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Parallax Odyssey Tell Me All the Stories - EP
Tracklist:Add Links
2. The Wooden Man (04:53)
3. Koto (04:07)
4. Crossbow (04:54)
5. Paradigm (03:59)
track preview provided by iTunes
You can find here track previews from artist Parallax Odyssey new album Tell Me All the Stories - EP, released 27.09.2018 and containing 5 tracks. Listening online to Parallax Odyssey - Tell Me All the Stories - EP track previews is free and does not require registration. If other releases and albums by Parallax Odyssey, are available here, those previews can also be listened to free online. Additionally, you can subscribe to all new albums by Parallax Odyssey and thus not miss a release.


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If you need a luxury car to take you and your loved ones to an important event, book a premium car service. Be driven by the absolute professionals.
Schedule a ride for a special birthday, anniversary, and dinners with important clients, or simply woo your partner and show how much you care with a special romantic date. No matter what type of service you require, we are here to provide ground transportation support for your logistics. Just browse through our modern fleet and select a vehicle perfect for your special occasion.

subset: commoncrawl


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Sport and Exercise Medicine Registrar
MBChB, Dip Sports Med
Julie is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Registrar at Axis.
Originating from the Seychelles, Julie was a Team Physician at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 with the Seychelles team. She has also been involved with the NZ Women's Football team (Football Ferns) as a touring doctor since 2014, travelling with them on six overseas tours.
Julie has come to Sports Medicine from a background in Emergency Medicine having graduated from the University of Otago in 2010 and completed the University of Auckland Post Graduate Diploma is Sports Medicine in 2014.
An ex-dancer, Julie has tried all dance styles during her years of involvement (from Ballroom/Latin/Dance Sport to Irish and Tap), and her favourites are ballet and contemporary dance. She has a keen interest in all sports, especially football, swimming and dance.


text: I received my car completely disassembled. I've installed new lines, pump and pistons for the top mechanism. The Fisher manual shows two clips for the hoses on the back side of the seatback frame. I've seen two types of retainer clips for sale and references to a total of four clips. My question is how many clips and which style are correct? BTW - Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks, Tom


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Tips on Condo Investment Option
According to information, the condominium sold after 2 to 3 years after it is finished can bring up to 80% profit. However, it would be best mayfair gardens showflat for you to first do the market research and learn more about condo investment to ensure that you can even get more than what you expect. It can be the right time to gather as much information as possible, go to the site of mayfair gardens. Don't forget to not focus only on one condo option since each condo development comes with different pros and cons. Some steps you should know if you are interested in investing in this sector are as follows:
Investment Destination Condominium
The purpose of the investment must be known by potential investors, whether including short-term or long-term investment interests. It is intended that the target condominium can be on target.
Short-term condominium investment means investors are interested in buying before construction and will be sold after the unit is ready. As for long-term condominium investment, investors will buy what will be sold after 5-10 years thereafter.
Investment Target Condominium
An investor needs to see who the target will be adjusted to the location of the property. Of course, the mayfair gardens showflat in the certain location has a target market for expatriates. Whereas in the central area of a big city, targeted targets are business people.
Unit and Development
Location is the main key for investors to be able to successfully conduct condo investments. A premium location with the right target is an absolute requirement of this type of investment. In addition, investors are advised not to buy condominiums from large numbers of developers. Too much amount will make it difficult to sell it again.
Investment Benefits Condominium
Condo investors can buy units at pre-sale to get a fairly large profit. The unit can then be sold after construction is completed.


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In a briefing yesterday, Philex Mining Corp (PX) announced 3Q14 core net income of P342m, up 22% higher QoQ despite lower realized metal prices as the company implemented cost cutting measures. The company took a 9% hit on gross revenues QoQ as realized prices for gold averaged $1,219 per ounce vs the $1,311 per ounce realized in 2Q14 while realized prices for copper averaged $2.95 per pound vs. $3.22 per pound realized in 2Q14. This was more than offset however by lower operating costs which dropped 11% as a result of cost control measures.
On its Silangan project, PX said this is currently in the de-risking stage where the company is currently driving tunnels toward the ore body to determine ore characterization. It is also hiring of new consultants to analyze the metallurgy of the ore body.
Our take: While core net income is up due to cost cutting measures, we view this to be a temporary solution as this can only do so much arresting the impact of falling revenues due to lower metal prices and, more importantly, declining ore grades from its Padcal mine. The company needs to ramp up development of its Silangan project and improve productivity as the Padcal mine gets depleted. – WealthSec


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One of the first things I had to do with the mounting blocks is cut off the 1/4-20 screw plunger as they were molded installed.
After some careful cutting with a hacksaw....
The screw plunger needs to be tapped for a 1/4-20 thread and the hole next to it, for a 10-24. One of my favorite bookmarks I have even printed out is THIS , this tells you what size drill bit you will need to tap a certain thread.
I checked and double checked the which way the booster arms should be and screwed the mount to them.
Next up was drill and tapping for the boosters themselves. I gently drill a hole (5/32 drill bit and then tap it for a 10-24 thread.
The caps require some additional sanding to remove an excess resin from he molding process. There goes all that beautiful paint again! I found having two pieces of sand paper laying on the work bench ideal, assuring a flat/level finish.
The plans call for a 3/8th of an inch long 10-24 screw but found that to be a bit too short. I replaced it with a 1/2 inch long one and it worked nicely. Since the inside of the booster rocket is hollow, any excess thread goes inside.
Next up was the booster seating block. Pretty straight forward, drill two 5/32 holes in each and tap, right?
The pieces need a bit of work to make level/flat. There is a bit of a seam line in the resin piece, which just requires a hacksaw to trim away, then sand down with some rough sandpaper and some finer stuff after.
To keep things level, I'm using a vice to make sure the holes are tapped straight. (This is also why I am using the drill press instead of a hand drill)
This is the booster female connector and cast as it is, it can be a little difficult to understand. First, we replaced the pivot shaft with something off the shelf, so we need to make a hole that it will fit. In this case, a 7/32 hole allows it to pass thru. At first glance, I didn't catch that the top hole not only goes all the way thru but wide enough for the entire head of the 6/32 socket head screw to got inside.
The rocket booster has a dimple showing where the hole should be. Using a 7/64 drill bit, the hole is made and tapped for a 6/32 thread. Here you can see the top of the socket thru the piece.
The booster slider needs a hole made and a screw to secure the assembly, so that they do not pop out. I couldn't find a way to mimic how the aluminum version has a spacer inside, since the resin version isn't as smooth. I opted to drill a 7/64 hole straight thru and use a 4-40 sized screw and lock nut (nylon insert). Since this is resin, I left a little bit of play, maybe a 1/16th of an inch. Too tight would crack it.
Here's how the assembly goes together. The flat-head screw piece you see threads into the other piece nicely.
Here's how it all looks now...
Now the hard part remains! I do not have he mounting piece, nor a blue print for it so I am hopeful to obtain some details. The mounting blocks should have 10-24 threaded holes that line up with holes in the legs. Lacking that information, I haven't [wisely] drilled holes in my aluminum legs yet!
So far I am extremely envious of those who have the aluminum version! No worries about drilling and tapping holes into very small and precise parts!
That said, this is a lot of fun to take on. Soon, we'll be working on how to make these pieces move, opening and closing.


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Farm Animals with Barn
Farm Animals with Barn
We've been asked many times for farm animal images, and there are so many wonderful domesticated farm animals out there, it only seemed fair that I painted them over two prints!
I drew and painted these farm animals as one art piece over two large A3 sheets. They do join together perfectly and this image with the Barn in the background is meant to be displayed on the right. I wanted the images to be cheerful and full of details for little eyes to find and enjoy!
The cow and calf are Highland cattle, my favourite breed of cow, and really fun to draw and paint with their long shaggy hair. Also included are Toulouse Geese and chicks, a Welsh Black bull, Suffolk sheep with their cute black faces, horses, some goat kids and more cheeky piglets. In this image the farmer on his tractor with farm dogs can also be seen as well some birds, mice and a wink to Charlotte and her web!
Original Medium
Ink and gouache on 360GSM Acrylic paper – original on A3 sized paper.
We've tried to keep our framing as simple as possible, so below are our options. Please advise your colour preference in the comments section at checkout:
A4 - Black, White or Wooden / Natural
A3 - Black, White or Wooden / Natural
A5 - We've kept this option extra simple - No framing options available.


text: Despite increased efforts to educate people about the dangers of distracted driving, statistics show that driver distraction is on the rise in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, statewide there were 103,576 distraction-related wrecks in 2015, representing a 3-percent increase from the year before. And the reality is that the number of distracted driving accidents is likely even higher, given that proving distraction was a factor in a crash isn't always easy. Distracted driving accidents happen most often among drivers aged 16 to 34, but driver distraction is a problem among all age groups. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and as we discussed in a recent post, TxDOT's "Talk, Text, Crash" campaign kicked off this month to warn drivers about the possible fatal consequences of driving distractedly. Thousands of Texans are killed or seriously injured in distracted driving crashes each year, and now is an opportune time to speak with friends and loved ones about the importance of paying full attention to the road when behind the wheel. That means avoiding mental, manual and visual distractions, including smartphones, CD players and GPS devices. Texting while driving is known to be the most dangerous distraction because it requires the driver's manual, cognitive and visual attention, but distracted driving takes many forms. Distracted driving is not limited to texting and driving. Studies have shown that drivers become dangerously distracted for a variety of reasons, including eating, grooming, emailing and reaching for objects inside the vehicle. In addition to pledging not to engage in distracted driving, Texans can also help prevent wrecks by telling friends and loved ones to wait until they are parked or out of the vehicle to respond to texts and phone calls from friends and family. People may feel especially pressured to answer when a family member calls or texts, and unfortunately that pressure can lead to devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, don't hesitate to speak with a personal injury attorney about your options for obtaining the maximum in compensation. The insurance company may offer you a settlement that doesn't cover all of the costs resulting from the wreck, and a lawyer can help you get the full and fair compensation you need and deserve.


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Not New News, but News Worth Sharing
Talents of Omaha author Marcus Sikora shine in first children's book
A friend of mine sent me a picture of this article in print when it published two years ago. I stumbled upon the online version yesterdy while doing a Google search with my name mis-spelled. What? Nevermind, the crux is: Here's this cool article about Marcus!
It begins:
Omaha author Marcus Sikora, who created a children's book about a monster band, recently met with first and second graders of Elkhorn's Arbor View Elementary School, providing insight into the writing process
Marcus is the "King of Denver"
Check out this awesome clip from the event night on KGW:
Daily Blast LIVE's Tory Shulman Visits the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Fashion Show
Front Page News
For the second time, Marcus is Front Page News.
Today's Headline:
Omaha actor, writer, advocate wears many hats
Ambassador for Down syndrome group will walk the runway this weekend
It begins:
Last year, Marcus Sikora — a 27-year-old Omaha writer, actor and fashion model with Down syndrome — got to walk the runway with an Oscar-winning actress. This weekend, he'll walk with another.
Sikora is the 2017 ambassador for the Denver-based Global Down Syndrome Foundation. He's also a model in the organization's annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. The events draw some pretty
Marcus' Interview on WYFF (Video)
It's all GO around here (and beyond) in the month of October. Last weekend we had a whirlwind trip to Greenville, SC. Where we met up with good friends, old and new, and had some great events.
But what you want to see is right here:
Marcus' morning interview on WYFF:
Wondering where in Greenville you can pick up a copy of Black Day: The Monster Rock Band?
M. Judson Books and Musical Innovations!


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"If anyone sees his brother sin a sin not to death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for those that do not sin to death. There is a sin to death, I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not to death. We know that everyone who has been born of God does not continue to sin, but the one born of God guards himself, and the evil one does not touch him." 1 John 5:16-18
Devotional Thought For The Day
In these verses John gives insight, advice, and encouragement to us in regard to how we are to think about the sin which continues to inhere in us even as Christians, and which "comes out" in our behavior – our thinking, speaking, and doing [the sin in ourselves, and also in our brothers and sisters in the faith]. We remember his warning: "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us . . . If we say we have not sinned we are calling God a liar, and His Word is not in us." [1 John 1:8,10] So those who have been "born of God" and do not "continue to sin" are not "sinless," "without sin," or "perfect." However, there are two distinct differences in how those born of God deal with the reality of their sinful nature and the sin which continues to afflict them: 1] they repent in sorrow of the sins they commit, not justifying themselves or excusing themselves, but taking comfort in God's gracious forgiveness and mercy alone; and 2] their commitment and orientation is away from sin, to avoid it and to live consistent with love. We live in the constant assurance that: "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the blood atonement concerning our sins, and not concerning ours only, but also concerning the sins of all the world." [1 John 2:1,2] This is living by faith, and only those "born of God" have this faith and "live."
So, while it is certain that "the wages of sin is death" [Rom. 6:23], and this includes all sin, this general punishment and consequence of sin has been lifted off of those who are in Christ Jesus, those who believe in Him. For "he that believes the Son has everlasting life . . . and shall not come into condemnation but has passed from death to life." [John 3:36; 5:24] This is true because He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, the "blood atonement concerning our sins . . . [and] the sins of all the world." It is because of this that we no longer "pursue" sin and "heartily" rejoice in it. Rather, for those born of God all sin brings godly repentance, sorrow for the sin that remains in us and the sin we commit, and confession of all sin to God, and joy that "if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9] There is but one "sin unto death" – and that is incorrigible, stubborn, refusal to repent of one's sins, and rejection of God's gift of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus. This is the sin against the Holy Spirit – rejecting the witness He bears to the Son of God, that He is our Savior, the Savior of the world.
So we take care not to allow ourselves to become "committed to" and "oriented toward" sin – as this leads to self-justification and destroys our life of humble repentance. When we no longer repent and confess we fall into a multitude of very dark sins – self-deception, rejection of the truth, calling God a liar, and rejecting His Word. Worse, we thus lose our faith, trust, and confidence in Christ alone, no longer utilizing Him as our Advocate with the Father, but rather "advocating" for ourselves – explaining and excusing our sin, even to God. The end of this is unbelief, rejection of Christ as our Savior and Advocate, and repudiation of the witness of the Holy Spirit in regard to Christ – which is the "sin unto death." So we take great care to "guard" ourselves, so that the evil one [and all those who do his bidding] do not "touch" us. This requires constant vigilance and care – but we do so gladly and joyfully, for there is no greater joy than the loving and cleansing presence of our Savior and Advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have no greater desire than to live in love.
When we see others "sin," we pray for them – that God would grant them continued repentance and faith, so that they may continue to receive life from the Lord Jesus Christ. For the seemingly impenitent, we pray that God would bring them to repentance, regardless of how painful that might have to be for them. For the incorrigibly impenitent there is nothing to pray – there is no way to pray that they be blessed in their ongoing impenitence and commitment to sin, darkness, and hatred of God. We know that for them there remains only increasingly dismal levels of God's wrath and punishment, finally in the dark depths of hell – where they want to be and demand to be. For these we do not pray – they are well beyond our help, and have placed themselves even beyond God's help. And we take care and guard ourselves, and continue in a life of honest repentance and faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, knowing that the evil one would gladly drag us back into the darkness of the "sin unto death." So we pray God's continued mercy and protection for ourselves, and for all our fellow believers in Christ, even [or especially] when aware of our many sins of weakness.
Prayer For The Day
Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, our great Savior and Advocate, thank You for the life and salvation You have given us, the assurance that our destiny is the glorious light of Your wondrous heavenly kingdom! Thank You also for the wisdom and guidance You have given to us in Your Word, that we may know how to guard ourselves from the evil one and how to pray for You to keep in us a life of repentance and faith. Grant us joy and optimism even as we struggle with repentance and commitment to what is good and right, what is truly loving. Deal with our adversaries, the forces of darkness, with Your wisdom, justice, and power. Amen.


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No. 271
Looking back over 1977 we are once more awed by the tremendous scientific achievements of the more enlightened nations. For instance, the French now have the fastest operational bomber – the Dassault Mirage IV – which can fly 1450 miles per hour at 36,000 feet, which is more than twice as fast as the speed of sound. The best commercial planes in the United States have a cruising speed of about 625 miles per hour less than half the speed of the bomber. Also, the world's heaviest bomber – the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress – has a maximum takeoff weight of 488,000 pounds. Another commercial airplane now can go from the U. S. to England in 116 minutes; these figures stagger the imagination, especially so when we consider that the airplane was invented in 1903 – a little over 75 years ago. "In the time of the end many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased." (Dan. 12:4) When we consider the great numbers of people who "run to and fro," and the great increase in knowledge, this one item alone without any chronology, without any parallel dispensations, etc. – should convince any open mind that we are definitely "in the time of the end."
The same applies also to agriculture. Note this news report: "What Mohammed Ali is to boxing, Roy Lynn of western Michigan is to corn, the champ Lynn claimed the title Wednesday (published October 20, 1977) after completing a harvest of 352.64 bushels of corn from a single acre of his farm just south of Kalamazoo." When we were a boy on an Ohio farm we produced 50 bushels to the acre, and it was the admiration of the entire county.
A telephone company employee has told us they now have instruments so sensitive that if a telephone is tapped anywhere in the city, they will know it in thirty seconds; and will know whether it was tapped on the property of the user, or on the line out in the alley. These instruments are so sensitive that they are affected by smoke; therefore, no smoking is allowed in the room where they are kept.
The debts of the various nations continue to snowball at a rapid rate. Here in the United States some statisticians estimate the overall debt – national, state, city and private at something between three and four trillion dollars. All the large cities are hopelessly bogged down with debt, which prevents them from maintaining adequate police protection, and proper maintenance of public facilities. Recently in Detroit all the street lights went out on a main street in the downtown area; and it was over three weeks before they were restored, thus exposing the citizenry to the mercy of hoodlum elements.
In New York City – "They turned the lights out in New York last week. (July 1977) They should have left them off! When they came on again a sorry sight was revealed. Large sections of the city were in a complete shambles. Looting and burning of commercial establishments was on a scale rarely, if ever, seen in any other part of the United States. At one automobile showroom, display windows were smashed and fifty brand-new cars were driven away. In another location, a four-story furniture store was completely emptied! Looters even took the light fixtures off the walls. On one street, forty out of forty-six stores were completely destroyed or vandalized. In some of the clothing stores, looters had not only taken all the clothing, but they stole the mannequins, too. Out of town papers have described sections of New York as war zones. It is little wonder! Policemen who were attempting to arrest looters encountered organized sniper fires that prevented them from doing their duty. Older people in these communities are saddened and will be severely affected. One mother poignantly summarized the impact of the looters when she stated, 'They are destroying their own neighborhood and they think it's a game.'
"Sociologists, television commentators and newspaper editors have been offering a variety of interpretations of the causes of these calamitous disorders. There are, of course, any number of sociological implications in any such catastrophe. I find it ironic that of all the analyses done so far none seems to have come to the heart of the problem – inflation.
"Century after century in one civilization or another it has been proven that when the value of money is destroyed the destruction of society follows. Order vanished in an inflationary environment. The financial squeeze resulting from inflation forced normally reasonable people to do the unthinkable. This has occurred throughout history and it is happening right now. Countries plagued by chronic inflation are continually beset by political disturbances. Even such civilized nations as England, France and Italy are being wrecked by unprecedented instability. The English policemen have never had to carry guns, so high was the respect for law and order in that country. Now they are considering carrying weapons. The Bobbies are finding that their wooden truncheons are no match for angry mobs, anarchists, bomb throwers or the hardened criminals roaming the streets today. France and Italy have exorbitantly high inflation rates. The administration of government in both of these countries is collapsing and the Communists are close to victory......
"An inflation-infected country finds the virus spreading into all aspects of society. There is a complete breakdown of moral conduct. Pornography and prostitution are thriving. The widespread breakdown of morality serves as the ultimate rationalization for the looter and criminal........
"No End In Sight – The news on the inflation front is not at all encouraging these days. Public officials are trying to persuade us that the 6% – 7% current inflation rate is something you can live with. But, even a 5% inflation rate doubles the price level in fifteen years. If you are in your fifties and planning for your retirement, do you think you will find it easy to set aside a cash reserve that will provide you double today's living costs? Last year alone the price of an average new car rose $700 over 1975..... We are now told that this year's and next year's combined deficits will be over one hundred billion dollars. Think of it – a one-hundred-billion dollar deficit in just two years!
"There are already fifteen million people on government payrolls now. Their wages are $4000 above the average of all domestic industries. Government employees are earn 36% more than the guy working in the private sector. This continuous expansion of the public sector is precisely the route England has followed over the past thirty years. As more and more people are taken out of the profit stream and put on public payrolls, profits will not only shrink, but the burden an those working in the private sector becomes even greater. They have to support a larger number on the public payrolls. It is very much like the situation in New York City, except an a much larger scale. The relief load and the public payroll in New York has grown so large that it creates an enormous tax burden on the few working people who remain. These taxes just drive more and more productive people and corporations out of the city and make the problem even more serious.
"The United States is not yet in the same predicament as England, Italy, France or the banana republics. However in 1975, agricultural exports from the United States peaked at $11.5 billion. The best guess is that, this year, agricultural exports will be around $7 billion. Merchandise exports have also been on the decline. The U.S, is gradually losing its competitive position.
"Finance Minister Hans Apel has been alarmed about the constant decline in the dollar. He stated, 'a steady fall in the dollar would ultimately bring about serious worldwide currency unrest.'...... This could result in the destruction of many of the financial markets as we know them today..... Many Germans clearly remember the great inflation between World War I and World War II. It destroyed the middle class and helped bring Hitler to power. They are well aware that inflation not only destroys capital, but society as well..... The U.S. is losing control of its people, prices and export markets." (July 22, 1977 by BAXTER FINANCIAL Bulletin 29)
We have quoted much more than usual from the above because we believe it expresses accurate appraisal on finance in general. Following is a quotation from another writer:
"Our readers are not interested in politics. We just show them pictures of people getting bashed on the head. The sex market is saturated. Violence is going to be the next big thing in this field, and we are on the ground floor. Indeed – And the earthquake that is rumbling and that will bring down the building society that planted such a leaf will come down upon those denizens of the ground floor." Another newspaper carries this story: "ROME – Two Fiat car company executives were wounded by leftest, and a night watchman was found shot dead, apparently by rightists, in gun attacks yesterday that followed a night of bombings........ The shootings came after bombings during the night in Bologna, Pardenone, Rome and Spoleto....... Fourteen people have now been the victims of such attacks this month......... The hitherto feuding Christian Democrats, Communists, Socialists, Social Democrats, Republicans and liberals all agreed on a program to try to halt political violence, as well as curb rampant inflation and unemployment."
In England there is an organization that has but three goals: Violence, sex and destruction.
Come January 20 of last year a new president took office in the United States. That he had made campaign promises prior to election that were just impossible for him or any one else to keep was apparent to some of us then; and it is now apparent to many people. He had promised to balance the Government budget; and what we quoted aforegoing about a 100-Billion-Dollar deficit for his first two years in office needs no further comment.
In keeping with this, we quote now from the Jewish Press, which fits in well here: "After spending nine days in Davos, Switzerland attending the European Management Symposium, where pessimism ran high, it is not too difficult to understand why President Carter rushed Vice-President Mondale to Europe to meet with each European Head of State. If the European leaders think and feel the way the politicians, industrialists, scholars and bankers attending this Symposium thought, it is not hard to guess what Mondale was told. Present at this Symposium were six hundred of Europe's top executives, including chief executive officers of the largest industrial concerns and banking institutions, along with political leaders and university professors among which were several Nobel Prize winners. The participant American companies at the Symposium were multi-national in nature with extensive investments in Europe.
"I have been to Europe ten times since the Yom Kippur War, but only now is it apparent that the scholars and industrial leaders realize the true significance of what happened that October day in 1973. The world can never be the same. It must recognize that we entered a new era and must face the new realities, economic as well as political that were created by the events of 1973-1974. Just as the end of World War I in 1918 ushered in a world totally changed from that which existed before the first shot was fired in 1914, raising dramatically the expectation levels of the newly created, as well as the old, freedom societies. Just as the stock market crash of 1929 brought a 12-year era to an abrupt end, forcing the advanced, developed societies of Europe and America to make abrupt changes in their personal and collective expectations.
"Just as these expectations developed and grew over the post World War II period, they parallelly developed into rights, claims against the governments and then to legal entitlements. Western Europe, Japan and the United States have entered a new era, which began that Yom Kippur day in 1973, in a world where the very high level of growing expectation had evolved into a very legal entitlement. Now the free world is in a net deficit balance of payments. A huge amount of capital is flowing to the OPEC Nations. The demand for capital for expanding the economies to absorb the unemployed, under employed and the new entries to the labor market cannot be met due to the high level of claims against the remaining capital needed to satisfy those legal entitlements in the form of social services.
"The fact of the matter is that the free world, especially Europe, is faced with the problems of readjusting its expectations and local entitlements or face political disaster. The mood of the Symposium participants was bleak to say the least. The demands by the societies of Europe are beyond the ability of the present leadership to fulfill. The economic uncertainties created in Europe by this situation are causing European capitalists to cut down their investments in Europe, creating a large flow of capital from Europe to the United States. Billions of dollars are in the process of being invested in the United States by European investors. Couple that with increased flow of capital to OPEC, and the situation becomes most delicate indeed."
The political marauders are truly on the march; and time has taught them some things – one of these being that the capitalist giant was much too strong for them to conquer. Therefore, they have adopted a different approach: Let the giant destroy himself; let the capitalistic burden become so great that it will topple over of its own weight. The Social Security system is presently insolvent, and the politicians are busy making such adjustments as will postpone the fatal reckoning – at least until they are out of office. Many industries today owe more to their pension fund than the market value of their stocks. As one workman said to another, "I just received a raise in pay; now I can afford to go a little deeper in debt."
The religious structure is also much infested with "wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores; from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it." (Isa. 1:6) "How is the faithful city become an harlot! It was full of judgment (sound teachings); righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards." (Isa 1:21,22) Here is a paragraph from one publication:
"The University campuses and even the elementary schools are filled with teachers and professors who place no faith in spiritual values, and are teaching their students that faithless materialism is the solution of life. Even if they do consent to a form of faith, they almost invariably ridicule the Christian religion.
"To be an apostate is to betray the traditions of Christian faith which are summarized in the New Testament. These traditions recognize the virgin birth, the deity of Jesus Christ, the resurrection from the grave, the ascension to Heaven and the introduction of the Holy Spirit to lost mankind by the apostles approximately ten days after the ascension. Today we have thousands of clergymen in Protestant and Catholic churches who do not believe these fundamentals. Many of them dress like clergymen with reverse collars and black robes, others do not, but they accept the ordination and represent themselves as 'Reverends.' They have seized control of the bureaucratic and ecclesiastical machinery of most of the denominations both Catholic and Protestant, and those of us who still believe in the great miraculous simplicities of traditional faith are being made the objects of ridicule – not only in the materialistic educational institutions, but from the very pulpits that were built by the blood, sweat and tears of our believing fathers and mothers. When the late Bishop Bromly Oxham, the head bishop of the Methodist Church, died it was revealed that he had taken special training in Moscow and had at one time or another belonged to some 33 Red-front, pro-Communist and Communist organizations.
"Hold yourself while you read this sentence. The clergy of America, both Catholic and Protestant, are saturated with the perverted crime of homosexuality, lesbianism, and sodomy. One Bishop of the Episcopal Church recently congratulated those who were giving sex perverts a warm welcome into the church without asking them to repent of sin. He pronounced them as a minority and said they deserved the cordiality of the church as much as any one. The Governor of California (a bachelor) recently signed a bill repealing the laws against homosexuality, lesbianism, adultery and sodomy – even though he admitted that his mail from the public, before he signed the bill, was 100 to 1 against its repeal. A high official in the government of Los Angeles recently announced that he was naming a homosexual to his executive staff in order that that element of the public might be represented. As this went to press, the State of Connecticut was voting on a bill to legalize sex perversion and remove it from the criminal list, etc., etc. It is not difficult to see that this pervasive circumstance could drop us into the same pitch pit of satanic destruction that swallowed up Sodom and Gomorrah.
"Even though America has not voted itself into the Communist column, the Christ-hating materialism of Marxist Communism and Socialism is blighting every phase of our life, and we hear Socialism and Communism glorified in school rooms, on university campuses and from church pulpits. In California there is a Black woman by the name of Angela Davis who is one of the highest authorities in the Communist Party. She cannot keep up with her speaking engagements and is paid from $1,500 to $3,000 per speech to address students on American campuses where the whole expense of the campus is borne by the taxpayers of America."
On the brighter side of things there is this refreshing statement: "A major church is changing its story on a fundamental 'Christian' doctrine – the immortality of the soul. The German Lutheran Evangelischer Erwachsenenkatechismus (Evangelical Catechism for Grown-ups) states that the source of this teaching is the 'Greek' philosopher Plato (427-347 B.C.), who contended emphatically that there was a difference between body and soul.
"This new Lutheran catechism states: 'Evangelical theologians of modern times challenge this combination of Greek and Biblical concepts. They reject the separation of man into body and soul. Since man as a whole is a sinner, therefore at death he dies completely with body and soul (full death). The resurrection of the dead therefore has no connection with man, it is a completely new creation by God. Between death and resurrection there is a gap; the individual continues his existence at best in God's memory."
The Baptists – "President Carter's appointment last week (July 18, 1977) of a personal representative to the Vatican has infuriated the President's fellow Baptists and has touched off a flurry of religious strife. The Rev. Jimmy Allen of San Antonio, newly elected president of Carter's denomination, the 13-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, fired off a telegram to the President charging that the appointment 'is in violation of the spirit and probably the letter of the first Amendment to the Constitution.' The First Amendment provides for separation of church and state.
"Dr. James E. Wood of the Washington-based Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, with a constituency of 25 million Baptists, raised a similar complaint in a telegram of protest to the White House. He added that the appointment of a Vatican envoy 'also officially underscores the special concern of this government for one religious body to the point of preferential treatment not accorded any other church or religious body anywhere else in the world.'" (From the Washington Post)
Episcopalians – Another newspaper: "Four Episcopal priests whose congregations voted to sever relations with the Episcopal Church after it accepted women as priests have been removed from the ministry. Bishop Robert C. Rusack of the diocese of Los Angeles took the action in the chapel of the diocesan headquarters Friday morning, it was learned Wednesday. Rusack had suspended the priests six months ago after their congregations had decided to break away from the denomination and exercise autonomous control over their church property. The recent strife over women priests and a proposed new prayer book, changes traditional Episcopalians deplore, has caused unrest throughout the denomination. At least a dozen parishes have voted to secede from dioceses, and more separations are contemplated. Only one other priest – in Denver – had previously been deposed over the issue."
Billy Graham – In another newspaper there are three columns about this man and his finances. It seems he has accumulated assets of 23 million dollars – in stocks, bonds and real estate. That would be the book value, of course, so the net worth could be very much more than that, or very much less. We quote one short paragraph: "Graham has written a 2500-word defense .... but what he did not say is that without knowing of the fund's existence, there is no way to check with the IRS about it. And Graham and his associates have gone out of their way to make sure people didn't find out about the fund."
Roman Catholics – Here is a portion of what one newspaper printed regarding this group: "Since it lost the power to burn heretics at the stake 200 years ago, excommunication has been the Roman Catholic Church's strongest weapon. Now its impact appears weak. Past pontiffs could and did topple kingdoms by excommunicating delinquent monarchs, thus absolving their subjects from oaths of obedience.
"Bishops once could isolate a man from his friends, destroy his business and even drive him out of town with an excommunication decree. Excommunication instilled such horror in Roman Catholic Emperor Henry IV, for instance, that in 1076 he humiliated himself on his knees in the snow to beg forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII. But for most of today's 700 million Roman Catholics, excommunication – barring a Catholic from receiving the sacraments and thus inflicting a 'spiritual death' on the believer – it is a holy terror no longer.
"In today's pluralistic societies these kinds of penalties don't mean much. You might say excommunication is going out of style. Because of its diminishing impact in the modern world the church has become increasingly reluctant to wield its most powerful weapon. But some excommunications are automatic and are thus incurred by the very fact that a person has committed a certain offense. The 40 grounds for automatic excommunication include such obvious crimes as 'laying violent hands on the person of the Roman pontiff,' 'casting away or keeping the host for evil purpose and stealing papal property.' "Other grounds are surprising – not in the offenses they list, but in those they do not mention. Excommunication is the penalty for dueling, but not for premeditated murder. A woman who has an abortion is excommunicated, but a rapist is not. A woman who falsely accuses her confessor of attempted seduction is excommunicated, as is one who fails to report such an attempt. There is no excommunication, however, for the priest guilty of "solicitation" in the confessional, unless he pretends to absolve his accomplice in sin of the "impurity."
"The most serious excommunication is one where the culprit is decreed "vitandus" or be shunned. But with the exception of certain vile crimes, such as doing violence to the pope, it is rarely inflicted. The crimes for which one can be excommunicated "vitandus" are so terrible that people don't talk about them – and probably don't do them any more, said a Vatican legalist.
"No one, not even the pope, can decide that a man will go to hell," said one Jesuit authority. 'That is something that is between each man and God.' He said excommunication is the way of saying you've got to change your ways if you want to call yourself a Catholic.
"For much the same reason that Britain's King Henry VIII was excommunicated in 1533 for refusing to bow to papal authority, Cuba's premier Fidel Castro was excommunicated for impeding the work of clerics in Cuba. The church has also tried to fight Communism with decrees threatening automatic excommunication for any Catholic who voted Communist. Under that ruling, ten million Catholics technically excommunicated themselves by voting Communist in the 1976 national elections.
"The church has also used excommunication in the cases of 'public outrage' as a way of setting an example. In such an effort, Archbishop Joseph F. Rummel of New Orleans in 1962 excommunicated three Catholic segregationist leaders who had tried to block his school integration orders."
Although excommunication is waning with the Roman Catholic Church, not so with the little Catholic Church – the Jehovah's Witnesses. It seems that the Catholics have reformed somewhat when they say "No one, not even the pope, can decide that a man will go to bell. That is something that is between each man and God." Not so with the Jehovah's Witnesses – they tell us that all who do not join with them before Armageddon will be annihilated in Armageddon! They are ever ready to cast out from their midst any and all who tend to question any of their atrocious errors. Thus they are now taking up where the "mother church" has left off. The Laymen's Home Missionary adopts much the same tactics, although in a more limited degree: they say those who actively oppose their errors are out of the Household of Faith. However, they are more generous with others who don't agree with them – especially those who do not actively attack their errors. All during the Age strenuous efforts were made to crush any and all who exposed the errors of the "one true church"; but it only tended to invigorate the protesters. In this connection, it is well to stress here that the Witnesses are the only group emanating from the Harvest Truth of which we know that has forsaken the six volumes of Parousia Studies in the Scriptures.
Volume One – The Divine Plan of the Ages – is a clear and eloquent outline of the "Plan of the Ages, which he formed for the anointed Jesus our Lord." (Eph. 3:11, Dia.) All the other groups with whom we have had any contact are distributing those books especially so The Divine Plan – and we ourselves never pass up an opportunity to distribute this wonderful book. Regardless of what faults may appear in any of the groups, we feel they all should be warmly commended for their activity in the distribution of these books. We would also add a word here for Parousia Volume 4 – The Battle of Armageddon. It was written eighty years ago in 1897, yet much of it reads as though it were written in 1977. We emphasize especially pages 145-147; and we will gladly supply this book to any one who requests it.
Follows now another item re Catholics just ignoring Hell: "Hell has fallen so far out of fashion that it has even lost its oomph as a curse word, the Rev. James Breig said in the November issue of US Catholic magazine. Surveys show 70 per cent of Roman Catholics believe in life after death, Breig said, but only one-third believe in hell. And of those who do believe in hell, only one person in eight feels hell is a real threat to him, he said. Catholics are not so much denying hell as just ignoring it, he said. What we may have here is closing our eyes and hoping it will go away.
"For many, he said, Hell is sort of a whimsical place, more of a joke than an eschatological reality. It is a fictional domain, created from one part Dante and one part Milton, with a dash of religious art thrown in. The effects of the 'trivialization' of hell extend even to the language, Breig said. Hell has become so trivialized that it has lost its force as a curse. 'Go to hell' is a suggestion friends share. 'The hell it is' is an exclamation of surprise and incredulity. "Damn it' is something we utter when we stub our toes, and not an eternal sentence."
GENERAL – It is reported that Communist reorganization has been done at the expense of more than one million lives, many of whom were slaughtered in an assembly-line fashion by Communist soldiers savagely stabbing their victims through the chest and in the back. This gruesome story has been written in detail by Reader's Digest editors John Barron and Anthony Paul, who said the theory behind the "total social revolution" was to destroy traditions and culture surrounding Cambodian citizens and instill them with new values created by the Communist party. People desperately ill in hospital beds were ordered to get out and walk to the jungle, where many of them quickly perished.
"In every large society, the have-nots (Communists: A Communist is simply a capitalist that's broke—JJH), the need-mores, and the want-mores always constitute a majority. The trend to the left begins the day this majority discovers that, by virtue of the principle of majority rule, they possess the political power to elect governments that will provide them free services and benefits which will be paid for out of taxes levied on the have-more minority." (Clare Booth Luce)
From another magazine: "The courts have consistently ruled in favor of pornography. America is being eaten up by this cancerous infection. It is satanic; it is evil. It is repulsive and it is taking on a more ominous toll each day, and we are likely to share the terrible fate of Sodom and Gomorrah."
Another paragraph: "Arson has become one of New York's plaguing crimes. In the last six months before the blackout, fire department officials counted 3,704 fires caused by arson, as well as another 27,196 structural fires, half of which are believed to be arson. During the 36-hour blackout period 1,037 fires were recorded, about 70% of which are estimated to be arson. In 1976 there were 6,776 arson and 56,127 structural fires recorded – a loss estimated at $200 million."
Many thanks for the Holiday greetings of good wishes, love and prayers, which were appreciatively and gratefully received. We extend to all our warm Christian love and good wishes for your physical and spiritual health throughout 1978. "Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." (Psa. 97:12) The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.
Sincerely your brother,
John J. Hoefle, Pilgrim
Dear Brother Hoefle: Grace and peace through our Beloved Master!
I am hoping you are always in good health – you and all with you. I am happy and glad to send a translation of your paper No. 260 – printed in French. It is a very good article! I am now translating some questions and Answers from your papers for another special paper in French. I trust the Lord will bless my labor for the brethren. But there's one sure thing: He very much blessed me by the articles from you, my dear Brother! May our dear Heavenly Father continue to bless you and all the others at the Bible House in your labor of love for the brethren.
I am sending to you, Sister Hoefle and the others my warm brotherly love and my Christian kiss.
Affectionately in Him, I am your brother, ------- (BELGIUM)
Dear Brother Hoefle:
We are having a wonderful and studious time here in the Holy Land – have traveled much to see the many Bible sights. Your papers are proving stimulating and enlightening. I'm sure you are doing a wonderful work for the Lord. Will be leaving for home tomorrow. God bless you and keep you!
Your brother ------- (JERUSALEM)
As per your offer, please send me The Resurrection of the Dead, Two Distinct Salvations, The Three Babylons, God's Great Sabbath Day and The Great Reformer.
Yours truly, ------- (NEW JERSEY)
Our Memorial comes this year March 21 after 6 p.m., and we suggest Sunday March 11 through Sunday April 1 for our Special Effort in Antitypical Gideon's Second Battle against Eternal Torment and the Consciousness of the Dead. All who wish to join us in this "good fight," please order the pertinent literature in time. Our literature is free, postage paid.


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Stayfree Super Maxi Pads feature Thermo Control technology which helps keep you dry, cool and comfortable. Thermo Control technology quickly pulls moisture away from your body and allows air circulation.
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text: I retired from my full-time job in July 2012–no more day-to-day commitment as a writer, editor, marketing specialist or corporate cheerleader. The sense of freedom was indescribably liberating. I don't regret a single minute of my retirement. And, while I loved my job, I had outlived my sense of purpose at this wonderful organization. After 32 years, I felt ready to test my mettle in another arena; a place where I could unleash my creativity without hurting anyone's reputation. I don't mind making a fool of myself, so I've rather enjoyed the experiments I've undertaken. Doing what, you ask? Developing as a crochet artist and writer. I've crocheted for more than 20 years, but have only seriously explored it in the last three. Writing has always been my first love, and was fortunate enough to make a living at it for 32 years. But writing about my organization's successes, updating employees on health benefits, explaining why flu shots are mandatory, was not the place to take words to a new level. Now I answer to no one but my sense of good taste, family and friends–and all three of those know me well, are endlessly patient and tend to appreciate me for who I am. Life is good!


text: They also were less inclined to present burn-out and much more likely to possess jobs with autonomy, meaning and variety. The team found that one study contained in the research discovered that happier cricket players got higher batting averages, while another indicated that content sales forces acquired the most pleased customers. Happy employees were less inclined to take time off function and, generally, earned higher incomes, and were proven to have more close friends and better personal health insurance and relationships.Acute myeloid leukemia is an aggressive blood tumor with very low prices of treatment success, especially in older patients, explained Jeffrey Lancet, M.D., senior person in the Section of Malignant Hematology and chief of the Leukemia Section at Moffitt. AML can be diagnosed in approximately 19, 000 people in the usa each full 12 months and outcomes in over 10,000 deaths annually. Many patients with AML are older and have additional medical circumstances, which makes treatment difficult. Only 50 % of patients respond to existing therapies and the average survival time is less than 1 year.


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On Monday 16th February we'll be running 2 outdoor play and forest school taster sessions at Lumb Brook Valley.
On the way to our base camp we'll be exploring and playing forest school games. We'll then get the fire going and have a toasted snack before building dens and playing hide and seek in our hazel coppice .
We'll be crossing streams so waterproofs and wellies recommeded
A great way to spend 2 hours with the kids getting in touch with your own childhood and with nature.
SESSIONS at 10am and 1pm for a mere £10. Snacks included. SPACES LIMITED so booking essential.


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Papier-mache is a material used in sculpture and crafting that is made from paper pulp or torn paper and a special paste, usually a mixture of flour and water. Papier-mache also can be shaped over an object that serves as an underlying structure and remains as part of the finished product. These include balloons, cardboard, toilet paper rolls and other household and decorative items. To make a papier-mache cowboy boot there are several different options to consider.
Things You'll Need
- Cowboy boot or cowboy boot balloon
- Newspaper
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Water
- Flour
- Salt
- Sanding paper
- Paint
- Glaze
- Plastic pieces
- Brush
Video of the Day
Choose a form for your papier-mache project. An old cowboy boot can do the trick, or you may want to purchase a balloon that holds the same shape. Mylar balloons are available from online retailers or from crafts or party supply stores.
Prepare your papier-mache paste by mixing one part flour with two parts water. The paste should eventually be the consistency of glue but not overly thick. Add more water and flour as necessary, mixing vigorously to remove any lumps. Once the paste is the right thickness, add a few tablespoons of salt to prevent mold from forming on your finished project.
Rip the newspaper into strips roughly 1 to 2 inches wide. Dip the newspaper into the papier-mache paste. Make sure the strips are completely saturated, then run them through your fingers to remove any excess paste.
Working with your hands, shape the papier-mache over the cowboy boot, smoothing it down with your fingers as you go. The paper strips should overlap and run in different directions. The entire boot should be covered. Let it dry for at least 24 hours, then add a second and third layer.
Use acrylic paints and other decorations to finish your papier-mache cowboy boot. A leather look can be achieved by using a lighter coat of paint as a base then mixing one part paint to four parts glaze. Wad and unwad the pieces of plastic and push them down over the painted area. Brush the plastic before carefully peeling it off to reveal the texture.


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text:
I was always intrigued by salt lamps but never knew the extent of the benefits until I finally got one. I started using the lamp right away, not really knowing the beneficial aspects of the lamp. I did a little digging around and here's what I found out:
A Himalayan salt lamp is a large piece of Himalayan salt usually with a bulb inside. There are different variations of the lamp; some come in small pieces of salt, larger salt blocks, or carved into different shapes.
Not only does the lamp add a great ambiance to the room, it has so many other unseen benefits.
To start, the lamp helps improve air quality. The salt attracts water and the pollutants and allergens that are contained within the water particles. The water vapor dries, leaving the dust and allergens attached to the salt and thus not floating around in the air. This also helps relieve allergy symptoms.
The ambient lighting of the lamp helps to feel a sense of calmness and increase relaxation. The lamps also work to balance and neutralize negative ions in the air. With all of our electronic products constantly emitting electromagnetic radiation, it is thought that the negative ions the salt emits helps reduce the impact of the radiation.
It is believed that the negative ions emitted by the salt help neutralize the positive ions that are present in our households. Positive ions are responsible for draining our energy. With the increase in negative ions, it helps reduce the impact of the positive ions and in turn increases our energy. Lastly, the lamp is believed to help improve sleep patterns and improve your mood.
I am not sure how accurate these claims are or if they have been proven. However, from my personal experience, I can vouch that since having the lamp, I have noticed an improvement in my mood and overall energy. I don't know if this is a result of the salt lamp or my morning coffee. What I do know for sure, is that it is a great little decorative piece added to our living room collection. The orange warm hue adds a soft romantic feel to the room and it doubles as an excellent night lamp.
Even if the claims cannot be proven, it's a beautiful lamp that brings a little bit of the outdoors in your home.
My little salt lamp..


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Devo surprise fans with outstanding new album.
Devo had a lasting impact on my sense of aesthetics when I was first exposed to their music in high school. Like Kraftwerk and Joy Division, Devo tapped into the 'cool' aesthetic, writing subversive songs about modern life and our relationship to technology in a way that was psychological and dark but still humorous and energizing. In this respect, their songs were a musical compliment to the novels of J.G. Ballard and William Burroughs, as well as the books released by RE/Search Publications out of San Francisco, the preeminent pre-Internet counterculture publisher that identified the aesthetic of cool that linked Ballard, Burroughs, the punk movement and the visual arts. Devo, like Ballard and Burroughs, used the contemporary language and icons of their time as the subject matter to satirize society and reformulate a new agenda for the human race, epitomized by William Burroughs' signature line, "This is the space age and we are here to go", of which Devo wrote their hit song "Here to Go".
Devo: "Here to Go"
Unlike other bands such as The Smiths and New Order, I've continued listening to Devo, having fostered an ongoing appreciation for their songs about life in the world as I knew it, and, impressively, the songs have maintained their relevancy three decades after their original release. When news broke last year that the band had signed a landmark contract to record a new album with Warner Bros., I was fairly excited by the prospect, having never really lost interest in the band. Nevertheless, I had my doubts. They looked older, and I had a vague concern that they might be risking a unique and important legacy for a last self-indulgence in the glory days of their youth. My inherent pessimism, Devo-esque in nature, was based on the unlikelihood of their being able to match the quality and pioneering nature of their earlier work. So when I got around to listening to the band's latest creation on the Colbert Nation website where it had been streaming, I expected the worst. Much to my astonishment, however, and unbelievably, the music actually held up to my skeptical ears, and more, the album improved with each listen, until, surprisingly, I felt compelled to cherrypick individual tracks for repeated listens as I might have on one of their earlier albums. Counter to all my previous preconceptions, it slowly started to dawn on me that the band had sensationally created one of their best albums -- and – yes – believe it or not, there areactually some great songs on it. To call me shocked would have been an understatement.
Many people scoff at Devo, brushing them off as nothing more than a novelty act, but few are aware of the herculean task that they had accomplished when they first came on the scene in the late 1970s. Their charged up, dance songs about life and technology were the musical analog to J.G. Ballard's science fiction stories that focused on the present, both of which seemed to have been deeply influenced by the Pop Art movement. Like Ballard an the Pop artists, Devo had managesd to create groundbreaking avant-garde art that was commercially accessible, an extremely rare mix. In a recent interview with NPR, Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh explained how they "always enjoyed the subversion of mixing fine art with commercial art" and how the Kent State massacre, at which him and bandmate Gerald Casale witnessed as art students, helped lay the groundwork for the band's approach: "We had seen people get shot when we were in school, and we came to the opinion that rebellion and anarchy were obsolete, and the only way to change things in our culture was through subversion." Far from selling out, commercial accessibility is an ideal for any art that is intended to be a vehicle for social change. As William Burroughs opined, "art creates new values," and society's establishment is never more at risk than when genuine art movements gain steam. In this respect, Devo can be viewed as a living, breathing pop art display delivering the wake up call to humanity, in style.
Devo navigated the landscape of modern consciousness and satirized it in the process, using the manipulative techniques of advertising to spread a message of subversion and dissent. Significantly, in their most recent incarnation, Devo have stuck to these very same principles, though this time, they've turbocharged their approach with contemporary tactics, using focus groups, hiring a CEO, and creating a reality show, among other novelties. These Trojan horse marketing campaigns are intended as strategic attempts to breakthrough to unsuspecting youths, cloaking an album of profound substance in the duplicitous gloss of the mass marketing machine. The cover to the album, as well as to the single "Fresh", are further demonstrations of Devo's attention to the details outside of the music itself, the images a clever mix of humour and subtle eroticism, resulting in some of the more artful album covers in recent memory.
As an album, Something for Everybody is a tightly produced, solid release from start to finish, both musically and lyrically, although there are at least three really great songs worth highlighting that rank alongside the best work in their entire catalogue. "Sumthin'", after which the album is named, is the most exciting, with its upbeat rhythms, cool melodic synth stabs, and charged lyrical references to cable news media memes. Lines such as "I'm the leader of the Western world / The big decider in the neighborhood" and "I have to fix it like it's just like new, / but the bankers tell me no can do" speak to current events in the news in ways that you simply don't hear from other bands. The final verse is an even more direct example of the band's concern with contemporary themes, reminiscent to Gerald Casale's politically charged and almost completely ignored project from the peak of the Bush era, Jihad Jerry (of which we wrote about when no one else cared): "Psycho pundits keep on fanning the fire / Spin the story than they call ME a liar / Telling me how I should do my job / Dropping crumbs for the angry mob / Al-Queda and the Taliban / Fundamentally way out of hand / I keep trying to turn it all around / But the New World Order wants to take me down".
"Later Is Now":
The visionary "Later is Now" is probably the most unexpected accomplishment of the album, an activist anthem that has all of the energy and edge of their earlier work, but which has an unusual optimism that reveals a more mature and wiser Devo. Not only have the band equalled their earlier work in this song, but, in some respects, they've actually surpassed it. Twenty years later, it seems as if the band has come to terms with their own mortality in a way that isn't present in their earlier work. "Later is now / Sooner or later / Everyone gets it right / Later is now / Sooner or later / Everything comes to light / Later is now." This isn't the sarcasm and irony of "It's a Beautiful World" and, frankly, much as I love the bitterness of that song, it's a welcome change. If there were ever a song to play at a protest this year, this would be it.
"No Place Like Home":
Unbelievably, the band are able to follow up the epic "Later is Now" with the most sublime track on the album, "No Place Like Home", a sobering requiem to the idea of the home, both in the sense of the planet as a whole, as well as the people with whom you share a roof. The gorgeous, haunting melody lives up to the humorous vocoded introduction, "A song of truth and beauty, for you..." and builds into a massive crescendo of melody and philosophic introspection. The poetic lyrics climax with the heartbreaking, beautifully crafted lines: "Can't have a rainbow, without the rain; / Can't have a painting without the pain, / Can't have a lover, without the love leaving with them; / There's no place like home, no place like home, to return to." Powerful stuff.
In this release, Devo have shown themselves to be profound moralists, as they have in all of their previous albums. At the beginning of the BBC documentary "Another Green World", Brian Eno explained how today's music is different from the past, because there's no sense of ideology attached to it. With their return, Devo have reintroduced political ideology back into pop music, and, in the process, given the counterculture (much as that might seem an outdated term in the age of the Internet) a much needed shot in the arm, reviving it from a decade long slumber with the fading of the rave scene at the end of the 1990s. The band's creation of an album of comparable quality with their earlier incarnation -- something which almost never happens -- is a testament to their authenticity and conviction as true artists. They're the real deal. Maybe focus groups under the right direction really are the way to go.


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It is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere; in Asia, Europe, and North America. Today yarrow can be found growing all over the world; occurring from sea level to 3,500 metres in elevation. It is most frequently found in the mildly disturbed soil of grasslands and open forests, and survives in various habitats: forests, meadows, grasslands, mountains, coastal areas, and arid regions.
In North America both native and introduced genotypes are found; and yarrow is found growing in every habitat throughout California, except for the Colorado and Mojave Deserts. It has been introduced as a feed for livestock in places like New Zealand and Australia, producing an average yield of 43,000 plants per acre, with a total dry weight of 10,500 lbs. Gardeners cultivate yarrow for its beauty and ease of growth, as well as to attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, as a first aid herb, and a pretty little cut flower.
Millefolium means "a thousand leaves," referring to the small, antler-shaped leaves growing along its thin, light green stems, giving the plants a delicate feathery appearance. Early in the growing season the leaves grow in a mound near the ground, but during the flowering season the slightly hairy flowering stems reach upwards, reaching heights of anything from 30 to 90cm, to display their characteristic blossoms, reminiscent of tiny, flattened daisies, growing in large, flat-topped clusters above the wispy leaves. The wild flowers may be cream, white, rose, or lilac coloured, and the plants will flower repeatedly throughout summer.
Yarrow has a long history of use in many cultures around the world, and human relationships with this healing plant reach back to very ancient times, with the fossilized pollen of yarrow, found in Neanderthal burial caves, dating as far back as 60,000 years. Yarrow's generic name "Achillea" is most likely taken from the mythical legend of the Greek war hero, Achilles, and although he may be best known for his so called "Achilles heel," he really should be most renowned for his use of yarrow. Achilles is said to have used yarrow in the Trojan War to staunch the blood flowing from the wounds of fallen comrades. He even covered his body with a tincture made from the leaves, believing it made him invincible against arrows! According to herbal legend, Achilles medicinal knowledge of yarrow actually came from his mentor, the mythological centaur Chiron, who taught Achilles how to use the herb, which was said to have grown from the rust on his spear. Yarrow is also associated with Aphrodite, Hermes, and the European Horned God.
In classical times it was known as "herba militaris" (the military herb) because of its ability to stop bleeding on the battlefield; and was carried by soldiers, who relied upon yarrow for its haemostatic action to treat wounds. Haemostasis is a process to prevent haemorrhage by arresting and keeping the blood within the damaged vessel walls. As recently as World War I (1914–1918) yarrow was still used in the battlefield as a first aid remedy, so it's no wonder that today, when it comes to medicinal plants, yarrow stands out as a top remedy to stop wounds from bleeding.
Yarrow was used in many traditions, and has many different meanings. No monastery or abbey garden would be without it during The Middle Ages; and in the Victorian language of flowers, yarrow can represent both war and healing. The herb was also believed to be useful in love charms and in conjuring. Yarrow was also seen as one of the best ways to ward off insects, and sprigs of it would be embroidered onto clothes, or pressed between the pages of books to keep insects at bay. During the crusades, knights would always carry two herbs - yarrow for its wound-healing abilities and borage for courage. Yarrow has also long been associated with magic and divination, and it was not just in the West that yarrow was revered, in ancient China it was considered a valuable part of the divination ritual, and yarrow stalks are still traditionally used to cast the I Ching, the Chinese book of prophecy. In ancient Asia there was a saying stating: "Wherever yarrow grows, one need not fear wild beasts or poisonous plants." Yarrow is still considered by some folk herbalists today to be a sacred plant with special spiritual powers to offer protection.
There are many species and subspecies of yarrow, including a similar North American variety known as Achillea millefolium var. lanulosa. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was introduced to North America by early colonists, and soon became naturalized throughout North America. Yarrow was a valued remedy used by many tribes of Native Americans, who embraced its medicinal properties and used it to treat a large number of external and internal ailments including; wounds, burns, toothaches, arthritis, digestion, and sore throats. Yarrow was also listed in the official U.S. Pharmacopoeia from the mid to the late nineteenth century.
Today yarrow is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant, or perhaps to attract butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects to the garden, but it certainly deserves a place in the modern garden as a first aid plant, as a hemostatic (blood coagulation,) analgesic (pain reliever) and antiseptic (antibacterial.)
Plant breeders have been hard at work hybridising these little beauties and today they are available from garden centres in a wide range of pastel and brighter shades, including: lavender, purple, white, apricot, cream, yellow, red, rose, and pink flowers. Whether you grow yarrow as a decorative plant or an herb, you can be sure that it will add beauty to your garden, and since it is so easy to care for, you have nothing to lose by giving this ancient herb a small place in one of your flower beds.
Achillea Flowerburst 'Red Shades' is a perennial which stands up to wind, drought, heat and humidity, blooming tirelessly through the summer, even in poor, dry soils.
Achillea Summer Pastels 'Mixed' is a heat and drought-tolerant variety with lavender, purple, white, apricot, cream, rose and pink flowers. Its tall flower stems also make this lovely border plant suitable for cut flower production, and for drying.
Health Benefits:
In modern herbalism yarrow has many uses, and one of the most popular forms of yarrow used today is yarrow oil, which is extracted from the dried plant through steam distillation. This essential oil has a penetrating, sweetly herbaceous smell, and is a vivid blue colour. This colour is mainly due to the chemical chamazulene which is released from the plant during the heating process. Yarrow oil is known for its multiple healing effects, particularly for circulatory disorders, skin conditions, and digestive ailments. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also alleviate the pain from arthritis and rheumatism. Yarrow oil is mainly used in vapour therapy, or added to massage oil or carrier oil before being used topically.
It is only the old-fashioned pink and white varieties that are actually worth using medicinally, and gardeners around the world grow them as a first aid plant because all the plant parts can be used for medicinal applications, both internally or externally. It's a great first-aid treatment for wounds, and to help stop nosebleeds, apply dried or powdered yarrow leaves inside the nostrils. The fresh stalks can be pounded into a pulp and applied to swollen body parts, sprains and bruises. Yarrow tea helps fights bacteria and viruses, and if taken hot, will help to break a fever by inducing sweating.
Yarrow tea is also a great digestive and detoxifier, because yarrow's bitter components and fatty acids encourage proper bile secretion from the gallbladder, which can then improve digestion and prevent gallstones from forming. It is beneficial for a wide range of menstrual problems, relieving cramps and menstrual pain; as well as helping to regulate menstrual periods, particularly controlling heavy flow. Yarrow tea can be used as first aid for ulcers; and the tea or tincture helps relieve haemorrhoids. A yarrow poultice or compress placed over the affected area will also help soothe this health problem.
Yarrow has larger uses as a circulatory system remedy which both stops bleeding, and at the same time moves stagnant blood, thus both preventing and clearing blood clots. It tones the blood vessels, especially the smaller veins, and lowers blood pressure by dilating the capillaries. This means it benefits the whole-body through the blood system, and is therefore especially good for conditions related to hypertension (high blood pressure,) including coronary thrombosis (blood clots.)
Yarrow is an astringent and makes a good facial wash or shampoo, so add some yarrow tea to your shampoo, and splash your face with cool yarrow tea, diluted with water.
To make Yarrow Tea: 1 teaspoon dried or 2 pieces fresh large yarrow leaves, 1 cup boiling water. A slice of lemon and raw honey can be added, but are optional. Put the yarrow leaves in a mug of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the leaves and add lemon and honey to taste.
In the Kitchen:
If you bruise a leaf of yarrow its scent is sweet and potent, something in between liquorice, anise, and flowers, and if you taste a small bit of the leaves, your sinuses will be flooded with a perfume very similar to cardamom. You've never tasted anything quite like it! However, before you use it in recipes, bear the following tips in mind:
Remember that yarrow is a soft herb, not unlike tarragon - in fact these two can be substituted for each other. On his website "Forager Chef," Minnesota-based chef Alan Bergo gives some easy pointers on how to use yarrow for cooking.
Because of its sharp taste, mixing yarrow with other soft herbs like chervil and parsley will slightly "dilute" its strong flavour.
Also, yarrow and high temperatures do not mix well for two reasons: The high heat not only destroys the herb's delicate flavour, but will also impart bitterness into your food, so add this herb at the very end of the cooking process.
Yarrow works great in cold preparations, such as for making gravlax - a Nordic appetiser consisting of raw salmon, cured in salt, sugar, and dill, and can also be added to vinaigrettes.
This herb is naturally sweet if it is not overheated, and blends well in desserts like sorbets, and complements the flavours of fruits like plums, peaches and nectarines, so be adventurous and try your hand at cooking with some yarrow!
In the Garden:
Garden hybrids of yarrow have become staples in gardens around the world, because of their tough nature and ease of growth, and their beautiful foliage and flowers which are excellent to cut for the vase, or to dry for winter arrangements. Since they can take heat, drought, and even poor soil, they are a natural choice for difficult areas, and perfect to stabilise sandy soils and prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes.
With their sprays of soft, feathery foliage, and their tendency to stay in tidy clumps, yarrow plants make perfect filler plants, and are great in the mid-border, where they will add season-long colour if planted in large clumps.
The flat flowers and soft foliage contrast nicely with plants with spikey flowers or leaves. Try planting them with: Aloes, Dwarf New Zealand Flax, Hairbells (Dierama,) Lilyturf (Liriope,) Restio (Elegia,) Sedges (Carex,) and Veronica (Hebe) varieties.
Members can click on highlighted text to read more about the plants mentioned
Although they are now available in many exciting colours, the softer white and creamy-yellow colours are perfect to brighten up flowers with darker tones in the garden, and contrast beautifully with blue flowers like: Dwarf Blue Agapanthus, Balloon Flowers (Platycodon,) Chinese Plumbago (Ceratostigma,) Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia,) Blue Sage (Salvia,) and Spider Wort (Tradescantia)
Yarrow is not just popular with people; it is also popular with bees, and having it near the vegetable or fruit garden, will attract these vital little pollinators. Yarrow is also well-known for its ability to improve the condition of impoverished or clay soils, so if you have a patch of soil that needs improving and conditioning, let yarrow take over for a season or two in the area, and then dig it over into the soil as a green manure. It also makes a really valuable compost activator and increases the nutrient value of any compost heap.
Companion Planting:
Yarrow acts as a good companion for many plants, and especially vegetables and fruit, helping to keep aphids away and improving the general health of plants growing nearby, even ailing plants. It is especially good for corn and cucumbers, and compliments roses well. Remember, if you prick or cut yourself when pruning roses, crush a yarrow leaf to rub on the wound – it will stop the bleeding, ease the sting, and disinfect the wound.
Yarrow plants are easy to find in most garden centres, and although the best time to plant them out is in spring, in order to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and any early rain, yarrow is a tough customer and can be planted or moved at any time, as long as you give it some extra water while it gets established. It is frost resistant and will add some greenery to the winter garden if you have mild to moderately cold winters. However, if you are in a region that experiences severe frost or snowfall, the plant will die down completely in winter; but if the roots are kept warm underneath a thick mulch of compost or bark chips throughout winter, yarrow will readily pop up again in spring.
Yarrow plants love heat and sunshine, so give them a spot where they will receive full sun. If they do not get enough sun, the plants will become leggy and flop over. No special planting instructions are needed - just make sure the plant is at the same depth in the ground as it was in the pot. Yarrow's hardy rhizome, or underground stem, develops from underground runners as the extensive root system spreads; so make sure you allow at least 60cm between each plant, so they can spread.
Yarrow grows best in hot and dry conditions, thriving in impoverished, well-drained soils. It will adapt to most well-drained garden soils, even clay soils which are amended with lots of compost, but the one thing it cannot tolerate is heavy, wet soil, so if your soil is heavy and rainfall abundant, it may be best to grow yarrow in raised beds or planters, adding generous amounts of washed river sand to the planters, together with smaller amounts of compost and top soil. In normal garden beds, simply loosen the soil to about a spades depth, sprinkle some bone meal and plant. In very poor soils a good dressing of compost will suffice to get your plant established. Supplemental feeding is not necessary, unless your soil is extremely poor, and an annual side-dressing with compost should be sufficient to keep yarrow blooming beautifully. Although yarrow is drought tolerant once established, watering moderately during long hot and dry summer spells will keep it looking at its very best.
If you can find yarrow seed, it can be started early indoors, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. Just sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the soil and gently press them down. Don't cover with soil because yarrow needs light to germinate. The seed will germinate faster if kept warm, so you could use a heating mat under the seed tray or pot. Place the tray or pot in a sunny and warm location, and keep the soil moist but not soggy until germination. The seeds should germinate in 14 to 21 days, depending on the conditions. You can speed up germination by covering the top of the tray with plastic wrap, to keep in moisture and heat, but remember to remove the plastic wrap once the seeds have sprouted. You can also sow yarrow directly into garden beds at any time of the year, but spring is best.
Because yarrow blooms repeatedly throughout summer, regular deadheading will keep the plants looking neat, and encourage even more blooms. If your plants become tired looking by mid-season, prune back the foliage a bit to refresh the plants and keep them looking full and bushy.
In ideal growing conditions, yarrow can spread rapidly, and may become aggressive, and under these conditions it may be advisable to contain its growth.
Divide the clumps every three to five years, or as required. Lift in early spring or autumn and remove any dead stems from the centre of the clumps before replanting in well-prepared soil.
Warning: In ideal growing conditions this plant reproduces quickly and easily occupies new habitats (acts like invasive species.)
Problems, Pests & Diseases:
Very few problems plague yarrow plants, and it is rare to see any insect damage. The most common problem is fungal diseases of the leaves, but full sun, and allowing for good air circulation can prevent this.
While yarrow is often used by humans for its many medicinal benefits, the toxins within the plant do provide a risk of potential poisoning if a cat or dog were to eat copious amounts of it. However, this is unlikely, as yarrow plants contain hydrosoluble tannins that are very bitter to the taste, preventing most pets from eating more than one bite. Symptoms of yarrow poisoning are generally limited to the digestive system and consist of vomiting or diarrhoea. There is also a risk of increased complications in cats or dogs which have many allergies; are pregnant or nursing, or who acquire wounds or incisions after yarrow consumption. Sesquiterpene lactones may also cause adverse skin reactions. Treating a pet which has been poisoned by yarrow will mainly have to do with managing the symptoms, so take them to a veterinarian, but do not panic, as most yarrow poisonings are relatively mild.
Symptoms of yarrow poisoning in horses may present with irritation to the mucous membranes, particularly in the mouth, and gastrointestinal upset which could include the development of diarrhoea or colic. Signs of photosensitization can occur on any part of the body but are most often found in places where the hair is sparse or in in areas of low pigment. These signs can include: bumps on skin, mouth ulcers, oozing sores, peeling or reddened skin. In the past and even today, if used by a veterinary professional, yarrow can be used to heal horses. It is known as an excellent external treatment for bruising, reducing both the pain and the swelling; and can also be used eternally as a hemostatic to slow or stop bleeding as well as supporting circulation to the peripheral blood vessels. In small amounts, it has been known to reduce or eliminate internal bleeding as well. The scent of yarrow is also said to soothe horses and may be planted near pastures to ease anxieties.
Despite its benefits, yarrow may have potential side effects for some people. If you're allergic to any member of the aster family, like chrysanthemums and other daisies, do not ingest or apply yarrow topically, as you may have allergies to it as well. To be safe, do not use it for extended periods of time, and do a 'skin patch test' before applying this oil to any part of your body. Yarrow may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be cautious when using it, whether in plant or essential oil form.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should also refrain from using yarrow, as this herb may induce a miscarriage and may have unknown effects on an unborn child.
Before applying yarrow topically or ingesting it, consult your health care provider, especially if you are suffering from any health problem, to ensure that this herb is safe for you to use.


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Donald Peavy, M.D.
Team Ophthalmologist
Baton Rouge Eye Physicians
- Undergrad: Louisiana State University, B.S. (1983)
- Medical Degree: Louisiana State University Medical School (1987)
- Ophthalmology: Oschner Hospital (1991)
Russell Saloom, M.D.
Team Ophthalmologist
Premier Laser Center
- Medical Degree: Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans (1985)
Internships, Residencies, & Fellowships
- Residency: Louisiana State University Eye Center (1989)
- Internship: UMC (1986)
- Fellowship: Tulane Medical Center (1990)
- American Adacemy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery
- New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology


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It's time to come clean. We are responsible for the secret ninjas. I know you have been wondering and wondering who unleashed them into the world. It all started with Ash Wednesday. Which is where all good things begin, amIright? The text for Ash Wednesday is from Matthew 6--where we are told not to be like the hypocrites who pray in public and make a show of it. Well...as it turns out...we are a pretty public church. Years prior, we offered the imposition of ashes at the bus stop. In 2013, we smashed tiles out front on the sidewalk (narthex) on W 7th street before entering worship on Ash Wednesday.
So, what does this Gospel have to say to a church that lives in public? Leading up to Ash Wednesday, the entire polar vortex winter felt penitential. We felt like we had already been living lent. So, what might connect with our community and this text and is actually just a bit playful? Which, I concur, is not our normal tone for lent. But we dared to ask it and that's where the idea for secret ninja was born.
We began Ash Wednesday service with a hot baked potato bar and then spent a good amount of time painting little peg people. As we moved into the liturgy, we offered some guidelines for secret ninjas.
Every Sunday, our prelude, prayer time and postlude included time for painting secret ninjas. At the end of worship, people were invited to take one (and a guidelines card) and then find a way to send it off into the world. Hundreds were painted and loosed.
A delightful embodiment of the season and the Gospel ensued. Because guess what? We were instructed to tell no one. No one! But most of us just couldn't contain it. "I felt like I was bursting. So, I just told my sister. Just one person. And then I felt better." "I can't help it--it's just too fun to keep in." We began worship each week with secret ninja news--so that people had a place to share sightings of ninjas.
We invited people to tell the stories for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday with secret ninja dioramas. And they did.
Then it was Easter and our time with Lenten secret ninjas was over. Except, it wasn't. Or isn't because it just keeps going...secret ninja sightings and rumblings are still occurring.


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'I want it to be… an arena shooter.'
Posted By Pramath | On 13th, Dec. 2013 Under News | Follow This Author @Pramath1605
Cliff Bleszinski may not be taken as seriously as he deserves to be, simply because of how outspoken he can be, but the man is a veritable genius of a game developer. He was behind the Unreal and Gears of War series, and now, after departing from Epic Games, he is working on a new game- a new PC exclusive shooter in the vein of Quake.
Talking on the latest Pointless podcast, he described his newest project:
"I have a pitch, I have concept art, I know pretty much what I wanna do. It will be a PC experience that will harken back to a certain type of game that we cut our teeth on, if you know what I'm saying.
"[I want to do] a first-person shooter. It's in my DNA. It's one of those things – a lot of these kids playing Call of Duty, I don't think they'd know what a proper arena shooter is if it'd hit them across the fucking head.
"I want to get funding, I don't want to do a Kickstarter. With the speed and style of the title, it would not be a good fit for the [Oculus] Rift. I can confirm that," he added, when questioned about supporting two of the newest trends in PC gaming.
"I've shown [the project] to various parties, and there are nibbles. I wanna do something. It's just I'm not gonna do it if the time is not right and if the funding's not right."
Can Cliffy B usher in the return of the age of the arena shooter? One can only hope.
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Cristina E Lozano
Excellent views
Sleeping like a king or queen is possible, and not too expensive in Valletta. In the heart of Malta's capital you'll find palaces, like the Palazzo Prince d'Orange, a magnificent building once inhabited by nobles, that has now been restored and converted into a hotel. It's a luxury to sleep in the Palazzo Prince d'Orange. It has multiple apartments. I stayed in the Alexander Suite, which should not be called a 'suite', but the holy house. It features rooms with a balcony, bathroom with shower (and a towel heater!), and great little living room with sofas, armchairs, and TV, of course all very stylishly decorated.
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