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Even though obesity numbers in children—20 percent of 6- to 11-year-olds are obese while 18 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds are obese—would indicate a revenue opportunity in serving this market, some club operators are experiencing revenue growth by catering to a different segment of America's youth.
In sharp contrast to the stereotypical image of today's children as video-game-playing couch potatoes, millions of kids regularly compete in a more active way, through school athletics. Sports participation for the 2010-2011 school year reached a record-breaking total of 7.7 million participants, according to figures from the 50 state high school athletic/activity associations, plus the District of Columbia, that are members of the National Federation of State High Schools.
"Adolescent and children's sports performance programs are some of the hottest and fastest-growing services in the industry," says Gregory Florez, CEO of First Fitness Inc./FitAdvisor.com, Salt Lake City. "They help children gain skills and a strong work ethic for any sport when they are administered correctly."
And for a fitness business operator, properly implemented youth sports performance programs can help increase non-dues revenues.
"We help clubs capture the 7- to 18-year-old demographic and drive it similar to small group personal training," says Bill Parisi, founder and CEO of Parisi Speed School, Wyckoff, NJ, which has 50 licensed sites in health clubs throughout the country. "Clubs run our business similar to a personal training business, so the returns can be similar while reaching a non-traditional health club audience."
One club that has had success from its licensing agreement with Parisi, despite the $20,000-$30,000 price tag that comes with a name that has helped send 130 players to the National Football League, is Pasedena, CA-based Breakthru Fitness. The club launched the program when it opened three years ago and has seen profits from it more than triple during that time.
"I had researched every program out there and, since we had no experience with youth sports performance, I wanted to make sure we had the best system out there," says owner Phil Dozois, who has also been a trainer for more than two decades. "We were profitable after the first eight months. We have grown from $88,000 in year one and expect to close the year out at $275,000. It's been a fantastic return on investment for us."
Other facilities are seeing similar success on their own as they build their reputation as a sports performance facility on the back of their reputation with traditional members. Akron General Health and Wellness, Akron, OH, started its own sports performance program in 2007 and has had success working with the area's young athletes.
"Akron General Sports Performance's goal is to be known as the experts in sports performance in northeast Ohio because we get results and help athletes achieve their goals," says Amanda Kephart, club coach and head sports performance coach at Akron General Health and Wellness. "It helps our goal to not be limited by policies and ideas of an outside company. Anybody can make someone tired and make them feel like they had a good workout, but very few programs can teach athletes proper bio-mechanics and physics of speed, strength and power. That is why we feel we are the best and why our athletes get so much better. Parents sometimes look just at cost/convenience and do not realize the stark differences in program philosophies and staff."
Meanwhile, Plymouth Fitness has had enough success with its individually tailored junior sports and fitness programming that it has recently invested in a new outdoor training facility to expand its reach—which now extends to toddlers.
"Our newest addition to our youth sports development is the addition of the UK Sports Development program (UKSD Plymouth), a soccer skills training program for kids as young as 2 years old," says Nathan Graham, fitness director at Plymouth Fitness, Plymouth, MA. "We have decided to invest in and construct an outdoor training facility to host more of these events. It includes a one-quarter scale track and field and three multi-purpose training stations, including monkey bars, dips, pull-ups, band work, steps and stairs, tires and ropes."
Programs such as these come with their challenges beyond determining whether to take the program on with in-house staff or using a program such as those offered by Parisi Speed School and Velocity Sports Performance, Costa Mesa, CA.
"The biggest challenge with a performance training business is community awareness as to what performance training actually is," says Paul MacGregor, vice president of franchise development and operations for Velocity Sports Performance, which has 40 standalone locations as well as another seven franchised locations within health clubs. "Performance training is still a relatively new concept for the public sector."
Although revenues from the programs are a driving factor for many club operators who go into the sports performance market, many have learned there is an additional benefit to targeting youth.
"Kids have parents, and not all of those parents are members," says Florez. "And even if they are members, parents are keen on moving their children ahead in sports. Net-net, it is more members for the club owner."
Dozois echoes the parent-effect these programs have in building a member base, even more so than turning the youth into future members.
"I don't know that our youth athletes are future members, but I have seen parents get inspired by their kids in the program and decide, 'Why just sit and watch when I can be getting fitter myself?'" he says. "Parents are supposed to be the role models, but some of our Parisi kids have flipped that formula on its head."
Velocity takes it a step further and targets adults as well as children with its performance programming, offering more bang for the buck. The company has programs that focus specifically on fundamental performance (grade-school athletes), competitive performance (middle-school athletes) and elite performance (high school), but it also customizes programs for collegiate and professional athletes.
"Velocity's adult fitness series has something for the 'get backs' and for the weekend warriors who are still competitive and are used to being trained by a coach because they played organized sports in high school, college or beyond," MacGregor says.
Although it takes some different staffing and marketing considerations than the traditional health club model, branching out to youth sports performance—be it through licensing or in-house—may help not only drive revenues but build memberships today and tomorrow.


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WASHINGTON — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes dipped in March as the supply remained tight, though the pace remained ahead of last year's.
The National Association of Realtors said today that sales dipped to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million, from 4.95 million in February. February's figure was revised lower.
Sales in March were 10.3 percent higher than a year earlier.
The number of homes for sale rose 1.6 percent to 1.93 million. That is still 16.8 percent below the supply of a year earlier. The Realtors' group says it expects a rising number of homes to become available.
The median price rose 11.8 percent from February to March to $184,300, the biggest one-month gain since 2005. That might have caused some investors to hold off on purchases.
Steady hiring and near-record-low mortgage rates have helped boost home sales. More Americans are moving out on their own after living with friends and family in the recession. That's creating more housing demand.
Sales would have to reach an annual pace of 5.5 million to be considered healthy. First-time buyers, who are critical to a housing recovery, make up only about 30 percent of sales. That's well below the 40 percent typical in a healthy market.
Since the housing bubble burst more than six years ago, banks have imposed tighter credit conditions and required larger down payments. Those changes have left many would-be buyers unable to qualify for super-low mortgage rates.
Mortgage rates dropped last week to near-record lows. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 3.41 percent from 3.43 percent. That's not far from the record low of 3.31 percent in November.
Rising demand and short supplies have encouraged builders to boost construction. U.S. builders started work on more than 1 million homes at an annual pace in March, the first time they've topped that threshold in nearly 5 years.
To sign up for free CityBusiness Daily Updates, click here.

subset: commoncrawl


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*excepts handshake*
Thank you PB, I also didn't mean to come across like that (ungrateful), and I truly do appreciate you putting me on the right path. I am new to RPing but to the world of Tolkien I am not. The inn was set in the fourth age(which is hardly documented) and due to element of "Magic" and the lands to East, South, and North of Middle earth almost anything is possible. That is why I thought an early form of guns would be okay. But I don't mean to rant, and Im thankful for your "Annoying Older Sister" attitude, for it saves allot of time!


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Kandi From The Atlanta Housewives Almost Throws Down With Some Female On Her Show! "Take Yo Ass Home Foreal" (Has To Cut To A Commercial Break) + Lil Duval Clownin!
Courtesy of Mediatakeout.com
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San Diego 14, Chicago 3 LaDainian Tomlinson made up for a fallow first half with a flush fantasy second, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another, but still managing only 25 yards on 17 carries. Tommy Harris can jump offsides all he damn pleases, it's still not making up for a parlous Bears offense.
Detroit 36, Oakland 21 The Lions tried their level best to lose, blowing a 17-point second half lead over the Raiders in Oakland, but rebounded for the 36-21 win. Gotta suck for Daunte Culpepper, as getting the Raiders even close to a win before Week 7 has probably guaranteed Josh McCown the starting job until Jamarcus Russell signs a contract, which could be a while yet.
Seattle 20, Tampa Bay 6 About as boring as that sounds.


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According to the Department of Education, financial aid regulations indicate that the family has primary responsibility for contributing to the educational costs of dependent students. An independent student is one who was born before January 1, 1989, is a veteran or on active duty, is married (as of FAFSA filing date), is a graduate student, is an orphan or ward of the court, or has dependents. However, the Financial Aid Office understands there may be family situations that warrant a dependency override for extreme circumstances, such as drug or physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, or refugee status.
If this describes your situation please contact your Financial Aid Counselor or by calling (616-732-1130 or 866-774-0004) to acquire the appropriate forms.
Please submit the following documentation to the Financial Aid Office for consideration of a dependency override:
Student Request Form/Personal Statement
Complete the Dependency Override Request Form explaining why you should be considered independent. Describe the circumstances of the separation from your parent(s) and the current status of your relationship with them now.
Secondary Letter
Provide a letter from a relative or friend who is aware of your family's situation. The letter must state the writer's address, phone number, and relationship to you, along with his/her account of the events that led to your separation from your parent(s), and the nature of your relationship with your parent(s) as he/she understands it to be currently.
Professional Letter
Provide a letter from a professional adult to verify the family circumstances you described in your personal statement. The letter must be signed, dated, and on his/her company's letterhead. Professional adults include, but are not limited to, clergy members, guidance counselors, teachers, doctors, family counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officers.
Income Documentation
Provide a copy of your Federal tax return, W-2 forms, and/or proof of untaxed income received in the year of income being reported on the FAFSA.
Institutional Verification Form - This form can be found under the Forms section of the web site.
Note: All information you provide will be held in the strictest of confidence.


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1 Posts
Discussion Starter • #1 •
The Pet Sentinel is holding it's Funky Holiday Pet Photo Contest
Entry Deadline - DECEMBER 18th
Entry Deadline - DECEMBER 18th
Here's what you can win:
-- Beautiful Wood and Pewter Photo Frames for your Beloved Pets
-- Gourmet, All-Natural, Organic Cookies/Treats for that special someone who licks and purrs their way into your heart!
-- Chance to be an Instant Celebrity as a Featured Champion on The Pet Owners Chronicles (TM)
-- Lovely Pewter Charms or Key Chains
.....all with zero, zilch, nada, zippo investment from you! Now, how cool is that?!
For each entry received, The Pet Sentinel is making a donation to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which the ASPCA will double for the month of December, so you will be doing twice as much good by clicking away and having fun.
So, be a good Samaritan and jump right in, because you will have helped a good cause, while having some wholesome fun!
Are ya intrigued yet? Run along to this link to get started!
The contest closes at midnight on December 18th, and the first 500 (actually 495 now!) contestants will have a shot at winning additional bonus prizes!
We look forward to your participation!
To get the full details, please access the contest page here:
Funky Pet Photo Contest 2009:
A blog post about our contest is here:
Please feel free to check it out, and support our donation efforts! Let's make this holiday season a truly memorable one for our pets and ourselves, but also for those animals that are not as lucky as our pets are to have us to care for them.


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Last month I had the amazing opportunity to speak at MozCon, and although there has been an already amazing amount of posts sharing the experiences of many of the attendees (you can take a look at a list with the MozCon posts and resources here), I would like to share my personal experience from a speaker perspective, which can also give you a different or additional view of the the exceptional MozCon organization and activities.
To really start from the beginning: For speakers, the MozCon experience started a few months before the conference happened, with Erica helping us a lot through the process (thank you), from identifying the best topic and focus for the presentation, speakers then developed an outline of the presentation and then the final slides, that were sent a week before the conference took place.
I definitely think that this type of involvement and preparation process that MozCon organization has with speakers is a differentiator that shows the care and planning that is taken to have the best content for the conference on time.
This year speakers also got the chance to see to the conference venue one day before, which proved to be amazingly useful for me, since besides getting a bit more used with the stage (and also had the first WOW reaction when I saw how big it was and the decoration), be able to get to know many of the rest of the speakers, I could test my slides and make sure I had the Keynote version, since the PDF was slower to pass (and with 102 slides I needed to pass them very quickly).
It was really a useful experience and would suggest all conference organizers to do it with speakers if they can. Right after this we went to the speaker's dinner, where speakers and Mozzers organizing the event could meet or see again, share experiences and news, besides having a delicious meal, which is also something great to give a more "personal touch".
Next day it was the big one for me: The first conference day, when I was speaking, so I arrived early. This is how it looked when you arrived to the Washington State Convention Center, all MozCon branded:
When you entered to the conference hall, you could see the space where the refreshments would be available for everybody during breaks, also used to meet and network, which was a big and important part of the conference experience: being able to meet and share with people coming from all over the world –I met people from North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and South Africa and had the chance to meet again with the SEER team from the US–.
As soon as I arrived the first day –since I was the third speaker– I went directly to the huge and beautifully decorated conference room, that you can see here:
The conference room was even more impressive afterwards, when it was full of people:
This has been literally the biggest and most beautiful decorated conference room I've been able to be at. Congrats to the Moz team in charge of it. I felt like if I was at a cool show 😀
After Rand and Richard presentations it was my time to share with the audience:
I'm very happy for the speaking experience and feedback I got (questions and contacts too) from my "International SEO & The Future of your ROI" presentation.
One of the things I enjoyed the most was that people later approached to me during breaks, breakfast or lunch times to congratulate me, asking me, giving me feedback and also sharing their own experiences.
That's simply invaluable and at MozCon people was very open to share and interact. Because of the feedback I got particularly from my slides, I published a post about "How to create super hero slides".
MozCon had definitely an amazing group of engaging and inspiring speakers, covering a high amount of topics: From SEO, to social, to analytics, client service and support, branding, strategic SEO, technical SEO, the future of Search…. there was always something to learn from all of them:
Something I noted through the conference too is that despite speakers had a "speakers room" available, that would be more comfortable to be to advance with some work, for example, have some quite time or rest, with snacks and a TV from where you could watch the conference, most of us were on the conference room with the rest of the audience, watching the other speakers, which also says a lot of the quality of the content and the overall conference experience.
Another of my MozCon favorites was Roger. During the breaks many people would go to have a great photo taken with him, in this case the SEER team that attended MozCon (but Wil who had gone already) took a photo together before leaving on the third day:
The only aspect that could be improved from the conference was the wifi connection: At some point there was so many people with also many devices trying to access that it was not possible to do it. I understand though that this is very very difficult to guarantee though, with more than 1,200 people on the room! At the end this also was an opportunity to concentrate more on what it was said, the content of the presentations.
Besides a fantastically organized conference, with great content and inspiring speakers, there was a very fun party. There were many "non-official" meet-ups through the different days and the official one, organized by the conference was at the EMP Museum in Seattle, which looked (again) impressive:
There attendees and speakers could enjoy with a live karaoke (where others, unfortunately not me, like my SEER colleague Adam Melson shown they are not only super talented SEOs but also singers) and we could take funny photos from a booth, as the ones I took with Gianluca and Dr. Pete:
As happens with everything, after three amazing days, MozCon came to an end. In my case I still had a pending activity: Moz gave the speakers the cool opportunity to film a Whiteboard Friday, so I went to the Moz office before leaving, the day after the conference finished, to film one with the very supportive Nick and Elijah. Stay tuned for it!
Then it was my own time to say goodbye to MozCon this year. It was really a superb conference experience. To all of you who couldn't attend I hope this gives you an additional insight of how it was from a speaker perspective. Hopefully I'll see you there at MozCon 2014:


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Four graduate students earn full Hogg Foundation scholarships
Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
February 22, 2012
Texas State University-San Marcos graduate students Andres Garcia, Kathryn Kelly, Ana Gabriela Mejia and Adriana Peabody have been awarded scholarships by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to support bilingual mental health services in Texas. All are students in the School of Social Work.
After earning a bachelor's degree in social work from Texas State, Garcia decided to obtain a master's degree to pursue a career in social work. His internship with Child Protective Services of San Antonio, where he assisted caseworkers in a variety of settings, further cemented his resolve.
"Through my work as a volunteer and working with various populations, I knew a master's degree in social work would help me provide the best possible service to those in need," Garcia said.
After earning a degree in English from Flagler College in Florida, Kelly had a strong desire to help those in need. Most recently she was a children's advocate for the Hope Alliance at the Williamson County Crisis Center, where she assessed children's emotional, physical, social and educational needs. She also provided crisis intervention for an average of six families a week.
"After working in Mexico, I have a high level of cultural and linguistic understanding. Advancing my education will allow me to better serve the Latino population," Kelly said.
Passionate about helping others, Mejia decided to pursue a degree in social services. She majored in family and child development as an undergraduate at Texas State and is now obtaining her master's in social work so she can further serve families and their children.
"I am excited to serve this community and use my knowledge in children's development to help those with mental health challenges," Mejia said.
After getting a degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona, Peabody began volunteering as a bilingual mentor to young children at SafePlace in Austin. Her experience sparked a fire within her to help people.
"As my passion grew for the people I met at SafePlace, I knew I had to pursue a master's in social work so I could better serve this community," she said. "As a bilingual person, I can provide much-needed services to the Spanish-speaking population."
Now in its fourth year, the bilingual scholarship program has awarded a total of 109 scholarships since fall 2008 to increase cultural and linguistic diversity in the Texas mental health workforce.
"This innovative scholarship program directly addresses the critical need for a more culturally and linguistically competent mental health workforce," said Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation. "We are excited to infuse the workforce with talented and highly qualified students who have these added skills that are in such high demand now."
Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees. Recipients must be fluent in English and a second language chosen by the graduate program, typically Spanish. They also must commit to working in Texas after graduation providing mental health services for a period equal to the timeframe of the scholarship. Scholarships are available at all 12 Texas graduate schools of social work that are accredited or pending accreditation by the national Council on Social Work Education.
Studies have shown populations of color and those who speak a language other than English are under-represented in social work and mental health professions in Texas. As a result, many people may not have access to mental health services that adequately meet their cultural and linguistic needs.
Language differences can be a huge barrier in providing effective mental health services. Even when language barriers are overcome, subtle nuances such as world view, cultural beliefs, religion, family traditions and cultural norms can sometimes interfere with delivering effective treatment. The scholarships are one of many ways in which the Hogg Foundation is working to increase cultural and linguistic awareness, knowledge and skills among mental health service providers in Texas.
The Hogg Foundation advances recovery and wellness in Texas by funding mental health services, policy analysis, research and public education. The foundation was created in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James S. Hogg, and is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin.


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On Wednesday evening, Sony will present a glamorous press briefing in New York City that is almost certain to be the debut of its next PlayStation home console.
New console announcements, by their nature, are full of promises. Some of them are relatively small things, and some sound impossibly grandiose. And veteran game industry followers know that it's important to take each one of them with a grain of salt. In an effort to generate buzz for their new machine, companies will often resort to half-truths and outright lies to get consumers excited.
As we get ready for Sony's big announcement, let's take a look back at the promises it made in 2005 and 2006 prior to the launch of PlayStation 3, to find out how well they've held up over the ensuing eight years.
"We are happy to announce that PlayStation 3 will have backward compatibility..." – former Sony Computer Entertainment chairman Ken Kutaragi
Backward compatibility has always been the exception rather than the rule for game consoles. PlayStation 2 won praise for allowing players access to their entire PS1 libraries, which went a long way toward winning over new converts and keeping them entertained in the traditionally dry early years of a console's life.
So naturally, Sony was excited to bring this feature back for the PlayStation 3, which had a PS2 processor on the motherboard to run games perfectly. But it came with an expiration date – a very early one. As a controversial cost-cutting measure, the PlayStation 3 that Sony launched in Europe only had software-based backward compatibility, meaning that many games didn't work and many more were broken and buggy. And by mid-2007 Sony had introduced this model in the U.S. as well, discontinuing the truly backward-compatible models and making them expensive collector's items today.
Verdict: True, but only if you paid $600 within the first six months, otherwise false
"The PlayStation 3 is going to be a console that's going to be with you again for 10 years." – then-SCE America head Kaz Hirai in a 2006 interview with 1up.
A lot of gamers chuckled at Sony when Kaz Hirai mentioned that Sony was aiming for a 10-year lifespan for the PlayStation 3. Prior to this console generation, five years was about as long as a console could last you. Many people wrongly assumed that Hirai was saying that Sony's next console wouldn't be released until 2016. To be fair, it's a lot closer to 2016 than we imagined it would be at the time. Who knew that this console generation would be the longest one ever?
What Hirai meant was that PS3 games and consoles would continue to be sold on store shelves even after PS4's release. And at this point, it seems all but certain PS3 will survive for at least another two years, seeing holiday price cuts and new games. Considering that the PS2 just ended its 13-year run on shelves in late December, a 10-year life for PS3 seems like a modest prediction.
Verdict: Likely true
"Our next video is a small sampling of new games and future franchises being born on PS3." – Kaz Hirai introducing a demo reel at Sony's E3 2005 PS3 reveal.
Rewatching the 2005 and 2006 press conferences in which Sony debuted the PS3 is still amazing today. The games they show off still look incredible even by 2013 standards. The problem is that many of them don't exist.
Of the games that Sony showed, many – Ni-Oh, Eyedentity, Fifth Phantom Saga, Killing Day, Eight Days – never made it to store shelves. And some others changed considerably before release, like Resistance: Fall of Man. Sony also spent a bafflingly long time talking up Gran Turismo 4, which wouldn't be released for four and a half years.
This is what Game|Life's editor was talking about when he said game companies are addicted to using vaporware to build hype.
Verdict: Too false for comfort
"This is real gameplay everyone's seeing out there." – SCEA then-vice president Jack Tretton in an interview with IGN.
By far Sony's biggest problem during the PS3's debut was misrepresentation of software. Sony developed a bad habit of saying a demo was "real gameplay," then years later recanting. As it unveils its next game machine this evening, be on the lookout for games that look too good to be true, because they probably are. Sony has been very fond of using pre-rendered CG movies that show off the "potential" of what is possible on new platforms. The most egregious example of this was the trailer for the never-released shooter Eight Days, which actually had a faux user interface laid over the top of the video.
Verdict: False
PlayStation 3 will have two HDMI outputs, standard Wi-Fi, and support for 7 controllers. – Ken Kutaragi at Sony's 2005 E3 press conference.
When Sony first announced the PlayStation 3, it got applause from the E3 crowd for a laundry list of features that never made it into the final system. Few people mourned these, because frankly nobody really needed two HDMI ports.
In this case, it seems like Sony simply announced the console a bit too early into the design process, and they ended up cutting several of these features before the system launched. Wi-Fi is almost a standard feature on the PS3, but it did not ship with the 20GB model of the system at launch. It's important to keep in mind that the design of the console may not be finalized, even if Sony pretends it is.
The bit about using 7 controllers simultaneously turned out to be true, but it's been used very rarely over the system's lifespan. As far as we can tell it's only ever been used in one simplistic downloadable racing game and a few sports titles.
Verdict: False
"The possibility of creating a GMS, a global map system, users will be invited to upload their data. Users will start with all the pieces of information in their living room, their favorite restaurant, their school.... This is not just a pipe dream. You can enjoy the data in real time. You can fly through the landscape in real time." – Ken Kutaragi in his Tokyo Game Show 2006 keynote.
Ken Kutaragi became known in some gaming circles as Crazy Ken as a result of his penchant for semi-delusional psychobabble like the quote you just read above. Here, Kutaragi spoke at length about the PS3's potential for creating a 2006 global map system that would render 2013's Google Maps laughably obsolete.
He also went on to explain how gamers would map the insides of their homes and offices, which would allow game developers easy access to cheap game levels. I'm honestly not sure if this part of the speech was a prank that didn't translate well. Or maybe it was an elaborate parody of himself. Any way you slice it, this claim was false. If it's not false, then Sony headquarters is hiding the technology to digitize the entire planet.
Verdict: False
"I believe it represents a huge chunk of our users who will be very excited by Home and what that means for their socialization, communication, customization, and being able to live in this great 3-D space that is Home." – then-Sony Worldwide Studios head Phil Harrison in a March 2007 interview with GameReactor.
This is undoubtedly a subjective statement, as much of it depends on what he meant by "huge chunk." However, there aren't many people who are willing to say at this point that PlayStation Home, a Second Life-style virtual online world, was a big success for Sony.
These days the free service is used by a seemingly small niche of users who are apparently fond of bizarre micro-transactions like body paint and skimpy kimonos. This wasn't exactly what Sony promised back when the service launched. It was meant to usher in a new era for videogaming that merged the social aspects of Second Life while becoming a centerpiece of the PlayStation Network strategy.
Instead, we can't even remember the last time Sony mentioned Home in public.
Verdict: False
"Over the next two to three years, the network must live together with packaged media must come together. For large content distribution we must use packaged media for the time being. But eventually a new situation will arrive." – Ken Kutaragi in his poorly translated Tokyo Game Show 2006 keynote speech.
Kutaragi seems to have thought the shift to downloadable console games would happen a lot faster than it actually did, but his general idea was accurate. The switch away from retail-based game sales to downloadable games has been achingly slow over the past seven years.
Console gaming has lagged far behind PC gaming, and other businesses like the music and movie industries which have already gone beyond downloadable entertainment and into streaming. Microsoft and Sony need to keep good relationships with retail chains because they need to sell their hardware in local stores. These days, however, most major PS3 games are available to be purchased and downloaded directly to the PS3. It will take quite a few more years to complete the transition to 100 percent digital, however.
Verdict: Mostly true
PS3 will play used games. – Sony's official word in responding to rampant rumors that the console would shut down used games.
Nearly seven years ago, Sony faced many of the same accusations Microsoft is facing today. Namely, some alleged that they were conspiring to kill the resale of used games at stores like GameStop and eBay by implementing strict digital rights management that tied each game to a single console.
Sony flatly denied these rumors and even seemed confused and frustrated that the rumor refused to go away. That was in 2006, and we can clearly see today that the rumors were false. However, the rumor was never killed. It has survived to this day and moved to new hosts.
Verdict: True
"Sony wants to keep that entrepreneurial, pushing-the-envelope spirit on the creative side of things but with a strong backbone supporting the business side, so you can give your creative side freedom without worrying where the next dollar is coming from." – Kaz Hirai in a 2006 interview with 1UP.com.
The fundamental purpose of a game console is to provide a stable business platform for game developers, and in that regard Sony has achieved what they set out to accomplish with PS3. However, the PS3 and Xbox 360 have both been culprits in the long-standing graphical arms race which has driven consumer expectations and development costs through the roof.
The result has been massive uncertainty from developers who now often need to sell a million copies just to break even. Because of this, the will to take risks on new games and ideas has drastically decreased in the past five years. In Sony's quest to build a "strong backbone" they accidentally built a rigid backbone that refuses to bend or flex to creative whims. Sony has supported a handful of indie developers with funds to create their passion projects, like Journey or Unfinished Swan. But these are the exceptions.
Verdict: False
"It's probably too cheap... For instance, is it not nonsense to compare the charge for dinner at the company cafeteria with dinner at a fine restaurant? It's a question of what you can do with that game machine. If you can have an amazing experience, we believe price is not a problem." – Ken Kutaragi on PS3's $600 price tag.
Former CEO Ken Kutaragi didn't stay at the company very long after the underwhelming launch of the PlayStation 3, and statements like this illustrate precisely why. Kutaragi made numerous statements to this effect, including one odd moment when he suggested gamers would work longer hours at work just to be able to afford the PS3.
With respect to this specific quote, only hardcore PS3 fans would claim there is a large difference between the PS3 and Xbox 360. There may be more technical potential in the PlayStation 3 than in the Xbox 360, but over the past six years the difference has been practically indiscernible. If the software can't take advantage of the added horsepower then the technical specs are pretty meaningless.
To put it in Kutaragi terms, the Xbox 360 is like eating at Sony's cafeteria, then the cafeteria must serve filet mignon and crème brûlée every day. Not only was price a problem, it was the problem that tanked PlayStation 3.
Verdict: False
PS3 can run games at 120 frames per second, stream six channels of HD, and decode one thousand media thumbnails simultaneously. – Ken Kutaragi and Phil Harrison, in a translated interview with Nikkei BP and the PS3 E3 reveal respectively.
The most important thing to keep in mind while watching the PS4 reveal is that Sony has a track record of making incredible claims about the console that can't really be verified. Maybe the PS3 can decode a thousand media thumbnails simultaneously, but can an end user verify that?
During the PS3 reveal Sony used these types of untestable claims to drum up excitement for the next generation of consoles, and to give gamers the general feeling that the PS3 was going to usher in a new era of technology. Unfortunately, all that power is meaningless when no game in the world takes advantage of it.
The PS3 is an extremely powerful piece of hardware, but seven years later we still don't have games that utilize these sort of features.
Verdict: Probably false, but who knows or cares?


text:
Control over whānau taonga
Jones v Wickliffe
High Court [2012] NZHC 1960
7 August 2012
The parties disputed who had rights to possession of two kakahu (feather cloaks) as whānau taonga (treasured family heirlooms). The Court dismissed the defendant's application to strike out the plaintiff's claim that she was entitled to possession of the kakahu.
Download Jones v Wickliffe [2012] NZHC 1960 here (99KB PDF). read more


text:
They shouldn't fool anyone, but they do.
George Soros funded / hyper leftist / Marx pandering TV "watch dog group" Media Matters has its collective panties in a knot because Fox News big shot Rupert Murdoch has publicly agreed with fellow neocon Glen Beck that President Obama is a racist. "He was right," said Murdoch.
In July 2008, Glenn Beck notoriously declared that he believes President Obama is "a racist" with a "deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture." For a dyed in the wool neocon who regularly condemns even the remotest form of American white nationalism this is big news. Of course, Beck's comments played a key part in at least 80 bedwetting advertisers dropping their support of his television program. Various media outlets and talking heads admonished his comments, but Fox News let Beck slide. Why? Because Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., the parent company of Fox News, says he agrees that President Obama is a racist. Moreover Murdoch went on to say: "And, you know, that was something which perhaps shouldn't have been said about the president, but if you actually assess what he was talking about, he [Beck] was right." Media Matters says this is a new low even for Fox, and it is a low they cannot let slide.
NOTE; American White Nationalists have been warning their fellow Americans about Obama's race hate for years prior to his White House bid. Thanks Rupert.
Therefore George Soros funded / hyper leftist / Marx pandering TV "watch dog group" Media Matters now wants to hold Rupert the Neocon responsible and command that he apologize for his own "intolerable" remarks. They have even gone so far as to reserve some of their unlimited bandwidth in order to deliver signatures to News Corp and demand Murdoch apologize via mediamatters.org\action\murdochapology.
Never mind the fact non-white groups have been making off with billions of dollars of taxpayer operating money, specifically in order to maintain their ethnic platforms. Not a peep about it.
The way Media Matters sees it "this type of race-baiting is par for the course for Fox News." They even cite Fox News president Roger Ailes who has imitated the far left by spending "the better part of his career working as a Republican media consultant, during which time he became known for appealing to racial fears and biases for political gain. Under Ailes' leadership Fox News routinely employs these same tactics in its ongoing campaign to destroy the Obama administration and the progressive agenda." (They actually mean their Frankfurt School / Critical Theory agenda.)
But let's keep it real here. Glen Becks' remarks about Obama are an anomaly, and he would just as soon allow himself to be ripped to shreds taking on "white racists" like Jared Taylor or Professor Kevin McDonald. As a neoconservative Beck is part a cabal whose core group consists of neoconservative defense intellectuals, corporate open border advocates, and "pro forma" non-white supporters. In other words they are rightly called "neoconservatives" because many of them started off as anti-Stalinist leftists or liberals before moving to what passes for the "far right." Media Matters on the other hand attempts to explain why neoconservative media is biased and declares that, in fact, all communication is biased. They often trot out examples of neoconservative/right wing media bias, race hate, bigotry, etc, and generously explain how we can judge that bias. Never mind the fact they too are made up of defense intellectuals, corporate open border advocates, and "pro forma" non-white supporters. While Media Matters might snow job a number of news consumers the fact remains they are attacking empty suit right wing bias with Critical Theory bias, only whinier than most.
As American White Nationalists we'll go ahead and continue to utilize, albeit carefully, a few ratings gaffs from the likes of Glen Beck and Rupert Murdoch in order to underscore our justifiable cause. And to hell with Media Matters.


text:
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The Banjo Brothers' Grocery Bag Pannier is sized to perfectly accommodate a standard grocery bag. It attaches to any standard rear rack (sold separately) and folds flat when not in use. It's equipped with a strong steel frame and a rigid polymer liner. The front and side panels are ripstop with ballistic fabric in high-wear areas. It also includes a shoulder strap and a quick-release mount. So ride to the store, take your pannier inside, fill it with groceries, and reattach it to your rack. Shopping = done.
Banjo Brothers' Minnehaha Canvas Grocery Bag Pannier is sized perfectly for a single paper grocery bag. It's also a natural (and vegan) alternative to synthetic fabrics. Equipped with a steel frame and heavy-duty panels to prevent sagging, this handy pannier attaches to any standard rear rack (sold separately) and folds flat when not in use. Wide, comfortable carrying handles make shopping with it easy, and if that wasn't enough, the steel hooks attach to your shopping cart. Slick. Lastly, detachable reflective accents help make sure you and your groceries are visible after dark.
Whether you're heading to the beach, riding to the grocery store, or just cruisin' around, Nantucket's Surfside Rear Wire Pannier Basket will get you and all your goodies there in colorful style. This cute Pannier Basket sports mesh wire construction for durability and attaches to the rear rack with two metal hooks, making it the perfect errand-running accessory.
Banjo Brothers' Market Pannier is a deluxe grocery-getting pannier and so much more. This bag is ideal for commuting, too. Its easy-on/off mounting, carry handles, and shoulder strap make it convenient to bring inside. And a large cinch-down flap keeps all your stuff covered and secure. It's equipped with a heavy-duty frame on the back and bottom plus ballistic fabric in all wear areas. Nice finishing details include side straps that support your load while keeping the bag closed when not in use, and an inside zipper pocket for smaller items.
Foul weather is about to lose its sway over your two-wheeled adventures. Banjo Brothers' Waterproof Pannier is tailor-made for wet commutes and trips around town. The rugged nylon exterior fends off wear and tear while the welded-seam liner and roll-top closure keep the contents dry. It attaches easily to most rear racks (sold separately) via a quick-release mount so you can pop it off and bring it with you. And if you're riding in the rain, the reflective accents bring a little extra visibility and peace of mind.
BiKASE's Grocery Pannier is a spacious and durable nylon expandable bag that easily and securely clips onto a bicycle rack (sold separately) and holds your groceries, change of clothes for commuting, and just about anything else you need to carry. It has a built-in rain cover to protect your gear that is easily removed and has carrying handles for use as a handy bag off the bike, too. It also folds flat when not in use for clearance on the bike and easy storage. This fine bag has a zip side pocket that expands for additional capacity and to keep your personal items easy to access. And there are reflective accents for safety, too.
The name says it all. Sunlite's Utili-T Waterproof Rear Pannier is made to carry everything! It easily mounts to your rear rack, and the roll-top folds over and buckles closed. There is a thick PVC backing so your gear stays where it's supposed to, and it's made from tough nylon fabric for excellent durability. Other features in this light pannier include reflective trim and welded seams.
Giant knows that life comes with accessories, and their City Pannier Set is a great way to carry your on-the-go essentials from A to B. Simple, open-top construction with water resistant fabric and a full-coverage lid flap make these bags easy and fast to use. And, since they're built saddlebag-style as a pair, all you have to do is release the tool-free attachments, grab the central handle, and go!
- Protextura Water Resistant Nylon Keeps Contents Safe And Dry - Roll-Top Construction With Compression Strap Provides Expandable Storage - Integrated Computer Sleeve Fits Up To 15 Inch Laptops - Convenient Built-In Pull-Out Rain Cover - Quick Release System For Easy Attachment And Removal On Most Bike Racks
Do you need to run into the store but not bring all your stuff along? Then lock it in the Locking Rack Bag. It is made of hard plastic and has a rear reflector. It easily mounts to your rear rack.
- Main compartment designed to hold traditional grocery bag - Side zippered compartment - Integrated carrying handles - Includes removable shoulder strap - Mounts on rear rack with hooks and Velcro strap - Bag volume: 1100 c.i. - Size: 11.8x7.1x13.8" - Mount: Hook and Strap
Banjo Brothers' Saddlebag Panniers are perfect for commuting, everyday errands, and light touring. They mount to most rear racks (sold separately) with a single strap, so you can just load them up with work stuff and take the whole bag into the office. They're low profile, so they won't slow you down and they're built with ripstop fabric with ballistic reinforcing in wear areas so they will last and last, like all of Banjo's gear. These saddlebags also feature cinch straps on top to hold extra gear and reflective accents all around for extra visibility.
The Reggie 2 Drybag Pannier is a great companion on any bicycle ride to haul just about anything you want! Fully waterproof, the Reggie 2 Bike Drybag is a roll-top closer to keep out all water and is made with durable and puncture proof water repellent material. It also comes with a shoulder strap with different carrying positions as well as an inside pocket for easy access to small items. - fits most rear racks with strong plastic clips and a bungee net for tension on the rack - interior pocket for storage of small items - made from heavy duty PVC Tarpaulin - shoulder strap with multiple carrying positions - reflective accents - Dimensions: 13 x 6 x 11 inches - 15 lbs. capacity - 850 cubic inches
Blacktop bags feature clever attachments and subtle features. The Grocery Pannier bag fits standard paper grocery bags, is easily installed and removed from the rack, and features an additional drawstring shroud to keep those baguettes secure. - Load-securing strap doubles as a carrying handle - Quick-release upper rack mounts and lower bungee means easy removal and installation to the rack - Drawstring shroud ensures contents are secure while riding - Taillight loop on the back - Approximate dimensions: 13.5 x 12 x 8"
Rugged, spacious, and water resistant, Sunlite's Utili-T Panniers are ideal for your ride to work or your journey cross country. They easily mount to your rear rack (sold separately), and four zippered compartments offer plenty of storage for clothes, food, and anything else you can imagine. A carrying handle makes these bags functional off the bike, too. Reflective trim keeps you visible on the roads, and compression straps keep everything in place.
The Freerider is a simple pannier for a lifestyle on the go. When you need to carry your pack, groceries, or gym clothes, this pannier features an open top for convenient loading. Two simple cinch straps keep your belongings secure. Note: Photos of the bags may not reflect the actual color. Each one is made with upcycled nylon, so colors and prints will vary. Materials: - Upcycled Colorful Nylon Fabrics - Nylon Fabric - Nylon Hardware and Metal Hardware - Hook and Loop - Upcycled Street Sign - Metal Rack Hooks - HDPE Plastic Framesheet - Dimensions: 12 L x 16 H x 10 D in./304.8 x 406.4 x 254 mm - Capacity: 1920 cu. in./31 L - Weight: 2 lb. 5 oz./1134 g Features: - Adjustable to fit most racks - Adjustable side straps - Haul handles - Reflective triangle - Built in Colorado - Made in the USA - Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Large main compartment and 1 heavy-duty compartment - Integrated carrying handle - Mounts on rear rack with hooks and T-bar - Bag volume: 1100 c.i. - Sold individually - Size: 11.8x5.5x18.1" - Mounts: Hook and Strap
The Banjo Brothers Minnehaha Series Waterproof Canvas Pannier is made from a stout 20 oz. dry-waxed canvas. The impregnated wax finish helps the natural canvas fibers shed water. And it also includes a removeable and replaceable waterproof liner. A rigid polymer back panel keeps the pannier from sagging. Banjo Brothers' basic hook and retention straps fit most racks with tubing up to 12 mm. Two outside pockets for quick access and a place to put your flashing light. - Made from heavy duty 20oz cotton canvas with a dry wax water repellent finish - Includes a removable and replaceable waterproof liner - Includes a shoulder strap for use off the bike - Sold as: single pannier - 100% waterproof - 2 outside pockets - Tabs for flashing light - Great for commuting and adventures by bike - Weight: 2.5 lb - Dimensions: 14"H x 11.5L x 6.75W - Capacity: 1100 cubic inches
BiKASE's City Panniers are made of tough 600-denier water-resistant nylon and boast 3,000 cubic inches of carrying capacity so that you can carry almost anything you want from a change of clothes when commuting, to groceries, to camping gear for a biking vacation! These fine panniers mount easily and securely to most bicycle racks (sold separately) and are designed to hold their shape for easy loading and finding your gear. They also have an easy-open flap design, a handy carrying handle for taking them with you off the bike and reflective accents for safety. • Material: 600 denier polyester • Size: 15 x 13 x 10 inches • Volume: 3000 cubic inches • Weight: 1000 g • Strap/Velcro Mounting on most racks • 2 side zipper pocket • Internal compartment • PP handle • Reflective side stripes/Rear reflective • Foldable
Blacktop bags feature clever attachments and subtle features. The Pannier bag offers a fleece-lined laptop sleeve, internal storage compartments, and plenty of storage space for on the road essentials. - Briefcase-style horizontal carrying handle - Quick-release upper rack mounts and lower bungee means easy removal and installation to the rack - Internal fleece-lined laptop sleeve and internal storage compartments - Taillight loop on the back - Approximate dimensions 15 x 11 x 5.5"
The billboard Dutchy pannier is an easy access "trunk" for your bicycle. Modeled from the proven Dutch-style bike panniers, these bags will turn your bike into a grocery hauling machine. This pannier incorporates a universal mount system that easily fits any rack. When you reach your destination, the bags can be removed and used as totes to transport your belongings with a haul handle or a shoulder strap. They are made from upcycled billboards and banners from all over the United States. Note: Photos of the bags may not reflect the actual color. Each one is made with upcycled nylon, so colors and prints will vary. Materials: - Upcycled Billboard and Banners - Upcycled Truck Tarp Vinyl - Nylon and Metal Hardware - Metal Rack Hooks - HDPE Plastic Framesheet - Hook & Loop - Dimensions: 13 H x 13 W x 8 D in./330.2 x 330.2 x 203.2 mm - Capacity: 1352 cu. in./22 L - Weight: 2 lb. 6 oz./1077 g Features: - Large main compartment fits groceries and more - Weather resistant gussets - Reflective webbing light loops - Folds flat when not in use - Can be easily removed and carried with a strap - Plastic frame can be used as a cutting board - Large main compartment - Adjustable to fit most racks - Built in Colorado - Made in the USA - Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Protextura Water Resistant Nylon Keeps Contents Safe And Dry - Multiple Pockets Help Organize Essentials Including A Computer Sleeve That Fits Laptops Up To 15 Inches - Convenient Built-In Pull-Out Rain Cover - Reflective Strip And Taillight Hanger Provides Optimal Visibility And Safety - Quick Release System For Easy Attachment And Removal To Most Bike Racks
- A must for city riding - Features organizers that make them perfect for commuting to work or heading to the local shopping district - Waterproof rolltop design with compression straps - Internal organizer for pens, phones, and other small essentials - Side zipper offers entry into main compartment without opening the flap
These easy-to-use pannier baskets attach to your existing rear rack with two metal hooks and feature a carrying handle, making them perfect for a trip to the farmers market. Tuckernuck baskets are made from the highest quality natural rattan fibers. Woven from kubu rattan, the extra thick full-core weave of this basket makes it one of the most durable bicycle baskets on the market. - Dimensions: 13" (L) x 9.5" (W) x 13" (H) - Maximum Weight Limit: 15 pounds or rear rack limit - Sold individually
When it's time to load up the bike and go, whether it's across town or across Europe, Banjo Brothers' Rack Top Pannier Bag has the features to serve you well. It attaches to pretty much any rear rack and gives you huge cargo capacity. It's trim when you just do quick jaunts and if you need serious room, just drop the panniers down and go big. Thick padding pulls double duty by insulating your snacks and protecting your gear. The ripstop fabric upper and rugged ballistic bottom panel are tough enough for cross-country treks, too. Reflective accents provide 360 degrees of visibility and there's a clip for a taillight as well. What's more, a detachable shoulder strap lets you carry the whole bag easily into the office or up to the summit for a photo-op. - Includes a detachable shoulder strap, a loop for a safety light, and an internal key clip, and coin pocket - Expandable from 900 to 1300 cubic inches with a drop-down pannier on either side - Thick padding insulates snacks and protects gear - Fits most rear-mount bike racks - Ripstop fabric upper with rugged ballistic bottom panel - Offers more visibility with 360 degree reflective accents - Weight: 934g
A versatile roll-top waterproof pannier that easily and quickly converts to a backpack. The pannier hooks end up opposite the rider's back, making the backpack more comfortable. Fits laptops around 15". How does it work? Remove the pannier from the bike. Unhook the panniers main flap and reverse it over the pannier hooks and use the side-release buckles to secure it in place. Backpack straps will be revealed. Put the backpack straps over your shoulders, adjust and you're ready to go. - Two-layer design with ballistic outer layer and welded-seam liner that is fully replaceable. - Flap pockets and side pockets - Reflective piping and striping - Places for flashing lights on the pannier and backpack sides - Outer quick-access flap pocket and two side pockets - Included handle and two backpack straps - Sold as: single pannier - Dimensions: 15.5" H x 11.5" L x 6.75"D - Capacity: 1100 Cubic Inches / 19 liters - Weight: 3.1 lbs - Imported
- Dual hide away side panniers - Large padded main compartment with 2 internal mesh pockets - Rear accessory compartment - Top tie-down strap - Expandable top - Includes removable shoulder strap - Velcro mounting straps - Bag volume: 1920 c.i. - Size: 12.6x5.5x7.9"
- A must for city riding - Features organizers that make them perfect for commuting to work or heading to the local shopping district - Waterproof rolltop design with compression straps - Internal organizer for pens, phones, and other small essentials - Side zipper offers entry into main compartment without opening the flap
It doesn't matter whether you're on the epic ride of a lifetime, or getting to work through the worst winter has to offer, Giant's Waterproof Pannier makes sure your gear is safe and dry. Welded seams and TPU-laminated fabric make this bag completely impermeable to foul weather. The tool-free rack mounting system is fast and easy to use, while the detachable shoulder strap makes it a cinch to carry this bag with you off the bike. This pannier features a roll-top design, fixed straps, and easily accessible waterproof side pocket.
Two roll-top, waterproof panniers keep gear dry and organized. Compatible with all 10mm rack bars and have a combined capacity of 22 liters. Bright colors and reflective patches provide increased visibility. Constructed with 500D waterproof tarpaulin with heat-sealed seams. - Waterproof - Compatible with 10mm rack bars - Large reflective patches - Easy-to-use carry handle - Combined weight: 2.09 lbs.
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Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It looked so yummy and fresh I couldn't resist and decided to add it last minute to our dinner plan. I even went back to the store for the ingredients. I'm so glad I did! This was the perfect side for a summer BBQ...or any summer meal. It is full of fresh flavors and light and crunchy and pretty much perfect. Everyone who tried it looooved it, and I used the leftovers in a quesadilla the next day and it was equally heavenly!
6 ears of corn, shucked
1/2 cup finely diced red onion
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
3 tablespoons cider or red wine vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When boiling, add one tablespoon sugar and one tablespoon vinegar. Add the cobs of corn to the pot of water and bring to a rolling boil. Cover the pot, remove from the heat and let the corn sit for 10 minutes. Remove the corn from the pot. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
Toss the kernels in a medium bowl with the red onions, tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Fresh Corn Salad
Labels: corn, gluten-free, salad, sides
1 comments:
- Shari said...
Yum I saw this over there too. Looks so good! :)
- July 14, 2011 at 11:08 AM
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text:
A different type of gaming community center.
AFK Tavern is first and foremost a community center for nerds, gamers, geeks, and internet socialites.
It's our philosophy that you can stay as long as you want, hang out and play games. We won't kick you out just to turn a table, we aren't in this to make the big bucks…we're here for you!
We are run by our online community. Over 20,000 people communicate with us every week about their ideas, and we do our best to make them happen. From the food we serve, to the drinks we mix – the community has guided us the entire time.
What that has guided us too is exemplary food quality, amazing theme nights, a drink menu with over 100 custom cocktails. We are passionate about making visiting AFK an experience you wont forget. We are also more than happy to provide each geek a special time fit for your needs. Have a gluten free need or other alergy? Many Vegan friendly options exist! Let your server know! Want a reservation for 30 for your Jedi theme bar mitzvah? Chuck us an Email!
So who are we? We're gamers. Nerds. Geeks. We're AFK, We're a Geek bar! And we're okay with that.
We've been going strong for 5 years because of a wonderful community of people. Come be part of the experience.


text:
Relational Database Server
SAP Adaptive Server Enterprise
Modernize and accelerate your transaction-based applications on premise and in the cloud. This high-performance SQL database server uses a relational management model to meet rising demand for performance, reliability, and efficiency in every industry.
- On-premise and cloud deployment options
- High performance and availability to process mission-critical transactions
- Proven, secure SQL database system to reduce risk and increase agility
- Lower operational costs with a resource-efficient relational database (RDBMS) server
Key Benefits
Accelerated transaction processing
Handle massive volumes of data and thousands of concurrent users by increasing the performance of your existing and future investments in data-driven business applications.
Business continuity and data security
Shield your data and systems from cybersecurity threats and unexpected disruptions. SAP ASE contains built-in technologies for data replication, encryption, and security.
Various deployment options for innovation
Extend your SQL database with a MemScale or workload analyser option to accelerate reporting, query execution, and response times while meeting your specific requirements.
Key Capabilities
Workload optimisation
Simplify operations and reduce costs with workload analyser and workload profiler for built-in high availability and disaster recovery, and resource optimisations.
Scalability and performance
Scale transactions, data, and users plus improve perforrmace with added technology options such as MemScale and XLOTP.
Cloud ready and flexible deployment
SAP ASE is now available for cloud deployment with Amazon Web Services.
Product Release Highlights
Faster, more secure transfer of database files
Transfer the first 256 pages of a database to another device with greater ease and speed. Sign executables digitally and enhance the security and integrity of those files.
Multiversion concurrency control (MVCC)
Preallocate memory from the global fragment pool when a session starts. This MVCC capability eliminates the need to allocate new statements or free memory manually.
Three-system monitoring procedures
Simplify existing system procedures to return information about all current users and processes enabled by SAP ASE. Display concise and extended output of the query plan.
Pricing and Packaging
SAP ASE, platform edition
Secure deployment flexibility by incorporating SAP ASE, SAP IQ, and SAP Replication Server in one licensing model.
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Power mission-critical database management systems for a single node environment for large enterprises.
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Enable solutions for smaller database deployments and applications with a limitation of eight cores.
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Build apps on a free, full-use license for development and deployment on a 50 GB disk with four engines.
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Data security
Focus on your business and customer relationships, trusting that your data is safe and reliable. Our proactive, predictive approach helps ensure compliance and data security.
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Protect the rights of employees, applicants, customers, suppliers, partners, and others with SAP solutions that preserve data ownership, security, and privacy.
Trust that our products meet the latest compliance and security standards, thanks to external reviews and audits, as well as our use of one common framework worldwide.
Evolve your business with services and support from SAP – your trusted adviser for digital transformation strategy and execution.
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300% improved performance
Read how UZ Leuven is keeping up with growing numbers of patients and an expanding national network with better query performance.


text:
- Prayer and Worship
- Beliefs and Teachings
- Issues and Action
- Media
- Bible
- Catholic Giving
- About USCCB
1Hear this word, you cows of Bashan,*
who live on the mount of Samaria:
Who oppress the destitute
and abuse the needy;
Who say to your husbands,
"Bring us a drink!"
2The Lord GOD has sworn by his holiness:
Truly days are coming upon you
when they shall drag you away with ropes,
your children with fishhooks;
3You shall go out through the breached walls
one in front of the other,
And you shall be exiled to Harmon—*
oracle of the LORD.
4Come to Bethel* and sin,
to Gilgal and sin all the more!
Each morning bring your sacrifices,
every third day your tithes;
5Burn leavened bread as a thanksgiving sacrifice,
proclaim publicly your voluntary offerings,
For so you love to do, Israelites—
oracle of the Lord GOD.
6Though I made your teeth
clean of food in all your cities,
and made bread scarce in all your dwellings,
Yet you did not return to me—
oracle of the LORD.a
7b And I withheld the rain from you
when the harvest was still three months away;
I sent rain upon one city
but not upon another;
One field was watered by rain,
but the one I did not water dried up;
8Two or three cities staggered to another to drink water
but were not satisfied;
Yet you did not return to me—
oracle of the LORD.
9I struck you with blight and mildew;
locusts devoured your gardens and vineyards,
the caterpillar consumed your fig trees and olive trees;
Yet you did not return to me—
oracle of the LORD.c
10I sent upon you pestilence like that of Egypt;d
with the sword I killed your young men and your captured horses,
and to your nostrils I brought the stench of your camps;
Yet you did not return to me—
oracle of the LORD.
11I overthrew you
as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah;
you were like a brand plucked from the fire,e
Yet you did not return to me—
oracle of the LORD.
12Therefore thus I will do to you,* Israel:
and since I will deal thus with you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel!
13The one who forms mountains and creates winds,
and declares to mortals their thoughts;
Who makes dawn into darkness
and strides upon the heights of the earth,
the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!
* [4:1] Cows of Bashan: the pampered women of Samaria; Bashan was a region east of the Sea of Galilee, famous for its rich pasture and fattened herds.
* [4:3] Harmon: or perhaps "Mount Mon"; an unidentified site, probably far to the north of Israel, under the control of Assyria.
* [4:4] Come to Bethel: Amos's invitation to the people to come and "sin" at two of the major religious centers in Samaria is sarcastic. His point is that sacrifice and worship without justice is an abomination to the God of Israel; cf. 5:21–24.
* [4:12] Therefore thus I will do to you: this climax of vv. 6–12, announcing the sentence the Lord intends to pass on Israel, is open-ended.
c. [4:9] Dt 28:22; Jl 1:4; 2:25; Hg 2:17.
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text:
sell(redirected from Sold short)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Idioms.
To relinquish ownership of some asset in exchange for some monetary compensation. Selling may take any of several forms. In a cash sale, the seller receives cash or a cash equivalent immediately in exchange for the asset. In a credit sale, the seller surrenders ownership immediately in exchange for future payment, often with interest. An example of a sale is a simple transaction involving widgets. If the seller is willing to accept $2 per widget and the buyer wishes to purchase 100 widgets, then the seller gives to the buyer 100 widgets and in their place receives $200. See also: Buy.
To dispose of an asset. Compare buy.