text:
I am not supposed to get sick. Disease happens to other people, not me.
Oh, I know, it's true what the Buddhists say: "In all lives there is suffering."
I've repeated that mantra a lot over the years. Yet somehow I never really understood that "I" am included in all lives. I missed the "we" of human vulnerability.
Then two weeks ago, flying home after visiting our three sniffly grandchildren, whose adorable picture I see here framed in front of me, I said to my husband, "I think I'm coming down with something. First time in years. Hmm."
The "hmm" should have been my clue to get humble. But, no. I was out of touch with the fact that being ill is an inescapable fact of life. I had forgotten that sick happens. I pointed the finger to those beloved toddlers and to all those bacteria and viruses at the Portland International Jetport and on our flight.
"Me? Come on! I take a walk every day, eat organic kale, drink green smoothies." Within minutes, I zoomed from a denying, "How me?" to a defiant, "Why me?" and landed securely in "Poor me" victimhood, each stage punctuated by, "Bad me. I must have done something wrong."
The unnamed bugs congested my brain before they stuffed up my nose and sinuses, and then filled my chest, cramping any breathing. I spiked a fever for a few days, accompanied by a pinpoint skin rash and several nights of wheezing coughs.
Again overlooking the truth that anything can happen to anyone at any time, and running out of little kids and big public places to blame, I started to chastise myself, as if this malady were the result of some character defect or mistake: "It must have been that cookie dough frozen coconut milk I scarfed down. I ruined my immune system."
Clearly my judging mind was suffering as much if not more than my tired body. I admit to a tad bit of pride: Do I think I am above contracting infections? Do I think I'm better than people who don't exercise or eat well?
Accusing others and criticizing myself, it took me awhile to settle into serenity, into no-blame. And I didn't start kind self-care until I phoned a few friends.
Feeling sorry for myself, I called Barbara. I confessed, "I'm afraid I somehow made myself sick, as if by some weakness of soul, I messed up. I'm worried it's some weird twist of karma."
She said, "You're taking this personally? Sue, mid-winter flu season is pretty impersonal. An epidemic has nothing to do with your supposed religious failings. Don't you believe in germs? Go to bed, honey. Send yourself love and well-wishes. Breathe in ease. Breathe out fear."
I reached out to Jules, a holistic healer. I wanted a fix, hoped he would suggest a homeopathic remedy or an herb, something like, "Take ginseng and feel better in two days." Instead, he said, "I suspect the hardest lesson for you might be the patience required to allow yourself to heal."
Hmm. Another moment of humility.
Even though I know it's not unusual to be under the weather in February in Maine, I still believed I should be able to stay well. I turned to my wise pal Jane for empathy.
I said, "Maybe this is due to not enough vegetables in my diet." She laughed, one of those deep knowing wisdom laughs. "HA! If your sinus headache and croupy cough were caused by nutritional deficiencies, I and most of the population would be in way bigger trouble than you. Compassion, girl. Beating yourself up won't help. Don't go there."
Ever so affectionately Jane said that, although I think I shouldn't be ailing in the first place, I should be nice to myself. In effect, Barbara and Jules had offered me the same empathic teaching.
And the red cursive lettering on the white wooden frame around that picture of my three grandkids shows me another spiritual message: "PEACE. Let peace begin right here."
Hmm. Peace. I finally get it. So 14 days into this whatever-it-is, I am trying to let peace begin right here, practicing peace and gentle acceptance of "it's going around."
I am also working to cultivate the patience that comes from knowing that in all lives there is suffering. Mine, too. So rest and fluids it is, and maybe a little kale.
Susan Lebel Young, MSEd, MSC, is a retired psychotherapist. Her new book is "Food Fix: Ancient Nourishment for Modern Hungers" (March 2013), email: [email protected]


text:
I've been testing out pendulums charged using elemental energy for each of the 4 elements. I made several pendulums all the same, only metal on a string and no stones either. This way there would be no question about whether a stone could be adding any magical properties to it.
To charge them a Rune symbol of the element was used in the color used for charging. The Runes are...
In the past I had done much testing already for the element water. For many years have used one as a personal pendulum. Traditionally Water is good for people who are better at feeling things and Air is for the mentally guided and oriented thinkers. I've found Earth is another possibility too. Here are some colors...
Air-yellow or yellow/white
Water-green, violet/green
Earth-brown, green
I found that red works for fire but feels to much like raw electrical energy when you use the pendulum. Orange feels gentle and is the same for use.
Pendulums charged with the element fire behaved differently than the others. They are no different for yes/no questions but hold one over a map and they find energy or city power grids, earthquake fault lines. Also they locate weapons such as knives, even gun ammunition, natural gas lines, electrical wires that are hot. Once I had one charged that way start swinging toward my batteries sitting on the desk. Finally realized it would test my batteries, tell me which ones still are good. Never spent the money for a battery tester, but no need to now. The pendulum charged with the color orange and the Rune for Fire, is working fine. It will swing over good batteries and motionless when a battery is low. The low batteries will still power a TV channel changer and not my wieless mouse for the computer. I have tons of old AA batteries some over a decade old. This is proving to be a very useful pendulum.
Using the elements

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Harris Tweed's Sterling Concern Dismissed by Traders
For Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd. boss Ian MacKenzie, the question of whether an independent Scotland would keep the pound is crucial to his textile company's future. For foreign-exchange traders, the issue barely registers.
The pound was the only Group of 10 currency for which a measure of anticipated volatility fell in the past month through yesterday, data compiled by Bloomberg show. That suggests traders are dismissing the prospect of an upset in the Sept. 18 referendum, as opinion polls show an advantage for the unionist "no" campaign.
Traders believe "there's a close to zero chance of the vote passing," Geoffrey Yu, a senior currency strategist at UBS AG in London, said in a phone interview. "The chances are so slim it's hard to have a conversation beyond the hypothetical."
The currency dominates the debate over whether Scotland should remain part of the 307-year-old union with England. All three main U.K. political parties insist an independent Scotland wouldn't be able to use sterling, though nationalists say that's a bluff, with Nobel Prize winners Joseph Stiglitz and James Mirrlees backing their position.
The uncertainty is a "huge worry" for the 62-year-old MacKenzie, whose company employs more than 200 people and exports about 70 percent of the fabric it produces.
Executives' Letter
"We sell in sterling and only in sterling, so if we were to move from that it would be a concern," MacKenzie said in an interview last week from Scotland's Isle of Lewis. "The polls still point to a victory for 'no,' though nobody should be complacent."
In a letter published today and cited by Scottish newspapers, more than 120 executives said the case for independence hadn't been made and that uncertainty surrounds issues including the currency. MacKenzie was among the signatories, which ranged from HSBC Holdings Plc Chairman Douglas Flint to Jimmy Buchan, skipper and owner of the Amity Fish Company on Scotland's northeast coast.
Three-month implied volatility for the pound-dollar rate fell to 5.30 percent yesterday, from 5.41 percent on July 28 and compared with a seven-year low on a closing basis of 5.03 percent on June 6. That's the only decline in the G-10 in the past month, and contrasts with a 0.95 percentage-point jump in yen volatility to 6.50 percent, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
"There's been little market reaction to the prospect of the Scotland referendum, which would appear to reflect an assumption that the result will be a 'no' vote," Callum Henderson, the global head of foreign-exchange research at Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore, said by e-mail.
Better Together?
The lead enjoyed by the "Better Together" campaign is slipping.
An ICM opinion poll for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper on Aug. 17 put the "no" vote at 55 percent, down two points from a month earlier, while support for the pro-independence "yes" campaign climbed two points to 45 percent. Most polls reveal enough undecided voters to suggest that a large swing toward the nationalists could leave them victorious.
Scottish National Party leader and First Minister Alex Salmond clashed on the pound this week with rival Alistair Darling, the former U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer who leads the unionist campaign.
In the politicians' second and final televised debate on Aug. 25, Darling said a currency was a nation's "bedrock," and that uncertainty over the legal tender "can bring a country to its knees." Salmond reiterated his position that there's nothing to stop an independent Scotland from using the pound, even if that meant monetary policy would be dictated across the border by the Bank of England.
Nobel Views
A formal currency union would be an "excellent arrangement," Mirrlees, who's part of Salmond's advisory group on the financial implications of independence, said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Aug. 21. Fellow Nobel laureate Stiglitz is also part of the group, which recommends Scotland seek to retain the pound.
Rather than being driven by the Scots independence debate, strategists say the pound's peaks and troughs this year have been dictated by the prospect of the BOE becoming one of the first major central banks since the financial crisis to raise interest rates.
Sterling touched a five-month low of $1.6501 on Aug. 25, tumbling 4 percent from a post-crisis high of $1.7192 in July. It was at $1.6574 as of 12:15 p.m. in New York, still the biggest gainer after the New Zealand dollar in a basket of 10 developed-nation peers tracked by Bloomberg Correlation-Weighted Indexes in the past year, strengthening 7.8 percent.
Major companies with operations in Scotland are less sanguine about the future of sterling north of the border.
'Huge Uncertainty'
BP Plc, power-generator maker Aggreko Plc and insurer Standard Life Plc have raised concern in recent months over what currency Europe's newest state would use, and who would be its lender of last resort. Standard Life said in February it was preparing to shift business elsewhere should Scots vote for independence because of risks surrounding the currency and financial regulation.
Back on Lewis, MacKenzie, who was born on the island and learned the trade of weaver from his father, is concerned about both issues.
"With so many of those export markets, we're dependent on the exchange rate," said MacKenzie, who plans to vote "no" in the referendum in three weeks. "We don't know if a Scottish currency would be weaker or stronger. That's a huge uncertainty."
To contact the reporters on this story: Lukanyo Mnyanda in Edinburgh at email@example.com; Svenja O'Donnell in London at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Paul Armstrong at email@example.com Rodney Jefferson


text: Thanks KaiCee, that's one of my favorite soap boxes too. I fought my curly hair throughout the 70's and 80's, then finally figured out the curly hair looked better on me anyway; I'm having to let a bad cut grow out now because the stylist was hell bent to give me a style for straight hair, which I specifically said for her not to do. I'm aware of all the flat irons and stuff they have now, I just don't want to fight that battle anymore! Of course I was asking for it because my hair was waist length, and had only been trimmed for about 12 years. So I went into the salon knowing nothing, except that I'm getting a little too old to look right with hair that long. It's starting to look a little better now; maybe I can find someone who can cut curly hair next time!


text:
Eat to Live
I recently read Dr. Fuhrman's book "Eat to Live." It is available in audio form as well as in paperback. The website drfuhrman.com is well done.
I was very impressed and have adopted his concept of trying to eat 2 pounds a day of nutritious green foods daily. Sylvia has come up with a tasty way to help achieve this goal that I wanted to share with you.
Sylvia's Super Salubrious Salad Shake
In a powerful blender ( like a Vitamix) add the following ingredients:
-1 handful of carrots
-3 cloves garlic, pressed
- ½ jalepeno pepper
-1 tsp minced ginger
-2 T. red onion
-2 handfuls of spinach
-1 large leaf of kale (center rib removed)
-3 large leaves of romaine lettuce
- 1/2 avocado
-1 t. Bragg's Amino Acids or Nama Shoyu or soy sauce
-1 t. sea salt
-1 T. fresh lemon or lime juice
-1 T. hempseed or flaxseed oil
-1/2 cup water
Whiz altogether until a nice smooth consistency. You will probably need to eat with a spoon, but you can add more water if you want to drink it.


text:
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text:
Submitted by nikki on 1 April 2010 - 12:05pm
These are the instructions for newcomers.
- Go to worknets chat room http://www.worknets.org/chat/base/home.php?arsc_language=english.
- Type your name in the box and click on "Start the chat".
- You will find yourself in the chat room.
- It will "whisper" a welcome greeting to you (whispers are just seen by one person - they are not visible to everyone in the chat room)
- If you want to know what people were saying before you came into the chat room click on the chat archive link. You will see it on the right hand side of the chat screen.
- If you prefer you can check what is going on before you go into the chat room by going ot http://www.worknets.org/archive/ but you will not be able to write any chat of your own until you do go into the chat room properly
- When you leave the chat it is best to do it officially, by clicking the "leave" link on the left had side of the screen. This lets the computer, and everyone in the chat room, know you are not in the chat any more.
Sometimes there is a problem - perhaps you have a bad connection, or power cut.
On a bad day it is possible you have to sign in again to rejoin the chat. The computer will not let you re-use your name if it seems that someone with that name is already in the room. So just add a number to your name eg John2,John3 if this happens.
You may also have arrived at the first page of the chat room http://www.worknets.org/chat/ (and not the second) If you do just:
- Look for "Choose your language:" It is probably set for English (which is what you will need to choose.)
- Click on "Next" (if you have a Mac) or the symbol ">" (if you have Microsoft Windows) it is next to the "Choose your language" box. Then continue as above.
- Log in to post comments


text:
A NYPD officer has been placed on modified assignment following claims by former tennis professional James Blake that he was thrown to the ground and then handcuffed while mistakenly being arrested Wednesday at a Manhattan hotel, police said.
Police said undercover investigators were probing a theft ring that uses fraudulent credit cards to make cellphone purchases use a deliveryman to deliver the packages, and that deliveryman has been helping law enforcement by identifying suspects in the ring.
On Wednesday, he pointed out Blake as a suspect in the ring as Blake was standing outside the Grand Hyatt Hotel on East 42nd Street, police said.
Blake, 35, was waiting for a car to take him to Flushing Meadows when the undercover officers approached him, slamming him to the ground and cuffing him,The Daily News reports.
Blake told reporters outside the hotel Wednesday evening that the officers said nothing to him as they swarmed him.
"It shouldn't have happened. It's something we'll deal with with the police and we'll find out what they have to say internally," he said. "Hopefully there's video of it and people can see what happened."
Blake told The Daily News he had just answered a few questions from a magazine writer and was texting when he looked up and saw someone in shorts and a T-shirt charging at him. He assumed the man was perhaps an old acquaintance who wanted to greet him, so he smiled at the man.
In a statement NYPD spokesman Peter Donald said a cooperating witness had misidentified Blake.
"Once Blake was properly identified and found to have no connection to the investigation, he was released from police custody immediately. In regards to the alleged improper use of force, the Police Commissioner directed the internal affairs bureau to investigate," the statement said.
Blake, who is biracial, told the Daily News: "In my mind, there's probably a race factor involved, but no matter what there's no reason for anybody to do that to anybody."
He says he wants an apology from police.


text:
As we approach the Christmas Holidays, we would like to express our great joy and gratitude for all the families and couples who have joined us this year as well as past years- you all hold a very special place in our hearts!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Happy Holidays {a little early}
We are so excited for all of the 2011 and 2012 brides! Over the years we have had the pleasure of working with wonderful families; not only in creating a beautiful setting for their celebration but in helping their budgets go farther.
An Early Christmas...
Contact us today and find out how you can save $500 off of your wedding at the Mizell House, plus a nice extra bonus when you tour our historic estate!
An Early Christmas...
Contact us today and find out how you can save $500 off of your wedding at the Mizell House, plus a nice extra bonus when you tour our historic estate!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Fall Specials
Our new fall specials have just been created and are ready for you! Please send us an email with your wonderful wedding details to get started on your happily ever after!
Above: Image courtesy of Kathryn Brown Photography
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Premier Bride Bridal Show
The Bridal Show was absolutely fantastic, soooo excited to work with some wonderful brides!!!!! Every year we are met with such energy and enthusiasm as hundreds of brides stop by to say hello. Thank you so much for stopping by our booth and another BIG Congratulations on your upcoming wedding :)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Welcome to the Blog
We are so pleased to finally make our special debut on the blog-o-sphere and begin a tradition of sharing fun and unique event ideas, romantic love stories and interesting facts about all things wedding!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Nissan upgrades Leaf electric car, lowers price
Published 7:50 pm, Tuesday, November 20, 2012
TOKYO — The upgraded Nissan Motor Co. Leaf electric car can travel farther without recharging, comes in a cheaper model and tells drivers how much battery life is left.
The changes in the revamped model, shown Tuesday at a Tokyo hotel, were based on feedback from owners whose chief worry was running out of electric juice while driving, Nissan officials said.
Electric cars emit no pollution, but they need to be recharged. Owners have charging equipment installed at home, but the scarcity of recharging stations on the roads has limited electric vehicles use to short commutes and kept zero-emission cars confined to a market niche.
The new model can travel 142 miles on a single charge, up from 124 miles as long as you don't use air conditioning, because of improvements such as streamlining the battery system and the vehicle's lighter weight, according to Nissan.
It sells for less than $31,000 in Japan when stripped of fancy options and adding government green subsidies — more affordable than the cheapest previous model at just below $37,000.
Nissan did not detail overseas sales plans but said similar upgrades were in the works.
— Associated Press


text:
Reason to join library
Canoe slalom world champion Jessica Fox and Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler launched the council's library summer membership drive last week.
Half of Penrith residents are library members.
Joining the library is free, and if you sign up this summer, you get a free library bag and go in the draw to win an iPad, a pass to Penrith Whitewater Stadium or theatre tickets.
The membership drive runs until the end of February.
Details: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/library or visit your local branches.
Warning to be alert
for signs of measles
Western Sydney Local Health District urges the public to be alert for measles symptoms after a young adult was diagnosed with the condition at Westmead Hospital earlier this month.
Measles is highly infectious and is spread through coughing and sneezing.
Symptoms include fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes which usually last for several days before a red, blotchy rash appears.
Complications range from an ear infection to pneumonia or swelling of the brain.
Children should receive two doses of vaccine, one at 12 months and the second at 18 months. Children over 18 months who have not had their second dose of measles vaccine can be vaccinated now.
Anyone born after 1965 should have two doses of vaccine (at least four weeks apart).
If you haven't already been immunised, the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine is free through GPs for people born after 1965.
Details: health.nsw.gov.au.


text:
Page 4 of 5
The 1156 platform has "only" a two channel memory architecture, but as we have seen at the 1366 platform, it's not a big disadvantage. Also the 1156 platform does have higher memory dividers and an official support for 1333MHz modules, which the 1366 platform lacks. It's a bit unfair to compare the i5 750 with its bigger brothers, but we would like to know if it can cope with them. Also note, the i5 750 CPU has a higher turbo mode which gives it the edge over the i7 920. We overclocked the i5 750 to 3.2G and 3.6G. At the highest settings we decided to go for a lower memory speed but with tighter timings which is overall faster. All benches have been run with C-States disabled.
The i5 turbo mode does cost some energy, but much less compared to the i7 9xx. So the i5 CPU is always more efficient. Of course we used the most efficient board on the market which gives us some advantage. But MSI 975 with Turbo enabled compared to MSI at 3.6GHz overclocked, is also a win for the i5 CPU, because you don't need that much QPI voltage to run the memory at 1600MHz.


text:
Carbon monoxide retrieved from ground based FTIR remote sensing in the mid and near infrared spectral region
; ; et al
Conference (2014, November 07)Detailed reference viewed: 22 (4 ULiège)
Carbon monoxide retrieved from ground based FTIR remote sensing in the mid-‐ and near infrared spectral region
; ; et al
Conference (2014, May 14)Detailed reference viewed: 25 (2 ULiège)
Ozone tropospheric and stratospheric trends (1995-2012) at six ground-based FTIR stations (28°N to 79°N)
; ; Demoulin, Philippe et al
Poster (2013, April)
In the frame of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), contributing ground-based stations have joined their efforts to homogenize and optimize the retrievals of ozone ... [more ▼]
In the frame of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), contributing ground-based stations have joined their efforts to homogenize and optimize the retrievals of ozone profiles from FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) solar absorption spectra. Using the optimal estimation method, distinct vertical information can be obtained in four layers: ground-10 km, 10-18 km, 18-27 km, and 27-42 km, in addition to total column amounts. In a previous study, Vigouroux et al. (2008) applied a bootstrap resampling method to determine the trends of the ozone total and four partial columns, over the period 1995-2004 at Western European stations. The updated trends for the period 1995-2009 have been published in the WMO 2010 report. Here, we present the updated trends and their uncertainties, for the 1995-2012 period, for the different altitude ranges, above five European stations (28°N-79°N) and above the station Thule, Greenland (77°N). In this work, the trends have been estimated using a multiple regression model including some explanatory variables responsible for the ozone variability, such as the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO), the solar flux, the Arctic Oscillation (AO) or El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A major result is the significant positive trend of ozone in the upper stratosphere, observed at the Jungfraujoch (47°N), which is a typical mid-latitude site, as well as at the high latitude stations. This positive trend in the upper stratosphere at Jungfraujoch provides a sign of ozone recovery at mid-latitudes. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 43 (0 ULiège)
Ozone tropospheric and stratospheric trends (1995-2011) at six ground-based FTIR stations (28°N to 79°N)
; ; Demoulin, Philippe et al
Poster (2012, August)
Five ground-based stations in Western Europe, from 79°N to 28°N, all part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), have joined their efforts to homogenize and optimize ... [more ▼]
Five ground-based stations in Western Europe, from 79°N to 28°N, all part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), have joined their efforts to homogenize and optimize the retrievals of ozone profiles from FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) solar absorption spectra. Using the optimal estimation method, distinct vertical information can be obtained in four layers: ground—10 km, 10—18 km, 18—27 km, and 27—42 km, in addition to total column amounts. Vigouroux et al. (2008) applied a bootstrap resampling method to the ozone data to determine the trends of the total columns and of the partial columns in the above four layers, over the period 1995-2004. The updated trends for the period 1995-2009 have been published in the WMO 2010 report. Here, we present the updated trends, obtained using the bootstrap resampling method, for the 1995-mid-2011 period, for the five European stations and also for the station Thule, Greenland (77°N), which has joined this effort. The trends have also been estimated using a multiple regression model including the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the solar flux as explanatory variables. The trends obtained by the two methods will be compared and discussed. One of the major results is the significant positive trend observed in the upper stratosphere at the station Jungfraujoch (47°N), which provides a sign of ozone recovery at mid-latitudes. Significant positive trends are also observed in the upper stratosphere at the high latitude stations. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 27 (0 ULiège)
Advanced exploitation of Ground-Based measurements for Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Applications "AGACC"
; ; et al
Report (2011)
We live in an era in which human activities are causing significant changes to the atmospheric environment which result in local to global consequences on the ecosystems. Changes in the atmospheric ... [more ▼]
We live in an era in which human activities are causing significant changes to the atmospheric environment which result in local to global consequences on the ecosystems. Changes in the atmospheric composition impact our climate via chemical and dynamical feedback mechanisms; in many instances they also affect air quality, and the health of the biosphere. Monitoring and understanding those changes and their consequences is fundamental to establish adequate actions for adaptation to and mitigation of the environmental changes. Furthermore, after implementation of regulatory measures like the Montreal Protocol, it is necessary to verify whether the measures are effective. This can only be achieved if we have adequate detection methods and a reliable long record of a series of key geophysical parameters. Thus the AGACC project contributes to the provision of basic new knowledge regarding the atmospheric composition and its changes, based on advanced groundbased monitoring, in combination with satellite and numerical modelling data. Its results are integrated in ongoing international research programmes. The general objective of AGACC has been to improve and extend the groundbased detection capabilities for a number of climate-related target species and, based hereupon, analyse past and present observations to derive new information about the atmospheric composition, its variability and long-term changes. Despite the advent of a growing and more performant fleet of Earth Observation satellites, ground-based observations are still indispensable to (1) guarantee long-term continuity, homogeneity and high quality of the data, and (2) to underpin the satellite data for calibration and (long-term) validation. A first target gas is atmospheric water vapour. It is the key trace gas controlling weather and climate. It is also the most important greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Its amount and vertical distribution are changing, but how and why? Especially in the upper troposphere - lower stratosphere, the radiative effects of changes in the water vapour are significant and should be quantified. The measurement of water vapour is a hot topic since several years. It is a challenge, because water vapour exhibits a large gradient in its concentration when going from the ground to the stratosphere, and because it is highly variable in time and space. For example, we have found that the time scale of the variations of the total water vapour amount at Jungfraujoch is in the order of minutes. In AGACC, we have therefore investigated various experimental techniques to measure the concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere, focusing on the total column as well as on the vertical distribution in the troposphere up to the lower stratosphere. The retrieval of water vapour vertical profiles and total columns from ground-based FTIR data has been initiated at three very different stations where correlative data for verification are available, namely Ukkel (± sea level, mid-latitude), Ile de La Réunion (± sea level, tropical) and Jungfraujoch (high altitude, mid-latitude), with promising results. In particular, at Jungfraujoch, it has been demonstrated that the precision of the FTIR integrated water vapour (IWV) measurements is of order 2%. The capability to retrieve individual isotopologues of water vapour, and to monitor their daily and diurnal variations, has also been demonstrated. This could open new ways to study in the future the role of water vapour in the radiative balance, the global circulation, precipitation etc. We also started joint exploitation of ground-based FTIR and satellite IASI data for water vapour and its isotopologues, in order to exploit fully the potential of the existing instrumentation. A correction method for the radiosoundings at Ukkel has been successfully implemented, resulting in a homogeneous and reliable time series from 1990 to 2008 from which trends in upper troposphere humidity (UTH) and tropopause characteristics have been derived. One observes a rising UTH until September 2001, followed by a decline, accompanied by a descent and heating of the tropopause up to the turning point and an ascent and cooling afterwards. The changes after September 2001 in the upper troposphere can be explained by surface heating and convective uplift. At Jungfraujoch, one does not observe any significant trend in the total water vapour abundance above the station over the 1988-2010 time period, although significant positive summer and negative winter trends have been detected. We have made a quantitative statistical comparison between ground-based FTIR, CIMEL, GPS and integrated (corrected) radio sounding measurements of the IWV at Ukkel. This work is important to better characterize the different sensors in order to exploit together different observations made by different instruments. A second target species is atmospheric aerosol. There is a very large variety of aerosol both from natural or anthropogenic origin. One of the reasons why they are so important is that they affect the optical properties of the atmosphere. In particular, it has been demonstrated in previous studies that the aerosols have a large impact on the quantity of harmful UV-B radiation received at the Earth's surface. The latest IPCC Report also stressed that the radiative forcing caused by atmospheric aerosols is one of the largest uncertainties in determining the total radiative forcing in the atmosphere. Better monitoring capabilities of aerosol properties can therefore improve our understanding and forecasting of the atmospheric processes and evolution, and in particular of UV-B and climate changes. Several measurement techniques are now operational in the AGACC consortium for the ground-based monitoring of aerosol properties. These are the Brewer spectrometer and CIMEL observations at Ukkel, the latter contributing also to the AERONET network since July 2006, and the newly developed MAXDOAS observations. Unlike CIMEL and Brewer measurements, that provide the total Aerosol Optical Depth, it has been demonstrated that the MAXDOAS measurements also provide additional information about the vertical distribution of the aerosol extinction in the lowest kilometres of the troposphere. A better understanding of the ultimate capabilities of MAXDOAS aerosol remote sensing has been gained through participation to the international CINDI campaign (Cabauw Intercomparison Campaign of Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments ) in summer 2009. The combination of Brewer, CIMEL and MAXDOAS instruments gives us a remote-sensing dataset that will enable a more comprehensive characterization of the tropospheric aerosol optical properties. The usefulness of these aerosol observations has already been demonstrated in the improvement of the UVindex predictions for the general public. Another application is their use as input data in the retrieval of vertical profiles of tropospheric pollutants from MAXDOAS measurements, like tropospheric NO2 and formaldehyde. Third we have focused on a few climate-related trace gases. Changing greenhouse gas and aerosol concentrations directly affect the radiative budget of the atmosphere, and therefore climate. But many species known as pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons, - often related to fossil fuel or biomass burning -, also affect climate through their role in chemical reactions that produce tropospheric ozone, which is a well-known greenhouse gas, or that modify the lifetime of gases like methane, or the oxidation capacity of the atmosphere. Therefore in AGACC, we have focused on the measurement of a number of trace gases that are subject to changing concentrations, that directly or indirectly affect climate, and that are either difficult to monitor or that have not yet been measured from the ground. We have included attempts to observe distinctly some isotopologues, because the isotopic ratios observed in an airmass provide information on its history, and because the FTIR solar absorption measurements provide a rather unique capability hereto. The investigated species are the isotopologues of CH4 and CO, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), as examples of biomass burning tracers, some hydrocarbons like formaldehyde (HCHO), ethylene (C2H4) and acetylene (C2H2), and HCFC-142b, a replacement product for CFCs and a greenhouse gas. In many cases, retrieval strategies had to be adapted when going from one site to another with different atmospheric conditions, especially when the local humidity and abundances are very different as is the case between Jungfraujoch (dry, high altitude, mid-latitude) and Ile de La Réunion (humid, low altitude, low latitude). Still we have been able to show the feasibility of retrieving particular trace gas information even under difficult conditions. Many of our results have been compared to correlative data, to validate the approach and to gain complementary information. It is also important to note that the retrieval strategies developed in AGACC have regularly been presented to the global Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) UV-Vis and Infrared communities and have often been adopted by others or even proposed for adoption as a standard in the community (e.g., for hydrogen cyanide (HCN)). In particular: We have been able to study the seasonal variations of HCN at the Jungfraujoch and at Ile de La Réunion, and to show the dominant impact of biomass burning. Formaldehyde was studied in much detail at Ukkel, Jungfraujoch and Ile de la Réunion. The challenge for detection at Jungfraujoch is the small abundance (about 10 times smaller than at Ukkel and Ile de La Réunion); a particular observation strategy was developed successfully, resulting in a time series that already shows the day-to-day and seasonal variations. At Ile de La Réunion, comparisons of FTIR, MAXDOAS, satellite and model data have (1) shown the good agreement between the various data sets, but also, (2), the variability of HCHO (diurnal, seasonal, day-to-day), and (3), thanks to the complementarities of the various data sets, they have enabled us to learn more about the long-range transport of Non-methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCS, precursors of HCHO) and deficiencies in the models. It was shown that fast, direct transport of NMVOCS from Madagascar has a significant impact on the HCHO abundance and its variability at Ile de La Réunion, and that this is underestimated in the model. Significant progress was made as to the detection of 13CH4 and CH3D from ground-based FTIR observations, both at Jungfraujoch and Ile de La Réunion. To our knowledge, it is the first time that a d13C data set is derived from ground-based FTIR observations. More work is needed to improve the CH3D retrieval at Ile de La Réunion, and to interpret the results, in combination with models. Also for the first time, 12CO and 13CO have been retrieved individually at Jungfraujoch. The d13C time series shows significant seasonal and interannual changes. As to the hydrocarbon ethylene, it is shown that it can be detected at Jungfraujoch only in spectra at low solar elevation, given its small atmospheric abundance. Regarding acetylene, the observed time series at Jungfraujoch and Ile de La Réunion show clear seasonal variations and enhancements due to the impact of biomass burning events, correlated with enhancements in CO, C2H6 and HCN. It is not clear yet whether we can reliably retrieve the concentration of HCFC- 142b, a replacement product that is increasing strongly in the troposphere. New line parameters for the interfering species HFC-134a are required to confirm/infirm the preliminary results. This highlights again the importance of the laboratory work for providing such parameters. Improved line parameters have been obtained for water vapour and its isotopologues, ethylene and formic acid. These AGACC results have been integrated in the international spectroscopic databases. We also showed that line intensities available around 2096 cm–1 for the 13C16O isotopologue of carbon monoxide in the HITRAN database seem to be accurate to 2%. We failed to improve line intensities for the 13.6 μm region of acetylene. The new data sets that have been derived in AGACC from FTIR and MAXDOAS observations have been archived in the NDACC data centre, where they are available for users (generally modelers and satellite teams). In addition, they are stored locally and are available to users upon request. AGACC results have been reported to the international scientific community, via the literature, via integration in geophysical or spectroscopic databases, and via participation to international research initiatives like the Atmospheric Water Vapour in the Climate System (WAVACS) Cost Action, the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) Working Group on Atmospheric Water Vapour, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) project, the International CINDI campaign, etc. The results have already found important scientific applications. A few examples are worth mentioning: the re-evaluation of methane emissions in the tropics from SCIAMACHY based on the new H2O spectroscopy, and the improved retrievals of HCOOH from the satellite experiments ACE-FTS and IASI, and from the ground. In the longer-term, the AGACC results will no doubt benefit the research in atmospheric sciences –in particular in the monitoring of its composition changes–, which is the fundamental basis of environmental assessment reports for supporting policy makers. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 266 (6 ULiège)
First retrievals of methyl chloride from ground-based high-resolution FTIR solar observations
Mahieu, Emmanuel ; ; et al
in Geophysical Research Abstracts (2011), 13
Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) is one of the most abundant chlorine-bearing gas in the Earth's troposphere and a significant contributor to the organic chlorine budget. Measurements by in situ networks indicate ... [more ▼]
Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) is one of the most abundant chlorine-bearing gas in the Earth's troposphere and a significant contributor to the organic chlorine budget. Measurements by in situ networks indicate a mean volume mixing ratio of 550 pptv, with a significant seasonal cycle of about 80 pptv, peak to peak. This species also exhibits inter-annual variability, but no long-term trend. Major sources are from tropical and sub-tropical plants and dead leaves, the oceans and biomass burning. Some industrial processes and waste incineration further add to the emissions. Oxidation by the hydroxyl radical is by far the largest CH3Cl sink, followed by soil uptake. Although balanced, its atmospheric budget is still affected by large uncertainties and contributions from unidentified sources and sinks cannot be ruled out. Methyl chloride has an atmospheric lifetime of 1 year, a global warming potential of 13 (100-yr horizon) and an ozone depleting potential of 0.02. The retrieval of methyl chloride from ground-based infrared (IR) spectra is very challenging. Indeed, numerous interferences by strong water vapor and methane lines complicate the detection of small CH3Cl absorptions, close to 1%, near 3 microns. In addition, and although weak, ethane features contribute to the difficulty, in particular since a significant number of ethane branches were absent until very recently from official HITRAN compilations. Therefore, the scientific literature does not report thus far about any investigations of CH3Cl from ground-based remote sensing observations. In this contribution, we will present first CH3Cl total column retrievals, using the SFIT-2 algorithm (v3.94) and high-resolution Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) solar absorption observations recorded with a Bruker 120HR instrument, at the high altitude station of the Jungfraujoch (46.5°N, 8°E, 3580 m asl), within the framework of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC, visit http://www.ndacc.org). In our retrievals, we use new ethane absorption cross sections recorded at the Molecular Spectroscopy Facility of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Harrison et al., 2010). They were calibrated in intensity by using reference low-resolution spectra from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) IR database. These new cross sections were recently released as a HITRAN update (see http://www.hitran.com). Pseudoline parameters fitted to these ethane spectra have been combined with HITRAN 2004 line parameters (including all the 2006 updates) for all other species encompassed in the selected microwindows, including our target CH3Cl. We will evaluate the improvement brought by the new ethane line parameters on the fitting residuals, and characterize the quality, the precision and the reliability of the retrieved product. If successful, a long-term CH3Cl total column time series will be produced using the Jungfraujoch observational database, and we will perform preliminary investigations of the seasonal and inter-annual variations of methyl chloride total columns at northern mid-latitudes. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 97 (15 ULiège)
Comparison of the error budgets associated with ground-based FTIR measurements of atmospheric CH4 profiles at Ile de la Réunion and Jungfraujoch
; Duchatelet, Pierre ; et al
Poster (2010, May)Detailed reference viewed: 31 (3 ULiège)
Preliminary comparisons of the error budgets associated with ground-based FTIR measurements of atmospheric HCl and HF profiles at Ile de la Réunion and Jungfraujoch
; Duchatelet, Pierre ; et al
Poster (2010, January)Detailed reference viewed: 22 (3 ULiège)
Recent trends of inorganic chlorine and halogenated source gases above the Jungfraujoch and Kitt Peak stations derived from high-resolution FTIR solar observations
Mahieu, Emmanuel ; ; et al
in Geophysical Research Abstracts (2010), 12(EGU2010-2420-3),
The longest series of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) high spectral resolution solar absorption observations are available from the Jungfraujoch and Kitt Peak stations, located at 46.5ºN and 30.9ºN ... [more ▼]
The longest series of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) high spectral resolution solar absorption observations are available from the Jungfraujoch and Kitt Peak stations, located at 46.5ºN and 30.9ºN, respectively. State-of-the-art interferometers are operated at these sites within the framework of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC, visit http://www.ndacc.org). These instruments allow to record spectra on a regular basis, under clear-sky conditions, using a suite of optical filters which altogether cover the 2 to 16 micron spectral range. Numerous absorption features characterized in the HITRAN compilations (e.g. Rothman et al., 2008) are encompassed in this mid-infrared region. Their analyses with either the SFIT-1 or SFIT-2 algorithm allow retrieving total columns of the target gases. Moreover, information on their distribution with altitude can generally be derived when using SFIT-2 which implements the Optimal Estimation Method of Rodgers (1990). Among the two dozen gases of atmospheric interest accessible to the ground-based FTIR technique, we have selected here a suite of long-lived halogenated species: HCl, ClONO2, CCl2F2, CCl3F, CHClF2, CCl4 and SF6. Time series available from the two sites will be presented, compared and critically discussed. In particular, changes in the abundances of theses gases since the peak in inorganic chlorine (Cly, which occurred in 1996-1997) and their intra-annual variability will be characterized with a statistical tool using bootstrap resampling (Gardiner et al., 2008). Trends and their associated uncertainties will be reported and put into perspective with the phase-out regulations of the production of ozone depleting substances adopted and implemented by the Montreal Protocol, its Amendments and Adjustments. For instance, the trends affecting the reservoir species HCl, ClONO2, and their summation which is a good proxy of the total inorganic chlorine, have been calculated using all available daily mean measurements from January 1996 onwards. The following values were obtained for Jungfraujoch, when using 1996 as the reference year: -0.90±0.10%/yr for HCl, -0.92±0.26 %/yr for ClONO2, and -0.96±0.14 %/yr for Cly; in all cases, the uncertainties define the 95% confidence interval around the trend values. For Kitt Peak, the corresponding trends are: -0.55±0.34 %/yr for HCl, -1.27±0.84 %/yr for ClONO2 and -0.61±0.51 %/yr for Cly, they are statistically consistent with the Jungfraujoch rates of decrease. Further trend data will be presented at the EGU General Assembly while supplementary information on Jungfraujoch results will be available from communications at the same meeting by Duchatelet et al. (2010), Lejeune et al (2010) and Rinsland et al (2010). Comparisons with model data are also foreseen. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 70 (20 ULiège)
Determination of isotopic fractionation delta13C of methane from ground-based FTIR observations performed at the Jungfraujoch
Duchatelet, Pierre ; Mahieu, Emmanuel ; et al
Poster (2009, April)
Atmospheric methane (CH4) is a strong greenhouse gas that has important chemical impacts on both the troposphere and the stratosphere. In the troposphere, oxidation of methane is a major regulator of OH ... [more ▼]
Atmospheric methane (CH4) is a strong greenhouse gas that has important chemical impacts on both the troposphere and the stratosphere. In the troposphere, oxidation of methane is a major regulator of OH and is a source of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. In the stratosphere, CH4 plays a central role (i), due to its contribution to the stratospheric water vapor budget, and (ii), as a sink for chlorine atoms which reduces the rate of stratospheric ozone depletion. Because the different sources of methane (natural and anthropogenic like wetlands, rice paddies, termites, natural gas escape, biomass burning, etc) have distinct 13C/12C ratios (usually reported in "delta" notation δ13C), measurements of atmospheric 13CH4 content, in addition to those of the main isotopologue (12CH4), can be used to investigate individual source strengths as well as their spatial and temporal distributions. Characterization of the isotopic fractionation of methane is therefore important, for example, to help models constrain estimates of the global methane budget. However, experimental data for the 13C/12C isotope ratio are sparse. The currently accepted average value of δ13C in atmospheric methane is about -47‰ (Platt et al., 2004). The first goal of this work is to develop and to characterize (in terms of information content and error budget) an original retrieval approach to derive 13CH4 columns from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra recorded at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (ISSJ; 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m a.s.l., Swiss Alps). The retrieval strategy is based on a Tikhonov L1 approach which has been originally developed for 12CH4 by Sussmann et al. (2008) [see also contributions by Sussmann et al. to this conference (EGU2009-7869)]. In order to validate our 13CH4 products, comparisons with satellite ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment - Fourier Transform Spectrometer) measurements are performed. Then, atmospheric δ13C ratios derived from the FTIR measurements will be compared to values published in the literature and critically discussed. References: Platt, U., W. Allan and D. Lowe, Hemispheric average Cl atom concentration from 13C/12C ratios in atmospheric methane, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 4, 2393-2399, 2004. Sussmann, R., Forster, F., Borsdorff, T., et al.: Satellite validation of column-averaged methane on global scale: ground-based data from 15 FTIR stations versus last generation ENVISAT/SCIAMACHY retrievals, IGAC 10th International Conference, Annecy, France, 7-12 Sep 2008. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 102 (12 ULiège)
Ground-based CO observations at the Jungfraujoch from 1997 till 2007: Comparison between FTIR and NDIR measurements
; Demoulin, Philippe ; Mahieu, Emmanuel et al
Poster (2009, January 26)
Here we will discuss CO measurements taken at the Swiss Alpine Jungfraujoch station (46.5º N, 8.0° E, 3580m a.s.l.) over the 1997-2007 time period. Results from two distinct techniques, namely Fourier ... [more ▼]
Here we will discuss CO measurements taken at the Swiss Alpine Jungfraujoch station (46.5º N, 8.0° E, 3580m a.s.l.) over the 1997-2007 time period. Results from two distinct techniques, namely Fourier Transform Infrared solar absorption spectrometry (FTIR), and the in situ Nondispersive Infrared technique (NDIR) have been compared. While the in situ NDIR measurements detect local CO concentrations at the site, the FTIR technique provides integrated measurements along the line-of-sight. Nevertheless, the pressure broadening of the spectral absorption lines recorded at high resolution enables retrieving information on the vertical distribution of CO, mainly in the troposphere, including its concentration near the surface. To provide enough information content the averaged vmr between 3.58 and 7 km is derived from the FTIR profile data. Both datasets show a significant negative trend over the time period. However, the NDIR dataset's negative trend is much stronger. Pettitt change point tests reveal that the NDIR-FTIR bias changes substantially from 1997 till 2004 after which the bias stabilizes. Possible causes for these observations will be critically discussed. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 64 (5 ULiège)
Trend analysis of greenhouse gases over Europe measured by a network of ground-based remote FTIR instruments
; ; et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(22), 6719-6727
This paper describes the statistical analysis of annual trends in long term datasets of greenhouse gas measurements taken over ten or more years. The analysis technique employs a bootstrap resampling ... [more ▼]
This paper describes the statistical analysis of annual trends in long term datasets of greenhouse gas measurements taken over ten or more years. The analysis technique employs a bootstrap resampling method to determine both the long-term and intra-annual variability of the datasets, together with the uncertainties on the trend values. The method has been applied to data from a European network of ground-based solar FTIR instruments to determine the trends in the tropospheric, stratospheric and total columns of ozone, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane and HCFC-22. The suitability of the method has been demonstrated through statistical validation of the technique, and comparison with ground-based in-situ measurements and 3-D atmospheric models. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 59 (12 ULiège)
Validation of ACE-FTS v2.2 measurements of HCl, HF, CCl3F and CCl2F2 using space-, balloon- and ground-based instrument observations
Mahieu, Emmanuel ; Duchatelet, Pierre ; Demoulin, Philippe et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) are respectively the main chlorine and fluorine reservoirs in the Earth's stratosphere. Their buildup resulted from the intensive use of man-made ... [more ▼]
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) are respectively the main chlorine and fluorine reservoirs in the Earth's stratosphere. Their buildup resulted from the intensive use of man-made halogenated source gases, in particular CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-12 (CCl2F2), during the second half of the 20th century. It is important to continue monitoring the evolution of these source gases and reservoirs, in support of the Montreal Protocol and also indirectly of the Kyoto Protocol. The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) is a space-based instrument that has been performing regular solar occultation measurements of over 30 atmospheric gases since early 2004. In this validation paper, the HCl, HF, CFC-11 and CFC-12 version 2.2 profile data products retrieved from ACE-FTS measurements are evaluated. Volume mixing ratio profiles have been compared to observations made from space by MLS and HALOE, and from stratospheric balloons by SPIRALE, FIRS-2 and Mark-IV. Partial columns derived from the ACE-FTS data were also compared to column measurements from ground-based Fourier transform instruments operated at 12 sites. ACE-FTS data recorded from March 2004 to August 2007 have been used for the comparisons. These data are representative of a variety of atmospheric and chemical situations, with sounded air masses extending from the winter vortex to summer sub-tropical conditions. Typically, the ACE-FTS products are available in the 10-50 km altitude range for HCl and HF, and in the 7-20 and 7-25 km ranges for CFC-11 and -12, respectively. For both reservoirs, comparison results indicate an agreement generally better than 5-10% above 20 km altitude, when accounting for the known offset affecting HALOE measurements of HCl and HF. Larger positive differences are however found for comparisons with single profiles from FIRS-2 and SPIRALE. For CFCs, the few coincident measurements available suggest that the differences probably remain within +/-20%. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 90 (33 ULiège)
Validation of SCIAMACHY CH4 scientific products using ground-based FTIR measurements
; ; et al
Poster (2008, September)
In the framework of the past EVERGREEN project, the development of three scientific algorithms, namely WFM-DOAS (henceforward called WFMD), IMAP-DOAS (henceforward called IMAP) and IMLM, commenced in ... [more ▼]
In the framework of the past EVERGREEN project, the development of three scientific algorithms, namely WFM-DOAS (henceforward called WFMD), IMAP-DOAS (henceforward called IMAP) and IMLM, commenced in order to retrieve the total column amounts of key atmospheric trace gases, including CH4, from SCIAMACHY nadir observations in its near-infrared channels. Since then, the retrieval products of these three algorithms, have undergone serious improvements. At key phases in their development, the products have been validated by using a network of ground-based FTIR instruments. Parallel with the improved SCIAMACHY data, the FTIR groups have taken steps to optimise and harmonise their own datasets and as such the different validation efforts always used the state-of-the-art FTIR dataset. Here we present an overview of the evolution of the CH4 algorithms by re-validating the data, using the same FTIR dataset (as developed under the UFTIR project) for all algorithm versions. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 201 (7 ULiège)
Satellite validation of column-averaged methane on global scale: ground-based data from 15 FTIR stations versus last generation ENVISAT/SCIAMACHY retrievals
; ; et al
Poster (2008, September)
Previous work has shown that the precision of ground-based mid-infrared (MIR) FTIR spectrometry is sufficient to detect day-to-day variability of columnar methane, while first retrievals from ENVISAT ... [more ▼]
Previous work has shown that the precision of ground-based mid-infrared (MIR) FTIR spectrometry is sufficient to detect day-to-day variability of columnar methane, while first retrievals from ENVISAT/SCIAMACHY (channel 8) satellite measurements were impacted by a significant time-dependent bias due to detector icing. This prevented insight into true methane temporal variability at that time. The goal of our updated study is to investigate the precision of the last generation (channel 6) SCIAMACHY retrievals IMAP-DOAS v49 and WFM-DOAS v1.0 in comparison to retrievals from ground-based MIR measurements of the European FTIR network. We first briefly discuss the origin and magnitude of the natural variability of columnar methane. Subsequently, our study investigates all factors which can be optimized to improve precision of ground-based MIR-FTIR retrievals of columnar methane. This includes an optimized Tikhonov-type regularization tuned in a way to minimize the diurnal variability of retrieved columnar methane. We also discuss ways to select and average individual-pixel satellite data in order to reflect true day-to-day variability and make them comparable to ground-based data. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 74 (14 ULiège)
Validation of ACE-FTS N2O measurements
; ; et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(16), 4759-4786
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE), also known as SCISAT, was launched on 12 August 2003, carrying two instruments that measure vertical profiles of atmospheric constituents using the solar ... [more ▼]
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE), also known as SCISAT, was launched on 12 August 2003, carrying two instruments that measure vertical profiles of atmospheric constituents using the solar occultation technique. One of these instruments, the ACE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS), is measuring volume mixing ratio (VMR) profiles of nitrous oxide (N2O) from the upper troposphere to the lower mesosphere at a vertical resolution of about 3-4 km. In this study, the quality of the ACE-FTS version 2.2 N2O data is assessed through comparisons with coincident measurements made by other satellite, balloon-borne, aircraft, and ground-based instruments. These consist of vertical profile comparisons with the SMR, MLS, and MIPAS satellite instruments, multiple aircraft flights of ASUR, and single balloon flights of SPIRALE and FIRS-2, and partial column comparisons with a network of ground-based Fourier Transform InfraRed spectrometers (FTIRs). Between 6 and 30 km, the mean absolute differences for the satellite comparisons lie between -42 ppbv and +17 ppbv, with most within +/- 20 ppbv. This corresponds to relative deviations from the mean that are within +/- 15%, except for comparisons with MIPAS near 30 km, for which they are as large as 22.5%. Between 18 and 30 km, the mean absolute differences for the satellite comparisons are generally within +/- 10 ppbv. From 30 to 60 km, the mean absolute differences are within +/- 4 ppbv, and are mostly between -2 and +1 ppbv. Given the small N2O VMR in this region, the relative deviations from the mean are therefore large at these altitudes, with most suggesting a negative bias in the ACE-FTS data between 30 and 50 km. In the comparisons with the FTIRs, the mean relative differences between the ACE-FTS and FTIR partial columns (which cover a mean altitude range of 14 to 27 km) are within +/- 5.6% for eleven of the twelve contributing stations. This mean relative difference is negative at ten stations, suggesting a small negative bias in the ACE-FTS partial columns over the altitude regions compared. Excellent correlation (R=0.964) is observed between the ACE-FTS and FTIR partial columns, with a slope of 1.01 and an intercept of -0.20 on the line fitted to the data. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 66 (28 ULiège)
Impact of different spectroscopic datasets on CH4 retrievals from Jungfraujoch FTIR spectra
Duchatelet, Pierre ; Mahieu, Emmanuel ; Demoulin, Philippe et al
Poster (2008, August)
Methane (CH4) is released in the atmosphere by natural processes (e.g. wetlands, termites) as well as by anthropogenic activities (e.g. fossil fuel exploitation, rice agriculture, biomass burning, etc ... [more ▼]
Methane (CH4) is released in the atmosphere by natural processes (e.g. wetlands, termites) as well as by anthropogenic activities (e.g. fossil fuel exploitation, rice agriculture, biomass burning, etc). Due to its high warming potential and its relatively long chemical lifetime (~9 years), atmospheric methane plays a major role in the radiative forcing responsible of the greenhouse effect. Methane also affects climate by influencing tropospheric ozone and stratospheric water. The cycle of methane is complex and to understand it requires a complete study of its emissions and its budget of sources and sinks. High quality methane data sets are needed to perform such studies. CH4 vertical distributions as well as total and partial column time series can be retrieved from high-resolution ground-based FTIR spectra, using, e.g., the SFIT-2 algorithm which implements the Optimal Estimation Method of Rodgers. A set of 5 microwindows - located in the 2 to 5.5 µm range and jointly adopted by all partners involved in the European HYMN project (www.knmi.nl/samenw/hymn/) - are fitted simultaneously during the retrieval procedure. Although this approach provides relatively high information content, CH4 retrieved profiles very often present large oscillations in the troposphere, which might result partly from inappropriate or inconsistent spectroscopic parameters. Significant improvements on retrieval quality could be reached by using more accurate CH4 spectroscopic parameters. This contribution compares 3 different sets of CH4 spectroscopic parameters (including HITRAN 2004 and 2 versions where HITRAN 2004 have been updated by recent laboratory measurements), which have been tested using one year of high resolution FTIR solar observations performed at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 46.5°N, 8.0 °E, 3580m a.s.l.). The impact of these different spectroscopic datasets on retrieved CH4 partial columns and vertical profiles, as well as on the fitting quality (residuals) and on the error budget characterizing our CH4 products will be evaluated and discussed. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 32 (14 ULiège)
Validation of HNO3, ClONO2, and N2O5 from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS)
; ; et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(13), 3529-3562
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite was launched on 12 August 2003. Its two instruments measure vertical profiles of over 30 atmospheric trace gases by analyzing solar occultation spectra ... [more ▼]
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) satellite was launched on 12 August 2003. Its two instruments measure vertical profiles of over 30 atmospheric trace gases by analyzing solar occultation spectra in the ultraviolet/visible and infrared wavelength regions. The reservoir gases HNO3, ClONO2, and N2O5 are three of the key species provided by the primary instrument, the ACE Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS). This paper describes the ACE-FTS version 2.2 data products, including the N2O5 update, for the three species and presents validation comparisons with available observations. We have compared volume mixing ratio (VMR) profiles of HNO3, ClONO2, and N2O5 with measurements by other satellite instruments (SMR, MLS, MIPAS), aircraft measurements (ASUR), and single balloon-flights (SPIRALE, FIRS-2). Partial columns of HNO3 and ClONO2 were also compared with measurements by ground-based Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers. Overall the quality of the ACE-FTS v2.2 HNO3 VMR profiles is good from 18 to 35 km. For the statistical satellite comparisons, the mean absolute differences are generally within ±1 ppbv ±20%) from 18 to 35 km. For MIPAS and MLS comparisons only, mean relative differences lie within±10% between 10 and 36 km. ACE-FTS HNO3 partial columns (~15–30 km) show a slight negative bias of −1.3% relative to the ground-based FTIRs at latitudes ranging from 77.8° S–76.5° N. Good agreement between ACE-FTS ClONO2 and MIPAS, using the Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung and Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IMK-IAA) data processor is seen. Mean absolute differences are typically within ±0.01 ppbv between 16 and 27 km and less than +0.09 ppbv between 27 and 34 km. The ClONO2 partial column comparisons show varying degrees of agreement, depending on the location and the quality of the FTIR measurements. Good agreement was found for the comparisons with the midlatitude Jungfraujoch partial columns for which the mean relative difference is 4.7%. ACE-FTS N2O5 has a low bias relative to MIPAS IMK-IAA, reaching −0.25 ppbv at the altitude of the N2O5 maximum (around 30 km). Mean absolute differences at lower altitudes (16–27 km) are typically −0.05 ppbv for MIPAS nighttime and ±0.02 ppbv for MIPAS daytime measurements. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 90 (17 ULiège)
Technical Note: New ground-based FTIR measurements at Ile de La Réunion: observations, error analysis, and comparisons with independent data
; ; et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8(13), 3483-3508
Ground-based high spectral resolution Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectroscopy is a powerful remote sensing technique to obtain information on the total column abundances and on the ... [more ▼]
Ground-based high spectral resolution Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectroscopy is a powerful remote sensing technique to obtain information on the total column abundances and on the vertical distribution of various constituents in the atmosphere. This work presents results from two FTIR measurement campaigns in 2002 and 2004, held at Ile de La Réunion (21° S, 55° E). These campaigns represent the first FTIR observations carried out at a southern (sub)tropical site. They serve the initiation of regular, long-term FTIR monitoring at this site in the near future. To demonstrate the capabilities of the FTIR measurements at this location for tropospheric and stratospheric monitoring, a detailed report is given on the retrieval strategy, information content and corresponding full error budget evaluation for ozone (O3), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide (CO), ethane (C2H6), hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF) and nitric acid (HNO3) total and partial column retrievals. Moreover, we have made a thorough comparison of the capabilities at sea level altitude (St.-Denis) and at 2200 m a.s.l. (Maïdo). It is proved that the performances of the technique are such that the atmospheric variability can be observed, at both locations and in distinct altitude layers. Comparisons with literature and with correlative data from ozone sonde and satellite (i.e., ACE-FTS, HALOE and MOPITT) measurements are given to confirm the results. Despite the short time series available at present, we have been able to detect the seasonal variation of CO in the biomass burning season, as well as the impact of particular biomass burning events in Africa and Madagascar on the atmospheric composition above Ile de La Réunion. We also show that differential measurements between St.-Denis and Maïdo provide useful information about the concentrations in the boundary layer. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 47 (15 ULiège)
CO measurements from the ACE-FTS satellite instrument: data analysis and validation using ground-based, airborne and spaceborne observations
; ; et al
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2008), 8
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) mission was launched in August 2003 to sound the atmosphere by solar occultation. Carbon monoxide (CO), a good tracer of pollution plumes and atmospheric ... [more ▼]
The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) mission was launched in August 2003 to sound the atmosphere by solar occultation. Carbon monoxide (CO), a good tracer of pollution plumes and atmospheric dynamics, is one of the key species provided by the primary instrument, the ACE-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS). This instrument performs measurements in both the CO 1-0 and 2-0 ro-vibrational bands, from which vertically resolved CO concentration profiles are retrieved, from the mid-troposphere to the thermosphere. This paper presents an updated description of the ACE-FTS version 2.2 CO data product, along with a comprehensive validation of these profiles using available observations (February 2004 to December 2006). We have compared the CO partial columns with ground-based measurements using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and millimeter wave radiometry, and the volume mixing ratio profiles with airborne (both high-altitude balloon flight and airplane) observations. CO satellite observations provided by nadir-looking instruments (MOPITT and TES) as well as limb-viewing remote sensors (MIPAS, SMR and MLS) were also compared with the ACE-FTS CO products. We show that the ACE-FTS measurements provide CO profiles with small retrieval errors (better than 5% from the upper troposphere to 40 km, and better than 10% above). These observations agree well with the correlative measurements, considering the rather loose coincidence criteria in some cases. Based on the validation exercise we assess the following uncertainties to the ACE-FTS measurement data: better than 15% in the upper troposphere (8–12 km), than 30% in the lower stratosphere (12–30 km), and than 25% from 30 to 100 km. [less ▲]Detailed reference viewed: 73 (14 ULiège)


text:
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's the Superman Costume Thread! - Part 3
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Lead Cenobite
Exquisitely Empty
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: US
Posts: 4,017
Re: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's the Superman Costume Thread! - Part 3
Originally Posted by
Well, the suits tend to look a lot less cosplay-ish through a film camera and under movie lighting. Even so, Spider-Man should look a little bit like a cosplayer. After all, he supposed to be a working-class of limited means. It makes sense for the suit to may a homemade aesthetic.
I know Superman's suit is most often portrayed in the comics as having been made by Martha from the blankets in he was swaddled in his rocket and thus arguably should also have a homemade look to it, such an appearance does not fit the character quite as well. He is supposed to be a god-like alien that people look up at in awe who has a majestic quality about them, I think re-inventing the suit as traditional Kryptonian grab as Man of Steel does better fits that aspect of the character. Furthermore, it seems in line with the original Pre-Crisis depiction of Krypton where Jor-El dressed quite similarly to Superman with a cape and chest symbol and boots and all that.
I think the original concept of the suit was meant to look like futuristic/alien wear, at least the perception of how aliens might dress back in the 30s, although in-universe it doesn't work out because Superman didn't even know he was an alien nor did he have memories of Krypton, at least not during the golden age.
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The following story is the journal found on a "husk", or, an "unmanned human" of the name Cecil Marrowen. A lab report on the first findings of the parasite, Humanity.
April 14th, 2025
Today was just a regular day at the factory. Of course, Rick was a jerk as usual, but that's just Rick for you. On another depressing note, I don't know about the rent for this month. I'll probably have to beg my ex, which you can tell she just loves. She was right, I am just a deadbeat.
April 15th, 2025
There was a strange man today. He called himself Professor Ashton, and offered me a deal. He invited me to a laboratory in an office building for some study, however, what scared me is the fact that he actually knew I had money problems. But, the money he offered was too good.
April 16th, 2025
I went by Ashton's lab today. If I thought he was weird yesterday, then now I know this guy is crazy. He tried to explain that we aren't really humans, but parasites that had infected humans, that had been raised to believe that we were humans. When I asked him if he was joking, he offered to prove it to me tomorrow. I don't know if I should go, however, it is still the easiest 500 dollars I've ever made. Plus, I don't have to beg to that horrible witch of an ex.
April 17th, 2025
Oh God. He wasn't lying. I don't know what to do. I'm not human, but a parasite. A microscopic thief of life. I need to think.
April 17th, 2025 Later that day...
I need to write down what he said. What he showed me, just, I don't know, for the sake of writing it. He showed me a regular guy, Greg, was his name. He then proceeded to stick a needle in the back of Greg's head. At first, Greg didn't even notice. He continued smiling, joking, he really did seem like a nice enough guy.
Then, he just stopped. He just froze. His pupils covered his whole eyes, like a dog almost, and his jaw just sat there wide open. He started drooling, and snapping at me. We locked him in Containment Cell B.
We proceeded to the smaller laboratory in the office building, where we observed what Prof. Ashton had taken from Greg. He laid out the small specimen on a glass slide in front of the microscope. "This is the real Greg," Prof. Ashton said.
There, in that microscope, I saw what I was. A couple dots, squiggling for their life. I dashed out the office building in a rush. "See you soon!" exclaimed Prof. Ashton as I ran away from the truth.
April 18th, 2025
I stayed home all day today.
April 19th, 2025
I returned to the laboratory, I needed answers. Prof. Ashton offered me a job. Watch the "husk" or "unmanned human" as he called it. Not only that, but he informed me he had injected a dog, a corgi, with the parasite, and I needed to watch him too. The dog's name is Captain. The husk's name is Adam 1.
Nothing happened, Captain just slowly limped around his room and Adam 1 just stared blankly at me, moving his jaw up and down.
April 20th, 2025
Oh my God. Captain looked at me today, and his eyes were just like a human, the opposite of Adam 1's. He looked at me and I could almost feel his sadness. He moved his mouth up and down, making horrifying sounds, like a human-dog being whipped. A whimper plus a sobbing. Adam 1 started staring at me, and has made some guttural sounds, almost like a growling. He has started to crawl on all fours.
April 21th, 2025
I walked in today, only to find horror awaiting me. Captain was on two legs, trying to walk yet failing. He would get up, walk a few steps, and fall. Also, his hair is starting to come out in clumps. Adam 1 can no longer stand, he just walks on all fours.
April 22nd, 2025
Captain is completely hairless, he looks like some kind of baby mixed with a dog, covered in peachy skin. He has started to walk on all fours, yet he looks in sorrow. I have started to hear a human-like scream coming from his cell, almost like a screeching howl. Adam 1 continues to crawl on the floor, yet, he has started to grow more and more hair.
April 23rd, 2025
Who would do this? Captain has started screaming constantly. He can no longer walk, not on four legs, nor on two. He lays on the floor and yelps in pain. The yelps continue to sound more and more like human screams. I don't know what to do. Can a parasite have morals?
April 24th, 2025
Adam 1 is no longer close to a human. He is a human, I guess. But now, human and animal are the same. He has a short fur coat and runs about the floor, sniffing and tasting the walls. Captain only screams and cries with a horribly human voice.
(This post is scrawled hastily, and has no date)
I did it. I ended Captain's suffering. I destroyed that monster Adam 1. I couldn't quite kill Ashton, but now they are after me. I don't know if I will be alive, or even human by the time this is posted, but, remember the parasite's name. I have called it, Humanity.
Written by Dr Vaudville
Content is available under CC BY-SA


text:
Costumes, Pirates and SistersI'm confused. Last Fall, my most favorite "fun" race was the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Running through Disney venues in the dark, being rewarded by food and drink around Epcot afterwards--I'll be back this year.
But just having finished the Disney Princess Half Marathon, I can't say which race is more fun. Most of the Princesses wore costumes which resulted in 13 miles of great entertainment. Inspiring were the continuous stories of sisters inspiring sisters, daughters running with mothers, and a stream of finish line smiles and celebration. For more about how I ran with a parrot on my shoulder, click on this link.
Enjoy every mile.
Medical Advice
Always see a doctor for medical problems, especially a physician who wants to get you back out there on the sidewalks or trails. Always get your doctor's OK when you train strenuously. This newsletter is an offering of information from one runner to another.
Jeff Galloway's Ultimate 5K Training App
I'm very pleased to announce a new Galloway Training app that will be available within days. Stay tuned!
Here's more information.
What is the Magic Mile?
We are gearing up for Spring which means lot of Galloway Training Programs Kickoffs! These groups are for all levels, including beginners. Join us and bring a friend!
Upcoming cities include: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Chicago Lincoln Park, Columbus GA, Denver, Ft. Worth, Green Cove Springs FL, Houston, Portland, Puerto Rico, Seattle, Greater South Hampton Roads VA and Washington DC.
See the complete list of cities.
Check out my recommeded list of races for 2011-2012!
Running Form Q&A
What is the best running posture?Upright posture tends to be best: head over shoulders, over hips, as the feet touch lightly underneath. A forward lean often results in back or neck pain, and can force one to shorten stride length.
-How much can I bounce off the ground?
-Should I run on my heels or on my forefoot?
-Is there a drill that can help improve your leg turnover, or cadence?
Read the answers.
My latest book, Mental Training For Runners, How to Stay Motivated, explains the biological reasons why we become unmotivated, and how we can take control over the motivation process. I have been told that this is a "breakthrough" book in getting motivated, staying motivated and being mentally tough when needed. Order your copy now!
The Extra Mile Podcast - GALLOWAY EDITION - is now available! Whether you have run 100 marathons or are reading this newsletter sitting on your couch, don't miss the chance to join Jeff as he discusses in detail how the Galloway RUN-WALK-RUN™ can either help you run your next half or full marathon injury free, or add running to your lifestyle and reap the many benefits of running until you are 100!! Episode 1 of The Extra Mile Podcast- GALLOWAY EDITION is now available at thegallowayextramile.com and in iTunes. Make sure to subscribe to the Podcast and join us!
Race and train Cup-Free™ with the HydraPouch®Trying to drink from a paper cup while running or jogging is a wet, messy, and frustrating experience. Now, HydraPouch makes race hydration simple.
· Get your drink in you, not on you.· Eliminate cups on long club training runs· Reduce or eliminate cups at race aid stations
Learn more! Read Jeff's Blog.
Safety Tip: Be Visible!
Now that daylight savings means dark mornings, be sure to "light up" if you are running early. We now have a Galloway Training logo headlamp hat, by Nite Beams-with lights in the front and back of the cap. Also, these "super party rings" have a very bright blinking light and are visible for a long distance. Plus, they are lots of fun!
RunKeeperWant to get coached through a Jeff Galloway program in your ear as you run? Check out these RunKeeper FitnessClasses.
Join the fun!
Have you checked out Jeff on Facebook and/or Twitter? We are finding these platforms are a great way to connect with others in the running/walking community to share stories and successes. Plus, some announcements, reminders and upcoming events are published there first. You might even get your training questions answered there by Jeff or other runners. Join us!
When Food Has Too Much Power Over You
"I think about food all the time. I finish one meal and start thinking about the next."
"I don't keep cookies in the house; I end up eating them all."
If either of these thoughts sound familiar, you are among a large group of runners who struggle with food. I routinely counsel food-obsessed joggers and marathoners alike who fear food as being the fattening enemy. They think about food all day, stay away from social events involving food, give themselves permission to eat only if they have exercised hard, and white-knuckle themselves to one meager portion at dinner.
If you (or someone you know) struggles with food, keep reading.


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|Priests and PC's.
Yo, Chesh. Wasssssuuup?
1. In Xenogears, during a boss battle, there's a voice in the background? What is it saying? Is it telling me satanic messages, or something?
2. Speaking of Xenogears - Billy is the coolest preist ever! This was not a question, but I felt it had to be said.
3. What kind of computer do you use? Mac? PC?
4. Uh, you were talking about hamlet before, so I thought I'd ask you. Why doesn't Hamlet just go and kill the king right after his father's ghost tells him about the murder?
5. Last one! In Legend of Dragoon (hey, don't laugh ;( ), how do I learn new additions?
Cheshire Catalyst:
You may ask, just who is "Magical Pope Girl"? Magical Pope Girl is a mystery! No one has ever taken a picture of her. She's a magical girl who has magical, pretty, pope power! She uses her special magic to spread love and joy to everyone and stop the evil youma who want to make girls lie, cheat and steal! Rumor has it, she's actually a young, mild-mannered student at St. Sakura's Middle School - but that is a secret!
|Turn on, Plug In, Drop out.
I noticed on RPGamer the recent news of the PS2 going online in Japan. However, it wasn't detailed whether or not there would be broadband support. One of the biggest
disappointments with the DreamCast was the whole broadband adapter/support mixup for games like Phantasy Star Online. It is still unclear to me whether or not a DC
broadband adapter will work with PSO or not, lol. Will there be a 'broadband adapter' for PS2? The only means of internet connection that I have is my DSL connection, so
this is important for me to know, seeing as it will determine if I will be able to play games like FF11 online. Anyway, I'm really still confused on the status of Broadband for
DC and worried about the same for PS2. Also a quick simple question: Phantasy Star Online doesn't support the broadband adapter. Does that simply mean that if I use
one with PSO, I won't get the full-blown connection speed of my DSL, or does it mean that PSO won't recognize my DSL connection period?
Cheshire Catalyst: Yes, the Playstation 2 will support Broadband connections. Hooray!
Yes, the Playstation 2 will support Broadband connections. Hooray!
|It's been said before, but it bears repeating. Jahiera is one fine lady.
Hey Chesh-sta,
Nothing is more satisfying than beating down Irenicus with the help of a bunch of wackos. So anyway, I invested 60 hours in Ogre Battle 64, got the evil ending by accident, and now I'm playing it again to get the evil ending on purpose. Going to the beach in a couple of months, need to get back into the playstation, can't find a copy of Xenogears at Best Buy or Blockbusters, what's a good price on Ebay for it? The end of Baldur's gate II looked like it was ready for a sequel, but can they really raise the exp cap higher than it already is?
Trile (I am not a loser)
Cheshire Catalyst: Here are some Xenogears auctions for you! If you have some disposable income, grab a copy of "Perfect Works" too.
And, hell yes they need to raise the experience cap in Baldur's Gate 2. It's currently so low, your wizards can't achieve a level high enough to learn level 9 spells. The new Experience cap will be a whopping 8 million. How does that translate into levels for your characters? Here's a brief summary.
The druid portion is blank because I'm unsure for Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhall will handle the special heirophant druid rules. Under 2nd edition, a druid cannot exceed level 20. We'll just have to wait and see what the programmers do.
Here are some Xenogears auctions for you! If you have some disposable income, grab a copy of "Perfect Works" too.
And, hell yes they need to raise the experience cap in Baldur's Gate 2. It's currently so low, your wizards can't achieve a level high enough to learn level 9 spells. The new Experience cap will be a whopping 8 million. How does that translate into levels for your characters? Here's a brief summary.
The druid portion is blank because I'm unsure for Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhall will handle the special heirophant druid rules. Under 2nd edition, a druid cannot exceed level 20. We'll just have to wait and see what the programmers do.
|The best way to get over someone? Get under someone else!
|A correction.
Yesterday, someone by the name, el-fenrir(?), sent in a letter that depicts an almost perfect timeline for Xenogears, and as expected, he also made several minor but very important mistakes. He had episodes 3-6 somewhat lacking specific details but overall, correct nonetheless. The mistakes were apparent with episode1-2. In episode one, he stated and I quote, "People leave the Earth (it's no longer habitable) on the Eldrige". Well, aside from the poor grammar and incoherency of that sentence, the real mistake here is--not all the inhabitants of earth left, only half of the entire population join the journey, and secondly, earth was never deem uninhabitable at the time when the humans left, but rather when they returned. In Perfect Works, it states that the humans left were on a convoy journey to test Deus, but when they returned, an unknown force/phenomenon has taken over the planet and wouldn't allow them passage--possibly a side effect of the Zohar engine or Deus itself. Anyhow, in episode two, he stated, "Abel meets Zohar. Miang/Elly conflict starts.". This sentence contradicts the Perfect Works explanation in almost every sense. First off, Abel never "meets" Zohar because in the book, it did not mention specifics if the first incarnation of Fei ever made contact with Zohar nor if Abel was even the same sole survivor of the Elridge crash as the lonely child in the flashback sequence. Furthermore, Abel was labelled as the second incarnation of Fei, not the first. And to round things up, there was never a conflict between Miang/Elly because Miange gave birth to the Gazel and died, and Elly didn't even exist prior or at the time of Miang.
I hope that wasn't too long but I felt that us Zenogias need to know the actually facts. Thank you for reading and keep up the good work!
Cheshire Catalyst:Xenogears fun fact #7843: "Elly's favorite flavor of Solaris Ice Cream is PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOPLE! It's made of PEEEEEEEEEEEEEOPLE! You sick maniacs!"
OK, this might seem wierd but when you play FM3 do you ever notice that: when
talking inside thier wanzers, the wanzers move like the person would outside?
I mean, do you spin and move your car around to talk to someone? It's like
the fact that the charachters only have 2 faces: normal face and angry face.
Ciphron"Angry face"Belovue
Tempers run high in 2115. Here's a typical day in Wanzer World.
Ryogo: Hey, Kazuki! Do you want an Oreo?
(Happosai rushes through a bag slung over his shoulder. He takes a dozen or
so pastel-colored eggs out of it and hides them, then rushes into Mistress
Nightshadow's room. When he runs out, he's stuffing her bra in the bag
while being chased by a highly-peeved MN.)
Heh heh heh, I'm this year's Easter Bunny! What do you think of that?
|I always wondered what the deal with the easter bunny is. I mean, you hear everything about Santa Claus. Where he lives, how he makes his toys, how he travels, how he gets in your house, how he determines how much loot you get, etc. Easter Bunny? Nothing. Where does he get the candy? Where does he live the rest of the year? How the heck does he get in my house?! How do I distinguish him from all of the other rabbits that I either shoot or sic my murderous cat on?
Ok, I keep hearing that Xenogear's "You shall be as gods" is a bible quote. But where is it? A gospel quote or something?
Here it is from the King James Version. Genesis 3:4-5 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: / For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
So next time you sleep through church, just play some Xenogears. You'll be even-steven with the almighty. Maybe. I'll have to ask Magical Pope Girl about that.
Hey Chesh,
I have a....question that I'm embarrassed to ask. You see , I am a huge Xenogears fan , but somehow , I have forgotten the entirety of Grahf's 'Mother of Destruction/power' speach!
And have you ever noticed that he only seems to give power to bald guys?
|"I will grant you the power! My fist is the divine breath! Blossom, o fallen seed, and draw upon thy hidden power. Grant unto thee the power of the glorious 'Mother of Destruction!' " - Grahf
The Last Laugh:Damn, today was mostly Xenogears questions. Maybe it's the upcoming holiday, or maybe it's all the Xenosaga buzz. See you tomorrow for our Easter Special!
Chesh"Worthless -trash-..."@rpgamer.com
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