OpenGVLab/V2PE
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The dataset generation failed
Error code: DatasetGenerationError
Exception: TypeError
Message: Couldn't cast array of type list<item: string> to null
Traceback: Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1870, in _prepare_split_single
writer.write_table(table)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 622, in write_table
pa_table = table_cast(pa_table, self._schema)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2292, in table_cast
return cast_table_to_schema(table, schema)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2245, in cast_table_to_schema
arrays = [
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2246, in <listcomp>
cast_array_to_feature(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 1795, in wrapper
return pa.chunked_array([func(chunk, *args, **kwargs) for chunk in array.chunks])
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 1795, in <listcomp>
return pa.chunked_array([func(chunk, *args, **kwargs) for chunk in array.chunks])
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2005, in cast_array_to_feature
arrays = [
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2006, in <listcomp>
_c(array.field(name) if name in array_fields else null_array, subfeature)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 1797, in wrapper
return func(array, *args, **kwargs)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2102, in cast_array_to_feature
return array_cast(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 1797, in wrapper
return func(array, *args, **kwargs)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 1950, in array_cast
raise TypeError(f"Couldn't cast array of type {_short_str(array.type)} to {_short_str(pa_type)}")
TypeError: Couldn't cast array of type list<item: string> to null
The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 1412, in compute_config_parquet_and_info_response
parquet_operations, partial, estimated_dataset_info = stream_convert_to_parquet(
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 988, in stream_convert_to_parquet
builder._prepare_split(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1741, in _prepare_split
for job_id, done, content in self._prepare_split_single(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1897, in _prepare_split_single
raise DatasetGenerationError("An error occurred while generating the dataset") from e
datasets.exceptions.DatasetGenerationError: An error occurred while generating the datasetNeed help to make the dataset viewer work? Make sure to review how to configure the dataset viewer, and open a discussion for direct support.
images_list
sequence | context
string | question
string | answer
int64 | meta
dict | id
int64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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As you're working on a climate plan for your city, there are some traps. Number one: Don't get lost in the numbers! Filter the measures that have the most impact and start working with the data you already have. Discover 4 more tips. 💪
Don't get lost in the numbers 🔢
As experts, we know that there is often a (small) error somewhere in the results and figures used. It' s sometimes tempting to focus on having 100% correct figures. Keep in mind that your data will improve along the way. In the meantime, it gives you an idea of where your city is heading.
Acting is better than doing nothing. You may not see the direct result, but you have to start somewhere... 😉
Our advice: filter the measures that have the most impact, use our database, start working with the data you already have or with the measures you can implement (there will always be time to fill in the missing numbers later).
Not everything should rest on one person's shoulders🕴
Or at least it shouldn't be like that.
It is essential to involve people from other departments within the municipality. But if you can't convince your colleagues, or if your municipality doesn't have enough staff, don't despair, there are also other starting points. 👇
📍 Local companies
Get in touch with your local businesses, look for those that have already developed sustainable projects or wish to do so.
In Wallonia: you can consult the list of members of the Tweed cluster, a network of companies (private or public) that brings together stakeholders active in the sustainable energy sector, all sectors combined. Putting these companies in contact with others in your territory to stimulate the development of sustainable projects can be very interesting. 💪
Do your SMEs need help to make a successful energy transition or to finance their innovative projects? Sowalfin's initiative Novalia (FR) is a good way to help them!
In Flanders: you can join Samenklimaatactief (NL), an initiative of the city of Antwerp to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions of offices, light industry and shops in Flanders (present in Antwerp and Ghent).
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👨👩👧👧 Your citizens
Search for projects carried out by committed citizens, groups, organizations or communities. Don't hesitate to turn to a 'young' audience, who will potentially be more sensitive to making your city ' futureproofed' and willing to act.
Leuven 2030 (NL) is a good example: this non-profit organisation has 60 founding members, including citizens, companies, institutes (universities, research centres, etc.) and (semi-) public authorities who work together to make Leuven a sustainable and healthy city. How do they finance their projects? In many different ways: the city budget, the participation of the different members, investment requests at EU level... Don't hesitate to contact them to find out more!
🌎 Our Community
Remember that you are not the only one working on a climate plan. Our online community allows you to ask other cities and municipalities for advice or ask them your questions. (And don't forget, there is no such thing as silly questions... 😉).
PS: for more inspiration read our article on the 4 steps to get a climate impact with little manpower.
Don't start from the responsibility, but from the advantages
Think about the co-benefits of climate measures, they will allow you to easily identify those different benefits.
Don't focus on the budget of your city or municipality 💰
Don't focus on your city's budget, widen your researches and think about other sources of investment: European funds, private investors, regional or federal subsidies, the help that can be given to you by the inter-municipal bodies...
PS: It has been calculated that an investment of around €1000 per person per year, made by all stakeholders between now and 2050, is necessary to maintain the course of the energy transition by 2050. Of course, a city or municipality can not invest alone... This is why cities are facilitators and need all stakeholders to commit to their climate plan to make it happen! 🤝
Take inspiration from the workshop (NL) given by Leen Peters during one of our FPC Talk to learn more about subsidies, questions to ask yourself and ways to proceed. Professionals can help your municipality to write and develop your ideas or project proposals.
Start 'small' and don't hesitate to communicate 📣
Having trouble getting political support? Do you find it difficult to communicate on the climate plan? Do you think you have nothing or not enough to communicate?
However, you can communicate about measures and actions that have already been carried out (and successfully, even better), or that are currently in progress. Also think about actions that do not involve political commitment or figures in the first place.
The different actors of the territory will be happy to know that you are acting, even if these are small actions at first. Think for example of an action on a workshop, an information session, a collective purchase... By taking a step back from what is happening in your community you will realize that there is more to tell than you think. 🤩
If you need concrete advice (on where to start, what to present to your college and which will be convincing): contact us via .
☀️FutureproofedCities makes it easy to set priorities, focus and monitor concrete climate action. Not yet a user? Download our free tool guide to discover our platform.
Did you find this article interesting? Sign up to receive a monthly dose of inspiration:
Collecting 'Voces de la Comunidad' with Josh Berk and Guillermo Lopez | Charla Comunitaria
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Olga welcomes Josh Berk, executive director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, who talks about the Voces de la Comunidad project and mural - which focused on capturing the stories of the Latinx/Hispanic community in Bethlehem.
Then, she speaks with Guillermo Lopez, one of the participants in the project. He talks about his experience, and about the Guillermo Lopez Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Institute, which will be unveiled during the Pennsylvania Latino Convention on Sept. 29.
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Charla Comunitaria features interviews and conversations which explore the Lehigh Valley's growing and thriving Latin American community. Catch new episodes the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30 to 7:00 PM following Perspectives.
THE groundwater level in Selangor has reduced by one metre because of a rise in activities from land use.
Air Selangor director and operations head Abas Abdullah said this was based on a 2019 study published in the Journal of Water and Climate Change for Malaysia.
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Abas: Surface water is still the main source of water for Selangor.
He said the study showed that extreme dry weather has brought about a decrease of 0.5 to 3m in groundwater levels in many areas.
“In Malaysia, 1.2% of its water resources are from groundwater. Most of it is from Kelantan.
“For Selangor, however, surface water is still its main water source.
“The little groundwater supply that the state has is mainly used for industry and agriculture,” he told StarMetro.
Abas was speaking in conjunction with World Water Day 2020, themed “Groundwater”.
He said studies carried out by the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia have found groundwater sources in Jenderam and Kuala Langat in Selangor.
However, bore holes made have revealed that much of this groundwater source is still derived from surface water.
Nevertheless, he stressed on the need to understand the surroundings of a newly discovered groundwater source before arriving at conclusions to mitigate pollution risks.
“In Bestari Jaya in Kuala Selangor district, for example, there is a need to understand the recharge rate during the extraction process.
“If done too quickly, pollutants from the Bukit Tagar landfill could contaminate this resource,” he said.
Recharge rate refers to how fast the groundwater source is replenished and from where.
On the numerous water cuts endured by consumers in the Klang Valley in the past, Abas pointed at two factors – pollution and technical issues.
“As the management of the rivers come under Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), Air Selangor is unable to give assurances on the continuous integrity of our raw water supply.
“However, under the raw water guarantee scheme, LUAS will conduct 24-hour monitoring, especially of Sungai Selangor and Sungai Langat,” he said.
As for plant shutdowns due to technical issues at the distribution site, Abas revealed that out of 1,091 cases of burst pipes in the Klang Valley in 2021, 57% were because of ageing pipes.
“To date, we still have about 6,000km of asbestos cement pipes which will be replaced at a rate of 150km per year.
“From 2015 until now, Air Selangor has recorded a pipe burst index of six cases for every 100km per year.
“The international benchmark is 13 burst pipe cases per 100km per year. This is an improvement for us,” he said.
He also noted that two billion people worldwide had no access to clean and safe water supply.
“This gives us all the more reason to value such a precious commodity,” Abas added.
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1586 B. Young The Civile Conversation of M Stephen Guazzo
“He..without anie more words unballanced the ship.”
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1st paycheque – an Antler suitcase
£75 ticket – no place as a £10 Pom
6 weeks – the rocking ship (sick until Gibraltar)
2 years – stretched to a lifetime
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Notes:The first attempt in an intended series. An investigation of un-balance – an infinite series of adjustments.
Structure based on lists – the Glossary as a list of words; text response in a list. Making and recording of un-balanced in action.
Initial text from Oxford English Dictionary – a translation by Bartholomew Young. The boat form was made in a workshop with Mary Hettmansperger (17-Sep-2018). Printed words in ballast net from Stephano Guazzo, La civil conversatione:La civil conversatione: divisa en quattro libri on . Response list based on my mother’s memories of coming to Australia. On the learning curve in use of technology.
More glossary entries
Structure based on lists
Glossary as a list of words connected with unbalance
Oxford English Dictionary used as source of quotations, not definitions
Making, motion, and photo documentation in response to quote
Text response in a list
This is Paul and recently I got a Jackson sl2 guitar, but no paper certificate here.
Can you pls help to check if you know the information? Tks
I got the Serial number U19593. The last number is not very clear, but it mostly should be 3 I think.
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Esteban Gutierrez admits he has been “surprised” by the level of support and understanding Haas F1 Team has shown over his 2016 form and the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Despite running team-mate Romain Grosjean close in qualifying, the Mexican has yet to open his points tally after 17 races this year. Gutierrez has been tantalisingly close on a number of occasions though, securing five 11th-place finishes along the way.
Making his return to a full-time role after one season as Ferrari test driver, the 25-year-old has missed out on a couple of scoring opportunities but also suffered his fair share of reliability issues.
Asked whether he was confident Haas would take these problems into account when assessing his performance, Gutierrez replied: “Yes and I am actually surprised how much they are supporting, it's very positive. When you make a big effort and you see that people realise about it, you perform and they see how you are performing, and they also consider that I didn't have the opportunities.
"Obviously it's also frustrating for them because they want me to be successful, they want me to do good results but they are there behind [me]. We are talking about the guys who are making the big decisions, the very important people, who are very important for my future so it's fantastic.”
Gutierrez has repeatedly said he would be on the F1 grid in 2017. Haas remains his best option, especially now that highly-rated development driver Charles Leclers has been ruled out for a promotion. However, the team has remained tight-lipped on its 2017 line-up so far.
“How can I put it in just a few words? It's a matter of coordination basically,” Gutierrez added, talking about his future.
“It's very simple, very straightforward, but something very simple is made very complicated so it takes time. Very often as humans we are that way, when life is so simple and straightforward it's complicated.
“We complicate ourselves but now we are focusing on simplifying it and that's what takes a bit of time. There are so many parties involved that need to be on the same line, it takes a bit of time.”
F1i Classic - Masten Gregory - The 'Kansas City flash'
Silbermann investigates the potential EU threat to F1's Liberty Media deal
2017 F1 driver line-ups so far
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
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Former IFW Employees
The portal of the alumni association of the IFW is open for every member. If you have any questions about the alumni association and the required access IDs, please contact the person listed below.
Contact person for questions regarding the alumni association:
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M. Eng. Lukas Stürenburg
M. Eng. Lukas Stürenburg
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I am writing to announce the release of
The 2019 Guide to Manuscript Publishers
. The book is now available to you, completely free for a limited time.
This book includes detailed reviews of 178 traditional publishers that accept submissions directly from writers. If you want to get published, this book is for you.
Get Your Copy Here (Free)
PS: The book is available for a limited time only, so be sure to get your copy right away.
Global Oil Demand to Reach Prepandemic Levels in 2022, IEA Says
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Global oil demand is set to return to prepandemic levels by the end of 2022, but producers will need to ramp up output to keep up with the recovery, the International Energy Agency said on Friday.
The Paris-based energy agency said demand would rise in 2021 before growing at a faster rate next year, reaching 100 million barrels a day (mb/d) by the end of 2022. The forecast helped push oil prices further above $70 per barrel early on Friday, as demand expectations continued to offer confidence.
The IEA said there was scope for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, to boost production by 1.4 mb/d above its July 2021 to March 2022 target.
“Our first detailed look at 2022 balances confirms earlier expectations that OPEC+ needs to open the taps to keep the world oil markets adequately supplied,” the IEA said in its June oil market report.
Earlier this month, OPEC+ agreed to keep its current plan to gradually increase oil production through July in place, sending crude oil futures to their highest settlements in more than two years.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.3% to $70.43 per barrel early on Friday. Front-month prices finished at $70.29 on Thursday, a more than two-year high and settling at a level not seen since October 2018, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Brent crude futures climbed 0.2% to $72.63.
Read:Don’t Expect $100 Oil Anytime Soon. Here’s What’s More Likely to Happen.
The IEA said there were still a number of factors that could affect the speed at which OPEC+ can reverse its pandemic-induced production cuts. “The pace at which the OPEC+ cuts can be unwound will depend not only on the success in containing the spread of the virus and demand growth but also the timing of the eventual return of Iranian barrels to the market,” it said.
The agency said that following the record decline of 8.6 mb/d in 2020 demand was now forecast to rebound by 5.4mb/d in 2021 and a further 3.1 mb/d in 2022. “The recovery will be uneven not only among regions but across sectors and products. While the end of the pandemic is in sight in advanced economies, slow vaccine distribution could still jeopardize the recovery in non-OECD countries,” it said.
On Wednesday, the U.S. government reported a weekly jump in U.S. gasoline inventories and a fall in implied demand for the fuel, pressuring West Texas Intermediate crude prices for the session.
Read:Oil Crosses $70. These Stocks Are Seeing Big Gains.
On Thursday though, oil prices traded mostly higher, after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration lifted sanctions on more than a dozen former Iranian officials and energy companies.
The IEA noted that its forecast highlighted the challenges in reaching its recently announced road map for the sector to be net zero on emissions by 2050.
“This road map notes that most pledges by countries are not yet underpinned by near‐term policies and measures. In the meantime, oil demand looks set to continue to rise, underlining the enormous effort required to get on track to reach stated ambitions.”
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12 Key Trends in Data Analytics
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Accessing structured and unstructured data from across the organisation and bringing it to the fingertips of business decision makers – within the finance function as well as HR – facilitates better, more informed, automated, and real-time decisions across the enterprise.
But how and where to start?
Today, we stand at the brink of an entirely new opportunity – one enabled by the data tracked within your systems and, crucially, given a powerful boost through more sophisticated analytics capabilities.
In plain English this means that whereas in the past we tracked metrics, today we track what the metrics tell us and draw conclusions ("insights") that allow us to predict or even prescribe desired outcomes.
Download this report to get up to speed.
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At 81, luxury hotel developer Dick Friedman shows no signs of slowing down, with projects open in New Orleans and Reykjavik
Five years later, the Charpentier & Cie. the general manager celebrates the result of this conversation: a space of 253 rooms Marriott Edition newly opened hotel on Reykjavik’s seafront. It was not always easy, building a hotel on an island during a pandemic. Friedman estimates that COVID-19 delayed the project by more than a year. Shortages of supplies and workers slowed things down.
But at 81, Friedman shows no signs of slowing down. The man who developed the Freedom and the Charles Hotels in Boston and Cambridge and the Four Seasons The One Dalton Tower in Back Bay is once again at work. In August, Friedman and Alain Leventhal opened a new Four Seasons hotel in the redeveloped New Orleans World Trade Center tower overlooking the Mississippi River. And he’s preparing permits for a Four Seasons project in Dallas, with support from Ross Perot Jr. and the sisters of Perot.
“This is not typical and it is not expected that there will be so many [at once]”Friedman said.
Meanwhile, condo sales have been buoyant at One Dalton, Boston’s super-luxury tower block with the new Four Seasons that opened in 2019. A Carpenter spokesperson cites more than $ 260 million in sales. since the March 2020 pandemic. Friedman and his wife are among the recent arrivals, having moved from Cambridge to the 49th floor.
The travel industry has been disrupted by the pandemic. Leisure travel has rebounded, while business travel lags – a divergence that Friedman says bodes well for top tourist destinations such as Iceland. Friedman is taking the latest COVID wave in stride and noted an airplane ride he made from Boston to Reykjavik a few weeks ago that was crowded.
“Obviously, it’s a fear [but] in the company we’re in, you do these things for the long haul, âFriedman said. “Iceland in particular is on everyone’s list.”
Is it still dark outside? Executives who run New England’s power plants fear it will get even darker.
The precariousness of the region’s electricity grid was a pressing topic at the New England Energy Summit, which the New England Power Producers Association hosted last week at Seaport hotel.
The recent referendum vote in Maine against a Avangrid The project – a power line that would bring hydroelectricity from Canada to Massachusetts – was still fresh in the minds of the 120 participants. The region is moving towards more renewable energy, thanks to offshore wind and solar, but owners of natural gas power plants say they must continue to be part of the mix.
Mike harrington, an energy consultant and representative for the state of New Hampshire, asked a panel of energy officials what would happen if a bad winter storm struck, blanketing solar panels in snow and shutting down wind turbines.
” What are we doing ? Harrington said.
Cheryl LaFleur, the moderator of the event and former member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, responded, âIs this a question or a comment? “
To which Harrington replied, “Maybe it’s a bit of both.”
Big names, easy changes.
Advertising veteran Joe berkeley has worked with a number of demanding subjects over the years. But the three former US presidents featured in his latest ad were not among them.
A 60-second spot promoting the National Medal of Honor Museum by the eponymous Hull-based Berkeley production company Joe Berkeley LLC, debuted last month at a Fox sports broadcast of a Denver Broncos–Dallas Cowboys Thu. At this place, Barack obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush urged viewers to support an effort to build the museum, in Arlington, Texas. Berkeley expects the ad to also air on the giant screen at the Cowboys’ home, AT&T Stadium; Charlotte jones, daughter of the Cowboys owner Jerry jones, chairs the museum’s board of directors. In fundraising mode right now, the council hopes to innovate next year.
Berkeley, a former Vacation on the hill executive, who went out on his own in 2013, said a number of local colleagues helped with the museum project, including: Tim foley (artistic director), Shondra burke (editor), Mark hankey (producer), Tom’s love (audio mixer), and Phil Choé (colorist).
Due to the pandemic, Berkeley was unable to film the three former presidents in person. But the politicians themselves were quite gracious; all three are honorary members of the museum’s board of directors.
âI’m a man who’s edited scripts for breakfast sandwiches more times than I can count,â Berkeley said. âThe former rulers of the free world had fewer copy changes than those who trafficked prestigious sausages. I think they changed a word.
You know what? Take on Friday.
First, in 2014, Inkwell General manager Beth monaghan offered unlimited vacations to his public relations firm Waltham. Then she banned late night emails.
Now she has a few more tickets to hand out, including every other Friday off, starting Jan. 1. She told her 130 employees about the new âflexible Fridaysâ last week. Workers will team up with each other to provide customer coverage. Other new benefits include: full office closure the week of July 4 (Inkhouse already closes the week after Christmas), 20 weeks of paid parental leave (instead of 16), and a $ 2,500 bonus for employees on the job. occasion of their fifth anniversary.
This is Monaghan’s latest effort to focus on this never-ending quest for work-life balance.
âI think every business leader walked into COVID thinking that once it was over, everything would be back to normal,â Monaghan said. âWhat everyone found out was that he uncovered some of the issues we’ve had with the workplace since time immemorial. I feel like it just took something big to wake everyone up.
More weeks in business
It wasn’t business as usual for “This Week in Business” on Sunday. After more than 18 years of commentary on the Boston economic scene, the weekly NECN show ended for good.
The show launched amid the embers of the dot-com bust, with the head of the Greater Boston Room at the time Paul Guzzi stand up to a business reporter Marc Mills. (then governor Mitt Romney was the first guest.) Subsequent hosts over the years have included NECN mainstays Mike nikitas, Peter Howe, and Brian burnell, the host who said goodbye to TWIB, as it’s known internally, on Sunday. The show’s final segment typically features prominent Boston-area journalists; The Boston Globe‘s Shirley Leung and Doug banks from Boston Business Journal have been regulars for years. Through it all, producer Mimi Wishner Segel that everything is going well behind the scenes.
The half-hour format allowed for a continuous flow of high profile guests. Recent visitors included Catherine D’Amato, general manager of the Greater Boston Food Bank; Kevin churchwell, general manager of Boston Children’s Hospital; and Alexandra Fuchs, Chief Operating Officer at Boston Symphony Orchestra.
âIt’s been 18 years; I feel like we’re getting ready to send someone to college, âLeung said in the dying minutes of the final show. âDuring this time, the Boston area has become an economic powerhouse, and this show reflected that growth.â
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Jon Chesto can be reached at . Follow him on twitter @jonchesto.
It must be a cataclysm! I suddenly wake up at the terrifying clash of thunder and the roaring furry of a thousand galloping horses right above my head.
But then the blurry haze of sleep thins out and I am forced to retrofit the glamour of my dreams with a grim reality. The thunder was simply caused by an exploding set of Star Wars Lego™and the herd of horses was in fact one of cats. Three of them.
I look around confused. It’s still pitch black in here. It must be night time. Of course; cats only play at night when they can actually wake you up. Then they sleep all day.
So I fumble out of bed in a catacomb-like darkness, feel my way up some stairs and aim for the fridge. Something cold to drink and I’ll go right back to sleep.
A brief but sharp shriek makes me jump back in shock. I stepped on something. It was furry and warm. How could a cat manage to go from epic games across the room to lying in the middle of the stairs in such a short time?
I pour myself a glass of juice, chug it down, pour another one, drink half of it and put it down on the kitchen counter to close the fridge. A shadow jumps up behind me, lands on the countertop and knocks the glass down. Thank god it was plastic. The shadow flees as fast as it came, equally eager to avoid the cataract of juice and my unforgiving wrath.
But I’m wide awake now and decide to step outside to have a look at the stars. I should know better. As I slide the mosquito screen open, a shape slips between my legs and escapes out, while another bumps into me after a slight miscalculation.
Chasing a black cat on a dark night in a garden with no lights is a little depressing. It makes one ponder a futile existence in a meaningless void we call universe…
Eventually, the black cat is trapped and rushed back to the sliding door, which once opened lets out another shadow. This kitchen expedition is turning out to be a catastrophe. I catapult the first offender inside, run around the pool a few times to catch the second, negotiate my re-entry, and a great wave of relief surges over me. I didn’t even think of looking at the stars, but going back to bed will be my catharsis.
When I get back to my room, I sneak in, close the door carefully, smiling at myself with satisfaction, and collapse brutally on the bed without even turning the lights on.
This time, we both shriek. Me and the third cat, that is.
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The next time the 'Palestinian Authority' asks for money, tell them to ask Hamas
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The next time the 'Palestinian Authority' comes to the 'international community' and to Israel to schnorr, they ought to be told to go ask Hamas for money. Hamas? The poor Islamists who run the Gaza Strip? Yes, Hamas.
The group that makes $1 million per day on 'taxes'
collected from tunnels through which goods are smuggled from Egypt.
Hamas is making at least a million dollars a day in “tax” money from Gaza smugglers, a senior IDF officer said Monday. Colonel Wael Tafesh, who is a top IDF officer in the IDF's coordination unit with the Palestinian Authority, said that Hamas provided “protection” to smugglers and collected payments for the service, and often used the smugglers to order goods for their own use.
According to Wafesh, Hamas is in full control of what goes in and comes out of the smuggling tunnels. News reports and PA officials have sought to paint Hamas as unable to cope with the “wily” smugglers who were able to operate under the radar, but speaking to Israel Radio, Wafesh said that Hamas knew the smugglers, what goods they brought into Gaza, how much they were worth, and how much tax money smugglers could afford.
Among the goods smuggled are food, agricultural products, electronics, machines, building supplies, and a long list of items that the IDF had banned from bringing into Gaza out of fear that they could be used to build weapons. As it turns out, that fear is probably unfounded, said Tafesh – because smugglers were just importing the weapons themselves now. The weapons have their source in Libya, as well as Iran.
Many stolen cars are brought into Gaza via the smuggling tunnels daily as well, Tafesh said. There are hundreds of tunnels under the Gaza border with Sinai, of all shapes and sizes, he added.
And you thought they were suffering, didn't you?
Labels: Gaza plenty, Hamas, smuggling tunnels, taxation
La Demeure St-Antoine
Goodlands Rivière du Rempart District MU
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Locked up in a historical setting at the end of the village of Goodlands is a place you won’t want to miss. This authentic Creole Style Home called La Demeure Saint Antoine has been standing tall since 1830. Constructed centuries ago by Edmond De Chazal, La Demeure Saint Antoine was initially the residence of the Chazals and was later on, converted into a lodge whose beautiful architecture is a window to the past.
You can either come for a stroll in the sun-filled gardens of La demeure or come and enjoy authentic Mauritian cuisine for lunch or dinner. Some of their specialities include their Babonne fillet with Combava wrapped in banana leaf and seasonal vegetables, their Wild Boar Curry with Mauritian Grapes or their Marlin Tartar accompanied by Green Papaya.
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One can also book the place for a unique and restful stay to experience the charm and vintage vibes La Demeure Saint Antoine has retained throughout the years.
As the place can accommodate up to 300, it can also be booked for special events like birthdays, weddings or parties. With its incredible landscapes, it is also the perfect spot for shootings!
Advance booking is definitely recommended.
Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday
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Italy Votes, Bank Stocks Threatened
Anti-establishment fever sweeps into Italy...
AFTER Brexit and Donald Trump, investors are focusing on Italy, as they position themselves ahead of what could be the latest political event to rattle markets and upend politics, writes Gary Dorsch at Global Money Trends.
Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi has called for a referendum, to be held on December 4th, that if approved would curb the powers of the Senate and bring greater stability to a political system that has seen 63 different governments since World War II.
However, Renzi has promised to quit if he loses, and so the vote has turned into a referendum on his premiership for many Italians, just as his personal popularity is declining.
"I'm not capable of staying in the swamp," Renzi said in an interview on state-owned RAI television on Sunday evening. "You stay in power as long as you can change things."
The premier stopped short of saying explicitly he would quit if he loses, saying: "Politics isn't the only thing that counts in life."
If the Dec. 4 referendum in Italy is rejected, it has the potential to send the country's bank shares tumbling, push bond yields up and further weakening the Euro. The referendum is "setting the tone for 2017" on the political and investment climate in Italy and across Europe.
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Recent polls put the "no" vote +6% ahead, on average, with more than 20% undecided. That has unnerved investors, who worry about political instability in a country that is one of Europe's most indebted, still grappling with battered banks, years of economic stagnation and increasing Euro-skeptic sentiment.
"If a 'no' vote wins, everything remains as it is," Mr.Renzi said in a radio interview this past week. "In this way, Italy will remain a system that favors instability and backdoor dealings." If the prime minister – considered one of Europe's most reform-minded leaders – steps down, the most likely outcome is the establishment of a caretaker government.
But that could also bring forward parliamentary elections now slated for 2018. At the forefront of the "No" campaign is Five Star. Founded as a maverick web-based movement in 2009, the party has risen to become one of European Union's biggest insurgent forces.
Echoing the anti-EU stand of populist parties like France's National Front, it wants a referendum on Italy's membership in the Euro currency. With 5-Star polling at about 30%, it has a chance at leading a new government. The party's economic platforms include renegotiating Italy's debt and calling a nonbinding referendum on the Euro, issues that would destabilize the region as a whole.
If the 5 Star Movement came to power and called a referendum on the Euro, the Stoxx Europe 600 index could fall as much as -20%, Deutsche Bank estimates. Referendum jitters have already unnerved Italy's government-bond market, the fifth largest in the world. While bonds globally have sold off since the US-election, Italy has been among the steepest decliners, with the yield on the 10-year note topping 2% for the first time in more than a year, on track for its worst month since 2012, and the yield on the 50-year Italian bond rising as high as around 3.5% this past week from around 2.9% in mid-October.
The spread between Italy's and benchmark German 10-year Bund yields has widened to around +180-basis points, near the highest in two years. The annual cost of insuring against a default on $10 million of Italian debt for five years using credit-default swaps rose to about $170,000 this week from $97,000 at the start of the year.
Most investors expect a further sell-off in Italian bonds and a knock-on effect on stocks if the referendum is defeated. That political stress could also further weigh on the Euro, which has fallen steadily against the Dollar for 10 straight sessions – its worst losing streak on record, to below $1.0700.
With the populists' efforts to topple Prime Minister Matteo Renzi gaining traction, and Five Star running neck-and-neck with Renzi's Democratic Party in polls and having already seized control of city halls in Rome and Turin this year, -investors are taking Five Star much more seriously and are beginning to fear the anti-establishment wave of Brexit and Trump might also sweep up Italy.
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FARGO (KFGO-AM) -- People living in a Fargo apartment complex that's set to be sold and torn down as part of a flood protection project got an update on the plans Thursday night.
About 180 people live in the Park East Apartments. They'll have until next spring to find a new place to live. Once the city buys that property, people living there will have at least 90 days notice before they'll be forced out.
The city is tearing down the complex as part of plans to improve downtown flood protection.
In the metadata layer, parent items convey their effective permissions to child items. Children inherit the net effect of their parents' access controls, not the access controls themselves. The following figures depict inheritance paths in a foundation repository. The arrows in the figure flow from parent to child. For example, a folder conveys its effective permissions to the items that it contains. The arrows in the second figure flow from child to parent, showing the same relationships from a different perspective.
Inheritance Paths (Integrated View)
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Inheritance Paths (Separated View)
Here are some details about the preceding figures:
The depicted folder structure is arbitrary and intended only to show the security relationships between different types of items.
Not all item types are depicted. To trace inheritance for a particular item, click Advanced on that item's Authorization tab. This feature is available to only unrestricted users.
The root folder represents the top of the folder tree for the foundation repository. It corresponds to the SAS Folders node on the Folders tab in SAS Management Console.
The root folder inherits settings from the Permission Pattern tab of the repository ACT.
Any custom repositories are represented as folders (immediate children of the foundation root folder). Although these folders inherit permissions from both the foundation root folder and the repository ACT of the custom repository, access to items within the custom repository branch should be managed from the folder side (except for items that aren't in the folder tree).
On the Folders tab in SAS Management Console, your My Folder is displayed directly below the root folder. This is just a shortcut for accessing your personal content area; this folder is not an immediate child of the root folder.
The figures show users, groups, and roles inheriting repository-level permissions. The Authorization tab in a user, group, or role displays default settings that reflect special rules that prevent regular users from modifying or deleting identities. An identity's Authorization tab can affect access to that identity's definition. An identity's Authorization tab has no effect on what that identity can do.
We have experienced a paradigm shift in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy from laser to anti-VEGF therapy. Read along as we discuss the evidence from the latest clinical trials on how we can improve diabetic retinopathy. This patient experienced a 2 step improvement in DR severity after anti-VEGF treatment for 3 months.
BEFORE
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AFTER
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Direct Link / Take the CME: Healio
Author(s)/Faculty: Rishi P. Singh, MD; Judy E. Kim, MD; Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS
Source: Healio Ophthalmology Education Lab
Provider: Vindico Medical Education
Number of Credits: 1.25
Although rapid advances have been made in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME), particularly with the use of intravitreal therapy, options for the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR) have remained limited. Until recently, the primary approach for the management of DR was the use of panretinal photocoagulation therapy. Additional treatment options for DR were discovered in view of analysis of data from studies of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for DME. The RISE and RIDE pivotal trials demonstrated large, rapid, and sustained improvements in eyes with DME when treated with ranibizumab. Since then, new information on the optimal management of diabetic retinal disease with anti-VEGF therapy has been obtained from subanalyses of these studies and their open-label extensions. Advances in knowledge of DR and its treatment have also been obtained from the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) Protocol S trial, which is the first randomized, controlled trial to compare the anti-VEGF ranibizumab with laser therapy for the treatment of proliferative DR. This CME monograph will review the current evidence for the screening and assessment as well as the efficacy of treatments for DR.
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Public reception: Friday, September 12, 7 - 10 pm
"Cass Cafe is excited to announce the exhibition “Man and Nature” new art by Gary Eleinko currently on view in the gallery. This exhibition is comprised of mixed media artwork whose imagery is derived from the artists’ personal interests in horticulture, geography and science. The exhibition is a reflection on the effects of mankind’s altering of the natural world, and presents images of what might be considered nature’s revenge on mankind.
Of the work, Mr. Eleinko states: “In previous years or decades, my work usually involved repeating geometric structures and elements, often triangular and x shaped. Since leaving education and a routinized life a couple of years ago, my art also has taken on new directions, becoming less structured and more eclectic. Some of the works relate to plant shapes, forms and fantasies. Others depict forces of nature that have physical presence and destructive power. A third part reflects on the future as man alters nature, depletes resources and is a commentary on the wasteful obsolescence of material goods created for our convenience.”
Mr. Eleinko has been active in the Detroit art community as an artist and educator for the past four decades, and has received numerous awards and honors for his work. He earned both his B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit. His work has been exhibited locally and regionally since 1972. Mr. Eleinko produces his art at his Corktown studio, just blocks from his home in the same Detroit neighborhood.The exhibition at Cass Cafe Gallery includes 24 works that range greatly in size, structure and composition.
From small constructions of approximately one by two feet up to the large scale “Enigma” installed in the front of the gallery at nearly ten feet by ten feet in size.
The second part can be accessed from that same user’s list. Mr. Eleinko’s personal website is:
The exhibition is on view now through November 8. A reception with the artist will take place Friday September 12, from 7 until 10 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sunday 5 p.m. – 12mn.
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The Arms Procurement Commission, with its credibility already under fire following a number of high profile resignations, has been hit by another broadside.
Opposition Freedom Front Plus (FF+) party defence spokesman Pieter Groenewald has divulged that one of the evidence leaders – Advocate S Leballa – is “essentially guilty of committing perjury”.
“In a court case in the North Gauteng High Court (Tasima Pty Ltd. vs Department of Transport, Case Number A862/12) in which Leballa acted on behalf of a respondent, it was found that the respondent’s lawyer had committed perjury in terms of a statement and the court recommended that the lawyer should be investigated by the Law Society of the Northern Provinces. In the court case Leballa acknowledged he had been responsible for the drafting and content of the affidavit. Essentially, Adv. Leballa had committed perjury,” Groenewald said in a statement released in Cape Town.
“It is clear Leballa does not hesitate to draft false statements for witnesses. Leballa is not suited to act as a witness leader for the Commission and should immediately be removed.”
Groenewald added the success of Judge Willie Seriti’s Commission was largely dependent on the testimony to be given and the public “wants credible witnesses which cannot be said of Leballa”.
Meanwhile, an application by long-time anti-arms deal campaigner Terry Crawford-Browne to have the Commission closed when public hearings resumed on Tuesday was rejected. Crawford-Browne alleged the arms deal was unconstitutional, illegal and fraudulent.
He said that two former members of the commission had reported that there was a ‘second agenda’ to ‘silence him’, Business Day reports. He said this may have been why Judge Francis Legodi resigned earlier this month and other members of the commission have resigned.
In Crawford-Browne’s vocal criticism of the arms deal, he pointed out that much of the equipment procured was inoperable, with half the Saab Gripen fighters grounded and some of the frigates and submarines unserviceable.
The first week of public hearings continues with senior Navy and SA Air Force personnel explaining the rationale behind the acquisition of corvettes (re-classed as frigates), submarines, helicopters and jet fighters and trainers.
Yet to be named Armscor personnel will also testify before the commission on this aspect of the Strategic Defence Procurement Package (SDPP). This evidence is scheduled for completion by September 27 with former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and former Deputy Defence Minister Ronnie Kasrils next on the witness list from September 30 to October 4.
The afternoon’s ride was going beautifully. It was a glorious August afternoon; the temperature was hovering somewhere in the mid-30s with no humidity; and my legs, which hadn’t been called on to support much exertion for a few weeks, felt supple and strong for the short climb ahead.
Then I met the bear. And things changed very quickly.
I was climbing Signal Mountain, in the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. It’s not a particularly hard climb – a little over five miles at a steady gradient – but I was keen to try it because it would take me up to about 7,500ft, which is much higher than I am used to. I was planning to attempt a much higher climb in Colorado a week later, so wanted to see how I would cope at altitude.
I warmed up – so to speak, as the temperature was already in the mid-30s when I set off – with a 15 mile cruise from my campsite through the park. Turning off the main road, past the signs warning that the winding road ahead was unsuitable for vehicles longer than 25ft, I went from open space, with stunning views of the Teton mountain range, in to dense woodland, banking up on each side of the narrow road. I could see a little way into the trees on each side but, frankly, almost anything could have been in there and I’d have been unlikely to notice it until it was right by the road.
I knew about bears, of course. Any visitor to Grand Teton or the adjoining Yellowstone National Park is bombarded with warnings about the danger, warned not to hike alone and strongly advised to carry bear repelling spray. I had taken on board all of that advice and, foolishly, assumed that a bear was unlikely to be hanging around on a popular road, with cars buzzing up and down, in the middle of the afternoon. And so I pedalled comfortably through the first mile or so of gently undulating forest road, enjoying the peace and musing over what kind of view I would get from the top of the mountain. I rounded a bend, on a slight incline, and there he was, on all fours, slap bang in the middle of the road about 20 feet in front of me.
I am pleased to recall that I didn’t panic. Had I succumbed to my immediate thought, to turn around and get back down the hill as quickly as possible, I might not be here to write this. I had read that the worst thing you can do when faced with a bear is to run away. Apparently, they enjoy the chase as much as the subsequent munch. So I stopped, dismounted, and backed away very slowly with the bike held in front of me (as everyone knows, a bicycle is a highly effective defence against a charging bear
). All the time I was avoiding eye contact and talking calmly to make it clear that I was a human. I can’t remember what I was saying but I suspect it was gibberish. I seem to recall that at one point I said something like: “Hello Mr Bear. What a surprise to see you here. I hope you are having a nice day.” Fear does that sort of thing to you.
All seemed to be going well. I wasn’t too far from the bend and I hoped that once I was out of sight I would be forgotten. But then a car came down the hill, behind the bear. And rather than stop immediately, the driver chose to get within a few feet of the animal so that his kids could lean out of the windows and take photos.
Not surprisingly, the bear took exception to this encroachment on to his bit of road and decided to move away. Towards me. Luckily, he didn’t move very fast, but I’m not embarrassed to say that I was scared at this point. He came a bit closer, now about 15ft away, then stopped again. Suddenly, there was a new factor to consider – another car that had just come around the bend and stopped immediately behind me.
This was my saviour, or so I thought. There was a certain logic in placing another, large and metal, object between me and the bear. Very slowly, I edged alongside and then around the back of the car. Caught in a vehicle sandwich, the bear began to pace restlessly from one side of the road to the other, still coming closer towards where I was lurking. Then, without warning, he leapt up the bank to the side of the road and started to amble among the trees.
I think at that point, all involved assumed that our little encounter was about to be over. Another car had now come down the hill and was spilling its camera-wielding occupants all over the road. As some of them were small kids, I reasoned that this was helpful as, given the choice, any bear would be bound to go for an easy meal rather than take on an adult. He had now come along the bank and was almost parallel to the car behind which I was cowering.
Not wanting to take any chances, I edged back alongside the car, so that it was still between us. This turned out to be a smart move as the bear jumped back down on to the road and approached the very spot at which I had been standing. There were a couple of mountain bikes strapped to the back and, perhaps because they would have the smells of previously-ridden trails on them, these became the focus of his attention. However, so far as I was concerned, I was still fewer than six feet from a large black bear, so continued to take baby steps towards the front of the car. I could hear him snuffling, as though he had a bad cold, and, as I thought in my fear, growling a little. A growling bear is not a good thing when you are that close.
Thank goodness for those bikes. Whatever it was about them, it was enough to occupy him completely. He began clambering over them, pawing at the tyres and making the rear end of the car rock up and down. That was enough distraction for me to gently back away up the hill, towards the gawping onlookers. I wonder how many holiday photos I appear in. As soon as I was out of direct sight, I was back on the bike and continued the climb, albeit a little more nervously than before.
The car with bikes came past about 15 minutes later. The driver reported that the bear had ended up on the roof and they had resorted to beeping the horn and jerking the vehicle to drive him away. I expressed my hope that he really had gone away and wouldn’t be waiting for them on their (or my) return! A couple of cyclists who reached the top about 10 minutes after me reported that they had spotted him among the trees but that he had shown no interest in them.
As for the climb – it was lovely and the view from the summit, shown below, worth the effort. But I made sure that I took the descent in company, tailgating (with permission) a large SUV all the way down.
And if I were to cycle in that region again, I’d do it with company – and a can of bear spray in one of the bottle cages.
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Bear spray is a powerful repellent that is to be used when an attacking bear is within a few feet of you. I was told that once a bear has experienced one spraying it will back off as soon as it sees the canister appear, but I’m not sure I would want to chance it. It stinks to high heaven whichi is why purchasers are repeatedly reminded that it is to be sprayed at the bear and not all over the body, as you would with insect repellent
I should also add that the photo at the top is not THE bear. I’m not that dumb!
On October 29, 2020 TAPCHW provided a 2-hour DSHS certified continuing education (CE) opportunity outside of our regular quarterly member CEs about Human Trafficking to Promotores/CHWs through a partnership with the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA). View slides from the training here - full recording can be accessed here
Healthy Voting 2020 Campaign
On October 23, 2020 TAPCHW provided a free bi-lingual Promotores/CHWs training through a partnership with HealthyVoting.org; which is on a non-partisan public health outreach and education effort. View slides from the training here - full recording can be accessed here
Healthy Voting provided Texas-specific guidelines to aid P/CHWs to empower voters on casting their ballots in a safe and healthy way as well as provided their partner toolkit that includes information & materials that can be shared via print, social media.
Through the trained CHWs that participated, we reached ~2,500 people throughout Texas with this campaign via social media, email, and word of mouth.
A few photos of our CHW participants doing their part
"I was very impressed of myself that I did something to the community helping person to vote letting them know the rules on this election because of the virus. I did a great job and proud of my self. Also teach out to the Ella Austin community center seniors."
"It was a great experience talking to my neighbors & co workers about the importance of voting & reminding them. Also not to forget their voting cards and ID."
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"Although I voted I still push my community those who hasn't voted to do so."
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By Mark Jones - , CC BY 2.0, Wiki Commons
Princess Eugenie filmed a short video celebrating International Women’s Day with her organisation, The Anti-Slavery Collective, saying that “women and girls hold up half the sky.”
In the video, posted to The Anti-Slavery Collective’s Instagram page, Eugenie and her co-founder Julia de Boinville share their best wishes for International Women’s Day.
“We believe that women and girls hold up half the sky to the world, so here we are, championing you all, and Happy International Women’s Day,” said Eugenie.
“Thank you for supporting us, thank you for following us every day, but also on this day in particular,” said Julia. “It is statistically proven that as a woman you are more likely to be a victim of modern slavery.
“We want today to remember all the women and girls that have survived, and all the women and girls that we work, and to all of those who are fighting toward this incredibly important cause. So, take a moment in your day to celebrate an important woman in your life, and today, mine will be my co-founder, Eugenie, and all the amazing work we get to do together.”
The Anti-Slavery Collective was founded in 2017, following a trip the two took to India where they learned about the horrors of modern slavery. Per their website, “We became obsessive investigators and would visit anyone who could help us expand our knowledge; from policy makers, law enforcement agencies and academics, to NGOs, social workers and survivors. We asked everyone we encountered, ‘what can two young girls like us do to help?’ Without fail, the answer was always raise awareness. So this became our mission.”
In an interview last week on CNBC, Princess Eugenie said that she hopes her newborn son August “will be one of those people who will continue to see the world as a place that can be changed.
“I would love people to continue to have hope that we can make a difference. I hope that the world will be a place where my child can have hope and continue to know that they can make a big difference.”
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There’s something about reading a book in situ, isn’t there?
Beaches are not my usual habitat but my travelling companion’s blistered feet did insist on some respite after we had walked the length and breadth of Barcelona, down the Ramblas, around the Gaudi buildings and parks, the Picasso Museum and the Miro foundation. While she sun-worshipped, I spent hours in the company of Colm Tóibín’s very educative homage.
Tóibín has lived in Barcelona on and off since the 1970’s and has fully immersed himself in the history and culture of the place. While DK’s Top 10 Barcelona provided the necessary starting points, Homage to Barcelona added depth in 15 chapters with titles that enabled them to be picked off to compliment our itinerary. This second edition from 2002 encompasses the social and political history of Barcino from Roman times through the trauma of the Spanish Civil War right up to the building and beach clean up work undertaken in preparation for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. Selective chapters focus on cultural giants, Gaudí, Picasso and Miró. Interesting too the insider’s guide to local festivals, eating and drinking and other entertainments on offer. And let’s not forget the insights into Spanish literature. I’ve added a few names to the at this point virtual TBR. I’ve no doubt that Montalbán will appear on the physical one some time soon.
We were there for only a week and so it was impossible to follow up all of Tóibín’s leads, but reading the relevant chapter the evening before we visited a place certainly enhanced the trip. There were some things we would have failed to appreciate, had Tóibín not been following our every step. For instance, we would probably have simply shook our heads at this baffling box of junk.
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In 1983 Barcelona built its monument to Picasso in Passeig de Picasso, beside the Parc de la Ciutadella. It was designed by Antoni Tapies as a glass box in a pool of water containing some old chairs and an old hall-stand, old ropes and sheets with indecipherable messages written on them. All the furniture is cut through with iron grids. It is an astonishing piece of work. It stands there as a monument the mind’s ability to create images, to our freedom to imagine.
While Tóibín has obviously failed to convert me to surrealist art, I’m sure I’ll be referring back to his book, not only when I revisit Barcelona to visit the places I missed this time round, but as I’m reading my way through the Spanish literature TBR that had amassed prior to my visit. I had to abandon Manuel Rivas’s Books Burn Badly because there were too many unrecognised cultural references. I think that Homage to Barcelona may have resolved many of those difficulties for me.
P.S Barcelona is so picturesque. The architecture is fabulous. I took hundreds of photos. There’s a selection of them here. I’ve still to title each photo and add notes. Still I hope you enjoy them in the meantime. | Given the first image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following images is the missing part? | 0 | {
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Last Sunday, Mother's Day, I noted that I'd much rather preach the annual canvas sermon to my congregation than the annual Mothers' Day sermon. (I said, "Nobody wants to talk about money, but some people actually like their mothers . . ." I said that on Mothers' Day it's harder to find the right balance.)
But that got me thinking about money and, specifically, the giving of money to the church. That and the fact that last week we also announced to the congregation I serve that a goodly number of people have paid nothing on this year's pledge and that, two months out from the end of our fiscal year, if we were to add up all of the currently unpaid pledges from folks who've paid 50% or less of this year's pledge we'd be looking at approximately $100,000. That's $100,000 that our community members have promised to one another, and that we've budgeted for, but that at least so far looks like won't be coming in. (And if we add up all the pledges from folks who've pledged for this year but not yet for next year then we'd be looking at
of shortfall next year.) And, yet, most of the folks I see on Sunday mornings seem to be feeling really good about our congregation; seem to be feeling really engaged and energized. So something's not clicking; there's some kind of disconnect.
I know that a lot of people from
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church - Unitarian Universalist
read this blog, yet a lot of folks from other UU churches (as well as from churches of other stripes and no churches at all) do too. So I'm really not musing here about the fiscal foibles of the congregation I'm currently serving. I really am thinking about money, and the giving of money to the church, in a wider context. I'm really dancing with a pretty generalized question.
Why is it that so many faith communities have so much trouble raising the funds needed to do the things they do from the very people who are the primary beneficiaries of those things?
It seems odd, and I know is frustrating to church leaders widely, that this is so. In general congregations -- again, at least the liberal/progressive congregations I know the most about -- are almost always one small problem away from disaster. No matter how excited their members are about what's happening in the church the annual budget process is always a matter of figuring out how to squeeze the most out of every last dollar. Year after year congregations "muddle through," knowing how much more they could do if they were better funded, yet not being able to increase the congregation's financial offerings. There's an old joke -- the minister ascends to the pulpit and says, "I have good news, and I have bad news. The good news is that we have all the money we need to create the church of our dreams! The bad news is that most of it is stuck in your wallets."
I think that there are probably several reasons for this. Here are three:
People no longer know what's appropriate to give.
This is a big one, especially in congregations in which a lot of folks grew up outside of "the church." This is definitely true of a lot of Unitarian Universalist congregations -- where in many cases a majority of members grew up in other denominations or outside of any organized religion -- but it's increasingly true within all liberal faith communities. That institutional memory of just what it takes to keep a church alive -- and the institutional commitment needed to do it -- just hasn't been passed down efficiently from one generation to the next. My parents, and even more my parents parents, knew and understood the meaning of the phrase "sacrificial giving." They understood that the goal of giving --
giving to a church -- was not to try to get away with giving as little as you can, or to give only what one is comfortable giving, but to give to the point that you feel it. To give to the extent that there's a little sacrifice in one's giving. I'm afraid that this is a foreign concept to the majority of people in the majority of today's congregations.
I've known double-income couples where one is a doctor and the other a lawyer and yet whose annual pledge to their church was less than that made by a single-income elementary school teacher. To be fair, the former probably also gave to other charities as well, and may have had other expenses like country club dues and marina fees for their boat that the teacher didn't have. It really doesn't work to compare one person's donation to another's on a dollar-to-dollar basis. It is fascinating, though, to think about our giving on a percentage-of-income basis. (And, as my mentor was fond of saying, "if you're asking
you're missing the point.)
So . . . my family and I give roughly 3% of our income to the church. It's a stretch for us, yet one that feels really worth it to us. We believe in what church, in general, and Unitarian Universalist churches, in particular, can do for individuals and for the community. And while 3% is nowhere near the tradition of a tithe -- 10% -- I feel pretty good about. In part that's because it's an amount that, as I said, is a stretch for us. In part it's also because I know that I've heard the figure that the average Unitarian Universalist gives 1% or less. (And if you add up all of their charitable giving it comes in at less than 3%.) I know that there are plenty of people giving considerably more than that, but there are considerably more who are giving a whole lot less. In fact, I've heard it said that if everyone in the average congregation were to give only 2% of their income to the church -- and that means both that the folks below that mark increase but also that those above decrease to it -- most congregations would be able to double, if not triple, their budgets.
Another reason for the challenges many churches have in this area is that
churches never really learned how to ask for money
. If you think about the congregational appeals you may have received -- or participated in -- over the years I think you'd agree that the vast majority of them sound something like this:
Well! We barely scraped by last year, and that only because we cut everything to the bare bones. We'd really like to do some good things this year, so we really, really, really hope you'll give our church some money because otherwise we're going to be in serious trouble . . . again.
Right? Yet have you ever received an appeal from any other non-profit that sounded like that? No matter how tight things might have actually been, most non-profits frame their appeals for donations in terms of all the good they are doing and all the visions they have of the future. Rather than begging you to solve their desperate problems they invite you to help create new solutions.
This observation comes from a wonderful new book that I recently discovered. (Actually, I didn't discover it. A colleague who's recommendations I greatly respect, Tandi Rogers, mentioned it on FaceBook a month or so ago, and I immediately ordered myself a copy!) The book is
Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: a new vision for financial stewardship
by J. Clif Christopher. Rev. Christopher, a long-time parish minister and now professional fundraising consultant for churches, challenges much of the conventional wisdom of congregations about how to ask for money and, for that matter, why we do it. A bottom-line summary of the book might be this: organizationally, the church is a non-profit, so it might be wise to heed the lessons learned by virtually every other non-profit when it comes to successfully soliciting donations.
Here's one practical ramification of this notion -- how many other institutions give each and every one of their potential donors their entire line-item budget? Not many. Pretty much none, actually. That's because these other institutions realize that people don't give to support such a detailed description of costs incurred; nobody donates to ensure that an organization can buy more copy paper next year. People donate to a vision and, even more, to a vision enacted -- people give their money (as well as their time and their energy) to people served, lives changes, impact made. Yet it is the rare congregation that actually engages its constituents at this level come pledge time. More often it's making a plaintive plea for folks to increase their pledges enough so that they might be able to make a minute adjustment to a budget that barely allowed them to scrape by this past year. Not particularly inspiring.
There may be another, perhaps even more fundamental, reason than this. Today I was listening to the TED Radio Hour on NPR and heard
a wonderful program about giving
. One segment looked at Dan Pallotta, whose original TED Talk is below. Pallotta asserts that even non-profits really don't understand what's needed when it comes to inspiring philanthropic giving and that, "the things we've been taught to think about giving, and about charity, and about the non-profit sector are actually undermining the causes we love and our profound yearning to change the world." As I listened I thought about the situation at TJMC, and the situation in liberal/progressive faith communities generally, and I thought it worth sharing some of these musings.
I know I've been away from the blogosphere for a while, and I know that this is an awfully long re-introduction, but I hope that you'll give this topic just about 18 more minutes so that you can listen to what Dan Pallotta has to say. I hope you'll find it as worthwhile as I have.
Here’s a heads up for those of you who can get to Edinburgh next month.
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I’ll be chatting with Laura Lam about her brilliant new novel Shattered Minds at the next Event Horizon (11th October) in Edinburgh. The latest in her Pacifica SF series, it’s one of those novels where the words ‘rollercoaster ride’ don’t quite cover how thrilling it really is. And if that’s not enough, Laura will also be reading from the novel. So, if you’ve not picked up a copy yet, why not pop along and hear what you’re missing?
Joining us will be wonderful Orcadian SF poet Harry Giles; artist Stephen Pickering, who’ll be giving us an insight into cover creation; and intriguing dream popsters L-Space. So, it’s sure to be another fine night from the Shoreline of Infinity folk.
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And here he is in all his impotent glory – GNK in the dock, getting convicted and sentenced on 30/7/12 (what, no smile for the camera?).
(Every major media outlet, and every member of Parliament in New Zealand has now been sent this newslink).
The GNK sentencing report, Courtroom 1, Waitakere District Court, 30/7/12:
I arrived at the Waitakere District Court at around 9am and found GNK sitting with his daughter (aka GNK’s “human shield”) outside Courtroom 1 of the Waitakere District Court. On seeing me, GNK’s face fell, and I walked over to him and formally served the “Plaintiffs Information Capsule” on him in line with the Civil Claims process.
GNK’s daughter leapt out of her seat, and in no uncertain terms (such language from one so young!) shouted at me to “leave my father alone”. GNK just sat there, watching his daughter rage. I ignored her, and directed my attention to GNK, advising him that, Court case or not, I was not yet finished with him, and that this saga still had some way to go. For once, he didn’t have a smart-arse comeback, no retort, he simply looked at me in what could best be described as dumb-struck fury.
I invited GNK to be as brave with me in person as he had been hiding behind his keyboard, posting anonymous, untrue, and defamatory statements about me on his hate site. Again, GNK just sat there, and then stormed off to find a Security Guard to have me removed. I advised GNK that we were in a public space, and I could say and do pretty much whatever I liked. I then raised my voice to a level whereby everyone present could hear me, and began reciting a litany of some of the actions GNK had perpetuated on his victims – the audience took interest, and GNK took refuge in the Plaintiffs Information Capsule I had just served him. Not once would he meet my gaze.
<image>
I then met with the Herald on Sunday media team, who had made an application to the Court for media coverage, and was also greeted by another of GNK’s victims, who had made quite a long trip to come and see GNK’s sentencing. When GNK discovered that another of his victims was in attendance, he moved seats, and turned his back on both the media and ourselves. I was watching a person in GNK experiencing his fantasy life shattering around him, as the reality of what was actually going on dawned on him – GNK’s mood shifted from indignant and petulant, to furtive and fearful – if there had been a hole in the ground that could have swallowed him, I am sure he would have welcomed it in that moment.
Security guards eventually arrived, and informed King that as this was a public space, I was permitted to remain, although they cautioned me to keep my distance from King. On the arrival of the security guards, King glanced at the guards, and then got out of his seat, and attempted to summon some faux courage, ranting at me, knowing that I couldn’t get at him, and that the guards would protect him if I attempted to do so (he had said almost nothing to me at this stage). I smiled at him, acutely aware of what he was doing, observing his entrenched cowardice being once more on display for all to see.
GNK’s Court case was not heard until around 11.45am, during which time I observed a tragic display of grief exhibited by GNK’s daughter at the circumstances her father was facing. Quite why GNK has ever thought it was appropriate to drag his teenage daughter out of school and along to court hearings regarding his abjectly despicable behaviour towards others is frankly beyond me – the whole experience was obviously very distressing for her, and any care-parent with half a brain would recognise this fact, and not expose their children to such an environment or experience.
GNK was eventually called up to the dock (helped along by an “up you go, scumbag” comment from me), and took his place in front of Judge Ryan.
GNK had filed an objection to the Court regarding the media being present at his sentencing. GNK’s objection was based on his belief that media coverage of his sentencing and the story behind his sentencing would not be “reasonable, fair, or balanced” and would “negatively affect himself and his family”. The irony of GNK’s actions against his victims not being “reasonable, fair, or balanced”, and the “negative effect” GNK has had on other people’s families as a result of his actions was obviously lost on him at this juncture. The fact that GNK accepted absolutely no responsibility for his actions, and the natural consequences of same, was behaviour by GNK recognised as both tired and familiar to me, and many other victims.
Judge Ryan asked the Herald on Sunday to justify their application to photograph GNK at the sentencing, and the Herald On Sunday representative was simply superb in their reply, proffering the theme of openness and transparency of Justice. Judge Ryan rejected GNK’s objection, granted the media application to photograph GNK, and the Herald on Sunday photographer happily snapped away (see above).
Judge Ryan then reviewed the charges, and considered an application for Reparation to the victims of GNK while he was trading as NZ Sleepouts & NZ Kennels. The Judge’s decision was that GNK was not in a position to pay Reparation, by virtue of him being bankrupt, and declined to order Reparation on this basis (which was a pity, because Reparation Orders can survive bankruptcy proceedings, and the victims could have had their Reparation Orders enforced once GNK came out of bankruptcy, and began earning again). Judge Ryan was also restricted by previous cases (authorities) in this decision.
In her sentencing Summary, Judge Ryan made a very interesting comment: “If I was looking at a long list of victims Mr King, you would be going to prison” (GNK was being charged with two indictable offences, the maximum sentence of which was 2 years imprisonment). Imagine if every victim of GNK had taken action against him in the past? Imagine how long the list would have been in front of Judge Ryan to contemplate in GNK’s sentencing?
Then GNK did something quite unbelievable.
Judge Ryan directly asked GNK what attempts he had made to do the right thing by the victims named on the summary sheet from the Ministry of Economic Development. GNK promptly perjured himself in reply (twice), and lied to Judge Ryan about the status of his attempts to put things right with two victims. While GNK lying to Judge Ryan made no material difference to his eventual sentence, it was simply gob-smacking to watch GNK do it – twice.
GNK was then convicted and sentenced, and from a sentencing starting point of 350 hours Community Service, received a 25% sentencing discount for an early guilty plea, and received 262.5 hours Community Service for two charges of a breach of bankruptcy.
At the conclusion of the sentencing, I ran into GNK’s daughter, who again screamed at me to “leave my family and my father alone – we are being hassled by everyone”.
While it was saddening to me to watch her in her distress, I was mindful that it was ultimately her father’s actions, and not mine, that had been the genesis of her discomfort. The fact is, I would love to grant GNK’s daughter her plea – however, until her “father” both puts things right with my family, and until he stops inflaming the situation via his various defamatory actions against me, I will simply continue to monitor and pursue him until I am satisfied that justice has not only been done, but that justice has been seen to be done, just as I have over the past 8 months.
Once my family & I have received full justice and appropriate compensation for the wrongs perpetuated by GNK upon me and my family, then I will go away – simple as that, really.
I trust that this campaign (which is ongoing at present, if GNK in particular keeps doing what he is doing) encourages people reading this story to not simply cut their losses and walk away if someone has the temerity to rip them off – simply doing nothing can enable evil little pricks like GNK to hurt other people. As I said in the Herald on Sunday article today:
“Before this story went public, King was invisible. He is not invisible any longer”.
Let’s keep it that way.
And in case GNK tries to play “silly buggers” with his Community Service sentence, and attempt to thwart the justice systems’ attempt to hold him to account, I have taken the precaution of writing to the Minister of Justice to advise the Department of Corrections to be mindful of GNK’s previous attempts to do so when he has received a Community Service conviction: Ministry of Justice Letter Response – Judith Collins (and we now know that Grant King did indeed try to play “silly buggers” with this Leaf Trust con attempt, whilst serving his Community Probation).
No more hiding behind his enabling mates while claiming false Community Service hours working at Pony clubs for Mr King this time around.
A big thank you to the Herald on Sunday for picking up and running with this story over the last 8 months; a big thankyou to the Ministry of Economic Development for successfully investigating and prosecuting GNK; and a big thankyou to the GNKASS Network who are the eyes and ears of this website – the collaborative efforts of all of you has made this happen.
NB: Media enquiries may be directed to Steve Taylor at:
U.S. Marshals arrest Dwayne Chaney, wanted in fatal shooting of Michael Prescott
<image>
MILWAUKEE -- A man who has been profiled twice on FOX6 News as one of Wisconsin's Most Wanted was arrested in the neighborhood near 6th and Vienna in Milwaukee on Thursday, May 25th.
U.S. Marshals arrested Dwayne Chaney with assistance from the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. He had been on the run for the past two years.
<image>
Police presence near 6th & Vienna, Milwaukee
Chaney was wanted by police detectives for the shooting death of Milwaukee resident Michael Prescott in November 2015. Prescott was shot and killed while outside a friend’s home near 12th and Reservoir.
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Prosecutors say Chaney's ex-girlfriend witnessed him approaching the car Prescott was sitting in -- and then shooting him. It is believed Chaney was jealous that Prescott was dating his ex-girlfriend.
The victim's family has been grieving since.
"The pain has never stopped; it's never gone away," said Rosslind Prescott-McLinton, Prescott's mother.
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Police presence near 6th & Vienna, Milwaukee
Sources say agents made contact with the suspect's family inside the home near 6th and Vienna. As members came out, they confirmed the suspect was hiding in the basement.
Once the house was cleared, law enforcement started a tactical situation with help from Milwaukee County SWAT and Milwaukee police. Authorities only needed to call the suspect once for him to surrender -- bringing some closure.
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Police presence near 6th & Vienna, Milwaukee
"He meant the world to me. He was the son that was closest to me," Prescott-McLinton said. "We gotta stop the violence. We got to love again."
Chaney is charged with first degree intentional homicide. He is expected to make his initial appearance in court in the coming days.
This week is mostly a continuation of a few books I've been reading recently.
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So far this one is more depressing than anything. I'm hoping it gets past the "reasons why people fail" and moves on to the "things we can learn from this to succeed."
<image>
has been interesting thus far! I wasn't sure what I would think of it but I'm intrigued by the plot and the characters. It's a fat book so I think it'll probably take me awhile to finish.
<image>
is rather motivating thus far. It pushed me out the door for a run tonight even though I really, really did not want to go. There are a few recipes in this book that I want to try.
MVL races to big win
<image>
NEW ULM — Minnesota Valley Lutheran remained perfect when it crushed West Lutheran 65-26 on Thursday in the first round of the MLC Tip-Off Tournament.
MVL jumped out to an early 12-2 lead on baskets by Kryeis Harrison, Dunwa Omot and Mason Cox. The Chargers allowed WL one shot at the basket, rebounded and scored. The Warriors missed their first four shots of the contest.
The Warriors came within 6 points on baskets by Keshawn Johnson and Christian Schmidt. MVL answered with a 19-0 run. A WL 3-pointer broke the scoring drought with about 2:30 left in the first half. Omot contributed to the Warriors’ woes, scoring 18 points in the first half.
MVL continued with its recipe for success of good defense, solid rebounding and scoring baskets in bunches.
Jace Marotz scored on two baskets and a free throw and Harrison scored two baskets increasing MVL’s advantage to 53-19 with 9:10 remaining in the game.
The Chargers were 30-of-68 for 44.1% for field goals and they were 3-of-15 for 20% from 3-point range. WL had 24 turnovers which led to 30 points for MVL.
Omot led all scorers with 25 points, five rebounds, six steals and three blocks for the Chargers. Marotz had 11 points. Mason Cox added nine rebounds and 5 points.
The Keeper is a thought-provoking contemporary drama that explores the mysterious power of friendship and love. The atypical romance within this PG-rated novel weaves its way through a psychological story of human relationships and social satire.
The protagonist, Dr. Christopher Seacrest, is chief of staff in a renowned medical facility and is one of the world's shining stars. Immersed in his self-sufficiency and false ideals of perfection, he lives immune to the fact that he has somehow disavowed life itself. A brief patient-doctor meeting in an exam room between the arrogant Chris and the unpretentious Caitlin Rosenberry soon changes all of that.
Initially the powerhouse surgeon finds little of interest to him in the young, post-stroke patient, but their meeting results in the physician's perfect façade developing a hairline crack. Fate brings the unlikely pair together again and again, and sets a series of cataclysmic events into motion from which there is no turning back. When Dr. Seacrest finds himself in love with Caitlin and she vows never to see him again, he can no longer deny life's invitation to his own healing.
<image>
R. L. Mosz keeps busy working with special-needs children and residents of a rehabilitation center. When time allows, her interests include: feeding the birds, writing, cooking, recycling, walking, and reading. She particularly enjoys trees, hedges of all kinds, birds, and creeks (see book trailer), but is grateful for all the gifts of nature.
She lives each day thankful for all blessings and mindful of a quote from her favorite book, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Following is a poem she wrote about her novel, THE KEEPER:
The Keeper
Decades long performance;
life shed along the way.
Suffused in great perfection
the truth inside him lay.
Though not his fault he wanders,
his heart up on the shelf,
she's sent as a reminder
destruction of himself.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish for several reasons. First, the writing style was refreshing and the storyline was easy to follow. The characters reminded me of people I've known in my life, with their unique and amusing quirks. I especially liked reading about Caitlin's organic gardening lifestyle and her friends, very believable! I think the author approached the subject of the book with sensitivity and care. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the psychological healing process and who just enjoys a good read. It has the added bonus of being appropriate for young folks.
Chris could have been the billboard rep for Mr. Perfect. Hospital Chief of Staff by 31, rich, brilliant surgeon- but- who is the real Chris? Caitlin has a stroke at age 21 due to the traumatic death of her father. She lives on a farm living a vegetarian humble lifestyle. So what does the enigmatic wealthy surgeon have in common with the plain humble girl? Could it be love?? Read the book- lot of twists, turns and surprises...
Mujahid Ali Khan (Urdu Poet) Height, Weight, Date of Birth, Age, Wiki, Biography, Career, Family and More
Mujahid Ali Khan is an Indian Urdu Poet, Writer, Social Media Influencer and Blogger. He is one of the finest Urdu poet of India and known for work in Mere Hal Se Jo Zahir Hai, Meri Mohabbat Ho Tum, Tanha Guzri Eid, Kitaab Aur Pani Nazm and Apne Ghar Se Nikal Pada. Mujahid is originally from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
Biography
Mujahid Ali Khan was born on 4 January 1982 to a Muslim family of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh and his home town is Delhi. He did schooling from Green Wood School from where he completed his Higher Secondary. He completed post-graduation in MBA Human Resource from Delhi University.
Mujahid received appreciation and popularity after uploading poems on social platforms like Facebook. He has become one of the youngest leading writers of Urdu Poetry, dwelling on themes like love, friendship, motivation, and inspiration. Among his best-known works are Mere Hal Se Jo Zahir Hai, Meri Mohabbat Ho Tum, Tanha Guzri Eid, Kitaab Aur Pani Nazm, MAAYI – Mother and Apne Ghar Se Nikal Pada.
Real Name
Mujahid Ali Khan
Profession
Urdu Poet, Writer, Social Media Influencer and Blogger
Date of Birth
4 January 1982
Age
41 Years
Birth Place
Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
Nationality
Indian
Home Town
Delhi, India
Family
Mother : Mrs.Khan
Father : Mr. Khan
Sister : Not Available
Brother : Not Available
Wife : Not Available
Marital Status
Single
Religion
Islam
Address
New Friends Colony New Delhi
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Education Details and More
School
Green Wood School
College
Delhi University
Educational Qualification
MBA in Human Resource
Active Years
2015-Present
Awards
Awarded First Prize in poetry Performance in Infosys Got Talent
Poetry Affiliations & Performed for Filmfare ME
Poet of the month on several websites
Best Shayar in online competitions
Hobbies
Writing Poetries & Ghazals
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Physical Stats and More
Height
In Feet : 5′ 11 ft
In Meter : 1.8 m
Weight
In Pound : 154 lbs
In Kilogram : 70 Kg
Body Shape
Chest: 40 inches
Waist: 32 inches
Biceps: 12 inches
Eye Colour
Black
Hair Colour
Black
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Some Facts About Mujahid Ali Khan
Mujahid Ali Khan was born in Rampur and grew up in Delhi.
He is currently working on poetry book named ‘Ansuni Khwahishein’.
Mujahid traveled across the nation to recite poetry. He attended poetic symposiums in almost all the districts of India.
He is immense popular on social media and has over thousands of followers on various platforms.
Mujahid has been featured in multiple media outlets for his published works and rising popularity such as Midday, Outlook India The Statesman, Influencive, The Indian Saga ED Times, Verna Magazine, India Mirror, and others.
He won the prestigious ‘Infosys Got Talent Bangalore’ and ‘Poet of the Month’ on several poetry portals.
Mujahid considers Mr. Munawaar Rana Sahab and Mirza Ghalib as his idol.
If you have more details about Mujahid Ali Khan. Please comment below we will update within an hour.
'Muslims Can Stay, But Will Have To Give Up Eating Beef' Says Haryana CM, Later Denies Statement
The Haryana chief minister's office said on Friday that Manohar Lal Khattar did not tell the Indian Express that "Muslims should stay, but they will have to give up eating beef" because "the cow is an article of faith" for Hindus, while Muslims wouldn't "be violating their religious beliefs by giving up beef".
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"Our CM didn't say anything like this, all he said was we should respect everyone... The newspaper which has posted this news piece has tried to put words in the Haryana CM's mouth," said Jawahar Yadav, officer on special duty to the Chief Minister, to ANI news agency.
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In an interview published Friday in the Indian Express, Khattar is also quoted as saying that the lynching of a Muslim in Dadri - for allegedly eating beef - was "wrong" and the "result of a misunderstanding"..
"Unko apne hadd me rehna chahiye (he should stay within limits)", Mufti Mukarram, a Muslim cleric, told Times Now, a TV channel, about the newspaper interview.
Khattar became Haryana chief minister last October.
Interested in this property?
Contact the Malvern Office on 01684 892809 Option 1.
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathrooms
2 Reception Rooms
Spacious Detached Family Home
Lovely Cul-De-Sac Setting
Living Room, Garden Room And Breakfast Kitchen
Three Bedrooms
Garden
Ample Off Road Parking
Description
A Spacious Detached Family Home Enjoying A Lovely Cul-De-Sac Setting With Hall, Living Room, Garden Room, Breakfast Kitchen, Three Bedrooms, Bathroom, Gas Central Heating, Double Glazing, Garden And Ample Off Road Parking. "C"
Location & Description
1 Sycamore Close enjoys a convenient position approximately a mile from the bustling centre of Malvern Link where there is an excellent range of amenities including shops and banks, places to eat out and Morrison's supermarket. More immediate facilities including a small Co-op are less than five minutes away on foot. Dyson Perrins Secondary School and several excellent primary schools are also nearby. Junction 7 of the M5 motorway at Worcester is about nine miles distant and Malvern Link railway station is less than half a mile away. The wider and more comprehensive amenities of Great Malvern are just over a mile. Here there are several shops and banks, Waitrose supermarkets, the renowned theatre and cinema complex and the Splash leisure pool and gymnasium.
1 Sycamore Close is a traditional detached two storey house with gas fired central heating and double glazing. On the ground floor a hall leads to a living room, a garden room and a well fitted breakfast kitchen. On the first floor there are three bedrooms and a bathroom. The house also has good off road parking and lovely rear garden. The property is approached through a pedestrian gate. A gravel pathway leads to a UPVC front door opening to
Entrance Hall
Tiled floor, radiator, Hive heating controller, inset ceiling light, and under stairs cupboard. Stairs to first floor and doors to all rooms
A good sized room that could be used as a dining room. Wood effect flooring, radiator, double glazed window to front aspect and sliding patio doors to side aspect and pendant light fitting
Carpet, two radiators and two double glazed windows to front and side aspects. Two recessed ceiling lights, one wall light, telephone point and TV point
Tile effect flooring and double glazed window to side aspect. Range of base and eye level units with work surface over and stainless steel sink with mixer tap and drainer. Space and plumbing for washing machine and dishwasher, space for American fridge freezer, range cooker and tumble dryer (available by separate negotiation) five ceiling spotlights and one ceiling light fitting
Landing
Carpet, double glazed window to front aspect and pendant light fitting. Loft access, large storage cupboard housing combination boiler and doors to all rooms
Carpet, double glazed window to front aspect, radiator and pendant light fitting. Built in wardrobes, alcove perfect for extra storage or dressing table
Carpet, double glazed window to side aspect, radiator and pendant light fitting
Carpet, double glazed window to front aspect, radiator, pendant light fitting and built in wardrobe
Tile effect flooring, double glazed window to side aspect, radiator and six inset spotlights. Low level WC, wash hand basin, bidet and bath with shower over and shower screen
Outside
To the front of the property is a pedestrian gate giving access to a gravel pathway which leads through the mainly laid to lawn front garden. The front garden has a hedged border and palm tree. There are two gates, one gives access to the parking area which is accessed via Tayson Way and offers ample parking with a car charging point. The other leads to the side garden which is mainly laid to lawn with shrub borders and patio. There is a lovely decked area perfect for entertaining, outside tap, power and light and a large shed.
Tenure
We are advised (subject to legal confirmation) that the property is freehold.
Council Tax
COUNCIL TAX BAND "D" This information may have been obtained by telephone call only and applicants are advised to consider obtaining written confirmation.
Energy Performance Certificate
The EPC rating for this property is C (69).
Viewing
By appointment to be made through the Agent's Malvern Office, Tel: 01684 892809
MISREPRESENTATION ACT, 1967 - JOHN GOODWIN - Conditions under which Particulars are issued:
John Goodwin for himself and for the Vendors or lessors of this property whose agent he gives notice that:
The particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchasers or leasees and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract.
All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given in good faith and are believed to be correct but any intending purchasers or tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them.
No person in the employment of John Goodwin has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property.
Directions
From the agents office in Great Malvern proceed north along the A449 Worcester Road towards Malvern Link. After about half a mile at the first set of traffic lights at Link Top turn left (signed Leigh Sinton). The road forks in three directions. Take the right hand fork (still towards Leigh Sinton) following this route for approximately three quarters of a mile. Turn right into Tan House Lane. Follow this route round to the right taking the third turn to the left into Greenfields Road. Sycamore Close is on the left hand side after a short distance. The property is on the corner of the first left hand turning into Tayson Way
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Ledbury
3-7 New Street,
Ledbury, Herefordshire
HR8 2DX
Malvern
13 Worcester Road,
Malvern, Worcestershire
WR14 4QY
Colwall
Walwyn Road, Colwall,
Malvern, Worcestershire
WR13 6QG
Upton upon Severn
9 High Street,
Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire
WR8 0HJ
London
121 Park Lane, Mayfair,
London,
W1K 7AG
I decided that a lot of my blog posts typically revolve around both of the munchkins, so I thought that I would take a day today and a day tomorrow to post about each of them separately and their unique personalities and traits. So, today's post is about my first born (by 2 whole minutes), Coleman...who I like to call C-man.
Jared nailed it on the head the other day when he said that Coleman was a "sweet soul". He truly is and that's pretty typical of his personality morning, noon, and night. If he is the first to wake up in the morning it is rare that I hear him crying or see him shaking his crib in the monitor (you'll understand more of that in Carter's post tomorrow), but instead he begins his day by talking...sounds like his mom already! He LOVES to babble and his most common "word" is dadadada...over and over again, until yesterday! He started saying mommomomom....still pretty sure it has nothing to do with me but it's exciting nonetheless.
Coleman is quick to smile and just as quick to bite. Yes, you read that right. He is constantly smiling but also loves to crawl after his brother and bite him...It's definitely been a challenge and Carter has the war wounds to prove it but with that sweet soul of his I know that it is unintentional and not out of spite. Coleman is also VERY ticklish...just like his Mom on that one too! He loves to be tickled on his neck and toes and has the cutest little laugh to go along with that smile of 6 teeth. He also is my eater out of the two. He will let you know when he is done with his "baby" food, but when it comes to puffs, cheerios, or any other finger food he seems to have an endless pit in that tummy of his!
Coleman also loves to clap, make indian noises (with his hand over his mouth) and now walk with his walker. He is SUCH a joy to be around and truly a blessing to both Jared and I. The past 11 months seem like such a whirlwind and I am so proud of the little boy he is already becoming...now if we can just get that biting under control!
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He Named Me Malala (2015) • View trailer
Four stars. Rated PG-13, for grim images and dramatic intensity
By Derrick Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 10.9.15
The original plan, as envisioned by producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, was to turn Malala Yousafzai’s saga into a big-screen drama.
Parkes and MacDonald had plenty of experience with such films, having shepherded (among others) Gladiator, The Kite Runner and Catch Me If You Can, the latter also based on a real-world individual whose exploits were larger than life.
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During a visit to a rare African school that caters to girls, Malala Yousafzai asks her new
friends what they wish to do in life: become doctors, historians, lawyers? Her proud
father, Ziauddin, can be seen at the far right.
But a funny thing happened, when Parkes and MacDonald met Malala in Birmingham, England, where she and her family have moved for their safety.
“No actor could possibly portray Malala,” Parkes later admitted. “She’s just so singular.”
As a result, Parkes and MacDonald decided that a documentary approach would be a vastly superior means of allowing viewers to meet Malala on her own terms, and in her own environment. They turned to veteran documentarian Davis Guggenheim, well respected for the thoughtful, absorbing approach he has taken to earlier projects such as It Might Get Loud, Waiting for Superman and his Academy Award-winning An Inconvenient Truth.
Malala Yousafzai is an amazing young woman; she’s also an endearing and captivating screen presence who is quite capable of telling her own story. At the same time, she’s a fascinating bottle of contradictions: at one moment a bubbly teenager clearly embarrassed by her girl-crushes on hunky cricket stars, and then — in the blink of an eye — a ferociously intelligent presence quite capable of delivering a powerful speech to the assembled body at the United Nations.
She’s Mother Teresa, Jane Goodall, Aung San Suu Kyi and Amelia Earhart, all rolled up into one precociously charismatic package. And to think: We almost lost her before learning about the work she’d already done in Pakistan’s Taliban-infested Swat Valley ... let alone the impact she continues to have after surviving a heinous assassination attempt.
Malala was 12 when she began writing an impressively detailed — and, of necessity, anonymous — blog for the BBC, expressing her very personal reaction as the initially welcomed Taliban disciples gradually revealed their true colors: banning music, television and any hint of Western culture; severely curtailing schooling for girls; and insisting that women remain shuttered in their own homes.
It didn’t stop there. When Taliban thugs began bombing police stations and schools, and naming “infidels” during much-feared radio broadcasts, Malala bravely abandoned her anonymity and began speaking out, highly visibly, in the international press. She was awarded Pakistan’s inaugural National Youth Peace Prize in 2011.
Shortly thereafter, the Taliban marked her for assassination.
They carried out that threat when a heavily armed Taliban brigade intercepted her school bus on Oct. 9, 2012. A gunman asked for her by name and then shot her three times; two of her friends also were wounded. They received “only” relatively minor injuries; everybody expected Malala to die from the bullet that shattered her skull.
Reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation subsequently took place at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital; Guggenheim’s film includes some of that footage, and it’s very hard to watch. The toughest moments, for me at least, come during early physical therapy sessions, as Malala tries — and fails — to catch a large ball gently tossed toward her. She simply can’t make it work: Her reactions are too slow, the eye/hand coordination utterly absent. It’s shattering.
By now, savvy followers of current events know a fair amount about Malala, her already high profile having been enhanced by “good works” throughout the globe on behalf of endangered children and worldwide access to education, particularly for girls. But I’ll wager that very few people realize that her father, Ziauddin, is — and was — an equally outspoken Taliban critic.
Indeed, as he admits during the voice-over narration that he shares with his daughter throughout this film, one day he heard his own name on that dread Taliban radio broadcast.
Ziauddin took after HIS father, famed orator Rohul Amin Yousafzai. Ziauddin grew up to become an educational activist who ran his own school; he therefore encouraged his first-born child, despite her gender, to embrace an education. She apparently needed no encouragement; it’s certainly no accident that Guggenheim’s film crew, during the almost two years they spent with the Yousafzai family, frequently caught Malala doing her homework.
School in Birmingham, she confesses on camera, is much harder than what she remembers of her class work back home in the Swat Valley ... in part because the subjects and cultural references are so much more wide-ranging. One of the film’s many droll moments comes when Malala shares a bulletin board covered with sticky-notes of phrases she has struggled to understand, such as the term “cat burglar.”
That touch of humor is one of this film’s profound strengths, and Malala isn’t the only one with a disarming smile and natural talent for witty one-liners. We get many spontaneous scenes of daily life in the Yousafzai household, when everybody — if only briefly — clearly forgot that cameras were rolling (and then generously permitted such footage to be used).
Malala’s two younger brothers — Khushal and Atal — are a hoot, particularly when playfully dissing their sister ... to her feigned horror. All of them, along with their father, speak very clear English; they’re a lively, boisterous and loving family unit.
Which of course also includes their mother, Toor Pekai. But she’s a more serious case; she doesn’t speak English that well — although she’s learning — and she mourns her family’s forced removal from the lush Swat Valley. Malala also longs to return, but knows that she cannot; Taliban goons continue to vow their determination to exterminate her.
Guggenheim’s biggest challenge, as a filmmaker, concerned the necessity of re-creating Malala’s early life. She and her father have strong memories and are capable narrators, but — aside from a handful of snapshots, which appear from time to time — there’s no record of this time period. They didn’t possess the video capabilities that we now take for granted.
Guggenheim therefore turned to animator Jason Carpenter, who made some waves with his 2011 student short, The Renter. Carpenter and his team illustrate these past events in a soft pastel “chalk” style that evokes classical painters such as Andrew Wyeth. It’s a clever artistic choice, as it evokes memory, nostalgia and a longing for what was lost, while at the same time complementing the mythic, storybook quality that Malala and her father bring to their anecdotes.
Guggenheim introduces this reliance on animation quite ingeniously, employing it to depict the 19th century Pashtun heroine who gave Malala her name. Having initially accepted this narrative device under such logical circumstances, we more readily embrace it later, when repeatedly employed to travel into a more recent past where Guggenheim’s cameras also couldn’t travel.
The film concludes with the dramatic finale to Malala’s impassioned speech at the United Nations, on July 12, 2013: “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution.”
And don’t abandon your seats too quickly, as the end credits begin their march across the screen ... because Guggenheim has built to one more thrilling moment from his heroine’s recent career, and you won’t want to miss it.
Why eat badly when bushwalking? Or travelling in general? Food is not only fuel to keep you going but something to look forward to after hours on foot; a celebration of your achievements. After a day or days of pack walking there’s nothing better than tucking into delicious local food, prepared by someone else or me!
I have had a life-long fascination with cooking and food. I used to have a small stool in the kitchen and annoy Mum asking what she was doing at the cooker. My family grew all our own veggies, in the UK, and I have taken this up again since moving to Euroa (country Victoria) in 2013. I started hunting for food as a youngster too; Mum’s rule was: “you shoot something, you deal with it, cook it and eat it,” a principle I continue to follow.
I have cooked every day, apart from on some holidays, since I was 18, and I put a lot of effort into planning the food for our trips because I do not see why we should eat less well when we are travelling than when we are at home. I find it relaxing cooking at the end of the day, whether in a park cabin kitchen, or over an open fire or a portable gas cooker.
When travelling Mel and I always try to eat and drink local food and wine. Australia is a fantastic country for this as the ranges of both are fantastic. We have found some amazing local eateries across this country over the years and depending on our schedule and budget me might end up toasting our walking efforts in a simple fish and chip shop or a top-end restaurant.
On car journeys I pack a plastic tub containing all the oils, spices, sauces and other dried goods that I use at home. We take a Coleman cooker, which has a burner for boiling and a griddle burner that can be used to fry and grill. We recently bought a Ziegler and Brown grill/oven, too, which is fantastic, compact, efficient and allows me to not only grill but roast whole chickens or other meats; it will also cook pizzas because it easily reaches 400oC. When staying in BIG4 Holiday Parks I use the communal camp kitchens, which are generally well equipped, or the barbecues and save on setting up.
A pack hike is a totally different beast.
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If we’re only out for one night I like to carry in some steak and vegetables for dinner and with a group walk you can spread the weight and take wine and some liqueur muscat too – always making sure we carry out all our empties. On longer pack walks it’s all about the weight on your back so we usually take commercial freeze-dried dinners (just add boiling water and stir). There is a wide selection of offerings and some are not bad; the curries and “hot” dishes actually have a kick (we’re planning a review later later in the year). The main brand of commercial hiking food we have used till now is Back Country Cuisine. We have found the 5-serve packs perfect for three people but when there’s just Mel and me we take 2-person meals and extra packets of mashed spud or vegetables.
Some of the freeze-dried desserts are pretty tasty too but we prefer twin-pack Aunt Betty’s steamed puddings with a carton of long-life cream. These are heavier so it’s an indulgence but sometimes a treat is just what you need. Or a hip flask of rum to add to a cup of sachet hot chocolate or coffee to make a hot toddy before climbing into your sleeping bag.
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On overnight pack walks we might tuck into freeze-dried meals for lunch too but usually we take tortillas (because they pack flat and stay moist) and make wraps of foil sachet tuna/salmon or chicken with triangles of cheese and bean shoots. Yes, it does get monotonous and on the last day of the 6-day Carnarvon Great Walk, in Queensland, I couldn’t face another lunch of salmon wraps so we filled up (and emptied our packs) of jelly snakes and chocolate!
On day walks we lunch on sandwiches, fresh fruit, muesli bars and jelly snakes.
On longer walks I get the urge for that “Umami” hit and have found that a few pieces of thinly sliced biltong can satisfy that need. (We have recently bought a dehydrator and will be experimenting on some home grown veggies, maybe some casseroles and even our own version of biltong.)
So to finish. try and eat as well as you can carry as it really makes long day walks and multi-day hikes all the more enjoyable. Well, it does for me, anyway. Mind you I usually wake up thinking about what I am going to cook for dinner.
Happy cooking, eating and walking.
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There’s nothing like a wedding shower to make you feel uncomfortable….
Last weekend I packed up my paddywagon, my little dog and all, and headed down to San Diego. There was a wedding shower to attend and family to visit.
So I am sitting in the kitchen talking with Mom and Howard about their trip to Hawaii, where they stayed, what they did and I realize…. it is July 20th. That is past mid-July. My mother’s birthday is in mid-July. And I forgot her birthday last year as well. This feeling of dread starts doing a tapdance in my stomach as I ask after a long silence:
“Mom, were you in Hawaii for your birthday?”
Alright then. Forgetting your mother’s birthday one year makes you a bad daughter. Forgetting you mother’s birthday two years in a row is grounds for a hanging. Howard (Mom’s husband) was casting looks of death over her shoulder which I pretended were directed toward the potted plant just behind me. Them leaving for some exotic locale did not set off any alarm bells because they are always flitting to some place or another in my paltry defense. God, that defense couldn’t excuse me out of a paper bag.
Notice to all who know and may slightly care about me! If you have a birthday/anniversary FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SING IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS! I GUARANTEE I will not remember it. There is a chip in my brain -the one that makes me so charming- but one of the side affects is an incapacity to remember any special event. For the longest time, until well into high school, if you had asked me when Christmas was I would have said December 31st. If you put a gun to my head right now and asked me how old I was in 6th grade I would expire. My best friend knows this. Around a week before her birthday she knows to get out the gong and start’a ringing.
The hilarious thing is I cannot remember any birthday in the world EXCEPT
One of the reasons I went down to San Diego was to go to my sister-in-law’s bridal shower. Yes everyone, she is getting married again to a bigger and better husband and festivities accompany such an event. One of these festivities was a bridal shower- where one gives gifts to the bride and there is cake and whatnots. Or so I thought. Going into this brouhaha I believed it to be a sort of birthday party for the bride and I could not have been more wrong.
Picture me showing up at the to-be husband’s mother’s house with no make-up on, jeans and a black tank top. My present (a meager, meager present) is flung with nonchalance over my shoulder and I march on in, unaware just how inappropriate I am. Well, in full, crystal clear, techno-vision detail the awareness hits me when I realize that NO ONE ELSE IS DRESSED LIKE THAT! Everyone is in little sun dresses, wearing little heels with their faces made-up and their hairdos curled. It was like there was a dress code memo sent out that I was too busy sleeping under my rock to receive.
So I try to hide my blotchy skin tone and blemished face by stuffing it full of food the entire time.
The event was punctuated with bridal shower games. How much does the bride know about her husband to be- well there will be gum in her mouth for every question she gets wrong! Haha, fun! Play a game of darts where the target is the groom’s face and the darts are a kiss! Haha, wonderful! Let’s make dresses out of toilet paper and award a prize to the winners! Isn’t this just swell? It was, until we get to the quiz game. Everyone gets a pen and paper and they are asked questions about the bride to see who knows her the best. Her mother was disqualified because she giving birth to her is an unfair advantage. Anyway, we are writing down our answers to a seemingly unending list of questions – Is she scuba certified? What sport did she play in high school? What is her favorite dessert? Where was she born? What is her birthday
Afterward we tally the answers, her nearest and dearest friends and then me, that chick that glides down from Los Angeles inappropriately attired and stuffs her face to avoid being more awkward. And I tied for the highest score.
I rattled out answers. NO! Cheer! Creme Brulee! Yuma! On Saint Patrick’s Day! (And THAT is where the ‘except’ from above comes in. I knew her birthday. A miracle of miracles which convinces me that I might have been possessed.) Every time they asked a question the answer just glided into my head until even I was confounded by it. Why the hell do I know so much about this person? I kept asking myself, tallying the scores three times to make sure.
Since they only bought one prize the tie would have to be broken- the tie between me and a very close friend of hers. Now what I should have done at this point was generously said, “No, no. It is completely fine. Give her the prize. I probably subconsciously cheated anyway.”
But I didn’t do that. Seized in the grip of a competitive madness I forged on as the poor women playing the game were forced to come up with one question after another to lob at us. Finally the tie breaker occurred.
“What color are John’s eyes and what color was his hair as a baby?”
“Hazel and flaxen blonde!” It was like I was possessed by some stalker demon who knew everything about these poor people.
That was it. I was the “winner”.
“Wow, I didn’t know you knew so much about me.” The bride-to-be said, looking markedly uncomfortable and stretching out to hand me my loofa gift prize without getting too close.
“Yes,” I wanted to say. “I know everything about you. I am obsessed. I know where you sleep, what you eat and who you love. Do not anger me or I will take everything that you hold dear.”
And so the moral is, if you know your mother’s birthday you don’t get diddly squat, but if you know your husband’s sister’s birthday then you get a loofa and almond butter body wash.
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SFA (5-3) vs. PITTSBURG STATE (1-1)
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It was one of those games where you saw everything coming together, a team leaving no doubt in your mind about where they were headed and a team also leaving you with a cause for excitement and a long for the future.
I think we can all agree that we had some good vibes about the Lumberjacks going into the EKU game, but I don't think many ever thought SFA would dominate as they did in every facet of the game against the Colonels in Richmond.
In the last two games our Lumberjack defense has been lights out
64-7 WCU Total Offense 230 yards 2 of 14 (3rd down conversions)
24-6 EKU Total Offense 214 yards 2 of 17 (3rd down conversions)
We see in our future a defensive front that features a true freshman in DT
TKL:17; TFL:7.0; SCK:2.5; QBH:1 junior
TKL:23; TFL:6.5; SCK:5.0; FR:1; QBH:4; INT:1 the swarming speed of our linebackers featuring
TKL:53; TFL:6.5; SCK:2.0; FF:1; FR:2; BU:1; INT:1 and the coverage of a secondary featuring an all sophomore crew of
Tkai Lloyd, Myles Heard, Willie Roberts, Myles Brooks,
that have combined for 7 INTs; and 15 BU.
Basketball season may not be on the front burner much longer in Nac. when it comes to November and that is OK.
We now turn our attention to the Gorillas of Pittsburg State, as the Lumberjacks go for 6 straight wins this weekend, a feat SFA football has not accomplished since the SLC Championship season of 2010.
Pittsburg State (1-1) of the MIAA Conference are coming off a 20-7 road victory, against Missouri Western after suffering a 5-point loss (26-31) in their season opener at home against Nebraska-Kearney.
Pittsburg State is a storied Division II program that has won more division two games than any other Division II program with 4 national championships, 31 post season appearances, and 31 Conference Championships and they have not had a losing season since 2009.
The Gorillas are coached by former Toledo OC
who lead a Toledo offense that averaged a school record 517.8 yards per game. This is Coach Wright's first season as a head coach, after several years serving as OC and QB coach for programs such as Florida Atlantic, Montana State, and Youngstown State.
Coach Wright must bring together a young team that only has 10 returning seniors, as they loss plenty of experience from last season's 6-5 team.
To help the situation will be the return of leading passer Sophomore QB
6-1; 210 out of Leander, Texas (Cedar Park) who played in 10 games last season completing 123 passes for 1,694 yards and 13 TDs with 7 INTs. In his first two games of the 2020 season Sexton has completed 43 passes for 539 yards with 5 TDs and no INTS with his favorite targets being freshman WR
6-0; 170 (REC:10; YDS:166; TD:1) and big Iowa State senior transfer WR
6-3; 215 (REC:14; YDS:124; TD:2)
The ground game is led by 5th year senior and 2X all conference player RB
5-10; 210 (ATT:38; YDS:121; TD:1; REC:6; YDS:52)
Leading tackler on defense is 3X all conference player and Division II All-American senior LB
5-11; 204 who has a career of 138 tackles, 24 for a loss, 13 sacks, 6 INTs, and 12 BU. Add to the mix South Dakota State senior transfer LB
6-5; 232 another All MIAA player from 2019.
In the secondary you have Tyler Junior College transfer CB
This is a program that has lots of pride and as I said before a storied history and they will come to play their A game with the desire to knock off a division I team, the only one on their schedule
(a homecoming for 16 Texas players on their roster)
and they demand to not be over looked, just ask ACU about Angelo State.
HFF Remembered.
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13th Feb is the anniversary of my father's death. I miss him a lot.
I see things all the time that he would appreciate, and as we are in Oscar Month I recall he took me to my 1st movie, and then onto see such classics as 'Othello' starring Laurence Olivier and 'Spartacus' with Kirk Douglas. We saw the original 'MASH' movie when it came out. Much later we went to see 'City Slickers' with Billy Crystal and we were the only audience.
My father taught me many things including that men died upon the beaches of Gallipoli so that I might have a secret vote in democratic elections.
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2020 is soon coming to an end, but COVID-19 will follow us into the new year. Reported case numbers are still on the rise; North Carolina actually experienced a record-high day with 6,495 new cases, which is the highest single-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic.
The first solution to stopping the spread of the virus is to stay at home. However, for the millions of families without stable housing, sheltering in place is not as straightforward.
COVID-19 presents dangerous impacts on housing in the short and long term. North Carolina renters already faced some of those immediate impacts between June 3rd-September 3rd, where evictions resulted in 15,690 coronavirus cases and 304 deaths. The CDC took action to halt evictions through a nationwide moratorium, which has temporarily protected the health and safety of millions of renters across the country.
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The eviction moratorium is not enough.
The CDC’s moratorium on evictions is set to expire on January 1st. If it is not extended, up to 40 million families will be at risk of eviction. It is estimated that unpaid rental debts could reach up to $70 billion by January, highlighting the urgent need for increased rental assistance programs.
Homeowners are also at risk of losing their homes because of the pandemic. Delinquent mortgages are at their highest rate since 2013 and homeowners across the country are being forced to dig deeply into savings to make their housing payments. The CDC’s eviction moratorium, unfortunately, does not include homeowners that may be struggling to make their mortgage payments, leaving low-to moderate-income families very vulnerable.
Housing relief from Congress is possible, but we must continue pushing for it! Join Habitat’s advocacy by sending a message to lawmakers in D.C. today.
Teacher Candise is celebrating £3,000 holiday win
Date published: 22 January 2019
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The winners of the top prize celebrate
A cold and quiet cul-de-sac in Oldham was transformed into a tropical paradise to celebrate the grand winner of a national competition.
A bleak January morning was replaced by a carnival atmosphere in Connington Close, as a steel band and an ice cream cart accompanied a local courier as he delivered a £5,000 prize to resident Candise Moore and her family.
The shocked mum-of-three, who was picked at random ahead of 30,000 other entrants, was congratulated by courier Tom.
The were joined by staff from parcel company Hermes, who ran the competition, along with some lifelike inflatable flamingos.
Candise, a teacher, was presented with a £2,000 clothes voucher and a £3,000 holiday voucher, which will enable her young family to travel on a plane together for the very first time.
Candise said she saw the competition on Facebook.
“We entered a few giveaways over Christmas but didn’t think we’d win," she said.
"We’ve never been out of the UK as a family on holiday, so we’re really excited to go on an aeroplane together.
"The boys had been saving in a money jar to go abroad – they want to go to Croatia, Spain or Greece, somewhere warm and sunny.
"I didn’t tell the boys what the prize was – I actually said it might be socks – so they were thrilled, and it was amazing to see their reactions.”
A neighbour, who came out of their house to watch the presentation, added: “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer family.”
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Gwinnett Stripers 2, Syracuse Mets 0
Andres Blanco
, SS: 2-3, HR, RBI, BB, .821 OPS
Alex Jackson
, C: 1-3, 2B, .766 OPS
Bryse Wilson
, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 3.79 ERA
Bryse Wilson, Sean Newcomb, and Wes Parson combined for a shutout as Gwinnett took down Syracuse by the score of 2-0. Wilson was excellent in going six shutout innings for Gwinnett and it was a nice recovery after giving up five earned runs in his last start. One note, he has exactly one start in the minors this year where he has given up more than two walks. Sean Newcomb is on a rehab assignment after he took a line drive off of his head and he looked great as he struck out five batters in two innings of work. Wes Parsons closed the game out with a scoreless inning of relief to bring his minor league ERA this season down to 1.95 ERA.
It was fortunate that their pitching was so good on Saturday as they did not get much in the way of offense. Andres Blanco and Sean Kazmar had the two multi-hit games for Gwinnett and Blanco connected for his 11th homer of the season in the sixth inning. The Stripers other run came from a pinch-hit appearance from Rafael Ortega which resulted in an RBI double in the 8th inning. Adam Duvall was a fun story to begin the season, but the contact issues have return as he is batting just .121 over his last 10 games. Travis Demeritte continues to hit, though, and extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Mississippi Braves 2, Biloxi Shuckers 5
Drew Waters, CF: 1-4, 2B, .896 OPS
Greyson Jenista, LF: 0-3, BB, 2 K, .378 OPS
Ian Anderson, SP: 6 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3.20 ERA
Ian Anderson struggled on Saturday as Mississippi fell to Biloxi by the score of 5-2. In fairness to Ian, his line is a little misleading as the bulk of the damage against him came from a three run homer in the 1st inning from one of the better hitters in the Southern League this year, Patrick Leonard. Ian also gave up a solo shot in the sixth inning, but on a positive note, this was Ian’s seventh straight start where he has given up three walks or less which, given how his season started, is good news. Jordan Harrison closed the game out with two innings of scoreless relief.
The offense was a bit scarce in this one, although Drew Waters was not going to be denied as he had a double in the game to extend his hitting streak to 16 games and his on-base streak to 28 which is a little silly. The strikeout rate is a little bit spooky with Drew, but he has shown marked improvement against the more advanced breaking balls and offspeed stuff in Double-A over the last month or so and it is hard to argue with his results since he, along with teammate Cristian Pache who had the night off, are two of the better hitters in the Southern League right now. Unfortunately, that double from Waters was the only extra-base hit on the evening for Mississippi. At this point, one has to be concerned about Greyson Jenista as he has really struggled in Double-A after he had not exactly set the world on fire in high-A. He has exactly five hits (all singles) in 13 games in Double-A.
Florida Fire Frogs 4, St. Lucie Mets 6
Riley Delgado, SS: 2-4, 2B, BB, .713 OPS
Trey Harris, RF: 0-2, 2 BB, .966 OPS
Matt Hartman, SP: 6.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 5.66 ERA
Florida lost a tough one as St. Lucie rallied for six runs in the later innings to down the Fire Frogs by the score of 6-4. Matt Hartman had a strong start and was lights out until he got into the seventh inning and found himself in some trouble. Unfortunately, things did not get better when the bullpen arrived as Lukas Young as he gave up four earned runs (and allowed a couple of inherited runners to score) while recording a single out which gave St. Lucie the lead and ultimately the win.
Trey Harris had a quiet night by his standards as he “only” had a pair of walks in the game. His minor league OPS in 2019 currently sits at 1.017 OPS and he has not shown any signs of slowly down since his promotion to high-A. Riley Delgado had his fourth multi-hit game in his past five games on Saturday. One wishes that he could show a bit more power in games and maybe draw a few more walks, but all this dude does is hit.
Rome Braves 5, Hagerstown Suns 3
Shea Langeliers, C: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
Braden Shewmake, DH: 2-5, RBI
Jeremy Fernandez, LF: 2-4, RBI, .721 OPS
Dilmer Mejia, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1.47 ERA
Shea Langeliers, the 9th overall pick in the draft this year, had himself quite the night on Saturday as he connected for his first home run as a professional in Rome’s 5-3 win over Hagerstown. Shea’s two run shot in the first inning was also his first hit as a pro which is always fun and he would go on to reach base four times in the game. The Braves other first round pick, Braden Shewmake, had himself a nice game as well with a pair of hits and his first professional RBI. Jeremy Fernandez and Ariel Montesino also had multi-hit games for Rome with Fernandez connecting for his first home run of the season.
On the pitching side, Dilmer Mejia was excellent in going five innings while allowing just a single earned run. Luis Mora had a tough relief appearance that saw him walk four batters in less than an inning of work. Jose Montilla pitched the remaining 3.1 innings and he gave up a run on two hits along the way.
Danville Braves 9, Johnson City Cardinals 14
Bryce Ball, DH: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI
Michael Mateja, LF: 3-5, 2 2B, RBI
Cody Milligan, 2B: 2-5, RBI
Alec Barger, SP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Danville and Johnson City combined for eight errors as the Braves ultimately succumbed by the score of 14-9....welcome to short-season baseball! The bulk of the damage came off of reliever Albinson Volquez who gave up seven runs (five earned) late in the game with Cameron Kurz struggling as well. Bryce Ball just keeps mashing as he connected for his second home run in his first five games as a pro. He currently sports an OPS of 1.473 through is first five games if you are into that sort of thing. Cody Milligan, Michael Mateja, Mitch Calandra, Juan Morales, and Ball all had multi-hit games for Danville.
The Penguins lost 10-1 last night in Chicago. Yeah.
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If you woke up today and you're still struggling to grasp how the Penguins let in 10 goals, or you're livid about the loss, I have a little bit of advice that I'll share at the end of this post.
But first, the actual game.
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(GIF credit to DK Pittsburgh Sports)
Patrick Kane hasn't dished out a backhand like that since his last taxi ride. Like that taxi driver, it was pretty much all downhill for the Penguins after that goal.
Brandon Saad got a hat trick. The Blackhawks scored 10 goals and somehow Jonathan Toews didn't record a point. So, yeah.
Phil scored the Penguins' lone goal, coming on the powerplay, so that's great and all.
Anyway, yeah. Where do we go from here? If you think this is the end of the Penguins' season, the place you should go from here is probably off the internet. I have no idea how the Penguins will possibly recover over the next 80 regular season games.
If you're upset about this loss, here's what you can do with your feelings about the game:
Take those feelings, and put them in a box.
Get up, grab your car keys, walk out to the garage, get in the car and start it up.
I know you're thinking I'm going to advocate that you just sit in your car with the garage door shut and let the carbon monoxide kill you; but that's not where I'm heading with this.
Now, open the garage door and drive to your nearest Walmart.
Go inside and head to the grocery section.
Grab some cake and any other comfort foods that you may need. After losing 10-1, you deserve to #TreatYoSelf.
After you get everything you need, take it up to the register and pay for it. Or just walk out with it if you feel like livin' on the edge.
After you leave the store, put everything in your car and return the shopping cart. That last part is vital. Don't be a fucking dickhead and leave the shopping cart in the middle of parking lot.
Now, before you head back home, stop at the nearest dollar store or anywhere that sells cleaning supplies. You can even go back in Walmart if you want.
Once you go wherever you're going to get cleaning supplies, all you need to do is go inside and grab some Clorox bleach.
Take it up to the cashier and pay for it. Or, again, if you want to shoplift, be my guest.
Now, get in your car and head home.
Once you get home, park the car and walk inside.
Don't forget the supplies you bought.
Now, take that cake and sit it on the kitchen table.
Grab the nearest shot glass out of the cabinet.
Put that shot glass next to the cake, and fill it to the brim with that Clorox bleach.
Now, grab that shot glass, lift it up...
...and pour the bleach all over that cake you bought.
Remember that box I told you to put your feelings about the 10-1 loss in?
Go grab that box and bring it in to the kitchen.
Take your feelings out of the box, and really take a minute or two to admire them.
Think about what the Penguins did Wednesday night before the Blues game.
Think about what they did back in June.
And the June before that.
If you're still mad about losing the second game out of an 82-game season, that's fine. I'm here to help.
Now, grab those feelings.
Pull it in reaaaaaaal tight.
Old Posts from our site, heyyyyyfannnssss (4/11-2/15). Cute name, but impossible to remember.
On Friday I put on a cap, gown, and hood along with all the other economic and international development students from my cohort at Eastern University. Friends and family came to watch us walk across a stage and NOT graduate. We still have half of the summer term and the fall practicum to complete, but since we will be scattered across the globe in when we actually graduate, having a special service now made more sense.
Standing in line waiting to walk in the auditorium, one of my classmates suggested "Livin' on a Prayer" as an anthem for our commissioning service. The lyrics to the chorus were perfect, so a few of us started singing.
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer
After the service, I went out to dinner with my parents, and everyone who saw me in my robes congratulated me on graduating. Meanwhile I was thinking of all the reading I still had to do for the next week. =) It was a great night despite the heavy rains and flooding and the fact that I still haven't actually graduated.
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On another note, after the service, as we were all mingling and taking pictures, one of the speakers congratulated me for being the only girl wearing flats instead of heels. I wasn't sure exactly what to make of that, but at least I was comfortable and less likely to slip on the very wet sidewalks. =)
Lower School Updates
Lower School Weekly Updates
Using the book, The City Kid and the Suburban Kid, as a jumping off point, grade 2 students discussed the differences between urban, suburban and rural communities. The students collaborated to create a mural of different types of communities. Together, they planned their work, identifying what needed to be in their mural.
Heschel hosted its very own pop up farmer's market. The market provided an opportunity for community members to shop for local, organic, and seasonal produce, as well as educational activities for the children throughout the day.
Based on their own curiosity, the children generated a list of questions and asked the community member about where they live in New York City.
Here is a list of sample questions that the students asked:
Where do you live?
Were you born there?
How long have you lived there?
How do you get to work everyday? How long does it take?
Are there any nice parks near where you live?
What are the different neighborhoods called?
Grade 3 students got a very exciting start to their curriculum on World Communities. Nissim Pingle, the manager of the JCC in Mumbai, visited the school and talked to the students about his life as an Indian Jew. He showed pictures of the JCC in India and described how they celebrate Purim and Yom Ha Atzmaut, and told us a little bit about the history of the Jewish community in India. According to tradition, the first Jews came to India after the destruction of the Temple by ship. Nissim went on to say that there was a shipwreck and only a very few survived. These survivors founded a Jewish community which has been there for 2500 years. Nissim also told the students a bit about daily life in Mumbai, showing pictures of a busy street, complete with an elephant among the cars. He even shared a video of some Bollywood dancing.
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We had a special guest in tefillah b'yahad this morning -- Nissim Pingle, the manager of the JCC in Mumbai, who visited the Lower School today. He showed us how they chant sh'ma and v'ahavta in India with a beautiful melody (which we made sure to put on an audiofile so we can try to learn it). Nissim also told us a little bit about the history of the Jewish community in India, which has been there for 2500 years, without any periods of persecution or expulsion. Quite an achievement! He talked about the Jewish community's strong Zionist commitments and sense of connection to Israel. One other question was, "what do you eat for Shabbat dinner?" He explained that chicken curry is a favorite but since it is usually made with butter, they have a different version in the Jewish community with lemon.
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Grade 3 students celebrated their Humash Ceremony this week, initiating their journey into Torah study. The children's sense of wonder and connection to learning was on full display during this milestone occasion.
A member of the NY Department of Recycling and Sustainability visited with the fifth grade today. The students discussed the importance of sustainability and ways that the children can chip in and take action.
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Well, no one really likes Mondays. It is a universally hated day, but for the past six months I’ve come to grow quite fond of them. Why, you might ask?
Well, I started following The Lizzie Bennet Diaries – a webseries which is an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice – and each Monday and Thursday a new episode is uploaded. And by the power of spin-off some times Tuesdays and Fridays. But the episode from today killed me. It made me so very very sad. I’ve come to care about these charcters and see them as real because they have Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and a myriad of other social media accounts, so they feel like real people. So when they are sad I am sad.
And I don’t want to be sad. So good thing that Chandler Bing dances on things and can make me smile again.
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Francis Clark has appointed Alan Turner as partner in the firm following its recent merger with Winter Rule in Truro.
<image>
Turner, who is managing director of Winter Rule Financial Planning, becomes a partner based in the Truro office.
He will continue to manage Winter Rule Financial Planning, which is in the process of merging with Francis Clark Financial Planning, creating one of the biggest independent financial advisers in Cornwall and Devon.
Once that process is complete Turner will be joint managing director of the financial planning business, along with Exeter-based Mike Wilson.
Turner said: “After 15 years with the firm I’m delighted to become a partner of the accountancy side of the business and look forward to helping to lead the larger financial planning team.
“I will still be based in Truro so clients will see no difference other than having access to an even larger team of experts, with ten advisers across the business.”
<image>
Bones Jeina Morosoff Glass with Windows
I gave Brendan some glass tentacles made by Jeina Morosoff for Christmas and he gave some to me. That was funny until I gave Meghan a picnic basket which was the same as the one she gave to her mum. Then I gave my buddy the same socks she gave me. Dane only got one of his presents by mail and Steph had to pull a twofer shift. My phone ran out of batteries and I actually missed Tim's call.
I spent the last few days so ill that I either lived in the bathroom or lived on the couch. I couldn't hold food or water. I spent Christmas in quarantine and Lexy and Lizzy actually spent all Christmas Eve in the Emergency Room.
I am now inspired by the extremity of it all and am making dolls and planning my big wall projects. I just about have enough nerve to ask my favourite model to do castings with me.
The studio is mine in just a few more days.
I am so glad to start a new chapter and a new series of work. That will go well with the New Year.
Happy New Year! | Given the fourth image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following images is the missing part? | 1 | {
"placed_depth": [
0.07764265668849392
],
"context_length": 106733,
"context_length_text": 18157,
"num_images": 42,
"needles": [
"49e7aee5f468f1d895a381777b8e74b5f2a092eda14ff36a9443fce9c6aaa3b3.jpeg"
],
"choices": null,
"choices_image_path": [
"5a697e8c61ba6debce38bd5edac6783f8d5a1f0a3dfd4c9dbac5da8165f6e147.jpeg",
"48bb43af732acfa158e8c1370a438352c36604477c0f18ff8b0289c3581caeec.jpeg"
],
"category": "visual-reasoning"
} | 1 |
["774eb64ac32f9c9fc8244f275cfb85b94ab927949138a4c2b1faaf9eb3ecbe68.jpeg","62739941fa07e77ef0e3651789(...TRUNCATED) | "<image>\nForeword\nDr Michael Rumsewicz,Editor-in-Chief, Australian Journal of Emergency Management(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the first image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.0],"context_length":95292,"context_length_text":11324,"num_images":42,"needles":[(...TRUNCATED) | 2 |
["a2c05adc349613b1e2d662828907358cb675feb0d415c764445ec3895cec.png","e574879f0c75da0131b3f59220d3715(...TRUNCATED) | "<image>\nWhilst the narrative change is welcome, it all seems to be happening at the same time, in (...TRUNCATED) | "Given the tenth image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 1 | {"placed_depth":[0.15993788819875776],"context_length":115690,"context_length_text":13802,"num_image(...TRUNCATED) | 3 |
["46b3a43f4712753606abcfafe1fd21b25a75e133b9e1efbf74d9ec47cd13.png","e89eb753a3e0399ddf2bd54d930995d(...TRUNCATED) | "Monday 25th January to Tuesday 16th February\n“Welcome to Paradise” we have been told many tim(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the third image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.08203125],"context_length":77583,"context_length_text":8975,"num_images":34,"need(...TRUNCATED) | 4 |
["df6d43bf5a0e9747863c25d03a1abaefc3340daca4aaa2942df7813edfe4.png","3e6a8cc82d8f261a00064cc3de737ef(...TRUNCATED) | "<image>\nWe’re in the last day of meaningful Summer League games, at least however meaningful a S(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the second image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following ima(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.02359882005899705],"context_length":86428,"context_length_text":9628,"num_images"(...TRUNCATED) | 5 |
["c7e539ff3f5c782cc747b2152d5af243ae5b643fd7ff3edbf59f0837247a.png","ab7f03721733d5e684506c473aebb3c(...TRUNCATED) | "<image>\nThe port is located at the strait of Gibraltar. Due to economical development and the clos(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the third image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.05506883604505632],"context_length":106879,"context_length_text":11391,"num_image(...TRUNCATED) | 6 |
["c760fe684dbe74719ad33703460e1d517c10de42fd26c25955299abcd8c6.png","4c60425a8be9d9409033038f97fda78(...TRUNCATED) | "Congress passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964. I was born the following year. In the early days of m(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the third image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.1037037037037037],"context_length":105705,"context_length_text":14569,"num_images(...TRUNCATED) | 7 |
["b3b7512b80f91a1b114995f793439b53eff98351662fe80d4a9813ad8ef3.png","4eb6e2934300393a3c254e8531f8651(...TRUNCATED) | "Gretchen Mangahas\n<image>\nChange Management, Training and Communication Lead\nToronto Catholic Di(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the fifth image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following imag(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.13266583229036297],"context_length":64702,"context_length_text":10942,"num_images(...TRUNCATED) | 8 |
["864bb8ec316348bbdd4e313a4cb0bf34150eea723327b46645f266486dfd.png","05ead14ca82cfe367a2702fc8bcd684(...TRUNCATED) | "Saudi Arabia Refutes Allegations of Funding Extremism in Pakistan\n<image>\nThe Saudi embassy has i(...TRUNCATED) | "Given the twelfth image with the lower right corner missing, can you tell which of the following im(...TRUNCATED) | 0 | {"placed_depth":[0.18896164639850327],"context_length":117448,"context_length_text":8904,"num_images(...TRUNCATED) | 9 |
End of preview.
V2PE-Data
[📂 GitHub] [🆕 Blog] [📜 Paper] [🤗 HF Models]
Summary
We introduce two augmented long-context multimodal datasets: Long Visual Question Answering and Long multimodal Retrieval. These datasets aim to enhance VLMs' long-context training and establish a systematic evaluation framework, thereby addressing the challenges associated with long-context understanding that extend beyond the scope of existing training data.
- Long Visual Question Answering (Long-VQA): The Long-VQA dataset aims to evaluate the capabilities of VLMs in understanding and reasoning over long multimodal sequences within general visual question-answering tasks. We extended 17 widely adopted datasets (e.g., DocVQA, GQA, SQA), expanding their content from short sequences to those containing up to 32K tokens. The tasks involve answering questions that require commonsense reasoning, factual knowledge, and interpretation of visual information from charts, documents, and real-world texts. Long-VQA contains 533K samples: 392K for training (up to 32K tokens) and 141K for validation (up to 64K tokens) to evaluate the generalization to longer contexts.
- Long Multimodal Retrieval (Long-MR): we developed Long-MR by inserting a target image or textual segment into sequences of interleaved images and texts. Long-MR evaluates VLMs' ability to retrieve specific targets from ultra-long multimodal sequences, requiring models to locate the inserted "needle" and answer associated questions. We generated two subsets of Long-MR: Long-MR-32K (488K samples, sequences up to 32K tokens) and Long-MR-256K (50K samples, sequences up to 256K tokens), following the data construction process of MM-NIAH. To assess the limits of VLMs' long-context capabilities, we further extend the official MM-NIAH evaluation benchmark by generating testing samples with sequence lengths ranging from 64K to 1M tokens, resulting in the MM-NIAH-1M benchmark. This extension pushes the testing capacity beyond the original MM-NIAH, which was limited to sequences of up to 64K tokens.
Please refer to our paper for more details.
Evaluation Results of Released Model
General MLLM Benchmarks
| Model | #Param | ChartQA | DocVQA | AI2D | InfoVQA | SQA | POPE | MMMUval | MMBenchEN | SEEDI | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InternVL2-2B | 2.0B | 71.7 | 86.9 | 74.1 | 58.9 | 94.1 | 85.2 | 36.3 | 73.4 | 70.9 | 72.4 |
| DeepSeek-VL-1.3B | 2.0B | 47.4 | - | 51.5 | - | 68.4 | 85.9 | 33.8 | 66.4 | 66.0 | - |
| Qwen2-VL-2B | 2.0B | 73.5 | 90.1 | 74.7 | 65.5 | - | - | 41.1 | 74.9 | - | - |
| Aquila-VL-2B | 2.2B | 32.0 | 85.0 | 75.1 | 58.3 | 95.1 | 83.1 | 46.9 | 79.0 | 73.9 | 69.8 |
| MiniCPM-V-2 | 2.8B | 55.6 | 71.9 | 62.9 | - | 80.7 | 86.3 | 38.2 | 64.1 | 67.1 | - |
| Vintern-3B-beta | 3.7B | 68.3 | - | 69.1 | - | 75.0 | 87.4 | 46.7 | 70.6 | 70.0 | - |
| Llama 3.2 11B | 11B | 83.4 | 88.4 | 91.1 | - | - | - | 50.7 | 68.0 | - | - |
| Qwen2-VL-72B | 73B | 88.3 | 96.5 | 88.1 | 84.5 | 91.2 | 87.2 | 64.5 | 86.9 | 77.9 | 85.0 |
| GPT-4o | - | 85.7 | 92.8 | 84.7 | - | 90.1 | 97.2 | 69.1 | 82.1 | 76.7 | - |
| InternVL2-V2PE-32K | 2.0B | 76.4 | 83.9 | 73.2 | 55.9 | 94.9 | 88.8 | 36.6 | 73.5 | 71.2 | 72.5 |
Long-Context MLLM Benchmarks
| Model | #Param | MM-NIAH/Image | MM-NIAH/Text | MM-NIAH/Avg | Milebench/T | Milebench/S | Milebench/NI | Milebench/Avg | VideoMME | MVBench |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InternVL2-2B | 2.0B | 23.0 | 18.9 | 21.0 | 58.2 | 54.5 | 37.0 | 49.9 | - | - |
| Phi-3-Vision | 2.7B | - | - | - | 46.9 | 50.0 | - | - | - | - |
| OmChat | 3.9B | - | - | - | 51.4 | 52.0 | - | - | 45.9 | 50.2 |
| LongLLaVA | 9B | - | - | - | 47.3 | 46.8 | - | - | 43.7 | 49.1 |
| LongLLaVA | 13B | - | - | - | 52.7 | 52.1 | - | - | 51.6 | 54.6 |
| VILA | 13B | 14.5 | 40.5 | 27.5 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gemini-1.5 | - | 28.5 | 82.1 | 55.2 | 50.2 | 58.3 | 97.9 | 68.8 | 69.6 | - |
| GPT-4V | - | - | 84.1 | - | 45.6 | 58.9 | 99.4 | 68.0 | 59.9 | 43.5 |
| GPT-4o | - | - | - | - | 56.2 | 63.5 | - | - | 64.7 | - |
| Claude3-Opus | - | - | - | - | 37.4 | 48.1 | 85.3 | 56.9 | 59.7 | - |
| InternVL2-V2PE-32K | 2.0B | 78.1 | 85.7 | 81.8 | 65.5 | 56.4 | 97.2 | 72.5 | 50.7 | 65.6 |
Usage
Please refer to our GitHub Repo.
Citation
If you find this work helpful in your research, please consider citing:
@misc{ge2024v2peimprovingmultimodallongcontext,
title={V2PE: Improving Multimodal Long-Context Capability of Vision-Language Models with Variable Visual Position Encoding},
author={Junqi Ge and Ziyi Chen and Jintao Lin and Jinguo Zhu and Xihui Liu and Jifeng Dai and Xizhou Zhu},
year={2024},
eprint={2412.09616},
archivePrefix={arXiv},
primaryClass={cs.CV},
url={https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.09616},
}
``
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