Earlier, Microsofts upcoming 2021 Surface laptop made its appearance on Geekbench. The device was powered by AMD’s Ryzen processor, and we were convinced that the upcoming Surface Laptop 4 would be launched in the market with either the Ryzen 4000 or the Ryzen 5000.
But our assumptions might have only been partially correct. As latest sources have confirmed that yet another surface laptop has made its appearance on Geekbench, and this time the machine comes powered by an Intel Core i5-1135G7.
And as we already know, Microsoft had been suspected of trying to ditch intel, but it seems that we will still see a long collaboration between Intel and Microsoft. Going back to the performance of the newly appeared Surface Laptop 4, the single-core performance was something to talk about, while the multi-core performance was lacking.
The Surface Laptop 4 displayed the 4-core and 8-threaded Intel Core i5-1135G7, which operated from 2.42 GHz to 4.2 GHz and was also supported by 8 GB RAM. According to Geekbench’s leaked data, the multi-core score was 5,214 points, and the single-core benchmark score was a healthy 1,384 points.
Microsoft currently offers the Surface Laptop 3 with either an i5-1035G7 processor or i7-1065G7. But its upcoming Surface Laptop 4 will be moving on to Intel’s 11th Gen series, so we can expect an even more powerful processor from intel to accompany the model’s official variants. If Microsoft also goes with Ryzen 4000/5000 options for the Surface Laptop 4, shoppers will get the best of both worlds in terms of processor choice.
Still, I would have preferred if Microsoft also went with a Snapdragon processor. What you think, let us know in the comments.


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The Legend of the Starfish features a ‘wise’ adult offering counsel to a child with endless enthusiasm. The setting is a beach strewn with starfish. The Young One is walking along the shore, retrieving one starfish at a time, and tossing it back into the surf. The Elder, relegated perhaps by time and conditioning to stating the obvious says, “You’ll never save them all.” From a glass half-full perspective the Young One answers, “I know. But it makes a difference to this one,” and tosses another starfish back into the sea.
Whether we succeed or fail, teachers are called upon to do likewise – to make a difference, against the odds, by any means necessary, and (as quiet as it’s kept) to never settle for making a positive difference in only one life. Midnight Meanders Author Annika Jensen credits particular teachers with making a difference in her life. The recently-published, freshly minted high school graduate says what made the biggest difference in her over-scheduled, pressure-cooker of a life were teachers who simply took the time to listen. Their doing so allowed Sheinbach Jensen to face state and national exams, sleepless nights, a suicide among her agemates, the move out of state of a best friend and the college application process all while writing and getting her first novel published. Hear, here!
- “Midnight Meanders” by Annika Sheinbach Jensen. Lodestone Books. 192 pages. $14.95.
While Midnight Meanders is deftly written from the first-person perspective of a male high school senior, each of Sheinbach Jensen’s characters is thoughtfully crafted and fully formed. The reader is given enough detail in each case to satisfy curiosity yet not so much as to make the unfolding plot predictable. Take for example this side of a telephone conversation:
“… I haven’t had a productive conversation with my parents in months, and this girl I think I like just keeps inviting me into her life then shutting down again.” He caught his breath, realizing that it had run out while he had been talking so rapidly. “Sorry to rant,” William added. “I don’t like to rant, because it’s generally all I hear from other people. I never get a chance to talk, except with you” (86).
In less than a paragraph, the main character is revealed as a complex individual who is at once refreshingly expressive and self-aware yet equally conscious of his listening friend and how he must appear to her. In other segments of the storyline, William is by turns awkward, insecure, and intent on making things right when things go terribly wrong. And, while Sheinbach Jensen’s characters are engaging and multi-faceted, it is in her descriptions of art class and the projects produced there that her writing is at its lyric best. The assignments in art class are as complex and challenging as the balancing act between the academic demands and social interactions that make high school the proving ground it becomes for many.
Questions & Answers from an interview with the author follow.
In what ways has your education served to move you forward or hamper your progress?
I think the biggest sort of hinderance that education had on my writing itself was just the fact that I had no time to write. In school, it’s all, “be good at math and science”. It’s all about the S.A.T.s (Scholastic Aptitude Tests). There’s little focus on writing creatively anymore. When you write in school it’s analytical and technical – not focused on creativity. That, and I was always occupied after school with sports activities and stuff. While it may not have been a hinderance I wasn’t always able to prioritize [my writing]. I just didn’t enjoy school very much. I’ve always enjoyed learning. But for somebody like me, who’s an introvert and struggling with anxiety, it was hard to get everything written- it was a negative environment.
How did school influence your writing?
[T]alking more about school as opposed to the educational aspect, it was a good place to get ideas and observe the adolescent experience… I would be sitting in class, waiting to get started, [watching groups of people interact]… it’s like shuffling through radio stations. [I’d] tune [one group] out and shift to another group based on what I heard and saw. Those are two ways that being in high school influenced what I was doing. [I wrote in my college application essays] about this – what it was like to be observing people and incorporating that into my writing.
Will there be a sequel?
The thought came up and i quickly shot it down. I felt comfortable leaving it where it was. I didn’t want to take control of what readers thought should happen. It was where I left my development or that part of my life. I thought that particular story with them was over. I thought it would be detrimental to take it further though I became attached to their characters. I don’t see myself writing more about them.
In Midnight Meanders, Sheinbach Jensen manages to let the characters reveal themselves simultaneously to the reader and to one another. This balancing act invites one to take a fresh look at oneself without necessarily revisiting any of the sturm and drang of one’s personal high school experience while inviting reflection and encouraging resilience in readers of all ages. She plans to continue writing while in college though historical fiction is where Sheinbach Jensen says she is heading next. May her writing and academic careers be even more satisfying and successful than her delightful debut novel.

domain: literature


There has been a lot of media coverage about drugs in sport lately. Many sports are receiving as much attention for athletes’ behaviour outside of competition as they are for the competition itself as a result these stories have become part of the professional sports landscape.
Drug testing in sport is designed to detect and deter abuse of performance-enhancing drugs by competitors. This goes to the very heart of the Australian culture. We love our sport - the spectacle, the challenge, the winners and good losers. We love stories of triumph over tragedy and the battle of the underdog. Underlying all of this are our nation’s strong values of fairness and triumph through hard work. Drugs in sport contravene and challenge our very notion of the level playing field. This is why drug testing has evolved to play an important part in the process of modern sport.
Professional athletes are under pressure to win for their country, and some drugs may help them enhance their performance. There are many reasons that athletes are driven to be the best: besides the personal desire to succeed, most athletes are able to earn substantially more money if they can improve their performance. Since athletes have relatively short careers, most finish in their mid 20’s, they have to achieve their peak performance quickly in order to maximise their ‘value’ on and off the field of play.
The temptation to ‘do whatever it takes“ must be strong. The pressure to stay at the top of your game when, your body is aging and suffering under the rigorous workload must be enormous and is probably what motivated Canadian Ben Johnson, one of the fastest 100 metre sprinters during the 1980’s. His battles against the American Carl Lewis were legendary. The 100-metre sprint between Johnson and Lewis at the 1988 Seoul Olympic games became infamous and looking back now is a classic illustration of the clash in attitudes to performance enhancing drugs and the battle for the ‘ideal’ of the level playing field.
At the Seoul Olympics, Ben Johnson won the gold medal and broke the world record to become the fastest man on earth. Lewis came second, also in record time, and later accused Johnson of taking performance-enhancing drugs. Johnson ended up testing positive for anabolic steroids. He was subsequently stripped of his gold medal and world record and banned from competition for two years. Lewis was awarded the gold and the World Record in his place.
It appears many athletes don't believe that they can be successful without using banned substances. Some cheats are so arrogant they present themselves as super human legends and truly believe they are at war with the anti doping agencies as much as their sporting rivals. The ‘art’ of drug taking and the length some athletes will go too disguise their cheating was dramatically revealed, to the worst level, by the recent admission of cycling greatest man. Lance Armstrong. He never failed a drug test but the once revered cyclist, who fought cancer, was finally forced to admit he was a career cheater who used performance-enhancing drugs to win all of his 7 Tour de France Titles.
He admitted using testosterone and human growth hormone, as well as EPO, which is a hormone naturally produced by human kidneys, to stimulate red blood cell production. It increases the amount of oxygen that can be delivered to muscles, improving recovery and endurance.
The complicated and sophisticated science behind such cheating suggests there must be a hidden world in sport where lots of money is spent in order to win. But what are the costs in terms of health for the athletes.
Doping is dangerous as it can drastically change the way your body functions. For example, if you've been working out for some time and you've taken drugs, then your body forgets how to regulate itself. This can lead to overheating of the body and dehydration. It impacts on your vital organs and can


Ria Antonia, the winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, is still not a definite starter for the May 17 Preakness Stakes.
The 3-year-old filly, who finished sixth in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks in her most recent start, visited the starting gate at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning before galloping a mile-and-a-half under exercise jockey Maurice Sanchez.
"She had blinkers on in the Oaks and we are going to change equipment for her next race; whatever that will be," trainer Tom Amoss said. "She stood in the gate with blinkers off, which is required for an equipment change. We are still up in the air about the Preakness. She will work Sunday or Monday, depending on the weather."
The weather in Louisville caused Illinois Derby winner Dynamic Impact to postpone his final workout for the Preakness.
"I was hoping they would open the track up, but they didn't and I totally understand why. They made the right call with all the rain," trainer Mark Casse said of the sealed track. "We are prepared to go tomorrow and if not, it is not a big deal and we can go Monday."
David Lehr, Senior Director of Track Surfaces, said Churchill Downs received 2 inches of rain after Friday's final race that went off around 7:30 p.m.
With the work postponed, Dynamic Impact galloped 1 ½ miles instead under exercise rider Marco Cano.
"A lot of my horses didn't go out and I am happy he at least got to gallop," Casse said.
Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome just galloped a mile and three-quarters under exercise rider Willie Delgado.
"I wanted to go out before the track got chewed up," assistant trainer Alan Sherman said of the colt's earlier than usual appearance on the track at 6:30. "He has been on a 'wet-fast' track before, but I don't know if he has been on a sealed track."
California Chrome is scheduled to leave for Baltimore on Monday.
"We are supposed to load at the barn at 10 o'clock Monday morning and the plane leaves Lexington at 12:30," Sherman said. "He will train that morning and then go."


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domain: hobby


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When I was a little girl, my dad used to always tell me that men are perverted creeps not to be trusted. He would say “I used to be a guy that age – I know what disgusting things he’s thinking!” That mixed with the fact that my dad was sexually abusive to me led to beliefs that men only want one thing from me, and that I should expect to be victimized if I trust a man. I still hold those beliefs today even though they aren’t serving me anymore. As a child the mistrust was an adaptive protective stance; now it just leads to revictimization.
It’s been said by many metaphysical teachers that each one of us creates our reality with our thoughts and beliefs, and it seems that in this new living situation I created a reality that reflected right back to me my negative beliefs about men. I wanted to believe that my new male roommate is just a creep and that the situation had nothing to do with me, but to think that would just be playing victim, something I don’t choose to do. If those metaphysical teachers are right, there was something about my thoughts that attracted me to this situation.
I experienced this roommate as creepy and vengeful. He made clear attempts to manipulate me by lying, and was irate when I refused to allow these manipulations. He also insisted on doing “nice” things for me, like offering to drive me places, or buy groceries for me, all of which I declined, and he was also irate about this. He’s a textbook “nice guy” – someone who does “nice” things with the expectation that they’ll get something in return, and is therefore, not a nice person at all.
His actions were a perfect fit with my negative belief that men are manipulative and are not to be trusted. I found myself saying “AH HA!!! I knew it!” when my negative beliefs were confirmed, and yet when men I know do not act in this way, there’s no “ah ha, I was wrong.” I was clearly paying attention only to those actions and behaviours that matched my beliefs, and this new roommate was the epitome of my mind’s caricature of the average man; a creepy, manipulative, and whiny sore loser.
There was actually a very satisfying feeling that I got from “being right” in this situation as well. There’s no mistaking that he said some very inappropriate things to me – everyone I’ve mentioned it to has cringed a bit when I tell the story – but the silver lining was that I got to feel like I am superior to him because I “get it” and he doesn’t. I would even go as far to say that he is, in fact, stupid, for not understanding why what he did was creepy. I’ve got to let go of my need to feel this superiority too. It only fed my rage and anger, and it probably just stems from a fear of being inferior – another negative belief, but this time one about myself in comparison with men. If I’m “right” then I’m “safe,” or at least I’m aware of my surroundings enough to respond and protect myself, but the whole scene is just a tired replay of many other similar, though less dramatic scenes I’ve experienced in my life with men.
I am making a commitment to myself to change my negative beliefs about men. If believing that men aren’t to be trusted and that they only want one thing is going to lead me back to this sort of situation again and again then I am in for a lot more trouble. I guess this is a bit of an experiment of sorts. If I make a concerted effort to catch myself every time I have a negative belief about a man, even if it’s true, I’m not going to believe that all men are like this, and I am going to practice gratitude for all of the wonderful men in this world that conduct themselves with decency and respect around others. By changing my thoughts about men, I hope I’ll see a difference in the type of men I see around me. Wish me luck! Oh, and I’m moving out of this creep’s apartment on December 1st, because… fuck this.
To be a victim is disempowering in the absolute sense – there is no opportunity for healing there. I have been raped but I will not refer to myself as a victim. In my search for healing I’ve concluded that there can be no such a thing as a victim, for if there is, healing would be impossible; it would depend on what others do, and that is something I have no control over. The best I could do is attempt to influence, and hope for the best, and this is emotionally draining and frustrating at best.
The victim mentally is a pervasive and disabling part of our culture. It is woven into the way we speak to each other, into our language, when we say “you make me so…” or “he makes me feel…” or “she made me…” Whether the feeling is positive or negative is irrelevant, when we believe others have the magical ability to make us feel something, we believe ourselves to be a victim. But how can I say that in the awful scenario or rape, for instance, that the person raped is not a victim?
Let’s be clear, a person who is raped has had a horrible thing done to them, but no one can control how they will react to and feel about the rape. In the climate of a victim mentality culture, however, most people who have been raped expect that others should do or say something to make healing possible for them. Feeling retraumatized and revictimized by the reactions of others is common. Many people who have been raped report that the reaction of the community, that often protects or apologizes for the rapist, was just as, if not more traumatic then the actual rape itself. I can attest to this since this has been my experience. I was expecting my friends, family, and community to rally around me, and instead I was met skepticism, silence, and even anger. In order to heal, it has become blatantly apparent to me that I cannot rely on others, and I cannot wait for them to “come around” to my point of view. I have allowed myself to be “revictimized” because I felt powerless, because I felt like a victim, because I believed that others have the power to give me my health and happiness or take it away.
A victim is by definition powerless. A victim has no control, and is at the mercy of others. I am convinced that even if a person forces another to submit to them physically, power – true power – has nothing to do with a physical offence. Only the perpetrator’s fear, self-hatred, and feelings of powerlessness can inspire such acts in an effort to regain the lost sense of power. Again, it is magical thinking at work when the perpetrator believes that power can really be taken or exchanged between individuals. If your friend felt powerless could you offer to give him some of your power by choice if he insisted he was hopeless? Could you choose for him? No.
Understand that the definition of power I am referring to has nothing to do with money, or politics, or hierarchy. That has to do with material control. I’m talking about another person’s ability or inability to control your internal state of being, of feeling, of thinking. It cannot be done! Only YOU have the power to control your inner state and that is the only true power that anyone can ever have. All other “power” is an illusion, but the illusion undoubtedly looks very real simply because so many of us buy into the belief that we can be made to feel like a victim by someone else.
I know all this and yet the victim mentality is still the default explanation my mind resorts to whenever I feel imposed upon by others or by situations. It is like a software program that runs in my brain, and healing is going to require my full attention and a commitment to changing the false belief that others can “make” me feel anything at all. Even in the positive instance, for example, when I feel swept off my feet by a lover, I must recognize that the feeling comes from me, and not from them. Another might not feel such lust or love toward that person as I do, therefore my feelings comes from me and only me, and have nothing to do with the inherent qualities of that person.
To heal I must change my fundamental beliefs I have about the world and myself, I must see things through new eyes. What it really comes down to is destroying my belief in a lack of free will, my belief in thought control, for when I acknowledge my real power I see that no one can control my thoughts. In fact, to believe such a thing is in the interest of those who wish to “take power” away from me. It is to their benefit that I believe I have no control over my emotional reactions to them, that I fear them and fear how they can “make” me feel.
Once again I must be aware of the flip side of the coin here. If I allow myself to have the belief that others can take my power away, then I must also believe that they can give it back to me in a gesture of “helping.” The only real help others can give is to show me how to help myself, to inspire me to be the change I want to see. But the belief that another can simply give me power, that I can simply buy my healing from a therapist or a pharmacy, is nothing but a illusion, and indeed it is “giving away” my power to another. This is dangerous, for it even allows for self-interested corruption to function under the guise of helping. There is nothing wrong with seeing a therapist, as long as I am not expecting them to “heal me,” but instead expecting them to partner with me and show me the work I must do for myself. In terms of taking pharmaceutical drugs, I can’t see any potential for healing, only numbing.
The expectation that others need to do something differently or change in order for me to heal or be happy will forever be unfruitful. No one is going to give me anything, even if they wanted to they cannot. Even the truly benevolent do not have any power to help me, just as the truly evil do not have any power to hurt me. It is a choice, and I must defend against my false belief in either sense and take my healing into my own hands. I must work with others who inspire me to find that truth again and again, others who know this and practice it in their own lives. When I take stock, it’s true that the only time I’ve ever experienced any real healing is when I took responsibility for my own health and happiness. Others can point toward the path, but I must walk it myself.
This isn’t a recent post, but a great one nonetheless that discusses some preliminary studies on what proportion of the young male population has engaged in rape. Two studies are discussed where men were surveyed about past sexual activities that involved the use of threat, force, or intoxication to gain compliance of their victims without consent. The word rape is not used in the survey, and that is likely why the men felt comfortable self-reporting these activities, though it’s unclear if any men declined to report truthfully. The conclusions of these two studies were that roughly 13% of the male population have raped, and between 4% and 8% are serial rapists. These numbers could potentially be even higher if some men declined to answer truthfully. Of those admitting to rape, only about 30% reported using force, while the remainder went for intoxicated victims in what are likely to be socially sanctioned acts of rape, since the guy can easily claim confusion about her consent since she was not in her right mind. That means a large proportion of guys opportunistically take advantage of intoxicated women because they know their friends won’t question them about it. Anyway, have a read, this is a great post.
A huge proportion of the women I know enough to talk with about it have survived an attempted or completed rape. None of them was raped by a stranger who attacked them from behind a bush, hid in the back of her car or any of the other scenarios that fit the social script of stranger rape. Anyone reading this post, in fact, is likely to know that six out of seven rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. It has been clear for a long time, at least since Robin Warshaw’s groundbreaking “I Never Called It Rape,” which used Mary Koss’s reseach, that the stranger rape script did not describe rape as most women experienced it. It’s easy to picture the stranger rapist: a violent criminal, not much different from the violent criminals who commit other violent crimes. This guy was in prison before, and he’ll be back…
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The last thing I want is for you to think I am weak, because in our culture weakness is punished and belittled. But I am a woman, and we’ve been taught that femininity is weak, so if I want respect I am backed into this damned corner every time I see you. I can see from your words and your actions that you don’t really believe women are worthy of respect either. The problem is that I believed you were right.
If I believe I am weak there’s no telling what you’ll do to me, how you’ll underestimate me, how you’ll take advantage of me, how you’ll use your strength against me, how you’ll take from me. I’ve been living my life afraid of all this since I was a little girl, who watched her father rage and yell and belittle women. I thought the only way he could love me is if I abandoned myself, abandoned my femaleness, because I could see how he despised it, how he mocked it, how he used it and threw it away.
I’ve been hit and raped and spat on, shoved and screamed at, peeped on, and creeped on and I’m just waiting for you to challenge me any time I feel afraid, daring you even with a piercing stare because I have so much anger about all this that it doesn’t matter anymore what you do to me: The fear makes me want to fight, makes me want to hurt you back as badly as I can. And I’m ready whenever you make your move. I’ve seen enough of your tricks to know what to do. And you are most hurt when equated with a woman, when people think you’re a sissy pussy bitch and so I feel my fear is justified. You hate your own femaleness too.
I’ve been hurt by men so much that I’m scared I could be hurt by you, even though I don’t know you. I am afraid of you. I get crafty and wear a mask. I take on masculine traits like aggression, dominance, and muted emotion, and I wear them like a costume whenever I’m in your presence. It’s so automatic I don’t even have to think about it, it just pours forth from the anger I feel, that I can’t just exist, can’t just be myself, can’t just be a woman, without fearing the risk of harm from you. So I stand guard, but I don’t even know you. But you are a man, and so I fear you.
If you could see me when I’m alone, you’d see that I am soft and yielding and loving. I smile and laugh and feel at ease with myself. I take off my costume. But the still fear remains in the back of my mind, and the fear is the only thing separating us from the truth. It’s not you I need to annihilate, it’s the fear. When I live in constant fear of you, I forget who I am completely, and I justify and agree with your misogynistic words, thoughts, and deeds, because I too have become misogynistic by dishonoring myself. I have become my enemy to try and protect myself from enemies, but I see now that you can’t honor me until I honor myself. It’s not your decision to say what I am worth, and it never was. We were both just so confused. Thanks for listening.
When a woman is being nice to you, it does not always mean she likes you. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t like you either, but please don’t let that awkward moment where you prematurely start fiddling with her shirt strap be the moment where you find out she isn’t actually into you. It’s just gets weird at that point, probably for you as well, and it’s sooo unnecessary. Same goes for those awkward one-armed side-hugs.
I’ve actually had boyfriends in the past who criticized me for being nice to other men because “he’s gonna think you’re into him.” And lo and behold many of them did. And they were wrong.
You know what’s also weird? Not being nice to people because I’m afraid that if I’m nice they’re going to misread it and start acting inappropriately. But if I’m not nice it’s all, “she’s a bitch, blah” when I would actually prefer to be nice to you! So, I hope we can come to an agreement on this, that if I’m being nice there’s nothing more to read into with that. If you want to read into more, there’s always body language and other cues you can use. I think many people have written many books on the subject of other cues. Thanks for listening.
I’ve realized that I have just been paid lip service all my life. I’ve been told how “equal” I am so many times that I just never questioned it, even when contrary information was staring me in the face. When Snoop Dogg said “We don’t love them hos,” I was pretty sure he wasn’t talking about me. After all, my grade four teacher told me that men and women were equal, and that the women’s rights movement had prevailed and that I could be and do whatever it is I wanted when I grew up. I believed it, in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. Snoop was obviously referring to those girls over there, not me.
It took being raped – treated like a commoditized object – for me to really see that, in our supposedly enlightened culture, to some men, most certainly to this man who premeditatively raped me, that I am just a piece of plastic. What right did I have as a woman to trust that this guy wouldn’t choose to knock me unconscious and rape me? Apparently none. Perhaps to him I am the evil temptress upon whom he can place all the blame for his actions, so he might be free to flail around in life, hurting people “uncontrollably,” and always being able to say “she made me.”
He was taught that he has a right to my body, which he could easily possess with a little social manipulation and rohypnol, to bend it and break it like a plastic Barbie doll, to use it and abuse it and then throw it away when he’s done. He may have even hi-fived his friends the next day and talked about how “good he hit it,” how good it was for him to have sex with a limp, unconscious body. I’ll bet it made him feel powerful. I feel sorry for him. I doubt I was the first woman he’s raped.
And well meaning people still ask me what I was wearing when it happened.
~ “He did not care upon what terms he satisfied his passion. He had even a mad, melodramatic idea to drug her.” – W. Somerset Maugham


Nationwide Audit of 1% of Votes Cast Could Give 95% Confidence in Election Results
In year plagued by hacks, breaches and claims of “rigged” elections, national audit offers simple way to restore confidence in electoral process
Days after an unexpected outcome in the presidential election, a leading voting security group is reinforcing its call for a national post-election manual audit to validate computer-generated election results. In the months leading up to the election federal authorities issued unprecedented warnings regarding the computer security of the U.S. election system following revelations that over 20 states’ voter registration systems and a Florida voting system vendor were targeted by foreign cyber attacks. Federal officials acknowledged that the system vendor and four states’ voter registration databases were compromised by hackers including Illinois and Arizona.
“This national election was held under an unfortunate cloud of uncertainty due to documented attacks on U.S. election systems and claims of rigging before votes were even cast,” said Verified Voting President Pamela Smith. “In order for democracy to work, we all need to believe in the system that elects our leaders. Voters must have assurance their ballots will be counted the way they intended to cast them—especially in a time when so much doubt has been cast on the electoral process. Luckily, there’s an easy way to do this: a post-election audit that manually examines a random sample of the ballots.”
Almost all ballots cast in the U.S. are tabulated by computers; software is vulnerable to errors, bugs, malware and attacks. The security breaches identified in the months before the election led national security experts in both the federal government and private sector to issue unprecedented warnings about the cyber security of U.S. voting systems. In an extraordinary move, the Department of Homeland Security partnered with state and federal election officials in an effort to shore up voting system security following the disclosed attacks.
A nationwide audit of about 1.4 million ballots–just over 1% of the votes cast– could give 95% confidence that each state’s result is right. About 25% of Americans voted on equipment that does not produce an auditable paper record, mostly in Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, and New Jersey. But votes cast by the other 75% are on paper ballots or paper records voters have the chance to check, and those can and should be checked in every election.
Audits manually examine voter intent on ballots and check to see if it concurs with automated vote counts. Audits could catch possible errors in the computerized vote tally, should any exist. Audits are endorsed by the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, Verified Voting, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, the American Statistical Association, and others.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate why audits are so valuable in ensuring voter confidence. Every election is important, and we have called for regular audits for more than a decade. In a year like this one with disparate polls and talk of rigging, audits could not be more opportune. Post election audits already are used in about half the states, but should happen everywhere,” said Allegra Chapman, director of voting and elections at Common Cause.
“In the current climate of concern, the time is right to move this essential check on our election system forward,” said Smith. We call on all Americans to urge their state and local election officials, and state and federal lawmakers to join in a national post-election ballot audit –not just this time, but every election—so that all can have assurance that election results are correct.”


text:
Title basically explains it, how do I go about making a way to add perks/boost to a character, what is the framework that I should use for this in a way that is expandable in the future.
To be honest this question is highly, if not entirely, subjective and dependent on the specific game you would like to create. There might be some obvious limits like not making a perk so powerful for one player that it essentially makes them invincible to any other player. However even this is dependent on if the game style is PvP.
Yea that is an issue too, though my question is how do I code it in a way that can be expandable so I don’t have to scroll through like 30 scripts just to add one line. So basically how to code it, but yea balancing will be figured out later too!
Lol yea oop is the way to go, my last game was not oop and it was torture just to change one aspect of the game, though if I use oop, should I just have some base multiplier or something in there because even then, if I add a new effect I don’t know a good way to make it carry over well
Here’s something I replied similarly to what you’re looking for. Hopefully this helps you but if not I’m happy to help out on questions you have on why it wouldn’t work, but I suggest you play around with the code to learn more OOP.

domain: design


text:
Treasure Box Kingdom is a slot game developed by IGT, which has a persistent state Bonus Meter as one variation on the theme of the respin format. This review will explore the game’s features, gameplay, and overall experience.
With 243 ways to win on the 5×3 reel set, Treasure Box Kingdom uses 50 credit increments yet has an all ways pays format. Meanwhile, the game’s initial volatility is high, as coins with values are always beneficial and don’t merely act as a barrier to line hits.
To start a respin feature with credit prizes, progressives, and more, you must receive enough credit prizes to match or surpass the bonus meter requirement. Therefore, the game requires strategy and careful management of credit prizes to trigger the bonus meter and win big.
Additionally, the game varies from previous link games in that you win the coins with values no matter how many appear on the screen when they do. That is to say, with every spin, you earn any line hits as well as any coins.
The game’s design and graphics are visually appealing, with a medieval theme and symbols such as treasure chests, swords, and shields. Likewise, the sound effects and music add to the overall immersive experience.
In conclusion, Treasure Box Kingdom is a novel approach to the respin format, with high volatility and a persistent state Bonus Meter. Therefore, the game requires careful management of credit prizes to trigger the bonus meter and win big. Overall, the game’s design and graphics are visually appealing, making for an immersive experience.

domain: game


Two is a coincidence, and three is a pattern.
Shortly after Apple's (AAPL 0.83%) October Mac event, where it had been rumored that Apple would unveil a new display to replace the discontinued Thunderbolt display, the company confirmed to reporters that it was exiting the stand-alone display business. Instead, the company collaborated with LG Electronics to make a pair of 4K and 5K displays that could connect via USB-C to the new MacBook Pros.
Now we're seeing that Apple is giving up on wireless routers, too, according to a new Bloomberg report. Apple has reportedly dissolved its wireless router department, a slow process that has taken place over the past year. The company has reassigned those engineers to other product teams that are focused on products like the Apple TV. Apple currently sells three different wireless routers, but there are unlikely to be any new models in the pipeline; the last one was introduced three years ago in 2013. Apple is focusing on more financially important product categories and segments.
What links them together
If you look at displays and routers, you will notice a similarity, though: the underlying technology progresses very slowly. Display technology hasn't seen a game-changing innovation in years, and the shift to OLED displays has been incredibly slow for a wide range of reasons.
Wi-Fi technology also moves at a snail's pace; the current 802.11ac standard was introduced in 2013. Apple's Airport Extreme and Time Capsule use 802.11ac, while the smaller Airport Express is still stuck on the older 802.11n. The next major progression in Wi-Fi is 802.11ax, which isn't expected until 2019 or later.
This combination of slow technological progress and low financial significance is a perfect recipe for Apple apathy. There's not a whole lot that Apple can contribute to pushing these categories forward, and it's not really worth the effort to try from a financial perspective. Strategically, having more products within the ecosystem benefits the platform, but the effects are marginal when you consider how expansive Apple's walled garden has become.
It's not a pattern
Displays and routers fall into Apple's "Other Products" segment, and the most interesting product within that segment is Apple Watch. Beyond Apple Watch, this has never been a particularly important category in terms of financial performance. It's more of a catch-all bucket for products that don't warrant dedicated disclosure, although I would argue that Apple Watch results should be disclosed since its performance has a lot more relevance to Apple's future as a nascent product category.
Beats and iPods are also included in other products, as is Apple TV. Having just bought Beats, Apple seems intent on expanding its headphone offerings. Apple is about to release its AirPods, which also feature an Apple-designed W1 chip. Apple wouldn't go to the trouble of designing the W1 if it wasn't serious about continuing with wireless headphones, particularly with the removal of the iPhone 7's headphone jack. The company is also making a big push into TV content, with a side of being strangely fascinated with original content.
Apple's approach to peripheral products is simply evolving. While Wi-Fi's slow progress doesn't mean that companies can't innovate (consider eero), the broader point is that Apple would rather focus its research and development efforts on the next big thing.


I went on a journey along a river.
While I’ve had the pleasure of following several other rivers upstream from mouth to headwaters, on this river, the Sacramento River, I started in the middle, went to the mouth, then bounced up to some tributaries, then towards a view of the headwaters. The previous river-long journeys were intentional. I set out to follow the river, learn its geography, understand the social, political, and natural processes acting to define its channel.
The Sacramento sojourn was an accident and only part way through my trip (a business road trip) did I realize what I was doing. I didn’t visit the whole Sacramento watershed on this trip, that would have taken me towards the Sierras on the Feather River and towards the NE corner of California on the Pit River. No, this trip was limited to the main-stem Sacramento and one little tributary with a big role: Battle Creek.
Oddly, it’s the same part of the Sacramento that the migrating Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are currently able to access. Once upon a time they were able to reach the headwaters of the river but today dams blocking the way. Today their range is now limited and the high reaches of the watershed inaccessible and no longer enriched by their return. So, as my journey progressed so too did my awareness of the salmon. The pinnacle of my journey, and the journey of many salmon, occurred at Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek. You can see Battle Creek on the map just southeast of Redding, California.
Study that map a bit more and you’ll see a sprawling reservoir, Shasta Lake, created by Shasta Dam just north of Redding. Built in the 1930s and 1940s, the dam is the terminus for the salmon, blocking their passage to the river and its upstream tributaries and headwaters that once were a part of their original range. To help mitigate the loss of salmon spawning habitat, the Federal government built fish hatcheries. Coleman National Fish Hatchery is one of those hatcheries.
If you’ve ever seen a movie about anadromous fish, you’ll know the story of the salmon. Born in the cool rivers of the west, the young salmon migrate downriver, as they mature they also transition into estuaries where they adapt to the salinity of the sea, they head out to sea, live for several years, and then return to their natal rivers to spawn. Ideal spawning rivers are clear, clean, and cool. In the river gravels the adult salmon create redds (spawning beds), lay their eggs (or fertilize if they’re male), and then die. The dead fish feed the other organisms in the river but their nutrient-rich flesh is also carried widely across the watershed by predators and scavengers such as bears, osprey, ravens, and many other small birds and mammals. It’s all a part of a wonderful cycle creating an exchange of nutrients between the sea and the mountains.
Back to Battle Creek, a 16-mile long tributary of the Sacramento River. Up Battle Creek, about six miles from the Sacramento River, sits Coleman National Fish Hatchery. No Chinook salmon are able to bypass the hatchery due to a concrete weir across the river. Some salmon end their journey before returning to the hatchery where they were raised – caught by fishermen or choosing to spawn out in lower Battle Creek. But, the section of Battle Creek below the hatchery is far from the quintessential spawning stream. The creek has turbid and warm water (note the milkiness of the water and green algae in the photo below) and sediment-clogged gravel beds. Not your ideal spawning conditions. Still, the instincts of the salmon are strong and they continue to mate in the lower reaches of Battle Creek.
Only about 1% of the fish released by the hatchery, actually return. The fish that do return to the hatchery are processed. The spawning room at the hatchery is not too different from a cannery. It’s a sterile, assembly-line facility: stainless steel and plastic being cleaned and washed down by staff in rubber gloves and coveralls. Fish that enter the spawning room are anesthetized, those that are not sufficiently affected by the drug are quickly dispatched the old-fashioned way. The first thing you hear entering the building is the “thwack…thwack…thwack” of under-drugged fish being clubbed. Then down the stainless steel shoot where they are sorted, males one direction and females another. The females are hung by their gills on a hook and their eggs forced out using a pressure hose inserted into their side. The males are milked for their sperm.
Later the two will be combined under watchful scientific eyes. The eggs are sorted too – some are kept, others sold as bait. The carcasses are mostly donated to food banks.
While hatcheries serve some positive roles, they are also controversial. Certainly, they employ quite a few biologists and help to educate the public on the life cycle and needs of fish. However, they also unnaturally select fish for breeding success, condition fish to human presence , are sometimes a source of disease due to unnaturally crowded conditions endured by the young fish. But, most unfortunate of all is that after all the fish have endured over time, the life cycle that they evolved is now usurped by human intervention. We’ve taken an amazing natural process and seized control of it, altered it, and left and indelible mark on the genes of these fish.
For full disclosure, Mr. Mudlips owes much of his upbringing to the hatchery system. He was a fish hatchery brat. Both of his parents dedicated their lives to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They both love and care deeply about nature and wildlife and when they embarked on their hatchery careers we didn’t know all of the harm that hatcheries would cause. So, they raised fish, and raised a family where the fish took them. And so it goes, good people with good intentions trying to do good based on the most current science. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in being guided by science. But, we do sometimes make mistakes with it as our defense.
One can only wonder will we keep up this upstream swim, trying with misguided good deeds to intervene or reverse environmental damage which we’ve caused; avoiding the obvious: as long as the dams are there, the fish will suffer.


Anna Kendrick checks her phone messages while heading to a friend’s house on Wednesday afternoon (August 20) in Los Angeles.
According to E! News, the 29-year-old actress is dating cinematographer Ben Richardson, who worked on her film Drinking Buddies.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Anna Kendrick
Earlier in the month, Anna was spotted sporting a fake baby bump on the set of The Hollars in Jackson, Miss.
In case you missed it, check out a video of Anna taking on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and find out who she nominated!
Rihanna sits in courtside seats and watches her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown play in the Summer Classic Charity Basketball Game on Thursday evening (August 21) at the Barclays Center in New York City.
The 26-year-old singer, who was wearing her new septum ring, was joined at the game by her gal pals including Melissa Forde and Jennifer Rosales.
Chris attended the Team USA vs. Dominican Republic basketball game the night before at Madison Square Garden with his on-again girlfriend Karreuche Tran. He was also seen the day of the charity game arriving at the venue wearing his sweats.
FYI: Rihanna is wearing Jennifer Fisher chokers.
25+ pictures inside of Rihanna watching Chris Brown play in a charity game… More Here! »
Zoe Saldana hits the carpet while attending the 2014 Audi Celebration of Emmys Week on Thursday (August 21) at Cecconi’s Restaurant in Los Angeles.
The 36-year-old pregnant actress was joined at the party by her husband Marco Perego, who she shared a cute kiss with after walking the carpet.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Zoe Saldana
Make sure to watch Zoe‘s cute video for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge – it also features her hubby!
FYI: Zoe is wearing rings by Casato, Graziela Gems, and Melinda Maria. The event was produced by Event Eleven’s Tony Schubert, who gave the party a tron-like feeling with LED lighting and eclectic/vibrant colors.


text:
Jeff Vespa/Getty Images for THR
WHAT SHE WORE Saldana
hit The Hollywood Reporter
's 25 Most Powerful Stylists luncheon in a bright openwork Alexis Mabille haute couture dress accessorized with a colorful clutch and bronze pumps, both by Jimmy Choo
, Lizzy Couture earrings and rings from Melinda Maria
and Dalla Nonna.

domain: entertainment


text:
The Log Book
Tales of an Artist Afloat
Trying to show how small the world looks from the boat sometimes. I know the ocean should seem vast, but the low view point of the cockpit makes the horizons seem incredibly near by. It's all a matter of perspective. On the boat, my world can be filled by a wave sweeping towards us. The horizons might be close, but I still feel incredibly tiny.
A little experiment in watercolour, Neocolour pastels and Posca paint markers.
Leigh gave us the chance to grab a coffee and stock up on ice for the fridge. Leaving, we were faced with confused seas, determined to force us in the wrong direction and make our journey as uncomfortable as possible. As we wobbled out towards Little Barrier Island (which is shaped very much like a crocodile), I tried to draw a helm's eye view of the boat. I am going to blame the rolling for some of the very wobbly lines. Things started to behave themselves after a couple of hours, the waves settled down and the wind sped us north. We passed by the Whangarei Heads and anchored at Pacific Bay on the gorgeous Tutukaka Coast, where we will be spending Christmas.
Wonky boat art in Micron fineliners, watercolours and Polychromos pencils (added the next day in a calm anchorage!)
Excitement hit on Sunday morning, somewhere between loads of laundry, a final tidy of the boat and a visit from our friend Adrian. The stressful jobs were done and I was ready to go sailing! There was a total lack of wind, so the sails remained furled, but we maneuvered away from the dock easily and headed to Waiheke. Our night at Blackpool was quiet and uneventful. I made the most of having time to read, Jim worked on the drain pump which had already began to misbehave, and the next day we set sail to Kawau.
We had beautiful winds. All the work which Jim had done on the hull paid off as Island Prism cut through the water at 6.5 knots. We met heavy rainfall, with beautiful sunshine in between, and by the evening were anchored near the Governor's mansion at Kawau. The anchorage there is secure and very pretty. The island has a colourful history, having been home to cannibals, coppermines and Governor George Grey, who imported exotic plants and animals and drove around the island in a carriage drawn by four zebras. Some of the animals remain today- peacocks and wallabies roam alongside the native birds.
The island's birdlife are always happy to see people, especially if you come bearing bread. A flotilla of ducks swam out to see us as I sketched the view from the boat in the late afternoon, and the following day the peacocks and weka stalked the cafe in hope of edible gifts. The peacock's feathers were glorious in the sunlight, although he did seem to have trouble turning round in the confined space between tables!
I was experimanting with my new Noodler's Nib Creaper and Lexington Grey ink. The pen is a flex nib, which gives it a range of line variations as you change pressure, and Lexington grey is a lovely shading ink which goes from a light pencil shade to a deep grey. The two worked together beautifully as the pen allows the ink flow to vary- I think the duck sketches show it well. On the cream paper in my sketchbook, everything had a very gentle 19th Century air. Next time we're back I might need to try something a little more outrageous, but for now the greys and greens suit the beautiful mansion house and peaceful island very well.
Kawau is beautiful, and it was tempting to stay another night- maybe looking for wallabies at dusk and barbequing on the beach. But the wind was blowing well so we decided to take it to head up the coast to Leigh.
It's been a busy couple of months. We've launched Island Prism, moved out of our house, sold or given away just about everything, packed and repacked the boat. I've written reports, packed up a classroom and even attempted to do some teaching. I'd also been working on a very special gift. No wonder I'm sleeping well!
We're cruising New Zealand until late April, when we'll start on our journey across the Pacific to Canada. The journey will get my husband home, and will be the longest voyage I've done so far. I'm very excited, a bit nervous, and sad to be leaving behind my friends of the last 12 years.
The staff at St Heliers School sent me off in style with bubbles, reminicences, singing and dancing. I was presented with lei from the lovely Loretta and Robyn, my colleagues gave me a gorgeous leather traveller's notebook filled with beautiful papers for drawing and painting, and my class gave me a voucher for the local art store, which has since turned into sable brushes and tubes of watercolour.
I shared my goodbye with two friends, Robin and Amanda, who are also setting off on their next great adventures. We knew we wanted to present the staff with something special, and decided to create a painting with the Maori proverb 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata'- what is the most important thing in the world? It's people, it's people, it's people.
As well as symbolising voyagers, whales are special to our school as we give a carved bone whale tail to the Year 8 students as part of their graduation. The mountain is Rangitoto, the island which dominates the Waitemata Harbour and can be seen from the school. I used masking fluid to keep the letters white and added patterns to each whale in metallic gel pen- Maori designs on the humpback for Kiwi Amanda, a raven inspired by Pacific North Western art for Canadian Robin, and Celtic knotwork for me.
There were tears and laughter, and the same in my class on the final day. I know I'm leaving somewhere very special, but also know that I am very lucky in the wonderful adventures to come. I'll post more about the start of our sailing soon, but want to leave this here with a goodbye and a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people who make the community of St Heliers School such a special one0 my New Zealand whanau.
An Artist Afloat- Painting the world one anchorage at a time.

domain: artistic


text: Selection methods have an important role in the meta-heuristic search (MHS) process. However, apart from a few successful methods developed in the past, new and effective studies have not been found in recent years. It is known that solution candidates selecting from the population during the search process directly affects the direction and success of the search. In this study, a new selection method based on fitness-distance balance (FDB) is developed in order to solve the premature convergence problem in the MHS process. Thanks to the developed method, solution candidates with the highest potential to improve the search process can be determined effectively and consistently from the population. Experimental studies have been conducted to test and verify the developed FDB selection method. For this purpose, 90 benchmark functions with different types and complexity levels have been used. In order to test the developed FDB method, numerous variants have been formed. These variants have been compared to each other to determine the most effective FDB variant. In the validation study, the FDB-SOS (FDB-based symbiotic organism search) algorithm is compared with thirteen well-known and up-to-date MHS techniques. The search performance of the algorithms has been analyzed by the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. The results show that the developed selection method makes a significant contribution to the meta-heuristic search process. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


text:
This month we are donating 10% of all sales to @thetriumtribe #littlestwarriordonates
From Reilly the founder:
I’ve been involved with the disability community since I was 5 years old, and with the Down syndrome community for the past 5 years. Volunteering at my local GiGi’s Playhouse led me to meet so many amazing friends with Down syndrome, and to develop the dream of one day adopting a child with Down syndrome.
As I learned more about Down syndrome adoption I wanted to get involved in a bigger way, so 5 months ago I founded The Trium Tribe, a nonprofit organization that celebrates and empowers families who have adopted a child with Down syndrome. We’ve sent 20 welcome home baskets for these children, hosted a virtual Bible study for adoptive moms, and have plans to do so much more! Thank you for supporting us, and shouting the worth of orphans with Down syndrome!

domain: sociology


text:
Type 2 Diabetes : Understand and Minimise Your Risk on World Diabetes Day
Type 2 Diabetes is on the increase.
World Diabetes Day
In light of World Diabetes Day, it’s crucial we address this escalating global issue, especially its impact in the UK. According to Diabetes UK, an estimated 5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, many undiagnosed. A large proportion of these cases are type 2 diabetes, primarily influenced by diet and lifestyle.
As a nutritionist, I encounter many clients on the borderline of developing full-blown type 2 diabetes. It’s startling to realise that one in 14 people in the UK are dealing with this condition. Unlike type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, type 2 is largely preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels remain consistently high. This imbalance can lead to insulin resistance, where cells no longer respond effectively to insulin, causing glucose to stay high in the bloodstream. Over time, this can strain the pancreas and escalate into a serious health issue.
What drives this glucose spike? The answer lies in our diet. Foods rich in simple sugars and carbohydrates – including sweets, chocolates, bread, pasta, potatoes, and even seemingly healthy fruits and juices – can significantly raise blood sugar levels. Even hidden sugars in processed foods contribute to this issue.
Combatting Type 2 Diabetes
Combatting type 2 diabetes involves a comprehensive look at our diet and lifestyle. Here are some fundamental steps to consider:
- Protein Intake: Ensure adequate protein in every meal. Proteins help you feel full and reduce the tendency to snack on sugary or carb-heavy foods.
- Carbohydrate Choices: Be mindful of carbohydrate sources. Opt for whole grains and limit simple sugars and processed carbs.
- Healthy Fats: Include sources like nuts, seeds, and avocados. These fats help slow down sugar absorption into the bloodstream.
- Reducing Snacking: Frequent snacking can cause blood sugar spikes. Aim for balanced meals to sustain you longer.
- Movement: Regular movement throughout the day helps regulate blood sugar levels. This doesn’t mean intense workouts but rather consistent, gentle activity.
- Stress Management: High stress can impact blood sugar levels. Find ways to manage stress through deep breathing, walking, or activities that relax you.
For those living with or borderline type 2 diabetes, these steps, alongside medical guidance, can significantly improve your condition. Remember, it’s about taking control of your health and not becoming a statistic in the growing numbers of diabetes cases.
I hope these insights offer a clearer understanding of type 2 diabetes and practical ways to prevent it.
Thanks for reading and while you’re here, why not join my Facebook group?
Join my free Health Lifestyle & Nutrition Facebook Group ↓
A wonderful group where you can get help, advice, support and tips to help make the right lifestyle and nutrition choices for you.
I go LIVE regularly in the group with nutritional and naturopathic advice as well as run challenges and much much more!
You can join the group here >> https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthlifestylenutrition/
Looking for an Appointment?
Again, thanks for reading.
Keep your eye out for more articles and Peyton Principles in the media.
A little more about me…
Providing expert, personalised, health advice utilising 10 years of nutritional therapy and naturopathy experience with a strong emphasis on digestion and gut health. Zoom or face to face Consultations.
I also develop and deliver well-being in the workplace workshops.
Helping people live happier, healthier more active lives.
Get in touch here
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Follow me on Social Media for the latest in Natural Health…

domain: health


text: Fearns Pet Hay is a dust extracted, timothy rye grass mix of first cut hay. The vitamins & minerals found in the hay is essential for ensuring your animals are healthy & happy. Pet hay is suitable for all kinds of animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or chinchillas. The dust extraction process minimises the chances of respiratory problems and supplies your pets with a tasty yet safe treat! 4kg bags.

domain: pet


text:
Life Is Hard, Food Is Easy
The 5-step Plan to Overcome Emotional Eating and Lose Weight on Any DieteBook - 2003
Explains how emotional eating can affect diet and serves up a step-by-step plan for defeating the urge to eat when life becomes stressful, losing and maintaining one's weight, and developing healthy eating habits.
Publisher: Washington, D.C. : LifeLine Press ; Lanham, MD : Distributed to the trade by National Book Network, , ©2003
Branch Call Number: 613.2 Sp
Description: 1 online resource (xvii, 294 pages) : illustrations

domain: library


text:
By Keith Orr
We associate two times of the year with love: Valentine's Day and spring. Usually we are in the midst of a deep freeze on Valentine's Day. Yet as I write this in Ann Arbor, the daffodils are considering pushing their shoots through the ground, geese are heading north, and Valentine's Day just may be balmy.
Whether spring is around the corner, or Michigan weather is pulling another trick on us, our hearts turn to love, and the bookshelves are full of romances.
Almost Like Being In Love
By Steve Kluger
Some books enthrall. Some mystify. Some make you think. Some are fun diversions. And some just charm the pants off of you. "Almost Like Being In Love" is a charmer. I come back to it over and over again and it never disappoints. In high school, Craig is a nerd and Travis is a jock. Charmingly and improbably they fall in love. After a magical summer in New York after their senior year, they attend schools on opposite coasts and slowly drift apart. Twenty years later they both risk all in order to find the other.
Travis writes in his journal, "But he still has my heart – and if he's not using it, I want it back. Otherwise I'm going to go on loving him for the rest of my life."
It seems like a traditional enough love story. What makes this novel different is the entire book is non-narrative fiction. The story is told through lists, journals, newspaper articles and even a menu. If you've ever wondered what happened to that first love, this book is for you. Actually, all you have to do is believe in love, and the charms of "Almost Like Being In Love" will enchant you, as they have me.
The Biggest Lover: Big-Boned Men's Erotica for Chubs and Chasers
Edited by Ron Suresha
Several years ago Ron Suresha formed a new press, Bear Bones Books. He is a pioneer in advocating for the bear community and bi men. He has put together a collection of love and lust which has a large heart and large men. Authors in the anthology run the gamut from erotica legends like Jack Fritscher to novelists Hank Edwards and Jeff Mann. There is a great variety of men and stories to entice the reader.
The opening story by Hank Edwards, "Furball," is a delicious mix of lust which blossoms into love. The title creature is a cat who acts as the go-between, the cupid as it were, for the lusty protaganists.
"Moby Dick" by William Holden is by turns an amusing play on the Melville opus and a love story on the high seas. "Call me Abram" begins the story. Our seafaring captain spies the man of his dreams as his ship sails forth out of Sag Harbor. And so begins his obsession with finding the great white beast he has seen but once. Bear Bones Books is releasing "The Biggest Lover" on Valentine's Day.
The Giddy Death of the Gays and the Strange Demise of Straights
By Redfern Jon Barrett
As I was planning this column, I realized I should include a trans and bi romance. Let me say here to any authors reading this, "There is a niche out there waiting for you." Most writing in both categories is nonfiction, with many memoirs. Great reading, but not great choices for fans of romance lit. And then I stumbled across "The Giddy Death of the Gays and the Strange Demise of Straights" by Redfern Jon Barrett and published by Lethe Press.
Can a romance also be a comedy?
Apparently in the world of Redfern Jon Barret, the answer is an unequivocal yes. This is one of the quirkiest novels I've read in a while, and that great rarity, a bi romance. The setting is post-industrial Swansea, Wales. The cast of characters includes:
– Richard and his new roommate Dom, who are both straight and improbably fall in love with each other.
– Caroline, Dom's girlfriend who must figure out how to navigate these waters.
– Rutti, a bitchy waif of a gay boy whom Richard had kicked out as his previous roommate.
– Nomi, Caroline's tough gal pal.
These main characters provide the narrative voices through the novel. Though Rutti and Nomi are not part of the triangle, it is their voices which really bring the novel alive. Swansea is pictured as a rundown locale whose only redeeming quality is its relative affordability. Otherwise it is a backdrop of treadmill jobs, shabby clubs and beaches with needles. Barrett tells us that while there is no place like home, there is also no reason you have to stay there.
Prescription for Love
No one can write romance novels like lesbians. Nora Roberts and Jackie Collins are dwarf stars in a universe which includes a supernova like Radclyffe. Radclyffe has written 45 romances (and dozens of other novels). Her fans' only complaint is that they can read faster than Radclyffe can write.
Her newest novel is published by her long-time publisher, Bold Strokes Books. Bold Strokes specializes in the genre, publishing authors Kim Baldwin, VK Powell, Ali Vali, Gun Brooke and more. "Prescription for Love" is a sequel to "Against Doctor's Orders." Flannery Rivers is content to let her sister run the family dynasty at rural Rivers Hospital. She is ready for her next romance, and thinks she knows her target: city-gal Abigail Remy who has been brought in to run the ER. Abigail is looking for a community to raise her trans son in safety. Intrigue and jealousy, personal and professional, fan the fires of passion.


text:
Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a metabolic disease that results in high blood sugar. The condition affects the body's capacity to use glucose, or blood sugar, for energy.
Several complications are associated with diabetes, like nerve damage, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and even blindness. Diabetes also affects our oral health and leads to gum disease and other oral health issues.
Let's have a look at the teeth and gum problems to be aware of if you have diabetes:
Tooth decay and cavities:Since the bacteria present in the mouth feed on starch and sugar and develop plaque, diabetic people are at an increased risk of developing tooth decay due to high blood and saliva glucose levels.
Early gum disease (gingivitis):As per the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing gum problems and infections. This is because diabetes impacts the body's ability to fight off gum infection-causing bacteria. If you don't follow a good oral care regimen, this can cause the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar on teeth and beneath the gum line. When plaque and tartar are allowed to remain on the teeth for long, they irritate the gums around the teeth and cause swelling and bleeding of gums. This condition is known as gingivitis.
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis): If gum disease is left untreated for long, periodontitis, a more serious form of gum infection, can develop. Periodontitis can destroy the bone and soft tissue that support the teeth and pull them away from the teeth. This, in turn, can lead to the loosening and eventual falling out of the tooth. Since diabetes slows our body's healing power and lowers our ability to fight infection, an infection like periodontitis can become more severe. Besides, periodontitis can increase the blood sugar level and make diabetes difficult to control.
Thrush:Thrush is a fungal infection that develops inside the mouth by the Candida albicans yeast. Diabetic People are more likely to develop thrush. Its symptoms include painful patches inside the mouth.
Dry mouth (xerostomia): Diabetes can lead to dry mouth, a condition marked by a lack of saliva, and increase the risk of tooth decay, cavities, thrush, mouth ulcers, soreness, and gum disease.
1. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice and floss once per day.
2. Manage your food intake - avoid foods that are high in sugar and starch.
3. Inform your dentist about diabetes so that you receive the best care possible that suits your needs.
4. Schedule regular dental visits to watch for new concerns in the mouth related to diabetes.
Practice dental and diabetes care in tandem to combat oral health complications associated with diabetes.
For more tips and comprehensive dental care, visit East Burn Dentistry at 1415 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97214. Call us at 503-233-4871 for appointments.

domain: medical


text:
When the Old is Still the New
30 Jan 2016
As we embrace the New Year, the shift in the cosmic play, trickles down and affects all of nature including us. This energy shift is marked by the winter solstice, a twenty-one day window that allows time and opportunity for us to adjust to the change; ten days prior to the solstice, the solstice day itself, and ten days following. By the time we exit this period January 1st, most individuals feel an urge to get moving. Even those who do not observe the solstices and equinoxes will express a feeling of renewed energy and motivation.
his year I had a personal experience that brought a welcomed and timely affirmation. I felt the urge to purge my basement, move out the old, donate what was no longer needed, and prepare my mind for a new book I am about to embark on. I ended up delving in to a two-day meditation looking at the younger me, from early high school on. I observed the most wonderful thing; that the clothes, art, music, journals and the books collected over the years was representative of exactly who I am today. My values and loves are the same. My taste for design, fabric, time-periods, non-fiction, music genres, and most significantly, the search for and appreciation of beauty in all things, was clear. I felt affirmed. And it made me smile. A lot. This unexpected affirmation grounded me even more in a life-mission to continue to create and bring beauty to life wherever is possible.
So friends, my message to you today is, sometimes the old is not old and not to be tossed away. It is there for us to revisit, rediscover and reaffirm ourselves. Perhaps this is a good time in your life to revisit the old and affirm that you have been true to yourself and are exactly where you are supposed to be today. And then give yourself a big smile and continue on with confidence and even more joy with what you do in the world.


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The COVID-19 pandemic reminds clinicians that there are circumstances that make clinical care more challenging. It may be possible to plan for such situations, to maintain continuity of treatment with clozapine.
First is to consider whether the patient is appropriate for the creation of an extra clozapine supply. This can be challenging as insurers are unlikely to pay for an extra supply of medication, but even having a 1-week cushion may prevent debilitating cholinergic rebound and psychosis from abrupt clozapine discontinuation. If the patient or family caregiver can afford it, one option is to provide a prescription for one week of medication, which may have to be purchased with cash if insurance will not cover the cost. At present, the outpatient full retail cost of generic clozapine is approximately 3.5 cents per mg. Thus, for someone on 400 mg/d, a one-week supply (2800 mg total) would be $98. There may also be tablets left over during dose changes or titrations, which can also be set aside for future emergency use.
Access to point-of-care (POC) ANC testing: There is an FDA approved device (Athelas) for POC ANC testing that is available in some locations. This system sends the results from a finger stick automatically to REMS, and delivers medication directly to the patient’s residence, medical office or residential office. This device can be deployed in any care setting, and this may allow it to be used in licensed residential facilities thus obviating the need for the patient to go to an outside lab for ANC monitoring. If the device is at a mental health clinic, the patient now has two options for ANC testing: the clinic, or, if the clinic is not accessible, an outside lab using the usual prescription for a CBC with ANC.
Plan for remote follow-up: Whether due to patient or caregiver illness, or inability to travel for any reason, there should be a plan for follow-up, especially in patients who are beginning their clozapine treatment and who need closer attention. This plan can take into account patient access to a smartphone or computer, and the ability to use these devices. One always must be mindful of information security when using any telepsychiatry method, but in emergencies, one might document that the need to see the patient for assessment is critical, given limitations of available technology. For more stable patients a phone call may be sufficient. In all circumstances, one should note in the record the method used, and the information gleaned from the clinical encounter.
Also, the U.S. FDA has the authority to change guidance during major crises.


I am a trained research technician at the Institute of Physics and Astronomy back in 1990-1993
after graduation I was a recruit in the military for 9 months. then I got a job again at the physical institute on a 2-year contract, then I joined a company that made ice machines for the industry. I was a service engineer for several years where I traveled around the world and installed ice machines and plants.
in 2004 I then returned to the Institute of Physics in a permanent position.
building vacuum equipment.
service on all vacuum equipment, turbo & backing pump, valves, gauge, ect.
leak detection of vacuum equipment.
support and problem solving for research groups.
drilling, milling and turning tasks in many types of materials.
knowledge of many materials: metals, special metals, plastics and ceramics etc.


text:
Company Overview of Promobois G.D.S. Inc.
Promobois G.D.S. Inc. distributes lumber products. The company was founded in 1947 and is based in Degelis, Canada. Promobois G.D.S. Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Groupe De Scieries G.D.S. Inc.
207, Route 295
Degelis, QC G5T 1R1
Founded in 1947
Key Executives for Promobois G.D.S. Inc.
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Recent Private Companies Transactions
|No transactions available in the past 12 months.|
To contact Promobois G.D.S. Inc., please visit --. Company data is provided by Capital IQ. Please use this form to report any data issues.

domain: economics


text:
This post brought to you by Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.
I’m learning to like country music. As more and more country artists walk the thin line between pop and country, I’m finding more to love about the genre. But there are millions of hard core country fans and for them the Academy of Country Music® Awards is their fandom nirvana. What would make it even better? A chance to actually attend the event and see all of their favorite country artists in person, on the red carpet, and performing live.
Even a minor country music fan like me would love the experience and the chance to be a country music insider, if only for a few hours. And it’s more than a dream for one lucky person thanks to Dollar General. They’re currently running a contest where the winner will get their dream of being a guest at the ACM Awards! Walk the red carpet like a celebrity and get a glimpse of Country’s popular acts like Rascal Flatts!
Enter to Win – Dr Pepper ACM Awards Sweepstakes
Sadly I can’t enter. My state is not included in the list of those who can enter. But most are, so check the list and enter! It’s easy – name, address, and email address is all that’s required to register and then you’re entered to win!
If you’re the one lucky winner, you’ll be treated like a star! Be sure to take lots of pictures so I can share in your amazing day and would you do me a favor and say “hey” to the Rascal Flatts guys? I love their music!
Who would you love to meet? Who’s the country star you’d be so excited to meet? Or what song do you hope is performed?


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A long range relationship refers to an intimate marriage between two partners so, who are geographically separated. blog This type of partnership presents some unique problems and is certainly not suitable for everyone. Firstly, the partners in a extended distance romance lack face-to-face contact and communication. Additionally, it can be difficult to keep the intimacy with their life because of the geographic distance. On this page, we will be at how to preserve a healthy long relationship.
It is crucial to make sure that you maintain your connection with your partner. Within a long-distance marriage, it is easier to drift a part than a normal relationship. This means that you need to continue growing and developing your relationship alongside one another. Even the calls can become routine, this means you need to be conscious and ask innovative questions. This really is crucial to to get relationship going. Keep in mind, long-distance romances require even more emotional support from your partner than a classic one.
It is necessary to remember that a long distance romance is a sensitive one, in fact it is important to keep your emotions well balanced. A good romantic relationship needs confident energy to survive. It can be lonely, painful, and stressful, but with patience and understanding, you may successfully deal with a long relationship. Just remember that it can also be fulfilling. If you equally work hard, your relationship will certainly continue to grow. Once this is definitely strong, you and your partner will certainly feel better than ever.
It’s very important to keep touching your partner in every day basis. Keeping connected is essential, specifically if you have a long-distance relationship. This will help you keep a positive attitude and strengthen your this. Your partner will feel the connection that you have got if you do. When you both have regular face-to-face conversation, you will be able to prevent the solitude and the range that the romantic relationship creates.
It is vital to be honest with the partner. The long distance relationship will be difficult to fix, but you should try to stay positive as much as you may. Your partner being surprised to find out that you are continue to in appreciate, and you will have to work harder to hold the relationship going. Just make sure you are genuine with your spouse, and you will probably be able to sort out your complications more easily. It might be important to stay committed to your partner.
You should be genuine with your partner. In a long distance romantic relationship, your partner will need to be patient and understand that you can’t stay in touch all the period. Often , it will require time to build trust and intimacy. Even so, this will certainly be a good learning experience for both of you. You should be honest with each other, and you can even share your feelings with your spouse. It will also be necessary for your career and school, and you will probably be able to hang out with your friends and family.
While you are in a longer distance relationship, you can use text messages to speak with your partner. It is very romantic to deliver a written by hand letter on your partner. You can also send gifts out of online stores. However , it is necessary to make sure you communicate with your partner regularly simply by texting. Your spouse should be able to call at your emotions every single day. By talking on the phone every day, you are able to maintain the closeness that you have with your better half.
Despite the range, long range romantic relationships require great communication. With no effective conversation, a long-distance relationship might lead to unneeded arguments and confusion. It is therefore essential that both lovers communicate with each other in a healthy and constructive manner. You must not neglect your partner’s thoughts if you’re unable to communicate with him / her. The more you share, the much more likely it will be to keep the relationship going.
During a long-distance relationship, both partners have to express the emotions and look after a sense of connection. It is important to keep in mind that a long relationship is certainly not the same as a conventional, in-person marriage. As a result, a long-distance partner may feel lonesome. To keep the emotional interconnection between you two, it is essential to welcome each other daily and connect about your life.

domain: psychology


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This full-service Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hotel is ideal for conventions and offers convenient access to both Easton and Allentown.
The Courtyard Allentown Bethlehem/Lehigh Valley Airport is centrally located between the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem. The charming Lehigh Valley
Come join us at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Allentown Bethlehem-Lehigh Valley Airport, the perfect hotel in Allentown, PA for business and leisure travelers
Value Place offers affordable weekly stays for fully furnished studios with a full kitchen
Find great deals on quality Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hotels & resorts, or indulge at one of our luxury resorts. Take advantage of the many amenities that can be included with your stay such as in-room internet access, wifi, room service, fitness center, pool, hot tub, steam room, and shuttle services to and from the airport. Browse our Bethlehem, Pennsylvania hotels and resorts and plan your Bethlehem, Pennsylvania vacation today!

domain: travel


text:
Bringing an iconic aesthetic to square format instant photography, the Diana Instant Square fills frames with strong, saturated colors and rich, moody vignetting. Built to let your inspiration run wild, our latest innovation features a Multiple Exposure Mode, a Bulb Mode for long exposures, a hot shoe adapter and so much more! It’s even compatible with all of the lenses created for the Diana F+ so that you can shake up your perspective anytime, anywhere. No two shots will ever be the same. Back us on Kickstarter now!
For lomographer Ana Batrićević, shooting on film is a welcome break from her mostly digital work. With her grandfather's camera, she documents the world around her in nostalgic hues, a process that serves as a reminder of her childhood. Get to know our newcomer of the week in this interview.
I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the winners in the Monochrome category of the ﬁrst ever Lomography TEN AND ONE photography competition. After a Residency Week in Vienna I came to the following conclusions about the essence of photography.
Colors mean differently for all walks of life. The color Viridian is a certain green favored by artists for its cool and fresh hue reminding them of springtime. Lomography tries to understand the meaning of each complex color found in the gradient and what it means for most of us photographers.
In the digital age, almost anyone can make money and build fame out of art -- regardless if the art is good or bad. In this list, we are reminded of people with talent, those whose artistry come from natural affinity to beauty. Enter Tim Burton, Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Michel Gondry.
I have come back after a week of my TEN AND ONE Artistic Residency at Lomography HQ in Vienna with my head full of ideas and projects that I would like to start and try out. By the end of the week I have a book (almost) full of tips, anecdotes and pure Lomographic love.
No need to look inside those stockings or write a long letter to Santa. We're already here to make your holiday wishes come true! Get to know the lucky winners of this year's Win Your Wishlist competition.
Instant photography is on the rise for 2017, so for those who haven't made the jump yet, or beginners of instant film, here are some common mistakes when taking up instant photography and a few reminders, tips on how to avoid them.
On the fourth day of Residency Week in Vienna, Lomography organized a day trip to Bratislava for us. The capital of Slovakia is only an hour away from Vienna by train so the trip turned out to be a wonderful idea. We were supposed to meet on the main railway station Hauptbahnhof.


In a story that is so surreal as to hardly believe it happened, former Prime Minister David Cameron’s bodyguard has been removed from operational duties, Scotland Yard has confirmed. The suspension is a result of a loaded gun, two passports (one belonging to the former Conservative Party leader) and a British Airways toilet cubicle, like from a game of Cluedo.
The passports belonging to David Cameron and the royalty and specialist protection unit officer, were handed over to the BA flight crew along with the loaded gun. The gun was subsequently swiftly removed from the plane, according to reports. The flight was due to depart from New York to London on Monday and the gun was understood to have been left when the officer took off his holster when using the bathroom.
The Sun quoted an unnamed 33-year-old businessman who was on the flight as saying: ‘There was a real commotion going on with a guy near to me. He said he had found a gun in the toilets, which was met with disbelief … [The captain] tried to calm everyone down by explaining that the law allowed handguns on planes for protection officers and that the gun was back with the bodyguard.
But a guy wasn’t having it. He said he felt uncomfortable about guns being allowed on the plane. The captain left and came back a few minutes later to say the gun had been removed from the plane.’
Another unnamed passenger told The Sun: ‘We were waiting to take off when a guy started to show pictures on his phone of a gun and two passports. One was David Cameron’s – he said he found [it] in the toilet. They were just resting on the side by the sink. He was stunned by what he saw.’
Scotland Yard told The Guardian: ‘The officer involved has since been removed from operational duties. We are taking this matter extremely seriously and an internal investigation is taking place.’
Homepage credit: Getty Images
More from Tatler


text: Herb CARAWAY 250 SEEDS £1.50 Quantity: at £1.50 each Add To Basket Carum carvi Biennial, sow outside in summer to harvest the seeds the next year. Use on cakes or bread, also good in soup and with cheese. Sowing instructions: Sow the seeds in rows 30 cm apart and thin the plant in the row to 5 cm apart. Sowing depth 1-2 cm. Average contents: 250 seeds.

domain: agronomy


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Armed Invaders Steal Osa Municipality Computers
Three masked invaders armed with automatic weapons hog-tied the only guard protecting the OsaMunicipality in the Southern Zone before breaking in and stealing 16 computers and a vehicle Oct. 4.
The invaders left behind hordes of valuable equipment, including monitors, printers and digital cameras, which has led investigators and the Osa mayor to suspect they were going after information.
“They took all the information we have about the Maritime Zone,” said Osa Mayor Jorge Alberto Cole. “There has to be someone here with interests in the Maritime Zone who wants to erase evidence.”
Osa’s coastal Maritime Zone has recently been flooded with foreign development, and some projects have been under scrutiny by the government (TT, Aug. 10).
About $100,000 of equipment was stolen, including computer processors and the Maritime Zone department’s pickup truck. Cole said the municipality has all the information backed up.
Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) agent Evelyn Picado said the suspects showed up around 9 p.m. and tied the guard’s hands and feet, stuffed a piece of cloth in his mouth and locked him in the Municipal Council’s bathroom.
The suspects used the guard’s key to enter the building. They were wearing gloves and it appears they left no physical evidence, according to Picado.
The guard freed himself two hours later. The entire Osa OIJ force of three agents is working on the case. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the break-in is related to ongoing squatting cases in the area.
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domain: news


Catalog ID:324990Duration:3:28Tempo:Very FastBPM:230Vocal:Instrumental Genre:Jazz Music
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text:
It's here! The World Expo 2010
has opened in Shanghai, and the press has gone wild. With some 70 million visitors expected to attend the event during its six-month run, the Expo may be a tourism boon for China. Themed "Better City-Better Life," the Expo aims to present examples of sustainable, harmonious urban living through its exhibits and events. Some 192 countries and 50 organizations will be taking part in the extravaganza along the Huangpu River. Notably, San Francisco will be the only U.S. city officially represented
; Bay Area green technology will thus be on prominent display on this global stage. Inspired to head to China and walk Shanghai's historic Bund? The Peninsula Hotel
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includes daily American breakfast for two, daily entry tickets for two to the Expo, and shuttle bus transportation to the site. Priced from RMB 2,500 for a Superior Room.
Read more about The Peninsula...


text:
I remember screaming loudly in angry disbelief from the swing on the playground,
“Hey! That’s our lunch!”
I also recall nearly twisting myself from the swing in mid-air as I turned in childlike desperation to find my Papa (my Dad’s Dad) behind me, not seeming to give two shits that a bum was stealing the picnic lunch that took the entire morning for me to assemble to perfection.
“Papa…that man is taking our lunch from the table! Look, Papa, Look!”
My grandfather continued to push me higher on the swing, in spite of my exclamations; he never even looked over in the direction of the table (or our lunch) that I noticed, he just kept pushing as I sailed forward and up again on the swing. He had this way about him, though; an almost unsettling calmness woven tightly into his characteristic traits. Nothing seemed to ever really upset him; he was always chillax in comparison to anybody else I’ve ever known, to date; and, during childhood his patience often left me baffled beyond my inexperienced and young mind’s reconciliation.
It didn’t take long for me, being the tiny spitfire that I was, to eject myself from the swing on the up-swing (a stunt that my Papa disliked with absolution) and land approximately ten feet away in the redwood tanbark. I remember that I felt shocked that our lunch was being stolen and he planned to do nothing about it; it was in violation of my strict pre-school schedule.
“If you aren’t gonna stop him, I will!”
I “huffed and puffed” while I brushed myself off and began to head in the direction of the man’s quickly fading figure amidst the trees across the field of the park. Looking back, it always makes me smile to think about my Papa during my youngest days alive; he was such a wise and magical soul in every way. He never used to stop us from fucking up; on the contrary, he always allowed us to learn things the hard way, and for ourselves.
But on this day, he didn’t let me chase down the lunch-thief however; he stopped me in my tracks by simply observing out loud,
“Don’t you kinda feel like if that man stole our picnic like that, that he probably needs it more than we do?”
I recall this question literally making me feel weak for a second’s time; I stood still there in the sunny field alongside of my Papa’s short framed shadow and I swallowed what he said…I was instantly ashamed of myself for starting to chase after him; for reacting like I had…this moment changed me forever. My papa spent the rest of that afternoon explaining to me how this man had come to be homeless and dirty, angry and unstable:
He had been in the Vietnam War with my Dad and uncles; he had some bad times while he was there, and hadn’t found life any easier when he got back, afterward…
I never let go of what his patience meant to teach me that day about that man stealing our lunch; it created a soft-spot in my heart for Combat Veterans who have all but blinked out completely against a cruel and misunderstanding society they once called “home”. If there was one thing that my Papa drove deep into my being when I was young, it was HUMANITY in its rawest forms. I am ever-grateful to have had him, and still miss him to no end all the time, every day.