text:
Word Count
Writers Talk About Writing
The Power of "If"
If — two letters, one little puff of breath between tongue and teeth—ranks high among language's most powerful and mysterious words: little if can build all the castles in Spain. The dictionary calls if a conjunction meaning "supposing that"; I call if a trigger word, one that signals and sets off the extraordinary mental process we call imagination.
We wake up in the morning, wash, dress, eat, and go about our lives as best we can, immersed in whatever factual reality faces us on that particular day. Then, in response to some inner or outer event, we think, "Well, if…" What follows that if could be anything under the sun—"If my boss were only a nice guy..," "God, if Mom and Dad come for the holidays…"—but by the simple act of thinking "If…" we open up a door to dozens of possible alternative worlds, worlds both like and unlike mundane daily life, worlds that we can see in detail, that we can manipulate and change to suit our changing fancies. How does if work its magic? I'll let linguists, psychologists, and neurologists answer that. All I know is: if works.
If, of course, stands at the heart of fiction, writing that describes imaginary life. Every novel or short story is a chain of ifs that the writer answers with a matching chain of thens: "What would happen if a wealthy Russian woman in the late 19th century fell out of love with her stern husband and in love with a dashing young man-about-town. Would the husband be cruel? Would the lover be true? Would the woman be happy?"
Writers commonly use four if's to create fiction's imaginary life: "What if these people lived?" "What if this place existed?" "What if the impossible were possible?" and "What if we knew everything?"
The first if gives birth to the imaginary characters whose lives fiction relates. Fiction's quasi-people are among the most superb of human inventions. Each generation creates its own, and the most vital live through succeeding generations until they float deathlessly in the mind of mankind, a vast population of ghostly but beloved figures—Dickens' Miss Havisham for one:
… she had bridal flowers in her hair, but her hair was white. Some bright jewels sparkled on her neck and on her hands, and some other jewels lay sparkling on the table. Dresses, less splendid than the dress she wore, and half-packed trunks, were scattered about. She had not quite finished dressing, for she had but one shoe on—the other was on the table near her hand—her veil was but half arranged, her watch and chain were not put on, and some lace for her bosom lay with those trinkets, and with her handkerchief, and gloves, and some flowers, and a prayer-book, all confusedly heaped about the looking-glass.
Writers use "What if this place existed?" less universally, their characters often walking well-known streets in real cities. They nearly always, however, invent details of such locales, specific houses and interiors, and they frequently coalesce the features of many similar real places into one fictional place. In The Shining Stephen King invents the Overlook Hotel both as an imaginary place and as an imaginary character, the book's arch-villain who dies by fire:
The furnace exploded, shattering the basement's roofbeams, sending them crashing down like the bones of a dinosaur. The gasjet which had fed the furnace, unstoppered now, rose up in a bellowing pylon of flame through the riven floor of the lobby. The carpeting on the stair risers caught, racing up to the first floor level as if to tell dreadful good news. A fusillade of explosions ripped the place....Flame belched out of the Overlook's five chimneys at the breaking clouds.
(No! Mustn't! Mustn't MUSTN'T!)
It shrieked; it shrieked but now it was voiceless and it was only screaming panic and doom and damnation in its own ear...
To make the Overlook a character, King uses the third if, "What if the impossible were possible?" Imagination can run riot with this if of fantasy. Homer uses it to describe the Cyclops, a race of one-eyed giants; H.G. Wells to build a machine that can travel backward and forward in time, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to mine a diamond as big as the Ritz. Realists eschew the if of fantasy, agreeing with Cervantes that "the more truthful a book appears, the better it is as fiction, and the more probable and possible it is, the more it captivates."
Yet the age-old popularity of fairy tales is proof enough of this if's magic charm. Writers of fantasy do their best to convince readers that the impossible may be possible after all. E.B. White, for example, bases his delightful Charlotte's Web on "if animals could talk like humans." Eight-year old Fern Arable regularly eavesdrops on their conversations sitting on a milking stool by the pigsty. Her mother thinks this is nonsense and asks the family doctor, "Dr. Dorian, do you believe animals talk?"
"I never heard one say anything," he replied. "But that proves nothing. It is quite possible that an animal has spoken civilly to me and that I didn't catch the remark because I wasn't paying attention. Children pay better attention than grownups. If Fern says that the animals in Zuckerman's barn talk, I'm quite ready to believe her."
The fourth if, "What if we knew everything?", creates what some critics call the "omniscient author," but what I call moveable point of view. Writers use the other ifs to create characters and the worlds they inhabit; this if creates a fluid vantage point from which we view that world. When a writer uses moveable point of view well, writer and reader, delightfully invisible, step together into a bubble-like space capsule that whisks us about, taking us anywhere we need to go to follow the unfolding story. Floating utterly unseen by the characters, we watch them when they hide:
At last when the unknown was mounting to the fourth floor, [Raskolnikov] suddenly started, and succeeded in slipping neatly and quickly back into the flat and closing the door behind him. Then he took the hook and softly, noiselessly, fixed it in the catch. Instinct helped him. When he had done this, he crouched holding his breath, by the door. The unknown visitor was by now also at the door. They were now standing opposite one another, as he had just before been standing with the old woman, when the door divided them and he was listening. —Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
and slip into their minds to eavesdrop on their unspoken thoughts:
...Emma sat down to think and be miserable. It was a wretched business indeed. Such an overthrow of everything she had been wishing for. Such a development of everything most unwelcome. Such a blow for Harriet! That was the worst of all....
"If I had not persuaded Harriet into liking the man, I could have borne anything. He might have doubled his presumption to me—but poor Harriet!" —Jane Austen, Emma
One closing note: much as readers love the freedom if bestows, they tend not to like ifs piled on ifs piled on ifs. Use a few ifs to invent your characters and where they live, maybe use a few more to make them vampires visiting Earth from Mars, but then don't use more ifs to turn your Martian bloodsuckers purple on alternate Tuesdays or to show them reading Shakespeare backwards in Chinese. "No," your readers will say, "we enjoy the free flights we take on your ifs, but please keep one toe at least planted on the terra firm of daily life—if, that is, you want us to read you!"


text:
While the car shows, tours, and vintage races are a large part of Monterey Car Week, the auctions bring out an equally car-crazy crowd. A staggering and record-setting $301.9 million in rare automobiles sold via five auction companies at this year's Car Week - a 14% increase over last year, according to Hagerty Insurance. At the auctions, money changes hands like business cards at a networking conference.
Of the 726 cars that sold at auction, these are the 10 highest selling cars of the RM and Gooding & Company auctions in addition to a gallery of others that grabbed our attention. Let us know which of these beauties you would break the bank for in the comments section below.
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4*S NART Spider by Scaglietti
Auction: RM
Sold for: $27,500,000
About the car: Yes, you read that right. $27,500,000 for this extremely rare 275 GTB/4*S NART It was the highest overall seller at all auctions this year. A single owner car, it is a matching numbers car and only one of 10 NART Spiders ever built. While we can day dream about what we would do with this insane amount of money, all proceeds will benefit charity.
1957 Ferrari 250 GT 14-Louver Berlinetta
Auction: Gooding
Sold for: $9,460,000
About the car: This Ferrari is one of only nine examples built. The, 14-Louver has an extensive racing history including participation in the Mille Miglia and the Coppa Inter-Europa. A recent winner at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the curvy red beauty has been well documented by Ferrari historian Marcel Massini.
1953 Ferrari 375 M Spider by Pinin Farina
Auction: RM
Sold for: $9,075,000
About the car: Under the care of the same owners since 1968, this Ferrari is a 1954 SCCA National Champion. Commissioned, raced, rare and owned by Jim Kimberly this 375 M Spider is only one of 12. But it is the only one that features pontoon-fenders.
1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante
Auction: Gooding
Sold for: $8,745,000
About the car: If you can believe it, this '37 Bugatti features the original chassis, engine and coachwork. Awarded 'First in Class' and the 'French Cup' award at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, this well-maintained 57SC has been well documented by Bugatti historian Julius Kruta.
1997 McLaren F1
Auction: Gooding
Sold for: $8,470,000
About the car: Considered a landmark in automotive design, this '97 McLaren F1 has only 14000 original miles and has been maintained by McLaren. The silver supercar also came complete with tools, fitted luggage, service records and more.
1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster by Carrosserie J. Saoutchik
Auction: RM
Sold for: $8,250,000
About the car: As the oldest on the list, this stunning '28 Mercedes-Benz is last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 'Best in Show' winner. Displayed at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, this 680S Torpedo Roadster is one of three short-windshield examples and the only known survivor.
1939 Mercedes-Benz 540 Special Roadster by Sindelfingen
Auction: RM
Sold for: $7,480,000
About the car: This 540 Special Roadster is a one-off car (owner commissioned), featuring matching numbers and the original five-speed transmission. Just restored, it was once a Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance winner.
1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione
Auction: Gooding
Sold for: $7,150,000
About the car: Pretty in white, this Ferrari is one of the first 250 GT competition cars. Delivered new to racing driver Alfonso de Portago, it has participated in the Mille Miglia 15 times between 1984 and 2013. Ferrari historian Marcel Massini also documented its history.
1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione
Auction: Gooding
Sold for: $4,840,000
About the car: The only Alfa Romeo featured here, this is a rare example. As the first of the Post-war Alfa competition models, it is the last remaining example of the two built. The 6C 2500 was a 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance class winner and participated in the Mille Miglia multiple times.
1955 Ferrari 750 Monza Spider by Scaglietti
Auction: RM
Sold for: $4,070,000
About the car: A successful period racer, this 750 Monza Spider has an original matching numbers engine. Participating 10 consecutive times in the Mille Miglia, this '55 Ferrari is one of the most rewarding sports cars of the era.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Waterlife - a Great Lakes Film Epic - Coming to Michigan Tech Sept. 9
By Jennifer Donovan | Published
The Great Lakes are many things: bodies of water, sources of life, a story and a poem. "Waterlife," a film that follows the flow of the water in the Great Lakes from the Nipigon River to the Atlantic Ocean, captures the significance of the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes ecosystem in a compelling, feature-length documentary.
Michigan Tech's Center for Water and Society is sponsoring a free showing of the film at 7 pm Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the Dow Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, Room 641. It has only been shown once before in Michigan, at the Traverse City Film Festival.
The public is welcome to attend the showing, whether or not they are affiliated with Michigan Tech.
Using both documentary footage and computer imaging, "Waterlife" begins in the primeval forests of Lake Superior's north coast, makes a stop at the baroque fountains of Chicago on Lake Michigan, continues to the rain-swept streets of Detroit and beyond, all the while examining how the greatest body of fresh water on Earth transforms the societies it passes through and is transformed by them.
"The film's goal is to take viewers on a tour of an incredibly beautiful ecosystem that is facing complex challenges," say the filmmakers. "Beyond that, our hope is that 'Waterlife' will bring viewers a visceral understanding of the element that is so integral to all of our lives."
Narrated by Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip, the film features music by Sam Roberts, Sufjan Stevens, Sigur Ros, Robbie Robertson and Brian Eno.
Michigan Technological University is a leading public research university, conducting research, developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, forestry and environmental sciences, computing, technology, business and economics, natural and physical sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigan's Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior.


text:
Planning on living to see 100? It's probably a good idea to eat right and exercise. But then again, maybe you don't have to. What about those people who eat, smoke and drink their sedentary asses into their 80s, 90s, 100s and beyond? SciAm's Katherine Harmon gives you the lowdown on why, when it comes to longevity, your genes may matter more than your lifestyle habits:
Top image via


text:
|2011-10-01, 00:08
|Link #3641
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
opening isn't really spoilery at all, so please manga readers SHUT UP about it.
if you DON'T already know what it is, you aren't going to get spoiled, and if you already know about it, then you can't get spoiled, thus in essense it is not spoiler filled.
Its like when reading a BOOK or watching a MOVIE a second time through. No shit you know that Bruce Willis is dead the whole movie, and it gives obvious hints throughout the movie, BUT only if you already know that. Or read a book a second time, you will notice a SHIT ton of things being hinted at early or OMG its that person, ect. But did you even bat an eye the first time reading?
NO, so quit spoiling anime only watchers by saying shit.
The ONLY bad opener I can think of for being a bad spoiler is in One Piece when during Arabasta arc they already where showing Robin sailing with the Strawhats.
|2011-10-01, 00:12
|Link #3642
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Adelaide
Age: 30
Spoiler for Speculation Etc:
|2011-10-01, 02:56
|Link #3643
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Greece
Age: 22
It pissed me off to waste in about 4-5 minutes seeing old memories .. I prefer seeing 5 minutes Juvia & Lissana vs Erza ... I think Juvia will pass , she hasnt put her heart in the battle yet ... I thought that Mira wouldn't fight , you know she did found her sister and fought the next day? Elfman got no chance ... Giltarts beat natsu , and let him pass ... Is it fair ? So that means that Erza and Mira can beat their opponent and let them pass , but i don't think that it will be like this !
|2011-10-01, 03:18
|Link #3644
Anime-Only Viewer
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: USA
Yes, Fried has pretty much served his purpose, so I don't expect much more of him.
I am also going to guess that upcoming bad guys or that guy that brings death is probably related to Kana in some way. I don't think she will betray Fairy Tail, but she will be conflicted.
Also, I am going to predict that Natsu will not become S-Class after this arc. He really doesn't need it, essentially with what he said to Gildarts this episode. Also, the strongest team in Fairy Tail already has a S-Class in Erza.
It is either going to be Kanna or no one for S-Class. Out of all the years that the S-Class exam are done, only 5 are/were in Fairy Tail (Erza, Gildarts, Mirajane, Laxus, and Mystogan) that we know of. Hence, it is not a guarantee that any one will make S-Class this year either.
|2011-10-01, 04:16
|Link #3646
Join Date: Aug 2004
Age: 32
Regarding the individual fights though, I think it's worth noting that they don't actually have to win against the S class mages, they just have to prove themselves worthy of being S class. Natsu did so by showing both a willingness to fight and a willingness to back down when needed. So far Juvia's been disappointing Erza though, so I guess she'd need to work on her battle tactics to impress Erza in this fight?
|2011-10-01, 07:48
|Link #3647
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Moscow, RU
Age: 30
|2011-10-01, 09:00
|Link #3648
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Talking about OP it does have several spoilers but in comparison to all OP to date it is the least spoiler full one. It is impossible to create spoiler free OP especially when they are based on specific arc so this OP is really good in being spoiler free.
It has a bit too many static images but otherwise I find it really enterating as well as the music.
Talking about episodes... Juvia sure has pulled a short straw, there is no way Erza will let her through like Gildarts.
I liked the Miria entrance, felt bad for Evergreen and Elfman
Gildarts is real monster it is nice to see Natsu give up instead of going into power up mode as usual.
P.S. I read this arc partly so I don't know about all the events
|2011-10-01, 09:02
|Link #3649
Awe of She
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Orlando
The MAN has arrived!!
Seriously, there's no way anyone's beating Gildartz anytime soon. Natsu, you better find yourself a real dragon to practice on before taking on G-Man.
And of course Erza, sexy as always. Mira too - I loved Elfman's face. XD
|2011-10-01, 12:13
|Link #3651
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
I said that I didn't want new opening. Now I'm in love with it Waaaay better than Rock City Boy. Surprised that Cana isn't in the ending (since it looks that she is having relevance in this arc I expected her to be in the ending, maybe in the 2nd of the arc?)
Gildarts has demonstrated why he is the strongest one in the guild. And the way he left Natsu at the end of the fight was amazing
Elfman and Evergreen's faces were so hilarius. Will they have an opportunity against Mirajane?
And Jubia... bad luck. Erza is tough
|2011-10-01, 12:44
|Link #3652
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Some flashbacks...but some of them were interesting ( ゚ Д゚)
Natsu & Happy vs Gildarts, but Gildarts is impossibly strong & scary. Chibi Natsu rain was really cute (*´▽`*) Natsu's willpower is amazing!!
Erza vs Juvia & Lisanna. Erza sure is a strong, but I think Gildarts would beat her easily.
Lucy & Cana relaxing ^^ Interesting how those 2 were last ones in the caves & the first ones out.
Elfman vs his sister?! Ouch!
Awesome episode!
|2011-10-01, 15:20
|Link #3654
One-Eyed Dragon
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ, USA
Gildarts is so awesome. Surprised he passed Natsu. So that means that you don't necessarily have to beat them. Though Juvia and Lisanna are having no luck with Erza. Lol Elfman drew Mira, wanted to see a family fight. Best part was the flashbacks though, like seeing everyone when they were younger.New OP and ED were good.
|2011-10-01, 20:25
|Link #3655
Awe of She
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Orlando
Going up against Gildartz is an auto-loss, unless he WANTS to lose - there's no way that anyone could've beaten him, even Laxus and his crazy delusion of being the strongest one. *pfffht*
He could've taken out Jose, the Phantom Lord Master no problem. Oh, if only he was there when Phantom attacked...the pure *ownage* that would have happened then would have broken the 'Epic' meter.
Fairy Tail's Top 4 + Demon Miria would have utterly destroyed the entire Phantom Lord Guild - Jose and all.
|2011-10-01, 20:45
|Link #3656
Join Date: Aug 2004
Age: 32
Also, I think Makarov alone could've utterly destroyed Phantom Lord if he hadn't been hit with a sneak attack in the beginning. Fairy Law.
|2011-10-01, 20:46
|Link #3657
Revealing the truth
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Age: 36
|2011-10-01, 22:51
|Link #3659
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
|action, adventure, fantasy, magic, shounen
|Thread Tools


text:
WEDU - Downton Abbey Season 3, Tampa Theatre Preview Screening
WEDU Public Media
Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 7:30 PM (EST)
The Great War is over and the long-awaited engagement of Lady Mary and Matthew is on,
but all is not tranquil at Downton Abbey as wrenching social changes, romantic intrigues,
and personal crises grip the majestic English country estate. Shirley MacLaine joins the
much-loved cast, which includes Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville,
Dan Stevens, Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Penelope Wilton and many others.
"No family is ever what it seems from the outside," observes Smith's shrewd character.
Join WEDU at the historic Tampa Theatre
January 3rd, 2013 at 7:30pm
for a special screening event
This special event will feature the first hour of the first episode of Season 3,
and Downton Abbey inspired door prizes. Must be present to win.
The screening is free and open to the public, however seating is limited and RSVP is requested.
WEDU is West Central Florida's leading PBS station reaching 16 counties through media platforms including on-air programming and online experiences that broaden horizons, transport and transform and open gateways to new ideas and new worlds. Financially supported by the community, the organization offers a wealth of award-winning inspirational, educational and enlightening content over a variety of multi-media platforms including: television programming, station website, www.wedu.org and various social media platforms, monthly member magazine Premiere, educational outreach activities and a myriad of special events. WEDU's focus on the local community has resulted in the station being regarded as a beacon of trust for men, women and children of every walk of life no matter their age, ethnicity or socio-economic status. WEDU is a treasured community resource; a window to the world for the homebound and a vital educational source for the youngest members of society. WEDU prides itself on its position in the Tampa Bay community as a leader, partner, informed citizen and a member of PBS, the most trusted institution in America (ORC International's DualFrame CARAVAN, January 2017). For more information, program schedules or to support WEDU visit www.wedu.org; WEDU Public Media on Facebook and Twitter (@wedupbs) or call (813) 254-9338.
Join millions of people on Eventbrite.
In order to purchase these tickets in installments, you'll need an Eventbrite account. Log in or sign up for a free account to continue.


text:
Yes, you read correctly. I finished my NaNo-Experience of the year at 50,800 words. Good thing, too, since I won't be able to do any writing tomorrow!
Just over 50 000 words of utter nonesense, now that I'm re-reading it, but it's there, so YAY! I went ahead and ordered myself a Winner T-Shirt. Spend when you're winning, I say. The story, as it stands, will probaby live at the bottom of my endless story drawer (endless coz the stories will never end - get it, huh, huh?), never again to see the light of day until I'm brave enough to do a re-write.
Instead of touching that particular story now, I'm off to work on last year's NaNo, instead. I'm even considering the whole write one, sub one thing for next year - that's like NaNo all year long, pressure wise.
No idea if I'll dare, but maybe...who knows...
Thank you to everyone who popped in on my sporadic blogposts - I love you guys!!!
And special hello and thanks to my fellow Birth-of-a-Novel-ers - sorry I've been so uncommunicative, but not updating my wordcount regularly and being offline a lot helped me get to the end this year. I'm gonna go say hi to you now....
Angela H. Anna M. Brooke Busse Charity Bradford Elizabeth Davis Elizabeth Poole Fida Islaih Huntress Jen McConnel Lena Hoppe Mia Hayson Miranda Hardy Nyxie Moon Tessa C Zoe


text:
Photos provided by Motor4Toys Supporters
Motor4Toys Charity Event Details:
- Sunday, December 1st from 6:30am-12pm
- Location: 21555 Oxnard St. Woodland Hills, CA
- Admission is at least one, unwrapped toy with a value of at least $10
- Bring your classic, exotic or collectible car to show
This Holiday season, car enthusiasts and regular folks alike can make a difference in a less fortunate child's life. In its 10th year, Motor4Toys is an event dedicated to ensuring less fortunate children find toys under the tree.
The event invites all with a classic, exotic or collectible cars to come and make this an unforgettable show. Admission is the donation of at least one new unwrapped toy - with the value of least $10 - to be distributed by charities like Spark of Love during this upcoming Holiday season. Last year, Motor4Toys gathered over 46000 toys in spite of rain possibly deterring some from attending. The goal for this year is to gather over 50000 toys.
Partnering sponsors include: The Auto Gallery, Coastline Motorsport, and Fiat. Supporting Sponsors include: HRE Wheels, Auto Trixx, Lavaggio-the art of auto detailing, CXC Simulations, 100 Octane Rally, Superchargersonline.com, California Car Cover, Connected Media Group, Hybrid Haven, Always Evolving, Scott Martin Auto Brokers, Gold Rush Rally, and Fast Intentions. Other supporters include: local automotive car clubs, the Petersen Automotive Museum and many others.
Motor4Toys is a 501(c) charity that was founded by Dustin Troyan who is well known for Super Car Sunday, a monthly classic car gathering in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, CA.
Please join Troyan and hundreds of other enthusiasts on Sunday, December 1st, 2013 for a morning of gift giving and car showing. Remember, you can make the difference in a less fortunate child's life this Holiday season.
The show is from 6:30am-12pm and is located at 21555 Oxnard St. Woodland Hills, CA - At the Anthem Blue Cross building in WarnerCenter. Leading up to the event, donation boxes are placed at The Auto Gallery and other locations around the city.
If you are unable to attend the event be sure and donate here. The goal for fundraising is $15000
For more, visit: Motor4Toys website


text:
An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
Many libraries provide meeting rooms for individuals and groups as part of a program of service. Article VI of the Library Bill of Rights states that such facilities should be made available to the public served by the given library "on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use."
Libraries maintaining meeting room facilities should develop and publish policy statements governing use. These statements can properly define time, place, or manner of use; such qualifications should not pertain to the content of a meeting or to the beliefs or affiliations of the sponsors. These statements should be made available in any commonly used language within the community served.
If meeting rooms in libraries supported by public funds are made available to the general public for non-library sponsored events, the library may not exclude any group based on the subject matter to be discussed or based on the ideas that the group advocates. For example, if a library allows charities and sports clubs to discuss their activities in library meeting rooms, then the library should not exclude partisan political or religious groups from discussing their activities in the same facilities. If a library opens its meeting rooms to a wide variety of civic organizations, then the library may not deny access to a religious organization. Libraries may wish to post a permanent notice near the meeting room stating that the library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of meetings or meeting room users.
Written policies for meeting room use should be stated in inclusive rather than exclusive terms. For example, a policy that the library's facilities are open "to organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities" is an inclusive statement of the limited uses to which the facilities may be put. This defined limitation would permit religious groups to use the facilities because they engage in intellectual activities, but would exclude most commercial uses of the facility.
A publicly supported library may limit use of its meeting rooms to strictly "library-related" activities, provided that the limitation is clearly circumscribed and is viewpoint neutral.
Written policies may include limitations on frequency of use, and whether or not meetings held in library meeting rooms must be open to the public. If state and local laws permit private as well as public sessions of meetings in libraries, libraries may choose to offer both options. The same standard should be applicable to all.
If meetings are open to the public, libraries should include in their meeting room policy statement a section that addresses admission fees. If admission fees are permitted, libraries shall seek to make it possible that these fees do not limit access to individuals who may be unable to pay, but who wish to attend the meeting. Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states that "a person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views." It is inconsistent with Article V to restrict indirectly access to library meeting rooms based on an individual's or group's ability to pay for that access.
Adopted July 2, 1991, by the ALA Council; amended June 26, 2018; rescinded August 16, 2018.
See also: Religion in American Libraries: Questions and Answers


text:
President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Republican Chuck Hagel as his next defense secretary and counterterrorism adviser John Brennan to head the CIA, two choices likely to stoke controversy as he fills out his second-term national security team.
Continue Reading Below
The selection of Hagel, a maverick former senator and decorated Vietnam veteran tapped to replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon, appears destined for a bruising Senate confirmation battle against critics who have already launched an onslaught over his record on Israel and Iran.
Obama could also face opposition from human rights groups over his choice of Brennan, a CIA veteran who withdrew from consideration for the spy agency's top job in 2008 after questions were raised about his views on enhanced interrogation techniques used on terrorism suspects during the Bush administration.
He would succeed retired General David Petraeus, who resigned amid a scandal over an extramarital affair with his biographer.
Obama, newly returned from his Hawaii vacation, will announce the two nominations at the White House on Monday afternoon, a senior administration official said. A "personnel announcement" was scheduled for 1:05 p.m. EST (1805 GMT).
The addition of Hagel and Brennan, along with Senator John Kerry as nominee for secretary of state, would round out Obama's national security team as he faces daunting challenges of winding down the war in Afghanistan, dealing with the Iranian nuclear standoff and curbing military spending.
Obama is backing Hagel for the Pentagon post despite the fact that the former Nebraska lawmaker, even before being nominated, had become a lightning rod for criticism from the left and the right.
Former Republican colleagues have joined pro-Israel groups and neoconservatives in questioning his commitment to Israel's security and slamming disparaging remarks about what he once called a "Jewish lobby" in Washington.
He has also come under fire for saying in 1998 that a nominee for an ambassadorial post was not qualified because he was "openly, aggressively gay" - a remark for which he has since apologized.
Obama's nomination of Hagel suggests that the president did not want to appear weak by seeming to bow to political opposition and being forced to pick someone other than his favorite contender for a top Cabinet post.
He backed down last month from a tough Senate confirmation battle over Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, his first pick to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, and instead settled on Kerry.
But the risk for Obama is that pushing Hagel's nomination could force him to expend political capital he needs more for his next round of fiscal showdowns with congressional Republicans.
The White House is confident it can weather criticism of Hagel's record, get his nomination through the Senate committee that will consider it and win confirmation in the Democratic-led chamber, a source to the nomination process said.
Hagel - who bonded with Obama during their senatorial days over their joint opposition to the Iraq war - would give a bipartisan cast at the highest level of Obama's Cabinet.
But in recent weeks a number of prominent Republicans have said they would oppose Hagel, who has often been at odds with his own party on foreign policy and fiscal matters.
Republican lawmakers made clear on Sunday he would face a difficult nomination process.
"This is an in-your-face nomination by the president to all of us who are supportive of Israel," South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told CNN's "State of the Union." "I think it's an incredibly controversial choice."
Critics contend that Hagel, who left the Senate in 2008, at times opposed Israel's interests, voting several times against U.S. sanctions on Iran. But Hagel's supporters insist he has a strong pro-Israel record.
Hagel has also been critical of the size of the American military, telling the Financial Times in 2011 that the Defense Department was "bloated" and needed "to be pared down."
An editorial in The Washington Post last month said that given the scale of the cuts Hagel seeks, he was "not the right choice" for defense secretary.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said "there would be a lot of tough questions of Senator Hagel."
Retired Army General Stanley McChrystal, speaking on NBC's "Today" program on Monday, defended Obama's choice of Hagel, who has been on the president's intelligence advisory board.
"If President Obama trusts him, I think Senator Hagel has the experience. He's certainly got the qualities as a person," said McChrystal, a former top U.S. commander in Afghanistan who resigned in 2010.
The nomination of Brennan, who has served as Obama's chief White House counterterrorism adviser since the start of his first term, could also make waves in Washington.
Brennan was believed to have been Obama's top pick to lead the CIA when he took office. But human rights advocates contended that as a senior CIA official under President George W. Bush, Brennan was tainted by the agency's use of interrogation techniques like waterboarding that are widely considered to be torture.
Brennan denied any connection to the interrogation methods but removed his name from consideration.
Brennan, who has a close relationship with Obama, has since won praise for his role in helping to plan the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, something his supporters hope will quell criticism and keep his nomination on course.
"John Brennan's career of service and extraordinary record has prepared him to be an outstanding director of the CIA. ... Brennan has the full trust and confidence of the president," the senior administration official said. "For four years, he has seen the president every day, and been by his side for some of his toughest decisions."


text:
Here is what article 198 says "Translated to English by Dr. Nivien Salah"
The military judiciary is an independent branch of the judiciary. It alone decides on all crimes related to the armed forces, their officers, and personnel.According to Constitutional law expert Gaber Nassar who is also the head of Cairo University and a member in the Constitution committee this is a vague article.
Civilians may not be tried by the military judiciary unless they are accused of crimes that hurt the armed forces. The law specifies these crimes as well as other competencies of the military judiciary.
Members of the military judiciary are independent. They cannot be dismissed, and they have the guarantees, rights, and duties that attach to all members of the judiciary.
Nassar gave a brief history of the military trials in Egypt as well in a series of tweets on Friday. They are extremely important.
1-كانت تسمى المحاكمات العسكرية داخل الثكنات وبعد يوليو دخل النظام القانونى المصرى لأول مرة مصطلح القضاء العسكرى وأستخدم على نطاق واسع ..يتبع1- It was first called "military trials in barracks" and after July 1952 the term "military judiciary" was introduced for the first time to the Egyptian legal system.
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013
2-وكان المقصود تسويغه بإعتباره قضاء وهو ليس كذلك وفى نهاية حكم مبارك عملوه على درجتين من أجل ترسيخ فكرة كاذبة أنه ليس محاكمة خاصة نوعية يتبع2- It was meant to market it as a judiciary but it is not. In the end of Mubarak era two stages legal procedures "primary and appeal" were introduced to the military judiciary in order to enforce the false idea that it is not a special judiciary.
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013
3-فى دستور 2012قالوا أنه قضاء مستقل وهو لايمكن أن يكون كذلك لان القاضى ضابط هو وأحكامه يخضع لوزير الدفاع ولذلك لابد من عودته كما كان3- In Constitution 2012 , it was said that military judiciary was an independent judiciary which can not be because in the end the military judge is an officer who follows the minister of defense.
— DR. Gaber Gad Nassar (@drGABER_NASSAR) September 20, 2013
It is worth to mention that Constitution 2012 gave the army privileges that have not been granted to the military institution in any other previous constitution in the history of Egypt including Constitution 1971.
Now the brave No For Military trials campaign has started a new crusade against the armed forces in order to stop the military trials for civilians and to make civilians stand civilian trials constitutionally.
Tomorrow the No For Military trials campaign will have a hearing session in order to explain their views to the Constitution committee.
Last Thursday the head of the military judiciary had his hearing in front of the committee. Of course the media focused on what he said without even trying to represent the other views at least from the professional way !!
By the way Tamaroud representatives aka youth representatives in the Constitution committee "Mahmoud Badr and Mohamed Abdel Aziz" seem to be okay with the military trials for civilians. The Nasserites also seem to be okay with the military for civilians.
Nevertheless there are some voices in the committee against the military like Constitutional law expert and head of Cairo University Dr. Gaber Nassar whom I quoted above as well artist Mohamed Abla.
Currently we know that two journalists are standing military trials and sadly enough they are from Sinai : Mohamed Sabry and Ahmed Abu Draa.
Mohamed Sabry stood a military trial in time of ousted president Morsi and up till now his trial is being adjourned for ages.
Now here are important remarks I would like to add regarding the military trials and my source is none other than the fantastic and brave Mona Seif herself.
- Up till now we do not know the exact number of the civilians who stood and are standing military trials. The latest number we have got is "11,000" and this is according to the statement of Adel Morsi , the former head of military judiciary to Ahram Gate in September 2011. Since then there are no official statements about the exact number.
- It is true that there are no civilian prisoners in the military prisons because the civilian prisoners have been transferred to civilian prisons since 2012.
- The military trials are on rise after June 30 mainly in the governorates away from media like in Suez canal governorates , North Sinai and Matrouh as well some Upper Egyptian governorates like Minya.
- The No for military trials campaign is trying to help people as much it can but it does not have lawyers or activists enough to help people in those campaigns.


text:
Several law faculty lead discussions at national conference
January 10, 2010
Several faculty members from the SIU School of Law faculty made presentations during theAnnual Meeting of the American Association of Law Schools(AALS) which was held in New Orleans, LA, January 6 – 10, 2010. AALS is a non-profit educational association of 171 law schools representing over 10,000 law faculty in the United States.
Associate Professor Cindy G. Buys presented her work-in-progress, "Lessons to be Learned from the Untold Story of Frederich Nottebohm and theU.S.-Latin American Detention Program." Buys' paper was chosen from a national call for papers on "Cross-Currents in International Law, Human Rights Law and National Security Law". Her paper tells the story of how Frederic Nottebohm, a wealthy German businessman living in Guatemala, got caught up in a little known program run by the United States during World War II in which the United States pressured Latin American countries to identify persons of German nationality or ancestry and turn them over to the United States for internment for the duration of the war. Many of these persons were assumed to be Nazi sympathizers and were arrested and detained for lengthy periods of time on the basis of mere accusations unsupported by any real investigation or evidence. Professor Buys' paper examines the justifications for this program and the legality of the program under the law that existed at the time of World War II. She then illustrates how the law has or has not changed since that time period and draws parallels to the arrest, detention and trial of suspected terrorists today.
Interim Dean and Professor Frank Houdek was the organizer and moderator of the program, "Roundtable: The Electronification of Law Libraries and Its Implications for the Legal Academy." The program examined the increasing "electronification" of today's law school library—in its resources, certainly, but also in its operation – and the implications for law professors pursuing their scholarship, law students pursuing their education, non-law school library users pursuing legal knowledge, and librarians pursuing their vision of the library as a vital component of the twenty-first century law school. Specific topics included:
• The role of electronic publications in the tenure process
• Rewriting ABA standards to allow the substitution of electronic resources for print resources
• AALS's role in guiding the evolution toward electronification
• Open access in the electronic library world
• Legal citation and electronic publications
Professor Peter C. Alexander was a speaker on the panel discussion "Deaning: Myths and Realities."
Also during the meeting, Associate Professor Mark Schultz was elected 2010 chair of theAALS Section on Internet and Computer Law.


text:
ArcTouch Developers needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 89 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
Curious Dog OR Curious Puppy [read the requirements for more info]
We are creating a series of fun and interactive mobile software apps for children.
This project is to create THE LOGO for the web site to promote these apps.
The name of the new site has been narrowed down to two possibilities:
1. Curious Dog
2. Curious Puppy
The final name will be chosen based on the logo that is chosen.
The site is mainly for parents with young children.
The apps promoted on this site will be produced mainly for ages 2 - 7 skewing heavily toward the younger audience.
The logo should be bright, fun and happy and include the words "Curious Dog" with an image of a dog, or "Curious Puppy" with an image of a puppy. Include variations of both in your submissions.
The logo could suggest learning or play time (the apps are like interactive books, but have an element of fun and discovery).
The design should be bold and simple, and have full commercial quality to appeal to a broad audience across the United States.
The logo will appear as a major masthead element on a website. It will probably appear at around 150px (w) x 100px (h) so the name needs to be legible at this size. Vector art is preferable.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
New Ouya iteration expected annually
Ouya will look to follow the way of smart phones and tablets, with plans to launch annual iterations of the Android-based console.
Speaking with Joystiq at DICE, Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman explained how the company will replicate the mobile hardware strategy of actively refreshing with upgraded parts.
"As it relates to iterating the console and refreshes, our strategy is very much similar to the mobile strategy. There will be a new Ouya every year," Uhrman said.
"There will be an Ouya 2 and an Ouya 3. We'll take advantage of faster, better processors, take advantage of prices falling. So if we can get more than 8GB of Flash in our box, we will. And in so doing, make sure that all games are backwards compatible."
Uhrman also confirmed the specs of the initial Ouya console.
"We're launching on the Tegra 3. It's a quad-core A9 chip. Because it's not a mobile device, we don't have to balance power for battery life. So when all four quads are running, it's 1.6GHz. It's gonna be the best Tegra 3 device on the market."
Ouya is set to debut at retail this June.


text:
Dallas -- Flanked by more than two dozen U.S. athletes, First Lady Michelle Obama on Monday announced an initiative to expose more than 1.7 million American children to Olympic sports.
Obama, who will lead the presidential delegation to the Opening Ceremonies in London this summer, said the new partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee and her "Let's Move!" initiative could inspire the next generation of gold medalists.
"Once they're engaged, that's when coaches and instructors can step in and become mentors," she said. "That's when being active can become a lifetime habit."
The new partnership calls for the U.S. federations of several Olympic and Paralympic sports – including gymnastics, field hockey, soccer and track & field – to commit to expanding their youth programs nationwide. The U.S. Tennis Association, for example, is expected to introduce 620,000 children to its sport by training 4,000 physical education professionals in tennis curriculum for players under 10 years of age.
"That is so important because sometimes all it takes is that first lesson, or clinic, or class to get a child excited about a new sport," she said.
Calling herself a lifelong Olympics fan, Obama recalled being inspired by athletes such as Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comaneci.
"I would dream about how one day, if I worked hard enough, I could do something great," she said.
More than a dozen Olympians joined Obama at the announcement, including gymnast Nastia Liukin, swimmer Natalie Coughlin and sprinter Wallace Spearmon, a Chicago native. Obama says as she watches the U.S. team march into the stadium during opening ceremonies, she will be thinking about the athletes' ability to impact the lives of American children watching at home.
"In the end, some of these athletes will bring home the gold, but all of them…will inspire a generation of young people to get active, to strive for excellence and to pursue whatever dreams they may hold in their hearts."
Obama unveiled the initiative during a brief appearance Team USA Media Summit, a three-day event that brings together journalists and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls ahead of the summer games. She has made fighting childhood obesity one of her key causes during her husband's tenure.
The first lady was introduced by Coughlin, the first U.S. female swimmer to win six medals in a single Olympics. Coughlin, who had told reporters earlier in the day that helping children lead healthier lives was one of her passions outside the pool, admitted to being nervous about welcoming the first lady.
Obama hugged Coughlin when she walked on stage and joked there was no reason for a world-class athlete to be star struck.
"You've got a lot of medals," the first lady said. "No need to shake."
Obama was scheduled to attend a $250-per-ticket campaign fundraising event at a local hotel following the speech.


text:
From the disappointment over The Elder Scrolls Online to the steep decline in subscriber numbers for Star Wars: Old Republic, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the time of the traditional MMO is drawing to an end.
It's not done. There are still 10 million people playing World of Warcraft, for example, and millions more playing titles such as Lord of the Rings Online. But on the whole, it's a dying genre, a product of a time in gaming that's come and gone, and upon which we'll one day look back on and say...boy, aren't we glad they don't make games like that anymore.
To be clear: I've always hated MMO games. From Everquest, whose addictive tendencies tore apart my one and only online community experience (an X-Wing clan, of all things) to World of Warcraft to everything that came along and tried to beat World of Warcraft, they seemed like the absolute antithesis of everything I found enjoyable in a video game experience.
Veteran designer Warren Spector, whose credits include Deus Ex and System Shock, puts it best when he said in this 2007 interview "I'm one of those people who doesn't find anything interesting at all in levelling up, finding a +3 sword or paper-dolling a character with a purple cloak. That doesn't appeal to me in any way as a human being. Put that all together and the play experience of MMOs is on par with roleplaying back in '87."
From cooldowns to instances to collecting 10 of anything, most MMOs were, and still are, chores dressed up in the livery of a fictional universe. Aside from the basics of exploration and the lure of collecting loot and levelling up, there's been only one thing keeping people playing them, and stopping them from realising there's little difference between the banality of their daily grind to that of, say, a Farmville player.
That's the community aspect, and I'll concede this, if you went down that rabbit hole, I'm sure the social experience was a blast. World of Warcraft has done so well not necessarily because of its mechanics but because of its accessible and enjoyable lore, which keeps people invested in the game's universe long after the appeal of the gameplay has worn off.
The same goes for EVE Online, a game whose real-world approach to economics and politics means it can be a nasty place to hang out in, but at the same time a fascinating one. Ask an EVE player what keeps them coming back and they won't say mining or trading, they'll say its the context those actions are given by EVE's wonderful fiction.
You can say most MMOs fail because they fail to match the appeal or longevity of those fictions, sure, but I think in 2012 that's only part of the problem, as even the strongest fiction can eventually wear out its welcome. The more important thing causing this decline, I think, is that people are sick of playing the same damn games over and over again.
Everquest was released in the 20th century. World of Warcraft came out in 2004. Yet when Old Republic, the most expensive MMO of all time, hit shelves in late 2011, it was structured...almost exactly the same as World of Warcraft. Joel's great post on that game last year sums up my own thoughts on that crushing disappointment: in seven years, and with the most popular fictional universe on planet Earth as a hook, the best BioWare could do was copy WoW?
It's a sentiment many other people obviously share, because in only a few short months the game's subscriber base has dropped by around 25%. And while its decline is far from as dramatic, World of Warcraft has also been steadily shedding players over the past year. Other traditional MMO games in recent years have either died off or been forced to adopt a "free to play" model (which admittedly in some cases has been a success for developers!)
And who can blame them? There's only so many times you can grind, click and level your way through the same basic structure before it gets boring. The reaction to The Elder Scrolls Online's reveal last week only hammered this home. Going by people's comments not only here but across the web, it seemed people were very disappointed that such a successful singleplayer RPG would, for its online debut, revert back to tired old design ideas rather than try something new.
They didn't want to play World of Warcraft with Elder Scrolls skins. They wanted to play an Elder Scrolls game against human beings. Whether that's technically feasible or not (hint: it's not) isn't the point. The point is Zenimax could have tried something, anything differently, and it would probably have been received more positively.
This insistence on using established MMO tropes rather than attempting genuine innovation in the genre has long amazed me. It's as though publishers and developers looked at World of Warcraft's subscriber base and thought, wow, that game had 10-15 million players, we should get in on that action.
Um, no. How about thinking of a way to get the hundreds of millions of people who don't play MMO titles interested in the genre? I'm no game designer, so it's not like I'm sitting on the perfect answer, but surely there are hints to be found in the way non-MMO games are structured that could point them in the right direction?
Games like Red Dead Redemption, ArmA and even Mount & Blade can show, in different ways, how large worlds and/or large numbers of players can co-exist on the same server and provide fresh gaming experiences that don't simply revolve around clicking until you collect eight goat's tails.
Upcoming games like Tera and Guild Wars II are even better reference points: both MMOs in that they're designed to be played by large groups of people, but both offering radical departures from Everquest and WoW's tired old formula, most appealing of which is Tera's use of actual combat, which is enough to get me excited despite my track-record with the genre.
People walking away in large numbers from a Star Wars game and reacting indifferently, even negatively, to a new Elder Scrolls title are about as clear a sign as developers and publishers are going to get that hey, it's 2012, we're all getting a little tired of playing the same old MMO. It might be time for everyone to try something else for a change. Something new.


text:
Employment Creation in Poorest GovernoratesMay 1, 2013
In partnership with the Social Fund for Development and with the support of the Government of Japan, UN Development Programme has been implementing an employment creation project across six of the poorest governorates in Egypt.
The project responds to the urgent need to create jobs, especially among youth in rural areas. UNDP partnered with the Governorate of Fayoum and the Ministry of Local Development to launch the construction work of a potable water network, creating short-term job opportunities for 17,684 persons per day.
Fayoum's Zawyet El Kardassa village alone has 2 km of potable water network currently under construction, creating job opportunities for 780 people every day and benefitting around 7,000 people in the area who will have access to clean water once it the network is complete.
Badawy Abdelsattar is a 29-year-old father of two who used to work in construction but has recently been finding it difficult to find short-term work. Abdelsattar is happy he has been offered this opportunity that will help him support his family.
In Fayoum governorate, a total of 39.65 km of potable water network in 21 villages will be installed or rehabilitated by July2013. This project aims at not only creating jobs, but also institutionalizing a local economic development process to assist local administrations in identifying local needs and responding to them swiftly.


text:
East Georgia College has dropped an unspecified sexual harassment charge against an English professor who, ironically, had openly criticized the lack of protections for the falsely accused in its sexual harassment policy.
Two weeks ago, Thomas Thibeault was informed in a letter from John Black, president of East Georgia, that "the evidence" in the mysterious complaint filed against him in August "does not warrant the charge of sexual harassment" and that he was reinstated to his position, ending a nearly two-month suspension. Black and other East Georgia officials did not respond to requests for comment regarding this about-face.
In August, two days after openly expressing his concerns about the college's sexual harassment policy, Thibeault says he was told by Black that he "was a divisive force in the college at a time when the college needed unity" and that his "long history of sexual harassment would be made public" if he did not resign of his own accord. When Thibeault refused, asking that the charges against him be detailed, police escorted him from the campus, and he was suspended from teaching at the college while "dismissal proceedings" took place.
Thibeault was eventually told, near the end of August, that the college had "sufficient evidence to support his suspension." Throughout September, he repeatedly asked for a hearing and that the charges against him be enumerated, to no avail. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Higher Education also stepped in, widely publicizing the case throughout the month and openly condemning East Georgia's administration for its handling of this case.
Black's reinstatement of Thibeault two weeks ago is the first development in the case since August. Still, in the same letter in which he reinstated Thibeault, Black also openly and severely reprimanded him "for the use of offensive language and angry outbursts in your past interactions with your colleagues."
Though no specific examples of such behavior were given, the letter warned Thibeault that he "may face further disciplinary action including termination" if Black receives "any complaints" about Thibeault's behavior from colleagues.
"You must show better judgment and discretion in the future when engaging in discussions in the public work setting," Black wrote. "The use of offensive language in public work spaces, including the public areas of your office suite, is not appropriate and will not be tolerated in the future. Furthermore, you must refrain from angry outbursts when interacting with your colleagues. You must conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner toward all of your colleagues in the future."
Thibeault said Black's letter came out of the blue, noting that the charges against him were never enumerated and he was never given a hearing before the administration, as Black had noted was now possible in a prior letter.
"I was very angry that I get this letter that states I'm being reinstated but that I'm also being reprimanded for offensive language and outbursts, which are equally as untrue as the sexual harassment charge," Thibeault said. "The most I can be charged with is having a vulgar sense of humor in private. I don't tell dirty jokes in the classroom. That's for sure."
After being reinstated and reprimanded, Thibeault was asked to sign a summary of a meeting he had with Tim Goodman, vice president for academic affairs at East Georgia, as a condition of his return to the college. Among other statements, the summary implies, as the president's reprimand does, that Thibeault has engaged in improper behavior which he needs to acknowledge.
"Dr. Goodman pointed out to Mr. Thibeault that some of what he has said in the past has bothered some people," Goodman writes. "Mr. Thibeault is intimidating to some and some are fearful that he will lose his temper and do something rash. The College has assured them that this will not happen."
Thibeault has yet to sign the summary of the meeting — noting that he was presented with the document at his meeting with Goodman, not after it – but he did say he will sign a separate document addressing his disagreements with the seven statements made in the summary and give it to the college this week.
What Now?
As Thibeault was suspended before the start of the semester, he has no sections to teach. Since his reinstatement, he has been working in the college's Academic Instruction and Resources Center, which provides help in remedial math and English. He will return to teaching a full load next semester.
"When my name went back up on the course board, my courses filled up within an hour," Thibeault said. "This says the exact opposite of the charge the college has laid against me. Students are voting with their feet and coming back to my classes. One student even told me she was no longer going to transfer to another college but finish her coursework here because of me. That's a wonderful vote of confidence."
Still, Thibeault worries that, despite his reinstatement, he will not be back at East Georgia beyond next semester. In early August, when the sexual harassment charge made against him, Thibeault received a letter from Black noting that he would "not be offered a new employment contract for the 2010-2011 academic year."
Russ Willard, spokesman for the attorney general of Georgia, whose office was consulted by East Georgia for legal advice in the sexual harassment case against Thibeault, said the sexual harassment charge that would have led to immediate dismissal and the non-renewal notice Thibeault received from Black are "separate and unrelated matters." He would not disclose any legal advice the college had received from the attorney general, noting that it was "subject to attorney client privilege."
Assuming that the non-renewal notice stands, there are a number of legal options for Thibeault to consider, said Adam Kissel, director of FIRE's Individual Rights Defense Program. He disputes Willard's explanation that the sexual harassment charge and the non-renewal notice are unrelated.
"The president coincidentally decided not to rehire him for no cause at the same time of the sexual harassment charge," Kissel said. "I don't think any reasonable person could say that these two are not related in any way, given that he has good performance reviews, students like him and he's well respected on campus. … If he's not being rehired because of protected speech, then that's an actionable offense for him to pursue against the college."
Until the non-renewal matter is made clear, Thibeault said he is beginning to look elsewhere for teaching work. Still, he noted that if his contract is renewed, he would still like to teach at East Georgia, despite the difficulties he has encountered there.
"I'll absolutely work at East Georgia if I'm able," Thibeault said. "I work for the college and for the community. I don't work for the administration. They don't own the college, and they don't own me. I have the right to work and not be harassed by my supervisors."


text:
Getting Inside the Customer's Head
Aristotle's tried and true rhetorical method might just be a successful formula for advertising, too. Tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; and then tell them what you told them.
With advertising it seems, hitting people more than once – and via the same medium –yields the strongest results. Most notable, however, is that doubling down on a physical advertisement appears to be the best approach, according to our recent white paper, The Brain's Response to Ad Sequencing.


text:
All items > Knives > Fixed Blade Knives > Benchmade (Fixed) > 140 Nimravus Series
- Overall Length:9.45"
- Blade Length:4.50"
- Blade Thickness:0.12"
- Blade Material:154CM
- Hardness:58-60 RC
- Blade Style:Drop Point
- Blade Grind:Flat
- Finish:Black
- Edge Type:Serrated
- Handle Length:4.95"
- Handle Thickness:0.58"
- Handle Material:Aluminum
- Color:Green
- Weight:6.20 oz.
- Sheath:Nylon
- Knife Type:Fixed Blade
- Brand:Benchmade
- Model:Nimravus
- Model Number:140SBK-ADC
- Country of Origin:USA
- Best Use:Tactical
- Product Type:Knife
Be sure to view our other Benchmade Nimravus Knives!
The 140SBK-ADC Nimravus is a well-built, high quality fixed blade knife. The 154-CM stainless steel drop point blade has a tactical black BK1 finish and a partially serrated edge. The full tang handle is ergonomically shaped and features a deep index finger groove and a notched thumb ramp above for superior hand grip. The foliage green handle scales are anodized 6061 T-6 aluminum for lightweight performance. The Benchmade Nimravus line of knives come with a tough MOLLE compatible nylon sheath. The Benchmade Nimravus Kydex sheath is also available separately.


text:
Q. What is the maximum number of 12 AWG THHN insulated conductors permitted in a strut-type channel raceway that is 1½ inches by 1½ inches and of unlimited length? The channel location is defined as indoors and dry. The ambient temperature does not exceed 30°C. The raceway sections of this strut-type channel are joined with external joiners.
Answer: A
Explanation: The number of conductors permitted in a strut-type channel raceway shall not exceed the percentage fill noted in Table 384.22. When using external joiners, Table 384.22 permits a 40% fill. Therefore, for a 1½ inch by 1½ inch strut-type channel, the allowable fill according to Table 384.22 is 0.731 square inches.
From Chapter 9, Table 5, the approximate area of a 12 AWG THHN insulated conductor is 0.0133 square inches. 0.731 ÷ 0.0133 = 54.96. However, we must round down to 54, so as not to exceed the 40% fill requirement.
Owen is the owner and president of National Code Seminars and the holder of master electrician certifications in 46 states. He can be reached at [email protected].


text:
Britney's back -- and looking hotter than ever.
Britney Spears released the much anticipated music video to her new single "Work B****" from her upcoming eighth studio album.
The pop superstar parades around a number of locations scantly clad and full of energy. In one scene, she gyrates with a group of backup dancers in a desert while being circled by a sports car. In another scene she's sporting a gold bikini in a club, showing off the dance moves that made her pop royalty.
The video has everything: revealing outfits, expensive jewelry, exotic cars--even sharks at one point.
The music video was directed by Ben Mor, who also directed the video for the track "Scream & Shout," a collaboration with Will.i.am.
Many fans noted the track's controversial title and its apparent response to the recent government shutdown. Although the song's release and timing of the shutdown were purely coincidental, Spears responded to the matter on Twitter:
Go call the po-lice, Go Call The Gu-vunah! Someone tell Congress to get to #WorkBxxCH
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) October 2, 2013
The 31-year-old recently announced her residency at Planet Hollywood Vegas in 2014 and 2015. Her new album is due out Dec. 3.
Check out the hot new music video below.


text:
October 2010 TechlinePosted in How To: Tech Qa on October 1, 2010
Better Gearboxes and Lube For '99 Explorer?
Q. I own a '99 Ford Explorer with a pushrod 4.0L V-6 and auto transmission. My first question is what ATF would you recommend I use? I was thinking about a synthetic like Royal Purple, or I was thinking about using regular ATF with an additive like Lucas Oil's.
Would a shift kit extend the life of an automatic transmission when driven reasonably? Or should I go with a transmission programmer? I haven't gone wheeling with it, but I do tow a small four-wheel trailer every weekend that weighs about 2,000 pounds, and this just kills the performance of an already sluggish vehicle. The shift kit is something that this Explorer needs very badly, as it just shifts way too soon or it doesn't downshift when it needs to, and when you tow, it only magnifies those problems. But I don't want to put a shift kit in it; I'll be ripping the transmission out to get it rebuilt in a year anyway.
My second question: My transfer case is the auto four-wheel-drive junk. Is there any way I can swap it for a non-auto T-case, maybe out of an older Explorer or Ranger, or am I stuck with the auto?
Why does my engine temperature run so cold? In the summertime, it's not a problem, but in the winter it barely gets in the normal range, and that's with the radiator completely covered and with the hottest thermostat I can find. I still get heat out of the heater, but it really kills my mileage. I thought about installing an electric fan instead of the mechanical unit. Do you think that would help my cooling problem?
Jesse Leister
Via fourwheeler.com
A. I don't have a lot of faith in oil additives, as they may or may not blend properly with the additives that are in a certain brand of ATF. However, I am a believer in synthetic ATF, especially on a vehicle that could encounter high transmission temperatures such as when being used off-road or when pulling a trailer. Be sure to select a Mercon-rated fluid. The better lubrication and the ability to operate at higher fluid temperatures is always a safety feature.
As to the shift kit, I will also say yes. I know B&M makes a good kit and I am sure an Internet search will turn up several more companies. Yes, it will help to extend the life of an automatic transmission, as firmer shifts mean less clutch slippage, which in turn reduces heat and clutch wear. The shift kit will not cause early wear to the transmission, but it will not fix a problem if the transmission does need to be rebuilt.
As to a transfer case swap, I am sure that with enough time and patience, it could be done; however, I don't have any information on such a swap. Perhaps an Internet search on the subject will bring up some information.
Running too cold? Now that is an unusual problem. Most people complain of their vehicles running too hot. My only thought on this is that you may have installed the thermostat in backwards, or that the pressure relief valve is not at the top of the engine. Okay, one more thought: Are you sure that the engine is not coming up to the proper temperature? Have you measured the coolant temp with another gauge and compared it to what the vehicle's gauge says? Do keep in mind, if you measure the temperature of the coolant at the radiator, it will be as much as 10 to 20 degrees lower than that within the engine. The easiest way to measure the temperature would be with a thermal gun. This way, all you have to do is point and shoot, and it will give you a fairly accurate comparison.
What could be the reason for your poor fuel mileage in the winter is the same reason the rest of us also complain. One, you may be letting your car idle a lot after start-up so it will be warm when you drive away, and secondly, in most parts of this country during the winter, the gasoline you're using is oxygenated, or in other words has ethanol added to it, which lowers emissions but will also reduce fuel mileage.
The Right Tires for Stock CJ Rims
Q. I have been working on this '74 Jeep CJ-5 for my dad. We want to use the original wheels again with some new tires. Would this Jeep have come with tires that had tubes in them? We don't want to put bias-ply tires on it or anything, radials are fine. But my uncle mentioned to make sure if we re-use the factory wheels to be sure that they have a safety bead, as some tube-type wheels did not. And some tire guys are not smart enough to notice this. My uncle says that this is important because any hard side-loading could rip the tire off its bead and you will crash. My uncle has seen some guys get killed racing when they lost their tires because of radials on tube-type wheels. I can't seem to find much info on this.
Maybe it's not popular to use the factory wheels, but I think it's cool to see a stock-looking Jeep CJ-5 running around. Inside the glovebox of the CJ, the stock tire size is listed as H78x15, if that helps.
Charlie Correll
Missoula, MT
A. Just for giggles, the H78 is equal to a 225/75-15. There were a lot of factory tire options back then, so tire size could vary. The tube does not help keep the tire seated on the bead. Well, it does somewhat at low air pressure, but not all that much-it's the air that does it. Problem is that bias tires have a five-degree bead seat angle and radials use a 15-degree angle. Generally, they will just conform to the new angle, but I have been told that may or may not cause some damage to the lip just above the bead bundle. When radials first came out, people put them on bias-ply tire rims. I would be more worried about how strong a 35-year-old rim is as much as if I could, or could not, run radial tires on them.
If you're really worried, then put a rubber band made up of a smaller tube cut to fit over the rivets on the rim, and buy a radial tube to use with them. Yes, they make radial tubes. You may have to actually punch a couple of holes in the radial tire so that the trapped air between the tire and tube can escape.
I am not sure what year Jeep started using safety beads. You should be able to just look at the rim or even feel the safety bead with your fingers on an old-style steel wheel, even with a tire mounted on it. I know that in the early '60s, they did not have safety beads.
Oh, by the way, Coker Tire has lots of bias-ply replacement tires.
'70s Ford Highboy Vibration Woes
Q. I have a '76 Ford 3/4-on Highboy F-250 Ranger XLT. It has a bad vibration and I don't know where it's coming from. It has full-time four-wheel drive. I've replaced the tires and one bad U-joint, and all the fluids are good and full. Someone told me that the flexplate could cause vibration. Can you tell me something else to do or check for?
Also, how hard is it and what is the least expensive way to do a steering box conversion? I want to get rid of the lower steering box and the hydraulic ram that's on the front axle.
Danny Behm
Via fourwheeler.com
A. Well, the first place you need is to determine if the vibration is being caused by the engine or the driveline.
Most likely, you could start out with the engine by placing the transmission in Neutral and bring engine speed up to, say, the 3,000-rpm range while parked. If you then feel the vibration, then places to start looking are a bent fan, or a worn-out fan clutch, or a bent or loose accessory drive pulley. The easiest way to check these out is to loosen the accessory belts and push, pull, and tug on the pulleys.
Yes, the flexplate on the crank-or where it attaches to the converter-does come loose on rare occasion. Remove the dust cover and check that the bolts are tightened to the proper torque between the torque converter and the flexplate. Sorry, I don't have the proper torque specs available to me, but you could go by bolt size (not head size) and locate a torque-spec chart on the Internet. As to the bolts on the flexplate to crank, well, you shouldn't be able to move the flexplate any significant distance. If they re-loosen, then that means you have to pull the transmission out to tighten them.
You said that you changed tires. Are they properly balanced, and are the rims mounting flush with the wheel hub? Make sure that there are no spring clips that hold the rotors in place-they may be interfering with the wheel's mounting surface fitting flat.
Next step would be to get the load off the driveshafts by, say, jacking a wheel off the ground and putting the transfer case in Neutral. Make sure you block the other wheels to keep the truck from rolling. Now grab the shaft and give it some hard jerks. If you detect movement, then the trick is to determine where it's coming from: the U-joints, the pinion shaft in the front or rear differentials, or the output of the transfer case. Nothing there? Then remove the front shaft and drive the truck. If the vibration goes away, then you pretty much know the problem is either a bent driveshaft or one of the driveline components that the shaft turns.
Next step is to do the same with the rear shaft and drive the truck as before.
As to eliminating the ram-style steering, take a look at www.ford-trucks.com. You'll find an article there that has complete instructions on how to do this.
How to Fix a Pressurized Fuel Tank
Q. As a new member of your auto renewal plan, I thought I'd send your staff a rather unusual (to me) mechanical problem. I have a nice '94 Dodge SLT 1500, with the 360 engine and automatic. It has about 150,000 miles and it runs great.
When I remove the gas cap (only lately), the amount of air pressure in the (gasoline) tank is tremendous! Without threads on the cap, I believe it would blow about 25 feet. Any idea what the problem is would be much appreciated.
J. Mont in 74017
Via fourwheeler.com
A. Okay, it's pretty apparent that you're pressurizing the fuel tank. Several things could be causing it. The first thing to look at is the fuel pressure relief valve, or maybe a kink in the fuel tank vent line. I would start out by removing the fuel tank vent hose from evap canister and apply light air pressure (3 to 6 psi) to the fuel tank filler tube. Airflow should be present at fuel tank vent hose. If airflow is not present, replace the pressure/relief valve which is at the back of the fuel tank and can be pried out with a screwdriver. Yes, you have to drop the tank to fix it.
I would suggest that you check with your dealer, as there may be a factory recall that covers this. The part number is 4002252 and costs about $26. Now I am not saying that this is definitely the problem, but it very well could be.
Older Toyota Needs New Springs
Q. I recently bought a '92 Toyota pickup truck as my first vehicle (I am 16). It has the 3.0L V-6 engine in it and it's pretty strong. I plan to use it for my small landscaping jobs as my mower/hauler, mulch carrier, etc. Problem is, the rear leaves don't really like my idea of making money too much, so they don't put any effort into carrying the loads, which results in the suspension drooping. What would you suggest as the best way to solve this problem? I hear about these add-a-leafs that you can buy, but are they any good? Please help me out!
Dar Odierna
Western MA
A. The first thing to do is determine if the rear springs are trash from being abused in the past with excessive loads. Does the truck sit level, or slightly higher in the rear when unloaded? It should. Next, just how much weight are you carrying around? A couple of lawnmowers and some grass clippings should not set the back of the truck down any appreciable amount. While the add-a-leaves will support more weight and lift the rear of the truck, they were designed to provide a suspension lift. I am not a real fan of them as they generally are a short leaf with a much more pronounced arch than the spring pack has, which forces the other leaves into a "false arch" that leads to poor ride quality.
However, as I confirmed with my Toyota aficionado Derek Emerson, your truck should have a short flat overload leaf already installed at the bottom of the spring pack that is designed to make contact with the main spring pack when a heavy load is carried. He tells me that there is the possibility that you have one or more broken leaves in the spring pack. It's not uncommon to find the # 3 leaf broken. There could also be the possibility that the former owner removed the overload leaf or one of the other leaves in order to improve the ride quality. I suggest that you take a good look at your present springs and compare them with those on another similar Toyota pickup, or look at one of the websites that sells factory-style springs such as www.sdtrucksprings.com.
Where To Write
Address all correspondence to: Techline Four Wheeler, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245. You can also reach us by e-mail at email@example.com; be sure to type the words "Tech Line" in the subject line. All submissions become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department also can be reached through the Web site at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.


text:
Wolfgang Munzer
Born: February 26, 1920
Berlin, Germany
An only child, Wolfgang was born in Berlin to Jewish parents. His father was the foreign representative for a sewing notions company. The family lived in a comfortable apartment in the southwestern district of the city. Wolfgang attended secondary school there and hoped to become an electrical engineer.
1933-39: When the Nazis came to power, my father fled Germany because he was a socialist and was afraid he'd be arrested. Mother was very ill, so my grandmother took care of me until it became too difficult for her, and then she placed me in a Jewish orphanage. By then, Jews weren't allowed in public schools, so I switched to a Jewish middle school. In l937 I joined my father in Paris and entered a training institute to learn to be a mechanic.
1940-44: By 1943 I was living in Nice with my father and my stepmother, who owned a lending library. Many Jews had sought haven in Nice because under the Italian occupation there, Jews were not persecuted. But when Italy surrendered to the Allies in September, the Germans occupied the area. In March 1944 the Nazis deported me, my parents, and 1,500 other Jews in sealed box cars from a transit camp near Paris to Auschwitz. Upon arrival, I was separated from my parents and herded into a room where my head was shaved.
Wolfgang's parents were gassed upon arrival at Auschwitz. Wolfgang was put to work in an electrical components factory and survived the war. He immigrated to America in 1947.


text:
May 9, 2009
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Skidmore College edged out MIT, 5-3, in the first round of the NCAA Men's Tennis Championship Tournament on Saturday. The Engineers closed their season with a 16-3 ledger, marking their 13th straight 10-win campaign.
The Thoroughbreds grabbed a 2-1 lead after doubles play. David Iba and Brian Wee fell to Spencer Cheng and Lorenzo Cabrera, 8-2, in the No. 2 spot while Kevin Pang and Ken Van Tilburg were defeated, 8-3. Peden Nichols and Samuel Harmatz denied the sweep with an 8-5 decision in the No. 3 position.
MIT tied the match when Van Tilburg topped Yahia Imam, 6-3, 6-1, in the No. 2 singles slot. Skidmore captured the next two matches at the No. 3 and No. 6 spots to take a 4-2 advantage. Cabrera posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Wee as Ethan Bond defeated Ryan Castonia, 6-2, 6-3. Harmatz narrowed the gap to one (4-3) when he cruised past Chen, 6-3, 6-1, in the No. 4 position. Luke Granger sealed the match for the Thoroughbreds at the No. 5 slot, earning a 6-4, 6-1 win over Nichols.
Skidmore College vs. MIT
Final Team Score: Skidmore 5, MIT 3
1. Carl Eric Girardin/T.J. David (S) def. Kevin Pang/Ken Van Tilburg (M), 8-3
2. Spencer Cheng/Lorenzo Cabrera (S) def. David Iba/Brian Wee (M), 8-2
3. Peden Nichols/Samuel Harmatz (M) def. Yahia Imam/Lorenzo Granger (S), 8-5
1. Carl Eric Girardin (S) vs. Kevin Pang (M), 6-3, 4-6, 3-3 (Halted)
2. Ken Van Tilburg (M) def. Yahia Imam (S), 6-3, 6-1
3. Lorenzo Cabrera (S) def. Brian Wee (M), 6-3, 6-2
4. Samuel Harmatz (M) def. Spencer Cheng (S), 6-4, 6-1
5. Luke Granger (S) def. Peden Nichols (M), 6-4, 6-1
6. Ethan Bond (S) def. Ryan Castonia (M), 6-2, 6-3


text:
AK_Brickster wrote:Back to the S7 figs, from the picture, it almost looks like the viking woman torso doesn't really have any features that make it specifically feminine. I wonder if it's androgynous enough to work for male figures as well. What do you think?
Besides the fact that is has curves, it matches feminine Viking attire very well, IMO.
See here(far left, women's mannequin): http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... lothes.jpg


text:
While half the Internet world is looking for a photo of former Mets GM Steve Phillips, the other half is looking for photos of the wives and girlfriends of the Yankees and Phillies.
Such scouting reports, if you will, are all over the Internet with the obvious blessings of the players and teams. This one comes from COED Magazine.
One interesting moment in playoff history came when Yankee Fans – always a courteous and classy lot – taunted Cleveland Indians outfielder David Justice with chants of "Hall-ie Ber-ry, Hall-ie Ber-ry," when after the couple separated.
One of the most humorous magazine pieces I've read was several years ago when a men's magazine broke down Derek Jeter's run production according to who he was dating at the time. Funny stuff, which no-doubt the future Hall of Fame shortstop wasn't thrilled to see.


text:
|2012-11-28, 11:36
|Link #1221
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
It's strange but nice that this will come right after Chuu2, in winter. Kyoani normally did two shows per year (or a TV+movie), skipping seasons in between. Lately, they've made a 2-cour Hyouka, Chuu2 directly following, and now this is directly following Chuu2. If we have a Kadokawa show for Spring, it would be the first year for which Kyoani has made something every season, iirc.
Shows that they're expanding.
|2012-11-28, 11:41
|Link #1222
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Judging KyoAni's usual scheduling, they're probably halfway through with this show.
If I were to guess. Spring would be Haruhi S3. I think that's enough time for Ishihara to work on this project.
Still hoping for some fresh directorial debut from certain staff members.
|2012-11-28, 12:39
|Link #1224
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
It's no surprise that it's not something people were expecting. What did surprise me is that their new project is not for Kadokawa... Then again, after two cours of Hyouka this year and two of Nichijou last year, I suppose TBS/Pony Canyon are due for more than a mere 12 episodes of Chuunibyou.
I wonder, though - Chuunibyou was "almost KyoAni original", now this is a fully original series. I wonder if they're trying to move away from adaptions to some degree.
|2012-11-28, 12:51
|Link #1225
From the Tamako Market thread:
As relentless said, this doesn't mean anything regarding Kadokawa productions. Prior to this announcement, we were all speculating it would come in spring anyways. This doesn't change that at all.
Last edited by ultimatemegax; 2012-11-28 at 13:32.
|2012-11-28, 13:31
|Link #1226
Japanese Culture Fan
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Planet Earth
Age: 27
Horoguchi's art style and character designs are cute and attractive in their own way, but I honestly would prefer Nishiya Futoshi to design the characters. His character designs for Hyouka were incredible.
|2012-11-28, 14:59
|Link #1228
Not an expert on things
Join Date: Jun 2007
It's kinda a shame that the trailer shows off Horiguchi's style of coloring, but KyoAni obviously isn't going to adopt it going by their website.
Oh well. Super excited anyway just to see how it goes, especially after Chuunibyou. I know people were expecting an original anime, but I didn't believe it at all.
Also, it's a shame that KyoAni doesn't use Twitter PR accounts. At least, I could never find one.
Edit: Never mind. I'm dumb and didn't read the Tamako thread. Thanks ultimatemegax for the link and the info!
Last edited by OceanBlue; 2012-11-28 at 15:16.
|2012-11-28, 22:12
|Link #1230
Someone on 2ch pointed this out and it had slipped my mind. Next March, we will have gone through ten years of KyoAni being in charge of animation production for shows. Form 1981-2002, they were only a contracted studio to assist with parts, but in 2003 with Munto and Full Metal Panic!? Fumoffu, they began to be in charge of productions. What will we see to celebrate this occasion?
Edit: also self-promoting a blog article about art quality that goes into a little more detail about how we measure resolution of shows. I use a fair amount of KyoAni shows to show their improvement from SD TV shows like Lucky Star to a 1080p movie.
|2012-12-02, 10:19
|Link #1231
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Saimoe Planet
|2012-12-02, 15:29
|Link #1232
Anime Snark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 36
|2012-12-02, 23:08
|Link #1235
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
...Ehhh, can't say i'm pretty thrilled for it. It seems like a K-On replica (well, what moe show doesn't now a days) with no real plot and it seems generic. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt obviously and try to watch it, but it's not something i'm really hyped for nor am I expecting much.
|2012-12-03, 03:24
|Link #1236
The Comet has Come
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 41
Mochi eh?
Possibly NSFW:
"Gonna get pregnant"
Last edited by Ithekro; 2012-12-03 at 03:48.
|2012-12-03, 03:37
|Link #1237
Me at work
|2012-12-13, 03:16
|Link #1238
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
From Tamako thread.
Didn't want to mess that thread up.
|2012-12-13, 06:19
|Link #1239
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
The 'problem' with Kyoani is that they make awesome looking shows, yet they don't cater to MANY people's taste. It's only natural that there would be tons of complaints.
But anyway, the complaints are not reasonable in my view either, because it's discriminating against a genre. I haven't ever seen anyone complain about ufotable only doing Type-Moon chuuni stuff since 2008, and I suspect that's because the genre KnK and F/Z fall in is much more respected in the western world than iyashikei slow-paced SoLs. Likewise, I haven't seen anyone ever complain about Ghibli using the same character designs over and over in their works, but Horiguchi (and even unrelated designers like Nishiya and Ikeda) get lots of shit because "Kyoani always rehashes their designs!", something that is not even entirely true to begin with.
But that being said, I too would also like Kyoani to branch out. I enjoy practically everything they make, for the visual presentation if not anything else. But that's exactly the reason I would like them to do more settings, because I love the way they make their anime.
I'd really like if Yamada did a high fantasy anime full of green meadows and exotic creatures, like this:
Spoiler for Youtube vid:
I'd like to see Takemoto directing a drama set at college, with older characters and broader conflicts.
I'd love for Ishihara to do something totally bananas, like this:
Spoiler for YT vid:
I'd love for them to make a steampunk anime, with lots of awesome plane/ship designs and other vaporous things. Or maybe a cyberpunk "grimdark" show even, featuring gargantuan futuristic cities, lasers, and gore.
How about a space opera? A return to mecha shows? Something like their LN Coppelia, which IIRC is set in a mansion and features a rich boy and two doll-maids alla Rozen Maiden. They could also adapt Kyoukai no Kanata, which by the PV and summaries seems like a sekai-kei show full of action and, albeit set in a highschool, would be really nice to see.
I don't really have any gripe with Kyoani, and I enjoy what they do. Hyouka is my personal AOTY, and I'm thoroughly enjoying Chuunibyou as well. But don't tell me that them branching out and handling any of those settings with the technical expertise they're known for wouldn't be (probably) glorious.
|2012-12-13, 06:47
|Link #1240
Senior Member
Even KyoAni's harshest critics recognizes that the studio is a solid cut or two above the rest of the anime world when it comes to animation quality and attention to detail. There might be the odd non-KyoAni show that is on par with KyoAni in this regard, but I can't think of any long-standing studio that is consistently at that level, while KyoAni itself is (I think that P.A. Works' character designs and 'still picture artwork' are just as good as KyoAni's, but P.A. Works' animation quality is not as consistently great).
Many people naturally would like to see this animation quality and attention to detail applied to more than just "iyashikei slow-paced SoLs". While good animation quality can be appreciated almost anywhere, I can't think of a genre that needs it less than "iyashikei slow-paced SoLs". Whereas animation quality is massively important to an action-packed show.
KyoAni is special. That's something KyoAni fans and critics agree on (even if the critics are less keen on admitting to it). The fans like them because they're special. The critics think "You do all this awesome work, but you only do it on a very limited range of shows... that's highly disappointing".
Same thing with Ghibli - It being focused on movies means that fewer people actively talk about it.
Don't get me wrong, plenty of us (including myself) have seen Kara no Kyoukai and/or some Ghibli films, but they don't have that "weekly momentum" that TV shows have, so they don't get talked about as much. So, in time, we don't think about them as much.
Also, some people simply don't like the K-On character design style. Many of those same people are fine with Ghibli character design style.
I don't have a major problem with the K-On character design style, but it does take the moe concept to a certain extreme, imo. I can see why it would be "moeblob" or "too much" for some people. And I myself don't think that look suits everything - I didn't think it suited Haruhi 2009 well, for example.
|Thread Tools