title: Mixed Nuts

text: Despite expecting Christmastime to bring multiple crises to solve, they have received few calls. One call is from a woman who fears the LA serial killer "the Seaside Strangler," and another from Chris, a trans woman feigning depression to get the Lifesavers' office address. Meanwhile, an elevator malfunction leaves Mrs. Munchnik trapped on her way to Christmas Eve dinner. Philip eventually manages to pull her to the top of the elevator when Gracie arrives and attempts to operate it. They fear they will be crushed by the ceiling of the elevator shaft, but eventually they all manage to return to the office.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Felix arrives, begging Gracie to listen to him, and she hits him in the head with a fruitcake, concussing him and cutting his forehead badly. Philip and Catherine take him to a veterinarian to be treated for the wound. As the doctor is distracted talking with Philip, Felix takes and overdoses on dog tranquilizers so is taken to a hospital.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Meanwhile, at the office, the doorbell rings. Gracie quickly throws the door open, accidentally striking Mrs. Munchnik and revealing Chris in the doorway. Gracie leaves Chris to care for the unconscious Mrs. Munchnik. When Philip returns, Chris convinces him to dance. Mrs. Munchnik awakens, witnesses their dancing and threatens to sue Philip for withholding information of the eviction and for inappropriate office behavior before leaving.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Soon, Gracie, Catherine, and downstairs neighbor Louie Capshaw, all return to the office with Chinese food. Meanwhile, Philip throws the fruitcake out of the office window and smashes the windshield of Mrs. Munchnik's car, recently fixed at the car club. Distraught, fellow neighbor Mr. Lobel approaches her with his three dogs. Comforting her, Munchnik realizes she has loved him for a long time. Together, they flee to the beach and have sex in the lifeguard's office.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: An hour later, Felix arrives at the office brandishing a gun, having escaped from the hospital. Chris gets shot in the foot after attempting to disarm him. Gracie takes it, shooting wildly around the office to empty it of ammunition. Two shots go through the front door, killing Stanley (having been called by Catherine to fix the elevator earlier), who was standing behind it with a bag of his possessions. The sight of the dead Stanley puts Catherine in shock. Philip prepares a bath to calm her down, confesses his love to her, who reciprocates. They have sex in the bathroom.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Meanwhile, Chris becomes interested in Louie and they begin flirting. Louie reprises his earlier appearance and sings impromptu songs on his prized ukulele. Gracie and Felix disguise Stanley's body as a Christmas tree with burlap and super glue, and the group plans to leave it on the boardwalk.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: As they all carry Stanley's body down the street, they encounter the vengeful rollerbladers carrying another Christmas tree. The group are charged in revenge, to destroy their "tree".


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Felix tosses the tree and it crashes to the ground, revealing Stanley's body. When the police arrive, Philip indicates it's Felix's gun, who prepares to be arrested. Gracie pulls it out to prove her guilt. Felix grabs it, running to the roof of a building, and threatens to commit suicide.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Philip's emotional speech about Christmas convinces Felix to climb down and a crowd of bystanders applauds. Catherine hands Stanley's bag to the detectives, who search it. They find fishing line and kelp, the Seaside Strangler's weapons of choice, revealing Stanley to be the serial killer.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: For killing the criminal, Gracie receives a $250,000 reward. She gives the Lifesavers' some of the money to pay their debts, preventing their eviction, then promptly goes into labor. Giving birth at midnight on Christmas Day, the scene parodies the Nativity of Jesus. Philip then proposes to Catherine, and she accepts.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: In the end credits, Felix is finally commissioned to paint murals and his career takes off from there. His first commission is of everything that has happened to them all.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: The film opened on December 21, 1994, and made $2,307,850 in its first weekend, ranking number 12 in the domestic box office. By the end of its run, it had grossed a mere $6,821,850.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 13% based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 3.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, ""Mixed Nuts" may provoke strong allergic reactions in all but the most undemanding filmgoers - and the most forgiving Steve Martin fans." On Metacritic, the film had a weighted average score of 14 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "C+" on scale of A to F.


title: Mixed Nuts

text: Janet Maslin's review in "The New York Times" mentioned a corpse depicted in the story and wrote that the film "is about as funny as that corpse and about as natural." "Variety" staff wrote, "Director/co-scripter Nora Ephron pitches the humor at a cacophonous level and displays the comedic equivalent of two left feet in evolving an absurdist, slapstick yarn. Truly alarming is watching some fine performers, including Kahn and LaPaglia, at their very worst." Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" wrote "The movie has a first-rate cast and crew; it's Nora Ephron's first directing job since the wonderful "Sleepless in Seattle" [...] Maybe there's too much talent. Every character shines with such dazzling intensity and such inexhaustible comic invention that the movie becomes tiresome, like too many clowns." Michael Dwyer in the "Irish Times", reviewing it upon its European release, called Ephron's film "a truly pathetic effort", and "one of the worst films I have ever seen".


title: Body Brokers

text: Body Brokers is a 2021 American crime thriller film written and directed by John Swab and starring Jack Kilmer, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jessica Rothe, Alice Englert, Peter Greene, Frank Grillo, and Melissa Leo.


title: Body Brokers

text: This was Michael Kenneth Williams' last film to be released in his lifetime before his death on September 6, 2021.


title: Body Brokers

text: A drug addict is brought to Los Angeles for treatment, who soon learns the treatment center is not meant to help people but instead a coverup for a fraud operation enlisting addicts to recruit other addicts.


title: Body Brokers

text: In July 2019, Melissa Leo, Michael Kenneth Williams, Frank Grillo, Alice Englert, and Jack Kilmer joined the cast of the film, with John Swab directing from a screenplay he wrote. In August 2019, Jessica Rothe, Owen Campbell, Thomas Dekker, Peter Greene and Sam Quartin joined the cast of the film.


title: Body Brokers

text: In December 2020, Vertical Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film, and set it for a February 19, 2021, release.


title: Body Brokers

text: On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, "Body Brokers" holds an approval rating of 64% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, ""Body Brokers" attempts an ambitious juggling act between genre thrills and a serious social message -- and unfortunately fumbles a little too often to really pull it off." On Metacritic, the film holds an average weighted score of 65 out of 100, based on five critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".


title: Peril at End House

text: Peril at End House is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in the US by the Dodd, Mead and Company in February 1932 and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in March of the same year. The US edition retailed at $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6).


title: Peril at End House

text: The book features Christie's private detective Hercule Poirot, as well as Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp, and is the sixth novel featuring Poirot. Poirot and Hastings vacation in Cornwall, meeting young Magdala "Nick" Buckley and her friends. He is persuaded that someone is out to kill her. They meet all of her friends at her home called End House. Though he aims to protect Nick, a murder happens that provokes Poirot to mount a serious investigation.


title: Peril at End House

text: The novel was well received when first published, with the plot remarked as unusually ingenious and diabolically clever by reviewers. Writing in 1990, Robert Barnard found it cunning, but not one of Christie's very best. It has been adapted to stage, radio, film, television, graphic novel, and a computer game, and translated to many other languages as a book.


title: Peril at End House

text: Poirot and Hastings are staying at a Cornish resort. Conversing with Magdala "Nick" Buckley, Poirot believes that someone is out to kill her, confirmed when he finds a bullet that Nick had thought to be a wasp shooting past her head. Poirot explains his concern to Nick. Poirot suspects someone in Nick's inner circle. Nick's nearest living relative is a lawyer cousin, Charles Vyse, who arranged the re-mortgaging on End House for her to supply desperately needed funds. Her housekeeper is Ellen, and the lodge near End House is leased by Australians Mr and Mrs Croft. George Challenger has a soft spot for Nick. Nick's two closest friends are Freddie Rice, an abused wife, and Jim Lazarus, an art dealer in love with Freddie. When Nick had surgery six months earlier, the Crofts suggested she make a will.


title: Peril at End House

text: It is not clear who wants Nick dead. Charles would inherit End House and Freddie would get the rest of the estate – none of which is worth killing for. At Poirot's advice, Nick calls her cousin Maggie to stay with her for a few weeks. When Maggie arrives, Nick hosts a party with everyone present but George. A renowned pilot named Michael Seton has gone missing, sparking debate about his fate. Nick receives a call while the guests are enjoying the party. Maggie is found dead, wearing Nick's shawl. Nick and Maggie had gone to freshen up, after which Maggie wore Nick's shawl. George is relieved to see Nick alive. Realizing that Maggie was killed by mistake under his nose, Poirot becomes furious, launching an investigation.


title: Peril at End House

text: To protect Nick, Poirot tells everyone that she is going to a hospital. He asks her not to eat anything from an unknown source. The next day, the newspapers report that Michael Seton is dead and Poirot correctly deduces that Nick received that information through the call. Nick confesses to Poirot that she and Michael were secretly engaged. Michael was the sole heir of vast wealth, and that wealth will go to his fiancée. Poirot is wary of the Crofts: he asks Inspector Japp to inquire about them. Poirot and Hastings find the love letters written by Michael, but do not find Nick's original will. Nick recalls sending it to Charles, who denies receiving it. Mr Croft tells Poirot that he sent the will to Charles; one of the men is lying. Nick receives a box of chocolates laced with cocaine, allegedly sent by Poirot. Nick is safe as she ate only one. The chocolates were delivered by Freddie, who claims that Nick phoned her to bring them. Poirot suspects Freddie, who is a cocaine addict.


title: Peril at End House

text: Poirot sets up a ruse with Nick's participation, telling the others that Nick is dead. Charles tells Poirot that he received Nick's will, which is read in End House, awarding her money to the Crofts for helping her father in Australia. This startles all except the Crofts. Poirot announces to the stunned guests that a seance will be conducted and Nick's "ghost" appears, exposing the Crofts. They replaced her will with a forged one and sent it to Charles after they heard news of her death. Japp reveals that the Crofts are known forgers. He arrests the duo. But Poirot announces that they had no hand in the murder. Just then, someone outside shoots at Freddie and misses, then shoots himself. Poirot captures the man, Freddie's sick and dying husband, who wrote many notes begging her for money.


title: Peril at End House

text: Poirot reveals that the real murderer is Nick. Michael was engaged to Maggie, not Nick: the cousins have the same name, Magdala Buckley. After learning of Michael's wealth and disappearance, Nick plotted to present herself as Michael's fiancée to usurp his wealth, a plot which required Maggie's death. The attempts on her life were her own work. George used to supply cocaine to both Freddie and Nick concealed in wristwatches; Nick used her supply to poison the chocolates. Nick is arrested, taking Freddie's wristwatch as a "souvenir"; the full box contains enough for Nick to take an overdose and escape the gallows. Poirot tells George either to surrender himself or go away, allowing Freddie to recover from her addiction. In the end, Jim and Freddie decide to marry, and Jim, who is an art dealer, reveals to Poirot that one of Nick's paintings on the wall is actually of considerable value, though Nick herself did not realize it.


title: Peril at End House

text: The "Times Literary Supplement" on 14 April 1932, stated that the "actual solution is quite unusually ingenious, and well up to the standard of Mrs. Christie's best stories. Everything is perfectly fair, and it is possible to guess the solution of the puzzle fairly early in the book, though it is certainly not easy." The review further opined that, "This is certainly one of those detective stories which is pure puzzle, without any ornament or irrelevant interest in character. Poirot and his faithful Captain Hastings are characters whom one is glad to meet again, and they are the most lively in the book, but even they are little more than pawns in this problem. But the plot is arranged with almost mathematical neatness, and that is all that one wants."


title: Peril at End House

text: Isaac Anderson began his review in "The New York Times Book Review" on 6 March 1932, by writing "With Agatha Christie as the author and Hercule Poirot as the central figure, one is always assured of an entertaining story with a real mystery to it ... [T]he person who is responsible for the dirty work at End House is diabolically clever, but not quite clever enough to fool the little Belgian detective all the time. A good story with a most surprising finish."


title: Peril at End House

text: Robert Barnard: "A cunning use of simple tricks used over and over in Christie's career (be careful, for example, about names – diminutives and ambiguous male-female Christian names are always possibilities as readers discover). Some creaking in the machinery, and rather a lot of melodrama and improbabilities, prevent this from being one of the very best of the classic specimens."


title: Peril at End House

text: The first true publication of the book was the US serialisation in the weekly "Liberty" magazine in eleven instalments from 13 June (Volume 8, Number 24) to 22 August 1931, (Volume 8, Number 34). There were slight abridgements to the text, no chapter divisions, and the reference in Chapter III to the character of Jim Lazarus as, "a Jew, of course, but a frightfully decent one" was deleted. The serialisation carried illustrations by W.D. Stevens. In the UK, the novel was serialised in the weekly "Women's Pictorial" magazine in eleven instalments from 10 October (Volume 22, Number 561) to 19 December 1931, (Volume 22, Number 571) under the slightly different title of "The Peril at End House". There were slight abridgements and no chapter divisions. All of the instalments carried illustrations by Fred W. Purvis.


title: Peril at End House

text: To Eden Phillpotts. To whom I shall always be grateful for his friendship and the encouragement he gave me many years ago.


title: Peril at End House

text: In 1908, Christie was recovering from influenza and bored, and she started to write a story at the suggestion of her mother, Clara Miller (see the dedication to "The Mysterious Affair at Styles"). This suggestion sparked Christie's interest in writing and several pieces were composed, some of which are now lost or remain unpublished (one exception to this is "The Call of Wings" which later appeared in "The Hound of Death" in 1933). These early efforts were mostly short stories, but at some point late in the year Christie attempted her first novel, "Snow Upon the Desert". She sent it to several publishers but they all rejected the work. At Clara's suggestion she then asked Phillpotts to read and critique both the book and other examples of her writing. He was a neighbour and friend of the Miller family in Torquay. He sent an undated reply back which included the praise that, "some of your work is capital. You have a great feeling for dialogue". In view of her later success in allowing readers to judge characters' feelings and motivations for themselves (and in doing so, thereby deceiving themselves as to the identity of the culprits), Phillpotts offered valuable suggestions to, "leave your characters alone, so that they can speak for themselves, instead of always rushing in to tell them what they ought to say, or to explain to the reader what they mean by what they are saying". He gave her further advice in the letter regarding a number of suggestions for further reading to help improve her work.


title: Peril at End House

text: Phillpotts gave Christie an introduction to his own literary agents, Hughies Massie, who rejected her work (although in the early 1920s, they did start to represent her). Undaunted, Christie attempted another story, now lost, called "Being So Very Wilful", and again asked Phillpotts for his views. He replied on 9 February 1909 with a great deal more advice and tips for reading. In her autobiography, published posthumously in 1977, Christie wrote, "I can hardly express the gratitude I feel to him. He could so easily have uttered a few careless words of well-justified criticism and possibly discouraged me for life. As it was, he set out to help".


title: Peril at End House

text: The blurb on the inside flap of the dustjacket of the UK first edition (which is also repeated opposite the title page) reads:Three near escapes from death in three days! Is it accident or design? And then a fourth mysterious incident happens, leaving no doubt that some sinister hand is striking at Miss Buckley, the charming young owner of the mysterious End House. The fourth attempt, unfortunately for the would-be murderer, is made in the garden of a Cornish Riviera hotel where Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, is staying. Poirot immediately investigates the case and relentlessly unravels a murder mystery that must rank as one of the most brilliant that Agatha Christie has yet written.


title: Peril at End House

text: The story was adapted into a play by Arnold Ridley in 1940 and opened in the West End of London at the Vaudeville Theatre on 1 May. Poirot was played by Francis L. Sullivan.


title: Peril at End House

text: The novel was adapted for television in 1990, as part of the "Agatha Christie's Poirot" second series; it was the first full-length novel to be adapted. Poirot was portrayed by David Suchet and Nick Buckley by Polly Walker. Overall, the film was faithful to the novel; however, Freddie's husband does not appear in the film nor does he shoot at Nick during the denouement, Challenger is arrested rather than being allowed to flee, and the fates of Freddie and Jim remain unresolved.


title: Peril at End House

text: Colonel Weston had been omitted from the adaptation and Miss Lemon added. This episode was filmed in Salcombe, Devon near Agatha Christie's home town of Torquay, rather than on the Cornish Coast where the story is set.


title: Peril at End House

text: The novel was adapted as an episode of the Japanese animated series "Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple", under the title "The Mystery of End House". It aired in 2004.


title: Peril at End House

text: The novel was again adapted as the fourth episode of the first season of the French television series "Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie", airing in 2009.


title: Peril at End House

text: "Peril at End House" was adapted for radio by Michael Bakewell for BBC Radio 4 featuring John Moffatt as Poirot and Simon Williams as Captain Hastings.


title: Peril at End House

text: On 22 November 2007, "Peril at End House", like "Death on the Nile", was adapted into a PC game by Floodlight Games, and published as a joint venture between Oberon Games and Big Fish Games, with the player once again taking the role of Poirot as he searches End House and other areas in Cornwall Coast for clues, and questions suspects based on information he finds, this time through the clue cards he gains on the way. Two other titles developed by Floodlight Games were later released based on Christie's "Dead Man's Folly" and "4.50 from Paddington" respectively.


title: Peril at End House

text: "Peril at End House" was released by HarperCollins as a graphic novel adaptation in 2008, adapted by Thierry Jollet and illustrated by Didier Quella-Guyot ().


title: Subaru Kimura

text: , known professionally as , is a German-Japanese actor and rapper. His best-known role is voicing Takeshi Goda in the "Doraemon" series, which has spawned numerous specials.


title: Subaru Kimura

text: Kimura was born in Blankenburg (Harz) and raised in Japan. After spending seven years in Germany, he returned to the theater company belonging to Sanno Production. In 2002, he appeared as a tap dancer in the Broadway musical "Annie". He graduated from Harumi Sogo High School, but dropped out of Asia University.


title: Subaru Kimura

text: When he was in elementary school, he appeared as a child who resembled Kenji Haga in the impersonation program "Mimakin" on Nippon TV.


title: Subaru Kimura

text: On 15 April 2005, he became the new voice of Takeshi Goda in TV Asahi's anime series "Doraemon", replacing the late Kazuya Tatekabe. Kimura was a junior high school student when he started the role.


title: Kirsten Prout

text: Kirsten Prout Zien (born September 28, 1990) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her lead roles in the ABC Family television shows, portraying Amanda Bloom in "Kyle XY" and Char Chamberlin in "The Lying Game". Her first sizable break in film came in 2005, when she was cast as Abby Miller, a lead role opposite Jennifer Garner in "Elektra". In 2007, Prout was nominated for Best Performance in a TV Series by the Young Artists Awards for "Kyle XY". In 2010, Prout portrayed the vampire "Lucy" in "." She has guest starred in notable series including "NCIS", "Psych", "Devious Maids," "Ties That Bind" and "Dear White People". Prout is also known for her lead roles in the horror genre, as Alex Bell in the MTV film series "My Super Psycho Sweet 16," Jewel McCaul in "," and Sloane in the 2015 horror indie "Even Lambs Have Teeth".


title: Kirsten Prout

text: Prout began her acting career at the age of ten after being cast in a commercial opposite NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky. Speaking about her desire to start acting, Kirsten recalled that it was the only way she thought she could turn being a Disney Princess into a career.


title: Kirsten Prout

text: Prout graduated high school from Collingwood School in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, along with actors Alexander Ludwig and Mackenzie Davis.


title: Kirsten Prout

text: An avid martial artist, Kirsten received a Black Belt in Taekwondo at the age of 13. That year, she was cast in "Elektra", and performed her own stunts in the film.


title: Kirsten Prout

text: After completing high school and the final season of "Kyle XY", Prout attended McGill University, where she majored in English literature. In an interview with The Province, then 18-year-old Prout said of attending University: "I grew up on sets where I was treated like I was 25... In university you're in classes with incredibly intelligent people. You realize you're not an expert on everything."


title: Kirsten Prout

text: At the age of 13, Prout made her feature film debut in a lead role as Abigail "Abby" Miller in the 2005 film "Elektra." The film's Producer Gary Foster said of discovering Prout:


title: Kirsten Prout

text: "We did a big search... and frankly LA or New York, we thought we'd find somebody there. She came in and auditioned and we were blown away."


title: Kirsten Prout

text: Prout has had lead roles or guest stars in 39 different film and television productions. Her most notable lead roles include Amanda Bloom in ABC Family's "Kyle XY", Alex Bell in MTV's "My Super Psycho Sweet 16" comedy-horror trilogy, and "Char Chamberlin" in ABC Family's "The Lying Game". Her most notable guest stars include roles in "Stargate SG-1, NCIS, Psych, Devious Maids," and "Dear White People."


title: Kirsten Prout

text: On October 13, 2017, Prout announced her engagement to television development executive Matt Zien. They were married on November 6, 2017.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel (mostly corpsmen, Seabees, chaplains, and their bodyguards) assigned to Marine Corps units (e.g. the Fleet Marine Force).


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: It replaced the Battle Dress Uniform, which the Marine Corps had shared with the Navy, Army and Air Force. However, both the MCCUU, and its distinctive camouflage pattern, MARPAT, are exclusive to the Marine Corps, which holds the patents to their design. The uniform is available in two color schemes, woodland and desert. The MCCUU should not be confused with the similar looking FROG uniform.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: Field testing of the MCCUU began in early 2001 and was officially announced to the public in June 2001. Early prototypes had featured removable sleeves, but that design feature was later abandoned. The patent for the MARPAT pattern was filed on June 19, 2001, whereas the patent for the MCCUU uniform was filed on November 7, 2001. The uniform made its official debut at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on January 17, 2002, and the changeover was completed on October 1, 2004 (with a few exceptions of April 1, 2005), a year ahead of the original deadline date set in 2001 of October 1, 2005.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: The MCCUU is intended for wear in the field or for working parties, but has become the typical working uniform for all deployed and most garrison U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors. Initially the variety worn depended on the environment and season: Deployed Marines wore whichever color is more appropriate to the climate and terrain, Marines in garrison wore the woodland MCCUU in winter months, and the desert MCCUU in summer months. However, the Marine Corps announced on December 8, 2016 that the desert pattern would no longer be worn in garrison. Instead, the woodland MCCUU will be worn year-round, with the sleeves rolled up during the summer and down during the winter. Until recently, the sleeves of the blouse were normally worn rolled up while in garrison during summer months. However, the Uniform Board announced that as of October 24, 2011, this will no longer be allowed. This decision was later reversed when Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos announced on February 25, 2014, that the Marine Corps will return to its former standard of rolling up the sleeves while in garrison during summer months, effective March 9, 2014.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: Unlike the previous BDU, the MCCUU was designed to be used with body armor, which previously restricted access to front pockets. To further distinguish the uniform, upon close examination, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor can be . Its use as a combat uniform has led to some strict regulations for wear in garrison: unlike the U.S. Army's Army Combat Uniform (ACU), the MCCUU may not be worn off base, although it may be worn when commuting to and from duty in a privately-owned vehicle. Dismounting for incidental stops en route off of a military installation is no longer permissible excepting legitimate emergencies only.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: The trousers are worn bloused over the tops of the boots with the use of elastic bands (nicknamed "boot bands") or metal springs.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: An olive drab green t-shirt, or skivvy shirt, without a logo is worn underneath the blouse. Due to the intense heat in Iraq, moisture wicking t-shirts, such as those produced by Under Armour became very popular. However, due to concerns that the shirts would melt to the skin in the event of a fire or explosion, they are banned when a Marine is deployed to a combat zone. However, the Marine Corps has worked with Danskin to develop their own moisture wicking shirts under the "Elite Issue" line, ultimately creating and issuing the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear to troops likely to be exposed to combat.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: The MCCUU is worn with a webbed rigger's belt earned through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The belts are tan, grey, green, brown, or up to six degrees of black, depending on the Marine's proficiency. Uniform regulations still authorize a web belt for wear for Marines that have not qualified in MCMAP; however, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed in 2008 that all Marines will qualify. This directive rendered the wear of the item on the MCCUU to new recruits in basic training or to those who have lost their MCMAP belt due to not being proficient in the MCMAP.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: The Marine Corps now requires tan rough-out combat boots, either hot weather or temperate weather versions. Commercial versions of this boot are authorized without limitation other than they must be at least 8 inches in height and bear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on the outer heel of each boot. Stains and damage to the boot make them unserviceable for wear, as well as a heel with excessive wear.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: When the MCCUU was first being fielded in 2002, the black leather boots that were worn with the woodland BDU were authorized to be worn with the woodland MCCUU in the absence of the tan suede ones, though now, only the latter are authorized.


title: Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform

text: Most badges and breast insignia are authorized for wear on the utility uniform, shined or subdued as appropriate. Landing Support Marines also wear the Red Patch insignia.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: Public Image: First Issue is the debut studio album by English rock band Public Image Ltd, released in 1978 by record label Virgin.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: "Public Image", the debut single, was recorded first. Recording started on a Monday in mid-July 1978 (most probably 10 or 17 July) at Advision Studios with engineer John Leckie and assistant engineer Kenneth Vaughan Thomas. For mixing and overdubs, the band then went into Wessex Studios with engineer Bill Price and assistant engineer Jeremy Green.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: On Saturday, 22 July 1978, the music press reported that the band had been in the recording studio; the following week, Virgin Records announced that PiL's debut single would be released on 8 September 1978.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: The entire first side of the record was recorded in the autumn of 1978 at Townhouse Studios and The Manor Studio with engineer Mick Glossop.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: The last three songs on the second side were recorded at Gooseberry Sound Studios, a cheap reggae studio used because the band had run out of money, with engineer Mark Lusardi and assistant engineer Jon Caffery. Lydon knew the studio from the recording of Sex Pistols demos in January 1977.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: By late September 1978, the recording of the album was finished. The band had briefly considered including an alternative version of "Public Image" with different lyrics on the album, a plan that was finally rejected.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: In November or December 1978, Wobble and Levene returned to Gooseberry Sound Studios to record a 12-inch EP, "Steel Leg V. the Electric Dread", with guest vocalists Vince Bracken and Don Letts.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: For the final mix of the album tracks, the band returned to Townhouse Studios with Glossop, who remembers: "I do remember working on those other three [Gooseberry Studio] tracks, but I can't remember exactly what I did – probably mixing."


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: In August 1978, a promotional video for the upcoming single "Public Image" was shot by Peter Clifton's production company Notting Hill Studio Limited, which had just completed "The Punk Rock Movie".


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: The promo video was released on 15 September 1978 and shown on British TV twice in October 1978. In December 1986, it was released on VHS, and on DVD in October 2005.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: On 9 February 1979, Warner Bros. Recording Studios in North Hollywood manufactured a test pressing of the album for PiL's American label, Warner Bros. Records. The album's sound was considered too non-commercial for an American release, and PiL were asked to re-record parts of it. Although the band recorded new versions of some tracks between March and May 1979, the album was never released in the USA. However, in 1980 Warner Bros. released the song "Public Image" on the compilation album "Troublemakers", the only album track released in the USA until the 2013 release of the entire album.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: The re-recorded version of "Fodderstompf" was released under the title "Megga Mix" as the B-side of the "Death Disco" 12" single (29 June 1979). The track was later included on the PiL compilations "Plastic Box" (1999) and "Metal Box: Super Deluxe Edition" (2016); to date, it is the only track from the February 1979 "First Issue" re-recording sessions to be officially released.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: On 18 June 2013, the album was finally officially released in the USA via Light in the Attic Records.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: In 1979, "NME" reported that a court in Malta had halted sales of the album because the lyrics of "Religion" offended public morals and decency.


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: Upon its release, "Public Image: First Issue" received a 2- (out of 5) star review in "Sounds". Reviewer Pete Silverton said that the single is the "Only wholly worthwhile track on the album." He dubbed the rest of the songs as "morbid directionless sounds with Rotten's poetry running just behind it." Nick Kent of "NME" was similarly negative, quipping that "unfortunately the 'image', public or otherwise, is a good deal less limited than many of the more practical factors involved in this venture."


title: Public Image: First Issue

text: However, the album is now considered a groundbreaking post-punk classic. AllMusic critic Uncle Dave Lewis stated that the record "helped set the pace" for the post-punk genre, adding that it was "among a select few 1978 albums that had something lasting to say about the future of rock music." "Pitchfork"s Stuart Berman wrote, ""First Issue's" industrial-strength stompers anticipate the scabrous art-punk of the Jesus Lizard and Slint, while Levene's guitar curlicues on 'Public Image' are the stuff "Daydream Nation"s are made of." "Public Image: First Issue" is, along with "Metal Box", included in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".


title: SereneAir

text: SereneAir () is a privately owned Pakistani airline that began operating services in January 2017. SereneAir operates scheduled domestic flights within Pakistan and its first international flight departed for Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on 16 March 2021.


title: SereneAir

text: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority granted a license in March 2016 that permitted the establishment of SereneAir. The airline received its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, in November 2016. The airline started operations on 29 January 2017, a week after obtaining its air operator's certificate. The inaugural flight departed Islamabad for Karachi on 29 January 2017. Serene Air took first delivery of Airbus A330-200 on 27 August 2020.


title: SereneAir

text: SereneAir is a privately owned airline headquartered in Islamabad. It's chief executive officer is Air Vice Marshal(R) Muhammad Safdar Khan.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuum or suction aspiration is a procedure that uses a vacuum source to remove an embryo or fetus through the cervix. The procedure is performed to induce abortion, as a treatment for incomplete spontaneous abortion (otherwise commonly known as miscarriage) or retained fetal and placental tissue, or to obtain a sample of uterine lining (endometrial biopsy). It is generally safe, and serious complications rarely occur.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Some sources may use the terms "dilation and evacuation" or "suction" "dilation and curettage" to refer to vacuum aspiration, although those terms are normally used to refer to distinctly different procedures.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuuming as a means of removing the uterine contents, rather than the previous use of a hard metal curette, was pioneered in 1958 by Drs Wu Yuantai and Wu Xianzhen in China, but their paper was only translated into English on the fiftieth anniversary of the study which would ultimately pave the way for this procedure becoming exceedingly common. It is now known to be one of the safest obstetric procedures, and has saved countless lives.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: In Canada, the method was pioneered and improved on by Henry Morgentaler, achieving a complication rate of 0.48% and no deaths in over 5,000 cases. He was the first doctor in North America to use the technique, which he then trained other doctors to use.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Dorothea Kerslake introduced the method into the United Kingdom in 1967 and published a study in the United States that further spread the technique.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Harvey Karman in the United States refined the technique in the early 1970s with the development of the Karman cannula, a soft, flexible cannula that avoided the need for initial cervical dilatation and so reduced the risks of puncturing the uterus.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuum aspiration may be used as a method of induced abortion as well as a therapeutic procedure after spontaneous abortion. The procedure can also aid in regulation of the menstrual cycle and to obtain a sample for endometrial biopsy. A study found use of Karman vacuum aspiration to be a safer option for endometrial biopsy when compared to the alternatives such as conventional endometrial curettage. It is also used to terminate molar pregnancy.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: When used as a spontaneous abortion management or as a therapeutic abortion method, vacuum aspiration may be used alone or with cervical dilation anytime in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks gestational age). For more advanced pregnancies, vacuum aspiration may be used as one step in a dilation and evacuation procedure. Vacuum aspiration is the surgical procedure used for almost all first-trimester abortions in many countries, if medication abortion is not a viable option .


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuum aspiration is an outpatient procedure that generally involves a clinic visit of several hours. The procedure itself typically takes less than 15 minutes. Depending on the state of residence and local laws, two appointments and various other proceedings may be required if the vacuum aspiration is being used for therapeutic abortion. There are two options for the source of suction in the use of these procedures. Suction can be created with either an electric pump (electric vacuum aspiration or EVA) or a manual pump (manual vacuum aspiration or MVA). A hand-held 25cc or 50cc syringe can function as a manual pump. Both of these methods can create the same level of suction, and therefore are considered equivalent in terms of efficacy of treatment and safety. The difference in use primarily comes down to provider preference.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: The clinician places a speculum into the vagina in order to visualize the cervix. The cervix is cleansed, then a local anesthetic (usually lidocaine) is injected in the form of a para-cervical block or intra-cervical injection into the cervix. The clinician may use instruments called "dilators" in incrementally larger sizes to gently open the cervix, or medically induce cervical dilation with drugs or osmotic dilators administered before the procedure. Finally, a sterile cannula is inserted into the uterus. The cannula may be attached via tubing to the pump if using an electric vacuum, or attached directly to a syringe if using a manual vacuum aspirator. The pump creates a vacuum and suction which empties uterine contents, which either enter a canister or the syringe.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: After a procedure for abortion or miscarriage treatment, the tissue removed from the uterus is examined for completeness to ensure that no products of conception are left behind. Expected contents include the embryo or fetus, as well as the decidua, chorionic villi, amniotic fluid, amniotic membrane and other tissues. These are all tissues which are found in a normal pregnancy. In the case of a molar pregnancy, these components will not be found.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Post-treatment care includes brief observation in a recovery area and a follow-up appointment approximately two weeks later. During these visits, it is possible that the provider may perform tests to check for infection, as retained tissue in the uterus can be a source of infection.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Additional medications used in vacuum aspiration include NSAID analgesics that may be started the day before the procedure, as well as misoprostol the day before for cervical ripening which makes dilation of the cervix easier to perform. Procedural sedation and analgesia may be offered to the patient in order to avoid discomfort.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Sharp dilation and curettage (D&C), also known as "sharp curettage", was once the standard of care in situations requiring uterine evacuation. However, vacuum aspiration has a number of advantages over sharp D&C and has largely replaced D&C in many settings. Manual vacuum aspiration has been found to have lower rates of incomplete evacuation and retained products of conception in the uterus. Sharp curettage has also been associated with Asherman's Syndrome, whereas vacuum aspiration has not been found to have this longer term complication. Overall, vacuum aspiration has been found to have lower rates of complications when compared to D&C.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuum aspiration may be used earlier in pregnancy when compared to sharp D&C. Manual vacuum aspiration is the only surgical abortion procedure available earlier than the sixth week of pregnancy.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Vacuum aspiration, especially manual vacuum aspiration, is significantly cheaper than sharp D&C. The equipment needed for vacuum aspiration costs less than a set of surgical curettes. Additionally, sharp D&C is generally provided only by physicians, vacuum aspiration may be performed by advanced practice clinicians such as physician assistants and midwives, which greatly increases access to these services.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Manual vacuum aspiration does not require electricity and so can be provided in locations that have unreliable electrical service or none at all. Manual vacuum aspiration also has the advantage of being quiet, without the louder noise of an electric vacuum pump, which can be stressful or bothersome to patients.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: When used for pregnancy evacuation, vacuum aspiration is 98% effective in removing all uterine contents. One of the main complications is retained products of conception which will usually require a second aspiration procedure. This is more common when the procedure is performed very early in pregnancy, before 6 weeks gestational age.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Another complication is infection, usually caused by retained products of conception or introduction of vaginal flora (otherwise known as bacteria) into the uterus. The rate of infection is 0.5%.


title: Vacuum aspiration

text: Other complications occur at a rate of less than 1 per 100 procedures and include excessive blood loss, creating a hole through the cervix or uterus (perforation) that may cause injury to other internal organs. Blood clots can possibly form within the uterus and block outflow of bleeding from the uterus which can cause the uterus to be enlarged and tender.


title: Group homomorphism

text: In mathematics, given two groups, ("G", ∗) and ("H", ·), a group homomorphism from ("G", ∗) to ("H", ·) is a function "h" : "G" → "H" such that for all "u" and "v" in "G" it holds that


title: Group homomorphism

text: where the group operation on the left side of the equation is that of "G" and on the right side that of "H".


title: Group homomorphism

text: From this property, one can deduce that "h" maps the identity element "e" of "G" to the identity element "e" of "H",


title: Group homomorphism

text: Older notations for the homomorphism "h"("x") may be "x" or "x", though this may be confused as an index or a general subscript. In automata theory, sometimes homomorphisms are written to the right of their arguments without parentheses, so that "h"("x") becomes simply formula_4.


title: Group homomorphism

text: In areas of mathematics where one considers groups endowed with additional structure, a "homomorphism" sometimes means a map which respects not only the group structure (as above) but also the extra structure. For example, a homomorphism of topological groups is often required to be continuous.


title: Group homomorphism

text: The purpose of defining a group homomorphism is to create functions that preserve the algebraic structure. An equivalent definition of group homomorphism is: The function "h" : "G" → "H" is a group homomorphism if whenever


title: Group homomorphism

text: In other words, the group "H" in some sense has a similar algebraic structure as "G" and the homomorphism "h" preserves that.


title: Group homomorphism

text: The kernel and image of a homomorphism can be interpreted as measuring how close it is to being an isomorphism. The first isomorphism theorem states that the image of a group homomorphism, "h"("G") is isomorphic to the quotient group "G"/ker "h".


title: Group homomorphism

text: If and only if }, the homomorphism, "h", is a "group monomorphism"; i.e., "h" is injective (one-to-one). Injection directly gives that there is a unique element in the kernel, and, conversely, a unique element in the kernel gives injection:


title: Group homomorphism

text: If and are group homomorphisms, then so is . This shows that the class of all groups, together with group homomorphisms as morphisms, forms a category.


title: Group homomorphism

text: If "G" and "H" are abelian (i.e., commutative) groups, then the set of all group homomorphisms from "G" to "H" is itself an abelian group: the sum of two homomorphisms is defined by


title: Group homomorphism

text: The addition of homomorphisms is compatible with the composition of homomorphisms in the following sense: if "f" is in , "h", "k" are elements of , and "g" is in , then


title: Group homomorphism

text: Since the composition is associative, this shows that the set End("G") of all endomorphisms of an abelian group forms a ring, the "endomorphism ring" of "G". For example, the endomorphism ring of the abelian group consisting of the direct sum of "m" copies of Z/"nZ is isomorphic to the ring of "m"-by-"m" matrices with entries in Z/"nZ. The above compatibility also shows that the category of all abelian groups with group homomorphisms forms a preadditive category; the existence of direct sums and well-behaved kernels makes this category the prototypical example of an abelian category.


title: Richard Blackwood

text: Richard Clifford Blackwood (born 15 May 1972) is a British actor, presenter and rapper. Between 2015 and 2018, he played Vincent Hubbard in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders". In 2020, he began portraying the role of Felix Westwood in the Channel 4 soap opera "Hollyoaks". For his role as Felix, he has been nominated for a TRIC Award and a National Television Award.


title: Richard Blackwood

text: Blackwood presented the UK version of "Singled Out" on Channel 5, and in 1999, he presented his own series, titled "The Richard Blackwood Show". He was also a presenter on Top of the Pops and the MTV television show, "MTV Select" with Donna Air. In 2000, Blackwood had a number three single on the UK Singles Chart with the song "Mama Who Da Man", based on "Mama Used to Say" by his uncle Junior Giscombe. He later followed it up with two singles, "1.2.3.4 Get with the Wicked" (number 10) and "Someone There for Me" (number 23) and released the album "You'll Love to Hate This" (number 35) in 2000.


title: Richard Blackwood

text: Blackwood appeared on the satire comedy series "Brass Eye" in 2001, during the episode "Paedogeddon!". Blackwood then had acting appearances in "Holby City", and played the title character in the 2002 television series "Ed Stone Is Dead". During May 2003, Blackwood appeared in Channel 5's "Celebrity Detox Camp", which involved him being filmed "pumping 18 litres of coffee solution through his anus into [his] stomach". In March 2007, he acted in the Bollywood film "Don't Stop Dreaming". In 2005, Blackwood appeared in "Princes of Comedii" DVD release. In 2010, he played Brightie in the Tennessee Williams play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", alongside Adrian Lester and James Earl Jones at the Novello Theatre in London. In 2011, he played the role of Donkey in the West End production of "Shrek the Musical". The show opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 June 2011. Blackwood appeared with the rest of the "Shrek" cast on "Britain's Got Talent" for ITV on 31 May 2011. They performed "I'm a Believer".


title: Richard Blackwood

text: On 17 January 2015, it was announced that Blackwood would be joining the cast of "EastEnders" as character Vincent Hubbard. He made his first appearance on 17 February 2015, and his last appearance aired on 20 April 2018. In 2019, Blackwood took part in the eleventh series of "Dancing on Ice", partnered with professional skater Carlotta Edwards. They were eliminated in Week 3, following a skate off against Saira Khan and Mark Hanretty. In 2020, it was announced that he would be joining the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera "Hollyoaks". Since joining "Hollyoaks", Blackwood has been nominated for a TRIC Award for Soap Actor of the Year, as well as a National Television Award for Serial Drama Performance.


title: Richard Blackwood

text: In a 2000 interview, Blackwood claimed that if he had not made it in show business he would have been "a graphic designer, designing buildings".


title: Richard Blackwood

text: He became the step-brother of supermodel Naomi Campbell when his father married her mother in the 1980s, until their divorce several years later. His uncle is singer Junior Giscombe and his cousin is the actor and comedian Vas Blackwood.


title: Richard Blackwood

text: Blackwood has said he once attempted suicide after filing for bankruptcy in 2003. He has a son, Keaun, born in January 2001.


title: Low-rise pants

text: Low-rise pants, also known as "low-cut jeans", "lowriders" or "rap pants", are a type of pants that sit low on, or below, the hips, usually at least 8 centimetres (3 inches) lower than the navel. Low-rise pants have been available since the 1960’s


title: Low-rise pants

text: The "rise" of any bottom apparel is determined by the distance between the crotch and the waist and is usually around on regular pants. In comparison, the average measurement of low-rise trousers is roughly , with some as little as . Several jeans brands also reflect the rise on the zipper, by creating pants with zippers far shorter than regular pants, usually between , and some manufacturers, such as Dorinha Jeans Wear, even provide zippers. The latter can also be classified as "ultra low-rise jeans", and the small zipper no longer has its traditional function, but is rather a display of fashion.


title: Low-rise pants

text: Hip-huggers, the precursor to low-rise pants, were designed by Irene Kasmer, in 1957, in Los Angeles, and rose to popularity during the mid 1960s, with the mod fashion subculture, and with the hippies in the late 1960s. Often worn with light-cotton, paisley-printed tops or nehru-collared jackets, bell-bottomed hip-huggers were popularized by rock icons such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Robert Plant. Later, hip-huggers became a staple of popular culture and were incorporated into the disco scene of the 1970s.


title: Low-rise pants

text: During the late 1970s and early 1980s, however, waistlines moved higher as wide, flared, bell-bottoms gradually gave way to designer straight-legged jeans. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, as more women entered the corporate workforce, the high waist design remained predominant, with commercial designers such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein at the forefront.


title: Low-rise pants

text: The 1990s revival of low-rise jeans can be credited to British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who first showed his famous low-rise "bumster" trousers in his 1996 "Dante" collection show. One commentator observed: "The bumster for me is what defined McQueen. For me it was the look that put him on the map because it was controversial. Those little bumsters were in his first shows. It was like 20 people in England were wearing them back then." Following McQueen's lead, the fashion of low-rise pants gradually spread.


title: Low-rise pants

text: The iconic low-rise fashion emerged in 2000, particularly among youth; Britney Spears is most credited with popularizing the fashion in the US after she started wearing them that same year. Although its popularity also increased among women and men of other ages, the major focus of advertising was still directed at teenage girls and boys, with typical teen stores selling low-rise jeans in different styles and colors. Most American teenage and twenty-something-oriented retail stores that carried jeans (e.g., Guess, American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, Stitches) only or mostly carried low-rise jeans during this time.


title: Low-rise pants

text: Low-rise pants are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in the 2020s due to their association with early 2000s fashion, which in turn is being revitalized on social media platforms like TikTok for a new generation of teenagers.


title: Low-rise pants

text: Low-rise jeans are manufactured in many styles, including boot-cut, flared, loose, straight, baggy, skinny, boyfriend, and slim. Due to the popularity of low-rise jeans, manufacturers have also begun making low-rise styles of other kinds of pants, such as cargo pants and dress pants.


title: Low-rise pants

text: Low-rise jeans may be worn to display more skin at the waist, torso, and hips. Accordingly, they are sometimes worn in combination with crop tops, giving a glimpse of skin between the jeans and the top, or (more commonly in the summer or in warmer countries) showing their entire midriff including the navel. From 2001 to 2007, the low rise style frequently revealed the thong or G-string underneath, but after 2007 this fell out of favor and thongs began their decline. When the wearer sits down or bends forward, sometimes cleavage is visible. When a thong is exposed above a pair of low-rise jeans on the back, it is commonly referred to as a whale tail, due to its somewhat similar shape. When boxer shorts become visible this is known as "sagging". Because underwear was no longer always hidden, more men and women choose their underwear to function with their low-rise jeans.


title: Tim Staffell

text: Timothy John Staffell (born 24 February 1948) is an English rock musician, visual artist, model maker and designer. He was a member of Smile, a band which included guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor. Upon Staffell's departure, Smile were joined by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon to form the band Queen.


title: Tim Staffell

text: Staffell was born in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. He attended Hampton Grammar School and was the singer in a band called the Railroaders when in 1964 he attended a concert where he met fellow Hampton pupil Brian May. They then put together a blues-rock band called '1984' with John Garnham (guitar), Dave Dilloway (bass), John Sanger (keyboards) and Richard Thompson (drums). In 1965, Staffell began a graphics and drawing course at Ealing Art College where he became friends with Freddie Mercury, whilst May enrolled at Imperial College, London. 1984 were a support act for Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd and Staffell left it in 1968 not long after May.


title: Tim Staffell

text: Staffell and May then put together a new band called Smile with Roger Taylor who auditioned to be their drummer. Staffell and May co-wrote the song "Doing All Right", which Queen included on their eponymous debut album. Following his tenure with Smile, Staffell joined Humpy Bong and then the experimental progressive rock outfit Morgan, with whom he released the albums "Nova Solis" and "Brown Out" (later retitled "The Sleeper Wakes").


title: Tim Staffell

text: Staffell later decided to pursue a career as a model maker, designer, animator and commercials director. Among the projects upon which he worked were the BBC television adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and he was the chief model maker for the first series of the children's TV show "Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends".


title: Tim Staffell

text: Later Staffell worked as the Head of Construction at one of the UKs leading Drama Schools Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where he imparted his design and model making skills to the future generations of designers and builders.


title: Tim Staffell

text: In 2001, Staffell returned to the music industry, co-forming with long-time collaborator Richard Lightman a new blues / funk band called aMIGO, drawing inspiration from folk, Latin and rock. In 2003 they released one eponymous album, with re-recorded versions of the old Smile tunes "Earth" and "Doin' Alright", featuring his former bandmate Brian May on guitars and vocals. The album was self released and available on CD-R for a limited release run (less than 300 copies) and later released via iTunes.


title: Tim Staffell

text: In April 2018, Staffell was invited to record his part of the song "Doin' Alright" alongside the other Smile members, Brian May and Roger Taylor, for the upcoming soundtrack to the movie "Bohemian Rhapsody", which tells the life story of Freddie Mercury. The song was credited to Smile, and titled "Doing All Right ... Revisited". The music score was released on 19 October 2018, and the movie premiere was three days later. The soundtrack debuted on the UK albums chart at number 5 on 26 October 2018.


title: Tim Staffell

text: The second Tim Staffell album "Two Late" was released on digital platforms on 26 October 2018, and it will be followed with physical limited release in the middle of November. In July 2019, 'aMIGO’ was re-released (with a live studio version of the song 'Just Couldn't Say) as a Remastered Special Edition CD by MOSCODISC with a new digipack sleeve.


title: Tim Staffell

text: In late 2019/early 2020, together with Paul Stewart, who had previously worked with the British Rhythm & Blues band 'The Others', Staffell recorded an album "How High" under the band name of Staffell & Stewart; containing a mixture of original material and reimagined rhythm and blues classics.


title: Tim Staffell

text: In September 2021 Staffell travelled to Barcelona to record his third solo album, "Wayward Child", at Room To Studios along with his son Andrew. The album is scheduled to be released in 2022.


title: Bombshell (slang)

text: The term bombshell is a forerunner to the term "sex symbol" and originally used to describe popular women regarded as very attractive. The "Online Etymology Dictionary" by Douglas Harper attests the usage of the term in this meaning since 1942. Bombshell has a longer history in its other, more general figurative meaning of a "shattering or devastating thing or event" since 1860.


title: Bombshell (slang)

text: The first woman to be known as a bombshell was Jean Harlow, who was nicknamed the "blonde bombshell" for her film "Platinum Blonde" (1931). Two years later, she starred in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film "Bombshell" (1933). One of the blurbs on posters was "Lovely, luscious, exotic Jean Harlow as the Blonde Bombshell of filmdom."


title: Bombshell (slang)

text: Hollywood soon took up the blonde bombshell, and then, during the late 1940s through the early 1960s, brunette, exotic, and ethnic versions (e.g., Jane Russell, Dorothy Dandridge and Sophia Loren) were also cultivated as complements to, or as satellites of, the blonde bombshell. Some of the movie stars, largely of the 1940s–1960s, referred to as bombshells include Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Diana Dors, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Jane Russell, Ava Gardner, Carroll Baker, Brigitte Bardot, Kim Novak, Julie Christie, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Ann-Margret, Veronica Lake, Raquel Welch, Ursula Andress, and Gina Lollobrigida


title: Bombshell (slang)

text: The epithet rose sharply in popularity after the death of Marilyn Monroe in 1962, and declined in popularity in the late 1960s due to emerging ideological conflicts.


title: Bombshell (slang)

text: Bombshells are identified with hypersexuality, their curves, including hourglass figures and large breasts, sex appeal, larger than life personas, as well as stereotypes associated with blonde women and supermodels.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: Eureeka's Castle is an American children's television series created by Debby Beece and Judy Katschke. It originally aired on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block from September 4, 1989 to November 10, 1991. The program featured various puppet characters who live in a giant's wind-up music box. The show was a joint development by Nickelodeon, animators Kit Laybourne and Eli Noyes of Noyes & Laybourne Enterprises, and the puppeteers at 3/Design Studio. R. L. Stine developed the characters and was the head writer for the episodes.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: The show follows various puppet characters including Eureeka, a sorceress-in-training. Eureeka and her friends live in a wind-up castle music box owned by a friendly giant. Other characters include Magellan the dragon, twin moat dwellers Bogge and Quagmire, Batly the bat, and Mr. Knack the handyman. There are also various appearing creatures such as mice, singing fish statues called the Fishtones, Magellan's pets Cooey and the Slurms, and Batly's pet spider Webster.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: Halfway through the episode, an animated short based on a children's book was shown. Also featured were shorter animated and live-action short films and European imports such as "Animal Fair", "Roobarb", "The Shoe People", "Towser", "James the Cat", "Le Piaf", "Plonsters", "Philipp," "Bojan the Bear," "Lilliput Put," " Zeno shorts,"


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: and "Gran". Musical guests also appeared on the show, performing either in one of Mr. Knack's postcards, or at the castle in person.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: "Eureeka's Castle"'s ending credits state the show comes from an original concept by Debby Beece and Judy Katschke. In 1988, development of the show began by staff members at Nickelodeon and animator Eli Noyes and his partner Kit Laybourne, whose wife Geraldine Laybourne was the Head of Programming for Nickelodeon. "Jovial Bob Stine", best known for his children's horror novels written under the pen name R. L. Stine, was hired as the head writer to develop the concept, characters and episode scripts. The puppet design and construction for the characters were done at 3/Design Studio where the puppets were built by Jim Kroupa, John Orberg, Kip Rathke and Matt Stoddart.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: Nickelodeon ordered 65 episodes of "Eureeka's Castle", and Beece called it "the most ambitious program for preschoolers since the premiere of "Sesame Street" 20 years ago". The first episode of "Eureeka's Castle" premiered during Nickelodeon's Special Delivery block on August 27, 1989, before debuting on Nick Jr. on September 4. In May 1990, "Eureeka's Castle" was renewed for a 35-episode second season.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: From 1990 to 1991, Nickelodeon created 52 half-hour episodes of "Eureeka's Castle" entirely out of clips from the first two seasons for their participation in the Cable in the Classroom service. Some episodes did not include acquired shorts and musical guest segments, while others included some of them. The half-hour episodes were designed for international distribution and later replaced the original hour-long episodes in reruns starting in 1994. Production on "Eureeka's Castle" ended in 1991; some of the show's crew later worked on "Gullah Gullah Island".


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: The series premiered on September 4, 1989 on Nick Jr. Reruns of the show continued airing on Nick Jr. until September 6, 1996, and again from November 16, 1998, to February 5, 1999, and on Noggin from 1999 to 2002.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: Two "Eureeka's Castle" direct-to-video specials ("Sing Along with Eureeka" and "Wide Awake at Eureeka's Castle", both produced in 1990) and the "Christmas at Eureeka's Castle" special were released by Sony Wonder in 1995, and Paramount Home Video in 1997. While some episodes were released on VHS, the series has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray.


title: Eureeka's Castle

text: On April 21, 2021, 26 half-hour episodes of the show were added to Paramount+. This marks the first time the series had been legally available to watch in 19 years.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Parampara () is a 1993 Indian Hindi-language action romantic drama film starring Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Ashwini Bhave, Ramya Krishna, Raveena Tandon, Neelam Kothari and Anupam Kher. The film is produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala and directed by Yash Chopra. Aditya Chopra wrote the screenplay for the film. The film was supposed to be Saif Ali Khan's debut and was released with high expectations but was a commercial failure, critically panned for its storyline, performances and music. However, critics praised the direction by Yash Chopra. The movie is set in the famous Indian boarding school, Mayo College.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: The wealthy Thakur Bhavani Singh lives in a remote region of India where he shares an intense rivalry with a local gypsy clan led by Gora Shankar. Parampara (tradition) dictates that differences are resolved with a single bullet pistol duel at the top of a hill. Years earlier, Bhavani Singh fought a duel against Gora Shankar's father and killed him.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Bhavani's son Prithvi returns from London and strikes up a friendship with Shankar and his clanmates, much to the dismay of his father. As Prithvi gets closer he falls in love with Shankar's sister Tara. His father, however, has arranged Prithvi's marriage with the daughter of a fellow upper-class acquaintance. Prithvi is unable to make up his mind and ends up defiantly marrying Tara against his father's wishes - and subsequently marrying the girl of his father's choosing, Rajeshwari.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Later, Bhavani Singh discovers Tara has given birth to Prithvi's son and to his fury, orders his men to attack the gypsy colony and to kill Tara, her son and anyone who comes in the way. The Thakur's men set the camps ablaze, killing Tara but not her son, Ranvir. Shankar, who also survived the attack storms in to kill Bhavani Singh in revenge but he is arrested and imprisoned. Prithvi, tells his father that he will never acknowledge his presence again and despite living in the same house, his father will never hear his voice. Rajeshwari then presents him with the rescued Ranvir, earning the respect and love of her husband. Rajeshwari gives birth to a son Pratap, whom Bhavani Singh recognises as his true grandson. Both Ranvir and Pratap are brought up in the same household by Prithvi and Rajeshwari but both boys eventually realise that there is a difference between the two.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Gora Shankar is released from prison and returns to challenge Bhavani Singh to a pistol duel, but before the old man can respond, Prithvi intervenes and says the duel should be fought among equals and that Shankar should be duelling him, not his father. Shankar, who still sees Prithvi as his friend, reluctantly accepts and the duel is set for the next day.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Prithvi silently takes his father's blessing and heads to the hill alone. At the duel, both Shankar and Prithvi take their pistols and begin to pace away from each other. As the shot to turn and fire is heard, both men turn and aim - but only Shankar fires, shooting Prithvi in the chest. He runs immediately to Prithvi who reveals he never loaded his gun. As Prithvi dies, he tells Shankar to take Ranvir far away from his father, hoping no more blood will be shed in petty rivalry. At Prithvi's funeral, both Bhavani Singh and Gora Shankar draw their swords and challenge each other but are stopped by Rajeshwari. Shankar takes Ranvir and leaves the region for good.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Years later, both of Prithvi's sons meet in college as strangers, not knowing the identity of the other. Firstly rivals, the two become close friends but after Pratap recognises Gora Shankar at Ranvir's house, the two quickly realise that their past is linked but after years of being influenced by their respective guardians, they share a hatred of one another's families. Ranvir blames Bhavani Singh for killing his mother, while Pratap blames Shankar for killing his father.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: Despite the efforts of Shankar and Rajeshwari to end the fighting which will only lead to tragedy, Ranvir ends up challenging his grandfather Bhanvi Singh to a duel. Pratap, echoing the words of his father years ago, states that the duel should be fought among equals and with that the challenge is set.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: The next day Pratap arrives with Rajeshwari and Ranvir with Shankar. Just as the battle is about to start, Bhavani shows up on his horse to watch from a distance. The two brothers turn their back to each other and start to pace away. As they do this their grandfather watches them and begins to see visions of his son Prithvi as he looks at both Ranvir and Pratap. The signal to turn and shoot is given and both men turn and fire instinctively - only to see their grandfather between them having taken both their bullets. As Bhavani stumbles to the ground, he cries out for Prithvi, revealing the years of the torment of losing his son. The brothers rush to the fallen old man who in his last moments tells them of his regret and hope that with his death there is no further bloodshed.


title: Parampara (1993 film)

text: After the funeral, Ranvir and Pratap are about to head their separate ways but stop to embrace each other as brothers for the first time.


title: Fira

text: Firá (, pronounced ) is the modern capital of the Greek Aegean island of Santorini (Thera). A traditional settlement, "Firá" derives its name from an alternative pronunciation of "Thíra", the ancient name of the island itself.


title: Fira

text: Fira is a city of whitewashed houses built on the edge of the high caldera on the western edge of the semi-circular island of Thera. The two main museums of interest are the Archaeological Museum of Thera, east of the cable car entrance, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera at the southeast corner of the White Orthodox Cathedral of Ypapanti , built on the site of an earlier church destroyed in the 1956 Amorgos earthquake. The town also hosts a number of churches, including the Cathedral of Ypapanti and the Three Bells of Fira.


title: Fira

text: Access to Fira is mainly by roads on its eastern side, climbing from its port via the zigzag footpath on foot or on donkeys, or by riding the steep cable car from its lower terminal by the port. The central square of Fira is called Plateia Theotokopoulou, with a bus and taxi station, banks, and pharmacies.


title: Fira

text: From Fira there is a panoramic view of the long caldera from southern Cape Akrotiri to northern Cape Ag. Nikolaos, plus the volcanic island Nea Kameni at the center with Thirassia Island. Large cruise ships anchor in the small harbor between Nea Kameni and Fira.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The second generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions from the 1967 to 1972 model years, this generation was given the "Action Line" moniker by General Motors (the first-generation C/K did not receive such a name). As with its predecessor, the second generation C/K included full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty commercial trucks.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The Action Line C/K marked the expansion of the General Motors utility vehicle range, as the Chevrolet Suburban (GMC Carryall) utility wagon was joined by the Chevrolet K5 Blazer (GMC Jimmy) off-road vehicle. A shorter-wheelbase version of the K-series pickup truck, the open-top Blazer/Jimmy was among the first widely produced sport-utility vehicles. This generation marked the debut of the Chevrolet Cheyenne and GMC Sierra nameplates; making their debuts as trim levels, the Cheyenne and Sierra are both used by GM to this day in current production.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Produced by multiple sites across the United States and Canada, the model line was also produced in South America.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The second-generation C/K was produced from the 1967 to the 1972 model years. Alongside multiple updates resulting from changes in federal regulations, the Action-Line trucks underwent a mid-cycle revision for the 1971 model year.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1967, the C/K series underwent a ground-up redesign as GM better adapted the model line towards multi-purpose use; along with improving durability and capability, comfort and convenience features were also increased to improve its effectiveness as a personal-use vehicle. For pickup trucks, this was the final year of two rear window sizes available, including a small rear window (standard, shared with medium-duty trucks) and wider "full-view" window (optional, for pickup trucks/chassis cabs).


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1968, Chevrolet celebrated its 50th year as a truck manufacturer; to commemorate the anniversary, a 50th Anniversary Package (featuring an exclusive white-gold-white paint scheme) was offered as an option. On all pickup trucks, the larger "full-view" rear window became standard (with the smaller design remaining on medium-duty trucks). Following their requirement by the U.S. government, side-marker lights were added to all four corners. In a minor revision, GMC shifted its emblem from the grille to the hood. On -ton C-series trucks, GM introduced the Longhorn option, including an 8-foot Fleetside/Wideside pickup bed.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1969, the interior underwent some component changes, adopting a foot-operated parking brake and a redesigned steering wheel; a two-spoke design (with a plastic horn button) replaced the previous three-spoke design (with a chrome horn button). On the exterior, the hood was redesigned with a blunter front end; Chevrolet trucks received a redesigned grille. Upper and lower side moldings were introduced alongside additional two-tone paint configurations; standard on CST-trim (GMC Super Custom) trucks, the side moldings were optional on any other trim levels. GMC introduced the Sierra and Sierra Grande option packages, making them distinct trim levels for 1972.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1970, Action-Line trucks saw little change, with the Chevrolet grille receiving a minor revision.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For the 1971 model year, the Action-Line C/K underwent a mid-cycle revision, distinguished by updated front fascias for Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks. Chevrolets received an eggcrate grille design (with the Chevrolet bowtie emblem returning to the grille); GMC grilles shared the stamping as before, styled with additional blacked-out trim. In a chassis upgrade, all light-duty C/K trucks received front disc brakes as standard equipment. The interior underwent upgrades, introducing an optional tilt steering column (for automatic and 4-speed manual transmissions). Following its usage in Chevrolet cars for several years, the C/K offered an AM/FM radio as a factory-installed option for the first time.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1972, the interior underwent minor revisions, introducing molded-plastic door panels with integral armrests (requiring updated door handles and window cranks). In another change, a rear-view mirror glued to the windshield replaced the previous version (bolted to the headliner).


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The second-generation C/K series was marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions. Marketed primarily as pickup trucks, the model line was also offered as chassis cab vehicles without a pickup truck bed; the latter formed the basis of a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from stake trucks, commercial vehicles, and recreational vehicles (RVs).


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The Action-Line pickup trucks were sold in ⁄-ton, ⁄-ton, and 1-ton (nominal) payload series, including two bed configurations and three wheelbase lengths; this was the final generation sold only with a two-door cab.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The Action-Line pickup trucks shared a similar chassis configuration as the 1960-1966 C/K, using a drop-center ladder frame. Pickup trucks were offered in three wheelbases: 115 inches, 127 inches, and 133 inches (shared by Stepside and Longhorn pickups); chassis cab trucks were also offered in a 157-inch wheelbase.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Initially produced with drum brakes on all four wheels, the model line adopted front disc brakes for 1971.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For -ton and -ton C-series trucks (two-wheel drive), the independent front suspension design of the first generation was largely carried over from 1963-1966, using upper and lower control arms with coil springs. K-series 4x4 trucks for both division were leaf-sprung on both front and rear axles, including a live front axle.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Two different rear suspension configurations were used, dependent on specification and payload series. On -ton and -ton trucks, Chevrolet equipped a live rear axle with two coil-sprung trailing arms; along with auxiliary rear leaf springs, a rear leaf-spring suspension was an option. GMC pickup trucks of the same payload series offered rear leaf springs as standard, with rear coil springs as optional equipment (the opposite of Chevrolet). On all one-ton trucks, the rear axle was leaf-sprung.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For its 1967 launch, the Action-Line trucks carried over the four-engine range from the 1966 C/K series. Two inline-sixes were offered, with Chevrolet 250 cubic-inch and 292 cubic-inch engines offered. Two Chevrolet small-block V8s were offered, including 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines. GMC additionally offered divisionally-produced V6 engines for its C/K trucks (305 and 351 cubic inches) alongside the four Chevrolet engines.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1968, Chevrolet enlarged the 283 V8 to 307 cubic inches. A 396 cubic-inch V8 became an option (the first time a large-block V8 was offered in a light-duty GM truck). For 1969, Chevrolet enlarged the 327 V8 to 350 cubic inches.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1970, GMC phased its V6 engines out of light trucks, switching entirely to Chevrolet-produced engines.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1971, the 396 underwent internal revisions and was enlarged to 402 cubic inches. In line with its use in full-size Chevrolet cars, the 402 was labeled as 400 cubic inches.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Through its 1967-1972 production, engines were paired to a variety of transmissions. A three-speed column-shifted manual was standard; on -ton trucks, a three-speed overdrive was offered as an option, alongside several four-speed manuals. The 2-speed Powerglide automatic was offered as an option, alongside the Turbo-Hydramatic 350 and 400 3-speed automatic transmissions.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The Action-Line C/K trucks were offered solely in a two-door cab configuration from the factory; the model line would become the final generation C/K offered without a factory-produced crew cab. The model line was offered with two bed configurations; alongside the fenderless Chevrolet Fleetside (GMC Wideside), the bed was also offered with rear fenders as the Chevrolet Stepside (GMC Fenderside).


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The pickup bed was offered in four different lengths; 6 feet and 8 feet were shared by both configurations, with 9 feet exclusive to the Stepside; the 8 feet Longhorn truck combined the 133-inch wheelbase of the 9-foot Stepside with a Fleetside (Wideside) bed.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For both Chevrolet and GMC, model nomenclature was largely carried over from the previous generation, with C-series denoting two-wheel drive trucks and K-series denoting 4x4 vehicles (specifically, "C" stood for Conventional-cab truck on light and medium-duty chassis). To denote (nominal) payload ratings, -ton, -ton, and 1-ton Chevrolet trucks were again marketed in 10, 20, and 30-series; GMC trucks were branded in 1500, 2500, and 3500 series, respectively.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For the first time since 1961, Chevrolet and GMC offered trim line designations in addition to payload series. In 1972, the Chevrolet Cheyenne and GMC Sierra trims were introduced; the nameplates still remain in use by GM in current production.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1967, the Chevrolet Action-Line pickup trucks were offered in three trim levels. Alongside an unnamed base trim, an upgraded Custom was offered, with the CST (Custom Sport Truck) serving as the top-of-the-line trim; the trim nomenclature was used through the 1970 model year. For the 1971 model year, the base trim was renamed Custom, with the Custom becoming the Custom Deluxe; the CST was renamed as the Cheyenne trim level.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: A 1969 addition was the Custom Comfort and Convenience interior package that fell between the Standard cab and CST cab options. As a running change during the 1971 model year, the Cheyenne Super was added as a fourth trim level above the standard Cheyenne; the Cheyenne Super included woodgrain dashboard trim, full instrumentation, and model-specific interior trim.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: From 1967 to 1971, GMC Action-Line pickup trucks were offered in three trim lines. Deluxe served as a standard trim, an upgraded Custom trim was offered, with Super Custom serving as top-of-the-line trim.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1972, the trim line underwent a revision and was expanded from three to four. Custom replaced Deluxe as the standard trim, with Super Custom becoming the upgrade trim. Introduced as the counterpart of the Chevrolet Cheyenne and Cheyenne Super, the GMC Sierra and Sierra Grande served as the top two GMC C/K trims. In both series, the 'Highlander package' included special color-coordinated houndstooth cloth inserts and additional trim colors and insulation.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The Action-Line C/K chassis served as the basis for the sixth-generation Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Carryall. In line with its Jeep Wagoneer and International Travelall competitors, the Suburban received a rear passenger door (only on the passenger side); for the first time, the model line was also offered in a -ton payload series. In line with the pickup trucks, the Suburban/Carryall was offered in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. After the 1970 model year, GM discontinued the panel van configuration of the Suburban, functionally replaced by the 1971 introduction of the G-Series Chevrolet Van/GMC Vandura. However, the side-hinged rear panel doors would remain a notable design feature of the Suburban for three further generations (lasting through 2005).


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1969, GM introduced the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and GMC Jimmy utility vehicles. Derived from the -ton K-series, the Blazer/Jimmy was an open-top vehicle competing against the Ford Bronco and International Scout. The Blazer/Jimmy was offered in three configurations; alongside the standard open-top configuration, the model line was offered with either a convertible soft-top or a lift-off hardtop for weather protection. While larger than its competitors, the use of the pickup truck chassis offered the advantage of lowered production costs and shared components, as the 1974 Dodge Ramcharger and the 1978 Ford Bronco adopted a similar configuration.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Above the 1-ton 30/3500 model ranges, the C-series truck (C=Conventional) served as a basis for medium-duty conventional trucks marketed by both Chevrolet and GMC. The model range was produced under three series: the -ton C40 (GMC C4500) and two 2-ton trucks; the "light" C50 (GMC C5500) and "heavy" C60 (GMC C6500). Sharing the cab of the Action-Line pickup trucks, medium-duty trucks used heavier-duty frame rails and suspension, a higher hoodline, and wider front and rear axles (with larger wheels). The S-series was a cowled chassis (without a cab), manufactured primarily for (school) bus production.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: The medium-duty trucks were equipped with a wide variety of powertrain offerings. For 1967 and 1968, the model line was offered with Chevrolet 250 and 292 inline-6s, and 283, 307, 327 and 366 V8s; diesel engine offerings included the GMC Toroflow 479 V6 and the Detroit Diesel 4-53 inline-4. For 1969, the engine line was revised; the previous small-block V8s were dropped in favor of a single 350 V8 and a 427 V8 was introduced above the 366 big-block V8. GMC trucks were offered with 305 and 351 V6s, which were available for Chevrolets for 1972.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: A 4- or 5-speed manual transmission with a deep-reduction 1st gear and an Allison 6-speed automatic transmission were available. Optional 2-speed rear axles could be shifted while moving, giving each gear two ratios.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: For 1973, General Motors introduced medium-duty trucks derived from the Rounded-Line C/K generation; the S-series cowled bus chassis continued production for another decade, lasting through the 1983 model year.


title: Chevrolet C/K (second generation)

text: Slotted above the 2-ton C60 (GMC 6500) medium-duty range, the Chevrolet/GMC heavy-duty range (70/80 and 7500/8500-series) also shared their cabs with the C/K pickup trucks. Split into the short-hood H/J series and the long-hood M-series; the former served as the predecessor of the Chevrolet Bruin/GMC Brigadier while the latter preceded the Chevrolet Bison/GMC General conventionals of the 1970s.


title: Greater coucal

text: The greater coucal or crow pheasant (Centropus sinensis), is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, it is divided into several subspecies, some being treated as full species. They are large, crow-like with a long tail and coppery brown wings and found in a wide range of habitats from jungle to cultivation and urban gardens. They are weak fliers, and are often seen clambering about in vegetation or walking on the ground as they forage for insects, eggs and nestlings of other birds. They have a familiar deep resonant call which is associated with omens in many parts of its range.


title: Greater coucal

text: This is a large species of cuckoo at 48 cm. The head is black, upper mantle and underside are black glossed with purple. The back and wings are chestnut brown. There are no pale shaft streaks on the coverts. The eyes are ruby red. Juveniles are duller black with spots on the crown and there are whitish bars on the underside and tail. There are several geographic races and some of these populations are sometimes treated as full species. Earlier treatments included the brown coucal ("C. (s.) andamanensis") under this name. Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) suggest that the race "parroti" may be a full species – the southern coucal which is found in peninsular India (northern boundary unclear). The race "intermedius" of the Assam and Bangladesh region is smaller than the nominate race found in the sub-Himalayan zone. Songs of the races are said to vary considerably. Race "parroti" of southern India has a black head and the underparts glossed blue and has the forehead, face and throat more brownish. The sexes are similar in plumage but females are slightly larger.


title: Greater coucal

text: The nominate race is found from the Indus Valley through the sub-Himalayan and Gangetic plains to Nepal, Assam and the Bhutan foothills into southern China (Guangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian).


title: Greater coucal

text: The young when hatched have black skin and white hairy feathers (termed as trichoptiles) forming a fringe over the eye and beak. The centre of the belly is pinkish and the upper mandible is black with a pink edge. The iris is brown, gape yellow and feet dark brown-gray.


title: Greater coucal

text: The juvenile of race "parroti" is unmarked dull black on the underside (contra barred in the northern races) and much darker, dusky chestnut on the wings. Race "bubutus" found in Southeast Asia has a distinct call. Individuals from the Western Ghats are very similar in size to the lesser coucal "Centropus bengalensis" but the latter has a stubbier bill, shorter tail, wing tips extending beyond the tertials and a chestnut wing lining, dark eyes and a tail with green/bronze sheen. Females of the race "parroti" develop dusky or sooty wing coverts between November and January and the northern boundary of the race is along the Punjab plains where it forms intermediates with the northern forms.


title: Greater coucal

text: The greater coucal is a large bird which takes a wide range of insects, caterpillars, snails and small vertebrates such as the Saw-scaled vipers. They are also known to eat bird eggs, nestlings, fruits and seeds. In Tamil Nadu they were found to feed predominantly on snails "Helix vittata". They are also known to feed on the toxic fruits of "Cascabela thevetia" (Yellow Oleander). In oil palm cultivation, they have been noted as an avian pest due to their habit of eating the fleshy mesocarps of the ripe fruits.


title: Greater coucal

text: They sunbathe in the mornings singly or in pairs on the top of vegetation with their wings spread out. The territory of a nesting pair has been found in southern India to be 0.9 to 7.2 ha (mean 3.8 ha). They are most active in the warm hours of the morning and in the late afternoon.


title: Greater coucal

text: The calls are a booming low "coop-coop-coop"s repeated and with variations and some duets between individuals. When duetting the female has a lower pitched call. Other calls include a rapid rattling "lotok, lotok ..." and a harsh scolding "skeeaaaw" and a hissing threat call.


title: Greater coucal

text: The breeding season is after the monsoon in southern India but varies in other parts of its range but chiefly June to September.


title: Greater coucal

text: Greater coucals are monogamous, and the courtship display involves chases on the ground and the male brings food gifts for the female. The female lowers her tail and droops her wings to signal acceptance. The nest is built mostly by the male over about three to eight days. The nest is a deep cup with a dome in dense vegetation inside tangles of creepers, bamboo clump or "Pandanus" crowns. They can be built as high as 6m above the ground and the typical clutch is 3–5 eggs. The eggs (of size 36–28 mm weighing 14.8 g ) are chalky white with a yellow glaze when laid that wears off. Both the male and the female take part in nest building. They lay 2 to 4 eggs that hatch after 15–16 days of incubation. The chicks take 18–22 days to fledge. A study in southern India found that 77% of the eggs hatched and 67% fledged. Nests with eggs were sometimes abandoned or marauded by the Indian jungle crow "Corvus macrorhynchos culminatus".


title: Greater coucal

text: Haemosporidia closely related to those that cause malaria have been found in their red blood cells. One species, "Haemoproteus centropi", is described from cuckoos such as "Clamator jacobinus" and "Centropus sinensis" and is spread by mosquitoes. Immature "Haemaphysalis" ticks have been found feeding on greater coucals.


title: Greater coucal

text: The bird is associated with many superstitions and beliefs. The deep calls are associated with spirits and omens.


title: Greater coucal

text: In British India, it was noted that new-recruits to India often mistook it for a pheasant and shot it to find it "evil flavoured" giving it the nickname of "Griff's pheasant".


title: Jambudvīpa

text: Jambudvīpa (; Pali: Jambudīpa) is a name often used to describe the territory of Greater India in Ancient Indian sources.


title: Jambudvīpa

text: The term is based on the concept of "dvīpa", meaning "island" or "continent" in Ancient Indian cosmogony. The term "Jambudvipa" was used by Ashoka to represent his realm in the third century BCE. The same terminology was used in subsequent texts, for instance Kannada inscriptions from the tenth century CE which also described the region, presumably Ancient India, as "Jambudvipa".


title: Jambudvīpa

text: The word Jambudvīpa literally refers to "the land of Jambu trees" where jambu ("Syzygium cumini") grows.


title: Jambudvīpa

text: According to Puranic cosmography, the world is divided into seven concentric island continents ("sapta-dvipa vasumati") separated by the seven encircling oceans, each double the size of the preceding one (going out from within). The seven continents of the Puranas are stated as Jambudvipa, Plaksadvipa, Salmalidvipa, Kusadvipa, Krouncadvipa, Sakadvipa, and Pushkaradvipa. Seven intermediate oceans consist of salt-water, sugarcane juice, wine, ghee, yogurt, milk and water respectively. The mountain range called Lokaloka, meaning "world-no-world", stretches across this final sea, delineating the known world from the dark void.


title: Jambudvīpa

text: Continent Jambudvipa ("Rose Tree Island"), also known as "Sudarshanadvipa", forms the innermost concentric island in the above scheme. There is a belief that this island named after the people who lived in this island known as Sambavas. Its name is said to derive from a Jambu tree (another name for the Indian Blackberry). The fruits of the Jambu tree are said, in the Viṣṇupurāṇa (ch.2) to be as large as elephants and when they become rotten and fall upon the crest of the mountains, a river of juice is formed from their expressed juice. The river so formed is called Jambunadi (Jambu river) and flows through Jambudvipa, whose inhabitants drink its waters. Insular continent Jambudvipa is said to comprise nine "varshas" (zones) and eight significant "parvatas" (mountains).


title: Jambudvīpa

text: Markandeya Purana portrays Jambudvipa as being depressed on its south and north and elevated and broad in the middle. The elevated region forms the varsha named "Ila-vrta" or "Meruvarsha". At the center of Ila-vrta lies the golden Mount Meru, the king of mountains. On the summit of Mount Meru, is the vast city of Lord Brahma, known as "Brahmapuri". Surrounding Brahmapuri are 8 cities - the one of Lord Indra and of seven other "Devatas".


title: Jambudvīpa

text: Markandeya Purana and Brahmanda Purana divide Jambudvipa into four vast regions shaped like four petals of a lotus with Mount Meru being located at the center like a pericarp. The city of "Brahmapuri" is said to be enclosed by a river, known as "Akash Ganga". "Akash Ganga" is said to issue forth from the foot of Lord Vishnu and after washing the lunar region falls "through the skies" and after encircling the Brahmapuri "splits up into four mighty streams", which are said to flow in four opposite directions from the landscape of Mount Meru and irrigate the vast lands of Jambudvipa.


title: Jambudvīpa

text: The common names of the dvīpas, having their varṣas (9 for Jambu-dvīpa, 7 for the other dvīpas) with a mountain and a river in each varṣa, is given in several Purāṇas. There is a distinct set of names provides, however, in other Purāṇas. The most detailed geography is that described in the "Vāyu Purāṇa".


title: Jambudvīpa

text: The Buddhist cosmology divides the (circle of the earth) into three separate levels: Kāmadhātu (Desire realm), Rūpadhātu (Form realm), and Ārūpyadhātu (Formless realm). In the Kāmadhātu is located Mount Sumeru which is said to be surrounded by four island-continents. "The southernmost island is called Jambudvīpa". The other three continents of Buddhist accounts around Sumeru are not accessible to humans from Jambudvīpa. Jambudvīpa is shaped like a triangle with a blunted point facing south, somewhat like the Indian subcontinent. In its center is a gigantic Jambu tree from which the continent takes its name, meaning "Jambu Island".