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Bols Blue (Curacao)
Review: Bols Blue (Curacao) 81.5/100
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted on October 10, 2010
Lucas Bols advertises itself as the oldest distillation company active in the world today. With an origin that traces itself back to 1575. After 435 years, the company has grown to become one of the leading global concerns in the spirits industry. Bols has a presence in over 110 countries selling liqueurs, vodka, gin, and genever. The wide range of liqueurs is particularly impressive. With 36 naturally flavoured liqueurs, the company can boast the widest range of liqueur flavours in the world.
I have met and talked with Peter Van't Zelfde and learned that all of the Bols Liqueurs are made from natural flavours. These flavours have been extracted and/or distilled from natural base ingredients like fresh fruits and spices. Thus Bols Blue is flavoured using only real fruit flavours extracted from the ripe fruit. BOLS Blue is the original Blue Curaçao. It always has been and still is, the world's best-selling blue curaçao. The Liqueur is bottled at 24 % alcohol by Volume.
In the Bottle 4.5/5
The Bols bottle design has undergone a change recently. The bottle shape is softer and more ergonomic that before. In fact it was specifically designed for bartenders to make their job easier. The orange band under the cap allows instant recognition of the flavour of the spirit; the ribs in the glass under the orange band give the bottle better grip; the glass itself is lightweight; and even the bottom shape of the bottle matches a cocktail shaker. The bottle is designed to look good, to feel good in a bartenders hands, and to allow quick easy pouring of your favourite cocktails. Bols did a good job…. except for the screw cap. I guess you could say that I am on a mission to rid the world of these annoying toppers. The screw cap on the bottle which I was given, is already beginning to show signs of wear. Soon I will have to replace the topper arrangement with a fitted cork.
In the Glass 9/10
The Bols Blue is all about appearance, and it is no wonder that the spirit scores highly here. A stunning blue colour coupled with a wonderful aroma of fresh oranges. I am told that Bols distills the flavours for Bols Blue from three different orange types, sweet red oranges, bitter Curacao oranges, and Kinnow Mandarins. The result is a wonderfully broad orange aroma with a decidedly sweet smell. I sense an underlying herbal nature as well which seems to add to the richness.
In the Mouth 48/60
Bols Blue is syrupy sweet on the tongue and an abundance of sugar is evident in the mouth feel. Perhaps it is a little too sweet as it has the taste and the consistency in the mouth of an orange syrup. The taste can quickly become sharp and cloying. But I remind myself that this is a liqueur, and the sweet taste profile is meant for mixing in cocktails not to be sipped neat in my glencairn glass.
So I mixed a few cocktails to see what would happen. The first thing I noticed was that in the cocktails that I mixed (The Reserved Gentleman, The Traveler, The Whiskey Fizz, and The Cosmopolitan), the amount of sugar syrup which I would normally add had to be severely curtailed. Bols Blue carries enough sugar on its own to sweeten the drinks. In the Cosmopolitan I had to add extra lime juice to unsweeten the drink. But I also found that the orange flavour came through much stronger in these cocktails than with traditional Triple Sec or Cointreau. I liked the added orange far more than I disliked the extra sweetness.
In the Throat 12/15
While I was making my cocktails, I noticed that the drinks I mixed carried a strong orange flavour well into the finish. It was a fuller more developed flavour that I seemed to enjoy more than I expected. However the sweetness of the Bols Blue had its drawback. If I was not very careful of my proportions, the finish on the cocktails could become cloying easily.
The Afterburn 8.5/10
I have enjoyed the Bols Blue, and it has definitely found a place on my cocktail shelf. It carries more flavour than other Orange Liqueurs I have used like Triple Sec and Cointreau, but it also carries far more sweetness. In cocktails which call for sugar to be added the Bols Blue will work just fine, as long as the sugar is reduced, but in cocktails which call for an orange liqueur and no extra sugar, using Bols Blue might be a mistake.
If you wish to have some comparison reviews of other Orange liqueurs you may click here.
Suggested Recipes:
I already mentioned in the review four drink recipes which I tried with the Bols Blue. Here are two more recipes which I recommend. The first one is the recipe I was served when I attended a Bols event t the Devlin Lounge in Edmonton. This is where I was introduced to the Bols Blue Liqueur, (I should note I received a sample bottle of the Bols Blue for this review as well as a cool set of Bols highball glasses)
This drink is called Electric Lemonade and it showcases the distinctive blue colour of the spirit. (I could not resist using my brand new Bols glass to showcase the cocktail.)
Electric Lemonade
15 ml Bols Blue
45 ml Bols Vodka
30ml fresh lemon juice
15 ml rich sugar syrup (optional)
Lemon Lime Soda
Mix the first four ingredients over ice
Top with lemon lime soda.
Serve in a drinks tumbler with an optional lemon or lime garnish!
And a fancy straw is always a nice touch!
Big Blue Sexy
a cocktail by Chip Dykstra
aka Arctic Wolf
20 ml Bols Blue
50 ml London Dry Gin (I suggest Empire Gin)
30 ml fresh lemon Juice
4 large cubes of ice
Lemon/lime soda (7-up or Sprite)
Fill a long Collins glass with ice
Add the first three ingredients
Stir gently
Fill with Lemon Lime soda (Sprite or 7 -up)
Serve with a long straw
An optional garnish would be a slice of lemon or lime!
*(My recipe is very similar to Electric Lemonade. But I use gin rather than Vodka which completely changes the character of the cocktail. Omitting the added sugar makes the cocktail (IMO) a much more enjoyable experience as well.)
My Reviews contain a rating or score out of 100, and these scores can be interpreted using the following scale:
0-25 A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49 Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59 You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn't.
60-69 Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74 Now we have a fair mixing spirit. Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79 You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84 We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89 Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94 Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+ I haven't met this bottle yet…but I want to.
Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal scale as follows:
70 – 79.5 Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5 Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95 Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+ Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)


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Nassau Community College: Free Speech Zone
Category: Free Speech
At a demonstration on July 20, 2011, members of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers (NCCFT) were forced to remain behind metal barricades by NCC's Public Safety Office, and warned that their "right to remain on the campus may be forfeited" if they protested outside the zone. NCC again confined faculty behind metal barricades when they held a second protest on August 3, and decided arbitrarily that they could not take their hand-held posters out of the free speech zone while protesting. FIRE wrote to NCC August 16, one day before a third planned protest, pointing out that the establishment of free speech zones far exceeded the college's authority. NCC discontinued use of the metal barricades the next day and acknowledged the faculty's right to demonstrate peacefully throughout the campus.
Notice of County Ordinance 238-1984, August 3, 2011
Notice distributed to NCC Faculty, July 20, 2011
Nassau Community College Affirms Free Speech Rights for Faculty in Response to FIRE
September 8, 2011
Two weeks ago, we wrote about the quick resolution to a free speech controversy at Nassau Community College (NCC) in New York once FIRE intervened. On two separate occasions, faculty who had gathered in the NCC Plaza area to protest recent budgetary decisions by the college were required to remain behind metal barricades during their demonstrations, and NCC security officials placed other odd restrictions on them. For their first protest on July 20, the faculty had notified NCC that they were going to protest in the Plaza area, but when they arrived they were notified that they were restricted to […]» Read More
Robert on 'Cam & Company' Radio Show Tomorrow
August 22, 2011
FIRE Senior Vice President Robert Shibley will be on NRA News' Cam & Company radio show tomorrow night at 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss our recent victory for free speech at Nassau Community College as well as other current issues dealing with free speech and due process on campus. You can listen live online at nranews.com or tune your Sirius/XM radio to channel 125!» Read More
Victory for Free Speech at Nassau Community College: Faculty Liberated from 'Free Speech Zone'
August 22, 2011
NEW YORK, August 22, 2011—Last week, after twice confining faculty members protesting budget cuts behind metal barricades, Nassau Community College (NCC) on Long Island reversed itself and allowed its instructors to freely distribute literature and carry protest signs across campus. Faculty members subjected to these unconstitutional "free speech zones" came to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) for help. "NCC was treating faculty members like potential rioters," FIRE Senior Vice President Robert Shibley said. "This was a classic case of unconstitutional restraint on free speech." A week before a rally on NCC's main plaza by members of the […]» Read More

subset: commoncrawl


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Polow Da Don Signs Roscoe Dash Live On The Greg Street Show! "Atlanta Got It On Lock Right Now"
POLOW DA DON SIGN ROSCOE DASH LIVE ON THE GREG STREET SHOW. Shout out to LIL BANKHEAD
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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- NEW: A doctor examined Katherine Jackson "under false pretenses," her lawyer says
- "i haven't spoken with her in a week i want her home now," Paris tweets
- "Mother is fine but is resting up in AZ," Jermaine Jackson tweets
- She has not called Michael Jackson's three children in a week, the lawyer says
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Paris Jackson waited at home Sunday, hoping for a phone call from her grandmother, the woman who has cared for her since her father, Michael Jackson, died three years ago.
"yes, my grandmother is missing," Paris Jackson, 14, tweeted Sunday morning. "i haven't spoken with her in a week i want her home now."
A nephew reported Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson, 82, missing late Saturday after her grandchildren were unable to get in touch with her for a week.
It is the latest chapter in a messy dispute between several of Jackson's children and her advisers over her finances and legal affairs.
Jackson's nephew, Trent, filed the report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office. But one of her sons involved in the dispute said in a series of Twitter postings Friday that Katherine Jackson was fine and resting in Arizona."I want to reassure everyone (inc all sudden medical experts) that Mother is fine but is resting up in AZ on the orders of a doctor, not us," Jermaine Jackson tweeted.
"This is our mother and her health is paramount. We are not inventing or plotting anything. We are following doctor's advice. Period," he added.
Paris Jackson's responded to her uncle's claim with her own tweet early Sunday. "the same doctor that testified on behalf of dr murray saying my father was a drug addict (a lie) is caring for my grandmother... just saying" she tweeted.
The doctor who examined Jackson at her home on July 14 was Dr. Allan Metzger, according to Katherine Jackson attorney Sandra Ribera. Metzger was a defense expert witness for Dr. Conrad Murray last year. Murray was subsequently convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death.
Dr. Metzger was brought into Jackson's Calabasas, California, home "under false pretenses" by saying he was sent by her primary care physician, Ribera said. "We came to find out that her doctor has no association with Dr. Metzger."
The doctor advised Jackson that it was better for her to take a plane on a trip planned for the next day, rather than ride in a RV driven by Trent Jackson, Ribera said.
Jackson left with her oldest daughter, Rebbie, the next day to fly to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend a Jackson brothers concert two days later, she said. But she never arrived at the concert, Ribera said.
When Paris Jackson called her aunts Rebbie and Janet over the past several days to find her grandmother, she was told each time she could not speak to her, Ribera said.
In another tweet, Paris Jackson gave out her bodyguard's phone number and asked people to call the authorities if they saw her grandmother.
"The kids were trying to get a hold of their grandmother and they haven't been able to reach her for almost a week," Ribera said. "They are told she's unavailable."
"I'm concerned that she's not safe," Ribera added.
Jackson "has never gone 24 hours without talking to her kids," she said. "I'm concerned that she would never do this. We have no idea what's going on with her. No one has talked to her."
CNN reached out to Janet Jackson's representatives several times but did not hear back.
Family, fans remember Michael Jackson
The sheriff's homicide-missing persons unit has been asked to investigate, Ribera said.
A letter was made public Wednesday in which two daughters, Rebbie and Janet, and three sons -- Jermaine, Randy and Tito -- charge that Katherine Jackson was being mistreated by the executors of Michael Jackson's estate and mis-advised by her manager and lawyer.
Source : CNN


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Oil refineries along the U.S. Atlantic Seaboard, having put their storm preparedness plans in place, were waiting on Sunday to see if they would have to shut units or cut rates at their plants ahead of Hurricane Sandy's expected landfall in the Northeast early this week.
Six East Coast oil refineries representing 1.19 million barrels per day - or 7 percent of total U.S. capacity - could potentially be hit by the deadly storm, which left at least 41 dead as it roared through the Caribbean and churned northward.
Continue Reading Below
The storm threat boosted gasoline and heating oil futures as well as cash product prices in the New York Harbor over the past two sessions.
Hurricane Sandy could be the biggest storm to hit the United States mainland when it is expected to come ashore on Monday night, bringing strong winds and dangerous flooding to the East Coast from the mid-Atlantic states to New England, forecasters said on Sunday.
Sandy could have a brutal impact on major cities in the target zone - including Boston, New York, Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia - one of the most densely populated regions of the country.
Some forecasters say Sandy has the potential to be a multibillion-dollar disaster, causing greater damage than last summer's Hurricane Irene, but it was too soon to tell its actual trajectory and refiners were taking early steps to prepare.
"We are taking this seriously, monitoring the storm's progress and weather forecasts, with comprehensive preparedness plans in place," said Michael Karlovich, a spokesman for PBF Energy.
PBF Energy owns and operates two East Coast refineries, the 190,000 barrels-per-day Delaware City plant and the 180,000 bpd Paulsboro plant in southern New Jersey, across the Delaware River from the Philadelphia area.
Sources familiar with Delaware City refinery operations said that discussions continue as to whether to shut down units or cut rates way back ahead of the storm.
Phillips 66, owner of the 238,000 bpd Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey, said it is monitoring the storm.
"All of our East Coast operations continue to operate normally while we prepare our facilities for the storm," said Rich Johnson, a spokesman for the company.
A source familiar with Bayway operations said as of Saturday night, there were no units shut yet.
Hurricane Irene, which hit the region in August 2011, caused severe flooding and power outages all along the East Coast, and some refinery disruptions. Phillips 66 closed its Bayway refinery while other refiners cut back rates, but the oil industry escaped Irene with little, if any, damage.
Hess Corp said on Friday it had implemented its storm plan for its 70,000 bpd refinery in Port Reading, New Jersey, and that it would continue to watch Sandy's progress.
In addition, two other plants are potentially within the storm's path: Philadelphia Energy Solutions' 330,000 bpd Philadelphia refinery and Delta's Monroe Energy 185,000 bpd plant in Trainer, Pennsylvania.
The Trainer refinery continues to operate normally and expects to continue to, as it expects to escape the brunt of the storm.
"At this time, we have not and do not anticipate changing operation at this juncture," said a source familiar with refinery operations. "We are on the leeward side of the storm's path."
At the Philadelphia refinery, now jointly owned and operated by Sunoco and Carlyle Group, close monitoring of the storm continues.
"Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex continues monitoring the storm closely," spokeswoman Cherice Corley said, adding they are following their hurricane preparedness plan.
A source familiar with refinery operations said the refinery, the largest in the region, has not cut rates.
Oil markets are watching for any potential disruptions to gasoline and heating oil supplies, as lean fuel stockpiles in the region make the East Coast vulnerable to price spikes, especially ahead of the winter heating season.
The Colonial Pipeline, which carries about 15 percent of the country's gasoline and diesel from Gulf Coast refineries up the New York Harbor, is preparing for the storm, according to spokesman Steve Baker.
The pipeline activated its hurricane preparedness plan at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) Friday and has already started making sure emergency generators are in place, as well as sa ndbagging cri tical areas which may be prone to flooding.
Buckeye Pipeline, which owns and operates about 6,000 miles of oil product pipelines mostly north and west of Philadelphia, has prepared a Hurricane Contingency Plan.
"Buckeye will continue to operate their pipelines as scheduled until the time that it is no longer safe to do so, or power or product availability make it no longer possible to run a particular line section," the company said in a statement.
"Buckeye has secured some generator capability that is being staged strategically to provide temporary power to certain pump stations," it said.
Vessels in and out of some southern and mid-Atlantic ports are operating under Coast Guard storm conditions.
In Hampton Roads, near the Plains All American's 6.6 million barrels crude and oil products storage facility in Yorktown, Virginia, coastal waters are closed and under code Zulu, the highest warning level. The warning extends from Virginia to the Maryland/Delaware border, with expectations of gale force winds within 12 hours.
The New York harbor is currently under Code Yankee, which expects gale force winds within 24 hours.


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Nicole Kidman: CMT Music Awards 2011 with Keith Urban!
Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban hit the red carpet at the 2011 CMT Music Awards held at the Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (June 8) in Nashville, Tenn.
The 43-year-old actress came out to support Keith, also 43, who is nominated for multiple awards at tonight's ceremony.
Keith is nominated for Male Video of the Year against Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Blake Shelton.
He is also up for the CMT Performance of the Year award, which is given to an artist who has given a great performance on any CMT telecast over the past year.
FYI: Nicole is wearing a Proenza Schouler dress and Pierre Hardy shoes. Keith suited up in Prada.


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1) Android Developer :
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5) Backend Developer :
6) PROJECT MANAGEMENT : I want local Not Remote Contractor.
7) Scripting and Code Reading :
28 freelancers are bidding on average €537 for this job
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Transfer Rumours: Friday July 23, 2010Rumour • Author: Mehmet Pozam • Friday, July 23, 2010
In today's press scan, news reports from the Turkish and International press linking Fenerbahçe with transfer moves for Robinho, Asamoah Gyan, Guillaume Hoarau and others. Please note that Fenerbahçe Worldwide does not confirm any of the following transfer rumours.
The following transfer rumours were linked in Turkish and International media, although each is pure speculation unless the club issues an official statement. We do not hold any of the rumours to be truth.
Fenerbahçe Worldwide will publish one article of transfer rumours per day (as long as there is demand), and the list will be updated throughout the day as more are reported. Please check the article periodically for updates.
Robinho (Manchester City / Santos)
Striker / Winger - 26 years old
Turkish daily Sabah writes that Robinho is 'not a dream' for Fenerbahçe and that the Yellow Canaries are trying hard to land the 26-year-old Brazilian superstar. Despite being previously denied by the club management, rumours are that Fenerbahçe are on the verge of transferring a world-class superstar and supposedly this could be Robinho. UPDATE: The club management issued an official statement on Friday afternoon, denying interest in Robinho. The club rejected the above press reports and claimed they have no intentions of transferring the 26-year-old Brazilian striker.
Asamoah Gyan (Rennes)
Striker - 24 years old
Milliyet claims that Fenerbahçe are keen on finalizing a deal for Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan. However the 24-year-old Ghanian international is said to have also attracted offers from many European clubs including sides from the Premier League. The Yellow Canaries reportedly want to bring Asamoah Gyan to Kadıköy at the latest for the UEFA Champions League play-off round.
Guillaume Hoarau (Paris Saint-Germain)
Striker - 26 years old
Sabah, Le Parisien
Once again Turkish sources cite Le Parisien's report that Fenerbahçe are keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau. The 26-year-old Frenchman is considered to be Fenerbahçe's Plan B, if the club is not successful in bringing in Asamoah Gyan. The tall forward (1.92 m / 6 ft 3) who bagged only six goals in 22 league fixtures for Les Parisiens last season is also said to have attracted Schalke 04's interest. PSG coach Antoine Kombouaré is also reluctant to let Hoarau go, according to French sources.
Juventus attacking midfielder Diego, Olympique Lyonnais striker Bafétimbi Gomis and VfL Wolfsburg striker Grafite have also been linked with Fenerbahçe.
Disclaimer: Fenerbahçe Worldwide does not confirm any of the above rumours or state that they are anything else than mere speculation. Please wait for official announcements from the club management.
(Pictured above, Guillaume Hoarau)
Comments (62)
He would tear the TSL teams defens apart!
i hate player like that.. he isnt a good proffesional.. cause manchester city wouldn't loan hem to santos if he was...
!!!I want a striker who is hungry for succes!!!!
A 4 year deal with Robinho so we can sell him after next world cup!
After he moves to City, he does the best he can in his first season yet the fans don't appreciate it.
He has gone through a lot of crap as a footballer.
I think he would love it in Fener especilly with Alex Baroni and A.Santos
The issue with Man City is that the team has so much much that they bought too many chefs and not enough cooks. Lots of big names that don't gel well together.
(note: one of the main reasons why bernd schuster was fired @ real was because he said after a el clasico that real madrid can never beat this barcelona, barcelona plays too good... and after that barcelona won all the cups.. and he was right.. real didnt beat barcelona since he said that)
He has a really strong squad and yeah I agree, I hope they are successful in the euroleague because they have a squad that can easily win it.
I wish Besiktas the best in Europa League also. But hope they fail big time against us in the superlig :P
EDIT: Looks like Robinho ain't happening after all: http://www.superfb.com/haber/39779/robinho-aciklamasi/?ref=ABM1
they just said on One HD in australia that theyre covering a deal.
Yes, they were actually talking about Fenerbahce and Robinho.
all these sites like superFB are pure bulldust.
the only site that is official is this site and fenerbahce.org
On sports tonight or one of those football programs??
many teams are going for robinho thats why theyre covering the topic and apparently fenerbahce are the lead "OFFERERS", as in we are willing to pay more then any other team.
Used google translate and I think this is the superstar Aziz talked about. This would be the greatest transfer in superlig.
Thats what you call a goal scorer :)
read that article.
Your obviously wrong.
He is very close to coming.
The minute you used Turkish news the deal is fake...
That announcement is just to rule off what Sabah Gazetesi said.
Not robinho.
They are in talks and they are CLOSE to an agreement.
Robinho hasnt been denied at all.
They haven't even tried..
I always follow this site also, but antu's forums is also something you guys should look at. (just a thought)
Couse if besiktas brings Guti and Raul the shocked Superlig more then we will do if we dont bring robinho
Alex - 43 appearances, 21 goals [.49 goals/app]
Guiza - 46 appearances, 18 goals [.39 goals/app]
Kazim - 11 appearances, 3 goals [.27 goals/app]
Semih - 29 appearances, 7 goals [.24 goals/app]
Unal - 10 appearances, 2 goals [.20 goals/app]
* Deivid de Souza
* Onder Turaci
* Daniel Guiza
I dont know how true this is but i find it positive.


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|View Poll Results: Spice and Wolf II - Total Series Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 96. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2009-09-30, 16:57
|Link #1
AnimeSuki's Mascot
Join Date: Apr 2006
Spice and Wolf II - Overall Series Impressions & Total Series Rating
This thread is to be used for discussing the entire episodes of Spice and Wolf II ... your thoughts about the show, overall impressions, expectations and hopes about the DVD only footage etc.
A few subjects you might want to ramble on about:
And so on.
The poll represents your total series rating. In other words, how you would rate all the episodes combined (1-10)? If you'd rather rate the whole series by technical/artistic merits, you can do so. An example:
Animation Quality: 1-10
Voice Actors: 1-10
Script: 1-10
Soundtrack: 1-10
Editing: 1-10
Enjoyment: 1-10
Emotional Involvement: 1-10
Average = Total Series Rating
Or a combination of the two. Or your general gut feeling.
Feel free to discuss and more importantly, have fun
|2009-09-30, 20:21
|Link #2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Canada
Upon reflection, I think season 2 of Spice and Wolf is as good as season one. Overall, the anime copes fairly well with some major hurdles that the light novel presents it, and still comes out a winner in the end. It's got enough rough edges to hurt it substantially, but since I was mostly hoping to see some character and romantic development I am not disappointed. The show retains it's ability to keep you craving more at the end of each episode, and is even more emotionally moving that the first season was.
Brains Base does a slightly better job than Imagin did; the budget increase shows. But it's either not enough of an increase or the animators need to be smacked around a little bit. I (and many others) noticed quite a few instances of jarring off-model visuals. It can kind of ruin the appeal of a romantic scene when the faces of the characters are "off". This show is mostly talking heads anyway, so it really bothered me.
Mostly everything else was at least as good as the first season. The sound and music are still about the same, although they are starting to get repetitive. The OP and ED are still a notch above everything else I've heard this season, though I still personally prefer the ones from the first season. The voice acting was even better for Horo and Lawrence, and about as good as the first season for secondary characters (at least they don't all sound the same, thankfully).
Lawrence and Horo only became more memorable, and even the secondary characters improved. As far I'm concerned Mark, Dian, Amarti, and Abe/Fleur were a step above Chloe and Nora. They weren't that much better, but at least it was progress, and let's face it: we're watching the show for Horo and Lawrence.
Lawrence came into his own this season and is fast becoming one of my favorite male leads in anime. Horo became more interesting as well, although the story didn't really give her enough development to satisfy me. It feels like Hasekura is artificially dragging out her development just to write more novels. Thankfully, I'm still willing to read them because I felt more disappointed in her (in a personal sense) than in the way she was being developed. When that happens, I think the writing can't be all that bad after all.
There are two biggest problems this season are a side-effect of scripting for an adaptation of a light novel like Spice and Wolf: the pacing and the translation. The pacing of the anime's script was pretty poor this season. I dare say it's because they tried too hard to stick to the exact pace of the novel. An anime is not a book, and the concepts and dialog in Spice and Wolf are already tricky enough. Cramming all the challenging stuff into one episode and leaving the rest relatively slow and plodding is never a good idea. The second half of the season really suffered from this, and it was only my willingness to watch twice that got me through it.
I do have to hand it to the fansubbers, though. This is not an easy series to translate. There is a lot of verbal fencing going on that requires a decent knowledge of Japanese wordplay and/or idioms. I found myself frequenting forums to figure out what I was missing. And if I hadn't, the overall impact of the series would be deadened somewhat. For me, that's not a bad thing. It shows that a substantial care went into the source material. It means real fans can get more out of the series than casual viewers, though that isn't a good thing if you are in the latter camp. But not everyone can enjoy that.
Ultimately, compared to other anime this season Spice and Wolf II is still somewhere in the top 2 or 3 (it's still my favorite). It is something you can easily get involved in, and still be left craving for more. It won't win back all the fans of the first season, but to me it still managed to keep me at least as interested as the first season did. Not many anime have fared so well in their second season.
Animation: 7 (some jarring off-model issues)
Voice Acting: 8 (Amisuke is still carrying it)
Story: 7 (well-written, but kinda blaise parts of the story)
Adaptation: 7 (pacing issues galore, otherwise impressive)
Soundtrack: 7 (getting samey, but not distracting)
Emotional Involvement: 9 (and how!)
Overall Impression: 7 (still rough around the edges, but well above average)
Edit: I'm trying to honest here, and turned off my inner fanboy. Otherwise, I would have rated the series a 10, and what's the fun in that?
|2009-09-30, 21:37
|Link #3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Canada
Animation: 8
Though the animation was slightly superior to season 1, there were also serveral instances where the animation was just off, such as close up shots on certain characters. Sadly, this distracted me from the story because they are standing out way too much. I originally would have rated this a 7, but the last few scenes of the season were beautifully illustrated, so that prompt me to bump this into an 8.
Voice acting: 9
The voice acting for Horo and Lawrence was excellent, really showed some emotion in their conversations. The side characters were also very nicely done in my opinion, at least none of the character's voices drove me insane.
Story: 7.5
The overall story was well-developed, although it tends to jump around a bit. Character development was more focused on Lawrence this season, which made me like him as the leading male character. Although I would like to see more development on Horo, which received little development within this season.
Soundtrack: 8.5
Really liked the OP song of this season, and none of the sounds within the season seem out of place or annoying.
Adaptation: 7
The animators seems to try and jam a chapter per episode within this season, which led to unconsistent pacing throughout the season. The beginging pacing of the story was rather fast, then it died down later in the season. Also, I sometimes need to rewatch episodes and check the forums regulary to see if I had missed any implicit meanings in the dialoge, or just simply trying to find an explantion of the dialogue. I would have like it better if the story take some time to explain what they are talking about, which could enhance the overall interaction between Lawrence and Horo. I guess that's kind of hard, since the anime is told in a objective point of view, which skips all of Lawrence's thoughts and monlouges, which help explain things within the story.
Enjoyment: 9
I really enjoyed this season, since i was a nice break from the action-no-plot and harem animes that has been realeased this year. Really liked the interaction between Lawrence and Horo. It just has a sense of realism to me, and not the typical guy loves girl, or girl love guy scenario. Shame the pacing and animation quality brought this down from a 10 to a 9.
Emotional involment: 10
I really got into this anime series because the characters personalities just seem so real and developed to me. The anime does a good job at creating and holding suspense, such as the pyrite arch.
Overall: 8.4( i'll round it off to a 9, just cause i'm in a good mood today)
This season was fairely well done, but it could have been better., I would still recommend it to my friends. Lawrence really became a man in this season, and i have grown to like him alot. He really showed good faith in his actions, and I repsect him for choosing to continue his journey with Horo rather than his business. Horo on the other hand, became a bit whiny and selfish in this season. She doesn't show as much wisdom as she did in the first season. She just somehow confused me with her actions, especially during the renose arch, where i have no idea what she is thinking and motivation behind her actions. Generally, I am disappointed with this season because it could have been so much better. It just lacks the polish, and that is sadly one of the biggests issues I have with this season.
Looking forward to a Season 3
Last edited by Attoney; 2009-09-30 at 22:16. Reason: Organization
|2009-09-30, 22:41
|Link #4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Another unfortunate sequel this season... Well, in many ways, better than the other one I have in mind...
The main problem is the second half/arc... Too much Horo x Lawrence interaction and not enough plot. And even when the plot moved, it wasn't interesting. The end was even worse.
The first half was enjoyable though (which makes the 2nd half just that much more disappointing). Amati (AKA: Sweet Tea) was a great character.
...Compared to the first season, a lot more boring. No Noa either!
As a series alone, the 2nd half still was boring.
Also, there tend to be magazine scans of Horo, who tends to be naked most of the time, but the 2nd season's aren't that good. It can't be helped since the character designs changed... After all, the first season's was done by Kuroda Kazuya. Now how do you beat that...
The OP was nice though. Still worse than the first season, but it sounded better as I listened to it every week.
9/10 for the first half, 4/10 for the second half
|2009-10-02, 01:03
|Link #5
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
loved the Horo+Lawrence interactions, wasn't happy with the design changes that seem to have squashed Horo-mystery, animation iffy but artwork decent, if they never get a chance for a 3rd season... that wasn't a bad ending for it.
Last edited by Vexx; 2009-10-14 at 00:44.
|2009-10-02, 03:36
|Link #6
Somehow I found out
Join Date: Feb 2006
Age: 34
My review.
I'm kinda buying into the argument that seems to crop up frequently when this new season of Spice and Wolf is discussed, and that's the question of whether it's as good as the first season. My opinion is that it's not, but it's still a good anime. The character and relationship development is ramped up this season which, in my opinion, is almost a requirement for sequels (almost), and the directing and music are superb. But I had problems with the script, particularly the fact that it's reasonably obvious that they're not going to rock the established equilibrium too hard at this stage. One has a fair idea that, whatever happens, at the end of the an arc, Lawrence and Horo are still going to be together, and are still going to be traveling, and this probably isn't going to change anytime soon (until at least next season... if there is one). So there's a certain amount of predictability to how certain things pan out, knowing that they're not going to disturb the equilibrium by too much, and each arc will end in a way not too revolutionary different from how they began.
"Good" 7/10
|2009-10-04, 20:07
|Link #8
Reaching for the Heavens
Join Date: Dec 2008
8-9 I guess.
summer season was pretty competitive with the other animes, but this one was still great
loved the way they blushed and interacted, pretty good animation
1st half was a lot more indepth(+drama) in the story compared to 2nd...which didn't seem to have a ending
|2009-10-05, 11:48
|Link #9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Overall ratings: 7.5/10
My favorite character: Horo (obviously)
i feel season 1 is better, altho season 2 is still good but maybe it lacks the freshness or new ideas or i have higher expectations
the best moments are still the interactions between the 2 leads and some occasion drama
i think Horo did not shape-shift even once in this season
i believe there will be new season for this
|2009-10-06, 02:03
|Link #10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Clara, California
Animation: 8
Voice acting: 10
Story: 8
Soundtrack: 8
Enjoyment: 9
The series was pretty good though I think I like the first season a bit better than this one. There being a new possibility of many other animal deities (or simple shapshifting animals) was intereting. The development of Horo and Lawrence was nice even though they have long seem to act like a married couple. I wish secondary characters weren't tossed in tossed out so quickly but that's nothing.
The ending for me has a 'it just happened' kind of a feeling but that's just me.
Bottom line? I like it!
|2009-10-06, 16:57
|Link #11
Wiggle Your Big Toe
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Milwaukee
Age: 27
For me Spice and Wolf season 1 was better for one reason, the storylines. Predictablility sort of plaqued the season 2 plots, but aside from that I actually liked the character interaction more in season 2 (not by much mind you). The characters are what make this show so enjoyable for me so in that department it was as good as before. The animation was, as usual, "good enough" but not minbendingly good. All in all another good season to a great show that I've grown quite fond of.
|2009-10-10, 22:42
|Link #13
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
Well... they have *great* source material to work with, excellent voice work, and they didn't dork it up like many adaptations do.
9 simply because it'd be nicer if they had a bigger animation budget.
|2009-10-13, 15:47
|Link #14
First part was really interesting, but the second, I don't know ... occasionally seemed to drag, other times seemed that characterization failed, dunno, I tend to blame it on the longer span of the arcs. In any case for summer Ookami was my second pick after Bakemonogatari.
In general, I despised the lolification of Horo, but overall art was a tad bit better.
I also appreciated the character development, but sometimes (second arc) felt awkward at times.
As for supporting cast, it was much weaker than the first season, but still way more interesting than your average show or movie (live ones included)
Verict: almost a 9/10.
|2009-10-14, 00:45
|Link #15
Monarch of Rughzenhaide
I watched Spice and Wolf II (and the first one) with the same mindset I watched Bakemonogatari - it was for the character interaction and dialogue between the two main characters, in this case Horo and Lawrence.
However, the level of dialgoue interest was beaten imo by bakemonogatari, which I watched side by side. However, I still did find the merchanting theme/plot/atmosphere still interesting. I do agree that the first arc was better than the second, but the last episode was rather sweet and also hinted that there will be another season .
Overall, I found it just as good as the first season. Pretty much the same Spice and Wolf as the first season minus the wolf transformation elements (which I didn't really like anyway).
|2009-11-11, 02:21
|Link #16
Ushio... omochikaeri!!!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: North Carolina, US
Age: 31
This series and season is must-watch in my opinion. Its strengths are definitely the characters, the dialogue, music, artwork, and story. It is pleasing to the eyes and ears. However, there are some flaws that keep it from getting a 10 (perfect). The biggest thing that brought it down was the pacing at the end of the season (rushed). You hate to see that kind of thing happen, but what can you do?
9 out of 10 (excellent)
|2009-11-11, 11:24
|Link #17
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
This season was risky, because Horo becomes a largely unsympathetic character (unless you are a blind fan, which I can understand). Thankfully, Lawrence's development more than makes up for it, and some of the earlier secondary characters are very strong. The second half of the season is certainly more flawed than the first, as others have pointed out the pacing is questionable (although I have not read the novels, so can't have a useful opinion).
The writing seems a little more contrived this season, and the situations border on being incredulous, but that's basically par for the course in most love stories. Personally I found the "will they won't they" aspects to be obnoxious after a while, and the flirty games became more aggravating than anything else. But it was redeemed, and now the story has the potential to move in less annoying directions.
Overall, it's no better or worse than the first season. Visually and aurally I can't fault it too much because it's clear that it has next to no budget. I preferred the first season's op/ed, but not by much. The dialogue is still sharp, and the fansubs are still having trouble with it (Mazui are the least aggravating to me). There are too many flaws to give it a high score, but it is still a strong sequel and one of the few summer '09 anime I consider worth watching at all. 7/10.
|2010-02-01, 19:44
|Link #18
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canada
Age: 25
I had a hard time gathering my thoughts for this season, mostly because Horo seemed a bit different than she was in the first. Her emotions were a lot easier to provoke this time around, and less (at least to me) wise. It got on my nerves a few times to be honest...
However, the interaction between Lawrence and Horo was great as usual and the first arc was great. The second arc...not so much. I got bored during some episodes and had to force myself to rewatch some scenes to know whats going on. 8/10
Bring it on season 3!
|2010-02-09, 00:22
|Link #19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Brookings, South Dakota
I thought the second season was very good. I gave it a 10 since it lived up to my expectations. I would say that it was almost as good as season 1. The end of the season was good and it really developed the relationship that Horo and Lawrence have. I can't wait for season 3!
|2010-09-14, 12:30
|Link #20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Liked this season about as much as the first. Better production value in my eyes, and still the very pleasant banter and overload of cuteness from the protagonist.
Yep, Horo feels a bit different, easier to provoke and everything else. It seemed rather logical : she IS starting to become troubled. First season was all about being flirty and nice and falling in love. Second season is about starting to take this love into account and all the problems it may cause. She's more touchy because she's more involved.
Unlike others, I didn't felt "Will they or won't they ?". They pretty much admitted they were in love in S1. They just didn't vocalized it. But honestly, except for the sexual part, they just ARE a couple. They have been holding hand, hugging and openly talking about jealousy since half the first season, it's not really like if they were even pretending that they were not an item.
The only part that made me a bit uneasy is the greediness of Lawrence. Sure he's a merchant, and sure he always remember that Horo is more important than anything else. But his willingness to start dubious business despite the obvious risk of derailing hint at a darker part of him that contrast vividly with his candid nature. Of course it could just be a well-fleshed-out character that is not perfect.
All in all, a very enjoyable moment. I just want a S3 now :'(
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"Mix it, Stretch it, Boil it Up! Burn Copper Pot, Burn!" (燃えろ寸胴!混ぜて伸ばして茹で上げろ!, Moero Zundō! Mazete Nobashite Yude Agero!) is episode 168 of the original Naruto anime.
Eager to have some Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto and Chōji quickly go to the bar only to discover that it is closed early. They find out that Teuchi is trying to prepare a new kind of ramen because his daughter Ayame was taken hostage by the rarely heard of cooking-nin, who are led by Hakkaku. Naruto, Chōji, and Sakura offer to help. Teuchi tries to teach them how to cook, and the three take advantage of their ninja techniques to make the perfect bowl of ramen. When they rescue Ayame, they are shocked to notice she has grown fat due to being unable to resist the cooking-nin's food. To bring her back to her regular self, she eats her father's diet ramen that appears to be designed to make the customers lose weight from eating it. However, Teuchi also had eaten the diet ramen and ended up losing too much weight.


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WWAAHHOO!!! Big sack !!!!!!!! Way to go Porter !!
WWAAHHOO!!! Big sack !!!!!!!! Way to go Porter !!
Good start for the Defense !!! It's about time !!
Alright Ben, let's march down the field and score !!
good field positon
dont screw it up
We're going no huddle !!! Bout time for that too !!
3rd and long now.... let's go Ben !! Convert this and let's move the chains !
1st down !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great play Heath Miller !
Damnit Ben, way to go !!!!!!!!!!!!! He threw it right to Brooks !!
Nothing like starting out the game with a pick !!
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Out of stock
Black and White Gingham Dog Collar Small 8-12"
Was $20.00
Now $10.00
Our Small Black and White Gingham Dog Collar is simply dog-tastic! {It's the latest rage in all the dog parks, don't you know!} Slip this chic {and functional!} dog collar on your favorite companion and keep him and her outfitted in comfort and style. Complete your pup's look with our Brushed Silver Collar Twist Living Locket™ and Inscriptions® Bone Collar Slider!
Product Information
- Measure your FurBaby neck for best fit
- Material: Faux Leather
- Pair it with the Dog Collar Twist Living Locket + Inscriptions Bone Collar Slider


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Lisle Gutter Cleaning.
Being a family-owned and operated business, we're able to offer you that personal touch you've been looking for. Our goal is to make all of our customers happy. At Lisle Gutter Cleaning, we really care about the products we sell, and we'd like to share our most important services and products with you. (GUTTER CLEANING-GUTTER REPAIR-SIDING REPAIR-SOFFIT REPAIR-ROOF REPAIR.) We look forward to hearing from you soon!.


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I hate playing tag! I really, really, do. But I just can't say no to Mrs Kim fr My Go-Go Life.
1. How machines do you/have you owned and what is your favorite machine?
I have a Pfaff Select 4.0 – so ole' skool but eh I really only need it for straight line stitching. I've been debating on upgrading to a Janome Horizon 7700 but I get heartburn about the $$$.
2. What is your favorite quilt block? Please link up the pattern/tutorial I love adding to my to do list :o)
My favorite block is:
You can get the templates off Kelbysews blog. She's such a rockstar.
3. What is you favorite fabric line {or two if you can just not decide}?
I think my favorite line would have to be anything Denyse Schmidt. . . I like 98% of her designs.
4. If you could live anywhere, where would you live and why?
I would lived near the beach or on the beach. I get super jealous of when Amber of One Shabby Chick post pics cause she lives in Hawaii. One day, I'm living on the beach!!!
5. Do you have any unusual talents?
Hmm. . . I can cuss like a sailor
6. What is your worst habit { I bite my nails}?
This is totally gross but I have a tendency of picking off my dead skin or scabs. Even thought it hasn't healed all the way I'll pick it til it bleeds again. Gross right?
7. What is your cannot live without sewing gadget? Again please provide a link so we all can see :o)
I can't live without the iron. I'm sorry but I'm super anal about ironing. Maybe I should invest in a super iron and not a super sewing machine.


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American Journalist is Beheaded by ISIS Ostensibly in Retaliation for Bombing.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Militants with the Islamic State extremist group have beheaded American journalist James Foley and are threatening to kill another hostage in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq.
The White House must now weigh the risks of adopting an aggressive policy to destroy the Islamic State against resisting any action that could result in the death of another American.
U.S. officials confirmed a grisly video released Tuesday showing Islamic State militants beheading Foley. Separately, Foley's family confirmed his death on Facebook, saying they "have never been prouder of him."
The video also shows a second man identified as American journalist Steven Sotloff, and warns he could be the next captive killed.


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Feaster Hopes to Sign Three by Thursday
Submitted by pete on July 26, 2005 - 21:54
A quick blurb from the Sunday paper: [url=http://bolts.tbo.com/lightning/MGBBW98RIBE.html]Jay Feaster intends to sign three of the team's 2003 draft picks by Thursday[/url]: G Jonathan Boutin, G Gerald Coleman and LW/C Zbynek Hrdel. All would be elligible to re-enter the draft if not signed by that time, although the new CBA will be less favorable economically for prospects if they choose to go that route. Speaking about the goaltending prospect situation earlier this season, Feaster had hinted only one of the prospects might sign. But Boutin and Coleman both showed the ability to dominate their respective junior leagues at times last season and with the Lightning becoming part owners of the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL there should be plenty of room for new arrivals.
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uniform experiment and Carhartt expand their collaborative offering for Summer 2012. After already having released shirts and pants this season, as well as some heavy canvas tote bags, the two are back with shorts and t-shirts for the warmer months of the year.
They present both a clean and a damaged short as part of the offering, and several colorways of the classic Carhartt pocket t-shirt. All pieces feature the star and UE branding, just like we have seen on all of their previous collaborations already. Look out for these new pieces in stores from June 9.


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Widely recognised as the finest
quality kitchens available - we have been handcrafting
our exclusive designs for over 30 years
By virtue of its distinctive freestanding concept, Chalon kitchens and furniture can be designed to perfectly blend in with its surroundings, reflecting the character of the home, whilst providing an easy, informal style.
Complimentary kitchen design consultations form one of the key parts of the Chalon showroom experience. Made to order and tailored to each client's specific requirements, Chalon furniture is designed for the demands of modern living.
Using only the finest quality materials, our kitchens are made from premium grade wood (sourced responsibly) and handcrafted by a team of local cabinet-makers whose outstanding skills have been recognised by The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers' Manufacturing Guild Mark.
The distinctive Chalon look is available for any room of the home – the quality of which can only be fully appreciated by visiting one of our showrooms or a tour of our workshops.
One of the key features of the distinctive Chalon look lies in the use of our unique painted and polished finishes. With many of these colours requiring as many as six individual processes applied by hand, this encapsulates the reason why Chalon kitchens, although sometimes copied, are never emulated.
Chalon's colour palette now comprises more than seventy different painted and polished finishes, and each of these is also available in four different levels of distressing.
— It's all in the detail —


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AMD FirePro™ professional graphics cards are constantly tested using the latest benchmarking standards to establish superior price performance for use with CAD/CAM/CAE, media and entertainment, medical and many other workstation applications.
With the recent release of SPECviewperf 12, we are proud to announce the benchmark results for a wide range of AMD FirePro cards that were tested using the latest version of this industry standard test. It is based on the latest versions of professional graphics applications, including Autodesk® Maya® and Showcase®, Dassault Systèmes CATIA and SolidWorks, PTC® Creo® and Siemens NX.
SPECviewperf 12 is the new industry standard which includes updated test frameworks to eliminate inaccuracies from the old version (SPECviewperf® 11), as well as new tests to simulate real-world workloads to accurately replicate the real-world experience of using AMD FirePro graphics.
No application licenses are required. Anyone can
download the benchmark and run the test (as long as the test system meets the benchmark requirements).
SPECviewperf 12 can be used as a reliable indicator of expected application performance. Users can gain a more realistic understanding of how well applications will perform and can make a more informed hardware purchase decision.
In conjunction with SPECviewperf 12, we recommend the use of application-based benchmarks like SPECapc®, and additional end-user testing.
System Config: Intel E5-1660 3.30GHz, 16GB RAM, Win7 64-bit SP1, AMD 13.152.4, 22.214.171.124 Nvidia 331.65, 331.82
© 2014 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. All rights reserved. AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, AMD FirePro and combinations thereof, are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. OpenCL and the OpenCL logo are trademarks of Apple, Inc. and used by permission of Khronos. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Microsoft, Windows, Windows XP and Windows 7 Professional are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.


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The ultimate villain of the Star Wars universe is Darth Vader. The original Trilogy made his ultimate evil very clear. The 'Prequel trilogies' muddied the moral waters a little - Darth Vader as sympathetic character doesn't work for me but I admit it is utterly subjective. Your mileage may vary.
What I do know for sure is that I can't find any Annakin Skywalker cakes, but I can find Darth Vader cakes aplenty!
So here, are four of the best Vader cakes I have found to date.
Over at carolynssweettooth site, is this marvellous piped icing rendition of Vader. Unfortunately I don't have any creation details.
Original source here.
Discovered on Flickr, Jen of Jen's Creations shared her black and red icing version of Vader.
Unfortunately I do not have any creation details for this one either, but it sure looks tasty to me!
An entirely different Jen over at Layersoflove.com, created this buttercream tribute to Lord Vader:
And finally (again over at Flickr) we have Vader atop a flaming platform of icing:
Jane BK describes a little bit behind the creation of the fiery set piece:
Chocolate buttermilk cake with chocolate SMBC filling and covered in fondant. Darth is just regular fondant/gum-tex modeling paste.
See you Monday!


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Metro C5 6 Series 1/2 Height Heated Holding Cabinet
Model: C565-NFC-UPFS
Pass Thru
Full Clear/Full Solid Doors
Universal Slides
- Features:
- Control: The C5 6 Series provides control of temperature for safe and hot food. Temperature is displayed on an "always-on" analog thermometer for continuous monitoring of the cabinet temperature even when turned off or unplugged.
- Performance: Rapid heat-up and recovery times are achieved with a thermostatically controlled ducted heating system. Full Height, 3/4 Height, and 1/2 Height (stainless steel) models are Energy Star.
- Sizes: C5 is designed to fit your application with four cabinet sizes; Full Height (74.75'), 3/4 Height (62.75'), 1/2 Height (44.7'), and Under Counter (32.25').
- Doors: C5 cabinets are all available with a choice of insulated solid or clear double pane, Low-E, tempered glass doors. Clear doors provide visibility of the contents of the cabinet without the heat loss associated with opening the door. Full Height cabinets can be configured with standard full length or Dutch style doors. All doors lift off and are field reversible
- Pass-Thru: Full Height, 3/4 Height, and 1/2 Height sizes are available as pass-thru models.
- Capacity: Universal slides hold 18' x 26" sheet pans or 12' x 20' steam table pans on adjustable 11/2' increments. Lip load slides hold 18" x 26'" sheet pans on 11/2' increments. Optional Wire Shelf interfaces with universal slide system to accommodate small items and pans
- Reliability: Reliability and durability are designed into C5 from the ground up. High-quality components and robust construction provide a long life of service and worry-free use.
- Top-Mounted Controls: Ergonomic user-friendly controls are mounted at the top of the cabinet for easier access, better readability, to prevent damage, and to simplify cleaning.
Optional Accessories:
Available at an additional cost
- Small Item Shelf
- Stainless Steel Legs
- Universal Slide Pair
- Right Angle Plug
- Twist Lock Flush Door Latch
- 6' Casters
- Rear Rigid Casters
- Corner Bumpers/Drip Trough
- Left Hand Hinging
- Control Panel Cover
C5™ 6 Series Heated Holding Cabinet, mobile, half height, pass thru, insulated (1) tempered double pane glass & (1) solid doors, top mount controls & analog thermometer, ducted heating system, thermostat 70° to 200°F temp, universal wire slides (8) 18" x 26" or (16) 12" x 20" x 2-1/2" pan capacity, 3" O.C. (adjustable on 1-1/2" increments), 5" casters (2 with brakes), aluminum, 120v/60/1-ph, 2000 watts, 16.7 amps, NEMA 5-20P, cULus, NSF
*The warranty will not be honored for residential or non-commercial use of any Commercial Equipment.
Metro C565-NFC-UPFS SpecificationsPDF Spec Sheet


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Going through the list of Do's and Don'ts about how to prepare a winning proposal will help you avoid common mistakes, and it will enhance the chances of getting the contract awarded to your company.
- Create a proposal that represents your company and offer well.
- Present a unique offer that best meets the requirements.
- Follow all bidding instructions and submission requirements completely. Use any templates provided.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the scope of work.
- Think like a buyer. Make sure your proposal is clear and coherent for evaluators to read and evaluate against their criteria.
- Clarify any questions following the buyer's procedure.
- Outline any risks and your mitigation plans.
- Accurately represent past work and current abilities.
- Double check your submission against all bidding instructions.
- Lie or submit any misrepresentations.
- Submit without regard to bidding instructions or requirements.
- Present a proposal that is not representative of your company.
- Waste time bidding if you do not meet the requirements.
- Communicate with the buyer outside of the buyer's bidding procedure during the bid process.
- Focus solely on price without stating your unique value proposition.
- Overpromise on time, price, or quality.
- Make unstated assumptions without asking for clarification.
- Be late in submitting.
For more resources, are you interested in...
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text:
ST. LOUIS — Before the 2013 season started, the rebuilding Astros were expected to deal Nos. 1 and 2 starters Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell prior to the July 31 trade deadline.
A little more than three weeks before the mark, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday the organization could hold on to both pitchers. Luhnow also addressed Harrell's frustration about being moved to the bullpen.
"Lucas is a big priority for our organization and what's important is that we get him back to the point where he is having consistently solid outings every time," Luhnow said at Busch Stadium. "He's been dominant at times this year and he's really struggled at other times this year. We're giving him a break from an every-five-day role so that he can work on some things; get his mind cleared; develop some confidence. But I fully expect him to be a major contributor to the second half of the year as a starting pitcher."
The Astros begin a brief two-game interleague series Tuesday against the Cardinals.
Norris (6-7, 3.22) is scheduled to face St. Louis righthander Adam Wainwright (11-5, 2.36) during a 7:15 p.m. contest.
Astros manager Bo Porter said this will likely be Norris' final start before the All-Star break. The righty will be held out of a potential first half-ending start Sunday at Tampa Bay and the Astros will use a fifth starter, who's yet to be named. Porter won't use Norris because the manager believes his No. 1 stater could be a late add to the American League All-Star team.
The Astros (32-57) enter the series with the worst record in baseball, while the Cardinals (53-34) have the best.
The Astros' Chris Carter is still dealing with a minor hand injury after he was hit by a thrown ball Friday while sliding into second base during a recent road series against the Rangers. Carter pinch-hit Sunday and took batting practice Tuesday. He hasn't started the last three games.
Astros: Altuve 2B, Wallace 3B, Castro C, Martinez LF, Pena 1B, Krauss LF, Barnes CF, Cedeno SS, Norris P.
Cardinals: Carpenter 2B, Beltran RF, Holliday LF, Craig 1B, Molina C, Freese 3B, Descalso SS, Jay CF, Wainwright P.
Twitter: ChronAstros


text:
1. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 29, 2009 2:24 AM (in response to TheShamsMan)
I spent many, many hours working this exact thing out recently!
I could find no pluggins or codecs specifically for PP!
So I developed my own workflow, It's really very easy once you set things up.
Read my article. The method works, and it is Free, Free, Free.
2. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 29, 2009 7:16 AM (in response to Terrachild)
Hey mate! Thanks for the reply! It was exactly what I was looking for.
I was wondering. What does Adobe Audition do for Premiere Pro 4 in terms of codec and the ability to utilize 5.1? Is it packaged with something that can be used by Premiere Pro?
Thanks again!
3. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 30, 2009 3:44 AM (in response to TheShamsMan)
I've yet to buy Audition, even though I probably will eventually. I have found nothing so far that indicates it will export AC3 files out of the box. What it will give you is the ability to edit the 6 track interleaved surround sound file, unlike Soundbooth. But, as I've already explained, so will Audacity. And it's free.
The real reason to get Audition, is because of it flexibility at editing audio graphically. Right down to correcting pitch with off-key singers. It is really more of a software recording studio. If you want to start a Rock band then buy Audition. Soundbooth and Audacity will never come close to it for that.
But the right tool for the right job, yea? Audacity will do what you want for now, and it will even allow you to normalize audio, apply VST effects (Put them in the Audacity Plug-ins folder), remove noise, etc.
Most of your mixing will take place in Premiere, and you can still fix individual tracks in Soundbooth before you output your final 6 channel audio.
4. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 30, 2009 7:04 AM (in response to Terrachild)
So would it be safe to assume that by installing Audition, it wouldn't mean that the AC3 codec was applied to Premiere Pro as well. Correct?
5. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioHarm Millaard Oct 30, 2009 7:49 AM (in response to TheShamsMan)
Correct. But I wonder if Encore accepts this alternative workflow without reencoding.
6. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 30, 2009 2:24 PM (in response to Terrachild)
7. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 30, 2009 5:15 PM (in response to TheShamsMan)
8. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 31, 2009 3:00 PM (in response to TheShamsMan)
I think the problem is you have an option checked in the Audacity Preferences that shouldn't be.
Go to Edit>Preferences>Import/Export and uncheck "Show Metadata Editor prior to export step"
You don't need to edit Metadata in Audacity, unless you want to for some reason.
Look at this picture:
Even if you do leave this checked and don't want to edit the Metadata in Audacity, you can just click "OK" when you see this:
This will bring up the "Export File" dialog.
(You must be pressing "Cancel on the "Edit Metadata" screen. That cancels your file export.)
Pressing "Ok" should bring up this:
Set "Save as type:" to "AC3 Files (FFmpeg), then press "Options" to bring up the Bit Rate setting. 448 for 5.1 audio is good.
That should work bring up the "Advanced Mixing Options" screen:
If you didn't mess with the order of the tracks in Audacity (L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS) then you don't need to remap the channels in the exported file.
Press "OK" and you should have your AC3 file.
9. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 31, 2009 3:37 PM (in response to Terrachild)
I noticed on your Premiere > Preferences > Audio Output Mapping setup screen the speaker order is incorrect.
It may play correctly with your computer surround system, but on mine that channel order doesn't work.
Look at the center column "Tiles" that show the speaker placement on mine:
If your sound doesn't come out the correct speakers then re-arrange the tiles.
Remember this order: L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS.
That is the "Correct" order that many programs, including Audacity, use.
I don't know why Adobe does it differently.
10. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 31, 2009 3:49 PM (in response to Terrachild)
Just so there is no confusion what Audacity is showing you, I've labeled the tracks that you exported from Premiere.
Looks like you have alot on the "LFE" channel. Not to be picky, experiment away, but remember what I said about the "LFE" channel not being a subwoofer channel. It should only have extra "oomph," I think I called it.
Let me know if you got it working.
Good Luck.
11. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 31, 2009 4:06 PM (in response to Terrachild)
12. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Oct 31, 2009 4:22 PM (in response to TheShamsMan)
To Harm:
What about this workflow would Encore object to? You're providing Encore an AC3 file. It doesn't need to transcode it. Or Re-Transcode it. Most decent DVD authoring programs accept AC3 files.
When you drop the AC3 file into the Encore Project Panel, it says under "DVD Transcode Status," "Don't Transcode"
It doesn't need to.
Just drag and drop the file from the Project Panel to your Timelime Audio track.
It works fine.
13. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 31, 2009 4:31 PM (in response to Terrachild)
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm going to try it out as soon as possible.
My LFE channel issue, is it because I have them in the wrong order? Or because a setting somewhere? I don't think I quite follow the instructions on how to rectify this. I see the difference between the two (mine vs Iron Man), and understand what you mean by the activity difference, but don't really follow on how what I should do.
Thanks again!
14. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 31, 2009 4:54 PM (in response to Terrachild)
Ok. I've made all the adjustments to the speakers and that didn't make a difference with the LFE channel.
I did manage to export the file in the correct format. Now at this point, is it as simple as remove the original audo track and replacing it with the new one?
15. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Oct 31, 2009 6:03 PM (in response to Terrachild)
After exporting the ac3 file and dragging it onto the timeline, am I supposed to see it occupy more than one row, or more? When I exported the file to an mp4 for YouTube, I didn't have 5.1. I think I might be missing something somewhere.
I've arranged the speakers into the right order. Didn't make a difference.
16. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioHarm Millaard Oct 31, 2009 9:27 PM (in response to Terrachild)
That was indeed what I was curious about. Thanks for reporting this.
17. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Nov 1, 2009 12:12 AM (in response to TheShamsMan)
Okay, good you got the Audacity to export correctly. I think.
1) Encore will only show a single track when you drag it to, for example, "Audio 1."
2) You don't need to replace the audio in Encore if you don't export any. If you go to File>Export>Media in Premiere and set your output format to "MPEG2-DVD" and uncheck "Export Audio" then you will only have an ".m2v" file with no Audio. Drag it to the video track in your timeline in Encore, then drag your "ac3" file to the Audio track.
3) Setting the speaker tiles the way I showed you will only make Premiere play the surround sound mix on your computer correctly. You have to, of course, have a surround sound system attached correctly to your computer. That doesn't change the way Premiere outputs the audio in your interleaved Wave file.
4) I'm not sure how you exported the file to an .mp4, so I can't answer that without more info.
5) The audio on the LFE channel is created by Premiere. In the 5.1 mixer (6 Channel) you will have a Bass Clef Knob with every audio track. That knob is like a volume control for each track for the LFE channel. The problem is, This Mixer is flawed. Look at my mixer layout:
I layed out the tracks in Adobe's "incorrect" order, because if you don't you're gonna get confused by the volume meters on the Master. They are also layed out incorrectly. See my labels. So when working in Premiere, just stick with Adobe's layout.
Why is the mixer flawed? Because if you have a dedicated LFE track and you put your effects there, and dial up the Bass Clef knob, sure your LFE track will go to the LFE channel in your audio file, but it will also go to other speakers. There is no where to put the little black circle "Puck" that locks that track into only the LFE channel. I don't know how adobe missed this. Each track needs a checkbox or something, so you can assign that tracks audio to only the LFE channel. That's why, in my tutorial, I said you'll have to use Audacity, or Audition to put your LFE effects only on the LFE channel.
Another quirk; you'll see I included a Stereo track, but I put the little "Puck in the center channels's "Pocket." That's where you need to assign a stereo track if you only want the stereo audio, from that track, to come out the left and right front speakers. Doing this preserves the stereo audio, and no it doesn't put anything on the center speaker channel.
However, if you put a mono track's "Puck" in the same center pocket, it will only come out the center channel.
The mixer design is more than a little confusing.
And they really need to fix that LFE oversight!
What the mixer does well, is let you place your mono track audio in exactly the desired virtual space. And the animate feature let's you move it around well.
18. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Nov 1, 2009 9:56 AM (in response to Terrachild)
Ok. So, you're saying that I can use the knobs in the mixer to reduce the LFE activity?
How can I check to be certain my sound setup is consistent with Premiere Pro's new settings? If I change my own settings to match Premiere Pro's, would it simplify things?
The mp4 file I'm talking about would be the YouTube HD one under H264. I'm not sure if YouTube will support 5.1 or not, but that's essentially what I"m going for with the mp4. Now that I can use Premiere Pro, Audacity and Encore to created an MPEG with 5.1 tracks, it answers quite a bit, but again, I'm not even sure if YouTube will support it.
19. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Nov 1, 2009 8:24 PM (in response to TheShamsMan)
You set how much of each track should go to the LFE channel with this knob:
1) If you turn them all full CCW (Left) than you will have an empty LFE channel.
If you want to add effects only to the LFE channel then do it in Audacity, or buy Audition. Premiere and Soundbooth won't let you do that.
2) No matter what you do in Premiere, mixing, setting hardware settings, etc., Premiere will output the file correctly. All the tracks will be interleaved in the proper order. Premiere just doesn't display the order visually, the same way as other programs, or the way the file format dictates. The hardware settings in Premiere ONLY make the sound come out your speakers correctly, they don't affect file creation.
3) YouTube does have surround sound files on it, but I can't get them to play with surround sound in my browser on my system. I'll try and see why.
Elevator music........pause........hmmmm.......I'm hungry..........ahhha!!!
When you export from premiere to make a surround file for YouTube, you don't have to use the Audacity workflow, unless you want to add something to the LFE channel. Simply Output the file from Premiere in the H.264 format and select, for example, "YouTube widescreen HD" as the format. Make sure you set Output Channels to 5.1. Premiere will export an mp4 file.
Now you may have noticed that you are no longer in AC3 format, but in AAC. That's why you don't need the SurCode plug-in.
Well, as they say in Italy "Now we have a whole 'nother tomato to think bout."
The track order for an AAC file is not the same as an AC3 file. As a result, the track order displayed in Audacity will change depending on what kind of file it is. The format of an AC3 and multi-track Wave are the same, but an ACC file is a different format.
Remember the "Correct" track order for an AC3 file, L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS
The LFE track is the fourth from the top.
Here is what Audacity will display for an AAC file: C,L,R,LS,RS,LFE
That is the top to bottom order of the tracks.
So if you want to add effects to the LFE channel of an AAC you need to put them on the bottom track (track 6).
Now, optimally, we would like to export our LFE modified file uncompressed out of Audacity and import it back into Premiere, throw it on the timeline, mute the other tracks, and make our final mp4 file output from Premiere.
However, Premiere doesn't like the Audacity uncompressed wave file. I've tried multiple formats and I can't get Premiere to accept it as 5.1 surround file. It will import it, but it sees it as 6 mono tracks. So it will lay them all out on the timeline in 6 different mono tracks. That won't work because now we are back where we started with an LFE track with no way to assign it only to the LFE channel in the mixer. Again, that's because Adobe designed it wrong.
So what to do?
Unless I can figure out a way to export an uncompressed surround file from Audacity, in a way that Premiere will accept it as a 5.1 surround file, you are going to have to export from Audacity in the AC3 format, import that into Premiere, drop it on a timeline, mute your other tracks, and make your mp4 file.
That will work, but you are compressing twice, not the best thing to preserve quality. One thing you can do is export the AC3 file from Audacity at the maximum bitrate (640) to minimize the loss of quality, then set whatever final compression in premiere to your liking. It will probably sound fine that way. It's really the only solution for now if you want to modify the LFE channel.
We don't have this dual compression problem when we make a DVD because we put the AC3 file right into Encore, we never have to take it back into Premiere.
Have I earned my 10 points yet for the correct answer?
20. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Nov 2, 2009 11:09 AM (in response to Terrachild)
The knowledge I've attained from this post is worth a lot more than 10 points! Thanks buddy! I appreicate your time and help.
I gotta say: this forum is awesome!
I will be playing around with the different options and will post if I have any questions.. which probably won't be too long.
21. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTerrachild Nov 4, 2009 1:38 AM (in response to Terrachild)
I wrote:
Now, optimally, we would like to export our LFE modified file uncompressed out of Audacity and import it back into Premiere, throw it on the timeline, mute the other tracks, and make our final mp4 file output from Premiere.
However, Premiere doesn't like the Audacity uncompressed wave file. I've tried multiple formats and I can't get Premiere to accept it as 5.1 surround file. It will import it, but it sees it as 6 mono tracks.
I found out how to do it. Yay!
Drop the Audacity exported uncompressed surround wave file in the project tab. Make sure it's selected, and click Clip>Audio Options>Source Channel Mappings..., then select 5.1 under "Track Format," and arrange the channel tiles in this order:
Now when you drop this file onto a timeline, it will be seen as a surround file.
You have now round-tripped the audio, uncompressed, through Audacity and back into Premiere.
No quality lost.
As I said earlier, now mute your other tracks and you are ready to export your file.
22. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioTheShamsMan Nov 4, 2009 12:27 PM (in response to Terrachild)
Wicked! You totally deserve some point for this.
I'm waving you some mental points now.
Thanks mate!
23. Re: Exporting 5.1 AudioRobertoSFO Sep 1, 2015 6:05 PM (in response to Terrachild)
Thank you, Terrachild. Seriously. Thank you. Many, many hours lost before I found your post here.... and this post is 6 years old!!! It's now September 2015.
I can now hear my feature film's surround mix on a blu-ray authored, by necessity, in Encore. Thank god. I have screenings coming up. You, Terrachild, are welcome to a free copy of my film if you like, on blu-ray, when we finish our film festival run later this year and release it into the wild.
Meanwhile, here's the trailer. MANDORLA - trailer on Vimeo


text:
Your Taxes: Why You Should File Early
According to the IRS, 20% of taxpayers don't file their taxes until the week before the April deadline. Capital One ShareBuilder president Dan Greenshields discusses why filing early can maximize your return. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... to me ... now Wall e ... point apply right away and lets me ... know in in in one of them ... but you may be costing use of money by weeding ... she ... that's right it's taxis in April fifteen is the deadline ... for Lottie you think among them and it seems like forever away but if you wait your boss can use of money ... in Greenfield president of Capital one ShareBuilder's here with us ... what's the latest you ever filed ... well I needed him pay on time fears are seen opening filing late we have to pay by April fifty of the committee and ... Nestle Italy yet to make a very good estimate you never want to be shortened or you can file an automatic extension every Americans in time that me and then filed by October fifteen ... but fuel money you better pay otherwise families are very steep and you're yet ... to even answer my question ... the solicitor a while ... I only Tell My Country AppleInsider appliance forgot filed once eleven thirty pm one people fifty ... five to win allowing the four leaf it's why ... our let's talk about on the benefits of filing early that's what you really write ... yet because ... the main thing is you wanna make sure you plan ahead until Russia leaders lots of ... of ... benefits the one take advantage of for example ... when investing this long and short-term gains he may be ... up maybe you bought a house and the mortgage deduction is to see this year ... or twenty ended up with morphine rental property ... of ... you wanna make sure the take advantage of any changes in tax law ... are some the great tools on my new no Echard over we give the ... tool to see the difference in short walk from gains of the end the year ... in one position to be five days away Ms wait ... five days and save this awful ... bunch of money on ... on the tax ... hit ... in terms of higher ECB is can you ... even now in twenty thirteen you can make a contribution to the right of the company for twelve or two for two garments Rhodium playful fifteen maker competition for most Americans if acceptable now for some people are forced to make over a certain amount of income ... I won't be deductible tardy have a plan to work for self employed its to look ... so ... yes look at your own situation again for most Americans for most people are earning less than two hundred thousand dollars the year ... aam ... there are a contribution to Dr Williams lethal fifteenth of May ... in terms of filing online is obvious and growing a lot European ... I think is the really big benefit to filing online as opposed to just million in ... it depends it's it's really easy to do and it's it's a lot of money some are so many great software to also a walking through the various changes the tax code ... the things he might freak intermediate unit you know maybe awesome it studying or maybe it's an expensive network to be paid for ... there's deductions you may qualify for a walk to the question here so ... we heard people that are using online tools the thing is you can download ... like shareholder we have all the major tax writers realize Domo daughter transactions writing that software see don't have to enter rooms with stadium point of time ... I don't do the math forty one or two long or short-term capital gain ... on that that's a really really ... really good tips ... well it's tax season so aam ... if you have a refund coming to renew us when your IRA without refund ... we also are unsure Moeller have some pretty exciting news we are reducing our online trading commissioned by over three dollars and six ninety five ... this month so yes that's exciting ... I ... it's good when the getting there so they had a little extra savings for you folks ... I can think you're a much appreciate the time ... for a cleaner ...


text:
a politically progressive blog mixing pop culture, social commentary, personal history, and the odd relevant poem--with links to recommended sites below right-hand column of photos
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Eire Language
Sometimes I get to chewing on stuff I might maybe shouldn't have bitten off. Right now I'm square in the middle of an attempt to document Kurt Weill's influence on American Jazz--a daunting task if, like me, you lack a music education or any playing experience. All I know or suspect comes from reading and listening; serious, reasoned analysis takes me oh... so... long...
Rather than skip a week, I decided to post one of the better poems I've written over the years, a sort of "small tale" for a front-porch summer evening. As a lifelong admirer of Irish poetry, I consider William Butler Yeats and Seamus Heaney to be the two greatest poets of the 20th century--those writing in English anyway--each of them wonderfully "musical" in his own unique way, with Heaney still going strong. One day I read a quotation from Flaubert that bounced around in my brain until I wrote a response, a monologue poem perhaps prodded a bit by Heaney as he might have sounded in his younger days; more about that below.
* * * * *
Bear Language
"Language is like a cracked kettle on which we
beat out tunes for bears to dance to, while all
the time we long to move the stars to pity."
--Gustave Flaubert
I beat the cracked kettle
with a single stick of hazel
and listen as the thick syllables
run together. The chain pulls
this way and that, rattles
its own countermeasure, and hauls
me up tall, tipsy-toed to reel
Old Blarney in, drool and all.
Oh, he's a handful,
he is: brown fur matted wet, male
razzle slapping his time, the usual
twinkle of trouble
in his one good eye... Bears
'll dance for you, and stand still,
shuffle and stall and sometimes scuffle
a bit; but Old Blarney's a regular dazzle.
He rears back, high as Maeve Hill,
and sets his bear backyonders to heel-
an'-tow, and wriggle sure and all.
With his great paws flapping uncle,
his gap-tooth smile,
and his raggle-taggle tinker's airs,
why, honey wouldn't melt in his muzzle.
And thereby hangs a tale…
Or did. Just the last April
it was, at Derry Fair, and him on a publican's table,
stepping out something fierce and typical.
Till he backstepped his backside full
in the barman's electric fan, and fell
all over himself and nine pints with the froth of the pull
still on them—pell-mell and holywell
water, prancing and roaring and clanking, hide-hairs
a whirlwind behind him, parts of Old Blarney mill-
ing amongst us like the pieces of a puzzle
we couldn't reassemble,
though we patched up his pride by wetting his whistle
with enough of the stout to befuddle
Cuchulain. He passed out in a puddle
of Guinness, still licking his chops, wishful
like... And now he just grins and bares it all.
Me? Oh, I'm just the bit of a shill.
Whilst Old Blarney struts his wonderful,
I blather and beat on this kettle
and watch his tin cup fill
till the stars come out all unawares.
* * * * *
Once I'd written the poem I began wondering what had prompted the garrulous Irishness and the bear-handler's tale-telling misdirection culminating at the end. What might "bear witness" to this example of poetic inspiration? After all, I'd merely opened up Flaubert's words to make room for a story that hoped to amuse the reader. Certainly my immersion in 20th century literature must have contributed, maybe starting with a kind of Yeatsian desire for elegance masked--in this instance--by bearish behavior:
O body swayed to music, O brightening glance,
How can we know the dancer from the dance?
Theodore Roethke may be in there somewhere too, the big bearish poet shuffling around the University of Washington's Padelford Hall and mentoring a whole next generation of poets:
I need a place to sing, and dancing-room,
And I have made a promise to my ears
I'll sing and whistle romping with the bears...
Yes, I was dancing-mad, and how
That came to be the bears and Yeats would know.
And Heaney, who looked a bit bearish too in his younger days, and whose Northern Ireland accent and poems so syllable-precise with Irish diction might have somehow persuaded me to go for broke. His power is accumulative, but here's a poem in just four lines that hints at his style:
For beauty, say an ash-fork staked in peat,
Its long grains gathering to the gouged split;
A seasoned, unsleeved taker of the weather,
Where kesh and loaning finger out to heather.
Other possible sources could range from my teaching Faulkner's great classic, "The Bear," centerpiece of Go Down, Moses, to Randy Newman singing about a dancing bear on his first album... Clearly it becomes a mug's game, a muddle of influences, all of them or even none of them directly involved.
Maybe I just got inspired. Or maybe the poem is as lame as a battered bear-pit creature, not worth the time it's taken to tell all this.
(Wonderful color illustrations from Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson. Note the shackle on this nameless bear who's "riding" the underground railroad North.)
6 comments:
- Steve Provizer said...
It's clear to me that anyone who cares as much about words as you do will draw inspiration from the HIbernian fount.
- August 14, 2011 at 9:38 AM
- I Witness said...
Thanks... I think. I've never actually known what constitutes Hibernia, but if the term admits both Yeats, proud member of the Anglo-Irish Ascendency of the South, and Heaney, Catholic croppy boy eager to escape the murderous North, why then I guess you have me pegged.
(Nothing personal, Steve me bhoy, but given the chance, I'd rather be "Peggeened" by some lithe Irish lass from Dublin's fair city.)
- August 14, 2011 at 11:14 AM
- Steve Provizer said...
...where the streets are so pretty. That goes without sayin'. Mrbbr you can get her to read you some Flann while yer at it.
- August 14, 2011 at 5:55 PM
- I Witness said...
still and all, those two birds swimmin' are kin to Killarny's colleens... Eire today, gone to Moira.
- August 14, 2011 at 8:26 PM
- Steve Provizer said...
And Moira's Gloc-http://youtu.be/sdk7I5Avkis
- August 15, 2011 at 4:40 AM
- I Witness said...
It's all good all ways any time you can gloc on to Sonny, sonny. But you and I both sent Oirish lass Molly off to Scotland--where the heather's on the hill, but the fields aren't so green. (Just can't get my Gael t' ach right--need to Brig'erdoon t' airth once more.)
- August 15, 2011 at 1:32 PM