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Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I'm No Fun
86 comments:
Blame the system, not the people.
Where's the fun in that? :)
More seriously, I'm not thinking specifically of RPGs but more of movies, TV shows, and video games, which, even when set in the historical past, seem to think dual wielding two equally large weapons is superior to other options, including, as you say, the use of a shield. This baffles me.Shields need to become more effective, so that second-weapons become less advantageous.
Agreed. D&D does a poor job of simulating how important a shield is in hand to hand combat. I know a lot of people like the "Shields shall be splintered" rule... but it's not much better.
TV shows, and video games, which, even when set in the historical past, seem to think dual wielding two equally large weapons is superior to other options, including, as you say, the use of a shield. This baffles me.
Maybe it's a good option when they're light sabres, stunt fighting sticks, or even SCA clubs. That's not much like a real sword though.I infinitely prefer using a shield over two weapons doing reenactment medieval combat.
One thing I don't get to do is the shield bash which would be far more effective than anything you can do with a second weapon.
As for making shields more effective in D&D, that can be difficult as D&D abstracts combat too much to highlight their strengths.
The shield is a parrying weapon like a sword but only better. It's effectiveness is easily modeled in a system that has defense rolls or the equivalent.
In D&D however all that is abstracted into armor class. You could give a bigger shield bonus. Or assign a hefty penalty to AC when being attacked by multiple opponents, a penalty negated by wielding a shield. Also allow a shield attack that knocks a target prone for a round.In C&C rules, I got rid of the whole "shields, depending on size, is effective against only so many opponents in a round." Also, I am thinking of adding the Flame Princess rule that shields give a +2 against ranged attacks instead of just +1. Of course, the shield-bearer would have to be AWARE of said attacks. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteD&D does a poor job of simulating how important a shield is in hand to hand combat.
That's one reason why I prefer Runequest over OD&D - a system with great shield rules. :) Alright, I'll shut up now.
What are some examples of movies/shows/games, set in the historical past, that emphasize two-weapon fighting? Just curious.Hackmaster Basic makes shields pretty important. They add around 8 points to your defense, which is a pretty significant number. Of course, that means you're actually using your shield to block, and thus even a miss is considered a shield hit, and thus you risk the shield breaking and some of the attack getting through anyway.
Holding your shield up to protect yourself from a giant swinging a tree at you isn't really helping you. But get in a fight with a bunch of standard humanoids, and that shield is the difference between life and death.In stage combat for theatrical productions, the Florentine combat style is still going strong.
Similarly, I do kendo, and there is a two weapons style known of "nitō" that has become popular in the last few years. It's very effective, but Very difficult to master. It's not like you can pick up a kodachi and go to town like the popular media would like us to believe. The key to "nitō" is moving both swords at the same time. One to move the opponent's sword and the other to strike.- AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 12:36 PM
We pretty much dropped the rules for two-weapon combat from the DMG because (for people who had studied martial arts and/or fencing) they made no sense. While high Dex would help, the ability to use two weapons was *far* more a matter of training.
So we simply made it a proficiency - you wanted to be able to use a Longsword and a Dagger? "Two-Weapon: Longsword/Dagger" was so noted under proficiencies. The Dex rules came into play if you tried to do so without the proficiency (plus the non-proficiency penalty).
It worked well, and kept it pretty much under control when it came to play balance.
The thing that drives me crazy? The "holding the gun sideways" thing that seemed to have been started by John Woo in his films - admittedly usually with two pistols at a time. But I hate seeing that bit of firearms/marksmanship nonsense...
D. What are some examples of movies/shows/games, set in the historical past, that emphasize two-weapon fighting? Just curious.
There are many, but two that stick out in my mind are the late 90s Zorro movie and that horrible Kingdom of Heaven film. I'd be amazed if people couldn't cite other examples.James and all other old school bloggers,
Please take this on as a personal crusade. I would love for this troupe to die as well. The "old school blogger network" has more influence in this hobby then I think they realize.
I see many topics on this and other old school blogs get repeated and then digested in "new school" arenas. Especially if multiple old school blogs discuss the same topic, then you are pretty much guaranteed to have a ripple effect across the industry.
So get some of those other bloggers to chime in as well and get those ripples going. I expect this troupe to be dead within a year. Thanks.- AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 12:49 PM
@JM - "My issue isn't with two-weapon fighting per se but with two inappropriately sized weapons."
Like dual Chinese Broadswords?
We always treated it with a strong dose of realism (strength and mass of the character) matched to some knowledge that the weapon design itself mattered. I think we all felt like we had enough knowledge to call each other out on an unreasonable selection - not that that ever happened IIRC.
D. "Sheilds need to become more effective, so that second-weapons become less advantageous."--A Paladin In Citadel
How about this?
First, make all shields effective against every attack that the shield-wielder can in any way sense coming, even if just at the last instant before it hits him, and could possibly, no matter how unlikely, use the shield to block.
Second, make all shields effective against every attack that comes from within the 90° arc that the shield faces (left-front or right-front if the shield is held to the side, front if the shield is held in front, back if the shield is strapped on the character's back) regardless of whether the character does, or even could, sense the attack coming.
Finally, increase the AC value of most shields:
A buckler improves AC by 1 point against melee attacks, by 2 points against missile attacks.
A small shield improves AC by 2 points against melee attacks, by 4 points against missile attacks.
A large shield improves AC by 3 points against melee attacks, by 6 points against missile attacks.- AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Dual wielding a bad thing? Since when? People have been doing it for the longest time, swashbuckling pirates, feudal lords wanting to settle via crossed swords, gladiators with nets and a trident. All are factual and prevalent in stories written way before Drizzt and his posse made it a common thing amongst gamers.
Personal preference? Rob Conley: "Or assign a hefty penalty to AC when being attacked by multiple opponents, a penalty negated by wielding a shield."
This is an excellent idea that reflects one of the most important advantages of a shield. Stopping one attack with a weapon of your own is (relatively) simple, but stopping two or more coordinated attacks is monumentally harder with a non-shield defense. I'm adopting this as soon as I figure out what the penalty should be.Fight LARPing convinced me how effective a shield is over two weapons (unless the fighter is amazingly good). Fight LARPs that allow shield bashing have convinced me that the shield should be listed in the weapons column of most games. The problem with a shield in movies is probably that it covers up the actor too much, or that it just doesn't look as cool.
I still like to see the amazing moves with multiple weapon fighting in movies and imagining them in games. I'd just like to see more offensive shield use (hoping the Captain America movie with do this) and I'd like to see armor actually matter, it somewhat annoys me when someone draw cuts (slashes) someone to "death" through armor that would have certainly stopped it. There are reasons for warhammers, maces and picks (though most fight LARPs ignore this part).Dual wielding isn't any more impractical than casting magic spells, so I don't see a problem from that angle. I guess the question is whether you think that spellcasting classes are the only ones who should break the laws of normal physics in your campaign.
Of course I have no problems with disliking it from a purely stylistic perspective, but there's no accounting for taste, etc.Two weapon combat is very difficult, it doesn't provide much of a benefit without an insane amount of practice.
In one of the LARPS I've played all the veteran fighters refer to the use of two weapons by a defender as "goal posts" becasue all you have to do is aim down the middle and you get your goal: i.e. you hit them.
Fighting with two weapons forces a stance that disadvantages the inexperienced fighter.
Few armies in the history of the earth sent in packs of men armed with a melee weapon in each hand, unless of course one considers a shield to be a weapon. That to me is ample evidence the tactic is vastly over-rated.
It can work in single combat but the warrior who trains to be effective is often a one trick pony.Holding your shield up to protect yourself from a giant swinging a tree at you isn't really helping you. But get in a fight with a bunch of standard humanoids, and that shield is the difference between life and death.
But no amount of non-magical (or high-tech) armor would protect you from a giant swinging a tree at you. This actually suggests the shield should be more useful relative to armor instead of less.If you want to see something recent that bucks the trend, check out Game of Thrones. The only time I can recall seeing anyone wielding two weapons in the show so far was when Drogo draws a pair of daggers against one of his lieutenants. I especially liked that they maintained Syrio Forel's fighting with a single wooden sword against the Lannister soldiers, even though his style is similar to Italian style fencing. There are some people involved with visual media that are keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteIn movies and art, I hate the sword worn on the back with the hilt projecting over the shoulder. If you're not actually a ninja in the act of climbing a wall, nobody did that.
It's impractical. The hilt catches on stuff, if it's not a very short blade, its difficult to draw,etc...
The only other example I can think of is carrying a large two hander directly to a battle. Even then they'd shrug off the scabbard and then draw the sword, leaving the scabbard behind.Even in movies two gun combat is plain stupid 90% of the time. As far as I know only the Soviets ever formally trained this way and only for a little while as a substitute for SMG's. As soon as they got Stechkins the training stopped.
Now mind its not utterly unrealistic , some people do use this "Macedonian" style but they are few and far between.
In games one PC is fine or an entire group if its their shtick but its something I can do without.
I'd rather see more New York reloads, i.e draw another piece instead of reloading. This is realistic, effective and cool.
For ancient weapons I'd like to see more buckler play myself. For the type of combat most "adventurer" types get into, a buckler is far more likely (they were ridiculously common for 300 years) and practical to carry.
Shields while superior are quite heavy and I don't know about you I don't want to go crawling into a hole or around town with 3500 grams the size of an old school trashcan lid on my back.
Its also great for Hollywood as its shows the actors faces better. They did this back in the Errol Flynn days and once I understood both movie making and the buckler I came to appreciate it.
Its also easy enough to get trainers now, more cinematic and perfectly realistic. Its can have cake and eat it too situation which is niceAs as I can see by looking at middle-ages miniatures - and I had quite a number of XIIIth century books in my hands - I never saw two weapons fighting. But the feature which puzzled me the most is the use of grasping and grappling. Figthters very often use one free hand to grab their opponent while striking with their sword.
ReplyDeletefeudal lords wanting to settle via crossed swords
I'm pretty sure crossed swords means they're crossing their sword with another person's sword. I have never personally seen an image produced in the middle ages that shows someone dual-wielding. I've seen a few early modern ones, but they're usually sword and dagger and I don't think they're what James is talking about.
Two swords would be almost prohibitively expensive throughout most of the middle ages due to the metal required. "Feudal" society was one in which one's class is based on one's ability to own a horse. Imagine then how expensive something that you have to dig out of the ground and then smelt would be.
The gladiator example isn't bad, but you must admit a retiarius doesn't use his net the same way a modern action hero does his two swords.
Also, swashbuckling would mean he's using a buckler, which is a shield.Stuart's point about the rear defense is good but D&D also under estimates the effectiveness of armor (and its cost but thats another issue) save maybe vs L0 types.
For the most part mail and plate are quite arrow proof save at close range. There are a few exceptions of course, 1.5mm plate vs close range bodkin , bad manufacturing and such. Even leather and padded armor (linen jack) and such would be a pretty decent defense against Goblin bows and the like.
If they have armor as most PC's do considering weight and bulk and such, well 7-15 lbs of shield is too much for the loot and scoot crowd to carry. magic shields exempted of course
As a note I do like specialized gear. For example a I do suspect that "delvers" helmets might be a bit like a combat version of a miners helmet equipped with neck guard like a lobster back.- AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 6:24 PM
I only let players dual wield if they can explain why their character would be able to do it. Berzerks for example, and not just a barbarian.
Even Conan used shields.
http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/savage-sword-of-conan/1-3.jpg Trite huh? Tell that to Clint...
James, y'know I love ya but...seriously? Why does it bug you. If I can kill bad guys with one gun, I can kill more with two guns. Duh.
Fafrhd and Gray Mouser were known to use two weapons on occaision. Conan never did?
I don't know man. This one I just don't comprehend. I could see you being sick of it being over used but I honestly didn't even realize it was 'a thing'.I prefer dual wiedling ... that is, twin clones of Jane Wiedlin in her prime.
How about this simple solution ... shield bash is like a second weapon, roll d3 nonlethal damage and apply it instead if it's higher than the main weapon roll. A "second chance" damage roll is how I handle the off-hand dagger in my game, anyway.- AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 8:20 PM
The "holding the gun sideways" thing that seemed to have been started by John Woo in his films
Nope! John Woo definitely popularized the two pistol motif (along with general gun-fu/ballad stuff), but the sideways pistol bit originated with American action movies. Dual wielding a bad thing? Since when? People have been doing it for the longest time, swashbuckling pirates, feudal lords wanting to settle via crossed swords, gladiators with nets and a trident. All are factual and prevalent in stories written way before Drizzt and his posse made it a common thing amongst gamers.
My beef is with dual wielding two large weapons or two handguns, not with a sword and a dagger or anything similar.Dual wielding isn't any more impractical than casting magic spells, so I don't see a problem from that angle. I guess the question is whether you think that spellcasting classes are the only ones who should break the laws of normal physics in your campaign.
Well, there's no magic in the real world, but there are swords. We know how swords work and how best to use them effectively in combat, so changing their operation for a fantasy setting involves more suspension of disbelief than magic, in my opinion.Trite huh? Tell that to Clint...
Does Blondie ever actually use two guns at one time? It's been a while since I watched any of the films, but my recollection is that he does not.
Fafrhd and Gray Mouser were known to use two weapons on occaision. Conan never did?
The Twain sometimes used swords and daggers, which is reasonable. They never used two swords that I can recall. Ditto for Conan.James, just wanted to point out that Escrima is a multi-weapon system that trains with sticks, but uses the angles and techniques with a variety of weapons, ranging from the open hand and (especially) knives to the aforementioned dual swords. Many (though not all) of the techniques can be applied to most weapons.
ReplyDeleteShuang dao (double broadswords) looks like a serious martial arts style, so it's apparently possible to fight with two full-sized melee weapons simultaneously--provided that you're in a dueling situation. I suspect that much of the duel-wielding on display in modern media is the result of Asian cinema influence.
That said, sword-and-board is actually quite a viable style in 4E: one of the best fighter At-Wills is Tide of Iron, an attack-and-move that requires a shield to carry out.Shields are only undervalued in d&d if you don't allow them to provide partial cover against missile weapons.
I follow the Chainmail rule of partial cover which reduces the number of hits by 1/2. So 2 arrows in a round, both would have to hit the players AC and then I would roll only 1d8 dmg.
The above plus the shields shall be splitered rule makes shields almost too
good.Only comment is every John Woo movie I can think of has the hero jumping in slow motion with two pistols blazing. I didn't really see the trend in movies until I saw John Woo's Killers in 1995/6? After that it was in most every action movie I saw (Grosse Point Blank, Broken Arrow, etc...). BTW, Killers is an amazing movie.
ReplyDeleteIIRC, in Miyamoto Musashi's [I]Book of Five Rings[/I] the author told his students to hold short-swords in their off-hands simply to keep them from using both hands on their main swords.
Dual-wielding is cool insofar as one has to be ambidexterous, super-strong, and insanely skilled to make an off-hand weapon as effective as a boring old shield. In limited situations, e.g. thin swords and daggers only, blocking with a smaller weapon might work, but armies throughout the world found shields far more effective until the advent of accurate gunfire.But, unless I'm badly mistaken, eskrimadors mostly fight with sticks and knives, not large swords.
It depends on what you mean by "knives". Bolos look like they're the equivalent size of the Malay parang, which would between 30-40 cm, which would be, what, a short-sword? A gladius?
I mean, double-wielding at 40-cm blades would be reasonable, I guess, and arguably, those are, probably, geez, what's the minimum length for a blade to be called a sword again?
@BigFella LOL, I knew someone was gonna bring up Roronoa Zoro.
My understanding of dual-wielding firearms was that you either didn't have rapid-fire weapons, or reload times were so long that you might as well not bother with it and just have a secondary (and tertiary) gun ready.
So dual-wielding makes sense for revolvers without speed-loaders, muskets and the like, or you wanted to provide covering fire and you didn't have a SMG. But that's it.
...although Equilibrium is still awesome, after all these years. SHUT UP I LIKED IT.- AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 12:34 AM
Has James revealed the guilty movie yet, or are we still in speculation phase? My guess: Solomon Kane. I'm watching it right now, and Solomon is totally dual wielding all over the place, stabbing people without looking at them, walking in slow motion from exploding witches, you name it.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 1:03 AM
Re: shield appreciation, in the epics of world literature, there were LOTS of magic shields and named shields and shields with special magical designs on them. Only when you get to the eras of plate armor, etc., do you have people in stories not being particularly enthralled with their awesome shields and the awesome tricks they could do with them.
ReplyDelete "It could be far worse. Dual Dual Wielding for the four armed hero."--Anathematician
In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas gave us a four-armed, quad-wielding villain -- General Grievous.I agree that shields are undervalued in D&D -- but the armor categorization pattern is such a basic, core assumption that I can't bring myself to change it. And all of the situational modifier tinkering is too complicated, IMO. So it's a bridge I can't cross with D&D.
That's pretty much my opinion, too, which is why I've never bothered trying to seek out or create house rules to correct this problem."I agree that shields are undervalued in D&D -- but the armor categorization pattern is such a basic, core assumption that I can't bring myself to change it. And all of the situational modifier tinkering is too complicated, IMO. So it's a bridge I can't cross with D&D."--Delta
You can cross that bridge with D&D while neither changing its core assumption about the armor categorization pattern nor doing any complicated situational modifier tinkering. It's simple and easy! Just do these few things:
1. Make shields effective against all attacks.
2. Make shields improve AC by an extra point against missile attacks.
3. In melee combat, in addition to any other attacks a character can make, allow a shield-wielder to make a shield-bashing attack for 1 point + Strength Bonus damage.
Done!- AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 1:43 PM
"1. Make shields effective against all attacks.
2. Make shields improve AC by an extra point against missile attacks"
Yep. That seemed to be the logical solution around our tarpaper shack kitchen table as early as 1980. Sort of mystifying that the shield continues to be a source of consternation. To one degree or another I permit bashing, edge smashes, hurling it like a frisbee, ramming, wearing it like an umbrella to deflect falling rocks and sluices of boiling pitch, you name it. Sheilds are uber. - AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 2:26 PM
I also have shields run from a 1 to 3 ac bonus depending on size.
ReplyDelete - AnonymousJune 8, 2011 at 4:20 PM
"(2) Counts as too complicated."
Ha, I've used that house rule for 30 years. If only I'd known.
"(3) Not really addressing the defense issue."
What, you've never heard that the best defense is a good offense? The thing is, Dove actually contributed a couple of ideas someone could take or leave. Dove 3 to nil, plus a fifteen yard penalty on kickoff for excessive pedantry. "(1) Fine, but doesn't count as a change in OD&D."--Delta
Sorry, I didn't know that. I stupidly assumed that all versions of D&D limited the attacks that shields count against in at least some way.
"(2) Counts as too complicated."--Delta
Clearly, you and I use extremely different definitions of the word "complicated". Nothing to be done for that though. But I can see how your definition has prevented you from addressing this issue -- and I'm just glad that I don't have that problem.
"(3) Not really addressing the defense issue."--Delta
Sorry, I didn't realize that you're concerned solely about the defensive value of shields. I thought we were discussing the fact that they're "undervalued" in general.
So it looks like you 'win'. Given all the assumptional and definitional limitations that you burden yourself with, you really can't cross that bridge with D&D. I'm sorry that I can't help you.@imago1 -- Thanks for your support!
For anybody who uses the full complicated mess of AD&D1E rules (like I do), here's a bunch of AD&D1E-specific house rules that augment, but still limit, the value of shields:
Shields are effective against every attack a shield-wielder can in any way sense coming, even if just at the last instant before it hits, and could possibly, no matter how unlikely, block or deflect with the shield.
Shields are also effective against every attack that comes from within the 90° arc that the shield faces (left-front or right-front if the shield is held to the side, front if the shield is held in front, back if the shield is strapped on the character's back) regardless of whether the character does, or even could, sense the attack coming.
Bucklers improve AC by 1 point against melee attacks – and by 2 points against missile attacks.
Small shields improve AC by 2 points against melee attacks – and by 4 points against missile attacks.
Large shields improve AC by 3 points against melee attacks – and by 6 points against missile attacks.
In melee combat, in addition to any other attacks a character can make, a shield-wielder can make 1 shield-bashing attack each round against 1 opponent the same size-class as the shield-wielder.
(Shield-bashing a smaller size-class opponent is too awkward. Shield-bashing a larger size-class opponent is ineffective.)
To shield-bash without a Non-proficiency Penalty, a character must have a Weapon Proficiency in the type of shield they're wielding.
Bucklers have a Speed Factor of 2, use the Armor Class Adjustments for Bo Stick, and do 1 point (+ Strength Damage Adjustment) shield-bashing damage.
Small shields have a Speed Factor of 4, use the Armor Class Adjustments for Jo Stick, and do 1-2 points (+ Strength Damage Adjustment) shield-bashing damage.
Large shields have a Speed Factor of 6, use the Armor Class Adjustments for Staff, quarter, and do 1-3 points (+ Strength Damage Adjustment) shield-bashing damage.
And, in addition to all that, I'm now also considering that maybe having a Weapon Proficiency in a type of shield should also mean that you can use that type of shield more effectively for defense too. Probably another 1 point AC improvement. What do y'all think?Two weapon training patterns, train the human body bilaterally, which is good and bio-mechanically healthy. Which is why historically you see "a case of rapiers", double-stick patterns in FMA and the other two sword Forms and Katas mentioned. I currently forget the term but there is a neurological feed back to single weapon fighting that is created. How ever it is skill intensive.
I had a conversation with a guy who has earned the title of "king" in sca and he said some thing about Florentine style that still rolls around my head. "If your going to fight Florentine style, be prepared to get hit a lot."
If I truly felt the need for a house rule, it would most likely consist of giving a two, "larger sized" weapon fighter a penalty to AC, one that fits the type and sizing of mods currently being used in game.There are plenty of two weapon techniques around in real life, but they all belong to niche specialities designed by dedicated martial artists who trained to use them. Even so, generally one weapon was used to fight offensively and one weapon was used to fight defensively.
Still, in D&D, most fighting men use two weapons. One of them is a shield, and there are plenty of offensive tricks that can be used with shields, from bashes to hooks. But you should never consider the shield in isolation, it's really part of a single unified two-weapon system.
[One of the things in my campaign is that only fighting men can use two "weapons." Thieves/rogues can't even use bucklers or off-hand main gauche. Bravos are fighting men, not thieves. But I agree, shields are seriously underrated in D&D. As is the fact that the need to be replaced/repaired after every battle.]
Ricasso smallswords (longswords in D&D) was quite possible, but inefficient. After all, shields make far better defensive weapons. One of the advantages of having two different-sized blades is that it allows you to have two different engagement distances. Normally the longer weapon was the offensive one, but you could press the opponent, moving inside the effective radius of the longer weapons, in which case the roles reverse and the long weapon is used to hinder the opponent's ability to attack whilst the short one can be engage in the unprotected belly.
[That being said there are special katas that effectively make sequenced attacks with one weapon after the other, but they do tend to leave you open. Runequest worked when it allowed you to fight normally (one attack & one parry), offensively (two attacks), or defensively (two parries).]
In a similar manner the shortsword finds little use in D&D, since it is best used in formation (or other tight places, making it ideal in dungeons), and your typical D&D fighter is a warrior, not a soldier. Formation fighting is something else that D&D doesn't do well past the LBB (which effectively borrowed basing standards from Chainmail abd Swords and Sorcery).
Which leads me to my pet bane of weapons use (mainly in RPG rather than other media), and that is people using a two-handed weapon to make epic sweeps, generally against multiple attackers. [Unless you are a giant attacking with an area affect tree, of course.] It's taken me years, with extensive actual demonstrations, to partially convince people that pulling your greatsword back to make a mighty swing, is really an invitation to your opponent to allow him to help you to commit suicide. Plus it negates the primary advantage of the weapon - it's length. It's such a genre trope that they can't believe it doesn't work that way in reality.
[Disclaimer: good armour does change stuff, and many weapons that D&D class as one-handed (such as broadswords) could be used two-handed to help batter a foe in heavy armour. Pendragon is one of the few games that tends to do this right. But it also leaves you more vulnerable, since you don't have a shield any more whilst doing this.]@Delta & James Maliszewski
I thought of another way to make shields more valuable in D&D without violating the basic, core assumption of the armor categorization pattern or doing any situational modifier tinkering. And I think you might possibly, maybe, not think it's too complicated either.
Here it is...
A shield reduces the damage of every hit by 1 point.
That's it. If you're using a shield and still get hit, then the hit does 1 less point of damage than is rolled.
And it occurs to me that the same idea could be used for helmets too.
What do y'all think?"Does Blondie ever actually use two guns at one time?"
He did in the Outlaw Josey Wales, with a pair of Colt Army revolvers no less, while on a galloping horse with the reigns in his teeth.
Chuck Norris wishes he was that tough.
I have a soft spot in my heart for dual wielding pistoleros, due to a love of pulp heroes and anything starring Chow Yun Fat.What's the beef with 2 full length swords?
Just going by extant European historical fight manuals this has been treatised by Manciolino, Marozzo, Altoni, Docciolini, Di Grassi, Lovino & Agrippa (Italy), Swetnam (England), Heredia (Spain), Sutor (Germany) and probably other which don't come to mind at this moment.
This is not to mention fighting with sword and dagger which was incredibly prevalent.
So anyone who says this isn't an historically accurate and effective fighting style is just misinformed. Obviously it wasn't used much in pitched battles because its useless for fighting in formation.
Can't comment on SCA or Larp but I would argue its not even that hard if done in the cannonical way (to grossly simplify one sword forward and low, one high and back), it's the first thing Altoni and Docciolini teach after the single sword. It's only swinging both swords around like Obi Wan which is a) difficult to master b) liable to get you killed inherently ineffective.I'm not against it in all instances. Perhaps its because some of the coolest looking miniatures when I started playing D&D in the eighties featured dual axe wielding and dual hammer wielding dwarves and fighters.
I don't remember the manufacturer, but I loved those and still create fighters and barbarians wielding two axes as my character generation test cases to this day.


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To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It's important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured.
In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. Your surgeon will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" may more effectively meet your goals; or that a combination of traditional liposuction and UAL would be the best choice for you.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing the procedure in detail and explaining its risks and limitations.
Individuals considering liposuction often feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of options and techniques being promoted today. However, your plastic surgeon can help. In deciding which is the right treatment approach for you, your doctor will consider effectiveness, safety, cost and appropriateness for your needs. This is called surgical judgment, a skill that is developed through surgical training and experience. Your doctor also uses this judgement to prevent complications; to handle unexpected occurrences during surgery; and to treat complications when they occur.
Your surgeon's education and training have helped to form his or her surgical judgement, so take the time to do some background checking. Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ("ABPS"). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency – usually three years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be postponed.
Though it is rarely necessary, your doctor may recommend that you have blood drawn ahead of time in case it is needed during surgery.
Also, while you are making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if needed, to help you at home for a day or two.
Liposuction may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, in an outpatient surgery center, or in a hospital. Smaller-volume liposuction is usually done on an outpatient basis for reasons of cost and convenience. However, if a large volume of fat will be removed, or if the liposuction is being performed in conjunction with other procedures, a stay in a hospital or overnight nursing facility may be required.
Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. Together, you and your surgeon will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery.
If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. However, if you prefer, the local is usually used along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed during the procedure. Regional anesthesia can be a good choice for more extensive procedures. One type of regional anesthesia is the epidural block, the same type of anesthesia commonly used in childbirth.
However, some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. If this is the case, a nurse anaesthetist or anaesthesiologist will be called in to make sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.
There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome.
Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon's preference. If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.
Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it's crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.
Women may have liposuction performed under the chin, on their hips, thighs, and stomach, and in the under arm and breast area.
For men, common sites include under the chin and around the waist.
Liposuction may also be used in the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.
Healthy, normal-weight people with elastic skin and pockets of excess fat are good candidates for surgery.
The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced.
Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid — a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) — helps the fat be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.
The amount of fluid that is injected varies depending on the preference of the surgeon.
Large volumes of fluid — sometimes as much as three times the amount of fat to be removed — are injected in the tumescent technique. Tumescent liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, usually takes significantly longer than traditional liposuction (sometimes as long as 4 to 5 hours). However, because the injected fluid contains an adequate amount of anesthetic, additional anesthesia may not be necessary. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or "tumesced" state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.
The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.
Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL). This technique requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique.
UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is needed. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.
Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the physician is adequately trained.
As a minimum, your surgeon should have basic (core) accredited surgical training with special training in body contouring. Also, even though many body-contouring procedures are performed outside the hospital setting, be certain that your surgeon has been granted privileges to perform liposuction at an accredited hospital.
Your doctor must have advanced surgical skills to perform procedures that involve the removal of a large amount of fat (more than 5 litres or 5,000 ccs); ask your doctor about his or her other patients who have had similar procedures and what their results were. Also, more extensive liposuction procedures require attentive after-care. Find out how your surgeon plans to monitor your condition closely after the procedure.
However, it's important to keep in mind that even though a well-trained surgeon and a state-of-the art facility can improve your chance of having a good result, there are no guarantees. Though they are rare, complications can and do occur. Risks increase if a greater number of areas are treated at the same time, or if the operative sites are larger in size. Removal of a large amount of fat and fluid may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations.
The combination of these factors can create greater hazards for infection; delays in healing; the formation of fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death; excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock or fluid accumulation that must be drained; friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves or perforation injury to the vital organs; and unfavourable drug reactions.
There are also points to consider with the newer techniques. For example, in UAL, the heat from the ultrasound device used to liquefy the fat cells may cause injury to the skin or deeper tissues. Also, you should be aware that even though UAL has been performed successfully on several thousand people worldwide, the long-term effects of ultrasound energy on the body are not yet known.
In the tumescent and super-wet techniques, the anesthetic fluid that is injected may cause lidocaine toxicity (if the solution's lidocaine content is too high), or the collection of fluid in the lungs (if too much fluid is administered).
The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after lipoplasty. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even "baggy," especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.
After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
Don't expect to look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.
It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following surgery. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to look and feel better.
Healing is a gradual process. Your surgeon will probably tell you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to 10 days.
Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more.
Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed.
If you have any unusual symptoms between visits — for example, heavy bleeding or a sudden increase in pain — or any questions about what you can and can't do, call your doctor.
You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.
If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape.
The best candidates for liposuction are of normal weight with localized areas of excess fat – for example, in the buttocks, hips, and thighs.
The surgeon inserts a cannula through small incisions in the skin. At the other end of the tube is a vacuum-pressure unit that suctions off the fat.
A snug compression garment worn after surgery helps reduce swelling.
Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.
As healing progresses, a more proportional look will emerge.
A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.

subset: commoncrawl


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Search for Another Muscle Car:
Front End Suspension Master Rebuild Kit Fits 1968 1969 Dodge Charger Coronet
1968 and 1969 Dodge Charger and Coronet.
These parts are Factory Design and will only work with Stock Vehicles.
This Kit Contains All Of The Pieces Below:
Inner Tie Rod Ends, Right and Left
Outer Tie Rod Ends, Right and Left
Tie Rod Sleeves (2 Each)
Sway Bar Bolts (2 Each)
Upper Ball Joints (2 Each)
Lower Ball Joints (2 Each)
Upper Control Arm Bushings (4 Each)
Lower Control Arm Bushings (2 Each)
Upper Control Arm Bumpers (2 Each)
Lower Control Arm Bumpers (2 Each)
Strut Rod Bushings (Standard Design) (2 Each)
Idler Arm
This Kit Also Contains:
The Cotter Pins, Rubber Grease Seals/boots, Zerk Fittings (When Applicable), And The Bolts For The Ball Joints, Plus The Tie Rod Sleeve Bolts, Nuts, And Clamps.
Contact Us:
Please email us prior to purchase if you have any questions.
Payable in USD By: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Or Discover.
Item will not ship until payment has been made.
We will file a non-payment claim for any item remaining unpaid for 3 days.
United States FedEx Ground or USPS Flat Rate (may be subject to additional charges)
All International Shipments must use the eBay Global Shipping Program.
Return Policy Details:
We accept returns within 30 days from date of receipt by customer.
We do not accept returns for any items that have been damaged or improperly installed.
Please e-mail us for a return authorization number and a return shipping address before returning.
A 20% Restocking Fee will be charged on any voluntary return. Buyer is responsible for all shipping charges.


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You're driving along, the sun is setting and there's a cozy warm breeze. You're listening to a song you've heard a hundred times, driving a road you've driven twice a day, every day for years. Your mind begins to wander, you've got a million different things to think about, right?
A task as relaxing as driving makes it just that easy to get distracted in the tangle of everything that's weighing on your mind. Many drivers hear distracted driving and immediately think of texting as the main culprit. Yet a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — using data gathered from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) — found that a staggering 64% of distracted drivers were generally distracted or "lost in thoughts" (daydreaming), as compared to only 12% being distracted by cellphones.
"We all run the risk of having our mind wander while driving." said Bob Buckel, vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. "It is important for all of us to continually remind ourselves that things can happen on the road in a split second, so it is important that we stay attentive while we are behind the wheel."
The Danger of Distractions
Driving while distracted is always dangerous and we highly encourage drivers to remain vigilant, no matter what day of the week or month it is — stay focused on the road ahead. Daydreaming or letting your mind drift off decreases your awareness of what is happening around you and delays response times, making it highly dangerous when operating a vehicle.
The IIHS used the information gathered from FARS to show that the most dangerous days for distraction-based accidents in 2020 were Saturdays in August. Inversely, Mondays in April were shown to be the least dangerous days. According to the data presented, nearly half of all deadly crashes occurred on either a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Crashes occur more often in the times we find the most relaxing, such as those weekend getaways.
The IIHS also compiled their 2020 list of the top distraction types that led to deadly accidents. The top five are:
- 64% – Generally Distracted or "lost in thoughts" (daydreaming)
- 12% – Cellphone usage (talking, listening, dialing, texting)
- 8% – Outside person, object or event
- 5% – Other occupants (talking with or looking at other people in car)
- 4% – Other distraction, not specified
Staying Alert
To help bring awareness to the dangers of driving while distracted, ERIE reached out to Paul Atchley, Ph.D., an internationally recognized cognitive behavioral researcher. Atchley has been studying distracted driving for over 20 years, and he suggested several tips to help drivers remain alert behind the wheel.
- Never replace boredom with a distraction. In the modern world, this is often done by grabbing our phones and scrolling or answering that text you just heard ding. Reaching for your phone while behind the wheel is dangerous. Instead, fill that boredom with a game of focus, such as "I Spy."
- Keep hazard perception sharp. This refers to knowing where to look on the road and recognizing what is happening around you that could result in you needing to act. These things can include others quickly changing lanes, pedestrians crossing the street or vehicles changing speeds.
- Carpooling with other experienced drivers. Having a second experienced driver in the vehicle with you acts as a second set of trained eyes that can also bring light conversation to help keep your mind focused.
- Avoid listening to the same playlists. Believe it or not, that song you've heard a hundred times and can recite word for word actually makes daydreaming easier. Try to shake it up, put on a new playlist or let a channel play you've never listened to before. It will help you remain more vigilant and maybe find a new favorite song!
- Use a form of passive engagement. Passive engagement comes from something that engages your mind to focus, such as listening to a podcast or radio show. According to Atchley, the strength of passive engagement in a situation such as driving is your brain can automatically tune it out when it needs to in order to be fully focused on the new task. Ever recall a moment that quickly drew your attention and the background noise, such as a radio, is suddenly not in your memories of that moment?
Bringing Peace of Mind
Here at ERIE, we insure your cars, but we care deeply for the safety of our customers, which is why we encourage you to always remain vigilant and avoid distractions on the road. April is Distracted Driving Month, but we feel this is a cause to stand behind all year long. Make sure to reach out to learn about your options for staying protected, no matter what you encounter on the road ahead.
ERIE® insurance products and services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). The companies within the Erie Insurance Group are not licensed to operate in all states. Refer to the company licensure and states of operation information.
The insurance products and rates, if applicable, described in this blog are in effect as of July 2022 and may be changed at any time.
Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this blog. The policy contains the specific details of the coverages, terms, conditions and exclusions.
The insurance products and services described in this blog are not offered in all states. ERIE life insurance and annuity products are not available in New York. ERIE Medicare supplement products are not available in the District of Columbia or New York. ERIE long term care products are not available in the District of Columbia and New York.
Eligibility will be determined at the time of application based upon applicable underwriting guidelines and rules in effect at that time.
Your ERIE agent can offer you practical guidance and answer questions you may have before you buy.
A better insurance experience starts with ERIE.
Haven't heard of us? Erie Insurance started with humble beginnings in 1925 with a mission to emphasize customer service above all else. Though we've grown to reach the Fortune 500 list, we still haven't lost the human touch.
Contact CD Baker Insurance today to experience the ERIE difference for yourself.


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Ludlow Women's Motorcycle Canvas Vest
Ludlow Women's Motorcycle Canvas Vest
Please click size to check availability:
*Available In-Store and Online* Ludlow - Women's Motorcycle Canvas Vest
- 20oz. Heavy Hitter Canvas
- Club style with banded collar, covered snaps and cropped zipper
- Two buttoned chest pockets
- Two buttoned slash pockets
- Two concealed carry pockets with tapered holsters (quick access on left hand side)
- Cotton lining with easy access panels for patches and embroideries
- YKK zipper
Sizing Tips
Sizing Tips
THANK YOU for shopping with Extreme Biker Leather.
PLEASE NOTE: Important FYI facts to buying that right jacket, vest or chap
Leather traditionally runs a size small!
- Putting vest over jacket? – look at how much padding your jacket has - do not go by its size
- Ladies leather can run two sizes smaller – measure your chest size!
- Chaps fit by thigh size - Length can be cut as needed
Read below for further information that help explain best fit for different body types:
If you are unsure on right fit for you, please call the store for assistance!
As bikers, we will help fit you into the right Leather apparel because we know what questions to ask.
Some more facts about the actual fit or size that you may need ~
When deciding on the style you are interested in, consider your body type, weight and measurements.
Some very important tips!
Ask yourself these following questions :
- Are you going to put your vest over your jacket?
- Do you like to put patches on your vest or jacket?
- Do you like collars or leather to touch your neck?
- Do you ride long distance? or night ride?
- Do you want a clean look or are pockets, etc ok?
- Do you like to wear heavy tops when you ride?
- Do you like black or brown leather? Braid or fringe?
- How much do you want to spend?
- How much do you value your skin? (High quality protection and platinum leathers or gear can be costly, but always worth it!!!)
- Do you need tall sizes? (very hard to fit long arms - we have suggestions)
- Ladies, do you like your lower back exposed when you lean forward?
If you said no - than look for longer jackets. - Do you care for your leather at the end of seasons? (Find your local dry cleaner who specializes in leather conditioning)
When choosing a Helmet - we only suggest DOT helmets
(customers who choose non-DOT take responsibility for themselves)
review this helmet info page - remember to click back! http://obairlann.net/reaper/motorcycle/beginner/helmets.html
Full Face - never had one? Look at a modular first - less claustrophobic.
3/4 - a lighter style similar to Full Face without chin protection
Shorty's - the most popular (ps - if it says the thinnest DOT - steer away
**Measure your actual hat size this will help to find the correct fit.
All the above will help to steer you to the right fit and leather for you!
585-482-7260 during business hours.


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Gosia Meyer Jewelry
Handmade Dainty Personalized Jewelry
• November 26, 2015
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Visit us in downtown Burlington for retail shopping & walk-in permanent jewelry. Book an Appointment or View Studio Hours Dismiss


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Michael Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in metal. After studying fine art and living as an artist in New York in the late 1980's, Aram took what would later be a life-altering trip to India where he discovered rich metalworking traditions. Inspired to work with craftsmen whose skills he felt were greatly untapped, Aram turned his creative energies towards craft based design, setting up a home and workshop in New Delhi.
Aram's work reflects humanity through the directness of the handmade process, as each piece is lovingly made using age old traditional techniques. The artisan nature of the work imbues it with a soulful quality and an energy, which Aram feels is only possible with work, which reflects the hand of the maker. This energy is further enhanced by the tension of line, form, and meaning that is characteristic of Aram's work. As extraordinary objects, they cause us to pause and consider them, and therefore create a sense of ritual and ceremony in their day to day use.
The objects range from tableware to furniture, both are sold in galleries and specialty stores worldwide. This broad diversity embodies Aram's versatility as an artist who is comfortable working on private commissions, one of a kind piece for gallery shows, or pieces that are affordable to a wider audience.
Bridging the gap between the artist and artisan is a hallmark of Michael Aram's work. Whether in his narrative and figurative "signature" collection, or in his more contemporary 'studio' line, each piece is entirely handmade with no two examples ever exactly the same. The handmade quality of the work allows it to shift beautifully between the realm of fine and decorative art. This enduring melange of quality and originality sits comfortably at home in contemporary as well as in more classical interiors.
Appropriately, in Hindi, "aram" means "gently, with peace, with love and care". Repeating this direction mantra-like to the craftsmen, Aram succeeds in making high quality work, which is as much a personal statement, as its appeal is universal.
Call our store at 844-473-0258 to place an order


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AOP Tote Bag
Regular price
This practical, high-quality Tote Bag is available in three sizes. All over print provides comfort with style at the beach or out in town. Made from reliable materials, lasting for seasons.
.: 100% Polyester
.: Boxed corners
.: Black inner stitching, transparent thread on hems.
.: Black cotton handles
.: With non-woven laminate inside
.: NB! Size tolerance 0.75" (1.9 cm))


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Parallels Coming to the 2014 Macworld Expo
Since its founding in 1985, the Macworld Expo has become the most influential Apple ecosphere in the world. The exposition, with the theme of "defining the future with innovation", will be opened at the Beijing National Conference Center in August 21st. At that time, Parallels will also take part in the Expo to show its innovative products and technology to consumers.
"In today's rapid technological change, innovation is the driving force for the sustainable development of the enterprise." Mr. Zhao Xinrong, director of cross platform sales at Parallels Greater China, said: "at this Expo, Parallels will show consumers the unremitting efforts we have made in enhancing user experience. In addition, the Expo also set up a good platform for us and consumers to listen to their voices and let us continuously bring them innovative products and technologies.
The Parallels booth is located at the National Conference Center A110. In order to make consumers understand their products and answer consumers' questions more closely, Parallels will also conduct four product consultation and technological innovation results in the central exhibition area of the venue on August 22-24. The specific time of display is as follows:
At 13:40 in August 22nd - 14:00
At 11:30 in August 23rd - 11:50; 15:20-15:40
At 11:00 in August 24th - 11:20
At the same time, Parallels also prepares exquisite gift bags for the media and audience friends visiting the Parallels booth first. You are welcome to take part in the collection. To get more information about Parallels, let's go to the Parallels Macworld booth at the National Conference Center in August 21st.


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All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, "Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.
Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day.
If you could keep awake (but of course you can't) you would see your own mother doing this, and you would find it very interesting to watch her. It is quite like tidying up drawers. You would see her on her knees, I expect, lingering humorously over some of your contents, wondering where on earth you had picked this thing up, making discoveries sweet and not so sweet, pressing this to her cheek as if it were as nice as a kitten, and hurriedly stowing that out of sight. When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on.
I don't know whether you have ever seen a map of a person's mind. Doctors sometimes draw maps of other parts of you, and your own map can become intensely interesting, but catch them trying to draw a map of a child's mind, which is not only confused, but keeps going round all the time. There are zigzag lines on it, just like your temperature on a card, and these are probably roads in the island, for the Neverland is always more or less an island, with astonishing splashes of colour here and there, and coral reefs and rakish-looking craft in the offing, and savages and lonely lairs, and gnomes who are mostly tailors, and caves through which a river runs, and princes with six elder brothers, and a hut fast going to decay, and one very small old lady with a hooked nose. It would be an easy map if that were all, but there is also first day at school, religion, fathers, the round pond, needle-work, murders, hangings, verbs that take the dative, chocolate pudding day, getting into braces, say ninety-nine, three-pence for pulling out your tooth yourself, and so on, and either these are part of the island or they are another map showing through, and it is all rather confusing, especially as nothing will stand still.
Of course the Neverlands vary a good deal. John's, for instance, had a lagoon with flamingoes flying over it at which John was shooting, while Michael, who was very small, had a flamingo with lagoons flying over it. John lived in a boat turned upside down on the sands, Michael in a wigwam, Wendy in a house of leaves deftly sewn together. John had no friends, Michael had friends at night, Wendy had a pet wolf forsaken by its parents, but on the whole the Neverlands have a family resemblance, and if they stood still in a row you could say of them that they have each other's nose, and so forth. On these magic shores children at play are for ever beaching their coracles [simple boat]. We too have been there; we can still hear the sound of the surf, though we shall land no more.
Of all delectable islands the Neverland is the snuggest and most compact, not large and sprawly, you know, with tedious distances between one adventure and another, but nicely crammed. When you play at it by day with the chairs and table-cloth, it is not in the least alarming, but in the two minutes before you go to sleep it becomes very real. That is why there are night-lights.
Occasionally in her travels through her children's minds Mrs. Darling found things she could not understand, and of these quite the most perplexing was the word Peter. She knew of no Peter, and yet he was here and there in John and Michael's minds, while Wendy's began to be scrawled all over with him. The name stood out in bolder letters than any of the other words, and as Mrs. Darling gazed she felt that it had an oddly cocky appearance.


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Call Jenny 07902 034489 |
Passing your driving test gives you independence and freedom. But many learner drivers take their test too early, leading to a failed test, disappointment, extra costs and delays to getting on the road.
More useful links form the DVSA
The Highway code
The UK Traffic signs (PDF)
About the theory test
Info for your practical test
What to expect in the practical test
On your first lesson, you will need to print and produce your licence information. Use this link to get the appropriate information required by your instructor for your first lesson.
Click here for Licence information printouts
Other links
Learner & new drivers infoOfficial site for tips and advice for learners and qualified driver alike to help you be a Safe Driver For Life.
Series of videos for learners from the DVSA
Visit direct.gov.uk/think for THINK! campaign information including:
THINK! road safety statistics and facts
THINK! adverts and interactive road safety games
Partnership information
Road safety advice
Visit the new road safety advice section of Directgov for general road safety information including:
Drink driving limits
Advice on choosing and fitting child car seats
Penalties for using hand-held mobile phones whilst driving
All areas of the Institute of Advanced Motorists have joined together under one trading name IAM RoadSmart.
We help all road users to be the best they can be. We help develop the skills of all licence holders through our advanced courses, programmes for businesses and short sessions available to everyone.
Driving for work
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is a registered charity established more than 90 years ago that aims to campaign for change, influence opinion, contribute to debate, educate and inform - for the good of all.
Blue Light Aware is a short video, produced on behalf of the emergency services. Their crews rely on the help of other road users when they're on a 'blue light' journey. By watching Blue Light Aware, you will better understand their needs, you will be reducing the risks you face, you will be contributing to a safer road environment and you might also be helping to save a life.
The guide is an excellent introduction to road safety and aims to raise awareness on the risks of accidents and casualties caused by distracted driving. It offers useful information like what are the most common forms of distractions while driving, tips and technologies that help avoid distracted driving, advice on anticipating road hazards, the benefits of defensive driving, and even practical advise like pre-checks and maintenance tips to ensure a safe vehicle. It's a comprehensive resource that could help many people stay safe while on the road.
This guide offers a lot of information for young, new drivers, such as how to maintain a car, basics of insurance and road tax, and helpful tips to help them further improve their driving skills.
Specialist website designs for driving instructors in the UK, ROI and Australia.


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Given the world's economic troubles, you'd probably expect money to fight HIV and other illnesses around the world to have plummeted in the past few years.
But foreign aid for global health held steady in 2011 and 2012, hovering right around $28 billion a year, a report published Wednesday finds.
Just to put this number in perspective, that's about 3 percent of what the U.S. spends on defense each year.
The study, lead by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, finds that total donations for global health increased dramatically from 2001 to 2010. Funding nearly tripled over the decade, as the world's wealthiest countries, banks and philanthropists steadily increased spending to fight HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and infant mortality.
But in the past three years, funding has plateaued.
"From 2001 to 2010, there was a rising tide that lifted all the ships," Michael Hanlon, an IHME economist, said at a meeting in Washington, D.C. "Now that golden age of 10 to 11 percent increases each year appears to be over. The trend is broken."
The U.S. government is by far the biggest contributor to global health. In 2010, it gave $10 billion. A big chunk of it went to treat HIV and AIDS around the world.
The second largest donor is the U.K., who gave $2.3 billion in 2010. Norway topped the list of money spent per capita.
Although it's too early to say exactly how much money countries donated to global health in 2011 and 2012, preliminary estimates suggest it was a mixed bag. Germany, Australia and the U.K. beefed up donations. Japan, Canada and France shrank their budgets.
To help fill in this gap, private charities and international agencies, such as the World Bank, increased their funding in 2011 and 2012, the report says. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a supporter of NPR, gave nearly $900 million in foreign aid in 2012.
So where does all the money go?
About half of it is split between fighting HIV around the world and helping pregnant women and their newborns.
Most of the rest goes toward malaria, tuberculosis and general support of health care systems.
What about cancer and diabetes, which are on the rise in many developing countries? They're not getting their due. "For all intents and purposes, there is really not funding for noncommunicable diseases," Hanlon said.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Once upon a time there was a girl poster Wall Decor Artwork Print Poster Wall Art Print Home Decor Vintage – Satin Portrait Poster
- Material: High-quality canvas
- Ink: waterproof ink
- Five options in inches: 18×12, 24×16, 36×24
- Technics: spray painting
For poster products, you will need to prepare a frame for hanging
- Material: High-quality canvas, Nature Wood, very solid, and don't warp or shrink
- Ink: waterproof ink
- Ready to hang
- Four options in inches: 18×12, 24×16, 36×24
- Technics: spray painting
This is a more casual and often more artistic style of canvas presentation. A hanging canvas typically consists of a canvas fabric sheet with two wooden bars attached at the top and bottom. The top bar includes a hanging mechanism, usually a string or a cord, for easy display. This style allows the canvas to hang freely against the wall, giving it a slightly informal, bohemian feel. The canvas in this case can be easily rolled for storage or transport.
- Abrasion resistant surface easily stands up to the print production process, packaging, and handling
- Ready to Hang, Full Gallery Wrapped and Framed Canvas
- 16 mil, 310gsm; Fine weave (oxford 1-over-1)
- 35% cotton, 65% polyester; Satin Finish
- Decoration Type: UV Ink
- Five options in inches: 18×12, 24×16, 36×24
Featuring 100% kiln dried moulding and real pine wood, we wouldn't be surprised if these fade and water resistant canvases survive into the 22nd century.
Clean with a dry cloth when needed.
Printed with UL Certified GREENGUARD GOLD Ink – reduces indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure
Museum quality archival canvas, anti-yellowing, will not oxidize
Stretcher bar is made of 100% renewable, kiln dried, knot free, finger jointed wood
The solid wood black Roma™ floater frame is 1 ¾" deep
Ready to hang with sawtooth & rubber bumpers
NOTICE: Due to the large size of canvas products, we cannot deliver the item to a P.O box. Please provide us with your house/ company address to make sure that the shipment is delivered successfully.
Production time: 3-5 business days
Shipping time:
Standard shipping (US): 7-15 business days
International shipping: 7-21 business days
Orders can be canceled or modified within 2 hours after being placed (Readmore Shipping Policy).
Refund and Returns:
We have a 30 days return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return (Readmore Refund and Returns Policy).
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2019 Highlander
as shown $42,930*
USB Ports
With a total of five USB ports,2 it's easy to power up the family road trip. Three USB ports up front and two USB ports in the rear help everyone keep their favorite portable electronic devices plugged in.
2 May not be compatible with all mobile phones, MP3/WMA players and like models.
Seating for up to 8
Highlander's roomy interior gives you enough space to seat up to eight people and provides more comfort along the way with reclining third-row seats. Available second-row captain's chairs help Highlander comfortably seat seven and offer the same great versatility. You can even get heated second-row captain's chairs on the Limited grade with Platinum Package.
Cargo Space
Waste no space. We designed the rear suspension of Highlander to create more space in the cargo area for your gear.3 And since every journey's different, Highlander is there to adapt. Sometimes you've got lots of people, lots of gear or a mix of both. The 60/40 split third-row seat has the ability to fold flat and recline to accommodate your needs.
3 Cargo and load capacity limited by weight and distribution. Always properly secure cargo and cargo area.
Quiet Interior
Part of enjoying the road is to not hear it. Highlander has silencing insulation materials along its floor to help keep things quiet, as well as acoustic-type glass in the windshield to further reduce noise entering the cabin.
Panoramic Moonroof
In-seat entertainment for everyone. Your passengers have the whole sky to entertain them, thanks to the available panoramic moonroof that is part of the Platinum Package.
Rear Seat Entertainment
Entertaining from the driver's seat is tough. Let the available rear-seat Blu-ray Disc™ entertainment system help. The 9-in. display screen comes with RCA jacks, remote and two wireless headphones.4
4 Headphones are for passenger use only. Do not use while driving vehicle.
3.5-liter v6
The available 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine helps give Highlander the perfect blend of power and efficiency. Engineered using Toyota's next-generation technologies, this advanced engine is mated to a sophisticated Direct Shift-8AT (8-speed Automatic Transmission) to help give you more control. These components work brilliantly together to help give Highlander brisk acceleration off the line, and more mpg when cruising at speed.
Optimizing fuel efficiency means making enhancements all over—like the transmission and efficient engine that help to enhance EPA mpg estimates and earn an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV-II) rating.
Stop and Start Engine System
The efficient Stop and Start Engine System (S&S)5 is available on V6 gas-powered Highlanders. This technology shuts the engine off when Highlander is at rest—like when at a stoplight—to help you save more fuel. When it's time to go, releasing the brake pedal seamlessly restarts the engine so you can effortlessly get on your way.
5 Before towing, confirm Stop and Start Engine System is disengaged.
Available Dynamic Torque-Control All-Wheel Drive
When the road gets adventurous, Highlander embraces it with available Dynamic Torque-Control All-Wheel Drive (AWD). It distributes engine power from front to rear and manages the vehicle's braking system from side to side, giving you better control.
Available 5,000 lb. Towing Capacity
Some adventures are so big you have to tow them. No problem. Highlander can be equipped to tow up to 5000 lbs.6
6 Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. "Added vehicle equipment" includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle's exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo. Before towing, confirm Stop and Start Engine System is disengaged.
Front Fascia
The 2019 Highlander features an inspired front fascia with a dynamic front grille and expressive headlights, making for one bold first impression. With a unique grille tailored for each grade, there's a Highlander that perfectly matches your style.
SE Grade
Turn up the attitude. The distinctive Highlander SE grade stands apart with its bold, gloss-black grille and headlights with unique black housings. Exclusive 19-in. multi-spoke alloy wheels help this SUV show off its sporty side. Inside, aggressively styled stripes on the seats remind all passengers that this SUV is always up for some fun.
Let's shine a light on style. Expressive headlights now feature integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL), amplifying the 2019 Highlander's signature look. The stylish SE grade ups the excitement with its dark-black-accent headlights, while Highlander Limited Platinum has a powerful presence of its own with chrome-accent headlight housings. Every Highlander gets brilliant LED taillights for added visibility in the rear.
Alloy Wheels
Highlander shows off its athletic side with a selection of available alloy wheels. The sporty Highlander SE has 19-in. multi-spoke alloy wheels with a black finish. Highlander Limited Platinum adds sophistication with 19-in. 5-spoke Dark Chromtec.
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
The available Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)7 is designed to heighten your awareness on the road by alerting you when a vehicle enters a blind spot on either side. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)8 works similarly. When you slowly back out of a driveway or parking spot, it provides audible and visual indicators to warn you of approaching vehicles.
7 Do not rely exclusively on the Blind Spot Monitor. Always look over your shoulder and use your turn signal. There are limitations to the function, detection and range of the monitor. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
8 Do not rely exclusively on the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system. Always look over your shoulder and use your mirrors to confirm rear clearance. There are limitations to the function, detection and range of the system. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
Star Safety System™
Highlander comes with Toyota's Star Safety System™, an advanced suite of six safety features offered standard on every new Toyota. The system included Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),9 Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA)10 and Smart Stop TechnologyⓇ (SST).11
9 Vehicle Stability Control is an electronic system designed to help the driver maintain vehicle control under adverse conditions. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving practices. Factors including speed, road conditions, weather and driver steering input can all affect whether VSC will be effective in preventing a loss of control. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
10 Brake Assist is designed to help the driver take full advantage of the benefits of ABS. It is not a substitute for safe driving practices. Braking effectiveness also depends on proper vehicle maintenance, and tire and road conditions. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
11 Smart Stop Technology® operates only in the event of certain contemporaneous brake and accelerator pedal applications. When engaged, the system will reduce power to help the brakes bring the vehicle to a stop. Factors including speed, road conditions and driver input can all impact stopping distance. Smart Stop Technology® is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving and does not guarantee instant stopping. See Owner's Manual for details.
Advanced Airbag System
An Advanced Airbag System12/sup> helps protect you and your family with driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, a driver knee airbag, a front passenger seat-cushion airbag and Roll-sensing Side Curtain Airbag (RSCA) for all rows.
12 All the airbag systems are Supplemental Restraint Systems. All airbags (if installed) are designed to inflate only under certain conditions and in certain types of severe collisions. To decrease the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, always wear seatbelts and sit upright in the middle of the seat as far back as possible. Do not put objects in front of an airbag or around the seatback. Do not use a rearward-facing child seat in any front passenger seat. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) provides an added measure of safety for the smaller members of your family. LATCH includes lower anchors and tethers on the outboard second-row seats and a tether anchor on the middle seat of the second and third rows.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
A Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)13 comes standard on every Highlander. Designed to monitor tire pressure at all times, it alerts the driver when a tire or tires become critically underinflated and is one more way Highlander helps keep you safe.
13 The Toyota Tire Pressure Monitor alerts the driver when tire pressure is critically low. For optimal tire wear and performance, tire pressure should be checked regularly with a gauge; do not rely solely on the monitor system. See Owner's Manual for details.
Bird's Eye View Camera
Highlander's available Bird's Eye View Camera14 helps you see nearby objects and get into and out of the smallest spaces with ease. The system includes Perimeter Scan—an innovative feature that displays live, rotating 360-degree views of your surroundings when you're parked.
14 The Bird's-Eye-View Camera does not provide a comprehensive view of the area surrounding the vehicle. You should also look around outside your vehicle and use your mirrors to confirm surrounding clearance. Environmental conditions may limit effectiveness and view may become obscured. See Owner's Manual for additional limitations and details.
Driver's Easy Speak
Highlander's available Driver Easy Speak feature has a built-in microphone up front that picks up your voice and transmits it to rear-seat passengers through the back speakers.
Entune™ Multimedia Bundle
With the available Entune™ Multimedia Bundle,15 Highlander has the tech to make any drive a whole lot more fun. With the available 8-in. High-resolution touch-screen display, integrated navigation16 and a suite of popular apps,17 this is one smart way to help keep you connected. With integrated SiriusXM® Satellite Radio18 compatibility, you've got coast-to-coast access to over 150 channels of commercial-free music, sports, talk, comedy, and more.
15 Entune™ is a trademark of Toyota Motor Corporation. Always drive safely, obey traffic laws and focus on the road while driving. Services vary by phone/carrier. Functionality depends on many factors. Services subject to change. For enrollment and more details, see toyota.com/entune/.
16 Be sure to obey traffic regulations and maintain awareness of road and traffic conditions at all times. Availability and accuracy of the information provided by the navigation system is dependent upon many factors. Use common sense when relying on information provided. Services and programming subject to change. Services not available in every city or roadway. Updates may be available from your dealer at an additional cost. See Owner's Manual for details.
17 Apps and services subject to change.
18 SiriusXM® audio services require a subscription sold separately by Sirius XM Radio Inc. If you decide to continue service after your trial, the subscription plan you choose will automatically renew thereafter and you will be charged according to your chosen payment method at then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. To cancel, you must call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349. See SiriusXM Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. . All fees and programming subject to change. Not all vehicles or devices are capable of receiving all services offered by SiriusXM. Current information and features may not be available in all locations, or on all receivers. © 2018 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Puddle Lights
This is how you make an entrance. This available feature detects you as you approach Highlander and, on Platinum Package, projects an illuminated "Highlander" logo onto the ground directly below the side mirrors.
Three-Zone Automatic Climate Control
No matter where you go, the temperature's perfect inside. The three-zone climate control available on Highlander features individual temperature controls for the driver and front passenger, along with a separate control panel in the back for the second- and third-row vents.
* MSRP excludes the Delivery, Processing, and Handling Fee of $955 for Cars (86, Avalon, Avalon HV, Camry, Camry HV, Corolla, Corolla HV, Corolla HB, Mirai, Prius, Prius Prime, Supra, Yaris HB, Yaris Sedan), $1,120 for Small/Medium Trucks, SUVs and Van (4Runner, C-HR, Highlander, Highlander HV, RAV4, RAV4 HV, Sienna, Tacoma), $1,325 for Large SUVs (Land Cruiser, Sequoia), and $1,595 for Large Truck (Tundra). (Historically, vehicle manufacturers and distributors have charged a separate fee for processing, handling and delivering vehicles to dealerships. Toyota's charge for these services is called the "Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee" and is based on the value of the processing, handling and delivery services Toyota provides as well as Toyota's overall pricing structure. Toyota may make a profit on the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee.) Excludes taxes, license, title and available or regionally required equipment. The Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC and TX will be higher. The published prices do not apply to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Actual dealer price will vary.