text:
An annual celebration to raise funds that help save lives, all while whisking attendees to Hollywood and the heart of New York City, will again take donors on an adventure as the Sampson Regional Medical Center Foundation gears up for its sixth annual Partners for Life Gala.
The gala will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Sampson Agri-Exposition Center, with Las Vegas being the destination this time around. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour, followed by a buffet dinner.
While there is a different theme to the gala each year, the goal is always the same — raising money that will help the hospital purchase equipment and implement services that will help it better serve the community.
"Each year, we have selected a different destination, often a 'cruise' location, on which to center our theme. After five years, the gala committee decided it was time to make some changes in the format to add some freshness and new exciting activities," said Brenda Warren, executive director of the SRMC Foundation. "In response to some suggestions, we selected 'A Night in Las Vegas' as our theme. The night will be filled with glitz and glamour, exciting games and entertainment and loads of fun for adults of all ages. There will also be great music to enjoy throughout the evening for those who like to watch or dance the night away."
As is customary, the glitz and glamour is for a good cause. This year is no different, as funds raised will go toward enhancing support services, some of which were actually implemented thanks to the foundation's gala fundraising two years ago.
"The SRMC Foundation Board voted to designate funds from this year's gala to The Center for Breast Health, located at the Outpatient Diagnostics Center," said Amber Cava, director of marketing and community relations. "The hospital intends to use the funds to enhance support services and hopefully improve mammography technology."
The gala funds for 2010 were used to help purchase a new digital mammography unit, which has been an improved asset for providing faster and clearer imaging. The hospital is hoping to build upon those improvements by way of further upgrades.
"The digital mammography unit has upgrade capabilities for tomosynthesis, and the hospital is currently exploring options to purchase the software upgrade that would bring this service to The Center for Breast Health," said Cava.
Tomosynthesis is 3-D breast imaging that has been used in the past for research purposes but is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for consumer use. A 3-D breast image allows radiologists to view the breast tissue in incremental slices, improving the detection of breast cancer which may be missed 20 to 30 percent of the time even with digital mammography, Cava noted.
The gala aims to bring that 3-D imaging technology to Sampson Regional's campus, and Warren urged attendance to the event, which will be seeing a few changes this year.
One of those changes will include modifications to the dress code, which has traditionally been black tie. That has given way to a "dressy casual" for 2012's affair. The men can leave the ties at home and opt for an open collar shirt and sports coat, said Warren, while the women can select anything from cocktail dresses to dressy pants or something similar.
To go along with the Las Vegas theme, there will be a variety of non-gambling game tables available. Each purchased ticket will include "funny money," which can be used to exchange for raffle tickets or to purchase chips to play the games. Guests will also be able to purchase additional raffle tickets or chips throughout the evening to increase their chances of winning the raffle items, Warren said.
The raffle items will replace the gala's silent auction, a feature at past events. Additionally, there will be a live auction with some "great items" up for bid, said Warren. That includes, among many others, a trip to Las Vegas.
Tickets are currently on sale through the SRMC Foundation office with a deadline of Oct. 22. Individual tickets are priced at $100 each, except for the row of tables closest to the dance floor. Corporate sponsorship tables are also available. Although invitations have been mailed to past attendees and previous donors, the public is invited to participate by calling the SRMC Foundation office at 910-596-4269 for invitations and ticket information.
Warren said friends are encouraged to get a group together for seating, either a table of 8 or 10 people, to ensure their preference of seating arrangements, which should be indicated on the response cards.
"Everyone is encouraged to support this year's Partners for Life Gala by purchasing tickets donating raffle or auction items," Warren said. "Attending the gala is a great way to enjoy an evening out while supporting a worthy cause, as a portion of each ticket purchase is tax deductible. We promise you an exciting and fun evening to support a great cause."
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at email@example.com.


text:
It appears that you have Cookies and/or Scripting Disabled in your browser settings. Please enable Cookies and Active Scripting and try again.
Ghirardelli Intense Dark
Surround yourself in Ghirardelli's newest line of Intense Dark chocolates. Contains chocolate with up to 86% cacao. This gift is sure to please those with the most discerning chocolate taste buds.
© 1996-2013 GROWERFLOWERS.COM @ daisy

subset: commoncrawl


text:
all images via-pinterest |
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Bedroom Makeover on a Budget
11 comments:
- Andrea {blonde ambitions} said...
Love the idea of stripes! We did this in our kitchen and it made the room look separate from the living room. Can't wait to see how it turns out!
- May 22, 2012 at 8:07 AM
- Ashley said...
Love the new look, Mai! And I think nice fat stripes would look lovely in the guest room :)
anylovelything.com - May 22, 2012 at 11:28 AM
- Nancy said...
can't wait to see the after! I love stripes on the wall. My husband and I are actually trying to find a new place to live (renting) and if/when we do, I totally want to do this to the rooms. It adds such character without trying too hard!
http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com - May 22, 2012 at 11:59 AM
- Javelin Warrior said...
I love the idea of black and white stripes to widen the room. I'm not sure what else you have planned or how it would fit with the rest of your house, but the stark contrasting color is certainly eye-catching if you go that route...
- May 22, 2012 at 3:53 PM
- mandyparsons said...
I love the thick, horizontal stripes!!
- May 23, 2012 at 4:34 AM
- Alice said...
I adore stripes ... on everything. They make me feel so calm!
- May 24, 2012 at 1:36 PM
- Alice said...
I adore stripes on everything ... They make me feel so calm!
- May 24, 2012 at 1:37 PM
- simplyvonne said...
I really love the stripes too, hopefully we can do something like that when we get a different house :D Cant wait to see the result!
- May 30, 2012 at 8:16 AM
- Sarah Park Events said...
Yayy!! I love seeing new projects on your blog :) Can't wait to see the final look!!
Good luck painting the stripes! - May 30, 2012 at 6:10 PM
- Kellie Collis said...
I agree! It's so beautiful! Have a lovely start of the week, Kellie xx
- June 3, 2012 at 12:41 AM
- cinzee said...
WOw, i like this idea!!! I never really thought of stripes when it comes to interior design but you have made me think else wise now;)
Great photos!!!
http://cinzee.wordpress.com - June 7, 2012 at 11:25 PM


text:
Monday, August 13, 2012
HDTV Frame
Materials: 5 Ikea LACK Tables, Table Saw, 3M Low Profile Dual Lock Velcro
Description: Create a frame around your wall mounted HDTV to hide cables. The Lack tables are cut to size to fit the TV and are secured to the walls using 3M Velcro.
Step by step instructions of the HDTV frame are available here.
P.S. If anyone's wondering about the other Ikea items in the photo the bookcase is the LACK Bookcase, the cabinets are floated BESTA shelf units with VARA doors, and the end cap is a cut down EXPEDIT 2x2 unit.
~ Michael
11 comments:
- Replies
- AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 4:01 PM
Your comment was unnecessary. ANYWAY - I think this is a neat way to add a splash of color and decorative depth using a common, low cost IKEA product.
It might look a bit more slick if you could hide the seams - I'm not sure of a good resolution, but otherwise I think it looks great.
Nice job! I dig the whole look you have going on! I would actually leave a 1 inch gap between each Lack top. Then nobody would think anything of the seams because the gaps would be part of the design.
- AnonymousAugust 14, 2012 7:08 PM
Looking good.. I think it looks really nice.. But I like the setup under the tv as well. It looks clean and the black shelve looks nice against the white.. .
ReplyDelete - Replies
Thanks. It's 2 of these Besta units:
with these Vara doors:
and if you float the units don't forget the suspension rails. I used 4 of these:
And I believe the handles are from Lowes.
This design rocks. I'd like to adapt it by POSSIBLY separating the panels as another reader suggested, so as to eliminate the seams issue. And I'm thinking the panels could be covered in wallpaper, fabric, handpainted, or covered in a triptych-type poster of your favorite photo (pet, the kids, travel landscape) - wow I am loving your design and once I've hacked your hack ;) I will be back to post mine. Great job, and thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete- AnonymousNovember 20, 2012 4:34 PM
Why not use the VIKA AMON tabletop (150x75cm) with a hole in the middle.
Available in birch, green, red, white and glossy white I felt the same way about the panels at first but grew to prefer the gridlike appearance rather than a plain surface. Also using multiple panels gives you more flexibility on sizing and are lightweight enough to not require stud mounting or hollow wall anchors of any sort, keeping the surface clean. The VIKA AMON table would not have worked in my instance because it isn't wide enough (I would have had to use 2 tables, creating a horizontal seam, and making it a more expensive solution), nor thick enough to completely fill the TV mount gap.
If anyone does anything similar make sure to post pictures!I only have a blu ray player inside so it doesn't get hot. If I had more power intensive equipment I'd probably just cut some vent holes in the floor of the Besta units for the air to escape since the underside isn't visible. You could always mount some computer fans to the inside bottom to push the air out if just the holes weren't enough. I believe they have some automatic ones that turn on when the temperature reaches a certain level. Or you could just open the doors when your AV equipment is on :)
Everyone is free to comment but IKEAHackers.net reserves the right to remove comments that do not contribute constructively to the discussion, contain profanity, personal attacks or seek to promote a personal or unrelated business. SPAM will be deleted.
If you have a Blogger profile, you can click on the SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL link that will show up below and receive all follow up comments on the hack via email.
Don't have a Blogger profile? Create one for free here so you won't have to be be listed as "anonymous".


text:
JACKSONVILLE, ILL. – Richard Silva (Fr.-Kirkland, Wash.) finished second in the shot put to lead the Iowa Wesleyan College indoor track and field teams at the Illinois College Snow Bird Open on Saturday.
Silva finished with a best throw of 14.22 meters, scoring half of the points scored by the Tiger men. IWC finished 11th of 16 men's teams competing, scoring 16 points as a team.
Silva actually finished with a shorter best than he did a week ago at the Knox College Pentangular but improved his finish in his second collegiate meet. His finish came among a field of 43 competitors.
Wesleyan scored its other eight points in the 55-meter dash where it posted two of the top six finishers. Xavier Shields (Fr.-St. Albans, N.Y.) placed fourth in the finals with a time of 6.54 seconds. He improved on his time of a week ago, resetting the third-best time in IWC indoor history. Nigel Talton (Fr.-Fort Valley, Ga.) joined Shields in the finals and finished sixth with a time of 6.65.
The IWC women finished 13 of 15 teams with a total of four points. Those points came from freshman Mariah Montgomery (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), who placed fifth in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 9.83. The Tigers' best finish as a team came in the 4 x 200 relay, where Wesleyan was third of four teams with a time of 1:58.97.
Serina Reyna (So.-Selma, Calif.) and Melanie Brambila (Fr.-Berwyn, Ill.) both joined Montgomery in the 55 hurdles finals, finishing ninth and tenth, respectively, with times of 10.79 and 11.30. Caitlyn Jones (So.-Cornell, Ill.) added a finish of 13th in the 200 with a time of 29.39.
The Wesleyan track teams will be in competition again on Saturday with the Titan Open hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. Events will start at 10 a.m.
For more information regarding the IWC men's or women's track programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; firstname.lastname@example.com e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Snow Bird Open Results


text:
by on December 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
Thanks for dropping by! Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed. See ya around!


text:
Created on 26 February 2010
- Description
PEORIA, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves saw a 2-0 second-period lead slip away as they let up three unanswered goals to drop a 3-2 decision against the Peoria Riverman at Carver Arena Friday night.
- Unmasked Ep. 30: A Tale Of Two Cities
- (Media / Unmasked Ep. 30: A Tale Of Two Cities)
-
Scott Arniel has been a head coach before. He knows how precarious a position it is, and how much of the change
...
- April 21 vs. Grand Rapids
- (Media / April 21 vs. Grand Rapids)
-
Rosemont,
...
- April 20 vs Milwaukee
- (Media / April 20 vs Milwaukee)
-
ROSEMONT, Ill.---The Chicago Wolves saw their Calder Cup playoff hopes dashed as they fell to the Milwaukee
...


text:
CHEF OF THE WEEK: Bryan's Neighborhood Coney Island serves up chef of the week
Bryan Marotz, chef at Bryan's Neighborhood Coney Island in Waterford Township, puts the "neighbor" in neighborhood dining.
Behind the counter, he creates his customer's favorite dishes, but behind the scenes, he gives back to the community.
Marotz has lived in Waterford all his life. He delivered papers there as a child and then pizzas as a teenager. Later, he worked for 10 years at a local Coney Island restaurant, where he gleaned the knowledge he needed to run his own. He realized his dream in March of 2001 when he opened Bryan's Neighborhood Coney Island, at 3861 Elizabeth Lake Road in Waterford Township.
"I love the people, I love cooking, and I love that I'm able to help the community by having this restaurant," said Marotz, who spends all his advertising dollars in the community to help the Waterford School District.
A self-professed "community man," he shows his love for his neighbors through his many fundraising projects and involvement with area schools and charities.
Marotz supports the latchkey program at Burt Elementary School, feeds the teachers during "Teacher Week" in the spring, and he reads to students during "March is Reading Month." Marotz also raised money for the school's library, and his restaurant is a drop-off point for Michigan Animal Rescue League, where he and his customers have donated about 2,000 pounds of pet food and more than $2,000 in cash.
"My customers are wonderful, giving people," he said. "I believe the more you give, the more you get."
Marotz is as passionate about his food as he is the community, especially his soups. He makes them fresh daily and takes special pride in his customer's favorite: Chicken noodle soup. Like a true artist, he doesn't measure the ingredients, but the secret to its success is in the devotion he puts into it.
"I throw in fresh carrots, celery, onions, big chunks of chicken in broth, and I roll out my noodles by hand and cut them. It's really good," said Marotz. "I love making all my soups and creating things people love to eat. Of course, I love the people. The people are wonderful. They get to watch us cook. We're like a little family here."
Other favorites his customers enjoy are his breakfasts, especially his omelets. Continued...
"The omelets are huge," he said. "We use all fresh ingredients, purchased locally, cut fresh daily. Our Coney Islands are awesome. We use the best quality Dearborn Brand meats. Of course, I make the best Coney Islands in town."
See wrong or incorrect information in a story. Tell us here
Local Guide
Business Name
Location, ST | website.com
Social Wire
National News Videos
- "Sesame Street" introduces a Muppet whose father is in jail (5299)
- Mystery surrounds departure of Oakland University President Gary Russi and wife Beckie Francis (1590)
- DEAR ABBY June 19: Grandma on the sidelines would like to join the game (1583)
- FBI cancels Jimmy Hoffa dig in Oakland Township (1539)
- Gordie Howe awarded $3 million for destroyed sports memorabilia (1525)
- POLICE BLOTTER JUNE 19: Suspect in several burglaries arrested; Boy falls from second-story window (1401)
- PAT CAPUTO: Issues for Detroit Tigers run deeper than Jose Valverde (1328)
- New backcourt leads Lathrup over Dragons (31)
- "Sesame Street" introduces a Muppet whose father is in jail (25)
- Mob underboss says Jimmy Hoffa was "buried alive" at dig site in Oakland Township (10)
- Gordie Howe awarded $3 million for destroyed sports memorabilia (8)
- Gov. Rick Snyder urges Israel to bring its business to Michigan (7)
- Jury rules in favor of Gordie Howe in $3 million lawsuit involving destroyed memorabilia (6)
Recent Activity on Facebook
Blog Center
Frye on the News
Stephen Frye has covered the police beat and courts for The Oakland Press and now serves as online editor for www.theoaklandpress.com.
The Law Blogger
Informs on and discusses current matters of legal interest to readers of The Oakland Press and to consumers of legal services in the community.
Cat Chat
Caren Gittleman likes talking cats. She'll discuss everything about them. Share your stories and ask her questions about your favorite feline.
Outdoor Notes
Roger Beukema shares news from Lansing that impacts sportsmen (this means ladies as well) and talks about things he finds when he goes overseas to visit his children, and adding your comments into the mix.
Earth's Almanac
Join Jonathan Schechter as he shares thoughts on our natural world in Oakland County and beyond.


text:
Koalas, crocodiles, and cockatoos are just some of the natural wonders that come straight to your desktop in this free Windows theme, a sequel to the popular Best of Bing: Australia.
A theme is a combination of desktop background pictures, window colors, and sounds. All of the images will be downloaded when you click Download theme. This theme can only be used in Windows 8, Windows RT, and in Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions.


text:
- Text Size:
- ASmall Text
- AMedium Text
- ALarge Text
As of 11 p.m. Sunday, Sandy still hadn't veered toward the United States, though the National Hurricane Center said that should happen "during the next several hours." Centered 470 miles south-southeast of New York, the hurricane should make landfall late Monday in southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula, which includes Delaware and parts of Maryland and Virginia, according to the CNN Weather Unit.
One thing that makes this storm unique is not so much its 75 mph sustained winds, but the fact such hurricane-force winds extend 175 miles out from its eye. That portends to affect hundreds of miles of territory, on both sides of Sandy's eye, hit hard by destructive winds, with an even bigger swath getting tropical force-level gusts and drenching rains.
Sandy prompted evacuation orders on North Carolina's Outer Banks, New Jersey's barrier islands, in downtown Ocean City, Maryland, and in flood-prone coastal communities in southern Delaware. Low-lying areas of New York City, including Coney Island and parts of Manhattan, are being cleared out as well.
Jim Brady was among those who heeded the call, leaving his Cape May home about three blocks from the Atlantic and heading 85 miles north to his sister-in-law's house in Toms River. Packing what they can and stashing bigger valuables as high as possible, what happens next is now out of their hands as it may take days before they find out if they've skirted disaster.
"We'll just hunker down and wait for it to pass," Brady said.
Many other communities, big and small, also are bracing for the worst. The process of halting subway service in New York, the city that never sleeps, began Sunday evening. Other mass transit systems are doing the same by suspending their services Monday, including Washington's Metro service and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trains and buses in and around Philadelphia.
Across the bay from Brooklyn in Sea Bright, New Jersey, Yvette Cafaro pleaded on the plywood that covered up her burger restaurant, "Be kind to us Sandy." The seaside area largely dodged last year's Hurricane Irene, and Cafaro is hoping for -- but not expecting -- any more reprieves.
"Everything that we've been watching on the news looks like this one will really get us," she said. "We're definitely worried about it ... Hopefully, she'll spare us."
After filling his trunk with sandbags Sunday in Cranston, Rhode Island, resident Steve Pacheco said he has done what he can by clearing Halloween decorations and other items from his yard. Still, for all his preparation, he admits Sandy makes him nervous.
"I don't want to go through this again," Pacheco told CNN affiliate WPRI.


text:
FULL RESOLUTION - 1280x810
News » Published 104 weeks ago
Is this Hard Rock Calling 2011 the Musician?
Share your thoughts on this image?
Related Celebrity: Musician - Hard Rock Calling 2011
27th May 2011 @ 02:36pm
Hard Rock Calling festival 2011 have added indie/rock duo The Kills to their, already high profile, line up for the London event.


text:
Hello Kitty x UBIQ Mascot Fatima Leopard & Black
Jeremy Scott watch out. UBIQ and Hello Kitty have teamed up for a special animal styled inspired pack. The two shoes offer a full size Hello Kitty head in a black'd out model and a leopard skin makeup. Check out the flicks and let us know what you think of the shoes.


text:
Login to check your private messages
Chassis dealers What can you do for me?
Goto page
eKartingNews.com Forum Index
General Karting Discussion
View previous topic
View next topic
Cory Ross
Joined: 19 Nov 2012
Posts: 175
Location: United States, Colorado, El Jebel
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:59 am
Post subject:
Brian Degulis wrote:
So who do you think gets my business?
Exactly, you always hear shop local, help small businesses. I have worked at small high end bike shops and big box stores. A lot of businesses would do themselves a favor if they stopped relying on the customer to keep them in business. As a customer it is not my job to keep your doors open. It is the job of a business to attract me as a customer in turn helping to keep their doors open. If customers are leaving to shop elsewhere you need to change something whether you want to or not. Just screaming "but I am local" is not enough. Yes, being local will give a business some extra incentive for me to shop there. This will not be why I shop there the service, knowledge, and selection will be the major factor in where my money is spent.
As for wearing logos on race suits and sticker on karts while not being paid for them. It is a pride in a brand for a lot of people. Just like the guys with the Ford or Chevy sticker that takes up the entire rear window of their car, those stickers are not cheap. Some of it is also the image they want. They want friends and neighbors to look at pictures and see them as a racer. My race suit has some logos and things on it. It was a trade off. A plain colored suit was the same price. My suit was multiple colors I liked and had some logos on it, but it also had other features like vents and better breathing for hot days. So the choice was easy and I am kind of getting paid with extra suit features for the ad space on the suit.
Back to top
Ken Schilling
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
Posts: 1351
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:38 am
Post subject: Re: Chassis dealers What can you do for me?
This subject comes up occasionally and is discussed at length as there are usually a couple of sides to every story...
First, let's clarify the meaning of certain terms so there is no confusion. Let's use chassis coming from a manufacturer in Europe as an example in order of the market chain.
Manufacturer) Actually makes the chassis but usually doesn't make all of the components so they have to buy them from an outside source.
Brand name) Could be, but is not always, the same as the manufacturer. Example: CRG makes a number of brand names such as: CRG (of course), Zanardi, GP, etc...
Importer) Chassis manufacturer/brand name enters into an agreement with an importer to bring in chassis for the US market. CRG made chassis brands are typically imported by separate importers in contrast with OTK who imports all of their brands (Tony Kart, Kosmic, FA, Exprit) through one importer. I suspect in many cases the importer must buy a certain amount of chassis per year and chooses the most likely chassis for the local, regional and national market. Notice, the importer must
as the manufacturer/brand name doesn't typically provide chassis on consignment or free due to the shipping costs. If the importer buys a larger quantity there may be greater discounts from the manufacturer and shipping due to volume. The manufacturer doesn't typically accept returns due to shipping costs so the importer must choose wisely. When there is a separate importer (Note: in some cases the importer is also the distributor which is usually a kart shop) they should not be selling directly to the end user although I suspect that unfortunately sometimes with unscrupulous importers this happens to the detriment of the distributor This is the first step in our market chain and profit margin.
the chassis from the importer to sell to the end user. This is the second step in our market chain and profit margin. Ideally the distributor wants a chassis that is exclusive to them and for a certain geographic region to be protected from competition. Its bad business to have too many distributors with the same brand in the same region as it creates too much competition.
End user) Racer.
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
From my experience, I have had engine builders bend over backwards to help out me (the customer) in any way possible.
This is because they provide a service (usually) directly to an end user, not through a middle man (distributor).
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
Chassis importers and dealers, not so much. From my experience it seems that the mentality of these sales guys are first off, buy my chassis.
Of course, they're trying to make a living!!! The distributor has the greatest profit margin on the chassis that hes a direct distributor for. In some cases a distributor will buy a different brand chassis from another distributor while sharing their discount to be able to sell to his customer (but at a lower profit margin). Many/most distributors have more than one chassis brand to help provide the local and regional market as well as have additional potential cash flow.
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
Want help? Pay us another $400-$600 or more per event to be under our tent. We will then help you in anyway with the chassis that you bought from us. Shouldnt importers and dealers be catering to us (the customer)? Not the other way around? Am I missing something here? Dont get me wrong, if you have a good run on a chassis, dealers/importers are quick to praise and use your results to sell more karts.
Some distributors provide trackside service and support at no charge while other distributors also act as a race team and use that as an additional revenue stream. These teams provide mechanics, tuners, etc... to the end user and have to be paid for. The level of race team support can vary greatly from driver to driver as each one needs/wants different levels of support/service.
I suspect that sometimes the manufacturer, importer and/or distributor will provide chassis at a discount, maybe even free in the most rare cases, to top "team" drivers to help promote the brand. I'm sure that this is on a "case by case" basis and is rare as everyone is in this to make a profit, right? In the rare case of a "free" chassis, I suspect that many times it is actually lent to the end user then returned after a certain number of events to keep wear and tear to a minimum to be able to be sold as lightly used to keep cash out of pocket from the manufacturer, importer and/or distributor to a minimum.
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
What does your chassis dealer/importer do for you, the customer? What do you wish your chassis dealer/importer would do for you, the customer? Would you consider switching brands if another brand could provide something that your current brand does not?
The end user always has a choice, thats the free market system.
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
AND please dont use the well this chassis brand is faster than the other theory. That might be true to a very very small extent, but numerous guys that can drive have proved that theory differently over the years. Lets hear it
I agree, most chassis are good, meaning that they are potentially fast and are good quality, so it comes down to tuning and the driver.
All of the above holds true regarding other comments above about team drivers suits and sticker kits. Its up to the end user to choose but they will reap more benefits if they choose to wear the team/chassis suit and use the correct factory sticker kit as this will obviously promote the products better.
Look, if we as an end user, had lots of money then we would probably be racing cars so the karting industry is mostly populated with middle income racers who not only struggle to make a living, but also to race (especially in a tight economy).
In the end, it all comes down to supporting your local kart shop as much as possible!!! Because if you don't, they won't be around long to help support you...
Ken Schilling
#21x / S4 / ProKart Challenge (PKC)
SKUSA Data Administrator
Good luck is where preparation and opportunity meet!!!
The opinions I express are mine alone and do not reflect those of any organization of which I am a member.
Back to top
Jimmy McNeil
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: United States, California, visalia
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:31 pm
Post subject:
During the years I raced motorcycles, not once did a mx shop show up to the track and offer support
Back to top
Greg Wright
Joined: 25 Oct 2001
Posts: 2517
Location: United States, Indiana, Clermont
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:28 pm
Post subject: Re: Chassis dealers What can you do for me?
Andrew M. Coulter wrote:
What does your chassis dealer/importer do for you, the customer? What do you wish your chassis dealer/importer would do for you, the customer?
This should turn interesting, (not much so far, but) I for one would like to see more replies to your question Andrew.
I've been in the karting business for over three decades and one of the topics of conversation between dealers is similar; What is it that the contemporary kart racer wants from a dealer? No it's not at all clear cut.
Simply having convenient business hours (and being there!), having a well stocked and competitively priced inventory, a good service program, and being knowledgable and helpful doesn't seem to be enough these days.
There must be a myterious X factor that is undefinable, maybe it's lots of flash and some good ol' smoke and mirrors that is being wanted. Maybe whispering sweet nothings in the customers ear about how he or she or their offspring are going to be BIG STARS if they just sign on the dotted line, (In other words lie to them) is the ticket.
Oh sweet mysteries of life.
Greg Wright
Rapid Racing Inc.
NKN Columnist & Host "Karting News Live"
"When in doubt, gas it. It won't help but it ends the suspense."
Back to top
TJ Koyen
Joined: 03 Oct 2004
Posts: 1461
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:32 pm
Post subject:
The karting teams/shops that I've aligned myself with over the past several years all provided excellent support, great availability of parts and spares, and good equipment at fair prices. And I enjoyed hanging out with the guys on the team. I gladly wear their colors, logos, decal kits, suits etc. any day because their support and help has been invaluable. If you aren't getting that stuff from a dealer/shop, you should be looking elsewhere to buy your stuff.
T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
DB Motorsports
Back to top
Tim Blaney
Joined: 18 Jul 2001
Posts: 1127
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:27 pm
Post subject:
Cory Ross wrote:
A lot of businesses would do themselves a favor if they stopped relying on the customer to keep them in business.
Ummmm, yeah.
Back to top
Cory Ross
Joined: 19 Nov 2012
Posts: 175
Location: United States, Colorado, El Jebel
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:43 pm
Post subject:
Tim Blaney wrote:
Cory Ross wrote:
A lot of businesses would do themselves a favor if they stopped relying on the customer to keep them in business.
Ummmm, yeah.
You missed the point. Businesses are opening there doors and just expecting the customers to walk in the door and shop there because they are local. As a business you need to do more then just exist for me to shop there. I live in a small town, that has a few big box stores that have moved in. It is sad when the main marketing campaign of most the local small businesses is shop local. They give you no other incentive to shop there. I am sorry but just being a local store is no reason for me to shop at your store. If you want my money give me something for that money. If your product costs more then another source what do I get for that extra money?
Back to top
Tim Blaney
Joined: 18 Jul 2001
Posts: 1127
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:45 pm
Post subject:
Cory Ross wrote:
Tim Blaney wrote:
Cory Ross wrote:
A lot of businesses would do themselves a favor if they stopped relying on the customer to keep them in business.
Ummmm, yeah.
You missed the point. Businesses are opening there doors and just expecting the customers to walk in the door and shop there because they are local. As a business you need to do more then just exist for me to shop there. I live in a small town, that has a few big box stores that have moved in. It is sad when the main marketing campaign of most the local small businesses is shop local. They give you no other incentive to shop there. I am sorry but just being a local store is no reason for me to shop at your store. If you want my money give me something for that money. If your product costs more then another source what do I get for that extra money?
I got the point just fine. But that sentence taken by itself was freaking funny.
Back to top
Vince Mandarino
Joined: 25 Nov 2002
Posts: 39
Location: Canada, Alabama,
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:30 pm
Post subject: supporting your customers
Hello Andrew.
I agree, great post, manufactures and importers need to understand the transition, not always the manufacture the target, some time the manufacture supports the importer the goods never make it to the customer.
if a manufacture sales karts and the importers making money then the buyer cant be forgotten.
Vince Mandarino.
Back to top
Russell Stevens
Joined: 15 Oct 2012
Posts: 100
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:52 am
Post subject:
We have a local kart shop that is very involved with support at our track and a few ovals. His shop is half mower/small engine repair and half race shop. Rich (the owner) doesn't advertise, doesn't try to sell new chassis for any particular brand, but is the go-to guy for 4 stroke engine building, and setup in our area. He techs 4 stroke classes at a number of tracks, and brings his family's race karts to the track in a rollling store/shop of a trailer. His shop is full of customer's karts of all different makes and ages (being near Rochester, NY Coyote is a more common brand to see).
He will drop what he is doing to help out another racer, and he does it for the love of the sport. He is well stocked with new and used parts and equipment, and is quick to order whatever you need. He can be seen stopping into other pits and offering tuning and setup advice. He watches racers and offers driving advice. I bought my son's (used) 4 stroke kart and engine from him, and he has been awesome to deal with.
I also have delt with J3 over the phone. I purchased a Kosmic / Rotax on the secondary market. Found J3 after stumbling about some. They have provided hours of phone support for a ~7 year old chassis and engine that they didn't sell me. They have been awesome and I was seriously considering purchasing a supernat engine and chassis from them this year. I did not because a new, never driven, showroom display 08 Italkart Supersonic with front brakes, with an unfired '09 Leopard came available at a substantially lower price. My only wish is that the Tony Kart branded parts were priced more in line with everyone else as J3 is fairly close to me in Erie, PA.
IM has bent over backwards for me, making me a satisfied customer. Michael sent me replacements for parts that went MIA during shipping. Has offered setup advice on a couple of occasions, and even included an extra seat for the kart when I explained that I am a fat old guy. I only wish that they had a shop on the East coast.
Am I typical customer? I've spent over $10,000 on the hobby (not including track fees) in the last year. When I want to order parts I check IM and J3 to see if they have the widget I am looking for. I then check Comet if the other two don't have what I want. It is a rare occasion that I have to look any farther than that. I go locally to Rich for all of the parts for my son's Coyote.
At the local level, I want someone to talk to when something is wonky, and I can't figure it out. I want to be able to get parts in a reasonable timeframe at a reasonable price. If you can do this you have my business.
Back to top
Display posts from previous:
All Posts
1 Day
7 Days
2 Weeks
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
Oldest First
Newest First
eKartingNews.com Forum Index
General Karting Discussion
All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page
Jump to:
Select a forum
General Sections
General Karting Discussion
Business & Retail Classifieds
EKN Audio/Video Section
Theft Reports / Prevention
Series / Club / Event Information
Non-Karting Motorsports Discussion
Tech Talk
Chassis & Handling
Briggs & Stratton 4-Cycle Racing
Shifter Karts
Rotax Max
2-Cycle Racing
4-Cycle Racing
Road Racing
250 Superkarts
Vintage Karting
Indoor / Sport Karting
Autocross / Solo 2
Juniors Only Section
EKN Feedback
Kart Packages
post new topics in this forum
reply to topics in this forum
edit your posts in this forum
delete your posts in this forum
vote in polls in this forum
Go Top
Copyright © 2002 - 2013
. All Rights Reserved. Maintained by
Holbi LLP
DB time: 0.180223 (41.7%), total time:0.432155, queries:38


text:
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Come Closer Hesitant Spring
36 comments:
- Ivone F. said...
I love this outfit :) Im really in love...!
- February 8, 2011 at 8:05 AM
- Lauren said...
This outfit is amazing! I love the florals! I wish spring would come soon, I'm tired of being covered in snow! :)
Sparrow & Urchin - February 8, 2011 at 8:20 AM
- A said...
Still just in love with your umbrella
x - February 8, 2011 at 8:24 AM
- Q's Daydream said...
I can't wait until spring!
You look lovely! I love the white tights. - February 8, 2011 at 8:28 AM
- Joanna said...
I need spring to come too...there's way too much snow here (Toronto). And I love the umbrella!
modamama.blogspot.com - February 8, 2011 at 8:30 AM
- Russian Doll said...
You're pretty!
- February 8, 2011 at 8:31 AM
- annah. said...
love the umbrella!!
and..have fun at...FASHION WEEK??? so jealous!! - February 8, 2011 at 8:34 AM
- Mae Lu said...
I really wish spring would come. That Punk Punxsutawney Phil lied, because Spring comes late and never lately to Michigan. About mid-late May and lasts only about a two to three weeks before summer is in full, oppressive swing.
These photos are lovely, and how I wish they looked here today.
Mae Lu, @ thereafterish. - February 8, 2011 at 8:34 AM
- Eva said...
Great outfit - love those shoes! :)
polkadotsandpinafores.blogspot.com x - February 8, 2011 at 8:49 AM
- Lauren said...
Golly, I love those booties.
- February 8, 2011 at 9:04 AM
- à la Modest said...
Those shoes are pretty! I think I want to stay in winter to be honest! I never thought I'd say that.
- February 8, 2011 at 9:22 AM
- Tea For Two said...
Gorgeous Modcloth umbrella.
- February 8, 2011 at 9:49 AM
- Little Miss Curious said...
Girl, i just love and admire your style. I have added you into by blog roll... I call it Cuties. Hope you don't mind. :)
lmc - February 8, 2011 at 10:36 AM
- Sarah said...
I love your bubble umbrella - I have one like that with pink trim and I always get a lot of stares on my campus!
By the way - I adore your shoes. - February 8, 2011 at 12:33 PM
- Isabella said...
Such a lovely look! Love white tights, although I seem to get strange looks when I wear them. I don't care though. :)
http://isabellasfashion.blogspot.com - February 8, 2011 at 12:54 PM
- surfvintage said...
Cute cute colors and amazing gif!!!!!! lovely!
- February 8, 2011 at 1:16 PM
- Yajaira said...
you look nice
love the dress and the white tights!
the ankle boots - pretty! - February 8, 2011 at 2:02 PM
- SIENA.STYLE said...
very cute outfit!!I like it a lot!
- February 8, 2011 at 2:14 PM
- Rosaspina Vintage said...
You are totally adorable! These pictures are so fresh and inspiring and I love the frame composition!
The gif image is so cute :)
Ale - February 8, 2011 at 2:51 PM
- K said...
Nice umbrella (tres Camilla!), and the whole outfit is just delectable!
K xx
http://duenotice.blogspot.com/ - February 8, 2011 at 3:14 PM
- Ariel Maile Adkins said...
The royal purple is such a lovely color on you!
- February 8, 2011 at 3:29 PM
- Bellesme said...
I like the cardigan, but I have to say, white tights are my favorite =)
Bellesme - February 8, 2011 at 3:47 PM
- My Heart Blogged said...
I love the last photo. The goldfish on your umbrella are such a cute, and fun detail.
My Heart Blogged - February 8, 2011 at 3:48 PM
Another great outfit Rebecca the white tights go well with your foral skirt. Are your tights cotton they look thicker than the pair I have?
- February 8, 2011 at 4:01 PM
- Katie @ Beautifully Pure said...
What an adorable outfit! I want spring so badly. :( I've been doing some spring dressing, as well. And I think it's funny that the whole time I was looking at these pictures I was thinking "that would make a cute gif" and then you had one at the end. :D One of these days I'm going to do one myself.
Aww! You are so lucky to get to go to NYC Fashion Week! I wanted to go so badly, but at seventeen years old, it wasn't even an option. :'( Someday I will, though...
~ Katie
http://www.beautifully-pure.com - February 8, 2011 at 4:03 PM
- Trés Awesome said...
Love the white tights and fish umbrella. Have a great time in NYC!
Trés Awesome
Chicago Street Style
http://www.tresawesome.com/ - February 8, 2011 at 4:41 PM
- Sofia said...
Wow, love everything about this outfit.
- February 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM
- Rebecca, The Clothes Horse said...
@Anonymous, thank you! They're the We Love Colors microfiber tights; so no they're not cotton. They might just look thick b/c I'm pale! :)
- February 8, 2011 at 4:56 PM
- Lexie, Little Boat said...
i think i have every thing in my closet to recreate this look! a challenge for warmer days. :)
- February 8, 2011 at 5:12 PM
- Jennyboo said...
I love that umbrella. It is so playful! Spring, please come now. xoxo
- February 8, 2011 at 5:31 PM
- Adventures in Fashion said...
These photos are incredible! Probably my favourite post of all time-- and that's saying something!
www.adventuresinfashion.ca - February 8, 2011 at 6:42 PM
- A Redhaired Designer said...
that umbrella is prefection! Perfect for such weather! Even though it seems chilly there I'd love to be down there in the rain and out of the -25 degree weather we have here in toronto. I love the outfit. The muted colours are perfect against the grey skies!
I love your shoes!
http://vintageredheads.blogspot.com/ - February 8, 2011 at 8:08 PM
- Signorina Christina said...
OMG these pics are so great!!It's like you're in a fairytale!!!!!! Love the dress!! :D:D:D:D
SignorinaTina - February 9, 2011 at 12:09 AM
- Juliet said...
Beautiful look!
Juliet xxx - February 9, 2011 at 2:05 AM
- Kate said...
This makes me feel so springy! I love the dress, and the colour purple on top; breaks it up nicely.
- February 9, 2011 at 3:27 AM
- Kate said...
I love LOVE love the white tights!
- February 9, 2011 at 10:38 PM


text:
Skip to content
Your shopping cart is empty.
Home > Therapeutic Nutrition > Metabolics
Nutrition support of children and adults with propionic or methylmalonic acidemia. Use under medical supervision.
In Stock
More Info
Nutrition support of children and adults with tyrosinemia type I, II or III. Use under medical supervision.
Sorry, out of stock
View All View Less
Price Range:
View All


text:
300, it's bowling – with a twist. What's the twist? It's everything entertainment under one roof: state-of-the-art lanes, floor to ceiling video screens, casual-dining and your favorite local hangout with friendly servers asking "how's that 10-lb ball treating you?". To see for yourself, check out a few images above.
View a list of Montgomery County public facilities available for rent.
44 Results
denotes CVB member
private room(s)
Venue Information:
Meeting Rooms: 3
Max Event Capacity: 500
Banquet Seating: 200
Theater Seating: 400
Private Room Capacity: 80
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
8633 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910 | map
(301) 495-6739
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 675
Private Room Capacity: 400
Bethesda North Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Rd
North Bethesda, MD 20852 | map
(240) 777-2063
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 1700
Private Room Capacity: 130
BlackRock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, MD 20874 | map
(301) 528-2260
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 500
Private Room Capacity: 50
Bretton Woods is the ideal setting for important corporate or private events. Our facilities are located just 15 minutes from the Capital Beltway in a parkland setting, complete with 285 acres of scenic views, an 18-hole golf course overlooking the Potomac River, and a comfortable clubhouse atmosphere. From every corner of the world to our little corner of the world. BWRC connecting you to nature, sport, fine cuisine, a multicultural environment And a world of…… FUN! RELAXATION! ENRICHMENT! All right here in Germantown, MD.
Venue Information:
Meeting Rooms: 3
Max Event Capacity: 200
Private Room Capacity: 200
Brookside Gardens is Montgomery County's premier horticultural display garden located in the heart of Wheaton, MD. The Gardens were established in 1969 by the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission as a public garden featuring plants suitable for the region. The Gardens encompasses 54 acres with 32 acres of cultivated gardens consisting of several distinct areas including the aquatic gardens, azalea garden, rose garden, butterfly garden, children's garden, formal gardens, fragrance garden, Japanese style garden, trial garden, and rain garden. Two conservatories offer year-round enjoyment with changing seasonal displays. Admission to the Gardens is free and the gardens are open every day of the year sunrise to sunset. The Visitors Center offers educational programming for adults, and children, a horticultural reference library, a gift shop, Master Gardener Plant Clinics on the weekends, and rental facilities for private and corporate events. In addition to the various programs offered for children and adults, Brookside features many special events such as the Earth Day celebration to be held on April 17, the Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly Exhibit from April 30 through September 18, Children's Day, a free annual event held on the third Saturday in September, and the Garden of Lights a walk-through light show during the from November 25 through January 8 featuring close to one million colored lights shaped in imaginative displays. Garden Tours: Trained guides offer background information on the gardens as well as the wide selection of plants featured. Saturday, May 7, 14, 21 and 28, at 2:00pm, these tours are free and no registration is required. Private Group Tours: Please call 301-962-1407 to schedule an appointment. Hours: Gardens: open daily Sunrise to Sunset Conservatories: 10am-5pm Visitors Center: 9am-5pm Gift Shops: 10am-4pm Mon – Sat.; Noon – 4pm Sundays Horticultural Library – 10am-3pm Mon – Fri, 10am-2pm Sat, 1-4pm Sun Closed December 25. Admission to the gardens is free.
private room(s)
Venue Information:
Meeting Rooms: 2
Max Event Capacity: 1800
Banquet Seating: 300
Private Room Capacity: 350
Great food and Great games! Over 300 arcade and video games to choose from! Come and join us for funa and games!
Discovery Sports Center
18031 Central Park Circle
Boyds, MD 20841 | map
(301) 528-1480
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 4000
Private Room Capacity: 75
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 225
Private Room Capacity: 75
High Point Farm/Egan Barbecuers
PO Box 178
Clarksburg, MD 20871 | map
(301) 428-0650
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 5500
Private Room Capacity: 200
Venue Information:
Theater Seating: 362
Imagination Stage is the largest and most respected multi-disciplinary theatre arts organization for young people in the Mid-Atlantic region. We offer a year-round season of professional shows (adult actors performing for families and classes), after-school programs and summer camps for ages 1-18, and arts-integration professional development training for teachers, students, schools and families. All of our programs are informed by our core belief in making the arts inclusive and accessible to all children, regardless of their physical, cognitive or financial status.
The mission of the Montgomery County Campus is to create a community of education, business and government organizations where collaborative thinking and scientific discovery advance academic and economic development. The campus, which houses an auditorium, smart classrooms and computer labs, as well as a full-service library, cafe, online bookstore and extensive meeting space, welcomes more than 4,000 students each year. Four of the University's nine schools offer more than 60 graduate degree and certificate programs at this location. In addition, 10 stand-alone companies, research centers, and non-profit organizations co-locate with Johns Hopkins University on this campus.
Kensington Masonic Hall
4315 Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895 | map
(301) 493-8363
Kentlands Mansion
320 Kent Square Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878 | map
(301) 258-6425
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 150
Private Room Capacity: 30
Maryland SoccerPlex
18031 Central Park Drive
Boyds, MD 20841 | map
(301) 528-1480
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 15000
Private Room Capacity: 75
1699 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852 | map
(301) 816-0369
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 125
ONE OF A KIND, McGinty's Public House is a Traditional Irish Pub and Restaurant. This unique venture is Irish owned and managed and aims to bring a little Irish hospitality and friendliness into City Place Mall in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring. A Public House is a gathering location for the whole community. In keeping with this tradition, McGinty's Public House is committed to providing a full range of services: A tranquil dining experience in our secluded dining room; An elegant snug bar with a patio on Ellsworth Drive which is the social hub and the heart of the pub; and, an expansive Upper Bar area which is the place to dance the night away to the best entertainment around.
Montgomery County Agricultural Center, Inc
16 Chestnut St
Gaithersburg, MD 20877 | map
(301) 926-3100
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 1138
Private Room Capacity: 770
Montgomery County Department of Park & Planning
9500 Brunett Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20901 | map
(301) 299-5026
Venue Information:
Meeting Rooms: 41
Max Event Capacity: 525
Banquet Seating: 170
Theater Seating: 525
Private Room Capacity: 525
Educators and youth group leaders make a difference in the lives of young people. The programs you organize and the experiences you make happen help develop engaged, proactive citizens and leaders. The National 4-H Youth Conference Center is your educational partner in the Washington DC area. The Center is a non-profit organization and part of the largest youth serving organization in the United States. By meeting at our youth development conference center, you help create those memorable youth experiences and you have the peace of mind knowing that any residual revenues are directed back into national youth programs. One mile from Washington, DC National 4-H Youth Conference Center is a beautiful 12-acre campus. Our center hosts both youth and youth focused adult groups. With 41 meeting rooms, we often host international groups, conferences, regional association and government meetings, school groups, domestic and international tour operator groups and retreats. The center has 40,000 square feet of meeting space, ranging from a 525-seat auditorium to a high-tech boardroom for 32. There are 246 hotel rooms with the choice of two beds or four beds per room. Our contemporary four bedded rooms are unique in the hotel industry and were created specifically for youth travel. Groups gain from having their meals on-site at the Clover Cafe or catered meals in a private banquet room. Accessible to Reagan National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), National 4-H Youth Conference Center is the ideal venue for your next event in the DC area. Your group can enjoy access to indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi in public space and guest rooms, no hotel service charges and free on-site parking. Meet at National 4-H Youth Conference Center where young people have positive experiences that make a positive impact on the world.
Olney Theatre Center for the Arts
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd
Olney, MD 20832 | map
(301) 924-3400
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 440
Private Room Capacity: 160
Peach Orchard Christian Retreat Center
15712 Peach Orchard Road
Silver Spring, MD 20905 | map
(301) 384-3305
private room(s)
Venue Information:
Max Event Capacity: 200
Private Room Capacity: 100
Nestled in 30 acres of woods just outside Washington, D.C. and steps away from the C&O Canal, Rockwood Manor offers a secluded and natural venue in which to celebrate special occasions. Built in the 1920s, the Manor was the former country estate of Carolyn Gangwer Caughey. With seven indoor event spaces and overnight lodging for up to115 people, Rockwood Manor is ideal for destination weddings, wedding weekends, family reunions/special occasions, and other social events. Overnight accommodations include 10 hotel-style guestrooms with private bathrooms, a three bedroom family cottage, and three climate-controlled cabins. Ceremonies can be held outdoors in Rockwood's picturesque gazebo, tucked into the manicured garden and bowling lawn, or under the tree canopy on the flagstone terrace. Dine and dance with your guests in Brooke Hall with its soaring ceiling, wooden beams, and panoramic view, or the elegant Hoover and Rapidan rooms. The Manor can accommodate up to 130 people indoors in any one area and, with a tent, up to 200 people outdoors. Rockwood provides ample on-site parking, bride and groom dressing rooms, and tables and chairs, as well as one complete and one warming kitchen for your caterer of choice. In addition, bridal parties and guests may take advantage of Rockwood's on-site amenities.
Featured Business
300 Shady Grove
Bowling - with a twist! What's the twist? It's everything entertainment under one roof: state-of-the-art lanes, floor to ceiling video screens, casual-dining and your favorite local hangout with friendly servers asking "how's that 10-lb ball treating you?"


text:
A Mom Blog Social Network
February 10, 2011 at 6am to April 16, 2015 at 7pm – For The Love of Blogs are you a blog/site that loves to offer ad space at a reasonably low price. we are promoting sponsor deals each and every month to get you the traffic you deserve and the business to business relatio… Organized by Freckles and Fudge | Type: promotional, sponsorship
January 2, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 11:45pm – Your Blog! www.bloggymoms.com/page/bloggy-moms-guide-to-a-better-blog-1-year-plan-months-1-3 Commit to detailing and improving your blog in 2013! The Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog is a 1 year plan to ex… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: the, bloggy, moms, guide, to, a, better, blog
February 22, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 11pm – Bloggy Moms Blogging is fun - so why not add an income stream to your hard work? Commit to bettering your blog this year via the Bloggy Guides available on Bloggy Moms! Current eBooks Available! :: Bloggy… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: better, blog, year!
February 28, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Bloggy Moms It's time to refresh the Bloggy Moms Directory! If you have changed your blog name or url - this is a fantastic time to let everyone know! The Bloggy Moms Blog Directory goes through an update abo… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: blog directory update
March 21, 2013 at 10am to December 31, 2013 at 11:45pm – Bloggy Moms We're officially headed into Spring and though it may be easy to begin giving up on your dream of a better blog - we want to see you push forward! Join the 1 Year to a Better Blog Group, link up and… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: community
April 3, 2013 at 6pm to December 31, 2013 at 7pm – Bloggy Moms Affiliate marketing is a great way to begin monetizing your blog. The Bloggy Guide Series provides affiliate opportunities for bloggers! Each sale of a Bloggy Guide ebook via your affiliate link, wi… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: affiliate, opportunity
April 21, 2013 at 6pm to April 20, 2014 at 7pm – Bloggy Moms After many inquiries and suggestions for a more feasible advertising option for mom bloggers, Bloggy Moms is offering a more affordable rate! This site is dedicated to bloggers - so this is long ove… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: vip blogroll
June 1, 2013 at 6pm to June 30, 2013 at 11:45pm – Bloggy Moms CLICK HERE TO LINK UP! Add your blog to the June 2013 Blog Hop on Bloggy Moms! Add your blog to the blog hop, then meet more mommy bloggers! Find out how you can get listed in our Visit Our Blo… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: blog hop
June 10, 2013 at 2pm to September 11, 2013 at 7pm – Bloggy Moms The Bloggy Moms Guide to a Better Blog Months 7 - 9 launches June 11, 2013! Months 10 - 12 launch in September - and will be answering your questions!! Submit your questions for inclusion into the la… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: launch party, twitter party
June 13, 2013 at 6pm to August 31, 2013 at 7pm – Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio Join us this September at Cedar Point! Bloggy Conference 2013 - September 13 - 15 More Bloggy Con 2013 Tickets Available! Bloggy Conference 2013 sold out in record time! Think you've missed your c… Organized by Tiffany Noth | Type: bloggy conference
Crunchy Savings - Natural/Organic On A Budget
Practips - Practical Tips & Money-Saving Ideas
Save Money and Win with the Frugal Mom of 4
Click on in to my insanity, just don't bring laundry!
It's Not Wine, It's Mommy Juice
Sunshine Praises - Reviews & Giveaways
Mommy's Bundle - Pregnancy & Parenting
Your Total Self - Inspiration and Motivation
Simple Savings For ATL Moms - Reviews, Giveaways
Raising Reagan - Raising a Precocious Toddler
Barb Best Humor Blog * I Feel Your Pain
Vegetarian Mamma - Gluten Free/Allergen Free
Finance Diva - Personal Finance Resources
Mom~E~Centric - ReINvEntiNg NOrlmaCy
WAHM - Passion for Health, Fitness & Success!
The Jerri Ann - Honest to a Fault
Pardon My Poppet - Your Parenting Resource!
Mom Essentials- Confident Natural Doctoring
Steph's Best . Stories from My Life
OWLbfeeding - Oh We Love Breastfeeding
Chaton's World: A Quest for Balance in Stilettos
Stoopmama - City girl gone woods.
Broward Saves- Freebies, Coupons, Deals & More!
All Dressed Up With Nothing to Drink
Latest Girls - Makeup & Beauty Tips
Branding, Blogging, & Building Your Business Online
SportyMomme - Family, Fitness & Sarcasm O'MY!
Ronda Writes - Humorous Opinions!
An Honest Girls Journey Through Pregnancy
24 to 30 - A Journey to Fit and Fabulous
Books R Us- A Great Place for Reviews
Terri's Little Haven (Product Reviews)
Life O'Kay- Where life is always O'KAY!
Figuring Out How the Pieces Fit
Questionable Choices in Parenting
Undecided Mamas- What do we Blog about?!
The Jenny Evolution. Keep Evolving
It's a Journey: Marketing for Your Home Business!
Master the Art of Saving- Earn, Save, Spend
The Bizy Mommy | Managing Home & Biz
Safe & Healthy Outdoor Living For Families
Tamar Barbash - Mother, Blogger, Social Worker
Grandparenting Tips, Articles and Giveaways
Being Positive with a Depressive Soul
Save money on all beauty care items
Best Laid Plans by Arianne Bellizaire
Mommyjuiced - Wine Makes Me a Better Mom
DIY, Homesteading, and Being Frugal
Walking in Jesus is never easy, but worth it!
Journey of the Bees "Believe in the Impossible"
Amazing Grace and a Safe Haven
Hapa Mom - A journey to a simple, happy life
Another Cent Saved Saves you $$
Not Your Ordinary Psychic Mom Blog
Homemakers Heart - Passionate about Family
Life at a rate of several WTFs a Minute
Mrscpkc – Personal Memoir and Lifestyle Blog
Baking, life, and food photography
Baby in one hand, a drink in the other
Ya se lo que quiero, un blog de cocina real
MamaMouse-Disney World Site for Moms
Preschool Activities and Parenting by MomTrusted
Mommy Writings by Daughter of Maat
Yum! recipes 4 NJ #Sandy relief
FREE Homeschooling Tips and Resources
A Few Days in the Life of Courtsie Ann B
Network: About Contact Advertise Brand Awareness Blog Directory
© 2013 Created by Tiffany Noth.
Badges | Report an Issue | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service


text: Weddings and Blessings at Kayirabeach If you dream of getting married on a deserted beach in paradise, with exquisite food, wine and entertainment then dream no more, we can turn your dream into reality. Just let us know what you want for your special day and our team will ensure your dreams come true. We also specialise in spiritual blessings and midnight weddings and blessings under the magnificent Jinack sky |


text:
Camping in Cornwall
Top campsites in Cornwall Choose from a wide range of inspected campsites
The official tourist board guide to camping and campsites in Cornwall. Plenty of cheap family holidays available. Whether you are looking for a small quiet campsite, a Cornish yurt holiday or a large holiday park with all facilities for family camping, you'll be spoiled for choice. All camp sites in Cornwall listed on this website have been graded or inspected by the AA, Visit Britain or a recognised local inspection scheme.
Motorhomes and Caravans are banned from overnight parking at some Cornwall Council car parks.
Searching Where to Stay
Search Results: 1Showing: 1 to 1
Applied filters: Camping, West Cornwall, £100 - £150 Room per night
St Ives Bay Holiday Park
Stunning location set in sand dunes with private access to own sandy beach with lifeguards. Huge variety of units to suit all tastes and budgets – many with sea views.
Sponsored features
Quality cottages
In the countryside, yet close to beaches, 8 quality self catering cottages near Port Isaac, Rock & Padstow in North Cornwall.
550+Cornish Cottages
A Which! recommended provider. From fisherman's cottages to luxury apartments, all you have to do is relax and enjoy.
Sands Resort
Award winning family hotel, family suites, spa, kids clubs, pool, tennis, golf, gym. Early Bird discounts and short breaks from £50.
Tremarne Hotel
Overlooking Portmellon Cove, Mevagissey, stylish award winning hotel offering traditional and contemporary feel away from the hustle of modern day living.


text:
Slowbro's not OU.
now that i think about it, blaze is already uber, so the final decision is made. in OU, its still a useful counter for the abundance of chlorophyllites and rain abuse sets (besides the occasional thunder, which wont OHKO it). not to mention that it works offensively and defensively and can be mixed in sweep strategies.
altaria is definitely MUCH more useful this gen, and i think it could be pushed to MU if we analyzed it
PS: i usually spin as a lead. its rare that i get more than 1 rocks user
your welcome
Maybe we should just leave it at that. Everyone has their opinions (and voice them quite strongly) and nothing we say is going to change the decision made by our Smogon overlords.
Also, after checking Altaria out, I can say it is quite definitely looking awesome. Cotton Guard + Roost? WIN!
cotton guard is probably the 2nd best booster in the game.
your welcome
I'm assuming Quiver Dance is the best?
that or shell smash
your welcome
I see Slowbro on about once or twice, every 10 teams I fight. Thats seems OU to me.
Last edited by ShadowRaven; 04-11-2011 at 06:37 AM.
yo its used in OU
a lot
that makes is OVER USED
shadow, OU literally means "Over Used". it brings me back to a point i made months ago that usage vs. function is not a factor in ratings anymore because they dont know the difference.
they try and force using a set comprised of the 50-65 OU pokes, limiting the strategies and creating a league of finding which of those pokemon work the best on one another without taking any other outside factors into account.
they have yet to explore 80% of the eviolet pokes, and they definitely ignore cloud nine/Air Lock, even though weather rules OU/Ubers, no question.
Off Topic:
oh, and i still think clefable should be BL because of its overall usefulness and its over-abundance in UU. i see no reason why to keep it out with the current set MU/BL's around
your welcome
i saw it all the fucking time
your welcome
Haha, Kirbx getting a taste of his own medicine.
Really? I doubt its that good, but I could be wrong.
And slowbro is OU moron, go away no one likes you and your facts.
You still haven't faces the Gyrados and Salamence.
Stone Edge. Even if they switch in on a High Jump Kick or something it's a 2HKO. A OHKO after certain boosts too. I would present the damage calcs, but the Smogon website seems to have taken a dump and impaled itself.
thank god
watch you be a mod or some shit there
Again, sorry for completely dismantling your argument and proving how powerful this fire chicken really is.
Haha. I liked watching this argument.
This is my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TonyMHFan?feature=mhee
Sub me, I'll sub you
Haters don't hate you. They hate themselves because you're a reflection of what they want to be.
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past....You must fight just to keep them alive


text:
Dr. Laura Connerly: Smart Holiday Gifts For Kids
By: Arkansas Today
Updated: December 14, 2012
It may be the toy of the moment today, but gifts are often forgotten a few months after the holidays. Looking for a gift idea that's meaningful and lasting? Start kids on the road to financial security with gifts that build wealth. To make your gift more personal, include a note about your hopes for the child's future success in life. Here are a few ideas for wealth-building gifts:
Stocks (www.oneshare.com)
Bonds (www.treasurydirect.gov)
Savings Accounts - 529, IRA
Coins (www.usmint.gov)
Piggy Banks
Financial expert Dr. Laura Connerly join Wendy Suares, to give us a few gift ideas that can put children on the road to financial security.


text:
North American Auto Mall advertises a variety of all years, makes and models of autos, trucks and transport trailers for sale by owner. In addition, we have Northwest Classic Auto Mall, which has offered advertising services for 1975 and older cars, trucks and project vehicles since 1999. Whether you're looking for a classic or muscle car, rat rod or race car, or a late model car or truck, we invite you to browse our listings of vehicles.
1938 Ford Deluxe Coupe All steel with exception of rear fenders. Less than 10K miles since total restoration in 1999. All Ford, 302 ci engine bored .030 over, C4... More
Hidden Door Hinges, Radiused Door Edges, Electric Windows, Remote Door Openers, One Piece Door Glass, Removed Vent Windows, Removed Windshield Hinge, Half Cab Top Welded 100% and Smoothed, 2X4" Roll Bar, Steel Tonneau... More
5 YEARS IN THE MAKING OF THE GORGEOUS '55. NO BONDO OR RUST, FULL LEATHER, FOOSE WHEELS, BF GOODRICH TIRES, 421 HIGH PERFORMANCE, ROLLER CAM,... More
This vehicle is for sale by the owner. 1934 Ford Cabriolet steel/fiberglass. Built Ford tough with Chevy stuff. 350 ci Chevy engine w/ Edelbrock 4 bl carb, 350... More


text:
The lie of interactivity and immersion; how Mass Effect, Skyrim and others have pulled a blindfold around players
Written By Matt Sainsbury on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 | 12:15
Immersion and interactivity are two different terms, but in the context of games they are very closely related. The idea of immersion is a relatively simple one; it's to have a deep mental engagement with an object. It's a theory that extends well beyond games – when done well 3D is credited with improving immersion within a film, for instance. But it would seem on the surface that by giving a player direct control over an avatar in a game that games are the perfect fit for immersive experiences and that's when the idea of interactivity kicks in. The more interactive an environment is, the deeper the player's engagement with that game will be.
There's a limit to how far a game's developer can take immersion and interactivity, as it is not in a game's interest to effect an Uncanny Valley response from the player (the theory that when real-world replicas look too real they effect revulsion amongst human observers). But the idea is that if a video game is a toy box, the toys inside should be many and varied and allow players to lose themselves within them.
So, when players talk about wanting to be immersed within they game, what they're talking about is a desire for a rich, interactive experience within a digital space that is interesting enough to engage their cognitive thinking. Looking at the current state of the games industry, I would have to say that gamers are not that interested in immersive experiences at all, and the developers of popular games are even less interested in providing players with them. It would seem that there's a mutual and unspoken agreement between developer and gamer: "we'll build an illusion that our games are interactive an immersive, and you, the gamer, will play along." That unspoken agreement is, to my way of thinking, holding the games industry back from breaking away from cinema and literature to become a distinctive and unique form of entertainment and art.
So let's start with the problems I have with the idea of 'interactivity' within games, because the reality is that in the mainstream games industry interactivity is at best an illusion. Let's take a look at Mass Effect 3 as an example. This is a game that is nominally an RPG – a genre famed for being highly engaging and interactive - and Mass Effect 3 is often lauded in the press because it has a dynamic plot that adjusts based on the player's actions. Break the game down, though, and it actually does not. Inconsequential elements of the plot adjust based on whether you're playing nice or naughty, honourable or sleazy. Players might even hit enough right responses that the avatar gets to get hot and sweaty with a non-player character.
But is this really interactivity? To me, this is no more evolved than a simple Choose-your-own-adventure gamebook, and is a spectacular failure when you consider the power of modern game platforms. From the first moment of Mass Effect 3, the game knows exactly how it will end, even if the player doesn't. Without being able to change the destiny of the game in a meaningful way, how can we say a game is "interactive?" Having a plot dictated to us is not interactivity, it's a linear progression, little different to watching a film or reading a book.
Some games, especially JRPGs, offer multiple endings depending on how well players perform. On the surface this seems to be enabling interactivity, but is it really? The answer is no. Once again, the game's conclusion is pre-set, and the player just needs to hit the right triggers to make the right endings happen. That can be challenging and rewarding, but Choose-your-own-adventure game books are linear experiences. They have different endings, so there are essentially 4, 5, 10 different linear experiences within the one book, but the idea of interactivity and immersion breaks down as soon as the player loses the ability to carve his/ her own story within the game.
That brings us to the idea of open world games. After all, in a game like Skyrim or Assassin's Creed 3, players are free to do their own thing between missions, and complete or ignore sub-quests as they see fit. A game like Skyrim is so large that it's possible to be fulfilled as a player without even touching the linear main story (or, in fact, any of the linear sub-stories).
While the open world games are certainly more interactive in terms of plotting, in other ways these games are so limited in terms of interactivity that they again break down a genuine sense of immersion. Assassin's Creed and the Grand Theft Auto games are, outside of a few key activities, barren interactive environments, little better than a model diorama. Yes, there are cars to drive in a Grand Theft Auto game, and yes you can gun down random people on the street. But you can't interact with them in any way that isn't violent. Yes, in Assassin's Creed you can climb buildings, but you can't enter most of them. When a developer limits what a player can do in the game world, then the developer is dictating the experience to the player, and is doing so at the expense of interactivity and consequently immersion.
Take that to the extreme and you end up with Goichi Suda's parody of open world games in No More Heroes – an empty wasteland designed for little more than funnelling players towards the next objective, mission, or point of interest. This illusion of interactivity would seem to be enough for most players, given how popular the Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed series' have been, but the question remains – have these games done enough to build a genuinely interactive experience? I would argue not.
Even Skyrim, which many hold up as the paragon of non-linear gaming, is deceptively linear in many ways. Players can pick which dungeons they want to tackle, and which storylines they'd like to follow, but each individual storyline is a linear tale, and each dungeon is a point-A-to-point-B trip. In practice and beneath that illusion of interactivity, Skyrim is a collection of short stories and following a trail of breadcrumbs that the developers have left the player. Breaking away from that formula leaves players largely in a rut, unable to do much other than wander around towns that are stuck in stasis until the player triggers a new plot.
I'm using these RPGs as examples because debunking the myth of interactivity and immersion becomes even easier when you look at high-profile games like Call of Duty, where there is almost no interactivity, let alone immersion. Like those duck-shooting sideshow games at a carnival a game like Call of Duty (and most of the FPS genre), is a shooting gallery repackaged with some Michael Bay-style cut scenes and a bit of artificial intelligence to make the game a little more challenging. Players are not involved in the world in any way that is not strictly on the game's terms, or to put it in another way, from start to finish the players of a typical shooter game are playing the game in the way that the developers have told them to play it. It is in practice no different from a blockbuster film that, like a roller coaster ride, pulls players through a wild time.
None of this is to criticise any of these games. They are all wonderfully entertaining and rightfully lauded by the press and gaming community. However, these games are often lauded for the wrong reasons. Those games that are genuinely interactive and immersive are games that are, at best, games with niche appeal.
What does a game need to be genuinely interactive an immersive? I would argue that it firstly needs to give players control over the plot. By this, I don't mean that a game should allow players a couple of decisions on the path to a predetermined destiny – as in Mass Effect 3. What I mean is that the players should have control over the creation of the story – a proactive control over the direction of the plot, rather than a reactive one.
The few games that have tried to do this have, to date, essentially had no plot. A game like Dear Esther asks players to draw their own meanings from what they see and experience. With no set objectives, players make their own objectives. With no non-player characters around, there's no risk of players being directed somewhere to do something. Left to their own devices, players have no choice by to be immersed within the game because otherwise there is literally nothing to do in it.
Now, of course Dear Esther is a game that many players find deathly boring, and I am in no way suggesting that it is the way all games should be. Dear Esther is experimental and as immersive as it is, also fails to adequately represent the "immersion" that many gamers claim they want. There is one great example of a game that is non-linear, immersive, and interactive to its very core, while also being a commercial success, however.
That game is of course Minecraft. With no "story" players write their own. It's an open world game, but unlike the blockbuster Assassin's Creed and Grand Theft Auto games, Minecraft does not put rules on the players – if they see something in the game's world, and they want to do something to it, they probably can.
Minecraft is the only example of a relatively mainstream title that is genuinely interactive and immersive. Given the power of consoles and PCs now, I must admit that I am somewhat disappointed that the big developers and publishers are so focused on making games that, while undeniably entertaining, fail to really push the boundaries of the games medium, and are merely repackaging cinematic experiences with a couple of choice marketing words on the press release.
19 comments:
- WEL said...
I get your point but I don't think you get the point of games let alone what interactivity and immersion really mean. You think that interactivity and immersion is to do whatever the hell you want within a game world and you're wrong. You have no sense of game design at all.
- December 5, 2012 at 3:38 PM
- Matt S said...
Well, rather than being rude, perhaps you could explain to me what the point of games are, and what interactivity and immersion really mean?
I'll never understand why people in the games industry would rather insult people than engage in a discussion with the topic. I wrote an analysis based on the theories of interactivity that I have studied and written about in the past. Given it's a subjective point of view (as all arts debates are) I welcome healthy disagreement and alternative opinions. However, I certainly don't appreciate having my intelligence questioned on the basis of nothing more than 'I don't agree with you.' - December 5, 2012 at 4:03 PM
- zezhyrule said...
Wonderful article. More people should see this.
- December 5, 2012 at 7:30 PM
- Matt S said...
Thanks Zezzy :) It's something that's been stewing around in my head for a while. The games industry has so much more that it can offer - it's going to be exciting to see the indies capitalise on that potential.
- December 5, 2012 at 7:49 PM
after reading this article, I'm afraid my enjoyment of modern videogames is going to get dampened a little bit. I've been playing through LA Noire as of late, and I keep noticing that while each individual episode is brilliantly written and entertaining, there's nothing outside of the case when it comes to the characters. I've yet to discover any evidence which was of particular interest to myself, the player, rather than of interest to Officer Cole Phelps in his quest to throw all criminals into jail. All information in the game is either pointing the player character directly towards the culprit of the crime or deliberately designed to lead him off track. And so in essence it's not an open world built for you, it's an open world built for the player character, who you just happen to control. You don't find out anything about each character's life and personality, and so the immersion is broken because the events don't feel, for a lack of a better term, real. And so the research into cars, music, fashion and social norms (which is all brilliant, by the way) feels a little wasted.
That being said, I think it's a bit of a folly to expect games to perfectly cater for interactivity and immersion. Like I said in a previous comment somewhere, there is still a lot of merit in a game which pulls its audience through just like a movie. On some days I wouldn't mind going to an art gallery, on others I might prefer my local cinema. - December 5, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Good article but the type of interaction/immersion that you crave for is already available for years now before Minecraft: in game mods and MMOs. Modding typify what a gamer want out of a game. No matter how high the review score or how much praise a game receive, there will always be something that gamers will find lacking and wish they could do about it. This is where modding comes to the scene.
True, Skyrim is a kingdom of illusion of predetermined choices but then the mod tools (even before the official ones) gave players to tell other what they want out of this game. They have gone beyond the set campaign stories or settings and want to their take on Skyrim. The goes for other games that support modding or have an active modding atmosphere (GTA4, Just Cause 2 : no mod support and tools but the modders still make mods for them anyway). Arma 2 has a very powerful editor and a healthy amount of community created missions.
Unfortunately mods can potentially take a big chunk out DLCs and items for F2Ps so a lot of developers/publishers are keeping them away from their games. You can train thousands of Samurai in Total War 2 but you still need to BUY the Blood Pack if you want to experience an immersive war. Minecraft is just a simplification of the modding process sold in an open world game form. Imagine those Minecraft players are given a simplified form of Frosbite 2 or CryEngine 3.
As for MMOs...don't look at the open-but-closed nature of the games themselves but look at the adventures of the players. EVE Online is a game that I will never play but from what I read it has more backstabbings than The Games of Throne and Pirates of Caribbean put together. And those are not mission quests the game designers made for gamers : those are events that gamers created themselves. The players are interacting with each other beyond what the game had required them to. In a cutthroat world of interstellar power play, it can't get more immersive than that. - December 6, 2012 at 1:13 AM
- Michael Wilbur said...
I wouldn't mind seeing more interactivity in games, but I don't want it to take over the industry. If every game started doing this, I'd lose interest fast, as if I have to make the story myself, there are no real twists and turns, no real surprises, nothing to make my story feel like anything more than a flight of fancy. Too much linearity makes a game feel like riding a rail, but too little makes it feel like pointless meandering.
As for immersion, I'd argue that immersion is more of a player's ability to get into the role as who or whatever they're roleplaying, and not necessarily as themselves. I feel that games like Fallout 3 and the Elder Scrolls do this well; I recall attempting to activate my pip-boy light one night while trying to get into my car. Yahtzee of Zero Punctuation mentioned checking his visibilty gem after playing Thief for an extended period (The Oblivion review, I believe).
I'm not disagreeing with you; there's certainly room in gaming for more immersive, more interactive games. I'm simply saying I don't think it's something all games should strive to be. When it comes down to it, sometimes I just want to play through someone else's story. - December 6, 2012 at 2:33 AM
So you go though all of that and then say..."None of this is to criticise any of these games."...OK then whats your f@#$ point?
- December 6, 2012 at 3:39 AM
Well, you chose to respond to the one "being rude." The first comment on the thread was a pretty good discussion start BUT you ignored it and responded only to someone unquestionably agreeing with/praising you and someone who is "insulting" you. You totally skipped a GOOD debate at the top, something you're asking for yet you ignore it BECAUSE, as far as I can tell, they provided good reasons for their disagreement. When someone insults you it's easier to dismiss than someone who's actually presenting the facts. Why don't you take your own cue and do exactly what your asking of everyone else?
- December 6, 2012 at 4:30 AM
- Rob Palethorpe said...
I think I'll disagree for once! Games don't need masses of permutations to be immersive or interactive. Life already has those, and too much choice isn't always a good thing. No, what matters is that in-game choices *feel* meaningful, even if they aren't (i.e. they have good face validity). For example, there's Unity of Command, which we all love. The combat is stripped down to the barest of essentials - no calculations of impact angles or armour thickness here. That doesn't make it any less immersive or interactive, does it? :-)
- December 6, 2012 at 4:56 AM
- Owen said...
Kody, a.good debate actually supports an argument.There is literally no supportive evidence for the first posts point of view. There were also a.lot of negative personal references, that are, with an interpretation that the author is correctly use of the English language, emotive and seem aggressive.
Thus they are rude.
A well reasoned, supported argument would create better traction. Please, try to provide evidence for the viewpoints. We do not know you and cannot just take your word for it. - December 6, 2012 at 7:45 AM
- Matt S said...
Hi Kody.
I live in Australia. When I went to bed, there were four comments on this piece. The first two, and my replies.
I woke up and there are now many more. Which I will now discuss with the various people that made them. While I appreciate that you felt strongly enough to come on and make that comment, as this is the first comment you've made on the site, I can only assume this is the first time you've been on the site. Hang around and you'll see that ever since Digitally Downloaded existed I have done my utmost to respond to every reasonable comment made. - December 6, 2012 at 8:43 AM
- Matt S said...
L.A Noire is a great example of a really good game that isn't all that immersive. I completely agree with you that immersion is not required for a game to be enjoyable. In fact, as much as I respect Dear Esther and Minecraft, they are far from my favourite games.
I guess I would just like to see the big developers experimenting a little more with interactivity and immersion. These are things that only the games industry is capable of offering, but a few notable examples aside, the industry has maintained an approach to game making more in line with either cinema or competitive sports. Both have their places, but so too should immersive experiences. - December 6, 2012 at 8:47 AM
- Matt S said...
You are 100% right - mods are very immersive experiences. When players can actually change the game to suit their own play style, then that's essentially the holy grail of interactivity. I remember spending more time messing around with Morrowind mods than actually playing the game, haha.
I certainly didn't mean to make it sound like Minecraft and Dear Esther are the only examples of the kind of interactivity and immersion that I would like to see. There are examples going right back to the dawn of gaming - Nethack, for instance, is incredibly immersive because it's completely unscripted, and you play as a '@' - literally.
With regards to MMOs, though, I'm going to have to disagree with you there. From my experience with MMOs (I've played most of the popular ones, though I haven't touched EVE Online, so perhaps that example is different), these games are very linear experiences - fight, grab loot, fight, hit up PVP, fight, level up, grab loot. In other words, there is a very clear and very linear progression through the game, and unless you're working through that progression, you've got nothing really to do. There's no point remaining a level 1 character, for instance.
If MMOs were to become truly interactive and immersive, players would need to be able to play whatever role they liked to in the game. Political, commercial, etc etc. Second Life wasn't much of a game, but it's a closer game to the kinds of immersive experiences that I'm talking about.
If you know of any MMOs that are less linear with regards to progression, please do let me know. I'd love to play them. - December 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM
- Matt S said...
Absolutely agree. I certainly wouldn't want the industry to become a series of Minecraft clones either, hah.
To me the great potential of the games industry is in the depth of experiences that it could offer. Unfortunately at this stage it is no more than potential, because the bulk of the money in the industry is going towards funding linear, barely-interactive experiences.
I guess what I'm really saying here is that I'd like to see a greater balance in range of experiences - I love a good story too, but I can't help but dream of a big-budget, genuine sandbox to lose myself within. - December 6, 2012 at 9:01 AM
- Matt S said...
I never did have the opportunity to play Ultima Online. I badly want to experience it.
- December 6, 2012 at 9:01 AM
- Matt S said...
To answer your question specifically: "games don't need to be interactive and immersive to be good."
- December 6, 2012 at 9:02 AM
- Matt S said...
Good stuff - I like when people disagree with me - it makes for more interesting conversations than when everyone sees eye-to-eye, haha.
I guess the response I have to you is a question - is Unity of Command an immersive game? I'd argue it's not. It's interactive, in the same sense that clicking through a spreadsheet, pressing the "play" button on the remote for a movie or turning a page in a book is interactive, and it's certainly engaging, but did I lose myself within the game? not really.
Perhaps I should have expanded my piece to also encompass a third term "engagement." The way I see it a game can be engaging while not being immersive. Many (if not most) people found Dear Esther the complete opposite of engaging, but most everyone agree it's immersive.
To build that idea out further, immersion is a "deep mental engagement" with an object. It becomes an emotional experience - not in the sense of it making you laugh, cry etc, but rather, emotional in the sense that the player invests themselves into the game. It's the point where, mentally, the player stops seeing the avatar as a character, and instead as a genuine avatar and their physical presence in the game.
Games like Unity of Command don't do that. I play that game and I see units as resources, I see objectives as "to win" targets. It's abstracted from real life, yes, and it's also an intellectual engagement, but it's not a game that I was emotionally immersed within.
I am very tired, and that probably made no sense. Feel free to keep the debate going - hopefully I've had my coffee next time :P - December 6, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Wait, if you are finding something "immersive" are you not likewise "engaged" in the game?? Put another way, if you are not feeling engaged how could you allow yourself to be immersed in the experience?
Its probably just grtting into semantics anyway.
The main point of your article however will come down to where we put the bar for "interactivity". Was Ocarina of Time interactive? You could travel practically anywhere you could see, go fishing..uh, cut bushes and do lots of..other stuff. What about Animal Crossing? Lots to do there, sort of create your own narrative I suppose, play as long as you want, etc. I recently played Baldurs Gate 2...you could define your character in a myriad of very different ways and have a very different game experience to another player even though the over-arching plot led to roughly the same places.
I feel like where I disagree with you is on the point that players demand the so-called "interactivity" ( as you are defining it in the article) in order to be immersed. The game I played most recently, Infinite Space on the DS, is not very interactive at all on a number of levels (sans the ship customization) but judging by the hours I stayed up til playing the thing, I was well engaged :p - December 8, 2012 at 2:39 AM


text:
Original Designs By: Maggie Weldon
Easy Skill
Posey Pig: Worsted weight cotton yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) pink; 3 yds lt pink; 2 yds green; 1 yd each white and black
Orange Slice: Worsted weight cotton yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) orange; 1 oz (70 yds) white.
Watermelon Slice: Worsted weight cotton yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) each dk green and red; 2 yds each white, lt green, and black.
Apple: Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) Red (R); 5 yds Green (G); 3 yds Brown (B)
Rooster: Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) Red (R), 1 oz (70 yds) Brown (B), small amounts of Gold (Y), Green (G), Black (BK) & White (W).
Diamond Filet: Worsted weight cotton yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) each pink and white.
Star Lily: Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn, 2.5 oz (175 yds) Blue (B), 1 oz (70 yds) White (W).
Crochet Hook: Size G or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 4 dc = 1"
Sizes: Posey Pig:About 9"x 7 ½"; Orange Slice:About 7 ½" diameter; Watermelon Slice:About 7" diameter;
Rooster:7"x 10"; Apple:7" x 7 ½"; Star Lily: About 7" x 7" Diamond Filet:7 ½" x 7 ½";
You will find any one of these seven potholders easy to make with Worsted Weight Yarn. They are made with cotton yarn and double thickness so they are both usable and decorative.
Granny square potholders give them the vintage crochet decor!!!
Other popular Potholder patterns include: Premium Vintage Potholders - Set 1 Crochet Pattern http://www.maggiescrochet.com/premium-vintage-potholders-p-1682.html Vintage Fashion Potholders Crochet Patter http://www.maggiescrochet.com/vintage-fashion-potholders-p-1957.html Vintage Blue & Yellow Potholders Crochet Pattern http://www.maggiescrochet.com/vintage-blue-yellow-potholders-p-1932.html Vintage Redwork Potholders Crochet Pattern http://www.maggiescrochet.com/vintage-redwork-potholders-p-1835.html Vintage Florals Potholders Crochet Pattern Crochet Pattern http://www.maggiescrochet.com/vintage-florals-potholders-p-1684.html Vintage Blues Potholders http://www.maggiescrochet.com/vintage-blues-potholders-p-1683.html
This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 01 January, 2008.
Welcome to Maggie's Crochet Discover everything you need for your crochet hobby. Free Crochet Patterns Maggie Weldon Designs Vintage Crochet Baby Crochet Holiday Crochet How-To Crochet Learn To Crochet Yarn & Supplies Crochet Tutorials Crochet Videos


text:
This is real life in Kansas.
Name (required)
Mail (will not be published) (required)
You can use these HTML tags
  <acronym title="">
      <q cite="">
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
RSS Posts
RSS Comments
A Kansas guidebook featuring over 800 of HARLAND's beautiful photos. Over a year in the making, it's finally here!
Copyright © 2013 Window On The Prairie - All Rights ReservedPowered by WordPress & the Atahualpa Theme by BytesForAll. Discuss on our WP Forum