text:
'Pusher' lacks soul
James Rocchi, Special to MSN Movies
There is, to be sure, nothing new in "Pusher," Luis Prieto's remake of a 1996 film by "Drive" director Nicolas Winding Refn. But at least there's a lot of it, with plenty of fluorescent-lit spaces and cold neon lights as London drug dealer Frank (Richard Coyle) has a very bad week at work. Frank has a good life: days spent as best mates with the feral, rat-twitchy Tony (Bronson Webb) and nights of drink-lubricated and drug-fueled fun with his girlfriend, Flo (Agyness Deyn). Director Prieto has no small amount of what clearly looks like fun setting up Frank's work and world before Matthew Read's script curves toward the inevitable, as Frank over-leverages himself into a series of drug deals that put him in debt to the local underboss Milo (Zlatko Buric, reprising his work from Refn's 1996 original). It's the kind of debt involving such huge sums of money that Frank might as well just let them kill him, which they will try.
Search: More on Nicolas Winding Refn
And so the tempo and the debauchery and the violence kick up a notch with each turn of the screw on poor Frank's jangling nerves, as Frank calls in all debts and tries to get some money, any money, to throw at Milo and his henchman Hakan (Mem Ferda). There's a certain matter-of-fact propulsion behind the scenes -- Frank owes money -- and Coyle has both a face and demeanor that start out pretty good and are then improved by a little stubble-shaded exhaustion and a jawline set grimly against fate.
But all of the shooting and depravity and beatings and murders feel a little hollow. "Pusher" is trying to cash in on "Drive" -- insofar as you can do that, I guess -- by having Refn, who produces here, named on the poster. And compared to something like "Drive," "Pusher" looks like, well, what it is, namely a translated, cranked-up remake of a 16-year-old film made for far less money and to better effect.
There are things to admire in Prieto's direction, amid the noise and haste. Frank's nighttime trip to his urban hiding place is a brisk bit of visual storytelling showing a successful criminal at work. And cinematographer Simon Dennis does crisp, colorful work that brings to life the glowing, up-too-late world Frank lives in. There's also original music by Orbital, who you may remember from the soundtrack of every other movie like this you've already seen.
Coyle's work is undermined substantially by the fact we never have a clue who Frank is or what he wants, aside from money and drugs and the status that come with both. Model-actress Deyn's turn as Flo, a beautiful girl with a taste for ugly things, is striking, and Buric rants and raves agreeably as a mobster-monster with a tough policy on failure. Neil Maskell, excellent in "Kill List," gets a few nice moments as the customer who kicks all Frank's troubles off.
"Pusher" wants to be a wrenching and gripping tour of the shadow world of crime and drugs, but instead it feels like just another movie about crime and drugs as Frank's week goes from bad to worse. (It is an example of the kind of crime film that is hardly helped when you start to judge the protagonist. As Frank was being threatened or assaulted with words, hammers and guns, I kept thinking "Well, maybe you should have thought of consequences like that before you became a drug dealer.") "Pusher" has a slick sales patter and some catchy visual branding, but the product itself is a bright, brittle package of nothing.
Want more Movies? Be sure to like MSN Movies on Facebook and follow MSN Movies Twitter.
James Rocchi's writings on film have appeared at Cinematical.com, Netflix.com, AMCtv.com, IFC.com, SFGate.com and in Mother Jones magazine. He was also the on-air film critic for San Francisco's CBS-5 from 2006 to 2008. He now lives in Los Angeles, where every ending is a twist ending.


text:
CamelBak Skeeter Children's Pack Review
A quick reminder about two contests that will be wrapping up soon: one for a pair of Merrell Pace Glove women's trail shoes, and the other for a copy of Marshall Ulrich's great new book. No, they're not prizes of equal value … but they're both pretty cool. Winners will be announced on Sunday.
Strange as it sounds, one of the main factors in determining whether our kids would be up for hiking in Yosemite was hydration packs. More specifically, we wanted to know if they'd be able to carry their own water.
Prior to this spring, whenever we did family hikes, I would typically carry my own hydration pack as well as a couple of water bottles for everyone to share – but I knew that the prospect of lugging enough fluid for three kids to spend a whole day on the trails and steep hills of Yosemite was more than I wanted to deal with. In other words, Daddy wasn't playing the family camel anymore; sometimes you just have to draw a line.
|CamelBak Skeeter pack above Nevada Fall
For my 12-year-old son, this wasn't much of a problem, as he's tall enough to use a standard hydration pack, and was already accustomed to using it for day hikes and bike rides. My younger daughters were more of a problem, however; even the smallest adult packs seemed either too wide through the shoulders or too long through the holsters or trunk to be worn comfortably for an extended period of time. That's why I was relieved to find the CamelBak Skeeter pack, which is specifically designed for kids, and which my 9-year-old daughter has used extensively, including our Yosemite trip where most of the photos in this post were taken.
|On the Mist Trail, with Illouette Fall in background
The Skeeter serves one very simple function: it holds a fluid compartment against your back. It doesn't have pockets or cargo containers or media cord outlets or anything remotely fancy (except for a reflective stripe, if you consider that fancy). However, it incorporates some of CamelBak's best innovations, and like all of the company's products, it comes with a lifetime guarantee for durability. It's also extremely lightweight and low profile – weighing just 3.8 oz (110g) without fluid, with an 11-inch torso length - so it rides very easily and is perfectly sized for smaller bodies.
|Lightweight mesh harness, comfort mesh back panel, Velcro reservoir pocket closure
The Skeeter comes with CamelBak's new Antidote reservoir, which is a noticeable improvement over the Omega reservoirs that were already pretty darn awesome. It has a wide mouth opening with a new quarter-turn fastening system that locks the cap in place without any doubt about security. Using two Omega reservoirs and one Antidote on our trip, it was easy to tell a difference in the ease of closing the new version compared to the former. Fluid capacity on this pack is 50oz (1.5L), or roughly three-quarters the capacity of standard adult hydration packs.
|At the edge of Vernal Fall
All the other traditional CamelBak reservoir features are here, too: the Big Bite valve with lockout lever, HydroGuard technology to prevent microbial buildup on the interior surfaces, and a PureFlow tube for a steady volume of fluid with each drink. When the pack is filled, it sits very securely against the back, with very minimal bouncing when running or jumping from rock to rock.
|Rockhopping on the Yosemite Falls Trail
Both my daughter and I are quite impressed with the Skeeter pack, and after comparing the utility of adult packs and childrens packs over multiple outings, I'd say there's definitely a benefit to using child-specific gear. Truthfully, the only downside is that your kid will eventually grow out of it, but since the Skeeter pack is very affordably priced, you'll definitely get your money's worth if you use it for a reasonable amount of time.
CamelBak's Skeeter pack retails for $26 from Amazon.com.
|Above the Yosemite falls overlook
*Product provided by CamelBak
**See other product reviews on sidebar at right. If you have a product you'd like reviewed, contact me at email@example.com.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Bliss Travels was founded on the idea of providing special, hard-to-find experiences for people traveling in France, with unique custom vacations, culinary & wine trips and private travel that cannot be replicated without the special, in depth knowledge of cultural insiders and local residents. The big bus tours have generic, crowded vacations covered. The airlines and travel agents have the "do-it-yourself" and the "big luxury hotel" market. Bliss Travels is different. They have personal relationships with local providers, chefs and winemakers who grant them exclusive access to sights, services and experiences most tourists never have. No matter the luxury level or price point, Bliss travelers have a truly authentic and personalized "insider" travel experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Experience Bliss!
Everyone knows Provence is stunning, but this is your chance to move beyond the beautiful landscapes. Enjoy the best local markets, dining in hidden country inns, cooking with locals and access to the kitchens of Michelin-starred chefs. It's Provence, as you would experience it if you were traveling with a friend "in the know". Come see what Bliss truly is!
Summer in France - there's nothing like it! Join in the Bastille Day festivities in seaside village "fêtes" and street fairs. Vacation like the French do, away from crowded city centers and touristy resorts. Instead, escape to a castle and the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, glass of superbe rosé in hand. Add a Grand Finale on to any trip.
Dine in the Paris apartment of a talented young chef. Visit the best wine bars and "off the beaten track" bistros, then be one of a very few who travel with us for the grape harvest in Burgundy and drink the finest wines in the world. Enjoy wine tastings in venues not open to the public; enjoy winemaker led private barrel tastings; have your own sommelier-led Grand Cru tasting party; talk to the technical director for a world famous domaine; and enjoy top-level dining that ranges from casual market day picnics to Michelin stars and private chefs. A personalized, relaxed trip through Burgundy with "insiders" that is customized to reflect your preferences. See what everyone's talking about.
Paris sparkles for the holidays as you privately tour the markets and gourmet shops, luxuriate during a truffle and champagne picnic, and wine and dine in private homes and lesser-known gastronomic bistros. Explore the museums and neighborhoods with our French guide on custom designed walking tours and have a special Christmas day celebration.
Stellar wines and gourmet dining without being "stuffy". Enjoy luxury lodging and exclusive access to vineyards and chateaux not open to the public. Taste world famous wines from chateaux like Haut Brion, Margaux, Pavie & Figeac in relaxed, private venues and in the chateaux themselves. Exclusive tastings in "closed to the public" vineyards like Cheval Blanc and dining in a chateau owner's private dining room. Get a behind-the-scenes look at life in the wine capital of the world.
Contact email@example.com for more information and to book.


text:
"What is the real reason for the MOAI statues standing on Easter Island? Is it a landing strip for invading aliens, or perhaps each statue is really a living creature simply in slumber?"
Hey assface? The rise and fall of indigenous civilization on Rapa Nui hasn't been a mystery for quite a fucking while now.
"Some of the most fanciful stories I have ever read involved stalwart English professors in the 1930's engaging in scientific archaeological excavations, that unearthed horrible curses rather than the prizes they sought."
Adventures in Unfortunate Implications! Let us recall the carefree days of literature where heroes were the manliest of men and whitest of white, and nobody dared to criticize you for trivial details like 'really insipid racism' and 'basic lack of recognition of the humanity of other people'!
From the 'additional inspirations' section:
"Aztec and Mayan fortresses hidden under wet jungle foliage (such as the movie "The Ruins")."
The fall of great Mesoamerican civilizations: NOT A FUCKING MYSTERY. ALSO NOT FUCKING ROMANTIC.
"Cook Islands where ancestors of Captain Bligh's men founded their own society amongst the natives."
Hmm. Needs moar Mighty Whitey.
"Ghost towns in American old west genre and Indian tribes."
Presented without fucking comment.
"King Solomon's mines and voodoo in Africa (such as Allan Quatermain series, penned by H. Rider Haggard and many others)."
No. Just fucking no.
"A plane crash survivor that stumbles upon a warrior tribe hunting in the Amazon."
This is the really quite boring story of how some indigenous folks directed some lost tourists back to the nearest major city.
"Forgotten tales of men and curses in mighty Athens or haughty Jerusalem or wild Sri Lanka."
Wild Sri Lanka, people:
"Was Stonehenge built as protective runes against marauding demons?"
No. It's a (sacred and hugely socially important) clock.
"What is the origin of the mystical healing practices at Anuradhapura?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuradhapura (TL;DR -Buddhism)
"Where lies the famed city of El Dorado, sought by Spanish conquistadors?"
In the minds of said mass murderers.
"What happened to the Colony at Roanoke?"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Colony (TL;DR - the surviving settlers successfully assimilated into surrounding Algonquin settlements.)
Trinker sums up the whole fucking mess pretty succinctly: "What this world needs is an anthology about the colonial mindset!"
Because, yanno, ten thousand existent pot-boiling novels aren't enough. We really need some modern fiction written in the style of Racist Exoticism of Yore.
-Drops mic, walks away-
Because the world needs yet another Magical Honky anthology!
What on the face of Demeter's green Earth is this horseshit??
i said UM really loudly when i read this just no this is bad :(
hahahaha this is so horrible "Cook Islands where ancestors of Captain Bligh's men founded their own society amongst the...
Post-League of Extraordinary GentlemenandalsoMinaHarkerwhoisactuallythebrainsoftheoperation a mate got me King Solomon's...
Really nothing to add here. Holy carp.
racism bingo card masquerading as anthology call, good one. FUCK freedom of speech, i want this guy shut down right the...
What on the face of Demeter's green Earth is this horseshit??
ugh fuck this shit. i already have a hard time convincing people that von daniken is not the gospel.
let us not forget to add Privileged in there too
the commentary on these is amazing, though for me when i was reading the call for submissions all the words just kind of...
Futhermore, what exotic mystical curse was cast upon Eric G. Guignard's face?
Aside from all the obvious flaws already pointed out, this call for submissions just sounds boring.
He proposes to pay you $40 for your work, give or take. He estimates that he will pay 22 authors a total of $880 for his...
Because the world needs yet another Magical Honky anthology!


text:
Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Hi all
Why is it, not matter how still I am, whether I am standing up or laying down, resting my arms on the ground or have my elbows in the air I don't seem to be able to take a sharp photo?
It's not because of low light conditions or slow shutter speeds, Sunday morning I was in the garden and even with the shutter at 2000/sec I still had trouble taking shots.
At least I have a tripod but there's not always time to set that up.
Could be that you are trying too hard ?? I know sometimes I tense up when taking a picture - guarantees shake. Try relaxing and see if that helps?
Not sure what the answer is, apart from sharpening after in PS, or whatever you use. You read all this stuff about taking a breath and holding it etc, etc, but I never remember that! Make sure you are squeezing the trigger gently, rather than snatching at it, but I'm sure you've tried all this before! I would guess well over 90% of my shots are hand held, I very rarely use a tripod. When I go out, it normally gets left behind in the car, along with the monopod!
I must admit to using a tripod more often than not, along with mirror lockup too but then, my camera is a bit of a beast to hand hold. (A neckstrap makes quite a bit of difference though)
i wish i could use tripod more often. well, my photos are shaken more often when i'm using the tripod than when i'm not. it's time to buy a more sturdy one. it's not good to shoot quickly from the hip like john wayne (even if some pros look like they do during glamour sessions).
if you are using studio lights then a tripod isn't so necessary as the brief flash duration freezes any movement anyway
I am finding that my hand-held shots are improving. Partly its because I am thinking more about the "reciprocal law". (Shutter speed at least equal to 1/focal length ((I usually try for at least twice that)). However, I think my greatest improvement has come from using an old rifle target shooting trick.
If I feel I am wavering (usually the case) I set the focus manually to approximately the right adjustment, then deliberately move the camera to get the final focus point. As I cross the point of focus I press the shutter (gently - as Frank said). I don't know if it will work for others but it helps me.
For longer exposures it has to be proper support - monopod, tripod, railing - anything to anchor the camera. (I've been experimenting using the monopod at its shortest, then trapping it between my body and a suitable firm base - it looks to have possibilties)
Tripods! Even that word puts the fear of whatsisname into me! I've nearly dented my youngest's head with one of those cos I didnt have the knack, better now though, think ePZ ought to have a tripod range for practice!
Tripods are our friends . . . come, join us - don't be afraid!
I got myself a shutter release and it's a marvelous thing when on a tripod - no more knocking the camera when you press the button. Of course the same can be done with setting the self timer off everytime.
So self portraits would be a breeze with that then???
Oh blimey Frank dont blind me with science I'm a beginner! lol
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.


text:
Subtotal Hysterectomy Removes Only a Woman's Uterus Not Her Cervix
July 9, 2009 by admin
Filed under Hysterectomy
A subtotal hysterectomy removes only a woman's uterus not her cervix. Many women may not even think about the fact that in most cases a woman loses her cervix along with her uterus. While this may not seem vastly important, losing the cervix does have consequences. Therefore, if a woman's medical condition does not dictate the removal of the cervix, she may want to consider a subtotal hysterectomy.
The cervix is the inch or so long piece of connective tissue which forms the neck of the uterus; it is essentially the protective opening between the vagina and the uterus. Any time a woman chooses to have a vaginal hysterectomy she automatically chooses to have her cervix removed. When the cervix is removed two things may happen: One, the vaginal area may become significantly dryer; two, since the cervical tissue supports many of the pelvic ligaments, the pelvic area may become less stable. After considering these side effects, a woman may want to discuss the possibility of a subtotal hysterectomy with her doctor. A woman considering a subtotal hysterectomy needs to know that since her cervix will remain she remains vulnerable to cervical cancer. Thus, it is imperative that she have pap smears on a schedule prescribed by her gynecologist.
If a woman and her physician decide that a subtotal hysterectomy is appropriate there are generally two methods by which it may be accomplished: An abdominal hysterectomy and the tongue twisting laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. An abdominal hysterectomy generally requires additional time in surgery, a longer hospital stay and a longer post operative recovery period. It also leaves a large scar, although the scar can sometimes be lessened by an artful surgeon. For this reason many women consider the laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy procedure.
A subtotal hysterectomy assisted by a laparoscope (slender optical tube) begins with a small incision below the patient's navel through which the instrument is inserted. After the surgeon has located and examined the uterus two more small cuts will be made through which additional surgical instruments will be inserted. These tools will be used to cut the uterus, but not the cervix, away from the body. The organ will then be cut into strips small enough to be removed through the previous incisions. Scarring will be limited to the three small cuts made for inserting the needed instruments. Performed in this manner a subtotal hysterectomy requires only slightly more time in surgery than a vaginal hysterectomy. The hospital stay and recuperation time will also be somewhat longer.
A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy can only be used in circumstances where the uterus has not been substantially enlarged by disease. If due to an ailment the uterus has grown too large to be removed via the laparoscopic method an abdominal hysterectomy will be required. The possibility of a laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy turning into an abdominal hysterectomy should be fully discussed with the surgeon prior to the operation.
Loss of the cervix as part of a total hysterectomy may not be of immediate concern to some women. In addition, many women may not want to have an abdominal procedure in order to retain the cervix. However, any time it is medically possible to save a piece of healthy tissue, it should be a matter for consideration. A woman who feels that she would be best served by having her cervix in place should be aware of the subtotal hysterectomy alternative.
Check Out Our Brand New e-Book –> Women's Hysterectomy Stories – The Essential Guide by: Ruth Steeves. Click Here Now for Instant Access!


text:
Iggy Pop's rider is wacko, insane, crazy pants and I love it. Read it! Watch out, though. If you upset it, it may eat your entire family.
Has it all been done before? Maybe. What's the difference between a reference and an outright copy? Let's explore that fine line with some blatant examples.
Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.
Join 585 other followers


text:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I play a Shaman, for a LONG time PVP was a nightmare due mostly to survivability. Then I went Resto pvp, and all that changed. Walking into a BG as the only healer in the mix can make you the biggest game changer. Granted i dont get the MOST kills or damage done, but MOST BGs don't rely on those contrary to popular belief. Objectives are the goal, and should be the priority. As a healer I feel like I play a big role in completing my objective. I'm only as good as the people that protect me and allow me to keep them alive. Sometimes, I'm all that stands between my FC and a band of angry, frustrated, and annoyed people looking for the easy win. Nothing is more exciting than walking away from those odds alive with your objective; knowing you made the difference. I enjoy my pvp because I am the difference, and you never know whats going to happen in the next fight.


text:
These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things (2013 Edition)
Following in the tradition of last year, we, the Tools & Toys staff, are here to share a few of our favorite… ahem… tools and/or toys from 2013. Let's get to it, shall we? Shawn's Favorites Seiko Automatic Watch Buying … (More)
The Tools and Toys 2013 Christmas Catalog
The 2013 Tools & Toys Christmas gift guide. For the Gadget Geek, the Coffee Drinker, the Music Listener, the Apple aficionado, the Hard Worker, or just The Guy Who's Hard To Shop For. As always, only the finest gifts suggested. … (More)
A Few of Our Favorite Things
The staff here at Tools & Toys took a moment to reflect back on some of our favorite tools and toys of 2012. Some were new to the world, others just new to us. Shawn's Favorite New Gadget: Olympus E-PL5 … (More)


text:
More hotels (and more deals!) in more places
Make the right decision with help from over 7,500,000 reviews from actual guests
4.2 out of 5 (17 reviews)
4.1 out of 5 (113 reviews)
3.6 out of 5 (917 reviews)
4.6 out of 5 (156 reviews)
5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews)
3.9 out of 5 (247 reviews)
4.6 out of 5 (9 reviews)
3.7 out of 5 (123 reviews)
4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Make the right decision with help from over 7,500,000 reviews from actual guests
The world's smallest country, Vatican City is dominated by St Peter's, Christendom's largest church. Michelangelo's humbling 'Pietà' and his Sistine Chapel ceiling frescos are among the world's greatest works of art. The Aurelio area is named after the ancient Via Aurelia, the main road that connected Rome with Spain, and is convenient for visiting the city's sights.
If you're interested in experiencing a healthy dose of local character, the top Vatican - Prati hotels are the spots for you. Situated close to some of the best Rome treasures, these charming properties are just a stone's throw from the best boutiques, eateries, and must-see entertainment options.
Book a stay at one of the elegant hotels in Vatican - Prati to bask in the gorgeous surroundings, or scope out the smaller hotels in Vatican - Prati, Rome, if you want something slightly more intimate.
Plus, when you plan your trip with Expedia.ca, you might even find a few cheap Vatican - Prati hotel deals and discounts that let you explore the neighbourhood's personality without spending your entire travel budget on hotel rates. Pack your weekender, grab your local map, and get ready for a trip you won't soon forget.
Thanks to the hotels near Vatican - Prati, you can score a seriously cheap deal on the vacation you've always wanted to take.


text:
Colonel Howard G Hill was a "draftee" from the Southern Pacific who was given the task in November 1941. According to Kent Rail:"Hill worked long and hard to pencil a locomotive from scratch, and in under a week produced a complete set of drawings ...In 1945 ...Howard G. Hill was awarded the �Legion of Merit' in recognition of his services to the US Military."
Among other features in these powerful little tanks were 8" piston valves.
According to the MRS booklet, the locomotives were supplied by 3 US builders - Davenport-Besler, HK Porter Co, and Vulcan Iron Works. US number series were 1252-1436, 1927-2031, 4006-4041, and 5000-5026. Also, it notes that after the first 50 locomotives the 66"-long grate was narrowed from 44" to 40", dropping the grate area from 19.4 sq ft to 18.3 sq ft.
Like other US Army locomotives, their postwar use ranged throughout the world, including 20 in Greece and 2 (converted to tender-pulling 0-6-0 engines) in Mexico.
The Project 62 renovation website, which documents the rehabilitation of a USATC 0-6-0T from Yugoslavia's Class 62 -- http://www.project62.supanet.com/fourproducers.htm, accessed 26 May 2006 -- notes that in addition to the 106 locomotives originally supplied by US manufacturers (62.001-62.106), a further 90 were delivered from the Djuro Djakovic works at Slavonski Brod in Croatia between 1951 and 1961. (Another 14 S100 apparently were consumed as spare parts.) The Yugoslavian loks used a plate frame rather than the original bar frame.
Also found on the Project 62 website is an interesting comment on the design's ride -- http://www.project62.supanet.com/USAlocohistory.htm (visited 1 June 2005): In comparing the USATC design to that of another widely distributed postwar design -- the Polish Tkh 49 Ferrum, the Project 62 historian comments: "The crank drive [of the Ferrum] is to the centre wheel (On Class 62's the connecting rod drives the crank on the rear wheel). This shorter drive connection and therefore increased angular oscillation of the crankshaft gives an inferior ride quality with noticeable "waddle" which is virtually absent in the Class 62's with their rear wheel crank position."
|Specifications by Steve Llanso
|S100 - African Theatre
|Locobase ID
|US Army
|Road Numbers
|Valve Gear
|Locomotive Length and Weight
|Driver Wheelbase
|Engine Wheelbase
|Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheebase
|Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender)
|Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle)
|Weight on Drivers
|100650 lbs
|Engine Weight
|100650 lbs
|Tender Light Weight
|Total Engine and Tender Weight
|100650 lbs
|Tender Water Capacity
|1200 gals
|Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal)
|1.3 tons
|Minimum weight of rail (calculated) on which locomotive could run
|56 lb/yard
|Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
|Driver Diameter
|Boiler Pressure
|211 psi
|Cylinders (dia x stroke)
|16.5" x 24"
|Tractive Effort
|21701 lbs
|Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort)
|Heating Ability
|Firebox Area
|86 sq. ft
|Grate Area
|19.40 sq. ft
|Evaporative Heating Surface
|876 sq. ft
|Superheating Surface
|Combined Heating Surface
|876 sq. ft
|Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume
|Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
|Robert LeMassena's Power Computation
|Same as above plus superheater percentage
|Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area
|Power L1
|Power MT


text:
Brief Thoughts on Doris
I didn't like this album at ALL. Earl can rap really well, but I in all honesty do not care. What amazed me about Earl — when I was first introduced to his music back in 2010 was how well he rap at for age. But now that novelty has worn off. Rapping well doesn't excite, particularly when it wrapped in a guise of 'I don't know what the fuck he said but, a lot words rhymed with each other so this is awesome'…No I don't wanna read 10-16 pages of lyrics links to get the point of your album. Having a towering stack of cups to uncover the rock of candy from under tickles the fancies of many, I'm not of the ilk. If I misunderstood a lyric/verse or didn't notice the meaning/metaphor that's fine and that's cool to discover from time to time. As much as I like discovering gems I missed, music for me is not about cyphering the code. In short it's about gauging the listener, that's your basic responsibility as an artist. Whether it's done by rage, humor, self-deprecation, which ever the application that's up to you. Doris flutters between glossarial masturbation and emo songs that never feel all that emotional, because of it's deadpan fashion of delivery. An album trying to invoke pathos is fine, done so by a 19 year old I can only scoff at the sorrows of the life he's barely lived. Earl lyrically straying about from what his rabid fanbase would come to expect from him is commendable but the content itself I have to muff into the 12th row for how trite it is. The album is not by any means terrible, it's just OK. It's a thesaurus of ultra-dense rhyming and banal introspective songs. Frank Ocean having the most compelling verse on this album is a head-scratcher...Domo Genesis, Vince Staples has some nice verses. Tyler The Creator rapping his same forgettable shit, a rapper named SK La' Flare opens the album with an atrocious verse. Again. head-scratching. Production is alright. Nothing to praise or criticize.Doris is not a model of good or interesting songwriting from Earl, he's 19 so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise… he has time to grow. I probably won't be around to listen for it.
No Idols: No Thrill
I can't recall when I first immersed myself in hip hop, born in the last 80s, it was already the fabric of inner-city culture. Music we now today refer to as "classics" was as frequent as snow in the winter, not every year was great like some revisionist historians would like you to believe but this thing of ours we call Hip-Hop always felt special, exciting. It scared parents, fascinated the youth — I'm not going to dull you with the same old laminations of "Let's bring back the 90s", "Today's rappers suck, why can't we go back to that time" … blah blah blah, no.
Quite frankly there's a lot of talented rap artists & producers to be discovered. There's a lot of garbage to sift through but If you can invest into the time, you'll find many artists with various styles making good music. Someone like myself I can't seem to find the time, rather I can't seem to drum up the interest anymore. Again nothing against today's rappers because I think there are extremely gifted MC's, like Elzhi, Jay Electronica, Willie The Kid to name a few. However I simply can not be made to wait eons upon eons for rap albums, hoping rapper-x works with producer-y. Expensive sample clearances, cryptic rules that's phasing out sample based hip-hop has hurt the music IMO, the experience of going into a record store and buying music with your own money, the experience of someone telling you "Yo, check this out, this is really dope. I know you gonna love this shit" That interaction is dead. Rap has become too businesslike and has introduced too many variables for me to thoroughly enjoy it. You wouldn't think making a rap records was equivalent to making pharmaceutical medicine for FDA approval, but you'd be wrong. God Dammit! I said I wasn't going to complain about today's music.
I know and understand business is going to take precedence over the creative in not only today's rap but all genres, I'm not naive to think otherwise. Less money for albums, the death of music videos, zero artist development, 360 deals, shorter radio rotations etc etc. I completely understand the hyper-calculation, uber-business likeness of the record industry. It unavoidable … so I've been wondering maybe my dispassion lately of rap music is permanently here to stay. It's here and has waltz it's way into my apartment, put it's feet on my coffee table, eats the food in my fridge, chastise me for leaving the toilet seat up while not paying any rent for the rest of eternity. Now, where was I? Oh yeah
Maybe the unavoidable has arrived, begrudgingly. This past year, 2012 in hip hop was pretty good, not great but good. In the past Hip Hop has had significantly more dour years, 2005-2007 — very little hope. I didn't see much of anything good to look forward to, the only thing in store for you during those times was derivative snap music accompanied by a dance or the zenith of pretentious underground rap music that bitched & moaned about the ills of the mainstream, song by song. Where ever you fell on that spectrum it was unbearably annoying either way.
All & all I was still able to maintain a passion for the music, fixating on the old music I loved, withdrawing from much of the noise that was 05-07. In this climate of diverse music from rapper who I can listen to, with more avenues for music consumption/discovery other than radio for are increasing like Spotify, Pandora, Bandcamp, Soundcloud etc. I'm having trouble keeping the flame inside the lantern from going out. Perhaps Hip-Hop music has run it's course for me, that unavoidable dispassion has arrived after it's 24 year flight. Soul, R&B, Jazz, Rock all lost it's nonconformist attitude at some point —or reached it's apex to where it couldn't evolve or transform into anything that it hasn't been before. What's to say Rap is exempt from that. Perhaps it's already happened years ago and I'm only now walking out that haze of denial. Perhaps I'm doing exactly what I said I wasn't doing at the beginning of this post and just bitching about today's rap b/c it's easy and people do it all the time on the internet.
I don't know If this is a multi-layered web of denial, a realization that Rap music has run it's course with me, or some disguised attack on present day Rap. I can never really tell with these thing. Like no other genre people forced this Hip-Hop thing into being more logical that it has to be.
[/end rant, self-examination, tower of babble]
Lists & Lists, Hip Hop in 2012
Top Nine Albums of 2012
Action Bronson, Blue ChipsKendrick Lamar, good kid, m.a.a.d city cityNas, Life Is GoodSchoolboy Q, Habits & ContradictionsBlu, Give me Flowers While I can Smell Them (mastered)Rick Ross, Rich ForeverRoc Marciano - ReloadedThe Alchemist - Russian RouletteAb-Soul - Control Systems[Five Slept-on albums of 2012]Oddisee - People Hear What They See Lushlife - Plateau Visions JJ DOOM - Key to the KuffsGangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No) - Vodka & Ayahuasca
Planet Asia, Black Belt TheatreI think I'm one of the Fifteen people who knew Asia dropped an album this year. Why don't people listen to Planet Asia. He's really dope, I don't understand. Y'all did the same shit last year with Kool G Rap "Riches, Royally and Respect"[Six Disappointing albums of 2012]Apollo Brown & O.C - Trophies I love great production as much as the next person but sometimes I need to be engaged by the rapper, even though O.C. delivers slick metaphors/similes, he isn't very much engaging listen for me.
Domo Genesis x Alchemist - Copy & Paste the above statement and cross out the part that says "slick metaphors" and replace it with "redundant weed raps"
Large Professor - Large Professor (self-titled)
As I've said, dope beats aren't enough for me to like an album.Well… as sacrilegious as it may sound, this album doesn't even have that. My favorite cut from the album is "MARS" (Cormega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, Saigon) iTunes play count is quite high, which is strange seeing how I throughly dislike the album as a whole. The track itself isn't breaking any atoms (no pun intended) just a good ol' posse cut.Nottz - In My MindWhen I think of it, there aren't any albums that had a considerable amount of Nottz rhyming that I liked. So why is it "disappointing"…. I suppose it's because I'm a fan of Nottz production so much I feel he's focusing his energy on the wrong place, the arm-chair A&R in me drives this sentiment. Not to say his rhymes are wack-wack but lack of innovation or lyrical progression doesn't make me eager to ever wanna listen to another solo LP from Nottz Raw. Unless of course it's a Soul Survivor-esque producer album where its a posse cuts of high caliber rappers cutting rugs left & right.
Lupe Fiasco, Food & Liquor IIIt's been fun to pick on Lupe Fiasco over the years — yet at the same time it isn't If many had the choice, because he is extremely talented that there is legit frustration. From the opening track (not counting the poetry intro) Strange Fruition had me thinking I was in for a return to form album from Wasalu but I would have been wrong, sure It's better than LASERS but for christ sake is that the bar…. Just be better than a turd pile?Food & Liquor II had it's moments (Lamborghini Angels, Form Follows Function) In the end it's like a croissant or eggplant roll in a pizzeriaNot appealing, palatable but extremely dull piece of food that no matter how many years its plastered on the front window you'll walk past it 999,998 times out of a million. I don't know where this "Great American Rap Album" he's referring to.
Obie Trice - Bottoms Up
I really dig Obie first two studio albums Cheers & Second Rounds On Me, they were of course under the Shady/Aftermath umbrella. His third follow-up to this alcohol series if you will, was delayed due to his departure from Interscope. Considering how flimsy they're track record is over at Shady/Aftermath with artists (we know the names, the duds hyped over there) I didn't put much credence In there being much of a drop off in terms of music quality. Not sure what happened but "Bottoms Up" was very weak, not only in terms of production but songs & lyrics as well. Nothing was attention grabbing, all I could think of was 'this is a street album, you make it business not to promote?' Overall I didn't hate it, my expectations should have been curb somewhat … still Trice could do better than this.
[Few Listens Before The Recycle Bin, 2012]Tyga - Careless World: Rise of the Last KingCurren$y - Stoned Immaculate
J Dilla - Rebirth of DetroitAs a Dilla fan, this a was pitiful album, I still don't know many those rappers on those Dilla beats were — neither do I know or rather am I sure If those beats had much or of any work done on them. A disgrace to Jay Dee's discography quite frankly. There have been some rumors of the Dilla estate being in considerable debt so I probably shouldn't have been as surprised as I was. Now that Frank of (Frank-n-Dank) is overseeing future J Dilla projects I hope that ROD was a speed bump of trash and no what's the come down the line.Death Grips - The Money Store
For the life of me I can't imagine the how anybody finds Death Grips manic-depressive suicidal noise soundtrack pleasing. If your having a mental breakdown or pondering suicide I'd rather you do it that than tell me how brilliant "Ex Military" & their latest philippic effort "The Money Store" is. I've stop judging what music people like some time ago, but fuck. This album bring out the music snob in me. I'm perplexed to as what people can possibly see in this shit.
[It was alright, I'll take your word for it that It's great]
Killer Mike - R.A.P Music
Never been a fan.
El-P - Cancer for CureEl producto can rap his ass off, but damn I can take something away from "Cancer For Cure" other than, he can rap his ass off. Maybe that's enough for some, lyrical acrobats — I like lyricism too but I love it when it's balanced with a visceral listening experience. I think that's what most rappity rap artists lose sight of. Make me feel the music instead of teaching it to me. Stop bludgeoning me to death with metaphors inside of metaphors inside double entendres. We get it, you can rap your ass off.
Freddie Gibbs - Baby Face KillaI don't like trap beats, bass-synth-percussion heavy beats. Anything that you can say is influenced by Southern Hip Hop. It's clear as day, as much as I've try to get with the program. I can not, Gibbs "Thuggin", "Shame" … verses on Curren$y "Scottie Pippen" and Domo Genesis "Till The Angels Come" I really enjoy with copious listens. The projects that feature Southern rap production "Cold Day In Hell", "Str8 Killa No Filla" and "Baby Face Killa" (a good chunk of of his discography basically) I can't get with.
95.4% dig it, so who am I to say you're wrong.[Par for the course] I got exactly what I expected/ The wheel isn't being reinventedAction Bronson & The Alchemist - Rare Chandeliers
Sean Price - Mic Tyson
Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson - Dice Game
House Shoes - Let It Go
50 Cent - FIVE (Murder by Numbers)[Had low expectations] which it exceededGhostface Killah x Sheek Louch, Wu BlockLil Fame x Termanology - FizzyolgyMeek Mill - Dreams & NightmaresMeyhem Lauren - Respect the Fly ShitJoey BadA$$ - 1999Wiz Khalifia - Tayler Allderdice
I don't like Wiz Khalifia, or rather didn't after the much hyped "Kush & Orange Juice" … I was not pleased with what I heard. I was aware beforehand that Wiz wasn't a great rhymer in the least, with that in mind It was still surprised as to the ineptitude of his bars were. Don't recall how I stumbled upon Taylor Allderdice (would have had to been Youtube) and I was glad to hear he's gotten better rhyme wise… he not going to go bar for bar with anybody but still the improvement was enough and the production fit perfectly with his style. I've listen to this album quite a bit actually…
[For Archival purposes] External Hard Drive Purgatory
Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Lost In TranslationRick Ross, God Forgives, I Don'tThe Alchemist, Rappers Best Friend (Instrumental release)GOOD Music, Cruel Summer
Big K.R.I.T. 4Eva N A DayGood production, Good rapping, sincerity in introspective lyrics. Sounds great on paper, but like J Cole — Big KRIT music has never moved me, I respect his music and understand why people really like his music. Simply put with the occasional miscellaneous tune his music overall doesn't affect me like a portion of the populous. Note: The J Cole comparison maybe be a stretch, only in that KRIT doesn't irk me in some intangible way Cole does and that listening to KRIT music doesn't cause a zZzzzZz inducing effect.Maybach Music Group - Self Made Vol 2Statik Selektah & Termanology - 2012
I don't like Statik Selektah, not sure what's the genesis of my animosity toward his music is. I think Termanoloy got bars, however something about his album(s) structure irk me, perhaps it the hodgepodge nature of them. It usually feels like general calculation goes into Term's album instead of rigorous calibration. Not saying that how it is, only how the music comes across to me.
Pac Div - GMBStyles P - Hardest MC ProjectRapsody - The Idea of BeautifulLogic - Young Sinatra: Undeniable Logic's third mixtape confirm my suspicion that he doesn't have a lane or rap identity if you will. I was able to let it go seeing that he a new artist and finding that comfort zone of who you are as an artist will take time. Some songs Logic sounds like J. Cole, other Mac Miller and Drake. Two of the three I flat out don't like, the other Aubrey Graham who I simply tolerate. On Undeniable Logic continues to accent those three rappers but more so the rapper I tolerate to an almost annoying level. Hope he finds his niche soon, lucky for him he so under the radar of not only mainstream but underground rap that doesn't have the stigma of bite the style of beige overlord Drake.
Rapsody - The Idea of BeautifulDJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles - The KolexxxionRoscoe P Coldchain - Almost Famous [I don't get it y'all, 2012]Future, PlutoBig Sean, Detroit I don't remember who was it that said Big Sean raps like he's never been a fight. Had to noz or Jeff Weiss (I confuse the two for some reason) [I didn't even bother in wasting neither the $$$ or bandwidth]Nick Minaj - Roman ReloadedDom Kennedy - Yellow AlbumChief Keef - Finally Famous[Rap Songs of the Year]
Kendrick Lamar feat Jay Rock - Money Trees Roc Marciano - EmeraldsEarl Sweatshirt - ChumKendrick Lamar - Sing About Me/Dying of ThirstScarface feat Nas - Hip-HopRoc Marciano - 76Planet Asia feat Talib Kweli - Grown Folks TalkinSchoolboy Q - Raymond 1969Young Giftz - NinoApollo Brown & O.C. - NauticaPusha T & Kanye West - New God FlowAb-Soul - Book of SoulNas - No IntroductionRick Ross feat Nas - Triple Beam DreamsLushlife - MagnoliaWillie the Kid feat Jon Connor - MarinaAction Bronson - Hookers at the PointRick Ross - Amsterdam50 Cent feat Schoolboy Q - Can I Speak To You
Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.a.a.d city review
The sophomore effort to the critically acclaimed LP Section80, GKMC is Kendrick Lamar's major label debut. As you can expect with the involvement of Dr. Dre, there's a considerable amount of attention on this record. Kendrick even landed on Lady GaGa's radar.
good kid, m.a.a.d city is collection of motifs held together by intricate yet visceral storytelling and skits that at first seem like trivial minutia that's only purpose is of charm or rather to lighten the mood after the sober narratives but in actuality its the most scrupulous element of good kid, m.a.a.d city. Kendrick previous album Section80 was very conceptual in a similar way stories interweaving with each other but the stark difference between the two are the songs on Section80 can stand on their own just fine without skits to account for their purpose on the album. "Backseat Freestyle" on the surface an ear numbingly derivative braggadocio rap tune laced with a vapid Hit-Boy beat or just a Hit-Boy beat — as a solo song it obnoxious and juvenile but the brief skit ending "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" clearly explains him and his boys driving around listening to beat tapes freestyling. That's what kids are going to rap about with their friends, I won't go as far as calling it genius or for me enjoyable but it is certainly necessary in sustaining the story by reminiscing about the past. "Swimming Pools" a strange choice for a single but in the pocket of the album it makes sense, as its sedation for the fury that it follows the frenetic track "M.A.A.D City". Skits trail at the end of each of the remaining songs on the album bridging the narrative efficiently.
good kid, m.a.a.d city is not a conventional rap album, You can't throw this into the iPod shuffle … listen to it and fully appreciate, It's not meant to be consumed in that way. For the first several play throughs it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing thing, I'd say mid way through the fourth play Is perhaps when the lyrics and its unique vibe totally sunk in — I believe its best not to trouble yourself with consuming it all on the first couple servings. GKMC isn't pizza that you can quickly enjoy & understand, its rich clear soup that you have to sip with painstaking patience to fully grasp its intricacies. The subject matter, the themes on this record fascinate me … gang violence, alcoholism, emotional damage from childhood, peer pressure, teenage love. All done with masterful craftsmanship and honestly.
On Twitter, the epicenter of embellishment has compared GKMC to a movie. Two of which include Menace II Society and Boyz n the Hood. Inner city LA, peer pressure, gang violence are subjects of conversation on Kendrick's album so the comparison isn't totally off base. I'll say this about that. How about we just stop comparing shit.
As great as some artists can be with poetic imagery, it can never surpassed or even equal magic of motion pictures. I'd rather watch a movie than listen to it. Maybe that's just me.
I'm getting sidetracked.
Back to GKMC
Some may complain that the beat switch ups are jarring or the production itself is inconsistent. Which I can't say isn't true, only that the album is following an arc so it's necessary in my mind. Could the transitions between songs been a bit better, sure. I just don't see that as a major hiccup that will kill the enjoyment you can get from this album. Those not fans of skits/interludes may prefer verses as bridges than the skits. For me I thought the skits were funny and sufficed in keeping the momentum of the stories.
good kid, m.a.a.d city is definitely one of the best albums of the year along with Nas "Life Is Good". This is a great album, I have no idea If its a "classic". Only time will tell, a lot more time than the five days its been available to the general public.
Lyrics: A+
Originally: A
Production: B
Rating 90%
DEHH crew 30 minute review of Food & Liquor II …
Too lazy to write my own review of F&L II, the album didn't move me in any particulary way to write about it—love or hate, besides Myke C-Town summed up my sentiments on Food & Liquor II exactly. check it out.
Implausible Scheming, Sloppy Conspirators
Conspiracies theories that involve mysterious men in black and white suits that lay down their entire plans aren't worth a damn. I'm referring to that anonymous letter claiming that in 1991, a secret meeting took place where it was decided that the promotion of gangster rap would be to the mutual benefit of music industry and prison industrial complex. This letter is from a few months back apparently had the internet buzzing, silly me I never got around to reading it until a few days ago. The thing is…
The same figure heads who allegedly conspired to promote "gangster rap" to drive up private prison population would have to do as much conspiring as they would to get the general public to like Westerns, Crime flicks, B-Level Action Movies. This so called meeting took place in '91, I could have sworn Straight outta Compton was 1988. What need would there be to have a meeting about how profitable gangster rap could be. If there's anything you can count on the music industry with, is seeing an financial aberration as possibly a new trend to capitalize on. The music business maybe full of snakes and parasites, but incompetent in terms of money — nah. In what conspiracy how-to book, does one lay their entire plans to complete strangers? to workers, not even bosses.
In this letter the anonymous person claimed that the companies they work for (major record labels) are silent inventors in these private prison they want occupied, well If that's the case why in the fuck would their workers need to told shit If a simple phone call from headquarters could be made with gangster rap becoming prioritize with no explanation other than "This is sell, keep pushing". I think this letter is bullshit, simply because of the lack of logic in having a meeting.
Unknown men with guns plan this conspiracy but require confidentiality agreement?
The consequences of disclosing that this meeting ever took place is the lost your job.
You wrote this anonymous letter because your afraid of your safety but give details about where your from and when you quit.
Do I believe that corporate conglomerates make unconventional alliance to further their financial interests
Yes, absolutely
Do I believe that corporate conglomerates have in the past and/or currently partake in these alliances.
Most definitely.
Do I believe that the music business has contributed to the alarming rise of the prison population?
on a micro scale, a bit
but do I think it is macrocosm for the increased incarceration rate?
"War on Drugs", unjust sentence guideline can be the most logical culprit for the boom in population of prison over the last 25+ year, than the 5 million NWA CD sold.
70% of which, mostly like were bought by white people.
In many case cases we are products of our environment, but I would like to believe that we're not Manchurian Candidates who are liable to be brainwashed, doomed to fail, forced to sell drugs and shoot innocent bystanders without our own free will, lust for greed and power. How about we stop being gaping assholes by blaming drug sales to pregnant women and stray bullets that kill young men, women & children on the Illuminated Boogeymen.
Nas - Life Is Good Review
For nearly a decade, my view of Nas albums has been tepid to say the least. From the scatterbrained double CD Street's Disciple to the dispiritedly nostalgic exercise that was Hip Hop Is Dead and the solid but very downbeat effort that was "Untitled". Each of which I felt were embroiled in sulking about the past and not focused on the present. As a fan frustration was building quite frankly, especially when the miscellaneous records were more interesting & satisfying, then the majority of album cuts that were meh-ville.
I was starting to wonder, do I simply miss hearing the ruthless folktales from Señor Nas Escobar, Are esoteric projects like Untitled … Distant Relatives that feel like procedure and lack a certain vibrance are what new Nas albums will be going further, Am I ever again going to enjoy a new Nas album from start to finish. Perhaps I'm just the spoiled, unrealistic fan?
One thing I do know — Esco 10th studio LP Life Is Good quelled my fear of not liking another album emphatically. The triumphant intro track "No Introduction" prod. by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League a track that sounds so grand even though drums, synth and piano seem to be the only things heavily prevalent — more is less I suppose, "Loco-motive" a grimy winter, ski-mask on the train kinda of tune. "A Queens Story" street scriptures of the Q-borough and salute to fallen soldiers, death-taxes and a great storytelling song on a Nas album. Rick Ross babbles off topic on "Accidental Murder" still dig the song. "Daughters" the gawd expresses his own inadequacies as a father and disapproves of his daughter behavior on Twitter. You'd think it would be demonstrative or embarrassing but it not, grown man shit. "Reach out" w/ BK spokeswoman Mary J Blige … wasn't feeling it. I could be one of the few people who's heard enough Ike's Mood sample use for the (this is that classic shit) song. I don't hate it, simply don't care for it. "World's An Addiction" an assortment of violins and other strings. Vivid imagery about the traps of the streets, women, substance abuse. A never ending cycle of addiction. "Summer on Smash" a more than decent club record, its only crime is where it sequenced in this album otherwise I fucks with it. "You Wouldn't Understand" fly nigga shit, celebrating the good life.
"Back When"
"Nas, my real name, stage name, same thing How could you let these lames claim king I'm so ashamed, man I light a L for Vernon For niggas who would burn in Hell For Vernon; 10th Street, 12th Street, Nightmare on Elm Street Pimps creep, delve deep inside the editorials Of the ghetto queens, kings, stories true Who possesses the testicular fortitude To blow away myths that's a hindrance to all of you"
Nuff said
"The Don" still not liking this record much. "Stay" Nas delves into the turmoil of his marriage, family issues. No I.D. laced this track w/ a gloomy soul sample w/ a piano, trumpet and probably some additional vocals. "Cherry Wine" features Amy Winehouse Nas speaks on the public perception of him, his ideal woman. The song OK, don't have much to say about it. Same goes w/ "Bye Baby" other than I'm not a fan of new jack swing R&B, it is better than the rubbish that out today but I get no sense of immense glee of the good old days of new jack swing from the Guy sample. The hedonistic vibe of "The Black Bond" was some marvelous shit, props to Salaam for that. Speaking of, I can In no way, shape or form complain about sub par Salaam Remi instrumentals on Life Is Good, it's been since the '04 God Son album that I can say that.
For the considerable amount of reminiscing that is done on Life Is Good, absent is the brooding [don't you miss the old days] atmosphere of recent albums. Even through the turbulence two years of his family life, hope isn't lost. Nas can still see the beauty of life.
Favorite Songs: "Back When" — "The Black Bond" — "Stay"
Rating 89%
Brief Impression of, The Alchemist "Russian Roulette" LP
A guy from Beverly Hills forming a group w/ actor Scott Caan (The Whooliganz) to the Soul Assassins camp, to the Infamous Mobb Deep secret weapon. The Alchemist has had an interesting hip hop journey. It's been most the seamless of evolution, from the most grimy New York hip-hop sound known to man, to now the heavily psychedelic beats of the last few years. Simply put Russian Roulette was made by the drug psychosis, for the drug psychosis.
There are an abundant number of rappers on this album. Roc Marciano, Action Bronson, Danny Brown, Mr. MFN eXquire, Willie The Kid to name a few. Mostly of which contribute a single verse, most of the songs don't go over 2 mins. Russian Roulette doesn't follow the format of most producer compilation albums, this quite frankly a instrumental album w/ the occasional rhymer. They're definitely not the emphasis here, but they are incorporated well so to never break the vibe. Reminds me a bit of Madlib "Medicine Shows" series and Donuts. It may seem kinda a lazy to compare a instrumental album to the two but I can't stop putting the albums juxtapose. At any rate I feel like this LP put me hindrance for the fact that I don't get high and that it's so psychedelic that I need to get real trippy to properly experience the music. Granted this is only my 3rd listen straight through so It can grow on me, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm listening to Russian Roulette from behind the vail and not from inside the fog.
What's a nigga to do
Kool G Rap - For Hire [compilation]
Over 25 years in Hip Hop and I can't recall a lackluster GRap verse. I mean have you ever heard a guest verse from G and was left thinking "That was weak" or "he could have went harder than that". So I thought I compile a brief compilation of notable guest verses from Giancana Rap.
Brief Impression and Observation of the mythical J Dilla beat tape(s)
mythical |ˈmiθikəl|adjectiveoccurring in or characteristic of myths or folk tales : one of Denmark's greatest mythical heroes.• idealized, esp. with reference to the past : a mythical age of contentment and social order.
• fictitious : a mythical customer whose name appears in brochures
About 300 tracks, mostly unreleased and unfinished beats Dilla worked on. The signature Dilla drums is the constant, what I find most interesting about the beat-tapes is the variety of genres that he sampled. Soul, Funk, Rock, Pop, Gospel, Jazz, Electronic, Folk, Indian music, you name it. Broad exploration of genres, a lot of which was done in 2004-2005. Dilla was a heavily imitated producer so apparently he'd switch it up to combat biting, often switching it also when he felt he conquered a sound. For producers it takes many years to develop a unique style, this guy seemed to be able to change it up with the seasons.
Imagine that
Fan of Music, Movies, and Comedic Fuckery
Portia's bad
Jhonni Blaze
senorhoudinii: He Got Game | 1998 | dir. Spike Lee I want to do this.
He Got Game | 1998 | dir. Spike Lee
I want to do this.
omg puppy
omg puppy


text:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jeanericuser001 said...
Hmm This whole situation is an obvious he said she said with allies and horde alike taking potshots at each others leaders in order to show support for their faction. To be honest I care little for either side but I can give some defense on both sides to this.
I have one word that describes this whole situation and maybe even some of you perfectly, puppets. Puppets to a force that everyone thinks they had beat at the sunwell but is far from over, kiljaden and the burning legion. Kiljaden from day one has been manipulating people left and right. This latest one proves it again. The wrathgate massacre was likely his idea as was the plague. Eliminate as many potential enemies at one time as possible and surprisingly enough not only did it work but it turned his targets on each other. Thrall likely was one of the few smart people in this situation to call for caution anyways but since no one listened the massacre happened. As for this article, its my assumption that maybe kiljaden may also have puppet strings on the young fool hardy king as well. After all he has him running head long into battle and even after a tragedy happens he still has a desire to do nothing more than destroy any thing or anyone he doesnt like. Remind you of a certain king who lives up north. hehehe Some how I get the feeling the recent expansion is only half complete and the real interesting stuff has only just begun and likely may be even more prominent in the next expansion pack.


text:
Full size version is only available to registered users
Please Register as a New User or Login as Existing User to gain full access to all the photos on this site. Registration is quick and completely free.
Unregistered users can only view full size photos that have been added this month.
Dunx waiting on matt, crumbling cranny
© Reuben Tabner
Route: Crumbling cranny


text:
Summer Newsletter 2012: Harward Center for Community Partnerships
Darby Ray became the director of the Harward Center in August 2012, coming to Bates from Millsaps College in Mississippi, where she was a professor of religion and advocate for community engagement.
Bringing to Bates more than 15 years' experience as a scholar and leader who bridges thought and action, Ray came to Bates in part because of her friendship with HCCP namesake and Bates President Emeritus Donald Harward, whom she met at Millsaps in autumn 2011. She succeeds interim director Georgia Nigro, professor of psychology.
The HCCP works year-round to weave the resources and concerns of the community into the educational experiences of Bates students.
We offer paid and unpaid leadership opportunities for students, such as community work-study positions, the Student Volunteer Fellows program and the Bonner Leader program, as well as grant money to support student projects in the community during the academic year and summer.
The Harward Center welcomes new and returning students, faculty and staff members to visit us at 161 Wood St. to learn about our programs or to visit our website. Watch for email announcements about many exciting opportunities throughout the school year!
Next: Information and Library Services (Newsletter Update)
Previous: Facility Services (Newsletter Update)
Summer Newsletter 2012
- Changes in Faculty, 2012-13
- African American Studies*
- American Cultural Studies*
- Anthropology
- Art and Visual Culture
- Asian Studies
- Athletics* and Physical Education*
- Biological Chemistry*
- Biology*
- Chemistry
- Classical & Medieval Studies*
- Economics*
- Educational Studies
- English*
- Environmental Studies*
- French and Francophone Studies
- Geology*
- German and Russian Studies
- History
- Mathematics
- Music*
- Neuroscience*
- Philosophy*
- Physics and Astronomy
- Politics*
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Rhetoric*
- Sociology*
- Spanish*
- Theater and Dance
- Women and Gender Studies
- Writing Workshop* and Learning Commons*
- Admission
- Career Development Center
- College Advancement
- College Store
- Communications Office
- Dean of the Faculty's Office*
- Dean of Students Office*
- Dining Services*
- Diversity and Inclusion*
- Environmental Health and Safety Office
- Facility Services
- Harward Center for Community Partnerships
- Information and Library Services
- Key Access
- Multifaith Chaplaincy*
- Off-Campus Study
- Office of the President*
- Registrar and Academic Systems
- Security and Campus Safety
- Student Activities


text:
On Google+, Bob, K0NR posted,
Interesting question from a 10-year-old student in the ham radio class today: Why do we always talk about the D, E and F layers of the ionosphere…are there A, B or C layers? I don't know the answer to that one.
Now, I'd always heard that the reason the lowest layer is the D layer is because when scientists first started studying the ionosphere, they found these three layers and postulated that they would find three layers below them, i.e. the A, B, and C layers. They did not find them, but never went back and relabeled ones that they did find.
I posted this as a reply, and Bob asked if I had a reference. Well, I Googled all over for one, but came up empty. Do any of you know if this explanation is true, or if this is a ham radio urban legend?


text:
Somerville, MAUSA
Hometown: somerville
April 28, 2013
Hey. I live in Somerville with my partner and 2 cats. I'm broke all the time because student loans eat all my money.
11 years
parks, riding the ferry to the harbor islands, free nights at museums
sewing, reading, getting in better shape, animals of (almost) all kinds. Nature, city living, music, good times, comedy, art, movies, food, not drinking booze.
anything within my hobbies/interests
No answer yet
Hi Cassandra! THanks for joining. I see you are in Somerville, we have a meetup that goes on in Wayland if that's not too far for you, that Deb Payne is heading up. HOpe you can make it to one of those, mine are in Sudbury which would be farther but I also do garment tailoring and construction, and would love to have your company any time. Welcome!
There is room for your friend.. Great!
Hi Cassandra! Thank you so much for joining. I'll post a gathering for us very soon. I hope you can come - and love to see you! - Kirsten
Hi Cassandra, Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow!
Meetup members, Log in
By clicking "Sign up" or "Sign up using Facebook", you confirm that you accept our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy


text:
Sheer Shines At The Billboard Music Awards
Amidst the amazing performances of performers such as Miguel, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus were the fashion of the music industry's biggest starlets and others who took part in one of music's biggest nights. With any music award show, you can expect to find a wide array of glamour and attention-grabbing mishaps. Throughout the chaos, one trend shined the brightest: sheers.
Sheer materials were incorporated in many shapes and sizes. This includes sheer bottoms, cutouts, tops, and all over sheer. Here are some of our favorites:
The wondrous whites of Kimberly Perry and Selena Gomez
The beautiful blacks of Emmy Rossum, Jennifer Morrison, and Carly Rae Jepsen
The magical metallics of Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez
Are you as obsessed with these styles as we are? They reminded us of our Glass Earring collection. The crystals are sheer yet enchanting, just like these fashionistas. Our Evanora Earring, Ella Earring, and Estella Earring are pictured here.