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Caste Wars in Yucatán
Michele McArdle Stephens
The Caste Wars of the Yucatán tore apart the peninsula between 1847 and 1901. While the violence was not constant throughout the more than five decades between the start and conclusion of the war itself, the threat of rebel hostilities was ever present. Scholars have debated the origins of the war for many decades, with most recent academic treatments focusing on heavy tax burdens, poor working conditions for Yucatán's peasantry, and the loss of land that occurred during the second half of the century. Tensions between political leaders exacerbated relations with the Mayas in particular and the peasantry more generally. The emergence of the breakaway state of Chan Santa Cruz, in the southeastern part of Yucatán, allowed rebel forces to coalesce between 1850 and the early 1870s. Here, a "Speaking Cross" oracle gave direction to the rebellious Mayas, who crushed their enemies and exacted revenge against those who would not support their cause. The emergence of Porfirio Díaz as President of Mexico in 1876 led to a gradual "reconquest" of the areas held by the cruzob, or "people of the Cross." By 1901, the Mexican military ended the Caste Wars, though violent episodes still marred Yucatán until the early 1930s.
The Túpac Amaru and the Katarista Rebellions
Sergio E. Serulnikov
Led by Túpac Amaru, Túpac Katari, Tomás Katari, and others, the pan-Andean uprising from 1780 to 1782 was the largest and most radical indigenous challenge to Spanish colonial rule in the Americas since the conquest. Whole insurgent armies were organized in the heart of Peru and Alto Peru (today Bolivia) over the course of two years. Ancient and populous cities such as Cuzco, La Paz, Chuquisaca, Oruro, and Puno were besieged and occupied. Extensive rural areas in Charcas, the provinces in the high Andean plateau bordering Lake Titicaca, and the southern Peruvian sierras, fell under the complete control of the rebel forces. These forces occasionally relied on the direct support of creoles and mestizos. Although Túpac Amaru, the self-proclaimed new Inca king, would become the primary symbol of the rebellion, the insurgent uprisings combined multiple regional uprisings, each with its own history and dynamic. This article explores the similarities and differences among these uprisings in terms of ethnic ideology, social composition, leadership structure, and insistent demands for change.


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Happy with Rays, Loney reflects on time in Boston
BOSTON -- Manager Joe Maddon said James Loney's incredible production has been one of the nice surprises for the Rays this season.
But 10 months ago, Loney's future appeared much different.View Full Game Coverage
BOSTON -- Manager Joe Maddon said James Loney's incredible production has been one of the nice surprises for the Rays this season.
But 10 months ago, Loney's future appeared much different.View Full Game Coverage
He was the every-day first baseman for the Boston Red Sox. He was the first guy on the depth chart that didn't include any All-Stars or an up-and-coming heir apparent. First base in Boston could've been his, perhaps for years, if he were to re-sign with the team in the offseason.
Instead, the Red Sox pursued other options at first, ultimately signing Mike Napoli to a one-year, $5 million contract that included incentives.
Loney signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Rays, a team he said he's happy to be a part of. But at one point last year, he thought he could be with the Red Sox for the foreseeable future.
"It was a good experience [in Boston]," Loney said. "I've always liked the nostalgia and majestic feel the Red Sox have. It was always one of those places growing up that you hear about a lot, you hear about the history and stuff. I had a great time playing there and I liked it a lot.
"It was one of those situations where you're playing and you don't know what's going to happen. So you just go out there and play hard and see what happens. It didn't work out that way [in Boston]. But I feel like things happen for a reason, and I'm in the best situation here [with the Rays]."
While Napoli entered play Wednesday with nine homers and a .262 average, Loney entered with eight homers and a .296 average. Napoli has contributed 1.5 wins above replacement (WAR), while Loney has contributed 1.6 WAR, according to fangraphs.com.
Loney never produced this way in Boston, though, where he hit .230 with two homers in 100 at-bats. He felt he was unlucky.
"I'm a guy that hits the ball hard, sometimes right at people," he said. "That was one of the things they told me coming [to the Rays], 'Even last year, the amount of balls you hit hard were pretty similar to what you've done in the past.'
"Sometimes you don't get any hits. That's the way the game goes sometimes. It is what it is. I always tell people this is what I signed up for."
Jason Mastrodonato is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmastrodonato.

subset: commoncrawl


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|The authors own nothing. Joss, UPN, WB, etc. own Buffy, the show, the characters, the places, and the backstory. The authors own any original plots.


text: Home / Products / Monroe 8 Light Foyer Cage Pendant - Brushed Nickel Larger View Rollover to Zoom Close Visualize Kichler lighting and Sherwin-Williams paint all in one tool. Today's homeowners have seemingly unlimited options when it comes to colors and finishes. With so many possibilities it can be daunting to find just the right match. Not any more. Match your lighting and your wall color with our intuitive visualization tools. Choose your Sherwin-Williams Color Family Color palette belongs to Sherwin-Williams, a registered trademark of the Sherwin-Williams Company. © 2013 Sherwin-Williams Company. All rights reserved. Other Kichler Products Products in the same collection 43167OZ43166OZ43167NI43166NI43165NI43165OZ43155NIView all products in this collection Monroe CollectionMonroe 8 Light Foyer Cage Pendant - Brushed Nickel 43167NI (Brushed Nickel) bvseo_sdk, net_sdk, 18.104.22.168 CLOUD, getAggregateRating, 47ms REVIEWS, PRODUCT bvseo-msg: The resource to the URL or file is currently unavailable.; Product Description: This 8 light chandelier from the Monroe™ lighting collection is a unique twist on traditional Americana. The distinctive metal base is touched with a Brushed Nickel finish, which beautifully complements the Light Umber Etched Glass adornment. With this design, we have turned tradition on its head to create an updated look. Available Finishes Shop, Buy or Order Locally Submit Lighting Showroom Landscape Lighting Distributor Electrical Distributor Available online at these fine retailers! Technical Information Weight:19.25 LBSChain/Stem Length:72.00"Safety Rated:DryBase Backplate:5.75 DIAOverall Height:119.00"Max Wattage/Range:60WCollection:Monroe CollectionWidth:27.00"Height:44.75"Lamp Included:Not IncludedLead Wire Length:34.00"Voltage:120VLight Source:IncandescentSocket Base:CandelabraLamp Type:B# of Bulbs/LED Modules:8Bulb Product ID:4064CLRFinish:Brushed Nickel Related Documents:High Res Images 43167DownloadSpec SheetDownload bvseo_sdk, net_sdk, 18.104.22.168 CLOUD, getReviews, 16ms REVIEWS, PRODUCT bvseo-msg: The resource to the URL or file is currently unavailable.;


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Sunday, September 5, 2010
Getting Started
Deacons were mentioned in the New Testament and in the earliest writings of the Church. The proto-martyr of the New Testament, in fact, is often associated with the diaconate: St. Stephen (even though he is never referred to as a deacon in scripture). In the first centuries of the Christian Church, deacons are described as extending the ministry of Christ Himself, especially to those most in need.
Then, for a variety of reasons, the diaconate was absorbed into an increasingly rigidized clerical structure adapted from the late Roman empire, eventually becoming little more than a stage on the way to ordination as a presbyter. For more than a millennium this became the norm.
Vatican II changed all that, and for the first time in centuries, it was possible to ordain someone to a major order of ministry that was not destined for the priesthood. The history of that development is fascinating in its own right, involving developments in European Protestantism, post-Enlightenment philosophy and, later, the horrors of world war. In particular, a major impetus behind the renewal of the diaconate was at Dachau Concentration Camp. All of this, and more, means that trying to understand the diaconate in the contemporary church is a complex thing, involving moving beyond language that has developed to talk about the priesthood and which may or may not apply to diaconate, the relationships of laity and deacons, and so much more.
That's where I hope this blog can help. This can be a place for conversation, REASONED debate and discussion. Since ordained ministry only makes sense within a broader understanding of the Church herself, we will have occasion to discuss issues of ministers and ministry.
Ground rules: Passion about these topics is great, as long as it is respectful of the passion of others!
God bless,
Deacon Bill Ditewig
16 comments:
I'm pleased to be among the first commenters! Thanks so much, Bill, for your willingness to share your wealth of knowledge and insight in this format. I look forward to reading your blog regularly.ReplyDelete
Bill Johnson
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Joined Labor Day 2010ReplyDelete
Thanks Bill for your continued efforts at our education and enlightenment, indeed exploration of who we are, and who we can become.ReplyDelete
Thank you, Bill!ReplyDelete
Dennie Nickell
Diocese of San Diego
This is going to be great! Thanks for starting this blog!ReplyDelete
Deacon Eric Stoltz
Los Angeles
Only the very best to you in this ministry!
Deacon Norb Wethington
Diocese of Toledo
Congratulations from Down Under Bill on your new venture. I'm looking forward to many years of good reading.ReplyDelete
Deacon Bill, I'm delighted to see this blog, and I really appreciate the work you have done to develop and support the diaconate in America. But I am wondering if it is true that "in 1967, there were no permanent deacons in the world." When I was at Notre Dame in the 1960s, I recall meeting deacons of the Eastern church. Whether they were Catholic or Orthodox, I am not sure, but they were ordained deacons.ReplyDelete
Can women become deacons ?ReplyDelete
Dear Ron,ReplyDelete
You're right, of course, there WERE deacons in the 1960s in the Eastern Catholic (and Orthodox) churches, so my hyperbole was misplaced. Still, even there, the diaconate was largely ceremonial, not unlike our own "transitional" deacons. That's why Vatican II encouraged the Eastern churches to renew the diaconate in their churches as well. Still, I was a bit BROAD in my language!! Sorry, good catch.
Dear Philomena,ReplyDelete
As of this writing, women are not ordained deacons in the Catholic church; HOWEVER, it remains an open question, and under review at this time. In fact, two colleagues and I are finishing up a book on the possibilities right now.
God bless,
Thank God for that.ReplyDelete
"Something open and under review for women" in my church has got to be worth celebrating. I look forward to reading your book when it is published.
This is gonna be great! Thanks, BillReplyDelete
I am looking forward to future posts. Thank you for your service to us!ReplyDelete
Deacon John Alvarez
We are all blessed by the opportunites of this blog.ReplyDelete
Dear Deacon Bill,ReplyDelete
Firstly it was a pleasure having you as our professor to kick off the year of aspirancy in the diocese of St. Pete, FL.Class of 2013.
Now to have a blog from you is a bonus.
Ad multos annos.
Rudi Fernandes


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For most of my adult life, excepting the nine months I was pregnant and the eight weeks or so that followed when I starved myself to fit into a bridesmaid dress for a friend's wedding, I have wavered between a size 0 and a size 8.
That is a fairly wide but mostly healthy range, accounting for a roughly 30-pound variance across a relatively narrow, 5'6″ frame. There have been times when I have felt too soft, other times when I have felt too sharp, and other times when I have felt just right.
The problem is that the "just right" times are elusive. I almost don't appreciate them until they're gone, because when they're here, I'm often so worried they'll slip away that I'll overdo an exercise routine or I'll skip every meal but breakfast. Next thing I know, my daughter doesn't want to cuddle with me because I'm "too pointy". Then I'll think, "She is right. I am too thin," and I'll inch back up another dress size. It's when my size creeps up again that I start to panic – and yes, I mean panic – that I'm losing my figure.
It's more accurate, of course, to say I am losing my perspective.


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BEIJING (Reuters) - Highly-paid rookie quarterbacks are under increasing pressure to make an instant impact in the NFL, former San Francisco 49ers great Joe Montana said on Monday.
"There's more pressure because they're making a lot more money. When you get paid all that money they want you to start right away," he told Reuters during a promotional event for NFL China in Beijing.
"Just to stay and make it through the year, it's pretty good. If you can do that and hang on to your job for that long as a rookie, then you're doing a pretty good job."
Huge hopes have been pinned on the crop of new recruits over recent seasons, with the spotlight on the likes of Heisman trophy-winning college quarterbacks Sam Bradford of the St Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III at the Washington Redskins.
Griffin set the NFL alight last year during a spectacular rookie season but following injury has struggled in this campaign, while 2013 rookies like Geno Smith of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills' EJ Manuel, chosen in the first round of this year's draft, are still finding their feet.
Montana downplayed what fans should expect from new players.
"It's a tough go, no matter what, for that first year," Montana said.
"There's a lot of things that are so much different, so much more complicated than it appears on television, than it might be."
He said it was too early to count out players like Smith, who put up impressive numbers in college at West Virginia but has been inconsistent in his debut NFL season.
"Unfortunately you've got to wait it out sometimes for a few years. Some guys take a little longer," he remarked.
Montana was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1979 but only became the starting quarterback midway through the 1980 season and went on to win four Super Bowls and three MVP awards.
Montana also weighed in on the recent locker-room bullying controversy involving Miami Dolphins player Jonathan Martin and team mate Richie Incognito.
"The locker room's just a funny place," Montana said.
"I don't like to even talk about those because I don't know all the details. In most cases, nobody does, other than those guys, or the guys in the locker room, but you can't go in the locker room without being made fun of."
Reporting by Adam Rose, editing by Justin Palmer


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Once again, Mr. R, a Grade 6 English teacher, and I teamed up for a collaborative project: student-made Book Trailers. Up to now, I had learned how to make trailers, promoted books via trailers, and offered to teach trailers, but the opportunity to actually TEACH how to make book trailers to real students had eluded me. Making trailers takes TIME, of which no one seems to have enough. But Mr. R decided his students needed this opportunity to use their 21st Century skills to share their recreational reading, and he took me up on my offer.
Using resources I have gathered from Teresa Schauer's workshop at TxLA as well as Mrs. H's website, I consulted with our Tech Coordinator to better understand with which software applications most grade 6 students are familiar. Mr. R and I discussed how designated classtime would be used, and when I asked about evaluation criteria - to make sure I addressed what was necessary - he told me he had not planned to evaluate this assignment, since it is part of the students' recreational reading. Can you believe that!?!
Our Plan
MondayBefore he brought his students to the library, Mr. R instructed his students to begin thinking about which book they would like to use, to select a partner if they so wished, and to watch a few trailers to identify what they liked and didn't like.
WednesdayStudents were given a story board outline to help them think about the sorts of images they would like to use.
FridayClass was held in the library, where we reviewed the definition of copyright and plagiarism. Students were shown two sources for copyright clear images and how to properly cite them. They created folders in their EDU2.0 accounts to hold the images as well as the Word document with the citations.
TuesdaySerendipity brought the same students to the library with another teacher to research images. Students are in the process of desgining and creating robotic bugs, and used their library time to find inspiration for the color scheme and overall design of their insects. Although royalty-free images and proper citations were not necessarily REQUIRED for the specific project they doing in Design Technology, their wonderful teacher seized the opportunity to have students practice their searching and citing skills. I introduced Google advanced search, and how to select "free to use or share" under usage rights, as a third source of images.
ThursdayStudents returned for a double period. The Tech Coordinator joined us to help with trouble-shooting issues, so there were three teachers on hand to assist. It was suggested to students to use Keynote, since they are all familiar with this program, but they were allowed to use any software application of their choice, such as Animoto or iMovie. What could have been disastrous was a wonderful informal assessment opportunity for me.
Four students were able to complete their projects by the end of class, with many others very, very close.
This was one of those "Hollywood" lessons, where the students were completely absorbed in their work, they were teaching each other, and the teachers spent a lot of time observing... and learning from the students. Students would ask questions of us, all the while looking around at their classmates, and ending their questions with, "X knows how to do that... I'll ask him!"
What I Learned Today
- Where to locate royalty-free music (see below)
- How to access and save on our school's groups drive
- I knew this was possible, but had never actually done it.
- How to embed music on a Keynote presentation as a soundtrack
- I have been a PowerPoint girl for years. But I am at an all-Mac campus, so I have committed myself to learning Keynote this year.
- What my students need from me. Students here are well-equipped with tech skills, so I found that what they needed instruction with was:
- The books they choose. We suggested they choose a book they could picture in their minds as a movie. Many chose books that had already been made into movies, and therefore wanted to use movie images and video clips... which, as a plus, did create teaching moments about copyright issues. In the future, I would make it a requirement that books that are already movies not be used for their first projects.
- The types of photos they choose. Often, a LOT of time was spent finding the "perfect" photo of someone/something that precisely matched the book's description, rather than accepting a representation. Helping students focus on one or two details (the feathers on the wings) rather than the whole scene (a girl with a 14-foot wingspan soaring over a cityscape) was a frequent conversation.
- Proper MLA format. There is a great variety of citation formats in this first batch of trailers. While credit is given to sources, we still have some work to do to get it right.
- Application of visual bookmarking program:
Next Steps
Students are expected to polish and upload their trailers to the groups drive in the upcoming week. I will be reviewing trailers, uploading them to our YouTube channel, and then embedding them in our Digital Hub. The Tech Coordinator is going to take students through the process of creating QR codes, and my assistants will attach the codes to the books. A blurb will go out in our weekly newsletter to our greater school community. And then it will be time to begin the process again...
Grab the Popcorn
Here's a sneak preview...


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The classic monk shoe never goes out of style, and Jeffery West adds quirky style stamps to go that bit further. Harry Double Monk is expertly crafted in tan leather with perforated toecap and distinctive double buckle detail. Built on a robust sole with a slight lift in the heel.


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Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Mushrooms and Spinach
I don't remember the first risotto I made. I may have still been in high school because I think that's when my mom starting making risotto. She would make it with sautéed chicken breast and vegetables, but she had to keep all the veggies separate from the rice. Although my sister loved risotto--and she didn't really have anything against vegetables--she liked her chicken risotto plain. I can picture her spreading it to the edges of her plate so it would cool faster--a delicious, colorless meal.
I'm not a big fan of white rice, except for sushi, or with Indian food…okay maybe I do like white rice. But for me, risotto is in a whole different category. It is so creamy, yet toothsome, and satisfies your belly like regular steamed rice does not. I love this recipe because all the components are favorites of mine, especially the butternut squash. It requires roasting to caramelize it and bring out the sweetness, so this is a great cool weather risotto. No meat here, but it still makes a hearty main dish.
In my previous post for Fava Bean Risotto with Pancetta, I included some step-by-step photos if you're a risotto newbie. Finally I'll echo what Nigella Lawson writes in How to Eat, her first cookbook that I was skimming through last night. Risotto is not difficult. It's actually quite forgiving unless you totally abandon it for extended minutes to risk scorched rice. Think of the stirring as a relaxing, meditative activity, and this could become one of your favorite meals to prepare too. I've included tips and detailed instructions in the recipe, so I won't go on.
So, what are your trademark dishes? Let's discuss in the comments.
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Mushrooms
I like to use Arborio rice from Italy for risotto. I've tried domestic brands of risotto rice, but they never seem as creamy as the Italian brands. This is a fairly light risotto--you'll see recipe that have you finish the rice with butter or cream or more cheese, but I don't find it necessary. You can make this vegetarian by replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth. If your grocery store sells peeled and chopped butternut squash, it might be worth the extra cost. It's a bit of a hassle to peel yourself, so if your husband is sick of doing it for you this is a great option.
3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cut into half-inch pieces
2 1/2 tbs. olive oil, divided
coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. dried thyme or rosemary
1 lb. Portobello mushrooms, sliced and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbs. unsalted butter, divided
1 large shallot, chopped (or 1 small onion)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 to 8 oz. spinach leaves
Fresh thyme leaves and/or chopped parsley (optional)
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. On the baking sheet, toss the butternut squash with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper and dried thyme. Roast until tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 1/2 tbs. olive oil and 1/2 tbs. butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and cook until their water nearly evaporates, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking until tender, about 3 more minutes. Set aside.
Heat the chicken broth (it does not have to boil) in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallot and cook until soft but not browned. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add the rice and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until all the grains are slick and slightly opaque. Add the wine and simmer until almost completely absorbed.
Add two ladles full of broth to the risotto and bring to a simmer. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Keep the risotto at a steady simmer, stirring continuously until the broth has evaporated almost completely. Add one ladle full of broth, stir until it is nearly evaporated, then add another ladle full. Continue simmering and stirring, adding broth as necessary, for about 22-24 minutes or until the rice is creamy and cooked through, but still firm to the bite. When the risotto is on its last ladle full of broth, add the spinach (I try to use as much as I can fit, but use the amount that looks right to you, remembering that the volume reduces considerably.). Stir until spinach is just wilted. Add the roasted squash and portobellos. Add the fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately, passing Parmigiano-Reggiano at the table. Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste.
You may not use all the broth. If you run out of broth, just use hot water to finish the risotto. It's not absolutely necessary to stir for 22 minutes straight, but you don't want to put down your spoon for too long or leave the risotto unattended and risk scorching.
Here are some more creative risottos from food blogs I read:
1) Meyer Lemon Risotto made with barley from 101 Cookbooks--I've been wanting to try risotto with different grains--love this!
2) Tomato Risotto with Fennel Seeds from Lucullian Delights--the fennel seeds made this simple dish so interesting.
3) Risotto with Beets from La Tartine Gourmande - Stunning--just look! And what an appealing mix of flavor and texture.
4) Gorgonzola, Rocket and Pear Risotto from The Passionate Cook - I love blue cheese with pears and we are crazy about rocket (or arugula if you don't live across the pond). Also check out the link's to Johanna's other seasonal risotto dishes, including one with chestnuts!
11 comments:
- Lydia said...
There must be something in the air -- I posted my recipe for risotto alla Milanese yesterday! There are two dishes that I think I'm "famous" for, my never-fail dishes, and both are rice based. One is mushroom risotto, made with fresh and dried mushrooms; the other is jambalaya.
- Emiline said...
I love a good risotto. You sound like you really know your stuff! I've made it, maybe 5 times. I can't remember.
Anyway, this sounds delicious! If only we had the prepped butternut squash. I would eat butternut squash all of the time!
What's a dish that I'm known for? Well, I've made a lot of brownies, cheesecakes, and crostini, in the past. It's so hard to narrow it down.
- Julie said...
Lydia: This does seem like the right time of year to make risotto--not that there's a wrong time! Jambalaya--yum! I've made it once, and it's time I do it again...I'm betting the recipe's on your blog.
Emiline: Yes, butternut squash just rocks. Honestly, we don't buy the prepped type that often, we just suck it up and peel them--it's worth it. So you're known for sweets, but also crostini...cool! I admire cheesecake bakers--it's one of the desserts that doesn't appeal to me. I just don't love them enough to deal with the baking of them. I do love to make crostini...are there any recipes on your blog?
- Kristen said...
Oh delicious. This looks so delicious!
I'm famous for more my dessert type food than anything... cinnaomon rolls and bread, to name a few!
- Julie said...
Kristen: it's definitely good to have trademark desserts. And cinnamon rolls--it's not people are running around making fresh cinnamon rolls all the time, so that's an awesome dish to make for people.
- Sophie said...
The risotto looks fabulous Julie
I don't think I have a trademark dish but I do have a butternut squash risotto which is baked in the oven - good for those days when you can't be bothered to do these things properly!
- Erin said...
I really enjoy making risotto. Although sometimes I stand over the stove stirring away with a book in one hand. It's not exactly the most entertaining process, but the results are what matters. This recipe looks great! Butternut squash, mushrooms, and spinach are some of my absolute favorite veggies.
- Michele said...
Julie, thank you so much for this delicious recipe! We are pleased to have it included in this week's FoodieView Recipe Roundup!!!
thank you so much, i have butternut squash in the garden & this is just what i was looking for (minus the mushrooms).
didn't seem to take that long to prep the squash.
- Ilan @ IronWhisk.com said...
This looks really good.
Gonna be making it soon.
- WackyMartian said...
How many servings is your recipe for? :)


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Moderators: Dr. X, ikensall, fredde
Silverdream wrote:MOST UNLIKED BY SILVERDREAM
-Vami IV
WINNER: Nitewatchman
Warhead wrote:my head burns with War.
IVhorseman wrote:Holy hell look at that paint roller! Maximum Greeble.
Warhead wrote:my head burns with War.
Zahru II wrote:aoffan23 wrote:So this is still a 2012 set, but I thought it would be dumb to dig up the old 2012 sets thread.
According to FBTB, it's only out in the US at the moment. But holy shit, this is a good polybag. Zahru, Brag, and Swordsalmon will love this in particular.
Yup, I already want 5768368765476354757532754 units of it. US only, and prolly won't get it, we never get polybags. Keep rubbin' it in usbros :<
Tzan wrote:Quantumsurfer wrote:I generally agree with TzanWarhead wrote:I agree with QuantumSmurfer.
I agree with Warhead.
morganm wrote:This thread explained a lot: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.p ... opic=76215
I swung buy a local TUR... no luck. They had Gandolf 30213 bag but not Mirkwood Elf 30212. Service desk guy didn't know anything about it.
However while standing in line at the service desk I saw they had a box of Series 7 minifigs. I asked if I could buy some and he said sure! So I dug through that.... there were tons of Galaxy Patrol guys left; I didn't even buy them all! I'll have to wait till I open them to see if I got everything I THINK I got. =) Not a total loss... I'd wanted to get more Galaxy Patrol and Black Knights but missed out on them. Made up for that =^.^=
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That was a beautiful tribute Joyce.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Suzanne.
RIP Sophie...
I understand about not wanting to put her ashes in the cold right now. That is because you are still grieving and the reality is too difficult to wrap your logical brain around.
Very beautiful, Suzanne. Hope your days are starting to be a bit less painful. I'm sure it will take a long while for 'normal' to return.
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By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
After encountering some setbacks earlier on, Tabqa airbase finally fell to fighters of the Islamic State today. With only one Pro-Assadist obstacle remaining in Northern Syria, the Islamic State's territorial continuity in Northern Syria is closer than ever.
Tabqa is now the third airbase to have been captured by the Islamic State and is the second currently in the hands of the Islamic State along with Kshesh. Tabqa provides the Islamic State with numerous anti-aircraft guns and radars. Although several MiG-21s were captured intact, it is deemed unlikely that the Islamic State will be able to use them.
While the initial three assaults were slowed down and then repelled by a combination of minefields and the involvement of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF), which brought in fighter-bombers, attack helicopters and resupplied the base with transport planes, the ground forces on the base remained limited in numbers. The renewed, fourth offensive broke through Tabqa's main defence line, after which the SyAAF was powerless to stop them.
The losses at Tabqa reveal the main weakness of the Islamic State: A lack of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to destroy or prevent enemy aircraft from flying over its territory. While there aren't any SAMs to capture in Iraq, such weaponry is available in Syria. Although MANPADS are scarce in Northern Syria, Deir ez-Zor still houses two SAM sites with 2K12 Kub mobile SAM systems. While the 2K12s are too complicated to use for an inexperienced crew, former operators can be forced to man these systems for the Islamic State.
The continued efforts by the SyAAF to save Tabqa from capture by the Islamic State were significant. Yet now it seems this expensive operation was all in vain. It did not only cost precious amounts of fuel, but also tonnes of ammunition used by the SyAAF's fighter-bombers and attack helicopters on positions of the Islamic State.
Strategically located, the fall of the base provides a free card for the Islamic State to expand their base of operations deeper into Syria. Although a renewed offensive on Aleppo might seem a more obvious move for the Islamic State, there is now nothing in between the Islamic State and Tadmur airbase (Palmyra) and T.4 airbase, housing the SyAAF's Su-24 fleet.
Also, while Tabqa still houses operational fighter-aircraft, Kweres is nothing more than a runway littered with plane wrecks and troops only capable of defending the base, already being under siege and preparing for the imminent assault since December 2012.
While most of the planes at Kweres are either incapable of performing interdiction sorties, damaged or destroyed by the Islamic State's mortar fire pounding the airbase in the last months, Tabqa is home to 12 squadron and another unknown squadron flying MiG-21bis, MiG-21MFs and MiG-21UMs
Lastly, Tabqa houses eight munition bunkers, four anti-aircraft positions with a total of twenty-four anti-aircraft guns and five radars. Two PRV-13s, one P-14, one P-35/37 and the modern JY-27 radar system remained undamaged after the the initial three assaults, probably because the Islamic State wants them intact.
These radar systems are responsible for detecting aircraft in Northern Syria. If that capability is lost, the Pro-Assadists will lose any grip of what plane enters Syrian airspace via the North. A gap that can't be filled.
Recommended Articles
Tabqa airbase still holding out against the Islamic State
The spoils of Regiment 121, captured by the Islamic State
The spoils of Brigade 93, captured by the Islamic State


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STAUNTON - A local church will host a conference about two subjects that are difficult to discuss. One is an issue that thousands of Valley residents and families struggle with every day; the other, a world-wide menace - but one that is also intertwined with the local community in ways many people don't realize.
HOPE: Mental Health and Human Trafficking conference will be held at First Baptist Church on Feb. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"We've talked about it for quite awhile now, knowing that [human trafficking] goes up and down I-81 and probably I-64," Linda Terry, director of Women's Ministry at First Baptist Church, said.
Terry said the church's women's group has been discussing human trafficking and the importance of mental health awareness. So the group contacted their counterpart in Richmond and offered to provide a venue for presenters to educate and raise awareness about both topics.
Participants will be given an overview at the start of the conference, then given the opportunity to join one of four break-out sessions. Two sessions will be held in the morning and two in the afternoon, each with a different topic. A question-and-answer period will be part of each break-out session.
People who have actually walked the streets in Richmond and Virginia Beach, and had contact with possible human trafficking victims, will also be at the conference to share their knowledge and stories.
Terry said she hopes that participants will leave the conference educated about both human trafficking and mental health, but also leave asking themselves: "What can we do from here? What's our response after we've heard about this?"
What can be done right in Staunton about human trafficking and raising awareness about mental health?
First Baptist Church is at 406 W. Frederick St., Staunton. To register, call the church at (540) 886-8333 or email firstname.lastname@example.com . Registration deadline is Feb. 15. Childcare will be available for children up to fifth grade for participants who are registered before the conference.
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Climate models for New York City predict that sea levels in New York Harbor will rise by two feet over the next 50 years and four to six feet by the end of the century. This will dramatically affect the city and, in particular, those areas surrounding the harbor. Surprisingly, when asked if they know that sea level is rising in the city, most of the residents in my informal survey said no. I asked people what they think New York City's government should do about rising sea levels and most were stumped.
"You can't move the downtown, so I suppose the City will have to shore up the banks," said Daquel, 39, an administrative worker from the Bronx. Seventeen-year old Caleb, a Manhattan high school student and recent transplant from Michigan said, "I've heard about it but I'm not sure I believe in global warming, so I'm not sure what the City can do." Carol, 70, a Manhattan sales representative, had a more creative solution: "We should all pack up and move to Norman, Oklahoma and give it over to the fishes."
Humor aside, Carol's suggestion might not be too far off. We've built ourselves right up to the water's edge with no room for retreat. With this dilemma in mind, the Museum of Modern Art commissioned Rising Currents: Projects for New York's Waterfront. The exhibit, running through October 11, is the culmination of workshops by five architectural teams tasked with re-envisioning the New York City waterfronts in a manner that integrates infrastructure and open space.
Rather than recommend retreat from the water's edge in the face of rising sea levels and larger storm surges, the team devised ways to reorient the city to the harbor, designing new infrastructure that could render it more resilient. -- Rising Currents Exhibit
Some of the more innovative options offered by the architects include turning streets into wetlands and waterways, suspending housing projects over the water and turning the Gowanus Canal into an oyster hatchery. Other, more traditional solutions include constructing seawalls and floating dams.
The projects are as much architectural playground and consciousness raising tool as they are true strategies for managing rising sea levels. The City is just beginning to plan for rising sea levels, so it will be interesting to see which, if any, of the ideas proposed in Rising Currents gets adopted by City Planning. Budgets and politics will undoubtedly shape the actual strategies put into place. Hopefully, many of the decisions will take public input into account.
The City just released a plan to deal with sea level rise in its strategy for climate change adaptation. The plan includes terms such as "Flexible Adaptation Pathways" and "facilitating risk-sharing mechanisms" that sound generic and don't specify what actions can or will be taken. By contrast, architects and planners in Boston use very specific terms for comprehensible activities, such as raising highway and subway entrances, creating seawalls, and relocating electrical and mechanical equipment from basements to above flood levels. These are concrete actions that people can actually wrap their heads around.
Given that many of the actions required to reduce vulnerability will take decades to complete, the time to begin them is now. But sea level rise is a concept that most people can't yet personalize. It's still widely seen as something that happens to people who live on islands in the middle of the Pacific, not those of us living in New York City. More public education is vital to ensure that New York City's residents are able and willing to make informed decisions about specific actions and their associated budgetary requirements. Then we won't be forced to react to natural disasters, instead we will proactively avoid or minimize the damage from the changes we inevitably face.


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I will be travelling the eastern inland waterways which is comprised of rivers, lakes (some man made) and dredged channels. I am not familiar with them and am not sure what type of bottoms I will mostly encounter. My best guess will be sand and mud but I do not know this for fact.
I have 3 anchors and only one bow roller. The anchors are 40 lb. danforth, a 35 lb. bruce (claw) and a 45 lb CQR ( plow with a swivel). Each of these are more than sufficient for my 36 footer if used in the proper bottom type. Which one should I mount on my bow roller?
Thanks in advance
Tony B


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Carl Webb; the IVAW deserter who didn't desert
As most of my regular readers know, there's turmoil churning around the ranks in the Iraq Veterans Against the War. Although it's a result of many things, the most contentious point of the turmoil is between the regular patriotic members who merely oppose the war and the members who want the IVAW to become a tool of the International Socialist Organization – just a facade of veterans to lend some legitimacy to the entire socialist movement. The most vile and despicable member of IVAW, Carl Webb, belongs to that second group.
Earlier this month, TSO wrote about Webb when Casey Porter resigned from IVAW and brought our attention to Webb. Since then, Kris Goldsmith resigned and this stirred Webb up again. He bragged on his own Facebook page that he forced another resignation of a "conservative" from IVAW;
Webb continued calling him a conservative in the comments, and some of the brain-dead hippies chimed in;
Doug Zachary is the president of the local Geezers for Sitting On Our Hands in Austin. Just so he knows, Zachary had better get his story straight, too, because he's next on our list.
Even Matthis Chiroux chimed in with his usual narcissistic victim theater;
Yeah, Goldsmith called Chiroux a rapist, but Chiroux was forced to admit later that he was indeed a rapist – but that it was the Army's fault. And Goldsmith isn't the lucky one in your "slamming" fantasy, stickboy.
Another goober (probably the biggest dork in IVAW) whom TSO wrote about last year, Reagan Sullivan, chimed in;
The especially profane Hart Viges is the chaplain of the IVAW's Austin Chapter.
Now, in order to call Kris Goldsmith a conservative, Webb has to be to the Left of Stalin. And apparently he is;
Notice how he calls himself a Marxist/Leninist/Trotskyist? That means he's wrapped around what he thinks are impressive labels with lots of syllables. He really doesn't know what he's talking about, but someone told him that stuff once and he liked the way it sounded. Webb is a poser and a leech.
He claims he's an Licensed Practical Nurse, but he's never finished school. Witness his MySpace page;
Two colleges, no graduation and making less than $30k. Nice. Also on his MySpace page he says he's thinking about being a teacher – 43 years old and "thinking" about being a teacher. Real mature guy we're dealing with here. He can't finish a one-year certification program for LPN, but he's "thinking" about four years of college to be a teacher.
He claims that the reason he's an LPN but has no money or LPN jobs is because he doesn't like working for big corporations – communism as an excuse for laziness.
All of that LPN training is being put to good use – he's now a food server at the UT campus…for a corporation;
I guess working for a food service corporation is more spiritually satisfying than working for a health care corporation.
He also uses the social media networks to bum stuff from people. Here, he needs a bicycle so instead of getting a job and buying one, he wants you to be cool and give him one;
A 43-year-old with no job looking for a free, working bicycle. Can it get any more pathetic? Yes, it can. How about loaning Webb some space on your couch;
I found other instances of his begging for things like your computers and cameras, but I figured these two examples are enough to give you an idea what he's like.
So now we know what a Marxist/Leninist/Trotskyist is – a mooch. The really pathetic part? That avatar is a picture of Carl in leathers standing by a motorcycle like it's his – but it can't be his, he needs a free bicycle and nap on your couch. I'll bet the girls can't keep their hands off of him.
So what does Webb do in his spare time? He claims he's a Spartacist – that doesn't mean that he supports any Grecian community's struggle for freedom against Persians hordes;
He also writes manifestos for treason, like this one where he chastises the IVAW board for not advocating the right of the Iraqi and Afghan people to fight against US troops.
Notice that last line about "oppressed people have the right to resist occupation by any means necessary TOO [sic] INCLUDE FIGHTING US TROOPS". That's the problem he had with Casey Porter – Porter refused to sabotage his unit's equipment and place his fellow soldiers in danger and Webb pestered him for it until Porter finally resigned from IVAW.
Webb has also threatened to quit IVAW because they're not radical enough;
See that? IVAW, actual veterans of the war, won't urge the enemy to kill our troops still engaged in that theater, so IVAW has ethical issues they need to resolve before they come up to Webb's high standards.
So his military career? According to his autobiography, he joined the Army after he dropped out of high school in 1982 and left the Reserves in 1993. Then in August 2001, he enlisted in the reserves again because he couldn't find a job. Then 9/11 happened, and all of a sudden he didn't want to be in anymore.
Webb makes it sound like he was a victim of circumstances – he says he joined just a month before we were attacked and the Army wanted to send him to the war. Then he claims he deserted so he wouldn't have to participate in the illegal war which he suddenly opposed. He claims he was in hiding from the Army for years – all the while giving interviews to the media about how brave he is. Finally, he claims, the Army sent him a discharge – so he must've done a real bang-up job of running and hiding if they mailed him a discharge.
But, see, that's Webb's story. The Army's records tell a different story;
Webb left the Reserves in 1992 and never reenlisted like he claimed. He was never recalled, he was never in hiding from the Army. He was never eligible to even join IVAW despite their loose membership requirements. That's his total military service in the FOIA document. Webb says he has different records that proves his story – no one has seen these documents and if he does have any, they're all forgeries.
This is another example of IVAW buying the message without looking closely at the messenger. With his 44 days in the Army, Jesse MacBeth is more qualified to belong to IVAW than Carl Webb. How sad is that?
That's two IVAW fakers we've discovered this month – first Duncan and now Webb. We gave Webb all weekend to come clean about this and he's decided that he's going to assume the untenable position that the records are wrong.
The records aren't wrong, though. He'll claim that his service after 2001 was in the Guard and that's why it doesn't show up in his ARMY records. Notice in Carl's Form 2-1 he spent two years in the Reserves and then enlisted in the Georgia National Guard in 1992 and it's all noted on his records and included in his total service;
So why would the Army stop keeping track of his service suddenly? The records aren't wrong, Webb is lying to the IVAW.
Already I've been accused of conducting a "witch hunt" – I'm not. The more vile the message, the more likely the messenger is corrupt. I knew Webb was lying because it fit his personality – I just had to find out what he was lying about. You know, spread around the internet, the information available on Carl doesn't mean much, but when it all comes together in a single entry, you get a good picture of a hustler and ne'er-do-well who depends on the goodwill and naive good intentions of youngsters in the peace movement. He's a low-life scumbag, a thief and a liar.
On Saturday, I sent a copy of Webb's FOIA search from St Louis to Alex Bacon, IVAW's ED, Amadee Braxton, IVAW's Development Director (read that; liaison to hippie organizations) and Membership Coordinator, Toby Hartbarger – so let's see if they still think the message Webb has is more important than his fakery. I told them that I would include any comments they have in this post. Those comments are included below;
UPDATE: Alex Bacon did send a response, eventually;
Dear John,
We do have proof of service on file for Carl including a copy of his DD Form 4/1 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document) showing him enlisting in the Army National Guard in 2001 as well as mobilization orders from 2004.
Alex Bacon
Executive Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War
I wrote back that since these are the official records, directly from the Army, he must be holding forgeries. Funny how I anticipated this type of response. We've seen forged records from IVAW which is why we depend on the Army's records for the official story. Just like a civilian employer only accepts transcripts mailed directly from a university as proof of a person's education.
But we've also learned that IVAW values some members more than others, especially if they have the message IVAW wants to hear and project.
Category: Antiwar crowd, Economy, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Phony soldiers, Usual Suspects, Veterans For Peace/VVAW


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Sesame Street Season 49
Sesame Street's 49th season officially began Saturday November 17 on HBO. After you see the new episodes, post here and let us know your thoughts.
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Happy 2019! If you're a reader of mastheads, I'm tempted to say you need to get a hobby. But if you read this issue's small print, you may notice that this is issue No. 1 of volume No. 100 of Sales & Marketing Management magazine.
Every salesperson worth his quarterly bonus has an elevator speech in his head. These persuasive two-minute presentations are most handy when you surreptitiously find yourself one-on-one with a VIP prospect who never would have invited you into his office to make a full presentation.
The elevator speech has been around for decades, but sales trainer Terri L. Sjodin says smart sales managers are expanding its role and the vision among sales team members of what a strong elevator speech can accomplish.
"In competitive markets, none of us is entitled to anyone's time and attention. That means you must get serious about earning the right to be heard and making your three minutes count," she states in her new book, "Small Message, Big Impact."
"The elevator speech is such a simple concept, and yet so many people get it wrong. It's hard to say what you want to say in a few words. You have to self-edit."
Sjodin actually recommends that managers work with individual sales reps to create a collection of targeted elevator pitches for different occasions. Reps can use them individually or combine several to build a longer presentation when given more time.
According to Sjodin, the best elevator speeches meet three important benchmarks:


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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thoughts on Warhammer Online
Open Beta
You have to pre-order the game to get into the Open Beta. Seriously?
It's a weird decision, because it's a very short Open Beta, so it's more like advertising, only you're advertising to people who've already purchased the game. Seems odd to me, but whatever.
The single most interesting thing about Warhammer appears to be their approach to grouping. Open Groups and Public Quests (see Tobold for more info) are extremely unique mechanics. I've posted before about social aversion to asking strangers to group. By eliminating that barrier, grouping might become a lot more common.
I think how loot is handled will be issue that makes or breaks Warhammer's grouping system. We all know the issues with ninjas in WoW; what's it going to be like when the ninja can join your groups without permission? If ninjas become a big concern, then all groups will be closed, and all the advantages of an open system will be lost.
The other loot issue I see is how Public Quest loot is distributed. They use a /roll system with modifiers depending on your performance. There are three concerns here.
First, performance is often very hard to quantify. Already sites like Massively are advising classes to AoE as much as possible in order to push themselves to the top of the meters. I'm sure the tanks will be overjoyed by these tactics. Essentially, it's the problems with damage meters and healing meters obsession in WoW, only people actually get rewarded by being at the top, even at the expense of the group.
Second, it seems like the rich get richer in this system. The better your gear, the more powerful you are, which means you're more likely to top the meters, and get the best reward. That means you're even more likely to top the meters in the next event. It's interesting that almost all player-driven loot systems are designed to prevent this, to spread loot more evenly.
Third, Random + Modifier still has all the disadvantages of a random system. You can be the best player in several PQs and still roll terribly. Given that many PQs will happen, it is probable that some poor sap (probably me, knowing my relationship with Lady Chance) will end up with a terrible loot streak.
Healing looks very interesting as well. There are three types of healers: pure healers, healers who get bonuses to damage spells if they cast healing spells and vice versa; and melee-healers.
I predict the that the second type of healer will end up as pure healbots. As Keen is finding out, the real barriers to mixing healing and damage are time and resource costs. In Keen's words, "If you're not healing constantly then people will die. If people die because you were doing damage... it gets ugly."
So, the melee healer is what is really unique here. They look very unusual, as you have to hit the enemy in order to build up the necessary resources to heal people. Despite the fact that I really should know better than to roll a healer, I'm strongly considering trying a warrior-priest when Warhammer comes out.
Mechanics and Gameplay
The basic mechanic for every class seems to be something like Rogue's Energy. This is a very intriguing idea. The Toughness stat also looks like a nice twist on basic combat mechanics.
However, issues like these give me pause.
Keen has a really good video showing off an in-game siege. It looks very exciting. On the other hand, you can't help but notice that everyone is pretty much in the same position at the end of the video that they were in at the start of the video. (*Memories of 16-hour old-school AV matches rise up*)
Remember that I am not in the Beta, and am just commenting on the info that other people are talking about. Warhammer looks like a very neat game, with a lot of interesting ideas and takes on the MMO genre.
However, the whole "must pre-order to get into the Open Beta" thing is making me slightly nervous, especially after the whole Age of Conan debacle. In the end, I think I'll probably pick up Warhammer two to four weeks after it is released, and more information floods the Internet.
As a complete aside, I don't understand how people say that MMOs are too expensive to try out. They cost the same as normal game, and you get a free month, which is more than enough time to get in some decent hours. It's more or less the same price as buying a single-player game that you ended up not liking.
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A few comments:ReplyDelete
-The Open Beta will have SOME keys available to non-preorders, they're just doing their best to quietly not mention this now, kind of like how they hyped a head start program for their Collector's Edition and allowed everyone to assume that it would not also apply to the standard edition. I guess they're under no obligation to help you decide not to give them money, but it is a bit shadey. That said, I personally felt that my time spent camping the website waiting for details on how to get the free keys (they're using Fileplanet for distribution, so there will almost certainly be a Fileplanet subscriber phase before the general public phase) was worth more than the preorder deposit. Oh, and it's a 10GB client that you can start downloading immediately (and supposedly NOT have to reinstall/patch on launch day) if you have a key.
-Ninjas: As far as I'm aware, even the dungeons are public quests, which means that you can't really ninja (except by whoring the damage meters anyway). I think Mythic also WANTS the guy who wanders by and kills one mob to sometimes get the epic loot, so that he'll think PQ's are the best thing ever and get hooked on them.
-The difference in cost between trying an MMORPG and a single player game is that you can bring most new release single player games back to Gamestop and get $30 or so back if you discover you hated the game (provided you're not morally opposed to supporting their pawn shop business model). MMORPG accounts are soulbound to you so to speak, so you're not just out the $15 the month of service would have cost, you're also out the $35 cost of the box itself (again, most of which you can get back on popular console games).
Oh, one more thing on the pre-order, some stores don't really take any action to force you to actually buy the full game. For instance, you can buy a $10 preorder box from Best Buy and play in the open beta (a week) and then in the head start (amount of time not announced, but it will also include a grace period so that people don't get cut off while waiting for their box to arrive). It's not exactly a "free" trial, but the money counts towards buying the full game if you do decide to pick it up, and a relatively cheap expense ($10 for something like a week and a half to two weeks) if you decide to punt.
-Ninjas: As far as I'm aware, even the dungeons are public quests, which means that you can't really ninja (except by whoring the damage meters anyway). I think Mythic also WANTS the guy who wanders by and kills one mob to sometimes get the epic loot, so that he'll think PQ's are the best thing ever and get hooked on them.ReplyDelete
Interesting. That eliminates ninja concerns, but is there no room to just do something as a small group, without other people? I mean, sometimes you just want to work on and achieve something with your friends, without every Tom, Dick and Harry coming along for the ride.
Think I heard something about different settings for groups. Open groups, guild groups, closed groups etc.ReplyDelete
The random loot from PQ's is not the only way to a reward from PQ's. You also build something like reputation for that PQ, which will let you aquire items from a vendor.
Haven't seen any information about loot distribution in groups for random drops, if there are random drops?
I've heard about people doing PUGs in WoW to meet new people to recruit, open groups should be great for this! Everyone is not a ninja?! :)
I don't think ninjas will be a problem, because at least for the first 20 levels I've played the random loot A) sucks and B) is class specific, e.g. can only be worn by a shaman, not any other class, even if that class has a similar function.ReplyDelete
The main activity for open groups will be public quests, and there anyone not pulling his weight will get less contribution points and thus have a less good chance to come in a top spot in the Vegas Loot system. There is no situation where the group kills the boss mob, some epic drops, and some ninja can need roll for it. All the good loot is either distributed with the Vegas system, or given as influence / renown reward for points you accumulated.
Performance is always a problem to measure, be it in WoW or basketball. Numbers, while awesome to look at, don't tell us the whole story.ReplyDelete
For example, who contributed more, a player that scored 35 points, or a player that scored 10? Numerically, 35 contributes more than 10, but what happened? Did the 10 point scorer held down their rival's best player? Did he hustle for lose balls for his team? What else did the 35 point scorer did?
It's a weird decision, because it's a very short Open Beta, so it's more like advertising, only you're advertising to people who've already purchased the game. Seems odd to me, but whatever.ReplyDelete
There have been boatloads of people in closed beta (including all the prominent bloggers/press) and anyone in closed beta also gets into the open beta. With the NDA down, anyone who "could" tell you bad things about the game will be telling you those bad things. The pre-order deal is part marketing and part logistical I think. The marketing benefits are obvious, the logistical benefits are a bit less obvious.
Mythic has stated that the beta client will be "patched" into the release version. I bought mine from Direct2Drive, so that's huge. But I also think part of the reason for the open beta is to get the pre-orders patched with something as close to the release version as possible. More importantly, anyone who pre-ordered and participates in open beta needs to create an account and deal with the account management stuff first. They opened that up on the 15th and OB isn't until the 7th – that gives plenty of time for people to set things up and avoid the inevitable website type crashes that can happen at launch. Since my account is already flagged Pre-Order, I seriously doubt I'll ever need to enter another "key" to get the account ready for release.
I think the real problem is that it's expensive to try to play more then one MMO during the same month. This can add up quickly especially when a couple or a family with kids are trying to find a new MMO they like.ReplyDelete
It's funny, Rohan, seeing you post after your Warhammer post about all the nerfing in the lich king beta and asking yourself if the devs really play paladins regularly. I think they don't and they don't care about paladins. Some of the Tom Chilton quotes I've seen make my blood boil. I've been fed up with it for a while now, which is why I decided to preorder Warhammer Online back in July, which got me into the closed beta. I'm playing a Warrior Priest in the beta, which is the closest thing to a paladin in Warhammer and I think they got the mechanic right. I also think that your concerns about Warhammer are valid ones and I wish there was a way for people to play the beta or preview the game for a week without buying it. The grouping/loot concers seem to have been addressed by other posts and I'll just say that they're right, there really is no issue with loot ninjas as the loot system is completely different from the WoW loot system.ReplyDelete
The best thing I can say about Warhammer is that its fun and it cuts out all the BS that I don't like in WoW. I think overall if you're the type that hates PvP in any form, WAR will probably not be for you. If you find yourself doing BG's and Arenas in between raids or just love to PvP, then there is a lot WAR can offer.
- Arenwino8:05 AM, August 26, 2008
I did the preview weekend in WAR. Mythic has great ideas, but they don't work very well in game.ReplyDelete
First, the first PQ you do is great, the second is fun and when you realize they are about 3 in every zone, you loose the feeling of special. Also the roll for the loot just plain sucks. I got first place and I had gotten in the last stage of the quest and only had time to hit the boss 3-4 times. And if nobody's in your zone doing the PQ, it's impossible to do. After 3 months all low lvl PQ's will be empty.
After a weekend of non stop WAR, it feels like the game still needs a good 6 months of work to feel like a finished game. Lot's of good ideas, but not done well in game. I'm goin to bet that all of those great ideas will be in WoW in about 6 months!
The PQ loot is specific for the class you play. If you are a Dwarf Tinkerer, you will only get loot for the Tinkerer and no one else. However the loot drop is only awarded to the top three at most of the PQ's. Plus some PQ's are too short, you may not earn any points because the objectives may be completed before you can hit a target.ReplyDelete


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Auburn, Ala., September 10, 2013 – USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett announced that October 18, 2013, is the signup batching date for producers for 2014 funding for the following conservation programs:
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which includes the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), organic farming, and high tunnels
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), including Longleaf Pine and Gopher Tortoise Initiative
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
There will also be a second batching on February 28, 2014, for the following conservation programs:
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.
In the CSP, EQIP and WHIP programs, eligible producers may receive a payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation of the conservation practice. Socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers are eligible for a higher payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation of the conservation practice. In addition, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers can receive up to 30 percent advanced payment for purchasing materials or contracting.
GRP and WRP are conservation easement programs where landowners receive payments for developing and protecting wetlands and grazing lands.
Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. NRCS field offices are listed in the telephone directory under U.S. Department of Agriculture or on-line at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. General program information is available on the Alabama NRCS website at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov. Individuals are not eligible until they have completed the Farm Bill eligibility requirements.
Contact: Fay Garner, Public Affairs Specialist, 334-887-4506
or John Curtis, Resource Conservationist, 334-887-4539


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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Hey Cupcake challenge! I love seeing all the adorable cupcake projects. Our theme for this challenge is LOVE. Valentine's Day is coming up and it's the perfect time to start working on your love themed projects. The design team has come up with some great one for you.
Courtney's Love Boat
Laura's Love Banner
Karen's Sweet Tilda Card
Sheri's Adorable Gilli Card
Stephanie's Tilda and Edwin in Love
Be sure to link your love project with the blue frog at the bottom of the post.
Now for the winner of the Cupcake challenge…….
# 39 Tammy A. Congratulations!!!! Check your blog comments for instructions on getting your prize.
Now it's your turn.


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In March, US President Barack Obama took his first trip to Latin America, stopping off in Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. In October, the US approved long-awaited free trade deals with Panama and Colombia. According to the 2011 Latinobarometro poll, carried out across 18 countries in the region, President Obama ranked as the most popular leader in the Americas.
This year should have been a stellar one for US-Latin America relations, a major step forward after years of setback. But instead, despite the many positive developments, the relationship is characterized by, if not disdain, then definite distance.
"I think it's a curious moment," says Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. "There is no evidence of great acrimony in US-Latin American relations as there was four or five years ago. But at the same time, there is this sense of distancing and drift, especially between the US and South America."
The greatest symbol of that is the regional body that was officially launched in December, called the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which includes 33 countries across the Americas but specifically excludes the US and Canada.
Many members of the body are strong allies of the US, but long-time foes such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have said they hope it counters the other major regional body, the Organization of American States (OAS), based in Washington.
Such old-time arguments still flare. President Chavez, for example, has been weakened at home, as the country's opposition strengthens ahead of 2012 presidential elections. In theory, that is good for the US, and the rhetoric between the two has been low-key this year. But it just flared again, with Obama sharply criticizing the state of human rights in Venezuela and the country's relationship with Iran.
"We're concerned about the government's actions, which have restricted the universal rights of the Venezuelan people, threatened basic democratic values, and failed to contribute to the security in the region," Obama wrote in response to questions posed by the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.
He added that he believes Venezuela's relationship with Iran has not served the interest of Venezuelans. "Ultimately, it is up to the Venezuelan people to determine what they gain from a relationship with a country that violates universal human rights and is isolated from much of the world," President Obama said. "Here in the Americas, we take Iranian activities, including in Venezuela, very seriously and we will continue to monitor them closely."
Chavez countered on state television: "Obama, take care of your own business, focus on governing your country, which you've turned into a disaster. Leave us alone."
Venezuela's relationship with Iran is among the most contentious foreign policies issues within the US-Latin American dynamic but other relationships rankle too. The Cuban government, for example, decreed three days of mourning this week in the wake of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. They joined Venezuela and Nicaragua in expressing condolences.
But in general, the positive has outweighed the negative this year. Perhaps the US's strongest ally in the region right now is Mexico, where its strategy against organized crime, despite questionable success, is vociferously supported in Washington. The US continues to underline its support.
The trade deal signed with Panama and Colombia strengthens US economic ties to both countries. And the US has restored relations with the economic powerhouse in the region – Brazil. (Trouble had started to brew over former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's relationship with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.)
Still, on balance, the US is no closer to Latin America than it's been since 9/11, when attention shifted to terrorism and away from the issues most Latin Americans care about, especially immigration. The region's favorable view of the US has grown, from 58 percent in 2008 to 72 percent in 2011 (down slightly from a high of 74 percent in 2009), according to the 2011 Latinobarometro poll. The slight dip can be explained by a boost in expectations for Obama after former US President George W. Bush left office – he was widely reviled in Latin America. But even under Obama issues like immigration and drugs have been stuck. There is little hope of them getting "unstuck" in the upcoming US election year.
More than anything, however, is the simple fact that the US is no longer the sole player for Latin America. Obama's March trip was billed by the media as an effort to recapture US influence in Latin America. But Latin America has moved on. Countries are looking amongst themselves and much farther, particularly to China, to bolster their economies. They are forming their own relationships with countries, whether the US likes it or not. Of course US foreign policy matters here, but it matters so much less than it used to.
"There is just a sense that Latin America is pursuing its own agenda," says Mr. Shifter.


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Rare non-lipaemic disease in which disseminated infiltrates of histiocytic foam cells containing lipid develop in the skin, mucous membranes, meninges, and rarely other organs. Skin lesions consist of widespread, coalescent, red, brown, or yellow papules, nodules and plaques that occur mainly on the face, flexures, and intertriginous areas. Involvement of the mucous membranes and the upper respiratory tract may lead to respiratory difficulties. Meningeal involvement is common, leading to diabetes insipidus when infiltration at the base of the brain is present. Xanthoma disseminatum tends to run a chronic course, lesions have been seen to regress spontaneously.
Xanthoma Disseminatum, Montgomery´s Syndrome
Diffuse xanthoma, Disseminatum, Xanthoma, Xanthoma Disseminatum, Xanthoma multiplex, Xanthoma, diffuse, Xanthoma#x# disseminatum, Xanthomas#x# disseminatum


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OMICS International organises 3000+ Global Conferenceseries Events every year across USA, Europe & Asia with support from 1000 more scientific societies and Publishes 700+ Open Access Journals which contains over 50000 eminent personalities, reputed scientists as editorial board members.
Kyphosis is the rounding of the back. It is the result of excessive external curvature of the spine. It occurs when the spinal bones are weakened. This disease causes pain and disfiguration. The symptoms include difficulty in breathing, tenderness, pain and stiffness of the back.
Kyphosis can occur at any age. The commonness of Kyphosis in the general population of Singapore is estimated to be 0-2%. The treatment mainly includes medication and supportive therapy. The medication includes pain relievers and Osteoporosis drugs. The supportive therapy involves exercise, healthy lifestyle. Under extreme conditions surgery may be suggested by the physicians.