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This was never quite as bad as critics made it out to be - although the core task system being roll-under does create some issues in the game (the clunky rolling of 'half dice', and the increased emphasis of Characteristic scores over Skills). There is quite a bit of errata too, and some of the text needs repeat reading to make any sense of it. So it could have done with a lot more editing.
There are, however, some very attractive colour plates of starship imagery in here, and while the rest of the layout isn't flash - it's not weak either. The cover is nice too and, at it's core, this is actually a pretty good edition of the game to base star-travelling adventures from. Character generation is fun (as in the best Traveller editions) and the world and starship generators are pretty much the same as in all editions.
If you want a more concise attempt at an authentic version of Marc Miller's personal vision of his own game than T5, then this will serve you well.
While it seems pretentious to assess the third edition of the game on it's comparative art direction, it is probably worth noting that many people bought the previous editions as art books. This edition, albeit in full colour and visually impacting to a degree not seen in most RPGs, is mainly made up with anime or straight cartoony imagery. It just doesn't feel as classy.
The writing too seems a bit more trite in places, and while the game has always been whimsical in that way, I found the actual structure of the writing to be less directly informative on some key aspects of the game. There is a lot more emphasis in the game on collaborative character design and advice towards actual gameplay. In that regards it is a better edition. But whatever happened to the detail about flowers? In all, it's very good unless you were in love with the previous editions - in which case it's OK.
FATE seems to have inspired a loyal set of pretty fanatical fans, to which I account for by very effective marketing. For me, however, I have tried but simply cannot get traction on the game's appeal. Character's are presented in a rules-lite manner, and the core mechanic is pretty simple. However, the whole book just seems to go on and on about rules, rules discussion and then some more rules discussion. I don't really see where the massive innovation in the game is, as most of the ideas have already been done in much older games if you are prepared to look for them. It's neatly packaged, supported and comes at an appealing price - but, ultimately, I just find it a boring read and a so-so game to play in or run.
As with the previous 2nd editions of Chronicles of Darkness games, this is a highly polished effort with improved art direction, tidy rules and by it being a self contained game.The gnostic backstory is well telegraphed, however, which means holding mysteries from anyone who's seen The Matrix can be a challenge!
Notably, this Mage game is only half the size of it's intimidatingly huge cousin, Mage: The Ascension, and will be certainly easier to play for newcomers. It manages this by missing out on much of the more gonzo, philosophical and real world culture referencing material of the former though - and may feel a bit bland by comparison for the original game's fans. It's a toolkit for running modern magical stories alright, but it's not a game that seeks to make you believe in a magical world or look at the real world with a new perspective.
Regardless, it's a great addition to the Chronicles of Darkness line, which is consistently improving levels of excellence.
Alongside the French Arm Adventures and the Ships of the French Arm (plus the core rules), this presents enough material for running a successful 2300AD campaign for years. Of the three, this is probably the best place to start as the overview gives a good thematic grounding.
The presentation of the line continues to improve - with colour added to some illustrations and maps for the first time and the quality of the writing is good. It's an exotic setting, but well grounded in genuine hard science ideas - and this is good inspiration for those that may be jaded by the looser, more space opera elements of the default Third Imperium Traveller game. On the other hand, if you're not a hard science fan then the opposite may be more apposite - it's kinda like an 'Advanced' Traveller setting in this respect.
In all, though, this setting is really taking shape well now. Recommended.
Traveller has become such a core part of my gaming experience that criticising it is akin to trying to criticise The Beatles - there is something for everyone here. There is so much innate flexibility and gameablity contained within this book, including my absolute favourite game for character generation, world design and many simple but satisfying in-game systems. Some may grumble on cost and/or the decision to make a new edition, but the revisions generally improve game flow and the art and interior decor were much needed. The game still provides a multitude of story ideas in a lean, mean package and for my money, it's the best science fiction game in the market. Thoroughly recommended.
While the sheer size of this volume may be intimidating, the truth is that this represents the best of the 20th Anniversary Classic World of Darkness games to date. The artwork is eye popping, the writing passionate and intense (reminiscent of the old school 90s White Wolf writers), while the central premise is mind blowing to the uninitiated.
There are some excellent new developments in terms of creating your own paradigm and style of magic, which still hangs on the core freeform magick (sic) system, while the setting material and various factions and groups accumulated through the years are all there, looking and reading both modern and fresh. The sheer variety of characters you can play, or interact with makes this very much an immersive, kitchen sink setting. One moment you might be fighting in the gutter, the next floating in the spiritual heavens with angels. And everything else in between. It's an effective combination of postmodern fantasy, psychedelic melodrama and existential depth.
While there are some quibbles with a few semantic definitions (the Forces Sphere, for example) and a few oddly arbitrary decisions occasionally made in both setting and rules, the impact of the whole cannot be denied. It's the ultimate RPG of modern magick.
Considering the instability of the various RuneQuest/Legend editions, and with Chaosium due to release another RuneQuest edition next year, it was probably quite a wise move to develop the Renaissance system as it's own thing.
However, there is nothing better than an entirely self contained game and setting and this one has great potential now that it's been formatted this way. The layout and organisation is sound, with some nice illustrations of the period and the writing is clear and compelling.
It's sits nicely alongside the Clockwork and Chivalry game (also Renaissance based but set about 100 years earlier), and offers some excellent Cthuluoid scares in an 18th Century London setting. It does beg the question whether the Clockwork and Cthulhu supplement will also get a 2nd edition with a full set of rules in the future? Indeed, one wonders whether they can keep making historical settings of this ilk in maybe the 19th and 16th Centuries too? It would certainly make a fine collection!
Certainly an improvement from the unedited and flatly impenetrable version originally published from the kickstarter. The index is welcome, while the additional 50 pages or so are mainly used to provide clarification, a slightly tidier layout and a more logical organisation of the book. There is no linkable contents menu, however, which is also pretty vital for a pdf and the cover on my copy was missing still.
Certain rules clarifications that are now included make the accusation of it being 'unplayable' an overstatement, but it is still most likely to be an overwhelmingly complex book for casual gamers or those with any sort of aversion to maths. That said, I'm not sure that was ever the market for this game. For existing Traveller fans, there is a lot of material that will undoubtedly be useful for their games.
EDIT: Further to my original comments after reading through more fully (and it does take some reading!), there are some genuine gems within this book. I can see the logic - finally - of using a variable dice pool, roll-under system as opposed to the fixed 2D6 system used in Classic and Mongoose Traveller. Firstly, it meshes more tightly with the Characteristic scores used and secondly, it's simply more open ended in terms of operating on a universal scale. The probability charts at the end of the book give a clear indication of your chances and, fully developed it looks pretty smooth.
Character generation is more involved than before with the role of education fully integrated and with differing paths for each career. You can also create a genetic legacy, while options for sophonts, clones and robots are fully detailed. The various 'Maker' sections have fuller explanations, along with starship and world designs. There are some interesting scientific asides as well as advice for running games throughout the text.
This is not a game for novices, and there are still lots of issues about editing throughout. But for Traveller fans, there is something of real worth and investment at the core. Recommended.
Deserved of all the accolades it receives, Feng Shui was a seminal RPG of action movie violence that utilised a time-travel/alternative history conceit to be able to mesh together multiple settings into one big shoot out.
Feng Shui 2 steps up the physical presentation to a full colour edition closer to the vision of the original Daedalus Games game (before the company went belly up). The rules are also reviewed and streamlined, with some good additional sub-systems (like car chases) and an updated setting (with some sensible revisions to the future setting - including road warrior chimps..). The game runs faster than before and the setting is more open. If you haven't experienced it before, and like the idea of action movie melodrama, you really need to give it a shot. One of the best introductory RPGs out there.
As with other NWoD titles, Werewolf is frequently judged in comparison to what came before, and this will be no exception. I largely grew up with the old Werewolf: The Apocalypse game, where the political themes (environmentalism) were much more prevalent and pervasive.
Werewolf: The Forsaken largely irons much of this out, and makes the game more directly about defending a particular territory against weird, invading, animistic spirits. In this regards, it's actually closer to The Whispering Vault in some respects than it's mother game. The game is also a lot more concise, focussed and flexible in effect. The previous (1st) edition of the game suffered a little insofar that there was too much fluff text. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but compared to the more emotive concepts involved in Werewolf: the Apocalypse, it felt a bit dry. You were also required to buy another book for the core rules. The second edition is punchier in delivery, with consistent artwork (mostly like the cover - in brown hues), and it's a complete game in one.
The premise is still slightly compromised insofar that it's game play requires that you don't play a raging, force-of-nature, homicidal, solitary beast (as in the movies), but with this understanding it makes for a lot of good campaign play. The book squashes a lot into 320 pages, but is a tad more organised than Vampire: The Requiem while remaining highly compatible for crossovers. In all, an excellent development.
A game that always garnered huge passions from it's fans, and kept fans returning largely due to the central concept of 'consensual reality'. It's hard to relate to the impact that this concept would have had on it's fans upon first reading. The post-Matrix world has this type of postmodern, New-Agey idea in mainstream abundance these days, and it seems to be nothing new. At the time, however, it felt like you had been touched by genius upon reading it.
The game itself is very messy - a few too many unnecessary skills, confusing explanations and curious rules stipulations that don't make sense. The organisation is a bit all over the place.
It never meshed especially well with the prior WoD games either - Vampires can hardly be running the world if the Technocracy is supposedly doing so too, Werewolves have their Umbra concepts compromised by Mage's version of the same idea and, indeed, how can Vampires and Werewolves truly exist in a world dominated by a Technocracy-dominated paradigm? Shouldn't they have been eradicated in this modernistic worldview?
Not a classic, as such, yet the passion and concepts still shine through in the writing - and that's what gives it value. This is not a particularly good scan, however, it must be noted.
Changeling: The Dreaming was the last of the original five World Of Darkness games, and certainly by the time of the second edition the quality of the interior design (full colour), and overall visual quality of the game was breathtakingly good. It is probably the prettiest book I saw in the 1990s.
The game suffered, unfortunately, by being significantly different in tone to the previous games, in a manner similar to Mage: The Ascension - but much more pronounced. It's far away from being gothic, now explicitly called 'modern fantasy' and simply doesn't fit in well with the rest of the games in the series.
As a standalone game it works pretty well. The gameplay is a bit like a contemporary version of Shadowrun in some ways, with various gang-like antics being undertook by characters in their crypto-magical world (that only they can see). However, the fey archetypes are a little twee, some of the 'loss of childhood' themes are a tad heavy-handed, and the Storyteller system had a few well-acknowledged clunks in it by this stage too.
It's certainly worth a look - especially if you like sumptuous fantasy art - and it does play well with the right group. It will always be a slightly flawed masterpiece in my thoughts though.
This product is basically a copy of two pages of Mongoose's Traveller game. Nothing new to see, pretty much useless on it's own, and flatly it seems that somebody is attempting to make a bit of easy profit out of an open system SRD.
This is pretty much a perfect game for what it sets out to do. It emulates the pulp/planetary romance genre with a real warmth and enthusiasm, whilst building on a simple system and rich setting within which there is a huge variety of options for gameplay. If you find traditional sci-fi games a bit too involved, complex and serious in tone, then this may well be the antidote. The system is completely compatible with the Doctor Who range also, and the production standards (especially the layout) is topnotch. As stated, a perfect game.


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By Michaela Gibson Morris/NEMS Daily Journal
Tupelo's new development code is entering the home stretch.
"We hope to have the final draft ready for the city council in January," said B.J. Teal, director of development services for the City of Tupelo.
The current code dates from 1994. The new code, which has been under construction for about two years, is developed from the city's comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2008. It aims to be more business friendly and allows more mixed development.
"There's more ranges of use instead of strictly separated zones," city planner Pat Falkner said at the Dec. 3 hearing before the planning committee. "We need to grow more compactly, more efficiently."
Among its features will be a points system, which has been used successfully in other cities, to give developers more flexibility.
After the council adopts the code, there will be a transition period as the development services department works to educate the public about the new code, Teal said. During that time, developers will be able to choose which code they will follow. Over the summer, likely in July, the transition to the new code would be complete.
Trouble with signs
At last week's public hearing, concerns centered primarily around signs for business.
Cindy Hale of Red Door Antiques, Brad Ivy of Tupelo Farm and Ranch, and Will Troxler, a Tupelo business man, spoke about the confusion over temporary signs and banners and perceptions about uneven enforcement.
"It was very difficult to understand who is exempt," said Linda Hale, who received a notice over the banner she uses to let customers know which days her business is open.
Nat Leathers of Dodge's Stores challenged the proposed percentages for signs on business windows – set at 10 percent, and walls – set at 30 percent.
"I feel like we're being penalized for having windows instead of walls," Leathers said.
The new code does include changes that allow for broader use of temporary banners for businesses. Based on Leathers' comments, Falkner said the development department will look at the concept of a total percentage of signage a business can have, instead of setting specific ratios for walls, windows and ground.
"We'll write some draft changes and post them on the website," Falkner said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Eddie Van Halen Interview: Of Wolf and Man
Later I bought a Goldtop Les Paul with soapbar pickups, but I didn't quite like the way they sounded. I wanted a humbucker. I got an old PAF from somewhere, took a chisel to make the pickup cavity bigger and crammed the pickup in the guitar. I only replaced the bridge pickup, not the neck one. Everyone who saw me play wondered how I got that sound from a soapbar pickup. They didn't realize I put a humbucker in there because my right hand would cover the pickup when I would play; all they could see was the neck pickup. I wasn't trying to fool anyone, but that was the sound I wanted. I also didn't like the way the gold finish looked, so I painted it black. These were some of the first modifications I ever did to a guitar. Having the combination of two different pickups—which wasn't available then—gave me more of what I wanted and was a hint of things to come, including the striped paint job.
Then I bought a Gibson ES-335 that had one of those Maestro Vibrola wiggle sticks with the bent metal tailpiece, like you find on an SG. I liked it but it wouldn't stay in tune. I figured that maybe I could make the E, A and D string solid and just have the high three strings affected by the wiggle stick, so I sawed the Vibrola in half. My thought was that if the high three strings went out of tune, I would always be able to make it through a song playing chords that were on the low three strings that were in a fixed position—kinda like two guitars in one, a stop tailpiece and a wiggle stick on one guitar.
I figured out how to hard-mount the low three strings, but I couldn't figure out how to bolt the wiggle stick part into the wood. I drilled a hole and put a huge screw in it, and it worked a little bit, but after a while the wood gave out amongst other problems.
I destroyed a lot of guitars trying to get them to do what I wanted, but I learned something from every guitar I tore apart, and discovered even more things. Things like if the string is not straight from the bridge saddle to the nut, you're going to have friction. On most guitars the headstock is angled back which compounds the problem. When you press the vibrato bar down, the strings loosen from the bridge to the nut to the tuning peg. When you let up on the bar, the tuning does not return to the same point. So I got a brass nut, made the slots really big and put 3-in-One oil in the cuts where the string travels through the nut. Then I wound the strings up the tuning peg instead of down so the line from the bridge saddle to the nut to the tuning peg was straight as an arrow. Also, from the back of the guitar where you put the string through the block on a Fender tremolo tailpiece, every time I turned the tuning peg I would grab the ball end and turn it with every turn of the tuning peg, alleviating twist tension within the string itself. It worked really well. These are some of the discoveries I made that allowed me to use a standard vibrato and do the crazy shit I do and keep the guitar in tune.
I learned so many things along the way and incorporated all of them into building the "Frankenstein" guitar, which was originally painted black-and-white. On the first three or four Van Halen records, and especially live on tour, people were floored by how I could do all this crazy shit with a standard Fender tremolo and stay in tune.
I continued to putz with every aspect of a guitar. I even tried winding my own pickups. One thing I never liked about most other guitars is that the front and rear pickups were the same. When I would get the rear pickup sounding great, the front one would sound like mud. I didn't like that, so I tried winding the pickup less and more, using a heavier magnet and a lot of different things. For years I used just one pickup because I couldn't get the neck pickup to sound the way I wanted it to unless I changed the amp settings that were already dialed for the bridge pickup. I got different sounds through playing techniques.
Then I hooked up with some pickup companies and asked them to make me a different neck pickup. That helped. When I designed my Music Man guitar, that was the first time that the neck pickup was totally different from the bridge pickup. Then I started experimenting with the distance where the pickup was placed and the way it reacts with the string. I use my finger as a gauge. It's like this. [Ed plays harmonics on the low E string, working his way up the neck from the nut to the saddle.] There's harmonic in the root. That's where you want the pole piece centered. I've checked other guitars and they just stick the pickups anywhere. That can cause all these dissonant overtones that make you go, "Shit! Where the hell did that come from?" Not many people know that. The pickup obviously picks up the sound from the strings. If it's underneath a dissonant harmonic, it's going to sound dissonant.
I also couldn't stand the high annoying feedback squeal that occurs playing at very high volumes. I thought maybe it was the actual coil windings vibrating that caused the feedback. I thought if I dipped a pickup in molten wax, when the wax cooled it would prevent the coil windings from vibrating. I took a coffee can, melted paraffin wax into it, dipped the pickup in the wax and pulled it out right before the bobbins would melt. I didn't always catch it in time. I ruined a lot of pickups that way. When I got it right… voila! It got rid of the squeal. This process I stumbled onto is now known as "potting," and it also became a standard process for manufacturing in the industry.


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Reminds me of watching Gov Edwards on the dice table.....wait a minute haven't heard from him lately but something tells me if LSU loses this game Les would be glad to be in solitary confinement.
I have learned I need these dogs much more than they need me. Tim Bockmon
The crowd was so loud on that 3rd down that I couldn't even make out what the announcers were saying on the radio until the play was over.
looks ugly for the tide with ~7 min left.......
john mccallie
Here it comes, what Bama fans have been waiting on all 2nd half. THE Drive.
All is well, no BCS Chaos.
I take it back I wouldn't even trade Jason Garrett for him.....
I have learned I need these dogs much more than they need me. Tim Bockmon
Unreal. LSU DOMINATED that game. Slingblade & Stud The Dud. Retarded. Effing retarded.


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"We mourn the death of veteran crime reporter Armando Rodríguez and present our deepest condolences to friends and family," said Carlos Lauría, CPJ's senior program coordinator for the
. "The unprecedented wave of violence against the Mexican press must be halted immediately. We urge state and federal authorities to promptly investigate Rodríguez's slaying and bring those responsible to justice. Americas needs to break the cycle of impunity in crimes against journalists." Mexico
- November 13, 2008 12:37 PM ET
- Short URLhttps://cpj.org/x/28d3
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|>> Archive: Warmwater Gamefish Flies Freshwater Bass, pike, muskie?!?
|Topic Review (Newest First)
The Troth Bullhead IMO is one of the best sculpin imitations ever developed. Al Troth developed it for the monster browns found in certain areas of Montana's Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, and Upper Missouri rivers. It is Al's adaptation of Art Shenk's Sculpin (Art Shenk is one of the folks who fished with Marinaro and Charlie Fox in the spring creeks around Carlisle, PA) that has a tail, overbody of marabou in black, dark olive, or brown with the undertail of cream marabou, which was then twisted and wound forward to form the body. And of course, it had the spun deer hair head and collar of most sculpins. Shenk also ties the fly in all black, as does Troth.
Troth also developed a further variation of this fly that has a wool head, deer hair collar, marabou feather tip tail (natural grizzly, dyed brown grizzly, or olive grizzly, and a body of pearlescent braided mylar and an oval gold tinsel rib. Sometimes, Troth will add a palmered grizzly hackle to it and I've also seen him use plastic eyes on the sides of the wool head. I also never saw it smaller than a #4, and often saw it being used on #2/0 -#4/0 salmon irons.
Ya, the brown trout weamer, originally intended for browns ended up also hooking pike, chinook, steelhead, and smallmouth. Clousers used for stripers have done double duty for pike and more recently, walleye. A few have even taken larger smallmouth. Probably some time in November, I'll take a shot at Fort Erie and at some point I'll probably end up chucking some for steelies too. Mickey Finns have worked for me on pike, smallmouth, chinook, browns, brookies, and landlock salmon. A lot of the smaller streamers that I've chucked at browns have ended up in a smallie's jaw, usually unintentionally. Gold conehead olive buggers seem to take just about anything.
A Black Ghost actually hooked a huge carp once that had sucked it in on the drop. I had been chucking it for smallies so you can imagine the shock when this big brown freight train took off.
|Dble Haul
Nice fly Charlie.
I have many flies that were originally tied for other species that I have found success with. A few examples that immediately come to mind are stonefly nymphs for steelies that work great for smallmouth, and saltwater baitfish patterns that are good for pike.
Troth Bullhead
I was going through my steelhead flies the other day and ran across a bunch of flies that I use for my steelhead fishing but were really developed for other species. This particular fly, the Troth Bullhead, is a great example. Next spring when the steelhead runs are slowing down I will start using this baby to target river smallmouth bass, which is what it was developed for.
It is simple to tie.
Tail: Black ostrich herl over white bucktail
Underbody: lead wire.
Body: off-white yarn with a shell of black ostrich herl over.
Collar: natural deer body hare.
Head: natural deer body hare with some black deer body hare tied in on top.
I was wondering if anyone else had flies they use for one species that were made for other species?
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The diaphragm is a reusable dome-shaped cup that fits over the opening to the cervix and prevents pregnancy.
For effective birth control, your diaphragm (see pictures below) has to fit well. Your doctor will examine you to find the correct size.
To be sure that you know how to use your diaphragm, you will need to practice putting it in and taking it out while you are in your doctor's office. Your doctor will check to see that the diaphragm fits right.
To lower your risk of getting pregnant, you must use your diaphragm correctly and use it every time you have sex. You must also use the diaphragm with spermicide (a gel or cream that kills sperm trying to enter the cervix) in order to prevent pregnancy. You can put the diaphragm in your vagina up to two hours before you have sex. If you put it in more than two hours before having sex, you will need to put more spermicide into your vagina.
Getting Your Diaphragm Ready
Before you put the diaphragm in your vagina, put about one tablespoon of spermicidal gel or cream in the cup (see picture below). Smear some of the gel around the rim of the diaphragm. Do not use petroleum jelly or oil-based vaginal creams (such as Monistat). These can make tiny holes in the diaphragm.
Inserting Your Diaphragm
You can put your diaphragm in while you are lying down, squatting, or standing with one leg up on a chair. Your legs need to be fairly wide open. Bending your knees can help. Once you're in position, follow these steps:
- Use one hand to fold the diaphragm in half with the dome pointing down (see picture below). Hold your vagina open with your other hand.
- Put the diaphragm into your vagina, aiming for your tailbone (see picture below). Push the diaphragm as far back into your vagina as you can.
- Use one finger to push the front rim of the diaphragm up behind your pubic bone, aiming for your belly button.
Checking Placement of Your Diaphragm
With your finger, feel for your cervix through the dome of the diaphragm. The cervix will feel firm, but not bony. It feels a bit like the tip of your nose.
If the diaphragm does not cover your cervix or if you cannot feel your cervix at all, the dome is not in the right place. This means that you need to remove the diaphragm, put more spermicidal gel on it, and insert it again.
The diaphragm should not fall out when you cough, squat down, sit on the toilet, or walk around. If your diaphragm stays in place when you do these things, the front rim is most likely in the right place above the pubic bone (see picture below).
After You Have Sex
The following are some important points to remember after you have sex:
To remove the diaphragm, "hook" the front rim with your finger and pull down and out. Be careful not to tear a hole in the diaphragm with your fingernails. You should not wear your diaphragm during your menstrual period. You will need to use another method of contraception during this time.
- Leave the diaphragm in place for at least six hours after you have sex.
- If you have sex again within six hours, put spermicidal gel in your vagina, but do not take your diaphragm out to put gel in the dome.
- Do not leave the diaphragm in your vagina for more than 24 hours. Doing so can cause infection, irritation, or even a complication called toxic shock syndrome.
- Do not douche while the diaphragm is in your vagina.
Taking Care of Your Diaphragm
After you take the diaphragm out of your vagina, wash it with mild soap and water, rinse it, and allow it to air dry. Always store your diaphragm in its container. Store the container in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
Check your diaphragm often for holes, tears, or leaks. To do this, fill the dome with water and look for tiny leaks.
Replace your diaphragm after one to two years. Every year, your doctor should check to see that your diaphragm still fits correctly. You will need to be measured again if you have a baby, have pelvic surgery, or gain or lose more than 15 pounds.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have any of the following problems:
You also should call your doctor if your diaphragm gets a hole in it or does not seem to fit right. If your diaphragm has any of these problems, it needs to be replaced. If you keep using it, you could increase your risk of getting pregnant.
- Trouble urinating, or painful or frequent urination
- Vaginal itching, discharge, or discomfort
- High fever (which can be a sign of toxic shock syndrome)
- Diaphragm Fitting by Richard E. Allen, M.D. (01/01/04)
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.


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Web Stories
Tilghman to receive honorary degree from Oxford
Posted February 1, 2002; 06:15 p.m.
The University of Oxford has announced that Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman will receive an honorary degree at Oxford's annual honorary degree ceremony, known as Encaenia, on June 19. Tilghman will receive the degree of doctor of science, honoris causa .
Tilghman "has helped to push forward the frontiers of understanding of the mammalian genome," Oxford said in its announcement . "She has spoken forcefully on the continuity between science and society and is renowned for her support for scientists at the start of their careers and for her leadership on behalf of women in science."
Tilghman is one of seven men and women selected to receive honorary degrees from Oxford this year.
Contact: Marilyn Marks (609) 258-3601


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Incase anybody was wondering, the php.net mirror in the us is accessible at http://us.php.net
Name: Craig Calef
Member since: 2002-08-03 22:22:01
Last Login: N/A
Homepage: http://mutiny.dod.net
I'm just a kid who wants to go 'weeeeeeee.'
Incase anybody was wondering, the php.net mirror in the us is accessible at http://us.php.net
I don't know about most people but I don't always feel like I'm being as effective as I can be.
That's not to say I can't get shit done. That's far from the truth (atleast I like to think so) but I don't really start reaching my peak productivity until I'm in "the Zone," as some people call it. When the perfect balance of concentration and a sufficent dose of caffiene or other substance to balance my sporadic attention. That's when the problems get solved and the sun seems to rise quicker than usual.
So I'm just wondering... What do you do to get in the zone?
I create a couple of utility functions in php to put INPUT variables in forms and make sure they don't get changed through the user of an MD5 based 'lock'
Maybe this will come in handy to anybody writing php as I find myself doing with more and more frequency.
mutiny certified others as follows:
Others have certified mutiny as follows:
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New HTML Parser: The long-awaited libxml2 based HTML parser code is live. It needs further work but already handles most markup better than the original parser.
Keep up with the latest Advogato features by reading the Advogato status blog.
If you're a C programmer with some spare time, take a look at the mod_virgule project page and help us with one of the tasks on the ToDo list!


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Could it really happen? Would be remarkable.
It's a rare day in the nation's capital when a bipartisan group of senators comes together to end a misguided environmental regulation that is hurting the U.S. economy, unnecessarily costing consumers and exposing American manufacturers to potentially devastating liability litigation. But that's exactly what Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark., are doing in co-sponsoring the Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act.


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Nautical Quilt Patterns
Pair seaworthy designs and nautical prints in quilts that make a splash.
Ships Ahoy! [1]
Think you'll make waves with a nautical-theme crib quilt? Our instructions for easy-to-piece sailboats and appliqué accents ensure smooth sailing.
Anchors Away [4]
Remake a three-color 1940s quilt in your own patriotic prints or solids. Likely made for a member of the armed forces, the vintage quilt features hand quilting in a nautical anchor pattern.
Nautical Stars [7]
Get on board the nautical trend with fabrics featuring sailboats, lighthouses, and seagulls in patriotic-looking star blocks that are perfect for summer.
Underwater Adventure [10]
Ocean-theme prints paired with beachy blues and sandy tans are perfect for a kid's quilt. A stripe border print ties all the colors together for a playful finish.
Seaside Stars [13]
For a travel-theme wall quilt, choose nautical prints. The stripes and sailboats add movement and the bold pops of red punch up the contrast.
Seaworthy Baby Quilt [16]
Keep it simple. One bright red print adds a shot of color to the scrappy quilt. Novelty sea prints add a whimsical touch.
Sailor's Voyage [19]
Wine-red sashing frames the blue and pink stars in this antique quilt, which is based on a variation of the Sailor's Joy block.
Buy this pattern here [20].
Sun-Kissed Snowballs [22]
Mermaids, jellyfish, narwhals, and other sea creatures frolic together in this cheery baby quilt. Batiks add an underwater feel.
Seaside Style [25]
Who says a beach-inspired quilt has to be blue and tan? The starfish, beach glass, and seashell prints in this wall hanging inspire a beach vibe despite the nontraditional color scheme.
Aquarium Views [28]
Fussy-cut underwater and nautical prints and frame them inside boxes of sea and surf colors for a wall quilt that is perfect for little pirates and mermaids!
Nautical Pinwheels Quilt [31]
Make pinwheels pop by using a navy blue print and a crisp, solid white for the large triangle-squares.
Nautical Baby Quilt [34]
Make a splash with a nautical-theme crib quilt. Stitched in pink prints and rose polka dots, this baby quilt will make a great gift for any baby girl.
Under-the-Sea Pillow [37]
Combine light blue and pink prints for an updated take on nautical style. An embroidered underwater scene adds whimsy to this pillow.


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Sonny Bill Williams has created a stir in Japan, even though his playing time has been minimal, writes Michael Burgess from Tokyo.
It's a familiar scene in a particularly unfamiliar place. Sonny Bill Williams, the human headline, surrounded by fans clamouring for autographs and photos. But this is Japan and the queue, which stretches more than 100m, is precise and orderly.
To get a taste of the impact of Williams' stint in Japan, which has seen him play just seven games due to injury, you need to travel two hours north of the capital to the small provincial city of Ota. It's a nondescript place - many residents of Tokyo might struggle to find it on a map - but is the home of car giant Subaru and the Panasonic Wild Knights.
Today is match day at their modest stadium, with perhaps 4000 fans in attendance. During the game against NTT Docomo, Williams sits on the concrete terraces with the rest of the non-playing squad, watching his team-mates dismantle the Osaka-based team.
Their opponents will remain rooted to the bottom of the table - and it's a bad day for Mils Muliaina, who leaves the field at halftime with a badly injured hand - but hundreds of NTT fans have made the four-hour journey north.
"They knew they would get smashed but they still came," says Williams. "The support here has blown me away."
The halftime entertainment is unintentional, provided by a local spectacles company giving away their product to some lucky ticket holders. Throughout the game, the enthusiastic ground announcer keeps everyone informed, using a mix of Japanese and rugby English.
After the match, players then mingle with fans on the field and Williams wanders down to join them. His arrival creates a stir.
Lynsday Cootes, teaching here but originally from Montana joins the line among hundreds of Japanese, after coming to see rugby and all the fuss about this "Bill guy". Each time the line starts to diminish, more join, as mothers thrust babies at Williams to hold.
"Clubs expect a return on their investment, especially with these short term deals," says former Suntory and current Japan coach Eddie Jones. "Sonny recognises that, which is important."
"You have to appreciate the effort that the fans are making," says Williams. "It's a bit isolated up here [in Ota] but the supporters really love their footy."
Inside the clubrooms on this freezing afternoon, the after-match function, with sandwiches, fish and chips and luke warm Asahi beer, is drawing to a close but Williams remains out on the track for more than an hour as fans collect mementoes.
TWO DAYS later, we are back at Panasonic Wild Knights headquarters on the other side of Ota. It's a plush complex, with two well manicured training fields and a full gym and physiotherapy area, including a newly purchased oxygen chamber and a traditional Japanese onsen.
Beside the communal eating area and offices upstairs there are 'Master Hands' massage chairs and a digital darts machine, while different jerseys dating back to 1960 (the club's inception) are on display in glass cases.
After humble beginnings, Panasonic (formerly Sanyo until 2010) have been one of the powerhouse clubs of the past decade.
Panasonic's sports division is well funded but belts are tightening - recently the company badminton and baseball teams have been downgraded to basically amateur operations. Their pursuit of Williams was a response to rivals Suntory luring Jacque Fourie, George Smith and Danie Roussow in recent times.
"Sonny Bill coming to Japan was quite a surprise," says JRFU chairman Tatsuzo Yabe. "To get one of the biggest names in the world to come in his prime has been great for rugby here."
Media interest has been substantial and crowds have been boosted, especially for matches in Tokyo but his on-field impact was minimal. He struggled in his first few games to live up to his reported $100,000 a week contract and the team suffered a couple of unexpected losses but have since fought back to the cusp of the top four.
"He was doing everything he could but perhaps trying too hard," reflects veteran Japanese rugby journalist Rich Freeman. "He struggled a bit to fit into the team pattern."
"I think I've played some of my best footy here," counters Williams of his seven game stint. "I worked hard to get the the respect of the boys - you don't just show up and collect your dough. Being here has definitely improved me as a rugby player. You have to do things in an unconventional way compared to how I was playing in New Zealand and the ball is in motion a lot more because the game is so fast. So your skills have to improve."
He isn't shy admitting the lure of the lucre but says that is only one factor.
"People say 'oh you came over here for the money' - which is true, I did come here because it was a massive deal and any bloke back in New Zealand probably wouldn't have turned it down," says Williams.
"But wherever I go, I want to get better as a player. Here, they are not really recognised on the world stage but they still probably work much harder than the majority of the boys back home."
Despite his star status, Williams has been quick to fit in. He arrived with a pile of All Black kit - which was immediately distributed on day one - and has brought a bit of bro-mance to the place, making special handshakes with each of the local players.
"The Japanese players do enjoy the famous players, so there would have been a bit of anticipation about him getting here," says long-time Panasonic player and current coaching adviser Tony Brown. "But he has been just one of the team and is always talking and joking with the Japanese boys. He helps the young guys and does everything a foreigner here should do. It is great to see him involved with the team, even though he can't play, and that will rub off on everyone. Japanese players pick it up straight away if you are not putting in 100 per cent."
"Everyone has enjoyed the new culture," says Panasonic and Japan winger Akihito Yamaha. "Even with the handshakes, it is something that you never normally see in Japan. He plays rugby differently to most players and people notice him straight away. I know he has only played a few games but I think his impact was huge, not just on us, but on the players in the other teams as well."
"It has been great to watch how he trains," says Panasonic captain Seiichi Shimomura. "You notice how he prepares, talks and acts off the field - he is a great role model for a professional rugby player.
"Along with the other foreign players, he has lifted players' mindsets and standards to try to get to where he is. He has also helped to publicise rugby, as he is a famous name."
Entertainment options are limited in Ota but there are regular team barbecues and they often eat together at a nearby restaurant, which has created a dish called "Bill don" in his honour.
"It's basically barbecue chicken on rice," says a team representative, "and very popular."
The team also have frequent karaoke sessions, though Williams, who calls himself more of a "background man", has been overshadowed by fellow imports Mike Delany and Daniel Heenan.
Like most visitors, he adores the food - "the best I've had anywhere" - and marvels at the touches of technology. At the local sushi restaurant, beer is dispensed by a machine at the bar, including an automatic tilt to allow the perfect pour .
Ota is two hours from Tokyo but a world away from the bright lights.
It seems to suit SBW. Apart from the occasional rugby fan, he is anonymous here.
Williams lives just five minutesfrom the Pana-sonic club grounds, sometimes walking to training, and he enjoys the anonymity.
"Over here, you are away from everything," he says. "It is really peaceful ... I don't know ... maybe I am getting old but it suits me at the moment.
"They have great facilities here and you can work here, do your stuff and there are no distractions. As long as you are working hard, that is all they ask.
"My biggest fear is knowing that sometimes you are going to fail and not being too hard on yourself when you do."Michael Burgess travelled to Japan with the assistance of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.


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I feel pretty good, but have no voice whatsoever. So, since I have four and a half hours of class to teach today, I've spent the morning typing out my introduction to Victor Turner for my class on Ritual. We've spent most of the first three weeks discussing Durkheim's Elementary Forms and van Gennep's Rites of Passage, but the students have not been given formal introductions to Marx or Weber in this class (though they've likely encountered them elsewhere).
The reason I'm really posting this here, though, is that I'd like to submit these notes to the collective wisdom of both of my readers. Anything in here you'd care to quibble about? Let me know!
RITUAL – Introducing Victor Turner
Erik W. Davis
In many ways, Turner sets the stage for contemporary interventions in the anthropological theory and study of ritual. He combines in his person and scholarship a lot of the concerns from conflicting and previously unassociated theoretical approaches: Marxism, Durkheim, and Van Gennep.
Durkheim and His Competitor Trains of Thought
Recall that Durkheim is considered one of the three major founders of Social thought (inclusive of both Anthropology and Sociology), along with Karl Marx and Max Weber. Each of these founders has a distinctive approach to key problems: the nature of the social division of labor, the relationship of economic and social organization to ideology and religion, 'modernity,' and the role of institutions in social life.
Each of them were confronted by an apparently radically novel social situation – capitalism – which seemed to break definitively from all previous forms of traditional society. It is difficult to overemphasize the extent to which all three of these thinkers, regardless of their differences, saw the contemporary modern period as a period of profound social flux and change. All of them also tied these changes to capitalism, the new division of labor in society into classes, and the role of religion. Summarizing any of these individual's thought does violence to their subtlety. However, schematically, we can characterize them in the following ways:


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LiverKick.com Podcast Volume 19: Tyrone Spong's Glory 5 Breakthrough
- Written by Dave Walsh
Welcome back to the LiverKick.com Podcast, where Rian Scalia (@rianscalia) and myself (@liverkickdotcom / @dvewlsh) talk about the latest and greatest (as well as not-so-greatest) in the world of Kickboxing and Muay Thai. This episode gives a glimpse into the K-1 World Grand Prix that went down in Croatia as well as the GLORY 5 London event, where Tyrone Spong proved that he is one of the most popular Heavyweight Kickboxers in the world.
We kick the show off by answering a few questions from you, our loyal readers and listeners.
{enclose lkvol19.mp3}


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Yochai Benkler, the legal and political scholar of the internet best known for writing The Wealth of Networks, offers a refreshing view of Anonymous, the
group organization movement… well, I'll let Benkler describe it:
Anonymous is not an organization. It is an idea, a zeitgeist, coupled with a set of social and technical practices. Diffuse and leaderless, its driving force is "lulz" — irreverence, playfulness, and spectacle. It is also a protest movement, inspiring action both on and off the Internet, that seeks to contest the abuse of power by governments and corporations and promote transparency in politics and business. Just as the antiwar movement had its bomb-throwing radicals, online hacktivists organizing under the banner of Anonymous sometimes cross the boundaries of legitimate protest. But a fearful overreaction to Anonymous poses a greater threat to freedom of expression, creativity, and innovation than any threat posed by the disruptions themselves.
Benkler argues that the view from parts of the U.S. government that Anonymous is a threat, and the tendency of journalists and others to use the language of extremists or terrorists in describing it, presents a misleading frame.
'Seeing Anonymous primarily as a cybersecurity threat is like analyzing the breadth of the antiwar movement and 1960s counterculture by focusing only on the Weathermen.'
Instead, he argues, Anonymous should be understood in the context of protest: against online regulations that threaten an open internet (such as ACTA), against authoritarian regimes under attack in the "Arab Spring," and just recently against more stable authoritarian governments such as that of the People's Republic of China.
Seen as a protest phenomenon, Anonymous then needs to be assessed in the view of the yet undecided limits of legitimate protest online. Benkler notes what Charles Tilly et al. might call a repertoire of contention:
Four techniques constitute the bulk of its direct actions:
- distributed denial of service attacks;
- document disclosures;
- defacement of Web sites;
- and non-cyber action, ranging from pranks, such as sending targets unwanted pizza deliveries, to street protests.
This is a fairly novel collection of tactics from the perspective of the study of contentious politics, but then Anonymous (neither an organization nor really a movement, etc.) doesn't nicely fit the popular models of a contentious actor. Perhaps individual incidents have somewhat coherent actors with specific claims against governments or other powers, but the thing we call Anonymous is not discrete, well bounded, or persistent.
I'm not sure what Benkler would think of this tie to contention, but these activities have a lot in common with contention, which raises several questions:
Political scientists and sociologists who study contention often spend a lot of time analyzing trust among people engaging in protest or contention together. Anonymous, with its distributed, decentralized, and indeed largely anonymous mode of practice would seem to present a puzzle. How do people gain each other's trust to collaborate? How do they calm fears of infiltration by government authorities (who often treat the group as a high-priority criminal network)?
Perhaps my biggest question is: What if anything of substance have people working under the Anonymous banner gained in terms of desired change in government or corporate action? Even asking this question raises the question of what the people concerned wish to accomplish, and I'm not sure there's an answer. But if Anonymous is imagined as part of a distributed, uncoordinated contentious action, it can contribute to a variety of causes—even potentially opposing ones. Especially with data disclosures, Anonymous can help fuel other forms of contention: documents they release can be used to make claims and demand change, whether in agreement or disagreement with the original hackers.
If the contentious politics framework offers anything, it's a non-threat narrative that allows governments and others to view Anonymous as opposed to some government action but not in the same way as terrorists.
Read Benkler's full article at Foreign Affairs.


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Family: Procellariidae, Shearwaters and Petrels view all from this family
Description ALL BIRDS (ages are not separable in the field) Have dark grayish brown upper wing coverts and mantle, contrasting with darker wingtips. Note the darker tail and contrasting white upper tail coverts. Dark cap is separated from mantle by incomplete white collar. Underparts are mainly white with dark markings.
Dimensions Length: 18-20" (46-51 cm)
Habitat Breeds on South Atlantic islands (in our winter) and undertakes circum-Atlantic nonbreeding travels; present in North Atlantic in summer months and commonest Jul-Sep. Numbers vary from year to year but usually common in offshore waters.
Observation Tips Only very occasionally comes close enough to shore to be seen from land but easy to see on pelagic and whale-watching trips, typically well out of sight of land.
Range Florida, Eastern Canada, Alaska, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast
Voice Silent in the region.
Discussion Similar to Cory's but separable by plumage differences, and because generally it flies on stiffer wings. Effortless flight is masterful in strong winds. Sometimes gathers in large flocks in areas of good feeding (e.g. where fish are shoaling, or around fishing boats). Sexes are similar.


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08-19-2011 (Dayton, OH) -
Back to school time has arrived and with it comes a whole stack of papers for parents to fill out regarding their child. Parents are asked to fill out forms concerning their child's medical history and information about their primary care physician. However, many parents may not realize the importance of also designating their local children's hospital as their preferred place of treatment for their child in case of an emergency.
When a child is seriously injured or needs to be taken to a hospital, it is important for them to receive specialized care by trained pediatric physicians. A recent report from the Institute of Medicine showed that while children make up almost a third of all ER visits, only six percent of hospitals have the correct supplies and equipment to treat these pediatric patients and nearly a third do not have a pediatric specialist on call.
In the United States, only 250 of the 5,700 hospitals are children's hospitals, and only 50 of these are freestanding such as Dayton Children's. Last year, Dayton Children's saw 69,689 children in The Soin Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Center where they were able to receive the specialized care required for a child.
Many times, if a child is hurt at school and needs to be taken to the emergency room, they will be taken to the nearest hospital. However, if an adult hospital does not have the proper equipment or staff to care for a child, they either have to improvise with what they do have, or the child has to be transferred to a facility that can provide treatment, often wasting precious moments.
At a pediatric facility such as Dayton Children's, many precautions are taken to ensure that children are receiving the care that is right for their body. Kid's growing bodies are very sensitive, so it's crucial that medications and other treatments be customized to meet each individual child's specific body composition and health needs.
Physicians and caretakers who are trained in pediatrics take extra precautions when it comes to giving children medications. They know the correct doses to be administered in order to help the child get better while limiting any adverse side effects.
Children's hospitals also make sure to have many different sizes of equipment and supplies on hand at all times in order to care for kids of all ages. The right size at the right time can make a life-saving difference in an emergency.
Parents should make sure that they know where the closest children's hospital or the nearest facility with a pediatric specialist is in relation to their home and their child's school. As the school year begins, make sure to designate this on the child's medical forms to ensure that they receive the best care for their needs in the case of an emergency.
Related information:
For more information, contact:
Grace Rodney
Marketing Communications Specialist
Phone: 937-641-3666
Destination 2020
Learn more about our strategic roadmap to the future.
See What's Happening
Get Involved
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- Toll-free: 1-800-228-4055


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By Parrish Alford/NEMS Daily Journal
Thumbs Up
The Rebels forced two turnovers from a team that had given it up just once in the last seven games.
The improving run defense was strong again. Pitt was playing without its top running back, but holding a team to 2.2 yards per carry is impressive regardless of personnel.
The defense also put pressure on Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri throughout the game, and the Ole Miss run game was strong even after Jeff Scott went out with a hamstring injury.
Thumbs Down
Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace threw two interceptions, taking a little shine away from his three touchdown passes. The picks were the result of poor decisions, something that Wallace was never really able to shake this season.
Keys To Victory
1. Cash in when you can. The Rebels did this immediately, turning a Senquez Golson interception into a touchdown. It wasn't an easy drive for the Rebels even though Golson gave them great field position.
Wallace finally cashed in on third down from the 14. Later in the half Ole Miss answered the Pitt touchdown with a touchdown, taking advantage of Jaylen Walton kick return past the 50.
It was the early touchdown and the long drive on their next possession that allowed the Rebels to play from in front all day.
2. Sack Sunseri: The Rebels sacked Sunseri four times and created havoc in the backfield with 11 tackles for loss.
Pitt did have success running straight at Ole Miss at times but was unable to sustain that momentum. The Rebels held the Panthers to just 4 yards of offense in the third quarter.
3.Own the stadium: The attendance of 59,135 shattered the previous bowl mark, and the new record was not a joint effort. It was about Ole Miss fans who turned out in droves, making Legion Field a sea of red.
The Rebels' fast start made it easy for the fans to get into the game, and that provided the energy Ole Miss players said they hoped to gain from the crowd.
Mike Marry. The Rebels' middle linebacker matched his season high with seven tackles.
His four tackles for loss included a sack and caused fumble.
Bottom Line
There was nothing Hugh Freeze could have done against Pittsburgh that would have equalled the giant pressure release the program felt by its dominating win against its in-state rival.
There's a big difference though in a 7-6 record and a 6-7 record. The program can carry good feelings and lots of momentum into the off-season.


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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians! Boy, what a stinker! But at least I can say I've watched it all the way through.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians! Boy, what a stinker! But at least I can say I've watched it all the way through.
I saw Al Pachino in a 1985 movie Revolution: Revisited - about how many of our ancestors who fought for the Continental Army's militia at the birth of the United States of America were forced into service. It is not an idealistic picture of the birth of the USA at all.
Gives you a lot to think about. However, freedom from the King of England was a good thing no matter how you cut it.
BAD Pts Need: R5-C7 lf leg (x2), , R4-P44 right leg BAD Pts Offered For Trade: PM me - I have lots of parts now including BG-J38!. New Kyle Katarn is also available.
I predict that the upcoming Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi film will include the word "and." Multiple times.
Christmas Vacation. It's our tradition for the family to come over to my house, have dinner and yuck it up with the Griswolds every year.
Gremlins. I hate to admit this but I hadn't seen this movie before, and I've owned a copy for two years! Started watching it last night, and finished it today while I wrapped presents.
Gonna watch Jingle All the Way next! Might try to squeeze in A Christmas Story when I finish wrapping tomorrow.
OK, gang. Help me out here:
The relatives are still here and we're watching Fellowship of the Ring. My sister-in-law is not in favor of her nine-year-old son watching it because of the violence and "darkness" (whatever that means). My nephew has seen all the Harry Potter movies beginning at the tender age of six with her total blessing. I'm confused as to why LOTR is objectionable for the reasons above yet Harry Potter (just as violent and dark IMO) is not.
¡Que la fuerza te acompañe!
Got a question for Hasbro? Ask it here!
My Photos and Reviews: SSG Toy Guide
My Star Wars Fan Film: The Lazy Jedi
I grew up in a pretty strict Baptist household and we weren't allowed to watch most movies or TV shows (for example, Bewitched was off limits because it portrayed witches in a humorous light, stuff like that). However, my parents never forbade us from reading books like LOTR or the Chronicles of Narnia series. My dad is actually a big fan of both film series' right now.
Even though I was pretty sheltered as a kid, I could say that I turned out alright as well... but then again, if I was crazy, I would probably be the last one to know. So maybe saying, "I turned out alright," is the first sign that I'm not alright.
I could see the violence factor for young kids, with the beheadings, scary creatures, blood, etc., being a problem; but it's a PG-13 movie for a reason.
Personally, I have more reservations with a young child watching the Harry Potter series than I do LOTR. But that's because I believe themes like "There is no good and evil, there is only power," are much more dangerous to young minds than a little bit of blood and gore. At least with LOTR, there is no blurring of the lines between good and evil.
That's what I think made the original Star Wars trilogy as good as it was. The Prequels blurred the line between good and evil quite a bit and I think the story suffered for it.
That's just my opinion though. If I had kids of my own, I would definitely allow them to watch LOTR, but I wouldn't necessarily want them to see Harry Potter until we had a long talk about the subject matter of that story.
Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split. - Robert E. Howard
Total Recall the remake, better than the original IMO.
Looper which was pretty good, worth watching at least once.
Resident Evil: Retribution, which I really enjoyed.
Doctor Who: The Snowmen, which will lead well into the next series. I really enjoyed this one, especially with the new character (or sorta new character).
May the force be with you.
I watched a CNN special about The First Christians. It documented how the New Testament came together after Jesus' crucifixion.
It was fascinating to learn there were a lot of different "Gospels," but starting actually 70 years after Jesus' death, they began to be collected. Now I forget whether it was Luke or John - but one of those two, which was added more than 150 years later.
Other Gospels were omitted. The Church (Eastern Orthodox) actually has original copies, and the Gnostic Gospels were recovered in Egypt, like the Dead Sea Scrolls were found to the north in Israel.
They could be suppressed at the time just by now transcribing them. But the church saved them. There were some very interesting discrepencies with the Gnostic Gospels versus the 4 widely accepted ones.
Also, Roman Emperor Constantine who might have been said to have publically become a Christian because his mother was, contributed evidence that he did not actually convert, but let Christianity spread to pacify rebellion in the Empire.
I had long speculated this, but now there is recorded evidence from his time that gives credit to this theory. Additionally, it did not pacify Constantine, who went on with his brutal executions and tortures that Roman Empeorors were famous for.
There was more about (what we all probably already know) December 25 was not likely Jesus' true birthday as well as evidence he was married to Mary Magdolene. The reason it was suppressed was moreso in order that Mary could keep property and legal rights and freedoms as a Roman citizen, and not be listed as the wife of a criminal conspirator. This situation was later used to weaken women's role in the church, which was initially strong like it can be today. But for a while, men ruled. (A long while.)
I watched The Passion of the Christ as well.
BAD Pts Need: R5-C7 lf leg (x2), , R4-P44 right leg BAD Pts Offered For Trade: PM me - I have lots of parts now including BG-J38!. New Kyle Katarn is also available.
Thanks to JJL and BigB for their input. Update on the situation: the Wii was fired up!
My son is about the same age as JJL and he's a swell kid, too, in spite of having seen the LOTR trilogy and HP starting at the same age.
I agree totally with BigB about LOTR vs. HP. I've had many more reservations about the HP films than LOTR. I was uneasy seeing school children breaking limbs from such things as riding brooms, going on quests, and up to and killing monsters and other creatures. It bothered me that school children had died under Hogwarts auspices, as well. With LOTR, the story is black and white just as BigB says. HP always kept me guessing (I'm a fan of both franchises, BTW).
I guess blasting things into oblivion with the Wii was the better choice (at least for my sister-in-law).
¡Que la fuerza te acompañe!


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Universal Fit
Philips SHE3590WT/10 In-Ear Headphones (White)
The Philips SHE3590 In-Ear Headphones are offered in distinctive colors to match for all occasions. The ultra small in-ear design conforms to ear shape for best fit, and the earphones come with soft caps for comfort and compact fit. With small efficient speakers for dynamic bass and clear sound, these in-ear headphones are ideal for your listening enjoyment.
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Ear-Clip Headphones for Light Sports With Bass Enhancement. JVC Xtreme Xplosives Inner Ear Headphones. Cordless: No. Headset Type: Headphones. Extreme deep bass ports and 8.5mm Neodymium driver units. Rubber protectors for durability. Superior sound isolation. Ergonomic contoured comfortable form. Cord length: 1.2m with gold plated slim plug. Includes 3 sizes silicone earpieces


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Find the emotional support you need
We have many support groups, at various times and locations. Check to see if there is a group close to you that fits your needs.
If you cannot find a local support group for your area, please contact us.
If you have Alzheimer's…
Please join our Early Stage Memory Loss Support Group Program in Knoxville or Cookeville.


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CU3ER Starter Templates
CU3ER team is continuously improving the choice of new starter templates, releasing a number of new ones each month. Utilizing variety of options CU3ER has, it can look just any way you want, thus we are inviting you to send us designs of sliders you reckon would be appealing enough to be created as templates.
In order to send us your ideas, use our contact page. If it happens your design is chosen by our team, you will be awarded 1 PRO license!
Preview the templates below by hovering and clicking Preview button to preview Flash version or Preview JS to preview Javascript version.
Showcase 940x300
Showcasing the beauty of CU3ER
Products Stand 500x470
Display products on a stand
Polaroid 608x556
Nice looking photo template
Picture Frame 780x373
Display slides in picture frame
Billboard 475x603
Billboard like slider
Laptop 848x501
Ideal for portfolio
Futuristic Pad 960x394
Curved touch-pad like design
Flat & Simple 840x361
Regular slider example
Touchpad 1 680x496
Showcase on touch-screen devices
Touchpad 2 620x700
Showcase on touch-screen devices
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Web Stories
Senior thesis project staged, May 5
Posted April 29, 2004; 03:49 p.m.
"The Double Life of Zefirino," an original theater piece that is part opera and part dance performance, will be performed at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
The star and co-author of "Zefirino" is Anthony Roth Costanzo, who created the show as his senior thesis project. Costanzo will sing six 18th-century arias while wearing an extravagant baroque costume designed by acclaimed film director James Ivory. Two professional dancers, who will complete the cast, will be directed by Karole Armitage, a well-known choreographer. Thirty members of the University Orchestra will perform onstage with musical direction from Michael Pratt, the orchestra's conductor.
The show tells the story of the castrati, male singers in 18th-century Italy who were castrated before puberty to maintain their soprano singing voices.
Tickets are available through the Richardson box office. For more information, call (609) 258-5000.
Contact: Tom Bartus(609) 258-3601


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Love will be in the air this Thursday as Valentine's Day brings out the best and the worst in Kiwi romantics.
The Herald on Sunday straw-polled people in the street about their experiences with the day.
Taleta McDonald, 32, said the worst gift she received was nothing at all.
"I think that was the last Valentine's Day. I was really p***ed off. I'm not with him any more."
McDonald said the ideal gift was "huge flowers that can't fit through the door, chocolates, jewellery and a special date planned for the whole night".
Her friend Mauricio Moreira, 26, was more down-to-earth. "I think just hanging out together is the most important thing."
Actor Britta Brandt, 29, was not keen on Thursday's love-fest. "I hate Valentine's Day. It's like forced fun." She thought McDonald's wish-list was outrageous, and the sign of a "high-maintenance" girlfriend.
"I'd rather have $200 to buy a new pair of shoes." she said.
Veronica McCluskey is no stranger to weird gifts on Valentine's Day. "I got a fish once. It died. It was a Chinese fighting fish," McCluskey said.
The 25-year-old from the Gold Coast and her friend Kieran Ewald, 22, took a dim view of Valentine's hype. "It's the one day I think something is wrong with me," McCluskey said, noting her best present was something handmade.
"All I've had is one of those crappy teddy bears and chocolates," Ewald said.
Heather Holmes has never received an appalling present but imagined some men gave bad gifts. "It would have to be something related to doing a chore, like car polish."
Most people said the day was too focused on consumerism. "It's driven by the commercial scene," Holmes said. But she said it was still a wise plan for men to at least pay a visit to the florist. "Flowers are always good."
Meanwhile, emerging movement One Billion Rising will use February 14 to focus on violence against women. A noon event at Bastion Point features speakers including survivors of violence.
Organiser Helen Te Hira said the day was a chance for people who felt strongly about ending family violence to take part in "empowering" activities.
Gatherings will also happen in Wellington, New Plymouth and Wanganui.


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On-demand car service Lyft gives Detroit riders — and drivers — choices and opportunities
Lyft Inc., a ride-hailing service that allows customers to book using smartphone apps, is nearing its one-month mark in metro Detroit, where the San Francisco-based company is competing locally with similar service Uber.
The additional service has offered transportation options to riders — and business opportunities to drivers.
Lyft, which differentiates itself by adorning cars with giant pink mustaches and having drivers greet riders with fist bumps, won't disclose the number of drivers or riders it's had in its first three weeks in the Detroit area.
Uber also is vague, refusing to be more specific other than saying it has "hundreds" of drivers in metro Detroit.
Jay Beck, 63, is a recent retiree from a publishing company and one of the founding Lyft drivers in Detroit. Beck said he completes seven to 10 rides and makes $125 to $150 for a seven-hour shift.
Beck said many of his passengers are familiar with Lyft's model because they've experienced Uber, and the only problem he has seen is demand for drivers exceeding the capacity of those working at times. He said he expects the number of drivers to grow, as demand increases.
Some drivers also are cashing in on both services.
A Lyft driver who picked up a Crain's reporter at lunchtime this week said he also drives for competitor Uber. During the 2.3-mile ride, there were 10 active Uber drivers in the area. The driver said he carries two phones, including an iPhone provided by Uber.
The ride back on UberX from Midtown to the Eastern Market area was a 2.54-mile, 11:44 minute ride, costing $9.21.
The Lyft ride was "free" because the new service has been offering a two-week ride-free "pioneer" deal for rides less than $25.
Drivers, who use their own vehicles, apply through Lyft's website and must pass thorough background checks. In Detroit, Lyft drivers range from a former professional soccer player to students and entrepreneurs, said Paige Thelen, public relations specialist at Lyft.
Lyft and Uber allow users to request rides via smartphone and then match them with nearby drivers using GPS on the phones. The apps send riders a photo of the drivers and approximate arrival time.
Riders and drivers rate each other after trips are completed, and if a rider receives too many low ratings he or she could be blacklisted.
In addition to arriving in mustachioed cars, Thelen said Lyft allows riders to choose the music they listen to and encourages conversation between drivers and passengers.
She said the company has thousands of drivers who operate in 28 cities across the country.
Instead of set fares, Thelen said, Detroit drivers are paid in donations. There are "suggested" rates based on $1.60 a mile and 20 cents a minute, but they are paid at the discretion of riders, who she said are not penalized for not leaving a donation. In other markets, Lyft has switched to a payment system with a required fare, she said.
In metro Detroit, Lyft's coverage area includes all of Detroit, then extends west to Novi and Canton Township, north to Troy and south to Riverview. Thelen said those boundaries may be expanded.
"We've had a really positive response so far," she said.
Similar to Lyft, Uber has a ride-hailing service called UberX. It also offers more expensive options that partner with local transportation service companies to provide professional drivers with sleek black cars called UberBlack and UberSUV.
Like Lyft, UberX drivers receive 80 percent of passengers' fares.
Michael White, general manager for Uber in Detroit, said the option users choose depends on their style and budget, but customers tend to use UberX on a more regular basis, upgrading to UberBlack or UberSUV for special occasions.
UberX drivers must go through background checks, vehicle inspection and training before being approved, said White.
"Uber is really a means for people to make money with the assets they have," he said.
That includes the professional chauffeurs at the local transportation service partners, who can use UberBlack or UberSUV to earn additional money during down times in their regular schedule, said White.
In Detroit, there are hundreds of companies that provide Uber with drivers, he said.
"It makes sense to work with Uber because I'm already in the transportation business and Uber puts me in touch with more clients," he said.
White said transportation providers pay Uber a commission for connecting them with riders through the app. That commission varies by city and service option, but is usually around 20 percent of the fare, he said.
Uber, which operates in more than 70 cities worldwide, has experienced double-digit growth each month since it began service in Detroit last March, White said. The company may expand its service outside the metro area, he said.
Criticisms and some controversy
UberX and Lyft have not been without controversy. Ride-sharing services have been criticized over safety concerns and accused of skirting taxi regulations. Uber faces a wrongful-death lawsuit after a 6-year-old girl was hit and killed by an UberX driver in San Francisco.
In Detroit, the company was served with a "cease and desist" order by the city for failing to operate within its "vehicle for hire" statute in February. In order to comply, UberX drivers would have to be licensed to do business in Detroit, undergo vehicle inspections and background checks, as well as prove they are insured, said Melvin Butch Hollowell, Detroit's corporation counsel.
Hollowell said Uber signed and returned the order, but continues to operate without having met with the city's legal team about it. If Uber executives do not comply with city regulations, they could face civil fines and criminal penalties, he said.
Lyft drivers would be subject to the same city requirements, and lawyers from the company have met with city officials concerning those requirements, said Hollowell.
The companies represent a growing business model, "but we need to make sure they operate properly so the public is protected," he said.
White said Uber will continue to operate in Detroit, and that he does not believe the company falls under current regulations because it is a technology company, not a transportation company.
A third option: Self-serve Zipcar
Competing with Lyft and Uber for the business of Detroiters in need of a ride is Cambridge, Mass.-based Zipcar Inc., which allows customers to use their smartphones to find, reserve and unlock its cars.
Zipcar has one to three vehicles parked at each of 14 locations in Detroit and one location by Detroit Metropolitan Airport, according to the company's website. Prices to share one of those cars vary by the type, but cover gas, insurance and up to 180 miles per day.
To drive "Woodward," a Ford Focus hatchback parked by the Wayne State University Medical School, it would cost $7.50 per hour or $69 a day to rent, according to Zipcar's website.
Zipcar operates in 50 cities around the world — Detroit is the only Michigan city — and 100 universities in North America including Wayne State, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Kettering University in Flint.


text:
Discontinued Product
Compact All Refrigerator w/ Lock, Alarm, and Hospital Grade Cord
Sorry, the manufacturer is no longer producing this product.
Description & Highlights
Summit Compact All Refrigerator w/ Lock, Alarm, and Hospital Grade Cord - White
Store all of your medical supplies and more inside the Summit Compact All Refrigerator w/ Lock, Alarm, and Hospital Grade Cord (FFAR22LWMEDDT ). This fridge has a compact size, which makes it perfect for fitting in limited spaces and on countertops. This fridge comes - as all Summit all-refrigerators do - fully featured for stabilized temperature performance, which makes this refrigerator perfect for medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific applications. A built-in internal fan provides fan-forced cooling inside the fridge to cool evenly on the top and bottom, giving a uniform cool throughout.
The high temperature alarm warns you of temperature fluctuations and provides a readout on the front door screen, which gives you an accurate estimate of the cooler's internal temperature. The automatic defrost of the unit ensures that cleaning and maintenance will be easier than ever, and also allows the unit to be fully sterile and sanitary. The hospital-grade cord ensures a reliable power source for the unit, while the removable wire shelf and door storage give you a better storage space inside the fridge. Perfect for any medical and scientific applications, this fridge will ensure a stable cooling for a long time.
Secure:A factory-installed lock provides a secure and safe place to store confidential and fragile medical supplies and testing equipment
Temperature Control:The thermostat allows you to control and maintain the internal temperature of the fridge
Stability:With a high temperature alarm and readout screen, the temperature can maintain a stable environment for medical equipment and supplies
- Model: FFAR22LWMEDDTSummit Compact All Refrigerator w/ Lock, Alarm, and Hospital Grade Cord
- Brand: SummitTwo (2) level legs
- Capacity: 1.6 cu. ft.Freon: R134a; 1.94 oz.
- Factory reversible doorHigh side PSI: 270
- One (1) wire shelfLow Side PSI: 103
- Automatic defrostInput voltage: 115 V/60 Hz
- Interior fanPower: 1.2 A
- Energy usage: 316 kWh/yearWeight: 36 lbs
- CSA approvedInterior dimensions: 16.5" H x 14.18" W x 14.5" D
- Made in: ChinaExterior dimensions: 20.18" H x 17.13" W x 19" D
- Warranty: 1 year, 5 years compressor
Interior dimensions:16.5" H x 14.18" W x 14.5" D
Exterior dimensions:20.18" H x 17.13" W x 19" D


text:
SpoilerI am not sure who the archangel that Comstock talked about was either, I just assumed he lied as a way to explain the things he saw. Hope my second and probably third play through will fit it all together for me as there are a few things I still don't 100% get. I am still not sure what to make of the very end, like after the credits, that last little scene and also why is there one Elizabeth at the final baptism not wearing a pendant who has her full pinky and doesn't disappear. Booker mistakes her for the Elizabeth he has been with the whole time, then corrects himself. Now I feel like I am missing the glaring obvious. Haha.
I never saw the end coming, I kept trying to figure it out and had some ideas but that wasn't what I thought at all.
I don't know which game I like more, Infinite as you said probably has the greatest ending in video game history, but I actually enjoyed the characters a little more in the original game. Cohen, and Ryan are still my two favorite video game characters ever. I enjoyed the world of Rapture a bit more then Columbia and I loved revisiting it in Infinite. One of my favorite moments in the game. Really I can't pick a favorite between the two, Bioshock and Half Life 2 have shared being my favorite game for many years so I think I will just add this one to the top alongside them.


text:
Custom Rockford Armchair
# 01950
Product Description
Adding the Rockford Armchair to your living room furniture mix will provide you with a comfortable place to relax while adding a personal touch to your decor. With sleek lines and optional nailhead trim, this custom armchair offers a streamlined look. Thanks to hand-assembled double-dowel joints, mortise and tenon joints and corner blocking, this piece offers solid, stable support. The wood frame is sourced domestically from replenished forests, the heavy-gauge springs are made of recycled iron ore, and the high resiliency cushions are partially plant-based. This lasting piece is available in your choice of plush fabric.
Product Details


text:
Recently just got into turkey hunting, have been practicing with my new 870 Express Super Mag, patterned it out, and feel comfortable out to 40yrds. Now i hear fall turkey hunting is very different than spring. So i was wondering any tips for a beginner? Some basic questions I have are:
Move alot or sit still?
Why types of calls to use? I hear kee kee is really the only good one to use during the fall
How often to call?
Any other advice for a first timer?


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Health experts see more cases of autism in La Crosse area
LA CROSSE, Wis. - A new survey shows 1 in 50 children has autism, which is up from the previous estimate of 1 in 88.
Medical experts in the La Crosse area say it's an increase we're seeing close to home.
The new numbers come from a survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some say the higher ratio could be due to better diagnosis practices, but some autism specialists in the La Crosse area say the number of children with autism is on the rise.19434350
"I think more and more children have autism. I think we're seeing an increase," said Gundersen Lutheran Medical Education Specialist Deb Olufs.
Olufs says a lot has changed since she started at the hospital 17 years ago.
"At the interview I was told 'you might see 10 children who are suspected of having an autism spectrum in a year,' and I probably see that number in closer to a month now than to a year," said Olufs.
It's a trend in-home autism therapy providers are also seeing.
"We've gone from seven kids to about 60-plus kids, so we're growing pretty rapidly," said Dr. Karen Londre.
Londre started her in-home autism therapy company, Reaching Your Potential, five years ago.
"We get calls all the time to serve kids," said Londre.
They receive so many calls they even have to turn some families away.
But even so, both Londre and Olufs say autism services in the La Crosse community are doing a pretty good job of growing with the need.
"I've seen parent support groups emerge. I've seen horse therapy programs emerge. UW-L has been doing a lot of work with how do we help children with these types of disorders?" said Olufs.
"I would say La Crosse is probably one of the better areas. I think the clinics around here are helpful in diagnosing. It builds from there, there's more providers in our area than maybe out in the rural areas," said Londre.
But despite the many ways to receive help, Olufs says living with autism is a challenging task.
"It's a life-changing disability. These are not children who can leave their problems at school or at the playground. It's with them all the time," said Olufs.
Olufs says because of the way the CDC survey was conducted, a phone call to 95,000 families, she thinks it may be kind of a high estimate.
She says a more accurate ratio probably lies between 1 in 50 and 1 in 88.
Health experts say another important element in helping children with autism is good school programming.
La Crosse School District officials say they've seen a small increase of students with autism but have plenty of staff to provide the necessary programs.
They say the majority of students on the autism spectrum are able to get the help they need in a general classroom because all teachers go through intervention training.
"For our students on the spectrum, they've had the benefit of having interventions that all kids get so they're not stigmatized to stand out, and our classroom teachers have been wonderful in applying those regardless of the needs of the kids -- and I say regardless because they look at them as all kids," said Pam Foegen with the Special Education Department in the La Crosse School District.
The district says students are only transferred to special education classrooms after all the general classroom intervention strategies are used.
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