fro

Watch Clips From Tonight’s ‘NCIS’ & ‘NCIS:NOLA’

NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans will air the first new episodes of 2017 tonight. You can find sneak peeks, tweets and photos...




fro

Watch Clips From Tonight’s ‘NCIS:LA’

NCIS: Los Angeles will air the first new episode of 2017 tonight. “Kulinda” is scheduled to start at 8:00pm ET/PT. (If anything...




fro

The Weather Company, an IBM Business, to Integrate Global Flight Tracking Data from FlightAware

The Weather Company, an IBM Business announced today that it is enhancing its global flight operations solution WSI Fusion, with live flight tracking data from FlightAware. WSI Fusion provides early insight into changing flight, airport and airspace conditions, enabling aviation providers to carefully plan and track flights, optimize operations and reduce the impacts of disruptive events. With the addition of FlightAware’s data, including its private network of over 12,000 Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) ground stations in over 160 countries, WSI Fusion customers will have access to enhanced flight following capabilities worldwide.



  • Travel & Transportation

fro

IBM, Packet Clearing House and Global Cyber Alliance Collaborate to Protect Businesses and Consumers from Internet Threats

IBM Security, Packet Clearing House (PCH) and The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) today launched a free service designed to give consumers and businesses added privacy and security protection as they access the internet. The new Quad9 Domain Name System (DNS) service helps protect users from accessing millions of malicious internet sites known to steal personal information, infect users with ransomware and malware, or conduct fraudulent activity.




fro

COVID-19 Lessons from Three Mile Island #2 — the NRC

My last column was about crisis management lessons I learned back in 1979 while investigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the President’s Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (TMI). Let’s just say that FEMA wasn’t ready for a nuclear meltdown. Today we turn to the other federal agency I investigated at that same time — the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). While FEMA was simply unprepared and incompetent, the NRC was unprepared and lied about it. Like FEMA, the NRC had recently undergone a rebranding from its previous identity as the Atomic Energy Commission — a schizoid agency that had been charged with both regulating nuclear power and promoting it. It’s difficult to be the major booster of technology while at the same […]






Digital Branding
Web Design
Marketing




fro

Elementary School Teachers Help Students Tackle Math With Help From the IBM Foundation & Education Leaders

As the new school year begins, elementary school teachers across the United States are now able to access a new, free online tool designed to provide elementary school teachers with targeted math resources for their kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms.




fro

IBM Agrees to Acquire Sterling Commerce from AT&T for $1.4 Billion

IBM and AT&T* today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for IBM to acquire Sterling Commerce from AT&T for approximately $1.4 billion in cash. The acquisition of the Dublin, OH-based company will expand IBM's ability to help organizations create more intelligent and dynamic business networks by simplifying and automating the way they connect and communicate with customers, partners and suppliers both on-premise or through cloud computing delivery models.




fro

IBM recibe premio como “Compañía de Nube de 2016” por Frost & Sullivan

: IBM anunció que recibió el premio de “Compañía de Nube de 2016” de la firma líder Frost & Sullivan. El premio reconoce el liderazgo de IBM en el mercado entregando un completo y totalmente integrado set de servicios de nube incluyendo IaaS, Paas, y SaaS.




fro

IBM Announces Smart Analytics and Transactional Systems to Draw Key Insights from Vast Amounts of Data

IBM today announced new systems highly-tuned and optimised to help clients more quickly draw insights from vast amounts of data to anticipate emerging business trends, capture new opportunities and avoid risks. These new optimised systems support all environments in a data center, enabling clients to handle higher volumes of transactions and analyse data where it resides.




fro

IBM SECURITY HELPS STOP CYBERCRIMINALS FROM OPENING FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS

IBM Security today announced a new capability from IBM Trusteer that helps banks identify fraudulent accounts before they are opened. The technology also protects consumers even if they are not a customer of the bank being targeted with the fake account.



  • Banking and Financial Services

fro

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre publishes results from study using IBM Watson for Clinical Trial Matching

A Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre study has demonstrated the potential for artificial intelligence to help reduce the time for clinicians to match lung cancer patients to relevant clinical trials.




fro

Fun Historical Costumes from National Museums in Edinburgh and Dublin


I visited both the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and the Naitonal Museum of Ireland in Dublin, here's some fun fashion related stuff that I saw...

In Dublin




In Edinburgh 











Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle


Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.




fro

New Teapot Purse ~ Larger & RED from Gail Carriger


I simply haven't been into shopping much recently, Fashionable Reader. Which is  GOOD thing. All in all I shop too much.

However I have a new book out, Reticence. And instead of my usual reward of new shoes, I decided I deserved something special. This is the final book in (for now) my final series in the Parasolverse, so I bought this ridiculous thing of Etsy.


Obviously when I ordered it I thought it was a great deal smaller! 

The vendor is out of Russia so I guess everything is bigger in Russia! 

You see I wanted to round out my teapot purse collection with a red one, since I already have a black kettle and a cream colored bessie. 




However this red one is so big I'm not sure how often it'll be traveling with me. But I will certainly use it for local events.



 Reticence!



Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle


Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.




fro

Relaxing Victorians: Casual Wear From Unseen to Seen to Seen by Only a Few ~ Wrappers & Peignoirs & Dressing Gowns to Morning Dresses & Tea Gowns to Lingerie from Gail Carriger


One of the things the Victorian era saw, Fashionable Reader, was an exploration of that liminal space through casual around the house wear.

Wrapper 1855  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Here we have the wrapper that was only meant to be seen by family.

Dressing Gown  early 1870s The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Dressing Gown  1875  The Kyoto Costume Institute

 Dressing gowns, banyans and wrappers are often quilted all or in part.

Wrapper early 1860s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the signs of a wrapper is that the waist is designed to be loose or tied tight. Often they split up the front, like a carriage dress or a robe so they can be pulled over a nightgown or underpinnings, like a dressing down but slightly more tailored. Still NOT designed to be worn over a corset.


Peignoir 1860-1865  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Peignoir  1880s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 Peignoir seems to be a catch all term.

Morning Dress  1860  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Morning dresses were initially gowns for the breakfast table that did not require a corset.They're characterize by a looser top lots of details in the neck and sleeves.

Morning Dress  1872-1873  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the things we see evolving (and limits being tested) after the 1950s through the 1900s is the idea of what was not meant to be seen (undergarments and nightgowns) to what was initially only meant to be seen by family or lovers (wrappers & peignoirs) to receiving casual around house guests at breakfast (morning dresses) to I'm comfortable at home and I want to show my wealth with yet another space & occasion specific outfit (the tea gown).

Tea Gown  late 1870s  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Tea gowns were an evolution of the morning gown.

Tea Gown  1875  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Tea Gown  1875-1880  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

1Harpers Bazar New York Sat June 13 1891 Dressing Gowns Nightshirts

This evolution is coupled with the rise of the middle class, the sexual revolution (including contraception and woman's suffrage) and various other factors.

Bed Jacket  1885  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dressing Jacket  1885-1890  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 We see a culmination in this towards the turn of the century in the popularity of (and wide-scale use of the word) negligées and lingerie sets, which specifically implies an article of clothing that is sexual in its nature for it is meant to be seen by a lover.

Negligée  1880  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This kind of clothing, prior to the first sexual revolution, would not have been acceptable for a fashion house to make, let alone a fashionable lady to purchase.

Negligée Callot Soeurs, 1898-1900s The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Lingerie Set  1880s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

There was also head wear that was designed to be worn exclusively around the house, but that's a whole other story...

House Cap 1900  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

For Primrose!

Boudoir Cap 1895 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

nightgown 1894  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dressing Gown  1897-1899  The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle


Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.





fro

Clone Wars Declassified: 5 Highlights from “Shattered”

Darth Sidious’s master plan becomes reality, and the galaxy will never be the same.



  • Disney+
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  • Clone Wars Declassified
  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)

fro

Empire at 40 | 40 Great Quotes from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

These lines are impressive. Most impressive.



  • Characters + Histories
  • Films
  • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | Movies | 4e50811e5f140eff9f3e8e30
  • star wars quotes

fro

The Mandalorian: Behind-The-Scenes Photos from Creators and Cast

Get behind-the-scenes peeks from the production of The Mandalorian with personal photos from Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, and many more.




fro

Teaching with Star Wars: Learning from Failure in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Luke Skywalker discovers a powerful lesson that can be valuable to your own younglings.



  • Creativity
  • The Last Jedi
  • Star Wars: The Last Jedi
  • Teaching with Star Wars

fro

From a Certain Point of View: Was Luke Right to Leave Dagobah with His Training Incomplete?

Two StarWars.com writers debate Luke’s choice in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.




fro

Clone Wars Declassified: 5 Highlights from “Victory and Death”

In the chilling series finale, Ahsoka and Rex try to survive Order 66 and plot one final escape.



  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars
  • Clone Wars Declassified
  • Disney+
  • star wars the clone wars
  • Victory and Death

fro

News From GenCon 2019

When Chris and I were at GenCon this year, we had the chance to sit down with a few of our favorite publishers for some 1 on 1 interviews and get information on upcoming releases from their catalog. I wanted to share some of this info with you guys to aid you in planning your board game purchases. 

Japanime Games

Domina Anthology featuring Argot, Miraris, and Pralaya (2019 4th quarter or 2020 1st quarter expected Kickstarter delivery then retail release) .
This anthology of games from Japanime is illustrated by Qtonagi and features games originally released by Domina from 2015-2017. Argoat is a worker placement game in which players travel trough the land looking for pieces to get to Eden and escape the nightmare of their current reality (bonus – it’s colorblind friendly). Pralaya is  competitive press your luck set collection game reminiscent of Forbidden Island in which your island is sinking and you must collect relics and pay the boatman to get off the island before it sinks. Miraris is a competitive bidding social game in which a row of cards equal to the number of players is established. All players choose a card from their hand and then all chosen cards are revealed simultaneously and placed in numerical order in a new row above the existing row of cards. Players get to claim the card from the initial row located underneath their number. If more than 1 player has revealed the same number, none of them get to claim a card. Also, there are secret objectives involved. Note: Japanime is taking pre-orders for the Domina Anthology on the Kickstarter page here: https://japanimegames.pledgemanager.com/projects/domina-anthology-featuring-pralaya-miraris-and-arg/participate/

Tanto Cuore 10th Anniversary Edition (coming to Kickstarter in the near term. Exact date TBD).





Core Connection: Rise of Atlantis (straight to retail release 2020 1st quarter). Atlantis is rising and player must stop robots from taking over. Tableau building game. Pre-order here: https://japanimegames.com/products/core-connection-rise-of-atlantis





Finally, while details are still tightly under wraps, Japanime did let me in on the news that they are developing some non anime board games centered on themes of Japan such as Japanese cuisine. These will be a mix of Kickstarter and straight to retail offerings in 2020 and beyond.


Calliope Games

Ship Shape (out now; released at GenCon). This game, designed by Rob Daviau, centers on strategically arranging crates in the hull of a cargo ship in a attempt to earn the most victory points.
Scoring is based on what you can see in the hold when viewing directly from above. The game includes friendly catch-up mechanisms. The story goes that Rob had a loose idea in mind for a packing game but it wasn’t fully developed until after Calliope approached him and asked him to design a game for their audience (Calliope focuses exclusively on family friendly gateway games that can be played in under an hour and accommodate 2-6 players) .


Tsuro (originally released 10 years ago; Calliope still enjoys healthy sales of the game that started it all; expect to see 10th Anniversary press and promos forthcoming).


Spymaster (estimated retail release 2019 3rd quarter). Players take on the role of spy agency chiefs attempting to accomplish their missions.

Everyone Loves a Parade (estimated retail release 2019 3rd quarter). In this dice rolling game, players compete to create the best parade float.


Tsuro: Phoenix Rising (estimated retail release 2019 4th quarter). 3rd and latest release in Tsuro line.






Matagot




Paris New Eden (will be released at Essen 2019). In this medium-weight worker placement dice game, players navigate a post-apocalyptic Paris landscape, attempting to use survivors to rebuild the city.





Kolossol Games



Omen: Heir to the Dunes (coming to Kickstarter 2019 3rd quarter). This is the latest release in the Omen series. A standalone expansion,  it’s the largest edition to the series since Omen: Reign of War that was released in 2011. It is set in ancient Egypt and introduces factions and structures.





Almanac (coming to Kickstarter date TBD) is a choose your own adventure system resource management game.



Renegade Game Studios

There are so many recently released and upcoming games coming out from Renegade that I’m going to break them down by quarter.

Recently Released

Proving Grounds is the first release in the solo hero series. These are immersive narrative dice games designed for solo mode. A novella or graphic novel is include with each release for full engagement.

Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated (not to be confused with the Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated - Upper Management Pack that is also out now). This game introduces legacy elements into Clank! . Players can create a franchise of the Aquisitions Incorporated company and steer the franchise in a direction toward victory.

2019 3rd Quarter

The Aquicorn Cove Board Game is based on a graphic novel. It has an environmental theme and features water dwelling unicorns. It’s a step up in complexity from the Tea Dragon Society card game but still family friendly and features a bit of the press your luck mechanism.

ClipCut Parks is a twist on the roll and write genre. It’s a roll and cut game and includes the required scissors. Players compete to build parks.

Gates of Delirium is the latest game from the designers of Lotus (Jordan and Mandy Goddard). Players take on the role of investigators exploring a map and trying to keep gates that hold back horrible monsters (from the H.P. Lovecraft universe of creatures) from opening. At least that’s what they do while they are sane. Actions available to players differ based on their mental state of sane or insane. When players are insane, they work to open the gates. Note: We had the chance to play this with one of the designers overseeing and available to answer questions at Renegade Rally during GenCon and I LOVED IT. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy and get it on the table to give you guys a more thorough report.



2019 4th Quarter





Paladins of the West Kingdom is the second strategy game in the West Kingdom trilogy. It ships to Kickstarter backers in the 3rd quarter of 2019 but won’t be available in retail stores until the 4th quarter. This one will be a heavier game than Architects and features engine building as a path to victory.



Clank! In! Space!: Cyber Station 11 is the latest expansion for Clank in Space. I don’t have a lot of details on this upcoming release but I assume if you’ve been a fan of the previous CIS expansions, this one will not disappoint.

2020 1st Quarter

Fox in the Forest Duet. The follow up to the widely popular 2 player trick taking game Fox in the Forest, this new release is a cooperative trick taking game for 2 players.

Eternal: Chronicles of the Throne is a player vs player deck builder currently available from Renegade. The second title in the series will be released in the 1st quarter of 2020 with organized play kits for in store play also available.

Warp’s Edge by Scott Almes will be the second release in the solo hero series I described above.

In development for 2020 and beyond (no specific quarter details given)

Vampire: the MasqueradeChapters is a narrative role playing board game for up to 4 players.
It includes detailed miniatures and you can track the Kickstarter launch here: http://www.vampirethemasquerade-chapters.com//

Power Rangers: Heroes of the Grid. Ok, so there is a detailed description of this upcoming release on the Renegade web site as well as on BGG but they lost me at Power Rangers so I couldn’t find the motivation to go look this up.

Gods of Metal RPG. I don’t have many details on this title but the slideshow presentation during the Renegade Rally was quite impressive. There a decent overlap between heavy metal music fans and RPG fans and Renegade has that intersection on the Venn diagram in mind with this release. What I do know is that you’re definitely going to want to curate a kick-ass soundtrack to play alongside this.

Wardlings RPG. In partnership with WizKids, every character has a familiar who whisks them away when their life is in danger (no death=kid-friendly). When a character is whisked away they wake up the next morning in their bed a year older. Eventually characters age out of the thematic setting and can be shifted to a standard D&D RPG.  This RPG was actually first announced back in March and the press release has more details.

Finally, there is a new title coming out set in the Scott Pilgrim universe featuring minis. There aren’t a lot of details available on it but if you loved the graphic novel or the 2010 movie, my guess is you will want to be all over this.




fro

What’s Missing From the Coronavirus BillThe public health and...



What’s Missing From the Coronavirus Bill

The public health and economic crises we’re experiencing are closely related. They reveal in stark terms the dangerous mythology of trickle-down self-sufficiency and the need for policies that respond to the real needs of people who are or will soon be affected.

But Trump doesn’t seem to understand that. Before agreeing to an actual coronavirus relief bill, his administration was considering more corporate tax cuts, tax cuts targeted to the airlines and hospitality industries, and a temporary payroll tax cut. 

But tax cuts will be useless. They’ll be too slow to stimulate the economy, and won’t reach households and consumers who should be the real targets. And they’ll reward the rich, who don’t spend much of their additional dollars, without getting money into the hands of the poor and middle-class, who do.

Thankfully, Congress has moved forward on some of the most urgent priorities like free coronavirus testing, strengthening unemployment insurance and food security programs. But it doesn’t go far enough.

Instead, Congress must immediately provide an emergency $500 billion to help all Americans protect themselves and their families, and keep the economy going.

The money should be used for:

Coronavirus testing and treatment. Diagnostic tests should be mandatory and universal, and free. And everyone with the virus should have access to treatment and to any future vaccines, regardless of ability to pay.

Guaranteed paid sick leave for ALL employees. The current relief bill does cover paid sick leave for some but has huge carve-outs, exempting all companies with over 500 employees and some small businesses under 50 employees. That exclusion could affect up to 20 million Americans. Without guaranteed paid sick leave and family leave, workers who are sick will not remain home and will end up exposing others.

Extended unemployment insurance. Without it, large numbers of Americans will be furloughed or laid off without adequate income to support themselves and their families. As it is, unemployment insurance reaches a measly 27 percent of the unemployed. 

Extended Medicaid. No one should avoid seeing a doctor because of fears about out-of-control medical bills. Right now, 28 million Americans have no health insurance, and countless more are reluctant to see a doctor because of large deductions or co-payments. Especially in a health emergency, health care should be available to all regardless of ability to pay. 

Immediate one-time payments of $1,500 to every adult and $500 per child, renewable if necessary. Some consumers might spend the money right away to meet rent if they lose their regular paycheck. Others might have stronger balance sheets and spend the money at whatever uncertain date the virus is contained. 

Suspension of the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule that enables federal officials to deny green cards to immigrants who use social safety net programs. Programs like, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Women Infants and Children are more important than ever.

For the same reason, testing and treatment should be available to undocumented immigrants, without fear of deportation.

Trickle-down economics and trickle-down public health are deeply flawed. Corporate tax cuts won’t save us. The coronavirus doesn’t distinguish between rich and poor. We are in this imminent health and economic emergency together, and our own health and wellbeing are dependent on the health and wellbeing of everyone else. 

Each of us is only as healthy as the least-healthy among us.




fro

It’s Morally Intolerable for the Privileged to Profit from this Emergency

Societies gripped by cataclysmic wars, depressions, or pandemics can become acutely sensitive to...




fro

From Ukraine to Coronavirus: Trump’s Abuse of Power...



From Ukraine to Coronavirus: Trump’s Abuse of Power Continues

Donald Trump has spent a lifetime exploiting chaos for personal gain and blaming others for his losses. The pure madness in America’s response to the coronavirus pandemic – shortages of equipment to protect hospital workers, dwindling supplies of ventilators and critical medications, jaw-dropping confusion over how $2.2 trillion of aid in the recent coronavirus law will be distributed – has given him the perfect cover to hoard power and boost his chances of reelection.

As the death toll continues to climb and states are left scrambling for protective gear and crucial resources, Trump is focused on only one thing: himself. 

He’s told governors to find life-saving equipment on their own, claiming the federal government is “not a shipping clerk” and subsequently forcing states and cities into a ruthless bidding war.

Governors have been reduced to begging FEMA for supplies from the dwindling national stockpile, with vastly different results. While we haven’t seen what “formula” FEMA supposedly has for determining who gets what, reports suggest that Trump’s been promising things to governors who can get him on the phone. 

Our narcissist-in-chief has ordered FEMA to circumvent their own process and send supplies to states that are “appreciative”.

Michigan and Colorado have received fractions of what they need while Oklahoma and Kentucky have gotten more than what they asked for. Colorado and Massachusetts have confirmed shipments only to have them held back by FEMA. Ron DeSantis, the Trump-aligned governor of Florida, refused to order a shelter-in-place mandate for weeks, but then received 100% of requested supplies within 3 days. New Jersey waited for two weeks. New York now has more cases than any other single country, but Trump barely lifted a finger for his hometown because Governor Andrew Cuomo is “complaining” about the catastrophic lack of ventilators in the city.

A backchannel to the president is a shoe-in way to secure life-saving supplies. Personal flattery seems to be the most effective currency with Trump; the chain of command runs straight through his ego, and that’s what the response has been coordinated around.

He claims that as president he has “total authority” over when to lift quarantine and social distancing guidelines, and threatens to adjourn Congress himself so as to push through political appointees without Senate confirmation.

And throughout all of this, Trump has been determined to reject any attempt of independent oversight into his administration’s disastrous response.

When he signed the $2 trillion emergency relief package into law, he said he wouldn’t agree to provisions in the bill for congressional oversight – meaning the wheeling-and-dealing will be done in secret.

He has removed the inspector general leading the independent committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the massive bill.

He appointed one of his own White House lawyers, who helped defend him in his impeachment trial, to oversee the distribution of the $500 billion slush fund for corporations. That same day, he fired Inspector General Michael Atkinson – the inspector general who handed the whistleblower complaint to Congress that ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment.

There should never have been any doubt that Trump would try to use this crisis to improve his odds of re-election.

Stimulus checks going to the lowest-income earners were delayed because Trump demanded each one of them bear his name. As millions of the hardest-hit Americans scrambled to put food on the table and worried about the stack of bills piling up, Trump’s chief concern was himself.

It doesn’t matter that this is a global pandemic. Abusing his power for personal gain is Trump’s MO.

Just three and a half months ago, Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing investigations. Telling governors that they need to “be appreciative” in order to receive life-saving supplies for their constituents is the same kind of quid pro quo that Trump tried to extort from Ukraine, and his attempts to thwart independent oversight are the same as his obstruction of Congress.

Trump called his impeachment a “hoax”. He initially called the coronavirus a “hoax”. But the real hoax is his commitment to America. In reality he will do anything – anything – to hold on to power.

To Donald Trump, the coronavirus crisis is just another opportunity.




fro

News from Fitton

It occurs to me I really ought to have mentioned here that an old friend of mine has been borrowing my YouTube account recently to let his friends know how he's coping with self-isolation. (The answer, perhaps unsurprisingly, is 'pretty well').

Here's the first, of seven so far.







fro

Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff: Live from Dragonmeet 2019

Live at Dragonmeet, Ken and Robin talk Hindu mythology's secret role in the Norman Invasion, crisis on infinite podcasts, drinks to write by, and the real reason Ken had to make Trump president.



  • Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff

fro

U.S. Unemployment Reaches 14.7 Percent – Chart from Great Depression Shows Risks Ahead

U.S. Unemployment Reaches 14.7 Percent – Chart from Great Depression Shows Risks Ahead

By Pam Martens and Russ Martens: May 8, 2020 ~   The data is out this morning and it’s not pretty. Nonfarm payrolls collapsed by 20.5 million jobs in April and the unemployment rate rose to 14.7 percent. The United States is now seeing the worst unemployment rates since the Great Depression. We prepared the above chart from data available at the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) archives at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Following the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, it was not until August 1931 that the unemployment rate reached 15.01 percent. We’re now at 14.7 percent unemployment from a rate of 3.5 percent just two months ago in February. Consider using the chart above to figure out just how much cash on hand you need to maintain.

-




fro

Froome fears large gatherings at Tour de France

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome is unsure if the organisers can fully prevent large crowds from gathering at the race that was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.




fro

Entries from May 2019

Well, nothing major to report this month, except at least we have some content: The conference I first showed my Reverse Emulation project at in 2018 (Deconstruct) finally posted the video of my talk, which was called "Improper Hierarchy." The talk is of course similar to the living room CRT video I put on youtube, but it might be interesting even if you've already seen that (watching it a year later, there are at least some funny ad-libbed parts IMO!). The video production is very high quality (in general the conference was very well run and the speaker experience in particular I heartily endorse) but also quite serious-seeming, so I like how it comes across as some bizarro-world TED talk.

This month I've made some progress on another video, which maybe I can wrap up this weekend. Nothing too grandeur, though. Sometimes hard to keep that under control!

Also: I played through Minit, which was a really excellent and creative little game (can finish it in an evening) that I super recommend. I just started The Messenger which definitely has some charms and surprises; I need to finish it before I can decide between "good" and "great" but I think I can at least recommend it if you like exploration-style platformers.




fro

【FromStaff】バースデーライブ 期間限定 特典付き先行決定!&ミニとら早期申込火曜まで!

6月13日(土)開催バースデーライブ!「KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday」急遽アニメイトにてのチケット先行発売が決定!なんと!!!このアニメイト特別先行にてご購入の方には特典として「直筆サイン入り仮装衣装ブロマイド」が付いてきます!(特典はライブ当日に会場にてお渡しになります)ライブ当日にも着用する仮装衣装のブロマイド♪♪ライブの記念に是非Getしてください!受付期間は本日4月4日(土)10:00〜4月12日(日)までの約1週間の期間限定!まだチケットをゲットしてない方はこのレアな特典が付く先行にお申し込みを!!今回のライブに向けて新曲も制作中!先日はライブの衣装なども打ち合わせしました♪ライブに向けて着々と準備を進めております!ハロウィン×KIMERUバースデー!!KIMERUのライブはノリが良い曲も多く、一緒に体を動かしたり、コールをしたり、みんなで一緒に楽しめる曲も多くあります★初めての人でもご安心を!ライブ中に事前にKIMERUのレクチャーもありますので初めての人でも一緒に楽しめますよ♪6月はみんなで体を動かし声を日頃の鬱憤を発散しましょう!6月はライブでみなさんと一緒に楽しんでKIMERUのバースデーをお祝いできることを楽しみにしています♪ご来場お待ちしております!KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday Birthday×Halloween仮装のスペシャルライブ!!熱~~~~~いライブになること間違いなし★みんなで騒いで、KIMERUをお祝いしましょう!! ◇日程:6月13日(土)  OPEN 12:30/START 13:00◇会場:青山RizM◇チケット ※別途ドリンク代・スタンディング  5,500円◇チケットお申込み<先行発売> ※抽選●アニメイト特別先行申込URL:https://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/pn/pd/1776119/受付期間:4月4日(土)10:00~4月12日(日)23:59当落入金:4月15日(水)~4月19日(日)23:59特典:サイン入り仮装衣装ブロマイド ◇ライブに関する注意事項・ドレスコードはございません。・ペンライトは使用禁止と致します。・台風によりライブ中止になった同じ会場で調整しておりましたが、都合が合わず【青山RizM】に変更なりました。・同日開催ファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント 「KIMERUのミニトラ続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】6/13-14 FC旅行イベント 2次募集開始!

6月13日〜14日開催! ファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント「KIMERUのミニ・トラベリング・とらぶる? vol.10.5A 〜箱根でバースデーハロウィン編〜」2次募集を本日より受付開始!受付は4月28日(火)15:00まで!これがお申し込みのラストチャンスです!ファンクラブ未会員の方でも、お申し込みと同時入会で参加可能!ご入会方法はこちら! ★KIMERU FCでは、FC限定ページにて新コーナーのボイスブログ更新中!さらに会報誌ではFCだけでしか話さないエピソードやKIMERU手書きメッセージなど限定コンテンツも盛りだくさん! 今回の旅は、1泊2日の箱根旅行!箱根でハロウィン!?バースデーのお祝い!?そんな今回のミニトラの旅行プランのおさらいです!6月13日のライブ後からのスタート♪(ライブチケット別途発売中です。詳しくはこちら)KIMERUとバスに乗り込んで、箱根へGO!!ホテルは「ザ・プリンス 箱根芦ノ湖」お泊まり♪ 1日目はホテルで仮装衣装のKIMERUと2shot撮影!仮装をしたい方は是非ともご準備を。さらに!初の試み!!あなたのカメラやスマートフォンでKIMERUを撮れる撮影会も!! 2shot撮影&撮影会は事前に順番をお伝えしますので、それ以外の時間は各自でホテルで絶品料理のお食事&絶景温泉をご堪能ください♪ ちなみにホテルの温泉は芦ノ湖が一望できる絶景!!自家源泉「蛸川温泉」を使用されており、露天風呂や内湯、ミストサウナもあるそうですよ!ライブ後に入る温泉をKIMERUも楽しみにしてます♪ 1日目の締めは恒例のお部屋訪問!KIMERUがあなたのお部屋へおじゃまします♪お部屋でKIMERUのお祝いや1日目の感想を伝えたり...楽しいお時間をお過ごしください♪2日目は箱根観光!らくやき体験で絵付けにチャレンジ!もちろんKIMERUも参加します♪オリジナルのお土産を作って思い出と共にお持ち帰りできます♪今回のKIMERUデートタイムは2パターン☆海賊船でのデート or 箱根ガラスの美術館でのデート!当日どちらになるか決まります。あなたのKIMERUとデートはどちらになるかな!?バスや船の移動中もKIMERUとのトークを予定しています♪今回もボリューム満点の1泊2日の旅!本人も今から楽しみにしています!今回はなんと!旅行後にも楽しみが!!参加者全員には特典として6月17日KIMERUバースデー当日に「KIMERUからスペシャルメッセージ」がメールにて届きます♪常連さんはもちろん!初めての方でも!お一人様や男性のファンも皆さんwelcome★気になるけど初めてで不安...という方!KIMERUのファンクラブはアットホームなのでご安心ください♪(参加者みな"初参加"を体験してますので気持ちは同じです。。)食事などのグループ毎になる際は、KIMERUのFCイベントでは毎回恒例の"お一人様テーブル"をご用意!毎回お一人様テーブルも盛り上がり、ファン同士でお友達になっ続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【From Staff】5/17 対バンライブ 開催延期のお知らせ

「VR Presents 『CROSS OVER CARNIVAL』」開催延期のお知らせ2020年5月17日(日)に東京・SHIBUYA REXで出演を予定しておりました「VR Presents 『CROSS OVER CARNIVAL』」公演ですが、新型コロナウイルス感染症拡大予防と、政続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】6/13 バースデーライブ 最終先行スタート!特典付先行も!

6月13日(土)開催のバースデーライブ「KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday」好評につき、アニメイトにてチケット追加先行が決定!追加先行でもアニメイト限定特典のブロマイドが付きますので、前回逃した方はこの機会にぜひお申込みください♪さらに!yahooチケット先行でも2次受付を開始!この受付が先行発売のラストチャンス★「KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday」◇日程2020年6月13日(土) OPEN 12:30/START 13:00◇会場青山RizM◇チケット ※別途ドリンク代・スタンディング  5,500円●アニメイト追加先行申込URL:https://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/pn/pd/1776119/受付期間:4月21日(火)10:00~2020年5月19日(火)23:59当落入金:5月22日(金)~5月25日(月)23:59特典:仮装衣装ブロマイド  ※サインはありません。●Yahoo!チケット2次先行申込URL:https://ticket.yahoo.co.jp/tour/00004935/受付期間:4月22日(水)15:00~5月18日(月)23:59続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】6/13-14 FC旅行申込締切迫る! & FC限定ページ随時更新中!

6月13日〜14日開催のファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント!「KIMERUのミニ・トラベリング・とらぶる? vol.10.5A 〜箱根でバースデーハロウィン編〜」の最終申込が4/28(火) 18:00まで!ファンクラブ未会員の方でも、お申し込みと同時入会で参加可能!これがお申し込みのラストチャンス!今回の旅は1泊2日の箱根旅行★トラとら?恒例の2shot撮影や、お部屋訪問デートタイムはもちろん!今回は初の試みの撮影会も!!詳しい内容はこちらをCheck!この状況下の為、みなさんの安全を第一に考慮し開催の判断を致しますが、みなさんで楽しい時間を過ごせることを祈って...ご参加お待ちしております♪-------------ファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント「KIMERUのミニ・トラベリング・とらぶる? vol.10.5A 〜箱根でバースデーハロウィン編〜」■旅行期間2020年6月13日(土)〜14日(日)※旅行の詳細はお申込みサイトからご確認下さい。■早期申込み期間4月28日(火)15:00まで※最終募集とな続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】緊急告知‼︎ FC限定オンラインイベント開催!申込は明日開始!

<!!緊急告知!!>ファンクラブShining限定オンラインイベント「KIMERUのティータイム」開催決定!このご時世だからこそ、今回限りの限定イベント緊急企画!KIMERUとオンラインでおしゃべり!!アカペラでリクエスト曲も歌うかも!?(※自宅なので大声は出せません)なかなかステージ上のKIMERUと会えない日々が続きますが、心は近くに。ステイホーム期間は自宅に居ながら、オンラインでKIMERUとまったりお話ししましょう♪なんと!1回につき最大5人!KIMERUを入れて6人でのレアなお茶会となります!1日5回開催の各日25人限定イベントを3日間開催!(ブログの最後にKIMERUからのメッセージ動画もあります♪) ===========ファンクラブShining限定オンラインイベント「KIMERUのティータイム」<日程>5月1日続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】舞台「リバースヒストリカ」公演延期のお知らせ

舞台「リバースヒストリカ」公演延期のお知らせいつも舞台「リバースヒストリカ」を応援していただき誠にありがとうございます。新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大に伴う政府の緊急事態宣言及び地方自治体の方針を受け、協議の結果、ご来場いただくお客様、出演者、関わるスタッフ・関係者の健康と安全を最優先に考え、公演を延期することにいたしました。延期日程につきましては決まり次第、ご案内いたします。楽しみにしていただいた皆様には大変ご迷惑をおかけしますが、何卒、ご理解を賜りますようお願い申し上げます。<チケットの払い戻しについて>公演中止に伴い、チケットの払い戻しを実施させていただきます。払い戻し方法続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】6/13-14 バースデーライブ、FC旅行 中止のお知らせ【重要】

「KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday」及び、ファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント「KIMERUのミニ・トラベリング・とらぶる?vol.10.5A 〜箱根でバースデーハロウィン編〜?」中止のお知らせ2020年6月13日(土)に開催を予定しておりました「KIMERU Live 2020 Halloween Party Birthday」及び、6月13日(土)~14日(日)に開催を予定しておりましたファンクラブ会員限定ツアーイベント「KIMERUのミニ・トラベリング・とらぶる?vol.10.5A 〜箱根でバースデーハロウィン編〜?」につきまして、新型コロナウイルス(COVID-19)の感染拡大に伴い、昨今の状況、緊急事態宣言を鑑みて、誠に残念ではございますが、開催を中止することにいたしました。楽しみにしていただいた皆様には大変心苦しくはありますが、ご来場予定のお客様なら続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

【FromStaff】『NO TRAVEL,NO LIFE』 ボイスドラマ CD 出演決定!

『NO TRAVEL,NO LIFE』 ボイスドラマ CD 販売決定!!原作:須田 誠 脚本・演出:吉田武寛■出演■<CUBA 編>反橋宗一郎 /中村裕香里/吉澤 翼/武藤賢人/千歳ゆう/鵜飼主水/伊藤玲奈<ASIA 編>反橋宗一郎/遠藤三貴/北乃颯希/久下恭平/星守紗凪/KIMERU/伊藤玲奈■販売■NO TRAVEL,NO LIFE ボイスドラマ CD (CUBA 編/ASIA続きをみる

『著作権保護のため、記事の一部のみ表示されております。』




fro

Learning From Home

I have to say, I think Anand is learning more at home being unschooled than he was in school, and is much happier. Which isn’t to say that he isn’t missing some things that could use more disciplined teaching, and I’m hoping Kevin and I will have more time to do that this summer after the semester’s … Continue reading "Learning From Home"




fro

Native Plants From Etsy

So, I ordered a bunch of native plants on Etsy, and they were WAY cheaper than they are in stores around here. They came as chunks of root, essentially. It only occurred to me after I ordered to worry about why they were so cheap — is it possible they’re being illegally harvested from woodlands? … Continue reading "Native Plants From Etsy"




fro

A message from the Grand Master on pandemic response

The Grand Master Sabazius has provided some useful information and advice to O.T.O. members about how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.





fro

Malta - a Lilliput state with potentates separated from and above the people?


Memorial plaque
Memorial plaque
Malta is the smallest country among EU member states. It has only about 400000 inhabitants and the area is only 312 square kilometers. The Maltese people are very proud of their country and are very right to be so. During WW II the Maltese people were very courageous and it was then the Maltese people was rewarded S: t George’s cross 1942 by the king of England, which cross since 1943 is a symbol on the Maltese flag. The president of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt, has expressed his gratitude to the Maltese people, which can be seen on a memorial plaque on the wall of the predidential palace in Valletta. 
However, the majority of Maltese do not seem to travel a lot and therefore are rather ignorant about other countries. Malta is just a rock in the Mediterranean, but, of course, historically an important rock. Yet, you can hear Maltese people quite seriously say that Malta is the most beautiful country in the world. Of course, what is beautiful is a very subjective. Still, very few people, but the Maltese, would say that Malta is the most beautiful country in the world. I have also heard that the Maltese wines as well as its vegetables are the best in the world! There might be a few countries which would like to contest that. Maybe it is beacuse of this ignorance that the Maltese people accept the behaviour of their potentates.

The government, backed by its loudspeaker, The Times, does everything to give the impression to the Maltese people that Malta has an important role to play in EU and in the rest of the world. If prime minister Gonzi for instance travels to some conference abroad, the articles in The Times have headlines giving the impression that the other prime ministers were there just to listen to Mr. Gonzi. Malta also has a Head of State, a President with his own flag and a car with a special license plate. His wife is called Malta's first lady! Even the The Commissioner of Police has his own flag as well as the Archbishop. The corruption is widely spread. But there is of course a reason for all these cars and flags and mumbo jumbo; the government wants to give the people the impression that Malta has a bigger role to play in EU and in the world than it really has and therefore one also must have men in formal high positions with attributes. One must remember that Malta, although a sovereign state, is not bigger than a middlesized european town and ought to be be governed more in accordance with that and not like United States of America..



Archbishops BMW license plate
Gozo bishops Toyota license plate
The catholic faith is state religion in Malta. The archbishop as well as the bishop of Gozo has company cars, the latter a smaller one than the BMW that is archbishop Cremona's company car. Do not for a moment think that these cars have ordinary license plates. No way, they have plates of a silvery material in the shape of a bishop’s miter. If you do not believe me, look at the pictures. And, of course, the archbishop has a more expensive car than the Gozo bishop (The Observer wonders what Jesus would think of that!).To a foreigner from a more secular state this looks really ridiculous. Of course also the prime minister’s car have special plates. As far as the Head of the State, the President, is concerned, it is more understandable. He is, after all, a symbol. If the president and the prime minister want to attend a mass in Valletta they travel by these cars about 200 meters to the church. This is just window dressing. One could argue that they travel by car for security reasons; no way, anyone could go close to these potentates. All this is also a part of implementing the belief in people that Malta and its potentates are very important, separated from and above the people. They act like royalties more than the royalties in the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden.

President Abela's car and flag
To a foreigner all these attributes are kind of sweet and touching, except for the corruption. Malta is a Lilliput with its attributes similar to those in operettas. This is sweet, but, of course,  fulfills a not so honorable cause, namely to keep the people in a feeling that Malta is something it is not.





fro

A Message From Chengdu