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Having problems with your Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera ?
My Nikon Coolpix E7600 has a error message of Lens Error when you turn on the camera.
Answers :
This is probably THE single most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
Repair Help & Product Troubleshooting for Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera
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Lens error message on nikon coolpix L18 I purchased my Nikon L18 Cool Pix camera last September ('08). Last week when I turned it on, the lens extended fully, then retracted fully as I got a "lens error" message.'' PLEASE HELP! I don't want to replace this camera so soon.
Hi,When system control does not get lens initialize signal while extending it, then it try again by folding it and extending and still no required initialize signal then generate error and stop further functions.Please remove batter ... Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera
My Nikon Coolpix E7600 has a error message of Lens Error when you turn on the camera.
This is probably THE single most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html ... Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera
My Nikon coolpix S10 camera was dropped and now the screen only says "lens error". If it is not touched the function returns to normal (has done so twice), but now the screen only say that one message and you can't turn it off or do anything). When it was turned off again and then turned on after a series of clicking noise the screen only said "lens error" and does not allow any other options(even turning off). Any helpful ideas would be apprecited. Thank you!
Hi,try this out it worked for most of them who had a similar problem like urs:Gently tap it twice at the end of the camera to ur plam and it will work again.just tap it very lightly against the bottom of the camera holdi ... Digital Cameras
Nikon Coolpix s220...Lens Error. Camera was dropped from like 5 inches. Immediately received the error message screen. The lens is stuck all the way out...I have tried to do some of the above and while twisting the lens slightly got it to take pictures again, I think it may have done more damage because its still makes a buzzing noise when I turn it on and there is black on a portion of the screen like the cover is partially stuck (inside the camera).
Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\012\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camer ... Nikon Coolpix 2200 Digital Camera
My Nikon Coolpix S203 has a "lens error". Every time I turn on the camera, then lens goes crazy, moving in and out and zooming in and out of focus, all the while making a beeping noise. It then retracts back into the camera and the message "Lens error." appears on the screen. Please, is there anything I can do to fix this? Thank you.
HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \015\012probability is that yo ... Nikon Coolpix S203 Digital Camera
My camera worked fine one day, then it was in my purse. When I went to use it the light was on and the screen said there was a lens error. Everytime I try to turn it on now it makes a grinding noise and refuses to open and then closes completely with the lens error reading For no reason my camera (Nikon coolpix model S210) doesn't want to work with the term "Lens error" and lens won't come out WELL YESTERDAY MY NIKON COOLPIX s210 DIGITAL CAMERA WAS WORKING PERFECTLY FINE THEM I GOT UP TO TAKE P
\012\012try these:-\012\012\012connect it to pc and on it\012vaccum the barrel of lens\012changing mem. card and batt. for 2min. ... Nikon Coolpix S210 Digital Camera
Hi, I have Nikon P90. From last week i am facing following problem. Whenever i switch on my camera for taking pic, everything starts but i get message on the screen " Lens Error (If lens cap is attached,turn the camera off, remove the lens cap,and the turn the camera on) The above error message is their despite i opend the shutter of the lens. Kindly help me to know the above problem.
Hi,Here is a tip that I wrote about How toget a Digital Camera Lens to work againSteps toRepair a Digital Camera Lens\012heatman101 ... Nikon D90 Digital Camera with 18-105mm lens
When the camera (Nikon Coolpix S3100) is turned on the screen soon goes black and there is an error message that reads "Lens error". This camera is almost brand new! Should I just return it?
Yes, try returning it first. If less than 30 days, AND you didn't drop this camera, your store should accept it for exchange or refund.\015\012\015\012But in the case that your store gives you a hassle and directs you to the vendor under warra ... Nikon Digital Cameras
'Lens Error' I recently dropped my Nikon Coolpix S50 camera on the floor, and when I turn it on, a message that said 'Lens Error'. Help?!?
From the manual: "Turn camera off and then on again. If error persists, contact retailer or Nikon representative." ... Nikon Coolpix S50 Digital Camera
Lens Error The Lens error message appears on my Nikon Coolpix 7900 when I turn on my camera Can you help email address: [email protected]
Sir i think ur camera droped, internal unit dislocated or gears problum this is repairable ... Nikon Coolpix 5200 Digital Camera
I have a Nikon Coolpix L6 camera. When camera is turned on the lens fails to open. Whats up? I get a "Lens Error" message.
LET ME SEE IF I HAVE THIS RIGHT, YOU WANT ME TO PAY YOU $9.99 FOR A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF I HAVE ALREADY FIXED MY PROBLEM YOU WANT ME TO TELL YOU HOW I SOLVED. WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?HOW MUCH SHOULD I BE CHARGING YOU FOR THE ... Digital Cameras
Error message my nikon D -80 is flahing an error message. When i try to take a photograph i hear it cycle, but nothing is taken. The automatic focus does not work. I think i might have turned the camera off by accident while it was writing a photo to my card *sighs* I have tried removing the battery, a new card, remove and replace the lens, remove lens and clean contact, and talking very sweetly to the camrea. Nothing worked and the same messages is displayed when i turn the camera on. Any advic
This may be due to the aperture ring in your lens. Try the following:\015\012\015\0121. Turn off your camera\015\0122. Move the aperture ring clockwise then lock\015\0123. Turn on your camera and try again.\015\012 ... Nikon D80 Digital Camera with 18-135mm Lens
Lens Error! We have a Nikon Coolpix S6. When attempting to turn on, the camera buzzes. Afterward, the screen shows what the lens is pointing at, but then it goes white and the words, "Lens Error" appears. I can't find the manual to pinpoint the problem. Also, when the camera is turned off, the lens cover stays open, and only goes back when the bateries are taken out and put back in. Please help quickly, this is a school camera, and it is needed for a large scale progect. (yearbook). We h
I know this is really late, but I've been having the same problem with the S6 on and off for the whole year, and I suspected a loose part.\015\012\015\012For a whole week, I couldn't turn on my camera, and the lens cap doesn't close until five minute ... Nikon COOLPIX S6 Digital Camera
I have a Nikon s220 coolpix and everytime I turn on the camera the lens opens, makes a strange noise and closes - it does this 3 times and then I get a lens error message on the screen. Do you know what is causing this?
Try one of these two fixes, if they dont work for you follow the link below for further troubleshooting.http://camerarepair.blogspo ... Digital Cameras
Nikon s51 coolpix "lens error" upon start up yeah my nikon s51 coolpix camera worked like champ, for about 8 mos, darn thing giving me "lens error" message , wont let me look at pictures nothing!!!!!pisses me off too. piece of **** company because they should do a recall and replace every single camera that has this problem. thanks norcal-ron
I had the error and i just banged the left side of the camera against my palm a few times and turned it back on. It worked for me maybe it will work for you ... Nikon Coolpix S51c Digital Camera
When I turn on my Nikon D40 with the 18-55 mm lens set to autofocus I get an error message "Error. Turn Camera off and then on again." If I turn the lens switch to manual, I do not get the error. If I attache my 70-300 mm lens, I get the error regardless of the lens focus switch psition. I have just upgraded the firmware with no improvement.
HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional. ... Nikon D40 Digital Camera with G-II 18-55mm Lens
I have a Nikon Coolpix L14 and all of a sudden, when I turn it on, the lens moves in and out while making a strange noise until a "Lens Error" message comes on the screen. I tried replacing the batteries, turning it off and on, taking out the memory card, and cleaning the lens. The first time I replaced the batteries, it worked...until the next time I used it and the screen was completely blurred. Then, I had the original problem with the "Lens Error" message. I really don't think it is a conde
Your problem may be due to corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera\015\012which can prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the\015\012camera. Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove the batteries and wip ... Nikon Coolpix L14 Digital Camera
I have a Nikon S6 digital camera, everything about the camera seems to work fine, except for this "lens error" message I keep getting. Sometimes I'll turn it on, and I can use it just fine. But then there are other times where I have to turn it off and on in order to get it to work. And then there are those times where turning it off and on don't help. I usually give up and try again later. Sometimes it'll still give that error message, and other times, it will just work like normal. What can
Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera\012\012This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camer ... Nikon COOLPIX S6 Digital Camera
Nikon coolpix l3 lens error Can you help me to troubleshoot this problem. Thank you when i turn on my camera, it says lens error. the lens cover is stuck inside and won't come out when i turn off the camera. it won't let me do anything. help me please?
\015\012\015\012I have a solution posted in doc "nikon s5 s6 lens cover error repair.doc" uploaded on site http://www.esnips.com/web/papputatiyasStuff&n ... Nikon Coolpix S51c Digital Camera
Lens error Hello, my son has a Nikon Coolpix L11 camera. Today he took it to school for the last day of class to get pictures of his friend. He says that when he took the camera out of his pocket, he noticed that the lens was half extended and open. When he turns the camera on, the lens assemply does nothing and the lcd displays a lens error. We have attempted removing the batteries and even trying fresh ones, but to no avail. I'm leary to open the camera without knowing first what I need to
HelloThe problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the \012probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional. ... Nikon Coolpix L11 Digital Camera
Lens Stuck My Lens is stuck on my Coolpix S200 and I'm getting the Lens Error message. I tried to push it back in like I read on here and it went partly in and now its completely jammed. I've only had my camera for about 4 months. Please help!! I'm hoping to fix it myself. i dropped my camera and now the lens wont come out. Everytime i turn on the camera it tells me to turn it off then on again. I've done it multiple times and it doesnt work. I tryed to push the lens in and out but it doesnt ma
YOU CANNOT REPAIR THIS SOPHISTICATED CAMERA YOURSELF!!\015\012I guess pushing the lens inside may have made the problem worse.\015\012I follow a rule- if you drop an electronic equipment and a problem occurs- it usually takes a profession ... Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S700 Digital Camera
My camera worked fine one day, then it was in my purse. When I went to use it the light was on and the screen said there was a lens error. Everytime I try to turn it on now it makes a grinding noise and refuses to open and then closes completely with the lens error reading For no reason my camera (Nikon coolpix model S210) doesn't want to work with the term "Lens error" and lens won't come out
Hope you purchased an extended warranty. I've had two Cannon's with the dreaded lens error. Probably what happened was that while it was in your purse, somehow the power button got pressed. The camera powered up, tried to extend the lens, then str ... Nikon COOLPIX S200 Digital Camera
When I turn it on I get a lens error message - Nikon COOLPIX L19 Digital Camera
\012\012try these:-\012\012\012connect it to pc and on it\012vaccum the barrel of lens\012changing mem. card and batt. for 2min. ... Nikon COOLPIX L19 Digital Camera
NIKON COOLPIX Ay Yall FO REaL I just solved the problem of "LENS PROBLEM" on NIKON COOLPIX camera.. Just fukin turn the beesh off and then when you are turnin it on hold the amera all hard but "IN" like u dont want it to go out at all, and then start takion pictures with button on top of camera. yup it worked for me after times of it sayin "LENS ERROR" lol, ya it works, dumb machines.. LoVecrySTaL
That sounds great.. ... Nikon COOLPIX L3 Digital Camera
When I turn on my Nikon coolpix S210, it gives me a lens error prompt. I have read posts on another website and it said everything from hold the lens out by force to turn the lens slightly clockwise while it is out to rap it slightly a few times, to changing battery to taking the camera apart. Short of taking the camera apart, I have tried them all. Nothing works. I just put alot of money into the camera buying extra picture cards, batteries, etc. NOW IT WON'T WORK! And there doesn't s
Your only other option is to take the camera apart. Sending it in would cost as much or more then a new camera. Really you don't have much to lose because right now the camera is broken. I will link you to one helpful site that has a write up tearing ... Nikon Coolpix S210 Digital Camera


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As I write this, Brian and I are on a plane on our way home from Las Vegas a.k.a. "Sin City." Being in Vegas over Spring Break and St. Patrick's day made it very obvious why it's been coined Sin City. But more on that later, let me first make my excuses as to why I didn't write for 3 days.
As you may have read, we spent the first night in Vegas seeing the legendary Celine Dion. It was the experience of a lifetime. So much of an experience that it deserves its own post to follow very soon.
Before Celine though, we spent the day hanging out around town.
We rented a jeep and rode over to downtown Vegas to check out the sites and then headed back to the strip for lunch.
We had a delicious lunch at Maggiano's in Fashion Show.
We then headed over to the Wynn to check out the sites there. It was awesome! I love the Wynn and I've heard that the best spa in Vegas is at it's twin Encore, which the owner of the Wynn built in honor of his wife. So sweet!
Day 2:
My husband decided to buy us tickets to fly over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter! I know! Its so "the Bachelor"! And it was one of the coolest experiences of my life: so there's more to come on that soon.
After the helicopter ride, we headed over to Mandalay Bay where we had a great dinner with live Johnny Cash music at the House of Blues. It made me feel right at home! Plus all of Mandalay Bay smells like coconut suntan lotion instead of smoke like the other casinos, so I love it! You know I love anything that smells good.
|Delicious Chicken Fried Chicken and Mashed potatoes!
That night, we decided to go see a traditional Vegas showgirls show. All I can say is that it was awkward and uncomfortable. Plus the acting was cheesy and the humor was out of place. Maybe it's our continuously growing faith that made us uncomfortable (I actually hope so) but we didn't even stay until the end. It just was not what I thought it would be.
After the show, we ventured to the Bellagio, which is a beautiful hotel! One of my favorites. Brian ended up at a blackjack table with the Abc sportscaster from Dallas. We had a ton of fun, and Brian won some money, but we stayed out far too late! So day 1 of not posting was due to having too much late night fun in Vegas.
|Brian with his Bellagio black jack winnings 😉
Day 3 in Vegas:
The next morning, was the 1st day of fellow SuperStar Director, Becca Levie's leadership retreat that we were asked to speak at. Unfortunately, I woke up with flu like symptoms. I haven't been sick in over 9 years, and here I am in Vegas on the day I'm supposed to speak, and I can't get out of bed.
Thankfully, my husband is not only a great husband, but also a great nurse. He waited on me hand and foot and represented for both of us a the leadership retreat until I was well enough to come down.
I eventually made it to the retreat to contribute to round table discussions and give my presentation on "Connecting with your team more effectively through ustream.tv" thanks to my friends the Stewarts who introduced us to ustream in the first place. I was not up to my normal speaking ability, but everyone was excited about having a new way to connect with their teams.
After speaking, we retreated back to the room where I managed to sleep from 5:00 pm to noon the next day. I turned down food and wine and even the chance to go see Cirque du Soleil- KA. I was definitely sick. I felt like I had been hit by a bus. There lies the reason that I missed a 2nd day of posting.
Day 4 in Vegas:
Unfortunately I have no good reason for not posting on the 3rd day except that I was healthy, enjoying the leadership retreat, and having a great time with my husband.
Once I woke up on Saturday and managed to eat something, I got to sit in on the remainder of the retreat. Becca Levie always manages to inspire me and make me want to be a better leader. She is a truly phenomenal woman.
After the retreat, we slipped away to enjoy one last night together in Vegas. Our plans included dinner, shopping, and one final show: Cirq Du Soil's O at the Bellagio. More to come on that night soon too.
So in conclusion, this is really one long excuse paper as to way I'm behind on posting. Pease excuse my lateness, but also enjoy the following posts with more details of all the fun we had in Vegas. And remember that sometimes there is a lot of meaning to the saying, "better late than never."

subset: commoncrawl


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I just thought I would let the folks here know about a Sinthetics-related "event", of sorts, that is happening over at OurDollCommunity. I'm posting a series of photo stories, essays and fashion shoots taken over sixty days. Each day brings a new shoot with between ten and fifty photos attached to it. The photos all feature my Sinthetics 2D doll Ashleigh/Sinthia. (One body, two heads.) I just posted Day 8, and it's been a blast. Sinthetics dolls are amazing to work with.
You can join in the fun here: http://ourdollcommunity.com/forum/index.php?topic=4049.0


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Monday, January 14, 2013
Pearls and Pistols
8 comments:
Very nice story. Your son is so awesome. You have raised a wonderful young man.ReplyDelete
I love your lessons for the day! Thanks for sharing....:)ReplyDelete
Yay, so fun! My dad is supposed to be teaching me how to shoot clay pigeons soon, should be interesting :)ReplyDelete
Yes, you do have an awesome son! What a great lesson, to spend time in your children's world. Next year at Christmas I'm going to request such a gift. (BTW, great hair day, too!)ReplyDelete
Jealous! I want to learn to shoot a gun!ReplyDelete
Great son! Great mom! Don't worry about your opinions, that is what your blog written for, to express them. Great spread on the target too!ReplyDelete
Love this post! Thank you for sharing!ReplyDelete
Thanks for posting this I have thought about going and learn to shoot My Dad use to let us shoot out the back window of the garage when we were teenagers Haven't shot for 55 yearsReplyDelete


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July 2016
Digital Physics is release on Vimeo On Demand. iTunes and Amazon release coming soon. Free packs of trading cards offered!
September 2015
"Digital Physics" will be premiering at the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival (October 16-18, 2015) and the First Glance Film Festival in Philadelphia (October 23-25, 2015). Hope to see you there!
April 2015
The Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) sponsored an essay contest on the relationship between math and physics. Check out the "Digital Physics" movie essay!
- New music video from "Digital Physics" director Jon Khanlian. "Reptili-A-Genda" is the first single off of Purling Hiss's new album "Weirdon", out on Drag City Records.
October 2014
"Digital Physics" mentioned in Vice interview.
September 2014
Entertainment Weekly interview with Mike Polizze of Purling Hiss.


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Personalities at the Table: Knowing Your Roles/
When playing RPGs, it's important to know the people you are playing with, who they are as people. By recognizing their play styles, you can cater your play to their strengths. It doesn't matter if you're the GM or another player. In doing this everyone can have a better experience at the table.
The most obvious aspect is how they treat others. In other venues, like work, meals, or hanging out, they may act one way. Once people get in game they may act differently. Are they working together with each other to play, or are some people trying to talk over others? When decisions have to be made, do they work on a solution, take control, or abdicate? Are there people who are quiet and not active in the game? Is the GM working with the players to succeed or are they a killer GM?
This leads to how people are acting in game. Are people getting deep in character, or playing with next to no role play? Are there specific parts of the game that are engaging people? Note how everyone is acting in combat or in investigative or dramatic scenes. Do the players and GM tend to focus on one aspect? Are people acting in ways that are inappropriate?
With this knowledge, reflect on what you've seen. If there is a part of the game the group enjoys more, try to find games that focus on that aspect. If combat is what players crave, try to find systems that focus it, like Eclipse Phase or Dungeons & Dragons. If people are more into investigation, try systems like Delta Green or Gumshoe. If interaction is what gets people excited, try systems like Fiasco or MonsterHearts.
As to the players themselves, how they play can help you play better with them. If players tend to work together and corroborate, you've got a great group. If they talk over others and try to be the center of attention, find ways so they feel part of the game but not hogging the spotlight. Spotlight other players so everyone gets a time to shine. If the GM is making things too hard, try to work with them to make the game something everyone can enjoy.
If there are issues where people are acting inappropriately, try talking to them in private or with another person. If it is something that can be corrected chances are they will be willing to work with you. If they don't, then maybe they aren't a good fit for the table. The throughline in all of this is communication. Talking with your fellow players before and after play can help you see what you all like and dislike and can improve your play.


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We enable private landlords to effectively market their own properties for short lets on the website
This is a great way of improving your marketing and sales by maximizing your coverage of prospective tenants, as you can add your client's properties to this website also.
We offer short term rental accommodation throughout the UK. The easy to follow search engine will assist you in finding the right apartment, in the right location for the right price. What's more is Short Let Register enables you to contact the landlord or agent directly via email.


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Please note: 1st Contact Visas is a trading name of Philip Gamble and Co. Ltd. Philip Gamble and Co. Ltd is registered in the UK with the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner (OISC) under no. F2001-00004. Our staff based outside of the UK are not regulated by the OISC and may be involved in some client casework. However, they work to the same high standards as our UK staff and clients receive the same service regardless of which office they engage with.
Do you like cookies? We do, read why.


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Tomorrow is the second national Poem in Your Pocket Day. This year I'm choosing a riddle poem, thereby increasing the likelihood that it will actually be read aloud. Most people are probably familiar with Bilbo and Golem's exchange of riddles in The Hobbit; Tolkien modeled these on the riddle poems in the tenth-century Anglo-Saxon Red Book of Exeter. This one is my favorite of Tolkien's (also the easiest to solve):
A box without hinges, key, or lid
Yet golden treasure inside is hid.
You can answer it in the comments. And tell me, what you have got in your pocketses?


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The development of technology has opened avenue to development of music software that helps in different function in music. One of the most commonly used one is music composition software. This is s software that has become popular among many musicians as it helps them in composing and writing music easily within a short time. This is unlike in the past when musicians would spend a lot of time as they try to compose songs. The music composition software has had great effects on musicians in different fields. It has been of great help both on creation side with music composers, publishers, arrangers and also on the consumption side with performers. Just like with the use of other software in other fields, the impact has been great.
At its best, music composition software must be invisible to those using it, just like a chisel is to sculptors. It should not cause any impediment to the intended expression that the creator wants to create. Great music composition software should have high level power and should be less complex. In addition, the software should be easy to use, fast and offer high level flexibility in order to work perfectly for any music composer. Continue reading


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While catching up on the obnoxious amount of blogs that I read daily I came across this
article from the Everygirl about aluminum free deodorant options. This had me thinking about how I've heard about the harsh effects that aluminum can have, but I really wasn't sure about any reasoning behind it; so naturally I did some research.
Let's start with the basics here, what exactly is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. Essentially, deodorants are used to mask odors and absorb any sweat that may be present. While antiperspirants prevent sweating and odors by plugging the apocrine glands found in underarms.
Looking closer at deodorants. "Deodorants are classified as cosmetics by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and typically feature fragrance, formulated into a solid or liquid base". Little known fact is that sweat does not have a scent, it earns it's token sweat smell when it mixes with the bacteria found on your skin. This is why most deodorants contain fragrance in the mixture. An article from Chemists Corner has a great breakdown of the formulation and ingredients behind a stick of deodorant. The following is a breakdown of a common deodorant formula from the article.
From the name one can see that the purpose of this product is to prevent perspiration. The FDA has classified antiperspirants as an Over the Counter (OTC) drug "because they do prevent sweat formation and normally include an aluminum-based compound as the active ingredient". Additionally, because antiperspirants inhibit the odor that comes from sweating, they are also classified as deodorants, which is typically why the category is called antiperspirant deodorant sticks. Again an article from Chemist Corner has a breakdown of these APD (antiperspirant deodorant sticks) products about their formulation and role of ingredients.
The reason that APD products are under a lot of speculation is because the main active ingredient is Aluminum zirconium tetrachorohydrex glycine. This aluminum compound is what actively plug up the pores in your under arms and prevent perspiration. There has been a lot of controversy out in the beauty world about whether this compound causes breast cancer. The basis behind this claim is that some people believe that because this aluminum compound prevents the body from releasing sweat it prevents toxins from being released from the body. The link to breast cancer comes from the idea that some people believe that this prevention of sweating being releases affects lymph nodes which is often a cancer related area.
The simple fact is that the body detox's via the kidney and liver. While sweating is definitely great for your health, which is why a good sweat-inducing workout is important, the body will not lose its toxins from anywhere besides the kidneys and liver. An article from Cosmetic Info.com highlights studies from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute which "state that there is no evidence linking deodorants or antiperspirants with cancer". They have the studies from these reliable sources listed on their site.
So what's my overall take away from this? Personally, as a chemistry student I have a hard time not trusting facts from studies conducted by reliable sources that state that this aluminum compound does not cause cancer. Additionally a simple biology class could tell anyone that the body only detoxes through the kidney and liver. However, I like many, have breast cancer in the family and could completely understand how one would be sensitive towards this information. Luckily for you, the beauty market has become conscious to everyone's preferences and there is a large variety of aluminum-free APD products in the market for purchase. So no matter your preference, there is a product out there for everyone.


text: Oprah Winfrey's struggling television network, OWN, is laying off 30 workers and restructuring its operations in New York and Los Angeles.Winfrey said in a statement Monday that the decision is a "tough" one. She says the economics of a startup cable network didn't fit with OWN's cost structure.OWN launched in January 2011 as an ambitious new platform for Winfrey after stepping away from her long-running daytime talk show.It has proved a rocky venture. Viewership for OWN shows have been largely unimpressive, and the network canceled Rosie O'Donnell's low-rated


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It is not the voices of the oppressors that are silenced, but the voices of the oppressed. It is they who need to be freed to speak.Read more
Powerful Speech: Disempowering Language
Free speech does not coerce, nor serve the power that does. Rather, free speech frees from coercion: It empowers. The power of speech as such is the power to free, not the power to coerce. It is the power of the open hand, not of the closed fist: of invitation, not compulsion.Read more
Powerful Words: A Cop's Repentance
Like all too many laws, that one was selectively enforced. Basically, it was there to be used by those vested with authority for law-enforcement to bust people they wanted to bust, but could find no other legal grounds for busting.Read more
Powerful Words: A Confession
I was a cop once. It was only once, and only for a few weeks. Nevertheless, I must confess that once I was a fully-fledged officer of the law—with a blue uniform, a black duck-billed hat, a shiny badge pinned on my chest, a walky-talky hung at my side (this was long before the rise to ubiquity of cell-phones), a bully-stick in a holder on a leather belt studded with bullets, and a holster with a loaded handgun in it. I even bought myself a pair of mirrored sunglasses to complete the outfit.Read more


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Sorry for the recent lack of posts and responses to comments/email. I've been just a little bit sick. Since it doesn't appear that it is ever going to get either any better nor any worse, I figured I should take a little time to write something.
I found out on Monday that my work schedule is going to change a little bit. The work assignment that I have had for nearly a year, the one that let me work from my basement, is coming to a close.
This week and next week, I will work on the project on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Then in April, they have another about 1 week project.
Other than that, I am back to waiting for the sales people to find me something to do. On days that we are "on the bench" we have to drive into the office to hang around and do little things that might come up.
So today, for the second time since early last April, I had to drive into an office for work. It wasn't horrible, but I still prefer the basement and hope I can land another long time work from home assignment.
I treated myself to Duncan Donuts and some food from the quickie mart in the office. I listened to ESPN Radio on the drive to and from work. I wore a button up shirt (and blue jeans – no need to go overboard).


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Amanda Knight
Amanda Knight, Buyer Coordinator, Jim Bass Group of Real Estate Teams, LLC
- Has been in real estate for 6 ½ years
- Started career in the finance industry in 2004
- Raised in Frederick and Washington Counties and very familiar with the area and surroundings
- Home staging experience (Non-Accredited)
- Manages REO/Foreclosure Department
- Specializes in client care
- Graduated with honors in Business Management
- Licensed MD realtor for 6 years
Amanda Frew has been with the Jim Bass Group since early 2016 and has been an integral part of the group since. She was brought on as our Buyer Coordinator, but has also been managing the REO/Foreclosure department since January 2017. Amanda started her career in the finance industry in 2004 and has since moved to the real estate side and been licensed for the past 6 years. Being raised in Frederick and Washington counties gives her the knowledge of the local area. She graduated with honors in Business Management, but specializes in client care.
50 Citizens Way, Suite 400
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-644-2616


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Campo - A David Campese Tribute
He played to entertain and to enjoy himself. Since his two try debut against the All Blacks in 1982, Campese has represented his country at fullback and on the wing, winning everything from Bledisloe Cups to Grand Slam tours to the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
His willingness to take chances and make mistakes resulted in more than a handful of memorable moments, particularly for the Barbarians in 1984 and in the 1991 World Cup Semi Final against New Zealand.
Having eventually moved on from playing rugby, Campo took to coaching (The Sharks in Durban, South Africa) as well as running his own sports store in a Sydney suburb.
It isn't often the rugby world witnesses a player as expressive as Campese and to acknowledge this, Rugbydump salutes him with this tribute. Thanks for the memories.
Time: 04:14
Song: Wonderwall by Oasis


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Do you like a bit of a kick in your fudge? Well this is the box for you! The Fudge-a-holic anonymous box contains Irish Cream, Rum'n'Raisin and The Drunk Cowboy. Don't worry, we've cooked the alcohol out of it so there'll be no hangovers 😉
Fudge-a-holic Anonymous
Additional information
|0.3 kg


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PUBG LITE Rules of Conduct
1. General Rule
This Rules of Conduct regulate general matters that end users and the company should comply with in relation to the services of PUBG LITE (hereinafter referred to as "Game") provided by PUBG CORPORATION ("PUBG"). It is aimed to regulate necessary requirements in consistent manner to cope with various situations that may arise in the process of using and providing game services. The matters that are not specifically mentioned in the Rules of Conduct shall be treated in accordance with the Terms of Use and relevant jurisdiction.
2. Changes in Rules of Conduct
If PUBG decides to change Rules of Conduct in order to improve quality of game service, PUBG will notify effective date, revised contents and reasons for revision at least 7 days prior to the effective date through PUBG LITE homepage (https://lite.pubg.com/). However, we will notify you from 30 days prior to the changes if such changes are regarded as serious matter or may be unfavorable to you. If a user fails to comply with revised Rules of Conduct after the last revision date, it is not PUBG's responsibility to compensate any loss incurred due to lack of awareness from the user.
3. Duties and Responsibilities of PUBG
1) PUBG will endeavor to eradicate misconducts described in the Rules of Conduct to ensure that the users can enjoy playing the game.
2) PUBG will never ask you for your password, and PUBG will be committed to protect and securely manage user's personal information. However, when a government agency or a judicial authority requests to provide personal information through legal means, PUBG may provide personal information to those government agencies.
3) PUBG receives feedback on all types of bugs and errors through PUBG's official customer support center and official community, and PUBG will be committed to promptly review and correct bugs and errors.
4) PUBG will not intervene or engage in activities and disputes between and/or among end users in relation to game services.
5) PUBG may restrict some or all of the game services if PUBG determines that such unusual or unintended situations hinder enjoyment of the gameplay.
6) If you or group of users do anything that might interfere with or adversely affect any services provided by PUBG) or violates the Rules of Conduct, PUBG shall, in accordance with the 'Penalty criteria for Misconduct specified in the Rules of Conduct, restrict service usage.
4. End User's Responsibilities and Rights
1) You are obliged to understand and comply with PUBG's Terms of Service and Rules of Conduct.
2) The company reserves all rights about in-game data (characters, items, game currency, etc.) created by you when using the game service, and you reserve right only to use in-game data.
3) If you are unfairly treated or incurred harm using the game service, you have the right to appeal and correct PUBG through legitimate methods and procedures. If you have been unfairly treated or harmed by another customer, you have the right to notify and ask other users to comply with Rules of Conduct.
4) You have an obligation to be fully informed about the information that PUBG officially announces, and PUBG shall not be responsible for any damages incurred due to lack of awareness about the
5) You are not allowed to generate any profit using the game service without prior approval from PUBG.
6) You may not use the information obtained through Game Service such as copying, duplication, modification, translation, publishing or otherwise providing this information to others without prior consent from PUBG.
7) You may be liable for distributing false information not officially announced by PUBG in any manner that is likely to cause confusion to other end users.
8) You must notify PUBG of any glitches (such as bugs, system errors, illegal programs, etc.) of the game service and should not exploit and/or propagate such information to other users. If you discover any vulnerability and do not disclose it to PUBG and forward it to another person, you may be subject to restrictions to the use of the game services in accordance with the Rules of Conduct, which is regarded as intentional misconduct.
9) You can make inquiries, suggestions and requests related to game services through following channels.
– Customer Support Center: https://litesupport.pubg.com
– As a general rule, we will respond promptly to inquiries, suggestions, requests, feedback you have given through Customer Center. However, the response may be delayed if there is a heavy workload.
5. Policies for Misconduct
In order to provide a fair and pleasant gaming experience for all users, PUBG has defined policies which all users need to comply with when using our service. All users playing the game must comply with the following rules.
1) Do Not Use Unauthorized Programs and Hardware Devices
If you use unauthorized programs and hardware devices that are not permitted or authorized by the company (collectively "Unauthorized hardware", that promotes unfair game play using specific mouse or other hardware device), you may be subject to strong penalties, such as permanent game ban and restrictions of using the Service on your hardware devices. If you develop, advertise, trade or distribute unauthorized programs or unauthorized hardware, the Company will take legal action against your misconduct and may ask the judicial authorities for investigation in accordance with relevant laws as well as imposing penalty within the game.
2) Do Not Modify the Game Client, Servers or Game Data (packet, etc.)
Unauthorized changes to game client (ini file modification, etc) / servers / data (such as packets) are actions that interferes with game services and violate copyright laws.
3) Do Not Exploit Vulnerabilities in the Game (Bugs and Glitches)
Users exploiting errors and bugs found while playing the game will be liable for serious penalties and we will take actions against taking unfair advantage through official procedures and acquired BP and items will be removed.
4) Do Not Discriminate Against Others (e.g. racial or sexual discrimination)
It is unacceptable to disrespect or use offensive words towards others based on their race, gender, nationality, etc. Please be friendly and respectful towards all players.
5) Do Not Use Inappropriate Nicknames
Offensive nicknames or those that may provoke negative imagery are considered to be violating the Rules of Conduct and appropriate action may be taken against users who create them.
- A nickname that is sexually explicit or obscene;
- A nickname that is made with the intention to impersonate PUBG Corp, Bluehole or our staff;
- A nickname that is discriminatory in nature;
- A nickname that may infringe on the trademark or copyright of a third party;
- A nickname that is sensitive or causes offence for any other reason not mentioned above;
In addition, if you change a few letters of an inappropriate nickname, or try to construct nicknames that are cleverly inappropriate by mixing other characters before and after the letters, your nickname will be immediately changed without your consent and/or penalty measures will be taken.
6) Do Not Team kill
Team kill is prohibited as it interferes with normal team gameplay and penalties may be imposed if teamkill is determined to be intentional and reoccurring.
7) Do Not Team (Form Teams Outside What is Allowed By The Selected Game Mode)
Intentional teaming between players or other teams in ways that the PUBG system does not presuppose in each game mode is considered an unacceptable behavior and penalties may be imposed.
8) Do Not Stalk Other Players from Match to Match
Penalties may be imposed if you try to stalk other players in order to interfere with normal gameplay.
9) Do Not Publish Personal Information
Penalties may be imposed if you publish personal information of others (e.g. disclosing personal information of others to third parties or making it publicly available), which is regarded as an act that violates privacy.
10) Do not Manipulate Match Results
Strong penalties may be imposed on those who manipulate the results of the game in an unfair way, by taking unfair advantage in exchange for cash, goods and/or services, manipulating additional accounts in addition to their own account. For those who gets caught will end up losing all acquired items.
11) Do Not Steal or Use Other User's Account
Penalties will be imposed against the players that access another player's account in an unauthorized manner or take similar actions to cause mental or physical harm to a player who owns the account.
12) Other Undefined Misconduct
Any action which is not defined in the Rules of Conduct that negatively impacts the delivery of PUBG's services or negatively affects other players may be subject to warning and penalty through careful review of the circumstances.
6. Penalty Criteria for Misconduct
1) Penalty Criteria is used to protect the customer's enjoyment while playing the game.
2) If you fail to comply with Rules of Conduct, you may be restricted from using the service without prior notice in accordance with Penalty Criteria for Misconduct
3) If your violation attempt goes over the final attempt listed in the table below, permanent ban applies.
4) If you violate any of the criteria listed in the table below and your ID is listed in the top 10 of the PUBG leaderboard, your ID will be temporarily or permanently removed from the leaderboard.
[Penalty Criteria Table For Misconduct]
|Penalty Criteria for Misconduct
|1st Attempt
|2nd Attempt
|3rd Attempt
Unauthorized Programs and Hardware Devices
|Permanent Ban
|Modification of Game Client, Servers and Game Data (packet, etc)
|Permanent Ban
|Exploiting Bugs and Glitches (Minor)
|3 Days Ban Acquired BP, Item, Season Reward, Character related data will be removed
|7 Days Ban Acquired BP, Item, Season Reward, Character related data will be removed
|15 Days Ban Acquired BP, Item, Season Reward, Character related data will be removed
|Exploiting Bugs and Glitches (Major)
|30 Days Ban Acquired BP, Item, Character related data will be removed
|Permanent Ban
|Discriminatory Act (e.g. racial and sexual discrimination)
|30 Days Ban
|Permanent Ban
|Inappropriate language use (e.g. profanity and curse words)
|3 Days Ban
|7 Days Ban
|30 Days Ban
|Usage of Inappropriate Nicknames
|3 Days Ban & Nickname will be changed at our sole discretion.
|15 Days Ban & Nickname will be changed at our sole discretion
|Permanent Ban & Nickname will be changed at our sole discretion
|30 Days Ban
|Permanent Ban
|30 Days Ban
|Permanent Ban
|Gameplay Interference and Stalking
|3 Days Ban
|7 Days Ban
|30 Days Ban
|Publishing Personal Information
|Permanent Ban
|30 Days Ban
|Permanent Ban
|Manipulating Match Results
|30 Days Ban Acquired BP, Item, Season Reward, Character related data will be removed
|Permanent Ban
|Usage of Another User's Account
|Permanent Ban
※ If you repeatedly behave in a way that the company does not allow, or if your behavior includes two or more criteria outlined in the table above, higher level of penalty or permanent ban will be imposed.
※ The Company may restrict users from running the game if misconduct was found from specific hardware device in order to maintain fair gaming environment.
5) We define exploiting bugs and glitches (Minor) as an act that can cause minor damage to other players. (e.g. Attacking other players in the terrain where you are not allowed to be in.)
6) We define exploiting bugs and glitches (Major) as an act which involves acquiring BP and items by exploiting bugs and glitches in the system.
7. Recovery policy
We are unable to recover any losses that arise from not following the rules of conduct, in-game notices, homepage notices, policies, game systems, etc.
Supplementary Provision
Effective Date: 10th of January 2019


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Shipping Information
Can you ship to a PO Box?
We prefer to ship orders to a physical address, though we can send to a P.O. Box as long as the goods aren't liquids or Dangerous Goods.
How do I know the cost of freight?
A flat fee of $11.50 plus gst is charged for each order sent within Southeast Queensland broadly defined as the area boarded by Toowoomba, metropolitan Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. This flat fee may not apply to larger items such as medical furniture.
The cost of shipping to all other areas is according to the size and weight of your order. This is only calculated upon despatch.
When will my order be despatched?
Orders received before 9am for delivery to the Southeast Queensland area should be delivered the same day. Orders received after 9am should be delivered the next day.
Orders received before 2pm for delivery outside the Southeast Queensland area will be despatched the same day and delivery will be dependant upon the delivery location.


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When we covered this tote in yellow python back in March, what tripped up most people was the price – $4500 is a lot for a bag, whether or not it's exotic. Since then, I've been on the lookout for a regular leather version, and lo and behold, the Salvatore Ferragamo Plume Patchwork Bag finally came along to grant my wish.
Even in a decidedly more pedestrian material, the design of this bag holds up to scrutiny. It's a little bit left-of-center when you compare it to your average tote with an extra shoulder strap, and I couldn't be more pleased.
I'm frankly surprised that I have anything positive to say about this bag, since normally any combination of the words "brown" and "patchwork" make me kind of itchy and uncomfortable. In this instance, though, they strike just the right note – the bags in this collection have all struck me as having a significant safari influence.
I don't wear much brown (or any brown at all, really), but the milk chocolate color of this leather makes me sort of wish I did. It's a perfect shade for classic brown lovers, and it makes this tote an unexpectedly timeless piece. Buy through Bloomingdale's for $1795.
P.S. Please consider supporting our small, bag-loving team by clicking our links before shopping or checking out at your favorite online retailers like Amazon, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, or any of the listed partners on our shop page. We truly appreciate your support!


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Adults Often Help Parents with Medicare Drug Benefit
Adults Often Help Parents with Medicare Drug Benefit
Many seniors are depending on their adult children to help them get registered for Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. Julie Rovner introduces her own mom and other seniors who even go to classes to figure out how the benefit works.
RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.
In our personal health segment today, Medicare's new prescription drug benefit. It begins next month. It's not just seniors who are befuddled by all the choices. Many of their baby boomer offspring are also having trouble figuring out which plan is right for Mom or Dad. NPR's Julie Rovner has been covering every detail of the new program since its inception, but even that didn't spare her confusion in trying to choose a plan for her mom.
JULIE ROVNER reporting:
All year long, Medicare officials have been urging adult children to help their parents navigate the Medicare prescription drug maze. My mom's a prime candidate for the new drug insurance because she doesn't have retiree drug coverage. At a meeting a couple of weeks ago, she said she's pretty happy with the Medigap drug coverage she has now. But she knows she should probably change.
Unidentified Woman #1: Although I don't pay that much for drugs now. I don't have that many drugs that would--that are expensive or new. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?
ROVNER: So following Medicare's instructions, Mom gave me the names and dosages of the half-dozen drugs she takes, then I got on the Web and plugged all her information into Medicare's program. As promised, it gave me a list of plans, but there was more than $1,000 difference in predicted costs and I couldn't figure out why. Thus began our quest for outside help.
Unidentified Woman #1: OK.
ROVNER: Do you have your car keys?
Unidentified Woman #1: No. They're hanging on the fridge.
ROVNER: Our first stop was the computer club at Mom's retirement community outside Washington. That's where Erwin Schaeffer(ph), a semi-retired pharmacist, has been gathering residents in front of computer terminals and walking them through the selection process.
Mr. ERWIN SCHAEFFER: There are some plans which you will pay for the same drugs as little as $2,000 and as much as $9,000 for the same drugs, only with a different company.
ROVNER: There were lots of questions from the 10 or so seniors seated at the computers, even before the hands-on part began.
Unidentified Woman #2: If it's 22.50 and I've noticed in the book some plans don't have a deductible...
Mr. SCHAEFFER: Right.
Unidentified Woman #2: ...so is it 2,500 without the deductible or is it...
Mr. SCHAEFFER: No, it's...
ROVNER: And here were more than a few false starts when people started entering the lists of drugs and dosages they take.
(Soundbite of meeting)
Unidentified Man #1: That's additional.
Unidentified Woman #3: ...(Unintelligible)
Mr. SCHAEFFER: OK, you have to do that and the drugs, then stop.
ROVNER: Eventually, everyone managed to get that far.
Mr. SCHAEFFER: Then--now we're going to choose a pharmacy. Click on `select my preferred pharmacy.'
Unidentified Man #2: OK. Where's he see that?
ROVNER: And after a few more minutes, there were the top plans. But Mom and I were still confused.
Unidentified Woman #1: This is how much I pay, $1,891. And what is yes? Mail order. Oh. Well, but I don't have to go mail order. But what is this deductible, $108 deductible, on what?
ROVNER: Pharmacist Schaeffer agreed that the process isn't easy.
Mr. SCHAEFFER: There are so many configurations of these plans, the way they pay, the co-pays they charge, the amount of time it takes you to get in and out of the initial period. Some of them pay through the initial period, some of them don't. I mean, it's amazing. I mean...
ROVNER: Two and a half hours later, Mom and I had pretty much the same list of plans I came up with on my own. And still no final decision. So I went looking for someone who offers counseling one on one.
Ms. SUZANNE JACKSON (Director, Health Insurance Counseling Project): Good. OK. Sounds good. Could I get your ZIP code? OK. Very good.
ROVNER: Suzanne Jackson is the director of the Health Insurance Counseling Project at George Washington University Law School. The project is the designated Medicare insurance counseling program for the District of Columbia. There's one for every state. Normally, Jackson says, the three lawyers and eight volunteers field about 150 calls a month from people with health insurance problems.
Ms. JACKSON: And in late November we were receiving about 150 calls a day.
ROVNER: That's left them with a pretty big backlog.
Ms. JACKSON: We're making significant progress. We have lots of volunteers coming in on Saturdays and on evenings and we're dedicating almost all of our time to returning these calls. But it's going to be a tight squeeze to get everybody's call returned before the end of the year.
ROVNER: Today Jackson's calling back a woman who asked for help several days ago.
Ms. JACKSON: I ran your drugs through the computer and it sounds like--or it looks like there's one plan that covers your drugs with--it's got a few quantity limits on them but no serious limitations.
ROVNER: The woman agrees that the plan sounds like a good one for her, even though she'll actually pay a bit more per month than she does right now. And Jackson goes ahead and enrolls her.
Ms. JACKSON: OK, you're in. I'm going to mail you the confirmation number and it'll also have the phone number--but let me give you that phone number now.
ROVNER: This call only took about 10 minutes, but Jackson said she'd already spent about an hour and a half getting the woman's drug list from her pharmacy and checking it against the various Medicare databases. She says that's about average and she does this for a living. I guess I know what I'll be doing over the long holiday weekend. Julie Rovner, NPR News, Washington.
Copyright © 2005 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


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About Nationwide Merchant Accounts:
Nationwide Merchant Accounts provides payment card processing services with individual attention and ensured services. Whether you call it Merchant Services, Credit Card Processing or a Merchant Account, we manage it when it pertains to supplying payment processing options for organisations. When an entrepreneur desires to accept credit and debit cards through their organisation, we're here to obtain them set up properly. When they want to ensure they're getting the best deal offered, we do a free analysis and after that we Warranty that we can save the company money, regular monthly. Nationwide Merchant Accounts provides conventional (in addition to) cutting-edge charge card processing solutions to merchants in the United States no matter their size. NMA also focuses on customer relationships. Structure strong, long-lasting relationships with consumers is important to us. With trust and stability being an important part of our character, we aim to create long-lasting relationships with all of our clients. Start Accepting Credit Cards Today with Nationwide Merchant Accounts!
Contact us:
8300 FM 1960 Rd W, # 450-4561.
Houston, TX 77070.
Connect with us:
Nationwide Merchant Accounts l Website
Nationwide Merchant Accounts l Facebook
Nationwide Merchant Accounts l Twitter
Nationwide Merchant Accounts l LinkedIn
Nationwide Merchant Accounts l Youtube


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BIGChange® Program
Think saving money is hard? Think paying your loan off early is impossible? Never have extra money lying around to help others? It doesn't have to be this way.
With BIGChange®, you'll see that saving money, paying off extra on your loan or making a donation to Food Banks BC is effortless. Every time you use your debit card, your transaction will be rounded up to the next dollar, or as much as the next $5. And what's more . . . . we'll match your BIGChange® contributions† for the first three months to help you get started.
How does BIGChange® work?
Every time you use your MEMBER CARD® debit card to make a purchase, BIGChange® will round it up to the nearest dollar, plus an additional one to five dollars (your choice) and transfer the additional amount to your savings account, loan or make a donation to the Food Banks of BC automatically.
So start using your MEMBER CARD® debit card today to turn pocket change into savings!
†Some terms and conditions apply. Three month matching period starts from the date of account opening. Maximum match per month is $30. Offer available to new memberships only. Offer can be changed or withdrawn at any time. Ask us for complete details.
*Only applicable to debit purchases.
**Contributions are matched at month-end.
Have a question? Simply contact us and we'll provide you with the information you're looking for.
Use our contact form to let us know if you'd like BIGChange® added to your account and we'll get that set up for you.
In Person
If you're more comfortable coming in to see us, we'd be happy to set up your account with BIGChange® in person.
By Phone
If you'd like to call us, here is a complete list of our branch and insurance office numbers.


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Managing the reg burden
A growing issue for credit unions is simply keeping up with all of the compliance changes and additions, particularly in the consumer protection arena, says Jami Weems, senior compliance officer at PolicyWorks.
"Credit union people are busy managing day-to-day operations," she says. "They don't have the time to track, interpret, and implement every rule and regulation."
That's where outside assistance with complex compliance issues comes in handy.
"We've been tracking compliance changes for years, which means we can pretty much offer any level of assistance to credit unions," says Weems. "Some credit unions come to us strictly for disclosure reviews, while others may ask us to review their Truth in Lending and Reg E compliance—and still others may ask us for a full-scale lending and deposit audit.
"The latter gives us a baseline for a credit union's compliance and helps us see its strengths and weaknesses," she continues. "Sometimes a client is surprised by what we tell them because nobody had mentioned they weren't doing something properly."
PolicyWorks, which specializes in federal compliance issues, works exclusively with credit unions.
Weems says new compliance challenges are coming. "A main function of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is consumer complaints, so it's now easier for consumers to lodge complaints against financial institutions.
"When a credit union has a complaint lodged against it, it will call us for guidance on how to respond," she says. "We'll advise the institution on evidence it should gather in its favor, such as an account agreement that clearly states the rights and responsibilities of both the credit union and the member."
Some new rules are basic and easy to interpret and implement, she says. "But others could be hundreds of pages long and take many staff hours to go through to make sure we understand the new law."
Even then, regulators can seem almost capricious. "Rules can change suddenly and you may have only 30 days to come into compliance," Weems says.
"Credit unions should prepare for amendments using the proposed rule so they understand the impact and what may need to be changed. However, they shouldn't actually make the operational changes until they see the final rule. The final rule may have elements they had not expected."
ACH and Wire Transfers Draw Regulator Scrutiny
Supplemental government guidelines on Internet banking are creating additional requirements regarding automated clearinghouse (ACH) and wire transfers, and how financial institutions protect consumers.
"ACH is a point of increasing scrutiny because it's the step before money goes out and the place where you can stanch money outflow," says Dr. Charles Robertson, an analyst and researcher at Verafin, a CUNA Strategic Services alliance provider.
"This means an increased emphasis on layered security, including strong passwords, authentication, and back-end transaction monitoring," he says.
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's supplement to its "Authentication in an Internet Banking Environment" guidance provides "supervisory expectations" that financial institutions implement a "system of layered security."
These expectations include, but aren't limited to, conducting risk assessments at least every 12 months, customer authentication for high-risk transactions, and layered security programs.
Regardless of any new threat facing credit unions, one criminal element hasn't changed: motivation.
"Criminals go to the weakest link," Robertson says. "Their goal is to get as much money as possible as quickly as possible."
Verafin's compliance system provides back-end transactional analysis, where one determinant is whether a member's activity is in line with past activity.
"Based on its built-in analytics, our system recognizes the overlap between fraud and money laundering," says Robertson.
"So separate alerts are brought together across a unified dashboard, linking all activities," he continues. "The speed of detection depends on the credit union core system's speed and frequency."
CUNA Strategic Services alliance providers:


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I hadn't been to Hawaii since 2002. Seeing the islands creep over the horizon through my small airplane window was almost like watching the clock tick closer to whatever time my mom used to say it was OK to get up on Christmas morning. Stepping off the plane, I wondered why it had taken so damn long to come back. I jumped at the opportunity to photograph this wedding for the McAnulty's. True, it absolutely helped that the wedding would be in Hawaii, but as soon as I walked my bags into the house and stepped onto the porch -- it's actually difficult for me right now to put into words how unbelievable the view actually was, so, I'll just say that it was freaking awesome. I never adjusted to the 5 hour time difference, cool with me though. Drinking coffee and watching that sunrise over the Pacific for a week...no complaints here. There's obviously so much I could say about everything Hawaii is, but I wouldn't be doing it any justice. Apart from Hawaii being, well, Hawaii, the McAnulty's were equally as cool. I've known Shannon for the better part of 8 years, and it was wonderful to be able to get to know all of them over that week. I cannot thank Mike and Marti enough for the opportunity.
Below are some of my favorite film and digital images from that week in Hawaii.


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Northeast Tarrant
Eyes on H-E-B: Walk-4-Paws on April 11 helps homeless pets
Bring your pooch or walk with a shelter dog at the walk-a-thon April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Trinity High School track and help raise money for homeless pets at the Euless animal shelter.
Presented annually by the Trinity GAP Club, this year's event is themed "Never Walk Alone" and dubbed Walk-4-Paws. Event organizers are Karen Lee, Beth Pizzuto, Juanita Francisco, Michelle Smith, Gloria Walker, Shauntell Vela and Steffenie Vela.
The GAP Club (Girls Awareness Program) is an all-girls club at Trinity High aimed at giving the students a positive outlet for their time and to show them positive alternatives for their lives. A signature service project is volunteering with the animal shelter and sponsoring as many animals as their funds allow to cover veterinary treatment for the pets.
Last year the club assisted more than 380 dogs and cats in finding homes. Many of the pets require veterinary services to restore their health and make them more adoptable, and donations to GAP and the recycling of adoption fees back to GAP help fund these medical needs.
"Our goal this year is $15,000 for medical care, spaying/neutering, vaccinations and other needs of shelter pets in Euless," said Steffenie Vela, a GAP sponsor who spearheads the event. "This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and if we do not meet our goal, many homeless pets will not get the lifesaving medical care they need."
The club aims to sponsor every pet that comes through the Euless shelter. "We don't pick and choose to save only the cute, furry, highly adoptable babies. We work hard to save them all," said GAP sponsor and communications volunteer Karen Lee.
Attendees will enjoy a festive morning featuring door prize drawings, raffles, a bake sale, refreshments, a T-shirt sale, $20 microchipping and an adoption event in addition to the walk. A contest for the best-dressed dog will no doubt produce a fun outcome.
Organizers are suggesting that people form teams and get pledges to help reach the goal. Teams can choose fun names (Muttley Crew is already taken) and even have team shirts or costumes if they wish. Individual walkers are also welcome to participate — with or without their dog.
Participants are asked to make a $5 minimum donation to enter the walk. The school is at 500 N. Industrial Blvd. Learn more at www.TrinityGapRescue.org or inquire at firstname.lastname@example.com
Bedford City Expo & Pet Fair is April 11
Have you ever wondered exactly what the various departments at the city do and how you can access them when needed? There are myriad issues that pop up for everyone from time to time, but frequently we don't know where to go for help. There's a fix for this problem at the upcoming Bedford City Expo on April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boys Ranch Activity Center, 2801 Forest Ridge Drive.
Attendees will stroll among booths set up by each of the city departments where staff members will be on hand to answer questions and chat about how each department can serve residents' needs.
An event doubleheader, guests will meander outside the center to also enjoy a Pet Fair where animals available for adoption will be receiving visitors.
The fair will have veterinarians to answer questions, and representatives from various pet rescue groups will be there to visit with guests. Kids will have a blast at the bounce house and will love creations from a balloon-animal artist. Some impressive service dog demonstrations will entertain the crowd, and food and beverages will be available. Look for the Carter BloodCare truck if you want to donate blood.
"We are very excited about this upcoming event, and this is the first time we have combined the two events," said Natalie Foster from the city marketing team. "This will enable residents and guests to get information on what each department in the city does — and on the way out, adopt a forever friend from the Bedford Animal Shelter."
Contact Foster at 817-952-2126 or visit www.bedfordtx.gov for other details.
Bedford Twilight Thursday Taste & Tunes Kickoff Extravaganza
Beautiful spring weather calls for enjoying outdoor activities, and none better than the free concerts and special cuisine featured on each Thursday in April on the lawn of the Old Bedford School, 2400 School Lane.
On Thursday, the Taste & Tunes season opens with an Extravaganza featuring Dixieland band RazzMaJazz performing a mix of Roaring '20s and 1930s, '40s and '50s jazz music and a healthy dose of comedy sure to get the audience involved. Food will be provided by VIPizza.
"There will be art vendors, a bounce house, a kids art workshop and food with beer and wine for sale," said spokeswoman Natalie Foster.
These festivities are in conjunction with the centennial celebration for the Old Bedford School. Guests are asked to visit the Centennial booth and learn about opportunities for community service that all involve, not surprisingly, the number 100.
On April 9, enjoy the big-band sounds of the Les Elgart orchestra and dine on selections from Mad Grill. Beatles tribute band Me & My Monkey will perform on April 16, and cuisine from Best Bayou Bites sounds tasty. April 23 features the Zack King band's rock 'n' roll with dinner provided by Sassy Dog, and the month wraps up on April 30 with music from the '80s performed by Live 80 and food from Bite My Biscuit food truck.
Tailgating and leashed pets are welcome. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, friends and family to enjoy this free family entertainment provided by the city and the Northeast Arts Council.
Thursday's Kick-off Extravaganza event with all the extra activities begins at 6 p.m. The remaining concerts in April start at 7 p.m. Check the entire month's concert schedule at www.oldbedfordschool.com. Direct questions to Foster at 817-952-2290.
Easter dance and potluck supper Monday
Is this season of Dancing With the Stars making you yearn to put on your dancing shoes? If so, the Easter dance at the Bedford Senior Center on Monday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. will satisfy the yen.
Couples and singles ages 50 and up are invited to enjoy the Pete & Patti band as it plays big-band and country-style music. And bring your favorite dish for a potluck dinner.
"My wife and I have been to several of the Monday night dances and we have really enjoyed ourselves. The music, atmosphere and people are great and the special Easter dance on April 6 is shaping up to be quite the event," writes Mayor Jim Griffin.
Admission is $6 per person, attire is casual, and no reservations are required. The senior center is at 2817 R.D. Hurt Parkway. Questions? Call 817-952-2126.
Please send your Eyes on H-E-B news to email@example.com. Keep up with even more community news by liking our page on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SocialEyes.ST. Follow me on Twitter: @FayeReeder


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Today we sent Ema to check out a food truck named Flaming Patties as it served up some gourmet burgers to the visitors of Karbach Brewing in Houston, Texas. Owner and chef Stiles Smith has created some tasty burgers that have a little more flame to them. Spicy but not overpowering was the description that Ema had when trying out the Nasty Patty which is embeded with pickled jalapenos. With other names like Blue Betty and Juicy Lucy this burger truck has something for everyone.
Upon contacting food trucks that we wanted to visit in Houston, Texas the owner of Flaming Patties named Stiles Smith was quick to invite us to a beer tasting event that is held at Karbach Brewing. Upon seeing the line of fans that merged straight to Flaming Patties I knew we would see burger and beer magic. Think about it…. What goes great with outstanding beer? An outstanding burger and when you add spicy burgers to the mix you get people washing it down with more beer.
Flaming Patties food truck can usually be found at the Shady Tavern in the Heights area of Houston, Texas so if you like a little spice in your life or Burger you need to try one. Personally I can not wait to get back out to Flaming Patties to try the Juicy Lucy I have also been hearing so much about.


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Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
It's always a question for fantasy fans: do I really want to read a first book in yet another long series? Remember when we moaned about when everything was a trilogy — now I'll be happy to take a simple three-book series. Wouldn't it be great if you could tell ahead of time if the trip will be worth it? Well, thanks to the quirks of international publication, you can with the Malazan Book of the Fallen. Gardens of the Moon, the first book, may be the only book out in the States, but there are four others already released in Canada and I'm happy to report that while there are some hit and miss points, and certainly some flaws, overall the series (a projected ten-book one) is well worth jumping into with Gardens of the Moon.
This is gritty world and war fantasy; you won't find ... Read More
Steven Erikson(1959- )
Steven Erikson is an archaeologist and anthropologist and a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop. His Malazan Book of the Fallen series has met with widespread international acclaim and established him as a major voice in the world of fantasy fiction. He lives in Canada. Maps, chapter summaries, and genealogies can be found at The Malazan website. Note: Ian Cameron Esslemont is a co-creator of the Malazan Empire and writes novels in that world.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen — (1999-2011) Publisher: The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze. However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand.
Gardens of the Moon: Erikson displays a prodigious imagination
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
Deadhouse Gates: What the heck is going on?
Deadhouse Gates by Steven Erikson
The only words that I can think of to sum up Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series are "Wow." and "What the heck is going on here?!?" (I would have used stronger language, but this is a family website). Erikson appears to be doing something big and shiny, but I have not yet been quite able to grasp what it is. Maybe I am being dense, but this is the second of his books that I have read, and I have the pervasive feeling as I progress through this series that I am missing something important, but I can't put my finger on what precisely that is.
Deadhouse Gates is the second of the Malazan novels, but it does not pick up where Gardens of the Moon left off. The events in it occur i... Read More
Memories of Ice: This is one of those stories that hooked me
Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson
I sometimes find myself lost in this story's complexity. I think I'm getting the general idea that the gods of this world have a more direct relationship with the mortals than what we're used to, and that the tale here really started hundreds of thousands of years ago. Also, sometimes when it seems like I've missed something, it eventually comes together, more or less.
I also get very frustrated over the lack of visual descriptions. That may be only my own personal pet-peeve, because I have this complaint for a lot of today's fantasy writers. It's just bothersome to me when I'm trying to enter a fantasy world and the creator doesn't always paint a good picture of its creatures or the characters. I'm infuriated when I surrender to the fact that I'm just going to have to go with my best idea of what something looks like, and then a description comes pages after it has been introduced and I find that... Read More
House of Chains: Good but with some rough edges
House of Chains by Steven Erikson
Being the fourth entry in Steven Erikson's sprawling series THE MALAZAN BOOK OF THE FALLEN, House of Chains continues with the storyline first started in Deadhouse Gates and somewhat loosely with the repercussions of the explosive climax to Memories of Ice. I won't bother trying to summarize the setup of the book, and readers are expected to have knowledge of the previous books. So, if you have not yet read them — and I would suggest you give at least Gardens of the Moon a try — then I wouldn't recommend reading this review.
Breaking from tradition, the first chapters of House of Chains lets go of the juggling back and forth between viewpoint characte... Read More
The Bonehunters: So complex
The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson
The Malazan Book of the Fallen has become so complex that it's very difficult to keep all of the storylines in order. It's totally worth the effort, but these books are not exactly the sort that you can just pick up and read quickly. The Bonehunters is no exception and I found myself jumping back to the reference of who's who quite a bit.
I struggle to write this review because so much that I want to say would be spoiler material for people who are beginning the series. But what I can say is that The Bonehunters was awesome! The Bridgeburners and some of their history and what made them who they are has been a theme throughout the series. In The Bonehunters we get to see something similar happen to a new troop of soldiers. It's painful, it's... Read More
Reaper's Gale: Malazan redefines fantasy
Reaper's Gale by Steven Erikson
In modern fantasy literature, there are certain select works that define the genre such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice & Fire, the Shannara Read More
Dust of Dreams: The best LRMMVSTLB fantasy epic
Dust of Dreams by Steven Erikson
So, a long-running, massive multi-volume fantasy epic is winding to a close, a close so big that the last book actually has to be split, and it's still 800 pages long. What's that? No, this is the other long-running massive multi-volume split-the-last-book fantasy epic. Not The Wheel of Time but Steven Erikson's Malazan series, whose penultimate book, Dust of Dreams, moves us nearly to the close. And if I had to choose only one LRMMVSTLB fantasy epic for newbies to start? Sorry, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson fans (and I'm mostly both), but Read More
The Crippled God: Ends the preeminent fantasy of the past 20 years
The Crippled God by Steven Erikson
If you want a quick, partial sense of what's in store in Steven Erikson's The Crippled God, look no further than this conversation between two characters (to remain nameless so as to avoid spoilers):
"There are too many rogue players in this game. Icarium. Draconus. The First Sword of the T'lan Imass. Olar Ethil. Silchas Ruin, Tulas Shorn, Kilava — even Gruntle, the Mortal Sword of Treach. And now the Elient, and how many dragons have come or are coming through the gate? A hundred? A thousand? Oh, and the Elder Gods: Errastas, the past Master of the Tiles, and Kilmandaros and her son..."
"They — they're all here?"
"Nobody said it'd be easy... what do you have to offer me?"
"Why, more good news... Let's just add the K'Chain Che'Malle and the Jaghut, and oh... who knows how ma... Read More
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach — (2002-2014) These are novellas set in the Malazan Empire. The omnibus contains Blood Follows, The Lees of Laughter's End, The Healthy Dead
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach: A pair of joyfully destructive necromancers…
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach by Steven Erikson
Bauchelain and Korbal Broach collects three of Steven Erikson's novellas set in the Malazan Empire series, certainly one of the most ambitious, and I'd say one of the best, epic fantasies going. The collection, which includes Blood Follows, The Lees at Laughter's End, and The Healthy Dead, follows the exploits of its eponymous main characters, a pair of joyfully destructive necromancers we first met in book three of the larger series, though in truth the side characters often take more center stage.
Totaling about half the length of the monstrous tomes in the series, Erikson has stripped out the complex plotting and subplotting of his novels, dropped the cast of characters by a magnitude or two, and cut down on t... Read More
Crack'd Pot Trail: Delectable
Crack'd Pot Trail by Steven Erikson
Crack'd Pot Trail is the fourth of Steven Erikson's Malazan novellas following the exploits of Korbal Broach and Bauchelain, a pair of sinister necromancers whose dark side is often thrown into a grayer cast due to their situational context and the characters (often allegedly "purer" or "better") that surround them. As with the earlier novellas, Erikson lightens up on the dense worldbuilding, labyrinthine layered plots, and casts of thousands of the larger series to focus on, well, mostly I'd say having fun, but on characters and theme as well. And also as in some of the earlier ones, the journey is all — the destination relatively unimportant.
In this case, the journey is a Chaucer's Canterbury Tales from hell, as the characters, on a pilgrima... Read More
The Wurms of Blearmouth: A short comic tale by Erikson
The Wurms of Blearmouth by Steven Erikson
The Wurms of Blearmouth is the fifth novella by Steven Erikson centered on his gloriously disruptive pair of "evil sorcerers" Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, along with their by-now-relatively-stoic servant Emancipator Reese. As with the prior four, this is a far lighter tale than his lengthy, dense, and often deeply serious MALAZAN series. The BAUCHELAIN AND BROACH tales are more comic, far shorter, with far fewer moments of Erikson's trademark "philosphophizing" (though fewer does not mean no such moments). I found The Wurms of Blearmouth a mixed success, with some laugh-out-loud moments, lots of chuckles, some welcome sharper bits, and a few less funny/comfortable moments.
At the start, we are introduced to the sorcerer-ruler of a small town on a wrecker's coast — Lord Fangatooth Claw (the first chuckle) atop his tower keep declaiming for the scribe ... Read More
The Kharkanas Trilogy — (2012-2015) Publisher: Enter the New York Times bestselling Malazan universe… at a time that sets the stage for all the tales already told. Steven Erikson entered the pantheon of great fantasy writers with his debut Gardens of the Moon. Now Erikson returns with a trilogy that takes place before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. The Forge of Darkness takes readers to Kurald Galain, the warren of Darkness, and tells an epic tale of a realm whose fate plays a crucial role in the fall of the Malazan Empire. It's a conflicted time in Kurald Galain, the warren of Darkness, where Mother Dark reigns. But this ancient land was once home to many a power… and even death is not quite eternal. The commoners' great hero, Vatha Urusander, longs for ascendency and Mother Dark's hand in marriage, but she has taken another Consort, Lord Draconus, from the faraway Dracon Hold. The idea of this union sends fissures throughout the realm, and as the rumors of civil war burn through the masses, an ancient power emerges from the long dead seas. Caught in the middle of it all are the Sons of Darkness, Anomander, Adarist, and Silchas Ruin of the Purake Hold. Steven Erikson brings to life this ancient and important tale set in the world he introduced in the Malazan Book of the Fallen in a way that should appeal to fans of George R. R. Martin.
Forge of Darkness: Absolutely works
Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson
My personal experience with prequels has been quite mixed. They too often have a rote, going-through-the-motions feel to them. You get the sense the author is simply, mechanically connecting the dots, reverse-engineering the prequel story from characters and events laid out in the original story: "Explained why they call that thingamabob a "graggle"? Check. Explained why everyone wears red now? Check. Why Character A is a jerk? Check." While this may result in some readerly satisfaction — "Oh, so that's why it's a graggle. Cool!"— I've found this approach seldom ends up creating an organically compelling storyline or rich characterization. These problems are compounded by the fact that we obviously know where this story and these characters are heading, thus robbing the prequel at the outset from a lot of narrative tension and making it difficult to offer up to the reader those joyful mom... Read More
Fall of Light: Takes a while to get going, but rewards the patient reader
Fall of Light by Steven Erikson
OK, look. I'm just going to put it on the table early on. I had a tough time with the beginning of Steven Erikson's Fall of Light. And by "beginning," I mean the first 150-200 of its 800-plus pages. It wasn't just the pace (though it was admittedly more than a little slow). Or all the new characters (though really, one wonders at some point how many Tiste we haven't met, not to mention Jaghut, Azathanai, Jhelken, Dragons, etc.). Or that there was a lot of table-setting going on (though given how book one had spent a good chunk of its 600 pages laying out the plates and silverware and glasses, I confess I'd expected the food to come a lot more quickly than it did).
All of those ... Read More
Willful Child — (2014- ) From the New York Times Bestselling author Steven Erikson comes a new science fiction novel of devil-may-care, near calamitous and downright chaotic adventures through the infinite vastness of interstellar space. These are the voyages of the starship A.S.F. Willful Child. Its ongoing mission: to seek out strange new worlds on which to plant the Terran flag, to subjugate and if necessary obliterate new life-forms, to boldly blow the… And so we join the not-terribly-bright but exceedingly cock-sure Captain Hadrian Sawback and his motley crew on board the Starship Willful Child for a series of devil-may-care, near-calamitous and downright chaotic adventures through 'the infinite vastness of interstellar space.' The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen sequence has taken his lifelong passion for Star Trek and transformed it into a smart, inventive, and hugely entertaining spoof on the whole mankind-exploring-space-for-the-good-of-all-species-but-trashing-stuff-with-a-lot-of-high-tech-gadgets-along-the-way, overblown adventure. The result is an SF novel that deftly parodies the genre while also paying fond homage to it.
Willful Child: Erikson's Star Trek parody
Willful Child by Steven Erikson
Let's start with what needs to be said when reviewing a book like Steven Erikson's Willful Child, a full-bore parody/homage to Star Trek: The Original Series. One, humor is wholly subjective. I, for instance, have never understood the allure of Adam Sandler. My wife, meanwhile, has never understood why I find Airplane funny (I could go on and on with that list, but one will suffice). So one person's rib-splitting, laugh-out-loud bit will be another person's "meh." Second, humor is tough. As the line goes, "dying is easy, comedy is hard." So, that being said, what about the book?
As mentioned, Willful Child takes on the classic Trek series and makes no, ahem, "Bones" about it. After a quick little prologue, this is the opening of Chapter One: "Space. It's fucking big. These are the voyages of th... Read More
Wrath of Betty: Has its issues, but will still make you laugh (and think)
Wrath of Betty by Steven Erikson
If you're going to parody a TV series, as Steven Erikson did with Star Trek in Willful Child, then you can't stop at just one book, can you? Think of all those other episodes ripe for the plucking! And so we're back for more interstellar hijinks with the crew of the Starship Willful Child and their erstwhile leader Captain James T--, er, Captain Hadrian Sawbuck as they face hostile aliens, robots run Amok, Time (see what I did there?) travel, hostility from their own Federation, and perhaps most dangerous of all, rampant consumerism. The laughs come at warp speed, making Wrath of Betty a mostly successful mission, though as I noted in my review of the first book, Willful Chi... Read More
The Devil Delivered and Other Tales: I'd love to see more of Grandma Matchie
The Devil Delivered and Other Tales by Steven Erikson
I'm a huge fan of Steven Erikson's massive MALAZAN EMPIRE series, which I consider one of the outstanding works of fantasy in the past few decades. I'm also a fan of his trilogy (Bauchelain and Korbal Broach) of novellas set in that same universe following the two eponymous characters and employing a healthy dose of black humor and satire. His new collection of novellas, The Devil Delivered and Other Tales, has no connection to the Malazan world at all, but does employ humor, satire, and fantasy. Thus I was quite curious to see if my enjoyment would transfer over. My answer, respective to the three stories included, was kind of, not so much, and absolutely.
The first story, which shares the collection's title, has an eco-apocalyptic setting (the main character wanders the American plains under a deadly hole in... Read More
This River Awakens: Beautifully dark and very challenging
This River Awakens by Steven Erikson
Pretty much all you have to do is say Steven Erikson and I'm there. This River Awakens (2012) is far different from anything most people will think of when they hear the author's name. It's not set in a secondary world. It's not epic fantasy. There isn't a huge war or expanding empire in the core of the book. From what I understand, This River Awakens was Erikson's first book and it's more fiction and urban fantasy than anything else. While it is far different than typical Erikson, it is still glorious.
This River Awakens was re-released in 2012 after initially being published in 1998 under Erikson's pen name of Steve Lundin. I love reading author's works that are totally different from what I typically asso... Read More
Magazine Monday: Adams Takes Over at Fantasy Magazine
John Joseph Adams, in recent years the editor of a raft of excellent anthologies on different science fiction, fantasy and horror themes, has now become the editor of Fantasy Magazine. The March 2011 issue is the first published under his red pencil, so to speak, and its mix of new and reprint fantasy material is promising. All content is free on the web, though ebook subscriptions and editions are available for sale.
"The Sandal-Bride," by Genevieve Valentine, is about Sara, a woman who needs to travel from one land to another to join her husband, a shoemaker who has gone before her. She chooses ... Read More
The Solaris Book of New Fantasy: Celebrates the rich diversity of the genre
The Solaris Book of New Fantasy by George Mann (ed.)
I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to short fiction. Because of my lack of experience in this area, I hope that you will bear with me as I try to provide a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of The Solaris Book of New Fantasy, even if I don't always succeed. The plan is to first look at each short story individually providing synopses and commentary, followed by my evaluation of the compilation as a whole. So, let's look at the stories:
1) "Who Slays the Gyant, Wounds the Beast" by Mark Chadbourn. On Christmas Eve in the year 1598 in a world where England is at war against the Faerie, England's greatest spy Will Swyfte is on a mission of the greatest import — he has until dawn to prevent the Faerie Queen from crossing over to the other side. If he doesn't, then the Unseelie Court w... Read More
Swords & Dark Magic: The New Sword & Sorcery
Swords & Dark Magic: The New Sword & Sorcery edited by Jonathan Strahan & Lou Anders
Swords & Dark Magic: The New Sword & Sorcery is a book I've been eagerly anticipating ever since it was first announced in 2009. I was particularly excited about the anthology's impressive list of contributors which includes several authors I enjoy reading like Glen Cook, Greg Keyes, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Garth Nix, Tim Lebbon, Read More


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Three parts, one full live show. The Skeptic Studio in this one had Richard A Conn Jr. who is the author of the book The Earthbound Parent. The Rectable had us chatting about sports celebrities and the way society seems to react to them and Shift To Reason Radio had us cover religion, woo, and science. Special guest host Rob Ray joined Rene and Cory while Dave did double duty by sitting at the table and also doing the audio engineering.Read More
These are all the links and notes from the August 31st show. Make sure to check out all of the episodes and become a patron for it all in one.Read More
The crew talked to The Credible Hulk, they talked about Trinity Western University and church/state issues in Canada and they talked about IQs, perpetual motion machines, and what Americans think god looks like.Read More