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Antonin Artaud: Post-modernism In A Theatre Of Cruelty

By RD Bentley on February 25, 2018 in ,

Antonin Artaud, the European avant-garde artist, takes absurdism to another level with his works of art. Jet of Blood aka Spurt of Blood, is a short play that’s sure to shock you due to its Theatre Of Cruelty themes.

The highlight of this controlled madness is Kecak, aka Ramayana Monkey Chant, “performed by a circle of at least 150 performers wearing checked cloth around their waists, percussively chanting cak and moving their hands and arms, depicts a battle from the Ramayana.” Kecak has roots in sanghyang.

Recognized as one of the major figures of the avant-garde theatre, Antonin Artaud is now crucial to the contribution of post-modernism.

His best-known work, The Theatre and Its Double, was published in 1938. A collection of manifestos originally published in 1938, The Theater and Its Double is the fullest statement of the ideas of Antonin Artaud.

The Theatre of Cruelty has been created in order to restore to the theatre a passionate and convulsive conception of life, and it is in this sense of violent rigour and extreme condensation of scenic elements that the cruelty on which it is based must be understood. This cruelty, which will be bloody when necessary but not systematically so, can thus be identified with a kind of severe moral purity which is not afraid to pay life the price it must be paid.

– Antonin Artaud, The Theatre of Cruelty, in The Theory of the Modern Stage (ed. Eric Bentley), Penguin, 1968, p.66

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Common Sports Injuries And Solutions

By RD Bentley on February 16, 2018 in ,

Exercise is a noble activity and physically rewarding, but sometimes the strains can be debilitating. Sometimes the pain just will not go away and solid advice becomes necessary. The help on YouTube is phenomenal.

1. Calf Strain — It is often like a toothache. It is there, it goes away, it comes back, etc. When pressure is exerted the discomfort returns. Please make it go away!

2. Tennis Elbow — Not a big one here, but if you’re into weightlifting this is very miserable and it won’t go away.

3. Shoulder Pain — There’s times when you don’t know what exactly is wrong, as such is often the case with shoulder pain.

4. Shoulder Tendonitis — The pain is almost brutal yet bearable. The area seems to be in the sinking spot.

5. Supraspinatus Tendonitis — Ah! Relief where you need it!

6. Shoulder Tendonitis Cure — The number one step for a cure.

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The Magnesium Complex

By RD Bentley on February 8, 2018 in ,

According to the increasing evidence of poor diet and its effect, mineral deficiency in America may be a growing problem, and maybe we should examine the nutritional value of our meals. The apathetic stance taken is unfortunate, as an increasing number suffer obesity, along with chronic health issues. Many are clueless and remain apathetic.

How can a nation ridden with chronic illness emerge from one of the top industrialized societies? Are we overfed and undernourished at the same time? Do we have a potential health crisis underlying the American exceptionalism?

Ironically, the complexity lies with the paradox of too much choice and obviously way too much processed foods.

Combined with the giant fast food industry and a decline in agricultural practices, people are becoming more unhealthy. Yet, hardly one soul will take the time to read the labels or scrutinize the ingredients inside the appetizing pleasure meal with sugary soft drink.

The previous generations must have known about the importance of beans, greens, herbs, and minerals.

“Ceruloplasmin is the major copper-carrying protein in the blood, and in addition plays a role in iron metabolism.” It carries more than 95% of the total copper in healthy human plasma, therefore copper plays a very important role in iron metabolism.

“There is a theory that the free copper and iron binding activity of ceruloplasmin decreases lipidoxidation (i.e., is an antioxidant) and the development of atherosclerosis (based on cell studies)”. Human studies have not confirmed this theory.

However, as important as iron is, there’s a danger in getting too much iron and iron overload is more prevalent among males. Excess iron may deposit in the liver, pancreas, and retina, leading to cirrhosis, endocrine abnormalities, and loss of vision, respectively. So you may reconsider those foods and vitamins that are “fortified” with iron.

Another potential problem is too much calcium and not enough magnesium, although this is generally hidden from the American consumer. Do I get enough magnesium?

Two forms of magnesium are magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate.

For those that do not wish to swallow huge horse pills here’s a capsule form: Advanced Magnesium by InnovixLabs. Two Natural Magnesium Bisglycinate and Malate Sources.

The latest rage in research is Magnesium L-Threonate: NOW Magtein.

The Anti-Stress Drink is called Natural Calm.

The electrolytes that run the autonomic nervous system: Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), Mg (Magnesium), Ca (Calcium).

More:

1. Misled and Misfed — Morley Robbins
2. The Magnesium Miracle — Dr. Carolyn Dean
3. Primal Panacea — Dr. Thomas Levy
4. The Magnesium Factor: How One Simple Nutrient Can Prevent, Treat, and Reverse High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Other Chronic Conditions — Mildred Seelig,‎ Andrea Rosanoff
5. The Calcium Lie II: What Your Doctor Still Doesn’t Know: How Mineral Imbalances Are Damaging Your Health — Robert Thompson MD,‎ Kathleen Barnes
6. The Calcium Controversy — Guy E. Abraham, M.D.
7. The Stress of Life — Hans Selye

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Burning Man: Summer Extravagance In BRC

By RD Bentley on January 7, 2018 in ,

A Tract of Land Named The Inner Playa Where The Affluent Meet

Collections. Cacophony. Culture jamming. In 2018, the theme presentation is iRobot. From Baker Beach to Black Rock City (BRC), welcome to the creation of Burning Man.

“The late summer event is described as an experiment in community and art, influenced by ten main principles: radical inclusion, self-reliance, and self-expression, as well as community cooperation, civic responsibility, gifting, decommodification, participation, immediacy, and leaving no trace.” The 10 principals are encouraged by the other groups.

The idea first came into being 32 years ago in 1986 on Baker Beach in San Francisco. It is held annually, going from the last Sunday in August to the first Monday in September.

Anything goes at Burning Man (aka “the Man”); a symbolic ritual burning of a large wooden effigy that occurs on the Saturday evening of the big event.

Have you seen The Wicker Man (1973)? What about the Green Man thing?

The time of year coincides with the summer solstice or Midsummer, which usually involves celebration and bonfires. The similarity is clearly visible.

After all, one of the roots of the annual event began as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice.

Did the ancient Celts practice human sacrifice? “Archaeological evidence from Ireland does indicate that human sacrifice was practiced in times pre-dating contact with Rome.”

“The main evidence for this practice is Julius Caesar’s Commentary on the Gallic war, which modern scholarship has linked to an earlier writer, Poseidonius (The Ancient World of the Celts: An Illustrated Account).”

Nevertheless, Burning Man has become sort of a stomping ground for the affluent and well connected. The who’s who will certainly amaze the onlooking spectator.

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Can I Put You On Speakerphone?

By RD Bentley on December 24, 2017 in , ,

Seriously. I do not talk on the phone that much, but want to enjoy the wonderful technology when the occasion arises. And there’s all the hype about the speaker phone: “Can I put you on speakerphone?” Is the speakerphone hype all that (and a bag of chips)?

Yes, you’d better believe it! Almost to the point of euphoria! “Can I put you on speakerphone?”

The speakerphone allows multiple persons to participate in a conversation, as well as the caller’s ability to monitor other audible electronic devices in play at the time. This is a must gadget for the electronic hobby connoisseur.

Recently I discovered a marvelous landline phone base system and am totally satisfied with the unit: AT&T CL84102 DECT 6.0 Expandable Corded/Cordless Phone with Answering System. This is the ultimate businessphone for the home. Very fancy if I may say so.

The numbers are large, the setup is not overly complex, and the lighting adds a modern touch. The CL84102 complements all of the decor in the shack, making it a welcomed addition.

The audio quality is fantastic, although the id announcement of the caller is difficult to understand. I just look at the caller id on the machine, so it’s not a problem for me.

Would I recommend this unit?

“Can I put you on speakerphone?”

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Understanding The Principles Of Distillation

By RD Bentley on November 19, 2017 in

Distilled water has been known since at least 200 AD, when Alexander of Aphrodisias described the process. The distillation equipment is called a still.

A simple way (labeled How To Turn Salt Water Into Fresh Water) explains the process using a few items at hand. The price would be from 2 to 5 dollars.

Maybe a distill water maker such as: Megahome Countertop Water Distiller.

“Electrodeionization is a water treatment technology that utilizes an electricity, ion exchange membranes and resin to deionize water and separate dissolved ions (impurities) from water.”

Distillation is an old process also used for desalination, which removes salt from water. Saltwater is not suitable for human consumption and is considered undesirable in that regard. “According to the International Desalination Association, in June 2015, 18,426 desalination plants operated worldwide, producing 86.8 million cubic meters per day, providing water for 300 million people.”

The single largest desalination project is Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia, however, it is Kuwait that wins the race, producing 100% of its water usage.

Will clean potable water be a problem in the future? Are we already there?

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The Circle Of Confusion Continuity

By RD Bentley on November 4, 2017 in ,

Acircle of confusion is an optical spot caused by a cone of light rays from a lens not coming to a perfect focus when imaging a point source. Life sometimes seems out of focus, and you sometimes wonder what the blur is all about.

In the field of photography, the circle of confusion (CoC) is used to determine the depth of field (DOF). This is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image.

Your angle of view may be different than mine.

Excuse me if I seem out of focus, I could possibly be posing a member of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, or a man that keeps walking.

Indefatigably exploring new worlds and new civilizations, where no Art Nouveau has gone before. Seemingly out of focus but not out of touch, worlds of fashion away, processed in a New Wave mentality.

Where shall we go after the New Hollywood has faded?

Living in an age where Dystopian political situations seem prevalent; an economy with direct calculation substituting factor markets is the point of focus.

Typically, these movements are like films (Postmodernist film) that break down the cultural divide and with the goal of creating something that does not resemble the traditional narrative. In focus then out of focus.

A new narrative or paradigm is suggested. The circle of confusion continues.

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Quick Baofeng UV5R Program Guide

By RD Bentley on October 24, 2017 in ,

New out of the box—one must learn to program your Baofeng UV-5R radio. This guide is useful especially for newbies. I’m mostly interested in programming simplex type applications, along with local emergency frequencies.

Sometimes I forget this simple process because I don’t do it very often. I will verify the reset procedure that is mentioned in the guide referenced above.

How To Get Rid Of Unwanted Channel
Do not forget that you must delete a channel in order to replace it. It will not override it by itself. Use Menu 28.

Video Tutorials For Baofeng UV5R Radio

1. Watch this video to get familiar with the process: How to program Baofeng UV5R/UV82 without usb cable… (For programming ham radio repeaters.)

2. Watch this video to learn more: Manually set a Baofeng uv-5rv2+/ Police Scanner/ Ham Radio… (Go to 5:06 for delete instructions.)

Quick Baofeng UV5R Program Guide

1. Go To Frequency Mode — Orange Button
2. Punch in frequency number
3. Menu 25 — Repeater Upshift or downshift, press menu again; then edit.
4. Menu 27, MEM- CH — Press Menu, Receive memory.
5. Menu 28 — Delete Unwanted Channel. Select channel then punch delete again.

Reset Radio

1. Menu: Press 40
2. Yes (Menu)
3. Yes (Menu)
4. Yes (Menu)
5. Menu: Press 14 Voice
6. Press For English

* Reset Video: Manually set a Baofeng…(0.50 min.)

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And The Satellite-Guidance System Takes Over

By RD Bentley on October 13, 2017 in

It was the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB aka Mother of All Bombs) that was used on April 13, 2017 in Afghanistan. Designed to be delivered by a C-130 Hercules, MOAB is the most powerful conventional bomb ever used in combat as measured by the weight of its explosive material. Enter MOAB. This monster can be dropped by parachute from a C-130 before the satellite-guidance system takes over.

If you’re not living inside a vacuum tube you must have heard about this in the news.

Back in Nam it was the Daisy Cutter, and retired in 2008 to be replaced with the more powerful MOAB. It was used to clear heavily wooded areas.

The 2017 Nangarhar airstrike as it was called, gives reference to the “largest non-nuclear bomb in its arsenal”, as it was touted. The Achin District borders with Pakistan.

The primary crop in Achin is wheat, however Papaver somniferum can be found nearby in the Nangarhar Province.

The blast detonated at 7:32 pm local time in the Achin district of the eastern province of Nangarhar, according to sources.

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Breaking The Fourth Wall

By RD Bentley on October 9, 2017 in

Psst. Hey. Is this really you? Good morning to you no matter where you are! “The fourth wall is a performance convention in which an invisible, imagined wall separates actors from the audience.” Denis Diderot introduced the fourth wall, or imaginary wall at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play.

Molière certainly believed in the eavesdropping. It matters not the hardship as long as the coffee is great. Morning is hard to suffer. Where are the easy buttons to push?

Statues Of The Boy And The Dike

Maybe it’s the Americanized version of Hans Brinker, a colorful fictional portrait of early 19th-century Dutch life, as well as a tale of youthful honor. Remember The Silver Skates? It was first published in 1865.

Dutch locations being Spaarndam, Madurodam and Harlingen. The statues are sometimes mistakenly titled “Hans Brinker”; others are known as “Peter of Haarlem”. The story of the dike-plugging boy is, however, not widely known in the Netherlands — it is a piece of American, rather than Dutch, folklore. Go figure Hans.

Winter Weather Forecast 2017–2018: United States: Mostly Mild

What did you expect? Click the buttons to see Winter Weather Forecast 2017–2018 as you drink the coffee. Click on map to see a larger version. Don’t misplace the Ventile Clothing or Irish Setter boots. Forecasts can go wrong.

Film At Eleven

Film at eleven…to oversensationalize the story so that a fearful public would tune in and increase the program’s ratings. The ratings always come first.

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