Month: September 2024
Are Self-Driving Vehicles the Wave of the Future?
Are Self-Driving Vehicles the Wave of the Future?
Yes I think so. Or atleas a kind of robot driving the car for us. A self-driving car make sense and I do this as something that could be the norm in 50 years time or so. It’s been getting in the development with Tesla and a couple of others. It’s gonna happen. Taxis will show up at your door, you get in and they will take you to the destination point without having a driver in them
If properly secured you can send older people and small kids in these cars and have them safely reach point A to point B and you have some peace of mind. You can do other things while they ride safely to their destination and then can come back home the same way as well. That will give you some peace of mind
I do think that we can make it safer to travel in these self driving cars that will avoid crashes and road rage and other such issues. I would like to have them now in our time.
Prompt from The Learning Network at The New York Times at The New York Times
RIP Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson, the renowned award winning actor and country singer-songwriter, has died. He was 88. He was surrounded by family when he died “peacefully” at his home in Maui on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kristoffer Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas, to Mary Ann (née Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristofferson, a U.S. Army Air Corps officer (later a U.S. Air Force major general). Although his father tried to push Kris into the military, Kristofferson attended Pomona College and experienced his first national exposure in 1958, appearing in the March 31 issue of Sports Illustrated for his achievements in collegiate rugby union, American football, and track and field. In 1960, Kristofferson graduated with a B.Phil. degree in English literature from Oxford.
Though he wanted to be a writer under pressure from his family, joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant, attaining the rank of captain. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division. During this time, he resumed his music career and formed a band. After leaving the army in 1965, Kristofferson moved to Nashville. Struggling for success in music, he worked at odd jobs in the meantime while burdened with medical expenses resulting from his son’s defective esophagus. He and his wife divorced in 1968.
Among his songwriting credits are “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, all of which were hits for other artists. He release 21 solo albums and won several Grammy’s. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen, which was a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the traditional Nashville country music machine in favor of independent songwriting and producing.
As an actor, Kristofferson was known for his roles in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Millenium (1989), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004). Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Following the release of his final studio album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016, the country icon formally announced his retirement from music in 2021 and shared that Morris Higham Management was representing his estate.
Married 3 times, he also dated Janis Joplin for a while. His second marriage was to singer Rita Coolidge in 1973, ending in divorce by 1980. Kristofferson married Lisa Meyers in 1983. Kristofferson and Meyers owned a home in Las Flores Canyon in Malibu, California,[31] and maintained a residence in Hana, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. Kristofferson had eight children from his three marriages: two from his first marriage to Fran Beer; one from his second marriage to Rita Coolidge and five from his marriage to his third wife, Lisa (née Meyers) Kristofferson.
The Chocolate Overload Frappe From Costa Coffee
The Chocolate Overload Frappe is a coffee frappe made with dark Belgian chocolate sauce. Costa is the coffee chain that I have had the least coffees from. Cafe Coffee Day is the only Indian chain and I have had more coffee from them – lattes, cappuccinos but mostly frappes – than any others.
Next up is Starbucks and they are my current preferred coffee chain, even though they are the most expensive of the 3 (as of this time Tim Horton’s hasn’t launch in my state yet but they too are expected to be cheaper than Starbucks). The last time I ordered from Costa Coffee it was a disappointing watered down mess. This one though was not in the same vein.
The Chocolate Overload has lots of cream, a whole lot of coffee and Belgian chocolate. What is not to love in that! And they have cookie crumbles on top! Thick and delicious, it’s best if you mixed it up a lot before you start to sip. So good! My only complaint is that it wasn’t really cold; it’s just 1.5 kms away from me and shouldn’t have been affected by the trip to my apartment. I give it a 9 outta 10!
Arsenal 4 Leicester City 2
Arsenal scored twice in stoppage time to earn a dramatic victory over Leicester at Emirates Stadium. A Wilfred Ndidi own goal in the 94th minute and a close-range Kai Havertz strike in the ninth minute of stoppage time denied a Foxes side who were within reach of an unlikely point after clawing back a two-goal deficit in the second half. Gabriel Martinelli had given the dominant Gunners a deserved first-half lead when he steered home Jurrien Timber’s cross, before providing the pass for the second, converted by Leandro Trossard, on the stroke of half-time.
Leicester had managed only one touch in the Arsenal area before the break, but they reduced the arrears a little over a minute into the second half when James Justin’s header from Facundo Buonanotte’s free-kick struck Havertz on its way in. Justin doubled his personal tally in spectacular fashion shortly after the hour mark, meeting Ndidi’s left-wing delivery with a swerving volley that beat David Raya via the inside of the post. If Arsenal were momentarily stunned by Leicester’s recovery, they soon recovered their poise and Mads Hermansen produced two superb saves to keep the Foxes level, denying Havertz with a point-blank stop before keeping out Trossard’s shot – moments after giving the ball away inside his own area.
But Trossard’s late effort was deflected past the Danish goalkeeper by Ndidi before Havertz struck from point-blank range to complete the scoring. Arsenal stay one point behind leaders Liverpool but move level on points with Manchester City, who were held by Newcastle earlier on Saturday. Arsenal fans must have been scratching their heads as the game entered second-half stoppage time, as Leicester closed in on a draw that had barely seemed possible at the interval. Arsenal fans must have been scratching their heads as the game entered second-half stoppage time, as Leicester closed in on a draw that had barely seemed possible at the interval.
Some Facts About Wimpy Burger Franchise
Wimpy is a fast-food chain that was founded in the United States. It found its success internationally, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa. The chain was founded in Bloomington, Indiana, by Edward Gold in 1934 as Wimpy Grills, with the chain in the United States hitting its peak with 26 locations in 1947.
The fast food chain coined its name from J. Wellington Wimpy in the Popeye cartoon strip, so used Mr Wimpy, an exaggerated beefeater figure, to advertise and promote their product, including employing people to wear Mr Wimpy suits outside the restaurants.
In 1954, Gold signed a license with J. Lyons and Co. for them to operate Wimpy Bar across the United Kingdom, with further international agreements a few years later through its subsidiary company, Wimpy International. By 1977, there were only seven Wimpy locations in the United States, which all folded following Gold’s death in that year. Despite the brand’s demise domestically, the chain would peak at 1,500 international locations the following year.
Grand Metropolitan began to phase out the Wimpy Bar in the United Kingdom, rebranding many of them as Burger King (which it also owned) because Burger King had the greater brand recognition amongst consumers, and to aid market competition against McDonald’s. Wimpy became known for its burgers, breakfasts, and classic British diner-style meals. Popular menu items include the Wimpy Burger, Bender in a Bun, and all-day breakfast platters.
As of June 2023, the company remains headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, where it has 453 outlets; this is followed by the United Kingdom with 62 outlets. In 2017 and 2020, the company announced plans for nationwide expansion in the United Kingdom. There are also outlets in Kuwait, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Lesotho.
Wimpy was one of the first fast food restaurant chains to open in India’s free market economy. With a run of initial success, Wimpy was often touted as the first icon of ‘Westernization’ in India. They had an outlet in Bangalore which I have visited twice.
Troll (My Thoughts & Review)
Should Your Significant Other Be Your Best Friend?
I think it’s been said quite often : if you want a good relationship, your partner should be your best friend. You will see similar sentiments on greeting cards, on little gifts especially during Valentine’s Day) and you will see it splattered all over social media images, posts and clips with the lines “I married my best friend”. It gives off the impression that their love is also based on friendship and not just physical and mental attraction.
After the heady, passionate days of falling head-over-heels for a partner, the magic of romantic love can start to wane. It takes a lot to work at keeping the romance alive and in the meantime, having your best friend being the one you live with and you are married too is a huge plus. It means a lot if you both can share interests and hobbies and enjoy doing them together.
It is said that in in contrast to romantic love, which even philosophers characterized as a desire to possess the other person, a friendship-based relationship can have many advantages, namely respecting the other person’s freedom and interest in activities outside of the relationship. I wouldn’t say that it is necessary for your spouse to be your best friend but it does have a lot of advantages if they are.
Prompt from The Learning Network at The New York Times at The New York Times
Do You Have ‘Instagram Envy’?
“Instagram envy” is a term used to describe the feelings of jealousy, inadequacy, or dissatisfaction that can arise when comparing oneself to others on social media, especially on platforms like Instagram. People often share the highlights of their lives—vacations, fancy meals, accomplishments, or idealized images of themselves—which can make viewers feel like their own lives are less exciting or successful by comparison.
This phenomenon can be exacerbated by the fact that Instagram promotes visual content, which often involves carefully curated or edited photos designed to showcase a certain lifestyle. Seeing these “perfect” moments can create unrealistic expectations, making people feel like they are missing out or not measuring up.
Do you ever feel affected by social media in this way, or are you simply curious about the concept?
Cort CR200 Gold Top
What’s the Best Way to Heal a Broken Heart?
Healing a broken heart can be a challenging process that takes time, but there are many things you can do to help yourself feel better. Here are some tips:
- Allow yourself to grieve: It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or any other emotions that come up.
- Practice self-care: Make time to rest, eat well, and do things that bring you joy.
- Seek support: Spend time with friends and family, or talk to a therapist.
- Set boundaries: Create distance between you and your ex-partner to help you heal.
- Find a new hobby: Try something you’ve always wanted to do to get your mind off the pain.
- Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Practice gratitude: Notice the good things in your life, both past and present.
- Practice forgiveness: Forgiveness can improve your overall health and help heal relationships.
- Practice mindfulness: Try meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling.
- Remind yourself that healing takes time: Be patient with yourself.
The time it takes to recover from a broken heart varies from person to person, and can range from a few days to several months.
What I Think Will Be The Future Of The Music Industry
What Can You Predict About the Future of the Music Industry?
To be honest, I have absolutely no clue as to what the future will hold for music in general. It seems that music in general has sucked for so long now. I haven’t been excited about new music since 2010! The barrage of below par pop music and hiphop annoys me like nothing else can. How the standard of music is dropped astonishes me.
Insane lyrics and repetitive music does not impress me or make me want to listen to it. While the 2000s and the 2010s were bad as well, it seems to have gone even more downhill. It is now in a blue hole in the ocean. Luckily for us some of the classic artists from the 70, 80s & 90s are still around but making much new music doesn’t seem to worth much to them. CD sales are a far cry from what it used to be and live performances and tours are where they make most of their money from.
While there are a couple of bands that are new and excite me, I lean more towards the back catalog of my favourite bands and singers/musicians. That brings me a whole of comfort and still makes me want to sing along.
Prompt from The Learning Network at The New York Times at The New York Times
Arsenal 5 Bolton 1
Teenager Ethan Nwaneri scored his first Arsenal goals as they cruised to victory over League One Bolton to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round. The 17-year-old, making his first senior start for the club, slotted into an empty net from Raheem Sterling’s cross, before taking advantage of some sloppy Bolton play to pick up the ball from Declan Rice and roll under visiting goalkeeper Luke Southwood. Nwaneri’s two goals came after he had already played a part in Arsenal’s 16th-minute opener with a fizzed cross which Scott Arfield failed to clear and Rice dispatched a calm finish into the bottom corner
Sterling tapped home the fourth from a couple of yards in the 64th minute after Southwood spilled Bukayo Saka’s effort. It was the forward’s first goal in Arsenal colours, on his first start, since joining from London rivals Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Kai Havertz wrapped up a convincing win at Emirates Stadium after guiding home a rebound when Sterling’s shot was saved. Aaron Collins had pulled one back for Bolton in the 53rd minute after a brilliant counter-attack. It was ultimately a consolation, but one that denied teenage Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter a clean sheet on his record-setting senior debut. At 16 years and 72 days old, he became the youngest player to start a first-team game for the Gunners, breaking a mark set by Cesc Fabregas in October 2003 in the League Cup against Rotherham.
Porter is the club’s fourth choice, but got the call after number one stopper David Raya was ruled out with a thigh injury, summer signing Neto was cup-tied, having already featured in the competition for parent club Bournemouth, and Tommy Setford was also out injured. After a gruelling Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday, boss Arteta opted to rest several first-team starters and chose a youthful line-up with Porter, full-back Josh Nichols, 18, Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, and Nwaneri making their full senior debuts. Two other teenagers Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia also made their first foray into first-team football off the bench. But bolstered by the experience of Rice and Jorginho in midfield and the quality of Saka and Sterling on the wings, Arsenal’s youngsters had the freedom to showcase their talent in this comfortable victory.
Word Cloud Wednesday – 25 September 2024
Mr. Big’s Farewell Final Album, 2 More Shows In Japan Next Year
Mr. Big said farewell with its The Big Finish tour, which wrapped up Aug. 23 at Romania’s Way Too Far Rock festival and is documented on The Big Finish Live album and DVD coming out Friday, Sept. 6. The group plans to make an actual finish next February, with a couple of shows in Japan. But if frontman Eric Martin has his way, the “To Be With You” quartet may well be with us again in the future. Talking to Billboard via Zoom from his home in San Rafael, CA, Martin admits to having second thoughts about packing the band in 35 years after its debut album.
That’s the plan, however, after what are being billed as the final two shows – Feb. 22 in Osaka and Feb. 25 at the Budokan in Tokyo, where The Big Finish Live was recorded last July 26. But Martin says that if Mr. Big’s days as a touring or even a live act are indeed over, he doesn’t think the band has to stop completely. He is open to having Zoom calls to write songs and release them. Martin formed Mr. Big in Los Angeles during 1988 with bassist Billy Sheehan, adding guitarist Paul Gilbert, his chief songwriting partner, and drummer Pat Torpey.
The group broke big with its second album, 1991’s platinum Lean Into it — which Mr. Big performed in its entirety throughout the farewell tour; it contained Mr. Big’s biggest single, the chart topping ballad “To Be With You.” The band went through some lineup changes before breaking up in 2002, resuming seven years later and working sporadically since. Torpey, who Martin calls “the band’s referee,” passed away in 2018 of complications from Parkinson’s disease; Nick D’Virgilio from Spock’s Beard, and other bands was Mr. Big’s final drummer. Martin says he was gratified that Mr. Big recorded the Ten album — which was also a contractual obligation — even if it doesn’t rock quite as hard as he or Sheehan might have preferred.
The Big Finish Live album and film, meanwhile, was decided upon not too long before last summer’s Budokan shows — just six days after the 13-month tour began. The 26 songs include the entirety of the Lean Into It album, as well as covers of Humble Pie’s “30 Days in the Hole,” the Olympics’ “Good Lovin’” with the band members on different instruments and the Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” It also features a five-song acoustic section capped by Cat Stevens’ “Wild World.”
Martin doesn’t have too much time to spend mourning Mr. Big’s conclusion, however. He, along with Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, is about to head back to Japan to tour with the Tak Matsumoto Group, which he started with 20 years ago and which reformed and released a new album earlier this year. He’s anticipating some solo shows after that, on his own acoustically and possibly with a backing band.
10 Tips To Stay Hydrated
Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water. We lose water constantly through our skin, urine, waste and sweat – even when we breathe.If you don’t drink enough water, you can become dehydrated, which can lead to impaired kidney function, unbalanced electrolytes and other complications. Here are some tips to stay hydrated:
- Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. This gets your metabolism running and gives you an energy boost. Avoid drinking water right before bed if you struggle with nocturnal urination or heartburn.
- Invest in a fun or fancy water bottle. A good water bottle can serve as a visual reminder to drink more water throughout the day. Certain bottles have marked measurements for tracking intake or have words of encouragement printed on the side as water levels go down.
- Use alarms or notifications to your advantage. Set alarms or notifications on your smart devices as reminders throughout the day. For a mental boost, set your Alexa or Google device to remind you along with verbal, positive encouragements.
- Focus on your body’s signals. Be mindful of whether your body is thirsty or hungry. Sometimes we overeat because we mistake thirst for hunger.
- Drink a glass of water before each meal. It will help you stay hydrated, help your body digest food better and help you feel full faster.
- Add calorie-free flavoring. Try fruit or vegetable infusions in your water to make it more appealing. Prepare a jug in the refrigerator to infuse overnight to make filling your water bottle in the morning easier. Pick up a water bottle that has a built-in infusion basket for flavor on the go.
- Check the color of your urine. Some people check the color of their urine throughout the day to ensure it is clear or light-colored. Dark yellow urine may be a sign of dehydration for some.
- Swap high sugar drinks for sparkling water or seltzer. Not only will you cut back on unnecessary sugar, but you’ll be adding to your water intake.
- Set a daily goal. A simple daily goal can help you stay motivated and work towards maintaining a healthy habit.
- Make it a challenge. Ask your friends to join you in a healthy competition to see who meets their daily goals regularly.
Four Songs That Have September In The Title
Let’s start our list with a song with “September” in the title. Earth Wind & Fire‘s entry is one of the most iconic songs about this particular month. “September” is a classic funk and disco hit that celebrates the joy and love of “the 21st night of September.” The song’s infectious beat emphasizes a carefree “live in the moment” mindset. At the same time, the lyrics reflect on fond memories from the past and are capped off by the meaningless “ba dee ya,” a placeholder lyric that was never changed and contributed to the song’s status as a singalong classic.The catchy chorus hints at a particular time that was important to the singer. But the real meaning of the lyrics is left up to the listener’s imagination.
Our next song, “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” is a rock ballad from Green Day‘s 2004 album American Idiot. The song’s lyrics express the grief and pain of losing a loved one. It’s a tough time for the singer, and he wishes that days would go by past September. Apparently, the month reminds him of his loss. The band’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, penned the song after his father died from esophageal cancer. The song was also a tribute to the casualties of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Yet another song to add to this category is Natalie Imbruglia‘s “Come September” from her 2001 album White Lilies Island. This song is a melancholy ballad that describes the physical and emotional pain of heartbreak. The singer’s world falls apart even as she searches for a way to cope and find hope. Despite her difficult situation, the song also offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests that everything will be all right in the end, come September. The month signals the changing of the season, and it symbolizes a new start for her.
Up next is The Bangles‘ “September Gurls,” a power-pop song originally by the rock band Big Star. The song is about a man’s infatuation with a girl born in September and how he cannot resist her charm and beauty. Despite being aware of the heartbreak that may come with loving her, he declares his love for her anyway. And he still ends up broken-hearted, saying, “December boy’s got it bad.”
Why Do Leaves Change Colour In Autumn In Some Places?
Autumnal leaves in vibrant hues are a beautiful part of the season, but those leaves are also a vital part of keeping trees alive. Trees that usually have large, broad leaves are the ones that change leaves colour. Most of the year, these leaves are green because of the chlorophyll they use to absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis. The leaves convert the energy into sugars to feed the tree. As the season changes, temperatures drop and days get shorter. Trees get less direct sunlight, and the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down.
The lack of chlorophyll reveals yellow and orange pigments that were already in the leaves but masked during the warmer months. Darker red leaves are the result of a chemical change: Sugars that can get trapped in the leaves produce new pigments (called anthocyanins) that weren’t part of the leaf in the growing season. Some trees, like oaks and dogwoods, are likely to produce red leaves.How much and how fast leaves transform varies by location on the globe. The best colors are produced when the weather is dry, sunny and cool. Places that are cloudy, damp or warm won’t see the same degree of changing color.
Then, of course, the leaves fall. Trees start building a protective seal between leaves and their branches as the weather turns. They take in as many nutrients as possible from the leaves, but leaves wouldn’t survive the winter and would make trees vulnerable to damage if they remained. When the leaves are cut off from the fluid in the branches, they separate and drop to the ground.