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The ITIL 4 framework, and terminology of ITIL service lifecycle are taught in the ITIL certification in Tokyo course. Students will have had the chance to study how ITIL developed to accept contemporary technology and operational procedures, with the necessary principles in a service management framework, by completing the ITIL certification in Tokyo.
Students who wish to learn the interesting concept of ITIL frameworks and enhance IT service management quality are required to obtain ITIL certification in Tokyo. Certified ITIL experts gain an edge and earn significantly more than their non-certified counterparts. You will learn Framework, fundamental ideas, etc. under this ITIL certification in Tokyo.
To obtain the ITIL certification in Tokyo, you must complete the following steps:
After completion, you will get ITIL certification in Tokyo
Yes, as part of our ITIL certification in Tokyo course, we give one practice test to assist you to prepare for the actual certification exam. Students are given this free ITIL 4 Practice Exam Questions to get a better handle on the different types of examinations that are included in the ITIL certification in the Tokyo course.
Please see the link below for further details on the booking procedure.
The most commonly recognized and regarded entry-level ITIL certification accessible for IT workers is ITIL 4 Foundation. This contemporary ITIL certification in Tokyo course training for the ITIL framework is designed to help learners understand the administration of current IT-enabled services. Students will learn the processes of how ITIL was created to accept contemporary technology and operational procedures, with the principles required in a service management framework, by the end of the ITIL certification in Tokyo.
After having successfully passed the ITIL certification in Tokyo test, you will obtain the ITIL 4 Foundation results within 10-15 days.
It is not possible to get a refund once you have scheduled your ITIL certification in Tokyo test and received your voucher.
If you have enrolled for the course ITIL 4 Foundation with Take2 , you are eligible for a free retake ITIL 4 Foundation exam voucher, in case you could not clear the ITIL 4 Foundation exam in the first attempt.
Once you enroll for the course ITIL 4 Foundation with Take2, you will receive the web proctor vouchers of ITIL 4 Foundation, within 24 hrs of receiving the result of your first failed attempt. You will need to book the examination within six months from the date of purchase, failing to do so will result in you repurchasing the examination.
Note: This applies to only those candidates who have enrolled for the course ITIL 4 Foundation with Take2.
Your ITIL V4 certification exam voucher fee is included in the price of this ITIL course. However, you must procure the ITIL V4 certification exam voucher within six months from the date of course purchase. In case the exam fee goes up and you have not yet booked the exam, you will need to pay the difference in amount to Simplilearn.
ITIL V4 certification Exam vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issuance. If you do not book the ITIL V4 certification exam within one year from the purchase of a voucher, you will need to buy the voucher again per the actual price.
Simplilearn's ITIL course was a great experience. The course content is simplified and great for learning. The customer service is excellent and always available for a chat. This certification has helped my career path with a role change from IT Support Engineer to IT Support Officer along with a salary hike. Thanks, Simplilearn.
According to Payscale, the average annual salary of an ITIL expert in Tokyo is ¥7 million. With ITIL Foundation training in Tokyo, you can develop all the skills required to succeed in this field.
With ITIL Foundation training in Tokyo, you can easily secure a job in big companies, such as Wipro, Blue Prism, AXA, Rakuten, and many more.
Tokyo is Japan's leading economic center. With a huge market, it houses several industries and business companies. The manufacturing industry in Tokyo is one of the most well-developed businesses in the city. It produces semiconductors, consumer electronics, optical fibers, optoelectronics, optical media, and copy machines. The automobile industry is also a successful business in Tokyo. Several reputable companies, such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, and Subaru, have established their headquarters in Tokyo. Tourism is another flourishing business in the city. With ITIL Foundation training in Tokyo, you will get a job in any of these industries.
To become an ITIL expert in Tokyo, you need at least 17 credits from the ITIL Foundation Level and Intermediate Level modules. After that, you need to clear ITIL Managing Across the Lifecycle (MALC) certification and get a minimum of 22 credits. ITIL Foundation training in Tokyo can help you achieve the required credits.
There are multiple ITIL Foundation training courses in Tokyo available online. Comparing them based on their cost, accreditations, time, and mentors, you will be able to identify the best one for yourself. You can also talk to well-established professionals in the field to make the process smoother.
Our ITIL training course comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. Simplilearn believes in our highly effective blended learning methodology and its ability to provide learners with the knowledge and confidence to pass the ITIL 4 Foundation exam in the first attempt. If you do not pass the ITIL 4 Foundation exam on the first attempt, Simplilearn will refund the ITIL course price to you.
To ensure your success, we strongly recommend that you take the ITIL 4 Foundation exam within a week of the ITIL course completion date—or a maximum of 45 days from the completion of the online training. This way, the ITIL course materials will be fresh in your mind.
|Time Frame
|Money back
|Within 45 days of course completion
|Did Not Pass
|Refund full course price (including exam fees)
Refund Process: If you do not pass the exam in the first attempt, Simplilearn will refund the full course price to you. To receive a refund, you must make a request through the Help and Support Forum. You must submit a copy of your scorecard along with the date you completed your online classroom training. Simplilearn will refund the course price within 30 days of receiving all required documentation. We will process the refund using the same method you used to pay for the course.
Terms and Conditions: This money-back guarantee applies only to Simplilearn's ITIL 4 Foundation instructor-led Training. It is not applicable for Simplilearn's Self-Paced Learning ITIL 4 Foundation courses. The guarantee is valid only for participants who have paid the entire enrollment fee.
The guarantee becomes void if:
All of our highly qualified trainers are ITIL®-certified with more than 15 years of experience in training and working in the IT domain.
ITIL certification is ideal for IT professionals who wish to make service improvements for their IT organization. The ITIL framework provides a common language in delivering IT services—including interacting with suppliers and customers more effectively to overcome any challenges between IT and business to achieve targeted results. Since the ITIL Certification is a gold standard in the IT service management industry, it provides basic knowledge about the concepts, core principles, and best practices of IT service management industry.
Yes. The ITIL V4 certification exam fee is included in the ITIL course fee.
If you are interested in getting certified in ITIL you can get started with this ITIL course to learn everything about ITIL 4 and get certified.
Effective from 1st Jan'23 ITIL 4 Foundation certification will hold validity of 3 years unless renewed. Three main renewal routes to maintain certified status:
Retaking an examination before the certification expiry date.
Note: Affect every certification from 3 years prior to the above date with transition period of 6 months
The ITIL 4 Foundation certificate does not expire.
Online classroom training for ITIL® is conducted via live streaming and run by an ITIL-certified trainer with more than 15 years of work and training experience. The class is attended by a global audience to enrich your learning experience.
All of the classes are conducted via live online streaming. They are interactive sessions that enable you to ask questions and participate in discussions during class time. We also provide recordings of each session you attend if you miss a ITIL training session or for future reference.
Combining an ITIL certification with other certifications can significantly increase your salary range. For example, a Cisco certification holder who earns about $83,000 a year can jump to more than $96,000 in salary with an ITIL certification.
The tools you'll need to attend ITIL training are:
The ITIL Certification Scheme comprises of the following levels:
One of the main characteristics of the new ITIL 4 certification scheme is that it now
follows two different designation streams: ITIL Managing Professional (ITIL MP) and ITIL
Strategic Leader (ITIL SL). These two streams are intended to provide learners with
greater clarity about how and where they can improve their skills and set them apart
from peers.
To become an ITIL® Managing Professional (ITIL MP) learners must complete the
following modules:
To become an ITIL Strategic Leader (ITIL SL) learners must complete the following
*Universal module for both ITIL® designation streams
In order to be eligible to become an ITIL Master, learners must have both the ITIL
Managing Professional (ITIL MP) and ITIL Strategic Leader (ITIL SL) designations.
Further details about how to become an ITIL Master will be released at a later time studying for the ITIL Foundation exam.
ITIL® 4 should be seen as an expansion of the time-tested ITIL framework, not a replacement. ITIL®4 and ITIL® V3 provide guidance based on the same underlying principles, but ITIL® 4 takes a new approach to present this guidance. While ITIL® 4 retains many of the core elements of ITIL® V3, and much of the existing guidance will be recognizable in parts of ITIL® 4, the new modules are distinct from the old ones.
The transition will be a gradual process, allowing our learners to have enough time to move from ITIL® v3 to ITIL 4 and to continue collecting their ITIL v3 Intermediate credits to enable the transition to ITIL Managing Professional.
Our teaching assistants are a dedicated team of subject matter experts here to help you get certified in your first attempt. They engage students proactively to ensure the ITIL course path is being followed and help you enrich your learning experience, from class onboarding to project mentoring and job assistance. Teaching Assistance is available during business hours.
We offer 24/7 support through email, chat, and calls. We also have a dedicated team that provides on-demand assistance through our community forum. What's more, you will have lifetime access to the community forum, even after completion of your course with us.
Yes, you can cancel your enrollment ITL training. We provide a refund after deducting the administration fee. To learn more, please read our Refund Policy.
ITIL®, or the Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is a gold standard framework in the IT service management industry. The ITIL framework enables organizations to streamline IT services and deliver high-quality solutions while cutting overhead costs and maximizing ROI.
The ITIL framework enables professionals to:
Deliver value across business units
Manage business risks
Develop better relationships with clients and customers
Deliver efficient services
Establish cost-effective processes
Support business changes
Roles and responsibilities of ITIL professionals include:
Responsibility for the entire IT lifecycle
Define strategies, policies, and standards
Ensure the best quality of services offered
Monitor key performance indicators
Guarantee continued improvement in services
Since 2013, AXELOS owns and manages the ITIL certification.
Yes, learners can self-study for the ITIL certification exam. However, attending an accredited ITIL training is recommended since it helps you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts.
Here are some of the job titles of ITIL certified individuals:
Software engineer
ITIL problem manager
Network administrator
ITIL incident management lead
IT project coordinator
Simplilearn provides a free ITIL practice test that contains questions in line with the ITIL certification exam and helps you prepare for the certification exam.
The ITIL certification exam is 60 mins long.
Yes, an certification in ITIL certification training does give you a competitive edge over your competitors.
An individual needs to attend the online classroom training for ITIL Foundation that spans for two and a half days and then pass the associated exam. There is also an option to do independent study and take the training in distance learning mode. AXELOS' Accredited Training Organizations offer such training.
The ITIL Foundation certification is necessary as it introduces professionals to the management of modern IT-enabled services, provides them with an understanding of the common language and key concepts, and shows them how to improve their work with ITIL 4 guidance.
You can download the ITIL certificate from your PeopleCert account after you pass the test.
The ITIL 4 Foundation exams are available in these languages: English, Brazilian Portugese, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Spanish.
You can retake the ITIL Foundation exam by paying the exam fee in case you fail on your first attempt. There is no limit on the number of retakes. However, with our ITIL training, you will be able to ace it comfortably.
Individuals who appear for web-based exams get their score report immediately after completing the ITIL Foundation exam. Those who take a paper-based exam get their result within three days upon receipt of the exam papers.
Tokyo is Japan's leading economic center. With a huge market, it houses several industries and business companies. The manufacturing industry in Tokyo is one of the most well-developed businesses in the city. It produces semiconductors, consumer electronics, optical fibers, optoelectronics, optical media, and copy machines. The automobile industry is also a successful business in Tokyo. Several reputable companies, such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, and Subaru, have established their headquarters in Tokyo. Tourism is another flourishing business in the city. With ITIL Foundation training in Tokyo, you will get a job in any of these industries.
Officially known as Tokyo Metropolis, Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It is an important hub of international business exchange and information. Bearing a population of 13,960,236, Tokyo is the most populated city in Japan. It is the largest city in the country and has an area of 2,194 sq. km. Tokyo has the second-largest economy in the world and is Japan's political and economic center. Tokyo also houses some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, such as The University of Tokyo. In 2018, Tokyo's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was ¥106.6 trillion, with GDP per capita as ¥7.7 million. With a humid climate, the city experiences humid summers and mildly cold winters.
With several tourist attraction spots, Tokyo is an ideal holiday destination. Following are the best places in the city:


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In Massachusetts, A Victory for Fair Elections
By Rob Richie
Yes! Magazine
Our current system for filling the highest office in the land is broken. The current Electoral College system of electing a president in separate state-by-state elections allows losers to win, creates opportunities for partisans to game the system, and leads to most voters' preferences being essentially ignored.
But with a stroke of his pen, Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick yesterday showed that change is possible. By signing the National Popular Vote plan into law, Gov. Patrick made Massachusetts the sixth state to commit to awarding all of its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The law will only go into effect when enough states have enacted identical legislation-i.e. when their total electoral votes add up to 270, the majority necessary to elect a president.
The National Popular Vote plan builds on states' exclusive power to decide how to allocate their electoral votes. Rather than pushing for a federal change to abolish the Electoral College, the plan uses state power to make it obsolete, guaranteeing that the White House goes to the candidate who earns the most votes.
For many Americans, George Bush's win in the 2000 presidential election-despite losing the popular vote to Al Gore by more than a half million votes-is enough reason to back reform. But it's not why the National Popular Vote plan passed the New York State Senate this summer by a vote of 52-7, with Republicans backing it 22-5 and Democrats 30-2. The current system is broken for just about everyone, election after election.
What's the Problem?
Today, nearly every state awards its electoral votes on a winner-take-all basis. If you win a state by 80 percent, you get all its electoral votes. If you only win a state by a single vote, you still get all its electoral votes. That means that you're not going to affect the final outcome by campaigning in states tilting strongly toward one major party-and that means you end up ignoring most of America. Consider a few facts:
- Of 300 major party presidential campaign events tracked by The Washington Post between September 5 and November 4, 2008, 57 percent took place in the four large swing states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. As tracked by CNN from Sept. 24 through Election Day, 55 percent of all presidential campaign ads aired in those same four states.
- More than 98 percent of all campaign events and all campaign spending in the fall took place in 15 states that collectively represent only 37 percent of the nation's eligible voters, effectively sidelining two-thirds of all Americans.
- Voter turnout in those 15 states was 6 percent higher than the rest of the country. In 2004, voters under 30 were a third more likely to vote if they lived in the 10 states with the closest races. It doesn't matter if your state is red or blue-if you know your vote won't count (and no one is working to get it), you're less likely to participate.
- According to one of its key strategists, George W. Bush's campaign for re-election did not poll a single person who lived outside of one of 18 potential battleground states for the final 30 months of the campaign.
These patterns of neglect are getting worse. In 1960, for example, 24 states-with a total of 319 electoral votes between them-were true swing states, where a small shift in the vote could have changed who won the election. In 2008 only nine states, with a total of 115 electoral votes, were considered up for grabs. With partisan divisions showing every indication of becoming more intense, not less, the presidential battleground grows smaller every year.
The Alternative: Every Vote Counts
With a national popular vote, every vote-in every corner of every state-would be equal. Americans could get involved in presidential campaigns, in meaningful ways, in their own communities.
Every American voter should have equal power to elect a president and hold that person accountable. We use popular vote elections to choose every governor and member of Congress, so we know what such elections look like. You help your candidate win by talking to your neighbors, not calling strangers in Ohio or Florida. As the votes are tallied on election night, you know that your vote is counted on an equal basis with everyone else's-and that, when all the counting is done, the candidate with the most votes will win.
Many have assumed that the only way to establish a national popular vote is through amending the Constitution. To be sure, that's one potential approach. But states don't need to sit on their hands and accept their diminished role under the current rules. They have the power to take action. Indeed, they have a constitutional obligation to act.
That's because states have exclusive power to decide how to allocate electoral votes, a power characterized by the Supreme Court as "supreme" and "plenary." States also have the power to enter into formal, binding agreements. There are hundreds of examples of such "interstate compacts," from the Port Authority to the Colorado River Compact. Fewer than a thousand words, the National Popular Vote compact establishes that participating states will award all of their electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote in all 50 states. It is activated if-and only if-the number of participating states collectively have a majority of votes in the Electoral College.
States enter the compact one by one, passing a statute through regular legislative channels. If, by July, 2012, enough states have adopted the compact to collectively hold a majority of electoral votes, the agreement is set in stone for the year-and the White House is guaranteed to the candidate who wins the popular vote. All attention before and after the election will be on the popular vote. Gone will be the red-blue maps on election night and the early projections of winners while western states are still voting. Every voter will count the same, whether it is cast in Maine, Alaska, Texas or Florida.
How Close Are We?
Massachusetts' passage of the law means that 27 percent of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate the National Popular Vote plan are now committed.
Massachusetts' passage of the law means that 27 percent of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate the National Popular Vote plan are now committed. Since the plan's launch in 2006, it has also passed into law in Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington. Bills have been introduced in all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., earned the votes or sponsorship of nearly 2,000 legislators, and won approval in 30 legislative chambers. Endorsers include The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, columnists E.J Dionne and Hendrik Hertzberg, and former members of Congress Tom Campbell (R-CA), Jake Garn (R-UT), John Anderson (R-IL) and Birch Bayh (D-IN). A slew of reform groups have signed on, including FairVote, Common Cause, Demos, the Brennan Center, and the League of Women Voters.
Of course, not everyone supports the proposal. Some argue that the Electoral College helps small states-despite the fact that almost every small state is considered "safe" and is therefore ignored. Some fear that third party candidates will do better with a national popular vote, or that we can't count popular votes fairly. But advocates like FairVote and National Popular Vote have addressed these questions thoroughly and well.With media interest beginning to rise, the proposal's popularity will keep growing. In polls taken by National Popular Vote since the 2008 elections, the number of citizens supporting a national popular vote for president reflects landslide support in many states, including 78 percent in Florida, 75 percent in Iowa, 73 percent in Michigan, 72 percent in Nevada, 74 percent in North Carolina and 78 percent in Pennsylvania. Rarely does a state's poll number dip below 70 percent-and never below 60 percent.
Here's the bottom line: With a national popular vote, presidential campaigns would seek votes everywhere. Every vote-in every corner of every state-would be equal. Americans could get involved in presidential campaigns, in meaningful ways, in their own communities. With the National Popular Vote plan, we finally have a roadmap for change.

subset: commoncrawl


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Helena G. Mesa, program chair and associate professor.
B.A., 1994, Indiana University; M.F.A., 1997, University of Maryland; Ph.D., 2003, University of Houston. Appointed 2003.
Michael Dixon, associate professor.
B.F.A., 1999, Arizona State University; M.F.A., 2005, University of Colorado at Boulder. Appointed 2008.
Eric D. Hill, assistant professor.
B.A., 2004, Oglethorpe University; M.A., 2007, Ph.D., 2010, Arizona State University. Appointed 2010.
Dominick N. Quinney, assistant professor.
B.S., 2007, Ph.D., 2013, Michigan State University. Appointed 2013.
Lynn Verduzco-Baker, assistant professor.
B.A., California State University, Fresno; M.S., Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 2011.


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CRS: Indian and Pakistani Nuclear Weapons Status, February 17, 2005
From WikiLeaks
About this CRS report
This document was obtained by Wikileaks from the United States Congressional Research Service.
The CRS is a Congressional "think tank" with a staff of around 700. Reports are commissioned by members of Congress on topics relevant to current political events. Despite CRS costs to the tax payer of over $100M a year, its electronic archives are, as a matter of policy, not made available to the public.
Individual members of Congress will release specific CRS reports if they believe it to assist them politically, but CRS archives as a whole are firewalled from public access.
This report was obtained by Wikileaks staff from CRS computers accessible only from Congressional offices.
For other CRS information see: Congressional Research Service.
For press enquiries, consult our media kit.
If you have other confidential material let us know!.
For previous editions of this report, try OpenCRS.
Wikileaks release: February 2, 2009
Publisher: United States Congressional Research Service
Title: Indian and Pakistani Nuclear Weapons Status
CRS report number: RS21237
Author(s): Sharon Squassoni, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Date: February 17, 2005
- Abstract
- Until 2005, India and Pakistan were the only states outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to declare, openly, their nuclear weapons capability. In 1998, they tested nuclear weapons and since then, deployed ballistic missiles, enunciated nuclear doctrine, and made organizational changes to their nuclear establishments. In 2002, they teetered on the brink of war in Kashmir. This paper summarizes Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapon capabilities and thinking, and discusses some confidencebuilding measures in place intended to help avert nuclear war.
- Download


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I have lived in Boston my entire life, and yet, I still can't get used to the weather. Ninety-plus degrees and sunny during the Aquapocalypse, now so rainy and cold that I all I want to do is set up camp on my couch, crawl under a blanket, and wait for the 5+ hours of Lost-related television on Sunday night. It's days like these that leave me wanting pasta.
But I'm tired of the heavy pasta dishes that get me through the winter. Lasagna and meat sauces aren't very spring-y. But herbs (albeit not from my own garden yet) and lemon combine with creamy ricotta cheese in a dish that lets me remember that better weather is yet to come.
I threw this dish together on a whim and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. The herbs and lemon are what give the exciting Spring-y flavor, while the creaminess from the cheese is what you want from a comforting pasta bake. I used gemelli for the pasta, but you can use any short shape that is twisty or has a hole, so it can grab the sauce. The recipe is a bit loose on exact amounts because it's so easy to make exactly how you want - want it less creamy? Use less ricotta. More herbs? Go for it. No meat? It's tasty without it (I made it both ways).
Lemon Ricotta Pasta Bake
1 pound gemelli pasta
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/4 cup finely chopped basil
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
2 ounces prosciutto, torn into small pieces
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package.
While pasta is cooking, combine ricotta, lemon zest, basil, parsley, prosciutto, and salt and pepper (to taste) in a large bowl. Mix well until incorporated. When pasta is done cooking, drain and immediately add to ricotta mixture and toss to coat. Pour mixture into a baking dish, top with a good layer of grated parmesan cheese, and pour lemon juice over the top. Bake 15-20 minutes. If the top doesn't brown while cooking, turn the broiler on for a few minutes at the end until it turns a golden brown.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
6 comments:
- We Are Not Martha said...
This looks awesome!! And is definitely right up my alley. I totally feel you... It's spring! But why is it so freaking cold?? Tomorrow is supposed to be 80 degrees at least...
- May 19, 2010 at 7:40 PM
- Renee said...
WOW. This looks delicious!
- May 20, 2010 at 2:42 PM
- Susan said...
Anything with gemelli pasta is good in my book.
- May 20, 2010 at 10:00 PM
I'm always looking for new ways to prepare pasta, and this is now a must-try! The flavors sound perfect for warmer weather!
- May 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM
- adele said...
You had me at ricotta and basil. :)
- May 21, 2010 at 11:24 PM
- Pam said...
Sues - my body can't figure out what to make of this spring - so confused!
Renee, thanks!!
Susan, I'm with you. I like the crazy shapes.
Michelle, thanks! It definitely has the comfort food feeling without being terribly heavy - perfect for spring!
Adele, glad to help :)
- May 25, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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How to Build a Garden Pond DeckUpdated: Jun. 13, 2023
Plans for a rectangular reflecting pond with ground-level boardwalk.
You might also like: TBD
- Time
- Complexity
- Cost
- Multiple Days
- Beginner
- $501-1000
Build this deck and pond
Are you in need of a little serenity? A reflecting pond is just the place to rest your gaze after a trying day. The one we chose for this issue is unique, not only in appearance, but also in building technique.
Most ponds are free-form, informal shapes that have either soft or hard plastic liners dug into the ground. But for ours, we used simple wood walls to frame it and form the base for the surrounding deck. A single-piece rubber liner keeps the water in. And the garden berm that surrounds one end is practical as well as a nice landscaping feature. We simply mounded the soil dug from the pond hole so we wouldn't have to haul it away.
This pond isn't exactly a weekend project. In fact, even if you're in great shape, you should expect to spend the better part of a long day just digging the hole and laying in the gravel footings. The good news is that the construction is simple and doesn't require a bunch of expensive tools. The only power tools you'll need are a circular saw, a screw gun and possibly a plate joiner (or biscuit joiner; Photo 16) for the boardwalk. The techniques we show are simple to master.
How Much Will It Cost?
You can spend as much as $3,000 if you build the "Full Monty" version we show, featuring a state-of-the-art filtration system, expensive exotic decking and concealed fasteners. In fact, we spent about $1,200 just on the hardwood decking (called Ipe; more on this later), including a 14-ft. long boardwalk that connects the pond to a nearby patio. We spent $1,450 more on the pond filtration kit. Keep in mind that garden ponds are notoriously difficult to keep clean; we wanted an almost no-maintenance system.
But you can do this project for less than $1,000 by using standard decking materials and skipping the filtration system altogether.
Planning the project
The first step in planning your pond is to determine its size, depth and location. Size: Our 4 x 8-ft. pond is surrounded by a 30-in.wide boardwalk so it encompasses an area about 8 x 12 ft.
Your pond can be virtually any size or shape you'd like. The basic how-to steps on footings, wall framing and boardwalk will work for almost any layout you choose. Just make sure you select a pond liner and liner pad that'll fit. Determine the liner and pad size by adding the height of both walls to the bottom dimensions plus 2 ft. for both the length and the width. Be aware that fitting the liner and building the boardwalk will be more complicated if you choose an exotic pond shape like a "T."
Pond depth: A 3-ft. depth allows deeper water plants like water lilies to thrive and protects pond fish from predators.
Whatever depth you choose, make sure the tops of the pond walls stand above the surrounding grade at least 5 in. and at most 10 in. so the boardwalk footing design will work with your pond. It's smart to dig the hole, then pour in the gravel base and measure to grade to determine the final stud height.
Location: For this pond design, you should have an area in your yard that has less than 8 in. of grade change over the footprint of the pond and boardwalk. To help pick a location, lay out a garden hose that outlines the boardwalk. You'll be surprised at just how large an area it encompasses, especially when you include room for the berm.
Overhanging trees will retard water plant growth and drop lots of leaves in the water, so it's best to avoid them if possible. Once you're satisfied with the location, use our technique of laying out the pond hole and berm position. Then use stakes and strings and "upside down" marking paint to prepare for excavation (Photo 1).
Winterizing: If you live in a freezing climate, you'll have to drain the pond halfway and remove the pump. Fish and some plants won't make it through the winter. You may have to bring them inside.
Ponds are drowning hazards for children. This design is especially hazardous because the overhanging boardwalk makes climbing out difficult. If children have access to your yard, build a fence with a lockable gate around the pond.
Digging the hole
Photo 2: Level the hole
Dig a hole about 4 in. deeper than your desired pond depth, then fill the bottom with 4 in. of gravel. Drive 2×2 stakes in the middle of the wall positions at each corner and drive them down slightly below the top of the gravel. Choose one of the stakes as your benchmark and level across to the tops of the other with a 4-ft. level and straight 2×4, driving them down until they're all even.
After marking the pond and berm with spray paint, throw the excavated dirt into the berm perimeter. You'll be able to sculpture the berm's final shape and size as you excavate. We suggest digging the hole only 1 ft. larger than the pond walls to minimize digging and the amount of gravel fill needed against the pond walls (Photo 10). But in loose soils, the hole walls may begin caving in and you may have to dig a larger hole.
Don't let the hole sit for days on end before you set up the pond walls because the sides will eventually collapse, especially if it rains.
Choose the highest grade point to determine digging depth and dig down 32 in. from that point. That way the 36-in. high pond lip will still be several inches above grade after you add the gravel footing. Use any type of clean gravel or sand for the 4-in. deep pond footing and base.
The finer the gravel, the easier it is to level. Just roughly level the gravel with a steel rake, then follow the simple method we show using stakes and a screed board to level the gravel footings directly under the walls (Photos 2 and 3). If your soil is sand, only dig a 38-in. deep hole, skip the gravel and use the sand for the footings, liner base and backfill.
Treated wood walls
Photo 4: Install the footing plates
Cut the treated 2×6 footing plates to length, then lay them on the gravel and toenail the ends together with 16d nails. Stand on the footing plates and settle them into the gravel by pounding on them with another 2×6. Settle the entire perimeter by walking along it as you pound.
Photo 5: Build the walls
Cut the 2×4 studs and plates to length (follow Figure A for dimensions). Assemble the pond walls as shown by nailing the studs to the plates with two galvanized 16d nails at each end.
Photo 6: Tie the walls together with top plates
Center the walls on the footing plates and tack the corner studs together with a 16d galvanized box nail. Square the walls by measuring opposite corners diagonally and shifting the walls until the measurements match, then nail the tie plates to the top plates with two 16d nails spaced every 12 in. and four more nails in the ends as shown. Predrill three evenly spaced 3/16-in. holes and bolt the corners together with 1/4 x 3-in. lag screws.
Photo 7: Add the plywood sides
Cut the 3/4-in. treated plywood to size and fasten it to the wall studs with 2-in. deck screws spaced every 6 in. Then rip and cut to length 45-degree 2×2 "cant" strips and screw them to the inside corners with 3-in. deck screws. Finally, spread a level 2-in. layer of sand on the floor of the pond, banking the edges up the walls a couple of inches.
We recommend ground contact (.40 retention) treated wood for the wall, footings and deck framing. If foundation-grade lumber (.60 retention) is available at the lumberyard, choose it for all the below-grade materials and the pond structure will last virtually forever. Use double hot-dipped galvanized nails for fastening the framing but screw the plywood to the inside with deck screws. Nails could work their way out and puncture the liner.
Note that each layer of pond wall plates overlaps the one below it (Figure A, in Additional Information, below). That's to spread the load over a larger area, help tie everything together and even out slight inconsistencies in heights.
Installing the liner and the liner pad
Photo 8: Center the skimmer in the opening
Adjust the skimmer until it's centered over the opening and even with the top edge of the pond wall. Use gravel to elevate or level the skimmer basket as necessary. Hold it in place with a few shovelfuls of gravel around the bottom. Center the pond liner over the pond and tuck it into the inside bottom edges of the pond walls. Fold over the corners as neatly as possible.
The liner pad protects the rubber liner from being punctured by sharp stones and rough framing surfaces. Before you install the liner pad, carefully inspect the walls and take care of protruding fastener heads, splinters or sharp stones that could work their way through and puncture the waterproof pond liner.
It's easiest to install the liner pad by cutting a separate piece slightly larger than the bottom and then cutting separate pieces for the sides. They hang over the pond lip and drape over the walls (stapled to the outside), overlapping the bottom liner. You can cut up the liner pad as much as you need to as long as you overlap the pieces. Keep pleats and folds to a minimum and the pond liner will fit better.
We spread out the pond liner on the grass and roughly cut it to size with a utility knife before dragging it over the pond and pushing it into position. It's easy to catch it on sharp objects and puncture it, so be careful. Slip out of your shoes and work in your socks when standing on top of the liner and fitting it against the walls. The key to a good-looking job is neat corner pleats, so spend some time on careful folds. After filling the pond with water, tack the liner around the outside with roofing nails and cut off the excess.
Customizing the skimmer and biofilter
Photo 9: Cut out the skimmer opening
Press the liner against the skimmer and trace the opening onto the liner with a felt-tip marker (leave plenty of slack at the bottom to allow for settling when you add the water). Draw an opening 1-1/2 in. smaller than the tracing on all four sides, using a 2×4 spacer block. That allows the flange to overlap the rubber for a good seal. Then cut out the opening with a scissors.
The skimmer and biofilter (see "Buy a Biofilter, or Drain and Scrub.") need customizing to work in your particular pond. First of all, you'll have to measure the width of the skimmer inlet, including the skimmer flange (Photo 9). Custom-size the wall opening to fit your skimmer opening.
We recommend making it about 4 in. wider than the skimmer flange to accommodate folding the liner through the wall and screwing it to the skimmer basket. The opening height isn't too important, since the basket sits outside the wall. After the liner is clamped to the skimmer, fill the space between the wall opening and the liner with sand to support the liner against the pressure of the water (Figure A, in Additional Information, below).
The pumps that come with the kits are generally powerful enough to drive a sizable waterfall over the lip on the biofilter. To throttle down the water flow to the trickle needed for the sluice, buy a separate PVC valve to fit in the hose leading from the skimmer to the biofilter (Photo 11). But simply replacing the kit pump with a smaller one may make more sense because it'll cost less to run.
Buy a pump that lifts water 6 ft. (it'll say on the back of the pump box) and a smaller hose that fits the pump outlet and is long enough to reach from the skimmer to the biofilter. Drill holes above the water lines of both the skimmer and the biofilter baskets for threading the hose through and connecting the new pump. The water line in the biofilter must run all the way to the bottom of the biofilter so the water can flow up through the filtration system. Keep the larger pump for draining the pond when necessary.
Our biofilter came with a separate lip that functions as a spillway or built-in waterfall. We discarded the lip and cut a replacement spillway out of decking and then cut a slot to receive the sluice (Figure B, in Additional Information, below, and Photo 20). The replacement spillway is then caulked and screwed into the biofilter spillway opening and the sluice is sealed in the slot with silicone caulk.
Under the boardwalk
Photo 10: Backfill the wall with gravel
Fill the pond with the garden hose, backfilling the pond walls with gravel at the same rate as the water fills the pond. Stop filling when the water flows into and fills the skimmer basket.
Photo 11: Level the biofilter basket
Dig the hole for the biofilter basket. Center it in the middle of the pond wall. Add or remove gravel to adjust the basket to make the top level in both directions. Do the same to make the bottom of the spillway opening level with the top of the pond walls. Then dig the trench for the water line.
Photo 12: Attach the water line and reinstall the biofilter basket
Pull the biofilter basket out of the hole and attach the water line following the manufacturer's directions. Then lower the basket back into the hole and check the placement and exact height again before backfilling around the basket.
Photo 13: Attach the ledgers
Cut 2×4 pond deck ledgers to fit as shown, then space them 1-1/2 in. above the pond walls using a 2×4 block as a guide. Tack them to the tie plate with a few 3-in. deck screws. Then bolt them to the tie plates with 1/4 x 3-in. lag screws spaced every 18 in. Bore 1-in. dia. countersink holes in the ledgers at the ends of the pond so the lag screwheads are just below the face of the 2x4s. Screw a 2×2 block to the top of the wall in front of the skimmer basket for the access panel support.
Photo 14: Attach the beams
Bolt outrigger joists to the pond ledgers, projecting the ends 16-1/2 in. past the pond ledgers. Cut two 4x4s 33 in. longer than the side pond ledger boards, then center them on the pond and slide them under the ledger ends. Cut the end 4x4s to fit between the side 4x4s and nestle them into the gravel until they're flush with the tops of the side 4x4s.
Dig the shallow 24-in. wide boardwalk footings before the pond is filled with water and backfilled with gravel. That way you can pour gravel against the pond walls and fill the footings at the same time (Photo 10). But if you have crumbly soil, it's best to dig the footings after the pond is backfilled to keep soil from caving in against the walls.
The footing depth should be about 10 in. below the pond rim everywhere. If the terrain is slightly sloped, the 4-in. deep gravel footing will slope as well. Don't worry about the slight slope; just try to rake out obvious humps for a consistent surface.
After you place and roughly grade the 4-in. deep gravel, it's just a matter of nestling the 4×4 "grade beams" into the gravel the correct distance away from the wall (Photo 14). They don't have to be perfectly level, just fully supported by the gravel. You'll be able to make the fine adjustments when you attach the 2×6 grade beam ledgers to the 4×4 grade beams.
Dig the skimmer and biofilter basket holes deeper than needed and fine-tune the bottom heights by adding gravel. It's easier to level than soil.
Ipe decking and invisible fasteners
Photo 15: Install the beam ledgers
Cut the beam ledgers to length and fasten them to the 4×4 grade beams. Keep the top edges even with the pond ledgers (they will be level). Bolt them to the grade beams. Note: If your site is sloped, a 2×6 may not reach high enough. You may have to use 2x8s or even 2x10s on some of the low sides. We had to use 2x8s along one side and one end wall.
Photo 16: Cut biscuit slots in the decking
Lay a 32-in. deck board in place (Photo 18). It should extend about 4 in. over the pond edge. Mark the board at the centers of the pond ledger, grade beams ledger and about 3 in. from the pond end. Use the board as a pattern to mark biscuit placement points on both edges of other deck boards. Cut No. 20 biscuit slots on the adjoining edges.
Photo 17: Install the decking
Center the first board on the long side and fasten it. Center and cut a 5-1/2 in. wide notch on the biofilter-side pond ledgers and grade beam ledgers even with the pond lip. Starting on the side opposite the biofilter, center and fasten the middle deck board. Install the deck boards in both directions until they're about 4 to 5 in. from the ends of the pond. On the biofilter side, start the decking on both sides of the slot.
Photo 18: Build the access panel
Cut two 23-in. long 2x2s for the access panel deck. Temporarily screw one to the grade beam ledger directly above the skimmer with 3-in. deck screws and lay one on the pond lip as shown. Center and fasten the four access panel deck boards to the 2x2s. Temporarily remove the outrigger joist (Figure B) if necessary to install blocking near the deck splice, then replace it before completing the decking.
Photo 19: Finish install the decking boards
Install the rest of the decking boards on both sides of the access panel. Join the ends of decking to the edges of decking running the opposite direction with EB-TY biscuits to keep everything aligned and flat. Snap lines along the edges of the deck and trim the perimeter with a circular saw for straight edges.
Photo 20: Build the sluice
Rip a 5-ft. long deck board for the two sides (see Figure B), then caulk and screw it to the sides of another 5-ft. long deck board to form the sluice. Cut a length of decking to fit the width of the biofilter spillway. Clamp it in place and use a level to mark the sluice slot. The bottom of the slot should be 1 in. higher than the pond rim. Remove the board, cut the slot, then caulk and screw the board to the biofilter. Attach the sluice to the opening with silicone.
Our boardwalk is made of a tropical hardwood named Ipe. At twice the price of 5/4 x 6 standard decking cedar or about the same price as clear cedar, it's not for everyone. Because the wood we chose is so clear and beautiful, we decided to use an invisible fastening system called EB-TY so unsightly screw- or nailheads wouldn't mar the appearance. If you don't want to use this system, stainless steel trim head screws would be another good option. The EB-TY system is a variation of standard plate joinery with plastic biscuits substituted for wooden ones.
You'll need a plate joiner to cut the slots into the decking edges for the biscuits. Then you slip the plastic biscuits into the slots and screw them into the joists with the stainless steel screws included with the kit. Biscuits are also added to the deck boards overhanging the pond but are not secured to any joists. They further support the overhang and keep the decking aligned. Deck boards that aren't biscuited to neighboring boards need to be face screwed.
Buy a Biofilter, or Drain and Scrub
You have a decision to make about how much time you want to spend caring for your pond. We purchased a pond kit that included the liner pad, liner, pump, hose, skimmer and biofilter for about $1,400. You can also purchase all the parts separately over the Internet or at larger garden centers. The biofilter contains bacteria that cleanse the water of the nutrients that feed pond-choking algae. The system is reasonably easy to install and keeps your pond clean and balanced.
The kit makes the pond virtually maintenance free. Here's how the system works: Water flows from the pond into the skimmer where mesh catches larger debris. At the bottom of the skimmer, a pump sends the water to the biofilter, where it rises through the filter. Now clean, the water flows out the basket to run down the sluice and back into the pond.
For a cheap alternative to the biofilter system, drain the pond a few times during the summer with a sump pump and scrub the algae from the bottom and sides. Refill the pond with fresh water.
Fish waste will accelerate algae growth, so you'll reduce the work by banning fish from your pond. You'll still have to buy the liner pad, the liner and a small pump if you want to put in a sluice. The pump can rest on the bottom of the pond with a water line leading under the boardwalk to the top of the sluice. Take care to choose a pump that can lift water at least 6 ft.
Additional Information
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.
- Biscuit joiner
- Caulk gun
- Chalk line
- Circular saw
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set
- Hammer
- Hearing protection
- Level
- Miter saw
- Safety glasses
- Screw gun
- Spade
- Speed square
- Tool belt
- Utility knife
- Wheelbarrow
Required Materials for this Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.
- 1/4 x 3" lag screws with washers (40)
- 16d galvanized box nails
- 2 x 2 stakes
- 2-in. deck screws
- 2x4 10' (1)
- 2x4 10' (6)
- 2x4 8' (15)
- 2x4 8' (2)
- 2x6 10' (1 )
- 2x6 8' (2)
- 3-in. deck screws
- 3/4" gravel (2.5 yds.)
- 3/4" plywood 4x8 (3)
- Access panel framing (treated) 2x2 8' (1)
- Biofilter
- Decking 5/4 x 6 8' (23)
- EB-TY deck fasteners (200)
- End grade beam ledgers (treated) 2x6 10' (2)
- End grade beams (treated) 4x4 8' (2)
- End pond ledgers (treated) 2x4 10' (1)
- Garden hose
- Landscaping paint
- No. 20 biscuit slots
- Outrigger joists (treated) 2x4 10' (2)
- Pond liner
- Sand (5 yds.)
- Side grade beam ledgers (treated) 2x6 12' (2)
- Side grade beams (treated) 4x4 12' (2)
- Side pond ledgers (treated) 2x4 10' (2)


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You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 65:5-8
You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,


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This is a re-post from last year but hey, it all still applies. What are your traditions?
The stroke of midnight comes earliest to Tonga in the South Pacific but Auckland, New Zealand which is just west of the International Date Line is the first major city to welcome in the New Year.This means Lou @ The Quiet Life will probably have the first hangover of 2010.
Ecuador created elaborate effigies which they burn at midnight. These represent people and events that have been a problem to you in the past year. They make them out of straw, newspaper and old clothes. They make paper mache masks for them and stuff them with firecrackers. They also eat 12 grapes each before midnight and they make a wish with each grape. They wear yellow underwear to attract positive energy for the coming year and they walk around the block with a suitcase to bring them the journey of their dreams. These would seem to be very superstitious people.
Mexico and Venezuela follow some of these same traditions as Ecuador such as the grapes and the luggage and the underwear.
Germany calls it Silvester and the celebration in Berlin is attended by over a million people. They have a lot of fireworks and also broadcast Dinner for One. A catchphrase from the show "same procedure as every year" is often repeated.
Lola @ Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino and see if she has her red undies on. Lentils and a spiced Italian sausage are often served at dinner and the President of the Republic gives a televised greeting.


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Story highlights
Boeing completed and rolled out first Dreamliner 787-9 over the weekend
Fuel-efficient new plane awaits flight and delivery
Air New Zealand will receive the first 787-9 in mid-2014
It's been a year of mishaps, but Boeing finally has some good news.
The Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer announced over the weekend it had completed its first 787-9 Dreamliner.
A larger incarnation of the 787-8, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is 206 feet long – 20 feet longer than its predecessor – and holds 40 more passengers.
Its range is also greater, at 8,000-8,500 nautical miles, versus the 787-8s 7,650-8,200 nautical miles.
Like the 787-8, the new plane uses 20% less fuel than other planes its size.
The new plane rolled out of the factory in Everett, Washington, and is in the flight line awaiting its first flight by Boeing teams.
The plane will be delivered to Air New Zealand, its first customer, in mid-2014.
More: What's so special about the 787 Dreamliner?
This year, Boeing has had a total of 82 orders to date for the 787, with the largest order of 42 planes coming from American Airlines. Singapore Airlines has the second largest order for 787s with 30 planes ordered.
Approximately 40 percent of all 787 orders to date (not just this year) are for the 787-9.
Boeing's second and third 787-9 planes remain in final assembly. The company says the schedule is "on track."
A troublesome year
The announcement is one of the few celebratory moments for the company in recent months.
The four-month global grounding of the entire Dreamliner fleet after an ANA flight was diverted following a battery fire in January was the first such global grounding in 30 years. The grounding was lifted at the end of April.
Since the dramatic ANA incident, Dreamliner's list of problems have gone on to include a United Airlines emergency landing in Houston due to brake problems, a fire on an Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner at Heathrow Airport and plane groundings and investigations into a faulty fuel pump indicator, an electric panel, a plane oven and emergency beacons.
As well as being lighter and more fuel efficient than other similar aircraft, the Dreamliner's in-cabin experience is different too.
It has bigger, dimmable windows (out go the pull-down shutters), it has LED mood lighting and is pressurized at 6,000 feet rather than 8,000 feet, making air sickness less likely.
"We are working with our supplier partners to continue to introduce improvements to the 787-8 to enhance reliability, just as we do for all of our airplane models," said Boeing's communications representative Julie O'Donnell. "As the 787-8 and 787-9 share a high degree of commonality, we will apply relevant improvements to the 787-9 as appropriate."


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Our Instructors change the lives of students every day. Fill out an employment application and learn more about becoming a part of The Tutoring Center® Team.


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The folks from MIT made their way to the NYC Maker Faire, and of course brought a pair of Chibikarts. [Nancy Ouyang] wouldn't allow those portable go karts take center stage at the MIT booth though; her Hexarideablepod (yes, that's what she calls it) saw much more action from the kids clamoring to take something for a drive.
From the video above, [Nancy] shows off her six-legged, tennis ball-footed creation. The entire machine is powered by car batteries and is controlled via two joysticks in something resembling driving a tank.
As per [Nancy]'s wishes, I must mention that this project was for MITERS, a.k.a. the people from MIT that came down to Maker Faire.
Proper video after the break. The Internet at Maker Faire is horrible, give me a break.
Filed under: transportation hacks


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18 months special financing available*
On purchases of $499 or more with your Warners' Stellian credit card. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional purchase is not paid in full within 18 months. Minimum monthly payments required.
|Shop by category
*Qualifying purchase amount must be on one receipt. No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo purchase from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo purchase by the end of the promo period. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the remaining promo balance. For new accounts: purchase APR is 29.99%. Minimum interest charge is $2. Existing cardholders: see your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.


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(For our current challenge, please go here.)
It's another fun Saturday at Send a Smile 4 Kids because we get to make 6 lucky and talented participants in our Anything Goes 4 Kids challenge very happy! We have three lucky winners of our sponsor prizes and we are also announcing our Top Three. First up is the sponsor prizes where the winners are drawn randomly. The lucky winner of the 3 digis from Crafty Sentiments is #55 Mary D! The winner of the 10 pound gift certificate from Liliof the Valley is #65 Angie! And the winner of Tiddly Ink's $12 gift certificate is #31 Anna! Congratulations ladies! Please grab your winner's blog badge from the side of the blog and send me an email at khasheck at gmail dot com and I will put you in touch with the sponsor to claim your prize.
Now for our Top Three as chosen by TEAM S.A.S. in no particular order. Remember to see any of the winner's blogs or our sponsor's websites, just click on their names.
Top Three Card by Marianne
Top Three Card by #2 Jen L.
Top Three Card by Tonya H.
What awesome cards for kids! Thanks for sharing your talents with us this week ladies, and be sure to grab our Top Three blog badge to put on your blog with pride. If you would like to join us as a guest design team member on a future challenge, just send me an email at khasheck at gmail dot com.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM THE SAS4KIDS FAMILY! The SAS4Kids design team is taking the rest of the month off to enjoy the holidays with our family and friends. So that means you have until Friday January 4th at noon CST to enter our current challenge for a chance at some great sponsor prizes and/or the top three. It is not required that you donate your card after entering, but our kids in the eight children's hospitals we currently serve would sure love it if you did. For all the info you need to know before donating your card(s), just click on the tabs at the top of the blog. Thanks!
Stamping smiles 4 Kids, Karen


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Antler Logo Card Organiser
Sleek and elegant, the Antler Logo Card Organiser befits all men. It is a thoughtful and practical gift for groomsmen, fathers, husbands, colleagues and perhaps even your boss. Have yours engraved wtih his initials or name creating your very own antler logo design.
The Antler Logo Card Organiser is a perfect gift for the man who has everything! Elegant and compact, each card holder comes with an organiser for cards to be easily displayed once opened. A secure closure is installed to ensure your cards are kept safely inside.
Dimensions: 9.5cm x 6.8cm x 1.2cm deep. Includes 6 slots.
Material: metal
Please allow at least 3 working days for your item to be personalised.
Additional Notes:
- Your items will be personalised with text exactly as you present to us.
- Items personalised as per order cannot be returned. Carefully double check spelling and capitalisation.
- Our designers will use their discretion when fitting your message into the space available.


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Tag Archives: affiliate marketing software open source
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Posted on February 19, 2010 by Micheal Savoie
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text: Henry Harrisse (1829-1910) was born in France and emigrated to the US in the 1840s. He taught at a school in South Carolina before becoming instructor of French at the University, where he taught from 1853 to 1856 while simultaneously studying law. He practiced law in Chicago (1857-59) and New York (1859-70) before returning to France. His avid interest in early American history led him to publish some ninety books, pamphlets, and articles, for which work the French government made him a member of the Legion of Honor.


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Distilling the world's most popular sport into a video game isn't an easy task. Aside from capturing the atmosphere of the game--the satisfying thump of boot on football, the on-pitch dramas created between player and referee, and the ferocious roar of the crowd as the ball sails into the back of the net--there are other considerations too. Some players want to manage their teams. Others want to live out their dreams of football stardom. Still others want to put their skills to the test against the best in the world, all the while clamouring for as realistic an experience as possible. FIFA 12 lets you do all of these things and more. A new tactical defending system, player impact engine, and head-to-head seasons are just some of the excellent new features it offers. But it's the new EA Sports Football Club that's the real draw, bringing with it an addictive levelling system that pits you against the world's players, keeping track of your own progress and that of your favourite team too. Not only is FIFA 12 the best game in the series, it's also one of the most exciting, accurate, and complete sports games around.
If you're a longtime FIFA player, then the changes to defending in this year's game might come as a bit of a shock. A new tactical defending system has been implemented that drastically changes the way you play. In previous versions of FIFA, a common tactic when defending was to hold down the two "pressing" buttons, which sent players in to close down attackers and win the ball, requiring little in the way of skill. That tactic no longer works. Instead of rushing in to take the ball, your player now just tracks the attacker and remains a few feet away, keeping him held back. This system of containing the opposition requires more thought than simply sticking a leg in and hoping for the best. You have to actively time when to tackle or decide if it's better to simply hold a player back, rather than rush in for the ball, miss the tackle, and have the opposition pass.
If the opposition does get past, you now have the option of jostling them--that is, pulling on their shirt or using your player's arm to hold them back. This is a neat feature that brings the game closer to how the real-life sport is played, with new player animations making it look more realistic. Be warned, though; pull too many shirts, and the referee won't hesitate to throw a yellow, or even a red, card your way. Other improvements to the animation lie in the new player impact engine. This adds a physics system that simulates the impact between two players during tackles or other forms of contact. If you go in for a particularly aggressive tackle and slam into the player, the resulting animation is rarely the same twice, depending on the build and strength of the two players in question. Both or just one of you may end up in a heap on the pitch, while passing players leap over fallen bodies to get past. On the whole, the system works well, adding another layer of realism to the game. It's not infallible, though, and there are times when you see some comical rag-doll-physics-like animations as players flop over the pitch.
More tweaks to the controls come in the form of precision dribbling, which enable you to control the ball more accurately in close quarters. For example, when you get near the touchline, your player automatically knows he's there and retains tighter control of the ball to keep it in play. The system also affords you the ability to use small, quick touches to control the ball, letting you perform sharp turns and making it easier to beat the opposition's defence. You can shield yourself from other players while dribbling too, rather than being rooted to the spot like in previous games, giving you another way to get past defenders. These enhancements make FIFA 12 the most realistic representation of the sport yet. Scoring goals is trickier, with teams working together to implement strong lines of defence, but the game is all the better for it. You have to work harder, with a greater amount of skill required than ever before. These changes make those moments when you manage to score all the more satisfying.
You can break out your newfound dribbling and defending skills in a number of modes, many of which have carried over from last year. These include Career mode, which lets you compete as a single player working through a 15-year career; as a player manager, where you manage your team's lineup and compete on the pitch; or as a manager, where you take a backseat to the on-pitch action and instead focus on tactics and building up your squad. There's something for everyone, and if you tire of one mode, you can easily switch between them at any time to mix things up. There's also an array of tournaments to play through, from the F.A. Cup through to custom leagues and knockout tournaments.
A combination of new and returning online modes make FIFA 12 the most feature-packed version of the game yet. New this year are Head to Head Seasons and Online Friendlies. Head to Head Seasons is an online league, split into different divisions. You start in division 10, and at the end of each 10-game season your results determine whether you get promoted or, at the very least, avoid relegation to a lower division. You get three points for a win and one for a draw, with the number of points needed for promotion getting increasingly higher as you progress. Each division also has its own cup to win, starting with the EA Shield for lower divisions, through to the Premier Cup for the top tier. Tournaments for cups take place every few weeks, so you've always got another chance to compete for some silverware if you miss out the first time. Your performance is tracked too, so you can see how you compare to the rest of the online community, with a table showing you how many players are in each division.
Online Friendlies is an evolution of unranked matches from FIFA 11. While you still play friendly games against your friends, the results are tracked. Every friend you play against creates a new season, with the two of you having 10 matches in which to earn more points and beat each other. At the end of the season, the winner receives another trophy for the cabinet. This makes playing against your friends all the more exciting, particularly if you're competing in regular matches, giving you all the excitement of the ranked leagues without having to play with strangers. If you do delve into playing with random opponents, though, things have been tweaked so matches are fairer. Instead of searching for a match and then picking a club--which usually results in everyone playing as a five-star team--you now pick your team before searching for an opponent. The game automatically finds an opponent with a similar level team and takes into account your division, skill, location, controls, and Did Not Finish percentage (rage quitters beware!), ensuring that most matches are even.
Whichever mode you play in--online or offline--all your hard work is kept track of in FIFA 12's excellent EA Sports Football Club. At its simplest, the mode keeps track of your experience points, which are awarded to you in any game mode, giving you an overall level that you can compare to others worldwide. It's only when you delve deeper that the real fun begins. You can choose to support any real-life club from around the world, with your accomplishments and experience going toward them, regardless of what team you're playing as. This gives your favourite real-life team an overall position on global league tables, with the league resetting each week to allow for fresh competition. Fans of smaller clubs aren't at a disadvantage either, as scores for each team are based on averages, so even if you team's fan base is outnumbered when compared to the likes of Manchester United or Real Madrid, you're still in with a shot.
Competing to progress your favourite team up the table, even if it is a virtual one, is very compelling. Seeing your team slip down even one notch on the leaderboard is enough to spur you on to play more matches. There are also plans for EA Sports Football Club to incorporate real events from the world of football. These will include different challenges and storylines to play through. For example, if Liverpool beats Everton in the real world, that could be turned into a FIFA challenge where you could replay the match and try to avenge Liverpool. It's an interesting concept, and how well it works depends largely on any drama going on in the real world, and the ability for EA's dedicated writing staff to turn that into an interesting challenge. Integration with other FIFA games, such as on mobile devices and social networks, is also promised, letting you earn experience points regardless of which version of FIFA you're playing. And if that's not enough for you, the FIFA Ultimate Team mode that was released for previous games as DLC is now included for free too, letting you build a team of players by competing in matches and trading player cards.
Whichever mode you play in, you're treated to the slick presentation that the series is famed for. Menus are easy to navigate, the commentary is exciting and well delivered, and the visuals are as crisp as ever. It's easy to recognise your favourite players as they line up on the pitch, with official licences ensuring they sport the right kit too. And with the addition of the player impact engine, animations are more realistic than they've ever been. Excellent online modes and improved player handling further cement FIFA 12 as football at its best--gloriously deep, rewarding, addictive, and as close as you can get to the real thing without donning a pair of boots.


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The $14 billion Summer Olympics: Why does London even want them?
Unlike recent past hosts of the Olympic Games, London has nothing to prove to anyone. Yet it has paid handsomely to hold the Games – for reasons that go beyond mere prestige.
| London
As London prepares to throw the world a $14 billion party, it seems fair to ask the question: What does it get out of the bargain aside from some shiny medals, pleasant memories, and an excess of David Beckham bobblehead dolls?
Salt Lake got to show that its Mormon community was open to the world. Turin got to show that it was not the Detroit of Europe. China got to give the world a glimpse of the superpower-to-be. And Vancouver got to show the world that Canadians are not, in fact, Americans.
But London? It hasn't had anything to prove to the world since Waterloo, and the supposed economic benefits of hosting the Olympics have long been dubious. Some experts say the Olympics are a net gain, boosting trade and global prestige. Other experts say those experts are bonkers. One thing that seems certain is that the cause of the current global malaise is not a shortage of Olympic velodromes.
So have cities like London, Paris, Madrid, and Tokyo – who have all bid for the Games at some point in the past decade – simply taken leave of their senses? Why does any city without a global chip on its shoulder want the Olympics, with all its traffic jams, stadium projects, and cosseted International Olympic Committee barons?
London's answer to that question gives a hint at what the Olympics are becoming, as well as how hosting the Olympics could potentially leave a lasting and positive impact on a city that doesn't really need them.
In a word, the answer is: infrastructure. True, the average citizen does not go to bed on Christmas Eve dreaming of tearing open "improved infrastructure" the next morning, but for city officials, its four syllables are a siren song. While Salt Lake, Beijing, and the rest saw the Olympics as a ticket into an exclusive club – the cost of buying dearly desired global cred – London wants to show the world how to use the Games to resuscitate forgotten parts of a city.
Olympic Park is not remotely near anything a tourist would recognize as London. It is in Stratford, which over the years had become London shorthand for "industrial blight." And the Olympics were a unique lever to effect a profound transformation.
"The single massive positive impact of the Olympics is the clearing and redevelopment of a vast, unusable space," says Tony Travers, a professor at the London School of Economics who has followed the Olympic process here. "It is now all cleaned up and ready to use for a city with a fast-growing population."
Without the Olympics, Professor Travers doubts whether the land would ever have been reclaimed. At the least, he says, it would have taken as many as 60 years. The reason for that is as obvious as the $14 billion estimated budget for the London Organizing Committee of the Olympics Games.
Originally, officials had promised a $3.9 billion Games, with $1.6 billion of that to reclaim the Stratford land. In 2006, environmental analyses made it apparent that it would cost $8 billion to reclaim the land alone. But with the Olympics already secured, there was no choice but to do it.
In doing so, London has added a new chapter to the Olympic history book. It is trying to carve out a new standard for the Summer Olympic Games hosts – one might call it the anti-Beijing model. The Games are used to further specific urban redevelopment visions, and everything else gets a minimum of fuss.
The new train system to serve Olympic Park and beyond? That's high speed and state of the art. But the Olympic Stadium? Plans for it to be encased in costly LED screens were scrapped. After the Games, it will be downsized and handed over to West Ham United, a local professional soccer club. The wings of the "Stingray" – the aquatics venue – will be removed to leave a cozier stadium that can be used by the community as well as for competitions.
The basketball stadium? It's a 12,000-seat Hefty bag, basically. It is not permanent and will disappear when the Games end, as will most of the venues. The Olympic Park resembles nothing so much as a World's Fair for scaffolding enthusiasts – hardly the Beijing Olympic park, which was built as part of a $40 billion budget and looked as though finished with a sculptor's tool.
To be sure, the construction that's meant to be lasting – the remaking of East London neighborhoods – has come in for some criticism. Some local residents see it as gentrification for the benefit of corporations, wealthier outsiders, and politicians hoping to make a mark on the city.
Travers, meanwhile, is not sure that London was immune from the one-upsmanship that has become so ingrained among the world's leading cities. Put another way: Do you think London wasn't at least a little pleased at snatching the Olympics out from under the nose of Paris – the presumed front-runner in the bidding for the 2012 Games?
True, getting the Games venues done well and on time is a check mark for British project management. After the debacles of building the Millennium Dome and renovating the nation's signature soccer stadium, Wembley, the Olympics can only help restore global trust in British can-do.
"You're going to see beyond doubt that Britain can deliver," said Prime Minister David Cameron in a speech at the Olympic Park Thursday. "We've delivered this incredible Olympic Park on time, on budget, and in real style."
And he touched on the new infrastructure, too: "Forty-six thousand people have turned a wasteland the size of Hyde Park into an extraordinary city town within one of the world's most exciting cities."
But getting a leg up on Paris (not to mention New York, Madrid, and Moscow, who also wanted the 2012 Games) also had to have made the $14 billion price a little easier to swallow.
That, and the new velodrome.


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A New Graduate Guide to Managing a Paycheck
- Mary Hunt Debt-Proof Living
- 2009 5 Jun
There you are, a college graduate with your newly-minted degree in one hand and new job in the other -- or the assurance that you will have one soon.
For years you have waited for a real job with a real paycheck so you could get a decent car, apartment and a respectable wardrobe. After all, these are the things you so richly deserve for having nearly starved to death for these many years.
Well, not so fast, Buckaroo. Before you do a thing we need to go over the fundamentals of managing a paycheck -- a small detail that may have been overlooked in all of the courses you took to prepare you for the real world.
When net is gross
You may have figured your annual salary -- a number that has you seeing dollar signs. That is your gross salary. Do not fall in love with it. What you actually receive each pay period will be considerably less exciting thanks to the diminishing effect of taxes, Social Security and a list of other things that go to make up withholding. The vanishing portion of your gross income could be as much as 30 percent. What remains is your net income.
My point is that a $35,000 annual salary when reduced by 30 percent, then divided into 52 weekly paychecks suddenly looks more like $470.
First things first
As a full-on adult wage earner it is important that you adopt a personal standard for the management of your paychecks -- no matter the size. If you establish this standard now, you will be miles ahead of your peers, no matter the size of their paychecks. Never forget this: It is not how much you earn that matters. It is how much you keep of what you earn that will make all the difference.
The formula
Youre used to formulas if you took chemistry. This one is way easy: 10-10-80. No matter the size of your paycheck, make it a personal rule that you will give away 10 percent, save 10 percent and then live on 80 percent of your net income -- whatever that amount might be. Get used to this now and youll breeze through life as your income grows. Ignore this wisdom by living on more than you earn and your suffering has only just begun.
Your expenses
Next you need to get a handle on your true expenses starting with absolute essentials. I can predict some of them for you: shelter, food, insurance, gasoline. You may have other essential expenses if you have arrived at your first job dragging a load of debt behind you -- in which case you need to consider your student loan payment and credit card payment as essential expenses.
Make a list of your monthly essential expenses. Some you will have to estimate, like food and gasoline. Now look at 80 percent of ,your monthly net income. Deduct your essential expenses. How much is left?
If by some stroke of horribleness you are already upside down, we need to talk. Seriously. You cannot start out living on more money than you earn. And if your bare bones essential expenses are greater than your income, you need to think about getting a second job. Even a third. It is mandatory that you start out in this new phase of life in the black -- not the red.
Hopefully, when you deducted your essential expenses, you saw a nice balance remaining. Great. Now you should select one optional expense at a time to add to your monthly expenses. I have a feeling that your cell phone will be next. You may need to buy a few pieces of clothing and shoes for your new job. But be careful here. You absolutely cannot go over your income.
No new wheels
If there is one critical mistake you could easily make at this time, it would be to either buy or lease a new car. And thats exactly what you want to do, am I right? Forget about it. Get that idea out of your head! Until you have amassed a sizable nestegg, known as a savings account, that is equal to at least three times your monthly net income -- you cannot afford a car payment. And even if you think you can, you can't. You have survived this long with that old clunker, you can do that for a while longer.
No fancy pad
If you cannot become someone's roommate (several someones will keep your expenses way low), consider moving back home for a while, if they will have you. Of course you will pay rent, but it should be less than carrying the entire cost of renting an apartment by yourself.
You may take a little heat for turning into a boomerang (yeah, that is what the media is calling you kids who leave and then come back again), but take it from me, the parent of adult children: If you come home with a grateful spirit, you do your own laundry, clean up after yourself, carry your weight in household chores, if you are pleasant to be around, pitch in and help with meals and do nice things for your mom -- you will be welcomed with open arms. In fact they may beg you to stay. At least for awhile until you get on your feet.
Get off the plastic
Yes, I am aware that you have a credit card. And if you begin to see it as part of your available cash resources, youll be dead in the water in no time. This is why I want you to put that thing away. Far away, in a safe place. Your carefree years of living on the plastic are over, my friend.
Do not try to fool yourself into thinking that you can put those cute shoes on the card today and that great chair for the apartment, too -- and somehow it will all work out when the bill arrives.
Get real. How will you do that? If you will have enough money left over after you have paid your essentials to pay for the stuff you are charging, wait. Just hold tight until you have that money in your hand. Then instead of sending it to the credit card company, go buy the shoes and chair. See how this works? It is a fascinating concept called saving first, then paying cash.
Face the music
If you have student loans, you have six months grace period from graduation before you must begin making repayment. But you do not have to wait that long. In fact, the sooner you begin the more interest you will not have to repay.
You will learn from your lender that there are multiple payment plans. Go to http://www.ombudsman.ed.gov/repayment.html for a clear explanation.
Some of these plans stretch your payments to the limit, keeping you in debt forever. Theyre doing you no favors by making it so easy to be in debt for the rest of your life.
Here is my advice: Buckle down and work harder than you have ever worked so you can wipe out your student debt in three years or less. You can do it, and you will be better for having made the effort. Then you will be able to devote yourself to building wealth for your future -- your debt-free future.
Demonstrate maturity
Starting right now, create a habit that you write down how you spend your money. That single new behavior will revolutionize your finances. It will show you where the money went so you can know better how to plan next month and the next, right on to financial freedom.
Critical six weeks
What you do in the next six weeks will determine the financial direction of your life. The decisions you make will set your course. If you disregard my warnings, opting instead to buy or lease a new car with seven years of payments, sign on the dotted line to lease an apartment, go into debt to buy a bunch of stuff from Ikea, finagle a deferment on your student loans and fail to save any of your paychecks, you will set yourself up for a lifetime of financial misery. It will be like a snowball. In no time you will be buried, working most of your life to simply keep up with interest payments.
If, on the other hand, you practice what you have already learned -- how to live on next to nothing, which is also called being a student -- you will begin revving your engines to take off. By paying off your debts early you will be way ahead of your peers, no matter their line of work or their incomes.
Bite the bullet
Quite possibly the most valuable aspect of your education was that part about learning to live on next to nothing -- figuring out how to scrape by. You may need to do that for a few more years as you get your financial bearings. Do that now for the short term, so you can find financial freedom while you are still young. If you follow what I say, one day you will thank me.
Published June 5, 2009.
Copyright © 2009 Mary Hunt. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint required.
Check out Mary's recently released revised and expanded edition of The Financially Confident Woman (DPL Press, 2008).
Debt-Proof Living was founded in 1992 by Mary Hunt. What began as a newsletter to encourage and empower people to break free from the bondage of consumer debt has grown into a huge community of ordinary people who have achieved remarkable success in their quest to effectively manage their money and stay out of debt. Today, "Debt-Proof Living" is read by close to 100,000 cheapskates. Click here to subscribe. Also, you can receive Mary's free daily e-mail "Everyday Cheapskate" by signing up at EverydayCheapskate.com.


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One of the most surprising, and gratifying, things that has happened since I started my blog, Tim Maughan Books, is the positive feedback I've had for the anime reviews—especially from people I know are far from being massive fanboys like myself. It's gratifying because its part of the reason I started writing them; to try and introduce the medium to people who had never really indulged in it all, at least not past perhaps watching Spirited Away with their kids.
The problem is, once you've had your first taste, where do you go next? Type "anime" into Google and the results are bewildering, and without a little bit of guidance and a quality filter finding something to watch can be a daunting task. So, as requested, I present my list of 10 "mature" anime films you really should see. They are in no particular order, the term "mature" is kind of loose, seeing as at least two are really kids' films, and this is purely personal opinion. If you disagree, see you in the comments section!
Akira (1988)
For many of us in the west, this is the one that started it all. Up until we first saw Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira, our only exposure to Japanese animation had been kiddies' Saturday morning shows like Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets, but I can still remember vividly sitting in a run-down arthouse cinema at the age of 17 with my jaw resting on the sticky floor as the opening scenes flashed in front of me. Two hours later I was a complete convert. Otomo heavily edited and re-wrote his own epic manga about rival motorbike gangs and genetically enhanced children to create this futuristic thriller, and it blew away critics and audiences in the west while breaking box office records back home in Japan. It also opened the floodgates for anime into the US and Europe, but unfortunately with a lot of what was opportunistically exported (distributors looking for visually similar/violent material instead of quality) simply not being up to the same standard many potential new fans were turned off as quickly as they'd been turned on. Essential viewing.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
One of the most influential anime films of all time, Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell changed not only the look and feel of animated sci-fi but also had an impact on Hollywood; most notably in the distinct visual style of the Matrix movies. While some hardcore fans of Masamune Shirow's original action-packed and often light hearted manga still complain about the adaption; Oshii's decision to turn it into a dark, brooding, beautifully paced drama ensured its place as a science fiction classic. It is without doubt the definitive visual depiction of the cyberpunk movement, and the closest there is to date of a filmic version of William Gibson's classic Sprawl Trilogy novels. Not just a huge worldwide hit, it also spawned a huge franchise including a sequel, a Hollywood adaptation, two 26 part TV series, various novels, toys and video games, as well as the controversial Ghost in the Shell 2.0 special edition.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
I've talked at length elsewhere about how personally important My Neighbor Totoro is to me, so here I'll try not to gush too much. There's so many reasons as to why Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece is such an enduring and perfect film; the way he captures the energy and personalities of its two child protagonists, and his never ending attention to detail combined with a beautifully simple score and Kazuo Oga's immaculate and breath-taking background paintings make it a joy to watch over and over again. A fact I've been re-assured of by friends with young children that insist on watching it on a near daily basis. And that's probably Totoro's strongest point—the fact that it is family film that appeals to both children and adults alike without pandering to either with slapstick or 'knowing' humor. If you haven't seen it yet then you must—it is quite possibly the greatest animated film ever made.
Porco Rosso (1992)
I've already got one Miyazaki movie in this list, and it's hard to limit it to just two. Picking a second one is even harder. My opinion changes on a near daily basis, or depending on the last one I happened to watch. But I'll always have a soft spot for Porco Rosso; the tale of a WWI fighter ace turned bounty-hunter, cursed with the head of a pig and on the run for going AWOL from the Italian air force. In many ways it must have been one of Miyazaki's most enjoyable projects to create, another fantastic family film that somehow manages to combine his obsession with aeronautic design and his personal politics. The elaborate, lived in aircraft designs remain one of my favourite cinematic images of all time, while we learn that the reason Rosso is fleeing the Italian authorities is his disdain for the fascism that's steadily taking grip of Europe. Oh, and he also manages to take a gentle swipe at US bravado along the way. A perfect film.
Voices of a Distant Star (2002)
Perhaps Voices of a Distant Star doesn't really belong here. For a start its only 25 minutes long, and was first released on DVD, technically making it an OVA. Well, rules are made to be broken, plus it earns its place on this list for truly being a film you must see before you die. Astonishing enough that it was single-handedly written, directed and animated by the now legendary Makoto Shinkai on his Mac at home, it is also one of the most touching, beautiful and exhilarating examples of animation produced in recent history. The story of a long distant, text message relationship between a teenage mecha-pilot and her boyfriend back on earth, it combines gentle, slow-paced scenes with snatches of frantic sci-fi action, and has become the thematic and stylistic basis for Shinkai's subsequent large-budget productions. It's probably available for stupidly cheap on DVD now, so you really have no excuse for not picking this mini-masterpiece up.
Royal Space Force: The Wings Of Honneamise (1987)
The feature film debut of the then still young—but now legendary—studio Gainax, Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise is an unusual, compelling and skillfully crafted film. Both a coming of age story and detailed analysis of the role of the space race in the Cold War, RSF tells the story of an alternate reality Earth, where two rival superpowers are locked in a constant propaganda and military stalemate, while a small team of underfunded scientists, engineers and pilots attempt to launch the first man into space. While the film is beautifully animated with some fantastically detailed background art, it is also has substantial depth in terms of its philosophical themes and characterisation. As such it's not one for the whole family, but an unmissable and enthralling watch for anyone with an interest in what animation can truly achieve.
Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)
The history of the Patlabor franchise is a long and complex one, but put simply under the guidance of Mamoru Oshii it developed (in a way similar to how he remolded Ghost in The Shell) from a light hearted but realistic police-mecha drama to a bleak, deeply political and philosophical thriller by the time he directed Patlabor 2: The Movie. While the first movie is just as enthralling, thoughtful and arguably more accessible, the sequel just steals the crown due to its uncompromising approach to its political themes and its breathless, stark cinematic beauty. It deals with Oshii's recurring theme of the hypocrisy of peace in the developed world, and in particular is a devastating attack on the foreign policy of a pacifist Japan that profits from the fates of distant waring nations. Although over 15 years old now, its portrayal of terrorism consists of some disturbingly prophetic imagery. Possibly the closest anime has come to producing something to rival the large canvas, cinematic styles of the likes of Stanley Kubrick or Ridley Scott, it is an unmissable, if challenging, work.
Perfect Blue (1997)
The directorial debut of anime auteur Satoshi Kon, Perfect Blue's story about a J-Pop idol turned actress being stalked by a obsessive fan was originally meant to be a live action drama, only scrapped due to the 1995 Kobe earthquake. At first its contemporary setting and often mundane situations are certainly reminiscent of a well-shot J-Horror movie, but in Kon's skilled hands the script slowly changes into something that could only be depicted by animation. As a starting point for his re-occurring themes of disconnected realities and psychological fantasy it is subtler than his later works including Paranoia Agent and Paprika, and as a result somehow creepier. Certainly its most famous scene—where we apparently see the central character being raped, only discovering she is just acting when the off camera director shouts 'cut'—is one that permanently sticks in the mind, as does the film's shocking, final revelation.
Memories (1995)
Produced by Katsuhiro Otomo, and based on some of his short manga stories, Memories is an anthology of three films. Although all science fiction they cover a wide range of styles, from the romantic, twisted reality of the Satoshi Kon scripted Magnetic Rose and the ludicrous bio-warfare black comedy Stink Bomb to the Orwellian, Brazil-like dystopia of Cannon Fodder—the only one of the three directed by Otomo himself. It is arguably the most compelling of the three, with its Oshii-esque story of a war obsessed and controlled society and its unique, steampunkesque visuals. Despite the diverging themes and differing visual styles of the three chapters, there is an undeniably high standard of production throughout. It's another film that can be easily and cheaply picked up on DVD at the moment, I can't hesitate in recommending that you buy it on sight.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
Loosely based on a popular Japanese novel, Mamoru Hosoda's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time tells the story of schoolgirl Makoto Konno, who discovers she has the ability to—literally—time leap; that is to jump back in time to change situations and remake important decisions. What starts as an enjoyable, funny and charming teenage drama slowly reveals itself to have a classic, well crafted science fiction story at its heart, offering another, stylish but gentle, take on the conundrums and paradoxes thrown up by the idea of time-travel. It's partly in this list to represent the talent of more recent directors and studios, but mainly because it's a warm, accessible, exciting and lovingly made film that will be held in high esteem for many, many years to come.
So what have I missed out? Where have I gone wrong? Well for a start I notice straight away that although there's two Studio Ghibli films, there's nothing by Isao Takahata—no Grave of the Fireflies or Only Yesterday—which can't be right, surely? I guess it's a good sign for anime's heritage that compiling such a list and limiting it to just ten means so many great works are missing, but I'm sure some of you will be upset that I've left out your favourite personal masterpiece. If so, hit the comments below and let it all out.
This article was originally published in May 2011.
Tim Maughan lives in Bristol in the UK and has been writing about anime and manga for nearly four years, and consuming both for close to twenty. He also writes science fiction, and his debut book Paintwork is out this June. He also tweets way too much.