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Testing air purifiers – Methods & Standards
This information is meant to give a background in practical terms of the difficulties for consumers and other end users as well as for manufacturers of air purification equipment as the methods and standards of testing are insufficient to give relevant information. The aim is to contribute to highlight the need of an adequate universal test standard for portable air purifiers and consequently to inform of the deficiencies and sources of error of existing test methods used to rate such devices today. The objective is to initiate and support the development of a new test standard, fair and trusted by the industry and consumers alike. We will encourage organisations, industrial participants, testing & certification institutions and media to become engaged in this project.
Air purification technologies and products
Existing test methods & standards
Why improve these methods & standards?
Some deficiencies in test methods/standards
Air purification technologies and products
The objective of air purifiers is to minimize the hazardous health effect of polluted indoor air in a user friendly manner by continuously reducing the concentration of particles in the air to a minimum, especially the smallest particles (nano particles, below 0,1micron) as these are considered causing the most severe health problems.
Source control and well functioning ventilation systems create the base of a healthy indoor air environment. However even when such systems are well maintained, they drive enormous volumes of particles through their filter banks in the supply air right into the building. Since people and their indoor activities generate millions of particles, normal ventilation is not sufficient. Indoor air purification is complementary and mostly necessary to reach an acceptable indoor air quality.
As the indoor air quality is very volatile and varies rapidly depending on a great number of factors, by principle any and all air purifiers must continuously be in operation to be able to keep the concentration of particles down. As soon as any such device has been turned off the indoor air quality deteriorates immediately.
• Conventional electrostatic precipitators also use a fan to produce an artificial airflow passing through a chamber where most particles get electrically charged before they continue into a collector cassette made to lead the particles to get caught by a counter pole surface. Such a cassette is mostly made of aluminium plates whereby every other plate is positive and the others negative. When the cassette is dirty, you can remove it, clean and use it again. This construction has a very low airflow resistance, hence minor noise or energy consumption problems. However the filtration effect reduces drastically as soon as the cassette is getting slightly dirty so in order to uphold a reasonable effect it needs continuous maintenance. And this construction generates ozone.
• Mechanical filter air purifiers use a fan to create an airflow through the filter. They often use filters similar to HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters). True HEPA (or ULPA) filters make a lot of resistance in the airflow which consumes a lot of energy and causes noise problems. As they are very tight they are expensive and do not last long. But also other combinations of different mechanical filters are used, sometimes in combination with pre ionizing. All such filters get clogged over time which reduces the airflow so they must be replaced regularly.
• Air scrubbing means rinsing/cleaning air by pushing it through water, which means that it works as a humidifier at the same time. A major problem is to control or sterilize the water to avoid distribution of microbes. Mostly chemicals are added to the water for this purpose which generates distribution of such chemicals instead.
• Conventional ionizing air purifiers mostly produce volumes of electrons per second which generate negative ions that charge the particles in the air. Often it has a positive collector of some kind to attract the charged particles but they are also attracted to walls, floors, tables, draperies, electronic equipment, occupants, etc. This technique is silent and energy efficient. But it has been almost impossible to generate the necessary volume of ions per second to be able to reach out into a reasonable size room without generating a lot of ozone and without having serious problems with particles getting caught on different room surfaces making them really dirty.
• Ozone air purifiers release small amounts of ozone into the air to reduce airborne pollutants. They are especially efficient removing odours which is why ozone generators are frequently used in sanitation after fires. Sometimes a collector is used to attract particles. The ozone produced mostly exceeds the threshold value, which is considered hazardous to our health.
• Hybrid air purifiers use two or several technologies, mostly one of the above for basic particle reduction in combination with others.
• UV radiation is a well known technique to sterilize air e.g. over fresh fish, meat, vegetables etc. The technique is used with the same purpose inside air cleaners to kill microbes in the air flow.
• Photo catalytic oxidation uses UV radiation to activate titanium dioxide. The chemical process is supposed to remove odours from a number of gases as well as particles to a certain extent.
• Active carbon or similar reactive materials and/or adsorbents chemically react with certain gases, thereby removing odours e.g. from tobacco smoke. The effect is directly related to the mass (weight) of active carbon in the air flow. Air purifiers using this technology rarely have more than a small fraction of the mass necessary to have any substantial effect.
• Heating air until burning the particles in the air is in fact also in some sense an air cleaning method, however depending on what kind of particles are being burned and the corresponding consequences.
• Vaporization of water is actually the only hygienically acceptable method for humidification, being the natural generation of humidity over our lakes, rivers and oceans. Provided the vaporization is generated though a medium (filter) which is continuously fed by water to the extent it can vaporize and the filter never stands in water, this method also cleans the air as in nature. Water vaporizes in molecular form, which means that it cannot carry any microbes.
The process also requires energy which is taken from heat of the air which lowers the temperature by 5-6 ºC making it a cooling (air conditioning) method simultaneously.
Existing test methods & standards
The world market of portable air purifiers are dominated by US and Asia. In the USA the comparison tests based on more or less standardized methods have enormous influence and are thus important for both the industry and consumers. Below is a short documentation of existing tests mostly from the USA. Several of these are also internationally accepted.
CADR is a method for testing the capacity to reduce smoke, dust and pollen particles in the 0.10 to 11 micron (µm) size range from the air. In ANSI/AHAM AC-1-2006, CADR is defined as "the rate of contaminant reduction in the test chamber when the unit is turned on, minus the rate of natural decay when the unit is not running, multiplied by the volume of the test chamber as measured in cubic feet." The CADR uses cfm (airflow of cubic feet per minute) of air it cleans of a specific particle size, which necessitates that the device creates airflow mechanically.
This method is in principle as above but with a much more precise definition of size distribution of generated particles down to the particle size of 0.01 micron (µm) using particle counters able to measure down to this size and more sophisticated control measuring the air exchange. Certain aspects, however, are not well controlled e.g. the density of generated particles in comparison with "normal" particles.
It measures the percentage removal of 0.3 micron (µm) particles of dioctylphthalate (DOP). This test is used to rate high efficiency air filters, those with efficiencies above 98 percent, also referred to as "HEPA" (High Efficiency Particulate Air filters). True HEPA filters are defined to have a minimum particle collection efficiency of 99.97% DOP.
52.1 test provided an efficiency rating such as a 30%, 65%, 90%. This was not considered to be sufficient since it did not specify the efficiency of filtrating different particle sizes. 52.2 thus was developed and shows the level of efficiency of the filter on specified particle sizes. MERV – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.
This method is usually used to rate medium efficiency air cleaners (both filters and electronic air cleaners). The removal rate is based on the cleaner's ability to reduce soiling of a clean paper target, a capacity dependent on the cleaner removing very fine particles from the air. The test shows the dust-holding capacity and its resistance to air flow. It should be noted that ASHRAE Standard 52-76 shows overall efficiency of removal of a complex mixture of dust, not specific particle sizes. A filter with an ASHRAE dust spot rating of 95 percent only removed 50-60 percent of particles in the 0.1 to 1 µm size range.
Air Purifiers America tested models from several air purifier manufacturers with a high performance particle counter to measure the capacity to remove different size particles from the air. These particles are 0.3 microns and larger. Each unit was tested in a 132 sq foot room in their office with each model located in the same place in the room. The test lasted for 20 minutes with the device on high speed and the particle counter placed in the centre of the room with the door and windows closed. The particle count was taken after the period of 20 minutes. The air ventilation system was shut off during the testing so as not to influence the results. Before each unit was tested, the particle concentration in the room returned to the baseline particle level so each unit would start from the same particle concentration.
Is a two part test, which identifies the particle size that penetrates the HEPA filter most easily, hence the name MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size). EN 1822, which was released in the year 2000, is the most advanced and stringent air filter testing standard for particulate filters.
Methods and standards are in detail not known to us.
Why improve these methods & standards?
The objective is of course to supply consumers with more valid evaluation data to be able to compare different air purifiers using any combination of technologies i.e. to compare apples with apricots, oranges, bananas etc, and not only with other apples. Such testing standards are also fair and constructive for serious manufacturers. The different air purification technologies described above function differently and they all have advantages and limitations. The main objective is to effectively reduce the particle concentration in the air and keep it at a low level.
In testing we should focus on the sizes of particles which are the most difficult for our defence system. During the last few years it has become scientifically established that almost all serious health problems are caused by nano particles below 0.1 micron.
However we also should bear in mind that it is even more important keeping the concentration of such particles low, continuously and around the clock. Time is obviously a very important factor.
So what should be evaluated is performance over time with recommended maintenance as well as other features like removal of odours, gases (VOC/CAC) biomedical and physical/chemical effects. Testing should be carried out on maximum capacity provided however the noise is below an established maximum level which is acceptable for continuous 24 hour operation at work and into the bedroom at home. The corresponding cost should of course be properly established.


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Thank You - Poster
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A hand-pulled screen print poster featuring one of the most well-known plastic bag designs. Show thanks with this Thank You series in English and Filipino dialects Tagalog and Ilokano. One color print (red) using extra-smooth bright white 100lb card stock.
The design is the classic recognizable plastic bag we grew up knowing very well. But to us, it was much more than just a plastic bag - it was the place that held our groceries, a symbol of the food that carried and nourished us.
Dimensions: 13x19"

subset: commoncrawl


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For the past few years, a group of Sisters has lovingly prepared Christmas 'goodie bags' for our neighbors across the river at the Beaver County Jail. There are specific guidelines for the contents of the bag, but the Sisters pack as much love and care into each one as possible. The cookies, … [Read more...]
Sister Mary Mark Mullen's memoir on mission in China
In 1926, we sent our first missionary sisters to Hunan, China. In 1933, Sister Mary Mark Mullen joined that mission and later wrote a memoir of her experiences there. Gathered Fragments, the professional journal of The Catholic Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, published the first … [Read more...]
Scott Sisters receive "Spirit of Saint Joseph" award
The Scott sisters – Sister Jeanne, Sister Rosaleen and Sister Eileen (posthumously) – have been named "Spirit of Saint Joseph" award recipients by St. Joseph High School in Natrona. The award was established by the high school to recognize alumni and friends whose everyday lives exemplify the … [Read more...]
Faith.Field.Feast. helps reduce food insecurity for our neighbors
The week before Faith.Field.Feast was a nail biter as hurricane Florence descended upon the Carolinas. However, thanks to the power of prayer (and a little help from Mother Nature), event day was sunny and warm! Tables were dressed in copper and burnt orange linens, and tops were strewn with fallen … [Read more...]
Support foster children through United Way
We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished, and protected. – Pope Francis Since 1994, Sister Sandy Kiefer and Sister Lynn Miller have opened their home and hearts to 91 foster children from newborns to age 17. With your donation to the United Way, you can help Sisters Lynn and … [Read more...]
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Wedding hair stylists and wedding makeup artists will help you look and feel your best on your big day, whether you want to look fresh and natural or totally glam. It's a good idea to hire professional wedding hair stylists and wedding makeup artists in Blairsville to ensure that your hair and makeup stay put whether you're posing for photos or dancing the night away.
Formal Elegance Hair and Makeup Studios is an on-location wedding hair and makeup stylist based in Blairsville, Georgia. Linda, the owner and artist, has been providing beauty services throughout North Georgia for over 30 years. Over her many years of experience, Linda has developed relationships... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Blairsville)
Since 2008 Heather Davenport and team have been pleased to offer on-location hair and makeup for weddings, and other formal events in North Georgia and Western Carolina. We understand that there is nothing more important than a beautifully relaxed bride. We will strive to make sure that the bride... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Blairsville)
Jolie Day Spa and Salon is a full service spa and salon located on a beautiful historic square in Dahlonega, Georgia. Providing a soothing and relaxed atmosphere, Jolie Day Spa and Salon strives to make every customer feel comfortable and properly tended to, so you can leave feeling refreshed and... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Dahlonega)
Hannah Easterwood is a Jasper, Georgia-based licensed hair and makeup artist specializing in gorgeous bridal hair and makeup. She loves having the opportunity to work with brides all over the southeast and feels so blessed to have worked with many fabulous bridal parties! With each wedding, Hannah's... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Jasper)
Beauty by Lesly Maria is a hair and makeup salon located in Gainesville, Georgia, that is available for beauty and hair services for you and your wedding party on your wedding day. This Atlanta-area salon aims to bring out the beauty in every client and to empower every person that walks through the... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Gainesville)
Primrose HMUA is moving to Georgia!!! Currently only booking weddings for the Atlanta area. Primrose Hair and Makeup Artistry is a beauty vendor in Atlanta, Georgia. Jocelyn, the founder and owner, loves everything about beauty and strives to make sure that each client feels their absolute best on... (Wedding Hair & Makeup)
Pemberley Blush is a contemporary wedding makeup artist for couples in the greater Canton, Georgia area. This makeup artist, DeAnne, serves couples throughout North Georgia and the Atlanta area. She helps couples find their inner beauty through her passion, makeup artistry and beauty... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Canton)
Local to Buford, Georgia and servicing the entire state, beauty boutique Beautiful Atlanta Brides specializes in bridal hair and makeup services. With over ten years of industry experience, Beautiful Atlanta Brides is passionate about crafting memorable, glamorous, and affordable wedding looks to... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Buford)
HT Salon is a wedding hair and makeup service based out of Alpharetta, Georgia. HT Salon is led by a team of talented stylists who understand just how important and exciting your wedding day is. As a result, they provide their brides with a wide variety of services that let them transform their look... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Alpharetta)
Gail Treadwell is the owner of Makeup Artistry by Gail, an on-site makeup artistry business in Buford, Georgia. With a passion for makeup as well as weddings, Gail's job is to ensure each of her clients feel great and look like the very best version of themselves on their wedding day. She believes... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Buford)
Angelika Marie Hair & Make-up Artistry is a wedding hair and makeup artist from Marietta, Georgia. Part of the wedding industry for several years, Angelika Marie provides its services to couples throughout the local area including Atlanta, Roswell, and Athens. Angelika, the hair and makeup artist,... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Woodstock)
Kailey Kiser Makeup Artistry is a freelance makeup artist serving the metro Atlanta area, specializing in bridal makeup, film and tv, and body painting. Kailey enjoys making brides feel confidently beautiful and picture ready for such a significant moment they will remember forever. She brings along... (Wedding Hair & Makeup Woodstock)


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The nation's largest rail carriers are meeting this week to launch an ambitious plan to bring Chicago's century-old rail infrastructure up to date.
The plan, which organizers estimate could cost $500 million or more, will focus on loosening up 12 well-known Chicago-area bottlenecks by adding tracks and overpasses, computerizing signal systems and streamlining rail yard management.
While still in the early stages, funding for the plan is likely to involve public agencies such as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Metra, the commuter rail line.
"It's a work in progress," says John Orrison, vice-president of service design for CSX Transportation, a unit of Virginia-based CSX Corp. "The railroads want to improve service, bring in more business and get more trucks off the roadways."
As the nation's largest rail freight hub, Chicago is also the largest source of freight delays. On an average day, the 13,000-plus freight cars trying to interconnect between rail carriers clog intersections, stop up the system and paralyze through trains.
Hodgepodge of systems
Unlike the airlines, which share a common control system to monitor all incoming and outgoing flights, the railroads have historically managed traffic by relying on their own networks or through trackage agreements forged with other carriers. The result is a hodgepodge of overlapping and inefficient systems that can add as much as six hours to the two-hour trip across town.
For connecting trains, delays are even worse. It is not unusual for trains to make the trip here from New York in 24 hours, only to spend the next 24 hours being interchanged in Chicago.
"Chicago has always been a problem spot," says Paul E. Nowicki, assistant vice-president of government and public policy for Texas-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. "The increasingly out-of-date infrastructure can't handle the increasing traffic."
But the real impetus for the Chicago improvement plan came in January, when a blizzard dumped 21 inches of snow on the area and railroad traffic literally froze. Stuck signals and icy tracks added a new dimension to the usual chaos. The railroads admit the delays continued for weeks, and some customers contend it was more like months.
In response, the 13 major carriers serving Chicago organized the railroad improvement plan under the auspices of the Washington, D.C.-based Assn. of American Railroads, the industry's trade group. They hope to overcome long-standing suspicions among the carriers that any changes to the Chicago hub would give one or another railroad an unfair advantage.
Working in their favor is the recent spate of railroad mergers, which has reduced the number of players. "It's easier to communicate plans and ideas between just a few railroads," says CSX's Mr. Orrison, who heads one of the committees involved in the project. "We're hoping each railroad will see the benefit."
Paying for the plan will require local, state and federal funding, says Mr. Orrison, noting that the railroads will continue making capital investments. CSX, which expects its Chicago business to increase following integration of the recently acquired Conrail system, has invested $122 million in Chicago-area projects since mid-1997, he says.
IDOT already has pledged support, according to Eugene Shepard, chief of the agency's rail freight sector. A Metra spokesman says the agency "is happy to be a major player in this effort, which we view to be the most significant of its kind in recent memory."
Minimally, trains will be rerouted and rescheduled. New infrastructure, including new crossings and double tracking, are likely in heavily congested corridors like the route from Chicago to Geneva, where Metra competes with as many as 70 daily freight runs as it operates its regular schedule of 59 trains a day.
One switching area likely to be targeted for upgrades is Brighton Park on the city's South Side, where an operator switches trains manually using a turn-of-the-century lever. Other likely projects include work on the Heritage Corridor, the rail line that runs from Chicago to Joliet.
U.S. Rep. William O. Lipinski, D-Chicago, has been pushing for a variety of overpass and track-improvement projects on the route, with an estimated cost of about $200 million.
Work on removing the St. Charles Air Line, an elevated track that cuts through the South Loop, is likely to continue (Crain's, Dec. 14). And another move may be to set up a Chicago "war room," a central location from which to direct freight activities.
Three-year plan
By far, the biggest issue will be solving the problem of rail and highway crossings where delayed trains block roads.
The group hopes to have a draft plan by next month and is optimistic that work could start sooner rather than later.
"The idea is that some projects could be funded next year," says Chuck Allen, general manager of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Co., a switching railroad with headquarters in Gary, Ind.
Meeting in Chicago this week, members of the group are hoping to develop a three-year plan outlining a series of projects that have a realistic chance of being funded.
"There is support up and down the line for this (plan)," says Mr. Orrison. "We will deliver results."


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Ralph Waldo Emerson
Famous American poet, essayist and philosopher.
Marilyn Monroe
Famous American actress, model and singer.
Albert Einstein
German-born mathematician and theoretical physicist.
Love Quotes
Showing: 511 - 520 Love Quotes of 603
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
... young people had a right to fall in love as they pleased. It was the most obvious of all lessons of history.
In love we are all fools alike.
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
Against great advantages in another, there are no means of defending ourselves except love.
Confronted by outstanding merit in another, there is no way of saving one's ego except by love.
Love concedes in a moment what we can hardly attain by effort after years of toil.
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.
We don't get to know anything but what we love.
There is no heaven like mutual love.
Life Quote
I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter.
Love Quote
Its better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what your not.
People Quote
The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.
All quotations on this website are the property and copyright of their respective authors. All quotations are provided for educational and informational purposes only.
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Oxycodone Rehab & Detox Treatment In The GTA And Toronto, Ontario
Addictions to prescription drugs that list oxycodone as one of their active ingredients are on the rise. The problem with an addiction to this type of medication is that technically they are legal. Doctors will often prescribe oxycodone when they have a patient who needs help managing their pain. However, medication can quickly become addictive.
There is a big need for short-term rehab treatments in Toronto. There are many drugs that are affecting the population of Toronto. For example, it seems that one of the most popular kinds of drugs in the city is OxyContin. This is a prescription drug that is extremely addictive and can cause a lot of damage. One of the worse things with this drug is that people in Toronto are getting addicted to it without setting out to do that. They get prescribed the drug for a legitimate injury and then get addicted to it without even noticing it. OxyContin is also very dangerous to the user's health. Statistics show that in Toronto, between 40% and 50% of all drug-related deaths have to do with OxyContin. Those are a lot of deaths that could be avoided if one seeks the right treatment.
The good news about being a resident in a large city-like Toronto and Greater Toronto Area is that addicts have more choices when it comes to detoxification centers. The city is full of them, and many addicts are able to be admitted quite quickly. The sooner the addict is able to get into one of the oxycodone detox centers, the less time they have of changing their minds.
Ontario's Ministry of Health is determined to get the oxycodone addiction under control. This active interest means that the GTA and Toronto's detoxification centers are even better equipped to help oxycodone addicts overcome their addictions. Once the person has completed the detoxification program, they need to go straight into one of the rehabilitation programs in Toronto where they can complete their treatment.


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Wasn't such a big fan of this. For some reason, I loved the original PS1 Armored Core game, never really took to 2/3 and the expansions (well, the few I played - I won't pretend I've played them all) but then loved 4/For Answer.
Similarly, I finished V but never enjoyed that as much as the original and 4/For Answer.
I'm sure someone here can explain that. My memory of the PS2 AC era is too general to really know.
.....Last Post By: Super Monkey Balls 06-07-2019, 11:14 AM
Have a seemingly quite rare Nintendo book for sale, along with some of the manga that went unsold on here for a bit
No one given this game a bash?
Looks like Nintendo have got another winner here with their latest fitness game.
If you liked Wii
Has anyone else played this?
It's a strange FPS RPG set 100 years
For anyone looking for arcade thrills and spills coupled with a circuit racing vibe there's lots to enjoy here.
I must admit, when I first
Figured this was deserving of its own thread, Its a One on one fighting game but takes a heavily influence from the Marvel Vs Capcom games with aerialLast Post By: eastyy Today, 07:46 PM
way better than the first and if you like demon souls /dark souls, this is a must
anybody playing? - i am about 9 hrs in.


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Available from Monolithic Power Systems is a selection of plug-and-play DC power modules for a range of applications. Using proprietary monolithic technology processes, mEZ modules provide efficient, compact, inherently cost-effective, configurable and scalable power solutions for DC-DC step down, step up, PoE and USB charger applications, with pre-programmed output voltage options available.
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The 'Shroom:Issue 145/Critic Corner
Director's Notes
2019 is 1/3 of the way gone, and it feels like yesterday was 2016. Did everyone make sure to file their taxes? If not, too late! I'm no snitch, though, so hide from the feds right here in Critic Corner.
Thank you, everyone, for your votes again to make Half-Baked Reviews Critic Corner's Section of the Month again! Be sure to give your love to all of our sections here, and give a shout out to our writers whether in chat or in their forum threads dedicated to their sections. Be sure to vote vote vote!
Speaking of giving love to our writers here, be sure to check out what's going on with this year's Anniversary events, such as the awards polls, presentations, and tournaments! Time is flying by and sooner than you know Summer will be here and I'll have more links to spam.
If you would like to help Critic Corner, we always have openings for more writers! You are free to write for sections such as Character Review and Movie Review, or really anything you'd like to do! There's no pressure to have a huge section; they can be shorter and concise! The application process is very simple, starting with reading the Sign Up page, and sending your application to LudwigVon, our Stats Manager on the forum. On the Sign Up page, there is a list of "vacancies" that provide you with examples of the types of sections we're looking for that would fit into Critic Corner. Any idea you have is welcome, and if you have any questions or need help signing up, please feel free to reach out to myself or other 'Shroom peeps!
Section of the Month
Opinion Pieces
Anton gets a sugar high.
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Bacon Tomato Sandwich 🤤
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Swords 2: Guns Edition
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April showers bring May flowers, so everything this month is some kind of liquid. Liquid, you say? Why not a handful of stuff from chunks of dirt surrounded by water? The British Isles!
Irn-Bru is a carbonated soft drink, produced by company A.G. Barr, near and dear to the heart of Scotland, often referred to as "Scotland's other national drink", with the other being whiskey, outselling even Coke and Pepsi. The brand is known for its bright orange color, as well as its controversial ad campaigns that have invoked topics such as making light of miscarriages, unsubtle phallic jokes, multiple instances of transphobia, and worst of all: telling goths to cheer up. Some of the many stereotypes Scots have to bear include being foul-mouthed crass and blundering brutes, and this brand seems to either embrace or encourage that within its marketing department, but unless I looked into that (as I have) or lived in the UK (which I don't), all I would know is that this toxic-looking soda is a token of Scotland's modern cultural identity. Move over, haggis! A good campaign that they had for a while was flat stating that they make the drink with girders, including clips of people drinking Irn-Bru and then becoming strong, durable, or magnetic; a tongue-in-cheek joke about how the rust-colored drink actually contains iron in the form of ammonium ferric citrate. Barr markets Irn-Bru as making you basically harder, better, faster, stronger, giving you the power and energy to get through your day. Given their long history of contentious and explosive marketing tactics, I feel that they're one of the only companies who can naturally integrate into the modern advertising hellscape without coming off as forced and embarrassing.
I've rambled on too much about that, so onto what the drink actually is. There's no real specification of what the flavor should be, beyond citrus, and people claiming it to be fruity or like champagne cola (bubblegum/cream flavor). To me, it tastes like ginger for sure; not ginger ale, but more like the antiseptic vibe of ginger you get on the side with sushi. Perhaps sarsaparilla?
In what makes this official a tradition of Half-Baked Reviews now, literally three days after I bought it, it came in stock at Publix for an even more reasonable price of $1.99. I'm such a trendsetter. Additionally, apparently, the recipe for Irn-Bru changed quite soon before I tried this, leaving me to have not experienced the original flavor, and instead only the one with less sugar to comply with a new tax law. They say 9 out of 10 taste testers thought it was an excellent match, but who am I to say? It still tasted pretty sweet to me.
Final Word: Eh, if you have a strong interest in supporting a hit-or-miss marketing team, or really like gingers to an unhealthy degree, this is the drink for you. Perhaps loyalty to Scots? It's not overly unique and there's plenty of other sodas that have a vague indiscernible sugary spicy candy flavor to it. That being said, it's not bad and does taste alright, so if I'm in a situation where it's of equal or cheaper value than Sprite then I may opt for it. Do you like root beer, cream soda, and ginger ale, but can't decide which one to buy? Spend as much money as you would on all three and get yourself an Irn-Bru.
Idris Fiery Ginger Beer
A very intense #ff0000 red can with fire and a devil's tail in the logo, plus a bold "Try me if you dare!!" Well I did and it tasted like a watered down Pepsi Fire. There's no heat sensation to it at all, and kinda just an Irn Bru-y gingery taste. I know that it's a meme for England to have conquered most of the world for spices but then not know how to use them, but the more I try the more it rings true. Seriously, click that link, it's a good read for a simple but thorough summary of a bunch of reasons why this is a thing. Here it is again.
Final Word: Pretty unimpressive. If you have to sell it by making it a flashy item, then make it do what it says or you're not going to get return buyers. Maybe the profits from one-time gimmick customers are high enough? Well, Nabisco still makes a billion unnecessary Oreo flavors, so I guess that's capitalism, baby!
VimtoVimto is popular at iftar (breaking of the fast) during Ramadan, due to a long history of being available in the Middle East.
Vimto is a "Sparkling Fruit Flavored Drink", and that's pretty accurate. Very generic fruity berry flavor, but still sweet. It's made from grape, raspberry, and blackcurrant juice, plus "herbs and spices", but I really can't pick any of them out of the blend. It almost tastes like diluted cough syrup. Fruity cough syrup. Given that this was originally branded as a health tonic (like many sodas were and still are (looking at you, Crystal Pepsi)), I can see why that may be possible. Its name even alludes to this, with "vim" meaning energy and vigor, and I'm guessing "to" means that a line worker dips their toe into each batch to satisfy the "herbs and spices" requirement. I jest, it's 'tonic', energy tonic, wow. As seems to be common with non-American carbonated beverages, the level of bubbliness is at a level the lay American would consider flat. Some other people say it has a bubblegum flavor but I just don't feel it., and others implying it has inconsistent flavors between each can or bottle. Maybe if any of you reading are feeling wild you can go and try it yourself and tell me what you find.
Also check out this amazing SNAKIN WORLD video.
Final Word: Given that I like cough syrup flavor, it tasted alright, but also given that I like the caustic-level highly carbonated McDonald's Sprite, Vimto didn't really have the fizz I was craving. Would be good as a juice, maybe?
Tangoinnovative ad campaign about some dude assaulting people in public, it is now commonplace in all of Britain so much that it has proliferated into a variety of products like shower gel and candy bars, and floated its flagship orange soda across the Atlantic and into my delicately perched plastic shopping basket.
The can feels flimsier than usual, especially the pull-tab on top. Ignoring that red flag, I opened it up to take a sip. It definitely tastes like orange, but a more like...naturally sweeter, which might be a result of the ingredients list saying "contains no artificial colours or flavours" that I don't see many American brands do unless they're marketed specifically in that way and usually at a higher cost. As per basically everything else I try for this section, I force it upon the people I live with for some metaphysical validation. They said it tastes like La Croix, which I haven't personally tried myself (future review?🤔), which can't be a good thing given its memetic reputation; like a flat orange soda. I couldn't disagree. If I'm going to keep buying an imported product at inflated prices, I would prefer if there were something unique about it, or if the company's philanthropic endeavors made it worth it. It's really nothing special and just seems to be yet another brand of orange soda, in which that case I'll just buy a 2L of Sunkist, Crush, or Fanta, more than 6x the amount of soda for only $1.79 off sale.
Final Word: If I were to show up in the United Kingdom one day and had a craving for specifically and only orange soda, I'd at least know what to get. There are better options out there, though.
Formerly manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline until 2013 which sounds a bit suspicious, it is now produced by Suntory, a Japanese beverage company. This potentially throws this into purgatory for a country-themed section, but Ribena unequivocally is English in origin and has a place in the British market more than elsewhere. The nature of this is almost certainly the result of Europe producing over 99% of all blackcurrants in the world, for a pretty good reason, at that. In an environmentalist twist, America is the one who opted for conservation, while Europe gave up white pines for Ribena. It's hard not to notice that, alongside hazelnuts, blackcurrants are a common flavoring of a lot of British, and European in general, snacks and jams and drinks, and with a flavor foreign to Americans at large I couldn't just not tack this on my review. Additionally, the Ribena brand itself has been solidified thanks to a little thing called World War II, during which it was given to children as a vitamin C supplement. So, how is it?
On its own, it tastes pretty overwhelming, which I guess is the point as it's concentrated, but I just had to give it a try. In its pure form, it smells like bad wine, which would otherwise have turned me away from it if I 1) didn't firmly grasp the concept of it being concentrated, and 2) I spent $6.29 for it. The recommended 1:4 dilution turns what's effectively a shot glass worth of purple thin syrup into a nice sized glass of pretty blood red juice. It tastes like loganberry, which I guess isn't really helpful to anyone reading unless you grew up where I did. Loganberry is a cross between blackberries and raspberries, and tastes pretty much just like that, too. Loganberry is to Buffalo as Cheerwine is to North Carolina. This detail made me a bit homesick, and realize that you don't really know your hometown until you're no longer in it. Sure, there are reasons I left, but the food there just feels right. I'm trying to find things down here in Orlando that compare, but it's no use. If you're interested, feel free to find me in chat and pick my brain once again on the impact of food on culture. Either way, Ribena has a nice berry flavor without some awkward tartness or manufactured vibe, but instead an almost warmth and earthiness to it. I noticed no difference in using tap water and bottled purified water, which is a surprise since the water here can be a bit sulfur-y as is the reason I even have bottled water readily available. It is a bit heavy, though, and I can basically feel it staining my mouth purple. The flavor lasted in my mouth for a good 10 minutes until it either dissipated or I became too immersed in Season 1 of Sex and the City questioning if I'm more of a Miranda or Carrie.
Perhaps and unintended feature of Ribena being made available in a concentrated form is that it's customizable. Want more blackcurrant flavor? Add less water. Want less? Add more water. Want to get tipsy? Mixed it with booze! A 1:1:2:2:2 Ribena, vodka, grenadine, peach soda, mango soda is what I chose, specifically. It's pretty good; the Ribena stood out even with all of the other fruity flavors in the mix. It had a noticeable berry taste and tartness but was still palatable enough for me to chug a whole glass of it
Exactly like Irn-Bru, Ribena's flavor was tinkered with as a result of the UK's 2018 sugar tax, replacing the sugar with artificial sweeteners and other stuff to replicate the original as best as possible.
Final Word: A unique flavor that, for me, provided a hit of nostalgic introspection, and perhaps an appreciation for how tightly Brits hold onto this drink of significant cultural pride. On top of that, it tastes pretty fine and has an innate ability to be mixed and manipulated into a way anyone else could find it pretty fine, too.
Tune in next month where we stay a little longer on the islands! Also, tell me what to review next! It can be games, movies, shows, physical actions, trying new foods, music, literally anything and I'll cover it eventually if it's not too ridiculous. Just send me a message here on my talk page or PM it to me on the forum. Don't like what I have to say? That's fine, and probably bound to happen because I've been told about how much people like Super Mario 64 and how they feel about any criticism of it! We at Critic Corner will welcome your alternate review of it as a new section for the next issue!
Written by: MsRetroGeek (talk)
Hi Everyone! It's Geeky back with your bi-monthly section of G.TV. I hope you all have stayed afloat with the ups and downs through this month. Hopefully surviving the shifts of time and weather changes that took place. Speaking of changes, I wanted to try and test something out this month. I wanted to add an idea that I've had for a while. I thought it was time to give my own personal touch to my sections so I wanted to test out creating a little graphic. Speaking of personal things, I'm happy to talk about one of the things that have gotten me through life right now.
That something being…. BTS RELEASED A NEW ALBUM! MY BOYS ARE BACK!
This week I had gotten a chance to catch their performance of one of their singles, "Boy with Luv" being performed on SNL. I was so happy and proud of them when they got a second chance to be on SNL. I know that they've been on a lot of talk shows in America, but I never got a chance to catch them. However, it was just so surreal getting them to perform one of their track songs on their newest CD, Map of the Soul: Persona. They just looked extremely professional and smooth as heck performing their song for everyone in the audience. I do wish I was there to be a part of that audience. I would be cheering my boys on as they perform. I've heard that they're as amazing live as they are on their music videos. Something I'm going to have to experience one day.
I've been waiting for their newest album to be released ever since I watched their teaser trailer to their newly released album. I had been surprised by the music video, "Intro: Persona" that had been a solo from their leader Rap Monster. The music video was a great way to kick off that they were doing a new album! It brought the action, scenery that complimented the song, but I think the thing that the listener should realize is. This song was about primarily about the qualities that the artist didn't like about him, the controversies that the band had gone through, and the acceptance that he goes through to embrace who he is. This is something that I love about BTS' music. That these boys aren't just pretty faces on a screen entertaining for the heck of it. They delve into songs that have important issues.
Moving onto their next music video that had been released on April 12th, "Boy With Luv", I found it to be a cute video. This song had featured Halsey and a lot of Halsey fans had complained that she didn't have enough lines. I found her to be a nice added feature in the music video. I also found her lines to be decent enough to have in the song. Although she could have had at least a few more lines to say other than, "Oh my my my" repeated throughout the song. Although it went well with the song, I wish we could have heard a little bit more from her. The boys did treat her very politely just like the gentleman they are. I found this collaboration to be adorable. I hope to see more collaborations from them.
♥Intro: Persona had been one of the songs that had stuck to me ever since I had first heard it. I thought that it had a great beat to it. After looking up the meaning of the song. I related strongly to it. I have many flaws that I don't like about myself. Although I've come to terms with the traits that I strongly find displeasing, I'm happy to know someone understands what's that like. Rap Monster can rap about his problems and win over hearts with this song. He won my heart over with how relatable he could be with this song.
♥Home was a joy to listen to. Listening to this song allowed me to listen to think about how difficult it was for them back then when they had started out. The poor treatment they were given when they had started out. The amount of work it takes them to release their music and music videos. The sacrifice takes them to be away from their families so often. Having to live under a contract that requires them to represent themselves as proper innocent boys. This must put a lot of pressure on them all the time to act in a certain way. They must have had a great time getting to reflect on how far they made it from the back where they started to where they are now. This group deserves the amount of recognition they are getting.
♥Make It Right was the first song that I had fallen in love with when I first listened to this album. This song to my surprise was written by Ed Sheeran. The song strongly spoke about the problems that any relationship can face. There are problems that can arise in relationships platonic or non-platonic. What we need to remember is to try and fix things before they escalate. Take the step forward to fix any problem that may arise and have the courage to make things right.
I hope you all have enjoyed my section this month. Please let me know if you guys would like to see something more from me.
Thank you for reading!
Virtual Console Reviews
Kirby is the star of the show and the one that you should know. For a lack of creativity in my introductions I will hop onto the game that is being reviewed today: Kirby's Adventure!
The gameplay in Kirby's Adventure is simple. The player can float, swallow enemies, blocks, and stars and use them as projectiles, and can do a slide kick to damage enemies or destroy blocks. One thing that is brand-new to this game is the copy mechanic, where the player can swallow certain enemies to gain their ability for use. This makes Kirby much more enjoyable to play, as each ability is useful in a variety of situations and makes the stages more engaging to play though. There are even sections of certain stages which require or suggest the use of copy abilities. If there is one problem with this mechanic, however, is that some abilities are just too similar to others. Both Throw and Backdrop make the player grab an enemy allowing them to use a martial art on them. Both Freeze and Ice freeze enemies that touch the projectile from the abilities' attack. Both Fire and Ice make the player spit out the abilities' respective element forward in the exact same manner. Both Spark and Freeze shield the player using an element in the exact same manner. The Hammer and Sword abilities' attacks are quite similar. While some of these similar abilities still exist in Kirby games to this day, this problem has been mostly fixed by either merging abilities or by giving more distinct traits and/or attacks to previously duplicate abilities. However, in this game, some of the abilities just feel like padding, which is a shame.
One of my favourite things about this game is that it is a rare example of an NES game with good game design that still holds up today. Unlike other games of that era which punished death by making you replay massive chunks of gameplay or even the entire game, Kirby's Adventure never feels unfair or frustrating, as death only makes you restart the section of a stage that you are on, and a game over only makes you restart the stage. It actually is similar to how Ninja Gaiden treats death: while it is much more common in that game, you almost never have to replay a large chunk of gameplay, which gives you the incentive to keep on trying. I feel that while both of those games are very different in the difficulty department, they are still quite similar in how they treat death which is one of the many reasons why I like both games, and they prove how a game can still be difficult (or in Kirby's Adventure's case, easy) without being unfair and/or frustrating.
This game also is the first mainline Kirby game with stage selects. In this game's levels, the player can choose the stage that they want to play, which vary in themes and mechanics. The stages throw new challenges and gimmicks frequently to keep things fresh, although some levels are on the shorter side. In the stage select the player can play several mini-games, which are quite fun, arenas, where the player fights a mini-boss, rooms where the player can quickly go to other levels and museums, where the player can select an ability on the fly. Some of these locations are unlocked by normally completing a stage, although some times a Big Switch needs to be pressed in order to unlock these areas. The Big Switches are hidden in some stages starting in the level Butter Building. It is clearly shown what stages still have a Big Switch in them, so it is always fun and never frustrating to find them. At the end of each level, there is a boss. The bosses in this game are fun and can be difficult, although some of the difficulty is lost if the player brings certain abilities to a boss fight.
The plot of this game is simple. King Dedede stole and broke the Star Rod from the Fountain of Dreams, causing nightmares. It is later revealed the an evil being named Nightmare is the main villain and the King Dedede was trying to stop him. Once the player beats Nightmare Kirby puts the Star Rod back in the Fountain of Dreams, bringing good dreams back. It is not as complicated as other Kirby plots but it gets the job done.
Finally, when all of the Big Switches are activated the player unlocks Extra Game where they play through the game without saving and with only three health points. After this, the Sound Test is unlocked, where the player can listen to the game's music and sound effects, which are generally pretty good. Both of these are great rewards for 100 percent completion.
Kirby's Adventure is a fantastic game. While it may have minor issues overall this game feels and plays just like a modern game, similar to Ninja Gaiden. It has even better gameplay then Kirby's Dream Land with the fun copy abilities, great bosses, and secret extras that keep the player engaged. If you want a cheap and easily accessible platformer then Kirby's Adventure is an easy recommendation.
Rising Sun Reviews
Written by: Hooded Pitohui (talk)
Debuting in Japan's spring 2018 anime season, the show I'm reviewing today has a name which simultaneously positioned it for success while burdening it with the associations of a widely criticized series. There was a reason to be skeptical, certainly, of a spin-off installment of the infamously panned Sword Art Online franchise. Sword Art Online has been criticized for many reasons; the show is plagued by stories that drag on too long, resolutions which feel rushed and unsatisfying when they finally do arrive, bland characters who are too overpowered and possess poor characterization, world-building elements which are left unexplored, overused and controversial plot devices, and, of course, female characters treated as little more than the main character's harem. Indeed, there are plenty of valid issues critics have raised when it comes to Sword Art Online, and I encourage you to do a Google search and dive into the abundant materials on the topic if you're interested. I'm interested not in exploring the flaws of Sword Art Online, though, but instead in answering a question about its spinoff series. See, though its association with Sword Art Online could have doomed it to failure, Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online (which, for convenience, I'll be referring to hereafter as AGGO) was actually generally well-received, with even ardent critics of Sword Art Online granting that the spin-off improved on many of the franchise's worst aspects. So, what did AGO do that distinguished it from its parent franchise? Where did it go right where the rest of the franchise went wrong and are there enough changes to make the show worth your time even if the name has you a little skeptical?
What's in a Name?
Before delving into the show proper, I want to spend a moment to give its title some thought. Titles are underappreciated as the first point of connection people make with a work of media. A memorable title which reflects the essence of the show provides an important hook for a piece of media's spread by word of mouth. You need to have a title that people can remember after running across it only a few times when they go to search for it on the Internet, and it needs to be unique enough that they can immediately find whatever it is you've created and start associating elements of the work with its title. In the title department, Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online misses most marks by a wide berth. First, it's just plain clunky, with seven words that don't really flow together in any natural way. The only recognizable part of that title for most people is "Sword Art Online," which does admittedly do a fair job of immediately connecting this show to a larger and more well-known media franchise. Even if you don't follow the franchise and have no idea of the significance of "Gun Gale Online," you might be able to pick it out as its own piece of the title because of its parallel structure with the first three words. That still leaves a need to parse "Alternative," and, honestly, the structure of the title is too ambiguous to allow potential viewers to do so effectively. Without additional knowledge of the show, it could be taken either as "Sword Art Online Alternative" or as "Alternative Gun Gale Online." The former interpretation matches the show much better, communicating that this is a Sword Art Online story, but it's a different take on what's been told before. In my opinion, the simple addition of a colon between "Alternative" and "Gun" would make the title much easier to parse and would better establish how exactly the show is connected to its parent franchise. Even a colon wouldn't solve the issue entirely, as "Alternative" still feels too ambiguous. While it does indicate that this show is a spinoff and is separate from the main story, it doesn't do enough to dispel equally valid competing assumptions like "this show is a reboot" or "this show is a director's cut of sorts." Of course, I'm not just saying all of this because I want to be pedantic and find something to complain about. The other issue with the title is one I ran into myself; because fans of the parent series often refer to the second series (officially Sword Art Online II) as simply Gun Gale Online, it can be confusing for the uninitiated to try and search for the spinoff and run into materials about a completely different story. All that said, the title isn't perfect, but that's not going to make or break a show. That said, let's delve into the show itself and see what it gets right that Sword Art Online does not.
An Alternative and Self-Contained Story
AGGO is the story of Karen Kohiruimaki, a young undergraduate student attending college in Tokyo after having left her home in Obihiro, Hokkaido. Timid, quiet, and self-conscious about her height, she has difficulty adjusting and feels isolated and lonely in Tokyo. With the advice of close friend Miyu Shinohara, Karen decides to give virtual reality gaming a try to occupy her time. While Miyu enjoys playing games, Karen is more concerned with escaping into a virtual world where she can be shorter, cuter, and less timid than she is in real life. After a few false starts, she finds a game which generates an avatar which meets her expectations, that game being the eponymous Gun Gale Online. Naming her virtual self "LLENN," she quickly finds joy in using the particular advantages of her avatar and choice of clothing to ambush other players and she gains a fierce reputation. Soon afterward, Karen meets another player in this virtual world, an experienced player named Pitohui. Pitohui, delighted to find another female player, takes Karen on as a friend and apprentice of sorts, teaching her the mechanics of Gun Gale while Karen comes to enjoy the game itself. Not long after, Pitohui tells Karen about a battle royale tournament between teams of players, the Squad Jam, coming soon as an in-game event and encourages her to join in. Karen joins the Squad Jam and partners with M, an intimidating man who is acquainted with Pitohui. From there on, the story is one of Karen and M and, joining in the second event, Pitohui and Miyu (as "Fukaziroh") competing in the first two Squad Jam events. There are a few more key details, but they're weaved into this overarching plot of the two tournaments and it's better to leave them unspoiled for now.
One thing you might notice about that description is that it makes absolutely no mention of Sword Art Online. If you happen to know the franchise, you might realize that it doesn't mention any members of the regular cast or tie back to any of the previous storylines. In truth, the only thing in that description is Gun Gale Online, since the game itself previously appeared in Sword Art Online II. One of the great strengths of this spin-off is the distance it puts between itself and its parent franchise. There are a few references here and there which only those with knowledge of the parent franchise will get, certainly, but they do nothing to detract from the experience for anyone joining in just for the spin-off. There is one major plot point which relies heavily on the show's connection to the original Sword Art Online, but all of the context needed to understand it is summarized in the spin-off itself. AGGO is almost wholly self-contained, freeing it from many of the burdens of its parent series and associations with its cast members and story arcs.
On top of this, AGGO benefits from having a clear focus, a slice of the overall story that comes packaged between a neat beginning and end. Unlike its parent series, which is often criticized for story arcs and an overall story which drag on without satisfying endings or explanations, AGGO does not try to be more than a show about Karen's experience in Gun Gale's two Squad Jams. The first tournament concludes in the fifth episode, and the final episode extends only slightly beyond the end of the second tournament. The tournaments have clear and unambiguous endings, and the show as a whole ends on a note that leaves things open to continue without leaving loose ends. Not having a sequel hook or anything to try an extend the story beyond what is appropriate helps the show to avoid the pitfalls of its predecessors.
A World of Guns… Rated T for Teen
Moving on to questions of characters and world-building, it's important to note that expanding on the world of Gun Gale Online was one of the things this spin-off explicitly set out to do. Fans of the franchise clamored for further exploration of the gun-focused VRMMORPG introduced in Sword Art Online II. It's unsurprising, then, that the show goes on to really flesh out the world of the game. While the show introduces Gun Gale Online as a grim and dark "World of Guns," the science fiction elements of the game's setting receive far less attention as the game as the setting itself. Rarely does the show give you an opportunity to forget that most of the action is taking place in an MMORPG, but it takes a "show, don't tell approach" that works in its favor. Whether it's introducing a game mechanic, showing how characters work with or around the unique mechanics of the game, or just through the display of a HUD, viewers are sent numerous little signals to ground them in the world of Gun Gale Online. This does become a problem once or twice when critical fights are resolved with game elements that weren't explained in advance. In these instances, it can feel like the writers choose an easy answer after backing into a corner, though, admittedly, even these moments aren't without any foreshadowing. It's not only mechanical aspects which are used to build the game's world, though social elements are also employed. At points viewers are reminded of the (as unjustified in-universe just as it is outside of the show) rampant sexism in these kinds of competitive games, reminded that there are also escapists and creeps on the Internet just as there are earnest and honest players, and reminded that some of the characters quite enjoy their little acts of roleplaying even as they struggle to embrace or distance their real from the online characters they become. For English speakers, the dub does an arguably even better job with this side of things. Dialogue is modified to sound much more casual and relaxed, with some slang like "irl" even added to characters' lines and an overall casual atmosphere that fits what you'd expect to hear from battle royale gamers.
What sells the notion of Gun Gale Online as a videogame setting even further and makes it more meaningful by tying is how the show's major events in Gun Gale are tied back to the real world. Unlike the original Sword Art Online, what happens in the real world in AGGO matters greatly to the progression of the show and the development of its characters. This is thankfully well-balanced, and it ends up being satisfying to watch the growth and development of Karen and other players as they interact outside of Gun Gale and learn to take on the characteristics in their virtual self. Of course, not everyone takes the game all that seriously. That Miyu retains the same primary focus on having fun in the game throughout even the show's more serious moments in a manner consistent with her carefree nature in real life and that characters like the members of Team SHINC have a diverse range of reasons for wanting to play further contributes to the world-building of Gun Gale as a videogame and keeps the real-life experiences of the characters interesting.
A Colorful Squad of Characters
Speaking of the characters, the cast of AGGO manages to avoid many of the characterization issues that its parent franchise struggled with. Kirito, the main character of the franchise as a whole, is infamously overpowered. Here, the characters certainly do demonstrate some great feats, but they aren't at the level of disparity between main characters and others in the parent franchise and they all come with explanations rooted in the characters or the mechanics of Gun Gale Online. Karen, for example, has extraordinary speed as LLENN because her online avatar is so short and small. She also managed to make clever use of camouflage and hiding spots, either making use of her small size to fit where others could not or finding ways to hide her pink clothing in her surroundings. That she still gets unusually lucky sometimes might undermine this, but even her unusual luckiness received acknowledgment in the show itself. I will say that there are a few unusual moments with LLENN's weapon, which she named P-chan, which stretch the show's established setting a bit too far in my opinion. The show would have been better off without these odd scenes, but there are only two or three of them, so it doesn't become too disruptive. Other characters find their own ways to accomplish difficult tasks. M manages to avoid tipping of foes to his shots by not using the game's built-in targeting system and instead relying on his real-life marksmanship skills. Pitohui has some overwhelming victories, but her skills, like those of real competitive gamers, come from investing great amounts of time to the game. All-in-all, the characters manage to avoid pulling abilities out of nowhere and act in accordance with the rules established for the setting.
In addition, the characters themselves are all fairly interesting and fleshed out. The four main characters get the greatest amount of attention and development, of course, but other teams and characters make lasting impressions even with limited screen time. Team SHINC is notable for being developed both in real life and in Gun Gale Online, but even the serious and well-organized Team Memento Mori or the fun-loving Team ZEMAL provide viewers with glimpses of a well-rounded cast with plenty of personality. While it's repeatedly brought up as a plot point that there are few female players in Gun Gale Online, most significant characters are female. Here, unlike in Sword Art Online, the girls certainly aren't treated as a bunch of supporting characters and romantic options for the males. They stand on their own and often, though not always, surpass their male competitors. There are other little pieces which leave females better represented in AGGO. One of the show's notable secondary female characters is even openly bisexual. While it's not handled perfectly, she at least isn't treated as an anomaly for being bisexual, only for choosing to try and extort a kiss from LLENN at an opportune moment. The English dub handles this scene even better, arguably, throwing out a quick little "I'm bi irl" and not making a scene of it. I won't pretend to be particularly knowledgeable about social issues and representation in media, but I've seen generally positive responses to the LGBQT+ representation in the show. In fairness, I've also seen a mix of some positive and negative reactions to the portrayal of M's relationship to Pitohui, but I'll let you look into those and any other questions of representation for yourself and judge it as you see it. The overall matter, though, is that in the world of Gun Gale Online, every character is placed on equal footing and the wide diversity of players you would expect to play an MMORPG receives full representation. The show doesn't make a big deal of representing a great number of different individuals, but characters of all kinds of personalities and a swath of backgrounds appear.
In Conclusion
Altogether, Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online improves upon many of the issues present in its parent franchise and presents an enjoyable story which is neatly separated from the main arc of Sword Art Online. If you've avoided the show because of its name and because you've already been tainted on the Sword Art Online franchise, it might be worth your time to give it a try now that you know more about where it endeavors to surpass or distance itself from its parent franchise. Tying these improvements together is a compelling story, good visuals and music, and a somewhat comedic tone. It's not some stunning masterpiece of a show, but it knows exactly what it offers in terms of over-the-top action and impressive firefights and it plays to its strengths. It keeps a lighthearted tone and focused first and foremost on delivering action and telling its own tale, a tale contained in the broader Sword Art Online universe but one which stays mainly within its own bounds. It may not appeal to everyone, but, if you enjoy action-oriented anime this is certainly one to check out, no matter your feelings on its parent franchise. If you're interested, both the sub and the dub present good options (though I would personally recommend the sub, either one is suitable depending on your preferences). The dub takes a few liberties with the dialogue, but it keeps the story and the meaning of most lines intact. The voice acting is excellent in both versions, as well. The sub is on (at least in the United States) Hulu and Crunchyroll, with Crunchyroll even offering free access to fifty short clips, while the dub is on Hulu and Netflix.


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Belinabegan her career in Interior Design over 15 years ago. After spending years in both the residential and commercial arenas, managing high end showrooms, working as principal designer in her own design firm, Bella Vista Interiors, and working with the Real Estate community, she honed in on her passion for design and architecture to intentionally create well thought out designs for each unique individual and space.
After receiving numerous scholarships, Belina graduated with honors and holds a bachelor of science degree in Interior Design. as well as a masters in architecture. She is a Certified Practitioner of Interior Alignment and a long-time member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She is an expert in her field, and she truly loves what she does.
Belina is the author of numerous design articles and has spoken at many events on motivation as well as celebratingones uniqueness and having that reflect in their own environments. She believes in designing with a "human touch" which encourages a sense of joy and balance in every project.
Belina enjoys traveling through Europe and abroad studying architecture and experiencing different cultures. She devotes her time, service, and creativity to every project and client she works with.
2222 Second Street, Livermore, CA, 94550, United States


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OPC seeks writers who care and dare to engage the great social, political and cultural issues of our time. We welcome challenging work that reflects the ethnic, cultural and ideological diversity of the country.
The OPC Summer Conference and New Works Festival bring selected playwrights and artistic teams together in Ojai for a two-week residency (late July through mid-August) that culminates in a series of public workshops of their new plays, performed by professional actors, in an intimate 140-seat theater.
Conference Week: Community / Dramaturgy
Working with directors, dramaturges and OPC artistic staff, the writers live and work together in a bucolic Ojai setting. During this first week, the new plays are read daily in an intimate atmosphere, providing the playwrights with an opportunity to hear their plays read aloud, and receive valuable feedback from the assembled artistic teams. Breakfast and lunch are served daily. And in the evenings, special dinners are graciously hosted in Ojai by board members and community supporters, creating opportunities for casual discussions and further inspiration.
Festival Week: Rehearsals / Public Readings
The acting company, stage managers and production staff arrive in Ojai to continue the creative process. Each play workshop has its own rehearsal room on the campus ofBesant Hill School, where the playwright meets daily with his/her creative team, professional actors, stage manager and interns to rehearse and further refine their works. At the end of the week, public workshops take place in front of an audience as part of the OPC New Works Festival. After each public performance, the playwright has the opportunity to receive valuable, moderated feedback from audience members about the experience of their play.
Directors & Dramaturges
OPC seeks seasoned, experienced professional directors and dramaturges in new play development to work on the selected plays each season. If you are interested in being a part of the creative process at OPC, please send a full resume and letter of intent to Robert Egan, OPC Artistic Director/Producer.
The casting of the workshops for the OPC New Works Festival is done in collaboration with the playwrights and directors. We cast professional actors from the Southern California acting community, the Ojai community and past company members. There are no formal auditions, but there is an AEA open call each year.
Please check the Equity website for dates and info on how to sign up. Casting decisions are generally made in July.
The acting company comes to Ojai for eight days in support of the work of the playwright and director to further develop the selected play. There are daily rehearsals and there may be extensive or minimal work on the plays. Housing and meals are provided for the acting company at Besant Hill School during their stay. The actors are there to help the playwright fulfill their vision of their new play. The process culminates in public workshops in the OPC New Works Festival.
Local Hosts & HELPERS
OPC seeks the support of Ojai Valley residents and businesses in a variety of ways, including:
Housing for playwrights, guest artists and staff
Hosted meals at private homes or at local restaurant for conference week artists/participants
Marketing support / poster & flier distribution
Receptions for playwrights and artists
For more info on becoming a housing host, please contact: Kelly Musgrove, General Manager.
For all other opportunities, please contact: Mark Seldis, Managing Director.
"The OPC was a savior for both my play, and my life. I work in TV and rarely get to disconnect from that world. Just 90 minutes outside of LA, I was able to truly shut that part of my brain down, and open my heart back up to my play. OPC truly nurtures the writers, and provide infinite wisdom / space / time / pasta / wine to facilitate whatever the writer needs... Hands down my new favorite play development conference! "
– Bekah Brunstetter
OPC Interns are college students from across the country, who are selected to participate through an online application process. While most are theater students focusing on play writing, directing, or acting, all areas of interest/study are considered.
Interns are fully immersed into the OPC artistic community for two weeks, and act as literary or directing assistants for the new play workshops. Interns also participate in a writing workshop with OPC playwrights and dramaturgs; write and perform an original solo piece as part of the New Works Festival; and assist OPC staff with overall Conference operations and logistics.


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It's that time of year again - metal kind of getting snubbed by the biggest music awards ceremony in the world, the Grammys. Today marked the 61st Grammy Awards ceremony, which hands out prestigious awards to artists across a whole bunch of genres.
This year, Californian sludge metal veterans High On Fire won the 'Best Metal Performance' award for the title song off their latest ripper album Electric Messiah, which came out in October last year. They were up against a decent selection of metal competition in Deafheaven ('Honeycomb'), Trivium ('Betrayer'), Underoath ('On My Teeth') and Between The Buried and Me ('Condemned to the Gallows').
While the metal categories were not televised as part of the pre-show (as per usual), you can still check out frontman Matt Pike accept the award:
If you're wondering why he's limping around on a walking stick, it's because he actually had part of his toe amputated late last year, which forced them off their co-headline US tour with Municipal Waste.
In the 'Best Rock Performance' category, the late Chris Cornell won a posthumous Grammy for 'When Bad Does Good', beating out The Fever 333, Greta Van Fleet, Halestorm and Arctic Monkeys.
Winning a Grammy award is a huge deal in every respect - but look at that half-full, non-televised auditorium man...metal needs a fairer shake next year!
Listen to High On Fire now.


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Item Details
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Dickens, Charles
- Format
- Online
- Creator
- Dickens, Charles
- Date
- 1870
- Collection
- UVa Text Collection
- Online Texts
- Notes
- Alderman Library, University of Virginia, PR4564 .A1 1870
- Includes The Mystery of Edwin Drood only—other materials from the 1870 edition not included.
- Copyright & PermissionsRights statements and licenses provide information about copyright and reuse associated with individual items in the collection.
Additional information about rights, reuse of Library materials, suggested citation forms, and related issues can be found on the "Permission to Use Library Materials" page.
- Copyright Not Evaluated
▾See more
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Alyssa shelasky dating blog who is lindsay price dating
21-Dec-2018 03:13
Full disclosure: I wrote something more or less nasty about Alyssa in August when she started "See Alyssa Date," her dating blog for Glamour.
But after reading months and months of what amounts to a very-censored version of your most boy-crazy friend's diary, I've changed my mind - she's a doll. Here's the column, or read it below, continuing after the jump.
My bohemian parents think weddings are silly and stressful — and my sister (a nonmaterialistic free spirit) and I totally agree.
As I drove to the airport, we decided the wedding would be at City Hall, maybe with a dinner afterward — in two weeks.
As the morning sun kissed the Eiffel Tower, two things were certain: Life was grand — and I had to get home fast.Then we remembered a recipe for a simple eggplant pasta sauce spiked with red pepper flakes called, appropriately for us, "Rainy Day Rigatoni." Perfect.


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Ravage Rose
Ravage Rose may be an unknown name, but they operate inside the definitely well-known genre of rock. Hard rock! With a female singer! We like that.
Ravage Rose is a Trondheim based five-piece band with a debut album on the way. It's coming in the beginning of 2018 and will be named "Lovers and Losers". The first single, Mr. Heartache, is already out and can be found on all streaming services including a video n YouTube.
Ravage Rose was established in 2013, and has played a large number of gigs in the Trøndelag area, a series of gigs a in and outside of Norway, and also done a mini tour as support for the heavy metal band W.A.S.P in 2015. They have never played north of the arctic circle, so we get the honor of housed their maiden arctic gig when they are coming to Lakselv to play the Midnight Rock Festival for the first time. The singer, Tara Bloch, is from Hammerfest by the way, so we think we all should be a bit patriotic and supportive about our co-Finnmarkings.
The type of music is recognizable in every way, and in addition to their own songs, they play a series of covers of well-known classic rock songs. Check them out on YouTube! This is definitely gonna be pleasing for everyone with an ear for rock, who likes classic heavy rock and metal, and thinks a true classic rock look and screaming guitar solos are cool!
Home page: www.ravagerose.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RavageRose
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravagerose
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq9VCMCMcik


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After Easter, Jesus spent 40 days with his followers talking to them about the kingdom of God. In this episode, pastor Suzy Silk continues our sermon series on Kingdom Values by examining our Identity, and the significance that God is the one who names us. // 2019-05-05
"But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.' "
– Isaiah 43: 1
Church of the City New York
https://church.nyc | @COTCNYC


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Subscription Box Warehousing & Fulfillment
Subscription Box Fulfillment Experts
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Silver Aluminum Magnetic Vases by Shahar Peleg
Impress your guests and let them wonder in amazement how these beautiful slender aluminum vases are standing upright on their own. Each of these five vases have a small metal magnet under the tablecloth that will keep it firmly in place. Place in them real or artificial flowers, and you will take pride in an innovative and elegant decoration.
Pack: 5
Size: 0.6" x 0.6" x 9.6" / 1.5 x 1.5 x 24 cm
The Artist: Shahar Peleg is one of Israel's most exciting designers, having his whimsical creations displayed in international exhibitions and sold around the world.


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