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Time to wake up the old blog again, I guess, and see if I can't bang out a few lines for entertainment and illumination.
The Big Table is currently occupied by one of the newest releases from Avalanche Press, "Island of Death". It's a battalion / company level game covering a hypothetical invasion of Malta by the Axis. As a sometimes-fan of "hypothetical" games – and aren't most wargames somewhat hypothetical anyway? – I find it an interesting and overlooked topic. I'm also a big fan of the game system (more on that in another post), so at basically $20 this game was a lock for me to buy. So far, I have not been disappointed.
Since actually playing the thing is on my mind right now, I'm going to dispense with the introductions and jump right into getting it set up.
In this version of 1942, Malta is defended by a mish-mash of British and Maltese units. Except for coastal defense artillery, the island is weak on artillery support – a single arty battalion. Coastal batteries are plentiful, but they can only fire on Italian warships and on units that are landing amphibiously.
The attackers are primarily Italian troops. Two infantry divisions constitute the amphibious component of the attack, supported by the Folgore parachute division and the Ramcke brigade of German fallschirmjaeger. A third Italian division stands by to land by glider at captured airfields. Add to that a few odds-n-ends (like Italian Marine companies). A number of Italian warships are also on the scene to provide support and suppress the coastal batteries.
The Allied combat battalions, security companies and AA units deploy in 'historical' locations. I noticed a couple of oddities about the deployment locations. In a couple of spots Allied units are deployed in open terrain within a hex or two of a fortress, but nothing is deployed IN the fortress. I'm a little curious about that, especially in a couple of cases where British companies are near, but not in, a fortress. It may be something to quiz the developer about, should a motivated mood strike me.
After the fixed setup, the Allies then free-deploy their eight Strongpoint units and their buttload of coastal guns. As I'm playing this one out solitaire, I'll be using the various solitaire landing tables provided in the game. Some landing locations are more likely than others, so that figures a bit into the setup.
The amphibious landing table makes it most likely that the Italians will land on the North and West beach zones. The areas most easily covered by the Regia Marina, I guess. You roll a d6 to set the landing zone for each Italian division. 1-2 is West, 3-4 is North, 5 is East and 6 is South. The East and South zones are closer to a lot of airfields and such, but they're also straight in the teeth of the Allied deployment. Two Italian divisions land amphibiously (4th and 20th Infantry). After a couple of die rolls, the 4th is coming ashore in the West, the 20th in the North.
The airdrop location table scatters five drop zone points pretty much evenly spaced across the East-West axis of the island. After you roll up an initial hex, you then go through the scatter routine to place the final drop zone marker. The individual drop serials will scatter from that point. There are two drop zones: One for the Folgore division and one for the Ramcke brigade.
After some more dice rolling the 'plan' actually worked out to be interesting. The amphib divisions are coming ashore in the West and North. The Folgore division is dropping in the southwest corner of the island, where they can link up with the 4th Division and drive eastward. The Ramcke Brigade gets the tough job of dropping in the middle of all of the airfields and defenses in the eastern part of the island, ostensibly to tie-up the Allied response while the three Italian divisions get established. The danger is that a badly scattered drop (less likely with the Germans) will give the Allies a chance to chop the Germans to bits in the first couple of turns.
The setup lets the Allies place their coastal guns anywhere on the island, with a restriction that they must place at least 8 of the batteries within 2 hexes of the port of Valletta. So I've setup quite a few of the coastal guns farther inland, where they can still hammer the beaches but will be out of range of most of the Italian warships. Of course, that means they generally won't be able to fire on the warships – but my plan is for them to ignore the warships and blast away at the landing waves as they come ashore.
I tried to site most of the guns inland to cover multiple beaches. Considering the landing areas chosen, most of the guns on the eastern half of the island are kind of useless now. The guns around Valletta can cover a couple hexes of the northern landing zone.
After I rolled for the landing beaches it occurred to me that I probably hadn't covered the western zone as well as I thought – but then it's also the beach zone farthest from any important locations. The northern beaches are set to get hammered, though.
The Axis want to take a couple of airfields as early as possible so they can start landing more of their guys. The third Italian division (some glider guys) can only arrive at airfields.
With any luck, I'll get the amphib landings going and resolve the air drops in the next day or two. It will be interesting to see what happens when the dice start rolling.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
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Eat this, don't eat that. Warning labels. Calorie counts. You can buy two 16 ounce drinks but not one 32 ounce drink.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Tyndale House is a religious publishing company. You might think they could get a free pass on the Obamacare mandate requiring employers to include "free" contraceptive devices and medication in their group plan.
Apparently not.
Attorneys have filed suit against the HHS Secretary (Tyndale House Publishers v. Sebelius) demanding an exemption.
"To say that a Bible publisher is not religious is patently absurd. Tyndale House is a prime example of how ridiculous and arbitrary the Obama administration's mandate is. Americans today clearly agree with America's founders: the federal government's bureaucrats are not qualified to decide what faith is, who the faithful are, and where and how that faith may be lived out."ADF Media, "Bible Publisher Isn't Religious Enough"
Put me down as undecided on this.
On one hand, I really do believe government has overstepped their role and needs to back off. The Bible tells us Adam and Eve only had one law.
Then Moses received 10 new laws from God that seemed to work well for centuries.
On the other hand, just because a company prints Bible's and other religious literature doesn't mean they are a religious entity. Using that argument you could also say companies that manufacture pews and pulpits should also be exempt. Or companies that produce wine (or grape juice for the Baptists), or shot glasses (used for communion).
The list is almost endless.
Thanks to Henry Stern for this tip

subset: commoncrawl


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Balmain Fashion house has annouced the replacement to Designer Christophe Decarnin who recently left, French designer Olivier Rousteing.
It has been confirmed that Rousteing will supervise the design and development of the brand's men's and women's ready-to-wear collections, and from 2009 Rousteing had been in charge of the womenswear studio.
- Fashion Telegraph
Olivier Rousteing studied Fashion at ESMOD University in Paris in 2003 and spent 5 years working at Roberto Cavalli, where he designed men and womens clothing
This coming October Rousteing will debut at Paris Fashion Week with Balmain's spring/summer 2012 collection. He told WWD how he wanted to ensure that the label, which was founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945, "always remains one of the leading brands that others look to as a reference".
I wonder if Rousteing will continue the look Decarnin bought to Balmain 'Rock Chic'. Wish him all the best and Can Not Wait to see the creations he brings to the Runway
Image and text sourced from fashiontelegraph


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To increase web site traffic is a time consuming JOB, unless you think smart and use an article directory or multiple article directories.
Only two methods needed Web site to increase traffic
There are different ways of web site traffic increase, but only one is the best and this article will explain in full detail how to accomplish this. In the first place, forget everything you've ever read on increasing web site traffic. Only the best and smartest concepts will be learned from this article. Only relevant backlinks and relevant reciprocal links are required. Why are these the only two concepts you should focus on increasing targeted web site traffic. These two methods will kill four birds with one stone, search engine rankings, link popularity, PageRank (PR), and targeted web site traffic. There is no reason for me to explain why this increase your targeted traffic, but only how to apply it.
Relevant Backlinks Increase Site Traffic Web
Links are the heart of the search engine rankings and can dramatically increase web site traffic only. Why? Back carry more weight than any other form of links, because the search felt that if a back or one-way link to your site from another without consulting them, that your website is more important. 50 Back links more important than 500 reciprocal links. Search engines are aware that webmasters trade links, so many back to have highly significant places tell the search engine, this site is important in relation to this particular niche, which is why your back must be relevant. How do I get high pr back to pay out hundreds of dollars. Articles! An article directory can be your savior back crisis. Almost all article directories will be at least a PR4 ranking. Why? Unique content and all the product pages with a backlink to the article directory.
An article directory can increase Relevant Back Links
Take the article system by creating many of the article pages with a one-way or backlink to your website or a few sites to explore as you choose. Most article directories will allow you to add three links in the resource box of an article submission form. By artices write and send to a guide or guides, you get three back for each article published. A section may be extended. I have to give you the power of articles, so I published a 6 days before this one, "The Full Adsense Formula." Google search it in quotes. Now I just offered to 150 article directories and in 6 days I have twice as much back from this published article. Why are there twice as many links as article directories I get? An article directory is not just for publishing articles, but also for webmasters with a high demand for content. These webmasters may reprint or publish your article, with your permission of course, on their site as long as they keep the article intact, including back to your sites. Now for a webmaster to your article it should be on the website reprint. Relevant Back Links! An article I wrote last year are now published on page 8000. A very relevant back for thirty minutes of typing. This will increase your PR and within weeks you will increase web site traffic in the old days saw. This section is used to generate more of the search engines rankings and back, not long term web site traffic. The reason is because the news article itself will only generate traffic for a month or so.
Articles Increasse search engine rankings
Now these items in folders are indexed in the search engines on their own page with your link at the end. 5000 pages so your article improves your chances of a user's search to find it, read it, and then on your site. Why? They want more information or come to the conclusion that you know what you're talking about, if it is a very informative article. While these pages move up in the SERP's (Search Engine Results Page) in time the page linked to will move, too. For search purposes, the backup link that follows the article shou d not the article about it. Why? Search engines like unique content and the visitor does not want to read the same article. They want more relevant information not included in the article.
Use Articles military Links to find
Write an article on reciprocal links and make your readers that you will exchange links, leave your email address and the topics of your pages and you do not need huge amounts of time looking for links to your web site traffic increase of the classroom. They will e-mail. Once the pages in the search engines. I have used these methods many times new fields to give at least a (PR5) PageRank of 5 in 30 days. I have a new article directory myself, I will try a PR8 in no time to get


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SNEAK PEAK- Graduation PhotosThursday, May 02, 2013
I had my pinning in December, which meant that I graduated
in December. However, my school only has one graduation ceremony
a year, which is in MAY. Since I graduated in the Fall, I would have to wait 5 months
later to actually WALK with a cap and gown.
Some people in my cohort doesn't think it's necessary, but
I want to have that feeling of walking with a cap and gown,
getting my diploma (even though I already received it in the mail) and have
Leis piled up passed my eyes LOL! I just really want it to feel like I really graduated,
with all of my family there!
I just want to be acknowledged for my accomplishments.
It ain't legit until you have cap and gown on nawmsayin? lol.
It's just such a relief that i'm done studying for my NCLEX and passed.
All I need now is a job.
anyhoo.. I told my boyfriend to take some photos of me with my
cap and gown, so that I can print them out and send pictures
along with my commencement and graduation party invitations.
Here's a sample. I added the "Veasna Sey Photography" just for fun. ha ha ha.


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Bags and leather goods were 50-70% off; many on the 70% off end. Small leather goods and bags were all under $100 - lots of small crossbody bags and drawstring bucket bags. Larger bags, which usually sell for $360-$500, are currently on sale for $150-$300. Hayden-Harnett bags are really well made. I bought my first Hayden-Harnett bag over three years ago, and it's still going strong.
If you're in north Brooklyn this weekend, definitely stop by the shop in Greenpoint. It's adorable and the merchandise is all neatly laid out. There unfortunately is only one fitting room, but the music is good and the staff is really nice. And if you're not in NYC, don't worry. Prices are just as sweet online at haydenharnett.com/samplesale.
Who: Hayden-Harnett
What: 50-70% leather goods & deeply discounted womenswear
When: now through Sunday 2/20. Saturday 12-7pm. Sunday 12-6pm
Where: 211 Franklin Street, Greenpoint Brooklyn 718.349.2247


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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) personnel are still investigating a bear attack on a woman who was running with her dogs on Forest Service property in the Cedar Flats area north of Columbia Falls. The attack occurred late in the morning of July 3rd.
"Running with dogs can be a potential hazard, "says FWP Bear and Lion Specialist Erik Wenum. "A dog running off-leash can encounter a bear or other animal, and potentially bring the bear back to the owner." Wenum adds that all hikers or runners should carry bear pepper spray as a safety precaution.
Several things about the bear are still unknown. Although investigators believe it was a black bear, this is uncertain. The victim told investigators that she thought it was a black bear. Also uncertain are the sex of the bear and the presence of cubs. Investigators have been unable to locate the offending bear. The trap set for the bear last week has been removed; no activity was noted at the trap site. The USFS will open the Cedar Flats trail area this afternoon.
According to FWP Investigator Brian Sommers, the victim is recovering from several bites in the torso and head area, and claw wounds, after being released from the North Valley Hospital on the day of the attack. This type of surprise encounter is unfortunate and FWP wishes the victim a complete recovery.
"All of northwest Montana is bear country," says Wenum. "Besides carrying pepper spray, hikers should be aware of their surroundings at all times."
Hiking in Glacier National Park


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(NewsnMusic) After announcing the release date and unveiling the cover for her forthcoming debut album titled "SweetSexySavage", Oakland singer Kehlani drops off a new single titled "Advice". Have a listen up top and pre-order on iTunes.
Follow Kehlani:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Kehlanimusic
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Kehlani
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/kehlanim…
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/kehlani/


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2016 Rossiter 17' CD Classic Day Boat
Boat DetailsPowered by 90 horses, this new Rossiter can take the whole family out for a day of picnicking and waterskiing, or haul supplies back and forth with ease in almost any weather…all the while looking and acting like nothing else on the water. And if you want speed, she can deliver 50mph with little bow rise.
Quality construction is never taken for granted with a Rossiter powerboat. Our hull design is unique to Rossiter with a focus on big-water performance, efficiency and ride, not to mention our commitment to quality fit and finish. Our boats have hand laid, solid hulls with a molded, foam-filled stringer grid, and the use of structural closed-cell foam cores used where needed to provide the necessary panel stiffness in our liners, decks and transoms. They also have a vinyl ester barrier coat to reduce the chance of osmotic blistering and print-through occurring. And, in fact, the only wood in our boats is the teak accents you see in the interior cockpit area. You should also know that our liners are bonded to the stringer grid, topsides and transom, independent of the deck assembly which is bolted to the sheer using machine screws every 6" through a 1/4" high density epoxy board which runs the length of the sheer. This method provides you with a very solid feel to the boat, thus enhancing the ride delivered by our hull shape for many years of enjoyment.
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Call 207-443-9781
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Hooked on Primitives
Primitive Rug Hooking, Wool Dyeing, Dye Recipes, Patterns, Designs, Photos. Ideas, and so much MORE!
My Patterns
Hooked on Primitives
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Vacation Time!!!
I am off to Scotland and Ireland for about 8 days!! I think it will be very inspiring!! See ya all when I get back!!! Blessings!! Cathy
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Saturday, September 12, 2009
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Related Articles
Soon after Narendra Modi announced to ban the high denomination notes including Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000, digital transactions via e-wallets eventually gained momentum, which increased the business for the e-wallets at a massive scale. The telecom operators also joined hands with these e-wallets to help people live the cashless situation with ease.
Joining hands with the e-wallet business, telecom operators including Airtel, Vodafone, DoCoMo and others have taken various initiatives to lead a cashless life with ease. The telcos had extended the bill payments date, and have also come up with several other offers to help users transfer money with 0% transaction interest.
SEE ALSO: Reliance Jio Scam: FAKE Bill Urges User to Pay Rs. 27,000 During Welcome Offer
Along with these old telecom giants, the new entrant, Reliance Jio also enabled the commoners to make online transactions with JioMoney app, in turn, aimed to make life easy with no cash. The telecom operator is also offering several other crazy deals to led a cashless day with ease. Let's check it out!
10% Cashback on Shopping With JioMoney
Reliance Jio has recently started to offer 10% cashback on shopping with JioMoney when purchasing from any Reliance Fresh or Reliance Smart outlets, be it anywhere across India.
Click Here for New Tablets Best Online Deals
Use Cash Loading Points
With JioMoney app, consumers who usually prefer shopping with cash and not online can avail the cashback offer just by using the cash loading points with any and every Reliance Fresh or Reliance Smart outlets and pay via JioMoney. After which, the customer will earn the cashback of 10% on the total invoice, which will be credited within two working days.
Struggling To Find a Change For Rs. 2,000?
After demonetization, people have often been struggling to get change for their new Rs. 2,000 note. Well, Reliance Jio can give you a sign of relief with its cash loading points allowing them to shop and pay for the items they purchased of any value be it Rs. 10 or Rs. 1,000.
Load or Transfer Unused Cash to Bank
Reliance Jio is also allowing customers to also transfer the unused JioMoney to their respective bank account. In case they don't wish to transfer the money to your bank account, customers can also use the loaded money in JioMoney to make cashless payments for utilities, bill payments, and other offline store payments.


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Monday, 8 July 2013
Half-Year Beauty Resolutions
1. Always carry out my skin care routine
No matter how tired or just plain lazy I am, I really need to stop hitting that snooze button (many, many times) and get up and give my face a little TLC. My skin will thank me.
2. Moisturise morning and night
Same as above. I usually do in the morning but my skin is still generally quite dry and I want to make sure I moisturise it every night too. I do notice a difference when I actually bother to do it, so I really should make an effort to keep it up. I may even have to invest in a night cream (any excuse to shop). Any recommendations?
3. Cut down on the amount of heat I use on my hair
...and when I do use heat, use protection ;) when I was at school, I used to straighten my hair pretty much every day. In the last couple of years I've gt better at cutting down the amount of heat I use (this is mostly due to the fact I used to work in McDonald's so had to shove it in a bun and wear a ridiculously sexy hat so there was really no point making any effort). I now work in a more office-y job so can't get away with this but I still want to continue using as little heat as possible for obvious 'hair health' reasons.
4. Get regular hair cuts
I hate the hairdressers. Being an awkward person it is not an ideal situation and it is not one I enjoy therefore I avoid it as much as possible. As well as that, getting regular haircuts can actually add up to be quite expensive but it really has been far too long since I last got a hair cut and I need to try and get into the habit of getting them more often to keep my hair in as good condition as possible.
5. Don't over-wash my hair
I used to wash my hair ever day. In the last few months I've mostly cut down to every other day but there are some times where I still wash my hair two days in a row.
6. Eat more healthy and drink water
I don't think this one really needs much explaining does it? A healthy diet is beneficial in so many different ways and can help improve skin, hair, nails... everything really! I particularly want to cut down on the amount of fizzy juice I drink and drink more water (well, maybe diluting juice...)
7. Get more exercise
Recently I've been getting more into exercise so I want to keep this up and build on it even more. I've been walking to and from work everyday but have also been doing a few different work out routines. There are some great ones on YouTube (which are ideal as they are obviously free). My friend and I have also been enjoying a few long walks with my dogs recently near where we live and may try and build up to a jog soon (we'll see how that goes).
8. Tidy room, tidy mind
This one may seem a bit random and not exactly 'beauty' related but it actually is! I definitely get a better sleep when my room is tidy compared to when it is messy. This obviously leads to less eye baggage and zombie-like states and makes getting ready in the morning a whole lot less stressful!
9. Always use a base coat
I am always wearing nail polish but I usually just use a normal clear polish as a base coat or skip this step all together. I need to get myself a proper base coat to avoid staining my nails. It will also help to protect and just keep them in an all-round better condition.
10. Always take off my make-up
Most of the time I do stick to this one but there is the odd occasion where i'll wake up with my eyelashes all stuck together and black panda eyes and realise I accidentally fell asleep with my make-up on. Beautiful. As I'm sure you all know it is so bad for your skin to do this so my skin usually breaks out afterwards. No matter how tired I am or even if I'm been on a night out I will try and always take my make-up off.
Can you believe that's us half way through 2013?
Will you be setting yourself any 'half-year resolutions'?
Thanks for reading. x
5 comments:
Wow, I also do these mid-year resolutions as well. I also look back on my New Year resolutions, and see how I have been following them. Usually it serves as a 'wake up call' to get my ass in gear !! LOLReplyDelete
I can definitely relate to #1, 9, 6, & 3. Good luck to you with following each and every resolution. It may be annoying, hard, and downright eye roll worthy, but it will all pay off in the end!
Rica xx
Wonderful and useful tips! Nice post! :)ReplyDelete
Your chance to win in an International Giveaway!
found your blog through Serena's (Love Pretty Wild Things) Great Post!!!ReplyDelete
Ive followed :)
Nicole x
What a great post ! I am now going to follow your lead and try to follow your rules as they are all simply excellent!!great blog xxReplyDelete
Fantastic post, I think all your resolutions are great!ReplyDelete


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Let me explain this strange mess and you will understand. It is a bit of a long story, but I have to start at the beginning.
You see I met Adam, Officer Rollins to you, about a year ago. I had just moved into the apartment building. At that time I only knew him in passing. It was not until a month later that I got to really know him. That was when he was put on leave following the Charles Street Case.
I am sure you know all about the case. Everyone does. It was the only thing on the news for weeks. Horrible as it was, I would not have paid it much mind if I had not realized that my new neighbor had been the man to expose that...that evil. Whatever details you might think you know, I know far more deeply thanks to him.
So you were not involved with that? Consider yourself lucky. Adam was messed up by it and I hear he wasn't the only one. I wasn't even there and look at what has happened to my life. The whole damn thing corrupts anyone touched by it. I don't want to talk about it, to pass on whatever curse he infected me with, but you are the one that wants answers.
I work from home so I am about the building a lot. Adam spent more time at work than home, and when he was home he was in bed or doing research. Being put on leave changed that. They claimed it was for his own well being, but frankly I think that is what drove him over the deep end. He didn't know what to do with himself and his free time I think.
We started talking, first in the hallway and then later at the park. Neither of us really had anyone else for company. I haven't had a chance to make friends in this city. His wife and daughter were busy with their lives which had evolved without him. His only friends were the guys on the force, and now he was largely cut off from them. So we made an unlikely pair.
Yes, yes, I am getting to that. I want you to understand how I got drawn into it. I don't want you thinking I was involved from the get go.
So, as I was saying, he and I started to talk regularly. I told him about my trading business. He told me about his work as a detective. He was peculiar, but I had chalked it up to some kind of police work PTSD. I want to be sympathetic to my new friend. Be a friendly ear. He did not bring up Charles Street at first. That was my damn fault. I put two and two together and realized he must have been working on that.
I had him over to my place for some after dinner beers. We had been friends around two months by then. It was a Friday I think. His wife was taking his daughter to gymnastics lessons. Maybe he should have been doing that. Might have taken his mind in a better direction. Connected him better with his family. She liked gossiping with the other moms the way he explained it though. It made enough sense at the time. I think that might have been a lie in hindsight. I think by then, his wife and kid had just developed an aversion to him.
Ok, I am a bit off topic, but I think you will see the importance later. Anyway, beers and dinner. I finally asked the big question. I asked him if he had worked the case.
He smiled at me and said yes. He figured I would not be interested. No one else was. They didn't want to hear about something that gruesome. He didn't mind talking about it though. He seemed almost eager. I figured I would humor him though.
He started by telling me how he was assigned when the first disappearances started. First it was one child, then another. People were starting to panic. Some kind of serial kidnapper was on the loose so far as anyone could tell. He got involved after the second kid went missing. He knew right away that there was a pattern though.
You see, all the others were looking for standard pedophiles and nutjobs. He tapped the side of his head as he told me though. He said he noticed right away that there was a pattern. It was subtle. Observation is the key to good detective work he said. You have to keep your eyes and your mind open.
He explained to me, leaning in close, what none of the others had noticed. There were patterns in the blood. They were not just random spills. The kids had been grabbed without a fight. The blood had come after. While everyone was fretting about the safety of the kids, he was trying to look at the bigger picture. It wouldn't be until the fourth child was taken that he could really start to see it though.
I was surprised by some of his disgust with his fellow officers. It answered a question though. I had wondered why he didn't spend more time with them. I know there is a cop bar in town. Till then, I had figured maybe he just didn't like mixing his private and professional life. He seemed good company to me so I could not imagine that they were shunning him as some kind of jerk. As he told me the truth of it though, I could easily see it his way.
It was something occult. He started diving into researching old manuscripts and spell books. He talked to anyone that might know a bit about symbols. Professors of history. Some geeks that like to pretend they are wizards. Even those pretenders that shout, "hail Satan" to scare old women. The others laughed at him. Can you believe it? While they had their thumbs up their asses waiting for a body to show up, he was doing real work to put it all together. If they hadn't acted like he was some idiot lunatic...well, they are the ones that helped make him into what he became.
Well of course I get worked up about this. Damnit, they have part of the blame! Don't look at me like that. If they had seen the truth about him, none of this would have happened. Let's not get fighting about this. You will see the truth by the end. That is what this all about after all, truth. Truth no one wants to know. Should know.
Well, his theory proved right and when the fifth kid went missing he put it all together. He helped lead the team to Charles Street and personally kicked in the door. He led the way down into the cellar. They burst inside just in time to stop what was happening.
No, what was really happening. They were too late to save the children, but they stopped the real goal. He was the only one that realized it though. The others just saw the room painted with blood and a diagram made out of entrails. To them the occultists were just muttering gibberish. He told me that it was an Officer Thornton that opened fire. The claim is that the cultists had knives and were ready to attack. Everyone else fired after the first shot. I don't think anyone believes that the cultists were about to attack. No one cares though.
The problem for Adam was that with all the cultists dead, no one could corroborate his theories and ideas. He tried to claim that they had stopped something bigger than a few murders. People just waved him off though. Some even said he was a bit sick for trying to make it out like it was a victory. That was how he ended up on permanent leave; unrecognized, pitied, and ridiculed.
I felt bad for him. He was my buddy after all. I didn't really buy all the occult stuff at the time. I figured that was his way of dealing with things. If it helped him, then I was all for it. I wish that was all it had been.
A few days later he told me something I had not really expected. He confessed that he was still researching the occult rituals. He figured if he could decipher it all then maybe he could prove he was right and they would let him off leave. From that point on he would always tell me just a bit of his newest findings when we spent time together. He was growing excited by it as it pulled him in. Truth is, his energy was contagious. I wanted him to succeed and paid attention. I encouraged him. If I deserve blame, it is for that.
He started to show me some of his research. It was fascinating in a way. I helped him with a few translations. I took latin in high school and was pretty good at it. He showed me old books and drawings he dug up on the internet. He was creating his own little library of old texts.
The whole time this was going on he started to grow more eccentric. He stopped brushing his hair and polishing his shoes. His family grew more distant, or maybe he grew more distant from them. For a while he would fight with his wife. Then it just turned into her yelling at him. He had tuned out the world in his tireless pursuit.
Then came the beginning of the end. He woke me up late one night. He told me had made his big breakthrough. He led me to his place. In the room he used as his office and study we talked in hushed whispers to not wake his wife and daughter. He explained that the cultists had figured it out. The secret to turning all this occultic writing into something with real power.
He called it the unveiling. He explained that you had to tear away the veil that separates the mundane from the other side. You had to be able to see reality fully. It required an individual to meditate and perform rituals. He did exactly that and now he could lift the veil. Not just for himself though. He could lift it for others. He said he could even lift it for me. He could let me see truth.
I was still half asleep, but his fervor swept me up. I did not think unveiling could really work, but was willing to humor him. He gave me this knowing smirk. He knew it would and that I would have to eat my doubts. He sat me back in a chair and placed his hands over my eyes. He chanted something I didn't fully understand, but I felt something. Like static coursing through me.
When he removed his hands, my world was changed. Forever. For worse. I could see shadows superimposed on everything. They were wavy and indistinct. It was as though everything existed twice, with the second version out of focus. That was unsettling. He had to clamp a hand over my mouth when the true horror was revealed. I wanted to scream when the creature came into view. It swam through the wall like it wasn't even there. Maybe to it, the wall wasn't there.
The thing, because I dare not call it a creature, is almost beyond description. Its body, for lack of a better word, was a long, amorphous mass. It's slime surface was transparent and I could see inside the vile thing. It had gaping openings that I think we're mouths. Long tentacle feelers stretched out from it. They started to come for me and I was on the verge of panic.
He told me to hold still, not to let it know that I could see it. As long as it did not think it was detected we would be fine. The caress of the tentacle as it found my skin was revolting on an instinctual level. I felt violated in the deepest ways possible. This thing was abhorrent to my very nature. I fought down the urge to shudder from the sensual touch that explored my body. The cold touch chilled my soul, but somehow I found the will to endure it and not flee in a blind panic.
After a minute it passed on and Adam let me go. He laughed and slapped me on the back. He gloated more than a little about his own success and how I could not doubt him now. That was true. I doubted not a word he said. I would have believed the man had he told me that the moon was made of cheese and ocean filled with blueberry jelly. He poured me a shot of something stout and told me what had happened.
He had unveiled me so that I could see beyond our pitiful corner of reality. We could see truth now. We were true masters of destiny now. The cultists had figured that out. They had intended to use the ritual as a way to summon a "creature" to our part of reality. They had hopped to harness it. They were not smart enough for that though. Adam had not only dissected their plan, but realized just how sloppy it was. Summoning with the kids blood was fine and all, but to bind such a thing required a better sacrifice. Something closer and more personal.
I asked him what he would do now. He gave me a grim smile and his hands balled into fists. Prove himself. He would make them reinstate him and give him the credit that he deserved. He would make them recognize how poorly they had treated him and make them pay for it.
I was scared by his words. I knew that he had a deep resentment, but it had never manifested quite like this. I dismissed myself, saying that I wanted back to bed. I needed to sleep on all that I had learned. He nodded and said he understood. I don't think he really did.
Over the next few days I did not see much of him. I just tried to avoid seeing those horrible "creatures." I was starting to have a nervous breakdown. I tried to ask him about it, but he largely brushed it off. He said that I would adjust and be better for it. He would help me understand just how amazing this was in a few days after he finished his final work. He was closed lipped about that though. All he said was that he had figured out exactly how to set things right.
Then came the screams. It was late at night. I was right next door so I must have been the first to hear. It was his wife, I think. It was the most horrible scream I could imagine. Terror beyond belief. He must have unveiled her. I was not sure what to do, but I rushed to his apartment. I knew where the spare key was hidden. As I unlocked the door the scream came to a sudden end. I ran through the apartment to his study. I heard his voice, but could not understand what was being said. When I threw open the door I saw the worse thing I could imagine.
Please, let me rest for a second. Hand me that water. I need a drink before I can tell you the rest.
What I saw was a Hellish scene. The floor was painted with blood. At the center of a blood circle was his daughter's head. With my damned sight I could see an evil light leaking out of her eyes and mouth. Floating above the severed head was a rip in reality. A rip that was like an open doorway to those things.
Adam was standing in the corner with his wife's corpse. Her throat was slit and the blood was flowing freely from the wound. It was not puddling on the floor though. Instead it was drifting through the air up to the horrid portal. Adam chanted some foul verse from a book he held in his hand. He did not even notice me. His attention was focused purely on the rip, through which a tentacle was curiously probing.
I had to act. My bowls felt loose and I could taste bible in my throat, but my horror at the bloody sight was nothing compared to the terror of facing one of those abominations. I grabbed the knife from the floor and attacked Adam. I don't think I could have taken him if he had not been distracted. He was, though, and I plunged the blade into his chest.
The rip was still there. The thing was still coming through. I had to act. There was only one course of action. I had been privy to Adams research. I had helped him translate it. So with a glance at the book I knew what to do. I gutted him. I cut him open and pulled out his organs. I spread them in the proper pattern across the room as I chanted the sinful verses. Slowly, the rip sealed itself. It cut off a piece of the tentacle that was still trying to force its way through to outside.
I was watching as the slimy thing flopped around on the floor when the police finally arrived. Someone else had called them when the screaming started. They found me there covered in blood and gore. I think they may have collected that wicked flesh that flopped around the floor. I hope they burn it.
So that is what happened. Do you understand now? Do you see that I am not some murder? Let me go. I cannot be confined to a room or cell. I need to be able to leave when the things float by. You cannot see them, but I can. They haunt me and I can only manage if I can at least run away. Don't force me to be trapped where they can come for me. Please?


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Blackgold International Holdings Limited
Home Page
ASX Stock Code:BGG
Corporate Structure & Overview
Directors and Executive Officers
Corporate Governance
Introduction DVD
Caotang Mine
Heiwan Mine
Baolong Mine
Changhong Mine
Financial Statements
Quarterly Activities Report
Company Statement
Share Prices
Contact us
Brief introduction
Blackgold International Holdings Limited (ASX Code: BGG) is a Chongqing, China-based producer of high value thermal coal predominantly sold for industrial power generation to power plant customers in Shanghai. Blackgold listed on ASX on 22 February 2011.
Blackgold currently owns four existing underground thermal coal mines, the Caotang Mine and the Heiwan Mine in Fengjie Country, Chongqing, the Baolong Mine in Wushan County, Chongqing and the Changhong Mine in the area bordering Xishui County of Guizhou and QiJiang County of Chongqing, all in the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Blackgold enjoys excellent logistics infrastructure and its proximity to the Yangtze River allows it to transport coal to customers at low cost. Blackgold will continue to evaluate acquisition opportunities of mines with similar geographical advantages. It is currently in discussion with potential investors to fund its acquisition and is evaluating a number of potential new mines. [
View Detailed
Copyright © 2010-2015 BLACKGOLD GLOBAL All Rights Reserved.


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My baby fever has been upgraded to a baby epidemic. This is serious.
I got this catalog in the mail on Tuesday:
I never requested it! I took it as a sign... :)
Last night, after Austin and I had a date night consisting of Fuddrucker's and a Mario Kart tournament, we compiled a huge list of baby names and we discussed them all. We now have our #1 boy and girl names in place, though I probably have a good 50 of each in case we change our minds (since we won't be having a baby for at least 2 years...). Austin thinks I'm being a little over-the-top with my baby epidemic. But I think if he is willing to have hours of conversation over baby names, he probably has a little baby fever himself. Just sayin'.


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Another visit at Kung Fu Kitchen –birthday foodie part 3
My birthday blow out and celebration is just simple. Eat in a restaurant, especially eating in my newly fave resto like the Kung Fu Kitchen. Its our 2nd time to eat here in their new branch at the District and it's a 2 day plan for us to eat here for my birthday and we went here even that the weather is bad, typhoon Gorio just landed near the area and we're experiencing heavy rains and strong winds. But we're glad that the rain stop and it was a bit of sunshine in the afternoon, it's a signal for us to go out and enjoy the sun for a bit of hours.
After visiting the toy stores, doughnut store, Daiso store and playground for kids, I call it off a day and decided to eat our dinner here in Kung Fu Kitchen. I'm surprised that there are many customers dining in that Sunday and we are excited to eat here because we are fans of this mixed Sichuan and Hunan cuisine restaurant.
Time to order!!!
Here's what we have on our table for my birthday hehehee.
Xiao long bao
a good starter for your heavy meal
Spicy Chicken feet
I super miss this….
Sausage rice
my favorite rice in Kung Fu Kitchen because its spicy tasty and mixed with lots of sausage bits
Kenya Bean
Garlic spare ribs
Spicy minced pork with eggplant
I don't like eggplant, especially when they are cooked or boiled, but I love Kung Fu Kitchen's recipe for their eggplant, the minced pork and chili added great flavors to the eggplant.
Happy Birthday to me!!!
Time to eat!!
Hahaha Misyel and Ashton having their own selfie photo with the Kung Fu Kitchen food
Here's another family pic! hahahahaa Ashton is so funny when it comes to photo ops.
There's no Pata Tim on table. I decided to skip too many pork that day and try some veggies for the moment. In my next visit, I should try their seafood menu, the crabs, fish and lobster.
Our bill for that night…. ohhh forgot how much..
For reservation and deliveries...call (046)-543-0690 / 0917-6247749
you may visit their Facebook page for updates - http://www.facebook.com/kungfukitchen888


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Bottom Line: DJI Phantom 3 Advanced is AWESOME.
I flew a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced in Papua New Guinea. I flew it over water about two dozen times and recovered it every time.
All I can say is WOW. Right out of the box, I got the Phantom 3 up and running, with the ability to control the camera angle, take videos or stills, and see first-person view (FPV) on my tablet (a Nexus 7 Gen 2, which costs only $100 now). Here's an image from the trip.
I highly recommend Lowepro's great DroneGuard CS 400, which makes traveling and using DJI's Phantom 3 and other quadcopter models easy.
Here's a photo of my DroneGuard CS 400, packed with a Phantom 3 Advanced quadcopter. The case accommodates a drone with the propellers on. This allows you to hike to a destination and unpack the drone, ready to go.
Here are some hints if you are getting started with a Phantom 3.
I bought a Phantom 3 Advanced recently. I started off with a Phantom 1, and ended up drowning it in Puget Sound. I think that a propeller may have loosened and fallen off. I spent a lot of time and energy trying to make that Phantom 1 do what I wanted, which was to take still images with a GoPro Hero 3+ Black camera. It was a lot of work. I ended up having to do way too many steps before each (very short, 5 minute) flight: connect the 9V add-on battery to the Boscam 5.8Ghz transmitter; connect the battery to the actual Phantom (their design, and problematic); connect all the wires to the GoPro camera; turn on the GoPro and start recording; and the list goes on. I did a few flights where I forgot one thing or another, and ended up with nothing. It was frustrating. I have always been more of a stills photographer than a videographer, and attempting to take still images rather than video with a GoPro remotely was very difficult.
I bought a Phantom 2 (non-Vision), thinking that I'd solder up some wires again and put on a GoPro camera for best quality. I was not looking forward to it because of all the time and troubleshooting that this would involve. I am really tired of soldering stuff and having wires all over the place too -- I did plenty of this as a college student.
When a Phantom 3 Advanced model came out at a good price, I decided to buy one. I did not realize what a great machine this was. Everything is thought out well and I have everything I need out of the box. The Phantom 3 Advanced is the same as the Phantom 3 Professional, except the camera shoots 1080 video rather than 4K (a new firmware upgrade allows the Advanced to shoot 2.7K).
Right out of the box, I have a DJI camera on a gimbal, which gives incredibly steady video shots. It takes videos and stills. Right out of the box, I have first-person view (FPV), which lets me see what the camera on the drone is seeing. I have control of the camera, the gimbal (which lets the camera shoot straight down or level to the horizon), and the drone itself with the DJI transmitter (again, right out of the box).
To see what the camera on the Phantom 3 sees (FPV), you need to supply a smartphone or tablet that uses the DJI Go app (it used to be the DJI Pilot app, which is no longer available). I tried a Nexus 5 phone and a Nexus 7 second generation tablet with the DJI Go app. The Nexus 5 phone did not work well at all with the Phantom 3 -- I kept losing the signal to the drone, and had to fly it blind. The Nexus 7 II, on the other hand, has worked near-perfectly with the Phantom 3 and DJI Go app. I can turn video recording on and off from the tablet, and I can see what the camera sees -- almost perfectly.
DJI specifies the following as being very compatible with their DJI Go App:
iOS Version v2.2.0. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is optimized for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
Android Version v2.1.0. Requires Android 4.1.2 or later. Compatible with Samsung tab s 705c, Samsung S6, Samsung S5, Samsung NOTE4, Samsung NOTE3, Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus 7 II, Ascend Mate7, Nubia Z7 mini, SONY Z3 EXPERIA, MI 3, MI PAD.
If you are starting out with a Phantom 3, I would bet that using one of the above specified smartphones or tablets will give you far better results than using a phone that is not in the above list. I have an iPad 3rd generation tablet also, and I simply could not install the DJI Go app (not sure why -- wouldn't the OS of the app be the determining factor rather than the model of tablet?).
I've flown the Phantom 3 twice now, upgraded the firmware to version 1.342, and it's all worked out great. I will wait a bit and then upgrade to the newest firmware, which offers some exciting flight modes, which you can see on the DJI site. I'm always cautious about updating to the newest firmware or OS on any machine, and one friend has told me that his Phantom 2 worked fine until he updated the firmware -- upon which his Phantom 2 never again worked well.
For my initial flights, I can say that the video is just outstanding. It is steady and sharp. I have not been as impressed with the still images, but I am sure that I will get there.
For the first time, taking good videos is easier than taking stills.
There are a few resources to guide you through updating your firmware. I found that DJI's video tutorial was pretty good -- but their PDF guide was really lacking in some essential information. Here are some tips when updating firmware:
Follow the instructions on other sites. Be sure you have enough battery power and that you give this whole firmware update process a good 40 minutes. The firmware update should take 25 minutes.
Here were some useful tips from a couple of websites, that offered more detail than the DJI tutorials (especially their not-so-great PDF instructions):
After the minute it will beep in a pattern such as "Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep-Pause" and this will be repeated during the whole firmware upgrade. ...It's much quieter than the startup beeps. During the process the front LED indicators are solid red, and the Aircraft Status Indicator LED's flash yellow. [I was pretty concerned about seeing my LEDs flash yellow for several minutes until I read this].
(Updating to 1.4.0010 i got the normal standard bootup beeps four times around the 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th minute into the process) After each it just continued it's normal "Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep-Pause" sounds.
(Updating to 1.4.0010 at 31min the beeps got a bit distorted for a few seconds then returned to normal)
After about (13 minutes in my case for 1.1.0006 and 32 minutes for 1.4.0010) The beeps will change to a "Beeeeeeeep-Beep-Beep-ShortPause" tune. This means the firmware upgrade is complete. [Yep, the beeps changed. I was not at all sure what to do after 38 minutes had passed, since the Phantom 3 was still beeping. After reading this and the other blurb below, I realized that the process had ended].
Shut down your Phantom 3 Note: The Camera Processing Board, Gimbal and Camera can be hot to the touch, happens to me too. Just be sure to let it properly cool before flying or putting it away.
from: http://www.dronezon.com/diy-drone-repair-videos/dji-innovation-drones/update-phantom-3-firmware-to-greatly-improve-your-quadcopter/
Phantom 3 Firmware Beeping Sounds
With the Phantom 3 firmware update, you have to pay attention to the beeps the quadcopter gimbal and remote controller are emitting during the upgrade. Here is some information on these beeping sounds. I have videos below which will also take you step by step through the update process.
Ready to update sound from the gimbal similar to D-D-D-D D-D-D-D. You don't have to do anything at this point.
Fast beeping noise indicates the firmware is updating. This can take up to 25 minutes. Sound is similar to DDDD DDDD.
Slow beeping sound when firmware update is complete. Similar sound to D—DD D–DD. At this point you would restart the Phantom 3 manually.
NOTE: A long beeping sound means the update has failed.
Updating the firmware in your remote controller (RC):
After updating the firmware in your Phantom 3 drone, you may have to update the firmware in your remote controller (RC). Or you may not.
I spent a good hour trying to figure out the various instructions on updating the RC. It appears that you can link the RC to your smartphone and DJI Go app, and then update the firmware on your RC that way.
However, if your RC has older firmware (I am not sure what is considered old), then you need to put the new firmware (the newest for your RC is version 1.3.20 as of today) on a USB flash drive, then put that USB flash drive on the RC itself. I tried this with various flash drives. It never worked. That's when I discovered this forum post:
I had the same problem (RC never updates with USB flash drive). Talked with support and was told if you have the GL300B version control it was sent with the latest update. The GL300B not A is the newest version and it will update wirelessly at a later time. I have flown my drone 16 times and it has worked perfectly.
In other words: Look on the bottom of your RC. If you have the GL300B, then it is the newest version. Here's what I think. I think that the GL300B RCs already have v1.3.20 firmware on them. If you have a GL300B RC, then trying to update it with a USB flash won't work.
The DJI website states this:
The All-in-One firmware v1.4.0010 does not include remote controller update package. However, for the best user experience, it is recommended that the users who are using the firmware that older than v1.3.20 to update the firmware to v1.3.20 before updating the aircraft.
Here's what I think: if you desire to update your Phontom 3 to v1.4.0010 (which I plan to do in a few weeks, because it seems to have some awesome features like "follow me" and "point of interest"), then update it FIRST to v1.3.20. Make sure your RC is also update to v1.3.20. THEN AND ONLY THEN, update again to v1.4.0010.
Like I said, I am holding off on updating to the very newest firmware until a few weeks have passed, to be safe.
This is the blog of Norbert Wu, an underwater wildlife photographer and filmmaker, and a non-cutting-edge technologist
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Great Hammerhead Shark Trip, Bimini, January 2016; and Tiger Beach (Tiger Sharks, other sharks), November 2016
I would like to let interested divers and photographers know that I will be on two trips, with the focus on getting close to sharks, with Epic Diving in the coming months. I'm excited to go diving again with Epic Diving's Vince and Debra Canabal, who are super-smart and super-nice people. Of course, I am also excited to be going back to these destinations, which offer opportunities to see really cool sharks up close.
Here are the trip dates.
Great hammerhead sharks, Bimini: Jan 29, 2016 to February 4, 2016: I believe that there's only one spot left.
Tiger Beach (tiger, reef, lemon, and other sharks): November 6-12th, 2016.
These trips are land-based, which is something I really prefer. I will be on these trips as a "regular diver" (I am not the trip leader) and as such will be happy to engage in informal chats about photography and to point out how much better my photographs and gear are to others' on the trip. Just joking.
If you want more information, feel free to message me here or contact Epic Diving. Their website is: http://www.epicdiving.com/
Posted by Norbert Wu at 6:33 AM No comments:
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I was browsing You Tube today and I rediscovered one of my favourite lost tunes... Words cannot describe how I feel about this song...Give it a listen and definitely support these phenomenal artists and buy this and any of their other beautiful music. Literally so much love for this song. Deep as it gets peoples...
Top: Netsky.
Bottom: Mutated Forms.
Two thirds Estonian and one third Brummy Mutated forms have become one of my personal favourite D'n'B producers. Netsky, an individual producer who has been signed by Hospital Records, rarely disappoints to the degree where his records have become ridiculously over played by myself and therefore lose the original fucking wow factor they had. Nevertheless both acts have definitely established some serious ground this year and I cannot wait to see how they attack 2011.


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The Orissa government Tuesday halted land acquisition for Posco's USD 12 billion project in Jagatsinghpur due to opposition from locals, an official said."We have halted it indefinitely following the instruction from the government. We will wait for further instruction on the matter," Additional District Magistrate SK Chaudhuri said.He, however, said work at the land already acquired will continue."The work such as land development, cutting of trees is going on at the acquired land," Chaudhuri said.The local administration has claimed to have acquired nearly half of the 4004 acres needed for the steel project in the Jagatsinghpur district, but officials have not been able to enter the troubled Dhinkia and Govindpur area to acquire the remaining land due to strong opposition.The villagers, including hundreds of women and children, have formed a human barricade in the area since the past one week to prevent the officials from entering the area.Chaudhuri said the administration is likely to take appropriate action soon against villagers who have been "misusing" children.More then 400 children have skipped schools and joined their parents in the protest against the company for over a week to prevent acquisition of their homestead and farm land.Posco's proposed 12 million tonnes steel plant - the largest foreign investment in India - is to come up near the port town of Paradip, about 120 km from here.At least 2,900 acres of the total land required for the project is forest land. Authorities said villagers have encroached upon the forest land illegally and they need to be vacated. Protesters said they have been holding the land for generations. They claim that once the land is acquired, they will lose their agro-based sustainable livelihood.
Ikato Y Kiho, first Naga to join National School of Drama in New Delhi
I must be the perfect role model: Ikato Y Kiho is the first person from Nagaland to study in the prestigious


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Hi All!
Just a quick reminder that midnight Sunday (Regina CST) is the close of voting for the 'Rider(s) & Mount(s)' theme round so make sure you've cast your votes for your favourite entries.
For fun I've run a report showing the current top 12 positions. As you can see by the chart below it's a very tight race!


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At lunch today, there were three of four jobs in the queue, which is fairly typical. But none finished when expected, which is a bit atypical. The problem turned out to be, as it often is, a random security news service running core-sucking Javascript in an effort to get me to subscribe to their email service.
My bad, in some respects. I know better than to leave browser tabs open, leaving the marketroids an opportunity, but sometimes it just isn't possible to sort through a long list of tabs when you are trying to go to lunch. Sometimes you get burned by running batch jobs on an active workstation instead of shuffling them off to another machine.
On the other, having to even think about this an indictment of the security industry. Of which I am part, and that is FUBAR.
The definition of a resource depletion attack, according to Mitre's Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (an information-sharing resource worth using) is as follows.
Attack patterns within this category focus on the depletion of a resource to the point that the target's functionality is affected. Virtually any resource necessary for the target's operation can be targeted in this attack. The result of a successful resource depletion attack is usually the degrading or denial of one or more services offered by the target. Resources required will depend on the nature of the resource being depleted, the amount Pof resources the target has access to, and other mitigating circumstances such as the target's ability to shift load or acquire additional resources to deal with the depletion. The more protected the resource and the greater the quantity of it that must be consumed, the more skill the adversary will need to successfully execute attacks in this category.Note that I had an opportunity to shift the load. But I am using 'at' and 'batch' casually, from the command-line. A better system would also be a much more formal system. I hadn't planned to review and retest real scheduling systems until toward the end of the year. If I had time, but only because I personally regard them as important and interesting. Perhaps I should bring that forward a bit, but it's a balance of annoyance versus available time: I have no current or horizon gig where robust scheduling systems play a central role. So, no immediate business driver. I'd like to flesh that topic out, but it would require another post to cover even the bare essentials.
Please excuse the digression, and it's time to return to the topic of the post. In the limit, almost no marketing can be regarded as ethical in the security industry, given that
- Your brain is a resource, and by far the most vital one
- Security news sources are commonly a FUD tsunami
- 2 is an attack on 1
- Current PCI-DSS requirements (sections 5.1.2, 6.1) require news monitoring
It's often helpful to look at the worst case. PCI-DSS originated as an effort to avoid governmental regulation by self-regulation. In the earliest iteration, it was as basic as requiring a firewall -- some financial organizations did not, even when firewalls alone were a highly effective defense. It evolved into something as relatively sophisticated as saying, "Read the damned news, people." Because they routinely didn't. At all.
As usual, security people are trapped by the lowest common denominator. Here's how that might map to an all too common day-in-the-life of someone on a PCI team.
- You must read the news
- Security news sources are commonly a FUD tsunami
- FUD tsunamis are a DoS attack on your brain
- Your brain is your most vital resource
The largest offenders are the generic security news sources, and I very specifically include security product vendors. These are by far the most likely to burn your physical and mental cores with a FUD tsunami. Vendors of the software you are actually running? Sometimes they offer nothing at all (as in the early days of nginx, when it was basically just some random Russian supplier of an httpd, but still enthusiastically embraced due to efficiency) and not nearly enough offer anything that can be consumed by software. So we have to plod through this stuff manually.
Treasure the suppliers of the software you actually run who also provide up to date vulnerability data, particularly if it can be consumed by software. They free your brain, and that's important.
I assign news sources to tiers, according to a mechanism that works for me. Some random source that announces hacks of a PHP app run by 3 people? Not going to make my list, but it might make yours, if you have been trying to get management to get rid of that circa-1999 POS. Yes, that actually happens.
Develop something at least semi-formal
Know what you are running. A systems and software inventory can be surprisingly difficult to do. In larger enterprises, expensive high-bandwidth Internet connections can fall through the cracks. As can 7-figure database systems.
Know where your most important data live. That can be amazingly hard to do: there's always that one key worker. The one in that cube waaaay over there. With a spreadsheet that turns out to be vital.
There's an ancient dictum that suggests that you must know what you are protecting, and from whom. In many cases, forget it. It's no longer possible to predict who your adversary is. Whether your data is financial, or the secrets of military hardware, or 'just' passwords, (so, really all financial) the evolution of adversarial scanning technologies, exploit kits, etc., enables sophisticated yet entirely opportunistic attacks.
So, read the news. But have some sort of evaluation criteria, and put it under version control, because threats evolve. It has to be customized to your environment. Tier 1 will involve vendor alerts, because that involves patch planning, and (always short) testing windows. You might want a sub-schedule to break it into work shifts. Not all software comes from the same time zone, and a reaction time of less than 24 hours has repeatedly made all the difference.
Assigning to Tiers 2 and 3 might involve how you evaluate sources as to reliability, frequency, frequency in combination with consequence, etc. Get used to thinking of it as a matrix, because it very much is. I have additional considerations, which include stability of source URLs, because I track reliability and frequency over time. You may or may not need to do that -- my requirements are peculiar.
Common Denominator: Vendor Bogosity is a DoS Attack
Security is hard. There is never enough time, there are never enough resources.
A principle confounding factor is that much of what passes for news (and research, which is perhaps a greater problem) is delivered via what meets an essential definition of an attack. Background resentment of this state of affairs has long been pervasive within the security community; I'm certainly not the first to carp about it.
What is needed is not carping, but howls of resentment. It took that level of blow-back to get Microsoft to begin to change their ways, back in the day. When it became impossible to deploy a system before it was compromised, and CEOs complained, Microsoft found it impossible to ignore the noise. Much the same thing happened with vendors of proprietary Unix variants, though it wasn't as blatant. That completely changed the vulnerability disclosure game, though the vendors howled in protest. Or first began to howl -- they still do it.
It is only when we begin to call another generation of vendors out that another vast waste of scarce resources will end. This lossage is more difficult to quantify, so it's more difficult to raise a collective voice. Perhaps a start might be made by recognizing that vendor bogosity is a DoS attack, and telling them so. In, let's say extremely vigorous terms. Because history shows that nothing like a subtle approach is going to have an effect.
Sometimes the best tool for the job really is a hammer.


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The big showdown from the Mar. 12 Raw, live in Cleveland, Ohio is a musical battle between John Cena and the Rock.
We're two weeks away from "WrestleMania 28" on Sun., April 1. Live from the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida, headliners Cena -- the face of World Wrestling Entertainment -- will be squaring off against wrestler-turned-movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at the Super Bowl of wrestling.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, onto this week's showdown:
Opening Segment: John Cena's Battle Rap
Cena comes out in full "Doctor of Thuganomics" gear, complete with Cavaliers jersey. Despite the local sports team pandering and wrestling fans' love of nostalgia, Cena is met with a divisive crowd. He lays down some pretty vulgar rhymes, including wanting to give Rock a Cleveland steamer. Cleveland, uh, appreciates(?) the shout-out.
When John Cena used to do this Mark Wahlberg-esque thug routine in 2003, he was the most popular guy in WWE because he seemed like a cool guy that used cuss words (which is all it takes to appeal to teenage boys). Now, there's just something silly about it.
And as clever as Cena's rhymes may be, they've always been painfully slow. Still the rap itself was classic trash talk and the emotion behind it was tough.
Verdict: It was good, but it just reminds us that we don't get this version of Cena every week.
What appears to be a hype video for another Undertaker-HBK-Triple H confrontation is interrupted by Vickie Guerrero, who comes out to complain about Daylight Savings Time (seriously), which then segues into...
Match 1: Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) vs. Sheamus
The Celtic Warrior and the Show-Off have what ends up being the night's lengthiest contest. And it's not a bad fight. The problem is that it's inevitable that Sheamus will win. There's no way he's going to have his momentum cut out from underneath him after winning the Royal Rumble. Ziggler shouldn't feel like such an after-thought, especially after the incredible matches he's had over the past year. And double especially, when we're this close to WrestleMania.
During the course of the match, Josh Matthews tries to conduct a skybox interview with World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan. It's cut short when Josh asks AJ about Bryan's treatment of her; she responds with an "everything is fine," while her eyes clearly scream for help. Daniel Bryan is great at playing a smarmy jerk and undeserving champion, but because Daniel and AJ look like two hipsters, it doesn't have the cartoonish madness of "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Instead, it reminds me of Fred Savage and Candace Cameron in "No One Would Tell."
Winner: Sheamus
Verdict: Perfectly fine television wrestling.
Raw General Manager John "Mr. Excitement" Laurinaitis walks out to provide commentary for our next match...
Match 2: Mixed Tag Team - United States Champion Santino Marella and Aksana vs. David Otunga and ?
Santino and Mr. Jennifer Hudson are announced as the captains for their respective teams at WrestleMania ... but not before a ridiculous flexing display from Otunga that required at least three whole bottles of baby oil. Just as the action gets underway, Laurinaitis decides to change the match from a mixed tag to a handicap match....
Match 2, Take Two: Handicap Match - Santino vs. Otunga and the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry
During the match, Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long comes out to try to support Santino, but since Big Johnny runs this show, he's powerless. Long retaliates by hilariously shoving Laurinaitis down and then walking away, but it doesn't affect the action in the ring. Santino puts up a noble underdog effort, but he's expectantly put down by Henry in quick fashion. Otunga and Henry proceed to beat up the champ after the bell. First, Kofi Kingston and then R-Truth race out to help Santino, but they are both squashed by Henry. Mr. Excitement announces Henry as the second member of his WrestleMania team (duh).
Winner: David Otunga and Mark Henry
Verdict: This bid for power between Long and Laurinaitis is so much more enjoyable than anyone expected, and it's giving a lot of the guys in the locker room something to do. The 12-man tag team match for control of all WWE programming could be a surprise crowd favorite at WrestleMania.
Behind-the-Scenes Feature: The Miz's upcoming guest appearance on this Wendesday's episode of "Psych." Whatever.
Recap: John Cena's battle rap
We just saw this 38 minutes ago. Sure, wrestling fans cheered Sgt. Slaughter after he became an Iraqi sympathizer in 1991, but we're not so dense as to forget something we saw less than an hour ago.
During the recap, Michael Cole utters a word that he repeatedly uses during the course of the night in regards to Cena's rap: "attitudinal." This company has spent years trying to re-brand itself away from the Jerry Spinger-esque "Attitude Era" of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and D-Generation-X, and start selling itself as an "American Idol"-like family friendly circus that appeals to Nickelodeon and Mattel Toys. And the face of this new image has been John Cena. But then the Rock came back and verbally annihilated him with a creative freedom that no other modern wrestler had been given, and suddenly, Cena didn't seem as cool to all those kids that buy his t-shirt.
It feels like WWE is in major damage control to protect their merchandise cash cow, so he isn't totally neutered by a legit Hollywood star. Every skit involving Cena has framed him as being bullet-proof in a way that he just isn't, especially when Rock can show up and get a Cena insult to trend worldwide on Twitter within 60 seconds.
Recap: Maria Menounous interviews the WWE Divas on "Extra"
Oof. Alicia Fox talks about how her outfit is more important than a match at WrestleMania, then she giggles. Are they even trying to sell these women as athletes anymore?
Backstage at the Arena
That jezebel Eve comes across Zack Ryder, who does his best to resist her feminine wiles, but he finally caves when Eve suggests they become "friends with benefits." Sounds like Vince McMahon finally added "No Strings Attached" to his Netflix queue. Then, Divas Champion Beth Phoenix wanders onto the scene to complain about Maria Menounous hogging her spotlight. She makes a vague threat about showing up on "Extra" to show Menounos who is boss.* After Ryder leaves, Beth compliments Eve on the way she totally manipulates Zack and asks if she could borrow him. Eve gets crazy eyes and tells her to back off.**
*Because if there's one thing beer-drinking wrestling fans from the Midwest want, it's forcing them to watch glossy celebrity coverage from the likes of Nancy O'Dell.
**Because if there's one thing all women have in common, it's being a manipulative, paranoid, backstabbing shrew (apparently).
Backstage (Again)
Mr. Laurinaitis is busy making deals happen when he's interrupted by the Miz. To prove he deserves a top spot on the WrestleMania card, Miz brings out "Psych" star James Roday. For the first time in history, a WWE executive is not impressed by a minor basic-cable celebrity, and Johnny forces Miz into a match with WWE World Champion, CM Punk. If Miz wins, he gets a spot on Laurinaitis' WrestleMania team. Roday ad libs a few jokes about Howard Finkel with the Raw General Manager and now I want Laurinaitis to grace other USA Network shows with his weird deliberate anti-charisma.
Match 3: "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay vs. Jinder Mahal
Brodus Clay is a 400-pound dancing superfly with back-up dancers and fireworks. Jinder Mahal has a scowl and a turban. Clay's victory celebration actually goes longer than the match.
Winner: The Funkasaurus
Verdict: Clay didn't even get to do his mid-match bits like "My bad" or "Should I get him?" Those are the best parts of his schtick.
Verbal Confrontation: "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker
During Michaels's walk to the ring, we get the sign of the night when someone plants "Explain GTV" in full view of the camera. (Was it Goldust? Tom Green? Headbanger Thrasher?)
HBK reiterates the same points we've been hearing for the past month regarding the upcoming WrestleMania match: This 'Taker-Triple H blow-off will be the "end of an era," blah blah blah. Undertaker's music hits, we fast-forward 17 minutes and he's standing face-to-face with Michaels. And then, we get more of the same points reiterated in super dramatic fashion: How dare anyone accuse Michaels of failing to get the job done? He will gladly count the pin on 'Taker, 'Taker has no problem ending Michaels if he doesn't call the match down the middle. Triple H comes out at the end to crotch chop the Deadman; enjoy the callback to DX for these last few weeks because at WrestleMania, it will be the end of an era.
Verdict: Crowds are getting restless. These long. drawn-out monologues are getting heckled with more and more "what" chants from the crowds, and this storyline is too corny and old-school for them to react to that. Look, we know the actual cage match is going to be amazing, but they don't really need to fill 15 minutes of live TV every week harping on the same three points with all the gravitas of an episode of Lorenzo Lamas' "Renegade." In conclusion, when are they going to get to the fireworks factory?!
Match 4: WWE World Champion CM Punk vs. The Miz
James Roday comes out to do guest ring introductions and looks like he actually wants to be there, unlike Burt Reynolds at WrestleMania 10 in 1994. Crowds are decidedly mixed for this encounter because, despite being the most obnoxious bad guy in wrestling, Miz is getting plenty of hometown love from the Cleveland crowd. In fact, Miz's reception might be warmer than Cena's. After a few minutes of solid action, Punk locks Miz with the Anaconda Vice submission and Miz has no choice but to tap out. His losing streak continues so close to WrestleMania.
Winner: CM Punk
Punk's victory celebration is interrupted by Chris Jericho on the big screen. The feud gets awesomely personal when Jericho brings up Punk's real childhood and tells the crowd that Punk's alcoholic father is the reason he's straight-edge. His slimy dissection of Punk's sarcasm, tattoos and character are punctuated by the point that Punk will always be a failure in his father's eyes and he'll end up a pathetic drunk too ... when Jericho humiliates him at WrestleMania. For the first time in his WWE career, Punk is near tears and speechless.
Verdict: The match was fine, but the aftermath was classic pro wrestling. Punk and Jericho's title bout just got personal like Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat, in the glory days of 1989. We already knew Punk-Jericho would be an athletic display, but now it's going to have some real heat behind each blow. Hopefully, the crowd in Miami responds in kind.
Commercial: The Law Offices of David Otunga
Need legal counseling? Contact @DavidOtunga who will help you win your case, when he's not busy winning matches. Hilarious wrestling bad guy-ism in the spirit of Irwin R. Schyster (the evil taxman) or The Genius (the evil academic) that reminds us of one of the sport's oldest truisms: Wrestling fans do not like white collar jobs.
Match 5: "The Viper" Randy Orton vs. Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero)
Technically sound, just like Ziggler-Sheamus from earlier, but it suffers from the same problem in that the bad guy needs more credibility than he has. Orton predictably puts Swagger away with an RKO, but Orton is startled after the three count by an eruption of Kane's hellfire and brimstone.
Winner: Randy Orton
Verdict: Fans were expecting some kind of physical confrontation between Orton and Kane; a WrestleMania match between Orton and the revamped monster could make for a great match, but it feels so last-minute.
Smackdown Preview
Christian returns from injury to host a special edition of his in-ring interview segment "The Peep Show" with none other than dueling Managers John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long. That one should be legitimately enjoyable.
Too bad it's going to have to wait untill Saturday morning as I don't want to be the kind of wrestling fan that stays in on Friday nights.
Next Week on Raw
John Cena takes on the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry.
Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker and Triple H will all be in the ring together for something called, no joke, "The End of An Era Prediction." Here's hoping they think of something new to say, or else that drunk Philadelphia crowd is going to heckle them mercilessly for 15 minutes of live awkward TV ... actually, I hope that's exactly what happens.
Rock picks up his six-string and entertains the crowd with a bluesy reworking of "Jailhouse Rock." It picks up momentum in the second verse when he pulls together some lingering story threads regarding Cena making out with Eve. He then turns his attentions to Cena's adult male fans and zings them for being virgins. At least he didn't make fun of them for "being gay" -- you take any progressive victory you can get in pro wrestling, no matter how tiny it is. Finally, he closes it out with a verse about nailing Cena's mom.
But wait there's more! He leads Cleveland in a karaoke version of "We Will Rock You" that slides "Cena Sucks" perfectly into the beat. Rock thanks the crowd and we're out.
Winner: Like any Battle of the Bands, the winner is determined by the fans; tonight, the Rock was the clear favorite.
Verdict: This is the most heavily-hyped main event in WrestleMania history and it's just not clicking. When Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior finally collided at WrestleMania 6, it really split fans across party lines. Both men had die-hard followings and the collective audience's mind was blown when they finally came to blows. That's not happening now.
The Rock is bigger than wrestling and beloved by pop culture on a whole other level. To make him anything other than the clear crowd favorite is counter-productive, but that's what WWE is intent on doing. Any current WWE Superstar would have trouble trying to steal cheers away from the Rock -- maybe CM Punk could do it -- but to task John Cena with the job is such a bad idea.
It's not that fans don't respect Cena's athleticism, but he represents everything that is corporate and neutered in modern WWE. He's the spokesman for a very PC image that goes against the aggressive, super-masculine freakshow that is pro wrestling. To exert hour after hour of broadcasting time telling us that Cena's fanbase is just as strong as the Rock's -- when we can hear that to be false -- just angers those people who are frustrated with WWE. And then, they take it out on Cena.
The Rock doesn't need to come back to wrestling. His movies make a lot of money and 2012 could be one of his biggest years at the box office. To try to paint him as the guy who went "Hollywood" and lost his edge isn't working with fans because if he really went Hollywood, he wouldn't come back at all. Fans aren't going to buy Cena's trash talk. Cena may be here for the fans every week, but the fans don't want him. So the fans are just going to tune everything out and enjoy the Rock when they can. And that means completely forgetting about any kind of heavily-hyped pay-per-view fight, because Rock is telling funny jokes right now.
The Real Main Event of the Show: Jericho's brutal character assassination of CM Punk. It's the only match at WrestleMania that's got real hatred between opponents.
The Curtain Jerker: The foreshadowing of more Divas cattiness with NBC's "Extra." Maria Menounos versus Beth Phoenix is a far cry from Cyndi Lauper versus The Fabulous Moolah (no offense to Beth).


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Thursday, June 05, 2014
By Kamal Swami
Mercedes Benz launches S350 CDI with starting price of Rs. 1.07 crore (ex-showroom price)
German luxurious car maker Mercedes Benz has launched the new S350 CDI in Indian car market with starting price of Rs. 1.07 crore (ex-showroom price in Maharashtra). The S350 CDI 2014 is energized with V6 3.0 litre diesel engine generating the power of 254 bhp and torque of 620 Nm and is coated with 7G Tronic Plus automatic gearbox which transits the power to rear wheels. The luxurious saloon sedan is blessed with AIRMATIC suspension system with Magic Body Control system. It carries most of its features from its elder sibling S500 alongwith Burmester sound system. It would not be wrong to say that new S350 CDI is miles ahead from elder siblings of S Class sedan.
One feature which especially needs to be mentioned about new Mercedes Benz S350 CDI is that it comes loaded with huge fleet of various remarkable safety features including eight airbags, cornering control system, adaptive brake HOLD function and ASR. The sedan would be locally assembled at company production plant located at Chakan, where company is already producing its petrol variant.
Addressing the launch event of S350CDI, Mr.Eberhard Kern, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes Benz India said, that S Class has enjoyed huge success across the world including Indian car market. Company is overwhelmed on introducing the new S350 CDI from its production unit plant at Chakan. He also added the team constituted for development of S Class is constituted by group of expert and with launch of this new S350 CDI they are confident that it will set new landmark in Indian car market satisfying the different needs of car aspirants.
Click here to read about the features offered in existing version of S Class.


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July 22, 2009
Getting Started
Blog post #1 ... My daughter has encouraged me to start a blog, mainly to keep track of my knitting projects. I have a love of knitting, cooking, reading and family (including my Yorkies). Since I have to start somewhere, today is the day!
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Ok, I have definitely been neglecting the blog lately. What can I say? Work takes most of my energy and then I give the rest to spending time with my family... there is rarely any left for documenting our adventures. So, here goes a massive picture dump, recapping the rest of last month before I have too much piled up for this month! Enjoy!
Bedtime serenade by my children. I didn't want them on the table, but they looked so cute singing up there, that of course I snapped some pictures and let them sing a few songs before I pulled them down.
Chillin' on the grass with Liam on a nice spring afternoon. We said goodbye to the Gillespie Family this week as they moved to Washington... they are such good friends and will be greatly missed! :(
Brian got domestic and made this fabulous strawberry pie... most of which he ate himself since I am allergic to the fresh strawberries. :(
Playing in a laundry basket and coming up with a new pose
We finally made in down to the Lousiville, KY temple... kind of embarrassed to admit it was our first time since moving here. We swapped babysitting in the church right next to it with the Hirschi's. It was great to be in the temple again. Then that afternoon we went downtown and met a bunch of our friends for the "Thunder Over Lousiville" firework show to kick off the Kentucky Derby. We had fun visiting, walking around, and Thomas couldn't get enough of throwing rocks in the river. It was beautiful weather. They had a cool air show before the firework show... that was Thomas's favorite part. I think he was a little tired by the time the fireworks started. Maybrie on the other hand was totally mesmerized by the fireworks, and they really were the most incredible fireworks I've ever seen. It was awesome!
Thomas looked so cute rocking his shades!
Late night... they slept the whole way home, what sweet sleeping beauties.
My awesome friend Maddie scored four free tickets to the Taylor Swift concert and did a drawing to pick which friends got to go. And... I was chosen! Brian thought he earned it for me since he personally made hundreds of phone calls to the radio station trying to help Maddie win tickets (He carpools with Michael and Maddie to school everyday). I have not been to many concerts in my life, and Taylor Swift is one I have always wanted to go to. I think she is so talented. It was the coolest girl's night out and seriously such an amazing concert! I had so much fun! Definitely a night to remember, and the best part is that it was FREE!!!
Me and Ashley
Some cute girls in line next to us made this adorable poster.
Becca, Breanna, Ashley, and me... the four lucky winners!
Waiting to get in
Maddie showing off her shoulder that was touched by Mama Swift during their backstage tour!
Love the RED, very cool sets, really was quite the production
Michael representing the men among MANY ladies
Maddie was literally on the edge of her seat!
Taylor moving through the crowd on the shoulders of her dancers to the small platform... we were just ten rows away, so close!
Taylor gets up close and personal
Taylor Swift totally rocked my socks off! I felt like a teenager again and wished I could've taken all of my cute neices... someday I would love to take Maybrie to something like this.
We got to babysit Liam and baby Damon Gillespie. Thomas loves babies, and he was so excited to have Damon over!
This was Thomas's favorite toy for a week... a splatter screen, silly boy! Love the pig nose pushed up against it. :)
Seriously can't get enough of my adorable children! They are simply too darn cute!
Phew! April's down... it was a fun, busy month, as usual. Only 8 days left of school, so maybe I will make a more regular blog comeback soon.


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Perfect World
Steam is officially coming to China
Valve is bringing an official version of Steam to China.
Perfect World headlines
WIN! One of 50 Gigantic Ultimate Pack keys for PC and Xbox One
We have 50 keys to giveaway for Gigantic on PC and Xbox One.
GIVEAWAY! Another 10,000 closed beta keys for Gigantic on PC
You couldn't get enough, so here's some more.
Blacklight Retribution gets a launch trailer
Perfect World has released the launch trailer for Blacklight Retribution, the free-to-play MMOFPS from Zombie Studios. Anyone can download and begin playing the game by visiting the official website. Watch the launch trailer below.
Forsaken World: Nightfall Expansion is live
Perfect World has announced Nightfall, the largest expansion for Forsaken World to-date, has been released. Nightfall includes new dungeons, quests and revamped game modes. The MMO will also be hosting a Phantom Orb Event which will provide players with a chance to acquire a rare phantom pet. Players level 40 and above who log-in from […]
Study - Online games market in China grew 32% in 2011 to $6.6B
Pearl Research has estimated that during 2011, the online gaming market in China grew 32% to $6.6 billion.
Perfect World's international MMOs push Q4 revenues up
Blacklight Retribution was one of a number of international investments which paid off for Chinese MMO specialists Perfect World this quarter.
Blacklight: Retribution enters open beta, players needn't worry about "paying to win"
Perfect World has announced Blacklight Retribution has gone into open beta.
Blacklight: Retribution video focuses on heavy weapons
EvAv's posted a new video of F2P FPSMMO Blacklight: Retribution, this time aiming at heavy weapons. Want to up the boom on some punk's scummy ass? Go heavy, yo. Clip's posted below the break.
Perfect World has been "very supportive" of Torchlight and Runic's MMO ambitions
Runic Games co-founder and CEO Max Schaefer has said the firm chose Perfect World Entertainment as its partner for the Torchlight MMO due to the Chinese company's experience with the genre.
Perfect World announces new MMO, Fantasy Condor Heroes
If this isn't the single greatest name an MMO has ever had, we're not sure what would beat it. "Fantasy Condor Heroes" beats ultra-bland names like Rift and Everquest any day. The new MMO is a cartoonish martial arts-themed MMO based on the martial arts novel Return of the Condor Heroes. So…what's a Condor Hero? […]
Blacklight: Retribution developer video shows off a few of the customization options
Perfect World has released a developer video for Blacklight: Retribution, showcasing the shooter's customization options. There are various ways for the player to customize their super soldier beyond the norm, and the video highlights the bigger aspects to the system. However, as D'toid notes, there are areas of customization in the game not included in […]
Cryptic details Season 5 update for Star Trek Online
Cryptic's gone live with a blog post detailing Star Trek Online's latest major update, Season 5: Call to Ruin.
Cryptic's parent company reports increase in profit and revenues for the quarter
Cryptic's parent company, Chinese online game developer Perfect World, has reported a rise in profits for the quarter of 587.7 million CNY ($92.1 million), which is up from 486.9 million CNY the prior year. The firm also reported an increase in revenues of 708.9 million CNY ($112 million), up from 579.2 million CNY yoy. All […]
Cryptic: Neverwinter as MMORPG "just made sense", "no sacrifice"
Perfect World's decision to rejig Neverwinter as a free to play MMORPG is okay by the newly-acquired Cryptic, even though the game was almost ready to go.
Star Trek Online F2P switch happening in January
Cryptic Games' parent company Perfect World has announced the free-to-play switch for Star Trek Online will happen on january 17. The switch is slightly later than the expected end of year targeted switch for the MMO, which first launched back in 2010. Thanks, Videogamer.
Closed beta for Blacklight: Retribution starts November 10
Perfect World has announced the closed beta for Blacklight: Retribution will begin on November 10, with a select players invited for day one. More players will be invited as the weeks progress.The game, in development at Zombie Studios, will be free-to-play upon release and will be monetized using microtransactions entirely, instead of offering a subscription […]
Perfect World: Star Trek Online going F2P, Torchlight MMO aiming for late 2012
Perfect World, the company who recently acquired Cryptic, has confirmed the studio intends to turn Star Trek Online into a F2P game by the end of this year.
Cryptic details transition to Perfect World subsidiary
Cryptic has opened up on precisely how its acquisition by Perfect World will affect Champions Online and Star Trek Online players.
Neverwinter delayed in Cryptic's Atari exit
Cryptic's online co-op multiplayer take on the classic Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter license has been pushed back into 2012.
Page 1
Perfect World latest
WIN! One of 50 Gigantic Ultimate Pack keys for PC and Xbox One
GIVEAWAY! Another 10,000 closed beta keys for Gigantic on PC
Study – Online games market in China grew 32% in 2011 to $6.6B
Blacklight: Retribution enters open beta, players needn't worry about "paying to win"
Perfect World has been "very supportive" of Torchlight and Runic's MMO ambitions
Blacklight: Retribution developer video shows off a few of the customization options
Cryptic's parent company reports increase in profit and revenues for the quarter
Cryptic: Neverwinter as MMORPG "just made sense", "no sacrifice"
Perfect World: Star Trek Online going F2P, Torchlight MMO aiming for late 2012
Zombie Studios announces Blacklight Retribution as its F2P sequel to Tango Down
Runic: Torchlight MMO will be "as close to a single-player as we can get"
Weekly MMO news round-up: Star Trek, Warhammer, Alganon, more
Weekly MMO news round-up: Fireworks, Copernicus, mystical powers, new servers
Weekly MMO news round-up E3 edition: Torchlight, LotRO, Warhammer, SWTOR