Wretched clouds of Mountain Cedar today off Ashe Junipers!... This video between Medina & Vanderpool in Bandera County Typically Cedar season tapers off through February. This season, we’re getting 2 peaks. Yay….. 🤧 🎥 Rob Walker The National Weather Deskshow more

Kīlauea Eruption Update — Episode 47 of Kīlauea summit... lava fountaining began at 3:27 p.m. HST today, May 14, and is ongoing. This eruption is taking place within Kīlauea summit caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Precursory lava flows began from the south vent at 2:57 a.m. this morning, May 14, and continued intermittently today from both the north and south vents. Both vents are currently erupting, with low-level activity in the south vent while lava fountains at the north vent are currently about 65 feet (20 meters) high. National Weather Service forecasts low-level tradewinds today, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu. Fountaining episodes typically last 12 hours of less, but ash can remain in the air for longer depending on wind and weather conditions. Please stay aware of hazards and rely on official updates from USGS, National Weather Service, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. 🎥 Video of episode 47 around 3:30 p.m. HST on May 12, 2026. #Kilauea #Eruption #Lavashow more

The "Parking Lot" is under construction and getting stronger!... 💪🏾 ❤️Love seeing #Chiefs DT Omarr Norman-Lott grinding through his rehab. 🏹🧱 When #Chiefs DT Omarr Norman-Lott was on the field in 2025, the interior defense was a different animal. Next to Chris Jones, "Parking Lot" proved he’s the future of the Chiefs’ trenches. 😤🧥 ​The "Parking Lot" Numbers: 📈 Efficiency: 8.6% Win Rate—ranked 2nd on the team behind only Chris Jones. 💨 Pressure: 6 Pressures & 1 Sack in just 73 defensive snaps. 🛡️ The Drop-Off: Before his injury in Week 7, the Chiefs' defense was top-6 in the NFL (19.3 PPG). After he went down, the team struggled through a 1-8 finish. ​Getting him back for the 2026 season is the biggest "addition" this defense could ask for. 🏹🧱. 🎥: Omarr Norman-Lott on IG #ChiefsKingdom #Chiefs #ParkingLot #OmarrNormanLott #ComebackSeason #NFLshow more

Major Storm to Impact Southern California As of Wednesday,... February 12, 2025, at 6:50 PM PDT, the latest infrared satellite imagery confirms that the incoming storm system is fully developed and on track to deliver severe weather across Northern and Central California tonight into early Thursday afternoon. The system is intensifying rapidly, with a powerful surface cold front expected to sweep through San Luis Obispo to San Diego counties, bringing damaging winds, torrential rainfall, and the potential for severe thunderstorms. Key Storm Impacts: "Big Thursday" – A Major Weather Event • Extreme Rainfall Rates – 0.50 to 1.5 inches per hour, increasing the risk of urban flooding, flash floods, and mudslides, particularly in burn scar areas of Los Angeles County. • Damaging Winds – Southerly gusts of 45-65 mph, capable of toppling trees, damaging weak structures, and causing widespread power outages. • Severe Thunderstorm & Weak Tornado Potential – The latest HRRR model data (18Z, 0Z) indicates the presence of a squall line, increasing the risk of isolated severe thunderstorms and weak tornadoes between 12 PM and 10 PM Thursday. • Scattered to Widespread power Outages – Areas at risk include the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County, and portions of Los Angeles County, where infrastructure could be severely impacted. • Urban Flooding Concerns – Locations such as Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, Altadena, and Pacific Palisades will experience rapid runoff and potential roadway flooding, creating hazardous travel conditions. The Seriousness of the Situation This storm is shaping up to be one of the most intense weather events of the season, posing a significant threat to life and property. Residents in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas must prepare for prolonged heavy rainfall, high winds, possible power outages, and dangerous road conditions. Authorities urge residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare emergency supplies. Those in flood-prone and burn scar areas should be especially vigilant for potential debris flows and flash flooding. This is a rapidly evolving situation and further updates in the next 24 to 30 hours. #CAwx #CaliforniaStormsshow more

If you want to experience the true variety of... the US, you need to drive through Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Mapped out are the perfect 11-stop route that takes you from alien desert slot canyons to soaring alpine mountain peaks: Stop 1: Page, Arizona; The ultimate desert hub. Home to the swirling sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon and the massive bend of Horseshoe Bend. Stop 2: Zion National Park, Utah; Hike between towering 2,000-foot red sandstone monoliths and wade through the Virgin River in The Narrows. Stop 3: Kanarra Falls, Utah; Squeeze through a hidden canyon to climb a rustic wooden ladder right next to a rushing waterfall. Stop 4: Bryce Canyon, Utah; Stand at the rim to marvel at the world’s largest collection of crimson-colored rock "hoodoos." Stop 5: Bentonite Hills, Utah; An otherworldly landscape that looks exactly like Mars, featuring rolling hills of technicolor, striped clay. Stop 6: Canyonlands, Utah; Gaze out over a massive, rugged wilderness of deep canyons carved out by the Colorado River. Stop 7: Monument Valley, Arizona; The classic heart of the American West, featuring giant, isolated red sandstone buttes towering over the highway. Stop 8: Durango, Colorado; Cross into the Rockies! Board a historic 1880s coal-fired steam train through the wild Animas River gorge. Stop 9: Million Dollar Highway, Colorado; One of the most breathtaking, thrilling drives in the world, snaking through sheer, guardrail-free mountain cliffs. Stop 10: Ouray, Colorado; Nicknamed the "Switzerland of America," this historic mining town is nestled deep inside a jagged alpine bowl. Stop 11: Breckenridge, Colorado; End your journey in a vibrant, high-altitude mountain village packed with historic charm and endless hiking trails. 🎥 ultimatevacationn | IGshow more

Every flight begins with a question: what might the... weather take from us today? After a few quiet days, a belated Christmas stolen back from the calendar thanks to work. I’m off again this morning from London Heathrow Airport to Delhi, flying the Airbus A350 east into a long winter’s day. It’s a blustery start in London, the kind of wind that keeps crews alert and aircraft honest. At the other end, Delhi may wake under fog, the sort that doesn’t just reduce visibility, but reshapes decisions hours before arrival. This is the part of flying few people ever see. Airline pilots aren’t just drivers of machines; we are risk managers and practiced decision makers. Before a single engine turns, we assess weather trends, probabilities, alternates, fuel burn, holding times, and the quiet “what ifs” that sit between forecast and reality. Fuel isn’t just about getting there… it’s about resilience. Options. Time. Margin. Add a little more for contingency. Plan for what might be waiting. Hope to use none of it. At 35,000 feet the aircraft will look serene, slicing cleanly through the sky, but every smooth arrival is usually the result of decisions made long before pushback; calm, deliberate, and sometimes deliberately conservative. From wind in London to fog in Delhi, today’s flight is a reminder that aviation isn’t about eliminating risk. It’s about understanding it, respecting it, and thinking ahead to ensure it’s accounted for. Right… coffee, weather charts, fuel figures. Let’s go. #PilotLife #AviationLife #RiskManagement #FlightPlanning #AvGeek #A350 #LongHaul #AirlinePilot #FlightDeckView #AboveTheClouds #GlobalAviation #WeatherMatters #BehindTheScenesshow more

I'm Chesnyy—CKC high-point Rottweiler in rally obedience for the... last two years. 🏆🐾 But last season was ruff. Static from the wheelchair tires caused shocks when I heeled, and twice the floor mats caught in the castors and the entire floor started to chase me...I started getting suspicious any time we went in a ring. It didn't feel fun anymore. And there were a lot of other life changes last year so we were already dealing with stress. And trust me, us dogs can smell human stress a mile away and it does affect us. We took the fall and winter off from trials—no rings, no judges. Just my regular work days, treats, snoozes, and puppy adventures. Now we're back: we're easing our way in. Instead of going right back to Master level rounds, we're starting back at intermediate AND advanced rounds this weekend. This will make sure neither the human or I get too stressed. And yeah—we're the only wheelchair-handler team around so sometimes between travel, unloading, set-up, and dealing with accessibility challenges she's already running on empty before we hit the ring entrance. This practice 🎥? Tail doing happy waves, grin locked in. No zaps, no floor monsters—just happy paws and us owning it. If this makes you smile, hit like or share? Helps us keep rolling. (Bacon still welcome, though.) 💕 #RallyObedience #WheelchairTeam #CKCTopDog #RottieComebackshow more

RHP Cole Leaman (Lehigh Baseball) is an arm I'm... really looking forward to following this spring. Fresh off a strong Sophomore season in which he worked a 2.31 ERA with 49 Ks to 23 BB across 46.2 IP. Showed some positive flashes on the Cape. While slightly undersized, Leaman has a strong and athletic build at 6' and 190-lbs. Has put on a lot of good weight over the last couple of years. Leaman has almost a "check point" delivery in which he takes a noticeable side step towards the 1B side, gathers himself and breaks into the rest of his motion. Lengthy arm stroke and attacks from a high-3/4 slot from a low release height. Leaman is a high-level athlete and a dynamic mover on the mound. Sits really well on his back glute and his lead leg block enables him to generate power and drive his back side through. Drop and drive delivery. Little bit of effort, but plenty of arm speed. Leaman's FB sits in the 91-94 range, but it was up to 96 this summer and 98 this fall. Jumps out of his hand from a ~5'3" release height and flashes riding life through the zone. Averaged 15" of carry this summer and 2,361 RPMs. Gets over the barrels of opposing hitters when located in the top-1/2 of the zone, which is where the pitch is at its best. Command can be erratic at times. Would give it a 55. Leaman's most-used off speed pitch is a high-70s-to-low-80s CB. Shape is inconsistent and it can get a little slurvy at times, but he snapped off a handful of really good ones between the spring and summer. When it's at its best, it will flash a bigger shape with sharp, downward tilt. Leaman will also mix in a low-to-mid-80s SL that's distinct in shape. Another pitch he's still gaining a feel for, but like his CB it's also shown big time flashes. Shape of it will vary, but it will sometimes flash plus with sharp, two-plane break (more sweep than depth) and essentially take a late, hard left turn. Rounds out his arsenal with a high-80s cutter and a mid-to-high-80s CH. The former is more intriguing than the latter. Curious to see how much he uses the cutter this spring, threw a couple this summer that had late glove-side life. Leaman has a very intriguing blend of athleticism and stuff, though he'll need to iron out his command and control in order to maximize his upside. As mentioned, it's a bit scattered right now and has hindered him in some starts. 5th-8th round type this July. (📽️: Falmouth Commodores)show more

A spectacular “Ring of Fire” just blazed across the... Antarctic sky today, February 17, 2026 — the first solar eclipse of the year, and a rare annular one that turned the Sun into a blazing celestial halo. In this stunning alignment, the Moon slipped between Earth and the Sun but — because it was near the farther point in its elliptical orbit (close to apogee) — appeared slightly smaller than the Sun's disk. Instead of total darkness, a brilliant ring of sunlight encircled the Moon's dark silhouette, creating that iconic fiery annulus for up to about 2 minutes and 20 seconds at maximum.The path of true annularity carved a narrow corridor roughly 616 km (383 miles) wide and 4,282 km (2,661 miles) long across the icy expanse of Antarctica — one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth. Very few humans witnessed the full “Ring of Fire”: perhaps a handful at research stations like Concordia Station, where the peak hit around 19:47 local time (12:13 UTC / 7:13 a.m. EST), with the Sun about 96% obscured.Everywhere else in the vast southern regions, the eclipse appeared as a dramatic partial bite taken from the Sun. Partial phases were visible across:Much of southern Africa (including South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar) The southern tips of Argentina and Chile Broad swaths of the Southern Ocean, Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans The event kicked off with the first partial shadows around 09:56 UTC, reached maximum at 12:13 UTC, and wrapped up by 14:27 UTC — a roughly 4.5-hour celestial dance viewed from half a hemisphere away.Astronomy enthusiasts and scientists alike marveled at the precision of orbital mechanics on display: the Moon's apparent size just shy of perfect coverage, the Sun's corona faintly visible around the edges in safe-filtered views, and the eerie dimming of daylight in partial zones.This remote spectacle kicks off what many are calling a golden age of eclipses — with a total solar eclipse coming up on August 12, 2026 (visible from Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain), followed by more totals and annulars through 2028.A reminder of cosmic rhythm: even in the harshest, loneliest corners of our planet, the universe puts on a show of breathtaking beauty and perfect timing.(Sources: NASA eclipse resources, Wikipedia Solar Eclipse of February 17, 2026, EarthSky, and related astronomical reports.)show more

Instead of just talking about it, I wanted to... go through it and really break it down to figure out the exact reason for the difference in Jalen Duren's play between the regular season and the playoffs. *LONG BREAKDOWN COMING* First, lets list how much the difference was: Iso in RS: 82nd %ile Iso in PS: 21st %ile Post-ups in RS: 88th %ile Post-ups in PS: 59th %ile PPP on drives in RS: 1.18 ppp PPP on drives in PS: 0.80 Layups in RS: 79th %ile Layups in PS: 19th %ile It was a staggering drop off. Shocking to many of us who watched him all season. So, what happened? Well, #1 I think mentally he was letting his struggles get to him and he started to play out of control. Something that suggests this to me is this stat: He started to figure some things out himself in isolation over the last 2 games against the Cavs. He had six isolation possessions in the final two games against the Cavs; he scored on five of those possessions and drew a foul on the other. Game 6 he started to look confident and really made them pay out of isolation. I really think a ton of it was he got hit with a punch early against ORL and really struggled to handle the pressure and struggles after, and just kept stacking and stacking. So, him being in his own head is #1 for me. #2: His handle got exposed quite a bit. In the regular season, he only had a 4.2 TO% in isolation, which is incredible. In the playoffs, though, that spiked to 20 TO%. On drives in the RS, he had a TO% of 4%. In the PS, it jumped to 13.3%. The first clip below shows how the right-to-left cross he loved doing all season was really taken away from him. Too loose of a handle, and he often got his pocket picked trying this exact move over and over. I think having his go-to move taken from him shook him a bit and left him scrambling a bit in his head to find a counter. The second clip shows, imo, him starting to lose trust in his handle. He immediately turns his back to the defender, which is what you do when you're worried about losing the ball. But, even then, he loses control of the handle and it ends up in a turnover. If I'm the Pistons, I'm showing all his turnovers due to his handle and working with him on tightening his handle and also helping him get comfortable with a counter/second move so defenders don't just sit on the right-to-left cross. #3: I think he really struggled to adjust to the playoff whistle. In the regular season, he drew free throws on 21% of his isolations and 31% of his post-ups. In the PS, it dropped to 14% and 11%, respectively. There were many possessions where in the RS he would've got free throws, but did not in the PS and he was frustrated. In the third clip, you'll see how physical he was being played by Mobley (which we all want physicality in the game). But, in the RS, he probably is getting FTA's here. There are many examples of this where it felt like a lot of his value during the RS was being able to draw FTA's on his drives, and in the PS, refs just allowed more physicality, and he struggled to deal with it. #4: Ausar-Duren duo. I believe in this duo, and I do not think this was the main reason Duren struggled. However, I am not blind to the fact that there were obviously some possessions that hurt Duren. In the regular season, Duen actually got less efficient when Ausar wasn't on the floor. However, in the playoffs, Duren went from 51 TS% with Ausar on the floor (302 minutes) to 64 TS% with Ausar off the floor (121 minutes). In the 4th clip, you really see how the lack of spacing caused a tough shot from Duren. He gets a step on WCJ going right, and probably would prefer to then just use his strength to create spearation. However, he sees Suggs sitting in the right gap off of Ausar, which forces him to spin left. Once he spins left, Paolo is completely leaving Tobias open. This is one of the reasons I really think DET needs a spacing 4 because this should be an easy kickout from Duren to a shooter. He still should've made this pass to Tobias, but a legit shooting 4 I think would relocate to the corner and make an easier outlet/easier to see for Duren. But, he still coulda made the pass, tbf. Either way, you see how the lack of spacing from both Ausar and Tobias forced Duren into a really awkward drive where he was forced into an extremely tough shot. I think if the passing returned from Duren, some of these situations wouldn't happen. Hitting Ausar early as he cuts into the space would work, or hitting Tobias (who again shoulda be making himself more available) beyond the arc results in better offense. But, also, having better spacing probably allows Duren to just get to his original move once he beats WCJ off the dribble. and lastly #5: He really just didn't play well. I can't include any more clips (I'll put some in the immediate thread reply to display), but he really just didn't play well. Missed *a lot* of looks we're used to him making. His touch around the rim left him, looked like he really felt rushed in the paint. He was struggling to secure rebounds after dominating the glass all season (during the RS, he averaged 4.3 second chance points a game, in the PS it dropped to 2.3). During RS, he had a 22.0 DREB%, which dropped to 16.0% in the playoffs. So, I think a lot of factors played into why he struggled so much in the playoffs. My takeaway is I don't think these things are unfixable; actually, I think they're very fixable. Experience of dealing with what playoff physicality is I think is going to help moving forward. All young players have to adjust to that--I think Cade really learned that from NY series to this playoff run. Tightening his handle and just having a second move to go to is not something that should be considered impossible. I'd like to believe it's pretty likely with how much he works and the raw skill he already has with his handle. Pistons adding a legit spacer at the four I think solves a lot and will make Duren's life a lot easier. The most concerning part is mental. And we won't know an answer to that until the next playoffs. Did this experience help him on his journey towards becoming mentally strong and prepared enough to move forward? Did this run help him find a routine that helps him lock in mentally, as many players have said they had to discover? Or will the pressure from struggling last postseason get to him this upcoming postseason? Will he let mistakes get into his head, compound them, and start playing rashly? I don't think the second option will be the case, but no one will know until the next postseason. Honestly, I'm more concerned and critical of his defense in the playoffs (which at times was pretty good and at other times was an incredible struggle), but that would require its own thread. My ending thoughts: I still very much believe in Duren. This playoff run showed he has areas he must sharpen up and learn from, but at 22 that shouldn't be a shocker. He is incredibly talented and made a large jump during the RS. The PS posed challenges he didn't quite have answers to yet. But another run of experience, another offseason of training, and another year older should lead him down a good path. I am fully supportive of paying Duren and extending him. I am not at close to 50 million dollars. 35-40 million is where I think they'll settle on, and I'm fine with that. But, he's gotta learn from these playoffs! Every offseason he's gotten better, I don't have a reason to believe Jalen Duren won't learn and improve again this summer. He's only 22.show more

DERRY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania — The mid-morning sun danced cleanly... off the calm waters of Keystone Lake, casting a bright sheen over a scene that feels entirely unstuck from time. Along the shoreline, kayakers glide across the glass-like water. Fishermen sit quietly by the causeway, casting lines in hope of a bite. Under the shade of the locust, maple, tulip, and oak trees, families crowd around picnic tables, sharing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from home as they shake off the heavy heat of a Pennsylvania summer. It is a serene, almost languid tableau. It is also a testament to American resilience and our ability to reinvent ourselves, as the lake and rolling state park were built directly atop the industry that once defined Western Pennsylvania: coal. Long before it was a haven for swimming, fishing, kayaking, camping, and sunbathing, this very dirt belonged to the Keystone Coal and Coke Company. In 1909, the company dammed the convergence of McCune and Davis runs, creating this 78-acre lake for a purely industrial purpose: supplying the massive amounts of water needed to wash bituminous coal and quench the fiery coke ovens at the nearby Salem No. 1 Mine. The water the children splash in today once flowed gravity-fed through 2 miles of wooden pipes to fuel the region’s roaring steel industry. Just a short walk from the sandy beach, beneath the park’s cabin area and the Hillside Campground, lies a labyrinth of abandoned, sealed-off mine tunnels. In those dark spaces, particularly the Salem No. 2 drift mine, which opened in 1938, local miners labored on their hands and knees inside coal seams just 2 to 4 feet high. When the industrial demand cooled, Pennsylvania acquired the land and the company’s stone executive retreat in 1945, turning a private corporate playground into Keystone State Park. Today, that historic stone lodge serves as the James A. Kell Visitor Center, housing artifacts from the very miners who laid the foundation for the community. Located in Westmoreland County, Keystone State Park is one of 124 state parks spread across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. For generations of Pennsylvanians, these public lands have provided the setting for some of our most enduring traditions. Today, as families look for affordable ways to vacation and rediscover what is often right in their own backyards, these parks are playing an even more vital role. They are saving the family vacation. I watched children ranging from toddlers to teenagers chase minnows, scoop up handfuls of sand, and sift through it for quartz, granite, rounded pebbles, and fragments of sandstone, shale, limestone, and bituminous coal. They picked out their favorites and carried them home in sand pails. Dozens of families rested on blankets spread across the dune grass between the sandy beach and the lawn, taking a break from the sun as their children emptied out the treasures they had collected from the lakebed. Conspicuously absent were the devices that so often occupy both children and parents. That absence may be common in the heart of the country, but it can seem almost inconceivable in a culture where social media increasingly shapes how everyday life is experienced and presented. There were no influencers posing on boogie boards. The children riding them were too busy mastering the balance needed to stay upright on the water. The same was true of those paddling canoes and kayaks. In an era dominated by algorithms, notifications, and glowing screens, Pennsylvania’s state parks offer a radical alternative: a place to disconnect. Here, children aren’t hunched over tablets or lost in video games. They are outside, experiencing the physical world with their bare hands.show more

When people ask me why I don't deal with... alotta people..I bring up situations like this.. I hosted a live event with 4 (Dalvin Cook) last year to give FSU fans something dope after a rough season I let the Jax Seminoles club be a part of it (even though I didn't need them to make it happen)..could've gotten 4 on my show regardless, I just like showing love That being said, my goal is to do more live events where I get to celebrate FSU legends, and alum..highlighting their careers, businesses, etc..of course I'll do events that aren't related to FSU as well During the process one of the people involved on the process tried to backdoor me for some 💰(ahh silly rabbit) It was dumb to me, because it wasn't a crazy amount of money, and it wasn't worth messing up a relationship..folks be thirsty tho..and I'm big on principle You ain't gonna eat off of me (especially in a situation when I don't need you and I'm looking out) and then try to finess too lol.. I was sent this video of them taking all the credit for the event that wouldn't have happened without Trials To Triumph, and they tried to zoom in and crop me out of the video lol People will move dirty then play victim and be mad at you for calling them out on it lol..I wasn't the only one upset..my sponsors were upset, and didn't wanna do business with the person from the club anymore I'm sure that this is not a reflection of everybody involved with the club..not a smart way to treat alum though This is also a good lesson for someone else who may be going through situations where people try to play with you, lie on your name, or steal from you..sitting there and be quiet will only make the issue worse in the long run..use your voice and speak up, otherwise you're responsible for the other people later down the line that end up with the same experience that could've been avoided if they were made aware early on That being said, while folks were trying to finesse, we were locking in deals with national brands, and will be hosting a lot more events this year..I definitely wanna put something special together in the spring and before the season for FSU fans Full episode with Dalvin Cook is on YouTube, and we have a Huge episode dropping with Derrick Brooks tomorrow as well‼️ Stay 💯show more

The mausoleum of Antiochus I (69–34 BC), who reigned... over Commagene, a kingdom founded north of Syria and Euphrates after breakup of Alexander's empire, one of most ambitious constructions of Hellenistic period; crowning one of highest peaks of eastern Taurus mountain range in south-east Türkiye. Nemrut Dağ is Hierotheseion (temple-tomb and house of the gods) built by King Antiochos I of Commagene as a monument to himself. The syncretism of its pantheon and lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's culture. With a diameter of 145m, the 50m high funerary mound of stone chips is surrounded on three sides by terraces to the east, west and north directions. Two separate antique processional routes radiate from the east and west terraces. The 5 giant seated limestone statues, identified by their inscriptions as deities, face outwards from the tumulus on the upper level of the east and west terraces. These are flanked by a pair of guardian animal statues – a lion and eagle at each end. Heads of the statues have fallen off to the lower level, which accommodates two rows of sandstone stelae, mounted on pedestals with an altar in front of each stele. One row carries relief sculptures of Antiochos’ paternal Persian ancestors, other of his maternal Macedonian ancestors. Inscriptions on the backs of the stelae record genealogical links. A square altar platform is located at east side of east terrace. On west terrace there is an additional row of stelae representing particular significance of Nemrut, handshake scenes (dexiosis) showing Antiochos shaking hands with deity and stele with lion horoscope believed to be indicating construction date of cult area. The north terrace is long, narrow and rectangular in shape, and hosts a series of sandstone pedestals. The stelae lying near the pedestals on the north terrace have no reliefs or inscriptions. Hierotheseion of Antiochos I - Its complex design and colossal scale combined to create a project unequalled in the ancient world. A highly developed technology was used to build the colossal statues and orthostats (stelae), equal of which has not been found anywhere else for this period. The syncretism of its pantheon and the lineage of its kings, which can be traced back through two sets of legends, Greek and Persian, is evidence of the dual origin of this kingdom's culture. Tomb of Antiochos I of Commagene is a unique artistic achievement. The landscaping of natural site of Nemrut Dağ is one of most colossal undertakings of Hellenistic period (some of stone blocks used weigh up to 9 tons). The tomb bears unique testimony to civilization of the kingdom of Commagene. Antiochos I is represented in this monument as a descendant of Darius by his father Mithridates, and a descendant of Alexander by his mother Laodice. This semi-legendary ancestry translates in genealogical terms ambition of a dynasty that sought to remain independent of powers of both East and West. More so than tombs at Karakus and Eski Kahta, tumulus at Nemrut Dağ illustrates, through liberal syncretism of very original pantheon, a significant, historical period. Assimilation of Zeus with Oromasdes (Iranian god Ahuramazda), and Heracles with Artagnes (Iranian god Verathragna) finds its artistic equivalent in an intimate mixture of Greek, Persian and Anatolian aesthetics in statuary and bas-reliefs. Nemrut Dağ is largely intact and truthfully and credibly expresses it outstanding universal value. The important cult areas of Commagene still exist, structures are original ones and their original interrelations can still be observed and perceived. Today, greatest threat to integrity of property is material damage caused by environmental conditions such as serious seasonal and daily temperature variations, freezing and thawing cycles, wind, snow accumulation and sun exposure. 🎥© arkeolojievreni (IG) #archaeohistoriesshow more

Happy Final Space Friday! Lots to update. So here’s... the thing… since I legally can’t do a digital version of the comic, I’ve been digging into a little loophole: a motion comic. Like… an actual video version of the book. Still testing it, but Daz Tibbles did a rough test and is trying a few motion poster tests with other characters. If we pull this off, it’s gonna take FOREVER but it’s possible. That’s the key word here. Possible. And maybe worth it. Over on the Color Edition, the print file’s coming together clean. The whole focus right now is threefold: 1.Resizing 2. Color matching 3.And the “Zazz Pass” (if a tweak takes under 30 minutes, I’m hitting it). I’m building a punch list and should have some before/after examples to show off next week. It’s looking really good. On the Midnight Edition, we’re building out the UV Spot File for the cover titles on the front, spine, back, and yep, the shards of glass will glint too. Gonna look sick! Just waiting on the physical samples to land at my door so I can approve it for full print run. Also printer flagged 15 pages where the text bubbles were a little too close to the cut line, so I went in, fixed them, and sent them back. And yes, I asked about international languages. It’s doable, but that’s a whole other mountain would need to re-letter the whole thing. I’m shelving that until the English versions are fully out. Right now, I’m just keeping my head down and charging through the color files. Let me know what you think of Daz Tibbles tackling a full motion comic. -O PRE-ORDER HERE:show more

Tucker Carlson thinks that Muslims were very kind toward... Christians during the Ottoman period, and for that reason, I would like to explain to you how kind they were. For 300 years the Ottoman Turks were stealing kids from their mothers. This was the most brutal thing humanity ever witnessed. They were waiting for women to birth, raise their kids, and then at the age of 8 were collecting them. The devşirme known as "collection of children" or "blood tax" or in Greek as "paidomazoma", was a systematic practice by the Ottoman Empire from the late 14th century until the mid-17th century, that forced the recruitment of young Christian boys, typically aged 8–18, from Balkan provinces as a form of tribute ("blood tax"). They were taken from their families, converted to Islam, and rigorously trained to serve in the empire's military, administrative, and bureaucratic roles. This created a loyal class of elite soldiers and officials who were dependent on the sultan rather than on hereditary Turkish aristocracy. Many became Janissaries, the empire's elite infantry corps, or rose to high positions like grand viziers, provincial governors, admirals, or financial bureaucrats. Estimates suggest tens of thousands of boys were recruited annually at its peak in the 15th–16th centuries. Historians estimate the total number of Christian boys taken across the entire Ottoman Empire around 300.000 kids. From those kids 150.000 were Greek kids (over 300 years). It means the half of the total kids that were stolen were only Greek. For example in 1540, a levy in the Greek regions of Thessaly & Macedonia took 1.000 Greek boys in one season and in Chios (the Greek island) 200 boys taken in 1567 alone. The peak was 5.000 kids/annual from Greece. A generational trauma, with thousands of Greek families losing sons every few years for centuries. The system began under Sultan Murad I (1362–1389) and largely ended by 1648, as Muslims were increasingly allowed to fill these roles and Janissary corruption grew. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Ottoman control extended over most Greek lands, making Greek Orthodox families prime targets for recruitment. The practice targeted rural communities disproportionately, as urban or strategically important groups were often exempt. On 28 February 1395, Archbishop Isidore Glabas of Thessaloniki denounced it in a speech as "paidomazoma" (child-gathering), describing the anguish of parents: mothers scratching their cheeks in grief and fathers beating their breasts and the violent Islamization of children and their hard training in the use of dogs and falcons. A 1550 Greek poem by Ioannes Axayiolis, appealed to Charles V of Germany to liberate the Christians from the Turks (for liberation from this "sorrow"). The text is found in the Codex Vaticanus Graecus of 1624. In another account, the Roman Catholic bishop of Chios in 1646 writes to the director of the Catholic Greek Gymnasion of Rome asking the latter to accept Paulos Omeros (lol my name Pavlos Homeros), a 12-year-old boy from Chios, to save him from the devshirme. Once taken, boys were circumcised, renamed with Muslim names, and forbidden from contact with their families. They were raised as Muslims, effectively erasing their Greek cultural and religious identity to foster loyalty to the sultan. Historical records show Greek-origin devşirme boys rising to prominence, such as Mimar Sinan (chief architect of the Ottomans, possibly Greek) and several grand viziers like Ibrahim Edhem Pasha (from Chios). The system accelerated Islamization in Greek regions, reducing Christian populations and creating a class of "Greek Muslims" (for example in Pontus or Crete). It fueled revolts and the Greek War of Independence (1821), where devşirme grievances were invoked. During the Ottoman period, Muslims enjoyed performing all kinds of mutilations. Ears, noses, lips, tongues, breasts, and genitals were primarily cut off. Not just those, though. Let's recall here the Saint Raphael of Mytilene, who was hanged from a tree and had his lower jaw cut off, while the twelve-year-old martyr Irene was roasted in a barrel on the Tuesday of Easter in the year 1463, ten years after the fall of Constantinople. In many cases, the severed body parts "adorned" the warrior collection of the janissary. The pashas gave bakshish (tips) to every "brave" Muslim warrior according to how many ears of "infidel" Christians he brought back. He himself confirmed his bravery and "manliness" among his peers by having a "komboloi" (worry beads) made from the nipples of breasts he had cut off from women. The bravest man was the one with the longest komboloi after a massacre and looting. Blinding with various sharp objects was also common. This was particularly frequent during periods of massacres and atrocities. Many unfortunate Christians remained blind for the rest of their lives because they had the misfortune of a horde of janissaries passing through their land. The Egyptians under Ibrahim Pasha were especially notorious for this crime. Many times Christian captives were placed in front of cannons that were fired, turning them into human shreds of flesh. In other cases, they were tied to galleys that sailed in opposite directions and were torn apart. Dismemberment of victims also occurred with horses. Indeed, Islam was very kind toward Christians during the Ottoman period. In Greece, the denial or public endorsement of the Genocide of the Greek Christians of Pontus, Asia Minor, and Anatolia by the Turkish Muslims is criminally prosecuted and constitutes an offense. We won't forget the anti-Greek and Islamic propaganda that Tucker Carlson pushed through his podcast.show more

TRUE Seasonal games, like Path of Exile, Marathon, or... even EFT (we'll see today), are designed in a way for players to engage with the seasonal content and then move on. Between seasons/leagues, I can play a new game, say Elden Ring, or God of War: Ragnarok, enjoy the game, and look at my calendar and know that on May 29th, at 1:00 PM PST, the new PoE league drops and I will LOG IN. And, that time away (whilst playing other titles) makes the return experience that much more enriched. This might be an odd segue, BUT... I still keep seeing posts about "concurrent players abysmally low, dead game," etc. People who are posting this stuff literally have zero IQ. I know it's all rage bait and engagement farm, but, sadly, it pushes a false narrative and poisons and seeds a negative perception that spreads throughout the gaming community; whether it's with EFT, Marathon, Hunt: Showdown, Path of Exile, and other seasonal games. And, I know when these types of posts acquire mass engagement because people come into stream every day asking, "this game isn't dead yet?" Just cuz a game is off season, doesn't mean it's dead lmao. Sucks cuz I know creatives at the studios probably catch wind of these posts and I'm sure it's a bit demoralizing and stuff... Marathon is still getting heat about it's concurrent player count; trust me, if UbiSoft Singapore are still pumping out content for that AAAA game, Skull and Bones, other studios will be just fine. Marathon, Marauders, EFT, Hunt: Showdown, etc., they ain't goin nowhere. GGG didn't necessarily come up with the philosophy, but they doubled down on it; kudos to them for taking the risk, paving the way for other seasonal games. W economy reset. W wipes. W progression resets. Obviously, this isn't for everyone; casual players get left behind, but I'm a gamer, and I need a game to satiate my gaming addiction, Minecraft ain't gonna cut it for me big dog.show more

Conceptually Thinking Basketball Elite 10 (Iowa 2025) Journey Houston... (Journey Houston ) | 5’11” Combo Guard | Davenport North/ All Iowa Attack Girls Quick Stats •National Rank: #85 (ESPN), Potential Top 50 talent •Iowa Rank: #5 •Class: 2025 •Commitment: Iowa (Iowa Women's Basketball) •Team Record (Last 2 Years): 43-5 in 5A basketball •Accolades: One of the most productive careers in Iowa Performance Metrics Houston’s all-around game shines through in her stat line: she averages 19 points, 9 rebounds (4 offensive), 5 assists, and 5 steals per game. This versatile and high-level production highlights her ability to impact every facet of the game, from scoring and rebounding to playmaking and defensive disruption. Skill Breakdown •Scoring: Elite downhill threat with excellent finishing ability. •Rebounding: Outstanding positional rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. •Defense: Versatile defender capable of guarding positions 1-4, with elite defensive instincts. •Playmaking: Exceptional vision and passing ability, elevating team offense. •Athleticism: Physical, athletic player with the size and strength to impose her will on the game. •Competitiveness: High motor and relentless drive to compete at the highest level. Conceptual Analysis Positional Versatility Journey Houston epitomizes the modern combo guard. She blends scoring ability, playmaking, and defensive versatility, allowing her to excel in multiple roles. At 5’11”, her size and athleticism enable her to defend multiple positions while maintaining the skills to lead an offense. This versatility aligns with the trend toward positionless basketball, where players are valued for their ability to contribute in various facets of the game. Offensive Impact 1.Scoring Threat: Houston’s 19 points per game underscore her ability to create offense, particularly through attacking the rim. Her strength and finishing ability make her a constant threat in transition and half-court sets. 2.Playmaking: Averaging 5 assists per game, Houston’s ability to create for her teammates is a testament to her court vision and high basketball IQ. Her ability to score and facilitate makes her a dual offensive threat. Defensive Excellence Houston’s ability to guard positions 1 through 4 makes her a highly valuable defensive asset. Her 5 steals per game highlight her disruptiveness, turning defense into offense and generating transition opportunities. Her physicality and basketball IQ allow her to stifle opposing offenses, making her a game-changer on the defensive end. Physicality and Competitiveness Houston’s physicality and relentless competitiveness set her apart. Her aggressive play style allows her to dominate in rebounding, defend multiple positions, and attack the basket with force. These traits are often what separate good players from great ones, and Houston’s combination of size, skill, and drive gives her a competitive edge in every matchup. Potential and Projection Despite her #85 ranking, Houston is considered a top 50 talent nationally. Her ranking is likely impacted by missing the AAU season due to off-season surgery, suggesting that her true potential is undervalued. As she returns to full health, Houston is expected to rise in national rankings and showcase her top-tier talent. Team Success Houston’s influence on her team is undeniable, with a 43-5 record in 5A basketball over the last two seasons. Her ability to lead and impact games in a variety of ways has directly contributed to her team’s success, reinforcing her status as a winner and a high-level performer. Future Projection •College Impact: Houston projects as an immediate impact player at Iowa, offering versatility that allows her to contribute in numerous ways. Her ability to score, rebound, assist, and defend makes her a perfect fit for the Hawkeyes, and her defensive prowess will be particularly valuable in Big Ten play.show more

Why is the market selling off today? (Save this).... Today's selloff is bigger and messier than what we've seen lately, KOSPI crashed almost 11% overnight, chip stocks are getting hit everywhere and it's not because AI demand suddenly disappeared but rather a bunch of fears piling up at once that I think are getting way overplayed. Start with the AI ROI thing since it's been building since last week's earnings. Tesla and Alphabet both kicked off earnings season with big capex numbers and negative free cash flow and even with strong revenue growth both stocks got hammered. That set the tone of we don't care if capex is growing, show us the cash, and it's carrying into this week with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and Apple all reporting, which isn't helping the nerves. But look at what actually happened with Alphabet, cloud revenue grew 81%, total sales grew 24%, that's not a company torching cash on nothing, that's a company scaling into demand it can barely keep up with. Negative free cash flow during a capex supercycle is normal, you build the data centers and buy the GPUs before the revenue shows up. Judging a buildout phase like it's a mature business is the wrong lens, and that's basically what happened last week and what's still happening today. Then there's China chip competition, which is honestly the biggest accelerant of today's move. CXMT's IPO shares rose over 466% and combined with headlines about China's homegrown DUV lithography progress, it triggered a brutal rout in Korean chipmakers, Samsung fell as much as 13%, SK Hynix over 14%, Kioxia nearly 18%, dragging the KOSPI down almost 11% and into an eighth circuit breaker this year. That spilled straight into Nvidia, ASML, Sandisk and Seagate here in the US, with Nasdaq 100 futures down over 1% before the bell. But here's the thing, five DUV units this year against ASML's 131 a year, running performance closer to a 2008 design, is not an equipment moat collapsing, it's a headline that's gotten repeated so much this week it's built its own gravity. These tools are aimed at mature nodes like automotive and industrial chips, not the leading edge logic or HBM that actually drives the AI trade, so the read through to Nvidia, ASML or Applied Materials earnings power is basically nothing. The CXMT pop is scarcity, people bidding up the only pure play China memory stock they can get their hands on, not a sign that oversupply is coming. And Korean chipmakers dropping 12 to 14% in one session looks a lot more like leverage unwinding after a parabolic run than a real rethink of Samsung or SK Hynix's HBM backlog, which both companies have already said is basically sold out for the year. Geopolitics is actually the one spot where the news should be helping, not hurting. US and Iran hostilities seem to have paused for now, which should be easing oil driven inflation fears. If this were purely a geopolitical panic you'd expect oil spiking and yields following, but that's not what's happening, this move is chip specific and Asia led, not an oil shock like a week or two ago. Rates and the Fed are still in play, decision lands tomorrow, and people are nervous about higher for longer language even though a hike isn't the base case. On top of that, reports that Nvidia's five year credit default swap costs jumped by a record margin are getting read by some as a credit risk signal tied to all this AI debt spending. But a one day CDS spike during a market wide panic is a fear indicator, not proof of an actual credit problem, spreads on every big name widen fast when volatility spikes, Nvidia's balance sheet hasn't changed in the last 24 hours. Fed futures are pricing in essentially no chance of a surprise hike tomorrow, this is a hold meeting, and I'd bet the hawkish jitters fade fast once Warsh actually talks. Then there's the bigger liquidity and positioning story, which I think explains more of today's violence than any single headline. KOSPI is down nearly 29% for the month now, steeper than 2008, mostly because Korean chipmakers had turned into crypto like gambling tokens, running way too far, too fast on retail leverage and margin debt, and now unwinding just as hard on the way down. That's positioning excess getting flushed, not HBM demand disappearing or hyperscalers pulling back. Nothing in the actual order books, capex guidance or HBM contract pricing has changed, DRAM and NAND prices are still climbing quarter over quarter, nobody's canceled a GPU order or a data center project. What changed is how much leverage was sitting on top of this trade, and that's getting ripped out in one ugly session. This is one of the scariest looking selloffs we've had all year but scary looking and actually broken are two different things. Every headline driving today, the China lithography story, the CXMT IPO, the Nvidia CDS spike, the Fed jitters, looks a lot less scary once you dig into the actual numbers, and none of it touches real AI infrastructure demand or supply. This looks like leverage and sentiment unwinding, not the long term thesis breaking. If you want to see exactly what I'm buying into this, join Milk Road Pro for just $1 using the link below.show more

Today seemed, IMO, to be a significant statement practice... for Jacob Cowing. He grabbed one of Brock Purdy's numerous (perfect) deep passes but it goes deeper than that. HIGHLIGHTS: 🏈A few minutes earlier, Cowing and Marques Sigle collided on a deep corner attempt. Cowing was down for a while and limped off — it even looked like his day might be over. But Cowing returned and made the best catch I've seen from him in a 49ers uniform on a 40-yard laser over the middle. The resilience there definitely counts for something, especially considering Cowing's early-career availability issues 🏈Nick Bosa sighting! Did some running on the field while the 49ers were practicing for the first time in a couple weeks. Looked good. CMC (tightness) later watched team drills in person 🏈Keion White (adductor) popped the sled during practice, a good sign of progress 🏈Purdy's top-notch camp continues. He's driving the ball, he's layering the ball, he's hitting deep shots, he's been money on the gimmes, and he's escaping when needed. Many crisp connections between Purdy and the Mike Evans/De'Zhaun Stribling duo — #15 caught a TD vs Deommodore Lenoir 🏈Will Cowing be the 49ers' top punt returner? He caught several reps today. Notably, Jordan Watkins — coming off a very good showing in the preseason opener at WR — muffed one and was upset about it 🏈D-linemen CJ West and Titus Leo both left practice early with injuries 🏈Best 1-on-1 work of rookie OT Enrique Cruz Jr.'s young career came today. Held up well vs Ogbo Okoronkwo and Xavier Thomas. Progress! 🏈Rookie WR Will Pauling catch a nice red-zone TD from Jones, beating Jack Jones in coverage 🏈Rookie DT James Thompson Jr. remains an active presence. Good run stop today. Also had rookie LB Jaden Dugger with a run stop. Tall young LBs, including Larry Worth, continue getting good shine 🏈George Kittle said he's hitting top speeds and has a chance to play Week 1. He praised TE Luke Farrell's growth within the offense in Year 2 — thinks he'll have a big year (Farrell caught a couple more passes today) 🏈Klay Kubiak doesn't believe QB Kurtis Rourke's rib injury will keep him out for a long time. Kubiak said the 49ers deemed Rourke to be better than a 7th-round talent but think he was still available there because of the ACL tear he played through in 2024 🏈This was Malik Turner's most productive offensive practice. Caught a deep one from Purdy vs Upton Stout and also a TD from Mac Jones on a play fake earlier 🏈Jones to Deebo on a rainbow deep pass: Nice play 🏈Final play of practice — the last camp session with fans at the 49ers' facility this year — went to the defense. Very nice Upton Stout PBU against Stribling in the end zone The 49ers will travel to LA tomorrow and conduct a joint practice with the Chargers Tuesday. Brock Purdy … Justin Herbert Mac Jones … Trey Lance Kyle Shanahan … Jim Harbaugh Klay Kubiak … Mike McDaniel Good work coming!show more