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Re: a quiz on star wars characters
Knew i'd trip up somebody wit that question
Didn't Lando technically escape the sarlacc?
Hail to the King Baby!!
Message Boards - Boba Fett Fan Club → General → a quiz on star wars characters
Knew i'd trip up somebody wit that question
Didn't Lando technically escape the sarlacc?
He technically escaped the Great Pit of Carkoon...not the Sarlacc. Lots of other people have made it out of the pit alive...well, maybe not lots. Still haven't got it!
Quinlan Vos has escaped a sarlacc.
And that one girl I forget her name. She was doing something as a job, waitressing I think, and some stormtroopers kidnapped her or something and as they drove past the pit of carkoon something happened where they all fell in it and the sarlacc ate the stormies but left the girl alive and well. Though I guess she'd fall under Lando's catagory of escaping the pit and not the sarlacc itself.
And that one girl I forget her name. She was doing something as a job, waitressing I think, and some stormtroopers kidnapped her or something and as they drove past the pit of carkoon something happened where they all fell in it and the sarlacc ate the stormies but left the girl alive and well. Though I guess she'd fall under Lando's catagory of escaping the pit and not the sarlacc itself.
I remember this. Where have I heard of this from before?
It was in Tales from Jabba's palace if you've read that, the Skiff guard story. And ya i think that falls under Lando catagory.
Ps. My question still unanswered =p
Ah, thanks. I had forgotten where the story came from too.
And Quinlan was wrong? I suppose so. hmmm.... Well, since Zorba (the hairy hutt, I think that's what his name is anyway) was used before can I reuse him? He was dropped into a sarlacc and I'm pretty sure he escaped it, but I don't consider that canon cause it's in the Jedi Prince series which is not canon.
nobody said quinlon was wrong, but i think Han Solo escaped a Sarlaac with the help of Quinlan.
When did Han Solo meet Quinlan?
And yeah Miba, I was going with Zorba the Hutt...apparently they can't be digested or something like that, and he was spit out. I know it's only semi-canon, but parts of the Jedi Prince have been accepted...the existence of Trioculus (not Triclops), and Zorba, so who knows...it might have "actually" happened.
And I still don't know the answer to your question Fetter...I'm guessing twelve? I don't know...
What is the name of the droid species that Vuffi Raa belongs to? (heeheehee...)
Ok, I just reread that comic and what happens is that Han's about, I dunno, I'm bad at judging ages. But maybe 13 or 14? Younger? Older? Anyway, and he's searching for a treasure and stumbles into Quinlan who's running from bounty hunters and they end up running together and Han starts sliding into a sarlacc but Quinlan grabs him with the Force and pulls him back up before Han gets into the sarlacc. Then the bounty hunters catch up and Quinlan jumps into the sarlacc where he's been hiding his lightsaber and then jumps back out.
But while looking for the comic I did find another one where Tag and Bink escape a sarlacc with Boba's help.
Anyway, I have no idea who Vuffi Raa is, so I'll leave this question to other people.
Vuffi Raa was Lando's droid...starfish shaped, if that helps.
Though I need to know; does this comic with Quinlan and Han recognize that Han was working for Garris Shrike when he was that age? Because if it doesn't...:mad:...
The comic was in Tales so it's a bit debatable on if it's canon or not. As for Garris, it doesn't mention him. But, Han did do a lot of work on Corellia for Garris Shrike, so it's possible that he was turned a bit loose now and then? I don't know.
And on the droid, it seems only slightly familiar. I don't think I read whichever book/comic/s he was in. But it's ok. Unless it's ok to cheat and look things up I doubt I could come up with the answer on my own. Anyone else know?
I remember Vuffi Raa from the droids guidebook. As stated before, it stands out because it is shaped like a starfish with extendable metal arms, but i forget the backstory, but I was under the impression it was some sort of alien artifact.
If it helps anyone else all i know about vuffi raa, is that he resembled the extinct species that created him, and he turned into a ball or something...
Hmm...doesn't look like anyone's going to get this off the top of their head...go google it or something. That's what I had to do.
Pretty interesting backstory on their droid race...there's actually two seperate races that fought each other thousands of years ago...maybe in a different galaxy.
New Question! Easy one...(if you read NJO)...what battle did Warlord Tsavong Lah, and Vergere, die in?
What is the name of the largest Ithorian herdship?
I know this one on the Ithorian Herdship. Tafanda Bay.
My other questions still stand...plus...
What was Warlord Zinj's flagship?
Zinj's ship is Iron Fist, right? Or did Isard have that one?
I never read the NJO so I can't answer the other question. And I'm anti-spoilers so I have no plans of googling it up.
On Vuffi Raa, I'm tired so I only skimmed what I googled about him. It says he's a Class 2 multi-phasic droid and that he's a semi-organic baby ship or something and he was activated by something called The One. Dunno if any of those answer the question.
Ya, Zinj's is the Iron Fist...Isard had the Lusankya.
You still haven't read the NJO?? That's a pretty important part of the SW universe now...better get cracking.
???The One??? Huh, I don't remember that...maybe I should check up on that again...anyway, it's someone elses turn to ask a question.
I want to read the books chronologically, and I've only worked my way up to the Corellian Trilogy right now. So I'm almost there. It doesn't speed things up to constantly be jumping back to reread a book or to read a prequel book or two, and then the occasional non-SW book.
I got my information on the droid from TFN's Unofficial Encyclopedia, if you want to look it up. I don't remember much of what it said about the "one" as I was skimming.
They belonged to the tetsu clan, and Findsman were special Gand who could find people and places by using omens, useful to bountyhunters.
They are from the Chaatza clan.
No, they are from the Tetsu clan. I believe Greedo the elder was the chief..
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Chicken or Pork Satay Recipe
The following recipe is from the December 10th edition of our weekly recipe newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your inbox, sign up here!
If a dish is a hit as a street food, chances are it will also work well as a cocktail nibble. In How to Cook Everything, Mark Bittman takes a popular Indonesian snack and simplifies it for the Western kitchen. Dark-meat chicken and pork loin are marinated overnight in a spicy blend of peanut butter and fish sauce, before being grilled or broiled to charred, smoky perfection.
Don't forget to make a second batch of the marinade to use as a dipping sauce. Accompany, if desired, with slices of raw onion and cucumber.
Chicken or Pork Satay
- makes 10 skewers (5 to 10 servings) -
What's New On Serious Eats
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or about 3/4 pound boneless pork shoulder or loin
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup nam pla (Thai fish sauce) or more soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter or tahini
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice or vinegar
Slice the chicken about 1/8-inch thick (it's easier if you freeze it for 15 to 30 minutes first). Mix together the remaining ingredients plus 1/2 cup water and stir in the meat slices. Let sit until the grill or broiler is ready or marinate, refrigerated, for up to 24 hours. If you're going to use wooden skewers, soak them in water to cover for a few minutes while the chicken is marinating.
When you're ready to cook, heat a charcoal or gas grill or a broiler until quite hot and put the rack as close to the heat source as possible. Thread the meat onto skewers without crowding. Grill or broil until browned all over, a total of 4 to 8 minutes. While the meat is cooking, bring the marinade to a boil and reduce it slightly. Serve the skewers hot, using the marinade as a dipping sauce.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.

subset: commoncrawl


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Video: Michael Ruhlman's Updated 'Ratio' iPhone App
We mentioned Michael Ruhlman's Ratio iPhone app back in December, but it looks like Ruhlman just released an updated version, available in the iTunes Store for $4.99 (he says they're working on a Droid version). The application includes 32 critical ratios and will calculate the amount of each ingredient you need based on what you already have or want to make. It also includes basic recipes and variations and allows you to save your own recipes and notes. Ruhlman demonstrates the application in the video above.
Related: Michael Ruhlman's New Book: 'Ratio'
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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I'd like to call to order the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
We have with us today, from Ducks Unlimited Canada, Mr. James Fortune, chief operating officer. I was concerned for a bit. Even though it's Ducks Unlimited, and it's a very rainy day out there—perfect for ducks—I thought he wouldn't be able to arrive today because of the very wet weather. Appearing by video conference from Halifax, Nova Scotia, from the Ecology Action Centre, is Mr. Mark Butler, policy director. He will be giving his testimony by video conference. We welcome both of our witnesses today.
We'll begin with James Fortune, from Ducks Unlimited, for an opening 10-minute statement. Then we'll proceed to the video with Mr. Mark Butler. Following that, we'll have questions from committee members.
Mr. Fortune, please proceed.


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Just like the title says: Strictly from a biological perspective, what is the functional expectation of a human being.
No religious or philosophy-based answers will be accepted, we are talking biology not religion or philosophy.
Answers involving excessive psychology will be frowned upon unless found to be exceedingly insightful. (The brain is a biological entity)
If you are considering claiming this to be too broad or unanswerable consider the hypothetical question "what are the functional expectations of human feet" which can be answered fairly easily by a child with no formal training in biology. In my actual question I simply ask about the feet and the other parts attached to them.
Edit: Originally this question was titled "Strictly from a biological perspective, what is the purpose of a human existence." To clarify the question i have changed it to "Strictly from a biological perspective, what is the functional expectation of a human being."
Despite the concerns raised with the use of the word "purpose" the question was serving its purpose with the answers I am seeing. I did have some reservations about the word "purpose" as well, but I thought I would try it and see what others thought.
So if a human stomach has the overall functional expectation of mechanically and chemically breaking down and digesting food, what would be the overall functional expectation of a human as a whole? I am looking for not so much of psychologically specific functional expectations and more of physical functional expectations.
For instance a house cat's functional expectations are generally considered to be sleeping, eating, reproducing, socializing, hunting, etc.


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|*April 8 - 14
|Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Read for This Week's Study:
|Gen. 1:2; Job 33:4; Matt. 1:18-20; 3:16, 17; Luke 1:35; John 3:3-8, 34; Rom. 8:11; Heb. 9:14.
Memory Text:
| "The angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son
of God"
The Holy Spirit was involved in the incarnation of Jesus and His coming to this earth. Jesus was conceived by Mary through the overshadowing of the Spirit. Before He entered upon His public ministry, Jesus was endowed with the Spirit as He descended on Him in the form of a dove at His baptism. Immediately after the baptism, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness.
Throughout His entire ministry Jesus was led by the Spirit. He unreservedly committed Himself to the accomplishment of His Father's will, as unveiled to Him in the Sacred Writings and the promptings of the Spirit. He surrendered His own inclinations. He had no more desire to die at the age of 33 than you and I would. In fact, He pleaded with His Father to take that cup away, if possible. But He would rather die at 33 than go contrary to His Father's will. He did not insist on having His own way, although He could easily have escaped death.
His work, His ministry, and His miracles were accomplished, just as ours must be, through the direction of the Holy Spirit.
*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 15.
|April 9
Miracle Birth
Read Matthew 1:18-20 and Luke 1:35. What role do these texts give to the Holy Spirit regarding the birth of Jesus into humanity?
If there are any texts in Scripture that show the limits of science and human logic and experience to explain the great truths of God, these two must be among the top. It's amazing enough, a woman being impregnated by the Holy Spirit; that she was a virgin (Matt. 1:23) makes the miracle even more amazing. People all through the history of the church have come up with all sorts of explanations for the birth of Jesus other than what the texts say. Those who limit what they believe only to what their senses can tell them or what past experience has shown them or what modern science can explain to them will have a very hard time with these texts and the great truths they contain. Those, however, who trust in the power of God (Luke 1:37, Heb. 11:6) and the truth of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:16) can accept the texts for what they say, regardless of how little we can understand the processes behind the truth revealed in them. The just, after all, shall live by faith (Heb. 10:38), and what is faith other than belief in what we can't fully understand, and who can fully understand a sinful human woman bearing in her womb the Son of God?
How do these few texts (Gen. 1:2, Job 33:4, John 3:3-8, Rom. 8:11) help us better understand the role of the Holy Spirit in the pregnancy of Mary and in the birth of Jesus?
However unfathomable the incarnation of Jesus, it's not hard to understand why the Holy Spirit Himself, One of the Godhead, would be the acting Agent. Who else other than God could perform such a miracle? It's hard to imagine an angel, or any inferior or created being, as the causative agent in this incredible act.
|What are some things in the natural world that you believe are true but don't fully understand? How do these examples help you realize there are things about your faith you can believe in but not understand either?
|April 10
What do Matthew 3:16, 17; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21, 22; and John 1:32-34 tell us about the role of the Holy Spirit in Christ's ministry?
Though He was the spotless Son of God, the One who was with God from the days of eternity (John 1:1-3), Jesus, in His human manifestation, was totally dependent upon the work of the Spirit in His life. That is, in His humanity, He allowed Himself to be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
Notice, too, at this scene that all three Persons of the Trinity were manifested in a special way not always revealed in Scripture: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost were all there. This fact alone should tell us how significant the anointing and baptism of Jesus were. Indeed, here, in a special way, began His work, not only for the redemption of humanity but for ending the great controversy with Satan.
What do Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12, and Luke 4:1 tell us about the continued work and role of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Christ?
Here, too, we are shown the influence of the Holy Spirit on the life and mission of Christ. It was here, in the wilderness temptation, that Christ went over the same ground that Adam did, only in a situation much worse than Adam (after all, Adam had a full belly in paradise while Jesus, with a growling empty stomach, was in a barren wilderness). The three writers who wrote about the temptation all emphasized it was the Spirit, which had just fallen on Christ in a marked way at His baptism, that had led Him into the wilderness. They also expressly state, too, that it was Satan who had tempted Him.
|In what ways have you faced your own "wilderness temptation"? How did you fare? What can you learn from Christ's experience that can help you with future temptations?
|April 11
Guided by the Spirit
"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him" (John 3:34).
Today's English Version lucidly renders this verse as follows: "The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit."
What is Jesus saying with those words? What do they tell us about the influence of the Holy Spirit in His life? What should they tell us about what the Holy Spirit should be doing in our lives?
Acts 1:1, 2 makes it plain that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus "had given commandments unto the apostles." Here, too, we have another clear reference to the dependence of Jesus upon the power of the Holy Spirit in His life.
What was Jesus' main objective during His life on earth? John 4:34, 6:38, 8:29. How does this objective fit in with the work of the Holy Spirit in His life?
"Jesus stood, with reference to His human nature, during all the days of His humiliation, under the constant and penetrating operation of the Holy Spirit. The Son, who lacked nothing, but as God in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit possessed all things, compassionately adopted our human nature. . . . Although He was the Son, He did not take its preparation, enriching, and operation into His own hand, but was willing to receive them from the hand of the Holy Spirit."Abraham Kuyper, The Work of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975), p. 96.
|What changes do you need to make in your life so every word you speak could be done through the influence of the Holy Spirit? How different would your words be than they are now?
|April 12
Spirit-Directed Activity: Part 1
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18, 19).
you read the above text, focus on where Christ's emphasis
is. In other words, though He's talking about the Spirit of the Lord being
upon Him, how was that reality manifested in His
The Pharisees asserted that Jesus cast out devils through the power of Beelzebub. But He made it clear that He performed His miracles through the power of the Spirit (see Matt. 12:28). Jesus was dependent on the power of the Spirit to perform His miracles during His earthly ministry.
part did the Spirit play in Christ's offering Himself
as a ransom for our sins?
did Peter sum up the Spirit-inspired ministry of
|None of us, of course, is Jesus. But in what ways can we, if filled with the Spirit, do some of the same things Jesus did (John 14:12) for the benefit of others? How have you been able to, under the power of the Spirit, do some of these same things?
|April 13
Spirit-Directed Activity: Part 2
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Pet. 3:18; see also Rom. 1:4, 8:11).
God is one, but triune. The three Persons of the Trinity work together. They are intimately united in Their work. Thus, although this text says Jesus was raised from the dead by that Spirit, the other two Persons of the Deity united in resurrecting Jesus.
does the apostle Paul say raised Jesus from the dead?
did Jesus Himself say about His resurrection? How does
this text help us understand all that was involved in His resurrection?
10:17, 18.
"Over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, Christ had proclaimed in triumph, 'I am the resurrection, and the life.' These words could be spoken only by the Deity. All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. From the highest seraph to the humblest animate being, all are replenished from the Source of life. Only He who is one with God could say, I have power to lay down My life, and I have power to take it again. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death."Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 785.
Although Paul spends little time on the events of Christ's life, His death and resurrection are constant themes in Paul's letters. When Paul speaks about what is of "first importance" (1 Cor. 15:3, NIV) for believers, it is that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared" (vss. 3-5, NIV). No wonder, then, the Bible links all three Persons of the Godhead with the resurrection of Christ as it did with His baptism. It's of crucial importance to all that we believe as Christians. Without that belief, as Paul says, we have no hope (vs. 17, NIV).
Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important to us as Seventh-day Adventists, especially with our understanding of the state of the dead?
|April 14
Further Study:
|Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages,
pp. 72-74, 111-113, 122, 123; The
Ministry of Healing, p. 479;
"Jesus is our example. . . . He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, 'Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth.' Isa. 42:1." Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 74.
Everything pertaining to Christ's life on earth was accomplished by the power of the Spirit: (1) His conception (Luke 1:35); (2) His baptism (Luke 3:21, 22); (3) His justification; that is, the manifestation of His righteous life (1 Tim. 3:16); (4) His guidance in His life of service (Luke 4:1; see also Luke 2:49); (5) His miracles (Matt. 12:28); (6) His resurrection (1 Pet. 3:18). This reality powerfully points out the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the plan of salvation and our lives.
Discussion Questions:
| As a class, talk about the incarnation of Jesus, about
what it means that God Himself would "come down" into our world and then
die for our sins. What hope does this great truth give us?
According to Ellen White, stories were circulating about the "illegitimate" birth of Jesus. What lessons are there for us today? Do you know someone who is pregnant out of wedlock or has made some similar mistakes? As a class, what can you do to help that person, in contrast to just gossiping about the situation?
In what practical ways can you, as a class, do for others the kind of things Jesus did, such as visiting the sick or inviting people to a meal? How are these types of acts visible expressions of the Holy Spirit working in our lives?
|I N S I D E Story
|Darkness Meets Light
Anwhus Anwa
Ama was married to a dedicated Adventist man in central Ghana. But a spirit of darkness entered Ama's life and made life difficult for the couple. From that day her husband never knew peace at home. Ama fought with him and created much heartache. Because darkness and light cannot live together, Ama did not want to see her husband anymore. Her husband was convinced that Ama had a spiritual problem, and he could do nothing but pray for her and endure her behavior. Divorce was not a solution for him.
Ama decided to visit one of her daughters in the capital city of Accra. Ama's daughter encouraged her mother to go with her to a meeting at church, and Ama went. Ama continued attending church services and started studying the Bible. The church members fasted and prayed for Ama, and she gave her life to Christ. She confessed how demons had used her to bring her family pain and to disgrace God's church.
On the day of her baptism, the pastor entered the river and motioned for Ama to enter. He could see her struggling on the riverbank and realized that the demons were forbidding her to enter the water. The deacons tried to help her into the water, but she clung to them, as if fearful of even touching the water. The pastor waded toward Ama and began praying aloud to Jesus. At the name of Jesus, the demons left Ama. She let go of the deacons and waded into the water to be baptized. As others witnessed the power of God in her life they, too, decided to follow Jesus.
Ama was eager to return to her husband as a born-again Seventh-day Adventist Christian. She reconciled with her husband and testified of the power of God to save her and deliver her from the demons that had tormented her for so many years.
Ama's home is peaceful now, filled with the songs of grace and truth instead of harsh words of censure and angry shouts of accusation. And her patient husband rejoices that his years of prayer and fasting, and his faithfulness to his marriage vows has been rewarded.
Your mission offerings support the work in Ghana and throughout the world, providing materials and literature to bring the light of God's love to searching men and women.
Anwhus Anwa is a pastor in Accra, Ghana, who baptized Ama.
|Produced by the General Conference Office
of Mission Awareness
website: www.adventistmission.org
Join the SSNET moderated email discussion group. You are also warmly invited to join a group discussion of this lesson Sabbath morning with your local Seventh-day Adventist congregation.
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text:
Well-known member
Staff member
i just suddenly remembered Mr. Tea talking enthusiastically about this on Dissensus years ago and decided it deserved its own thread
It's a shoebox, or at least once was, and whenever I masturbate I cum into it. I've had it for two or three years now I think, so it has a fair amount of cum. It smells atrocious, and I tried to burn it once. When I lit it on fire, it was too damp due to the cum that it simply sizzled and didn't manage to actually lite up. Turns out burning cum smells awful, so I had to spray it with a deodorant body spray just to get the old smell of burnt cum away. It also has some drenched papers stuck to it. That's pretty much it.
Because people were asking, my greatest shame.
EDIT 2: A lot of people are asking me, why? Well, I'm apparently a rather disturbed individual. But, it just kind of happened, bought new shoes and needed someplace to cum, used the box. It just escalated from there, kept using it each time, telling myself I would throw it out soon. Never did, two or three years later, I still have it. It was planned or anything, it just happened.
EDIT 3: Fuck, this really exploded. ~20,000+ views of my cum box. Did not expect this.
Edit 4: I often get PMed about updates or current status of the box, generally a few a week. So I might as well update this post, if anyone even gets linked here anymore. Current status, I have created life. Mold has begun to grow in the box and has taken over a fair amount. Smells a bit worse, mainly due to a damper apartment so it does not dry as fast, hence the reason why the mold has begun. New picture.
I will never be rid of my need for it. I hate and love the box, just as I hate and love myself.
Also, what the fuck 2.7million views. Never could have expected this outcome.


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Movie Classics/Must see
Upon realizing @FreshyP has not seen many films I want to take it upon myself to try get the most important/iconic ones first. I can't remember them all so i figured I'd ask for your input. Plus I am interested in hearing what y'all think belongs on the list. After complied, I hope to chime in my thoughts as well as Perry's after watching them
primesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
Pfff. I've tried to get him to watch so many essentials/classics over the years and he was always too cool for school.0
@primesuspect said:
Pfff. I've tried to get him to watch so many essentials/classics over the years and he was always too cool for school.
I figured as much but I hope to overcome that.0
I started down a weird path with my list and realized you wanted classics/important movies:
- Casablanca
- Any Hitchcock
- Bladerunner
- Star Wars (all of them)
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (tbh, all of them that were made before 1990)
- James Bond: Goldfinger, Live and Let Die, Living Daylights, GoldenEye, and then all the Daniel Craig films in order
- Young Frankenstien
- Princess Bride
- Blazing Saddles
- The Great Escape
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Saving Private Ryan
- Schindler's List (get ready for some feels)
- Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (important british film)
That's all I got off the top of my head right now4
These are movies I've seen that I recommend:
The Usual Suspects
Godfather Parts I & II
any Stanley Kubrick film, but especially The Shining and Dr. Strangelove
Apocalypse Now
Raging Bull
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Apartment
Glengarry Glen Ross
Knight Moves
The Conversation
The Exorcist
Rosemary's Baby
Animal House
The Producers (the original Mel Brooks, not the crappy remake)
The Taking of Pelham 123
The Warriors
Airplane! (and to a lesser extent, The Kentucky Fried Movie)
This is Spinal Tap
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The Jerk
Princess Bride
Blues Brothers
The Graduate
Marathon Man
Trading Places
48 Hours
Beverley Hills Cop
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Taxi Driver
American History X
Fight Club
The Sting
Inherit the Wind
Scent of a Woman
American Beauty
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Being John Malkovich
12 Angry Men
The Pianist
E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial
That ought to keep him busy for a while.3
@DontCallMeKelso title is classic/must see, all these fit the bill. Good start.0
drasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
In addition to the above, in random order:
- History of the World, Pt 1
- Spaceballs
- Innerspace
- Explorers
- Abyss
- Die Hard 1 & 2
- National Lampoon's Vacation, Christmas Vacation, & European Vacation
- Terminator 2
- V for Vendetta
- Fight Club
- Snatch
- Das Boot
- Pulp Fiction
- Demolition Man
- A Beautiful Mind
- All Miyazaki films
- Seven Samurai
- The Cowboys
Older Classics
- The Fifth Element
- Twelve Monkeys (Brad Pitt's missed Oscar opportunity, incredible performance)
- Robin Hood: Men in Tights (see also: All Mel Brooks movies because yes)
- Horse Feathers (And, to a lesser extent, most of the other Marx Brothers movies. But this one is a must-see)
- Dark City
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Airplane II (masterful Shatner that cannot be missed)
- A Clockwork Orange
- Titan A.E. (Pinnacle of Bluth animation, IMO)
Modern movies that are must see because they are a master class in cinematography and/or pacing
- Ex-machina (both)
- Kumiko the Treasure Hunter (both)
- Ghost in the Shell (thx @Sonorous) (2017) (all other criticisms accounted for, this movie was gorgeous)
- Avatar (cinematography)
- Prometheus (the first 5 minutes are just... I can't even)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (because WHOA)
@Kwitko said:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Being John Malkovich
You have no idea how happy it made me to see these here.2
Canti =/= smalltime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9K18CGEeiI&feature=related Icrontian
Back to the Future (whole trilogy)
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Goonies
Citizen Kane
Escape From New York
The Green Mile
The Shawshank Redemption
The Matrix
Mad Max
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
The Silence of the Lambs
Full Metal Jacket
Good Will Hunting
Rain Man2
BobbyDigi ? R U #Hats ! TX Icrontian
Battle Royale
Joe Dirt
My Cousin Vinny
Kung Fu Hustle
Personal Fav that has yet to be mentioned:
NiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
FWIW, understanding why some of what makes these movies so great is going to be lost if there isn't a wiki session / old-man Prime there to explain what was so earth shattering about farting in Blazing Saddles, for instance, one of it's more iconic scenes.
The recommendations have all been great, but it might be worth reading up on the movie, too.
Also Top Gun is missing. Watch Top Gun.1
Mt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
Ctrl+F "The African Queen" no results.
Come on guys step up your classics game.
Casablanca, as already mentioned is an amazing choice it was my grandfather's favourite movie of all time and one of mine too.
The Big Sleep is based off my favourite novel by Raymond Chandler (Probably my favourite novel period) and is an absolutely stellar performance by the whole cast.
Following the Noir kick, The Maltese Falcon
The Untouchables
Rear Window
The Harder they Fall
Dirty Harry
I'm just going to throw it out there because the list is extensive, any movie starring Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart or Lauren Bacall are GOAT. I don't believe Humphrey Bogart ever had a bad film.
As for more recent films that I consider essential
Hot Fuzz
Dredd 3D (Ignore the Stallone version from 95)
No Country for Old Men
Hell or High Water
The Fugitive
Also no one mentioned this and I'm sad
Sonorous F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
@AlexDeGruven Ghost in the Machine or Ghost in the Shell?0
@Sonorous said:
@AlexDeGruven Ghost in the Machine or Ghost in the Shell?
Fix'd. Braining is hard.1
BuddyJ Dept. of Propaganda OKC Icrontian
I don't understand people's love of Mel Brooks films. He's a good example of auteur theory, but his_ jokes_ are repetitive and tired.
Odd Man Out
I Am Cuba
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Battleship Potemkin
North By Northwest
Citizen Kane
Kurosawa's 7 Samurai
Other notable works:
Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Ameile and City of Lost Children
Wes Anderson's The Royal Tennenbaums
Les Blank's The Burden of Dreams
Pulp Fiction
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Neil Jordan's The Butcher Boy
Y Tu Mama Tambien
City of God3
@BuddyJ said:
Other notable works:
Wes Anderson's The Royal Tennenbaums
Speaking of Wes Anderson, how about Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and Grand Budapest Hotel?
@AlexDeGruven said:
- Twelve Monkeys (Brad Pitt's missed Oscar opportunity, incredible performance)
In that vein of post-apocalyptic, retro-futures: Brazil
And just because I love Robin Williams: The Fisher King
@Kwitko said:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Being John Malkovich
You have no idea how happy it made me to see these here.
You have no idea how happy it made me to see that someone else knows the movie Adaptation.
And one of my favorite cult classics: Repo Man!1
@Ilriyas said:
Rear Window
@DontCallMeKelso did indirectly include that by mentioning any Hitchcock film, and @BuddyJ mentioned North by Northwest.0
CB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
Every Coen Brothers film except for Raising Arizona, which is terrible.
Dark City0
Now that I've had a night's sleep and thought about it, here's some more:
Minority Report
The Truman Show
The Abyss
Total Recall (the 1990 film, not the 2012 version)
They Live
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (both the 1956 original and 1978 remake are good)
The Fly
Children of Men
Brazil (1985 film)
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Big Trouble in Little China
A Streetcar Named Desire
Easy Rider1
@CB said:
Dark City
YESS. I'm not the only one!
And just because I love Robin Williams: The Fisher King
An absolutely masterful performance on his part.0
Snarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
For over-the-top grotesque humor in the vein of some of Pegg's zombie stuff, check out Dead Alive, also titled Braindead in some areas of the world. I saw this first in Australia, I think, and it left an impression.0
doabarrellroll San Jose, CA Icrontian
Top choices of mine not mentioned above:
Ronin (Has quite possibly the greatest car chase ever filmed. The straight six from the E34 M5 sings the song of my people)
Crimson Tide or The Hunt for the Red October (I have a soft spot for Cold War submarine movies and both of these hit the mark nicely.)
Ocean's 11 (Very fun movie with great characters. I prefer the George Clooney remake)
Where Eagles Dare(A great WW2 spy drama/action movie that is not usually mentioned as a great war movie. The Brits always have it on during the holidays but not as popular in America despite featuring a strappingly young Clint Eastwood.)
Heat (Classic faceoff of good vs evil on streets of LA. Has arguably the greatest shoot-outs of any movie produced)
About Time (Kind of a Rom Com, but not really. It's a sweet movie about young love where the guy has the ability to time travel.)
The Rescuers Down Under (A very fun Disney animated movie that came about during the height of the Golden Age of Disney Animations in the early 90's (Little Mermaid, Lion King, etc.))1
Linc Bard Detroit Icrontian
Ronin & Heat are indeed pillars of their styles.
Dark City, Being John Malkovich, and Adaptation are the ones I keep in my back pocket when someone randomly says they want to watch a movie but they've seen "everything".
Mad Max: Fury Road is so good I can't believe it exists.
Hot Fuzz really is one of the great comedies. I'd turn it on for anyone.
My top 3 are: Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Fugitive, and The Shawshenk Redemption, in that order. I could watch them every day forever.1
GnomeQueen The Lulz Queen Mountain Dew Mouth Icrontian


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Commercial, Military, Products
By Staff Writer | February 26, 2013
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Kaman Aerospace Group (Booth N4112) sees rotorcraft as a key market as it realigns and expands aerospace operations to help operators benefit from its growing global design, manufacturing, testing and tooling capabilities and highly experienced engineering workforce.
Kaman's helicopters include the K-Max utility helicopter, maritime SH-2G Super Seasprite and the unmanned K-Max—which is a finalist for the 2012 Collier Trophy—developed with Lockheed Martin to resupply U.S. Marine Corps forces in Afghanistan.
"One Kaman" brings all Kaman aerospace operations under Greg Steiner, president of Kaman Aerospace, and separates the organization into two segments, Aerosystems and Engineered Products. Led by President Jim Larwood, Aerosystems' primary operating functions will be focused on air vehicles and MRO, composite structures, tooling, engineering services, metallics and assembly. Engineered Products reports to Steiner and includes the Specialty Bearings & Engineered Products and Fuzing & Precision Products divisions. Related: Airframe News


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Explore and enjoy the elegant art of Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) as you scroll through these pages. This ancient Asian art is vibrantly practiced in contemporary interpretations by members of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of Ikebana International with monthly programs of demonstrations and exhibits. Open to everyone, the programs bring together the large membership of the Chapter as artists from different schools of Ikebana present their creations.
Information about future and past programs is here, as well as other aspects about the Chapter. Founded in 1960, the Chapter is an affiliate of the Tokyo Headquarters of Ikebana International. Contact information is included and membership is open to anyone interested in Ikebana.


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ROCHESTER - Michael G. Carey, son of Governor Hugh Carey, today joined a host of athletes, sports dignitaries, and local elected officials to announce plans to bring back the Empire State Games through the creation of a new not-for-profit foundation, the Empire State Sports Foundation. The private foundation has taken over the planning, promotion and organization of the summer games thanks to a recent agreement signed with the New York State Parks Department. Carey, who will serve as president of the foundation's Board of Governors, detailed the significant progress being made to permanently bring back the summer games, including a plan to reunify the two games under the banner of the Empire State Games and the Empire State Sports Foundation. "We are all here for one reason. We love the Empire State Games," said Michael Carey. "We love what these games have meant for our state, for our communities and for our athletes. And now, today, we are here to announce that we are moving forward with the plan to bring back the Empire State Summer Games. The people of New York want the games back, and we are going make it happen. " The 33rd annual Winter Games will again be held in Lake Placid, on February 7-10, 2013. And plans are in place to hold the Summer Games July 24-28 in the Rochester area, with events at SUNY Brockport, Monroe Community College, Roberts Wesleyan College and SUNY Geneseo. Also announced today is news that two of New York State's top athletes are lending their voices to the effort to bring back the Empire State Games. Alumni of the games Stephen Gionta and Abby Wambach have both agreed to serve as honorary members of the ESSF Board of Governors. Stephen Gionta was on hand to help make the announcement. "I played in the Empire State Games, and I loved it," said NHL winger Stephen Gionta. "It was one of the most memorable moments of my young hockey career. To play against the best in the state, to play for my region, to play for a gold medal - nothing compares. I hope all alumni join me in lending their voice and helping to bring back the Empire State Games." "I am so excited for the return of the Empire State Games," said U.S. Soccer great Abby Wambach. "My memories from the Games are still vivid as I relished competing against the best athletes in New York. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating the Empire State Games so we can give another generation of young athletes an opportunity to play, a reason to train hard, and a chance to dream big." The Empire State Games were founded in 1978 by Governor Hugh Carey, and quickly became an important part of New York's athletic culture. Due to the fiscal crisis, the games' state funding was cut in 2009, and the games were permanently discontinued in 2010. The Winter Games continued thanks to the work of Lake Placid and all the communities of the Adirondack region. Under the new private model, the games will be supported by the work of the not-for-profit Empire State Sports Foundation, which will be funded primarily through private sources and corporate sponsorship. As designed, the work of the foundation will benefit both the Summer Games and the Winter Games, rejoining the two events under a unified mission. "This is the start of a new chapter in Empire State Games history," said James McKenna, president of the Lake Placid-based Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. "Our partnership puts in motion a public/private model, ensuring that the Adirondacks' Winter Games will continue, and that the potential for both events to grow is unlimited." "ORDA is once again excited to be hosting several of the 33rd annual Empire State Winter Games' competition on its venues. We hope that these games, and even the legacy of the venues, will help to inspire these young athletes to obtain even loftier goals, not only in sport, but in life," said Ted Blazer, Pres/CEO of ORDA (Olympic Regional Development Authority). "One of the most important aspects of these very popular games coming back is the economic impact it will have on our area by bringing in participants, their families, and volunteers to our community for the 2013 Empire State Games," said State Sen. Joe Robach (R-Rochester) "We are very pleased to host the Empire State Games next summer," said Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards. "The success of the Games depends on a true community effort and we are thankful to the Carey family, the Foundation and New York State for taking steps to bring them back and honor our great, former Governor, Hugh Carey." The Empire State Sports Foundation is committed to giving the state's top amateur athletes a chance to compete at the highest level. Visit the Empire State Games on Facebook or on the web, and register to stay informed:http://www.empirestatesummergames.org
. "To make these games a success, we need all the athletes, all the alumni and all the supporters of amateur sports to get involved," said Carey. "It's up to all New Yorkers to help make the Empire State Games happen. Together, we will give New York athletes a world class competition and the experience of a lifetime. We will give young and old athletes across the state another reason to be active, to train, and to compete. And we will give another generation of athletes a chance to play."


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Industry consultants often say that a key factor in a club's success is its skill in communicating with members and potential members. Using the right tools to promote special offers, highlight new programming and services, and create a sense of belonging can boost revenue and retention rates. Although establishing a clear plan for day-to-day communications is important, the real measure of a club's communications strategy often occurs when it is faced with news it would rather not share.
During the past few months, a number of clubs have been put to the test when forced to respond to reports linking their facilities or staff to negative incidents.
The year started off with the news that the owner of an independent fitness club in Louisiana had shot his wife before taking his own life. On that same day in January, a female employee of a Sport & Health club in Maryland was sexually assaulted and robbed as she left the club after closing. In March, a masseur at an independent club in New Jersey was arrested and charged with criminal sexual contact following allegations from a female club member. In May, a member of a 24 Hour Fitness club in California died after being stabbed in the club's parking lot. Both Sport & Health and 24 Hour responded immediately to inquiries from Club Industry in those respective cases.
Club operators often will not reply to media queries about incidents like these or will say only that their policy is not to comment on open criminal investigations. However, this lack of response is not best practice when it comes to queries from members who may be concerned about their own safety or privacy, says Christine Thalwitz, director of communications for ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers, Charlottesville, VA.
"The worst thing you can do is not get back to people and not formulate a response," Thalwitz says. "Any response is better, even if it is just that the organization is still trying to gather information. I think it's important to at least put out a statement that says we are aware of this and we are looking into it and we will follow up."
Even if club management chooses not to respond to media queries and instructs staff not to comment to the media, no one can stop members from speaking to the media, so management must keep members informed about the situation and what the club is doing about it, Thalwitz says.
Casey Conrad, president at Communication Consultants, says that club operators should count on the fact that their members will be interviewed by the media. By keeping members informed about how the club is handling the situation, members can make that publicity more positive rather than more negative.
"You want to be sure they're on your side," Conrad says. Rather than waiting for something bad to happen, club owners should regularly communicate with members about all the measures taken to protect members' safety and privacy. This way, if an adverse situation arises, members can confidently say they know that the club looks out for its members, she says.
Thalwitz also stresses the importance of being proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to how a facility communicates bad news. Clubs that are caught off guard will have to scramble to put together a response, and it will take longer for them to be able to address members' concerns, Thalwitz says, adding that delays in response often lead to misinterpretations and miscommunications.
Club owners should establish a central point of communication for dealing with difficult situations, Thalwitz says.
"Having protocols up front for team members is really helpful, as is identifying who the key spokespeople are within the organization, so when questions come up, team members immediately know to whom they should refer this member," Thalwitz says.
Staff should not be put in the position of confirming, denying or commenting on a story reported by the press, Thalwitz says, but should respond to members by saying that they understand their concerns and would like to put them in touch with the right person.
This referral response also should be applied to social networking sites. Although Thalwitz says a club's Facebook page usually is not the best place to communicate the details of difficult situations to members, she says it can present an opportunity to show how the company is responding to the issue if a member initiates a discussion online.
Staff members should monitor the sites and reply to comments by giving the elected spokesperson's contact details and inviting the poster to call or come into the club to receive the answers to their questions, Thalwitz says. Simply deleting posts is not a good idea.
"I think that breeds questions or misunderstandings about why is this being deleted and creates a bit of panic," she says.
Conrad agrees that it is important for operators to monitor their club's presence online—and not just in the wake of a negative incident. Being truly proactive, she says, means not just having a plan in place for dealing with these adverse situations after they occur but laying the groundwork that will help counter their effects ahead of time.
"The Internet makes all news evergreen," she says, adding that although club operators cannot make the bad news go away, they can take steps to ensure that they receive regular, positive publicity, too. That way, if potential members search for information about the club online, they will see that good news along with the bad, Conrad says.


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Certified. Super White 2019 Toyota Corolla LE FWD CVT 1.8L I4 DOHC Dual VVT-i ABS brakes, Accident Free Carfax History, Backup Camera, Bluetooth, Hands-Free, Distance pacing cruise control: Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Dual front impact airbags, Dual front side impact airbags, Front anti-roll bar, Front wheel independent suspension, Keyless Entry, Knee airbag, Low tire pressure warning, Occupant sensing airbag, One Owner, Overhead airbag, Portable Audio Connection, Rear anti-roll bar, Speed-sensing steering, Steering Wheel Controls, Traction control.Thank you! Recent Arrival! 28/36 City/Highway MPGToyota Details:* Warranty Deductible: $50* Transferable Warranty* Powertrain Limited Warranty: 84 Month/100,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from TCUV purchase date* Roadside Assistance* Vehicle History* Limited Comprehensive Warranty: 12 Month/12,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from certified purchase date. Roadside Assistance for 1 Year (for Toyota Certified Used Vehicles program), Limited Comprehensive Warranty: 12 Month/12,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from certified purchase date. Battery Warranty 8 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) from original date of first use when sold as new. Fuel Cell Vehicle Warranty 8 years/100,000 mile (whichever comes first) on key fuel cell components. Roadside Assistance for 1 Year (for Toyota Certified Used Hybrids program)* 160 Point Inspection (for Toyota Certified Used Vehicles program), 174 Point Inspection (for Toyota Certified Used Hybrids program)Awards:* 2019 KBB.com Brand Image Awards * 2019 KBB.com Best Resale Value Awards#1 volume Toyota Certified dealer in San Diego county! Top 10 volume Toyota Certified dealer in the country!!
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In Part 1, we demonstrated how easy it was to administrate a system via a remote desktop session with openSUSE, SLED and SLES. Now, lets discuss how we can secure your remote desktop session by encrypting the data stream between the remote system and your local machine.
We will use Secure Shell (aka SSH) to encrypt the VNC (RFB) protocol via a technique called SSH Tunneling. More info on the subject of tunneling protocol at Wikipedia.
1) You have SSH running (enabled) and you have a strong password on your remote system.
2) The Firewall is set to allow SSH traffic on your remote system.
On your local machine, we create a SSH tunnel to the remote machine, via the terminal as follows:
ssh -L 5900:localhost:5900 -f -N user@remoteIP
ssh is the secure shell program and the rest are parameters. -L will forward a particular port (ie 5900) on the local machine to another port (ie 5900) on the remote machine. -f requests ssh to go to the background. -N tells ssh not to execute remote command as we are just port forwarding. user is the user on the remote system. remoteIP is the reachable Internet address of the remote machine.
A successful SSH connection will prompt you for the user's password. Enter the password and you have a secure shell tunnel.
Next, execute the typical vncviewer command as follows:
vncviewer localhost:0
Noticed we point vncviewer to the local machine. If the SSH tunnel is setup corrrectly, it will intercept the vncviewer RFB protocol and forward it to the remote machine for execution. [localhost:0 translate to localhost and port 5900]
Now, we have the VNC (RFB) protocol leaving your local machine encrypted by the SSH protocol. Upon reaching the remote machine, the VNC (RFB) protocol will be delivered to port 5900 where the vncserver is running... and vice versa.
Do expect a hit on performance as we are wrapping a protocol (RFB) within another (SSH). I do not have a good user experience as the remote desktop feels sluggish. One workaround is to reduce the size of the remote desktop from the typical 1024x768 to 600x480 (or any other dimension as long as you're still productive). Another suggestion is to use the -deferUpdate flag to set a higher time (in milliseconds), default at 40, to wait before sending all the user interaction updates down the stream.
If you find the above too painful or performance hit unacceptable, there are other Remote Desktop alternatives with encryption. One very popular Remote Desktop software is from NoMachine.com. The underlying NX protocol is Free(as in speech) and open source(GPL). The client and server software for Linux are Free(as in beer/soda).
The opinions on this blog are my own and are not representative of my employers, past or present.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Remote Desktop in Linux - Part 2
1 comment:
Its so highly informative things are posted in your blog. I was seeking for this type of Desktop related Conference blog that have a fresh and interesting content.ReplyDelete
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A little over a week ago, Team FIN tractor- and truck-tester Daryl Bridenbaugh got hurt while doing something he loved: driving his John Deere 4020 tractor.
We got the news while editing one of his stories about the new Ram trucks recently previewed at the New York International Auto Show. His wife, Peggy, told us that earlier in the evening Daryl was driving down a hill pulling a full nitrogen applicator when suddenly the rig tipped over, pinning him under the tractor.
"Luckily he only has a lot of bumps and bruises and a broken pelvis," writes Peggy in an email. "Lucky you say? The tractor stopped rolling before it got to his abdomen, chest or head. It could have been so much worse."
Daryl, fortunately, had his cell with him. He gathered his wits enough to call Peggy and 911. A record 22 minutes later, the EMS arrived and loaded him on a helicopter. He was airlifted to nearby Lima Memorial Hospital in Lima, Ohio, where just yesterday he was released from ICU.
While Daryl begins the upward battle of physical therapy, we thought it only fitting to pay tribute to five rides that ended on a much better note. May you be back in the seat very soon dear friend.
Farm Industry News encourages you to send in messages to Daryl by commenting below this blog entry. The comments will be published as they are sent in to us. We thank you for keeping him in mind in the coming weeks.
1) http://farmindustrynews.com/riding-tractor-aficionado
2) http://farmindustrynews.com/truckspickups/team-fin-farmer-test-drives-toyota-tundra
3) http://farmindustrynews.com/truckspickups/team-fin-test-chevy-silverado-2500
4) http://farmindustrynews.com/truckspickups/team-fin-test-drive-ford-f-250-super-duty-pickup
5) http://farmindustrynews.com/blog/first-impressions-robotic-farming-systems


text: KINZE MANUFACTURING expands the options on its planters for 2010, allowing for some economical buys. The 3700 front-folding planter shown is now available with mechanical finger metering on a 24-row model with 30-in. spacing or a 36-row model with 20-in. spacing. This planter may be equipped with an Air Seed Delivery (ASD) system or conventional seed hoppers. ASD includes two 55-bu. hoppers that distribute seed to row units through air pressure. The 3700 also may be equipped with the EdgeVac vacuum seed meter and conventional seed hoppers. Prices start at $160,000. Visit www.kinze.com.


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Book Flights to Basra
Fly to Basra with Qatar Airways and you'll find yourself stepping into a city steeped in myth and mystery. According to the stories, Basra is where the famous sailor, Sinbad, set sail and where his epic adventures began. It also bears the nickname "the Venice of the Middle East", thanks to its network of canals that weave between and under the busy streets.
Although Basra is very much a 21st-century city, it still retains much of its ancient charm, through its old-style houses with small balconies and wooden façades. Check the price of flights further below to book Economy or Premium Class flights to Basra with Qatar Airways.
Basra highlights
Basra, the Venice of the Middle East, is steeped in glorious mystery, from its twisting canals to its spice-scented bazaars.
Tourist attractions
The canals are a major draw for visitors and are still used to transport small shipments of spice. You can hire canoes, boats and dhows to gain a view of the city from its waterways, but it's often best to charter a piloted vessel. The canals can get busy, and may prove too stressful a challenge for the nautical novice.
The University of Basra is worth your time, if only for its eye-watering grounds. Outside, you will see vast, four-legged arches capped with minaret-like domes.
Leisure activities
Basra itself is surrounded by what appear to be lush, green forests. But take a closer look and you'll see that the trees are bearing fruit: dates. There are plenty of guides to take you through the date forests and you can sample this tasty treat straight from the tree. There are several types of date to be found, each one as delicious as the last.
You'll find plenty of restaurants in the city, from fast-food outlets to fine dining experiences. But for an eminently rewarding experience, why not eat like the locals do? Amid the warren-like streets, you'll find cafés and street vendors cooking up a storm and filling the air with the scents of grilling meats, bubbling stews and freshly ground spices.
The most popular drinks are strong, earthy coffees and sweet, black teas, and you will often see Basra's residents chewing on dates outside cafés as they drink and chat. Also, try the local cold drink: a mix of buttermilk, salt and water.
Keep an eye out for al-kaoub, a mix of eggs and onions, served with a radish-like herb native to the area, which has a pleasingly potato-like taste to it. Kefta is another popular dish, incorporating meat into both the pastry and the filling. The pastry is made from ground borghul rice and mashed with meat until a dough forms. The filling is typically made from lamb, cooked with garlic, almonds, raisins and a herb-infused tomato sauce.
Iraqis have a notoriously sweet tooth and it would be a shame to travel to Basra and not try sojok – a sweet made from nut pulp and molasses.
While there are plenty of malls, your trip to Basra just wouldn't be complete without a visit to one of its bazaars, which offers a step into its past. You'll hear the calls of traders trying to drum up custom and the babble of buyers looking to nail a bargain. Basra's bazaars are famous for their roses and, beneath the pungent aromas of spice and coffee, you'll smell a light, floral perfume. Roses are sold by the dozen here and the petals are used to make the purest rosewater or add scent to oil-based perfumes.
Essential facts about BasraEnjoy a hassle-free journey with all the information you need to know before your trip
Visa information
Check visa and passport requirements before you fly


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Toyota Rav4 adds class, keeps efficiency for 2013 model year
What a difference a couple of decades can make.
The original Toyota RAV4 that helped usher in the compact-utility segment back in 1996 was a major design and marketing breakthrough. Vehicles such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and others eventually followed, with all offering an economical and affordable way to deal with just about any type of inclemency that Ma Nature might have tossed our way.
The latest RAV4 is no less capable, but over the years has evolved into an elegant, sophisticated and highly detailed wagon. Physically it now displays all sorts of swoops and curves that replace a boxier design. In back, the side hinged cargo door with attached spare tire has been replaced by a more practical liftgate. The full-size spare (a rarity in this class) is now discretely located beneath the cargo floor. There's also a handy spot to hide small valuables next to the spare, while the slightly enlarged main stowage area handles the bulky stuff, especially when the split-folding second-row seat is folded flat.
The rest of the cabin has been completely restyled and is awash with "soft-touch" materials and silver trim bits, which is pretty standard for this class now. The mostly business-like asymmetrical dashboard and control panel runs counter to the currently in-vogue shapes that appear to intrude into the passenger area. There are eight standard airbags as well as a 6.1-inch display that doubles as a monitor for the backup camera.
Oh, and if you're planning to add the third-row seat option to your RAV4, be advised that Toyota has discontinued that feature due to an apparent lack of interest.
Also gone for the same reason is the 269-horsepower 3.5-liter-V6 option, which means that returning for 2013 is the one and only 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, which is actually enough for a vehicle that weighs in at about 3,450 pounds. Although the engine returns basically unchanged, there's a new six-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous four-speed unit. The new fifth and sixth overdrive gearing - plus a more efficient torque converter - is largely responsible for the bump in fuel economy to 24 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway (for front-wheel-drive models), which is up from 22/28. All-wheel-drive versions achieve 22/29 mpg, which is up from 21/27.
The AWD option is updated with Auto, Lock and Sport modes to suit specific traction and driving situations. Lock mode keeps half the power going to the back wheels as long as you're driving slower that 25 mph. Sport mode allows wider transfer of torque between the front and rear wheels (as much as half to the rear) than the Auto mode.
The base RAV4 LE comes with 17-inch steel wheels, which probably helps keep the starting price to less than $25,000, but you do get air conditioning, reclining second-row seat plus most of the basic power features.
The XLE adds a moonroof, dual-zone climate control, premium bucket seats with more bolstering (side support) and fancier 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Limited loads up with power-adjustable and heated front seats with memory settings, power liftgate, 576-watt JBL-brand audio system and 18-inch wheels.
The XLE and Limited are also the portals to a variety of premium-level options, including voice-activated navigation and Bluetooth wireless networking. For the Limited only, you can order a blind-spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alert that lets you know when other vehicles are approaching from behind on the highway, or are crossing your path when backing out of a parking spot.
Whether in standard trim or all dressed up, the latest RAV4 is a handsome wagon that accentuates economy and efficiency, which was exactly the stated mission all those years ago. This time around, though, the RAV4 leaves behind its entry-level ways to become a more elegant and refined traveler.
Indeed, what a difference a couple of decades can make.
What you should know: 2013 Toyota RAV4
Type: Four-door, front- /all-wheel-drive compact wagon
Engine (hp): 2.5-liter DOHC I4 (176)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Market position: The vehicle credited with starting the small-ute craze has stayed with or ahead of the pack by offering a smart-looking package that's modestly priced, fuel efficient and well equipped, even in base trim.
Points: All-new sheetmetal is way more appealing; Base four-cylinder engine is more than adequate for most tasks; V6 was great, but a bit much; Optional third-row seat deletion makes room for full-size spare-tire storage; AWD is well worth the $1,400; New RAV4 still not likely to overcome class-leading Honda CR-V in sales.
Safety: Front, side-impact and side-curtain airbags; driver's knee airbag; passenger seat cushion airbag; anti-lock brakes; traction control; stability control.
MPG (city/hwy) 24/31 (FWD)
Base price (incl. destination) $24,150
Honda CR-V
Base price: $23,600
Popular model counts on style and reputation to maintain popularity.
Nissan Rogue
Base price: $23,500
Junior-sized Murano offers high style and lots of interior space.
Ford Escape
Base price: $23,400
Latest edition of Ford's small-roader available in choice of three engines.


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Guests and Savannah's SAFE Shelter benefit from this downtown Savannah Inn's harvest
Savannah, GA – Azalea Inn & Gardens brings on the greens and encourages you to leave the blues behind. Who'd imagine an inn located in a quiet historic urban neighborhood in Savannah, GA would support their own mini-farm? But with astute planning from Adam Mentzer, passionate local farmer and owner of Adam's Farm, the bounty is blooming at Azalea Inn and Gardens. Knowing that her mini-farm would produce beyond the needs of the guests, Azalea Inn & Gardens owner, Teresa Jacobson, set out to find a place where needy recipients could benefit from the garden. Having had friends benefit from the help of shelters for abused victims, Jacobson settled on the Savannah Area Family Emergency (SAFE) Shelter for abused people to receive produce from her garden. Today, both Mentzer and Jacobson are supplying the shelter's clients with excess fresh-grown food from their garden while teaching graduates of the SAFE Shelter program how a small-space garden can produce big benefits.
The Azalea Inn & Gardens has a long history of gardening fame. Their award-winning flower gardens have received media accolades for years. Yet never one to settle for status quo, Teresa Jacobson decided she wanted a bigger garden in 2011 when she was motivated by a "Meet Your Maker" dinner (where local artisans' and growers' produce, cheeses, meats were showcased.) It was here she made the acquaintance of local farmer Adam Mentzer, and soon the concept of the Azalea Inn mini-farm developed. While skeptical at first at what could be accomplished on a small lot in downtown Savannah, Mentzer refused to be daunted, knowing raised beds and container gardens could produce plenty. What followed was phenomenal: [nggallery id=20]
The list of varieties of herbs and produce growing in the mini-farm is astounding. Careful planning has allowed a long list of varieties to be grown, the likes of which you'd expect to find on a ten acre rural Georgia farm, including:
Hybrid Squash 8-Ball Hybrid Melon Galia Hybrid Melon Athena
Gourd Cucuzzi Snake Tomato Amana Orange Hybrid Tomato Supersweet
Okra Clemson Spineless Gourd Dipper Long Handled Hybrid Cucumber Tasty Green
Hybrid Tomato Morning Light Hybrid Tomato Brandymaster Pink
Tomato Cherokee Purple Hybrid Pepper Anastar Hybrid Pepper Aristocrat
Hybrid Zucchini Squash Kentucky Blue Pole Bean Yellow Bush Bean
Purple Bush Bean Fennel Zefa Fino Swiss Chard Magenta Sunset
Arugula Daikon Radish Miyashige Hybrid Turnip Scarlet Queen Red Stems
Greens Mache Strawberries Sequoia Strawberries Quinalt
Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Ichiban
Rosemary Oregano Stevia
Texas Terragon Onion Chives Lemon Balm
Curled Parsley Cilantro Potpourri Lavender
Spearmint Peppermint Rosemary
Fernleaf Dill Spicy Globe basil Thai Basil
Lemon Basil Opal Basil Sweet Basil
"I'm not sure what I'm more excited about," smiled Teresa Jacobson when asked about the new mini-farm, "all of this glorious produce and herbs, my new partnership with Adam or being able to offer those who've had to leave everything behind the taste of freshness from my garden," finished Jacobson. The response from the SAFE Shelter staff and clients has included an outpouring of gratitude.
While the focus has always been on locavore cuisine at the Azalea Inn & Gardens, the new mini-farm will bring the property even closer to a totally sustainable model. Food scraps will be composted in 80-gallon Earth Machine compost bins and rainwater for watering plants is collected in 55 gallon cisterns, allowing nature's bounty to be reused to create healthier plants and a healthier planet. Additionally, low-volume irrigation and low volume water baths are utilized outside and in. At Azalea Inn, Earth Day is every day.
Inside, cotton/bamboo blend towels delight guests with their soft and eco-friendly texture. All lighting utilizes energy-saving CFL bulbs and plastic bottles for bath amenities have been replaced with dispensers for high quality eco-friendly shampoos, shower gels and conditioners. Guests are given the option to re-use towels to cut down on unnecessary detergents and energy use and as many papers and plastics as possible are recycled.
The décor of the inn emphasizes nature, and rooms have been designed to allow as much natural light as possible. Most rooms feature private balconies or patios allowing guests to "bring the outdoors in".
About Azalea Inn
Deliciously relaxing and lighthearted, the Azalea Inn and Gardens is a casually elegant Savannah bed and breakfast mansion offering vintage and award-winning gardens and its new mini-farm, historic 19th century architecture (complete with soulful imperfections) and a scrumptious, new and traditional southern cuisine breakfast. A hidden garden courtyard pool, modern comforts and free on-site parking sets Azalea Inn & Gardens apart and makes staying here easy and relaxing. Located in the Historic Landmark District of Savannah on brick-cobbled Huntingdon Street near Forsyth Park (Savannah's central park), the inn's atmosphere is characterized by fun, with an adventurous and decidedly eco-friendly focus. Yet the ultimate allure of this daffodil-colored Queen Anne Italianate inn is its owner's 21st century, whimsical and outgoing personality. You'll arrive ready for a break and leave with a new great friend.
For those seeking a green urban refuge, the Azalea Inn & Gardens is a delight. Learn more at www.azaleainn.com.
These and other photos available in high-res from Azalea Inn. Misty DeBlasio photos


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text: The 4" blade is rust-resistant, designed for rugged use, and serrated for quick rope-cutting. The ParaKnife FS 4.0 includes a magnesium fire starter, a protective sheath and a paracord-wrapped handle that provides a secure grip and unwraps to over 6 feet of paracord. The ParaKnife blade can be used to create sparks in all weather conditions.


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Every week, John Salley, onetime Bad Boy and currently the arachnoid half of the Spider and the Henchman podcast, will regale us with an amusing and occasionally salacious story from his playing days. Today: why you shouldn't lip-kiss NBA groupies.
As a rookie, you know, you meet women who are much older than you. I'm 22 years old and I'm in this situation where I meet this broad, who had to be, oh, 29 or so.
So she's at my crib and I'm thinking, "Wow, I pulled this broad all the way from the strip joint"— you know it's kinda hard to get 'em off the pole and down to talkin' with you.
And so I get her in my crib and the broad says to me, "Hey, let me use your bathroom." She goes in there with her handbag on, and she's in there for a little bit and after a while I'm like, "Damn, this chick is really, you know…damn, is she showering, is she shitting? What's she doing?"
Whatever she was doing it, it needed to be done. And I'm looking' in the bathroom. I said, "Damn, you all right in there?"
She was like, "Yeah, yeah. You know, I had to tidy it up and…(LOUD SNIFFING NOISE)"
So she comes out and she's on me, just like that. And I'm like, "Ohhh," trying to defend it. She's trying to kiss me and I'm thinking, "Damn, you know, I just met you, I'm not kissing you." But she overpowers me.
(LIPS SMACK) I was like, "Mmm (LIP SMACK), what's that?"
She goes, "(softer sniff) Oh, I just did a couple of bumps and, oh, uh, is it coming out?"
And now I'm paranoid because I licked the lips of this stripper. I was so nervous for days. I asked my brother, "Do I drink vinegar? How do I get this out of my system?"
So I tell people, when they talk about kissing: There's none of that in that situation. So watch yourself as a rookie, when you're just out there having sex with these women. Strap it up, but no kissing.
The above is adapted from the "Spider Stories" segment on the Spider and the Henchman podcast.
Photo by BJ Hammerstein


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Can only be received once per character per day. The quest can be picked up from a Smokywood Pastures NPC in Ironforge (Alliance) or Orgrimmar (Horde), or from the Strange Snowman across from the Abominable Greench's cave in Ruins of Alterac, Hillsbrad Foothills.
Stolen Present
- Stolen Present
- Item Level 90
- Binds when picked up
- Requires Feast of Winter Veil
- "It has your name on it!"
- <Right Click to Open>
This item is not available in game.


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Newest Trailer Released for "So Young"
New Posters of "The Chef, The Actor, The Scoundrel" Released
'The Iron Lady' to Open in Chinese Mainland
"An End to Killing" To Be Released in May
A poster of "Bring Happiness Home." [Photo: douban]
Out-earning their high-budget domestic competition and even rivaling Hollywood blockbusters, the box office success of low-budget Chinese comedies is no laughing matter.
"Bring Happiness Home," a domestic comedy that hit theaters on Jan. 15, had raked in 130 million yuan (20.9 million U.S. dollars) as of Jan. 27, a box office performance worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster.
The film's success is tracking a trend started by the low-budget comedy "Lost in Thailand," which debuted on Dec. 12. The gut-buster took in an unprecedented 1.2 billion yuan in less than a month, out-earning "Avatar" and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" to become the highest-grossing movie ever shown in Chinese theaters.
"Works that capture the fun side of modern life have been the highlights of the domestic film market since the primetime Lunar New Year film season started in late November," Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, said.
"Lost in Thailand" follows the adventures of two rival Chinese businessmen and a simple-minded pancake maker in Thailand, while "Bring Happiness Home" is the story of a girl from a wealthy family and her life with her dog.
"The market share of big-budget films, epics in particular, has gradually been taken away by relatively low-budget works," Zhang said, adding that moviegoers are moving away from films featuring elaborate settings and visual experiences, like renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "Hero" (2002).
The trend is evident, as director Feng Xiaogang's blockbuster "Back to 1942" took in just 370 million yuan after its November premier.
The film about a tragic drought that claimed about 3 million lives in central China's Henan Province in 1942 cost about 210 million yuan to make -- a stark contrast to "Lost in Thailand," which cost about 30 million yuan.
The epic's disappointing ticket revenue surprised many observers, as Feng has been one of China's most successful commercial filmmakers. His 1997 film "Jia Fang Yi Fang," or "The Dream Factory," was the first film produced especially for the Lunar New Year film season and grossed 33 million yuan that year.
"Low-budget comedies win large audiences because they are closer to real life and appeal to a wider audience, especially young people," Zhang said.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting the creative tricks these films are using to attract audiences, the professor added. The actors in "Bring Happiness Home" are the hosts of a popular entertainment show produced by Hunan TV, based in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province.
"The market potential for films that include elements from popular TV shows will be great," Zhang said.
Meanwhile, some observers and directors believe Chinese moviegoers are growing more and more diversified, perhaps contributing to the popularity of comedies with wide appeal.
Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai told Xinhua in a recent interview that it was hard to appeal to every moviegoer, as everyone has their own tastes.
His most recent film, "The Grandmaster," a kung fu film that debuted across China on Jan. 8, grossed nearly 30 million yuan on its opening day in China and has continued to enjoy steady ticket sales.
China's box office sales hit 17.07 billion yuan in 2012, surging 30.18 percent year on year and making the country the world's second-largest film market.
Though films like "Lost in Thailand" have performed a feat at box office, domestic films generally remain unable to rival their foreign counterparts. Ticket sales for imported movies accounted for 51.54 percent of gross ticket revenue last year, but 893 Chinese domestic films were shown in theaters, compared to only about 50 imported films, including 34 Hollywood blockbusters.
China's film industry is still far from other film powers, and there is plenty of room for improvement in the diversity and variety of Chinese movies, Tong Gang, head of the film bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said at a press briefing in January.
|1. Seeking Mr. Right
2. Princess and Seven Kung Fu Masters
3. Ip Man: Final Fight
4. Journey to the West
5. An End to Killing


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At lunchtime on Election Day, writing in Chuck Norris for president might seem like a funny thing to do — even if the name is spelled wrong. It slows the process and after Tuesday's large turnout, presented one more wrench in the wheel for poll workers, who were counting into the wee morning hours in some towns.
At lunchtime on Election Day, writing in Chuck Norris for president might seem like a funny thing to do — even if the name is spelled wrong.
But 12 hours later, the town clerk fails to see the humor.
Write-in votes cause the ballot to be moved into a second tray inside the voting machine, from which they must be removed and hand tallied. It slows the process and after Tuesday's large turnout, presented one more wrench in the wheel for poll workers, who were counting into the wee morning hours in some towns.
"Every ballot has to be looked at, and if they went through the trouble to write it in and fill in the circle, you have to assume they wanted to vote it," Spencer Town Clerk Laura Torti said.
Mrs. Torti and her staff were wading through ballots that included some interesting write-ins, including Karl Marx, John Q. Adams and Bill Clinton for Governor's Council.
And Worcester Clerk of Courts Dennis McManus might be surprised to learn that in Spencer, Bill Clinton and George Bush both received votes for his job.
The write-in votes are a frustration for clerks who are already faced with a daunting task when voters turn out in record numbers.
"People that write in Mickey Mouse are not only wasting their vote, they're wasting the time of the people counting who have already put in a long day," Mrs. Torti said.
In Hardwick, Town Clerk Paula Roberts used to struggle with the same problem, but she found a creative fix.
She noticed that several voters were writing in a local man for every open position on the local election ballot, year after year.
"I was able to figure out who they were," she said. "I wasn't 100 percent sure but I felt I knew, so I told these fellows I needed help counting votes and I asked if any of them would help. Some of them did and when they saw what I went through after the election, it stopped."
In local elections, writing in a friend could mean the person is elected to a post the person doesn't want, and that starts another process in which the candidate-elect must decline the position.
Mrs. Roberts said voters who cast ballots with foolish votes on them are wasting taxpayer money, too, because it increases the time town employees must work.
Southbridge Town Clerk Madaline I. Daoust gets a little frustrated with write-in ballots in part, because, like the other clerks, she sees casting a ballot as important.
"This is a serious thing and people should take it as such," she said. "It's democracy at its finest."
This year she saw votes for Newt Gingrich, Minnie and Mickey Mouse, and Darth Vader.
There was also a ballot cast for Big Bird, probably as a result of that character's sudden increased popularity after the first presidential debate, in which Mitt Romney said he loved Big Bird but would cut subsidies to PBS.
Brian McNiff, a spokesman for Secretary of State William F. Galvin, said write-in votes are typically reported as "other" when clerks make their final tallies to the state.
Votes for candidates that appear to be serious are tallied and listed, though, so in Spencer a vote for state Rep. Peter J. Durant as senator might have been intended.
Mrs. Torti and her crew were finishing up shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday from Tuesday's election, in part because of a failed voting machine.
It was her first big election as clerk and she's hoping she got the bugs out.
After the long night, she said, she hopes she'll see more participation in local elections and town meeting from those who only come out every four years.
She's also hoping people will consider more carefully how they use their votes.
"Voting is a serious thing," she said. "It should be meaningful and voters should cast their ballots in a thoughtful way."