text:
We borrowed some great recipes from our friends at welikitraw.com (with their permission of course!) thinking that you could really get some use out of them too. We actually tried a few in the office and they were a total hit. Nothing but tasty rawness. Try ‘em – and post a comment and let us know what you think!
Watermelon Mini Cake Delights
This was a Memorial Day inspired treat I took to a pool party yesterday. They were all gobbled up by rawies and non-rawies alike! Yummy! This is a super Memorial Day or Fourth of July treat, or for just any ol’ time!
- 1 Watermelon, cut into squares
- 2 cups Cashews, soaked for two hours
- 1 cup Agave
- Vanilla, to taste
- Water, to taste
Place cashews, agave, and vanilla in food processor and process. Add water slowly, little by little to achieve a smoothe frosting-like consistency. Place on a ziplock bag and cut a small section of the bottom corner. Use this as your frosting instrument. Squeeze frosting on each watermelon, then top with a blueberry! You can also include little flags on each one for decoration and serving purposes. Or, shape them all into a flag shape for a lovely, festive presentation! Enjoy!
Kale chips are sooo easy to make & delicious. They were so good that when we opened the dehydrater to try them, they almost all got eaten immediately!! I had to hold everyone off to get them on a plate to take a picture to post (what dedication! ; )
Easy, easy, easy.. Cut out the center tough stem part of the kale.
I used 2 big bunches of beautiful organic dark kale that we bought at the market.
Then cut each piece in 4 – You can layer & cut them all together so it it super quick.
In a mixing bowl pour a couple Tablespoons of olive oil, some (1/2t or less) of garlic, onion and chili powder, some cayenne, 1t of salt.. & I think I put 1 t of basil… & maybe a bit of cumin. Mix all together and then put the kale in the bowl and mix it into the oil mixture – I used my hands.
Spread out on dehydrator trays (I got my Mom to do this ; ) -Mom’s been great!! Check it after 4 hours, but I think we left it in for about 6 – it should be crispy.
It’s so good – I thought much better than chips – & you’re eating kale – how amazing is this!?!
- 1 cup Brazil nuts, ground into flour
- ½-2/3 cup almond meal leftover from making almond milk
- ¼ cup golden flaxseed, finely ground
- a few dashes of sea salt
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. agave nectar
- Fresh almond milk (I made mine with ½ cup soaked almonds and 2 cups water)
- 1 cup frozen blueberries (yields ½ cup thawed berries)
- Streusel topping: a couple dates and a handful of nuts processed into a crumb
- a few more drizzles of agave nectar
In a colander, thaw the frozen blueberries by rinsing them under warm water and allowing them to drain while you prepare the batter. You can also use fresh, but I didn’t have any at the time.
In a medium size bowl, mix together the ground Brazil nuts, almond meal (still damp from making your “milk”), ground flax and sea salt. Add the vanilla, oil, agave and a couple tablespoons of almond milk and stir to combine. Add a little more almond milk based on the consistency of your batter (not too crumbly, but not too wet either). I only used a total of 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) in mine.
Fold in the thawed blueberries, and add batter to six muffin cups or silicon liners. Sprinkle with streusel topping and a drizzle of agave.
“Bake” in your dehydrator for about an hour until firm enough to remove from muffin cups or liners. Continue to “bake” until the centers are no longer a doughy consistency. I tried mine after a couple of hours and opted to leave them in the dehydrator for brunch the next day. Serve with sweetened almond milk.
Recipes from www.welikeitraw.com

domain: food


text:
January 1, 2016 and I’m beginning a new practice for the new year: Reading, reflecting, and meditating on a Zen koan each day. I will be using the book Zen Koans, by Rev. Gyomay Kubose, the father of my teacher, Rev. Koyo Kubose, and the founder of our school and center, The Bright Dawn Center of Oneness Buddhism.
A Zen koan is, in essence, a problem that can’t be solved by the intellect. In trying to understand it, you run up against the limitations of thought and, hopefully, tap into a direct and non-verbal awareness of reality. Koans plumb a dimension deeper than the five senses that keep us attached to things, conditions, and concepts—preventing us from being aware and resilient in the face of challenge and change.
Koans plumb a dimension deeper than the five senses that keep us attached to things, conditions, and concepts—preventing us from being aware and resilient in the face of challenge and change.
We typically intellectualize and conceptualize our life—both personally and professionally. When we do that, we shackle ourselves to concepts. Concepts seem so real that our mind gets confused about whether it’s a concept or an absolute. These concepts harden like concrete, keeping our minds trapped and our forward momentum stuck.
We may classify or conceptualize certain people as “trouble” or “wrong” or “bad.” We may categorize a task or activity as “beneath us” or “too hard.” We may look to escape our job because the company our department is “behind the times.” Once that concept has repeated in our thoughts long enough, then that person IS trouble for us … the project impossible … and the company useless and of no value, even though we receive our paycheck from them.
Our minds have become victims to those perspectives and we freeze that person into a characterization, a concept, rather than a living being capable of change. And no task is beneath us, really. If a task that is a part of our job or our family life and it needs doing, then it is our responsibility to life to do it. Is a company or organization really not capable of change? Or did we make it not capable by giving up and looking to get out—essentially abandoning any help we can offer.
As part of my practice, I thought I would repackage and share a few of the koans, as brief blog posts offering a different way for you to view and respond to your professional life. Sometimes a new way of looking at things can help you solve a work problem, overcome a challenge with a co-worker, be more productive, or—if you’re a job seeker—bring a new, more positive energy to the challenge.
Today’s koan is “Every Day Is a Good Day” by Unmon: Unmon said: “I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But about fifteen days hence? Come, say a word about this!” Since none of the monks answered, he answered for them: “Every day is a good day.”
Calligraphy on scroll reading, “Nichi, Nichi, Kore, Ko, Jitsu” meaning “every day is a good day.”
Is every day a good day? I can hear the resounding chorus now. “No!” you answer. Every day is certainly not a nice or easy day, as in compared to a bad day. Every day is THE absolute day. It is the ONLY day you have right now, so that’s good. It doesn’t repeat. It’s brand new and fresh. The goodness of today is that it IS the absolute day you have to live right now. Rain, shine, sickness, health, angry boss or promotion, overdue project with a drop-dead delivery date of today, or a project extension.
The day itself is not bad or good. All days are the absolute day; all days are good days. Only the concepts we hold about circumstances as bad—the rain or the angry boss—and our expectations—sunshine and a promotion—make us label the day as bad, in comparison to our expectations. We are the ones that turn our days into bad days. The day has nothing to do with it.
We are the ones that turn our days into bad days. The day has nothing to do with it.Yesterday or last week is only a reference. Tomorrow or next week is a hope. Rain or sunshine is a natural condition. An angry boss or promotion is only a circumstance. It is up to us to not freeze the conditions or circumstances of life into reality. When we do, we are the ones that have made our days bad days.
This from a LinkedIn article and blog post series on my career coaching website
About these blog posts
A mix of older posts I wrote for the blog, Suchness: It's All Good - Buddhist Ramblings, LinkedIn articles, and Career Coaching blog posts.

domain: psychology


Military News Briefs for the Week of June 8, 2001
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2001 (This is a summary of the top American Forces Press Service news stories for the week ending June 8, 2001.)
U.S. To Develop, Deploy Ballistic Missile Defense System
BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 7, 2001 -- The United States will build and deploy a ballistic missile defense system, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said June 7 to defense ministers gathered at NATO headquarters here.
Rumsfeld told the ministers that the "development and deployment of ballistic missile defenses will be an element" of a revamped U.S. defense framework.
"We intend to build and deploy [missile] defenses to protect the U.S., our forward-deployed forces, and in cooperation with friends and allies," he added. Rumsfeld told NATO ministers that the goal "is to deploy defenses against handfuls of missiles." He added that creating such a system wouldn't occur overnight.
The United States would not make decisions on the configuration of the missile defense system "until our technologies have been tested, and it is likely they will evolve over time," he said. "As this program progresses, we will likely deploy test assets to provide rudimentary defenses to deal with emerging threats," he added.
At an afternoon NATO press briefing, Rumsfeld told reporters that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction -- and of the ballistic missile systems to deliver them -- are real threats to world peace and stability.
He told reporters nondemocratic countries like North Korea, Iraq and others that are unfriendly to the United States and its allies either have or are seeking WMD and ballistic missile technology to increase their political profile and "clout" in the world.
NATO Must Evolve To Meet WMD Threat, Says Rumsfeld
BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 6, 2001 -- Soviet troops aren't planning to crash through the Fulda Gap into the heart of Europe, and the United States doesn't expect to be attacked by thousands of nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles fired from Russia.
Why are these events unlikely to occur? Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld has a five-word answer: "The Cold War is over." But then, he also notes that dangerous new threats to world peace have emerged.
"We are committed to NATO and are engaged with it in a host of ways," he said. "It is important that a new administration underline that and emphasize it." Rumsfeld said he plans to tell NATO representatives of new dangers to world peace, such as the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.
"It is important for the United States, as well as the NATO alliance, to adjust to those changes," he said. "The Soviet Union is gone, the Cold War is over, and the deterrence strategy does need to evolve so it is appropriate for the kinds of emerging threats that exist.
"We need to recognize the kinds of instabilities that we've seen over the past decade, the kinds of challenges and emerging threats that exist," Rumsfeld said. Some nations, he continued, have developed or are developing the ballistic missile capability to deliver those deadly weapons.
Northern Watch, EDI Fill Rumsfeld's Turkish Visit
ANKARA, Turkey, June 5, 2001 -- Bilateral talks with Turkish leaders ranging from Operation Northern Watch to the European Defense Initiative topped U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calendar here June 4.
Rumsfeld noted his respect for Turkey, its role in the Atlantic Alliance and its long-standing friendship with the United States.
Turkey is host to U.S. and British fliers engaged in Northern Watch, the enforcement of a no-fly zone that contains Saddam Hussein's air activities in northern Iraq, Rumsfeld said. "We appreciate and value the very fine cooperative arrangement we have (with Turkey) in respect to Operation Northern Watch and the efforts to assure that the regime in Iraq isn't engaging in aggressive behavior against its neighbors," he said.
Rumsfeld said he and Turkish leaders also "had very good discussions" about the European Union's European Defense Initiative, which would create a rapid reaction force of up to 60,000 military troops.
Members of the NATO alliance "have to be very attentive to see that new concepts that come along are managed and handled in a way that strengthen NATO," Rumsfeld said. "That's the reason that the United States has felt from the outset that the European Defense Initiative should add capability to NATO.
"The planning mechanism should be embedded in NATO so there is full transparency," he said. "Activities should be arranged in a way that NATO has a right of first refusal."
DoD Running Two-Year Spouse Job Preference Pilot
WASHINGTON, June 4, 2001 -- Job-seeking military spouses in Europe are eligible to participate in a two-year pilot program called MSP Choice.
Under the program, they are allowed to accept an interim job without losing their rehire preference under the Military Spouse Preference Program, according to DoD Civilian Personnel Policy Office officials.
Spouses of active duty service members who relocate to a new permanent duty station are entitled to hiring preference as long as they're among the best qualified for the position, officials said.
In the past, military spouses who took temporary jobs and time-limited jobs lost their hiring preference. This meant they couldn't compete if more desirable jobs became available later.
Under MSP Choice -- the first significant change in the military spousal employment provision since 1989 -- the spouses lose their spousal preference only if they accept or decline the offer of a permanent full-time or a permanent part-time position. The pilot program applies to all DoD appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund positions in Europe.
Spouses in Europe who lost their preference rights before the pilot started may be eligible for reinstatement under MSP Choice. Individuals who believe they may be eligible should contact their local human resources office.
Bush Sends DoD Supplemental Budget Request to Congress
WASHINGTON, June 1, 2001 -- President Bush has sent Congress a $5.9 billion supplemental request to make up for shortfalls in the fiscal 2001 budget. The request slates $5.6 billion for DoD.
Dov Zakheim, newly sworn-in DoD comptroller, said the supplement will cover such things as a July 1 targeted pay raise for mid-level noncommissioned and petty officers, unfunded military healthcare requirements, the rising cost of fuel, and reducing out-of-pocket housing costs.
DoD requested $1.9 billion for urgent pay and benefits, and $1.8 billion for readiness training and operations. The request contains $1.1 billion for contractual obligations and cost growth and $763 million for infrastructure and weapon systems repair and maintenance. It also requested $188 million for transformation capabilities. Zakheim called this last request "seed corn" for the major push in transforming the military that will begin in the fiscal 2002 and 2003 budgets.
The supplemental also provides funds to repair the destroyer USS Cole and to recover the remains of nine Japanese citizens who died aboard the fishing trawler Ehime Maru, which sank in February after a collision with the submarine USS Greeneville off Hawaii.


text:
Oil prices near $100 a barrel
NEW YORK — It didn't happen yesterday, it may not happen today, but the price of oil seems destined to burst through the $100 mark sometime soon, leaving higher pump prices and rising heating fuel costs in its wake.
Energy futures balked on that drive yesterday after the government reported that supplies at a key oil terminal in the Midwest rose for the first time in weeks. Analysts said it was a pause, not a retreat for energy futures that reached as high as $99.29 in electronic trading overnight.
"Not exciting enough to get us over the hump just yet," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Alaron Trading Corp. in Chicago.
Overall crude inventories fell, and distillates including heating oil dropped more than expected last week, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration reported.
The mixed report did little to shake prevailing view that oil supplies will tighten amid rising global demand, particularly from fast-growing economies in China and India.
"It's two steps forward, then one back in terms of this week's inventory cushion," said Tim Evans, an analyst at Citigroup Inc. in New York.
Yesterday's inventory report could mean more bad news for heating oil customers already expecting costs to rise 22 percent this winter. Heating oil futures fell 0.27 cent to settle at $2.6874 a gallon on the New York Mercantile Exchange after earlier hitting $2.7154, a new record.
At the pump, meanwhile, gas prices fell 0.1 cent overnight to a national average of $3.089 a gallon, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. Prices have fallen 2.3 cents since last week, and are almost 14 cents below the record price of $3.227 a gallon set in May.
Gas prices will likely remain flat or fall unless oil reaches $100 a barrel or higher, analysts say.
Crude prices retreated yesterday, however, after a mixed inventory report that didn't do much to change a prevailing view that oil supplies will tighten amid rising demand.
Light, sweet crude for January delivery fell 74 cents to settle at $97.29 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Before the inventory report, prices rose as high as $99.29 a barrel in electronic trading to break the previous intraday record of $98.62 set earlier this month.
Crude prices are within the range of inflation-adjusted highs set in early 1980. Depending on how the adjustment is calculated, $38 a barrel then would be worth $96 to $103 or more today.
Demand for gasoline remains tepid, a function of higher prices, analysts say.
Demand for gasoline rose by 35,000 barrels last week, and by 0.3 percent over the last four weeks compared to the same period last year.

domain: finance


text:
Shia LaBeouf landed his role in the coming film "Nymphomaniac" by sending a tape of himself having sex to director Lars von Trier. LaBeouf told "Chelsea Lately" host Chelsea Handler that the multiple tapes depict him having sex with his girlfriend Karolyn Pho.
"I sent him videotapes of me and my girlfriend having sex, and that's how I got the job," LaBeouf told Handler during the interview that aired Wednesday night.
This news comes after LaBeouf told MTV that the sex scenes in "Nymphomaniac" will show the former "Even Stevens" actor having actual, not simulated, sex.
"It is what you think it is. There's a disclaimer at the top of the script that basically says we're doing it for real," LaBeouf said. "Everything that's illegal we'll shoot in blurred images. Other than that, everything's happening."
Nicole Kidman and Stellan Skarsgård are also slated to star in "Nymphomaniac," which Gawker reports will follow the sexual development of a woman -- played by Charlotte Gainsbourg -- from her birth up through adulthood.
This news comes after Shia LaBeouf's admission that he dropped acid for an upcoming role. LaBeouf also went fully nude in a Sigur Ros music video and said he was drunk during parts of his performance in the upcoming "Lawless," according to Entertainment Wise. To get into the headspace of his "Lawless" character ,a 1930s gangster, LaBeouf drank moonshine.
Earlier this week Radar Online reported that Karolyn Pho is less than thrilled with LaBeouf's method acting. LaBeouf's relationship with the fashion designer has reportedly gone south since he got the role in "Nymphomaniac," leading some to suspect that Pho might not have been happy with von Trier seeing the couple during their intimate moments.
"She wants him to do the film, because Shia was desperate to work with Lars -- he's such a hero of his," a source reportedly told Radar. "And she doesn't mind if he strips off completely -- she had no qualms about the Sigur Ros music video. But Karolyn doesn't want him having sex with somebody else."

domain: news


text:
Life has been disrupted for all of us....but still carries on.
I have worked on my Etsy shop yesterday. Unfortunately, the cost of posting parcels and letters has risen drastically.
More stock will be added gradually and new prints will be coming soon.
I have to work on adding images here as well..learn something new every day as grandmother said!
Watch this space!
daily drawings..even if not pot-related..help keep eye, brain and hand co-ordination
Work in Progress
made in England, found in an “Op” shop in Blenheim, New Zealand
this is the way up…or down …that the kiln landed…
cemented and pushed back into shape…mending well on the way
Page 3 of 3

domain: artistic


text:
The Garden Club of Mansfield - Around Town
The Garden Club of Mansfield maintiains over 20 gardens in and around town;
Animal Shelter, Community Garden (Holding Bed), East Mansfield Business sign, East Mansfield Common, Fisher Richardson House, Fulton Pond, Lt. Sita Memorial, Mansfield Welcome Sign, Mansfield High School Gardens, Mansfield Library, Middle Common, North Common, Police Station, Recycling Center, Robinson School Sign, Scott Goyea Conservation Land, South Common/Town Hall, Town Parking Lot/Farmer’s Market, Verizon Garden N. Main Street, Veterans Monument and West Mansfield Fire Station. A detailed map of all of these locations can be found here.
Below are pictures of some of the gardens. Clicking the garden name will allow you to send us feedback on that particular garden.
Helping our community grow

domain: hobby


text:
Neustadt 2 - 4, Wismar, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, 23966, Germany
Small pension close to the old town, harbour and abouta 10 minute walk to the railway station.
Large slightly old fashioned but very comfortable room for us, slept very well here.
Breakfast and check-in at the hotel around the corner, works well.
Cash only, no cards.
Enjoyed our visit here.
More about Wismar
Travel Tips for Wismar
A public washing machine!!!
You don´t have to bring so much clean clothes as there is this public washing machine and dryer in the old port. It´s really helpful if you are touring the Baltic Sea on a sailing boat I think. You can wash your stuff here!!! Brilliant idea! Check out the onening hours!!!
Rathaus – the Town Hall
After one wing of the medieval town hall had collapsed, the present building was erected in neoclassical style in 1817-1819. Remains of the medieval building, especially the cellars, were integrated in the new one.
The gothic vaulted cellars contain the permanent exhibition “Wismar – Pictures of a City” about the history of the city. Opening hours: daily 10:00-18:00 (from January to March it closes at 16:00 on Sundays).
Schabbellhaus and Historical Museum
Wismar’s mayor Hinrich Schabbell had the house and brewery built in 1596-1571. He employed the same Dutch architect who designed the Wasserkunst a few years later. It was one of the earliest renaissance buildings along the Baltic Sea coast and shows the typical Dutch “bacon layer” design with white limestone ornaments in the red brick (now plastered and painted) wall.
The building hosts the historical museum which presents the culture and history of the city and its surroundings. The original Schwedenköpfe can be admired here, as well as Nix und Nixe* from the Wasserkunst. The medieval past as member of the Hansa is presented, another part of the exhibition presents the Swedish era. The art collection of an adventurous sailor from Wismar who travelled the whole world and finally settled in Australia together with his two sisters is shown. The industry is represented by the shipyards and the train factory. Etc…
*Nix and Nixe (photo 4), a male and a female water spirit, served as water taps inside the Wasserkunst, later they were transferred to the outside. In the 19th century they were removed "for reasons of morality" - hmmm, understandable...
The museum is not big, you can comfortably see everything in 30-60 minutes. For English speaking visitors there are booklets with explanations about the more important pieces to be borrowed in every room.
Baumhaus in the Harbour
The “tree house” was the house of an important official in the harbour who was in charge of opening and closing the “tree”. The “tree” was a long wooden beam which was attached to two poles to close the harbour basin at night and in danger to keep ship from entering and exiting.
Those two poles used to be decorated with the woodcarved Schwedenköpfe (Swedish heads). Copies of these are now put up in front of the Baumhaus, the originals are at Schabbellhaus museum.
Neue Kirche - a Notkirche by Otto Bartning
The New Church next to the ruin of Marienkirche takes us back to the times of destruction and need after the end of the war. Among the debris, people needed consolation and prayed for a better future. Rebuilding Marienkirche and Georgenkirche was (and still is) a distant dream. As a substitute the small Neue Kirche was built next to the ruin of Marienkirche in 1951. Provisories often have a long life...
The parishes needed new churches that were cheap, easy to build and didn't look too much like barracks. In 1948 the architect Otto Bartning, famous for his protestant church architecture since the 1920s, developed a construction kit, a skeleton of prefabricated wooden frames that could be set up in a day or two. The walls were then filled with bricks from the debris, a work the parish people could do by themselves. Windows and doors were again prefabricated.
About 50 of these so-called "Notkirchen" were built all over Germany in the years 1948-1951 (so Wismar is one of the latest). They show the architect's genius even more than his big pre-war buildings. From practically nothing he created rooms of timeless beauty. Wood and bricks make a warm, homely atmosphere.
The altar and the bronze baptismal font are medieval pieces from Marienkirche that have been saved. They were transferred into the new church and are still in use.

domain: geography


Pakistan's envoy to Afghan feared abducted
Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan was missing and feared kidnapped as he travelled by road through a volatile Pakistani tribal region, state television reported on Monday. Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin was heading to the Afghan capital, Kabul, from the Pakistani tribal district of Khyber when he disappeared, Pakistan Television quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying.
Local government official, Muhammad Iqbal, confirmed Azizuddin was missing, but provided no further details.
Iqbal said the ambassador was last heard from in Peshawar, the main city in northwestern Pakistan, at 11 am and that there was no record of him at a Khyber checkpoint, indicating he likely disappeared before entering the district.
Criminals engaging in kidnap-for-ransom and Islamic militants operate in Pakistan's northwest regions bordering Afghanistan.
Enter your email to get our daily newsletter in your inbox
- China defines extreme rural poverty as annual per capita income of less than 4,000 yuan ($620), or about $1.69 a day at current exchange rates.


Layla Kardan is an Iranian-rooted pop star living in the United Arab Emirates. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “As One” single.
Layla Kardan – “As One”
“You keep me running back with you and nobody else here needs to know the truth. ‘Cause we’re like planets colliding together as one. You’re my blazing sun. You’ve got me spun. Now never let, never let go. You’re my one desire, take me higher.” – lyrics
‘As One’ contains a relatable storyline and lovely soul vocals. Also, the song’s slow-grinding instrumentation smells of urban soul and hip-hop elements.
Not too long ago, Layla Kardan won Emirates Woman Artist of the Year 2017. Also, she has performed at Emirates Airline Jazz Festival, Dubai International Film Festival, and the Art Dubai, The Global Education Forum, Emirates Literature Festival, and Meydan World Cup.
In addition to her above-mentioned accomplishments, she has performed for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Piaget, Dior, and Cartier, Vogue Arabia, Esquire Arabia, and numerous Harper’s Bazaar Arabia events.
Layla Kardan’s musical influences include Sade, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India Arie, and Nina Simone. She hopes to bring awareness to the Western community about the wrong stereotypes of submissive and meek Middle Eastern women.
Also, she plans to inspire women to pursue their dreams no matter what obstacles are placed in front of them.
In conclusion, Layla Kardan is a talented singer who has a global message. Therefore, we recommend adding her “As One” single to your personal playlist.


In pictures: Amdavadis celebrate rain at Sabarmati river front with river-side walk and boat ride
Ahmedabad, 12 August 2012
The people of Ahmedabad celebrated the rainy Sunday on Sabarmati River Front. Incidentally today, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation(AMC) had organized trail of boat riding in river Sabarmati. The AMC has given contract to two agencies to start boating in Sabarmati river. The service will soon be opened for public. According to Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mahajan, pedal boat, jet ski, speed boat are some kinds of boats that will take the tourists to ride in Sabarmati river soon.
-Boating service in Sabarmati river will start from 15th August.
-There will be 10 mechanized and four regular boats.
-Two teams of Fire brigade will be deployed for safety and rescue measures.
-Boating service will operate from two points; one at Gandhi bridge and another at Nehru bridge. While first route will cover a ride from Gandhi bridge to Nehru bridge, the second route will operate between Nehru bridge and Sardar bridge.
|<< Previous Post|


text:
NBFC Muthoot Finance on Wednesday reported a 22.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in its fourth quarter consolidated net profit to Rs 1,023.76 crore, largely due to good performance of the gold loan division.
The company, which also operates home loan, microfinance and insurance broking subsidiaries, said the net profit of the gold loan division rose 24% y-o-y, while net profit of the non-gold subsidiaries declined 32% to Rs 119 crore from Rs 176 crore in the year-ago period.
Gold loans under management reported a quarter-on-quarter growth of 5% during Q4, while other loans declined by almost 9%.
The Kerala-based lender said its consolidated loan assets under management increased 24% year-on-year to touch Rs 58,280 crore in Q4.
For the entire FY21, the NBFC reported a 21% y-o-y increase in its net profit to Rs 3,818.87 crore.
The standalone net profit of Muthoot Finance increased 22% y-o-y to touch Rs 995.66 crore in Q4. For the entire FY21, it reported a net profit of Rs 3,722.17 crore, an increase of 23% compared to Rs 3,018 crore in FY20.
Loan assets stood at Rs 52,622 crore as on March 31, 2021, as against Rs 41,611 crore in the year-ago period. During the quarter, gold loan assets increased by Rs 2,304 crore.
George Alexander Muthoot, managing director, said, “During the quarter, we disbursed fresh loans to 3.61 lakh new customers amounting to Rs 2,753 crore and to 4.32 lakh inactive customers amounting to Rs 2,917 crore.”
The long-term credit ratings of Muthoot was upgraded to ‘AA+’ by CRISIL and ICRA .

domain: economics


text:
The NH Open Challenge was held on May 8th. The event took place on the Connecticut River which is the border between NH and VT. The main river was cold and muddy and the fish had not moved out of the backwaters at tournament time. The anglers focus on the setbacks off the main river.
The team of Noah Kress and Logan Schmitt were able to figure out the fish. They bested the field with a four fish limit weighing 9 pounds and 15 ounces.


text:
I adore Bite Beauty. I recently bought a Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon from Sephora and instantly enjoyed the lightweight, creamy formula that differs from the drying matte lipsticks I usually wear. Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is the newest addition to the brand’s range of lip crayons. Instead of a matte formula, this crayon features a fun shimmer formula that delivers sheer colour for the spring season!
The lip crayon comes in a sleek, matte black tube with the Bite Beauty logo embossed on it. It is lightweight and portable. The crayon itself has a precision tip for easy application. The crayon twists upward when the bottom of the tube is twisted, but it is not self-sharpening.
The Lip Crayon
I love the creamy texture of the lip crayon! It glides onto the lips and is highly pigmented. The lip crayon feels weightless when applied to the lips, and dries down to a translucent finish. I adore that this product doesn’t fade or feather with extended wear. The product dries down to a soft-focus finish that appears blurred and chic.
The formula is nourishing and soft. The texture feels lightweight and comfortable. As with other Bite Beauty products, this lip crayon is formulated without parabens or sulfates. The lip crayon is water-resistant and feels smooth and hydrating on the lips. Each crayon has a pearly undertone.
Bite Beauty’s Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon is available in a range of 10 shades. Each shade has a shimmer finish. I adore the fun, whimsical names of each of these lip crayons!
- Rose Glace – Shimmering peachy pink with rose pearl
- Candied Guava – Shimmering apricot with gold pearl
- Mauve Marzipan – Shimmering mauve with magenta pearl
- Fuchsia Frosting – Shimmering hot pink with electric fuchsia pearl
- Cherry On Top – Shimmering warm red with red pearl
- Violet Icing – Shimmering lavender with silver and violet pearl
- Grape Glaze – Shimmering violet with iridescent pearl
- Cocoa Crush – Shimmering bronze with bronze pearl
- Molten Chocolate – Shimmering cocoa plum with maroon pearl
Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon is a great product if you like a creamier lipstick formula. It is lightweight and feels delightful on the lips. Though it is not long-wearing, the formula is one that I favour when I’m looking for a lightweight, creamier product! Bite Beauty’s Matte Creme Lip Crayon retails for $28 at Sephora


text:
Court rules sick veterans can sue UK
LONDON - Military veterans who participated in Cold War-era nuclear weapons tests won the right to sue the British Ministry of Defense yesterday for on-the-job hazards.
Britain's High Court ruled that about a thousand veterans and their survivors can pursue their claim for compensation because of exposure to radiation, which has been linked to cancer and other health problems.
The veterans participated in nuclear testing in Australia and on Pacific Ocean islands in the 1950s. They argue the defense ministry was aware of the health risks but failed to adequately protect them.
The British military has said it took the precautions that were acceptable at the time.
Most of the claimants are from Britain, though some are from Fiji and New Zealand.
Other countries have taken steps to compensate nuclear weapons workers. In the United States, workers or their survivors can receive compensation through a program established by Congress nearly a decade ago.


text:
Unlocking the Magic of Birthday Cards: A Guide to Meaningful Celebrations
Sending a birthday card is more than a tradition; it’s a timeless expression of love and celebration. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the enchanting world of birthday cards..
1. The Essence of Birthday Cards
Unveiling the magic behind birthday cards, capturing emotions in a single piece of paper.
2. History Unfolded: Evolution of Birthday Cards
Delve into the fascinating history of birthday cards, tracing their evolution from simple tokens to artistic expressions. Witness how a small piece of paper transformed into a heartfelt tradition.
4. DIY Birthday Cards: A Personal Touch
Unleash your creativity by crafting personalized birthday cards. Explore easy DIY ideas that turn a simple piece of paper into a treasured work of art.
5. Birthday Cards for Every Age Group
From the innocence of childhood to the wisdom of old age, explore age-appropriate birthday cards that resonate with every milestone.
6. Importance of Handwritten Messages
Discover the power of the written word. Explore the significance of handwritten messages in birthday cards and how they create lasting impressions.
7. Birthday Cards for Special Relationships
Explore the nuances of selecting birthday cards for various relationships, from family members to friends and colleagues.
8. Electronic vs. Traditional: The Birthday Card Dilemma
Navigate the pros and cons of electronic and traditional birthday cards. Discover Latest which option suits different situations and relationships.
9. Eco-Friendly Birthday Cards: Celebrating with a Conscience
Join the movement towards sustainable celebrations. Explore eco-friendly birthday card options that make a positive impact on the planet.
10. Top Trends in Birthday Card Designs
Stay ahead in the world of birthday card aesthetics. Explore the latest trends in design, colors, and themes that define contemporary birthday cards.
11. Making Milestone Birthdays Extra Special
Navigate the unique challenges of milestone birthdays. From sweet 16 to the golden 50, discover ways to make these milestones memorable with the perfect card.
13. The Psychology Behind Birthday Cards
Uncover the psychological impact of receiving and giving birthday cards. Learn how these small gestures contribute to emotional well-being.
14. Collecting Birthday Cards: A Cherished Hobby
For enthusiasts, collecting birthday cards is a delightful hobby. Explore the world of rare and unique cards, and the joy of building a collection.
15. Navigating Birthday Card Etiquette
Master the art of birthday card etiquette. From when to send to what to write, discover the unwritten rules that make your card stand out.
16. Birthday Cards in the Digital Age: Virtual Celebrations
Adapt to the changing times. Explore how birthday cards play a crucial role in virtual celebrations and staying connected across distances.
17. Birthday Cards for Corporate Connections
Unlock the potential of sending birthday cards in a professional setting. Discover how corporate birthday cards strengthen business relationships.
18. Expressing Sympathy through Birthday Cards
Navigate the delicate terrain of sending birthday cards in times of grief. Learn the art of expressing sympathy and offering comfort through thoughtful cards.
19. Birthday Cards for Charity: Celebrating with a Cause
Combine celebration with compassion. Explore birthday cards that contribute to charitable causes and make your birthday wishes matter.
20. The Science of Colors in Birthday Cards
Dive into the psychology affect of colors and their impact on emotions. Explore how selecting the right colors enhances the sentiment behind your birthday card.
21. The Future of Birthday Cards: Innovations and Technology
Peer into the future of birthday cards. From augmented reality to personalized videos, explore emerging technologies shaping the next generation of birthday greetings.
22. Maintaining Tradition: Sending Birthday Cards in the Digital Age
Amidst digital dominance, discover the enduring charm of physical birthday cards. Uncover why traditional cards maintain their significance.
23. Birthday Cards as Keepsakes: Preserving Memories
Explore how birthday cards become cherished keepsakes, preserving memories and creating a timeline of joyous moments.
24. Birthday Cards and Mental Health: A Therapeutic Connection
Understand the therapeutic role of birthday cards in promoting mental well-being. Discover how these small gestures contribute to emotional health.
25. Conclusion: Celebrating Every Birthday with Heartfelt Cards
In the tapestry of life, birthday cards are the colorful threads that weave moments into memories. Embrace the magic of sending and receiving these timeless tokens of love.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are e-cards as meaningful as traditional birthday cards?
Explore the nuances of electronic versus traditional birthday cards and discover when each is most meaningful.
How do I choose the perfect birthday card for someone I don’t know well?
Navigate the art of selecting a universal yet thoughtful birthday card that suits various personalities.
What should I write in a birthday card to make it memorable?
Unlock the secrets of crafting heartfelt messages that elevate your birthday card from ordinary to unforgettable.
Can I send a birthday card digitally for environmental reasons?
Discover eco-friendly options for sending birthday wishes digitally without compromising the personal touch.
Are there birthday cards suitable for professional relationships?
Explore the etiquette of sending birthday cards in a professional setting and strengthen your business connections.
How can birthday cards contribute to charitable causes?
Learn about birthday cards that go beyond celebrations, supporting meaningful causes and making a positive impact.


text:
Operation Condition Red
Trump and right-wing media claim 2.7 million votes for Trump were changed to votes for Biden. It was pulled off using a secret server in a fortified, secret CIA computer outpost in Germany, not in Spain, as Trump attorney Sydney Powell first claimed. We know this because Gen. Jack D. Ripper, err, Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney (USAF Ret.) let us in on how the damning evidence was secured at a cost of Special Forces lives in a firefight with the CIA.
“In addition, the U.S. special forces command seized a server farm in Frankfurt, Germany, because they were sending this data from those six states through the internet to Spain and then into Frankfurt, Germany. Special operation forces seized those, that facility, so they have those servers and they know all this data they are providing.
Well, I’ve heard it didn’t go down without incident, and I haven’t been able to verify it. I want to be careful in that. It’s just coming out, but I understand — my initial report is — that there were U.S. soldiers killed in that operation. Now, that was a CIA operation, and so that’s the very worrisome thing.” ~ Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney
When looking deeper into the plot, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, as he told a government Hearing, found out the origins of the scheme. According to Rudy, two of the voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems executives met with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela in 2018 to work out the fraud. (I heard they also smoked a couple fatties with Che, while there. Chavez died in 2013.)
And if 2.7 million CIA-changed votes by way of socialist bastions like Venezuela, Germany, Spain…weren’t enough, Giuliani, drunken actresses, et al. also claimed there was voter intimidation; ballot stuffing; votes changed by poll workers; tens of thousands of ballots in garbage trucks, in ditches, burned; a last second appearance out of thin air of 500,000 Biden votes in Virginia…
Operation Blind Faith
Somehow, just as they want us to believe that hundreds of thousands of doctors worldwide have conspired to push a false pandemic and thousands of scientist conspire to push false Carbon Pollution data, they also want us to believe that thousands of poll workers, voting machine company personnel, politicians, media stalwarts… have conspired in what would be one of the biggest conspiracies ever? And, the perps all are keeping their mouths shut? THIS is a country with a couple hundred million blabbermouths. Americans will go on TV and talk about having sex with their lawn tractors, fer Gaiasakes!
So far, the sole person who claimed to be in on it, a Postal worker, retracted his claim.
Grifters Gotta Grift
As long as Trump can keep his campaign open, he can continue to raise funds for his “Stop the Steal” nonsense. According to preposterous Campaign Finance law, monies donated to a candidate’s “leadership” Political Action Committee in sums under $5000 can, if unspent when the Campaign officially closes the books, be converted into personal funds of the candidate himself.
As of right now, the “Stop the Steal” grift has raised around $200 million with the vast majority in sums under $100. The PAC has spent around $8 million on Rudy et al.’s 1-43 election lawsuit record.
Cultists Gotta Be Blind
As Trump exits the White House, he will be wallowing in tens of millions gained from a lot of $20 donations from the very marks he’s exploited all along. He plans to string along the grift for years. Prepare for the pay-per-rant Trump Surreality TV Network and the 2024 PAC.
No matter how bad things get for the cultists personally (and things will get precarious), as long as Trump hates the same people they hate, they still will believe in him! And send him money.


text:
This breathlessly paced French revenge drama makes the madness and brutality of war almost tangible. A grandiose performance from Gérard Depardieu as a writer. Indochina, 1945. The young French soldier Robert Tassen (Gaspar Ulliel) is the only survivor of a massacre in which his brother was also killed. Since then, Tassen can only think of one thing: revenge. Driven by fury, he pushes forward into the inhospitable depths of the jungle to find the perpetrators and punish them. But when Robert meets Maï, a young prostitute, and the two grow close, he begins more and more to doubt his plan for ruthless revenge.
GUILLAUME NICLOUX (*1966) is one of France's most prolific and versatile directors. His last films were The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq (2014), Valley of Love (2015) and The End (2016). He also writes novels.
Les Confins du Monde
OV with German subtitles
Guillaume Nicloux, Jerome Beaujour
Gaspard Ulliel, Guillaume Gouix, Lang-Khe Tran, Gerard Depardieu, Jonathan Couzinie
Sylvie Pialat, Benoit Quainon
Les Films du Worso; Les Armateurs; Orange Studio; Scope Pictures; Rectangle Productions; Arena Films; Arches Films; Cinefeel 1; Same Player; Pan-Europeenne; Move Movie, Ce Qui Me Meut; Benji Films


By Nancy Hanover, 7 November 2020
As states and districts controlled by both Democrats and Republicans demand schools reopen for face-to-face instruction, tens of thousands of education workers have attempted to secure workplace accommodations or all-remote work, citing protections ostensibly guaranteed by the law.
By Joseph Kishore, 7 November 2020
There are currently intense discussions behind the scenes over how to resolve the unprecedented political crisis in the United States and the makeup of any future Biden administration.
By Kylie Rose, 6 November 2020
Just last month, the University of Miami was caught using facial recognition technology to track down students who attended a peaceful protest against the school’s reopening plans.
By Jerry White, 6 November 2020
The pandemic and the economic and social crisis in America are worsening even as Wall Street celebrates its best week since April.
By Zac Corrigan, 6 November 2020
As the disease spreads rapidly through schools in every part of the state, Democrats plow ahead with the deadly return to in-person learning.
By Patrick Martin, 6 November 2020
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is expected to win an Electoral College majority Friday, while Trump is making clear that he will refuse to concede.
By Kevin Reed, 6 November 2020
The major social media platforms took their political censorship operations into high gear on election day, including Facebook placing a fact checking label on every single post by anyone on their platform who is commenting or sharing content about the election in any way.
By Jacob Crosse, 6 November 2020
The National Guard was deployed in Portland, Oregon, while Trump-aligned “poll watchers” harassed election officials in Phoenix and Detroit
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 November 2020
The revelations demonstrate that the US state has been seeking to manufacture a criminal prosecution of Assange for years, in response to his exposure of its war crimes and corruption.
UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, corporatist body at the center of union corruption scandal, sold for $34 million
By Shannon Jones, 6 November 2020
The Center for Human Resources and other joint program centers, funded with millions of dollars in corporate cash, epitomized the role of the UAW as a corporatist appendage of the auto companies.
“They are messing with a sleeping giant”
By Emma Arceneaux, 6 November 2020
The WSWS spoke to a middle school teacher who participated in last month’s protest by 165 Montgomery, Alabama, teachers against unsafe working conditions.
By Eric London, 6 November 2020
An examination of the voting results does not support the racial narrative that dominates the politics of the Democratic Party and its political appendages.
By Johannes Stern, 5 November 2020
Representatives of all parties are demanding a more aggressive foreign and military policy that is more independent of the United States.
By Usman Khan, 5 November 2020
The young student died in her dorm room while in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 and being sent home from the hospital.
“Zero was never a realistic expectation”
By Benjamin Mateus, 5 November 2020
The official bourgeois academics and health experts, as evidenced by the likes of Emily Oster, Ashish Jha and Scott Atlas, place the profit interests of the ruling class above the safety and lives of the working class.
By Cordell Gascoigne, 5 November 2020
A suit by Pennsylvania meatpacking workers accuse OSHA of weeks of inaction after a worker filed a safety complaint in April, further demonstrating the collusion of the agency with employers to cover up the spread of infections.
As US vote-counting continues into second night
By Patrick Martin, 5 November 2020
The states of Wisconsin and Michigan were called for Biden today by the Associated Press and the television networks, including Fox News.
By Bryan Dyne and Marty Robbins, 5 November 2020
There are currently a record 3.2 million active coronavirus cases in the United States, a number that has been steadily growing over the past two-and-a-half weeks.
Breonna Taylor’s mother demands an independent investigation into police killing after exposure of grand jury whitewash
By Steve Filips, 5 November 2020
Tamika Palmer is demanding a new investigation after three jurors revealed that Republican Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron did not follow procedure and present the possibility of six homicide charges against the officers who killed Taylor.
By Alex Johnson, 5 November 2020
Nurses in California and Connecticut have held protests and strike votes to fight unsafe staffing levels as infections and hospitalizations rise across the US.
By Joseph Kishore and David North, 5 November 2020
While it appears that the Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden is on the verge of winning enough states to be elected president, Trump’s refusal to accept the results will intensify the political crisis.
The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 4 November 2020
The committee has independently confirmed two separate outbreaks on opposite sides of the plant, suggesting a larger outbreak may be underway.
By Erik Schreiber, 4 November 2020
Harrison’s eclectic approach to the ghazal produced collage-like poems that combine personal and social concerns.
By Patrick Martin, 4 November 2020
As of early Wednesday morning, the US presidential election remains undecided. The fact that it is so close, however, is a devastating indictment of the Democratic Party.
4 November 2020
By Genevieve Leigh, 4 November 2020
More than 61,000 children in the US were diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, more than in any other week during the pandemic.
4 November 2020
By Alberto Escalera, 4 November 2020
The further evisceration of state and local budgets for education will have a devastating impact on education workers and public school students alike.
By Norissa Santa Cruz, 4 November 2020
New data shows that The Trump administration has detained half a million children, with over 250,000 in 2019 alone. Other revelations point to numerous Central American children being illegally sent to Mexico.
By Jacob Crosse, 4 November 2020
The vandalism comes amidst Trump’s promotion of fascistic militia elements as part of his conspiracy to steal the election.
By Kevin Reed, 4 November 2020
In an extraordinary public admission, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated during congressional testimony on October 28 that the online search giant has been censoring content from the World Socialist Web Site.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald resigns from the Intercept in protest against censorship
By Andre Damon, 4 November 2020
Glenn Greenwald, the most prominent collaborator of whistleblower Edward Snowden and a world-renowned critic of the US media and intelligence agencies, has resigned from The Intercept, the publication he founded in 2013, in protest against its attempts to stifle his reporting critical of the Democratic Party.
By David Fitzgerald, 4 November 2020
The anti-police violence protests just north of Portland, Oregon became the target of far-right forces, including Patriot Prayer.
By Patrick Martin, 3 November 2020
Voter turnout is at record levels, fueled by popular outrage against the Trump administration.
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 3 November 2020
Historians will look back at the 2020 elections as both a continuation and a new stage in the protracted crisis of American democracy.
By Genevieve Leigh, 3 November 2020
The sudden and tragic death of such a young child has sent shockwaves through the community and across the US.
3 November 2020
By Our reporters, 3 November 2020
The International Amazon Workers Voice spoke to Amazon workers around the country about the US presidential elections, who voiced broad distrust with both parties and a desire for a genuine alternative.
By Elliott Murtagh, 3 November 2020
The New York City university’s recent layoffs have created outrage and opposition among students, faculty, and staff looking to push back.
By Nick Barrickman, 3 November 2020
The halt to reopening comes after 93 percent of Washington D.C. Public School teachers declared a vote of “no confidence” in the Democratic Party-controlled city’s school reopening plan.
By Joseph Kishore, 3 November 2020
The WSWS has exhaustively documented and analyzed the political crisis and historical decay of American democracy.
“It’s like their budget is more important than the safety of staff and customers”
By Jessica Goldstein, 3 November 2020
A new study by Harvard University shows that those Boston-area grocery store workers who caught COVID-19 most likely contracted it through the workplace, not through outside personal activities.
3 November 2020
999 Breonna Taylor's family demands independent investigation after exposure of grand jury whitewash
3 November 2020
Brookline, Massachusetts educators begin sickout strike as state officials push to keep schools open
By Andrew Timon and Kate Randall, 3 November 2020
The governor and Massachusetts school officials have placed a premium on opening schools despite the dangerous spike in coronavirus infections.
The breakdown of democracy and the fight for socialism in the United States
2 November 2020
This was the final election meeting organised by the Socialist Equality Party as part of its campaign in the 2020 US elections.
By By Kevin Reed, 2 November 2020
The 17-year-old vigilante was being held in an Illinois juvenile detention facility on charges of gunning down two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August, and wounding a third.
By Gabriel Lemos, 2 November 2020
Bolsonaro’s Foreign Ministry last Friday classified as “secret” cables about Pompeo’s trip to Brazil, which took place during war games in Brazil and Colombia.
2 November 2020
By James Martin, 2 November 2020
School custodian Greg Petersen became ill as schools reopen and teacher opposition grows to the spread of the deadly virus.
By David North, 2 November 2020
In his speech opening Sunday’s final public meeting of the 2020 election, Socialist Equality Party Chairman David North stated, “A great historical crisis—and the pandemic is of that magnitude—reveals and puts to the test the perspectives and programs of all parties.” The course of events has vindicated the perspective and program of the Socialist Equality Party.
By Cole Michaels, 2 November 2020
Hospital administrators across the state are raising the alarm, demanding the governor take action to limit the spread, including mandating masks, even as plans remain to reopen schools.
Amid explosive rise in new COVID-19 cases
By Benjamin Mateus, 2 November 2020
The White House denounced Dr. Anthony Fauci for “playing politics” after the top infectious disease expert warned that Trump’s policies were leading the US into “a whole lot of hurt.”
On the eve of the US election
By Patrick Martin, 2 November 2020
The president voiced his approval of an attack by a caravan of his supporters on a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas.
By Jacob Crosse, 2 November 2020
Exposed last week by a high school student newspaper, the slideshow reveals the mentality and training undergirding police departments across the US and internationally.
By Erik Schreiber, 2 November 2020
For two years, the New York State Nurses Association has allowed its members to work without a contract while opposing a genuine fight for the minimum safety measures needed to protect nurses against infection.
By Saman Gunadasa, 31 October 2020
The US has been hostile to China’s influence in strategically important Sri Lanka, as preparations for a US-instigated war against China are escalated.
By Joseph Kishore—SEP candidate for US president, 31 October 2020
In the final days of the election, the Democratic Party and its affiliates are going all out to insist that workers and youth opposed to Trump must subordinate their struggles to electing Biden.
By Nick Barrickman, 31 October 2020
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has announced plans to keep the National Guard in the city until after Election Day.
By Bryan Dyne, 31 October 2020
There were more than 500,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States over the past seven days, measured both by the daily new case counts and the seven-day running average.
Hurricane Zeta leaves 2.6 million without power, kills six as record breaking US storm season continues
By Alex Findijs, 31 October 2020
Zeta is the twenty-seventh named tropical storm this year, tying the record for most in a single year. It is a stark warning of the damage that can be expected if nothing is done to combat climate change.
By Mark Witkowski, 31 October 2020
The telecom giant slashed 3,500 jobs in the Midwest alone in spite of strong demand for broadband internet access due to large numbers of people working from home.
By Shannon Jones, 31 October 2020
Walt Disney, Raytheon and Boeing were among the major corporations announcing huge job cuts this week as the total projected budget shortfall facing state governments has reached $434 billion.
By Eric London, 30 October 2020
The FBI conducted further raids in Michigan Thursday as more details emerge of a national conspiracy involving fascists and police in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, Texas and Minnesota.
By Kevin Reed, 30 October 2020
The Senate Commerce Committee held a four-hour hearing on Wednesday to discuss the relevance of legal protections for online services that included testimony from three big tech CEOs.
“You are going to have students, employees and the community getting sick and possibly dying.”
By Samuel Davidson, 30 October 2020
Educators in the Philadelphia region are speaking out against plans to resume in-person teaching early next month.
“What is Left of American Democracy on the Eve of the 2020 Elections?”
30 October 2020
North and Reed discussed and debated their views on the unfolding political crisis in the United States and the way forward for the working class, and responded to audience questions at the forum hosted by the San Diego State University.
By Shannon Jones, 30 October 2020
North American automakers built 4.1 million vehicles in the third quarter, the same number as last year.
By Chase Lawrence, 30 October 2020
The threat to kill the mayor of a major American city comes amid the exposure of plotting by fascist militia groups in the lead-up to the election to kidnap and kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and others.
By Jacob Crosse, 30 October 2020
Several governors have already called up National Guard troops, while Homeland Security agents are being deployed to Washington DC.
San Diego Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, 30 October 2020
The public must be granted access to proper data and information so that individuals can make informed decisions on their health, and to ensure the proper protection of themselves and their families.
Demonstrations against police violence continue in Washington D.C., federal agents target Philadelphia teacher for protesting
By Jacob Crosse, 30 October 2020
Protesters in D.C. were doused with pepper spray and fired upon with “less-lethal” ammunition, while a Philadelphia social studies teacher was arrested by federal agents for his alleged role in George Floyd protests over the summer.
By Benjamin Mateus, 30 October 2020
There were more than 500,000 cases of COVID-19 reported globally, with the number of deaths keeping apace.
By Patrick Martin, 30 October 2020
Few details were revealed about the meeting, which took place only five days before an election whose results the president has repeatedly threatened to ignore.
By David North, 30 October 2020
These remarks were delivered October 28 to an online forum sponsored by the San Diego State University Department of Political Science.
By Patrick Martin, 30 October 2020
The WSWS represents something completely new. It is the voice of the international working class, conscious of itself and its historical mission.
“Our University is being run like a business”
By Jesse Thomas, 29 October 2020
University of Michigan Students speak out against deadly reopening policies.
By Aaron Murch, 29 October 2020
According to a recent clarification issued by the CDC, landlords can proceed with the legal procedures required for an eviction as long as tenants are not forced out before the end of the year.
By Bill Van Auken, 29 October 2020
Washington has indicated it is prepared to use armed force to prevent Iran from selling weapons to Venezuela, potentially attacking both countries.
By Benjamin Mateus, 29 October 2020
The number of US COVID-19 cases surpassed nine million yesterday, with 500,000 of these cases added to the ledger just in the last week.
By Patrick Martin, 29 October 2020
Record numbers of voters have cast early votes or voted by mail, an indication of a growing politicization of the American population.
By Our reporters, 29 October 2020
While COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Tennessee, educators are left with little resources and a deliberate lack of information about outbreaks at their schools.
By Nick Beams, 29 October 2020
The market sell-off has not been confined to Wall Street as Europe’s Stoxx 600 index closed down 3 percent, losing 6 per cent since the end of last week, and now at its lowest level since May.
29 October 2020
“People bring items with them to scan in the bathroom so they can make rate”
By Jonathan Burleigh, 29 October 2020
The grocery delivery arm of the online retailer is taking full advantage of high unemployment and lax safety regulation to further exploit its workforce.
29 October 2020
By Kevin Reed, 29 October 2020
Documents show that Google has been secretly working with the Trump administration on the development of a high-tech surveillance wall at the US-Mexico border.
By Jacob Crosse, 29 October 2020
Trump is using protests against the police murder of Walter Wallace, Jr. in Philadelphia to justify repression by federal, state and local forces against the eruption of mass opposition to his planned election coup.
By Socialist Equality Party Political Committee, 28 October 2020
As Trump conspires to remain in power and overturn the results of an electoral defeat, the Democrats are doing everything they can to disarm and block popular opposition in the working class.
By Jacob Crosse, 28 October 2020
The horrific shooting of 27-year-old William Wallace Jr. in front of his mother and brother ignited protests in his West Philadelphia neighborhood.
By Kevin Reed, 28 October 2020
An essay published in the October 18 edition of the New York Times Magazine argues that online “disinformation” has rendered First Amendment rights to free speech “inadequate,” requiring government and social media censorship of “unfettered speech.”
By Oscar Grenfell, 28 October 2020
The remarks below were given by Oscar Grenfell, a member of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) national committee.
Online forum with David North and Professor Adolph Reed
28 October 2020
The event, hosted by San Diego State University’s Department of Political Science, is taking place Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm Eastern, 4:00 pm Pacific.
By Zac Thorton, 28 October 2020
Workers at the landmark office building, who have been confronted with the inhuman choice between their lives and their livelihoods, speak out following the death of another coworker.
By Alberto Escalera, 28 October 2020
This week, the New York City Department of Education announced that only 26 percent of its 1.1 million students are attending classes in school buildings, underscoring the massive opposition of parents and students to Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio’s school reopening plan.
By David Walsh, 28 October 2020
The remarks below were given by David Walsh, arts editor of the World Socialist Web Site.
By Nick Barrickman and Dominic Gustavo, 28 October 2020
Local charities reported a nearly 300 percent increase in demand in the months following the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Rafael Azul, 28 October 2020
Southern California Edison announced Tuesday that its equipment may have sparked the wildfire that now threatens thousands in Orange County.
By Mike Ingram, 28 October 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the world, Facebook and its contractors are forcing content moderators to return to offices and risk their lives.
By Dominic Gustavo, 28 October 2020
A new startup is recruiting temporary “gig” workers to evict people from their homes during the most severe housing crisis since the Great Depression.


text:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Canadian man is facing charges that he stalked the brother of Jennifer Lawrence after authorities say he repeatedly insisted that the man put him in touch with the Oscar-winning actress so he could protect her, according to court documents.
The column by Rob Breakenridge on fluoridation is misleading on several points. Presumably the column is a reaction to the current flurry over the suggestion by two dentists that city council consider reintroducing fluoridation.
Rocky Horror Picture Show star Tim Curry has suffered a major stroke, news outlets are reporting.
Swan Evergreen Village will be built in two phases totalling 223 suites, with construction slated to start this fall.
"Dying with indignity; Cuts to palliative care nurses a callous route to cost savings," Editorial, May 17.
I have been watching the poll on restarting fluoridation. It is with sadness I watch more people voting for fluoridation to be restarted.
Re: "Dentists lament loss of fluoride in water," May 17, "Ending fluoridation was a rotten idea," Rob Breaken-ridge, Opinion, May 22, and "Dr. Druh?" Letter, May 23.
CAP D'ANTIBES, France - With an apt rendition of "Gold-finger," singing legend Shirley Bassey roused celebrity-revelers to dig deep into their pockets at the 20th amfAR gala in the Cap D'Antibes Thursday, helping to raise an estimated $25 million for AIDS research.
Some cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins appear to put users at an elevated risk of developing diabetes, a new study reports.
The province could end up scrapping the six regional boards that administer the Persons with Development Disabilities (PDD) program, as recommended by an independent report to the government three years ago, Human Services Minister Dave Hancock said Thursday.
TORONTO - When it comes to summer barbecues, one allergy expert says it's wise to ask guests about food sensitivities long before you fire up the grill.
TORONTO - A new study suggests incentives like free T-shirts and gift cards could boost blood donation rates without compromising blood safety.
The fourth annual Wine Maker’s Dinner in support of the Fish and Chips Golf Tournament and Fly-Fishing Derby, held May 9 at Alloy Restaurant, raised more than $16,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association — Calgary Region and Horizon Housing Society.
Cars and motorcycles share the same roads, and since 1992 it has been Mick Cawthorn’s mission to help raise awareness of this fact.
Turner Valley RCMP and EMS are responding to a crash as heavy snow is creating poor visibility and slippery roads for motorists. Before noon, officers and paramedics were called to a single vehicle collision on Highway 22 about 20 km south of Longview.
A report out Thursday calls on Canada to decriminalize personal use of all narcotics and regulate cannabis, saying current policies are failing to reduce drug use or make Canadians safer.
A new study shows that the H7N9 flu virus can pass between ferrets, even sometimes spreading by airborne transmission.
We’ve seen the pictures of the slick, state-of-the-art downtown arena, which will surely be a landmark when it opens in 2016 for all Edmontonians. Please note the last two words: all Edmontonians.


text:
McDonalds is the epitome of American fast-food pop-culture.
But McDonalds has expanded to many countries around the world. Some people think that that’s a bad thing…but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with eating fast-food—as long as it’s done in moderation.
If you visit McDonalds in another country, you may be surprised by some of the items on the menu. McDonalds has “basically” the same menu in all of their stores…but they customize the menu in each country to appeal to the tastes of the “locals”.
Besides the unique “only-in-Japan” items that are always on McDonalds menu here, they also occasionally offer temporary “only-in-Japan” items.
Currently, McDonalds Japan has the 「メガてりやきバーガー」 (“Mega-Teriyaki Burger”) and in the kids’ 「ハッピーセット」 (“Happy Meal”) there’s a choice of either a 「ドラゴンボール改」 (“Dragon Ball”) or a 「たまごっち」 (“Tamagocchi”) toy.
Have you been to a McDonalds in another country? Did you try a “local” menu item?
Have you been to McDonalds in Japan? Did you try the “Teriyaki Burger”?


text:
A few months back I read this article about how this person used a pool noodle for keeping cars a safe distance away while touring. I thought it was a clever idea and vowed to give it a try. I was at my local Walgreens last weekend and picked up one on sale for $2.29 and immediately added it my bike.
Traffic in the summer is frenetic and out of control. People in their convertibles and jeeps all seem to think speed limits don’t apply. The zoom effect is the one that always scares me out of my mind. Vehicles are a close shave away and despite lights, mirrors and signals, no one seems to give notice.
My experiment was a success. The pool noodle is clearly a biker’s best friend. What a great idea and even if it looks a bit silly it keeps me safe. No one yelled, honked, glared, zoomed by or even flipped me off. Frankly it was shocking how calm drivers seemed around me and my noodle.
Pool noodles keep you afloat even on roads.
Pick one up, especially if you’re touring around, but I do feel like they improve visibility better than a neon jacket. Good for any season. A commuter’s best tool outside of a patch kit and hex wrench.
In music a sharp rasies the pitch while a flat lowers it. On a piano keyboard you learn in one of your first lessons that sharps are up and flats are d-o-w-n. When someone sings off key they are flat. When you hear them sing you often make a face to show disdain for what you heard. When pop has “gone flat” it has lost it’s fizz. Being stretched out, outstretched, spreadeagled, prone, reclining, sprawling, supine, prostrate, or recumbent is to lay flat. Lacking interest, being dull, lifeless and level is also uh, flat.
One of the top five reasons people don’t ride their bikes is they could get a flat. I hear that excuse anytime someone talks about riding their bike to work. “Are you afraid of getting a flat tire?” Well, yes, I am. But it really hasn’t been an issue for me until this year. Actually until about May. Since May I have had three flat tires. All on the back tire.
After my second flat tire I decided to take matters into my own hands. I wanted to be less dependent on others to get me back on the road. My family is not handy. I don’t recall my father ever changing a tire on a car. I never learned how to change a car tire and usually any flats I would have on my bike happened on a group ride and there were resources around to change a tire. You know, bike mechanic people who race against eachother to see how fast they can change a tire and get you back out there.
All in all, after 30 some years of riding, it hasn’t been a big deal until now. I went to a bike shop near me, Bad Boyz Bikes and Larry helped me out. Larry is not the cat. Larry isn’t pictured. Larry is the owner and he’s a great guy. He helped me out with flat #1 and that’s when I thought about learning how to do this for real but decided to get a mani instead and leave it to the experts.
But when I had the second flat I was on my way to co-lead a bike tour and my husband had to come rescue me and deliver me to the bike shop and they fixed the tire. At that time I had an Armidillo tire put on the back. I thought that would be the end of it but I knew it was time to step up and put on the mechanic’s apron and learn how to be self sufficient.
Before another flat would sideline my bike adventures, I went to visit Larry, the tire whisperer. Beforehand I popped in on him to see if he’d help me get over my fear of flats. He said yes, and we set up a day. He doesn’t drink coffee but a smoothie any my gratitude would be his only payment. In about a hour he taught me how to get the tire off the rim and break the bead and check the inside of the tire for debris and get the new tube on the rim and inflate it and get going. He had me flip over my bike and do everything as if I was out on the road. I did mention how much I despise getting grease under my nails and he gave me a pair of shop gloves. He admitted he didn’t like that either. Well, alright then! We did this on the front tire and he took some time to show me how to handle my back tire. He didn’t just talk through it with me, he let me work it out and learn. I felt like I was in 8th grade shop but instead of talking to my friends I was paying attention.
I left Larry’s armed with new skills and ready to fix a flat. I looked for bikers in distress and in need of my skills. That’s how confident I was feeling. I worked out all the bits that are needed in my flat repair kit: hex key, patch kit, tire levers, CO2, gloves, mints, Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer. I’d rather not carry a pump even though mine is one of those Lezyne mini pumps, but I’m still not adept at using CO2 so for now I’ll keep the bike pump. It’s great for building upper body strength.
After flat #2 I had Armidillo tires put on the back in the hope that those would help. I prefer Continental tires, but sure, I’ll give those Armidillos a try. That was about a month ago.
Flat #3 happened today. I was at mile 16 and I stopped for awhile and when I returned to my bike I had my third flat. I was weirdly ready to fix that flat. Except in all my arranging and rearranging of my flat repair kit and bags I didn’t have my hex wrench. Texted my guy and he came to the parking lot and we loaded up my bike and in the safety of my own driveway I took my time and fixed my first flat.
The first hardest part was breaking that bead. Once I got the tube out I inflated to twices it’s size to find the puncture.
It took me and hour and 45 minutes and that includes watching a couple of YouTube videos to get some help with the bead bond. My husband helped me a little when he came to see what was taking me so long. Getting the tire on and off the rim really requires some finesse. I had it on one side but not the other. I was waiting for that satisfying PHEW it makes and I really couldn’t see that it needed to happen on both sides.
Now the last part was the most frustrating was getting the tire back into place. I felt like it was an archery contest trying to pull the derailleur back and the chain out of the way so the wheel wouldn’t hang up on anything. It should be as easy as putting bread into the toaster, but instead it’s like putting a toaster into a piece of bread. Larry said the secret was to have the bike in its lowest gear, so I played with that for another 30 minutes but at last it came together.
I haven’t patched the tube yet. I think I’ll go visit Larry and buy a new one for my flat repair kit and have him show me the finer points of patching. I think I’m ready.
Flats aren’t fun. They are flats after all, but I feel better about fixing them. I don’t fear them. No bike is flat proof.
Flats happen. Bottom line, I’m rolling again and that’s what important. I learned a lot and I’m more confident about what to do the next time.
Any advice for me on fixing a flat? How long should it take to fix a flat? What’s in your patch kit?
If bliss or being “blissed out” is a type of happiness resulting in a state of utter contentment then I’d say that biking rapture is being lifted out of oneself in such a way that it’s a sort of elevated state of being.
It’s so rare in life when something exceeds expectations that it’s often something we don’t talk much about. Usually we’re looking for the negative. From the moment I walked into the eBike shop to this very moment when I’m composing this blog post I can honestly say I’m overjoyed with my bike. It’s as if I am on a trampoline and I jumped and I’m still enjoying being suspended in the air with my arms overhead and my legs kicking up alongside. I’m that happy. Rapturous!
Where do I begin? Two months ago I added to my fleet of bikes. Now, with a thousand miles on my Specialized Como 5, I can tell you that this bike exceeds all expectations. It ticks all the boxes and if anything I’m still in the phase of learning what else she (the bike) can do.
With over a 1000 miles on my new bike after two month I think the Specialized Como 5 is da bomb! Okay, hold up. The truth is I have had two flats on the back tire and that’s no fun. For some people that alone is a deal breaker. My bike tires are still just tires with tubes and it’s a machine people, and machines require attention. There are also factors that are not your fault. I blame the debris in the roads. The first flat happened a few weeks after I had the bike and it was a giant nail in the bike lane. The second was possibly due to lack of inflation. You have to remember that you are going faster on an ebike and it’s not uncommon to pick up some extra road flotsam on any route. It’s also a sign from the gods that I need to up my game and learn how to fix a flat. I’d rather pay someone. I did opt to have those armadillo tires put on. Hopefully I’ll never have to talk about it again. Right?
The cheating issue is silly but it’s almost the first thing people say about an ebike. “But isn’t that cheating?” Is a carbon fiber road bike cheating? I also like to remind people that an ebike is only cheating oil companies. If the whole point is less car traffic and less dependence on cars, then ebikes could save the planet. Also, if you don’t work on a pedal assist bike then you’re not going anywhere. You have to pedal, otherwise you’re going to slow down and fall off. It’s not a Vespa. You have to work.
I get a better workout in less time and I don’t have to worry about making it up a hill at 6PM on my way home with my head pounding or a gallon of milk in my pannier. Also, I’d like to talk about headwinds. They are a fact where I live and at this time of the year it is not uncommon to have a headwind in the morning and one on the way home. A little “e-juice” helps give you extra power to deal with the winds right on your handlebars. It’s a great feeling. I’ve put a thousand miles on a bike in less than two months because all I’m doing is riding. Isn’t that the point. Ride on! The Specialized Como 5 has a great range so even if I wander outside my usual routes I can use the app, Specialized Mission Control, to make sure I have 5 miles left to get up the hills home. Just like they say on the website, “It’s you, only faster.”
When people say that phrase, “follow your bliss” I always think of riding a bike. I think of open roads and the only obstacle in my way is time. The ride on an ebike is rapturous. You feel outside yourself like I imagine a bird in flight. Summer is all about the open road and time to spin. That’s my plan. More rapturous riding on all my bikes, but the Como is you only better and faster or as fast as you want to be.
One more thing. I do want to thank that outstanding people at the eBike Store for all their help and support. When people love what they do it shows and these people are pedaling with you all the way. They want you happy with your bike. Such good people who want to get everyone on eBikes.
Take some time and enjoy a ride, ebike or your choice. Get out there. Your future self will thank your for it.
What are you biking plans this summer? Tell me more in the comments. Thanks for reading.
I didn’t mean for it to happen. I only went to check out the store. Then it seems I was handing over my bag and taking a bike for a test ride. One thing led to another and now I’m in love with another bike.
Three bikes. That’s what I tell all my friends and anyone who asks me about buying bike. Always test ride three bikes. Ask questions and leave the store armed with knowledge and sit on it. Don’t buy. Wait until you feel the pull of love, the nudge of lust. Wait until you feel the bond with the bike. Yeah, I’ve said that. Shameless. I believe it. However after that test ride I felt like done. Decision made. However, I did not buy. Yet.
I’m pining right now. I’m pining for a bike. Again. I didn’t expect to find love again. I mean come on, I have this beautiful e-bike made by Faraday called the Corland. It’s one of the only bikes with a belt drive and I added her to the fleet in December of 2016 when I decided I’d commute both to and from work. I love my Lulu, and she’s had some issues of late. Long story short, but it looks like the future of the company has hit a wall and there’s no longer any support for the bike which means as things go wrong it will be a challenge to keep her on the road. Since I commute with Lulu that presents a dilemma. Also a little heartache. I love my Lulu! She’s beautiful and people always a shocked that she’s an ebike because she’s soooooo pretty! I mean look at her. She brightens up any day. She is the blue sky when there is none.
We’ve been separated now for about a week and I miss her. People are throwin’ some shade on her because of the company going bankrupt or whatever. It makes me sad enough to drown my sorrows in another bike. There’s no therapy for what’s happening here. Except retail therapy at a bike shop.
I went to a bike shop, The Ebike Store, I’ve never been to before. I went to check it out the store and their collection of gear. Brian and Jeff and someone else were extremely helpful and easy to talk to about my needs. I wanted to see what they had to say about my Corland and I wanted to chat about what I need in an ebike. I need one that has more range (Cortland can do 18-20 miles) and can handle the rough rains and road conditions of the Northwest weather. I watched a few EBR (ElectricBikeReview) videos and I had it in my head that a Raleigh ebike might be an option. While at the store I was dazzled by the frame of the Specialized Turbo 5.0. I had never seen one and frankly didn’t know Specialized was in the market. The Specialized uses the Brose motor and I was immediately interested. The Bosch and Brose motors seem to be the two main players. They are the only ones I’ve heard of aside from the proprietary one on my Faraday. The older Raleigh models were using the Brose and that’s one reason I wanted to try one out. But they didn’t really have one. Let me put it this way, if they did, I didn’t see it because I suddenly couldn’t see anything except the Turbo step through and step over. Well, hello sweet ride!
Why yes, I would love to try one out!
The Brose motor is as quiet as a classroom upon learning that they have to make up that snow day. I was impressed enough to consider what I would name it after two spins around Peninsula Park. The rain seemed to stop and I had this new stunning bike under me and we were enjoying a moment. We bonded quickly and with little effort. The first downstroke of the pedal and I didn’t even have the e-juice yet.
Conversation was easy because the Como speaks my language; perky speed, comfortable geometry and zippy. It’s agile handling makes you feel like you’re riding a mountain bike but it has the comfort of my childhood bikes. Instant love, lust, whatever. The Como wants to “Come on-a My House” in the words of the 1951 song. If Goldilocks was taking the test ride she would have said this bike was just right. Plus did I mention how light it is? I don’t actually know how much it weighs, but it’s light enough to pick up without feeling like you’re lifting a tree.
It’s hasn’t been 24 hours yet and still I’m pining. I’m considering giving Lulu an early retirement and riding her in fair weather only. I think she’s earned that after 6,500 miles.
I love bikes. I mean it’s not that hard to see the beauty in virtually all bikes. Even the worn out relics that people use in gardens are lovely. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. That’s the thing about love and bikes.
Maybe another test ride. After all I left my bag behind the desk and didn’t have my phone to give a proper look to my blog followers. You want more, right?
Thanks for reading. I’m getting on my Belle and ripping up some dirt. Displacement activity.
My profession is library. I’m a middle school librarian and I get to read amazing books. Today I finished To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer. There are many beautiful revelations in this novel and one favorite is the quote about finding something in life than “animates your soul.” It’s all along the same lines as “Follw your bliss” or “happy place” and yet it delves deeper.
March 7th we had what I hope was our last flake of snow until next winter. Temperatures seem to be leveling out and while I know there is rain on the way I’m happy to see a change in the seasons.
Riding my bike is my happy place. Bike rides are my bliss. Being in the saddle and challenging myself daily “animates my soul” to borrow that phrase with appropriate attribution. Every week I have a goal of 75 miles and the last two weeks I went over 100 miles each week. Last night I was looking at my Strava stats and saw this minus 13 miles.
I was close to 100 for the week and a 1,000 for the year to date. Just 10 miles would accomplish both. I put my book down for an hour and went for a ride on a stunning Spring day and let the clear skies and emerging season wash over me. Then there’s that moment when you’re senses catch up with your brain and remind you that this is it. This is you soul getting filled up with all that’s wondrous and beautiful about surviving the winter. The buds are starting to burst, the days are getting longer and the wheels on the bike go round. Adding up the miles to the next 1,000.
Wherever you are in the world I hope the weather is mild and you have an opportunity to get out there and ride.
That’s black ice. Ask me how I know. It took me and my 3 inch fat tires down. What a spectacle! The bike went to the right and I was dropped to the sides of my knees. My legs were in an “M” and I couldn’t get up. First car to stop was an SUV and the nice man came over to see if I was okay, plus he grabbed the polka dot water bottle that was freed from its cage. My feet couldn’t get any traction so I did a strange modern dance interpretation and crawled, clawed to a patch of pavement and then back up to the snow. As the kind man drove past his wife waved. Of course, I should mention that the family was from my school so the whole thing was witnessed by a 7th grader, his little sister, mom and dad, and will likely be told a few more times and embellished a bit. I carefully walked up to the car window and talked with the student for a moment. “You’ve seen me take quite a fall… and get right back up again.” I heard myself saying because cussing profusely is uncouth in front of the kids.
I sat like a cartoon character on the sidelines of the parking lot and cursed myself for taking this route to the store. I never do, but I was looking for a USPS box to drop off a package and I forgot that the North side of the lot gets zero sunlight so the shade had created an ice skating rink. That explains why that car was going so slow. It had nothing to do with being nice to the biker. I didn’t find a USPS box and I didn’t bother stopping for groceries. I wanted to leave the scene and get home.
The fact of the matter is that I got cocky. We’ve had more than the normal allotment of snow and my fatty bike and I have been enjoying the conditions. It’s exhilerating to plow through the terrain and hear the sounds of the snow moving under the tires. Breath billows puff, puff, puffing like a stream engine out of my lungs. There’s hardly a car in sight because in the Northwest everything stops for snow. We aren’t equipped to deal with it. Schools close and business open later because the snow usually means there’s black ice. That’s how it works. There’s usually rain first and that provides a deadly coating of ice but because it’s the color of the roads it is undetected until you’re sliding. Then the snow falls and it’s pretty and you forget all about that deadly layer. Plus it takes awhle for it to melt. It looks clear, but it might not be. Usually you can tell, but there are times where it could go either way and look like it’s a layer of packed snow but parts have given way to black ice underneath. It’s a tough call.
Last Tuesday we had our first snowstorm which really doesn’t look like much but at higher elevations means six or more inches. The snow was the perfect consistency and I got out early and biked 5 miles. I didn’t even feel that cold. Gorgeous! My tires didn’t slip once and I made tracks all over my neighborhood and the nearby cemetary. No wind, just a great ride. The second storm came through on Friday and again seemed like nothing much until the morning when the white blanket (more like an Ikea comforter) left several inches. I went out for a ride each time and got more and more confident riding in, on and around the snow. “I wonder if people go pro doing this kind of riding.” I remember thinking. Do people look for this skill on LinkedIn? That’s just how cocky I was feeling.
Life is not like that for me. I can’t even feign that sort of confidence without the gods taking me down a notch or ten. The thing to respect about a fall on a bike is just how out of control it feels. In a fraction of a second you go from the mountain tops to gravel bits. I felt these gigantic tires swing to the right as if I was in Dancing With the Stars and my partner flung me too far, let go and I ended up kissing a wall with little birdies circling my head. I felt muscles contract and loosen as waves of gravity took over. A fall on a bike is momentous and humbling. Especially when it’s you and only you.
I’ll do some Zwifting today and pretend I’m in Greece in July sweating it out.
Whatever your weather, I hope you take it nice and easy and enjoy some ride time. I’ll be back in the saddle and behind the bars but inside for a day or two.
My mom and I met earler today and shopped a bit. I think this bike is too expensive. Plus, you can’t even ride it. Save your money and buy the real thing. It was a chilly ride but then the sky cleared and it felt like heaven to be outside without being pummeled by rain.
It’s a busy time of the year. With all the holiday happenings I forgot all about the movie Strava sends out with your stats for the year. As I mentioned in my last post I hit 5K miles for 2018 and I have been doing my daily rides and I noted the milestone a few weeks ago without the Stravanimation of my stats for the year. I contemplated buying a new bike but I didn’t. I settled for pizza and a glass of wine.
Tonight I was checking email and I saw something from Strava. I even got emotional in a happy way. I’m thrilled for myself. 2018 was a great year behind the bars of my bike. I had scores of great adventures in amazing places like Santorini, Paros and Athens, plus a very cool bike ride in San Diego and I also had a great time doing my ordinary day to day commutes bike rides. Pleased that I can do them. Grateful that it has been a momentous year for me. Looking forward to more.
Being on my bike and riding here and there and anywhere I can is tonic for life. If I’m feeling down a bike ride sets a new mood. If I’m happy then a bike ride makes me joyful and exuberant as a puppy. It’s always the axis on which my world rotates.
Thanks Strava for showing me what I can do.
I hope to get a few more days of riding in before 2019 but in the meantime I like my Stravanimation.


For Q1 and Q2 below, imagine two objects traveling on a perfect head-to-head collision course.
Q1. Is it possible to calculate the energy released if two
1,0 gram objects, each traveling with the speed of the fastest cosmic rays, would hit each other?
Q2. What would happend if two 1 gram objects, one traveling with the speed of .9999999c and the other at 1c, would colide with each other? Is it possible to calculate the released energy in this impact?


Corrosion Resistant Laser Mirror Heat Exchanger.
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON DC
Pagination or Media Count:
An improved high energy laser HEL mirror is provided wherein the internal surfaces of the molybdenum structure of the mirror defining passageways for water coolant flow are plated with a substantially continuous coating of tungsten by chemical vapor deposition CVD techniques described by the invention herein. The mirror is thereby made resistant to the corrosive action of the circulating coolant water on the molybdenum structure comprising the laser mirror. Author
- Lasers and Masers
- Air Conditioning, Heating, Lighting and Ventilating


text:
Arizona cities, towns face public safety pension crisis
Cottonwood's balance sheet shows $9 million debt
COTTONWOOD -- Cities and towns all over Arizona are shuddering at the thought of paying down the unfunded liabilities of the Public Service Personnel Retirement system.
Cottonwood, for one, has a $9 million debt that has come to roost.
The state pension system for police officers and firefighters has less than half of the money it needs to fund current and future retirement payments, an amount equal to $7.78 billion.
Cities and towns around the state face extra-large pension bills from the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System because of a state Supreme Court decision that shot down a law that cut costs for the system. The highest court ruled unconstitutional Permanent Benefit Increase (PBI) changes made by Senate Bill 1609 in 2011.
That was the Fields Case, explained Rudy Rodriguez, Cottonwood's Administrative Services General Manager. Now, Rodriguez would like to divert funds from every budget source possible to help plug Cottonwood's debt sooner than later to avoid accumulated interest.
The average lifetime annual pension for a public-safety retiree is $53,236, nearly three times what an average retiree receives in the more financially-stable Arizona State Retirement System for teachers and government workers, according to an Arizona Republic finding.
Rodriguez says the unfunded amount for the Cottonwood Fire Department amounts to nearly $1.5 million, but the unfunded liability for the Cottonwood Police Department is $7.59 million. The unfunded amounts could be paid off over 22 years in exchange for a 7.85-percent interest rate, pushing Cottonwood's $9 million debt to $21 million.
The City of Prescott, by comparison, is one of the Arizona cities considering raising taxes to pay down its debt.
Arizona is not the only state facing a pension crisis. Time Magazine has called it a "Pension Time Bomb in America."
Illinois is facing bankruptcy. One columnist says California is facing Death by Pension, in a periodical called PensionTsunami.

domain: law