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A study performed by some of the world’s leading experts suggests that between 90 and 99% of tropical deforestation is directly or indirectly caused by agriculture.
It was previously estimated that agriculture was attributable to around 80% of tropical deforestation, but this latest review of the best available data reveals that agriculture’s impact is staggeringly higher. Moreover, only one-half to thirds of this agriculture results in the expansion of agricultural production on the deforested land.
The review outlines that a step-change approach will be essential and effective measures critical to address the underlying and indirect roles of agriculture.
Florence Pendrill, the lead author of the study at the Chalmers University of Technology, commented: “Our review makes clear that between 90 and 99% of all deforestation in the tropics is driven directly or indirectly by agriculture. But what surprised us was that a comparatively smaller share of the deforestation – between 45 and 65% – results in the expansion of actual agricultural production on the deforested land. This finding is of profound importance for designing effective measures to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable rural development.”
The true scale of tropical deforestation
Agriculture has been known as a driver of tropical deforestation for many years; however, estimations of its extent varied considerably. Previous estimates on how much forest is converted into agricultural land across the tropics ranged from 4.3 to 9.6 million hectares per year between 2011 and 2015. The new research suggests it is actually between 6.4 to 8.8 million hectares per year.
Professor Patrick Meyfroidt from UCLouvain said: “A big piece of the puzzle is just how much deforestation is for nothing. While agriculture is the ultimate driver, forests and other ecosystems are often cleared for land speculation that never materialised, projects that were abandoned or ill-conceived, land that proved unsuitable for cultivation, as well as due to fires that spread into forests neighbouring cleared areas.”
The study outlines that various commodities are responsible for the majority of tropical deforestation linked to actively producing agricultural land. More than 50% is attributed to pasture, soy, and palm oil alone. The research also calls out the failings of sector-specific initiatives that are not addressing the indirect impacts.
Toby Gardner of the Stockholm Environment Institute and Director of the supply chain transparency initiative, Trase, commented: “Sector-specific initiatives to combat tropical deforestation can be invaluable, and new measures to prohibit imports of commodities linked to deforestation in consumer markets, such as those under negotiation in the EU, UK and US represent a major step forward from largely voluntary efforts to combat deforestation to date.
“But as our study shows, strengthening forest and land-use governance in producer countries has to be the ultimate goal of any policy response. Supply chain and demand-side measures must be designed in a way that also tackles the underlying and indirect ways in which agriculture is linked to deforestation. They need to drive improvements in sustainable rural development. Otherwise, we can expect to see deforestation rates remaining stubbornly high in many places.”
Championing sustainable agriculture
The study recommends that supply chain interventions are essential to driving partnerships between producer and consumer markets and governments and must include robust incentives to make sustainable agriculture economically attractive.
They must also deter further conversion of native vegetation and support vulnerable smallholder farmers. The researchers explained that this should include a stronger focus on domestic markets, which are usually significant drivers of commodities like beef. The study also highlights three vital gaps where a stronger evidence base is required to better target efforts to combat tropical deforestation.
Professor Martin Persson of the Chalmers University of Technology explained: “The first is that without a globally and temporally consistent data product on tropical deforestation, we cannot be confident about overall trends in conversion. The second is that except for oil palm and soy, we lack data on the coverage and expansion of specific commodities to know which are more important, with our understanding of global pasture and grazing lands being especially dire. The third is that we know comparatively very little indeed about tropical dry forests and forests in Africa.
“What is most worrying, given the urgency of the crisis, is that each of these evidence gaps poses significant barriers to our ability to drive down tropical deforestation in the most effective way – by knowing where the problems are concentrated and understanding the success of efforts to date.”


Antisabotage system with IP-65 waterproof siren with a maximum allowed noise level (120 dB). In the same way, the system is timed; each time it is “attacked”, it warns us being connected and disconnected itself. Regarding the control unit, supplied at 12V. it is installed in the cabin, protected from bad weather and vandalism and even if its 24V power supply is disconnected, it will not be affected.
Its sensitivity is maximum, even in case of an attempt to perforate the tank, and without false alarms, nor by movements of the cabin (because of the wind), nor by automatic ignition of the refrigerator vehicle and all this with a very easy assembly mode (product supplied in kit version) with complete assembly instructions and corresponding diagram, without drilling or tightening screws. Of course, our system can be moved from a vehicle to another.
This system can be combined with as many variants as you want adding sensors:
Magnetic sensor to prevent access to the batteries.
Magnetic sensors to prevent the pallets holder robbery.
Electronic sensor to prevent the theft of diesel in the refrigerator vehicle.
Sensors to open the refrigerator doors.
Modification in the control unit to inform the cabin doors opening.
And all this in a single control unit, everything is a matter of installed sensors quantity, which makes our system much more costeffective.


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TV when it's on. Art when it's off.
Showcase your own style with The Frame. Showcase lifelike art, photos, TV, and movies in stunning 4K resolution on a display with customizable bezels* for endless combinations to customize your décor.
A striking sight, on or off
Modern Frame Design
Because it looks and hangs like a real picture frame, The Frame TV was crafted to inspire, and enhance, any living space. Slimmer than ever, it's a truly jaw-dropping TV with no distracting cables that's been redesigned to blend beautifully into your home.
Turn The Frame off and let your favorite artwork set the mood.
Turn the Frame off and watch it turn an amazing TV into to a private art gallery with the press of a button. Art Mode gives you the ability to showcase your personal art collection with an incredible array of curated creations—customized and controlled the way you like.
A world-class selection at yourfingertips
Curate your own personal art collection with a growing library of over 1,400 pieces of artwork from world renowned institutions. From beloved classics to modern marvels to stunning photography, Art Store gives you unlimited access to a variety of content.

domain: design


I accepted a job in Houston so I'll be moving down there in a few weeks or less. The question is, I won't be making a ton of money (about $13.6/hr.) and I know I got denied at a lot of places when I was working part-time a few years ago. Now, with rental history and a better, more stable job, I feel like I could make it work but I've also got Harvey working against me, and I know a lot of apartment complexes in Houston are still out of commission. I'll be working in the Inner Loop but I think it would be cheaper if I tried to go for more suburban apartments. What do you suggest?
sorry for the zombie thread, but I came across this photo today and remembered the discussion.
A photo of the grand opening of the Ingrando home, July 18, 1954. Photo was just listed for sale yesterday, here.
I think this is probably true. I don't want additional requirements. I just want the current ones lifted.
Zero minimums doesn't mean zero parking. Even in the CBD/Midtown, where parking minimums are zero, there's still parking. I'd just like to see it (a) decoupled from individual developments, and (b) priced at something close to the cost of providing it. This would allow small-scale development (standalone stores, restaurants, etc. vs strip centers) to occur, and would provide an environment for centralized parking structures to be built (which starts to make sense at land values not much different from where they are now in the Heights).
Any externalities can easily be dealt with by pricing on-street parking more rationally.
But the Heights is naturally densifying just because of market forces. Also, "parking requires as much infrastructure as a two-story building" is objectively wrong (little to no electricity being wired, maybe a storm sewer but no water connections, no gas, etc.). More restrictive development won't cure the "parking lot problem", either. If you want to see what I mean, go to Historic Aerials or Google Earth and type "368 Fell Street, San Francisco, CA". Navigate back to the early 1990s. There's a row of parking lots in a diagonal pattern stretching about seven blocks northeast. With the land value in San Francisco, Hayes Valley being relatively nice or at least nice enough to attract new construction, and with everything else being developed with hardly any surface parking, all that would become buildings again, right?
Wrong. In 2008, after more than 15 years (including a better economy) those parking lots still reigned, and most of the recent development was done in the last five years. Reason being S.F. is notorious for being hard to develop in, so much so that it was actually cheaper to let them stay as parking lots for decades despite lost tax revenue. Start requiring nonsense like "no parking in front" and you'll start seeing existing parking lots stick around a lot longer, but they won't be free or usable.
Well it was said early on that Amazon likely wouldn't want to build or own 50,000 parking spaces in garages. That's not their financial model in Seattle and would be a drain on their resources. Moreover public transit (with emphasis on rail) was a central tenant of the RPP, as was connectivity and transit time to airports. There was no explicit sentence that said you have to have rail to airports, but the area where Amazon's Seattle campus is located has rail access to SeaTac Int'l Airport, so it's not an illogical assumption that would help "check a box."
But that's not what I was saying - my point was that fixed rail lines (street car, light rail, etc.) provide CRE investors / developers more security that mass transit will be accessible at their site than a rubber tire trolley or bus route. I've never heard anyone of authority say otherwise. Now the pros/cons of such a system are contingent on how it's implemented, what the route is, etc.


$1,000 Voice Scholarship Awards
Willard J. Hines, pianist, teacher, vocal coach, mentor, leader, activist and father figure to countless students, a native of Paducah, KY was known affectionately as the Mozart of his time while studying at Kentucky State University. In 1966, he ventured to Detroit, MI. His journey soon began at Butzel Jr. High School and then transitioned to the Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. While teaching in Detroit Public Schools, he began building his network by working with local and professional recording groups such as “The Dramatics”, “The Jones Girls”, “The Quickest Way Out”, “The Enchantments”. He soon formed his own group The Willard Hines Ensemble and performed at the famed Apollo theatre. He returned to teaching at Courville Elementary School and during his tenure he made such an impression on young singers that he noticed his students stayed musically connected with him after they matriculated. Thus, the Courville Concert Choir was formed with singers of all ages and has been a Detroit educational institution ever since. Courville Concert Choir has toured the U.S. and performed on a professional level in great concert halls, stages with legends such as gospel singer Oleta Adams, singer Donny Osmond, Melba Moore, Stephanie Mills, country singer Lorrie Morgan and many more. He spent over 24 years at Courville instilling in his students that they are the leaders of tomorrow and they can make a world of difference!
The mission of this committee, comprised of his former students, is to make a world of difference by annually awarding two one-time 1,000 voice scholarships to young aspiring musicians; a high school senior of Detroit, MI pursing a degree in music concentrating on voice at any college or university and a current music student concentrating on voice at Kentucky State University Mr. Hines’ alma mater. Mr. Hines has used music not only to educate, discipline and inspire but to spread a positive narrative for the youth. Hopefully, this scholarship will inspire future educators/music educators to perpetuate Hines' legacy of teaching, love of music, love of children, and commitment to community service.
Student must currently be a high school senior with plans to attend a college or university as a music major concentrating on voice. (Detroit, MI residents)
Student must currently be enrolled at Kentucky State University as a music major concentrating on voice.
Student must have a minimum GPA of 2.8
Student must provide one (1) academic transcript.
Student must provide two (2) letters of recommendation. (School, Church, Teacher, or Professional organization).
Student must prepare two (2) contrasting musical selections of any genre. One selection must be of the classical repertoire through audio/video submission. (Mp3 audio files/quality YouTube or other video links are accepted).
Submit a current Headshot and Bio
Student must write a minimum 400-word essay “describing their musical goals and aspirations”.
(All music students focusing on voice as a Music Ed. or Performance major may apply)
Scholarship funds will be dispersed at the beginning of applicant’s upcoming semester upon proof of registration.
A Press announcement displayed on multi-media forums.
Willard J. Hines Award Certificate
Winners must agree to attend future Willard J. Hines award programs or concerts and possibly perform if requested. Details will be provided in advance.
How to Apply
Download and fill out the application below, then send to:
Apply by Mail
Download, print, and fill out the application below, then mail to:
The Willard J. Hines Scholarship Committee
18700 Greenlawn Street
Detroit, MI 48221


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All told, 2011 was a stable year in the anime business. No anime company of any worth (so 4Kids doesn’t count) went bankrupt, although over in the manga world TokyoPop bit the bullet. The tsunami and resulting nuclear incident will unfortunately overshadow anything else that happened with anime this year. While there were no dramatic changes in the industry, a number of trends began or picked up steam in 2011. It is these trends, more than any anime production, that will be this year’s industry legacy.
Trend #1: Lawsuits
The anime industry had so many lawsuits this year that I’m surprised no one was inspired to make a Phoenix Wright anime. There were lawsuits between domestic and foreign companies (Gainax vs. ADV and TV Tokyo vs. 4Kids), a lawsuit between a domestic company and downloaders (Funimation vs. 1337 bit torrent users) and one between legal and illegal streamers (Crunchyroll vs. Youtube Uploaders).
Of the lawsuits, Funimation’s suit grabbed the biggest headlines and was the biggest head-scratcher. The popular strategy of media companies suing bit torrent users had lost steam around 2008 when the RIAA and MPAA stopped doing so. Apart from the publicity, Funimation’s decision to sue bit torrent users accomplished little on the surface. The whole event felt like a bad twilight zone episode in which we were transported back to the year 2000 when the RIAA sued Napster. Luckily, the trip ended quickly as the suit was dismissed. It remains to be seen whether the lack of courtroom success will dampen the enthusiasm for suits going forward.
Trend #2: Streaming
The two biggest streaming developments this year both involved Funimation. First, the company announced a partnership with NicoNico to create Funico. The partnership at first suggested the failure of the simulcast model, as it appeared that Funimation was exiting the market and letting NicoNico stream the shows Funimation licensed. But any suggestion that Funimation was abandoning streaming was put to rest when it announced its Elite Subscriber program. Not only was Funimation continuing to stream simulcasts (if only in standard definition) but it was also giving subscribers access to dubbed episodes, on the same day those shows were released at retail stores.
DVD sales continue to be the source of industry profits, as Funimation made clear in an interview with Zac Bertschy on ANN. But anime companies (at least in the US) realize that streaming is the future. The challenge going forward will be for the industry to monetize streaming in a way that replaces the profits from physical discs when the public’s appetite for DVDs finally runs out.
Trend #3: No more blockbusters
The most disappointing 2011 anime news was that this year lacked a blockbuster anime release. Great shows aired in 2011, and Durarara!! even made it on Cartoon Network, but nothing captivated audiences like past mega-hits Death Note, Bleach and Naruto. This poses the biggest threat to anime going forward. If the industry wants to expand its market share outside of Japan, it needs big shows that will draw in mainstream crowds. The distribution network is in place to deliver anime to the masses, online through Hulu and Netflix or on air at Cartoon Network and G4. But without a breakout show the market will continue to shrink, when we need it to grow.
Two out of three trends I listed above were negative, but I think the year as a whole has been good, at least for consumers. Anime continues to get cheaper and more accessible, with $30 box sets and free streaming becoming the norm. As the world economy slowly recovers and anime companies figure out how to make money in a digital world, the industry itself looks to be on stable footing. Now we just need a few blockbuster titles and maybe a Sailor Moon re-release to galvanize the masses, and 2012 could go from looking good to being great.

domain: news


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Nurses have tough jobs. It’s strenuous work. It’s physically (and often emotionally) exhausting. They’re often stretched far too thin due to limited resources and understaffing.
Not surprisingly, injury rates among nurses are high. Those injuries sometimes spring from an unexpected source: the patients themselves.
The rise of synthetic drugs in recent years has spurred waves of life-threatening overdoses. Users are brought into emergency rooms (often by law enforcement) in a state of violent delirium. Fueled by drug-induced paranoia, these volatile patients can end up harming the very doctors and nurses who are trying to save them.
The latest drug graining traction in the Midwest? Flakka.
What it is
A synthetic stimulant with the same psychoactive component as bath salts, flakka is sometimes called the “zombie drug” because of its bizarre effects. It can trigger paranoia, hallucinations and delusions of superhuman strength, turning normal people into Incredible Hulks.
Why it’s becoming more prevalent
The drug is popular because it’s both cheap and long-lasting. Cocaine – the stimulant it’s designed to mimic – generally sells for $60 to $80 per hit. Flakka, by contrast, can be bought with pocket change. As of last year, it was only $3 to $5 per hit for a high that can last days.
Why it’s so dangerous
As with other synthetic drugs, the risk of overdose is high. Many users ingest flakka by “vaping” (inhaling vapors), which can amplify its effects. What’s more, the dose needed to produce an intense high is tiny – only 1/10th of a gram. As a result, it’s easy to go overboard.
Flakka has notably triggered extremely violent and erratic behavior. In one case that attracted national attention, four people in Missouri who had overdosed went on a rampage, running naked through the streets and breaking into houses.
What nurses should watch out for
Patients under the influence of flakka can readily put nurses and hospital staff in danger. They often require swift sedation – along with the brute force of multiple people to keep them restrained.
To make matters more complicated, there’s no quick way to test for flakka in suspected cases. Toxicology results may take days or weeks.
Nonetheless, nurses can keep an eye out for telltale signs of an overdose such as:
- Racing heart
- Kidney failure
Those unfortunate enough to get injured while caring for agitated patients may be entitled to workers’ compensation.

domain: medical


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(Bucky Barnes X Margo Whitty)
Summary: What is the only thing that can transcend all of time and space? It can heal wounds or make them deeper, it can be the only thing worth fighting for sometimes…
An intense feeling of affection
A person or thing that one loves
Feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment
Margret Annabella Whitty has loved James Buchanan Barnes ever since they were in the fifth grade. They have been best friends for longer than anyone can remember. When he asked her to be his girlfriend one summer it felt like her dreams were finally complete. Sadly it seemed their dreams of having a normal life together were placed on hold when Bucky has to enlist in the American army. 107th division that camps in England. Everything they knew destroyed when that tragic day in 1944 happens. That was the day that Hydra would take an innocent boy from Brooklyn, who had dreams like any youngster, and shatter them because they ice over his heart and turn him into a weapon. What no one, but Steve and Bucky had known was that Margo had untold and very dangerous powers of the universe. What could she say… she was the child of a dying star?
After all the things that Margo and Steve face in this future time, they go on a mission to save and bring back their friend. Margo will have to fight to prove that love can transcend through all of time and space. She will have to prove to the world and to The Winter Soldier that her love for him can bring back the man that is hidden beneath his frozen heart. Margo will do anything now to restore Bucky Barnes the man that she would give up her life and her powers for. Will 70 years apart prove that love is still the strongest and most infinite thing in the universe?
A/N: Hey Everyone! I'm Bannergirl1218 and I'm trying a new style of writing by creating a book of one-shots that are related to these two wonderful characters! I hope you guys enjoy it and if there are hints towards a black journal *which there will be and you'll see them!* that will hopefully be hinting the prequel book called MARGO. Now there isn't any real timeline as most of these are little one-shots that aren't connected to one another except that they are moments when Bucky builds up his memory again. Some of these will contain flashbacks of the past and some of the thoughts of the different characters. I hope you guys enjoy this little book of one-shots. Thank you for being there for me and supporting me through everything guys!
Brooklyn, New York
She lied awake in her bed. Margret was exhausted, yet she couldn't sleep. Steve had told her not to wait for him tonight because he needed to do something, something that would be good for both of them. She wanted to force her eyes to close and stay shut, but alas that wasn't happening tonight. The young star had many things that rested in her mind, but there was one thought in particular that replayed like a broken record.
Steve had told her that she needed to go. Her best friend and guardian had been laid in the hospital to heal and rest after the horrific battle that took place over the Patomic River. After seeing him again under the mask and war paint, she understood why he had told her to go. At first Margret was hesitant to leave Steve's side out of fear that someone would hurt him or that she would lose him again and end up alone. She couldn't deal with being alone again.
Sam agreed to stay with Steve until she got back. To Margo that was a relief because she had grown to like Sam, he was a friend to her now and he stayed up with her on the nights that she couldn't sleep. She trusted him and Natasha, although her trust with Natasha had grown thin during this incident because she had almost betrayed Steve. Or maybe Margo didn't like it that another woman besides her old friend was kissing her best friend. She was still heartbroken at the fate that Steve and Peggy's relationship had faced, but unlike Steve she knew Peggy wasn't gonna stay young forever. She was happy that Steve still visited Peg while she still had a little time, but the doctors weren't sure how much longer she would actually have. None the less it had been one of the things that Steve and herself would do on a Saturday when there wasn't a life threatening situation happening.
The day in Washington was crisp, the cherry blossoms were blooming beautifully. Margo knew that it was the beginning of the tourism season because more people flocked the streets than usual. The sidewalks were lined with tour buses and there were children walking along with their teachers. Margo rode down the avenues and streets on Steve's Harley *because he always allowed her to use it when he wasn't around to use it* towards the national air and space museum. This museum was part of the Smithsonian, the largest museum in America, and they had recently updated the Captain America exhibit thanks to Fury, Steve and the remaining howling commandoes.
One of the main reasons that Steve had told Margo to come and visit the exhibit was because of something special that he had the researchers add about her and Bucky. She had been astonished that Steve had been able to do something like that for her, but then again they had once been high authority in Shield. That had been a time when everyone had been trust worthy including Brock Rumalow. A time before it had been known that Hydra had sunk their ugly tentacles into the only place that she had called home. Hydra had taken so much from her since the war. First they took the love of her life, Bucky Barnes, and they changed him into something that he wasn't. They almost took Steve from her and it had been lucky that he was a super soldier, able to survive normally fatal bullet wounds. Now Steve, Nat, Sam, and she were having to think about their next move because shield no longer existed. Margo knew that one day she would get her revenge, one day she would find Bucky and bring him home. Now she was on her way to see the one thing that would have to replace Bucky for a while, a memorial that honored the man that he had been, the man she knew and loved. To Margret that man was still alive and he needed help to break free.
Margo walked up the few steps that led to many glass doors. It had been obvious that security had picked up since the incident over the Patomic River. She stood in line and gently slipped off the metallic necklace that only left her neck thirteen times since she had received it from Steve. To Margo the dog tags that hung on her neck were so much more than metal. They marked her as the woman of James Buchanan Barnes, because back then Bucky didn't ever have the money for a real ring. Bucky had promised her that if they both survived the war and went home to Brooklyn, he would make her his wife, a promise that he never got to keep. The dog tags that bore his name were a strong memory for her and they gave her hope that every time she saw the Winter Soldier, she would have a chance to see Bucky again and bring him home. Margo didn't let anyone besides Peg or Steve touch the delicate and lightly rusted pieces of metal because she always feared that they would come to harm. They were after all, the only thing of Bucky's she had left to cling on to. Margo was thankful when it had been her turn to walk through the metal detector because she was getting back her possessions.
After she was sure everything had been checked and she had been cleared to enter she snatched the dog tags from the bin on the conveyor belt. Margo felt at home in this museum and many times she had been very glad that the exhibit had been placed in here and not in the American History museum. She loved the air and space museum because her biological family was basically in the name and she could marvel at all of the human endeavors in flight. Margo wandered around the bottom floor looking at the Apollo rockets and a few other interesting test rockets before she walked up to an electronic map that flashed many exhibits around the museum. She quickly pressed on the one that was shaped like Steve's shield and then watched as the display lit up showing her a quick route. She quickly took a picture of the route with her phone and then ran off in the first direction she needed to go. As Margo walked along the route she had been given she had noticed many people giving her smiles and some giving her thumbs up. She rolled her eyes knowing that in a public venue like this she was gonna be easy to spot even if she had her undercover clothes on. She ignored most of the people except a few children who wanted autographs, she always cared for children because she knew they looked up to her and the other heroes that she knew as her second family. The Avengers. She was actually surprised to see some of the youngsters wearing shirts that showed Bucky's face on them, something they most likely got at the gift shop. She felt the strings in her heart being tug when she would hear a little boy say "I wanna be just like him mama, I wanna be like Sargent Barnes when I grow up".
Luckily it didn't take Margo long to find the exhibit she had been looking for. The opening of the exhibit was Steve's Vibranium shield, the pattern she was so accustom to seeing when mentioning her best friend. She walked through a hallway that showed pictures of Steve on his missions during the war, a video or two from the days when he was dancing monkey for the army, and picture of Steve before the serum. She smiled a little in nostalgia because she remembered so well that version of him. Steve didn't change much at heart even if he had grown stronger. She knew that they had made a bold, but perfect choice when he had been chosen as the test subject. Margo couldn't help, but chuckle when she saw young boys and girls compare themselves to the painted silhouettes of post serum Steve knowing all too well that most of them would have very good potential someday. After seeing the hallway of war memories she was greeted with the original outfits of the howling commandoes. She laughed to herself as she realized that Steve's original costume was the one that he stole not long ago, took the people long enough to see the naked mannequin. Her mood turned more somber as she neared the other costumes, Bucky's being at the front. She knew very well that the uniform the mannequin wore was not the original though, she had seen him leave in that uniform for the last time in 1944. Hydra destroyed the original copy of that uniform when they took him into their clutches and broke him. She then collected herself after she had gazed at the familiar blue coat and brown pants, taking a breath she looked around until she saw a room in the back corner of the exhibit. "The Howling Commandos: Captain America's loyal and brave team" was painted in white letters above the door. She quickly scrambled towards the room almost sensing that this was where she would find everything she wanted to know about her beloved.
The room was simple, just the way that the Howling Commandos liked their barracks. There were small exhibits for each of her old buddies that she had grown to love because of Steve and Bucky. She promised herself that she would visit those exhibits after she was done with reading and looking through Bucky's. The first thing that she saw was the green uniform. The uniform that she had wanted to so desperately tear off of him because it showed off every inch of his perfectly built figure. The uniform that he had worn the last night that he spent in Brooklyn with her and Steve, the night she had signed up for the SSR because of Peggy. Margo placed her hand against the glass and felt a few lone tears fall to her cheeks at the memory. At the apartment she owned that was across from Steve's, she owned a picture of them together that night. The museum had a copy of the exact picture and now she was looking straight at it. She looked down at the dog tags dangling from her neck and then placed her lips against the cool metal. "I wish you remembered me my beloved" she whispered before she moved on to the next part of his exhibit. She looked into the little screen and pulled on the headphones. There on the screen was a scratchy black and white clip of Steve, Bucky, and herself messing around at the old tavern that rested not far from the army base in Italy. She remembered watching Bucky compete against the other Howling commandos in drinking games, arm wrestles, and foolish events because they were all just boys at heart. The night always ended with Bucky and the guys singing old drinking songs like '99 bottles of beer' or 'the drunken sailor'. She would belt out the chorus lines with them because they treated her and Peggy like their sisters in arms, and when the moon was high in the starry skies she would fall asleep in Bucky's arms. Something that she hadn't felt in over seventy years, a feeling she feared she may never get to experience again.
She then saw a heart shaped carving in the concrete wall. In the heart was a small paragraph explaining to those who were interested, about the love she and Bucky had for each other. In the end it had read "love will last until the end of the line, there will never be a love more legendary than theirs". This had been what Steve had wanted her to see. Below the heart was a special book where couples from every place around the world, from all walks of life came and signed in dedication to them. Margret knelt to the ground because she could no longer stand. She buried her face in her hands and began to cry. For once in over seventy years she finally allowed herself to mourn. She hugged her arms into her chest and whispered "Bucky come home. Come home". She was oblivious to the tall figure that had stood not far from her and was reading about them until she saw his shadow cast on the floor. Margo was a bit startled by the shadow and quickly wiped her eyes, feeling very embarrassed that she cried in front of so many. She turned to walk away from the person so that she could regain her bearings again, but as she looked up she saw a strangely familiar face. The man had a thickening beard growing on his squarish jaw, his hair long and grizzly. He wore beat up jeans, a reddish looking undershirt, a brown leather jacket, a dark baseball cap, boots and a pair of thick gloves. Margo moved to the side for a moment as she had quickly realized that the man had not noticed her yet and studied him trying to figure out why this stranger was familiar. Then she saw the most beautiful, yet worn and tired set of blue eyes that she had ever seen. Those eyes told her exactly who this mystery man was because she had only seen those eyes on one man. James Buchanan Barnes.
She was almost afraid to speak, but something told her she needed to. Was he still the Winter Soldier? Would he still try to kill her? Well she figured that if he was reading about them, about himself, he wouldn't be there to kill her on sight anymore. "B-Bucky…" she spoke softly causing the man to jerk his head around to look at her. His eyes were now full for fear and confusion as he looked her up and down. Margo raised her hands up to show that she was not a threat to him, but still the man did not say a word to her. Suddenly out of nowhere he began to run away from her, but she knew when she looked into his eyes that he was conflicted very deeply. "Bucky wait!" She shouted loud enough to get his attention, but not the attention of everyone else in the room. Margo cursed herself because she couldn't use her powers to catch up with him, which would be a breach in her true identity. She quickly sprinted after him knowing deep down that it wasn't any use to her because he was a super soldier like Steve. She was left in another crowd of people trying to catch her breath, but sadly he had disappeared again in the huge crowd of tourist. It was like Natasha had said to describe him, he was a ghost that you only saw a few times and then he would disappear like he hadn't even been there. "Bucky…" she croaked out looking every direction, but having no such luck to find him. She was quiet for a moment before she looked down and realized that he had left behind one of his gloves, she only hoped that it wasn't the one covering his metallic limb or he'd never be able to get out of the museum. She took the glove and shoved it into her jeans pocket and then went back into the room that held the Howling Commandos exhibits.
Later that same day she returned to the hospital to see Steve and Sam. She was as pale as a sheet as she walked into Steve's room. Steve was the first to notice and furrowed a brow at the look of his friend. "Powerful huh?" Steve asked trying to be a bit playful, but after Margo didn't answer Steve grew concerned and so did Sam. "Margret what's wrong?" Steve asked seriously as he tried to sit up and look at her. Silent tears slid down her face as she placed the glove on Steve's table, her eyes staring off at a random object in the distance. "I saw him Steve. I saw him" She whimpered and felt Sam's hand lightly rub circles on her lower back in comfort. "Who Margo? What happened?" Steve asked getting more worried for the girl and looking into her eyes trying to get answers. "I saw Bucky. I saw him today Steve at the exhibit… he looked so lost and afraid. He was so broken and he didn't look like the monster that Hydra once made him. He was so alone, but when I tried to talk to him he ran from me" She cried. Sam held out his arms and took her in them as she sobbed, Steve looking at her with sorrow and concern. "Margo…I'm sure he didn't mean to run from you… he must've been there for a reason…don't worry Margo we'll find him. I promise that we'll bring Bucky home" Steve said after a moment sounding more confident than he actually was. "How can you promise that Steve? We may never find him again and even if we did what's to say that we'll ever have our Bucky Barnes back?" Margo answered though her voice was muffled by Sam's T-shirt. "We won't know Margo, but we gotta try right?" Steve asked giving her a small smile. Margo nodded a little and then went over and hugged her best friend. "For Bucky I'll always try" she answered wiping away her tears.
~End of flashback~
Margo was brought out of her thoughts by a creaking sound that came from the front door. The woman was a bit afraid and she felt her heart begin to race against her rib cage. Margo grabbed her flashlight and slipped the switch blade knife that she hid beneath her pillow into the waistband of her sleep pants. She was quiet as she slowly got up from her bed and went to her door. "Are you sure that she'll even want to see me anymore? I tried to kill her on multiple occasions and I'm almost sure that she'd hate me for that" A male voice whispered causing her to jump a little and then slide against the hallway wall. "I'm sure she will, she still loves you and she has been crying each night because she wanted to have you back home with us" she heard Steve say which made her furrow a brow as she slinked down the hallway. "Steve?" Margo whispered, but then the sounds stopped and she couldn't hear anything. Margo rushed to the living room and quickly flicked on her flashlight waving it frantically and trying to figure out what was going on.
Suddenly she saw a glint of metal under the beam of light. She felt her heart leap as she gently let the light trail up the metal until it shined on the familiar face that she had seen once before. "AAAHHHH!" Margo screamed falling back onto her butt and scrambling to get her knife out of her waistband. She had experienced this unsavory encounter before with the winter soldier when he broke into the apartment and tried to murder her. She was shaking as she slowly got onto her haunches and held out the switch blade towards him, her face tightened and she tried not to show the absolute fear that she was feeling. The heartache was not so easy to mask though because Margo didn't like that she couldn't trust the man that she loved, that she had to hold a knife on him. "What do you want? If you're here to kill me soldier that won't happen and you know it!" she growled clenching the knife and her flashlight. "MARGO! EASY MARGO!" Steve shouted and quickly raced to turn on the lights in the room. Bucky slowly held up his hands to show her that he wasn't trying to be a threat to her safety this time. "Huh? Steve what's going on?" Margo asked sternly as she loosened her grip on her knife as the familiar super soldier moved out from behind the other. "He's not here to hurt us Margo. Look at him and tell me that he wants to hurt you… he needs me. He needs YOU… please Margo look into his eyes and tell me that you saw this same man at the museum because I know you did" Steve answered frantically. Margo sighed and took the knife and threw into the wall to her left, her shoulders slumped as she studied the man before her.
There she stood looking straight at the man that she had been looking for in over seventy years. Steve noticed the silence between the two and gave a small nervous smile. "I'll leave you two alone now huh? I've gotta be at the tower tomorrow because I've got a debriefing to go over. See ya tomorrow Margo and Buck" Steve spoke and then snuck past Bucky and then slinked down the hallway. Margo gave Steve a look that said "Really? Are you really doing this to me? Thanks a lot Rogers" as he passed her. Margo then looked back over at the silent soldier seeing sadness dust his dull, grey-blue eyes. Their eyes met for a moment and Margo felt guilt wash over her as she looked in the corner of her eye and saw the knife again, she had intended to stab the one man she loved all because she had been afraid. She carefully took a step closer to the familiar man watching as it didn't bother him in the slightest. "I don't expect you to remember…" she started looking at the floor now and finding that it was difficult to look at him. He stepped closer to her as well and looked at her for a moment. Bucky was still trying to think about the right thing to say to her, but it felt like the first time he told her loved her. His heart was beating at an unsteady pace which felt strange since he hadn't felt this in so long. "T-that's the thing… out of all the things that they forced me to forget there were two people that always came back. Steve and Margret…" He spoke softly. His voice was music to Margo's ears and her cheeks were beginning to dust with a bright pink, but she was trying so hard to hide it. "You're name is Margret Annabella Whitty and you're the daughter of a dying star. You love to dance, but you hate pistachio Ice cream. When you try to sing anything, but drinking songs you sound like a cat that got run over" Bucky replied looking at her in the eyes. She looked at him in complete shock and realized something quickly. The knowledge that he spit back at her was not knowledge that anyone would've known by just reading the information in the museum. Only the Avengers and the real Bucky knew of her true disgust of pistachio ice cream. She gasped a little slowly took another step closer to him. "Bucky… is that really you?" She asked hesitantly. The soldier nodded slowly watching her with quizzical eyes. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his torso hugging him tight and burying her face into the crook of his neck and sobbing. He was hesitant at first to return the affection as he was afraid of hurting her with his metal arm. Finally after a moment he pulled her closer to him and lightly laid his head on top of hers. "I missed you so much Bucky, I thought I would never be able to hug you again… I thought I lost you forever" Margo sobbed making Bucky's heart slowly crack in two. He was quiet for a moment as he held her close to him and lightly used his human hand to run down her back. "I…I'm sorry Margo…" he croaked trying to hide the tears that were begging to break free. Margo looked up at him and gently she rested a hand on his scruffy cheek. "Don't be James… this wasn't your fault and you didn't deserve this fate" she whispered staring into his eyes and lightly letting her fingers trace his skin. He seemed to lean into her touch and she could see a lone tear roll down his battered face. "I did so many terrible things Margo…things that are unspeakable and things I didn't want to take part in. The worst part was watching the people that you cared about become afraid of you. I'm sorry for hurting you and I'm sorry for running away…I basically left you" He whispered leaning his forehead against hers. "You didn't have a choice James, you did what they told to do because they brainwashed you. That wasn't you and it never will be in my eyes because I know you and you are better man than that" she said sternly and placed a small kiss on his cheek. Bucky's blue-grey eyes widened a little at the small gesture, but then his whole body relaxed because it had felt so familiar and normal for her to be doing it. He grew a tiny hint of a smile on his lips and Margo mirrored it with her own. "Bucky can I show you something?" Margo asked watching as pink dusted his cheeks. "Um…Uh sure I guess…" he trailed off trying to hide the nerves that caused his stomach to want to do flips. Margo chuckled and took his flesh hand in her own and then pulled him out onto the balcony that the apartment had.
The night air was cool, something that contrasted with the daytime. The city was illuminated with bright lights, a sight that even Bucky remembered from a time long ago. The sight of the city was something that stirred the memories from his past around a little which was why the super soldier had a face of confusion. The two stood out on the balcony letting the late night breeze brush over their shoulders and ruffle in their hair. Bucky was leaned against the black metal railing that prevented one from falling to their death almost seven stories below, his eyes were lazily scanning the night life though the rest of his face was transfixed with strain. Probably because he was trying to understand why this all was so familiar to him. Margo stood not far from him with her eyes closed as she tried hard to concentrate on what she was about to do. **Star light, Star bright, the first star that I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish that I wish tonight** Margo recited in Romanian. Bucky turned and looked at her seeing her body glow and then watching as a ball of light began to form in the palms of her hands. Soon the little ball of light came to life in her hands and she reopened her eyes. "Wanna hold her?" She asked with a warm smile on her face seeing her beloved look at her with surprise. "I guess so… I don't want to hurt her" he said shyly holding open his two palms in the exact way that Margo had done. "Oh don't worry you won't, she's like me Buck, you can't hurt a star" Margo chuckled watching as the little creature floated onto his open palms and purred up at him like a kitten. "See she likes you" Margo giggled and then closed her eyes again and repeated her spell in Romanian before yet another little star came to life in her hands. For the first time since she had seen him again Bucky was smiling a genuine smile. She watched as he cradled the little star in his hands like it was his own daughter. "Ok Buck before we let them go we get to name them, so since you have the little girl you can name her anything that you want" Margo explained watching as Bucky began to hold his palms up towards the sky. "I think I'll name her Margret because she's beautiful and she looks like she could be a very strong little star" Bucky answered looking over at Margo and making her cheeks grow very pink. Bucky laughed a little waited for her to name the other star that she held in her hands. "Well this little boy will be named after my best friend, he means so much to me and I don't ever want to lose him again. I'll name him James, but for short he'll be called Bucky" Margo said holding her palms up like Bucky and then together the two stars danced into the sky. They floated for a few minutes and then turned into bright comets. The two stars whizzed into the sky to join their many brothers and sisters, both ready to help brighten up the world. Bucky lightly took Margo's hand in his own and looked over at Margo with a loving look. "Thank you" he said simply and then leaned in a placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Well I'm gonna say it because it's the truth…I don't know how you feel yet, but I would do anything for you because I love you Bucky" Margo replied turning to look at him and then she hugged him again. Bucky hugged her back tightly and gently nuzzled her. "I don't know how to really say what I do remember, but I love you to Margo" He admitted feeling his heart soar into the night sky along with the two stars.
Suddenly Margo sprung up and felt extremely excited. "Bucky that's it! Oh I know something that I have that'll help you!" Margo shouted happily and bounced on her feet. "Wait right here I'll be right back" she squeaked and raced back inside the apartment. Bucky sighed and watched her with a bit of a playful smile on his lips. Yea that seemed familiar to, everything about her seemed to scream at him that she was more familiar than he quite comprehended right now. Bucky took residence on the wicker couch that sat out on the balcony and waited for her to return. Everything seemed to be a bit frustrating, but yet this felt right and he was damn sure that she felt right. The soldier rested his chin on his metallic hand and then stared out at the night covered city again. He closed his eyes again for a moment and it seemed like he felt the flashes of memories trying to break through. Steve had been right all along, this was what he needed and for once in almost seventy years James Buchanan Barnes felt like he belonged.
Bucky was brought out of his thoughts again by the sudden patter of feet on the concrete floor behind him. He turned his head a little to see Margo sitting down beside him with a medium sized, black book. She looked into his eyes with a warm smile on her face and gently placed the book in his hands. "Lucky stars brought me a handsome guy like you. This is my old diary Buck, in this book are memories from our old life that start from my thirteenth birthday and the last entry is the night before you left with Steve on that train mission" Margo spoke and looked at the floor. "Thank you Margo… I didn't know that you actually took record of those days" Bucky replied sounding a little surprised. Margo nodded a little and gently took the dog tags off from around her neck. "Ma always said that the most important events in your life should be recorded because one day they may become more important as memory. I… Uh… I think these belong to you Buck" Margo said holding out the chain with the two tags that looked like they had in the war. Bucky carefully took the tags in his flesh hand and studied them. "You kept them? My tags?" He asked looking at her with a small tear rolling down his cheek. Margo carefully wiped away the bit of water and nodded with a weak smile. "Steve gave them to me when he returned because he said that you told him to. I kept them because they gave me hope that maybe you weren't dead or at least if you truly were I would have a piece of you to hang on to. These tags reminded me that there was still a man in there behind the winter heart. A man that I love more than every star in the universe… my fiancé" She whispered looked down again, her cheeks turning a deep crimson. Bucky looked at the tags again and then he carefully took her hand in his flesh one and gently placed the dog tags back into her hand closing her fingers around them. "Keep them, wear them for me. You're one of the only ones that believes in me and I'm not letting you go again. I may not have had a ring for you then, but these tags were a symbol that claimed you…" He said softly and brought the back of her hand to his lips giving it a gentle kiss. Margo blushed a little more before attacking him in another hug and burying her face in his shoulder. "Thank you Bucky" Margo sighed feeling his arms wrap around her protectively. "For what?" He asked chuckling a little and resting his head atop hers. "For coming home" She said softly pulling back just a little so that she could see him again.
After about an hour of the two sitting outside in the cool night air and talking about the things that Bucky began to remember Margo began to get very sleepy. Bucky couldn't help, but adore how innocent she looked when she fell asleep on his shoulder. The soldier didn't want to wake the sweet girl that was asleep on his shoulder, but he had a hunch that she would feel much more comfortable in her bed. Carefully he lifted her into his arms walked back inside the apartment. He made a guess about which door to go in by the decorations on the wood, luckily he had been right. Bucky laid her gently in her bed and then tucked the covers up over her. He watched her in peaceful slumber for a few minutes before getting the courage to press his lips to her forehead softly. "G'night my lucky little star" He whispered and gently pushed her hair away from her soft face. Just as he was about to leave he heard her stir and she opened her eyes again. "James please stay with me…" She whispered nervously hoping that he wouldn't sleep alone. Now it was Bucky's turn to blush as he studied her carpet for a moment and tried to think about what to do. He sighed a little and then gave in to his inner desire to hold her again. "Alright…I have to be careful though…" He whispered turning to look at her again. Margo nodded in understanding knowing that he must have nightmares still from the past. Something that to this day she wouldn't hold against him. Without another word she moved over so that he would have enough room to lay down next to her and then she watched him strip off his sweatshirt, baseball cap, and then take off his boots. He gently laid down on the soft bed beside her and laid so that his flesh arm was the one touching her, he was still afraid of his metal arm. Margo gently used his chest as a pillow and listened to the steady beating of his heart. Bucky was stiff at first, but when she didn't pull away or flinch from him he relaxed and loosely wrapped his flesh arm around her again. "G'night Soldier boy, I hope you have better dreams" Margo said softly and then closed her eyes. Bucky was silent for a few minutes and then he let out a sigh. "G'night Doll" he whispered back and shut his eyes giving a silent thank you to the girl in his arms. Margo had given him a whole new reason to fight winter, a new reason to break free from Hydra's grasp. He knew in his heart that he wasn't going to leave her again if he had the power. She might be a star from another world with the immortality of gods and myth, but that wouldn't stop him from keeping a vow to always protect her.

domain: literature


text:
The old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” just doesn’t apply today.
On April 1st, fooling is what you do. Beware, practical jokes are on their way. This year, April Fools’ Day falls on the beloved Easter, which hasn’t happened since 1956. The joke’s on me; I wasn’t even born then. Continue reading
As a kid, growing up in Orangeburg, SC, one of my favorite pastimes (hobby – passion, we’ll call it) was coloring.
Didn’t matter what kind of coloring book, sheet of paper or piece of cardboard I found, I wanted color on it. Being an artist was, yet another, one of my nine-year-old dreams.

domain: hobby


Bravo to Matrick, Sarasota Magazine’s November Incredible Kid! Matrick is a 13-year-old cellist committed to contributing to the arts and culture of Sarasota-Manatee. He is a member of local nonprofit organizations Strings Con Brio and The Pops Orchestra and performs with the Venice Community Orchestra.
In the summer of 2019, he organized Hello Cello, a 20-minute interactive program for kindergarten students hosted by the Selby Public Library and Braden River Library. Together, Matrick and these students explored the sounds of the cello and created compositions using the music alphabet. To reach people through music during the pandemic, Matrick joined The Pops Orchestra for a virtual performance of a patriotic medley for Independence Day. He also took part in the virtual project Musicians of the World, which featured student musicians from around the globe performing “The Prayer.”
Matrick has written four award-winning plays through the Write a Play program hosted by Florida Studio Theatre. He is an 8th grade honors student at Pine View School, where he is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and Student Council and a cellist in the orchestra.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County will award a grant in Matrick’s name to Strings Con Brio, a fully volunteer community string orchestra where Matrick is a featured cellist.
Matrick deserves a standing ovation for being such a remarkable kid!
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Replay Outreach are proud to support the Incredible Kids program. Visit sarasotamagazine.com/incrediblekids for more information and to nominate an incredible kid in your life.


text:
Farmhouse Chicken And Noodles
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"A simple farmhouse classic, these old-fashioned Chicken and Noodles are total comfort food! The affordable, easy dinner recipe is perfect for busy families -- prepare a big batch in advance and serve a warm bowl whenever you need a quick and hearty meal. The ingredients in this pot of homemade Chicken and Noodles are about as basic as it gets, but the classic flavors come together beautifully in a nourishing, cozy dinner. This is one of those great meals that you can let simmer on the stovetop on a quiet Sunday afternoon. It's relatively low-maintenance and hands-off, but you need to allow a couple of hours for the chicken and broth to cook. "
Preparation Time20 min
Cooking Time1 hr 40 min
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domain: food


PT6V8 Samsung SDI Battery Module for Dell Alienware M11x R1 R2 R3 M14x-R2, Alienware M14x-R2 (P18G) Battery
- Brand : Dell
- Suitable Model : Alienware M11x R1 R2 R3
- Battery Type Number: PT6V8
- Cell Chemistry : Lithium Polymer( Li-Polymer)
- Backup time : Depends on your consumption and usages.
- Life cycles : 500+ Times
- Product Condition : Brand new & Original (Real capacity, high quality cells, longer life cycles, convenient to use)
- Safeguard : Against incorrect voltage, short circuit, internal overheating.
- Warranty: 06 Months(180 days)
1. The first use of the battery, the battery voltage may be too low, you need to recharge the standby 06 to 08 hours before normal use.
2. First of all you should use the original AC Adapter/Charger in your laptop. Otherwise, WIT is not liable for any kind of damages.
Dell Alienware M11x Laptop Battery 08P6X6 PT6V8 M14x-R2 Dell Alienware M11x R1 R2 R3 M14x-R2 M14x R2
PT6V8 63Wh Dell Alienware Battery M11x M14x M11x R1 T7YJR GENUINE
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
Rating: 14.8V mAh 9-Cell
High Capacity: 63Whr
Type PT6V8, 0PT6V8


text:
Every divorce is different. Some couples separate because they simply grow apart. Other marriages end as a result of cheating or other problems that may breed hostility. When your split stems from conflict, it can be difficult to navigate the situation and proceed with the divorce. To make this time of transition less stressful, you should look for ways to mitigate any contention that may emerge.
This is not always easy, and it is particularly challenging if your ex is the source of the hostility. Still, if you want to separate from your spouse without enduring unnecessary disharmony, consider the following three tips for minimizing the conflict in your relationship during a divorce.
1. Consider your behavior
The first step to minimizing contention is taking a step back to look at your own behavior. It is not uncommon for both spouses in a divorce to feel like victims, and this can sometimes lead to anger and lashing out. If your ex has hurt you in some way, you may be resistant to the realization that you are also contributing to the conflict of a separation. Consider your own behavior before expecting your ex to change his or hers.
2. Accept some conflict
It is unrealistic to expect that there will be no conflict in a divorce. Separation is messy, and there will inevitably be moments of discord between you and your ex. It is important to understand this and accept such moments as par for the course. When the discord escalates to angry outbursts or open hostility, you should be concerned.
3. Take time to listen
According to CreditDonkey, we spend about 55 percent of our day listening. It might be easy to tune out your ex when you are in the midst of a divorce, but disregarding what he or she has to say will only fan the flames of conflict. Do your best to listen whenever possible and communicate honestly when the opportunity presents itself.

domain: psychology


text:
What is the best food to eat right now?
Nonstarchy vegetables . Just about every doctor and nutritionist on the planet will tell you to eat your veggies to stay healthy. Fermented foods. Plenty of protein. Fatty fish. Cheese. Berries. Citrus fruits. Sweet potatoes and squash.
What should I eat today at home?
Dinner Zucchini Pasta with Vegan Cashew-Basil Pesto. Share on Pinterest Photo: The Fitchen. Veggie Fried Rice. Spicy Cilantro Shrimp with Honey-Lime Dipping Sauce. Oven-Baked Tostadas. Broccoli and Parmesan Soup. Pan-Roasted Salmon with Arugula and Avocado Salad. Quick and Easy Black Beans and Rice. Low-Carb Chili.
What is the best thing to eat on an empty stomach?
Foods you should eat on an empty stomach Soaked almonds. Almonds are a rich source of manganese, Vitamin E, protein, fibre, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid. Warm water and honey. Wheat grass powder with water. Raisins. Papaya. Watermelon. Chia seeds.
Which foods should you eat everyday?
Eat these foods daily (or at least often) Salmon. This oily fish, known for its bright pink color, is rich not only in healthy protein but also in omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit both your heart and your brain. Brussels sprouts. Blueberries. Nuts . Plain yogurt .
What is the number 1 healthiest food in the world?
The 11 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on the Planet Salmon. Not all fish is created equal. Kale . Of all the healthy leafy greens , kale is the king. Seaweed. The sea has more than just fish. Garlic . Garlic really is an amazing ingredient. Shellfish. Many sea animals are high in nutrients, but shellfish may be among the most nutritious of all. Potatoes. Liver. Sardines.
What is the healthiest fast food?
10 Fast-Food Restaurants That Serve Healthy Foods Chipotle . Chipotle Mexican Grill is a restaurant chain that specializes in foods like tacos and burritos. Chick-fil-A . Chick-fil-A is a fast-food restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches. Wendy’s . McDonald’s. Ruby Tuesday. The Cheesecake Factory. KFC. Subway .
What do I cook for lunch today?
35 Easy Lunch Recipes You Can Make in 5 Minutes (or Less!) Double Grilled Cheese. Grilled Fluffernutter. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad. Spinach-Artichoke Turkey Panini. Asian Chicken Salad. Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps. Chicken Cobb Salad.
What are good snacks to keep in the house?
Here are 29 healthy, weight-loss-friendly snacks to add to your diet. Mixed nuts. Red bell pepper with guacamole. Greek yogurt and mixed berries. Apple slices with peanut butter. Cottage cheese with flax seeds and cinnamon. Celery sticks with cream cheese. Kale chips. Dark chocolate and almonds.
What is the best breakfast to eat?
Here are the 12 best foods you can eat in the morning. Eggs . Eggs are undeniably healthy and delicious. Greek Yogurt . Greek yogurt is creamy, delicious and nourishing. Coffee. Coffee is an amazing beverage to start your day. Oatmeal . Oatmeal is the best breakfast choice for cereal lovers. Chia Seeds. Berries. Nuts. Green Tea.
Is it OK to eat banana on empty stomach?
Best known as a super-food, banana satiates hunger and is good for digestion. Bananas contain high amounts of magnesium and potassium and when eaten empty stomach , can imbalance magnesium and potassium levels in our blood.
What happens if you eat banana everyday?
An average-sized banana serves up 12 percent of your daily value. A diet high in fiber has numerous benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, it helps to normalize bowel movements, lower cholesterol levels, control blood sugar, maintain bowel health and aid in achieving a healthy weight.
Which fruit should not eat empty stomach?
Citrus Fruits : When citrus fruits are eaten on an empty stomach they can cause heartburn, furthermore increasing the risk of gastritis and gastric ulcers. Raw Vegetables: They are rich sources of amino acids, but they can cause heartburn, abdominal pain and flatulence especially when consumed on an empty stomach.
What are the 3 foods to never eat?
20 Foods That Are Bad for Your Health Sugary drinks. Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet. Most pizzas. Pizza is one of the world’s most popular junk foods . White bread. Most fruit juices. Sweetened breakfast cereals. Fried, grilled, or broiled food . Pastries, cookies, and cakes. French fries and potato chips.
What fruit should I eat everyday?
Citrus Fruits The Vitamin C champions, including oranges, grapefruit, limes and lemons, also contain B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and copper, as well as anti-oxidants. Make sure you eat the whole fruit instead of juice to get the benefits of fiber.
What are the top 5 healthiest foods?
Superfoods list Leafy greens. Nuts. Olive oil. Whole grains. Yogurt. Cruciferous vegetables. Legumes. This broad category includes kidney, black, red, and garbanzo beans, as well as soybeans and peas. Tomatoes. These are high in vitamin C and lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.


Bangladesh today began the controversial war crimes trial with a top Islamist party leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi being the first suspect to go on trial for allegations of genocide, rape, murder and arson committed during the country's 1971 Liberation war.
Chief Prosecutor Ghulam Arieff Tipu and senior prosecutor Syed Rezaur Rahman read out a lengthy statement before the three-judge International Crimes Tribunal at the Supreme Court complex where Sayeedi stood in the dock.
"We brought 20 charges of ‘crimes against humanity’ including genocide, rape, murder, arson and looting committed during the Liberation War," Rezaur Rahman told PTI.
He said the opening statement, including 61 of the 90-pages, described the brief general history of the crime against humanity and the major suspects.
“We expect to read the entire statement tomorrow when the hearing would resume," he said.
Court officials said the tribunal was expected to hear the defence argument from December 7 after recording the prosecution side.
Sayeedi, the leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), a key ally of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is the first suspect to be charged with atrocities including genocide, rape and religious persecution.
Jamaat leaders and several other right-wing groups are accused of siding with the then Pakistani junta in 1971. Five of Jamaat's top leaders, including its chief Motiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and Sayeedi have been detained along with a BNP lawmaker Salahuddin Qader Chowdhury.
On March 25, 2010, the Awami League government set up a special tribunal for the trial of "war criminals" accused of genocide and those who sided with the Pakistani military during the bloody 'Liberation War'.
71-year-old Sayedee, who has been detained to face 20 charges of crimes against humanity, including genocide, rape, murder, arson and looting committed during the Liberation War, could face death by hanging if found guilty by the ICC.
He has denied the charges being looked into by the ICC, which is a domestic set-up with no United Nations oversight or involvement.
A former BNP minister Abdul Alim has also been accused of committing crimes against humanity during the bloody freedom struggle.
Bangladesh's Attorney General Mahbubey Alam sat with the prosecution team as the hearing began today. The defence team drew a number of senior lawyers, mostly belonging to main opposition BNP.
The defence lawyers included former parliamentary speaker Jamiruddin Sircar and former law minister Maudud Ahmed, Supreme Court Bar Association president Khandker Mahbub Hossain.
Witnesses said the defence lawyers wanted the hearing to be suspended until the tribunal gave an explanatory statement on an earlier ruling on their plea questioning the legal authority of the chair of the court of trying the suspects.
It is alleged that he was involved in a "mass enquiry commission" for a "symbolic and mock trial" of the war criminals in 1993.
"The law does not empower us to make a ruling ordering the removal of a fellow judge," said the tribunal in a brief order last week after a hearing during which chairman of the panel of judges Justice Nazamul Huq was absent.
The tribunal, however, ordered the hearing on the main charge against Sayeedi to continue saying an explanatory order on their earlier ruling would be given on November 23.
The tribunal asked the defence lawyers to submit a list of their "defence witnesses" by December 7.
Bangladesh 1971 War Crimes Trial Begins
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RCC’s Balkan Barometer 2016: The region is moving forward but unemployment, the economic situation and corruption remain the most pressing issues
21 June 2016
SARAJEVO – South East European (SEE) economies have started to recover, shows the 2016 edition of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Balkan Barometer, which was presented in Sarajevo today.
Although the Balkan Barometer 2016 shows the first signs of the region’s economic recovery – at least when it comes to the perceptions of citizens and businesses - the main message is very clear - there is a lot of work to be done in order to address the many important issues highlighted by the survey, said the RCC Secretary General, Goran Svilanovic.
While the Balkan Barometer 2016 provides slightly better news when it comes to the sentiments and expectations in our region, it also reaffirms that that the main concerns of the SEE general public are unemployment, a dire economic situation and corruption, which has grown in importance for SEE, since 27% of the interviewees said corruption as one of the top problems.
“The insight which stands out the most for me in this year’s findings is that so many interviewees are willing to leave in search for a better future. Almost every other person surveyed is contemplating leaving their society and look for a job abroad”, said Svilanovic stating that this is probably the worst indicator of the state of affairs in our region.
Vladimir Gligorov, GfK’s expert consultant for the Balkan Barometer and researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies presented the key finding of the 2016 survey. He said that there is an improvement in expectations almost everywhere in the region, but also a growing dissatisfaction with politics and policies. Gligorov said that while regional integration is widely supported, there is also pessimism when it comes to EU integration. Gligorov also noted that there is “a visible disconnect between economic and social life and political goings on as and therefore a widespread crisis of legitimacy”.
The Balkan Barometer presentation was followed by a panel discussion about the overall developments and the pace of reform in the Western Balkans as well as the key priorities as seen by the region’s citizens and businesses. The panelists were Mila Kasalica, Economist and Financial Analyst from Podgorica, Vedran Dzihic, Senior Fellow at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, Sanjin Arifagic, RCC’s SEE 2020 Coordinator and Erhan Turbedar, RCC’s Senior Political Advisor.
The Balkan Barometer is one of the annual monitoring tools used to track progress in the implementation of RCC’s SEE 2020 Strategy when it comes to growth, employment and competitiveness in the region. It is the first comprehensive effort of its kind, developed by the RCC to measure attitudes, experiences and perceptions on a range of issues, sectors and policy areas. It is also an easy-to-access source of information, containing useful statistics on the SEE economies; enabling a direct comparison with the previous year`s survey as well as an insight which can help in analysing the main socio-economic trends in the region, identifying issues and helping shape future policies .
The Balkan Barometer, published for the first time in 2015, surveys 7,000 citizens and 1,400 businesses in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on a wide range of issues dealing with the political, socio-economic, business and investment climate, infrastructure, rule of law and other developments in the region. This year’s survey also includes select information on Moldova and Slovenia, giving a wider overview of the South East European region. The Balkan Barometer 2016 is published in two volumes: The Public Opinion Survey, detailing the citizens’ attitudes, and the Business Opinion Survey, summarizing the business sentiments. The research and publications have been prepared and developed in cooperation between the RCC and the GfK, one of the world’s largest market research institutes.
The Balkan Barometer, its database and publications are available at:


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The pattern of home
One exness highlight from 2014 was meeting more of Sheila’s family and the opportunity to view some previously unseen works from their private collections.
A particular favourite is this charming illustration depicting the village of Linton where Sheila lived. Amongst the little cluster of buildings (bottom right) sits her cottage. A grand exness office in india set of almshouses designed by John Vanbrugh face the green. They were built with money left by Richard Fountaine in 1721 to provide accommodation for ‘six poor men and women’ of the parish and still serve the village folk today.
Sheila was born on 4th March 1925 and to celebrate what would have been her 90th year the archive will release a new how to register and open a exness forex account pattern and some exciting collaborations during Spring 2015.

domain: history


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- July 4, 2018
- June 22, 2018Announced on June 25 at CBC Vancouver, this joint fund will support BC content creators and showcase their work on the national broadcaster's digital channels.
- May 29, 2018Deadlines are fast approaching!
- March 29, 2018Twelve BC companies received more than half a million dollars in grant funding to aid their digital media projects!
- February 2, 2018The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) is pleased to offer the BC Tech Co-op Grants Program to support
talent in BC’s technology sector.


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HeatShield Armor is pretty thick and heavy-duty, but still quite easy to work with using a pair of scissors.
The first step is to trim off ~1” of insulation from the outer edge of the metal skin. Depending on the diameter of the exhaust and whether you’re using 1/4” or ½” thick Armor, you may need to trim less or more.
It’s a good idea to test fit the Armor to see if the insulation is popping out of the seams, or if there’s not enough insulation to cover the entire pipe. A little trial and error here and some patience will result in a nice execution.
This smaller 2.5” diameter pipe required less trimming than the 3” side exhaust.
The insulation was trimmed properly and wraps entirely around without popping out. The HeatShield Armor is then secured with HeatShield Product’s Cable-Ties.
After tightening down the Cable-ties and snipping off the excess, the installation is complete.


Associated Services Ltd
Associated Services (Essex) Ltd (ASEL) are part of the MJ Ferguson group and one of the UK’s leading mechanical and electrical contractors, providing a range of facilities management, building maintenance, installation, repair and compliance services to clients who include building owners and managers, and facilities managers nationwide.
ASEL has two key client-owned facilities management contracts with the Ministry of Justice and QBE Insurance,
both of which are supported by FSI’s Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) platform Concept™ .
On behalf of the Ministry of Justice, ASEL maintains nine buildings in London and a further eight regional offices,
who are serviced by a mobile team. Since 2008, handheld technology has played a key role in the delivery of Planned Maintenance and Help Desk services: engineers at each site have a PDA to access Concept™, allowing them to react quickly to task requests.
In 2010, the company announced that it had secured a five-year facilities services contract with QBE Insurance, an agreement that also absorbed the existing ASEL maintenance services provision contract. The new contract is managed by Account Manager Tony Knight at QBE’s London offices in the heart of the city and, Tony explains, ASEL’s successful experience with Concept™ at the Ministry of Justice has been an important influence in driving the benefits of the system to the heart of QBE’s business.
QBE had already invested in Concept™, after searching for a platform that would allow it to upgrade its facilities management operation from largely manual systems and processes. QBE then asked ASEL to help set up its helpdesk operations as well as the building assets on the system and integrate the platform with its business processes.
Implementation took place from August to December 2009. As Tony says, it was an exacting process, designed to make sure the system was completely ready and aligned with QBE’s business before going live. A big bang approach was never on the cards as QBE was keen on evolution rather than revolution.
“We were already heavily involved with QBE, with the hard services maintenance provision, so we had some understanding of the client’s business processes and requirements,” he says.
“But we had to get to the heart of the day to day business to fully understand not only what the initial requirements were but to also understand what form the output information should take. We then had to define process maps for each individual task – and there are more than 80 – ranging from hot and cold calls to requests for security passes. We had to get right down to the detail of what QBE does and work out how to integrate those processes with Concept™. We had to make sure that everything was dotted and crossed before we crossed over to the live platform, rather than jumping straight in with a monster system that would be difficult to grasp and manage from ‘day one’”
QBE Insurance has three sites in London, as well as premises in Chelmsford where the QBE European Operations data centre is located and eight regional sites including Glasgow and Norwich. The biggest challenge, says Tony, was grouping the mass of process and task mapping information from the regions into a meaningful structure that would work within Concept™, allowing the best use of the Planned Maintenance and Help Desk modules.
“Previously, QBE had utilised manual Planned Maintenance systems,” he says. “Maintenance tasks were issued from a manual planner. We had to work with our contract managers, devising a common template so that they could load their own assets in a uniform way rather than according to their individual perceptions of a task.
“It was a question of combining our data know-how – taking the Ministry of Justice system as the model – and getting right into QBE’s operation so that we could fully understand what the business needed.”
As Tony says, the biggest knowledge gap concerned the FM processes themselves. Service Level Agreements and cleaning up processes had to be defined for the system so that the Help Desk could be properly specified.
“In the end, it came down to effective communication,” he says. “Because we simply didn’t know how a lot of the processes worked, we sat down in a room with our QBE colleagues and a flip chart, and mapped each process out, starting each one with the basic question: what do we do when a customer calls?”
The implementation process was intense and painstaking. “We wanted to keep everything low key, and make the introduction of the system as much of a natural progression as possible,” says Tony. Both ASEL and QBE had agreed that the first step would be the PEMS module as it would be from this that the rest of the implementation programme would be driven. Once all the building information had been reviewed and loaded to the PEMS module, we set to work in structuring the helpdesk initially. This proved invaluable as QBE now held all of their building portfolio information in one central location.
The helpdesk went live in January 2010, when all the operators received training. The helpdesk operators also received training and an overview of the process maps that we had published. This assisted greatly in getting them to understand the fundamental aspects of how the helpdesk should operate. The PPM module went live the following August once all the building assets had been loaded and sense checked.
“It has been very much a gentle approach, getting each module operating exactly how we want it to before we move on to the next stage,” says Tony.
“Our relationship with FSI has been an important aspect of the project. I’ve been involved with Concept™ for a number of years and the relationship between all the parties has been very good. FSI have always responded to any problems, however minor, quickly and efficiently. You’ll get an answer to any questions the same day. And their help was invaluable in getting the implementation of the system ready.”
The combination of data compiled by Concept™ and feedback from the system users points to a significant improvement in call resolution times at QBE, according to Tony.
“There was initially some resistance, which is typical when you introduce a new system, but Concept™ is very easy to use and we’re flying with it now. We’ve now got clear guidance on what’s expected of it,” he says. “The end-user doesn’t care about the system as such – they just want their call dealt with correctly and in a timely way.
“We now have meaningful data and we’ve seen a step change in the level and quality of call completion”
In fact, at the time of writing, the Help Desk was hitting all its targets on a monthly basis – no mean feat in the demanding world of facilities management. Now, ASEL is helping QBE look to the future with the possibility of implementing Concept™ on handheld devices and exploiting the system’s web portal potential.
“We’re building it up slowly but surely,” says Tony. “We’ve already demonstrated how effectively the handheld implementation works at the Ministry of Justice, where the environmental benefits have been tremendous: an astronomical number – more than 2,000 – of assets are assigned PPM tasks each week, and pre-mobile Concept™ that meant reams of paper was consumed.
“QBE has seen the whole thing in operation and I’m sure there are lots of benefits still to come from the Concept™ platform.”


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For NEW RELEASE ALERTS AND A FREE STORY, sign up for the author's mailing list at: http://eepurl.com/qy_SH LIKE him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/twpiperbrook T.W. Piperbrook lives in Connecticut with his wife and son. He is the author of the CONTAMINATION series, the OUTAGE series, and co-author of THE LAST SURVIVORS. In his former lives, he has worked as a claims adjuster, a touring musician, and a business systems analyst for a Fortune 500 company. Now he spends his days fighting zombies, battling werewolves, and roaming Ancient cities. ALIVE AGAIN (Brand New Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Series) Book 1 out NOW! The Sandstorm Series - New Sci-Fi Dystopian Series! (Complete) SANDSTORM - BOOK 1 OUT NOW! WINDSWEPT - BOOK 2 OUT NOW! DUSTBORN - BOOK 3 OUT NOW! WAR TORN - BOOK 4 (FINAL BOOK) JUST RELEASED JANUARY 2020! CONTAMINATION SERIES: Contamination Prequel - FREE Contamination 1: The Onset Contamination 2: Crossroads Contamination 3: Wasteland Contamination 4: Escape Contamination 5: Survival Contamination 6: Sanctuary Contamination 7: Resistance Contamination: Dead Instinct (Standalone) OUTAGE HORROR SUSPENSE SERIES (Complete): Outage Outage 2: The Awakening Outage 3: Vengeance Outage 4: The Reckoning Outage 5: The Change Outage: Control (SHORT "EPILOGUE" STORY TO BE READ AT END OF SERIES, NOT A STANDALONE) THE LAST SURVIVORS SERIES (w/Bobby Adair - Complete): The Last Survivors (Book One) The Last Escape (Book Two) The Last Humanity (Book Three) The Last Command - (Book Four) The Last Refuge (Book Five) The Last Conquest (Book Six) THE RUINS (SEQUEL SERIES TO THE LAST SURVIVORS - Complete): The Ruins Book 1 The Ruins Book 2 The Ruins Book 3 The Ruins Book 4 (JUST RELEASED JANUARY 2018!) Check out the Contamination Prequel - FREE Zombie book for kindle out now.Read more Read less
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A Maui tour company is paying the state nearly $400,000 for damaging more than 1,200 coral colonies when one of its boats sank at Molokini, a pristine reef and popular diving spot. Another tour operator faces penalties for wrecking coral when it illegally dropped an anchor on a Maui reef. The state plans to sue the U.S. Navy to seek compensation for coral ruined when a guided missile cruiser the length of two football fields ran aground near Pearl Harbor in February.
The use of fines to punish offenders began two years, McAvoy reported; the dropped-anchor fine amounted to $7,300, while the U.S. Navy “has already spent… some $7 million restoring the reef.”
That’s all well and good, but what about the little guys — that’s mostly you and me, vacationers — whose combined effects may be equally (if not more) damaging? Coral provides a home to Hawaii’s rainbow of sea creatures found no place else, and when you stand on it, kick it with your fins or break a piece off, you kill it. So shouldn’t individuals be fined as well if they’re spotted standing on coral?
After all, the penalties for disturbing Hawaii’s endangered monk seals and green sea turtles are quite hefty: up to $25,000 for the former and up to $2,000 for the latter. Considering how many organisms are jeopardized when coral colonies are destroyed, some kind of penalty would seem applicable.
While logical, that may not be as practical — or as helpful — as it sounds. First, that’s because enforcement requires enforcers, and the amount paid in fines might not cover the cost of their salaries. (Think about how few lifeguarded beaches there are now, and how unlikely it is the state will suddenly fund snorkel police.) Second — and this is not a justification, just an observation — the economically battered tourist industry is unlikely to support a crackdown on coral-trampling visitors if it comes across as a heavyhanded slap against the ignorant, rather than a measured approach to the willfully destructive.
But something must be done to preserve the coral reefs, which already suffer from the effects of warming waters , chemical runoff and overfishing in some areas. The most practical and helpful efforts could concentrate on what happens before people go in the water, not just after. At Oahu’s Hanauma Bay, all visitors must watch an educational video before entering (and in my mind, if they’re later seen violating the rules about not standing on the coral, they should be fined on the spot.)
Yet nearly every other stretch of Hawaii shoreline with reef access has no warnings whatsoever about the importance of keeping coral alive — and if you’re coming from Kansas or even cold-water Northern California, you might not even know what live coral looks like. With all the liability-covering signage about sharp coral, dangerous shorebreak, jellyfish, etc., that the state has installed, one more sign in high-use areas wouldn’t hurt. And while I’ve always found the snorkel-tour operators I’ve patronized to be environmentally sensitive (especially Maui’s Trilogy, the Big Island’s Fair Wind and Kauai’s Holo Holo), requiring them to show a similar video or at least provide a short handout on coral conservation — which hotels and lodgings could do, too — would also help reduce damage. And what about stressing the fragility of reefs (along with the terrestrial environment) in that in-flight video where Gov. Linda Lingle solemnly intones, “E komo mai”?
I recently spent a week snorkeling on Bonaire, home of one of the first national marine parks. To help keep its Caribbean reefs pristine, all divers and snorkelers must purchase an annual tag to be worn whenever they’re in the water, and no matter how many times you’ve heard the spiel, you don’t get to go out on a boat without listening to a brief lecture on avoiding coral damage. (Divers are not even allowed to wear gloves, to prevent the temptation of touching, or worse, breaking off coral.) Perhaps it’s time Hawaii considers a similar system. If nothing else, it could pay for the serious enforcement of laws already on the books.
Of course, it’s not just visitors who are capable of harming Hawaii’s coral reefs — some residents, especially newcomers, could use a little education, too. But as the golden eggs of the local economy, we shouldn’t contribute to killing the goose.

domain: geography


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I entered the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with one major bias already in mind: the fact that director Robert Hastie’s production had employed candle technicians (Cleo Maynard and Peter Carrington). All of my previous experiences in the indoor playhouse had used the venue’s candles for ‘natural’ lighting, rather than as an interesting theatrical device in and of itself. I had already written off the company’s obsession with authentic materials and performance practices, manifest in these candles, as a gimmick. By the interval, I was eating my words. This production of Macbeth is driven by its dramatic use of candlelight, and in many crucial moments, its lack of light entirely.
Initially, the audience is lured into a false sense of security. The performance starts with the Wanamaker’s candle-filled chandeliers resting on the stage, only to have a mysterious group of people, all clad in black hoods, black skinny jeans, black boots, come and extinguish most of the light. These people become the three witches and their unseen chorus of whispering voices, casting spells and prophecy into the wind, supported by eerie and beautiful chanting by composer Laura Moody. When Macbeth enters for the first time, he holds a candle-lit torch like a flashlight under a parent’s face at a campfire – perfect for marshmallows and ghost stories. Many scenes are performed with each actor holding their own candle aloft, evoking the dark, rich atmosphere of a Baroque painting. The smell of cedar and smoking candles contribute to the haunting atmosphere in which it seems we, like Macbeth, cannot be sure to trust our senses.
Macbeth himself is a conundrum of a character that actor Paul Ready still seems to be figuring out. He is nervous, occasionally stammering his thoughts aloud, already full of guilt. He fiddles with his golden crown, and takes his wife’s advice with the uncertainty of a man who isn’t sure if he is murdering the king because he actually wants the throne or because he feels he is supposed to want it. Meanwhile, Michelle Terry’s Lady Macbeth starts off bold and resolute, casting her own spell with a ritualistic lighting of candles and a command to an unknown force, ‘Unsex me here’. As the story progresses with its domino of murders, the two characters’ personalities switch, as if they have each stepped through a mirror, with Macbeth overly confident, hardened and perhaps traumatized as he lets Burnam Wood come to Dunsinane.
This production is full of interesting acting choices for Ready and Terry, but it doesn’t quite land a clear emotional impact. They’re not quite terrifying bloodthirsty, cruel power-hungry rulers, but not quite sympathetic characters caught up in a plan larger than they anticipated, either. The supporting cast’s performances are solid too, with Anna-Maria Nabirye’s performance as Macduff standing out from the rest: her performance of ‘manly’ rage, grief, and revenge are nuanced and compelling. Otherwise, the production utilizes its 50:50 ‘gender-blind’ and ‘race-blind’ casting strategy to bring diversity to the bodies onstage, but not to the reading of the material. It’s all well-done, but not necessarily thought-provoking.
The production’s stand-out scene is by far Macbeth’s second visit to the three wyrd sisters. Footsteps patter across the stage without corporeal form. Thumps, giggles and whispers echo from all around, in a haunted house effect that’s enhanced by knocking on the theatre’s back walls. In another classic horror movie trope, the witches take on the voices of children. There is a particularly gorgeous, Caravaggio-esque tableau created as Macbeth creeps in darkness, his candle aloft, towards the stage left gilded door of the theatre. Crouching, like a child looking into the closet, he pushes the door open. He’s illuminated in a golden outline by his candle, but nothing else.
This beautifully crafted moment on its own makes attending this production worthwhile. Otherwise, this Macbeth doesn’t do much that’s new with its central players, but it certainly does something interesting, entertaining and entirely spooky in its candles.
Macbeth is on at Shakespeare’s Globe until 2nd February 2019. More info and tickets here.

domain: artistic