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Content Scaling in Role-Playing Games
One of the challenges facing developers of open world games like Skyrim, Oblivion, and Fallout 3 is how to balance the player's experience in the game world. In a linear game, the player's movement is strictly controlled, allowing the developers to scale enemy difficulty and player rewards very precisely to maintain game balance. In an open world, where the player is free to explore any area of the map at any time, it can be difficult to provide players with an experience that is:
- balanced (player ability matches the challenge presented)
- rewarding (compensation satisfies without unbalancing the game)
- immersive (mechanic is implemented organically rather than artificially)
- interesting (provides an experience that is unique and memorable)
- reasonable (conforms to the internal logic of the game world) and
- realistic (properly accounts for players' expectations)
In this article I'd like to take a look at some of the different design choices that developers like Bethesda make and show how different approaches can lead to different types of gameplay experiences and how different level designs can favor one form of content scaling over another.
Before we can begin our discussion of level scaling, allow me to define a few terms.
Static Level Scaling
How difficulty scaling is handled varies by game and depends largely on the developer's objectives. In a completely linear game, in which the player always progresses through the same areas in the same order following a well-defined narrative, developers frequently employ a completely static approach: the same enemies are always encountered in the same locations, equipped with the same weapons, and drop the same loot; 'health kits', 'power-ups' and other rewards are also typically found in the same locations or acquired by following the same series of steps.
While this approach may affect the replayability of the game for some people (a subject I will return to later), developers using this approach can rest assured that, with proper testing, the player is always going to be faced with an appropriate challenge and receive a commensurate reward. Theoretically, this is the best way to design a game so long as the game is linear and designed for a single playthrough: every player has the same experience and all of the elements of the game can be finely tuned to maximize dramatic effect and game balance. This is the 'technique' that novel and film writing employ and essentially boils down to reducing challenge and reward to plot elements.
While static leveling may be employed in any game, this approach is especially useful for games which depend heavily on a linear narrative in which the opponents and the objects obtained by defeating them play a large role in furthering the development of the plot. For example, many games utilize the acquisition of a collection of powerful objects (or fragments of a single powerful object) as a motivating force driving the plot and have each object or fragment guarded by a powerful 'boss' enemy or appropriately scaled challenge. While the plot itself does not necessitate a linear experience (vis the Staff of Chaos in Arena), it does lend itself to one. (Skyrim uses a similar plot device in the form of dragon shouts 'guarded' by dragons rather than material objects.) In the context of a linear narrative, object and enemy scaling doesn't really exist as a separate element apart from gameplay balance, plot, and narrative.
The static approach to level design was very popular with classic arcade games and remains the most popular and appropriate choice for many games today. Static scaling may also be appealing to players who like to approach the game as a kind of test or puzzle in which bragging rights are earned for playing a perfect game (typified, for example, in speed runs). Static scaling provides the greatest amount of control over gameplay balance with the smallest expenditure in developer resources and will always be a popular choice in game design.
Random Level Scaling
At the opposite end of the spectrum is random level scaling, in which the enemies and rewards are not scaled to player ability but determined in a completely arbitrary and random fashion by using algorithms. I don't know if any game utilizes this approach in a pure form, though certain mods for Oblivion, for example, advocate a kind of scaling similar to this. In a completely linear game, in which the player is always forced to progress through the same areas (levels) in the same order, random level scaling is not a good option: no two players will have the same experience, and while one player may, through chance, experience an entertaining and well-balanced game, the vast majority are going to experience a game which is either too easy or too hard. In this case, we can see a direct relationship between level scaling and level design in which a linear level design supports a static difficulty scaling better than a random difficulty scaling. Open world games, however, are another matter.
In an open world game, in which the player is free to explore any area of the map at any time, a serious case for random level scaling could be made. After all, our experience of the world is often random, or at least appears to be so, and in an open environment, a random scaling mechanic might add a feeling of realism, danger and uncertainty to a game; these are certainly elements a player is looking for when sitting down to play an action/adventure game. Random level scaling lends itself to surprising turns of event and really is one of the foundations of emergent game play. It is the random element which affords the player the opportunity to witness events like a spontaneous battle between a giant and a dragon, or the sudden appearance of a coven of witches hunting mudcrabs in a stream in the middle of the night. While these events could be scripted, the knowledge that they are not lends a magic to the experience that is lacking in a statically designed game and is one of the chief attractions of playing a game like Skyrim or Oblivion.
There is always the chance, of course, that random level scaling is going to produce wildly different experiences for different players, though the effects are significantly mitigated in an open world environment. In a linear game, where the player is not able to change course, random scaling may create a situation in which a player may encounter an opponent which is simply too difficult to defeat, thus effectively ending the game on a note of frustration. In an open environment, the player can always choose to leave the area and perhaps return at a later time when they are more powerful, or when less difficult opponents have spawned. Over the course of exploring a large map with a large number of enemies, most players experiences will level out as the law of averages levels the playing field. Still, there are always going to be players at one end of the bell curve or the other who, owing to nothing but chance, experience a game which is either too unforgiving and unrewarding, or too easy and generous. Even in a completely open environment then, we can see that a purely random system of scaling is less than ideal for developers who want all players to enjoy their experience roughly equally.
Dynamic Level Scaling
In order to offset the arbitrary and unpredictable nature of random level scaling without sacrificing the emergent nature of gameplay not afforded by a static system, developers turn to a mechanic which we'll refer to as dynamic level scaling.
Dynamic level scaling is a more or less heavily modified form of random level scaling which employs static elements to mitigate the unpredictable effects of chance. As various elements may be chosen and these elements may be combined in innumerable ways, there is no clear-cut definition of dynamic scaling. At one end of the spectrum, you might have an otherwise linear game that produces random loot drops from opponents. At the other end of the spectrum, you might have an otherwise random game that employs level caps, where everything is randomly generated but enemies and loot never fall below or above a certain predetermined threshold relative to the player.
Dynamic level scaling generally revolves around one of two pivots: player-centric scaling, where the rewards and dangers are scaled relative to the player's level regardless of his or her location in the game world, or place-centric scaling, where the rewards and dangers are scaled relative to some location in the game world regardless of the player's level. Place-centric and player-centric scaling only make sense in the context of open world games since, by definition, linear games scale challenge and reward to both player and location simultaneously.
While some games may use player-centric or place-centric scaling exclusively, most open world RPGs use some combination of pivots to achieve a good mix between player ability and world plausibility.
Player-Centric Leveling
Player-centric leveling adjusts the difficulty of the opponents and rewards to the level of the player regardless of his or her location in the game world.
Player-centric leveling is driven primarily by the need to maintain balance in a game and to make it challenging for everyone without the game becoming too hard or too easy. By ensuring that the challenge never exceeds the player's ability to handle it, and that the reward never unbalances the game in favor of the player, player-centric leveling hopes to eliminate the frustrations of being unfairly matched or of being too 'uber'. One of the chief advantages of player-centric leveling is that this mechanic allows the developers to maintain a game's challenge indefinitely: by scaling the challenge and the rewards to the player, the player is guaranteed to be challenged and rewarded no matter what level they obtain.
The first disadvantage of player-centric leveling is that it removes the ability to control the level of challenge from the player. When enemies are directly scaled to the player's level, the player rarely finds weaker enemies if they are looking for something a little more relaxing, or tougher enemies if they are looking for something a little more challenging. The difficulty presented by the game is homogenized in the interest of streaming a particular difficulty level. This homogenization can be not only frustrating, but stultifying as it reduces one aspect of gameplay variety.
The second disadvantage is that it robs players of the sense of progression, a key component of RPGs. Although they may hit harder, and their armor may absorb more damage, because the enemies are always scaled to the player, the increase becomes invisible: enemies take more damage to kill and deal more damage themselves, thus the experience of fighting a bandit on level one is often indistinguishable from the experience of fighting a lich on level thirty.
The other disadvantage to player-centric leveling is that it produces unusual inconsistencies in the game world. When all of the enemies in an area suddenly become much more powerful, or rare items much more plentiful, the internal logic and coherency of the game world comes into question and immersion suffers. Oblivion is an example of a game which used player-centric scaling intensively; and, as many players are aware, it was also the single biggest complaint against the game.
Place-Centric Leveling
Place-centric leveling adjusts the difficulty of the opponents and rewards to an arbitrarily designated level assigned to a location in the game world, rather than the level of the player. Typically, locations which are further from civilization, or dungeon levels that are 'deeper', are considered more dangerous and produce more difficult opponents and provide more compelling rewards. The first advantage of place-centric scaling is that it allows the player to control the amount of challenge they want to experience: if they want something easy, they can stay close to home, if they want something more challenging, they can explore further afield.
The second advantage is that it validates the player's sense of progression. If a player wants to experience just how much more powerful they are now than they were at the start of the game, all they have to do is return to the areas they started in, or fight the enemies they fought at lower levels. (Of course, in order for this to work, the game has to respawn these areas, which is a separate gameplay issue.)
The third advantage to place-centric scaling is that it appeals to players' intuitions about the world: monsters and treasures are always appropriately scaled to the game world, so sudden spikes in enemy difficulty or an influx of wealth don't threaten the internal coherence of the world and immersion is preserved.
The chief disadvantage of place-centric level scaling is that, at some point, the game must cease to be challenging. Sooner or later, the player is going to be higher level than the most powerful enemy in the game and possess all of the best items. At this point, the game ceases to be rewarding. Developers typically try to avoid this issue by placing a level cap on the player roughly equal to the maximum challenge presented by the game, but this mechanic introduces its own complaints and effectively changes nothing: at some point, the game is simply no longer worth playing without starting over again from scratch.
Dynamic Leveling and RPGs
In traditional fantasy pen and paper (PnP) RPGs, there is a very close relationship between player level, enemy level, loot level, and location, much as there is in a linear game.
Generally speaking, as players increase in level, they travel to more exotic locations, encounter stronger enemies, and discover more valuable loot. This characteristic can be defined as both player-centric, where obstacles and rewards are adjusted relative to the player, and place-centric, where obstacles and rewards are adjusted relative to the location. As, typically, the player will only generally adventure in areas appropriate for his or her level (as determined by the game master), there is no effective difference between a place-centric and player-centric approach to leveling; or, rather, this degree of differentiation does not yet exist in PnP RPGs. Linear games use the same approach, and, while linear games and PnP RPGs are significantly different in other regards, in regards to leveling they work more or less the same way. (Yes, I'm sure you can think of exceptions to this rule.)
Traditional PnP RPGs achieve their dynamism by using two related techniques: random encounters/loot rolls and die rolls. Random encounters and loot rolls add variability to the player's experience, and are generally scaled to the player/location. Die rolls introduce small variability within the enemy/reward itself, providing an element of danger and uncertainty to encounters which are otherwise more or less directly scaled. (In real-time RPGs, combat die rolls are sometimes replaced by 'twitch' mechanics that rely on the player's ability to target opponents and dodge attacks instead of relying on the character's stats. These kinds of RPGs are relatively rare, though Bethesda is fond of a hybrid real-time/stat-based combat.)
Dynamic Leveling and MMOs
The undifferentiated player/place-centric approach to scaling which is native to linear narratives and PnP RPGs is consciously and explicitly applied to many MMOs. In many MMOs, many locations are 'zoned', or restricted to players below a certain level, thus enforcing the player/place centric identity in level scaling.
Restricting access to certain zones based on an external game mechanic like player level (as opposed to an organic mechanic like having opponents which are too difficult for the player to defeat) results in a less open world experience which might best be described as a staged world (as opposed to an open world or linear world). In a staged world, successively harder locations are unlocked by leveling the player. Staged worlds generally allow the player free access between worlds that have previously been unlocked and are rarely static in design (aside from the staging of the worlds themselves, of course). Within the worlds that are available, players will generally encounter dynamic leveling, where monsters and loot are scaled relatively to the player's level but are not statically placed.
Staged worlds both are and are not player and place-centric. Because the locations available to the player are themselves scaled to the player, there is no effective difference between the player's level and the level of the geographic region of the world. Some variability is introduced by allowing players to return to easier locations (thus preserving the sense of progression) but by limiting the player's ability to take on greater hardships and earn potentially greater rewards it removes some of the control from the player. This can be seen as a sort of hybrid place/player-centric mechanic.
Dynamic Leveling and Single-Player CRPGs
Developers of single-player CRPGs, of course, have a much broader range of choices. Single-player CRPGs run the entire gamut of designs: everything from randomly generated levels with random enemies and loot all the way up to strictly linear affairs where the range of player choices is restricted to a tiny subset of possibilities, such as which skill tree to develop or what gear to equip. Open world CRPGs like Skyrim, which allow the player to roam freely around the game world, generally enforce level scaling through either player-centric scaling, place-centric scaling, or some combination of the two.
In Oblivion, most level scaling was player-centric: enemies and locations would become progressively harder as the player progressed regardless of his or her location in the game world. This produced situations where bandits, who would rob you for a bit of gold, were already wearing full suits of valuable armor and weilding extraordinary weapons that would have allowed them to retire in splendor from a life of petty crime. Players also often complained that they felt robbed of their sense of progression and that they never really felt like a hero. If, after twenty levels, the bandits trolling the bridge on the Red Ring road were every bit as powerful as the player, it made them question the value of their efforts. (Ironically, Oblivion's player-centric level design appeared to be designed in response to complaints about Morrorwind's more place-centric design where player's often complained that the game became too easy at higher levels.)
The challenge for Bethesda, in designing Oblivion, which is an open world game, was to provide a challenge for players regardless of level and location. As players could go anywhere at any time, they could not count on providing the player with an appropriate challenge and reward based on where they happened to be in the world. Player-centric level scaling was the obvious design choice, but as we've seen, not the best one.
Encounter Zones
In Fallout 3, Bethesda addressed this issue by introducing the concept of encounter zones. The encounter zone concept works like this: when a player first enters a location, such as a dungeon, the enemies and rewards are player-centric, scaled to the player's level. Once the level of the enemies and loot has been set for a location, however, that location is locked down: it becomes place-centric, and the level of future loot and enemy spawns becomes more or less static. This mechanic elegantly resolves the issue between player-centric and place-centric scaling by adopting strategies from both mechanics.
The encounter zone mechanic by itself isn't perfect, however. While it resolves certain issues, it leaves other elements unaddressed.
For example, it doesn't allow the player to challenge themselves by entering areas considered 'above' their level. Since the level of an area isn't set until the player enters it, the game has no way of offering this experience through encounter zones alone. In this way, it is similar to staged level scaling where certain areas are off limits; however, in this case, these zones are not prohibited, they simply don't exist until the player reaches the appropriate level. Bethesda addressed this issue by providing minimum levels to encounter zones, though these minimums were generally fairly low. Placing a minimum level on an encounter zone effectively introduces an element of place-centric design into a player-centered design, forming an elegant compromise.
One minor complaint that players have with encounter zones is that it introduces inconsistencies into the game world. Suddenly, areas that once seemed challenging seem out of place by being locked in at a lower level. Depending on the path the player takes, one area may become locked to a low level, while all of the surrounding areas that the player neglected to explore the first time through may suddenly become very high level. This is noticeable when the player focuses on the main quest, for example, early on in the game and only later explores other areas. Suddenly, the locations which served as dramatic set pieces in the main quest take on the pallor of pathetic relics that remind one only of one's humble origins.
It is important to note that static level scaling in an open world avoids both of these issues: because regions of a much higher level exist from the very start of the game, players always have the option to challenge themselves in pursuit of a great reward. This option was available, for example, in Morrowind. Additionally, because the difficulty of the zones is set by the developers, they generally follow a natural progression, becoming progressively more difficult the further from civilization one goes.
Although the encounter zone mechanic goes a long way toward improving gameplay balance in an open world, one significant charge that can still be leveled at them is the lack of uniqueness or interest provided by these zones. (A charge which can be equally leveled at any dynamic system, of course.) While encounter zones may be a step in the right direction, then, they are clearly not the whole story.
Unique Items and Encounters and Mixed Leveling
One problem that encounter zones does not solve is how to handle unique items and encounters. In a statically designed game, there is no such thing as a unique item or encounter: everything is quite consciously and specifically placed by the designer, so it can only loosely be described as being 'unique'. The same steps will always lead to its encounter or acquisition. In a dynamically generated game, however, whether or not unique items and encounters exist and how they are handled can have a significant impact on how the player views the game.
A game that completely lacks unique items and encounters frequently feels devoid of depth and history. Much of the flavor and character of a game world, in fact, is defined by the unique items and characters that the player encounters. These are the experiences that are 'set apart' and stand out by virtue of their unusual history or purpose.
Developers have typically followed a couple of different approaches when integrating unique content: they either create some areas statically, with hand-placed items and enemies or they add non-recurring items and encounters to leveled lists. Typically, developers opt for the former because it allows them to control how and when the player experiences special content and most if not all of these unique items are typically quest (if not main quest) related. Using non-recurring items in leveled lists is much trickier to get right and is generally reserved for interesting but non-essential items and encounters.
Most open world RPGs use some combination of dynamic scaling and statically placed objects and encounters which could be described as mixed level scaling. In a mixed level scaling system, many objects and encounters will be scaled to either the player or the location, but some objects and encounters will stand out as being relatively unique, but not necessarily well-scaled to the player. If a game relies heavily on player-centric scaling (as Oblivion did) then it might best be described as player-centric mixed scaling. By contrast, a game like Morrowind, which relied more heavily on static item placement, might be better described as place-centric mixed scaling.
Content Scaling in Skyrim
Skyrim appears to be an evolution of all of these foregoing strategies: it uses both dynamic and static items and encounters, uses encounter zones to simulate place-centric scaling, and scales other elements, including quest rewards, to the player.
All in all, Skyrim does a much better job of scaling opponents and loot to the player than Oblivion did while retaining some semblance of logic and continuity in the game world. The 'off the beaten path' locations, some of which appear to be zoned to a fairly high level, do much to ameliorate the complaints of many players about the homogenous nature of encounters in Oblivion without introducing linearity or restricting the ultimate challenge of the game. These locations which are much more powerful than the player from the very beginning of the game, provide players who like a good challenge with the option of testing themselves in the pursuit of greater rewards.
Likewise, Skyrim does a better job of preserving lower level mobs by providing enemies that don't scale, or who only scale a little, thus better securing the player's sense of progression. Skyrim represents a very sophisticated merger between static and dynamic content, and player and place-centric scaling, and brings about a more or less steady balance between these divergent elements, a feat for which Bethesda should be justly recognized.
In spite of this, there are still some small issues with Skyrim's leveling mechanic. The difficulty of quest locations is still largely player-centric, for example, to allow players to complete the main quest early on, but as a consequence of this, dragons and certain other opponents may seem rather underpowered in some circumstances. Additionally, because quest rewards are scaled to the player, it is sometimes advisable to delay certain quests until later on if one wants to maximize the benefit that they offer. If these are the worst charges that can be laid against level scaling in Skyrim, however, gamers have little to complain about. (Indeed, the key complaint about Skyrim seems to be about the way that player's level and how that level is balanced to enemy difficulty, as opposed to the way that that leveled content is delivered. An excellent discussion for a future article.)
Content scaling has always been a core design challenge for open world RPGs. The need to balance gameplay against player freedom, to simulate a world that behaves rationally, providing reasonable challenges and rewards in a way that makes sense intuitively to players without becoming a lifeless and homogenous mess is no simple design feat.
This article has looked briefly at a few of the options available for designing scaled content in the hope of illuminating some of these issues for players who may take issue with the decisions made by developers. Hopefully, it may also serve as a springboard for discussion and analysis of the techniques used in these and other games to help developers and gamers better understand the issues and opportunities that exist. At a minimum, I hope you found this introduction of a core game design topic interesting, reasonable and immersive without being too challenging or unrewarding.
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Last updated November 27, 2011
© 2009-2011 Dave Finch


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How should a 43year old woman drees? If she wears something that is figure flattering people say she is trying to hard to get attention caus she is getting older.
Most Helpful Girl
In accordance with her figure and age.
Older women can't wear outfits designed for, and predominately worn by young girls. Young girls have their brand of fashion that accentuates their youth and creates a sense of "togetherness of a generation". Clothes are a mark of social belonging. Wearing stuff young girls do, makes an older lady look like she's trying to fit in where she doesn't belong and that looks very awkward.
Second thing is figure. I know women over 40 who look like they are in their late twenties. Women who take care of their body and look GOOD.
It would be ridiculous to expect such a lady to wear baggy, dark, unsightly clothing like her wrinkled, whale-sized age mates, just because she shares their age.
It would also be silly for a woman (of any age) to wear clothes that don't flatter her figure, just because she likes the clothes. That's often plain ugly.
A woman should keep class, conservativism, body shape and simplicity in mind as she ages. With that she can't go wrong.
And if nothing, she should get someone more fashion aware to help her pick out clothing.54|10|0

subset: commoncrawl


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I find that one of the best subtle, and frequently workplace-appropriate, ways to express my geekery is custom manicures. That being said, I'm not exactly rolling in dough, so going to get my nails done professionally isn't in the cards right now.
Because I still want to fly my geek flag high and proud, I decided to delve into the world of DIY custom manicures. If Pintrest is to be believed, in a few minutes flat you can create really intricate and detailed nail art on both hands; sadly for them, I've seen Pintrest Fails, so I know better.
This weekly column is going to feature a geek inspired DIY manicures (and sometimes mani/pedi, if I'm feeling ambitious) that will be accessible to people of all skill levels. I'm no great artist, but if you're a beginner like me you can copy my designs very easily, and if you're a seasoned pro, you can take inspiration from my design ideas and run with it!
I'll always feature Amazon Associate links to the specific colors/products I use for your reference, so if you'd like to help support our little endeavors here, we'd appreciate it. However, especially for detail work, cheap drug store polishes can do the trick.
For my first foray into nail art I wanted to keep it pretty simple. Age of Ultron focused on Hawkeye, so if it's good enough for Marvel, it's good enough for me.
In the movies Hawkeye wears all black, but followers of the comics know that he is usually depicted in purple. After looking through all kinds of Hawkeye images, I settled on this for my inspiration.
To translate into a manicure design, I needed something sleek with black, lavender, arrows, and a little metallic just for kicks. My mind immediately jumped to one of my favorite black polishes, butter LONDON Union Jack Black, and essie's lavender metallic Nothing Else Metals.
While butter LONDON is definitely an investment polish, I find that one coat is sufficient for full color coverage and it holds up even without a top coat. Essie polishes are great because they're durable, available almost everywhere, and don't require many coats. In my experience, both brands give you a big bang for your buck, which matters when you're on a budget.
Finally, as far as supplies go, I picked up a Sally Hansen I <3 Nail Art Toolkit and used the detail brush.
If you can't get your hands on Nothing Else Metals or a similar metallic lavender, but want to preserve the same general feel of the manicure, I'd try a metallic shimmery black like OPI Black Satin and a shiny lavender like essie Play Date for a similar effect.


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Americas News
Enjoy Cuisine, Wine And Mountain Views During Phoenix Dinner Series At Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Different Pointe of View Restaurant Brings California Winemakers to Exclusive Dinner Series
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Spring in Phoenix is filled with perfect weather and a plethora of events, making it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway with luxury accommodations at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. To celebrate the season, the resort's mountaintop restaurant hosts a series of dynamic dinners with renowned wines and dishes from one of Phoenix's top chefs. Through May, guests can enjoy culinary delights of Different Pointe of View and some of the finest wines of California during the Insider's View dinners while enjoying a weekend in the desert.
The AAA Four Diamond Award Different Pointe of View and Executive Chef, Anthony DeMuro, hosts the intimate Insider's View dinner once a month, which features four courses prepared tableside for the dozen guests. A featured vineyard's winemaker joins the culinary experience, sharing stories of managing vineyards, the wine making process and tips for pairings. Guests have the opportunity to interact with Chef DeMuro and the vineyard winemaker for a true insider's view.
Each evening begins with a 6:15 p.m. reception in the Terrace Room and proceeds to the main dining room with ceiling to floor glass windows, showcasing the spectacular panoramic view of the city of Phoenix and Sonoran desert.
Upcoming Insider's View dinners and their featured guests include:
February 22: Lyeth Estate: Winemaker Katie Cochrane of the Sonoma County winery Lyeth Estate joins the Insider's View dinner series. Lyeth Estate creates wines from blends of different tastes to craft wines with distinctive flavors and characteristics.
Mar 15: St. Supéry Vineyards: Michael Scholz, winemaker at St. Supéry Vineyards, will share information on the Napa Valley's three tiers of wine that include fruit-forward wines, Bordeaux blends and Sauvignon Blanc.
April 26: Martin Ray Winery: Bill Batchelor is the winemaker at this historic Santa Rosa, Calif. winery. The site of Martin Ray Winery is known as Twin Fir Winery, the oldest winery in continuous operation in Sonoma County.
May 17: Roth Estate Winery: Jesse Katz, winemaker at this award-winning Sonoma County vineyard, returns to the Insider's View dinner. Roth Estate Winery is most famous for its classic Bordeaux varietals.
Reservations for the Insider's View dinners are required and limited to a dozen. The cost for this exclusive and unique event is $99 per person.
With spring room rates starting from $160, guests can make a weekend of the dinner series. Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort also features Tocaloma Spa with unique spa treatments, pool-side relaxation in the sun at the Falls Water Village and Lookout Mountain Golf Club with a course that uniquely weaves through the natural desert preserve.
For more information on Insider's View and to book a stay, visit www.tapatiocliffsresort.hilton.com.
Irine Krass
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort
+1 602 870 2720


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My first meal featuring Shine Springs Farm organically-grown produce featured sautéed turnip greens over whole wheat pasta. Turnip greens are one of the healthiest foods you can eat, but you don't often find them on the menu. Most people, Southerners at least, think of turnip greens as something you stew for an hour or so (at least) and flavor with a ham hock. But that doesn't do justice to … [Read more...]
Turnip Greens with Pasta
October 7, 2012 By


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Three Hope Men's Basketball Players Named All-MIAA; Two On First Team
Three Hope College men's basketball players have been recognized for their performances during Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play in 2014.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Three Hope College mens basketball players have been recognized for their performances during Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play in 2014.
Senior center Nate VanArendonk of Grand Haven ( Grand Haven HS ) and sophomore guard Alex Eidson of Grand Haven ( Grand Haven HS ) both have been selected to the All-MIAA First Team by the leagues coaches.
Sophomore Ben Gardner of Carmel, Ind. ( Carmel HS ), made the All-MIAA Second Team.
Twelve players were honored in total: six on the first team and six on the second.
The three Hope players helped the Flying Dutchmen win the MIAA regular-season championship this season with a 13-1 league record.
We are so excited for the individual recognition of each of our players: Nate, Alex and Ben, Hope coach Matt Neil said. The recognition occurs not only of their terrific efforts, but the effort of our entire team. Our season has been one of growth and these three have matured into major roles on a successful team. We are happy for the players, their families and our entire program.
Eidson averaged a team-high 15.2 points per game over 14 MIAA contests. He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 50.8 percent from 3-point range.
VanArendonk recorded 10.4 points, a team-best 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per shots per league game. He shot 70.6 percent from the field.
Gardner averaged 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per MIAA game this season.
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text: Well, it's been a little while. It's always a rollercoaster as I'm sure most of you know. My son has been doing well. He's living with a friend, she's girl, no romantic involvement, no drugs, very clean. She's let him lie on her couch as all of his drug friends dropped him because he ran out of money I suppose. He got evicted from his apartment, is now seeing a psyc for depression, is being medicated, joined a program (works on a farm 3 days a week under the care of the psyc - we did not prompt this-he went and signed up on his own), is looking for a job and we have made it very clear that he cannot move home until he has a job(which he has been looking for) and until he can prove to us he will no longer use drugs. So far, so good, a few slip ups though (he's use pot twice in the last week). His friend, the girl, told us. We never really known what he has been involved in but now we do. The girl he is staying with is very open. He has used cocaine and mushrooms (he tells us he's never used more than pot) and he used pot daily for months, but the harder drugs weren't his choice of drugs. She says his friends would call him names until he did it. I have just found out that his friends are sellers and my son owes a thousand dollars to someone, they are looking for him to beat him up. It's only a matter of time before they find him at this girls house. I know the boys who are selling and it's my understanding the drugs they are dealing in are getting harder and harder. Right now they want nothing to do with my son and my son is staying away, but as soon as he has a job they'll want him back. I have the power to call on a few friends and bust this mess up. Some say do it, some say stay out of it. What would you do? I'm not saying I'm going to do anything, but what I know now suggests that its getting worse and its getting big. Big bucks. I hope my son continues to try to help himself, I know he wants to change but I really don't know if he's strong enough. He's trying so hard but somehow gets sucked back in. For those who think pot is not addictive, it really is for some people and my son is one of them. I guess he would smoke so much pot until he couldn't walk, talk, etc... It breaks my heart. I don't know why he doesn't like the hard stuff, but I know that could change. Anyhow, just a brief update from me for those who have read my previous posts. Thanks all.


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1 pound chicken parts
1 large onion
3 stalks celery, including some leaves
1 large carrot
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 whole cloves
6 cups water
1/4 cup cold water (optional)
1 egg
- Quarter onion. Chop scrubbed celery and carrot into 1 inch chunks. Place chicken pieces, onion, celery, carrot, salt, and cloves in large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add 6 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove chicken and vegetables. Strain stock. Skim fat off the surface.
- To clarify stock for clear soup, removing solid flecks that are too small to be strained out with cheesecloth, follow this method. Separate the egg white from the egg yolk, and reserve the shell. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup cold water, egg white, and crushed eggshell. Add to strained stock, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Strain again through a sieve lined with cheesecloth.


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Cumulus Quilt 250
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Cumulus Quilt 250
Cumulus Quilt 250
Cumulus Quilt 250 - is now a 2-season product for use in spring and summer conditions. In terms of insulation performance it is comparable to the Lite Line 300 sleeping bag but lighter by nearly 200 grams! Quilt 250 is filled with 250 grams of goose down for the best 850 cuin fill power. It has a structure similar to the X-Lite 200 sleeping bag, except that we have removed the back part of the bag so that only a mattress is needed to insulate the user from the ground.
This allows almost all of the down used in the quilt to expand and be used for effective insulation. Thus, in contrast to all sleeping bags, only a very small part of the down is compressed under the user's body and does not contribute to the insulation. 'Wings' of the quilt are automatically drawn underneath the sleeping person with an adjustable, elasticized system, so you can change position during sleep, without the hassle of the quilt shifting and loss of optimal insulation.
Total weight: 480 g
Down weight: 250 g
Weight of unfilled sleeping bag: 230 g
Fabric: Pertex Quantum, 27 g/m²
Filling: Polish goose down, 850 cuin
Construction: Box structure ("H" chambers)
Independently filled top and bottom of the quilt
Extremely low weight in ratio to the amount of down filling used
Down used for insulation more efficiently than in sleeping bags
Elasticized straps for attaching to mattress
'Wings' of the quilt automatically drawn underneath the user which enhances the insulation and the comfort
The possibility to secure the quilt at the neck with elastic draw cord when needed
Can be used as an insert in conjunction with a sleeping bag in order to improve insulation
Additional, large mesh bag to store your quilt at home
Temperature characteristic
Comfort temperature: 4 ˚C
Limit temperature: 0 ˚C
Maximum user height: 185 cm
Length: 177 cm
Width (top/bottom): 77/51 cm
Stuffsack's dimensions (height/diameter): 18/14 cm
Stuffsack's volume: 2,8 l
Number of down chambers: 36
Warranty: 10 years


text:
This part is taken from DAEWOO LANOS recycled from the used car. Our quality control department examines the product thoroughly with latest analyzing machines to provide our customers A+ condition parts only. Therefore, we confidently give one-year warranty on all used products for customer satisfaction.
Before Purchasing, kindly see the compatibility mentioned in "vehicle fits" for exact match.
This part will fit these makes and models with these options:
Tags: Daewoo Lanos Window Regulator, Window Regulator Front for Daewoo Lanos, 125-58798L


text:
music -year 8
15,530 results
musicI'm doing an informative paper on music. I need to figure out when music started(year/century) and i need to know what type of music and what instruments were used durring that time. I'm look on the internet but i keep getting mutiple answers and i'm so confused. Can you help?
EnglishIdentify the correct sentence: A.A great year for music was 1984 B.Nineteen eighty four was a great year for music. C. 1984 was a great year for music. D.A great year for music was nineteen eighty four. C.
Englishone year ago 2. Read the following sentence from Betty Bonham Lies retelling of myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: "Orpheus's music was so compelling that even the ice-hard heart of Hades melted" What is the effect of the hyperbole in this quote? a.) It compares Orpheus' music to ...
music -year 8i`m doing a school project in music about buddy holly. i need info about when he died and how, all about his music , if he was married had any children . thanks so much to everyone who helps!
year 8 musicfor my music assignment i need to find 4 musical facts about the harpsichord and explain what it is . id be grateful for some help . thanks!
school1) What are four suggested steps to becoming familiar with early music standards? I. Implement the music standards. II. Consult with a music specialist. III. Check to make sure the music standards are satisfied. IV. Read the music standards. V. Sign up for an in-service ...
mathMileys music has a sale on music cds. All music Cds are discounTed 15%. mariana's receipt indicates that she saved $3 on her cd purchase. What is the full price of her music cd before discount
music*has chininse music influenced western music?and why? *Have any of china's traditional instruments been "westenised"?which ones? *Is there a particular piece of music that is used for special ceremonies or events in china?
musicwhat is an element in music There are a number of musical elements: rhythm, melody, dynamics, harmony, tempo, timbre, articulation, texture and form. You can find definitions for these by clicking on MUSIC under SUBJECTS on the left side of your screen, and then click on Music...
musicAnother question on music. I am unable to find where and why music music started.
English1. He is listening to music with headphones. 2. He is listening to music with a headphone. 3. He is listening to music with headsets. 4. He is listening to music with a headset. 5. He is listening to music with headset. (Which expressions are correct? Would you let me know how...
Technology1. Which of the following is an example of music piracy? A. borrowing your friend's CD B. borrowing a CD from the library C. downloading a song for $1.00 from a reputable website D. copying a CD from your friend and giving it to another friend** 2. Which of the following is ...
scienceThis year for my science fair project I will be testing to see if music affects a person's blood pressure. I will have a participant get relaxed (for 5 minutes). After he/she is relaxed, I will take his/her blood pressure with a digital sphygmomanometer (instrument used to ...
scienceThis year for my science fair project I will be testing to see if music affects a person's blood pressure. I will have a participant get relaxed (for 5 minutes). After he/she is relaxed, I will take his/her blood pressure with a digital sphygmomanometer (instrument used to ...
correctionOne of people's favorite hobbies is to listen to music. is there another word to say for people. it sounds too informal for an essay. Many people have a hobby of listening to music. The favorite hobby of many people is to listen to music. Listening to music is the favorite ...
musicmusic to be performed by a small group is commonly known as _____ music a. orchestral b. chamber c. concerto d. sequential
musicWhat is the main difference between Baroque and Classical music? I think barouge music is based on emotion but am not sure.
Musiccompare and contrast music essay. "The parent trap" and "the sound of music" how to get started?
musictwentieth-century music features more _____ instruments than music of other periods a. string b. percussion c. woodwind d. brass
musicwhat music form is used most today in pop and country music?
English1. He preferred jazz to rock music. 2. He preferred jazz music to rock music. ========== Does #1 mean #2? Is 'music' missing after 'jazz' in #1? •English - Ms. Sue, Friday, November 13, 2015 at 10:33pm Since "jazz" obviously is music, the two sentences are the same. However...
MusicList at least 2 similarities and 4 differences found through comparing the music, the music traditions, performing, etc., of Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
MusicI Need help on writing 5 pages essay on 5 major components that make up music . must name them , describe them , and give examples of how they can affect the style of the music .
starting music in key stage 3when do we use music?? and how do we listen to music??
MusicHow is FOLK music different from CLASSICAL music in South Asia?
music 394What is ''American'' music and what differentiates it from European or African Music
country reportWaht kind of music do they listen to in Thailand? I'm doing a project about Thailand and as an idea, I thought of either playing traditional music or bringing in Thai food. I'm not sure where to find Thai music (or info about music in Thailand) though.
economicsThe average 15- year- old purchases 12 CDs and 15 cheese pizzas in a typical year. If cheese pizzas are inferior goods, would the average 15- year- old be indifferent between receiving a $ 30 gift certificate at a local music store and $ 30 in cash? Explain.
Music1. How did the music business change in the early 1970s? 2. In what ways did rock music become more conservative in the 1970s? 3. Name three technological advances in sound or recording that helped change rock in the late 60s and early 1970s. 4. Name three new "styles" of rock...
musicin the song day-o the song is part of the________ section music and sug by____________? i forgot my music book at school so in HELP PLEASE
MusicI am wondering... what is a "chant"? Like what was the first chant where did it come from? Also, what is its original function and why is it important to the history of music and how does it relate to today's music?
MUSICWhat is meant by Caribbean music in a new mode What emphasis, in this chapter, seems to justify a departure from traditional presentations of music and culture of the Caribbean?
ChemistryA particular MP3 encoder can convert 79.0 kilobytes (kb) of music per second from a typical music CD. How many minutes will it take to convert 13.3 megabytes (Mb) of music from a CD?
Sign LanguageDeaf Music is music played by Deaf musicians only*** is music by hearing artists about Deaf people is music interpreted into American Sign Language expresses what being Deaf means
musicWhat types of music did wind bands play ? Marches,church themes is only i can think of Wind ensambles have a huge repatuar in Classical music
MusicCould somebody help me with my music homework,please...Try to find examples of three pieces of music that are played in three different tempos(fast,medium and slow)....Thank you for help.
MusicCould somebody help me with my music homework,please...Try to find examples of three pieces of music that are played in three different tempos(fast,medium and slow)....Thank you for help.
musicCompare and contrast European Western music to music of other cultures?.What elements are similar?.What elements are different?.
math help pls plsMeg initially has 3 hours of pop music and 2 hours of classical music in her collection. Every month onwards, the hours of pop music in her collection is 5% more than what she had the previous month. Her classical music does not change. Which function shows the total hours of ...
MusicMy music teacher was saying that if any1 can answer this question then he will give us gift.So i wanted to answer my teacher the question is Q1.Name the types of music for example pop, rock ,country and tell how they are which type is soft which have so much music? please ...
statMusical styles other than rock and pop are becoming more popular. A survey of college students finds that 34% like country music, 32% like gospel music, and 12% like both. What is the conditional probability (±0.01) that a student likes gospel music, given that he or she ...
statisticsMusical styles other than rock and pop are becoming more popular. A survey of college students finds that 48% like country music, 30% like gospel music, and 10% like both. What is the conditional probability (±0.01) that a student likes gospel music, given that he or she ...
musicHow was the music of the 1960's different from the music of the 1970's?
probabilityThere are 12 CD's in a bag -- 6 rap music, 3 country music, and 3 rock music. Two CD's are selected from the bag. The first CD is not replaced before making the second selection. What is the total number of possible out outcomes?
musicI need help I'm about to take my Comprehensive Final Exam on Foundations of Music A STEP BY STEP APPROACH TO MUSIC THEORY. I'm so confused I don't want to fail my test I failed the last two I'm afraid of failing. Please help me.
Applied ReseachFor my research paper I wrote about the affects of music on standardized test scores. Basically I tracked scores of elementary and middle schoolers. I compared those who participate in music and those who didn't (quantitative research). Then i wrote a questionnaire with 10 ...
MusicOkay, I have to do a powerpoint for Spain. And I need some background music. It would be best if it's Spain music, or somewhat related, but there aren't then any kind of background music that would fit a powerpoint would be fine. Thank you very much.
EnglishChoose music from a movie or a favorite TV show and explain in TWO paragraphs: 1) What is the theme of this movie/show? What support do you have for this theme? 2) Why does this music lend itself so perfectly to this particular theme? Be sure you explore the following: Is the ...
MusicI know this is probably a dumb question but I have to write a report on a music artist and I like rock music so I want to know what artist should I choose? Marilyn Manson or Rob zombie? And can someone tell me some stuff about them?
literature artsWhich of the following lists includes the major art forms used in this opera 1. vocal music, acting and dance 2. vocal music and dance 3. vocal and instrumental music, acting , and dance 4. instrumental music, acting, and dance 5. vocal and instrumental music and acting my ...
bussinessI believe innovation will come from outside the mainstream music .... If you are a record producer or engineer, create other products to produce. ... If you think you can survive in the recorded music business, find something else to sell. .... and position leaders in the ...
year 7 musicexplanation of musical chords and an example. thanks for help.
readingListening to a CD has been the method of listening to music for the last 20 years. Now downloading on Itunes and sharing MP3 files has become the wave of the future. Do you think this technology is a revolution and advancement in music or is it a downfall of the music industry...
Music1). What aspects of music do most people understand and appreciate about music? I.e., what do they remember about a piece – the melody, the rhythm, the harmony, the timbre, a combination of these? -I think the answer is melody but I'm not sure 2). If a music composer does ...
statisticsA music industry researcher wants to estimate, with a 90% confidence level, the proportion of young urban people (ages 21 to 35 years) who go to at least 3 concerts a year. Previous studies show that 21% of those people (21 to 35 year olds) interviewed go to at least 3 ...
statisticsA music industry researcher wants to estimate, with a 90% confidence level, the proportion of young urban people (ages 21 to 35 years) who go to at least 3 concerts a year. Previous studies show that 21% of those people (21 to 35 year olds) interviewed go to at least 3 ...
AlgebraA music downloading website reports that nearly 5 out of 7 songs are pop music. According to this infomation how many of the next 500 songs are pop music?. Round it to the nearest whole number.
MUSIC ASAPHi I'm a music man that sings and plays trumpets and 'bout to write and compose music which I'm getting started. I'm also a practical conductor also. Need help on how to prepare myself and how to write cues, bridges, parts, etc. for orchestra, jazz band, gospel choir, gospel ...
Music - Beat PoetryDoes anyone know a website for beat poetry music? I'm only looking for the music, so I can write a poem of my own... The ones I've found already have a poet and they require you to buy the CD online :/ Thanks much!
music historyI need an example thesis for a research paper. It can be about pretty much any music as long as its before 1750. (pretty much everything from Ancient Music - The Baroque period). Thanks in advance!
musici need to find out what makes a good composer,i'm in year 11
music appreciationThe Baroque period began around the year ___?
musichi um could you help me i have to do a music assignment and i to talk to my class about a piece of music from my fave artist like what instruments are used the structure of the music and those kinds of things but im not good at music and don't really understand could u clear ...
Creating High-Quality CentersWhich of the following statements concerning infants and music is true? A. Babies aren't instinctive music makers; instead, they need to be taught to create and respond to music. B. Lullabies are found only in cultures originating in Europe, so they might not be appropriate in...
year 7 musicexplain ternary form what have played/sound in this structure thanks for your help!
MusicWhich member of the rhythm section is responsible for giving cues about upcoming changes in the music or that a new section of music is about to occur? drums bass piano saxophone My answer- bass
mathThere are 35 students in a class who stu dy either art or music, 15 study art. Twice as many students who study art study music. COMPLETE THE VENN DIAGRAM TO SHOW. Art only MUSIC ONLY art and music
EnglishRead the following quote from Betty Bonham Lies's retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. When Orpheus made music, all the world stopped to listen. Wild beasts drew near him, so entranced they put aside their fierceness. Trees gathered around to hear his beautiful ...
music urgent!!!!!!!!!!!!i need help with annotating a piece of idian bollywood music is there anyone who can help me? xXx uzi xXX hi hi back can can you help me with my music course work that is left before it is complete??? xXx uzi xXx
English1. He preferred jazz to rock music. 2. He preferred jazz music to rock music. ========== Does #1 mean #2? Is 'music' missing after 'jazz' in #1?
AnthropologyMs.Sue, I need your assisting please. Can you please give me advice on this Chipolatta Culture Music, I need you. Thank you. The Chipolatta music instruments consist of things like, drums, flutes, and other percussion instruments including their voices which can be heard ...
musicwhich composer use components in music? what are the 5 major Components in music.
music before the 1920'si need to know what music was like before the 1920's, before jazz. Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Here's a site I like a lot! http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/music-1.html
Science Fair Research (Re: Music)I need 2 more pages to write about for my science fair research report and I ran out of topics to discuss. I am experimenting/researching on the effects of typing while listening to music. I have covered how the brain perceives music, modern examples of how music affects ...
MathPart A Lisa has downloaded 260 songs on her mp3 player,of her260 songs, 117 are pop music. What percent of lisas songs are pop music. Part B country music makes up to 20% of lisas 260 songs. How many songs are country music .. PartA already answered I need explanation part B
Repost: Science - for shorteePosted by shortee on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 7:16pm. Okay, so i need help finding my independent, dependent, and control of my science fair project. my probelem is: Does music affect the ability of a child's to nap restfully. 3 types of music i played: Soft classical ...
MusicWhich phrase describes the parts of a basic music staff? 5 lines and 6 spaces high and low music notes 5 spaces and 4 lines 5 lines and 4 spaces
Math and MusicI have to do a presentation on how math and music relate. I have found some things and facts but everything is so complicated. If someone could help explain to me how I can narrow my topic down and make a presentation that is simple but effective. It can be anything within the...
musicHow has other culture's use of their music in American helped them to keep their identity.
musicHow has other culture's use of their music in American helped them to keep their identity.
Musiiic.I am at school give me cultural music and music over time periods.!
musicwhat developments of the Baroque made the most significant contributions to the future of music.
musicWhat developments of the Baroque made the most signicant contributions to the future of music?.
musicwhy did romanticism affect music in italy more slowly than in other countries
musicwhich one of the following terms best describes the music the classical period
musicthe music of brahms is often describe as a. negative b. dissonant c. disorganized d. optimistic
MusicVon Bingen's Play of Virtues is set to which of the following types of music?
MusicHow did music in the sixties represent/reflect the political and social climate? 3 ways.
musicseems to justify a departure from traditional presentations of music and culture of the Caribbean?
musicIn what ways can we foster an interest and acceptance of music from other cultures?
musicI've got to design a poster with the main elements of music on, any ideas.
music appreceationPost-Romantic music usually has a _______ quality
MusicWhat 18th century composer wrote music primarily for the harp?
musicmy music homework says fill in each blank so that the duratons are equivalenti don't get it
musicin the song dayo, it is part of the_____section of the music sung by____________?
MusicI need to kown all 8 letters music instruments name.
non-Western MusicWhat is meant by Caribbean music in a new mode?
musicwhy college students learn about music that is not their favorite type
musicWhat is music called when it is written in 2 or more chords played simultaneously?


text:
Valentine's day is, of course, a celebration of love. For most couples, this is the moment to start looking for extraordinary presents that speak volumes and show their partners how appreciated they are. But if you want to make Valentine's day a little more special this year, how about planning your proposal for this romantic night? After all, could there be a better day to ask your loved one to marry you? As a consecration of your love, a proposal is the best present that you could make to your darling on February, 14. All you need is to be brave and to follow some of these handy tips. We wish you best of luck!
Organize A Romantic Meal
There is no Valentine's day without a nice dinner for two. While there is still time to book a table at her or his favorite restaurant in town or to take your darling on a surprise getaway at a starred restaurant, you could also prepare a romantic dinner at home. From elegant sauce reductions to a friendly tapas night, you will find plenty of easy recipes to follow online, and to match your tastes. Don't worry if you're not feeling confident in the kitchen; there are thankfully plenty of helpful tutorial videos for you to get your head around all the essentials of cooking. You can easily be a little playful with your plating strategy too if you feel up for it. Or you can let the gift speak for itself.
Get An Amazing Ring
At the core of any proposal, there is a ring. Whether you pick a vintage ring or one from a collection of designer engagement rings is entirely up to you: You are the best person to know the tastes of your darling. However, for best effect, you should find a way to subtly measure the circumference of their ring finger so that you can be sure that the ring will fit perfectly. Use one of her own rings as a reference, if you can. If you can't, checking gloves can be a good starting point, for example.
Add A Touch Of DIY Creativity
There is something about DIY gifts that naturally excites and pleases everyone. It is not certain whether this comes from the originality of the gift, as this is something that they will never find in the high street shops, or from the time investment that you made, which is often seen as a token of love. But the fact remains: Hand-crafted gifts impress. While it would be tricky to make the engagement ring, unless this is exactly the type of talents that you've been secretly developing to impress her, you could certainly hide the ring inside your DIY gift. For example, you could prepare a bath bomb for you two to enjoy that will reveal the ring once dissolved – although, if you do that, make sure to place the ring inside a plastic ball so that it can float elegantly instead of sinking at the bottom of the tub.


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What's Up in the 8th
This week's "We Know What You Meant, But You Could Have Said It Better" Award goes to the trial judge in State v. Hawkins. Hawkins was facing life without parole for several aggravated murders, and in explaining why a plea deal might be beneficial, the judge told him, "If you're convicted of all these crimes, Mr. Hawkins, you are going to die in prison, and so is everybody else in your family."
Hawkins presented a common issue: on the day of trial, Hawkins announced he wanted new lawyers because he didn't feel they "are going to fight for me to the fullest extent." On appeal, he argued this required the trial court to fully investigate the reasons for his discontent, but the court relied on the substantial case law which holds his complaint wasn't suffiicently specific; "vague or general objections do not trigger the duty to investigate further."
As usual, several cases where pleas and sentencings were screwed up. In State v. White, the imposition of post-release controls consists of nothing more than the admonition that "you'll be placed on three-years of post-release control, which if you violate even by jaywalking, it will result in you doing more prison time," so that comes back. In State v. Tokar, the judge forgets to tell the defendant what the penalties are for the crimes he's pleading to, so that comes back, too.
The defendant in State v. Griffin complains of post-release controls, too, and seems to have a good argument. His plea had been vacated -- two weeks after he'd finished serving his sentence -- because the judge hadn't told him of PRC. On remand, he entered the same plea, and this time the judge properly imposes PRC. Griffin argues now that the judge can't do that because, under State v. Bezak (discussed here), PRC can't be imposed during resentencing if the defendant has already completely his sentence.
But, as the 8th correctly notes, that's where the sentence is vacated. Here, the plea was vacated, restoring the situation to the status quo ante. When the defendant entered his plea the second time, the court was free to impose PRC.
Another well-reasoned case is State v. Edwards, where the defendant was found in an apartment during a drug search, along with a fair amount of drugs, scales, baggies, and so forth. He argued that they belonged to the tenant, but the court said that his conviction for possession could stand because he was in close enough proximity to the drugs that he could be said to have constructively possessed them. But the court notes that constructive possession is not sufficient to prove trafficking or possession of criminal tools: there was no evidence that Edwards had anything to do with bagging the drugs or weighing them, and his guilt of that couldn't be inferred from his mere presence.
In State v. Johnson, the defendant was charged with multiple counts of rape and kidnapping, plus one for having a weapon under disability. He offered to stipulate to the prior convictions on the disability, but the State refused, and the decision concludes that, since the prior convictions were elements of the crime, the judge was right in allowing the jury to hear about them. The whole problem could have been avoided if the defense had asked to bifurcate the disability count and have that heard by the judge; why that wasn't done isn't mentioned. Judge Rocco's dissenting opinion contains an excellent summary of how this prejudiced Johnson: one of the prior convictions was for rape, and in rebuttal the State called the victim of that crime, who testified about the details of it; the State argued in closing the similarity in how the two crimes were committed.
The puzzler of the week is State v. Jay. Jay advised the police that while changing his 3-year-old son's diaper, Jay tickled the boy's testicles, which resulted in the child getting an erection, which Jay stroked several times. Jay also helpfully tells the police that he "may have used saliva on the boy's penis"; the officer's observation that Jay was "probably intoxicated" comes as little surprise. Jay's claim that he was "just joking around" and that the whole thing was "no big deal" is ultimately disproved by his conviction of gross sexual imposition.
Jay's argument on appeal was simple: the statute requires that the sexual contact be "for the purpose of sexually arousing or gratifying either person," and the judge had failed to instruct the jury on purpose. The court, relying primarily on its decision earlier this year in State v. Dunlap, concludes that GSI with a minor under 13 is a strict liability offense, and no mens rea is required: all that is necessary is proof that the proscribed sexual contact occurred.
This represents a complete misreading of Dunlap, which involved the mens rea with regard to the "under 13" element. Dunlap argued that the State should be required to show that he was at least reckless with regard to knowing the child's age. The court rejected that argument, as it has in the rape statutes. One can mistake a 15-year-old for an 16-year-old, which is why the sexual misconduct statutes require recklessness as to age. One can't reasonably mistake a 12-year-old for a 16-year-old, though, so the imposition of strict liability as to age makes sense. But it's real hard to argue that the sexual contact element is strict liability, especially when the statute specifically says, "for the purpose of."
Finally, in State v. Whitsette the court engages in its weekly Search & Seizure Smackdown, reminding the Cleveland Police once again that an anonymous tip does not furnish the basis for a stop unless the police can corroborate the incriminatory details of the tip: If someone calls and says that two men in a blue Pontiac are selling dope on E. 117th St., and you go to E. 117th and see two men in a blue Pontiac, you can't stop them unless you see them doing something consistent with selling dope. Interestingly, the passenger ran from the car when he saw the police, but the court holds this doesn't create a basis for a pat-down of the driver. The passenger's actions would have led to a different result in at least half the districts in this State.


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New projects are created every day and the power of its ideas spread out even more. Today, the Internet constituted a prodigious source of information, where precisely, coexists all the thoughts of millions of peoples. But, because of that, is important that every person has a place.
A space in the network with a customize design and a creative name that represent the individual or collective ideas. Usually, a website have this function: be the information center of any projects, foundation, business or pyme. With a website, you can transmit or sale an idea, either because the Internet is the world's largest interconnected network or because every person with access with this platform can know about your intentions.
For this reason is that many ventures to make themselves known, the first thing that they have to do are create a web page parallel with socials networks related to same brand. This allows greater impact and visibility gradually, being in Internet with a website is the first step for receive recognition, followers, sales and affiliates; it's one of the most important techniques of social media and online marketing, undoubtedly two working fields which are breaking through thanks to technological advances and the rise of internet business. Each day are more the people who want be part of something big and grow professionally with the support of the Internet and its tools to boost trade.
It's not a surprise that the informatics industries have grown, providing the support and the help to these business communities with the creation and construction of a space in the Internet, that is to say, a website. Here is where the importance of business registers domain concentered and even more, the importance of choosing the best of them. Know the best domain registrars on Internet and learn how to use it for create your own website with a creative brand.
What is a domain?
First of all it's essential to know exactly what a domain is and how it works. A web domain is basically a name that can be alphanumeric that is bound to a physical address of a computer or electronic device. Usually they used to represent an address of a website according to their characteristics. The domain is composed of two sections; the first is the name of the company and the second type of organization (.com). Among the most common types of organizations we have: .com (commercial), .net (network) and .org (organizations). By this we mean that a domain is where your web space hosting by connecting the address of your computer and the space created.
What are the best registrar's domains?
- Namecheap: As the name suggests register a domain on the web Namecheap is pretty cheap and affordable. Not only this company is known for offering sales and service domains, it makes things easier with transfer possibilities and redirect domains. It's one of the best because it offers quality and comfortable annually payments, in addition to providing security. Mostly all these companies previously check whether the domain has already been used by someone else.
- Hover: Hover is another register site reliable and simple to use, that offers comprehensive tools to create and manage domains. In addition to a large control panel, each domain that includes shopping forwarding, transfer and free private registration to keep your personal information hidden. The E-mail accounts are available for an additional charge. Founded in July 2008 y located in Canada, Hover is the third largest ICANN-accredited domain registrars in the world y one of the most use it.
- GoDaddy: Go Daddy has built over the years a client base by offering cheaper packages (combining domain registration and web hosting), as well as frequent special promotions on domain registration, which increases demand. Go Daddy includes a mini-hosting plan free. By registering you receive a website five pages with pre-designed templates, a photo album, blogging tools and an email account with 1GB of storage, thus is one of the best platforms to register a domain that gives you many possibilities if you're just starting with a business or a general idea. Godaddy also has a blog that allows your readers to know more all processes to register a domain.


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Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, Phuket – Thailand
Perpetually sunny, family friendly and of course, with plenty of activities and opportunities for adventures, Phuket is a great destination for people of all ages. Where to stay in Phuket? Thavorn Palm Beach Resort A luxury hotel near Karon Beach, with a great gastronomic offer


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Leaving her sister Anne at the Harrow estate in England, Nicole sets sail for the American colonies to manage her uncle's lands and finds her loyalties and faith tested during the American Revolution.
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"Anne's sorrow over her husband's death has been eased by the unexpected discovery of his heritage in the Harrow family and by her marriage to a brilliant young theologian. But Nicole is as restless as ever and has decided to retutn to North America. Should she go to the Acadian family of her childhood in Louisiana's bayous? Or should she settle in Nova Scotia near her birth parents? The American colonies are in revolt against England, and Uncle Charles asks her to go to Massachusetts to oversee his extensive landholdings. The attentions of the ship's captain during the crossing touch a yearning deep within her, but she also realizes all her loyalties are about to be tested. Is she French? Is she English? Is she a supporter of the American cause? Nicole's unique legacy will allow her to play an extraordinary role in the unfolding historic events, but will she be able to find a home for her heart?"
Buy Distant Beacon (Song Of Acadia V4) by Janette Oke & T. Davis Bunn from our Christian Books store - isbn: 9780764226007 & 0764226002
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The Clifford D. Cheney House (1904)February 14th, 2008 Posted in Colonial Revival, Houses, Manchester
One of the mansions of the Cheney family of silk manufacturers, the Clifford D. Cheney House, on Forest Street in Manchester, faces Hartford Road across the "Great Lawn," around which the mansions are situated. The house, like a number of the other Cheney mansions, was designed by Charles Adams Platt, an architect, artist and landscape designer, whose mother was Mary Elizabeth Cheney. The house is distinctive with its pink stuccoed exterior.


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America's Got Talent Week 5 Recap
This week auditions were filled with a slew of likable performances. There was certainly a lot of talent, but there were a few duds thrown in and also a turd. Yes, there was a turd on stage. Here are the highlights from Chicago and San Antonio.
Kelsey and Bailey – A dancing duo. A woman and her dog. Keeping in mind a dog show won 'AGT' last season I still really liked Kelsey and her little dog, Bailey. Bailey ran around backwards on her hind legs and then when the act was over she gave her owner a high five. Hooray for animals doing human things! The judges sent them to Vegas.
Bruce Purvier and Family – Now when I say 'family' I'm talkin' wife and 12 kids kind of family. They spun a lot of basketballs and then rode around on really high unicycles. It was the Partridge family meets the Harlem Globetrotters. The talent probably lies in keeping twelve kids organized enough to create an act in the first place. It wasn't my kind of thing but the judges disagree and sent them to the next round.
David Furman – A comedy/stunt juggling act. Not only did David put himself in danger for his act, but even the judges, and maybe some of the audience, were in danger too. David held a stick in his mouth, balanced a red balloon on the stick, and then balanced a molotov cocktail on top of the balloon. If the molotov were to fall and hit the floor there would have been a major fire on stage. David popped the balloon with the molotov on top and it landed upright, on the sticks in David's mouth. I can't help but be skeptical that a real molotov cocktail was used. Would the producers really allow that? Anywho, he said there would be comedy in his act and there was none. Hopefully he will bring the comedy in Vegas.
Chicago Boyz – This south side acrobatics team impressed, especially when they turned a child into a jump rope! To Vegas with them!
2 Unique – Lela Brown and DJ Young One. These two ten year old had a lot of personality. They mashed up Run D.M.C.'s 'It's Tricky' with Black Eyed Peas' 'Boom Boom Pow'. Not a perfect act but a really fun one and the judges agree.
Sully Dunn – This 18 year old singer-songwriter really stumped the judges. Sully was full of a quirkiness that I couldn't help but love. He was so nervous that he couldn't stand still. He continuously fumbled with his guitar strap and at the end of his performance one of the strings broke on his guitar. Mel B compared Sully's performance and song to Green Day which seems accurate. The song didn't show any particularly amazing guitar skills but I loved his lyrics and his awkwardness. Howard Stern greatly disagreed with the other three judges who all thought Sully's quirks added to his act. Howard thought he was horrible. I noticed on twitter that it seemed 50/50 as far as people who liked Sully Dunn and who didn't, but I am pro Sully! He is through to Vegas.
Branden James – More opera. Of course there is more opera. Is there a contract that says every episode must have opera? He was great as most of the Opera singers that appear on this show are.
Trevor the Cat Trainer – I was rooting for this guy before he hit the stage. Anyone who says they can train cats must be talented. I was so excited to see kitties! Trevor hit the stage and summoned a cat to him and from backstage came a giant, cat costume, puppet thing, I don't even know. But I still had faith that real cats would be involved. Maybe the giant, fake cat would spit out real cats? Nope. Instead it spit out a fur ball and then it pooped out a giant plastic poop. I feel like a fool.
San Antonio
David Fenley – With a bluesy, raspy voice he performs Alex Clare's 'Too Close' giving us a version that I may like more than the original. He is possibly my favorite singer on the show so far, not only because of his skills but his personality shined as well when it came to his banter with the judges. He asked Mel B "Is it what you want, what you really, really want?" However, I don't know how we haven't heard that joke nine times already.
Dancin' Dylan Wilson – Dancin' Dylan is an animation dancer. It seems that every little movement counts in this dance style and he made sure of it. Kenichi from week 3's auditions is still my favorite dancer but Dancin' Dylan is definitely competition for him.
Hunk O Mania International Men of Steel – Dressed as Gladiators they gave a very average dance performance. Heidi and Mel B wanted to put them through because they thought they were dreamy but thank goodness Howard and Howie didn't let that happen. Also, am I the only woman in the world who doesn't find that man boob flex thing sexy? This prompts Howard Stern to flirt with Heidi Klum. Drink!
Lil Mike and Funny Bone – These two are Native American brothers, both named Jesus, and they are little people. They are everything! Jesus and Jesus certainly had the audience on their feet with their song 'Rain Dance'. They were entertaining enough to make it to the next round.
American Hitmen – This rock band was made up of Marines who all met while serving. Howard Stern has been looking for a rock band and he very well may have found one.
I am still feel like a loser. I was sure there would be real, trained cats! Why am I so gullible? Overall it was a very strong week for musicians with six memorable music acts, but next week I want kitties.


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Search for Experienced Electricians to Avoid Disputes
When searching for electrical contractors, always look for those who have a suitable amount of experience in this particular field. There are several fresher electricians available in the market. If the professional is licensed, then there is no harm in hiring him/her. Carrying out a survey online can be helpful. There are several testimonial sites available online, going through which can help in gathering some valuable information about electrical contractor agencies available in the city. Most electrical contractors run their own agencies. They hire electric technicians who have the necessary degree and license. In fact, those technicians who do not have a licensed degree may find it quite difficult to grab the job.
A diploma in electronic engineering can be helpful. There are also short term specialization courses available for those who want to grab the knowledge, and the license, at a shorter time span. However, more exposure to this field in real life will allow them to achieve expertise. At first, they will work as junior assistant to senior electric technicians. By this way, they will gather necessary knowledge and practical work experience.
When searching for a proper electric technician, it is necessary to look for an experienced one. This will avoid disputes during installation or repairing stage. An inexperienced electric technician may not have the best of knowledge to deal with complicated installation of electronic devices. The professional may make situation more difficult to handle at a later stage. So, it is always important to look for expert technicians.
Another factor to consider while hiring electricians is budget. There will definitely be a fixed budget beyond which it becomes difficult to afford. Discuss and negotiate properly with the professional before finalizing the deal. Otherwise, negotiating during the billing time may worsen the situation.
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The 2015 Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching "Vassilis Xanthopoulos- Stephanos Pneymatikos"
Dec 01, 2015The ceremony of the Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching dedicated to the memory of Vassilis XANTHOPOULOS and Stephanos PNEVMATIKOS" will take place at the main Hall of the Old Parliament in Athens on December 4, 2015, at 19.00.
Best Student Research Paper Award at the 23rd European Signal Processing Conference (EUSIPCO 2015) to researchers of the Institute of Computer Science of FORTH
Nov 04, 2015Anastasios Alexandridis, PhD Candidate at the University of Crete and member of the Signal Processing Laboratory of the Institute of Computer Science (ICS), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), received the Best Student Paper Award at the 23rd European Signal Processing Conference (EUSIPCO 2015, Nice, France 31st August - 4th September 2015), as the first author of the paper entitled "Addressing the data-association problem for multiple sound source localization using DOA estimates."
Best Student Research Paper Award at the 14th International Semantic Web Conference (ISWC 2015) to researchers of the Institute of Computer Science of FORTH
Nov 02, 2015The paper entitled "A Flexible Framework for Understanding the Dynamics of Evolving RDF Datasets", presented by Yannis Roussakis, received the Best Student Research Paper Award at the 14th International Semantic Web Conference (ISWC 2015, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania October 11-15, 2015).
When your smart home will "LISTEN"
Oct 22, 2015The new EU project "LISTEN" is working on creating a robust, hands-free speech control interface for home systems. The partners from Germany, Italy and Greece will develop a smart-home-specific natural voice interface to web services. Moreover, they want to bridge the gap between microphone systems, signal processing and speech recognition.


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Online marketing should be part of every business owner's website development plans. The most effective way to become successful is taking the time to educate yourself in the process. Read on if you want the knowledge that will help to make you an expert in the Web marketing field.
You need a mailing list or a newsletter of every single client. Allow sign-ups on your site or require emails for purchases. This information can be used to solicit customer feedback or contact customers with sales and special offers.
Avoid too much dazzle on your website because it can be very distracting. You only have a few seconds to engage your potential customer and give them a reason to stay on your site. If it takes longer than this, they will move on to the next one.
Get customers to click on ads by creating links to the product you sell. It is possible to utilize text that is similar to that used in your articles and insert the image toward the end of your articles. Doing this will give you the ad on your page but will not make the page look spammy.
Ensure your page has good content that your customers will use. A minimalist one page website which only provides your business address and hours isn't going to draw traffic and will be easily passed by. Build up your website with useful content, interesting reviews and other things that shows your visitors that you know what you are doing and that you are not just a fly by night presence.
You should always take time to investigate the strategies of your competitors. Examine other relevant entities and identify alterations that could be made to your own site. If you have a particular service other websites seem to be lacking in, make sure to highlight these on your site in an effort to beat the competition.
Deciding what direction to take your website and business can be a daunting task. Consider your options until you are fine with which direction to take. The niche you choose should be something with which you are comfortable and that you enjoy. Marketing your site is easier if you have a target.
Keeping your website simple is a technique that is often overlooked by webmasters. Glitzy multimedia tools, such as Microsoft Silverlight and Adobe Flash may lure website owners, and professional web designers frequently offer these tools. You want your site to be dynamic, but you also want it to be accessible to everyone. Functionality and readability are the most important elements of any website.
To attract the right people to your site, know who you are aiming to reach out to, and what you will need to do that. Now that you know who your target audience is, it will be easy to find the information that will encourage them to access your site time and again.
Always try to give an extra bonus to your customer when you ship their purchase. It might be a free sample or a discount coupon for future purchase. Many customers jump at the chance to use a coupon to buy something they needed or wanted anyway.
Third party security is crucial for all business websites that sell products. There are a lot of services that are considered 'trusted'. VeriSign and McAfee are two examples of services that can help keep customer information safe. These services do charge, but they help keep everyone safe.
To be truly successful with Internet promotion, you have to be original. Online filters are good at locating duplicate content. Although you may experience gains in the present, you might experience losses in the future. Figure out how to be creative.
As you can see, internet marketing is a great way to promote products. If you want to see success with Website marketing, you must know what you are doing. This advice is provided for you to use to become successful at Affiliate marketing.
I really hope that you got guidance and positive benefit inside of this article in regard to online business strategy. I know it it will be beneficial to you when you set it into practice. Visit this site on a regular basis to help keep on top of this topic as well as additional important Online marketing subjects you must have to get Tips for starting an online business. In addition, highly recommended for your Online marketing development and success is D.I.Y. Internet Marketer High Profit Online business Systems.Com. Go there right now and check it out!


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The best thing about a caravan holiday is that you really don't need anything else to have a good time. You are literally dragging your accommodation, food and clothing along with you. The only other thing that is required is for you to head in a direction of your choice and stop when you feel like it. Whether you are a grey nomad on a retirement adventure or a young couple who wants to explore parts of the country not found in the guide books, a caravan trip is the ideal way to make your own memories.
Of course there are always a few additions and precautions to take in order to turn your great holiday into the perfect caravan getaway. Here are a few handy things to consider before you and your van hit the highway.
Add To The Kitchen
Most vans come equipped with a fully operational kitchen – stove top, small oven and a microwave. But that isn't always enough for your needs. Nor does it allow you to enjoy the great outdoors when you cook. Consider taking a portable barbecue that can fold up and fit easily in the van or your car while travelling. You can purchase portable grills such as Ziegler & Brown from a range of retailers like Barbeques Galore – they come in all sizes and are perfect for travel.
Plan, At Least A Little
The thrill and great advantage of a caravan holiday is that you aren't constricted by timetables or the agendas set by travel agencies. But that doesn't mean you should set off blindly, following nothing but your nose and a sixth sense, hoping you'll end up somewhere safe and even remotely interesting. Put together a small travel guide listing the attractions and facilities you will find along your projected route. You don't have to stick to it. It should be flexible enough to accommodate spur-of-the minute changes of plans and directions.
Gorgeous old Car with a Caravan ~
Driving through Berry NSW.
Know Your Caravan Parks
Do some research into the caravan parks in the areas you plan to visit. Look for parks that allow pets. This helps if you are taking pets with you or if you just want to avoid other campers with pets! Know the minimum and maximum stay periods. Knowing in advance the best places to stop will reduce the risks of having to camp by the side of the road or other restricted, possibly illegal areas.
A Vehicle Health Check
Before heading off, make sure you have both your vehicle and caravan checked for faults. Have the vehicle serviced and check the brakes and wheels on the caravan. Also have some experts run their eyes over the tow equipment and electrics to ensure everything is in top working order. There is nothing worse than being stuck on the Nullarbor Plain with a caravan that has broken loose from the vehicle. While you are at it, check the caravan's gas lines to the kitchen and bathroom facilities (if applicable). You don't want to blow up, either.
Caravanning is at once both relaxing and exhilarating – but it can just as easily be frustrating when things go wrong. Take a few precautions, try at least to have a vague idea of where you are going and all that will be left for you to do is have fun.
*In collaboration with Super A-Mart
What Tips Do You Have For The Perfect Caravan Getaway?
New Life on the Road