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Monday, August 25, 2008
Warhammer Online introduces a new system for targeting creatures and players for spells and abilities. It is interesting to compare the Warhammer Online system to World of Warcraft. WoW actually has multiple targeting systems, each serving a slightly different purpose.
World of Warcraft Basic - Primary Mode
In the default UI (no mods, no macros), there is one target frame. You choose your target, and press the ability, and the game tries to cast it on the current target. So to cast a spell on a new target generally requires 2 operations:
1. Select new target
2. Press spell button - Spell is cast on current target
This method has the advantage that it is very obvious and intuitive. It has the disadvantage that changing targets is fairly costly in terms of operations. Additionally, switching between a hostile and a friendly target will turn off your auto-attack.
World of Warcraft Basic - Secondary Mode
In the default UI, there is a secondary targeting mode. If you have a hostile target selected, and you cast a friendly spell such as a heal, the cursor will change to a glowing hand. You can then click the frame of a friendly player, and the spell will be cast on that player without changing your target.
1. Press spell button
2. Select friendly frame - Spell is cast on friend, target is not changed
The advantage here is that your current target never changes, your auto-attack does not turn off. Offensive actions don't require a target switch, and only cost 1 operation. However, this method does not seem that popular among players, and is probably not very intuitive. Additionally, even Blizzard occasionally forgets about this mode. For example, spells that can affect both allies and enemies, such as Holy Shock, will not work properly, automatically defaulting to hitting the hostile target. Another annoyance is that all your friendly spells get "greyed out" as unusable, even though you can still cast them.
Warhammer Online
Warhammer Online seems to have two targets: an offensive target and a defensive target. Selecting a friendly player changes your defensive target, and selecting a hostile changes your offensive target. If you cast a hostile spell, it hits the offensive target. A friendly spell hits the defensive target.
In terms of operations, this is slightly different depending on what you are doing. If you are mostly attacking creature or mostly healing friendlies, then it effectively costs 2 operations or so per target switch. However, when you alternate between healing and attacking, it only requires 1 operation. In the best case scenario, you only have yourself and one enemy, and you never need to switch targets. I would imagine that this targeting system promotes attacking and defending at the same time. If there's no extra cost, you might as well throw out a DoT if you have time.
As well, this system is pretty intuitive, while only being slightly more complex than WoW Basic - Primary. The idea that offensive spells are cast on your offensive target, and defensive spells are cast on your defensive target just makes sense.
World of Warcraft Advanced - Focus
In WoW, you can declare one target your "focus" with the /focus command. Right now, you generally need macros or mods to work with the focus target properly, but in WotLK the focus target is being built into the default UI.
Having a focus target allows you to cast certain spells at your focus, instead of your main target. This is especially useful for crowd control, as you can automatically renew a crowd control spell without switching targets. Essentially, casting a spell on the focus target only costs 1 operation, while other targets cost 2 operations.
The focus target is also open-ended. A DPS can juggle two hostile targets. A healer can juggle two friendly targets. However, one of the targets is fixed, as it takes a bit of effort to switch focuses.
Focus, while very powerful, is not exactly intuitive, and takes some getting used to.
World of Warcraft Advanced - Mouseover/Click-casting
In WoW, you can also macro your spells to target the frame or mob that your mouse is hovering over. This essentially reduces the cost of all your spells to 1 operation. This is primarily used by healers, as they have to switch targets often. However, DPS and tanks do occasionally have uses for mouseover targeting. In particular, warriors will use a mouseover Sunder macro to build threat on crowd-controlled mobs. (Sunder doesn't do damage to mobs, and using mouseover ensures that you don't auto-attack the sheep.)
Click-casting is where you automatically cast a spell without changing targets if you right-click a frame. You generally need a mod such as Clique. Click-casting is pretty similar to mouseover targeting in effect, but you're limited by the number of mouse buttons you have.
These techniques reduces operation cost to the minimum. However, they are fairly unintuitive, and require extra setup on the part of the player.
In a lot of ways, the basic WoW targeting system promotes focusing on one activity at a time. If you're healing, you switch between friendly targets and heal. If you're dealing damage, you stay on your target and burn them down.
Warhammer Online seems to promote both offensive and defense. The dual-targeting system promotes using both abilities that help your allies and hurt your enemies. This doesn't just apply to healers. Any class could get and use helpful abilities, and still be able to concentrate on the hostile mob. Additionally, it's still very user-friendly and easy to understand.
However, both Focus and mouseover targeting offer much more control, and reduces the cost in operations, to the experienced WoW player. Mouseover targeting effectively obsoletes the dual-targeting system for healing, and Focus allows you to alternate between two hostile targets. Still, these techniques are not exactly user-friendly, and generally require the player to have a fair bit of experience in the game before she can master them.
13 comments:
Dual targeting (I haven't played WAR so it might be)counterintuitive, you have 1 target, and potentially 1 off target. Typically I have auto-self cast turned on (am a tank, if I cast LoH, bubble etc, I want the default to be me).ReplyDelete
So WoW has:
Target: click, autocast offensive spells (judgements for example), mouse over.
Focus: requires macros.
What would be nice is to be allowed to setup multiple foci, for example:
5 mob pull, you set Skull, X and Moon as primary, secondary and tertiary targets, setting focus on circle. Then some fast way to move between them (I would suggest by default binding ctrl-shift-alt to the combos, so target, ctrl-target, shift-target, ctrl-shift-target, alt-target...). Would be nice to be allowed to shift quickly to targets I know I want to deal with.
I apologize for being slightly off topic, but a friend of mine recently linked me to a gameplay trailer of The Chronicles of Spellborn (game is intentionally not linked since this is not supposed to be an advertisement).ReplyDelete
They're apporaching the MMORPG genre from a rather different angle: targetting works similarly to playing a point'n'shoot game like Counter Strike. You need to position your crosshair over the enemy you're targetting while pressing a button to use a spell or weapon.
I play a healer or tank mainly, so from both perspectives I'm rather curious how this works out. I admit that I'm not sure there actually will be tanking mechanics as we know them from WoW, but boy after a look at the intelligent NPC AI (exmaple: in a group consisting of two melee and a caster, the caster will always try to keep distance while the melee will position themselves in between you and their mage, or (ie a rogue) use special techniques if you go for the caster and they can get in your back) I was feeling both queasy and excited from a tanking point of view.
The healer inside me sure hopes to be able to select group members the way he's used to from WoW..
Anyways, if you're interested, the trailer I saw can be found at: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/39086.html
Being honest a crosshair sucks in this kind of game, in a swirling melee (try targeting a character behind you as a tank). Crosshairs work in first person games, because you have to point, in third person, it fails hard.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous9:07 AM, August 26, 2008
I can just imagine trying to BoP a mage on the Jan'Alai fight with 40 dragonhawks on top of both him and I using crosshairs.ReplyDelete
In all honesty, there can be mouse over casting later on with mods, from what I've read, but it in no way invalidates the dual target system in WAR because of abilities like the DoK's Rend Soul. That ability does damage to a foe and heals the defensive target for a multiplier of the damage done.ReplyDelete
So, while click casting is better for direct healing than having to target and then heal, it doesn't allow for some of the new mechanics introduced in WAR.
Very good point, Lyris. Having two targets allows for abilities which affect both targets simultaneously.ReplyDelete
To a degree, WoW does this already with abilities like Vampiric Embrace/Touch or the new Judgements of the Wise. However, such affects either hit all friendly targets, or a random selection of targets.
To add to that, in WoW, you can have 1 ability which affects 1 target hostile and:ReplyDelete
1. Yourself
2. Your group
3. Your raid
4. A random selection of friendly targets
5. A specific target which matches certain criteria (like Chain Heal)
Warhammer Online adds the ability to affect 1 target hostile and:
6. One specific friendly target.
Now, how important is it to be able to do 6? I don't know. In many ways, you might be able to get pretty much the same effect from 2 or 5. How important is specific versus random?
For example, if the DoK ability read "deals X damage to target creature and heals Y damage to a friendly target with the largest HP deficit" (intelligent healing like Chain Heal) would this be better, worse, or equivalent to the dual-target version?
- notmercury9:30 PM, August 26, 2008
The specific target is still better and by quite a bit.
What if I'm trying to keep a particular DPS member topped up in a boss encounter? If my secondary target is automatically the player with the biggest HP deficit, sometimes my healing is going to the tank and not the DPS I want to keep topped up.
The tank already has a bunch of heals incoming, but if I'm responsible for keeping one DPS up, then I can't do my job. That's one less clever dynamic that can be built into an encounter.
Even as a small point, it's a real point.
At this point, you are arguing game differences. In WoW, there's no reason to have a specific secondary target outside CCing because that's just the way the game works.ReplyDelete
WAR is different, and the ability to specifically target friendly players to benefit from abilities like the DoK will really shine with skilled players at the helm.
The DoK skill, for example, does x damage and heals y target for z% of that damage, but it also heals friendly players within 10 feet of y target.
You could make the game choose y target based on health density, but in the end, I don't want a game simplifying itself to make it more accessible.
There's a reason that I've cancelled my WoW account and will be playing WAR.
PS. Before anyone says it, the skill I referenced in my above post is not Rend Soul, it's Consume Essence, IIRC.ReplyDelete
Either way, both of them are directed damage wise at an enemy target and the secondary effect is directed at a certain friendly player.
- Raynmaker, Alevas (Uther)8:03 AM, August 27, 2008
Well, I'll throw in my two cents.ReplyDelete
For very simple purposes - the vanilla WoW UI works great for dps, works ok for healers, and is pretty bad for tanks who have to melee (tab targetting/random melee cliking FTL).
Of course, using an addon which contains a focus target is ideal. When playing my hunter or mage, I will focus my cc target and still be able to dps without a problem. And, the mage has a focus sheep macro for ease of use {/cast [target=focus] polymorph(rank 1)}.
Also, let's not forget that WoW builds into its vanilla UI a keybind to target self without actually clicking on self (I believe default is the "alt" key).
Now, when I'm on Raynmaker healing, I have a lot more options and I can be valuable to a raid other than simply healing. I have a target (usually the boss), I have a focus (the tank or a second mob), and I have mouseover macros combined with raid frames. I have an earth shock macro for my focus if I need. I have an earth shield macro for my focus if I need. I simply never have to switch either my target or focus target to effectively heal.
The problem is that it took me a VERY long time to set everything up just as I like it. And, with every major patch, I need to readjust and reconfigure things. It's a work in progress and not a finished product. In fact, the entire game, as we've seen with Burning Crusade and with Wrath coming out, is a work in progress.
- Hjorolf12:36 PM, August 28, 2008
In WOW, I'm a fanatic devotee of click-casting. Installing Clique changed everything about the way I heal for the better. I have all the spells I need fast (HL 4/7/9/11, FoL, Shock, combat blessings) on various combinations of mouse clicks and modifier keys.ReplyDelete
LOTRO has a similar system to Warhammer and WOW 'secondary mode'. If you turn on 'target forwarding', your effect or attack is checked against your target and takes effect if appropriate. If not, it's done to your target's target.
So as ranged DPS, I can just target the tank or main assist and blast away, and the appropriate mob gets hit. As a healer I can do the same, or I can target a mob for damage while my heals go to the mob's current target.
This is particularly useful because the main healing class (minstrel) also has to be constantly casting spells which damage their target and provide a short-term buff. No enemy target, no buffs.
In WOW that would break some of the dual-purpose spells like Holy Shock, but that's probably not hard to work around- just let those affect the main target only.
- Anonymous8:11 AM, September 04, 2008
I just want to mention that WoW's single target system allows for spells that work both on friendly and enemy targets, picking an appropriate action for each. You mention holy shock, but the priest dispel is another good example of this. It is perhaps debatable if dual function spells are good or necessary, but it doesn't sound like WAR's approach would work with them.ReplyDelete


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For me, it's special variables. Those things reeeally save me from messy situations. Setting up contexts, so I don't have to change much code.
Though funnily enough, I've seen someone abuse the hell out of them. For instance, there'd be code like this:
- Code: Select all
(defun a_STZ ()
(declare (special a stz verb i ...))
(setf a 10)
(defun b_STZ ()
(declare (special a stz verb i ...))
(list a))
Now, I stripped the code to essentials here; the real code had all sorts of off-by-one errors. I still wonder how he (apparently) learned about DECLARE SPECIAL before LET -- it's like he'd manually add new variables to all the DECLARE SPECIAL declarations whenever he'd need a new one.
Until that point, /I/ didn't really know what DECLARE SPECIAL really did, and I had more Lisp experience than that programmer.

subset: commoncrawl


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The game at 7 at Allen Arena is billed as "Think Pink/Pack the House for Cancer Research" night.
Donations will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and St. Thomas Women's Health Services.
The Lady Bisons will wear special pink uniforms.
"Hopefully, we will get a big crowd," Lady Bisons coach Frank Bennett said. "The girls are really excited about our uniforms for the game. There is a little purple in them mixed in with the pink."
The Lady Bisons are 4-20, 2-12 in the Atlantic Sun. They lost 70-48 against North Florida Saturday afternoon.
Jacksonville is 6-15, 5-8 in the conference. They are 1-12 on the road. That lone victory was 54-44 Saturday at Belmont.
"We have to focus on getting ready to play our best," Bennett said. "It's a new day for us. There is no way you can change what has happened on the previous days."
Jacksonville is led by senior guard Courtney Jackson with 10 points per game. Senior forward Desarae Johnson is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Lady Bisons are led by junior point guard Jenna Bartsokas with 11.8 points per game. Sophomore center Brittany Duerk averages 5.9 rebounds per game.
"Jacksonville and North Florida are similar teams," Bennett said. "Both teams are athletic. They both push the ball and go to the boards."
There will be free pizza and T-shirts for students before the game starting at 6:30. There will be games and giveaways at every time out.


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Revenge, as
the French saying goes, is a dish that you eat cold. More than two years ago,
French President Nicolas Sarkozy was taped chatting with journalists in a
On June 30,
2008, this video footage was uploaded on Rue89,
along with a related article by Scalbert. It was immediately carried by a
number of video-sharing sites, but also triggered a sharp reaction from the presidential
palace and, interestingly enough, from
The station began an internal investigation to determine who had leaked the video to Rue89, and, in a move that baffled other French media, France 3 decided to sue the journalist who had revealed it.
Very few
people in
Media critics and journalist unions point to a cascade of examples of such intrusions. In one instance, Sarkozy allegedly asked one of his publisher-friends to fire an editor-in-chief who had published confidential information about his ex-wife. In another, Sarkozy gave himself the prerogative of naming the top brass of the public service broadcasting system. In yet another case, he recently summoned the current editor-in-chief of the reputable but financially strapped Le Monde to discuss the economic future of the paper.
Most media lawyers believe that the case against Scalbert will go nowhere and that the European Court of Human Rights would certainly quash a guilty verdict. However, they consider this indictment a new example of a pattern of intimidation tactics aimed at chilling journalists' freedom by restricting their right to protect their sources.
More fundamentally, they see this as a disturbing episode in the tug-of-war that has traditionally confronted the French press, and particularly public service broadcasting, with the concept of "L'Etat c'est moi," i.e. the idea that the French president not only owns the public media but also expects decency and decorum from the private ones. This is a losing proposal in a French media scene that inevitably has its sycophants but is too diverse and too vibrant to be browbeaten.
(Reporting from Brussels)


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Boomdizzle necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 71 diseños de 13 diseñadores freelance.
Founded by a legendary musician and artist, Boomdizzle Networks Inc. provides revolutionary technology to make it simple for anyone to collaboratively create, promote, and share music in real-time from anywhere or any device in the world. The Boomdizzle music production platform provides a powerful yet intuitive interface for collaboratively creating new music by recording, remixing and editing content, with the ability to share that music on any social network. In addition, Boomdizzle provides integrated digital marketing campaigns, unique branded entertainment, and social media engagements for brands focused on utilizing music in innovative ways to target the high end consumer community.
We would like a logo that is fun, edgy, creative, and clever. Please keep in mind that this logo will be used on both a black background (for our site) as well as on a white background (for print). While the neutral color choices are left up to you to determine (black, white, gray), the attached color palette should be used for any additional color choices. Out of the colors on the color palette, the orange is the dominant one.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Township Office: 4915
North Nickelplate
Public Notices
In 2000, entire
population for township: 9,098 Approximate
size of township: 32 sq. mi. Approximate
portion of township in UA: 6 sq. mi. Percent
of township in UA: 19% Overall
roadway maintenance mileage: 67 miles
Please be advised: that Nimishillen Township Administrative and
Zoning Offices have changed their mailing address. We no longer
receive mail at the physical address of 4915 N. Nickelplate. Mail
will be delayed by 5 to 10+ days if you mail correspondence to the
Nickelplate address.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box
181- Louisville, Ohio 44641-0181
Phone: 330-875-9924
Fax: 330-875-7275
Office Hours: 7:30
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Monday through Friday
Due to regularly scheduled
meetings, office hours are subject to change. Please call 330-875-9924 to
"What's New"
"Flood Emergency Information"
Public Notices
Stark County Tax Estimator
Revised Zoning Code
Available on Zoning Page
Click here for Ohio's open burning law.


text:
banks high ram
Reviewed By Gary H (Imperial, MO) Reviewed for a 2006 Ford F-250 —8/29/2014 12:55 PM
I can tell a big difference from stock.also added a s&b cold air intake.now kick the pedal down it hits now. before I had to wait then it hit. would recommend this anyone with 6.0 diesel.


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Amazon.com purchased online sewing retailer Fabric.com two years ago in June 2008. Now it looks from an online job listing like the company might be planning to use Fabric.com to expand their presence in the online crafts market, including scrapbooking.
The job listing of interest is for a merchandise buyer at Fabric.com's Marietta, GA offices. The description for it includes the following: "Our current plans include expansion into the broader needlecraft and craft categories (crochet, embroidery, knitting, scrapbooking, etc.)."
Currently, Fabric.com does have a Crafts section with a scrapbooking sub-section. But they carry only an extremely limited number of SKU's from Basic Grey, Clearsnap, Cricut, Die Cuts With A View, Fiskars, Glue Dots, GCD Studios, Hampton Art, Hero Arts, Inkadinkado, K & Company, Mrs. Grossman's, Ranger, Sizzix and Tattered Angels. Much of the selection is actually rubberstamping supplies, with only a few paper pads or collections and embellishments offered.
Amazon.com already is a force to be reckoned with in certain areas of the scrapbook market. Of course, their book selection and pricing (their specialty) is excellent. Their selection and pricing of various die cutting equipment is extremely competitive, as well. Some niche retailers are using Fulfilled by Amazon to order & deliver their products, most notably Becky Higgins' Project Life.
It will be interesting to see what Amazon.com may have in store for the crafts market via Fabric.com…


text: The Holidays are a truly special time of the year when we have the opportunity to celebrate with those we love and make some lasting memories. Each of our holiday gifts are designed to capture the spirit of the season, and they're ready to go, allowing you to spend your time on more important things, like friends and family. Our holiday gift baskets include perfect gifts for men, delightful gifts for women, and personalized gifts for any occasion. No matter what you're celebrating, Figi's is ready to help make your day delicious.


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|Rainbow Chicken
A couple of weeks ago, the New York Times featured recipes with the "new idea" of oven-to-table suppers where we skip the step of browning the meat. Instead, the uncooked meat is combined with vegetables and then baked in the oven. New idea? No way. Good cooks have kept recipes like this in their repertoires forever. Here's my favorite -- chicken and a pile of rainbow-colored vegetables, tossed in a spice rub and brightened with lemon slices. It's so simple and spring-like. It's my new go-to chicken supper!
UPDATE Careful readers are noticing that there's red cabbage in the photograph but none in the ingredient list. That's because I did make Rainbow Chicken with red cabbage one night but it wasn't the favorite I thought it would be. I've used several combinations of vegetables, the ingredient list shows my favorite.
"I think it's your detergent," declared my sister at Christmas, pulling barely clean dishes from the dishwasher and apparently unimpressed by the bargain box I'd picked up at the dollar store along with a few stocking stuffers.
She was right, though: the dinner plates were rough with food grime, the silverware was slightly sticky, and the drinking glasses were covered with a powdery film.
I wondered if the water were hot enough, whether the fifteen-year old dishwasher (or a still-older water heater) was about to crash beneath the stress of heavy holiday use.
Turns out, the dishwasher detergent was the problem but it's affecting brand-name and no-brand products alike. And if you're not experiencing the problem yet, get ready, you will.
According to NPR (see Dishes Still Dirty? Blame Phosphate-Free Detergent), in 2010, detergent manufacturers quietly removed the phosphates that stripped food and oil from dirty dishes and prevented food bits from re-attaching during the wash process. The action was taken product-wide after seventeen states banned phosphates due to damage to the environment. Rather than supporting separate products for separate markets, rather than continuing the damage to the environment even while still legal in some states, detergent manufacturers switched to no-phosphate detergents across the board.
While I'm glad to know that throwing money at a plumber or new appliances won't help, I'm still struggling with less than clean dishes, despite more careful rinsing.
Any suggestions?
UPDATE, A POTENTIAL SOLUTION? The May 11, 2011 issue of Consumer Reports says that the "Quantum tablets" from Finish do a "superb" job of cleaning dishes without leaving water spots although at a steep price: thirty cents a load. They say that another Finish product, the gel that's just twelve cents a load, doesn't work.
Any experience with these or other products?
Time to table: 1 - 3/4 hours
Serves 4
- 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-1/4 pound chicken thighs or legs, bone-in, skins off or on
- 1 potato, skin on, diced small (turnip works too)
- 1 sweet potato, peeled, diced small
- 1 medium onion, cut into lengths
- 1 bell pepper, cut into lengths
- 1 zucchini, cut into chunks
- 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 lemon, sliced thin cross-wise (don't skip)
Preheat oven to 425F.
Mix the spice rub ingredients in a large bowl.
Rinse the chicken pieces under running water, pat dry with paper towels, then drop into the Spice Rub and turn to coat. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in an oven-safe skillet or casserole dish with a lid.
Drop the vegetables into the remaining spice rub (there won't be a lot, but it's just enough), give it all a stir and then scatter over the chicken. Top with lemon slices.
Cover and bake for 45 minutes (and up to 20 minutes longer if using a baking dish covered with foil) or until no pink remains in the chicken pieces. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve and savor!
ALANNA's TIPS After making Rainbow Chicken a half dozen times already in 2011, it's become my go-to, no-thinking chicken comfort food. I'm partial to the more richly flavored dark meat so pick up packs of inexpensive thighs or legs, then slip off the skins and coat with the Spice Rub. Then I check the fridge for vegetables, chopping up whatever's on hand. The vegetables in the ingredient list, however, became my favorites. For a whole chicken, cut the chicken into pieces but use twice the Spice Rub. Reserve the back and wings for making Homemade Chicken Stock. Consider making extra for the leftovers reheat beautifully.
This Week, Years Past
Scandinavian Pea Soup French Eggs Three Easy Vegetables Hot Cross Buns Vanilla Brownies Lemon Asparagus Pasta Homemade Chicken Stock Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Chocolate Cream Puffs Stuffed with Strawberries & Cream
This Week, Elsewhere
Gooey Butter Bread Pudding from The Basket Case Deli
My Column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Summer Black-Eyed Pea Salad
How to Eat More Vegetables, Tip #9
A Veggie Venture
More Favorite Chicken Recipes
Shop Your Pantry First
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Mental Health
Featured Article - Families At Ease
Families At Ease:
VA Program Helps Families Help Their Veterans
Posted January 3, 2011
(Addendum 6/14/2011: Families At Ease is now known as Coaching Into Care. Family members or Veterans can reach Coaching Into Care at 888-823-7458 (8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EST), by e-mailing email@example.com , or on the web at http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/.)
Do you know a Veteran who needs help?
"Families At Ease" is a new program developed by Department of Veterans Affairs that works with family members and friends of Veterans of any era to help them help their Veteran get care.
Many Veterans are reluctant to get help for the symptoms or difficulties they are having, or may not recognize their need for help.
It could be difficulty at work or at home, problems sleeping, driving too fast, or drinking too much. Or it could just be that they seem irritable or sad.
Whatever the problem, family members are often very aware of Veterans' mental health difficulties and want to play a positive role in helping Veterans seek the help they need.
The "Families At Ease" educational campaign attempts to reach new Veterans through their concerned family members and provides information and support to help the Veteran access VA facilities for services and benefits.
A multi-site call center was developed at the Philadelphia, Pa. and Durham, N.C. VA Medical Centers to answer calls from family members and friends, as well as Veterans.
Callers can get information on how to enroll in VA care. They can also get free telephone-based coaching by a mental health consultant to help when a Veteran is reluctant to admit having difficulties.
According to Dr. Steven Sayers, "Familes At Ease" Director, "We take a positive approach to motivating the Veteran, which means while we work with the family member to motivate the Veteran, the choice to come in is always in the Veteran's hands."
Dr. Sayers is a Clinical Psychologist with the Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
He adds that, "Coaching of family members involves discussing ways to talk to the Veteran about the difficulties they are having and offering help without trying to force the Veteran to go for this help. A family member may have one, two or several coaching calls over the span of a few days or weeks in order to try to help them encourage the Veteran to seek care."
The program has served about 50 family members and Veterans so far and has had positive results. About half of the calls pertained to Veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, with the rest serving in Vietnam, the first Gulf War, and other conflicts.
Seventy percent of Veterans associated with callers were already enrolled in VA care; the coaching of family members has resulted in an increase from 70% to 85% for enrollment in VA care.
A significant improvement was seen in Veterans receiving mental health care, with an increase from 24 percent to 45 percent, thanks to the coaching of family members.
Explaining the importance of the program, Dr. Sayers notes, "The role of family members in supporting treatment of our military Veterans is now a key part of the services provided by VA. 'Families At Ease' is an example of the innovative strategies now part of VA services."
By Hans Petersen, VA Staff Writer


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Why Japan's Tech Giants Struggle in Smartphones
With Apple and Samsung accounting for roughly half of the smartphones sold world-wide, some Asian technology companies like NEC are calling it quits. The WSJ's Daisuke Wakabayasahi explains why the once-innovative Japanese tech giant is giving up the fight.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the ... Japanese technology company NBC says it's quitting the smartphone business ... highlighting the growing competition in the smartphone market ... this is Asia's today and unique in ... joining me via Sky is dial Akamai icy technology correspondent in Tokyo ... that you had a very busy day covering the earnings ... any seeking that has said that they are ... sitting this one film business why are they doing this ... guidance is the pure numbers decision on any see you ... as you know has been doing that great in recent years ... but especially in the in the mobile phone system struggling um today they said basically in the first quarter in it than their fiscal first quarter that ... of they had about a little less than twenty billion yen in sales and an about nine billion yen in losses so ... basically no business wary of losing visibly fifty cents of every dollar ... you know is this a sustainable model and so ... you know I think that they know they they really tired ... it's made of gold in the smartphone business they've ruined it for about two years and it tried some more ... unusual and creative models to the ... Hugo ... smartphone with a dual screens ... um and you know Spahr phones can afford to win man ... but then the day those didn't really gain traction in Japan and I think they just cut their losses ... Ryan a lot of the smartphone makers are focused on the Japanese market ... so what does that say about Japan's artful my and and the remaining players in this market like Panasonic and Fujitsu ... right ... I used up this part of phone makers in general for the last decade or so I've had a pretty close market I you know just that ... the Japan market didn't really work the way Russell world that ... and while he helped companies like Samsung Nokia and Motorola come out of control of the world ... back in the future fund is ... capella still very much drawn by Japanese companies and they they were very good ... you know of ... developing phone to cater to the Japanese audience ... I think when it became about smartphones and he knows that became more of a global standard everyone has been running on Android ... operating system thus became harder to differentiate ... the phones from the overseas competitors like Samsung ... and Apple and I think at the end the day when I'm going to care about smartphones those became ... much more popular it became harder for Japanese manufacturers ... investors scale to really compete ... what about companies like Sony and we do they have a chance to compete in this Mike and I know they have a pretty great big presence in smartphones ... in Japan I think so ... yes I mean I thinks the Sony is the one company that really ... has a shot at being successful in their ... smartphones ... um I don't know if that means that they will actually be successful with excellent chance I think they have ... kind of their assets ... whether it's kind of their ... position in videogames or imaging I'm ... Sen says ... the gives them a kind of ... advantage that maybe some of the other companies don't have ... also they haven't come in the global brand that they can then sell their phones in their ... you know India Air France and ... he knows that helps ... you scale and ... you know has this great companies ... roll out new components ... you know if you're selling only four million units a year versus forty nine units you know you're getting pushed back the line for new components of the things that ... can you know things and ... I'm consumers end up looking for when they go to buy new phone ... and I'd talk to us a little but about why it is so difficult to be in the smartphone market today ... and see you know Apple and Samsung ... have the majority of the profits in this market so what is their secret to success ... I think you know it's it's so hard as it is really hard to differentiate the phones I'm pretty much every smartphone looks ... somewhat similar I have a big screen touch screen ... I'm and you know that the user interface is somewhat similar it's it's really hard and incomes about status and I think ... why ... Samsung and Apple have done so well is to make their brands ... with their phones into a faction ... I'd you know accessory right it's the it's the thing the wanna be seen holding hands so ... I think if you don't have the marketing money to throw out ... I'm ... you know promoting your brand promoting your product ... to become very very difficult to make your product alerting to come in the mass market ... write marketing has become an increasingly ... big tool for these that smartphone makers and deeds ... things have much dial Akamai Etsy joining us from Tokyo today ... from on this story indebted Des beest dot com I'm unique in for the last two channel digital network thanks for watching ...


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Roberts honored for contributions to environmental sociology
J. Timmons Roberts, professor of sociology and director of William and Mary's environmental science and policy program, was recently awarded the Buttel Distinguished Contribution Award for his contribution to the field of environmental sociology.
The Buttel Award, the highest award presented in the field, recognizes Roberts' contributions to the field of environmental sociology. The award is presented to a current member of the Environment and Technology Section of the American Sociological Association (ASA) for outstanding scholarship, service and innovative teaching in the field of environmental sociology. Roberts serves as chair of the Environment and Technology Section of the ASA, but was excused from deliberation of the award candidates.
"This award is a great honor for me," says Roberts, "since my peers have seen fit to recognize the body of all the work I have done. It is especially an honor since I had the pleasure of knowing Fred Buttel from co-authoring, organizing conferences and repeated intellectual, professional and social interactions with him. Fred was an amazing man, a wonderful person and a brilliant sociologist, bridging areas of rural sociology, political economy and environment."
In addition to teaching sociology and directing the environmental science and policy program at the College, Roberts is a James Martin 21st Century School Fellow in the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University. He is one of the founding members of Project-Level Aid (PLAID), an interdisciplinary project based at William and Mary that tracks foreign aid by sovereign nations as well as multilateral entities such as the World Bank. He has published numerous articles and co-authored five books in the field of Environmental Sociology. He is a co-author of Greening Aid?: Understanding the Environmental Impact of Development Assistance, recently published by Oxford University Press.


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Save money: Instantly compare Alfa Romeo Clutch Replacement prices in Dronfield to find the best deal.
Save time: Find and book the best Clutch Replacement deal quickly and easily with our online booking tool. No upfront registration required!
Quick and easy: Simply enter the vehicle registration number of your Alfa Romeo and your post code, compare prices, choose a garage in Dronfield and book your Clutch Replacement.
No payment required: You won't pay a penny until all of the work is complete.
Speak to an expert mechanic: If you need to speak to a mechanic about your Alfa Romeo, call one of our experts today on 03304 004439.
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The clutch is perhaps the most important part of a car's transmission system. It comprises two metal plates which are responsible for maintaining a connection between the engine and the gearbox. When the driver depresses the clutch pedal the plates come apart, separating the engine from the drive wheels, allowing you to change gear. Bringing the pedal back up re-engages the plates which in turn connect the engine to the drive wheels.
Excessive noise and vibration from the clutch area can be caused by a bad release bearing or pilot bearing. If this is the case in your car, the garage will take apart the clutch assembly in order to replace the bearings.
If the clutch is grabbing and shuddering as it's engaged, the garage may need to take a look at the flywheel as well. Many modern vehicles are fitted with a dual mass flywheel; a rotating mechanical device which can break down. There's no easy way for garages to check for this without disassembling the clutch and inspecting the pressure plate and flywheel. If the clutch pedal is giving little or no resistance, the problem could be a seal leak in the master or slave cylinder.
The makers of the Italian Alfa Romeo began getting involved in car racing in 1911, but things didn't start ramping up for them until they switched to mass-producing small vehicles rather than hand-building luxury models after the end of the second World War. Over the years they've competed successfully in many different varieties of motorsport, from Grand Prix motor racing to Formula One, sportscar racing, rallies, and touring car racing, but they're still known for their beautiful cars above all else.
When it comes down to it, modern Alfa Romeos are as reliable as just as cars from any other major manufacturers, but are frequently flashier looking! The MiTo and Giulietta add a bit of Italian charm to the supermini and family hatchback models respectively due to their smart styling and unique interiors. And on top of that, both are available as sporty 'QV' models in true Alfa Romeo tradition. Of course, you've got the lightweight Alfa Romeo 4C if you're looking for a Italian sportscar to play around with.
How can you save money (and the environment) while you drive?
As every garage owner will tell you, there are some tried and tested ways to cut down on your petrol costs (and consumption) while you're out and about in Dronfield or beyond. One is to shut your windows. If you can hear that wind noise in your car it's costing you more to drive. This is because the car becomes less aerodynamic and has to work harder to motor along. Removing a roof rack will improve your fuel efficiency for the same reason. Another useful tip is to combine short trips into one; each time you drive after your car has been parked for a while the engine will be cold and need to use a lot more fuel for the first 5 miles or so. If you do one trip from school drop-off to supermarket to office you'll use far less fuel than if you do all those trips individually.
We can help you find garages for your Alfa Romeo in Dronfield for car servicing or repair work, including:
Find a garage
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Record Store Day 2015 is upon us, taking place Saturday, April 18. The list of limited edition releases coming out exclusively on Record Store Day is up now (download the full list here). While there's tons of great stuff to choose from (while supplies last, of course), here are 12 highlights to look for.
Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Neko Case released her best album in 2006, a perfect distillation of her country-meets-indie-rock style, featuring the ethereal and confessional "Hold On, Hold On," '50s-style ballad "That Teenage Feeling" and Biblically inspired "John Saw That Number." The long-out-of-print LP comes on red vinyl with a Record Store Day slipmat.
Johnny Cash – Koncert v Praze (In Prague Live)


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EVERY Marvel Comics NOVEMBER 13 Preview
Here's every preview for Marvel Comics on sale November 13, 2013, including All-New X-Men #18, Cataclysm: Ultimate X-Men #1,
Wolverine #11.
Click the title to jump to that preview, or just click on through to read them all!
Captain America: Living Legend #3
Superior Foes of Spider-Man #5
Got a comment? There's lots of conversation on Newsarama's FACEBOOK and TWITTER!
EVERY Marvel Comics NOVEMBER 13 Preview
Marvel Previews for November 13, 2013
Credit: Marvel Comics
Twitter activity Tweets by @Newsarama


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The Kitchen
Thursday, September 2, 2010
at 2:55 AM Labels: Escape Games, More
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Play online adventure games and all types of flash games. Its a right place to play free online games. Flash games, action games, avatar games, Ben 10 games, spider man games, kids games and everyone favorite Mario games are available on a single place.
©2011 ·Play Online Games | Play Flash Games | Free Online Games | by TNB ©2006-2011


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Kathleen B. Hollis, 85, a resident of Deming, NM entered eternal rest on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Willow Manor Assisted Living.
Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-546-0070.
Kathleen B. Hollis, 85, a resident of Deming, NM entered eternal rest on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Willow Manor Assisted Living.
Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-546-0070.
Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as the editor.
Welcome to our new version of classified ads. We invite you our readers to post your own classifieds, which are available for viewing 24/7 and are very reasonable in price, because you do all the work yourselves. A recent classified for a van brought a sale within two days.
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The Beat has a column for you gardeners out there. The Grant County Extension Service will bring you monthly columns on gardening issues. The first one posted is on Winterizing your houseplants and patio plants.
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The Mathematics Department and the Institute for Mathematical Sciences (IMS) at Stony Brook University expect to have several positions available beginning in the fall semester of 2018 contingent on funding availability. We are looking for several Simons Instructors (a three-year post-doctoral appointment with a competitive salary and reduced teaching), and several Milnor Lecturers (a two to three year post-doctoral appointment in the IMS with reduced teaching and competitive salary). We also welcome applications from exceptional candidates for a tenure-track and or/tenured faculty positions. We seek candidates with outstanding research potential and strong commitment to teaching. Applicants in all fields are encouraged to apply. Along with mathematics working in areas of traditional interest in the department – which include geometry and topology in many flavors, complex and real analysis, dynamical systems, mathematical physics, and mathematics education – we are also interested in building up in other areas, including algebra, PDE and probability.
Our 1,100 acre campus is home to 24,000 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, and more than 13,500 faculty and staff, including those employed at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Suffolk County's only academic medical center. The University is a member of the Association of American Universities and co-manager of nearby Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), a multidisciplinary research laboratory supporting world class scientific programs. The recently established Simons Center for Geometry and Physics, located next to the math building, runs intensive programs on the interface between mathematics and theoretical physics, over one thousand scientists pass through the SCGP annually. Many opportunities exist for collaborative research, and in some cases, joint appointments can be arranged.
Home to many highly ranked graduate research programs, Stony Brook University is located 60 miles from New York City on Long Island's scenic north shore. The Long Island Rail Road connects the Stony Brook Station on campus to midtown Manhattan.
Applicants should complete the American Mathematical Society's application process on-line at: http://www.mathjobs.org. The application consists of: 1) AMS Standard Cover Sheet, 2) Cover Letter, 3) CV, 4) Publication List, 5) Research Statement, 6) Teaching Statement, and 7) Three Reference Letters. Electronic reference letters are preferred but the department will accept letters via postal mail. Stony Brook University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We encourage protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, women and minorities to apply.
Alternative format: Submit a State Employment Application, cover letter, CV, publication list, research and teaching statements and three reference letters to:
The Appointments Committee
Stony Brook University
Department of Mathematics
Stony Brook, NY 11794-3651
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications should be received by November 6, 2017.
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at email@example.com.
Stony Brook University is 100% tobacco-free as of January 1, 2016. See our policy and learn more at stonybrook.edu/tobaccofree.
For a full position description, or application procedures, visit: www.stonybrook.edu/jobs
(Ref. # F-9818/17/09)
Stony Brook University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We encourage protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, women and minorities to apply.


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Our Fitness Blog
Kickboxing to be Stress Free
Stress is something that most Americans know well. We have to deal with it on a daily basis. Most people can agree that with our hectic and busy schedules, we are more stressed now than we have ever been. This excess stress can lead to many problems, like overeating, anxiety and other serious health related issues. So, how can we deal with all this built up stress? We need to find an effective way to release this stress. For many the best way to relieve stress is by participating in some sort of physical activity. Kickboxing would be the perfect choice for these people. The popularity of kickboxing classes in America has seen a major growth lately and not just because of the weight loss benefits but also because it is a proven way to help release any built up stress and frustration. Its fun and exciting routines would keep most of us coming back for more and enjoying the many benefits of exercising in no time.
Release those endorphins
Most of us know that any type of physical activity causes the body to release endorphins. Endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain, which allows you to workout longer. They are also known to give us a feel good feeling, similar to that of morphine. Many of us can recall that positive feeling after a workout. That feeling also known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive outlook on life. Many studies have indicated that this feeling can last for hours after your workout. Participating in some sort of physical activity on a regular basis is proven to relieve stress, lessen the feelings of depression and anxiety, boost your self-esteem and improve your sleep. Many studies have shown that exercise is an effective way to treat mild to moderate depression. It is important to add some sort of physical activity into our lives to help us feel healthy. Kickboxing is a unique and invigorating way to achieve this.
Get rid of built up aggression
The combination of martial arts, boxing and aerobic activity offers a fun and effective way to blow off some steam. The aggressive nature of kickboxing makes it the perfect way to eliminate any built up frustrations or stress from our hectic lives. In fact, according to most industry experts kickboxing has become the most preferred method to alleviate anger, stress and frustrations among most exercise participants. The punches and kicks you perform in kickboxing is the perfect way to permanently release any built up energy and stress from your body. You can effectively release any built up aggression by hitting and kicking heavy bags in a safe and controlled environment. This fast-paced fitness routine will have you kicking and punching your way into a stress-free zone within minutes of starting your workout.
Stress can come from anywhere in our daily lives. Family, friends, relationships and work can all have a negative impact on our lives and our overall health. Stress can cause many problems for us if not dealt with properly. Everyone should find a way to effectively release any built up stress, and since, everyone is different, you may need to experiment with different techniques. We all know that what works for one does not necessarily work for everyone. However, for many of us kickboxing can be a great way to help us escape the stress of our hectic lives. It is a healthy and effective way to relieve stress and help us feel better. Kickboxing would be the perfect technique for you to add to your list of experiments.


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NFL reporter Mike Klis suggests five goals for the Broncos in their preseason opener Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High:
1. Hit 'em!
The last time these two teams played, Feb. 2 in New Jersey, the Seahawks bullied the Broncos. Denver has been living with that embarrassing showing the past six months. Preseason or no preseason, Broncos pride is at stake.
2. Just don't get hurt
Flexing the male ego is one thing. Getting into harm's way is another. Keeping the regulars healthy is a top goal of any preseason game.
3. Block!
The Broncos' primary offensive adjustment from the Super Bowl was to tweak 60 percent of their offensive line. The new front, anchored by the return of left tackle Ryan Clady, must keep Peyton Manning clean through his 10 to 12 plays.
4. Second-chance Hillman
Starting running back Montee Ball is recovering from an appendectomy. Ronnie Hillman will be the starter Thursday. He started in preseason game at Seattle last year, too, then he fumbled crossing the goal line. Hillman has something to prove.
5. A touchdown drive by Brock and the No. 2s
Backup quarterback Brock Osweiler will get more playing time than Manning. Osweiler could use a touchdown drive to continue to build his confidence as he begins his third NFL season.


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My name is Shawn Sorrell and Wild Joker Design is the name I
use to encompass my talents.
They include graphic design, puppetry, music, art,
performance and web design to name just a few. This site is a look
at some of my work. From here you can find out more about me, view
my personal puppet page, see web sites I have designed and view
my forums. All my talents are for hire and fees are listed through
out the site.
Although as stated above I have a variety of talents
the focus of this site is graphic and web design. When you view
my Web Design page you will notice that the examples I list are
mostly artist or performers. You could say that is my niche. They
are very talented people in their own right but when it comes to
computers they just do not have the time and or desire to delve
into a whole new field. They have realized the power of the Internet
and the benefits of having a presence on it. I take their vision
and bring it life on the web.
When you hire me you are getting an individual not
a staff of designers that plugs what you give them into a pre-designed
template. For some of my clients I have created logos and ad layouts
that they use in print or areas other then just on their web site.
I can work with as little as the name of your company and your favorite
colors or build off of your established company artwork.
When you hire my talents you well find that devotion
to your satisfaction is my highest priority. If you are looking
for something unique that is not the run of the mill I can provide
it. I often take on special projects that do not fit a standard
so please contact me if you feel you fall within this category.


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Find property for sale or lease
We work with buyers, sellers, lessors and lessees across all property types. Whether you're looking to rent office space, purchase a data center facility or attract tenants to a shopping center, we have the relationships and market expertise to make it happen. Click on the property types of interest below to find and compare options, and to contact a broker who can help get you started.
Bridgewater, NJ
Learn more
Conroe (Houston), TX
Bloomington, MN
Sabine Pass, TX


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Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods: Is this true love, or marketing ploy?
Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods, sitting in a tree … When, in the history of a world ruled by Facebook, did sports turn into the cool kids' lunch table at middle school?
Vonn is the greatest skier on the planet. Woods has put the teeth back in his game; he looks ready to roar again as No. 1 on the PGA Tour. But do we really need to know they're dating? Oh, yuck.
In the photos released by sports' new fun couple, Woods is wearing Nike gear; Vonn sports Under Armour attire. Does love mean you never have to say you're sorry for promoting a sponsor? Peter Burns and I discuss here:
Hey, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf made it work. Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries? Not so much. How long do you give Vonn and Woods?
Kick it with Kiz and Peter Burns by joining the discussion on the radio Monday through Friday from 7-9 a.m. At 93.7 FM and 1510 AM.
Find Kiz on Twitter @MarkKiszla. And Peter Burns @PeterBurnsRadio.
And read Kiszla's latest column at denverpost.com/kiszla.


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1941- Washington, D.C.
It was a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon and we went to visit friends.
When we arrived their family was huddled around the radio and "ssh" they wanted to hear every word -
So from age 6 to 9 I grew up in the war years.
Gasoline was rationed - so my father sold our car. Public transportation was a block away, and we walked a lot.
We saved tin cans and newspapers "for the war effort". Today we once again "recycle" them - this time to conserve our natural resources.
Certain grocery items were also rationed: sugar, coffee, butter . . . you had to tear coupons from your ration books to be able to buy these items. About the same time "oleo margarine" came on the market, but not like today. It was in a cellophane wrapper and there was a little yellow "button" inside. You squeezed the "button" and released the yellow dye and then kneaded the package until the white "oleo-margarine" was the color of real butter.
We put up "black out curtains" on our windows and had to draw them tight when the sirens announced an air raid drill. The civil defense wardens would walk the streets to make sure no light escaped that could show where the houses and the city were in case of an enemy air attack.
At school we took our small change and bought savings stamps which we glued into a book. When the book was full we could get a War Bond. Today they are called Savings Bonds (EE) or I Bonds. I had a piggy bank, yellow with a mustache to look like Hitler - the German leader - that I saved my pennies in. Each time I got a bond my father scratched the bonds number into the soft plaster.
An old school on the next corner was turned into a U.S.O. and traveling service men could sleep there over night.
Women joined the Red Cross and rolled bandages for the war effort or knit socks from O.D. (olive drab) yarn.
Men had to register for the draft. Your Great Grandfather - Albert L. Dillon - registered, but because he was in his 30's, married and with a child, was never called. (He would have loved to have been in the Army Air Corp - he had been an Air Cadet in his 20s).
Plans were made that I was to be sent to my grandmother's in Indiana if the war came to our country. We watched newsreels of children by the thousands being loaded on trains - each wearing tags with their identification, like shipping tags - being shipped to the country from large European cities which were being bombed almost nightly by the enemy.
And then one day while I was swimming my mother called me out of the hotel pool. Once dressed and outside the streets were crowded with happy people - laughing, blowing horns, dancing in the street. We walked down to Lafayette Park across from the White House and joined a snake dance and then down Constitution Avenue. Stores had set up tables outside their doors and were selling horns and noise-makers. I bought a horn and blew it all the way home. My mother said I could stay up until midnight! I sat outside our apartment building blowing my horn until I woke up a baby and his mother complained.
THE WAR WAS OVER IN EUROPE!! (V-E Day)
5-10-00 aj
|Anna Lois tending her "War Garden"
Washington, D.C., 1944


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If you could marry an anime male/female who would it be and why?
Shino Asada/Sinon from Sword Art Online, with Taiga Aisaka/Shana coming in second with a tie. o: Sinon's backstory is reason enough.
Maho from Beck Mongolian Chop Squad because aside from the fact that she hangs out with rich douchebags and sends mixed feelings in the beginning she's basically perfect, at least my sense of perfect
Honorable mentions go to C2 from Code Geass, Holo from Spice and Wolf, and Senjougohara from the Monogatari series
Nogisaka haruka
She is my favorite anime character. There is a lot of depth to her. She is really pure and has good sense. She works hard even though she doesnt have to, and seem really loving and doesnt seem very harsh about anything. Shes kind of clueless, and i couldnt bring myself to do anything bad to her. I wish there were more people like her
kanade tachibana hands down, why? white hair and golden eyes plus the stoic type is just so appealing to me, and if that doesn't do it for you she's so cute in a baseball outfit!
Shiina Mashiro. Because she doesn't know how to take care of herself and I could do everything for her. Even change her clothes! Shiina is cute!
Its a toss up for me between Holo and Asuna
Raining days are for relaxing if your listening some old tunes from dino
I can't help it. I have a soft spot in my heart for the cute childhood friend. I know they'll never get their man, but I root for them anyway.
I hear Wedding Bells!!
Hard at work on my Manga - I will be your little sister!
a tie between Aoi Sakuraba, Belledandy and Nagisa. They're all the perfect housewives but could work if they needed to. They are beautiful. sweet. funny and fun to be around. Also they seem very understanding and sometimes even naive i like that in a woman.
If an anime simulcasts and no one is around to watch it does it make a sound?
I would definitely marry Haru from Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. He's incredibly smart, energetic, fun, sensitive, genuine, honest... need I say more? ; ) No wait, I shall say more: why can't I meet any guys like this? I mean in general, I can't even find a guy friend that is like this >.>
b/c faithful
If it up to me I'd go the harem route.
But, if I were forced to make a decision on just one girl there would be no doubt.
I'd choose Miyazaki Nodoka...
Because she's really cute, really sweet, and she fully embodies the kind of girl that I really go for.
If I could marry her I'd be content for the rest of my life.
Too many choices but heres a few.
Gascogne from Vandread.
Kobato from... Well from Kobato.
Spoiler Alert! Click to show or hide
But on a side note: I would definitly avoid the two females from School Days. Not that i would cheat or anything, but i wouldnt wanna risk dieing over a small silly argument if one ever came up.
Oh gosh the long awaited question.
Kazehana from Sekirei is definitely my first choice.
If push came to shove.
Charlotte from Infinite Stratos.
I could go on forever ,but honestly who wouldn't vote harem.
And I don't guess it counts ,but my first would and always will be Luka Megurine
Choice number 1 would have to be Witch Hunter Robin's Amon, number 2 would have to be Alex Rowe of Last Exile but only if there wasn't the dead lover.


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San Isidro salad
Ingredients for 4 people: 2 lettuces 4 eggs 2 tins of tuna 4 spring onions 150g of black olives 2dl of olive oil 1 spoonful of wine vinegar salt
Dry the tuna in a colander. Cook the eggs in a pan with water and salt for 15 minutes. Wash and dry the lettuces well, cut them into pieces and arrange them in four individual salad bowls. Cut the spring onions into strips and the hard-boiled eggs into thick slices. Arrange the spring onions, the hard-boiled eggs, the tuna and the olives on top of the lettuce. Beat the vinegar with the salt and add the oil gradually, continuing to beat. Add green and black olives. Dress the salad and serve immediately.
More information
Recipe information
- Category: Starter
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Price: Low
- Season: All year round


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Hudson Valley hurlers dazzle in clincher
Guerrieri, bullpen toss one-hitter to send Renegades to Finals
By Zack Cox / Special to MLB.com | September 10, 2012 8:32 PM
The Rays' No. 2 prospect walked five, but allowed only one hit in four innings and relievers Brandon Henderson and Ryan Garton combined for five perfect frames to lead short-season Hudson Valley to a 2-0 win over Brooklyn and send the Renegades to the New-York Penn League Championship Series.
Guerrieri escaped an early jam in the first inning, walking the bases loaded before getting Stefan Sabol to fly out to end the threat. The lack of control was uncharacteristic for the right-hander, who walked five total in the regular season.
"It was rough, for sure," MLB.com's No. 69 prospect said. "I definitely struggled a little bit finding the strike zone throughout the entire outing. I was fortunate enough for the hitters to get themselves out and we won, so that's all that matters."
Drafted 24th overall in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, Guerrieri has been dominant in his first professional season. The 19-year-old held opponents scoreless in six of his 12 regular-season starts, allowing only seven runs in 52 innings. His 1.04 ERA would have led the league had he enough innings to qualify.
In his latest scoreless outing, he picked up his first postseason victory with the help of a stellar performance by the Hudson Valley bullpen.
Henderson was especially effective, matching his longest outing of the year while not allowing a baserunner and striking out a season-high six in 4 1/3 innings of relief. Garton shut the door in the ninth, retiring the only two batters he faced.
"It's unreal," Guerrieri said of his bullpen's performance. "They've been consistent all year; they've been putting the work in. They've been competing as well as anyone on the team has. Some teams when [the starter] comes out of the game will have kind of a question mark with the reliever, but here it's not at all. You know they're going to give you what they've got and we usually come out on top."
Another Tampa Bay first-rounder provided the game's only scoring as Richie Shaffer -- the 25th overall pick in the 2012 Draft -- tripled home a run and scored on a wild pitch in the opening frame.
The Renegades will take on a Tri-City team that finished just one game behind them for the league's best record. The ValleyCats led the circuit in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and home runs in the regular season, and Guerrieri said his team must match that type of offensive production in the Finals.
"It's a great atmosphere right now in the clubhouse, no doubt about that. But we're looking to win again and take a championship home," the league All-Star said. "Hopefully [our strategy] is just to hit the ball and score a lot of runs, because our pitching is going to take care of the rest."
In other New York-Penn League action:
Tri-City 16, Auburn 7
Jesse Wierzbicki, Tyler Heineman and Neiko Johnson each drove in three runs and Austin Elkins scored four times as the ValleyCats outlasted the Doubledays to advance to the New York-Penn League Championship Series.
Tony Renda had a game-high four hits and Wander Ramos totaled three hits and three RBIs for Auburn. Box score
Zack Cox is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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"There is less and less of an appetite for governments, especially in the wake of the financial crisis, to subsidise renewables. In light of these developments it is extremely important to be able to draw on all the levers to be as competitive as we possibly can," said Pierre Tardieu, senior political affairs adviser at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
"Part of that is being able to draw on a global supply chain in order to have competitively priced semi-processed raw materials and parts. This initiative is a good step in that direction," he added.
The negotiations include 14 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including wind manufacturing heavy hitters such as the European Union, China and the US. The other participating members are Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Hong Kong China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland.
Within that group, the import tariffs applied to turbine parts can be as high as 8%. Outside the group, they can hit double digits, reaching 12% in Brazil and 14% in Argentina.
Eliminating that cost could not only lead to greater efficiencies for the sector as a whole, but also reduce barriers to entry for companies looking to break into new markets. "You can easily see how those tariffs can make the difference between being able to bid on a project or not, if you are competing with a domestic supplier that doesn't have to pay that cost," said Bernd Janzen, a partner in the international trade practice at law firm Akin Gump.
There are limits to what the current talks can accomplish, however. Any agreement will only apply to the parties at the negotiating table, meaning a country like Brazil can maintain its high tariffs and still benefit from the opening of borders elsewhere. The good news, said Janzen, is that the 14 countries involved represent "an overwhelming majority of existing global trade in renewable energy products."
The negotiations will also not tackle some of the larger trade irritants that have beset the sector, including the thorny issue of local content restrictions or disputes over unfair subsidies leading to the imposition of anti-dumping or countervailing duties, such as the charge of up to 71% the US tacked on to turbine tower imports from China and Vietnam in December 2012. Restrictions on the provision of services, such as difficulty and delays getting work visas, will also not be discussed.
"If you try to introduce those kinds of issues, it is all the harder to get to a satisfactory conclusion," Janzen said.
Such non-tariff barriers are a greater concerns for the wind industry than import tariffs, said Tardieu, but he hopes this round of negotiations will set the stage for future progress.
"I think it is going to depend on how successful this first step is. If it is successful, I don't see any reason not to go further," he said. "I hope this first stage is completed by the end of 2015 and then we can talk about the next steps."


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Letter from Dachau Prison, by Blessed Titus Brandsma
From Brandsma Anno Dachau No 30492
Dear Brother-in-law and Sister,
If until now I wrote to the Prior of Nijmegen, now it is better to write to you. You forward the letter to the Prior. He will take care for further expedition and also for the answer in your name. The answer must be written in German. No abbreviations that are not easily understandable. If not, the letter is not passed on. I have been allowed to read the letter the Prior sent to Kleve but not to keep it, as it was in Dutch.
Many thanks for all the kind words, from yourselves, the Prior and all the others. I am all right. One has to adapt oneself once more to new circumstances and with the help of God, I'll succeed here also. Our dear Lord will also continue helping. I may write once a month only. This is now for me the first occasion. Best greetings to all. I was pleased to receive information about the number of new novices, the new priests, the results of Oss and Oldenzaal, the health of Hubert, Cyprian, Vitalis and the other patients. Best wishes for a good recovery of Fr. Subprior. If one wishes, one can send me each month 40 Marks. The Prior will gladly look after that. As Henry wrote, Kaeter the pastor has been transferred to Ribergen. Congratulate him for me. Have any other pastors whom I know been transferred? I'm still waiting for news from Akke Kramer regarding his brother John.
Many greetings to the parish priest and curates at Bolsward, to Father Provincial and all the Confreres. Let us remain united, under the protection of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Not too much worrying about me.
In Christ yours,


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Item Description
An Act to Punish Offences Against Slave Property
Author: Kansas Territory, Legislature
Date: August 14, 1855
This act was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Kansas Territory on August 14, 1855. It was to take effect on September 15, 1855. The Speaker of the House was J. H. Stringfellow and the President of the Council was Thomas Johnson. The act included a death penalty for persons causing or aiding in any "rebellion or insurrection of slaves, free negroes, or mulattoes" in Kansas Territory. Other provisions dealt with "speaking, writing, or printing" that encouraged slaves to rebel or that argued that the right to hold slaves did not exist in Kansas Territory. Several sections of the act contained penalities for encouraging or assisting slaves to escape and one stated that anyone opposed to the holding of slaves cound not serve on a jury.
Location of Original: KSHS Call Number: SP 345.1 K13 Pam. V. A
Item Number: 102756 Number of images: 3
Keywords: Abolitionists; African Americans; Antislavery; Antislavery movements; Johnson, Thomas; Kansas Territory. Legislature; Kansas Territory. Legislature - Pawnee/Shawnee Mission; Laws; Shawnee Manual Labor School; Slave insurrections; Slavery; Slaves; Stringfellow, John H.
pg. 1
pg. 3
pg. 4


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The General Services Administration late Monday announced it is appealing an administrative judge's March ruling reversing the agency's year-old decision to remove Paul Prouty as a regional commissioner of the scandal-tarnished Public Buildings Service.
Acting just before an April 15 deadline, GSA agreed to return Prouty to the position he lost with other top officials after disclosure of overspending by the PBS at a 2010 training conference held in Las Vegas. Though Prouty, who lives in Denver, Colo., will regain full back pay and benefits while the appeal proceeds, he will be placed on administrative leave due to a determination that his presence in the workplace would be "unduly disruptive to the work environment," according to GSA.
"GSA has taken strong action against those officials whom we believe were responsible and will continue to do so where appropriate," said GSA spokeswoman Mafara Hobson. "Over the past year, the agency has saved nearly $30 million in conference and travel spending as a result of strict internal reforms and oversight."
Through his attorney, Bill Bransford, Prouty declined to comment while the case continues, and has 25 days to respond to GSA's new decision.
On March 13, Merit Systems Protection Board judge Patricia Miller ruled that Prouty, a 41-year GSA veteran, had been wrongfully dismissed during fallout from an inspector general's report on an $820,000 conference held for some 300 Western Region employees. The conference was orchestrated by Jeff Neely, a regional commissioner based in Sacramento, Calif., who was subsequently fired.
The embarrassing event was captured on video and featured lavish receptions, commemorative coins, a bicycle assembly drill as a team-building exercise, as well as eight staff trips to Las Vegas to plan the event.
Also forced out were GSA Administrator Martha Johnson and PBS Chief Robert Peck, as well as Portland, Ore.-based Commissioner Robin Graff, Fort Worth, Texas-based Commissioner James Weller and others. Hundreds who attended the Las Vegas event received letters of reprimand. President Obama appointed Dan Tangherlini to serve as acting GSA administrator and begin an effort to restore the agency's image.
In her reversal of Prouty's firing, the judge noted that conference "travel and budget authorities were delegated to the regions, which had assigned to them two levels of Senior Executive Service supervisors…. Given the appellant's higher level in the supervisory chain of command, he had no reason to know the details of the meetings and travel activities," she said. The agency, she ruled, had failed to establish that Prouty "actually directed or had knowledge of and acquiesced in the misconduct alleged by the agency."
On the question of who approved creation of coins as employee awards, the judge concluded that the GSA had failed to provide sufficient evidence that Prouty was responsible. "As sworn statements, the testimonies of the appellant, Weller and Graff are entitled to greater probative weight than the summary, unsworn, hearsay conclusions submitted in the OIG report," she wrote. "Therefore, I find the coins were issued as recognition of the employees' performance and were not merely impermissible mementos."
GSA's decision to appeal Prouty's reinstatement surprised Joe Moravec, who worked closely with Prouty while serving as acting GSA administrator from 2001 to 2005. He described Prouty as "an outstanding civil servant and proud man who felt the government was trying to ruin him." He said Prouty became determined to clear his name after his daughter came home from school after news of the GSA scandal broke and asked him, "Are you a crook?"
Moravec says the Obama administration's response to the scandal devolved into "an old-fashioned political witch hunt. When the president is embarrassed, for whatever reason, the political people have to fall on their swords," he said, referring to Johnson and Peck. "But a lot of senior career people got hurt who had nothing to do with it." He warned of a "brain drain at GSA, with morale very low" and GSA "retreating back to a posture in which no one wants to take risks of any sort," which makes running the agency more difficult.
"It generally takes years," he said, "for an agency to get back to some kind of balance between being vigilant and responsive while also adding any kind of value to doing the job of government."
(Image via Flickr user anujbiyani)


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OAKLAND — Even though it didn't look like it in Game 2, the Warriors have seen opposing defenses try to trap star point guard Stephen Curry many times before. They've seen teams try to be physical with him and take him out of the game with aggressive double teams.
So why couldn't the Warriors handle the Los Angeles Clippers' trapping strategy in the 138-98 hammering Monday that evened the series at 1-1?
They had a number of theories in the aftermath Tuesday, but they were unified on one aspect — they have to solve it or they're in big trouble, because they know the Clippers aren't going to pull back on a tactic that worked so effectively.
For Curry's part, the mentality for Game 3 Thursday night at Oracle Arena is bring on more double teams. He said the Warriors know how to slice it up and make teams pay if they execute properly.
"We entice that trap, because we have talent all over the court and if you give us that man advantage, we're going to beat you more times than not," Curry said. "But (in Game 2), it seemed like we weren't able to make crisp, clean passes or crisp moves to the basket out of the trap, especially early in the game. In the first game, I was getting the ball out of the trap and we were making two passes and getting dunks."
Coach Mark Jackson said like most other aspects of Game 2, the Warriors simply weren't ready to take the initiative against the trap, and when the Clippers stepped up the aggression against Curry from Game 1, the offense was flummoxed.
"We'll make the proper adjustments and be better prepared facing it," Jackson said. "We have to do a better job attacking it. Just like defensively, we were on our heels. We didn't meet force with force, and when you're tentative against the trap, it exposes you."
If anything has been learned about Clippers coach Doc Rivers' defensive mindset for this series, it's that he's intent on not letting Curry beat him with his shooting. Even if he successfully breaks down the trap, the ball is out of his hands, and as Curry himself admitted, there's generally not enough time on the shot clock for him to get it back.
In short, the Clippers aren't banking on the other four guys on the floor being able to compensate for Curry's offense. That's why the trap has been pretty much unrelenting through the first two games, and especially spirited in Game 2.
"Steph has seen traps at certain points during the year, but I don't think he's seen traps consistently every time he comes off the ball screen," said Jermaine O'Neal. "Some teams try to mix it up, but that seems to be the thing (the Clippers) want to do — get the ball out of his hands, make him uncomfortable."
So how do the Warriors respond?
"I'm sure we'll make some adjustments to help him stay involved early," O'Neal said. "Some of it may be just getting him off the ball and making him more of a two guard and put (Andre) Iguodala or Klay (Thompson) on the ball. The NBA playoffs are all about adjustments. (Opponents) are going to try to take your best options away, and the next move is to determine what you can do to make sure your best option is still involved."
Both Jackson and O'Neal said the other four Warriors on the floor have to be more aware of the trap and maintain proper court spacing to set up a quick score once Curry does pass out of the trap. Curry, meanwhile, said he has to better anticipate what kind of defensive set the Clippers are in as he brings the ball up the floor.
He knows it's probably going to be the trap most of the time, but if he can make the right reads and break it down often enough early in games, it'll keep L.A. honest. That, he added, will open up more opportunities for his own offense.
"The plays they trap, with the 24-second clock, once the ball is out, my job's pretty much done," he said. "But every possession is not going to be like that. I have to find a way to get more shots, particularly early in the game."
Turnovers, obviously, are a huge factor as well. The Warriors made 21 turnovers in Game 1 and 26 in Game 2, many of those a function of not being able to execute against the trap. Jackson said there is no excuse for his club not being able to react to it and beat it.
"We have stuff that counters it," he said. "The most important thing is we have to take care of the basketball. If they're going to double and be aggressive that way, we can get quality looks out of it. But if we turn the ball over and they get the ball in transition, they get life and all of a sudden it's a different monster you have to battle."
Follow Carl Steward on Twitter at twitter.com/stewardsfolly.
another sluggish start. PAGE 2
A look at Stephen Curry's stats over the first two games of the Clippers-Warriors first-round series, compared with his season averages:
Min Pts Reb Ast
Game 1 45 14 3 7
Game 2 31 24 1 8
Season 36.5 24.0 4.3 8.4


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Australian reaction to Tokyo 2020 win
8 September 2013
2020: AOC President John Coates has congratulated Tokyo on winning the right to host the 2020 Olympics saying "the IOC has put the Games back in safe hands".
Coates said the doping problems in Spain and Turkey worked against the other bid cities Istanbul and Madrid.
"On the other hand the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Abe, received tough questions about the problems at the Fukushima nuclear plant and he absolutely nailed it and put it to bed"Coates said.
"It was a very good vote for the IOC in terms of its safe, secure and technically the best bid.
Tokyo won't have the troubles they are having presently in Rio to be quiet frank".
"It is a good result for Australia, we perform really well in Asia it is going to be a lot easier for our athletes because of the time zone" Coates said.
Tokyo trounced Istanbul 60 votes to 36 in the final round of voting at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The third bid city, Madrid, was eliminated in the first round of voting.
Tokyo was seen as a safe bet by the IOC with Istanbul bordering the civil war in Syria and also hampered by protests at home and a string of positive drug tests amongst its athletes this year.
Madrid was disadvantaged by the economic woes in Spain as well as a long history of doping particularly in cycling.
Coates does not believe Australian athletes will have any fears about competing in Tokyo because of Fukushima which was damaged in the tsunami of 2011.
"The Japanese Government has given us a commitment to fix the problem" he said.
The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to Buenos Aires to assure the IOC members that Fukushima "poses no problem whatsoever".
He told delegates "Tokyo is the safest city in the world, now and in 2020. Some may have concerns but the situation is under control, it will never do any damage to Tokyo".
Australia's most senior IOC member, Kevan Gosper, said the timing was all wrong for Istanbul with the unrest in Syria and the demonstrations on the streets in Istanbul.
"The IOC members wanted safe hands and the Japanese were the best option. They won on every front, they did not put a foot wrong it was an excellent package. They worked and learned from their previous bids" Gosper said.
Coates also upped the ante on Australian television stations thinking about purchasing the rights to the Games. "Tokyo will mean great television coverage for our athletes" he said.
Mike Tancred in Buenos Aires
Olympics.com.au @AUSOlympicTeam
Read the wraps of each presentation here>>>


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Global Warming
Sun over the Chukchi Sea. The planet's far northern and southern latitudes are projected to experience the greatest change under increasing global temperatures—and in many cases they already are. (Photo by Chris Linder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Global warming is an observed increase in Earth's average surface temperature. Although the planet has naturally warmed and cooled over long periods of time, there is concern today that human action is causing far more warming than would occur normally.
This is greatly adding to the heat energy in the atmosphere and ocean and contributing to such projected or observed changes as sea level rise, shifts in precipitation patterns, and changes to the lifecycle and habitat of many plants and animals. There is also concern that existing or continued warming could cause unanticipated or abrupt changes for which many living things (including humans) could find it difficult to adapt.
Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, humans have increased the concentration of several greenhouse gases in the atmosphere roughly 40 percent (from 280 to 390 parts per million). These gases—which include carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, and CFCs—absorb infrared energy radiating from the surface of the planet and, instead of allowing it to pass through the atmosphere to outer space, re-radiate back into the atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is natural—and necessary for our survival. Without it, temperatures on most parts of the planet would be too cold to support life. However, adding excess greenhouse gases to the atmosphere is trapping increasing amounts of heat, causing the average global temperature to rise about 0.8°C (1.4°F) since the early twentieth century. Sources of these gases include burning fossil fuels and forests, livestock and agricultural production, and industrial processes such as manufacturing concrete and CFC production.
Projections described in the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that during the twenty-first century the global surface temperature is likely to rise another 1.1 to 2.9 °C (2 to 5.2 °F) under the report's lowest greenhouse gas emission scenario and 2.4 to 6.4 °C (4.3 to 11.5 °F) under the highest.


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Londres, 29–30 de Mayo de 2010
Sábado y Domingo, 29 y 30 de Mayo de 2010
Nota Clave: "Que el esfuerzo sostenido sea la simiente de la síntesis, la fuerza que reúne aquello que había sido separado"
Saturday, May 29th
1:30 pm - Afternoon Session, everyone welcome
~The Alchemy of Synthesis ~
During this round…the process of producing human radiation or "release" is being artificially stimulated through the method which we call initiation, and the short cut to intensive purification and stimulation is open to all who are willing to pass through the divine alchemical fire. Simultaneously, in the other kingdoms of nature a process somewhat similar in kind though not in degree is being attempted.
Persistent Endeavour – Panel
Visualisation followed by Group Discussion and Meditation
3.15 pm — Tea
4.00 pm
Gifts of Endurance – The Artist's Journey – Anne WoodwardIf the creative artist will ponder upon three requirements—endurance, meditation, and imagination—he will develop in himself the power to respond to the fourth rule of soul control -- the urge to creative life – and will know the soul eventually as the secret of persistence, the revealer of the rewards of contemplation and the creator of all forms upon the physical plane. Anne Woodward (stage name: Anne Haenen) is a professional singer and stage director.
Flags and Anthems – The Binding Force of Nations – Simon MarlowFlags are symbols of the devotion of a people to their national soil and to their national spiritual objectives. Behind the flag is a point of power which is the point of inspiration to the soul of the people. Equally new anthems can help bind groups and nations together in common intent expressed through the medium of sound. Simon Marlow is a professional pianist.
5.15 pm — Group Meditation
5.30 pm — Close
Sunday, May 30th
1:30 pm -- Afternoon Session, everyone welcome
~The Force Which Binds~
The Builder of the Square – Synthesis through Ceremonial Magic...the seventh ray is the ray of interlude – an interlude and a ray which becomes active when the attractive, magnetic work of the building rays is ready to precipitate into the phenomenal world and bring about—under the Law of Ritual and of Divine Ceremonial—new phases of work.
Restoring the Divine Circulatory Flow – Barbara ValocoreThe seventh ray…is the embodiment of the principle of concretion and the materialising of that which is in need of objective manifestation, through the bringing together of spirit and matter. It is here that the whole mystery of the creation and production of money lies hid. The right circulation of money is, in the last analysis, the right circulation of prana and the force that can help bind humanity into a united kingdom on the physical plane. Barbara Valocore is the President of Lifebridge Foundation.
Discussion period followed by Group meditation
3.15 pm — Tea
3.50pm — FutureFear – Living with Global and Personal Uncertainty – Dr Dina GloubermanPsychologist Dina Glouberman, author of "Life Choices, Life Changes" and "The Joy of Burnout", will be talking about "fear of the future" as a growing psychological and spiritual problem. She will show how she adapts some of the Tibetan's thoughts for the general public and demonstrate how imagery can help people apply the teachings and literally see their lives in the light of the soul.
Where Hope Springs Eternal – The Sustaining Power of Vision – Steve NationIn these times of world pain and turmoil, the power of vision is a sustaining force that permeates the work of the new group of world servers keeping the hope of a future good alive. Steve Nation is a Trustee of the Lucis Trust.
4.45 — Closing Address and meditation
5.15 pm — Close
Se suministra entrenamiento grupal para el discipulado en la nueva era por medio de la Escuela Arcana. Los principios de la Sabiduría Eterna están representados por medio de la meditación esotérica, el estudio y el servicio como una forma de vida. Para mayor información escribir a Escuela Arcana.
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Sábado, 29 de Mayo
Domingo, 30 de Mayo