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Rate cuts boost new home sales
New home sales have risen for a second straight month as buyers headed into the property market on the back of lower interest rates and state government assistance, a report says.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) report released on Wednesday said new home sales were up 4.7 per cent in November, on the back of a 3.4 per cent increase the previous month.
Although encouraged by the November figures, HIA economist Geordan Murray cautioned that new home sales were still quite low, given sales volumes for the three months to November were down 15.7 per cent compared with the prior corresponding period.
Mr Murray said there was ''a long way to go before we could consider sales volumes to be at satisfactory levels''.
''Against the back drop of late 2012 when we had lower borrowing rates combining with a number of states encouraging new home building through amendments to first home buyer assistance, it is promising to see new home sales moving in the right direction,'' Mr Murray said.
The Reserve Bank of Australia delivered a 25 basis point interest rate cut in October, and lowered the cash rate by a further 25 basis points to three per cent in December.
The November result was led by sales of detached houses, which snapped five consecutive months of declines to rise 7.7 per cent in the month. Sales of apartments and other multi-unit dwellings, which were traditionally more volatile, fell 6.9 per cent in November, the HIA report said.
Mr Murray said it was widely acknowledged a ''broad based rejuvenation'' of new home building was important for maintaining the health of the overall Australian economy.
''But at this stage, new home sales sits among a host of indicators that are yet to provide conclusive evidence that we are on track to achieve this,'' Mr Murray said.
The number of detached houses sold in New South Wales rose by 15.8 per cent, while they were 15.6 per cent higher in Victoria and 6.7 per cent higher in South Australia.
They declined 6.7 per cent in Western Australia and were down 0.1 per cent in Queensland.
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I passed by the Southwest Airlines jet partially lodged in the Frontiers of Flight Museum hangar, rushing to get to the Dallas-Fort Worth G.I. Joe Collectors Club's monthly meeting.
The club was founded in the late '90s; members share collections and stories, and produce special shows and exhibits in the area.
At the meeting, about 15 men and one teen sat in club logo T-shirts, along with a large display of G.I. Joe action figures and some pretty impressive combat tanks.
Group president Hank Dillon, 52, of Fort Worth has been collecting G.I. Joe figures since the mid-1960s.
He remembers as if it were yesterday getting one of his favorites at Christmas. It was the first Adventure Team Commander G.I. Joe from the '70s.
"He was a talker, and when he'd say, 'I've got a tough assignment for you,' I was like — wow — really impressed," Dillon says.
Former Marine Rome Armendariz, 46, of Grand Prairie helped to liberate Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm. Relatively new to the group, he started collecting G.I. Joes to share with his sons while he was away from home during the war.
He says he has about 100 figures.
"My wife gives me a corner in the house for them," he says with a laugh. "It's a hobby and one of those things that I really enjoy. Part of the excitement for me is to hunt down the uniforms."
The club discusses the success of their last show, plans future shows and outlines their toy drive details for the holidays. They also discuss the location of their December meeting.
"OK, so we'll have it at my house," says group vice president Keith Holmes, 49, of Flower Mound. "We'll do dinner, movies and games. If someone wants to bring another Xbox, I can get that one going upstairs."
Holmes also gets a unanimous approval from the group for his wife making the Mexican shredded beef dish that she made at a previous meeting.
I grew up with a brother and a platoon of male cousins; they always seemed to end up playing war games at my family's house. I was in my element at the meeting.
My questions lead to some history about the Hasbro action figures and other offshoot brands. Starting in the 1960s, most of the Joes were military themed. After Vietnam, Hasbro moved away from weaponry and military detail and created the G.I. Joe Adventure Team.
Holmes admits to having a rather large and diverse collection. Others nod in affirmation.
The figures tie them to happy childhood memories.
"I collected the original 1964 series, and I remember getting seven of them for Christmas way back when," says group treasurer Bob Welch, 58, of Wylie.
Welch was on active duty for 11 years in the Army and was a reservist for 17 years after that. He's an education coordinator at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where the club has some impressive exhibits.
Welch remembers going off to college and coming back to find that his mother had given away his G.I. Joe collection. He started collecting again in the 1980s with his own children.
I ask how many kids he has.
"I have a daughter." He pauses, then smiles and takes a deep breath. "And I have a son who was killed in Afghanistan last year."
He points to a display table that holds a photo collage of his son next to a G.I. Joe military figure in fatigues.
"My son has a very unique smile, and I spent about a year and a half customizing this figure and his uniform. People who knew him who see this say that I nailed it. It looks just like him."
His son, Army 1st Lt. Robert F. Welch III of Wylie, was killed near Pakistan in the spring of 2011. He was 26.
"He was walking down the road on his base and killed by an incoming rocket," Welch says.
There's also a figure that resembles Welch's father, also named Robert F. Welch, who was a chief warrant officer in World War II.
"These mean a lot to me and to my grandkids, too," Welch says.
Life and legacies are woven through these collections. It's about much more than playtime.
For exhibits, shows and museums, the club builds displays with as much historical accuracy as possible. Members lend their prized collections of Jeeps, bazookas, tents, miniature weaponry and figures.
The Frontiers of Flight Museum displays the club's G.I. Joe pilots, representing eras from the Wright brothers to World War II to today, in meticulous detail.
"The museum is 100 percent with us, and we like to support the museum just the same," Welch says. "Kids love it."
Michael Milstead, 42, of Grand Prairie belonged to a similar club in Houston before moving here.
"The displays are correct and historically accurate, and that's where we get nostalgic, and that's what makes it all worthwhile," Milstead says.
Clare Miers is a Dallas freelance writer.
Learn more
Dallas-Fort Worth G.I. Joe Collectors Club: dfwjoe.com
Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas; flightmuseum.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Jan. 3, 2014
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.
Record Demand Extends Completion Date for Storm Cleanup
Four divisions in two departments continue working to complete storm debris and other Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) services caused by last month's ice storm. An unprecedented 47 percent of Richardson's homeowners have requested BABIC service. The requests also include normal and seasonal pickup such as cleanup for used appliances and Christmas tree collection
Extra work crews have been pulled in to help get Richardson neighborhoods back to normal as quickly as possible. Water maintenance and street workers have joined solid waste division workers, and Parks and Recreation Department workers are also helping in the effort to catch up on the more than 13,000 calls for service residents have placed, which is the highest number of calls the City has ever received for BABIC service in one month. City workers had hoped to complete all of the calls by the end of December, but the record demand has pushed out completion estimates into sometime in January depending on how many more calls are received.
Residents are asked to place brush, branches and other storm debris by the front curb on their property in their normal bulky item pickup location and to schedule a pickup. Collection service can be scheduled online at cor.net/recycling or by calling 972-744-4111. Smartphone users can also download the City's MyRichardson mobile application to request service.
January Richardson Today in Mailboxes
Latest Issue Includes Recycling Survey
The January edition of Richardson Today has been delivered to post offices and should be arriving in Richardson mailboxes Saturday. The latest edition focuses on recycling in Richardson and includes a pull out community survey that gives residents an opportunity to let the City know what they like, don't like, and what they know and don't know about Richardson's recycling program.
As an added bonus, residents who return the printed survey or complete the survey online at cor.net/RecycleSurvey by Jan. 20 will be entered into a drawing for one of four $50 gift cards to Home Depot or Lowe's.
Richardson Today is mailed to every residence in the City and is also available at Huffhines Recreation Center, the Senior Center, City Hall and the Richardson Public Library. Ask your local mail carrier if you live in the city and do not receive your copy.
An interactive edition of Richardson Today that includes links to CITV videos, as well as links to archived editions, is available at http://cor.net/index.aspx?page=148.
"Tree Cycle" Christmas Trees
Richardson residents may "tree cycle" their Christmas trees through Jan. 31 by dropping them off at the Municipal Service Center, 1260 Columbia Dr. The site is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Residents may also call 972-744-4111 to request a Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC), then set the tree out at the front curb for collection. Make sure to request that the tree be mulched.
All trees must be natural and unflocked, with all ornaments, tinsel, lights and other decorative items removed. Calls for BABIC must be received before the designated collection day (your BABIC day is the same as your recycling day).
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Richardson's Office of Emergency Management and the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are seeking public input on the final draft of an update to the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires hazard mitigation plans to be updated every five years, and public input is a key component to the planning process. The purpose of the plan update is to reduce the vulnerability of people and property in the community to the impacts of hazards. Maintaining a current plan also allows agencies to be eligible for grant funding from FEMA.
The Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Richardson Annex will be available for public comment until Jan. 6.
To view the plan and to submit comments, go to cor.net/hazard.
Richardson Central Rotary Club Honors City Employees
Building Facilities Supervisor Jeff Savage and GIS Programming Manager Brian Peppard were awarded this year's Supervisor of the Year and Employee of the Year awards from the Richardson Central Rotary Club.
The awards are specially designed to recognize City employees that make significant contributions during the past year. The Richardson Central Rotary Club has presented the awards to City employees since 1992.
Pictured from left: Richardson City Manager Dan Johnson, Jeff Savage, Brian Peppard and Richardson Central Rotary Club President Jerry Ortega.
Pegasus Theatre Performs "Rehearsal for Murder!" at Eisemann Center
Pegasus Theatre presents "Rehearsal for Murder!" at the Eisemann Center. The show's run will continue through Jan. 26. The murder mystery show uses special effects to appear like a black and white movie. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets cost $20 to $35 and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.
For more information, visit pegasustheatre.org.
Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Meet Jeremy! He is a handsome guy with striking amber eyes, about 2 years old, up to date on all his vaccinations and has been at the Shelter since November 2013. He is a calm, friendly, loving boy who enjoys just being a lap cat and keeping you company. He does great with kids and some other pets. He would love to reserve the spot on your lap and in your heart!
For information about other animals available for adoption, visit the Animal Shelter's Facebook page at facebook.com/RichardsonAnimalShelter.
Related Links
City Council videos: http://bit.ly/LSHJzE
City Council agenda: http://bit.ly/QoOWF4
City Council meeting documents: http://bit.ly/OrSIQ2
Find Richardson Today on Facebook and Twitter.
411 W. Arapaho Rd. Richardson, TX 75080-4551 PH# 972 -744-4100 | Mailing Address P.O. Box 830309 Richardson, TX 75083-0309
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| Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities call, 972-744-0908 or Email email@example.com


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Morning Briefing - Wednesday
Bereavement support group
BENNINGTON - The sudSSpirit Bereavemnent Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at the Bennington Free Library.
The group is for those that are survivors of the sudden unexpected death of their spouse or significant other.
No registration is required and it is free.
For more information, a brochure or current newsletter, call 802-441-5562 or email email@example.com or find the group on Facebook.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month film night
BENNINGTON - PAVE (Project Against Violent Encounters) is presenting a weekly series of films and documentaries at the Community College of Vermont during the month of October.
PAVE has chosen movies or documentaries to highlight issues surrounding domestic violence: For Wednesday, Oct. 23, the film is "Sin by Silence," which documents the lives of women who chose to fight back against their abusers and by doing so wound up in prison.
These women then worked to educate the system about the silent and systemic nature of domestic violence by forming the first inmate-initiated action group - Convicted Women Against Abuse.
It will be held in the Community Room at CCV (Community College of Vermont) to watch and discuss.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Films are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Subject matter is suitable and worthwhile for adults and teens.
PAVE will provide popcorn and snacks.
For more information, please contact PAVE at 802-442-2370.
Battenkill Valley School Board
AMHS Marsh Library, 6 p.m.
Arlington School Board
AMHS Marsh Library, 6:30 p.m.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


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Home to MSV Duisburg.
Stadium Guide
Seating Plan
Below is a seating chart for MSV Arena:
Home » Europe » Germany » Bundesliga 2 » MSV Arena
By Football Tripper
Last Updated: October 8, 2017
Team: MSV Duisburg
Address: Duisburg
Capacity: 31,500
Opened: 2004
Home to MSV Duisburg.
Below is a seating chart for MSV Arena:
By Football Tripper
Last Updated: October 8, 2017
Football Tripper is a growing collection of travel guides and stadium information for football fans across the world.
The site features over 1,400 stadiums, however the quality can vary greatly across leagues!
Please get in touch or leave a comment if you'd like to share any tips or if you spot any errors :)
Juventus v Lazio
Serie A
14 Oct 2017
Roma v Napoli
Serie A
14 Oct 2017
Liverpool v Man Utd
14 Oct 2017
Watford v Arsenal
14 Oct 2017
B. Dortmund v RB Leipzig
14 Oct 2017
FIFA 18: A Complete List of Stadiums
September 29, 2017
PES 2018: A Complete List of All Stadiums
September 17, 2017
Changing Times as Spurs Bid a Fond Farewell to White Hart L...
September 16, 2017
Which Premier League Club Will Finish in the Top Four?
August 9, 2017
© 2017 Copyright Football Tripper. All Rights reserved.
Football and Travel: Independent stadium guides and travel information for football fans across the world


text: Took delivery on my 2012 GT in November. Still waiting for my engine guards to appear in Daytona Beach ... "Daytona BMW / Ducati / Triumph Dealer". The received 1 and now awaiting for the second one. So glad and I advise all other owners of the gt or gtl not to pay up front for any of the extras as they are behind the times for all of us in shipments and customer service and accesories from BMW ... Germany just does not get it ... that is a true fact ! BMW Motorad so sophisticated as they think ... but so below our expectations and behind the times.


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Be the first to write a comment
Macromedia Unveils FLASH MX
"Macromedia Flash MX unites designers and developers who can build on their existing knowledge to deliver more effective, rich Internet applications," said Rob Burgess, chairman and CEO, Macromedia. "Macromedia Flash MX applications provide increased return on investment for companies, and amazing user experiences across everything from mobile phones, PDAs, interactive TV systems, game machines, Internet appliances, webpads, and in-room hotel entertainment systems."
Macromedia Flash MX meets the needs of both designers and developers to deliver rich Internet content and applications that can be experienced consistently across all leading platforms and devices. The product simplifies the process of visual authoring for traditional web developers who want to use a rich client technology for their applications. The more than one million designers already familiar with Macromedia Flash can use their existing skills along with new server technologies to address the emergence of rich Internet applications (see separate release).
Video support enables developers to deliver a better overall user experience by bringing and adding interactivity to video clips within the overall Macromedia Flash content. Video content in Macromedia Flash allows designers to maintain control of the look and feel of their applications, unlike today's existing video options which require external players to be launched and have platform inconsistencies. Support for the Sorenson Spark codec ensures compressed, high-quality video playback (see separate release).
Macromedia Flash MX enhances the authoring workflow with a flexible workspace that can be customized to maximize productivity for both designers and developers. Pre-built user interface components accelerate development by providing users with customizable scrollbars, list boxes, and other standard interface elements to ensure a common experience across applications. Macromedia Flash MX also supports industry standards such as ECMAScript, HTML, MP3, Unicode, and XML. For a detailed breakdown of the new and enhanced features in Macromedia Flash MX, visit www.macromedia.com/go/flashmxfeatures/.
"Macromedia Flash MX empowers Sony Classical's designers to rapidly create online content that looks and sounds as vibrant as the artists we feature," said Manech Ibar, director, new media, Sony Classical. "Using Macromedia Flash MX, we can create compelling online content that draws new customers, while keeping their interest to stay longer at each site. In the first month after using Macromedia Flash, Sony Classical increased unique visitors by 76 percent and average time on our site by 120 percent. Now, with the ability to load sound and images dynamically, we can easily maintain all our sites and populate the content with updated artist-specific images and sound clips, saving precious development and maintenance time."
Macromedia Flash Player is the leading rich client on the Internet, with more than 98 percent of online users able to view Macromedia Flash content today across leading platforms and devices. More than two million online users download Macromedia Flash Player every day.
Macromedia Flash MX, which will be available electronically from the Macromedia Online Store for both Macintosh and Windows on March 15, is priced at $499, with upgrades at $199. The product will be available in English, French, German, and Japanese on March 15. Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish will be available at a later date. Check the website for additional information. Educational pricing is also available. Macromedia Flash MX seminars will be held throughout North America, check www.macromedia.com/go/q402seminars for more information.
Macromedia is passionate about what the web can be. Its award-winning products empower designers and developers to efficiently create and deliver the most engaging experiences on the web, and enable innovative Internet business applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, Macromedia has more than 1,400 employees worldwide and is available on the Internet at www.macromedia.com.
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Cemex to Pay $1.4 Million for US Clean Air Act Prevention of Significant Deterioration & Operating Permit Violations
Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced that Cemex, Inc., one of the largest producers of Portland cement in the United States, has agreed to pay a $1.4 million penalty for Clean Air Act violations at its cement plant in Fairborn, Ohio. In addition to the penalty, Cemex will spend an estimated $2 million on pollution controls that will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
"Emissions of harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can lead to a number of serious health and environmental problems, including premature death and heart disease," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Today's settlement will help keep harmful air pollution out of Ohio communities, protect children with asthma and prevent region-wide public health problems."
"Through this action, the United States and Ohio will secure reductions of harmful emissions by requiring that Cemex adopt state-of-the-art technology and take immediate steps to control pollutants," said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. "As in the case of other Portland cement plants that have agreed to come into compliance with the Clean Air Act, the Cemex plant has been a major source of air pollution, and this settlement will result in a healthier environment for residents of Fairborn, Ohio and the surrounding region."
The settlement addresses modifications Cemex made to its cement plant without obtaining the proper PSD permit, as required by the Clean Air Act. Major sources of air pollution are required to obtain permits which require the installation of pollution control technology before making changes that would significantly increase air emissions. Today's settlement ensures that the proper pollution control equipment will be installed to reduce future emission levels.
Cemex will install state of the art control technologies that will reduce annual emissions of NOx by approximately 2,300 tons and SO2 by approximately 288 tons.
The consent decree was negotiated by EPA, with the assistance of the state of Ohio and the Ohio Regional Air Pollution Control Agency.
Photo credit: http://www.wencoinc.com/servicesportfolio/industrial/Cemex.aspx
For more information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/cemexfairborn.html


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Lockheed Martin's JAGM Cooling System Completes Testing
ORLANDO, Fla., December 6, 2011 --
Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and industry partner Marotta Controls, Inc., recently completed testing of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launcher pneumatic cooling system (PCS), a critical component in U.S. Navy rotary- and fixed-wing JAGM launchers.
"The PCS is an important element of our JAGM system, and we are pleased to announce we have completed a series of verification tests," said Hady Mourad, JAGM program director in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "Our team has parlayed its experience providing cooling solutions to U.S. Navy weapon systems into a mature and low-risk JAGM design that is ready to enter the next phase of the program."
The PCS, a miniature compressor and air filtration system, cools JAGM's imaging infrared (I2R) sensor, enabling the aircrew to passively acquire and track targets at safe standoff range while the missile is still on the launcher, allowing it to confirm target acquisition. It has a predictive reliability of over 10,000 hours mean time between failure, which far exceeds the 2,500 hour durability requirement.
The PCS design is based on Marotta's M-PACT® (Pure Air Compression Technology) system used to cool U.S. Navy AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles. M-PACT is in full rate production at Marotta's facility in New Jersey, and the company has delivered more than 1,000 systems.
"We have leveraged our experience to deliver an efficient and cost-effective solution that will pay great dividends to the warfighter, enabling precision strike capability even in the most adverse environmental conditions," said Michael Leahan, vice president of Marotta Controls.
Lockheed Martin's cooled seeker can passively lock onto targets at significantly greater range than an uncooled seeker and offers superior target discrimination capability, especially in the high-humidity maritime environments frequented by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft. The ability to passively launch JAGMs outside the enemy's reach allows the aircraft to move on to prosecute other targets or return to base safely. The cooled seeker also offers cost savings over the life of the missile because its mid-wave infrared permits use of a durable hard dome that can withstand abrasion in harsh environments.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.


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I agree Mr. Prices work blows me away also!
i am done with this site. seems like all people care about is i am better than you type stuff. calling someone a hack come on...i know gusy been doing it for 25 years dont get 500 and they good as anyone. He even sends me work when he gets backed up. i just trying to offer a mount that the week to week man can afford thats it. i not looking to make a killing i enjoy doing it thats it. i got a full time job. i know when iwas little a killed many bucks i wanted mounted but my folks could not come up with 400-500 for it so i had to just cut horns off and go. when i started doing it i said i wont going to do that. no reason our 8-5 workers cant get trophys mounted. to all the good comments i thank you guys it means alot.
Damn, I guess he was serious. He must have left. Oh well, his loss.


text: I went into TJMaxx this afternoon and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this... and this... ...on the rack. The polo was $16.99 and the crew top was $12.99. I know these stores can have some good name brand clothing but usually you don't find anything from such relatively new-at-retail lines. Woo hoooo!!


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Discussion in 'Gaming' started by PsychoPere, Dec 10, 2010.
The ending was still being worked on in November (the game released in March) - they had to get Martin Sheen to record his TIM dialogue on-the-road while he was filming something else. From memory, I think he had been scheduled to record his lines in August, but that was delayed because of the problems they were having in nailing down the final act.
Not just FemShep. Same thing happens to custom MaleSheps.
Think they mean't the default model for FemShep changes between ME2 and ME3 - whereas Sheploo is modeled on Mark Vanderloo, hence doesn't change that much in between the games.
I'm almost certain that if you imported a femshep that had the old default look, she'd still look essentially the same. I don't think it just substitutes the new default. Could be wrong though. Never tested it myself, just vaguely recall reading it somewhere.
The thing about the first Mass Effect game is that the whole "Humanity is in danger" schtick was simply a coincidence to a much larger scale plan. Saren didn't attack the human colony because it had humans on it, he attacked it because it had the Prothean beacon on it. The big plan was targeting every sentient race in the galaxy.
I think when it comes to the role that humanity plays in the game is what role the race has in the galaxy. For example, in ME1, humanity is just now becoming part of the council races, a group of aliens that have been traveling around the galaxy for a lot longer than humans have. As the game plays out, Shepard can do things that reflect a 'pro-unity' stance with the council races, or a 'independent/dominant' stance. This concept is put to the real test at the end when Shepard gets to decide on whether to save the members of the council or save the human ships. Do you work alongside with the other races, or do you step in and say you're the boss now?
That's one of the reasons I liked TIM as the antagonist in the second game. He represented the human element that doesn't want to be looked at as equals to all the other races in the galaxy. He wants humanity to be the 'dominate power' over everyone else and he was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that goal.
But in ME3, Earth and humanity are pretty much the priority no matter where your character stands.
Yeah, the game kinda expect you to have an emotional connection to Earth, since it's not a fictional place and considering that it's your home and the home of everything you know and everyone you like.
I think it would have more effectively locked in the emotional connection if there'd been more tales from earth. More specific ones too, we heard only general things about continents and "major cities" not specific major cities unless you count London. In the start of the game we saw brief news flashes from all over the world. More of that would've been nice, maybe it's one of the things that Shepard watches to maintain drive and Garrus or Liara have to drag him/her away from it.
A lot of things would have made the game better, but there was only so much that could be included in the time available and with the budget they had. Having a journalist on the Normandy *should* have been a great way to implement that connection, but we all know what a dull waste of time she turned out to be.
I was actually playing the game earlier today (doing an insanity run with my renegade engie) and while doing the Surkesh mission I found myself noting (not for the first time) that they never did directly address what Cerberus were up to. I get the impression that it was originally meant to be made pretty much definitive that they were indeed all indoctrinated by the reapers but certain lines were cut and the loose plot threads are just left to flap around being unclear.
Perhaps they realised they'd created a plothole with the Horizon mission since it's established early on that the whole organization had been co-opted that it'd make no sense for TIM to have been able to develop a way to block the reaper signal, nor would the reapers have attacked sanctuary.
As it stands the only way I can make sense of things is that TIM's hold on his indoctrinated troops was always tenuous and the reapers were able to subjugate whole groups of them at a time. It would certainly explain Benning and Surkesh.
Actually, the Earth of Mass Effect IS a fictional place and it is not the home of everyone we know. My family and friends don't live on Mass Effect's Earth, so why should I feel connected to it? What exactly does Earth give in the mass Effect universe that makes it unique? I can tell you that a lot of other science fiction franchises don't have Asari, Krogen, Turians ect, but a lot of them do have an Earth. There's not even one freaking alien on Earth in Mass Effect 3, so all we're pretty much doing is saving a "Homo-sapions only planet". At least on Tuchanka you can see Krogen with their alien mates. Yep. The worn down homeworld of the Krogen have more diversity than Earth.
As an aside from ME3;
I started my canon trilogy play through a few days with a Paragon FemShep. About 20 hours in so far, and loving it all over again. Hadn't played the first game for about 3 years prior to this - the things that I remember frustrating me before (Mako, clunky combat, inventory system) hardly bother me at all now. ME1 has a sense of scale that's never really been recaptured in the second and third games - the Citadel is huge, Noveria too, then there's Feros as well. One thing that the Mako did do was to give the planets a sense of size. In the later games you land, kick ass, and then get back on the Normandy. Generally speaking.
The number of side-missions is staggering, and there seems to be more variety than in the later games, particularly ME3. Good job there's a proper journal system to keep track of everything. Missed that in ME3 too.
Quite like the ranking system and equipment setting as well. The dialogue wheel seems populated, but not as refined as in ME2 - ie. there's often a choice of things to say, yet whichever one you pick you end up saying pretty much the same thing anyway. Can't remember if ME2 did that quite so much. Guess I'll find out soon.
A few more side missions to do and then on to Virmire. Sorry Ash, knowing what I know now, I think you'll be getting a one-way ticket through the pearly gates this time. Kaidan was so much better in the final game. Wrex will be surviving this time too.
There's so much in ME1 that I'd forgotten that it almost seems like an entirely new game.
That's a fallacy. Of course every place in every piece of fiction is by definition fictional. Of course even real people become fictional when they're used as characters in a novel or a movie. In a way, the Earth of Mass Effect is not anymore "the real Earth" than the Earth of Sense and Sensibility is. But the attachment, the feelings of compassion, those that make it possible to feel any connection to fictional characters, are real. The Earth of Mass Effect is a fictional place, that's true, but it is also Earth, and we feel a connection to it - except our psychopathic friends - because Earth is everything we know.
It'd be interesting to do a super pro-human, anti-alien Shepard sometime, having Ashley kill Wrex on Virmire, and then ensure only Miranda, Jacob, Jack, Kasumi, and Zaeed survive the suicide mission. Unfortunately, Liara is completely unkillable in ME3... *grumble*
Low EMS Beam run with Liara in your squad = RIP Liara......
Yeah.... but the game's practically over by that point.
I did start a new engineer last night since I love the class so much, which I'll dabble with on the side while I primarily work on the vanguard, who's about halfway through ME2 currently. Plan with the engineer is to romance Kaidan in ME1, Thane in ME2, and then hook up with Kaidan again after Thane inevitably dies. Need someone to fill the gap while Kaidan's dickering around on Horizon / laying in the hospital! I'm curious if you still get the Thane romance stuff in the Citadel DLC if you've hooked up with someone else afterwards.
You're kidding, you've still got that epic boss battle against Marauder Shields afterwards!
Pretty sure that you don't.
No, it's one or the other. I don't know anyone on Mass Effect's Earth. Maria Shepard may not have even VISITED Earth before the tribunal. It's stupid to expect people to care about Earth because "I LIV THER FOR REEL!!!!!!!"
It's a cheap cop-out used by hack writers. Obviously I know that I live here and all my family and friends do, but I'm no more a psychopath for not connecting to a fictional version with none of those people in it and absolutely no context to make me connect to anyone or anything else.
The fiction provides me no reason to care. That's the heart of the matter. Expecting me to because of outside influence, no matter how basic, only betrays a weakness in the work itself. Star:Trek First Contact? That made me care. Lilly and Zefram were a real, tangible connection. Obviously you *appreciate* the Borg threat, but they give you a very real, personal context. That's an example of that scenario done well. Not that that approach would've necessarily worked well here, but that's not the point.
If a work of fiction cannot stand up on its own merits and expects you to care about its locations and people without providing any reason or context, then that's a bad work of fiction.
Whichever way you choose to look at it, Earth is a place where 10 billion people live. That alone should be enough for ANY Shepard give a crap. Failing that, it's the place where Anderson is and if you don't care about that, them you *must* have been indoctrinated after all.
Small aside, but whatever Shepard's origin, she/he at some point must have visited Earth (Rio de Janeiro, specifically) since that's where the Interplanetary Combatives Training program is based and were the N1 course is held. The off-world training doesn't start until the N2 - N6 courses. And if that's not enough; the Normandy starts it's journey in Earth orbit right at the beginning of Mass Effect 1, so Shep most likely embarked as XO on the ground.
Separate names with a comma.


text:
OK, admittedly I have a biased point of view since I am a CIO/CTO.
However...I don't have to read this document to hate it already. Not because of anything it says (I did read it, and I actually agree with some of it), but because of its orientation.
It's so, so easy to complain. We all love to do it. It's fun, it's cathartic, we get to vent. And then it's over. Instant, momentary gratification. Did we learn anything? Has anything improved?
It didn't occur to you geniuses at TR that a document entitled "IT Managers Share 15 Qualities of High Performance CIO's" would do your customer base a MUCH better service?
How about equal time for those of us in the executive suite? Are you planning on coming out with something called "CIO's Share 15 Complaints About Deadbeat, Whiny, Incompetent, Irresponsible, Feel-I'm-Entitled-To-Everything Employees"?
I've long maintained that good management skills and good parenting skills are very consistent with each other. That's not to say managers should be parental to their employees, nor that parents should manage their kids. It simply means that the skills set that makes one good at either overlaps greatly. I've found that both my employees and my children respond far more enthusiastically to positive reinforcement than to negative. So other than providing all of us a chuckle as well as something we can look at and say, "Yeah, my doofus CIO is just like that", what educational enlightenment have you provided us with?
Maybe you could provide people with a framework they could emulate, rather than a prescription for failure? Did it also occur to any of you that documents like this only serve to accentuate and validate the growing gulf between management and workers? Shouldn't TR exercise some professional responsibility of its own and do whatever it can to encourage the two sides to come together, not grow further apart?
Thanks a lot. On behalf of all of us.
I wonder about the process of article review
I know TR wants to get more people involved in contributing in different ways. I appreciate your comments amcol because you do what we all need to. Try to turn a negative to positive.
Ok, get your moment of gratification to releive the stress, then take all those points that you just made and see how they can be fixed. How can they be changed? Do you have any influence on their changing? And so many other points.
Perhaps with articles, including downloads, there should be some sort of peer review process. Not as strict as with academic literature, but to check that the content fits with the mission of TR. Just an opinion.
Oh, and I would be willing to be a peer-reviewer for articles. :)
Great idea
All the major technical print publications have peer review boards. I've served on a couple of them myself, and I can state from personal experience they work, especially when publishers want to produce a high quality product that serves the needs of its readership.
Your message is a good one...TR is having a bit of an identity crisis. Or, maybe it should be having one. What do you want to be, TR? Just a place where the tech community can come to discuss whatever and get a few superficial, sophomoric, limited value downloads? Or an online forum providing high quality material?
When I first came to TR
I was attracted by an article that was describing research that a manager had done. It was a really good article and I got approval to use it in my studies. I would really like to see more articles on that level. Unbiased, providing help, guidence, direction, insights, and so on.
Today when I read some of the articles, it looks almost like a comment on another article posted in the media. I am not suggesting an academic level review process, but something a little more balanced and original then restating what others have written about in the media on the hot topic of the moment.
We can have those media related comments too. :) I attempted to start a few discussions along those lines. So much knowledge here at TR. How to put it all out there is the question.
I think there have been great strides in improving the site. Perhaps this request can go on the "wish list"
Thanks for your input on this
To both j.lupo and amcol I'd like to say thanks for providing input to help us improve the downloads on our site. We'll definitely consider your peer review idea (we've actually been throwing around similar ideas for several years). I'll put the two of you on the short list of members that are interested in this type of peer review. Thanks again.
That's what we are here for.
It is up to all of us members to let those of you working hard at TR know what we want. We should also be willing to contribute in some way. I know we are all busy, but if we each take an interest than TR can be almost everything to everyone and meet all our needs.
Generating solutions
Hi amcol,
Thanks for your comments. Your point is well taken, but I think we're not quite as far off the mark as it maybe seems with this content. I'm actually an advocate of a certain amount of venting partly because it's cathartic but mainly because it sets the stage for members to share their experiences with peers, to realize they're not the only beleagured techs in the industry, and ultimately to recommend/discover solutions.
My hope is that a lot of members will jump in and have insights such as "I had the same communications problem with my boss but it greatly improved after we..." -- etc. This kind of dialog tends to morph into the kind of positive, actionable material you're describing, I think, with the added bonus of grass-roots credibility. (One example: Becky Roberts' follow-up to "The top ten peeves of a support tech" [http://techrepublic.com.com/5138-10877-5715291.html], in which she presents her ideas for resolving the problems she'd previously identified.) Anyway, I completely agree that there needs to be more to come on this topic, with the aim of improving workplace relationships and allowing staff and management to understand each other better and to work effectively together. Thanks again for your thoughts.
--Jody Gilbert
TechRepublic Downloads Team
Continuous Improvement
An interesting article, very interesting responses and perhaps a catalyst to initiate change. Vent first, then roll up the sleeves and work toward the solution. I agree with your "Generating Solutions" post: "?morph into positive, actionable material".
Weak leadership skills are not the exclusive domain of the Executive. My career has afforded me the opportunity to wear many hats; from tech to senior manager but the hat I enjoyed most was that of change agent, the ?Quality guy?; helping companies from hi-tech to heavy manufacturing explore leadership and learn the strengths that build cohesive teams. And one constant throughout all those industries: effective leadership and motivation skills and are an undervalued commodity at all levels of North American industries. It is a fact of human behavior, that we observe and emulate our leaders. If my manager behaves a certain way, then I better darn well learn to behave in that manner if I wish to be successful here. Leadership starts with the CEO and permeates down through the ranks. Good and bad, we learn from above, and I would give odds that the managers who have offered these constructive criticisms have themselves been at times guilty of similar conduct.
The good news is help is available. We can learn how to lead and motivate. There are professional organizations such as American Management Association who promote and provide education for advanced leadership skills. Our challenge is not how to change, it is when to change. Where will we begin motivating our leadership to value and promote those skills that serve to make us a more effective and cohesive team from the top down?
Great leaders = Great company = Great success = Great economy. It all begins with our leaders.
Dangerous waters
I disagree with your statement that "It is a fact of human behavior, that we observe and emulate our leaders", or at least the second half of it. Yes, we absolutely do observe them...no, we absolutely do not as a fact emulate them.
If that were true then the entirety of the business world would be composed of clones. Rather, humans follow the adopt/adapt/adept model...we adopt those qualities we admire and wish we had ourselves, we adapt our personalities and approaches to those qualities, and we become adept at them over the course of time. Most of us have the misfortune of working for people at least once in our careers who are either diametrically opposite ourselves, or are (to be blunt) complete jerks. Those "leaders" are not emulated...rather, we use them as a paradigm of what not to do. When life with these folks becomes intolerable we move on.
Your equation quantifying greatness is also suspect. It's true to a point, but only to the point you indicate...it BEGINS with great leadership. It is not an absolute that great leadership inevitably leads to highly motivated, highly productive, high performing teams that ultimately create economic growth. It's a key ingredient, perhaps THE key ingredient, but it's not a panacea.
Working your equation backward leads to other interesting conclusions, which is to say a great economy doesn't necessarily start with great leadership. Look at the period 1995-2000...economic growth out the wazoo, but hardly a period in the business cycle I'd hold up to historical scrutiny as one exemplifying great leadership.
And how do people define leadership and great leaders. I have been studying this particular topic for a long time. Do we think someone is a great leader because theya re a movie star? a sports figure? a business tycoon? a nation's president?
In my opinion, leaders are defined by those who follow them and the outcomes of their leadership. They don't do great deeds to be noticed, they do them because the deed needs doing. That doesn't mean they are altuistic or anything like that. However, you will find that real leaders are not easily defined, but are described by their accomplishments.
Another point, people do not learn to be leaders. Leaders hone their leadership abilities through experience and training. Bennis (2001) said that we cannot pop in John and Jane Q Public to leadership school and out comes a "McLeader".
I know quite a few people who are managers, but are not leaders. I know CEO's, CIO's, SVPs, all the way to the Tech in the field that are not leaders and will never be even with the best training. Why? Because leaders (real leaders) have something undefinable that tells them when, how, where, and why to do different leadership things and be successful.
Sure they fail too, but they learn from their failures.
This is all just my opinion based on my experience and reading and continued desire to grow speaking. I am sure the leadership debate will continue for many decades to come.


text:
Hedge Funders Back to Hating Democrats as Usual
Remember the hope-filled days of 2008, when the titans of Wall Street came together to pour money into Barack Obama's presidential campaign, because they knew he was going to win? It was truly an inspirational example of the rich setting aside their historic partisan affiliations in order to further their own self-interest.
Well. We are absolutely shocked, shocked, that this marriage of convenience between plutocratic financiers and the Democratic Party did not last. The Wall Street Journal reports that hedge fund managers, offended by the way they've been treated around here, are taking their checkbooks and going home. (To the Republican Party.)
Why the hurt feelings? Mostly because of a Democratic proposal to tax hedge fund money like regular human income, rather than at an artificially low capital gains rate. Fuck the wars, fuck marriage equality, fuck the environment, fuck everything. America's hedge fund titans are writing massive checks in order to empower the Republican Party do whatever it wants, as long as they agree to protect the already sickeningly disproportionate share of wealth controlled by the very richest members of our society.
"I am sure, if we are really nice and stay quiet, everything will be alright and the president will become more centrist and that all his tough talk is just words," [financier and former Obama fundraiser Daniel] Loeb wrote in an email about four months ago expressing frustration with the president's posture toward Wall Street. "I mean, he really loves us and when he beats us, he doesn't mean it." The email, sent to eight friends, was widely circulated on Wall Street.
We can all go back to loathing those guys, as usual.


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AMCTV's top drama is a grisly, sometimes sorrowful series that kills off characters as fast as it introduces them and almost never slows down to explain what's happening.
Networks could learn a lot from "The Walking Dead."
The AMC series, which ended the first half of its third season Sunday, currently has an average 5.32 rating in the key 18-49 demographic. That's better than the rating for any show on television except for NBC's "Sunday Night Football."
Factoring in a whole week's ratings -- as networks do to account for DVR viewing -- "Walking Dead" slips behind "The Big Bang Theory" and "Modern Family" -- but just barely.
Maybe network shows should just have more zombies, or violence. "The Walking Dead" has definitely benefited from a national fascination with the undead and must show more intestines per episode than any show in TV history.
Also read: 'Walking Dead' Preview: Four Men and a Baby
But zombies and guts aren't the only reasons "Walking Dead" has a shot at finishing the season as TV's top series -- and will almost definitely be its top drama. Some viewers tune in for gruesome spectacle, while others watch through their fingers.
Successful new network dramas are rare – NBC's "Revolution" and CBS's "Elementary" are among the few this season. Those that take the most risks, like ABC's "Last Resort," are often quickly canceled. Dramas are especially big gambles for networks because they are much more expensive than reality shows and comedies.
Also read: 'Walking Dead' Has Huge Midseason Finale, Leads All Shows Except Football
But "The Walking Dead" makes the case for taking risks anyway -- from letting major characters die, to letting viewers sometimes turn to online friends for answers.
Here are four things network shows could learn from AMC's hit.
1. Surprise us. Asked for the main reason "The Walking Dead" is thriving, showrunner Glen Mazzara points to its unpredictability.
"The show feels grounded, it feels accessible. But it's also unpredictable, and it has a fast pace," he told TheWrap. "There was an article I read about the speed of storytelling on shows like 'Homeland' and 'The Walking Dead.' The things that usually would be saved and built to are being pulled up and sort of happening before the audience is ready.
"That's something that I learned on 'The Shield' -- a type of accelerated storytelling. Especially when you have a very hungry audience like this. We've had other versions of the show in the past that weren't as accelerated, and I think that led to a lot of audience frustration. I think that the pace of the storytelling is right now able to keep up with the audience's expectations."
AMC screencapThe most unpredictable thing about "The Walking Dead"? Who lives and who dies. A willingness to kill major characters is perhaps the biggest difference between cable and network dramas. While networks may occasionally kill someone in a season finale, cable shows like "The Sopranos," "The Walking Dead," "Game of Thrones" and "Boardwalk Empire" have killed the characters we least expected, when we least expected.
2. Skip the backstory. Nothing slows down a story like too much explanation -- especially when it's repeated episode after episode, for viewers who haven't been watching or paying attention.
On "The Walking Dead," we don't even know what created walkers. And we don't need to know. This season, "The Walking Dead" provided some basic background in its season premiere -- and then kept moving.
"The beginning of the season reestablished all the characters and all the dynamics really quickly and gave everybody an entry point," Mazzara said. "I did anticipate that we would have new audience joining us. I thought maybe people would catch up on DVDs over hiatus or something like that. But now the train's running, and you just need to catch up. We're not going to keep going back and reestablishing the rules. I believe that the audience is on board."
Read the original article on The Wrap. Copyright 2012. Follow The Wrap on Twitter.


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Sherrod would be a solid pick. Sure, it would mean Vlad is not happening at RT and was a wasted pick. So what? It happens. Better to deal with it sooner rather than later. It would also mean the Jets think the need at RT is greater than the front 7. The logic would be that a great pass rusher would not be available at 30 and all that would be available would be an all-around DE (a poor man's Sean Ellis). Add to this that there may be options already on the squad for an all around 5-technique DE (in addition to DeVito, there's Pitoitua, Dixon, Gilbert, even Pryce for another year) that the Jets think might contribute better on the DL than Vlad will on the OL.
You guys should chill with the Heyward stuff. We don't know anything. Dude could like to punch babies for all we know.
I like Heyward more than anyone but if the team passes on him, they likely have a legit reason.
+1I like Heyward more than anyone but if the team passes on him, they likely have a legit reason.
Maybe they don't think he'll get much bigger or better...maybe he's crazy...maybe they're mad at OSU...He's not so special a prospect that it'd be retarded to pass on him.
^ Depends on who they are passing on him for. Taking a tackle from Miss. State... that's pushing it.
As for Heyward, the Jets could not like him for whatever reason. For all we know, our doctors found something in his knee that nobody else sees and we cross him off our list.
I've learned many times over the past several years that there are a million things you can't even think of that makes a team not want to take a player.
Give me Rudolf or give me death.
It would be idiotic to take a TE when you have a pass catching TE already, like him or not. You have needs in about 5 other areas. Rudolph is another guy whose value is higher than it should be because of a lousy class at his position.
Read any interview with Ozzie Newsome and he'll say pretty clearly that his strategy is always to draft best available. He says that he'd always rather fill needs through FA.
That is the reason he ended up with Heap when he didn't really need a TE.
If you think Rudolph is going to be a top 3 TE in the game, then you freaking take him over a guy like Brooks Reed who fills a need, but is going to get 9 sacks in his best year.
I don't disagree with your premise you have quoted in some of these threads. Don't worry about where a guy is ranked, I just totally disagree with the value you are putting on these players.
Top 3 TE in the game?
If we go OT I will be very angry. Defense is what we need.
If that happens it just shows that they think Ducasse is a scrub.. Probably a smart pick but I 100% want a front 7 player
If Carimi falls there, I'd definitely be on board with taking him. Guy is damn good blocker and is as strong as they come. If that means Ducasse moves inside permanently, then so be it.
OL is too important just to ignore because you have other positions that you think are more a need, even though we haven't even hit FA.
I swear some of you guys talk like you'd pass on hall of famers just to fill needs at other spots. That's why you judge these players.


text:
Tagged: Floats
I love a parade…. :)
Just got back from watching the parade, or at least watching what I could see from along 20th and Market St. over two hours ago, and I'm still reeling from all the excitement. I'm sure that some of the other Phillies' mlbloggers will be giving better and fuller reports on the parade later on, so I'm just going to blog about it from my own perspective. Around 11:35 am, I have left Drexel University's (which I am an alum) Hagerty Library and began to walk towards 20th and Market. As I did, I noticed several other people, all wearing various type of Phillies gear (I was only wearing the hat that I'd gotten last year when I went to see my first Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park) and they were all in various states of happiness over the Phils finally winning it. When I heard someone mention the so-call Curse of Billy Penn, I told them that it was a lame excuse to explain away why our sports team kept on crapping out towards the end after I'd first heard about it a couple of years ago, and quite frankly folks, I still do. That Curse is in my my opinion a joke. Just an lame excuse someone came up with to explain away the reasons why none of the city's major sports team had won a major championship since 1983 and the Sixers. Sorry, I just can't buy into it. If our boys lose to a team that was better prepared to win, just say so and be done with it. Do not make excuses. Anyway, we had a good laugh on that, and I'd continued on. By the time I'd reached 30th Street Station and the now closed 30th Street Post Office Building, the place was starting to fill up with Philly red like you would never believe, and all headed for the downtown area and the parade route. Me, I was determined to just find a place around 20th and Market so that I can get a good enough view to see the floats go by. As I continued on, and walked past even more folks in Phillies gear, I began to see the area that was blocked off to traffic (I would say about 25th and Market) as well as notice several cop vans. As I started to cross about 23rd and Market, I saw a couple of Philly cops. I stopped next to them and then congratualted them on doing a good job. One of the officers smiled and thanked me, since I'd obviously made his and his partner's day, before I continued on. Upon about 21st Street, I'd saw the place starting to fill up and I began to do some strategic manuevering so that I could get to the corner of 19th and 20th and Market Streets. I won't give you the details, but I soon reached where I wanted to get to around about 11:50 am. At the moment, I'd decided to take a break, and go into my green bag and get out the lunch that I'd made for myself before I'd left my apartment in West Philly: a couple of hot dogs and a bottle of water. As I'd ate, I'd noticed that across the street from where I was, there were a couple of double decker tour buses filled with people, which I was to later learn contained photographers who would be taking pictures of the parade as it went along its way up Market, around City Hall and then down Broad Street towards the Sports Complex, and behind them was what I believe to be the Budweiser Clydesdales wagon. As I was doing that, I was listening to the people around me and to say that they weren't a very happy bunch of people is an understatement. They were, like me, very glad that one of the big local sports teams have finally won the big one. Anyway, as soon as I was done eating, and had put the wrapper inside one of the pockets of my 'tanker' jacket, to throw it away later, I began to move again so that I could find myself a spot in front of the Soverign Bank Building on 20th and Market from which to watch the parade. After a while, I'd finally found a spot, and began to wait for the parade to start. While waiting I struck up several short conversations with the people around me, especially one with a lady who was about my age, who, unlike me, had seen the earlier 1980 parade with her 4-years old son, and was now going to watch it with her young teenage (or close to teenage) daughter. It was quite obvious to me that she was going to enjoy herself. Before then, the confetti has began to appear, being blown forward by some big fans, and soon starting to cover the area with it. Of course, as we waited, we all noticed that it was now after 12 noon and that the parade hasn't started yet. The lady and I were soon talking about that, with both of us joking about things never being on time here, but hey, this is Philly. We're never on time with anything. Soon we started to hear cheering and whooping, and I'm figuring that the parade must have finally started, but we just can't see the floats yet. Around the same time, the two double decker buses with the photographers were both starting to head for the corner of 19th and 20th and Market Sts., so that they could make the turn onto Market Street so that they could start taking photos of the route, soon followed by the Clydesdales and their wagon. After a few more minutes of waiting, what we have all been waiting to see have finally arrived, as here comes the floats, as a very loud cheer is heard from the crowd around me. On the first float, at the front, was of course, the Phanatic, being, well, the Phanatic, along with, I can assume, the folks who work for the team. Also on the float, a couple of guys were holding up a couple of the local newpapers upon which were placed banner headlines that both announced that the Phillies have just won the World Series. Shades of 1980!!! About the second or third float in, there it was, what folks out here have wanted to see again for 28 years, the World Series Trophy, with it being raised high in the air for everyone to see. That cause a very big roar to erupt from the fans, but not as big a one as when the first of the floats that contained the players and their families have finally arrived. Not only did it produced a loud roar, but there was also some loud clapping, several yells of "PHILLIES" and dozens of excited fans putting their fingers into the air in the we're number one sign. The floats would stop several time to give everyone a chance to see the guys, and, of course, that caused even louder cheers to occur. Around about the seven or eight float, we all began to see, at the back end of the float, the 2008 flag that Ryan Howard had carried around the park in a victory lap during the middle part of this Wednesday's celebration. I know a lot of fans were happy to see that flag, since it meant what we had all year been hoping and praying for, a new championship flag to fly over the park alongside the 1980 one. After that float went by there came one more float, upon which one of the folks standing on it was holding up a placard that displayed the symbol for this year's World Series. A short time after that float went by, soon followed by the police in car and on horseback, the crowd began to leave. It moved slowly at first, because of the large numbers of fans trying to leave at the same time, but it would start to move a bit more quickly once the bottleneck has been gotten through. While some folks soon headed towards 15th Street, or probably to the rest of the downtown area, I'd head back here to Hagerty so that I could write this report up. 🙂 Well, I can now say that I'd seen a victory parade, and man, this one rocked!!! 🙂
Update: Pat Burrell was on the Clydesdales wagon!!! Yay, Pat the Bat! I hope he stays here.


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Operating System:Windows XP Pro
Product Name:ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite
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Katie Couric Finally Picks a Job, for Chrissake
Our long national nightmare of having to hear about Katie Couric's job search seemingly every god damn week for a god damn year is finally over: she's going to ABC, just like everyone knew she would god damn months ago.
She'll have a syndicated daytime talk show and still do news stuff sometimes, too. Fine, fine. The important thing is: no more god damn gossip about her job search, no more god damn speculation on what she'll do next (we called it, btw, thank you), and no more god damn handicapping of who will succeed her at CBS.
Also, Katie, no more god damn job offers to you from us. You really blew this one. You could be writing this post, and saying whatever you want. Oh well. Good luck in daytime TV. We may never lay eyes on you again.


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'The Shark' returns to Washington
By Andrew Simon / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Phillies outfielder Roger Bernadina returned to Nationals Park on Friday for the first time since the Nationals released him on Aug. 19.
Bernadina had played his entire professional career in the organization, signing with the Expos in 2001 and debuting with the Nats in 2008. But he downplayed the significance of coming back to the stadium he used to call home.
"Actually, I haven't really thought that much about it," said Bernadina, who signed with the Phillies on Aug. 21. "Maybe a few weeks ago, I'd say I was excited, but now it's like, I feel at home with the Phillies. I've kind of put it behind me. I had a great career with the Nats and now it doesn't really cross my mind."
At the same time, Bernadina was happy for the opportunity to play in front of the Washington fans again, although he wasn't in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener. During his time in the District, Bernadina earned the nickname "The Shark" for his defense in the outfield and had his own fan club, complete with shark costumes.
"The fans have always been great to me, and I love coming to Washington and seeing the fans," he said. "That's something for sure that will stick in my mind, is the fans. They've always been great and I'm looking forward to seeing them tonight."
As for Bernadina's tenure with the Phillies, the offensive struggles he experienced with the Nats this year have continued. He has gone 8-for-55 (.145) with his new club, including 4-for-his-last-34 with 10 strikeouts, losing playing time in center field to rookie Cesar Hernandez.
"It's been OK. I can't say it's been great," Bernadina said. "I started OK when I was playing a little more, but lately I can't get the stroke I want to. But there's still two weeks to go and I want to make the best out of it."
Brown pinch-hits, status still day to day
WASHINGTON -- When Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown pinch-hit in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-1 loss to the Nationals, it was his first appearance since Sept. 1. Brown has been making progress in his recovery from a right Achilles injury, but manager Ryne Sandberg didn't commit to getting him back in the lineup this weekend.
"He was cleared to [play] in a pinch-hit role tonight," Sandberg said. "It was a perfect opportunity to give him an at-bat and see how he looked.
"We'll take it day to day. He had a solid pregame, and no complaints there. … I actually watched him run real hard to first base, that all looked good. So, that's just a passing of the test to get him back in the lineup."
Brown has not made a start since Aug. 30 and had only 12 plate appearances since Aug. 23 before hitting into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play against Drew Storen Friday night. He progressed to taking batting practice on Thursday, when he called himself "close to 100 percent."
Brown hasn't homered since Aug. 14, but still ranks fourth in the National League with 27.
Hernandez a 'pleasant surprise' in center field
WASHINGTON -- Phillies interim manager Ryne Sandberg said Friday that rookie Cesar Hernandez, a converted second baseman, has been a "pleasant surprise" in center field thus far. Sandberg started Hernandez in center for the seventh time in the past eight games for Friday's series opener against the Nationals.
Sandberg said the 23-year-old Hernandez has fared well, despite facing some difficult plays, including sinking line drives and balls hit directly over his head.
"His stride and his foot speed and his speed to the gaps has been very good, calling off the corner outfielders on balls," Sandberg said. "So, pleasant surprise. It's not an easy position, by no means. But I think his athletic ability has allowed him to cover the position very well, and he finds himself in the lineup."
Hernandez also has been holding down the leadoff spot. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and two RBIs on Thursday against the Padres, his second three-hit game in a week. A .309 hitter with a .375 on-base percentage at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, Hernandez has gone 9-for-22 (.409) with four walks and three doubles over his past seven contests.
Hernandez began playing center field in July at Triple-A. With Chase Utley at second -- and signed through at least 2015 -- the Phillies needed to find another spot for him.
Sandberg has an idea what Hernandez is going through. The Hall of Fame second baseman was a shortstop coming up through the Minors with the Phillies before becoming a legend with the Cubs as a third baseman in 1982.
"For a young player to have some versatility, sometimes that's how you become a regular, just because that position opens up, you've had experience there," Sandberg said. "Basically, that's what happened to me."
Sandberg added that he would like to see Hernandez get some work on the left side of the infield at some point, perhaps over the winter. That would help him match the versatility of Freddy Galvis, who has played second and third base, plus shortstop and left field. Sandberg liked the idea of having both players "in the mix" for next year in order to maximize the team's depth.
For now, learning center field is enough. While Hernandez has what Sandberg called "a real good infield arm," he still has to adjust to throwing from the outfield and seeing the game from that perspective.
"For a guy like Cesar to go out there, you really have to be in the game," Sandberg said. "When you're an infielder and you go to the outfield, you really have to focus a little bit more on the game, because home plate's farther away from you, and it feels like ... if you haven't been out there at all that the ball's not going to be to hit [to you], where the infield, you're on the balls of your feet, down really low, waiting for the hot shot."
Worth noting
• The Phillies' bullpen worked 4 2/3 innings without allowing a hit, walk or hit by pitch on Thursday against the Padres, their first such outing since they went five perfect innings on May 22, 1998, at Montreal.
• Philadelphia relievers rank last in the Majors in walk rate (10.6 percent), but have not issued a free pass in six straight games, spanning 15 2/3 innings. They have racked up 18 strikeouts over that period.
• Sandberg used the same lineup -- minus the pitcher's spot -- for the second day in a row after the Phillies scored their most runs since Aug. 8 in Thursday's 10-5 win.
Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @HitTheCutoff. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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IGNACIO Chaz Thompson, a Dolores senior, tied the state mark for most interceptions returned for touchdown in a single game last Friday at Ignacio.
Thompson returned three interceptions for three touchdowns and had six TDs overall in leading Dolores to a convincing 47-6 road win. It was the season finale for both teams in 1A Southern Peaks League action.
Thompson scored his first pick-6 with 4:25 left in the first quarter a 58-yard return against Ignacio (2-7) quarterback Adison Jones. His second came with 9:23 left in the second quarter a 13-yarder off Jones, putting Dolores (4-5) ahead 14-0 (after Moki Youngquists second consecutive extra-point kick). Thompsons third, a 99-yarder off Jones, ended the contest with no time left on the clock at Ignacio High School Field.
On offense, Thompson also scored on TD rushes of 48 yards, with 6:46 left in the second; 37, with 4:37 left in the second; and, 1-yard, with 7:03 left in the third. Thompsons third rushing TD enacted the 40-point, mercy-rule running clock after Youngquists extra point gave Dolores a 41-0 lead.
Cody Carroll scored the other touchdown for Dolores.
Thompson, a Montezuma-Cortez transfer, rushed for 109 yards on only four carries with six touchdowns. He had three interceptions and six tackles on defense.
SOURCE: (Category No. 108, listed under Miscellaneous on chsaa.org. Shared record holder; Bill Carpenter, Idalia High School, Oct. 8, 1988).


text: In regards to our knowing our galaxy better, astronomers have discovered a new system approximately 6.5 light years from Earth. This is a brown dwarf binary star system with the name of WISE 1049-5319. The star chart seen in "Conspiracy" depicts the Sol System as being within a hundred light years of the galactic edge. However, a star chart seen in "Emissary" depicts the current state of knowledge, with the Sol System located between the galactic core and the galactic edge.


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In a movie season worshipped for its CGI-boosted, spiritually bankrupt juvenilia, it's heartening to know that filmmakers still create — and maybe more significantly, that studios still distribute — summer entertainment for grown-ups. Not that those buckets of popcorn are going to empty themselves, but who needs to be reminded of yet another comic-book reboot (The Amazing Spider-Man), unasked-for remake (Total Recall) or Adam Sandler comedy (That's My Boy)? Here are 24 to watch for in the sweltering months ahead, from thought-provoking indies to Piranha 3DD. All opening dates are approximate.
Moonrise Kingdom (June 1)
Directed by Wes Anderson
Summer Movies 2012
Vintage record players! Letter writing! Slow-motion sequences and Euro pop! Anderson's vibrantly meticulous, nostalgia-inducing aesthetic finally gets the '60s period piece it deserves in this small-town dramedy adventure. Twelve-year-olds Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward fall in love and run off into the New England wilderness, much to the chagrin of his Scout troop leader (Edward Norton), her folks (Frances McDormand and Bill Murray) and local sheriff Bruce Willis. (Focus Features)
Piranha 3DD (June 1)
Directed by John Gulager
That's pronounced "Double-D," as in the jiggly, eye-popping flesh that'll be chewed up (and spat at the audience) by prehistoric fanged fish, much as it was in the proudly, viciously campy Piranha 3D. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water park, terror swims anew for survivors Ving Rhames, Paul Scheer and Christopher Lloyd. (Dimension Films)
Prometheus (June 8)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Originally conceived as, but not exactly, a prequel to Scott's 1979 sci-fi masterpiece Alien, this mega-expensive, futuristic IMAX thriller instead forges an epic new mythos about our intergalactic origins. Following an ancient star map, a quite face-huggable space crew (including captain Idris Elba, archaeologist Noomi Rapace, android Michael Fassbender and corporate thug Charlize Theron) investigates an extraterrestrial civilization on a distant, terrifying planet. (20th Century Fox)
Marina Abramovi: The Artist is Present (June 13)
Directed by Matthew Akers
Named for the Museum of Modern Art retrospective on the Serbian performance-art sensation's four-decade body of work, this doc takes a revealing look at Abramovic's complicated relationships with her audience and former lover/collaborator Ulay. From vintage footage of the now 65-year-old radical's public self-flagellation to 2010's main event — a three-month, stone-faced sitting in front of curious, often obsessive museum-goers — the film warmly and perceptively makes a solid case for asking the question: "Is this art?" (HBO Documentary Films/Music Box Films)
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
(June 22)
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov
On Broadway, actor Benjamin Walker already reimagined one U.S. president as an emo rock star in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, so why not play Honest Abe as an ax-wielding abolitionist out to destroy bloodsuckers and slavery? Adapted by hot novelist-cum-screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith (Dark Shadows) from his own faux-epistolary mash-up, this action-packed "secret life" chronicle promises an undead body count of at least four score. (20th Century Fox)
Brave (June 22)
Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
A strong-willed young woman and expert archer becomes the talk of her rural kingdom when she takes charge of her own destiny ... and competes in the Hunger Games? OK, so Pixar's latest CG-animated fantasy isn't that dark, but it does feature the studio's first-ever female protagonist: Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), a flame-haired, 10th-century princess of the Scottish Highlands, whose solo adventure begins after defying a chauvinistic tradition. (Disney/Pixar)
Seeking a Friend For the End of the World (June 22)
Directed by Lorene Scafaria
If Melancholia was too glum in its pre-apocalyptic anxieties, the Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist screenwriter's directorial debut offers up an unlikely alternative for those who take the Mayans' predictions seriously: a rom-com! While humanity awaits doomsday by way of an inbound asteroid, a freshly dumped Steve Carell makes an unlikely connection in his neighbor Keira Knightley. Go for it, girl — it's not like you have to worry about commitment issues. (Focus Features)
To Rome With Love (June 22)
Directed by Woody Allen
The Woodman's follow-up to Midnight in Paris continues his recent trend of filming in travelogue-friendly European locales. Along with the 76-year-old Allen, this year's Windsor-font-emblazoned ensemble includes Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page and indie darling Greta Gerwig. (Sony Pictures Classics)
Beasts of the Southern Wild (June 27)
Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Punching way above his indie-budget weight, Zeitlin's visually rapturous tale — the Grand Jury Prize and Best Cinematography winner at Sundance 2012 — sees the lawless Louisiana bayou through the imaginative, often blindly optimistic view of a 6-year-old girl named Hushpuppy (newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis). Like Where the Wild Things Are as conceived by Terrence Malick, this troubling but tender 16mm opus will permanently stain your brain with its fantastical images. (Fox Searchlight)
Magic Mike (June 29)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Just as Soderbergh's The Girlfriend Experience was more focused on the economics of the high-class escort biz than it was on sexuality, it's impossible to imagine this dramatic comedy about male strippers will just be Striptease with chest grease and "banana hammocks." Based in part on Channing Tatum's experience as a 19-year-old dancer, the film stars the barrel-chested G.I. Joe as the eponymous leading man. (Warner Bros.)
Take This Waltz (June 29)
Directed by Sarah Polley
The Canadian actress-turned-filmmaker's sophomore effort behind the camera (following her Oscar-nominated Away from Her) again demonstrates her instincts for sharp, emotionally charged writing and richly developed female protagonists. Happily married to a cookbook-writing goofball (Seth Rogen, never better), Michelle Williams is unprepared for the heat she feels around rickshaw-driving neighbor Luke Kirby. Their unrequited eroticism sizzles like the Toronto summer, but Polley's affectionate drama isn't so much about infidelity as it is about life's thorny impossibilities. (Magnolia Pictures)
The Queen of Versailles (July 6)
Directed by Lauren Greenfield
The photographer-filmmaker behind such doc provocations as Thin and Kids + Money hits the morbidly curious mother lode in this depiction of the American dream gone sour. When the billionaire time-share king of Florida and his ex-model wife begin construction on a 90,000-square-foot palace — the largest home in the United States, including 30 bathrooms, a bowling alley and baseball diamond — they aren't prepared for the credit crunch to shrink their empire. Their post-recession behavior is the stuff of reality-television nightmares. (Magnolia Pictures)
Savages (July 6)
Directed by Oliver Stone
There is no historical profiling or arch sociopolitical conscience in the latest from the iconoclast behind JFK and World Trade Center, a brutal crime thriller reminding us that he's also the guy who wrote Scarface. Based on Don Winslow's bestseller, Savages stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as Laguna Beach pot dealers forced to square off against a corrupt DEA agent (John Travolta), a cartel leader (Salma Hayek!) and her enforcer (Benicio Del Toro). (Universal Pictures)
Ted (July 13)
Directed by Seth McFarlane
Boston slacker Mark Wahlberg might be able to salvage his relationship with long-suffering girlfriend Mila Kunis if he can get his best friend since childhood to move out. Oh, and his friend happens to be a CG-animated, foul-mouthed, bong-smoking, sexually harassing teddy bear (voiced by McFarlane). Patrick Warburton, Giovanni Ribisi and Joel McHale co-star. (Universal Pictures)
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Really, who won't be watching the final act of Nolan's Caped Crusader trilogy, arguably the high-water mark of superhero cinema? Christian Bale's gravelly voice returns as haunted billionaire Bruce Wayne and his winged alter ego, now facing two foes of fanboy legend: Anne Hathaway's slinky Catwoman and Tom Hardy's gas-masked juggernaut Bane, who infamously broke Batman's back in the comics. (Warner Bros.)
Klown (July 27)
Directed by Mikkel Nørgaard
Hands down the funniest film of the year, this irreverent Danish comedy plays like a superior, way grosser version of The Hangover (and Todd Phillips is producing an American remake!). Discovering that everyone except him knew about his girlfriend's pregnancy, a nebbishy man-child — about to take a canoe trip to an exclusive brothel with his ultra-perverted pal — unwisely kidnaps her young nephew for the ride. From ill-advised threesomes to photographing little boy penises, they don't call them "gags" for nothing. (Drafthouse Films)
Killer Joe (July 27)
Directed by William Friedkin
In debt to a drug kingpin, Emile Hirsch hires a sociopathic Dallas cop (Matthew McConaughey) to take out his mother for the life insurance policy. The Exorcist director reteams with Pulitzer- and Tony-winning writer Tracy Letts (Bug) for what's been labeled both a sleazy noir-thriller and an eccentric, pitch-black comedy. (LD Entertainment)
The Watch (July 27)
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
Formerly called Neighborhood Watch before the Trayvon Martin shooting prompted an essential title change, this profane comedy concerns a quartet of Costco employees and drinking buddies (Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Submarine director Richard Aoyade) who form a crime watch to escape their humdrum suburban existence. Oh yeah, and then they accidentally uncover an alien-invasion plot that only they can thwart to save all of humanity. (20th Century Fox)
The Bourne Legacy (August 3)
Directed by Tony Gilroy
Whoa, how do you make a Jason Bourne thriller without Matt Damon, or even the Bourne identity? Expanding on novelist Robert Ludlum's universe of top-level espionage, the underrated director of Duplicity and Michael Clayton (and screenwriter on every Bourne flick thus far) brings new hero Jeremy Renner into the fray — along with Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz and the previous films' Albert Finney and Joan Allen — as another bad-ass CIA operative. (Universal Pictures)
The Campaign (August 10)
Directed by Jay Roach
The mud-slinging political comedy we deserve in this circus of an election year, this broad farce stars Will Ferrell as a long-sitting congressman from North Carolina whose CEO rivals dig up their own untrained Manchurian candidate (a mustachioed Zach Galifianakis) from the local tourism center. Fun fact: Galifianakis' uncle was also an NC congressman, unseated by Jesse Helms in the '70s. (Warner Bros.)
ParaNorman (August 17)
Directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell
The Oscar-nominated animation company behind Coraline presents this stop-motion 3-D comedy-thriller about a spiky-haired misfit (voiced by Let Me In's Kodi Smit-McPhee) with the ability to speak to the dead. Unable to win over friends or even his family, Norman's ghost whispering sure comes in handy when his small town is overrun by a plague of zombies. (Focus Features)
The Loneliest Planet (August 24)
Directed by Julia Loktev
Hiking through the otherworldly Caucasus Mountains in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia, Alex (Gael García Bernal) and his flame-haired fiancee Nica (Hani Furstenberg) seem like the perfect hipster couple, until a subtle, split-second choice irreversibly cracks the veneer. Loktev's marvelous, slow-burning follow-up to her minimalist thriller Day Night Day Night somehow manages to be both audacious and subtle: Awkward silences are deafening, and the wilderness, though wide open, brings on a devastating claustrophobia. (Sundance Selects)
Premium Rush (August 24)
Directed by David Koepp
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Anyone who has ever shared the road with a Manhattan bicycle messenger knows they're a thrill-seeking, possibly suicidal, lot. Koepp, who also scribed this season's Men in Black III, gives the Speed treatment to the fixed-gear, no-brakes set in this against-the-clock thriller, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a skilled cyclist whose delivery payload is being hunted by Michael Shannon's homicidal cop. One ill-timed passenger door opening and it's all over, roll credits. (Sony Pictures)
Lawless (August 31)
Directed by John Hillcoat
Adapted by Australian rock icon and screenwriter Nick Cave (The Proposition) from Matt Bondurant's true-life family tales in his lyrical novel The Wettest County in the World, this Prohibition-era crime drama chronicles the three Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia, (Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke) and their fight against outsiders — including gangster Gary Oldman and deputy Guy Pearce — who want a taste of their moonshine bootlegging operation. The ubiquitous Jessica Chastain also stars as Hardy's love interest from the big city. (The Weinstein Company)


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The heroes of this particular Legend of Heroes game want to be "bracers" when they grow up. And no, that isn't a widget your character wears on his arm, like in World of Warcraft. Bracing is a job, a wholesome mix of body guarding, treasure hunting, monster bashing, espionage, well-intended thuggery, and blue-collar maintenance. Sometimes bracers save the world. Sometimes they're more like roving freelance janitors with swords.
Bracers have a scattered career, and those working conditions lend themselves to explaining why Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is itself a scattered RPG. It wants to tell the sweeping epic story common to RPGs, but it also wants to invigorate it with lots of fiddly little side quests: whacking this monster or gathering that item or fixing some lamp post, somewhere.
How big a problem is this split approach? It depends on what you want from a fantasy adventure game. Trails in the Sky leans well toward the gameplay end of the spectrum. It doesn't fall quite in the realm of a rogue-like dungeon hack or hardcore strategy-RPG, but it's not a breezy, cinematic sort of game, either. It expects the player to do a lot of extra combat and a lot of active character development, rather than having him put the cruise control on full power.
To give Falcom's designers their due, the game is made well in those respects. Combat is built on an old-fashioned turn-based system, but immediately, every character can choose from a bevy of skills and tactics during battle. Characters can move freely in any direction around the field, too, rather than having to scoot at right angles around a grid of squares. Even in the routine practice of random battles, challenges are reasonable and will usually make you think rather than whack the same "attack" button over again.
Leveling each character calls for more thought. Aside from the usual experience points and gold, the spoils in this game include a series of different magic crystals. Combining them together in new ways unlocks skills for each character, and deciding which to keep is crucial. Skills can't be unlearned, and they make a major difference as far as what damage a party member can deal during combat and what assistance they can provide for the team between fights.
In gearhead terms, this isn't a bad design for a console RPG. But Trails in the Sky starts to come apart once the story rolls in.
Each major town in the game has a "bracer guild," a hub for all kinds of side quests that our heroes have to complete to advance themselves. All of these minor tasks, which have little relevance to the central plot, give the game an awkward rhythm. Whenever it starts building momentum, the forward sweep of the story is held back. That's fine if you like the amount of combat and want to gain extra loot, but not if you'd rather be immersed in more important events. The beginning of the game is especially rough because it takes an overly long time to reveal a shred of storyline.
More games like Legend of Heroes need to make their stories start full-speed. And no, that doesn't mean the drama should unfold first in sewers that happen to have an overdeveloped rat problem. (Yes, the first quest in our young bracers' adventure involves wandering through yet another fantasy village's septic system.) Final Fantasy VII showed one good example of how to do a story right: the plot kicked off right in the middle of something exciting. Trails in the Sky dials down that excitement until seven, eight, nine hours into the game.
A slow build does give players a good, solid introduction to a world and a cast of characters. But there's slow builds, and then there's glacial ones. As far as plot, Trails in the Sky will put some heavy demands on the average player's patience. A person can stand only so much exposition before they itch to go out and save the world already.
This isn't an adventure that will please everyone. Trails in the Sky has a couple of very strong points, and for some RPG fans, those will be more than enough to amend the dragging gaps in story. Just be warned that the fantasy heroics come with a fair bit of janitorial duty in the bargain.