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Luke Perry’s Had a Pretty Big Influence on Gay Men for Almost 30 Years

I almost screamed after news broke about Luke Perry’s passing. He was only 52.

When word first got out about him having a stroke, I didn’t think much of it. I figured he was going to survive and thrive and eventually talk about it in the press and to his fans when he was feeling better. I had no idea the person who helped shape my sexuality (and many others) was going to die.

3rd annual Reed Rondel stunt Enduro 1993 #riplukeperry

A post shared by Ian Ziering (@ianziering) on

I’m an early millennial, so the Beverly Hills, 90210 days weren’t something that I initially watched when it premiered in 1990. To be honest, I really had no idea who Luke was until I saw my all-time favorite movie Clueless five years later. The iconic scene where Dionne (Stacey Dash) told Tai (Brittany Murphy) that Cher (Alicia Silverstone) was saving her virginity for Luke made me want to do some investigating as to who this guy was.

I’ll never forget finding a photo of him in People or one of those magazines shortly after and sort of being dumbfounded by just how handsome he really was. He had a face that rang similar to several heartthrobs from years before him like Paul Newman and James Dean… only in 90’s form. It was from there on that I started to binge-watch 90210 as my quest to finding out what my true sexuality was in full throttle mode at this time in my life.

It was around then that I finally admitted to myself that I was gay, even though I didn’t really know what being this way was all about. All I knew was that the math kept adding up for me in terms of being attracted to guys like Luke on television and other factors that led to this understanding.

It’s interesting to think of how many people in entertainment shape our sexuality, from music to movies to television and more. The equation for me in this case centered on Luke plus tons of other hot guys I saw on television and movies and my love for divas like Madonna and Taylor Dayne. Yup, I was and am gay.

Rest in Love bro.

A post shared by KJ Apa (@kjapa) on

In the days since his passing I’ve seen several social media updates from friends who have echoed similar sentiments compared to mine. I’m not sure if Luke was ever aware of his influence in the gay world, but I would like to think that he was flattered by it given that his status of being an unbelievably good-looking guy has been cemented in our minds long before his passing.

Rest in peace, Luke.

This is the opinion of one contributing writer and not that of Instinct Magazine or other Contributing Writers.

What do you think?


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The making of the Institute

The Institute was created in 2009 in Picardie, northern France, a region rich with history and the location of many of the First World War battlegrounds. The Institute is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those suffering from a head and neck pathology, through Research, Training and Information.

Since its creation, the Institute has been developing its programs under the leadership of professors Bernard Devauchelle and Sylvie Testelin, and in partnership with numerous research teams from Amiens University Hospital, Jules Verne University, Compiegne Technology University, Louvain Catholic University and also the European Association of Maxillo-facial surgeons and many other partners throughout the world.

In 2021, a new building dedicated to the mission of the Institute will open its doors nearby Amiens University Hospital. Find out more about it here.

2009- Creation of Institut Faire Faces association, entitled to receiving public donations

2010- a 10.5 million euros grant from the National Research Agency, to acquire innovative technological equipment (EQUIPEX grant) as part of the Investing in Future Program.

2015 – Creation of a   FHU, a Hospital and University federation bringing together head and neck surgeons as well as researchers specialized in imaging technologies, bio engineering and cognitive sciences from the French cities of Amiens, Caen and Rouen, with the goal of establishing the conditions to be met to perform functional and esthaetical reconstructive surgeries in the case of major disfigurments.

2017 – Organizer of ADT conference (Advanced Digital Technology in Head and Neck reconstruction) in Amiens

2018 –  The French Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation and Research grants the CHIMERE team with the Research Laboratory Label (EA 7516). CHIMERE is the name of the Research Team, made up of 50 clinicians and researchers, that makes up the heart of the Institute’s Research programs.

The Association was created in 2009 by the professors Devauchelle and Testelin, who performed the first face transplant in 2005.

Le Conseil d’Administration de l’association décide de la politique d’orientation et contrôle la gestion de l’Association. The Executive Board develops the Association’s strategy and monitors the management of the Association. It is made up of the following members:

Professor Bernard DEVAUCHELLE
Professor Sylvie TESTELIN
Professor Jean-Marc CONSTANS
Professor Jean-Pierre MAROLLEAU
Doctor Julien DAVROU

The Scientific Board is appointed by the Executive Board and meets at least once per year. The Scientific Board’s area of responsibilities are:

  • Provide input on the research programs planned and carried out by the Association
  • Participate in the development of the research program priorities
  • Share scientific results

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Sandra Schiemann

Sandra Julia Schiemann received her Master of Science in Psychology at the Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU) in Munich, writing her master thesis about "Shared Reality“ in cooperation with the University of Oxford. She is a certified Career Coach (University of Salzburg, CoBeCe), Trainer for Social Competences (LMU Munich) and Mentor (LMU Munich, Center of Leadership and People Management). After working in the field “Coaching & Training” at startup centers and a business consultancy, Sandra has started her Ph.D. at the University of Salzburg in 2016, focussing her research on coaching within the context of social interaction (empathy, perspective-taking, trust, needs, and motives). During her PhD, she received several research grants (research grant of the University of Salzburg, Research Scholarship of the University of Salzburg, karriere_links sponsorship for female researchers), held various presentations on coaching at congresses (e.g., EAWOP), and published her first papers on coaching (e.g., DOI: 10.24384/000543). As a practitioner, she coaches university clients and holds trainings on coaching-related topics (e.g., coaching training, personal development, leadership development, social interaction, communication, empiric seminars for Bachelor or Master students) at the University of Salzburg, University Schloss Seeburg, and for businesses.


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28 Feb 2020 09:25

EuroChem plans capex of $3.4 bln to 2024 without new projects

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - EuroChem, one of the world's biggest mineral fertilizer producers, plans to invest up to $2.6 billion in the development of its mining assets over five years and $0.8 billion in fertilizer production and logistics, the Russian company said in a prospectus for an upcoming Eurobond offering.

Most of the capital expenditures will continue to go into potash projects, including up to $1.1 billion for Volgakali in 2020-2024 and up to $0.9 billion for Usolsky GOK. EuroChem also plans to spend $0.6 billion on the Kovdorsky GOK phosphate project.

Capex for the fertilizer production division will break down as follows: $131 million for Nevinnomyssky Azot; $95 million for Novomoskovsky Azot; $111 million for EuroChem Antwerpen in Belgium; $71 million for Lifosa in Lithuania; $89 million for Phosphorit; $54 million for Belorechensk Mineral Fertilizers; and up to $55 million for the ammonia plant in Kingisepp that opened a year ago.

The company plans to invest about $170 million in its commercial division, including $140 million in logistics. In particular, EuroChem plans to finish building and in 2023 launch a terminal in Ust-Luga to handle potash from Usolsky GOK with capacity of 7 million tonnes per year.

In addition to its potash projects, EuroChem has one other major project. Last year it announced the construction of another plant to produce ammonia, urea and methanol in Kingisepp at a cost of about $2.5 billion. The company plans to build the nitrogen part of the project in 3-3.5 years, and launch the methanol part about a year later, EuroChem principal owner Andrei Melnichenko said last June.

EuroChem Group closed 2019 with EBITDA of $1.55 billion on revenue of $6.2 billion.


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14 Jan 2020 18:27

Ukraine International Airlines not planning to resume flights to Iran

KYIV. Jan 14 (Interfax) - Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) is not planning to resume flights to Iran, UIA president Yevhen Dykhne said in an interview with the internet portal LB.UA.

Resumption of flights to Tehran "is not even being considered" currently, Dykhne said. "Iran is closed for us at present," he said.

Additionally, the airline is planning to give up flights to Bangkok, because they are incurring losses due to the need to fly around the Persian Gulf. According to Dykhne, flights to Dubai are in doubt, as well. The UIA will be able to resume flights to Beijing only if it returns to its initial route, which does not envisage flying around immense territories.

A UIA Boeing 737-800 en route from Kyiv to Tehran crashed right after takeoff from the airport in Tehran on January 8. All 176 people on board were killed; among the victims were citizens of Iran, Ukraine, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Afghanistan.

In the early hours of January 11, Iranian media said that the plane had been shot down by the Iranian military by mistake. Later, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the aircraft was downed after an air defense operator confused it with a cruise missile and failed to contact his commanders, therefore making the incorrect decision to fire a missile at the plane.


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16 Oct 2019 12:59

Chukotka's gold, silver output falls 1.7% in 9M

ANADYR. Oct 16 (Interfax) - Russia's Chukotka Autonomous District reduced gold production 1.7% year-on-year in January-September 2019 to 18.74 tonnes, the press office of the region's governor and government said.

Silver production also fell 1.7%, to 85.15 tonnes.

The Kinross Gold group's Chukotka Mining and Geological Company produced 8.3 tonnes of gold and 72.3 tonnes of silver at the Kupol mine, respectively 13.7% more and 1.7% more than in 9M 2018.

Four other enterprises mined hardrock gold in Chukotka: Severnoye Zoloto, Rudnik Karalveem, Rudnik Valunisty and Mayskoye Gold Company.

Another 14 enterprises mined alluvial gold, production of which came to 2.2 tonnes in September.


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10 Nov 2010 14:09

Medvedev wants Moscow, Seoul to cooperate in modernizing economy

SEOUL. Nov 10 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said he thinks there is plenty Russia could learn from South Korea in innovations.

"All of the topics discussed at the first Russia-South Korea forum are absolutely relevant. And it is necessary to start to put them into practice as soon as possible," Medvedev said at a business forum in Seoul on Wednesday.

Russia and South Korea should promote both "energy cooperation and work together on modernization processes," the Russian president said.

South Korea "has an excellent record in commercializing scientific discoveries and achievements," Medvedev said.

During the forum, a proposal was made to hold regular meetings of the Russian and South Korean foreign and defense ministers and Seoul received a recommendation to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an observer and to make broader use of the Northern sea route.

The participants in the forum also said that visa rules between Russia and South Korea should be eased and subsequently canceled.

Russia and South Korea should recognize each other's higher education certificates, and Seoul should help implement the Skolkovo project in Russia, they said.

Exchanges between tourists and public delegations need to be expanded, they said.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, for his part, supported measures to promote people-to-people contacts to enable citizens of Russia and South Korea to get to know each other's life and culture better.

The South Korean leader said he and the Russian president see eye-to-eye on most issues.

Commenting on the upcoming G20 summit, the South Korean president said that "experts from all of the countries will have to work hard tonight to achieve positive results."


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30 Jul 2010 21:09

Russia asks Belarus, Kazakhstan to bar Moldovan, Georgian wine, mineral water from entering Russia

MOSCOW. July 30 (Interfax) - Russia has asked Belarus and Kazakhstan, as its partners within the Customs Union, to take measures to bar wine and mineral water from Moldova and Georgia from entering Russian territory.

"Taking into account the laws of the Russian-Kazakh-Belarusian Customs Union, we have informed our partners, in line with regulations that have been adopted, that the use of a number of products is restricted in our country. We asked them to take measures to bar Moldovan and Georgian wines and mineral waters from entering Russian territory," Gennady Onishchenko, the chief of the Russian consumer protection watchdog Rospotrebnadzor and chief public health official, told Interfax on Friday.

"This does not mean that we are imposing our will [on Belarus and Kazakhstan] and are restricting their rights to use these products, but we are entitled to demand that they take exhaustive measures so as not to allow these products to get into the Russian territory. We have exercised this right," Onishchenko said.


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7 Jun 2010 17:30

Gazprom to help build several hydropower plants in S. Ossetia

TSKHINVALI. June 7 (Interfax) - A network of hydropower plants is to be built in South Ossetia, South Ossetian Prime Minister Vadim Brovtsev said in Tskhinvali on Monday.

"The energy ministry has held talks, followed by the decision to build at least seven hydropower plants by the Gazprom (RTS:GAZP) - South Ossetia joint venture. A project to build a thermal power plant is being negotiated," he said.

The contract to set up the Gazprom-South Ossetia joint venture was signed on April 6 2010 by Brovtsev and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller. It envisions South Ossetia's gasification under an investment project, as well as the development and introduction of gas-saving know-how.

Also, information technologies will be developed in the gas-supply system, and environmental friendly and rational utilization of the natural environment will be guaranteed.


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20 Apr 2010 13:36

MOSCOW. April 20 (Interfax) - Brewing company SABMiller's beer sales in Russia dropped by 5% in natural terms for the 2009 financial year (April 2009 to March 2010), the company said in a statement.

The statement said that that company had been able to maintain its market share in Russia over the past financial year.

SABMiller's sales in Russia seriously suffered at the start of the year in light of the financial crisis. Sales in the first half of the 2009 financial year (April-September) dropped by 9% but increased organically in October-December since Russian distributors purchased beer reserves just prior to a threefold increase in the beverage's excise duty.

The State Duma approved a law in November 2009, which raised the excise duty on beer for 2010 from 3 rubles to 9 rubles per liter. For 2011 and 2012 the tax will increase to 10 rubles and 12 rubles per liter, respectively.

SABMiller entered the Russian market in 1998. It owns SAB Miller Rus LLC (formerly Kaluga Brewing Company) and Vladpivo LLC, the largest brewer in Russia's Far East.


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25 Feb 2010 18:45

Russia lifting ban on 7 German meat suppliers, ups no. of Italian milk suppliers

MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight Service (Rosselkhoznadzor) is lifting its ban on meat from seven German meat suppliers and expanded the list of allowed Italian dairy suppliers effective March 1.

The ban was imposed last December over failure to comply with Russian veterinary and sanitary requirements. Now allowed to ship to Russia from Germany will be the following companies: DE EZ 917 EG, DE-NW ES 202 EG, DE ES 148 EG, DE ES 161 EG, DE EZ 688 EG, DE NWES 691 EG, and DE NI-EUZ 518 EG.

The Italian dairy enterprise to be added to the list of permitted exporters will be N IT 08 785 CE Lactalis Parma S.P.A. Five Polish poultry outfits will be added to the list to export incubated eggs, and just-hatched chickens and turkeys.

Rosselkhoznadzor also announced that as of February 24, a new list of fifteen Belgian enterprises allowed to export milk and dairy products to Russia was in effect.


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29 Dec 2009 16:10

RUSAL had negative $144 mln EBITDA in H1

MOSCOW. Dec 29 (Interfax) - United Company RUSAL (UC RUSAL) had negative earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $144 million in the first half of 2009, one of the banks that is organizing the Russian aluminum giant's forthcoming IPO said in materials.

This is an audited figure. The unaudited figure was $160 million.

RUSAL itself is not commenting.

The bank did not give any other financial results for H1 2009. The company had sales revenue of $15.685 billion, EBITDA - $3.5 billion, EBITDA margin - 22.5% and net loss of $5.98 billion in 2008.

The bank's materials do disclose some details about the restructuring of RUSAL's debt to Mikhail Prokhorov's Onexim Group, which sold the aluminum company a blocking stake in MMC Norilsk Nickel in 2008. Reports say RUSAL has signed an agreement with Onexim to covert $1.82 billion of its $2.7 billion debt into a 6% shareholding in RUSAL. The remaining $880 million of debt will be restructured on the same terms as applicable to the international lenders, with the accumulated interest thereon to be paid in cash. The IPO bank said the sum of $275 million was at issue, and that RUSAL planned to cover $115 million of this with the IPO proceeds.

RUSAL intends to list 10% of its shares in Hong Kong and on the Euronext exchange in Paris. A road show is expected to start in January 12. Credit Suisse, BNP Paribas, Bank of America, Bank of China, Nomura, Renaissance Capital, Sberbank , VTB and Troika Dialog are the expected organizers of the IPO.

Russia's Vnesheconombank (VEB) plans to acquire up to 3% in RUSAL and could spend $600 million in the process. The state-owned VTB and Sberbank are also planning to buy smaller stakes.

Foreign investors thought to be planning to buy large stakes include a firm owned by Nathaniel Rothschild, a hedge fund controlled by U.S. billionaire John Paulson, and a firm controlled by Malaysian businessman Robert Kuok.

Oleg Deripaska owns about 57% of RUSAL shares via En+ Group. His stake will be diluted to 53.4% in a debt restructuring deal that will see the stake held by Mikhail Prokhorov's Onexim rise to about 19%. Other RUSAL shareholders include Sual Partners, led by Vekselberg and Swiss metals trader Glencore (9.7%).


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2 Nov 2009 13:59

Gazprom, CNPC begin commercial talks on price of Russian gas deliveries to China

MOSCOW. Nov 2 (Interfax) - A Gazprom delegation led by Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev held talks with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on Russian gas deliveries to China in Shanghai on Sunday and Monday.

The parties held detailed discussions on pricing, volumes, routes and the timeframe for the deliveries, Gazprom said in a press release.

Medvedev and CNPC Vice President Wang Dongjin agreed to set up an expert working group to discuss joint participation in projects to create gas chemical complexes in the Far East.

Negotiations on the key issues surrounding Russian gas deliveries to China and potential joint projects will resume at the end of 2009.

It was reported earlier that the framework agreement on Russian natural gas deliveries to China was signed in October. The document details the main provisions of the future contract. The deliveries will be made on two routes: up to 30 billion cubic meters on a western route and up to 38 bcm on an eastern route. The western route could be organized in the shortest possible time, since there are reserves of gas available, the infrastructure exists, and there is no need to create gas chemical and gas processing capacity. The document fixes the pricing to an oil basket index. One Russian official said the contract could be signed in June 2010 and actual deliveries could begin in 2014-2015.


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31 Mar 2020 11:58

Russian State Duma passes bill on fines of up to 1 mln rubles for legal entities, up to 300,000 rubles for people for quarantine breaches

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - The Russian State Duma adopted a bill tightening liability for violations of laws on the sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of the population in the third and final reading on Tuesday.

In particular, the bill introduces penalties for breaches of sanitary and epidemiological rules "during emergency situation regime or when there is the thread of the spread of a disease posing a danger to other people, as well as during restrictive measures (quarantine) in certain territories, or failure to timely fulfill a legitimate order (decree) or requirement regarding sanitary and anti-epidemic (preventive) measures issued by an agency (official) in charge of federal state sanitary and epidemiological oversight."

Such a violation will be punishable by an administrative fine of 15,000 rubles to 40,000 rubles for ordinary citizens, fines of 50,000 rubles to 150,000 rubles for officials, and fines of 200,000 rubles to 500,000 rubles for legal entities or an administrative suspension on their operation for up to 30 days.

If the abovementioned actions (lack of action) cause harm to people's health or lead to their death, but if they do not include a penal act, they will be punishable by fines of 150,000 rubles to 300,000 rubles for ordinary citizens and fines of 300,000 rubles to 500,000 rubles for officials, or their disqualification for one to three years.

Non-corporate businesses and legal entities will face fines from 500,000 rubles to one million rubles or an administrative suspension of their operation for up to 90 days.


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Young Canadian actor Kyle Meagher talks about his role in new film “The Big Crunch”

Actor Kyle Meagher

Many people spend their lives working in a job that brings them little happiness. It takes many years to figure out what they are meant to do. Those graduating high school face a decision as to how they want to spend their lives, and few that age can figure it out. This is where Kyle Meagher is the exception. While growing up in Ottawa, it was evident what he was meant to do, and he started doing at the age of ten. Now, four years later, Meagher stands among Canada’s best young actors.

Audiences have had the pleasure of watching Meagher in an assortment of national commercials, web campaigns, award-winning television programs, and feature films. And even with a successful career under his belt by his teens, he has no plans on slowing down. This past year, he was able to secure a role in the short film The Big Crunch, alongside Peter DuCunha (12 Monkeys), Jennifer Robertson (Schitt’s Creek), and Chris Gibbs (The BFG). He also got to work with his friend Sam Ashe Arnold (The Adventure Club).

“This was a cool short film to work on because they added a bunch of special effects and used a new, very expensive camera that helped make the special effects possible. I was really excited to see what it would turn out to look like,” said Meagher.

The Big Crunch, by Inflo Films, is produced by Harry Cherniak, and written and directed by Dusty Mancinelli. Meagher was excited to work alongside them, as he had heard of their great reputation of making award-winning films. It looks like The Big Crunch will follow the same trend, as it is already making its way to many film festivals.

“I love hearing about the festivals the film is going to and seeing the press about it. Harry and Dusty are great film makers and they deserve the recognition for the amazing work they do,” said Meagher.

The film follows 12-year-old August (DaCunha), who suffers an existential crisis about his place in the world after learning the universe will one day collapse in an epic Big Crunch. Nothing can shake August out of his depressive state, not even celebrating his birthday six months early. But when August is accidentally electrocuted after changing a light bulb, he has a magnificent cosmic experience. During an intense game of dodgeball at school, August suddenly unearths his own magical powers and goes on an extraordinary adventure of self-discovery. With his newfound understanding of the universe, August stands up to his bully and goes after the girl of his dreams.

“In this film, it was a great build up to a climax where August kisses the girl he has been admiring. It’s amazing to watch the character go from a very forlorn and sad child to one that sees the world in a completely new way. The scenes were fun to shoot, we spent some time outdoors and running around a school,” said Meagher.

The film made its world debut at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax in September, and quickly headed to the Edmonton International Film Festival right afterwards. Audiences get to see Meagher play a role completely unlike himself: a bully. He and his friends are known as the “Goons” and bully August throughout the film.

“I am totally opposite to the bully, but I can relate to the role because I have been bullied before myself, and I simply channel what I’ve seen into a character,” said Meagher.

Throughout his career, Meagher has played the character of a bully many times. His experience makes his performance not only believable, but outstanding. However, those he works with find it interesting to watch him take on roles that are so different to his real-life personality.

“Kyle’s a really great guy, so it’s fun to see him play such a jerk,” said Sam Ashe Arnold, who played Elvis, August’s archenemy in the film. “Kyle is funny and nice to everyone, and he’s always professional and well prepared. That’s pretty much exactly the kind of person you hope to get cast with. He’s a great actor partly because he has such an expressive face, with big eyes and a big smile, but it’s mostly because he’s smart and he really listens and takes direction,” said Sam Ashe Arnold.

Arnold played the main bully in the film, and had worked with Meagher previously, but it was on this production that they truly became friends. They are both from Ottawa, so they attend auditions together, and hope to work together again soon.

“Sam and I are with the same talent agency and we spend time together so it was neat to actually get to work with him on set,” said Meagher. “I also met Peter DuCuhna for the first time who is a great actor that has a lot of experience.”

Despite having a lot of experience himself, the role also provided a unique learning experience for Meagher.

“There was a stuntman who taught Peter how to jump out the window for a scene – and it was the first time I had been with a stuntman on set,” he concluded. “It opened my eyes a bit more about safety and was interesting to see what they teach!”

Audiences will have the opportunity to see The Big Crunch later this year. Bell Media will be putting it on the BravoFact website.

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Anyone who has been in a long distance relationship will relate to the film “Distance.” Whether it’s romantic or platonic, being separated from those you love is difficult, particularly when you are on opposite sides of the planet. To communicate the feeling in images, director Haixiao Lu enlisted Ruixi Gao to take the helm as cinematographer. Based on her previous work in productions like Last Call, Locked, Under the Pieces, and others, Lu was confident that Ruixi could deliver the sentiment and creativity he was looking for; a notion that was proven correct when “Distance” earned wins at the 2017 Hollywood Film Competition, the LA Shorts Awards, and the NYC Indie Film Awards (earning the Best Short Film). Gao is justifiably proud of the look of the film. What it lacked in big budget financing, Ruixi made up for in creativity, tenacity, and good old fashioned hard work; it’s a situation she often prefers as it requires her to prove her ability to deliver an exemplary product regardless of the monetary factor. The slick look and beautiful vibe of the film belie any struggle to make it. While the storyline of “Distance” may be painful and the process of making it hard fought, watching the film is completely effortless and enjoyable.

The perennial theme of the movie is love, in particular a long distance relationship between young lovers. While in China, a young Korean girl meets a boy and the fall in love. When her love goes to study in LA she is understandably heartbroken. They go about living separate lives while still in the relationship. While it is difficult, they FaceTime every day. Inevitably the spacial distance and their busy lives take a toll, creating an emotional space between them. With a grand romantic gesture to surprise him, the girl flies to LA but finds him in the embrace of another woman. In a letter, she tells the boy that the memory of their love will endure but the relationship cannot, at least it cannot for her. In the final frames we see the two former lovers returning to the places they were in the beginning of the film but appearing changed. While this story is not new, the way it is communicated is done with such grace and beauty that it elicits a transcendent beauty and pain which cause it to be markedly different than similar films that preceded it.

While many filmmakers romanticize over the days of actual film, Gao feels that the digital age has empowered many cinematographers to create a higher quality of imagery in films within greater time and budget constraints. Even more, the transition from film to digital has allowed DPs to create looks previously impossible. The result is the transition to a new age of a more realistic sensory experience, a richer color screen, and new innovation opportunities. Rather than a detriment, Ruixi considers the advantages of digital to be a powerful tool to be used in the appropriate manner. That said, she is fond of using an analog methodology when it is called for…as she did with an important aspect of “Distance.” When the director (Haixiao) told Gao he wanted to have a split screen simultaneously showing the male character in LA and the Female in Korea, Ruixi experimented with different ways of achieving this for the film. She reveals, “It’s always a challenge when you want to achieve the look of a big budget film on a smaller budget but I honestly feel that there is no substitute for being creative. I studied and researched a lot of different methods for doing a split screen. I did camera test before the shooting and then showed the director my experimental video. I simply covered up half camera’s screen(monitor) and then combined the two in post-production, placing one on the bottom. Together they made a perfect complete picture. There are many ways to shoot. Working with the editor gives a variety of means to achieve the effects needed for this.”

distance 01

While the filming was done in one city, it was Ruixi’s job to make sure that the main characters appeared to be in locations on opposite sides of the planet. The moods of the boy and the girl would also need to be passively communicated to relate the emotional mood of the characters. Gao used a simple lighting design for the film with low key lighting and a soft filter for the Korean girl and a somewhat more revealing and higher key lighting for the boy in Los Angeles. Gao professes that a simple design is typically the stronger one in her estimation, which director Haixiao Lu agrees with. He notes, “Anyone who has seen Ruixi’s reel will attest to how attractive it is. She has this innate ability to find the natural beauty in all things, which is always the most honest and powerful when it comes to visual imagery. I did not hesitate to seek her out to be the DP on this film once I saw the reel. She really knows how to work with a director. She is a passionate artist and working with her is exciting because of this. Talent such as hers is rare.”

Ruixi Gao is a reminder to all in the film community that embracing a “hands on” approach to innovation can mean using traditional tools or the most advanced ones available. The only rule that is important in art is the constant pursuit of it. The form is elevated by those who take risks and follow their own muse. While Gao may have learned from others, she forges ahead with an open mindedness that serves her and those she works alongside well. The pain that one feels when watching “Distance” would not be as intense and ironically enjoyable without the look this cinematographer has created for us.

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View student Singles in Blue Island

Student Dating in Blue Island, IL

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July 18 – The Grateful Dead’s Cosmic Anthem at 50, Pt. 2

Pt. 2:  The Grateful Dead – Anthem of the Sun

Here we go with a prime example of how this little hobby of mine has opened my eyes and ears, not just to music I’ve never heard before, but to music I’m familiar with but have given short shrift to.  In this case, pre-American Beauty Grateful Dead.  I had no idea of the experimental degree of this, the band’s second album and first to include second drummer Mickey Hart, released on this date 50 years ago.  It is comprised of multiple studio and live tracks spliced together.  It is neither a live album nor a studio album per se, but not in the same vein as so many well-known live albums from the 70’s and 80’s that had their imperfections edited out in the studio, a.k.a. “Frankensteined.”  This was planned madness.

I’m going to stop right here with my personal thoughts on the Dead and Anthem and turn it over to my friend Mitch, whose influence on my musical tastes I shared in Pt. 1:

I have some strong feelings about ‘Anthem.’  It was one of those rare albums of the Sixties mixed entirely to enhance hallucinations and confuse one’s senses of time, place, and space.  The entire bouncing back and forth from free wheelin’ live recordings to tight studio freak sounds like the kazoos at the beginning of ‘Alligator’ leave you hungry for synesthesia.  There is a sensation of being both wrapped in a comfortable LSD quilt and then being tossed airborne for your first solo mission.  ‘Anthem’ crawls under your skin, finds your nerve endings and politely tugs and twitches to the Lesh powered thunder, Gracia driven lightning, Pig pulled vocals, and beatings issued from the dueling drummers Bill and Mickey, all synchronized in controlled chaos.

All in all, some say ‘Pet Sounds’ is the American ‘Sgt. Pepper.’  I disagree.  The Dead nailed the Wild West insanity of the Bay without the pop perfection of ‘God Only Knows.’  This album was the beginning of weirdness for hire, inner exploration, and outer expression.

Not in a million years could I have described it better than that.

Side One:

  1. That’s It for the Other One
  2. New Potato Caboose
  3. Born Cross-Eyed

Side Two:

  1. Alligator
  2. Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)

13 thoughts on “July 18 – The Grateful Dead’s Cosmic Anthem at 50, Pt. 2”

  1. I know you may be in disbelief when I tell you that the Grateful Dead (one of the best band names ever, in my opinion!) for some reason are among the bands I haven’t explored. It’s similar to Frank Zappa, though at least I can say I listened to some his music – admittedly, it didn’t grab me, as brilliant as he may have been.

    Which Dead album would you recommend to somebody like me, who basically doesn’t doesn’t know anything about them other than their name?

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Sound like it’s going to take quite some time to tackle. One has to start somewhere, so thanks again for the tips!

        Did you like the Dead from the get-go, or was it more of an acquired taste? For some reason, I anticipate this is what I may find during my exploration…

      2. Cool, currently listening to “American Beauty” and finding it surprisingly “mainstream!” And I don’t mean this in a negative way. Unlike today, mainstream in the early ‘70s had great stuff.

        This particular album reminds me a bit of CSNY, America and The Band – all artists I like.

        Of course, based on your posts and what I previously read elsewhere, the Dead’s live performances with endless instrumentals are quite a different experience.

        But at least I’m happy to report that this album encourages me to further explore them!😀

        Liked by 1 person

      3. More great music on “In The Dark” – also happy to report that even I had heard the opener before!😀 The time I really dig, however, is “Black Muddy River.” I knew the version by Gregg Allman who covered this tune on his final solo album.

        I guess once I start listening to Dead’s live albums, the revelation that at least some of their music is an acquired taste is still going to come!😀

        Liked by 1 person

  2. In the meantime, I also listened to the Cornell 5/8/77 live album, and I’m still not discouraged – in fact, I love that album! Next thing you know I’ll turn into a Deadhead – perhaps a little late but, hey, better late than never! 🙂

    Thanks again for the inspiration!

    Liked by 1 person

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Pipeline Report – Why is real estate important?

Disclaimer: Investor Network by JD is a  “raw” blog with no time to cross Ts!  We provide ideas and data to provoke action or conversation.  This is not a polished blog posting, but posting to start conversation! Information is from the Associated Press, Bloomberg, CB Insights, Forbes, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, or other 3rd party sources.  Always double check facts from the source and not a 3rd party sources such as our blog or even AP.

Business owners must understand the value of real estate.  You never know when your home, your vacation home, or you office building will be key in developing your business (or saving it).  You must also understand how to structure these assets.  Growth capital can be key.  However, when you need money, real estate is the best resource to save the day.

Check out our resources at Investor Network such as an Webinar or Video!

Even a billion dollar public companies have seen amazing things happen because of the real estate they own!

Why do so many family office invest in real estate and the average consumer does not!  Why did someone borrow from his broker over a million dollars at 3% to invest in a real estate fund?  Why is real estate so cool?

Our panel of experts will address this issue on our next Webinar October 11th!

No pipeline today, but cool graph showing the landscape of real estate technology investing!

We have builder closeouts, new development deals, vacation homes, and other interesting strategies for real estate.  You are can signup for one of our Webinars, but Skype or Join.me strategy session will provide you amazing results.  Text JD Morris at +1 858-869-9483 anytime.

Happy Networking and Investing,

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Investor Network by JD

Author: JDM

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IoT Spending continued to Rise in 2020 Despite the Pandemic — or, Perhaps, Because of It

Business spending on the internet of things (IoT) has been robust over the past few years and 2020 was no exception. The trend continues upward.

Despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, executives, remain positive about the outlook for investment in IoT, reports Raconteur, a data-focused supplement to Times of London.

Investment Plans

Among the most active areas for IoT –  Automobile, Healthcare and Agriculture – only the Automobiles industry has more applications filed than have already been granted (see infographic above).

The infographic below explores past investment, future plans and how different industries are implementing IoT across their organisations.

  • 82% of business executives surveyed say their IoT investment has grown over the past three years.
  • 47% plan to increase investments in IoT despite the impact of COVID-19.

A WIPO report, ‘Internet of Things: Patent Landscape Analysis,’ cites a McKinsey study that estimates the potential economic impact of Internet of Things to be $2.7 trillion to $6.2 trillion per year by 2025 with applications in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Power, Urban Infra-Structure, Security, Vehicles and Agriculture.

Top ten IoT technologies by number of patents filed.

The impact in Healthcare is expected to be between $1.1 trillion to $2.5 trillion per year by 2025 and the greatest benefit could come from improved efficiency in treating patients with chronic conditions through efficient use of sensors, like glucose sensors, for remote monitoring.

Top Reasons

The top three reasons for companies investing in IoT are Operations Optimization (56%), Employee Productivity (47%) and Safety and Security (44%).

Of the five industries surveyed – Manufacturing, Retail/wholesale. Transportation, Government and Healthcare – 64% of Retail/wholesale decision makers cited Supply Chain Optimization as the top use-case and 66% of Healthcare executives indicated Tracking Patient, Staff and Inventory.

To download the ‘Invest and Implement’ infographic, go here.

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Press Releases

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Jan 7, 2021

Herbalife Nutrition Enters Baked Goods Category and Introduces Protein Baked Goods Mix Allowing Consumers a New Way To Make High-Protein Goods

New Protein Baked Goods Mix Offers Healthy Options for Snacking and Breakfast, Across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2021-- Herbalife Nutrition (NYSE: HLF), a premier global nutrition company, today launched Protein Baked Goods Mix, officially entering the baked goods category. Specially formulated to be combined with Formula 1 Healthy Meal Nutritional Shake Mix, consumers can now make high-protein and nutritious muffins, waffles, donuts and pancakes offering a new way to consume protein throughout the day to help satisfy hunger and keep weight-management goals on track.

“Daypart offerings have been increasingly growing, and we are excited to enter this space with the introduction of the Protein Baked Goods Mix, a nutritious and convenient way to increase consumers’ protein intake at any time of the day,” said Ibi Montesino, senior vice president, managing director, North America.

Breakfast, once considered the most important meal of the day, is no longer the case, as consumers' consumption habits have shifted in recent years. According to research, half (46%) of consumers enjoy eating breakfast foods at non-traditional times, especially at dinner (56%). The popularity of breakfast foods may be tied to increasing protein-rich options and snacking occasions among millennial consumers.

“We are committed to developing products to help consumers stay on track with their healthy lifestyle goals while offering healthy options like our Protein Baked Goods Mix, packed with protein and key nutrients to help satisfy people’s tastes while adding variety to their meals,” said Dr. Kent Bradley, Chief Health and Nutrition Officer, Herbalife Nutrition.

When combined with any flavor of Formula 1, Protein Baked Goods Mix makes a nutrient-dense muffin that is gluten-free, low glycemici, suitable for vegetariansii and people with diabetes,iii and contains:

  • 24 grams of high-quality protein
  • 21 vitamins and minerals
  • 190 calories
  • 5 grams of fiber
  • No artificial sweeteners*i

To make a protein muffin, combine Protein Baked Goods Mix with any Formula 1 Meal Replacement shake flavor in a mug, add water and microwave for 3 minutes. No eggs, no milk needed.

For more baked goods recipes using Protein Baked Goods Mix, including pancakes and waffles, visit Herbalife.com/recipes.

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company's global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities worldwide.

For more information on nutrition, visit Herbalife.com

i When combined with Formula 1 that is made with no artificial sweeteners, is Gluten-Free and Low GI.
ii Products do not contain any meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or insects.
iii Herbalife products do not treat diabetes, but diabetics can use them. When prepared with Formula 1.

Anna Garcia

Source: Herbalife Nutrition


text:
Vintage 1880 Belfast High Street Scene

45cm x 55cm  Belfast

The history of Belfast as a settlement goes back to the Iron Age, but its status as a major urban centre dates to the 18th century. Belfast today is the capital of Northern Ireland. Belfast was throughout its modern history a major commercial and industrial centre, but the late 20th century saw a decline in its traditional industries, particularly shipbuilding. The city’s history has been marked by violent conflict between Catholics and Protestants which has caused many working class areas of the city to be split into Catholic and Protestant areas. In recent years the city has been relatively peaceful and major redevelopment has occurred, especially in the inner city and dock areas.

During the Great Famine, a potato blight that originated in America spread to Europe decimated crops in Ireland. A Belfast newspaper predicted the devastating effect the blight would have on the common people of Ireland, particularly in rural areas. The potato crop in 1845 largely failed all-over Ireland with the exception of the west coast and parts of Ulster. One-third of the crop was inedible and fears that those spuds in storage were contaminated were soon realized. In October 1846, a Belfast journal The Vindicator made an appeal on behalf of the starving, writing that their universal cry was “give us food or we perish”. The publication went on to scold the United Kingdom for not meeting the basic needs of its people. By 1847, the British government were feeding 3 million famine victims a day, though many were still succumbing to disease brought on by starvation. Many of the poor moved eastward from rural areas into Belfast and Dublin, bringing with them famine-related diseases. Dr. Andrew Malcolm, who was working in Belfast at the time, wrote of the influx of the starving into the town, their horrific appearance and the “plague breath” they carried with them. The Belfast Newsletter reported in July 1847 that the town’s hospitals were overflowing and that some of the emaciated were stretched out on the streets, dead or dying.

Belfast viewed from the hills in 1852. The new Queen’s Bridge across the Lagan can be seen to the right.

On 10 July 1849, the Belfast Harbour commissioners, members of the council, gentry, merchants and the 13th Regiment officially opened the Victoria Channel aboard the royal steamer Prince of Wales. This new waterway allowed for large vessels to come up the River Lagan regardless of tide level. After a signal was given, a flotilla of sea craft moved up the channel to the adulation of the large crowds that had gathered to watch the event. The spectacle was concluded by a cannon salute and a resounding chorus of “Rule Britannia” by all those present.This new channel fed the growth of Belfast industry enabling new development, despite being completed during the last years of the Great Famine. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert along with the Prince of Wales visited Belfast in August 1849, sailing up Victoria Channel and venturing into the town. They were received jubilantly by the people of Belfast with fanfare and decorations adorning the streets. The Royal Family moved up High Street amidst rapturous cheers and well-wishing. On the same street, a 32-foot high arch had been built with a misspelled rendering of Irish Gaelic greeting “Céad Míle Fáilte” (a thousand welcomes) written on it. In the White Linen Hall, the Queen viewed an exhibition of Belfast’s industrial goods. The Royals would make their way to the Lisburn Road and the Malone Turnpike where Victoria inspected the new Queen’s College (later, University). After touring Mulholland’s Mill, Victoria and her entourage returned to their vessel.

Belfast was recovering from a cholera epidemic at the time of the Royal visit and many credited Victoria and Albert with lifting the spirits of the town during a difficult period.Conditions for the new working class were often squalid, with much of the population packed into overcrowded and unsanitary tenements. The city suffered from repeated cholera outbreaks in the mid-19th century. Though both Catholics and Protestants were often employed, Protestants would experience preferment over their Catholic counterparts. Hardly any of those in management were Catholic and Protestants would often receive promotion and desirable positions. Working class Catholics were the only group on the whole to experience adverse poverty during this period. Though there were Catholics and Protestants at all levels of society, it was often said “there are no Protestants in the slums”. Conditions improved somewhat after a wholesale slum clearance programme in the 1900s.

Belfast was becoming one of the greatest places for trade in the western world. In 1852, Belfast was the first port of Ireland, out pacing Dublin in both size, value and tonnage.[39] However, old sectarian tensions would soon come to the fore resulting in an almost annual cycle of summer rioting between Catholics and Protestants. On 12 July 1857, confrontations between crowds of Catholics and Protestants degraded into throwing stones on Albert Street with Catholics beating two Methodist ministers in the Millfield area with sticks. The next night, Protestants from Sandy Rowwent into Catholic areas, smashed windows and set houses on fire. The unrest turned into ten days of rioting, with many of the police force joining the Protestant side. There were also riots in Derry, Portadown and Lurgan. Firearms were produced with sporadic gunfire happening all over Belfast, the police could do little to mitigate the turmoil. The Riots of 1864 were so intense that reinforcements and two field guns were dispatched from Dublin Castle. A funeral for a victim of police gunfire was turned into a loyalist parade that unexpectedly went up through Donegall Place in the heart of Belfast. Police barely held as a barrier between the Protestants marching through Belfast’s main streets and the irate Catholics who were massing at Castle Place. Continuous gunfire resounded throughout the city until a deluge of summer rain dispersed most of the crowd.

RMS Titanic being prepared for launch from dry-dock at Harland & Wolff in 1911.

The mud that was dredged up to dig the Victoria Channel was made into an artificial island, called Queen’s Island, near east Belfast. Robert Hixon, an engineer from Liverpool who managed the arms work on Cromac Street, decided to use his surplus of iron ore to make ships. Hixon hired Edward Harlandfrom Newcastle-on-Tyne to assist in the endeavour. Harland launched his first ship in October 1855, his cutting-edge designs would go on to revolutionize the ship building world. In 1858, Harland would buy-out Hixon with the backing of Gustav Schwab. Schwab’s nephew, Gustav Wolff had been working as an assistant to Harland. They formed the partnership of Harland & Wolff in 1861. Business was booming with the advent of American Civil War and the Confederacy purchasing steamers from Harland & Wolff. Gustav Schwab would go on to create the White Star Line in 1869, he ordered all of his ocean vessels from Harland & Wolff, setting the firm on the path to becoming the biggest ship building company in the world. Harland & Wolff would go on to build some of the world’s most famous (and infamous) ships including HMHS Britannic, RMS Oceanic, RMS Olympic and, best known of all, the RMS Titanic.

Home Rule and the City Charter

Belfast City Hall during construction

In 1862 George Hamilton Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall (a descendant of the Chichester family) built a new mansion on the slopes of Cavehill above the town. The named as the new Belfast Castle, it was designed by Charles Lanyon and construction was completed in 1870. By 1901, Belfast was the largest city in Ireland. The city’s importance was evidenced by the construction of the lavish City Hall, completed in 1906. As noted, around 1840 its population included many Catholics, who originally settled in the west of city, around the area of today’s Barrack Street which was known as the “Pound Loney”. West Belfast remains the centre of the city’s Catholic population (in contrast with the east of the city which remains predominantly Protestant). Other areas of Catholic settlement have included parts of the north of the city, especially Ardoyne and the Antrim Road, the Markets area immediately to the south of the city centre, and the Short Strand (a Catholic enclave in east Belfast). During the summer of 1872, about 30,000 Nationalists held a demonstration at Hannahstown in Belfast, campaigning for the release of Fenian prisoners, which lead to another series of riots between Catholics and Protestants. In 1874, the issue of Home Rule became mainstream in Irish politics, A conglomeration of MP’s were denounced by the Belfast Newsletter on the eve of election, writing that “Home Rule was simply ‘Rome Rule'” and that Protestants would not support a new Dublin parliament. In June 1886, Protestants celebrated the defeat of the First Home Rule Bill in the House of Commons, leading to rioting on the streets of Belfast and the deaths of seven people, with many more injured. In the same year, following The Twelfth Orange Institution parades, clashes took place between Catholics and Protestants, and also between Loyalists and police. Thirteen people were killed in a weekend of serious rioting which continued sporadically until mid-September with an official death toll of 31 people.

A 1907 stereoscope postcard depicting the construction of an ocean liner at the Harland and Wolff shipyard

Although the county borough of Belfast was created when it was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1888,[42] the city continues to be viewed as straddling County Antrim and County Down with the River Lagan generally being seen as the line of demarcation.Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart made a grand visit to Belfast on behalf of the Queen to give it official recognition as a city. Belfast at this time was Ireland’s largest city and the third most important port (behind London and Liverpool) in the United Kingdom; the leader in world trade at the time.Belfast had become a world class industrial city and the center of linen production for the whole planet. In 1896, a Second Home Rule Bill passed through the House of Commons but was struck down in the House of Lords. Wary Protestants celebrated and, as had happened 7 years earlier, Catholics took exception to Protestant triumphalism and rioted.

On 14 January 1899, large crowds gathered to watch the launch of the RMS Oceanic which had been ordered by the White Star Line for the trans-Atlantic passenger travel. The Oceanic was the largest man-made moving object that had ever been built up to that time. By the year 1900, Belfast had the world’s largest tobacco factory, tea machinery and fan-making works, handkerchief factory, dry dock and color Christmascard printers. Belfast was also the world’s leading manufacturer of “fizzy drinks” (soft drinks). Belfast was by far the greatest economic beneficiary in Ireland of the Act of Union and Industrial Revolution. The city saw a bitter strike by dock workers organised by radical trade unionist Jim Larkin, in 1907. The dispute saw 10,000 workers on strike and a mutiny by the police, who refused to disperse the striker’s pickets. Eventually the Army had to be deployed to restore order. The strike was a rare instance of non-sectarian mobilisation in Ulster at the time.

Additional information

Weight 4.5 kg
Dimensions 65 × 80 × 10 cm

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cover image
The Spinny Icky Showdown: The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut
The price is the lowest for any condition, which may be new or used; other conditions may also be available. Rental copies must be returned at the end of the designated period, and may involve a deposit.
Bibliographic Detail
Publisher Square Fish
Publication date May 9, 2017
Pages 128
Binding Paperback
ISBN-13 9781250114990
ISBN-10 1250114993
Dimensions 0.41 by 5.46 by 7 in.
Weight 0.22 lbs.
Original list price $6.99
Summaries and Reviews description: Product Description:

Arnie steps up to the plate in a sensational game show competition!

Now that Arnie has conquered the bowling alley and the planet Ufonut, he's back for another round of wild adventures in The Spinny Icky Showdown. This time the venue is a traveling television game show (in the spirit of WIPEOUT!) that comes to town. Arnie, Peezo, and their buddies can't wait to participate in the crazy obstacle course. But Arnie and his crew are in for a challenge once they learn what they are up against―do they stand a chance against Nick Pumpernickel? (Also known as The Pumpernator!) Let the games begin!

The Spinny Icky Showdown is part of Laurie Keller's funny Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut chapter book series that began with Bowling Alley Bandit and Invasion of the Ufonuts.

Praise for the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut Series:

“Arnie the doughnut returns in a 'who-donut' chapter book that will appeal to fans of Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Lincoln Peirce's Big Nate series.” ―School Library Journal, starred review on Bowling Alley Bandit

The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnutread them all!
Arnie, the Doughnut
Invasion of the Ufonuts
The Spinny Icky Showdown

Pricing is shown for items sent to or within the U.S., excluding shipping and tax. Please consult the store to determine exact fees. No warranties are made express or implied about the accuracy, timeliness, merit, or value of the information provided. Information subject to change without notice. is not a bookseller, just an information source.


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Data Storage Equipment Reconditioning

Data storage equipment reconditioning is a cost-effective solution to extend the life of your out-of-warranty equipment. Our on-site field engineers can evaluate the health of your tape library or disk drive array systems and perform the reconditioning as needed.

Contact us if you’d like more information about our data storage equipment reconditioning by clicking the Request for Quote button below.


WARC-Identified-Payload-Type: application/xhtml+xml

text:
Opened on 07/18/2017 at 03:45:04 PM

Closed on 08/29/2019 at 05:48:47 PM

#5425 closed defect (rejected)

-abp-has does not work on a new tab (without refresh)

Reported by: mapx Assignee:
Priority: Unknown Milestone:
Module: Platform Keywords: closed-in-favor-of-gitlab
Cc: hfiguiere, kzar, sebastian, fhd Blocked By:
Blocking: Platform: Chrome
Ready: no Confidential: no
Tester: Unknown Verified working: no
Review URL(s):

w 10
ABP chrome

How to reproduce

add this custom filter > TD > TABLE > TBODY > TR:-abp-has(A[href$="/go_vpn"])

go to

Observed behaviour

the vpn ad row is not hidden
Conseil Anti-Hadopi Nous vous recommandons fortement l'utilisation d'un VPN pour télécharger vos torrents en toute sécurité & anonymat : Accéder au VPN

The filter is applied only after refresh (F5)

Expected behaviour

The filter should be applied on the new loaded page.

Attachments (0)

Change History (8)

comment:1 Changed on 07/18/2017 at 06:18:21 PM by mapx

  • Cc sebastian fhd added

comment:2 Changed on 07/20/2017 at 08:00:34 PM by hfiguiere

I can reproduce, unless I have the devtools panel open.

comment:3 Changed on 07/20/2017 at 08:08:59 PM by mapx

Well, I get another (or related) bug (I don't know if it's what you are talking about with the dev panel):

I opened the site, refreshed the page and the filter was applied.
If I open the dev panel, specifically ABP panel, refresh the page ==> the filter is completely ignored.

Last edited on 07/21/2017 at 06:24:29 AM by mapx

comment:4 Changed on 07/21/2017 at 06:32:36 AM by mapx

Another scenario: just use shift-F5 on page ==> the ad still unhidden.

comment:5 Changed on 08/02/2017 at 05:54:59 PM by hfiguiere

As of today the ad is in a different place in the DOM.

The new filter should be:[href$="/engine/vpn"])

Problem still exist though.

comment:6 Changed on 08/29/2017 at 07:34:07 PM by hfiguiere

The current up to date filter is:> td > a[href$="/engine/vpn"])

And with the fix for issue #5438 it seems the issue is solved.

Last edited on 08/29/2017 at 09:53:29 PM by hfiguiere

comment:7 Changed on 12/21/2017 at 11:27:49 AM by fhd

  • Cc trev removed

comment:8 Changed on 08/29/2019 at 05:48:47 PM by sebastian

  • Keywords closed-in-favor-of-gitlab added
  • Resolution set to rejected
  • Status changed from new to closed

Sorry, but we switched to GitLab. If this issue is still relevant, please file it again in the new issue tracker.

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The resolution will be deleted. Next status will be 'reopened'.
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text:
Crazy Days And Nights Latoya JacksonCrazy Days And Nights Latoya Jackson Register | Any Female Into Gary Watching

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How to convert AI, EPS, PDF, PS to Image file in C#?

Convert PDF to Image

It is possible to convert AI, EPS, PDF and PS to image file of choice.

This can be done different ways. I will show you how to do it using well recognized libraries for free. This requires 3 steps.

  1. We need a library that can read AI, EPS, PDF and PS. For this purpose, Download and install Ghostscript (GNU Affero General Public License).
  2. We need an ImageMagick (ImageMagick is a free and open-source software suite for displaying, converting, and editing raster image and vector image files. It can read and write over 200 image file formats), which help us write to image files. Luckily it is available for .net ( When you are done with step 1, start Visual Studio 2017/2019.
    1. Create new Solution, with project
    2. Added nuget package to your project.
  3. Now it is time to code 🙂

Now we are ready to see the code. The following sample method take a collection of files that is pdf, eps, ai, ps and/or other image formats from a folder and add each file to MagickImageCollection. Then it writes each file for instance with .jpg format and keep the original name in the output folder.

That is it. Here is the sample code:

public void ConvertToImage(string dest, MagickFormat format = MagickFormat.Jpg)
            using (var images = new MagickImageCollection())
                foreach (var file in _files)
                    var image = new MagickImage(file)
                        Format = format,
                        Depth = 8,

                foreach (var image in images)
                    var file = Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(new FileInfo(image.FileName).Name);
                    image.Write(Path.Combine(dest, $"{file}.{format.ImageExt()}"));

Source code.

ImageMagick have a tons of feature that is accessible for .net developers. I will write and added more features about ImageMagick for .net in my blog.


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Hm (Thoughtful Upward Glance, Furrowed Brow)

While editing Shmuley Boteach’s book, I came across this:

“An idea which might also have such unintended potential was proposed by Nobel laureate Francis Crick, who suggested that it may be necessary to redefine the concepts of ‘birth’ and ‘death.’ He suggested that the time of birth of an infant be redefined as two days after parturition so that there would be time to examine it. Crick has also proposed redefining death as occurring when a pre-determined age were achieved. At that time the person’s property would pass on to his heirs.”

This is… interesting.  I will research further and get back to y’all.

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Video GamersEvery gamer is familiar with the stereotypes surrounding people who play video games.

Regardless of your age and gender, there is a good chance that you have been stereotyped because of your interest in gaming. Or maybe you are not a gamer yourself but have preconceived notions of who gamers are.

Either way, it is time to debunk some of the stereotypes that plague the gaming community.

Stereotype #1: Gamers Are Unattractive

Mention that you are a gamer when you are not in a face-to-face conversation, and people assume that you are overweight, covered in acne and have the general appearance of a cave dweller. Continue reading


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Emotionally Touching Movies That Will Make You Cry

COVID 19 wreaked havoc in our lives. However, with time we started living with it. Yet one can never forget the initial days of lockdown. We all were scared and petrified about the things happening around. Every day was a testing time while staying locked in our homes. Despite working from home, there comes a […]


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Atlantis Awakens

An age passes in deathly slumber. Finally, a glimpse of light- a thin, ghostly finger of renewal- breaks through. A gaussian hint of color...

Prompt: Smudged Smudged are her thoughts, just around the edges, from perfect precision to hazy and obscure. A lipstick smear on the collar of her mind, telling, withholding reason. She has lost all sense of where to go from here. The journey meanders on the same path, backwards and forwards, and onwards... again? Never deviating, … Continue reading Smudged


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The International Women’s Health Coalition advances the sexual and
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The Duck and Rice, Berwick Street

My friend C and I have made a pact to try every restaurant Jay Rayner reviews (positively, or semi-positively, which is often the most you get from Jay Rayner). It started when I tried to get her to go to Duck and Rice, and she quoted his lukewarm review back at me (although she didn’t know who he was, she just thought he looked like a weirdly sexy pirate who wrote about food). In particular, she quoted the bit about being able to buy a better Cantonese duck – the house special – down the road, and for half the price.

So we decided, alright, we’ll try the place down the road. It’s called Four Seasons and is famed for serving the best Cantonese Duck in the world – according to The Financial Times, who I’m not sure are known for their restaurant critiques. But I’ve never read it TBF, so I might be wrong.

On the day though, I bottled it. Because I am a snob. Because I’ve wanted to try Duck and Rice for ages and everyone else I know has already been and wasn’t that fussed about going again, thanks to the price (another Jay Rayner sticking point). Because, although I’m sure the Cantonese duck IS better at Four Seasons, I didn’t think it’d be such an occasion, and I don’t see C very often. SO THERE. So I U-turned, and we went to Duck and Rice.

Now, the problem was that we hadn’t reserved a table, and it was fully booked. I got there at seven, in the pouring rain, just after a group of three chancers who got taken straight upstairs. I shook my fist at them, under my sopping umbrella. When it was my turn, the waiter told me they were fully booked for the next two hours. I must have looked REALLY crestfallen (because now I’d have to go back out in the rain to find somewhere else, and I hate NOT HAVING A PLAN). But as I was leaving he grabbed me (not literally) and seated us in the bar area downstairs, on a high table, right in front of the most roaring fire I have EVER seen – or felt. I stripped down to the bare essentials, my cheeks already burning from the heat, and then C turned up.

She doesn’t drink, which means I get to be drunk and chatty while she nods patiently. It also means I get to be really bossy over what we eat, whilst apologising profusely for being so bossy but not actually backing down on my order. I’m really fun to be around, honest.

I went with a house red, which was fine – Ventoux Rouge, at an alarming £7.20 for a ‘large’ 175ml serving. C went for the booze-free Guava Collins – guava, coconut, lime, lime leaf – which was bloody delicious, sweet as fuck but still great. Just needed some gin.

After much debate – we went for the Venison Puffs and D&R sliders to start. The former, because I had it at Yauatcha years ago and it was aaaaammaaaahzing (Duck and Rice is another of restauranter Alan Yau’s projects, right around the corner from Yauatcha). The latter, because it had the jasmine tea smoked ribs (a D&R house special), but in fluffy, pillowy bao buns. Double win.

First – the puffs. They weren’t as good as the ones at Yauatcha. Actually, they weren’t as good as the ones anywhere. Don’t get me wrong, they were still great, because it’s hard to go wrong with flakey pastry and sweetened, sticky meat. Except, this meat was a little too savoury – heading towards Cornish Pasty territory, but less seasoned. I ate two, C ate one.

Next, the buns. They were pillowy, soft little clouds – foodie box ticked. They came with an overflow of big spinach leaves, which seemed more for show than anything else – and they’re all you you can see in my REALLY terrible photo. Underneath that were the ribs – and they were great. The meat was juicy, tender, the smoke of the jasmine tea really shining through. A total win – although, at one point, there was a strange metallic aftertaste that I’ve only ever associated with heated up salami (bleurgh). But it went in a moment, so isn’t to be dwelled on.

Next, we went for the famed Cantonese duck, with egg fried rice and gai lan (Chinese broccoli) with ginger. Firstly, the duck arrived stone cold. Secondly, it was delicious. Crisp, lacquered skin that crackled as you chewed, like popping candy. The meat was unctuous, imbibed with glossy, fruity Cantonese sauce. I loved it. The egg fried rice was egg fried rice. The gai lan was bitter, actually – so bitter C barely touched it. In fact, she barely touched a lot of it. I mostly ate everything, which is fine by me. The next morning, she reported not feeling too great afterwards – I was fine though, and I ate it all, so something must have disagreed with her in particular. Maybe the red wine saved me. Good old tannins.

We left, hot and flustered from the fire (and for me, the wine) and were relieved to be greeted by icy cold, wet-slap weather. So much so, we stood on the street talking for twenty minutes, just to cool down. Although, on reflection, I might have just been nattering away, and she might have just been nodding…

The bill came to £74 with service which, really, is a lot. Jay was right – you can get equally good, if not better, grub elsewhere – for a lot less. But what you can’t get in the standard Chinatown gaff is ambience; classics with a twist and service with a smile. And let’s face it, sometimes that’s enough.

Although maybe they could chill out on the fire front. The duck was meant to be roasted, not the customers…

*mic drop*

Duck and Rice

90 Berwick St

Three and a half out of five stars

Read Jay Rayner’s review here.

PS Sorry for the shit photos, again. I’m trying to get the boy to step up to the plate (see what I did there) and start snapping. WITH CREDIT, of course. Watch this space…

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Unsafe Medical Treatments

people should understand that doctors are not infallible saints

Here in England there has just been published a damning government apology after a review into three unsafe medical treatments for women.

Arrogant male surgeons, doctors, and other ‘medical professionals’ dismissed their patients’ reports of severe pain, birth defects, discomfort, loss of a sex-life, broken marriages, severe depression, attempted suicides, and destroyed lives as merely ‘women’s problems’.

The first of these unsafe medical treatments is the use of vaginal mesh to treat prolapse and incontinence.  The government’s investigation and report was only undertaken after a long campaign by 8,000 women who formed a group called ‘Sling The Mesh’.  Allegedly, most of the women who have had this operation were not fully informed by their doctors and surgeons of the appalling risks attached to the implant of something called transvaginal tape, (TVT).  The procedure has been widely used in the UK and USA, and around 45% of the women operated on suffered severe complications.  This kind of thing is already banned in New Zealand, but as expected the medical authorities here in England are vacillating somewhat on imposing a total ban on vaginal mesh implants.

The other two scandals to break today are of the hormonal pregnancy test Primodos, associated with damage to children born to mothers who took it ~ and the treatment for epilepsy sodium valporate, which harms babies if taken during pregnancy.

These three latest scandals follow on the heels of Thalidomide, defective pacemakers, faulty artificial hips, PIP breast implants, and maternity deaths due to clinical malpractice.

Of course, nothing like this will ever happen again

I knew a very eminent surgeon who confided in me that the very last thing a patient wants to do is to go under a surgeon’s scalpel ~ the risks are just too great.  Personally, I used to trust my doctor until he insisted of giving me a drug that would do me no good whatsoever, for a complaint a didn’t have, and carried with it lots of unpleasant side-effects.  It will be a very long time before I again seek help from any doctor.

Some say that the National Health Service in England is Broken and Unfit for Purpose.  And that the last thing anyone should think about doing is consult a doctor.  All I know is that ‘first do no harm’ is looking a little thin.

jack collier

women’s medical problems are often ignored, missed, or misdiagnosed

3 responses

    1. I have a rule about not visiting doctors. 💞

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh?💦🐬. Herbs are you choice of remedy aren’t they?

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