text:
If you were to sequence Adam Ligon's DNA, you'd probably find the letters VAG interspersed amongst the Xs and Ys. And while he's not exactly old skool when compared to guys who were tuning Mk1 GTIs in the mid-'70s, having owned 20-plus VAG cars over the past 22 years, it makes you suspect he's genetically encoded to buy VWs and Audis.
Being the co-owner of VW/Audi specialist Black Forest Industries in Cary, NC, gives Adam an excuse for his addiction, but the buying started before Black Forest Industries was in business. In fact, he currently owns seven VWs to the one Audi A5 featured here. Admittedly, he loves coupes and when he saw the first photos of the A5, had already bought one in his mind.
With the exception of the R8 sports car, Ligon thinks the A5 is the best-looking Audi ever made. Coincidentally, the man who conceived it, Walter da Silva, also says it's the most beautiful car he's ever designed...
Adam knew he'd be changing things on the A5 before it was bought because the car would serve as a test platform for upgrades that Black Forest Industries (BFI) intended to develop or distribute. He also knew he'd wait for the 2.0-liter TFSI instead of the earlier V6 because the four-banger both weighed less and had more tuning options.
Prior to its current state, the car ran on 20" BBS CH-R wheels - a can't-go-wrong choice, but too off-the-shelf to set it apart from other A5s. So by mounting a set of matte black, 20" Maserati Gran Turismo "Birdcage" wheels, the car gained instant internet viral notoriety.
The angular lines of the wheels, with their concave and convex shapes, juxtapose the A5's fluid lines perfectly. But getting Maserati wheels to fit the Audi wasn't a straightforward bolt-on process.
The lug pattern of the A5, for example, is 5x112mm with a 66.6mm center bore. However the Maserati wheel is a 5x114.3mm with a 67.1mm center bore. So Adam started with a 14mm stud conversion in the hubs - the studs having bigger 0.5" threads.
He then went to work enlarging the center bore as well as the lug seats. The latter were machined both wider and closer to the hub in order to accept Flextfit nuts. The Flexfit nuts apparently allow a 2.5mm difference in bolt pattern while still retaining a tight grip on the wheel and hub.
With that problem solved, a set of 265/30 R20 Continental DWS tires were stretched over the 20x10.5" wheels. They could then be mounted on the car using 5mm BFI front spacers and 15mm rears to get the right offset.
The stance was then dialed in with Suspension Techniques/Weitec coilovers that dropped the car to the desired height. However, this led to some clearance issues. As a result, the front fenders were rolled so that during our drive, we didn't detect any rubbing at all.
It may have taken a lot of work to achieve the desired stance of these very rare wheels but you have to agree it gives the A5 a unique look.
Ligon prefers his cars to look OEM+ rather than given them a complete makeover, so he kept it subtle. Additions include a badgeless JOM RS5 grille with his original four-ringed logo. The side skirt/blades come from the S5 but were mounted upside down so only otaku-level VAG insiders could spot the difference.
The rear is distinguished by its RavenRacing RS5-style spoiler, which also continues the OEM+ theme, with black Audi rings making another appearance.
With the right stance and visual details, Ligon changed his focus. As a former autocross junkie and unrepentant hard driver, the stock power wasn't going to cut it. So he first went for a stage 2 APR software upgrade. After he got used to that, he went all-in with the APR K04 turbo upgrade kit, which included the bigger turbo and manifold, new software plus all the hardware.
For cooler intake air, Adam installed a Pwrhaus front-mount intercooler. New brackets were then fabricated to fit a K&N intake system that was originally designed for the A4. And to cap it off, a carbon fiber EuroGear engine cover sits on top.
The exhaust consists of BFI's own 3" tubing that starts from the turbo-back and splits into dual 2.5" pipes to exit through a '09 A5 3.2 valance - the only year when dual outlets were offered.
Upon starting the engine, there's a raw, unfiltered quality that comes into the cabin. Off the line, it's slightly hesitant as a result of having to rotate big 20" wheels. It could also be caused by less back pressure from the exhaust system but the trade-off is soon forgotten because the K04 responds with immediate punch after 2500rpm or so. Unlike the stock turbo, it doesn't run out of breath on its way to redline.
Mid-range power is always available, giving good exit speed out of corners, and lots of grunt on open stretches of Interstate. In fact, the engine propels the A5 into triple-digit speeds with ease. APR claims its K04 kit is good for 330hp and 339 lb-ft but BFI's exhaust should have extracted a bit more...
The front brakes are 13.6" S4 discs with the stock A5 calipers, while the rears are 13" S5 discs and calipers with Brembo pads at each corner. We felt the pedal could've been firmer and the pads didn't bite until later in the pedal stroke, but the stopping power was undeniable.
In addition to the ST/Weitec coilovers, the car was equipped with BFI's 29mm front and 25mm rear Stabila sway bars plus SPC adjustable front upper control arms. As you'd expect from a quattro with that sort of equipment, it devours corners with uncanny ease and stability, almost daring you to take the next corner faster.
At the limit, the car will understeer slightly to let you know you're approaching the end of the fun, but it's corrected by a slight lift or more steering input. Body roll isn't an issue, and the ride was surprisingly compliant considering the ride height.
When you look at the numbers, Ligon's A5 is a near clone of the current S5 (330hp vs 333hp, 339 lb-ft vs 325 lb-ft) yet it has a considerable weight advantage (3591 lb vs 3924 lb). So it makes you wonder why Audi didn't build the S5 with the 2.0T. It could be argued that premium buyers would want the earlier V8 or current supercharged V6, even though they're heavier up front and more prone to understeer. Ligon didn't stop to ask that question, he just built his own S5 2.0T and is loving every minute of it.
2011 Audi A5 2.0T quattro
Layout two-door coupe, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Engine 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI DOHC 16v with APR K04 turbo kit and software, Pwrhaus front-mount intercooler, BFI-modified K&N Intake, BFI 3" turbo-back exhaust with dual 2.5" rear section, BFI CleanCatch catch can kit, Eurogear carbon fiber engine cover
Brakes S4 13.6" rotors f, S5 13" rotors and calipers r, Brembo ceramic pads f&r
Suspension ST/Weitec coilovers, BFI Stabila 29mm f, 25mm r sway bars, SPC adjustable front upper control arms
Wheels & Tires 20x10.5" Maserati Gran Turismo wheels, custom machined, 14mm stud conversion, Flextfit nuts, BFI spacers 5mm f, 15mm r, 265/30 R20 Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires
Exterior JOM Badgeless grille, S5 side skirt/blades, RavenRacing rear spoiler, '09 A5 3.2L rear valance, yellow foglights, window tint
Interior AWE Tuning vent boost gauge
Contact Black Forest Industries (blackforestindustries.com)


text: Joe Locke and Trevor Weston, remarkable musicians on campus News Home 09.07.12 Saint Michael's College is hosting two remarkable, free, open-to-the-public music events this month: Renowned vibraphonist Joe Locke in performance with four other musicians in the McCarthy Arts Center, Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 PM, and African American composer Trevor Weston, a choirboy with a doctorate from Berkeley, speaking on "Music and Mysticism" on Monday, Sept. 24, at 7 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. Vibraphonist Joe Locke, with drums, sax, piano and bass Jazz at Saint Michael's College presents Vibraphonist Joe Locke, Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. Joe Locke, who has recorded over 25 CDs as a band leader, and almost 100 recordings as a sideman, will also give a clinic at 1 PM on Sept. 20 in McCarthy. Joining him in the concert are Ludwig Afonso- Drums, Brian McCarthy - Saxophone, Tom Cleary - Piano, John Rivers - Bass. "Not only has Joe Locke mastered an instrument that has catapulted only a handful of players to the forefront of modern jazz - but he has done so in a way that transcends mere technique and establishes him as a unique and adventurous musical voice." - Derk Richardson, San Francisco Bay Guardian As a young jazz musician, Locke played with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Pepper Adams and Mongo Santamaria. Since moving to New York City in 1981, Joe has performed with Grover Washington Jr., Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Rod Stewart, The Beastie Boys, Ron Carter, Geoffrey Keezer, The Mingus Big Band and Randy Brecker, among many others. Joe has also toured extensively throughout the world, as leader and guest soloist. On the scene for over 30 years, in the past decade, Joe Locke's name has begun to reach a broad audience. He has transcended his past reputation as a fine post bop instrumentalist, into now including everything from melodic chamber jazz to intensely personal compositions that bridge the gap between post bop and a lyrical contemporary style. Dr. Trevor Weston, "Music & Mysticism" Saint Michael's presents composer Trevor Weston of Drew University, a choirboy with a doctorate from Berkeley, speaking on "Music and Mysticism," Monday Sept. 24 at 7 PM in the McCarthy Arts Center. In this highly personal presentation, Trevor Weston, a prominent African-American composer, explores how music encourages listeners to lose themselves in a dramatic journey through time and to imagine the unknown as a positive experience. Trevor Weston began his musical training as a choirboy at St. Thomas Choir School in New York City. He attended Tufts University and completed his graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley where he was awarded the prestigious George Ladd Prix de Paris, which allowed him to live in Paris for two years. Described as having "a refreshingly imaginative musical personality" by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Dr. Weston has written music that has been performed in Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in South Carolina, and in The Netherlands, France, Canada, and Hungary. He has received the 2003 Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters; and Composition Fellowships for residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and at the MacDowell Colony. Dr. Weston was a Professor of Music at the College of Charleston from 2000 to 2009, and Music Director and Organist at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Charleston from 2003 to 2009. He is currently an Associate Professor of Music at Drew University in Madison, NJ.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Vive La Resistance or System Doesn't Matter
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Topic: Vive La Resistance or System Doesn't Matter (Read 16951 times)
Gordon C. Landis
Posts: 1024
I am Custom-Built Games
Vive La Resistance or System Doesn't Matter
Reply #15 on:
May 19, 2003, 04:14:59 PM »
hmm . . . looks like two of my recent posts could easily have been here instead of where I put 'em.
This one
adresses the "creative agenda" bit, and
this one
is about why people like incoherence. I think
like Incoherence, and players with a good GM rarely experience it (because that GM gets rid of it before players even see it).
I may post another response
the gist of which will be that System (that which appears in the game text)
influences System (what the group actually does during play), and can (as Vincent almost says)
dictate System (what the group actually does during play). That is what "System Matters" really means, and both are corallaries to the Lumpley Principle that people often miss. Game text will always influence what a group actualy does (System Matters), and can never force them to do anything in particular (System Doesn't Matter - or, more correctly, System Doesn't
In short - I'm getting a tempest in a teapot feeling. Don't we all actually agree on all this? It needs to be more clearly expressed sometimes, I can agree with that - but fundamentally, there's nothin' to argue over here - in the System Matters bit, anyway.
At least, I hope that's true . . .
(under construction)
Le Joueur
Posts: 1367
Very True, But Past Time
Reply #16 on:
May 19, 2003, 05:31:06 PM »
Quote from: Gordon C. Landis
That is what "System Matters" really means, and both are corallaries to the Lumpley Principle that people often miss.
In short - I'm getting a tempest in a teapot feeling. Don't we all actually agree on all this?
It needs to be more clearly expressed sometimes
, I can agree with that - but fundamentally, there's nothin' to argue over here - in the System Matters bit, anyway.
Emphasis mine
Like I said, I've been a little naughty brewing this tea, but as you point out, sometimes expression counts; I've been getting a little tired of dogmatic retorts absent thinking. If you look a bit farther down the Scattershot Forum, you'll see that Vincent has set the record straight as far as his Lumpley Principle is concerned; another thing which needed saying.
The (not really) new point I'm trying to raise about system mattering is a potential difference between past and future audiences. In the past, many times game play (system) was hardly influenced by game text (system). I think in the future, this trend will be reversed as people who are less willing/able/interested in establishing game play (system) other than the game text (system) outlines. Ergo, two audiences (not separate and distinct); writing in the 'old fashioned way' won't work for both. I think.
What do you think?
Fang Langford
Fang Langford is the creator of
Scattershot presents: Universe 6 - The World of the Modern Fantastic
. Please stop by and help!
Gordon C. Landis
Posts: 1024
I am Custom-Built Games
Vive La Resistance or System Doesn't Matter
Reply #17 on:
May 19, 2003, 10:56:04 PM »
I think finding a way to make it easy for people to establish game play (system) would be a very worthy goal for a game text - so that the text is really about helping you establish an actual in-play system. My take is that Scattershot leans in this direction very strongly.
A text that requires very little "establishing" is also a fine goal, though by its nature it's also more limiting. But then, limits can be good things.
As far as "writing in the 'old fashioned way'", well, what do we mean by "work" for both? I mean, some new ways may be BETTER, but that doesn't mean old ones won't work at all.
In other words - sure, improve expression. Always a valuable endeavor. But when folks use an old label in a discussion ("Lumpley Principle", "System Matters"), that's not ALWAYS a sign of lack of thought. Sometimes it's a sign of a LOT of thought, that they don't want to do again.
There is a danger of losing the legitimately new in those situations, but the legitimately new seems to EVENTUALLY manage to get distinguished. Damn annoying when it takes longer than you wanted it to, though.
(under construction)
Le Joueur
Posts: 1367
What Does Everyone Else Think?
Reply #18 on:
May 20, 2003, 05:34:35 AM »
I'm still getting this weird sensation; it seems like writers who make excellent use of long-standing methods of game design feel embattled somehow. I'm not sure how to pose this; don't you think there is room for both? That's what I don't get here; I talk about
ways of design and there seems to be this backlash about some kind of implied replacement of 'old ways.' Whoever said the old ways needed to be replaced?
I understand how people can view something that is new as a threat to their perceptions, but past a certain point the 'what is wrong with the old ways?' argument is empty. I have never said there was anything wrong with any way of designing; I don't see why adding a new way in any way invalidates any 'old way.'
In one of the older versions of
Gamma World
, it pretty much explicitly stated that the game had to be finished by the gamemaster before play could begin. I think that was one of the most cogent designs of its time. I think a lot of the eldest designs were like that except not nearly as self-evident.
The absence of such an honest appraisal in other games prior to it left the audience to its own devices to do much the same thing. While not a quality of all the writing at that time, I think the audience had to have a certain receptivity to that. My bald speculation is that a 'future,' or 'new mainstream' audience, won't be as willing to 'go that extra mile.' Note: this does not mean I think the 'old audience' will be going away or lessening to any extent (I see their numbers growing as well), but that doesn't absent the differences.
I'm pretty sure that a product requiring such work (as it won't appeal to this 'new audience') is something that will be around for a very long time. As I've said, I'm not sure that it needs to be 'fixed' in any way. Product that doesn't require as much work (needs little "establishing") will probably appeal to both audiences. Now, granted that the 'new audience' will happen, only one of these two design schemes will appeal to it. Does this mean the 'old audience' will disappear? No. Does this mean that the 'old audience' won't want 'old style product' (the kind which needs "establishing")? Not at all. Does the fact that 'new style product' (needs little "establishing") will suit them better (even though they effectively use both)? I doubt it. Granted that at some point both audiences will exist, then both style of products will need to.
I cannot forecast, in any way, how or what this 'new audience' will be like; all I can say is that 'old style product' will never find them, if they exist. What I don't understand is the reactionary statements of some, not vitriolic, but carrying the air of embattlement. It's so odd to me because no one is attacking them or their methods. I go so far as saying these (people and methods) are vital to the continuation of the hobby for as long as I imagine it continuing. So why do I get the sense of embattlement?
Can't we talk about something new?
Quote from: Gordon C. Landis
Damn annoying when it takes longer than you wanted it to, though.
Here, here! Now
what I'm talking about.
Fang Langford
Fang Langford is the creator of
Scattershot presents: Universe 6 - The World of the Modern Fantastic
. Please stop by and help!
Gordon C. Landis
Posts: 1024
I am Custom-Built Games
Vive La Resistance or System Doesn't Matter
Reply #19 on:
May 20, 2003, 09:24:39 AM »
Hey Fang,
As far as *I'm* concerned - no, no "embattled" feeling intended. IMO - you (intentionally) were a bit agressive in your wording, so people are/were a bit aggresive in their explanations - and the root of those explanations was "no, we don't disagree with your point, just what some people might think your point means." In other words - your arguments have been used by others to cause great mischief, so even though (I'll assume) most people here don't think YOU mean to use it that way, they in some way feel the need to . . . clarify the implications. Certainly that's the only source of "defensiveness" I intended in my posts.
Now that that's out of the way - you saw my post about Gamma World, right? That's why you mentioned it here? Otherwise, the Forge synchronicity effect is just working WAY too much overtime . . .
But on the issue of "establishing" and new modes: I don't want to give up on the idea that doing a BETTER job of providing tools for establishing could make a huge difference. But I do agree that "pre-established" is also an interesting avenue to explore. Ron's Sorcerer can be a bit of a model here - there are implicit tools that allow (or in some cases require) customization by each play group. The designer-minded can use those tools to pre-establish a variant play format, which we see in the mini-supplements.
But you could just see those as baby steps towards an entirely new way to "do" RPGs. I mean, the actual scenes for a play session could be pre-built into a card deck, each scene has entry and exit conditions, the GM manages the scene cards, the players use their abilities by playing action cards and narrating the effect, progress through the scenes is tracked on a board . . .
Maybe what I'm seeing is a continuum between "build it yourself" and "prefab," with individual tastes dictating excatly where on the spectrum you like your games. Historically, RPGs lean towards the build it yourself end, whether they realize it or not.
(hoping he managed to transition a *bit* into talking about something else . . .)
(under construction)
Le Joueur
Posts: 1367
A New Direction
Reply #20 on:
May 20, 2003, 10:17:12 AM »
Excellent Gordon!
Quote from: Gordon C. Landis
Maybe what I'm seeing is a continuum between "build it yourself" and "prefab," with individual tastes dictating excatly where on the spectrum you like your games. Historically, RPGs lean towards the build it yourself end, whether they realize it or not.
(hoping he managed to transition a *bit* into talking about something else . . .)
We're in complete agreement then.
That gets us back to the nebulousness of creating something that's 'stealth' "build it yourself" while looking comfortably "prefabricated" for role-playing games that aren't in the 'historical tradition.'
What I've been toying with, depending on the groups prefered approach, is fragments of familiar sequences given in archetypical fashion (to be fleshed out by their game's particulars). The problems I've faced are communicating approach differences without getting didactic, dictating sequences that feed interest in play rather than predefine it, sussing out the archetypical sequences for each Genre Expectation, how to approachably 'jargonize' how they refer to their game's particulars (to make it more modular when employing them in the archetyped sequences), and how to do this both in a fashion which is approachably simple and yet 'open' enough for near infinite variation (id est, once comfortable with the 'prefab parts,' they turn out to be guidelines rather than building blocks). And that's just for 'where does the game go' as an example, other parts go have different problems.
I've been contemplating lately how
The Riddle of Steel
's Spiritual Attributes are excellent bait to get the players to inform the game (and gamemaster) what they would like to see in the game, both from a sequences point of view and an approaches perspective.
Do you have any alternative ideas or advice?
Fang Langford
Fang Langford is the creator of
Scattershot presents: Universe 6 - The World of the Modern Fantastic
. Please stop by and help!
Gordon C. Landis
Posts: 1024
I am Custom-Built Games
Re: A New Direction
Reply #21 on:
May 20, 2003, 11:00:33 AM »
Quote from: Le Joueur
Do you have any alternative ideas or advice?
Eh, I've got a bloody game design that's supposed do some of these things, but its' term of pregnancy is reaching (pardon the reference) Scattershot-like proportions. But -
Yup, the RoS SA's are neat not only because they cause play to be about what the player wants it to be about, but also beacuse they communicate that fact to everyone else (especially, but not exclusively, the GM). Rather than a list of attiributes about what the charcter can do, they say what the player wants the character to be about.
That's a division I've found valuable - well, two divisions, but player vs. character is pretty well discussed already. What a character *is* (what they're about, what "weight" they carry for the player) vs. simply what they *do*. There's a relationship between the two, of course, and it's not that the "what they do" is UNimportant, but the very fact that someone chooses (e.g.) to say their character *is* a swordsman, instead of just saying that what that chracter does in a combat scene is use a sword . . . that communicates something. At least, I hope it does.
(under construction)
Posts: 198
Re: A New Direction
Reply #22 on:
May 21, 2003, 07:28:09 AM »
The 'traditional' way of prefabing was to have adventure modules. In some cases these were pretty detailed, in some cases they were 'adventure frameworks', i.e. a more like a kit.
Then there is various forms of player input, you mentioned Riddle of Steel's spirtual Attribs and there are various directorial power mechanics, like in Donjon.
An approach I've heard of for fantasy games is to have each player create a bunch of prophesies that the GM then uses. One could provide a framework for these to enforce genera conventions and some common structure.
You could also have each player create some generic frameworks for adventures their characther would be involved in, or maybe just common elements, most(but not all) of which would appear in every adventure for that characther. (For example the Kirk framework might include FistFight and attractive Female Humanoid)
You could also have players get together and create a generic framework for an adventure utilizing their common elements, possibly useing Solomon's Auction(if it's still there) to resolve conflicts. You might also need some method for 'restructuring' in the event that the previous structure become untendable for some reason or people just don't like it.
Posts: 38
Reply #23 on:
June 06, 2003, 09:54:39 AM »
, can you provide a couple of examples of recent games that have included Drift-proofing rules (and perhaps even cite where they occur in text)? I am far from knowledgeable vis a vis rpgames.
Also, would I pronounce your name to rhyme with rang and strangler, or gong and strong?
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Wisconsin Protests
Protests in Madison continued through the weekend. 30-50,000 people showed up Saturday to protest against Governor Walker's attacks on working families. Mail carriers had their day on Sunday. But the Tea Party had a pro-Walker rally on Sunday as well at Alliant Energy Center. Despite having access to the Kochs' billions, they could only muster 600 people to support Scott Walker. A new poll came out, albeit with a very small sample (603 respondents, corresponding to errors greater than +/- 4%), showing very negative reactions to Governor Walker, a strong majority against stripping unions of collective bargaining rights, and 72% of Wisconsinites want to solve the Walker-created budgetary problems by raising taxes on people earning more than $150,000 per year. HUGE protests are expected across the nation next Saturday, with more events also planned throughout the week. And the bottom may be dropping out on Governor Walker as thousands of dairy farmers plan to drive their tractors to the Capitol to show support for unions next Saturday. In Wisconsin, when dairy farmers protest Republicans, it generally means the end of the careers of those Republicans. Some are predicting that the protests in Madison are just the beginning, as the debate to cut Social Security begins in Washington.
Other Tea Party Fun
In Ohio, the Tea Party legislature is passing tougher anti-union legislation than the bill in Madison. It makes it a criminal offense for workers to go on strike. Some shenanigans were required in order to get the bill through committee, however. When a committee was deadlocked on the proposal with even some Republicans dissenting, the Republican Senate Majority Leader fired two Republican Senators from their committee assignments so that the bill could reach the floor. Still, even some Republicans are calling the bill unconstitutional and it likely violates existing labor laws. Unfortunately Ohio Dems can not prevent a quorum in the Republican-filled Ohio legislature. This week has seen the largest protests to date in Columbus.
Indiana Democratic House Members are still in Illinois, preventing a vote on anti-union legislation there. As protests in Indiana continue, Indiana's newly elected Republican Secretary of State Charlie White is probably going to jail. He has ben indicted on three counts of felony voter fraud for registering to vote in places where he did not live. One would think that a State Secretary of State, who is in charge of elections within the state, would understand the rules here – that is unless that was the reason for his choice to run. Keep in mind that White has supported the voter ID requirement in Indiana, ostensibly to prevent people from voting illegally as he has done. There are a lot more interesting details in this article
from the Brad Blog.
The State Legislature of Arizona has passed an unconstitutional bill to nullify federal laws. Laws of this sort were the same type that precipitated the Civil War, when southern states attempted to nullify federal regulation of slavery. This comes on the heels of a vote by the Arizona Legislature to allow people to carry guns to public events, because, you know, guns at public events are a fantastic idea and it is not as if one of their own members of Congress was shot in the head by a lunatic carrying a gun or anything just two months ago. Oh, as it happens, Jared Loughner has just been hit with 49 additional criminal counts for his firing spree on a crowd at a Giffords event in January.
The Tea Party-led Montana State Legislature is still at it. Even Republicans are now claiming that the Tea Party is leading to the the Republicans to become such a national laughingstock that they are driving away young GOP voters. In addition to working to allow guns in schools, they are trying to, as MT Cowgirl puts it, "legislate the laws of nature" to deny climate change, eliminate stem cell research, to claim the earth is between 4,000 and 6,000 years old, and to criminalize homosexuality.
Florida Tea Party Governor Rick Scott may be subject to a criminal investigation over his firing of the state nursing home long-term care obmudsman. It is not generally considered a smart move to anger the nursing homes in the state with the nation's most geriatric population.
Julian Assange is appealing the expected British court ruling that he should be extradited to Sweden. His organization WikiLeaks has already uncovered a huge amount of corruption from countries accross the world. It was revelations of the excesses of the family of the Tunisian dictator that have led to pro-democracy rallies across Africa and Asia. Meanwhile, Bradley Manning, who the military claims gave WikiLeaks documents that it later published, is in detention under cruel and unusual conditions – including being kept in his cell naked, being refused sleep, etc. Does this sound familiar?
Corruption on the Supreme Court
Calls are coming out for the removal of Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia for illegally participating in political fundraising, tax evasion and refusing to make public conflicts of interest.


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un·con·ven·tion·al (adj):
Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.
bliss (n):
Perfect happiness; great joy.
Here you will witness my trials, tribulations, and wild adventures. Whether it turns to utter disaster or results in mature growth will be up to your interpretation. Follow me on this crazy journey that I call my life.


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Tartan Check and Leather Card Case
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- A leather card case panelled with tartan check cotton, complete with card slots and a central compartment for folded notes.
- 10 x 7.5cm/3.9 x 3in
- Outer: 100% cotton
- Trim: 100% leather
- Lining: 100% polyamide
- Four card slots
- Centre slip compartment
- Embossed Burberry lettering at front
- Imported
Item 40760971


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The Duke Blue Devils Men's Basketball team had quite a week where they defeated arch rival North Carolina on Austin Rivers buzzer beater and then came back to defeat Maryland at home. Last week, many fans were expecting doom and gloom but a week later, Duke is tied atop the conference going into an important battle with North Carolina State. Monday Musings also wishes .....
Happy Birthday Mike Krzyzewski
That's right! It's Coach K's birthday and I can only imagine how many fans would like to wish him a great birthday. It's funny how it seems that fans receive the best gift and that is simply having him captain the ship. Duke fans have been very fortunate to have been a part of the on going ride he provides.
Only six regular season games left
It's hard to believe how fast the season has gone by to date and with a mere six games left on the regular season schedule, it's time to slow down and enjoy every second left. Too many times, fans get caught up in recruiting battles and other things that can wait and in the process suddenly realize it is spring and the season past them by. Enjoy the here and now folks for this team is pretty good.
A closer look at the six remaining games
It starts with N.C. State this Thursday and this is a key game in the standings with Duke up just one game over the 7-3 Wolfpack.. Most remember UNC blowing the Pack out and think they're not up to the task of making a run at the upper division teams. But a closer look, will show their losses were to Vanderbilt, Indiana, Stanford, Syracuse, North Carolina, Virginia and the one bad loss to Georgia Tech. All but one of those losses are to respectable teams. The Blue Devils then have two road games with Boston College and Florida State and the game with the Seminoles will almost certainly be critical to both teams quest at being the regular season champion. Duke comes back home to take on Virginia Tech before embarking on their last road game at Wake Forest and end with rival North Carolina in a game that is 18 days away. I think it is fair to say that the Rivers shot will be tucked away this week and their will be focus on the task at hand. And just three home games remaining .... Following Duke Basketball is an everyday thing for many fans, but thinking there are just three games left in Cameron really makes me want to soak it all up. Senior Day for Miles Plumlee is coming as is ESPN Gameday and it'll be the last games for a few Cameron Crazies as well. Enjoy it while you can seniors!
High priase for Tyler Thornton
There are times when a look at the boz score doesn't tell the entire story on a player and that is the case with Tyler Thornton. "He's very mature as a sophomore and very comfortable in his role. He's our toughest kid. He's a Duke basketball player and our former players love Tyler," said Krzyzewski after Duke defeated Maryland 73-55 on Saturday. If you go back and watch the UNC game again, check out how cool, calm and collected Thornton is down the stretch. That's what Krzyzewski is talking about. Thornton is cool under pressure and doesn't normally force plays which are not there.
Duke ranked 4th in the Nation in new Coaches Poll
The Duke Blue Devils jumped five spots in the ESPN Coaches poll which came out about an hour ago. Here is the link. North Carolina fell to 7th while Florida State drops to 21st and Virginia 22nd give the ACC four teams in the poll. Duke is 5th in the A.P. poll flip flopping with Kansas.
Will so and so for Duke enter the NBA Draft
It doesn't matter who you ask on the team nor the year for you will get the same answer. That being the player will look at his options after the season. That's how it works at Duke. Austin and Mason will get a few questions in the coming weeks but the answers will as always be the same. I am not going to speculate either in that despite there being up to 15 games left should Duke reach the finals in New Orleans, a lot can happen between now and then. It's always good to cheer for certain players as if it may be their last games in a Duke uniform but I am in no way dropping one of my infamous cryptic hints here but simply offering a suggestion.
One more time! Get your tickets to the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro now!
I can't give you a 100% guarantee that Duke will play in Greensboro on March 16th and 18th, but I can tell you that it would shock me if they weren't there. Remember, the Tar Heels will be there too in the pod system, so be smart and get your tickets right now before it is too late by going here Ticketmaster Greensboro.


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U.S. Companies Clamp Down on Cash
U.S. companies are once again clamping down on their cash in the latest sign of worry that central bankers may soon turn off the easy-money spigot. Katy Burne reports. Photo: AP.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
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