grand theft auto reno

shaking my head.

a failed state is a state whose government no longer functions properly even at the most basic level (to hold authority and protect territory), or loses its validity even if it still functions.

current president of turkey, also served as turkey’s prime minister from 2003-2014, mayor of istanbul from 1994-1998. founder of the justice and development party (2001).

a piercing through the cartilage of the upper ear, usually worn with a stud or hoop

i chase the weight of the moments after rainfall


where the world is restored to its former peace, albeit heavier, and the only sounds are the whispers of wayward droplets being tossed down from the treetops to join their minuscule sea

big threat to the decentralized cryptocurrency world.

latin america's deadliest place to be a woman. https://youtu.be/aaWIiAFvZy8

– 10% of the world lives on <$1.90 a day.

– at 3.75 tons, the rai stone is the world's heaviest currency.

– $21 trillion is thought to be hidden in overseas tax heavens.

– $80.9 trillion estimated amount of money in existance today.

– $216 billion cash reserves held by apple in april 2016, out of $1.7 trillion held by us nonfinancial companies at that time.

– 80% of small business start-ups fail due to poor cash flow management.

– $1.2 trillion the amount of us currency in circulation.

– $6.7 trillion the amount the us government spent in 2016.

– 1668 the year that the oldest central bank in the world, the swedish riksbank, was established.

– 31% of total global debt is owed by the us.

– 70% of the richest americans claim to be self-made.

–57,000 number of credit unions in 105 countries around the world.

comes from the greek word “kreas”, meaning meat.

the 48 laws of power is a book written by robert greene that outlines 48 strategies for gaining and maintaining power in relationships, organizations, and society. the laws cover a wide range of topics including self-promotion, manipulation, deception, and the acquisition of power through the manipulation of perception and image. some of the most well-known laws include: "never outshine the master," "play a suckers to catch a sucker," and "conceal your intentions." the book is written in a historical context, with examples from figures such as machiavelli, sun tzu, and julius caesar. it is intended as a guide for individuals seeking to gain power, but has also been criticized for promoting unethical behavior.

mclean v. arkansas was a landmark legal case in 1981 where u.s. district court judge william r. overton ruled against the state of arkansas regarding its law mandating the teaching of "creation science" as an alternative to evolution in public schools. the case, officially known as mclean v. arkansas board of education, represented a significant confrontation between science and religion in the educational sphere.

the arkansas law required that public schools give equal time to creation science and evolution whenever evolutionary theory was taught. plaintiffs, including teachers, parents, and religious leaders, challenged the law's constitutionality, arguing that it violated the establishment clause of the first amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or unduly favoring one religion over another.

judge overton's decision was pivotal for several reasons:

scientific scrutiny and definition: the trial provided a forum to scrutinize and define what constitutes science. overton concluded that creation science failed to meet the essential characteristics of science, such as relying on testable hypotheses, and was therefore inherently religious.

legal precedents: the ruling reinforced the application of the "lemon test" from the supreme court's decision in lemon v. kurtzman (1971), which assesses the constitutionality of state laws in light of the establishment clause. overton determined that the arkansas law had a clear religious intent, advanced a particular religious belief, and entangled the state with religion, failing all three prongs of the lemon test.

impact on education: this decision had a profound impact on how science and theories of origin are taught in schools across the united states. it helped affirm the importance of maintaining a secular approach in science education, focusing on scientific facts, theories, and methodologies rather than religious doctrines.

cultural and religious debate: mclean v. arkansas also highlighted the ongoing cultural and religious debates regarding the teaching of evolution, sparking discussions about academic freedom, the role of religion in public spaces, and the nature of science and education.

ernest shackleton was a prominent british polar explorer renowned for his leadership in the heroic age of antarctic exploration. born in 1874 in county kildare, ireland, shackleton moved to london at a young age. his adventurous spirit led him to join the merchant navy, where he quickly climbed the ranks and developed a fascination with exploration.

shackleton's legacy is largely defined by his leadership in the 1901 discovery expedition and, more notably, the 1907-1909 nimrod expedition, where he and his team set a new record by reaching the latitude of 88 degrees south, just 97 nautical miles from the south pole. this expedition was notable not only for its near success in reaching the pole but also for the spirit of endurance and courage that shackleton instilled in his crew.

however, it is his 1914-1916 imperial trans-antarctic expedition aboard the ship endurance for which shackleton is most remembered. this expedition aimed to achieve the first land crossing of antarctica. the endurance became trapped in pack ice and was eventually crushed, leading shackleton and his crew on a harrowing saga of survival. displaying extraordinary leadership, shackleton led all 28 of his men on a perilous journey over ice and open sea to safety. notably, he managed to keep his crew motivated and alive for over 500 days in the brutal conditions of the antarctic, a testament to his remarkable skills in crisis management and leadership.

shackleton's approach to leadership, characterized by his commitment to his crew's welfare and morale, his capacity to adapt to changing circumstances, and his unyielding perseverance, has become a model in both leadership studies and popular culture. his ability to foster deep loyalty and optimism among his men under the most adverse conditions is often cited as a benchmark of great leadership.

despite his financial troubles and less successful later ventures, shackleton's exploits during the heroic age of exploration have immortalized him as a model of courage and endurance against overwhelming odds. his final expedition, the quest, ended with his death in 1922 from a heart attack while his ship was moored in south georgia. yet, ernest shackleton's legacy lives on, inspiring not only future explorers but also leaders in all fields who seek to embody his indomitable spirit.

"the truman show," directed by peter weir and released in 1998, stars jim carrey as truman burbank. the story revolves around truman, an ordinary man living in the seemingly perfect town of seahaven. his life appears normal, but unbeknownst to him, his entire existence is actually a meticulously crafted reality tv show, broadcast live 24/7 to the entire world. everyone in his life, including his friends, family, and even his wife, are actors. the town itself is a massive set enclosed in a dome, with thousands of hidden cameras capturing truman's every move.

as truman goes about his daily life, he begins to notice odd occurrences that make him question his reality. lights fall from the sky, his radio picks up the production crew's communications, and he starts to recognize patterns and inconsistencies in his world. the turning point comes when he meets sylvia, an extra who tries to reveal the truth to him before being whisked away by the show's producers.

truman's curiosity and determination grow, leading him on a journey to discover the truth about his life. the climax sees truman sailing to the edge of the dome, confronting his fears, and ultimately finding an exit door labeled "exit," leading him to the real world. his final moment on the set is poignant, as he delivers his iconic line, "in case i don't see you… good afternoon, good evening, and good night," before stepping out into freedom.

what makes "the truman show" such a compelling movie is its innovative concept. the film presents a thought-provoking premise about reality, media manipulation, and personal freedom. remarkably, it predates the explosion of reality tv and social media, making it eerily prescient about society's voyeuristic tendencies.

jim carrey's performance is another standout aspect of the film. known primarily for his comedic roles, carrey delivers a nuanced and heartfelt portrayal of truman. he balances humor and drama beautifully, making truman's gradual awakening and search for truth both compelling and relatable.

the film also offers sharp social commentary, critiquing media ethics and the intrusion of privacy. it explores themes of authenticity, control, and the human desire for genuine connection in a world dominated by artificial experiences. this satirical edge adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just an entertaining story.

visually, the movie excels thanks to peter weir's direction and the meticulous set design. the use of hidden cameras and unique angles enhances the feeling of surveillance and confinement, drawing viewers into truman's world. the emotional core of the film lies in truman's journey of self-discovery and liberation. as viewers, we root for him to challenge the boundaries of his manufactured reality, making his eventual triumph deeply satisfying.

on a philosophical level, "the truman show" raises profound questions about reality and free will. it echoes plato's allegory of the cave, where truman, like the prisoners in the cave, must break free from his illusory world to see the truth. this philosophical depth invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and the nature of the world around them.

reno's wildest flood? gotta be the one from 1997. it wasn't just a bad storm. it was chaos.

back-to-back warm pacific storms hit right after heavy snowfall. rain melted snow fast, and the truckee river couldn't handle it. water levels peaked at 13.9 feet in downtown reno. that's major flood stage.

the stats?
• over $1 billion in damages across nevada and california
• reno's downtown underwater for days
• more than 1,500 homes and businesses damaged
• thousands evacuated
• unr and the airport shut down

bridges were submerged. roads turned to rivers. even the casinos took a hit. fema had to step in. locals still call it the "new year's flood" because it hit just as 1997 started.

the aftermath pushed reno to rethink flood control completely. today, the truckee river flood project is a direct response to what happened back then.

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