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Discussion in 'Gaming' started by TheGodBen, Oct 23, 2010.
I agree on the official forums. I rather lurk on Reddit, myself.
There's a thread about a Minecraft fan-made strategy game, but it appears to have been buried. And there is so much flaming there that I'm surprised my computer didn't catch fire.
I'm just hoping Minecraft gets a really good official mod system. There is so much potential for extending the game beyond what the developers will do.
Oh come on. 4chan isn't that bad.
I probably will use it to blow up a mountain at some point.
Not just to blow it up, but in my previous world, I was trying to remove a large mountain for landscaping purposes and having TNT came in handy, it's quite a bit faster than using pickaxes.
Besides, killing creepers is fun.
X (from X's Adventures in Minecraft) recently posted a long blog post about what he thinks Minecraft is missing, and he makes a few interesting points, but what struck me were his comments on the Nether:
This made me wonder, do you guys struggle with the Nether? Because I have a working portal network set up and I haven't yet died in there. I admit that I set it to peaceful when fixing the glitched portals so that they work the way they're supposed to (Notch, be a dear and fix that at some point) but everything else I've done in the Nether has been legit, including a sky-bridge across a cavern that I built while two ghasts were attacking me. Even that wasn't so hard because I was building it from cobblestone and ghasts can't destroy cobblestone.
I just find it odd because he spends most of the post complaining that the game needs more of a challenge to it, but in the part of the game that's a bit more challenging than the rest, he complains that it needs to be made easier.
Anyway, I've upgraded Mount Vulcan with some rooms, a dock, a rail-station and a much more impressive lava-flow. I am now ready to begin work on the final section of my rail/path/tunnel network to Bartlet cove, completing a 6-month old project.
I like the minecraft-videos X made, but I do think that he wants Minecraft to be something totally different than it is. He says that he is bored with the game, and all new stuff doesn't really matter as long as the game is what it is.
The problem is that the game is a sandbox-game, and will probably be so even if there's a few small things like achivements och stuff added just for flavour.
I get the feeling that X want to explore and stuff. Not build.
I'm a crappy builder. Therefore I like the building-videos. Coe is the favourite of course. MyGamersInsanity is also quite good, and he must have one of the longest LP:s out therer (he began when you still started in that house and had choices about how the world should be generated).
The ones I watch for exploration and fun is Guude, Jsano and MyselfOverwhelmed.
Guude doesn't build as much but he's funnier. MyselfOw
I would say that the Nether is an extremely dicey prospect for more novice players. First, you have to acquire obsidian, and players who don't know the tricks for creating it artificially will be stuck until they get some diamond on their hands.
Then, once they get to the Nether, they'll be dodging fireballs from Ghasts all over the place. It's not a region I've been interested in building in, either. While it can be visually impressive, there's a "sameness" about it that makes its vistas less interesting overall than the surface world.
I think the Nether is too tough to be used in any practical way by more novice players unless they go Peaceful. The difficulty slider in this game doesn't really work, as far as I'm concerned. You have Peaceful, and then varying degrees of Hard.
In the spirit of Minecraft, I'd still love it if the game gave you a lot of fine-tuning options. Let you spawn worlds using various sliders, pick which mobs you want to spawn and how often, change the game rules, etc. etc. Imagine having a checkbox that allows monsters to spawn in daylight and not have them burn to death. You could have options to make the game harder or easier--depending on your preference.
That's kind of my main beef with the game. It's very open-ended as to what you can build and how you explore, but that sort of freedom is sorely lacking on the game mechanics side.
I love building, which is one of the reasons why I love this game, but I do enjoy exploring as well and I agree with X that it would be cool if there were more things to explore in the world. One of my favourite memories of the game was the time I went on a 6-day boat-trip to try and circumnavigate my island (and subsequently realised I wasn't on an island and had to turn back ). I'd love to be able to go on an adventure like that again, but the only thing I can explore at this point that I haven't experienced before would be a desert biome and that wouldn't be much different than the large beach I started out on.
A system like Spore, where people could upload their creations and the world generator randomly (and rarely) added these structures to the world would be really cool. And Notch has said he wants NPC villages in the game at some point, which I would welcome.
I agree about the sameness of the Nether and I don't build there myself, I just use it as a fast-transit network. But if I, a guy that is scared of going into caves because of spiders and creepers, can successfully transit the Nether with no difficulty, I don't see how a so-called adventurer like X would have any trouble with it. I actually find the Nether to be safer than caves in the main world because ghasts are easy to see and make a lot of noise, unlike ninja creepers that drop down on your head from dark holes in the ceiling.
The nether has almost zero value to me. My main world I created before they added it, and I've got a massive rail network going on for transport. Building in the nether never appealed as it looks bland against trees. Assuming I'm starting a new world, then maybe I build a transport network there but no reason to live there or run about for anything more than gathering.
As for difficulty levels, I play on peaceful. The combat is easy and un-fun, random creepers blowing stuff up isn't fun, waiting for zombies to burn each morning while I wait isn't fun. There's zero value in having monsters turned on. If I want to fight monsters, then I'm playing a different game. Building is what I'm here for, not bad and basically annoying combat.
I on the other hand think I would get bored without the monsters. It just adds that extra bit of a challenge. Not to mention goodies like bones, arrows, and dungeons.
As for the Nether, to me its pretty much useless after I've harvested a couple stacks of netherrack and glowdust. Plus its so damn dark I'm afraid to wander far for fear of taking a header off a cliff.
I never could figure out how to do a portal system (not that I do that much long distance travelling anyway).
Otoh, its not THAT hard to survive down there. Just bring lots of torches and cobble and get a wall up around the portal asap.
Minecraft vids? Coe is cool, but I'm also a big fan of Yogscast. They've turned the game into a giant adventure game.
And yeah, I'm with Robert. A screen full of checkboxes so you can customize the game to your hearts content would be great.
I'd love to see random goals that the game would give you, which would be different for everyone else.
The Nether, I've found, actually feels like it needs a considerable boost in difficulty. Just because I was impatient, I created an inventory-edited world separate from my main world and went in to the Nether with only an iron chest plate, an iron sword, an iron pick and a bow with 99 arrows and I was able to survive in the Nether for about two weeks just by ducking the Ghasts, building temporary Netherrack shelters and hunting isolated Pigmen for their tasty bacon. On Hard difficulty, mind you!
It depends on the size of your world. In my world, it takes around 7 minutes to walk from my main base to Mount Vulcan, and whenever I realise that I need some resource that I left behind in my main base, I can just pop into the Nether, collect it and be back at Mount Vulcan in no time. Even the best railway system wouldn't be that fast. It also allows me to connect up outposts that I haven't been able to connect in the main world yet, such as my snow biome outpost.
I wouldn't say that playing with monsters on is a challenge, but it is far more suspenseful. Earlier on, I realised that the future site of my rail-track was going to run near some caves, and I had to explore them and light them up to keep me safe while working on it, and using it. I went into one, which was L-shaped, and after stumbling in I saw a creeper approaching from the darkness of the other branch. I retreated with my sword out, but he was approaching from a higher level and I knew the sword wouldn't be effective, so I pulled out my bow. Or tried to, because I accidentally skipped it and ended up waving my watch in the air. It was one of those weird Minecraft moments where something silly yet terrifying had happened, and I had to struggle to keep calm to get my bow out while he continued to approach me.
I set the game to peaceful on rare occasions if I'm working on big, boring projects that I want to get over with quickly, but turning it off all the time means that I'd miss suspenseful moments like that.
When you create a portal in the main world, sometimes the corresponding location in the Nether is off-limits, either because it's solid rock or a lava lake, so that portal gets moved to the nearest available location. But because one block in the Nether is eight blocks in the main world, if the portal has to be moved 10 blocks in the Nether, when you try to exit the portal it will create a second portal in the main world 80 blocks away from your first one. To fix it, you have to guess the distance between the two portals in the main world, divide that by eight, then move the portal in the Nether by that number of blocks.
It takes a few attempts, and it's really tedious considering how long it takes to mine obsidian, but it's very advantageous if you have a large world.
One day, I plan to enter the Nether with a bed, some basic supplies and just enough obsidian to make another portal, travel in one direction for about an hour, exit the Nether in some newly-generated land, and see how long it takes me to trek home.
Thanks for that Ben. One of these days I'm going to need to cross a vast expanse. Then I'll be set!
Happy to report the airship is nearing completion. I'm currently collecting wool to finish the endcaps on the balloon. But how I'm going to made any sort of engines or propellers is beyond me.
You guys who're using the plain vanilla textures are lucky. I have to deal with embittered, world-weary sheep.
"What the hell do YOU want?"
My world's longest journey by rail is about 9mins (from far to far end), it's pre-biomes so I needed walk for ages to find snowy and sandy areas. It's not all about the time it takes to get somewhere, but the time I need to be active during it. My rail network lets me flick a few leavers and jump in a cart, then I can tab out and come back being exactly where I want to be. Portals require me to run about a bit before I get there adding unneeded hassle (I really dislike hassle).
EDIT: Also, new patch 1.5 just happened at me. Go go download it.
Here's an MCMap crop showing most of the building activity going on with my server lately:
The building with the glass dome on top, I built yesterday. Not sure I'm done tweaking it yet.
I've only explored the city region briefly Robert. Its perty. I think my tree is somewhere just off the upper righthand corner.
Oh and yep, 1.5 is out. I only played a few minutes though as I think I'm going to wait for my texture pack to update as well.
Changes I noticed:
Looks like the 'ladder piece every other block' technique doesn't work anymore. I nearly got trapped down my mineshaft.
Also hostile mob spawning while you sleep seems to have been changed. My formerly safe backup sleeping cave is now a deathtrap.
On the negative side, I don't know if my game is glitching or what, but I just tamed a second wolf, and now I can't get my first one to stand up from sitting.
Were you able to get onto the server with 1.5? I haven't updated it or anything and I know updates frequently break CraftBukkit.
Nope, its busted.
Separate names with a comma.


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With the big kick-off to the 2013 NRL season just a week away, the NRL's director of football operations Nathan McGuirk is already planning ahead for the 2014 draw.
The new billion dollar broadcast deal will see action five nights a week for the first four rounds of the season with games being played on Thursday night – starting with Sydney Roosters hosting South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on March 7.
This is in addition to the dates of the first 20 rounds being fixed for the first time.
McGuirk admits it was a tough task juggling logistical issues and demands from the clubs, the Nine Network and Fox Sports, but is confident the format will work.
"It's our biggest task and this year there was a whole new level of complexity with the rounds being fixed," McGuirk said.
"We have to take into account stadium availability for multi-use venues, the needs of our broadcast partners and certain requests from clubs.
"We then use a computer software program designed by a Canadian company called Optimal Planning, which is also used by the NFL and that creates the draw.
"We are at the early stages of looking to next year already."
The new-look format has presented Melbourne with three games in 12 days in their opening three rounds as they begin their premiership defence at home to St George Illawarra on Sunday March 10.
Craig Bellamy's side then travel to Townsville to face North Queensland six days later, then have a five-day turnaround before a grand final rematch against Canterbury at AAMI Park.
McGuirk admits it's a tough start, but insists the schedule will even itself out across the year.
"We have always maintained that a five-day turnaround is the minimum we give clubs," he said.
"It would simply not be possible to for clubs to play Monday then Thursday for example.
"The draw is not given to the clubs for approval, but we look to accommodate requests to play certain teams and certain times so they maximise their commercial revenue."
McGuirk denied the draw follows the lines of the NFL model, where successful teams' receive a more difficult-looking draw the following year.
This is despite minor premiers Canterbury having to face 2012 top-five finishers the Cowboys, Melbourne, South Sydney and Manly in their first five games.
And in round six they'll face a new-look Sydney Roosters side complete with new signings Michael Jennings and Sonny Bill Williams.
Conversely, The Roosters, who finished 13th last year face the Warriors, Parramatta, Canberra and Brisbane before taking on the Bulldogs.
"We cannot work out the draw in that manner, there are just too many logistical hurdles," McGuirk said.
"We can't predict when we start planning the draw, how strong or weak a team's roster will be when the new season starts.
"The competition is so strong, teams often finish poorly one year and then make the top four the next.
"It's not something we've ever tried to do."

subset: commoncrawl


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Hi Sanghamitta,
Sure, but in reality this seems to happen very rarely.Sanghamitta wrote:That raises two points for me, the first is that as I understand it the difference is that that direct perception of mind in the vajrayana is said to happen after or as a result of initiatory processes by a guru.
It requires a specific kind of Buddha, a Sravakabuddha, to do it properly. A so called "Hearer". A "Hearer" is able to give on a specific energy (a specific mixture of the elements) that helps the reciever of it to a new level of awareness. Tibetan Buddhism is full of "empowerments" and "transmissions" and so on, but to have an actual Hearer seems to be as rare as an Theravadan Arhat.
A Pratyekabuddha is Awakened, too, but it lacks the full mastery of the powers (iddhis) - thus it is unable to transmit the specific energy to someone else. But of course a Pratyekabuddha can still teach in the normal way - just the metaphysical way of teaching is closed to it.
The way of "Hearing" is mentioned in the suttas, too. But many seem to interprete "Hearing Dhamma" as listening to or reading the suttas. I don't know for sure but it seems that the Linage of the Hearers was broken in Theravada some time ago.So the end result may be the same, but the proposed methodology is very different from the Theravada.
Me? I got the impression that most practitioners' priority is going to retreats and getting empowerments - not to practice themselves. This has lead to a version of Guru Yoga I cannot accept.After all if we really believe that there is a "shortened path" whats keeping us here ? I ask this in all sincerity and metta.


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chronomitch wrote:
BruceLee1255 wrote:
I'll be honest: I never got the appeal of Street Fighter 2. I know a lot of people swear by it, but I just hate it. I got soundly clobbered every time I play against anyone, including the computer.
SF2 is quite different from many of its successors and Capcom's other 90s era 2D fighters. SF2 placed a huge emphasis on defense and had a number of characters who were meant to be played that way (E. Honda, Guile, etc). It wasn't until the turbo edition of SF2 that Capcom started moving away from this idiom and started working on more aggressive, combo-heavy fighters like Street Fighter Alpha, Darkstalkers/Vampire, the VS games (Marvel vs Capcom), etc.
Honestly, I appreciate a more defensive gameplay style as evidenced by my choice of characters in Street Fighter (Guile and Honda all the way! Sometimes Zangief). I never developed the fast fingers to combo efficiently in 2d fighters other than the Marvel vs Capcom series, which had stupidly-easy and lenient combo windows.
Plus, charge characters are so much easier to play with an arcade stick than Shotos/Rushdown characters are. (I pretty much have to use a D-pad if I try more aggressive characters) And really, it's just more fun to play a fighter with an arcade stick.


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By the time I found Darren Elkins backstage at Montreal's Bell Centre, it was a little less than an hour before the UFC pay-per-view was set to start.
Elkins had already fought his fight, been seen by the doctor, changed into his street clothes, and was now standing around with a smile so big it almost distracted me from the large cut that snaked down his lumpy forehead before disappearing into his eyebrow.
That's the good part about being in the first fight of the evening. You get in, get your work done, and then head for the hotel bar to celebrate.
The bad part is, even when you dominate for three rounds like Elkins had just done against Steven Siler on the UFC 154 prelims this past weekend, you don't know if anyone saw you. If a punch lands in an empty arena, does it really make a sound?
The unanimous-decision win over Siler was the fourth consecutive victory in the UFC for Elkins, so how did he get stuck jerking the curtain at 6:30 in the evening while other, less accomplished fighters got spots on the FX prelims? I mean, sure, every fighter will tell you that he's just glad to be here, to get to fight for a living in the top organization in the world, but come on, we all know there's a big difference between fighting on Facebook and fighting on FX or pay-per-view. One of those your friends can get together and watch on a big screen. For the other they have to huddle over a laptop.
"When I first saw where we were on the card, I was surprised," Elkins told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I think we were one of the last fights added, so maybe that had something to do with it. But yeah, I was a little disappointed."
Why shouldn't he be? Of all the bouts in his four-fight winning streak, all but one came on the Facebook prelims, which is about as far from prime time as you can get and still be in the UFC. Not that there's anything wrong with the prelims. Some great fighters have started out there. It's just that, if you stay there too long, you risk becoming a prelim fighter. Fans think of you that way, and then it becomes hard for them to think of you any other way.
No one wants that – certainly not Elkins, who has been manhandling fighters ever since dropping to featherweight. In the fight before this one, he mauled "TUF 14" winner Diego Brandao for a unanimous-decision victory. Before that he did the same to the UFC's lone Chinese fighter, Tiequan Zhang. Now he'd did the same to Siler, taking him down at will, beating him bloody on the mat, and nearly finishing him with several chokes. So what's it going to take?
Answering that question is, at least in part, a job for his manager – Audie Attar of Paradigm Sports Management.
"First and foremost, Darren gets himself more attention by winning and winning dominantly," Attar said. "A 4-0 start in the featherweight division is a great start."
At the same time, it's clearly not yet enough. For one thing, there's the lack of finishes. While Elkins seemed close to putting Siler away at several points, he still went to the scorecards for the fourth straight fight. UFC executives love to see fights finished, which sometimes doesn't come naturally to former college wrestlers such as Elkins, who spent two years on the mats at University of Wisconsin-Parkside before becoming a union pipefitter back home in Indiana.
But here's where we get into the other part of the problem for Elkins. You see, pipefitters aren't exactly known as a loquacious bunch. Hard-working, blue-collar types? Sure. Trash-talking quote machines who love the spotlight? Not so much.
"Darren is a down-to-earth, normal guy," Attar said. "He shied away from press in the past, but he loves to fight for the UFC and understands that he needs to reach out to the fans more often, which usually means conducting more interviews. He's gotten more comfortable with the media, and I think he realizes he needs to make himself more available so fans can get to know who he is."
He also needs the same thing every up-and-coming fighter needs: big fights against someone with a big name.
According to Elkins (15-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Attar, they're hoping that someone might be "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung (13-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who's been out of action since May due to shoulder surgery.
"I really want that fight," Elkins said. He even has a date picked out. "I would love to get on that [UFC on FOX 6] Chicago card. Chicago is actually closer to me than Indianapolis. It's only a half-hour away from me. To get to fight there, that close to home, that'd just be awesome."
If he got to fight in front of a friendly crowd and against a name opponent like the "Zombie," it might also be the biggest opportunity of his career, the kind of thing that can vault a guy from the prelims to the main card if he plays his cards right. Elkins sure wouldn't mind that change, even if it means he has to stay up a little later on fight nights. Those Facebook prelims are a fine place to start out, but nobody wants to live there.
For more on UFC on FOX 6, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.


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Writer/artist, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, & Me
Ellen Forney's New York Times bestselling graphic memoir, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, & Me, was named a Best Graphic Memoir of 2012 by The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Publishers Weekly and it has been nominated for a 2013 Eisner Award. She created the Eisner-nominated comic books I Love Led Zeppelin and Monkey Food and collaborated with Sherman Alexie on National Book Award–winning novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. She is the 2012 Stranger Genius Award winner in Literature, teaches comics at Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts, swims and does yoga, and fixes things with rubber bands and paper clips.


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Behind the Scenes of Project Declutter: Part II
The two Woman's Day readers that follow are getting expert advice to solve their biggest organizing issues. For the second installment of this multi-part series, they're tackling their workspaces.
The Project Declutter Pro
Lorie Marrero creator of The Clutter Diet, Spokesperson for Goodwill Industries International and Ambassador for the Donate Movement.
"This isn't Hoarders—both women have very normal amounts of clutter. It should be manageable to organize."
Pam Lyons, Pontiac, IL
"I don't want to sit in here because it's such a mess!" Pam loves scrapbooking—capturing her family's history (going to country music shows with her sisters) and life's highlights (a trip with friends to Italy). What she hates: the mayhem that's taken over her craft room. She works in the living room to avoid facing this space.
She continually gathers scrapbooking mementos (photos, ticket stubs) without a system to manage the inflow.
Her scrapbooking tools are scattered around the room, deterring her from finishing or even starting projects.
Lorie's pro advice
Gain perspective. Pam should take everything out of the room and spread it out in the hallway. That way she can see what supplies she has to store and what furniture actually fits her needs.
Contain that enthusiasm. Pam has to create consistent systems for organizing mementos and more—so she can deal with them when she's truly motivated.
Cut Lawn-Care Costs


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The GEF Regional Project "Implementation of Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing regimes (ABS) in Latin America and the Caribbean, executed by IUCN-Sur, is making a good progress to reinforce capacities on the eight countries which are part of the project.
"The project has already achieved key results", says Arturo Mora, IUCN Project Coordinator and Programme Officer at the Regional Office for South America (IUCN-Sur). From the beginning of the project, on 2011, it has been developed different activities to improve countries' capacities on ABS regimes in the eight participant's countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama and Peru). National workshops and activities were first steps taken by countries to learn and share experiences on effective measures on ABS. Moreover, the project has fulfilled some gaps that created uncertainty between researchers as well as governments, the project carried out virtual forums, training workshops and developed case studies on ABS issues, but also on traditional knowledge.
One of them was the ABS Contracts Negotiation Workshop which gathered 65 participants including government's representatives, intellectual property authorities, regional experts and indigenous and local community's representatives from the LAC Region. It aimed to review the ABS international instruments as an opportunity to implement national ABS frameworks and to familiarize participants with trading instruments and key elements that must be included in any contract.
In parallel, national events were carried out by Alejandro Lago, Director of the UNESCO Cathedra at Rey Juan Carlos University, and other partners in the project. The National Focal Points of the eight countries are also committed on the construction of the international regime for ABS under the instrument known as the "Nagoya Protocol" on ABS.
These activities are coordinated also with UNEP, as implementing agency, and the CBD as members of the Steering Committee of the Project. In addition, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and other key institutions like the Indigenous Women's Biodiversity Network-LAC (IWBN-LAC), DIVERSITAS or the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), among others, are strategic partners for the achievement of the Project's objectives.
Other activities focused on the exchange of experiences through the preparation of case studies. Jorge Cabrera from Costa Rica and Gabriel Nemoga from Colombia worked together to compile good practices and lessons learnt in the Latin American region such as monetary and non-monetary benefits, how to negotiate an ABS contract, the importance of the prior informed consent (PIC) and the mutually agreed terms (MAT) before granting the access, among others.
The upcoming months the project will deliver two key outputs: a Legal framework analysis on ABS issues and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the Analysis of critical issues on ABS in Latin America, including trade, scientific research and traditional knowledge. All this information will be available soon.
Read more information about the project on www.adb.portalces.org
For further information: email@example.com


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I have this little piece of code that gets file size of any http resource:
hConnect = InternetConnect(hInternet, ServerName, INTERNET_DEFAULT_HTTP_PORT, "", "", INTERNET_SERVICE_HTTP, 0, 0);
hReq = HttpOpenRequest(hConnect, "HEAD", ResourceName, NULL, "", (LPCSTR *) types, 0, 0);
HttpSendRequest(hReq, NULL, 0, NULL, 0);
HttpQueryInfo(hReq, HTTP_QUERY_CONTENT_LENGTH, buf, (LPDWORD)&s, 0);
And it works. Usually. Except on this one guy's computer, where HttpSendRequest returns with ERROR_HTTP_INVALID_SERVER_RESPONSE error.
Personally, I think antiviral software jumbles the request somehow (we are both in the same subnet, so network errors are unlikely), but it is not an excuse.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this code work? or a different approach maybe? My gratitude will be enormous =)


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Norma, I have been to the Philadelphia Italian Market many times, but have not gone recently. It is an exceptional market, and I have seen it referred to as one of the finest cultural treasures of our country. I would strongly agree with that. I have to get back down soon. It has been over 5 years. There are several favorites of mine: DiBruno House of Cheese, with fresh, homemade mozarella, homemade ricotta, and an amazing selection of imported cheese and other products. Ralph's Italian Restaurant - I think it may be the oldest family run restaurant in the country or something like that. But the food is great, the service excellent, prices not too bad and the ambiance like old country. I had my wedding reception at Le Bec Fin in Philly, at the time possibly the best restaurant in the country ( 22 years ago ) and had a great time, but my sweetest memories are from Ralph's for a late dinner on my wedding day. Check it out if you get the chance. For the cook, and I know you are a cook thru and thru, Fantes cooking supplies is a fantastic store to walk through. A must see. The bake shops are great, and just a bit away is Termini's bake shop, an old world shop that is a jewel. The Italian breads are marvelous. As far as pizza is concerned in the Italian market, I do not have much to report. I have had some pretty good street slices there but nothing to talk about. I have had your pizza and none at the market was anywhere as good as yours. Good Luck!
Norma,I used to go down quite often in the early 80's and loved it. Some people say it is not the same but I do not know. You should try Termini pastry while you are down there. It is really interesting on the weekend. They used to sometimes have a guy in there playing an accordian for ambiance.http://www.termini.com/Bob


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What else! It's R!!!! Huh!!!!
[Verse One]
Say hello to the prince, money up on the drop on the brinks
Gucci endorsed, colors on the links
Orange, white and damn it even pink
Y'all think, I wouldn't need to ball
I wasn't gonna ball this year all star
Dipped in the best, double R Phantom
All black affair except we like the Mannings
That's moves, can't lose, cash rules
What's good you cowards is soft cat food (What else?)
You fools lost damn you
Wasn't in shape, didn't have a handle
The plaques on the wall next to the plasma
I be the +Baker+ they caught in the +Rapture+
Dope dope boy never ever been a rapper
But I put them things together no plaster (Wha-lah!)
More paper than the Mizell room
I'm a have these haters sick lookin pale soon
Been a drought 'bout two years strong
Nobody got it your boy is still long
It's still movin ahhh it's still movin
Smokey, Robinson I'm still +Cruisin+
In the new V, yeah who he?
Ah oooh wee I'm rich from Pookie
And I do it so easy, I make it look so easy
And I do it so easy, I make it look so easy
[Verse Two]
I could earl on a beat
Slick talk a chick, put your girl in the street
Make her work for free, in turn for a G
Listen closely, you could learn from a G
Ball hard like the Boston Celtics
They gon' celebrate me when I'm gone like Elvis
I stack money in blocks like Tetris
Bubble like the '93 Lexus
Huh, I own stocks in serious, I'm serious
So +Raw+, I'm Eddie Murphy +Delirious+
Bad Boy, like whatever P. Diddy is
I must say, I'm quite good at this, period
Jay Hov' said he might buy Koch
Smart move, now he could get with the Co-Op (that's me)
Now you could get the raw, the coke rock
Westside highway, be where the boat dock
And I do it so easy, I make it look so easy
And I do it so easy, I make it look so easy
Transitional power, New Years Day!
Welcome to the wonderful world of Shakedown
'09, it's a new year, it's a new day
Believe dat...damn!
Damn! Huh!


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Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, June 10, 2013, 11:56 AM
Town Square
Menlo Park City School District voters may be asked to approve $23 million bond measure
Original post made on Jun 10, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, June 10, 2013, 11:56 AM
Comments (14)
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 10, 2013 at 12:17 pm
What's the real cost of the $23 million bond. How many years to pay it off? What kind of bond? If it's a Capital Appreciation Bond, like the other recent bonds still outstanding for the district, then it will be 40 plus years and at least a $100 million cost to us.
This would bring our debt service for just three of the district's bonds up to $250,000,000 (one-quarter of a BILLION dollars).
It's all in the details.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Jun 10, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
" debt service for just three of the district's bonds up to $250,000,000"
WOW! How many tax payers in the district? What is the per taxpayer debt responsibility?
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 10, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Interesting. It seems to be that the overwhelming majority of parents and staff wanted O'Connor to be a K-5 school. Where is this "staff recommendation" coming from? Is it another Ghysels/School Board sham where they go around and "listen" to everyone only to do whatever they had wanted in the first place?
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:09 pm
It would be nice if at least one year would go by without one of the school districts asking for more money. While education is an essential service, there ought to be a better way to fund the systems.
One-quarter of a BILLION dollars -- really?!
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:21 pm
From the LA Times Nov 29, 2012
Risky bonds tie schools to huge debt
The article
Web Link
The chart - see page 3
Web Link
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:34 pm
CABs are secured by an unlimited ad valorem tax pledge levied against all taxable property. The CABs shift the debt burden to future taxpayers.
The current school board and administration don't care because they'll be long gone and dead when the proverbial "s..t" hits the fan.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Has anyone tallied up the cost of renovations to Hillview, from 1995 to 2010, which have been torn down for the "new" campus? Not just the construction costs but the bond amounts and their debt service. I'm sure it's a shocking figure of waste and mismanagement (and broken promises to the neighbors and taxpayers).
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Jun 11, 2013 at 6:01 am
Menlo park already has $38million in principal owed on school bonds, with $150m long term obligation over 32-35 YEARS.
The state is considering rules to limit use of these long-term bonds because anything over 20 years is irresponsible and risky.
Another $23m bond measure would result in additional $90-100m owed by current and future property owners. TOO MUCH.
The cost to each of Menlo Parks 12,000 households would be up to $20,800 EACH. The current obligation of the existing bonds is around $12,000 each household.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 11, 2013 at 10:29 am
If you have kids in this community, you can see the logic in the investment. If you are rich and old, then you don't.
This is the story of the region here. Young and up and coming families vs. old, prop 13 cronies who say no to everything.
And then they try to do math with their 1962 HP calculators -- but when they have flawed data to start, who cares.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 11, 2013 at 2:01 pm
@ interesting - your comments are specious at best.
Everyone knows that senior citizens are allowed to opt-out of parcel taxes; it's California state law. So a senior citizen can vote yes for the parcel tax, but can opt-out of paying the parcel tax.
And if you'd like to work on your credibility for the next time, note that HP didn't make its first scientific calculator until 1968. First business calculator in 1972.
a resident of Menlo Park: Felton Gables
on Jun 11, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Well, I do have kids in the public schools. I also have an MBA, but you don't need a graduate degree in business to see the fiscal dangers inherent in this tax. I am disappointed in our board and appreciate whatever and TOO MUCH for their clarification of actual costs.
I am really sad to see some of the nasty ageism expressed here. This community is a great place to live, and our schools are tops thanks to the parents who stepped up after Prop 13 to make sure our kids' education didn't suffer. They worked hard and raised money and did triple cartwheels on behalf of the schools. Someone moves into this area, becomes a beneficiary of all that effort, and dares to disparage those who are far more experienced and have walked the talk? Exactly who made you omniscient and entitled?
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 11, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Nice post MP parent x 4.
Most of the older MP residents were actually in school when Prop 13 was voted in by their parents and grandparents.
So if anything, those "older" MP residents have walked the walk by growing up and then purchasing their homes under the current P13 scheme. They stepped up and paid their "much higher" property taxes when it was their time to buy their family homes.
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Jun 12, 2013 at 8:23 am
With today's low interest rates, if there will be a need to expand infrastructure, this is a good time to finance it. The obligation would be much less than if it were incurred at times with higher rates. That said, I'm not happy that in the 20+ years we've lived here, the school district has brought forward several bond measures but then tore down what was built at Hillview because it was inadequate and was designed in a way that wasn't flexible enough to accommodate growth. As much as I support schools and haven't sought the senior waiver, I find it hard to support poor planning like that.
I also find it quite disturbing that the city seems to be promoting high amounts of new commercial development, which triggers the need for more housing, which triggers the need for more school space as well as the need for more sports fields and other expensive infrastructure (think about water). This cannot continue as a never-ending cycle, but there is no planning being done that strives to achieve a balance of these. Our decisionmakers are absolutely irresponsible to the extreme by not embarking on this very important common sense step. It won't be easy, but it's not all that complicated, doesn't have to take forever, and it is quite essential.
a resident of Encinal School
on Jun 12, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Some clarification -- Seniors may apply for an exemption from a parcel tax. However, there are no exemptions for bonds - all property owners are subject to payment for bonds.
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text:
MADRID (Reuters) - The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) has elected Jose Luis Lopez Cerron, the man who delivered the beef to Alberto Contador that the rider said led to him testing positive for clenbuterol in 2010, as its new president.
Lopez Cerron, a former professional cyclist and organizer of Spain's Tour of Castilla and Leon, was voted in at an assembly in Madrid on Saturday, the RFEC said on its website (www.rfec.com).
The 56-year-old bought the allegedly contaminated meat in Irun, a town on Spain's north-west border, before taking it to Astana's team hotel in Pau, France where it was eaten by Contador on the 2010 Tour de France's second rest day.
The rider, who has since switched to Team Saxo-Tinkoff, went on to win the race but his subsequent positive test for clenbuterol, a banned substance, led to him being stripped of the title, his third victory after triumphs in 2007 and 2009.
He was banned for two years and returned in August to win the Tour of Spain.
Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Ed Osmond


text:
School, community partnership opens health careers to Yoakum High School students
Oct. 5, 2013 at 5:05 a.m.
Twelve Yoakum High School juniors recently enrolled in the Victoria College's Nurse Aide Program as part of their high school curriculum.
The college also offers the program at Edna and Gonzales high schools.
Because not all students go to college, the Texas Education Agency has encouraged high schools to provide vocational and technical training for students so they could be job-ready when they graduate, said Marilyn Powell, Victoria College's allied health coordinator and instructor.
Tuition for each of the students enrolled in the program is paid for by the Yoakum Economic Development Board. The curriculum is state-approved and includes 64 hours of classroom instruction and 80 hours of clinical instruction.
"The administration, the whole economic development board and the school board are all extremely excited," Yoakum High School counselor Reggie Guettner said. "The kids are ecstatic about it."
Instructor Ellen Gonzales will introduce the students to health care systems and teach them hygiene, basic anatomy and physiology, body systems, how to measure vital signs, care of the client at home and care of clients with special needs. The students will do their clinicals at Yoakum Nursing and Rehabilitation and Stevens Health Care and Rehab Center.
Upon successful completion of the training, the Yoakum students will be eligible to take the Texas Nurse Aide Registry Exam.
"The program has been received very positively by the students, faculty and the community," Yoakum school district Superintendent Tom Kelley said. "It's filling a need in the community. They (students) receive the certification, they have the training, and they can go right into the job force but at the same time receive high school credits."


text:
Rays Lose Another First Rounder to Injury
It was announced today that another one of the powerful pitchers from the ex-Rice National Championship squad will go down with an injury that will keep him off the mound in 2009. Tampa Bay Rays RHP prospect Wade Townsend, the first-round pick in 2005, underwent surgery on his right shoulderin Alabama, and it is really doubtful he'll pitch in the 2009 season, according to Mitch Lukevics, the Rays' director of minor league operations.
Townsend, 25, has done his share of rehabbing during his professional career. The former Rice standout spent the 2006 season working his way back from Tommy John Surgery, and was shut down in August 2007 due to arm soreness.
Townsend went a combined 1-6 with a 6.08 ERA with both Class-A Vero and Class-AA Montgomery in 2008. He made three starts in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-0 with an 8.44 ERA before getting shut down.


text: The whole backstory of Stiles' bitterness towards the Romulans (which later transfers to Spock) doesn't really work if the war was supposed to have taken place a century before the episode. He's clearly nowhere near old enough to have felt any of his family losses personally. It's like a present-day twentysomething hating Germans because he had relatives killed in action in World War I. If they'd set the war only, say TWENTY years prior (as they later did in "The Wounded"), that might've made it work. Maybe Stiles could've lost a father when he was a teen or a child. That would've made his hatred make sense. As it stands, his bitterness is over the deaths of distant relatives he couldn't possibly have known. And of course and later shows and films confirmed that humans and Vulcans had been hanging around each other for a couple of centuries, which makes his abrupt suspicion of Spock as some type of Romulan spy that much more ridiculous.


text:
The error I get when I try the command below under Ubuntu 8.10 is "shred: filename/: failed to open for writing: Is a directory"
Code: Select all
shred -n 3 -vuz filename
Personal computing discussed
Moderators: SecretSquirrel, notfred
shred -n 3 -vuz filename
manpage wrote:CAUTION: Note that shred relies on a very important assumption: that
the file system overwrites data in place. This is the traditional way
to do things, but many modern file system designs do not satisfy this
assumption. The following are examples of file systems on which shred
is not effective, or is not guaranteed to be effective in all file sys‐
tem modes:
* log-structured or journaled file systems, such as those supplied with
AIX and Solaris (and JFS, ReiserFS, XFS, Ext3, etc.)
shred man page wrote:In the case of ext3 file systems, the above disclaimer applies (and shred is thus of limited effectiveness) only in data=journal mode, which journals file data in addition to just metadata. In both the data=ordered (default) and data=writeback modes, shred works as usual. Ext3 journaling modes can be changed by adding the data=something option to the mount options for a particular file system in the /etc/fstab file, as documented in the mount man page (man mount).


text:
The decision to attend Moore for my B.F.A. was life changing, and ultimately one of the best decisions I have ever made. As an Art History major with a Two-Dimensional Fine Art minor, I was able to pursue both the technical and academic aspects of art. The incredible education I received in addition to the close relationships I formed with faculty members influenced my decision to further my education by attending graduate school. After receiving my Master's in Art History & Theory from the University of Essex, United Kingdom, I returned to the United States with a strong desire to help young women who hold similar artistic aspirations.
Currently I am working as an academic advisor at Moore where my passion for art was nurtured, and where I am able to assist young women in achieving their goals of becoming successful within the art, design and academic fields.
As an alumna of Moore, I truly value the importance of attending an all-women's college. I believe that a single sex education challenges gender stereotypes and encourages women to take on leadership positions that they might not typically have access to in a co-educational environment. Moore's dedication to leadership within the arts is unique and a large part of why I chose to study here. As a part of the Emerging Leader in the Arts program at Moore, I not only learned strong leadership skills, I was also provided with opportunities to connect with the art world outside of school and complete internships at some of the most prestigious museums and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.
The education, leadership opportunities, internships and supportive relationships that I have gained during my time at Moore are life long, and I am thrilled to be able to help other young women achieve their artistic pursuits!


text:
Hurd wins $25,000 in Ocean Spray recipe contest
Patrice Hurd of Bemidji won a $25,000 grand prize Tuesday in Ocean Spray's third annual Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest. The results were announced during a private cocktail reception at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Prizes were awarded by celebrity chef Tyler Florence.
Hurd, a veteran cooking contest participant, won the consumer division with her Cranberry Bacon Brunch Scones with Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese recipe . Chris Wright of Saz's in Waukesha, Wis., was the food service division winner with his Cranberry Wontons with Cranberry Jalapeno Jelly Dipping Sauce recipe.
The reception was held in conjunction with the kick-off of Ocean Spray's "Big Apple Bog," where more than 2,000 pounds of glimmering cranberries are on display in a free-standing urban cranberry bog in Rockefeller Center.
"All of the finalists incorporated cranberries into recipes in very clever ways -- it was difficult to choose just one winning recipe for each category," said Florence. "Ultimately, all of the judges felt that Patrice Hurd's and Chris Wright's recipe's best showcased the year-round versatility of the cranberry."
The contest was open to anyone with a passion for cranberries. Home cooks were encouraged to enter the consumer category while food professionals, from established chefs to recent culinary graduates, were encouraged to submit for the food service division. The contest attracted more than 2,000 recipes.
Recipes were judged on creativity, use of product, taste, overall appearance and ease of preparation. The panel of judges, including Florence, Chef Chris Gatto of UNO Chicago Grill and Woman's Day Food Director Jackie Plant, evaluated eight cranberry recipes (four finalists per category) during a cook-off at De Gustibus Cooking School in New York City on Monday.
Hurd competed in the Sutter Home Vineyards Build a Better Burger contest last month in Napa Valley., Calif., capturing the People's Choice award.


text:
American League East Thoughts
Everyone in America knew that this blog was coming. Everyone who follows my blog and baseball on MLBlogs knows that my team is itching to defend their American League Pennant. We know that 2009 will be the year where the Tampa Bay Rays will be between the crosshairs with everyone gunning to put us out of our misery every night. And you want to know something, that is fine with me. I am that kind of guy. Bring it on, I think this team reloaded pretty good in the off season. We did not spend almost a half a billion dollars, but with millions we did invest in players went to needs, and that is the name of the game.
Most pre-season blogs and predictions have this as a two-team race in 2009. That is fine, they thought the same in 2008, and did not even acknowledge the Rays were a good team until almost the end of August. Everyone spent millions of words and letters chatting on the fall of the team. That the team was propped up by other teams getting caught off guard and the Rays just manipulated the system. Really? manipulated a system where New York and Boston were destined to win it all, but one sat at home in October for the first time in many years.
Can you really think that I was going to post a blog putting a Boston or new york team up in front of us even before the first game? Seriously people, I am not saying we are winning 162 games, or maybe not even 100, but I do think this team is for real and the race will be close until the last breathe of summer. And why do I think that with the multitudes of Yankees fans breathing down my neck chatting about their outstanding pitching. Well, Yankees fans, pitching only gets you so far, and do you really think that entire top5 will be on the mound the entire year? Seriously here, I can see C C Sabathia dominating the A L East, But A J Burnett might get his 15 wins, or he might be sitting in the dugout after a weird injury.
You guys have not even thought about if Joba Chamberlain is going to be 100 percent effective in the rotation. Once you begin playing with a guy running him in and out of a rotation, you can do more damage than good to the poor guy. If you have a solid 5 without him, let him stay as a set-up guy. Who is it going to hurt Mariano Rivera? I am not going to throw any predictions out this year at all in the A L East war, but I will throw out a few challenges to teams. The first challenge is to the Yankees pitching staff. Since you have already been deemed the pitching staff of the century by experts, will it be a downfall if the staff doesn't get 100 wins?
With that in mind, has the Yankee's new stars sent flowers to A Rod yet thanking him for taking all of the Spring Training pressure off them so they can pitch like normal guys while the media froths over A Rod. Can you seriously think that the cousin/bad trainer/steroid situation will end in April? It will be a wild time in the Trop and other cities in 2009 as the fans show either their support or voice some loud chants about this entire situation. Want to make a bet on what is said?
Also, people have dominated the off season with Yankee talk about the pitching upgrades. Did they do anything beside secure a good first baseman this past off season. Where is the offensive dynamo beside Mark Teixeria? Did the Yankees upgrade by getting Nick Swisher, or just plug in someone for a year in right field until something better comes along. And will Jose Posada come back as a stronger Yankee hitter, or be seeing more time at D H. Question are everywhere about the Yankees, but then again, even when they had a Championship team people had questions about weak spots.
Besides on the mound, is this really a strong Yankee team? They had better hope so, or the crowd will be on them soon. The A L East will get a fast idea on if the aggressive will dominate early in the season. The entire month of April will be spent mostly in divisional battles. This is where Boston took that early lead in 2008 before the Rays rose up and past them. So again in 2009, will the pattern remain the same, or will another team push towards the top and stay there.
Boston also did not weaken itself in the off season. They added Brad Penny and John Smoltz to their pitching staffs, with Smoltz maybe providing a cushion in the second half of the season. This staff is the best in the A L East on paper. They have the experience and the stamina to out pace most teams in the division. But there are questions on their staff. They bulked up on set-up and relievers in the off season, but did the rotation really get that much better. I mean is Tim Wakefield still your best number 5 pitcher? Or will someone else step up and take that spot from him and make a decision even tougher about the Bullpen members.
I see the Boston pitching as another area where 2009 could make or break them early. Josh Beckett is a great pitcher, but until he get a few starts in we might not know if that lingering injury in 2008 is gone or might pop back up and take him down in 2009. Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka are just going to come out ans reload after a great 2008. The 2 and 3 spot in this rotation might be the best Boston has seen in a long, long time. But let's take a short look at the Bullpen. They have upgraded themselves, but with mostly National League pitchers. People forget that the National League is known for finesse and off speed pitches, while the American League is a power pitchers paradise.
But bright spot in Boston with no signs of disaster yet is their returning offense. The only blimp on the radar might be David Ortiz. Will the big guy be able to respond and get back into his former form and boost the offense in 2009? He is my biggest question mark on the entire Boston roster. Will we see the dominating Ortiz, or a shadow of himself like after his wrist began to hurt in 2008. You know that Boston wanted to upgrade somehow in that area, but with his contract it might have been bad at this moment. But can you see changes if he gets into a rut and stumbles out of the gate? Will the team make that change and maybe upset the stadium masses, or will any injury make that decision for them?
Can the upgrades in the Boston relief corps be enough to keep them in the game, or will the A L bat them around for a bit until they settle in and pitch effectively. Questions ,questions. I am not trying to incite a riot online with these question marks. I am only trying to show that the A L
East will be a war that will have to be fought nightly this year. I really do not see Toronto or even Baltimore laying down at all this year. The Rays resurgence has shown small market clubs that anything is possible. One of these two bottom dwellers from the past two years might even rise up and bite one of the top three more than once in 2009.
It is not impossible for the eventual A L East division winner to have a .500 record against their division rivals. I think it is a bit out of this world to think that, but it is possible. No one picked the Rays to even get into the playoffs, much less make it to the World Series. Boston and New York will not lay down for anyone in 2009. This division will be a sign that money and talent can battle each other and the best team will win no matter what the payroll. The Rays payroll might be upwards of $ 60 million plus in 2009, but that is pale in comparison to the millions dealt out just for pitching help by both divisional rivals.
So will the money win out in 2009, or will the confident and determined show up again on top? We have a few days until we again get it started and go to the plate for real. I have a feeling this spring will also be highly charged as all three teams want to prove some thing even before the season to their rivals. This might be one of the best Spring Trainings to watch in Florida for a long time. All three will be gunning to win, and wanting to put pressure on the others to either step up or shut up before even April. Now the real question might be, Is you team going to be talking or walking come October 1st?
Photo credits for today's blog: Associated Press Photo Corps, ESPN.com, RRCollections.
26 Comments
Glad to see you're fired up and ready to rumble, Renegade! (Do you like all those r's?) I, for one, have never said it'll be a two-team race in the AL East. Count out the Rays? Fat chance. The one thing I do know is that predictions are guesses at best. No one knows how a team will do over the course of a long season. Too many variables. All I can do is hope my Yankees emerge victorious.
I agree whole-heartedly with the variables. In 162 game anyone can stumble, but some of the feedback already oozing out of the mouth of Red Sox and Yankee fan have gotten under my skin. We have not even played 1 Spring game and they are proclaiming victory over even the National League in 2009.
I will not pound my chest until after the All-Star game, then might be more like tubthumping until September. If they waited until maybe May 1st to proclaim superiority I would have more respect for them………..but on Feb 22nd?
Rays Renegade
The Yanks loaded up because of the new fear that the Rays pose!! Nothing has changed though. The Sox and Yanks have been the favorites for the last 13 years! The Rays shook up the establishment last season, but people are still not giving them a second thought. I hope a team like the Rays or Jays can do it again, if we don't kill each other in the process. Part of the reason the Rays got in last season was the fact that you squeaked away a number of wins from the Jays. It should be interesting to see this year. I just hope we don't have to go to Orlando again, that wasn't a good series for the Jays!
The Rays have not posted any reference to going to Orlando again in 2009. But it is still early on and anything can happen when Mickey Mouse throws money around.
I was actually hoping the Jays would have gotten a few more pieces this year, but if Matt Clement can come through, they got a legitimate starter in the wings ready to go. As for the Jay offense, Alex Rios should again partner with Vernon Wells to produce some punch, but I am not sure how much Scott Rolens still has in his tank.
Jesse Litsch is a year older and wiser, and has been a Red Sox-killer for the Jays. I just hope they stay in it until late in the year. I would hate for Roy Halliday to be gone before the year is over…………he might be a key players in how Boston and New York do this year. He also has owned them in the past…guess we shall see soon enough!
Rays Renegade
I hope the Rays can hold on and repeat as AL East Champs. I still hope CC stands for Cancer in the Clubhouse and this time its for the Yankees. The Red Sox I hope have a down year too. Hopefully the Rays can win in 2009.
Well I think old Carsten Charles might be the good news for the Yankees this year. I tend to view a pitcher like him to be good until proven wrong.
He does have an A L pedigree, so he has an advantage. I am not sure he will be the cancer in that clubhouse. I tends to think the Yankees manager Joe Girardi is his own illness in that clubhouse, but that is only my opinion.
Rays Renegade
Baltimore Orioles: 2009 RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why Not Us?!?
Up In Section 360
I think you guys are a year away from competing. You have a few guys in the minors like Matt Wieters who will make the 2010 team more competitive.
Not disrespect, just knowing the O's might not force them up to just try to win a few more games. The future is bright for the boys from Camden Yards, just might not 2009.
Rays Renegade
You had to put up the picture of the Cask n Flagon! I think the AL East this year is in for a wild ride and I can't wait for it to start!
I tease because I care.
Seriously, a friend sent me that picture in a email and I loved it from the first moment I saw it.
It will be a war, and I am okay with it. I just hope that any POW's taken during the clashes are given back after the game.
2009 hopefully will have all the battles decided on the field and not by the benches. I know there will be a few balls thrown towards the upper regions of the body throughout the season, but hopefully no one will be hurt by them.
Rays Renegade
Let's get this show on the road! Seriously the wait is killing me. I hope the Yanks are ready for third place…They have to learn you can't buy a team. Boston's ready to go, they will be a force to be reckoned with. All the series against them will remind us of the playoffs no doubt.
I was thinking the same thing today. We will have 34 playoff caliber games against New York and Boston in 2009.
Hopefully we can win a majority of them, well at least 19 of them, but it will be a totally uphill battle all year long. I agree 100 percent, let's skip the Spring Training games and get started tomorrow!
Rays Renegade
Whew my keyboard and computer are smoking from that fire you were spitting out. You know how I feel about predictions as I said in my blog I "wiz" on them. I wish the Rays the best of luck and should we ever battle in the Series I'd be looking the stands for ya brother! I had a blast rooting for them last year in the playoffs and I'd like to see them whoop again this year. Congrats on that ranking too. Looks like nobody really reads up on the Renegade. lol
Rays Renegade,
You raise some really interesting and awesome points. Honestly, I'm afraid of the Rays this year! I mean, who knows if they'll be the same team as last year (they could just be a fluke like the Indians or Rockies) but I know that playing them won't be a walk in the park. I think the Red Sox's pitching staff is their strong point. Their bullpen will make the difference when it comes down to September. I like having Wake as our number five starter… we saw what happened last year with Buchholz *kaboom*. I think Lester is going to get even better, or if not level out, and as for Dice-K, I don't know if he'll post 18 wins, but I can see him going deeper into games (and maybe not loading up the bases with no outs… just a hope).
As for the Yankees, yes they have a great pitching staff (but Burnett is still a HUGE risk), but what more is there? Their offense is decent, not the best.
Great post RR!
Did not mean to drive your computer nuts. I really did not make a prediction, just made a list of things to basically watch out for this year per se.
I understand the "whizzing" angle of it all. I really feel the same in a lot of ways. How can some make a prediction this early in the year with major battles left to be decided even on the teams before they leave camp. Most teams have most of their positions set, but someone always comes through and ruins the party somewhere on the roster.
Always fun…………..making people squirm a bit
Rays Renegade
I have not even seen the ranking yet. I was busy watching Anthony Bourdain east some interesting food in Egypt, Sweden, and Lower Manhattan in old NYC.
I promise not to make a obscure refernece to anyone in a dedication………I promise.
Rays Renegade
I know that when Wakefield has pitched indoors, we have slugged him around a bit in the past. I will bet you on that Bullpen situation between the 5th and 8th innings.
It has to prove itself after failing during the ALCS. But they are strong-willed, and that is a scary thing to face sometimes. I will just leave this by saying that your offense has strong intentions, but could be weakened by only two guys going down. Ortiz is the key this year. If he is healthy in the 4-slot, you guys have a big year. If he struggles and Lugo becomes a bust……..You still might win a lot of games, but they will not be by more than 1 or 2 runs.
New York has never scared me. They have now loaded up for 6 years and we still have a decent record against them. They will be as good as their pitching this year.
Rays Renegade
It will be very interesting to see what happens when a third bona-fide contender (the Rays) battle the Red Sox and Yankees for another season. Like you say, the Yankees get all the hype, but one must remember that they will have to play your Rays and the perennially tough BoSox more times than anyone else in the league. It may not take 100 or even 95 wins to take the division crown considering the level of competition.
You are preaching to the choir on that pulpit. I actually think it will take maybe 92 wins to secure the title.
People are discounting the Toronto and Baltimore teams, and I truly feel they will decide the champion in the long run. the big three will just put the teams in position to win it, but the bottom of the division will decide it……….that is the only prediction I plan on giving out this year in the A L East until after the All-Star break.
Rays Renegade
This "blog" is so factually inaccurate, it's dangerous. MLB.com maybe facing Libel claims just for featuring it on its home page. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't make it through the whole commentary, but here are the things I did catch:
"People forget that the National League is known for finesse and off speed pitches, while the American League is a power pitchers paradise." – I'm pretty sure you've got your leagues mixed. The National League is the fastball league. The American League is far more dependent on breaking pitches as a necessity for success.
"but that is pale in comparison to the millions dealt out just for pitching help by both divisional rivals" – How much did Boston actually spend on its pitching? Tazawa, Penny, Smoltz, Saito? And you'll have to spend money too. Cause now your team doesn't get top draft picks for a decade for being a joke.
"So will the money win out in 2009, or will the confident and determined show up again on top?" Like Boston and New York aren't confident and determined?
"Besides on the mound, is this really a strong Yankee team?" YES, that's why they generally finish ahead of you.
This is such a homer-blog. At no point have you questioned anything about your team. Can your rotation hold up? Do you have NO questions about Sonnantine, Garza, and Shields. Who all had their first good year last year? Or why you call him Big Game James when he really hasn't won one? Or who Dioner Navarro is gonna hold down for Johnny Gomes to blind side this year? One good year, and you start talking like Perennial Contenders. This is why The Rays went from Feel-Good to Obnoxious last year.
Without a doubt, this is the division to watch in '09. Nothing else comes close.
Peoplchamp – By obnoxious, you mean good, right? Every team has question marks on them. Even Boston. Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek…are they back at playing at 100%? The Rays have a lot to prove, and they are up to the challenge. Why dwell on the bad or on questions that have no answers yet? In Toronto they have great news about Aaron Hill being back at 100%. I just don't see them as much of a threat. They will definately play a major role in September as spoiler to any team in the AL East. Boston and New York have a new rival. Play Ball!
Funny thing about blogs they hold both opinion and fact in them. This is not a blog about the Rays in 2009, but about my opinion about the top two guys that everyone has alreay anointed to the cream of the crop again after one year Yankees absence.
I still consider the American League to have the dominating pitching basis off the fastball and cutter. And this is my opinion. Just like if anyone else, newspaper or even ESPN writers posts you do not have to agree with it. that is the thing about blogs. Of course Boston and New York are confident, but if you read some of the pre-season predictions around the blog-world, those two words are used to describe the Rays.
Funny, you ever thought that the blog that will describe some of the questions and the pluses of the Rays might be after I finish the division makeup on Wed? Guess you have all the answers, but that is fine, blogs are meant to make you happy, sad and even obnoxious. that is why we write them to try and pull emotion out of people…like you.
Rays Renegade
I agree it will be a fight every night in this division. And because MLB has put the schedule where everyone faces their division foes in the beginning of the season, we will have a fast idea who might be the better teams.
I am looking forward to it, and no matter what happens, I am there in the ball park.
Rays Renegade
Someone gets it. Toronto might have a young and unproven staff, but the injury to Vernon Wells did not help their offense. And in Baltimore, will the Orioles be better for getting Ryan freel, or is he going to just be another piece that is inserted in the infield and hope he fits.
The bottom teams have the same troubles the Rays had for the last 4 years. They have the talent, but it has not meshed yet. For most of the year it seemed like Toronto was going to be the thirds best team before New York regrouped and caught fire. That shows that the effort can be there, and that they should be viewed with caution, not arrogance.
Rays Renegade


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Get an overview of this hotelHigh-rise on Potomac with indoor/outdoor pool
Popular property highlights
Walk to Georgetown
Rising 14 stories above the Potomac River, this Arlington hotel is 2 blocks from Key Bridge, leading to Georgetown's shopping and dining district; Smithsonian museums are within 4 miles, easily accessible via the Rosslyn Metro station (3 blocks away).
Meeting space with view
The Marriott's top-floor meeting space features panoramic views of Washington and surrounding suburbs. Two fitness centers and an indoor/outdoor lap pool with spa tub provide year-round recreation.
Signature bedding
All guestrooms feature Revive signature bedding with down comforters and 300-thread-count cotton linens, easy chairs with reading light, and offer high-speed Internet access.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us! Opens in a new window.
Key Bridge Marriott
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
This riverside Marriott hotel is a five-minute walk from the Key Bridge, linking Arlington with the nation's capital. Historic Georgetown, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Kennedy Center are all within 3 miles. The Rosslyn Metro station is 3 blocks away.
Recreational options include an indoor/outdoor lap pool with spa tub, a small fitness center overlooking the pool, and a larger fitness facility on the lower level. For dining and refreshments, guests can enjoy a lobby bar and a casual restaurant which offers classic American dishes and breakfast buffets. The 24-hour business center off the lobby has two computers with high-speed Internet access (surcharge) and a printer.
Secure, on-site parking is available (surcharge). Disabled-accessible facilities and guestrooms are available on request.
- Express check-in
- Bar/lounge
- Elevator/lift
- Fitness facilities
- Indoor pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Conference space
- Porter/bellhop
- Express check-out
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Meeting rooms 22
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Free WiFi
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Sauna
- Outdoor pool
- Free wired Internet
- Smoke-free property
- Outdoor seasonal pool
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Luggage storage
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- ATM/banking
- Number of restaurants - 2
- 24-hour business center
- Concierge services
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
- Spa tub
- Total number of rooms - 582
- Television in common areas
- Number of floors - 14
- Wedding services
- Multilingual staff
- Free newspapers in lobby
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms:
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Premium bedding
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Air conditioning
- Free newspaper
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Phone
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Coffee/tea maker
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Shower/tub combination
- Cable TV service
- Iron/ironing board
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Smart TV
- Netflix
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Room service (24 hours)
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Rollaway/extra beds (free)
Where to Eat
Revival - Casual restaurant offering traditional American fare and comfort food with a modern interpretation. Guests can order breakfast à la carte or graze the buffet. Lunch and dinner are à la carte.
Connexion - Lobby bar and restaurant with a stylish ambience offering great food and beverages for lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Nearby Things to Do
The Key Bridge Marriott has an indoor/outdoor lap pool and two fitness centers—the smaller overlooking the pool, and the larger in the basement. Combined, they provide five treadmills, four exercise bikes, two stair machines, and two elliptical trainers. Women's and men's locker rooms have saunas. Some fitness equipment can be delivered to rooms at no extra charge.
The Continental Modern Pool Lounge, across from the hotel, features nine pool tables and colorful retro design. The Hains Point public golf course, five miles away, has 18 holes, a driving range, and a miniature course. Across the Key Bridge into Georgetown, the historic C&O towpath provides canal-side jogging and bicycling.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the Marriott; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Mountain biking nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Check-in time ends at midnight
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Free rollaway/extra beds!
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets not allowed (service animals welcome)
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between USD 18 and USD 23 per person (approximately)
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: USD 12.95 per day (rates may vary)
- Self parking fee: USD 22 per day (in/out privileges)
- Late check-out fee: USD 100
Hotel Name
- Bridge Marriott
- Key Bridge Marriott
- Key Bridge Marriott Arlington
- Key Bridge Marriott Hotel
- Key Bridge Marriott Hotel Arlington
- Marriott Key Bridge
- Marriott Hotel Key Bridge
- Marriott Arlington
- Arlington Marriott
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
Stay For Breakfast
Stay in selected rooms and receive daily breakfast for two adults and children under 12.
Extra-person charges apply for additional adults and include breakfast.
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Volunteer needed to fill opening on the City Investment Advisory Committee
The City of Colorado Springs is seeking a volunteer to serve on the City Investment Advisory Committee. The Investment Advisory Committee advises City staff and as deemed necessary, makes recommendations to the City Council as to the investment policies and procedures of the City. Applicants should have a background in investment and finance and be able to attend committee meetings, which are held approximately twice yearly or more often if necessary. Meetings are held for the purpose of reviewing portfolio performance and/or to review proposed modifications to investment policy.
Send letters of interest and resumes by Friday, September 30 to City Council; Attn: Marti Devine Sletta; P.O. Box 1575; Colorado Springs, CO 80901.
Or, fill out the Application for Appointment to a City Board, Committee or Commission, which can be found at www.SpringsGov.com by clicking on "Commissions and Committees" on the homepage. (The application cannot be submitted online at this time. Please send to the e-mail or physical address above.) For questions or more information, please call (719) 385-5453.


text: I'm sure there must be a thread, I've searched back 5 pages, and used search functioned, and didn't find it. I listen to Audiobooks on my commute, and the only Dr. Who I've listened to are The Tennant/Rose "Ressurection Casket" and the "Tales From the Tardis" CD with an Iris Wildtyme adventure (The big Cat Family one) and the other story had The Master having Imprisoned 3 (played by Nicholas Courtney) and Jo [I think?] played by Sophie Aldred in a cage meant for The Master. I've just obtained Paul McGann's Shada, so what do I need to obtain next in the Audio arena, what's your "Can't be a real fan without" Audio Drama? Thanks for all your suggestions. <Oh and Mods, Feel free to use my post to bump a prior thread if that's more appropriate>


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Fab 50: MLB Fan Cave contestants selected
Fans can vote for their favorite candidates to make cut to 30
By Mark Newman / MLB.com
Adam Bishop is a 24-year-old Padres fan who stumps in front of the White House and calls himself "the perfect candidate" in an election year. He says "opponents want to attack his character" over experience, which includes being a Petco Park tour guide, local high school broadcaster, longtime Tony Gwynn fan and occasional bike crasher.
Angel Lucas, aka "Monster 99," is already known within baseball circles as a "celebrity hairstylist," whether it's trimming Tim Lincecum's locks in a car or spiking Jonathan Papelbon's coiffure. Pena cut David Ortiz's hair in the barber's chair at the MLB Fan Cave last season, and he apparently liked being there so much that he now wants to watch games there all year.
Those are just three of 50 contestants who were revealed on Wednesday by Major League Baseball after reviewing more than 22,000 entries for the 2012 MLB Fan Cave experience. You can see all 50 video submissions in one place, then vote for your favorites between now and Feb. 22.
The 50 men and women include fans from across the United States and Canada. They have a wide range of backgrounds and occupations, including recent college graduates, journalists, bloggers, actors, musicians, a self-described "unemployed comedian," a made-up superhero, an insurance producer and a professional wrestler. And, yes, Big Papi's barber.
"The number and quality of submissions this year far exceeded our expectations," said Tim Brosnan, MLB executive vice president of business. "It was great to see so many passionate and entertaining baseball fans who want to be part of something special at the Fan Cave, and it was definitely difficult to decide on the top 50. Now it's time for them to get out there, campaign for votes, and earn a trip to Spring Training."
MLB will select 30 finalists based on fan voting, quality of the original submissions and the ability of the contestants to generate buzz and interest in their campaigns. Those final 30 will be sent by MLB to Spring Training in Arizona, where they will compete in a variety of challenges at sort of a "boot camp" to determine the final group of candidates for a season-long reality-show-style competition.
The MLB Fan Cave is a 15,000-square-foot space at Fourth Street and Broadway in Greenwich Village, supported by MLB Advanced Media and currently being redesigned with new technology and interactive elements for its second season. It will be much different there than it was in 2011, when Mike O'Hara and wingman Ryan Wagner watched every regular-season and postseason game and attended All-Star Week and the World Series.
This time, MLB will begin on Opening Day with a large group of candidates -- exact number to be determined -- and fans will be responsible for gradually voting them off during the season until one Fan Cave winner is left standing when the World Series champion is crowned.
Their job is still to spend virtually all waking moments at the Fan Cave with the goal of watching all 2,430 games on a large wall of big-screen TVs while hosting players and celebs and chronicling it all through videos, blogs and social media. But it is more about competition this time, and that competition is happening right now. Those 50 candidates need to be in campaigning mode now, trying not only to impress MLB but also fans who will decide their fate. The finalists know they are vying for what could be a knockout at the start of the season.
More than 50 current Major Leaguers -- including 27 All-Stars -- already have confirmed to visit the Fan Cave and participate in the Web series, interact with fans through the Fan Cave's social-media platforms and meet the contestants. Jose Bautista, Matt Kemp, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer, Andrew McCutchen, Justin Verlander and Shane Victorino are among those who have committed so far. Those players will be headed to Spring Training soon enough, but in the meantime, many of these finalist videos feature locked-up ballparks.
Tigers fan Michael Heidner of Detroit would be able to check off another line in his "MLB Bucket List" if he is chosen for the Opening Day cast. In his video, he lists these items:
Be in attendance for a no-hitter
Go to Spring Training
Catch a foul ball at a game
Tarp slide during a rain delay
Watch all 2,430 MLB games in a season
Visit all the ballparks
The tarp-slide box is unchecked and the 2,430 box has a question mark.
"As you can tell, I absolutely love this game," Heidner said. "And thanks to my dad, it's been part of my life since the day I was born, and will remain a passion for the rest of my life. To sum it all up, I live and die by every pitch, and there's nothing I'd love to do more than to do so for 2,430 games in the MLB Fan Cave."
Consider the submission of Angelo Fileccia, 26, an insurance producer in Detroit. In his video, he offers his favorite baseball moment:
"I was in the ballpark on June 2, 2010, when Armando Galarraga was one out away from throwing a perfect game. The ball is hit down the first base line, Cabrera ranges right, scooped, flip to Galarraga covering, 'Out!' But the call was safe and the crowd was going nuts.
"I didn't know what to think. I thought I'd just seen a perfect game, something that every baseball fan dreams of seeing. But I realized it was something more than that. It doesn't need to be in the record books to be perfect. It was perfect enough for me. And it's moments like that that make me love baseball so much."
There are nearly 26 million "likes" on MLB and club Facebook pages, and about 4.5 million followers on MLB and club Twitter accounts. The MLB Fan Cave has drawn an additional following of more than a quarter million on Facebook and Twitter. After watching the videos, look for the candidates in those social media circles as well.
MLB will provide housing and a stipend for winners while in the Fan Cave.
Christie McGaugh, a writer in Phoenix who loves the D-backs, put together her own movie reel, including a spoof of "Moneyball." You know the classic scene in the Indians' front office where Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) finds Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) and grills him? McGaugh grills herself: "Who are you?" "What do you do?" "Who are you?"
Indeed, it is time to find out more about the 2012 MLB Fan Cave candidates. There is a lot of personality, a lot of creativity and above all a lot of love for the national pastime throughout the 50 finalist videos. Give them all a look and help decide who belongs at the three-story lair when another long Major League season gets under way this spring.
Mark Newman is enterprise editor of MLB.com. Read and join other baseball fans on his MLB.com community blog. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.