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The noise in the Pacific off the southern California coast has become 10 times louder over the past five decades because of the rumbling of commercial shipping vessels, the clicking of oceanographic research equipment, and the din of Navy operations and sonar systems—all of which are threatening whales that use the same frequency range to communicate.
"These animals should have earplugs on," says whale expert and acoustic ecologist Christopher Clark, director of the Bioacoustics Research Program at Cornell University, noting that mid-frequency active sonar has resulted in hundreds of whales and other marine mammals getting flustered, losing their way, and, in some cases, becoming beached and dying.
In an effort to save the whales, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) sued to stop the Navy from conducting operations in the area that employ that particularly damaging form of sonar. But the U.S. Supreme Court last week in a 5–4 ruling dismissed the suit, giving the Navy the all-clear to continue blasting sound waves despite the environmental impact.
This sonar, which can be operated with the sound intensity of a jet engine, is used during training exercises to detect stealthy diesel-electric enemy submarines, some 300 of which are in the hands of 40 nations including China, North Korea and Iran.
But active sonar also rouses normally reclusive, squid-eating beaked whales from the deep. Sometimes, it causes them to ascend to the ocean surface so rapidly that they succumb to "the bends"—the development of deadly nitrogen bubbles in their blood; later their corpses wash up on beaches. Since 1989 the NRDC has documented 13 mass-stranding events of whales and porpoises that they said were linked to military sonar use. Among them: an event in January 2005 that led to the stranding deaths of 34 whales of three species along North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Mass strandings are perhaps the most gruesome example of how human-produced noise impacts wildlife. But all humans contribute to chronic noise pollution through road clatter and loud industrial operations, which threaten many species already at peril due to deforestation and urban development.
"This rising tide of noise is depriving animals of their habitat," Clark says.
Clark's research has shown that endangered blue whales, for instance, are only able to hear up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) away today, compared with the 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) acoustic range they enjoyed back in 1940. Other whales are even changing their tunes—literally.
The endangered North Atlantic right whale communicates at frequencies two thirds of an octave higher than it did a century ago, according to a 2007 study that Clark and bioacoustics researcher Susan Parks of Pennsylvania State University in State College published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. Higher frequencies do not carry as far in the water, reducing the distance over which they can communicate. In busy shipping channels, the ambient noise can be so great that whales simply shut up and hunker down as they would during a major storm—behavior that Clark believes could hinder the species' ability to find mates and reproduce. "These marine animals are all about acoustics: that's how they communicate, that's how they find food," he says.
Noise pollution is not only a problem underwater. Several studies have linked reverberations of cars and trucks to a decrease in bird diversity and population numbers. Meanwhile, military overflights in the Arctic disturb female caribou, forcing them to migrate an additional mile (1.6 kilometers) daily which could increase the likelihood that calves will be separated from the mothers, making them more vulnerable to predators and more likely to die because of a lack of food. (In Canada, the indigenous Innu people protested the Canadian Air Force's overflights near Goose Bay because they claimed the sound disturbed moose, waterfowl and other wildlife—thus degrading the once-abundant resources in their hunting territories.)
Ecologist Erin Bayne of the University of Alberta in Edmonton published a study in the journal Conservation Biology last month indicating that energy pipeline compression stations—which continuously produce about 90 to 95 decibels of noise radiating out up to half a mile (0.8 kilometer) away—impact bird behavior and biodiversity. Some 6,000 of these stations are strewn across northern Canada, and two thirds of them are located in wilderness areas. "Male birds sing to tell other birds where they are, where their territory is," he says, "and we think there may be some communication breakdown which results in birds choosing not to be there."
In Bayne's study, male birds living in noisy territories near these stations had trouble attracting mates, suggesting that their song was either not being heard or heard incorrectly. Overall, areas around noisy compression stations had one third fewer birds than quiet sites. Although technology is available to mitigate noise levels, Bayne says companies are only forced to invest in such measures in more urbanized areas when humans complain. In wilderness areas, they are left unchecked.
Some conservation organizations, such as the NRDC and Conservation International based in Arlington, Va., are just beginning to get a grip on the challenges of preserving the acoustic environment. The NRDC prevailed in lawsuits against the Navy in a California federal court, which restricted the use of mid-frequency active sonar within 2,400 yards (2,200 meters) of any marine mammal. But the Navy appealed the case to the nation's top court, successfully arguing that antisubmarine warfare is one of its highest priorities, that sonar operators depend on realistic training exercises, and that the restrictions placed on sonar use were overly burdensome.
"It's a sad day for the Navy to take such a high-handed, arrogant approach to its responsibility as a steward to the ocean," Clark says, "and it's a sad day for the marine environment."
(Don't) Pump up the Volume: Sound Waves Silence Whales' Song
The U.S. Supreme Court says the Navy can use active sonar in despite evidence that it and other noise pollution can deafen, and even kill denizens of the sea and skies
The noise in the Pacific off the southern California coast has become 10 times louder over the past five decades because of the rumbling of commercial shipping vessels, the clicking of oceanographic research equipment, and the din of Navy operations and sonar systems—all of which are threatening whales that use the same frequency range to communicate.


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NuVista Energy Ltd. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Results and Resource Study
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Nov. 7, 2012) - NuVista Energy Ltd. ("NuVista") (TSX:NVA) is pleased to announce results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and provide an update on its business plan. During the third quarter of 2012, NuVista made significant progress in building the foundation for focused, profitable and sustainable growth from our condensate-rich Wapiti Montney play that will create long-term shareholder value. NuVista recently completed its Wapiti Montney five well pilot program that commenced late 2011 and is pleased with the results of this program. NuVista now has five wells on production with recent results all exceeding expectations. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, a third-party resource study was completed on NuVista's Wapiti Montney landholdings that begins to quantify the large scope, scalability and value creation opportunity associated with this play.
Highlights for and subsequent to the third quarter of 2012 are as follows:
- Completed a Wapiti Montney resource study with a Best Estimate of the Economic Contingent Resource on approximately 50% of NuVista's landholdings of 1.2 Tcfe of which 44.5 MMBoe is condensate;
- Achieved average production of 23,936 Boe/d compared to 25,360 Boe/d for the same period in 2011 and 23,467 Boe/d for the three months ended June 30, 2012;
- Realized funds from operations of $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $41.3 million for the same period in 2011 and $18.1 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2012;
- Completed a capital program of $15.8 million with increased focus on the Montney, compared to $49.3 million for the same period in 2011;
- Drilled 1 (1.0 net) vertical well in the Wapiti Montney play after the completion of the five well pilot program that further delineated the play, provided core sample data and validated lands;
- Completed the semi-annual review of our credit facility following the completion of the property disposition with a re-determined maximum borrowing limit of $240 million; and
- Ended the third quarter with long-term debt (net of adjusted working capital) of $314.2 million compared to $339.1 million at June 30, 2012. Subsequent to the closing of the dispositions on October 17, 2012, NuVista's long-term debt was approximately $120 million.
Property Dispositions
NuVista previously announced the proposed disposition of three property packages for gross proceeds of $236 million, which were all completed by October 17, 2012. These dispositions significantly improve NuVista's financial flexibility and are a key component of NuVista's strategic plan to create sustainable organic growth and shareholder value through the focused development of the condensate-rich Wapiti Montney play. The dispositions included a large portion of NuVista's W5 natural gas assets and selected W4 heavy oil assets. These assets have been reclassified on NuVista's September 30, 2012 balance sheet as "assets held for sale". As part of this reclassification, NuVista recognized an impairment of $36.8 million ($27.5 million after-tax) in its consolidated statement of earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2012. As NuVista accelerates its development of the Wapiti Montney play it will continue to pursue opportunities to dispose of non-strategic assets that achieve its minimum price thresholds to redeploy this capital to the Wapiti Montney play.
Update on Wapiti Montney Well Results
NuVista now has a minimum of 30 day initial production rates (IP30) on all five delineation wells. The average IP30 raw natural gas production rates from these wells has been slightly above the typecurve of 5.8 MMcf/d (1,140 Boe/d including liquids) and 4.4 Bcf raw ultimate production. Strong condensate yields have been identified on both NuVista's North and South Block of landholdings, confirming the large scale of this condensate-rich resource play. Liquids yields on the five wells have averaged 59 Bbls/MMcf of raw natural gas, including condensate yields averaging 46 Bbls/MMcf. Average condensate yields from the four wells located in the North Block have averaged the same 46 Bbls/MMcf as the well in the South block, providing key data points on the large aerial extent of condensate in this play. These numbers compare very favorably to our original typecurve liquids assumptions of 50 Bbls/MMcf, including condensate of 35 Bbls/MMcf.
NuVista is pleased to announce that costs continue to trend down our projected cost reduction curves, with the most recent drill cost at $4.8 million and 46 drilling days compared to original well costs of $5.5 million and 55 drilling days. Furthermore, completion costs for the first pilot well were $3.5 million and have decreased to $2.8 million on the latest well.
NuVista has made great strides in the growth of our Montney landholdings, having reached 121,000 gross acres at an average 92% working interest at October 31, 2012, up from 106,000 gross acres at September 30, 2011.
Scope and Economics of the Wapiti Montney Play
NuVista is also pleased to announce the results of an independent resource evaluation of NuVista's condensate-rich Wapiti Montney asset. GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. (GLJ) evaluated the Discovered Petroleum Initially-In-Place (DPIIP) and the Economic Contingent Resources (ECR) associated with the in-place petroleum. The evaluation was performed in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (NI 51-101) and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (COGE Handbook) and is effective September 1, 2012.
NuVista is strongly encouraged at this early stage of development by the significant resource scale and value identified in the evaluation. GLJ's Best Estimate of the total DPIIP is 2.7 Tcf recognized on 50,764 net acres of NuVista's 107,223 acre Montney land-holdings. GLJ's Best Estimate of the ECR is 1.2 Tcfe or 200 MMBoe of which 56.8 MMBoe (28.5%) are natural gas liquids. Given the condensate-rich nature of the Wapiti Montney, it is important to note that 44.5 MMBoe of the estimated ECR is classified as condensate. Based on GLJ's July 1, 2012 forecast prices, the before-tax net present value, discounted at 10%, associated with the Best Estimate of the ECR is $1.25 billion. Given the early stage of development of the resource, it is expected that significant value remains to be unlocked as the resources are converted to reserves.
DPIIP is typically broken down into four components including Cumulative Production, Reserves, Contingent Resources and Unrecoverable DPIIP. The following table presents a breakdown of the DPIIP associated with NuVista's Montney properties into the component categories.
|Discovered Petroleum Initially-In-Place(1)
|Cumulative Production(2)
|0.0018 Tcfe
|Reserves (Proved + Probable)(2)(3)
|0.072 Tcfe
|Economic Contingent Resources (Best Estimate)(4)(5)
|1.2 Tcfe
|Unrecoverable DPIIP(6)
|1.7 Tcf
|DPIIP (Best Estimate) (7)
|2.7 Tcf
|All estimates of resources and reserves in the above table represent NuVista's gross resources, reserves or production before the deduction of any royalties and without including any royalty interests of NuVista.
|The Cumulative Production numbers represent production to September 1, 2012 whereas the Proved plus Probable Reserves numbers are as of December 31, 2011. From December 31, 2011 to September 1, 2012, total Cumulative Production from NuVista's Montney properties was approximately 0.0018 Tcfe. For further information regarding the previously reported reserves numbers, see NuVista's Annual Information Form dated March 28, 2012.
|The Proved plus Probable Reserves estimate is effective as of December 31, 2011 and is based on an independent evaluation by GLJ using January 1, 2012 forecast pricing. The Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2011 were estimated to be 0.03 Tcfe.
|All of NuVista's Contingent Resources from its Montney properties are considered economic using GLJ's July 1, 2012 forecast prices. There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources.
|The primary contingency which prevents the classification of the ECR as reserves is the current early stage of development. Additional drilling, completion, and testing data will be required before NuVista can commit to the development of the ECR. Proven and Probable Reserves are assigned to areas in proximity to proven producing Montney wells. ECR's are assigned to areas that extend beyond the limits of Reserves and are interpreted to be less certain. As continued delineation drilling occurs, more ECR are expected to be re-classified as Reserves.
|All of the DPIIP that has not been classified as Cumulative Production, Reserves or Contingent Resources may be considered unrecoverable at this time. A portion of the Unrecoverable DPIIP may in the future be determined to be recoverable and reclassified as Contingent Resources or reserves as additional technical studies are performed, commercial circumstances change or technological developments occur; the remaining portion may never be recovered due to the physical/chemical constraints represented by subsurface interaction of fluids and reservoir rocks. The Unrecoverable DPIIP has been calculated by subtracting Cumulative Production, Proved plus Probable Reserves and Contingent Resources from DPIIP. Since the Proved plus Probable Reserves are estimated as of December 31, 2011 and all other numbers are as of September 1, 2012 the Unrecoverable DPIIP may be greater or less that the number in the above table due to increases or decreases in Proved plus Probable Reserves between December 31, 2011 and September 1, 2012.
|The sum of Cumulative Production, Reserves, Contingent Resources and Unrecoverable DPIIP do not add to DPIIP as Cumulative Production, Reserves and Contingent Resources have been reduced to marketable sales volumes that have been shrunk to account for surface loss. DPIIP and Unrecoverable DPIIP volumes are in-place volumes that have not been reduced due to surface loss.
An update to NuVista's Montney reserves, which will reflect our active 2012 Montney drilling program will be included within our regular annual reserves disclosure in our 2013 Annual Information Form.
Next Phase of Development
Given the recent dispositions, NuVista has significant flexibility regarding the pace of development as lease expiries can be addressed by the ongoing drilling activity of only one rig. NuVista's next phase of Montney development will consist of moving from one to two drilling rigs with an emphasis on profitability, expiries, access to existing infrastructure and delineation. As previously announced, NuVista has entered into take-or-pay commitments for near term production growth, and continues to pursue alternatives for third-party natural gas processing and transportation for future development phases. With the completion of the five well pilot phase in 2012, NuVista's focus in 2013 will be to move into a consistent development phase while continuing to focus on reducing drilling and completion costs, reducing cycle time, optimizing completion techniques, and securing access to infrastructure for future growth.
As NuVista builds on its momentum on the Montney play, it will continue to focus on disciplined execution, profitability, financial flexibility, and optionality to increase or decrease the pace of growth based on the outlook for commodity prices and cash flow.
|Corporate Highlights
|Three months ended
September 30,
|Nine months ended
September 30,
|($ thousands, except per share)
|Oil and natural gas revenue
|Funds from operations(1)
|Per basic share
|Per diluted share
|Net earnings (loss)
|Per basic share
|Per diluted share
|Adjusted net earnings (loss)(1)
|Per basic share
|Per diluted share
|Total assets
|Long-term debt, net of adjusted working capital(1)
|Net capital expenditures
|Weighted average common shares outstanding (thousands):
|Natural gas (MMcf/d)
|Natural gas liquids (Bbls/d)
|Oil (Bbls/d)
|Total oil equivalent
|Average product prices(2)
|Natural gas ($/Mcf)
|Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)
|Oil ($/Bbl)
|Operating expenses
|Natural gas and natural gas liquids ($/Mcfe)
|Oil ($/Bbl)
|Total oil equivalent ($/Boe)
|Operating netback ($/Boe)
|Funds from operations netback ($/Boe)(1)
|Share trading statistics
|Average daily volume
|Funds from operations, funds from operations per share, funds from operations netback, operating netback, adjusted net earnings and adjusted working capital are not defined by GAAP in Canada and are referred to as non-GAAP measures. Funds from operations are based on cash flow from operating activities as per the statement of cash flows before changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement expenditures. Funds from operations per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding consistent with the calculation of net earnings (loss) per share. Funds from operations netback equals the total of revenues including realized commodity derivative gains/losses less royalties, transportation, operating, general and administrative, restricted stock units, interest expenses and cash taxes calculated on a Boe basis. Adjusted net earnings equals net earnings excluding after tax unrealized gains (losses) on commodity derivatives, impairments and gains (losses) on property divestments. Operating netback equals the total of revenues including realized commodity derivative gains/losses less royalties, transportation and operating expenses calculated on a Boe basis. Adjusted working capital excludes the current portions of the commodity derivative asset or liability, assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale. Total Boe is calculated by multiplying the daily production by the number of days in the period. For more details on non-GAAP measures, refer to NuVista's "Management's Discussion and Analysis".
|Product prices include realized gains/losses on commodity derivatives.
2012 and 2013 GUIDANCE
NuVista's average production guidance for 2012 is between 22,000 Boe/d and 22,500 Boe/d with fourth quarter production forecast between 16,500 Boe/d and 17,000 Boe/d. This forecast incorporates the property dispositions that were completed in October 2012. Funds from operations for 2012 are forecast at approximately $70 million based on a forecast AECO natural gas price of $2.47/Mcf, WTI oil price of US$94.00/Bbl and incorporating our price risk management contracts. Capital spending for the year is forecast at approximately $120 million.
For 2013, our Board has approved a first half capital budget of up to $90 million to primarily fund a two drilling rig capital program for the Wapiti Montney play. This capital program is expected to be funded from cash flow, bank debt and property dispositions. The second half 2013 capital budget will be determined based on the outlook for commodity prices, drilling success and well performance. NuVista expects production for the first half of 2013 to remain relatively flat as the Montney production growth from two rigs is forecast to begin in the third quarter of 2013 after spring breakup and the start-up of key new field trunk pipeline tie-ins. NuVista forecasts production for the fourth quarter of 2013 to average approximately 10% higher than fourth quarter 2012 production volumes.
NuVista's landholdings and resources in the condensate-rich Wapiti Montney play provide NuVista with the potential to grow and create significant long-term shareholder value through the phased development of this play. The profitability of this play is expected to improve significantly over time as NuVista reduces drilling costs, optimizes well completions and accesses the lower cost transportation and processing associated with increased economies of scale. Over the next few months, with additional production data from our Wapiti wells and more clarity on the outlook for natural gas prices, we expect to provide more details on our future growth plans beyond the first half of 2013. With a talented and motivated workforce and a business strategy focused on discipline, execution and profitability we look forward to updating you on the progress in this value creation process.
Third quarter 2012 interim consolidated financial statements and notes to the interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for NuVista Energy Ltd. have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under NuVista Energy Ltd. and can also be accessed on NuVista's website at www.nuvistaenergy.com.
The reserves and resources estimates prepared herein have been evaluated by an independent qualified reserves evaluator in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook. The reserves and resources have been categorized accordance with the reserves and resource definitions as set out in the COGE Handbook, which are set out below:
Discovered petroleum initially-in-place or DPIIP is that quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations prior to production. The recoverable portion of discovered petroleum initially-in-place includes Cumulative Production, Reserves, and Contingent Resources; the remainder is categorized as unrecoverable.
Cumulative Production is the cumulative quantity of petroleum that has been recovered at a given date.
Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of petroleum anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data; the use of established technology; and specified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are further classified according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be sub-classified based on development and production status.
Proved Reserves are those quantities of petroleum, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.
Probable Reserves are those additional quantities of petroleum that are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves, but which, together with Proved Reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.
Contingent Resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. Contingencies may include such factors as economic, legal, environmental, political and regulatory matters or a lack of markets. It is also appropriate to classify as Contingent Resources the estimated discovered recoverable quantities associated with a project in the early evaluation stage.
There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the Contingent Resources or that any portion of the volumes currently classified as Contingent Resources will be produced. The recovery and resource estimates provided herein are estimates. Actual Contingent Resources (and any volumes that may be classified as Reserves) and future production from such Contingent Resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.
Economic Contingent Resources are those Contingent Resources that are currently economically recoverable based on specific forecasts of commodity prices and costs.
Unrecoverable Discovered Petroleum Initially-In-Place or Unrecoverable DPIIP is that portion of DPIIP which is estimated, as of a given date, not to be recoverable by future development projects. A portion of these quantities may become recoverable in the future as commercial circumstances change or technological developments occur; the remaining portion may never be recovered due to the physical/chemical constraints represented by subsurface interaction of fluids and reservoir rocks.
Best Estimate of a resource represents the best estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the best estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 percent probability (P50) that quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the best estimate.
Throughout this press release the terms Boe (barrels of oil equivalent), MMBoe (millions of barrels of oil equivalent), (Bcfe (billions of cubic feet of gas equivalent) and Ttcfe (trillion of cubic feet of gas equivalent). Such terms may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. The conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet per barrel (6 MMcf: 1 Bbl) of natural gas to barrels of oil equivalent and the conversion ratio of 1 barrel per six thousand cubic feet (1 Mbl: 6 Mcf) of barrels of oil to natural gas equivalent is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
Any references in this news release to initial or test production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter. Additionally, such rates may also include recovered "load oil" fluids used in well completion stimulation. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for NuVista.
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "will", "expects", "believe", "plans", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements, including management's assessment of: NuVista's future strategy, plans, opportunities and operations; the expectations of creating sustainable organic growth and shareholder value from NuVista's properties and opportunities; forecast production; production mix; drilling, development, completion and tie-in plans, costs and results; expectations of future results, including typecurves and well economics; NuVista's planned capital budget; expectations with respect to NuVista's disposition program and its effect on debt levels; targeted debt level; the timing, allocation and efficiency of NuVista's capital program, allocation thereof and the results therefrom; plans to secure access to infrastructure; forecast funds from operations; the source of funding of capital expenditures; the timing of providing additional guidance; NuVista's risk management strategy; expectations regarding future commodity prices and netbacks; and industry conditions. Statements relating to "reserves" and "resources" are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves or resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves or resources can be profitably produced in the future.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond NuVista's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, current and future commodity prices, currency and interest rates, anticipated production rates, borrowing, operating and other costs and funds from operations, the timing, allocation and amount of capital expenditures and the results therefrom, anticipated reserves and the imprecision of reserve estimates, the performance of existing wells, the success obtained in drilling new wells, the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities, competition from other industry participants, availability of qualified personnel or services and drilling and related equipment, stock market volatility, effects of regulation by governmental agencies including changes in environmental regulations, tax laws and royalties; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal sources and bank and equity markets; and including, without limitation, those risks considered under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Information Form. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. NuVista's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, or if any of them do so, what benefits NuVista will derive therefrom. NuVista disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact Information:
Jonathan A. Wright
President and CEO
(403) 538-8501
NuVista Energy Ltd.
Robert F. Froese
VP, Finance and CFO
(403) 538-8530


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Located in the very centre of Palermo, in one of the most popular streets of the city (Via Maqueda), Ai 4 Canti B&B offers guests the typical Sicilian hospitaly .
Break fast is included, laundry facilities are present and there is NO CURFEW.
Ai 4 Canti B&B: A great way to enjoy the wonderful city of Palermo.


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Award-winning feature film, which tracks the story of shock-rocker Erika Spawn
Film covering the life, history and exploits of fictional heavy rocker Erika Spawn (Victoria Hopkins) (formerly Angela Lee). Filmed in documentary syle, we are introduced to Erika, her music and her onstage and backstage lifestyle. As her former manager Eddie comments to the camera, we are shown bits, live shots and even pictures from her child hood while he explains this incredible personalityy and rock phenomena. Her latest Album "Body of a Whore" has reached No #1 and continuing with the flow, a number of friends, associates and acquaintances give their best behind the scenes commentaries about Erika and life on the road. It's a well shot telling of the events that far exceeds the crappy reality TV garbage shown today…. And it has a dark side!
As this documentary takes form, a number of things transpire. A fan named Stephanie Reagan is welcomed aboard when finding her way into the backstage dressing room before one of Erika's performances. An instant friendship is formed and Stef becomes a part of the bands daily lives. Though as innocent as she comes across, there is a darkness about her that spills forward in a brooding manner. This friendship also proves to be the bands downfall ending with an onstage stabbing that is as eerie as anything I've seen. This incident leads to changes within the recovering Erika and a new obsession with Nostradamus and some old paintings that suggest a pop star named Robin Harris (a Boy-band reject) may be the anti-christ himself. This of course contradicts the goody goody wholesome image he portrays as he tries to unite the suffering world into dealing with there problems per his media marketing and gospel like songs. It is almost haunting in the realism of this idea, much like a dianetics cult feeling.
A number of things passed though my mind in watching this film. For one, I thought it was brilliant! I drank the koolaid and bought into the fiction they portrayed on screen. I've seen films that try to pull this off and fail miserably with a focus on being too media like. The Devil's Music is as believable as any VH1 program I've seen but done in a cinematic way.
I was reminded of past films like Eddie and the Cruisers which also engaged me in a similar fashion. The music styling and persona had a bit of Hazel O'connors "Breaking Glass" with a touch of "The Fabulous Stains" .So where does the horror fit in this film and why is is being reviewed as such? The horror is subtle but thats its power as well. Make no mistake this is a music documentary. And even though Erika was showcased as highly controversial in the media's with her punk- metal stylings they weren't really the Alice Cooper level of horror.
However this fascinating rock star persona crosses into similar territories that Marilyn Manson once raised attention too. So we are taken on similar roads with the out pouring of media controversies and connections with horrific events. Other accounts suggest the haunting similarities to the Columbine Killings and the legendary exploits of Ozzy Osbourne The horror takes form in the way the events unravel. The onstage transformation of Reagan into a murdering obsessed fan. The transformation of Erika in abandoning her music to seek and directory Robin on camera in his own house and the eerie haunting tapes that emerge shortly after Erika disappears for good that reveal some elements of darkness that were never shown before. The footage reveal has touch of the Blair Witch creepiness that shows alot with alittle.
This film scores extremely high points for its engaging presentation, for its well directed mood changes, for its great music styling's and for Erika's believable performance. The camera shots are done tastefully with nice offsets, 3/4 shots, camera style changes and creatiuve positioning. Directed by Pat Higgins you'll find an instant connection with the artist and the media frenzy surrounding her. Her stage performances are highly entertaining. Her prescence is felt and heard. And the darkness creep up on you in most unerving way.
It's a film that echo's modern culture with a touch of Bowie-ism and Plasmatics. Highly recommended on all counts, a gem to be experienced.!
The Devil's Music (2008)


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I am thrilled to be here today at WAHE conference and to address a group of women who share my priorities.
First I would like to start with the story of how I got my present job at the US Department of Education.
Before coming here, I wasn't looking for a new job. I had been working in education my entire career. Some of you may remember Mel King who was the mayor of Boston. When I was in the 9th grade, he changed my life when he gave me the opportunity to tutor third graders at the Sound End House in Roxbury, Massachusetts. From there, I entered the profession of education and here I am, more than 40 years later. I knew teachers and staff could change lives then as I know it now, here with you today. For the past 16 years, I've been a college president and most recently chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District in California, one of the largest community college districts in the nation, educating 45,000 students a year.
From an early age, I had been taught that when the call comes, you go, but make sure you know who's calling. So a few months ago, when I got the call from Secretary Duncan, I went to Washington.
We talked candidly about the impact of higher education on our students and families, and I shared my deep concerns about the gathering storms coming at us: the thousands who are getting shut out of higher education, whether our democratic society in the larger sense would survive the threats, and how urgent it is for our families to understand the fundamental purpose and value of higher education. Secretary Duncan told me about President Obama's robust vision for education, his plans to increase student access and achievement in our K-12 schools, his belief in the importance of higher education and workforce training, his perspective about lifelong education starting with early learning through adulthood, his commitment to ensure that college readiness and high school graduation mean the same thing, his commitment to high academic standards and quality assessments , and his significant accomplishments as superintendent of the Chicago public schools.
On the way home, I thought about the fact that getting a few big things done in a senior position in government would often seem impossible, but that if asked, I had to say 'yes without question'—yes because education is a priority for President Obama, Secretary Duncan and our entire administration. And—simply—because we owe it to our students and to future generations.
We all know that the majority of our students enter higher education with enormous challenges, often having overcome great adversity in their lives. That is why I came to this position: to open doors and focus on ways to increase academic achievement and success for our students, to increase by 50% the number of graduates from our institutions.
Based on my background, my determination, and my intelligence – I think I can do this. But will being a woman stand in my way?
Women have long sought to be educated, to be treated fairly, to receive an equal education, and to receive equal work for equal pay. But I am frustrated because I know we are not always taken seriously and all eyes in the room inevitably turn to us when someone says, "who's going to make the coffee?"
We are, of course. Because we do it all.
Women have incredible managerial skills right from the start. In my case, I was the eldest of five children – with three younger brothers and a sister. Early on, I learned how to referee fights, to listen to people's problems, and to keep people, especially my brothers, on track. I had to speak directly and clearly and get people to follow my directions – and I also had to listen to them — all qualities that a new age administrator should have.
The roles I played served me well – but did they prepare me for the real world?
In today's world, according to a 2008 survey, "The Changing Face at the Top," nearly 400 senior human resources executives from 24 countries around the world shared their insights on the demographic make-up of the Chairman/CEO and executive management teams (called C-suite), as well as trends regarding talent demand and acquisition.
The survey found that only 20 percent of all executive committee members are female, with nearly one-half of respondents reporting no females whatsoever among their executive committee members.
78 percent of respondents believed diversity is an important strategy, but only 13 percent believed the that the number of minorities in the executive suite will increase over the next three years.
Approximately 20 percent of C-Suite executives are a different nationality than the country in which their headquarters are based. However, less than 10 percent (9.2 percent of CEOs, 9.9 percent of CFOs and 8.1 percent of COOs) are of an ethnic minority.
There is no doubt that women have progressed considerably among our global workforce, especially over the past few decades, but they have still not broken through the glass ceiling.
The same is true in higher education. When I became president of De-Anza College, I didn't see many other women who were college leaders.
In 1986, women represented only 9.5 percent of college presidents. But like the corporate world – we have made some progress. In 2006, women represented 23 percent of college presidents. But still 77 percent are male.
Women often don't see leadership as a career path. So it takes mentorship and coaching and the recognition of goals that we, as leaders must provide and achieve, to change that.
The job is often demanding, but still, many of us have the background to do it, and we certainly have the talent, so we cannot let our traditional roles stop us. We can strike a balance between our family life and our work life.
Women can bring a different dimension to the job. They can lead the way for many who have lacked opportunities. They can serve as role models for others. And this leadership is important for our society as a whole.
This is a challenging time for education.
Historically, the purpose of K-12 education was to prepare young people to earn the high school diploma, a fundamental milestone for success in work and society.However, nationally 30% of students are dropping out of high school. Last year, 1.2 million teens did not graduate. This equates to 7,000 dropouts every day. In some of our largest cities, more than half of all teens who should be in school have dropped out. Of these, the majority are dropping out in the first two years of high school.
In April, McKinsey reported on "The Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America's Schools." They said that the U.S. lags significantly behind other advanced nations in educational performance and is slipping further behind in math, science and literacy. Regarding high school graduation rates, we rank 18 out of 24 industrialized nations.
There is also a racial achievement gap where, given our changing demographics, Hispanic and black students lag 2-3 years behind white students of the same age in achievement and graduation rates. McKinsey ends their report with some startling estimates about the economic impact of the achievement gap. They say that if we had been able to close the international achievement gap over the last 25 years the US GDP in 2008 would have been $1-2 trillion dollars higher – that's between 9 to 16 percent of GDP; and, if we had been able to close the racial achievement gap where Hispanic and black performance had caught up with that of White students by 1998, GDP in 2008 would have been $300-$500 billion higher or roughly 2-4 percent of GDP. They go on to profile disparities in income and achievement and conclude that if we don't have a "game-changing national strategy," we will have a tsunami that will devastate American productivity and competitiveness for generations to come.
I also want to talk about the other achievement gap – the achievement gap that persists in college.
Barely half of high school graduates from lower income families attend college.
Even worse, too few of them complete college. Only about one in four low-income college students who start full-time graduate within six years.
This achievement gap is not new but it has become more problematic because of the new demands of the global economy. By 2016, just seven years from now, four out of every 10 new jobs will require some advanced education or training. Thirty of the fastest growing fields will require a minimum of a bachelor's degree.
These profound shifts in the economy drive the administration's determination to make higher education more affordable, accessible and more cost-effective.
Yet we still have a reason to be optimistic.
In April, President Obama said:
"America cannot lead in the 21st century unless we have the best educated, most competitive workforce in the world… by the end of the next decade, I want to see America have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. We used to have that; we no longer do. We are going to get that lead back."
The President, Secretary Duncan and I have made our commitment to changing this situation clear. It starts with the fact that the department's budget, together with the Recovery Act, provides the largest commitment to higher education funding since the GI Bill.
Next year, under our budget, the department will be administering nearly $130 billion in new grants, loans, and work-study assistance to help more than 14 million students and their families pay for college. That is an increase of a third over the amount that was available in 2008.
The President also announced a $12 billion proposal of landmark benefit to higher education known as the American Graduation Initiative. The goals for this legislation are:
more higher education access and completion grants to increase our graduation rates;
community college challenge grants to implement what works to enable more students to graduate and enter or re-enter the workforce;
funds to modernize facilities at community colleges and national competitive grants to create free, state-of-the-art online high school and college courses to increase and accelerate academic preparation and achievement, and provide workforce training in fast-growing fields like healthcare and clean technologies; and
funds to support state plans and goals for higher education, improve data systems and implement evidence-based best practices, all of which will enable us to increase student access, college affordability, academic achievement and ultimately success in the workforce.
We also propose to move to direct lending and revamp the FAFSA form—helping to support efforts at college to improve student persistence and completion.
So where does that leave us and what role do we play?
Mary Matalin (James Carville's wife) says: men seek solutions – women seek understanding. I believe that leadership rests in the empowerment of others, that everyone can and should be a leader.
It's time for all of us to play the leadership role. We need to be inclusive and build consensus.
We need to be direct voices in our communities – voices that are heard and considered because without us, good decisions cannot be made in the best interests of all.


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Chapter XXVI.
How the promise of an hundredfold in this life is made to those whose renunciation is perfect.
Further also that recompense of reward, wherein the Lord promises an hundredfold in this life to those whose renunciation is perfect, and says: "And everyone that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold in the present time and shall inherit eternal life,"23492349 S. Matt. xix. 29. is rightly and truly taken in the same sense without any disturbance of faith. For many taking occasion by this saying, insist with crass intelligence that these things will be given carnally in the millennium, though they must certainly admit that age, which they say will be after the resurrection cannot possibly be understood as present. It is then more credible and much clearer that one, who at the persuasion of Christ has made light of any worldly affections or goods, receives from the brethren and partners of his life, who are joined to him by a spiritual tie, even in this life a love which is an hundred times better: since it is certain that among parents and children and brothers, wives and relations, where either the tie is merely formed by intercourse, or the bond of union by the claims of relationship, the love is tolerably short lived and easily broken. Finally even good and duteous children when they have grown up, are sometimes shut out by their parents from their homes and property, and sometimes for a really good reason the tie of matrimony is severed, and a quarrelsome division destroys the property of brothers. Monks alone maintain a lasting union in intimacy, and possess all things in common, as they hold that everything that belongs to their brethren is their own, and that everything which is their own is their brethren's. If then the grace of our love is compared to those affections where the bond of union is a carnal love, certainly it is an hundred times sweeter and finer. There will indeed also be gained from conjugal continence a pleasure that is an hundred times greater than that which arises from the union of the sexes. And instead of that joy, which a man experiences from the possession of a single field of house, he will enjoy a delight in riches a hundred times greater, if he passes over to the adoption of sons of God, and possesses as his own all things which belong to the eternal Father, and asserts in heart and soul after the fashion 544of that true Son: "All things that the Father hath are mine;"23502350 S. John xvi. 15. and if no longer tried by that criminal anxiety in distractions and cares, but free from care and glad at heart he succeeds everywhere to his own, hearing daily the announcement made to him by the Apostle: "For all things are yours, whether the world, or things present, or things to come;" and by Solomon: "The faithful man has a whole world of riches."23512351 1 Cor. iii. 22; Prov. xvii. 6 (LXX.). You have then that recompense of an hundredfold brought out by the greatness of the value, and the difference of the character that cannot be estimated. For if for a fixed weight of brass or iron or some still commoner metal, one had given in exchange the same weight only in gold, he would appear to have given much more than an hundredfold. And so when for the scorn of delights and earthly affections there is made a recompense of spiritual joy and the gladness of a most precious love, even if the actual amount be the same, yet it is an hundred times better and grander. And to make this plainer by frequent repetition: I used formerly to have a wife in the lustful passion of desire: I now have one in honourable sanctification and the true love of Christ. The woman is but one, but the value of the love has increased an hundredfold. But if instead of distrusting anger and wrath you have regard to constant gentleness and patience, instead of the stress of anxiety and trouble, peace and freedom from care, instead of the fruitless and criminal vexation of this world the salutary fruits of sorrow, instead of the vanity of temporal joy the richness of spiritual delights, you will see in the change of these feelings a recompense of an hundredfold. And if we compare with the short-lived and fleeting pleasure of each sin the benefits of the opposite virtues the increased delights will prove that these are an hundred times better. For in counting on your fingers you transfer the number of an hundred from the left hand to the right and though you seem to keep the same arrangement of the fingers yet there is a great increase in the amount of the quantity.23522352 The practice alludes to the counting on the fingers, in which all the tens up to ninety were reckoned on the fingers of the left hand, but with the number of a hundred the reckoning began with the same arrangement of the fingers on the right hand. S. Jerome had a similar allusion to the practice in his work against Jovian I. i. and compare also Juvenal Satire. X. l. 247, 248. For the result will be that we who seemed to bear the form of the goats on the left hand, will be removed and gain the reward of the sheep on the right hand. Now let us pass on to consider the nature of those things which Christ gives back to us in this world for our scorn of worldly advantages, more particularly according to the Gospel of Mark who says: "There is no man who hath left house or brethren or sisters or mother or children or lands for My sake and the gospel's sake, who shall not receive an hundred times as much now in this time: houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come life eternal."23532353 S. Mark x. 29, 30. For he who for the sake of Christ's name disregards the love of a single father or mother or child, and gives himself over to the purest love of all who serve Christ, will receive an hundred times the amount of brethren and kinsfolk; since instead of but one he will begin to have so many fathers and brethren bound to him by a still more fervent and admirable affection. He also will be enriched with an increased possession of lands, who has given up a single house for the love of Christ, and possesses countless homes in monasteries as his own, to whatever part of the world he may retire, as to his own house. For how can he fail to receive an hundredfold, and, if it is not wrong to add somewhat to our Lord's words, more than an hundredfold, who gives up the faithless and compulsory service of ten or twenty slaves and relies on the spontaneous attendance of so many noble and free born men? And that this is so you could prove by your own experience, as since you have each left but one father and mother and home, you have gained without any effort or care, in any part of the world to which you have come, countless fathers and mothers and brethren, as well as houses and lands and most faithful servants, who receive you as their masters, and welcome, and respect, and take care of you with the utmost attention. But, I say that deservedly and confidently will the saints enjoy this service, if they have first submitted themselves and everything they have by a voluntary offering for the service of the brethren. For, as the Lord says, they will freely receive back that which they themselves have bestowed on others. But if a man has not first offered this with true humility to his companions, how can he calmly endure to have it offered to him by others, when he knows that he is burdened rather than helped by their services, because he prefers to receive attention from the brethren rather than to give it to them?
But all these things he will receive not with careless slackness and a lazy delight, but, in accordance with the Lord's word, "with persecutions," i.e., with the pressure of this world, and terrible distress from his passions, because, as the wise man testifies: "He who is easy going and without trouble shall come 545to want."23542354 Prov. xiv. 23 (LXX.). For not the slothful, or the careless, or the delicate, or the tender take the kingdom of heaven by force, but the violent. Who then are the violent? Surely they are those who show a splendid violence not to others, but to their own soul, who by a laudable force deprive it of all delights in things present, and are declared by the Lord's mouth to be splendid plunderers, and by rapine of this kind, violently seize upon the kingdom of heaven. For, as the Lord says, "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force."23552355 S. Matt. xi. 12. Those are certainly worthy of praise as violent, who do violence to their own destruction, for, "A man," as it is written, "that is in sorrow laboureth for himself and does violence to his own destruction."23562356 Prov. xiv. 26 (LXX.). For our destruction is delight in this present life, and to speak more definitely, the performance of our own likes and desires, as, if a man withdraws these from his soul and mortifies them, he straightway does glorious and valuable violence to his own destruction, provided that he refuses to it the pleasantest of its wishes which the Divine word often rebukes by the prophet, saying: "For in the days of your fast your own will is found;" and again: "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, to do thy will on My holy day, and glorify him, while thou dost not thy own ways, and thy own will is not found, to speak a word." And the great blessedness that is promised to him is at once added by the prophet. "Then," he says, "shalt thou be delighted in the Lord, and I will lift thee up above the high places of the earth, and will feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy father. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."23572357 Isa. lviii. 3, 13, 14. And therefore our Lord and Saviour, to give us an example of giving up our own wills, says: "I came not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me;" and again: "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt."23582358 S. John vi. 38; S. Matt. xxvi. 39. And this good quality those men in particular show who live in the Cœnobia and are governed by the rule of the Elders, who do nothing of their own choice, but their will depends upon the will of the Abbot. Finally to bring this discussion to a close, I ask you, do not those who faithfully serve Christ, most clearly receive grace an hundredfold in this, while for His name's sake they are honoured by the greatest princes, and though they do not look for the praise of men, yet become venerated in the trials of persecution whose humble condition would perhaps have been looked down upon even by common folk, either because of their obscure birth, or because of their condition as slaves, if they had continued in their life in the world? But because of the service of Christ no one will venture to raise a calumny against their state of nobility, or to fling in their teeth the obscurity of their origin. Nay rather, through the very opprobrium of a humble condition by which others are shamed and confounded, the servants of Christ are more splendidly ennobled, as we can clearly show by the case of Abbot John who lives in the desert which borders on the town of Lycus. For he sprang from obscure parents, but owing to the name of Christ has become so well known to almost all mankind that the very lords of creation, who hold the reins of this world and of empire, and are a terror to all powers and kings, venerate him as their lord, and from distant countries seek his advice, and entrust to his prayers and merits the crown of their empire, and the state of safety, and the fortunes of war.23592359 Cf. the note on the Institutes IV. xxiii.
In such terms the blessed Abraham discoursed on the origin of and remedy for our illusion, and exposed to our eyes the crafty thoughts which the devil had originated and suggested, and kindled in us the desire of true mortification, wherewith we hope that many also may be inflamed, even though all these things have been written in a somewhat simple style. For though the dying embers of our words cover up the glowing thoughts of the greatest fathers, yet we hope that in the case of very many who try to remove the embers of our words and to fan into a flame the hidden thoughts, their coldness will be turned into heat. But, O holy brethren, I have not indeed been so puffed up by the spirit of presumption as to give forth to you this fire (which the Lord came to send upon the earth, and which He eagerly longs to kindle23602360 Cf. S. Luke xii. 49.) in order that by the application of this warmth I might set on fire your purpose which is already at a white heat, but in order that your authority with your children might be greater, if in addition the precepts of the greatest and most ancient fathers support what you are teaching not by the dead sound of words but by your living example. It only remains that I who have been till now tossed about by a most dangerous tempest, should be wafted to the safe harbour of silence by the spiritual gales of your prayers.
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Regular price
Designed with style and versatility in mind, the Bowery is your camera bag one minute and camera insert the next. Use the Bowery with the strap attached to carry your camera, a lens and a few small personal items. Remove the detachable strap and the Bowery functions as a protective camera insert and bag organizer inside of a larger bag. The Bowery is padded with closed cell foam, designed with top-quality water-resistant waxed canvas and detailed with full-grain leather, antique brass hardware, and a secure front closure.
Dimensions (External) 10.5″ x 7″ x 4″
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Weight 1.4 pounds


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Doctors say they are "optimistic" about her chances of recovery, but the prognosis for the first 24 hours is guarded following surgery to save the life of a firm friend of Israel, U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. The Jewish lawmaker was shot in the head by a 22-year-old gunman with a pistol at point-blank range Saturday afternoon local time. He was wrestled to the ground by witnesses at the scene and taken into custody.
According to the Associated Press, the gunman was identified as Jared Loughner. He raced up and began shooting as the 40-year-old Arizona Democrat was addressing her constituents at a "Congress on Your Corner" event held at a local supermarket in Tucson.
At least five people were killed in the rampage, AP reported, including a federal judge and an aide to the Congresswoman. Several of her staff were among the wounded as well.
A doctor at the University Medical Center told reporters that one of the victims, a nine-year-old child, had died. Five others, including Giffords, were out of surgery and were listed in critical condition but holding their own; Giffords, he said, was responding to commands. Another five victims were undergoing surgery.
Giffords, who is in her third term in office, was airlifted to a local hospital immediately following the shooting. She is married to astronaut Mark Kelly.
President Barack Obama called the shooting "an unspeakable tragedy" and said that such "a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society."
Giffords once began an op-ed piece for the Arizona Jewish Post with a proud recital of her family roots, explaining that she is the grandchild of Akiba Hornstein, who was "the son of a Lithuanian rabbi." Her grandfather changed his name, she said, as did so many others who came to United States, to Giff Giffords "for reasons of anti-Semitism." More than 50 years later, "like my grandmother, I am a lifetime member of Hadassah and now a member of Congregation Chaverim," she wrote.
The Congresswoman supports direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, believing that "peace between Israel and her neighbors can only be achieved by direct talks between the parties. Until the Palestinian leadership and other hostile regimes are willing to accept Israel's right to exist, it will be impossible to achieve peace," she wrote in 2006. "I believe that the United States can help by providing a mediator who can be trusted by both sides… "
During her tenure in the Arizona State Senate, Giffords had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem. "It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life," she said.
"I got to see firsthand the sacrifices that Israelis make in the name of security because of the dangerous state of affairs there. I will always be a strong supporter of Israel."
Source material can be found at this site.


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Creeplinn – story beyond murder
Hello and welcome in texture practice tutorial. In this tutorial we will make and illustration, quite a creepy one. Moreover
we won't use Wacom for painting, so ever mouse users will be able to do something like this. So as a theme for this
illustration we will take Silent hill video game series. For those who have played the series will understand the final
result better, for those who hadn't, visit some game series sites. This will help you to understand the color gamma, I've
chosen and texture process better. So, enough talking, let's stat creating.
Pick a document. I've chosen almost wide format, only vertically, with 150 DPI.
So in several next stages we will be making texture. The way I like to do it, I will create 3 separate layers and use high
definition big radius brushes. So follow me on the screenshots.
3 layers – 3 different brush tips.
Brush download link: TexturizeSetBrushes.abr.
The top layer I set to hard light and opacity jitter is set to about 80%.
So, next step is: coloring this entire grayscale pattern. We will color each layer separately using layer styles – color
overlay. So here are my colors starting from the bottom layer.
Here is my result and current thought. And my current thought is: here you can see the most lightened parts of the image so
why don't we use them as the natural lighting to some form we are about to do.
And here is the method we are about to use. Create a new layer and fill it completely with black.
Next step: create a mask to this black fill layer. See my mask and gradient unmask settings.
I've unmasked some parts on the black fill layer so we can see the picture there.
Flip the image:
Now look at it closely and imagine if it's a face (and it is) where the most important elements should be. I mean the eyes,
the nose and the mouth.
So I think the eye will be right here.
I'll also create some additional details like some stitches.
The teeth: here I will use my wacom G4.
And some text there because it seems to me that it would be a great horror book cover.
So this is it for Silent hill tribute: A great game with great characters and story. I remember that I was really scared when
playing this game back then. Thank you if you liked this one. I just hope you found something useful from this tutorial even
if it not shiny and has no glow like effects.
And remember to practice a lot, to try different mediums and to grow professionally.


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Learn About the Law
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This is an appeal from a decree of the court of appeals of the District of Columbia, affirming a decree of the supreme court of the District construing a will. 26 App. D. C. 209. The bill was filed by the executor of the will of Annie E. I. Andrews, who was a resident of the District at the time of her death, and whose will was there duly admitted to probate March 28, 1904. The supreme court held that all disputed provisions of the will were valid, and entered a decree to that effect, which was affirmed by the court of appeals, on an appeal taken by these appellants separately from the other parties defendant, by leave of the supreme court of the District. All necessary persons were made party to the suit. The deceased left an estate of about $10,000, of which $3,000 consisted of real estate in the city of Washington.
The disputed portions of the will are clauses 1, 10, and 12, and they are set forth in the margin. [204 U.S. 478, 479] J. Howard Iglehart, the executor, is the son of a deceased brother of the testatrix (mentioned in the first clause of the will), and the two appellants are, respectively, her brother and sister.
The executor, in his bill, alleged his readiness to distribute the estate as directed by the will, but he said that some of the heirs at law disputed the validity of some of its provisions, and hence his appeal to the court for a construction of those clauses.
The grounds of the dispute are stated to be that the trusts created in the 1st and 12th clauses of the will are void, as in violation of the statute of the District of Columbia prohibiting perpetuities and restraints upon alienation. D. C. Code, 1023 [31 Stat. at L. 1351, chap. 854]. The devise of the real estate is alleged to be void on that ground, as is also the residuary bequest to the cemetery company, while the direction to erect a monu- [204 U.S. 478, 480] ment, as provided in 10 of the will, it is alleged, must fall with the destruction of the trust, as it is part of the general scheme of the will, and is inseparable from the trust provisions. The executor submitted the questions to the court and did not appeal from the original decree nor from the decree of affirmance by the court of appeals, and he now asks that this court should make proper provision for his protection and that of the estate, in regard to the costs involved by the contention between the defendant and the appellants.
Messrs. Noel W. Barksdale and Andrew Wilson for appellants.
[204 U.S. 478, 482] Messrs. Hugh B. Rowland, Walter V. R. Berry, Benjamin S. Minor, and Charles H. Stanley for appellee.
Statement by Mr. Justice Peckham: [204 U.S. 478, 483]
Mr. Justice Peckham, after making the foregoing statement, delivered the opinion of the court:
The first inquiry is in regard to the law existing in the District of Columbia upon the subject of trusts of this nature. There are two sections of the Code of the District of Columbia ( 669 and 1023 [31 Stat. at L. 1295 and 1351, chap. 854]) which are involved in the question before us. Section 669 (subchapter 6, relating to 'Cemetery Associations,' of chapter 18, relating to 'Corporations') provides in substance that it shall be lawful for cemetery associations incorporated under the laws of the District to [204 U.S. 478, 484] take and hold any grant, etc., upon trust, to apply the income thereof under the direction of the association for the embellishment, preservation, renewal, or repair of any cemetery lot or any tomb or monument or other structure thereon, according to the terms of such grant, and the supreme court of the District is given the power and jurisdiction to compel the due performance of such trusts, or any of them, upon a bill filed by the proprietor of any lot in such cemetery for that purpose. Section 1023 ( subchapter 1 of chapter 24, relating to 'Estates') provides that, except in the case of gifts or devises to charitable uses, every ruture estate, whether of freehold or leasehold, whether by way of remainder or without a precedent estate, and whether vested or contingent, shall be void in its creation, which suspends the absolute power of alienation of the property, so that there shall be no person or persons in being by whom an absolute fee in the same, in possession, can be conveyed, for a longer period than during the continuance of not more than one or more lives in being and twenty-one years thereafter. The provisions of the section are (at the end of the subchapter) made applicable to personal property generally, except where, from the nature of the property, they are inapplicable.
The appellants assert that 669 is nullified by 1023. They urge that the last section, being the last expression of the legislative will, and being inconsistent with 669, the last section must prevail. This although 669 makes special provision in regard to trusts of this nature and permits their creation, yet, because the latter section does not in terms make exception of the trusts provided for in the earlier section, these trusts, it is urged, are thereby prohibited.
This is not a case for the application of that doctrine, which is, in any event, very seldom applicable. The true rule is to harmonize the whole Code, if possible, and to that end the letter of any particular section may sometimes be disregarded in order to accomplish the plain intention of the legislature. [204 U.S. 478, 485] Effect must be given to all the language employed, and inconsistent expressions are to be harmonized to reach the real intent of the legislature. Petri v. Commercial Nat. Bank, 142 U.S. 644, 650 , 35 S. L. ed. 1144, 1146, 12 Sup. Ct. Rep. 325; Bernier v. Bernier, 147 U.S. 242, 246 , 37 S. L. ed. 152, 154, 13 Sup. Ct. Rep. 244; Groff v. Miller, 20 App. D. C. 353, 357. These two sections can be easily harmonized, and the undoubted intention of the legislature be thus carried out, by considering the latter section as applying to cases other than those specially provided for in 669. That section must be regarded as in full force.
Assuming, however, that the section is not affected by 1023,-it is then contended by the appellants that 669 does not apply to this case, and that the trusts are not valid as a gift or devise to a charitable use within the exception mentioned in 1023. It may be assumed for the purposes of this case that the gifts contained in the 1st and 12th clauses of the will do not constitute a valid trust for a charitable use (Jones v. Habersham, 107 U.S. 174, 183 , 27 S. L. ed. 401, 405, 2 Sup. Ct. Rep. 336), and that those clauses would be illegal if dependent upon the exception mentioned in that section. But the earlier section is referred to for the purpose of ascertaining the policy of Congress within the District upon the general subject of trusts for the perpetual maintenance of cemetery lots, and of monuments and other structures erected thereon.
That policy, as indicated in the section, permits in the Distict exactly what is provided for in this will,-namely, a trust to a cemetery ( incorporated) association for the maintenance of a lot and a monument in perpetual good order and condition.
The law in New York in regard to Greenwood cemetery permits the same kind of a trust. Section 6 of chapter 156 of the Laws of New York for 1839, passed April 11, 1839. The law of the District of Columbia, where the testatrix died and where the property was situated, and the law of the state of New York, where the moneys are to be applied by a corporation created by the laws of that state, concur in per- [204 U.S. 478, 486] mitting such trusts as are created in this will, and, under those circumstances, such a trust will be permitted by the courts of the District to be carried out in the state of New York, although the testatrix was domiciled in the District at the time of her death, and the funds to be applied to such trust arise from property owned by her in the District at that time.
This is in pursuance of the general comity existing between the states of the Union, and under that the cemetery association can take and hold the property for the purposes mentioned in the will, which are permitted both by the law of the District of Columbia and the law of the state of New York.
But it is contended that the law of the District prohibits the creation of such trusts and refuses to permit them to be carried out within that District, and that there is no rule of comity which obtains in such case by which these trusts might be held valid when affecting property within the District owned by a testator residing therein at the time of his death, even though the party to carry out the terms is a foreign corporation and the trusts are to be carried out in another state. This claim is made upon the assertion that 669 of the Code, even if in force at all, refers only to domestic associations, and that foreign corporations, not being within the exception, receive no power from that section, and cannot take or hold property situated in the District upon these trusts.
It may be that 669 referred only to domestic corporations when the power was therein granted them to take such gifts upon the trusts mentioned, and carry them out in the District. The section is cited, as has been already mentione, for the purpose of determining the general policy of Congress in relation to this class of trusts, and whether, under the law, trusts similar to those under discussion are permitted in the District. If so, then the result follows from the rule of comity already stated, that a trust of that nature, permitted in the District, will not be interfered with when it is to be operative in a foreign state whose laws also permit it. The [204 U.S. 478, 487] statute is not relied upon as a direct grant to a foreign corporation of the right to carry out a trust in a foreign state regarding property situated in the District and owned at the time of his death by a resident therein. If the statute granted such a right, of course there would be no question of its validity, nor would there be any in regard to comity.
Trusts of the same kind, although to be carried out in a foreign state by a foreign corporation in regard to property within the District, cannot be said to violate any policy or statute of the District, so long as the statute permits therein grants on similar trusts, although to its own corporations. The prohibition of 1023 would not extend to such a trust so provided for.
Ever since the case of Bank of Augusta v. Earle, 13 Pet. 519, 10 L. ed. 274, this doctrine of comity between states in relation to corporations has been steadily maintained, and it has been recognized by this court in many instances. See, specially, Cowell v. Colorado Springs Co. 100 U.S. 55 , 25 L. ed. 547; American & F. Christian Union v. Yount, 101 U.S. 352 , 25 L. ed. 888. These cases cover, as we think, the principle involved herein.
In the opinion delivered in the court of appeals it was well said that 'it cannot be successfully contended that something which the District of Columbia permits to its own corporations is so far against its public policy that it will not permit persons domiciled within its territory to devise their property to be used for the same purpose by a foreign corporation authorized by its own charter to receive and administer such bequests.' [26 App. D. C. 216.] In our opinion the 1st and 12th clauses of the will are valid.
The objection to the 10th clause is based upon the assumption that the 1st and 12th clauses are invalid, and that the 10th clause is so interwoven with the 1st and 12th clauses that, if they are pronounced void, the whole scheme of the will falls, and the 10th clause goes down with it. Holding the 1st and 12th clauses valid, the contention in regard to the 10th clause also fails. [204 U.S. 478, 488] The appellee also urges that, by reason of the direction contained in the will to sell the real estate, it thereby became constructively converted into personalty at the time of the testatrix's death, and that, regarding it as personalty, the trusts created are still less open to any objection set up by the appellants. Although the provisions of the subchapter containing 1023 apply to personal property generally, as well as to real estate, except where, from the nature of the property, they are inapplicable, yet, when it is seen that, even in regard to real estate granted to a domestic corporation for the purposes mentioned in this will, a perpetuity may be created, it seems to be still plainer, if possible, that it would not be against the policy of the District, as evidenced by the statute, to affirm the legality of a trust of this kind in relation to personal property which is to be sold and the proceeds taken to another state by a foreign corporation for the purpose of administration in that state. In any aspect in which we can view the case, we think the disputed provisions of the will are valid.
In regard to costs, the courts below have charged the appellants with costs, and we think the same rule should obtain here. The executor may apply to the Supreme Court for such allowance out of the fund as it may think is, under all the circumstances, proper.
Judgment affirmed.
Tenth. It is my will, and I order and direct, that $5,000 be raised out of my estate, to be expended in erecting a suitable monument at the grave of my dearly beloved husband, E. L. Andrews, in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
Twelfth. It is my will, and I order and direct, that all the rest and residue of my estate, real, personal, and mixed, wheresoever it may be found, and of whatsoever it may consist, shall be converted into cash, and said cash invested in United States securities, the interest and income from such securities shall be used by the said Greenwood Cemetery Company, of Brooklyn, New York, as trustees, in addition to and together with the trust fund hereinbefore mentioned in clause 1 of this my last will, for the purposes and to the benefit of beautifying and keeping the aforesaid Andrews cemetery-lot in perpetual good order and condition.
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Installing a Custom Firmware on your PSP Go has never been so easy. In this page I'm describing the easiest possible way for you to install the most reliable Custom Firmware on your PSP: Pro CFW.
Installing Pro CFW on your PSPGo is simple, free, and is not much risky than installing a Firmware update on your device. It does not require any advanced hack technique or hardware modification. There's basically 3 easy steps (you were expecting more? Sorry to disappoint):
1. Download the necessary files
- PSP Official Firmware 6.60 (Important note the download link for the PSP Go is different than that of other models, take the right one!)
- Pro CFW (latest version)
2. Update your PSP To firmware 6.60
Skip this step if you already have Firmware 6.60 installed on your PSP.
In order to install Pro CFW on your PSP, you will need to first update your PSP to the 6.60 Sony firmware (which, at the time of this writing, is the latest firmware released by Sony), if that's not already the case. There are versions of Pro CFW that will run on older firmwares, but updating to 6.60 will guarantee the best compatibility for your official games.
To install the 6.60 Firmware, just unzip the archive on your PSP's memory stick, in the "PSP" folder (you should end up with an "UPDATE" folder in the PSP folder, if you do things correctly), then run the update from your PSP menu.
Trouble upgrading? Ask for help on our forums
3. Install Pro CFW
The Pro CFW archive provides several subfolders in the "PSP/GAME" folder. Two of them are interesting for us: the FastRecovery and the PROUPDATE folders. Those two need to be extracted to the PSP/GAME folder on your memory stick.
Assuming you extracted the files correctly, you will see a few new applications in your PSP's Game menu. The one you will want to run in order to install Pro CFW is "Pro Update". Just run it.
That's it. You can erase the "ProUpdate" folder from your PSP, but keep the "FastRecovery" one.
That's it, I said 3 steps 🙂 Welcome to the world of Custom Firmwares. There's no additional step required to install the Pro CFW. However, every time you reboot your console, you will have to reactivate ProCFW, which is done by running the Fast Recovery tool from your PSP's Game menu, and takes literally 5 seconds.


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~Marsha Ward @MarshaWard
Ten Rules for Writers
1 Never open a book with weather. If it's only to create atmosphere, and not a character's reaction to the weather, you don't want to go on too long. The reader is apt to leaf ahead looking for people. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways than an Eskimo to describe ice and snow in his book Arctic Dreams, you can do all the weather reporting you want.
2 Avoid prologues: they can be annoying, especially a prologue following an introduction that comes after a foreword. But these are ordinarily found in non-fiction. A prologue in a novel is back story, and you can drop it in anywhere you want. There is a prologue in John Steinbeck's Sweet Thursday, but it's OK because a character in the book makes the point of what my rules are all about. He says: "I like a lot of talk in a book and I don't like to have nobody tell me what the guy that's talking looks like. I want to figure out what he looks like from the way he talks."
3 Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But "said" is far less intrusive than "grumbled", "gasped", "cautioned", "lied". I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she asseverated" and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.
4 Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said" ... he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances "full of rape and adverbs".
5 Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. If you have the knack of playing with exclaimers the way Tom Wolfe does, you can throw them in by the handful.
6 Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose". This rule doesn't require an explanation. I have noticed that writers who use "suddenly" tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation points.
7 Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly. Once you start spelling words in dialogue phonetically and loading the page with apostrophes, you won't be able to stop. Notice the way Annie Proulx captures the flavour of Wyoming voices in her book of short stories Close Range.
8 Avoid detailed descriptions of characters, which Steinbeck covered. In Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants", what do the "American and the girl with him" look like? "She had taken off her hat and put it on the table." That's the only reference to a physical description in the story.
9 Don't go into great detail describing places and things, unless you're Margaret Atwood and can paint scenes with language. You don't want descriptions that bring the action, the flow of the story, to a standstill.
10 Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. Think of what you skip reading a novel: thick paragraphs of prose you can see have too many words in them.
Great advice, Mr. Leonard. I'll keep it in mind as I tackle the beginning of another novel.


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The higher up in the organization you get, the less likely you'll receive constructive feedback on your ideas, performance, or strategy. No one wants to offend the boss, right? But without input, your development will suffer, you may become isolated, and you're likely to miss out on hearing some great ideas. So, what can you do to get people to tell you what you may not want to hear?
What the Experts Say
Most people have good reasons for keeping their opinions from higher ups. "People with formal power can affect our fate in many ways — they can withhold critical resources, they can give us negative evaluations and hold us back from promotions, and they can even potentially fire us or have us fired," says James Detert, associate professor at the Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and author of the Harvard Business Review articles "Debunking Four Myths About Employee Silence" and "Why Employees Are Afraid to Speak". The more senior you become, the more likely you are to trigger this fear. "The major reason people don't give the boss feedback is they're worried that the boss will retaliate because they know that most of us have trouble accepting negative feedback," says Linda Hill, the Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and coauthor of Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader. While you may be tempted to enjoy this deference, the silence will not help you, your organization or your career.
Acknowledge the fear
As the boss, you have to set the stage so people feel comfortable, says Hill. You need to break through their fear. Detert suggests being explicit. Tell them that you know everyone makes mistakes, including you, and that they should call out those errors without feeling embarrassed or threatened. Explain that you need their feedback to learn.
At the same time, you should recognize how hard it might be to hear this tough feedback. "It's human to feel bad when people criticize and no matter how senior you become, you're still human," Hill says. Still, you can't let that anxiety hold you back.
Ask for it, constantly
Ask for feedback on a regular basis, not just at review time. "You need to be the one who is actively collecting and soliciting information all the time," says Hill. You can say something like, "I know that these are the goals that we set together. What can I do to help you achieve those goals?" You shouldn't assume your team members will be upfront the first time you ask. "You have to do it for awhile and then the information will flow and you can ask more pointed questions," says Hill.
Request examples
In the same way that you want to give concrete examples when giving feedback, you should also request them when you are receiving it. When someone tells you, "You run our team meetings really well," or "You don't delegate enough," follow up by asking for an example. This allows you to better understand the feedback and ensures that what you're hearing is true. "I tend to think the more people can back up their assertions and input with concrete examples or numbers, the more it's probably honest," says Detert.
Read between the lines
Of course, you may not get honest feedback all the time. But it's your job to figure out what problems people are trying to help you identify. You may need to triangulate between several points of feedback. Hill suggests, for example, that you ask five or six people the same question. "You're trying to collect the data so you can you go back and put the story together about the impact you're having," she says. Detert agrees about casting a wide net: "If nothing else, it'll help you figure out whether there are gaps and inconsistencies in what you're hearing, and what you might need to do about it."
Act on it
If someone is brave enough to give you input, recognize it. "People hate feeling that speaking up was a complete waste of time," says Detert. "You have to actually thank people for doing it, and other employees have to see those people get promoted rather than fired or shunned." Show everyone that you receive feedback well and can change your behavior as a result. These examples will turn into "urban legends," encouraging more people to give you constructive feedback.
Find a few trusted people
If you suspect that most people in your organization aren't going to be honest with you, or feedback is just not part of the culture, Detert suggests finding one or two people you trust to tell you the truth. It could be someone on your team, a peer, a mentor, or a coach. Whoever it is, be sure he or she has access to the right data and is able to talk to the people who interact with you on a daily basis. Don't just turn to confidants who will tell you what you want to hear.
Start anonymously
It can be hard to get people to open up. One way to get around this is by doing a 360-degree review or using a coach to gather feedback anonymously. But then you should respond to it. According to Hill, if you talk openly about what you've learned it sends a signal that you're open to hearing criticism. "Once you've done that, people are more comfortable telling you to your face," says Hill. She shares the example of Vineet Nayar, the CEO of HCL Technologies, who posted his own 360-degree feedback on the company intranet and encouraged his senior team to do the same. It was a bold move, says Hill, but the result was that people felt much more comfortable giving Nayar feedback directly when they knew he took it seriously.
Principles to Remember
- Always say thank you and explain how you'll respond to the feedback you've heard
- Turn to a few people you trust who can tell you what others really think about your performance and ideas
- If you think people won't open up, start by gathering feedback anonymously to show them you're receptive
- Wait for review time to ask for input
- Assume you are going to get 100% honest feedback, especially at first
- Rely on one source for feedback — triangulate between several points of data
Case Study #1: Find a champion on your staff
Michael Green, the founder and executive director of the Center for Environmental Health, knows that it's tough for his team — 23 full-time employees and another handful of interns — to give him candid feedback. "When I founded the organization 16 years ago, one of my board members told me that I needed to be aware of my privilege and position of power," he says. Since he knows that people take a risk whenever they do give him input, he is sure to respond appropriately. "Whenever possible, you have to do what they ask to prove that you're listening. You need to develop relationships with people so they know they can tell you the truth without getting anyone in trouble," he says.
He also takes every opportunity he can to tell his staff that he's open to feedback. In meetings, he regularly says, "If there's anyone who wants to talk with me about this offline, please do. You can also talk to Charlie about it." Michael relies on Charlie, the organization's associate director, to be candid with him and to serve as a sounding board for the staff. Michael knows that wouldn't work if employees perceived Charlie as "Michael's guy." Rather, the team sees him as an impartial leader who will give Michael their feedback, without naming names, and keep things to himself when it's appropriate. "They trust his judgment to know what to tell me. And I'm sure he doesn't tell me everything," Michael says.
He also says he encourages feedback by giving it. "There's nobody you can't find praise for, even an underperformer," he says. "When they get regular, positive feedback they feel like they are part of a team and they are willing to tell you more."
Case Study #2: Make feedback fun
Sunita Malhotra, the managing director of People Insights, a coaching and consulting firm based in Belgium, has earned the nickname "feedback monster." Thanks to a formative experience in her teens (a friend told her that her tone of voice was too sharp), she now goes out of her way to solicit opinions from colleagues and subordinates. "If someone doesn't tell you, you don't know," she explains. At first, she thought it would be easy. "I just thought people would walk into my office and tell me what they thought," she says. But she discovered that, as a boss seeking feedback, she needed to be quite deliberate. As head of human resources for the European division of a global company overseeing 7,500 people, she made three promises to anyone who joined her team:
- She would always give positive and constructive feedback.
- She always wanted feedback.
- They would all try to have fun.
Sunita also solicited feedback in all her meetings. Whether they were one-on-ones with her 20 direct reports, larger staff meetings, or sessions with internal customers, there were always five minutes set aside on the agenda to gather input. "My aim was to create a feedback culture," she says. And it worked. Eventually, people stopped waiting for the designated time in the meetings and gave her input in real time. For those who were more hesitant, she used humor. Each person on her team was given a set of green, yellow and red cards — to reward or penalize behavior as a referee would in a soccer match. For example, if someone was listening well in a team meeting, a colleague lays a green card on the table and explains why. Similarly, if someone interrupted a co-worker, a third person would call out the behavior with a red card. Sunita made it clear she expected to get as many yellow and red cards as she deserved.