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Bible School Walnut Grove Church of God in Maddensville will hold Vacation Bible School July 21-25, at 7 p.m. every evening. The theme is "Colossal Coaster World – Facing Fear, Trusting God."
Bible School Cito United Methodist Church will hold Vacation Bible School July 29 to August 2 each evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This will be a fun-filled week of Bible lessons, music, games, food and fun. There will be classes for preschool through adult. For more information please call the church office at 717-485-9020. The church is located at 3746 Cito Road, McConnellsburg. All are welcome.
Bible School Vacation Bible School will be held at Laurel Ridge Christian Church, July 22-26, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., for ages 3 thru adults.
Bible School A one-day Vacation Bible School will be held at Rock Hill Mennonite Church Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for ages kindergarten through eighth grade. More information may be obtained by calling 485-9047. Lunch will be provided.
Bible School Sideling Hill Christian Church, 10424 Sipes Mill Road, will hold their annual Vacation Bible School, 'Face Your Fears and Trust God" at "Colossal Coaster World," July 21-26, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening. There will be music, puppets, Bible stories, crafts, games and snacks for ages two and up each evening.
Homecoming Amaranth Church of the Brethren homecoming service will be held at 2709 Mckee's Gap Road, Warfordsburg, Sunday, July 28, with worship service at 10:30 a.m., followed with a fellowship meal. Please bring favorite covered dish. Special music will start at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Any questions please call 814-447-5639.
Homecoming Timber Ridge Cemetery Assoc., in cooperation with Antioch Christian Church, invites all to its homecoming celebration Sunday, July 28, at Antioch Christian Church beginning at 2 p.m. Included will be gospel bluegrass and Southern gospel music and a memorial message followed by fellowship at the adjacent pavilion. Meat, beverage and paper products will be furnished. Please bring favorite covered dish and lawn chair. RSVP and questions to 717-573- 2133.
Wells Tannery Homecoming The Wells Tannery Homecoming will be held July 27 at Wells Tannery Community Park. The parade starts at 11 a.m. Food, including chicken barbecue, will be served throughout the day starting at noon. Come listen to local, live music groups that will play until the raffle drawing at 9 p.m. Fire companies, marching groups, cars, floats, decorated bikes and 4-wheelers are encouraged to participate in the parade. Entertainment: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Tommy Deshong, a DJ playing music of the 1960s and 70s; 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Friends Creek Pickers playing "old country" style music; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – "New Connection" playing bluegrass; and at 9 p.m. – raffle drawn. For more information call 814-685-3399.
AYSO Fall Soccer Sign-ups AYSO fall soccer sign-ups will be held at the alumni building Thursday, July 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, July 20, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Must be 4 years old by August 1, 2013. New players need a copy of birth certificate. Any questions contact Brandy at 717-325- 0219. Cost is $40 per player.
Singles Mingle Warfordsburg Senior Center will host a singles mingle Friday, July 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This isn't a dating club. This is for single folks 60 and older to get together and remember old times, tell stories, compare ideas or just sit and enjoy the company of folks like yourself. Bring a snack and come and join the fun. For more information call 717-294- 6020.
Homecoming Car/Truck Show The fourth annual car and truck show will be held July 27 at the Wells Tannery Homecoming. All cars and trucks are welcome to participate in the parade at 11 a.m. Show starts after the parade at the park, rain or shine. Registration is from noon to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per vehicle. More information may be obtained by calling Ken Keebaugh at 717-987-4217 or e-mail: email@example.com.
Shade Gap Picnic The 130th annual Shade Gap Picnic will be held at Harpers Memorial Park, intersection of routes 522, 641 and 35, in Shade Gap, July 28 thru August 3. The parade will be held Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m. Entertainment each evening. For a listing of each night's attractions log onto www.shadegapfire.com or call 814-259-3252.
Special Music Back again this month to those fabulous swinging 50s on Friday night, July 26, atWarfordsburg Senior Center. Social night for folks over 60. Bring a covered dish, meat is furnished. Come dressed in 50s and 60s attire and go back in time with Barb and Forrest. Meal is at 6 p.m. and music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information call 717-294-6020.
Benefit Ride A benefit ride will be held for Gracie "Amazing Grace" Covert, a 2-1/2-year-old girl from Shirleysburg, Pa., who is in need of both a lung and heart transplant. The event, which is open to motorcycles and classic cars, will get under way Saturday, July 27, at 8 a.m., with registration at the Orbisonia American Legion Post 518. The ride will then begin at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $20 and an additional $10 per passenger. The ride is 120 miles round trip with three stops along the way before ending back at the American Legion for prizes, music and food. Any questions regarding the benefit ride for Gracie Covert can be directed to Danyelle Knepper at 717-494- 9761.
Mic & Jam Night McConnellsburg Alumni & Friends Assoc. will host a Mic & Jam Night Saturday, July 20, 2013. Alumni gym will open at 4 p.m., with music starting at 5 p.m. Feature band will be "Silver Creek Band." All ages are invited to come and listen, dance and enjoy a night out. Anyone wishing to perform on July 20, 2013, please contact John Hendershot at 328-2899.
Quilt Club Retreat Fulton County Quilt Club's annual retreat will be held September 21, from 9 a.m. to roughly 4 p.m.
Pioneer Saints Recognition Days Celebrate Pioneer Saints Recognition Days Saturday, July 20, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 21, fro 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food, fun and festivities, historic photos, activities for children, Earley Latter day Saints artifacts, tools, clothing, etc. The church is located at 200 Douglas Street, Hancock. More information may be obtained by calling 717-294-3576 or at www.lds.org.
Open Stage Hustontown Area Volunteer Fire Co. will sponsor an open stage Saturday, July 27, at 6 p.m. Kitchen opens at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Shoot For Life The 15th annual Shoot for Life will be held Saturday, July 20. Registration will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Everett Sportsmen's Club. This is a 50-bird shoot. Food and raffles at the event. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information call Tom Stoner at 814-652-6591.
Yard/Bake Sale A yard and bake sale will be held Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fulton County Community Christian School. Donations will be accepted for the sales on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons of that week from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Oklahoma tornado victims. More information may be obtained by calling 717-573-2524.
Bus Trip McConnellsburg VFW will sponsor a bus trip to Atlantic City on August 3. The bus will leave the VFW at 6 a.m. and return approximately at midnight. Cost is $43 per person with a $20 voucher plus a free buffet coupon. For reservations call Linda at 717-552-5422.
Golf Tournament The third annual Cindy Hull memorial day/night golf tournament benefitting Better Days Animal League, will be held Saturday, July 27. Registration will be from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. with tee-off at 5:15 p.m. Hosted by Rocky Springs Golf Course, Letterkenny Army Depot, 1580 Bloom Ave., Chambersburg. Advance registration is $65 per player ($75/player at the door). Meal after first nine holes. Hole prizes and team prizes awarded. Contact Michael at 717- 860-7572. Open to first 13 teams.
Path Valley Picnic The 106th annual Path Valley Picnic and Homecoming will be held rain or shine August 14-17, at Hammond's Grove, Route 75, north of Spring Run.
Ben K-5K The eighth annual Ben K-5K will be held Saturday, July 27, with the race beginning at 8 a.m. at Center United Methodist Church community building. Forms received following that date or on race day should include a $5 registration fee. Forms are available at Knepper's Mill, Newman's Market, Hustontown Country Market and Fulton County News or by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com or email@example.com.
Fulton County Fair Participants Attention all fair exhibitors: Premium books are no longer being mailed to exhibitors. Please see local businesses to pick up this year's copy. Rabbit check-in will be Saturday, August 11, at noon. All other entries will be accepted starting August 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, August 12, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday, August 13, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the fair office.
Love's Closet Love's Closet will be held the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. July-October, at 117 West Market Street, in the alley behind the McConnellsburg United Methodist Church. Clothing, shoes, cleaning supplies, toiletries, toys and more absolutely free. Sponsored by United Methodist Churches of McConnellsburg.
Veterans Assistance Dan McIntyre, assistant state service office of Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be at McConnellsburg VFW to assist veterans with service-connected disability claims. Primary day is the second Wednesday of every month and the alternate day is the fourth Wednesday of the month. Also available by appointments. Contact 717-414- 0674 or email@example.com.
Nutrition Class Fulton County nutrition awareness classes are held at Warfordsburg Senior Center on the third Monday of every month. When the third Monday is a holiday, they are held the fourth Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. To register or sign up for lunch call 717-294-6020.
HIV Testing Keystone Health is pleased to offer free confidential HIV testing at Fulton County Medical Center Specialty Services entrance. Testing will be done Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Results available while you wait.
Zumba Classes Zumba classes will be offered at Mc- Connellsburg Firehall Wednesday evenings at 7:15 p.m. More information may be obtained by contacting Sarah at 814-259- 3667.
Nutrition Awareness Program A community-based nutrition education program in collaboration with Penn State which provides nutrition education through monthly and individual classes is offered to help those interested in nutrition and safe food practices. Please call 717-485-5688 for times and locations in Fulton County.
McConnellsburg AA Meetings The McConnellsburg Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous will meet on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. every week at the Alumni Building basement, McConnellsburg.
Nutrition Class Fulton County nutrition awareness classes are held at Warfordsburg Senior Center on the third Monday of every month. When the third Monday is a holiday, it is held the fourth Monday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. To register or sign up for lunch call 717-294-6020.
Community Wellness/Silver Sneakers/Prime Community Wellness/Silver Sneakers/Prime will be held Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Fulton County Medical Center cardiopulmonary rehab gym. The cost is based on insurance. Call Kim or Patti at 717-485- 6149 to see if insurance provider is accepted. Community Wellness is $40/month/person or $70/month/couple.
Yoga Classes Reaching Wellness yoga classes will be held for all ages every Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at Community State Bank. Call for cost and to register at 717-485- 4492.
Reaching Wellness Summer Yoga A four-week session of hatha yoga classes will be offered starting July 16 and ending August 7 on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. and Wednesday afternoons at 5 p.m. For more information or to register call Lisa at 717-485-4492 or Sheila at 717-485-5025.
Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group Alzheimer's/ dementia support group meets the third Tuesday monthly at 6:30 p.m. in Fulton County Medical Center, Pearl Room. More information may be obtained by calling 717-485-6108.
AA Meetings AA meetings will be held every Monday at 11 a.m., at Fulton County Medical Center, Second Floor, Pearl Room. More information may be obtained by calling 485- 6115.
Farm Bureau Picnic Fulton County Farm Bureau annual picnic will be held at Siloam Methodist Church pavilion, Harrisonville, July 28 at 1:30 p.m. Meat, drinks, flatware, etc., will be provided. Bring a covered dish. RSVP by July 23. More information may be obtained by calling 717-294-3414 or 717- 816-9603.
Library Teen Board Picnic The teen advisory board of Fulton County Library will meet at Cowans Gap State Park outside the Brightbill Interpretive Center at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 28, for a summer picnic. Please bring a covered dish. Place settings and drinks will be provided. All teens age 13 to 19 are welcome to attend this event, which will include paddle boats, beach volleyball, hiking, fishing and more.
Ice Cream Festivals Fairview United Methodist Church will hold ice cream festivals this year July 20 and September 14. The church is located four miles north of Hustontown on North Hess Road. Homemade ice cream, soups, sandwiches, french fries and desserts will be for sale. Festivals begin at 4 p.m.
Family House Restaurant Picnic Family House Restaurant reunion picnic will be held Saturday, July 27, at 5 p.m., at Crystal Spring Campgrounds. The picnic is for all former employees, families, friends and fans (faithful customers). Bring a favorite covered dish and favorite memories to share. More information may be obtained by calling 814-735-3330 or on Facebook at Family House Restaurant, Breezewood.
Chicken BBQ Postponed The chicken barbecue scheduled for Saturday, July 27, at Hustontown Fire Co. has been postponed until Saturday, August 24.
Chicken BBQ Needmore Fire Co. will hold a chicken barbecue Sunday, July 21, at 11 a.m. Menu will be half a chicken, baked beans, macaroni salad, cake and roll.
Ice Cream Festival An ice cream festival will be held at Richvale United Methodist Church, Saturday, July 20, at 4 p.m. Served will be barbecue chicken, homemade pies, soup, sandwiches and nine flavors of homemade ice cream. Music will be Chapt. VII Gospel Quartet. Bring lawn chairs. Church is located eight miles north of Shade Gap on Rt. 35.
Festival A festival will be held at Buck Valley Park Saturday, July 20. Kitchen opens at 5 p.m. and games and bingo begin at 6 p.m. Music by New Connection at 7 p.m.
Festival Laurel Ridge Christian Church at Big Cove Tannery will hold its annual festival Saturday, August 10, at 5 p.m. Homemade ice cream, soups, sandwiches and baked goods will be on sale. Music will be provided by the "Country Classics" and there will be puppets by Pastor Hamilton and family and games for the children. Laurel Ridge Christian Church books – "100 Years of History of the Church" will be on sale as well.
No Free Meal There will be no free meal the month of July at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 220 North Third Street, Mc- Connellsburg. Free meals will continue the month of August as usual.
Festival Whips Cove Church will hold its annual festival Saturday, August 3, at 5 p.m. Entertainment will be "The New Connection." Games for all ages, homemade food, fun and fellowship.
Bingo Shade Gap Fire Co. will hold bingo at the Shade Gap Ladies Auxiliary building every Thursday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games start at 6:30 p.m.
McCbg. Bingo McConnellsburg Fire Co. will hold bingo every Monday and Friday of each week. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 5:30 p.m.
DeShong Reunion The family of Elvie and Regina DeShong will hold their annual summer reunion at Knobsville United Methodist Church July 28 at 12:30 p.m. More information may be obtained by calling 485-5413.
Covalt Reunion The descendants of Elmer and Nellie (Bottenfield) Covalt will hold their annual reunion Saturday, July 20, at Warfordsburg Community Park. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. There will be games and prizes for children and a Chinese auction for everyone. Bring food to share and an item for the auction. Friends of the Covalts are welcome to come for lunch or just stop by to visit.
MHS Class Of 1983 Reunion McConnellsburg High School Class of 1983 will hold its 30th class reunion August 3 at American Legion Post 561. All class members are urged to attend this milestone class reunion. For more information call 407-761-7580.
McKee Reunion The annual McKee reunion will be held Saturday, August 3, at Warfordsburg Community Park, behind Warfordsburg Senior Center. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. Please bring an item for the silent auction. Let family members know and plan to attend.
Green Hill Reunion Green Hill School Alumni will hold its final reunion August 17, at Sideling Hill Christian Fellowship, 10424 Sipes Mill Road, at 5:30 p.m. Send reservations and remittance of $14 each to Sally Gress, 13465 Sipes Mill Road, Harrisonville, PA 17228, by August 10. Please notify classmates as this will be the last reunion.
Ward Reunion The Ward reunion will be held Sunday, July 28, at Buck Valley Park. Lunch at 1 p.m. Bring a covered dish and a donation of a cake for cake walk or watermelon for raffle.
Shore Reunion The Shore reunion will be held July 27 for all family, friends, relatives, etc., at Burnt Cabins Grist Mill campgrounds, under the pavilion. Lunch will be at 1 p.m.
Edwards Reunion The descendants of William M. and Minnie (Foster) Edwards will hold the 48th annual Edwards reunion at Cowans Gap State Park, Pavilion #4, Saturday, July 20, at noon.
PARSE Meetings Cancelled PARSE Chapter 127 will not hold meetings during the months of July and August. Fall meetings resume in September.
Garden Club Meeting North End Garden Club will meet Tuesday, July 23, for tour, brunch and meeting at Crampton Manor (cost for lunch). Leaving Giant parking lot at 9:30 a.m. For more information contact 717-485-5736.
4-H Shooting Club Meeting The monthly 4-H Shooting Club will meet at the Fulton County Pistol & Rifle Club Thursday, July 18, at 6:30 p.m. New members are welcome.
Quilt Club Meeting Fulton County Quilt Club will hold a business meeting at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 20, at the Fulton County Library in McConnellsburg. A lesson will be provided, following the business meeting, for a bargello-quilted wall hanging. Materials (rough estimates) needed: fabric requirements – red: 1/4 yard, white: 1/4 yard, blue: 11 inches by 14 inches, backing and batting: 22 inches by 22 inches and binding: your choice – two inches by approximately 80 inches.


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The Mystic Forge is located in the center of Trader's Forum in Lion's Arch as well as in the Heart of the Mists. The two forges are inhabited by genies that are willing to exchange gifts with players. The genie in Lion's Arch is called Zommoros, while the name of the genie in the Heart of the Mists is unknown.
Zommoros arrived in Tyria with an Elonian woman called Miyani. According to Miyani, Zommoros is very powerful, arrogant, mysterious, unpredictable and inconsistent. She also tells that Zommoros offers players a chance to improve their items, but due to his unpredictable nature, one may also receive items that are useless to them.
The two Mystic Forges: Zommoros in Lion's Arch on the left and the Mystic Forge in the Heart of the Mists on the right.
The Mystic Forge works in a very similar manner to the crafting stations' discovery panel. In order to transform items, one needs to place four compatible items into the forge, and in return will receive one item. The result is often unpredictable, but there also exists exact recipes for the forge that will always result in the same item.
Most of the players are already aware of the random factor of the Mystic Forge. The genie's inconsistent nature is involved when one places pieces of equipment (armor, weapons and jewelry), minipets, dyes or upgrade components into the forge.
The items placed into the forge need to be the same type. For example if one places a piece of equipment into the forge, they can only place pieces of equipment into the other three slots. Or if one places a minipet into the forge, they can only put minipets into the other three slots.
In addition to the requirement of items being the same type, they also need to be the same quality. This means that a fine quality item can only be combined with other fine quality items, a masterwork item with other masterwork items, a rare item with other rare items, and so on.
The result is a random item that is of the same type as the items that were placed in the forge and usually also of the same quality. However, there's a small chance for items to increase in quality, just like Miyani says: Zommoros offers the chance to improve your items. One might for example receive a masterwork quality item after placing four fine quality items into the forge. In addition to having a chance to improve in quality, the resulting item can also be higher level, which is most noticeable in the case of equipment.
The Mystic Forge seems to at first calculate the average level of the four items inserted and then apply a small increase to the level. This phenomenon cannot be noticed in the case of minipets or dyes because those types of items do not have a level. However, it can be clearly seen in the case of equipment as a level requirement and attribute value increase, and sometimes also in the case of upgrade components if different tier upgrades were inserted.
After telling how Zommoros offers players a chance to improve their items, Miyani also adds: You may get a wondrous item. Or, you may get garbage. The resulting item can be one of the same items the player initially inserted into the forge, or in the case of equipment it could be a type of equipment one cannot use and on top of it be soulbound.
The resulting item seems to be something that can be also obtained elsewhere in the game. The item could be dropped by a monster somewhere, or it could be sold by a vendor. Whether the resulting item is soulbound does not depend on the items that were inserted in the forge, but rather seems to be a property of the resulting item itself. One can for example place four karma items into the forge and the resulting item isn't necessarily soulbound.
Regardless of the unpredictable nature of Zommoros, there are some recipes related to the Mystic Forge that are constant. Those recipes often require items sold by Miyani.
Miyani, the woman who brought Zommoros to Lion's Arch, is standing right by the forge. She coordinates the business between the Mystic Forge and the players, and also sells some items related to the forge. She is a traveling companion and something close to a friend to Zommoros, and wishes to be with him because the genie sometimes tells her stories about Elona. Those stories help her remember her homeland, which has now fallen under the rule of undead lord Palawa Joko, and keep the memory of her people alive, for which she is grateful.
Regardless of selling items, Miyani is not actually tagged as a merchant, which might make her slightly harder to spot. She sells items related to the Mystic Forge for gold and skill points. One might at first be alarmed about the skill points being used as a currency, and think that skill points are a limited resource that should primarily be used for buying skills. However, skill points are in fact unlimited: one keeps on receiving them for every 254,000 experience gained after reaching level 80. Because of this using food, potions and boosters to increase experience gain even after reaching level 80 is useful: it makes acquiring skill points faster and allows players to buy a larger quantity or more expensive items from Miyani. Miyani sells the following items that can be placed in the Mystic Forge: Siege Masters Guide, Philosopher's Stone, Crystal, Eldritch Scroll, Bottle of Elonian Wine and Bloodstone Shard.
The Siege Masters Guide bought from Miyani is used at least for upgrading siege weapons for World vs. World battles and for crafting some exotic weapons. Philosopher's Stones are used at least for transmuting one material to another, and also for crafting Improved Experience Boosters. Crystals and Bottles of Elonian Wine are used at least for obtaining recipes and exotic pieces of equipment from the forge. Eldritch Scrolls are used at least for obtaining exotic weapons. Bloodstone Shards are used for crafting legendary weapons. Miyani also sells recipes for components that are used in the process of crafting legendary weapons. Transmutation of materials, upgrading siege weapons, obtaining recipes, acquiring exotic pieces of equipment, and crafting of legendary weapons are covered briefly a bit later in this article. These subjects will be covered in greater detail later on in separate articles.
In addition to the items sold by Miyani, there are two more things that should be mentioned here: the Mystic Coin and the Mystic Forge Stone. One can obtain Mystic Coins by completing daily and monthly achievements, and Mystic Forge Stones can be bought from the Gem Store and received as rewards for progressing in the personal storyline. Mystic Coins are used at least for obtaining recipes, transmuting high level materials and obtaining mystic clovers, as well as for crafting exotic armor. Mystic Forge Stones are used for crafting exotic pieces of equipment and a special Mystic salvage kit.
Miyani, the Elonian woman accompanying Zommoros, and the items she has for sale.
There are many different kinds of recipes for the Mystic Forge. Some of them seem to follow a clear pattern that is shared between all the recipes of the certain type, while some have plenty of room for exceptions.
One of the recipe types which follow a clear pattern is material transmutation with the help of Philosopher's Stones. One can transmute lower tier material into one tier higher material of the same type. The recipe always requires a certain amount of the lower tier material, a certain amount of one tier higher dust, and some Philosopher's Stones that are bought from Miyani. In addition, one needs to place one unit of the one tier higher material into the fourth slot to indicate the wanted result.
It has been confirmed that this pattern is applicable for transmuting basic and fine materials. The amount of received material seems to vary greatly, but is always much less than the amount of lower tier material inserted: it'd seem that the higher the tier of the resulting material, the less units of material one will receive. At this moment in time it does not seem to be possible to transmute higher tier materials into lower tier materials.
It has also been reported that by combining Globs of Ectoplasm, Obsidian Shards, Mystic Coins and Crystals, one is able to obtain tier 6 crafting materials. Crafting this combination can also sometimes yield Mystic Clovers, which are used in the process of crafting legendary weapons, and seems to be the main reason for combining these materials in the Mystic Forge.
Examples of basic and fine material transmutation at the Mystic Forge.
It is possible to obtain exclusive recipes for different disciplines from the Mystic Forge by offering the genie exact reagents. If one offers the genie some Elonian wine, Crystals, Mystic Coins and a product crafted by the discipline, they can get a recipe sheet containing a new recipe in return.
Armor crafting professions (armorsmith, leatherworker and tailor) can obtain recipes for armor boxes, which contain full armor sets. They work as an alternative way for crafting armor sets without the need to craft each piece individually. Chefs can obtain recipes for food trays, which can be shared with many people. So far only these two disciplines have been confirmed to have recipes that are obtainable only from the Mystic Forge, but hopefully recipes for others disciplines also exist.
The Mystic Forge can also be used for crafting specific pieces of exotic quality equipment. Crafting of exotic equipment with the forge seems to always require Mystic Coins and an Eldritch Scroll which can be bought from Miyani for 50 skill points. The remaining two materials vary greatly; the materials can be common, fine or rare, basic weapon components or something completely different, such as a Siege Masters Guide.
One of the most mysterious things related to the Mystic Forge is crafting of legendary weapons. Crafting of legendary weapons is such a complex task that it deserves an article of its own and hence won't be covered here in much detail. The process is very challenging and has many phases, all of which have something to do with the Mystic Forge or Miyani. Miyani sells recipes and ingredients for the components required by the legendary weapons, and the Mystic Forge is used for combining the components, which eventually form the actual weapon. The forge can also be used for obtaining some of the materials required by the weapons, but those materials are not necessarily exclusively obtainable from the forge.
As stated earlier in this post, it is also possible to upgrade the siege weapons used in World vs. World by combining blueprints, two different types of basic materials, such mithril ore and elder wood logs, and the Siege Masters Guide in the Mystic forge. This is one of the ways the Mystic Forge is useful to PvP players, but there are also other ways for PvP players to benefit from the forge.
As stated in the beginning of this article, there also exists a Mystic Forge in the Heart of the Mists. The Mystic Forge can be used for obtaining new skins for PvP equipment. The results are purely cosmetic. One needs to place an item token, a rank token, some arcane material (Arcane Crystal, Arcane Sliver, Arcane Orb) and also some Arcane Powder into the forge. One can also craft consumables such as dyes by combining a consumable token with two different types of arcane materials and some Arcane Powder. The arcane materials and rank tokens are obtained by salvaging PvP equipment, while the item and consumable tokens can be bought from glory vendors.
There also exist some recipes that don't really belong to any of the categories
discussed above, such as Mystic Salvage Kit which has 250 uses,
and Improved Experience Booster, which increases
experience gain by 100% for two hours.
discussed above, such as Mystic Salvage Kit which has 250 uses,
and Improved Experience Booster, which increases
experience gain by 100% for two hours.
Many people wonder when the Mystic Forge should be used and when it should be avoided. The answer to this question is simple, but requires some thought: whenever it is profitable or one cannot achieve their goal any other way.
Whenever one wishes to obtain or dispose of something, they should always compare the different methods, calculate the values and then choose the way that is the most profitable. Instead of placing items into the Mystic Forge they could salvage them, sell them to a vendor, sell them to other players via the Trading Post, or in the case of materials use them to craft something that sells well, whichever of these methods is the most profitable. The same way one should check if they could get the wanted item for cheaper from somewhere else than the forge. This also works the other way around, and sometimes using the Mystic Forge is the best option. There are ways of making profit with the Mystic Forge, but one can also end up with a great loss if they are not careful.
Calculating the value of the exact recipes related to the Mystic Forge is much simpler than calculating the risks one takes when playing with the random factor of the forge. A lot of people use the forge in the hopes of receiving an equipment upgrade, but in the end it could be for the best to sell the four items to the vendor and buying the desired piece from the Trading Post.
An unfortunately large amount of people don't seem to realize that in addition to Trading Post taking the 5% listing fee, it also takes 10% off the price when an item sells. People are listing items, especially fine and masterwork quality pieces of equipment, for only slightly above the merchant price, without realizing that in the end they'd actually gain more money if they sold the items to the vendor. Because of this, inserting fine and masterwork equipment into the Mystic Forge seems to be a waste at this moment in time. There does not seem to be many fine or masterwork level items that would be worth more in the Trading Post than the total vendor value of those four items placed in the forge. Exceptions to this rule are the pieces of equipment that are bought from karma vendors: they are soulbound and cannot be salvaged or sold to a vendor. They can only be destroyed or placed in the Mystic Forge.
There are still some reasonable ways for one to gamble and try their luck when it comes to putting pieces of equipment into the Mystic Forge: there exists the small chance that four masterwork items will result in a rare item, or four cheap rare items result in one expensive rare item, or even an exotic item.
Considering the nature of the Mystic Forge, there's most likely still a lot of information we are not yet aware of. It has been said that Tyria is full of little hints regarding the Mystic Forge, so we should keep our eyes and ears open. There is for example a vendor called Rojan the Penitent in Frostwalk Tundra, Frostgorge Sound, who lives far away from the Mystic Forge, but still sells an item called Icy Runestone which tooltip indicates that is used some way in the process of crafting legendary weapons. In addition to exploring, learning the ways of the Mystic Forge also requires a lot of expensive experimenting, which will slow down the speed of resolving its mysteries. It has also been said that new recipes will be added for the forge in the future, so even if the current mysteries were revealed, some new ones will arise to take their place. Perhaps Zommoros will reveal his secrets one day, or perhaps he will always be an enigma.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Today's Cubs game will be manager Lou Piniella's last.
According to a release from the team, Piniella will step down after Sunday's game against the Braves, citing family reasons. The first pitch is at 1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
The release included this statement from Piniella.
- "As I said last month, I couldn't be more appreciative of the Cubs organization for providing me the opportunity to be their manager. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world and I consider this the ultimate way to end my managerial career.
"I am thankful to the Ricketts family for their support – Cubs fans are fortunate to have an owner like the Ricketts family to lead this organization for the long-term. I also couldn't be more thankful to Jim Hendry for bringing me to Chicago. We enjoyed a great deal of success together and I'll always value the relationship we had during our time together. Thank you to Crane Kenney and the Cubs front office for your support throughout the years.
"I couldn't be more appreciative of my coaches and training staff. They have been professional and supportive. And thank you to my players for the successes we shared and their efforts.
"Finally, to the Cubs fans, thank you for four wonderful seasons. You are the best, most deserving fans in all of baseball and it has been an honor to manage your ballclub."
Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said he and his family "respect Lou's decision to retire from the game he loves."
Last month, Piniella announced he would be retiring, but said he'd finish out the season first.
The Cubs named third-base coach Mike Quade manager for the remainder of the 2010 season, starting with tomorrow's game against Washington. Quade managed the last four seasons of Chicago's Triple-A Iowa affiliate, the I-Cubs.
Quade has spent the past 17 years managing minor league teams, and overall has a .510 winning percentage.
The remainder of the coaching staff will stay in place, according to the Cubs.


text:
This edition of "Makeup Wars" has us discussing our favorite BB creams. As we all know, I love me some foreign beauty products, so it should come as no surprise that my favorite BB cream is a legit Asian BB cream. I say "legit" because the Asian BB creams contain a whitening formulation that the US brands don't include, which I actually need this time of year because of my ruddy cheeks. It's also a thicker formula, which is more moisturizing for me as the temperatures cool down.
And, just to be weird, this contains nail protein extract, which I have no clue how it's beneficial, but they say it gives the skin "nascent energy", and really, who doesn't want *that* (*whatever that is). And since it's from Asia, it's going to be a pain to get here in the US, but if you want to hunt it down, it was around $25USD, as a point of reference.
But if you are curious what I use from the US, my go to lately has been the Maybvelline Dream Fresh BB. Like I said, this doesn't contain a whitening agent, so it really acts like a tinted moisturizer to me, which is my preferred formula anyway. And, since it's here in the US, it's available just about everywhere you shop – big box, drugstore and online for less than $10USD.
Have you guys jumped on the BB cream wagon? What is your favorite one – and do you switch it up due to the weather/season? Or keep on going?
Now, go check out what the other gals have picked as their favorite BB cream:
*Disclaimer: The Carslan was gifted to me and the Maybelline was provided by PR.Copyright secured by Digiprove


text:
Comments on Flash and Standards: The Cold War of the Web
by Dan Mall
71 Reader CommentsBack to the Article
Great article Dan. It is great to see this viewpoint being talked about on ALA. These allegiances to technologies are ridiculous and have been hampering the creative web industry for years. Our work is presented in a rapidly changing environment and ultimately we must focus all of our endeavours to ensuring the people using our sites have a seamless experience.
The "people" are also constantly changing and so are their expectations and we should be looking for the right technology to fit their needs, and not restricting their experiences due to preferential technical decisions.
"Finally, remember what really matters: People. For everyone's sake, it's time we all learned to get along."
This is brilliant (imho).
This is the definitive article i've read about this topic in the last month. Thank you for a wonderful read.
I agree with the majority of your sentiments. It isn't the tool itself that failed, but the people who abuse the tool that cause the frustration. This is true of a wide arrange of tools However, I feel like articles like this are just as predictable as the articles that present one side or another. Every so often, a heated debate like this takes place and then a "Can't we all just get along!" article is written. I feel like that's what this is. It doesn't address the specific things that are abused and hurt the user experience.
Abusers of the tool will read this article and feel good about themselves. Haters of the tool will read this article and feel good about themselves. Wash, rinse, repeat.
bq. Create something excellent where the technology is transparent, and allow only the curious to look under the hood to actually see what's going on.
In this debate, truer words were never spoken. Thanks, Dan.
Great job, Dan. There's really nothing to add here - just wanted to virtually high-five you.
The Flash vs HTML5 article I've been waiting for. Perfectly expressed. Thank you.
Nice Dan! I think there is room for all players in the game. HTML5 and CSS3 will give us a whole new set of tools but Flash will always have a place. I believe in hybrid sites and try to follow standards for the content but Flash can manipulate the display and customization in a pretty immersive way. I dont like players in the device game trying to dictate the tech but its all part of the game. It will be interesting to see how flash runs on non-iPhone smart phones and the support for exporting iPhone apps.
A noble attempt to put people in the first row. And, I couldn't agree more. This voice was missing. Well done.
Unfortunately, life is never that simple with you. And yes, the complications are indeed multi-dimensional.
1st Dimension: this is not about flash or html5, this is about how _people_ use devices like the iPad. Touch interfaces have their own paradigms of interaction, and you probably would agree in that we so far only got a glimpse of what their potential will be. Well, Apple has demonstrated that html5 can stand up to a fairly good start. Flash hasn't.
2. Dimension: this is about what happens with our legacy vs what happens with our future. Some innovators cut loose from the legacy on purpose. Many loose in the attempt. A few succeed. Those that succeed create a major perturbation but also value. The point is that the largest part of the legacy of flash applications, games, etc is not suitable to be used on touch interfaces. But, you already have 100,000 apps that do.
3. Dimension: commercial interests. This is about one company breaking the market domination of another and attempting to establish domination itself. The sad part is that whole communities of developers and users become the cannon fodder. Very sad indeed.
Flash makes designing soooooo much easier. I don't even care about the fancy animation features, just the fact you can lay something in place and it will stay there, no matter what broswer it is viewed with. You can layer elements and I can put my graphic design skills to full use without having to use heavy png's with javascript alpha IE 6 hacks and all the other head aches that come from html/css designs. You can easily create nice hover states for links without using multiple div's, overflow containers, blah blah blah. You can set things side by side without using sketchy floats and clear fixes. With Flash, everything just works.
The title says it all. Nice with some wise words in these mad and ridiculous flame wars…
I completely agree with the idea of not having titles like "Flash Developer" or "HTML Designer". Daily, I work with Flash, HTML/CSS, PHP and whatever other platform a client requires.
If you only work within one platform, you're limiting yourself and what you can build for your clients. I think most "Flash Developers" called themselves that to attract clients when Flash was the hot thing. It's time for people to just call themselves "Web Developers" or something similar.
In the end, it doesn't matter what you build it with, as long as it works and was the right choice for the project.
Well said, plain and simple. I just want to see more people start to think of the experience, getting from A to B and stop twisting "I can't" in to "it's impossible".
I agree with the author - I've never really believed that the two technologies were threats to each other. As eager as I am to have a <video> tag for basic embeds and such, there's one thing that HTML 5 can never replace on its own: Flash games. In my opinion, if in the future Flash came to be used *only* for making web-based games, the technology is *still* well worth keeping alive.
Quote:"Agencies:Stop writing job listings for HTML5 designers or ActionScript gurus. You're just fanning the flames. Instead, invest in creative people who know how to execute in a number of ways, people who prioritize learning new tools to solve a problem over honing their chops."
I agree with the concept of cross-training and the value of talent over tools, but this is a bit of an oversimplification. It's a great concept for an agency environment, perhaps, where a developer/designer is working in a supportive environment, complete with mentors, training, and a career path.
It doesn't quite hold water, though, in the independent contractor world with its needs of the hired gun/pro from Dover. Contract engagements require resources who can come in, ramp-up quickly, and deliver quality work immediately. General purpose "cool creative thinker" sounds great in theory, but can be a tough sell.
So, I agree that agencies shouldn't lock resources into constraining titles. But the reality of the marketplace requires specialized skills, so it behooves resources to both deepen -and- widen their skills to survive an ever more capricious hiring pool.
I have always been a web developer who LONGS for a feature-rich, standard API to create consistent and compelling user experiences on the web. And while I am certainly more than proficient with HTML/CSS/JS, I focus my efforts in the Adobe Flex space.
HTML5 is a monsterous step forward in the right direction. But, just because we (will) have support for canvas-based interactions and a common approach to video and sound, does not mean that we have a great platform for web app development.
We are still a long way out from the ability to create a user interface while working in one HTML5 compliant browser and have confidence in the fact that the other browsers on other platforms will render our precise and complex application consistently. This is why I build and deploy using the Flash player. Despite minor differences between Flash Player releases, Flash Player provides an extremely consistent deployment environment which works equally well in all major browsers and on all major platforms. (iPhone/iPad aside)
My other reason that I prefer working in Flex over HTML is that the Flex Framework provides a very extensive tool kit to build complex user interfaces. Not only are the standard controls like 'checkbox' and 'button' present, but they provide the ability to painlessly generate custom, reusable layouts and a ton of libraries and tools to make server/client communication a breeze. JQuery has come a long way, but the time and effort required to build, test, and deploy comparable apps in JS and Flex is so much less in the Flex world.
Now, many of you might disagree with me on that point. So, this brings me to my main disagreement with the article. While it is important to be a well rounded developer capable of building anything in any language, it is far more important to have expert-level knowledge of the tools and best practices in a given language/environment. I have been a full-time Flex developer for several years now and am blown away by how much I didn't know even just a year ago. I just don't see how those who dabble in HTML/CSS/JS and dabble in Flex can be masters in either. Flex is complex and easy to do wrong.
So, if anyone wants to do serious Flex development, for the love of God, please don't hire someone who has some experience making Flash/Flex widgets and some experience in PHP. Hire an expert who knows the inner workings of the Framework and can leverage the good and avoid the bad.
@ Dan Mall
I was more specifically referring to the problems I listed. Yes there are other problems I realize with Flash, but using it to do the more graphic web designs, it makes things so much easier.
In this vein, I've written a nice little API to bridge the gap and let AS3 coders write AS3-like Sprites and Tweens for JS+canvas…pretty fast, too. Demo is here:
I completely agree that the technology used on a site should not be immediately obvious to the average user. It should always look like some kind of magic.
great article dan
bq. People matter
i wrote an article a few days ago that touches on the same thing - the person's experience is the focus, so technology shouldn't matter, as long ass the experience is improved by it. "here's what i wrote":http://mcapraro.com/flash-html5-browsers-vs-the-user/
The problem with Flash isn't in its usefulness as a technology, it's in its implementation: Flash Player. Windows users may enjoy Adobe's full attention and support, but other platforms are largely ignored. Adobe has given OS's like Linux and OS X just enough attention that everything works, but it certainly doesn't work well.
You say we should send a message to Adobe if we want things changed. Well, we _have_. We've been pleading with Adobe for years to devote the resources needed to make the Linux and Mac Flash Players as fast and stable as their Windows counterpart.
Flash needs to be gotten rid of because it's under the control of a single entity with limited resources that allocates them according to the size of their user base. It's not a true technology. It's a product; and telling Adobe about where it could be improved is never going to be enough if we can't improve it ourselves.
I have read a lot of rants about both, Flash and HTML, and I finally find a balanced article like this that just makes me feel happy. Complaints and attemps to discredit the competition just lead nowhere. Same happens with locking proprietary systems or frameworks, supporting such decisions in poor rants against the competition.
In fact, both technologies play well together. Every progress from one of them is a great progress for the whole web world landscape. Even when they could be competing between themselves at some points, that competition benefits end users with more reliable technologies, and benefits developer with a broader array of tools to solve common problems.
There is not just thing as Flash or HTML developers. There are web coders, programmers, designers or engineers, that rely on lots of technologies to develop the best solutions posible. And, if the landscape changes, their skillset will quickly change, as already happened in the past.
Great article. I have a comment on this statement:
Don't sell (or discourage) Flash or standards to your clients; instead, sell creative brand extensions, accessible content, enjoyable experiences, and simple maintainability.
This is great advice, however, it's just a polite way of saying "discourage Flash".
Although you made it clear that Flash isn't necessarily to blame for accessibility and maintainability problems, the reality is that it will continue to cause accessibility and maintainability problems as long as uneducated developers continue to use it. And due to the nature of the web, I don't see that ever changing.
New technology is of course better, yet i'd never want flash to completely disappear. More Search engine viable maybe, but not vanish into thin air :(
I can't think of software that ha Flash's combination of clunkiness, heaviness and suckiness.
@Louis Lazaris That's an interesting point… you mean to tell me every site you've ever been to that uses standards (and especially ajax) has been well crafted with accessibility and maintainability in mind? Because I can think of some pretty high traffic sites out there with horrible ajax experiences, lightboxes layered on top of lightboxes, pop-unders and all sorts of other horrible user experience decisions.
Flash has never overcome it's SKIP INTRO history in the mind's of a large chunk of our industry. Standards has never been able to overcome testing across every browser and platform in another. It's our own micro version of the Arab-Israeli conflict—it's all deriving from the same place, but for some reason we can't seem to find a way to get along. We're a fractured community bickering about who's making things the right way instead of helping each other move forward.
The point Dan's trying to make is that gratuitous overuse of anything is bad and that instead of simply brushing aside something as such, understanding and finding an appropriate use for it is the true sign of an expert in this craft.
Everyone has their favorite tools - but It's nice to have a whole toolbox full of 'em.
Dan, I found it interesting your section discussing the similarities between the need for tools to develop in Flash versus the idea that HTML5 might need similar tools. The difference, and this is the core of the argument, is that the proprietary nature of Adobe's tech means that very few people can develop for Flash _without_ Adobe's tools while the openess of HTML5 allows for a whole ecosystem of tools (and their developers) to benefit. I assumed from your title this is where you were headed as the Cold War analogy fits well against the capitalistic nature of Adobe against the communistic nature of the web standard's community.
On another point, you said that agencies should stop advertising for specialists because developers have multiple areas of knowledge. Surely you would admit that simply adding a Flash adept developer or a web standards guru to the staff doesn't mean the agency can support a change in their process or that it's the type of work they want to do. If the pipeline is based on one of these two, the designers are used to designing for it, the project managers know what to expect, and sales people know how to sell the approach's benefits to clients, it seems rather counterproductive to hire someone that would be happier working in a different environment.
Finally, I don't just want to see Flash replaced with better iterations of HTML, I want to see browser plugins in general go away.
The problem with flash is that on most of my Mac OS X computers its a complete resource hog and causes my browsers to crash. This means i don't use flash, and it makes me hate every site that needs flash for some part of its functionality, because then i either have to enable it in my browser, or switch to firefox just for that one site. I want to use websites where i don't have to load some plug in that makes my system unstable or degrades performance, or reduces my battery life signfiicantly.
It's not the technology as such people are hating, it's the plugin. If we need to kill the technology to get us out of this plug in hell, then we're prepared to do it.
As far as i can see all Adobe has to do is ship an amazing version of the flash plug in, that behaves, doesn't crash, and doesn't use 80%+ of the resources on a dual core 2.4ghz computer. Looking at what OS X can do then the processing power is there. And if Adobe have written something that is tied to one platforms concepts (i.e Windows), all i can say is we're on version 6 of OS X - you've had enough time to do something about it. The windows version doesn't suffer the same performance issues.
If adobe aren't able to do this, then they should give the job over to someone who can.
This is a great article, and it extends beyond "Flash vs. HTML5" because it refocuses on what I think the real question should be: What's the GOAL of this project?
For example, people come to me and say "I need a PowerPoint file," but what they really need is "I have to share a lot of information in an interesting way to a large group of people." Sometimes PowerPoint is indeed the answer (GASP!), but sometimes a video might do a better job, or Keynote, or, yes, a custom-built Flash app.
People get so caught up in the "how" that they often forget the "what." Here's to getting back to "what," while learning many, many "how"s.
I really don't think the Flash/HTML debate is "destroying" our "industry." Nor do I believe the blandishment that technologies are neither good nor bad. Tell that to a gun-control advocate. (Flash doesn't kill Web sites. _People_ kill Web sites. Won't anyone think of the _people_?)
This is realy a good story about flash vs the world. Still i prefer to go with HTML5 since i own apple products. And i dont like flash since every animated-gif banners are now replaced by even more irritating flash banners. But i still don't know every function of HTML5.
Concentrating on creating an awesome website design which is aimed at reaching out to the people it is supposed to has to be our first priority as designers. Selecting which technologies to use to achieve this depends on the context and requirements of the client, and our own judgement on usability, execution, SEO targets etc. Afterall, when an author writes a top novel, the emphasis is not placed on the typeface used when it is printed… generally, it has to be invisible! Let the content do the talking.
Great article Dan :)
bq. I must disagree. You can publish an empty SWF and run it with virtually no lag on resources. That leads me to believe it's not the player or the SWF format, but what the SWF contains that causes concern
I must disagree with you on that one - as this is content that works perfectly well in Windows, without the resource hogging. If you are correct, then what you are stating is flash code optimisation must be done separately for each OS that it runs on.
If i could say that it was one particular site then i would blame that site, but it isn't. It's all flash that i run. Even if they fix the resource hogging there is still the instability issue. And it's a significant instability issue.
Nice article, and I agree that if you have a peeve with Adobe you need to let them know.
But ... I've asked them three times (once in public) about a simple thing they could do about Accessibility in Flash, and there's been no response.
Are they listening?
Great article Dan! We've been seeing this topic popping up quite a bit ever since the iPad announcement like you mentioned. Pretty funny how intentional Jobs was with that sly maneuver of bringing up the NY times.
With the slow death of Flash, our "web design (web design)":http://www.dontblinkdesign.com firm has really wondered what this means for Flex and it's future. We've developed some great Apps using this technology, but in the end the SWF output is basically no different than Flash.
Do you think this means the end of Flex too?
The iPad will certainly shine a spotlight on the issue as I think more people will expect a seamless rich media experience on this device compared to the iPhone. Your proposals for developers achieving detente and cooperation are spot on.
Thanks so much for this great article! This topic is something i've been mulling about. Here's a blog posting I recently wrote about, "Moving Beyond Flash - A Web Designer's Interactive Toolkit" here…
Thanks for the additional links to alternative JScript design pattern libraries. I'm quickly add those into my emerging technology toolkit.
There's been some chatter lately about how the next version of HTML 5 might make Flash irrelevant. And not only Flash, but also Adobe Flex, Microsoft Silverlight, and Oracle JavaFX might similarly become useless.
I think Flash has a somewhat steeper learning curve which makes it harder to start out. Poisoned tongues could say that some of those "standards designers" secretly tried out Flash, one or the other time in their career, got stuck, got frustrated, gave up and now are fighting it.
You also can't easily look at Flash's source code, which gives it a kind of an armored monster feeling, compared to the open and helpful HTML/JS ferry. But once you learned how to tame the monster, it can become your best friend.
Flash is a closed plugin. I do not think plugins should be a part of the web as I think it should ideally be completely open.
So, I am against Flash simply because I want as much opness in web technologies as possible. (There are reasons for this, but I won't go into too much details here, you hav probably heard it all before.)
What a great article, which addressed the bigger issue of the HTML5/Flash argument. It sums up what happens all too often - trying to fit a project into the known expertise of a technical team. The result is a "less-than" product and a customer wanting more. This article should be mandatory reading for every IT hiring manager. Thank you for the read!
I have to admit… I first balked at Apple's choice to not support FLASH on the iPad. However, after reading various opinions and reasons for it, and today, seeing that IE9 will support HTML5 (http://gizmodo.com/5494574/internet-explorer-9-a-fresh-start-with-html5… Phew! :) It appears that Apple is gambling on the right side…
Many people from all over the world have turned to the acai berry in the hopes that it will cure their weight loss problems. TOP GRADE ACAI
I think Jquery still has much to learn and I don't think we can truly compare itself with Flash until our computers become so powerful that the visual line between them becomes blurred. jQuery clearly does animation but not to the extent that Flash is capable of and so until then, I don't think they can really be compared on the same level. On a side note, I think Flash and or jQuery may very well both become extinct in the near future in favor of cleaner and, ultimately, more user friendly interfaces. Having to wait for a menu item to fade in or some kind of animation to occur can become quite irritating when you're simply looking for some information, but anyway, great article about how these technologies have changed the web.
Hello Dan, I think your article speaks to the core of what's important in design and development: The end result and how it impacts those who use it. The challenge is that once individuals invest a sizeable amount of time in a particular technology, they are hesitant to switch to another. In art, some people prefer watercolors while others prefer oil paintings, and others may prefer collages. Each requires very different tools and mindset to accomplish.
We have to embrace the different technologies available to us and pick the right one based on the problem at hand rather than using the one we have learned to solve every problem.
I think its all out in the public .. no mincing words - no askance
its html 5 versus flash
me thinks ....
from nesher+israel+lednichenko
Really great article Dan!
Well written, well articulated, well done!
Dan, i'm commenting again here. (Hope you don't mind.) I've been thinking about this whole fiasco. We all know the web and standards are not perfect. /ie "Almost standards and Quirks Mode" ..
I just can't help thinking that all this has everything to do with money, power and business. Getting to the top and staying there. Maybe it's a fleeting thought or i'm in a extra sensitive mood. :-)
In any case happy i could get it off my chest over here, with people who actually care about the web..
Excellent article. The way people become so passionate about their style of web design has always baffled me. There is more than one solution to a problem and focusing on what is best for your users instead of focusing on the platform used is the only true way for the web to keep moving forward.
Thanks for this article, I absolutely agree—and I love this quote which says it all really,
"Technologies aren't inherently bad or good. They're only appropriate or inappropriate for certain circumstances. They're a means to an end, not solutions within themselves."
Like you suggest, it's easy to sit on the fence and shout rude words at Flash; it's done the job well so far and lots of 'people' enjoy their Treasure Madness & Cafe World games so why bash it.
I think HTML5 + CSS3 are going to offer a lot more to the Web Designers pallette, allowing them to express their ideas more freely and really try out some devilishly cool apps. But like a little kid it's still got some learning to do, and especially where javascript is concerned it can learn a lot from Flash's history.
I reckon if we all learn to get along and play well with the other kids then the people who actually use our creations won't mind a bit, they just mind when it goes kaplowey in their face.
Great work Dan
I still feel Apple's relunctance to put Flash in Mobile Safari may be down to how processor intensive it is, let's face it the iPhone is no CRAY.
If this was the case then it'd be good reason for Adobe to nurture their relationship with Apple and give them freedom to build an iPhone version of Flash. Heck, this knowledge share may also improve Flash on the long run.
Somethings got to give, but I don't think the answer is taking Flash out back and beating him with an axe.
It's definitely the problem we're faced with where I am. So much management focus is on selling the tech we can use, and unfortunately it works. It's not only about telling people that "we can do your site in Flash" that is bad, it's that on the recipient side it impresses them and ticks the box they'd set before the meeting.
Web professionals, to me, should be that…"web" professionals with whatever that entails. Great article.
I also see from the commentator here the same mentality that runs through some articles here on ALA. It's all well and good IE9 supporting HTML 5 but the reality will be that at least 20-50%(depending on your market) will NOT be HTML5 enabled.
Like it or not, folks, if you want rich content you either have to ignore a proportion of your market if you're going to pin your colours only to HTML5, or you have to accept that to reach as many as possible you may have to also/instead use Flash.
We need, due to the archaic way that PEOPLE use the web with browsers of their own choice that don't conform necessarily to what we would prefer to work with, to know how to do things in the best way for each situation…
Great article and one of only a few adult repsonses to this whole Apple v Flash thing.
Also check Ray Valdes blog:
We should also be thinking about People as creative individuals and producers of content who want good tools to work with, not only as consumers. So whether those tools are Flash or any other authoring environment it doesn't matter.
Very eloquently written article. I've just started a job that covers only a select group of the areas I've learned over many years, and it makes me wonder, is that right? Should I leave skills behind, because of how my job has been labelled, and what it's remit covers? My last job required me to do new things all the time, which was great, but then you worry about being a jack of all trades, master of none. You're absolutely right, we shouldn't get worried about the technology, only about whether people like the experience we create for them.
My idea is just that yes, they need to just get along and make it work. Another is for flash to learn to work within all browsers and platforms. I kind of blame Adobe over Apple. If Adobe can't find a work around, then they need to. Why get upset with Apply for not going the extra mile, thats Adobe's problem. If my website doesnt work on the ipad, do i blame Apple for that? No, i'll just have to redesign my site.
I don't use Flash and don't particularly like it or Air as development tools. But the real reason I avoid it? I cringe whenever I have to go to a Flash-based site! Most are slow to load (even over a very fast connection), klunky and awkward to use, many with obnoxious audio. I often feel like I'm stuck in some site designer's closet, rather than being able to go find what _I_ want to find and see. That's partially the fault of Flash, but mostly due to the way it's used, over and over. The "I'm so artsy" sites are especially egregious (less is often really _much_ less, not more). And, by the way, it's also a huge security risk - there are many exploitable security issues with Flash. So, even if it is a turf war between the "A-s", I understand Apple's reluctance.
I find it interesting that there is so little discussion about use of Silverlight and XAML by this community. The potential for developing actually useful sites, with access to and innovative presentation of business data, seems like its being totally ignored with all the hype about HTML5 and the iPad. (Go look at an HP multi-touch tablet running Windows7 and see how much more it can do than an iPad!) Silverlight apps in and out of a browser will run on PCs, Macs, and soon on phones. As "Web Professionals", why the concentration on just Apple and Adobe?
Excellent argument here and you make solid points throughout. Two minor things: the way I read Job's statement that "flash is buggy" is not as a value judgement, but more a statement of what he sees as fact. One glance at Apple tells you they don't like "buggy." And I do wish you folks would use a serif font for your articles. I know, I'm old-fashioned, but the little serifs do help move the eyes to the right, thus making it easier to read. For me this one little detail goes a long way in undermining the site's ethos, and thus your own, in arguments like the one you just made.
Really enjoyed the article and was nodding away to all the points made.
I wrote "this article":http://www.kevadamson.com/talking-of-design/article/a-flash-from-the-past recently about how designers and developers should be looking at Flash sites now more than ever.
_"An article discussing how, as standards designers and developers, and with the emergence of animation and transitions in CSS, we should take off our accessibility hats and invest more time viewing the best examples of animated Flash websites."_
Sorry for "pimping", but I feel it has relevance :)
Nowadays Flash is a tool like chainsaw in the hands of abusing people.
Great article!
It is really up to the designers and developers to make the web an easier place. People with small experience on the web should be welcomed, and not having to go through a getting started guide in able to understand the web! The technologies used are of secondary importance; we've seen Flash lead, when it's been used appropriately.
Firstly thank you for that good article. When i look to future i see html best way for website architect. Flash make really good visual but at searching engine not good like as design. html is more seo friendly and i think it's so importand think for websites…
Flash does have it's place on the web still, especially until HTML5 is more widely supported, but I think apple has done itself a disservice by not allowing flash player on the ipad


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More PBS
BEVERLY HILLS–The television critics' summer press tour continues, pausing briefly in the non-commercial world for some highbrow fare.
Kevin Kline as Cyrano!
Sir Ian McKellen as King Lear! We've temporarily left TV's rough reality contests and celebrity rehab games behind.
A few critics hammered away at the question of whether
McKellen's full-frontal nudity in the stage version would be translated to the small screen. PBS President Paula Kerger dodged. But the answer, of course, is no way. In this climate, it's not worth the argument.
Only PBS would start the day with a panel about archeological evidence of the Bible's meanings (guaranteed to anger literalists, according to the producers), followed by a spirited show on parallel universes (if it's not one thing it's another and probably both).
The good news for "Masterpiece" fans is that the rennovation of that series, formerly under the Mobil banner, has been quite successful. The ratings are up for "Masterpiece Mystery" and "Masterpiece Classic." The third phase, "Masterpiece Contemporary," debuts this fall with "The Last Enemy," a five-parter about government surveillance starring Robert Carlyle ("The Full Monty").
Why overhaul a solid brand? "It would have been a crime not to," said "Masterpiece" executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "In this town, every 35-year-old icon needs sprucing up."
Other headlines: Kenneth Branaugh will star in and co-produce a new series based on the Kurt Wallander detective books. Four new Miss Marple stories starring Julia McKenzie and four new Hercule Poirot stories starring David Suchet are due in 2009.


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Espa ol
Beginning March 19, Savannah Music Festival 2009 Presents Most Artistically Diverse Season Yet
Performances include world-class jazz, classical, blues, bluegrass, gospel and other genres of American and international roots music.
Novalima Album Release Date Pushed To January 13
Coba Coba delves into the African roots of Afro-Peruvian music, bringing in influences from reggae, dub, salsa, hip-hop, and afrobeat.
The Priests In Concert At Armagh Cathedral Begins Airing On PBS Stations November 29th
New album in stores November 18th on RCA Victor.
Kassin + 2 To Play Select U.S. Dates
The band with the ever-changing name (with +2 attached) will play a handful of dates in December.
Gotan Project Live Out November 18th On Ya Basta Records
The double album is the first live recording from electro-tango pioneers.
more News ]
Morocco's Gnaoua Music Festival
For the past ten years the Moroccan city of Essaouira has come alive with the music of the Gnaoua.
Rachel Unthink And Winterset
Nominated for a Mercury Prize, the group transcends the English folk music category to become a hit at home and abroad.
Web Exclusive: Panos Panay Of Sonicbids
Onetime musician Panos Panay creates an online marketing movement to serve artists of all sizes from all over the world.
Web Exclusive: El Guincho
El Guincho ventures where the others wouldn't dare. For him the element of the exotic isn't merely the latest indie fad for embellishing music, El Guincho lives it and breathes it.
more Features ]
RSS Feeds
Festivals ]
more Concerts ]
Various Artists
Calypsoul 70Strut
Rokia Traoré
Kasai Allstars
In The 7th Moon...CrammedDiscs/Congotronics
Natacha Atlas & The Mazeeka Ensemble
Ana HinaWorld Village
Akh IssudarWorld Village
Anna Ternheim
Halfway To Five PointsDecca
Fajar Di Atwas AwanDrag City
Xavier Rudd
Dark Shades Of BlueAnti-
Ólafur Arnalds
Eulogy For EvolutionErased Tapes
Boom Pam
Puerto Rican NightsEssay Recordings
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Copyright © 2008 Zenbu Media. All rights reserved.


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Photo by leech44, via Wikimedia Commons
Seth Jones is likely to be the first overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Jones has pulled away from Nathan MacKinnon in the NHLNumbers Conensus Top 100. The Scouting Report is included in those rankings and has Jones at #1 overall:
An excellent skater especially for his size, Jones is a rare combination of athleticism and skill. More than capable of playing in the NHL next year, Jones will be a quality transition defenseman with top 4 capabilities from day 1. A strong slap shot and good hockey sense will allow him to also see powerplay minutes early in his career.
Though he'll be the #1 overall pick, he'll be #2 in the NHL. After Jones is drafted by the Blue Jackets, Oilers or whatever team wins the new lottery, he will suit up for his first NHL game sometime in October. When he does, Seth Jones will become only the second player named Seth to ever play in the NHL. Seth Martin, a goaltender for the St. Louis Blues, played 30 games in 1967-68. Jones will surpass that games played mark some time before Christmas.


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Baseball Batters Ole Miss, 11-2
Communications Sr. Associate
HOOVER, Ala. - Sophomore right-hander Kevin Gausman earned his 10th win of the season Thursday, and second-ranked LSU pounded out 17 hits en route to an 11-2 victory over Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament at Regions Park.
LSU improved to 43-15 and advanced to the quarterfinal round at 3 p.m. Friday against Mississippi State. Ole Miss (35-24) was eliminated from the tournament with Thursday's loss.
The LSU game on Friday will be televised by Comcast Sports Southeast and Cox Sports Television, and it can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network.
LSU's 17-hit attack was paced by senior third baseman Tyler Hanover, who recorded a career-best four hits and scored two runs. Hanover has 269 career hits and moved into a tie for 10th place on the LSU all-time hits list.
Catcher Ty Ross, making his first start since undergoing an appendectomy on May 12, delivered two hits and two RBI and senior shortstop Austin Nola collected three hits, three runs and one RBI.
Reserve catcher Jordy Snikeris came off the bench to add a two-run homer and a two-run double for the Tigers.
Gausman (10-1) limited the Rebels to two runs on seven hits in seven innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. Ole Miss starter Tanner Bailey (2-2) was charged with the loss as he allowed three runs on seven hits in three innings with one walk and two strikeouts.
"I really like the way we approached the ball game today after yesterday's loss (to Mississippi State)," said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. "There was no sulking and no one was hanging their head. We came to the park with a lot of energy and a determination to extend our stay here. We love playing in Hoover and we'd like to stay here for as long as possible."
LSU struck for two runs on four hits in the first inning as first baseman Tyler Moore delivered a sacrifice fly and Ross lined an RBI single.
Ole Miss narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the second as centerfielder Auston Bousfield doubled and scored on a single by catcher Will Allen.
The Tigers plated a run in the third when rightfielder Mason Katz walked, moved to second on a single by leftfielder Raph Rhymes, advanced to third on
Moore's sacrifice bunt and scored on Ross' groundout to second base.
LSU extended the advantage to 4-1 in the sixth when Hanover singled, moved to second on centerfielder Arby Fields' sacrifice fly, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a squeeze bunt by designated hitter Grant Dozar.
Ole Miss centerfielder Auston Bousfield ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, reducing LSU's lead to 4-2.
The Tigers, however, exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth against Ole Miss relievers Aaron Greenwood and Dylan Chavez, sending 10 men to the plate. Nola ripped an RBI double, Snikeris blasted a two-run double, Rhymes contributed an RBI single and Moore lined a run-scoring single to highlight the uprising.
Snikeris' two-run homer in the ninth, his third dinger of the season, accounted for the final margin.
LSU 11, Ole Miss 2 (May 24, 2012 at Hoover, Ala.)
Ole Miss............ 010 001 000 - 2 8 1 (35-24)
Pitchers: LSU - Kevin Gausman; Chris Cotton(8); Kurt McCune(9) and Ty Ross; Jordy Snikeris.
Ole Miss - Tanner Bailey; Chris Ellis(4); Aaron Greenwood(6); Dylan Chavez(8); Hawtin Buchanan(8); Josh Laxer(9) and Will Allen.
Win-Kevin Gausman(10-1) Loss-Tanner Bailey(2-2) T-3:09
HR LSU - Jordy Snikeris (3).
T. Bailey faced 1 batter in the 4th.
D. Chavez faced 4 batters in the 8th.
SEC Tournament Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, May 24
Game 9: LSU def. Ole Miss, 11-2 (Ole Miss eliminated)
Game 10: #4 Kentucky vs. #7 Mississippi St., 1:15 p.m.
Game 11: #2 South Carolina vs. #10 Auburn, 4:30 p.m.
Game 12: #3 Florida vs. #5 Vanderbilt, 30 min. following
Friday, May 25
Game 13: #1 LSU vs. Game 10 loser, 3 p.m., CSS
Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 30 min. following


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Ok people lets put our heads together
We are always interested in hearing what you think of JCO or come with suggestions for new site features.
Speakeasy or Members?? maybe Tommy can give us a contest section. I dunno. Or maybe you have those powers. . . Do the Mods have the power to issue the prize?? If not, then we'll need Tommy's assistance anyways. This is gonna be fun!
Well ofcourse they'll have to be about Jim, that's why it's called JIMerick. . . might I add that this name was invented by Quirky, Tthe same person who slammed on my "hiLARRYus" comment. lol
My pun was a misdemeanor....your pun was a felony.
"When in doubt, tell the truth."
Mark Twain
I see your point, but the contest entries must be about Jim. I've PMd Tommy, and he asked me for more info, so i sent him another one, I'm waiting for him to get back to me. . . I think this'll be fun.
And you know....it's still one of the VERY best threads on this board.
"When in doubt, tell the truth."
Mark Twain
I completely agree. . . although it's all gone to. . . asparagus.
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JMH Creative needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 320 designs submitted by 67 freelance designers.
Audrey Foto
Please feel free to review my photos for inspiration.
I'm an internationally trained photographer who has worked on photo shoots in cities all over the world.
I am in love with Italy and the Italian culture. I spend most of my time currently shooting in the Meatpacking District of New York City. This district is a 20 square block, 24-hour neighborhood on the West Side of Manhattan, flanked by Chelsea Market to the North and Gansevoort Street to the South.
Alongside the meatpacking plants - fashion designers, graphic designers, writers, architects, artists and photographers have created a destination for design, architecture, fashion, salons, beauty and luxury boutiques. Restaurants and nightlife venues create an up-all-night vibe about the neighborhood. I would like my brand to encapsulate this sense of style and modernism.
My target audience would be a young-hip-fashion-style crowd. Models. Actors. Think the brands (but not logos) of GQ and Vogue.
The logo should compliment my style of photos. I am not set on any particular style or color. Simple, chic, clear.
- No flowers or floral designs.
- Minimal simplistic styles preferred over busy and complicated
- Professional look
- Do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo
We will be providing feedback three times daily on all submissions that are still in the running.
I would like to see some logo's with just text and others with some sort of design.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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The 11th Hour necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 159 diseños de 48 diseñadores freelance.
The 11th Hour
The 11th Hour, is a high energy company specializing in individualized gift composition for delivery.
Custom creation of exceptional, personal and corporate gifts delivered within unique containers.
Tag Line: "Gifted Presents"
Motto: "Don't make a gesture...Send a gift!"
Whether an intimate personal gift featuring local & global gourmet specialty products or an exotic car dealership grand opening with a rolling tool chest filled with goodies - our innovative creations are unexpected and get noticed.
Our clients always call at the 11th hour deperate for creative flare, which finds us "burning the candle at both ends" and the midnight oil.
We desire a trendy, hip, funky, vibrant logo which reflects our high energy with superior quality and luxury. . . it should possesses the "wow" element! This is an unparalleled opportunity to be creative. . . the more creativity you are, the more likely you will take the prize!
Our target audience are individuals who have a strong desire for creative concepts but are last minute planners, non-creative thinkers, have limited time for creation or organizations who do not have the resources within their team to focus on creative gift giving with a personal flare.
As The 11th Hour brand is just being born, the website will be its virtual store front so web savvy designers will also be a key target.
We envision not just a logo but an icon or symbol that has a bold, trendy, hip and edgy feel. The icon "11th." should be incorporated
Themes you may wish to consider BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Burning pillar candles with wax dripping down (these would represent the number 11, "burning both ends" or "burning the midnight oil"), gourmet food, specialty food, wine, culinary products, spa, flame, etc...
BE different, BE bold, BE creative. . . GET NOTICED.
Sample logos attached are simply samples. . . .
We will require the following formats:
.eps "editable"
.ai "illustrator"
.psd "photoshop"
.jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
.ai Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
The above files should be editable in the appropriate formats that handle that type of flexibility. Since we will incorporate the logo with the name of the corporation on letterhead, we will need formats where we can resize the images and move text around accordingly.
In addition, we will require the color key codes for the logo.
DO NOT feel restricted, the key to OUR success is thru YOUR creativity. . .
Thank you very much for your interest and as our 4 year old daughter says each morning. . . "GO GET'M TIGER"!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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by Tom Utescher
When field hockey practice began at Mount St. Joseph Academy began last Monday, the small number of seniors and a large turnout among the 10th-graders indicated that third-year coach Christina Post will be sending out a young squad for the 2013 campaign. However, the MSJ mentor is quick to point out that experience is not lacking even among the youngest prospects, since most of them have come out of strong grade school programs and have been playing a lot of club hockey, as well.
The Mount is coming off of a 19-5 overall record in 2012, and a second-place finish within the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies. The Mounties ended up fifth in the District 1 Class AAA tournament, and in the first round of the state tournament they lost, 3-1, to ever-powerful District 11 champion Emmaus High School. Later, Emmaus lost an overtime match in the semifinal round to eventual state champ Lower Dauphin.
Graduation last spring claimed a relatively modest total of four seniors from the Magic's 2012 roster, but all four were key contributors and three of them are now playing at the Division I level in college. The Mount will also be missing one of its best young defenders in Norwood Fontbonne Academy graduate Eliza Ewing; back problems will prevent her from playing throughout what would've been her sophomore season.
Fortunately, one of just three seniors on this year's team will be stationed in the goalcage; Christina Black has started since she's been a sophomore and is coming off a very successful junior season. The two team co-captains are her classmates, defender Dana Scott and midfielder Millie Stefanowicz.
The junior class is larger, and a number of the 11th graders have been varsity regulars since they were freshmen.
The returning varsity players in this group are forwards Katie Fitzpatrick and Stephanie Mahoney, mids Katie Maranski and Chrissy Pascali, and defender Adrienne Pero.
Along with NFA alum Ewing, Taylor Gray was an impact player as a freshman in 2012, and she is returning in a defensive role. She will be kept company by more than a dozen other sophomores who could challenge for positions as starters and key reserves.
Most years, the MSJ sticksters are divided into varsity and JV teams at the end of the first week of practice. This time, Coach Post realized she needs more time to make those decisions.
"There is so much talent in the sophomore and freshman classes that it's going to be very hard to draw the line," said the Magic's skipper, who says she'll probably make the call following this Friday's opening scrimmage with Archbishop Carroll. "I very impressed with the skill level of a lot of these young girls, and I'm happy with the effort I'm getting from the entire group."
In addition to dealing with the vacancies in the player line-up from last year, the Magic have had to replace popular assistant coach Sharna Shuford, who departed after six seasons to accept a full time coaching and teaching job in Virginia.
The new junior varsity coach (and varsity assistant) is Emily Labowitz, a Main Line native who played at the scholastic level for Lower Merion High School. Earlier this year she graduated from Kutztown University, where she also played hockey and was the Bears' leading goalscorer in her junior season.
New varsity assistant Chris DePaul is a graduate of Springfield High School, and he participated in the sport at the club level, although in the U.S. the opportunities for men in the sport are certainly more limited than those for women. For several years he has been coaching club players both at the Jersey shore and in the comprehensive program run by the Whitpain Recreation Association.


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Microsoft's Paper Clip giving tips on writing resignation letters
Microsoft Word has upgraded its animated writing assistant 'Clippie' to assist those resigning as Members of Parliament, football managers or poetry professors. The word processing software automatically recognizes the phrase 'I feel that under the circumstance…' at which point the familiar paperclip pops up and says 'I see you are writing a resignation letter. [read...]


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Hey guys, looking for some solid players who can get the ball back into play, (NTRP 3.5/4.0).
I can play often, most evenings after work and on weekends as well.
Feel free to text me, my number is 805-874-2791. I live in Ventura.
Views: 164
Replies to This Discussion
Hey Dana,
I live i Port Hueneme but have been looking for a hitting partner. I can do most evenings as well as weekends let me know if you want to hit some time.
Hello Richard, please text me, would love to hit
Looking for a solid 4.5/5 player to hit with. Let me know if you are interested. Live in Ventura
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Helps you search for books.
UCB helps students buy and sell used textbooks at great prices. Our sellers aren't big companies; they're students like you. To browse or buy local textbooks, type your school name below. To sell a book online :
5 Reasons why to buy used college books from UCB
Students entering college or moving on to a new year often find it difficult to buy new first hand books from their campus bookstores because of exorbitant prices. Hence, students, these days, are looking to buy used college textbooks to save money.
Several websites are offering such services where you can buy used college book from the site at a price less than what you pay for a brand new book. However, those websites themselves make a lot of money as they play the role of the greedy middleman.
That's why UCB (Used College Books) has commenced a new service which has been targeted to help young students buy books at unbelievably low prices. The aim of UCB is not to make profit but to cut off the monstrous heads of the middlemen who often make a hole in the pockets of students without even letting them realize that.


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Events for June 3, 2018
Day Navigation
10th Year of the Gazillion Bubble Show
$55 - $99.50
Gazillion Bubble Show recently begun its 10th year in New York City with over 3500 performances and seen by over half a million people! Nine years ago, Fan Yang brought his unique brand of bubble artistry to the Big Apple and has since, wowed bubble lovers of all ages. Audiences are delighted with an unbubblievable…Find out more »


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This weekend, I was left to my own devices as The Fiancée was in the midst of accounting hell that is (what I'm told) "quarter closing". Apparently, on a regular basis there is a need to have some sort of numerical conclave in which people from all over the company gather their charts and figures, cast their dark magic balance sheet spells, and make the numbers dance and tell stories. No one can leave until the corporate overlords are placated and shift their Eye of Sauron-like focus on another fearful portion of the company. From what I understand the reality is something about looking at spreadsheets, sending emails, and sitting in on conference calls, but I like my version much better.
While I had to work on Saturday as well, I had the benefit of having enough energy to go country line dancing both Friday and Saturday evening. This is something that The Fiancée introduced me to about eighteen months ago when we first started dating and I've taken a liking to it. It's social, it's active, and it's in sharp relief to my work day (in front of the computer) and my play time (in front of the computer). I had wanted to learn to dance (East Coast swing, in particular) as it was the rage at the time in the late 1990's but the fates conspired against me. So, I'm a late starter but I finally got there.
I was sitting at one of the high top tables, carefully chosen for easy access to the dance floor as well as a view of the establishment, when it occurred to me that I am now a regular at the main place we go dancing. I haven't been a regular at any place or event in a long while, perhaps over ten years ago during my LARPing years. I've gotten to know the people and the staff as well as the dances and the social conventions that is the dance floor. (Line dancers in the main area on the inside, couples dancing counter-clockwise around the outside, and wait for the count to start.) Right now I still draw relationship context to them from The Fiancée (formerly "Oh, you're her boyfriend!", now they say "Oh, you're her fiancé!") but I hope in another two years people will start their name guesses with a vowel.
In becoming a regular, I can now claim the power of judgment over non-regulars. While I am still low on the regular seniority scale (a constant reminder by the people who just glide across the floor with ease), it still outranks the tourists who come out for the night of cultural gaping and inexpensive mass manufactured American beer. Over the course of the last eighteen months, all those valuable pattern recognition skills that help me as a librarian have been utilized to develop a sense as what is the norm and what is not. Given my highly tuned powers of arbitrary observation, it has been refined to the point where I can tell who fits in and who doesn't.
When it comes to outsiders, then tend to fall into a couple of groups. Bachelorette parties and girls night outs are my favorites but for much more sadistic reasons. Any combination of booze, tall stiletto heels, and tiny dresses is a recipe for embarrassment waiting to happen. As soon as they take to the fringes of the dance floor to try to follow along, the wait for disaster begins. It's only a matter a time before the balance games is lost or a "wardrobe malfunction" occurs. Without a doubt it's schadenfreude, but it does provide a nice diversion to the evening.
The 'trying too hard' group is next in which people put on everything they think is western. Hats, anything with fringe hanging off of it, all manner of boots, leather everything, you name it. I've even seen people wearing spurs. Spurs. Why in God's name you would put on spurs and then drive to a bar in New Jersey to go dancing is beyond me. The gentleman from last Saturday who inspired the graphic above did not have spurs (I guess they don't make them for Timberland knockoffs), but he was dressed in all the shades of mottled brown that exist and topped off with a dinky brown beat-up cowboy hat with the stampede strap cinched underneath his chin. He looked like the guy in charge of pony rides at a little kid's birthday party.
Mercifully enough, I never went through the awkward garb phase since (1) I had enough sense to not try for every country western cliché garb I could think of and (2) I had The Fiancée to
glare guide me along with my wardrobe choices. I started out in shorts, Chucks, and t-shirts and graduated to jeans, boots, and button-down shirts. I don't wear a cowboy hat since any arms moves over the head are that much tougher and it can get pretty hot under there. Eventually, I'm sure my wardrobe will slowly convert to serve this dancing lifestyle.
From my own experience, I can tell what these groups are expecting: twangy songs about girlfriends leaving, dogs dying, and pick-up trucks; people stiffly moving in square dance-like moves; and perhaps a glimpse of someone whittling in the corner or playing a jug. I know what they are expecting because it was what I was thinking when I first went (well, basically that line about twangy songs). I can remember sitting there watching The Fiancée dancing to some contemporary country songs. Then, suddenly, there was a Backstreet Boys song. And there was a specific dance choreographed to that song. As the nights have gone on, they play songs by artists like V.I.C, Cee Lo Green, LMFAO, and Maroon 5. There is still a good amount of country music, but it's the insertion of other genres that makes it fascinating to me as a cultural mashup. It's fun to watch their faces when those tunes come on for it gives me an idea about what my face looked like when I first experienced it.
Invariably, the unspoken peace between the tourists and the regulars will be usurped by the entry of the former onto the dance floor. I'd liken it to cubs crossing over into the territory of an established lion pride. They were safe at the bar, the booths, the high-top tables, and even the edges of the dance area. But by entering the dance floor area, the aforementioned rules come into play and are enforced both nicely and, for lack of a better phrase, not-so-nicely. It's not guys like myself that they should be worried about (even though I've come pretty close to running people over and deservedly so) but the ladies who are the true enforcers on the field. While tolerance is given for those trying and not disrupting the floor, patience is measured and finite. One time I saw a woman deliver a hip check to a drunken stumbling bride that would make the Broad Street Bullies look at each other and say, "Damn." You can try to keep up (indeed, people will help out), but if you keep getting in the way, you're toast.
As they say, the beat goes on, last week's tourists are out the door, and next week will be the same regular faces with the possibility of new outsiders to entertain us. It feels good to be a regular at something again, even as I wonder how long I can keep it up once family life makes an appearance. For now, I'll enjoy the time I have been afforded and try to soak it up as much as possible. But I'll admit it's hard to wait for the next dance night.