When most people think of Amateur Radio, also known as “Ham Radio”, they think of a bunch of dusty old codgers sitting in front of a wall of wires and short circuiting old microphones, talking about the good old days and how they can’t stand the next door neighbor’s kid’s saggy pants.
Sure, those guys exist but Amateur Radio as a whole has taken quite a journey over the last 100 or so years.
Amateur Radio, as it exists today, was first noted in 1909 when a listing was published of all known wireless telegraph stations in the U.S. and Canada. This list included 89 amateur stations and so was born the Amateur Radio service.
Throughout history amateur radio has shown steady, nearly constant, growth with approximately 2 million licensed operators world-wide. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 700,000 of those are in the U.S., meaning that if you’re in America, 1 out of every 450 people you come in contact with is a licensed operator and worldwide it’s about 1 in 3000 or so (considering the number of high population countries who have no licensing requirements or don’t support the technology for amateur radio, though, the numbers will be much higher if you’re in a developed country).
Over the years, the technology behind amateur radio has changed and grown at the same pace as the hobby itself. If you ask the average person to describe what they see in their mind’s eye when they think of an amateur radio station, they’ll either say “huh?!” or they’ll describe something like this;
Talk of “Ham Radio” brings with it images of old metal boxes with analog controls, wires dangling out of throw switches, vacuum tubes and rigs that look like Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory. Sure, back in the “olden days” long distance contacts required huge stacks of amplifiers, massive antennas and lots of “sophisticated” and complicated equipment. These days, however, a very viable amateur station looks a lot more like this;
That’s my personal radio, with which I have made contacts all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Russia, Germany and even a short chat with a guy in Sydney, Australia. I’ve also listened to other people talking in Japan, Korea, China, Africa and tons of other places.
Those contacts have all been radio-only. There’s also a lot of new technology which links amateur radio to the internet and allows instant contact all over the world with even hand-held radios, like this one;
Yep…my mouse is larger than that radio and I’ve used it to talk to people all over the world, through what’s called the “Internet Radio Linking Project” or IRLP.
Besides just talking to people, the amateur radio service is used for digital communications, using computer based clients, teletype services, facsimile and image transfers, internet communication and television broadcasts.
With current technology, amateur radio operators all over the world use the amateur radio service to broadcast television signals which can be picked up and decoded then played through a standard television. This is used for coverage of events like the Tournament of Roses Parade, and Amateur Radio events as well as providing “eyes on” coverage of natural disasters and major emergencies…
Which brings me to the most important facet of the service. Emergency response.
Amateur radio operators play a major role in responding to emergencies all over the world. Most operators are trained and skilled in improvising antennas and other communications equipment and have, on many occasions, helped coordinate relief efforts during disasters. Some recent examples are;
The September 11 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
The 2003 North American Blackout
Hurricane Francis in the Bahamas in 2004
The 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia (In this case, ALL local communications were wiped out and a Ham operator on an expedition coordinated relief efforts from the side of a mountain)
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China
Hurricane Ike (Haiti and the United States) in 2008
The largest response by Ham operators was during Hurricane Katrina, in Louisiana, in 2005. Over 1000 operators swarmed to the gulf coast and began coordinating relief efforts in the area. During the congressional investigation, the Amateur Radio service’s response was highlighted as one of the few things that went right during the disaster.
There are also services which are involved in civil defense and weather such as the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the National Weather Service’s “SkyWarn” service which uses ham operators to provide eyes-on severe weather information to the National Weather Service and is responsible for saving countless lives, each year, through the issuing of tornado warnings, severe storm warnings and hurricane warnings. There are equivalents to these groups in other countries, as well, such as Canwarn in Canada, the SkyWarn UK and the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) programs in the United Kingdom, Skywarn Europe for several European countries, RAYNET in the UK, The Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network (WICEN) in Australia and many others.
It seems, at this point, that the amateur radio services of the world are going to continue growing as new generations get involved and the technology gets less expensive and more accessible. If you are interested in becoming a “HAM”, you can check out The Amateur Radio Relay League in the U.S., The Radio Society of Great Britain in the UK, The Wireless Institute of Australia in Australia, The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters in New Zealand, or, for a full list of Amateur Radio organizations throughout the world, you can just look here. It’s a simple process of learning the ropes, taking a licensing exam and setting up your equipment and then you’re off and running.
If you’re already a HAM and would like to contact me, I can usually be found on 20, 40 and 80 meters as well as the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands if you’re local. Drop me an email at email@example.com and if I don’t think you’re going to try to track me down and eat me, I’ll shoot you my callsign and we can tell Nick to bite heiney.
73 and I’ll catch you on the air!


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Know World Carnival
Ultra Music Festival Miami Florida
Ultra Music Festival is an annual outdoor electronic music festival that occurs in March in the city of Miami, Florida, United States. Ultra attracts visitors from throughout the world. Most visitors stay at hotels within the Downtown Miami or Brickell neighborhoods. This is by far the most convenient option for attending Ultra.

domain: travel


Anti Corrosive, Durable, Eco-Friendly, Fine Finished
100mm, 30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm
Due to a vast experience in the industry, we have emerged as a substantial Manufacturer, Supplier, and Exporter of Dry Cylinder Liners. We use the best quality materials and updated techniques to manufacture them. Dry liners are press fit and come in a continuous direct contact with the bore of a cylinder block. Our Dry liners are centrifugally casted and used in the internal combustion engines of light vehicles, tractors, heavy trucks, diesel and petrol engines, ship and marine engines ranging from BMW, Caterpillar, Chevrolet, Citroen, Cummins, DAF, Daihatsu, Escorts, Ford, Hino, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, John Deere, Komatsu, Land Rover, Mack, and many more.


US 4769957 A
A structure to prevent all manner of debris from entering into and clogging the drain guttering system of a sloping roof dwelling or building; through the use of a fine mesh screening top immediately underlying which is located a gently sloping needle stop permitting only the tiniest grip for any needle which may pierce the screening, assuring that it shall topple over and be blown away with a change in climatic conditions and wind direction. This solid surface gently sloping needle stop leads the rain water to a series of drainage holes beneath the ledge of a needle deflector (preventing needles from reaching the drainage holes) and into the main guttering system through which it flows to and down the downspout.
1. A needle and leaf drain gutter guard for use on a drain gutter having a top front and top rear surface said guard having a first and second parts, said first part comprising a screen mesh adapted to cover the top rear surface of said drain gutter, and a front portion comprising a solid surface; and said second part comprising a needle stop portion of solid material adapted for positioning beneath said screen mesh of said first part and a perforate portion for positioning beneath said solid surface of said first part whereby needles penetrating said mesh will be stopped by said needle stop and thus be easily removable, but, water will pass through said mesh and run across said needle stop to the perforate portion of the second part where it may pass through the perforations of said second part to said gutter.
2. A gutter guard of claim 1 wherein the mesh is adapted to cover one half to two thirds of said gutter top surface.
3. A gutter guard as in claim 1 wherein the first and second parts have a mounting means for accepting standard fasteners.
This invention relates generally to a means of preventing debris, particularly leaves and pine or fir needles, from entering into and clogging roof drain gutters and downspouts.
Because clogged gutters and downspouts can cause rain water to over-flow the gutter and promote damage to buildings and foundations, and, in fact, defeat the very purpose of installing gutters in the first place, there have been any number of attempts to prevent the entry of debris into the guttering system. Most common of these attempts is the installation of a screen, wire mesh or expanded metal or plastic mesh over the top of the gutter; this method, though effective against sizeable leaves and/or twigs, fails miserably in dealing with pine or fir needles. In those geographical areas where pine and fir trees are numerous the needle, itself, in conjunction with screen or mesh become a primary problem; as the needle becomes ensnared in the screen or mesh cover it, in turn, becomes a trap for more needles and leaves, and, ultimately, builds into a dam of its own and prevents rain water from entering into the drain gutters.
Other methods have been proposed, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,616,450; 4,604,837; 4,455,791; and 4,435,925 which, essentially, provide a solid cover for the gutter and depend upon the surface tension of the rain water to follow the contour of the cover around an edge and into some sort of opening into the gutter. These methods may be effective in preventing the entry of debris into the system but would only handle moderate water flow, in major rain storms the water quantity and velocity would tend to over-flow the gutter guard, again defeating the original purpose of installing the gutters in the first place.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,504 covers a solid type of guard with uniquely designed "reverse" water flow entry holes in the top of the guard. Though much thought must have gone into this and conceding the fact that it would probably be effective in preventing most debris entry into the system, it, too, would have the same limitations as to the amount of rain water that it would handle; it may be effective in minor rain storms but would be woefully inadequate in handling the quantity and velocity of rain water in a major storm.
The main purpose of the invention is to provide a reliable means of keeping all manner of debris from entering the gutters, at the same time freely permitting the flow of substantial amounts of high velocity rainwater into the guttering system which may be encountered in a major rain storm. To meet this objective we intend to completely cover the top of the gutter with a structure that consists of:
a fine mesh screen covering approximately one half to three fifths of the rear of the gutter, to eliminate all but the finest of debris (such as the sharp end of pine or fir needles).
immediately underlying this fine mesh screen there is located a gently sloping solid surface needle stop which will prevent any needles which do, in fact, pierce the fine mesh screen from gaining anything near a meaningful purchase; such needles, due to their very slight ensnarement, will more than likely be blown away as they become dry and/or the wind direction changes (the slight obstruction of the screen material does not impede the entry of major quantities of high velocity rain water).
this gently sloping needle stop leads to a series of drainage holes located at the front mounting edge and water diverter section of the needle and leaf drain gutter guard structure.
immediately above the drainage holes is located a solid surface needle deflector which joins with the fine mesh screen at a point approximately one half inch to the rear edge of the drainage holes, this deflector prevents any needles which may have pierced the screening in that area from reaching the drainage holes and gaining a more meaningful purchase.
The above summary will become much more apparent upon reviewing the following description, including the drawings in which like parts are referred to with like identification numerals, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the needle and leaf gutter guard installed on a typical drain gutter.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the gutter guard shown installed on a typical drain gutter.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the needle and leaf drain gutter guard.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the needle and leaf drain gutter guard.
Embodiment 10 of the invention, the needle and leaf drain gutter guard assembly, is shown installed over a typical drain gutter section 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2; and separately in FIGS. 3 and 4. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the gutter guard assembly 10 mounts over the gutter 11 and is held in place at the front by the conjunction of the front mounting edge 17 and the front support 18, and the installation of a suitable fastener 23 (which could be a pop rivet or sheet metal screw which, if used, would utilize the mounting holes 24 provided in the front mounting support 18). Retention at the rear 20 is effected by installing the rear of the structure beneath the leading edge of shingles 19.
In actual function the leading edge of the overlying shingles 19 directs the rain water to the fine mesh screen 12 whereat the water tends to percolate through the screening to the underlying needle stop 13, which, in turn, directs the water to a series of drainage holes 14 which are located at the front of the needle stop 13 and closely adjacent to the front mounting edge and water diverter 17. This water then enters nearly debris free, into the gutter 11 and ultimately flows to and down the downspout 22.
Immediately above and covering the drainage holes 14 there is located a needle deflector 15 which is of a solid surface to prevent any needles from reaching the aforementioned drainage holes 14 and gaining a meaningful purchase and possibly promoting a potential future problem.
The needle deflector 15 meets with and is joined to the fine mesh screen 12 at a point approximately one half inch to the rear of the drainage holes 14 by means of crimping or bonding the screen to the main structure at 16 (crimping or bonding would be dictated by the manufacturing method and/or material selected to produce the primary structure--which could be a roll formed section of aluminum or galvanized sheet metal, or, if so desired, an extruded section of either aluminum or plastic. A roll formed section of aluminum would appear to be the preferred manufacturing method).
The screening 12 would be joined to the needle stop 13 at the rear of the main structure by means of a rivet or eyelet 21 to add a degree of rigidity to the screening 12 and prevent it from completely collapsing upon the needle stop 13.
In summary, then, as to the needle and leaf drain gutter guard 10, I have invented a structure to cover the entire top of the gutter from beneath the leading edge of the shingles to the front edge of the gutter. Rain water entering into the guttering system must flow through a fine mesh screen which will keep all but the finest of debris from gaining entry. It is visualized that the only such debris (other than fine dirt or sand which would simply wash through the system) would be the very tips of pine or fir needles; these needles would be denied entry into the system by the location of a needle stop immediately below the screen to prevent them from obtaining a substantial grasp in the screening material, and making them very subject to being blown away as they dry and/or wind direction changes. Rain water will pass through the screening nearly unimpeded by any retained debris and through a series of drain holes into the drain gutter and down the downspout.


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Collectible Chibi Coins
Published on 01/28/2021 by APMEX
These Silver Chibi coins from the New Zealand Mint have an extremely limited mintage of 2,000 coins each and feature officially licensed depictions of characters from Harry Potter, Star Wars, DC and more! These fine Silver coins are inspired by the Japanese art form known as chibi, which takes traditional images of characters and transforms them into a small, whimsical version of the original.
The head of a chibi character is usually between one third and one half the character's height. Additionally, chibi characters typically lack small details. As a result, when a character of average proportions is depicted as a chibi character, certain aspects of their design will be left out or simplified. In contrast, others will be embellished as a prominent feature. If a character has a signature characteristic (for example, Hermione's hair), this will typically be prominent on the character's chibi version.

domain: entertainment


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Democrat Richard Cordray to John Kasich supporters: I'm your pick for Ohio governor
COLUMBUS - While Republicans flee Ohio Gov. John Kasich, at least one politician wants his support: Democrat Richard Cordray.
Cordray, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, released a video Friday saying he would keep Kasich's Medicaid expansion and the private-public economic development group, JobsOhio. Kasich had expressed concern this week that the next governor would ax those programs.
"This message is for those who agree with Gov. Kasich: I am your candidate," Cordray said.
On Wednesday, Kasich said he planned to stay quiet on the race to replace him. "I'm going to be like a former president," he said.
Kasich's endorsement of Taylor was more of a burden than a blessing in conservative parts of Ohio, where Republicans are still infuriated by Kasich's decision to expand state-paid health care to lower-income Ohioans.
DeWine still has time to secure Kasich's endorsement – if he wants it. DeWine's campaign has plenty of Team Kasich ties. One of Kasich's former staffers is running DeWine's gubernatorial bid and several Kasich backers were at DeWine's victory party Tuesday.
Kasich appeals to Democrats and moderates – sometimes more than he does to fellow Republicans. (That's why he has at least considered an independent bid for president in 2020.) Kasich's support could help in a general election much more than it did in a GOP primary.
Cordray has long said he would keep Medicaid expansion intact, but his other promise might surprise Democrats. Many in his party fought against JobsOhio because the economic development organization, funded by state liquor profits, lacks transparency.
JobsOhio offers tax breaks to companies to attract them to Ohio, but those deals are rarely available to the public until after they are inked. As cities placed bids to secure a second Amazon headquarters, the details on Ohio's efforts were sparse.
"I will not get rid of JobsOhio," Cordray said in the video. "Instead, I will work to make sure it fulfills its mission and that it is transparent and effective."
No word yet on what that transparency would look like. DeWine has said he would keep JobsOhio but subject it to public audits like state and local agencies.
On Medicaid, DeWine has said he would work with the federal government to overhaul the current system, which he called unsustainably expensive. That might mean a block grant of money to Ohio to spend as it pleases, likely resulting in fewer people having coverage. Still, DeWine wants to continue drug treatment through Medicaid.
"Ohio has come a long, long way from the economic dark days of Ted Strickland and Richard Cordray, and Mike DeWine and Jon Husted are the leaders with real plans for continuing our momentum and taking the state to the next level," DeWine spokesman Josh Eck said.
What does Kasich think of Cordray's pitch?
"There is no way that Gov. Kasich is going to vote for Elizabeth Warren-backed Richard Cordray," Kasich spokesman Chris Schrimpf said.
Columbus Bureau Chief Chrissie Thompson contributed reporting.

domain: news


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This week’s goliath snow storm, which stretched across some 30 states, has put a dent in America's productivity.
How much the storm will hurt US productivity is difficult to quantify. It's also uneven, hitting service workers much harder than office employees and professionals who can work remotely.
Organizations that depend on their employees’ physical presence will feel the biggest pinch. Restaurants, retailers, airlines, hospitals, hotels, and other service companies lose not only workers but customers on days when travel is difficult.
That's a big chunk of the work force. Some 60 to 70 percent of workers cannot work from home, said Joyce Maroney, director of The Workforce Institute at Kronos, a workforce-management company based in Chelmsford, Mass. The economic cost is not only lost wages to the employees, but also lost business for the employers.[Editor's note: The job title was corrected in this paragraph.]
Unplanned absences from weather or other causes last year cost an average of 8.7 percent of an organization’s base payroll, according to a June 2010 study by Kronos and Mercer, a consulting group. That translates into billions of dollars in costs to businesses over the course of a year, Ms. Maroney said. [Editor's note: The dollar figure was changed to accurately reflect the costs to businesses.]
The costs come from a loss of productivity as well as having to pay wages for temp workers to cover for absent employees.
For most people who work in an office, however, a storm doesn’t have a major effect on the organization, because it’s so easy to work from home.
“Years ago it would have been a much more serious problem than it is today,” said Peter Handal, the president of Dale Carnegie Training, based in Hauppauge, New York. People who work from home have obvious distractions, like having to shovel snow or deal with children who are home from school. So productivity may be lower, he added, “but things still get done.”
In any given week last year, bad weather keeps an average 154,000 nonfarm employees off the job, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those numbers spiked in the winter, with more than 1 million missing work last February when a huge snowstorm hit Washington, D.C. and Middle Atlantic state.
They're likely to be even higher with this week's much more intense and widespread storm. Numbers for January 2011 will be out on Friday.
But snow days can have an upside, too. They give companies an opportunity to show their employees that they care.
It really helps produce positive morale,” Mr. Handal said. “How many companies would not want to keep their employees safe?”

domain: finance


Oracle helps companies reach the cloud
Monday, April 30, 2012
Database giant Oracle appears to be backing the use of cloud computing and is providing proper support as organizations migrate to the technology. For example, the company recently announced that CISDI Information Technology has selected its Exalogic Elastic Cloud and Oracle Exadata Database Machine to establish its cloud platform.
Oracle announced that CISDI INFO is hoping its new cloud infrastructure will provide more effective solutions for its customers and make it a more attractive technology vendor.
CISDI INFO CEO Li Zhiyou noted that the Oracle cloud solutions will help support its internal information management more effectively and customize its cloud services.
"The platform can also help us realize our goal of becoming the 'International Engineered Technology Company and the Engineered Technology Service Provider - the first choice of steel companies,'" said Zhiyou.
Earlier this month Oracle launched its new lineup of Sun x86 servers to help organizations running its software and applications to boost their Oracle performance even further. According to the vendor, the solutions were designed with cloud computing in mind and will help organizations using the technology, virtualization and system management options achieve greater reliability and results.


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- This event has passed.
1 Million Cups – Virtual
June 17, 2020 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Every Wednesday at T-REX, entrepreneurs present their startup companies & have an opportunity to connect with our community of fellow entrepreneurs to help make their businesses flourish. As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down the barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses.
Visit 1millioncups.com/stlouis to see each week's upcoming presenters.
Doors open @ 9am

domain: economics


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Carroll can expect more of the same this week after the Seahawks converted a first down on a fake punt against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Seahawks had a 30-point lead at the time in a game they ultimately won 50-17.
With 12:49 to play in the fourth quarter, Seahawks punt protector Chris Maragos took the direct snap, stepped to his right and flipped the ball to running back Michael Robinson, who darted through the middle for a 29-yard gain.
It was a neat little play, but one we're sure the Bills thought little of while trailing 47-17.
After the game, Carroll acknowledged the fake punt shouldn't have happened.
"I feel bad about this," Carroll said. "It was part of our game plan, it was something I could have called off, and I didn't. It's unfortunate that it comes across like there's something wrong there. That's my fault, totally, for not stopping it from happening ... in the sense that it looked bad."
Carroll's strategy brought to mind a similar situation with the Baltimore Ravens last month, when John Harbaugh called for a fake field goal with his team holding a 41-17 lead over the Oakland Raiders. The Ravens scored a touchdown on the play, and Harbaugh drew criticism for the move.
Harbaugh had no regrets. Carroll can't say the same.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.


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The Brijuni or the Brijuni Islands (also known as the Brionian Islands) are a group of fourteen small islands in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea, separated from the west coast of the Istrian peninsula by the narrow Fazana Strait. The largest island, Veliki Brijun Island (also known as Veli Brijun), (5.6 km2), lies 2 kilometres (1 mile) off the coast. The second largest island is Mali Brijun with an area of 1.07 km², and twelve much smaller islands. Famous for their scenic beauty, the islands are a holiday resort and a Croatian National Park.
The Brijuni islands were called by ancient Greeks Pollariae or Pullariae (Πολλάριαι), and later, they were called Brioniano.
The Brijuni Islands had some Ancient Roman settlements, but up to the late 19th century the islands were mainly used for their quarries, which have been worked on for centuries. The islands belonged to Venice from the Middle Ages, and stone from the islands was used to build the palaces and bridges of the city. The islands were part of the Illyrian Provinces after Napoleon’s brief annexation.
In 1815 the islands became part of the Austrian Empire, which later became Austria-Hungary. During this period the islands’ quarries first supplied stone to Vienna and Berlin. With the erection of a naval base in the harbour of Pula, the Austrians built a strong fortress, “Fort Tegetthoff,” on Veliki Brijun Island Island, together with minor fortifications on some of the others.
The Austro-Hungarian Navy abandoned the fortress, and in 1894 the Viennese business magnate Paul Kupelwieser bought the whole archipelago and created an exclusive beach resort. In 1900 Kupelwieser invited Robert Koch, the renowned microbiologist, to conduct his malaria eradication experiments on Brijuni. Koch and his associates were successful, and in 1901 the island was declared malaria-free.
The estate included first class hotels, restaurants, beach resorts, a casino and a yacht harbour and became a focal point in social life on the Austrian Riviera. Kupelwieser also established a sailing regatta and golf course. Due to the flourish of Austrian Culture – various musical concerts and literature events. The Brijuni islands became popular as a destination for the Viennese upper class. Many members of the Imperial family and other wealthy European bourgeois and aristocrats visited and stayed. During The Great War the Austro-Hungarian navy had a submarine base here.
In 1918 after World War I Brijuni became part of the state of Italy. Karl Kupelwieser, the son of the founder of the estate tried to maintain the former splendor. After the economic crisis following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the estate went bankrupt and Karl committed suicide. In 1930 the Italian government acquired ownership of the islands due to the bankruptcy. They remained part of Italy until the capitulation in 1943.
In 1945 after World War II the Brijuni became part of Yugoslavia and President Marshal Josip Broz Tito made the Brijuni Islands his personal State Summer Residence. Almost 100 foreign heads of state visited Tito on his islands. The famous list includes film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Carlo Ponti, and Gina Lollobrigida. Tito died in 1980. The islands a National Park of Yugoslavia by 1983.
In mid-July 1956, President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser, Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, and President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito. They met here to discuss their opposition to the Cold War. These ideas later crystallized into the Non-Aligned Movement. Vijay Prashad has compared this meeting to the Yalta Conference. Brijuni hosted the 1987 Mediterranean Non-Aligned Countries Ministerial Meeting as well.
In 1991 Croatia gained independence and made the Brijuni Islands an International Conference Center. Four hotels on Veliki Brijun Island re-opened, as well as a Safari Park, which holds animals given to Tito.
On the Brijuni there are several archaeological and cultural sites.
Discoveries of over 200 dinosaur footprints at four sites on Veliki Brijun Island. All of the many footprints date back to the Cretaceous Period.
There are also several archeological sites worth seeing. The 13th century AD St. Mary’s Church built by the Knights Templar. There are also two ancient Roman villa remains, from the 2nd Century BC and remains of a Byzantine fort. The last remaining is Hill-fort. This indicates a Bronze Age settlement on the island dating back to 14th century BC.
The island houses an exhibition dedicated to Josip Broz Tito.
There are also several exhibitions including natural history, arts, and archaeological collections.

domain: geography


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**As some of you may know, I lost my grandmother, Martina, this week. I was asked to write something to read at the funeral and thought I’d share a little about the great woman she was.
My grandmother, Martina—my Nonnie—had a pretty good life. She told us so on one of our last visits to see her while she was in the hospital. While in her final days, she was but a shell of the vibrant person she used to be—old, run-down, unable to do a lot of things by and for herself. I ask you not to remember her this way, as she wouldn’t have wanted that. I ask you to remember her through the eyes of a child. Continue reading In Memory Of→
Today I have a special treat! Jim Galford, author of Into the Desert Wilds, with a guest interview/short story from Oria! I had posed some questions to him for her to answer, and instead, I got a short story! Read on to get this special “extra” from Jim!
This tidbit was presented in the form of a list of questions for Oria, a main character in Into the Desert Wilds. As character reactions are meaningless without context, I’ve taken the questions and integrated them into a scene that does not occur in the book, but has a place in the timeline. All interviewer questions for the character are merged into this story scene. The actual original questions are listed before the story begins.
Q1) The mists really changed your lives. Can you say what’s the biggest difference now?
Q2) Estin is like a father to you. Is there an advantage to having a ‘prey’ breed as a father figure?
Q3) It seems like you feel the need to prove yourself. Are you trying to do so for your mother or yourself?
Q4) You and your brother have different strengths in combat. Do you attribute this to anything in particular?
Q5) Your younger siblings didn’t get the opportunity to know your homeland, only the desert that you are in now. How do you think this has effected/shaped them?
Q6) What is the greatest strength a leader can have? Weakness?
Q7) What drew you towards Phaesys? What ways is he like/dislike you?
Waiting for the inevitable sunrise and the dangers that would come with it, Oria lay against the side of the crumbling room where they were staying, hoping that sleep would come but knowing better. She closed her eyes in vague hopes of some rest, even if sleep was beyond her reach. Even then, she nervousness about the day to come made her want to fidget or walk around. She found herself mostly changing position as her tail cramped or her ears itched randomly, keeping her on-edge at all times.
“Can’t sleep, kid?” asked one of the elves in the room. The others appeared to be sleeping, but Oria doubted that was the case.
The armored woman, Sirella, sat against the wall nearby with a sword resting across her knees, ready to be used at a moment’s notice. Her long black hair had been braided and draped over her shoulder. Despite having her own eyes closed for nearly an hour, the woman must have been feeling much the same as Oria and was unable to sleep either.
“Just worried about tomorrow,” Oria admitted, pulling her knees up to her chin. “Can’t get my mind off what will…and could…happen.”
Sirella set her sword aside and leaned forward, watching Oria briefly.
“Then would you like to talk about something other than that?”
An evil smile passed over Sirella’s lips, making Oria wonder if it was wise to say she would talk about anything with the former leader of a thieves’ guild. Still, it was better than letting her mind race with ideas of who might be hurt or killed in just a few short hours.
“I had questions for Estin that he refused to answer,” noted Sirella. “He never wanted to talk about the past or his family except in terms of wanting to be with them. Would you mind?”
“Go ahead, Sirella. If we even live to see tomorrow, I can decide then whether it was a good idea to tell you any of this.”
Scooting a little closer, Sirella glanced over at the other elves in the room, then whispered to Oria, “Don’t worry. They won’t tell anyone unless I say it’s alright.”
“You’re not making me feel like this is a good idea. Maybe my dad had the right idea…”
“Nonsense. Do you really want to be as tight-lipped…muzzled…as Estin? Thought not. Besides, it’s just a few questions to pass the time. Where’s the harm in that?”
Folding her legs under her and pulling her bushy tail into her lap, Oria watched Sirella expectantly, reserving judgment on whether she wanted to talk until after hearing the questions.
“Estin said you were all from somewhere in the mountains…”
“Altis. Well, the woods near Altis.”
“…and that it was completely unlike Corraith. Aside from taller rocks, how different could it be?”
“You’ve never seen mountains, have you, Sirella?”
“No. Never got farther than the southern oasis.”
“They’re not like the desert at all, big rocks or not. The majority of the hills and mountains are covered with thick woods—pines for the most part. There aren’t as many rocks as you’d expect, though the cliffs are pretty bare.”
Sirella nodded, though something in her eyes indicated a degree of confusion.
“Pines…big green trees with needles instead of leaves.”
“Similar to palm trees?”
“Not at all. They provide a lot more shelter against the rain and snow.”
Blinking, Sirella seemed totally lost at that point.
“Rain I understand. But you get snow out there?” she asked Oria, wrinkling her nose a little in confusion. “I heard the southern oasis gets a few flakes a year, but mostly they make due with the three or four rainstorms each wet season. Never seen the snow myself.”
Oria laughed and shook her head.
“Not a few flakes. Mounds of it. My last winter there, I was up to my waist in snow, though I was only about as tall as your chest. My brother and I had to be careful not to fall into valleys filled with snow or mom wouldn’t find us until spring. The rains weren’t much different. When those came down, whole sections of the woods would flood out and make new streams.”
Despite her usual careful control of expression, Sirella’s eyes widened and Oria knew she had the woman hooked. Deep down, Oria wished she had an elaborate lie to tell her, but none came to mind easily. A simple one would have to do.
“If it rained too hard,” she told the elven woman, making sure to keep from smiling, “the entire plains below the mountains could wash away. That’s why we stayed in the mountains, so we were above the water.”
Sirella’s face revealed little, but her eyes told Oria that she might have gone too far on that one. The woman did not believe a word of it and might have even dismissed the talk of snow entirely.
“What about your siblings?” she asked Oria.
“What about them?”
“They never got to see the mountains, the snow, or the pines. They only know the desert. Do you think they’ll be different from you and your…your parents?”
“Probably.” She picked at bits of dirt in her tail as she thought a moment. “My father’s people weren’t from the mountains and he turned out fine. Maybe it’s just enough that we remember and that mom and dad raise them. I’m sure Corraith will make them a little different, which is fine, as long as they don’t turn out like the snobby nobles you had around here. I’d have to thump them if they did.”
Sirella giggled at that, then brushed a long strand of her hair back behind her pointed ear as she asked, “You keep saying ‘father,’ when talking about Estin. You’re a fox…not a fox like we have around here, but a predator is a predator, no matter whether they have snow or not. He’s not your real father I’m guessing, so…was it hard growing up with prey as a dad?”
“What was your father like, Sirella?”
“A foul old sot who lost the house in a game of chance when my sister and I were barely old enough to last a night on the streets.”
“Did he care about you, your sister, and your mother?”
“He died trying to put food in our bellies, for all the good it did.”
“My birth father,” Oria began, trying not to think too hard on the topic. It was not something she was comfortable talking about with anyone. “He was scared of my mother…of her power. He loved my brother and I dearly, but as soon as he saw that he was not the top predator in the area, he ran. He took Atall and I and fled from mom, throwing away all the promises he’d made her. He was a warrior, a decent male, and would have been a good father…if he hadn’t gotten himself killed running from his mate.
“He, unlike Estin, was a predator for all the good it did him.”
“That doesn’t really change that your ‘dad’ probably looks and smells like dinner to your mom. That can’t be healthy.”
Nodding, Oria answered, “It wasn’t. Mostly it was hard on mom, though. The camp did not exactly approve and many really wanted to see her gut him. They could get along with predators and prey living as neighbors, but her taking him as her mate was not a popular choice. Before it was official was the worst…at least after she made it public, the pack had to stand by her decision or openly oppose her, which was not a wise thing to do.”
“So your mother chose him…so what? I’d still think a predator would consider him beneath them.”
That amused Oria and she laughed a little at the thought.
“My birth father gave up his life for his children, but abandoned his mate. Without hesitation, Estin would give up his life for any of Feanne’s children, whether they are his or not. He doesn’t care who our father is. His life belongs as much to us as to our mother. I’ve never seen that kind of dedication in anyone of any breed or race. He’s my father because of who he is, not anything to do with birth, breed, or anything else. Besides…us not knowing if he might actually be our real father means looking at him as prey would say something bad about my siblings and I.”
Sirella pondered that for a while, then motioned for Oria to stay quiet as she ran off to investigate something. It did not take long and she returned, taking her seat beside Oria again.
“Old rubble falling,” she explained. “Thought they might have found us, but we’re still getting lucky.”
They sat in silence for some time, the only sounds being the shallow breathing of the other thieves that had come with them. When Sirella spoke next, it jarred Oria and she realized she had been lost in thought.
“Your family is leaving as soon as things calm down, aren’t they?” the woman asked Oria, more of a statement than a question.
“As soon as this battle is done. We don’t belong here. The soldiers are terrified of my mother and would love nothing more than to kill my father. The city itself doesn’t need us or people like us. We’re better off trying to make our way home.”
“Your mother to her role as pack leader and you to wait to inherit it? Sounds thrilling.”
“It doesn’t work that way,” Oria replied, realizing that it was the first time she had really thought about that in many months. “If and when mom dies, the strongest or most respected member takes charge. I don’t get anything without work…and a lot of fights.”
Sirella smiled knowingly, asking, “Is that why you’re out here, risking yourself with us lowlifes? Trying to prove yourself for when you go home?”
“There’s no pack left to impress. They may have all died around the time we left. We won’t know until we go home.”
“Then you’re trying to convince yourself that you’re strong enough.”
“No, not me…” Oria started to say, then trailed off, wishing she had kept her mouth shut.
“You’re showing off for your mother. You want her to know you’re good enough, whether there’s a pack or not. I did the same thing to impress my parents, at least until I stopped caring what they thought.”
Sirella picked up her sword and lifted it so the point was aimed at the ceiling. With a casual wave of her left hand towards the blade, the weapon burst into flames that glowed red, then shifted to blue, then green. She smiled at Oria, then winked and the flames went out.
“Took me forever to learn to do that,” the elven woman admitted, putting the sword aside. “Now, I realize it doesn’t mean anything. Whether my parents were impressed or not, I’m still a street thief in a city that hates me.
Tricks and personal accomplishments don’t make us better people…they just pass the time.”
Oria nodded quickly, but saw Sirella’s eyes following her every movement. The woman was trying to read her.
“It’s not about mommy and daddy,” whispered Sirella, her sparkling eyes widening with interest. “You were proving it to yourself, but not anymore. You’re showing off for someone else.”
“I don’t know what you…”
“Oh yes you do, kid. It’s the fennec, isn’t it? I saw the sappy way you looked at him back at base. You’re doing this to convince yourself that you’re good enough for him.”
“Shut up, Sirella.”
“He’s a noble, stuck up, born to wealth and privilege, and probably heir to a dozen women…what do you two possibly have in common? I’d think to him, you were just another peasant girl…”
Oria snarled and leapt to her feet, grabbing the taller woman by the armor and slamming her into the wall.
Behind her, she could hear the other elves drawing weapons and could feel them just behind her, waiting for a cue to strike. She did not care, focusing only on Sirella, keeping one hand locked into the woman’s armor to prevent her from moving and the other holding her curved knife. Oria did not even remember drawing the weapon, but she held it steady near Sirella’s throat.
Though she blinked as she hit the wall, Sirella seemed entirely unsurprised and had not a bit of concern on her face.
“I was not criticizing you, kid,” she said, her voice calm despite the weapon near her neck. “That’s how nobles around here think. I’ve dealt with…and stolen from…enough of them that I know it’s true. Getting yourself killed isn’t going to prove anything to him. I don’t know what you see in him, or what he sees in you, but it’d better be something stronger than recklessness to make it work out.”
Letting her weapon drop to her side, Oria released Sirella and stepped away. By the time she turned around, the other thieves were sitting casually around the room as though nothing had happened.
“I don’t know what I see in him,” Oria admitted, shoving her dagger back into its sheath. “He’s handsome and strong, but that isn’t it. I think it’s just that he treats me well…even when I’m being stupid.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s just as reckless as I am. He tries to prove himself to his father and his soldiers all the time. What sets us apart though is that he tries to be sensible and do the right thing, even if it gets him hurt. He’s like my father in that…he wants to help others, no matter the risk. That’s not something I’m good at and I think I envy that about him just a little. I just want him to know how much I…”
Oria let that trail off and sat down hard. This was not something she had wanted anyone else to hear. It was not even something she really wanted to discuss with herself in the privacy of her own mind.
Kneeling beside her, Sirella lifted Oria’s chin to look her in the eyes.
“If there’s one thing I understand, it’s being stupid about who you love,” the woman said, this time without a hint of deception or sign that she was trying to lead Oria into saying more than she intended. “When this is all over, I’ll help you understand what makes the men of these lands pay attention. You two are good together, that much I saw just in the little time you were both at the base. You just have to undo years of his upbringing if you want to keep him. It’s no different than training any other man, really.”
“Anything,” Oria said softly, pulling her head away. “I feel like I’m losing him and don’t know what I’ll do if that happens.”
A distant horn made everyone in the room look up. Faintly, Oria heard shouts that soon grew into a jumbled rumble of many people yelling at once.
“Worry about your man later. That’s our cue, kid,” Sirella announced, nodding at the others. To the two women in the group and Oria, she added, “It’s time for the girls to show that army of men that it only takes a couple of us to do what a hundred of them are trying to do. Gear up, it’s time to go. Let’s get famous and win back this city.”
Today I have author Jim Galford with me to talk about his second book, Into the Desert Wilds, which is due for release on the 10th (tomorrow!). I had the pleasure of reading it early, and let me tell you, if you like epic fantasy, DON’T miss out on this book! As you can probably tell from my review, I LOVED getting back into Estin’s world, seeing what he’s been up to and how he and his family tackle the new problems they are faced with. And if you haven’t read the first book, In Wilder Lands, yet, go check it out!
TK: The first book is told solely from Estin’s PoV. This time, we have two different PoVs – Estin and Oria. Was it hard to make them sound different?
JG: Honestly, no. In my mind, the story happens no different from how one might see a movie. Oria and Estin are most definitely different people, with their unique perspective. It’s a little harder to separate two male point-of-views, but very easy when you’re dealing with a teenage girl (Oria) and her father-ish person (Estin). Estin has more of a “always concerned about what might come of his decisions” feel, while Oria has a carefree viewpoint, where she mostly just thinks about the moment at hand. They’re different enough that the transitions were really easy.
Now, finding Oria’s mindset as an adult male writer was tricky, but making her different from Estin was easy. I had to double-check a lot with my wife to be sure that Oria didn’t come across as a man trying to write a woman’s perspective, which was a fear I had with this particular point-of-view.
Generally, I’m always looking for a new way to broaden my scope of writing and point-of-view is the most obvious. Next comes emotional viewpoint. Into the Desert Wilds pushed my area of expertise on both a little, but I’m hoping to push even farther in the next book.
I have a wonderful post about developing a character by Jeffrey Zweig II, author of The End Begins: The Nine. Be sure to see my other post for his blog tour as there’s a great excerpt in it. I’ve added this one to my TBR list – how about you?
Developing the Character – Cassarah Doneye Telmar
Thank you for having me Trish!
Developing a character can happen many different ways. It depends upon the author’s writing style. Do you start with the character and build the world around them? Or build the world and put a character in there? Do you start with a simple base for each and develop them simultaneously?
I normally start with the character – there is a characteristic or a trait that I like and I start there. I develop them separately at first, then I construct a world that fits that version. Then comes the simultaneous development. I’ll try to show my progressing for Cass in my post today. I’ll try to remain as specific as possible without being spoiler-riffic.
Cass was one of the few “original” characters that remained from the adoption of my story. Her backstory always made her the heart of the story, so I stuck with her as the main character because she has attachments to every important piece of the story. So I started with exiled sorceress in the “modern world”.
Her personality came second. How did she act at The Nine? How would she react to a new world? The character’s personality and train of thought has to come pretty early for her to be believable and somewhat predictable even if she is completely not so! I settled for a brainiac who would be a fish out of water, so she would be kind of cold and straightforward with some sass mixed in. I inevitably based Cass’s personality off of Emily Deschanel’s performance from the TV series Bones. I love that character and thought she was a perfect example of what I was looking for. Continue reading Guest Post: Jeffrey Zweig II→
Jack Preston, an ordinary kid on his 8th grade trip to Washington DC, finds himself mysteriously transported back in time to 1720 Massachusetts. Finding a world without cars, phones and other conveniences of modern life takes some getting used to, but he’s even more surprised to meet a young Founding Father, Ben Franklin.
Being a righteous fellow, Ben befriends the confused and tattered Jack and offers him a place to stay. When Jack overhears a seedy plan that will most certainly ruin Ben’s brother’s printing business, Jack vows to help find the culprit before it’s too late.
From the streets of Colonial Boston, to the cargo hold of a huge galleon, Jack realizes he’s on the most bizarre, but important, adventure of his life. As Jack is thrown into a whirlwind of conspiracy, he realizes that much more than a printing company is at stake. An adventure is one thing, but being stuck hundreds of years in the past is quite another. Continue reading Blog Tour: Fables of the Flag→
My very own. And though I may not have picked you out, you waddled into my life on those tiny little legs and stole my heart with your silly smile. I could not deny your big brown eyes anything.
I grew with you.
Just as you learned much from me, I learned from you. I watched as you grew and developed your own quirky personality. We learned how to live with each other and in our own space. We learned to communicate and you were always there to lend me an ear. We played late into the evenings, enjoyed quiet time doing nothing, and I held you when you were scared.
I’m pleased to announce the release of Pimp ur Blog Episode Three: Working With Amazon and Google by Paul Rice! It’s currently free on Smashwords through July 31st.
Many bloggers and authors have experiences with Google and Amazon that they would like to share. Many more people will benefit from these shared experiences.
The third eBook in the Pimp ur Blog series is now open to multiple co-authors. My offer for Pimp ur Blog Episode Three: Working with Amazon and Google is to publish another edition each time I receive another co-author’s material. I will, of course, publicize each Episode Three edition with press releases, bookmark links on three-dozen social bookmarking sites, blog posts, social media, and inclusion of blurbs for each co-author’s other works.
I will add permanent links to each co-author’s blog or website on each PimpUrBlog.com page. The eventual result will be that each co-author’s name and/or blog will make its way into 100 or so associated links and references in Google’s search results!
The initial Episode Three edition starts with my experiences in working with Google as a blogger by describing how to access the wealth of information that Google Webmaster Tools stores for every blog. I share the details of the tests I ran with a $100 Google AdWords credit, and briefly review what effect the recent changes within Google have had when they filter down to our blogs’ Google search results.
I continue with my experiences in working with Amazon as an author who does not participate in Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing Select program. Episode Three wraps up with some items of interest from the previous eBooks in the Pimp ur Blog series.
Except that Episode Three does not really conclude at all. Anyone who wants to contribute as a co-author will always be welcome! Let me know what you think through the blog’s contact page, Paul Rice’s links, PRice@PimpUrBlog.com, comments, your review, or any other way you want.

domain: literature


text:
It’s important to be aware of any pain or bleeding that is out of the ordinary and discuss this with your gynecologist or another healthcare provider. The symptoms of endometrial cancer are similar to symptoms of several non-cancerous conditions. Whether it’s cancer or something else, it’s important that you don’t wait too long to see a doctor. Treatments can be more effective when given sooner, especially for cancer.
Endometrial cancer symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation (periods)
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Difficult or painful urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain in the pelvic area

domain: health


text:
Exploring the Different Requirements of an Indian Visa: Peru vs. Poland, this blog will compare the requirements for obtaining a visa to travel to India from both Peru and Poland. It will discuss the processes, documents, and fees needed to apply for a visa, as well as provide insight into how long the entire process takes. Finally, we will look at the differences between the two countries and how they affect visa requirements.
Are you planning to visit India? If yes, then you must be aware that getting a visa is a necessary requirement for entry into the country. However, did you know that the visa requirements for Indian entry differ depending on your country of origin? In this blog, we will explore the different requirements for Indian visas for Peru and Poland. It is important to note that the visa application process for India can be quite complicated, and it is vital to understand the requirements and follow the correct procedures to avoid any delays or rejections. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional assistance to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process. So, let’s dive into Indian Visa from Peru and the details of the Indian visa requirements for Peru and Poland and make your journey to India a memorable one.
2. Requirements for an Indian Visa to Peru
If you’re an Indian citizen planning a trip to Peru, it’s important to know the specific requirements for obtaining a visa. Firstly, you will need to fill out an online visa application form and submit it along with a valid passport, which should have at least six months of validity remaining. Additionally, you will need to provide a recent passport-sized photograph, evidence of your travel arrangements, and proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Peru. It’s also important to note that Indian citizens are required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate to enter Peru. While the process of obtaining a visa for Peru may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that it’s a necessary step to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. By following the requirements and providing all the necessary documentation, you’ll be on your way to exploring the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Peru in no time.
3. Requirements for an Indian Visa to Poland
If you’re an Indian passport holder planning to visit Poland, you’ll need to obtain a visa before your trip. The requirements for an Indian visa to Poland include a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photographs, and proof of travel arrangements such as flight tickets and hotel reservations. Additionally, you’ll need to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Poland and a travel medical insurance policy that covers your entire trip. It’s important to note that the visa application process can take several weeks, so it’s best to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates. Overall, while the requirements for an Indian visa to Poland may seem daunting, with proper preparation and attention to detail, obtaining a visa can be a straightforward process. With a valid visa in hand, you’ll be able to explore all that Poland has to offer, from its rich history and culture to its stunning natural landscapes.
4. Comparison of visa requirements between Peru and Poland
When it comes to comparing the visa requirements of Peru and Poland for Indian citizens, there are some significant differences Indian Visa from Poland that should be taken into account. Firstly, Peru requires Indians to obtain a visa before arrival, whereas Poland allows Indians to obtain a visa on arrival. Secondly, the cost of obtaining a visa for Peru is significantly higher than that of Poland. Thirdly, the processing time for a visa for Peru is longer than that of Poland. However, it is important to note that the requirements for obtaining a visa for both countries are quite similar, including the need for a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. It is also worth noting that both Peru and Poland offer a range of visa options for Indian citizens, including tourist visas, business visas, and student visas. Ultimately, the decision of which country to visit will depend on a variety of factors, including personal preferences, travel plans, and budget. Regardless of which country you choose, it is important to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation and information before embarking on your journey.
In conclusion, it is important to note that the requirements for an Indian visa can vary greatly depending on the applicant’s country of origin. As we have seen in this article, the requirements for Peru and Poland differ significantly, with Peru having more stringent requirements for certain types of visas. It is crucial for applicants to carefully review the specific requirements for their country and visa type before submitting their application. Additionally, it is important to ensure that all necessary documents are provided and that they meet the requirements set forth by the Indian government. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in delays or even rejection of the visa application. Therefore, it is highly recommended that applicants seek the assistance of a professional visa service to ensure that their application is complete and meets all necessary requirements. With the right preparation and attention to detail, applicants can successfully obtain an Indian visa and enjoy all that this vibrant and diverse country has to offer.


There's growing buzz that the San Francisco 49ers will draft Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, but don't rule out the possibility that Justin Fields will end up with San Francisco instead.
"I don't buy it," an AFC executive told CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora regarding the Jones-to-the-Niners chatter. "I think it's Fields at three."
"I don't know one way or the other, but I have a hard time seeing Mac Jones as the third player in this draft," an NFC executive said.
"Doesn't smell right to me," a separate NFC executive told La Canfora.
It's always hard to know the difference between smokescreens and genuine interest this time of year. One thing to consider is why the 49ers would bother to put out counterintelligence at this point with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets widely presumed to be set on Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson with the first two picks.
Are the Niners worried a team that loves Fields might offer a bundle to the Jets to move up to No. 2? Are they putting out a Jones smokescreen to prevent that scenario so they can select the Ohio State product? Or do they just love Jones?
The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah seemingly believes San Francisco's interest is real, projecting Jones to the Niners in his latest mock draft, though he noted he was "surprised that everything you hear points toward Jones being the Niners' pick at No. 3."
Jeremiah ranked Fields as the better prospect, No. 8 on his big board with Jones No. 32. (Lawrence is No. 1, Wilson No. 4 and North Dakota State's Trey Lance No. 7.)
Charley Casserly @CharleyCasserly
I surveyed 23 teams on their ranking of the Top 5 QB’s in the @NFLDraft All 23 teams had Trevor Lawrence #1 & Zach Wilson #2 The remaining ranking was #3 Justin Fields, #4 Trey Lance #5 Mac Jones. Interestingly for 3rd place Fields had 13 votes, Lance 6, Jones 4 @nflnetwork
How the 49ers handle the pick will have major ramifications on the rest of the draft (barring the Jets' surprising everyone and not selecting Wilson). If the pick isn't Fields, more than a few people will be surprised, despite the Jones buzz.
"Maybe teams are seeing things we don't see," one team official told La Canfora. "But this kid [Fields] looks special to me."


text:
Grief dating again
Abel ended up writing six books on the topic, including how he overcame the worst time in his life and became an expert on the topic of widowers.
“Well I was widowed when I was 26 years old, my wife took her own life.
If this podcast brings up feelings that you want to talk to someone about, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Exploring Your Readiness to Date Entering the Dating Scene Going on a Date Community Q&A The death of a spouse can be one of the most devastating life events one endures.
As a widower this reader friend found the question to be kind of awful and as such just had to share it (obviously).
“Widows (women) don’t usually start dating until they emotionally get better, while widowers think they can fix the hole in their heart by dating again,” he explains.As psychotherapist Hilda Burke explains, everyone's experience is different and there are no hard rules about when to move on.It's important to remember, though, that moving on is not about ‘replacing’ or ‘forgetting’ about your loved one – it's about allowing yourself room for both treasured memories and new happiness.The love that I have for him, I live it every day'She feels her late spouse around her and sees him in the faces of sons René-Charles, and twins Eddy and Nelson, 6, every day, she previously told Extra.For many widowers and widows, dating after a loss requires support and the empathetic company of people who understand the situation. We prioritize compatibility: matching personalities, locations and, crucially, life experiences.

domain: psychology


text:
Main / Brain & Puzzle / Football manager 2013 mac osx-money
Football manager 2013 mac osx-money
Name: Football manager 2013 mac osx-money
File size: 115mb
1) if you can afford to buy players in full, do it as your future Transfer Budgets will not be affected and you wont be owing money every month!. i just installed fm on my mac (mac os x lion ). when i open the . my question: is it possible, in any way, to get your money back??. Earn it mate. You can cheat all you want but who will become a cheater in life if you keep on doing that. I became a famous premier league. Football Manager is a football management simulation video game developed by Sports Interactive and published by Sega. It was released on Microsoft Windows and OS X on 2 November The demo allowed gamers to play for six in-game months and, as with the beta, users could carry on their save in. No other football games achieve the level of depth, control and emotion you'll experience like a boss in Football Manager.
Add Steam and Football Manager to the exceptions in your anti-virus. How to do this will . Crash dump whilst launching or playing FM on Mac. Out of the Park Baseball 16 MACOSX-MONEY Guide your favorite MLB team, present or past, to glory in Out of the Park Baseball 16! FIFA Manager 13 Premium Fanpack DLC · Football Manager MACOSX-MONEY. One platform is enormous and making a ton of money for Apple and Steam, the go-to PC gaming platform, has been available on Mac for. Is the money young players receive in England killing their ambition for explained: "He's come from a Gaelic Football playing background. Football Manager for Mac, free and safe download. Football There are new players to buy and you can now choose to pay either in cash or installments.
22 Jan - 3 min - Uploaded by vageldan1 Football Manager 13 Money cheat (this will work only for the real version of the game and it. 19 Dec - 6 min - Uploaded by elvinwebstudio If you want a tutorial on anything that involves computers, just let me know! Ill sort one out for you. i just installed fm on my mac (mac os x lion ). when i open the . my question: is it possible, in any way, to get your money back??. 2. acmessubspres.tk?product=MFB/ So , the question is simple: Can I play Football Manager on these .. done on MS applications then to be brutally honest you're wasting money. 0. I'd like to know other users experience with Football Manager and Air. question, 4/8GB will be just fine for FM and don't waste money on the i7. Manager in full screen mode doesn't support the native OS X full.

domain: game


By Brian Murphy
The Mountain West Conference has "no definitive timeline" for completing discussions with the Hawaii, a spokesman for commissioner Craig Thompson told the Statesman on Friday.
The league's presidents voted Thursday to initiate conversations with Hawaii about joining the league as a football-only member. On Thursday evening, reports surfaced in the Hawaii press and the school held a press conference to announce it was negotiating with the Mountain West to join.
WAC offers Hawaii "football-only" membership
The WAC has offered Hawaii a "football-only" membership in the league in an attempt to keep the Warriors from agreeing to the same deal with the Mountain West Conference, WAC commissioner Karl Benson wrote to league presidents and athletic directors in an e-mail obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
Hawaii and the Mountain West acknowledged Thursday night that they are negotiating to have the Warriors join the league as a football-only member.
The WAC's offer to its longest-serving current member came after athletic directors at Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State and Utah State voted on a Thursday conference call.
Benson's e-mail also suggests that the Mountain West is still evaluating the impact of adding Hawaii on its television contract and the evaluation could take up to a month.
Hawaii officials said Thursday they had a handshake agreement to join the league, but still needed to work out additional details. That is further than Mountain West officials went in an official statement, which said that the league's board of directors had "authorized Commissioner Craig Thompson to begin discussions with the University of Hawaii regarding possible membership in the sport of football only."
• Hawaii officials certainly sound like it is a done deal in this Honolulu Star Advertiser story.
Check out this quote from athletic director Jim Donovan: "The important thing is we're going to the dance. That's always been the most important thing in my life. I'm a former offensive lineman, and no matter what it takes, we try to get the job done. We don't expect a lot of fanfare. We just want to get the job done."
• Here is a column from the Star Advertiser, which tries to set Hawaii fans at ease since there was no actual invitation offered by the Mountain West.
Be sure to check back for more on this developing story throughout the day.
You can follow Murph's Turf on Twitter.


A new malware variant has been discovered that is believed to be the first to target Windows containers. The malware, discovered by Daniel Prizmant of Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 team, has been dubbed Siloscape and is capable of breaking out of Windows containers and compromising Kubernetes clusters to plant backdoors and raid nodes for credential theft.
Kubernetes is used to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized workloads, services, and apps. Containers are organized into pods, nodes (VMs or physical machines), and clusters, with clusters consisting of multiple nodes managed by a master that coordinates cluster-related tasks. Since the malware can be used to compromise an entire cluster, that would mean multiple cloud applications could be compromised.
The malware exploits known vulnerabilities in web servers and databases to compromise poorly configured Kubernetes clusters to run malicious containers. The heavily obfuscated malware has been active for more than a year and has claimed at least 23 victims. The first known use of the malware was on January 12, 2020.
Prizmant said the malware targets recently discovered vulnerabilities – 1-days – in cloud applications such as web servers. Once a web server is compromised, Siloscape uses container escape techniques to achieve code execution on Kubernetes nodes. When nodes are compromised, the malware searches for credentials to allow it to spread to other nodes within the Kubernetes cluster. The malware then communicates with its C2 via IRC over Tor and remains idle until it receives commands.
“Siloscape is being compiled uniquely for each new attack, using a unique pair of keys,” said Prizmant. “The hardcoded key makes each binary a little bit different than the rest, which explains why I couldn’t find its hash anywhere. It also makes it impossible to detect Siloscape by hash alone.”
Prizmant was able to connect to the command-and-control server; however, the connection was detected within 2 minutes and the C2 server was shut down. While there were 23 active users, Prizmant found 313 users in total, which suggests Siloscape was being used as part of a much broader campaign.
Malware used to target cloud environments is most commonly used for cryptojacking or launching DoS attacks; however, Siloscape gives the attacker much broader capabilities, such as data exfiltration, credential theft, and ransomware attacks. It could also be used as part of a supply chain attack on organizations that are using Kubernetes clusters to develop and test code.
One way of preventing attacks is to use Hyper-V containers rather than Windows containers, and to ensure Kubernetes clusters are configured securely. “A secured Kubernetes cluster won’t be as vulnerable to this specific malware as the nodes’ privileges won’t suffice to create new deployments. In this case, Siloscape will exit,” said Prizmant. “Siloscape shows us the importance of container security, as the malware wouldn’t be able to cause any significant damage if not for the container escape. It is critical that organizations keep a well-configured and secured cloud environment to protect against such threats.”


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19:30, Wed 22nd – Sat 25th November 2006 at Emmanuel Queen's Building
Michaelmas Week 7
The Revived Emmanuel Dramatic Society presents Ibsen's most arresting play. Feel the tension unfold as an image of domestic bliss begin to fall apart at the seams. Be swept away by the unstoppable rhythms of the Tarantella. Watch as Nora finally confronts her darkest secret.
A scathing attack on the gender roles associated with Victorian marriage, A Doll's House is often described as the first true feminist play. The REDS production of this Norwegian classic is sure to be one of the most exciting shows in Cambridge this term.

domain: artistic


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Cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, is one of the fastest growing – in popularity – health supplements in America. The industry is exploding because people are learning about the beneficial properties of the substance. The government doesn’t regulate CBD oil for sale like it regulates pharmaceutical products, so it is understandable that some may be concerned about finding legitimate CBD oil, or hemp oil for sale.
I wanted to tell people here that CBD has been very effective for my anxiety, and helps with insomnia. For me, it was a cumulative effect, after a week of one dropper of oil, I can sleep very well at night. I feel like I am not polluting my body with commercial pharmaceuticals. I wish everyone here the best, and hope it works for you as well as it has for me.
In studying over 4,600 test subjects, researchers found that current cannabis users had fasting insulin levels that were up to 16 percent lower than their non-using counterparts, higher levels of HDL cholesterol that protects against diabetes, and 17 percent lower levels of insulin resistance. Respondents who had used cannabis in their lifetime but were not current users showed similar but less pronounced associations, indicating that the protective effect of cannabis fades with time.
Finally, most of the products below simply contain hemp oil extract, mixed with a neutral carrier oil like hemp seed oil or coconut oil. While hemp seed oil is packed with nutrition, CBD brands are beginning to offer supplements with added ingredients that may offer additional benefits. We’ve included the complete ingredients of every product. Be sure to avoid any known allergies and investigate the pros and cons of any additional ingredients.
Research indicates that CBD may be valuable in the treatment of cancer in a number of different ways. CBD as well as some of the other compounds found in cannabis have an antitumor effect and can amplify the death of tumor cells in both colon cancer and leukemia. In addition, investigations have shown that CBD can be used to stop the spread of cancer cells in cervical cancer cells. It is important to note that the vast majority of CBD and cancer studies are pre-clinical, meaning they’re not conducted on human or even mammalian test subjects, and the findings – while promising – should not be construed as conclusive proof that CBD can cure cancer.
This is a good but tricky question. Every person will need to find out for themselves how much CBD to take. There is no one-answer-fits-all. The response to how much CBD should I take is subjective. This is because it depends on what you are hoping for the outcome to be. If it is for general health, the amount of CBD mg will be less than if you are trying to deal with an issue.
Knowing how much CBD you’re taking can take a little math. Again, capsules are straightforward—the bottle will say how much CBD each one contains. For tinctures, you need to know the total amount of CBD in the container and the container’s size to calculate how much CBD is in each serving. I found 1-ounce tincture bottles, which contain roughly 30 servings, that ranged from containing 100 milligrams of CBD to 1,000.
The arrival of Epidiolex is unlikely to erase the unregulated CBD market, however. For one, Epidiolex has been studied only in connection with a small number of epileptic conditions. If and when Epidiolex makes its way to drug stores, it will be approved only for the treatment of Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, two rare forms of catastrophic epilepsy. People like me, with comparatively mild Janz Syndrome, and people like Harper, with extremely rare conditions like CDKL5, may still be out of luck.
Rich in CBD, cannabis has been used for centuries to fight illness, improve sleep, and lower anxiety. Today, our understanding of the potential benefits of CBD is growing by leaps and bounds—more and more, CBD is seen as a powerful disease-fighting agent. Thanks to decades of scientific investigation, it’s now possible to get the benefits of CBD in supplement form.
“The need for enhanced bioavailability of the CBD phytonutrient is paramount”, adds Moriarity, “but tricky to accomplish without synthetic chemicals.” Most CBD products do not offer any bioavailability optimization, so 90 percent of the CBD is lost to first-pass effect, a phenomenon of drug metabolism whereby the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation.
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. Information is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.
How do you take it? CBD products comes in a variety of forms, including tinctures, gel caps, and topical applications. One athlete-focused company, Floyd’s of Leadville, offers a protein recovery powder and a carb drink that contain CBD. (That’s Floyd as in Floyd Landis, the former professional cyclist who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title for failing a drug test and who helped to expose Lance Armstrong’s doping.) Another athlete-focused company, PurePower Botanicals, offers capsules that combine CBD with herbs and other purported medicinals, such as turmeric. PurePower says that the non-hemp-derived ingredients increase the effectiveness of the products’ CBD.
For some, having more than trace amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) might not be a big deal, but if you’re being drug tested at work, operating heavy machinery, or fall into a number of other categories, you may want to keep the THC to a bare minimum. In order to qualify as a legal hemp product, CBD oil must contain less than 0.03% THC. Look for CBD oil certified to have low levels of, or zero, THC in them. Many reputable sellers do offer products that have absolutely no THC in them at all, so if you are concerned about keeping even trace amounts of TCH out of your body, it is best to look for those products and sellers.
Kats Botanicals provides excellent quality CBD derivatives including CBD Oil for Sale, CBD Vape Oil (Hemp), and CBD Gummies (Hemp), which you can safely consume. Elevate your mind and body with our all natural hemp oil based products. Kats Botanicals offers a wide variety of options for wellness-minded individuals who are looking for a more naturalistic approach to their daily lives. Have you always wanted to try hemp oil? Perhaps you have a question we can answer about this amazing botanical? Introduce your mind and body to this wonderful plant called hemp, it’s molecular characteristics are called CBD, and you will enjoy a wellness minded lifestyle naturalistic evangelicals are benefitting from on a daily basis.
The medical use of marijuana has brought some attention to the subject of using cannabis-derived products for health, but it’s important to understand how CBD oil differs. We’ll get into this more in a bit, but the key difference lies in the parts of the plant being used to make the product. For example, CBD oil is also different from hemp seed oil, since it is extracted not from the seed but from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp.
Daniel Clauw, MD, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, believes that CBD may have real benefits for people living with chronic pain. He cites a recent clinical trial from pharmaceutical company Zynerba (for which Dr. Clauw has consulted) that found that a CBD-derived topical drug provided pain relief to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.
Oxidative stress is responsible for many ailments today. Oxidative stress is when the body has too many free radicals and can’t keep up with neutralizing them (with antioxidants). This is more of a problem now than in the past because our environment is so much more toxic than it once was. A 2010 study shows that CBD oil acts as an antioxidant and another study found CBD has neuroprotective qualities. So CBD can reduce neurological damage caused by free radicals.
Low CBD oil prices isn’t always a good thing, and it is something to watch out for as it’s our natural instinct to go for the lowest price possible. When discussing CBD oil, though, ones that are “abnormally” cheap will probably mean they have a low concentration (remember the Flaxseed analogy?). Prices of quality CBD should range around $50-$90 for a 300mg bottle.
What Meagan saw in Colorado impressed her—the growing knowledge base of cannabis producers, the kinship of parents coping with similar ordeals, the quality of the dispensaries, and the expertise of the test labs in ensuring consistent cannabis-oil formulations. Colorado Springs had become a mecca for a remarkable medical migration. More than a hundred families with children who had life-threatening medical conditions had uprooted themselves and moved. These families, many of them associated with a nonprofit organization called the Realm of Caring, consider themselves “medical refugees.” Most couldn’t medicate their children with cannabis in their home states without risking arrest for trafficking or even child abuse.
Customer Service: We had no problems getting responses from customer service, and they answered all of our questions. We just don’t know yet if customer service had the right answer about sourcing or if the website is correct. There’s no free shipping, but they have a great return policy. You have 30 days to decide if you’re happy with your purchase.
You then take your first drop of CBD oil, wait 45 minutes, then ask the questions again. If you feel no different and there’s no change in the way you answer those questions, you increase the dose by small increments until you do notice a difference. You can continue this process over several days – and at some point, you’ll find that taking more doesn’t change your scores. That is your minimum effective dose.
Medical reviews published in 2017 and 2018 incorporating numerous clinical trials concluded that cannabidiol is an effective treatment for certain types of childhood epilepsy. An orally administered cannabidiol solution (brand name Epidiolex) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2018 as a treatment for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
So what is it, then, that makes one CBD oil online store different from the next? In all truthfulness, from a superficial perspective there is little that separates one CBD store or CBD oil brand from another. As long as the company claims things like high-quality CO2 extraction, verified lab-testing, organic raw material sourcing, etc, it would appear from the outside that the only real difference from brand to brand lies in price variation.
Summary: Early research has found that CBD oil has the potential to reduce chronic pain, anxiety, depression and acne, and may help those overcoming addiction. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also play a role in lowering the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It has even shown anti-tumor effects and could be effective in inhibiting the progression of cancer and its related symptoms.
At least one benefit of CBD is well-supported by science: It can be effective in treating children with rare, genetic seizure disorders. Adults, children and even animals with epilepsy have been shown to benefit from the chemical too, the World Health Organization reports. There's also some evidence that CBD can help with anxiety, says Dr. Robert Carson, an assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics at Vanderbilt University who focuses on children with epilepsy. "In children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders, this may manifest as improved interactions with others," he says. Other preliminary research shows CBD holds promise for conditions including Alzheimer's disease, cancer, psychosis and Parkinson's disease – and is pretty much impossible to abuse or become addicted to, WHO says.
There are new CBD companies coming online every week – these span the range from truly awful to really great. So how to choose the best? The quality of the CBD oil itself is obviously the most important factor – and many companies do take the quality of their products seriously. To reward those companies, we gave more weight to the quality of the product than any other category.
Jump up ^ Hayakawa K, Mishima K, Nozako M, Ogata A, Hazekawa M, Liu AX, Fujioka M, Abe K, Hasebe N, Egashira N, Iwasaki K, Fujiwara M (March 2007). "Repeated treatment with cannabidiol but not Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol has a neuroprotective effect without the development of tolerance". Neuropharmacology. 52 (4): 1079–87. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2006.11.005. PMID 17320118.
CBD could potentially be as effective for pain relief as an opioid, but without the potential for deadly addiction. Dr. Solomon shared a self-report study he conducted at UC Berkeley last year, which tracked patients that were using opioids for pain relief. When subjects tried using cannabis in lieu of opioids, the majority "reported that cannabis provided relief on par with their other medications, but without the unwanted side effects." He noted that more research needs to be done, but all signs point to pain relief—which would lead to fewer opioid-related deaths.
I have idiopathic peripheral neuropathy ... the only thing they found that would work is lyrica. I picked up some CBD oil yesterday morning. I am prescribed to take 75 mg of lyrica 3x per day. I took one yesterday morning and have only used the CBD oil since. I bought the Koi brand, flavored, 250 MG. I used a full dropper yesterday late morning and a full dropper yesterday late afternoon. I used it once today (one full dropper) and I am amazingly pain free.
Affiliate Disclosure: There are links on this site that can be defined as affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase something when clicking on the links that take you through to a different website. By clicking on the links, you are in no way obligated to buy.
Medical Disclaimer: Statements in any video or written content on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product. Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of CBD oil have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any supplement program.
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domain: medical


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Is anyone else bothered by rose chafers. Here at the farm they arrive in June and stay for about 3 weeks. They land on and destroy rose buds and fully opened roses.
Ã¢ÂÂRose ChafersÃ¢ÂÂ cause major problems for roses, indeed. Adult rose chafers chew and make holes in the leaves issue between the large veins, an injury known as the Ã¢ÂÂSkeletonizingÃ¢ÂÂ. To prevent this; you should cover plant with a Ã¢ÂÂFloating Row coverÃ¢ÂÂ.
Thank you for that comment marklucas. I will try that this year as I don't spray and picking these small bugs off that come in the hundreds some years is impossible. I am putting in a row of hybrid teas so that should be easy enough to cover if necessary.
Also - my roses were mostly fragrant once bloomers. The bugs got all the blossoms unless I brought them into the house right away. Now I am planting continuous bloom hoping that I will have roses after the bugs are gone.
My Austin Abraham Darby is not bothered by them because it is a late bloomer here in my cold climate. So late blooming roses are an option too as long as they leave the foliage alone.
I suggest that you should plant some Ã¢ÂÂAustin Abraham Darby rosesÃ¢ÂÂ, in an area where they can receive a minimum of 5 hour of direct sun. Do not feed too late in their growing season; which can cause winter-kill due to the soft growth forming with fertilizing late in the season. In colder climate, the plants need some winter protection.

domain: biology


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Now streaming on:
The first half of "The Black Stallion" is so gloriously breathtaking that the second half, the half with all the conventional excitement, seems merely routine. We've seen the second half before — the story of the kid, the horse, the veteran trainer, and the big race. But the first hour of this movie belongs among the great filmgoing experiences. It is described as an epic, and earns the description.
The film opens at sea, somewhere in the Mediterranean, forty or so years ago, on board a ship inhabited by passengers who seem foreign and fearsome to a small boy. They drink, they gamble, they speak in foreign tongues, they wear caftans and beards and glare ferociously at anyone who comes close to their prize possession, a magnificent black stallion.
The boy and his father are on board this ship for reasons never explained. The father gambles with the foreigners and the boy roams the ship and establishes a shy rapport with the black stallion, and then a great storm sweeps over the ocean and the ship catches fire and is lost. The boy and the stallion are thrown free, into the boiling sea. The horse somehow saves the boy, and in the calm of the next morning they both find themselves thrown onto a deserted island.
This sequence — the storm, the ship's sinking, the ordeal at sea — is a triumphant use of special effects, miniature models, back projection, editing, and all the tricks of craft that go into the filming of a fantasy. The director, Carroll Ballard, used the big water tank at Cinecitta Studios in Rome for the storm sequences; a model ship, looking totally real, burns and sinks headfirst, its propellers churning slowly in the air, while the horse and boy struggle in the foreground.
The horse in this film (its name is Cass Ole) is required to perform as few movie horses ever have. But its finest scene is the quietest one, and takes place on the island a few days after the shipwreck. Ballard and his cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, have already established the mood of the place, with gigantic, quiet, natural panoramas. The boy tries to spear a fish. The horse roams restlessly from the beaches to the cliffs. And then, in a single shot that is held for a long time, Ballard shows us the boy inviting the horse to eat out of his hand.
It is crucial here that this action be seenin a single shot; lots of short cuts, edited together, would simply be the filmmakers at work. But the one uninterrupted shot, with the horse at one edge of the screen and the boy at the other, and the boy's slow approach, and the horse's skittish advances and retreats, shows us a rapport between the human and the animal that's strangely moving.
All these scenes of the boy and horse on the island are to be treasured, especially a montage photographed underwater and showing the legs of the two as they splash in the surf. There are also wonderfully scary sequences, such as one in which the boy awakens to find a poisonous snake a few feet away from him on the sand. This scene exploits the hatred and fear horses have for snakes, and is cut together into a terrifically exciting climax.
But then, as all good things must, the idyll on the island comes to an end. The boy and the horse are rescued. And it's here that the film, while still keeping our interest, becomes more routine. The earlier passages of the film were amazing to look at (they were shot, with great difficulty and beauty, on Sardinia). Now we're back to earth again, with scenes shot around an old racetrack in Toronto.
And we've seen the melodramatic materials of the movie's second half many times before. The boy is reunited with his mother, the horse returns home with him, and the boy meets a wise old horse trainer who admits that, yes, that Arabian can run like the wind — but the fool thing doesn't have any papers. The presence of Mickey Rooney, who plays the trainer, is welcome but perhaps too familiar. Rooney has played this sort of role so often before (most unforgettably in "National Velvet") that he almost seems to be visiting from another movie. His Academy Award nomination for the performance is probably a recognition of that.
Still, the melodrama is effective. Everything depends on the outcome of the big race at the film's end. The young boy, of course, is the jockey (the Elizabeth Taylor role, so to speak). Ballard and Deschanel are still gifted at finding a special, epic look for the movie; one especially good scene has the stallion racing against time, in the dark before dawn, in the rain.
"The Black Stallion" is a wonderful experience at the movies. The possibility remains, though, that in these cynical times it may be avoided by some viewers because it has a G rating — and G movies are sometimes dismissed as being too innocuous. That's sure not the case with this film, which is rated G simply because it has no nudity, profanity, or violence — but it does have terrific energy, beauty, and excitement. It's not a children's movie; it's for adults and for kids.
Hoyt Axton as Alec's Father
Teri Garr as Alec's Mother
Clarence Muse as Snoe
Michael Higgins as Neville
Kelly Reno as Alec Ramsey
Mickey Rooney as Henry Dailey


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Growing and producing food make agriculture and food consumption among the most important drivers of environmental pressures, including climate change and habitat loss.
The Earth is expected to be home to roughly 9 billion people by 2050 — and everyone needs to eat. But a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme observes that growing and producing food make agriculture and food consumption among the most important drivers of environmental pressures, including climate change and habitat loss. The report’s lead author is Edgar Hertwich, a Professor of Energy and Process Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The report, called “Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production: Priority Products and Materials” is the first-ever global-level assessment of the causes of different environmental pressures that result from economic activities. Professor Hertwich, who is director of NTNU’s Industrial Ecology Programme, worked with colleagues for two years to develop detailed answers to three interrelated questions:
- What are the most important industries that cause climate change?
- How much energy do different consumption activities require when the production of the products is taken into account?
- What are the materials that contribute most to environmental problems?
Agriculture causes major environmental impacts
Professor Hertwich said he was surprised to find that the environmental impacts of agriculture were greater than the production of materials such as cement and other manufactured goods. While the report does not make specific recommendations for change — it is instead a detailed description of the problem — Hertwich says, “it is clear that we can’t all have a European average diet — we just don’t have the land and resources for that.”
The report itself observes that “impacts from agriculture are expected to increase substantially due to population growth, increasing consumption of animal products. Unlike fossil fuels, it is difficult to look for alternatives: people have to eat. A substantial reduction of impacts would only be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products.”
More income, more meat in our diets
Another surprise was the effect of increasing economic affluence on different environmental impacts. The report authors found that environmental impacts increase approximately 80 per cent with the doubling of an individual’s income. This increase results in part from a shift to a more meat-intensive diet.
Another related problem — and another surprise to Hertwich — was the amount of food waste in both rich and poor countries. “Between 30 and 50 per cent of all food produced is spoiled or wasted,” Hertwich said. “It’s really quite surprising how much food waste there is.” In poor countries, food is spoiled on the way to the market, while in rich countries, it spoils in people’s refrigerators, he said.
Hope for the future?
Both Hertwich and international environmental officials say that people and policymakers must face the substantial environmental challenges facing all of humankind. In a press release from the UNEP, Ashok Khosla, co-chair of the Panel and President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is quoted as saying: “Incremental efficiency gains in, for example, motor cars or home heating systems have provided some improvements but, faced with the scale of the challenge, far more transformational measures need to be taken– currently we are fiddling–or fiddling around the edges–while Rome burns.”
Hertwich agreed with Khosla’s assessment. “There are fundamental challenges out there that I don’t think that we as a society have woken up to yet,” he said. “Somewhere in our rear-view mirror there is a big monster, and we are pretending it is not there. But I think if we really decide to tackle these challenges we will be able to do so.”
Hertwich has also developed a website that enables individuals to look at the Carbon Footprint of Nations. The report was released to coincide with the UN’s Environment Day on June 5.

domain: agronomy