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Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
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Topic: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition (Read 14201 times)
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Posts: 271
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #75 on:
July 02, 2012, 07:06:44 PM »
((This probably would have turned out better if I hadn't stuck with the 'shoehorn my pet musical reference in at every opportunity' theme, but I figured since my entire character is a sort of musical reference, I may as well go all in.))
Peter Hammill set down his book, his scribbled notes scattering across the desk. He sighed. "When I began, I was full of altruistic dreams - believed in princes and princesses, kings and queens," he read off one slip - lyrics, his namesake's work from a time long past, now more relevant than ever in the face of this essay for Kovacs on the downfall of once-prominent heroes.
Peter Hammill. A very British name, suitable for a child of two Brits who had left for college in America together after meeting in a London public school. It was also the name of a famous rock musician, a guitarist and vocalist some decades his senior, whom he'd discovered during the requisite self-Google-search of teenage years. His parents were familiar with the other Peter Hammill and enjoyed his music, but dismissed his lyrics as "fantasy rubbish" entirely typical of his contemporaries. Yet now they seemed so much more meaningful, so much more profound. Why couldn't they see what a visionary this man was?
Peter set down his book, his will to continue reading momentarily extinguished.
"The Prince", by Niccolo Machiavelli. Hammill knew that Machiavelli had a good reputation as a historian and political analyst of his times, so he'd picked up this book in hopes of discovering the world of Renaissance Europe with the bounteous spare time he had stumbled upon at college.
He'd discovered much more than that. "The Prince" turned out to be a handy guide for men of sufficient character to create (or take) and maintain their own principalities. Hammill was fascinated by the anecdotes of great men who held their territories long (and lesser men who lost them), inspired by the more virtuous suggestions it made (ally yourself with the people over the nobles), and a little horrified by some of the more pragmatic suggestions (it is generally more wise to
benevolent and then act in a more self-interested manner than to actually practice widespread benevolence). Still, even some of the most personally disgusting recommendations seemed to make sense within the framework of a principality.
But this was the United States, a long-standing constitutional republic (one of the longest-standing!) with no real ties to the old monarchy, despite Tintagel's assertions to the contrary. Why did all these character traits seem so familiar? Why, in the land of the free, did the politicians all act as though carving out their own states? Why had Hammill not noticed this suspicious behaviour until now?
Most importantly, though, why wasn't he as outraged as he ought to be?
"Now I find they're all human inside, all bitterness and pride - so why shouldn't I be like that too?" that old lyric continued, as though in response. Subconsciously, he must have expected this. Consciously, he needed to know more. More about America. More about politics. More about why politicians would act as though such a great republic were some kind of kingdom to be cut up into fiefs.
His parents needed to be made aware of this, but only in due time and after thorough research. It was best they did not know his intentions for now, until he had a clear, concise, complete report to deliver. They worked for the government, after all - perhaps they were in a position to deal with this corruption.
"It seems I've forgotten all I tried so hard to learn..."
Peter set down his book, his need to get to the bottom of this corruption stronger than ever.
Politics in the United States, it turned out, was a tangled mess of checks and balances with no real way for any one person to accomplish anything meaningful, not even the President. So you needed friends, alliances, parties. "Friends - they're all harbouring knives," the lines echoed in his head, "to embed in your back out of revenge, or spite, or indifference, or lack of other things to do." And so it was in the political sphere - a cutthroat game of shifting alliances, shifting agendas, shifting players.
So he'd gone deeper. He'd uncovered efforts to subvert American democracy dating back further than he could have possibly imagined. The menace posed by corrupt politicians today was no greater than it had been in the '50s and '60s, for example, with McCarthy's red-scare witch-hunt (exacerbated by his army of super-powered 'investigators'), or way back in the '30s when, to some, Mussolini's fascism and Hitler's Third Reich seemed more appealing than FDR's New Deal economics.
The problem seemed to be buried deeper in the roots of the political system than Hammill could have possibly imagined. It was nearly time to report on the sad state of American politics. "It seems there is nothing left but hatred and lust in the world..." It seemed so indeed, at least in Congress.
Peter set down his receiver, his mind reeling from the apparent ignorance of his parents to the enormity of the problem they faced. They'd commended his efforts at research, but dismissed his findings.
"Corruption exists, Peter, and it probably always will, but it's not even remotely as bad as you think, and we are always hard at work rooting it out and eliminating it. Trust in the American way, and you'll pull through just fine, just like we have."
Trust. What a bitter word. Who could he trust anymore? His parents were well-intentioned enough, but they seemed unable to grasp the stakes of this game the politicians played.
The lyrics. Once again, he could not escape their grasp. There was one verse at the end that he could never quite relate to before... but now he began to see its meaning.
"I don't give a damn anymore - I've only wound up betrayed. It's all been absolutely worthless - all the efforts I've made to be gentle and kind are repaid with contempt, degraded by sympathy and worthless kindness and love that isn't meant." Peter reached for his earpiece, which had been left off for most of the past month. He activated it, tuned it to a random frequency, and, in his darkest, most sinister voice, intoned:
"I'm through with joy and company, I've done with pretty words. I'm betrayed - there's no hiding-place anywhere in the world. I've nothing left to fight for except making my passion heard - I don't believe in anything anywhere in the world." And he crushed the earpiece.
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Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #76 on:
July 02, 2012, 11:55:25 PM »
Tuesday, fall, 2012.
I am going to keep this journal in case of my untimely demise. I am going to hide this somewhere safe, where nobody can find it. I will put this behind the fridge.
Recent events have led me to believe that the remainder of my life is going to be shorter than I had anticipated. Ill health aside, it would appear that the world conspires against me at every turn.
It has been over sixty years since I last put my thoughts on paper, and even longer since the last sincere thought. Hopefully, by the time this writing is discovered, I would be remembered as a hero. Somehow I doubt it, as what I am planning is perhaps anything but heroic.
I have not confessed my thoughts to Nazis, Communists, or even aliens from the invisible moon of Mars, but sitting here in my old age, I feel an urge to put down my thoughts before it's too late. McArthur was wrong. Old soldiers die. I do not know what awaits me in the everafter, but I find it difficult to believe that there exists an afterlife that would be kind to me. Oblivion is preferable at this rate.
Thursday, fall, 2012.
The year was 1944. I was part of something called Operation Cobra. Back then I served as a soldier for the United States Army, as a member of the 3rd Experimental Scientific Assault Battalion. I do not know if this name would even mean anything to the readers. So much of my past, my life, has faded from the people's memories. After I'm gone, there wouldn't be anything left. Not even a name. Nobody would
I'm rambling. Sorry, future children admiring this piece of history through your textbooks, I'll try to make it understandable.
As a member of the 3rd ESAB, or the Elite Sons-a-bitches, as we called ourselves, we were given dangerous tasks no ordinary human could handle. As we were legally no longer human, the same rights did not quite apply to us. We were more like equipment, the general staff numbers us, gives us nicknames, and hides our faces behind costumes and masks. Nobody knew our real names, nobody knew whether the Patriot Marine wearing the cape was the same one last week. It wasn't. His name was Tony Rizzo, he was an only child. He was executed by Nazis on June 7th, 1944, in a little village just outside of Caen. His parents were told that he was washed away during Normandy. His replacement was John Berman, a Jewish boy from Minnesota. John died leading a charge on foot in Korea in 1952. The army couldn't replace him quietly because the Chinese hung his corpse from the edge of a cliff. He was an orphan.
Friday, fall, 2012.
I remember, very distinctly, the first time I faced certain death. Over the course of my long life, I have faced such prospects many times, but the very first time is ...special. I am no poet, the best I can do is to tell my tale to this piece of paper, and hope that the future judges me kindly.
We all die. Some sooner than others. I thought I would die on that cold day in December 1944. The Germans were on full retreat. That's what the commanders told us. We of the 3rd ESAB were to lead the pursuit of the retreating SS divisions. The boys were happy. After all these months of being shot at it finally looked like we were going to be the heroes like the eggheads promised. At 1023 hours, Frank Copperfield was shredded into a thousand little meat ribbons by Nazi flayer beams. Left and right, as far as the eyes could see, German troops poured from the woods. The 2nd SS was throwing everything and the kitchen sink at us. From outdated rattling tanks, to a gorilla man thing sewn together with little copper wires, and even a woman made of gears. The fighting lasted for two hours. It hadn't occured to us at the time that we were used as bait to force the SS Ubersoldaten's hands. Looking back, it seemed so obvious. The artillery shellings were no mistake. The coordinates were given correctly. It was not an accident that the fire support blew up everybody in that godforsaken forest. The high command never intended to deliver those hefty pension packages they promised.
I lost my first set of eyes that day. Blinded, deaf, and torn open, I was left for dead on that battlefield. Blurring in and out of consciousness, I knew I was dead. It was only a matter of time. I wondered for a moment what the secretaries will tell my mother. Will they say that I tripped and fell? Will they say I died peacefully in my sleep? The next thing I remember was waking up to the smell of antiseptics, with my eyes sewn shut, my limbs tied down, and a feeding tube in my mouth. I screamed. I screamed until the medics punched morphine into my veins. I was immune to morphine. They tried everything. They probably tried talking to me. I can't hear them. Eventually I was too tired. I knew then that I was alive, and I hated every moment of it.
1. Be excellent to each other.
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Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #77 on:
July 03, 2012, 12:02:29 AM »
Quote from: Jfan999 on February 27, 2012, 09:16:16 PM
light comedy with serious moments
At least by comparison the shit I'm going to do to Steph's character won't seem so bad now.
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Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #78 on:
July 03, 2012, 12:17:02 AM »
This is our idea of light comedy.
1. Be excellent to each other.
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Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #79 on:
July 03, 2012, 12:30:50 AM »
Cool, wait- what do you mean about my character? O_O
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"You are a sabre in the hands of destiny."
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #80 on:
July 03, 2012, 11:17:38 AM »
(Note: Arthur is now 18, as his birthday is in late September)
OCTOBER 22nd, WALES, BRITISH EMPIRE
The sleek iron-grey helicopter set itself down gently on the pad. Immediately, a quartet of power-armoured soldiers stormed out of the concrete bunkers surrounding it, forming a cordon around the of the newly-arrived aircraft. The door slid open and a tall, muscular boy - almost a man - hopped out from within.
And thus, Sartorius Rex found himself, once again, standing on the soil of his native Britain.
The leader of the armoured soldiers snapped to attention. She was the owner of a stocky, obviously female body and a very imposing powered gauntlet which crackled and hissed with static energy, The others followed suit.
"Welcome to New Cardiff, Lord Arthur."
Arthur Tintagel almost broke stride for a moment as he was hit by the unfamiliar style. It was only half an instant before he reminded himself that, seeing as King-Emperor George VI had finally created the title of Baron Pendragon for his father the day before (which was the real reason for his hop across the pond), he was, indeed, properly styled "Lord Arthur".
It was all very disconcerting.
"Good morning Major Willows, I supppose you know why I'm here?"
Major Susan Willows was one of Sir Donalbain Canmore's senior aides, and thus, one of the most powerful figures in S.E.C.T.I.O.N. More specifically, her job was to maintain New Cardiff Prison, its battalion-strength garrison of SAS men and women and to make sure that the singular occupant stayed where he - or rather, she, was. Major Willows had been briefed on the visit before Lord Arthur's helicopter had even left RAF Cranwell. Still, the circumstances were strange. Out of all the people in the world, why would her sole inmate call upon this young and untested heir to the Tintagel Dynasty? Why not his more proven and more politically acquiesent father? Why not Director Canmore himself, who had been a sympathiser in the early days?
Those were not questions for her to ask, Major Willows did not ask them.
"Yes sir, all seems in order."
Willows turned to one of her armoured subordinates, a statuesque young blonde with a single chevron on her pauldron.
"Lance-Corporal Dulac, you remember Lord Arthur, of course. Escort him to the cell."
The girl nodded and quickly led the way.
"The lift's this way sir."
New Cardiff Prison was one of the most secure facilities on the planet, one of the rare feats of genuine cooperation between the Empire and the United States. The main elevator shafft, protected by automated gun turrets and power-draining fields of all types, descended 800 metres into the earth, going through 6 consecutive layers of concrete and adamantium. It took nearly four minutes for the lift car to get from the surface to the very bottom, where New Cardiff's sole inmate resided.
It was a very awkward four minutes.
"Congratulations sir."
Arthur blinked.
"Pardon me?"
"On your elevation to the peerage."
"My father's elevation. "Lord" is just a courtesy style in my case."
"Sorry sir"
There was a distinctly uncomfortable pause. Finally, Arthur spoke.
"Don't do this Charlotte."
"Do what?"
"This whole pretending we're total strangers thing. It's a wee bit creepy."
"So what do you want us to do?"
"Interact like normal, well-adjusted human beings."
"Very well then sir..."
Another pause followed, almost as uncomfortable as the first. It persisted for nearly thirty seconds before Arthur broke it.
"So, how's Gwen."
There was another pause, filled only by the whirr of the travelling lift car. Then:
"Pretty good. She passed field agent selection last week."
"Good for her."
Charlotte Dulac's eyebrow climbed up her pale forehead.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Charlotte sighed. After all this time avoiding it, she was going to have to say it anyways, and right to the man's face no less.
"After all she- after all we did to you, that's all you have to say?"
Gwen de Vere had been Arthur's first... well, everything. A year and a half older and seemingly infinitely wiser. From her, Arthur had learned a lifetime's worth about life and love.
In return, Gwen had learned that she wasn't as interested in boys as she had thought.
Although, to be entirely fair, the rather impetuous advances of a young special forces candidate named Charlotte Dulac may have had something to do with that.
Arthur closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to remember those days which seemed so long ago, buried under the memories of the intervening years. After a moment, he left it alone. It was better off left where it was.
"Charlotte, are you happy with Gwen?"
"Is Gwen happy with you?"
"I would hope so."
"Then I don't really see an issue."
"But what? I was fifteen and she wasn't much older. You helped her come to grips with a part of her which I was too inexperienced and too foolish to even touch. Any sentiment of betrayal or anger which I might have had are long buried. The fact that I have moved on and the fact that the two of you make each other happy is are the reasons I need to keep them buried."
An electronic bell sounded and the lifts's blast doors slid open.
"So if you were expecting some sort of rooftop duel between rival suitors in the thick of a thunderstorm, you have the wrong man."
As Arthur Tintagel walked out of the lift car, Lance-Corporal Charlotte Dulac somehow felt more hopeful and optimistic than she had in a month.
The world called her many names: "Marguerita La Loca", "The Iron Lady", "The PMS".
Arthur Tintagel however, only knew her by one.
"Hello Aunt Maggie."
Margaret, 1st Countess Thatcher, looked up from her half-written memoirs at the young man sitting across from her, separated merely by three forefields of unique polarities, a laser grid, a metre-thick wall of armoured glass and a very long tea table.
"Why hello there Arthur. Has your father gone and made himself Lord Protector yet?"
"Uhm, no, Aunt Maggie."
The former Prime Minister looked barely a day over fourty, a legacy of the S.E.C.T.I.O.N. enhancements designed to make her Britain's answer to the American supersoldier programme. Her eyes, however, had long lost the focus of her earlier years, and now darted around in a sort of fevered mania.
"Really? Perhaps he should. He's the only real Tory left in this Empire you know. Certainly better than that fool in Downing Street these days. 'Call me Dave'! Indeed! Why should that poltroon..."
Arthur cleared his throat politely, bringing the former Prime Minister's rambling diatribe up short.
"Aunt Maggie, why have you asked for me?"
"I'll get to that in a minute dear boy. Tea?"
"Of course. Two sugars, no milk."
For a moment, the former PM sank into the role of a doting old woman, making tea for her favourite colleague's son. From his side of the forcefield, Arthur found it very hard to picture this old lady in a middle-aged body as the mastermind who very nearly razed Manhattan to the ground in 1990.
Soon, she returned with the promised tea, the steaming pot clasped in the steel jaws of the mechanical arm which doubled as her manservant, controlled with a panel on the cell wall.
"I'll be mother."
Thatcher poured two cups of tea, put two cubes of sugar in one and used the steel arm to push the saucer and cup through a small hole in the armoured glass (tea and porcelain were the only things the forcefields let through).
Thus supplied, the incongruous pair started their normal teatime conversation.
"How are your studies Arthur? I suppose the Yanks are filling your head with all sorts of nonesense."
"Only the suitably British bits stick Aunt Maggie."
"Good, good. Who is your supervisor?"
"A retired American supersoldier, Major Kovacs."
"Gene Kovacs? I remember him. Very nice fellow for an American. A sort of decent, upstanding chap. Very naive though. Never had the eye for hidden enemies that I did."
"He sees enemies everywhere these days."
"Good, it's about time he did. I never could abide blind idealism. It's so very... continental."
It was at this point that Arthur decided that it might be a very good idea to change the subject, seeing as they had fully consumed the entire pot of tea.
"So, your reason for bringing me here."
"Yes, of course! I called you here for a purpose my dear boy."
"A purpose, Aunt Maggie?"
"Indeed. The Empire is surrounded by enemies. Despite the efforts of loyal men like your father and Director Canmore, these foes gain ground with every day. You seek to follow their footsteps thinking that becoming an example of virtue and an unyielding bulwark will be enough to save Britain in her hour of darkest need. You are wrong. Britain does not need another protector of the innocent. Britain needs a warrior avatar, someone who must represent every man and woman in England, Scotland and Wales, maybe even a handful of of Irish as well. You will not fight back our great nation's enemies by merely being a shield, you must be a sword."
Arthur bit his lip as he considered the consequences of the former PM's words. He'd killed before, certainly, but never on the scale which the old battleax seemed to be demanding him to.
"Conflicts are best ended through discourse, not-"
The teenaged super was brought up short by Thatcher's eyes, now glaring pale blue under her inpeccably coiffed mass of blonde hair.
"Saint George slew the dragon, he did not seek compromise with it. England's enemies are not to be reasoned with, they are to be DESTROYED, without remorse or pity. The time and circumstances of that destruction, I leave to you, but make no mistake, you must rid our Empire of its enemies permanently. You must place yourself as a servant of the Empire first and a hero second. Do you understand?"
Arthur thought about it for a moment. A moment was all he needed.
"I understand."
The former Prime Minister nodded, her lips twisting into a satisfied grin. She touched a button on the wall.
"Lance Corporal Dulac, bring my gift for Arthur."
A moment later, the blonde SAS operator reappeared. In her hands rested a sheathed longsword, its hilt simple, but exquistely worked, bound in a scabbard of real leather and inlaid in silver.
"I had this forged for you Arthur, made from the armoured shield of my dear old instrument of policy. Well, the blade anyways. The hilt is made from the crankshaft of my old Toyota Hilux."
Arthur's eyes widened. Countess Thatcher's "instrument of policy" had been fifteen metres tall and had been capable of shrugging off 16-inch battleship shells. Even he wasn't cleared to know what had gone into that thing's armour.
"It will cut through flesh, steel and stone. Call upon it, and it will give you the strength of five men. It can only be drawn by someone of your blood, for I know that your house's loyalty to the Empire is absolute."
Arthur took the sword and drew it from its scabbard in one smooth motion. The shining silver metal glistened under the flourescent light. It was a plain blade; all straight lines and business, a bit heavier than steel. The only concession to decoration had been a single line of script, engraved into the forte:
Arthur pursed his lips at that. The royal cypher marked the sword as property of the British Government, just as he technically was.
"So long as your conviction and loyalty do not waver, this blade will not fail you. Should any wielder attempt to turn upon Britain with this sword as the instrument of treason, it will shatter. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Once Britain was a power to be feared. Once Britons looked up to the old Union Flag and knew that under the aegis of that proud banner, that we were the richest, strongest and healthiest people in the world. Those days are gone, but with that sword, you shall make what was once, be again."
Countess Thatcher leaned in, her gaze as flinty and focused as they had been during the first glorious years of her office.
"Make Britain great again."
"On my word of honour, it will be so."
The pale blue gaze disippated, the stern expression faded.
"Now put that thing back in its scabbard before you hurt yourself with it."
"What? Oh! Yes!."
"Now, you have a flight to catch tonight, do you not?"
The Iron Lady had once again become an old woman, a favourite aunt, a befuddled mind in a too-young body.
"Er- yes, Aunt Maggie."
"Then I shall not be keeping you. I do not wish to make you late."
"Of course, Aunt Maggie."
"Say hello to your father for me."
"Yes Aunt Maggie."
"And wear a coat! Wales is cold this time of year!"
"I already am, Aunt Maggie."
"Very well. Off you go then! Lance Corporal Dulac, show Arthur out, if you will please."
"Yes ma'am."
Arthur turned the sword over in his hands as the helicopter lifted off from New Cardiff. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Aunt Maggie given him a fine gift and told him to use it and make Britain, thus the world, a better place.
Aunt Maggie was also a borderline insane megalomaniac who had nearly started a war with the United States.
Lord Arthur Tintagel sheathed the weapon and tucked the scabbard back into the seat next to him. The weapon was the past, something which needed to be reconciled he was ever to make his mark on the future.
Sartorius Rex switched on his phone.
"Phone, arrange an appointment with Terrance Blair."
'Gentlemen, we attack tomorrow. The first wave will be killed. The second also. And the third. A few men from the fourth will reach their objective. The fifth wave will capture the position. Thank you, gentlemen.'
General Charles Mangin
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Posts: 838
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #81 on:
July 04, 2012, 03:22:30 PM »
I've decided to split this up into multiple parts. goal is to write a page or so a week. Maybe more, maybe less. also:
Stalingrad was my home. It had large open parks, and broad streets, with massive housing complexes lining them. I was playing with my sister of 5, Masha, when my father came to put me back inside. He never could make me stay. The house was so drab, everything looked the same, brown, grey, white. No variety. The only thing that was special were the trees in the parks, and the grass and flowers. My sister and I loved them. The apple tree was the best to climb. There was a reward at the top. Every time, the face of my grey haired, moustached father would shake it til we dropped down. Every time he'd catch us. Each time, He always told me to take care of my sister. Every time, I replied "It is the goal of every soviet citizen to take care of each other!" -- I was a good little communist.
My Father ran a factory. It produced tanks for our great soldiers. True sights to behold, during the parades. After the winter war, where we reclaimed our rightful land from the Finns, we kept production up. Happiness through work, as the slogan went.
The Nazi's had invaded Poland and France, but we knew that our work would make sure they never set foot on our soil. In 1943, everything we knew was wrong. My homeland lost all it had gained. The fascists took over all of Eastern Europe. They utterly smashed our brave soldiers' lines. Those that escaped told tales of disgusting brutality. I would not let them do that to me. I would not let them do that to any of us.
The radio blared out plenty of propaganda. But some was believable at least.
In just one month, the Fascist swine took over all of eastern Europe, and its southern arm was charged with attacking Stalingrad, the North with Moscow. Though we have lost much, Comrades, Marshall Stalins men have killed tenfold the number of fascists in return. Annihilate the fascist bandits! Make them pay! Honour the October Revolution! Not one step back!
That night, the Nazis began bombing stalingrad. not with bombs, but with missiles. They had no planes flying over us. we had no way of countering them. They flew too fast. My father's factory was hit. In war, all factories run through the night. I ran out to find him, and found the firemen trying to extinguish what they could. Then the carbide stores went up. the factory was gone. The flash was blinding. When I got back to my home, I found my sister huddling under her bed. she couldn't say a word. I did what I could for her. I put some wood in the fireplace, and tucked her into bed.
Last Edit: July 11, 2012, 11:37:26 PM by captaincommunism
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Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #82 on:
July 05, 2012, 07:00:46 PM »
Holodna hmoora.
>> Cold, hard, empty.
Eemruchnoh v'doosheh
>>Light that has left me,
Kak mohg znat ya shtoh tee oomriosh?
>>How could I know that you would die?
It was winter in Novosibirsk. Mikhail Gregovitch, the glorious people's commissar led me to the fortress of science, Akademgorodok. A huge building from the time of imperial Russia. The people were hungry, and it showed. The military gets top priority. It's my fourteenth birthday. The people are going crazy without food. They tried to claw at me while I tried to get into the facility. They throw things. Our soldiers gun them down. They run. Were I in their position... well, I can't blame them.
Numerous vats of chemicals littered the facility. It's cold in here. Must be out of coal.
Several needles surround the tank Im going to climb into. Filled with multi-coloured liquids, blue, red, pink, black. I hate needles.
Comrade Commissar, this treatment will make me strong?
Yes Vasilliy. This will make you strong. This will make you the new soviet man.
Will it be enough?
Has Mother Russia ever failed you? Trust in me and trust in Stalin. We will see you through.
The doctors assure me the Nazis are still a day away. I never trusted these doctors, not that I have a choice
Gregovitch and I climbed one of the numerous towers of the facility. A pair of sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, and a small anti-aircraft gun were there for the men to fall back to. Eagle's nest. It isn't much, but it's something.
I survey the city. A layer of frost and snow cut the landscape. I can see the smoke of the Panzers from here. Once one of the most populated cities of Russia, almost all the civilians had run and those that couldn't, or wouldn't, were conscripted. The oldest are the most attached. It might have been a beautiful city, if not for the circumstances. Almost every street was lined with tank traps, trenches, dragons teeth, and anti-tank guns.
I see the first artillery blast hit the outskirts of the city. The last division of the Soviet army had dug in there. The only ones left were either the best or the luckiest. The Germans spared no one. The P-1000's they had brought hammered the rest of the city. The naval artillery they mounted leveled whole apartment blocks in single shots. Thousand tonne beasts.
"Come, Vasiliy. it is time." Gregovitch's stubble had grown to a scraggly beard. he chewed through his cigar and said "The process will take eight hours. We will let you know what to do after that."
"Da, comrade." at that moment, artillery struck a house a block away. I felt the shockwave from here. "What about the Germans?"
"Leave them to us, Vasiliy. You have a more important task. You are our last hope. just..." -- He gives me a cigar. "My last one. For luck."
He gives me a light.
By the time I climbed down from the tower, and entered the academy proper, I knew that I had seen
light for the last time.
Last Edit: July 05, 2012, 08:42:29 PM by captaincommunism
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Posts: 206
By Order of the Horned Lord, Westeria is Holy.
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #83 on:
July 05, 2012, 08:16:00 PM »
The cold air ravaged the innocent cement, tearing the newly settled yellow paint. The steel underneath felt nothing. But the stones felt the chill, as the paint felt the wind... And as I felt them both, before I felt the hot, searing flame of a bullet being fired.
It left the chamber like a bat out of hell, shreeching and tearing at the wind, claiming sweet revenge for the paint. The man behind the bullet, Danny Forlioni, was screaming as well. He'd killed and raped fifteen women in the past month, and Noir pays its debts in kind. So I dug deep into the cavern of Noir, and found myself looking down into a dark abyss of shit and deciept, and left so much dirt on my hands I couldn't tell where the dirt ended and my arms began. Eventually I dug too deep, and the cave fell around me. I'd stumbled into a trap, and Danny with two of his goons had cornered me on Weir and Dim.
"You son of a bitch, HURT! You kill my men, my friend, and then you killed my fucking dog. I'm going to make this slow, real slow. Your feel this... I'll fuck you up like I fucked those bitches! Haha! You'll HURT LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER!!" He said, moments before he fired the gun. His face drooped on one side like a bad mask, a side effect of acute paralysis he'd received, probably from the drugs he'd likely been taking since birth. It had earned him the name Droopy Dan, a moniker that put him into a rage anytime anyone used it. Rage I could use.
"Bitches? You rape your dog too Droopy Dan? I always knew you were a sick one, but this takes the case." I said, laughing inside at the rage playing upon his face like the final act of Phantom of the Opera. I felt a vibration from my leg, but I ignored it.
"You killer, your murderer! You killed my dog!!" he said
"If it's any consolation, that dog did try to bite my ear off... Before I blew its head off. It's done worse things than that though, and you know it." I said, the gun I'm his hand twitching.
The dog had done worse things, and Danny was a regular Diomedes, feeding the dog the flesh of the people he'd killed.
"You're a sick bastard, and so was your friend. That dog deserved nothing more than hell, and so do you!" I said, 10 feet from a loaded gun.
"I'll see you there then, Mortan Hurt!" He said, as the gun fired.
And then it all slowed, the wind picked up the new paint, the chill against the stones, the heat of the gun... And the leap I took toward the lackey you hadn't aimed yet. Bullets, with trails of rippling water behind them, whined past my face and feet. His face was priceless, as I took his gun and shot his leg. His gun sang, music pouring out with every shot. Suddenly, a sudden risk of pain shot up my leg, and I felt warm blood streak down. A shot met its mark, though nothing serious... I hoped.
The wind picked up again, screeching, sailing past the leaves, and railed upon every brick and branch. Music permeated the air, and I felt the pain vibrate in my leg. I picked up my cell phone, it was Whiskey.
"Whiskey! Argh, what's going on? Where we're you?"
Whiskey Wu, my partner, a good man, and crackshot with a rifle. He was investigating the connections between Danny and the local mob, while playing office wingman.
"Mor, something importants come up... You need to come down to the station" he said
"Whiskey, I just took down Droopy Dan, what could be..."
"Moreton, your wife called, she said she couldn't get a hold of you... Your going to be a father"
And then, the world froze.
In the little town of Homefront came a stranger one fine day
Didn't talk to those around him, and he hates the month of may
He was cold and dark and livid, and he wanted to be sure
That he robbed the people plainly with the pistol that he wore
Then the RCMP ranger who was stationed there arose
He got up on his psychic horse and then the stranger froze
The horse it neighed and galloped and the stranger hit the floor
for the ranger's horse was deadly and had beaten him before
Beaten hi
Hero Member
Posts: 1473
"You are a sabre in the hands of destiny."
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #84 on:
July 06, 2012, 03:16:49 PM »
Note on International Relations:
The United States and the British Empire have a complicated working relationship. While there are occasional moments of ugliness between the two premier Western Powers, the Grand Alliance is still functional, though extremists on both sides occasionally bring up the concept of "Exporting our Manifest Destiny Across the Atlantic" or "Reclaiming those 240 years' worth of back taxes". While not as close as in our timeline, the US and the Empire still work together decently enough.
France is something of an anomaly in Western Europe. While its government has a relatively warm relationship with its British counterpart, its superhero community is in the middle of a decades-long feud, generally started by the indiscriminate destruction to the French countryside by liberating British forces in WW2, the British Valiant V "accidentally forgetting" a few of their surplus superweapons on the doorstep of the Viet Minh and the general dickishness of French interim leader Charles "Le Gaulle Blindee" de Gaulle (The Armoured Gaul). Thus the British and French governments try to keep their respective superteams away from each other, except during staged "grudge matches" far away from each others civilian populations.
'Gentlemen, we attack tomorrow. The first wave will be killed. The second also. And the third. A few men from the fourth will reach their objective. The fifth wave will capture the position. Thank you, gentlemen.'
General Charles Mangin
Sr. Member
Posts: 206
By Order of the Horned Lord, Westeria is Holy.
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #85 on:
July 07, 2012, 09:58:18 AM »
To whom it may concern.
Under the surveillance of the governing body, and the current requirements of the Noir, New York City Police Department, the city of Noir hereby requests that William Hurt, son of the well known detective Morton Hurt, be transferred from Black Equestrian University, to your own. The talents seem in William can only be seen as extraordinary. His abilities range from creating a sort of "Time Bubble", to performing gravity defying leaps. With these combined, Will has been known to "dodge bullets" and avoid death when it would be otherwise inevitable. Therefore, under the current law of government, it is clear that special instruction and certification must be given in order for William to flourish as both a police officer, and as a man of power.
Any questions may be directed toward Williams's father Morton.
Commissioner Gabriel Freist, NNYC
P.S. May he bring his dog?
Last Edit: July 07, 2012, 09:59:54 AM by splinterchaos
In the little town of Homefront came a stranger one fine day
Didn't talk to those around him, and he hates the month of may
He was cold and dark and livid, and he wanted to be sure
That he robbed the people plainly with the pistol that he wore
Then the RCMP ranger who was stationed there arose
He got up on his psychic horse and then the stranger froze
The horse it neighed and galloped and the stranger hit the floor
for the ranger's horse was deadly and had beaten him before
Beaten hi
Sr. Member
Posts: 104
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #86 on:
July 10, 2012, 02:34:04 PM »
Exerpt from the diary of Shannon Anastasia Steele:
Weird being so far away from mom and dad. I keep expecting them to show up and inspect things. Kovacs is insane and my dorm mates are... interesting, but it's nice here. A lot friendlier than I was expecting. 10/09/12
Mom called today to check up on me. Wanted to make sure I was wearing "sexy" underwear, then dad started shouting that he didn't want me having sex, and they started arguing. I didn't want to hang up before she said bye because otherwise she'd get mad. Thankfully she ended the call before I had to listen to them much. Like I HAVE any other underwear... 15/09/12
I don't usually write down what I dream about, but jeez that was weird. It was me, smaller boobs, different eyes, less skin showing, in the mirror. We argued a bit and there was green mist and I woke up. Freaked me out for a while, but the pills calmed me down again. Her outfit was... interesting. 20/09/12
Apparently I got really drunk last night. Needed twice the pain-killers I usually do. Dad called and asked if I wanted a laser cannon installed on my stomach. He said it would be awesome and he wouldn't tell mom. I told him if she ever decides to put me in an outfit like her old one, she'd definitely find out. I don't want a laser cannon anyway, but I didn't tell him that. 21/09/12
Blacked out at a pub and got another dream. Dream-Me isn't so bad. She doesn't like to listen to my parents though. Easy for her, she doesn't have to deal with them. Just to drive that point home, I got a care package from mom. More condoms. I haven't even touched the other ones. It's like she thinks that's all you're supposed to do at school. But none of the guys are even like that. Ok, maybe a few, but it's not crazy like she seems to think. I did get invited to a fancy party though. 30/09/12
It's weird. I still make my bed and put on makeup and take my pills like my parents tell me to, without thinking. They're not here, but it's just so routine. I wonder if they'd notice if I didn't take some of the pills. It's not like they'll be around much. 01/10/12
Just got back from the garbage dump. A lot has happened the last few days. Kovacs tried to irradiate the party. Mom said my dress wasn't skimpy enough. I liked the dress a lot. The government facility, the hot tub, a Naziman. The bastard ripped my legs off. Arthur protected and carried me home and I decided to regrow my old legs thanks to Garburator. I'm scared of what my parents will say, but I like having legs again. Also wishing I'd tried on hoodies sooner. They're sooo comfy. 05/10/12
Went without makeup today. No one even noticed. Don't know why I ever bothered. Oh, right, mom. Ah well... whatever. Also joined the wrestling club. Because I wanted to. 06/10/12
Mom and dad visited out of nowhere. Thank god mom only noticed the hoodie and not the lack of makeup, earrings, hair bauble, pills, geez I've been slacking. Thankfully Arthur was awesome and distracted dad so I only had to deal with mom. That settles it. Mom doesn't notice little things if you distract her with big things. Also, Arthur is awesome! 02/12/12
Got new boots. It's cool being able to feel things on my feet. Having fun with Dream-Me. We're starting to look the same too. She still has smaller boobs though. I don't think I want to remove the implants though. I like the bullet resistance. Also I want a water slide. 03/12/12
You know... Mom and dad... they aren't too bright, are they? A lot of the older heroes are kinda, short-sighted... Are heroes supposed to be so simple-minded? Am I simple-minded? I can't be, if I'm questioning it... 04/12/12
Vice President (Internal)
Hero Member
Posts: 838
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #87 on:
July 11, 2012, 01:12:20 AM »
Gregovitch made sure Masha and I were safe... well, as safe as safe gets when your country is being invaded by Nazis. He was our father after our father. He brought us food, and told us stories of Great Soviet victories of earlier wars. Against the poles, against the Estonians. Against the Finns... to an extent. Even napoleon. The light in his blue eyes had faded though. The war had worn on him, even now. I think he dreaded each propaganda posting. He always made me turn off the radio.
And then I found out why.
Every able bodied Russian was to serve in the people's liberation army. When the war started going bad, which was within the first weeks of the war starting, they started lowering the draft age. average training time of "men" was one week. I say "men" because we were not men. I was among the eldest. Just 12. I could barely hold the papasha, let alone fire it. I can still remember Gregovitch's hands trying to steady mine. he just kept saying "shoot the fascists! Never drop your gun!" -- every time he did that, I remember the night of the rockets. Every time, I know I can do it. I can do it.
Masha was playing in the fields near stalingrad the day I heard the last radio signal from Moscow. the Nazi's had taken the city, and rather than let it fall into their hands, Stalin elected to destroy it, with them inside. I know not what became of him. It was not but chaos afterwards. But my sister was out there when the air raid sirens went on. I had to find her.
My uniform didn't fit. The boots were too large, but were the smallest available for a soldier. The helmet covered my eyes and nose. I had to cut off the sleeves and the pant legs to make them reasonable. I can't run very fast. But I ran to the fields nonetheless. Then I saw what the air sirens were about. It wasn't just the Luftwaffe.
The Nazis had a mechanized force from the second SS Panzergrenadier division. Elites. Half tracks. Trucks. Scout tanks. Nothing but the quickest. The Stukas pummeled our trenches. There's been no communication. Nobody knows anything. Have to find Masha. I keep running. Running in the direction of these bastards. Don't want to. Have to find Masha.
She was playing in a garden of flowers, next to a tiny hovel of a small farmhouse, near the train station. I found her alive. She was alive. My god. But the Germans came close. I could hear their shouts and the sound of their engines. I picked her up. she was heavy. I could barely walk. Each step was like walking with boots of lead. All I could do was get her to the hovel. It was a shack. A piece of sheet metal attached to four corners of wood, and a door.
All I do is tell masha to keep quiet. she's scared. "what do we do now?" she asks me. I just put my finger to my lips. we barely breathe. I hold onto her, my chest on her back.
Not For the faint of heart. (IE, Steph.)
Then a molotov smashed right next to her stomach.
Last Edit: July 11, 2012, 02:21:20 AM by captaincommunism
Vice President (Internal)
Hero Member
Posts: 838
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #88 on:
July 11, 2012, 04:45:33 PM »
I entered an elevator that went lower into the facility. On the way down, I could see large number of civilians that had entered this fortress as their last refuge. Huddling together for warmth. There isn't much time left. Only the natural light of the fading sun lit the rooms now. The windows of this place, some of them stained glass, some of them not. If not for the war...
I entered the room with the tank of needles in it. It looks like an iron maiden. A single light lit the room. A doctor stood to greet me. Bald, glasses, and a lab coat. he looks the part. Doctor Rasputin. Its time. I say.
"Yes Vasiliy. this way. I will give you a sedative, first." He took my arm and started digging for a vein. a large control booth up above had the clicking of various mechanical devices, and a recording device. I started feeling claustrophobic.
The tanks liquid was cold. I couldnt feel anything, until they started pumping the Ichor in. my muscles spasm. My heart quakes. I feel my all my muscles growing. My brain is expanding. Quickening. Skin tightening, strengthening. My heart cant take it. Keeps on going. Feel heavy. Feel limp. Body shuts down.. The electricity courses through my entire body for but a moment. Then it happens again.
They hadn't disconnected me when the Nazis breached the compound. They had to give me another defibrillation. It shocked the hell out of me. I could feel every nerve on fire. A Nazi soldier entered the lab, and everything inside me went to instincts. New instincts. New powers. I held my hands out, and in a moment, he was nothing but a husk. Then ten more came in. More Husks. And I could fly. I could fly.
Then I heard the machine guns. They had started butchering them. I flew. I flew up the elevator shaft. I flew into the middle of that room. I saw the bodies. Old people, women, children, hundreds of them. The stench of death already started. I remember every moment. I remember becoming as strong as a hundred men. I remember seeing the corpses of shrivelled stahl-helmed husks. I drained hundreds of them. The rest I pulverized into the concrete floor, or through into other troops. Most of all though, I remember when Gregovitch saw me. He was shocked. But he he came to a realization of sorts.
He looked down, and opened one of his pockets. He held out a floorplan of the facility. "Vasiliy, there is one door not marked on this map. it will have no room number. A trapdoor leads to it," he started. "That place holds the key to our salvation. I will go with you as far as I can, but the rest is up to you."
About twenty people followed us. Some went in front of us, others behind us. they kept on chanting something along the lines of "The commissar will keep us safe. follow him comrades! he is a man of Stalin!" When they saw me, they started saying Follow the Marxist Man! Follow the Last hero of the Soviet Union!
Down we went, chased by Nazis. every time we lost somebody on the way, we knew we had to be faster. Gregovitch shot who he could. They knew something was up. shrivelled corpses leave that impression on people.
Finally we came to the mysterious door. at that point, Gregovitch smiled grimly at me, and gave me an envelope. "Orders. I will stay here and hold them as long as I can. Do whatever it is you need to do, fast. I looked at who was left. Gregovitch, and five other men. I move into the room. The rest stay outside. Its nothing more than a closet. Just a cardboard box was in this room of 10 feet. I hear yelling behind me. Gregovitch is calling them traitors. Then I hear some gunshots. I act fast.
I pick up the box. underneath is the trapdoor. I shut the trap door behind me. I lock it with a bolt.
The room I entered was pitch black. It took about thirty seconds for my eyes to adjust. This room is a hundred yards long. a massive, almost impossibly large room. It should not be this big, yet it is. Inside this room is a machine, and an old man. it looked like he had not bathed or seen light or another living thing in over a month. He was more hair than man, a huge, white, whispy beard and the same style of hair. "I knew you vould come. good." he started. "This," -- his entire body shook and rasped with each breath and word -- "is the Chronosphere. It can send you through time und through space. Give me the orders." - I did as he said. He started tearing them with huge fingernails.
"I vill send you back to 1921." he handed me back the orders. I start hearing shouts in Russian from up above. "Qvickly now. into the machine."
The machine was controlled by levers, buttons, and cranks. A tiny piece of Thorstoff powered it. I was secured into a large gyro. metal rings surrounded and moved around the machine as it powered up. The old man made impressive gasping noises as he operated each control.
Then an explosive detonated the trapdoor, The last of the civilians with guns rushed in, along with a flood of Nazis. They gunned down the old man. They started shooting the controls. I held my hands out, trying to drain them. I tried. I could not make it work. They kept on shooting. The machine... it almost squirmed with metallic whining sounds as the shots kept hitting it. I saw Hitler. I saw all history flash. Then... everything was nothing.
Last Edit: July 17, 2012, 06:18:40 PM by captaincommunism
The Goliath
Sr. Member
Posts: 180
Re: Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
Reply #89 on:
July 17, 2012, 10:52:55 AM »
Ok guys bad news yet again. I'm starting to feel pretty sick. So to keep this from being a 2 week absence like last time I'm going to need a couple days off to recuperate. That means my session this week is cancelled.
SFU Altered Reality Club
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Jon's Super Hero College game: Audition
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NFG Lowers Gas Cost Adjustment
According to Sandra James, Director of Corporate Communications, "Continued decreases in the market price of natural gas due, in large part, to the increasing Marcellus shale gas production, make this quarterly adjustment possible. This change reflects the cost of gas that has been, and will be, purchased by the company for its customers." Pennsylvania utility companies are permitted to update gas supply charges on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the market price of natural gas. National Fuel's next opportunity to adjust gas supply charges will be May 1, 2013. Gas supply charges are passed along to customers dollar for dollar, with no mark-up or profit to National Fuel.
In a state-required annual filing, National Fuel forecasted a 9.2 percent increase for gas supply charges to be effective August 1, 2013, through July 31, 2014. That forecast was based on information developed in December 2012. Market prices have recently declined below those included in the December forecast. Final rates developed in the annual filing will be determined in accordance with market conditions.
Customers who are having trouble paying their bills are encouraged to call National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234 to find out about payment programs and available services. Additionally, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently accepting applications for help with this year's heating bills.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Get back to basics
Our no-frills Basic Current Account allows you to pay your bills using direct debit and standing orders and comes with a cashcard to use at our network of cash machines.
If you are looking for an account that has an overdraft facility and a Visa debit card, then our Everyday Current Account may be a better option for you - read more.
Our 123 Current Account not only provides all the standard features of a bank account, but also pays you cashback on your household bills and interest on your balance - read more
Why choose the Basic Current Account?
Opening a Basic Current Account
To be eligible for a Basic Current Account you must:
Completing your application:
We recommend that you print copies of each of the documents above, so that you can refer to them in the future if required.
Next Steps:
Whether we accept your application will depend on your circumstances. We may not be able to offer you an account if you have been declared bankrupt or have another current account in the UK.
We will send you a letter within seven working days to let you know whether we have accepted your application.
If you have any questions regarding your application please contact us on 0845 603 3507 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturdays 8am to 6pm)


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See all three maps in action!
The third and final installment of maps in the Halo 4 War Games Map Pass, Castle Map Pack, brings players three medium-to-large stunning maps that emphasize vehicular warfare and larger battles over open spaces, where strategizing is key to successfully manipulating each map to your team's advantage.
Daybreak places you amidst military facilities, against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range, while Outcast plunges you into the natural tunnels and arches of a secluded rebel outpost, and Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban crisis, with tactical speed and situational awareness its key features.
The Castle Map Pack will be available for download on 4/8/2013.


text:
Does Evolutionary Psychology Explain Why We Believe in God? Part 1
When we look across times and cultures and find very similar beliefs concerning the nature of physical, biological, and psychological reality, those similarities cry out for some explanation. Since these different individuals have a very diverse range of experience, something other than common experience alone just might account for the similarities of belief. In some cases we can fairly conclude that there is a common nature – some fundamental similarity in how human cognition works – that underlies broadly shared beliefs.
Series: Understanding Randomness
In this series, Kathryn Applegate addresses the concern that randomness implies the absence of God's activity and involvement in the natural world. She begins by clearing up some common misconceptions about the concept of "randomness", and later focuses on the mechanisms of the immune system to demonstrate that God works through random processes to preserve life. Far from being an indication of a "godless" universe, one might conclude that randomness is one of God's favorite mechanisms for creating and sustaining life!
Searching for Motivated Belief: Understanding John Polkinghorne, Part 2
To understand more clearly where Polkinghorne lies on the larger landscape of science and religion, let's consider his approach to the Resurrection. Many contemporary thinkers, including some theologians and clergy, believe that "science" has somehow made it impossible to believe in the Resurrection, the deity of Jesus, and even belief in the transcendent God of the Bible.
Series: God and Creation
In this four part series, David Opderbeck explores the interesting relationship between God and his creation. He first looks at his transcendence over the material world. In one respect, God is completely distinct from all creation, yet he is also immanent, or present within all creation. Another aspect of God reflected in creation is his Triune nature. Just as love, fellowship, and delight exist within the Trinity, so these characteristics are present in the world, and experienced by humans. He completes his thoughts with a discussion about God's interaction with humans.
A Plea to My Shepherds
... I would exhort these, my fellow conservative evangelical shepherds and thinkers, to set aside all reticence and fear, emerge from anonymity, and storm the forum of discourse, engaging this most pressing matter with vigor, equanimity, and humility. In doing so, know upfront that there will be few handrails to guide; you will not be building upon an extensive precedence of published conservative thought.
Series: Shaping the Human Soul
In Washington DC, Church of the Advent teamed up with The Trinity Forum to offer a series of lectures exploring the synergy between modern science and Christian Faith. This presentation by psychiatrist Curt Thompson and philosopher James K.A. Smith addressed the process of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation through the lens of neuroscience.
Willing to be Wrong
The debate is often not about evidence, but about making sure that others do not transgress our interpretive boundaries and insist that we're wrong. We've bitten from the tree of knowledge and we love its taste.
Did David Hume "Banish" Miracles?
"I flatter myself," Hume triumphantly proclaimed, "that I have discovered an argument . . . which, if just, will, with the wise and learned, be an everlasting check to all kinds of superstitious delusion, and consequently, will be useful as long as the world endures."
Series: Divine Action in the World
In this talk, Professor Plantinga addresses the fact that many contemporary thinkers—including many theologians—believe that God cannot perform miracles, providentially guide history, or interact in the lives of people, as these activities would be contrary to science. Plantinga, on the other hand, makes the case that this popular view is mistaken; excluding divine action in the world is not a central feature of natural science itself, but a philosophical or theological preference that has been added on to science (and can just as readily be removed). Plantinga concludes that it is completely logical to accept the miracles of the Bible and support contemporary science.
The Randomness Project
It is not uncommon to hear voices proclaiming that biology and physics have shown us that—at fundamental levels—nature is random, hence meaningless, purposeless, and without a creator. But how might God work providentially through indeterminate processes? The John Templeton Foundation has provided a generous grant of $1.69 million to support a new research initiative on the theme of Randomness and Divine providence.
Dispatches From the Physicalist Frontier, Part 1
I'm a physicalist when it comes to human persons. I believe, in other words, that we are wholly physical objects. I don't believe there are non-physical souls in the natural world. So I don't believe that we are or have such non-physical souls as parts. I believe we are through-and-through physical.
Rediscovering Human Beings, Part 1
That we are animals is something we hardly needed Darwin to tell us. It is obvious from the fact that, like other animals, we have stomachs and skin, eyeballs and ears, limbs and teeth, muscles, brains, and other organs. Yet it doesn't follow that we are mere animals.
Body and Soul, Mind and Brain: Pressing Questions
"Bit by experimental bit," writes philosopher P. Churchland, "neuroscience is morphing our conception of what we are." For many, this includes dispensing with the "soul" in favor of biologically anchored processes.
Gracious Dialogue
Our desire to engage in gracious dialogue with fellow believers who reject biological evolution has been receiving increased attention in both the Christian and secular press. More importantly, we are being joined in this reconciling project by our brothers and sisters in Christ who have often been defined primarily as our "opponents".
Series: Science and the Bible: Concordism
In this series, Davis identifies core tenets or assumptions about the view of concordism, beginning with propositions about the Bible before concluding with a short historical commentary.
Southern Baptist Voices: A Response to John Hammett, Part 1
The Scriptures teach that we human beings have been created in God's image. What does that mean? I am in substantial agreement with Dr. Hammett on this question.
Randomness and Evolution: Is There Room for God? (Videocast)
This BioLogos videocast addresses the idea of randomness as a part of natural selection, and whether it challenges the possibility of God using the evolutionary process as a means of creation.
Series: The God Who Acts: Robert John Russell on Divine Intervention and Divine Action
Does God need to supernaturally "intervene" in order to bring about the diversity of life that we observe today? Is that kind of action different from God's ordinary action? We begin our three-part series with Robert John Russell's description of how views of divine action have changed throughout history, excerpted from his book Cosmology: From Alpha to Omega. Part 2 addresses why "intervention" in the natural world is a problem philosophically, theologically, and scientifically; and Part 3 explains Russell's own theory of divine action in the natural world.
Series: Randomness and God's Governance
In this three-part series from Pruim's chapter in the book Delight in Creation: Scientists Share Their Work with the Church, mathematician Randall Pruim explains what scientists and mathematicians mean when they speak of something being "random". He also addresses God's use of apparent randomness in creation as a part of his sovereign rule.
Chance Creation
It should not be surprising that John Cage asked the stuff he used to make paintings to take part in the process—to contribute its own identity to the intentional, purposeful, and determined work of creating "based on chance."
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Jessica Biel's dog Tina takes an unusual snooze. (WhoSay)
As any dog parent will tell you, you never know what your canine companion is going to like. You can buy him expensive toys and all he'll play with is his old tennis ball, or take him to the dog park and watch him ignore all the other pooches and just sit at your feet.
Case in point: Jessica Biel recently found that, despite the fact her pit bull Tina has a very comfy place to sleep inside the house, he's been choosing a very uncomfy spot to snooze lately: in a tree planter.
This week, Biel snapped pics of Tina lying in the dirt, her body wrapped around the tree, and her head hanging over the edge of the wooden planter. She's awake! (WhoSay)
The two gals out and about. (Splash News) "I promise I have an actual dog bed for her," Biel wrote on her WhoSay page, where she posted a few pics of the pup sleeping and one of her standing up in the same pot. "That doesn't even look comfortable!" Biel noted. The actress ended each post with "tuesdayswithtina," a hashtag she began using a few months ago in honor of her pup.
Which celeb split in 2012 surprised you most? Vote now!
The 30-year-old actress may have married beau Justin Timberlake this fall, but he hasn't come between her and her best friend. Biel and Tina have been inseparable for years and are often spotted on the beach, taking walks in L.A., dining at outdoor cafes, and even on the red carpet together.
But it seems that Tina's fave spot is right at home with her mama. Back in September, Biel posted a shot of Tina lying on top of her on the couch, writing, "My 55 pound blanket," and another of the dog relaxing on an oversized chair. Based on the views from Biel's patio, we wouldn't want to leave either!
More celebrity features on Yahoo!:


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Call 888-825-6684
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You are currently viewing the beta version of the new AMM site. Click here to return to the current site.
Our Steel Tube and Pipe coverage has moved! You no longer have to check two separate pages on amm.com for AMM steel news. Please visit the News page for AMM's complete daily steel coverage now including steel tube and pipe. COMING SOON TO THIS PAGE: INNER CIRCLEAMM's Inner CircleThis is your insider's guide to the metals industry, with in-depth commentary and analysis on industry happenings by AMM's executive editor. Separate from AMM's daily news coverage, AMM's Inner Circle will offer market intelligence of a different kind. This is where you can get inside the heads of industry executives and market experts, where conversations happen, where our editors can share some of their insights outside of the constraints of traditional news and market stories. We'll take you behind the numbers and really explain what they mean, post a wealth of reference material, and really dig into the issues facing the market today - join the Inner Circle and gain access to a new level of market intelligence. Featuring: • Guest contributors • Roundtable transcripts • One-on-one interviews • Technology trends Free with your AMM subscription. This tab will change to 'Comment & Analysis' when Inner Circle is launched.
Do you think steel mills will succeed in their efforts to stop selling at a discount to the CRU index?
June 20-21, 2013 New York
They said they would not be able to offer specific remedies from the conference call but would work with the appropriate committees of the LME to find solutions.
Daniel Twarog, Nadca


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You must earn 10,000 points to post other members' whiteboard
Ziyulu: With the ever increasing numbers of negative weather reports from your neighborhood, I want to wish you and those near you all the best. Enough bad news for a while!
Prayers for you and your area Z.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in OKC.
Best wishes to you and yours for safety from the storms in your area.
I am hosting a SURPRISE Whiteboard birthday party for our buddy Sneakers55. Please stop by and post a BD message on his WB. Thanks.
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Welcome aboard buddy, have a nice week
1485 cons days very good GB work .......... ....Lets be gas buddies


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TXR is a new data munging language to replace the likes of awk and Perl. TXR's special pattern language provides template-based matching of entire documents or large sections of documents. It also contains a language for functional and imperative programming. It is written in C and takes the form of a utility that is portable to Unix-like platforms and Windows.
The AlchemyAPI Android SDK enables real-time semantic analysis of text, HTML, or Internet-hosted Web page content. The SDK provides mechanisms to extract Concepts, Named Entities, Keywords and Tags, Categories, and clean HTML into text, and even detects languages. It can analyze text in eight different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. Example code and a demo application are included to help get you started.
Find What I Mean aims to provide a searching library that tolerates errors in queries. It will auto-correct typos, extra letters, and so on. This is extremely useful when searching for an item in a list. In traditional search methods the query must be perfect or you get zero matches.


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Nov 10, 2012 4:48 PM
Quick questions about M13 Fx loop
Like (0)
Hi guys, I have a question about the FX loop.
A) If I want to use the M13 just for modulation effects and use my amp's distortion, what would be right way to connect it and which is the correct setting in the menu? Post all?
B) If I hook the M13 using the 4cm on my head and want to use FX1 and FX2 on front of the amp and FX3 and 4 on the FX loop, the correct setting in the menu would be post FX2?
A) If you want all of your modulation effects after your amp's distortion, you could simply put the M13 entirely in your amp's loop. So just run a cable from your amp's effects send to the M13's in, and then another cable from the M13's out to your amp's effects return.
B) Yep, you have it correct.
Thanks for the quick response Phil.
BTW, if I'm only using the loop I must put "pre all" or "off" in the settings menu?
If you don't have anything connected to the M13 effects loop jack, it doesn't matter what you have those settings set to. The loop will simply be out of the signal chain.
Got it! Thanks!
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If a used car in Fairfield TX is what you are looking for then Freestone Chrysler Jeep Dodge has what you need. We have used cars from some of today's top manufacturers and all of our used cars go through a vigorous inspection before hitting the lot. Choose from a sedan, truck, SUV, mini-van or a sports car to fit your needs. Come down to our dealership to take a test drive today!
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* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges.
* Images, pricing and options shown are examples, only, and may not reflect exact vehicle color, trim, options, pricing or other specifications.


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MAGNUS JOHNSON: The most abhorrent occupation in the world?
May 18, 2013 -- You find yourself and your industry being eroded. Not by fact-based evidence but by the wild ramblings of people who are ideologically driven to persecute those that make a living from a common resource. If this is you my friend, you are a fisherman. Be proud. Be strong. Be safe.
May 17, 2013
The meeting was held May 7-8 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology.
- Agenda and Witness List: House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Oversight Hearing, May 21, 2013
- VIDEO: Rep. Keating and Mayor Mitchell host fisheries forum in New Bedford, Massachusetts
- NECN VIDEO: Broadside: Fishing Gone?
- SMAST's Kevin Stokesbury to testify on fisheries data collection at Magnuson-Stevens Hearing
- House Subcommittee to Hold Oversight Hearing on the Reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
- GLOUCESTER DAILY TIMES: Naive fishing 'bridge' plan wrongly lets NOAA off hook
- NEW BEDFORD STANDARD-TIMES: Our big oceans need big ideas
- STEVE URBON: Fish fleeing for cooler waters spells trouble
- JOHN SACKTON: Gloucester offers excellent regional plan on the groundfish crisis, urgently needs support
- Regulators to fishermen: don't blame observers
- An Open Letter to Federal Fishery Permit Holders in the Northeast Regarding Observers and At-Sea Monitors
- Announcement: Upcoming Public Meetings for Regional Ocean Planning in New England
- Reminder to participate in the Censuses of Agriculture & Aquaculture
- Drop fish timelines, Northeast Seafood Coalition chief argues
- Regulators vote on rules for Maine's eel fishery
- Revised Smooth Dogfish Draft Addendum II
- Successful Managing Our Nations Fisheries Conference Brings Together Diverse Voices
- Mid-Atlantic Council to Discuss Squid Management with Fishing Industry at Upcoming Meetings
- VIDEO: Fisheries Councils see need for flexibility on Magnuson, but changes still years away
- NMFS Atlantic Sturgeon Draft Biological Opinion for Seven New England Fisheries
- 90-day Finding on Petitions to List Dusky Shark with ESA
- Establishment of Control Date for Longfin Squid/Butterfish fishery
- NOAA announces Atlantic sea scallop measures for 2013; industry supports tighter measures
- Fishermen's group hosts fire safety program
- 85-Year-Old Fishing Captain Dies After Trawler Capsizes
- Free Safety & Survival Training For Commercial Fishermen
- Safety At-Sea Program on May 17 Sponsored by Fishing Partnership Support Services
- French fisherman survives Australian croc attack


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Over 35 people participated in the first annual River Run Turkey Trot in Waddington Thursday.
The walk/ run was held to collected canned goods for the Waddington Food Pantry. The food was delivered Saturday. (Photo submitted by Pam Dalton)
Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.
You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:


text: The question: can a mass-market potato chip capture the much-beloved earthy, caramelized sweetness of roasted garlic without verging on cloying, burnt, or worse? As I ripped into a bag of Lay's latest offering — Wavy Lay's Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt Chips — I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but as soon as a crisp chip crunched between my teeth I knew we had a winner on our hands. Just to be sure I wasn't biased — I'm an unabashed garlic fan, often doubling up on the fragrant allium in recipes — I set out a bowl to share with my office mates to see if they'd agree.


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* Click on a thumbnail below to view a larger image.
The CEO of Mormedi, a Spanish design firm that has been involved in everything from domestic ovens, to the initial A380 super first-class concept, to the new Iberia cabins, shares his views on design
Click here to read more
As ever, weight was the predominant theme among the many seat manufacturers exhibiting at the Expo, while business class looks to be continuing its trend toward greater luxury. We bring you the latest news from the world of aircraft seating
Click here to read more
From films and leathers, to galleys and lavs, 2013 is a big year for innovations and announcements in the aircraft interiors industry
Click here to read more
As passenger demand for inflight connectivity surges and even the smallest airlines seek suitable IFE systems, this year's Expo was a hotbed of new IFEC technologies, deals and announcements
Click here to read more
Following evaluation by a panel of 25 experts, a total of 47 submissions from 11 countries submitted to the Crystal Cabin Awards 2013 were whittled down to three finalists in each of the seven categories. Here is your guide to the winners and the runners-up.
Click here to read more
Click here for listings and information on leading suppliers covering all aspects of the aircraft interiors industry. Want to see your company included? Contact firstname.lastname@example.com for more details.
Do you have an opinion you'd like to share with the aircraft interiors community? Good or bad, we'd like to hear your views and opinions on the leading issues shaping the industry. Share your comments by sending up to 500 words to firstname.lastname@example.com
To send us your recruitment advertising or to receive information on placing a banner please email firstname.lastname@example.com


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Easiest Sicilian
Everything A New Chess Player Needs to Know
Chess 101
Much More Than Just a Sharp Weapon
Moskalenko's lively style will infect you and encourage you to start playing this opening which is a great weapon at any level, from club player to grandmaster.
The Fabulous Budapest Gambit
Opening For White According to Kramnik 1. Nf3-II - 2nd
Nimzo-Indian - Classical Variation
Regular Price: $14.95
Special Price: $5.98
Aggressive Strategies and Inside Moves from the U.S. Junior Chess Champion
Josh Waitzkin's Attacking Chess
The Chess Terrorist's Handbook
Bobby Fischer - Complete Games Of the American World Chess Champion
101 Questions On How To Play Chess
Winning with the Benko
Test Your Chess - Piece Power
Regular Price: $18.95
Special Price: $7.58
Positional Sacrifices
The Trompowsky Attack
Rubinstein Complex of the Nimzo-Indian
Sicilian Defense in the Last Decade
Grand Prix Attack
My Love Affair with Tchigorin
The Catalan
How To Play the Winawer Countergambit
American Chess Art
Fischer's Weapon: Winning with the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation
(1) A Review of Basic Endgames,
(2) Knight Endings-Part One,
(3) Knight Endings-Part Two,
(4) Bishop vs Knight,
(5) Bishops of Opposite Color,
(6) Rook Endings,
(7) Double Rook Endings,
(8) Rook & Bishop vs Rook & Bishop,
(9) Queen and Rook vs Queen and Rook,
(10) Queen Endings, and
(11) Queen and Bishop vs Queen and Knight.
This book will provide the advanced player with practical advice on how to play positions and is an invaluable guide to the properties of the individual pieces and how they combine together
There is no other endgame book for the stronger player like this one - it is a classic.
Essential Chess Endings for Advanced Players
The Evans Gambit Revolution
The Fischer Attack in the Najdorf
A Road to the Expert Title
The Sicilian Scheveningen for Black
Queen's Gambit Accepted
The Tchigorin Defense
A Road to the Master Title
Henning Schara Gambit
Modern Chess Lessons
The Noteboom Variation
This book, edited by Grandmaster Andrew Soltis, presents 58 of Sam Loyd's problems for your consideration. In addition to the puzzles, the author extensively discusses the man behind the puzzles.
Sam Loyd: His Story and Best Problems
Against the Maroczy Bind
Application of Chess Theory
Unusual Endings


text:
Is there any UI test automation tool or framework exist that can automate Windows Phone 8 metro app?
Tell me more
Software Quality Assurance & Testing Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for
software quality control experts, automation engineers, and software testers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
I must recommend Perfectomobile. You test on real devices and they do have them all. I havn't used it in my project (yet), but those that have do really recommend it. |
The Windows Automation APIs (UIAutomation) is a robust framework for automating Windows Phone 8 apps. For more information see Automating the testing of Windows 8 Apps |
Try Experitest's seetest, I'm not sure that their version for Windows phone 8 is officially out, but AFAIK is on the way and they did a good job automating Android. |
If it can help, you can have a look at SIKULI, it is not a Windows Phone 8 testing tool, but it is a tool for UI testing. Here a list of videos http://www.sikuli.org/testing.html (it doesn't work on real device) |


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Great Decisions Lecture Series
Each year, the Great Decisions program (which originated as a pilot program of the Council in 1954) brings citizens together for lectures and small-group discussion to share ideas and opinions on the issues affecting our global future.
The way it works: The Foreign Policy Association picks eight themes, big issues in the arena of US foreign policy and international affairs, and publishes the accompanying Great Decisions briefing book with chapters by experts in the field to be used as a springboard for group conversation with our Great Decisions Discussion Groups.Discussion Groups, like a book group, are self organizing and can meet anywhere you are (in classrooms, community centers, libraries, senior centers, and workplaces) to engage in spirited discussion of world affairs.
Every winter, the Council presents the 8-week Great Decisions Lecture Series in partnership with Portland State University's International Colloquium that features a wealth of perspective and opinion from diplomats, policy experts, academics, and foreign service professionals addressing the topics in the Great Decisions books. This program is free and open to the community at large.
2013 Great Decisions Lecture Series
January 18
Future of the Euro
How did the 2008 global recession contribute to the development of the euro crisis? The health of the euro affects and is affected by the state of the global economy. How can European Union leaders prevent the collapse of the common currency?
Speaker: Birol Yesilada, Portland State University
January 25
The popular revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in 2011 ushered in the promise of radical change. Two years later, what is the state of Egyptian democracy? How will the military and the civilian government balance power?
Speaker: Thomas Bartlett, former president, American University in Cairo
February 1
Suspicion and a troubled history have blighted U.S.-Iranian relations for three decades. How can the United States and Iran move forward? Is the existence of Iran's nuclear program an insurmountable obstacle?
Speaker: Hussein Banai, Occidental College
February 8
China in Africa
What interests govern China's engagement in Africa? Should China's growing emphasis on political ties and natural resource extraction inform U.S. relations with African nations?
Speaker: Bruce Gilley, Portland State University
February 15
How has NATO's agenda evolved since its inception during the cold war? With its military commitment in Afghanistan winding down and a recent successful campaign in Libya, what are the Alliance's present-day security challenges?
Speaker: David Kinsella, Portland State University
February 22
Myanmar & Southeast Asia
The West has welcomed unprecedented democratic reforms made by Myanmar's government. What challenges must Myanmar overcome before it can fully join the international community? What role can it play in Southeast Asia?
Speaker: Edith Mirante, Project Maje
March 1
Humanitarian Intervention
The "responsibility to protect" doctrine has become central to modern humanitarian intervention. When should the international community intervene? Why did the West rush to intervene in Libya but not Syria?
Speaker: Jim White, former VP of Operations for Mercy Corps
March 8
Threat Assessment
How can the United States address the challenges of a weak economy, homegrown terrorism and nuclear proliferation? What threats and opportunities are presented by the ascendancy of China and by regime change in the Middle East?
Speaker: Gregory Treverton, RAND Corporation
This year's Lecture series takes place Fridays, January 18 - March 8, 12 p.m. at Portland State University's Shattuck Hall Annex, 1914 SW Park Avenue, Room 212 (entrance at Broadway and Hall). Free and open to the public, no registration required.
Recent Great Decisions News
2013 Great Decisions series videos now online
Videos of the 2013 Great Decisions lecture series at PSU- now in progress- are available online. Read More ››
Upcoming Great Decisions Events
There are not currently any upcoming events for this program.


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Q I am curious. Some shiny new antennae appeared recently, bolted to top of the light poles at the Miller Avenue/Bollinger Road intersection in West San Jose. Any idea what they are for? I figure if anybody would know who to ask, you would.
Corey Liu
San Jose
A This is one of the many antennae San Jose is installing across the city to enable remote monitoring and control of traffic signals. The $20 million synchronization program will set up a wireless communication network to control 30 percent of its signals not currently remotely accessible (the city has a little over 900 traffic lights), as well as to remotely monitor and control streetlights and speed radar display signs.
Here's more that will be done:
Install 36 miles of fiber optic communication.
Replace 785 signal controllers that are 20 years old with new advanced federal standard controllers and communication devices.
Add 141 traffic surveillance cameras city wide.
This will reduce vehicle travel time on local streets by 15 percent eliminating 840,000 hours of vehicle delay, and providing an annual delay savings of $50 million to drivers.
Reduce fuel consumption by 625,000 gallons, saving $1.5 million in fuel costs, reduce harmful vehicle emissions by 36 tons and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21,000 tons.
And eliminate approximately 180
Q Recently, traffic from Murphy Avenue going east on Brokaw Road to get onto Interstate 880 in the morning slowed to a snail's pace. Traveling that 1.2 mile distance used to take 7-10 minutes on average; then it took 30-35 minutes to travel the same distance! Please, Mr. Roadshow, can you do something?
Irene Chan
San Jose
A There were some glitches that have been fixed. But I bring better news. San Jose recently installed an Adaptive Traffic Control Signal System along Brokaw from Automation to Ridder Park Drive. Once the Caltrans project to widen 880 and realign the ramps at Brokaw is completed next year, the signal project will include both ramp locations as well. This should accommodate traffic surges and adjust signal timing based on traffic demand.
Q More people turn left on Brokaw Road than go straight through towards Old Bayshore. It's a huge mess in the evening commute. Is it possible to turn the one left-turn lane and two straight lanes into two left-turn lanes and one straight lane?
Ricky Wong
A No, but the city has adjusted the signal timing at Brokaw and nearby Zanker Road for the afternoon commute, so that there is better clearing of southbound traffic in both the through lanes and the left turn lane.
Says-Jay-the-Signal-Man: "When there's heavy demand for the southbound turn onto eastbound Brokaw, it now gives the left green arrow twice in one cycle, instead of once, which was the case before. Also, the southbound through movement on Zanker now has more green time programmed, so that if there's demand, the southbound light will stay green longer."
These adjustments seem to have cleared the backup.
Q These stories about drivers inadvertently using their keys to unlock similar cars make me chuckle. It's really not possible to have unique keys in modern cars because we wouldn't want to pay for the cost of complex keying systems. Most modern cars have between five and seven tumblers and each has somewhere around five possible positions. This means that depending on the model of car there can be somewhere between 3,125 and around 80,000 possible combinations. Since any tumbler position that is close to another will likely work with a tumbler that is worn, or if you jiggle it properly, the number of unique keys drops substantially.
As your lock ages it is possible for the pins in the tumbler to get stuck opening up the number of keys that will turn the lock further. If you're talking about a high volume car like a Camry where over 300,000 were sold in the U.S. last year, there are potentially some 150 cars running around out there just from your same model year that your key is likely to fit and the number grows every year as everyone's lock wears.
Fortunately many modern cars combine a physical key with an electric transponder to start the vehicle and there are many more electronic combinations available. In such a car you might be able to enter the wrong car but it is extremely unlikely you would be able to start it.
Alex Dykes
Automotive Writer
A Whew. My beloved Prius should be safe!
Look for Gary Richards at www.facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com or 408-920-5335.


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Wincraft Minnesota Wild Spirit Fingerz Gloves
Item no: 13245897 Price: $24.99
AVAILABILITY: In stock, leaves warehouse in 1 - 2 full bus. days. - (Details)
Standard Ground Service Available - (Details)
Note: Shipping restrictions may apply.
Remember, no sales tax except in FL, IL, KY, NY, OH, PA and TX.
Product Information
Turn your hands into a cheerleading squad for your favorite NHL® team with these Wincraft® Minnesota Wild Spirit Fingerz gloves! Destined to become a hit at every game, these comfy gloves feature your #1 team's logo embroidered on the back and mini poms-poms on each fingertip.
Product Features
Features- 90% acrylic, 9% polyester, 1% spandex (exclusive of decoration)
- NHL® team's logo embroidered on back of each glove
- Mini pom-poms attached to each fingertip
- Lightweight knit construction
- Officially licensed
- Made in China


text:
- Text Size:
- ASmall Text
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- ALarge Text
The Australian Macquarie Dictionary has re-ignited the so-called gender war that shone so brightly after the country's prime minister's blistering attack on sexism and misogyny in parliament earlier this month.
Julia Gillard's tirade, which drew global attention, and at the time of writing had been viewed almost two million times on You Tube, was directed at the Opposition leader, Tony Abbott.
"The leader of the opposition says that people who hold sexist views and who are misogynists are not appropriate for high office. Well, I hope the leader of the opposition has got a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation," Gillard blared.
Abbott's National-Liberal Coalition took deep offense. Had the prime minister conflated or confused "sexism" and "misogyny," or worse, deliberately distorted the meaning of misogyny to score a resounding political point? Was Gillard seriously asserting that her opposite number held a pathological hatred of women, as most dictionaries define misogyny?
For the Coalition, it seemed a bit rich that the prime minister saw misogyny in Abbott but not in one of her own supporters, the former Speaker of the House who resigned in disgrace following SMS texts widely viewed as meeting the dictionary definition of misogyny.
Into the fray weighed Australia's leading dictionary.
Editor Sue Butler surprised the nation Wednesday by declaring Macquarie Dictionary would alter its definition of misogyny, closer to the conflated version used by the prime minister.
In its next published edition, the dictionary's editors said the word would be defined as both the "hatred of women" and "entrenched prejudice against women."
Butler said Macquarie Dictionary had decided that for the past 20 or 30 years, "misogyny" had taken on wider meaning, particularly in feminist discourse and that with changed usage should come a changed definition.
"You're not really saying they [misogynists] have a pathological sickness, that they should be on a psychiatrist's couch discussing their early relations with their mother or anything like that," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).


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Don't have time to sift through profiles? Let us be your "production concierge." Simply submit your request & we'll match you to qualified vendors in our network who will respond directly to you.
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CLAVAMOX® TABLETS(amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium)
Desciption: Clavamox is commonly used in dogs and cats to treat a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms (bacterial infections). Clavamox is a combination of two drugs; amoxicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin and clavulanate is an inhibitor of an enezyme produced by bacteria. This enzyme, beta-lactamase, would ordinarily render amoxicillin inactive. Clavulanate has no antibacterial effects; it simply acts as an inhibitor to allow amoxicillin to work.
Approved Uses: