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Regulatory Institutions And Governance Transformations In Liberalising Electricity Industries
The European liberalising electricity industries are still heavily regulated. A prominent form of regulation is directed at the energy companies' forms of governance. European and national regulations prohibit the vertically integrated structures that characterised these companies for almost a century. Detailed rules on unbundling, independence of the transmission and distribution system operators, and network access influence to a large extent the type of new governance structures that are adopted. This paper takes the institutional organisation of regulation into account to explain the regulatory influence on governance changes at the level of the firm. Examples of the Dutch and French electricity industries illustrate that the new forms of governance are heavily influenced by the institutional organisation of regulation. Copyright 2006 The Author Journal compilation © CIRIEC 2006.
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Volume (Year): 77 (2006)
Issue (Month): 3 (09)
Pages: 291-307
Handle: | RePEc:bla:annpce:v:77:y:2006:i:3:p:291-307 |
Contact details of provider: | Web page: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1370-4788 |
Order Information: | Web: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/subs.asp?ref=1370-4788 |
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Monday, May 25, 2009
Bits And Bobs #17
T-Shirt by Acne, Silk/Linen Trousers by H&M, Vintage Bata Loafers, Vintage Greek Fisherman Hat
It's getting really hot in Zurich, so I went for a very basic outfit. You probably already know that I really like those trousers but I also love this t-shirt. It's got a shimmery appearance (a bit like silk) and the back has a slightly longer cut than the front. Also, it's a bit oversized and has silk/cotton sleeves to roll up. I tucked it in a bit on the side as you can see.
21 comments:
ooooo mmmmmmyyyyyyyy gggooooooddd. you are such a stylish, handsome, and interesting boy. i very much love browsing through your outfits gaining inspiration for my own outfits. i wish i had friends that dressed like you so that everyday i can feel cool, inspired, and happy.
i hope you have the sunniest day :)
hope to hear from you :) !!i'm really enjoying your blog.
your style is uncomparable hence the fact that it is very unparalleled.
i enjoy people with unique style
please, post more so i can read more :) take care.
evan kristine
if you are interested with short stories then probably you can visit my blog whenever you like. its not much but at least there's something.
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subset: commoncrawl


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30 web page writing
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Contracts Lawyers and Law Firms in Afghanistan
Contracts Firms in Afghanistan by City
Contracts Lawyers in Afghanistan
Hotak & El Gamal
Kabul, AfghanistanCorporate, Taxation, Labor, and Customs Law Firm in Afghanistan
+1-312-752-5456Hotak & El Gamal Legal Consultancy Services was founded by Mr. Abdul Basit Hotak (Afghan citizen) and Mr. Nehad El Gamal (U.S. citizen). ; Besides the quality legal services provided by Mr. Hotak and Mr. El Gamal, the firm's highly qualified legal team offer Afghan and international legal...
Legal Oracles Advocates & Corporate Consultants
Kabul, AfghanistanFull-Service Law Firm
+93-77-650-4425Legal Oracles, advocates & Corporate Consultants (Firm), is an Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE based law firm with its offices in Kabul, Islamabad, Peshawar and Ras-Al-khaimah, and affiliate offices in, Lahore and Karachi. The Firm is the only truly international law firm with an established on...
Lex Ferghana - Advocates And Legal Consultants
Kabul, AfghanistanFull Service Law Firm In Afghanistan
+93 789 046016Lex Ferghana – Advocates and Legal Consultants – is an emerging Afghan law firm based in Kabul with a combined team experience exceeding 40 years. The Firm offers a whole range of legal services to its clients with specific emphasis on, aviation, banking and financials, employment and services,...
Mandviwalla & Zafar
Kabul, AfghanistanCommercial, Corporate, Investment, Banking & Finance Law
+93 752001492Mandviwalla & Zafar is a law firm with offices in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Rizvi, Isa, Afridi & Angell Company
Kabul, AfghanistanFull Service Law Firm in Afghanistan
+93 752 071 987The Firm, Rizvi, Isa, Afridi & Angell, was established in 1989 as Rizvi, Isa & Co. In 2003, Rizvi, Isa & Co merged with Afridi, Angell & Khan, thus creating Rizvi, Isa, Afridi & Angell.The merger brought together partners of a combined experience of more than 150 years of corporate practice.; The...
Satchu & Zhouand Lawyers & Advisors
Kabul, AfghanistanInvestment, Company Formation, Government Relations and Regulatory Law Firm in Afghanistan
+93 791 669999We are a young firm staffed by very experienced and highly qualified lawyers admitted in Afghanistan, the United States and Australia. We provide premium legal, regulatory, tax and government relations advisory services to businesses, investors, non-government organizations and government agencies.
Shajjan & Associates
Kabul, AfghanistanKabul Full Service Law Firm
+93 0202200709Shajjan & Associates provides quality and efficient legal representation, counseling and trainings. Our firm combines superior talent with a supportive environment where nothing gets in the way of resolving our clients' problems. Our lawyers have a wide-range of national and international legal...
The Law Offices of A. Rahman Rahimghiyasa
Kabul, AfghanistanCommercial Law & Intellectual Property Specialist Firm in Afghanistan
+93 702515121Established in 1979 we have spent the last 32 years building our reputation as one of the leading commercial law firms in Afghanistan. Our lawyers are among the most experienced in their fields and have provided their expertise to the government of Afghanistan in the development of the Afghan Legal...
Zamoh Lawyers and Advisors
Kabul, AfghanistanCommercial and corporate advice, registration of businesses, contract negotiation
+93 79 44 55 55Zamoh Laywers and Advisors has been established with the purpose of providing Western standards of service with local knowledge, primarily catering to foreign corporations and organisations, as well as largers local entities and the Afghan Government Ministries.; We are currently building our...


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Rex and Ralph: Mystery NumberMath brain teasers require computations to solve.Two mathematicians, Rex and Ralph, have an ongoing competition to stump each other. Ralph was impressed by the ingenuity of Rex's last attempt using clues involving prime numbers, but he thinks he's got an even better one for Rex. He tells Rex he's thinking of a 6-digit number.
"All of the digits are different. The digital sum matches the number formed by the last two digits in the number. The sum of the first two digits is the same as the sum of the last two digits." "Take the sum of the number, the number rotated one to the left, the number rotated one to the right, the number with the first three and last three digits swapped, the number with the digit pairs rotated to the left, and the number with the digit pairs rotated to the right. The first and last digits of this sum match the last two digits of the number, in some order." Ralph then asks, "If each of the three numbers formed by the digit pairs in the number is prime, then what is the number?" Rex looks confused, and for a moment Ralph thinks he's finally gotten him. Then Rex smiles, scribbles a few things down on a pad of paper and then says, "Very nice, Ralph!" Rex then tells Ralph his number. What did Rex say? (See the hint for an explanation of the terminology.) What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one... Or, just get a random brain teaser If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own. Back to Top |


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Polka dots are not so much a new-season trend but a retro classic that reappear with gusto every now and then. Miuccia Prada set the scene for the season when she chose to show them in abundance on the runway in Paris for the autumn/winter Miu Miu collection, first as neck-scarf accents and later in head-to-toe looks. And then it was the print of choice for the post-pregnancy Duchess of Cambridge when revealing her newborn son to the world.
Spots are one of the most versatile prints you can wear; for understated and subtle, go for tiny dots on dark fabrics, a dress or a jumper is an easy way to wear this look. For something bolder, choose larger spots in bright colours and mix and match pieces for a more eclectic take on the trend.
Photographer Claire Pepper
Stylist Emma Akbareian
Model Juliette at Models 1
Hair and make-up Camilla Hewitt using Bobbi Brown & OPI
Photographer's assistant Ciaran Woolcombe
- More about:
- Styles And Clothes


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This section contains 735 words (approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page) |
Family plays a very strong part in One for the Money. Stephanie Plum is one of two daughters to Helen and Frank Plum, natives of Trenton, New Jersey. Living with the Plums is Helen Plum's mother, known as Grandma Mazur. Although Stephanie lives out on her own, returning to the home of her childhood is a common theme. Helen Plum is convinced that all the problems of the world can be solved by a nice pot roast and some cake. Frank Plum prefers to make snide comments, particularly about Grandma Mazur who drives him crazy, otherwise Frank involves himself with sports and the evening newspaper.
Stephanie always feels like she is being compared to her "perfect" sister, Valerie. Happily married with two children, Valerie is everything Stephanie is not. Valerie was the perfect student who never got into trouble, then married and is leading a perfect traditional life...
This section contains 735 words (approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page) |


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Forumwarz is the first "Massively Single-Player" online RPG completely built around Internet culture.
You are currently looking at Flamebate, our community forums. Players can discuss the game here, strategize, and role play as their characters.
You need to be logged in to post and to see the uncensored versions of these forums.
Viewing a Post
Dunatis Posted: Well, guess that gives us something to shoot for. |
Posted On: 09/01/2013 11:09AM | View Catt although's Profile | # |


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Ben Affleck being left out of the Oscar nominations for Best Director was a bit of a snub. "Argo" got seven nominations, including for Best Picture, but no nom for Affleck. It was turned into an even bigger oversight when the Movie Critics' Choice Awards 2013 awarded him Best Director.
But Affleck took it in stride, though, making a pointed yet lighthearted comment about his Oscar snub in his Critics' Choice acceptance speech:
"I would like to thank the Academy. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. This is the one that counts. No, I do want to thank the Broadcast Film Critics Association. It is very, very cool for me. There was a time when the Ben Affleck's Critics' Award was a 'Saturday Night Live' sketch," says the actor/director.
He went on to thank the real-life person he played in "Argo," "This is about Tony Mendez, who did this actual, real thing. He was in the CIA, he won the intelligence star, he's an American hero. He's emblematic of the men and women who serve in our clandestine service and the men and women who are in our foreign service, both of whom make tremendous sacrifice day in and day out."


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The Greater Kirkland Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking Citizen of the Year nominations for 2013.Ā
Nominees should have performed some significant public service, fostered pride in the community and/or made a lasting contribution to the quality of life in the area served by the chamber, which is equivalent to the Hiawatha School District boundaries. The nominee does not need to live in the area, provided he or she has been active in the community.
To nominate someone, describe in 150 words or less why your nominee deserves the award.ĀMail nominations by May 3 to the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, 2013 Citizen of the Year, PO Box 208, Kirkland, IL 60146. Please include your name and address on the nomination letter.ĀThe selectionĀfor Citizen of the Year will be recognized at a luncheon on June 6.Ā
For more information, contact Ken Brooks at 815-522-9017.


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Andrew and Dianne Pedro of Oakdale, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on Aug. 24, 1963, at Flanders Baptist Church in East Lyme.
Andrew and Dianne were honored at a surprise dinner reception on Aug. 24, 2013, at the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa, given by their children, Cristin Pedro, Craig Pedro and his wife, Michele.
In attendance to help celebrate their special day were their two grandchildren, Courtney Pedro and Andrew Pedro II, and approximately 65 family members and dear friends.
Thank you to all who made this evening so special.
1 | |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | Highlights: New London 42, Trumbull 36 in Class LL championship |
5 |


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The study into the earning capacity of the semantic database Khnum for a Dutch-speaking target group is completed. We want to thank everyone cordially who has cooperated in the research.
You can download the complete text in Dutch here: masterproef earningCapacityKhnum.pdf (2.985kB)
The research is now extended to an international target group. If you did not fill in the Dutch survey yet, you are invited to do so in English. Find the English survey here.
The intention of this research is to find out if there exists an interest for Khnum with professionals in creative design (advertisement, (interior) architecture and product design) and what their opinion is about the application. To form a picture of the potential customers. To find out if the offered information really contribute to the needs of the potential users, how much value this information has, if they want to pay for it and what the most suitable payment model is. Moreover, it is the intention to note suggestions the professionals make concerning the database. For the Dutch-speaking target group this happened by means of personal interviews and an online inquiry.
Although the sample scope and the nature of the sample are not precise enough, conclusions nevertheless can be carefully drawn, and some surprising results are noticed.
The creative process
All persons questioned follow approximately the same course in the processing of a design order, from creation to the end delivery. The bigger the company the more people (professional fields) are involved in the creative process. However, irrespective of the size of the organization, sources are used by almost everyone (97.22%). Mainly between projects lots of reading is done, to keep up with the recent developments in the field, to look at the work of other designers and to gain inspiration.
An individual company claimed that in principle they never make use of sources because as stylists, they are informed already of what lives in the design world and they go along unconsciously in those recent trends.
Sources are less used as an aid during the actual process of design and creation. The majority of the interviewees indicated that the bulk of the work relies on the experience of the designers, on the wide experience, which their company has acquired through the years from previous orders, and on simple, everyday situations or concepts, which you encounter on the street. Almost everyone indicated to trust his / her gut feeling. Nevertheless, that gut feeling is supported by rules and theories more or less scientifically founded.
At one of the visited companies, we even found a real brainstorm room filled with illustrated magazines and specialist books. "Here the creatives can assimilate in the matter of a design order and their choices are based on graphic material." Much depend on the sort of company. B2B offices will work in a different way than an office that is especially aimed at consumers.
Design justification
Concerning the justification of a design towards a client, it appears that most companies confirm their choices to persuade the contractor that certain choices did not came out of the blue. In case there are no (house style) guidelines the interviewees indicate that much of the choices are rather subjective. "It is difficult to be absolute that a certain colour belongs to something, it also depends on the specific situation and the service or the product which the client offers." One talks beforehand with the client to look at what message he wants to send and which colours and forms would be appropriate to deliver this message.
Choices are also made in regard of content, meaning and feeling; something is not chosen just like that because it is in vogue at that moment. The majority of the interviewees indicate to strive for timeless design and aesthetics appear to be very important also.
On the other hand there were individuals who answered that their clients seldom or never ask for an explanation and they are convinced they don't have to give one. According to them a design must speak for itself, be intuitive and there is a problem if an explanation is needed.
Khnum: useful or worthless
Since the semantic database is not yet operational it was difficult to indicate what the application could mean to a designer. A short description and some screenshots had to do the work. In spite of this handicap a majority thought the database was a very pretty idea and an useful instrument. The contents of the data in Khnum: data of meaning on imaging language and the consult of the examples and quotations, certainly would contribute to the needs of the company. E.g. to present a design towards a client afterwards and to support it rationally. Or simply to browse and to gain inspiration. One looks out for Khnum as a good research tool to examine what exists already and to check a design. As an efficient tool because time can be saved on thinking: "you can consult associations without finding them first yourself."
On the other hand there is a group of designers that are completely sceptically. They absolutely do not grasp the added value of Khnum. They are concerned for their creative freedom. They think that if everybody will use Khnum designs will look the same everywhere. Some fear that it will become a database of (out-of-date) stereotypes. Anyhow they find a scientifically founded database not necessary: "As long as something looks cool it is fine. You can question the scientificallity of the offered information also." And the most paranoiac observation: "You give the client a type of checklist in hands so that afterwards they will be able to point what there is not well to your design."
User intention
The greater part of the interviewees nevertheless showed to be rather careful when it comes to money. They certainly want to use the database in case it would be available for free. "Free basic use, extra features on payment" and "contributions" are globally the two most preferred payment methods. On the other hand there were also people who realized how much time and work is involved in developing this database and for this reason they agreed that it might cost something. A hard but small core of antagonists would never want to use the database even if it is offered for free.
The designers questioned showed that they gladly would like to contribute content to Khnum themselves. And that possibility would raise the enthusiasm of the users certainly. Also they see the use of the database increase if the data were incorporated with existing tools such as Google or stockphoto sites.
When commercializing a new tool such as Khnum a lot of research is needed. For instance similar English-speaking study, which has now started and will run till november. Moreover a usability study of the interface of the database enforces itself.
The results of the interviews and the online survey indicate that for the Netherlands and Belgium a certain enthusiasm and curiosity exist for the project. We will now see if the attitude of the stylists in the low countries towards an innovating tool as Khnum can be compared with the opinion of their international colleagues.
Inez Michiels


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Author Comments
I recall long ago in junior high coming across a book called the white dragon. While i never red the book, The dragon on the cover stood in my head. So i decided to do my own re imagining of a white dragon in this painting, enjoy.
watch the video here http://colorslive.com/det ails/865217
Rated 5 / 5 stars
Those certainly are not blue eyes! Heheh, it's a good picture!
megadrivesonic responds:
thanks dude.
Rated 4 / 5 stars
he's a cute one :3
megadrivesonic responds:
thanks, im not sure whether its a boy or girl though.


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The angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary: "The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
The Magi to Herod: "Where ...
Displaying 11 of 1 comments
Vijay Mathias
I don't see anything wrong in what Pope Pius says. Nothing wrong in waxing nostalgic about the days when people actually followed Christian teachings and philosophy. Wish if we're the same today. Lest Neff forget, the founders of this nation legislated several moral principles, whether they were Christian or not. Seems like Neff simply wants to find something to disagree with. Again I don't see it in the quotes he mentions, but I haven't read the 1925 encyclical either. Living in a pluralistic world does not mean we should abandon our King and his kingdom principles and be afraid to share it with others. Sadly that is exactly what has happened with many Christians. Yes we should not coerce or force others, but our legislation is driven by our faith and belief in what is right. Proponents of anti-smoking bans are not forcing their will on others, but doing what they believe would be for the utmost good from their perspective.
To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below.


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Join us for the 2011 Pre-Game Basketball Dinners
Jan. 3, 2011 Join the Miner Athletic Club for four (4) pre-game meals in the Jonathan W. Rogers Hall of Champions located on the second floor of the Larry K. Durham Sports Center. This meal is a small way to show appreciation for our area supporters as they enjoy our wonderful UTEP Athletic facilities. These events will be catered from some of the areas finest restaurants while UTEP Men's Basketball coaches breakdown that night's game opponent!
Tickets are $15 for both adults and children. No tickets will be issued for these events. A bar will be open throughout the evening.
Space is limited and reservations will be taken on a first come first serve basis. For any questions please :contact Chris Lynn at (915) 747-6782 or email@example.com.
- Men's Sports
- Women's Sports
- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
- Fan Zone
- Donate Now
- Online Store


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Leader: Technology is changing the way we live
Imperceptibly, our lives are changing. The world of our parents and grandparents is becoming a lost world.
Imperceptibly, our lives are changing. The world of our parents and grandparents is becoming a lost world.
So many little habits and social tasks that they took for granted have been seamlessly superseded by new technologies which have brought along a whole load of new habits.
When did you last ring directory inquiries? When did you last ring the cinema to check film times? When did you last pick up prints of your photos?
These are just some of the things that have been identified by a survey as becoming things largely of the past.
Incredibly, the technologies which have had such a profound effect are still very young. The impact of the internet has gathered pace like a runaway train in recent years. One in five people are now never out of reach of an internet device, the new survey suggests.
The world is a different place, but whether it is a better or more courteous place is an open question.
An e-mailed thank you letter is an impersonal electronic note which has none of the magic of receiving a handwritten letter, the writing and posting of which actually demonstrates some thought and effort.
You used to ring people up and they would answer: "Ironbridge 3847." Now they will probably just say: "Hello."
Millions of photos are being taken of modern family life but, with so few being printed, a pitiful fraction will survive for the next generation – all the others will be obliterated by the delete button, or lost when you change your laptop which, at two years old, is already obsolete.
Yes, silicon chips have brought a revolution. But there are always those occasions – like when your computer's hard disk fails – that you realise that there is something to said for the "old ways".
Subscribe to our NewsletterComments for: "Leader: Technology is changing the way we live"
What you mention about preserving photos is potentially a major issue. Hidden caches of old photos can be a real benefit to historians or just people interested in their family history, but the problem now is that we really don't know if in 50 or 100 years time it will be easy to find a device capable of reading a CD/DVD/Blu-Ray disk (assuming to disk hasn't decayed).
It is already uncommon to find a floppy disk drive (3.5 inch, let alone 5.25 or 8 inch) and just look at the Doomsday Reloaded project - which started with data retrieved from now obsolete laser disks (then considered state of the art - only 25 years ago).
On top of the issue we how we store data (often in "the cloud"), even if we have the binary data that makes the photo/video we don't know if there will be software available which can read JPEG/MPEG files so we can see what we've found!
The Original Jake
Technology has always changed - and will always continue to change - the way we live. There is little to be said for the old ways, they're the old ways for a reason. I'm sure our grandparents had similar conversations decades ago when discussing the modern technology available to them compared with their Victorian forebears.
I've always been a sociable person, but I'm far more in touch with people now than I was in the days I had to write a letter to a specific person to relate a piece of news. For example, a few months ago I was on a train to London and happened to make a throwaway comment about it on Facebook. It was spotted by an old university colleague, who was on the same train; five minutes later we were sitting together reminiscing about old times. That's pretty incredible, but it's not an isolated incident, this kind of thing happens to millions of people all over the world every day.
I have hundreds of very high-quality photographs of my toddler because modern technology allows me to process each one on my computer in about five minutes (I'm one of those people who takes it quite seriously and meticulously converts every photo from a raw file). Modern technology and the Internet means I can access them all from any computer - or phone, or tablet - from anywhere in the world. I don't need to print them to share them.
As for losing photos when you change a computer... that's just nonsense. I don't know anybody who throws their data away just like that. That would be like throwing the contents of a cupboard away when you decide to change your furniture.
I'm struggling to think of an example of something where the old way would be better. I'm looking forward to the day when my car, my fridge and my garden sprinkler are connected to the 'Net.
Welcome to the fabulous future world of the ultra modern house of next Tuesday.
and your writing this very article on what?? and uploading it to the world wide web????
funny way to complain about technology on a local news website??


text: Scott Peters Explains Why 4400 People Should Be AbductedMeredith Woerner10/27/08 10:00amFiled to: Exclusive4400Scott PetersThe 440019EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink Miss your 4,400 buddies who disappeared, then reappeared with strange powers? Well, never fret — because the entire box set of the The 4400 TV series is out today, and we've got an exclusive clip from the special features, featuring creator Scott Peters explaining how he came to the conclusion that 4400 people needed to go just a little loony.Besides more commentary from Peters on the series, the 15-disc box set also has the show's original pilot episode with commentary, The 4400: The Ghost Season and deleted scenes. Plus there's a special about Promicin, the glowing goo that hooked up to your brain (so to speak) called "Promicin: The Moral Choice" and more audio commentary on the episode "The Great Leap Forward." Now that Peters is destined to remake the other weird present-day TV series, V, I'm really interested at going back and looking at The 4400 again. I'm also dying to see what Peters will bring to the old alien lizard-face classic.


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Germanwings, the first German low cost airline company, currently serves 53 destinations and is rapidly expanding. Germanwings, a German low cost airline company focuses its flights around its 5 German hubs: Cologne, Stuttgart, Berlin, Dortmund and Hamburg. In this airline information guide you can see: IATA code and ICAO code of Germanwings, information relating to baggage and flight ticket changes and cancellation costs. Here you can also see the list of low-cost flights operated by Germanwings . Click on the departure or on the destination airport of the flight you want to find out more about. Click on "Timetable" to find out when the airline. Germanwings flies and book your flight on-line.
Before booking your German Wings flight, please read travel information regarding baggage rules, check-in conditions and charges applied by German Wings when changing or cancelling a booking. Please remember that booking change requests can only be accepted by telephone.
Find cheap flights to top destinations


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Uncyclopedia:Pee Review/Mileena
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
edit Mileena
188.8.131.52 04:37, July 17, 2010 (UTC)
I'm doing this. I think. If I haven't done it within the next 24 hours it's cancelled. --Some Idiot 01:40, July 24, 2010 (UTC)
A note to 22.214.171.124: Create an account. You've made two articles now. --Some Idiot 03:41, July 24, 2010 (UTC)
Humour: | 5 | There is some good humor here, but it is mixed in with the random humor, which really drowns it out. I'll go through the different sections of the article and show you how you can improve the one liners you've got here and build them so they stand out against all the other stuff you have here.
Concept: | 6 | You've got an ok concept, and you've done a lot on her. However, you may want to build one what you've said here, and add more sections, as this article is relatively short. |
Prose and formatting: | 5 | You have a pretty consistant style and tone of prose throughout, except for the paragraph I detailed in the Humor section. The formatting in your article is not ugly, however it is mostly just a big slab of writing, followed by two short paragraphs and then two lists. This looks bad because… |
Images: | 0 | …you have no pictures. This greatly puts down the overall quality of the article, as it mskes it look rather dull and uninviting. However you could easily fix this. Get two, maybe three pictures – here are my suggestions:
Miscellaneous: | 4 | Averaged all your scores. |
Final Score: | 20 | There is a lot of stuff you could improve on the humor stuff. Also add some images. If you follow my advice this article will almost definitely survive ICU, and may be quite decent. Hope that helped. If you have any questions about what I have said here contact me on my talk page. |
Reviewer: | --Some Idiot 02:58, July 24, 2010 (UTC) |


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In the aftermath of Bethenny Frankel's panty-flashing Anderson appearance, there is one thing the red-faced reality star can be thankful for: Cute panties. Check out a video of the wardrobe malfunction seen around the web below!
Bethenny Frankel and panties paid a recent visit to Anderson Cooper, and while not wise enough to turn down a push-up challenge, she did take her husband's advice in the underwear department.
Explaining the incident to iVillage the Skinnygirl mogul said, "I just had no idea that doing a push-up would turn into such a YouTube and web phenomenon, I mean this is crazy, I am so happy that I had underwear that were nice because I have had these sort of nude colored, they call it commando panties that are just kind of, just boring, they are not that interesting."
"And my husband hates them and he was like you need to get interesting, sexy panties, so last week I bought colorful panties. And I happened to by the grace of God be wearing the same colored panties as my shoes. I mean the odds of that are the odds of my dress flying over my head doing push-ups actually."
After the incident did Jason Hoppy give Bethenny Frankel an "I told you so" speech? She said, "He said, 'Can you imagine those other, the nude colored panties being on TV?'… The problem is that this is such a misrepresentation of me because it makes me look like someone who matches my panties to my shoes."
"I love that I am being made to be this fancy, you know fashionista when it comes to the undergarments and I'm not but I'll take it," Bethenny Frankel added, looking on the bright side of becoming a panty-flashing web phenomenon. "I just think it's funny. It's ridiculous. It's just something that would only happen to me. That's the one thing that everyone who knows me says."
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Glycolic Acid Oily Skin DT Light Cream, 1.5 oz, From Reviva Labs
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Because Reviva has been a quiet company, most of you are probably not aware that Reviva was also the first in Health Food Stores with:
A milder, non-drying program for acne Elastin Topical trace minerals Glycolic Acid (from dermatologist source) Hyaluronic Acid Vitamin P for spider veins and rosacea A new - ingredient-complex for under eye dark circles and others Although Health Food Stores are Revivas major distribution channel, Revivas origins are actually in professional skin care salons. Revivas founder, Stephen Strassler, is one of Americas earliest Aestheticians.
It was (and is today) the testing of product safety and performance in various skin care salons that has been a unique and key factor in Revivas history of product effectiveness.
Product effectiveness is not only a matter of the right ingredients but the experience in blending the proper percentages. And the knowledge of the interaction of those ingredients.
The wrong percentage of one of the active ingredients could inactivate the performance of the product.Glycolic Acid Oily Skin DT Light Cream 1.5 oz
Think about what youve learned from your own experiences over the years. Then, please consider what 38 years of skin care experience can mean to you the next time youre buying skin- care products.
The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional.
Products image are NOT always exactly as shown on the photographs. We try to be as accurate as possible with photos. Please check the Title carefully before ordering.
All models are 18 yrs or older.
Copyright © 2002-2017 VitaDigest.com. All Rights Reserved.


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When good screening means bad marketing
By Charles H. Green
Trusted Advisor Associates
In some cases, a monomaniacal focus on sales efficiency will serve you badly. What looks like good sales is bad marketing.
If you've had exposure to sales thinking, you're familiar with the need to be efficient. Don't drill dry wells; don't spend time on unproductive activities; above all, qualify and screen your leads carefully so you don't end up wasting time.
Good advice, generally. Except sometimes, it's very bad for your marketing. Here's why, and how to avoid it.
The usual approach
Suppose you get a call. "I'm a friend of your client Jim Johnson," the caller says, "and I wonder if you could give me some advice?"
Great, right? But suppose it turns out that the caller is asset-poor, income-constrained and doesn't have significant insurance needs? How do you respond to these calls?
Most of us are taught three basic ways you can answer:
Answer 1. Ask some qualifying questions right up front during the first call; if the caller doesn't meet your criteria, tell them you're sorry but you can't help them.
Answer 2. Engage in pleasantries on the call; set up an appointment to get more detailed information; then inform them, based on data, you can't help them.
Answer 3. Engage in deep conversation, both on the call, and in a later meeting, after which regretfully inform the prospect that you really can't help them.
The downside to sales efficiency
But there is a downside. Suppose the caller turns out to be very sociable, with many acquaintances, some of whom could be ideal clients for you. Will he tell his friends, "Don't waste your time," if your name comes up? Will he even mention you?
Or suppose your original client calls you the next day and says, "Hey, I recommended you to my friend. I went out on a limb for you. But he tells me you didn't even take the time to listen to him. How could you do that to me?" Suppose the caller has relatives who need your services. Suppose the caller is extremely active on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter and says negative things about you — or doesn't mention you at all. Or suppose that two years from now the caller's situation has been transformed?
In all those cases, a monomaniacal focus on sales efficiency will serve you badly. What looks like good sales is bad marketing.
The answer doesn't lie in finding the happy medium, compromising or making trade-offs. Instead, it lies in acting in a trustworthy manner in all interactions.
Beyond efficiency to marketing effectiveness
True, you can't subsidize the world; you must make choices about your scarce time. But you can help people in creative ways, even while saying no.
If you can make every caller a little better off than they were before they called you, you will make a positive impression on everyone. That's good marketing, and it results in more referrals, stronger existing relationships, better word of mouth, and a reputation for being client-centric.
What can you do? Here are a two starter ideas:
Take a minute to hear them out.
Often, people simply haven't identified their problem well enough. You may not have the solution, but you have the ability to help them with problem definition. That is hugely valuable to them.
It will cost you a few minutes of your time. The benefits to the caller are immediate and very large. And don't worry, you'll get mentioned; positively, frequently, and widely. It's not a cost: it's an investment.
Have an alternate referral ready at hand.
Do a little work in advance to find people in your area who help with things you don't do — budgeting help, financial planning, differing lines of insurance, even services like divorce mediators and accountants. Call them and ask, "If I run across someone who needs you, may I send them your way?"
They will be thrilled — and will look for ways to return the favor.
Don't look for referral fees. Do this purely as a service for people who don't need your service. Every time you make a referral to someone outside your own specialty, the caller will be genuinely surprised and pleased. How often do we find someone who goes out of their way to be helpful? It is memorable, and you can be the one remembered.
Efficiency is a fine thing — just not in isolation. The good news is, you can be efficient and do good marketing as well. You can have your cake and eat it too.


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Town Square
Why was Lisa's post about religion removed?
Original post made by Janna, Dublin, on Feb 20, 2009
Lisa made perfectly valid points and asked good questions. Why are you censoring her PW?
Like this comment
Posted by Censorship Doctrinea resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 20, 2009 at 9:15 am
Because the editors are playing GOD!
Like this comment
Posted by Staceya resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 20, 2009 at 9:28 am
The above post appears to be a reference to the Fairness Doctrine, yet the removal of the post in question by the PW is an example of censorship by owner, not by government. Now the main difference is that Lisa is free to go open her own website and assert her freedom of speech because the Internet is rather infinite while Lisa would be unable to freely do so on the limited resource of the radio spectrum.
Like this comment
Posted by Emily WestPleasanton Weekly staff reporter
on Feb 20, 2009 at 9:57 am
Emily West is a registered user.
There was a misunderstanding and the post is now back up.


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Learn about this topic in these articles:
...of the English Edmund II (reigned 1016). In the late 13th century a bridge was built across the River Brent, and Brentford grew as a market town in rural Middlesex. During the English Civil Wars,
Chiswick (on the present border between Ealing and Hounslow) was the site of the Battle of Turnham Green, which was fought at Brentford, Turnham Green, and Acton in 1642; as a result of the battle,...


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Colts' cuts start with linebacker Sidbury on IRAP , Associated Press
Aug. 25, 2013 2:01 PM ET
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis placed linebacker Lawrence Sidbury on injured reserve and waived 11 other players Sunday. Indy has 78 players on the roster and must get to 75 by Tuesday. Sidbury was signed in March as an unrestricted free agent and was supposed to help Indy on special teams and add depth at linebacker. He injured his shoulder last week against the Giants and sought a second opinion this week. The Colts waived cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Allen Chapman, offensive linemen Danous Estenor and Rick Schmeig, defensive tackle Kellen Heard, punter-kicker Brandon McManus, running back Davin Meggett, linebacker C.O. Prime and safety Ashante Williams. Receiver Maurice Williams was waived with an injury settlement. Cornerback Teddy Williams was waived-injured and will revert to Indy's injured reserve if he clears waivers. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. |


text: St. John LongAn illiterate quack, who professed to have discovered a liniment which had the power of distinguishing between disease and health. The body was rubbed with it, and if irritation appeared it announced secret disease, which the quack undertook to cure. He was twice tried for manslaughter: once in 1830, when he was fined for his treatment of Miss Cashan, who died; and next in 1831, for the death of Mrs. Lloyd. Being acquitted, he was driven in triumph from the Old Bailey in a nobleman's carriage, amid the congratulations of the aristocracy. St. John is pronounced Sinjin, as in that verse of Pope's - A wake, my St. John! leave all meaner things To low ambition and the pride of kings. Essay on Man. Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894


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California Institute of Technology
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The California Institute of Technology (or Caltech) was a university located in California which owned and operated the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Following Rain Robinson's SETI-contact with the USS Voyager in 1996, she e-mailed a friend at JPL, who in turn, called his professor at Caltech, regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.
The Caltech professor then contacted Henry Starling regarding the possible contact, forcing Starling to downplay the event. After getting off the telephone with the professor, he decided that Robinson was a security threat and that she had to be eliminated. (VOY: "Future's End")
In the Pocket TNG novel Grounded, Jean-Luc Picard is revealed to have briefly studied at Caltech during his time at Starfleet Academy.
External links Edit
- California Institute of Technology - official web site
- California Institute of Technology at Wikipedia


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What's yours???
Notebook, Titanic, Somewhere in Time
one of my favorites too!
Quoting whooperz:Titanic!
The Notebook - I watch it whenever it's on.
another favorite of mine too:)
Quoting CorpCityGrl:The Notebook - I watch it whenever it's on.
A Walk to Remember
Practical Magic
America's Sweethearts
A Walk to Remember makes me cry every time.
I love the sweetness of Serendipity and the restaurant is ALWAYS packed!
Quoting SerenityBerry:SerendiptyA Walk to Remember TitanicPractical Magic America's Sweethearts
The Notebook, Titanic and Serendipity
I don't have just one. There are too many to chose just one favorite.
You've Got Mail is one of my all time favorites.
Imagine Me & You (not your typical romance).
A Walk to Remember--this may be the closest to my favorite.
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Original French Movie Posters from France
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Most French posters are printed vertically, which is portrait style, and the art usually differs from the original American One Sheets or the artwork used in other countries.
The Grande (aka 1 panel / one panel) and the Affichette (aka Petite Affichette, French One Sheet or Medium) movie poster sizes are most commonly used in France. The Grande poster size measures 47x63 inch, 120x160 cm, printed on thick paper stock and issued folded in one piece. Most common poster. The Affichette is smaller, measures 15/18x21/24 inch, 40x53/60 cm (size may vary considerably), printed on light stock and primarily for posting on walls. Usually has one center fold line, but also comes flat or rolled.
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Chairs: Dennis Dria, Myden Energy Consulting, PLLC; Steve Mathias, Weatherford International
Chairs: Paul Huckabee, Shell; Philippe Legrand, ALS Omega Well Monitoring
This session will address stimulation diagnostics validation monitoring with fiber-optic tools such as distributed temperature sensing (DTS,) distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and multiple sensing (MS). Examples of monitored stimulation diagnostics will be presented. The value of the monitoring will be discussed to understand both the fracture character as well as the reservoir production characteristic.
Chairs: Eric Holley, Halliburton; Bill Shroyer, Exiius
The earliest fiber deployments in oil and gas wells were possible only via a U-tubed control line. Fiber was pumped into control line after the installation of wellbore tubulars. Cable manufacturing advances and refined installation practices have led to coutless methods of installing distributed sensing fiber into wellbores. In this session we will explore some of the latest examples of installation practices that have been developed to meet the demand for distributed sensing data for the life of the well.
Chairs: Mathieu Molenaar, Shell; Sudhendu Kashikar, Microseismic
Active monitoring of the reservoir, away from the wellbore and between wells, over the producing life, has always been a challenge. Recent advances in fiber-optic technologies have the potential to expand the ability to capture specific events and areal changes over that of conventional methods. This session will focus on reservoir surveillance and interpretation challenges, crosswell event monitoring, and time-lapse imagery and geophysical applications.
Chairs: John Lovell, Schlumberger; Mathieu Molenaar, Shell
This session covers data retrieval and interpretation processes for qualifying flow characteristics in reservoirs. It will present end users with examples of data gathering, analysis and interpretation techniques for reservoirs, and qualifying reservoir flow using integrated fiber-optic acquired data such as fiber-optic pressure/temperature (FOPT) gauge, DTS, DAS, and microseismic.
Chairs: Quentin Lau, Chevron; Kyle Friehauf, ConocoPhillips
The growth and value of monitoring relies on timely conversion of data into information for the decision maker. As the fiber optic sensing industry grows, so does the need for industry-wide data standards and commonly accepted data transfer protocols for interoperability. This session will review field installations and case studies on how this issue has been solved.
Chairs: Jeff App, Chevron; Zafar Kamal, BP
Distributed sensing data has been used as a qualitative tool over the past decade. This session will present some of the cutting edge quantitative solutions that are being developed to meet the needs of operators around the world.
Chairs: Doug Norton, BMP; Zafar Kamal, BP
The adoption of distributed sensing technologies is becoming more commonplace downhole. The extension of these technologies to monitor pipelines, flowlines and facilities will result in more miles of monitoring than may ever be realized inwell. Pipeline applications bring different challenges compared to subsurface. This session will explore the case histories, lessons learned, and explore the different issues that challenge distributed sensing for leak and instrusion/damage sensing applications in the midstream markets. These issues include installation practice impact on performance, event detection issues and tradeoffs, and new features and capabilities that enable this application novel ways.
Chairs: John Lovell, Schlumberger; Steve Mathias, Weatherford International
With application of in-well fiber-optic technology on the rise, overall system reliability and lifecycle cost is becoming a key driver in acceptance and deployment of these technologies. Overall speed of uptake will depend heavily on demonstrated reliable performances over long periods of time. This session will focus on case histories and technological advances where the fiber cable's survival and longevity are of upmost importance.
Chairs: Sudhendu Kashikar, Microseismic; Zafar Kamal, BP
Distributed acoustics sensing: Is it Panacea or Poison? This session will review case studies, field installations, successes, and failures of DAS. Can DAS deliver on vertical seismic profiling (VSP), micro-seismic, completion, and production monitoring?
Chairs: Philippe Legrand, ALS Omega Well Monitoring; Quentin Lau, Chevron
This session will highlight some of the upcoming deepwater and subsea application deployments with fiber-optics, and discuss some of the unique requirements/challenges to ensure successful results.
Chairs: Doug Norton, BMP; Bill Shroyer, Exiius
What is on the horizon for optical sensing? This session presents optical sensing.


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Blondie - Matt's Top 5
Matthew Katz-Bohen attended the world-renowned LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (the "Fame" School) in New York City, where he studied Piano, Violin and composition.
A native New Yorker, Matt has toured the world with his original projects Daddy (www.myspace.com/daddy) and GoonSquad (www.myspace.com/goonnyc).
Currently touring with Blondie, he just finished recording a new new album with them which features two of his songs.
He has backed legendary artists such as Ashford and Simpson, Jody Watley, Lady Miss Kier (Dee-Lite), John Cameron Mitchell ("Hedwig"), and Princess Superstar.
He produces, writes, programs, and plays keys and guitar... and he really likes the Thor.
Growling Lead (Reason Factory Sound Bank / Thor Patches / Lead Synths)
I use this patch with Blondie live for soloing all the time. I add portamento and delay. It really cuts through the band - will give guitarists keyboard envy. Also, I've found this patch works great for getting the synth solo sound from Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough", which we cover.
The Lead (Reason Factory Sound Bank / Thor Patches / Lead Synths)
A very nice creamy synthy lead. I use this one, with a phaser added, for the classic solo in "Call Me".
MS Feedback Bass 1 (Reason Factory Sound Bank / Thor Patches / Bass)
Great bass for that 80's hi NRG italo sound.
Pro 5 Poly (Reason Factory Sound Bank / Thor Patches / Poly Synths)
A great polysynth. With a bit of tweaking, you can get a perfect sounding intro to Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night".
PW Mod (Wind Controller) (Reason Factory Sound Bank / Thor Patches / Lead Synths)
I used this on the Blondie Track "What I Heard", with the filter 2 frequency turned up to 1.15 kHz. It's the huge synth lead in the intro and choruses.
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A lot of regular joe public who have no hate for anyone are getting fed up with the liberal circus. A lot of things the people claiming to represent minority groups are doing simply serve to give more fuel. I would argue that many black lawyers and protesters are finding racism where there is none and deliberately engineering conflict, because if racism were truly ever to be dead and buried, they'd be out of work/profit.
Same with all equal rights groups. Look at the gay olympics. Why would a group who claim purely to want fairness and equality, not to stand out, not to be different, want to have their own olympics? I think they are being misrepresentated. Most of my gay friends don't want one. Why not share the same olympics as everyone else? Why do minorities insist on having their own clubs where others are excluded, while campaigning against being excluded from others? These groups really need to realise tolerance, respect, fairness, equality, it's a two way street. You cannot have "black priority" schools, then complain if someone dare make a "white priority" one.


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When insulating your home, you can choose from many types of insulation. To choose the best type of insulation, you should first determine the following:
- Where you want or need to install/add insulation
- The recommended R-values for areas you want to insulate.
Installing Insulation
The maximum thermal performance or R-value of insulation is very dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some types of insulation — notably blankets and materials that can be poured in place. Other types require professional installation.
When hiring a professional certified installer:
- Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the R-value you need, and don't be surprised if quoted prices for a given R-value installation vary by more than a factor of two.
- Ask contractors about their air-sealing services and costs as well, because it's a good idea to seal air leaks before installing insulation.
To evaluate blanket installation, you can measure batt thickness and check for gaps between batts as well as between batts and framing. In addition, inspect insulation for a tight fit around building components that penetrate the insulation, such as electrical boxes. To evaluate sprayed or blown-in types of insulation, measure the depth of the insulation and check for gaps in coverage.
If you choose to install the insulation yourself, follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions carefully and check local building and fire codes. Do-it-yourself instructions are available from the fiberglass and mineral wool trade group. The cellulose trade group recommends hiring a professional, but if there isn't a qualified installer in your area or you feel comfortable taking on the job, you may be able to find guidance from manufacturers.
The table below provides an overview of most available insulation materials, how they are installed, where they're typically installed, and their advantages.
Types of Insulation
Type | Insulation Materials | Where Applicable | Installation Method(s) | Advantages |
Blanket: batts and rolls | •Fiberglass
•Mineral (rock or slag) wool •Plastic fibers •Natural fibers |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls
•Floors and ceilings |
Fitted between studs, joists, and beams. | Do-it-yourself.
Suited for standard stud and joist spacing that is relatively free from obstructions. Relatively inexpensive. |
Concrete block insulation
and insulating concrete blocks |
Foam board, to be placed on outside of wall (usually new construction) or inside of wall (existing homes):
Some manufacturers incorporate foam beads or air into the concrete mix to increase R-values |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls,
for new construction or major renovations •Walls (insulating concrete blocks) |
Require specialized skills
Insulating concrete blocks are sometimes stacked without mortar (dry-stacked) and surface bonded. |
Insulating cores increases wall R-value.
Insulating outside of concrete block wall places mass inside conditioned space, which can moderate indoor temperatures. Autoclaved aerated concrete and autoclaved cellular concrete masonry units have 10 times the insulating value of conventional concrete. |
Foam board or rigid foam | •Polystyrene
•Polyisocyanurate •Polyurethane |
•Unfinished walls, including foundation walls
•Floors and ceilings •Unvented low-slope roofs |
Interior applications: must be covered with 1/2-inch gypsum board or other building-code approved material for fire safety.
Exterior applications: must be covered with weatherproof facing. |
High insulating value for relatively little thickness.
Can block thermal short circuits when installed continuously over frames or joists. |
Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) | •Foam boards or foam blocks | •Unfinished walls, including foundation walls for new construction | Installed as part of the building structure. | Insulation is literally built into the home's walls, creating high thermal resistance. |
Loose-fill and blown-in | •Cellulose
•Fiberglass •Mineral (rock or slag) wool |
•Enclosed existing wall or open new wall cavities
•Unfinished attic floors •Other hard-to-reach places |
Blown into place using special equipment, sometimes poured in. | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions. |
Reflective system | •Foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard | •Unfinished walls, ceilings, and floors | Foils, films, or papers fitted between wood-frame studs, joists, rafters, and beams. | Do-it-yourself.
Suitable for framing at standard spacing. Bubble-form suitable if framing is irregular or if obstructions are present. Most effective at preventing downward heat flow, effectiveness depends on spacing. |
Rigid fibrous or fiber insulation | •Fiberglass
•Mineral (rock or slag) wool |
•Ducts in unconditioned spaces
•Other places requiring insulation that can withstand high temperatures |
HVAC contractors fabricate the insulation into ducts either at their shops or at the job sites. | Can withstand high temperatures. |
Sprayed foam and foamed-in-place | •Cementitious
•Phenolic •Polyisocyanurate •Polyurethane |
•Enclosed existing wall
•Open new wall cavities •Unfinished attic floors |
Applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed (foamed-in-place) product. | Good for adding insulation to existing finished areas, irregularly shaped areas, and around obstructions. |
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) | •Foam board or liquid foam insulation core
•Straw core insulation |
•Unfinished walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs for new construction | Construction workers fit SIPs together to form walls and roof of a house. | SIP-built houses provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods; they also take less time to build. |
Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation
Blanket insulation — the most common and widely available type of insulation — comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool. Learn more about these insulation materials.
Batts and rolls are available in widths suited to standard spacing of wall studs, attic trusses or rafters, and floor joists. Continuous rolls can be hand-cut and trimmed to fit. They are available with or without facings. Manufacturers often attach a facing (such as kraft paper, foil-kraft paper, or vinyl) to act as a vapor barrier and/or air barrier. Batts with a special flame-resistant facing are available in various widths for basement walls and other places where the insulation will be left exposed. A facing also helps facilitate fastening during installation. However, unfaced batts are a better choice when adding insulation over existing insulation.
Standard fiberglass blankets and batts have a thermal resistance or R-value between R-2.9 and R-3.8 per inch of thickness. High-performance (medium-density and high-density) fiberglass blankets and batts have R-values between R-3.7 and R-4.3 per inch of thickness. See the table below for an overview of these characteristics.
Fiberglass Batt Insulation Characteristics
This table is for comparison of fiberglass batts only. Determine actual thickness, R-value, and cost from manufacturer and/or local building supplier.
Thickness (inches) | R-Value | Cost (cents/sq. ft.) |
3 1/2 | 11 | 12-16 |
3 5/8 | 13 | 15-20 |
3 1/2 (high density) | 15 | 34-40 |
6 to 6 1/4 | 19 | 27-34 |
5 1/4 (high density) | 21 | 33-39 |
8 to 8 1/2 | 25 | 37-45 |
8 (high density) | 30 | 45-49 |
9 1/2 (standard) | 30 | 39-43 |
12 | 38 | 55-60 |
Concrete Block Insulation
Concrete blocks are used to build home foundations and walls, and there are several ways to insulate them. If the cores aren't filled with steel and concrete for structural reasons, they can be filled with insulation, which raises the average wall R-value. Field studies and computer simulations have shown, however, that core filling of any type offers little fuel savings, because heat is readily conducted through the solid parts of the walls such as block webs and mortar joints.
It is more effective to install insulation over the surface of the blocks either on the exterior or interior of the foundation walls. Placing insulation on the exterior has the added advantage of containing the thermal mass of the blocks within the conditioned space, which can moderate indoor temperatures.
Some manufacturers incorporate polystyrene beads into concrete blocks, and surface-bonded assemblies of these units have wall R-values of R-1 per inch. Other manufacturers make concrete blocks that accommodate rigid foam inserts that increase the unit thermal resistance to about R-2 per inch.
In the United States, two varieties of solid, precast autoclaved concrete masonry units are now available: autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC). This material contains about 80% air by volume and has been commonly used in Europe since the late 1940s. Autoclaved concrete has ten times the insulating value of conventional concrete. The R-1.1 per inch blocks are large, light, and easily sawed, nailed, and shaped with ordinary tools. The material absorbs water readily, so it requires protection from moisture. Precast ACC uses fly ash instead of high-silica sand, which distinguishes it from AAC. Fly ash is a waste ash produced from burning coal in electric power plants.
Hollow-core units made with a mix of concrete and wood chips are also available. They are installed by stacking the units without using mortar (dry-stacking) and filling the cores with concrete and structural steel. One potential problem with this type of unit is that the wood is subject to the effects of moisture and insects.
Concrete block walls are typically insulated or built with insulating concrete blocks during new home construction or major renovations. Block walls in existing homes can be insulated from the inside. Go to insulation materials for more information about the products commonly used to insulate concrete block.
Foam Board or Rigid Foam
Foam boards — rigid panels of insulation — can be used to insulate almost any part of your home, from the roof down to the foundation. They provide good thermal resistance, and reduce heat conduction through structural elements, like wood and steel studs. The most common types of materials used in making foam board include polystyrene, polyisocyanurate (polyiso), and polyurethane.
Insulating Concrete Forms
Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are basically forms for poured concrete walls, which remain as part of the wall assembly. This system creates walls with a high thermal resistance, typically about R-20. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they look like traditional stick-built homes.
ICF systems consist of interconnected foam boards or interlocking, hollow-core foam insulation blocks. Foam boards are fastened together using plastic ties. Along with the foam boards, steel rods (rebar) can be added for reinforcement before the concrete is poured. When using foam blocks, steel rods are often used inside the hollow cores to strengthen the walls.
The foam webbing around the concrete-filled cores of blocks can provide easy access for insects and groundwater. To help prevent these problems, some manufacturers make insecticide-treated foam blocks and promote methods for waterproofing them. Installing an ICF system requires an experienced contractor, available through the Insulating Concrete Form Association.
Loose-Fill and Blown-In Insulation
Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and locations where it would be difficult to install other types of insulation.
The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20% to 30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. The table below compares these three materials.
Recommended Specifications by Loose-Fill Insulation Material
Cellulose | Fiberglass | Rock Wool | |
R-value/inch | 3.2–3.8 | 2.2–2.7 | 3.0–3.3 |
Inches (cm) needed for R-38 | 10–12 (25–30) | 14–17 (35–43) | 11.5–13 (29–33) |
Density in lb/ft3 (kg/m3) | 1.5–2.0 (24–36) | 0.5–1.0 (10–14) | 1.7 (27) |
Weight at R-38 in lb/ft2 (kg/m2) | 1.25–2.0 (6–10) | 0.5–1.2 (3–6) | 1.6–1.8 (8–9) |
OK for 1/2″ drywall, 24″ on center? | No | Yes | No |
OK for 1/2″ drywall, 16″ on center? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
OK for 5/8″ drywall, 24″ on center? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Some less common loose-fill insulation materials include polystyrene beads and vermiculite and perlite. Loose-fill insulation can be installed in either enclosed cavities such as walls, or unenclosed spaces such as attics. Cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool are typically blown in by experienced installers skilled at achieving the correct density and R-values. Polystyrene beads, vermiculite, and perlite are typically poured.
Radiant Barriers and Reflective Insulation Systems
Unlike most common insulation systems, which resist conductive and sometimes convective heat flow, radiant barriers and reflective insulation work by reflecting radiant heat away from the living space. Radiant barriers are installed in homes — usually in attics — primarily to reduce summer heat gain, which helps lower cooling costs. Reflective insulation incorporates radiant barriers — typically highly reflective aluminum foils — into insulation systems that can include a variety of backings, such as kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, as well as thermal insulation materials.
Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy. When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces, including the air ducts and the attic floor. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. To be effective, it must face an air space.
Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can lower cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation.
Rigid Fiber Board Insulation
Rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation consists of either fiberglass or mineral wool material and is primarily used for insulating air ducts in homes. It is also used when there's a need for insulation that can withstand high temperatures. These products come in a range of thicknesses from 1 inch to 2.5 inches, and provide an R-value of about R-4 per inch of thickness.
Installation in air ducts is usually done by HVAC contractors, who fabricate the insulation at their shops or at job sites. On exterior duct surfaces, they can install the insulation by impaling it on weld pins and securing with speed clips or washers. They can also use special weld pins with integral-cupped head washers. Unfaced boards can then be finished with reinforced insulating cement, canvas, or weatherproof mastic. Faced boards can be installed in the same way, and the joints between boards sealed with pressure-sensitive tape or glass fabric and mastic.
Sprayed-Foam and Foamed-In-Place Insulation
Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Some installations can have twice the R-value per inch of traditional batt insulation, and can fill even the smallest cavities, creating an effective air barrier.
Types of Liquid Foam Insulation
Today, most foam materials use foaming agents that don't use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are harmful to the earth's ozone layer.
Available liquid foam insulation materials include:
- Cementitious
- Phenolic
- Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)
- Polyurethane.
Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer foam. Icynene foam can be either sprayed or injected, which makes it the most versatile. It also has good resistance to both air and water intrusion. Tripolymer foam—a water-soluble foam—is injected into wall cavities. It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion.
Liquid foam insulation — combined with a foaming agent — can be applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure-sprayed (foamed-in-place) product. Both types expand and harden as the mixture cures. They also conform to the shape of the cavity, filling and sealing it thoroughly.
Slow-curing liquid foams are also available. These foams are designed to flow over obstructions before expanding and curing, and they are often used for empty wall cavities in existing buildings. There are also liquid foam materials that can be poured from a container.
Installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special equipment and certification and should be done by experienced installers. Following installation, an approved thermal barrier equal in fire resistance to half-inch gypsum board must cover all foam materials. Also, some building codes don't recognize sprayed foam insulation as a vapor barrier, so installation might require an additional vapor retarder.
Liquid foam insulation products and installation usually cost more than traditional batt insulation. However, liquid foam insulation has higher R-values and forms an air barrier, which can eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints. When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money.
Structural Insulated Panels
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"), offering energy savings of 12% to 14%. When installed properly, SIPs also result in a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house quieter and more comfortable.
SIPs not only have high R-values but also high strength-to-weight ratios. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch-thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board (OSB) or other structural facing materials. Manufacturers can usually customize the exterior and interior sheathing materials to meet customer requirements. The facing is glued to the foam core, and the panel is then either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond the sheathing and core together.
SIPs can be produced in various sizes or dimensions. Some manufacturers make panels as large as 8 by 24 feet, which require a crane to erect.
The quality of SIP manufacturing is very important to the long life and performance of the product. The panels must be glued, pressed, and cured properly to ensure that they don't delaminate. The panels also must have smooth surfaces and edges to prevent gaps from occurring when they're connected at the job site. Before purchasing SIPs, ask manufacturers about their quality control and testing procedures and read and compare warranties carefully. SIPs are available with different insulating materials, usually polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam.
SIPs are made in a factory and shipped to job sites. Builders then connect them together to construct a house. For an experienced builder, a SIPs home goes up much more quickly than other homes, which saves time and money without compromising quality. These savings can help offset the usually higher cost of SIPs.
Many SIP manufacturers also offer "panelized housing kits." The builder need only assemble the pre-cut pieces, and additional openings for doors and windows can be cut with standard tools at the construction site.
When installed according to manufacturers' recommendations, SIPs meet all building codes and pass the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards of safety. In buildings constructed of SIPs, fire investigators have found that the panels held up well. For example, in one case a structure fire exceeded 1,000°F (538°C) in the ceiling areas and 200°F (93°C) near the floors, and most wall panels and much of the ceiling remained intact. An examination of the wall panels revealed that the foam core had neither melted nor delaminated from the skins. In similar cases, a lack of oxygen seemingly caused the fire to extinguish itself. The air supply in an airtight SIP home can be quickly consumed in a fire.
Areas of Concern
Fire safety is a concern, but when the interior of the SIP is covered with a fire-rated material, such as gypsum board, it protects the facing and foam long enough to give building occupants a chance to escape.
As in any house, insects and rodents can be a problem. In a few cases, insects and rodents have tunneled throughout the SIPs, and some manufacturers have issued guidelines for preventing these problems, including:
- Applying insecticides to the panels
- Treating the ground with insecticides both before and after initial construction and backfilling
- Maintaining indoor humidity levels below 50%
- Locating outdoor plantings at least two feet (0.6 meters) away from the walls
- Trimming any over-hanging tree limbs.
Boric acid-treated insulation panels are also available. These panels deter insects, but are relatively harmless to humans and pets.
Because it is so airtight, a well-built SIP structure requires controlled fresh-air ventilation for safety, health, and performance, and to meet many building codes. A well-designed, installed, and properly operated mechanical ventilation system can also help prevent indoor moisture problems, which is important for achieving the energy-saving benefits of an SIP structure.


text:
Revenues, EPS & Adjusted EBITDA Above high-end of Previously-announced Estimates
Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 11.7% up from 11.2% in Q3 2011
CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2012-- On Assignment, Inc. (NYSE: ASGN), a diversified professional staffing firm providing flexible and permanent staffing solutions in specialty skills including Technology, Life Sciences, Healthcare and Physician, today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.
Third Quarter 2012 Highlights
Commenting on the results, Peter Dameris, President and Chief Executive Officer of On Assignment, Inc., said, "I'm very pleased, that despite the macro-economic challenges, we grew our revenues year-over-year approximately 14 percent on both a pro forma basis (including Apex) and for our legacy businesses (which excludes Apex). At the same time, our Adjusted EBITDA (both pro forma and legacy businesses) grew at twice the rate of our revenues. Our results reflected an expansion of our operating and Adjusted EBITDA margins, which did not include any synergy savings from the acquisition of Apex.
Dameris continued, "Since the acquisition of Apex Systems, we have paid down our bank indebtedness $50.9 million ($27.5 million in Q3 and $23.4 million in Q2). As a result of these repayments and the growth in our Adjusted EBITDA, our total leverage ratio at the end of the quarter was 2.96 times trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA down from the peak of 3.79 times following the acquisition of Apex Systems."
Third Quarter 2012 Results
Revenues were $388.3 million, up 139.1 percent year-over-year and 37.4 percent on a sequential basis. This growth was the result of the inclusion of Apex Systems for a full quarter, which accounted for $202.7 million of total revenues in the quarter, and 14.3 percent combined year-over-year revenue growth of the other business segments.
Gross profit was $119.0 million, up 118.3 percent year-over-year and 33.8 percent sequentially. This improvement was related to the contribution of Apex Systems, which accounted for $56.9 million of total gross profit, and the year-over-year revenue growth of the other business segments. Gross margin was 30.7 percent compared with 33.6 percent for the third quarter of 2011. The year-over-year decline in gross margin was attributable to the inclusion of Apex Systems. Excluding Apex Systems, the combined gross margin for the other business segments was 33.5 percent, down slightly from the 33.6 percent in the third quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012. The gross margin for Apex Systems was 28.1 percent for the quarter, up from 27.4 percent in the second quarter of 2012.
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of identifiable intangible assets plus equity-based compensation expense, impairment charges and acquisition-related costs), was $45.5 million, up from $18.2 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $32.3 million in the second quarter of 2012. The Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues) was 11.7 percent compared with 11.2 percent for the third quarter of 2011 and 11.4 percent in the second quarter of 2012. The expansion in the Adjusted EBITDA margin was the result of higher operating efficiencies.
Net income was $17.4 million ($0.33 per diluted share) compared with $7.8 million (0.21 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2011. Income before income taxes included approximately $0.8 million ($0.01 per diluted share) in non-recurring acquisition and offering costs. Offering costs are not deductible for federal income tax purposes and caused in a slight increase in the Company's effective tax rate in the quarter. Income before income taxes in the quarter benefited from a $1.0 million ($0.01 per diluted share) reduction in the earn-out obligation for HealthCare Partners. Excluding these two items, net income on an adjusted basis was $17.5 million ($0.33 per diluted share).
Financial Estimates for the Fourth Quarter of 2012
Based on revenues for the first three weeks of the fourth quarter, On Assignment is providing financial estimates for the quarter ending December 31, 2012, which do not include any acquisition-related or offering costs. Those estimates follow:
The estimates assume approximately one less billable day in the fourth quarter than the third quarter and year-over-year revenue growth rate in the high 20's for Oxford, a slight contraction for Life Sciences, mid-to-high teens for Healthcare (which includes estimated revenues from supporting a customer that is anticipating a likely labor disruption), and high single digits for Physician Staffing and approximately 10 percent for Apex. The estimates above assume no deterioration in the staffing markets On Assignment serves.
On Assignment will hold a conference call today at 1:30 p.m. PDT (4:30 EDT) to review its third quarter financial results. The dial-in number is 877-837-4158 (+1-281-913-8521 for callers outside the United States) and the conference ID number is 37436132. Participants should dial in ten minutes before the call. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning today at 4:30 p.m. PDT and ending on November 8, 2012. The access number for the replay is 855-859-2056 (1+404-537-3406 for callers outside the United States) and the conference ID number 37436132.
This call is being webcast by Thomson/CCBN and can be accessed via On Assignment's web site at www.onassignment.com. Individual investors can also listen at Thomson/CCBN's site at www.fulldisclosure.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in Thomson/CCBN's Individual Investor Network.
About On Assignment
On Assignment, Inc. (NYSE: ASGN), is a leading global provider of highly skilled, hard-to-find professionals in the growing technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors, where quality people are the key to success. The Company goes beyond matching résumés with job descriptions to match people they know into positions they understand for temporary, contract-to-hire, and direct hire assignments. Clients recognize On Assignment for their quality candidates, quick response, and successful assignments. Professionals think of On Assignment as career-building partners with the depth and breadth of experience to help them reach their goals.
On Assignment was founded in 1985 and went public in 1992. The corporate headquarters are located in Calabasas, California, with a network of approximately 130 branch offices throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. Additionally, physician placements are made in Australia and New Zealand. To learn more, visit http://www.onassignment.com.
Reasons for Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Statements made in this release and the Supplemental Financial Information accompanying this release include non-GAAP financial measures. Such information is provided as additional information, not as an alternative to our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, and is intended to enhance an overall understanding of our current financial performance. The Supplemental Financial Information sets forth financial measures reviewed by our management to evaluate our operating performance. Such measures also are used to determine a portion of the compensation for some of our executives and employees. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management, investors and prospective investors by excluding certain charges and other amounts that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results. These non-GAAP measures are included to provide management, our investors and prospective investors with an alternative method for assessing our operating results in a manner that is focused on the performance of our ongoing operations and to provide a more consistent basis for comparison between quarters. One of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of identifiable intangible assets), other terms include Adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA plus equity-based compensation expense, impairment charges and acquisition related costs) and Net Income Before Acquisition Related Costs (Net Income plus acquisition related expenses, deferred financing fees written –off and non-recurring financing fees, net of tax). These terms might not be calculated in the same manner as, and thus might not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The financial statement tables that accompany this press release include reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements made in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's anticipated financial and operating performance in 2012. All statements in this release, other than those setting forth strictly historical information, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results might differ materially. In particular, the Company makes no assurances that the estimates of revenues, gross margin, SG&A, Adjusted EBITDA, net income, earnings per share or earnings per diluted share set forth above will be achieved. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include actual demand for our services, our ability to attract, train and retain qualified staffing consultants, our ability to remain competitive in obtaining and retaining temporary staffing clients, the availability of qualified temporary nurses and other qualified temporary professionals, management of our growth, continued performance of our enterprise-wide information systems, and other risks detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2012 and our Forms 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, as filed with the SEC on May 9, 2012 and July 30, 2012, respectively. We specifically disclaim any intention or duty to update any forward-looking statements contained in this news release.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
administrative expenses
share equivalents used to
calculate earnings per
SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Unaudited)
by operations
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA (Unaudited)
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA PER DILUTED SHARE (Unaudited)
and common equivalent
shares outstanding (diluted)
(1) Does not foot due to rounding
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE TO NET INCOME BEFORE ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS AND EARNINGS PER SHARE BEFORE ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Unaudited)
acquisition-related costs
RECONCILIATION OF ESTIMATED GAAP NET INCOME TO ESTIMATED NON-GAAP EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (Unaudited)
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION – REVENUES AND GROSS MARGINS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION – KEY METRICS (Unaudited)
Source: On Assignment, Inc.
On Assignment, Inc.Ed PierceChief Financial Officer(818) 878-7900


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I play Alliance now. I've played Alliance primarily throughout my WoW career, although admittedly I played Horde over on Malfurion with some awesome folks local to Edmonton (Hi Vees) and again on Sisters of Elune with another group of people I really liked. (Hey Taken.) When I played Horde, I almost always played tauren because, well, I have significant problems with Horde storylines. My then-fellow Horde would always tell me about how they liked the Horde's underdog status, but I never saw that - I saw forsaken plague bombing people, orcs attacking their enemies when they were occupied fighting the Scourge, etc etc. The Horde was always the aggressors, I noticed - how were they the underdogs? Still, I liked the people I was playing with (still do, in fact) and so I kept going. Just because I didn't see the underdog thing didn't mean it wasn't real, and there are plenty of other reasons for faction preference.
Still I ended up back in the Alliance, as I always knew I would. I'm a draenei again, like I was in Wrath of the Lich King (and frankly, often in the same outfit) and I will admit here to favoring the Alliance in storylines. The Alliance is simply the group I sympathize with more, and Cataclysm definitely gave me plenty of fodder on that front. I know a lot of the changes were made to balance the Horde/Alliance leveling experiences, which were infamously disparate. It still ended up feeling like the Alliance was playing frozen side of beef in the Horde's upcoming "I did it, Adrian" montage. While I've since really enjoyed Mists of Pandaria, it hasn't entirely rinsed the bad taste I got leveling an alt through the Cata 1 to 60 game.
So it is from that perspective that I have to say that I don't really understand what, exactly, some Alliance players want to be the outcome of Patch 5.4 - it seems like all that will satisfy some players is the complete and utter destruction of the Horde and the uprooting of half the player base.
What would be enough?
I started musing about this when friends I have on twitter started complaining that the Alliance doesn't appear in the Patch 5.4 trailer.
Yes, it's true, the Alliance are not in the trailer... unless you count that giant fleet we see, or the forces besieging Orgrimmar, of course. Then again, what would they be doing there? I doubt the Alliance expected a major Horde incursion in the Vale or was prepared to do more at that moment than defend the Shrine of Seven Stars in the time it would take Garrosh to carry the Heart from the digsite over to the waters at the base of Mogu'shan Palace. The moment we're given in the trailer - the confrontation between Taran Zhu and Garrosh Hellscream - is a moment showcasing the orc leader's Rubicon, so to speak. This is the moment he goes from faction leader to raid boss - a brutal, unprovoked assault upon a neutral people and the despoiling of their most sacred place in a naked grab for power at any cost. Do we need to see the Alliance there to know they wouldn't approve of this? Perhaps Velen could appear and scream "Noooooooooo" when Taran Zhu gets impaled?
It's not as if there's a token appearance from any of those trolls or tauren Taran Zhu mentions, either.
I often wonder (and have heard many, many others wonder as well) if it would have been far better if we'd gone into Mists of Pandaria with no idea where the endgame was. The story throughout the expansion has been (in my opinion) fairly strongly told, especially the Dominance Offensive/Operation Shieldwall questlines and the Isle of Thunder. Watching the Horde/Alliance conflict heat up while also watching the Horde splinter and the Alliance unify by necessity has been well done. I understand some of the objections (some, not all) to patch 5.3's emphasis on the Darkspear Rebellion, but as many have said, the Alliance already has reasons to raid Orgrimmar. We didn't need a big questline parallel to the Darkspear Rebellion when what he got more than suffices to point us where we're going. But would all of this have been better if we hadn't known all along that we were inching our way towards the gates of Hellscream's fortified capital? Did it set up too many expectations, and worse, prevent the event from assuming its true significance?
In the past eight years, no major faction capital has been raided in game lore. Players have gone in to kill a faction leader from time to time, but this is different. In the story of the setting the Horde fragments into civil war and the Alliance assists one of those factions in raiding Orgrimmar, the Horde capital. This is a moment as large as the Old Horde's failure to sack Lordaeron, or its successful destruction of Stormwind. It is a big deal. But because we've seen it coming, it seems like we've disregarded the impact.
The real issue is, what do we want to see as the final outcome of patch 5.4? Unless your argument is that even having Garrosh as the end boss is inherently pro-Horde, in which case I have nothing to respond with. But there have been nuanced arguments that the Alliance hasn't had enough involvement and investment in this expansion that I should acknowledge, even if I don't agree with them. One is that Varian Wrynn has become too moderate and 'perfect' and that he's overshadowing other Alliance faction leaders, who are essentially forced into the role of hotheads in order to allow Varian to come off as diplomatic and in control. And to be fair, I can understand why people say this - but in Jaina's case at least, her 'heel turn' (for lack of a better phrase) has been fantastic. I love the new, bellicose Jaina Proudmoore and I hope she stays in that role. I liked her interplay with Vereesa Windrunner in 5.2 - it went a long way towards making both characters a lot more interesting. And while I'll accept that Tyrande Whisperwind has been a trifle inconsistent over the past two expansions, I enjoyed seeing her fed up with the Horde and arguing for action.
The problem seems to lie as much in the fact that everyone has favorites. I understand this mentality - I have my favorites too. I'd love to see more draenei involvement, especially from the broken shaman Nobundo and Vindicator Maraad. I'm astonished that we haven't seen more from the gnomes in a strange new land with all sorts of new technology to explore - pandaren advances in explosives and missiles are definitely worth exploring. And quite frankly, having Garrosh take center stage means that I don't get to see the forsaken's Banshee Queen Sylvanas around much, which is a shame as I think she's probably the best realized villain in the game.
But for Alliance players it seems to go further. There's a sense of nothing ever being good enough, and everything being a slight on the faction. And I'm no better - I'm on record as loving the Dalaran portion of the 5.1 storyline but hating the Monkey King digression even though it was pretty essential to the whole Divine Bell aspect of the story. And I was a little annoyed that it all ended in Anduin getting himself curbstomped and me having to stand there while Garrosh beat his chest at me after stomping on a frail teenager. I'll admit I want to actually take a swing at Garrosh right there. So I'm not immune to this sensation - I just don't understand what outcome in 5.4 will leave everyone satisfied. I know the Horde has to be around when the dust settles.