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Hitman: Absolution is the best argument ever made for video games to avoid storytelling altogether.
As a game, it's often amazing, worth every minute of the six year wait and balancing the demands of modern gaming against the series' traditional gameplay in often very clever ways.
As a story, it makes the movie look like Citizen Kane.
Let's start with the game. There are twenty missions (!) in this game, all of them pretty meaty in their own way, although some are shorter and simpler than others. In some ways, there's more variety here than there has ever been in the franchise, both in your mission objectives and how you can complete them. The level design is at once more sensible and less obvious: Just figuring out a kill, forget pulling Silent Assassin, in later missions will drive you pleasurably crazy.
That's not even getting into the challenges, most of which consist of a photo and a cryptic hint about what to do and… that's it. Even on Normal difficulty, it can be maddening.
It's interesting to compare this to Blood Money in that way because the intervening six years have been kind and made IO Interactive bitter at the same time. Remember the standard load out in the last game? Gone here. You don't have any syringes, any remote mines, just a fiber wire, perhaps your Silverballer, and what's lying around. You're going to have to get the lay of the land and improvise much more.
Of course, "what's lying around" is pretty much anything that's not nailed down, ranging from sniper rifles and remote explosives to pretty much anything that can be used to murder somebody. 47 is practically the Miles Davis of butchering mooks. And it's gloriously fun.
Speaking of mooks, the AI has improved in some ways: You will no longer get shot for the crime of walking into a nightclub without a chicken costume on. It is a bit dumb in others; wait long enough and NPCs will settle back into their routines, even with a coworker dead in front of them. It's still challenging, but it reinforces that you are playing a game, that you're outwitting a computer, not a person.
Much of the game has been tweaked for the better: Disguises are much more crucial now, for example. If you're dressed as an officer, police officers are more likely to spot you and blow your cover, so finding the right disguise, especially a rare disguise, can be crucial to some missions. Shooting is much improved, but not the best option. The cover system actually makes sense and is very, very useful for sneaking.
The Instinct system is also a nice touch. First of all, it's not entirely necessary: You can get through most levels without it. Secondly, it's a meter that depletes, and is also tied to, for example, the slow-mo system you can also use. It forces you to use that asset strategically and carefully.
In short, everything that the game could improve, as a game, IO Interactive went in and did. As a game, it is great.
Unfortunately, as a story it's terrible. I don't want to offer spoilers, since they'll give away missions, but really, the only thing that saves the game story-wise is the incredibly dry sense of humor on display, which often manifests itself in the details and the NPC chatter. Sit on the edge of crowds: It's a hoot to overhear cell phone conversations and snatches of what people are muttering about.
The main plot, however, is… well, it's just so stupid that it turns into self-parody. This game is supposed to humanize Agent 47, but he's a mass murderer who perpetually scowls and enjoys killing people. The only thing you think when faced with the girl the game centers around is "This guy is about the last person who should be a father figure". The plot returns to the ridiculous cloning nonsense the games have never quite summarily dumped as the bad idea it is. It's especially frustrating because they've got a great voice cast cleaning up some awful cut scenes: Powers Boothe and Keith Carradine stand out in particular.
Is this a dealbreaker? Not particularly. It just means you'll be jamming the "skip cutscene" button a lot. The simple fact of the matter is that while the story is irrelevant, with the franchise, it has always been irrelevant. It's the game we show up for, not the story it tells.
In the end, this is Hitman to its bones. If you like solving puzzles and shooting people, and sometimes solving puzzles BY shooting people, this is worth every penny.
The post 'Hitman: Absolution' — The Review appeared first on UPROXX.


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Action Movies, TV Series
Adrenaline rushing and fast paced action movie is just the ultimate choice to uplift the mood. Watching action-packed movies is one of the most popular source of entertainment across the world. With the internet revolution, watching movies online has become a common trend but downloading the entire movie becomes tedious. Here, you can easily watch the latest action movies instantly at the click of the mouse. Browse through our large collection and watch action movies online from the comfort of your home

subset: commoncrawl


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Entrust Your Career to HealthTrust
Live Chat with a Recruiter:https://flashrecruit.com/chat/1841
Join one of the leading hospitals in Arlington, Texas as a RRT! This 13-week contract position offers guaranteed hours with a flexible schedule that fits your lifestyle.
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Our partnering with HCA is looking for a compassionate, forward-thinking, and highly-skilled, professional to join their team. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing care to our patients. Is an experienced individual and must be skilled in a wide variety of high-level nursing environment
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I've been testing Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book since some time and recently I noticed that among many software related problems there is also one, serious in my opinion, design problem that actually can't be fixed until Surface Book 2 is out.
Microsoft is very proud of the hinge mechanism introduced in the Surface Book. They call it "dynamic fulcrum hinge". Indeed, it works and looks great. On a side note, I wish it would allow to rate the screen 360 degree like the Lenovo Yoga series, instead of being "forced" to unplug the screen, rotate it manually and plug back in opposite position.
Anyway, when designing that spectacular hinge, Microsoft missed the fact that the rubber strap underneath the device, that is meant to 1) protect the bottom part from scratches and 2) avoid device from slipping on the desk, is actually useless, because the hinge extends lower than the rubber strap. Just see it yourself.
The light clearance between the surface and the rubber strap means that the strap actually doesn't touch the surface. It's bottom point is higher than the bottom point of the first part of the hinge. That means the body is lifted up a little and in fact, the device abuts on the hinge, not on the rubber strap.
Result? The surface of the MS Surface Book is made of magnesium painted in silver colour. It's not the same as the anodized aluminium that Apple is using for years already, and it's very, very susceptible to scratches. After just few days of using the Surface Book you might discover that your $2.000,00 laptop has a lot of scratches on the bottom side of the hinge.
Of course, some might don't care, but still I consider this to be quite serious design flaw that Microsoft should be ashamed of. And considering all the software related problems on the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, Microsoft should seriously re-think their marketing strategy.
Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to share! Also, if you like this article, please use media sharing buttons (Twitter, G+, Facebook) below this post!
For latest news follow Android Revolution HD on popular social platforms:


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Subscription Busing Community Pass Instructions
The Piscataway Board of Education offers subscription busing for non-remote students whose transportation is non-mandated. Non-mandated transportation applies to K through 8th grade students who live under two miles (2.0) from their school, and 9th through 12th grade students who live under two-and-a-half miles (2.5) from the high school as per N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1 and specified under the criteria of N.J.A.C 6A:27-2.2.
All subscription busing applications are to be completed online and submitted with payment on or before June 30 of the current school year to receive guaranteed seating. Registration for subscription busing for the 2019-2020 school year will be available beginning Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Assignment to routes will be based on a first come first served basis, depending on availability along your bus route, once application and payment is received. Families with more than one child attending the same school will receive a 15% discount. Any families who wish to participate in the subscription busing program must be currently registered in the district prior to applying. Subscription Busing applications will not be processed unless all fees and fines (ex. Food Service account balances, book fines, iPad fines, etc.) are paid in full by Friday, June 28.
All applications received after Friday, June 28 will be considered a "late application", and will be placed on a waiting list. Wait list applications will be reviewed after Monday, September 16, and as seat(s) become available, your payment will be processed and we will notify you by mail of your child's bus assignment with details.
Students will be assigned to existing bus stops on existing routes based on availability closest to their home. No changes or requests for additional routes or stops will be added. Late buses are solely for active bus students who stay for extra curricular activities/athletics and they must have a valid AM/PM bus pass, their pass from the advisor/coach, and use only existing stops on existing activity routes. Please note: any student retained for detention purposes may not utilize the late bus. All students participating in the subscription busing program are subject to all rules and regulations regarding bus discipline and safety procedures as specified in the student code of conduct book and board policy 5131 et. seq.


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Quakertown Center for Spiritual Living
Rear Entrance, Lower Level
501 West Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
(Postal Address: 1280 Allentown Road
Quakertown, PA 18951)
Phone: (215) 538-8943
Sunday Service 10 am
Rev. Patricia Phanor, Founder and Director
Our Vision:
You are the Light of the World
Let Your Light Shine!
Our Mission:
Transforming lives through the practice and teaching of
Science of Mind®principles
You are invited to be a part! Are you looking for an alternative to traditional "church"? Imagine a Sunday morning with a group of positive thinking people listening to a dynamic speaker. This speaker is offering ways to have greater health, happiness, prosperity, and more loving relationships. This is what you can experience at the Quakertown Center for Spiritual Living.
- Here you will open new doors of self-awareness.
- Here you will find space to release the magnificence that is you.
- Here you will think and express, listen and share, learn, and participate.
- Here you will discover the richness of new friendships that support you as you become the person God already knows you to be.
- Here you will unlock the secret of mastery in living as you discover the principles of genuine happiness, good health, true success, continuing prosperity, and unlimited blessings.
Religious Science philosophy is not a revelation of any one individual – it is the culmination of all revelations. Many great philosophers including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Troward, and Sri Aurobindo influenced Dr. Ernest Holmes, the founder of our teaching. Science of Mind® integrates Eastern and Western spiritual teachings in a practical way. Our Center is a place to find support and encouragement along your path of transformation, along with effective spiritual tools and a point of view that is expansive and empowering.
If you are looking for keys to a richer way of living, you are invited to join us. Allow us to share with you what we have found. At the Quakertown Center for Spiritual Living, you will find varied opportunities to grow your heart and mind. You will discover many possibilities for expanding yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Sunday Services 10 am followed by Coffee, Cookies, & Conversation.
Please feel free to stop by on any Sunday for our 10am service. We are looking forward to meeting you!
Any questions, thoughts, ideas? Email us!


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How Oklahoma City Manages its Windows 7 Migration
As states and municipalities see dwindling revenues around the country, budgets for everything from schools to police departments to public transportation are taking hits. IT is no exception. Public-sector IT teams, like their private-enterprise counterparts, are being forced to do more with less and to come up with more efficient ways to keep their systems running and relevant.
Oklahoma City, with more than half a million residents and more than 4,000 city employees, has experienced significant budget cuts in the past two years. At the same time, the hardware and software the IT team is expected to manage has increased across the board, from fire and police services to wired and wireless networks.
"We've always been fairly small as an IT department for the size of our city. Last year we took a 14 percent cut city-wide, which, with the way IT is structured [meant] we cut 12 staff last year," Oklahoma City's IT Director Chad Meldrum says.
With 3,000 desktops running about 75 applications that the IT team supports, managing the city's infrastructure is a significant undertaking.
Really Out of Control
"When you're talking standards on desktops, we're pretty un-standard...We were really out of control as far as what we were wanting to do as IT," Meldrum says. "We did what we could, but we knew there was lots of room for improvement."
To improve the way IT was managed across various departments, the city decided to upgrade its Windows XP systems to Windows 7 and leverage Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V). Migrating to Windows 7 would give the IT team the ability to manage the city's systems through group policy and allow them to have improved control over security settings.
Manually packaging the applications that the city would need to deploy in the new operating system was a daunting task that would have taken the IT team months. So the city decided to look for an automated solution to help them prepare and deploy applications across the network.
The city chose Flexera Software's AdminStudio solution to package and deploy its applications. It integrated with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and provided the ability to convert to App-V. The software was able to help the IT team identify any Windows 7-related problems with the applications it was deploying, including testing for compatibility. It also helped the IT team push out applications that had non-standard configurations.
"We've mostly done IT first. I've had my upgrade to Windows 7. I think most of the benefits will be to the back-end, for us," Meldrum says. "We're trying to manage 3,500 machines with a staff of about five people. It's a huge undertaking to be able to centralize all that and be able to manage it. Building an image and having an application package is going to help us tremendously."
The deployment is well ahead of the city's scheduled Windows 7 migration targets. According to the city's client infrastructure manager Shamra Noakes, using application packaging software to help with the Windows 7 migration has saved the city about $1,300 in staff time per application, about $97,000 in total for the project.
Involving end-users in the deployment and in the decision-making process has been important to ensuring the project's success, Meldrum says.
"We've had lots of meetings with users in the departments and we've engaged with what they wanted and how they wanted to move. We're doing it the way some departments wanted to do it. We're letting them define who in their department gets migrated [first] and making sure they're fully on board with what's happening," he says. "We try to make it so that they see us as their partner and not like a central IT police."
This article was originally published on 04-14-2011
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Expedition Five Commander Valery Korzun, left, and Flight Engineers Peggy Whitson and Sergei Treschev.
Five NASA ISS Science Officer Peggy Whitson sent letters home during
her stay onboard the International Space Station. Read
the most recent letter.
Click here to see answers from Expedition Five for Ask
the ISS Crew Internet questions.
View an interactive
for a brief overview of the science taking place on the International
Space Station.


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Another interesting tit-bit I got in the mail from a mate may be a pleasant change from the last few posts, although the subject of 'sex' seems to be still pervading the immediate environment, so here it is: Amusing, for some, and tragic for others – weird how 'truth' can be different – depending on the perspective, isn't it?
Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle, 81, was so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down – and shot off their testicles.
'The old lady spent a week hunting those men down and, when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way', said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp. Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant's desk and told him as calm as could be: 'Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God.'
Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cell mate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up. The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas' testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said.
'The one guy, Thomas, didn't lose his manhood, 'but the doctor I talked to said he won't be using it the way he used to,' Detective Delp told reporters. 'Both men are still in pretty bad shape, 'but I think they're just happy to be alive after what they've been through.'
The Rambo Granny swung into action August 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.
'When I saw the look on my Debbie's face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself 'cause I figured the Law would go easy on them,' recalled the retired library worker. 'And I wasn't scared of them, either – because I've got me a gun and I've been shootin' all my life. And I wasn't dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one.' So, using a police artist's sketch of the suspects and Debbie's description of the sickos, tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill-fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel.
'I knew it was them the minute I saw 'em, but I shot a picture of 'em anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them', the oldster recalled. 'So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door, and the minute the big one opened the door, I shot 'em right square between the legs, right where it would really hurt 'em most, you know. Then I went in and shot the other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in.'
Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny.
'What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison,' Det. Delp said, 'especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for Mayor.'
And the guy that sent it to me, ended with this line: "Deport her to Sri Lanka – we need her urgently".
What do you think?


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osolo necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 185 diseños de 44 diseñadores freelance.
Social Graph Studios
Social Graph Studios is passionate about connecting you with the people, places and things you love. We aim to develop incredibly fun Facebook applications that bring all these things together.
You can read more about us and our applications at http://www.sgstudios.com.
NOTE: A "social graph" is a graph that depicts the relationships between you, your friends and their friends. (Examples: http://images.google.com/images?q=social%20graph.
This logo is for our corporate website. It will be viewed mostly by business associates and potential employees.
We're looking for a nice, clean logo. The logo will be used on our, as well as on business cards and swag.
What we're looking for:
- The words Social Graph Studios should be part of the logo.
- To maintain a tighter aspect ratio, the word "Studios" could be in a smaller point size and/or on it's own line. For example, see our temporary logo at http://www.sgstudios.com.
- We would like to see graphical element included with the logo. For example, see the logo at this site: http://www.slingshotlabs.com. Ideas for the element:
(a) Graph nodes
(b) A play on the letters SGS
(c) Something abstract
(d) Anything else! We're open to your suggestions!
- The design must work well in color as well as B&W (for example, if we want to print on a T-Shirt)
- Regular/full size logo in AI/PSD
- A 16x16 favicon we can use for our website
Files must be compatible with PS/AI CS3.
Examples of the general style we're looking for:
- http://www.slingshotlabs.com/images/logo.png
- http://www.brightthings.com/images/…s_logo.gif
- http://www.crunchbase.com/assets/im…50x250.png
- http://www.stoneriver.com/sites/all…r/logo.gif
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Kerry can sing
All of us here at LaineyGossip have been girlcrushing on Kerry Washington for months, Duana in particular. I should show you some of the emails she sends me:
"Kerry said this!"
"Kerry dropped a reference in an interview that no one else understand, because they hadn't read xxwhateverbookxxx."
Needless to say, Duana, the musical theatre nerd who insists I can't sing (which is a lie), is probably fangirling herself at work right now after watching this video of Kerry Washington who evidently CAN sing. She sang with Jordin Sparks backstage at the Teen Choice Awards:
OK so it was only a few bars. But beyond the singing, what makes this clip awesome isn't just the singing but Kerry's attitude – she's fun and confident, without being cocky, and mostly…she just rolls. There's no "oh please, no, I can't", she's not precious, she knows she might embarrass herself but so what, and it makes me really, really, really want to be invited to her sleepover party.
Also I just needed another excuse to post this dress because I have to have to have to have it.
Wenn, Jason Merritt/ Getty


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Ryan.brown necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
2 ganadores han sido elegidos entre 121 diseños de 45 diseñadores freelance.
SimplyTextChat is in need of a slick logo to attract more business to our text messaging chat service. SimplyTextChat allows users to connect and chat with other users of the service using any mobile phone that allows premium text messaging. We would like to attract a wide rage of 18-40 year old users of any gender or sexual orientaion. We have a basic website without a logo at http://simplytextchat.com/ if you would like to check it out and get more of a feel for the service.
Currently we primarily attract 18-40 year-old males with the existing service. We would like to re-design our brand starting with the logo in order to appeal to a wide range of 18+ potential customers of any gender, sexual orientaion, or ethnic background. Our chat service is targeted to adults because the content is user-generated and we are required to enforce this age limit by mobile operators. It is not strictly an adult service in the typical sense of the word
Basically we are looking for a slick logo that would appeal to the 18+ text messanging crown for SimplyTextChat
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Risk Mini Men Version CT - Shop
Sold Out
For more information on this item please make full use of the links below (opened in a new window). We are a sales portal for our brick and mortar shop, we are not an information webpage . The webpage links below do a much better job of proving you with usefully information about these items. Thank You & Enjoy, G4A.
Board Game Geek: Link
Discogs (Music): Link
GameSpot (Console): Link
IMDb (DVD/Series): Link
Wizards (MTG & D&D): Link
YouTube Search


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For peace of mind, visit our dealership for a brake inspection by our factory-trained Kia technicians.
Our batteries meet rigorous specifications for quality, long life and dependability.
Here are some features you can expect with every Kia Genuine Battery:
|Genuine Kia batteries meet or exceed Kia's reserve capacity specifications and cold cranking amps specifications.
|Positive grid cover can help prevent corrosion.
|Special electrolyte additive improves battery charging effectiveness, especially following severe discharge.
|All Kia dealerships nationwide can service these batteries, which is especially helpful when your are traveling.
Our factory-trained technicians will first check your tire tread depth and pressure. If it's determined that you need replacement tires, our experts will help find the set that is right for your Kia. Here are some reasons to buy tires from us:
A professional driver took nearly 10 car lengths longer to stop on worn tires than he did on new tires.
While your stopping distance may vary, newer tires can help you stop sooner.
You'll know it's time to replace your wiper blades when you see these signs of wear:
Wiper blades tend to wear evenly, so even if only one blade appears worn, the other isn't far behind. You should replace both wiper blades at the same time.
City Kia of Greater Orlando
9550 S Orange Blossom Trail
Directions Orlando, FL 32837
9550 S Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32837


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Ideal para nuestros bebitos. Enternecedora y graciosa. Perfecta para los peques o para las mamas. Medidas caja: 5 x 2,4 x 1,8 cm.
Contenido: 4ml
No hay opiniones todavía.
Sé el primero en opinar "Baby Tous"
Returns and Exchanges
There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased.You can return unwanted items by post within 7 working days of receipt of your goods.
- You have 14 calendar days to return an item from the date you received it.
- Only items that have been purchased directly from Us.
- Please ensure that the item you are returning is repackaged with all elements.
Ship your item back to Us
Firstly Print and return this Returns Form to:
30 South Park Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Please remember to ensure that the item you are returning is repackaged with all elements.
For more information, view our full Returns and Exchanges information.


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Tanaris (aka The Tanaris Desert)[1] is a desert located in Southern Kalimdor, east of Un'Goro Crater and south of Thousand Needles. It is an arid land, covered in sand dunes and frequently exposed to dangerous sandstorms. The Steamwheedle Cartel goblins have established Steamwheedle Port and Gadgetzan as their main centers of operation. The dock in Steamwheedle Port is presumably used for transport to the outer islands of the Undermine, the goblin capital, but so far the goblins have proved unwilling to share the ships with the other races.
Tanaris is one of the easiest regions to travel around, being mostly flat sands with a few rocky outcrops, but it is also monotonus, being sparsely populated due to its harsh environment. There are also no roads (or even well-trodden paths) and heavy reliance is placed on the guiding system.
While mostly populated by Horde factions, the region is so barren that it is fairly safe for Alliance members too.
History Edit
Tanaris has been an endless sea of sand for aeons. Nozdormu, the great dragon of time, was said to make this land his home since time immemorial, thriving in the solitude of oppressive heat and miles of sand.[2]
Tanaris is the ancestral home of the bronze dragonflight based out of the Caverns of Time. The titans also have a holding here in the form of an entrance to the ancient land of Uldum, Whch was once guarded by elite Stone giants. found in the southern parts of the desert. It was here that Anachronos first discovered the full threat of the silithid, who had been making hives in the remote regions of Tanaris. The War of the Shifting Sands was consequently unleashed upon the western land of Silithus.
With the Cataclysm Steamwheedle Port and many parts of Tanaris were flooded making Gadgetzan a port. Some Tanaris goblins wisely invested in desert real estate and reaped the benefits when it became beach-front property.
The land was eventually invaded by an army of Dark trolls that serve the Zandalari Empire. With
Getting there Edit
There are portals in Dalaran (The Violet Citadel) and Shattrath (World's End Tavern, by talking to Zephyr - requires Revered with Keepers of Time) which take you to the entry of the Caverns of Time.
- Alliance: In Thousand Needles head directly south of Fizzle and Pozzik's Speedbarge to a small inlet on the south edge of Thousand Needles. There is a white sand/salt beach with a path that leads to the pass into Tanaris and Gadgetzan.
- Horde: From Freewind Post travel east into the Shimmering Flats, then head south through the mountain pass to Gadgetzan.
Geography Edit
Tanaris covers a vast expanse of Southern Kalimdor, just south of Thousand Needles. It is a blazing hot expanse of rolling sand dunes under a cloudless sky. The southern region is more mountainous, with large cavern networks, with some extending deep beneath the surface. A vast realm, Tanaris holds many secrets. The land is mostly desert, and below ground are gigantic tunnel networks. They remain largely unexplored, for few have the fortitude to venture into such a harsh landscape. Still, rumors tell of all manner of creatures that hide within the tunnels and slaughter trespassers without hesitation. Although the sea of dunes does not look as if it would support a variety of wildlife, humans, Sandfury trolls, hyenas, scorpids, basilisks, and silithid bugs are quite common. Ocasionally, drakes are also seen soaring on the thermals that swirl over the great desert.[2]
Tanaris contains quite a few instances, including all the Caverns of Time instances, as well as Zul'Farrak. In addition, there are several micro dungeons in this zone, but no battlegrounds.
Maps and subregionsEdit
Dungeons Edit
|Dungeon Name
|Level Range
|Group Size
|Approximate Run Time
|1 hour
|Caverns of Time: Escape from Durnholde Keep
|1 hour 15 minutes
|Caverns of Time: Opening the Dark Portal
|45 minutes
|Caverns of Time: Battle for Mount Hyjal
|1-2 Hours
|Caverns of Time: Culling of Stratholme
|1 hour
|Caverns of Time: End Time
|30 Mins
|Caverns of Time: Well of Eternity
|45 Mins
|Caverns of Time: Hour of Twilight
|30 Mins
|Caverns of Time: Dragon Soul
|2-3 Hours
Elite areasEdit
Flight Master Locations Edit
Regions adjacent to TanarisEdit
|Zone Name
|Level Range
|Thousand Needles
|By foot north; from Gadgetzan to Fizzle and Pozzik's Speedbarge
|By foot north; from Gadgetzan to Fizzle and Pozzik's Speedbarge or Westreach Summit
|By foot to the southwest
|By foot to the southwest
|Un'Goro Crater
|By foot west; from Gadgetzan to Marshal's Stand or Mossy Pile
|By foot west; from Gadgetzan to Marshal's Stand or Mossy Pile
Notable characters Edit
- Main article: Tanaris NPCs
Tanaris is home to several characters of note. At Gadgetzan, Mux Manascrambler seeks aid in obtaining ghostly ectoplasm from undead spirits, and Senior Surveyor Fizzledowser investigates the coming of the silithid. And at Steamwheedle Port, Yeh'kinya attempts to learn more of the essence of an ancient god.
Quests Edit
- Main article: Tanaris quests
CataclysmEditThis section concerns content exclusive to Cataclysm.
In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Tanaris is going to be retuned as level 45-50 zone.[3] In addition the Steamwheedle Port has been destroyed although its still inhabited by goblins. This will make Gadgetzan a port.
Bornakk gave the hint that "Some Tanaris goblins wisely invested in desert real estate and reaped the benefits when it became beach-front property."[4]
Areas affected[5]:
- Dunemaul Compound – to the NE is a small Horde camp, the Dunemaul Recruitment Camp
- Eastmoon Ruins – taken by the Southsea Pirates
- Gadgetzan – both flight masters have been brought inside the city; the lands east of here have been flooded and a dock now sits on that side of the city – the boat is functional but the destination hasn't been set at this time; Southsea Pirate ships form a blockade further out; out the north gate a ship is being constructed
- The Gaping Chasm – on the northern ridge is a neutral quest hub with flight master called Bootlegger Outpost
- Land's End Beach – east of Uldum the mountains have collapsed, connecting that end of the beach to the remainder of Tanaris; a small Alliance camp sits here, Steelspark Station, manned by Gnomes; further down the beach is a camp of Bilgewater survivors, stranded on the beach
- Lost Rigger Cove – under attack by both Goblin and Gnome forces
- Sandsorrow Watch – cave nearby with large scorpid named Gargantapid; the northernmost part of Sandsorrow is now a neutral quest hub
- Southbreak Shore – the Southsea Pirates have extended their camp down the shoreline with more boats and tents
- Southmoon Ruins – south of here is an Alliance quest hub with flight master, Gunstan's Dig; it appears the Horde and Alliance are fighting over the ruins
- Steamwheedle Port – flooded with survivors clinging to tops of buildings
- Thistleshrub Valley – mobs have vanished, but there is a new quest giver here named Adarrah (level 82), and a large stone pathway that is a secondary entrance to the Uldum zone (it is blocked by invisible walls as of build 12319)
- Uldum – the doors are now open
- Valley of the Watchers – SW of here is a Blood Elf Horde hub with a flight master, Dawnrise Expedition
- Waterspring Field - flooded
- Zalashji's Den – though the name still exists, nothing of the cave can be found
- Other – some new mobs can be found here, including elite Dune Worms, Sand Rattlers, and Sand Lashers; due to the flooding of the coast, other areas no longer above water include: Noonshade Ruins and Wavestrider Beach
- New Hunter Pets – Basking Cobra, Sunburst Adder, Dunemaul Broodlord (Scorpid)
Invaders of ZandalarEdit
In the World of Warcraft: Invaders of Zandalar, the land has received a major change in the expansion. Like the Cataclysm, many areas have changed during the time when the Zandalari Empire had invaded Tanaris. The capital city of Zul'Farrak had been taken by the Shadowtooth Army, the main military force of the Zandalari Empire, and parts of Tanaris have become a war zone. Chief Engineer Bilgewhizzle has led the Gadgetzan Waterworks Company to establish a base called Steamwheedle Base on the left side of Land's End Beach while Kelsey Steelspark and her Gnomeregan Covert Ops built Steelspark Base on the right side.
- Herbs
- Leather
- [Turtle Scale] (Skinning level 38-53 turtles)
- [Scorpid Scale] (Skinning level 40-50 scorpids)
- Ore
Wild creatures Edit
- Basilisks
- Bog beasts
- Bronze dragons
- Dark trolls
- Earth elementals
- Hyenas
- Mountain giants
- Mummies
- Ogres
- Sand trolls
- Sea giants
- Scorpids
- Silithid
- Turtles
- Rocs
- Water elementals
Notes Edit
- There is an alternative route to get to Tanaris that is much quicker for players in Dustwallow Marsh. By traveling to the Theramore Docks, on the eastern coast of Dustwallow, and swimming south around the mountains that surround the Shimmering Flats, you can easily get to Steamweedle Port, so long as you hug the shoreline; failure to do so will result in death by fatigue. This is made much easier using a Swim Speed Potion, a druid's Aquatic Form, a shaman's Water Walking or a similar ability.
- ^ Dungeons & Dragons Warcraft The Roleplaying Game, pg. 210-211, 230
- ^ a b Dungeons & Dragons Warcraft The Roleplaying Game, pg. 210
- ^ http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/august/cataclysmpreviewpanel_046.jpg
- ^ http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=23425524394&sid=1&pageNo=1
- ^ Frejya's (MVP) Cataclysm Compilation


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While the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission does not have any jurisdiction over the price or terms of service of pre-paid phone cards, we frequently receive calls from consumers about them. Below is some information provided by the Federal Communications Commission on pre-paid phone cards.What Is a Pre-paid Phone Card?
A pre-paid phone card is a card you purchase (for a set price) and use to make long distance phone calls. These cards are usually sold in dollar amounts or by number of minutes.
Why Do People Buy Pre-paid Phone Cards?
Many people use a pre-paid phone card because of the card's convenience - it can be used anywhere and, since you pay in advance, there is no bill. Pre-paid phone cards are popular among travelers, students, people who frequently call overseas, and those who haven't selected a long-distance service. In addition, pre-paid phone cards are sold in convenient places, such as newsstands, post offices, and stores.
What about International Calls?
Rates for international calls can vary dramatically, based on the country that you call or the way that you make the call. Pre-paid phone cards often offer rates that are much lower than a telephone company's basic international rates.
How Do I Use a Pre-paid Phone Card?
A toll-free access phone number and a personal identification number (PIN) are usually printed on each phone card. To make a phone call, you dial the access number and then enter the PIN. An automated voice will ask you to enter the phone number you are trying to call, and it will tell you how much time you have left on your card. It might also give you other information/options.
Phone card companies keep track of how much of a card's calling time is used by the card's PIN number. You can add time to some pre-paid phone cards, and the added cost can usually be billed to a credit card. If you cannot add time to your card, you will need to buy a new one once all the time has been used. Also, pre-paid phone cards often have expiration dates. Make sure to keep track of the date your card expires so you don't lose unused minutes.
Who Makes Your Phone Card Work?
What Are Common Complaints about Pre-paid Phone Cards?
As pre-paid phone cards are increasing in popularity, some common complaints are becoming evident. They are:
How Can I Avoid the Problems Associated with Pre-paid Phone Cards?
Make sure you understand the rates for your particular phone card. Also check the expiration date, look for a toll-free customer service number provided with or on the card, and make sure you understand the instructions on how to use the card. You may also want to ask your friends and family to recommend cards they have used and liked.
What Should I Do if My Pre-paid Phone Card Doesn't Work?
First, try calling the customer service number provided
with the card. If that doesn't work, call or write
the state Attorney
General's Consumer Protection Bureau. You can also
file a complaint or research the company through your
local Better Business Bureau, or contact the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC). To contact the FTC, call 1-877-FTC-HELP


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WP7 ReorderListBox improvements: rearrange animations and more
Update 2013-10-08: Created a ReorderListBox CodePlex project and pushed a ReorderListBox NuGet package. Use either of those to get the latest version of this control.
Update 2011-12-19: Updated the attached demo project to target the WP 7.1 (Mango) SDK. This required a small change to the auto-scroll logic.
The ReorderListBox control I shared last week was moderately popular, and I've received some great feedback. Today I'm sharing an update to that control that polishes some minor issues and adds a cool new feature I call "rearrange animations". This feature allows the application to programmatically move, insert, or delete items in the list while showing a nice visual indication of what is happening. Specifically, the animations are as follows:
- Inserted items fade in while later items slide down to make space.
- Removed items fade out while later items slide up to close the gap.
- Moved items slide from their previous location to their new location.
- Moved items which move out of or in to the visible area also fade out / fade in while sliding.
The rearrange animations are complementary to the interactive drag-and-drop reordering, and both features can be enabled at the same time. Unfortunately the rearrange animations are not customizable in XAML due to the way they must be dynamically generated. And when using them you'll have to keep performance in mind: if you make a lot of changes to a large list (such as a full shuffle or sort) then the rearrange animations may take some time to prepare, although once the animations start they should be smooth. In my tests on a Samsung Focus, such complex rearrangements took up to about a second to prepare. Simpler operations such as moving, adding, or removing an item or two are much faster.
Updated source is attached at the ReorderListBox CodePlex site. Here's a complete list of what else has changed since last week:
- When an item is dropped, it now quickly slides into its proper position rather than suddenly appearing there.
- Control templates are corrected: a few things were missing compared to the standard ListBox control template, most notably the selected-item accent color.
- The scrollbar is now made visible while drag-scrolling.
- Fixed a bug that prevented moving a taller item to the top or bottom position when a shorter item was there.
- Fixed a bug that caused the list items to jump slightly after moving an item down by more than a page then dropping it.
And now, a video preview of the improved ReorderListBox control!


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Synchrotrons explore water's molecular mysteries
(Phys.org)—In experiments at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, scientists observed a surprisingly dense form of water that remained liquid well beyond its typical freezing point.
Researchers applied a superthin coating of water – no deeper than a few molecules – to the surface of a barium fluoride crystal.
This surface was expected to stimulate ice formation, but even when chilled to a temperature of about 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit – well below water's normal freezing point – the water remained liquid.
Further, the molecular structure of the water on the crystal surface unexpectedly transformed to a high-density form in a broad temperature range, mimicking the density water achieves when pressure is applied.
The research, published Jan. 15 in Nature Scientific Reports, spanned more than three years and included experiments at SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource and Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source synchrotrons, as well as computer simulations by collaborators in Sweden.
The work represents a milestone in understanding some of the many exotic properties water exhibits under a range of conditions, said Anders Nilsson, one of the lead authors. He is deputy director of the SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, a Stanford/SLAC institute, and a professor of photon science at SLAC.
Understanding the effect that certain materials have on water at the molecular scale may help scientists design materials that "can steer the water structure and properties," he said.
"This can lead to the design of new membranes for water purification," Nilsson said. "Access to clean water will be the next crisis in the world after energy, and maybe even become more challenging."
The paper is the latest in a series of reports on research at SLAC that is exploring the many unique and unusual properties of water: Its solid form is less dense than its liquid form, it can remain liquid well below its typical freezing point and its strong surface tension allows some insects to actually walk on water, for example.
Further studies using different materials are needed to determine whether the high-density form of water observed on the crystal surface is specifically caused by its interaction with that material, or whether it is a general phenomenon, Nilsson said.
The research does refute "widely believed concepts" that the pattern of the crystal's surface, which is similar to the latticed molecular structure of ice, can greatly impact ice formation by serving as a sort of artificial template, he said.
Explore further


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Gibson Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars
What sets the Gibson Custom solid bodies apart is their unbelievable level of quality. These guitars are painstakingly designed and the results of these efforts are truly staggering. Whether you're looking to recreate the sound of a specific artist or era, or are looking to create something new and entirely your own, Gibson Custom guitars have you covered.
So which Gibson Custom solid body is right for you? Well, as you can imagine that's going to come down to personal preference. Are you looking for a classic Les Paul to unleash a little boogie woogie with? Then check out the Southern Rock Tribute Aged and Signed 1959 Les Paul Electric Guitar. This guitar is loaded with custom bucker pickups and aged hardware, and comes signed by some absolute legends, including Dickey Betts and Charlie Daniels. Another incredible Les Paul offered here is the Alex Lifeson Axcess Electric Guitar. This guitar was built and designed for Rush's Alex Lifeson and it shows! With an innovative Graphtech Ghost piezo system-equipped Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo system and powerful humbucking pickups you'll feel time stand still when you strap into this guitar.
Of course, Gibson Custom is more than just Les Paul guitars. If you're a fan of the Firebird, check out the 20th Anniversary Firebird VII Electric Guitar. Maybe you love the Flying V? Look no further than the '70s Flying V Stop Bar VOS Electric Guitar. And if the Explorer is more your jam, then you'll be head over heels for the 1958 Mahogany Explorer VOS Electric Guitar.
Gibson Custom solid body electric guitars are, flat out, some of the finest instruments that the world has ever seen. With innovative designs based squarely on the classic looks that guitarists love, your Gibson will quickly become a family heirloom that is passed down from generation to rockin' generation.


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Five Corners Kitchen Offers Casual Elegance and Memorable MealsPosted: May 28th, 2010 | Author: KN | Filed under: 5 Corners Kitchen, American, Marblehead | Tags: Chef Barry Edelman, Five Corners Kitchen, French Fries, gnocchi, Marblehead Restaurants, Pork Terrine, Roasted Chicken, Saucisson | 1 Comment »
Sunday night we finally got a chance to check out the recently opened 5 Corners Kitchen in Marblehead. They have been open for a couple of weeks now and look to be doing a booming business. Reservations are definitely recommended as tables fill up fast.
The room has a casual elegance, the decorative tin ceiling and fun light fixtures lending texture to the clean lines and no-nonsense table settings. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, so we visited the bar. Although a relatively small space, the bar area is friendly and warm and features a fun seating niche in the window. The bartender was terrific, smiling and helpful and pouring us samples when we inquired about various wines. He entreated us to stay and eat with him, but our table was ready to go.
The wine list covers a good range, from $6.50 to $13.50 a glass, and the bottles were reasonable as well. We started with several of the appetizers; the cauliflower, leek and potato vichyssoise with lobster and fine herbs vinaigrette ($9), the rustic country pork terrine with whole grain mustard and pickled vegetables ($7), and the roasted beet and watercress salad with shaved fennel, red onion, ricotta salata, and horseradish crème fraiche vinaigrette ($8). Both the soup and the salad were quite good, with a lovely complexity of flavor. The terrine came with a plate of grilled bread and was excellent, quite a bargain given the amount of food for the price. That and a salad could be a meal.
The star of the starters, though, was the simplest—we had heard good things about Chef Edelman's fries and were not disappointed. These are some seriously delicious fries; fresh house-made beauties served with a lush basil garlic aioli ($5). If we hadn't ordered so much other food, we might have come to blows over the final few.
For entrees, we were interested in the sautéed skate wing, but they had sold out by the time we ordered. Instead we went for the roasted half chicken with oyster mushrooms, wilted spring greens, and brown butter jus ($18), the potato gnocchi with grilled asparagus, fava beans, fiddleheads, braised lettuce, mushrooms, and house-made crème fraiche ($17), and a special that night, a house-made saucisson on creamy lentils ($16).
Roasted chicken when done well can be a revelation, and this one was: crispy, juicy, and savory. The sausages were also excellent, not too dense and full of flavor. The gnocchi was tender and the vegetables perfect, sautéed but still crunchy, but some might find the portion a bit small.
Currently, 5CK is only offering one dessert per evening, which was an orange panna cotta with raspberry rhubarb compote ($6) the night we were there. Light and refreshing, the delicate texture and flavor were a perfect end to our meal.
The only drawback of the night was the noise level. It's a small space with a high ceiling, and sound really bounces around. Clever use of fabrics or acoustical panels would help immensely. The din seemed to drop around 8:30 when the crowd thinned, so a later seating time is in order for those in search of a quieter meal. The restaurant will soon be offering lunch, and that might prove a less noisy alternative as well.
When we interviewed Chef Edelman in March, he spoke about his passion for creating simple meals with local foods and having attentive staff. We found he has come through on both counts. Our waitress was phenomenal, and the food was excellent. Chicken, sausage, pasta—all simple, ordinary foods made extraordinary by the obvious freshness and thoughtful preparation.
5 Corners Kitchen
2 School Street, Marblehead
(781) 631-5550


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Assessment |
Biopsychology |
Comparative |
Cognitive |
Developmental |
Language |
Individual differences |
Personality |
Philosophy |
Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·
Active listening is a particular form of listening and is communication technique used in counselling, training and conflict resolution, which requires the listener to feed back what they hear to the speaker, by way of re-stating or paraphrasing what they have heard in their own words, to confirm what they have heard and moreover, to confirm the understanding of both parties.
When interacting, people often "wait to speak" rather than listening attentively. They might also be distracted. Active listening is a structured way of listening and responding to others, focusing attention on the "function" of communicating objectively as opposed to focusing on "forms", passive expression or subjectivity.
There are many opinions on what "active listening" is. A search of the term reveals interpretations of the "activity" as including "interpreting body language" or focusing on something other than or in addition to words. Successful communication is the establishment of common ground between two people—understanding. Agreeing to disagree is common ground. Common ground can be false, i.e., a person says they feel a certain way but they do not. Nevertheless it is common ground, once accepted as understood. Dialogue, understanding and progress can only arise from that common ground. And that common ground cannot be established without respect for the words as spoken by the speaker, for whatever reason.
Thus the essence of active listening is as simple as it is effective: paraphrasing the speakers words back to them as a question. There is little room for assumption or interpretation. It is functional, mechanical and leaves little doubt as to what is meant by what is said. "The process is successful if the person receiving the information gives feedback which shows understanding for meaning. Suspending one's own frame of reference, suspending judgment and avoiding other internal mental activities are important to fully attend to the speaker.
Primary elementsEdit
There are three key elements of active listening: comprehending retaining responding .[citation needed]
Comprehension is "shared meaning between parties in a communication transaction".[1] This is the first step in the listening process. The first challenge for the listener is accurately identifying speech sounds and understanding and synthesizing these sounds as words.[citation needed] We are constantly bombarded with auditory stimuli, so the listener has to select which of those stimuli are speech sounds and choose to pay attention to the appropriate sounds (attending).[citation needed] The second challenge is being able to discern breaks between discernible words, or speech segmentation.[1] This becomes significantly more difficult with an unfamiliar language because the speech sounds blend together into a continuous jumble. Determining the context and meanings of each word is essential to comprehending a sentence.[citation needed]
This is the second step in the listening process. Memory is essential to the listening process because the information we retain when involved in the listening process is how we create meaning from words. We depend on our memory to fill in the blanks when we're listening. Because everyone has different memories, the speaker and the listener may attach different meanings to the same statement. However, our memories are fallible and we can't remember everything that we've ever listened to. There are many reasons why we forget some information that we've received. The first is cramming. When you cram there is a lot of information entered into your short term memory. Shortly after cramming, when you don't need the information anymore, it is purged from your brain before it can be transferred into your long term memory.[2] The second reason is that you aren't paying attention when you receive the information. Alternatively, when you receive the information you may not attach importance to it, so it loses its meaning. A fourth reason is at the time the information was received you lacked motivation to listen carefully to better remember it.[1] Using information immediately after receiving it enhances information retention and lessens the forgetting curve (the rate at which we no longer retain information in our memory).[3] Retention is lessened when we engage in mindless listening, where little effort is made to listen to a speaker's message. Mindful listening is active listening.
Listening is an interaction between speaker and listener. It adds action to a normally passive process. The speaker looks for verbal and nonverbal responses from the listener to if the message is being listened to. Usually the response is nonverbal because if the response is verbal the speaker/listener roles are reversed so the listener becomes the speaker and is no longer listening. Based on the response the speaker chooses to either adjust or continue with his/her communication style.
Active listening involves the listener observing the speaker's behavior and body language. Having the ability to interpret a person's body language lets the listener develop a more accurate understanding of the speaker's message.[4] When the listener does not respond to the speaker's nonverbal language, (s)he engages in a content-only response which ignores the emotions that guide the message.[citation needed] Having heard, the listener may then paraphrase the speaker's words. It is important to note that the listener is not necessarily agreeing with the speaker—simply stating what was said. In emotionally charged communications, the listener may listen for feelings.[citation needed] Thus, rather than merely repeating what the speaker has said, the active listener will describe the underlying emotion ("You seem to feel angry," or "You seem to feel frustrated, is that because ... ?").[citation needed]
Individuals in conflict often contradict each other. This has the effect of denying the validity of the other person's position.[citation needed] Ambushing occurs when one listens to someone else's argument for its weaknesses and ignore its strengths.[1] The purpose is to attack the speaker's position and support their own.[citation needed] This may include a distortion of the speaker's argument to gain a competitive advantage. Either party may react defensively, and they may lash out or withdraw.[citation needed] On the other hand, if one finds that the other party understands, an atmosphere of cooperation can be created. This increases the possibility of collaborating and resolving the conflict.[citation needed]
In the book Leader Effectiveness Training, Thomas Gordon, who coined the term "active listening,"[5] states "Active listening is certainly not complex. Listeners need only restate, in their own language, their impression of the expression of the sender. ... Still, learning to do Active Listening well is a rather difficult task ..."[6]
Active listening is used in a wide variety of situations, including public interest advocacy, community organizing, tutoring,[7] medical workers talking to patients,[8] HIV counseling,[9] helping suicidal persons,[10] management,[11] counseling and journalistic settings. In groups it may aid in reaching consensus. It may also be used in casual conversation or small talk to build understanding, though this can be interpreted as condescending.
A listener can use several degrees of active listening, each resulting in a different quality of communication. The active listening chart below shows the three main degrees of listening: repeating, paraphrasing and reflecting.[citation needed]
The proper use of active listening results in getting people to open up, avoiding misunderstandings, resolving conflict, and building trust.[12] In a medical context, benefits may include increased patient satisfaction,[8] improved cross-cultural communication,[13] improved outcomes,[8] or decreased litigation.[14]
Active listening can be lifted by the active listening observation scale.[15]
Barriers to active listeningEdit
All elements of communication, including listening, may be affected by barriers that can impede the flow of conversation.[citation needed] Such barriers include distractions, trigger words, vocabulary, and limited attention span.[16]
Listening barriers may be psychological (e.g. emotions) or physical (e.g. noise and visual distraction). Cultural differences including speakers' accents, vocabulary, and misunderstandings due to cultural assumptions often obstruct the listening process.[citation needed]
Frequently, the listener's personal interpretations, attitudes, biases, and prejudices lead to ineffective communication.[citation needed]
Shift responseEdit
The first of these is the shift response which is the general tendency in a conversation to affix the attention to you. There is competition between individuals for attention and a focus on self by shifting the topic; it is a me-oriented technique.[citation needed] The listener shifts from a passive position, receiver, to an active role, sender.[citation needed] This is a type of conversational narcissism; the tendency of listeners to turn the topic of conversations to themselves without showing sustained interest in others listening.[17] With conversational narcissism there is a tendency to overuse the shift response and under use the support response.[citation needed] A support response is the opposite of a shift response; it is an attention giving method and a cooperative effort to focus the conversational attention on the other person. Instead of being me-oriented like shift response, it is we-oriented.[18] It is the response most likely to be used by a competent communicator[1]
Overcoming listening barriersEdit
To use the active listening technique to improve interpersonal communication, one puts personal emotions aside during the conversation, asks questions and paraphrases back to the speaker to clarify understanding, and one also tries to overcome all types of environment distractions. Judging or arguing prematurely is a result of holding onto a strict personal opinion.[19] This hinders the ability to be able to listen closely to what is being said. Furthermore, the listener considers the speaker's background, both cultural and personal, to benefit as much as possible from the communication process.[citation needed] Eye contact and appropriate body languages are seen as important components to active listening. Effective listening involves focusing on what the speaker is saying; at times the listener might come across certain key words which may help them understand the speaker.[citation needed] The stress and intonation may also keep them active and away from distractions. Taking notes on the message can aid in retention.[citation needed]
Misconceptions about listeningEdit
There are several misconceptions about listening. The first of these is listening and hearing are the same thing.[citation needed] Hearing is the physiological process of registering sound waves as they hit the eardrum.[citation needed] We have no control over what we hear. The sounds we hear have no meaning until we give them their meaning in context.[citation needed] Listening on the other hand is an active process that constructs meaning from both verbal and nonverbal messages.[1]
Active listening in musicEdit
Active Listening has been developed as a concept in music and technology by François Pachet, researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratory - Paris. Active listening in music refers to the idea that listeners can be given some degree of control on the music they listen to, by means of technological applications mainly based on artificial intelligence and information theory techniques, by opposition to traditional listening, in which the musical media is played passively by some neutral device [20][21][22]
See also Edit
- Appreciative listening
- Auditory processing disorder
- Dichotic listening
- Empathy
- Four-sides model
- Informational listening
- International Listening Association
- Listening comprehension
- Listening problems
- Nonviolent Communication
- Reflective listening
- Workplace listening
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 (2010) In the Company of Others: An Introduction to Communication, 157–166, New York: Oxford University Press.
- ↑ Wurman, R. (1989). Information anxiety, New York: Doubleday.
- ↑ Bahrick HP (March 1984). Semantic memory content in permastore: fifty years of memory for Spanish learned in school. J Exp Psychol Gen 113 (1): 1–29.
- ↑ Atwater, Eastwood (1981). I Hear You, Prentice-Hall.
- ↑ Segal, Morley (1997). Points of influence: a guide to using personality theory at work, Jossey-Bass.
- ↑ Gordon, Thomas (1977). Leader Effectiveness Training, New York: Wyden books.
- ↑ Maudsley G (March 1999). Roles and responsibilities of the problem based learning tutor in the undergraduate medical curriculum. BMJ 318 (7184): 657–61.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lang F, Floyd MR, Beine KL (2000). Clues to patients' explanations and concerns about their illnesses. A call for active listening. Arch Fam Med 9 (3): 222–7.
- ↑ Baxter P, Campbell T. (August 7–12, 1994). HIV counselling skills used by health care workers in Zambia (abstract no. PD0743). Int Conf AIDS 10 (390).
- ↑ Laflamme G (1996). [Helping suicidal persons by active listening]. Infirm Que 3 (4): 35.
- ↑ Mineyama S, Tsutsumi A, Takao S, Nishiuchi K, Kawakami N (2007). Supervisors' attitudes and skills for active listening with regard to working conditions and psychological stress reactions among subordinate workers. J Occup Health 49 (2): 81–7.
- ↑ Active Listening. Inspiration. White Dove Books. URL accessed on 19 April 2012.
- ↑ Davidhizar R (2004). Listening—a nursing strategy to transcend culture. J Pract Nurs 54 (2): 22–4; quiz 26–7.
- ↑ Robertson K (2005). Active listening: more than just paying attention. Aust Fam Physician 34 (12): 1053–5.
- ↑ Fassaert T, van Dulmen S, Schellevis F, Bensing J (2007). Active listening in medical consultations: development of the Active Listening Observation Scale (ALOS-global). Patient Educ Couns 68 (3): 258–64.
- ↑ Reed, Warren H. (1985). Positive listening: learning to hear what people are really saying, New York: F. Watts.
- ↑ Derber, C. (1979). The pursuit of attention: Power and individualism in everyday life, New York: Oxford University Press.
- ↑ (1990). Conversational narcissism. Communication Monographs (57): 251–274.
- ↑ Lama, Dalai Top 3 Barriers to Effective Listening. People Communicating. URL accessed on 19 April 2012.
- ↑ François Pachet The Future of Content is in Ourselves. The Future of Content is in Ourselves. In M. Tokoro, editor, Open System Science, pages 133-158, IOS Press. 2010.
- ↑ François Pachet Active Listening: What is in the Air?.In Miranda, E., editor, Musica y Nuevas Tecnologias: Perspectivas para el Siglo XXI, L'Angelot. 1999.
- ↑ François Pachet Constraints for Multimedia Applications. Proceedings of PACLP 1999, London, March 1999. The Practical Application Company.
External linksEdit
- Listening is powerful medicine, National Public Radio, February 2009
- Active Listening International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict: Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA
- Empathic listening skills How to listen so others will feel heard, or listening first aid (University of California). Download a one hour seminar on empathic listening and attending skills.
- Exercise 4 — Active Listening, Center for Rural Studies, University of Vermont, Montpelier
- What is active listening?
- Active listening: A communication tool
- Homepage of the International Listening Association The professional organization whose members are dedicated to learning more about the impact that listening has on all human activity
- Better communication through better listening Eight barriers to effective listening
- Expert guide to active listening and listening skills
- Additional information on the three main levels of active listening
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


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06 June, 2010
Holy grailI attended 14 Elevation concerts and Vancouver was by far the best. Not only was the band in fine form but the enthusiasm of the predominately Canadian crowd was amazing. The special moment happened when I was able to hand Bono a beer in a plastic cup. (Shout out to Frasier!) Once retrieved back from Bono, it became the holy grail and everyone around me wanted a sip. Not the most hygienic but certainly a bonding moment.
08 April, 2010
Best band everThe Vancouver venue in 2001 was the best concert I have ever seen!!
19 September, 2009
Just as great as the first time!Taking my wife for her first U2 experience had a small drawback but a lot of pleasant experiences to make up for it. We were seated nearly directed behind the stage so our view was 80% obstructed (and later had to watch the Elevation Tour DVD from Boston to see what happened the rest of the time.) PJ Harvey opened up with herself and a guitar for a few songs until her band joined her on stage. She wore a dress that was nearly translucent due to the lighting. (Bono even thanked her later in the show for wearing that dress!) The crowd was very into the show once the boys came on the stage and opened with "Elevation." The crowd remained into the show until "Gone" was played which most of the crowd remained silent in disbelief that they would play it or just didn't know the song. "Gone" is my favorite song on POP so I was one of the few singing along to it while most of those around me wondered how I knew this song. Bono had more interplay with the crowd than the previous show I saw on the POPMART tour which was nice. He even shared his experience playing in Vancouver the first time at the Commodore Ballroom which my wife and I saw a concert only a few months before. He asked if it was still here and a loud cheer came from the crowd. Being behind the stage did hamper the overall experience but U2 is still the best band in the world in the studio and live in person!!!!


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Home » Odds and Sods
This second-generation 9700-series processing element for modular sound synthesizers is designed to provide great sound and excellent value. This module is designed to be compatible with most modular synthesizer systems with little or no modification. Most active components are already mounted, making assembly a snap.
Audio or control signals input to the 9753 module are converted to 'envelopes' relative to the amplitude and triggers, Gate (step) or Pulse. The Envelope output is a CV that follows the dynamics of the input signal. The Gate-trigger occurs for the duration of the input signal. The Pulse-trigger occurs at the onset of the input signal. A Sensitivity control matches the signal source to the envelope and triggering range. This module is used with Guitars or Microphones, or other pick-ups and sensors (through 9754 Preamplifier module if necessary) to interface with a modular synthesizer, as sources for triggers and control of waveform dynamics. A thru-connector is provided so that audio from the sensed source can be split or tapped at the module for processing through other modules such as VCFs or VCAs.
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To purchase the do-it-yourself kit, click the 9753K product page.
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A little tongue in cheek title for this post, with a purpose. You see, two years ago I was beginning construction of BentoBox. Wow. Two years. That was work.
Yeah, I had a number of starts and stops. I'm proud of where I was, and although I thought I'd be living in it after 12, certainly 18 months, I had a lot of life changes and, to be honest, depression to deal with. It was a long journey. I did things to be healthier. To be more open, kind and honest with myself and others. Breaking free from years of doing things in one way. That takes a different kind of work.
Well, today is the beginning of a new era. The journey I started with BentoBox will continue with new owners and a new location in the coming months.
I had a cupcake to celebrate and I bought enough to share with the whole studio at my new job at NBBJ London. These magnificent cupcakes are from my new favourite London baker, Tegan the Vegan, who caters events and will deliver custom orders. I am not afraid to admit in the more than two weeks since I arrived, have had cupcakes from several places here and these are the best.
It's hard to have two homes. I love Seattle, however I love travel and living in London for the next two years (likely) will be such an adventure. I've already started exploring and taking photos. Many of which I'll post here and Instagram. Seattle is still home to me. Although, I'm getting settled into my flat just one block from the office in a fairly trendy part of the city.
So, the acronym goes Tiny House on Wheels. What about Tiny House on Water? I was able to explore one of the many canals in the city last weekend: Regent's Canal… where for several miles (yes, distance is still imperial units) there are canal boats. So many canal boats. In fact, a coworker lives in one, and I'm vying for a tour. Some are long, some short, and some are single or double wide. The narrow boats are compatible with the ancient Roman aqueducts that still exist in the country. Locks on the canal are still manually operated. It's such a wonderful community that's formed round this lifestyle and the canals edge is a very pedestrian and bike friendly way to get around.
Seattle & London
These two cities are each amazing. Comparing them is just not possible. Sure, there's unfamiliar things like the right-hand drive cars, looking over your right shoulder when crossing the street (important), and the mix of measurements. Pints are bigger here, cups are smaller, and the mile is still a mile, yet recipes for baking are in grams. So, I went native and bought a measuring scale. After seeing all these boats on the water, I somehow needed to make pizza or two, so that happened (see my IG for drool-worthy food posts).
There is more history in both the architectural fabric and art in museums here. For that, I am blown away by every cobblestone street I turn down. And also incredible new architecture. You might ask why the strange title… it's a reference to 'A Tale of Two Cities', by Charles Dickens. I'm sort of having my own revolution of sorts. The dual nature of our world and comparisons of old and new are very much on my mind right now.
Reminders of Dickens are everywhere, including some of the streets around me – there's an Ebenezer Street just five minutes walk away. Actually, I've barely dented the city and have been walking everywhere. I'll need to ride the trains and black cabs more. And sign up for a double decker bus tour. The weather was Spring-like today, at 16C (60F). Life is good.
The vegan food options here are completely mind blowing. Don't let anyone tell you the food in the UK is bland. They haven't been recently. A foodie and (thank the universe) a coffee snobbery have invaded at least in my small corner of the city.
I am missing home, however I can still get my Ethiopian single origin Yirgachefe medium roasted organic fair trade shade grown coffee. Mmmm. I blame my friend Maxwell in Everett, WA (who btw is one of the best baristas I know) for my levelled up coffee taste buds. He's opening a new shop, which you should all visit. Shameless plug, if you can get there when he opens, go.
Tiny is relative
Everyone defines tiny houses in their own way. I travelled here because I have become a minimalist. It wasn't easy. I'm thankful for the process that led me here. I will build again another, different tiny house. Will it be from a container? Maybe. There are plenty to go around. Besides the pop up shops and BoxPark and container malls I've found, there are apartments and signs, and street art.
I will continue this blog, hopefully helping to document BentoBox with the new owners some time soon. The nice thing about unboxing the future, you are never sure what's to come. I find that exciting. Stick around, I hope you will join me in the next chapter. Time to pass the keys and trust in the universe. With each end, a new beginning. I love you all.


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It's time for a little celebrity "Caption This" with none other than Top Gear USA star, funky wagon aficionado, and all around hilarious beard enthusiast Rutledge Wood. Joining him in this photo is giant loser-maker Jillian Michaels, Samantha Busch (Kyle Busch's wife), and those spectacular pink shorts.
Just to make things more interesting we're priming the pump a bit with some quotes from Rutledge himself upon seeing the photos:
"I can't see down your shirt from up here but you can see up my nose."
"Does pastel make my legs look this white or do my legs make my outfit look pastel?"
"Samantha Busch — who's next to me — is literally 1/3 my size. WTF?"
"If I die in this outfit, how will people believe that I wasn't in to dudes?"
Photo Credit: Getty Images Sport


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Depending on the day, minute, hour or week, I'm always doing something different (as you may have noticed from my blog entries!)... cooking, diy home projects, event design, etc. Well today, I'm interior decorating.
This is a new section of my business that I'm very excited about - home interior design. My first client has asked me to help her with her two sons' bedrooms. After seeing photos of the two rooms, photos of the rest of her house, and talking with her about her vision, I've created the following design concepts.
CONCEPT 1 : Ralph Lauren
I've prepared two versions of each concept - one for each room. So, the theme is the same, but executed differently in each room.
Ralph Lauren 1 : This room took its inspiration from the Polo's darling children's line. The bedding will be similar to the classic light blue oxford shirt, layered with plaids (white sheets, of course). I'd use oatmeal linen throughout the room as the neutralizer amongst all of the color... drapes, throw pillows, etc. The walls will be a deep, grey-blue. I think the brass light fixtures and nail head trim on the grey wool chair are very Ralph Lauren. I like the addition of vintage artwork to the traditional decor.
CONCEPT 2 : Handsome
Would you like me to help you with your design projects? Email firstname.lastname@example.com for more information!


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LG Optimus G2 Photos and Specs Leaked (Update)
LG Optimus G2 Photos and Specs Leaked
Update on 10/7/2013: A tipster sent images of the alleged LG Optimus G2 to Engadget. Contrary to earlier rumors, the device will sport navigation buttons on the front. LG has replaced the capacitive buttons in favor of on-screen ones.
One photo clearly shows a physical button between the volume controls located just below the rear camera. The tipster also confirms that the device will sport a 5.2-inch display with very thin bezels.
Originally reported on 4/7/2013
As LG's launch event in New York is one month away, leaks on its upcoming flagship model begun to pick up pace.
Commonly referred as the Optimus G2, the device is said to come with a 5.2-inch Full-HD IPS display, a 13-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor and 3GB RAM.
What's even more interesting about the LG Optimus G2 is the relocation of the navigation and physical buttons to the back of the device. Word has it that the power button, the volume controls and the camera zoom keys are situated near the bottom rear of the device to give more screen real estate on the front.
Leaked images of the alleged device appear to coincide with the latest specs leak as there seems to be no buttons seen on the front or side of the device. We will know whether all these are true in a few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled to HardwareZone.
Sources: Android Guys via Android Community, RBMen, Engadget, 4Leaks


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For 2014 I took part in a 365 Gratitude Photo Challenge on Instagram. The basic premise is that you take and post a picture every day for a year of something for which you are grateful and tag it with #365grateful or #365gratitude. It has been a great reminder of the many blessings I have.
Amazingly enough, I haven't missed a single day this year (knock wood!). Even on days that I felt like crap with a migraine I've found something for which I am thankful. There's so much for me to appreciate in my life, even on the hard days.
It's been an eye-opening experience and looking back at the photos I've shared over the past year, it's been super cool to see how much we've done as a family. Ya know how some days you feel like you don't ever do anything? Or maybe that's just me. But anyway, seeing all of the pictures I've shared over the past year, specifically part of the 365 Gratitude Photo Challenge, has made me realize just how much we do.
Over the past year, we've taken several trips — a weekend getaway to Estes Park, a few days trip to Moab, a week-long trip to Crested Butte, an overnight camping trip with friends and a week-long trip to the Los Angeles-area, where we went dolphin-watching and spent a lot of time at the beach. We attended ComicCon in Denver dressed as characters from Adventure Time. We also saw Ellie Goulding in concert at Red Rocks and attended the Folks Festival in Lyons.
The kids have been involved in many activities including: farm school, parkour classes, art classes, ice skating, sledding, trips to the Denver Zoo and Denver Botanic Gardens, horseback riding, entering exhibits in the county fair, lots of time with friends, weekly park days, reading books, hiking, playing lots of board games and computer games (Minecraft FTW!), raising baby chicks, doing lemonade stands, and swimming – lots of swimming. The kids also learned to ride bikes this year which meant some family bike rides as well.
I ran a handful of races — including a 5K with my mom, two 10Ks and a 1/3 marathon — and accrued numerous miles in my running shoes. I also attended the first annual ShiftCon — an eco blogging conference and spent many hours in my garden.
Jody got a new Jeep and we did some off-roading as a family. We also all went paddle boarding for the first time at Jody's company picnic over the summer at Boulder Reservoir.
In other words, when I wasn't blogging much all year, I was doing other things and taking LOTS of pictures (and posting them on my new favorite way to document our lives – IG!). 🙂
It's been fun to look back at all of the pictures and I'm not only grateful for all of the memories made, but for the fact that I documented so many of them. I'm thinking of getting a photo book printed of many of this year's Instagram pics. Anyone have an app or site for that purpose they know and love?
While I can't say I'm going to commit to doing another 365 Photo Challenge, I do, however, plan to continue to take and post lots of pictures of our day-to-day activities and adventures in 2015. I'm looking forward to many adventures and things for which to be grateful in the year ahead! Follow me on Instagram. I'm @crunchygoddess.
Don't miss a single CDG post, subscribe to my blog.


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That switch could be the key to more targeted therapies for sickle cell patients whose misshaped adult hemoglobin hinders its ability to deliver oxygen throughout the body. Fetal hemoglobin, on the other hand, can't take on the dysfunctional sickle shape.
After deleting the modulator, ERV-9, from laboratory mice that express human hemoglobin, MCG researchers found that red blood cells started producing dramatically more fetal hemoglobin, which would be ideal for sickle cell patients, said Dr. Dorothy Y.H. Tuan, molecular biologist in the MCG Schools of Medicine and Graduate Studies. She is corresponding author on the study published in PNAS; Dr. Wenhu Pi, assistant research scientist at MCG, is first author.
Fetal hemoglobin retrieves oxygen from the mother's blood. Shortly after birth, babies start producing adult hemoglobin, which gets oxygen from their own, newly functioning lungs.
It's a dramatic switch – close to 100 percent – and when researchers try to increase the level of either hemoglobin type, the other type goes down. "It's always a yo-yo. They must be competing for something," Tuan said.
She believes the competition is for transcription factors NF-Y and GATA-2, proteins that bind to and activate fetal and adult globin genes.
Tuan's lab has mounting evidence that ERV-9, currently viewed as junk DNA in the body, performs a critical function in ensuring adult hemoglobin production gets the lion's share of the transcription factors after birth.
Adult beta-globin gene expression in the genetically engineered mice went down 50 to 80 percent and fetal gamma-globin gene expression went up after removing ERV-9. "That is the ideal situation for patients with sickle cell disease," Tuan said. "I think we have put our fingers on a key switching mechanism."
Without ERV-9, the adult hemoglobin gene is not as competitive for the transcription factors – NF-Y and GATA-2 – that it needs to be highly expressed. Still, it's a long-distance relationship: ERV-9 and the adult hemoglobin gene sit far apart on a stretch of DNA. One of Tuan's many follow-up studies is determining whether during development, ERV-9 favors the fetal hemoglobin gene, a much closer DNA neighbor.
"We want to study fetal red blood cells and see what ERV-9 is doing there," Tuan said. She also wants to better understand ERV-9's apparent ability to suppress globin genes by studying how, during development, its own DNA is chemically altered in a process called epigenetics.
DNA has four chemical bases – A, G, C and T – and ERV-9's DNA contains a lot of the C, or cytosine, which is easily chemically altered. The net effect of chemical alteration – part of normal development – is gene suppression.
If her hypothesis is correct and the fetal and adult genes are competing for NF-Y and GATA-2, what happens if there is a bigger supply of these transcription factors? "If you can increase NF-Y and GATA-2 so there is plenty around, maybe both the beta and gamma genes will be activated without one suppressing the other," Tuan said.
She has a $1.9 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to further explore whether this natural mechanism she has identified might benefit sickle cell patients. There's plenty of proof that increasing fetal hemoglobin percentages helps patients. A small percentage of people with sickle cell disease, who for some unknown reason continue to express higher levels of fetal hemoglobin – about 25 percent instead of the 1-2 percent expressed by most – are asymptomatic, Tuan said. Typical sickle cell patients, on the other hand, suffer frequent fatigue, pain and a myriad of other health problems resulting from their blood cells' impaired oxygen delivery.
Hydroxyurea, a drug used to treat sickle cell disease, increases the percentages of fetal hemoglobin in some patients but it's an indirect action that comes with a lot of side effects, she said. The new findings led her to speculate that if hydroxyurea activates the fetal gamma gene through increasing the supply of NF-Y and/or GATA-2 in red blood cells, then designing drugs to directly increase the amount of these transcription factors would yield the same benefit with fewer side effects.
She notes that the thousands of copies of ERV-9 found in human chromosomes likely help modulate the activity of other genes.