text:
We've seen some fairly awesome 'fan made' Windows Phone commercials in the past. The most famous was Brandon Foy, whose college project ended up landing him a job at Microsoft.
Now we have another school assignment that has caught the attention of a few, including this site. Made by Phong Luong and friends for their school project (follow the progress on their site), the ad works for us due to the solid music, retro-artsy look and of course focusing on the main features of the phone (PureView camera, wireless charging, unibody design). Plus it just pops out at us.
As pointed out in comments at Reddit, it seems to borrow heavily (ironically) from HTC's 8X and 8S web videos back a few months ago. Indeed, there is a quite a resemblance. The difference here is this is a school project and it was more about them making it then say, Nokia actually endorsing it.
Still, we'd like to see some more general commercials like this, similar to Nokia's "retro art" ad, which had us in a tizzy when they took on Apple.
You can watch Phong's project above or here on Vimeo if mobile (use the official app on Windows Phone 8 and use this link (or search for Phong Luong, Lumia 920).


text:
The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States affords our country a chance to reverse its dismal standing in the world. The opportunity comes not a moment too soon. A recent opinion survey of America's most trusted allies, carried out by eight leading international newspapers, revealed that after eight years of the George W. Bush presidency, America can no longer count on the friendship of even its closest neighbors. Only a minority of citizens in the countries surveyed, which included Canada, Britain, Mexico and France, described their country's relations with the United States as "friendly." In Britain, arguably America's closest ally, over 65 percent of those surveyed said their view of the United States is worse or much worse since President Bush took office in 2001. In France and Canada, that number is more than 70 percent.
During the campaign Senator Obama acknowledged this global discontent, saying, "These are not the best of times for America's reputation in the world," while promising the American people and the world that the intransigent, America-first foreign policy of the Bush years would give way to a new approach based on "real strength and vision." If Mr. Obama is to make that vision a reality, he must overcome a daunting set of challenges: two wars (one nearly universally unpopular, both draining the United States and its allies of blood and treasure), a global economic crisis and a planet in ecological peril. Yet Mr. Obama can take some dramatic steps in the next several months that would help to meet these challenges and reverse world opinion.
Mr. Obama's choices for secretary of state and a new ambassadorial corps should signal a renewed commitment to engagement and public diplomacy and should indicate that the inflexibly ideological and self-interested policies of the current administration are relegated to the recycling bin of history. His selections for these posts should be men and women of ability and standing, professionals with the expertise in global diplomacy that the times require and who are not chosen simply to appease a wing of the party or to reward a generous political donor. This was too often the approach of the Clinton administration, which generally regarded foreign affairs as an afterthought. Mr. Obama took pains to say during the campaign that Mr. McCain's election would amount to a third term for President Bush. Mr. Obama should ensure that his administration does not resemble a third term for Mr. Clinton.
Though Mr. Obama's inaugural address will likely and appropriately focus on domestic concerns, he should not ignore foreign affairs. In fact, he should use the address to renounce unambiguously the Bush doctrine of preventive war. He should also unequivocally state that the United States will never again engage in the torture of its enemies, nor in semantic gymnastics in order to avoid illegality. An executive order closing the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, which has become a notorious stain on the nation's honor, should quickly follow. Mr. Obama should also revive national support for a stronger, reformed United Nations system that can respond more effectively to the "duty to protect" crises that increasingly occupy global diplomacy in the 21st century—for example, in Myanmar, Darfur and eastern Congo.
Above all, the United States requires new approaches to the world's seemingly intractable problems. Mr. Obama indicated during the campaign that he would meet with the leaders of some of the world's authoritarian regimes without preconditions. This approach involves the kind of inventive thinking America's diplomacy now requires. Yet Mr. Obama must be careful to balance engagement with realism. The Iranian nuclear standoff, relations with neo-imperial Russia, balancing economic and environmental concerns in our relations with China, facing down the warlords and endemic poverty in Africa, rebuilding the nuclear nonproliferation regime, kick-starting the Mideast peace process and redesigning international financial institutions will require sustained, multilateral and multidimensional solutions. Success will depend on coalitions built in a true spirit of strategic partnership, an uncommon occurrence in world affairs, and one that will also demand sacrifice.
Mr. Obama claimed during the campaign that he was the best choice because of his experience and expertise in bringing people together, raising not only our hopes but also the hopes of the world. "Obama represents something different," Klas Bergman, an official at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, recently told The Guardian newspaper. "He seems ready to listen rather than dictate. That he's African-American only adds to the mystique." Long after the mystique has faded, as it inevitably will, let us hope that Mr. Obama's potential has been fulfilled and the new era of international cooperation he has promised will have begun.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council, will speak at a Friends of Ag Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 18, beginning at 7:15 a.m. This special Friends of Ag Breakfast is being held in conjunction with Delaware Ag Week, which runs Jan. 14-18.
The breakfast will take place at the Harrington Fire Company, located near the Delaware State Fairgrounds, where most Ag Week activities will be held.
In his talk, Brown will address economic issues impacting the poultry industry from a national and global perspective.
Following his presentation, Michelle Rodgers, associate dean and director of University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, and Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee will provide updates on what UD Extension and the state Department of Agriculture are doing to support Delaware's poultry industry.
Ag Week is presented annually by UD Cooperative Extension, Delaware State University Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Department of Agriculture. The Friends of Ag Breakfast is held three times throughout the year and is sponsored by UD Cooperative Extension.
Ag Week, now in its eighth year, draws farmers, agriculture industry professionals, Cooperative Extension specialists, research scientists and others together to exchange information and ideas.
This year, presentations will be made on watermelon research, best management practices for equine operations, woodland management, using social media, climate change and its potential impact on Delaware crops, high tunnel research, and much more.
The Friends of Ag Breakfast begins at 7:15 a.m. and costs $20. Advance registration is preferred. To register, call Alice Moore at 302-831-2504. For more information about Ag Week programs, see the website or call Karen Adams at 856-7303, ext. 540.


text:
It is no secret that all the technology in our world has made poor posture even more prevalent than before. I always say the brain picks the path of least resistance for the body and that tendency combined with gravity leads to a natural forward head posture. Hours spent on the computer, texting and sitting often promote a picture like this:
This positioning leads to lower cervical flexion and upper cervical extension thereby creating muscle imbalances. Keep in mind the rest of the spine takes its cues from the head and neck. A forward head encourages thoracic kyphosis, shoulder internal rotation and lumbar flexion. The back muscles give way to hanging on the static structures and the brain grows accustomed to this relaxed posture. The result = increased strain, muscle tension and mechanical deformation. In addition, neuromuscular activation of the proper postural muscles is compromised or shut down completely.
This sequence of events often gives way to postural pain, tightness, tension headaches and eventually even more intense pain and symptoms related to disc pathology. Essentially, the wrong structures spend too much time under tension, while our muscles go on a prolonged siesta throughout the day. Good posture takes hard work and looks like this:
So, some simple strategies to improve posture include an awareness of proper alignment (ears in line with the shoulders), a conscious effort to sit and stand with better posture and consistent postural strengthening. One of my favorite exercises to do is a simple prone neck retraction (see video below)
For a complete description of the exercise, click here to read my full column in PFP Magazine.
Finally, I want to leave you with some information from another clinician, Joe Brence, DPT on pain classification. He addresses the biomedical versus biopsychosocial approach to treating pain on The Manual Therapist's blog. I tend to believe we must use components of both systems as well as our intuition and clinical experience, but it is an informative post. Click here to read his guest blog post on this.


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This pattern is a Copyright of Jana Nielson , Lola...again!!! 2008. It is intended for personal, non-commercial use. You may not make and sell items using this pattern. Thanks!!
Cut everything out and fuse interfacing before you start.
Fabric 1 - Outside of Cover cut 1 @ 13 x 24, Inside Flaps cut 2 @ 10 x 13, Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 5 x 13, inside of Snap Flap cut 1 @ 5 x 5.
Fabric 2- Pencil Pocket cut 1 @ 5x10, Contrast on Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 3 x 13, Outside of Snap Flap cut 1 @ 5 x 5, Contrast on Outside cover cut 1 @ 10 x 15.
Fabric 3- accent for Right Flap pocket cut 1 @ 2 x 13, Pencil pocket accent 1 @ 2 x 10, accent for Snap Flap 1 @ 2 x 5, Accent for contrast on outside cover 2 @ 2.5 x 15 and 2 @ 2 x 13.
Random Lining fabric- Inside flaps lining cut 2 @ 10 x 13, Right flap lining cut 1@ 7 x 13, pencil pocket lining cut 1 @ 5 x 10, inside center facing cut 2 @ 2 x 8.
Step 1- layer Pencil pocket piece, Pencil pocket accent, and Pencil pocket lining with right sides together. Stitch edge with accent.
Step 2- Open, fold lining under, and press seam flat. Fold accent piece under 1/2" and press. Lay it on pocket front and top stitch down.
Step 3- Place pencil pocket on the bottom of one of the inside flap pieces and pin in place. Measure over 1.5" and draw a line (I just used pencil). From that line measure over 1 and 1/4" and mark a line. Repeat 2 more times.
Step 4- Stitch down lines to form 4 pencil slots. The rest of the pocket can be left for a calculator, or whatever!
Step 5- Layer inside flap lining with Pencil Pocket flap piece- right sides together. Stitch down the right side. Open, fold under, and press. Edge stitch sewn edge down.
Step 6- Now we're going to work on the right flap pocket. Stitch flap pocket pieces (of fab 1 and fab 2) along long edge, at 1/2". Open and press flat.
Step 7-Take Right flap accent piece and place it along contrast on right flap edge. Sandwich it with the lining RST. Stitch along this edge. Open seam, fold it under, and press.
Step 8- Press raw edge of accent piece under 1/2". Fold it onto pocket and top stitch it down. You can also add stitching along center-ish seam. Pin into place along edge of Inside Flap piece.
Step 9- Sandwich this piece with inside flap lining. Stitch edge opposite pocket at 1/2". Open, fold under, and press.
Step 10- top stitch down this edge.
Step 11- Now both of the inside flaps are completed!!! Now it is on to the Outside contrast piece. Pin the longer accent pieces along long edges of contrast piece. Stitch, then press open. Top stitch along seamed edge.
Step 12- Pin short contrast pieces along short edges. Stitch, open, and press. Top stitch along these seams also. Fold raw edges, of short sides, under 1/2 " and press. Center completed contrast piece onto outside piece and pin in place. Top stitch folded accent pieces onto the Outside cover piece.
Step 13- The Snap Flap. Measure down 1" from edge of Inside Snap Flap piece. Center Magnetic snap washer, and mark with pencil. Cut slits on pencil marks.
Step 14- Stick top of Snap through front of fabric.
Step 15- On back of snap I like to put a piece of thick interfacing (cut slits, and poke it through). Place washer on prongs.
Step 16- Fold prongs over to secure snap.
Step 17- Not pictured. Place accent piece along top of Outside Snap Flap. Stitch along top edge at 1/2". Press accent piece (raw edge) under 1/2" and top stitch it down . Now put inside and outside right sides together. Stitch around edges , leaving a 3 " opening at bottom.
Step 18- Clip all 4 corners (not just the top two like I did here). Turn right side out. Press opening to the inside.
Step 19- Center Snap flap onto one of the short ends of Outside Cover. Place it about 1 and 1/2 inches from raw edge. Stitch along edge .
Step 20- Flip snap flap back, and pin it out of the way!
Step 21- The ultimate sandwich....the end is near!!! Lay the Outside cover face up. Place Flap pocket piece (face down with raw edge on outside edge) on the end with the snap flap. Place pencil pocket flap ( face down with raw edge on outside edge). Pin in place. Take inside center facings and pin along center top and bottom. Stitch around entire sandwich at a scant 1/2".
Step 22- Turn it right side out and press all seams!!! Now you have to figure out where to put the other piece of your snap. Fold cover in half, matching short ends. Fold snap flap over and mark where the center of snap hits opposite side of cover. Put washer over mark, mark and cut the slits (only through the outside layer of fabric...not through inside flap). Poke posts of bottom of snap through the holes, place washer on the back and fold posts over.
You're DONE!!!! Stuff your binder into the cover. The fit is usually a little tight, but stuff it in anyway!!!


text:
Missed last night's Brit Awards? Not to worry we've got all the red carpet looks right here. The red carpet was awash with black floor sweepers, led by Taylor Swift who continued to master revenge dressing in a black Elie Saab gown with sheer panels and a gold belt. We reckon she won the award for best dressed of the night. Right?
Jessie J also debuted a sleek new look, wearing a belted black Versace gown with simple courts, straight black hair and minimal make up rather than her usual rainbow bright eye shadow. Steering clear of the coloured hair extensions and loud prints, she kept the drama all in the dress, which had a statement plunging V.
On the subject of skin flashing black gowns, Jessie Ware flashed her tum in a cropped Miu Miu black top with gold embellished sleeves, while Delilah wore a sleeved, high neck Michael Kors frock with peek-a-boo slit at the cleavage. For the Roc Nation after party Rita Ora wore a black gown sequin with an Angelina-esque thigh high slit and gold collar detail.
But the stars didn't all stick to head to toe black, as Rita Ora wore a satin salmon Ulyana Sergeenko couture gown to the ceremony and Jourdan Dunn showed off those model pins in a teeny yellow Balmain dress. Alexa Chung continued to steer clear of all things glitz, opting for an ivory Valentino shorts and top. Not the usual red carpet get up, but we think she looked simply adorable.
The two looks we're not so sure about were Katherine Jenkins in a printed blue Stella McCartney dress with hot pink lips and Jaime Winstone's bright printed dress.


text:
Oct. 16, 2004
Jerry Mulloy
NORTHFIELD, VT. - The MIT rifle team traveled to its first road match of the season, falling the Norwich University. Although Tech lost in both guns, the team had a strong performance.
Norwich topped the Engineers, 2264 to 2090 in smallbore, and snagged a 2268 to 2150 victory in air rifle. Nathan Pfaff was the day's high shooter for MIT in both guns. Joseph Kovac shot 534 to record a personal high in smallbore for the season, while Jian-Ming Lee and Rob Grimes also enjoyed record-breaking afternoon's with personal high's in both smallbore and air.
The Engineers are still finding their legs as the season enters its third week. Jay Gill made his debut with the squad on Saturday, proof that Tech is still reloading its lineup. The Engineers, who boast a young contingent of shooters, also received a personal high from Wes McKinney in air.


text:
The nuclear industry is constantly reassuring the public that its reactors are safe. But, as the nuclear disaster in Japan continues to unfold, the evidence mounts that these assurances frequently can't be trusted at all and that in Japan in particular, the nuclear industry and the government have failed in their duty to protect the Japanese people.Media reports on this week's publication of Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) manuals said the documents show that 'the utility's lack of preparedness for an emergency' was 'a major factor leading to the meltdowns after the March 11 quake-tsunami', so it's no wonder the company had previously refused to make the full documents public. It was Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency that demanded disclosure.This sounded terribly familiar to us…In July 2007, the Chūetsu offshore earthquake shut down TEPCO's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in western Japan. The quake turned over containers of nuclear waste, causing a release of radioactivity into the atmosphere. Radioactive water leaked inside several of the reactor buildings, some of it reaching the Sea of Japan.According to Japan's Daily Yomiuri, 'it was discovered that TEPCO did not thoroughly survey faults near the [Kashiwazaki-Kariwa] nuclear plant and its earthquake-resistance measures were insufficient'. This was after the company admitted in 2002 to deliberately falsifying safety reports and covering up a large number of incidents at its reactors. The scandal, dating back to the 1980s and through the 1990's, showed TEPCO's failure to conduct vital safety inspections at their nuclear reactors.So we see that TEPCO has a long history of being wholly unprepared for emergencies and ignoring safety concerns. Not only that, Japan's nuclear watchdogs have failed time and time again to ensure that TEPCO lived up to rigorous and vital safety standards. And now media are reporting evidence of government organisations that should be regulating the nuclear industry attempting to manipulate public opinion in its favour. Even worse, 'there are no legal requirements to re-evaluate site related (safety) features periodically,' as the Japanese government told the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2008. In October this year, a report showed that TEPCO had known since 2008 that the Fukushima Daiichi plant was vulnerable to a tsunami but hid the findings and did nothing to improve the plant's defences or emergency planning. They weren't legally obliged to.. The catastrophic safety failures at Fukushima are a direct result of cost and corner cutting by TEPCO and disgraceful failure to regulate effectively by the government. It's symbolic of the systematic failures of the nuclear industry and governments worldwide to ensure proper safety levels are strictly followed. Given the scale of destruction a nuclear disaster presents what we have seen in Japan is a shameful failure of leadership, accountability and respect for the lives of others.Now we hear that the amount of radiation released by the Fukushima reactors was double that claimed by the government. Japan's Prime Minister Noda should announce that Japan's nuclear experiment has failed utterly and immediately abandon any plans to restart old reactors or to complete any partially-built ones.We must never forget that while TEPCO and the government enjoyed its cosy relationship and ignored safety warnings. Given the siting of the Fukushima plant in a fault zone, thedisaster that has devastated the lives of thousands of people was inevitable. Japan will be living with the terrible consequences of this deceit for a very long time.
Justin McKeating has been blogging the meltdown of the nuclear industry for Greenpeace International since 2008. He is based in Brighton, UK.
(Unregistered) andrelyn
wow nice post!
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wow nice post!
Won't Last A Day Without You
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29 October, 2011 at 10:51
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(Unregistered) jiipee
hole japan is fuck`ed up with radiation study about enenews sites
29 October, 2011 at 18:21
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(Unregistered) bharatian
First America nuclear bombed Japan. Now it nuclear powered Japan to create three eyed radioactive Japanese kids that will take the foolish Janpan to ...
First America nuclear bombed Japan. Now it nuclear powered Japan to create three eyed radioactive Japanese kids that will take the foolish Janpan to stone age
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This materials pack is created for use in MAXON Cinema 4D.
It's compatible with version 10 and/or newer.
C4D file contains 13 different leather color shaders, and 9 types of roughness/bump, and 4 levels of gloss/reflection, so you can create more than 460 combinations of them. Beside those 13 colors you can actually use any color you like.
I made preview for each shader group different so you can navigate more easy.
The shaders can be used with or without Global Illumination. I suggest using Anti-Aliasing (at least 2×2).
Here are some preview images:
Levels of gloss and reflection
If you have any question related to this project or any other please contact me :
Also check my other stuff
Also check my Shader Packs Collection, 7 packs of shaders at more than 25% lower price:


text:
|News News regarding BSD and related.
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Enable Youtube Video in HTML5
For BSD users who enjoy an occasional diversion at Youtube you can now watch "most" videos.
YouTube with HTML5 enabled browsers
You have to opt in and on OpenBSD 5.0/Firefox 5 with a low end video card the playback for video was choppy. although no worse than flashplayer with the same hardware.
"Hymn of ordinary motion" by Jerry Douglas, which is mostly audio, played.
I would be interested in hearing if others with ati video cards have better video playback. It may be what I need to migrate from Debian 6.0.3 to OpenBSD on my main system.
Last edited by shep; 13th December 2011 at 04:08 AM. Reason: clarify browser as Firefox 5.0 and spelling
I just checked whether HTML5 enabled YouTube works on my wife's Windows 7 laptop. It seems that it does on Opera 10.60. I disabled the Flash plug-in and restarted the browser. After enabling HTML5 trials I was able to watch YouTube while on few other pages which are full of Flash I was notified that I am missing Flash plug-in.
Speaking of OpenBSD you have to be careful. Opera 10.60 is not ported since it requires more Linux emulation. Poul Irtofi is currently working on adding support for 2.6 Linux kernel emulation. Couple months ago before he got involved it looked that Linux emulation code will be completely removed from the kernel.
I hate Mozilla and even more Chrome so I am holding my OpenBSD 4.8 update partially because I know that Opera 10.11 (the OpenBSD port) will not work on OpenBSD 5.0.
YouTube has never been really an issue on OpenBSD and there are numerous workarounds for YouTube videos. The real issue is the lack of Flash (I have no idea how good is Gnash) after the collapse of swfdec project. For instant Flash is used in some interactive editors on Learning Management Systems commonly used in U.S. (means I use it at work). It doesn't look like HTML5 will kill Flash so the effort of Poul Irtofi is welcomed in particular if he can get evil Adobe Reader and MATLAB to work on OpenBSD.
Essentially my approach at this point for those couple applications (mostly MATLAB) if I have to use them is to NX X to a cluster which runs PUIAS Linux.
I tried it with Firefox 5.0 from OpenBSD 5.0. The system was an intel atom 330 all in one mobo. I'm utilizing the onboard 945gc video which has handled flashplayer but as mentioned was choppy.
Oko, what video chip does your wife laptop have and how was playback and audio quality?
The youtube/html5 website said any video that had a leading advertisement would not work - almost seems like a benefit.
I have a similiar system that I run OpenBSD current on and one the lower tier mirror update will try firefox 8.01. Also thinking about Opera on FreeBSD 9.0 once the final version is released.
I'm also looking into WebKit based browsers which would be based on h264 codecs rather than WebM.
Edit2: I added Midori to OpenBSD 5.0 which supports both h.264 and WebM and playback was much better. Midori with html5 enabled, and possibly other webkit based browsers, are a viable option for viewing some youtube videos. Midori in OpenBSD-current is unstable and crashes readily
Last edited by shep; 13th December 2011 at 04:10 AM. Reason: grammer added Midori for both 5.0 and current
For me, Midori crashes randomly. I'd say to give a try with xxxterm.
My wife's laptop is DeLL Latitude D630 and I think it has Intel video card. I am not sure and I do not have it right here to check. The playback and audio quality is indistinguishable from the latest Adobe Flash plug-in. As of Midori vs xxxterm conversation the problem is not in browser itself (even though that Midori is becoming a kitchen sink like Firefox) but in rendering engine.
You guys are hitting WebKit bugs. I had a great hopes when WebKit became open sourced but now I can not wait for Poul Irtofi to finish Linux emulation 2.6 so that I can continue to use Opera 10.60 on OpenBSD. For pure browsing I really, really like NetSurf!
All current browsers support HTML5 video/audio with hardware acceleration. It's only a matter of time.
Is there a reason why you would prefer to use Opera 10.60 after Linux emulation 2.6 is finally supported on OpenBSD? Have you thought about moving to FreeBSD since Opera now supports FreeBSD version? I'm just curious about your reasons behind your preference of the chosen browser.
On the topic, I have viewed youtube's html5 videos on Firefox 8 a few days ago and it seems decent so far.
HTML5 doesn't work with all video's, It doesn't work with any video which has ads for example.
It also doesn't work very well IMHO. stuff like fullscreen etc. suck. In my experience, the flash player works better, at least on Windows.
IMHO using youtube_dl is still the best solution. And since UNIX doesn't mandatory lock *everything*, you can just start playing with mplayer/vlc/... after a few seconds without downloading the whole file first (Doesn't work on Windows).
UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things.
HTML5 works with all videos that are in the proper format despite its content. I really haven't played with this for quite a while. I know there were problems with playback at one time. I'm just not on top of it anymore.
EDIT: On this Windows laptop right now, I switched it to YouTube's HTML5 video and full screen works pretty good on Chrome and Safari. FF8, too.
Last edited by drhowarddrfine; 14th December 2011 at 05:00 PM.
Wow, a year ago the situation was quite "depressing". Most YouTube videos only worked with Flash (or not at all for boycotters ) and most browsers sucked at HTML5.
A lot has changed since then!
Most videos work perfectly on Opera 11.60. I only had a sound problem. Until today: I updated the GStreamer framework/plugins and all multimedia libraries (libogg, libtheora, etc.) and now I have sound too. Playback is good enough, even though the CPU usage is very high due to disable hardware acceleration on my system.
May the source be with you!
Many thanks to the forum regulars who put time and effort into helping others solve their problems.
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text:
|View Poll Results: Spice and Wolf - Episode 10 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: 98. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2008-03-08, 12:50
|Link #101
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Lawrence's been tricked, now in debt because of the credit, and each person who he thought had owed to him (meaning a future receivables for him) rejected and/or refused to bail him out. Finally the last person who he had hoped willing to help flatly shun him because he sees Lawrence manage to pick some hooker from the street.
It's a mistake that Lawrence snaps at Horo, but from Lawrence's perspective, frustated, wasted effort and at the edge of bankruptcy, or worse, hard labor....it's completely understandable why he lost it.... I hope they somehow reconcile next episode, with Horo would probably save him....again.
|2008-03-08, 13:11
|Link #102
I disagree with you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
- how did he know?
- how did everyone else not know?
It's just too big to be concealed. There were to many people who had to know. Or at least know something like that was up. For example, the hundred of unemployed mercenaries, now making the roads impracticable with their banditry? They know. The god knows how many merchants who sell stuff to the Church every year around this time period? They know. Whoever's working as personal servants or assistants for the bigwigs who usually go? They know.
And it's not like it could have happened overnight while Lawrence was between Pollson and Rubinhaigen, since the bandits were already active when he arrived in Pollson.
|2008-03-08, 14:44
|Link #103
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
But the fall in armor prices could have happened overnight. Just imagine that if Bill Gates die today, and no official announcement was made to the world until one week later, then the Microsoft stock prices will dip only after one week. Why? Because no one knows about it yet.
Suppose that (b) Rubinhaigen has made a decision not to launch the expedition, but no official announcement has been made to the world yet, so similarly the armor prices won't fall yet. However, if (c) the Poloson merchant happen to know somebody with inside information, he may know of the decision before it was officially announced to the world.
However none of my speculations (a), (b) or (c) were mentioned in the novel at all. In fact, it was written from Lawrence perspective that he's guessing the Poloson merchant knew about the cancellation in advance. I guess the author is either leaving it to the imagination of the readers, or it's a plot hole.
|2008-03-08, 14:58
|Link #104
I disagree with you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
The mercenaries didn't need to be given a proper reason. They only needed to know they weren't hired. Even if they don't conclude with 100% certainty the expedition is canceled (unlikely, because the reasons it's canceled are public), they can make a guess, and so can whoever knows they weren't hired. Which is pretty much everyone in the region.
Imagine China stops all its preparations for the Olympic games and fires the workers involved in it. Even without an official announcement that the Olympic games are canceled or moved, you'll know there is something going on, and that maybe investing large sums in the games is a bad idea right now. Even if normal people somehow fail to pay attention, part of Lawrence's job - pretty much the main part, in fact - is to know about that sort of things. What will make the prices rise or drop.
|2008-03-08, 15:25
|Link #105
Senior Member
Painful to watch, but a good episode.
I know many people think it was unjust for Lawrence to snap at Horo, but he just realized he wasted most of his life, and may be in a situation where he will have to give up even MORE of his life as a manual laborer. He just needed somewhere to channel his anger, and since he didn't break down in tears Horo was "there for him".
Resolve needed, please.
|2008-03-08, 15:45
|Link #106
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
It was an extra painful moment after watching her be so happy and trying to support him for most of the episode after he essentially confessed to her at episode start.
Yeah, pins and needles to see what happens next.
|2008-03-08, 15:50
|Link #107
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Workers for Olympic games would have spread the information among society of now easily, being healthy members of society, and using the aid of the communication tools we have now. But is it possible that mercenaries weren't much in contact with society to begin with? It could be that even though they weren't hired, no one knew about it, yet.
Once again, all these are just speculations.
|2008-03-08, 16:11
|Link #108
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
It may be just that it was a weak point or plothole in the story (only second adventure after all) and that we'll just have to see if the author improved in later adventures.
What we seem to have is that the merchant Lawrence "win-win" blackmailed had some sort of advance information about the market for armor (perhaps he has a brother in the Church) -- and was intent on nailing Lawrence even though Lawrence provided a face-saving solution.
The "unlevel table" merchant, for the moment, seems to have succeeded in ruining Lawrence's finances and possibly his life -- even more cleverly by selling off the problem to someone else (can we say sub-prime mortgage turnover?) so the disaster befalls Lawrence from indirect hands.
Throughout this episode, we're seeing stronger indications that the "Church" in this story setting is almost not bothering to hide that power and domination drives it more than anything else.
|2008-03-08, 16:34
|Link #109
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Philly / Singapore
That doesn't preclude the fact that any news of cancellation would have spread quickly and crashed the market. The entire town of Rubinhaigen had known it for some time. Lawrence didn't know because 1) he was uncharacteristically careless about gathering information beforehand, and/or 2) bad plotting. That's what I think anyway.
|2008-03-08, 17:31
|Link #110
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Yeah I think it was poor information gathering on Lawrence's part. He was so sure that armor would be a good thing to take because in all the time he has been working as a merchant it has probably always been a sure thing to make a decent profit. Remember Lawrence has only been working for 7 years right, with maybe a few years before that apprenticing or just observing people in the field. If you've watched a town and see that a certain product is always sold and used there during those years you'd be kind of lazy to keep checking on it after a while.
Of course that doesn't change the fact that no one outside of Rubinhaigen was talking about it even though it should have been a big deal in the area. So maybe a possible plot hole though I could see how it might have been kept out of the public ear by the church up until an announcement.
That's my thought on how Lawrence got into the mess. Like the Guild guy said, he got greedy and didn't stop to think about it.
|2008-03-08, 17:43
|Link #111
I disagree with you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
As for how much contact they have with society - I'd seriously doubt that they don't have "contacts" with the town's taverns. And whores. And foodsellers. And all sorts of people who'd notice a lack of paying customers.
|2008-03-08, 19:01
|Link #112
User of the "Fast Draw"
Yeah could just be a plot hole that came up relatively early in the story. But at least it has created some interesting discussion. Trying to figure out why Lawrence didn't find out how that kind of news hadn't spread out.
At least the early part of the episode helps by being lighthearted. Can always go back and forget about the troubles Lawrence is going to get himself into trouble with later. And regardless of how they got into that mess should be interesting to see how they get back out of it again.
|2008-03-08, 19:16
|Link #113
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
There are probably some plot holes but I think the biggest issues are:
(1) How did Lawrence get into this mess?
(2) How will he get out?
(1) People may have different opinions about what he should have done, but I think the general consensus is that Lawrence got too greedy by getting armor on margin. Not only did he put himself in a dangerous position by going deeply into debt, he picked a commodity that is a bit more sensitive to market conditions (at least compared to things like wheat, furs, and pepper). If he gets less armor he takes a huge loss but lives on to fight another day.
(2) I think both Horo and Nora will play a role. Horo has "earned her keep" from the start and her value has well exceeded the 140 silver pieces Lawrence claims she owes - if it weren't for her there's a good chance that Lawrence would be broke, jailed, or dead. She will find a way to dump the armor, or in the worst case scenario, help him escape his creditors. As for Nora, she is obviously an important character in this storyline and she will most likely play a major role in what happens.
No matter how things turn out, it was an important (and expensive) lesson for Lawrence. He's been way too reckless on a number of occasions and such a lifestyle almost inevitably leads to ruin. You can't push all-in every single time if you wish to succeed over the long run.
|2008-03-08, 23:58
|Link #114
Feeling comfy
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 44
If anything, I would argue that it was Horo who had been reckless and impulsive, not Lawrence. She jumped in unexpectedly to raise the selling price of his marten pelts, using a ploy that was almost like a scam. She shows a complete disregard for Lawrence's attempts to save his precious silver, arrogantly confident that she can earn her keep and more.
If you ask me, Lawrence had been fairly careful and intelligent throughout the anime. He could have avoided his present predicament had he heard about the market crash in advance, but unfortunately, information does not flow easily. Not in a modern economy, let alone a medieval one.
|2008-03-09, 02:20
|Link #115
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
Looks like the series is getting popular enough to attract silent troll anti-votes. EvilDoGi seems to dislike the series for unspoken reasons.
On topic:
One reason information may not flow freely is that "The Church is Watching You" .... it may be unwise to talk about a failed or canceled crusade. Obviously, we're just looking for a way to rationalize an unclear plotline point. Fortunately, there are a number of possible explanations -- the anime writers are focusing on the personal (how this affects Horo & Lawrence) rather than the Big Picture, kind of like a squad in a big war often has no idea what the overall situation is.
|2008-03-09, 02:31
|Link #117
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Exhibit 1: the money-changing scheme. It was apparent from the start that this was a risky and potentially dangerous operation, with questionable upside. Alas, he was lucky to escape this venture in one piece.
Exhibit 2: buying armor on credit. EVERYONE, from Horo to members of his guild to his adversaries, are agreement on this. Even Lawrence himself admits as much. He could have avoided his present predicament by taking half the armor. He would've lost everything he had, but he would've at least had his freedom.
Lawrence is intelligent but he isn't careful. If he was, this show wouldn't be nearly as fun to watch. It looks like it is up to the seemingly reckless Horo to get him out of yet another jam.
|2008-03-09, 03:12
|Link #118
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
Sometime you invest in a talented person that has potential even if they make mistakes early. As Lawrence said, he sees something worth investing in (Horo). I'd say Horo still thinks Lawrence is worth investing in as well (though he failed his Charisma check with Critical Fail at the end of ep 10).
|2008-03-09, 12:49
|Link #119
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
this episode was hard to watch. seeing a good person like lawrence in utter misery makes you a little miserable inside. but i am sure, obviously, they are setting up for some entertaining climax where he is saved somehow, and from my pure speculation, id say it involves that yellow-haired girl. makes sense right? they dedicated the whole preceding episode to her and left her out completely as lawrence and horo entered the city. im guessing she must be part of the story as they exit the city.
anyway, a good story and great production.
|2008-03-09, 13:10
|Link #120
Senior Member
Lawrence will previal though, eventually. Even if that means next season, please.
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text:
Vertical Gardens for Limited SpaceMay 22, 2018 9:08 am
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To find more ideas for vertical gardens, click here.Home Improvement


text:
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Archbishop Stepinac High School recently held a career day for its students, and alumni returned to represent various career paths.
The sophomore class was treated to a day with more than 15 Stepinac graduates. Mike Molinelli, a Stepinac graduate from the class of 1977, was the keynote speaker.
Alumni of various professions were available for the students to interact with and ask questions regarding certain careers.
They represented various fields, including technology, architecture, medicine, firefighting, sports management, the National Basketball Association, the FBI, politics, law, finance, physical therapy, engineering, entrepreneurship and the business world.
For more information about Stepinac High School, visit www.stepinac.org or call 946-4800.


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Ghana edge past Mali
Mubarak Wakaso's penalty was enough to give Ghana a 1-0 victory over Mali in Group B in the African Nations Cup in Port Elizabeth.
Wakaso scored from the spot in the first half after Emmanuel Agyemang Badu had been brought down in the area at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. However Wakaso was shown a yellow card for his celebration, ruling him out of Ghana's final group game.
In a first half low on clear-cut chances, but after just seven minutes goalkeeper Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda handled the ball outside the penalty area as defender John Boye attempted to shield the ball back to him with Seydou Keita lurking. The referee produced a yellow card and the same player then curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide of the post.
Ghana eventually settled and Badu saw his header catch the outside of the post after he had done well to get on the end of a free-kick from Wakaso, who had slipped as he played the ball in. And just four minutes later Ghana took the lead.
Asamoah Gyan attempted to find Badu in the area and he was brought down by Adama Tamboura, although replays suggested Tamboura had initially connected with the ball as he slid in. Doue pointed to the spot and Wakaso calmly stroked the spot-kick home, even though goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa went the right way.
Mali had beaten Niger in their opening group game but looked short of ideas and never seriously threatened to get back into the contest in a poor second half which featured more yellow cards than chances.
Ghana attempted to increase their lead and Gyan shot narrowly wide before Badu saw a free-kick pushed wide by Samassa, while substitute Solomon Asante also flashed a shot the wrong side of the post in the closing stages.


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Pitchfork scores/reviews that aggravate you
This isn't a hate thread, I generally think Pitchfork are on the mark with their revews. Nobody has to listen to what they say, but I think a lot of people feel a slight twinge of annoyance when they put down a great record or artist, so what are your examples?
Basically I think they've been harsh on Bjork since the millenium, though I can't find reviews of either Post or Homogenic (they placed them in their best albums of te 1990s list). Vespertine had begrudging praise with a 7.2 score...but that was pretty much the high point. Go on rateyourmusic.com, see how much people like Bjork.
Daft Punk - Discovery
rating way too low
They then had the gall to put this album in the top ten albums of the decade
I think they reviewed that during their indie-rock phase when electronica was kind of uncool
nah, more a case of maximal music being uncool
they always had an inclination towards more studied electronic stuff. in fact, they rated 'Homework'... I can't recall if they reviewed it, but they mentioned it in a favourable light.
I'm sure once Discovery gets reissued or whatever
they'll give it a 10.0
maybe the reviewer genuinely didn't like the album
I loved Homework but have never been a fan of Discovery just find it derivative and uninspiring if i'm honest
Genuinely not bothered by their scores
They often don't tally that well with the review content and feel like they've been assigned to provoke a reaction. If they've got anything over about 6.5, I tend to assume the record will be OK. It's more the tone of the reviews, which generally I don't have a problem with.
I DO however have a problem with DiS scores which always seem to be 8s for most good records (except the odd bizarre one like Melody's Echo Chamber of Stumbleine, which both picked up 9s - good records, but nothing to make them a '9').
When you compare DiS and P4K scores, you can kind of see how the extra decimal place helps. Goes to show the quality of writing is the most important thing (and I always go to DiS for that).
DiS scores are meant to be less scientific I suppose
I understand that the decimal point adds extra specificity, but it also can detract from the individual reviewers own opinion.
As for writing, most Pitchfork reviewes are very well written these days, whereas too many DiS reviews start with tacked on prologues that don't add much.
I know we had that thread but the Alt-J review was so goddamn awful
Couldn't get more pitchfork parody than starting with the Radiohead comparison that bookies, not even music critics made, then goes on to take cheap out-of-context shots at their quotes. *PRIAPISM*. Accusations of both being cynical genre-pinchers and alsoc doing the 'music for ourselves' thing.
And at the end I'm just left feeling that it only served the purpose of fulfilling the internet's hype-then-savage cycle that happens to whatever band people feel is the rage at any time, something that only happens when people read too many 'x band is great' articles and feel that they have to offer a 'lone voice of reason' to stem the tide, when all they do is just needlessly dismiss a record that isn't a 10.0 but could be a 7~
That infamous Kid A review...
"Poor" writer; that review will follow him to the grave...
Brent DiCrescenzo?
haha, every review he wrote was like that. and I don't think he's bothered, tbh.
any album that's related to bass music or dance mongrel or whatever you want to call it
will never get above high 7, no matter how good it is, unless it's burial or actress
more an observation than an aggravation though
also in general there language is too dry and academic at times, i miss the more personal writing style they had when they first started out.
Yeah that does seem to happen
not that I'm that fussed about it mind, I've not really followed pitchfork much in recent years. Dance coverage fell off a lot since Blackdown stopped writing for them in 2011. The reviews of the dance stuff are often just boring even if the record is a good'un and the tracks they put up are better, but the blurb is often pretty much just the PR fluffed a little so yeah why bother. Once in a blue moon they have a nice article like that LIES one recently but yeah often I forget it even exists.
cos im not a baby
and im on ssrismarke and AfraidOfOwls this'd this
- JaguarPirate, iizcallum, thesewoodenideas, Stringly, and automatik this'd this
They changed this
It's now got an 8.2
Shitebags.JaguarPirate and incandenza_ this'd this
that's so bizarre
it used to be 4.0
also none of the review matches with that score, talking constantly about being inferior, less passionate, a disappointmentJaguarPirate and no-class this'd this
- JaguarPirate this'd this
this now means it's BSP's highest rated album on Pitchfork - even though the review is not positive. I mean, if anything was going to hammer home the disconnect...
fuck that kind of sneaky revisionism.
i'm tempted to think that's some kind of typo rather than a revisionism.
the body of the review is exactly the same.
first thing that came to mind
hate that review so much
''Do You Like Rock Music? sounds empty at its core, with a rock where its heart should be.''
yeah just fuck right off already
Not sure about Bjork
They gave Medulla 8.4, Volta wasn't great and somewhere around 6 was about right. Biophilia was a bit too low though, I'll give you that
- roastthemonaspit, andyvine, vamos, LOLpop, joeymahone, and WhiteLightWhiteCity this'd this
Well, some people are passionate about certain records
And to see those records done a grand disservice in an influential sphere where a decent write-up might have brought them more fans, and thus (perhaps) great sustainability, is occasionally frustrating.
We can play the whole *lol @ ppl who think pitchfork means anything* game all day, but we're (mostly) in the UK and I bet there's not a day goes by that Pitchfork isn't discussed. You think Americans and other Europeans do the same thing for DiS? I doubt it...juicegermer this'd this
I'm passionate about lots of records
I just don't really care what score Pitchfork gives them.
I read their reviews, I sometimes agree and I sometimes disagree. I'm not uninterested in other people's opinions (including Pitchfork's), but I don't tend to get 'aggravated' when they happen to differ from mine.
funny thing is
I only started reading Pitchfork when googling opinion on certain albums I liked out of a need to feel 'agreed with'; and these reviews turned up by the search were mostly pretty negative, and I was outraged. also compelled, though.
like, the fuck were some band I'd never. heard of called 'Pavement', *scoff*, better than Muse!? but then Muse picked the video for 'Cut Your Hair' on Gonzo or some other MTV2 thing (R.I.P)
and knowing that not only did Muse themselves like them, but also knowing for a FACT how pointless and suckish they were in comparison...
I just had to try and... understand. also they *really* fucking loved Radiohead despite also not liking Nine Inch Nails or Placebo or anything.
those were the golden years, though. before they sold out to sponsored dreams of Arcade Fire crossover sway and that.
they later gave 'The Lost Riots' 5.7, and I emailed them. as much as I love HotS, that was on the money. but then the band was so much better than their major label compromises suggested.
it's just some random human beings opinion
why are reviewers and critics in general held up in such high regard? It's a ridicolous line of work when you think about it
Relationship of Command by At The Drive-In
got a 6.1. A 6.1 for one of the best post-hardcore records ever.
I totally see where 6.1
is coming from.
not bothered by the scores of reviews
but I wish they'd just stick to their principles rather than tinkering with scores years later. Yeah you got it 'wrong', so what?incandenza_, vamos, JaguarPirate, LOLpop, and WhiteLightWhiteCity this'd this
Q did acknowledge
that they got their review of Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space "wrong".
The classic quote from the original review was, "The use of drone and repetition makes the album sound ... well, droney and repetitive."
I remember reading a Q best albums chart many years ago,
they'd given about half of the albums in the top 20 **/*** at the time. They were good enough to sheepishly acknowledge it though I guess.
I wonder what they would say about Silent Shout now though, having called it 'A hideous mess of electro noodling and maddeningly obtuse, tuneless vocals' at the time...
They seem to have changed their minds a bit
about PJ Harvey...
The review of the Macha Loved Bedhead EP
By Brent again, http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5018-bedhead-loved-macha-ep/
This really annoys me. It's a Pitchfork 'concept' review, which are bad enough, but it's so self-absorbed that he barely even mentions the record at all. It's a script, for a scene from a future college class where the professor unearths this very review for discussion. It's so self-referential and self-regarding that even if he is doing it ironically, the irony is just another layer of shut up you twat.
This is a shame: Macha are one of my favourite bands, and reviews of their stuff are thin on the ground. Being on Pitchfork, this bollocks scores higher on Google than almost everything else - it's actually preventing people from finding out about the music. It's an anti-review, it collides with other reviews on Google and annihilates their page views.
And that's not the worst of it. This EP was the last thing Bedhead ever did, hence the name Macha Loved Bedhead, Bedhead Loved Macha. They deserved at least a proper review, and this twat was too busy showing off to do even that.
The EP is awesome btw: four original songs, combining Bedhead's slowcore with Macha's gamelan/Indonesian arrangements, and the saddest cover of Cher's Believe ever.the_dazzled this'd this
Also just realised that he got the name of the bands wrong
Its the Macha Loved Bedhead, Bedhead Loved Macha EP, by Bedhead and Macha. So glad that Brent twat stopped writing. His review of the Beastie Boys' To The 5 Boroughs was his swan song; it's half about him though.
They seem to love giving very high scores
to fairly generic hip hop / r&b that is slightly under the radar, when their readers really just want to listen to bed wetting indie. Fair enough if some of it genuinely is really good, but it is all in the 8.0+ territory and features some angry blinged up dude on the cover, it can't all be that good can it?automatik this'd this
They're reviewed SpaceGhostPrrrp's new mixtape and they keep us informed each time Lil B says or does anything, but they still haven't reviewed the new Deftones album from November. Neither have the AV Club, and they're normally really good. CONSPIRACY
Pitchfork are the only website where the review score isn't massively overinflated.
If a record get 6.5-7.5 on Pitchfork, then to me it'll mean a pretty good record- maybe not the best of the year, but certainly something to try out and perhaps really enjoy. However, a 6 or 7 on any other reviews website pretty much always translates to 'Disappointing'. Which is why there seem to be so many 9s given on DiS, I guess.
I think ratings systems should either be very specific or very vague (stars out of 5 etc)- out of ten is middling and difficult to get to grips with. Out of 100 systems are underrated in my opinion- when I was growing up, reading video games magazines, pretty much all of them used a percentage as the score.Nestor, Oissin_, automatik, DJaser, incandenza_, kilgore-trout, BarryShitpeas, JaguarPirate, and AfraidOfOwls this'd this
- crosseyedsniper this'd this
- calumlynn this'd this
Thats video games though
It is much easier to compare one game (within genres) to another. Video games are never constrained by artistic intentions either, so scores are almost exclusively about competency, not 'artistic relevance, making specific scores easier to judge.
I agree with what you say about Pitchfork not inflating scores however, but I believe /10 scores could be just as effective if reviewers weren't prone to overhyping records.
Sadly, I think DiS scores are now unreliable to the point of uselessness
Due to the reasons you cited above. Just last year, FIVE records got 10/10, and I didn't personally think any of them were better than average. Nearly everything seems to get 8+... and crucially, if they don't, it's considered a negative review, as you say.
I know Pitchfork go a bit crazy sometimes, but this is what it boils down to: Tegan & Sara just got 9/10 on DiS, and I probably won't bother listening to the album; if Pitchfork gave it 9.0, I definitely would.Raanraals, SCROTUM, calumlynn, incandenza_, BarryShitpeas, Stringly, thedamnedear, and kubrahhh this'd this
I've listened to it
You won't be missing much.
As it happens I thought I would check it out
I'm very partial to a bit of well-produced ladypop, and indeed this is ticking all my boxes. I'd still put it at 8/10, but that's only on first listen.
I don't hate it, but it exemplifies your point about score inflation
In any sane world it's a solid, interesting, 6 out of 10.
Yeah, that last sentence is difficult to argue with
But the "exact science" of Pitchfork reviews can seem a little sterile and calculated (though their much improved reviews make up for this). DiS does seem to give out too many silly scores, but the writers also appear to be given more license to love a record and write accordingly. It can get a bit earnest on Pitchfork at times, except for the few exceptional records.
Re: video games magazines
I used to like Edge's rating system, out of 10 and hardly anything getting 10/10. Though if I remember correctly they did have one issue where they experimented with dropping scores completely.
I never read Edge, it was too grown up for 11 year old me
Dropping scores is the way to go though.
This is gamecentral's rule isn't it (now metro games)
Only 3/4 10s ever if i remember, and lots of controversy about one of them being Mario Galaxy.
Good list this
Though no Goldeneye, and I've never heard of Bayonetta.
p4k's ratings system makes it seem like they're giving out much more diverse scores than they really are
if you rounded to the nearest whole number then it's overwhelmingly 6-8/10. Like today would be
Foals 8/10
The Underachievers 8/10
Veronica Falls 8/10
Clogs 7/10
Umberto 6/10
I'm obviously not saying that they can't be harsh markers, but their whole marking system is basically camouflage for the fact that on the whole they're pretty 'conventional' markers.vamos, whatisthewhat, and JaguarPirate this'd this
Dandy Warhols first few records are rather great
but PF hates 'em (all). That comes to mind.
Coldplay, obv. How Rush of Blood is 5.5 (&Parachutes) is a larf in the face of some of the other indie soft-pop rock records. Given their half aboutface with the latest one-- which everyone knows isn't Rush of Blood-- bet PF would be willing to revisit that score...
10? If nothing else, 'So Appalled' stops it from being perfect...
The RZA's verse on So Appalled is the best thing on that album
you can't be serious?
RZA's yelling is possibly the only bad thing about that song.
- SCROTUM, Antelope, JaguarPirate, incandenza_, and WhiteLightWhiteCity this'd this
the whole site is bollocks
just promoting music taste instead of actual music
and them doing the Chief Keef thing and goading him into faffing about with guns was pathetictheShipment this'd this
--the whole site is bollocks--
They do have one column I enjoy and a couple reviews a year I like, I guess.
it was much better for most of the last decade
pretty awful these days.
some of the writers are good!
but the thing as a whole is just a way to generate page views/ad revenue. NB I did just read this article which is long and a bit poncey but I reckon has its heart in the right place
We need a musical form that doesn't think of itself as a collection of influences. We need musicians who know that music can take inspiration not only from other music but from the whole experience of life. Pitchfork and indie rock are currently run by people who behave as though the endless effort to perfect the habits of cultural consumption is the whole experience of life. We should leave these things behind, and instead pursue and invent a musical culture more worth our time.
I'm not sure I totally understand what the writer means
But it sounds so sweet and well-meaning that I want to support it
That took a a long long time to read.
But in general i think it was accurate.
I just think the pre-eminent indie rock nerd of the turn of the millenium, oh irony of ironies, sold out himself, and now he needs Volkswagens $s to keep him in supply of Steinways and cocktail party money to regail his guests with short stories about hanging with Thom and Stephen, in foppish hair-swept pauses between verses of Elton John renditions
halfway through this
I must say that Pitchfork's link-peppered write-up style is probs my favourite aspect. it is the record shop clerk telling you stuff you might also love, that you need to check out. it's fucking great.JaguarPirate this'd this
In fairness, they get it right. It's predominantly a news source for me.
pitchfork? what's pitchfork? a farm implement?
everybody cares way too much about what comes out of pitchfork's ass from one moment to the next. I'll bet you can take them in a pub brawl, yeah?Antelope this'd this
If another oh so clever sod posts about how they are way above getting annoyed at reviews
I'll blow a gasket.


text:
Spinning into New Green Power Sources
Generators have taken on a new importance in this era of brownouts, blackouts, and energy shortages. The growing realization is that new renewable energy sources in the form of wind and solar power have emerged as major sources of local and grid electrical power.
The electrical generator is the major element in supplying electric power in its many forms. The wind power generator is one of the most popular forms currently undergoing many important technology changes.
Windmill generators
While the U.S. government classifies wind turbines under 100 kW as small, windmill turbine generators can be divided into a number of power categories primarily by use:
1. Below 5 kW
2. Between 5 kW and 49.9 kW
3. Between 50 kW and 500 kW
4. Above 500 kW
While there are many overlaps, small rural applications such as remote irrigation pumps would use a smaller than 5 kW windmill driven generator. Residential applications using a windmill generator would fall into the 5 kW to 49.9 kW power range for a block of homes or a small industrial plant. Small local electric grids would fall into the 50 kW to 500 kW power levels depending on their grid size. Anything above 500 kW is commercial power usually located in wind farms.
The emergence of direct-drive generators using permanent magnets (PM) in brushless PM configurations (in combination with power electronics that include force-commutated rectifiers and boost converters) began with smaller turbines. This approach allowed the direct-drive system to handle the variable winds and still develop the needed power levels for smaller dc power systems and ac power for electric grids. The windmill turbine's use of direct drive is now moving into much larger power levels.
Direct-drive versus geared
The direct-drive wind power generator system is challenging the current ac induction generator and gear train transmission that mechanically changes speeds to match turbine speeds to wind velocities to achieve the needed 60 Hz frequency. The 4-pole induction motors operate at near constant speeds of 1,600 rpm to 1,720 rpm. The massive gear box is typically limited to 2 to 3 years' operation before it begins to operate improperly. Repair regimens generally cost tens of thousands of dollars and take some months to regain successful operation. While the majority of operating wind generator systems use induction motor and gear train-based systems, the emergence of the direct-drive PM generator plus electronics is gaining market acceptance. Eliminating the gear train improves the direct-drive turbine system's overall performance and reliability.
Direct-drive power generation has evolved into a smaller sized solution with higher efficiency levels that partially offsets rare earth magnet price increases.
Starting with the smaller 5 kW and 50 kW wind power systems, the direct-drive windmill generators are now moving into the megawatt power range. In June 2011, Siemens Energy announced a new direct-drive 6 megawatt wind power system to be installed in Denmark. Northern Power Systems (NPS), a major supplier of direct-drive 100 kW wind power systems, is building on its success at lower power levels to introduce a direct-drive 2.3 megawatt wind power system.
The direct-drive configuration has evolved into a smaller sized solution with higher efficiency levels that partially offsets the significant rare earth magnet price increases experienced over the last few years. Both new and old mines are being opened in many countries to help alleviate this cost problem.
– Dan Jones is president of Incremotion Associates/Motion Media Group; edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager CFE Media, Control Engineering, and Plant Engineering, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Webcast on Critical Power: Emissions Regulations and Technologies – Stationary diesel-powered generator sets. www.csemag.com/webcast
Rise of the PM machines http://bit.ly/SGUPk3
No shortage of direct-drive wind turbine developments http://bit.ly/MIGBda


text:
22-Year-Old Cheerleader Measuring 2'3" Tall Declared Worl'd Shortest Woman!
"Today Guinness World Records announces a new 'Shortest Living Woman'. Based in Sandoval, Illinois, USA, Bridgette Jordan, a 22-year-old student stands at just 2ft 3in (69 cm) tall."
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Nov. 11, 2006
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - MIT dropped its shoulder-to-shoulder match this weekend against national power Navy, losing to the U.S. service academy in both guns. Senior Anton Katz paced the MIT attack with a strong effort in both smallbore and air.
Katz finished third overall in smallbore, although his score of 570 set a new personal high for the Engineers' team captain. A fair result on the third target card prevented Katz from vaulting to the top of the individual standings, while MIT lost 2279-2154 as a team.
The Engineers were swept by Navy's marksmen in air rifle (2321-2213), led by Sara Bergman's total of 587. Katz fired 572 to lead MIT, while rookie Emily Houston shot 569. Houston finished just behind Katz in smallbore as well, shooting 566.
Sarah Miles and Vidushi Tekriwal made their collegiate debuts during Saturday's tilt in smallbore and air, respectively. Miles shot 471 and Tekriwal posted a 482. Following the setback, MIT falls to 6-3 on the season in smallbore and 5-3 in air.


text:
sheryll on Family Tree Circles
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Journals and Posts
Looking for Charles OGregory Nordin (spelling could be Norden)
orlando Nordin wife name Helena ? born in Ireland. Had a son Charles Ogregory Nordin born 1837 surname cold be spelt Norden wifes name Bridget Keane born 1847 in Irland.
Any informtion on this family would be greatful
I'm looking for information on a Ida Jane Lillis, lived in Australia, I have no birth or death dates. Just a cross with her name on it
Looking for Alma Edith Poole
Just found out we had an Auntie Alma Edith Poole born 5th Oct 1909 adopted out died 1977. She married Herbet George Gray born 1903 died 1989. would like more family history of this unknown Auntie
Looking for Holdhook
Catherine Holdhook Born 1778 in Ireland, Durham England married John Thomas McNamara born 1775 - died 1867
I would like further information on both these people as I have struck a brick wall
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – For the fourth year in a row, the MIT women's lacrosse team received three All-Conference accolades from the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). Senior Casey Flynn was voted to the Second Team, resulting in the fourth nod of her career and put her in the company of Deanna Lentz '06 as the program's only four-time honorees. Juniors Erica Little and Alex Wright, also Second-Team selections, picked up the first awards of their careers.
Flynn rewrote the MIT record book, finishing her career as the all-time leader in goals (142), assists (72), and points (214) while also setting a new standard for assists in a season (30) this year. She registered 27 goals, helping her rank second on the team with 57 points.
Little paced the Engineers with 48 goals to go along with 18 assists for a team-best 64 points. During the season, she eclipsed the 100 career-point mark, becoming the 11th player in the program's history to accomplish this feat.
Representing Tech's defense, Wright led the way in caused turnovers (23) while ranking fifth in the NEWMAC in the same category. She was second on the squad in groundballs (38) and third in draw controls (23).


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Finders Keepers Records...
...keep releasing too much good stuff. Any favourites?
This is mine, it's Bollywood explosion with gold boots:
This this this, all day every day
Franco-Japanese funk producers teach Japanese to a French school choir:
Love Finders Keepers
Finally got round to buying the Googoosh LP, stunning stuff
This is my favourite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEw4VVsfiwI Great song and some cracking dance moves too!
Talking of great dance moves...
I know I always post this whenever Finders Keepers is mentioned but it is just so good
Nice tune.
Great moves!
This is my favourite
track from a FK release at the moment (also from Solla Solla):
Give it a minute, mental stuff (especially on record without the movie visuals)
That's a good one. Nice clapping.


text: Hi this is all my artwork. It was done on windows paint. This my first time I have sold any of it. I was born in Michigan on December 2, 1986, where I live with my loving famliy. I have been dealing with mental health issues , and ArtPal gallery has really help me. The support would be great, and I will do my best to get better at making art.Thank you may God bless you


text:
More information on HR3541
There's still a place in America where people can be killed because of their race or sex and the perpetrators go free. It's the abortion clinic.
The child whose father and mother are not of the same race; the baby girl whose parents come from a culture that devalues women; the minority baby whose mother listens to an abortionist who masks his racism in false "compassion;" all can be denied their lives and liberty today simply because of who they are.
There's no excuse why this should be tolerated.
HR 3541, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, would eliminate one of the last vestiges of government sanctioned bigotry. Abortionists would be placed on notice that they cannot take a baby's life simply because of that baby's race or sex. And women would be reminded that they cannot be coerced into ending their children's lives.
I want to thank Congressman Trent Franks for reintroducing this legislation and I want to encourage every Member of Congress to support it. A vote for PRENDA is a vote for equality and justice.
I also ask every citizen to call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to their Congressional Representative to urge him or her to co-sponsor this important legislation.
Dr. Alveda King is the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. and works fulltime for Priests for Life as Director of African-American Outreach. See www.AfricanAmericanOutreach.com.


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Coach Scott Sanderson and his Lipscomb Bisons basketball team will be facing their own version of the Final Four over the next 11 days.
The Bisons, still in the mix for one of the eight spots in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, ended their last road trip of the regular season with a split in the state of Georgia . The Bisons beat Mercer 69-64 Friday night, but fell 86-62 at Georgia State Sunday afternoon.
"If you told me we were going to get a split on the road before we left I would have signed up for that," Sanderson said. "We have to take care of business at home. We have to focus on the things we need to do. In order to beat the teams in our league there are certain things we need to do offensively and defensively against each one of them."
The Bisons started out strong hitting a trio of 3-pointers on the way to a 17-8 lead, but after the first seven minutes Georgia State went into high gear for homecoming fans at the GSU Sports Arena.
GeorgiaState kept the game up-tempo, shooting a sizzling 55 percent from the field. A 17-2 run and a 9-0 run in the first half combined to giveGeorgia State a 42-17 halftime lead.
"They ran it down our throats," Sanderson said. "We did the worst job this year of trying to follow a scouting report."
In the second half the Bisons never gave up, but the closest they would get to Georgia State was 13 points at 44-31 with18:32 left to play.
Lipscomb was led in scoring for the second game in a row by Eddie Ard with 16 points. James Poindexter scored 15 and Shaun Durant added 10.
"Eddie played a pretty good game, but we are missing Brian Fisk," Sanderson said. "We need his production both offensively and defensively."
Fisk, the Bisons' leading scorer, finished with three points.
While he didn't do anything that would stand out statistically, freshman guard LaBrian Lyons gave the Bisons a boost.
"LaBrian gave us a lot of energy," Sanderson said. "As long as he does that, he will be fine."
The Bisons held Marcus Brown, Georgia State's leading scorer without a point in the first half, but he rallied with 15 in the second. He was one of fourGeorgia State players in double figures. Kevin Thomas had a game-high 20 points followed by Boyd Copeland with 18. Herman Favors dropped in 12.
Durant was the leading rebounder for Lipscomb with four as Georgia State held a 35-28 edge.
The final four homes games are crucial for the Bisons if they are to qualify for postseason. The stretch run begins Thursday night at 8 in Allen Arena when Campbell visits.
"A lot of teams in our league would like to have four games at home during this part of the season," Sanderson said.
Campbell has not won a game in the conference this season, but they have played a string of close games. Sanderson and his Bisons will not take the Camels lightly.
" Campbell has been knocking on the door every night," Sanderson said. "They are a hard playing, physical basketball team."


text:
The Red Sox won the first game of the regular season, defeating the Pirates 5-3. Will Boston be back in the playoffs? Vote in our poll below.
Baseball is back, Boston and the Red Sox delivered a win on opening day, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3.
How far do you think the Sox will go this season? Vote in our poll!


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Satanists Where Are You?
Posted 03 April 2009 - 01:56 PM
Posted 03 April 2009 - 07:24 PM
That brings me to the question here.Are there are any members here who call upon "Dark Entities" in their practice of witch craft, directed magic, rituals etc...... Is anyone here a Satanist?
First off, I am not a Satanist and never was. I was raised not believing in a devil, only God and Angels. But I do have a story to share involving using Black Magick or dark forces.
When I was in fourth grade there was a boy named Nicky C. Everyday on the bus he'd go by me on the way on and off, hit me on the leg or shoulder and say "gotcha last." He teased me at school too. For some reason I absolutely despised him for doing these things to me. Of course looking back I realize he probably "liked" me. So during that time my mom was in The Women's Liberation Movement, Supporter of the Black Panthers, a Draft Counselor, attened a witches coven (1971/72) and was dabbling in herbal cures and black magick. I told her so many times how much Nicky bothered me and she told me to try to get some of his hair or a personal object and over the weekend we would make a voodoo doll and "get him back" for torturing me. (Mom was very unhappy in her marriage at the time and not in her right mind, luckily she does not do anything like this today, nor has for decades).
At school on Friday I managed to get something personal of his and brought it home. On Sunday we baked voodoo dolls out of flour, water, salt, pepper, other sour spices, and his personal item. When it was ready she taught me a prayer to say that would protect myself from getting hurt or having the spell backfire. All I remember is that it ended with the words "so mote it be."
I then took the baked doll into my room with my friend who didn't like Nicky either. We recited the prayer and then went to town sticking "him" with pins, slicing his leg, yelling at him, and ended up breaking a few peices off the doll. The next day we went to school and Nicky was not there. My teacher told me he was in the hospital. He came back the next day and told a horrific story of getting a violent stomach ache while riding his bike, having a terrible bicycle accident on which he ended up slicing his leg open on the calf, and a lot of bumps, scrapes and bruises. I immediately felt SO GUILTY! Literally, all the places he had pains or cuts where places where we (mostly me) had either stuck a pin, sliced a limb with a needle, or where a part of the doll broke off.
I NEVER told anyone what I had done and swore my friend to secrecy. As far as I know, this NEVER got out and Nicky moved to another town before the next school year and I never saw him again. To this day I feel awful about this. I never knew the power of black magick and will NOT ever engage in it again. I know I shouldn't be too hard on myself as I was only 9 years old, but I knew, even then that I did have some sort of power within me. I never should have done it and my mom never should have allowed me (but she had her own problems back then). I don't think until that day she understood the depth of my abilities either. After that she never allowed me to do anything other than White Magick. I think all of us (my mom, me, my sister and brother) were all scared by how that session turned out.
Over the years a lot of things have gone wrong for me that don't make any sense, and I can't help but wonder if this is somehow Karma for what I did to Nicky? If you take anything away from this experience, I hope it is that no one will ever attempt to do anything to anyone using black magick; it's not worth it and you have no way of knowing how it will come back to you.
Embarrassed and ashamed but had to share, Kira
from now on I'll use me words
Posted 03 April 2009 - 09:38 PM
When I was in college there was a girl who lived across from me who I really did not like--she was really nasty. And one day I was standing in the hallway with some friends and she walked past us, and after she passed by I gave her the mal'occhio sign (the evil eye).
The next day she came down with a really serious upper respiratory infection that seemed to come out of nowhere, and she was out of commission for a while.
Of course it could have been just a huge coincidence, but I've never even *considered* giving anyone the mal'occhio since then.
Posted 03 April 2009 - 09:49 PM
But now I've gone completely off topic....................
Posted 05 April 2009 - 10:08 AM
So why go where the light does not shine?
God bless, J
Posted 06 April 2009 - 11:11 AM
'dark' or 'black' magick.. magick doesn't have a color.. Its simply a term for magick that is not suggested. the terms used for it makes its reputation sink lower.
While white magick has its flaws, aswell.
Posted 06 April 2009 - 07:25 PM
I have seen nothing to make me believe in demons, satanic cults, especially the ones sacrificing babies and the like. I can believe a bunch of self deluded people have bought the idea of animal sacrifice giving them power but they are just fools with no power at all.
Even Anton Levey was nothing but a lying con man using the idea he had power to give him status. Almost everything from his name to his lovers to his wealth to contact with the rich and famous were all lies. He didn't even come up with the idea of the Satanic Bible. He was approached to have his name as author but did not write it. It was strictly a publishers idea to make a few bucks in the time period we were in. Geraldo Rivera who is a respected journalist got sucked into believing there were satanic cults sacrificing virgins and babies.
He was a Jew growing up in Chicago when he claimed Satan to be different. He was a fraud.
Posted 21 April 2009 - 06:51 AM
Satanic cults are real, but they prefer to be called "Satan worshipers". They traditionally don't sacrifice living beings. And as much as christians hate it, they don't like being called a cult. Same as witches, we aren't a Witch Cult, we're a coven.
Calling upon the dark forces is as safe as calling any other spiritual being. They aren't out to hurt you, they're like night gods.
I see staying in the light all the time to be a waste. If you want to be fully aware of yourself and your surroundings, you need to know your light side and your dark side. Spent some time in the dark, and you may find there are parts of your life you've been missing by staring into the sun for too long. I've found my light side and my dark side, and personally, I don't like sunburn.
And Mooboo, LaVey didn't teach or believe in the devil. Satanism is completely separate from the christian Satan, and "his" followers being Satan Worshipers.
DARKEST Blessings,
Posted 23 April 2009 - 09:19 PM
Posted 24 April 2009 - 09:32 AM
I'd love to know more about this because I really have no idea what true Satanism is, only the sensational stuff that gets in the news, which I'm assuming isn't an accurate representation at all.
Posted 24 April 2009 - 11:37 AM
I'm not a satanist, but I do share a few views with them, (the not so up-tight views). If you want to learn more about true satanists and satanism I suggest getting Anton Szandor LaVey's book The Satanic Bible. To listen to what people say about satanists and then to read the book, I assure you, you'll get a good laugh. The book is actually against the killing of animals, not pro-sacrifice. And there's a lot of other parts that are complete opposites of what the media tries to say.
Posted 25 April 2009 - 12:05 PM
I had started a thread here about Demonic Hauntings and have gotten a lot of answers mostly from people who felt they had been attacked or been near an attack of demonic spirits. Some have had religious and non religious exorcisms. It seems that I am one of the few here who has never had a run in with a demonic force. I guess I doubt the existence of evil forces. I believe in angry, rude and nasty human spirits and non human elementals who no matter what their general atmosphere have no sense of good or evil. That brings me to the question here.Are there are any members here who call upon "Dark Entities" in their practice of witch craft, directed magic, rituals etc...... Is anyone here a Satanist?
I know some people use the Satanic Bible and have read it myself. If I remember correctly it is more of a doing whats best for you and yours and don't waste time and energy on worshiping a deity that seems to do all the taking with little reward during your life. I am paraphrasing here because it has been at least 35 years but I remember the gist of it.
But seriously if anyone here does use or worship dark powers could you let us know about it. I promise that at least for my part to keep an open mind but I am interested in how you came to that and if it works for you. Plus what are your expectations for the next life?
Be careful what you call upon, for it might just come to you. Then not want to go away. Stick with ghost hunting, it's better for mind, body and spirit!
I couldn't have said it better myself.
the Queen
"What a long strange trip it's been" aka Grateful Dead
The West Memphis 3 Are Free!!!!!
Posted 25 April 2009 - 02:16 PM
And I don't think this is a case of religious groups copying ideas either. They're just naturally good things to use as an analogy. Light let's you see clearly, darkness obscures your vision and hides the truth of what's around you. It's easy to turn that reality of nature into a religious allegory. Same with things like spring representing life and birth and winter representing death.
Also there's most likely a natural fear of the dark hardwired into us from times long ago when our ancestors were the least safe during the night when they slept. Predators come out at night and you're not exactly prepared for fleeing or defense when you sleep. Wandering into a dark cave where you could not see your footing or even potential dangers from predators was not safe.
It seems natural that the terms would be used the way they are and thought of by many cultures in the same way. Little kids before they are taught religion at all will naturally fear the dark, not the light.
Edited by Shawn333, 25 April 2009 - 02:18 PM.
Posted 06 June 2009 - 01:21 AM
It is not uncommon for me to draw on dark energies and call upon dark forces. I've been doing it since age twelve or so, with plenty of successes to my credit. I don't deal with "light" forces all that often, as I don't feel entirely comfortable with them. I've always been drawn to the dark side, I guess.
I have created proxy dolls before (you may know them as "voodoo dolls") and have had some interesting experiences with them. I still remember my first (you always remember your first, don't you?). I put a hex on my school bus driver, because she was one of those wicked old women who hates children and should never be working with them. I made her likeness out of white Play-Doh (a true magician always uses what is available!) and recited some chants over it which I had composed myself. I stuck the needle in its head, and when I pulled it out, the inside of the hole was red. There was no red Play-Doh involved.
She didn't finish the school year. About a week after my ritual she had to have major dental surgery and ended up retiring. Needless to say, I was ecstatic.
Years later, while I was in college, I was seriously wronged by two individuals. It is rare for me to actually go to the trouble of cursing someone, but these two genuinely needed a little payback. Okay, a lot of payback. In both of their cases, events took about two years to play out, and they went exactly as I demanded them to. The first man went bankrupt, then just when he was getting things together and was able to live comfortably again, he died of a sudden heart attack. The second man did a nice long stint in jail, which ended when he hung himself in his cell.
I'm sure you think I'm a terrible person now. I assure you, I'm not. I am concerned with correcting imbalances and righting wrongs, nothing more. It is my experience that curses only work if the target truly deserves the fate you prescribe for them. I've had several attempted curses that failed utterly. As for the idea of negative karma (or whatever you choose to call it)...I've yet to experience it, and I don't believe I ever will. If your actions are justified, you have nothing to worry about. Most people mistake guilt for negative karma. Guilt, if it is strong enough, warranted or not, can easily manifest in our lives as a "streak of bad luck" or the like.
I've done my share of good deeds through magic as well. I've helped people who were struggling with health and financial issues, alleviated stresses and psychological baggage, and generally worked to improve the lives of those whom I care about, with varying degrees of success. I do seem to have more talent with "negative" work, but it has not prevented me from doing "positive" work as well.
Some people gravitate to the dark, some to the light, and some can comfortably play both sides of the metaphorical fence. Neither path is superior to the others, only different. I believe that deities exist, and I believe that demons exist as well. I believe that many "supernatural" entities are merely externalized projections of aspects of our own individual psyches.
Evil, as a concept, is incredibly artificial, as is good. Evil is simply that which we dislike, that which offends our personal sensibilities. Thus, it is highly subjective. No two evils are exactly the same, and every hero is someone else's villain. I believe one of the most powerful lessons the practicing magician can learn is that they do not hold a monopoly on truth, no matter how much they wish they did.
This is not a clever signature.
Posted 06 June 2009 - 10:18 PM
Well, I was a LaVeyan Satanist for many years, but eventually grew to require something with more substance. Today, I am a pantheist (I call it different names depending on my mood, sometimes Omnist, sometimes Omnimodus Manuum (Universal Hands) and sometimes just pantheist). I still share many beliefs with LaVeyan Satanists, but independent study of quantum mechanics and string theory, as well as dabbling with chaos magic, has led me in a quite different direction. I do use magic (people who spell magic with a k...I find this pretentious) and regularly engage in a variety of rituals, occasionally from external sources, but I mostly create my own.
Man I'd love to see a unification theory for all of these!
I'm actually in the process of compiling some old essays of mine (and writing new ones to fill in gaps I haven't covered yet) to create a book (or possibly a blog...haven't decided what route I want to take yet) explaining the foundations and reasoning of my belief system. It is quite grounded in modern physical studies, with some appropriation from various magical, metaphysical and spiritual sources to flesh out the areas the science hasn't covered yet. Believe me, I know how it sounds when I list all those influences, but it really does make sense in its own way, more so than most religions I have studied. The science is really the key to it, though; before I acquired an interest in quantum theory, I was basically agnostic, nearly atheistic. It was only after I started delving into it that I came to believe there was more to our existence than meets the eye.
Trying to explain it all in detail on this board would result in a word count that would challenge even the most patient among us. To be brief, though, quantum theory, chaos magic, and Satanism aren't as far removed from one another as they might appear on the surface. I first started making connections while studying the concept of quantum entanglement, and everything pretty much fell into place from there on.
CERN, the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, is hopefully going to help me fill in some of the blanks that are remaining. The biggest issue for me at the moment is the question of free will. I believe we have it, but right now the science isn't quite backing me up on that. I have a theory that helps to bridge that informational gap, but I readily admit that it's a bit dubious and requires more than a little faith. I'm hoping that CERN will discover evidence for the existence of the Higgs' boson, and that that information will provide me with an insight into the free will question. I believe science is on the verge of some sort of major breakthrough, though, and that the work they plan on doing at CERN will play a major role in it. I wish I had the patience with numbers to have studied physics when I was in college.
If anyone is actually interested in this (I don't assume people are unless they say so) you are welcome to send me a PM and talk about it. I'm happy to answer questions and offer explanations, but I make an effort not to proselytize, because I'm irritated when others do it. I truly do welcome conversation, though, because it helps me refine my theories.
Sorry for rambling...I'm guilty of it at every forum I frequent. I'm chatty.
This is not a clever signature.
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text:
(CNN) — Shortly after Alabama's rout of Notre Dame there was one word that many on the field seemed not to want to broach.
But why not? Alabama's 42 to 14 thrashing of Notre Dame in Monday night's BCS National Championship game was the Crimson Tide's second in a row. It is also Alabama's third national title in the last four years.
Isn't this a dynasty, a reporter asked Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, moments after he led his team to the win?
"You can call us whatever you want but this was a total team effort," McCarron said.
Alabama coach Nick Saban also shied away from the D- word during a news conference after the game.
"I don't think words like dynasty are words that I have much interest in. That is for other people to speak about," Saban said.
And many on social media were.
"I really believe that this is, in my lifetime, the best dynasty that I've ever seen in college football," ESPN personality Kirk Herbstreit tweeted about Alabama.
Herbstreit's comment was retweeted thousands of times.
In fact, "#Dynasty" was trending in many regions in the United States early Tuesday morning as Crimson Tide fans partied in the streets of Tuscaloosa.
With the win, Alabama joins college football royalty. The team joins Nebraska, in the 90s, and Notre Dame, in the 40s, as the only teams to win three championships in four years. When Nebraska did it, they shared the 1997 championship with Michigan.
And to add to Alabama's legacy, none of the championship games were really close.
In 2010, Alabama stomped Texas 37 to 21. Last year, the Tide blanked LSU 21 to 0.
And this year, the championship game felt like it was over at halftime.
The No. 2 Crimson Tide scored on drives of 82, 61 and 80 yards against the top-ranked and undefeated Irish in its first three drives of the game. They drove 71-yards and scored with 31 seconds left in the half to take a dominating 28-0 lead.
By that time, despite the fact that half of the game was yet to be played, many of those commenting on Twitter were jokingly wondering if Notre Dame would come out of the locker room for the second half.
The Irish did, but it did not get much better for them.
In fact, one of the biggest hits of the game on Alabama's quarterback McCarron came from his own teammate, Barrett Jones.
The two teammates disagreed on a play call and had to call a timeout to get it cleared up. McCarron got in his lineman's face and Jones pushed him some three yards back, a feat that Notre Dame could never do throughout the game.
Notre Dame also couldn't stop Alabama's running game. Crimson Tide runners Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon both ran for more than 100 yards.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly said his team had a lot to learn from Alabama.
"We are not there yet," Kelly said. "Alabama showed us that in the way they played the game. We got a lot of work left to do to get back here."
But there was one player from Alabama who was ready to put the crown on.
"I think I can use the word dynasty now," said linebacker Nico Johnson, shortly after the confetti fell on the field. "Three titles in four years, that is a dynasty."
CNN's Steve Almasy contributed to this report.


text:
Lil Duval & Charlamagne Tha God Clowning On Skinny Jeans! "Why Ya Sag Your Jeans & They Tight. Your Jeans Should Not Make Your Nuts Look Like A Vagina" + Clowns On Chris Brown's Album Cover [Hood State Of Union Bonus]
HOOD STATE OF THE UNION - Bonus
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