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Volume 34 Issue 7: (Aug/Sept 2011)
A Final Fantasy
Barbara Robertson
Issue: Volume 34 Issue 7: (Aug/Sept 2011)
A Final Fantasy
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,
the eighth and final film based on author JK Rowling's famous series of books, is, by all accounts, one of the best, perhaps the best, movie in the franchise. A momentous and thundering final film. It is also largely digital, with 1800 visual effects shots created by several hundred artists, most of whom work in London-based visual effects studios. These artists extended sets, placed footage of actors filmed on greenscreen into digital backgrounds, added CG characters, removed the evil Voldemort's nose once again, and, this time, destroyed a digital Hogwarts.
Senior visual effects supervisor Tim Burke, who had won an Oscar in 2000 for supervising the effects in
, has been creating such magic at Hogwarts, the school where Harry Potter and his friends studied magic for 10 years. He joined the Potter crew on the second film,
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
, which released in 2002, as a visual effects supervisor at The Mill. On the third and fourth films, he became the co-VFX supervisor for the postproduction efforts. He then took charge of the final four, working with director David Yates as the overall visual effects supervisor. Burke received an Oscar nomination for the third film,
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,
in 2004, and the seventh,
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
, in 2011.
During the past 10 years, dozens of visual effects studios have worked with Burke and the Potter directors, and as the series progressed, so, too, did the kinds of visual effects the filmmakers could achieve. Here, CGW contributing editor Barbara Robertson asked Burke about the ways in which this film differed from the previous.
When did you begin filming the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2?
We filmed Parts 1 and 2 together, starting in November 2009, and continued through the summer of 2010. But, we filmed out of chronological order. We did the battle sequences for Part 2 before we shot Part 1. To figure out how to coordinate all this, we did an intensive period of previs.
What do you mean by "intensive period of previs"?
We worked on previs for nine months. We didn't have a finished script for the film. It was always evolving. We didn't have a shooting script. We didn't have storyboards. We had the book, the unfinished script, a brief from David [Yates], our previs assets, and four or five animators. So, we worked with David and designed the whole thing in previs.
How detailed was the previs?
We previs'd all the action sequences–the Death Eaters, the giants, the attack from the bridge, all the action until the giants breached the school. Ferran Domenech from MPC (The Moving Picture Company) led that effort. We developed the way things moved, the knights, the giants. We animated everything. We built and rigged additional assets as needed. We really were at the forefront of the ideas. It was a great, creative, fun thing to do.
Why did you do such extensive previs?
We developed all this previs in animation to help everyone understand the action and all the pieces of the puzzle. It was a guide for the live-action shoot, not just to run sequentially and fill in gaps. The design process had to happen early to decide what effects we'd need. It helped us determine which areas of the school to build. And, it gave the whole story of the battle; it described the battle sequence from start to finish. We ended up with 30 minutes of previs, complete edited footage. We gave it to David Yates and his editor, and he used this to cut with; the previs stayed in there as he shot. So, it became the film, basically. And it turned out to be pretty close to what we previs'd.
Hogwarts didn't appear in Part 1, but the action centers on Hogwarts in Part 2. Did you do set extensions for the Hogwarts miniatures that were used for the previous films?
The action sequences we developed in the previs take place around the school and the hillside where Voldemort arrives and stages his initial attack. We didn't have scripts when we started in 2008, but we had read the book. We knew we needed to create a flexible asset. We have always used our miniature model for Hogwarts, but we knew we would need to redesign it to encompass specific areas of action for the battle. We needed to add a huge viaduct on the front of the school, the main entrance where Voldemort would attack and where they would defend the school, the open courtyard, battlements, and the wooden bridge, which is a main attack route from one side of the school. None of that existed. So, we did away with miniatures.
Voldemort and his armies destroy a digital Hogwarts within a digital environment created by
artists at Double Negative and The Moving Picture Company. He lost his nose, though, at Cinesite.
Who built the digital Hogwarts? Did they build a CG version of the entire school inside and out?
Double Negative started the building and destruction process for Hogwarts in 2008 with Stuart Craig [production designer] while we were still filming
Half-Blood Prince
; it took 18 months. Because we had designed the sequence in previs, we realized we didn't need to build the back half of the school, so we focused on a 180-degree area. Stuart Craig designed an iconic image of what the partially destroyed Hogwarts would look like. We filmed on partial sets and greenscreen—we had a partial set for the courtyard, a separate set for part of the viaduct and part of the bridge, and an interior set for part of the battlement.
We take the camera from the far hillside in one move, through a window to find the Death Eaters fighting. Voldemort's army arrives on Voldemort's rock on one side, and on the other side, the snatchers (the humans who turned to the dark side) attack on the other bridge. One of the biggest jobs was linking all these action sequences and the environment together. David wanted signature camera moves.
What do you mean by "linking"?
When I say 'linking,' I mean visually putting the world together so the audience understands the layout even though these things were fairly small sets with greenscreen. Because of the shot design, we see areas in many shots that obviously didn't exist. Sometimes we had a real set in the courtyard and everything else was CG. We had elements of the viaduct and everything else was CG. Even if the set is prominent, everything behind it is CG. We built the rock Voldemort arrives on; it was less than 50 feet across. Then we put that rock in the middle of a [CG] environment, put thousands of Death Eaters around him, and had huge, swooping camera moves. We created the geography of the world and dropped it around the sets using a correct combination of different pieces. It was a big jigsaw puzzle.
Had you done environments this extensive for the previous films?
The biggest environment in a prior film was the opening sequence for
Half-Blood Prince
, which was a rebuild of London from Trafalgar Square to Charing Cross, also by DNeg. But, this was more ambitious. It covered a far greater area, and the resolution was far greater.
Our environments have gotten better and better with every film. We surveyed environments in Scotland, and we have the topography, so we no longer sent film crews to shoot plates. We created a Scotland-like world that has a loch, mountains, the school, and several miles of environments that we built and worked over. We see it in the daytime, sunlight, predawn, and at night—all these lighting conditions. It was lit and relit, and it looks photographically realistic. When you watch this film, you believe it's there. The environments are not off in the distance. We placed the action in the middle of them.
In terms of pushing the technology, this is one of the biggest things. We couldn't have done it a few years ago because of the sheer amount of data. I think the technical assets and software developed to handle all this are phenomenal and don't get much appreciation. People take environments for granted; they don't think, 'Hold on. None of this is real.' But, they gave us flexibility.
More flexibility than when you worked with the miniatures on set?
Before, when the school was a miniature,we'd shoot the background plates, and then months down the line, we wouldn't be able to change anything. On this film, we redesigned the whole end sequence with Voldemort four weeks before we delivered the film. David [Yates] was putting new ideas in, and because we had this huge digital asset, we could do them. This would have scared the facilities a few years ago. But they did such a great job creating the assets that we could keep changing the shots. We had great flexibility at the back end. I think it is one of our biggest achievements.
How did you allocate the work?
We always knew that no one facility could take all the work of the battle, so we had to split the action cleverly. We gave everything on one side of the school—the end of the courtyard and the beginning of the viaduct and the hillside—to MPC because they could use their crowd software, Alice, for the Death Eaters and the crowds. Then, because the giants and knights featured heavily in the battle, we gave that work to their animation team.
MPC handled the main action, the knights, the giants, Voldemort's army for the attack, and the fighting. They also did the fire simulation—they created animals out of fire. For the giants, we decided to use actors and scale them and have CG facial prosthetics for the final close-ups. Everything on the other side—the bridge, the destruction of the school, and the aerial work—went to Double Negative; DNeg did the environment work for the school and bridge destruction.
So, one became the miniature for the other. MPC would do the animation and work out the action, and then provide cameras to DNeg to create the background, light it, and composite it. Or, if DNeg did the action in the foreground, MPC would do the background. These two vendors had the heaviest work.
It sounds complicated
It gets further complicated because we delivered a lot of these shots as full-stereo shots.
So, we developed a pipeline along the way to share stereo rigs and cameras between facilities.
The hero performance would set the stereo for the camera and pass it to the background facility,
which would render left and right versions. Everyone worked on mono versions, so we had three things running at the same time for over 200 of the shots. It was a massive logistical job as well as a great technical exercise.
Animators at Double Negative freed an albino dragon, created at the studio, from its imprisonment and taught the tortured animal how to fly.
Did the addition of stereo 3D to this film affect the design?
It did, actually. David's take was that [stereo 3D] should be immersive and not take you out of the picture. He shot it in 2D, and it has a lot of drama and action. He was keen that [stereo 3D] didn't distract from the drama, so we kept it subtle and all about the actors. The volume is in the actors, not in the space, and I think that works very well. We tried to exploit the depth without making people feel uncomfortable; we'd get creative with the stereo and then back off for the dramatic scenes.
In the big linking shots where we establish parts of the school, the audience feels like they're flying around watching the action below. These flying shots are incredibly spatial. And, we have a roller-coaster cart ride in the vault; we exploited that. Also, we deliberately had the dragon break the screen plane, and had some real fun with that.
Who worked on the dragon?
DNeg. They did a great job with the dragon in the Gringotts' cave. We developed a whole back-story of the life of the dragon. He's a semialbino dragon that has been abused and kept locked up in the bank. The [Gringott] goblins torture him so they can access the vaults. We referenced badly treated dogs. The poor animals. Their faces and bodies displayed the level of emotion we wanted. And then we designed a badly maltreated creature whose posture and body poses convey that he's been tortured. He's never seen the light of day. We see him early on in the film. When he's set free from his shackles, he sniffs the air, follows the scent of fresh air, and scales the walls with the kids on his back. He gets revenge on the goblins, and then he discovers how to fly. We have an animated sequence that shows what a dragon looks like when it can't fly properly. The sequence is all-CG; there are no miniatures. He's our biggest animated character, and he's completely unique. But, of course, we had lots of other things–Dementors, Death Eaters, all the usual CG doubles. . . .
Which studios worked on the other characters in the film?
Rising Sun, which had done the Dementors in Part 1, did all the Dementors in the action sequence around the school. Baseblack did the ghost, the gray lady, and they also handled Scottish environments for the sequences we shot on the back lot.
Cinesite came on board to remove Voldemort's nose and do a revamp on the marble staircase. Stuart Craig wanted a more intricate series of zigzagging staircases that were wider to allow for the big fight sequences. Their work involved massive set extensions in both directions for one of our big interior sets at Pinewood. Cinesite did all the work on that, plus the physical dynamic destruction, wand effects, and crowd replication to populate it.
Framestore did the Basilisk [the giant snake] and the Chamber of Secrets, which was a set in the second film. They modeled, textured, and created the environment by referencing film clips from that film. They created a nice water simulation—a wave of water which attacks the kids that we shot on greenscreen.
Framestore also did the Kings Cross Sequence, which we call the white mist. This is the heaven sequence where Harry meets Dumbledore. It's a white, ethereal version of King's Cross station. And then they did another version of King's Cross for the very end of the movie. The
original shoot took place in the real King's Cross, but they did a re-shoot in Levesdon.
How many studios worked on the film?
We had 11 vendors, including several small vendors that helped us out with shots, and Vine, our own little in-house facility where two or three people working on 2D systems ended up doing a couple hundred shots on both the final films. Lola, which is famous for youthenizing actors, helped make Alan Rickman 30 years younger for flashback sequences, and they also had a call late in the day to do aging work on the 19-year-old actors at the end of the film. They treated all those shots digitally to make the kids older.
And then Tippett Studios came in late to help us finish off a big technical animation exercise involving a fun sequence where the kids break into a vault and try to find the horcrux. There's a spell that causes the treasure to multiply, so they created a dynamic simulation of the multiplying treasure. As the treasure multiplies, it fills up the room and elevates Harry on a growing mound to the point where he can reach the cup. At the same time, everyone else is drowning in treasure. It's a great little sequence.
Gradient Effects in Berlin and Marina del Rey [California] did fluid work on sequences for some flashback memories. They're very good, very technical. Union VFX in Soho, which recently did the work on Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, did 50-odd shots at the end. And then, of course, we had extra vendors to do the stereo conversions. We were flat out for the last two months, but it all got done.
What will you do next?
I think it will be a big effects film based in the UK but using global facilities. One thing we really got working on Part 2 was treating the whole of Soho as one big facility. We shared work among four and five vendors, painlessly moving between. It's like having a huge resource at your disposal. They all worked together creatively rather than competitively. [The next project] is a bit of a secret, but if it happens, it will be exciting
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text:
Hi there,
Good news!
After a few good days in bugfixing, adding the missing little pieces needed to make the 0.6.0 release something polished enough for a pleasant flight, it is now DONE!!
The release is out and you can go grab it in the Downloads section!
Thanks a lot to the whole team that took the time to test and report feedback. :)
The following main parts were fixed if your interested:
- Fixed second boss skills
- Fixed the battle stats initialization that weren't proper for certain cases.
- Finally added the Crystal voicecasts.
Here is also the full changelog between the rc1 and the final release.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
0.6.0 Release!
3 comments:
Hi Yohann and all Valyria Tear players,ReplyDelete
The 0.6.0 release is now included in the Core Release repository of Mageia (only in the development version, which will be release as stable in February 2014).
Cheers! :)Replies
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ring of Honor Take No Prisoners PPV Report
ROH Take No Prisoners opens in Philadelphia with several competitors in the ring. Announcers Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard welcome everyone to the PPV and promise that we'll find out why the ROH athletes "Take No Prisoners." A spotlight completely washed out their faces. That's the type of thing ROH simply can't afford to happen as they try to win over new fans who are accustomed to the production quality of TNA, WCW, WWE, etc.
They announced the competitors in the ring would be competing for a ROH title shot later that night. As each competitor was announced, they cut a quick promo into the camera that was in the ring. This worked far better at getting over the wrestlers' motivation than previous PPV graphic efforts. It sort of reminded me of the old UK King of Sport British wrestling episodes.
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Tyler Black vs. Go Shiozaki vs. Delirious
As they started the bout, ROH champ Nigel McGuinness joined Prazak and Leonard on commentary, saying he doesn't need anyone any more because since he's won the ROH title, everyone has turned on him and the fans boo him. He said that even the fans that cheer him, he doesn't need, because they may care about him Saturday night but they aren't there when he's in the ER on Sunday and won't be there when he's 40.
Castagnoli and Delirious start off and go into a test of strength. They do some back and forth armdrags. Castagnoli nailed a European uppercut. Shiozaki and Black exchanged forearm strikes before Shiozaki took down Black with a chop. Black returned with a dropkick and leg lariat for a two count. Black charged Shiozaki but was caught in the corner and tied to the tree of woe. He continued to assault him with chops in the corner. Shiozaki rebounded off the ropes with a big knee strike, but Black kicked up at two.
Shiozaki cinched in an abdominal stretch in the center of the ring. Delirious and Claudio attempted to double team Shiozaki but was taken down with a shoulder tackle. Black fakes out a dropkick, then nails a spinkick to Shiozaki. Claudio tags in and he and Shiozaki exchange strikes and chops. Claudio hit a springboard into a forearm strike for a two count. Claudio went for the Ricola Bomb but was blocked. He grabs Shiozaki with a double leg takdown and hits the big swing.
He bashes the dazed Shiozaki with a running uppercut, but Black breaks up the two count. Shiozaki and Claudio both miss chops, but Shiozaki nails a chop to the neck and a superkick for a two count. Delirious tags in and hits a leaping lariat off the top onto Claudio. He rolls up Claudio and turns it into a cobra stretch. Claudio escapes and nails an uppercut. Delirious works over Claudio but Black blind tags in. Delirious avoids a springboard move and sends him into the turnbuckles. Shiozaki lariated Delirious. Claudio nailed a bicycle kick. Black struck him with a leaping kick.
Delirious went to the top but Black recovered before he could hit the move and hit a running boot to the face. Black nailed a Phoenix splash and scored the pin.
Your winner, Tyler Black!
Black will challenge ROH champion Nigel McGuinness.
In the booth, Nigel McGuinness says he wasn't expecting Black to win, but he'll take him out nonetheless.
A fun, athletic opener with lots of really good exchanges and moves. The addition of the pre-match promos and Nigel in the announcer's booth did a hell of a lot more to get over the character's motivation than some of the previous PPV efforts.
A music video of ROH footage set to Ministry aired. I popped huge for the musical selection.
In a breaking news segment, it was announced that due to his attack on ROH officials on the last PPV, Takeshi Morishima is suspended from appearing on PPV as a way to send competitors a message that they aren't allowed to touch the officials. Pretty good cover story to explain Morisihima's absence since he can't do jobs and won't be as available to the company since he's the GHC champ now. They also reviewed the last ROH title changes for the Tag Team belts, explaining that the Age of the Fall had captured the belts, only to lose them to Davey Richards & Rocky Romero. They explained that the Vulture Squad have emerged as the new top contenders.
Backstage, The Age of the Fall cut a promo from an undisclosed location. Jimmy Jacobs, flanked by former WWE star Zach Gowen and Allyson Wonderland says that tonight is the biggest night of Tyler Black's life but the Age of the Fall is a movement and is more than just about wrestling. He starts texting on his sidekick and the camera switches to Tyler Black, somewhere in a pantry it appears, who is psyching himself up for his title shot as Lacey texts Jacobs back. Necro Butcher and Joey Mercury congratulate Black.
Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen
The graphics explaining motivation are back and they are upgraded, another good move. Steen and Strong slap and chop early. Steen mocks Strong by chanting his name the way the fans do. They exchange shoulderblocks but neither man goes down early. Strong snaps off a leg lariat to win that back and forth, then begins chopping Steen in the corner.
Strong begins kicking and forearming Steen in the corner. Steen slams Strong and nails an elbow to the back of the head. Steen hits a somersault legdrop. They noted El Generico was on tour in Europe. Strong and Steen exchanged stiff shots and forearms. Steen gets kneed in the mid-section. Strong charges in the corner but is kicked in the chest. Strong nails a big boot to Steen's head as he rebounds off the ropes.
Strong locks on a Dragon Sleeper-style submission hold. Steen gets out by grabbing Strong's face. He charges Strong in the corner but is caught with a boot in the face and a missile dropkick. Strong locks on a camel clutch. Strong nails a lariat in the corner, but meets an elbow when he charges again. Steen hurls himself into Strong in the corner with a big running splash, getting a two count.
Steen catches Roderick's legs as he attempts a kick and attempts a sharpshooter but Strong grabs the ropes. Steen nails a DDT for a two count. They battle back and forth until Strong nails a superplex for a two count. Strong was selling his leg after the move. He went for a Fireman's Carry but Steen escaped and nailed a powerbomb. Steen locked on a Sharpshooter in the center of the ring.
Strong reaches the ropes and forces a break. Steen works over Strong with chops and punches, then drills his knees into Strong. Steen goes for a swanton but misses. Strong covers him for a two count. Steen superkicks Strong, who shakes it off and nails a running boot to the face, but Steen kicks up. Steen hits the package piledriver and scores the win.
Your winner, Kevin Steen!
Solid back and forth. They beat the crap out of each other. Strong really reminds me of Ronnie Garvin.
In the unknown location, Jimmy Jacobs was holding court saying he was going to effect change in society. Gowen and Wonderland were testifying to the cause. Jacobs said they weren't waiting for a white knight, they were taking the fight up for the cause. Jacobs got a text and said that the ROH cameras had better go back to Philadelphia, because Necro and Joey just took the fight to the Briscoes.
STREET FIGHT: The Briscoes vs. Joey Matthews & Necro Butcher
We see The Briscoes brawl through doors into the lobby of the Philadelphia National Guard Armory with Necro Butcher and Joey Matthews. They brawl into the Arena, knocking over a concession table. Necro nailed Mark with a shovel, busting him open. in the back of the head Lacey and Daizee Haze brawled in the crowd as well.
Necro throws Mark into the scaffolding set up for the ROH hard camera, then whips him into a row of chairs. Jay and Joey brawled with chairs. Mark hit a springboard off the guard rail into a dive on Necro in the crowd. The blood was running down the side and back of his head and neck, so it must have been a hardway shot that cut him.
Joey slams Jay's head into the guard rail. Necro tosses Mark into the ringside area. Daizee nails Lacey with a chair. Necro slams a chair into Mark's mid-section. They tied Jay up in the apron. Necro and Mark peppered each other with punches in the ring. Joey attacked Mark. Jay returned to the fight and all four battled in the ring. The crowd chanted, "Man Up."
The Briscoes hit stereo superplexes. The brawl went back to the floor as Daizee and Lacey rolled into the ring and continued their battle. Necro nailed a backbreaker onto the guard rail on Mark. Lacey went for an Implant DDT but Daizee reversed it and nailed a heart punch. She went for a Yakuza Kick, but Lacey ducked and hit a German suplex.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, The Bricoes and the AOTF continued the brawl. Jay and Necro returned to the ring. Necro began nailing right hands and punches on Jay. Matthews wielded a chair as Necro peppered him with punches. Matthews set the chair on the apron and Necro bulldogged Jay onto it. Mark Briscoe pulled himself up onto the apron but was knocked off by Matthews. They showed some nasty close-ups of the gash on the side of his head. I think ROH is the only company left in the States that still shows those bright bloody close-ups that hark back to the day of the old Wrestling Magazines with the bug-eyed wrestlers.
Necro set up two chairs in the center of the ring and slammed Jay through them. Matthews choked Jay with his own T-shirt. Jay began fighting back and exchanged forearms by Joey. Mark was knocked off the apron again by Necro. Jay finally took Joey then, down murdered Necro with a stiff chairshot to the head. Jay tossed Mark the chair as he came off the top rope, and Mark slammed it onto Necro as well.
The Briscoes double-teamed Matthews with chops in the corner. Matthews had this great facial as the exhausted wrestler still putting up his dukes to fight. It reminded me of Dick Murdoch. Mark nails a fistdrop off the apron to the floor on Necro. Jay continued to beat and stomp Matthews in the corner. Necro was draped on the corner of a table as Matthews was backdropped over the ropes and landed on Necro, who was face-down. That was different and dangerous.
The Briscoes set up Matthews for the Doomsday Device and nailed it. Necro returned to the ring but Jay superkicked him. They went for the Doomsday Device on Necro but Necro punched Mark in the face in mid-air, then hit a victory roll for a two count.
They battle spilled back into the crowd. Jay clotheslined Necro over the railing back into the crowd. Mark tossed Necro into the ringside chairs and they brawled towards the back of the building. Mark nailed Necro with a chair to the head. Inside the ring, Matthews set a table up in the corner of the ring. He looked to be going for an exploder but Jay fought him off. Matthews came back with a clothesline. Briscoe nailed a death valley driver through the table.
Back outside, Mark scaled to the top of the ROH entrance set and dove off, putting Necro through a table. Inside, Jay hit the Jay Driller on Matthews and scored the pin.
Your winners, The Briscoes!
A really fun, gritty, bloody brawl. This was better than 90% of the Extreme Rules matches WWE has produced since castrating ECW with blood, stiff brawling, that old Fight Club feel of guys battling as the crowd swarms around them and a sick dive. The only downside to all this is watching Mark Briscoe killing himself. If he keeps it up at the pace he's going, I can't imagine how he's going to have a career filled with longevity. Still, an awesome brawl. Loved this.
Outside of the Arena, Tyler Black was alone preparing for his ROH title shot.
They plugged the www.rohwrestling.com website with clps of all the stars who have appeared in the past for the company.
Backstage, they showed a close-up od Mark's gash. Jay Briscoe said that was what "Take No Prisoners is all about."
Back inside the ring, Larry Sweeney, flanked by Bobby Dempsey, welcomed everyone to the Larry Sweeney Show. How come the show doesn't get it's own logo and graphics? Sweeney said he was declaring a hostile takeover of ROH, but wasn't targeting management. He said he was focusing on the wrestlers and wanted to sign the cream of the crop. He wanted the names that would win all the titles, so he can "sell them up the river to Vince."
Sweeney said he was signing talent from everywhere and called out his guests. Out came The Hangmen 3 and Shane Hagadorn. Adam Pearce and Hagardorn were all excited while the others didn't seem so sure. Sweeney thanked Pearce for being there and told him to feel free to make the announcement. He had Dempsey hand a bag (presumably of money) to Hagadorn.
Pearce told BJ Whitmer and Brent Albright that they were selling out to become members of the Sweet N' Sour family. They didn't seem impressed. Pearce tried to appease them as Sweeney gloated.
Erick Stevens came out and Sweeney told him that given time, he could buy Stevens' contract as well, but not now. Stevens told him to shut up because he wasn't there to sell out. He said that he challenged Daniel Puder to a match (last PPV) but because of Sweeney, Puder was nowhere to be found. Sweeney said Puder wouldn't be back until ROH agrees to Sweeney's terms. Stevens said he was there for a match and wanted one. Sweeney said he would give him a match and Albright attacked him.
Erick Stevens vs. Brent Albright
Stevens recovered from the attack and they brawled back and forth. Albright dove off the top but was caught on Stevens' shoulders and slammed to the canvas. They put over the mystery of what's in Adam Pearce's briefcase - I still think it's the NWA title belt.
Albright went for a back suplex, but Stevens reversed. Albright finally got the better of him and nailed a back suplex. Albright mauled Stevens in the corner with rights. Stevens tried to kick his way out, but was dragged from the corner and nailed with an elbow. Albright went for a facelock into a suplex, but they went back and forth with reversals until Albright struck with a wheelbarrow suplex for a near fall.
Albright nailed a snap suplex on Stevens. Albright charged with a diving move but Stevens ducked and Albright snapped into the ropes. Stevens dragged himself to his feet as the crowd chanted for him. He started cleaning house on Albright, backdropping him. He came off the turnbuckles with a flying shoulder tackle. He nailed a release German suplex.
Stevens set up for the Choo Choo and charged into the corner on Albright. Albright thumbed him in the eye but Stevens recovered and avoided a big kick. Sweeney got on the apron and Stevens went after him. The announcers noted that getting distracted cost Stevens a match at the last PPV. Stevens had Albright pinned but Stevens put his foot on the ropes. Stevens grabbed Sweeney but Albright caught him with an exploder suplex from behind and scored the pin.
Your winner, Brent Albright!
The announcers said that the hostile takeover of the company had begun.
Another good match. There is never, never anything on the PPVs that you just absolutely hate, but being able to tape and edit out anything that doesn't work certainly helps that aspect.
Coverage will continue on Page 2 at the end of the next bout.
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William L. Fox, president of St. Lawrence University, stumbled upon using poetry in speeches--and now makes a point of it. In this essay, "Speaking Through Verse," he describes the impromptu decision to recite a poem during his remarks to a group of the university's alumni, gathered on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, a dramatic setting. He said:
....I abandoned for a few moments my talking points. The Langston Hughes poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," which I knew by heart, came to mind, so I recited it, thinking it would connect me with my fellow Laurentians, and connect us all to the location. An excerpt:
I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I was pleased at the positive reception my impromptu recitation received on that summer night, so I decided to carry with me poems appropriate for other, similar occasions, poems that would help alumni and others connect with the University in a new way....It's a way for people to hear something they don't hear during their work day, something different from the press of business or the political swirl of the moment.Another way to consider using poetry in a speech is to watch a real poet do it. Spoken-word poet Sarah Kay performs two poems--at the very start and the very end--in her TED talk "If I should have a daughter," shown below. Listen for cadence, words that move her forward, and the words that lend themselves to expressive gesture. These poems draw you in immediately, and leave you wanting more. Both of them got standing ovations:
You might not be a poet yourself, nor a student of poetry. So what should you keep in mind about using poetry in a speech?
- Have a plan: Fox puts poetry to work aforethought, using it to make connections and evoke emotions in alumni returning to campus. His poetry choices are based on the place, the event, the memory or experience he wants to evoke. In this approach, the poem is both shorthand--a way of quickly summing up a big thought--and seductive, drawing the listener in and making her pause and think.
- Don't let us check out: You can do it as Fox does--with poems that aren't universally well-known, which means you need to listen to what's coming next--or as Kay does, with original work of her own. Either way, make sure you don't reach for the best-known poem on your topic. Your audience will thank you. (And in Fox's case, his audience members suggest other poems to him, a great sign of their engagement and attention.)
- Make it sing: Kay's expressive gestures and vocalizing make her poems three-dimensional, gripping to watch as well as to hear. Poems stir emotion, divulge secrets, share different viewpoints, draw back a curtain. So help them do that with your voice, gestures, and tone.
- Memorize--or use notes: As Fox notes in his essay, reciting poems from memory is a by-gone skill once drilled into young people. So if your memory for a poem isn't as sharp or practiced, by all means, carry the text with you. (That's a great use for a Kindle, by the way, when you're speaking--your Kindle can hold thousands of poems and entire collections, ready for sampling.)
Do you use poetry in your speeches? Tell us how in the comments, and share some favorite poems that work for you when speaking.
Use the Evernote clip button, above, to save this post in an Evernote notebook. Go here to subscribe to Step Up Your Speaking, my free email newsletter that looks at a different speaking topic in depth each month...then become a fan of The Eloquent Woman on Facebook and join the conversation with thousands of other women (and men) about public speaking skills and confidence.


text:
Labrador retriever
In 1863 when Queen Victoria ceremonially named the British Columbian lumberjack Gladys Mimspottie to the high rank of Royal Beaver, outrage gripped the province of Labrador. Over the following days outrage turned to open rebellion. Determined to quit the British Empire, the Labradorians created a fracture in the continent west of Churchill Falls and broke their scrubby rockstrewn province away from the rest of Canada. They then began to paddle Labrador east, intending to unite with Iceland.
The British Empire was not amused.
The device chosen by the British to pull Labrador back to Canada was called -- as you have probably guessed -- the Labrador Retriever.
Historical Perspective[edit]
In years gone by, the rulers of the British Isles often honored royal favorites by elevating them to the rank of furbearers. For example, in 1455 Henry VI elevated Thaddeus Whingely to the position of Badger of All Britain. And in 1550 Edward VI named Dame Spinnie Wampuddle the Royal Stoat of Surrey.
So Queen Victoria was perfectly within her rights to elevate a musclebound Canuck tree cutter like Gladys to the rank of Royal Beaver.
Labradorians, however, had always detested the people of British Columbia in general, calling them "Sawdusters" and "Tree-boobies". They scorned lumberjacks as being intellectually, physically, and morally inferior to cod fishermen. They also felt any slight by the Royal Personage most keenly. In 1860 the entire population of Goose Bay rioted when the Labradorian fisherman Pyles Ploppiér failed in his bid to be appointed Moleskin of Leamington, and both rioters agreed they'd do it again if the Queen failed to honor Labrador with some sort of royal appointment.
Thus the stage was set for the Labrador rebellion of 1863.
Geological Perspective[edit]
In his textbook Geological Principles A.G. Werner wrote, "Canada is composed mostly of rocks. Cold filthy rocks, frozen mud and moose excrement. Nothing geological happens in Canada." So the sudden separation of a whole Province like Labrador was a scientific non-sequitur to say the least.
How was that separation accomplished?
The answer lies in the Imperial ambitions of the notorious rogue nation Iceland. This quarrelsome island lies at the northern end of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is one of the greatest centers of seafloor spreading on Earth. Icelanders know more about volcanic rifts than anyone else on the planet. Upon hearing hints of rebellion in Labrador, the Imperial Intelligence Corps of Iceland passed certain secret volcanic techniques to the angry Labradorians. Then the disaffected Provincials used these techniques to initiate rift-type spreading along ancient fractures west of their border with Quebec.
And so the deed was done: Labrador -- and a large chunk of northeastern Quebec -- broke away from Canada as magma welled up like Laffy Taffy in the new rift.
The Rage of a Monarch[edit]
News of the rebellion was shouted to Queen Victoria through the keyhole of a palace lavatory as she sat in state upon her porcelain throne. Attendants listening outside the door later said that the royal thunder mug truly blew a bass note as the Queen vented her rage, along with three pounds of poorly-digested turnips.
Moments later, Victoria Regina strode from the royal water closet and hurled her still-smoking knickers to a cringing lackey. "They dare to defy us?" she snarled. "Fetch hither Sir Walter Raleigh, and Lord Nelson as well. Labrador shall soon learn the price of rebellion!"
"Your Highness," whimpered her chamberlain, "both men are dead after these many years, may it please the Queen. How about, uh, Admiral Saint-Saucy dePooves? Could he help?"
"No, he'd be useless. Useless!" The monarch's eyes narrowed to icy slits as she lowered her imperious rump onto her regular, non-porcelain throne. "Send instead for Colonel Wolfstrangler of the Third Regiment, Royal Engineers. We will see what the Engineers can do for our Empire."
Colonel Wolfstrangler, PhD, G++, MFB[edit]
Konrad Mordo Wolfstrangler graduated from the Pemberton Academy of Improbable Devices in 1839 with a Genius Plus-Plus diploma. He won this special award by building a steam carriage in which you can go home again, thus disproving Wolfe's First Law of Thermonostalgia. Immediately upon matriculation he began a career with the Royal Engineers.
By the 1850s, he was the greatest military inventor in the British Empire. During the siege of Wollamagorra in Australia, Wolfstrangler created the Non-Returning Boomerang, which gave the British infantry a crucial edge over the aborigines. He provided the Scots Guard with one of his cleverest inventions, the Silent Bagpipes, which allowed them -- for the first time in their history -- to sneak up on their adversaries.
But Colonel Wolfstrangler was also utterly, utterly ruthless. He would kill earthworms with his bare hands. He sometimes went into his garden and uprooted a dandelion, leaving it to die a horrible death by withering. Twice in his career he scolded puppies so severely they whimpered. His soul was cold as a frozen lime daiquiri chock-full of shaved ice.
And he hated Labrador.
A Sordid Side-story[edit]
You see, once Konrad had a sister named Ephemára. She was a sweet, delicate English flower with a sickly constitution, always coughing up lumps of green phlegm the size of Croquet balls or unexpectedly hemorrhaging pint upon pint of stringy black ichor from her ears. But Konrad loved her dearly...and the only thing that kept Ephemára amongst the living was her daily ration of cod-liver oil.
She used a lot of oil. In modern terms, the girl got about five miles to the gallon.
Then, one rainy spring when Konrad was 13, London's supply of this essential dietary supplement dwindled and vanished. There was simply no cod-liver oil to be had, for the cod fishermen had gone on strike.
The Labrador cod fishermen.
Ephemára Wolfstrangler skipped off the mortal coil with all the alacrity of a butterfly quitting a rotten rose. She died toot sweet, as they say in Canada, and was buried in a foggy, lilac-smothered churchyard in Dorking Cross. Young Konrad wept into the fresh dirt of her grave.
And so, forty years later, the ruthless Colonel Wolfstrangler still hated Labrador.
The Plan Takes Shape[edit]
On August 14, 1863, Colonel Wolfstrangler was summoned from the Engineers' headquarters in metropolitan Stotfold to the royal quarters at 1149 Pudsey Place. He caught the first train down, took a Hansom cab across London, and found the Minister for Damp Crumpet awaiting his arrival at the door. The fussy little man looked serious as an barn owl with hemorrhoids. "The Queen," he said, "is not a happy camper."
The Colonel snapped his monocle into place and gave the Minister a look. "Smash them," he snapped.
"Er, what?"
"Smash them. Burn their daisies. Defenestrate their guinea pigs."
"Are you mad?" the Minister said. He led Colonel Wolfstrangler down the hallway.
"Yes," the Colonel replied quietly but with great conviction. "As Ceylon will soon learn...to its sorrow."
"You mean Labrador."
"Yes, yes, correct. Labrador. Sorry, I have a headache in my pancreas. You wouldn't happen to have a few grains of opium or a medium-calibre howitzer in your pockets, would you?"
But the Minister for Damp Crumpet was already opening the massive steel doors leading to the Royal Empire Control Room. "The Queen is waiting," he said. "But don't mention Princess Beatrice...the little lady left a yucky doody in the Royal Personage's brassiere, and the Queen banished her to Liverpool for the weekend."
Plan One: Bananas and Pie[edit]
Inside the REC Room, the Queen sat at the head of a polished mahogany conference table, glowering and nursing her rapidly swelling right hand. Colonel Wolfstrangler entered and made his obeisance. Prime Minister Gladstone was already there, as was Sir Herbert Dripsheet, Minister of Foreign Balderdash, who sat with his head tilted back with a handkerchief pressed to his bloodied nose.
"Be seated, Colonel," said Her Majesty. "Herbie here was just saying that we ought to ignore the rebellion and get on with the thankless task of civilising Wales. Weren't you, Herbie?"
"Urrgh," whimpered Sir Dripsheet, holding his nose. Tears of pain trickling down his cheeks.
"Never ignore insurrections," said Colonel Wolfstrangler intensely. "Crush them, Your Majesty. They must pay. You must crush New Guinea."
The Queen glared at him suspiciously. "You mean Labrador," she said.
"Yes, yes, Labrador, correct. Damn."
"And how might we best accomplish that goal, Colonel?" she asked.
"Catapult bananas," the Colonel snapped. "When the rebels pause to peel the bananas, move in with a brigade of light horse. Cut holes in their pockets. As they are looking down hit them with a cream pie."
"Are you mad?"
"Yes", said the Colonel with quiet conviction. "And Venezuela must be made to pay."
"Oh Jesus Christ, yes, Labrador. I knew that."
"He is mad," said the Queen to Gladstone.
"I believe he is mad as a Welsh hare," said Gladstone.
"Just the man for the job," said the Queen. Then, apropos of nothing at all, she leaned down the table and punched Sir Herbert Dripsheet in the left eye.
Plan Two: The Labrador Retriever[edit]
That evening the party reconvened upstairs in the glass penthouse. London lay like a plate of smoked salmon below them -- a very large plate of salmon with streetlights in it. Queen Victoria lit up a cheroot and said, "We do not wish to harm the people of Labrador. We wish to reunite them with our Empire...peacefully, if possible; by force if not. But without casualties."
"War is hell," replied Colonel Wolfstrangler, trying and failing to light his own cheroot. "Crush the cod-fishermen. Three or four deaths is a small price to pay."
"There are twelve people inhabiting Labrador," said Gladstone. "Nearly a dozen."
"That is a dozen, you fool," said the Queen. "The point is, Colonel, we want Labrador back, and at least nominally undestroyed."
"Your Majepty, I beg you, butt aside these betty quaffles," interrupted Sir Dripsheet, who had shoved wine corks in his nostrils to stanch the bleeding. His left eye was blackening nicely. "Concendrate on bringing cibilisation to your subjedts. Hab piddy on the boor illiderate sabbages in Wales, and let the Labadorians go to Iceland...or to Hell, if they want."
Without even looking, the Queen sucker-punched Sir Dripsheet hard in the brisket. He toppled over and sank out of sight behind the horsehair sofa.
"Hmmm," mused the Colonel, trying again to light his cheroot. "Retrieval, not crushage. A method to retrieve Macedonia."
"Labrador!" said Gladstone.
"Oh bloody hell yes, Labrador. Sorry, sorry, I was musing."
"I say, old fellow," said Gladstone. "Did you know that's a stick of licorice you're trying to light?"
"There's nothing I like better than a good muse amongst good company," the Colonel mused, drawing hard on his smoldering licorice.
"There's nothing I like better than a prompt answer," said the Queen dangerously, rubbing her knuckles, "unless it's giving a Colonel of the Engineers a black eye."
The Colonel snapped his fingers. "What we want," he cried, "is a retriever! A special-purpose retriever. An Irish Retriever!"
"Labrador," muttered Sir Herbert Dripsheet, rising like a shaky specter from behind the sofa. "A Labrador Retreeber."
"Shut your gob, you tit," said Queen Victoria, and with one blow to the temple knocked him out cold.
"I shall begin work straightaway," said Colonel Wolfstrangler. "By your leave!"
And he strode from the room.
Design and Construction[edit]
All the rest of the night Colonel Wolfstrangler worked in the secret laboratories down in the basements of 1149 Pudsey Place. At first he drew out plans for an immense grappling hook, imagining that it could be dropped onto Labrador from a pigeon-drawn flying machine. This he abandoned when he remembered that pigeons detest grappling. Next he decided to beach magnetized whales on Labrador's western shoreline and use gigantic magnets mounted on the mainland to draw the breakaway Province back to Canada. But after a few experiments he found that whales cannot be magnetized reliably.
Time fled. The hours became wee, and morning approached. The Colonel sat and stared at the fruitless plans spread on the drafting table before him.
He then heard a rustling noise. Turning he saw a young girl standing next to the whale he had previously used for his magnetization experiments. Her eyes were filled with light. The whale gazed at her nervously, its flukes twitching. The Colonel blinked, telling himself that it could not be, could not be the shade of his long-dead sister Ephemára.
"When you want to grab something you use your hand," the girl said.
"Who are you?" the Colonel asked.
"If you want to grab something really big, you better make a really big hand," the girl said.
"By thunder! You may be right!"
The girl turned and began to drift away. She glanced back at the Colonel over her shoulder. "My name," she said, "is Betty Quaffles."
But the Colonel was already drawing out the plans for a huge hand and arm with muscles made of diorite. He did not hear.
Over the next few days, crews of London stonemasons worked 'round the clock on the Labrador Retriever, assisted by a foul-tempered gang of chain-smoking Dusseldwarfs. Time and again the crew leaders declared the project impossible, preposterous, and ridiculous; but Colonel Wolfstrangler's training in building improbable objects stood him in good stead. By August 18th, the great Retriever was substantially complete.
The Colonel's design featured cast-iron framing members covered by diorite muscles, the whole assemblage sheathed in fine-grained elasticized andesite. With the help of the famed Neptunist A.G. Werner he infused the massive muscles with mysterious earth forces, thus animating them.
"It is semi-autonomous," Colonel Wolfstrangler boasted to the Queen, stroking one of his creation's huge fingers. "It can grasp, it can crush, it can burrow beneath the earth. It can even clean its own fingernails."
"But can it solve the problem at hand?" asked the Queen.
"I guarantee it," the Colonel said. "We will retrieve, er, that island...um, you know the one I mean. We will crush it. Assuming it hasn't gotten too far."
"They've moved the dam' thing about 50 kilometers offshore. Our spies tell us that yesterday the rebels stopped paddling and got drunk. Now they're having a clambake."
"Savages," snapped the Colonel. "Filthy clam-eating savages. Smash them all. Smash them to jelly."
"No smashing," growled the Queen. "We want 'em brought back alive."
"As Your Highness wishes," said Colonel Wolfstrangler, bowing.
"Say," said the Queen, "these little buggers you have working for you..."
"They're Dusseldwarfs, Your Majesty. Fearless and feisty."
"That's as may be," the Queen said, "but one of them is humping our shoe. If it doesn't get off we're going to punch it into next Tuesday."
That very evening Colonel Wolfstrangler set the Retriever to burrowing west toward Canada. The massive construction dug its way beneath the Atlantic and then turned upward under northern Quebec. It burst from a hillside and, propelled by its huge 200-kilometer-long arm, reached across the newly formed strait to the hills of Labrador.
Observed only by marmots, lemmings, and one lone moose, it grasped a high point of land and began to pull the breakaway province to the west. The very rocks of Labrador groaned and shuddered as the land began to ride up and over the Laffy Taffy magma beneath the sea. Solid granite splintered, lakes sloshed and spilled over their shores, and the grouse clucked nervously.
Labrador began to move toward the mainland.
A few hours later it crashed into Quebec, sending geysers of seawater squirting upward from the join and smashing several whales to blubber-butter. The land quivered and then was still. The Labrador Retriever released its hold and retreated back underground.
Oddly enough, all twelve residents of Labrador -- stuffed with steamed clams and Labatt beer -- slept through the whole episode.


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hey guys im new hear
any tips for a new guy like how do i host neggames
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also how do i turn off post limit u dudes must get a lot spammer
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text:
A friend visited Peddler's Village to check out the scarecrows and sent some great photos of SEEDS. We've had a lot of rain so it was great to see him holding up just fine. I'm always worried about water damage. Now I have something else to worry about.
Apparently, on Friday night, some punks drove through the village of shops and set the scarecrow closest to the road, the one immediately to the right of SEEDS, on fire. I've always wondered about the Security up there. Beings that I've been up there over the course of my life and have never seen security personnel or cameras of any kind. I dunno, maybe they're there. In the site's defense, the location is pretty rural and in a practically crime-free location of farm land and massive estates. And vandalism occurs everywhere.
I'm just hoping SEEDS isn't next.
The remains of the victim.
The victim in happier, gun-toting days.
Thanks, Bob, for the photos and the information.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Scarecrow's Kryptonite
A friend visited Peddler's Village to check out the scarecrows and sent some great photos of SEEDS. We've had a lot of rain so it was great to see him holding up just fine. I'm always worried about water damage. Now I have something else to worry about.
19 comments:
- The Captain said...
Well it looks spookier now then it did before. Stupid vandals
- October 10, 2010 at 9:14 AM
- Rot said...
I'm kinda glad it wasn't one of the top three winners. I would have been the prime suspect.
- October 10, 2010 at 9:33 AM
- FoolishCop said...
Considering Camo Crow was a psitol-packin' crow hunter, the vandals could've either been from PETA or Handgun Control Inc.
As that was apparently the only one torched (I'm assuming), seems someone may have been trying to send a message. Death by fire, good; death by a hail of bullets, not so much. :)
- October 10, 2010 at 10:17 AM
- Anonymous said...
A word to the PTB of Peddlars' Village/local PD on possibility of midnight punks setting fires SOMEWHERE ELSE in their area if no security is laid on?
Argument could be that the creeps won't stop with the scarecrows unless some security patrolling happens...
- October 10, 2010 at 10:56 AM
- Rot said...
I really think it was a convenience factor that led to that guy getting chosen. It's really the only part of the village where you could pull up in a car and do something like that..and shoot off down a rural road.
- October 10, 2010 at 11:15 AM
- Tom said...
I think someone just hated the Dick Cheney scarecrow. Maybe it was the guy he shot.
- October 10, 2010 at 11:45 AM
- Rot said...
- October 10, 2010 at 11:48 AM
- Johnny Love said...
I bet SEEDS was watching them.... and he's preparing his attack on them as we speak.
- October 10, 2010 at 11:56 AM
- Jay's Shadow said...
I think Seeds did it. :)
- October 10, 2010 at 12:53 PM
- Rot said...
I think YOU did it!
After all, I believe you DID mention "fire" in a few of your old comments!
; )
- October 10, 2010 at 12:59 PM
- Jay's Shadow said...
Crap!I think I better go out of town for a few days....
- October 10, 2010 at 1:26 PM
- JHMDF said...
LOL......how could you Jay. Maybe the scarecrow did it to him self for how dumb he looked.... or the crows did it.
- October 10, 2010 at 4:29 PM
- Vintage Seance said...
Aw... that sucks. I bet the people who made the scarecrow are super bummed... and it was the creepy one with the gun too!
- October 10, 2010 at 9:12 PM
- Ryan Midnight said...
Here's hoping they pick up the remains just as they are and put them right back in ground. I'm sure the charred remains will look scarier than the original and it'll show them punks scarecrows don't go down so easy.
- October 10, 2010 at 10:17 PM
- Unknown said...
that burned chap was trying to kill the egyptian. But then seeds burped flames all over that camo guy.
I wouldn't worry about seeds getting vandalized. they were probably just some anti-war hippies.
or it really is jay's shadow. may i quote "should still burn that village down..." "(if you lose to #5, trick or treat pete....I'll burn the village for you. >:)"
or maybe i did it.
- October 10, 2010 at 10:29 PM
- John Rozum said...
I bet the vandals would be too afraid of Seeds to do anything to him. If I had to pick a scarecrow there that would be most likely to return from the ashes to hunt down a pack of vandals one by one and have them discovered with their chests exploded outwards from pumpkin vines growing out of their innards, and through every orifice in the bodies, I'd guess Seeds.
Maybe Trick or Treat Pete, aka scarecrow #5.
- October 10, 2010 at 11:18 PM
- Ghoul Friday said...
I'll never understand how people can thoughtlessly destroy things people took the time to make.
I hope the whole army of scarecrows come down silently off their bases and set off into the night to find the morons.
- October 11, 2010 at 10:26 AM
- The Gill-Man said...
Well, while I think such vandalism sucks (especially regarding someone's artwork), I have to say I like the way he looks post-burning! I think the artist should string him back together and display him in all his charred glory!
- October 11, 2010 at 11:22 AM
- JD said...
The scarecrow was horrified of seeds and killed himself in fear. Or Jay did it :D
- October 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM


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Chizuna and Akira Shigetomi had been more religious that the average Nekonian couple, or so their son would later claim. Not that he had much evidence. His earliest memories were of grand and solemn temples surrounded by grand and solemn trees that had made him feel so small and inconsequential. The truth was that Shigetomi Hideki had little else by which to judge them.
These early memories always remained obscured and distorted by the haze of a young child's recollection Years later there would be little useful information in these vague and fleeting scenes. Much clearer were memories of fire. Hideki didn't remember how he escaped from the collapsing structure, whether he had assistance or found his own way. He only remembered being held back by concerned strangers as he strained to break free and find his parents. The only illumination that night came from the burning house, the only sounds the breaking of charred wood and the boy's own crying echoing in his ears. A neighbor took him home, but he left at first light to pace the boundaries of what had been his home only a day before. He ducked into the building, kicking aside rubble and dodging the floating cascades of ash that drifted down in the morning breeze. Here was the kitchen, and here his bedroom. Akira and Chizuna had been asleep when it happened, but mercifully their remains had beenr emoved from the building by the time Hideki arrived. Too much to ask of a six year old, pacing through the rubble of his young life.
As day opened up onto the city, it came to life again as it always did, unaffected by the small tragedies that flickered briefly in the night. Another life lost. Another orphan made. Unsure of where to go and accustomed to being directed by his parents, Hideki simply tried to find other children, other people like him who didn't want to be small and afraid either. At least this way they wouldn't be alone.
His life fell into a new rhythm, one he would later associate with long, cold nights stretched out on sidewalks to sleep, with fighting stray dogs for food in back alleys that stank of piss, both humanoid and animal.
Sometimes gangs of older kids would give him a share of their food if he and the other young ones would beg or steal to contribute. He had a vague notion that his parents wouldn't have liked it, but it was so hard being hungry and knowing he could do something about it.
He lived this way for several months before it finally became too much for him. He fell ill, and there was nothing the others could do for him. Half of them were sick themselves. A couple of the older boys took him to an orphanage in the hopes of unloading a burden on the group while keeping clear consciences.
Hideki was cared for, and when he was well enough for conversation, the owners took his name and age in the hopes of finding someone to adopt him. By that age, though, chances were slim. Babies and toddlers were easy, but Hideki was seven already. The only other children who stayed around long enough for him to get to know them were so-called problem children. For a while these were Hideki's friends, but one by one they gave up and most of them returned to the streets. They would never find families and they knew it.
Edited by: [url=http://p068.ezboard.com/brpgww60462.showUserPublicProfile?gid=kai@rpgww60462>Kai</A] at: 8/4/06 4:10


text:
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text:
Air quality problem reported at Rindge grocery store
Multiple ambulances called to Market Basket
An air quality issue at the Market Basket in Rindge sent nine people to the hospital Sunday.
Investigators said at least 100 Market Basket employees were in a meeting in the back of the store when people started passing out and getting sick. Symptoms included dizziness, difficulty breathing and vomiting. While nine people were sent to the hospital, several others were checked out at the scene.
Several surrounding fire departments responded. The Keene Fire Department hazardous materials team was called in to try to find the source of the problem.
The team found a leaking cylinder of refrigerant which it believes is the chemical that made people sick.
"The room that was the meeting room that all the occupants were in was on the first floor. The refrigeration room was above the meeting room on the second floor," Rindge Fire Chief Rickard Donovan said.
All nine patients were listed in stable condition late Sunday.


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Click through for highlights from a recent survey of cyber crime data that provides some interesting cyber BI insights, as identified by SurfWatch Labs.
While security pros need clear insight into their organizations vulnerabilities, internal analysis alone is not enough. Outward examination - such as who is attacking other members of your business sector with what kind of attack and how it is impacting them - is a critical component of an effective cybersecurity approach. Unfortunately, oftentimes, we spend too much time looking at only a small piece of the puzzle.
A new report recently published by SurfWatch Labs, "Trends in Cybercrime: A Social Look at the First Half 2014," aggregates and standardizes cyber crime-related data from the first six months of the year into cyber business intelligence that provides some interesting insights. The standardized cyber data, known as CyberFacts, provide instant understanding of who (Actor) did what to whom (Target), what happened (Effect), and how they did it (Practice). By harnessing the collective power of all this information that exists outside an organization's walls – from security researcher and infosec blogger discussions to news outlets, social media, vulnerability and security data feeds and more – it's possible to extrapolate cybersecurity trends across various industries.
Here's a top-line look at what SurfWatch Labs found in the first half of 2014 for the six most active industries.
Jason Polancich, founder and chief architect, SurfWatch Labs, is a serial entrepreneur focused on solving complex Internet security and cyber-defense problems, with more than 20 years of experience as an intelligence analyst, software engineer, systems architect and corporate executive. Prior to founding SurfWatch Labs, Mr. Polancich co-founded Novii Design, which assisted the U.S. intelligence community and Department of Defense in building some of the largest data warehouse and analysis systems ever put into operation within the government and defense contracting sectors.
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Jon B Performance Live @ BBKings In NYC (Havent Seen Jon B For A Minute)
R&B Sensation Jon. B. singing. Will Jon B make a come back?
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Friday, February 14, 2014
Do the Commands in the Book of Revelation Matter
to Me?
Send a link to a friend
Many, many people, Christians and non-
Christians alike, say they find the Book of the
Revelation "uncomfortable." They find much of the
imagery disturbing and are put off by the concept of
God's judgment on the world. Yet, millions of people
when asked to identify their favorite book to movie
project, answer, "The Lord of the Rings."
Interestingly, many of the images in that film are
also quite frightening, but that does not seem to
put people off. Indeed much of the message of both
Revelation and Tolkien's books are the same:
an on-going war between the forces of good and evil.
In both cases, too, evil is ultimately defeated,
destroyed while the forces of good prevail.
The difference of course is that The Lord of the
Rings is fiction and will never come true, while the
disturbing thought for some about Revelation is that
it just might.
You might ask, "Why study Revelation?" Within the
words of this last book of the Bible, there is a
promise of blessing to those that listen, read, and
study it. "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the
words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who
hear it and take to heart what is written in it,
because the time is near." (Revelation 1:3)
The trend among churches for quite some time has
been to ignore the more challenging or controversial
parts of the Scripture, and Revelation is often
neglected as a result. We are so easily intimidated
with this book. We're frightened by all the symbols,
imagery, warfare, not to mention a sevenheaded
dragon that tries to eat a baby.
(What is that all about?) No question about it, the
Book of Revelation can be a complex book. And yet it
is an amazing book, a book of mystery, wonder,
excitement, drama, and horror. There are several
reasons to look at Revelation. One is because it
gives us a stepby-step account of all the events
that have happened, that are happening, and that are
going to happen. (Revelation 1:19) Another reason is
because it has significant relevance to the whole
counsel of God, and that is why God included it in
the first place.
God has given us not only the beginning of things in Genesis, but
also the end of things in regard to how He closes the age. There is,
however, another reason to study Revelation. There are commands
there. Tucked within the writings and vision of John, there are
commandments. What do they say?
Why are they there? Do they apply only to John, or do they command
all of us?
Starting in February and taking us all the way to Easter, we're
going to take a closer look at the commands of Revelation. Why do
they matter in today's culture? Do they apply to me and my life? And
how can I fulfill the Revelation mandate?
[Ron Otto, Preaching Minister]
Recent articles
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|Early photo of Mattocks House
(Scanned from Dudley book)
|Warshaw Painting SOLD
Prints and Cards available at
Tidewater Gallery
|Warshaw painting SOLD
Prints and Cards available at
Tidewater Gallery
|"Waiting for Ferries"
(Scanned from Dudley book)
|Infant W. E. Mattock
|"Willie" Mattocks
William Edward "Will" Mattocks married Mary "Mollie" Jane Findeisen, daughter of Charles A. Findeisen (1825-1877) and Margaret Ann Stephens (1830-1865). Findeisen, born in Sachsen, Saxony, met and married his wife in Onslow County.
|Mollie's Father
Charles Findeisen
|D.J. Ward and
W.E. Mattocks
New Bern Grays
|Flora and Mollie
In 1910, tugboat engineer William E. and Mary J. Mattocks were recorded in Lowndes, South Carolina with son Thomas William Mattocks 18, a saw filer. At that time, 15-year-old daughter Zelma was living with her sister Flora Mattocks Eure in Holy Grove, North Carolina.
The 1920 census recorded W.E. as an "engineer" in the marine trade. By 1930, at home were W.E. and Mary J. Mattocks with daughter Zelma Humphrey 26.
|W.E. Mattocks 1951
-- 1963 Letter Describing Time at Mattocks House about 1900
*W.E. and Mary J. Mattocks' daughter Susan Gibson Mattocks evidently went with them while W.E. was working on a tugboat in South Carolina. Sue G. Mattocks was on the 1910 census as a student at the Confederate Home College in Charleston. She may have met future husband Joseph E. Bildstein while in South Carolina. By 1920 they were in Tinicum, PA; Joseph was a blacksmith in a tank factory and they had two children, ages five and three.
|"Ned" Mattocks
*John Frazar Mattocks and Casandra Ward, parents of E.W. Mattocks, were married 18 Oct 1832 in Onslow County; bondsman was Benjamin W. Russell, witness D.W. Sanders. John F. Mattocks, a Methodist minister, owned the 1840 Hawkins House in the 1860s.
|Mary Gibson 1837-1918
When son William E. was about four years old, on January 23, 1862, 28-year-old Edward Ward Mattocks enlisted as a private in Swansboro with Company B, 3rd NC Calvary Regiment--later 41st NC State Troops. This unit was initially known as Edward W. Ward's Company or "Gatlin's Dragoons." Mattocks enlisted for twelve month, but on February 28, 1862, for a $50 bounty, he extended his service to two years. Mattocks was promoted to 4th Sergeant on June 8, 1862.
"Cousin" George Dennis Mattocks 1844-1898, son of Allen B. Mattocks and Kitturah Catherine Dennis, married twice, first to Christiana Foy and secondly to Mary Alexander Dennis. He began building his home on Stella Road in Silverdale when he returned from the Civil War. He lived in the basement until he finished building it in 1880.


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Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Wikipedia.
Related to cobalamin: folic acid, vitamin B12, cobalamin deficiency, Methylcobalamin
cobalamin:see coenzymecoenzyme
, any one of a group of relatively small organic molecules required for the catalytic function of certain enzymes. A coenzyme may either be attached by covalent bonds to a particular enzyme or exist freely in solution, but in either case it participates intimately in
..... Click the link for more information. ; vitaminvitamin,
group of organic substances that are required in the diet of humans and animals for normal growth, maintenance of life, and normal reproduction. Vitamins act as catalysts; very often either the vitamins themselves are coenzymes, or they form integral parts of coenzymes.
..... Click the link for more information. .
vitamin B12


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Genetic Counseling
Couples meet with our genetic counselor before having a diagnostic procedure. A careful genetic family history helps measure the risks for genetic problems in the developing baby. The counselor explains the risks, benefits and limitations of the testing procedures so the parents can choose a course of action based on their own specific family needs and goals.
Genetic counselors are healthcare providers with specialized graduate degrees and expertise in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors:
- Identify families at risk
- Evaluate the family for possible genetic disorders
- Analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence
- Provide genetic testing information and test result interpretation
- Coordinate referrals to other healthcare providers as needed
Individuals and families who may benefit from genetic counseling include:
- Persons or families with a history of congenital heart defects, cleft lip or palate, spina bifida, short stature or other physical birth defects
- Persons or families with genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Huntington disease, muscular dystrophy, PKU, hemophilia and other inherited disorders
- Persons or families affected with mental retardation, hearing or visual impairments, learning disabilities or other conditions that could be genetic
- Persons with a history of certain cardiac, cancer, psychiatric or neurogenetic adult disorders
- Persons with a history of multiple miscarriages, stillbirths or early infant deaths involving multiple congenital anomalies
- Pregnant women at high risk due to abnormal nuchal translucency screening results, Expanded AFP screening results or ultrasound screening tests
- Women age 34 or over who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy
- Pregnant women concerned about the effects of exposure to medication, drugs, chemical, infectious agents, radiation, or certain work conditions
- Persons in specific ethnic groups or geographic areas with a higher incidence of certain disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell disease or thalassemias
Before you arrive for genetic counseling, we ask that you complete the genetic screening questionnaire and bring it with you to your appointment.


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Residential Painting - Sherborn, MA
TLC Painting is a full service, residential painting company based in the Boston Metrowest area servicing Sherborn, MA. These residential painting services cover both interior and exterior work, and include restoration work, ceiling painting, pressure washing, and interior and exterior staining and painting.
The TLC process begins with an initial consultation, where the work required will be reviewed with the client. They will then be provided with a full written estimate, including a breakdown of services, that will be based on the level of thoroughness, attention to detail, and quality desired. Every job is then assigned a lead painter who manages the project to ensure it is finished within the time stated in the written estimate. TLC management visits their ongoing projects on a daily basis to check that the work is being completed on schedule and that any questions or concerns the customer may have are addressed.
TLC Painting also provides painting services to commercial property owners and assisted living facilities. They are a fully insured company and abide by State and Federal regulations. Employees are put through a background check and required to pass a drug test prior to being hired. TLC is an EPA Lead Safe Certified firm and has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 1997.
Residential Services provided for Sherborn, MA:
- Interior painting: changing wall colors, freshening wall colors, faux finishing.
- Restoration work: correcting water damage, refinishing painted woodwork.
- Interior staining: staining custom woodwork and trim.
- Ceiling painting: bathrooms, kitchens - every room in the house.
- Exterior staining: whole house clapboard and trim staining, deck staining, porch and step staining.
- Exterior painting: whole house surface and trim, trim board repair.
To contact us for an estimate in Sherborn, MA, please click the request a quote button at the top of the page and fill out the form, or call us for an estimate at 508-651-5201.


text: Rockport Men's Walking Shoe: Flexible Strobel construction to aid in walking. Walking platform supports the natural walking motion, by providing rearfoot motion control, and forefoot flexibility. Genuine leather uppers for soft comfort. Rubber outsole with EVA midsole, provides superior traction grip, and shock absorption. Performance linining absorbs moisture to enhance breathability. Steel shank for durable midfoot support.


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Today my bandages on my tummy loosened up enough that I can see my new belly button. It is so cute! It's little, but not too small and it has nice shape to it. They got rid of my navel piercing scars that I had. My upper tummy looks good. I still have stretch marks, but it's weird, because it's the stretch marks that use to be further up and are now pulled down. I don't mind the stretch marks though. They were to be expected. I knew that not all of them would disappear with this surgery and I'm OK with that. Only 11 more hours until my bandages are off! I'm only draining 10cc's of fluid per drain, so I know that those will for sure be removed tomorrow too :O)
Monday, November 08, 2010
Posted by Shrunk at 9:36 PM
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{ personal: }
As I mentioned in the previous post, we have all been stylish in our own ways. We cleaned up nicely for my dad's wedding. My hairstyle dates this photo back about 9 years, Frederique is in the middle, Ingrid is on the right. We looked different but had the same smile. And the same size feet.


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Section 8: Award; form; delivery; time; waiver of objections
Section 8. (a) The award shall be in writing and signed by the arbitrators concurring in the award. The arbitrators shall deliver a copy of the award to each party personally or by registered mail, or as provided in the agreement.
(b) An award shall be made within the time fixed therefor by the agreement or, if said time is not so fixed, within such time as the court orders upon application of a party. The parties may by an agreement in writing extend the time either before or after the expiration thereof. A party shall be deemed to have waived the objection that an award was not made within the time required unless he notifies the arbitrators of his objection prior to the delivery of the award to him.


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I participated in the Valentine Exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging blog. Mercy stitched a cute design by Shepherd's Bush and made it into a long pillow which looks absolutely adorable! She sent oodles of extras, all which are fabulous and will be put to great use!
Thanks so much Mercy for a awesome exchange..I love everything you sent.
Here are some pics:
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The mailman has been good to me the last couple of days!
I participated in the Valentine Exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging blog. Mercy stitched a cute design by Shepherd's Bush and made it into a long pillow which looks absolutely adorable! She sent oodles of extras, all which are fabulous and will be put to great use!
Posted by WendyJo at 7:34 AM 4 comments
Friday, February 20, 2009
An Award and A Birthday Present!
Carol nominated me for the Special Friends Award and "Love" Pendant. The description for this award reads "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind of writers. When you pass this award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with".
Carol and I have first met through Hooked on Exchanging and began communicating and since then we have shared much time visiting about all sorts of things stitching and home life. Thanks very much for the award Carol.
My nominations are people whose blogs and stitching inspire me and have thus become friends are:
1. Patti
2. Rita
3. Kath
4. Julie (no blog)
5. Lori U. (no blog)
6. Lynne W. (no blog)
7. Brenda M. (no blog)
No. 8 goes back to Carol!
I am in a birthday exchange with Rita, who lives in Hungary, on the Crazy Exchange group and my birthday present arrived yesterday and I just love everything Rita sent. The pinkeep is absolutely adorable and I just love the saying on it. Rita said this was her first pinkeep and she did an amazing job on it. Rita also sent some cappuccino, bon bons, ribbon, thread rings, and a bookmark. A really wonderful package. Thanks so much Rita!
Here are some pics:
Posted by WendyJo at 8:17 AM 2 comments
Friday, February 13, 2009
I've been tagged and exchanges to show!
Patti has tagged me and these are the rules:
1. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.
5. For the recipients, leave a comment for the person who tagged you, so they can go and read your answers.
Here are mine:
1. I eat my cereal dry…no milk..icky!
2. I put ice in just about all my drinks and I water down juices. I just don't like the taste of "full" strength juice.
3. I don't like going to get my hair cut. I like my hairdresser, she's very nice and does a great job on my hair, but very hard to find a topic to chat about.
4. I rarely have more than one project going at once when I am stitching. I am a "one project at a time gal".
5. I am a Bath & Body junkie…I have tons of different soaps and lotions…love taking bubble baths.
6. I love driving in the rain…a light rain, I find it relaxing.
7. I love to grocery shop. I always have a list, coupons and store ad in hand and I love going up and down each isle, browsing and shopping away!
8. I LOVE kitchen towels! I would hate to count how many I have but I just love them!
Ok I tag:
Now...I sent out 2 crazy exchanges recently and they have arrived at their new homes, both in the Netherlands!
I sent Caroline a snowman, a freebie pattern from Glory Bee called "Winter" and...I finished it into a pillow! Not my customary pinkeep! I had gotten a little sewing machine shortly after Christmas and I have made 2 pillows! I am a wee bit proud of myself as I don't think they turned out too badly and both Caroline and Ina are very happy with them so I am quite pleased.
Here is a pic of Caroline's pillow:
I sent Ina a snowman as well, its a pattern from Bent Creek called "Snowflakes" Here is a pic:
Hope everyone has a nice weekend and thanks for visiting.
Wendy Jo
Posted by WendyJo at 7:51 AM 2 comments
Friday, February 6, 2009
My winter ornament from Gaby
I joined the All Seasons Ornament Exchange and my winter ornament from Gaby arrived yesterday. She stitched me a new German freebie. Gaby changed the colors to more reds/pinks instead of the blue the pattern called for since I love red. Gaby also added beading to the edges and it is absolutely gorgeous. I love the ornament very much.
Thanks so much Gaby!
Here are a couple of pics:
Posted by WendyJo at 9:42 AM 7 comments
Thursday, February 5, 2009
I've Been Tagged!!!!
Patti has tagged me which means I need to share five addictions I have...mmm, well in no partcular order, (except the first one!) they are:
1. Stitching
2. Fabric shops (gotta love those fat quarters!)
3. Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream
4. Music (soft rock, some country)..love listening it, especially when stitching
5. Reading magazines..I have TONS of subscriptions
Now I need to tag 5 people and I have chosen:
1. Kath
2. Simone
3. Stacy
4. Sonda
5. Marlies
I also want to mention I am still looking for 2 more stitchers to stitch for my P.I.F. (Pay It Forward). Please post a comment in this post if you are interested in me stitching something for you this year. You will then need to post on your blog and recruit three members to also send gifts to - thus, it is PIF (Pay It Forward).. if you sign up, you have to post on your blog and take sign ups.
Thanks for visiting.
Wendy Jo
Posted by WendyJo at 8:22 AM 0 comments


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We just woke up from our tryptophan nap, just in time for Cyber Monday deals! So now that we've fully recovered from our Turkey day stupor and able think about something other than… well, food… we're focusing our attention on holiday dresses! Priorities, people, priorities! Here's a roundup of some of the best online deals, so you can snag this holiday season's party dress for a bargain. You're welcome.
The DVF Fall Sale has begun and you get an extra 30% off fall merchandise today.
Take an extra 28% off site wide today only. 28 percent for the 28th day of November, clever.
Rachel Roy
40% of all Rachel by Rachel Roy and 20% off all Rachel Roy—this might be the best deal on the fashion-ternet.
25% off on all orders and free shipping. Promo code: SURPRISE. We love surprises!
Banana Republic
30% off all orders at Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Athleta (and 20% Piperlime). Promo code: HUGECYBER
$50 off of a $250 purchase, $100 off of a $500 purchase, $150 off of $750 purchase, etc. You get the picture. Spend more is the theme here. Promo code: BIGEVENT
Up to 40% off sale. One word: shoes! Go!


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Hicks, Escobar shine in contest vs. Dodgers
Second baseman slugs homer; starter allows one run in three innings
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw allowed a two-run homer to Brandon Hicks, but the Dodgers rallied before falling to the Giants, 3-2, in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Camelback Ranch on Sunday.
Edwin Escobar started for the Giants and pitched three innings, overcoming four walks while allowing one run. Non-roster pitcher Jason Berken followed with three scoreless innings.
"My first inning, I was trying to keep my ball down, but [I had] a little bit of adrenaline," Escobar said. "It got a little exciting. After I got my first inning, I felt more comfortable. Everything was true, and I felt better than the first inning."
Kershaw threw 70 pitches in five innings, allowing five hits with one strikeout, but it was still his best start of the spring, having coming into the game with an ERA of 18.00. He was announced the Opening Day starter before Sunday's game.
"The results were a little bit better," Kershaw said, comparing this game to earlier starts. "Still things I need to work on. For the most part, a positive step in the right direction."
The Dodgers scored in the first inning after a walk to Chone Figgins, who stole second, went to third on A.J. Ellis' groundout and came home on first baseman Brandon Belt's throwing error.
Los Angeles tied the game in the seventh against Dan Runzler on singles by prospects Corey Seager and Joc Pederson, then walks to Scott Van Slyke and Drew Butera. Red Patterson issued a bases-loaded walk of his own in the eighth to give the Giants the lead.
Yasiel Puig returned from a day away on a personal matter to go 1-for-3 with a double.
Defensively, Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval made a backhand stop of a Puig shot down the line in the fifth inning and threw him out, saving two runs.
Up next: The Giants welcome Barry Bonds to camp as a special instructor, with Monday marking his first day with the club. Bonds will speak with the media in the morning, and right-hander Matt Cain will get the start in the afternoon, when San Francisco hosts the Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium at 1:05 p.m. PT. Both Hunter Pence (left shoulder) and Michael Morse (right calf) are hoping to return to the lineup.


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Hope College athletic training students Amanda Friedline, a senior from Howell, Mich., and Molly Smith, a junior from Champaign, Ill., have been awarded prestigious scholarships by the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association.
Friedline was recognized as the most outstanding student in the seven-state region by the professional association with the William E. Newell Postgraduate Scholarship. Named in honor of longtime Purdue University athletic trainer and National Athletic Trainers Association Executive Director William "Pinky" Newell, the scholarship serves as a memorial to Newell's signature role as one of the athletic training profession's most influential founding fathers.
Smith was awarded a Living Memorial undergraduate scholarship, one of only five students so honored.
Amanda was also recently named a recipient of a NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics. This program was developed by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.The NCAA awards 13 scholarships to female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of postgraduate studies. The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or related program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, such as athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics. Amanda will use her scholarships at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where she will begin a master's degree in athletic training in the fall.


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How much money does a family need to enjoy a no-frills life in Metro Vancouver?
The short answer — too much — doesn't require any research.
The longer answer is complicated. So the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives had to do a lot of number crunching and head-scratching to conclude that, for a family of four with young children, Vancouver's "living wage" works out to an hourly rate of $19.62 for each parent, assuming both work 35 hours a week.
This, in turn, adds up to just over $71,000 a year — $4,000 or so higher than StatsCan's estimate of Vancouver's median wage. It's also about 2.5 per cent higher than the $19.14 an hour cited by CCPA's analysis last year. And it's $9-plus an hour higher than B.C.'s $10.25-an-hour minimum wage.
But as is noted by the authors of the just-released analysis, Iglika Ivanova and Seth Klein, the living wage is a very different measure than the minimum wage. And there are, I think, good reasons why the two numbers don't — and probably never will — match.
For one thing, the minimum wage is a provincewide standard, and the living wage calculations vary sharply across B.C. The rates cited in the report (some are for 2012 and some for 2011) are highest in Metro Vancouver. They're followed by the Sunshine Coast ($18.80), Greater Victoria ($18.73), Kamloops ($17.95), Terrace ($17.65), Central Okanagan ($16.94), Qualicum region ($16.94), Prince George ($16.90), Fraser Valley ($16.37), Williams Lake ($15.77) and Cranbrook ($14.16).
This much variation means no single rate can be right for all of B.C.
Nor should you assume everyone making minimum wage is struggling to raise kids. Most aren't.
For many, minimum wage is a starter wage. They will move on to better earnings — although, sadly, not all will move up to a level that can be considered "good." Others may get supplementary earnings — tips for wait staff, for example, which may vary from a pittance in a low-end coffee shop to big money in a high-end eatery.
Nor should the incentive factor be overlooked. Some wages are "below average" and, by definition, always will be. People who aren't satisfied with earnings at this level need to have — and often respond to — incentives to upgrade their skills and move up the ladder.
That said, however, plenty of people with family responsibilities are — whether for the short term or the long term — trapped in jobs that don't pay enough to make ends meet. There are many reasons for this, ranging from economic factors beyond their control, to changes in the industry where they work, to weak or non-transferable skills, to difficulties with English, to poor personal choices.
There are consequences to this.
"Families who work for low wages face impossible choices — buy clothing or heat the house, feed the children or pay the rent," Ivanova and Klein write.
"The result can be spiralling debt, constant anxiety and long-term health problems. In many cases, it means the adults in the family are working long hours, often at two or three jobs, just to pay for basic necessities. They have little time to spend with their family, much less to help their children with school work or participate in community activities."
Their suggested remedies include adjusting family benefit programs — things like the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the federal GST credit, the B.C. child care subsidy, and MSP premium assistance — so they are no longer cut back when family incomes reach levels that are well below the living-wage minimum.
And they would like to see more public-sector employers follow the example of New Westminster, which in 2010 became the first municipality in Canada to pass a living wage policy.
As for the private sector, at least now employers who value their employees and want to hold on to them know what their bare minimum wage target ought to be.


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Former Vice President Al Gore is co-founder and executive chairman of Current, an Emmy Award-winning, independently owned media company that combines its television and interactive platforms to create programming for a young adult audience.
He is also chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a non-partisan, non-profit organization devoted to mobilizing global support for urgent and sustainable solutions for the climate crisis.
Gore is co-founder and chairman of Generation Investment Management, a London-based firm that is focused on a new approach to sustainable investing; and recently became a partner in the venture capital firm, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which has formed a strategic alliance with Generation to focus on solutions to the climate crisis. In addition, Gore serves on the board of directors of Apple and as senior adviser to Google.
Al Gore was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976, 1978, 1980 and 1982 and the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the forty-fifth vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years as a key member of the administration's economic team, as President of the Senate, a Cabinet member, a member of the National Security Council, and as leader of a wide range of Administration initiatives.
He is the author of the #1 bestsellers The Assault on Reason and An Inconvenient Truth, and an Oscar-winning documentary movie. His 1992 international bestseller, Earth in the Balance, has just been re-issued.
Gore and his wife, Tipper, live in Nashville, Tennessee. They have four children and three grandchildren.
Reach business leaders and technology influencers at the Web 2.0 Summit. Call Marco Pardi at (415) 947-6216 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Download the Sponsor Prospectus (PDF).
View a complete list of Web 2.0 Summit contacts.


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Student Sarah Maj paints the graffiti wall
Photo courtesy of: Recycling and Refuse
The graffiti wall after the RecycleMania paint job
Photo courtesy of: Recycling and Refuse
Students Ben Buchanan and Jimmy Webster paint the graffiti wall
Photo courtesy of: Recycling and Refuse
Feb 25, 2013
By Tessa Dufresne
After three weeks of the RecycleMania 2013 contest, Ohio University is sweeping the Mid-American Conference competition away.
Ohio University's Athens campus is vying for the lead spot among MAC participants, especially in the main categories of per capita recycling and overall tonnage recovered, and the top 32 overall.
Through the first two weeks of RecycleMania, the University recycled 155,506 pounds of the targeted materials and 38,400 pounds of food scraps, representing a 42.25 percent recovery rate or an average of 3.66 pounds per person per week.
Targeted materials include paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, steel and plastic.
"I think it's a great awareness building opportunity to bring recycling into the common lexicon and to help build recycling as a habit for those who don't already recycle," said OHIO's Recycling and Refuse Manager Andrew Ladd.
Ladd attributes the University's immediate success to a records purge that University Archivist and Records Manager Bill Kimok facilitated with Information Destruction Services. Kimok recycled more than 59,000 pounds of paper from the Library Annex.
"I encourage other staff and faculty to follow Bill's lead and undertake any office or record clean outs as part of Recyclemania," said Ladd. To further promote a campus-wide cleanse, the University's Recycling and Refuse Department arranged to waive fees for most non-confidential recycling from departments or programs during RecycleMania.
The next RecycleMania special event is the Game Day challenge at the Wednesday, Feb. 27 home basketball game against the University of Akron. The new category compares schools based on the recycling and waste minimization efforts made during a home basketball game.
"I'm most looking forward to it as an example of how recycling and composting can be successful at an event of that scale," said Ladd. "We can use the Game Day challenge as a model for growing the sustainability of campus events in the future."
The Recycling and Refuse Department is in search of volunteers from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that night to help educate game attendees on recycling, said Ladd.
OHIO is one of more than 630 schools representing 49 states and four Canadian provinces in the 13th annual intercollegiate recycling tournament.
For complete results, visit www.recyclemaniacs.org and continue to follow Compass for coverage.