US 6425338 B1
A spinnaker pole control system for a sailboat comprises an improved rigging arrangement, whereby the pole can be raised or lowered parallel to the deck, or dipped to allow jibing, by manipulation of a single control line. Improved pole control hardware simplifies preparation for flying a spinnaker and securing it when finished, and can be employed as a line stopper elsewhere.
1. A spinnaker pole control system for a sailboat, said sailboat having a hull including a bow, a mast, a track attached to said mast for receiving a car sliding along said track, said car having a fitting for receiving an inboard end of a spinnaker pole, and a spinnaker pole, comprising:
a pole control line supporting at least an outboard end of said spinnaker pole and running from said pole to a sheave at or near the head of said mast, thence downwardly to a sheave at or near the base of said mast, thence upwardly to or through said car to a sheave at or near the upper end of said track, thence to a second sheave at or near the base of said mast, and thence to a line securing device, and
means on said car for releasably securing said pole control line to said car,
whereby when said line is secured to said car, motion of said line moves said car and said outboard end of said spinnaker pole in the same direction.
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17. A line stopper system for allowing a line to be drawn in a first direction to a predetermined position with respect to a related structure and be secured in said predetermined position against tension applied in the opposite direction, and to be instantly released therefrom, comprising:
a slug adapted to be fixed to said line at a point determined with respect to said predetermined position; and
a member pivotally mounted with respect to said structure so as to resist tension applied by said line in said opposite direction, while being permitted to pivot with respect to said structure, said member being spring biased to a rest position, said member being adapted to receive said slug and line and move against said spring bias when said line is drawn past said member in said first direction, and to return to said rest position when said slug has passed a retention surface on said member, so that said slug bears against said retention surface, preventing said line and said slug from being withdrawn in said opposite direction from said member.
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24. A method of controlling the position of a spinnaker pole with respect to a sailboat, said sailboat comprising a hull, a mast fixed to said hull, a track fixed to said mast, a car adapted to slide along said track, a fitting for receiving one end of said spinnaker pole affixed to said car, and a pole control line supporting at least an outboard end of said spinnaker pole and running from said pole to a sheave at or near the head of said mast, thence downwardly to a first sheave at or near the base of said mast, thence upwardly to or through said car to a sheave at or near the upper end of said track, thence to a second sheave at or near the base of said mast, and thence to a line securing device, and means on said car for releasably securing said pole control line to said car, said method comprising the step of:
securing said line to said car when it is desired to move said car and said outboard end of said spinnaker pole in the same direction by motion of said line.
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This invention relates to improved mechanical systems for handling spinnaker poles as used on sailboats.
Numerous patents are directed to various devices for spinnaker poles and related equipment for handling spinnaker sails as used on sailboats, and recognize some of the same difficulties and problems inherent therein as addressed by the present invention.
More particularly, modern sailboats (at least those over some minimal length; smaller boats are generally less sophisticated), and which are intended for relatively high performance, especially for racing (similarly, “cruising” sailboats are commonly less sophisticated), typically “fly” “spinnaker” sails when sailing “off the wind”. That is, when sailing upwind, sailboats typically rely on the combination of a mainsail and one or more jib sails; see, e.g., Keenan U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,545 for discussion of some of the considerations relevant to sailboats when sailing upwind. By comparison, when sailing off the wind, the jib is commonly lowered, and a spinnaker is flown.
A spinnaker may be considered to be a three-sided sail having an upper corner, or “head”, that is hoisted to, or nearly to, the top of the sailboat's mast. All three of the spinnaker's edges are free, creating significant problems of sail control. (By comparison, a mainsail usually has one edge fixed to the mast and a second edge fixed to or closely constrained by a rigid spar, the “boom”, while a jib normally has its leading edge constrained by the headstay of the boat, but two free edges.) As usually employed, one of the two lower corners of the spinnaker is termed the “tack”, and the other the “clew”. As will appear below, the assignment of these terms to the corners of the spinnaker can vary depending on the orientation of the boat with respect to the wind, complicating the precise definition of terms.
Traditionally, that is, over approximately the span of the last century, one of the corners of a spinnaker has been controlled by attachment (typically by way of an intermediary fitting, or a short length of wire rope, or line) to an outboard end of a spinnaker pole. (There are also spinnakers designed to be flown without poles. The invention is not directly relevant to these.) An inboard end of the pole is usually releasably fixed to the mast of the boat at a pivot point; the pivot point is defined by a fitting attached to the mast. Commonly, the mast fitting is mounted on a car, which can be moved by control lines up and down along a track affixed to the forward side of the mast. The car position is thus varied to control the shape of the sail, and the car is also moved up and down to perform a “dip-pole jibe”, as discussed in detail below. The outboard end of the pole is controlled by a number of lines. Typically these control lines include a topping lift, running upwardly to or near the masthead to hoist the outboard end of the pole, a foreguy or downhaul extending down toward the foredeck to prevent upward movement of the pole end, and a pair of guys extending aft on either side of the boat to adjust the attitude of the pole with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the boat.
The corner of the spinnaker adjacent to the outboard end of the pole at any time is termed the tack; the third corner of the spinnaker is termed the clew, and is controlled by a line led aft toward the stern of the boat, termed the sheet. The situation is further complicated (both as to precise definition of terms, and as to smooth sail-handling) by the fact that the attitude of the spinnaker and its connection to the boat by the pole and the various lines mentioned must be altered during sailing, as the boat's attitude with respect to the wind changes.
More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a sailboat 10 on “port tack”, that is, with the wind W blowing over the left or “port” side of the boat. As shown, mast 12 supports a mainsail 14 and a spinnaker 16, the head 18 of which has been hoisted to the masthead 20. The tack 22 of the spinnaker 16 is releasably fixed to the outboard end 29 of a spinnaker pole 26, the inboard end 27 of which is pivotally attached to mast 12. As noted above, and as shown in further detail below, the inboard end of pole 26 is affixed to mast 12 at a fitting allowing the pole to pivot freely with respect to mast 12, and which can be moved controllably upwardly and downwardly along a track 42 affixed to the forward side of mast 12. A topping lift 25 supports the outboard end of pole 26; the topping lift typically runs down inside mast 12 to a cleat or other fixing device. A foreguy 32 prevents the pole tip from unrestrained upward motion. Tension in a guy 36 and in the spinnaker itself adjust the angular position of the pole with respect to the centerline of the boat. A sheet 28 controls the clew of the spinnaker. A headstay 30 and a backstay 40 brace mast 12 fore and aft; shrouds on either side (not shown) provide lateral support for the mast.
The manuever undertaken when it is desired to change the attitude of the boat with respect to the wind so that the wind W comes over the right rear, or “starboard quarter”, of the boat is called a “jibe” (sometimes “gybe”); jibing the boat from its attitude in FIG. 1 therefore involves turning it rightwardly through 45° or more. As part of this manuever, the spinnaker and pole must be controlled to assume the corresponding positions on the new starboard tack. In the spinnaker jibing procedure most pertinent to the present invention, the outboard end 29 of pole 26 is detached from the present tack 22, the pole is swung across the bow of the boat so that its end is disposed over the starboard side of the bow, and the outboard pole end 29 is attached to the present clew 24, which becomes the new tack. (In a so-called end-for-end jibe, practiced mostly with respect to smaller boats, the inboard end of the pole is detached from the mast and affixed to the new tack; the original outboard end of the pole is then detached from the former tack and affixed to the mast).
In simpler rigging schemes, mainly applicable to smaller boats, the line which forms the present guy 36 then becomes the sheet, while the present sheet 28 becomes the new guy. In the rigging arrangement commonly used on larger boats, pairs of both sheets and guys are provided, so that the lines used and their fittings can be optimized for the loads encountered. The extra sheet and guy are not shown in FIG. 1, to avoid complication. In the usual terminology, the “lazy” sheet becomes the “working” sheet upon jibing; the guys similarly change status and name upon jibing.
A number of US patents which provide background for the present invention are directed to devices for simplifying the process of disconnecting the end of the pole from one corner of the spinnaker, reconnecting it to the opposite end, and for interchange of the lazy and working sheets and guys. See generally McAlpine U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,945, Nilsen U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,121, Aronowitsch U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,021, Wasowski U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,566, Klein U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,035, Tiesler U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,679, Hall U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,786, Moseley U.S. Pat. No. 3,207,114, and Ridder U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,372. Smith U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,193, Eglais U.S. Pat No. 4,598,658, Lillehook U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,345, and Murnikov U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,779 are also generally relevant to the various problems encountered in control of spinnakers and other sails on sailboats.
As noted, most of the cited art is directed to the problem of interchanging the sheets and guys, and disconnecting the pole end from one corner of the sail and connecting it to the other corner. A concern which is less often addressed but also very significant is the control of the pole itself. Although spinnaker poles have grown increasingly lightweight in recent years, thanks to the availability of sophisticated materials such as epoxy-impregated carbon and “Kevlar” fibers, they are still large and unwieldy, and can be dangerous to handle, especially given the often-difficult conditions on the foredecks of ocean-going sailboats.
There are several different ways to exchange the corner of the spinnaker that is affixed to the outboard pole end during a jibe. As noted, smaller boats typically use the “end-for-end” jibe. In this manuever, the inboard end of the pole is detached from the mast fitting; the pole, with its weight borne by the topping lift (which on smaller boats is commonly connected to a “bridle” of wire rope extending between the pole ends; the downhaul or foreguy may be attached to a similar bridle on the opposite side of the pole), is swung through the “foretriangle” between the headstay and mast, and its previous inboard end is engaged with the corner of the sail that is then controlled by the sheet, i.e., the previous clew; the outboard end of the pole is then detached from the previous tack, and brought toward and engaged with the mast fitting, becoming the new inboard end. This process requires a crewmember to physically control the pole during the period it is free from the mast; this requires considerable strength and coordination with the other crewmembers, and is unsuitable for large boats.
On larger boats, therefore, the inboard end of the pole remains attached to the mast, while the outboard end is freed from the tack and pivoted over the bow as the boat turns through the wind. The sheet/guy arrangements shown in the patents referred to above, and others described therein and elsewhere, are commonly used to bring the outboard end of the pole into engagement with the new tack. See Ross, Sail Power, FIG. 147(a) -(c) for a further description of some of these arrangements.
In order that the spinnaker pole can swing from one side of the boat to the other during a jibe, its outboard end must pass by the forestay. Commonly, the pole is longer than the horizontal distance between the mast and headstay at its typical working height. The common practice employed to work around this problem is the “dip-pole” jibe. As noted above, the fitting attaching the inboard end 27 of the pole to the mast 12 is commonly mounted on a “car” sliding along a track 42 fixed to the forward side of the mast, under the control of opposed lines. In the dip-pole jibing manuever, the car is lifted while the topping lift is eased, lowering the outboard end of the pole toward the deck, so that the outboard end of the pole can be swung across the bow, passing between the headstay and deck.
The “dip-pole” jibe manuever is sometimes known as a Vim jibe, after the 1958 12-meter yacht on which this practice was originated. See the Ridder patent at col. 3, and Ross. As noted by Ridder in particular, this manuever requires several well-trained crewmembers, since the lines raising the car and easing the topping lift must be operated by two crewmembers in synchronism to dip the pole, while others must operate the sheets and guys to swing the pole end beneath the headstay. The dip-pole jibing process is fraught with potential problems and even if successfully accomplished takes some time to perform properly, since all of the lines that are operated in performance of the maneuver must then be cooperatively adjusted in order to bring the sail to its proper shape and attitude. Specifically, saving of even a few seconds on each jibe is a potential advantage well worth pursuing, especially given the highly competitive nature of modern sailboat racing. Likewise, any improvement in the process that makes it more reliable or allows reduction in the number of crewmembers involved is highly desirable, from the point of view of speed and efficiency as well as that of safety.
The present invention is therefore directed to improvements in spinnaker pole control as employed in particular in dip-pole jibing manuevers, although the improved spinnaker handling gear provided according to the invention is useful in connection with other types of spinnaker control procedures, and with spinnaker poles that do not require the dip-pole manuever for jibing.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved equipment for securing a line at a predetermined position, such that the line can be brought to the desired position rapidly and reliably, secured instantly in a manner which eliminates frictional damage to the line, and released immediately when desired.
According to the present invention, a novel spinnaker pole control system, comprising both novel gear and a novel rigging arrangement, is provided. As above, the conventional pole car comprises a fitting for pivoting attachment of the inboard end of the spinnaker pole, and typically slides up and down along a track affixed to the forward side of the mast under the control of hoisting and lowering lines. According to one aspect of the invention, the conventional car is replaced with a new car to which the inboard end of the pole is secured. The car has the capability to automatically grip a “pole control line” at a predetermined position along the line; in the preferred embodiment, this predetermined position is defined by a “slug” fitting attached to the pole control line. According to the improved rigging arrangement of the invention, a single pole control line provides the functions previously performed by both the topping lift, that is, hoisting the outboard end of the pole, and by the car hoisting and lowering line, that is, control of the height of the car and thus of the inboard end of the pole; accordingly, adjustment of the pole control line allows the pole to be set at any desired height above the deck, which is important in controlling the spinnaker's shape to maximize its efficiency in propelling the boat.
More specifically, according to the invention, a single pole control line runs from the outboard end of the spinnaker pole (or bridle, if used) upward to the masthead, downward to a sheave at the foot of the mast, upward to or through the car to a sheave at the upper end of the track (with a multipurchase tackle optionally interposed at this point), and downwardly to the mast base; at that point the pole control line can be led back to the cockpit and cleated off. The slug mentioned above is interposed at a desired position in the portion of the pole control line running upward from the sheave at the mast base to the car, and does not interfere with the passage of the line over the various sheaves. The slug and car cooperate to limit the extent the line runs upwardly through the car; that is, the line runs freely through the car until the slug reaches the car, at which point the slug is secured to the car, preventing further movement of the line through the car.
More specifically, when the pole is not in use, the pole control line must be free to allow the pole to be lowered to the deck, out of the way. When the pole is to be used, the line is pulled through the system until the slug encounters the car and is secured to the car. As noted, when the slug is locked to the car, the line cannot slide further through the car. Therefore, further movement of the line hoists the car (and thus the inboard end of the pole) and the outboard end of the pole by substantially equal increments. By properly locating the slug along the line at installation of the system according to the invention, the pole can thus be arranged to repeatedly take any desired attitude with respect to the mast; normally the slug will be located so that the pole is substantially perpendicular to the mast. As noted, further movement of the line will lift the pole without significantly changing its attitude with respect to the mast. In these aspects, the invention is useful with boats using all sorts of spinnaker poles, that is, those which practice the end-for-end jibe as well as those performing the dip-pole jibe.
As noted, a multipurchase tackle, typically providing a 3:1 ratio, can be interposed in the line between the car and the sheave above the car on the mast. The tackle simply comprises a sheave on the car and a second sheave on the mast above the car. This tackle reduces the load encountered in lifting the pole, and provides further advantages when employed in connection with the dip-pole jibe. Specifically, when it is desired to jibe the boat, the slug is released from the car, but the cockpit end of the pole control line is not released. Pulling the pole control line downwardly through the car therefore lifts the car and the inboard end of the pole, while simultaneously lowering the outboard end of the pole, “dipping” the pole and allowing its outboard end to pass between the forestay and deck. The tackle sets the ratio by which the inboard end is lifted with respect to that at which the outboard end is lowered when dipping the pole to jibe. After the pole is clear of the forestay, the line is pulled back upwardly until the slug is again engaged by the car; this automatically returns both inboard and outboard ends of the pole to their former locations, avoiding the “tweaking” of lines that is an inevitable part of the conventional practice. Further adjustments that may be desired in the pole height can then be made by adjustment of the free end of the pole control line, e.g., from the cockpit.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the car and slug cooperate so that the slug can be released from the car in preparation for a jibe simply by pulling the line in a specific direction. Further, the car may be provided with a catch cooperating with a control arm fixed with respect to the mast, so that the slug is automatically released from the car when the car is lowered to its inactive position along the deck, simplifying the process of stowing the spinnaker and its gear when a new point of sail is anticipated. The same control arm may retain the car until needed, simplifying its preparation for the next use.
A novel design for the slug and the securing mechanism is also provided, which may find use elsewhere on sailboats in situations where lines are repeatedly secured at the same position.
The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sailboat as may employ the improved spinnaker pole control system of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a boat illustrating the improved rigging arrangement as employed according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a view comparable to a portion of FIG. 2, but enlarged for clarity, and showing the operation of the system in raising the pole from its inactive position, with the slug released from the car, and raising the pole perpendicular to the mast, with the slug engaged in the car;
FIG. 4 is comparable to FIG. 3, but shows a simplified view for clarity;
FIG. 5 is comparable to FIG. 4, but shows the dipping of the pole with the slug disengaged from the car;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the car, and illustrates a portion of the track and mast, and the control arm;
FIG. 7 shows the car of FIG. 6, seen from the bow of the boat, and includes a cross-sectional view of the locking cylinder which receives and retains the slug;
FIGS. 8-12 are comparable cross-sectional views through the locking cylinder of FIG. 7, and show the cylinder, line, and slug in various positions encountered during sailing manuevers;
FIG. 9B is a detail view, taken along the line 9B—9B of FIG. 9;
FIGS. 9A, 11A and 12A are cross-sectional views through the cylinder along the line 9A—9A of FIG. 7, showing its interaction with the control arm;
FIG. 13 is an elevational view of one implementation of the slug;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line 14—14 of FIG. 13;
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the core of a modern line that is preferred for the pole control line, having had its cover removed, and in its tensioned and untensioned configurations;
FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a second implementation of the slug, in partial cross-section; and
FIG. 18 is a view including a partial cutaway showing the slug in the FIG. 17 implementation after assembly on the preferred line.
As mentioned above, FIG. 1 shows a sailboat 10 utilizing the improved spinnaker handling apparatus and rigging arrangement of the invention. As noted above, the invention in all its aspects is particularly useful on larger boats that practice the dip-pole spinnaker jibing manuever, although certain aspects of the invention are also useful on boats practicing the end-for-end jibe. The former is discussed in detail, for completeness. Thus, as discussed in detail above, in order to jibe the boat, the inboard end of the spinnaker pole 26 must be hoisted along the track 42 on the forward side of the mast 12, while the outboard end 29 of pole 26 is lowered; this allows the outboard end 29 to pass between the forestay 30 and the deck of the boat. After the jibe has been accomplished, the pole ends must be returned to their respective prior altitudes, so that the sail takes the proper shape for aerodynamic efficiency.
As above, according to the improved rigging arrangement of the invention, a single pole control line provides the functions previously performed by both the topping lift, that is, hoisting the outboard end of the pole, and by the car hoisting and lowering line, that is, control of the height of the car and thus of the inboard end of the pole; accordingly, adjustment of the pole control line allows the pole to be set at any desired height above the deck, which is important in controlling the spinnaker's shape to maximize its efficiency in propelling the boat.
Additional aspects of spinnaker handling that have varying effect on the preferred implementation of the invention, as discussed in detail below, include the following:
When not in use, the pole must be conveniently dropped and secured to the deck, and the topping lift section of the pole control line secured near the mast, so as to be out of the way. To simplify these steps, the topping lift is freed automatically when the car carrying the inboard end of the pole is lowered to the deck, saving a crewmember the step of releasing the line. At the same time, the car is secured, both for safety and also so that it need not be separately restrained by a crewmember when the line is pulled through it in preparation for the next spinnaker use correspondingly, in preparation for a spinnaker “set”, the inboard end of the pole is fixed to the car if necessary, and the pole control line is pulled through the car until a “slug” fixed to the line at a particular point along its length is engaged in the car. This releases the car from its secured position at the same time that the topping lift is tensioned, so that further pulling on the line lifts the pole parallel to the deck.
When the pole is to be jibed, the line below the car is pulled in a given direction (that is, off to one side) to release the slug from the car, without freeing the end of the line led to the cockpit. Pulling downwardly on the line then lifts the car and simultaneously lowers the outboard end of the pole, dipping it so as to be passed between the deck and forestay. After the pole passes across the bow, the line is pulled upwardly, returning the pole to its parallel position and again engaging the slug in the car. The pole is thus dipped and raised to its original height simply by pulling a single line first in one direction, then another, and no attention need be paid to the position of the pole ends to ensure its return to the proper attitude.
FIG. 2 shows the principal components of the improved rigging arrangement of the invention, in a somewhat simplified implementation. As previously, topping lift 25, downhaul or foreguy 32, and guy 36 control the location of the outboard end 29 of pole 26, along with the spinnaker itself (not shown); however, as explained in detail below, according to the invention the topping lift is an integral part of a pole control line 60 that also performs other functions. The inboard end 27 of pole 26 is affixed to a fitting 46 carried on car 50; the pole end and fitting 46 cooperate so as to allow the pole 26 to pivot freely through a substantial range of motion. Car 50 is mounted on track 42 for vertical movement along the forward side of mast 12.
In the simplest implementation of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, a single pole control line 60 runs from the outboard end 29 of the spinnaker pole 26 (or from the center of a pole bridle 61, as shown in dotted lines; if the topping lift is attached to such a bridle, so will be the foreguy, as also shown in dotted lines) upward to a first sheave 62 near the masthead, downward to a second sheave 64 at the foot of the mast, upward to or through the control car 50 to a third sheave 66 fixed to the mast at or above the upper end of the pole car track 42, and downwardly to the mast base; at that point the free end of pole control line can be led back to the cockpit via a fourth sheave 68, and cleated off as desired. (Sheaves 62, 64, and 66, in particular, are shown larger than scale to make the drawing more clear; in practice, these are usually quite small, and may be largely internal to mast 12. Similarly, the section of line 60 running downwardly from the masthead sheave is normally run internal to mast 12.)
As mentioned, the line 60 can be releasably fixed to the car 50; it will be appreciated that when line 60 is thus fixed to car 50, tension applied to the free end of line 60 at 70 will pull the car 50 and the outer end of pole 26 upwardly at the same linear rate. However, because the portion of line 60 pulling upwardly on car 50 (i.e. from sheave 66) and the portion of line 60 effectively serving as the topping lift (i.e., the portion running from the outer end 29 of the pole to the masthead) are not parallel, the inner and outer ends of the pole are not lifted at precisely the same rate. In particular, the car is lifted somewhat more slowly than the outer end 29 of the pole 26; however, since on modern boats the height of the mast is much greater than the length of the pole, in practice the pole attitude changes very little during the lifting process. Reference herein to the pole's remaining perpendicular to the mast (or, equivalently, parallel to the deck) during the lifting operation is meant to include this minor change in the attitude of the pole during lifting.
FIG. 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention, in which line 60 is releasably fixed to car 50 when a slug 80 fixed to line 60 is engaged by car 50, and in which a multi-purchase tackle 72 is interposed in the run of pole control line 60. FIG. 3 also illustrates the motion of the pole 26 parallel to the deck in further detail. More specifically, a three-part tackle 72, comprising a further sheave 74 fixed to the mast 12 at or above the upper end of track 42 and a sheave 76 fixed to the car, is interposed in the run of pole control line 60 between the sheave 64 at the mast base and sheave 66 at the upper end of track 42. Accordingly, when tension is applied to the free end of line 60 at 70, the mechanical advantage provided by the tackle 72 is applied to the lifting of the car and pole. More particularly, because the tackle 72 is in the run of the line between the point at which tension is applied, i.e., at 70, and both the car 60 and the outboard end 29 of the pole, both ends of the pole are lifted equally by the tackle, and the work of lifting the pole is eased accordingly.
FIG. 3 also shows the pole 26 in three positions, labeled A, B, and C. In position A, the inboard end 27 of the pole can be detached from the car 50, allowing the pole to be stowed; typically chocks (not shown) will be provided to secure the pole along the deck when not in use. In this inactive position, slug 80 is freed from the car 50, so that the end of line 60 connected to the outboard end of pole 26 can be detached therefrom and brought back to the mast for stowing out of the way. Alternatively, the line end can remain attached to the outboard end of pole 26, and enough slack pulled in the line so that it lies generally along the pole and the mast, again in order to be out of the way. As noted above, and as discussed in detail below, in the preferred embodiment, the slug is freed from the car automatically upon the car's being lowered to position A, simplifying the securing of the pole.
FIG. 3 also shows the slug 80, which as noted is affixed to the pole control line 60 at a predetermined position therealong, at three different positions. When the pole 26 is in position A, the slug 80 is pulled around sheave 64 to provide sufficient slack in line 60 to allow it to be stowed out of the way, as above. Accordingly, and in order to simplify rigging the boat according to the invention, the slug 80 must be capable of passing the various sheaves. Several different embodiments of slug 80 are described below.
When it is desired to ready the pole for use, its inboard end 27 is affixed to the car 50 if necessary, and its outer end freed from any chock employed to restrain it when not in use.
Tension is then applied to the free end of line 60, at 70, pulling it toward the cockpit; as the slack is pulled out of line 60, and pole 26 is hoisted to a level position, slug 80 passes around sheave 64, and is received in and engaged by car 50, preferably in a manner discussed in detail below. Thereafter, pulling the line further by tension applied at 70, while the foreguy 32 is correspondingly slacked, hoists car 50 and outer end 29 of pole 26, as indicated at B and C. As noted above, the attitude of pole 26 remains substantially perpendicular to mast 12 during the lifting operation, as shown. It will be appreciated that the position of slug 80 along line 60 is important in establishing the attitude of pole 26 with respect to mast 12; the correct position is established when the system is installed. The manner in which slug 80 may be attached at a desired position along line 60 is discussed below with respect to two different embodiments of slug 80.
Thus, the system shown in FIG. 3 provides a spinnaker pole control system wherein a single line simultaneously hoists both ends of the pole. This is useful on all boats employing spinnaker poles, even those practicing the end-for-end jibe; that is, single-line control of the position of the spinnaker pole according to the invention is already a significant advantage over the art. As noted, on the smaller boats practicing the end-for-end jibe, the spinnaker pole is typically supported by connecting the topping lift to a bridle, so that the entire pole is supported by the topping lift.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are comparable simplified views provided to allow clear understanding of the operation of the system of the invention during the dip-pole operation. More specifically, FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, in that slug 80 is engaged by car 50, so that tension applied at 70 lifts the car, and thus the inboard end of pole 26, as well as the outboard end 29. When a desired height is reached, the free end of line 60 is cleated or otherwise secured, as indicated at 82, showing schematically a conventional “line stopper” line securing device. If it is then desired to dip the pole to jibe the boat, slug 80 is disengaged from car 50 (preferably in a manner discussed below), and the section of line 60 below car 50, marked Z, is pulled downwardly. This has the effect of lifting the car 50 via tackle 72, while lowering the outboard end 29 of pole 26, as illustrated by FIG. 5.
It will be appreciated that as the slug 80 is disengaged from car 50 during this process, the section of line 60 passing through car 50 no longer forms an effective part of tackle 72; accordingly, if a three-part tackle 72 is provided, as illustrated, it effectively becomes a two-part tackle during the dipping operation, so that the car is raised one foot for each two feet by which the portion of line 60 supporting the outboard end 29 of pole 26 is lengthened. The effect is to dip the pole very efficiently, allowing its outboard tip to be passed between the forestay and deck. After the pole has cleared the forestay, the line is pulled in the opposite direction, typically by pulling upwardly on portion Z, running from sheave 64 toward sheave 74, until the slug 80 reengages car 50. (Equivalently, a crewmember could pull downwardly on the portion of line 60 marked Y, running from the mast head to sheave 64; however, as noted above, this could be internal to the mast 12, and thus inaccessible.) At this point the pole will have been returned to its original attitude with respect to mast 12; any further adjustments desired in its height can be made by manipulating the free end from the cockpit.
As noted, the pole is moved up and down parallel to the deck in order to adjust the shape of the spinnaker. Tensioning the pole control line lifts the pole, and normally gravity will pull it down if the line is slacked. However, under some circumstances, e.g. when flying a spinnaker in a relatively stiff breeze, gravity may be insufficient; in that case the foreguy 32 can be tensioned to positively pull the pole tip down, thus tensioning the topping lift. However, because according to the invention the topping lift forms part of the pole control line, thus tensioning the foreguy also pulls the car down, thus providing further positive sail control not available according to the prior art.
In the event the pole must be pulled even more closely to vertical than shown in FIG. 5, e.g., if the pole is a “penalty pole”, that is, is extremely long as compared to the distance between the mast and forestay, it is preferable to move both ends of the pole through an equal distance when the pole is dipped during jibing. This can be accomplished by releasing the slug from the car and pulling downwardly on the sections of pole control line marked X and Z in FIG. 5. Several of the principal advantages provided by the invention, that is, that both ends of the pole are controlled by a single line, and the pole returns to its original attitude automatically, are still achieved. Moreover, the tackle still provides a 3:1 mechanical advantage in hoisting the pole overall.
There will occur to those of skill in the art several methods whereby the pole control line can be releasably secured to the car, and thus obtain single-line pole control according to that aspect of the invention. However, for further convenience and speed in sail control manuevers, the preferred combination of car, slug, and control mechanism has the following attributes:
When the line is pulled upwardly through the car, e.g., upon initial preparation to fly the spinnaker, or after the pole passes through the forestay in a jibe, the slug is to be received in and retained by the car, fixing the line with respect to the car.
The slug should be released from the car, in initiating the dip-pole manuever, by a simple manipulation of the line by a crewmember.
When the car is dropped to its inactive position (e.g., position A in FIG. 3), the slug should be released by the car, so as to free the line, and the car should be retained in the inactive position.
When the line is pulled through the car in preparation for a spinnaker set, the car should be released from the inactive position.
The preferred car, control arm, and slug shown in FIGS. 6-12 achieve these objectives.
As mentioned, FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the car assembly, while FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view along the line 7—7 thereof. FIGS. 8-12 show a series of cross-sectional views generally along the line 8—8 of FIG. 7, although illustrating a slightly different embodiment, for clarity, showing the components in different respective positions to illustrate their cooperation, and FIGS. 9A, 11A and 12A are cross-sections taken along line 9A—9A of FIG. 7, again illustrating the alternative embodiment, and showing the components in different respective positions to illustrate their cooperation.
Thus, in FIG. 6, the car 50 is shown sliding vertically along track 42 affixed to the forward surface of mast 12. Conventional bearings are provided therebetween to ensure smooth movement. The spinnaker pole is affixed by a conventional end fitting to a ring or other fitting 46 affixed to car 50. Section Y of the control line 60 is shown inside mast 12, on its run downward from masthead sheave 62; section Z is also shown, passing upwardly from sheave 64 through a locking cylinder 100. Line 60 is also shown passing over sheave 76 forming part of three-part tackle 72. Slug 80 is fixed to line 60 at a location determined at installation of the system. Control arm 122 is fixed near the base of mast 12.
As illustrated, locking cylinder 100 is journaled with respect to car 50 for rotation about a horizontal axis. In the embodiment shown, this is accomplished by disposing cylinder 100 between opposed bearing carriers (i.e., pillow blocks) 104; as conventional in sailboat hardware, open races with plastic ball bearings may be used, but the invention is of course not thus limited.
The locking cylinder 100 is biased to rotate in one direction, that is, counterclockwise in the view of FIG. 6, or clockwise in the views of FIGS. 8-12. The biasing is preferably accomplished with a hairpin-type spring 106, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, secured between one of the bearing carriers 104 and cylinder 100. However, for clarity of explanation, the biasing is shown being provided by a tension spring 106′ in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8-12. The amount of rotation permitted to cylinder 100 is limited, e.g. by a pin 108 secured with respect to the car 50 and fitting within an arcuate recess 110 in the cylinder 100. The “rest position” of cylinder 100, as assumed when not being rotated against the bias of spring 106′, is as shown in FIG. 9, where pin 108 abuts the lower end of slot 110. More particularly, in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, cylinder 100 is juxtaposed to a guide block 116, which is fixed to car 50; in FIGS. 8-12, this assembly is shown simply as a solid member 116′ surrounding cylinder 100, to simplify the explanation of the relationship between the various components.
As mentioned above, the pole control line 60 passes through the cylinder 100, more particularly, through a contoured bore 112 through the center of cylinder 100. As illustrated, bore 112 comprises a central cylindrical portion 112 a, sized so that the slug 80 slides easily therethrough. Guide block 116 has a mating bore 116 a formed therein, sized for free passage of line 60, and also defines an enlarged recess 116 b sized to receive slug 80. Accordingly, when cylinder 100 is rotated to the correct position, slug 80 can pass therethrough and into recess 116 b in guide block 116, but cannot pass therethrough. Contoured bore 112 in cylinder 100 is also formed to define a notch portion 112 b, sized to fit snugly around the line 60, and opposed partial chamfers 112 c and 112 d, sized to receive the slug 80, on opposed sides of the lower and upper openings in the bore 112. The functions of these various contours of bore 112 will be made clear in the following.
More particularly, FIG. 8 shows the position of cylinder 100 as line 60 is pulled upwardly, as in preparation for flying the spinnaker or in completing a jibe, so that slug 80 has entered contoured bore 112. As illustrated, as it enters bore 112, slug 80 interacts with lower chamfer 112 c to rotate cylinder 100 counterclockwise, against the bias of spring 106′, from its rest position (as in FIG. 9). That is, the lower chamfer 112 c is formed so that as the slug is pulled into the bore 112, the slug bears against the chamfer 112 c, rotating cylinder 100 counterclockwise and allowing slug 80 to pass upwardly through bore 112. As the bore 112 in cylinder 100 and the recess 116 b in guide block 116 are then aligned, slug 80 passes upwardly into recess 116 b; when slug 80 exits bore 112, cylinder 100 is released, so that spring 106′ rotates cylinder 100 clockwise, to the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 9B. The notch portion 112 b of bore 112 then fits snugly around line 60, so that slug 80 rests on the surface of cylinder 100 around notch 112 b, preventing slug 80 from being removed from recess 116 b. See FIG. 9B. When this has been accomplished, car 50 is fixed with respect to line 60, since slug 80 is fixed to line 60. Accordingly, from the crewmember's point of view all that need be done in order to ready the system for flying the spinnaker is to pull the line upwardly through the car until the slug enters the recess 116 b; at that point, the cylinder rotates clockwise to the FIG. 9 position, securing the slug 80 to the car 50. Preferably spring 106′ is sufficently powerful, and the cylinder 100 rotates sufficently freely, that this occurs with an audible “snap”, so that the crewmember is assured that the slug is securely retained in the recess 116 b. Under these circumstances, as explained above, pulling on the line 60 will move the car 50 and pole tip 29 (FIG. 4) together, so that the pole moves parallel to the deck.
As noted above, when it is desired to jibe the boat, the line 60 is freed from the car. Freeing the line is conveniently accomplished in the embodiment shown by the crewmember's pulling the line 60 against the forward edge of the lower end of bore 112 in cylinder 100, that is, forward, off its normal axis, in the direction opposite lower chamfer 112 c. See FIG. 10. As illustrated, the lower end of bore 112 is not chamfered significantly where line 60 bears on it in these circumstances, so that pulling line 60 against this forward edge rotates cylinder 100 until bore 112 is again aligned with recess 116 b. Accordingly, a single pull on the line in the correct direction releases slug 80, allowing it to be pulled downwardly. Upper chamfer 112 d is provided to allow slug 80 to enter bore 112 from recess 116 b in these circumstances. The system is then operable as in FIG. 5; pulling the line down from the car simultaneously raises the car and slacks the topping lift, so that the tip of the pole drops. After the tip of the pole has been passed between the forestay and deck, the line is pulled in the opposite direction until slug 80 again enters car 50 and is retained therein, as described above in connection with FIG. 8.
As mentioned above, it is desired that the slug be released automatically from the cylinder when the car is lowered to the inactive position, freeing line 60 so that the topping lift portion 25 can be stowed out of the way, and that the car be retained in its inactive position until the slug re-enters the cylinder as the line is pulled therethrough in preparation for flying the spinnaker, at which point the car is released automatically from the inactive position. These functions are accomplished through the cooperation of a control arm 122 and a further recess 120 formed in cylinder 100. Control arm 122 is fixed with respect to track 42, near the bottom of mast 12, and recess 120 is aligned to receive control arm 122 when the car 50 is lowered to the bottom of track 42, e.g., at the conclusion of use of the spinnaker.
As shown by FIGS. 9A, 11A, and 12A (which correspond to FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, respectively), the shapes of control arm 122 and recess 120 are such that when the car is lowered and control arm 122 enters recess 120, cylinder 100 is rotated so as to release slug 80. That is, FIG. 9A shows the relation of recess 120 to control arm 122 when car 50 is spaced some distance from the base of the mast 12, i.e., when the spinnaker is being flown. Recess 120 is generally triangular, as is control arm 122. Recess 120 is formed to comprise a lip 120 a, which bears on an inclined cam surface 122 b of control arm 122 as car 50 is lowered, so that as the car is lowered and control arm 122 enters recess 120 (FIG. 11A), cylinder 100 is rotated counterclockwise, against the bias of spring 106′, until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 11, where bore 112 and recess 116 b are aligned, freeing slug 80, and allowing it and line 60 to be pulled downwardly. When the car 50 is then pulled downwardly further from the FIG. 11A position, to the position shown in FIG. 12A, the bias from spring 106′ causes cylinder 100 to now rotate clockwise slightly, so that lip 120 a fits under land 122 a on 26 control arm 122, as shown in FIG. 12A. In this position control arm 122 retains car 50, and holds cylinder 100 such that bore 112 is aligned so as to readily receive slug 80.
When it is later desired to fly the spinnaker, line 60 is pulled upwardly through car 50 once again; as discussed in connection with FIG. 8, as the slug 80 enters recess 116 b from bore 112, cylinder 100 is then rotated counterclockwise against the bias of spring 106′, so that lip 120 a is disengaged from beneath land 122 a, releasing car 50 from control arm 122.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, cylinder 100 can be assembled of two components to enable machining of recess 120; alternatively, recess 120 might be cast into cylinder 100. Still further, the cooperation provided by control arm 122 and recess 120 might be provided by separate components cooperating when the car is lowered to its inactive position, to release the line 60 and retain the car 50 in the active position until prepared for use. Other modifications of the structure shown are within the skill of the art, and may be made in order to provide further operational possibilities, as now described.
As mentioned above, certain boats employ a “penalty pole”, which is proportionally longer than the pole shown in the drawings hereof. When in the inactive position, that is, secured along the foredeck, such a penalty pole typically protrudes under a railing or “pulpit”, provided at the bow for crew safety. Accordingly, the topping lift cannot be used to raise the tip of the pole directly. In such circumstances, it is necessary to raise the mast end of the pole first, pulling the outboard tip aft until it is clear of the pulpit; at that point the outboard tip is raised until the pole is parallel to the deck, and thereafter the pole is moved as described above.
In order to facilitate this in accordance with the invention, in such circumstances a somewhat modified control arm 122 is mounted to the mast at a predetermined height above the deck, such that when the mast end of the pole reaches that height, the outboard end is clear of the pulpit. The track extends lower, to a point near the deck. Thus, prior to being raised into the active position, the mast end of the pole is affixed to the car, near the bottom of the mast, and the outboard end rests on the deck. The topping lift is attached to the outboard end of the pole, and runs under the pulpit, and the slug is spaced away from the car. As the pole control line is pulled, the car is raised without lifting the outboard end of the pole, since the tackle is active only as to the car; that is, the presence of the tackle effectively reduces the weight of the car and inboard end of the pole, so the car is lifted first. When the car reaches a predetermined height, it is engaged by the modified control arm, and remains stationary. Further pulling on the line therefore lifts the outboard end of the pole. The slug is located along the line so that it reaches the car, releasing the car from the control arm, just as the pole becomes parallel to the deck. In subsequent spinnaker-flying, the system of the invention operates essentially as described above, and the inverse steps are followed when spinnaker operations are completed. Modification of the control arm and its interaction with the car to permit the car to be lowered past the arm while providing the control functions described herein is within the skill of the art.
As mentioned, FIGS. 13 and 14 show one implementation of the slug 80, and FIGS. 15-18 show a second implementation of the slug and explain its assembly to a preferred type of rope to be employed as pole control line 60. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the slug comprises a tubular member 130, typically of aluminum or stainless steel, provided with two longitudinal recesses 132 on opposed portions of its outer surface. One end of the slug can be given a substantial radius, as indicated at 130 a, to ease its entry into the bore in cylinder 100; the other end is not raduised as extensively, to ensure the slug is securely retained by the edge of the bore in the cylinder. A number of holes 134 are drilled from within the recesses 132 across the central lumen of the tubular member; stitches 136 of sailmaker's twine are then used to secure the slug to the line 60 at a desired position therealong. Recesses 132 are provided so that the twine is not proud of the surface of slug 80, avoiding abrasion and preventing the slug's becoming caught on protrusions and the like as it is moved.
As noted, the desired position at which slug 80 is secured along line 60 is determined when the improved spinnaker pole handling system of the invention is installed on a given boat. Essentially the line is rove from the tip of the spinnaker pole, over sheaves 62, 64, 74, 76, 66, and 68 (see FIG. 3) in sequence, with the car 50 on the deck, and tensioned until the topping lift portion just begins to lift the tip of the pole. The line is then slacked slightly, and the slug attached so the car and pole tip are lifted essentially simultaneously.
As indicated, FIGS. 15-18 show another embodiment of the slug, intended for use with a preferred type of line. The preferred line is braided of a number of strands of a high tensile strength, ultraviolet-resistant material, such as that sold as “Spectra” or “Vectran”. Either can be provided with a further cover, increasing its diameter and making the line easier to handle. However, the cover is typically removed except where the line will be handled in the cockpit, to save weight aloft. The braid typically comprises 8-12 strands, the latter being illustrated by FIG. 15 at 140. If any cover is removed, and the ends of a short section of the braid are urged together, the strands separate as shown in FIG. 16. According to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a biconical core member 142 typically turned of stainless steel is inserted into the center of the stranded line 140, and mating male and female shell components 144 and 146 respectively are assembled thereover. As illustrated, the shell components are formed with conical inner surfaces tapered at the same angle as biconical core member 142. The biconical member 142 and shell components 144 and 146 are sized so that when the shell components are threaded together, the strands of braid 140 are compressed substantially uniformly therebetween, as shown in FIG. 18. The slug is thereby affixed very securely to the braid, without damaging the strands in any way; moreover, all tension applied to the line is transferred to the slug, and each of the strands experiences the same load. The core may be whipped with sailmakers' twine before assembly, as indicated at 150, for improved abrasion resistance, but this is not needed to prevent unraveling of the core, since the strands are not cut.
It will be appreciated that the combination of the slug and the combination of rotating cylinder and guide block disclosed above provide a mechanism for reliably but conveniently securing a line at a given point therealong, while permitting instantaneous release of the line when necessary. In particular, the line termination of FIG. 18 is extremely durable, since the load is all taken by the slug, and is transferred directly and equally to all of the strands of the core by the compression between the shell members and biconical member, and without reliance on friction between the outer surface of line and a gripping device. Such a mechanism may find use on sailboats (and elsewhere) beyond its use as part of a spinnaker pole control mechanism as described above.
For example, halyards (lines used to hoist sails) are typically secured by “rope clutches”, which are devices that grip lines between toothed cams; such clutches can be very hard on lines, especially where the lines tends always to grip the line in the same place, as in the case of halyards. Although the core of a two-piece line, as described above, carries all the tension, a cover is typically provided to reduce wear on the core, and the gripping of the clutch therefore requires substantial compression of the cover between the clutch and the core. The combination of the slug and locking cylinder mechanism of the invention, or a functionally similar mechanism for receiving and securely retaining the slug, while allowing it to be readily released, is a direct replacement for rope clutches in such applications.
As will be apparent, the “line stopper” system thus provided according to the invention could be implemented in several ways, all within the scope of the invention. For example, the rotating cylinder 100, which is moved from its rest position when the slug enters its contoured bore, so that the slug can pass therethrough, and is then biased back to its rest position, preventing the slug from being withdrawn, can be replaced by a device wherein the “bore” is provided by mating grooves in opposed jaws, one formed on a base fixed to the structure with respect to which the line is to be secured (e.g., to the deck), and the other mounted on a member pivoted on the base and spring-loaded to bring the jaws together. The inlet sides of the grooves in the jaws are contoured so that the jaws are spread apart, against the spring bias, when the line and slug are pulled therethrough. After the slug passes the jaws, the spring bias brings the jaws back together, closely confining the line, and the slug bears against the rear surface. A guide member may be juxtaposed to the exit side of the jaws, having a bore for allowing the line to pass through it, and a recess for receiving the slug, so as to limit the travel of the slug.
Such a line stopper can readily replace the rope clutches now used to secure lines such as halyards that are repetitively brought to the same predetermined position; a slug according to the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 or that of FIGS. 15-18 is attached to the line, and the halyard is pulled through the stopper until the slug passes the jaws. The crewmember pulling the line then knows for certain that the halyard has been brought to the desired position and secured, and can then immediately go on to other tasks with confidence. The line can be instantaneously released by lifting the pivoted member away from the base. Moreover, as noted, since the slug of the invention (especially that of the FIGS. 17 and 18 embodiment) efficiently transfers the tension load directly from the core to the outside surface of the slug, frictional gripping of the outer casing of the line or the core by a rope clutch is avoided, and line life improved. Several slugs can be provided at intervals along the line if the line is to be secured at differing predetermined positions under different circumstance.
While a preferred embodiment and several alternatives thereof have been described, the invention is not to be limited thereto, but only by the appended claims.


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text:
EDWIGE DANTICAT KRIK KRAK PDF DOWNLOAD!
Krik? Krak! study guide contains a biography of Edwidge Danticat, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes. Arriving one year after the Haitian-American's first novel (Breath, Eyes, Memory) alerted critics to her compelling voice, these 10 stories, some of which have. Krik? Krak! (ISBN X) is a collection of short stories written by Edwidge Danticat and published in It consists of nine short stories plus an.
|Published:||10 May 2015|
|PDF File Size:||7.9 Mb|
|ePub File Size:||15.41 Mb|
Women Like Us Great ending.
I'm guessing this is a true edwige danticat krik krak on the struggle Danticat went through with convincing her family that she wanted to become a writer instead of the stereotypical role of a great housewife or cook which women in her family prided themselves with.
I like that I learned a bit about Haiti and the hardships it has faced and how it has affected its citizens. I'm definitely going to google some stuff from the book to learn more - like the coup d'etat it faced, Papa Doc Duvalier ex-president Francois Duvalier etc.
edwige danticat krik krak
I hope to read more Danticat in the future! It's nice to come back to this collection of short stories and realize that it was completely justified.
- The Cry ( film) - Wikipedia
The stories are linked by a network of metaphors an edwige danticat krik krak I remember when I was in high school, Edwidge Danticat was one of the new rising literary stars who was getting a lot of attention. A young father longs so much to fly that he gives his life for a few moments in the air.
A prostitute plies her trade edwige danticat krik krak her son sleeps. Through unencumbered prose, the author explores the effects of politics on people and especially the consequences of oppression on women, the themes of which figure into each of these vignettes.?
If the news from Haiti is too painful to read, read this book instead and understand the place more deeply than you ever thought possible.
A silenced Haiti has once again found its literary edwige danticat krik krak. Here stories are intimate histories about the raw longing of people for some chance at peace and happiness for themselves and their imprisoned society, about existence contorted by forced separation, and of personal lives shot through with terror.
They are stories of an ancient people, at once proselytized and bullied, who actually live their lives in the embrace of overriding mythic powers and rites of passage.
The women exhibit more resilience, largely because of their insistence on finding meaning and solidarity through storytelling; but Danticat portrays these bonds with an honesty that shows that sisterhood, too, has its edwige danticat krik krak plays.
In the book's final piece, "Epilogue: Women Like Us," she writes:

domain: artistic


text:
If waking up to colourful skies and aimlessly trekking through forests to find sunny beaches covered in seashells and relaxing shacks that serve the yummiest food, sounds like an ideal vacation to you, Gokarna is the place to be. Be it a weekend getaway or a month long vacation, Gokarna will leave you wanting for more.
There are five main beaches in Gokarna and all five are extremely different. The Gokarna beach is right next to the town and is always bustling with activity. It's one of the more crowded beaches and is popular among the locals due to the fact that it is easily accessible. A variety of water sports are available at this beach during the non monsoon season.
The trek starts from the end of Gokarna beach and a slight climb up through a small road leads you to an old temple pond. Quietly moving along the narrow sides, you'll reach the temple itself. Towards your left will lie stone steps- the rest of the trek. Buf if you find the little track that runs behind the temple, you are in for a treat. There's a beautiful little spot on the side of a hill, which gives you perfect view of the setting sun.
Back and up the stone steps, you'll find yourself in the middle of a grassy valley. Quite desolate but the sun on the tall grass interspersed with cacti with a random paraglider shooting across the sky will surely give you the feeling of endlessness. Walk through the grass and you'll reach the entrance of Kudle beach. You can't see the beach yet but you are welcomed by cafes with good music and scrumptious food. Head down the mud path with vendors and trinket sellers on both sides and you'll soon be amazed to just be in a beautiful, wide and clean beach.
Lots of stays of all types and prices are available here right next to the beach. You can find posh resorts and cute shacks here. All you've to do is walk around and ask them to show you rooms before you book something. Once you've found your perfect stay, change into your beach clothes and get your shades on. The trek is just beginning.
On walking to the other end of the beach, you'll find a railed pathway which is the beginning of the next trek. Right after the pathway, there's a small junction. You can either choose the easier but lengthier tar road or the harder but quicker shortcut. If you choose the shortcut, the path will take you through dense vegetation and suddenly open at a mosaic garden filled with benches and artwork made of mosaics. Either way you'll reach the famous Om beach. This is a much longer beach and it has many shacks and stays available. There's one area of the beach as you move further along where entire beach is made up of small shells and shell particles.
Walking on and up, the path takes you through thick forests with many forks. But you need not know the way to get to where you want to go to. Just move on forward any way you like. You might get a little lost but keep a general sense of direction and keep going forward. Also, don't forget to look back when you get to some cliff with a view of Om beach. You'll see it sprawling in the shape of the symbol Om, precisely how it got the name. If you are lucky this trek will take you to a little shop on a cliff that serves tastly soda lime or maybe you'll reach the narrow hill with the single palm tree. Any way you choose, you are bound to have an awesome trek.
Soon you'll find yourself at a small untouched beach with just a few shacks at a side and hardly any people. This is Halfmoon beach. This beautiful beach is the most private and quiet beach you could ask for.
After Halfmoon beach the trek gets a little harder. There's rocks to climb over, branches to crawl under, but the destination is truly a paradise. Rightly named, the Paradise beach, this beach has no shacks, no noise and few people. There are a few vendors who sell water and fruits. There's also one lady who sells the most amazing bread omelettes for 50 rupees which you'll return for again and again.
After reaching Paradise, the trek back may seem long and impossible. If that is the case, you can get a ferry back to Kudle or wherever you are staying, but this might be a little expensive. An alternative would be to trek forward a little more and get to a small village and get an auto. Ask one of the vendors at the beach and they'll direct you to the auto stand.
Once you get back to your stay, make it a point to jump into the water right away if you haven't yet. Since your stay is most probably right next to the beach, it'll be very convenient to lie in the water for as long as you want and come eat and drink at the shacks any time you want.
Come night, change into good clothes and head over to the best looking shack or cafe by the beach and eat to your heart's fill. The food is beyond amazing and they've got so much variety too. Grab a beer and sit next to the water for as long as you want- till late night or early morning. If you can't manage a campfire, just buy a couple of candles from the general store on the beach, dig a hole in the sand and stick the candles in and light them. Stare at the moonlit water or if it's a dark night, look for the rare phosphorescent waves. The nights will be magical for sure.
Sleep when your heart desires it for I'll tell you it'll never have enough of Gokarna.
This place is paradise and it's an easy and cheap destination that promises everything you could ever ask for.

domain: travel


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HERE ARE THE TOP STORIES
World powers reached a historic deal to slow Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief.
Several world powers have been in talks with Iran for more than a decade about its nuclear program. Now, after more than a year of missed deadlines, the United States, along with Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia, have reached a deal with Iran to to curb its nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in economic sanction relief.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the deal was “historic” and a “win-win solution,” but added it was “not perfect.” He said it marked a “new chapter of hope.”
Under the framework reached in April, Iran agreed to make significant changes to its nuclear infrastructure that would make it nearly impossible to build a weapon. The agreement outlines, among other things:
The amount of nuclear fuel Iran can keep in the country for the next 15 years
The kind of research and development it can do on centrifuges and other nuclear equipment
The redesign of a nuclear reactor and enrichment site
Regular access for international inspectors to all of Iran’s nuclear facilities
Check out more highlights from the 159-page agreement here.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and says it is working with the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency to clear any doubts. Critics believe the deal leaves too much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in place and overlooks Iran’s destabilizing role in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement a “historic mistake.”
And a little extra.
The just-reached agreement must still get final approval from the U.N. Security Council. Iran’s supreme leader still needs to endorse the deal. And due to delays, Congress will have 60 days, instead of 30, to approve or reject the deal. Obama said he would veto any legislation that would block the deal.
For more, BuzzFeed News’ Hayes Brown has a timeline of how we got to an Iran nuclear deal.
WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON
President Obama granted clemency to 46 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses.
The 46 men and women serving long sentences in prison for nonviolent drug offenses will have their sentences expire this year on Nov. 15 and be released early, the U.S. Justice Department said.
“The latest round of commutations comes before Obama is set to visit a federal prison in Oklahoma on Thursday, the first such visit by a sitting U.S. president,” the Washington Post writes. Monday’s 46 commutations is the most in a single day since President Lyndon B. Johnson. Obama’s total of 89 commutations is more than the last four presidents combined.
The commutations by Obama are meant to serve two purposes. The first was to “correct the sentences of inmates serving time under old guidelines that no longer apply to newly sentenced prisoners and the other was to push Congress to enact changes to the criminal justice system a growing bipartisan coalition of advocates and the White House have been pushing for years,” BuzzFeed News’ Evan McMorris-Santoro writes.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?
The U.S. is considering a plan that would allow transgender people to serve openly in the military.
“The Defense Department’s current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty that distracts commanders from our core missions,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in announcing the six-month review of the country's ban on transgender people serving openly in the military.
The review comes as a handful of active service members have come out publicly as trans, including Jamie Lee Henry, a doctor and major in the Army’s Medical Corps, who spoke with BuzzFeed News last month.
Drug lord El Chapo’s escape from a prison in Mexico was so stealthy the neighbors didn’t even notice.
People who live near the prison where Mexico’s best-known drug lord, Joaquin Guzman Loera, known as “El Chapo,” escaped Saturday are baffled as to the official version of events, BuzzFeed News’ Karla Zabludovsky reports from Almoloya De Juarez, Mexico.
However, there are “increasing signs that something was amiss,” Zabludovsky writes. As early as 16 months ago, the U.S. had warned Mexican authorities of escape plots. Mexican President Pena Nieto remains in France on an official visit. Guzman was also known as a master escapist, having escaped from prison in 2011.
Guzman remains at large. The Mexican government has launched a massive manhunt and is offering $4 million for information leading to his capture.
Quick things to know:
New York City agreed to pay $5.9 million to the family of Eric Garner, who died last year in a police chokehold after saying "I can't breathe." (New York Times)
The Chinese government launched a mass crackdown on lawyers and activists in an unprecedented sweep, and has arrested around 100 people since July 9. (BuzzFeed News)
The executive committee of the Boy Scouts of America voted unanimously last week to end the ban on gay leaders in scouting. A final vote is on July 27. (BuzzFeed News)
A county in Missouri voted to lower flags “below half staff” to mourn the Supreme Court’s June 26 decision to legalize same-sex marriage. (BuzzFeed News)
Take a look inside the wonderful world of flight attendant internet. (BuzzFeed News)
Prices rise at Starbucks and Chipotle as workers get raises. (BuzzFeed News)
Get rich or file for bankruptcy: 50 Cent filed for bankruptcy protection. (Wall Street Journal)
Go Set A Watchman, Harper Lee’s long awaited follow-up to To Kill A Mockingbird, is released today. And there might be a third novel. (BuzzFeed)
“Pluto may not be a planet anymore, but it’s still a big deal in our hearts,” BuzzFeed’s Kelly Oakes writes. Now we’re getting a chance to see it up close for the first time as NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft flew right by Pluto this morning. We’ve never visited the dwarf planet before, so it’s a pretty significant occasion.

domain: news


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Transgender People Report Mistreatment in Schools and Hospitals
A study showed high rates of a range of negative experiences in the education and healthcare sectors.
Photos and VideosView Slideshow
A report found a large percentage transgender people said they suffered mistreatment at the hands of school officials, healthcare providers and police.
The transgender advocacy report, which is based on 2015 surveys of nearly 30,000 transgender people in the U.S., detailed a series of hardships transgender people faced in various aspects of life.
More than three quarters of respondents reported experiencing some form of mistreatment in K-12 schools, including verbal harassment (54 percent) or being physically attacked (24 percent).
Seventeen percent of respondents said the mistreatment was bad enough that they left a K-12 school.
To see more figures from the study, check out the slideshow!
Attitudes toward police were also negative, with more than half of respondents (57 percent) saying they would feel uncomfortable asking the police for help and police reportedly frequently assuming they were sex workers, particularly black transgender women.
In healthcare, a third of respondents who saw a healthcare provider in the last year said they had at least one negative experience related to being transgender, with higher rates for minority and disabled transgender people.
Nearly a quarter of respondents (23 percent) said they did not see a doctor when they needed to because of fear of being mistreated, while a third of respondents said they didn’t see a doctor because they couldn’t afford it.
“As the national conversation about transgender people continues to evolve, public education efforts to improve understanding and acceptance of transgender people are crucial,” the study’s authors wrote. “Despite policy improvements over the last several years, it is clear that there is still much work ahead to ensure that transgender people can live without fear of discrimination and violence.”
The National Center for Transgender Equality funded and published the survey. Founded in 2003, the NCTE is a social justice advocacy organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people.
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Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!


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Join Us! Public Workshop Saturday, March 12th 6:30pm - 8:30pm Registration Ends 2 days prior to workshop
Create your very own customized clock. With full access to our paint & stain bar you can customize your clock to match your home décor.
Whether you select the 24"x24" Square or the Round clock at2 feet in diameter, they are sure to be the centerpiece to any wall.
Not crafty? Not a problem! We will walk you through the process as we paint, laugh and create our way to the project of your choice. How this works: 1.Register online before deadline. 2. Choose your paint & stain color in studio. 3. Get ready to have some fun the night of the pARTy! Yep, it's that easy!
All you have to do is bring yourself or come with friends and your favorite beverage!


Alec Baldwin NOT “Done” With Donald Trump Impression, Despite Report
Alec Baldwin is not “done” with his Donald Trump impression, despite a report falsely claiming he plans to stop impersonating the president. Gossip Cop can exclusively correct the story, which comes from one of the tabloids.
The allegation can be found in the current issue of the National Enquirer, which wrongly announces in a headline, “Alec’s Done Doing Donald!” According to the article, Baldwin is suffering from “boredom.” A so-called “source” is quoted as saying, “Alec had fun doing ‘SNL,’ but now he is over playing Trump every week.”
“He doesn’t want to do the show every Saturday for the next four or eight years,” continues the alleged snitch. “He’ll host the show on Feb. 11, and then he wants to take a break. Now they’re looking for someone else to play the president.”
But this piece, as the National Enquirer all too often does, is distorting the truth. Baldwin never intended to portray Trump “every Saturday,” and “Saturday Night Live” producers never expected that. While it’s possible the show could start featuring an alternate “Trump,” the notion that Baldwin plans to quit the impersonation for good is “incorrect,” we’re exclusively told.
And it’s worth noting that this article about the actor supposedly giving up the shtick comes less than two months after the supermarket tabloid outrageously claimed Baldwin was doing the impression to get revenge on Trump. In that story, which the outlet is now contradicting, it was said a “jealous” Baldwin was committed to “bashing the president-elect at every turn.” But the widely discredited publication didn’t have accurate insight into the star in December, and still doesn’t now in February.


Bike in flames after rider twice failed to stop for police on Graham Farmer Freeway.
Justin Bieber said to have called young girl at Perth hotel a 'beached whale' who should go on The Biggest Loser.
Media jock claims she was booted out of cab because driver didn't want to take her 10km to Bayswater.
Man, 50, charged after search warrants at home of bikie over probe into Balga stabbing. 04:20 pm
17 years jail for man who bashed his lover in the head with hammer and dumped body in industrial… 02:05 pm
Three groups of people share division one Lotto prize. One winner yet to claim their prize. 04:42 pm
Cardiologists alarmed by rising number of men with heart damage after using meth and supplements. 02:40 am
A Melbourne woman claims she overheard Justin Bieber verbally abuse a young girl at a Perth hotel at the weekend. December 9, 2013, 2:41 pm
Two men suffering serious burns have scrambled from the wreckage of a light plane that crashed on an oval in Perth's southern suburbs and burst into flames. December 9, 2013, 5:55 pm
An accused jewel thief has been granted bail after he underwent a colonoscopy to recover a diamond ring he allegedly stole and swallowed. December 9, 2013, 8:03 pm
By Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) - Vedanta Resources is set to drop out of Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100, ceding its place to… 33 minutes ago
By Rachel Armstrong and Masayuki Kitano SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Expectations are growing that an ambitious trade pact between a dozen nations… December 9, 2013, 3:40 pm
Hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist will become the 19th Australian to be inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame later this… December 9, 2013, 3:38 pm
After his unceremonious dumping from David Jones last week, Alex Perry says he was already planning to leave the retail giant when his contract expired. December 9, 2013, 7:59 am
Busselton sunsets have been named Australia's best. December 8, 2013, 1:02 pm
A video game developer has used villains and superheroes to add flair to his wedding nuptials in Florida wedding this week. December 9, 2013, 8:50 am
Mercedes Benz’ new S-Class is jam-packed with cutting-edge features that further performance, safety and efficiency. December 8, 2013, 5:03 pm
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Min Hyo-rin makes big screen debut
Min Hyo-rin has signed on to her next project, a feature film called Sunny that comes from the director of the hit comedy Speed Scandal, Kang Hyung-chul. It’ll be her first movie and his second.
She’ll play a former model and member of “7 Princesses,” which is a pop group with semi-rotating membership that is comprised of girls from ages 8 to 12. The story follows women, now in their forties, who go looking for their old school friend who used to be in 7 Princesses back in the ’80s, and the movie travels back and forth between the past and the present. It’s described as a “warm and funny human drama.”
Min said, “As a huge fan of Speed Scandal, it’s an honor just to work with director Kang Hyung-chul, who wrote the screenplay himself. I’ll be able to show a whole new side to myself, so I’m really looking forward to it.” The film production held its first script reading on the 20th, and plans to begin filming at the end of August. Theatrical release is being planned for early next year.
Apparently Shim Eun-kyung (Bad Guy) is also cast in this (!), although there isn’t much info about that. Nam Bo-ra (Death Bell 2) is another recent addition.
Min Hyo-rin is one example of a singer-turned-actress who impressed me with her debut role, and her own background as a singer and model makes her a perfect fit for her character. I liked her a lot in Triple despite being frustrated with its story, and found her warm and natural in her acting, so I think she’ll be well-served by pursuing an acting career. (More so than her singing career, which never really took off.)
Via Joy News
Tags: Min Hyo-rin


Defense Health Care Reform: Actions Needed to Help Ensure Defense Health Agency Maintains Implementation Progress
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
Pagination or Media Count:
In 2013, DOD created the DHA to provide administrative support for the services respective medical programs and combine common shared services to achieve cost savings. House Report 113-446 included a provision that GAO review DOD s progress in implementing the DHA. This report addresses the extent to which DOD has made progress in 1 assessing the personnel requirements of the DHA and its effect on MHS personnel levels 2 developing an approach to achieving cost savings through shared services and 3 fully developing performance measures to assess its shared services. GAO reviewed DOD s personnel requirements assessment process, business case analyses, and performance measures for the DHA s shared services. GAO compared this information with key management practices and DOD guidance. Additionally, GAO interviewed officials from the DHA and the military services. In addition to GAO s prior recommendations, GAO is making a number of recommendations related to the DHA s personnel requirements and approach to achieving cost savings. DOD concurred with all but one recommendation to develop a plan for reassessing its personnel requirements, partially concurring and citing existing guidance. GAO continues to believe that current guidance in this area is insufficient, and that DOD would benefit from a plan for reassessing its personnel needs as the DHA s missions and needs evolve.
- Economics and Cost Analysis
- Medicine and Medical Research
- Military Forces and Organizations


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so I'm googling pokemon and clipart and breast and all that stuff to get t-shirt ideas. And a medical article pops up about pokemon and breast cancer. What?? Here's what I found:
In a January issue of the science journal Nature, Pier Paolo Pandolfi of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York described the cancer-causing POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic gene, calling it Pokemon in the process.
Not pleased by the rush of headlines proclaiming <A class=gslink href="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/halflifecounterstrike/news.html?page=1&sid=6117482" _element_extended_="true">"Pokemon causes cancer," Pokemon USA threatened legal action against the center to have the name of its popular game and trading card series disassociated from the gene, reports the latest issue of Nature. The center has complied with Pokemon USA's demands, and now refers to the gene by the much less-catchy name Zbtb7, Nature reports.
Is that not weird or what??


After a slow month in the world of video game marketing, things are starting to pick up. The past week has given us a first look at the new Fallout TV show, a few release dates and a trailer for a little game called Grand Theft Auto VI — and the Game Awards are still to come. What good timing for us to launch a weekly video game show to dig into the news.
This week’s stories
The Game Awards
The Game Awards will go live on Thursday, December 7, at 7:30PM ET. Expect a few hours of game announcements, new trailers, awkward interviews and musical performances, including one by the fictional band from Alan Wake 2.
Fallout, but on TV!
Amazon dropped the first trailer for its live-action Fallout series — and, man, it sure does look like Fallout. The show is set in Los Angeles 200 years after the nuclear apocalypse, and it stars Yellowjackets actor Ella Purnell, plus Walton Goggins, Aaron Moten and Kyle MacLachlan. It’s heading to Prime Video on April 12, 2024.
GTA VI is coming in 2025
The biggest news item this week, pre-The Game Awards, was the first official trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI. As of writing it's already reached 105 million views on YouTube — a pace usually reserved for only the finest K-Pop videos. GTA VI is set in Vice City, it’s coming out in 2025 and I'm sure we’ll hear a lot more about it before then.
What is an indie game?
The meat of this week’s episode focuses on the longstanding debate about what “indie” actually means. One of the titles nominated for Best Independent Game at the Game Awards, Dave the Diver, was commissioned and bankrolled by Nexon, one of the largest video game studios in South Korea. It’s not indie, and its inclusion in this category highlights how little consensus there still is around the definition.
This is kinda my area of expertise — it’s my 13th year as a video game journalist and indie games have always been a core feature of my reporting. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I mean when I say “indie,” so I sat down and formalized this thought process. There are three questions that can help define a game in an indie gray area: Is the team on the mainstream system’s payroll? Is the game or team owned by a platform holder? Do the artists have creative control? I dug into these questions this week, and discuss how having a publisher isn’t related to the indie label at all.
But when all else fails in the indie debate, there’s one ultimate question to ask: Can this team exist without my support? This is why the distinction matters: The indie label helps to identify the artists that would not exist without game sales, crowdfunding or word-of-mouth support from players. It exists to determine the teams that are truly living and dying on game sales, and it helps players decide where to spend their money. If Dave the Diver didn’t sell well, its team would likely have the chance to try again. If, say, Pizza Tower didn’t sell well, its studio could have folded.
I think this is an important conversation, so give that story a read and let us know in the comments if you think my questions help or just make things more confusing. It’s probably a little bit of both.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood on Steam Deck — it’s the latest game from Deconstructeam, the indie studio that made The Red Strings Club and Gods Will Be Watching. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a game about building tarot decks, manipulating elections, betraying a coven of witches and seducing everyone; it’s sexy and well-written, and I highly recommend it. Another game I’m looking forward to is A Highland Song from indie studio Inkle; it just came out this week and I’m excited to dive in.
Let us know in the comments what you’re playing! Also, we still don’t know what to call this weekly video game news show, so leave us some name suggestions, too. Thanks!


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Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1836-1922 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more
About Wind River mountaineer. (Lander, Fremont County, Wyo.) 1885-1938
Lander, Fremont County, Wyo. (1885-1938)
Wind River mountaineer. : (Lander, Fremont County, Wyo.) 1885-1938
- Alternative Titles:
Wind River mountaineer and the Dubois frontier and the Dubois courier
June 23-30, 1938
Wind River mountaineer and the Dubois frontier-courier
June 23-Aug. 4, 1938
- Place of publication:
- Lander, Fremont County, Wyo.
- Geographic coverage:
- W.B. McKenzie
- Dates of publication:
Vol. 1, no. 1 (Jan. 1, 1885)-v. 54, no. 36 (Aug. 4, 1938).
- Dubois (Wyo.)--Newspapers.
- Fremont County (Wyo.)--Newspapers.
- Lander (Wyo.)--Newspapers.
- <May 5, 1905>-Feb. 14, 1908 also called: N.S. <Vol. 10, no. 34>-n.s. v. 13, no. 15.
- Absorbed: The Dubois frontier and the Dubois courier, June 23, 1938.
- Published in Dubois, Wyo., May-Aug. 1938.
- sn 90051452
- Preceding Titles:
- Succeeding Titles:
View complete holdings information

domain: history


– Analysis: Josiah Wilson, the Indian Act, hereditary governance and blood quantum
– Basketball is culture in coastal B.C. First Nations communities (Unreserved)
Trevor Jang was one of two recipients of the 2016 CJF Indigenous Journalism Fellowships. He accepted the award at the CJF Awards in Toronto. View the acceptance speeches by Jang and the other fellowship recipient, Stephanie Cram.
View the details of the 2017 CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships.


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Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver My rating: 4 of 5 stars My reaction at the end of the book: I just can't. I didn't think that it was possible to end the second book with a bigger reveal/cliffhanger than Delirium - but Lauren Oliver shocked me. She slipped a little comment in that immediately made you… Continue reading Pandemonium – Lauren Oliver
Wonderfully well-written novel that I highly recommend to young adult/teen readers even if they don't normally read dystopian style novels. There are only one or two instances of a curse word being used and no inappropriate scenes detailed. This is a very enjoyable read that will keep you up into the wee hours of the morning.

domain: library


How is X5C Wi-Fi Performance? Joel September 05, 2019 14:29 Follow Coverage area is 100 meters in open environment, between two walls Related articles What is the suggested distance between router and X5C? X5C Supports 5GHz? Does X5C have any reset button? X5C supports local firmware upgrade? What type of WiFi router do I need? Comments 0 comments Please sign in to leave a comment.


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Do you always feel like somebody's watching you? Is it close to midnight, with something evil lurking in the dark? Is there something strange in your neighborhood? Who you gonna call?
With Halloween less than a week away, YouTube on Wednesday released a list of the top 10 music videos most frequently added to Halloween playlists on the video-sharing website.
There's a 1980s flair to some of the entries, with Rockwell's 1984 stalker-y hit "Somebody's Watching Me" in the No.1 position, Ray Parker Jr.'s 1984 "Ghostbusters" theme at No.5, and Michael Jackson's 1983 "Thriller" at No.6.
But more modern songs help fill out the list too, with Rihanna, Panic at the Disco and Twenty One Pilots also nabbing spots.
The only artist with two songs making the list is also the most fittingly named for a Halloween playlist: Rob Zombie takes the No.2 spot with "Dragula" and the No.4 position with "Living Dead Girl."
Here's the complete list:
1. "Somebody's Watching Me," by Rockwell
2. "Dragula," by Rob Zombie
3. "Disturbia," by Rihanna
4. "Living Dead Girl," by Rob Zombie
5. "Ghostbusters," by Ray Parker Jr.
6. "Thriller," by Michael Jackson
7. "Heathens," by Twenty One Pilots
8. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," by Backstreet Boys
9. "Zombie," by the Cranberries
10. "It's Almost Halloween," by Panic at The Disco


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Product Code : ICCP 01
The Coco Peat is rich in various micro and macro nutrients and hence, acts as soil conditioner and surface mulch of rooting medium. Over the years of experience in the industry, we have been able to provide the customers with a remarkable assortment of Coco Peat Briquette. More information please contact us.

domain: agronomy


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House Session, Part 3
The House voted on several bills debated earlier under suspension of the rules. H.R. 2499 passed, 410-1 and S.R. 179…
House Democrats on Removal of Confederate Battle Flags
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other House Democrats spoke to reporters about the debate on the House floor over…
The House convened for Morning Hour, with members permitted to speak on a variety of topics.
The House debated and approved H.R. 5, the Student Success Act, and resumed debate on a fiscal year 2016 Interior…

domain: politics