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I've been bumping into a strange phenomenon lately,
a phenomenon which seems to repeat itself in a very consistent and almost regular pattern.
Around the age of 15/16 I kept an eye open for a nice young lady to possibly date and form some sort of intimate relationship with. Over those years I met a few interesting girls that I socialized with a quite a bit. I ended up inviting 3 of them (only two of them knew each other) to do fairly casual, non-imposing things such as coffee or lunch or dinner or sometimes a movie. All of them being single, only one of them took me up on the offer. The rest refused, saying they either weren't interested, or they "had other plans" in that tone of voice that is expected of someone who is in a rush to form some sort of excuse. And that one girl who did accept my offer set me aside and friend-zoned me a few days later, anyways.
As you would imagine I wasn't exactly enthralled about my luck with girls in general. I then came to the conclusion that I was the third wheel of theirs for a lot of things. So I did the easiest I could and cut them all loose. It's not like they cared, I got a small handful of mildly concerned texts and frowns in the hallway but that only lasted a month or so. I was pretty jaded and so I had decided that I'd give myself a nice long break from the opposite sex for the time being and focus all my time and money on only myself and my real friends.
NOW, one year to a year and a half later I've had all of these girls come to me some time within a year. They talk to me and pester me and poke and prod at me (to varying degrees due to each personality). It's like they completely forgot I was the kid they bluntly rejected barely 12 months ago. Even when I treat them like complete and utter trash to get them off my back they don't seem to get the idea. I haven't changed anything other than the way I've been distancing myself from girls for my own good. I look the same, I dress the same, I do the same things as before. What the hell do they want from me this time? Are they all masochists at this age or something? Is it something in the water? Have I started emitting pheromones that attract teenage girls?
Aimyay wrote:
Anime1Games wrote:
So these girls were your friends? You asked them out? All, but one rejected you, by the sounds of it in a nice way. One went out with you and she decided not to take things any further with you. You got upset, cut them all loose and then you start treating them like trash.
I bet they're making fun of you. I mean if someone was my friend up until the point I turned them down, than I would know they wanted more out of me than just my friendship. To be honest with you, I would say you're the bad guy here. I mean look at what you just wrote.
I feel sorry for these girls and if they are pissing you off. I would say you deserve it.
You're damn right they made fun of me. Gossip spreads like weeds.
I didn't invite them because I wanted them lay with them. I invited them out somewhere else other than school just because I wanted to see them. That was stupid of me because asking a member of the opposite sex to do something outside of a classroom of this age group obviously means you want to to be involved in a romantic relationship and you want them to take the next step, right?
Saying I was interested engaging in an intimate relationship was a bit out of context. I had thought of these girls as friends of mine, and after spending large portions of my time with them at school I thought it was a good idea to hang out together some place we weren't obligated to be. The idea that I might at some point date one was an afterthought.
They were single so I didn't think it would be an issue.
Them being the stock school girl archetypes in regards to spreading gossip, word that I had "asked out" out these girls bit me in the ass.
My name at school was shit-canned by them out of some stupid assumption they made on their own.
It's not like reputation matters to me now, high school is almost done for me and I just want to get out.
But what concerns me is that they think they can just fall back into the arms they stepped on as if I'm obligated to give half a shit.
They can't take any of the blatantly obvious hints that I don't want to share in any type of intercourse with them whatsoever, whether it be verbal or physical.
And now it's gotten to where I simply don't care anymore. I just treat those three however I want.
Give me your thoughts, for the spirit of conversation, of course.
tl;dr: Oh great Crunchyroll forum, thy ultimate purveyor of advice regarding human relations, tell me, are all teenage girls (whether they're conscious of it or not) masochistic?
My last status was moderated for no good reason.
Well this is a new spin on the "Why aren't girls into nice guys" genre.
You learned the secret to getting chicks into you. Don't worship them and don't spend a dime on them. Honestly, most of them respect you for being a dick.
Just bang 'em and leave 'em bro. 17 is all about having fun. Indulge.
Chivalry is dead, and feminism killed it.
^ what the peaguy said
don't put others on a pedestal and don't expect things to always work out the way you plan
I wouldn't call all of them masochists, don't generalize like that
It could be that the girls you chose to like just happened to act that way, doesn't mean all girls do
What even
Rito2Ru wrote:
^ what the peaguy said
don't put others on a pedestal and don't expect things to always work out the way you plan
I wouldn't call all of them masochists, don't generalize like that
It could be that the girls you chose to like just happened to act that way, doesn't mean all girls do
Follow the Professor's lead, ya'll:
Being nice doesn't get you laid. Not with the chicks you wanna bang.
Being a masochistic myself.
I don't really look for guys who act kinda cold.
I look for guys who are nice and funny, but can also satisfy me that way.
Honestly, most girls like the bad boys.
But its the nice guys that get freaky.
الموت لجميع. // Active. // Online. // The xx - Angels
Honestly, most girls like the bad boys.
There you go, folks. The Russian above me confirmed what the so called misogynists preach about women.
It's funny when they think the bad boys are father material until it's too late to change their minds after giving birth. Cue poindexter nice guy to take on these single mum skanks and their bastard children.
I made a program to decode girl's thoughts.
Here's the results:
LOLLL, DKM. Okay, well, speaking as a girl: no, not all girls are that masochistic. But I think the others are right; those girls probably missed you giving them all that attention. Also, are you in your last year of hs? Maybe they want you to be their prom date or something. That's the only thing I can think of for them snubbing you and now wanting you back in their life during this time. Some girls can be real users.
My last status was moderated for no good reason.
There is some truth to that.
From my experiences at least.
Eff it, I'm bringing back "Smack a Hoe Day."
renactually wrote:
Facts to support this. High divorce rate, alimony, child support...
You make yourself a bitch to anyone they'll treat you as such.
I think most males need to wake up with women. Respect is earned, not given. Spending a dime on your gf just to get some poon is the same as prostitution.
Anyway be unreliable, confident, and some broad will kiss your feet.
That sounds absolutely droll.
I despise the teenagers that surround me. Too bad I am one of those hormone raging freaks. Just kidding.
A lot of my gal friends act like this toward guys... I never understood why. Maybe I'm too young at the moment.
But I've never understood any teenager before, so I don't know how aging would benefit me in understanding it...
I guess since you're older, (within 12 months? I dunno,) and people change, they saw you for an attractive, enticing man and not a boy and thus proceed to pester you.
But, I've seen it all before. From what I've witnessed, some girls who are lost in life at such a young age are indeed masochistic. I am not, in under any circumstances masochistic. It may be because when my father figure abandoned me, another stepped into repair it... What I'm saying is, those girls don't really have a father figure to look up to, so they pester you and crave love from you.
Or maybe not.
Maybe girls are just attention whores.
NEW ACCOUNT: galaxiias
When you say you cut them loose, did you make it clear what you were doing and why? It might just be concern if you didn't. Seriously, people like to demonize girls who aren't looking for a romantic relationship with someone, but the truth is they probably did want to be your friend still. Don't treat them like trash, just politely make it clear what's going on, and then ignore them if they keep bothering you. If you really want to know what's caused the change, ask them.
Anyway, no, not all teenage girls are masochists. You can't generalise like that. Shocking as it may seem, females are people too, and there's just as much variety between us as there are other humans.
renactually wrote:
LOLLL, DKM. Okay, well, speaking as a girl: no, not all girls are that masochistic. But I think the others are right; those girls probably missed you giving them all that attention. Also, are you in your last year of hs? Maybe they want you to be their prom date or something. That's the only thing I can think of for them snubbing you and now wanting you back in their life during this time. Some girls can be real users.
Yes, I am in my last year of high school. However, if that were the case the joke's on them.
I won't be attending prom.
I will definitely be graduating, I just don't find the whole concept of grad night worth spending hundreds of dollars on.
Regardless to if they are using me or not I wouldn't mind giving them a taste of their own bitter medicine.
My last status was moderated for no good reason.


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Erika's Colorful Yet Simply Stated Bedroom
Erika Hokanson, originally from California, moved to New York four years ago to pursue her career in photography. After a few rooms for rent, she's finally found refuge in a quite large (by New York City standards) studio apartment. Her home is not minimalist nor modern - it's very welcoming and warm, featuring displays of the most valuable and important items to her daily life.
During my recent visit, she explained that she just painted the accent walls green, but is still unsure of the color choice. Her entire bedroom/living space is filled of thrift store, vintage antiques and a few subtle Ikea pieces. She keeps a full home of photography gear, collectables and a cool collage of photos over her desk, but the vaulted ceilings and windows lend to a nice airy feeling, helping this apartment to feel more like a loft, and less like a shoe box.
Images: Bethany Nauert

subset: commoncrawl


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The hosts took a 2-0 lead with goals from Fabrizio Miccoli and Franco Brienza either side of half-time, but Riccardo Montolivo and their 20-year-old starlet forced a comeback
Fabrizio Miccoli's penalty just before half-time and Franco Brienza's low shot gave the hosts a 2-0 head start, but Riccardo Montolivo and the in-form Stephan El Shaarawy turned the tables in the final 22 minutes to make sure the points were shared.
Massimiliano Allegri's future as Rossoneri head coach was handed yet another lifeline by the comeback, though they only sparked into life with half an hour left in the match.
Palermo started the brighter side and midfielder Brienza wanted an early penalty but he was ignored - and correctly so - after going down under Kevin Constant's fair shoulder barge 10 yards from goal. Not long after, Josip Ilicic, whose touch was marvellous all match, put Miccoli one-on-one with Milan's last defender but the striker sliced just wide once inside the box.
Both defences were proving hard to break down and the action was subdued for most of the first 45 minutes. Nocerino, playing against his former club, volleyed straight at the Rosanero goalkeeper Samir Ujkani 15 yards out in one of the few moments of the first half where Milan looked to have an edge to their game.
Just as it looked like the teams would head into the dressing rooms at half-time goalless, Abate held his right arm out, Miccoli spotted his silly defensive decision and kicked the ball at it to win a penalty for the home team.
The 33-year-old striker, a former Milan youth player, then buried the ball in the bottom left corner, ensuring Amelia couldn't save despite diving the correct way.
Barely 90 seconds after the restart, Palermo midfielder Brienza sent waves of delight around Stadio Renzo Barbera when he was given too much time and space 25 yards from goal and lashed in from the left edge of the 18-yard box, leaving Amelia flat-footed and immobile.
However, Palermo head coach Gian Piero Gasperini then made the fatal decision to withdraw his most recent goalscorer afterwards, leaving a creative hole in his side and ensuring the visitors were on the back foot for the rest of the match.
Bojan Krkic's introduction off the Rossoneri bench was a major catalyst in their fightback and he forced a top save from Ujkani on 58 minutes.
The Albanian shot-stopper made a string of crucial blocks to keep Palermo ahead but he could not hold back the tide of attacks energy forever.
Montolivo's first Serie A goal as a Milan player ignited some hope to go with a desperate surge forwards on 69 minutes, converting from 15 yards after Bojan's excellent dribbling and final pass on the right edge of the box.
Then El Shaarawy - so far often the player who has been saving Allegri's blushes this Serie A campaign - completed the entertaining away comeback with an instinctive turn and strike, his shot sneaking in at the near post with just 10 minutes remaining.
The visitors continued to search for a winner but had to settle for a point in Sicily in the midweek match, with their display in the final 30 minutes enough to surely save their coach temporarily from the sack give them confidence for coming fixtures.


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Sankho Mallik
In response to Andy Clarke's comments about IE rendering default colors when faced with rgba, I just figured out a work around. Hopefully someone else hasn't posted it yet; then I'd feel silly!
Basically, in my global link rule (a, a:link, a:visited { yadda }) I had a default color of #fff, and an rgba value right after of (255,255,255,0.8). However, in IE7, it would jump back to purple. Not exactly what I was going for.
Anyway – all I had to do was duplicate the line, so I had two selectors for a, a:link, a:visited { } sitting on top of each other. In the first one, I put the regular hex color – #fff. The second one, I put the rgba. And like magic it worked without choking!


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Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today's selection, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is "King of Borneo" by Yuni in Taxco from their self-released and self-titled EP.
Today's offering is of the unclassifiable sort, and that's alright. Seattle's Yuni in Taxco seems to draw inspiration from a wide variety of genres including the Beach Boy's surf pop, Afro pop, the Latin sounds of Os Mutantes and others, all of which give it an eclectic tropical sound. This song is strangely kind of like Peter Gabriel meets Band of Horses (??) but it works. It also makes me crave a daiquiri and not working which makes it the perfect song to get your weekend started (early??). You can catch Yuni in Taxco next Thursday 7/22 playing at The Comet with Mark Matos and OS Beaches. More info at their MySpace page. In the meantime, here they are with a live performance of today's song "King of Borneo" at The High Dive:


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Write a News Story
Meet a Pioneer Pilot
Amelia Earhart Home
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When Amelia was young
By: Stephanie B.
Wisconsin, Age 11
At the Iowa State fair in Des Moines,Iowa 11-years-old Amelia Earhart had her first glimpse of an airplane. Amelia's father had to reunite with his family in Des Moines after he accepted a job with the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific line railroads. Though she was happy she missed her grandparents. Amelia loved writting poems. Thats when she was 11.
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Rx Drug Abuse
Have you ever wondered about whether medications prescribed by a doctor could actually be dangerous? Or whether giving a friend a prescription pill you take for ADHD could be bad for them? Read More »24 Comments
About HIV/AIDS: Inform Yourself to Protect Yourself
When someone mentions "HIV/AIDS" what is the first thing that comes to mind? —Something you learned about in health class? —Or saw on TV? —Or recall a friend who recently got tested for HIV? —Or a celebrity who raises awareness about HIV/AIDS around the world? Read More »0 Comments
NIDA's Chat Day, More Questions on Marijuana
NIDA's annual DRUG FACTS CHAT DAY, held November 10, was a huge success. The computer-filled room where it happened vibrated with excitement, as more than 40 NIDA scientists eagerly tried to answer as many questions as they could. And questions they got. Read More »22 Comments
Let's Talk: SBB Wants Your Feedback
Good news SBB readers, each week more and more of you are visiting the blog. Because more of you are tuning in, we want to make sure we provide you with the most interesting and helpful information. Read More »34 Comments
What Are Teens Asking About Drugs?
November 10th is NIDA's annual DRUG FACTS CHAT DAY! In case you haven't heard of it—more than 40 NIDA scientists and science writers sit down at computers and answer questions sent in live from high school students from all over the country. Read More »12 Comments


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Something that might help is leaving a sticky note on your desk. A number in the top corner so he knows which break it is and a "back at __:__" so he knows where you are and when you'll be back. It should answer his complaints.
If he makes another comment, go to your boss and tell him that his comments are inappropriate. He has NO RIGHT whatsoever to comment on how you feed your child or how you exercise your rights.


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All the boys from One Direction are taking a couple...
Crazy, Stupid, Styles.
- by Hipster_hazza
- Rating:
- Published: 16 Jan 2014
- Updated: 12 Feb 2014
- Status: In Progress
Megan Watson is an artsy teen with a difficult family, and some famous friends, like Harry Styles. What happens when Harry meets Megan's older sister Jamie. Will his big mistake ruin their friendship or will he find a way to make it up to her? Read to find out!
Join MovellasFind out what all the buzz is about. Join now to start sharing your creativity and passion
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Show us what fall in Virginia looks like through your eyes with a real-time Instagram that includes the #FallinVA hashtag. We're sharing our favorites each week via our blog, our Facebook page, and even in our Fall Foliage Reports. Show off!
Click the image to learn more about the location.
Sarah is your friendly neighborhood Virginia Tourism photographer. You just might see her out and about capturing our next wave of beautiful images, and she's the gal behind the @VisitVirginia Instagram account. Give us a follow and don't forget to tag your shots #FallinVA for fall and #LOVEVA for everything else Virginia beautiful.
Virginia is for Lovers.
FREE Virginia Travel Guide
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There's lots of fashion brands we love, but few set our mouths watering quite like the mother of all luxury labels, Chanel. And if anything gets an even more Pavlovian response than plain ol' Chanel, it's these two little words: Chanel. Jewelry.
Clearly, Chanel knows covetable baubles, and the current collection is elegant yet OTT as we've come to expect from Monsieur Lagerfeld: amethyst-embellished bib necklaces, delicate, double-C earrings, and — oh yes — elaborately bejeweled head jewelry (hey, it wouldn't be Karl if it weren't a little cray, non?). Chanel's ridiculously beautiful bibelots are just the thing to put on your fall wish list — or to gaze at lustfully while you dream of the day when you have a bedazzled-cuff budget.


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Family HandbookHarwood News
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Who are the Sol Sisters?
"Sol Sisters" are a group of moms who support the school in a variety of ways, from teacher-appreciation activities (food!) to fundraisers. Their counterpart, the "Sol Mates" give fathers and other male friends to chance to see if they can better their spouses …. Bigger, better fundraisers, more work, more help …. Who knows, with the sisters and their mates supporting school initiatives, the world is our oyster!
Parent involvement in our school is key to our success! Keep watching this page - we'll try to keep you posted on upcoming events and ways in which you, too, can get involved!
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New York New York Phlebotomy Technician Program
Find out about New York, NY phlebotomy technician program options. It's a smart idea to compare all available schools in your target area, as well as consider taking some of your elective courses online. Check with each nursing school below for assistance with phlebotomy tech application prerequisites, degree requirements, and class registration. You may request New York, New York phlebotomy technician program information from several different schools below, without making a commitment.
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Further, phlebotomists must learn specific procedures on how to identify, label, and track blood samples. The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), National Healthcareer Association (NHA), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and the American Medical Technologists (AMT) offer Phlebotomy Technician certifications. The average annual salary for phlebotomists was $34,630 in May 2017, and employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 25 percent over the next 10 years. Beyond degree major requirements, you may consider Northeastern Technical College GED exams as a complementary elective.


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This place seems a little scary sometimes. ^_^
Hey what's up? I'm new. I don't really know how this place works but I like Berserk. so I don't want to step on toes by doing something taboo right off. This place seems a little scary sometimes. ^_^
Ekezdar Drollluks,Welcome!For someone new here you have an interesting choice of username. Some might say uncanny.
do you think is just hasard ? Especially for Radzeke
I never thought you where that stupid to just invert the letters in your new account.. come on..
but i say poor kid.. he need so much love from his mother..
P.S It must be one of the admins... HAHA
I don't think so.. i think he's just a poor kid that needs attention from the world around him and to get that attention from someone he just did what the admins told him for christmas and new year. And now he thinks he's the center of the world.. That's why i said : poor kid.
he just did what the admins told him for christmas and new year.
YEAH! BUT I KNEW YOU GUYS WERE DUMB ENOUGH TO WELCOME ME BACK TO THE BOARD UNDER SUCH A NAME LIEK YOU'D WELCOME "ALUCARD" INTO YOUR HOME! LOOK AT ALL THE WARM WELCOMES DROLLUKS HERE GOT!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! IT JUST CONFIRMS MY THEORY...SKuLL LoRDBTW! MY THEORY WAS THAT YOU GUYS ARE STOOPID! SINCE I'M SURE MY LAST LINE LEFT YOU SCRATCHING YOUR HEADS WHILE PEELING BANANAS WITH YOUR FEET!! CASE AND POINT!
Wrong, o wise Shaman Shurikn. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The SkullLord is a completely independant manifestation from internal board affairs/opinions.


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"Mainstream Republicans" decide who is leading, not actual polls of likely voters
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Thursday, December 22, 2011
If you thought the establishment's tactic of ignoring who wins the Iowa primary was bizarre enough, try this one on for size. A USA Today story about how polls show Ron Paul is leading in Iowa is entitled 'Ron Paul still not in lead'.
The mental gymnastics required to unravel this convoluted premise are somewhat intense, so concentrate…
The full title of the article, written by Jackie Kucinich, is 'Despite money and support, Ron Paul still not in lead'.
The gist of the story is that Ron Paul is in fact in the lead according to the polls, but because "mainstream Republicans" insist that he shouldn't be leading, that means the voters are meaningless and that Ron Paul is in fact not in the lead.
So now we're being told that surveys of likely voters, the three most recent of which show Paul is leading Romney and Gingrich, have no legitimacy because the establishment doesn't like Ron Paul.
"Paul received 21.7% of potential caucusgoers, according to an average of three recent polls compiled by the website Real Clear Politics. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney trails him slightly with 20.3% and former speaker Newt Gingrich comes in third with 15.7%," reports Kucinich, conceding that Ron Paul is leading, but on the other hand noting that "He's the second choice of only 9% of likely caucusgoers".
So it matters little that Ron Paul is actually leading in Iowa, the fact that he isn't leading the race for second place is more important. Get it? No, neither do I.
The corporate press has now moved on from trying to mislead its readers through sheer ignorance to engaging in outright brazen delusions, pretending that Ron Paul is not leading in Iowa while simultaneously having to admit the fact that he is the current frontrunner.
Just forget the actual voters, Ron Paul is only the frontrunner if the likes of CNN, USA Today, Fox News and "mainstream Republicans" anoint him as the frontrunner.
At least in places like Communist China, where dictators are hand-picked by Party members, there is no pretense of any kind of democratic process.
As we highlighted yesterday, whether "mainstream Republicans" like it or not, Ron Paul is the current frontrunner in Iowa. A New York Times Iowa primary projection, using figures collated from all the latest poll results and surveys, shows that Ron Paul is the clear favorite to win the crucial first Republican primary.
Despite polls which show Ron Paul has the best chance out of all the GOP candidates to defeat President Obama, establishment Republicans have resolved to ignore the results of the primary if Ron Paul wins, including Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who told Politico that people should instead concentrate on who comes second and third.
Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a regular fill-in host for The Alex Jones Show.


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We play casting directors and break down an all-new, all-star cast for the iconic, sexy beach series of the 90s!
The Role: C.J. Parker
1 of 10All photos
Then: Pamela Anderson
Blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson was offered the role of sexy lifeguard C.J. Parker in 1992 and the rest is history. Anderson, who was just 25 at the time, was immediately attracted to the opportunity due to the "new age thinking" she shared with her character. "Baywatch was a great show. It was completely mindless. You could turn it on in any language and still be entertained. You could turn it on halfway through an episode and still enjoy it," she told Esquire.
Now: Kate Upton
Show-stopping curves, bleach-blonde hair, amazing bikini body, and major charisma to boot? Kate Upton would be small screen magic cast as C.J. Parker today!
RELATED: Kate Upton's SI Cover Workout
The Role: Mitch Buchannon
2 of 10All photos
Then: David Hasselhoff
Interestingly enough, Baywatch was canceled after its first season on NBC in 1989 due to low ratings. But after executive producer David Hasselhoff fought to bring it back, the series went on to become one of the most successful shows in the world. "I believe the camera photographs your aura, and it also photographs your heart. And I cast Baywatch that way," said the Hoffster himself.
Now: Will Ferrell
There would be nothing more comedically brilliant than seeing Will Ferrell as "The Hoff"—he certainly has the style, swagger, and hairy chest too!
The Role: Caroline Holden
3 of 10All photos
Then: Yasmine Bleeth
Wholesome-yet-sexy Yasmine Bleeth was cast as luscious lifeguard Caroline Holden in 1994 and within a year, she was already named one of People's Most Beautiful. No doubt, the role brought her widespread attention and officially transformed her into Hollywood sex symbol status.
Now: Mila Kunis
FHM named her the "sexiest woman in the world" for a reason: Mila Kunis is smokin' hot! With similar striking features and a body to die-for, the brunette bombshell brings Caroline Holden to a whole other level!
The Role: Hobie Buchannon
4 of 10All photos
Then: Jeremy Jackson
The Californian native shot to fame in the iconic beach series when he was just 11, turning him into the ultimate teen idol. Jeremy Jackson spent nine years playing Hobie (growing up before our very eyes!) before eventually parting ways with the show that made him a star.
Now: Justin Bieber
While we're not so sure about his acting chops, Justin Beiber definitely has the perfect female following for the young scene-stealing role. The best part? Jeremy himself already gave Justin the seal of approval! He told TMZ that if a big screen remake of Baywatch should ever be green lit, the singer is the best man (er, boy) for the job. Reportedly, he'd even be willing to train the 19-year-old in the art of lifeguarding for free. The only thing he'd like in return? A chance to drive Bieber's "Batmobile" on weekends.
The Role: Lt. Stephanie Holden
5 of 10All photos
Then: Alexandra Paul
Even though the athletic actress has starred in more than 70 movies and television programs, Alexandra Paul is best known for her role as Lt. Stephanie Holden—and it's easy to see why! No question, Paul was the fittest female on the infamous show, but it comes as no surprise; she competed at the 1997 Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, as well as countless other competitive endurance events during her on-camera career.
Now: Anne Hathaway
With gorgeous girl-next-door looks and short, sassy hair to match, Anne Hathaway could be the perfect replacement for Alexandra Paul—especially if Baywatch ever turned into a musical!
RELATED: Surprising Celeb Endurance Athletes
The Role: Jordan Tate
6 of 10All photos
Then: Traci Bingham
Traci Bingham sizzled so much on Baywatch that several nude appearances in Playboy followed suit. She even posed for a special "Babes of Baywatch" issue in 1998 alongside cast members. Her exotic, unique look combined with that oh-so-fab figure made her irresistible to men (on screen and off). Talk about a total beach babe.
Now: Beyoncé
We must admit, we're obsessed with Beyoncé (but who isn't?). There just might not be anything better than seeing her rock that bootylicious body both on stage—and on sand!
RELATED: The Hottest Beyoncé Concert Looks
The Role: Matt Brody
7 of 10All photos
Then: David Charvet
Baywatch was this fine French actor's big break in 1992, and female fans all over the world couldn't have been more excited. Flaunting some major muscles and heart-breakingly good looks, the sexy star steamed up the screen until 1995. Despite interviews with the press in which Charvet revealed he didn't just want to be known for his red shorts, we won't be able to forget to them!
Now: Taylor Lautner
Judging by the amount of time Taylor Lautner spends shirtless in the Twilight series, he'd be perfectly comfortable donning nothing but those sassy shorts. Plus, he pretty much has the most amazing abs in Hollywood.
RELATED: The Best Abs in Hollywood
The Role: Neely Capshaw
8 of 10All photos
Then: Geena Lee Nolin.
Prior to her star-producing turn in Baywatch when she was just 23, Geena Lee Nolin graced the small screen as one of Bob Barker's beauties on the iconic game show The Price is Right. Soon after came sexy spreads in Maxim, Stuff, Playboy, and FHM, but she'll always be the hot, happy, and healthy Neely Capshaw to us!
Now: Brooklyn Decker
Brooklyn Decker epitomizes exactly what it means to be sexy and sweet at the same time. With perfectly sculpted looks, beautiful blonde hair, and bright blue eyes, we can't think of anyone better to play Neely Capshaw 2.0.
The Role: Garner Ellerbee
9 of 10All photos
Then: Gregory Alan Williams
Gregory Alan Williams served in the United States Marine Corps before pursing acting, but we can't say we're disappointed he decided to take up an on-camera career—he has so much charm and charisma! Williams had a great run on the series that made pop culture history, playing Garner Ellerbee for almost a decade.
Now: Larenz Tate
There's something about a man who doesn't realize how good-looking he is, and Larenz Tate is one of those guys. Case in point: "It's interesting, because I've never seen myself as a sex symbol. It's actually kind of cool that women have taken to me. Because now I have a whole different demographic when it comes to the audiences," he's said. Even though he's a little younger and a lot more buff than the original Ellerbee, we'd say he'd still make a great match.
The Role: Cody Madison
10 of 10All photos
Then: David Chokachi
David Chokachi beat out hundreds of Cody wannabees to play the infamous role on the worldwide television phenomenon from 1995 to 1999. While his hunky Hollywood looks had to be intimidating, he was actually the one to be awe-struck! "In the beginning it was intimidating, but after about two weeks, you realize everybody's human, and everybody puts their pants on the same way," Chokachi's said of his Baywatch co-stars.
Now: Paul Walker
David Chokachi is definitely hot… but Paul Walker? Even hotter! Both sport insanely awesome abs, super-strong biceps, and a smile that would make any girl melt. Swoon!


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Société Générale's (SocGen) fourth quarter of 2014 results can be filed under 'mixed bag' this bank reporting season according to Filippo Alloatti, Senior Credit Analyst, Hermes Credit.
On the positive side, its revenues of €6bn were ahead of consensus. Its corporate and investment banking business was up at €1.6bn – on strong equities trading, but it also saw weakness in fixed income currencies and commodities.
On the flip side, the group's net profit of €511m was down 39% quarter-on-quarter, negatively impacted by a 41% jump in risk costs. It seems the €200m loss on the sale of the Brazil consumer finance operations was not pencilled in the consensus.
SocGen's common equity tier 1 ratio fell 26bp to 10.1%, which is likely to attract the market's attention. A wide range of factors for this are highlighted, such as the prudential valuation adjustments on the bank's derivatives exposures.
It is worth noting that thanks to hedges, the severe drop in the ruble had a limited impact on its tier 1 ratio, unlike Unicredit yesterday. The optimisation of the loss-making Russian operations remains high on the group list of priorities. Russia remains a concern for SocGen, but it is still manageable barring a catastrophe in the country.
Finally, SocGen management reaffirmed its intention to pursue the roll out of its strategic plan. The bank has made significant effort over the last three years to rebalance its business model, but its financial results are still dependant on market activities.
Miners may face choice between downgrade or dividend cut
Economic outlook: The US Fed gets ready...


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Cartoon Logos & Cartoon Characters
Custom Cartoon Logo Design & Character Design
Hire me for your project!
Head over to my Quote Request Form to send me details on your project so we can get started now! Need more info? Discover how the process works or get answers to your questions.
Welcome to the cartoon illustration portfolio of freelance cartoonist, cartoon illustrator & artist George Coghill.
Coghill Cartooning and Illustration specializes in original cartoon character design and cartoon logo design — as well as fun, colorful and bold comic/cartoon, graphic, editorial and commercial illustration.
Check out the thumbnail image links on the left for quick access to some featured artwork, or head over to the cartooning & illustration portfolio section to view my cartoon logos and cartoon character design artwork.
You can also visit the creative services page for a full list of the cartooning, illustration and design I can create for you.
Don't see exactly what you're looking for? Just ask me! Chances are I can handle it for you.
Be sure to check out my testimonials page to hear what satisfied clients have had to say about the cartoon logos and characters I've created for them (hint: they were very pleased)!


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Free Vector Badges
Last week, I shared with you a Christmas Badge PSD Template and today I bring you another free vector badges template. These beautiful vector badges were created in Adobe Illustrator and you can use them anywhere you want. Feel free to download and share with your fellow designers.
Happy Designing!


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50 more libraries select OCLC WorldShare Management Services
More than 120 libraries are now using the Web-based library management services
DUBLIN, Ohio, 28 June 2013— Fifty additional libraries have selected OCLC WorldShare Management Services this year, choosing the Web-based library management services that simplify back-office operations, streamline library workflows, and provide a powerful discovery and delivery service for library users.
WorldShare Management Services offer unified, Web-based applications—from acquisitions and circulation, to metadata and license management, resource sharing and analytics—to streamline workflows, and create new value for their institutions and users.
"Moving to WorldShare Management Services makes a lot of sense for Palo Alto University," said Scott Hines, University Librarian and Director of Academic Technology, Palo Alto University. "The integration of so many functions into a powerful interface that brings our resources and the world's resources into easy grasp of our users is perfect. We are seeing staff workflows positively impacted by WorldShare Management Services, further increasing our return-on-investment. The WorldShare user community was also a big draw for us, and we're very happy to be a new member."
WorldShare Management Services were released for general availability in July 2011. Today, more than 120 libraries on three continents—Australia, Europe and North America—are using the services. More than 200 libraries have signed up to use WorldShare Management Services.
"I couldn't be more pleased to see the WorldShare community grow so quickly," said Andrew K. Pace, OCLC Executive Director of Networked Library Services. "With some institutions using WorldShare Management Services for more than two years, libraries are really starting to see the value of their investment, using the time and money they are saving to better manage local collections and meet the expectations of their end users. Moreover, newly integrated applications for WorldShare Interlibrary Loan, WorldShare Metadata and analytics have created a real tipping point for Webscale library management."
Among the newest subscribers to OCLC WorldShare Management Services is the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the first state library to subscribe and begin the implementation process. The following libraries are among the most recent to announce their selection of WorldShare Management Services:
- Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, Florida)
- Baptist Bible College and Seminary (Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania)
- Beloit College (Beloit, Wisconsin)
- Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia)
- Bethany College (Lindsborg, Kansas)
- Butte College (Oroville, California)
- California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco, California)
- Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colorado)
- Christendom College (Front Royal, Virginia)
- Cornell College's Cole Library and Mount Vernon's Public Library (Mount Vernon, Iowa)
- Emporia State University (Emporia, Kansas)
- Export-Import Bank of the United States Research Library (Washington, D.C.)
- Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
- Greensboro College (Greensboro, North Carolina)
- Guilford College (Greensboro, North Carolina)
- Iowa Wesleyan College (Mount Pleasant, Iowa)
- Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
- Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota)
- Mary Baldwin College (Staunton, Virginia)
- Minneapolis Institute of Arts (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- National Jewish Health (Denver, Colorado)
- Oklahoma Department of Libraries (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- Palo Alto University (Palo Alto, California)
- Palomar College (San Marcos, California)
- Panola College (Carthage, Texas)
- Pritzker Military Library (Chicago, Illinois)
- Saint John's Seminary (Camarillo, California)
- Salem College (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
- Santa Ana College (Santa Ana, California)
- Santa Fe University of Art and Design (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
- Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, New York)
- South Plains College (Levelland, Texas)
- Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas)
- Transylvania University (Lexington, Kentucky)
- United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (New Brighton, Minnesota)
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Lowell, Massachusetts)
- University of the West (Rosemead, California)
- Utica College (Utica, New York)
- Westfield State University (Westfield, Massachusetts)
About OCLC
Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing library costs. More than 74,000 libraries in 170 countries have used OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend, preserve and manage library materials. Researchers, students, faculty, scholars, professional librarians and other information seekers use OCLC services to obtain bibliographic, abstract and full-text information when and where they need it. OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the world's largest online database for discovery of library resources. Search WorldCat.org on the Web. For more information, visit the OCLC website.
OCLC, OCLC WorldShare, WorldCat, WorldCat.org and WorldShare are trademarks and/or service marks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Third-party product, service and business names are trademarks and/or service marks of their respective owners.
Bob Murphy
Manager, Media Relations


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Niagara Honor Roll / Recognizing the accomplishments of Western New Yorkers
Members of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing achieved top honors for the fourth straight year in the New York National Guard's Adjutant General's Marksmanship Competition held earlier this month at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill.
The team won first place in the Gen. George Patton Pistol Match and the National Guard Infantry Team Rifle Match. The team included: 1st Sgt. Randal Schenefiel, Technical Sgt. Christopher Doherty, Technical Sgt. Ryan Mang and Master Sgt. Edward Stefik.
Stefik said: "It was an honor to be the team captain for the 107th. I find it very humbling every time I compete to be in the presence of such professional soldiers and airmen. These folks display some of the best marksmanship skills in the state."
The 107th marksmanship team won individual awards as well.
Stefik was the individual champion for the combined arms match involving combat pistol and rifle. He also took first place in both the Excellence in Pistol and Combat Pistol competitions.
Schenefiel was high scorer in the novice rank, earning the New York State Master Sgt. Joseph A. Longobardo Trophy, while Mang took third place in the Exercise in Competition, and Doherty placed third in the individual rifle match.
Organized marksmanship competition has been a part of the New York National Guard's training program since the 1800s.
The Shawnee Sno-Chiefs Snowmobile Club in Niagara County was honored by the American Council of Snowmobile Associations as the Snowmobile Club of the Year at the 2013 International Snowmobile Congress held this month in Green Bay, Wis.
The award for the club and its 818-member families follows a similar recognition by the New York State Snowmobile Association as the Club of the Year at the Educational Forum and annual meeting held in April in Lake Placid.
In addition, club president Brent Walck was honored with the state association's John Albert/Ed Dutcher Most Valuable Snowmobiler of the Year award in Lake Placid.
The Shawnee Sno-Chiefs offer safety training classes, and in the past season educated 45 students about safe snowmobiling. The club also is involved in fundraising and trail maintenance, spending more than 300 hours in grooming for the 2012-2013 season.
The Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University held a volunteer awards luncheon earlier this month at the Como Restaurant.
The awards are given in memory of the museum's longtime volunteer coordinator and museum shop manager, Anne LaBarbera.
Honorees were: Pat Pino, docent of the year; Marian Grandfield, curator of education; Friedl Fuerst, volunteer of the year; and Susan Clements, coordinator of community relations.
Dr. Donna Azam Feldman has become the first surgeon to complete 100 robotic-assisted surgical procedures at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. The milestone procedure was performed recently using Memorial's da Vinci Si Surgical System.
"I'm as excited about robotic-assisted surgery now as I was when I did my first procedure here," said Feldman, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Women's Medicine of Niagara and the head of Memorial's Division of Robotic Surgery.
"Our patients continue to benefit from smaller incisions, minimal scarring, reduced pain and then quicker post-operative recoveries."
In service at Memorial since March 2012, the da Vinci system was dubbed "SAL," which stands for Save A Life, following a naming contest that attracted entries from hundreds of area schoolchildren.
SAL is used by more than a dozen gynecologists, gynecological oncologists, urologists, bariatric surgeons, colorectal surgeons and general surgeons to perform minimally invasive robotic surgery at Memorial.
Patrick J. King has enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, according to Staff Sgt. Orion LaMontagne from the Tonawanda recruiting office. Upon successfully completing the Air Force's eight-week basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, King is scheduled to receive technical training in the Air Transportation Apprentice area.
King, the son of James E. and Jayne King of North Tonawanda, is a 2009 graduate of North Tonawanda Senior High School and will be earning credits toward an associate degree in applied sciences through the Community College of the Air Force while attending basic and technical training schools.
Western New York Section VI Athletics has recently nominated the senior scholar athletes for spring from Niagara Catholic Junior/Senior High School.
Nominees are: DeAnna Kajfasz and Madeline Sweeney (girls tennis), William Whisker (boys tennis) and Francesca Costanzo (softball).
Kajfasz has been selected as a scholar athlete. Sweeney, Whisker and Costanzo were named honorable mentions.
One hundred sixty-five golfers took to the links earlier this month at Niagara Falls Country Club for the 22nd annual Niagara Cup Classic golf tournament.
The tournament raised $40,000, which will go to support health care programming at the hospital, particularly cardiac and stroke services.
The Niagara Cup, with a best two balls net team score of 124, went to Ron Forster, Dennis Hooper, Kevin Scott and Jim Ciancio.
Women's all-star champions were Brandi Goliminski, Alanna Wustrack, Annette Pecenco and Bev Taibi.
Jamie Miller carded a 65 to capture first-place honors for gross score.
This year's Niagara Cup Classic was headed by Dr. Alan Meholick, an invasive and clinical cardiologist with Buffalo Heart Group, and Douglas Mooradian, director of marketing and public relations for Health Systems Services.
email: email@example.com


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Hello everyone. Please could someone help?
As title says my videos come out with 0 as the time and there is only one frame of film if that when using the presets?
This was after doing a 3 hour road trip film.
Im off to italy on a road trip this weekend and was thinking about doing a time laps of the trip but am worried it won't come out.
If I do it manually what setting would people recommend? Approx 8 hours driving a day and prob want vid 5-7 mins long?


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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Article and photos by Janet Schultz
A love of antiquing and an abundance of those treasures led Ernie and Debbie McPeek to the opening of the Lewiston Antique Mall in Sanborn.
For the past two years the McPeek's have been leasing space at the Schultz's Antique Cooperative in Clarence.
"It was successful and we decided to open a shop," Debbie said.
"We chose the Town of Lewiston because it's known for its culture and cultural events. Antiques fit in nicely," said Ernie.
The Sanborn site lends itself to even more opportunity with the heavy traffic on Route 31, the proximity to the Canadian/U.S. border, and the other antique venues in the area make it a destination for antique hunters.
"I spent a lot of time in Lewiston and this is a friendly community," Ernie said.
"Every time we had something that needed to be done, a helping hand came over," Debbie said. "This is a great little community."
"People we didn't even know were here to help," she continued.
Locals will remember the property as that owned by the Wendt family, and the building that now houses priceless treasurers was home to tractors, trucks and tools.
The McPeek's will feature antiques, collectibles and vintage items in their shop. They are ready to fill the building with more than 30 vendors who will have a choice of size for their area.
While many see eBay, Craig's List, Amazon and other Web-based sites as taking from the physical shops, the McPeek's don't agree.
"People like to feel and touch things. They want to look at something, walk away and then come back," Ernie said. "It's the fun of 'picking' and finding unique things that make this work.
"When we go picking, we look for things we think people back here will enjoy."
"It's fun to find something we really like, bring it back and see other people like it as much as we did," Debbie said.
In Sanborn, "pickers" can go from the Lewiston Antique Mall, to the Sanborn Mill, General Store and Shawnee Antique Barn, among others that can be found all over Niagara County.
"You come in here and if we don't have something, we'll refer you to another shop and those shops will refer customers here," Ernie said. "It's a community within a community."
"We looked for a place that had a cluster of shops and Sanborn was the ideal location," Debbie said.
Not only will the Lewiston Antique Mall be open every day, except Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the McPeek's will hold a Lewiston Outdoor Market on Saturdays and Sundays where anyone can purchase a table for $10 per day and sell their antiques, collectibles, vintage and miscellaneous items. They also plan to have local farmers sell produce.
"Once a month we will have an appraiser here and you will be able to bring in your own antiques for appraisal," said Ernie, who added they will be setting dates and times for that shortly.
They will also maintain a wish list for customers.
"If someone comes in and they are looking for something specific, we will write it down and when we go picking we'll look for that item," Debbie said. "We want to be customer-friendly."
Only open two weeks, they have had visitors from Canada and a gentleman from Germany.
"This is a great location; we welcome everyone," Ernie said. "We want it to be an enjoyable experience.
The Lewiston Antique Mall is located at 2692 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, in the Town of Lewiston.
The McPeeks are still seeking vendors who want to bring their merchandise to Sanborn.
For more information, call 716-628-0796 or visit the McPeeks at http://www.lewistonantiquemall.com.


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Welcome to the Toy Talk forum, a registration free message board designed to give you instant access to all the latest Toy Fair 2012 news! We will be policing this board somewhat, but really on everyone to be on their best behavior.
If this is your first time here, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Forum Guidelines found by clicking the link below. For more detailed instructions on using this forum, click the "About" link below.
Does TRU have a new return policy?
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ AFi Toy Talk Forum! ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by That being they don't allow any returns? on February 10, 12 at 18:45:15
Someone on another board posted that they bought several WWE action figures at TRU and they were informed that TRU will not except returns or exchanges on any collectable items.


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Karateka Ad Blurbs (iPad)
Published by
Also For
Critic Score
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
User Score
5 point score based on user ratings.
Advertising BlurbsFrom the Brøderbund Software Catalog 1987-1988:
Become a martial arts hero without leaving your chair.
For years you've been studying karate with the master. Now you return home to find your village burned to the ground. Even worse, your bride-to-be is a prisoner of the evil warlord Akuma. You cannot rest until you rescue her from his fortress.
As you fight Akuma and his vicious warriors in hand-to-hand combat (using your keyboard or joystick), you'll need skill and discipline to win. If you succeed, eternal happiness is yours. If not, certain death awaits!
Contributed by Belboz (6576) on Sep 02, 2001.
The Japanese have a word for it...
You are the star of a Martial Arts movie so real, you'll feel it like a kick in the ribs.
KARATEKA, you have learned well the disciplines of karate... but now it is time to put your skills to the test. Your village has been ransacked, your friends and family scattered to the winds, your bride-to-be, Princess Mariko, kidnapped and cruelly imprisoned by the evil warlord Akuma. If you ever hope to see her again, Karateka, you know what you must do.
Scale the mighty cliffs that lead to Akuma's fortress. There, you will encounter the first of many palace guards. Kick! Thrust! Parry! At every turn you will face yet another warrior, each stronger than the last.
Finally, Karateka, you will come face-to-face with Akuma himself. Here your fate will be decided. Either eternal happiness or instant death.
"Karateka" designer Jordan Mechner is a karate enthusiast and a stickler for realism. He used clips of karate masters as a guide for the moves used in the game.
The carefully detailed, animated figures perform all the moves of real martial arts combat with stunning realism.
Beautiful scrolling, hi-res backgrounds, an intricate story line and fast-paced karate action make "Karateka" a great way to get your kicks.
Contributed by Belboz (6576) on Apr 04, 2001.
by Jordan Mechner
- Suspenseful, movie-like story
- Smoothly animated characters
- Scrolling backgrounds
- Realistic karate fighting
Returning home after years of study under a Master of Karate, you find your village burned to the ground. Your friends and family are scattered, your bride-to-be stolen by Akuma, the warlord whose oppressive shadow has darkened your village since before you were born.
Your grief and rage turn to cold determination. You vow never again to submit to the evil warlord. You know you must avenge your village and rescue your beloved Princess Mariko from Akuma's mountain fortress.
Alone, armed only with your knowledge of Karate, you must outfight Akuma's vicious warriors, each one more powerful than the last. Fight on, deep into the heart of the palace, where to rescue Mariko you must confront the cruel Akuma himself in hand-to-hand combat.
Put fear and self-concern behind you. Focus your will on your objective, accepting death as a possibility, and do what you have chosen to do. This is the Way of the Karateka.
Contributed by rcoltrane (1468) on Apr 03, 2000.


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HILLSBORO, Ill. -- The men's cross country team earned the SLIAC championship after two years of finishing second with a one-point victory over Principia in the SLIAC championship meet Saturday.
Greenville's top finishing runner was Alan Hollingsworth who placed second in 25:27. Cole Prins was fourth, Xavier Ortiz crossed the line seventh, Bryant Simpson ranked 10th, and Leo Pathy came in 13th. All five men were members of the SLIAC all-conference team with Hollingsworth, Prins, and Ortiz named to the first team and Simpson and Pathy awarded second team.
Greenville accumulated 36 points to top Principia's 37. Greenville and Principia easily outdistanced themselves from the rest of the pack as Spalding was third with 70 points.
In addition, the SLIAC awarded postseason honors to Greenville with the sportsmanship award and the coach of the year trophy.
The Panthers continue their season at the Panther trials next Friday, Nov. 5, before competing in the NCAA midwest regional on Saturday, Nov. 13.


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Brainwashed: An Interview with Ben Shapiro · 12 May 2004
By Jamie Glazov--FrontPageMagazine.com, 05/13/04
Frontpage Interview's guest today is Ben Shapiro, the author of the new book Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth.
FP: Mr. Shapiro, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
Shapiro: It's an honor and a pleasure.
FP: Tell us about the ingredients of your own life that motivated you to write this book.
Shapiro: I've spent some time in public school, and having seen the liberal propaganda put out by lower public education, I thought I knew what I would get when I set foot on UCLA's campus. But I was totally unprepared for the level of radical leftism expressed in the classroom, in the student newspaper, by the student groups. And all this leftism underwritten by either tax or tuition money.
Thankfully, I was already secure in my politics - I'm as right-wing as they come, thanks mostly to my Orthodox Jewish background (and my parents). But I saw that for many students, mainly those who were politically ignorant or apathetic, this overwhelming bias was perceived as truth. If the professor, who presumably has spent years studying his area of expertise, says that George W. Bush is a moron, well, then, he must be a moron. If all your peers believe that US foreign policy is evil, would you risk social ostracism to argue with them? Practically speaking, it's much more fun to have a beer with the liberal guys and girls in your class than to argue with them and spend the evening in your dorm room browsing the Bush/Cheney 2004 website.
I also saw that the problem of leftist indoctrination in the university system was being largely overlooked by the general public (right-wing talk radio and FrontPage excluded, of course). Professors hold a level of respect in our society that in my opinion is largely unwarranted. Somehow, when Professor Noam Chomsky of MIT (a linguistics professor, and a true traitor) speaks about politics, he gets more respect from the mainstream media than political experts like David Horowitz do. A PhD seems to confer legitimacy, a magical wisdom in every subject area. During the massive anti-war protests, which were composed largely of college students, most people thought that these were just dumb young kids out there to have a good time, yell a bit. No one seemed to trace the radical leftism of the students back to the radical leftism of the professors, which was astonishing to me. Having sat in the classroom for hours on end, I can tell you that much of what professors say, if left unchallenged, is very convincing.
I felt this was a problem that needed to be exposed from the inside. The university system is very insular; professors can always claim to be speaking differently outside the classroom than they do inside it. The problem is, they don't. If a professor is anti-American in his outside-the-classroom rhetoric, you can safely bet that it will translate into classroom anti-Americanism. But I didn't want to just claim this - I wanted to document it. So for three years, I sat in my classes and transcribed direct, in-the-classroom quotations from my professors, carefully noting the date of each quotation. Virtually every anecdotal instance of UCLA bias I discuss in Brainwashed is footnoted. I also worked for a year and a half for the UCLA Daily Bruin (the student newspaper) and got involved with student group politics. I researched other universities. I name over 400 professors in Brainwashed, and mention over 200 institutions of higher learning. UCLA is only the tip of the iceberg.
FP: Why do you think the Left is so totalitarian? When I was teaching in academia, though I was a Conservative, I enjoyed giving readings from opposite sides of the political spectrum to nurture debate and discussion. Why is it so unthinkable that a lefty prof would assign David Horowitz or Thomas Sowell readings for discussion? I have never heard of such an occurrence in all my life. Why?
Shapiro: I classify liberals into two groups. The first group is intellectually honest enough to realize that conservatism has some very powerful arguments for it; for them, fear is the underlying factor justifying exclusionary tactics. It doesn't take a genius to realize that capitalism has been far more successful in practice than socialism, or that Judeo-Christian values foster a better society than any other set of values. In an open discussion, conservatives usually win. Couple the fact that liberals lose in open argument with the fact that many liberals believe conservatism to be not just wrong, but evil, and you get your answer: in order to prevent evil (conservatism) from winning out over good (liberalism), we must exclude conservatism from the debate.
Then there's the second group of liberals, the group that really dominates on campus. This group feels that conservatism is simply dumb. Professors tend to be intellectually arrogant anyway, and liberalism by its nature is an extremely elitist ideology. Many professors feel that conservatism is too simplistic to waste time on in the classroom. I cite numerous examples of this in Brainwashed. Professors say that if you're conservative, you're unqualified to clean highways, much less teach a classroom of students. Four professors even created a fully funded study designed to conclude that conservatives are less "integratively complex." Of course, they had to lump together Stalin, Castro, Hitler, and Reagan in order to do this, but the end justifies the means.
FP: Leftist professors aren't really teaching are they? Who is it that they think they are and what mission do they arrogate to themselves?
Shapiro: I really don't believe they're teaching. Putting all the facts on the table, allowing a look at both sides of the political spectrum, that's teaching. Making a case for one side and completely discarding the other side, that's indoctrination. Deans at colleges like University of California at Berkeley have said as much. This isn't to say that it's impossible to learn from professors. In fact, I think that conservative students have a big advantage on campus - they're confronted with liberal arguments every day. If they learn how to combat those arguments, reading outside the classroom - reading Horowitz and Sowell - in order to challenge professors, they learn a great deal. I've always said that conservatives are bound to learn more on campus than liberals, because we have to learn how to fight against what we're hearing - liberals merely hear the arguments with which they already agree. It's the apathetic students who are the most disadvantaged. If you don't care enough to get the other side of the story for yourself, and you know that if you parrot the professor you'll get an A, why bother exploring your political options?
Professors feel that they are the people who shape young Americans. They're largely right. They use their podiums as ideological weapons. Their mission is to forward their version of the "truth." Professors don't believe in objective truth, but they do think that they are, in Thomas Sowell's words, "the anointed" who define what is best for this country. That means promoting activism for causes that they support, from the anti-war movement to affirmative action to Big Labor.
FP: Tell us about the craziest example you know of in terms of how far the Left has gone on campus in terms of totalitarianism and brainwashing.
Shapiro: There are so many examples, it's tough to pick! There are too many areas where campus totalitarianism really takes over: anti-Americanism, anti-Semitism, sex, environmentalism, the list goes on and on. Speech codes exist at most major universities, and at some of them, the speech codes prevent anyone from speaking openly about Biblical values - that might be discrimination. For example, speech codes at Tufts University bans "demeaning or derogatory slurs, name-calling and using words or negative images associated with a group on signs to create a publicly hostile environment." So if I create a flyer that says "A man shall not lie with another man as he would lie with a woman - it is an abomination (Leviticus 18:22)" and post it around campus, am I violating the speech code? It's a strong possibility.
I think perhaps the most egregious example of campus brainwashing that I found was the almost universal adoption of moral relativism in the classroom. With moral relativism as the guiding ideology on campus, terrorists and American soldiers, murderers and police officers are equated; sex in any context is excused by the old refrain "who are we to judge?"; all cultures become equally valid.
Perhaps the most striking illustration of this moral confusion is the clear inability of university faculty to draw the line between art and pornography. An example of this: at the San Francisco Art Institute (a graduate school) Professor Tony Labat told his students to create a piece of performance art. One of the students, Jonathan Yegge, took "performance art" at its broadest definition. After finding a volunteer, Yegge took his helper out to a public campus area. In Yegge's words, the following ensued: "He was tied up. He had a blindfold and a gag, but he could see and talk through it. He had freedom of movement of his pelvis. I engaged in oral sex with him and he engaged in oral sex with me. I had given him an enema, and I had taken a shit and stuffed it in his ass. That goes on, he s---- all over me, I s--- in him. There was a security guard present. There was an instructor from the school present. It was videoed, and the piece was over." Labat, the professor, said that the piece was "bad art." Yegge claimed that Labat had approved the piece beforehand. The school condemned Yegge - for not using sexual protection. Having mutual gay oral sex and exchanging excrement in public isn't a problem, but doing it unprotected is.
That's a very extreme example, except for the fact that classes on pornography exist at major universities throughout the country. New York University Tisch School of Art had a somewhat similar incident with one of its students; Kansas University had a very public run-in with a State Senator after reports broke of porno videos being shown in class. At University of California at Berkeley, one two-credit course involved students photographing their genitals, then exchanging the photographs and attempting to match up genital owners with pictures of their genitals; a visit to a gay strip club; public discussions of sex fantasies; and porn star guest lectures. All of this springs from the idea on campus that there is no right and wrong - and therefore, there shouldn't be boundaries on what's discussed in class.
FP: You have actually dared to speak on campuses. Tell us about this precarious experience.
Shapiro: I've actually found it fun. You have to know your facts - professors always ask for footnoted sources, though they rarely provide any for political arguments - but it's terrific preparation for post-graduation life. But that's with professors who are open-minded. I've always thought that most professors are decent about listening to the other side when it's presented by a student - they're just awful at presenting the other side themselves. Unless there's a student there to nail a professor when the professor is out of line, the professor gets away with everything.
That's the story with professors who are respectful of dissenters. But there are definitely some who don't tolerate dissent in the classroom. I don't believe that large numbers of conservative students are purposefully targeted for grade penalization; I think a lot of that is hype. I know that many of my professors have appreciated my input; many have not, and have either ignored or patronized my comments. Still, I think that when conservative students are graded down, it's often due to other factors. Many conservative students I know are terrible at confronting professors, for example. When confronting a professor, there's no excuse for being uncivil. It doesn't do anyone any good to attack a professor in a patronizing manner. If you ask professor pointed questions and the professor retaliates by either ignoring your point or patronizing you, he's the one who looks like a jerk.
At the same time, many professors don't tolerate dissent, so conservative students have to use their heads. If you're afraid the professor will grade you down, keep quiet. It isn't worth sabotaging your grade. Speak to other students outside of class. It's a terrible solution to a real problem, but that's about all many conservative students can do.
FP: What do you think about Horowitz's Academic Bill of Rights and Students for Academic Freedom?
Shapiro: Students for Academic Freedom is doing a tremendous job on campus. I've never seen the conservative movement on campus as cohesive or powerful as it has become. Conservative students don't feel like they're alone anymore, and they feel like they have a real purpose, a real fight to fight, and the resources to fight it.
The Academic Bill of Rights is a monumental document. I don't mean that lightly. It is a moderate, reasonable call for balance. Opponents have ripped it, saying that it calls for intellectual quotas, but anyone who has read the document can easily see that it does not. It's just another sign of leftist intolerance that liberals are unable to separate the messenger from the message - in this case, David Horowitz from the Academic Bill of Rights. Whether they like or hate David Horowitz (and it's crystal clear from my experiences that they hate him), they would do well to actually read the Bill of Rights instead of having a knee-jerk negative reaction.
FP: What other ways do you think conservative students and faculty should fight for intellectual diversity?
Shapiro: As I've said before, I think that conservative students are at a decided advantage in terms of what they can get from a liberal college education. If they're strong in their conservatism, they have the opportunity to teach themselves, a skill far more important than the skill of reading assigned textbooks and regurgitating lectures.
Inside the classroom, there's not much that students can do. Confronting professors is often useful, but speaking with other students - not just those who agree with you - is a better strategy. I remember in one class I took (in which the professor was an open communist), virtually my entire section identified as liberal at the beginning of the quarter. After a couple other conservatives and I began speaking with the other students, the situation shifted 180 degrees; by the end of the quarter, almost everyone identified as a conservative. We all sat together in class. In fact, the communist professor began referring to us as "the Republican Row." So students can make a difference.
Students can also make a difference by getting involved in student politics. There's a real market out there on campus for non-PC views. Joining the Daily Bruin was one of the smartest things I ever did. Not only was it the precursor to my syndicated column, it taught me to write concisely and rationally - and students loved it. It was the most well-read column at the Daily Bruin, despite the fact that I was a conservative, or perhaps because of it. Students can also infiltrate student government. Turnout at student elections is usually low, and a motivated group can sneak into the student government. In essence, students need to use liberal instruments to their advantage.
Conservative faculty are in a more difficult situation. As I know from speaking with conservative faculty and reading mail from them, they're often under ideological assault. When I was writing for the Daily Bruin, I had one administrator email me a kind comment; when I asked him if I could forward it to the Bruin editorial board for publication, he declined for fear that he would be retaliated against professionally.
I think that's the real reason you see a lack of conservative faculty at universities - administrative bias. Conservatives don't tend to get hired, and if they do get hired, they have to work in a hostile environment. It's like asking a liberal to work in the offices at the NRA.
I'll be curious to see what effect the Academic Bill of Rights will have on political composition of the professoriate. In my opinion, the university system is too far gone to change radically now in its hiring practices. In Brainwashed, I advocate creating a new university system to compete with the current network. Fox News was able to overtake CNN - and CNN has had to moderate its message in order to attempt to regain its viewers. In 1992, George H.W. Bush had to move to the right in order to siphon votes from onrushing candidate Pat Buchanan. If a university system which is intellectually diverse can be established, the current university system will have to change accordingly.
FP: You are an orthodox Jew. Tell us what it was like for you on campus. And what is it like for Jews on campus?
Shapiro: I'm lucky - I lived off campus, so I didn't really have to deal with the whole set of problems dorm living provides for Orthodox Jews (although I will next year at Harvard Law School). But the Jewish resources that are supposed to be there for support are often severely lacking. The Jewish Student Union at UCLA is somewhat conservative politically, and it pays a heavy price in the pocketbook because of that. The UCLA Hillel is run by a Peace Now, radical leftist named Chaim Seidler-Feller, who has compared Jewish treatment of Palestinian Arabs to Nazi treatment of Jews.
Meanwhile, the anti-Israel bias in the student newspapers, in the student groups, in the classroom, is outrageous. I've had an English professor compare the treatment of Palestinian Arabs to the treatment received by African slaves in 18th-19th century America. I've had professors assign readings blaming the "Zionist lobby" for America's problems with the Arab world. The UCLA Daily Bruin has printed articles comparing Ariel Sharon to Adolf Eichmann. When I attempted to expose the fact that the Muslim Student Association at UCLA is treasonous, I was fired from the Bruin.
It's all right to be a cultural Jew at the UCLA campus - eating lox and bagels, saying "oy" and "gesundheit" - but Zionism is off limits. Until recently, the Muslim Student Association held an annual "Anti-Zionism Week," during which they fundraised for Hamas and Hizbullah. I've been pushed around at pro-Israel rallies by Muslim student group leaders. And that's at UCLA, a hotbed of tolerant liberalism. It's far worse at other universities, like San Francisco State University, where the Muslim Student Association posted flyers depicting a soup can labeled with a picture of a Palestinian baby, reading "canned Palestinian children meat, slaughtered according to Jewish rites under American license." Pro-Israel speakers like Daniel Pipes and Benjamin Netanyahu are constantly protested, and often forced to cancel speaking engagements on campus. Meanwhile, terrorist-supporters like Hannan Ashrawi are allowed to speak with tax dollars in Colorado. Divestment campaigns have started up around the University of California system; petitions to divest from Israel have taken root at major university around the country.
Ask anyone if they want a bagel and get a smile. Ask anyone if they support Israel and get either a grimace, a lecture, or possibly even a threat.
FP: Why do you think it is so chic now to be pro-Palestinian and anti-Semitic in academia? Why is Jew-hatred the new call of the Left?
Shapiro: Academia dislikes Israel for the same reason it dislikes America: both Israel and America rely on a set of absolute Judeo-Christian values. For intellectuals on campus, that's unacceptable. Moral relativism is the name of the game, and for many on campus (just like the Democrat Party), the only absolute principles to be adhered to are those approved by the international community. Professors have more respect for the United Nations than for either America or Israel.
There's also a strong stench of victimology here. Whether the issue is race, foreign policy, or economics, professors are constantly attempting to "stick up for the little guy." It doesn't matter whether the little guy is actually evil - as the Palestinian Authority is. What professors (and the left in general) do not understand is that size relative strength is not the issue here - right and wrong are. The left stood unified with Israel until 1967, because until the Six Day War, Israel was always the underdog. When Israel decimated its enemies in that war, it became the aggressor. The left liked Israel for the same reason it likes the Palestinians now: it was a David against Goliath battle. Jews were all right when they were being slaughtered by Nazis, but if they attempt to defend themselves, and are too successful at doing so, they are human rights abusers and genocidal maniacs.
It's not anti-Semitic to oppose certain Israeli policies - I oppose many Israeli policies (mainly because they're too left-wing). It is anti-Semitic to single out Israel for criticism. Palestinian Arabs murder babies in pizzerias, and Israelis respond by blowing up empty buildings. Palestinian Arabs call for a second Holocaust, and Israel attempts to bring wounded Palestinian Arabs to Jordan so that they won't have to imbibe Jewish blood through an IV. Yet it is Israel that is singled out as being the cancer in the region. That is true anti-Semitism.
FP: Mr. Shapiro, we are out of time, thank you. It was a pleasure to have you visit us. We'll talk to you soon.
Shapiro: Thank you Jamie.


text:
by Gennaro Preziuso
Pio had an extraordinarily rich personality and many pages would be necessary to give
justice to its diversity and exceptionality. Because of limits imposed I must restrict my
consideration to only three aspects: the human, the spiritual and the social.
The Human Aspect of Padre Pio
The human aspect of Padre Pio embraces many elements: his personality, his
character, his natural disposition, his receptiveness, his intelligence, his will, his
great capacity to love, work and suffer, his need for affection and sincerity.
Pio's moral rectitude and goodness impressed all those who met him. He combined an open
and spontaneous nature with a strong and resolute will. A solid determination that was
reflected in the severe landscape of his childhood and youth: nature in its essence, its
humblest and poorest. An agricultural land of bare rock, barren soil, harsh climate, tied
to traditions, to hard work, sacrifice, prayer and holy fear of God. This all influenced
Padre Pio so that he was naturally drawn to reflection. And his inquiring mind combined
with his uncommon receptiveness determined in him a precocious maturity.
as a boy he saw his mother blow out the lamp on the mantelpiece, after the evening prayer
and the frugal meal, he would stare into the dark of his little room and see again the
peasants bent double over their work in the fields, his father who had crossed the ocean
in search of fortune, his friends, his teacher, the parish priest and Bro. Camillo.
desire for solitude was not from misanthropy, but from an impelling need to nourish with
prayer a strong religious calling that he felt growing always more within himself. All
this made him brisk. He did not want to waste time!
there came God's call!
interior torment "lived," before his final answer, his separation from his
mother and those persons dear to him, his noviciate year, his time of formation and
self-mortification to assimilate himself to Jesus, worked in him and definitively formed
his character and personality. And here is the man Padre Pio!
man who was predisposed and was always ready to obey, who underlined his right to life to
the Father Provincial when the latter, despite his state of health, invited him to leave
his hometown and re-enter definitively the friary.
man whose reserve prevailed over everything so that he did not reveal to anyone the reason
why our Lord wanted him to remain in Pietrelcina, because if he did so, "he would
lack in charity."
man disposed to sacrifice, but who did not renounce what was owed to him. In fact, called
up to do his military service, he did not hesitate to ask the intervention even of persons
of authority to obtain for him, in recognition of the illness he suffered, the exoneration
owed him.
man who in a law suit on his behalf, spoke in defense of the opposition and surprised the
judges by asking for clemency and absolution for the opposition, only because it was a
priest, a minister of God.
Pio, was gifted with a remarkable intelligence, and able to discern immediately the
thoughts and feelings of others and assumed a position that revealed in every circumstance
his moral soundness and unexceptionable behaviour.
did not know how to adapt himself to what went on around him and he was afraid of the
anonymous crowds. He was saddened by the display of idolatry and paganism at which he had
to often assist. Only out of self defense did he use gestures and manners that appeared
rough, that kept the prying, the fanatics and the novelty seekers at a distance.
Pio was no ordinary friar who lived however in the most complete ordinariness. He bore in
his body the stigmata of our Lord, but these wounds were for him a source of confusion and
lived immersed in the supernatural and did not permit himself to be seen in ascetic
postures or in mystical stances. "But these people, what do they want from me?"
he asked a friend at his side, with such unaffected and child-like simplicity, while
trying to keep the crowds from pressing against his painful wounds.
understood the art of kindness and was capable of most sensitive considerations, he knew
how to ask for forgiveness, if by accident tactlessly, in an excess of haste and ardour,
he offended the feelings of a fellow friar.
was touched by a gesture of courtesy or if he came to know that someone was praying for
him. He cherished every kindness and enjoyed the pleasure of conversation and friendship.
required a little company. When Pietruccio was forbidden to go up to his cell, he remarked
"Even a poor blind man they take from me! Not one friend have they left me!"
was a true son of St Francis and refused a heater in his cell even though he was so cold.
Covered in large scarves and mantle, he would often and willingly be drawn by the warmth
of the communal hearth.
the evening, he happily participated in the time of "communal life" and
recounted short tales and yams with the impersonation of a great actor. He was pleased
when a joke of his provoked smiles and hilarity from those who were listening.
He was kind, obliging and fatherly with the boys who were
preparing for the religious life and who at college suffered from the separation from
their family, the solitude and sometimes hunger, but at the same time was severe and never
lowered himself to compromise with sin, even if venial.
cried without reserve, to the point of fainting, when he saw his mother die!
preserved his baptismal innocence, as his spiritual director would affirm, and yet he felt
himself to be "the greatest sinner in the world" and did not know why the habit
of St Francis did not run away from him.
lived by the heart and noted that this way of life was a nasty thing, because "it
means living at every moment a death that never kills, or experiencing a living death and
a dying life" (Letters I).
if he loved suffering for the spiritual fruit it brought, he could also say, "I can
take no more!" especially when he realized that he had been betrayed by everyone.
saw and knew everything and despite everything he was able to embrace his Judas, he was
still able to call him "my son!"
Pio, with his mind and heart centred on heaven, regarded attentively and with concern the
happenings of the world. He observed the world of politics and when necessary made his
strong voice heard by those in the political world, appealing always and specifically to
the message of the Gospel.
is the man Padre Pio!
man who when he realized that his spiritual children, full of a new found fervour with
their eyes focused only on heaven, also knew how to remind them to keep their eyes on the
man who had the gift of counsel for others, but who required counsel for himself so as to
proceed briskly in the ways of the spirit; who suffered isolation and abandonment; who
felt the need to demonstrate with tears his suffering in order to have a word of comfort,
a little understanding.
"Look, they have even done this!" he told a fellow friar as he
showed him the wires, by his bedside, of a tape recorder that he had just severed with a
man who was unfailing in the fulfillment of his priestly ministry, in the
practice of
virtue, in doing good even in difficult and trying circumstances.
this human dimension there is space and fertile ground for the spiritual dimension of
Padre Pio.


text:
For tens of thousands of beer enthusiasts, the Great American Beer Festival is the ultimate beer fest. It has the most breweries and most beers in one place than you'll ever see in your life. The GABF takes months of preparation, thousands of volunteers, sacrifice and time from all of the brewers, and not to mention the cooperation and self control of 50,000+ attendees.
There are so many positive things to say about the Great American Beer Festival that one could write a short e-book about it. However, no matter how great or well organized a beer festival is, there is always room to improve it somewhere. Here, are some suggestions on how to improve America's biggest annual beer festival.
10 Ways to make the GABF even better!
#1 - Don't Let Brewery Reps Over Pour - Of hundreds of brewery reps that I saw pouring beers, I noticed a vast majority of them pouring 2oz or more of their beers. In some cases they would fill up an entire tasting glass. The rules that volunteers are supposed to follow don't seem to be followed by the breweries themselves. And since many breweries run out of beer early on in the sessions, enforcing the 1oz pour policy by everyone would help. 1oz means 1oz. And yes, it can be difficult to pour an exact ounce and everyone is always asking for a bit more, but if everyone pours the same way there will be more beer for everyone who wants a taste.
#2 - Bring more of the popular beers - I realize that many small breweries don't have a lot of funds to spend on a festival like this, but when you see booth after booth of certain beers running out early in the sessions, then you have to wonder why they didn't bring more. The beers that are poured at the GABF should have enough in quantity to last all 4 sessions. Sure, there are some rare beers brought in with just 1 keg and that's fine, but for their mainstream beers there should be an ample supply. Breweries, if you can't keep it in stock - perhaps don't bring it.
#3 - Don't Let Volunteers Drink While on Duty - Having been a volunteer myself for several years, I realize how difficult it is being tempted by all that beer and not drinking too much of it myself. All too often, I've seen volunteers drinking steadily while on duty and several of them in worse shape than the people they are serving. One year, a female volunteer who poured beer next to me had lost most of her inhibitions and was actually allowing certain male patrons to openly place their hands on her chest while dancing for them. Let's keep it professional people. How about a no drinking policy while on duty? When volunteers are on break they should be able to enjoy. But to cut back on over imbibing by volunteers, limit their drinking while they are pouring. That should also help them stick to the 1oz pour limit more easily.
#4 Wider Aisles - I realize that the GABF organizing committee has done a great job in limiting the number of attendees for each session, yet I still am seeing a lot of people having difficulty getting around in certain aisles. With over 12,000 people at each session it can be slow going (perhaps by design) to get to your next favorite destination. Sure, having the crowd slows down consumption, but it also increases frustration. Either limit volunteer traffic by restricting break times and keeping them behind the tables, or get additional space for the aisles. Perhaps it's time to build a bigger venue? Update: in 2012 they moved the awards ceremony to another theater and freed up more room for beer booths. That helped a bit but aisles were still crowded.
#5 Better Food Vendors - I realize that venues have a captive audience and they feel they can get away with sticking visitors with "ballpark" pricing, but come on, $10 for a small sandwich? A $7 personal pizza was OK, but other vendors seem to gouge patrons and their food wasn't all that great. How about the GABF spring for more free food booths. Since we shell out over $70 for a ticket these days how about throwing in a bit more food with that cost? The FREE pretzels and cheese were great and there were very long lines to get into the food sampling area. As a volunteer, I ended up sneaking in a sack dinner from a local restaurant just to avoid the lack of reasonably priced food at the vendors. Sadly, with security measures these days, that option isn't available anymore. Update: in 2012 the little pizzas were $8 to $9 each. The secret is to tie as much food to a string and hang it around your neck as possible apparently.
#6 - Cut The Noise - Sure, 12,000 people in a big echoing room are going to make a lot of noise. But add to that the addition of a Karaoke stage and music coming from the awards stage, not to mention the bagpipe parades and you've got an environment where you almost have to shout to be heard. As a volunteer pouring one of up to 6 different beers at a station, it was extremely difficult to hear what selection people wanted. We need some noise baffling acoustics added to the ceiling area to help reduce the noise levels. I almost felt the need to wear earplugs. Anyone get a decibel reading in that hall?
Update: In 2012 they took out the Karaoke and moved the awards into a separate theater. That helped cut the noise factor!
#7 - More Places to put Trash - While I commend the GABF team for putting out the Green stations for trash, there simply wasn't enough of them around. The aisles and booth areas get trashed big time. Even the areas behind the tables didn't have enough trash barrels to put everything into. People who drink are notoriously sloppy when it comes to keeping a place clean. If you make more trash stations available this might help, then again, there isn't enough room now to fit all the people comfortably.
#8 - Better Availability of Water - I like the fact that there are water stations scattered all over the convention hall. People really need to drink a lot of water during a beer festival, however, there wasn't enough stations to quickly get some water when you need it. Unfortunately for volunteers who are working, they don't have any drinkable water around them to help keep them hydrated. Sure, there are rinse pitchers for the glasses, but you really don't want to trust that for safe drinking water. I saw some attendees dump out beers into the water pitchers by mistake. Yuck! Consider having bottled water in stock under the tables at the booths. If a volunteer sees a drunk attendee they could offer them some water instead. Costly? Yes, but needed.
#9 - Better Locations for Outdoor Food Trucks - perhaps I just didn't see them, but while standing outside waiting to get in, I didn't see an easy way for people in line to grab a last minute bite to eat. Supposedly there were going to be food trucks stationed outside the festival this year. I didn't see them. I saw 1 or 2 small snack carts near the lines, but not the big food trucks. Make more food available directly outside the event on the sidewalks so that some of the already drunk attendees(from pre-parties) can sober up a bit before they go in and drink more. Coffee trucks too.
#10 - Keep Ticket Prices Reasonable - In 2011, the GABF sold out within the first week. In 2012, they all sold out in 45 minutes! For most of those tickets, for non-AHA members, they had to be purchased through Ticketmaster. In 2011, Ticketmaster added up to $10.70 in service charges, convenience and handling fees to jack up the price to over $70 for a ticket. In 2013, prices with fees will hit over $80 a pop. This is becoming a crock. Getting Ticketmaster out of the loop might help - their stiff fees and problematic online ticket sales are hurting the overall experience. Sure, using another vendor may slow things down a bit, but if you can keep the price down to $65 or less, cut the fees and find a way to give people more than just 1 hour to try to get a ticket then it would make buyers feel a whole lot better.
Update: Tickets sold out in 45 minutes in 2012 and Members Only ticket sales were buggy. The selling situation seems to be getting worse plus TicketDisaster goofed up the Members Only ticket sales too. Expect the same record sell-out in less than an hour in 2013. The more popular an event becomes, the more chaotic things seem to get.
Perhaps it's time to expand the GABF another day. Would you like to see either a Wednesday night session or a Sunday afternoon session added?
Related articles:
- 2011 GABF opening night photos.
- Colorado takes 39 medals in the 2011 GABF.
- Behind the scenes at the Great American Beer Festival. (2008)
- Final 2011 GABF tastings and recommendations.
This article came from FermentedlyChallenged.com
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Monday, October 3, 2011
10 ways to make the GABF even better
For tens of thousands of beer enthusiasts, the Great American Beer Festival is the ultimate beer fest. It has the most breweries and most beers in one place than you'll ever see in your life. The GABF takes months of preparation, thousands of volunteers, sacrifice and time from all of the brewers, and not to mention the cooperation and self control of 50,000+ attendees.


text:
Ohio Regulators Aim to Help Water Problem With Fertilizer Licenses
Farmers in Ohio to Be Required to Get New Certification to Use Fertilizers
The drinking-water crisis in one of Ohio's largest cities is drawing attention to a new requirement for farmers in the state: a license to fertilize.
The certification is the biggest step Ohio has taken to control nutrient runoff from farms, seen as a key cause of algal blooms in Lake Erie. Those blooms are blamed for a two-day "do-not-drink" advisory in Toledo and its suburbs that was lifted Monday.