fuel Small Displacement SI Engine
The aim of the paper is the comparison of the performance, gaseous and particle emissions from different injection configurations and fuels. The engine was operated in port fuel injection (PFI), direct injection (DI) and dual fuel (DF). For DF, ethanol DI-gasoline PFI and gasoline DI-gasoline PFI strategies were performed to discern the effect of injection strategy from the effect of the fuel. The experimental activity was carried out in a small displacement single cylinder engine, representative of 2-3 wheel vehicle engines or of 3-4 cylinder small displacement automotive engines. It was equipped with a prototype gasoline direct injection (GDI) head. The tests were carried out at 3000 rpm, 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm full load. The investigated engine operating conditions are representative of the homologation urban driving cycle. The gaseous and particle emissions were measured at the exhaust by means of a gas analyzer and a smoke meter.


text:
Appraisal PropTech | NNN Industry Warning Sign
If you pick a high quality investment game, it’s hard to fail.
Pick the wrong game and you’ll work twice as hard for half the returns. Great investment games have a few things in common:
Low competition (target rich environment)
Built in demand tailwinds (to offset errors)
Sticky and growing cash flow (to offset unforeseen risks)
In other words, a game where you can consistently put money to work - with sufficient yield - at a high confidence interval.
Since we can’t predict outcomes, we want to push our chips in on games where path dependence is least important. While we can’t cut off the left tail (negative outcomes), we can look for games that minimize it.
The investment world is chalk full of focused, diligent, and intelligent people. If you thrive on competition, give up the search; just pick a crowded area and go to war.
In private real estate that battle might be sunbelt apartments, life science, or coastal industrial deals. Demand for these assets is nearing a fever pitch. The best in the business are capitalizing by dumping their older assets at 3.5% cap rates to rotate into newer assets and skirt deferred capital expenses on the old assets.
Tip: REITs can hold forever (unlike private equity firms) so when they want to sell you something….tread lightly.
Clearly the superior strategy is to sidestep cutthroat competition. That typically means going off the beaten path to find something messy, misunderstood and mispriced. If you’re right you’ll have a lot of runway and time before the market takes notice.
The bright line between good and great games is the level of competition. But thankfully, many a fortune has been built on merely “good” games.
So if you can’t find all three above attributes, two (demand tailwinds + sticky cash flow) is enough to build a successful investment strategy or large RE private equity business.
Let’s say you wanted to start an industrial or apartment private equity firm in today’s elevated market. Well, despite the competition - those are still pretty good long term games. You’re not going to find cheap prices, but it’s reasonable to assume demand for industrial product will continue to rise. It’s also likely you won’t evaporate 5 years of cash flow with an large unexpected capital expense. That happens all the time with office investments (not a good game).
Couple the above with the structural benefits of real estate: accretive, fixed rate debt on (likely) growing cash flow streams and you’ve identified a pretty good game.
Now, I don’t think you’re going to shoot the lights out this cycle (return wise). But, if you hustle, avoid extreme leverage and can hold through-cycle (7-10 years) odds are high you’ll do well. You’d also be in a great position (having built a process, team, fee revenue, broker relationships) to capitalize on the next cycle. If you’re playing long term games, this is a better plan than chasing a trendy, short term investment strategy that might look compelling today (flipping NFTs), but won’t compound over time.
Is Your Game Good?
Good or great, I think I’ve chosen a high quality game. REITs are underfollowed, misunderstood and are far easier to value than other businesses.
Do you feel the same way - or better - about your game?
If not (considering where valuations are) now is great time to revisit your investments or private equity business. If you’re not playing a good or great game where you can compound efforts reliably over the long term, then considering making a switch. It might feel like its starting over, but it sure beats playing bad games at all time high prices.
Choose a game you can play indefinitely and compound knowledge, reputation, relationships and cash flow.
Pick a game where you don’t have to be heroic to win.
Evergreen Real Income Fund
The fund’s purpose is to deliver world-class income yields.
You can learn more about the Evergreen Real Income Fund by clicking on the link below.
CVS Unhealthy – a large drug store chain with ~10k stores in the US – announced a shift in its retail strategy that would involve closing ~900 stores over the course of the next three years (representing ~10% of the chain’s overall store count). This is one reason we don’t love triple net (NNN) retail deals. As an investor you don’t want the keys back on these hard to repurpose / release stores.
Appraisal Relief - Appraisals need a reboot. They’re expensive, take forever and magically come in at the purchase price 95% of the time. There might be help on the horizon. Startup Aloft just raised $20M Series A to disrupt the appraisal industry. Let’s hope they add commercial appraisals in the future.
Industrial Heat - Sales of large industrial properties this year have shattered the record for annual volume with more than a month to spare. Year to date, an eye-popping $59.5 billion of warehouses have changed hands. That’s nearly 40% above the previous annual high-water mark of $42.7 billion, set in 2020.

domain: finance


text:
Sunday Independent - Genetix menu (fwd)
- To: "unlikely.suspects":;
- Subject: Sunday Independent - Genetix menu (fwd)
- From: MichaelP <papadop@PEAK.ORG>
- Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 20:15:10 -0800 (PST)
- Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
- Resent-From: firstname.lastname@example.org
- Resent-Message-ID: <"NP723D.A.av.P4kx2"@bakunix.free.de>
- Resent-Sender: email@example.com
As to genetic manipulation the brit. government is pulling one way, and
the newspapers, all of a sudden are pulling the other. The topic is
getting more space (it seems to me) than Monica ever did. Sorry if you're
a regular reader of the INDEPENDENT - this will reach you before the
Sunday morning delivery !!
INDEPENDENT (Sunday) FEB 14
Labour pays GM giants to come to UK
By Marie Woolf, Political
Genetic engineering giants, including Monsanto, have been offered millions
of pounds in taxpayers' money to encourage them to expand their presence
in the United Kingdom.
The Government has earmarked more than #15m for biotechnology firms,
including Du Pont, one of the pioneers in genetic engineering, and
Monsanto, the American GM crops giant. In May 1997, the month that the
Labour government was elected, it gave Monsanto the first slice of a #1.5m
package to expand investment in Scotland.
The revelation comes as the Government is under increasing fire for its
close links with the genetic engineering firms. Firms involved in
genetically modified (GM) food have met government officials or ministers
81 times since Labour was elected. Monsanto visited the agriculture and
environment departments 22 times while Zeneca held 31 meetings with
officials or ministers.
Last night the Government insisted there was no evidence that GM food on
sale in the UK was a health risk. Such products on sale in the UK were
safe, Dr Jack Cunningham, Cabinet Office Minister, said after food
retailers demanded a clear statement to reassure consumers. The British
Retail Consortium had warned that shops could lose billions of pounds if
consumers lost confidence because of government dithering over GM food.
"No new products [containing GM substances] will be allowed for sale
unless they have passed a whole series of rigorous and careful checks and
tests," said Dr Cunningham. "We believe the products currently on sale are
safe. Stores have been selling these products to the consumers for several
years, and they have been very happily buying them because they are safe."
However, last night supermarkets, including Somerfield, Asda and
Sainsbury's, showed signs of turning against GM crops. They said that they
were asking suppliers to buy up GM-free fields all over the world so that
they could guarantee their own-brand foods such as crisps and ready-made
meals were GM-free. "We are actively looking for GM-free supplies," said a
spokesman for Sainsbury's. "We want to reduce the number of GM ingredients
used wherever possible."
Government funds will go to a Monsanto factory in Girvan, south of Ayr,
which extracts chemicals from seaweed. Monsanto, which insists that no
work on genetic engineering goes on at its plant, has so far received
#785,000; it will be eligible for the rest of the #1.5m inward investment
package once it has hired more workers.
"As far as this place is concerned there is no GM work whatsoever," said a
spokesman for the company.
The Government has offered Du Pont, the UK arm of the American-based
chemical multinational, almost #15m to encourage it to expand factories in
the North-east of England and Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for Du Pont said: "Most of our work on genetic engineering is
being done in the States. We are doing some research in the UK. The money
given to the plants in the North-east and Northern Ireland has nothing to
do with genetic modification."
This week a group of MPs from all parties will be established to
scrutinise government policy on GM food, and the Commons environmental
audit select committee plans to launch an investigation into genetically
Last week MPs tabled a Commons motion congratulating The Independent on
Sunday on its campaign for a freeze on growing GM crops in Britain until
rigorous tests of their effects on the environment have been completed.
GM foods campaign - The seeds of destruction
By Marie Woolf & Geoffrey Lean
Work is under way to target Third World farmers with a new form of
genetically modified seed, nicknamed the Verminator because it contains a
fat gene from a rat.
Agro-chemical giants have been patenting dozens of genetically engineered
"terminator" seeds which are programmed to kill their own embryos so they
cannot produce next year's crop. But the Verminator is the most dramatic
example of the new science of genetic modification.
The patents have been condemned by scientists and Third World charities
who say the technology will "enslave" the world's poorest farmers to
businesses such as Monsanto.
Over 1.4 billion subsistence farmers and their families in the Third World
rely on keeping back seeds from each crop to grow next year's harvest,
ensuring that they can breed their own plants. Charities, which have been
working to make poor communities self-sufficient, say that the new GM
seeds could herald the demise of sustainable development.
"The whole concept of this invention is based around making the poor pay
for seeds instead of saving their own. It risks damaging the seed base
poor people depend on," said Isabel McCrea, of Action Aid.
Zeneca, a leading biotechnology spin-off of ICI, is working on the
Verminator, a killer gene which can be switched on or off by a chemical
trigger. Its patent describes the gene as coming from "mammalian
uncoupling protein isolated from the brown adipose tissue of ratus ratus".
Once inserted into the plant it acts as a killer of pollen cells by making
them starve themselves to death. The energy function of pollen-producing
cells is blocked.
"Terminator technology is dangerous because it puts an end to life," said
Michael Antoniou, a molecular geneticist. "If you stop the energy
factories in the cell from working it does not have any energy to keep it
The controversial new terminator technology will be debated this week by
politicians, ecologists and scientists at the 1999 convention on
biological diversity in Colombia, a conference on protecting the world's
plant life. There are likely to be calls for tight controls on introducing
GM crops - including suicide seeds - into the developing world.
"By peddling suicide seeds the biotechnology multinationals will lock the
world's poorest farmers into a new form of genetic serfdom," said Emma
Must, campaigns officer of the World Development Movement. "Currently 80
per cent of crops grown in developing countries are grown using farm-saved
seeds. Being unable to save seeds from sterile crops could mean the
difference between surviving or going under."
It may be years before the terminator seeds are being planted
commercially, but already Indian farmers are up in arms about the threat
to their livelihoods. They have launched "Operation Cremate Monsanto" with
the intention of "burning" the company out of their country. Fields of GM
cotton have been set alight in Karnataka, and a government minister has
Professor N Najundaswamy, president of the 10 million-strong Karnataka
farmers' association, says: "This is a terminator of food security. It is
a damaging technology because pollination pollution can render indigenous
varieties sterile. This gene will remove all characteristics of
germination from our seeds."
At the end of last year Professor Najundaswamy and 200 of his farmers
descended on two experimental fields of cotton which had been genetically
engineered to resist pests but did not carry the terminator gene. They
uprooted the cotton, piled it up and set it alight. "We are making a call
for direct action against Monsanto and the rest of the biotech gang," he
Meanwhile, Babagouda Patil, India's minister for rural development, has
warned that "the terminator gene will pose a serious threat to Indian
agriculture". And the world's largest agricultural research institution
has banned terminator technology. The Consultative Group on Inter-
national Agricultural Research, which co-ordinates the research centres
that spawned the Green Revolution, has announced it "will not incorporate
into its breeding materials any genetic systems designed to prevent seed
GM foods campaign - Monsanto pleads guilty to flouting rules on crops
MONSANTO , the controversial biotech giant at the heart of the growing row
over "Frankenstein foods", will this week plead guilty to criminal charges
of flouting rules over the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops.
In the first case of its kind brought in Britain the company will admit
breaking the regulations at a test site for its crops in Lincolnshire. The
development will be a huge embarrassment for the company, which has been
aggressively promoting GM foods.
It could not have come at a worse time for the US multinational with the
country in an uproar over the issue, and the Independent on Sunday's
campaign attracting massive political and public support. Today Baroness
Young, chairman of English Nature - the Government's official wildlife
watchdog - calls on page 30 for tougher conditions for such test sites and
a delay on commercial planting until thorough research has been carried
The case, which will be heard at Caistor Magistrates' Court on Wednesday,
has been brought by the official Health and Safety Executive after a
routine inspection of the site, at nearby Rothwell, last June revealed
that control measures designed to prevent GM crops cross-pollinating with
nearby plants had been "partially removed". Environmentalists fear that
"escaped" genes from the crops may create superweeds, and that once out
they could never be recaptured.
Monsanto (slogan "Food - Health - Hope") and another firm, Perryfields
Holdings, were supposed to leave a six-metre wide "pollen barrier" around
the crop of GM oilseed rape to stop cross-fertilisation. But the
inspectors found that the barrier was only two metres wide on one side of
the test site.
The GM rape had already flowered by the time the inspection took place,
and government advisers were informed that "pollination with the
surrounding crop may already have taken place". The entire GM crop and all
seed harvested within 50 metres of it had to be destroyed. No oil seed
rape is to be grown on the site for at least two years.
Both firms face a maximum fine of #20,000 in the magistrates' court for
breaching the Environmental Protection Act 1990 - and an unlimited one if
the case is referred to the Crown Court.
David Hill, a media consultant to Monsanto, confirmed late last week that
the company will be pleading guilty. "It will be a very short court case,"
He added that, as things stood, there was little the company could do to
stop a similar breach happening again. Monsanto had no direct control of
the trials, which were done by third-party growers appointed by the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods (Maff). The company says it
is working closely with Maff and the Department of the Environment,
Transport and the Regions (DETR) to produce "a standard set of operating
procedures" to avoid future breaches.
Both firms have been in trouble before for a similar offence although no
charges were brought. Just over a year ago the DETR was informed that too
small an "isolation distance" had been left around another crop of GM
oilseed rape near Broadway in the Cotswolds. The crop had to be destroyed.
OUR READERS WRITE
***As a consumer, given that GM foodstuffs are already on the market, I
would press for easy identification. Few shoppers have the time or the
inclination to read avidly the small print on the back of tins. There are
The labels on the containers of GM foods could be coloured differently; or
they could show a prominent "GM" sign on the front of the label; or (and
in my view preferably) they could be stacked separately on shelves which
are clearly marked "GM Foodstuffs".
This would give consumers a sporting chance of buying ethically, if that
is what they want. It would also give retailers reasonably accurate
information about their customers' preferences and priorities. If the
major supermarkets could be persuaded by such information that their
customers preferred natural, unmodified goods then we would be a long way
towards winning the battle.
Lesley Browne, London, SW1
***Although not strictly vegetarian, I eat a lot of "vegetarian" food. I
will not knowingly buy food which has been genetically modified. In
reality, this has meant buying nothing containing soya which has not been
clearly marked as being free from GM.
I do not wish to eat GM foods, and am particularly concerned about such
products being fed to animals in the food chain, and even more, about the
effects of GM crops upon the environment. Assurances of safety are
patently ridiculous - effects cannot possibly be predicted.
P M Noble, London E11
I AM rarely moved to campaign. However, on GM food I am extremely
concerned. I am able to protect my family from beef and beef produce
because it is labelled. I demand the choice to be able to protect my
family from GM food.
M Burnett, Purley, Surrey
***The human food chain is being hijacked by big corporations for their
own ends. We deplore this. We are also very unhappy with the way the
Government is putting the interests and wishes of these companies above
those of the British people.
We are concerned about the inherent unpredictability of GM crops with
possible danger to both humans and animals; the spread of unwanted and
possibly harmful genes into weeds, wild species and organic food; the
impossibility of enforcing and policing the labelling of foods containing
GM ingredients; and the effect on developing nations, where there are
already food shortages through Western greed.
DR M Antoniou and J Antoniou, Edgware, Middlesex
***GM foods are the thin end of a very dangerous wedge. Nature is a
beautifully organised and complex system that can never be fully
understood or predicted. Like similar complex systems such as the weather
or the behaviour of the economy it is beyond prediction.
Unfortunately, this is not another topical issue that will eventually fade
from public concern. It is a battle which must be continuously fought, for
this technology isn't going to go away, no matter how much we wish it
Keith Richardson, East Berkshire Green Party, Slough, Berks
***This process should be discontinued immediately and completely banned
until further testing for safety of the consumer is carried out and until
confidence can be expressed by all informed and disinterested bodies that
the broader implications for the ecology of our planet are fully
understood, and that all anticipatible consequences have been identified
and deemed acceptable.
M J Russell, Crief, Perthshire
***The belief that Genetic Modification can provide a solution to the
problem of world hunger is a fallacy. Increasing the yield of cash crops
does not provide the producers of the food with more to eat; poor people
cannot eat food that is exported. Rich landowners and those who control
the technology will be the ones to prosper. GM will concentrate the
wealth, and the gene pool, in the hands of the few. Technology in
isolation cannot be the answer to problems that are fundamentally
economical and ethical in their composition.
Gareth Simpson, West Bridgeford, Notts
***As someone involved in plant gene transfer since the early 1980s, I
find your latest campaign is based on unsound arguments. Genetic
modification receives a great deal of unsubstantiated and misrepresented
publicity, and I am disappointed that your otherwise excellent paper seems
keen to take a lead in this.
A much more positive reaction from your paper would be an in-depth review
of the whole area of genetic modification, not merely the opinions of some
badly informed people. Though the science of creating transgenic plants is
new, the precision and scope of the science is increasing quickly, with
the elimination of some of the previously cited problems, such as
antibiotic resistance genes.
I am not advocating an all-out acceptance of genetic modification;
however, in many cases the benefits far outweigh the risks involved.
Instead of "Stop GM Foods", stop misrepresenting the scientific facts.
Dr Steve Millam, Dundee
***I strongly feel that GM food should be stopped. Will we have no choice
in how we live our lives? Will the big food corporations run the world?
Sandra Brown, Consett, Co Durham
***I farm 450 acres of mediocre arable land in South Yorkshire. I
wholeheartedly agree with you that GM crops should be banned, stopped and
thrown out. I farm in a conventional system using agrochemicals as
sparingly as possible. There is no way I could be described as a
vegetarian yoghurt knitter but I do object to being a conduit for
taxpayers' money being delivered to Monsanto to develop systems that are
dangerous, untested and unwanted. Think of rabbits in Australia, grey
squirrels in Britain and the numerous other incidents of humans tampering
with nature. Let these be a lesson to all.
T G Elmhirst, Barnsley, S Yorks
***Genetic engineering could be extremely dangerous, and all shops and
supermarkets ought to indicate which foods contain genetically modified
ingredients. This would enable customers who do not agree with genetic
engineering to avoid them.
Frances J Jones, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
***Although a moratorium is better than nothing, for nature's sake a total
ban is the only acceptable outcome of this debate. A freeze of three years
is not long enough to determine what adverse effects GM foods will have on
us. Organic farming is the only way forward.
M M H Hogestijn, Radnage, Bucks
***I find it interesting that companies like Monsanto are acting like
farmers and treating consumers like domesticated animals. We're to be fed
according to their requirements, and they will harvest the profits.
Give us the names of the products Monsanto and the other GM companies
produce. We may not be able to stop the introduction of GM foods, but we
could initiate a consumer boycott of all their other products so they
learn not to hold consumers in such contempt.
K M Murphy, Sittingbourne, Kent
***I do not wish to see the end of composting because of rot-proof
Michael R Martin, Weymouth, Dorset
***MY FEELINGS of abhorrence and disgust with both the Government and the
food industry, that they should try to inflict their decisions without a
forum after the BSE crisis, cannot be overstated. Unless food is properly
labelled, the Government and industry will be force feeding the population
on food that they may have very great concerns about. Food must remain a
matter of choice determined by knowledge.
T Wilcox, London NW10
***Firstly, I fail to see how your political correspondent can describe a
written Parliamentary Answer published in Hansard of 3 February, col.
691/2, as a "confidential briefing note from civil servants seen by The
Independent". Secondly, at no time has the Government given its approval
to Monsanto cotton for animal feed. Thirdly, MAFF has not yet completed
the setting up of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedstuffs. The
Chairman will be appointed before Easter.
Jeff Rooker MP, London SW1
GM foods: A WEEK IN THE NEWS
- Mori poll shows that 57 per cent of the public are concerned about
genetically modified food.
- American scientists warn that there could be global consequences of
using GM foods. Professor Samuel Epstein of the University of Illinois
School of Public Health says: "Genetic modification of food is a dangerous
game of ecological roulette."
- Green campaigners and senior Tories call for Science Minister Lord
Sainsbury to be removed from his post over allegations that he still
retains control of the charitable trust the Gatsby Foundation. Gatsby has
spent #18m on researching genetically engineered organisms since 1990,
although Sainsbury's only links are the power to hire and fire the
foundation's trustees. Gatsby also finances a "public information service"
- promoting genetically modified food - called Biotechnology in Our
- Friends of the Earth chairman Charles Secrett says: "When Sainsbury
comes out of government he is likely to be handed back his commercial
interests in GM food. His laboratory will be at the forefront of the
science partly because of the money he indirectly donated through
research. And there is the probability of a culture of acceptance of GM
food that as a minister he is likely to have helped to foster."
- Food Safety Minister Jeff Rooker concedes that GM food does pose "a
really serious problem". He warns food producers that consumers will vote
with their feet unless their concerns are listened to.
- Labour MEP David Bowe says new British regulations could pre-empt
Brussels' own plan to introduce tighter controls. "I feel we might see
British legislation before we are finally finished with European
legislation," he says.
- Cabinet enforcer Jack Cunningham - who banned beef-on-the-bone as
Agriculture Minister - attacks the Tories for calling for a three-year
moratorium on GM food, saying it undermines public confidence and damages
- A survey carried out by market research company Mintel shows that the
vast majority of people want the Government to introduce food labelling in
supermarkets showing if a product has been genetically modified. The
Report into Food Safety finds that GM foods are of concern to 36 per cent
of consumers with 78 per cent calling for them to be clearly labelled.
Dr Arpad Pusztai, who was forced to retire by the Rowett Research
Institute and condemned for saying GM foods could damage human health, is
backed by 20 scientists from around the world. He left the
government-funded institute in Aberdeen last August after his research
suggested a link between GM food and ill health in rats.
Vyvyan Howard, a toxipathologist at Liverpool University and one of the
scientists who is backing Dr Pusztai, explains: "We find that his data is
sound. We think it would pass peer review and be published, and we are at
a loss to explain why the Rowett Institute came to the conclusion it did."
The Government's handling of the GM food issue is criticised when Mr
Cunningham is accused of misleading MPs into believing that its official
wildlife advisers, English Nature, had not recommended a three-year
moratorium on GM crops.
English Nature's chairman, Lady Young, said they were not asking for a ban
of all crops but only those likely to damage the countryside. Delegates
from the Genetix Food Alert campaign, which represents more than 100
health food companies, present a petition to Downing Street which calls
for a five-year ban on the use of GM food and the wholesale commercial
growing of GM crops.
- Food safety campaigners warn supermarkets that they may face legal
action if GM foods cause illness. Tim Lobstein, who is co-director of the
Food Commission, the consumer watchdog, warns: "If there are implications
for public health in the future as a result of GM ingredients being put in
the food chain then this may raise the question of legal liability."
- Safeway says it will sell products containing GM ingredients provided it
has approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities and "tangible
benefits" for consumers. Meanwhile Asda says that it is working to remove
all GM ingredients from its own-brand products. Iceland and Marks &
Spencer have responded to reports of public aversion to so-called
Frankenstein foods by not stocking them at all.
- Greenpeace launches a campaign against GM food. Campaign director Doug
Parr says: "If the genetic modification process is causing problems then
the Government should apply the precautionary principle."
- Patrick Holden, who is director of the Soil Association, says: "The
Government must stop all imports of GM foods on the grounds of safety.
Consumers are clearly extremely concerned and rightly so."
- At a Westminster news conference Dr Ronald Finn, past president of the
British Society of Allergy and Environmental Medicine, says: "We could be
going into a mad cow situation."
- Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Tim Yeo calls for
the sacking of Jack Cunningham. "The Prime Minister should sack Jack
Cunningham for deliberately misleading the House of Commons over the
position of English Nature and a moratorium."
Retailers fear disaster at the impact of customers' fears about GM foods.
The umbrella group, the British Retail Consortium, writes to the
Government, warning that billions of pounds of profits are at stake if
customers start to lose confidence. Somerfield/Kwik Save vow to order GM
labelling on its own-label brands. Waitrose is working on phasing out all
GM products in its stores.
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest
in receiving the included information for research and educational


text:
Nice road 21 MPR tailwind nice wind staying at a WS
This route is based on Day 15 Lag 2
Each route you rate 4 stars or above will be added to your favorite routes
Thanks for rating, the route was added to your favorite routes
There are no similar routes.
There are no popular routes in this area.
There are no notable routes available.

domain: hobby


text:
digital model of celebrities board game calico, Printed in Italy by Little Rocket Video gamesWill probably be launched in 2023.
monster couch, The corporate, which is at the moment the developer of Wingspan, has introduced that it’s really in growth. Quilts and Calico Catsthat is the official title of the digital Model of the sport initially revealed by Flatout Video games.
The digital model of Calico will function a flock of digital cats roaming our recreation board and interacting with one another as we play. Many can even put on colourful costumes or surprising headdresses. Gamers will even be capable to design, title and customise their very own digital cats.
The sport will function the power to play on-line, a ranked mode, and a stand-alone play mode the place gamers face off in opposition to an AI or progress by means of a marketing campaign the place gamers battle a ruthless and unscrupulous company in a civilization infested with evil spirits. struggle. Undoubtedly a way more intense and severe background than we anticipated for a recreation primarily based solely on kittens and comfy duvets.
if you happen to did not know him calico It’s a title for 1 to 4 gamers whose important mechanics are the tile placement and assortment set. on this board recreation On this pretty fast and never too difficult recreation, gamers attempt to lure cats right into a quilt by arranging hexagonal patches of their most well-liked type, they usually earn factors for every cat that falls asleep on the quilt, in addition to with the ability to create and place particular patterns. on a button.
extra particulars about Quilts and Calico Cats, The digital model of this critically acclaimed board recreation can be introduced forward of the sport’s launch in 2023.
#Calico #digital #model #arrive

domain: entertainment


The Black Star adds dark chocolate ganache to chestnut ice cream, with a very special – and very unusual – finish.
The arrangement of Bowie's "I Can't Give Anything Away" that Nine Inch Nails performed last night is similar to a version that surfaced online last year.
Nine Inch Nails' first concert in three years included a cover of a song from David Bowie's last album.
After they split up in 2011, it was Bowie who encouraged frontman James Murphy to reform the band if it made him "uncomfortable."
David Bowie's 'Heathen' took shape just before 9/11, though the tragedy hangs like a heavy shroud over the entire album.
This Sunday's episode of the Starz Network show features the former 'X-Files' star transform into Aladdin Sane.
A theory suggests that David Bowie might have reprised his role as Philip Jeffries in the new 'Twin Peaks' series prior to his death.
Former R.E.M. bandmates Michael Stipe and Mike Mills recount meeting Bowie in Switzerland following Bill Berry's aneurysm.
Depeche Mode made their own heroes plain when they covered David Bowie during their kickoff for the 'Spirit' tour, which began Friday night.
The Thin White Duke planned on returning to rock on 'Never Let Me Down,' but instead created a big, glossy album in 1987.


text:
It feels pretty surreal that I’m writing this review right now. I’ve waited years to see the film adaptation of The Hunger Games, and last night, it finally happened. It’s plainly obvious that The Young Folks love The Hunger Games. Our first review ever was for the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay. Since then, we’ve reported on almost every piece of movie news involving it. So, I definitely can’t say I’m unbiased. I’m ridiculously biased. I’m obsessed with these books, characters and now, movie. The film is simply incredible. Filled with strong performances, The Hunger Games is everything fans hoped it would be, and it will have everyone (including non-fans) asking for more!
If The Hunger Games have somehow managed to slip your radar, here’s a basic rundown of what it’s about. The story follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a young woman from District 12. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where the United States is no more, and a country called Panem has risen. Panem is separated into 12 districts, each specializing in their own industry, and the Capitol, where the wealthy and powerful live. In an effort to maintain order and prevent war or rebellion, every year the Capitol hosts The Hunger Games, a tournament that takes two kids, one boy and girl, from each district and puts them into an arena to fight for the death. The winner of the Games is the last kid to survive, and he/she will win wealth and prosperity for themselves and their district. On Reaping Day, Katniss’ little sister is chosen from a lottery to be District 12’s tribute. Knowing that her sister is unlikely to survive the Games, Katniss volunteers for her sister and is entered to represent District 12, alongside Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutherson), in the Games. They are rushed to the Capitol, where they must impress audiences and sponsors, in order to receive aid while in the Games. After all the interviews and prep, The 74th Hunger Games begins! Who will die? Who will survive? It depends if the odds are ever in their favor.
If you’ve read the books, you’ll find that the film is very faithful to the book. Not only does it completely capture the essence of the story, but it enhances it. After watching all the trailers and clips, I thought I knew the vibe the film was going for, and I was completely caught by surprise. It was different, in a good way. Right from the beginning, I could sense that the movie had a different tone than what I expected. It felt realistic. Like very realistic. As if this was a documentary or news coverage. Director Gary Ross effectively makes the audience feel like they are right in there with Katniss. Frankly, it’s terrifying.
At two and half hours, the movie never drags. In fact, it’s paced briskly. You’re given so much, but at the same time, it’s not overwhelming. I particularly like that because it’s easier for non-fans to understand. I always felt like the Harry Potter or Twilight movies were more like compliments to the books. The Hunger Games manages to stand on its own. It’s such a clean adaptation. Parts are added for cinematic effect, others left out to keep the plot moving well. One of these I absolutely love was how well everything was pieced together. The setup and the way they integrate different elements into the story was brilliant. They used those pieces from Katniss’ past at the right moments, it works so effectively.
Jennifer Lawrence and the rest of the cast knock their performances out of the park. They were all fantastic. Lawrence really grounded this movie with her portrayal of Katniss. It was deep, intense and emotional. Josh Hutcherson was the perfect embodiment of Peeta. The chemistry between Lawrence and Hutcherson was dead on. There’s one scene where the two are just staring at each other, and I’m telling you, the audience was in complete awe of them. While Gale isn’t showcased as much in this movie, he definitely has a presence, and Liam Hemsworth does an excellent job playing him. We get to see a little more of Haymitch, played by Woody Harrelson, than I expected. And I loved it! I knew from the beginning that Woody would be a great Haymitch and was proven more than correct. Elizabeth Banks’ Effie is played off as more of the comic relief of the film and she nails those scenes. Lenny Kravitz was sweet and amazing as Katniss’ stylist, Cinna. Stanley Tucci is a big scene-stealer as host, Caesar Flickerman. Donald Sutherland is subtly menacing and calculating as the evil President Snow. Once you get over Seneca Crane’s awesome facial hair, Wes Bentley offers a good performance as the Head Gamemaker. Amandla Stenberg is definitely a scene-stealer as Rue, one of the youngest tributes going into the Games. The rest of the tributes are great and menacing, especially Isabelle Fuhrmann as Clove and Alexander Ludwig as Cato.
There’s so much to love about this movie, but there were also a couple things I wasn’t too crazy about. I’m going to issue a brief **SPOILER ALERT** so I can mention what in particular I didn’t like. For one thing, I’m not a fan of shaky cam. Much of the movie is filmed that way, and it took me a while to get used to it. And yes, I understand why Ross chose to use that method. It did add to the film’s realistic feel. Just I, personally, could have been happier with less of it. Another thing I didn’t like was how they cut to Gale’s reaction when Katniss kisses Peeta. It not only re-enforced the love triangle, but it took away the focus from Katniss and Peeta. Because the pacing was fast, the relationship between Katniss and Peeta didn’t really get a chance to develop as much as it did in the book. I thought the cave scenes would really show that off, and the cuts to Gale looking jealous, was a bit annoying. Finally, I thought that they got a little Catching Fire with us with District 11’s reaction to Rue’s death. Having District 11 violently rebel and riot just didn’t feel right to me. I wanted a more meaningful and powerful reaction to Rue’s death. **SPOILER ALERT OVER**
Even though I point those things out doesn’t mean they are a big deal to me. The Hunger Games is a near perfect movie. It’s more than worthy of being such a big and successful franchise. As a Hunger Games fan, I’m very proud of this piece of cinematic work. Gary Ross, the cast and crew did a wonderful job on this film. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, Catching Fire. But in the meantime, I will head to tonight’s midnight release and maybe see it a billion more times after that. Don’t miss your chance on seeing one of the most thought-provoking films of 2012 so far! Trust me; the world will be watching.
The Hunger Games hits theater Friday, March 23rd at midnight!


text:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
NUS Arts Forum Bazaar Sausage Stall
Cheese sausage and black pepper sausage from the sausage stall at NUS Arts Forum. 1 for $1.50 2 for $2.50. I spied on their supplier and it says Master Butchery.
I think NUS students are being ripped off because I saw the same supplier at Clementi pasar malam two weeks ago and the sausages are $1 each. grr... But I'm still addicted to these sausages as they provide a yummy bite during boring lectures.
The black pepper sausages are very black peppery, which didn't go too well with me because it made my throat and nose feel warm and itchy. But the cheese ones are my favourites. There's a generous amount of cheese inside which oozes out with every bite. That's what makes a cheese sausage good. But the signature items from the stall are the prata wrapped sausages which I didn't try, maybe we can leave that for another time. haha~


text: These are great! We have a 3.5 year old and signed up for the French books. She love the books and we've read them over and over. She is picking up the new words without even realizing it, and loves the activities that come with the book. We haven't listened to the audiobook yet but I've heard they are great too.

domain: literature


text:
Have I ever enjoyed the weather on Christmas Eve so much? I doubt it. Sunny and clear, in the high 70s and with a light breeze — it could not have been more perfect.
I started the day with a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden. The lush expanse of green lawns and colourful flower beds were so summery and lovely.
On the surface it looked any other garden, but the birds were all wrong. Well, not “wrong”, but exotic. For example, these long-legged and long-billed birds were everywhere . . .
. . . and this little guy was the closest thing I saw to a pigeon.
Ever a sucker for a water feature, this pool and fountain looked lovely and peaceful.
Then I learned that below the still surface lurked duck-eating freshwater eels!
The gardens cover an expanse of waterfront with stunning views of Sydney Harbour’s most famous landmarks, the opera house and bridge. I called Justin and gave him a tour as I walked along the promenade.
The opera house is really quite remarkable. It’s not quite in the tier of buildings that exceed all expectations (like the Hagia Sophia or the Taj Mahal), but it certainly has a striking profile and that magical quality of shifting with every change in perspective, do you never quite feel like you’ve figured it out.
As much as I enjoyed the man-made landmarks, I also kept coming back to the flowers. It was as though my winter-bound brain couldn’t get over the fact that here I was suddenly back to summer.
And let’s be honest, the flowers and the architecture are a winning combination.
I contemplated just staying there all day, but I was starting to feel a bit peckish, so I walked to the other side of Circular Quay where the Museum of Modern Art offered a shady spot for lunch with a view.
After that I headed out to Surrey Hills to pick up the keys to the flat where Amanda and I will be staying the rest of the week. In particular, I wanted to make sure to stock up on some basic food supplies in case all the restaurants were closed on Christmas Day.
But one that business was taken care of, I ordered an Uber and went to the beach! Not to swim or sunbathe, but to do a 6 km hike down the coast from Bondi to Coogee. I figured it was the sort of “nature-y” thing Amanda wouldn’t mind my doing without her.
I started at Bondi, with its massive expanse of white sand and sunbathers . . .
. . . which quickly gave way to rugged coastline . . .
. . . with a series of cliffs and inlets running southward . . .
. . . along the way I enjoyed seeing the crowds of happy people in the beach. Some had even brought along their Christmas trees and Santa hats for their Christmas Eve swim!
By the time I got to Coogee it was about 6:30pm. The sun was getting lower and I figured it was time to head back to the hotel for a Christmas Eve dinner and bed.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Looks. Like. Heaven!
What a great destination choice… 😎


Dear TI team
I would like to know how to measure the temperature at the top of the package while the UA78L12ACPK is in operation.
Our customers are trying to find the junction temperature using the formula below (extracted from the material below).
Among them, our customers are considering using a thermocouple (type t with a wire diameter of 0.2 mm) to measure TT.
I would like you to answer the following questions.
1. It is believed that the thermocouple cools the top of the package during measurement and measures a temperature that is different from the actual temperature.
If you have any other concerns about using thermocouples, please let me know.
2. The above material uses Thermo-gun. When measuring TT, I think it is better to measure it in a non-contact manner like Thermo-gun. Is the recognition correct?


Most people believe credit is a good thing, but the truth is credit is a tool being used against many consumers. The problem is the majority of the American population is broke and depends on credit f...
- 121 Persuasive Techniques to Influence People July 4, 2022
- EU news: Europe threatened by crisis over Russian diesel in possible … July 4, 2022
- Mum of Brit jailed for 25 years in Dubai for CBD says ‘no help’ from F… July 4, 2022
- Scientists create 10-step guide on planning safe household mixing this… July 4, 2022
- These Photos Capture Emotional Airport Reunions After Coronavirus Rest… July 4, 2022


text:
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expresses concern over the manner in which the elections in India are funded and contested by our political parties
Report & Photo by Moin Ahmed Khan :
Election Funding : According to a study conducted by the Center for Media Studies, it is estimated that the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 cost Rs 55,000 crores. At a cost of US dollars 8 billion, it was the world's costliest conducted elections ever. According to estimates the share of the ruling party has been half of the above amount. The study estimates that a third of the amount was spent on campaigning and publicity. About a fourth of that amount or Rs 15,000 crores was distributed among voters to influence and buy their votes. Another ingenious way deployed by our politicians to fill their coffers is the method of funding through electoral bonds. According to a reply against an RTI, the government printed 10,000 electoral bonds worth Rs 1 crore each in 2022. According to data available from the SBI, political parties secured Rs 545 crores through electoral bonds ahead of the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Ever since the Electoral Bond Scheme was introduced, the total amount collected by political parties has reached Rs 10,791 crores. This amount has been collected from various anonymous donors in 22 phases since 2018. The electoral bonds are anonymous; however, since they are sold by a government-owned bank (SBI), it is easy for the government to know who is funding the opposition. By amending the Finance Act 2017, the government has exempted political parties from disclosing donations received through electoral bonds. This ensures that the voters will not know which individual, company, or organization has funded which party, and to what extent. This disproportionate share of money in electoral politics and that too in a non-transparent manner is not healthy for our democracy. The Election Commission is not playing any role in regulating the growing expense of running elections. The judiciary is also yet to pronounce any judgment about electoral bonds and has refrained from taking any suo moto action, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demands that political parties must come together and bring about legislation to curb the growing clout of money power in elections by making the entire process fair and transparent. We hope the Supreme Court of India will soon pronounce its verdict in favor of fairness and transparency so that our democracy is strengthened and there is a level playing field in politics.
Dalit Muslims, Christians and Article 341 : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind would like extending the benefits of reservation to those Dalits who converted to Christianity and Islam besides Dalit Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. Under Article 341 of the Constitution, the President may "specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall... be deemed to be Scheduled Castes". Earlier this benefit was only confined to Dalit Hindus (1950) but later on, Sikhs were added to the list in 1956 and then Dalit Buddhists also were added in 1990. We hope that the Commission, headed by the former Chief Justice of India and former chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), K G Balakrishnan to look into this issue and ensure equal treatment for those Dalits who became Christians and Muslims. It may be noted that the UPA government set up two panels: the Ranganath Misra Commission, in October 2004 and the Sachar Committee to study the social, economic, and educational condition of Muslims in March 2005. The Sachar Committee Report observed that the social and economic situation of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians did not improve after conversion. The Ranganath Misra Commission, which submitted its report in May 2007, recommended that SC status should be "completely de-linked from religion and the Scheduled Castes should be made fully religion-neutral like Scheduled Tribes." A study commissioned by the National Commission for Minorities in January 2008 led by Satish Despande and a team of sociologists, submitted a report titled "Dalits in the Muslim and Christian Communities - A Status Report on Current Social Scientific Knowledge", suggested that there was a strong case for extending SC status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims. We hope our Dalit brothers and sisters will not be deprived of the benefits of reservation simply because they became Christians and Muslims.
SC remarks on hate speech : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) welcomes the remarks by the apex court on hate speech. JIH agrees with the Supreme Court Bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy as they told the police not to wait for complaints to act against hate speech. The apex court also remarked that any "hesitation" to comply with the direction would attract proceedings for contempt of court against the erring officers". We endorse the concerns of the court which directed that FIRS should be registered and criminal proceedings initiated against the makers of hate speech irrespective of their religion that the secular character of the country is preserved. JIH appreciates the SC orer which states: "The Constitution envisages Bharat as a secular nation and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the country is one of the guiding principles enshrined in the Preamble. It said there cannot be fraternity unless members of the different communities and castes were able to live in harmony. We feel that this court is charged with the duty to protect these fundamental rights and also protect and preserve the constitutional values, in particular the rule of law and secular and democratic character of the nation." Now the onus is on the government and the police to implement the SC directives and ensure that there is zero tolerance to hate speech. Anyone violating the court directives should be arrested and prosecuted as per the provisions of the law. Civil society must also play its part in -monitoring and opposing hate speeches and creating awareness regarding the ill effects of communalism and violence on our unity and harmony.
Newly-released National Curriculum Framework (NCF) : Markazi Taleemi Board, Jamaat-e-Islami. Hind (JIH) organised an online consultative meeting with experts to discuss and review the NCF for the Foundational Stage released on the NCERT website. JIH welcomes the long-awaited release of the first of four NCF documents. However, it feels that the NCF for Foundational Stage of Schools (2022) needs critical review and deepening of the consultative process. JIH hopes that the current document as well as all future NCFS be made more inclusive, socially just and substantially reflective of shared, consensual constitutional values which are truly inclusive of all communities and learners of all backgrounds. The second major concern is with regard to the quality and transparency of the consultative process that preceded the framing of the NCF. The NCF 2022 did not follow the precedent of in-depth consultative meetings over multiple rounds. The NCF 2022 also. speaks extensively of Indian knowledge and Indian values, including examples of visionary educators in Indian history. While this is appreciated, it would be encouraging if future documents choose to represent and include a broad range of Indian traditions and educational customs that are truly representative, a concern that was expressed with the NEP 2020 document as well. Shaped by the inputs received and further consultations to be carried out, JIH plans to approach the Ministry of Education as well as submit its recommendations to the National Steering Committee for NCF as well as place these recommendations in public in a cohesive form in the near future.
Syed Tanveer Ahmed
Secretary. Media Dept.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, HQRS D-321,
Abul Fazl Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Okhla,

domain: law


text:
Nov 28, 2012
Sure, I could have just called this “Leftover Turkey Curry,” but where’s the fun in that?!
In my search for worthwhile things to do with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, I found this recipe on Feed52, then messed with it to make it even tastier and paleo approved. Kind of like Country Captain Chicken, this dish combines curry, raisins, and poultry to make a meal that’s comforting and...
May 24, 2011
Ever since I discovered rogan josh a few years ago – and stopped confusing the spice blend with actor Seth Rogan and singer Josh Groban – I’ve been held hostage by my need for rogan josh. Originally devoted to Penzeys, I had a recent flirtation with the Savory Spice Shop… and both blends are definitely worth the 2-hour simmer time.
But last week, when I pulled 3 lbs. of lamb cubes out of...
Jul 13, 2010
Whenever I mention the Indian dish rogan josh to my friend Stacey, I accidentally call it Josh Rogan, and she says, “Who? What?” because she knows it’s really called rogan josh.
Yesterday, we realized I was reversing the names because of Seth Rogen – and then Stacey was confusing him with Josh Groban.
They’re nothing alike. See for yourself.
Aug 5, 2009
When you think of pesto, you probably envision the traditional pesto alla genovese: mashed basil leaves with tons of olive oil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese… which probably means you’re not eating much of it these days, what with dairy being fooda non grata (yes, I made that up!) on our dino-chow menus.
I’ve got good news: There are lots of tasty ways to make pesto varieties that...
Jun 16, 2009
Dave and I, after much painful trial and error, have declared Sundays “socializing-free zones,” which means that except for major occasions — like a friend’s recent wedding — we don’t make plans with other humans on Sundays. Sunday is our day to sleep late, do laundry, cook for the week, taunt the cat about being a skinny-ass Zombie beast, read books, take a nap, sit in...


text:
If you haven’t yet tried playing in an online casino, here are some tips to help you get started. First, look for complaints posted by other players. While these may indicate that a casino is untrustworthy, many online casinos are completely legitimate. Here are some tips to help you choose the best online casino for your needs. Also, make sure to check out the promotions offered by online casinos. Some offer free spins and match-up bonuses for signing up. Regular players can also expect cashback and VIP programs.
Another benefit of online casinos is their large selection of games. They often offer hundreds of variations on traditional games like poker and blackjack. Some online casinos also have scratch-card games that allow players to play for practice before they play for real money. If you are new to playing online, it is a good idea to start with free games so that you can get a feel for the game before you play for real money. Remember that an online casino is like an online casino you can play at anytime, anywhere.
The software used by online casinos is almost identical to the ones used in brick and mortar casinos. Random number generator programs are used to create the results in the games. In addition, they use random number generator programs that mirror casino probabilities. As such, when playing online, the odds of winning a single number bet are approximately 37 to one. However, be sure to know the risks involved before you play for real money. The game’s payback percentages will vary, but a legitimate online casino will provide you with a fair gaming experience.
While you should be wary of scams, there are a number of legitimate online casinos in the United States. Look for casinos that are licensed in your jurisdiction and follow strict regulatory standards. The best online casino sites will also offer secure play environments. You can look through the top ten online casinos in the United States in a top-ten list. These sites offer a large selection of games and pay out quickly. There are even legal casino sites that accept US players.
The first deposit bonus offered by Ignition is generous: it offers fifteen0% of your deposit to a Bitcoin wallet, or 100% up to $1,000 in cash. It’s also free to use crypto, so it’s worth using this casino if you’re a crypto enthusiast. But if you’re looking for a casino that caters to casino and poker enthusiasts, try Red Dog. They offer a generous welcome bonus, which is always a good start.
Lastly, Ignition Casino is mobile-optimized and works on all internet-enabled devices. While Ignition doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, the mobile site is virtually the exact duplicate of the desktop version. There are no significant visual differences between the desktop and mobile version of the casino website, so you can play anywhere, anytime. You’ll find all of the games you want to play and eight payment methods to choose from.


text:
Kate Gosselin Receives A ‘Best Mom’ Award, And Her Fans Are Confused
Kate Gosselin is known for many things, and she certainly knows how to keep her name in the news, but being one of the “best moms of the year” is, at best, up for debate.
According to In Touch Weekly, Kate Gosselin — who, after a decade in the public eye, has received more than her fair share of criticism about her parenting skills and styles, to the point that it even cost her a marriage — posted on Instagram that her children gave her an award for being the “best mom ever.”
This latest award goes directly against the latest charges being brought against Kate by her ex-husband, Jon Gosselin, and his mother.
Two of my most inspirational pieces of ‘decor’ in my room… both have been here for a long time, but I just happened to look up at them tonight and they jumped out at me….when I needed them most! I love this quote because I try to live by it, and ‘The Best Mom in the World’ trophy is a prized possession from Alexis… #Inspiration #LifeOfAMom #MyKidsAreMy??
A post shared by Kate Gosselin (@kateplusmy8) on
In fact, Jon and Kate are battling out their additional custody issues in court presently.
In September of last year, Jon’s mother spoke to the outlet to claim that Kate Gosselin was abusing her children. What’s more, according to Jon’s mother, Kate’s children — her grandchildren — live in fear of their mother.
“If these kids spill something, they freak out and panic and cry as if we will hurt them,” she said.
Kate Gosselin’s abuse of her children was so bad, according to Jon’s mother, that they refused to get out of Jon’s car when he attempted to drop them home after a custody visit.
As it turns out, though, the judge in the latest Gosselin custody battle took Kate’s side.
The judge in that case ruled that Jon manipulated his daughter, Hannah, so she wouldn’t want to see her mother. When word got out that it was a manipulation tactic by Jon, the judge ruled that Jon could no longer share equal custody with Kate Gosselin, and he barred Jon from seeing Hannah for 30 days.
A post shared by Jon Gosselin (@jongosselin1) on
When Kate posted a copy of the award for all the world to see, naturally, there were more than a few detractors on her Instagram page. However, it also sent the message loud and clear: whatever else people may think of Kate Gosselin, her children think she’s the best mom ever.


Every successful project starts with a framework. A vision statement. A blueprint. The editors of Engineered Systems are proud to present The Blueprint — a monthly Q&A interview with HVACR engineering’s leading voices. These one-on-one discussions will examine the trade’s history, current industry trends, the factors shaping the sector’s future, and more.
Trane® is a global manufacturer of air conditioning systems, services, and solutions. The company helps customers succeed by providing innovative solutions that optimize indoor environments through a broad portfolio of energy-efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; building, contracting and energy services; parts support; and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings.
With more than 900 U.S. patents to date, Trane creates comfortable and energy-efficient environments around the world. Renowned landmarks such as the Moscow Kremlin, New York’s Grand Central Station and the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai all enjoy the comfort provided by Trane solutions.
Today, the brand that began as a family business over a century ago employs thousands of dedicated women and men around the world.
Recently, Trevor Gensch, VRF/ductless national sales leader based out of New York, sat down with Herb Woerpel to discuss the current state of the company’s VRF offerings; the evolution of the manufacturer’s partnership with Mitsubishi Electric; its new digitally enabled, connected VRF service agreement offering; and more.
To see all of Engineered Systems' Blueprint Q&A interviews, click here.
Engineered Systems: Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) continues to be a growing market in the U.S. Can you share any updated metrics that define the equipment’s role in the U.S. market?
Trevor Gensch: VRF systems are unique in that their modular design allows them to be customized to meet the specific demands of virtually any size building. That flexibility combined with VRF’s superior energy efficiency has resulted in the VRF market within the U.S. continuing to grow and outpace other segments of the HVAC industry. In fact, 21.5% of contractors’ commercial HVAC projects in the U.S. now include VRF Technology. (According to the May 2019 QP: VRF report conducted by Trane’s market insight team.)
Engineered Systems: You’re now 2 ½ years into the joint venture of Trane and Mitsubishi Electric. How has business progressed over that time?
Gensch: The joint venture has been incredibly successful. We have been able to bring together a world leader in VRF product and innovation in Mitsubishi Electric and complement that with the application expertise, broad product line, and full-service support that Trane has delivered for the past 100 years. Together, our teams have been able to offer unique energy efficient solutions to building owners and developers for the entirety of a building’s full life cycle.
Engineered Systems: This joint venture was extremely exciting for the future of VRF in the U.S. Talk specifically about Trane’s current offerings and how the joint venture has impacted those options.
Gensch: The most exciting part of the joint venture is our ability to find creative solutions to our customers’ needs by utilizing the full resources of METUS and Trane. For example, we have been able to pair VRF technology with our legacy air-handling units, and we recently announced that our legacy Trane Tracer® SC+ controls integrate directly with our Trane/Mitsubishi Electric’s N-Generation CITY MULTI® VRF equipment.
Engineered Systems: Please share how and why controls are so important in VRF units.
Gensch: VRF Systems are naturally efficient and have a high level of control. When combined with the increased flexibility of Tracer SC+ controls, building owners can take that efficiency and controllability to the next level. For example, by having a direct connection to the VRF system and a ventilation system, we can create unique programs to operate the building at peak efficiency regardless of changing load conditions or occupancy.
Engineered Systems: I know Trane has been active in spreading VRF awareness — most recently Trane professionals have partnered with Engineered Systems to present multiple webinars on the topic. What other ways is the company dedicated to informing the engineering community about the benefits of VRF?
Gensch: To reach new audiences with thought leadership around VRF system design, we are continuing to spread awareness through multiple channels like publications, blogs, white papers, and webinars. We post a lot of great links through our social media pages as well to help relay information to the engineering community. Our company website is also a great resource for our customers and our communities.
Engineered Systems: There is a longstanding debate in the engineering industry… Which is a better design choice – VRF or hydronics. I am sure I know which corner you stand in, but can you state your case, nonetheless?
Gensch: At Trane Technologies, we are committed to solving our customers’ problems with the best possible solutions to meet their individual applications. VRF has many benefits, ranging from its superior energy efficiency to its scalability and flexibility. As such, there are endless potential VRF based solutions to meet a customer’s needs and we regularly apply VRF across a broad range of building types. That said, there might be times when other options could be more suitable for meeting a specific building requirement. Our portfolio is vast, and when we pair that with our system design expertise, our applications experts will ensure that we find the best possible solution regardless of system type. Our goal is to help our customers reach their business goals.
Also, our controls offering, Trane Tracer SC+, is designed with BACnet™, an open protocol, which does not lock you into a technology or system. The design makes it possible to have both a hydronic system and VRF system, depending on what is most applicable. As an example, if you have an existing hydronic system in your building or are adding on an addition and want to use VRF in the addition, you can. The Tracer SC+ will provide a coherent building solution for both the hydronic and VRF systems. Additionally, since Trane Controls are designed using BACnet, it is not proprietary, rather, it is open to any BACnet vendor.
Engineered Systems: How has COVID-19 impacted Trane’s manufacturing and/or research and development efforts? Did the company make any significant changes to its schedule?
Gensch: When COVID-19 hit, Trane was positioned to do what we do best: serve our customers with the solutions they need to thrive. Of course, like everyone else, we were not exactly sure what the future would hold, but we made strategic decisions as a company to be ready for now and sustainable for the future. With indoor environmental quality (IEQ) at the top of our minds during the global pandemic, we created the Center for Healthy & Efficient Spaces (CHES). This allowed us to uncover new opportunities to support our customers with their growing needs for healthier buildings.
Engineered Systems: Anything else exciting coming down the pipeline from Trane when it comes to VRF?
Gensch: Yes! Trane will soon be launching a digitally enabled, connected VRF Service Agreement offering. With this Service Agreement, Trane will perform traditional on-site maintenance as well as quarterly remote inspections, enhanced by custom analytics, to maintain and optimize VRF systems for our connected customers. We are excited about what the future holds and have plans to advance our expertise in analytics, service, and solutions to ensure our customers are connected and cared for. This is all done through the lens of sustainability.
Engineered Systems: If you could relay one message to consulting and/or specifying engineers, what would it be?
Gensch: At Trane, we believe in creating comfortable, sustainable, and energy efficient environments. In fact, it’s our responsibility, and we would love the opportunity to work with you to find the best solution for your application and design needs. To learn more about the complete offering of Trane/Mitsubishi Electric VRF Systems, visit our VRF page or contact your local Trane expert here.


Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling coalition has won a decisive election victory, extending its control to the upper house of parliament and setting the stage for the country's first stable government in years.
Based on exit polls, national broadcaster NHK predicts that Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, will take 71 seats, giving them a total of 130 seats, eight more than needed for a majority in the chamber.
Belgium's Crown Prince Philippe has been sworn in as the country's seventh monarch, succeeding his father, Albert II, who abdicated on Sunday after a 20-year reign.
Albert, 79, resigned the throne on Sunday, citing ill health. He officially signed away his rights to the largely ceremonial post in the presence of Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who holds the real political party in Belgium, a 183-year-old constitutional monarchy.
Another American who listened intently to President Obama's remarks Friday was linguist and commentator John McWhorter. He's written several books about race in America, including "Authentically Black: Essays for the Black Silent Majority." McWhorter says Mr. Obama's emphasis on the police and criminal justice hit an essential problem of black inequality in America.
This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Rachel Martin.
Pope Francis is headed to Rio de Janeiro tomorrow for World Youth Day. It's actually a week-long gathering for young Catholics held every few years in a different part of the world. The event is meant to inspire and energize the faithful, and more than a million young pilgrims are expected to attend this year. Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America and he's making his first papal visit overseas. It is to Latin America.
Howard Norman's memories of the strange incidents of his life compose his memoir. In 2003, his family rented their house to a poet, who killed her son and then herself in the Normans' home. Norman, his wife and daughter decided to continue living there, giving a certain weight to the title of his memoir, I Hate To Leave This Beautiful Place.
But his book begins in a very different place, with the story of Norman's childhood, a bookmobile and a swan.
Every year for the past four decades, comic book fans dressed as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman - anything, really - have descended upon the city of San Diego for Comic-Con. The convention has grown as fast as a speeding bullet in the last decade. This year, an estimated 130,000 Con-goers are walking the floor, sitting on panels, and boosting their geek credentials at various workshops.