text:
We must act," President Obama declared in his inaugural address. A critical part of his strategy is harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of his campaign supporters to promote his legislative agenda.
We must act,� President Obama declared in his inaugural address. A critical part of his strategy is harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of his campaign supporters to promote his legislative agenda.
Second terms are often marked by disappointment and frustration, as presidential vigor is sapped by the effects of the lame-duck flu. (There�s no vaccine against it.) And Obama has a special problem: a House of Representatives dominated by hard-core conservative Republicans who have declared holy war against the president.
But the White House aims to marginalize those opponents by generating public support for Obama�s proposals and forcing lawmakers to respond to their constituents. The president was speaking about gun laws � but could have been addressing his entire legislative agenda � when he said recently: �I tell you, the only way we can change is if the American people demand it.� Obama�s close adviser Robert Gibbs framed the strategy this way on MSNBC: �The president has the most exciting campaign apparatus ever built. It�s time to turn that loose.�
Team Obama has taken that apparatus, with its huge database and network of volunteers, and created a new entity, Organizing for Action. It�s established under the same section of the tax code that Republicans used to raise vast sums of corporate money during the last campaign. Since Democrats denounced that whole concept, there�s a whiff of hypocrisy here. But all smart politicians copy their opponents� best ideas, and Gibbs is right that Obama�s campaign organization was a critical part of his victory. So keeping it alive is a shrewd move.
That campaign was inspired by Facebook and is based on the same essential insight: People hunger for relationships, for connections, for a sense of belonging and purpose. Facebook enables you to �like� or �friend� someone or something, to post a photo, to send a message or to join a group, and the Obama campaign did exactly the same thing. Volunteers could submit ideas, hold meetings, canvass neighbors, transmit videos, donate money.
That process of participation changed the way supporters thought of themselves and their role in politics. They were transformed from a passive to an active mode. They acquired a vital stake in the election�s outcome, and that�s what Team Obama is trying to duplicate. They want supporters to take an ownership share in the president�s legislative agenda.
This new initiative has already started. On Inauguration Day, the president sent the following email to his vast list of volunteers: �I just renewed my oath of office to serve as your president for four more years. Thank you for making this possible. It�s an honor to be your president. Now it�s time to finish what we started � let�s get going. Barack.� He added: �P.S. � Organizing for Action is the next step in our grass-roots movement and will be crucial to finishing what we started.�
Then there was a boldface link to sign up. That�s pure Facebook � encourage relationships and make them possible.
A lot of obstacles stand in the president�s path. Elections present a stark choice, and it�s easy to make the case for a candidate or a party. Legislation often involves messy compromises that are far murkier and more difficult to sell. One obvious example: Any far-reaching deal to reduce the budget deficit will inevitably include cuts in entitlement programs, a very large pill for liberals to swallow.
Elections also take place on a set schedule, and campaigns can be organized far in advance to point toward one decisive moment. Legislative battles have many turning points, and it�s hard to know when to maximize the impact of your troops.
Moreover, many House Republicans represent safe districts and are largely immune from the pressures of public opinion. The president can unleash his campaign apparatus all he wants, but will it matter to those GOP lawmakers, especially when conservative activists threaten to challenge them in the primaries if they stray from ideological orthodoxy?
Still, as the president made clear in his inaugural address, he is committed to pushing a range of issues � gun control, immigration, climate change, budget deficits. He knows his window is limited. �You hope for a year and a half,� Gibbs told The New York Times. �You understand it could be half that.�
But Obama�s best chance for success rests on a clear calculation: The folks who helped re-elect him will now work just as hard to support his goal of �finishing what we started.�
Steve and Cokie Roberts can be contacted by e-mail at email@example.com.
� 2013, Steven and Cokie Roberts


text:
To the editor:
I'm writing in response to the recent proposals by local governments to ban weapons on county or city owned property. Carrying a weapon with a permit is nothing new and has been legal in Iowa for years. Iowa's permit to carry system recently changed from "may issue" to "shall issue". What's the difference? Under "may issue" a citizen's ability to receive a permit varied greatly depending on the county of residence. The application process in some counties was straightforward and fair, but in other counties it was nearly impossible to obtain a permit. It all depended on the philosophy and political beliefs of the county sheriff. "Shall issue" makes the process to acquire a permit consistent state-wide. Applicants must be at least 21years old, pass the National Instant Criminal Background Check (FBI), receive gun safety/legal training, must not be addicted to alcohol, not adjudicated mentally incompetent, and not had any offenses involving violence in the last three years. Applicants must still apply at their county sheriff's office and the sheriff may still deny an application, but now the sheriff must specify why the permit was denied and the applicant can appeal the denial. Concealed carry is legal in 48 states, and "shall issue" is the law in 38 of those states. Some people with anti gun/anti self-defense beliefs try to characterize anyone who chooses to carry a firearm as a "gun nut", but FBI statistics show that concealed carry permit holders are among the most law-abiding citizens in the country. Approximately 1,200 Dickinson County residents (over 7 percent of the county) possess a carry permit.
The question was asked, "Why would anyone feel the need to carry a weapon?" A firearm carried by a law-abiding citizen for self-defense is an emergency response tool. Would you wear your seat belt only when you knew you were going to have an accident, or buy a fire extinguisher only when you planned to have a house fire? Of course not, you prepare in case of emergency. You hope and pray you never have to use a firearm in defense, but you prepare in case you are thrust into a horrible situation. We are fortunate to live in a relatively safe area with excellent law enforcement, but bad things can happen to good people. Consider what happened to the convenience store workers in Algona and Humboldt recently. It's unrealistic for anyone to think they could be a super-hero and save the day, but how would you feel if you stepped out of a convenience store restroom as shots were fired? You may be able to run, you may be able to hide, but wouldn't you want the option of having a tool to defend yourself if that was your only option? Gun-free zones only take the right of self-defense away from law-abiding citizens. Criminals, by their very nature, do not obey laws. A sign on the door will not stop a deranged person or determined criminal. Most mass shootings occur in "gun-free" zones. One of our county supervisors commented that he felt he needed to ban weapons from all county buildings to protect the public. Protect the public from what? Law-abiding citizens who have passed the NICS background check, studied gun safety and laws, and applied for the permit to carry from their county sheriff? This makes no logical sense.
Last week Myrna Loehrlein circulated a letter state-wide calling guns a health hazard and advocating banning guns. Firearms are dangerous by design, but they are also used by law enforcement and by private citizens to stop or prevent crime. If all it takes to solve a problem is enacting another law, why don't we just make it illegal to murder people? Oh that's rightmurder is already against the law. We haven't been able to stop the flow of illegal drugs, why would any sane person think we could prevent all criminals from accessing illegal guns? Denying law-abiding citizens their rights granted by the 2nd Amendment is not the answer.
Greg Forney
Spirit Lake, IA

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hi everyone, my friend Mokonzi encouraged me to come and post the first chapter of my novel over in this forum, so I'll post it and would love to hear your feedback on what you think about it.
You can find the novel at Amazon, iBookStore, Barnes and Noble and at Lulu.com in both eBook and Printed format (where applicable). The following links might help you in finding the book if you wish to help support my writing by buying a copy for yourself:
Website: http://www.micahmathews.co.uk/
Book on MM.co.uk: http://micahmathews.co.uk/index.php/...nnings-empire/
Lulu.com eBook: http://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.p...ntent=21028322
Lulu.com Printed: http://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.p...ntent=21483154
Amazon/Kindle eBook: https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?a...icahmathews-21
iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9780244938253
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the...=9780244938253
Now for the story:
Chapter 1
15th July 2002
COME on guys, lets carry on. Its not far now, Ravika encouraged the group of explorers and scientists. He stood rubbing the stubble on his face while he waited for them to start moving again.
The group moaned a little, those seated staggering to their feet, and those standing trying to remain that way. They started to follow their inexhaustible Masian leader and his Ontwaygan friend as they continued their way up Mount Astu.
They moved on again following Baranka, and headed towards another turn in the cliff. They could see that the wind had picked up to an incredible pace, the few trees down that side of the mountain had been shaped to the direction of the wind, as if someone had taken their tops and had pulled them horizontal.
Baranka fearlessly moved around the corner.
The wind hit the Ontwaygan hard as he moved into the more open area around the corner. He lost his balance and slipped over the edge of the cliff, his arms flailing to grab onto anything he could reach.
The others felt the sudden drop as the tether pulled tight. Ravika slipped to the floor under the sudden force, slowly sliding to the edge of the cliff.
An image of his death at the foot of the cliff flashed through Ravikas mind. He grasped for something to steady himself, before he managed to find a foothold and finally halt his motion towards oblivion with only a few centimetres left. He clambered up and shouted out to the others to hold tight, and he (he was directly behind Baranka) started to pull the fortunate Ontwaygan back up and onto the path.
When they got him back up onto the ledge, the breathless Jeremy Baranka laid sprawled on the floor.
Dont do that again! panted the Fakrianan called Christophe Vitogra.
Yes! Dont. You practically gave us all a heart attack! added Theo Miazah as he held his arm to his chest.
I didnt intend to! Baranka panted. That was... terrifying...!
Daniel Ravika smiled at the impetuous Ontwaygans comment. At least he was still alive. The Iraka, which is the Kallan name for the wind that had pushed Baranka over the edge, was the strongest wind on record in the Kallan states. Battling such a strong force as the Iraka had made the journey a hard one, and this near miss had not helped the morale in any way.
The expedition had been started to try and help unravel some of the mysteries about the origin of the settlers who had come to Kalla. This information had been lost in time, partially due to the uncontrollable first few years of their settlement in this land. Now - as the bimillennial anniversary of their arrival approached - they were researching the possibility that one of the original settlers, one Islwyn Gruffydd, had withdrawn himself and lived in caves called Ilt Kraka, located in Ontwaygo. It was their task to find these caves and any clues they may contain.
Several days had elapsed since they arrived in Ilt Kraka and they had made some progress, identifying several markers in an unknown language, but what they could translate had only revealed Gruffydds name.
Now they sat trying to decide the way to proceed past this latest obstacle.
I only fell because I didnt watch my balance as the wind caught me! Baranka told the other five, a little embarrassed at his own overconfidence.
Maybe so, but we must decide on how to get past this problem. commented Ravika, Any suggestions?
How about clamping an anchor into the wall, so that we can attach the rope to it. That would help in case we all slip at the same time, suggested Vitogra, What do you think?
Yes, but we send just one man around first, added the Sedorian Miazah, he can set several anchors into the wall, and we can thread a rope between them for better support. We could use it like a handrail, which we clip ourselves to as we walk along the ledge.
So are you volunteering, Miazah? jibed the historian Andrew Zarika cheekily.
No! I couldnt do it! But I can see it is the best thing to do.
Ill do it, offered Ravika. I think Baranka should be spared the risk of going over the edge a second time, or at least for now. Ravika smiled cheekily at his friend as he made the last comment.
Is that wise? asked Zarika, Youre leading the expedition; you shouldnt be risking yourself unnecessarily.
Yes I am leading the expedition, but I mean what I said. Ive suggested the expedition, and I dont feel that I shouldnt get my hands dirty at all.
After some discussion about it from the others, Ravika eventually prevailed.
Ravika readied himself, collecting the needed rope and metal anchors from the others. Baranka put the first one into the rock face, just before the corner. The anchor was made of a metal hoop on one end which was just large enough to allow the rope to pass through it. The other end contained a strong clamping system. All he had to do was place the end of the anchor against the cliff, press the small button on the other end and the anchor fired into the wall, pushing grips out to hold it tight against the inside of the bore. This created an almost unmovable anchor for the rope; only the actual wall falling away would release the hoop.
Ravika edged around the corner, his line attached to the first of the anchors. He hugged the cliff face closely, and put his foot around the bend in the cliff path. The wind was strong. Words fail to describe the sheer force of the wind. As he inched the rest of his body around the corner of the cliff, the wind rushed at him from his right-hand side, almost taking his balance away. He held himself tightly against the wall and edged further along the cliff face.
After about another metre or so, he placed the second anchor into the wall. He threaded the rope through, and continued further around the face. After he had attached the third anchor, he looked around him.
He was teetering on a ledge along the eastern side of a huge cavern. Just fifteen metres across the gulf lay another cliff face, which also had a small ledge running along it, but only part way. The back of the cavern was about twenty metres to his left. The wind was coming in from the north (to his right) and buffeting the back of the cavern, whirling around, smashing against the back of the recess. The floor of the cavern was about three hundred metres below him, a few bent trees carpeting the otherwise barren floor.
On the other side, Ravika could see a door, which was set into an ornate entranceway in the lea of a jutting outcrop. It was constructed of metal, and had a written inscription on it, but Ravika couldnt quite make out what it was. He smiled. Maybe they were nearing the highlight of their journey. Maybe. What next? So close yet so far.
Ravika edged back around the cliff face and to the inquisitive group.
Whats it like? they asked in sync.
Ravika described the cavern, the others becoming concerned at the forces they were going to have to battle with. What next?
Well have to climb down the cliff then, Baranka said dejectedly, There is no other safe way. Itll take another day at least to get to the other side.
Surely there is another way? cried Vitogra despairingly.
Maybe, suggested Ravika. We can try and create a bridge across it.
How? asked Miazah, his puzzled look mirroring that of Aranya.
We can suspend two wires across the cavern, suggested Ravika, And then we can each slide across one at a time. We have the tools to do it, so we might as well try. Its better than taking the longer route.
Maybe, but its dangerous. Do you really want to risk it to gain that one day? asked Baranka.
It might be far riskier to try and go down that cliff and then back up again in that hurricane force wind, replied Ravika defiantly, Besides, we have the equipment to try and do it. Lets go for it.
The group acquiesced and they all made their way around the corner onto the wind whipped ridge.
Wow! shouted Baranka as he saw the extent of the challenge, This is going to be interesting. There were a few nods in agreement with Barankas comment.
Everyone stared at the size of the cavern, watching the wind that rattled anything that was slightly loose. No animals or creatures of any sort could be seen. It looked like no other living creatures seemed able to deal with this tremendous force of nature. They stood in one small corner tightly strapped to the wall, using the rope handrail that Ravika had installed. It was what held them safe from oblivion.
Baranka took aim and fired the first line across the cavern, with one end of it attached tightly to an anchor. The wind caught it slightly but it didnt miss. Even though it was pulled taut, the rope stretching across the cavern hummed with the sheer force of the wind.
Ravika placed his clip onto the line, and with two other ropes attached to him, he prepared to push off into the crosswind. At that precise moment, the wind increased slightly and caught him off balance. He almost lost his footing, but through his athleticism he managed to steady himself. Without a backward glance, he stepped off the edge of the cliff and dropped a few feet as the rope sagged under his weight. The other two ropes attached to his hips flapped in the intense wind, like two tails to a childs kite.
Hand over hand, inch after inch, the others watching on anxiously, he pulled himself gradually along the rope. It was certainly a dubious method of transport.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Ravika made it to his destination, catching the ledge on the other side with his feet and pulling himself safely on to it.
Yes! Baranka shouted back towards the others, smiling in relief, He did it!
Quickly Baranka began to organise their equipment and began to attach each piece to the lines so they could be pulled across to the other side of the valley. Within five minutes he and Ravika had moved everything across.
Miazah, Aranya and Zarika now stood looking nervously at the swaying lines, each shaking violently under the power of Iraka. They shook their heads as they contemplated the crossing they needed to make in such adverse conditions.
Come on! yelled Ravika as loudly as he could so that he could be heard over the hurricane force winds. You can do it!
With that needed encouragement, Baranka directed Zarika to make the second crossing.
Zarika put out his hand and grasped the rope that stretched away to the other side in front of him. Baranka attached his clip to the line, and instructed Zarika as to how to position himself as he moved along the ropes.
The historian grasped both ropes tightly, his hands in gloves with rubber grips. He moved himself along the line and stepped out into nothing, the rope rushing downwards with him before pulling taut and then pulling him slightly upwards. Zarika hung from the two ropes began to swing himself slightly from side to side, sliding each hand along the rope as he swayed, inching closer to the other side, where he welcomed Ravikas outstretched hands eagerly.
Well done mate, commended Ravika, You did great. Have a breather.
Zarikas hands shook as he steadied himself against the cliff face, the slight recess in the wall giving him a little protection from the wind.
Baranka now directed Miazah to cross, and the brave faced Sedorian made his way across to the safety of the other side.
Aranya then moved nervously to the edge. He put his hands onto the ropes and started to swing across the gulf. He swayed from side to side as the wind pushed him hard, trying to make him lose his grip. Suddenly, his fingers missed the rope, and he swung onto one arm. He hovered there a few seconds.
HELP ME! he yelled, HELP ME!
He continued to yell as he squirmed with the wind for a moment before he lost his grip and plummeted, his safety line preventing him falling all the way to the bottom of the valley. Like a spider in a gale, Aranya swung from side to side.
Im going to die! he screamed, Someone help me before I die!
Baranka quickly moved himself out along the rope to the position, about the centre, where Aranya flailed desperately.
Please dont leave me, he hollered, dont leave me!
Im not going to leave you! stated Baranka, shouting above the wind as he positioned himself, Why else would I come out on the rope after you?
With only the safety rope as his protection, Baranka reached the safety rope of Aranya and began to pull him upwards. Using just his right arm, and swinging from his left, he pulled the terrified Aranya up to the rope. Aranya grasped it desperately, the wind trying to dislodge the Bajinian again. With Barankas helping hand, the anxious man made his way across to the other side, and as he stepped free of the abyss, he hugged the wall tight.
The group had a breather after the excitement of the crossing, Baranka and Ravika making sure that the crossing was secure. They checked that the anchors were tight into the cliff face, and they fixed a rope along the side of the cliff which they could all attach themselves too.
Im in no hurry to do that again! exclaimed Miazah with his long drawn out accent.
I know what you mean. Its terrifying with that wind rocking us from side to side! Zarika stated emphatically.
Aranya nodded in agreement with what other two had said. Im sure I lost years of my life with that crossing, he said.
Dont worry, Ravika reassured, We survived it and were here on the other side, arent we? He smiled at them. Its time to move on.
Baranka shook his head slightly at him. No one could discount your enthusiasm and adventuring spirit.
Ravika smiled again. He bubbled enthusiasm because he was so close to completing their mission. He could feel it in his bones! His whole life has centred on solving this mystery, and now, it was close indeed!
THE group rested briefly while Ravika went up to the door and examined it carefully. He was too impatient to rest with the others. He tried the door, but, not surprisingly, it didnt budge. It looked to be locked or jammed. He tried a few different things but had no success. Along with Baranka, he checked that the anchors were tight into the cliff face, and arranged another rope as a handrail. He also made sure their makeshift bridge was secure.
The others had been resting for longer than he expected, and so Ravika began to hassle them. Come on friends! Help me get this door open! Ive tried a few things but nothing worked.
Baranka made his way over to the door quickly and tried it himself. Still nothing.
What about using the Micro Pulse, Vitogra suggested. This was a small tool that he had that transmits a small electrical pulse through whatever it is in contact with. Maybe using it on the door it will trigger the lock to release.
Give it a try, Ravika replied.
Vitogra found it in his backpack and passed it to Baranka who tried it several times on the door locking mechanism. It failed.
I think this door is bolted shut, said Baranka as he put the tool down. I think we need to cut the door off at the hinges. There is no other option to open a bolted door.
Baranka had always been a hard worker, someone who liked to get into the middle of a problem and help resolve it. With Ravika they made a good team.
With Ravikas support they set up the tripod and the Focused Laser Beam Cutter, and began using it to cut through the hinges of the door to separate it from its rock doorframe.
It looks an interesting alloy, commented Aranya as he watched the purple flame the laser was creating in the metal hinge. Its clever how theyve worked the metal into the stonework, its almost moulded into it.
For about fifteen minutes they continued working on it, the laser gradually separating the centuries old metal from the stone posts. Finally, the door shuddered slightly as it was released.
Ravika and Baranka smiled, swiftly moving the beam cutter off to one side and gripping the edge of the door. The two strong men pulled heavily on the door and it slowly swung away. Pulling it completely free, the men moved the door to the side of the doorframe and wiped the sweat from their brows. Despite the wind, the humidity of this part of the Kallan home world was intense. No work was easy work.
Ravika swept up a torch, and swung the beam into the cave, through which a little light now shone.
The others gathered around him, Zarika looking over his shoulder into the gloom. What can you see? he asked.
Wonderful things.


text:
Wichita Events, Coupons, Reviews!
Wichita Events, Coupons, Reviews!
DISCLAIMER: I received tickets to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions and stories are my own.
Experience North America's most popular dinner attraction…Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament! See their exciting NEW show because for the first time in Medieval Times' 35-year history, a Queen has taken the throne! Shows feature heroic knights on magnificent horses displaying the astounding athletic feats and thrilling swordplay that have become hallmarks of this unique entertainment experience.
I have been to Medieval Times several times over the decades but NOW is the time to go again since they have changed it up featuring a brand new story with a Queen in charge. The story brings a series of changes to the show including new costumes, custom-designed and handmade armor, fight scenes, and musical score composed by Dr. Daniel May, who directed and recorded the composition in Kiev with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. So now you can be among the first to experience the debut of their new show!
My girls dressed up but this is all for fun…not a requirement! My girls LOVE dressing up so any chance to wear their outfits in public gives them a lot of excitement. Other guests were dressed up so if you feel like it then I say go for it!
For the Orlando location there is a whole Medieval village to visit beforehand that is right outside the castle. Sort of like a walk through museum where you can see what life was like for some people during that time period. Definitely give yourself enough time to walk through it before the dinner tournament starts! I suggest getting to Medieval Times 75 minutes before the show. This gives you time to wonder around, check out the village, visit the gift shops and the bar!
One of the exciting parts of the meal is that you will be eating with your hands! Eating utensils were not used in the 11th century so this takes you back in time just a little bit! The Queen's feast includes garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potato, dessert of the Castle and beverages (may vary by castle). I have a big appetite and I went home with a full stomach! My girls had so much food they only finished about half of it.
You are served your set meal by piece, everyone in the row gets their drinks, then everyone gets their bread and so on. While you are being served and enjoying your meal you get to watch the show. You will be given a knight to cheer for based on your seat location and you will get to see horseback riding, sword fights, jousting and so much more!
Shows are available in the following cities:
Audiences of all ages gather to cheer for their knight! Medieval Times is the perfect place for any occasion: family fun night, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, date night, bachelor parties and more! This is a lot of family fun and my girls are already asking when we can go back. The PERFECT entertainment for if you are in a city that has a Medieval Times and you are looking for a fun evening full of good food and a show. I still remember going to Medieval Times when I was a young girl so I know for a fact these are the types of events that memories are made from!
Experience the New Show | Tickets 40% OFF Adults/20% OFF Kids - May not be combined with any other offer or group rate. Tax, gratuity and applicable fees are additional. Upgrades are additional. Not valid on prior purchases. Valid at all castles for shows through 9/30/2019. For the first time in Medieval Times' 35-year history, a Queen has taken the throne. Her Majesty Dona Maria Isabella presides over a tournament of knights who gather in celebration to test their skill against one another in a series of games, jousting, and combat.
The new story brings a series of changes to the show including new costumes, custom-designed and handmade armor, fight scenes, and musical score composed by Dr. Daniel May, who directed and recorded the composition in Kiev with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. Be among the first to experience the debut of our new show.
Go to https://bit.ly/2RGt0f5 and enter PROMO code RF4020 at checkout.
You can connect with Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament on their website and Facebook as well as Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – Orlando location's website and Facebook.
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text:
Have you heard of a mysterious game The Phantom Pain developed by fictional Moby Dick Studio? Sure you have. But the masterly made trailer gave so many question that we were left with just one in our minds – "what the heck is this game?"
Since I bought a Vita on Black Friday ($179.99), BRING IT ON!!!
Metal Gear Vita would be HUGE! A definite preorder.
Of course, this rumor would have to be true ...
I think it true because it wouldn't make sense to announce two console MGS games so soon. So that would mean Konami is officially milking the MGS name or this game might be exclusive to the Vita.
Ofcourse the Vita is powerfull enough to run what we have seen of the Phantom pain
Let me just rephrase that a little.
The Sony PS vita is in no shape or form , even half as powerfull as what we have seen of the Phantom Pain. Unsurprisingly because it is a Handheld Console.
It's ps3 or maybe something to do with PS4
I think people should stop believing when infomations come from blogs with those poor speculations.
It's the best way to be disapointed if it's not true.
This article is only based on speculation, it has been written to generate clicks.
So if i were you i would be more hyped by games like Phantasy Star online 2, Tearaway or Soul sacrifice.
Those games can already be considered as potential best game of the year on Vita. No need to believe on a Metal Gear that would be exclusive to Vita. If it happens it's cool, but this article is just crap and is based on nothing that can be reliable.
@kingofwii U : Is that because the wii U or 3ds are not getting this game? I think you where screaming if this game was coming to wii U:D
Compare Uncharted GA to the first Uncharted, the Vita is comparable to the PS3. Now imagine what a developer with plenty of resources, commitment and time can do with the Vita.
No... Just no.
As good as Uncharted GA looks, it does not match the first Uncharted game graphically. Anyone who thinks so, needs to go back and replay it.
The Vita is not comparable to the PS3 in power. This same nonsense was spread with the PSP with people saying it was as good as the PS2. It wasn't. These are handheld consoles. They are not even close in power to home consoles. That goes for 3DS as well as Vita.
Phantom Pain will never look as good as the trailer on Vita. Stop kidding yourselves. It won't happen.
Surprisingly, less than 40 disagrees on a Mika comment...
Why run a game on a dx11 pc(can't buy dx9 cards anymore) and say that it's same as 360 & ps3 to put it on vita? Lord.. They will say it runs on vita just to test it for 3ds before ultimately making it exclusively for iphone 6s.
I like to know what your smoking.
It's not on PS3 level given fill rate and amount of polys it can render, but it is on par if not beyond what shaders can do. The Vita has unified shaders and some effects in UC:GA surpass what UC on the PS3 does, especially on lighting. Also, what I've seen so far, GA also pushes the amount of polygons a handheld device renders these days which is plenty to make this a high end experience, even if it won't match current consoles. MGS which pushes the Vita would certainly appreciated. It's quite capable of delivering console like experiences in a handheld format. Why all the hate?
That said, on-topic...MGS won't be Vita exclusive. The article is speculation. I don't believe any MGS from now on will be exclusive anyway. Konami already showed that the Fox Engine will support multiple platforms, the Vita being one of them.
@StanSmith: honestly? Go look at some side-by-side pictures of the two. It should be very clear that GA is on-par with DF and in some aspects such as lighting, ahead of it.
PSP wasn't on-par with PS2? Go look at Peace Walker, the graphics on that was easily on-par with PS2 games.
I'm not saying the phantom pain is a vita-exclusive, just that I'm not going to say that it definitely isn't
i agree this game would be worth getting a vita 4. this is exactly what the vita needs not cod.
I don't know why people are reading this as me saying its Vita exclusive…. all this article said was this game is most likely coming to Vita thats it, not exclusively.
It still wouldn't make sense for them to announce two MGS games for consoles. The most logical explanation is that it is a Vita exclusive.
It looks to good for a vita game. It might be ported to vita, but what we saw definetely wasn't running on it.
I hate this site... Everybody is a journalist!
i agree ritsu except this site loves idiot unsupported Sony doom articles. now a pro Sony product article appears and suddenly a question of the reliability of the writing takes center stage.
no siree bob what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Saying this game is a Vita exclusive is just as crazy as saying that its a 3DS or Wii U exclusive -_- - this does not make any sense financially from a business point of view.
Konami will not be making anymore exclusive games, this was the reason for making the Fox Engine.
A new game coming from Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima will show off the new Fox Engine. This next-gen, multiplatform game engine was revealed in Konami's pre-E3 announcements today. Kojima says that this engine will be the future of Kojima Production games, and that it will let them move away from developing games made for a single platform. This new game, which may or may not have been shown in the presentation, will most likely not be a Metal Gear game. Don't cry.
The demonstration ran on an Xbox 360 dev kit. It featured a guy moving through a highly detailed jungle, where super-realistic leaves fall in the background. Also shown: A super shiny and muscular dog and horse. It's not much, but GameTrailers has a good look at what little there is.
Here's the important part: The next game from Kojima Productions will use this fancy new Fox Engine. We know this game will be multiplatform and will be created for a global audience.
Read more at http://www.destructoid.com/...
Edit: Why disagree with facts...the Vita does not have a large enough install base for Konami to make a profit from by making an AAA game for the Vita only - also MGS 5 will be on as much platforms as possible because Konami needs to make money on the engine that they spent millions to build.
If the Vita don't have a big install base to make profit, than an exclusive MGS would be enough to build that install base.
Exclusive MGS = System Seller
Just like any exclusive Monster Hunter
What makes even less sense financially is releasing two different console games around the same time.
The disagrees are due to your statements below:
"This new game, which may or may not have been shown in the presentation, will most likely not be a Metal Gear game. Don't cry."
It's a Metal Gear game. The evidence is so overwhelming that stating it isn't an MGS game at this point, is just falsifying. Go to the so called Moby Dick website and you'll see a CLEAR picture of Big Boss which was not shown in the trailer, that's just him and you can't argue with that.
If it's Ground Zeroes or another game is up to debate, though. But what was shown is definitely, without a doubt, unarguably, as clear as sky, was Metal Gear related. It's so Metal Gear that we shouldn't even be talking about the possibility that it might be a new IP or some other game at this point.
I have a Vita. I'm basically waiting for an MGS to go on it like Acid 1 and 2 to PSP, like PO and PO+ to PSP, like Peacewalker to PSP.
To those that say it's a stupid idea to think of an MGS game on Vita? LOL. Peacewalker was unofficially labeled as MGS5 before future ideas came forth of GZ and 'Phantom Pain'.
It appears to me that this is all pointless. Most of the people who are upset about this are people who do not have a Vita and you most likely are and forever will be anti-Vita. For everyone who's against this being a Vita game/exclusive. If turns out to be so, would you buy it or hate it still because it's on the Vita? I'm just curious?
As someone stated down below. If RE: Revelations were possible on the 3DS given its hardware specs compared to the Vita, how is this not possible with the Vita's specs?
If you really look at the photo's of "TPP" it really does not compare to MG:GZ's and is graphically far from GZ's. All those jaggies would be sad for a console title. I thought our consoles were way beyond that, are you saying I'm wrong or is this just a rushed title? If it's rushed then I can understand because our consoles are way more capable then that.
Lets be real here.
I love the collection on the Vita so a brand new Metal Gear game would be great to me. I really hope that Kojima brings a new title to the Vita and i hope that they put Metal Gear Acid into the store because i really enjoyed (although many didnt) that title when i had my PSP.
P.S I dont believe that Phantom Pain is a title for the Vita but i do believe that Kojima will make something for Sony´s portable.
@Knight Crawler
"The demonstration ran on an Xbox 360 dev kit."
Then why didn´t Kojima mentioned that Ground Zeroes was being run on a PC equipped like a 360 if the Fox Engine is better on the 360 than the PS3?
"Kojima stated that the Ground Zeroes is not Metal Gear Solid 5, but it is a "prologue." He also confirmed that the demo shown is running on a PC hardware speced out to be similar to the PS3 and that the final game should resemble the demo video."
Im really confused because the fox engine demo was shown off with a 360 dev kit but Ground Zeroes was done on a PC with a similar detail level to a PS3.
I'm going to cry if this game is only for Vita. :(
And I'll cry with happiness. :)
Seriously, in my opinion the best mgs game is mgs1, followed by Peace Walker. The worst, in my opinion, is 4, though still an excellent game. So the platform only matters so much, my favorite is on the weakest while my least favorite is on the most powerful.
What I loved about PW was just how the missions were set up perfectly for portable play, but beyond that the game was the biggest mgs game yet, so many mission and so many weapons and other things to unlock. And its also one of the best co op games I have ever played.
It would be wierd if they are announcing another console one so soon after Ground Zeroes was announced anyway.
Edit: ABizzel while I do agree it was one of the best games this gen, I just think it was below the usual mgs standards. Some of the cutscenes got tedious and overdone, but what I really didn't like about the game was the forced action segments. There were several times you were forced to shoot your way through loads and loads of enemies, even turret sequences were put in the game. MGS is a stealth game, the action parts should be minimal. You would be shooting people from the motorcycle, back of a truck, on MG Rex, or just charging through with other npcs guns blazing. The other games had a little of this, but it was kept to a minimum. Also, compare the characters to past mgs characters. Most all the villains from the other games were pretty interesting, but the beauty things had no character at all, after you killed them you got to hear a sob story from drebin, but it was really hard to care at that point.
Definitely have to disagree. While MGS 4 was a cutscenes fest, it was still one of the most enjoyable / best games of this generation. It completely succeeded with it's gameplay, the problem was there was nearly as much cutscene as there was gameplay, and having to install every chapter sucked. But what was there was amazing. One of the few games worthy of the hype this gen.
The word bad and MGS 4 don't belong in the same sentence.
You just can't have ADD to play and enjoy MGS 4.
Because you will buy a vita then? If it is a exclusive just save up for money. In 2013 their would be deffinetly a pricedrop. I already got 2 vita's and i am enjoying it. ( 2 vita's > European PSN account and Japanese account
Dude, just being curious here, why did you buy two systems to switch between accounts? While the process is not as easy as it is on PS3, it's perfectly possible to switch between your accounts on the same Vita.
Here's what you need to do: you just buy a big arse mem-card, download your stuff from both stores, delete your account (don't delete your personal data like saves and downloaded content, it's asked if you want to when you're about to delete your acc) and set up your second one, voila! The content bought from your previous account will be on the menu, but you won't be accessing them (gives you an error that the content is owned by another user). Now that your second account is logged in, download your stuff, play them, and when you want to go back to your previous account, delete the current one using the same method I mentioned above, leaving your personal data out from the deletion. All the content bought from your two accounts will be visible now in the menu, but you'll only access them when the correct one (the one you bought them on) is logged in. Your save games will not be deleted and you'll be able to use them whenever you jump back and forth with your accounts. Not an easy process deleting and setting up accounts all the time you need to switch is, but it at least works.
Just wanted to mention this, as some people might misunderstand what you wrote and take it as there's no way to use a Vita with two accounts. There obviously is a way, but it's just not as convenient as it is on PS3.
Who can look at what is clearly the Fox Engine and come to the conclusion that it's running on the Vita? Take your meds.
Um the fox engine was made for multiple platforms including the vita. As successful as the metal gear series has been on Sony handhelds, and consoles for that matter, is it really that hard to comprehend a vita title?
Look at Resident Evil Revelations on the 3DS (which has considerably lower hardware specs than the Vita) it graphically stands not far off Resident Evil 5 on consoles.
After seeing the demonstration of MGS4 on the Vita, I don't see how people can be so resolute as to think that there is no chance that The Phantom Pain could potentially be a Vita game.
There is some proof in this article, that at least hints at the possibility of MGS Vita title.
Remember that the PS vita is only entering its second year, and that most of it's potential is yet to be discovered. and if there is one person ambitious enough to maximise the potential, it's Kojima.
remember how good MGS2 look back in 2000-2001 yeah the vita still hasn't reached its graphics potential and Kojima always gets the best out of Playstation consoles
I don't know much about tech but look at games like Uncharted GA, there are games comparable to ps3 launch titles, so who's to say it can't be done? Heck GA actually has more detail in many areas than Uncharted 1.
I doubt it's on Vita. If anything Ground Zero would be a PS3 / PSV game, while Phantom Pain will be a PS4 game.
That or one game is for PS4 and one game is for Nextbox like Neir. However, I hope that's not the case. Nothing against the PS4 or Xbox, but I'm only getting one at launch and the other when it builds up a large enough library, and most likely it'll be the PS4 at launch thanks to Sony's 1st party.
Or it could be the first MGS for Gaikai. Where it's playable on anything PS Certified. It's a showcase for how impressive the graphics are on Gaikai, and if it runs well shows Sony made an incredible investment (and from my experience with Gaikai it should run smoothly).
Speaking of Gaikai that's what's going to make the PS4's as powerful as any PC out there. If the hardware can't run it, it doesn't matter because Gaikai can. And Gaikai can easily do 720p @ 30fps, maybe Sony's been investing in getting it up to 1080p @ 60fps.
I saw a graphical comparison between both The Phantom Pain & MGS Ground Zeros; and there was notably more jaggies & blander enviroments in TPP than Zeros, all which was skillfully hidden by Fox engines excellent lighting effects, also Mody Dick released their screenshots at Vita resolution rather than the standard 720p or 1080p.
Judging by MGS's previous success on the Vita, Kojima's tech demo of MGS4 running on PSV hardware & Kojima Productions being listed as a developer for the handheld by Sony. I think that their certainly is a 'possibility' that it's a Vita title.
Didn't know that. Hmm. Then I guess it's possible. I mean it could be a cutscene, but a lot of that looked like Gameplay, and even though MGS4 was shown running on Vita I have a hard time believing the Vita's graphics are going to jump from Uncharted Golden Abyss which looks great (although a launch title) up to the Phantom Pain which looks like it's running on PC hardware above what the PS360 can do.
If it's running on Vita consider my mind as blown.
But knowing Kojima it could be an entire Interactive CG Movie.
I really feel that this game will be on the PS3 and 360 but ALSO on the Vita. I doubt that it will be exclusive to only the Vita. Kojima Did Open up a new studio in Los Angeles if anyone remembers so its not impossible to think it may be developed by them instead of Kojimas studio which would explain how this and GZ are being made similtaneously. Either way im very intrigued by this game.What do you guys think?
This BS.
The Phantom Pain not Vita title.Its 100%!
Dream,dream, this game (MGS) coming home console.
Vita?C'Mon...its a joke.
...100% what?
100% impossible to run those graphics on the ps vita...
@ Kingofwiiu maybe you meant to type 3DS ?
@Kingofwiiu you're name is self explanatory and Vita hasn't even shown it's full potential yet.
No I meant PS vita
Obviously not the 3ds.
Don't you guys start acting like the PS vita is some sort of beast on par with a ps3. It's about half of a ps3 (if that).
(here comes the butthurt denial)
I've finished Uncharted Golden Abyss on PS vita and it looks graphically , inbetween a wii and a ps3. The framerate is really poor aswell...
There is no way something with the fidelity of TPP or GZ could run on a vita without DRAMATIC downscaling.
No offence to the vita , it's the most powerfull portable graphics on earth. But it's way shy of being on par with an xbox 360 or ps3...
@Cpayne. Yes the framerate was about 20-30FPS in my playthrough , almost ruined the look of the game.
If the PS vita is ''as powerfull as a ps3''
Why didn't Activision just simply port Blops 2 to the vita with a bit of downscaling ? would of been easier than building Declassified from the ground up which looks arguably worse than Black ops 1 on the wii.
Need for speed most wanted looks about 60% of the ps3 version , if that.
I'm not hating , just saying how it is. There is no way that any handheld can keep up with a ps3 or 360.
The ps vita has ''ps3 like'' graphics , I SUPPOSE.
The framerate was poor? What? I ran into almost no framerate problems at all on my playthrough. Look at this site:
You will see that GA, a launch title on Vita, has more detail than Uncharted 1, a game which is an early ps3 game.
your* i meant but yea let's just wait and see if it'll be on Vita or not.
Actually Vicarious Visions (an in-house Activision studio) were porting over Black Ops 2 to the Vita, but Activision thought they wouldn't get it finished in time for a Christmas release, so they shifted over development to the 3rd rate studio formerly known as Nihilstic. On a side note - didn't the Black Ops 2 not look & perform better on the 360 than it did on the U, even though Nintendo's console is on paper more powerful, the same applies to Nihilistic's version of Black Ops.
Anyway what the hell is KingofWiiU doing on a Vita thread?! Kojima won't touch the U even though he has Rising & Ground Zeros in-development for the 360/PS3 & PC! That's how much faith developers (and a Japanese one at that!) have in Nintendo's dud.
100% not possible?
Think again buddy. Look at how good the graphics are for this game on 3DS, and it's much, much lower spec handheld than Vita. https://www.youtube.com/wat...
says the guy with one bubble...
u know... I really never understood very well that bubble thing on this site. honestly, mind to explain it to me?
lets say someone comes to thecomment section spouting a bunch of crap, people can vote to take away bubbles from that person, the less bubbles a person has, the less they can say in the comment section, most people have 3 to 4, which only allows them 3 to 4 comments per article
I can see the Vita getting its own version. Kojima loves Sony portables if we going by history.
Now that i look at the gameplay, it actually does look like it could be for the Vita and if so, this game will sell alot.
wouldn't mind it being on the vita cause it as a killer app that isn't a port/remake
As owner of 2 vita's i will be crying of joy. Vita haters will hate this if this rumor is true. I dont get it why people hate a console? I own all consoles but i prefer portable gaming atm ( Time, not enough time)
Do you really need 2 vitas? I would love to hear the logic behind that
lets look at all the info:
tpp looks worse than GZ. (more jaggies)
The ending says mgsv rather than mgs5 (they never used Roman numerals before).
The screenshots were originally in psvita resolution.
Kojima did show mgs4 running on the vita.
the HD collection is on the vita.
there were two popular mgs titles on the PSP.
the whale looks like a uvita whale.
My guess: its a vita title.
The official Moby Dick Studio website lists Xbox 360 and PS3. If this is coming to vita it will be via transfarring.
Everyone wins.
This is just repeating from the other news last week with the added news of the Uvita similarity which was posted today. Yawn!
Stop kidding yourself it will never be on vita, dream if you have nothing better to do.
reading through the comments, isnt this the probelm with the vita's perception, ITS NOT MEANT TO BE COMPARED WITH THE PS3. its a graphically strong portable device. An awesome one at that.
To all those negative talkers, its inevitable that MGS will be a vita game, And wait for kojima to unleash with a stunning game.
was Phantom pain actual gameplay graphics or enhanced with some digital help? anyone know
It was allready confirmed that is all in-game footage... but we can't assume anything is true
well it does seem a bit too advanced for the vita so far but who knows, im certain mgs will be out for vita. Kojima is just a troll
Gta v(ita)?
what stops us believing that there wont be, we hardly know anything about gta 5, so who is to say there isnt already plans/development.
@Bradicas well rockstar always uses roman numerals to number GTA. GTA I, GTA II, GTA III, GTA IV, and GTA V.
Kojima never used roman numerals to number his games. MGS 1, MGS 2, MGS 3, and MGS 4
GTA coming to vita is a possibility. Rockstar wants to do it but to busy with GTA V at the moment.


text:
From NBA.com staff reports
In a potentially perception-altering move for one of the NBA's most moribund franchises, the Charlotte Bobcats reached a verbal agreement Wednesday with one of the most sought-after big men after Dwight Howard, Utah's Al Jefferson, who agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million deal.
The 28-year-old Jefferson was Charlotte's top priority in free agency, as the Bobcats sought to finally find a low-post presence that would help their perimeter players get move driving and shooting space.
Jefferson will receive $13.5 million in each of the three seasons of the contract. He will have a player option for the third season.
The Bobcats, according to a source, will amnesty forward Tyrus Thomas in order to create enough cap room to sign Jefferson, who will, along with first-round pick Cody Zeller, give Charlotte a bolstered frontcourt next season, along with second-year small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Last season, Byron Mullens (when healthy) was the de facto starting center for Charlotte, notching 41 starts in 53 games played. But the Bobcats also gave playing time in the middle to second-year big man Bismack Biyombo as well as veterans Thomas, Brendan Haywood, DeSagana Diop and Josh McRoberts.
The Bobcats are finally free of Diop, a monumental bust who played in just 92 games over the past four seasons after Charlotte took him off the Dallas' Mavericks' hands, and they did not make a qualifying offer to Mullens, setting the forward-center free.
Haywood and Biyombo, who started 65 games last year and will enter his third season, are both on the books at bargain rates for next season. Charlotte signed Haywood before last season after Dallas used the amnesty clause to release him. He'll be paid $2.05 million by the Bobcats next season. McRoberts is an unrestricted free agent.
The 6-foot-10, 289-pound Jefferson is a low-post tactician on the offensive end, but he certainly is no Bill Russell on the defensive end. He averaged 17.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 1.1 bpg last season with the Jazz.
Acquired by Utah from Minnesota in a July, 2010 trade, Jefferson could be the kind of acquisition for Charlotte that Vlade Divac was for Sacramento in 1998, when he left the Charlotte Hornets for the Kings in a free agent deal. With Divac aboard and Chris Webber coming from Washington, the Kings turned their up-to-then terrible fortunes around, becoming one of the league's most exciting teams.
Charlotte has a way to go to get to that level, but Jefferson's presence will make things easier for everyone. Averaging 16.4 ppg over nine NBA seasons, Jefferson has never shot less than 49.2 percent from the floor. He offers a creative low-post game that utilizes both hands along with an improved jumper.
Now with four centers on the roster for next season, it will be interesting to see Bobcats owner Michael Jordan's next move is in a possible attempt to thin out the position and seek help elsewhere for the club.
Jordan has been criticized for poor drafts and seeming unwillingness in recent years to spend money, but in signing Jefferson and eating the final two years and $18 million of Thomas's contract, Jordan is making a significant investment in trying to turn around the Bobcats' fortunes. They've been the worst team in the league the last two years, with a combined 28-120 record, including a 7-59 season in the Lottery-shortened 2011-12 campaign.
Jefferson averaged 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds last season for the Jazz, who could also lose their other free agent big man, Paul Millsap. The two sides met in the opening minutes of free agency on Monday but Utah did not make an offer to Millsap.
NBA.com's Jeff Caplan and TNT analyst David Aldridge contributed to this report


text:
A Baltimore circuit judge has dismissed a lawsuit against state officials and a Florida company that claimed the bidding process to award construction and operation of the two Interstate 95 travel plazas was illegal and biased.
Judge Audrey Carrion ruled this week that Bethesda-based HMSHost "had multiple opportunities" to object to state officials about the public-private partnership process that awarded a 35-year contract to Areas USA LLC to rebuild and operate the plazas. "Plaintiff did not do so," the judge concluded.
HMSHost brought suit after the Board of Public Works voted, 2-1, in March to give Areas USA the contract to replace and operate Chesapeake House in Cecil County and Maryland House in Harford County — two of the nation's busiest rest areas. Areas is rebuilding the two plazas for $56 million and promised to pay the state as much as $488 million over the deal's life.
Areas took over operations in September and began tearing down Maryland House to make way for a new facility.
HMSHost, operator of the plazas since 1987, contended that the Maryland Transportation Authority denied it the opportunity to sweeten its initial bid while extending that option to Areas. A Montgomery circuit judge granted and then lifted a temporary restraining order that blocked a vote by the Board of Public Works.
Carrion noted that as a public-private partnership, also known as a P3, the travel plazas deal was not subject to state procurement law. The request for P3 proposals "permits MdTA to negotiate with any, some or no participants; the agency can request from any, some, or none, a best final offer as it sees fit," she wrote.
The suit named as defendants the transportation authority, the members of the Board of Public Works and Areas.
HMSHost officials expressed disappointment with the ruling and said they are still evaluating legal options.
"This decision ignores the fact that the state did not follow its own rules and regulations in awarding this contract," said Tom Fricke, HMSHost's president and CEO, in a statement. "This decision is not only bad for HMSHost, but for all Marylanders."
State officials declined comment.
Said Xavier Rabell, CEO of Areas USA: "We are pleased with the judge's decision to dismiss this case. It is what we expected from the beginning. Areas USA is proud to be a partner with the Maryland Transportation Authority in this important and exciting project that will benefit the state of Maryland, its citizens and traveling public."
The project is the second major public-private partnership undertaken by state transportation officials within the past three years as they look for ways to upgrade infrastructure without incurring taxpayer expense. A $1.3 billion deal with Ports America Chesapeake to enlarge the Seagirt Marine Terminal to handle massive Panamax cargo ships opened the door for other deals, state officials said.
Under the terms of the agreement, Areas will replace the plazas with modern, airy structures and share a portion of its revenue with the state. In addition, Areas will spend millions on upkeep and capital improvements as the plazas age.
During redevelopment, Areas will keep one travel plaza open. Maryland House, to be built on the same footprint, will reopen in December 2013. Chesapeake House will then close, be rebuilt on an adjacent site and reopen in September 2014.


text:
The Radar utilizes 32 frequency channels in a wide operating frequency range to eliminate potential environmental disturbances and interferences and to adapt to the operating environment.Embedded GPS and magnetic compass unit are installed for quick deployment and settings. The Radar is portable due to its low weight and provides easy installation in hardly accessible locations. The Radar is certified to withstand and operate in harsh environmental conditions and is suited for terrain vehicles transportation conditions.
The EOSA 225 offers extreme long-range detection and assessment without requiring regular maintenance, ensuring low of cost of ownership.Typical applications for this system include airports and other sensitive installations. This camera was integrated with PPE ADAMS Sensor Management System and developed to work with PGSR-3i Beagle radars.
PGSR-SR 'Dobermann II' offers a simple and efficient solution for the purpose of area and object protection.
It is a high-resolution, state-of-the-art continuously staring radar which is capable of continuous surveillance of the protected area.The low radiating device, which can also be fix-mounted, provides continuous surveillance. The moving-part-free digital beamforming solution ensures long, maintenance-free operation.
This camera was integrated with PPE ADAMS Sensor Management System and developed to work with PGSR-3i Beagle radars.
This camera was integrated with PPE ADAMS Sensor Management System and developed to work with PGSR-3i Beagle radars.
The Adaptive Multisensor System integrates a wide range of surveillance sensors such as radars, thermal imagers, video cameras and other devices into one complex but easily usable system.
While the radars provide continuous observation of a large area detecting any movements, the electro optical sensor arrays provide detailed picture of any targets for accurate identification.The software layer of the ADAMS is a Windows® operating system based application, fully controllable by one operator. The software uses map based visualization which presents the geo-located sensors, detected targets and Points of Interest with easily understandable, user friendly icons. The controller software provides enhanced situational awareness by integrating several devices, such as radars and electro-optical sensors into a complex but easily usable multisensor system. The adaptive algorithms couple the different devices and provide a smooth slew to cue operation. The scalable network architecture allows sensors to distribute their data to multiple clients and provides remote control functionality. All radar detections, classified tracks, video frames and operator interactions are automatically recorded and can be easily replayed by the software.
The PGSR-3i 'Beagle' provides continuous observation of a large area detecting any movements, while the electro optical sensor array provides detailed picture of any detected targets for accurate identification useable in both day and night operation.The electro optical head and the radar are mounted on retractable masts. The vehicle is assembled with a leveling system in order to stabilize and level the sensors. The high capacity battery system provides enough power for long time surveillance scenarios, but the working hours can be extended by a backup generator.The operating platform, Pro Patria Electronics' unique Adaptive Multisensor System, presents an easy to operate user interface, offering the possibility of multi-tasking and educated decision-making to the operator. The software is capable of utilizing different map formats and displaying the detected targets over the map. The video of the cameras and the control functions are also integrated into the same system proving even automatic slew-to-cue functions. Every surveillance data and user interaction is recorded and can be replayed for further analysis.
The system integrates two surveillance sensors, a PGSR-3i 'Beagle' Radar unit and an Electro-Optical Sensor Array.The PGSR-3i 'Beagle' provides continuous observation of a large area detecting any movements, while the Electro-Optical Sensor Array provides detailed image of any detected targets for accurate identification useable in both day and night operation. The Electro-Optical Sensor and the Radar are mounted on their individual tripods and connected to the Operator Unit via cables and interface boxes. The standard military batteries provide enough power for 8 hours surveillance scenarios, but the independent operating time can be extended with extra battery sets or vehicle generator/battery.
PGSR-3iFT 'Beagle' is a member of our fix radar family together with the coastal sea surveillance radar. It was designed for desert and harsh environment operation. It is placed inside a hermetically sealed Radom to withstand extreme weather and environmental challenges..
PGSR-3i 'Beagle' is a unique lightweight man-portable radar, which is capable of intercepting, detecting and tracking targets moving on or close to the ground. It can also classify and differentiate targets based on their size and movement characteristics.
-5 minutes to set up and ready for operation
-Standalone or network usage
-Easy integration into systems
-Low weight, small dimensions
-Mountable on vehicles
-Covers areas hardly approachable by vehicles
The radar is a versatile, cost-effective solution offering a multitude of advantages making it an ideal choice for border guard, battlefield surveillance, civilian and military installation security and combat operations duties.
PGRSR-3i 'Beagle' can be carried in backpacks by two-man teams to cover areas hardly approachable by vehicles.
It is also mountable on vehicles and on field posts as needed. It can be used as a standalone unit or in a network of radars as required by the specifics of the surveillance scenario. The radar is very durable, capable of withstanding a wide range of environmental factors and is also very reliable, with only a minimal chance of malfunctioning (MTBF > 10000 hours). Due to its operating principles PGSR-3i 'Beagle' has minimal possibility of being jammed or intercepted (LPI - Low Probability of Intercept).
The highly advanced DSP technologies integrated in PGSR-3i 'Beagle' differentiate between moving and stationary targets; determine the exact parameters of the detections and control the adaptive surveillance parameters during changing environmental conditions. The radar is controlled from the operator unit or command center. The radar's control software is capable of utilizing various map formats and displaying the detected targets over the map. The software is designed in a user friendly way, it is easy to use even for untrained operators. The software supports the integration of this single radar into complex multisensor systems. Every surveillance data and user interaction is recorded and can be replayed for further analysis.


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Browse by Medical Category
Geriatric Medicine
Friday, November 1, 2013
CELEBRATING A LEADER: From left, Harry and Rita Patten; Valerie Rowe and Jack Rowe, MD; Minaker and his wife, Colleen; Katrina Armstrong, MD, chief of the Department of Medicine; and Slavin
Kenneth L. Minaker, MD, chief of the Geriatric Medicine Unit, was honored Oct. 9 as the inaugural incumbent of the MGH Endowed Chair in Geriatric Medicine. The chair was made possible through gifts from more than 100 grateful patients and two matching grants – contributed by Harry and Rita Patten and the Patten Family Foundation, and Jack Rowe, MD, and Valerie Rowe.
For more than 40 years, Minaker has pioneered new approaches in care for older adults. In 1995, he helped to establish and became chief of the Geriatric Medicine Unit in the Department of Medicine, one of a handful of such programs in the nation at that time. Since founding the MGH Senior Health Practice, Minaker has expanded clinical services, increased staff and extended community outreach, which has reinforced the MGH Senior Health Practice's position at the forefront of geriatric care. In 2009, Minaker launched the Geriatric Fellowship Program offering advanced specialty training to attract physicians to the field of geriatric medicine.
Together with his longtime colleague, Jack Rowe, Minaker ran a National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health study from 1977 to 2011, examining the physiology of aging. Internationally renowned, Minaker has received numerous awards, published more than 130 articles and contributed to 15 books.
Colleagues, friends and family honored Minaker and celebrated the MGH's first chair in primary care medicine during a ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel.
"Ken has created a world-class geriatric program at the MGH," said Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGH president. "He and his colleagues deliver high quality and efficient care to their patients and they serve as a model for others. Congratulations, Ken, on being selected as the inaugural incumbent of the MGH Chair in Geriatric Medicine. It is a well-deserved honor."
When Minaker retires, the chair will be renamed the Kenneth Lloyd Minaker, MD, Chair in Geriatric Medicine, helping future generations of physicians keep pace with the growing needs of the country's aging population.
"I am delighted and humbled to know that together we have established the very first chair in primary care medicine at the MGH," said Minaker. "It is heartening to know that this chair will bear my name and benefit the great work in geriatric medicine. It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am to all of you who have stepped forward to honor me and make this chair a reality."
Read more articles from the 11/01/13 Hotline issue.
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The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is in full swing and we've been seeing some incredibly innovative green vehicles being unveiled, including the newest Jaguar to hit the scene. Not to be outdone by its luxury competitors at the show, the British carmaker revealed the C-X16, its sexy hybrid concept car, and we were excited to see that it has a super charged engine powered by regenerative braking.
The Jaguar C-X16 is different from most hybrid vehicles because it is not entirely concerned with fuel efficiency — it just wants to go fast — but achieves those ends in a cleaner way. Most of the car's power comes from a newly developed V-6 engine that produces 375 horsepower. This system alone can take the C-X16 from zero to 60 miles per hours in a little over four seconds.
The electric motor attached to the transmission runs off a 1.6 killowatt-hour lithium ion battery. This battery is charged by a kinetic energy recovery system that is also used in Formula 1 racing cars. The kinetic energy given off by the vehicle is stored in the battery for later use under acceleration, for which the C-X16 features a shiny red button on the steering wheel. One touch of the push-to-pass button and the car will boost 50 to 75 miles per hour in acceleration without emitting harmful gases or burning up fuel.
The frame of the car is an homage to the super stylish Jaguar coupes of the past. This particular concept vehicle is the smallest coupe Jaguar has made since the XK120 in 1954 and closely resembles the wildly famous E series Jags from the 1960's and 1970's (think Austin Powers).
The two seater design makes the vehicle small and compact, emitting lesser amounts of C02 and allowing for engine shut-off at idle. Its size and weight make it one of the greenest (and certainly fastest) sports cars in existence. Though no one from Jaguar is speaking up about putting the car into production, viewers have noticed that every aspect of the concept vehicle is technologically feasible. The Jaguar C-X16 may hit the roads earlier than we think.
via wired
images from Jaguar


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Wide receiver Brandon Marshall's frustrations with his hip caused a brief commotion around the Bears at the end of August when Marshall said he felt like he was being "pushed a little bit" when his surgically-repaired hip wasn't feeling quite 100 percent.
That was followed by a four-day excused absence from practice for Marshall, who returned with word that everything was good with his hip structurally. Everything appears to remain fine with the hip, but another medical issue forced Marshall to bring his Thursday to an early end.
Marshall missed the last portion of practice after his back tightened up on him, something that the team said was for precautionary reasons. That's probably more of a hope than a guarantee given the nature of back issues and Marshall will probably take it easy on Friday to increase the chances that he's ready and raring to go on Sunday night against the Steelers. Unless things are worse than they appear, he should be.
Cornerback Charles Tillman was limited at practice for the Bears with a knee injury, but the team was otherwise healthy.


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Only three players in the history of college football have ever received a Rhodes Scholarship, the world's most prestigious scholarship according to Time magazine that sends one international student to study abroad at the University of Oxford in England. Michigan State punter Mike Sadler (pictured, wearing No. 3 on the left) is hoping to become the fourth scholar football player.
Sadler had one of the plays of the weekend in Michigan State's road win at Iowa last weekend. A fake punt resulted in Sadler running down the right side of the field for a huge gain and a first down to help the Spartans maintain control of the football. Sadler is among the Big Ten leaders in punting but it is his academic record that could land him one of the most difficult scholarships to receive. According to a report by MLive.com, Sadler has already graduated from Michigan State in three years with a 3.9 GPA and is underway in pursuing a Ph. D in economics. He also has his eyes set on a shot to receive one of 32 Rhodes Scholarships.
"It'd be tremendous," Sadler said Wednesday on athletic director Mark Hollis' radio show, according to MLlive.com."Honestly, the academics mean more than any athletic achievement that I could ever attain just because academics will stay with you for the rest of your life. At some point, you're going to have to hang up the cleats, but hopefully you'll always have your mind with you. A Rhodes Scholarship is just the epitome of achieving excellence in the classroom."
That is some good perspective from a college football player clearly focused on life after football.
Colorado's All-American halfback Byron White, who would later become a first round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1938, was the first high academic scholar to receive a Rhodes Scholarship. USC athletics director Pat Haden, who played his college football for the Trojans, was the second to receive the scholarship in 1975. The most recent player to win the scholarship was Florida State safety Myron Rolle in 2008.


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Fall is a glorious season, especially for an Illinois boy like me!
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Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.


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Modify. Transform. Adopt. Convert. All of them are simple words with often complicated implications. In the play The Convert written by Danai Gurira and directed by Michael John Garcés at Wooly Mammoth Theatre the complications are made clear and real.
Set in 1895 amid the colonial scramble for Southern Africa, the play follows Jekesai, a young girl who escapes village life and a forced marriage arrangement, ultimately discovering Christianity under the guidance of an African teacher. However, as anti-colonial sentiments rise to a boiling point, Jekesai must choose between her new European God and the spirits of her ancestors.
The Convert runs February 13 through March 10. In addition to performances, there is a series of discussions and activities to complement the show.


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The University of South Carolina Beaufort is proud to offer this country's brave service members the chance to discover powerful futures at our Beaufort and Bluffton campuses. Our programs offer active duty, veterans, and spouses the opportunities to further their education while balancing active careers and family needs.
As you start to discover USCB, keep a few things in mind.
- We're a military friendly school. This means our two campuses have been designated among the best when it comes to educating military students.
- We're part of the Yellow Ribbon Program. Through a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and USCB—via the Post-9/11 GI Bill—extra funds are available for eligible personnel.
- We offer Associate Degrees just for military. As an Active-Duty member of the military, you can earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science degree, or a Baccalaureate degree in one of our 16 majors.
- We have a reduced tuition plan for active military. Any active duty military member receiving tuition assistance is eligible. The only out-of-pocket costs will be for textbooks.
- We reward your experience. Academic credit may be awarded at USCB for educational experiences in the military.
- We have programs just for you. Our Military Business Degree Plan will help you earn a degree in as little as two years.
- Your credits will transfer. USCB is a member of Service Opportunity Colleges, a consortium of over 1900 US colleges and universities who have agreed to transfer academic credits for military personnel.
- Your dependents are eligible for a variety of USCB scholarships.
- We understand your experience. As an institution close to three military bases—the Marine Corps Recruit Depots, the Marine Corps Air Station, and the United States Naval Hospital—we've been able to work closely with military personnel since our inception and stand ready to help you discover your powerful future.
Contact the Office of Admissions
If you have any general questions that you can't find the answer to on our website about Military Programs, please contact us at 843-368-8211 or email Michael Weiss, email@example.com, Director of Military Programs.
Mailing Address:
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Phone (843) 208-8055


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March 18 — "Restaurant Management: Controlling Costs and Surviving Lean Times" will be presented by the Small Business Development Center at Butte College.
Details: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the center, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico. Cost: $75 in advance, $85 at the door. Reservations: 895-9017.
The workshop is designed to help restaurants thrive during economic downturns. It focuses on "Running Your Restaurant by the Week," using weekly flash reports, forecasting and budgeting, reducing controllable costs, analysts; and vendor relations.
March 21 — "Advanced Facebook Marketing for Business" will be offered by the Small Business Development Center at Butte College.
Details: 9 to 11 a.m. at the center, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico. Cost: $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Reservations: 895-9017.
Attendees must be using Facebook personally or professionally. The workshop focuses on increasing marketing, fans, photos, posts, tagging, check-ins, pay-per-click ads, and other engagement tools.
March 28 — "QuickBooks Advanced III" will be offered by Small Business Development Center at Butte College.
Details: 9 a.m. to noon at the center, 2480 Notre Dame Blvd., Chico. Cost: $50 in advance $60 at the door. Reservations: 895-9017.
The workshop focuses on analyzing financial data, setting up inventory, tracking and paying sales tax, estimating and progress invoicing, tracking time and more. Includes manual. Pre-requisite: Introduction to QuickBooks I and QuickBooks Basics II.
April 1, 5 & 29 — Business development workshops for agriculture-nature-heritage-cultural tourism are planned by the Center for Economic Development at Chico State University and Central Sacramento Valley RC&D
Details: The three workshops are scattered in time and location throughout Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties. Cost: $95, which includes materials and refreshment.
April 1: "Is it for you?" April 15: "Assessing Your Resources" which includes legal and regulatory criteria; and April 29 "Managing Risk, Marketing and the Enterprise Plan."
To register, 1-866-711-0700.
April 22 — "Should I start a franchise business?" will be offered by the Oroville Economic Development Division.
Details: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oroville City Hall Council Chambers, 1735 Montgomery St. Cost: $15 includes lunch. Reservations by April 18 at 538-2422 or email to email@example.com.
The Franchise Connection will offer information about selecting franchising as a business start-up option.


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Reviewed by Johhny L. (age 9)
I recommend this book to people who like to solve problems. I also recommend this book to people who love math. This is a really good book about math word problems. Mathematicians will love to read this book!
The book Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi A, is just like the book titled Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone a Math Adventure. These two books remind me about me doing math every day and solving math word problems. It also reminds me about problems I solve in my house. I specilly like this book because I like to solve problems too, specially when taking a math test.


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Austria is the fiercest critic of agri-biotechnology in the European Union. Opponents of the technology can be found in all relevant societal fractions. The dismissive attitude of many Austrians is based on the assumption that coexistence between different agricultural systems is all but impossible due to the small field sizes and the high proportion of organic farmers.
The Austrian Government and the nine state governments have a critical stance on genetic engineering. The Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (BMLFUW), for example, initiated the Austrian charta on freedom from genetic engineering. The initiative aims to keep foods GM-free. Two central demands of the charta are clear co-existence and liability regulations.
All Austrian political parties are opposed to GMO cultivation. The ÖVP aims at keeping Austria as free from GMOs as possible under the European legislation on GMOs. The Greens and the SPÖ share this view, but both parties go one step further by demanding a national import ban on genetically modified maize and rapeseed. The FPÖ wants a national ban on all GMOs.
Of all consumers in the European Union, the Austrians take the most wary of genetic engineering. The Eurobarometer 2005 biotechnology survey found that no other EU Member State has a higher proportion of consumers that strictly refuse to buy foods with genetically modified ingredients. According to the survey, Austria is the only European country where the opposition to GMO usage increased between 1999 and 2005.
The Austrian Farmers Association, the largest agricultural organisation in the country, is also critical of genetic engineering. The Farmers Association supports political calls for strict co-existence regulations and liability rules. The organisation does not expect to see a significant number of GMO plantings in the future. However, the Farmers Association accepts that the cultivation of GM crops can offer economic advantages to farmers.
Due to consumers' reluctance to buy GM foods, there are only very few GM products available. Many supermarket chains explicitly reject GMO labelled foods. The feed industry, however, sells feed containing GMOs. Austria is a net importer of high-protein feeds, including genetically modified soy. But Austrian dairy companies like Kärtnermilch or NÖM mainly sell dairy products from cows fed on non-GM feedstuff. To this purpose farmers use GM-free soybean meal imported from Brazil or replace it by other feeds.
Organisations opposed to GMOs, consumers, political parties, and agricultural organisations widely agree in rejecting agri-biotechnology. Greenpeace criticises the use of genetically modified soy in animal feeds and leads a campaign against the application of these feeds in Austrian agriculture.


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Update – this post was updated at 4:16 p.m. on 5/9/13 with additional comments by former Gov. John Baldacci saying he's not interested in running for Michaud's seat.
Looming over the speculation of who might jump into the 2nd Congressional District race if U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud decides to run for governor is whether or not former Gov. John Baldacci will join the fray. Baldacci held the seat for four terms from 1995 to 2003 and despite his relatively high disapproval ratings in the state would be the natural leader of the field if he decides to run.
But Baldacci indicated he's not interested.
"My interests right now are in the state of Maine," he said Thursday afternoon. "That's where I am right now in my career."
His brother, Joe Baldacci, might take up the family's political mantle, though. He told the Bangor Daily News two months ago he was "definitely interested" in a 2nd District bid.
"Maine needs a person willing to fight for the interests of Maine — to promote jobs and economic development, as well as supporting our public schools and protecting our state's environment," he said.
John Baldacci has previously said he would considering running against Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, and Eliot Cutler, an independent, in the gubernatorial race if a credible Democrat doesn't jump in.
Here's a rundown of other potential Democratic candidates for Michaud's seat if he jumps into the Blaine House race.
John Baldacci – Born in Bangor, Baldacci has strong 2nd District ties and voters have seen his name on the ballot – and elected him to office – from 1995 to 2011. He fits the profile of the stereotypical Maine politician, which is to say he may lack flash but he knows the right people and he is skilled at connecting with people one-on-one. Though he denies interest, one top Republican said Baldacci "is a very capable politician." But he also noted because Baldacci is so well-known, essentially "no amount of campaigning or spending would move the needle for him." In other words, his ability to win the seat would depend on his Republican opponent more than anything else.
Joe Baldacci – The Bangor city councilor is full of ambition, waiting to burst onto the state's political scene. His family name will certainly give him an edge when it comes to raising his profile initially, and probably when it comes to fundraising as well. But the Bangor lawyer has a scant record and will have a learning curve when it comes to pressing flesh as a politician.
Janet Mills – Mills has a long public service resume, currently serving as Maine's attorney general. She's also been a state lawmaker from Farmington and served as a state district attorney. Mills is known for her straightforward and plain spoken style, but also as sharp lawmaker intent on crafting effective public policy. Despite being active in the Maine Democratic Party, Mills is on the conservative side of the party's spectrum. Critics say she's not a great campaigner, but one top Democratic strategist said she's got potential as a strong fundraiser and could be a "wildcard" in the 2nd District which in some ways is "tailor-made" for her style.
Emily Cain – Cain, who came from out of state to attend the University of Maine, has long been a bright prospect for Democrats since she was first elected to the Maine Legislature in 2004. Bubbly in demeanor, Cain proved her ability to handle complicated policy when she co-chaired the Appropriations Committee and her ability to lead when she acted as House Minority Leader in 2010. While one Democrat cited concerns about her ability to handle a rough-and-tumble campaign – "Can she really take it when the shit starts coming down hill at her?" he asked – Republicans say she's the candidate they fear most. "She has sought to move beyond her very partisan early days in the legislature; Emily works well with both Republicans and Democrats and is well-liked," one Republican said.
Troy Jackson – Jackson has strong backing in northern Maine, where he has served as a state lawmaker. His simple way of speaking belies a savvy politician who knows how to key in on issues that resonate with constituents and he provides a comfortable antidote to the stereotype of a slick politician out for himself. He is limited by being relatively unknown in the more populous coastal part of the district and could struggle to fundraise, however.
Jeff McCabe – The Skowhegan lawmaker is in his third House term but suffers the same drawbacks as Jackson – despite being well-liked, he's unknown. One political strategist says "he lacks the experience and network to launch a major campaign." McCabe is very interested in the race, even emailing to make sure his name was on the list of potentials. But It's hard to think either Jackson or McCabe would gain much traction in the face of better known candidates, despite the fact that both of them are clearly cut from the same cloth as Michaud.
Matt Dunlap – Dunlap has been eager to reach higher office since his time serving as a state lawmaker. But following stints as Secretary of State, an office he currently holds, and leading the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, the Orono native has yet to put in a good showing. He even lost to weak Democratic candidate Cynthia Dill during the recent U.S. Senate primary. And while his resume means voters are familiar with his name, one Republican says he would be their ideal candidate to run against, calling him "unexciting, uninteresting and increasingly unelectable."


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Jenn's Soothing Elements Bedroom
Like this entry? Favorite it below!
- Name:
- Jenn
- Location:
- Vancouver, Bc Canada
- Division:
- International
- What do you love about your bedroom?:
- I love the soothing warm colours and feel to our bedroom. We filled our room with objects we love that we've found on our travels or when out in nature. Our room is a relaxing retreat for us because of the natural elements we included in our room: canvas, linen, brass, driftwood, candles, leather, crystals, organic cotton, lace. Our room has a lovely energy, making it such a nice room to relax in. Our kitties, Gigi and Franklin, seem love it too.
- What are your tips for creating a beautiful, healthy and organized bedroom?:
- I like keeping the bedroom clean and not too cluttered, only placing objects in the room that are very meaningful and soothing. You want to create a calm experience, so the objects should reflect that. Soothing colours and natural materials really make a bedroom restorative and peaceful.
- In modern homes, bedrooms have become more than just a place to sleep; they can be a retreat, a home office, a library, a relaxation zone. What are some ways you make the most of your bedroom?:
- We like to keep our bedroom for time together, sleeping and relaxing. We try not to do any work/school work in our bedroom in order to keep the calm zen energy of the space. It's a space to read, meditate, and have cozy movie nights in bed!