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I'd rather be in the Caribbean.
"Let's see what happens, eh?"
That's what the weatherman said after laying out his predictions for a bone-chilling winter storm headed our way this weekend. Coincidentally, it's the same phrase the reverend used after I kissed the bride at my wedding in Jamaica, which is where I go – mentally, if not physically – when I need to warm up. Come back to Jamaica with me, if you like, and along the way perhaps I can dispel a few misconceptions about the island.
While the people back home in Connecticut shoveled out of a killer blizzard, here's what did happen that January day: my Jamaican wife Ingrid and I walked off the beach past a huge, thatched-roof bar named Boonoonoonoos, got a cup of Wray & Nephew Overproof rum on ice, strolled across a wooden rope bridge spanning a dazzling, waterfall-themed swimming pool, and posed for some pictures in a gazebo by the sea before blissfully partying the night away to reggae riddims.
My thoughts always turn to the "The Yard," as Jamaica is sometimes called, on my anniversary. I seem to get older and colder with each New England winter. It's frickin' freezing in here, Mr. Bigglesworth. My editor is going to have a hell of a time with this article, which I am writing with mittens on. Reggae artist Johnny Osbourne knew what he meant when he said "love in the winter should be as warm as the summer sun."
Imagining myself at the resort where I got married would be easier from a tanning bed, but for a dermatologically friendly solution, I turn to my wife for inspiration. A combination of spicy Jamaican food and the pulsating dancehall beats she favors usually get the blood flowing in my extremities, but there's no better way to start than with the warming, soothing sounds of the unofficial Jamaican language, patois (pronounced PAH-twah). In the time I've known Ingrid, I've had the opportunity to learn many phrases, but patois is challenging for a guy who grew up in suburban Connecticut (pronounced lily-white).
Though there is some French influence, patois has been described as "broken English," most likely by people who didn't understand the language and therefore felt the need to denigrate it. I've done some research on patois, and I've discovered that it's easier to learn the language itself than to understand its linguistic origins. Suffice it to say that like reggae, patois is characterized by lilting rhythms and an almost musical flow of conversation. I can only manage to speak "broken patois" – Zamaican, if you will. You will? You've made me so happy.
One reason learning patois has been so difficult for me – aside from possessing the Caucasian DNA strand that also renders me incapable of doing the robot or choosing fashionable clothes – is that other than the occasional tourist pamphlet, it's almost impossible to find written instruction that isn't on a T-shirt featuring a cartoon Rastafarian.
This is a good place to debunk a few myths for readers who have never been to the islands, because nobody likes their myths bunked. I'll dispense with the most common Hollywood stereotypes and replace them with Zam stereotypes, albeit ones developed out of my great love the Jamaican people. For genuine facts, please consult the nearest Jamaican or locate a writer with even a hint of journalistic integrity. [Editor's Note: These are usually the writers without mittens.]
Myth #1: All Jamaicans are Rastafarians. I know hundreds of Jamaicans, but I don't think I've even met a Rastafarian. Rasta is a religion with stringent dietary restrictions against processed foods. Chances are that if you've met someone in America who claims to be Rasta, they've perfected the pot smoking, but the dietary restrictions are out the window as soon as the munchies kick in within the Domino's Pizza delivery radius.
Myth #2: All Jamaican Music is by Bob Marley. This is an understandable misconception, given that the supposedly deceased "Tuff Gong" mysteriously seems to come out with a new album every year, and even more surprisingly, a new child. To name a few, his musical offspring include Ziggy, Cedella, Stephen, Damian, Ky-Mani and, um…Shemp. Outside of the Marleys, a great number of modern reggae tunes are remakes of other songs. For instance, Sean Kingston's two recent hits are repackagings of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" and Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Maker," which interestingly enough, is a pun on the word "Jamaica." There are x amount (a countless supply) of other songs that are more appropriately characterized as dancehall or slackness. This genre, lesser known by most Americans, is devoted almost entirely to – how shall I put this? – wukin', slammin', slappin', jooking, cocking it up, cabin stabbin'…i.e., sex. Ironically, the word screwface has nothing to do with sex.
Myth #3: All Jamaicans Have Dreadlocks Under a Red, Yellow and Green Hat. False. Sometimes the hat, known as a tam, is all one color, like when they're on a job interview. Seriously, dreads are also largely associated with Rastafarianism, and they're difficult to manage, so most people don't have them. Most of the tams are simply loaded with a felony amount of ganja. This facetious point leads me to…
Myth #4: All Jamaicans Smoke Ganja. Not if they want to stay out of prison. Marijuana is universally celebrated in reggae music, but it's just as illegal there as it is here. Dreadlocks serve the dual purpose of softening the blow when the Babylon (police) brain you with their nightsticks.
Myth #5: All Jamaicans Drive Taxis. Despite the requisite appearance of "Wacky Rasta Cabbie" in every screwball Hollywood comedy, this is not true. If you've ever taken a taxi in a busy city like New York, you know that the cab drivers weave dangerously in and out of traffic, driving over sidewalks and pedestrians at breakneck speed. Jamaican drivers, by comparison, are fucking crazy. The island follows English customs, so the popular warning is "The left side is the right side and the right side is suicide." Curiously, most roads are only wide enough to have one side. You may have heard that you should pass the dutchie (cooking pot) or koutchie (hash pipe) pon de left-hand side, but never, ever, pass a tour bus on the left or you'll end up stuck in a grill. No, not in Negril – a western Jamaican city – in A grill – on the front of somebody's car. The second most important traffic rule in Jamaica is that goats have the right of way. On a related note, when preparing curried goat, the meat should be tender, so cook it in the dutchie, not in a grill.
Myth #6: All Jamaicans Have Nine Jobs. This stereotype was popularized on the show In Living Color. Most of the Jamaicans I've met are extremely hard working, but on average they only have seven jobs. The statistics were primarily skewed by my wife's brother and sister, who together held 38 percent of all American jobs between 1988 and 2005. The trick was to remember where they were employed that week and show up for the 10 percent discount. Now my brother-in-law is in the Army, and you may scoff, "one measly job?" However, he does more before 9 a.m. than most people do all day. 'im be all dat him cyaan be!
My theory about multi-job Jamaicans is that this is the result of the phrase "I and I," which is frequently used by Rastafarians in place of "me" or "I." Depending on how thoroughly you research the phrase – I personally extended my search all the way to the third entry of the Google results – "I and I" refers to the oneness between an individual and Jah (God); or it invokes a person's physical and spiritual duality. My hypothesis is that some Rasta unwittingly filled out a job application with the phrase "I and I can drive a forklift and plant corn," at which point the hiring manager, thinking "I and I" was two people, gave him both jobs. The rest is history.
Myth #7: Jamaicans Use the Terms "Hey mon," "Irie," and "Cool runnings" in every sentence. You can thank the Jamaican tourist industry for this fallacy. The locals are smart enough to know that if they repeat these phrases ad nauseum, American tourist shoppers coming off the cruise ships will eat it up like a nice plate of mackerel rundown. If you really want to learn patois, here are a few tips from my own experience.
First, repeat funny sounding words, like fenky fenky or chaka chaka. Next, pepper your conversations with incomprehensible proverbs, like "He who eats too many plantain at breakfast will feel the spider's bite in the bush." Extra points if you work a hungry dog into the saying. Finally, take the H's hout hof words that 'ave them, hand put them hin front hof words that don't 'ave them. Hunderstand?
Since we signed our marriage certificate, Hingrid – that's "Ingrid" with the hextra haitch – and I have logged approximately 3,650 nights, not all of them blissful. But like the famously fleeting Caribbean showers, most of our rainfalls have ended as soon as they began, leaving everything a little healthier in the aftermath. When you live with a West Indian, you have to prepare for the occasional hurricane, and like any relationship, we've had those too. You just have to be smart enough to board the windows up and stand under an archway until the argument blows over.
What I wouldn't give for a warm Jamaican breeze right now. It's 13 degrees outside and I'm having difficult getting my frozen face, which could stop a bullet, relaxed enough to speak patois. In fact, I'm having trouble typing the word patois. I'm not sure if it's the mittens or frostbite, but it keeps coming out as "patios." I probably should stop before I go off on a tangent about lawn chairs. Did I mention I met my wife at a furniture store?
I and I and I (Patois Version)


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Keaton was taken into custody over the weekend by the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Keaton was located in Cookeville, Tennessee and surrendered to police without incident.
Keaton is a suspect in the homicide investigation where the body of Melissa Leann Hudgins was found on the Cherokee Campus of Gadsden State Community College wednesday morning.
Shaver stated that there are a team of Investigators from the Sheriff's Office, Centre Police Department, and the District Attorney's Office already in Tennessee assisting with the investigation. Keaton is currently being transported to a detention facility in Tennessee and is expected to be extradited back to Cherokee County.
Sheriff Shaver and Chief Blankenship wants to extend their appreciation to everyone that is involved in this investigation and a special thanks to the members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Previously posted
Investigators are now looking for a person of interest in connection with the death of Melissa Leann Hudgins, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship.
Investigators have identified 37-year-old Vennie Leroy Keaton as a person of interest in the case and his whereabouts are unknown at this time. Keaton is currently wanted in Cherokee County and Tennessee on theft related charges.
Hudgins' vehicle was found abandoned on the side of the road in Tennessee and was recovered by the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office.
The vehicle has since been transported back to Cherokee County and processed by Forensic Investigators with the Calhoun-Cleburne County Violent Crimes Task Force.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Vennie Leroy Keaton contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at (256) 927-3365 or the Centre Police Department at (256) 927-3661.
The investigation is still ongoing and more details will be provided as they become available.


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Gitsy's Galleries
2010 Midland School Picnic - 06/13/2010
Face Painting, Balloons & Glitter Tattoos by Gitsy, Meeko & Dr. Glitter
Just click on any thumbnail to see the larger picture. ENJOY! (19 of 62)
***All photos are the property of GTC Entertainment & the client of this event.
Downloading and use of these pictures by anyone other then the client,
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express written consent of GTC Entertainment. THANK-YOU!!***


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All Suite Resort Hotel & Conference CenterOgunquit, Maine Hotels & ResortsYou will not find larger suites anywhere! Our individually-owned two bedroom suites are 1200 square feet (about 4 times the size of an average hotel room!) and have all the comforts of home. ...
Nonantum ResortKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsLocated on the Kennebunk River- it is an easy walk to the beach & Dock Sq. The resort boasts 109 rooms, an award winning restaurant, family friendly activities program, outdoor heated pool, marina with boat charters, free wifi, bike & kayak rentals....Rates from US $249 Per Night
Shorelands Guest Resort, casual Maine CottagesKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsShorelands is a casual country cottage and motel complex, a short, 10 mins walk to beautiful, sandy Beach. Off season packages for couples, including Jacuzzi units; in season a great family place with outdoor gas grills and lobster cooker, play area....Starting at US $129 Per Night
Rhumb Line ResortKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsKennebunkport's only resort with indoor & outdoor heated pools, indoor & outdoor hot tubs, complete fitness center & function room. Poolside Restaurant in summer. Free WiFi. All rooms with 2 queens or 1 king, AC/Heat, CCTV, mini fridge, deck or pat... US $99 Per Night
Village Cove InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsThis unique resort inn offers upscale accommodations in Kennebunkport at an affordable rate. On site dining,heated indoor and outdoor pools and fitness facility are available to all our guests. We also offer great value packages....Starting at US $189 Per Night
The Franciscan Guest HouseKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsAn affordable, family friendly hotel located a short walk to the beach and the village. A unique hotel located on St. Anthony's Monastery's 66 acre estate. With 65 hotel rooms, full continental breakfast, A/C, outdoor saltwater pool, and Cable TV.... US $69 Per Night
King's Port InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsThe King�s Port Inn in Kennebunkport Maine offers 34 handsomely designed guest rooms and suites in the heart of Kennebunkport�s famous seaside village and just steps from Dock Square with its unique boutique shops, galleries, restaurants and mari... US $89 Per Night
Green Heron InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsThe Green Heron Inn offers a cozy, informal atmosphere in the finest New England tradition. Enjoy our peaceful setting by the water and the picturesque ... US $149 Per Night
Chetwynd House InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsOur location is right where you want to be. It's a 60 second walk to Dock Square. ... US $278 Per Night
English Meadows InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsThe English Meadows Inn offers a unique English Country House experience in Kennebunkport. ... US $136 Per Night
1802 House B&b InnKennebunkport, Maine Hotels & ResortsThe 1802 House is always just right, whether you're celebrating something special or you have no plans at all. Restful and romantic, set in the quietest ... US $105 Per Night
Custom Sailing Charters from Rockland, MaineRockland, Maine Sailing & Yacht ChartersBufflehead Sailing Charters offers a unique opportunity to experience Maine. Get on the water aboard this classic vessel, see Rockland's working waterfront, lighthouses, panoramic vistas, seals and seabirds. Sail with a friendly accomplished Captain.... US $300 Per Night
Adventure Maine Outdoor Recreation & Travel guideCamden Hills, Maine Fishing TripsMaine Sportsman & Family Outdoor Recreation & Travel Guide, Maine Wilderness Fishing & Camps W Guides Maine Wilderness Kayaking & Canoeing W Guides...Special Discounted Rates from US $1,250 Per Week
Kismet Inn: A perfect place for a Maine GetawayBath, Maine Bed & BreakfastsKismet Inn, has a reputation as a guest-friendly and completely environmentally toxin and fragrance free bed and breakfast. Kismet inn prides itself as an all organic bed and breakfast which has been recognized as the 3rd best Inn Nationally on CNN...From US $200 Per Night
Maine Golf and Tennis AcademyLakes & Mountains, Maine GolfSelected BEST Golf Camp and BEST Tennis Camp in America for kids 8 -17. Plus waterskiing, sailing, ropes course and full camp program of yoga, dance, theater, arts and crafts, trips, tournaments, travel teams and Advanced and Elite training...
View Northern Maine's Boreal SpeciesAroostook, Maine BirdwatchingAn unsurpassed destination for birders and wildlife photographers, within a 23,000 acre reserve. Home to numerous species of migratory and non-migratory birds. Lakeside log cabins, 30 seat dining room, lounge, rec. room. Audubon Corporate Partner....Starting at US $135 Per Night
Down East Nature ToursBar Harbor, Maine BirdwatchingWe specialize in regional Bird watching and Nature Tours designed to take you into excellent birding and wildlife habitat on Mount Desert Island, the Down East Coastal and northern Mountains. Camping, Hiking, for families and small groups. FUN...
Historic and Elegant Coastal Maine InnMidcoast, Maine Bed & Breakfasts13 elegant rooms in a Federal style house, all with private baths. Walk to Bowdoin College and to all the lovely shops and restaurants of downtown Brunswick. Enjoy a drink on the wraparound front porch or in front of the fireplace in the bar....Starting at US $170 Per Night
Blue Heron Seaside InnAroostook, Maine Bed & BreakfastsExperience a romantic, waterfront B&B overlooking Boothbay Harbor. Offering spacious rooms and suites all with king or gueen beds, modern baths, and decks with views of the ocean. Gormet breakfast served each morning. Dock and kayaks available....
Atlantic Birches InnOld Orchard Beach, Maine Bed & BreakfastsThe Atlantic Birches Inn Bed and Breakfast an Elegant Casual Romantic, Historic, Victorian BnB in Old Orchard Beach Maine. The Inn is an ideal stopping point on your East Coast vacation or for a convenient weekend getaway with family and friends....Starting at US $101 Per Night
Greenwood Mountain Inn Bed and BreakfastSebago Lake, Maine Bed & Breakfasts15 rooms with 9 bedrooms and 6 full baths on top of Greenwood Mountain.... US $150 Per Night


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Pets in the preschool classroom
Caring for a small pet, such as a fish or reptile, can provide young children with the opportunity to learn more about animals firsthand. As preschool teachers, we know that young children are engaged and learn best by DOING. We can certainly teach about animals through books and pictures ... but how much MORE will they learn when they can actually interact with one. They can learn about caring for animals and the responsibility that goes with it. For preschool programs, having a classroom pet provides a wonderful opportunity for learning about nature, science and living things.
At our preschool (and at my home), we have Betta fish, which have a low start-up cost and are very easy to take care of. At the beginning of the school year, we have the class name the fish - and that really helps to give the children ownership of the pet. One of the most favorite classroom jobs a child can have for the day is the "Fish Helper" - where it is their day to feed the fish. The Betta fish food are really tiny pellets, so it's also a good fine motor skill for the children to pick up the pellets and put them into the tank.
I think children can learn a lot from seeing and interacting with living things. At various times during the year, we will also bring in special visitors who bring in some other animals that the children can learn about. During our summer camp, we even had some older children come in and share their pets with the preschoolers. This gave the children an opportunity to observe, touch and feel an animal they may not have seen before, or only seen in pictures.
I recently learned about a program to help teachers who want to bring in a pet into their classroom. PetSmart is now offering a "Pets in the Classroom" grant for Pre-K through 6th grade teachers to cover all the expenses of a classroom pet. Teachers will also receive additional assistance with a PetSmart associate who can help them with the basics of pet care.
Teachers can visit www.petsmart.com/teachers to apply for the grant and learn about ways to incorporate a classroom pet into their curriculum. This section of the website also provides teachers with some lesson plan ideas, some of which can be adapted to fit into a preschool curriculum.
Do you have a pet in your classroom? Other than fish and reptiles, what other types of pets would be good in a preschool classroom?


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Originally posted at FanLit. Come visit us!
Set in a fictional Georgian-era-type society, Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners is a "fantasy of manners" or "mannerpunk" novel. In contrast to epic fantasy, where the characters are fighting with swords and the fate of the universe is often at stake, mannerpunk novels are usually set in a hierarchical class-based society where the characters battle with words and wit. There may or may not be magic or sorcery involved and, in many ways, this subgenre of fantasy literature is more like historical fiction that takes place in an imaginary universe. The focus is on societal structures and social commentary. Characters may not be changing THE world, but they're changing THEIR world. If you like Jane Austen and P.G. Wodehouse, mannerpunk may be just your thing.
In Swordspoint, the infamous swordsman Richard St. Vier is a tool of the upper class. Those who can afford his exorbitant rates may hire him to challenge a lover who's spurned them, kill off a rival, or just make a party more exciting. Perhaps Richard wouldn't have taken that last assignment if he'd known how the nobles were scheming before the next election. Now he's been dragged into their business, and it's quite a quagmire. On top of that, he has to deal with the eccentricities of his lover Alec, a university dropout. Meanwhile, playboy Michael Godwin is pursuing the widowed duchess, trying to evade the amorous intentions of an important councilman, and secretly pursuing his desire to be a swordsman like Richard St. Vier.
Swordspoint is somewhat original considering that it's one of the first "mannerpunk" fantasies and features several bisexual characters (unusual for a book published in 1987). The book is highly recommended by Neil Gaiman and is part of his new Neil Gaiman Presents audiobook collection. For this reason, I guess, I was expecting more.
The story is diverting -- a nice enough way to spend a few hours -- but that's really about all I can say. All of the characters are unlikable, nastily plotting and scheming against each other, abusing each other, or being abused. Richard St. Vier could have been a great character, but his love for Alec was incomprehensible. Alec is boring, sullen, selfish, possibly crazy, and completely without any noticeable value other than his good looks. Why is Richard willing to kill anyone who messes with Alec, a man who's always trying to provoke situations in which Richard will be forced to fight a duel? Not a convincing love affair. I also didn't think that Swordspoint, supposedly a comedy of manners, which relies on witty and clever dialogue, was particularly witty or clever. The plot, though diverting, was not exciting or clever either.
In its favor, the book is well-written, with smooth prose and excellent pacing. I really liked Riverside, the low-class area where Richard lives. The storyline in which Michael Godwin leads Lord Horn on, changes his mind, and then tries to evade Horn's advances, is funny. I was just expecting more.
The audiobook version is narrated by Ellen Kushner herself (who you know, if you've heard her on NPR, has a nice voice) with the addition of a "full cast" who reads some of the dialogue some of the time (sometimes Kushner reads the dialogue). Kushner's tone is light and breezy and better with the narration than the dialogue. When she reads the dialogue, her breeziness and lack of variation in tone doesn't help her characters' personalities. However, the actors who occasionally do the dialogue (Dion Graham, Katherine Kellgren, Robert Faas, Nick Sullivan, and Simon Jones) are excellent. The sound effects that are occasionally added to the background are atrocious. For example, when the nobles are drinking tea from fine china cups and saucers, it sounds like they're in a downtown diner. Fires crackling and clocks ticking disturb the narration. It's ludicrous, but fortunately the sound effects are infrequent.
I'm eager to try one of Ellen Kushner's other mannerpunk novels. Swordspoint: A Melodrama of Manners was just okay, but I like Riverside and plan to try the sequel, The Privilege of the Sword, which takes place years later and features a female protagonist. It's also available from Neil Gaiman Presents and I've already purchased it. I'll let you know.
"The Lost Fleet is still wandering...."
Originally posted at FanLit.
In Courageous, the third book in Jack Campbell's LOST FLEET series, the Alliance fleet is still wandering from star system to star system, trying to get back home by some path the Syndics won't predict. It seems like a hopeless situation, but the legendary Black Jack Geary, who's been revived out of cold sleep after his suicidal mission 100 years ago, is just the hero they need. He's proved himself so capable so far that some of his commanders want to help him secure a dictatorship when they get home, and others just want to get rid of him. Geary could decide to be a dictator, get rid of the people who are causing him problems and do things the way he thinks they should be done, but then how is he different from their enemies?
Geary isn't as confident in his own abilities, however. He's still uncomfortable in this new military where the pursuit of self-glory is tolerated and the best commanders are put on the ships most likely to be destroyed. No wonder discipline is shattered and the war has been going on for so long. Geary is starting to understand how the Alliance fleet got this way. He's also learning more about their enemies — the Syndics — and the possibility that an unknown alien race may be manipulating both the Alliance and the Syndics. A scary thought.
Meanwhile Geary's lover, Victoria Rione, who used to be reserved, reasonable, and icy, has turned into a fickle drama queen. This subplot is tedious and exasperating and it feels contrived to elevate the tension. It's clear that Campbell is setting things up for a romantic change of venue for Black Jack, though our hero isn't aware of it yet. After listening to Victoria rant and rave for so long, readers will be eager for a change.
I love the hero of the LOST FLEET series — Captain Geary is awesome and Campbell has done a great job with his development over the series so far. Geary is what keeps me reading LOST FLEET because I don't much like anyone else in the book, or at least I don't know them well enough to like them.
At this point, though, I'm starting to wonder why the series needs six books. It could have been cut in half. The truth is that even though I like hanging out with Black Jack Geary, not much new happens in Courageous. They're wandering around at the beginning and they're still wandering around at the end. In the last chapter of Courageous, Geary and Victoria make some really wild speculations about what might be happening with the alleged alien race and though I thought it was far-fetched that they would jump to those conclusions, I want to know what happens. Campbell leaves us with a cliffhanger that made me glad I'd already downloaded the next book, Valiant.
"Shallow but thrilling"
Originally posted at FanLit.
Professor Kyle Riggs and his kids were asleep in their house when the alien spaceship arrived. It killed the kids, kidnapped Kyle, and put him through a series of grueling tests. Since he was still alive afterward, the ship made Kyle the captain. This has been happening all over Earth. Most of the captured humans have been killed because they couldn't make it through the rigorous tests, but all the survivors are now piloting spaceships and in the perfect position to fight off an alien invasion that's coming to enslave humanity. Add in a beautiful naked coed who's chained up inside Kyle's spaceship and you have a silly, but exciting, male wish-fulfillment fantasy.
I want to admit straight up that even though I'm giving Swarm only two stars (it's just not a very good book), it entertained me. I think many readers will love Swarm — those who just want a fast-moving exhilarating ride and don't care too much about plot, characterization, and craft. Sometimes I'm in the mood for something like that and Swarm will do quite nicely in that circumstance. However, I want to critique Swarm by its merits, and not by my mood.
The plot of Swarm is instantly engaging. Professor Riggs' kids are snatched by a spaceship, disemboweled, and dropped to the ground. Wow. That kind of gets your attention. Then Kyle finds himself captain of an amazing piece of technology which belongs to an alien race. Until now, humans thought they were alone in the universe. Now they're fighting a second alien race with help from these aliens who've given them ships but have also killed thousands of humans while vetting them for command positions. This diverse set of ship captains must figure out how to fly their ships and work together to save Earth. Crazy.
This is a pretty cool setup, but unfortunately there were so many places where I just couldn't suspend disbelief due to ridiculous plot elements and bad characterization. There are many examples I could give, but I'll just mention two. The first is the ineffective way the Earth governments respond to the spaceships. Kyle and the other captains roam around Earth for a while before getting organized. They hover over homes and malls and grocery stores, using the ship to steal items they need to outfit their ships. (The way they do this reminded me of the "claw" type arcade games and that funny scene in Toy Story: "The Claw!"). A ship captain from Australia is declaring himself leader and threatening Kyle and others who won't follow him. Kyle, a college professor who has just seen his ship kill his own kids, goes off on his looting spree instead of immediately going to the police or other authorities to report what's happening. Earth's authorities, who have no idea what's going on, seem paralyzed — they just wait to see what will happen. Even though they have satellite communications and internet, it takes a long time before the ship commanders and the authorities are communicating with each other. Even then the ragtag team of pilots decide to band together to save Earth rather than handing over the ships to legitimate military forces. And the governments let this happen. It's exciting, but not at all likely.
Second is the preposterous relationship with the college student. Kyle, a widower, has just seen his kids brutally murdered, but he gets over this fast enough when the naked girl shows up. Sure, he talks like he's grieving, just to remind us that Larson knows we're going to have an issue with this, but he doesn't act like he's grieving when he's ogling the girl and talking more about her nakedness than he did about his kids. Pretty soon he's in bed with the girl (she has no personality, but she is naked) and the kids seem forgotten. Larson would have done better to bring her in during book 2 instead (Swarm is the first in a series of at least seven books). And maybe give her some more features in addition to nakedness. I mean, she is a college student — she should have more features.
I could go on, but I think those two examples get the point across. If you're looking for a shallow but thrilling ride that's fairly unique and you don't have high expectations about craft, Swarm may be just what you're looking for. I recommend the audio version narrated by Mark Boyett. I didn't like his voice for the naked chick, but he did well with the rest of it.
B.V. Larson is an independent author who self-published Swarm. The audio version was produced by Audible Frontiers in 2011 and has been put on CD by Brilliance Audio.
Originally posted at FanLit.
Fearless is the second book in Jack Campbell's LOST FLEET series about Captain Jack Geary who has recovered from 100 years of cold sleep just in time to try to save the Alliance fleet from certain annihilation by the Syndics. As I explained in my review of the first LOST FLEET book, Dauntless, many soldiers in the Alliance fleet think Black Jack Geary is a hero returned from the dead to save their skins. To them, Geary can do no wrong, and they're willing to follow him deeper into Syndic space as he tries to find an unguarded pathway home. Other officers, however, resent Geary's attempt to instill order on a military that has become unprepared and undisciplined over many years of war. These aggressive glory-seekers are causing a lot of trouble and when they find someone to rally around, Captain Geary has a mutiny on his hands.
But that's not all he's dealing with. There's an underlying problem that affects everything he's trying to do — the soldiers of the Alliance used to fight with honor, but now they have become just as ignoble as the Syndics. They wipe out civilians and non-military targets, use terror tactics to dishearten their foes, and generally revel in the slaughter of their enemies. Geary realizes that with this sort of attitude, there will never be peace. At first his only like-minded ally is Senator Victoria Rione who is traveling with Geary and the crew of Dauntless. She's a politician, so none of the military folks trust her, but she is a much-needed voice for restraint. That's why Geary can trust her with his provocative suspicions that there may be outside forces malevolently influencing the Alliance-Syndicate war, and with his discovery about the powers that can be unleashed when a hypernet gate implodes.
Geary has some relationship issues as well. Since he's been asleep for 100 years, he has lost everyone he ever loved. He's depressed about this, though he doesn't have much time to think about it. He worries about going "home" and wonders if he can find a way to fit into society other than just as a fleet commander. In this installment, Geary begins a romantic relationship that is only partly rewarding and may or may not be significant when he finally gets home.
Fearless is another entertaining installment in the LOST FLEET series. Some of Jack Campbell's characters are a bit two-dimensional, and one of them (Captain Falco) is totally over-the-top, but Captain Geary is an admirable character who's easy to root for. Some of Geary's personnel problems — especially those involving the mutinous officers and his new lover — seem contrived to elevate emotions, but Geary's plight is compelling enough to make me feel rather forgiving. Campbell's space battles are awesome, which is surprising since there's actually more waiting around and getting in position than actually shooting at things.
Christian Rummel does a great job with the narration of the audio version I've been listening to. I think he has a lot to do with how much I like Black Jack Geary. I've already downloaded the third LOST FLEET book, Courageous.
"Black Jack Geary makes a great hero"
Originally posted at FanLit.
John "Black Jack" Geary's escape pod has just been rescued from deep space. He's been in cold-sleep for a century after he single-handedly held off enemy spaceships while letting the rest of the Alliance fleet escape. Everyone thought he was dead, but his brave sacrifice went down in the history books and many people still whisper that Black Jack Geary will come back to save the Alliance in a time of great need. And so he has… or at least that's what many soldiers of the Alliance believe. Geary himself is bewildered to learn that not only is he alive, but that his one famous deed was exaggerated and now he's a hero of legend. All he really feels like doing is grieving over the loved ones he left behind a century ago. But duty calls.
Now Geary finds himself again trying to save the Alliance fleet. They're still fighting the Syndicate Worlds — the same enemies they've been fighting since Geary's time — and they're stuck in enemy territory with damaged ships. They're also carrying a stolen key to one of the Syndics' hypernets — a tool which could help them finally win the war. Can Geary get the fleet and the key back home safely?
Well, that's a hard enough task for any fleet commander. What makes it even harder for John Geary is that this modern Alliance fleet is far different from the one he knew before. The technology has advanced enormously (Geary doesn't even know what a hypernet is!), but what has changed even more is the structure of the military. Geary lived in a time when the military was well-trained and the leaders gave orders which their subordinates obeyed. But because of the devastating losses the Alliance has suffered over the past several decades, younger commanders have had to step up. They lack skills and experience and the military is now run more like a democracy than a hierarchy, with commanders discussing and voting during meetings instead of receiving and following orders from superiors. Black Jack Geary's own legendary exploit is also a factor in this decline — his heroic status has caused many ship commanders to try to seek their own glory. Geary recognizes that all of this is bad for the Alliance Worlds, but changing an entire military organization may be too much for one man. Unless that man is a legendary hero who has returned to set his people free…
Dauntless, the first book in Jack Campbell's LOST FLEET series is highly entertaining space opera. Black Jack Geary makes a great reluctant hero. He's smart and experienced, but 100 years behind in his understanding of technology. He has a disadvantage when he has to rely on others to help him understand and navigate his controls, but his old battle tactics, which rely on careful fleet coordination rather than personal glory-seeking, are an advantage. Not only are they better for the fleet as a whole, but they confound the enemy who is now unable to predict what the Alliance forces will do.
I didn't much care for the other characters in Dauntless, but I enjoyed the story enough that I didn't mind. One thing that sets this series apart from other space opera is Campbell's attempt to deal with the problem of relativity in a war that spans so much space. For example, if your computer is reporting the location of an enemy that's lightminutes away from you, they are no longer in that location when you get the report. This distortion has a lot of implications, especially when you're trying to shoot the enemy and the enemy is trying to shoot you. Campbell's constant reminders about this get tedious, but I appreciated that he tried to deal with this problem that's too often ignored.
I listened to Audible Frontier's production of Dauntless. Christian Rummel was a perfect narrator and I thought the voice and tone he used for Black Jack was a perfect reflection of Geary's humble but confident personality. After listening to Dauntless, I immediately downloaded book 2, Fearless. THE LOST FLEET looks like it's going to be a good series.
Jack Campbell is a pseudonym for author John G. Hemry who writes other military science fiction under his real name. He's a retired Navy officer.
"A short sad novel"
Originally posted at FanLit.
Almost all the modern stories derived from Arthurian legends focus on King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Merlin. Why does Mordred, the man who eventually brings down the whole shebang, get such short shrift? There's plenty of source material, most notably Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae and Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. Maybe it's that Mordred isn't very romantic. Or maybe we just don't like reading about people who are hard to root for.
In her novel I Am Mordred, Nancy Springer flips the legend, brings the traitorous Mordred to tragic life, and makes him easy to sympathize with. When we meet Mordred he's a happy child being raised in a loving home by hard-working fisherfolk. His life changes when he's discovered and taken away. Now he lives with a cold mother, a heavy burden (Merlin has publicly prophesied that Mordred will kill King Arthur) and a huge helping of guilt (King Arthur killed all the babies in the realm when he found out about Mordred's birth).
But Mordred doesn't want to kill anybody. He's a sensitive child who just wants to be loved and accepted by his scheming mother and the kind father who refuses to acknowledge him as son. Can Mordred find love? Can he defy his fate, or is he destined to fulfill it?
I Am Mordred is a short sad novel with a sympathetic anti-hero. Nancy Springer's prose is pretty and she brings a little piece of Arthurian Legend to life as Mordred gives his candid impressions of Arthur, Morgause, Morgan Le Fay, and others. In addition Springer explores such subjects as the nature of family, love, loneliness, original sin, self-determinism, fate and free will, honor, shame and guilt, and the function of the soul.
I Am Mordred is marketed to children aged 10 and up. As far as children's literature goes, the tale is rather somber and dark, dealing with incest, adultery, murder, and death, but it's tastefully done and none of it is graphic or glorifying. Nancy Springer succeeds in illustrating the lesson that we should always try to look at events from other people's perspectives. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend I Am Mordred to children, but keep in mind that it's dark and sad. Springer doesn't change the legendary ending.
I listened to Steven Crossley narrate Recorded Book's version of I Am Mordred. I enjoyed this production.
"Everything I hate about romance novels"
Originally posted at FanLit.
Modern Seattle: Ravishingly gorgeous Adrienne de Simone (whose every body part is "perfect," though she doesn't know that) hates beautiful men because she just had a bad experience with the gorgeous man who was her fiancé. Never! Never again!
Medieval Scotland: Sidheach James Lyon Douglas, otherwise known as "the Hawk" (even his mother calls him that) or "the King's Whore," is the hottest laird on the Highlands, but he's never met a woman he could love. Every one of his body parts is "perfect" and he knows it.
The Fairy Court: When the fae start to meddle with Adrienne and the Hawk, mischief ensues. Hawk falls in love with Adrienne and she, despite the promises to herself, starts to wonder what might be throbbing under his kilt.
From the beginning I had a feeling that Beyond the Highland Mist wasn't going to be my book of the year, but I picked it up because I really liked Karen Marie Moning's FEVER series, I like to occasionally step out of my comfort zone, and Beyond the Highland Mist was on a two-for-one sale at Audible.
I wish I had saved my credit. To put it succinctly, I hated Beyond the Highland Mist. It's everything about romance novels that I hate, starting with the half-naked guy with the six-pack abs on the cover. Then there's the story which, honestly, has pretty much the same story and plot devices as every other uninspired romance novel I've ever read. You know: they automatically hate each other but there's some reason they have to spend a lot of time together, one of them (at least) keeps protesting that s/he will never ("NEVER!") love the other but over the course of the story s/he finds out how awesome the other one is (usually something having to do with how he dotes on his mother or secretly loves children and maybe even secretly supports orphans and/or widows), one of them (at least) gets sick or injured and is nursed back to health by the other one while the sick or injured one never knows the other one is there, they keep having these misunderstandings about their feelings for each other (or maybe they're mistakenly jealous of a third party) while it's obvious to everyone else that they're hot for each other…. It's so boringly predictable and we all know what's going to happen at the end. They eventually decide they want to get married though they've rarely had a conversation that consists of much more than "I will have you! You will be mine!" and "No! Never!"
Other than the back and forth lusty angst, that's about all there is to the plot of Beyond the Highland Mist. There's a little bit of intrigue with the fairy queen, but it barely holds the rest together. The story is all about sexual urges, jealous obsession and love-sickness and, even though I read romance novels very rarely, I have read this plot at least a dozen times before.
But that's not the worst part of Beyond the Highland Mist. The worst part was the writing, which surprised me because I liked Moning's style in the FEVER series. But it's awful here, to the point of hilarity. On every page of Beyond the Highland Mist you'll find some version of this sort of insipidness: rough velvet tongues, creamy breasts being cupped, nipples being traced, taut bellies, silken nubs, chiseled faces, arching backs, hungry tongues, hot shafts with velvety pink tips, ebony eyes, hot kisses, tiny taut nubs, betraying wetness, plum-ripe mouths, honeyed heat, satiny thighs, ragged breathing, buckling knees, weak knees, traitorous bodies, shattering defenses, velvety friction, throbbing shafts, bodies made of molten steel, velvet lips, husky brandy-rich voice, husky purrs and growls, hot silk tongues, brutal punishing kisses, hot spicy male scent, whimpering against mouths, eyes that are dark pools of shadow, and lots of mouth claiming and deep hot kisses. It sounds like every other over-the-top romance novel I've ever accidentally opened.
I can't even tell you how many times her silvery mane was mentioned, or his chiseled steel body. And Moning actually tells us that he's hung like a stallion. No, seriously. And I don't want you to miss these little gems:
* hard arousal rode between her legs
* the raw pulsing steel of his hunger
* the Hawk's velvet purr had taken on the coldness of smooth polished steel
* the last rays of moonbeam caressing his body with molten silver
* she melted to him like liquid flames
* his desire for her throbbed angrily beneath his kilt
* his voice was like butterscotch
Get it? ButterSCOTCH? I know you think I made that up, but I didn't!
As I mentioned, I listened to the audio version which was read by Phil Gigante, who sometimes overdoes it a bit and somewhat contributes to the over-the-top feel of Beyond the Highland Mist. All the same, I thought he did well enough with the male voices (even handling the Scottish brogue pretty well), but I didn't care too much for his female voices (an issue I've noted before with Gigante). If you're thinking about trying Beyond the Highland Mist, I'd suggest listening to a sample at Amazon or Audible. By the way, Audible will return a book you don't like. I may return this one. There are more books in the HIGHLANDER series and I think they can stand alone. I bought two more at the Audible sale (groan!). I may try them to see if it gets better, or I may decide to return them, too.
"What happens in Vegas..."
Originally posted at FanLit
What's more fun than hanging out with Owen "Big Z" Pitt, Earl Harbinger, Julie, Milo, Holly, Trip, Mosh Pitt, and Skippy the orc at the MHI compound in rural Alabama? How about MHI meeting up with teams from all over the world at a monster hunter conference in Las Vegas? And how about if that ancient Lovecraftian god that Big Z pissed off three books ago decides to unleash his wrath right about now? And how about if those incompetent federal agents who keep trying to cover up the monster attacks want to make sure that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, so they quarantine all those monster hunters in a luxury hotel?
Well, if you're already a fan of Larry Correia's MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL series, I'm sure my description above is 'nuff said for you. I don't even need to mention guns, explosions, a brawl in a rotating restaurant, shattering windows, explosions, hotel rooms containing extradimensional spaces, guns, gigantic spiders, WWII weapons experiments, a chocolate fountain, mad science, explosions, slot machines, harrowing helicopter rides, Faberge eggs, explosions, guns, dragons and, best of all, Agent Franks.
So if you've already enjoyed the first three books, go ahead and get Monster Hunter Legion because this story is just as exciting as the previous ones. Correia widens the plot, further develops the characters, keeps up the fast and furious action, and continues to make us laugh. The whole thing is still a little too violent for me, but at least Monster Hunter Legion is less gory than Monster Hunter Alpha — more guns and explosives, fewer fangs and claws. The ending makes clear that this series isn't finished yet. I'm looking forward to book five.
If you haven't read the previous books, Monster Hunter International, Monster Hunter Vendetta, and Monster Hunter Alpha, you should give them a try, especially if you like great characters, cool monsters, black humor, tight plotting, nail-biting tension, and some serious gun porn. I recommend the awesome audio productions being produced by Audible Frontiers and narrated by Oliver Wyman.
"Big ideas in a grand setting"
Orignally posted at FanLit
In 2850 AD, Louis Wu is at his 200th birthday party and thinking about how bored he is. The world has become homogeneous — everyone on Earth uses the same language, everything is available everywhere, and all the cities have lost their unique flavor. Life is dull. That's why Louis Wu is a perfect candidate for the alien Nessus (a Pierson's Puppeteer) who wants to take a manned spaceship to explore a strange phenomenon in space.
Nessus also recruits a Kzin named Speaker-to-Animals who is a feline alien from a warlike culture, and the beautiful 20-year-old human woman named Teela Brown that Louis Wu has been sleeping with. She's so silly that at first it's not clear what she offers the mission other than good looks, "conical breasts," a giggle soundtrack, and sexual gratification for Louis Wu (this is something I hate about science fiction written by men in the 1960s), but later we discover that Nessus knows that Teela Brown has lucky genes and he thinks having her along will make the voyage lucky.
When the group stops off at the Puppeteer planet, they learn about their mission. They will investigate the Ringworld. Photos from space show that it looks like a blue ribbon arranged around a star. It's about the size of the Earth's orbit around the sun and it's obviously artificial. The living area inside the ring provides about three times the Earth's surface area, there's gravity due to the ring's centripetal force, and day and light cycles are created by shading the sun with huge panels. (Find the physics of Ringworld here.) The mission seeks to discover who created the Ringworld, why they created it, and whether they're friendly or threatening.
Ringworld is a high concept novel and I generally love high concept novels. Ringworld has big ideas in a grand setting. Images of Ringworld will stay with me forever. Unfortunately, the characters are dull and the actual action in Ringworld would fill only a few pages. While I wanted to explore and experiment on Ringworld, the characters were usually discussing, bickering, arguing, and philosophizing. Some of this was interesting, such as the discovery that the Puppeteers were covertly performing genetics experiments on other species, the contemplation of what factors might make civilizations rise and fall (cycles of culture and barbarism is also a theme in the last Niven book I read, The Mote in God's Eye). But much of it was teachy as characters spent too much time explaining evolution, genetics, meteorology, geology, and the physics and mathematics of the shape of orbits, velocities, heat transfer, and tensile strength. Worse, some discussion topics that started out interesting became repetitive and tiresome, especially the philosophical discussions about Teela's luck which kept coming up and lasting too long.
I love Larry Niven's big ideas and I know he can write really exciting science fiction even if he can't write decent female characters. Ringworld is a great idea that gets obliterated by dull characters and too much talking. (Yet it won the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, and Locus Award.) There are several prequels and sequels to Ringworld in Larry Niven's RINGWORLD and KNOWN SPACE universes. I listened to Blackstone Audio's production which was nicely narrated by Tom Parker.
"Earl Harbinger's story"
Originally posted at FanLit.
"Welcome to the exciting world of professional monster hunting. Usually not quite so… messy. Well, it's always messy, but we've reached a whole 'nother level on this one.
I've been heartily enjoying Larry Correia's MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL series so far. It's been non-stop freaky monsters, evil villains, rigid government agents, flying fists, biting teeth, scratching claws, falling bodies, fiery explosions, gaping portals to hell, and lots and lots of gun porn. Now we're back for round three.
The first two books, Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta, focused on Owen Zastava Pitt (Big Z), who was recruited by MHI after killing his boss who had turned into a werewolf. If you haven't read those books, stop right now and go order them. Don't read any further because this review will contain some spoilers for the previous books.
This third book, Monster Hunter Alpha, is Earl Harbinger's story. Earl is the leader of MHI (which you're supposed to know if you're still reading this). Readers who've read the previous books also know that he's a 200-year-old werewolf with a memory-eating worm in his brain. He's writing a journal so he can get his memories on paper before they're gone. Not long after the events in book 2, Earl gets a visit from an old acquaintance who warns him that there are some strange happenings in Copper Lake, Michigan and it sounds like Earl's old nemesis, a KGB werewolf named Nikolai ("Stalin's favorite werewolf"), may be responsible. Since Earl is the most powerful werewolf in the United States (and probably the world), he needs to go take care of it before Nikolai starts an epidemic. But Earl isn't the only one who wants to take down the Russian werewolf. There's an unscrupulous start-up freelance monster-killer who wants in on the action so he can collect the bounty, and there's a corrupt government bureaucrat who's got his own agenda. They are going to cause a lot of trouble.
Thus, confusion, chaos and carnage descend on Copper Lake. Communication has been cut off so they can't get help from the outside. Fortunately Copper Lake has a courageous and dutiful (and pretty) police deputy, and the locals, who've taken full advantage of their Second Amendment rights, are willing to fight back. ("Wake up your family and get your guns!") Earl picks up a couple of other unexpected allies, too. When Earl and his partners finally figure out what's really going on they realize that it's a lot more sinister than just an alpha werewolf trying to move into Earl's territory. It's related to what happened to MHI in the previous novels and what's going to happen in future novels, and it has far-reaching consequences for the whole world.
Like the previous MONSTER HUNTER books, Monster Hunter Alpha is heart-poundingly scary, but Correia, as usual, provides some comic relief. This installment, like the others, has excellent character development and is beautifully plotted. The Copper Lake story moves the entire series forward while also helping (along with Earl's journal entries) to fill in the historical and psychological background on Earl and some more history of Monster Hunter International. Very nicely done.
I didn't like Monster Hunter Alpha as well as I liked the previous books for two reasons. First, WE NEVER SEE BIG Z! That was more than a little disappointing, which makes me suspect that I may have a crush on him…. I'll think about that later. I also missed Agent Franks. Maybe I have a crush on him, too… The other reason, and this is the main reason, is that Monster Hunter Alpha is disgustingly gruesome. There's lots of blood and guts and splattering brains. In fact, Monster Hunter Alpha is so grisly that it feels like a hack 'n' slash horror movie or a survival horror video game. I had nightmares after I finished it.
Readers who love Earl Harbinger and don't mind the gore will be very pleased with Monster Hunter Alpha. As for me, I can't wait to get back to Big Z and Agent Franks in Monster Hunter Legion!
"Entertaining Dude-Lit"
Originally posted at FanLit.
"Our business is monsters. And business is booming."
Owen Zastava Pitt was just trying to be normal. He used to be a bouncer who spent his evenings participating in illegal pit fights, but he managed to earn a CPA and became a boring accountant for a big corporation — pension and dental benefits included. Being tall and weighing in at 300 lbs, he didn't quite look like an accountant — and he still spent his weekends as a gun hobbyist — but he was making progress…. until his boss turned into a werewolf and Owen managed to defeat him and push him out a window on the 14th story of their office building.
That caught the attention of a covert freelance organization called Monster Hunters International. In contrast to the secret government organization that hunts monsters, MHI is a family business. The Shackleford family has selectively recruited and trained a group of highly skilled men and women who work in teams to rid the world of all sorts of dangerous supernatural creatures. Then they collect large bounties from a special government fund. It's extremely lucrative, but extremely dangerous, too.
Owen's stature, militant upbringing, gun expertise, quick wits, and tenacity are exactly what MHI is looking for. When they send Julie Shackleford to interview Owen, he can't resist her good looks and her guns. So Owen signs up for the craziest job in the world and is soon dealing with vampires, gargoyles, ghouls, zombies, werewolves, meddling government bureaucrats, and the insects of the Deep South. He gets some help from his diverse set of MHI colleagues and the good supernaturals — head-banging orcs, trailer park elves, and the ghost of a dead Jewish man that lives in his head.
In the past the monster incidents that MHI has dealt with have seemed like random infestations, but now it's becoming clear that there's a coordinated attack going on. Agents of the Old Ones are searching for an ancient artifact that can stop time and open a portal to a source of infinite power. They've tried it before — back when the Nazis were in power — and now they're back to try again. Fortunately, MHI is standing in their way…
Monster Hunter International, the first inLarry Correia's MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL series is high-octane non-stop action-packed fun. Blazing assault weapons, monsters of all sorts, and plenty of blood, guts and brains. OK, honestly, this is not typically my thing — it's really violent and gory — but after enjoying Correia's GRIMNOIR CHRONICLES, I decided to give MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL a try, especially since I found them on sale at Audible a while back.
I felt like I was hooked up to a testosterone drip, but I cringingly admired Monster Hunter International. The plot is tight, exciting, and unpredictable. The writing — especially the dialog — is excellent. Correia's characters are complex and engaging and the women are just as competent as the men. Best of all is Larry Correia's dry irreverent sense of humor. I wouldn't call Monster Hunter International a comedy, but I chuckled all the way through. It was this comic relief that made the violence tolerable for me.
MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL is a series that is even better in audio than print. Audible Frontiers produces the audio version and it's narrated by Oliver Wyman. Keep in mind that I listen to about 150 audiobooks each year when I say that Wyman's performance is one of the best I've ever heard. He handles both the male and female voices with ease and effortlessly shifts through several accents including a Southern drawl and some Eastern European dialects. His pacing and inflection is perfect. If you're planning to try MONSTER HUNTER INTERNATIONAL please consider the audio version. You will not be disappointed.
Monster Hunter International is a little too violent and gory for me to count it as a true favorite, but it excels at what it does. It's highly entertaining dude-lit that is well-written and humorous enough to appeal to a much wider audience.
Publisher: Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a fourteenth story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer. It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Officially secret, some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. On the other side are the people who kill monsters for a living. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit. It's actually a pretty sweet gig, except for one little problem. An ancient entity known as the Cursed One has returned to settle a centuries old vendetta. Should the Cursed One succeed, it means the end of the world, and MHI is the only thing standing in his way. With the clock ticking towards Armageddon, Owen finds himself trapped between legions of undead minions, belligerent federal agents, a cryptic ghost who has taken up residence inside his head, and the cursed family of the woman he loves. Business is good… Welcome to Monster Hunter International.


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Web Survey Bibliography
Title Succinct Survey Measures of Web-Use Skills
Author Hargittai, E., Hsieh, Y. P.
Source Social Science Computer Review, 30, 1, pp. 95-107
Year 2012
Database SAGE Journals Online
Access date 30.04.2012
There is a dearth of survey instruments for measuring Internet skills. This article presents results from additional implementations of a previously-developed index measure. It considers the performance of the original instrument over time as well as shortened versions of it on two surveys of different populations. Drawing on analyses of five different data sets, the article makes recommendations for various length survey items for measuring people's web-use skills.
Access/Direct link
SAGE Journals (abstract) / (full text)
Year of publication2012
Bibliographic typeJournal article
Web Survey Bibliography - 2012 (526)
- WebSM Study: Overview of Features of Software Packages: SurveyMonkey, QuestionPro, FluidSurveys, Wufoo...; 2012; Cehovin, G.; Vehovar, V.
- WebSM Study: Speed and efficiency of online survey tools; 2012; Cehovin, G.; Vehovar, V.
- Worldwide online research spending; 2012
- What we can learn from unintentional mobile respondents; 2012; Peterson, G.
- Using paradata to explore item-level response times in surveys; 2012; Couper, M. P., Kreuter, F.
- Using multivariate statistics, 6th Edition; 2012; Tabachnick, B. G., Fidell, L. S.
- Unintentional mobile respondents; 2012; Peterson, G.
- Tracking preference expression (DNT); 2012
- The smartphone psychology manifesto; 2012; Miller, G.
- The rise of the "connected viewer"; 2012; Smith, A., Boyles, J. L.
- The practice of social research; 2012; Babbie, E. R.
- The integration of facebook into class management: an exploratory study; 2012; Chou, P. N.
- The effects of item saliency and question design on measurement error in a self-administered survey; 2012; Stern, M. J., Smyth, J. D., Mendez, J.
- The cross platform report. Q2 -2012 - US; 2012
- Speed (necessarily) doesn't kill: A new way to detect survey satisficing; 2012; Garland, P. et al.
- Smartphone ownership update: September 2012; 2012; Rainie, L.
- Sensitive topics in PC Web and mobile web surveys: Is there a difference?; 2012; Mavletova, A. M., Couper, M. P.
- Selection bias of internet panel surveys: A comparison with a paper-based survey and national governmental...; 2012; Tsuboi, S. et al.
- Screenwise panel: Frequently Asked Questions; 2012
- Research company spotlight - Mobile surveys; 2012
- Redeveloping the research section of Meningitis UK's website — A case study report; 2012; Witt, J. et al.
- Quality in market research. From theory to practice. 2nd Edition; 2012; Harding, D., Jackson, P.
- Participation of mobile users in traditional online studies; 2012; Jue, A.
- Online survey statistics for the mobile future. Updated with Q3 2012 data; 2012
- Ofcom technology tracker Wave 3; 2012
- Ofcom technology tracker Wave 2; 2012
- Not just playing around; 2012; Ewing, T.
- Norme di qualita' Assirm (Assirm quality rules]; 2012
- NBCU enlists Google, ComScore to track multiscreen Olympics viewing; 2012; Spangler, T.
- MRS Guidelines for online reseach; 2012
- More dirty little secrets of online panel research.; 2012
- Mobile email opens report 2nd half 2011; 2012
- Metering mobile usage. Insights from global Arbitron mobile trends panel; 2012; Verkasalo, H.
- Media tracker; 2012
- Measuring the quality of governmental websites in a controlled versus an online setting with the '...; 2012; Elling, S. et al.
- Measuring modern media consumption; 2012; Arini, N.
- ISO 20252. Market, opinion and social research-Vocabulary and service requirements, 2nd Edition; 2012
- Is "chapterisation" a viable alternative to traditional progress indicators ?; 2012; Spicer, R., Dowling, Z.
- Internet use in households and by individual in 2012. Eurostat Statistics in Focus 50/2012; 2012; Seybert, H.
- Internet access - Households and individuals, 2012 part 2; 2012
- Internet access - Households and individuals, 2012; 2012
- Guide to social science data preparation. Best practice throughout the data life cycle; 2012
- Google et Médiamétrie créent une audience bimédia; 2012; Gonzales, P.
- GMI Pinnacle; 2012
- Global market research 2012; 2012
- Flowing with the mainstream. Is mobile market research finally living up to the hype?; 2012; Townsend, L.
- Explaining rising nonresponse rates in cross-sectional surveys; 2012; Brick, J. M., Williams, D.
- Eurobarometer Special surveys: Special Eurobarometer 381; 2012
- Online Surveys 2.0; 2012; Elferink, R.
- The Impact of Academic Sponsorship on Online Survey Dropout Rates; 2012; Allen, P. J., Roberts, L. D.


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Jun 16 |
Jun 20 |
Jun 21 |
We celebrate our centennial by paying tribute to the forest itself and the thousands of people who have appreciated and helped preserve it over the past hundred years. Visit Fontenelle100.org
Plan your escape this summer with Nebraska Passport. Get a stamp at Fontenelle Forest.
The natural world and cyberspace have collided: visit NatureSearch, our online guide to all living things in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods!


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Also, still looking for a 1 more bench big to stabilize my front line and provide insurance in case of injury. Willing to move points, 2nd round picks, etc.
HR Re-Draft: New York Knicks
I'm pretty sure you left out "cervix buster"
I call that the shaq, because he's been busting some cervix's lately.
HR Sim League - Philadelphia 76er's (53-29)
Chauncey Billups | Bonzi Wells | Antwan Jamison| Brian Skinner | Marcus Camby
Sonics spend 26 points to make Sam Cassell less ugly
HR SIM LEAGUE SEATTLE SUPERSONICS 2005-2006Eye ******* depth charts since year 2000
Pg: Chris Paul Sg: Ray Allen Sf: Adrian Griffin Pf: Dirk Nowitzki C: Soumaila Samake
Pg: Steve Nash Sg: Manu Ginobili Sf: Nicolas Batum Pf: Paul Millsap C: Tim Duncan
Plastic would help more...no eye holes.
bojangles clear your inbox
HR Sim League: NY Knicks
PG Tony Parker SG - SF Richard Jefferson PF Amare Stoudemire C Yao
Bench: PG- SG- SF- PF Anderson Varejao C Brendan Haywood
I know there's been pics of Sam Cassell before, but just in case anyone forgot...
Mod over at reddit.com/r/NOLAPelicans
That needs to be a rageface
The Footbawl Blog: Men who care (and cry) entirely too much about football
PR Sim League: Miami Heat
TJ Ford - Jason Terry - James Posey - Stromile Swift - Andrew Bynum
Bench: Juan Carlos Navarro - Cedric Ceballos - Trevor Ariza - Marc Jackson - Darko Milicic
... just when the nightmares started going away...
LOOKING FOR A CENTER, TRADE ME ONE. 10 points and contracts to match, I'll pay 60 day rule!
im shopping Elden Campbell and Hedo Turkoglu
HR Sim League - Washington Wizards
Season 1 - Eastern Conference Finals
Season 2 - NBA Champions
Season 3 - 1st Round
Season 4 - Eastern Conference Semifinals
Season 5 - Eastern Conference Semifinals
Looking for a young point guard making 1.5 or less with A hands, A defense, A shooting, and A rebounding.
Lawrence Funderburke has experience at the point...
Hornets Report Sim League presents...
2005-06 Season Record: 51-31 - 3rd Seed of Eastern Conference
Starting 5: C Tyson Chandler | PF Brian Grant | SF Corliss Williamson | SG Mike Miller | PG Gilbert Arenas
Key Reserves: Scot Pollard | Channing Frye | James Thomas | John Salmons | Tony Allen | Milt Palacio
I seem to never adjust my post-trade lineup in time. Oh well, IT'S SIM DAY!
HR Sim League Boston Celtics - 2002 World Champions
PG: Sam Cassell, Steve Blake
SG: Grant Hill, Michael Dickerson
SF: Josh Childress, Jamie Feick
PF: Chris Webber, Jamie Feick, Jason Maxiell
C: Shaquille O'Neal, John Amaechi
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FULL RESOLUTION - 1000x1320
News » Published 89 weeks ago
Is this Amber Lancaster the Actor?
Share your thoughts on this image?
Related Celebrity: Actor - Amber Lancaster
14th September 2011 @ 10:30am
American model and actress Amber Lancaster has hit out at Lanisha Cole after the fellow model issued a lawsuit against The Price is Right show producers ...


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Infant in stroller falls onto Philly train tracks
May 16, 2013 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A stroller carrying a 14-month-old girl rolled off a slanted train station platform and fell onto the tracks Wednesday, but the girl's mother leaped onto the tracks to rescue her... more »»
Army general facing sex charges had porn on laptop
May 16, 2013 FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — An expert in Afghan culture testified Wednesday that pornography found on the computer of a U.S. more »»
Harrison, Glover face off on 'Idol' finale
May 16, 2013 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Randy Jackson isn't sure which budding diva will take the crown on "American Idol. more »»
Jolie admired for bravery in mastectomy revelation
May 15, 2013 NEW YORK (AP) — "I hope that other women can benefit from my experience," Angelina Jolie wrote in a powerful op-ed article Tuesday, explaining her decision to go public with having her breasts... more »»
Convicted Pa. abortion doctor gets life in prison
May 15, 2013 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia abortion doctor convicted of killing three babies born alive at his rogue clinic dodged a possible death sentence Tuesday in a hasty post-verdict deal with... more »»
Drunk ASU student left at hospital with Post-it
May 15, 2013 TEMPE, Ariz. more »»
Flamboyant Texas swindler Billie Sol Estes dies
May 15, 2013 LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Billie Sol Estes' name was synonymous with Texas-sized schemes, greed and corruption. more »»
Co-counsel: Simpson was dependent on main attorney
May 15, 2013 LAS VEGAS (AP) — O.J. more »»
US Army generals ordered to testify in sex case
May 15, 2013 FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — A judge has ordered two U.S. more »»
911 caller believed stabbed girl, 8, was alive
May 15, 2013 SACRAMENTO, Calif. more »»
Justice investigating IRS targeting of tea party
May 15, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating the Internal Revenue Service for targeting tea party groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax exempt status, Attorney General Eri... more »»
Senators tackle student visas in immigration bill
May 15, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Citing problems exposed by the Boston Marathon bombings, senators weighing amendments to a sweeping immigration bill agreed Tuesday to boost security provisions around student visas. more »»
Holder says he played no role in AP phone subpoena
May 15, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday defended the Justice Department's secret examination of Associated Press phone records though he declared he had played no role in it, sayin... more »»
Popular psychologist Joyce Brothers dead at 85
May 14, 2013 Joyce Brothers, the pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long and prolific career as a syndicated columnist, author, and television and film... more »»
NYPD officer tries to help cat in tree, gets stuck
May 14, 2013 NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say a New York police officer who went after a cat stuck in a tree got caught himself and needed a little help getting back down to the ground. more »»
4 kids, 2 adults dead in Pa. fire on Mother's Day
May 14, 2013 POTTSVILLE, Pa. more »»
Astronaut exits space station with music video
May 14, 2013 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. more »»
Calif. man who said he fled zombies pleads guilty
May 14, 2013 TEMECULA, Calif. more »»
Vermont House passes aid-in-dying bill
May 14, 2013 MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont House approved a measure Monday night that would allow doctors to provide lethal medication to terminally ill patients seeking to end their own lives. more »»
Dad wants evidence in girl's stabbing
May 14, 2013 VALLEY SPRINGS, Calif. more »» |
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Asthma QiGong DVD (9780972285315)
Code (SKU): 9780972285315
by Ted CibikAsthma QiGong is appropriate for anyone with asthma, panic attacks, breathing disorders, or anyone who breathes improperly even due to pain. Filmed on glorious Carmel River beach, this qigong exercise routine offers a beautiful escape from everyday life. This information on this DVD is simple to perform, gentle on the joints and will stimulate blood and oxygen flow to the entire body. For beginners.
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Stephen Birch: Keiraku Chiryo - Japanese Meridian Therapy 24-26 May 2013 Keiraku Chiryo or Meridian Therapy, is a movement to "return to the classics" through modern clinical practice. The movement started in Japan in the 1920s reaching maturity by the early 1940s. Spring and Autumn Institute Schleiz Thuringen, 07907 Germany tel: 0049 3663 42 09 832 fax: 0049 3663 42 09 833 email: firstname.lastname@example.com web: www.spring-and-autumn.de |


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Other small regional companies might pick up Wonder Bread's regional assets on an ad hoc basis, sources said.
Fortune's Dan Primack noted that various Hostess brands are also expected to generate interest from the private equity world, even though the company's current owners, private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings, is expected to lose its entire investment in Hostess. Ripplewood Holdings purchased part of Hostess after it exited Chapter 11 in 2009.
But the acquisition of Hostess assets may not necessarily help to save the jobs of the company's 18,500 employees, most of which were unionized. By purchasing assets out of a bankruptcy sale, potential acquirers can ignore the company's union obligations and selectively rehire employees on their own terms.
In addition to its high pension guarantees for its union employees, Hostess has struggled as more consumers are interested in healthy snack options. For that reason, Hostess is unlikely to generate interest from large food companies like Kraft or its recent spin-off Mondelez, Frito-Lay owner PepsiCo, or General Mills, according to sources. Most of these food companies want to either increase their portfolio of healthier snacks or add a global brand. Hostess offers neither.


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Name/Degree: Jeffrey Martinek /Ph.D, English
Title/Rank: Dr. /Associate Professor
Office: P 22-4
Phone Number: 6394
Email Address: firstname.lastname@example.com
Educational Background (degree earned, certifications or other professional designations):
Ph.D in English, Indiana University, 1999
MA in English, Indiana University, 1990
BA in English, University of Pennsylvania, 1987
Courses Taught:
English 101
English 102
English 352 (Shakespeare)
English/Communications 380 (Media Ecology and the Humanities)
Wesleyan Seminar
Areas of Professional interest or research: Early Modern Culture, Media Ecology, Philosophy, Theory, Pedagogy, Cultural Studies, Critical Thinking.
Research and Publications:
"An Ebullition of Fancy: Playing the Race Card in Othello," Studies in the Humanities, December 1998
"A New Way of Conquering: Julius Caesar, Populism, and the Roman Media Environment" Merton College (UK) Summer Continuing Education Programme, July, 2005
Chair, English Renaissance Literature (Non-Dramatic) Panel, South Central Modern Language Association, November, 2002
"Teaching and Technology: Possibilities and Priorities" Missouri Southern State University Lecture Series, February 22, 2002
"Neo-Luddite in Cyberspace: Using Renaissance Texts to Question Technology in a 'Wired' Classroom," South Central MLA in November, 2000.
"The Father Or Worse: The Fate of the Patriarchal Metaphor in King Lear and The Tempest," delivered at the Central Renaissance Conference, Kansas City MO, April 1998
"An Ebullition of Fancy: Playing the Race Card in Othello," delivered at the Midwest MLA Regional Conference in November, 1996
"Debt, Redemption, and the 'Virtual Game' of Politics in Shakespeare's Second Henriad, "delivered at the Central Renaissance Conference, St. Louis, April, 1994
Professional Memberships:
Modern Language Association
Campus Involvement (committees chaired, organizations advised, etc.):
Director, First Year Writing Program
Forum Committee
Technology Committee
Website Committee
Office hours:
MWF 10-11 am, 3-5pm and by appointment


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Almost as surprising is the black level. A full black screen measured 0.011 ftL in Dynamic mode without the aid of an auto iris. This is decent performance, resulting in a contrast ratio of 4,369:1. In the Cinema mode, Epson's apparent insanity becomes a little less insane. Though total light output drops to 19 ftL, black level drops to a very dark 0.003. It's as if someone told Epson that the Cinema mode should be dark because black level is all-important. I think that if you can throw 48 ftL on a screen, do it and then let the user dial it back with iris and lamp settings.
Processing was a little above average in SD and HD testing, with some jagged edges showing up when deinterlacing 1080i material. Upconverting from SD had minimal artifacts but also minimal detail. If you have a good Blu-ray player, its internal scaling will probably produce a sharper image.
But then there's the bad. The Epson's uniformity, in both the Cinema and Dynamic modes, is terrible — the worst I've seen on any recent display. Parts of the screen are differently tinted. When I used a gray test pattern, the bottom of the screen looked greenish, while the middle and upper left was pink. This was somewhat noticeable when watching some content, especially if there was an image of the sky, a solid color, or white. But it's not distracting, and I'll admit that I notice uniformity issues more than most people.
The other is the color: It's not accurate. In the Dynamic mode, green is yellowish green, while red and blue are both a bit oversaturated. In the Cinema mode, they're actually worse: All colors are oversaturated, though green is less yellowish. While brightness and contrast ratio are vastly more important in terms of overall picture quality, accurate color can really put a display over the top for me. Most people aren't used to accurate color, so an oversaturated image won't look out of place. But everything on the Epson just had a slight tinge of artificiality. Not enough for me to dislike it, but, sadly, it prevents me from loving it.
It's also surprisingly loud. Most LCD projectors are whisper-quiet, but not this one. The key is to put it in ECO mode, which quiets it down. You lose a lot of light output, but in the Dynamic mode this means a peak of 35 ftL, which is still more than enough.
As you'd imagine, insane brightness and reasonable contrast make for an extremely compelling image. I've only stopped playing Star Wars: The Old Republic on my HTPC long enough to write this review, and the game looked incredible through the Epson. Most notably, the space missions, often near planets, had a deep richness in the blacks, while the planets and ships really popped.
That brightness also works wonderfully for 3D. Epson's regular battery-operated glasses comply with the new M-3Di standard, so they'll work (in theory) with future Panasonic, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, and other displays. They're fairly light and not uncomfortable, though they seem to cut down on more light than others I've used recently. But that's not a big deal given that the 3D mode forces maximum light output from the projector. The IR sync signal is sent out by the projector, so no emitter is needed.
Animated movies like Kung Fu Panda 2 looked fantastic. Punchy visuals, dark blacks, and fine detail all added up to one of the better 3D images I've experienced at home. (With 3D, it's all about the light output.) There was a trace of crosstalk, but the Epson's performance here was well better than average.
When you do these kind of reviews, could we find out the Max size screen the projector can use? Your 102" screen is a bit dinky?? My screen is 140" and when I purchase a 3D projector I would like to be sure I can fill my screen with image.
Thanks. Brian
I am wondering if some of the flaws described in the review of the Epson5010 could be related to the individual sample. With Epson clearly trying to "own" the bread and butter projector market, I would think a flaw in the lamp filter could cause the observed screen uniformity issue . An inexpensive and simple fix, I would think. Addressing the color point inaccuracy, beyond the projector's calibration capability should be addressed by Epson and fixed with a running production change. The fan noise issue would be worth some additional work by Epson, as well. A slightly higher price would not be a deal breaker on a machine of this capability.
Epson projectors have always been discredited for noisy fans, but also credited for long lamp life and a less extravagant lamp replacement cost. If achieving that requires a more noisy fan, most people in this price bracket could accept that.
Loved the perspectives.
Northwoods Rich
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Ballard Traffic Watch
SDOT alerts
As of 9 a.m., May 16, The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Roadway Structures crew currently making repairs to one of the gate stands on the Ballard Bridge in the northbound curb (right) lane will need to do additional work in the southbound direction. Upon completion of the work northbound, the crew will then close the southbound curb lane from 11 p.m. to approximately 1 p.m. for similar work. The center lane will remain open during the work, however, motorists should expect congestion and plan on a delay crossing the bridge.
SDOT Concrete Paving crews will replace damaged or worn concrete panels in eastbound N 80th St between Greenwood Ave N and Aurora Ave N beginning Thursday May 16. N 80th St will be closed 24/7 to eastbound traffic (Tuesdays through Saturdays) with a signed detour route using N 85th St. Weather permitting, this project will be completed on May 24.
Below you will find current pictures of traffic cameras around Ballard. Click refresh to update them.
For a detailed traffic map of Seattle, including traffic alerts, travel time and real-time traffic cameras, click here. For more traffic cameras, click here.
How can we be more useful? Let us know at firstname.lastname@example.com
Looking South at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St
Looking North at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St
Looking North at the Ballard Bridge from W Emerson St
Looking South at 15th Ave NW and NW 65th St
Looking North at 15th Ave NW and NW 65th St
Looking East down NW Leary Way, away from Ballard Bridge
South of Ballard Bridge on 15th Ave NW and W Dravus St, where many Magnolia residents come out at.
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We encourage our readers to comment. No registration is required. We ask that you keep your comments free of profanity and keep them civil. They are moderated and objectionable comments will be removed.


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I just want to express my gratitude for this site! Being a young wife I didn't have the opportunity to really shadow my moms cuisine (she currently resides in Dom Rep). I'm scared my 8 yr old boy is going to miss out on his Dominican side.
— gigiam from Miami


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Commercial Coffee Makers
If you measure your coffee consumption in gallons rather than one ounce shots, then you are in the right place! We stock high quality products from BUNN and also Curtis, industry leading manufacturers that provide a full range of commercial coffee makers and grinders for every application. Whether your rush is in the morning, noon or night, these coffee makers continually churn coffee into the urn. From 60 to a whopping 302 cups of coffee per hour, you can have quantity and quality to please your patrons.
Curtis ThermoPro 2.2 liter Lever Airpot with Glass Liner
$40.00What's the difference between Curtis ThermoPro lever Airpots you ask? Well! Glass is a better insulator than stainless steel so to keep fresh brewed coffee hot longer, a glass lined carafe is recommended. Also there is a possibility that stainless steel liners can alter the flavor profile of your gourmet coffee. The flip side is a glass lined carafe could potentially break if dropped. High volume lever fills most single cups in one stroke. Learn More -
Curtis ThermoPro 2.2 liter Lever Airpot with Stainless Steel Liner
$50.00What's the story morning glory? Stock up on ThermoPro airpots to satisfy the morning masses and the nighthawk demand. Unbreakable stainless steel lined 2.2 liter capacity thermal servers have compatible brew through lids for Curtis coffee makers. High volume lever fills most single cups in one stroke. Learn More -
Curtis ThermoPro 1.5 Gallon Thermal Server with Base
$299.00The ThermoPro G3 Digital Coffee Brewing Systems use the Curtis ThermoPro 1.5 gallon thermal servers. These are designed to provide optimum heat retention and the stainless steel liner provides commercial durability. The base makes it easy to set up and transport as does the sturdy handles. The brew through top keeps the heat and all the flavor in. There is a separate drip tray for easy cup location and cleaning. Just over 8 inches of cup clearance allows for easy filling of anything from a short to a venti cup. Learn More -
Curtis CLXP64 ThermoPro Stainless Steel Server
$38.95Partner the Curtis D60GT Thermal Coffee Brewer with the Curtis CLXP64 server and you are in business! It has a high-tech vacuum insulated stainless steel liner that keeps coffee hot and at its peak of freshness without additional warming. It is unbreakable and ergonomically engineered with a comfortable handle and large spout to allow for easy pouring. It fits directly below the brew cone of the Curtis D60GT for simple filling. Learn MoreOut of stock
Curtis Cafe Pour Over Decanter Brewer
Regular Price: $410.00
Our Price: $299.00
There are two reasons why the Curtis CAFE1DB and CAFE2DB Commercial Pour Over Decanter Brewers are the cat's meow. First, Curtis has automated a labor intensive specialized gourmet brewing process that makes some of the most delicious coffee that can be brewed. Second, it does not require additional plumbing as the large volume water tank can be filled with a carafe. Perfect for oddball locations where you have counter space but no plumbing handy. Learn More -
Curtis Stainless Steel Tea Dispenser
$115.00The Curtis Stainless Steel Tea Dispenser TCO308 is the dispensing unit that goes on top of the Curtis Low Profile Tea Brewer PTT3. It is long lasting and durable all stainless steel construction. This makes it easy to clean and better tasting than plastic-lined dispensers. The handles are welded on for durability. The somewhat oval design eliminates sharp edges and the accidents they can cause. Best of all, the bottom is slightly sloped so that all of the brewed tea gets dispensed. Learn More