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How to Land the Best Post MBA Job
The career advice on this site is primarily aimed at helping current students of MBA programs get the right job upon completion of their degree. However, the information here will also be of value to those who have recently graduated or who are seeking to change careers. In addition to reading the articles on these pages, students should also consult the career advice office of their school, whether past or present.
When should MBAs start to apply?
If you are near the start of an MBA program or even of your final school year, don't start applying for specific jobs straight away -- few organizations will offer you a job to take up at a much later date. As a general rule, the end of your program should be in sight before you start applying -- organizations will want to know how you have performed in the program, as reflected in your grades and references from professors who know you. Generally, 6 months before the end of your program is about the right time to start applying.
If your school organizes recruitment "fairs," then find out when recruiters from organizations will be visiting your school and make sure you apply for any specific jobs that you are interested in before these begin.
Where should MBAs apply?
You need to research the organizations, first to identify ones that might interest you, and then to prepare for your application and any subsequent interviews.
Read the business sections of local and national papers and business magazines to find employers of interest to you. You can search job listings online, in your social or professional networking groups, or even ask your professors for advice. Don't limit your focus to companies that are advertising job openings – many times, good jobs never get posted.
Once you have identified your target companies, it's time for in-depth research. Familiarize yourself with the company website, and consult with a research librarian about what resources might be useful to you. Again, see if anyone in your personal or professional network is connected to the company, and also explore your school's alumni network. You may wish to create a dossier on each company to organize your research.
Look for information including:
- The company's size, location and ownership
- Its growth and profitability record
- The professional and academic background of senior staff
- Whether they invest in their workers and their professional development
- Inside reports on how the company functions, including criticism
- Who their competition is
What position should an MBA apply for?
Often you will have to decide what job, or what type of job, to apply for in the organization you have chosen. However, if you have little or no work experience, an organization may consider taking you on for some initial training before placing you in a position.
When you decided on your career path, you should have assessed your strengths and weaknesses. You want to use your strengths in the job – and they are what will help you sell yourself to the company – but you will also need to acquire new skills in each job you have, in order to strengthen those weaknesses and advance your career. So in choosing jobs to apply for, you should strike a balance between familiarity and challenge.
MBA Job Search Tips
- Keep an eye on what the others are doing. If your classmates are all applying for jobs, don't wait to follow suit – they're your competition!
- Manage your schedule. Corporate courtship can be a time-consuming process. Potential employers may expect you to meet with them several times, so try to avoid having to prep for interviews and final exams and papers at the same time. You know what your deadlines and critical times are -- external organizations don't!
- Aim high, not low. An organization may offer you a job slightly below what you applied for -- but will rarely offer you one above.
- Know what the job will do for you as well as what you can bring to the job
- Understand exactly what the job involves – if necessary, ask.
- Find out whether it is a new job or what happened to the previous person who held it.
- Talk to people who have done this type of job before for an inside perspective.
Executive Search & MBA Recruitment Firms
If you are qualified for upper management positions (not necessarily executive level) and have a specific set of unusual, in-demand skills, you might do well to work with an executive search or headhunting firm. Many top jobs, in particular, are not advertised. Instead, recruiters often rely on word of mouth and professional networks to identify promising candidates for a job opening or new position.
Executive-search firms tend to specialize, so you should find the ones that specialize in your sector of the business world. Often they'll post job vacancies on their websites, which is a good way to gauge whether a firm is a match for you.
Leverage your connections
But if you've reached this level in your career, most likely you know people who know people, as they say. Reach out to your professional network to identify recruiting firms that do business with your targeted companies. Try to get specific contacts at these firms, as you would for a company where you're applying for a job. You can also meet headhunters at industry conferences.
Then write to your contact with a cover letter and resume, as with a job application. Unlike the job app, however, you're not discussing a specific position but rather your professional goals. Try to be as specific as possible about the kind of position you hope to obtain, and show how your experience would make you a good candidate for this type of job.
But remember, although a recruiter can be a middleman between you and a hiring company, they are not your career coach. Do not indulge in soul-searching about your career path or express any negativity -- you're still selling yourself.
How to Write Your Resume/CV
Your resume or Curriculum Vitae will be the most important document you will prepare in your search for a job - it's worth spending some time to get it right.
When writing a CV/resume, write it for a specific job and use language that they will recognize (look at their web page - look for key phrases - eg 'adding value' and use them sparingly in your resume/CV). When writing, start with an Objectives section, ie what job or type of job you seek, then put it in chronological order - most recent things first. Remember to be concise and precise and keep sections/paragraphs short. Focus on the company's needs - not yours. Say what and how you can contribute while identifying your achievements. Focus on results, not responsibilities and give specific examples - eg managed project X over Y months to achieve Z.
Resume writing guidelines-
- Write, or at least tailor it, for a specific job if possible.
- Do a draft then develop it. Show it to people and ask them what it says about you and how clearly it says it.
- Start early - well before the time to make applications. (Your CV will not change very much during your program - excepting that you may wish to list any electives you decide to take in your program, and you will have lots of things that must be done later).
- Make it a good looking document - check all spelling, grammar, syntax, layout etc. and do not use fancy designs, clipart or humor.
- Keep it third person - don't use 'I'.
- Tell it 'like it is' - don't exaggerate, lie or conceal anything, and don't be vague.
- The more senior the position that you are applying for - the more details you will be expected to provide.
- Follow any specific instructions - don't send standard CVs.
- Write it yourself- don't get someone else to do it for you.
- Always send your resume/CV with a cover letter - and be clear about the purpose of each (see section on cover letters).
- Give basic details of your last salary - but only if recent and relevant.
- If possible - put the key points at the beginning of a section.
- Send a top copy - not a photocopy.
- Differentiate yourself - don't fold and post your resume - send it in a bigger envelope.
- Don't list referees unless you have been asked for them.
- Make it action oriented - ie what you 'managed', 'developed' etc.
- Keep biographical/personal details to a minimum.
The Importance of the Cover Letter
Always send a cover letter with your resume. It's a chance to fill in the blanks left by your resume, and to impress the person reading it -- a recruiter or hiring manager -- with your passion, drive and abilities.
Like your resume, each cover letter should be tailored to the company and the job to which you are applying. Even if you are applying to the same type of job at several companies, every workplace is different. You need to convey your understanding of the company's goals, and how you can help them meet those goals. But while you don't want to use one standard letter for all job applications, there will doubtless be similarities among them. You just may want to alter which aspects of your experience you highlight, and add in some recent developments at the company that might be relevant. This also shows the person reading it that you genuinely are interested in this specific position.
How to write the cover letter opening, salutation and introduction
In the old days, everyone would advise you to send a cover letter and resume directly to the hiring manager, using whatever resources you could to find out his/her name and direction. This is still good advice, but many companies today request that applicants submit their resume and other documentation through the company website. In that case, you have no idea who will be reading your cover letter. Dear Hiring Manager is a good generic salutation. You should still, however, make an effort to find the specific hiring manager or recruiter for that position and email him or her directly with the text of your cover letter and your resume attached to the email.
Space is limited (a cover letter should never be more than one page, and preferably just 3-4 paragraphs), so just briefly state the job you are applying for (including the job title and a reference number, if there is one) and how you heard about it -- if you have a personal connection to the company, like a friend or former colleague working there who might speak well of you, this is the place to mention it.
To drive home the message that you would be the perfect hire for this company, scrutinize the job description. What are the key attributes or skill sets that they are looking for? Don't just parrot statements from your resume (like "I am proficient in Microsoft Powerpoint"), but describe achievements that illustrate how you fit the profile.
Conclude by thanking the hiring manager for taking the time to read your application, and say that you look forward to hearing from them. Make sure to check spelling, grammar and layout. The letter should also be in the same font as your resume.
When to Use Letters of Recommendation
At some stage you will need to give the names of some people who will provide references on you. In general you need not give the names until you are asked for them - but you do need to give some thought to the matter before you get to that stage.
References tend to be required prior to the final interview and are used as evidence in the selection decision- or after the interview, and are used as final clearance of a person who has already been selected for the job. A reference will be expected to provide different types of information depending on at what stage the information is requested.
Letters of Recommendation Guidelines and Tips-
- Always ask a person(s) if they will act as a referee for you - never use their name without prior approval.
- Give the person(s) details of the job you are applying for - or outline the types of jobs and the types of organization you will be applying to.
- Give the person(s) a copy of the Resume/CV you are using.
- Choose three or four people with different backgrounds and different relationships with you. Don't just choose personal friends. Always have at least one business referee - and if you have limited business experience - one academic one.
- Tell them if they are to wait until they are contacted - or if you want them to write to someone now - if the latter give them full details.
- If you know at what stage the reference is being taken up - tell the referees.
- Try to choose people who know you, like you, and who will give adequate time to the task ( a very short reference may give a poor impression of you - irrespective of what it says).
- Write to each referee afterwards - thank them and tell them what happened.
How to Ace the Job Interview
An interview can make or break your job application. It is essential to prepare thoroughly, including research and practice.
What to do before the interview
Learn as much as you can about the organization and its industry, the job, the previous person who held that position, and the person or people who will be interviewing you. Although you may not necessarily use all this information in the interview, it will help inform your approach.
Also, practice how you will sell yourself in the interview. Don't assume that your interviewer will have complete control – you, too, will have the opportunity to "spin" your experience and portray yourself in a positive way. Think of your "brand" message (i.e. an innovative manager who successfully shepherds through game-changing products) and examples from your work history that support it.
Make sure to know your weak points and how to package them in a positive way – typically, as a learning experience. Perhaps you made a big mistake, but that drove you to take a different approach for the future. Also be prepared to demonstrate how you have handled difficult situations in the past – break down your anecdote into problem, solution, and result.
Prepare some questions of your own, perhaps based on your reading about recent developments at the company. You'll also want to know the key priorities for a person in this position – and if you get the job, keep those in mind so you can effectively manage upwards.
What to do the day of the interview
- Dress appropriately
- Arrive on time, and preferably early
- Treat everyone (even the receptionist) courteously
- Be professional, but relaxed.
- Make sure to bring several copies of your resume in a hard-sided folder.
- Never criticize a former employer.
- Focus on your brand, and sell, sell, sell!
- Do not ask about salary, and try to avoid stating your preferred salary. It's helpful to gather information, as on a salary-reporting website, on typical salaries for this role at this and other companies. If pressed, you can state a range, with the qualification that it would depend on the responsibilities of the job. Do not lie about your previous salary.
Don't forget to follow up
Regardless of how you feel you performed on the interview, always follow up with a short note thanking your interviewer for their time. This can also be a good opportunity to follow up with an extra tidbit of information relevant to your conversation, or even fine-tune an unsatisfactory response to one of the questions from your interview.
E-mail is ubiquitous and easy, and preferred by many technology companies, but a conventional letter is more unusual in this day and age, and may help you stand out in certain sectors. Whichever method you choose, make sure to get the interviewer's name right (asking for a business card during the interview is helpful).
Employer Tests & Assessments
Some organizations use some form of test as part of their selection process. This is more likely to be the case when many people are applying for a number of similar jobs - e.g. as Consultants, but it can be the practice in some organizations for choosing a candidate for a single job. Such tests might be concerned with assessing Skills/Abilities and Aptitudes, or Personality.
The former will most often be used to assess suitability for as particular job - they may be used to narrow down a long list of applicants. The latter can also be used to choose from between many candidates - but also to assess the match of an individual to a particular job situation - and could be used towards the end of a selection process.
Personality test rarely assess only personality but more usually managerial or leadership style, behavioral traits etc.
There are only a few situations in which preparation for a test is worthwhile. Personality test, test of managerial/leadership style, behavioral traits, etc., will show you as you are. There is no point in trying to appear different. There are no right and no wrong answers. You cannot really prepare for them.
On the other hand tests which have an intelligence component, as well as tests of numerical and verbal reasoning and some aptitude tests do have right and wrong answers -so these you can get ready for. It helps therefore to know what you might be expected to take. If you cannot find out - do some preparation in any case.
Employer Assessment Tips-
- Try to practice some similar questions - if you know what type of test to expect (see section on Reference material for sources of questions).
- Try to do some timed questions - unless you are familiar with this situation eg through recent exams.
- If you are currently on an MBA program - you might ask your Occupational Psychology professor or those involved in selection for the program if they have anything you could try out.
- Relax - e.g. get a good nights sleep beforehand.
Assessment Centers
Assessments are also used by many organizations as part of a selection process. Generally this will consist of one or more exercises or simulations. The intention will be to simulate the situation of the job or the business unless this requires industry/business specific knowledge - in which a quite different exercise may be used > Such assessments might be individual or undertaken in groups. If the latter there will usually be observers who amongst other things will be looking at your interpersonal/group related behavior.
Assessment Center Tips-
- Try to be clear what is required in each exercise. Read any instructions carefully.
- Try to identify what competencies each test is seeking to assess, and how you can best demonstrate them.
- The competencies looked for in managers include, problem solving, facilitating, leadership, objective setting.
- In group exercises, assessors are looking for a balance of such behaviors - i.e. a willingness to listen to and learn from others and also an ability to take charge and give leadership.
- Try not to be too much of one thing and too little of another.
Negotiating the Job Offer
If you are 'in line' for or have been offered a top job - or a very distinctive one - you may find your self in a negotiating position on matters such as salary.
Here are some tips on negotiating-
- Decline to discus salary and conditions until the very last stages - preferably after they have said that they would like you to take the job (Say that you are sure that something mutually acceptable can be worked out - and you are happy to leave such details until later).
- If you are pressed - at an early stage - just give an indication of the salary range that you would expect to be the norm for such jobs - 'from your experience'. Try not to be specific - or to refer to any single figure
- When salary is mentioned - always say that there are other aspects of the 'package ' which are important also. If pressed, refer to incentives, contract terms etc
- When the time comes to fix conditions say that you would like to first 'rough out' the general terms - and not to agree specific things straight away.
- Have some aspects that you are quite relaxed about - that you don't intend to negotiate on - eg notice period, start date, relocation allowances, pension contributions , car etc. Try to get these discussed first - ie get off to a positive start.
- When it gets to the tough things - usually salary and contract period - don't make the first offer. Ask what they had in mind.
- Don't jump at the first offer - even if it is better than you had expected. Ask if they have any 'flexibility'. Try to move it up a bit - but be gracious and don't expect too much. Don't negotiate hard - just enough to get respect.
- If the offer is seriously disappointing - say so. If they don't move - say you will have to think about it and commit to getting back to them in (say) 1 week. If they ask you what you want tell them your mid-point figure.
- If the final offer is worse than you had wanted - but you are still interested - try to negotiate a review after 6 months and get it in writing in the offer letter.
- Try to remain friendly - whatever the outcome.


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BOSTON (Reuters) - Lookout, one of the world's biggest providers of mobile security software, said on Thursday that it has raised $55 million in financing.
The round was led by Deutsche Telekom AG.
Qualcomm Inc's venture capital arm, Greylock Partners and Mithril Capital Management also participated, as did current investors Accel Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, and Khosla Ventures.
Lookout's security software is installed on some 45 million devices running Google Inc's Android operating system and Apple Inc's iOS.
Telecommunications firms such as Deutsche Telekom and Qualcomm are growing increasingly interested in mobile security products because cyber attacks on mobile devices have grown exponentially in recent years as sales of smartphones and tablets have surged to consumers and businesses alike.
Lookout said in a statement that it plans to enter the corporate security market later this year, which would put it in competition with older, more established software makers including Symantec Corp and Intel Corp's McAfee security division.
San Francisco-based Lookout, founded in 2007, has raised $131 million to date.
Reporting by Jim Finkle; Editing by Nick Zieminski

subset: commoncrawl


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Fluorescent Yellow
Made from thermoplastic acrylic resin;
Easy operation by aerosol spray;
Matches well with many types of primers;
Provides films with excellent performance such as great weather resistance, good leveling, strong coverage, fast dry and high build.
- Clean surface thoroughly by removing all dirt, grease, oil, wax, rust, moisture, etc. Cover adjacent areas to protect from spray mist. Use at room temp.
- Shake can vigorously for 1-2 minutes before spraying and occasionally while in use to ensure color uniformity and prevent clogging.
- Hold the can 15-25 cm from the surface to be sprayed. Press spray button firmly with steady and even strokes while moving the can rapidly back and forth.
- 2 to 3 films with 20-40 cm thickness are better. Intermittence of 5-10 minutes between each film is recommended.
- When finished, please keep the can upside down and press the button for several second to release the remaining inside air. Then store it in a safe place.
- Avoid spraying during rainy day or freezing environment.
Content are under pressure and extremely inflammable. Keep away from heat, flame, spark or any other sources of ignition. Keep in ventilated, cool and dry places and avoid strong sunshine. Do not clash, pierce or incinerate the can. Keep out of the reach of children.
In case of eye contact, immediately flush eye with plenty of clean water and seek medical advice.
If there is skin contact, thoroughly wash skin with running water (and soap of available) and seek medical attention in case irritation persists.


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Manning returns to Fort Leavenworth prison
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas (AP) — Military officials say Bradley Manning has returned to a prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve his 35-year prison sentence for giving mountains of classified material to WikiLeaks.
The Army confirmed Manning had arrived at the military prison Thursday. Manning also announced Thursday that the soldier intends to live as a woman named Chelsea and wants to undergo hormone treatment. But the military says it doesn't provide that treatment.
Fort Leavenworth is an all-male prison. Spokesman George Marcec says the staff has some leeway to separate soldiers from the other inmates based on the risk to themselves and others.
He says Manning would not be allowed to wear a wig or bra, and his hair would have to be kept to military standard.


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This deserted pedestrian passageway is usually very crowded. It leads from the subway tube to the Marienplatz. This central subway station is used not only by lots of tourists, but also from the many commuters living in the area around Munich. See a reprojected version of this panorama here.
Munich is the capital of the German state of Bavaria and is Germany's third largest city, located on the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Black and gold - the colors of the Holy Roman Empire - have been the city's official colors since the time of Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor.


text: « All Events This event has passed. Art Exhibition – Manifesto: A Moderate Proposal March 27, 2018 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm|Recurring Event (See all)An event every week that begins at 12:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, repeating until March 30, 2018 Event Navigation « Art Exhibition – Edgar Heap of Birds: Defend Sacred Mountains CGU 4+1 Accelerated BA/MA Info Session » Curated by Ciara Ennis and Jennifer Vanderpool Lenzner Family Art Gallery, Atherton Hall Pitzer College Art Galleries January 20–March 29, 2018 The people have spoken. They have put it in writing. They have created manifestos. Pitzer College Art Galleries has collected these works and put them on display in Manifesto: A Moderate Proposal, an exhibition of the ideas, wishes and demands of scores of citizens with something to say and a need to be heard. It is our current climate of discord that created Manifesto: A Moderate Proposal. It was conceived to give these citizens a soapbox and to amplify their voices. These voices are many. These voices belong to inmates at sun-baked correctional facilities in Southern California and to cloistered scholars at elite colleges. These voices express the ideas of professional writers, self-taught artists and developmentally disabled students. Their broad variety of concerns were harvested by of team of varied volunteers—Andrea Bowers, Olga Koumoundouros, Việt Lê, Ultra Red, Carlin Wing and Jenny Yurshansky—who collected manifestos that are printed on paper, painted on canvas, formed in neon, shot on video and carved in wood. MANIFESTO: A Moderate Proposal is a multitude of opinions hung densely, floor-to-ceiling, in sections that reflect the numerous themes that include immigration, ableism, race, resistance, religion and gentrification. MANIFESTO: A Moderate Proposal opens on January 20, 2018, and runs through March 29, 2018, at the Pitzer College Art Galleries in Claremont, CA. Pitzer College is one of the highly ranked and nationally admired Claremont Colleges that share contiguous campuses in eastern Los Angeles County. A symposium discussing many of the issues raised by the exhibition will take place on March 23, 2018. Funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant, MANIFESTO: A Moderate Proposal was conceived as an outlet for ideas and proposals for the healing of discord in our society and improvement of conditions for all citizens. With the public sphere embroiled in a seemingly intractable contest of us-versus-them so virulent that it has filtered down to a neighbor-vs-neighbor antagonism, it is essential that we reexamine just who we are and what we stand for. MANIFESTO: A Moderate Proposal has joined the conversation. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Related Event Manifesto Symposium March 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Benson Auditorium, Pitzer College The symposium will include panels on immigration and gentrification, workshops, and lectures. + Google Calendar+ iCal Export Details Date: March 27, 2018 Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Event Category: Art Exhibition Website: https://www.pitzer.edu/galleries/manifesto-moderate-proposal/ Venue Lenzner Family Art Gallery 1050 North Mills Ave Claremont, CA 91711 United States Phone: 909.607.3143 Website: https://www.pitzer.edu/galleries Organizer Pitzer College Art Galleries Phone: 909.607.3143 Email: email@example.com Website: https://www.pitzer.edu/galleries Event Navigation « Art Exhibition – Edgar Heap of Birds: Defend Sacred Mountains CGU 4+1 Accelerated BA/MA Info Session »


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Gloveman necessitava di un nuovo design di logo e ha lanciato un contest su 99designs.
È stato scelto un vincitore tra 306 design presentati da 94 designer.
E* (company name)
E* (company name) is a new manufacturer of disposable gloves that are used by food workers when preparing meals in restaurants, schools and other food outlets.
E* (company name) gloves are made to the highest quality standards, provide a superior barrier to protect food from contamination, and are made from technologically advanced polymers.
The E* (company name) product line consists of several glove styles for different applications. (For example, latex gloves are form fitting and ideal for preparing fine foods. Polyethylene, or poly gloves, are looser fitting and less expensive- for where quick glove changes are required. Synthetic gloves provide durability for tougher tasks.) This project is focused on the E* (company name) logo, not individual products.
About E* (company name): We are a new company, but our team has been in the glove business for many years. We enjoy a terrific reputation. We are passionate about the quality of our products and the important role we play in preventing foodborne illnesses.
The competition: There are many glove suppliers out there, from large manufactuers to numerous smaller importers and distributors. Quality can vary greatly.
About the E* (company name) name: "Elara" is a one of Jupiter's moons. We just happen to like the look and futuristic sound of it! "Flex" represents the bending action of the hand as well as the flexibility of the gloves themselves.
Our customers include large international fast food chains, schools, stadiums and local mom & pop restaurants. Most foodborne illnesses are caused by poor personal hygiene, with hands being the number one source of contamination. Our customers rely on our gloves to provide an additional line of defense.
We also work closely with food safety experts- consultants, public health officials, etc. These are professionals who can influence the purchase of a particular brand.
A modern design conveying that E* (company name) is a trusted supplier of high quality food safety gloves. Our customers put their brand in our hands- literally.
-Our products are cutting edge, and our image must reflect this.
-There are many glove labels on the market. We need to stand out, yet in a clean and striking way, not cluttered and not busy.
-Logo will appear on packaging, which is typically a tissue-type box (think Kleenex), as well as collateral materials and website.
-Avoid cliche food industry images- forks, knives, chef hats, etc. Does not need to be too literal about food.
-No clip art. Only original designs.
-Nothing cartoony. Although we are fun people, our products are used for a serious purpose.
-Logo must also translate to a black & white and/or grayscale version.
Vector .ai or .eps
Maggiori informazioni su come funziona un contest di design o sui nostri servizi di design di logo.


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Welcome to Lea County State Bank
Chartered on November 2, 1928, during the great oil boom days, the original bank played an important part in the early development of this area. When the hard times of the Great Depression hit, Lea County struggled economically. Petroleum prices fell along with the population and many banks failed. But remembering its commitment to the people, Lea County State Bank persevered in spite of the tough economic times.
Today, we're proud to be the only locally owned bank in Lea County. While we also offer internet and mobile banking, we realize that technology can't replace people. And it's our people that strive to exceed our customer's expectations. Great customer service is what you get when you bank with a local banker.
Thank you for banking with Lea County State Bank!


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The Burbank Police Department has announced plans to begin offering its community academy program -- a behind-the-scenes look at police operations -- for Armenian-language speakers and the hearing impaired.
"Our administration is trying to open up as many doors to the community and trying to include everyone we can," said Burbank Police Officer Joshua Kendrick.
Currently, the department only offers the program twice a year in English and Spanish.
Open to those who live and work in Burbank, the academy will cover the criminal justice system, police training, traffic control, patrol and detective functions, the air support unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics team.
Graduates are eligible to volunteer with the department.
The seven-week program for Armenian-language speakers and the hearing impaired kicks off Jan. 16, and runs every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Applicants are subject to a background check, police said. Applications are due by Jan. 9, but space is limited.
To apply, visit bit.ly/VzT5x5.
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News
Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.


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by Steve Ahern
With the over-65 population projected to more than double over the next 40 years and with the American obsession with sports not likely to diminish, comes the increased prevalence of orthopedic problems and sports-related injuries.
Chestnut Hill residents in need of orthopedic care are in luck, however. The partnership Temple University Hospital (TUH) forged recently with Chestnut Hill Hospital (CHH) has eased the process for people in the area suffering from orthopedic problems. Dr. Alyssa Schaffer, one of the four practicing Temple University orthopedic surgeons working at the satellite office, noted that feedback from referring and primary-care physicians and the close proximity between CHH and TUH were among the factors contributing to the opening of the office in January, 2013, in the hospital at 8815 Germantown Ave., suite 20.
Dr. Schaffer, 35, who lives in the Art Museum area, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University Medical School who has specialties in hand surgery, microsurgery and general orthopedic surgery.
"Market share data reflected that a larger than average percentage of patients from the CHH service area (a half-mile radius from the hospital) were going elsewhere for their orthopedic care," Schaffer said. "We looked at this as an opportunity to capitalize on that trend and offer Chestnut Hill residents the convenience of high quality orthopedic care close to home. In addition, we figured that we could bring the reputation of Temple Sports Medicine to CHH, provide quality care with good outcomes and expand our other services (joint replacement, hand/upper extremity) to the community. We viewed this as an opportunity to supplement and complement the established group at CHH."
Since January, hundreds of patients have been seen and over 125 surgical procedures have been performed, among them hip and knee replacements, arthroscopies, carpal tunnel operations, trigger-finger releases and Achilles tendon repairs. The satellite office also performs joint replacements, treatment of meniscal and ACL tears, tennis elbow, fractures, arthritis and infections. TUH is aligned with the rehabilitation services offered at CHH.
For the last three years, Schaffer has worked as an attending orthopedic surgeon ("orthopod," as she refers to herself) and assistant professor at TUH, where she earned her medical degree in 2003 and completed her residency in orthopedic surgery in 2009, one of only a comparative handful of women to do so.
While women account for 34.3 percent of practicing physicians today (a 44.7% increase since 1980, according to the American Medical Association), the growth has been observed primarily in the specialties of internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry and anesthesiology, among others. Just 4.3 percent of board certified "orthopods" are women, according to data citied in an article on orthopedic medicine in the Huffington Post.
Part of the reason for the low percentage has to do with the myths that have been circulating in the field for decades, among them that orthopedic surgeons had to be strong to "saw through bones" and preferably, former athletes, so they could "relate to the musculoskeletal system," according to Mary O'Connor, an orthopedic surgeon and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.
Schaffer, who was the only female in her orthopedic surgery residency until her fifth year, said that myths of the need for brawn and the alleged benefits of being a former athlete were present when she entered medical school and that they persist today.
"The idea was that you needed to be a 6'5" linebacker to be an orthopod," Schaffer said. "One of the most common questions from some people was 'Do you really think you are going to be able to go the emergency room and reduce somebody's hip? Do you think you're going to be strong enough to do that?'"
Dr. Schaffer may not be imposing in stature, but she is a second-degree black belt who considers herself strong enough to reposition heavy bodies, hold aloft heavy limbs for protracted periods and move furniture around her house. She insists that "orthopods" do not need "superhuman strength" to succeed in the field. "Any woman who wants to can do it. It's more about finesse and having the patient sedated enough."
None of the myths at any point deterred Schaffer. From the time she entered medical school, she wanted to specialize in orthopedics, though she is unsure how that notion entered her mind, beyond the idea as a child that the doctor was someone who fixes bones and puts casts on. "I always liked that idea," Schaffer said.
The new-to-Chestnut Hill surgeon grew up in Clarks Summit, PA, a small town northwest of Scranton. Her father, an electrician for GE for 30 years, and her mother, a recently retired special-education teacher, instilled early on in Schaffer a work ethic and the confidence to achieve anything in life. Schaffer's grandfather, who with her father built the home she grew up in, introduced to the very bright young lady his skills of woodworking. Together, they built toys from wood using drill presses, hammer and nails, a foreshadowing in some way of her work to come as an orthopedic surgeon.
She also enjoys treating complex trauma cases and nerve injury cases as well as elbow fractures. "Those are challenging to put back together," she said. "It's satisfying to take a complex fracture and piece it back together."
Beyond continuing to serve as a mentor for female medical students interested in orthopedics (she mentors two now), learning Spanish and traveling more between the long hours she works as a surgeon, marrying and perhaps having children one day, Schaffer would like to volunteer once again for Health Volunteers Overseas, an organization devoted to improving health care in developing countries, for whom she served a month in Uganda, East Africa, training local health care providers in 2011.
To schedule an appointment with Temple Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Chestnut Hill Hospital, call 215-248-8947.


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Whether by design, by location, or perhaps by pure chance, certain commercial structures are destined to become lifelong places where people like to congregate, regardless of the type of business within. From its origins as Oakland Pharmacy, a popular neighborhood pharmacy, soda fountain, market, and lunch counter, through more than two decades as a renowned music store called Boogie, to an ambitious microbrewery known as Rupert's Brew House, the building at the corner of Academy Street and West Michigan Avenue has long stood as a community gathering place "Where Good Friends Meet."
Designed by noted Kalamazoo architect Howard Fields Young, the striking English Tudor style building at the corner of Academy Street and West Michigan Avenue blends distinctive half-timbering with an ivy-covered brick exterior and steeply pitched roofline to give it a timeless, well established, warm and inviting appearance. Oakland Pharmacy was one of the few commercial structures designed by Howard Young, whose other work was primarily residential. Perhaps that's a clue as to why this building evokes such a comfortable "homey" feeling that remains to this day.
Howard Young received national recognition for his architectural style, and he accomplished much in his tragically short career. His designs include a group of eight Kalamazoo College faculty homes along Monroe Street, in addition to distinctive residences at 2003 Oakland Drive, 1201 Short Road, 2705 Clovelly, 1805 Indiana, 1221 & 1225 Howard Street, and others. Young also designed several notable buildings in Marshall.
The Oakland Pharmacy building was originally designed to house four separate businesses, with street addresses of 135, 131, 129, and 127 Oakland Drive. (These were later changed to 769, 767, 765 and 763 West Michigan Avenue, respectively.) A fifth entrance faced Academy Street. (742 Academy St.) In the end, the pharmacy, including the lunch counter and soda fountain, filled the main portion of the building (occupying the two southern-most sections), while a market occupied the third (center) and a barber shop the fourth (uppermost) section.
Oakland Pharmacy was opened in May 1926 by proprietor Donald K. Strickland, with his partner and pharmacy manager Edward F. Crabb. Strickland, who also operated a drug store at 241 South Burdick Street, often went by the name "Don Stricknine" (a rather odd nickname for a druggist) and was clearly a silent partner, with most of Oakland Pharmacy's day-to-day operations left in the hands of Ed Crabb.
An orphan at sixteen, Edward Crabb worked his way through Purdue University with the hope of entering the medical field, pharmaceutical sales, or becoming a drug store proprietor. With a Graduate in Pharmacy (Ph.G.) degree from Purdue, Crabb went to work as a pharmacist in Indiana before entering the Army's Chemical Warfare Service during the First World War.
After the war, Crabb became a partner in a drug store in Clinton, Indiana, before moving to Kalamazoo with his family to manage Oakland Pharmacy. Crabb became associated with the research department of the Upjohn Company, and specialized in pharmaceutical supplies. He was once president of the Kalamazoo Retail Druggists Association, a member of the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association executive committee, and of the National Association of Retail Druggists (now National Community Pharmacists Association). When Strickland retired in 1939, Crabb continued as a sole proprietor until his own retirement in 1961. Ed Crabb passed away in 1973.
The doors were opened in May 1926, but a formal grand opening was delayed until September to create a strong impact among returning students. Thursday evening, 30 September 1926 was set aside to welcome the townspeople to the new establishment. Friday evening was for Kalamazoo College students and faculty, and Saturday evening was for Western State Normal School (WMU) students and faculty.
In addition to the pharmacy, there was a popular lunch counter where students and townfolk alike could order up a ham, peanut butter, corned beef, or American cheese sandwich for a dime. A cup of coffee was a nickel, and a deluxe tomato lettuce sandwich would set you back a quarter. According to Crabb, "It grew and prospered as the result of only one thing..." He then wiped his hand across his forehead to imply lots of hard work.
The larger storefront that faces Michigan Avenue (129 Oakland Drive) originally housed Rood's Meat Market, operated by Frank E. Rood and his son, Frank, Jr. By 1939, the market space was home to the Stannard Cycle Shop (by then the address was 765 West Michigan Avenue, as it is today). By 1945, an antique store occupied the space, and later a women's clothing store.
The smaller storefront in the far corner (127 Oakland Drive) (far left in the photo above) was originally a barber shop, owned by Hampton Shirley. By 1929, it was taken over by Clarence M. L. Smith (friends called him "Slim") and became Smitty's Barber Shop (by then 763 West Michigan Avenue). Smitty ran his shop until the early 1970s before retiring. The two northern sections were eventually merged into a single space as the original location of Boogie Records.
During lunchtime on a cold and windy Tuesday, 26 February 1935, twenty-five customers—mostly students—were eating lunch and otherwise being tended to by the pharmacy's eight employees, when disaster struck. Ed Crabb sent one of his employees to the basement to tend to the furnace. Ten minutes later, smoke could be seen pouring from the registers upstairs, and the employee returned shouting, "Fire!" "By the time every diner and customer was out and all employees were clear and accounted for," stated Crabb, "the fire had filled the room" (Gazette). Everyone made it out safely, but damage to the building was extensive, estimated at $40,000 (more than $600,000 today). The building was soon repaired, however, and Oakland Pharmacy was again open for business by mid-May.
On Saturday, 18 May 1935, the newly renovated Oakland Pharmacy celebrated its formal grand re-opening. Strickland, Crabb, and the eight member staff welcomed customers back with a newly rearranged interior and added stock. In the spirit of "keeping it local," Kalamazoo labor was employed for all of the repair work and Kalamazoo products were featured wherever possible.
"Finish of the store is now in a silver grey tone, quarter-sawed oak being used for all woodwork. The shelves and wall displays have been so arranged as to give a maximum amount of light and to permit patrons at tables to have a view of the streets."
"On the right of the entrance on the Academy Street side is the candy counter and phone booths, with the soft drink and ice cream fountain extending almost to the east wall."
"The center of the big room is marked by an A-type toilet goods case, surrounded by the tables used in serving lunches and soft drinks. Back of the tables, along the east wall, are placed the office and the kitchen."
"At the left of the main entrance is the magazine rack and the circulating library. Here the patrons will find a small table, cozily isolated, where books may be looked over and chosen without interruption. Tobaccos and the wrapping counter are next on the Oakland Drive side, with package and rubber goods and proprietary medicines on the side and rear of the store. The prescription counter is on the north side, of glass and semi-enclosed. Toilet goods and stationery will also be found in this section of the store."
—Kalamazoo Gazette, 17 May 1935
By the late 1930s, the Great Depression had passed and Oakland Pharmacy, affectionately nicknamed "The Pharm," was back in full swing. Students from "K" College and Western State Teachers College converged for lunchtime gatherings and soda fountain treats. Ed Crabb created special "Pharm Phriends" certificates for his loyal customers, awarding them an honorary degree in "Pharmology" once the necessary "courses" had been completed. These were dutifully signed by Mr. Crabb himself, and certified by the president, "I. Sippa Coke," and the secretary, "Gimme A. Candibar." In April 1939, Donald Strickland retired and Ed Crabb became sole proprietor.
In 1946, the interior of the building was again remodeled and modernized. Life magazine selected the store for a promotional campaign featuring nationally advertised products. Newspaper advertisements of the time highlighted many of the store's products and services; from cosmetics to prescriptions, magazines, fountain pens, vitamins, and last minute gifts. The lunch counter had been discontinued by this time, although the soda fountain service would remain a popular feature until 1959.
In 1961, Ed Crabb retired and sold his pharmacy business and building to John W. Spicer, a Belding native and Ferris State College graduate, who continued to operate Oakland Pharmacy for another sixteen years. After a half-century of operation, Oakland Pharmacy was finally closed in February 1977.
"In its heyday, no one around could touch it for service or beauty."
—John Spicer, Kalamazoo Gazette, 24 February 1977
In 1972, a group of local entrepreneurs opened the consummate hippie record store in the small northern (market) portion of the Oakland Pharmacy building. With its close proximity to Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, plus a vibrant post-sixties local counterculture, Boogie Records soon became an iconic music marketplace.
By 1976, "Boogie" had absorbed the barber shop space and expanded its product line to include clothing and waterbeds. When John Spicer closed the Oakland Pharmacy in 1977, members of the Boogie Family purchased the building and renovated the larger portion to sell music, waterbeds, clothing, posters, accessories, you name it—truly a counterculture general store. The old space next door was later repurposed as a separate classical music oasis called "Bach to Bach."
By the end of the decade, Boogie had spawned a chain of retail music outlets, a chain of waterbed stores, a record company, an advertising agency, a deli, a wholesale music distributor, and quite predictably, a host of imitators.
Boogie continued to grow and thrive, and was listed during the mid-1980s among the top independent music stores in the country by Trouser Press Magazine, one of the leading music publications of its day.
The locals were tremendously supportive; many shopped weekly, some even daily. In an online forum, one former patron freely admits, "I went to WMU from '75 through '78 and practically lived at Boogie Records! Bought a ton of vinyl there... great memories."
And several top name performers made public appearances at the store while passing through the area—Billy Cobham's CBS All-Stars, Uriah Heep, Iron Maiden, The Romantics, The Isley Brothers, The Whispers, Asleep at the Wheel, New Edition and Run DMC, to name a few. Still others happened by, not as celebrities but as music fans themselves, who enjoyed thumbing through the bins in search of those elusive vinyl rarities. Rick Wakeman wandered in while having his stage equipment serviced at Pro Co Sound, Robert Plant acquired an armful of blues records one Sunday afternoon, Joel Bernstein spent an hour or so browsing and chatting with staff before a Neil Young concert, and blues legends Willie Dixon and Carey Bell stopped by one day just to say "hello." Jason Newsted reportedly became so fond of the building that he once considered buying it, and customers from abroad would often remark, "I've heard about this place."
After a series of ownership changes and the beginning of tough times for independent record retailers, Boogie finally succumbed to changing times and closed its doors in 1995.
Following a decade of assorted lounges, cafés and coffee shops, the old Oakland Pharmacy building found a certain degree of success during the 2000s with The Strutt, a popular café, bar, coffee company, brewery, recording studio, record company, and performance venue, which was opened in 2007. The Strutt ceased operation in 2012, paving the way for Rupert's Brew House, a local microbrewery, winemaker and craft distillery, featuring live music and the old "Pharm" catchphrase, "Where Good Friends Meet."
Though perhaps a world away from the days when kids "in bobby socks and saddle shoes dropped by before and between classes, at noon and after school," students and locals still like to gather "at the Campus Corner," just as folks have done in that building for nearly ninety years, to spend some time and perhaps share a locally crafted refreshment. As a press quote once stated, "Every college town should be so lucky."


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April 10, 2009
Box Score (Game One)
Box Score (Game Two)
NORTON, Mass. - Junior Andrea Bagley yielded two runs over 11 innings, and the Wheaton College softball team scored in nine different frames during its 9-1 and 11-1 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) twinbill sweep of MIT on Friday at Clark Field. Game one was decided in the sixth inning, while the second contest lasted for five frames.
The Lyons snapped a six-game losing streak in improving to 13-17 overall and 4-6 in the league, while the Engineers fell to 5-14 and 2-6. In all, Wheaton banged out 25 hits during the doubleheader, while MIT had six.
Bagley set the tone early in game one, fanning two Engineers in the top of the first before her offense scored twice in the home half. Senior Stacey Kelleher ripped a one-out RBI single, and another run scored on a passed ball. An additional unearned run came around in the second before Kelleher and classmate Lynn Cotto cracked back-to-back run-scoring doubles in the third. Sophomore Rachel Merrick followed with Wheaton's fourth straight hit of the inning, an RBI base knock that made it 6-0.
After the Lyons scored on an error in the fourth, freshman Amanda Poplaski smacked an RBI triple the following inning, plating classmate Emily O'Connell. Senior Brady Benton had a walk-off RBI single in the sixth.
Bagley yielded only one hit through the opening 4.2 innings, as sophomore Jessica Oleinik sent a hard single through the right side and narrowly beat Merrick's throw from right field with two down in the third. Bagley fanned eight batters while walking one and yielding three hits.
Poplaski finished 3-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases, and Kelleher was 2-for-2 with two RBI. Sophomore Kristen Hunt went 2-for-3 with two runs, and Benton had a pair of hits.
Freshman Katie Harrington singled home MIT's run with two down in the fifth in support of classmate Jessica Iacobucci, who yielded five earned runs in a complete-game effort. Iacobucci fanned one and walked one.
Wheaton had a pair of big innings in the nightcap, plating four runs in the first and six in the fourth. In the opening frame, Hunt's RBI single put the Lyons on the board before Benton swiped home as part of a double steal. Cotto added a sacrifice fly before another run came around on a miscue.
MIT sophomore Jenny Li gave her team a lift with a solo home run in the third, but Wheaton countered in the bottom half when freshman Valerie Tratner drove an RBI single through the right side.
All six of the hosts' runs in the fourth were unearned, as two errors aided the cause. Sophomore Katy Salka's two-run double was the big blow, while Hunt, Merrick and freshman Staley Salazar each provided run-scoring singles.
Merrick went a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs, while Hunt had a 3-for-3 performance while adding two RBI and scoring twice. Tratner was 2-for-3, and sophomore Marissa Hobocan scored twice. Bagley fanned four, walked one and allowed three hits.
Oleinik was 2-for-2 for the Engineers, while freshman Abby Van Hook suffered the loss, allowing 11 runs, but just four earned, in 3.2 innings.
Wheaton continues NEWMAC play when it travels to Smith College tomorrow for a 2:00 p.m. twinbill. MIT will visit WPI on Saturday for a doubleheader also at 2:00 p.m.


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E language
From Erights
E is an object-capability programming language and platform for writing distributed, secure, and robust software.
E is described by two draft books:
- Robust Composition: Towards a Unified Approach to Access Control and Concurrency Control
- MarkM's dissertation. Explains the rationale, philosophy, and goals of E and related systems.
- E in a Walnut
- Marc Stiegler's draft tutorial book on the E programming language.
E's grammar is similiar to other C languages but its semantics have more in common with various lisps.
- This page is a stub; it should be expanded with more information. If doing so, check the original E web site and the mailing list archives for content which could be moved into this page.


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East Carolina sues Cisco over registered trademark
Jan. 11, 2013
ECU News Services
East Carolina University has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Cisco Systems, Inc., seeking injunctive relief and damages for the unauthorized use of ECU's federally registered trademark "Tomorrow Starts Here."
"ECU has used the mark 'Tomorrow Starts Here' for over a decade, including in national advertisements and publications such as Forbes and Wired," said Chancellor Steve Ballard. "We feel it is essential to take action to protect that defining trademark of our identity and vision."
In December, Cisco launched an advertising campaign using the slogan "Tomorrow Starts Here" as its centerpiece. ECU's complaint alleges that Cisco's use of the identical mark infringes both ECU's federally registered and common law trademark rights.
ECU's trademark "Tomorrow Starts Here" is a university-wide brand that represents an overlapping field of goods and services when compared with that of Cisco. For example, research initiatives through ECU's College of Technology and Computer Science have created products and intellectual property that are actively being commercialized. ECU is also a leader in the field of distance education technology that is heavily promoted through ECU's global online education program using the mark "Tomorrow Starts Here."
East Carolina University is a 105-year-old public university and research institution that is nationally recognized for its technological and software development, preparing family physicians and educators and for its strong performing arts.


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Eight years. I've spent the last eight years of my life as a stay-at-home mom.
The thing is, I didn't quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom. I was pretty happy as a working mom. My two young children spent their days with a lovely nanny, and my husband was doing more than his share of helping out with the kids and the house.
I really just wanted to see what it was like to stay home with the kids-take a few weeks off to rethink my marketing career and re-energize myself as a working mom.
My, how time flies.
Now, a new survey has found that non-employed women with young children at home are more likely than their working counterparts to report experiencing sadness and anger.
This, of course, has me thinking back on my own situation, and realizing … I totally fit that bill.
What My Stay-at-Home Life Looks Like
As a stay-at-home mom with the heart and soul of a working mom, I made it a priority to weave "professional" me time into my busy days filled with housekeeping and child care duties. I found time for freelance writing, and tried to nurture my love of fiction writing.
But no matter how much I tried to squeeze out more time for me, I always seemed to come up short-and found anger and resentment tugging away at my happiness.
The worst part was I couldn't figure out why I was so angry and bitter. I found myself short-tempered with my kids constantly, overreacting when my two-year-old age appropriately spilled juice all over his brand-new shirt, or when my nine-year-old daughter would forget to brush her teeth.
I was frustrated with all the housework that seemed endless, no matter how hard I worked, organized and planned. Sure, my husband contributed to the housekeeping, but it was never enough. Like many couples, we found ourselves playing the "who does more" game, and had to carefully manage the resulting friction.
I didn't have to be a stay-at-home mom. I could have gone back to work. But as I got more involved with the stay-at-home mommy culture (meeting friends at Starbucks for coffee after drop off, helping out during bake sales and other fundraisers, volunteering my time to help out in the classrooms, etc.), I was plagued with the guilt that staying home with my kids was the "right" thing to do. I told myself how lucky I was that our family was fortunate enough to live comfortably on a single income. I should seize the opportunity and enjoy it.
Plus, how could I go back to work in marketing or sales after having been out of the workforce for so many years? I felt stuck-like I was falling deeper into a hole I'd never be able to escape.
How I Hid It … Well
But that was me on the inside. I suspect there are loads of stay-at-home moms who appear perfectly happy on the outside, but secretly wage internal battles with anxiety and depression.
On three different instances I was offered a Xanax by a mom to go along with our glasses of wine while accompanying my child on a playdate. I wouldn't say stay-at-home moms are handing out Xanax like candy-but it's definitely carried around in more than a few handbags.
Fortunately, I never allowed my spirits to fall too far, and I was able to ward off full-blown anxiety and depression when it beckoned. I made sure I went to the gym a few times a week, and hired a babysitter for a little "me" time here and there. I refused to feel sorry for myself for too long, despite the fact that my plan of staying home with the kids for only a few weeks had turned into a few years. After all, I was choosing this.
Of course, there were many days I wondered why I was spending so much time folding laundry and organizing cabinets of sippy cups. After all, I had an MBA from NYU and had most recently held a senior management position at one of the most well-known publishing companies in the world. I just couldn't believe how much I'd changed as a person-from the go-getter career woman that I once was to the tired, bored housekeeper that I felt like I'd become.
The frustration nagged at me, but mostly, I ignored it, distracting myself with volunteer work and other commitments that allowed me to interact with adults and made me feel like I was using my brain.
Deciding to Make a Change
Yes, I love my kids more than I ever imagined possible. I am grateful for each and every 9 a.m. school concert that I was able to attend, every 4 p.m. Brownies meeting I was able to lead and every weekday class trip I was able to chaperone.
There is no happiness substitute in the entire world for making my two-year-old son laugh hysterically as I chase him around the playground, or playing catch with my son in the backyard afterschool. I savor these moments every day and know, without doubt, that these are the childhood highlights that I will look back upon fondly 20 years from now.
But all moms know there are times in life when something's gotta give. When you have to listen to your inner voice that tells you to make a change. To just go for it.
I felt stuck-like I was falling deeper into a hole I'd never be able to escape.
Baby Steps
Of course, change is never easy, and deciding to dust off a résumé and actually send it out with a cover letter was a daunting task, to say the least.
Last summer, I wasn't ready to just jump in full-time right off the bat, so I searched for a "baby step"-something part-time or freelance to get me going in the right direction. After a few weeks of scanning the web for job postings, I found a maternity fill-in position that fit my job experience and skills perfectly-Sales Director at a digital media company.
I applied for the job, got the interview and managed to deal with the stress of how I'd explain the gap on my résumé. I took the questions (and resistance) in stride, not ashamed to admit that I'd been a stay-at-home mom, but at the same time making a point of explaining how I'd kept abreast of the digital media industry and was very enthusiastic to start working again. I knew the most important thing was finding the right employer fit-someone who was able to look at my past accomplishments and realize that I'm extremely capable if given the opportunity.
I was offered the job a few days later.
When that position ended in December, I was a new person. Boosted by the confidence gained in my temporary job, and the surprising ease with which I'd been able to transition back to life as a working mom, I began to look for a full-time, permanent opportunity. My husband, who works in finance and is feeling the squeeze of the bad economy, was thrilled at the idea of adding another income stream.
From Full-Time Mom to Full-Time Job
Now, after eight years of devoting just about all of my waking hours to raising three kids (and after five months and 20-something interviews), I'm trading in my days filled with diaper duty, clothing struggles and mealtime disaster cleanup for a working mom's life of meetings, commuting and occasional missed bedtimes.
Yes, as of this past Monday, June 4, I'm working for a digital media company as a sales director.
Will I be happier with my new life as a working mom? According to the Gallup Poll, the odds are in my favor. In addition to the sadness, anger and depression that stay-at-home moms allegedly feel, the poll also found that employed moms are about as happy as working women without children.
No study such as this would ever convince me that work is the answer to every woman's happiness. It is a personal choice, and one that I'm approaching with my eyes wide open.
Am I excited to start my new job? Heck yeah. Nervous? Heck yeah. Is going back to work full-time really the answer to my ultimate fulfillment and happiness as a mom? Time will tell. I would have preferred to find a part-time job that offered me more work-life balance and the same upside potential and benefits that a full-time position does, but those gigs are about as hard to find as Barbie's earring in a bucket of Legos.
In today's economy, I'm just thrilled to be able to actually land a good job. And, hey, what do I have to lose? If this job doesn't work out, I know my current employer will be happy to take me back.
SEE ALSO: Use financial statements to find out if your banker husband is cheating >
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How Jessica Alba Is Shaking Up the Eco-Baby Industry


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Bishop's Leadership Convocation with Laity 2018
Location: Reedsburg UMC
Download agenda for complete details!
Hispanic Pentecost Emergence Initiative (Friday Evening Panel)
Rev. Forrest Wells, North Central District Superintendent
Rev. Jorge Luis Mayorga, Director of Congregational Development
Rev. Randy Booth, Pastor of Monroe UMC
Rev. Juan F. ...
© 2019 Wisconsin Conference UMC


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Diana DaSilva, NP
Not Accepting New Patients
Education: Felician College
Diana utilizes a straightforward and collaborative approach to health care, giving every patient compassionate and honest insight. She finds that honesty and a judgment-free environment gives patients the greatest benefit to finding solutions to their health issues. In her spare time, Diana enjoys a healthy lifestyle with an emphasis on self-care and stress reduction. She relaxes with a book whenever she gets the chance and stays active with bike rides and ballroom dancing. Diana received her degree in nursing from Felician College and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.


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Jack Thompson Asks Obama For Nationwide Ban On "Killer Games" reproduces a letter from disbarred but unbowed anti-gaming zealot Jack Thompson, addressed to United States President Barack Obama. The letter references the recent school shooting in Germany and, taking a page from the playbook of fellow fanatic David Grossman, repeatedly makes use of the phrase "murder simulator." He also outlines highlights of his ten-year campaign combating violent video games that began after his attempts to blame society's ills on rap music began falling on deaf ears. After a decade of effort, he has finally concluded the only solution is to ban violent games altogether:
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Apple Changes Age Rating For NRA: Practice Range
After feeling the pressure from NY Sen. Chuck Schumer and other NY politicians yesterday, Apple changed the age limit for the National Rifle Association's controversial target-shooting game NRA: Practice Range. The free app was originally rated 4+ and deemed suitable for children 4 years and up, but is now rated 12+ for children 12 and up.
NRA: Practice Range was released one month and one day after the Newtown shootings and has come under fire by many politicians and media pundits who decry it as insensitive.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg had some choice words for CBS News:
It is the height of hypocrisy. If you remember the head of the NRA's speech on television, he blamed violent children's games for causing things like the terrible tragedy in Connecticut. One month and one day or maybe one month to the day, the NRA comes up with its own violent app. I don't know what else to say. I don't know how to describe it. The PR, the stupidity of doing it, is just mind-boggling.
The move by Apple comes just before President Obama's announcement today, proposing strict new gun regulations, in addition to NY State's passing of strict new gun laws. Perhaps this is why developer MEDL Mobile has remained quiet on their blog, choosing not to engage with this highly controversial issue.
What do you think about all this? Have you tried out the NRA's new app? Is it really worth all of the attention? Let us know in the comments.


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October 22, 2010
Custom brush testing
I made some custom brushes in Photoshop trying to replicate charcoal and conte, these are just some early tests put on paper textures. I wanted the brush to act like the side of a conte stick so I could block in a form and still have lots of texture show through.
39 comments:
- justin said...
Very nice, the brushes are looking very successful. The hippo in particular is looking very natural. I think what throws off the other two are the black-blacks. Otherwise the texture feels about right.
- October 22, 2010 4:54 PM
- DSM said...
I always know it's good when I get your 'thumbnails' right off-the-bat. Always enjoy your posts...
- October 22, 2010 5:39 PM
- this_optimism said...
Can i have this brushes ?
- October 22, 2010 5:45 PM
- willipino said...
love 'em
- October 22, 2010 5:48 PM
- dwilson said...
Beautiful work and brushes. I'd be willing to pay a buck or two for that goodness.
- October 22, 2010 6:10 PM
- Dougmian said...
I think these drawings are very beautiful and the charcoal are convincing!
If you want I can send you some brushes I have that remember charcoal too.
- October 22, 2010 6:21 PM
- Shane said...
Those are stunning man... WOW.. Im absolutely blown away by the charcoal feel too.. brilliant!
- October 22, 2010 7:13 PM
- ToueT said...
Hi Andrew,
Those drawings are amazingly beautiful. So much expression! Really nice. You should try Tvpaint software though. I, myself coming from a Fine Arts background, find it's always hard to get that beauty of the paper and charcoal on digital. However, I'm working now on a production that uses that software and the amount of texture and control that you get on your brushes is the closest thing I've ever seen to actual oil on canvas or charcoal over paper. I wish I could show you something, but you know how this things works. :) Anyways, I love what you did with those brushes.
Waiting for you next post!
- October 22, 2010 9:52 PM
- vitalik shu said...
- October 22, 2010 11:04 PM
- N.Hall said...
These are great, I'm going to have to experiment with this too, I love the way conte looks and works.
- October 22, 2010 11:11 PM
- shamil said...
wow ..exellent feel
- October 23, 2010 3:19 AM
- Ernesto y Felisa said...
Wonderful results, I love, It seems a very special charcoal drawings.
- October 23, 2010 4:22 AM
- Juan Bauty said...
Very natural results! i love the cow...
- October 23, 2010 6:58 AM
- Valery Zrazhevskiy said...
Beautiful pictures. And the brushes very well convey the charcoal.
- October 23, 2010 9:20 AM
- Peter Bangs said...
Absolutely beautiful. Wish I understood how to make custom brushes.
- October 23, 2010 9:36 AM
- Joe said...
Impressive results
- October 25, 2010 10:15 AM
- lincoln said...
Sooooooooooo where can we purchase these lovely brushes?
- October 25, 2010 10:57 AM
- Coby said...
You are amazing! I'm in a drawing and comp class right now and we have been using charcoal for weeks now, didn't think I'd like it but I LOVE it. Saying that, I LOVE your brushes and hope they are available some day. Myself and my fingernails will thank you!
- October 25, 2010 11:16 AM
- Scott C. Gwynn said...
These are so fresh! They look really natural. Nice simplification too.
- October 25, 2010 1:10 PM
- RAWLS said...
Nice job my friend! These are fantastic. Looks legit! Hook a brother up!!! :)
- October 26, 2010 4:16 PM
- Marlon said...
Could you share this brushes with interested. For a moment I realized that it was real charcoal. Great studies!
- October 28, 2010 11:59 AM
- Dylan said...
whooooooooooooa i like
- October 29, 2010 2:38 AM
- andrew said...
Thanks everyone for the comments.
justin: You're right, your comment makes a lot of sense in that real conte or charcoal doesn't get that solid black....thanks for pointing that out.
ToueT: thanks for letting me know about that program.
For those asking about this brush, I'm still tweaking it and may release it soon.
- November 01, 2010 9:13 PM
- pbcbstudios said...
these are absolutely beautiful -
- November 02, 2010 7:15 PM
- joe said...
Wooowww! so orignal, so simple, so awesome!
- November 02, 2010 8:12 PM
- abhishek singh said...
love the organic temperament , n GORGEOUS sketches as usual:)
- November 03, 2010 6:42 AM
dont release that brush!! keep it to yourself my friend
- November 03, 2010 11:25 PM
- DrawDoll said...
Wow these are great! I think you achieved what you were going for.
- November 04, 2010 11:33 AM
- Laila Petersen-Jama said...
wow i really think these are awsome;)
- November 09, 2010 1:03 PM
- Óscar del Amo said...
- November 12, 2010 8:34 AM
- .: Tsunnamii :. said...
niiice!! are you planning on sharing this brushes??? Id love to givve them a try!
- November 15, 2010 10:53 AM
- TimSlater said...
You're work is very inspiring yet quite frightening for an aspiring artist!! Absolutely fantastic.
- November 24, 2010 7:14 AM
- TimSlater said...
Your work is inspiring yet quite frightening for an aspiring artist!! Fantastic work!
- November 24, 2010 7:14 AM
- Federico Bertolucci said...
bellissimi! Questi pennelli sono molto realistici..
- November 26, 2010 11:35 AM
- Marcelo Vignali said...
Man o man those are beautiful sketches!
- December 22, 2010 2:49 PM
- Katie Wall (Wallop Illustration) said...
This is a beautiful effect. Has inspired me to experiment more with alternative brushes...
- January 07, 2011 4:34 AM
- Kasey said...
Wow--I covet those brushes like woah.
- April 03, 2011 5:03 PM
- Michelle said...
I love your work so much! Really gorgeous photos and fantastic animal art
- April 05, 2011 3:16 AM
- Don Flores said...
anything happening with that brush yet? I would love to play with it. Huge fan by the way!
- January 04, 2012 5:38 PM


text:
i'm going to try this if i can find a prong collar.
my dog leads me using a gentle leader, and i've heard too many bad things about choker collars.
i've never seen a prong collar in australia though.
On January 29 2008, 4:13 AM, kyliestar wrote:okay, i've just had a look around the web, and it seems that the state i live in, is the only one that prong collars are illegal.
i also read that in other states, that it says that if yr dog is harmed using the prong collar from plunging forward, you used it at yr own risk.
my dog is very dog aggressive, and will do anything to try to get off his leash whilst walking him, i'm wondering if there is any chance of injury with that level of aggression using this collar?
if so, i might try to get a collar and walk him near my house where i can keep an eye out for other dogs and take him inside if any come along.
he's starting private training soon, so hopefully i can work his aggression out of him.
On February 04 2008, 3:15 AM, kyliestar wrote:i had two trainers come in last weekend to evaluate my dog.. and it seems he isn't so dog aggressive as we thought.. he just isn't used to be around other dogs, he doesn't lunge, he just goes nuts and makes the high pitched staffy noise and tries to get off the leash, but they told me they have about 5 other staffys in their class right now, that were exactly the same in the beginning, and now they play together! so im very excited about what the results of the 10 week course i just enrolled him in. it's going to be a lot of work, but i'm up for the challenge! i couldn't stand having to have my baby put down.
oh, and they use the choker chains.. we've got a correctly fitted solid one for him, he starts his training on sunday!
and thankyou katiek.. yr information is similar to what the trainers taught me on saturday. i never thought he would learn so quickly, even the trainers said he was really smart. they said he was the first staffy they've seen that's not overweight. haha.
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Download and install the R70304.EXE Patch for the Axim X3 Handheld
To download the R70304.EXE patch, perform the following steps:
|By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
|The ActiveSync Add/Remove Programs feature will automatically install the patch.
Dell Axim Additional Information
Support Options
For more troubleshooting assistance, click one of the support options below.
Dell Community Forum - Dell Axim Message Boards
Get answers from Dell customers helping each other.
|E-mail Dell
Communicate by e-mail with a Dell Representative.
Article ID: SLN17596
Last Date Modified: 07/29/2010 12:00 AM
Thank you for your feedback.


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VEDIT Forum
VEDIT Technical Support
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Vedit Startup Folder
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open cur_dir as a windows folder
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Lampert-Zieimsk Concatenation Shortcu.
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Most traditional means of observing the ocean have their limits. Research ships and submarines must return to port. Robots and moored instruments run out of battery power. Satellites have stamina but their view does not penetrate into the depths. Ships and subs can carry only a few scientists at a time, and never into dangerous but scientifically interesting conditions such as hurricanes. Consequently, scientists have had to be satisfied with intermittent glimpses of the environment.
The next wave of ocean science will be done full time, and in real time. In recent years, ocean scientists and engineers have been developing new ways to go to sea—and stay out there—without getting seasick. They have been plugging instruments into seafloor nodes connected directly to shore-based labs, and using electro-optic-power cables to transmit steady streams of power and data.
At locations such as the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO) operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, researchers have staked out a parcel of ocean and are observing it with 24/7 vigilance, with the potential to do so for years. They can continuously measure what is happening on the sandy ocean bottom, in the water column from the seafloor to the surface, and in the air above it. And they can do it while sitting at their desks. Thanks to the cables, data from the sea are freely available on the Internet in real time to an unlimited number of scientists.
Unconstrained by time, space, and foul weather, scientists are starting to use coastal observatories to move past the snapshots of ocean processes, the restricting "befores" and "afters" that do not allow them to learn what happened in between. Now they can illuminate processes. How do storms rearrange shorelines and seafloor sediments? What is exchanged at the interface between air and water, and how does it affect coastal weather? Why do currents change seasonally? How do environmental changes affect plankton at the base of the marine food chain?
Built in stages since 2000 on the south shore of Martha's Vineyard, MVCO provides a natural laboratory to study key coastal processes in the North Atlantic. Permanent and project-specific instruments have measured the motion and strength of currents, the movement of sediments, the cycles of microscopic plants and animals and the bottom-dwelling creatures that eat them, the exchange of gases and aerosols between the ocean and atmosphere, and coastal meteorology.
Just 90 minutes from Woods Hole on WHOI's coastal research vessel Tioga, MVCO is exposed to the open ocean and a wide range of conditions, including energetic tides and surface waves, and winds ranging from dead calm in summer to intense storms in fall and winter. In a seasonal rhythm, offshore waters become stratified in summer, with warmer surface waters atop denser, colder waters; in winter, the water column becomes homogeneous again.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution shared the costs to build a small, inland shore lab, a 10-meter mast with meteorological instruments at the ocean's edge, and a seafloor node 12 meters below the sea surface and 1.5 kilometers from the shore. Cables connect the sensors at the mast and sea node to computers and communications devices in the shore lab.
In 2002, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) provided support for the design, construction, and deployment of an Air-Sea Interaction Tower (ASIT) about 3 kilometers from Martha's Vineyard. The tower stands in 15 meters of water and extends 22 meters above the water line into the atmosphere. It is connected through its own fiber-optic cable to the shore lab.
The node and tower act as scaffolding and "extension cords," allowing scientists to install instruments in the coastal environment, then return home to collect data over the Internet. If equipment fails, they can quickly detect the problem and go fix it.
In addition to long-term, continuous, and easily accessible streams of data, coastal observatories provide other advantages. Structures such as MVCO can allow scientists to chronicle the processes at work during extreme events that were previously difficult to study.
For instance, scientists have spent decades making shipboard expeditions to measure how the air and sea exchange heat, water, gases, and momentum. But they have learned little about what happens when wind speeds exceed 40 to 50 knots because no ship captain will intentionally cruise into a hurricane and risk lives to make such measurements. Even in less extreme circumstances, the natural movement of a research vessel leaves scientists wondering how much of what they measure is real and how much of it is "ship noise."
Coastal observatories also can help engineers who are developing and testing new instruments. For instance, researchers working on power-hungry, advanced sensors have plugged into MVCO to test the effectiveness of their instruments without the power limits of batteries or the time limits of ship-based expeditions.
Today, WHOI scientists and engineers are working with colleagues from around the country, using MVCO for a variety of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research projects. These have included:
With initial experiments underway and some lessons already learned at MVCO, WHOI scientists and engineers are making plans to improve and expand the facility.
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other robotic vehicles will likely play an important role in future studies at MVCO and other ocean observatories. Researchers can use observatories as remote ports from which they can launch these vehicles into inaccessible regions and extreme conditions. Equipment is already being tested to allow AUVs to download data and recharge their batteries at underwater nodes.
WHOI researchers are also working with colleagues at other institutions to create a network of coastal observing systems extending from the Gulf of Maine to Florida. By linking observations of several observatories along the East Coast, researchers will be able to develop a clearer picture of the long-term cycles and processes at work in the northwestern Atlantic. From hurricanes to migrating marine life to eddies spinning off from the Gulf Stream, coastal observers will be able to track developments in the ocean from start to finish and season to season. The result will be a more precise view of everyday life in one of the world's oceans.
The Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO) allows scientists to measure small details of ocean process with minute-by-minute resolution, while also affording the opportunity to paint broader pictures of what is happening in the northwestern Atlantic over the longer term. MVCO includes a shore-based lab and meteorological mast, an underwater node, and a tower wired for instrumentation above and below the water line.


text:
These days online dating has become a commonality. So many of my girlfriends have tried it, and I even know a few who have great relationships because of their experience on the web. Which is why it doesn't surprise me that Teen Mom Farrah Abraham decided to check it out herself. And get this: She says she has a new man now because of it!
Yup, after three days of using a popular website (she doesn't reveal which one), the MTV star says she found a real Christian, a gentleman. Three days.
Let's rap about this for a minute, right? In three days, whether you're dating online or in the flesh, what are you telling a person that sparks your interest in the first three days that solidifies a relationship? The answer: the good stuff.
I'm happy for you, Farrah, but I wouldn't shut down that dating profile quite yet.
The world of online dating is tricky. Because everything comes up roses in the beginning when you're talking back and forth about what you do, where you're from, and the flirtation is constant -- there's little room to talk about the real serious stuff. You know, past relationships, any family issues, that kind of personal mumbo jumbo.
Someone you meet online is worth investing your time in when you can openly discuss personal things like that and they don't go running in the other direction. Someone that takes the good with the bad. Although the bad things may not always be easy to hear, they are what shapes who you are.
For Farrah, I'd be interested if she reveals exactly who she is. Think of it this way: For someone who has never seen Teen Mom, it's easy for Farrah just to be some pretty girl from Iowa instead of someone who has aired out their entire life on MTV. Farrah comes with a LOT of baggage, which I'm sure would make a LOT of men hesitant. I guess only time will tell what happens for Farrah, but hey, everyone deserves to find love, even MTV stars.
Have you ever used online dating? Has it worked for you?
Image via MTV


text:
Pre-Owned: 2005-2014 Nissan Frontier
A solid used mid-size truck
For many truck buyers, the Nissan Frontier is the ideal size pickup. This long-lived second generation, codenamed D40, went up a notch from the compact first generation to midsize, along with most of its competition. The Frontier is well liked for its everyday usability, as well as how easy it is to drive and maneuver. A double-wishbone front suspension, with a solid axle and overslung leaf springs at the rear, results in a comfortable ride on most road surfaces.
There are no surprises in its construction. The body sits on a fully boxed all-steel frame, with the hardware tucked in and up to bring ground clearance of 8.9 inches for four-wheel-drive versions, while rear-drive models have 8.6 inches. Nissan has kept things simple with just King Cab and crew cab configurations. The King has a 73.3-inch bed whose cargo volume is 33.5 cubic feet. The Crew, with four conventional doors, usually has a 59.5-inch bed, with a cargo volume of 27.1 cubic feet. From 2007, though, the crew cab could come with the longer bed. In either cargo area, there's a factory applied spray-in bedliner complemented by the company's Utili-track tie-down system.
The smallest of the two engine choices is a 2.5L four, initially making 154 hp at 5,200 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. This engine is available only in rear-drive King versions and is capable of returning 19 mpg city, 23 mpg highway using the stock five-speed manual. Subtract a single mpg from both figures for the five-speed automatic transmission.
Most buyers will probably prefer the 4.0L V-6, good for 265 hp at 5,600 rpm and 284 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The difference in performance is noticeable, while the difference in consumption is negligible: 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway with the six-speed manual transmission, with one less mpg per category for the five-speed auto. This version also has a maximum towing capacity of 6,300 pounds (rear-wheel drive).
In 2006, a Power package became optional for the King XE, including keyless entry, cruise, and power accessories. As mentioned above, the long bed was now an option for '07 crew cab models. At the same time, engine outputs were reduced to 152 hp and 171 lb-ft for the four-cylinder, while the V-6 dropped slightly to 261 hp and 281 lb-ft.
A Technology Package option came on stream in '08, featuring an upgraded audio system with an auxiliary audio input, satellite radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted controls and a six-disc CD player. The Crew Cab's tech pack included a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system with a subwoofer.
The '09 model year brought a light facelift and the Nismo trim was renamed Pro-4X. Only available with the V-6, it now included a Dana 44 rear axle, locking rear differential, Bilstein off-road shocks, skid plates, splashguards and white-faced dials.
Extra safety equipment differentiates the '10 model year, with front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and stability control all standard (they were optional before '10). Side-step rails were now an option for the LE trim.
Trim level names for the crew cab were changed in '12 to S, SV, SL (the longer bed was optional on both the SV and SL), although the Pro-4X stayed the same. Fuel economy for the V-6 improved in '13 by two miles per gallon on the highway, thanks to reduced engine friction and better aerodynamics. That year also saw the introduction of the DesertRunner trim with rear-wheel drive, a five-speed automatic transmission, Bilstein shocks (like the Pro-4X), and BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires.
An '09 crew cab V-6 LE with four-wheel drive, the short bed, and the Technology package is valued in good condition at $16,371. A comparable Tacoma goes for $20,613, while a GMC Canyon is $15,028. And don't forget the Suzuki Equator, the Frontier twin that was made in the same Tennessee facility as the Nissan. An '09 RMZ-4 model with a crew cab books at $13,804.
|2005-2014 Nissan Frontier
|Body type
|2-door/4-door pickup
|Front engine, RWD/4WD
|Driver, front passenger, side curtain (optional, standard from '10)
|2.5L/154 hp (152 hp '06-on) DOHC I-4; 4.0L/265 hp (261 hp '06-on) DOHC V-6
|Brakes, f/r
|Disc, disc, ABS
|Price range, whlsl/retail (KBB)
|$5.042/$7,292 (2005, RWD King XE 2.5L I-4), $25,250/$28,406 (2014, 4WD Crew SL 4.0L V-6)
|NHTSA frontal impact rating, driver/fr pass:
|Four stars/four stars
|Too many to list; see motortrend.com


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Inquistadorial Monarchy
|Line 1:
|Line 1:
{{Faction|name=Inquistadorial Monarchy|image=Inquistadores.jpg|structure=Empire|teklevel=[[Tek Level]] 6|influence=Controls the [[Dios system]] and colonies|allies=[[Immortal Alliance]]|enemies=[[Peaches]]
{{Faction|name=Inquistadorial Monarchy|image=Inquistadores.jpg|structure=Empire|teklevel=[[Tek Level]] 6|influence=Controls the [[Dios system]] and colonies |allies=[[Immortal Alliance]]|enemies=[[Peaches]]
[[Anti-Immortal Alliance]]|characters=[[Archduke Valenza]]
[[Anti-Immortal Alliance]]|characters=[[Archduke Valenza]]
[[Prince Vinambre]]
[[Prince Vinambre]]
Revision as of 17:38, 25 July 2014
|Inquistadorial Monarchy
|Tek Level 6
|Controls the Dios system and colonies (100 star systems)
|None listed
|Immortal Alliance
|Notable People
|Archduke Valenza
The Inquistadorial Monarchy
The Inquistadorial Monarchy is a sizeable empire that concentrates its power on their massive mother planet of Dios and its surrounding systems, on the southernmost frontier of the Brittanian League as well as holds some colonies on desolate parts of the Brikverse that are valuable to its economy. They worship their mother planet and regard it as a god. Inquistadores are a highly hostile faction that hardly have any friendly contact with other space nations and are at odds with many of them. This is because of their highly racist ideology and often overbearing feeling of superiority. Peaches, Brittanians, followers of other religions, atheists and any kind of non-humans are amongst their prime targets. Inquistadores are extremely ruthless and are infamous for their outright brutal way of approaching warfare.
Inquistadorial Legions
In battle, Inquistadorial units are known mostly for their tough armour, versatile armaments and firepower but also for their common lack of mobility, an error they are too proud to fix. The Inquistadores' armies are split up into Legions. Typically, each noble house commands a Legion, though various smaller houses may band together for the creation of one Legion, or very powerful houses may even field two or more Legions. The Armada is almost entirely made up out of Dragonhead cruisers and the ground forces typically field many tough infantry units with different strengths and uses, supported by heavy machinery.
Known Inquistadorial military vehicles include the Hyena Frame, the Jackal frame, El Tigre tanks, Anubis speeders and Dragonhead-class cruisers.
Inquistadorial infantry is typically heavily armed and armoured, and often relies on sabres, chainsaws, OTC's, stun blasters, miniguns and heavy machine guns as well as various weapons 'borrowed' from other civilizations. The Inquistadorial Commandos, a special elite unit within the infantry, is often seen wielding different equipment from their peers, ranging from power blades to psychic powers and more.
Noble Houses
The nobility is what rules over most of Dios. The Noble Houses are caught in a constant struggle for power, not always putting the greater good of the Monarchy in front of their personal goals.
The most important Noble Houses include:
House Del Montero: an influential House who's main strength is keeping the Inquistadores' military technology up to date. They are essential to fielding the Inquistadorial Legions.
House Valenza: known for delivering the Archduke for five times in a row now, House Valenza is easily the most powerful House in the Monarchy.
The Inquistadorial Monarchy used to be an absolute Monarchy until the King became too dependent on the nobility to fund his war efforts and lead his armies, and they have gradually taken over everything. Now Royalty's true purpose lies mostly on the field of battle and it is there that they have a chance to gain their respect.
Recent History
At the eve of the Immortal War the Inquistadores joined the Immortal Alliance in R. 2,011, despite their reservations about siding with 'barbarous', less than desirable factions such as the VoL or their age-old enemies the Brittanian League. Self preservation outweighs principles with the Inquistadores and they were certain they would be able to gain the Emperor's favour rather than any of their inferior newfound 'allies'. Looking to lay their hands on the resource-rich planets found there, the Inquistadores quickly offered to attack the Neo-Prussian Empire. Along with the Vol and the Brittanians, House Del Montero formed up the 6th Immortal Legion and departed to strike at the young Empire. This led to the Prussian-Monarchial Conflict.
The Inquistadores, having lost all of the High Council as well as Prince Vinambre, who had proclaimed himself ruler, during the struggle, fell to infighting. Civil war began to rage over Dios, and a resurrected Sharane Darkstar was once again dispatched to bring them back into the fold, to restore order and ensure the Inquistadores' support to the Immortal Alliance. However, even before Sharane's arrival, external forces had already begun to help the disintegration of the Monarchy along. These forces were quickly identified as Prussian dissidents and Assyrians trying to destroy the Monarchy from within. This conflict led to the Contamination Wars.