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Oxygen Sensor Codes: Avoiding The Common Pitfalls
Oxygen Sensors, otherwise referred to as O2 Sensors, and their related check engine light codes, can be troublesome at the very best! Today we discuss the design and function of these sensors, and some of the pitfalls encountered during the diagnosis of their related fault codes. It seems as though the check engine light and O2 Sensor codes have always gone hand in hand. I can't even begin to tell you how many perfectly good sensors I've seen replaced for a rich/lean code, or as a cure to a service engine light that comes and goes.
Fact is, when oxygen sensors were first being used, they did tend to fail. But manufacturers have been redesigning and tweaking these parts for over twenty years, and nowadays they are fairly bullet proof! Oxygen sensor codes no longer mean "replace the oxygen sensor", and this mindset can be costly! So what goes wrong during the diagnosis of these systems? Well, let me share my experience and you can take it for what it's worth!
There are a large number of codes relating to oxygen sensor faults. There are also a lot of faults that are often incorrectly thought to be caused by a bad oxygen sensor (also referred to as an O2 Sensor). The O2 codes relating to circuit faults can be tested fairly easily. For help on these codes, check out our Generic OBDII list and definitely read our article on diagnosing the wiring related portion of a trouble code. You will also run into codes for the O2 heater circuits. Newer O2 sensors have heaters as part of their design. This allows them to get up to temperature quicker and begin functioning sooner, resulting in lower overall vehicle emissions. If you ever need specific in depth code help, use the "Get Help" link and we can run down the basics with you as needed. The codes that may give you more of a run for your money are the PO171-P0175 generic (or similar manufacturer specific) codes. These codes tell you that despite the computers attempts to correct fuel trim (the amount of time the injectors stay on, delivering more or less fuel as needed); it can not obtain the correct air/fuel ratio. These are known as rich and lean codes, and almost as often as I've seen new oxygen sensors installed for these codes, I've seen the same vehicles need re-diagnosis!
First we need to understand how an oxygen sensor works. The oxygen sensor screws into the exhaust and the sensor end protrudes into the pipe so that exhaust gases pass across the sensors internal element. There is a steel shielding with slots that direct exhaust flow across the actual element. As a note, oxygen sensors used to determine engine fuel ratios are always located in front of the catalytic converter. The sensors behind the cats are called monitors and we will discuss these later. Sensors are normally described with the prefix HO2S meaning Heated Oxygen Sensor and followed with bank and position number. For example HO2S11 would be the oxygen sensor on bank 1 and first in line (pre catalytic converter) and HO2S12 would be on bank 1, but second in line (the monitor) An oxygen sensor creates a voltage between 0 and 1 volt by means of a chemical reaction between the sensor element and the oxygen in the exhaust passing across that element. Outside air also passes through the sensor and it is a comparison between the oxygen content in the exhaust and fresh air that actually determines voltage output (information for trivial purposes only and for curious techs). Believe it or not, the fresh air on many sensors actually travels through the wiring insulation! Anyway, a voltage closer to one volt indicates a rich condition and closer to zero indicates lean. The computer uses this valve to constantly adjust fuel trim to maintain a 14.7:1 air fuel ratio. We will be putting up an article on fuel trim soon but this is a huge topic all on its own. Okay so this is where it gets somewhat complicated. Just kidding! It's all nuts and bolts; and wires, and chemicals and never mind!
Okay so the more oxygen in the exhaust (lean condition) the lower the voltage from the O2 sensor and the more fuel the computer calls for. Then the oxygen content in the exhaust drops (because it is being used up in the combustion process), and the voltage increases (rich condition) and the process repeats, for as long as the car is running, hundreds of times a minute. A gasoline internal combustion engine needs oxygen to burn the fuel. If the mixture is ideal (or 14.7:1) then all of the oxygen is consumed as the fuel is burned. The exact amount of fuel needed to produce a 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio varies with barometric pressure (altitude), relative humidity and fuel quality and condition; thus the need for oxygen sensors.
So knowing all of this what should we check when we have those pesky rich or lean codes? The most common issues for lean codes are:
1. Vacuum leaks - check for failed or loose vacuum lines, leaking intake gaskets, intake air tubes loose or any other source of un-metered air leaks (leaks after the Mass Air Flow Sensor)
2. Restricted fuel filter or bent/pinched fuel system lines
3. Incorrect input from other sensors, such as the Mass Air Flow Sensor, which may not always drop a separate code
4. Engine misfire - Yes I know this one may seem weird. You might think that if there is a misfire then you will have all that unburned fuel and it should read rich; right? Well the O2 sensors read only oxygen content in the exhaust, so if you have all that unburned fuel from incomplete combustion then, you guessed it, you also have all that unburned oxygen. High O2 content in exhaust equals a lean reading!
There are also some other possibilities such as an internally leaking EGR system, (but this will typically set a separate code). A leak in the exhaust system before the O2 sensor will also cause incorrect readings. And always check for after- market modifications. These can throw a wrench into the works! The only other possibilities (however unlikely), are wiring issues, computer concerns or a bad O2 sensor! There now that I've said it, on to rich codes.
The possible causes of rich codes are:
1. A leaking or faulty fuel injector
2. Fuel injector driver in computer shorted, or wiring short for injectors (likely a ground short)
3. Leaking or faulty fuel pressure regulator or restricted return line
4. Faulty evaporative emissions system - bleeding fuel vapors into engine (not commanded by computer)
5. On newer models a faulty fuel pump or fuel pump driver module
6. Faulty readings from other sensors such as a Mass Air Flow Sensor. You may actually be getting more air than the MAF tells the computer
7. Exhaust leaks before the sensor will cause erratic readings
8. After market components or performance chips
9. And yes, if I dare say it, possibly a computer, wiring issue or even a faulty O2 sensor!
The other codes we should address are those related to the sensors located after the catalytic converter. Though these may appear identical to the oxygen sensors pre-converter, they perform an entirely different task and are known as Monitors. The only job of these sensors is to "monitor" the efficiency of the catalytic converters. The readings from these sensors should be much more stable and not fluctuating like the front O2 sensors. The computer compares the readings from the oxygen sensors (pre cats) and the monitors (post cat) to determine if the catalytic converters are doing their job and "cleaning" the exhaust. You never want to replace a monitor for a rich/lean concern as they have no bearing on these codes. As the converters begin to fail, you will see the monitors voltage readings follow the oxygen sensor readings. Technically these are all "oxygen sensors" but it is important to distinguish the difference between pre-converter & post converter sensors, so I find it easiest to stick to calling the back ones monitors.
And that pretty much wraps up my ideas on this topic. If you've run into other causes of these codes for gasoline engines then use the contact form and educate me! The quickest way to learn is through somebody else's experience! Hope we helped to shed some light.
The engine-light-help.com Team
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All of the Extras
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subset: commoncrawl


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Blue Holographic Rainbow iPhone Case
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1Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS "Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori", 20133 Milan, Italy.
2Department of Phatology, Fondazione IRCCS "Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori", 20133 Milan, Italy.
3Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
4Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
5Medical Genetics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Correspondence Address: Dr. Sara Pusceddu, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS "Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori", Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/), which allows others to remix, tweak and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.
Neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms arising primarily in the gastrointestinal tract and lung. The liver is the most common site of metastases, but these tumors can rarely metastasize to atypical sites. Surgery is the only curative approach while the optimal medical treatment is debated. From this perspective, a multidisciplinary approach for each single case becomes very important. In this report we describe the case of a male affected by a single intraorbital metastasis from a midgut well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. The patient refused surgical removal and therefore he was at first treated with stereotactic radiotherapy and systemic treatment with a somatostatin analog (SSA). After achieving a stable disease for four months he underwent primary tumor resection. Six years after the initial diagnosis, the patient is currently stable and receiving SSA at standard dose.
Neuroendocrine tumors, orbital metastases, somatostatin analogues
Neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms derived from enterochromaffin cells, which are primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract and lung.[1,2] Liver is the most common site of metastasis, however as survival is increasing by improved treatment options, new metastatic patterns have emerged.[3] Ocular metastases, considered "a rarity in the rare," have now been described in neuroendocrine tumors.[4,5] Considering the rarity of these tumors, it is clear that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in order to obtain the best therapeutic outcome for each single patient. Here, we present a case where the integrated use of local-regional and systemic treatments resulted in long-term disease stabilization, preserving the quality of life.
This case raises important issues. Considering the favorable general prognosis despite the advanced stage, treatments that maintain a good quality of life are the fundamental issues for these patients. Therefore, the alternative loco-regional treatments alone (stereotactic radiotherapy) or in combination with systemic therapy, or systemic somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy alone may constitute valid treatment options towards the goal of long-term disease stabilization and improved quality of life.
We report the case of a 65-year-old male patient, in good general conditions, with a past medical history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.
He presented in September 2009 complaining the recent onset of right exophthalmos.
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the head and neck documented the presence of a retroocular lesion with a maximum diameter of 28 mm, invading both the intraconal and the extraconal space and causing optic nerve impingement. A biopsy of the lesion was performed in November 2009 through endoscopic endonasal approach and the pathologic examination diagnosed well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour cells.
The physical examination confirmed a slight right eyeball ptosis without significant visual function impairment; neither symptoms nor signs of carcinoid syndrome were present, the laboratory routine blood tests as complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests and electrolyte levels resulted in range.
The thorax and abdominal CT scan showed a lobulated mass with a maximum diameter of 37 mm at the ileocecal valve level. A magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, head and neck confirmed the presence of the previously described lesion, occupying the great part of the right orbit and dislocating the optic nerve, though maintaining a cleavage plan from its meningeal structures [Figure 1].
Figure 1. Intraorbital localization of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (G1) of the ileo-cecal valve. MRI of the brain, head and face MRI: sagittal (A) and coronal (B) views. Lesion occupying the great part of the right orbit, and dislocating the optic nerve, though maintaining a cleavage plan from its meningeal structures. MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
The Octreoscan showed pathological uptake of the tracer in the right intraorbital space and in the right iliac fossa. An endoscopic biopsy of the sub mucosal lesion found on the ileocecal valve during a pan colonoscopy confirmed the primary site of the well differentiated, neuroendocrine tumour. Serum tumour markers such as neuron specific enolase and chromogranin A (CgA) resulted in range. The diagnostic work-up was therefore suggestive for a single, intraorbital metastasis from midgut well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour.
The patient was evaluated for radical resection of the intraorbital lesion through a transcranial excision (exenteratio orbitis), but the patient refused the orbitotomy.
He therefore underwent two 4-week courses of stereotactic radiotherapy to the right orbital metastases (4,000 cGy in 20 fractions) and he started a systemic treatment with Lanreotide Autogel (ATG) (fl 120 mg, 1 fl i.m. q 28 d).
The patient remained stable with persistent right exophthalmos and conjunctivitis, but without any vision deterioration after two months of radiation therapy and SSA.
He continued the SSA as maintenance treatment and after four months he underwent primary tumour resection with right hemicolectomy and lymphadenectomy. The pathology report confirmed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour of ileocecal valve, G1, pT3, N1, M1 according to the ENETS/UICC TNM classification. The immunohistochemical analysis showed wide positivity for CgA, synaptophysin; serotonin and CDX2 [Figures 2 and 3].
Figure 2. Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (G1) of the ileo-cecal valve. (A) Mucosal ulceration (arrow, X10); (B) positivity of neoplastic nests for Chromogranin A (CgA) in the submucosa (X10); (C) muscolar layer neoplasitic invasion and positivity for CgA (X4); (D) piercing serosa positivity for CgA (arrow, X10); (E) serotonin stains the enterochromaffin cells (EC) (X20); (F) mindbomb homolog 1/ki-67 proliferation index below 2% (arrow, X40)
Figure 3. Lymph node metastasis from well differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (G1) of the ileo-cecal valve. (A) Metastatic mesenteric lymph node (not microscope photo); (B) evidence of nodal compression with serotonin stain (arrow, X4); (C) compression of the nodal parenchima by neoplastic cells (arrow, X4); (D) mindbomb homolog 1/ki-67 proliferation index below 2% (arrow). Non-neoplastic lymphocytes (D, oval) as internal control (X40)
Six years after the first diagnosis, the patient is continuing maintenance medical treatment with Lanreotide ATG 120 mg every 28 days, since stabilization of the disease.
The therapeutic strategy for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) needs to be diversified according to the clinical presentation of each single case, and moreover according to its biological behaviour, due to the wide heterogeneity of these tumors.
Because of this, a multidisciplinary care team is critical for patient management starting from the earliest steps of the diagnostic workup.
Ocular metastases have been rarely described in neuroendocrine tumours; the vast majority of metastases affect the uveal tract rather than orbital space, and typically occur through haematogenous spread by carotid and ophthalmic artery.[4,5] Data regarding survival after the diagnosis of orbital metastases of NENs are exceedingly rare. Mehta et al.[6] describe a series of 13 patients with metastatic orbital carcinoid tumors with overall survival of 72% at 5 years and 38% at 10 years.
Considering the favorable general prognosis despite the advances stage, treatments that maintain a good quality of life with the preservation of vision are the fundamental issues for these patients. Therefore in advanced patients with orbital metastases, the alternative loco-regional treatments alone or in combination with systemic therapy may constitute a viable treatment alternative to a surgical excision (exenteratio orbitis).[7]
The currently proposed treatment of orbital metastases in well-differentiated NETs includes surgery, beam radiotherapy, especially for single and symptomatic lesions, peptide receptor radiotherapy or systemic medical treatment. The integration of local treatment with SSA could provide long-term disease control, preserving the patient's quality of life. Although the SSA objective response rates are limited (5-10%), these drugs are characterized by high rates of disease stabilization, up to 50-60% in clinical trials and with optimal profiles of safety and tolerability.[8] Moreover, the efficacy of SSA has been recently shown by two prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trials, the PROMID and CLARINET studies.[9,10] These studies evaluated the impact of SSA treatment (octreotide long-acting release 30 mg every 28 days and Lanreotide ATG 120 mg every 28 days), leading to demonstration of their antiproliferative effects. The mean time to progression in the PROMID trial was 14.3 months in the octreotide LAR arm compared to 6 months in the placebo arm.[9] In the CLARINET trial, Lanreotide ATG was associated with a significant improvement in mean progression free survival compared to placebo (progression-free survival not reached in the treatment group vs. 18 months in the placebo group).[10] Based on these results, the use of SSA is recommended for its antiproliferative effect in well differentiated NENs with an indolent course in patients with both functioning and non-functioning tumors. SSAs represent a valid treatment option in cases where good quality of life is paramount and in which a surgical approach is not accepted, feasible or is contraindicated.
There are no conflicts of interest.
The patient was treated within the standards of our institute and the report was approved.
1. Modlin IM, Lye KD, Kidd M. A 5-decade analysis of 13,715 carcinoid tumors. Cancer 2003;97:934-59.DOIPubMed
2. Pinchot SN, Holen K, Sippel RS, Shen H. Carcinoid tumors. Oncologist 2008;13:1255-69.DOIPubMedPMC
3. Zuetenhorst JM, Taal BG. Metastatic carcinoid tumors: a clinical review. Oncologist 2005;10:123-31.DOIPubMed
4. Karcioglu ZA. Orbital tumours: Diagnosis and treatment. 2nd ed. New York: Springer; 2005. pp. 187-9.
5. Peixoto RD, Lim HJ, Cheung WY. Neuroendocrine tumor metastatic to the orbit treated with radiotherapy. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2013;5:177-80.DOIPubMedPMC
6. Mehta JS, Abou-Rayyah Y, Rose GE. Orbital carcinoid metastases. Ophthalmology 2006;113:466-72.DOIPubMed
7. Borota OC, Kloster R, Lindal S. Carcinoid tumour metastatic to the orbit with infiltration to the extraocular orbital muscle. APMIS 2005;113:135-9.DOIPubMed
8. Modlin IM, Pavel M, Kidd M, Gustafsson BI. Review article: somatostatin analogues in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010;31:169-88.
9. Rinke A, Müller HH, Schade-brittinger C, Klose KJ, Barth P, Wied M, Mayer C, Aminossadati B, Pape UF, Bläker M, Harder J, Arnold C, Gress T, Arnold R; PROMID Study Group. Placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective, randomized study on the effect of octreotide LAR in the control of tumor growth in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine midgut tumors. J Clin Oncol 2009;27:4656-63.DOIPubMed
10. Caplin ME, Pavel M, Ćwikła JB, Phan AT, Raderer M, Seedláčková E, Cadiot G, Wolin EM, Capdevila J, Wall L, Rindi G, Lanley A, Martinez S, Blumberg J, Ruszniewski P. Lanreotide in Metastatic Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. N Engl J Med 2014;371:224-33.DOIPubMed


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Ziesel All-Terrain Wheelchairs: Getting Disabled Hunters Back in the Woods [VIDEO]
Ziesel all-terrain wheelchairs could be just what disabled sportsmen need to get back in the woods.
As you know, any sportsman lives for the outdoors. If we are not outdoors, we are usually thinking about the next time we can or will be. Just imagine if you woke up one day and the ability to go out into the woods was taken away from you. Disabled sportsmen, handicapped in one form or another, are either no longer able to go into the woods or their time in the woods is limited because of their disability.
While I have not personally been disabled, I do know hunters who have, and it is heartbreaking to know that something they enjoy so much becomes difficult, or even impossible, simply because they do not have the ability to walk into the outdoors. But hopefully Ziesel can start to change that.
Check out Ziesel's all-terrain wheelchairs below to see how they could help to get disabled hunters back into the woods.
While the Ziesel does look amazingly efficient, it does come with quite a hefty price tag, coming in at over 20,000 euro. This alone is enough to keep the Ziesel from becoming a household item. But with the help of large non-profit organizations it may be possible to purchase a few Ziesel all-terrain wheelchairs for sponsored hunts to be shared by many sportsmen in a given area.
Hopefully the Ziesel all-terrain wheelchair can be the start of a movement that can eventually make hunting, fishing, and an outdoor lifestyle accessible to anyone who wants it.


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Arizona Pavilions 12
Generally, the full showtime schedule is published on Wednesdays for the following Friday through Thursday. However, for Wednesday opening releases, the full showtime schedule is published on the Tuesday prior. A partial schedule may be available further in advance for major releases.
3D Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
SynopsisNo one's ever really gone... Rey's journey continues and the Skywalker saga concludes in Star Wars.
DirectorJ.J. Abrams
StarringMark Hamill, Andy Serkis, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong'o
Release DateDecember 20, 2019
WritersJ.J. Abrams, Derek Connolly
DistributorWalt Disney Pictures
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
SynopsisNo one's ever really gone... Rey's journey continues and the Skywalker saga concludes in Star Wars.
DirectorsColin Trevorrow, J.J. Abrams
StarringMark Hamill, Andy Serkis, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong'o, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Billy Dee Williams
Release DateDecember 20, 2019
WritersDerek Connolly, Rian Johnson, J.J. Abrams
DistributorsWalt Disney Pictures
TNC Monty Python's Life of Brian
SynopsisMonty Python delivers the group's sharpest and smartest satire of both religion and Hollywood's epic films. Set in 33 A.D. Judea where the exasperated Romans try to impose order, it is a time of chaos and change with no shortage of messiahs and followers willing to believe them. At it's center is Brian Cohen, born in Bethlehem in a stable next door, who, by a series of absurd circumstances is caught up in the new religion and reluctantly mistaken for the promised messiah, providing ample opportunity for the entire ensemble (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) to shine in multiple roles as they question everyone and everything from ex-lepers, Pontius Pilate and haggling to revolutionaries, crazy prophets, religious fanaticism, Roman centurions and crucifixion, forever changing our biblical view.
DirectorTerry Jones
StarringGraham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle
Release DateDecember 31, 2019
ProducerJohn Goldstone
WritersGraham Chapman, John Cleese
DistributorWarner Bros. Pictures


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Peter Parker, the amazing Spider-Man, is a regular guy. It's kind of his whole shtick. While so many other superheroes are WWII soldiers, alien gods, former assassins, or androids, Peter is just a smart kid who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and only learned to do the right thing after he messed up the first time. This makes Spider-Man stand out from the rest of the superhero community, like the geeky outsider he is, and throughout most of his history, he's been more of a loner than a team player.
But for a loner, he sure has a lot of close superhero friends.
The idea of Spidey teaming up with other superheroes is a new concept in the cinema, now that he'll be swinging around with Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming before getting all tangled up in the crossover of all crossovers, Avengers: Infinity War. But in the comics, the web-head has a long history of connections with other superheroes, leading to some rather unexpectedly close friendships. Would you believe that a nerdy guy from Queens and a centuries-old mutant with adamantium claws share a beer every now and again? Or that he's been on a date with Captain Marvel? And these examples are far from Spidey's only unexpected superhero friendships. Read on for 15 Superheroes You Didn't Know Spider-Man Was Best Friends With.
15 Daredevil
Though Spider-Man and Daredevil have very different personalities, between Spidey's lighthearted sense of humor and Daredevil's brooding anger, the pair actually have a lot in common. Both of them are working class heroes, usually short on the rent, dealing with street level crime rather than cosmic struggles, all while struggling to hold their lives together. Both Peter and Matt come from tragic backgrounds, and both of them heap coals of fire on themselves for the mistakes of their past. And both have had to watch one (or more, in DD's case) of their girlfriends die due to the actions of their most personal enemy.
Spider-Man and Daredevil have been tight for many years, and are actually one of the closest superhero friendships in comics. At one point, Peter even wore Daredevil's costume and swung into the same courtroom as Matt, as a way to shut down public suspicion of Matt's secret identity. Whether the two heroes will cross paths in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a mystery, though the odds aren't too bad. Spider-Man: Homecoming producer Eric Carroll has expressed interest in the crossover, and Daredevil star Charlie Cox has also promoted the idea. After all, the two vigilantes are patrolling the same city. Fingers crossed that maybe someday, a certain wall-crawler will swing by Hell's Kitchen.
14 Wolverine
What does a science kid from Queens have in common with an ancient mutant warrior with adamantium claws? Not a lot, probably, and the two heroes definitely didn't get along at first, with Wolverine finding Spider-Man annoying, and Spidey disapproving of the angry mutant's more violent methods. But over the years, Logan and Peter Parker's relations have evolved from tense beginnings into what turned out to be a surprisingly close friendship.
Wolverine is one of the few older superheroes who truly respects Spider-Man for his genuinely heroic ideals, and Peter has shown Logan a great deal of compassion and understanding for the many traumas he's endured in his long life, becoming one of the few people that Logan can truly vent to. After their time on the Avengers together, the two have grown into a big brother/little brother relationship. Since then, Logan once even celebrated his birthday by calling Peter to come have a drink with him, which is no small thing. On top of that, one story revealed that Spidey is actually Wolverine's emergency contact (!). After Logan's death, Spider-Man pays his respects to the fallen mutant by joining the staff of Wolverine's mutant X-Men academy, the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. Just goes to show that you never know who your next best buddy might be.
13 Human Torch
Back in the early days of the Marvel Universe, there were only two teenage superheroes: Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four's kid brother, the Human Torch. Peter Parker and Johnny Storm became fast friends, and they've stayed close throughout the years. At this point, it can safely be said that the Human Torch is Spidey's closest, longest, most enduring superhero friendship of all, to the point where the two could definitely be considered brothers.
Though both of them are now adults, Peter and Johnny are still like the teenage buddies of the superhero community. They've gone on many fun adventures, gotten involved in wild and ridiculous projects together — the wall-crawling "Spider-Mobile" was a result of their friendship — as well as bickered with one another, played pranks, and spent lazy afternoons watching TV. At one point, they even shared a two-bedroom apartment. It's a very realistic friendship, with periods of both love and conflict, but the two never stopped being close. When the Human Torch seemingly died, his last wish was actually to give his spot on the Fantastic Four to Spider-Man, referring to Peter as "family." Which brings us to our next entry...
12 The Rest of the Fantastic Four
What makes the Fantastic Four special is that they are a true family. Reed and Sue are the parents, the Thing is the cranky uncle, and Johnny is the rebellious teenager. Within this dynamic, Spider-Man functions like Johnny's friend who comes over all the time. So often, in fact, that he's also considered part of the family.
Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four have a long history, with their first interaction occurring all the way back in Amazing Spider-Man #1. The team knows his secret identity, they helped Peter deal with his symbiote problem, and Spidey even served as a member of the team for a while. Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four have a lot of love for each other, and the Baxter Building is one of the few places where Peter truly feels at home.
Unfortunately, it's unlikely that Spidey will ever ride in the Fantasticar on the big screen, unless Marvel Studios, Sony, and Fox somehow work out a deal for the two to interact; it's hard to say what will happen, since Fox has admitted that it has no idea where to take Marvel's first family after their last cinematic failure. It's a shame, because in the comics, they might just be the web-slinger's most beloved allies.
11 Captain Marvel
Carol Danvers, AKA Captain Marvel, is likely to be the next huge breakout star of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with her solo movie starring Brie Larson set to hit theaters in 2019. Carol is a Captain in the United States Air Force. She's hyper-driven, serious, and focused to her core, though she's occasionally prone to slipping into alcoholic tendencies. But her and Peter Parker, the lovable jokester and nerd, have become good friends over the years. She also worked for J. Jonah Jameson at one point — though Carol was a lot more argumentative with the infamously cranky newspaper editor than Peter — and their shared J.J.J. experiences are another point of relation between she and Peter. It's no big surprise that they easily connected.
Once, they actually went out on a date. This was something technically proposed by Peter, but truly initiated by the more confident Carol. After a somewhat awkward dinner at a fancy restaurant, the two end up beating up some bad guys together and then grabbing chili dogs from a New York City street vender; both confess to preferring the street food to the nice restaurant. Though they've casually flirted since then, it seems both have agreed that, as a whole, they work better as friends.
10 She-Hulk
With all of the dour and driven superheroes out there, one thing that Spider-Man and Jennifer Walters have in common is a playful sense of humor. Both like to lighten the mood with jokes, hurling them at their super-powered opponents like weapons. As a result, their interactions tend to be similarly playful, with such incidents as She-Hulk holding up a giant spotlight to the sky with a crudely-drawn spider on it in order to get Spidey's attention one night, and calling it the Spider-Signal.
Jennifer is also familiar with Peter's raging boss and anti-Spider-Man crusader, Jonah Jameson, due to the fact that she had a long relationship with his astronaut son, John (in fact, Jen and John were even married at one point).
Most likely, the pair's single most memorable team-up was in She-Hulk #4, where she convinces Spider-Man to finally sue J. Jonah Jameson for libel, since the editor has spent so many years printing terrible lies about the wall-crawler. Spidey agrees, though he eventually settles out of court on the condition that he and Jameson have to spend a business day in chicken suits, handing out public apologies.
9 Deadpool
Both Spider-Man and Deadpool have similar costumes, both crack a lot of jokes, and both often end up being disliked by the public. But, well... okay. So this friendship might be a bit one-sided. Deadpool has a deep adoration and love for the web-slinger — and, most likely, a pretty serious crush on him — and would love nothing more than to be Spider-Man's new best friend. Unfortunately for Wade, Spidey doesn't return the same feelings. To him, Deadpool is a killer, a nutcase, and not someone he wants to pal around with. In fact, Spider-Man actually can't stand Wade, and gets angry about it anytime the two are forced to team up. None of this does anything to halt Wade's constant affection for him, of course, much to the wall-crawler's chagrin.
However, while the legendary #SpideyPool combination might be weird and disliked by Spider-Man himself, it is beloved by a lot of comic readers, so the two have teamed up on many occasions. Believe it or not, since 2016, the two have even shared a comic together, titled Spider-Man/Deadpool, where they've encountered scenarios as wacky and horrific as a recent issue where someone used their DNA to create a murderous "daughter" out of the two of them named Itsy Bitsy. While Deadpool will be teaming up with Domino and Cable in the upcoming Deadpool 2, it's a sure bet that if Wade Wilson himself had control of the matter, he'd probably rather hang out with Spider-Man.
8 Iron Man
These days, Spider-Man's most popular pairing is probably with Tony Stark, the invincible Iron Man. Peter has always been drawn to substitute father figures, due to the tragic loss of his Uncle Ben. The combination of Spider-Man and Iron Man are an interesting match, due to the fact that the characters have some key similarities and some enormous differences. Both are passionate about science, both are inventive, and both have clever senses of humor. But while Peter is a working class hero, with an outlook that is constantly guilt-ridden, responsible, and constantly contemplating about how to solve his many life problems, Tony is an irresponsible billionaire playboy, who is more likely to drown in a damaging quip, a new invention, or a bottle of scotch whiskey. Peter talks about his problems, sometimes ad nauseum, while Tony does anything to avoid such discussions. Along with the age disparity between the two heroes, it should come as no surprise that their relationship has often been fraught with controversy, tension, and major fallouts.
In the comics, Spider-Man and Iron Man's relationship grows close, to the point where Tony even designs a high-tech new costume for him... only for their friendship to explode into pieces during the first Civil War, when Spidey switches to Team Cap after having initially backed Tony. While the movies have placed the beginning of their relationship during the Civil War, it's almost a sure bet that the two heroes are going to have a big falling out at some point, as the Spider-Man: Homecoming trailers have already hinted at.
7 Luke Cage
Luke Cage, the bulletproof hero who'll be coming back to Netflix soon when The Defenders premieres in August, didn't interact too much with Spidey during his earlier superhero days. Outside of a few encounters, the two heroes mainly stuck to their own separate corners of New York City, generally doing their own thing.
When the two did finally get to know each other, it was during the time that both of them joined up with the Avengers. And their early interactions were, well... not the best. This was largely due to the fact that Cage's wife, Jessica Jones, casually mentioned to Peter Parker that they'd gone to the same high school, and that she'd had a major crush on him back then. Though she said this in the past tense, Luke still got intensely jealous over it, an awkward situation that Spidey kept trying to defuse with his usual quips... which, not so surprisingly, Luke wasn't all too amused by.
But after spending more time in the Avengers together, Spider-Man and Luke have grown to become good friends, often having each other's backs when times get tough. They work together to successfully take down Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin, finally knocking the corporate businessman down a peg, and sending Osborn to prison.
6 Iceman and Firestar, the Amazing Friends
'80s kids, of course, will know by heart who Spider-Man's most amazing friends are: the former X-Men Iceman and Firestar! A continuation of the 1981 solo Spider-Man cartoon, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends tells the story of Spidey teaming up with the ice-powered Bobby Drake and the fiery Angelica Jones to form the "Spider-Friends," a crew of superheroes who all live at Aunt May's house and attend Empire State University together. Luckily, some funds from Tony Stark allow them to convert Peter's old bedroom into a high-tech crime lab (secretly, as if Aunt May really wouldn't notice this), and the Spider-Friends go on to have many adventures around the world, sometimes accompanied by their yapping little dog Ms. Lion.
Obviously, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends wasn't the most faithful take on the comics, but it was good-natured, silly fun. Dramatic arcs were tied up by the end of every episode. The heroes always won. It ran for three seasons, but is still remembered by fans to this day.
This trio has been paid tribute to in the comics a few times, but most significantly was in the "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends" arc in Ultimate Spider-Man, though the Ultimate version of Firestar is actually Liz Allan, rather than Angelica, and her spot on the team is soon taken by the Human Torch.
5 Miles Morales, the Other Spider-Man
How? What? Considering that the entire origin story of Miles Morales, star of the upcoming animated Spider-Man film, relates to the death of Peter Parker, it might come as a bit of a surprise to know that these two heroes are actually friends now. But don't worry, there's no Spider-Ghosts to be found here: just alternate realities.
The key here is that Miles Morales originally comes from the Ultimate Universe, not the mainstream Marvel Universe, and Miles is inspired to become Spider-Man when he watches the Ultimate Peter Parker die in battle. But Miles met the original Peter in the inter-dimensional crossover event Spider-Men, at the end of which Peter gave Miles his blessing. Recently, the Ultimate Universe has been wiped out, with only a few survivors... foremost among them being Miles and his family. Since then, this new teenage Spider-Man has been operating at the same time as the original Peter, with the original Spidey acting as a mentor figure.
4 Doctor Strange
The combination of a geeky science guy superhero with an arrogant former surgeon turned master of the mystical arts might not seem like the most natural basis for a friendship. It's not like they fight similar battles, since Spidey tends to stop bank robberies, not cosmic menaces from other dimensions. But the relationship between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange is one of those weird, unexpected Marvel team-ups that have happened a lot more often than one might expect.
In fact, the reason for their frequent associations has been due to their different skill sets. Peter Parker, as a man of science, has occasionally run across bizarre magical threats, and when he doesn't know how to deal with them, Doctor Strange is the one he goes to for advice.
The Spider-Man/Doctor Strange friendship becomes especially important during the "totem" years, when Spidey is approached by a strange businessman with spider-powers who called himself Ezekiel. Ezekiel claims that Spider-Man's powers are actually magical in origin, and soon after, Spider-Man begins getting regularly attacked by mystical monsters like Morlun, Shathra, and the Shade. Needless to say, during those days, Spidey was very glad to have a friend like Stephen Strange.
3 Captain America
Though Spider-Man has more history with that other iconic Avenger (you know, the one named after a metal), Peter and Steve Rogers actually have a lot in common. As communicated during their one exchange in Captain America: Civil War, both are native New Yorkers — Steve from Brooklyn, Peter from Queens — and both grew up as scrawny outsiders, only to be gifted with enormous power via the magic of science.
In the comics, Peter has always idolized the historic figure of Captain America, even back to when he was a little kid. Cap receives a profound level of reverence from the usually snarky Spider-Man that few others do, and Peter has often gone to Rogers for advice and guidance. The two heroes have never necessarily been "buddies," since the Star-Spangled Avenger is obviously a great deal older than the wall-crawler, but there is a lot of mutual respect between them. Really, if the two had grown up in the same decade and same borough, there's a good chance they could have been childhood friends.
2 Venom... the Flash Thompson version, that is
In a way, the character of Agent Venom is like a combination of two figures that were once Peter Parker's greatest enemies. The first is the Venom symbiote itself, which has had it out for Peter ever since he rejected it, and which spent years trying to rip his heart out when it was bonded to Eddie Brock. The second former enemy is Venom's new host at the time, Eugene "Flash" Thompson. Back in high school, Flash was Peter's most ruthless bully, regularly taunting him, pushing him into lockers, and making him feel like an outcast (while at the same time having a serious case of hero worship for the masked figure of Spider-Man).
However, as we all know, the social hierarchy of high school doesn't mean much after graduation, and people often become friends with old classmates that they hated back in their locker room days. After graduating and joining up with the army, Flash ends up apologizing to Peter for tormenting him as a kid, and the two actually become close friends. Years later, after Flash's legs are blown off overseas and the Venom symbiote comes into the government's possession, he signs up to become Agent Venom, a government operative.
He doesn't tell Peter about this, at least, not initially. When the two superheroes finally find out each other's secret identity, it's quite a weird experience for both of them.
1 Scarlet Spider
Sure, Scarlet Spider is Spider-Man's clone, so they're genetically identical. Both Scarlet Spiders, Ben Reilly and Kaine, have been clones of Peter Parker. But nothing about being Peter's clone ensures that these two Spider-themed heroes would ever be pals; if anything, one would think that the whole "clone" thing might actually make a friendship rather difficult. Seriously, can you imagine being around someone who not only looks just like you, but is so similar in their actions and motivations that you can practically read one another's minds?
For that alone, we have to hand it to Peter for having good relationships with both Scarlets (excluding any Jackal-induced bouts of insanity). Peter and Ben are like brothers, and while Peter hasn't always been on the same side as Kaine, the latter Scarlet Spider has always cared immensely about Peter's well-being. The same goes for Ben, who actually sacrificed his life to save Peter's. Though the Clone Saga itself will always be remembered as one of Spider-Man's most controversial storylines, the Scarlet Spider mantle has proven itself as being worthy in its own right.
What other important Spidey-friendships did we miss? Let us know in the comments!


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St. Andrew's Mission Community Garage Sale
The St. Andrew's Mission Community Garage Sale will be coming up on Saturday, August 26 from 8AM- 12PM. This is Sam's First Annual Garage Sale that will be located at St. Andrew's The Mill Event Space.
This First Annual Garage Sale will be an event to give people the chance to clear out some space while being able to make a little money on the side as well.
Booth spaces are available and are 8ft by 8ft and will have one table and two chairs. You have the chance to book one or two tables at $25 each.
For more information and for vendor application as well as flyer information, click HERE!!


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How do I parse Multiple DoCcmd statements?
I am trying to run several DoCmd statements from one button, to go to various Controls and run a macro (the same one each time) which copies the contents of the previous record. The code below works when there is only one pair but when there are two pairs only the second one works. Any suggestions?...Thanks! We'll email you
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added and updated.Thanks! We'll email you
when relevant content is
added and updated.


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Google just announced a major redesign for Google+. The Google+ pages now look a lot more like for example Facebook.
There is a major focus on the new navigation which is much more focussed on ease for the user. Google says:
One of the first things you'll notice is a new way to get around the stream. Instead of static icons at the top, there's a dynamic ribbon of applications on the left. This approach comes with lots of perks, but some of our favorites include:
– You can drag apps up or down to create the order you want
– You can hover over certain apps to reveal a set of quick actions
– You can show or hide apps by moving them in and out of "More"
Google produced these videos with the launch:
I am not seeing it myself yet but I am sure that will come quickly. Our friend Alex Moss did and sent us these pictures:
Are you seeing it? What do you think?


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It is not easy to write a letter about your dead father to the president.
But when it's been almost 47 years since Larry Whitford died in a plane crash over Laos and the agency charged with getting him home says there's too much red tape in the way to get to his remains right now, you have to talk to the boss.
So for the past few weeks, Nancy Eger has relived that cold, rainy November day in Fort Smith, Ark., when two men in dress blues came to the house and told her mother that her 40-year-old husband was missing in action.
She's recalled the days when her mother wouldn't come out of her room, paralyzed as she sank into depression.
And she's remembered the years in Dallas when her mother traded private grief for public advocacy: the weekends with grandparents while her mother was in Washington, the turns in front of local news cameras and the sweltering afternoons spent in booths at the State Fair of Texas.
But after weeks of crafting her plea and several rounds of proofreading by other Vietnam War pilots, all Nancy can do now is hope President Barack Obama reads it.
Myles Caggins, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the administration "regularly raises the issue of full accounting for all service members with the Government of Laos."
Nancy believes that if the president knows about the sacrifice her father made when his F-100 Super Sabre crashed Nov. 2, 1969, then he'll be thinking about him when he becomes the first sitting president to visit Laos in September.
Maybe then he'll make a point of asking the Lao to let more recovery specialists into the country. Maybe then they'll make it easier to dig up remains of the hundreds more waiting to come home.
Maybe then Nancy can make good on her promise to her mother eight years ago that she'd finish the work they started and bring her father back.
"I want to go to Arlington National Cemetery and do it right, have the full military funeral," she said. "I want it like it should've been."
On Nov. 7, 1953, Patrice Joan Lee married Larry Whitford in the Rockwall County Courthouse.
The girl from nearby Greenville was 23 years old and beautiful, with dark brown curls and a smile that lit up her eyes when he made her laugh. The clean-cut 24-year-old from Iowa also knew how to dance without stomping on her feet, which was nice.
They didn't stay in Texas long. He wanted to be a fighter pilot, which meant they would call many places home over the next 16 years as he bounced from base to base.
Winter greeted them at Kincheloe Air Force Base on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Nancy and her brother, Larry Jr., were born in Madison, Wis. They grew up making new friends in places like Homestead, Fla., and Bunker Hill, Ind., and got their first passport stamps when they left for Wethersfield, England.
Larry usually got up around 5 a.m. to kick off a 12-hour day. Sometimes he'd be gone for weeks training at the next base over.
But the couple found time for each other. They loved to throw parties and invite other families on the base. The adults would puff cigars and everyone chowed down on shrimp and oysters.
Larry knew how to make romantic gestures count, too. Once after getting back from a month in Turkey, he put on Nat King Cole's "When I Fall in Love" and asked for Jo's hand.
"I came out of my room to come greet my dad and found them dancing," Nancy said. "And I thought, 'That's really cool. I'm not interrupting. In a world where people are fighting over stupid stuff, here are two people who love each other.'"
The Vietnam War had no problem interrupting their time together, though. By the time Larry made it over in February 1969, it had already claimed the lives of more than 30,000 men and the presidency of the man who sent many of them there.
He never complained. When he got the orders, the family was back stateside in Fort Smith, within a day's drive from Jo's parents in Muldrow, Okla. If anything happened, they'd at least be close to family.
"I'll be back by Christmas," he told Nancy and her brother. "Write me."
They did, twice a week, about the goings-on in second and third grade.
Larry wrote back with encouragement to get through math tests and instructions to their mother on how to fix the leaking fridge.
He never mentioned the danger he faced daily over Laos, flying fast and low with eyes peeled for targets on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Nancy had no idea he led the elite "Misty" unit charged with disrupting enemy supply lines. The unit recorded a 28 percent casualty rate.
But he didn't have to tell his wife about the hell he was going through when she came to see him during a rest and recuperation period.
She came back home and told Nancy he looked like he'd aged 20 years.
It took a moment for 11-year-old Nancy to absorb what the Air Force messengers were telling their mother about their father's crash.
If he was on the ground, he was coming home, right?
But when Nancy saw the younger airman at the door straining to keep his composure as her mother's face flooded with tears, she understood.
"That evening was so lonely because she just went in her room and barricaded herself," Nancy said. "She called my grandparents to watch us and we just sat together in shock."
Jo wasn't the same for a while.
She still got Nancy and Larry Jr. off to school in the mornings and cooked them dinner in the evenings, but she spent most of her day locked in the bedroom.
Nancy's grandparents did the best they could to help her heal, but a black poodle puppy named Suzy could never replace Larry.
Jo tried drowning the pain in alcohol and nicotine, but then Nancy buried her bottles and cigarettes in the backyard.
"She came into the kitchen saying, 'Where's my stuff?'" Nancy said. "And I told her it was in the backyard because I didn't want to lose her, too."
After about a year, the old Jo, aggrieved but unbowed, re-emerged.
She got a secretarial job with Richardson ISD and a house in Far North Dallas.
She found other women like her, widows in limbo, with Dallas Cares, and together they began calling for a full accounting of the men missing over there.
She found purpose in organizing fundraisers and passing out nickel bracelets. When the North Vietnamese listed the POWs still alive and their husbands weren't mentioned, she found solace in her newfound sisters.
"I miss those women," said Sallie Stratton, one of the group's co-founders. "We were each other's lifelines.
"I think Jo was one of the optimistic ones, like me, too. She had faith."
But Larry Whitford's training had never touched on living through a plane crash at 400 miles per hour.
No one knows why Whitford and his co-pilot, Capt. Patrick Carroll, went down on the morning of Nov. 2, 1969. Sorties scrambled when they didn't report back but found no signs of life.
There were no bodies near pieces of wreckage found a week later.
Nancy remembers her mother clinging to hope for years that Larry was alive in a POW camp and that the North Vietnamese were just trying to gain leverage in peace talks when they didn't put him on their lists.
Another Misty pilot dismissed the possibility.
"We were told that if we got captured, we'd be tortured and killed," Alan Robinson said recently. "There was no way they were going to haul us all the way to Hanoi."
When the war ended in 1975 and he didn't come home, Jo's fiction began to unravel.
She continued the trips to Washington and the interviews with local media, but the stubborn lack of answers from the government started to eat away at her optimism.
She still considered the Dallas Cares women friends, but their bonds centered on work that only brought them frustration.
In 1979, the military sent her a request to declare Larry killed in action so she could receive survivor's benefits. It forced her to consider whether she could accept that he was never coming home.
She called Nancy, by then 21 and a student at what was then North Texas State University, to break the news.
"She said, 'I think I'm going to do it,' Nancy said. "And I could just hear it in her voice like 'I can't do this anymore; how long can we possibly stand before we move on?'"
Jo never fully recovered.
She had lost the person she loved most and that pain came through in her parenting.
As a teenager, Nancy would endure lectures about responsibility after breaking curfew for a date or a night out with friends, but she knew why her mother was upset.
"After my dad went missing, she realized how fragile everything was," Nancy said. "She had a real fear of losing one of her kids, too. When she tried to rein me in, it was always based in fear."
In 2003, those fears were confirmed. Larry Jr. died of coronary artery disease at 47, just seven years older than his father was.
After another rough year, Jo revealed a side of herself not seen in decades. She began calling her daughter, by then an artist in suburban Atlanta, almost every day to tell her how she was feeling and discuss the latest misadventures of her Far North Dallas neighbors.
Most of the conversations stuck to local politics or the storm of acorns pattering her roof, thanks to her next-door neighbor's new oak tree. But occasionally she'd meander into a confession.
"She told me, totally unprompted, that in that first year after my dad went missing, she used to get us off to school and then go cry in her closet until we got home," Nancy said. "It was just such a departure from the 'We're not talking about this' way she'd always been about it."
The revelations awakened Nancy's curiosity. Her mother had cut off contact with all of the advocacy groups when Larry went KIA, but the National League of POW/MIA Families still sent her an invitation each year to its annual meeting in Washington.
When the letter came in 2008, Nancy asked her mother if she wanted to go. Jo wasn't interested — she'd already been to so many — but she told Nancy to go without her.
"It was just time," Nancy said. "Every year before then I'd say, 'No, not now.' But I had to know if anything had changed in 30 years."
She got a bombshell. After a couple of days of speeches and sightseeing, she and her husband went to her appointment with a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency caseworker.
They introduced themselves, and then he turned his laptop screen around and revealed a photo of Larry's crash site taken in 1995. She had never seen it.
There wasn't much left, just engine parts surrounded by yellow caution tape. But his remains had to be nearby.
"It was so sad and weird and bittersweet at the same time," Nancy said. "We'd found him."
Recovery teams have been back to southern Laos searching for Larry Whitford four times since 1995.
In 2005, a man identified in military documents as Mr. Thot told a team he recalled seeing a plane crash near his village around November 1970. One pilot who ejected was captured and taken to a nearby hospital, he said, while another found dead at the crash site was buried close by.
But detailed surveys of where Mr. Thot pointed the recovery workers found nothing. In 2007 and 2009, teams searched the vicinity and reached the same conclusion.
In 2012, a team found and photographed a penlight and a .38-caliber cartridge matching the sidearm that airmen in Southeast Asia carried during the Vietnam War.
But there are no certain leads, and when Nancy met with her caseworker again in late June, he said there were no plans to return this year. Teams were busy at other sites to the north.
That didn't stop her work. She wrote to Texas Rep. Sam Johnson, a Vietnam POW himself, about getting the president's attention. He enlisted support from other advocates, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
Whether or not her letter reaches the Oval Office, she hopes the president's trip to Laos on Sept. 6 will bring renewed attention to the POWs left behind.
But only 23 recovery teams are tasked with retrieving about 30,000 American service members from battlefields across the globe.
World War II gravesites under threat from resort construction in Saipan come before remains safely buried in Laos villages. Cases like Larry Whitford's, with no definite target and extensive use of helicopters — a practice the Lao restrict to a certain number of "blade hours" per year — are harder to authorize when there are other sites nearby that teams can reach by truck.
And that's alright. Even if Nancy got everything she could ever want — the body intact, the full military funeral in Arlington National Cemetery, the 21-gun salute with jets flying overhead — her mother wouldn't get back those lost years of grief.
The day she saw the photo of her father's crash site, Nancy made a promise to her mother that she'd see things through.
"She told me, 'Burying him here is your responsibility now,'" Nancy said. "And it's hard. It's a heavy burden. But I can carry it."
Jo Whitford died in 2010, a beloved mother and devoted Richardson ISD employee for more than 20 years.
She never replaced the love she found in the Rockwall County Courthouse all those years ago. Like her son before her, she died from coronary artery disease — a broken heart.


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It seems like more and more sneakerboot models show up every year, and now even the classic converse jack purcell espaأ±a transforms from a low-profile tennis shoe to a rugged winter-ready boot. Introducing the Jack Purcell S Series Boot, featuring a weather-resistant and premium Alpine leather upper with a neoprene inner sleeve that pairs with a Lunarlon insole for foot-hugging comfort and cushion. Of course, it's all topped of with the iconic "smile†toe cap for the signature Jack Purcell style.
The latest Chuck Taylors combine John Varvatos' penchant for zipper-enhanced, vintage-treated All Stars with the scaly trend we've explored throughout the Year of the Snake. This new John Varvatos x converse all star baratas espaأ±a Double Zip features a smooth snakeskin upper that resides mostly in the brown range, though most of the tones are fairly light. The zipper pull tabs on these are the same material, all of which is contrasted nicely by white leather medial patches, so check out more details below before you buy from top Converse stores like Kith.
Chuck Taylors go completely tonal with these new options from zapatillas converse botas for the most classic sneaker of all time. If you're tired of your standard Chucks, now you can grab an eye-catching edition of the shoe in a 100% tonal colorway, seen here in your choice of red or blue. Literally every component of the shoe from top to bottom is the same color making these true "Triple Red†and "Triple Blue†renditions. Maybe even quadruple red and blue? Find your pair as they arrive at select Converse retailers globally right now. Chucks also just got a premium new makeover from Stussy.
Known for their often understated and always perfectly executed collaborations, BEAMS works with Converse this summer for a special premium edition of the zapatillas converse chuck taylor all star. Also teaming up with bespoke clothing manufacturer Engineered Garments, the shoe features an asymmetrical, mismatched mix of off-white and cream hues across each of the alternating suede and canvas panels. The special construction also features a throwback outsole design for the Chuck Taylor not used in decades on the most classic sneaker of all time. And for a modern touch, they add special insoles that utilize Nike's new React foam for a more comfortable ride.Also releasing in a low-top version, the BEAMS x Engineered Garments x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is scheduled to release in Japan this September. In other recent Converse collab news.


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Not seeing what you're looking for? Try the sitemap. Here is a complete directory of this website's pages and posts, where you will be able to easily locate all existing content.
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Recent news
Our Coriste choristers, conducted by our founder and Artistic Director Trish Joyce, did a fantastic job at their performance in Atlantic City. When the concert ended, music educators in the audience were raving about the performance. "This was the most amazing choir I've ever seen!" "...more
Terrific news! Six of our Sola Voce choristers have been selected to sing at the ACDA National Convention in Minneapolis this coming March!
Mia Battistella, Allyson Burkitt, Divya Chiplunkar, Zia Sarkis, and Karmina Wall will be part of the ACDA National Children's Honor Choir (a 5th-...more
NJYC's Coriste Ensemble did a beautiful job in their joint concert with the internationally renowned University of Delaware Chorale. The Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Paul Head, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at UD, made five stops on their fall tour,...more
Camerata participated in and performed at the annual Brother's Sing On! festival at the University of Connecticut in October. The all day festival, open to male singers of all ages, culminated in a 4 PM finale performance, featuring UConn's all-male a cappella groups the ...more
Our NJ Youth Choir Collaboration at Montclair State University on October 15th was a smashing success. NJYC's Sola Voce, The Apprentice Chorus of the Newark Boys Chorus, The Children's Choir of Sussex County's Bella Voce, and the Quarter Notes from the Princeton Girl...more
The boys of our Coro Vivo ensemble performed with the Canadian Brass this past holiday season. The Canadian Brass, one of the most popular brass ensembles today, performs with the utmost dedication, skill and excellence while offering entertainment, spontaneity and fun into their sound. Our Coro...more
The New Jersey Youth Chorus joined the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra to bring the full score of Home Alone to life. In two different performances, Camerata and Coriste performed celebrated songs like "Somewhere in My Memory", as the holiday classic screened above the stage. The events...more
The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) is proud to announce that its young men's and boys' ensembles were invited to sing the national anthem at the Jets-Redskins game on Sunday, October 18th, 2015 at MetLife Stadium. The chorus performed shortly before kick-off.
"We would like...more
Well, it's not every day that you get to sing in one of the most prestigious venues in the world, but the New Jersey Youth Chorus had the privilege of performing there twice in less than twelve months. Over the Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend, our Advanced Choir performed at Carnegie Hall...more
NJYC's Sola Voce and Coro Vivo ensembles were proud to perform The Star Spangled Banner at the Mets vs. Giants game at Citifield on May 1st, 2016.
"There are a lot of fantastic groups for whom we could perform, but not many are as much fun as the Globetrotters!" said Matt LaPine, Director of NJYC Young Men's Ensemble. Pictured above are the boys of NJYC with Matt LaPine (back row left) and members of the Harlem Globetrotters on the...more
Incredible….Awesome….The Best Day of My Life!!! Those are just a few ways that NJYC Advanced choristers used to describe performing at this year's Super Bowl with singer, actress and talk show hostess, Queen Latifah. Less than two weeks before the Super Bowl, Director Trish Joyce...more


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Some things in life get better with age.
Drinks, books, style, conversation.
What about sex?
We believe sex can definitely get better with age.
That's what Shannon and Corey talk about in this episode.
Head's up! Join us for the Sexy Marriage Radio Getaway, Sept 17-20, 2015.
Join right away before the Early Bird Discount goes away July 1st.
Got a question?
Email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The Department of Psychology
The Advisement StaffThe Academic Advisement Center for Undergraduates in the Psychology Department at Cal State L.A. is one of the most valuable resources available to the new psychology student. This is because here at the Advisement Center a new student will be able to receive advice and information regarding the curriculum required for a bachelor's degree in psychology. The student can also come here to find out about departmental policies, campus events, and any other information a student may need about the Department.
At the Advisement Center the new student can receive information and advice from the people that will best understand their perspective -- other students. Since the advisors are all students themselves, after their training, they are excellent at helping other students. For instance, many of the advisors had the same questions when they first arrived at the campus so they can understand what new students are experiencing. However, if anyone should feel uncomfortable about working with a student or the coordinator, an advisory professor may be requested.
Joseph Antonio is the coordinator of the Advisement Center, a graduate student. He originally worked as an advisor before taking over the position of coordinator. He is in charge of training and scheduling the advisors that are currently staffing the facility. Some of his other duties include new student orientation and going to some of the local community colleges to inform prospective students about CSLA and the Psychology Department. This presentation also informs the students about the transfer requirements that will make the transition to Cal State L.A. easier. The position of coordinator and the overall management of the facility is overseen by Dr. Michael Wapner, the senior advisor.
While the primary function of the advisement center is to inform students about their general education and upper division course requirements, it also serves another important function. The Advisement Center and its staff help to assist new and/or transferring students adapt to the quarter system and a university setting, which can be a frightening experience to even the best of students. The new student is able to meet other students at the Center and see a familiar face on a regular basis, when so many faces are still unfamiliar. At the Advisement Center we also inform students about our Psychology Association "Psi Chi" and encourage them to join.
The Advisement Center is a great asset to the Psychology Department and the local community because of the services it provides. The Advisement Center also stresses the academic nature that is a university, but it also encourages fun and interaction between the students and faculty. It is services like these that make the Psychology Department one of the best departments on campus, and helps to make Cal State L.A. the fine institution that it is.
Prepared firstname.lastname@example.com -- This edition update by firstname.lastname@example.com


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The upcoming album marks the group's first release since its first full-length album "Happy Moment" in June last year.
|WJSN (Starship Entertainment)
The release schedule for the new album shared via WJSN's official website featured dates for the release of track-list and a music video, slated for Feb. 21 and 22, respectively. The wizardly design of the schedule, looking like an invitation from a magic school, dropped hints of the group's new concept as well.
The 13-piece multi-national K-pop girl group, which includes three Chinese members Cheng Xiao, Mei Qi and Xuan Yi, debuted in February 2016 with its first EP "Would You Like." The act released its second EP "The Secret" in August 2016 and its third EP "From. WJSN" in January last year. In 2015, WJSN also won a Rising Star Award from Asia Artist Awards.


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Listed Debts
Bankruptcy generally only covers debts that you include in your petition, but this isn't always the case. The rule applies unequivocally to Chapter 13 proceedings, but some Chapter 7 bankruptcies are no-asset cases, and this changes things. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the trustee takes control of your assets and liquidates them, turning the proceeds over to your creditors to satisfy as much of your debt as possible. Unpaid balances are discharged. If you have no non-exempt property for the trustee to sell, none of your creditors receive anything. Even if you had overlooked a debt, failing to list it in your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case, courts have ruled that this debt is also discharged if it existed at the time you filed because the creditor could not have received anything in a no-asset case.
Non-Dischargeable Debts
The bankruptcy code lists 19 types of debts that are not dischargeable in Chapter 7. If you file for Chapter 13, however, the list is shorter. In Chapter 13, the law gives you a break because your creditors receive payment from your disposable income each month, not the sale of your assets. Debts that are non-dischargeable in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases include child support and alimony, some taxes, debts incurred as a result of driving under the influence, student loans, some retirement plan loans, and fines and penalties you owe to the government. Debts incurred as part of the property settlement aspect of a divorce are not dischargeable in Chapter 7, but they are in Chapter 13. Some taxes that would otherwise be non-dischargeable in Chapter 7 are covered by Chapter 13. Some bills fall into a gray area – they're dischargeable unless the creditor petitions the court to make them non-dischargeable. If you have questions about a certain debt, speak with an attorney, because the rules are extremely complex.
Secured Debts
Some debts are secured by property. Your responsibility for paying them may be discharged in Chapter 7, but you don't get to keep the collateral, such as your auto or residence. There's a way around this, however, under some circumstances. If you're relatively current with the loan, you can reaffirm the debt, effectively removing it from the bankruptcy proceedings. It's not discharged, so if you fall behind with your payments in the future, the lender can repossess or foreclose on the collateral. You must have the court's permission to reaffirm a debt. This isn't an issue in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, because you can include your past due payments in your repayment plan and keep the collateral regardless. If a creditor sued you, received a judgment against you, and used it to place a lien against your property, your bankruptcy absolves you from having to pay the debt, but it does not get rid of the lien. You must take an extra step and petition the court to eliminate the lien as well.
Utility Bills
Utility bills are covered by bankruptcy, but some special rules apply to them. Providers can't shut off your services because you've filed and owe money that you won't have to pay, but this only applies to bills you owe at the time you file. If you don't pay your bills for service incurred after this date, providers can cut your service. Utility companies also have the right to demand an additional deposit if you file for bankruptcy, and to apply any deposit you already put down against your discharged balance.


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Name a talented writer-artist who got their start as a teen in the '80s, has a large, almost cult-like following, and looks great in a pair of Levi's.
Those of you who said Colleen Doran, you are correct. (Those who said Rob Liefeld, well, you'd be wrong for the purposes of this article.)
Recently, CBR News had the opportunity to chat with Doran. The topics covered were varied and numerous. The writer is involved in so many projects at the moment, it makes this reporter's head spin just thinking about them. Still, Doran managers to juggle all the projects on her plate with the grace and poise of a seasoned professional, which, of course, is what she is. So sit back and prepare to amazed…
We began by discussing "A Distant Soil," the first series Doran ever created. Well, as the saying goes, "You never forget your first." And considering she is still writing and drawing the book (which is currently published through Image Comics), it appears Doran never has and never will.
"Oh boy, I have been at Image now for ten years, as of last February. Hard to believe it! I've been working on it for almost as long as I can remember, since I was a kid. I began writing it when I was twelve. I don't like to admit how long ago that was!"
"The new trade is coming out this week, 'A Distant Soil: Coda.' And I hope the latest issue will be out in April. I have to admit that my schedule is pretty brutal these days."
Brutal is an understatement (which you will see as you continue to read the article). For those who aren't familiar with the book, but are curious about it, Doran was happy to provide a brief description.
"It's the story of a young girl who is born the heir to an alien religious dynasty. She has the power of an Avatar. Her world believes that makes her a conduit to their god. In reality, she is able to draw on the Collective psychic force of her people. This makes her an awesome weapon. However, only one Avatar can exist at a time.
"If there are two Avatars, their connections to the Collective interfere with one another and they become almost useless. And without their Avatar, their homeworld is without its weapon of mass destruction. So, these aliens must find this little girl and get rid of her to save themselves. But, things don't go exactly as planned, and lots of political machinations, backstabbing, romantic intrigue, and all around badness abounds. It is definitely the kind of story you will like to read if you enjoy literary science fiction and fantasy."
Considering the length of time she has worked on this series, Doran has naturally experienced several highs and lows over the book's lifetime. CBR News asked her about the best and most difficult parts of working on a creator-owned book for such an extended period, and she had plenty to say in response.
"Oh boy, I could spend all day answering this question. It is deeply satisfying to have something that I enjoy so much, and at the same time, it has been grueling. And to have spent so many years working on one story, people expect the ending to be good. I am now working on the final storyline, and I am a nervous wreck. The best part is the pure satisfaction of writing and drawing something that is completely your own and outside of any consideration of commercial constraint. Of course, having a cult book also means being somewhat marginalized and not doing as well financially as one might like! But if you choose to do a purely personal work, you choose the hard road.
"When I first started out, people thought this was just the oddest, quirkiest book and it didn't get a lot of respect. Now, it gets cited by the American Library Association and is listed in the '101 Best Graphic Novels.' It took a long time, but in the end, to have a book that is respected and well received is very satisfying. If it made more money, then I would have no complaints at all! I am sure there are things I could have done to make the book an easier sell, but I am glad I did the book the way it should have been done."
With a story so long in the making, readers might wonder if and how it will end. While she wouldn't reveal the how portion of this question, Doran did indicate an ending. And it just so happens, the end is near…
"I have about eight more issues of the comic to go. The latest graphic novel, the one that came out last week, 'A Distant Soil: Coda,' is volume IV. Volume V is the end. The real end. When the story is over, it is over.
"I have also been working on Volume 0, which is the prequel, but it is a standalone. I actually started working on that storyline years ago, and published some of it, but it has been out of print for almost fifteen years, so if I resurrect it now, most people will not be familiar with it. The story is called 'A Distant Soil: Seasons of Spring.'"
Another book Doran is currently drawing is "The Book of Lost Souls," which is published under Marvel's Icon imprint. The book is written by Joe M. Straczynski ("Amazing Spider-Man," "Fantastic Four") and explores the kind of fantasy dreamland that Doran excels in bringing to life. And speaking of dreams, the artist indicated that getting this job was a dream come true in and of itself.
"I got a note from Joe Straczynski out of the blue. We had exchanged a few emails and I was a big fan of his. He had done me a very kind favor, offered me some support when I was going through a professional crisis. I was very grateful and was amazed when he asked me to audition for the book. I honestly thought he was just shining me on because I couldn't believe he really liked my stuff. I was blown away by both his personal support and his professional interest.
"I was a major 'Babylon 5' fan. In fact, when I got my first 'Lost Souls' check, I ran out and bought the boxed DVD set! I was such a fangirl! I even had him sign my name badge at a convention and took pictures of us! Look at me! I'm standing here with the Great Maker! I just loved that show. My parents are fans of his because he worked on 'Murder She Wrote' and they loved that show, too. Every time one of his books would come out with another artist, I would just droop. I wanted to work with him so bad! I just couldn't believe I got a chance to do this book."
As you can see, Doran's enthusiasm for the book is immeasurable. When asked what appealed to her about the story, she responded, "Oh, I love every aspect of it! I love the variety of the storylines, the dark, gothic feel, the hopefulness and sorrow, and the strong characters. I love the talking cat! It's one of the few times I have worked on a comic and literally cried while working on the story. It is so moving and beautiful. I genuinely love this book."
Many artists have difficulty just completing one book a month; Doran, however, is juggling two books in addition to other projects. In discussing her schedule, it quickly became clear that she could use a few more days in the week (either that, or a clone of herself).
"('The Book of Lost Souls') is actually running about every six weeks just now. JMS (Straczynski) writes all the cool books in North America, so I don't know how he does it! There's a little hiatus between issues #6 and 7. But it will probably go back to monthly again after that. I don't mind the little break. I get extra time to finish off other stuff!
"As for me, I work seven days a week just now, but I don't recommend it! It is grueling. In about two months, several major extra projects of mine will be finished and I will have more time, but for now, I am a machine. I have the advantage of having a very supportive family, and when I am on deadline, I just work. I don't have to cook or clean, I just draw. To be honest, being able to cook or work in the garden feels like a vacation to me, so I am happy to do it when I can. But just now, I work. I am grateful to have so much to do! If I didn't have such a supportive family I could never get things done."
In talking with Doran, CBR News discovered that she will be giving a lecture on manga at the Smithsonian this spring and also has a manga art book coming out later in the year. For those who are familiar with her art, this may be a bit of a surprise as Doran's name might not be the first that pops in your head when you hear the word "manga."
"My style isn't really manga, so you are right to think it isn't!" she explained.
"Manga is simply the Japanese word that has come to mean 'comics.' That is all. The literal meaning is 'whimsical' or 'irresponsible pictures.'
"The name comes from the famous woodblock artist Hokusai who published sketchbooks of his work between the years 1814 and 1878. He called them manga because he meant to say that the drawings were spontaneous and unplanned, that they just came unbidden from his pen without consideration, hence they were 'irresponsible.' They were not necessarily comics as we know them today, but they had snippets of work that were clearly possessed of a sense of continuity and theme.
"The original meaning of manga is very different from what we know of as comics today.
"Manga is simply comics, most correctly, Japanese comics. Japanese comics are generally characterized by a decompressed storytelling sensibility, but there is no single art style to manga. The artists are as diverse as Western artists. What we generally think of as manga is what gets imported, and it is usually the most popular kind of work; often with a 'house' art style, big eyes and that sort of thing. But big eyes don't make manga."
In discussing the draws of manga for her, she stated, "I am most interested in classic manga because the Tezuka influence in storytelling style was still at its height in the 1970's and 1980's, and it is the strong storytelling sensibility that I admire most in manga. Classic manga is more compressed than modern manga, but more decompressed than most American comics. I love this balance and it is the kind of storytelling sense that I like to use in 'A Distant Soil' sometimes, though my own work is far more story-dense than any manga.
"I've also always admired the Asian sense of line and negative space. I was very fond of many of the late 19th to early 20th century graphic artists and illustrators, and I realized that much of what I enjoyed about their work was the direct influence of the woodblock prints being imported from Asia in the 19th century. They were a huge influence on Toulouse Lautrec, Alphonese Mucha, Vincent Van Gogh and others. Van Gogh's famous painting of iris is very similar to a Hokusai print of iris, and the graphic line of art nouveau is the direct descendant of the fusion of Western form and Asian line.
"I am actually quite picky about my manga now because I can afford to be! Like many fans, when it first started getting imported, I bought everything in sight. Now I just buy a few favorite titles."
While the American comic industry is doing well at the moment, it isn't thriving to the degree that manga is. We asked Doran what factors enable manga to succeed where American comics fall short; however, she didn't quite agree with this assessment.
"I don't think one succeeds and the other falls short, I think they both have interesting qualities. I like and read both Asian and Western comics and admire them both."
As for her upcoming book and the lecture mentioned earlier, Doran said, "My book is called 'Girl to Grrrl Manga,' and it will be out this fall from North Light Books. It is a How To book that concentrates almost entirely on drawing in several different shoujo styles.
"It won't teach you how to draw a building or how to draw dragons, it will only teach you how to parse stylistic sensibilities, duplicate them, and then it will encourage you to come up with your own looks in the manga idiom. I tend to be pretty analytical, so this comes naturally to me!
"My lecture at the Smithsonian will be in May. The Freer Gallery is the famous Asian art wing of the Smithsonian Institute and it will feature a major exhibit on the work of Hokusai. Since Hokusai came up with the term 'manga,' the Smithsonian has asked me to come in and be the artist-in-residence for a week and talk to people about manga and its evolution from wood block prints, as well as manga today. Fred Schodt, author of 'Manga! Manga!' gave them my number, so I was very honored. It is taking a lot of work and study to prepare for this lecture! I will lecture the final week of the Hokusai exhibit."
A recurring theme among Doran's passions is fantasy, so an interest in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" (LOTR to its fanbase) is to be expected. Actually, to say it is just an "interest" understates her feelings for Tolkien's books. Fanatic would probably be a fair assessment.
"Some of my earliest fan art is of Tolkien's work. In fact, recently, I found my first accounting book from when I was a fan going to conventions and selling my art. The art had titles like 'Off to Rivendell' and 'Gandalf.' My sketchbooks are full of Tolkien art. I have been a major Tolkien fan and collector for years. I had such a ridiculous collection of stuff that a book about Tolkien was published with pictures of collectibles, and most of the collectibles were mine! I have multiple editions of the books and all of them on tape or CD as well. It really is ridiculous, but I just love this stuff."
Of her more recent LOTR works, Doran said, "I did some illustrations for an unofficial book about Tolkien's work. I also did illustrations for several New Line-sponsored events and had a lot of my work at the New Line/www.theonering.net Oscar night parties that were auctioned off for charity."
When asked if she prefers sketching the characters as they appeared in the movie versus drawing them from scratch, she replied, "I only do movie-based art if it is required by the client. I prefer to do book-based work, and to stay away from movie images. There is so much unseen work in Tolkien's world that it is not needed to repeat what the Peter Jackson film imagined."
Doran secured herself a small bit of immortality in the Tolkien fan-world with an appearance in the documentary "Ringers: Lord of the Fans," a film that explores how LOTR has influenced Western popular culture over the past fifty years. The creator filled us in on how this occurred, and talked about some fun times in Tinseltown.
"Well, years ago at the San Diego ComiCon, I was wandering around the booths before the show started, which is one of the swell things you get to do when you have an exhibitor pass. I ran into Cathy Uvdotch, a woman that is heavily involved with www.theonering.net and Tolkien fandom in general. I was drooling at all the cool stuff at the WETA booth (the effects company behind LOTR), and Cathy saw my name and recognized me.
"She then introduced me to some of the cast and the WETA crowd who were hanging about. Sala Baker, the stuntman who played Sauron, and Lawrence Makaore, the actor who was Lurtz (and has been in lots of other films) were just lounging around and we all hit it off. I got to meet Roger Taylor and some of the other WETA guys later. Some of us are still friends and stay in touch.
"When Cathy found out what a big LOTR fan I was, she just took me under her wing and we've been pals since. I went on to meet lots of other guys, and even put Sala and Craig Parker (the actor who played Haldir) into some of my comics. Sala was the King of Scorpio in 'Reign of the Zodiac,' and Craig loves comics. He begged to be a villain, so he ended up in both 'Reign of the Zodiac' and he is a very creepy villain in 'The Book of Lost Souls.'
"It really has been a lot of fun hanging out with some of the cast. Of course, I don't really know the major actors well at all. They are the kind of people you have dinner and cocktails with, and then you see them six months later and they can't remember you at all! But some of the other actors and stuntmen…we have become friends. A couple of them have become some of my favorite models. Jarl Benzon (who was Orlando Bloom's body-double) has stood for a lot of photos for me, and so has Sandro Kopp. I turned Sandro into one of the Lords of Chaos in 'The Book of Lost Souls.' He's stunning and wicked. He's also a wonderful artist.
"Anyway, Cathy and Cliff Broadway and Carlene Cordova (the producer of 'Ringers') decided to have me along for some of the Oscar night parties, so they gave me the VIP treatment, which was incredible. Later they asked to interview me for the film. I think they shot me for hours and used about two minutes! But it was fun! I understand some of the material will be used in later books and whatnot. We'll see…"
On top of everything else we've discussed, Doran has one more project up her sleeve: she is the artist of "Stealth Tribes," an upcoming Vertigo OGN written by Warren Ellis. The two previously collaborated on the excellent "Orbiter," and this book promises to be a great read as well. So, how does a fantasy-loving gal end up working with a dark and twisted mind like Ellis' not just once, but twice?
"He contacts me every couple of years or so, and says he has an idea," Doran responded. "They are all incredible ideas, and I would walk a mile across glass to work with Warren. Sometimes it is just an idea, and sometimes it is with pages of copy."
Regarding their process, Doran made it sound fairly straightforward. "I get a script and I draw it. Warren is very flexible. I email him sketches or finished pages, and he almost never says 'Yuck!' That is much appreciated."
In describing the book, the artist indicated that it delves into some…interesting areas. "Oh, it is very dark, very cyberpunk, and very 'pervy.' It addresses the vast changes being made to our society, as well as ourselves - our very bodies - by these new technologies. It is quite clever and very naughty."
Considering all the adjectives she just used to describe this tale, we asked Doran what interested her most about this story. She replied, "Drawing it. It's a kick. It is totally twisted and demented. I cannot show this to my mother. And, of course, the never-ending fount that is Warren's brain. That is glorious. I love people of ideas and being around them. Warren's brain never stops."
As if she needed any more work on her plate, Doran also was pleased to share one more project she is working on.
"I am illustrating a children's book by Louise Simonson called 'Children of Olympus' [from Komikwerks]. I should be finishing it off next week. Yay!"
Wrapping up this interview, I'm left speechless by this writer's schedule and work ethic. Unlike Doran though, this reporter does get tired. I'm taking a nap…


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Leaders, you should feel a constant pull toward your leadership purpose if you are truly called to lead.
The trials, tribulations and cares of this world aren't enough to hold you back. However, you have allowed circumstances to sit you down temporarily; to distract you; and, to delay you.
But you can't stop. Get up and do the work. The work, time and effort seem futile at times but do the work anyway.
You think, "No one is listening; no one is paying attention; no one is changing; no one is being influenced by my leadership." But nothing could be farther from your truth. Keep doing the work.
Leadership is a difficult concept to conceptualize and to define. It's something planted on the inside of you, pulling on your purpose; making you continue to try to make a difference; making you continue to build; and making you continue to help the people you were created to help. It's not about the money but like a money magnet, you will attract wealth and money to you as you lead.
Do. Not. Stop. No matter what, do the work. The fruit of your labor will manifest. The transformation in your tribe will occur. The reward for your work will be awarded to you.
Yes, of course, seek God first. Take care of your family. Get your proper rest. But answer the call. Fulfill your purpose. Complete your assignment. Always do the work.