Off-Topic - Time

ꕤ British Library 'Beaujolais-Drill-Dombes. Thizy and surroundings. Armorial and genealogical notes. Book decorated with 380 engravings and written by the scattered notes left by Étienne Mulsant, etc. ' Author: BILLET, H. Contributor: MULSANT, Martial Étienne. Place of Publishing: Lyon Date of Publishing: 1899 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- The first documented record for staying awake is 11 days, and it goes back to 1964 (Randy Gardner - here). During the Stanford University (California, USA) experiment: "On the eleventh day, when [the subject, Randy Gardner] was asked to subtract seven repeatedly, starting with 100, he stopped at 65. When asked why he had stopped, he replied that he had forgotten what he was doing"  [as above] LOL ... I'm forever forgetting what I'm doing, even with regular sleep.  And I'd have no hope with the backwards count, even with sleep.  The other record (almost 19 days awake in rocking chair marathon) sounds positively crazy ... and maybe fun: The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech and memory and concentration lapses. [here] I'd been awake for over a couple of days straight, wondering how long I'd last staying awake without going nuts, so I found myself check out how long I had (after experiencing anxiety that I maybe wouldn't be able to sleep at all). It looks like just short of 3 days is my limit (or close to it, I think ... it's hard to go back & count the time, as I can't remember the time frame). Unlike the experiment guy, I wasn't going for the record ... I was just wired from being on the computer and listening to music.  After passing the initial sleep 'wall' it feels like you can go on forever.   And it's like flying.  While stationary.  Rather cool. More 'sleep walls' or 'sleep dips' recur, but can be bypassed for those that want to, I guess.  LOL After a few sessions of extensive wakefulness periods, it is as if the duration of one's 'days' is altered:  a 'day' is no longer 24 hours, as in the feeling for time changes. Normal time frames feel too short/fast. That's an enduring feeling, for me. Long stretches without sleep come with a sort of depressing side-effect, the longer you go without sleep (well, for me).  But it's not enduring ... I hope. The other side-effect is a sore, cramping 'mouse-hand'. Even with long stretches without sleep, natural sleep periods don't extend beyond the range of normal. So that's kind of cool.  It's a gain in time. Although it's apparently also a loss in terms of wear and tear, and probably not recommended.  ;) ꕤ

Russian Federation: Last Remaining European Pagans - the Mari (aka 'Cheremis' / 'Chimari')

ꕤ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1qdU1JnSpc Last of Europe's Pagans Russia's Mari people aka 'Cheremis'  /  Chimari -- Finno-Ugric ethnic group -- Republic of Mari El -- Volga Finnic ethnic group -- x3 different groups Meadow Mountain Eastern 2002:  604,298 self-identified Mari Rural residing Mari = 60% Own language:  Mari RELIGION Pagan -- individual connected with nature -- nature exerts magical influence over the people -- relate to nature as sacred, powerful & living being -- (man cannot exist outside of nature) -- nature:  source of absolute good -- helper as long as it is not harmed or opposed -- pantheon of gods, reside in heavens -- Great White God (Osh Kugu Yumo), most important -- lesser gods:     -- god of fire (Tul Yumo)     -- god of wind (Mardezh Yumo) Hybrid Gods - Chumbulat -- Mari believe in half-men, half-gods on Earth -- most revered:  Chumbulat (leader & warrior) Ivan IV - Ivan the Terrible -- 1500s - incorporates Mari into Russian Empire -- Adoption of Christianity / but not universal -- paganism practised to this day -- pagan Mari:  25-40% of Mari population (otherwise mostly Orthodox) [wikipedia] ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Spring in the birch grove by Strakhov Keremet god identified with sacred groves birches & oaks grow on site upon which mortal killed by god of earth & water, Keremet Keremet is the punisher god Keremet's home is the sacred groves Sacred groves:  home of dead heroes Mari / Maris (Chimari) Osh Kugu Yumo Osh Poro Kugu Yumo Great White Good God Great White Good God -- masculine form -- master of heavenly laws -- protector etymological (word origin) parallels in related other languages: Finnish (Jumala) Estonian (Jumal) Zyryan (Yen) Udmurt (Inmar) God Keremet -- opponent of Kugu Yumo -- negative aspect -- dangerous, destructive -- contact made through sacrifices & consecrating trees or groves -- Eastern Mari see Keremet as defender of Maris -- but this does not negate dangerous / negative aspects -- 'keremet' - generic term for nasty spirits -- those not properly buried / dead with hostile dispositions -- Keremet evilness not absolute -- Keremet is lord of the earth & esp. the waters -- records misdeeds of humans -- does not punish without reason -- punishment for bad deeds or violation of rituals -- demonisation of Keremet = Christianity influence Ancient myth: -- earth diver water-bird that created world -- by diving down to bring up earth from abysses of water Yumo's Daughter - Yumyn-Iudyr -- regularly descended silky stairs from heaven -- to pasture 'heavenly herd of cattle' -- married a mortal -- marriage ended tragically for mortal (jealousy) -- mauled by Keremet / site of his death grew birches & oaks -- some Mari consider husband of Yumyn-Iudyr -- their totemic ancestor Kugo Yumo -- distant from humanity (in the heavens / sky) Shaman = kart belief in initial unity of gods and humans -- humans & gods lived on star (planet) -- tended to animals -- natural cataclysm:  grass stopped growing -- gods sent people to Earth -- to feed the herd & herds lifted back to heaven (for food) -- but planetary catastrophe:  ppl & animals could not return to star -- remained on earth Sacrifices -- sacrificed animal flesh burned on fire -- to feed gods in heavens -- as souls of animal (burnt offerings) rise to the star to the gods -- gods consume the spirit (and are fed) Individual Angel-Servants -- Susko, defender of faith -- protects from forces of nature & poverty -- Vitn'yze, spirit helper who helps gods -- Piyambar, goddess linked with destiny & divination Vechory (or vesiory) - male or female -- female is positive -- male brings destruction -- are local family spirits -- upon whom material success of humans depends Demonic Spirit:  Obada -- social defects blamed on an 'obada' -- eg drunkenness Cult of Saintly Heroes -- national leaders & defenders of Mari tribes -- special reverence:     -- Chumbylat - saint of all Mari, prince-warrior     -- end 11th Century gathered all Mari     -- told them to build cities     -- 1830s Chumbylat's grave, cliff at:     -- rocky mountain by river Nemda     -- cliff destroyed     -- Mari revived the cult:  honour hero - 26 June Mari often mix up figure of Chumbylat with figure of tribal god:  Kuryk Kugyza (k.a.  'Kuryk Kugu' -  the great mountain person') Akpatyr -- considered by Mari as one of ancient tribal princes -- 1500s service to Russian Tsar -- diplomatic skills -- peaceful existence for his ppl, amid Russian & Tatar expansion -- cult of Akpatyr revived in present day Mari acknowledge x9 honoured, powerful ancient hero-ancestors -- to address ancestor, one needs special spiritual power -- morally purity requisite Kugeche - connected with Easter (celebrated same day) -- Eastern Mari seek to distance themselves from Christian traditions -- celebrate a week earlier Above is not a complete overview.  It is  just a small portion of what's covered in the following academic text: SOURCE Modern Pagan & Native Faith Movements in Central & Eastern Europe by Kaarina Aitamurto (University of Helsinki) & Scott Simpson (University in Krakow) http://www.amazon.com/Movements-Central-Contemporary-Historical-Paganism/dp/1844656624 cataclysm violent upheaval causes great destruction or brings about a fundamental change or  devastating flood fm. Latin 'cataclysmos' (deluge) fm. Greek kataklusmos fm. katakluzein (to inundate) 'kluzein' (to wash away) ---------------------- ꕤ ----------------------  COMMENT I could get into reverence for enormous 1,000 year old oak trees (and warrior ancestors).  Sounds sensible.  I'm also drawn to the European tribal thing.  But I'd never fit into tribal society. Mari El Republic must be a wonderful place to live -- as in the ancient history that's borne by the people and the land.  Favourite parts (aside from warrior ancestors & the space myth):  birches and oaks growing from place mortal was killed. Chimari is the term I prefer. ꕤ

Video - Снег Series

ꕤ abridged version ❄❄ Exit Everything Rowland S. Howard  Farewell Aunty Jack Graeme Bond & Rory O'Donoghue ❄ ❄❄❄ ❄❄❄❄❄ ❄❄❄ ❄ ❄ Снег ❄ ❄❄ ❄❄ Mustafa (1960) Leo Leandros  Sounds like German, sung in Turkish style. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- ❄ ❄❄ ❄ [discovered this cutie on twitter / don't know whose photo he might be] That was fun. I love the energy of some of these songs. I also like the trippy vintage stuff. abridged version ꕤ

Illinois USA - How the Rich Bought Political Power

ꕤ Article SOURCE as indicated Illinois USA Bruce Rauner Governor of Illinois Swedish-German descent venture capitalist private equity firm GTCR (30 years) father lawyer / senior VP Motorola Wife #1 Beth Konker Wessel (3 ch.) Wife #2 Diana Mendley Rauner (3 ch.) Son: "In 2010, Eric, then 21, got arrested for trying to rob a Walgreen’s drive-through in Missoula, Montana. He gave a pharmacist “a note threatening to blow his head off unless he handed over prescription painkillers, according to charging documents in the case,” reported the Daily Missoulian. The paper further reported that he told authorities that he was drunk at the time and addicted to pills. Originally charged with felony robbery, Eric, who had been unarmed, pleaded guilty in July 2012 to an amended charge of felony criminal endangerment and received a three-year deferred sentence." [Comment:  Eric was 1 years old when his parents separated, before divorcing (affair allegedly discovered by wife #1)   Siblings were 4 and 6 years old] http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2014/Bruce-Rauner/ D.I.V.O.R.C.E. Article & Divorce Court Documents Affair allegedly discovered by Wife #1 Rauner allegedly sought reconciliation & continued to live in house However, Wife #1 allegedly discovered  consultation with lawyer http://www.businessinsider.com.au/bruce-rauner-1993-divorce-2014-5?r=US&IR=T ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- NYT Wealthy Governor & His Friends Remaking Illinois Unprecedented Political Spending By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE NOV. 29, 2015 SUMMARY - as per my understanding Kenneth C. Griffin billionaire founder one of the world’s largest hedge funds -- Griffin & friends ('the families') -- poured tens of millions of dollars into the state -- concentration of political money -- unprecedented in Illinois history -- wealth forcefully shifted state’s balance of power -- 2014:  'the families' helped elect Bruce Rauner governor -- Griffin friend of Rauner (elected governor) [Wealthy Election Buyers] Agenda: cut spending overhaul state’s pension system impose term limits weaken public employee unions Formula: change the power structure change way business conducted change status quo taking advantage of shifts in: regulatory factors legal factors cultural factors Rich families remaking Illinois: channelled vast wealth into political power infusion of money into campaigns via newly carved paths "reshaping government with fortunes so large as to defy the ordinary financial scale of politics" 2016 USA Presidential Campaign - 158 Families New York Times analysis -- just 158 families -- provided nearly HALF of early campaign money -- donors from FINANCE INDUSTRY -- finance field = more new political wealth than other Following helped elect Rauner: John Childs -- Florida-based leveraged-buyout pioneer Sam Zell -- private equity investor Paul Singer -- hedge fund manager, NY Richard Uihlein (Dick) -- Chicago suburbs businessman -- General Bindings Corp -- plastic binding manufacture, family business -- family co-founded: Schlitz Brewing -- Uline, Inc - shipping supplies distribution company Philosophies of donors becoming widely adopted blueprint for public officials in USA -- critical of powerful unions -- want reduction of public (government) spending -- want reduction of taxation -- want to undermine govt-led efforts to redress gap b/w rich/poor -- consider strong public unions root of all evil -- re governance:  Chicago, New York & California Increasing Amounts of Money -- much stronger last 5-6 years To usurp political power in Illinois -- the rich have pumped BIG money into political campaigns -- money that outstrips that of unions --{unions were formerly 'financial lifeblood of both parties'} -- Rauner:     "triggered a state law that removes limits on campaign contributions when a wealthy candidate spends heavily on his or her own race."     "The law, intended to limit the influence of the wealthy by providing a level playing field, had the opposite effect: Freed of the restraints, supporters of Mr. Rauner poured millions more into his campaign, breaking state records." Rauner - Campaign Spending v. Unions -- abt half of $65 million Rauner spent in 2014 -- came from Rauner & x9 others -- (other individuals, families or companies they control) -- $13.6 million Griffin family contributions -- MORE than --> 244 labour unions combined donations Kenneth C. Griffin Biggest Donor - re Rauner -- Griffin:   $5.5 million -- private plane at Rauner’s disposal HOW MILLIONS OF ELECTION FUNDS SPENT -- political advocacy groups -- research organizations -- party committees -- credit union on Chicago’s predominantly black South Side -- depositing $1 million to support small-business loans -- $20 million (Rauner, Griffin & Uihlein)     Note:  Rauner as given “$27 million of his own money to public education, both CPS and charters.” (Rauner publicly stated figure is:  $20 million) [ChicagoMag] -- to beat back union pressure Other -- Rauner advocacy of school choice -- African-USA voter appeal - stuck in worst schools [ChicagoMag] Result -- Rauner elected -- agenda to shrink govt -- agenda to make state more business friendly -- however:  Democrats supermajority in both houses DEMOCRATS Democrat majority want: -- minimum wage -- millionaires-only income tax increase -- both items against Rauner position REPUBLICANS Rauner - governor (thus opposed to Democrat majority) Chicago Sun-Times  |  PRESS -- reversed no-endorsement policy to back Rauner -- Rauner, part-owner prior to run for governor Illinois State: -- mismanagement by state officials -- both parties -- over $100-Billion in UNFUNDED pension liabilities -- x10 governors went to prison -- public employee unions unaware re absence of retirement benefit funding by state -- lobbied for other spending -- state owes billions in unpaid bills NOTE:  Illinois state constitution BANS raising taxes solely on rich SOURCE http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/30/us/politics/illinois-campaign-money-bruce-rauner.html?_r=0 Illinois' flat income tax places it in the 'Terrible Ten' Written By sswerdlow Posted: 06/25/2014, 06:52pm Illinois is one of the ten most regressive states in the country ... A state is regressive if it requires the poor to pay a greater share of their income in taxes than the rich. In Illinois, the state’s poorest residents—those in the bottom 20 percent of the income scale—pay almost three times as much of their earnings in taxes as the top one percent do. Illinois’ flat income tax is one of the primary reasons ITEP ranks the state as the fourth most regressive. A flat income tax means the state takes the same percentage of income from everyone, regardless of how much or how little they earn. Illinois is one of only ten states with a flat tax rate. There are seven states that collect no taxes on individual income. See which states have flat, graduated, or no income taxes in the map below. Illinois increased the tax rate on individual income from 3 percent to 5 percent in 2011. That increase is set to expire January 1, 2015. Speaker Michael Madigan reports that the House Democratic caucus is almost 30 votes shy of the 60 needed to make what was a temporary increase permanent. If Illinois fails to extend the tax rate of 5 percent, it will have the third lowest individual income tax rate of any state with a flat tax. According to the Tax Foundation, only Indiana and Pennsylvania will have lower rates, at 3.4 and 3.07 percent respectively. Illinois depends on individual income taxes for 42 percent of its tax revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Taxes on individual income bring in more money for the state than any other tax. This wasn’t the case in 2009, when half of the state’s tax revenue came from sales tax. Sales tax revenue has steadily declined since then, though, due to the Great Recession. http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/7/71/876236/chicago-budget-revenue-tax-ideas ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT The word 'gubernatorial' is unpleasant sounding to me: "C18: from Latin gubernator governor." Really enjoyed checking this out. American politics is sooooooo disgusting. USA doesn't even pretend to be democratic. This story has everything ... & the state's broke.  Quick, someone write a TV-series.  It should be interesting to see what happens when the opposition (Democrats) have the majority in both houses.  Second article on income tax is also very interesting.  Those rates are bizarre.  It's so low it's like there is just about no income tax. ꕤ

Ukraine Defaults on $3-BILLION Debt Repayment to Russia

ꕤ  Former CEO of USA 'investment fund' Created by USAID Natalia Jaresko AMERICAN ... er, ... Ukraine now Ukraine Finance Minister ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Ukraine Prime Minister  Arseny Yatseniuk Nuland's Yatsy ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. [Twitter Source:  Siphon & Balls ... lol] CIA BALLS-UP LEAKED TAPE VICTORIA F*CK THE EU ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Ukraine defaults on $3bn Eurobond to Russia  Published time: 18 Dec, 2015 11:06 Edited time: 18 Dec, 2015 11:17 Ukraine has imposed a moratorium on the $3 billion Russian debt repayment, said the country’s Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk at a cabinet meeting on Friday. The announcement comes ahead of the December 20 deadline for the debt repayment. "Considering that Russia has refused, despite our efforts, to sign an agreement on restructuring and to accept our proposals, the cabinet is imposing a moratorium on payment of the Russian debt worth $3 billion," said Yatsenyuk. https://www.rt.com/business/326409-ukraine-defaults-russian-debt/ Ukraine’s Made-in-USA Finance Minister By Robert Parry Global Research, December 08, 2014 ConsortiumNews.com      A top problem of Ukraine has been corruption and cronyism, so it may raise eyebrows that new Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, an ex-U.S. diplomat and newly minted Ukrainian citizen, was involved in insider dealings while managing a $150 million U.S. AID-backed investment fund, writes Robert Parry.     Ukraine’s new Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, a former U.S. State Department officer who was granted Ukrainian citizenship only this week, headed a U.S. government-funded investment project for Ukraine that involved substantial insider dealings, including $1 million-plus fees to a management company that she also controlled.     Jaresko served as president and chief executive officer of Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF), which was created by the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S. AID) with $150 million to spur business activity in Ukraine. She also was cofounder and managing partner of Horizon Capital which managed WNISEF’s investments at a rate of 2 to 2.5 percent of committed capital, fees exceeding $1 million in recent years, according to WNISEF’s 2012 annual report.     [ ... ]     Given the collapsing Ukrainian economy since the Feb. 22 coup, the value of the fund is likely to have slipped even further. (Efforts to get more recent data from WNISEF’s and Horizon Capital’s Web sites were impossible Friday because the sites were down.)     Beyond the long list of “related party transactions” in the annual report, there also have been vague allegations of improprieties involving Jaresko from one company insider, her ex-husband, Ihor Figlus. But his whistle-blowing was shut down by a court order issued at Jaresko’s insistence.     John Helmer, a longtime foreign correspondent in Russia, disclosed the outlines of this dispute in an article examining Jaresko’s history as a recipient of U.S. AID’s largesse and how it enabled her to become an investment banker via WNISEF, Horizon Capital and Emerging Europe Growth Fund.     [ ...] EXTRACT ONLY FULL AT SOURCE http://www.globalresearch.ca/ukraines-made-in-usa-finance-minister/5418617 Robert Parry American investigative journalist Editor Consortium News (since 1995) Arlington, Virginia covered Iran-Contra for Associated Press & Newsweek incl. breaking PsyOps in Guerilla Warfare CIA manual provided to Nicaraguan Contras CIA & Contras Cocaine trafficking in USA (1985) @Consortiumnews John Helmer b. Australia journalist, Russia former Prof. Political Science former adviser to Greek, US & Asia govts former member of Carter administration (US) writer, military & political essays on Greek & Middle East topics Russian specialist consultancy services work {govt relations, due diligence, litigation support, market analysis} http://johnhelmer.net/?page_id=2 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- C'mon, Russia, cut off the gas.  lol I'm still pissing myself laughing at this. Might have to adjust the Jaresko photo.  Forgot to put the toilet brush handle end on the other side of her hand.  lol ꕤ

Terrier Cutie

ꕤ  ❤   Terrier Cutie ❤ @ PupAid ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Someone please adopt him. He's sooooooo cute. ꕤ

Transport Infrastructure Trivia - USA & France

ꕤ Trivia SOURCE http://www.worldhighways.com/sections/contraflow-interview/contraflow/us-highway-bill-finally-receives-approval-by-government/ 2012 Transport Infrastructure Trivia Developed nations No new funds available for road investment. Shortfall enduring, due to ongoing financial problems. 2012 FRANCE €28 billion Needed for Roads FRANCE -- extensive networks tolled roads -- massive shortfall re trunk & urban roads -- 12,000km state-owned national roads -- require €6 billion just for maintenance -- plus further €22 billion for necessary expansion Andre Broto VP Cofiroute French highway firm “The problem is how to find €28 billion for national roads.” “Our main transportation systems: airports, rail, motorways, are nothing without ordinary roads and we need to find some way of investing in them.” USA - Highway Reauthorisation Bill - as at 2012 -- political stalemates -- prior short-term extensions not sufficient to allow private investment -- stunted construction -- now contractors can expect USG transport spending -- spending likely to replace old construction equipment -- job creation expected -- transport system improvement important to economy -- as at 2012, funding by Highway Trust Fund + user-tax revenues -- but widening gap between federal spending & user tax-revenues -- (that fund the Highway Trust Fund) -- as at 2011 -  28 states invested less in highway & bridge projects 2015 ** Obama's about to sign off on Highway bill authorising $305 BILLION FUNDING ** PLUS renewal of EXPORT-IMPORT BANK http://www.worldhighways.com/sections/contraflow-interview/contraflow/us-highway-bill-finally-receives-approval-by-government/ ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Thought this was cool information. How much France needs to get its roads infrastructure up to scratch is probably debatable, but (as at 2012) it still sounds like there is massive need for maintenance and expansion. Maybe if France spent less on bombing Africa it could spend more on roads. ꕤ