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Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Waterloo Region
July 02
01:09 2017
Andy Murray Pulls Out Of Hurlingham Exhibition Match With A Sore HipMurray's mum Judy was more doubtful, saying: "Hopefully Andy will be fit". "We were always chased off by the rain". I'll give it everything I have over the next two weeks.
Andre Iguodala To Field Free Agent Offers; Warriors Concerned About Luxury TaxTwo days before the free agency period officially begins, Andre Iguodala's future with the Warriors remains unclear. Yesterday we learned the luxury tax may become a legitimate issue for the Warriors to sign Iguodala this offseason.
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JJ Redick, Sixers agree to one-year, $23 million contractThis marks the second Clippers starter lost in just a few days after the team traded point guard Chris Paul to the Rockets. Millsap, 32, spent his first seven seasons in Utah and past four with the Atlanta Hawks.
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Europe to bid farewell to German reunification chancellor Helmut KohlAfter the Strasbourg ceremony, Kohl's coffin will travel down the Rhine for a private family funeral in the town of Speyer. A decade later, she broke with him over a party financing scandal and soon took over his former post as CDU leader.
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Weekend that could determine the destination of the Premier League titleMany neutrals are hoping to see a fitting ending to what has been a fairytale story that may even be turned into a box office film, such has been the feat of their achievements.


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Thursday, December 13, 2007
Fa, la, la, la, la - - -
So - I have a question of the day, and feel free to be honest b/c, hey - you can post anonymously.
Do you think that most Christians have respect for others religions? What about other's lack of religion - ex. Athiesm?
I am just curious about this b/c I feel like I know more Christians that are judgemental and pushy about converting athiests than athiests who are judgemental and pushy about converting Christians.....
I think ALL beliefs should be respected - In the words of a Christian "there is only one true judge" yet people constantly judge others on thier beliefs.
Ok - enough religious talk for now - it's making me nauseous ;)
Don't forget to hit reply!!!
4 comments:
- Erick said...
Shiiiiiiit yo, I can rap! Oh wait....
- December 13, 2007 at 9:32 PM
- Cake said...
"I think ALL believes should be respected"
- December 13, 2007 at 11:48 PM
- Anonymous said...
I don't know. I think most Christians believe that God and Jesus exist just as strongly as they believe the world is round. Now, if someone came up to you and told you the world was flat, you would argue with them wouldn't you? You would NOT respect that belief because you KNOW that they are wrong. I think most Christians have just as strong or stronger beliefs about their religion. I get that...I don't believe the same thing (although I identify myself as a Christian). I just think that God knows the deal. He will take care of things in the end. He knows who is a good person and who is not.
- December 17, 2007 at 10:11 AM
- Mindy said...
Missy - Oh, so philosophical :)
Honestly - if someone were adamant that the world wasn't round I don't know that I would waste my energy arguing with them - I hate stupid people!!! :) lol
But I appreciate your point of view though - very interesting.
- December 17, 2007 at 10:49 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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Dragon Ball Super episode 52 spoilers revealed that Goku will travel to the future in order to confront and defeat Black Goku. Black Goku is the recently introduced villain in the Future Trunks arc in Dragon Ball Super and so far he has been a huge problem for our heroes.
In the previous episodes, you will remember that Black Goku already destroyed the time machine, which was used by Future Trunks to go back in time. While this would make the situation all the more challenging for our heroes, there have been some buzz on the DBS subreddit that there may be another time machine in the Capsule Corp. building.
If there is really a time machine, Goku and the rest of the Z fighters will be able to go into the future to take on Black Goku. It has not been revealed how exactly will they be able to do this but surely knowing more about the villain will be the key. According to Sportsrageous, the identity of Black Goku will soon be revealed, particularly in episode 53, so certainly the lead up to the big revelation will happen in Dragon Ball Super episode 52.
At the moment not much is known about Black Goku and why he is so focused on eliminating the Saiyan race. There have been a lot of speculation about his origins, but fans will find the truth soon enough in Dragon Ball Super episode 53.
Dragon Ball Super has become one of the most talked about anime nowadays. The hit TV show has become even better after every episode. Fans surely have rekindled their love for the highly popular Dragon Ball franchise.
Will Goku be able to find a time machine in order to travel to the future to defeat Black Goku? Will the new super villain have any weaknesses? Be sure not to miss Dragon Ball Super Episode 52 and enjoy some great anime action from the comfort of your own home.
Be sure to check back here soon to find out more DBS episode 52 spoilers as well as other trending topics in the world of anime.


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Super Woman
That is what I felt like today....it was one of those days where you just can't stop and catch your breath....at the gym by 5:30...at work by 7...teaching all day (actually have fun lessons...kids were really engaged)...left at 2:30 (kids had early dismissal)...drove back to Katy, picked up girls for a 3:45 dr appointment. Isabella's was for her 3 year check up and Sophia's was scheduled because we are worried about how small she is....Picture me, tired, two naked babies in a room with them playing and sometimes hitting each other...overall they were really good...
Here is how Isabella's check up went: All her measurements are good. She is around 10% in weight and 5 % in height. The doctor said she was a perfect 3 year old. She did so well on all of her tests...This was the first time where she had to perform. She had to answer questions, identify colors, count, explain what certain things did...I was super impressed she could point out the animal that galloped (horse)...What do you do when it gets cold (put on a sweater)... What do you do when you are hungry (have a snack)...She stood on one foot. I had a huge smile as she answered everything perfect!!!!
Then it was Sophia's turn. She screamed the entire time...She was weighed, head measured, and height measured...not much change since 18 month check up. The doctor still does not seem to be too concerned because nobody in either of our family are big people. We explained to her that we just want to cover our bases to make sure she doesn't have some hormonal imbalance or something, so she is recommending us to a pediatric endocrinologist. Because there are so few, we probably won't get an appointment for a month or two...Meanwhile, she wanted to have some blood work analyzed.
Then it was shot time...Sophia got a flu shot and screamed her head off...Next Isabella said, when is it my turn to get a shot? I want a shot..So I said, ok...right now...she got the nasal flu spray...then the 2 shots...oh boy...SHE CRIED....I felt so bad that she had asked for this a few minutes before.
Next I had to bring Sophia across the parking lot to get her blood drawn...nightmare...poor baby...then it was 5:45 and I waited for Dave to come pick up the girls at my school because we have Open House until 8:10...I haven't even had time to eat dinner...which is good...less calories...all in all the girls were so brave and did great!!!!
One more thing...the doctor and I talked about the girls eating habbits...I explained that yes, they would eat goldfish if I offered it, but dinner, ect is a different story...she reccomended hiding (which we do)...but she said we should try to remain emotionless about food...meaning not make such a big deal about "bad stuff"...she said it was hard, but we should try...I thought it was good advice....
last, (I know I said one more thing above)...Dave signed us up for Amazon prime...basically you pay 75.00 a year and everything you order you get free shipping within a couple of days...Dave is all about us ordering lots of our daily things on there if the price is pretty much compariable to walmart or other stores...I am all about it if it will save time....our generation is just too booked...I think that in the future more people are going to start doing regular shopping online....we shall see!
1 comment:
- The Rodriguez Family said...
I hope all turns out well with Sophia. She is such a happy baby girl :)
- September 14, 2011 at 5:50 PM
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March 16, 2011
The typewriter
Rob found this last week at Valley Thrift on Reading Rd for just $3.99 and we're loving it. Hannah has been wanting one for a long time. We kept looking at thrift stores... Hard to be patient. We have all been excitedly typing away, I love listening the clicking and clacking... Hannah just wrote a letter to our dear friend, Joanna, in Vermont on this.
6 comments:
- Mimi said...
That's so awesome!
You can type journaling for your scrapbook pages too :)
- March 16, 2011 at 1:28 PM
- elizabeth said...
very nice!
- March 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM
- Wendy said...
Haha! It was so everyday for me growing up - now it's like an antique! Yikes. =)
- March 16, 2011 at 4:23 PM
- Farm Fresh Jessica said...
Great idea--I'll have to break our old electric out. Aviana has been learning to type on goodtyping.com I bet she'd love to see it on paper...
- March 16, 2011 at 5:38 PM
- joscelyne cutchens said...
i love it, that's so cool! :) I was excited when I scored an electric typewriter for free a few years ago. Someone was getting rid of it and I just lucked out. :) FUN!
- March 18, 2011 at 1:02 AM
ha, that's neat! we have a weird old one of great-grandma's that has a rotating circle of letters hit with only one arm instead of a fan of them.
it's hard getting ribbons for those old typewriters now!
- March 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM
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Judge Steven Bwana (centre) from Tanzania accompanied by his wife Angelika Bwana in Official tete-atete through video conference with a Panelist of Judges in Cambodia. Looking on is WFP Representative and Country Director, Mr Richard Ragan, who was acting as the UN Resident Coordinator during the Sworn in Ceremony held at WFP Headquarters in Dar es Salaam.( Photos by Zainul Mzige of Dewji Blog).
Above and Below is Judge Steven Bwana Officially Sworn in as International Reserve Judge in Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) through video conference today in Dar es Salaam.
Panelist of Judges from ECCC following up the Official Sworn in of the Judge Steven Bwana through video conference.
Judge Steven Bwana signs the official document of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) after Sworn in.
WFP Representative and Country Director, Mr Richard Ragan, who was acting as UN Resident Coordinator signs the official document of ECCC.
Feeling proud to the First Tanzanian Judge to be appointed as an International Reserve Judge in ECCC.
Judge Steven Bwana answering questions to reporters not in pictures.
A group section of reporters from various media houses listens attentively the Sworn in ceremony of the Judge Steven Bwana.
Today a Tanzanian Judge Steven Bwana sworn in as an internal reserve judge in the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) Via video link between Phnom Penh and Dar es Salaam.
Judge Bwana gave the following oath to Mr. Knut Rosandhaug, the Coordinator for United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials:
"I solemnly declare that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as a judge of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed During the Period of Democratic Kampuchea honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously and that I will not seek or accept instructions in regard to the performance of those duties or the exercise of those powers from any Government or from any other source,"
Following the nomination by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-mooon, and the approval by the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, His Majesty King NorodomSihamoni in 2012 appointed Judge Bwana as new international reserve
judge to serve in the ECCC Pre-Trial Chamber.
Judge Bwana took the oath today as he has been called upon the Pre-Trial Chamber to participate in the deliberation of a motion pending before the chamber.
The ECCC is a special Cambodian court which receives international assistance, through the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials.
Under the terms of Agreement between the United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Extraordinary Chambers will bring to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those who were most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodia penal law, international humanitarian law and custom and international conventions recognized by Cambodia, that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979.
Speaking to reporters in a brief news conference, after he sworn in Judge Bwana said that is working station will be in Dar es Salaam and Cambodia but it will depend on the kinds of cases from time to time.
He said that in order to protect the African continent and the good moral leaders the region should not try to withdrawal its membership to the International Criminal Court (ICC), The Hague for the purpose of protecting human rights and enhance good governance and democracy.
"I think leaders of 54 African countries should reject the move that initiate the continent to withdrawal its membership to the IC," he said.
Judge Bwana underscored that if the African countries will withdrawal its membership to ICC it will hinder the struggle in building strong democracy, good governance and the respect to human rights convention.


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What the stewards said
Race 1: 1 VIRIDINE 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Raced keenly in the early and middle stages and rounding the first turn became unbalanced when being restrained by its rider to take cover. Held up for clear running until approaching the 250m. Passing t he 200m made contact with another runner on two occasions due to both horses shifting ground. 2 IPSO FACTO 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Passing the 200m made contact with another runner on two occasions due to both horses shifting ground .5 CONNOISSEUR 2/05/2017 Kembla Grange Bumped heavily on jumping, as a result became unbalanced. 7 PENDELOQUE 15/04/2017 Kembla Grange Near the 600m was bumped and became unbalanced. the 300m was
unbalanced. 8 ALLIED POWER 4/05/2017 Gosford Lost its off hind plate in running .9 CHARLIE CHAP 29/04/2017 Hawk esbury Began awkwardly. Hung in under pressure in the straight.
Race 2: 1 QUICK FEET 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Raced wide without cover throughout. Rdr stated his mount was caught wide throughout the even tina fast tempo and as a consequence was not able to finish the race off. A post-race vet exam did
reveal any abs. 5 FLEET- ING STRYKE 2/05/2017 Kembla Grange Inclined to lay in & was taken in near the 600m. 7 PASSAGE OF TIME 6/05/2017 Rose hill Gardens Began very awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with runner.
Race 3: 1 NEW UNIVERSE (NZ )6/05/2017 Rose hill Gardens From its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners .2 GOOD TIME CHARLIE 3/05/2017 Warwick Farm Survived protest from second placegetter. Did not obtain clear running until approaching the 200m. Brushed passing the
Approaching t he 125m bumped heavily on two occasions. 6 ONCE MORE A LADY 13/05/2017 Sc one Slow to begin and shortly after the start raced in restricted room .8 VIENNA ROMANCE 25/04/2017 Gosford Raced keenly in the early stages.
Race 4: 7 FOREVER NEWYORK 5/05/2017 Wagga Raced wide throughout and hung out on the home turn .9 ART ATTACK 28/04/2017 Port Macquarie Began awkwardly and shifted out. 12 O'LORDY 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed it to have lost its off-fore plate in running. 14 BOLSHOI DEVOUSHKA 4/05/2017 Wagga Held up in the early part of the straight and taken inwards to improve.
Race 5: 2 LOVERBOY CHARLIE 25/04/2017 Royal Rand wick Slow to begin. After being crossed passing the 800 m, commenced to overrace. Briefly hampered near the 150m. 4 ELEMENOHPEE 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Rounding the first turn was hampered and carried wider, then bumped. 6 ALPEN ROSE (NZ) 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Raced keenly in the early stages. 7 DISSOLUTE 3/05/2017 Warwick Farm Taken wider rounding the home turn. 9 ROSE OF MAN 6/05/2017 Rose hill Gardens Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages & for some distance near800mwasr estrained away from heels. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in early part of straight. 14 TIMING 3/05/2017 Warwick Farm A post race vet exam revealed a poor post race recovery& that it was lame in front. Vet clearance since received.
Race 6: 1 MONTAUK 5/05/2017 Wagga Crowded after the star t. Held up near the top of straight. Rider stated
instructions were to try and settle mid-field but after receiving crowding out of the gates he elected to go back and obtain cover. He added his mount settled and travelled well once clear in the straight the gelding ran on strongly. Stable rep confirmed the instructions issued. 2 FLOODLIGHT (USA) 25/04/2017 Royal Randwick Rdr std,inh is view mount would be better suited in a race with a more genuine tempo as it appeared to be somewhat one-paced during event. A post race vet exam did not reveal any abs. 5 MORTAR PLATOON (IRE) 29/04/2017 Hawkesbur y COT: To be ridden more forward; settled midfield. Unsuccessfully protested against winner. Slow to begin. At the 50m was bumped slightly. 9 GET ON THE GRANGE 13/05/2017 Sc one Raced keenly in the middle stages and refused to settle and on a number of occasions was steadied away from heels. 10 MORE ENERGY 10/05/2017 Canterbury Park Near 700m became unbalanced. 13 LAST TRY WINS 29/04/2017 Hawkesbur y Acting on advice from stable that gelding had coughed after arriving course, underwent a vet exam & was passed fit to start. On arrival at the barriers the gelding underwent a further exam and was passed fit to star t. Began awkwardly.
Race 7:3 RULING DYNASTY 29/04/2017 Hawk esbury Whenqstr dr st din her view her mount raced like a horse looking for more ground. A post-race vet exam rev no abs. 6 KELLYVILLE FLYER 29/04/2017 Hawk es bury Trainerstd,whil st them are was obliged to cover ground during the running of the race, it not suited by today's Good (3) conditions, as most of its established form has been on rain affected going .7 BERRY DELICIOUS 6/05/2017 Rose hill Gardens From its wide barrier was steadied and shifted in behind runners. When making ground over the concluding stages came close to heels and consequently was not rid den out. 10 I NVINZABEEL 29/04/2017 Hawkesbur y When qst rdr std on str he endeavoured to impr between runners, but when disappointed for this run he was obliged to check mount near 200m. He added then raced in restricted room between these runners for some dist before being held up & was not able to test his mount over the final 100m. 11 LIAPARI (NZ) 29/04/2017 Hawkesbur y Shifted out at the star t & made contact with another. 13 SO WILLIE 29/04/2017 Hawk esbury Slow to begin. Laid in in the straight, obliging its rider to change the whip into the right hand near the250m .16 TAKEWING 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Slow to begin.
Race 8: 3 PAINTE 22/04/2017 Royal Randwick Raced wide without cover throughout. Unable to be tested over the final stages when in- clined to lay in and awkwardly placed close to heels. 6 FRILL SEEKING 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Began awkwardly and then was crowded for room. Near 350m was hampered. Then inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight. 9 BUTTERBOOM 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Slow to begin (2L). A post race vet exam did not reveal any abs. 11 WILD 'N' FAMOUS (NZ) 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Rounding the first tur n improved onto heels. Held up for clear r unning until passing the 150m. 15 BRIGADOON RISE 29/04/2017 Hawkesbur y A post-race vet exam rev no abs. 17 FINAL DECISION 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens Blundered on jumping. Did not obtain clear r unning over the final 300m and could not be tested.
Race 9: 1 HERMOSA BEACH 4/05/2017 Wagga Slow t o begin. Crowded after the star t. Held up i n the ear ly par t of the straight. 3 MARAAM 26/04/2017 Canterbur y Par k For a shor t distance approaching & rounding t he first t ur n raced tight and br ushed on a number of occasions. Near the 700m, was r acing tight, became awkwardly placed close to heels. 5 ANISHA 22/04/2017 Royal Randwick Slow t o begin. Rdr std from 600m mount hung in & making home t ur n proved difficult to shift to out- side. Added, after getting to outside, on straightening, hung in & proved difficult to ride. Rdr std over final 50m, when improved into 3rd, did not fully test mount to ensure that no interference occurred. Tnr std would experiment with gear. A warning was recorded. Vet reported mare had ag ai tabnormality on trot up. Vet clearance since received .9 DAGNY (NZ )26/04/2017 Canterbury Park Slow to begin. Bumped leaving the 400m. Near 250m had to be checked and lost its running. A post race vet exam revealed no abs. 10 LABDIEN 25/04/2017 Royal Randwick Bounded on jumping .16 STILETTOED VIXEN 6/05/2017 Rosehill Gardens When qst re racing more forward, rdr std, was instrtori demount in a mid pos from wide draw when his mount commenced well, he initially looked to find cover, however when caught wide allowed his mount to st ride fwd in an endeavour avoid covering additional ground. Added was then unable to cross runners to his inside & as a consequence was obliged race three wide without cover throughout the event .19 eC O UN TE SS MAR INOV 3/05/2017 Warwick Farm Began awkwardly. Approaching the 1200m was steadied away from heels.


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It's been a while since I last wrote. Part of it was that Assassin's Creed 3 was so bad I didn't want to keep up with the series (although I heard good things about the pirate-assassin installment that followed) and then I just sorta stopped playing video games.
Over Christmas, I picked up a new Xbox One (because I'm a console scrub who has brand loyalty) and I've been playing through a few games.
First up, is Forza Horizon 3, an open-world, arcade driving game like Burnout Paradise City or Burnout: Most Wanted. The game is set in "Australia" and you go bombing around rain forest, beaches, farmland, outback, and urban centers. You unlock new cars and new events and just try to go fast and look good doing it. I really like it. The controls are responsive, and the physics are pretty good. I will say that, being Australia, there's a lot of off-roading so while the Lamborghinis and Ferraris are beautiful, they lose that luster once you get off the road. So my car of choice has been a Subaru WRX 05 rally car that handles highways and dirt roads no sweat. It's a solid game and I've been enjoying it.
Next, I gave Far Cry 4 a try. I really enjoyed Far Cry 3 and I was curious to give it another spin. So, often the series has a bit of the old "white guy saves native people" problem, although it does put twists and spins on it that helps it avoid a lot of this trope's issues. This time, you are Ajay, a refugee from the Nepal-like country of Kyrat. So although a bit of an outsider, you are actually a member of the ethnic group you're trying to save. Of course, you never really see your face and you wear gloves so it's not like your confronted by that visually very often but still.
Anyway, you're here to scatter your mom's ashes but then you get pulled into the civil war that caused you to flee in the first place. So you run around, kill bad guys, get near-supernatural powers to hunt down bad guys, and kill lots of endangered creatures so you make a bigger bag to store your ammo in. You liberate towns, forts, and radio towers. You take on various missions and eventually you reach the end only to realize it was all a huge waste.
See, the rebels have two rival commanders who have different approaches to waging war. You, as the son of the former rebel head, are used as a political football to help one or the other reach the top. So you'll get a mission where each rebel leader wants you to do something different. Despite the fact that you are the long-lost golden child of a fondly remembered rebel leader and despite the fact that you actually get stuff done, you can't become the actual head of the rebellion, nor can you try and work out a compromise between the conflicting things the rebel leaders want you to do. In the end, no matter who you back, you feel like you've just made things worse somehow. Which, actually, is something I kind of like about this series -- interventions may not always produce successful outcomes.
So the game is fun, but it gets a bit tedious and given your complete inability to actually affect any positive change, I mostly just pushed through to the end of the story and then dumped it.
What replaced it is why I'm writing to the Master of Assassins. I didn't pick up a new Assassin's Creed game, instead I picked up Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor.
Um...this game is awesome.
So you play Talion, a ranger who works at the Black Gate protecting Gondor and watching over Mordor lest evil returns. Then...evil returns and kills everyone, including your wife and son. You, however, are fused with the spirit of an ancient elf and return to get revenge on the forces of Sauron.
You start off with a sneak attack and that's about it. Even two or three orcs will quickly overwhelm you. But as time goes on you gain more skills, your weapons (sword, bow and dagger) get runes that you can use to swap in and out various bonuses or powers. Eventually, you just wade into dozens of orcs and just straight-up wreck them. Even better, you eventually gain the power magically brand the orcs and put them under your control. So you sneak around, brand a bunch of mooks and then turn them against their boss.
The coolest part of this game, however, is the orcish chain of command. You've got your mooks and then your captains, verterans, chiefs and warchiefs. All of these guys have special powers and weaknesses and you don't know what they are until you track down and interrogate special "informant orcs". You can pick them off without researching them, but it helps to know more about them.
All well and good, but the brilliant bit comes when you kill one of these ranking orcs. See, when you do that, there's now this hole in the chain of command. Eventually, some lower-ranking orc will be promoted to fill his place. On top of that, if you get killed by some random mook (and it will happen), that mook will get promoted to captain and gain a name and special powers. And if a ranking guy kills you they often get stronger gaining new powers.
So you get killed by a mook and they become a captain. You go after him, but he kills you a second time, getting stronger. Let me tell you, you get real invested in killing this guy after a while. On top of that, ranking orcs have power struggles so the chain of command can change without you doing anything. On top of that if you mind-control an orc, you can help him rise through the ranks. To take out some of the later high-ranking warchiefs, I mind-controlled his lower-ranking bodyguard and had them turn against him. The overall effect is to create this dynamic environment of targets to go after and you feel like your actions are really making a difference.
Just a really solid game and I highly recommend it.
So no Templars, no business dealings, no bevy of beauties to strike down targets, but probably the best assassin's creed game I've played in a while.


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Sandberg Extension USB2.0 AA 5m(Active). Cable length: 5 m, Connector 1: USB A, Connector 2: USB A, USB version: 2.0, Connector gender: Male/Female, Data transfer rate (max): 480 Mbit/s, Colour of product: Black
A USB connection between a computer and a USB device cannot exceed 5 metres in length using normal cables. The Sandberg USB 2.0 Amplifier is an active extension cable that amplifies the signal and extends the USB connection by 5 metres. Simply connect the cable between your computer and the existing USB cable, allowing you to increase the distance up to 10 metres, whether you are using a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed or a USB 1.1 Full-Speed connection. The signal is amplified as soon as the cable is attached to the USB port what could be simpler!


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Production packer
Our Client is looking for an experienced packer to pack quality engineering products to a high standard. At this company, you can learn about the engineering Industry aswell as doing the packing.
This is an exciting opportunity for you if you want to learn all about the engineering sector and progress.
You would need to have strong computer skills and be able to do data entry, delivery notes and labelling. Working the warehouse your salary will raise after 12 weeks to £7.86 per hour.
The hours are rotational 5.30am to 1.30pm then 1.00pm to 9.00pm This will be an ongoing position for the right person with the possibility of going permanent.
If you have worked in a previous warehouse, packing, picking environment this would be an advantage.
This position is ongoing.
Reference: 33943444
Bank or payment details should not be provided when applying for a job. reed.co.uk is not responsible for any external website content. All applications should be made via the 'Apply now' button.Report this job


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I am a little hesitant to post this photo since the last time I tried to show off the Blackberry Stitch portion of my Child's Aran Sweater, I discovered that I had sent it only to author Neil Gaiman's Twitter feed instead of out into the general ether.
And the title? Red Light Knitting. Which, if you are a knitter, is a funny title. The knitting was on my lap and the photo taken in my car. I had been knitting at on ramps again.
If you are an author, it is probably a red flag that someone is sending you an inappropriate photographic advertisement for their evening job.
I've worked my way a few inches into the second sleeve and I'm hoping to be able to sew it together next week. It's finally nice in here in Minnesota and the good weather plus the Easter holiday will be cutting into my knitting time. Maybe I'll have some photographs of the egg dyeing and Hot Cross Bun making going on here at Chez Daisy.
In the meantime, enjoy this Friday Film: A True Paean to Sock Knitting
Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at aniBoom


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From Inspection and Repairs to a Simple Oil Change, Subaru Orange Coast Specializes in Top-Tier Auto Service
It's no secret that drivers like you from Santa Ana and the Garden Grove area want to get the most out of their new car. And why wouldn't you? That's why Subaru Orange Coast staffs an onsite facility that's trained to keep your Subaru vehicle in tip-top shape.
Best Subaru Service in Orange County
Our secret? First: the training. Our team knows the ins and outs of your vehicle because they're trained to understand everything that makes Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Legacy and Subaru Impreza models tick. Second: our team is equipped with the latest Subaru certified parts. After all, your car deserves nothing less.
You Deserve Top-Rated Subaru Service: Subaru Orange Coast Delivers!
If you're interested in seeing what we can do for your car, feel free to fill out our online contact form to set up an appointment. Or, if you'd like to speak with us as quickly as possible, feel free to either give us a call or to visit us at 1350 Auto Mall Drive - a quick drive away from Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Garden Grove, CA.


text: All is set for the 1980-1983 set of graduands of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), to celebrate its Eighth Reunion in the United States. Tagged 'USA 2015 Reunion', the event would begin on Friday, April 3 and end on Monday 6. Venue is Metro Points Hotel-Washington North, 8500 Annapolis Rd, New Carrollton, Maryland. The event begins on Friday, April 3 with a gala night and will be followed by the Annual General Meeting (AGM) the following day.… Read more


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"It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch."
-NPR This American Life
Tombstone of a Santa Cruz couple who died 36 hrs apart. He knew he was going to die when she did well before she was gone. They were cremated together, and their ashes mixed.
Listen to it, learn from it, grow from it, love it.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Great Quote
Posted by Jesse at 12:50 AM
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Play in the mud then the suds as the little puppy comes clean' with a color-change feature in cool water! Barbie doll and Momma dog help too! When girls push the Momma dog's tail, the dog can pick up the puppy and drop it in the tub for a bath!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Barbie Clean Up Pup! Playset
Posted by Barbiecafe at 10:13 AM
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Well, its a Mauser 98 type but I cant say which nationality. I have an Imperial German one but mine has imperial markings, this one does not (or they are no longer visible) and might not be German.
I agree with Douglas, a Mauser bolt!...
It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers.
I'm Spartacus, not really i'm Paul!...
Agree with the above, K98 or one of the variants. Any markings on the firing pin? Usually corrosion has less of an effect here.
Rgd's, Mark.
Pre 1924 Gew98, which contract might be difficult to determine.
Unquestionably a Mauser bolt, but both the letters and their locations have me leaning towards pre-war Yugoslavian. The '3' might not be the numerical three that first comes to mind for westerners, but a Serbian Cyrillic 'Z.'
I'm not sure it could be a letter or number.I saw that type used Yugoslavia, Czech Republic and Germany (ww1 models rifle)
The Czech Mauser rifles weren't stamped on the bolt root flat like this one though, and the German bolts of this type would have a serial number in that location, not a single inspector's letter stamp.
I think it's for a Yugoslav Model 1924 rifle based on the type, shape of bolt ball, and the location of the stamps themselves. The example shown is VERY pitted and in poor condition, so other markings/numbers have probably been lost to history.
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text: This is an A5 landscape card using the Heartfelt Creations stamp – Butterfly Kisses. I have stamped the butterfly image a 4 times with Versamark Ink and heat embossed them with WOW White Pearl powder. I've then used 3 shades of Pink Distress inks over the top – Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry. Once it was dry, I've used a water pen and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink to outline the butterflies. I also brushed a little Stickles – Fruit Punch – in the middle of the butterflies to add a little sparkle x


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An assistant hatchery supervisor, a turkey farm manager, an assistant breeder rearing farm manager and a trainee area manager make up the four finalists in this year's Zoetic/British Poultry Council Trainee of the Year Award.
The four candidates profiled below will meet the judges this month to determine who will be the 2015 Zoetis/BPC Trainee of the Year. The winner will be announced at the British Poultry Council's annual awards ceremony at the House of Commons on 8 December.
The prize includes a £2,000 training grant from Zoetis, a £500 cash prize from Poultry World and a commemorative plaque.
The judging panel comprises Adas senior consultant Jason Gittins, Poultry World editor Philip Clarke, BPC food policy director Richard Griffiths and Zoetis poultry manager for UK and Ireland, James Porritt.
Laura Addison
PD Hook, North Yorkshire
Like many young people, Laura Addison set her sights on a career with good opportunities to advance – but not initially in the poultry industry.
She had progressed to become a restaurant manager and also trained in childcare, but it was when she was made redundant in 2009 that she took a job at the P D Hook hatchery at Dalton in North Yorkshire, where her father worked on the night shift.
Training was always high on her agenda. Starting with NVQ level 2 training in 2010 and now completing level 3, she has notched up more than 20 courses and gained numerous IT skills which, says P D Hook hatchery manager Stephen Deerness, have proved a great asset in the day-to-day running of the hatchery.
This had led to Laura undertaking more responsible tasks – from planning daily egg sets and new hygiene and biosecurity programmes, to assisting hatchery management in the annual Integra audits.
"Laura is always looking to make improvements wherever she can and has come up with some well thought through ideas which have now been implemented," says Mr Deerness.
She suggested, for instance, that new starters would benefit from learning more about biosecurity.
She advocated a more structured approach and asked to take on the responsibility of going through all aspects of biosecurity and hygiene to ensure that all new starters were fully aware of its importance from their arrival.
This led to a comprehensive programme being drawn up and a checklist for every new starter to sign off as part of their induction to the hatchery.
Her Poultec training adviser Andrew Gotts says Laura produced outstanding work for her diploma, showing a good, in-depth knowledge of her working environment. "Laura is a confident, well-mannered young lady and I hope she will keep progressing forward like she is, because she will make a good manager one day."
If successful, Laura would use the Zoetis grant money for courses in hatchery management and incubation training.
She believes the poultry industry offers a diverse and challenging career path – with opportunities from farm and hatchery management, to engineering and IT roles.
"I think marketing this to young people would attract them to the industry," she said. "I also think the poultry industry gives good job security."
Andrew Bumfrey
Bernard Matthews, Norfolk
A family background in game lured Andrew Bumfrey into a career in poultry with Bernard Matthews. His uncle and grandfather were both gamekeepers in Norfolk and he had done seasonal work on a game farm after leaving school.
Now eight years on, and after achieving further training qualifications in the past year, he is set to manage a new state-of-the-art performance house.
Andrew began in the turkey breeder rearing operation, travelling between five farms to carry out routine tasks. Then he jumped at the chance to run a commercial growing farm, brooding 80,000 turkeys twice a year, with 50,000 moved to other grow-on farms and the remaining 30,000 grown to heavier weights.
"His time in breeder rearing taught Andrew the importance of attention to detail, ensuring bird welfare comes first, and that motivating people and leading by example will deliver the best results," says Evelyn Edwards, general agricultural manager for Bernard Matthews.
He took the opportunity to work across the agricultural division, including laying farms and hatchery, so that he has been able to transfer skills and ideas between areas and become innovative in his approach to solving day-to-day problems, she adds.
"Bernard Matthews have been so impressed with Andrew and his progress and diligence that we have asked him to manage our new performance house."
Nathan Raines, associate director of Poultec Training, says when he first saw Andrew as a chargehand on a rearing farm it was obvious he wanted to learn and progress.
"Andrew really worked hard to learn the new skills and knowledge required to grow commercial turkeys and this has resulted in him being very successful and achieving excellent results. He has also managed to complete his level 3 Work-based Diploma and Advanced Adult Apprenticeship in the past year."
Asked how to make a career in poultry more attractive to young people, Andrew said: "I believe the key is to go to schools and colleges and promote the industry's interesting career opportunities."
If successful, Andrew would like to use the Zoetis training grant for a higher management course.
Annabelle Heath
Cargills Meats, Hereford
By the time Annabelle Heath joined Cargill Meats Europe at the age of 21 she had already led a varied and adventurous life. Now, 18 months later, she has settled into a career in poultry with a bright future.
She was brought up on a mixed farm near Telford with a 120,000-bird broiler unit, with an uncle running a large free-range egg unit where she worked at weekends while at school. But it was in the horse-racing world that she saw her future. She had six years' experience working in racing stables and she holds a jockey's licence.
"Had I ridden a few winners life might have been rather different," says Annabelle. "But after I had spent three months on a Young Farmers' Club scholarship in New Zealand, I was looking for a career in agriculture and the opportunity came up with Cargill."
Her nomination comes from Nicholas Ham, Cargill breeder rearing area manager, who himself won the Zoetis/BPC Trainee of the Year Award in 2013.
"Annabelle is a very enthusiastic young lady with a real passion for poultry and a thirst for knowledge. She started her career with Cargill as an assistant farm manager at our breeder rearing site, Ermine Street, and has shown real potential for progression within the company," he says.
"She is often coming up with new ideas and better ways of doing things on the farm, and is always asking questions and trying to improve performance."
Annabelle is working towards a National Vocational Diploma level 3 in poultry production and also undertaking Cargill's personal development course. She has recently been accepted into Tesco's Future Farmers Foundation, a 12-month training programme that includes business planning, supply chain experience and networking opportunities.
Her training adviser at Poultec, Ricky Isley, says Annabelle has a conscientious, hard-working approach and likes to try out new techniques and ideas, which has led to improved performance on the farm. "With these attributes I can see her progressing and managing her own farm or becoming an area manager."
If she wins the Zoetis/BPC training grant, Annabelle would like to study poultry behaviour under different regimes – free-range, barn or less intensive barn – to achieve "a much greater understanding of why production differs the way it does, and why poultry behaviour has such a huge effect".
Daniel Roberts
Faccenda Foods, Northants
Daniel Roberts' career prospects have blossomed since he began to focus on training soon after rejoining Faccenda Foods three years ago.
With an interest in farming stemming from a family holiday in north Wales – but no family background in the industry – he started working for Faccenda in 2001 and, within 15 months, at the age of 21, was promoted to manage a 200,000-bird broiler farm.
Then, in 2006, he began six years on an organic poultry farm in Staffordshire working with egg layers, turkeys and guinea fowl as well as chickens.
It was on his return to Faccenda to manage two of its broiler farms that Daniel saw the full value of training. His first course was for a Diploma in Work-based Agriculture (Poultry) level 3.
"The training I received from Poultec in particular really sharpened my senses regarding the day-to-day running of a modern broiler farm," he says.
"My assessor Andrew Gotts has extensive industry experience and I believe I benefited from this, as some course modules provoked valuable and insightful discussions."
Mr Gotts says with determination, training, learning and field experience it is very possible to move forward in the poultry industry. "Dan is a confident young man and will easily progress up the management tree, taking the industry forward with it."
Stuart Newlands, Faccenda general agriculture manager, says the additional skills and knowledge from the training was realised during his tenure at Ambrosden Farm, where fewer carcass rejects and lower bedding replacement equated to annualised savings of £12,000 and £6,000, respectively.
"His careful and considered approach provided the business with the confidence to offer Dan a post-graduate course position in 2014, hosted at Harper Adams through the Faccenda partnership programme.
"This one-year course has only ever been offered to staff in middle management positions before."
Then, in May, Daniel was promoted to become a trainee area manager servicing 3.8 million birds across 17 broiler farms.
"Unsurprisingly, Dan is forging ahead in the role, making quite clear progress on improved performance across his base."
Now he would like to convert his post-graduate course award into a diploma by studying a further four modules, including poultry science and public health, animal welfare and bioethics, with the option to lead to a master's degree.
With the poultry industry's ageing workforce, he says it should focus more on schools and colleges, use social media to engage youngsters in what it can offer them and do more to promote apprenticeships.


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I know I haven't been around, I'd like to be able to say it's because I have been SOOOOO busy. But you know what? I'd be lying and the truth is so much more satisfying. It's because I seem to have found my groove, the one where I am a good mother and wife AND I work outside the home. It's not perfect but it is so much better and more relaxed than it used to be. Balance in my life, a first for me.
I am not the only one having firsts. C now has his first paying job – delivering Sears catalogues. This fits with my new mission to help build his community (more on that in another post). It is a lot of work and I end up spending a lot of time focusing him enough to get them delivered but I turn around and pay him as soon as he delivers the last one – I figure in this situation immediate gratification will pay off more than waiting the two weeks it would take the company to pay. It's great exercise for us but I might have to scale to route back. Seems someone (ok, me) was overly ambitious and took on several routes that take us 3 or 4 days after school to finish the deliveries.
C also began to walk himself to school last week – he's in Grade 5 and we live 3 houses down from the school. Seemed like it was time – even if what pushed me to ok it was injuring my knee last weekend which made it hard to get around on Monday. He is so proud of himself and so are we. As he walks he turns around repeatedly to check in with us as we stand on the porch watching him.
These changes are all so wonderful. They make my heart full, re-energizing me and giving me purpose and hope for the future.


text:
Located 0.7 miles from Hannover Congress Centre, Private Apartment Sallstrasse (5574) offers accommodations in Hanover.
An oven, a microwave and a refrigerator are provided in the kitchen. A TV is provided.
Zoo Hannover is 1.1 miles from Apartment Sallstrasse, and Lake Maschsee is 1.2 miles away. The nearest airport is Langenhagen Airport, 7 miles from Private Apartment Sallstrasse (5574).
Sallstrasse 17, 30171 Hanover, Germany
Sallstrasse 17Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany


text:
Phil Gramm Lets Grotesque Alien Cat Out of Bag
Phil Gramm, a top adviser to Sen. John McCain, on Thursday said he was not trying to insult Americans when he told a Washington newspaper that "We have sort of become a nation of whiners." The former senator from Texas told CNN that he was trying to say the nation's leaders, not its people, were "whiners."
Um, our leaders are not people? Methinks a slip of the tongue hath revealed the hidden truth regarding our insect overlords!
I will endeavor to follow this one with some lyrics...


text:
STAFF should be encouraged to wear shorts during the sweltering heat to make work more bearable and prevent them "collapsing" at their desks, according to union leaders.
With temperatures soaring to 30C (86F), the TUC said firms should relax dress codes and make sure offices were kept cool.
It said the best way to make work more bearable was to allow staff to wear less formal, more casual clothing such as shorts and shirt sleeves.
General secretary Brendan Barber said: "We'd like British bosses to think seriously this week about how they can make their workplaces cooler and their staff less overheated. ".


text: In the last month, over 2 Saturdays, Brenda and I have made and canned salsa. With over 100 lbs. of tomatoes we canned 52 pints total!! While I didn't get pictures of the whole process, I did get a few pictures of some of the peppers we used. Such a pretty mix of colors, I loved the color of the orange habanero.


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WWE Fastlane airs this Sunday night, February 22, live on WWE Network. The first ever Fastlane show is headlined by Daniel Bryan vs. 2015 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns, with the winner moving on to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31. Also, everybody's driving racecars!
Here's your official WWE Fastlane 2015 card, as it stands. Drives.
1. Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan
2. United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) vs. John Cena
3. Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (c) vs. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro
4. Divas Championship Match: Nikki Bella (c) vs. Paige
5. Intercontinental Championship Match: Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dean Ambrose
6. Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan and Ryback vs. Seth Rollins, The Big Show and Kane
7. Goldust vs. Stardust
– Triple H and Sting have a confrontation.
Here are your With Spandex staff predictions. We aren't going to predict the confrontation, because every person in the world knows it's, "they talk a lot and then a WrestleMania match happens."
Goldust vs. Stardust
What Should Happen: We've been waiting for the Goldust and Stardust breakup for a while, and it finally happened. We'd hoped it'd lead to a WrestleMania match and it still could, so that's what I'm saying should happen. I'd put Goldust over here to further enrage Cody, leading to him dropping the makeup and setting up a rematch for Mania. That's where you put Cody over, and you give them that beautiful moment that was suggested to me where Cody beats the paint off Goldie and finally sees his brother.
What Will Happen: Something short, I fear. The first step of the Cody and Dustin breakup has been planted for ages, and WWE's got a tendency to skip all the work and jump to the end. If there's no room on the Mania card and the Dusts would be better served as bodies in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, there's a chance they'll drag out step one for two more cycles and pick it back up again AFTER Mania.
I'll still take Goldie to win. If Stardust is overconfident and yelling in his father's face about how his family's dead, giving him a loss to push him further toward the edge is really the only thing that makes sense. If you put Stardust over Goldust here, there's really nowhere to go. The feud shouldn't end with Goldust winning. Stardust is the one sticking around for another ten years.
Staff Predictions
Danielle Matheson – How is WWE like a star? It seems to shine brightly, but Vince McMahon's idea of what modern wrestling should be has been dead for thousands of years. Hahaha, I kid. We all know Vince didn't become immortal until at least 1996. I say Stardust, because man it's time they cut that kid a break. I also love him with the intensity of a thousand suns, so…y'know…COSMIC-THEMED BIAS.
Ashley Burns – See, this is why I should tune in more. I had no clue these two had reached the "tag team torn apart" phase. Anyway, I'll take Stardust for the win.
Jessica Hudnall – Knee-jerk prediction is Stardust wins, but when he gets a celebratory can of soda backstage, his change includes an Olde Weird Coin that means he'll die in a tiny town in Oklahoma. My actual prediction is Stardust wins and Goldust gets to teach the whippersnappers down in Orlando a thing or two about the ol' slam-n-pin.
Nate Birch – I'm guessing this is going to continue to Wrestlemania, and that Goldust might start wrapping the ol' career up after this feud, so hmmm, this is a tough one. There's nothing really on the line here, so I suppose Cody wins this one, leading up to the gimmick vs. career match at Mania.
David D. – I think Stardust wins here and Goldust puts his career on the line at 'Mania in a rematch.
Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan and Ryback vs. Seth Rollins, The Big Show and Kane
What Should Happen: WWE Network should play the Team Cena vs. Team Authority Survivor Series match in its entirety and see if anyone notices. That's how they could justify another Sting appearance on Fastlane without having to pay him.
What Will Happen: Fastlane is oddly light on Authority shenanigans. My heart says Team Authority takes it, but my brain says the Big Show/Kane feud they're convinced they have to have is more important. That'd leave Seth Rollins all alone to take everyone's finishes in a row, and for Dolph Ziggler to selfie himself pinning Rollins and accidentally "leak" it.
If Team Cena continues to feud with Team Authority throughout the next cycle I honestly might throw myself off a bridge.
Staff Predictions
Danielle Matheson – Wow. That is….definitely a match that is going to happen. I think this is the point where I'm mad it's really not car-themed, and nobody is making VROOM VROOM, and Jon Stwewrt isn't rushing in on his custom Wacky Racer to throw satire and banana peels at Seth Rollins. Man, you can do anything you want, literally anything in this fantastical world of kayfabe and fantasy you've helped establish, and we get…Survivor Series? I guess?
Okay. Alright. Here are things that will happen: The Authority crushes the weak team who believe in labour rights or whatever. There are a lot of old man punches. Joey teaches Jamie Noble how to play Magic: The Gathering, because he's now so fascinated with RPG and fantasy games, Joey promised him that he can learn a new one every time they win. He's not great with table top RPs at this point, so Joey's trying to ease him in with a card game before they hit the dice hard. Seth Rollins celebrates, and I wish we had a spinoff sitcom of just J&J Security doing regular people stuff because I want it give it to me.
Ashley Burns – I'll tell you who won't win this match – people who like wrestlers with charisma. I'm picking the Rowan team only because I think something will happen between Rollins and Big Show and that will lead to "I already beat The Daily Show so now I'll beat you!" nonsense.
Jessica Hudnall – Obviously Show is going to turn on the Authority because why wouldn't he? Kane gets knocked out, leaving poor Seth Rollins all alone to take on Rowan, Ziggler and Ryback. Thanks to noble sacrifices from J & J, Rollins prevails.
Nate Birch – Hey look, the perpetual build to Survivor Series 2 has finally resulted in something. I kind of assumed it never would, since it's not like Erick Rowan and Ryback's suffering matters or anything. Speaking of which, look forward to more Rowan, Ryback and Ziggler suffering at Fastlane.
David D. – WWE is really pushing the envelope by booking an angle Memento style. We know how it ends at Survivor Series and sometime in May we'll see why these guys are fighting in the first place. I guess the good guys win here because Show and Kane start fighting again to promote See No Evil 4 or whatever.
Intercontinental Championship Match: Bad News Barrett (c) vs. Dean Ambrose
What Should Happen: Dean Ambrose should pin Barrett to win the championship and then burn it in a dumpster fire, thereby ending the curse of the Intercontinental Championship forever.
What Will Happen: The same thing, but without the dumpster. This match seems like it's happening to get Dean Ambrose a little notoriety and set him up to do something of note at WrestleMania, which he at LEAST deserves for half a year losing to exploding TVs and ghost lanterns. Wade Barrett needs to lose the IC title and stay away from it forever, because they make each other look worse.
Staff Predictions
Danielle Matheson – Okay, see, this is where my brain goes BUT NO WHAT IF, and I really have to curb that. It's also very hard to curb that when a man who lost to an exploding television, and took a subway to Coney Island just to get a hot dog cart just to spray condiments he probably could have found at catering at his former best friend. Like…man, I think I'm all in on Dean Ambrose, just because he makes the wrestling dreams I didn't even know I had come true.
(I hope the podium comes back but Dean is hiding up top and then he shouts NO I'VE GOT BAD NEWS SWIMMER'S BODY BARRETT and then splashes him from the top GUYS I HAVE NEEDS OKAY)
Ashley Burns – Barrett was on Total Divas this week and that's practically the gypsy's curse. He'll lose to Ambrose, one of his testicles will fall off and his head will shrink down to the size of a tennis ball. You don't want to lose a nut? Don't go on Total Divas, bloke.
Jessica Hudnall – My prediction for this match is that David Otunga, representing Wade Barrett, declares that the contract was signed under duress and it cannot continue. Failing that, I'll take Dean getting distracted by some jangly keys and then eating a Bullhammer for a BNB victory.
Nate Birch – Dean Ambrose will bend over to pick up a nickel and Barrett will miss with his elbow, fall down a manhole with the Intercontinental title and neither will ever be seen again. We'll all be fine with this.
David D. – Dean Ambrose hasn't won a singles ppv match since he was with the Shield. I don't know if that's true but it feels like it. Clearly he likes losing on TV, which is why he wants the IC title. I think Barrett wins somehow and Ambrose goes on to some other feud.


text:
POLICE are concerned for the safety of a 32-year-old woman who was last seen in Halifax in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Naretta Davies, also known as Naretta Hogan, left an address in the town at 1am yesterday to visit a friend but did not arrive.
She is described as having shoulder-length dark hair with a blonde streak and was wearing black leggings and a grey top. She is also believed to have access to a car.
Officers are concerned for her welfare as she has not been reported missing to police before.
Naretta or anyone who may know her whereabouts if asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060606.


text:
Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
5 Online
shes making me lose my mind
i have always had depression but was recently diagnosed as clinical depressed coz of my mentally abusive mom .she is getting worse and i cant deal with it any more she has played mind games for years,but my husband and i are moving to america in the summer she has stepped up her tactics of abuse,she keeps saying whay about us we are going to be left behind i dont care if she is shes a horrible person,what do i do shes durning me suicidal im losing my mind slowly.
Good, im glad yu are leaving an abusive situation, yuv lived with for years. Now its time for yu to let go and live and be happy for a change. hugzzz
I think getting away from her will be a good thing and just don't speak to her for a while so you can get yourself strong again.
Think about everything she's done to you until you are very mad, then calm down a little and when she starts being abusive tell her why you think she shouldn't treat you taht way. That's what I did with my mom when I was 15, I yelled at her, I did everything I had to do so she would stop trating me badly and she did. She still has it i her, but a lot of her abusive behavior disappeared. SHe's still messed up from the head though. Good thing you are moving. Don't you let her make you feel guilty or anything like that. So far, you are a step ahead of her.
or just totally ignore her, but I really think you should stand up to her and then just ignore her because, most lilkely, she won't change. She's your mom but you don't have to take all that stuff no matter who it is.
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text:
Thursday, January 01, 2004
News of the Year -- Here's the best comics news of 2004 so far -- and it's unlikely better news will come along any time soon. Dan Clowes is expanding his story Ice Haven into a graphic novel. Details in a Dan Clowes interview at Readers Voice. Also worth noting is LA Weekly's Joe Sacco interview.
New to the Blogroll -- I just added Shawn Hoke's excellent column The Wall to the blogroll in the right-side column of goodness.
Oh, and happy 2004, everyone.
Fantagraphics News -- Here's the latest newsletter from America's finest comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books:
The F.B.I. Informant
Vol. IV, #7
December 31, 2003
Welcome to our final newsletter of 2003! Thanks to everyone who has helped us get through the year and we look forward to bringing you some amazing projects in 2004. In the meantime, here's a quick rundown of what's come out since the last newsletter, and then ON WITH THE NEWS!
* YOUNG GODS & FRIENDS by Barry Windsor-Smith
* ZIPPY ANNUAL 2003 by Bill Griffith
* MANIAC KILLER STRIKES AGAIN by Richard Sala
* BLAB! Vol. 14 by various artists
* BELLYBUTTON COMIX #1 by Sophie Crumb
* APE by Ted Jouflas
* LOVE & ROCKETS #9 by Los Bros Hernandez
* HATE ANNUAL #4 by Peter Bagge
* EVIL EYE #11 by Richard Sala
* BLACK HOLE #11 by Charles Burns
* THE COMICS JOURNAL #257 with Rick Griffin
* ANGRY YOUTH COMIX #6 by Johnny Ryan
* MABEL NORMAND & FRIENDS by various
* THE POGOSTICK #2 by Columbia & Persoff
* MALICIOUS RESPLENDENCE by Robert Williams
* PALESTINE by Joe Sacco
* SAFE AREA GORAZDE by Joe Sacco
* USAGI YOJIMBO Vols. 5 & 7 by Stan Sakai
DEITCH NABS WINSOR McCAY AWARD, TRIBUTE IN L.A.
Congratulations are due to GENE DEITCH for receiving ASIFA-HOLLYWOOD's prestigious WINSOR McCAY AWARD. Deitch is of course the renowned animator and author of Fantagraphics CAT ON A HOT THIN GROOVE.
Each year a Winsor McCay Award is awarded to a maximum of three individuals in recognition of lifetime or career contributions to the art of animation in producing, directing, animating, designing, writing, voice acting, sound and sound effects, technical work, music, professional teaching, or for other endeavors which exhibit outstanding contributions to excellence in animation.
The presentation of the award will be made on Saturday, Feb. 7th at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. For you Los Angeleans, there will also be a special tribute screening devoted to Deitch at the historic, restored Grauman's EGYPTIAN THEATRE on Hollywood Blvd. (home of the L.A. based AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE) on Tuesday, Feb. 10th. The theatre features state of the art projection - 35mm, 16mm, and all forms of video and digital projection.
Full details of the film program still being decided, but the plan is to include one of Deitch's earliest cartoons, BUILDING FRIENDS FOR BUSINESS, as well as 35mm prints of SCOPE TERRYTOONS, TOM TERRIFIC, MUNRO and other Rembrandt and Weston Woods productions. Plans are also underway for a Q & A/book signing with Deitch at the screening.
CONGRATULATIONS to one of the all-time swell guys we've met in this crazy cartoon racket.
WHAT A DEAL! JESSICA ABEL's LA PERDIDA five-issue miniseries has been widely hailed as Abel's most fully-realized and ambitious work to date, but we sold out of the first issue earlier this year and have been unable to reprint it due to our ongoing financial struggles (issues #2 and #3 are both available; #4 and #5 have yet to be published). As a result, Abel has posted the entire contents of LA PERDIDA #1 on her site (you'll find links on the Fanta site as well). We think it will pay off, because once you read the entire, 48-page issue you'll be hooked and buy #2 and #3 so fast that we'll be able to afford that reprint of #1 in no time:
More details as the event approaches, but CHRIS WARE and THIS AMERICAN LIFE's IRA GLASS will take part in a public conversation at UCLA's ROYCE HALL in Los Angeles, CA on April 10. Titled "Visible and Invisible Drawings," tickets start at $17 for UCLA students and $28 for non-students.
Author FRANK THORNE will be doing a signing for his new book, THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM, at the new Barnes & Noble in Clark, NJ on February 24 at 7:30 PM. Meanwhile, any of you Thorne fans who receive THE PLAYBOY CHANNEL in your cable television lineup should keep your eyes peeled for PLAYBOY'S WORLD OF CARTOONS AND FUNNIES. The show features a lead interview with the longtime cartoon contributor, who also performs with a model costumed as Thorne's characters MOONSHINE MCJUGS and GHITA.
RARE SPIEGELMAN ON eBAY
Speaking of our ongoing effort to, well, make money, we're auctioning off rare items on eBay. Right now we're offering an extremely rare copy of BREAKDOWNS by Art Spiegelman. The auction lasts another week, get the full details here:
Don't miss the special, DOUBLE-sized TENTH issue of LOVE AND ROCKETS, coming in March. JAIME closes a chapter in Maggie's life with a special 20-page centerpiece story. On the 'BETO side of the fence, his "Julio's Day" serial returns with the first of several longer chapters, each of which will establish the serial as Gilbert's possible MAGNUM OPUS (if that's possible from the author of POISON RIVER and PALOMAR).
This issue also features a number of fun shorts, including Gilbert's ultimate "Roy" epic, as Roy is joined by Madame X, her psychiatrist Dr. Fausto, the Little Stunt Boy, and sister Mary Joseph and the monster she covets in a SUPERFRIENDS-type super-team mission to combat Roy's nemesis, the Froat. There's also a "Whatever Happened to...?" one-pager for many of the older LR characters (Castle Radium, Inez and Bang Bang, Errata Stigmata, Emico from Twitch City, and more) -- and the rousing CONCLUSION to the Beto/Mario psychothriller "Me for the Unknown"! With a few other surprises, this issue is a virtual graphic novel unto itself with 50 pages of all-new work from Los Bros., but it's all for the price of a regulah ol' comic book! ($5.95, that is.)
As briefly mentioned last time (we got word just as we were going to press), Fantagraphics placed two books - GILBERT HERNANDEZ's PALOMAR and SPAIN RODRIGUEZ's NIGHTMARE ALLEY -- on PUBLISHERS WEEKLY's "Best of 2003" graphic novels list. But, we completely neglected to mention that PATRICK ROSENKRANZ's fantastic history book, REBEL VISIONS: THE UNDERGROUND COMIX REVOLUTION 1963-1975, was named to PW's "Best of 2003" illustrated books list, and also showed up on AMAZON.COM's "Best Of 2003" illustrated books list as well. Congratulations, Patrick!
The special PW "YEAR IN BOOKS" coverage appears in the Nov. 17 issue and can be read in full online at:
http://publishersweekly.reviewsnews.com/ index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA336200
A new PETER BAGGE interview is available online at:
A new DANIEL CLOWES interview is available online at:
The Nov. 17th issue of PUBLISHERS WEEKLY gave Chris Ware's QUIMBY THE MOUSE a starred review and had this to say: "This large-format collection of Ware's early work... still feels amazingly fresh... All of the work is packaged impeccably - Ware's beautiful gold foil stamped cover alone is worth the book's price, while his running joke that the book is, in fact, a discarded library book is funny and touching, underscoring comics' ephemeral quality."
Now, it's funny that they should mention it, because we here at FBI HQ would like to specifically address the "discarded" nature of the QUIMBY book. Due to the volume of calls and letters we have received, FANTAGRAPHICS has had to hire its own HOMELAND DEFENSE TEAM to combat the onslaught of demands that we send book buyers "correct" copies of QUIMBY THE MOUSE. So, many thanks to PUBLISHERS WEEKLY for clearing up this confusion. If any Defense Team field agents are reading, you are hereby dismissed and being replaced with a Xerox from PW.
Mr. Ware's QUIMBY garnered more praise from FOREWORD MAGAZINE: "The hard cover is utterly spectacular, combining cartooning with ornate baroque flourishes and gold trim, and the artwork inside (a mix of color and black and white) is diverse, well executed, and beguiling..."
Flanking a review of MADONNA'S new book, QUIMBY was also featured in the Sunday edition of the PENNSYLVANIA PATRIOT-NEWS (Nov. 9th): "... Ware manages to smoothly juggle such morose themes as loneliness, the death of a loved one, failed romance, despair and the pains of childhood. Such topics may not be what the average reader turns to a comic book for, but Ware's excellent sense of design and restless experimentation make the journey worthwhile. Few artists today are able to handle such intense and painful emotions with such grace and stunning inventiveness (not to mention black humor)."
Bathe in the well-deserved adjectives, Mr. Ware!
Do you like comics about big-eyed cuties taking their shirts off (momentarily) and flaunting their catholic plaid dresses in your face? Yes, us too, but thankfully the folks at FOREWARD have exhibited better taste, paying tribute to JIM WOODRING's glorious THE FRANK BOOK. "The nearly wordless THE FRANK BOOK by Jim Woodring draws the eye like a bejeweled train wreck," it is written.
Meanwhile, if you haven't purchased THE FRANK BOOK YET, you'd better: the first printing is almost gone and available only via mail order. If you don't, you'll regret it.
But don't take our word for it: DAZED & CONFUSED'S Sylvia Fargo wrote a glowing review of JIM WOODRING'S THE FRANK BOOK last month. "Jim Woodring's deeply hallucinogenic Frank comics have been transporting fans far from this mundane world through its acid ink-splashed pages since back in the early '90s. Based in Seattle, Woodring is widely considered once of the most important cartoonists living today and Frank is an endearing guide into the mind of an artist who it seems has consumed just enough conscious-expanding substances to twist his imagination, but not so many as to dull its edges." Whoa, don't eat the brown Pushpaw, folks.
This past November, TIME.COM'S ANDREW D. ARNOLD braved the potentially weary discussion of, "What exactly is a comic book?" Thanks to Scott McCloud, this is of course a game that has become almost as ubiquitous as Trivial Pursuit, though Arnold holds his own much better than most and directs his discussion towards an audience less beleaguered by the topic than we are.
The way we see it, no matter how hard you try to dress it up, a comic is a comic is a comic. You can give it a top hat and cane and call it a graphic novel, or not. Chip Kidd tells Arnold that he thinks there isn't much difference between "Novels" and "Graphic Novels." The "Graphic Novels" buyer for BORDERS BOOKS, however, makes the somewhat horrifying (though no doubt true) claim that Mr. Art Spiegelman's MAUS sells better when it is placed next to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN merchandise than when it's placed next to other books about the Holocaust. Which begs the question of whether SCHINDLER'S LIST might get rented more often if racked next to JURASSIC PARK 3. Maybe it would, but should it be?
Arnold follows his discussion up with a list of his top 25 "Graphic Novels" from the past 25 graphically novelish years. Within this list he offers favorable mentions of a number of choice comics from within the FANTAGRAPHICS sphere of influence: BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS by KIM DEITCH, DAVID BORING by DAN CLOWES, EPILEPTIC VOL. 1 by DAVID B., JIMMY CORRIGAN by CHRIS WARE, NIGHTMARE ALLEY by SPAIN, PALOMAR by GILBERT HERNANDEZ, and SAFE AREA GORAZDE by JOE SACCO. In fact, looking over the list, it would appear that FANTAGRAPHICS has the high score of "GRAPHIC NOVELS" on the list. We think we like these "GRAPHIC NOVELS," after all!
This past November the NATIONAL POST printed a fantastic article by JEET HEER praising BOB LEVIN'S fascinating book, THE PIRATES AND THE MOUSE: DISNEY'S WAR AGAINST THE COUNTERCULTURE. "Although small in size, Mickey was always fighting back against big bullies. In recent decades, Mickey lost his fighting spirit, and is usually seen as an anodyne corporate symbol for Disney's global entertainment empire."
"ANODYNE"!?! Be still our heart! This is a really great article; search it out.
Oh yeah, national wet blanket TRINA ROBBINS elbows her way into the piece with her usually-fitful and annoyed aplomb: "There are still those, even in the freewheeling world of underground cartoonists, who believe that by trampling on copyright the Air Pirates simply went too far. I own my work and I don't want to be ripped off," says the author of A CENTURY OF WOMEN CARTOONISTS. "Dan O'Neill owns ODD BODKINS just like Disney owns Mickey Mouse. It doesn't matter that Disney is a big corporation and Dan O'Neill is one guy. Copyright laws apply to everyone." Tell it to A.A. Milne, Trina.
That George Herriman's KRAZY KAT is the best thing ever? Long after our pinky fingers feed the trees, robots will still be reading KRAZY. A starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY will go a long way towards ensuring this future. To wit: "KRAZY KAT remains as good a comic as there ever was, and this beautifully produced book is a must for any reader interested in great art."
By the way, our second KRAZY & IGNATZ book (1927-1928) is almost sold out and available only through mail order, so get it while you can.
Our favorite review of the month, from clinical psychologist Christian Perring, Ph.D., on DAVE COOPER's book, RIPPLE: A PREDILECTION FOR TINA: "He is soon dressing her up in bondage gear and becoming sexually fixated on her, despite being revolted by her body. The texture of the art here is a little cleaner than in Cooper's other books; you don't feel as if simply walking into a scene would give you a contagious disease. However... The artwork is crudely pornographic and is bound to offend people with delicate sensibilities."
No, not that annoying "surf" song with all the "ha-ha-has"... WISCONSIN BOOKWATCH gave us a beautiful blurb for FRANCESCA GHERMANDI's graphic novel, THE WIPEOUT: "... a bizarrely surreal allegorical graphic novel about bitter cross-purposes, manipulations, selfish desires, and overwhelmingly guilt-ridden nightmares. An ordinary worker becomes the victim of omens and nightmares in which he dreams of murder, and paranoia wracks him beyond the limits of sanity, yet he is being manipulated by a far more ruthless presence in this twisted parable."
Now, Granddad always refers to FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS as "fantasy-land books," so I don't know where you sit, but after reading that review, I feel proud. Why haven't you bought this book yet?
In a conversation earlier this month about the release of the de-Spectorized version of THE BEATLES' LET IT BE, fellow Beatlemaniac JOE SACCO told us, "I will no longer look at LET IT BE as a sort of subpar effort with a smattering of great songs. Now it is about as exciting as anything they did. That's my fucking verdict, and you can quote me in the Fantagraphics Newsletter for all I care." Sir Paul, are you reading?
Congratulations are due to proud parents JASON LITTLE & MYLA GOLDBERG on the birth of their daughter, MIZELLE ANEEK GOLDBERG LITTLE! The healthy baby girl entered our world on December 6th, 2003; we look forward to her first work of fiction, sometime around the end of the decade.
The following books and comics have shipped since our last newsletter. Visit www.fantagraphics.com for full new release details and ordering info.
* YOUNG GODS & FRIENDS by Barry Windsor-Smith. Collecting the acclaimed BWS: STORYTELLER serial with tons of added material! Available in hardcover and signed hardcover formats. $29.95/$49.95
* ZIPPY ANNUAL 2003 by Bill Griffith. Another year of the pinhead in one classy softcover volume, fully annotated by Griffy himself! $19.95
* A.B. FROST'S STUFF & NONSENSE. Collecting three albums of sequential graphic stories (comics) originally published during the celebrated 19th Century American illustrator's lifetime! Hardcover. $24.95
* WILL ELDER: THE MAD PLAYBOY OF ART. The legendary MAD and PLAYBOY cartoonist (in collaboration with HARVEY KURTZMAN) finally gets the coffee-table book he deserves! Intro by Daniel Clowes, available in soft, hard, and signed hardcover formats. $49.95/$69.95/$79.95
* PRINCE VALIANT VOL. 49 by Hal Foster & John Cullen Murphy. The penultimate volume in the softcover series. $18.95
* MANIAC KILLER STRIKES AGAIN by Richard Sala. Ten previously out-of-print Sala classics, re-worked exclusively for this new softcover collection! $16.95
* BLAB! VOL. 14 by various artists. Featuring: Camille Rose Garcia (who did the covers), Sue Coe, David Sandlin, Jonathon Rosen, Marc Rosenthal, Gary Baseman, Peter Kuper, Blanquet, the Clayton Brothers and many more! Softcover. $19.95
* BELLYBUTTON #1 by Sophie Crumb. Forget the pedigree, this is the real deal: a funny and engaging, stand-alone debut from a powerful new voice in comics, told in a lovely two-color format. $4.95
* APE by Ted Jouflas. If you hate George W. as much as we do, then Ted Jouflas is about to become your new favorite cartoonist thanks to this brutal and imaginative satire of the current administration. $4.95
* MABEL NORMAND & FRIENDS by various artists. Kim Deitch delivered the cover for this one-shot collection of vintage comic strips devoted to silent film comedy stars like Normand and Fatty Arbuckle. $4.95
* HATE ANNUAL #4 by Peter Bagge. Buddy Bradley is back and he's BROWN! Hell, he's ever brought Bugles and Jimmy Foley with him! Plus: Lovey! Al Gore! The A-Teens! Ross Perot! $4.95
* EVIL EYE #11 by Richard Sala. It's the penultimate chapter of "Reflections In a Glass Scorpion," which has anchored the series since issue 1! The mystery is almost revealed! $3.95
* BLACK HOLE #11 by Charles Burns. Not only the penultimate chapter, but the penultimate ISSUE! Buy it NOW (and bear in mind that any collection is still at least three years away). $4.95
* THE COMICS JOURNAL #256 featuring Fort Thunder. An appreciation of the Fort, by Tom Spurgeon, plus interviews with Mat Brinkman, Brian Chippendale, and Brian Ralph. Plus: Barefoot Gen's KEIJI NAKAZAWA!
* THE COMICS JOURNAL #257 featuring Rick Griffin. Featuring three - count 'em, THREE never-before-published interviews with the late ZAP and psychedelic poster artist, Rick Griffin. Plus: Spurgeon takes on Joe Casey. $6.95
* ANGRY YOUTH COMIX #6 by Johnny Ryan. In this ish: Martians make culinary demands on Loady and Sinus! Boobs Pooter humps dinner! Sherlock McRape asks, "Who Hit Nellie In the Belly With Jelly?" The President's urine is kidnapped! Two nancy-boys duke it out for the title of "World's #1 Undisputed OId-Timey Egomaniac"! Plus much more! $3.50
* LOVE & ROCKETS #9 by Gilbert, Jaime & Mario Hernandez. The final chapter of 'Beto's "High Soft Lisp"! Maggie goes to Izzy's for Halloween! Plus "Me For the Unknown" and "Julio's Day!" $3.95
* POGOSTICK #2 by Ethan Persoff & Al Columbia. Things get real horrorshow in the second chapter of this black comedy, The Pogostick. Unless, that is, you were expecting Haitian zombies, voodoo warlords, a cancer patient, a butcher knife, sudden unemployment, the disadvantages of caller I.D., a horrible death, a cuckoo's nest revisited, cops with guns and flashlights, an ambulance, fat garbage bags, a clean apartment, and the gentle flow of blood on a carpet... $4.95
For more information or to order, visit Fantagraphics.com.
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Raging Feedback -- Here's a selection of responses in the wake of my guest-stint this past weekend on All the Rage:
- Today's All The Rage was fantastic. Though I adore Markisan and the work he does for every Sunday, it's a shame the column doesn't get more of you. You have a fine blog, as well. Keep up the good work.
- Seriously excellent work. Even if I'd rather John C was chained down to Planetary pages. And even if I wish that Warren E was the next X writer.
- Nice. But you always have to wonder how much crossover there will be if Joss writes the book. Granted, it should be well written and interesting -- looking really pretty if Cassady is indeed the artist -- but how well did books like Fray or Tales of the Vampires do? And keep in mind that they're aimed directly at the Buffy fans. It'll be interesting to see. Good column, by the way.
- Loved your column - keep up the great work.
- Well that was the last and also best ATR of the year!!! Wow, a comic news column with actual news, how novel. Hopefully this column will light a fire and bring the standard back up for the weekly news and rumour columns that have been light on content and full of message board reprints.
- ADD's blog rocks. Definitely the best ATR of the year.
- Good column. I like the news about Cassiday on NXM and I'm curious about the new Miller Batman as well as Millar/Romita Jr. working together.
- Good column Alan...I could care less about Joss Whedon, I don't know one person that's not reading X-Men that will start because he's writing it, but I do know plenty that will be dropping it because Morrison's NOT writing it...As for me, I'll read it either way, unless it sucks...Can't wait for LitG tomorrow, as usual. Still the best column out there, but this was a good one-shot!
Probably the most detailed response was a negative one, spurred on by this quote from me:
"Now's the time when retailers will go two ways -- the visionary, forward-thinking comics shops will continue to welcome in new readers, genres and formats, while backward superhero fetishists (who essentially maintain their shops in order to get "free comics" featuring their favourite zombies like the Alan Scott Green Lantern and the shambling, undead Paul Jenkins Spectacular Spider-Man) will seriously begin to suffer the pains of their willful ignorance and defiance of logic. As a result, it's likely many comics readers will have to start looking elsewhere for their comics, as the superhero-oriented shops begin to die off, and yes, it will be a painful time for the industry, but it's a cull that has been needed for over a decade, and in the end, the artform will be vastly better off for it."
That prompted this response:
- I've never seen a more succinct, concise, or declaritive example of what is so mind numbingly wrong-headed with the 20-30 year-old (and older) comic "fan." This is the mentality of someone who arrives at the biggest party of the year, only to find that it's winding down, and most of the cooler people have gone home. Rather than enjoy the leftovers, and last drops of liquor, this fool wants to crank up the music and trash the house.
How was I spared this type of group-think? These are people of my generation, yet I'm able to appreciate the fact that the medium that I loved as a kid should stay accessible to kids. I walk into a comic shop today, and this is the foul acid spewing forth from most of the "fans" in my age group. "Manga is the answer!" they all cry. "Ultimize the entire Marvel line!" they declare. They claim these ideas are necessary for the future of the medium, but the truth behind that lie is that these changes are only necessary for the continuation of their medium. The Superman that was idolized by an 8 year-old must now be the Superman that can be analyzed and dissected by the 28 year-old. And yet, I'm the one said to be suffering from "willful ignorance" and "defiance of logic".
This thinking is anathema to the superhero comic book. The reason Superman is an icon is because he represents the very best that people can acheive. The reason Batman is an icon is because he shows you can overcome even the worst adversity in life, and succeed. These are simple ideas, simple notions that work precisely because of the age group they are intended for. You don't try to deconstruct these themes. You don't try to adapt these notions to your narrow-minded viewpoint. You accept that these were the ideas and stories that shaped your world as a pre-adolescent, and you take that development with you.
There's nothing wrong with an adult reading a comic book. Just realize that you are using that entertainment as a window back to your childhood. We look back to examine our own selves at a fundamental level. We don't insist that our past changes to better suit our future.
The kind of thinking that ADD suggests (and I can't think of a more apt set of intials for someone like this) will most certainly end superhero comics if more of the powers that be agree with him.
But, that looks to be exactly what he wants.
There's obviously a bit of an over-reaction there. I don't want to see the death of superhero comics, necessarily, I just want to see (and believe it's inevitable that) graphic novels created by adults and focusing on adult themes continue to grow into new markets, necessarily marginalizing the superhero genre and market, but opening up vast new vistas of adults who aren't ashamed to admit they read graphic novels, because there's nothing shameful about them. Unfortunately, while we still have many regressive retailers eschewing the best adult works from publishers like D&Q and Fantagraphics, and even more to their peril acting with outright hostility to the best-selling and most popular comics in the world, we still have a long way to go. So, no, I don't want to end superhero comics. I just want them to take their proper, proportional role in a world filled with full-service comics shops that cater to readers of all interests. Anything else is, indeed, "mindnumbingly wrong-headed."
My thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to the column. Doing it really fired me up with some ideas of what I would do with a regular, weekly comics column apart from the ADD Blog...perhaps something will develop in the year to come.
The Nail in Sangiacomo's Coffin -- As if to really rub how stupid he is in Mike Sangiacomo's face, DC Comics has posted a nine-page PDF preview of Darwyn Cooke's upcoming New Frontier series.
Cooke is probably the most vital of the current Pop Noir stylists, combining elements of, try to follow me here, Pop and Noir into a unified whole that suggests a lush, dangerous environment that is just about perfect for depiction in comics.
Re-reading Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's original Wolverine limited series, there were definitely elements of Pop Noir in there, and I'd argue that you get much the same vibe off of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips's Sleeper, as well. And of course, Steranko did a lot of Pop Noir stylings in his 60s/70s Nick Fury and Captain America as well.
I point this all out mostly in response to some dumbass who claimed in the wake of the Sangiacomo stupidity that "Pop Noir," was meaningless as a term. Far from it, I think it perfectly defines a lot of some of the most appealing comics art ever published, and definitely applies to Darwyn Cooke's New Frontier, which I can't wait to see.
Monday, December 29, 2003
The Monday Briefing -- Hello, good morning and welcome to The Monday Briefing. I used to do this regularly as a column at Comic Book Galaxy and on the former incarnation of this weblog. Let's see if we can justify the title today, despite having been sick all weekend and maybe catching a total of four hours of sleep since Friday.
All My Rage
Firstly, if you missed it over the weekend, stop by my fill-in All the Rage column at Silver Bullet Comics. I had a blast writing this last week, and hopefully you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I especially loved the front-page description on the Silver Bullet home page:
In the most unexpected return to SBC ever, Alan David Doane, fresh off his blogsite, fills in for the last Rage of 2003. And if you've been shocked and awed by past fill-in installments, you ain't seen nothin' yet. This is gonzo-style, fear-and-loathing, chaos-in-the-streets rumoring-mongering. But please, please, don't forget the Rumor Barrier, and to shield the eyes of the young or faint of heart.
The first lengthy reaction I received was this one:
You magnificent bastard. Nice job.
I have no idea whether or not Whedon writing NXM will boost sales
all that much. On one hand it seems like a sure thing--maybe in the
bookstore market--but I don't see the sales going above 150k just because
comics are so damn hard to find.
That reminded me of something that I neglected to include in the column, which is my theory of why Marvel thinks it could sell over a quarter of a million copies monthly of a Whedon-scripted New X-Men.
My best guess is that they're combining Batman: Hush numbers with whatever percentage of Buffy fans they think are out there that are willing to buy comic books. In no way do I believe that 300,000 people would buy Joss Whedon's New X-Men. Maybe if it was manga. And not about the X-Men. And not by Joss Whedon. And not published by Marvel.
The other interesting Whedon/New X-Men-related item of some interest is the introduction to the Fray trade paperback. In it, Whedon expounds at length on his love of X-Men. One wonders if it was written at a time when Whedon either already knew he was going to agree to a deal with Marvel or was at least giving it serious consideration. Clearly, though, the guy loves X-Men, and if he commits to the book for a long run (and can keep a schedule), the series might possibly sustain the Morrison-era numbers and probably improve on them, as long as we segued directly from Morrison to Whedon. Any Chuck Austen arcs would stain the franchise Morrison created beyond repair, and you might as well do a new #1 at that point. Of course, I am of the opinion that if Frank Quitely had been able to sustain on the book, Morrison's would have been selling twice as many copies as it did. Just saying.
Thanks to all for the positive reaction to the column.
Linkin' Park
A few days ago, I asked folks to link to the ADD Blog if they enjoy it. I'm very, very grateful for the positive reception the blog has gotten, but I would love it if it had as many readers as the late, lamented Comic Book Galaxy did. I'd say I'm about halfway there, and I'd love to spread the word. I just want to thank a few people that have picked up the ball and run with it:
Clay Harrison
Dave Barnes
Álvaro Pons
If you link to the ADD Blog, preferably using the ADD Blog graphic, let me know and I'll give you a plug right here.
2003: The Best in X -- Paul O'Brien is much more patient and understanding than I could ever be. His ongoing dedication to reading and reviewing virtually every X-Men comic is impressive, certainly moreso than most of the comics he has to read as a result. Over the weekend he posted his year-end assessment of the X-Books, and it should give the wise comics reader insight into just how awful most of the franchise is.
Bill Sherman has also posted his thoughts on some of his favourite superhero miniseries of 2003.
Stalking AK -- The guy who used to write Title Bout for Movie Poop Shoot digs up an old issue of Comics Interview and finds some relevant quotes that apply to the industry today.
Your Moment of Snark -- Johanna Draper Carlson's January Previews comments are up, and of particular note are the Snarky Comments along the right side of the page, where she makes some points that are funny 'cuz they're true.
More Best of 2003 -- The Ninth Art crew has issued their Lighthouse Awards, with notable winners including Sleeper by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, and Paul Hornschemeier, whose work deserves all the recognition it can get.
Shipping Nooz
It's a mystery to me why new comics won't appear in stores this week until Friday, December 2nd, but here's a list of titles you should be on the lookout for:
EMPIRE #6 (Of 6) (MR) $2.50 -- Well, last issue's surprise revelations were actually surprising, and even more surprising was that the impact of the reveal was not diminished by the years-long hiatus this series experienced. There's every reason to think #6 will be as tense and dramatic as the rest of the series, and if you've not been reading this, I would definitely recommend ordering the inevitible trade collection. Good stuff, and a fairly unique and downbeat take on superpowered goings-on.
PLANETARY #18 $2.95 -- My e-mail tells me not everyone feels this title has picked up where it left off a couple of years ago, but I think it's as good as it ever was, and very probably one of Warren Ellis's greatest achievements.
SMAX #4 (Of 5) $2.95 -- Speaking of great achievements, Smax was one of the best Alan Moore efforts in years, a worthy successor to the excellent Top Ten, and not at all what you'd expect it to be if you're judging it by its covers.
PEANUTBUTTER & JEREMY BEST BOOK EVER TP $14.95 -- A near-tragic printing error prevented pristine, goft-worthy copies of this from being ready in time for the holidays. But now that it's done right and in stores this week, I hope you'll pick this up, and get an extra for a child in your life. Great, all-ages appropriate stuff about a cat who believes it works in an office and the mean crow who makes its life just a little bit more difficult. A surreal, joyous celebration of comics and creativity.
That's it, have a great Monday.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
ADD is All the Rage Today -- As hinted at yesterday, I've written this week's installment of All the Rage at Silver Bullet Comics. Stop by and fill up on this week's delicious selection of rumours. Thanks to Jason Brice and Markisan Naso for asking me to fill in.