text:
Uganda Repression Spirals
"We don't know where Museveni is descending the country with all these sorts of intimidation. They have gone to the extent of equipping some section of unidentified individuals to start beating people.� She said the government's campaign could spark "genocide.�
The Ugandan capital of Kampala has been gripped in tension following the arrest of two other Members of Parliament (MPs) on charges of planning a demonstration against the government's plan to give away Mabira forest preserves to a Ugandan Asian business family in a sweet-heart deal.
Kampala recently erupted in a massive protest against the giveaway—the demonstration turned violent and police opened fire with live ammunition: a total of three people died. Since then, Ugandan legislators have begun to distance themselves from the government's plan. The Asian family – the Mehtas – want to use the forest preserve to expand their sugarcane plantation.
John Ken Lukyamuzi, a leading environmentalist said: "I don't think that Uganda is a right choice to host CHOGM if the situation is like as it is today,� a reference to the scheduled Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to be held in Uganda in November. "I don't know if Her Majesty the Queen of England can allow her pride to be associated with this regime. Given the current situation I don't think that Uganda is right or ready to host the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting in this kind of atmosphere.�
Arrested in the clampdown were MP Elias Lukwago (Kampala Central) together with MP Odonga Otto (Aruu County, Pader): both were held at the Central Police Station (CPS) but later the duo were transferred to the CID Headquarters after government opponents began milling around the city.
The two were among the MPs who have denounced the newly-created government Kiboko militia—they were instrumental in beating down demonstrators at what's now known as the "Mabira Crusade,� the campaign to reverse the government's forest give-away sweetheart deal.
"We are strongly protesting the arrest and persecution of the opposition MPs and we call on the International Community to keep a keen eye on the Ugandan government,� MP Nabilah Nagayi Sempala told The Black Star News in a telephone interview. "We don't know where Museveni is descending the country with all these sorts of intimidation. They have gone to the extent of equipping some section of unidentified individuals to start beating people.� She said the government's campaign could spark "genocide.�
Uganda security agencies no longer respect lawmakers. MP Otto had sent a letter to Police chief seeking permission to hold a rally to protest the creation of the dreaded militia—he copied MP Lukwago, among other responsible authorities. The protest took place without both MPs who were arrested.
Last week the Uganda Police arrested the shadow Minister of Internal Affairs and Human Rights and Justice Forum's Hussein Kyanjo (MP Makindye West) and Shadow Minister for Water/Environment of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Beatrice Anywar Atim (Kitgum women MP). The duo were charged with inciting violence and participation in the demonstration against the Mabira Forest sweetheart deal.
Black Star correspondent Miwambo is based in London.
To subscribe to or advertise in New York's leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to email@example.com
"Speaking Truth To Empower.�
Latest comments
- Ann GarrisonFebruary 22,2018 @ 08:03 PM
I think you have "Filtered HTML" turned on here. If you switch to "Full HTML," it will probably...
googletag.pubads().definePassback('6785150/BENN/BlackStarNews', [[300,250]]).setTargeting('fold',['BTF']).display();


text:
Sega's Yakuza series began in 2005 when the first game was released in Japan on the PlayStation 2. A sequel followed the following year, and to date there have been five games.
That includes one spin-off. Another spin-off is slated for the PSP later this year.
An ad depicting the destroyed Kamurocho, the in-game version of Shinjuku's Kabukicho, appears in the new issue of Japanese game mag Famitsu. The text reads, "The End".
Sega has previously revealed a new Yakuza game. The title does not have a release window, but the game's developers have said the theme is "destruction". Sure looks like it.
Thanks Carlos for the tip!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Pjanjic at the BiH FA
Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-1 Romania (26:03:11)
Celik Zenica 1-0 Olimpik Sarajevo (30:03:11)
Possibly not for the first time, the wishes of UEFA and FIFA differ to that of another organising body. Nick Ames explains why they're in conflict with some Bosnia & Herzegovina FA delegates, and enjoys a couple of football matches into the bargain...
Widened hands at the ready, the local media prepare to applaud Safet Susic into the press conference room. He deserves it – not especially known for gamechanging from the sideline, his second-half sleights of hand have stirred up the momentum to finally see off an insipid Romania at Bilino Polje and give Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) a fighting chance of achieving what they couldn't quite manage in the last qualification tournament they entered.
The door swings open, but Susic isn't there – not yet. Mircea Sandu, the Romanian representative on UEFA's executive committee, sits down in front of a surprised press pack, all gleaming grey hair and fixed bonhomie. The cordial oozing of imminent danger chimes of dinner with a Bond villain. A harsher light is immediately set upon the chaotic celebrations that had taken place not half an hour previously. Sandu congratulates BiH on their deserved win against the nation he represented 18 times. He wishes them the very best of fortune in their qualifying campaign, and wills that this extends to the wider health of football in the country. However, he dearly hopes that the FA will shortly agree to align with UEFA and FIFA's statutes on leadership in order that it avoids the international suspension that would otherwise be likely. It would be a shame if the national side's progress counted for nothing, wouldn't it, and that the two teams couldn't meet again later in the year? He ups, leaves, mindful of the impact his speech has had on a room hitherto filled with positive potential energy. Susic finally takes his place, even though you half expect him to fall into a piranha-infested pool en route. The mood lightens again, even if analysis of the game itself has been set into discomfiting context.
Forty-five minutes before kick-off, Bilino Polje had been packed to the rafters. You forget that things can still be like this in Europe; you consider genuine pre-match spectacles no longer to be within your reach or even your ken. The tannoy had been leading with the usual selection of rousing local anthems for a good hour prior, too, but suddenly it had stopped and – to a man – the crowd behind the left-sided goal had raised arms and flags in the air and begun chanting loudly, angrily. "Is it about the FA?" I ask Sasa, sitting beside me. "Yes, the FA", he replies. "They're calling for them to stand down, to change and let BiH play football. If they don't, it might be game over."
What a time to walk headlong into such a chaotic, bewildering narrative. Earlier that morning, Sarajevo had been sunny – waking up slowly, as it does, to the sound of pigeons and mosques and chatter over thick coffee. Slowly, flags would be unfurled and draped outside bars, flatscreen televisions being brought out to join them. Men wearing full national team tracksuits would take up position by racks of knock-off Manchester City shirts. Football-themed flags, and even pens, would be hawked all along Ferhadija. There's a game on, that much soon becomes apparent, but it won't be here. Sasa picks me up just after lunch, his brother and tracksuit-clad father in tow. They've come from Mostar but we're heading to Zenica – located in a deeply working-class region 90 minutes north, it fashions itself as Bosnia's Steel City and its aesthetics are accordingly uncompromising. Bilino Polje only seats around 15,000 but the atmosphere engendered by the locals, as well as the lack of a running track around the pitch, draws favour from the powers that be – the national team rarely loses there, the location's intensity almost certainly being a decisive factor.
The local shopkeepers were feeling shirty
In the car, I swot up. The situation cuts two ways: BiH need to defeat Romania to put genuine pressure on Belarus for second place in their Euro 2012 group and to all but see off Razvan Lucescu's men. After that, they need to defeat themselves. In three days' time, the FA will vote to decide whether to replace their current leadership – an ethnic Bosnian, Serb and Croat triumvirate – with a single figurehead in line with FIFA's stipulation. Opt against, and their current stay of execution will expire. The international ban will kick in for clubs and, probably, country from April 1 and the consequences could be wider ranging – and more damaging - than this column will allow.
Outside Bilino Polje, which is certainly the most 'English' of Bosnia's stadia, everyone's up for the first of these battles. Several hundred fans, all wearing dark blue hoodies bearing the legend 'Hardcore Bosnians On Tour' make a dramatic, synchronised march towards the ground. It's peaceful, but inside the stadium they'll have a fenced-off corner all to themselves. The navy mass will, placed opposite the open end full of colour and vim, look a brooding and sinister presence. It has its own repertoire of chants and flares, and will prove a curious sideshow for the entire evening.
Hardcore Bosnians On Tour
We have coffee outside the ground, exchanging stories and observations. A who's who of Bosnian football seeps past – a Velez Mostar captain here, a Celik Zenica chairman there – all mixed in among the support. There don't really seem to be any divides, any social strata, once you're here. The sense of common cause, of pride in what is still a new nation, is strong.
BiH, already welcomed ear-splittingly when Emir Spahic leds his side out to warm up, begin the game to noise befitting a support of five times the volume. The relentlessness is stirring, quite special, and mirrored by Susic's side, which begins at remarkable pace. Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic work the channels tirelessly, Miralem Pjanjic and Zvezdjan Misimovic cutting in from wide to infiltrate the spaces they vacate. It's a whirlwind of activity but, save for a Misimovic effort that fools one side of the stadium into a celebration and a Dzeko shot that's pushed away, the unambitious Romanians survive without too many close scrapes.
Then, naturally, the visitors score. Ciprian Marica, playing just ahead of Adrian Mutu, chests down a deflected Razvan Rat cross and volleys home sharply. It's undeserved, but impressive – and the small pocket of Romanian fans celebrate in the far corner with flares and bared backsides, to the chagrin of the grim mass of navy blue on the other side of the goal. The hosts' fire is dampened; a Pjanjic free-kick is well saved, but the rest of the first half passes in a fug of rotational Romanian fouling and misplaced Bosnian passes. This may be, but the Zenica faithful are yet to quieten down for a second.
Despite their lead, Romania have shown no ability to retain possession and little genuine evidence that they won't crack under coherent attack. But they've just started to gain a small grip on the second half, with Gabriel Torje showing flickers to suggest his rising stature, when Misimovic swings in a free-kick and – not for the last time in the evening – their defence stands rooted. Ibisevic is not the only Bosnian primed for a free header, but he makes the ball ahead of Dzeko and glances into the far corner. Bilino Polje erupts, but the ball is spirited quickly back to the centre circle.
Misimovic sets up the equaliser
Misimovic and Pjanjic might be compelling to watch, but in this system they've been problematic. Their drifting inside together has made Bosnia's play very narrow, and neither quite has the burst beyond the last defender that would offset the issue. Susic makes a flurry of changes; Dzeko becomes the sole striker, with Pjanjic stationed behind him. Eventually, locally-based Darko Maletic will take up a right-wing perch and Senijad Ibricic will be stationed on the left. Zlatan Muslimovic joins Dzeko for the last ten minutes. Now BiH seem to have far more space, Pjanjic spreading the play hither and thither, and they use it at speed. Chances come and go; a goal looks inevitable, not least because a pallid and passive Romania haven't looked interested in coming out despite the equaliser. Then it arrives. Pjanjic has a shot tipped over and takes the corner himself. It's deflected, but not too sharply. Costel Pantelimon paws the ball lamely, hopelessly, into the air while five of his defenders fail to move a muscle. Two Bosnians are on the move, though, and this time Dzeko does get there first – it's 2-1, and the press box goes as wild as any other corner of Bilino Polje. It finishes that way. Susic's changes, and the momentum created by the equaliser, had made for a final half-hour as heady as anything I had laid eyes on for some time.
Dzeko's winner sends the crowd (and press box) wild
Two and a half days pass. I've been walking around Mostar for several hours, and now I'm striding through a neatly-appointed garden and an open, orange gate into Bijeli Brijeg Stadium. Nobody bats an eyelid as I walk round Zrijnski Mostar's pitch and up into the gods of the main – and only - tribune, reflecting upon the strange history of a ground that played host to Velez Mostar's finest hours in the 1970s before their Herzegovinan Croat rivals reformed and made it theirs. I'm closing in on one of the best panoramas you'll get from the top row of a stadium when I receive a text message. Of 54 delegates in the BiH FA, 28 have voted against meeting FIFA's wishes. Barring an unlikely about-face, the international ban will come into effect three days hence. I look at the careworn, graffiti-laced concrete around me and think that, for the one-time owners of this place, the 1975 UEFA Cup quarter-finals seem even further away than ever.
Panorama from the top row of the Bijeli Brijeg Stadium
It doesn't deter me from returning to Zenica the following day. Bilino Polje is nowhere near as packed for Celik Zenica v Olimpik Sarajevo, but the crowd is still decent enough for the first leg of a cup semi-final. If the FA does not resolve its issues with FIFA and UEFA, the winners of this tournament will miss out on the benefits of next season's Europa League – "nothing but a disaster; clubs will be destroyed", a fellow onlooker tells me. Celik win 1-0, the industrial city's support once more surpassing itself. There isn't a single away fan; Olimpik have only been up and running since 1993 and are yet to gain a real foothold in the consciousness. The football itself spits and flickers; home left-back Emir Kuduzovic is the most impressive performer and lashes in the only goal, while promising young colleague Adin Dzafic, operating in an attacking left-sided position, shows some turns and touches that rise above the rest. It'd take a dedicated scout to be here. European football is one of the few ways in which a player from the Bosnian league can announce himself to any kind of broader audience; the sporting and economic consequences of being denied it go hand on hand with the talented professionals' prospects of upward mobility.
Celik Zenica v Olimpik Sarajevo
Before leaving for London the next day, I read some newspapers. Pjanjic and other national team players haven't held back – the FA are accused, from all corners, of betraying the country and its sport. It's impossible to disagree, although it's equally difficult to be fully aware of the far deeper-running motivations and fears that run behind the association's need to divide power this way. Watching Susic's richly gifted, if flawed, side it's strange to conceive that the events in Zenica might all have been played out for very little. You suspect some kind of resolution will eventually be found, and deeply hope so; anyone who's been to Bilino Polje will tell you that extraordinary places like this have to remain as relevant as ever.
Big thanks to Bosnian journalist Sasa Ibrulj for his help, and his company over beer, during my European Football Week (?) in BiH. Please follow him on Twitter - @sasaibrulj
You can also follow both Nick Ames and European Football Weekends on Twitter
Like this? Nick has also covered CFR Cluj for EFW.
Nick is a writer for Arsenal FC. He has his own blog: Last Seat on the Plane.
- Feel free to comment below -


text:
European Court schedules Microsoft verdict
9.30am, 17 September
The European Court of First Instance has confirmed it will deliver its verdict on the Microsoft case on 17 September.
The verdict will be delivered in the Grande Salle of the Court of Justice at 9.30am.
Microsoft is appealing a decision made in 2004 which found it guilty of abusing its dominant position and fined the company €497m. The case hinged on Microsoft's refusal to hand interoperability information for workgroup servers to competitors and its bundling of its Media Player product with the Windows operating systems.
Microsoft's appeal was heard in April last year.
17 September is the last possible date the verdict can be delivered - court chairman Bo Vesterdorf retires the next day. ®
Sponsored: Detecting cyber attacks as a small to medium business


text:
Download Qualcomm USB Drivers official USB drivers for your Android smartphone. You will find Qualcomm USB Drivers USB drivers on this page, just scroll down.
However, you are provided with a step by step manual guide to download and install Qualcomm USB Drivers USB drivers on your computer (Links are provided at the end of the article). We have provided almost all Qualcomm USB Drivers handset drivers. Besides Qualcomm USB drivers, you might wanna know how to enable USB debugging on Qualcomm USB Drivers.
Qualcomm USB Drivers USB drivers
Recommended Qualcomm USB Drivers device tutorials (You should read)
You might want to enable USB debugging for rooting, and firmware flashing purpose on your Qualcomm USB Drivers. Do follow the given tutorials for Qualcomm USB Drivers below:
Qualcomm USB Drivers Qualcomm driver for Flashing firmware
- Name: Qualcomm Driver
- File size: 11.00 MB
Qualcomm USB Drivers ADB driver for Establishing USB Connection
- Name: ADB Driver
- File size: 8.28 MB
Qualcomm USB Drivers ADB driver for Establishing USB Connection
- Name: ADB Driver
- File size: 8.28 MB
We have shared 2 USB drivers for your Qualcomm USB Drivers Android device on this page.
Steps to install ADB, CDC, VCOM or any USB driver manually
- Save Qualcomm USB Drivers driver's .zip file on your PC from this page
- Go to Device Manager → Action → Add Legacy Hardware from menu
- Extract Qualcomm USB Drivers driver's .zip file from STEP #1
- Search manually, choose the file from extracted folder, click Next and install the hardware
- Your Driver will be installed and listed in the Device Manager


text:
Steven, is there a way that I can access all of the photos that I uploaded for use in my posts? Bob
Sorry I posted the new thread in the wrong forum. Thanks for moving it
Hi Steven,I cannot seem to find my old sent messages and received ones in the new(old)system.Help!
Hi Steven, I may leave for a while and I never forget. There are a lot of things that interfere with life. Hope all is well with you.
Have I been banned?
See qqfklzou, who is not me.
zagam, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be
due to one of several reasons:
1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this
page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative
features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your
account, or it may be awaiting activation.
someone from quam is posting some really wierd post i this its spam
I would like to join a group about finding employment...getting help modifying my shower and remaining independent with spinal stenosis
Happy Birthday!
...sheesh..!!, time does fly...
I can't believe I haven't been here since [You last visited: 12-02-2009 at 06:32 PM]
Belated thanks for the birthday wishes.
I'll try to be a bit more regular, although 2010-2011 have been real crappy for me and 2012 isn't very promising either. It is so easy to dilute oneself between bowel problems, pressure sores and the price of gas making it almost impossible to take the van out except for necessities.
Where've you been?
whay you delete my post?
i'm not i spamm
( email@example.com )
Hello, I am cythiaabure,
How are you? hope you are fine and in perfect condition of health. Please I went through your profile and i read it and took interest in it, please if you don't mind i will like you to write me on this ID ( email@example.com ) hope to hear from you soon, and I will be waiting for your mail because i have something VERY important to tell you.
Lots of love
Hey Your Most Geekiness! How can I copy my avatar to my pictures in Win7? I'd like to be able to send to others and get a real print of Reg when she was all of 8 pounds or so. Hope you're feeling well. Sue
I had just missed it! try again please....
Hi Steven. It doesn't look like there's a way to post a private message to you. Is there? If not, would you make a Gmail account I could use to talk to for minute? That would be just divine.
Hardware Platform: PC
Processor Socket: LGA1155 Socket
Processor Maximum: 1
Form Factor: ATX
Chipset Type: Intel P67 Express
Ram Memory Maximum Size: 32 GB support for 3-d games
Video Output: None
Networking Feature: Network adapter Supports high Bandwedt
Width: 12 inches
Depth: 9.6 inches
Technical Details:ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 LGA
The video input is DVI,VGA ,display port.
It enables Intel Vpro management.
The support is from SATA 6Gbps support.
DIGI+ VRM Herald the Arrival of a New Digital Power Design Era TUF Thermal Armor.
Sorry I didn't make things easier Steven. I can only hope you know where my heart is as far as this site and those who contribute.
Time to hand out red cards Steven...
I would very much like to join the Men's group. Thanks, Doug
oh wow! did this just post?
hey steven,
it has been a while since I last posted. I just got a new computer and I am not used to the new set up. how do I post?
Can any one help me to have best spinal cord surgery near houston or Texas?
would like to join the Men Only .....thanks
Whats R&S? Not sure, I am just observing ppl's characteristic over-all. I am new here so, but I pretty much figured out who's confrontational. I've learned to stay away from the religious forums. It would be great if people can respect others....
yea, that would be the one we're on now. I love this site! I may not post much, because I am afraid ppl may lash out at me...I get hurt easily. But over-all I enjoy it. I've gotton ppl at Mt Sinai reading....well, remember women can give great advice to men we see thing different... Thanks for your time Steven
lol, I know I know didnt hurt to try...ahhhhh now all the good posts are gone...Can i spy
Hi Steven hows things ?
I am just in a good mood and wanted to say a friendly hello
Keep smiling
Sincerely ;
Thank you! i feel so badly that i didn't know that i should have done this sooner.
hi Steven!
how r u?
i am moderating the "mobile women" site but i have never received any instructions. women keep posting that they'd like to join but i don't know how to let them in. pls advise with any other directions that i may need.
plz invite me to the man group!
I would like to join,thank you.
THANKS BRO! hah fixing it
Dude, it's not a hit. At least not yet. I hope it picks up. I feel responsible somewhat for its success.
HA! Yeah, that pic you found was definitely the best. The original I posted didn't produce anything, so thanks! You?
Steven, any way to get the word limit extended for each post? 1000 characters isn't much.
Thanks again!!
It's wonderful Steven. Thank you! Could you please set some, if not rules, guidance so we can still beat the hell out of each other but not get anyone in trouble?
Steven, how do I start a topic? Is there a visible link to start a thread? Thanks.
if I remember correctly, you were going to give us some news yesterday. May I ask what it was?
Always willing to help.
I know you've been a part of or at least know about previous rallies.
Just by looking at the site, is there anything crucial I'm forgetting, besides a more specific legal agenda.
Failure is not an option Mr. Bond. Where's my PM!
Hi Steven, I managed to delete a PM before opening it, is there anyway I can retrieve it or at least find out who it was from?
I e-mailed the Wounded Warriors, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the USO, SCInet, spinalcord.org, cure paralysis now, I think that's it.
I told them what I'm doing and that I'll have a website up soon.
I'm making this all up as I go so if you know of any other organizations I should contact or important information I should have on the website, let me know.
I'm trying to organize a Roll on Washington 2011.
Is there anyway to flood the site with a giant posting? People need to wake up.
lol - when I put one up you better follow with one of you and your beard and don't tell me you shaved it off
seen man. no worries. i wouldnt go so far as to call myself a good guy, but im not spam.
wht did you delete a message on my board as spam, buddy? not particularly cool, especially as i hadnt included any links to anything. just wondering. if you took issue with my talking about piano and strings, you could have just gone somewhere else. please explain yourself. thanks
yeah i've never watched glee. i'm not a drama musical type person. i know there's comedy to that show, but i'm ok with not venturing down that road.
they'd definitely think i'm high if i ever introduced myself as that
i think you've been sampling some funky elements of the fungi kind, but i thought it was funny and it made total sense to me. maybe i'm sampling the same things!
Steven, sorry I didn't reply sooner. I've researched it years ago and I thought it was a great program with lots of benifits for being able to work. You must be on SSI to utilize 1619b. those on SSDI are not eligible.
I don't use word-wrap. It's just a habit that I got into. Sort of like
ending sentences with prepositions. You're very observant, Steven.
IE7. I've heard too many bad things about IE8 to change. Why? You?
im assuming the surfing online link,,, ok no prob thnxs..
Doctor in Soroca hospital,Beer-Sheva,Israel.
Steven, Ok. Thanks for letting me know about the accidental deletion. At least you didn't think that what I wrote was actually spam. hehe! That's a good thing! :-) No worries. :-)
you deleted a msg on my profile page from brooke, marked as spam...what's up? i haven't been here in several days. thx.
ice cream
blue eyes crying in the rain
These are the days of our lives.
Thanks... I'll check it out when I have the mental capacity to process it... been a long day.
Hope you're doing well man.
Yea I mean talked to her quite a bit and unfortunately shes addimant about not returning. ?? Shes a writer though so she plans on reaching out communicating different ways but CC's the only place to find the most relevant talk on SCI.. Hope yer doin well brutha ..
no man just chat and phone, shes genuine very kind and the forum seemed to break her. poor girl, she needs support
Is there a way to keep Le Type (Todd) from using foul and vulgar language in each of his posts? It is completly unnecessary. I have no problems with well placed cuss words, but the vulgarity he uses is totally useless and does nothing to enhance his posts.
Thanks for your consideration.
I felt bad about my first post in that thread; wrong post, wrong thread. Thanks Steven, gave me a chance to clarify.
Thank you so much, Steven, I appreciate the thought. I will definitely look into them as you know I love biblical literature and theology.
No...keep procrastinating...that is awesome! I meant to get back to you about it but have had a bad case of ADHD lately. It gets worse the closer my coursework deadlines loom. Funny how that works lol. I want to pick your brain about this stuff
Thanks Steven. I don't go on facebook much, 'case you couldn't tell, heh.
I am actually AB, Tman9513 (also in Goose Creek) is my boyfriend.
Hey! I live up in Goose Creek, work in North Charleston.
That IS beautiful. But we have plenty of trees like that up here, especially in old growth forests. Check out this most recent protest: www.canada.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Save+world+gnarliest+tree/2729171/story.html
I'm glad for him Steven. It was great last year. I didn't miss a game, no matter where it was played. And the video was great, no interruptions or technical problems.
A few times when I could get a game on tv, I did a comparison. Often, the p2p4u website's game video was actually a few seconds ahead of the network broadcast. ha.
hey steven just stoping bye to say hey
You'd be the most handsome bridesmaid I know. I imagine Charleston would be an awfully romantic place to get married. Even saying the name exudes romance if you say it with a slight drawl........sigh.
Are you a Tron fan? Have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AwvuirSEAA Not sure how I feel about it. Guess I will have to wait until December before I pass judgement
Sure thing Steven. Thank you for taking care of the community. You did good.
Hi Steven, He is gr8. He just became a grandad! First time. Little girl, Callie Ann, she was a little early, and only weighed 4.2 lbs but doing fine I think. They should be back in town in a couple of days. I will let him know, ok?
Take care, Mark
No, unfortunately not
Hi Steven,
Can you tell me how to get back to my signature editor? I see in on the about me page but unable to edit it. I don't see another way to do it.
How to buy advertising at your forum? [-image deleted-]
I imagine it's not too difficult
Thanks. Almost 30
Tres cool on the stay in rehab to get more independence, mister. Let me know once you're there, and we'll catch up.
In the meantime, it's almost 4 am, I'm feeding off a sugar high from mass consumption of sour patch kids and I have simply a single page of a case analysis due in a matter of hours, staring at me. HELP!!!
In other news, simple carbohydrates are NOT brain food.
I am running explicit congestion notification (ECN). It is safe to treat ECN packets as normal, but doing something stupid with those packets would be bad.
I'm entering Pre-Panic Phase, where that urge to run is resting in a subconscious state but will quickly shift into screaming reality mode in approximately a week. One small problem. I can't run.
How's life on your end? What crazy shenanigans are you currently involved in?
He unfortunately falls under the category of "The Good One Who Got Away"........but dinner was great =) I'd admit to the fact that I like to cook for my men, but the feminist in me would shriek in horror at the thoughts of domestication.
Site was slow, but now up. Off-line for maintenance?
Is your PHP segfaulting?
I know you are running lighttpd, but in apatchy2 mpm worker I now have:
<IfModule mod_actions.c>
Action application/x-httpd-php /cgi-bin/php-cgi
On a dual core machine I lock PHP to one of the cores with /usr/lib/cgi-bin/php-cgi:
exec /usr/bin/taskset -c $(($$%2)) /usr/lib/cgi-bin/php5 "$@"
No more segfaulting.
Don't have any probs with python or perl which can run as modules, but many apps are php which only works with this hack.
hah nice shirt!
so I came to chat but you were gone
hehe maybe another day...
Nobody is forcing me. Unfortunately a graduate program I am interested in applying to requires it. That's all. Am supposed to be working on an assignment right now. Doing that real well as you can see
C++ is evil
I don't have the PM function anymore. Is is just me?
Andy Cook
Hey, it's an Open Call. I'm currently accepting applications!
Pinky I am in serious need of elementary school level math help. Can you help out a dumb friend in need?
Tee hee. Oh really?
Happy birthday, my love!!!!! I am sending you big, big hugs!
Happy Birthday Steven!
Thank you very much Steven, I'll def use it.
There's either a spammer or just pure nastiness - Home Design - "New Platform" Teensm. Pure filth!!
g, day steven, introducing myself 46 year male had motorcycle accident january this year result is dead right arm.Time to get computer savvy, i am a dinosaur regarding technology though on the learning curve!i typed bachial plexus forum on google and shazzam here i am...so is this how i introduce myself to you all or am i at the rong place?? regards jon
i like it . probably not as much as todd would like it...hehe
Hi. Hope you are having a good summer
Pondering how it got to be July 2009?
Hi Steven I changed my profile pic for Canada Day . It seems to still show up as the regular (old) profile pic. Any suggestions on how to change it to my Canada day pic? Cheers, Bill
Steven are we ever going to get notifications again? I'm still not getting them and I'm missing threads I've asked questions on, etc. I can't remember all the one's
I've posted on, read and wanted to stay up with. Can you please, pretty please fix this? thanks!!!!!!! Mona
Thanks I miss them alot. Mona
Steven sorry to bother you but I'm not getting my notifications again. I never did get all of them. Back to none again starting 3-4 days ago. Do you mind fixing it so I can get them all every day? thank you Mona
Thanks Steven I'm getting them again. Thank you for all you do. I appreciate your hard work. Thanks Mona
Hi Steven, I haven't gotten any email notifications from CC since Thursday last week. A few other members said they weren't getting any either. Are you aware of this? I really like getting the notifications that someone posted on a thread I subscribed to. Thanka Mona
If I understand you right, it is not illigal
Awesome link! Thanks This reminds me that I am working on a copy of a book for you. Pilgrim...do you remember we talked about it once in chat? I have a scanned copy but I am working on getting an audio file.
(PS I can't believe the name of that website! Terrible! lol)
Hi Pinky
Actually...no I hadn't figured that out. My signature just starting working magically on its own!
I swear it wasn't working last time I logged in and now it is. And I never touched the check box. So...who knows what was wrong...probably just me being dumb
But thank you very much as I shall know to look for that check box next time.
Stay well Pinky!
Pinky my signature doesn't seem to be working. I can see other peoples...and I can see mine when I got into my control panel to try to edit it. But it doesn't show I know you are busy so its not a big deal but it you have a few minutes sometime can you look at it? Thanks a bunch of grapes! (I don't know what that means...I just had an urge to say it lol).
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=117567 for you!
I used search too, but the threads didn't come up, which was weird. But I found one by remembering it was started by MrCoffee.
I didn't watch Primeval! But I've seen adverts for it, and Hannah needs to go longer. Yes she does!
Happy "Pi Day" my mathy friend Pinky
Your bet with DA and his new avatar is too much. I hadn't followed it for a few days, so I clicked on your avatar poll thread and the first post I saw was DA's with that avatar. One of the funniest things I've ever seen on CC. Well done.
No not yet. How are the blogs and wikis and projects? Staying busy?
Lol no. Women have to be strong to be on CC.
Y/W Mona
Ah, are you thinking of chikara = power, strength? http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../chikara-1.gif
The kanji in my avatar is onna = woman (kunyomi).
It was nice to chat today, however brief it ended up. My laptop is a piece o' crap and kept freezing up. But too lazy to look for a new one. Anyways hope you are doing well
OOPS! I meant to say "(in Serenity)", but I think you got it (as a good nerd should). Kaylee was a cutie. You not want to see River's?? Ok, she was monotone and pretty blank-faced and vacuous looking (basically the same as her machine in terminator chronicles), but nothing beats a dancer's butt!
Hope your holidays were fun
Oh, I forgot to tell you...
I liked the show better than the movie. Serenity (in Firefly) was too clean!
I want to make one thing clear, I decided to give Mal and the crew a shot, even before his bare butt grazed my screen. I swear!
Pretty good movie, if you have the time to watch it...
Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Mr. Edwards!
A bit earlier I think but ...
Ojala que tengas un buen dia y gracias por todo lo que haces para nuestra comunidad.
just wanted to say hey, n wish u a Happy HolidAY SEASON
hey steven i need to talk you.. you still have them help tests to learn calculus? i will call u im confused on life.
You were a busy man.You do a great job.THANKS
Hey steve whatz happenin
You da man!
I'm doing well also.A little stiff due to the weather changing.
Thanks,that was an honor just being on stage.
Errg Arrgh.
I now understand FIREFLY. SERENITY is now Q'd.
What's been up?Hope all is well.
Cool Thanks Pinky! I was going to send you a private message about it but you beat me too it. I will get back to you...as soon as I can think of some questions. Thanks again.
Why is it is the closer you get to finishing something, the fast motivation disappears? lol
Ok I am around 83.5% done the paper
(I appear to be spamming your wall when I see all the recent messages are mine lol)
omg I love the cartoon! Thanks you just brightened my day by a factor of 100 (some geeky math speak for ya). I love the new avatar too. I am just going to eat diner. Will reply to your other message when I am done. Have a good night Pinky!
I fell asleep during Metropolis (not due to the movie) so I am going to try again today to watch it. You know, I loved the first Aladdin and have the other two on dvd but have never watched them for some reason. I just realized that now. Yes Mulan is wonderful isn't it? I haven't seen it in many years. Good idea on the Disney flicks. I have a whole shelf full I haven't watched in years. I even think I sort of forgot about them until now. I need to re-visit them. Aladdin 3 is in the queue after Metropolis
How is your weekend going? Good I hope.
Thanks on the avatar I was getting tired of the dressed up like a king one but couldn't find a replacement I liked. Then I found this one Thanks for the suggestions. I got Metropolis today and will watch it tonight. Waiting for Avatar to be returned to the video store. I have it reserved to rent next.
Thanks. I was home the next day. Spent some of the weekend watching One Piece an anime about a 17 year old captain of a pirate ship who ate magical fruit when he was a boy and got turned into a rubber man lol. Reminds me a lot of Dragon Ball. It was okay but not spectacular. Any suggestions for something to watch next?
Gracias mijo
thanks for the speedy response, u really r a good moderator. take care
Hey, jovenaso. Gracias por incluirme en la lista de tus amigo/as. Mil disculpas que no habia respondido mas pronto.
Oh y gracias por todo lo que nos has hecho para hacer este lugar mas agradable.
Thanks. Except I think I am going to chicken out before tomorrow 9 hours away Can't sleep. Trying to distract myself unsuccessfully by randomly looking up stuff on Wikipedia.
Ah....getting there I think - and you Mr E?
Thanks for the concern. I have had some very bad AD when moved but otherwise it has not been too bad. Just more of a major nuisance trying to work around it with my care and not really being able to be usefully mobile. Also it has made me paranoid that anybody who touches or moves me will drop me again so some tension there. Oh and yeah I am very grumpy. But other than that, I am fine Actually it could have been much worse. I am okay. Thanks for asking.
Tomorrow night, Pinky, we will come up with a new plan. One that isn't foiled by the atomic weight of gold.
Harassing? Harassing??? Potato. Potahtoe. You say harassing, I say tutoring
But, admit it. You're a masochist.
I'm still getting used to this new format, but it's great. Thanks for
adding me to your list. I added you, but I don't think I got your
permission first.
when this go into effect?
how do I accept your friend request?
oops...maybe you should be The Brain instead
Nevermind...I found it. Apparently I was too dim witted to check "contact info" the first time around.
Argh..Pinky I can't find a way to send you a private message.
Hello... hello ... hello ! Are you there... there .... there ? We are here, we are here, we are here ..... good work Steven and thanks .. you nerd you !!
Who does vBulletin think they are, Facebook or MySpace?!?
yay, we're friends. my life is complete.
Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?
Cheers Steven.
Junior Member
Senior Member


text:
Jesuits claim 4th straight SCC lacrosse title
Recommended Video:
WEST HAVEN -- Fairfield Prep withstood an offensive drought of 23 minutes but maintained a three-goal lead for more than 15 minutes of that stretch to earn its fourth straight SCC lacrosse championship on Thursday afternoon at Ken Strong Stadium.
The top-seeded Jesuits (13-5) defeated No. 2 Guilford 8-5 for their 13th conference title overall.
Senior attacker Burke Smith and senior midfielder Austin Sims, named the SCC's Player of The Year, each scored two goals for Prep, the 2013 CIAC Class L state champions. The brightest star for the Indians (10-8) was sophomore goaltender James Bright, who made 16 saves, 10 of which came in the first half when the Jesuits erased a 4-3 deficit with four consecutive goals for a 7-4 lead at halftime.
Bright's positioning and quick reactions to Prep shots were the chief contributors to Prep's punchless attack for that long span, which lasted for nearly half of the game.
Guilford scored in the third minute of the fourth quarter -- ending its scoring drought at 21:55 -- when Frank Ranfone (two goals) snuck a shot past Prep goalie John O'Connor to cut the Indians' deficit to 7-5.
"He was great," Prep coach Chris Smalkais said of Bright.
"He was fantastic," said Brian White, coach of the Indians, who lost last year's conference final to Prep by 13-6. Prep beat Guilford in the regular season 11-7 on April 28 in Guilford.
"I thought he was the MVP of the game," White said. "I know you cannot give the MVP to the losing team. If we didn't have him, (the score) would have been more upside down in one direction."
"The difference in the game was their goalie early," Smalkais said. "He made a bunch of key saves that allowed them to stay in it." Bright's saves were affecting Prep's approach in its shots, Smalkais said.
"We were gripping the sticks a little too tight," Smalkais said. "I thought we shot the ball poorly."
Bright made eight saves in the first quarter that ended in a 2-2 tie.
O'Connor recorded one save in the first half. Both coaches said Guilford shot well in the first half.
In the third quarter, which was scoreless, O'Connor made three saves. Bright made another four saves in the third period.
In the second half, both teams' defenses had adjusted to the changing schemes of each team's attack. And each goalie stopped a shot in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter before Ranfone scored.
Prep showed plenty of patience on attack while Guilford's deficit remained at 7-5. In the final 74 seconds, though, O'Connor had the ball in his crease during a clear. Without pressure from Guilford's ride, O'Connor moved forward, then spotted Teddy Long open way downfield. O'Connor's pass hit Long in stride. Long caught it and drove hard to the cage and fired an insurance goal past Bright.
Prep, seeded 10th, will open its Class L title defense with a first-round game on Wednesday against No. 7 Newtown.
email@example.com; 203-337-4879; twitter.com/ReidWalmark
Records: Guilford 10-8, Fairfield Prep 13-5. Scoring: G--Frank Ranfone 2 goals, John Altieri (1g, 1a), William Dacey (1g, 1a), Robert LoRicco (1g, 1a), Eric Zergiebal (1a); FP--Burke Smith (2g, 1a), Austin Sims (2g, 1a), Teddy Long (1g 1a), Chris Brown (1g), Colby Monachino (1g), John Edmonds (1g). Goalies: G--James Bright (16 saves); FP--John O'Connor (9). Shots: G--22; FP--35.


text:
The preseason roster for the Dash has been whittled down from 32 at the start of camp last week to the league-mandated 25 today. Ten trialists still remain, hoping to make the final 20-player roster before the April 12 opener against Portland Thorns FC. See the full roster below, and see them in action at Houston Sports Park on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.) as the Dash take on the Rice and Texas A&M women's soccer teams, respectively, in preseason scrimmages. Scrimmages at HSP are free and open to the public (full preseason schedule)
|Previous Club
|Brittany Bock
|Sky Blue FC
|Sara Campbell*
|Seattle Sounders
|Marissa Diggs
|Becky Edwards
|Portland Thorns FC
|Lindsay Elston*
|University of Washington
|Anisa Guajardo*
|Boston Breakers
|Holly Hein*
|Bianca Henninger
|FC Kansas City
|Jordan Jackson
|Katie Kelly*
|FC Kansas City
|Megan Kinneman*
|Ella Masar
|Chicago Red Stars
|Tiffany McCarty
|Washington Spirit
|Tori McCombs*
|Teresa Noyola
|FC Kansas City
|Stephanie Ochs
|Washington Spirit
|Kealia Ohai
|North Carolina
|Emilee O'Neill*
|Portland Thorns FC
|Dominique Richardson*
|Diana Redman*
|Pali Blues FC
|Arianna Romero
|Seattle Reign FC
|Rafaelle Souza
|Ole Miss
|Kika Toulouse
|Washington Spirit
|Nikki Washington
|Portland Thorns FC
Roster, not in preseason: Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg, Erin McLeod, Lauren Sesselmann


text:
Hi there,
I'm not really familiar with charting in java but I wish to create an xyz environment (with axes)
in order to put cubes in the places I want, just reading from a coordinates vector.
E.g. I wish to put 3 cubes with coordinates
x[1]: 0 y[1]:0 z[1]: 0 and x[2]: 1 y[2]:0 z[2]: 0 x[3]: 1 y[3]:1 z[3]: 0
And the cubes are displayed on xyz bar chart format
Then I wish to distinguish two kind of cubes by using different colors.
I am using jfreechart currently for plotting charts but there is no chart in this library with a Z axis.
Can anyone help me?


text:
- Home
- House
- Cooking & Dining
- Drinkware
- Bottles & Flasks
- Camelbak Eddy+ Folk Butterfly Bottle .6L
Camelbak Eddy+ Folk Butterfly Bottle .6LAED89.00 Jump to: Details - Specifications - Reviews
Camelbak Eddy+ Folk Butterfly Bottle .6L
Brand: CAMELBAK
Camelbak Eddy+ Folk Butterfly Bottle .6L
Our shipping terms
Note: cash on delivery is not available when collecting in store
(a) Deliveries are made between Saturday and Thursday and will be undertaken by a third party appointed by Virgin for and on behalf of Virgin. Virgin makes every effort to dispatch Products on time. If the ordered Products are not delivered within the time period Virgin specified in the confirmation email, please contact Virgin's Customer Services quoting the order reference contained in your order confirmation email.
(b) Delivery occurs when the ordered Products are delivered to the delivery address you specified when placing your order. At this point, responsibility for loss, breakage and damage passes to you. Ownership of Products purchased passes to you when payment is received by Virgin in full. You will be asked to sign for acceptance of the Products which will note that the Products are correct and have been received in good condition.
(c) If you are not at the delivery address, Virgin will assume that any adults that are present at the delivery address are authorized by you to take delivery of the Products that you have ordered. If above criteria are not met or if there is no one at the delivery address, Virgin will not leave the Products at the delivery address. Virgin will contact you to arrange an alternative delivery time.
(d) Please note that the delivery people will only deliver the Products to your front door.
Virgin does not deliver to any residence outside of the United Arab Emirates.
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EcoVessel Unicorn splash Kids Water Bottle With Flip Straw 350 mlAED49.00
EcoVessel Shark Splash Kids Water Bottle With Flip Straw 350 mlAED49.00
EcoVessel Fox splash Kids Water Bottle With Flip Straw 350 mlAED49.00
Product details
Flip, bite, and sip even more with the redesigned Eddy® + bottle! Our improved bite valve design delivers 25% more flow. The universal cap is leak-proof when closed and spill-proof when open, features an easy carry handle, and is compatible with Chute® Mag and Hot Cap vessels. Lightweight, durable, and dishwasher safe. BPA, BPS, and BPF free.
25% More Flow Per Sip: Flip open the bite valve and sip
Leak-proof when closed, spill-proof when open
Easy carry handle
Cap and vessel dishwasher safe
Cap Compatible with Chute® Mag and Hot Cap vessels
BPA, BPS, and BPF free
Capacity: .6L
Weight: 146 g
Dimensions: 21.7 x 9.9 x 7.5 cm
Material: Eastman Tritan Copolyester. Tritan makes the eddy® clear, vibrant, durable, dishwasher safe and 100% BPA-Free.
About CamelBak:
In addition to cycling, CamelBak has Hands-Free Hydration systems for hiking, running, snowboarding and skiing. CamelBak's state-of-the-art packs and hydration systems have benefited athletes, outdoorsmen, and soldiers around the world.


text:
Filed Under (Yamaha) by admin on 30-12-2011
Remove the 4 bolts that hold the exhaust cam cap in place, lift the cam cap off. It may be necessary to pry very lightly on the cap to lift it off its dowel pins. Do not use the cam lobes as the pry point. Be careful not to drop the dowels and also be careful to not lose the half moon shaped retainer for the bearing under the cam cap. Remove the 6 bolts that hold the intake camshaft cap and lift the cam cap off the camshaft, again, be careful to not drop the retainer or dowels. Lift the intake camshaft out of its pocket in the cylinder head casting. Remove the cam chain from the sprocket, set the stock camshaft aside. Lift the exhaust cam out of its pocket in the cylinder head casting and remove the chain from the sprocket. Do not drop the cam chain, dangle it over the side of the engine while keeping slight upward pressure on the chain to maintain its position on the drive sprocket on the crankshaft. Fit the half moon shaped retainers in the grooves of the Hot Cams camshaft bearings to ensure good fit, set retainers aside for the time. Using assembly lube, lube the shim buckets, bearing surfaces for the camshafts in the cylinder head, and pack some in the camshaft bearings. Set the exhaust cam into the cylinder head casting while at the same time fitting the cam chain over the sprocket. Make sure that you keep all the cam chain slack to the back of the engine. The cam chain pulls the camshaft sprockets in a counter clockwise direction and the slack of the chain must be kept on the cam chain tensioner side of the engine. The exhaust cam has two timing marks on it. When correctly installed one mark will be at the 9 o'clock position and the other mark will be at the 12 o'clock position. When correctly timed the mark at 9 o'clock will be aligned with the valve cover gasket surface. Repeat the above process for the intake camshaft. Again, make sure you keep the chain slack to the cam chain tensioner side of the engine. Check to be sure the crankshaft is still at TDC. The intake cam has two timing marks also. One at 12 o'clock and the other at 3 o'clock. When both cams are installed correctly, the valve cover gasket surface will form a straight line through the exhaust timing mark at 9 o'clock and the intake timing mark at 3 o'clock


text:
County commissioners again delayed a decision about whether to ban medical marijuana operations and licenses in unincorporated areas of La Plata County.
A public hearing on the proposed ban, originally slated for next week, now is scheduled immediately after the 10 a.m. county commission meeting May 15.
The meeting will be held in the commissioners meeting room at the La Plata County Courthouse.
Officials twice delayed the decision while they sought solutions to insurance concerns that arose recently when the countys carrier, OneBeacon Insurance, said it would not cover the countys medical marijuana-related regulatory work. The insurance company cited conflicts between state and federal law, which classifies marijuana as an illegal drug.
But the county has spent months developing land-use regulations and licensing rules for the fledgling industry, rules they had hoped could be used as models around the state and nation.
The rules were approved late last year, and they were supposed to take effect May 1. So commissioners also will consider a resolution to delay the implementation of the regulations until the insurance problems are resolved.
Meanwhile, a temporary set of rules now in place have allowed some local medical marijuana businesses to open and flourish. A ban now could cost some locals their jobs.
Its a hard recommendation to make, said County Attorney Sheryl Rogers, who said last month she will recommend the ban.
If adopted, the ban would immediately halt issuance of new land-use permits and licenses for commercial growers and producers in the unincorporated areas of the county. Permits already issued, including a new permit granted last month, would expire June 30, and businesses would be forced to close at that time.
Primary caregivers, dispensaries in Durango, a single grand-fathered growing operation inside city limits would not be affected by the ban. But retail shops selling products grown or produced in the unincorporated areas of the county would have to buy their products elsewhere, officials said.
City Manager Ron LeBlanc has said the citys insurance coverage, provided by CIRSA, which offers pool coverage to more than 200 cities and towns in Colorado, is not in jeopardy. But city officials are unlikely to offer a haven within city limits for growers and producers who are affected by the situation in the county, he said.


text:
I completely agree with Jon. I saw pictures a couple of days ago on another coverage elsewhere and thought It look stunning. Brilliant design! The dot display somehow reminds me of the Lite-Brite of my childhood, in a good way. Looks different from others but with a real sense of aesthetics, not just for the sake of being different like some boring/weird designs out there. A great take on the old black box!
Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center
Twice this CES, I found rooms that were so striking that I suggested all the Stereophile brothers go take a look/listen. The first one was the Sumiko/Vienna Acoustics suite up on the 34th floor (I still can't get over how great the sound was in that roomyou can read Jason's more reserved take on the room here), and the second, for completely different reasons, was the Resolution Audio room.
Some say all that matters in an audio component is that it sound good. Period. But good industrial design not only creates great sounding products, but ones that you enjoy seeing. I realize that not everyone's taste or style is the same, but in my book, the new Resolution Audio Cantata is one of the most beautiful audio products built to date.
The first thing you notice is the irregularly scalloped solid metal top and then the large retro-futuristic display on the front. Resolution's Jeff Kalt said he worked closely with his metal fabrication shop until he was able to achieve this look. The photo above does not do it justice.
So what does it do? The Cantata is a digital preamp/DAC that includes a built-in CD player and networking for external NAS drives or computers. Kalt says he has tried to anticipate the most common needs for a digital system, including networking with computers in other rooms. For this, since USB can quickly falter at distance, Kalt has developed the Pont Neuf device to convert the USB to Ethernet which can then be networked across a house with either a standard cable or wireless bridge. All controlled with an iPhone/Touch remote app.
Inputs include SPDIF, Toslink, AES/EBU, and USB (up to 24 bit/96kHz). Both balanced and unbalanced outputs are provided with either a fixed or variable signal. Retail will be $6,000 when released in February.
Erick Lichte comments: Pictures do not do justice to this company's elegant and original industrial design. Resolution Audio's gear reminded me of the Walker Art Museum in my home town of Minneapolis, except I love the way the Resolution Audio gear looks and hate the way the Walker looks. Minneapolis needs a building that resembles a dirty snowball as much as Pittsburg needs a museum shaped like a smoke stack.
Also playing in the Resolution room was the new Cantata 50 integrated amplifier. The amp puts out 50Wpc of class-AB power, features two RCA and two XLR inputs, and is intended for use with high-sensitivity loudspeakers. The Cantata 50 is styled to match the DAC and sells for $4000.
Hey, that's my Tom Petty CD!I thought the design stunning. The top looks so organic- without being woodgrain. My first thought was the texture of an indian canoe carved from wood. And the display is also visually gripping and pleasing. I must get one of these to my shop for a full evaluation. I think this could be sold at design centric stores on looks alone.Great work Jeff!


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, Feb 9, 2013 / 04:02 pm (CNA).- A professor at Wyoming Catholic College reflected on Pope Benedict's recent address to the Pontifical Council for Culture, saying it showed his desire that we "re-connect with our Catholic heritage."
"Young people are not being properly formed in a way that connects them with the larger history, tradition, and identity from which they've come," Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, a professor of theology and philosophy at Wyoming Catholic College told CNA Feb. 8.
"So, they're kind of set free into a floating void, where as Pope Benedict puts it, if they do live their faith at all, they live it in a privatistic and emotional way."
The pontiff's Feb. 7 address to the Council's plenary assembly stressed the challenges facing young people, while also noting the hope placed in them by the Church.
"The Church has confidence in the young" and needs their lively participation, he insisted, while also underscoring the threat of youth being pushed to the margins of society by unemployment and the crisis in education.
Kwasniewski said the "language here of a cultural landscape that's increasingly fragmented and in continuous rapid evolution and...the educational emergency" was the most striking feature of the Pope's address.
"One of the main themes of his whole pontificate has been to urge people to rediscover, recover, and re-connect with our Catholic heritage, tradition, and identity, in every respect. As regards liturgy especially, but also as regards theology, catechesis, architecture, our sacred music...everything that makes us distinctively Catholic, and that come from our 2000 year inheritance."
"And he sees this as not just a nice thing, like an ornament or a decoration, but as really, vitally important for human identity."
Aware of the "problematic situations" facing youth, the Pope nevertheless reaffirmed "that the Church looks to their condition and their cultures as essential and inescapable" for its ministry.
He expressed concern over trends of "spectacularization of private life and a narcissistic selfishness," but also said the church "hopes in young people and in their energy. She needs their vitality in order to continue living the mission entrusted to her by Christ with renewed enthusiasm."
Kwasniewski said the vitality of youth is drawn by "a sort of magnetism" of the traditional Roman rite, which has "an inherent dignity, beauty, and power."
Youth, he said, "will be attracted to anything beautiful, and that's a revolt against the meaningless utilitarianism of our times, where everything is stripped of its personal meaning."
The professor sees hope in young people who are sickened by the utilitarianism of modern culture, yet "wouldn't really be able to put their finger on the problem, which is that they've been reduced to ciphers, numbers, workers."
Pope Benedict told the Pontifical Council members that he hopes their discussions will contribute to "the Church's work in the lives of young people, which is a complex and articulated reality" that can no longer be understood using old paradigms.
Kwasniewski added, "I think what Pope Benedict is saying is absolutely, and obviously true. But what I've seen is that when you actually implement the proposals and remedies of Pope Benedict, it works extremely well."
"The youth do love it, they thrive, it gives them a sense of belonging, and meaning and direction, which is exactly what the Pope says is needed."
He echoed Pope Benedict's call to overcome the educational crisis through a vibrant Catholicism.
"To reach the youth, you have to be radically, visibly, strikingly, and beautifully Catholic, because they need something different from the secular culture that is not answering their deepest needs."
Tags: Young Catholics
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Me and some folks were playing a homebrew Beldrobbaen-centric campaign I created, via Storium. On March 1st, Storium became open to the public, allowing people to read without needing to pay, if the campaign is set to public.
By their request, I'm going to put up a link to our activity thus far--would be tedious to post everything, but I will provide the first section here...
It is the aftermath of the District War of Year 1115 of the Moonless Age.
The Clans as we know it are no more. The war has turn all of Chel upside down, all while the looming clouds of starvation and enemy invasion hang over our heads. My homeland is nearly a wasteland from all the fighting, and our people's spirits are at an all-time low. But I am optimistic, for I believe it is time to take back what was once ours.
-Sinya'se Dizen'ralith Val'Beldrobbaen
ACT 1: The Borderlands
Scene 1
"Welcome to the Beldrobbaen districts, traveler. As you may have guessed, the District War has taken its toll on Chel—infrastructure has all but collapsed, lawless gangs flying the Sarghress flag roam the streets unchallenged, and the clans-held power structure as we know it has dissolved into chaos.
The Val'Beldrobbaen clan remains strong, but by all accounts, we should have fallen long ago. This is due to the extraordinary survival instinct our leaders possess, despite the rather embarassing lack of cohesion between our Houses. This same perseverance lends itself to the unfortunate idealology held by the elder Houses that outsiders are to be held in contempt, lest they worm their way into our foundations.
However, we of House Dizen'ralith have much use for enterprising mercenaries like you… You are to meet with our liason at the Last Haven Inn, where you will be briefed in full."
The letters, bearing the black seal of the Val'Beldrobbaen clan, seems to crumble once you've finished reading. It doesn't come as a shock, compared to how the scroll was delivered to you and your companions: by stealthed shadow warrior. Whoever penned these has taken great pains to ensure they reached you quietly and efficiently, and that its writer did not wish to have this message passed around.
The Beldrobbaen Clan, for all the average Chelian knows, was and still remains a clan of complete mystery. At most, you can infer that the clan's well know for having detrimental numbers. But that didn't stop them from keeping the Sarghress forces in a gridlock for several years.
Still, the land surrounding the clan's holdings has fallen to disarray. The once bustling areas around First Landing have become quiet, and the few remaining inhabitants wary of strangers. Sarghress troops patrol captured territory here—most of the more disciplined Wolves stay well away from the border between Beldrobbaen-held lands and First Landing, there are occasional skirmishes between Beldrobbaen warriors and the hotblooded young Wolf recruits.
In short,order has disintegrated into chaos, and none are able to restore stability for long enough to address the real cause of strife—the underworld-wide food shortage, and the Black Sun threat.
Now where can i get a smoke because i got them herbs and i need my fix.
Been ages since i been here so this place got a lot worse since i ran away from orthos after setting my teacher on fire by accident.
The Last Chance Bar, location of literally the last chance for a drink for leagues in this part of the city. All sorts visit here, considering the place's neutral grounds an unspoken rule. One can find commoners, beggars, warriors and vals all gathered here, with their identities hidden and kept that way. The odd dark elf woman is not harassed, however, but she does stand out like a sore thumb, along with a peculiar Val woman.
Barman give me the strongest drink you got. I had a bad day and oh my who is that nice lady over there?
Best to buy 2 drinks one for me and the other for the lady over there.
Now where is that pipe.
'Looks into her bag and sorts out the mess till she finds her pipe, 1 fire starter and enough herbs to send her to the nirvana gates of Shiva's garden.'
The mercenary finishes reading the letters, and she find herself staring at at a darkly dressed woman, with plenty of silver jewelry adoring her body. Despite here foreboding appearance, the woman's face smiles gently and her body posture emanates a peaceful personality. She is clearly a Val of Beldrobbaen, and introduces herself as Kalii'stra Dizen'ralith Val'Beldrobbaen, fourth daughter of Dev'ess Hala'solenta.
She speaks in a motherly tone, addressing the ominous means of getting the party's objective. "It's a measure of secrecy needed to avoid valuable information falling into enemy hands. As you can see, the District War has turned friends into enemies, and neutral parties into bitter subjugtors. It is my mother's wish that her family find ways to keep our clan from falling to these evils, and she has sent her daughters to fulfill their tasks. Mine is to guide you to our home, of course."
She looks at Minalia with curiosity, but shakes her head when the drinks come by—Kalii'stra looks down into her cup, sees mysterious floating things inside of a dark brown liquid, and pushes it lightly towards the mercenary who ordered it.
"I am sorry, but I—uhh, I've just had my sustenance before coming here."
Time to start my smoke while listening to the noble lady.
And i was just about to drink my cup when i also noticed the strange floating worm and they looked familiar.
Wait a minute i know that..that stuff is highly toxic. Hey bartender what kind of sick trick you pulling off giving me and that lady drink i sent to.
Are you trying to rip me off and get my ass poisoned just to get at my herbs and furs?
The barkeep looks at Minalia and Kalii'stra in anger, not even noticing how finely dressed the merecenary's partner seems.
"What did you say, you little merc punk?" He growls, reaching beneath the counter.
Nearby patrons turn towards the pair in interest.
I said i want my money back.
You gave me a cheap as fuck drink and here this is a toxic type of worm that somehow got into my drink.
Fuck it i dare you to drink it then. If nothing happens then il be happy to pay my fee but if my hunch is right you gonna be spending the next 10 minutes in agony with your insides on fire. (Minalia rolls Intimidate, and succeeds)
The barkeep is soundly defeated by the mercenary's outburst. Finally, he notices her important guest, the Val Beldrobbaen who simple looks on with innocent astonishment. The barkeep bows his head in respect.
"I'm sorry, milady Val. I didn't mean te give you drinks that's been fouled up. It won't happen again!"
Kalii'stra merely waves away his apology, saying that the people are under the Beldrobbaen protection regardless, and this is only a minor mistake.
To the dark elf drunk, however, the barkeep only has a glare. "Tch. here's your bloody change. Don't come back."
Meanwhile, the nearest patrons start to whisper to one another about the scene. A few pairs of eyes train themselves on Kalii'stra. (Minalia receives a Handful of Coins)
Oh well another bar i end up getting banished.
'Notices the val lady is looking at Min"
What you looking at? I studied bugs for a living and knowing what's worth eating and whats worth squashing is handy from time to time.
A cheer sounds behind the mercenary—apparently, the barkeep had bullied several other mercenaries before Minalia stood against him.
Kalii'stra shakes her head. "You must be a wood sorcerer from the culture pools. We could… definitely use people like you in my House."
Kalii'stra then insists that they should go, because not only is she due to deliver help promised, the bar patrons are starting to loom in on her. She reminds Minalia that this area is still a place where Beldrobbaen power is weak, and the ruined lands beyond are unstable.
"Sarghress patrols roam our lands unchecked… I risked much to meet you here." (Minalia rolls 11 on Gather Information)
Sure why not.
A job's a job and i don't like them mutts sniffing our behinds if we stick in this worthless bar.
A short-haired drowussu male in armor had been sitting next to Minalia, listening silently until it was time to move.
"Wait, WHAT?! I haven't had a drink yet! We've been traveling for hours!" He raised loudly over the bar chatter.
His shield hung on his back, jerking to the shift as he stood up to see Minalia over the gathering of heads. He didn't forget it about it when they left…this time.
Hey Hor, the pretty lady said we are leaving before them wolves come sniffing our behinds.
And don't forget your shield like you did last time.
"Wait, WHAT?! I haven't had a drink yet! We've been traveling for hours!" He raised loudly over the bar chatter.
His shield hung on his back, jerking to the shift as he stood up to see Minalia over the gathering of heads. He didn't forget it about it when they left…this time.
Kalii'stra coughs, interrupting the conversation. "I am glad that one of the watchers who cheered for you has decided to join us." she said, offering the armored male a kind smile. She wasn't sure how well a drowussu will contribute towards her task, but seeing as that these were the only two mercenaries that answered her sister's call... Kalii'stra had no choice.
"But as I have mentioned before, the District War has turned friends into enemies, and neutral parties into bitter subjugtors. It is my mother's wish that her family find ways to keep our clan from falling to these evils, and she has sent her daughters to fulfill their tasks. Mine is to guide you to our home, of course."
Kalii'stra turned towards the door, and left
Scene 2: Southern War Ruins
Upon leaving the Last Chance bar, you explore the immediate vicinity: war ruins of the Borderlands that were looted, blasted apart, and now abandoned, in the 15 years since the District War began. The street is eerily silent and a darkened, making it hard to notice what could be hiding behind the corner. Minalia Elects to just keep on walking, not to attract any attention. Kalii'stra is not familiar with the surroundings, but this is still her homeland, and she is confident in her ability to read the signals.
"I will show you the way I took with my escorts, if you'd like." She asks, while keeping an eye on the shadows.
She momentarily turns to the two mercenaries with a stern look. "As you may have guessed from my clan's signature ability, I am a master of the Shadow arts. But I won't use it on my own people unless the situation is dire."
Well it might be best then. Just try and stay in between us two. Last thing we want is our employer to get a arrow on that precious neck before we get our first pay.
Least I was able to sell off those furs I brought back from the surface.
Horaven scanned around the area quickly. Blade and shield ready to fly up in a moment's notice.
"Don't worry. If something goes wrong, we'll do what we do best."
(All players rolled for Spot or Listen check)
(Minalia: 20, Horaven: 6, Kalii'stra: 20)
The trio begin their journey by walking between old, crumbling buildings and onto a main street that goes north and south. The cracked road leads to a ruined plaza, where commoners would have once gathered to draw well water from. There is indeed a well in the center of the plaza—uncovered, and recently used—but the smell of rot and death waft up from its depths.
Both Minalia and Kalii'stra remain on alert; Kalii'stra catching sight of movement in front of them, and Minalia picking up footsteps belong to several people behind. The two are put on guard and spread out.
Unfortunately, Horaven is slow to react to the new information, and quickly finds himself surrounded by smelly, ragged bodies. He accidentally trips over one and falls to one knee.
A group of desperately poor commoners are gathered around you, some giving your weapons a wide berth, some clinging to your clothes to beg for food, work, or simple shelter. These individuals clearly don't have the look of Beldrobbaen citizens, so they are probably homeless squatters from the old Illhar'dro districts to the south, or runaways from the First Landing battle.
Kalii'stra moves towards the edge of the plaza and is careful to do a body count. "There must be about 5-8 commoners here. I guess we weren't as stealthy as I had hoped." She calls out to the mercenaries, while keeping herself visible to the people. Kaliis'tra needed to convey that she is a Val of the land they reside in.
"Please let us through, citizens of the district! We are on an urgent matter!"
"Hey you want money?" the dark elf shouts, then throws the coins she got back from the bartender to the floor a fair distance away from their position.
"Lady we best run like hell before they start begging for more change."
Kaliis'tra looked at the wood sorceror with astonishment. "But the commoners.. They look so famished—I want to help them!"
She continued on with her train of thought, citing several reasons for wanting to restore this section of the ruins, helping to feed the poor, and setting up a medical tent to relieve the sick.
Clearly, Kalii'stra is a very nice Val. Some of the commoners stop for a moment to listen to her ranting.
Horaven had to ward a few away with his shield as he pushed himself back up. It was only until Min tossed ada out into the open, drawing their attention away from them, that he had a moment to breath.
"Nothing wrong with wanting to help, but unless you have a long table's worth of food under your cloths, we need to get going. Desperation can turn a person violent."
As a precaution, he drew out his old rusty sword.
Before the coins Minalia threw even touched the ground, a pair of women with emaciated children stepped forward to swipe them up.
One of them turns to address the trio. "Thank you, kind lady Val! The Beldrobbaen have not forgotten us, and we won't forget them, either!" The other woman and children bow and run away before the other beggars try to maul them.
A handful of beggars stay behind and shoot the trio angry looks. They clearly want more of where those ada coins came from, but the Drowussu pulling out an old sword was enough to send them scurrying into the dark alleys.
Kalii'stra sighs, and remind the group that they must keep moving. She leads them down one alleyway, climbing over pieces of fallen rock and overgrown weeds. As the group moves on into another main street, they start noticing some signs of life. The homes that are still intact are lit and occupied, however ragged they looked.
But Kalii'stra points out that she had discovered blasphemous Sarghress symbols painted over some of the doors. It seems that the Beldrobaben clan is having trouble trying to reclaim this residential section. The Val insists that they stop to investigate, because this could be vital information for her clan.
"Motherkilling Sarghress! They harried us at every turn on the war front, and now they send their dogs to terrorize our lands!" Kalii'stra growls. "We must find someone and determine what's happening here!"
She is clearly not happy seeing citizens being affected by the roaming gangs spotted in the area.
Horaven frowned at the painted sign that he came to associate trouble with. With everything that was going on, he expected more Sarghress related news spreading about.
"So you want us to find a red and have a nice chat with it?" He looked over to Kalii. "Or just find…anyone?"
Minalia did the simplest thing she could think of: she went into house that seemed occupied and used a very polite, very respectful greeting...
She knocked on the door, and when the residents opened the door she instantly decked them in the face and then ask them a few questions with Horaven's sword to their neck.
(gm rolls a d20 Diplomacy check for all players. Needed at least 10 to succeed)
(minalia:5 horaven:7 kalii'stra:8)
Minalia's harsh action to the homeowner prompts a swift reaction from Kalii'stra, in the form of several shadowy hands grasping Minalia's arms tightly. The grip is surprisingly strong, and leaving a curious bloody impression on various parts of the clothing.
However, the family is terrified by both Minalia's actions and the Beldrobbaen Val's shadow arts, so they calls for help, and several other neighbors arrive on scene…
It seems that the Beldrobaben clan is having trouble trying to reclaim this residential section. The trio gains the ire of several families living in the area, some whispering about the Sarghress coming to clean up the Belds soon…
(Minalia's action prompts an additional intimidate check. You need at least 10.)
( Minalia:6, horaven:13, Kalii'stra:2)
But at the sight of the imposing drowussu male in full plate, the woman suddenly convulsed in Minalia's grip. Her mates screamed in the background. The atmosphere suddenly turned very strange…
"S-S…Sarghress! Please! I only have a few ada left saved up, I need to feed my family! I swear, that's all I have left to me name!!" cried one of the males behind the woman of the house. More drow were peeking out of their windows—no doubt afraid of showing their faces at the mention of the hated clan.
The family reveals that they pay Sarghress soldiers a daily "protection fee" to ensure their safety, as did other families still in the area. General faith in the Beldrobbaen clan has fallen, but Kaliis'tra promises to deliver this new info to her dev'ess so that aid from House Ka'Shatriya can be sent here. However, the family doesn't believe her sweet words.
The group continues to question other people who had come out to see them, but most are reluctant to speak about the Sarghress that roam this area. They are afraid of retaliation.
"Yeesh, Min. You think that might have been a bit much?"
Horaven kept his sword sheathed for the moment, but a hand rested on the hilt as a precaution. He watched valiant over the group as more of the commoners gathered around.
"I remember once upon a time that the Sarghress were championed as saviors for the people. Funny how things go sometimes." He merely watched as Kalii'stra spoke with a few of the residence, waiting for her to make their next move.
We got the info. We must leave now.
Little val girl, remember this, your kindness will be your undoing. nature despise when the weak is protected by the strong. They do not become strong they fester and blister and eventually you must amputate in order to save the whole.
"There is nothing wrong with showing compassion for your fellow neighbor," Horaven said. "But I do agree, we should get moving. This commotion is bound to draw in more onlookers."
Kalii'stra retracts her shadow hands, leaving tiny droplets of blood trailing back to her body—an unusual display of a bloody shadow art not seen before. Minalia remains unharmed but covered in blood prints. The Val's face looks rather strained and stressed, but she is otherwise still healthy.
"It is my… duty to protect these citizens. To show them that my family and my clan still want to protect them from the chaos." She said, shifting her gaze to various commoners around them. "Some of my kin may not care, but I do! How can I sit in the towers and watch our people suffer like this?"
Kalii'stra turns back towards the family in the home, and sighs. "I am the fourth daughter of the House, in my fourth century, and with many healthy daughters sired by a loving Sulissin'rune husband. So many people of this district cannot say the same…"
"That's why we're here right? So we can work our talents that will translate in some way and make things a bit better for ya'll." Horaven offered, but he realized it may have been foolish to say anything before hand without even hearing what the job was about. Still, he figured it couldn't hurt to say.
"When we get there, I really need something to drink…" He swallowed, trying to clear some of the dryness in his throat. He never did manage to get something while they were at the inn.
"Yes, you are right, that is why you accepted my family's plea, being foreigners and drowussu of all things…"
Kalii'stra then approaches Minalia to straighten out her clothes, as if they were ruffled up.
"I'm very sorry for my sudden behavior; I don't mean to frighten you or anyone else. I just get… passionate about the poor." her lips right, these next words struggle to come out: "Its about all I can do, helping others…"
Speaking of things foreign and Ssu, there was an individual who was both hiding among the hovels. He was wearing the darkest garb he could find, which under good light would reveal itself to be navy blue in color, and a dark brown cloak which did much less to hide his face than he believed. In contrast to the darkness surrounding it, it almost seemed to glow given how white it was.
His activity for the moment was observing the source of some shadows moving independently of the lights that should be producing them. He'd heard that the Beldrobbean could manipulate shadows as a part of their family arts, but watching it in person was something both fascinating and terrifying.
He could hear voices from the source and saw what appeared to be a confrontation in the general area. As a man who was rather fond of peace, he did not like to get into confrontations, but once outside the walls of his compound he realized that so long as he did nothing, the conflicts would rage on without him. He knew he couldn't do much about the wars at large, but maybe if he could prevent the smaller street fights, he hoped he could inspire others to do the same.
He approached the cluster of twisting shadows just as they dissipated, using the large handle of his headless mace as a walking stick. He was pretty certain of how he was going to introduce himself until he noticed that a fight was not actually going on, at which point he found himself at a loss.
"Um… Hello."
Horaven turned to the voice, ready to draw the sword on a moment's notice, and was surprised to see another of his kind present. The grip on the hilt lessen a tad.
"Hi…" He returned, cautious. "Who are you?"
Great another strangers joins the fray. Min ignored the stranger who seemed to nice for his own good.
"Not to sound like a bad Kyonne song that keeps repeating itself."
Putting her head to the ground with her ears she began to concentrate to see if she could hear that typical noise of plate metal resonating when it hits the floor and she could hear it but it was faint but getting closer.
"We need to leave now. The noise we made will attract even more unwanted attention and trouble is gonna be on us in less then a minute at best."
Horaven looked over to Min with a worried look. Oh no…he had figured the commotion would have attracted attention, just not this soon. He hurried over to Kalii'stra and gently motioned her with an encouraging hand to her shoulder.
"C'mon, we need to get moving, now!" He told her. "Worry about people when we're safe beyond Beldrobbaen walls."
A fight now would have been a bad idea. If the Sarghress were coming, they would most definitely be in a group larger than a noble and two mercenaries could handle.
As they passed Kale'shido, Horaven gave him a hard look."Run!" He warned.
Kale's first instinct was to run as indicated, but a thought occurred to him, eliciting a deep breath and an odd instance of forced resolution.
"Run if you want. For my part, I've done more than enough of that. I'm tired of my life being nothing more than a pitiful attempt at prolonging it."
Deep down though, he sure hoped that he looked and sounded about a thousand times braver than he felt.
"Another drowussu…?" Kalii'stra asks, raising eyebrows at the grey-skinned drow.
Surely, the Beldrobbaen lands would be the last place for Kyorl expatriates to make a living in… But he does not have the look of a Sarghress dog, and the Val woman decided not to ask too many questions.
She picked up her skirts and strode over to the newcomer to examine him. "No matter. Join us and earn the right to serve the Dizen'ralith House, and you will be rewarded accordingly. I don't turn away help regardless of skin color, and it would make me happy if you did!"
Spotting his peculiar armor, Kalii'stra guessed that he must have been some kind of Kyorl'solenurn runaway. "What can you do for me?"
Out of the darkness called a young voice; one brave youth steps forward and wades through the crowd to address Kalii'stra.
"I've got something you might want to hear, lady Val."
He tells them that the raiders are just playing a racketeering game with their lives, spouting nonsense about protecting commoners from Val imperialism. His family is just one of many in the area that are being shaken down for what little valuables they've got left. Anyone who resisted would be dragged out of their homes and beaten savagely until someone gave in. Grumbling from the crowd around the mercenaries confirms sentiment.
He thumbs down a darkened, disused road to show you where they usually frequent—an old well in the town square. Faint paw tracks trail around the area, and farther beyond to the east—it appears that a handful of wolves passed through this area not long ago.
"The dogs scurried off for now, but they like to hit up this area a lot. The people are tired of war, but if the Val'Beldrobbaen still care about us, we want to see the Sarghress outta our hair for good!"
Unfortunately, it seems there were tale-tellers among the commoner group who ran away during the commotion to tell their Sarghress masters. Not a moment after you step into the area, you are greeted by three Sarghress scouts on wolves, and unable to escape. Boy, are they pissed!
(You can choose to fight head on, or take a chance to use a Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate skill of your choice [indicate on your next post]. However, if you roll for a check, you have to succeed the roll for all enemies, which is to get 15 or higher.)
"You boys go and tell em to piss off. Win me some time so I can cast a good useful spell or 2."
Checks her bags to find that little leather gourd full of seeds she bought from a old vendor on the surface
"Ok my little sweeties time for you to grow and be useful root tentacles to bind those puppies for Mamma."
Min's preparing to cast a binding ability.
Kale'shido turned to face the Sarghress scouts. It was time to put his convictions to the test. He didn't want to fight, but if he merely fled here, he would literally be discarding the peasants here before the wolves, and their lives were miserable enough as it is. He put forth the best smile he could manage.
"Hello there, friends. We're all quite a long way away from home, aren't we? Do you mind telling me what you're up to here?" (Kale'shido succeeds on Diplomacy attempt)
Horaven turned to the reds as they rode up on their trademark mounts, and knew any chance of getting away was immediately shot. Fingers overlapped the hilt once more. At the corner of his sight, he could see Min already preparing something with a cautionary warning to them. Yep, there was going to be no easy way out of this.
"Well, now's a good time to step up." He said over to Kale'sido, and then looked over to Kalii'stra to make sure she was standing back.
"So I heard you talking shit bout my turf?"
The female of the group, the crossbow-wielding wolf rider, tosses back her head in defiance and fires off a string of insults at the mercenaries and lady Val. Her cronies, a male wielding a dented spear and another male wielding a notched sword, hang back, waiting to set their snarling wolves on them.
(Kale'shido rolls Diplomacy check on Sarghress Scout x3. Must succeed 15 or higher on rolls.)
(Spear Scout: 20, Sword Scout: 11, Bow Scout: 1)
The drowussu Kale'shido steps forward to try reasoning with the aggressive warriors. The spear user and the sword-swinging scout actually pause for a moment to think, much to the crossbow woman's anger.
"You know what?" The spear user says while turning to his pals, "Fuck this. I'm tired as Hel and my wolf is injured. We've already done enough fighting guys, and I don't want to risk making my wolf's wound worse."
The sword-wielding rider is somewhat on the fence. "Well I dunno… That Val is a Beldrobbaen, she could be a handful… you heard the rumors about their Illhar'ess, man…"
The crossbow woman just about screams at the two. "Are you two fucking kidding me?! They could be from another crew trying to set up shop in our territory! We need to get rid of them now!"
"Yeah well, you chucklefucks are always hogging the loot and you never want to share!!" The reluctant rider shoots back. "So fuck you, I'm going back—have fun getting your heads ripepd off!"
The woman is astonished with her companion's sudden reversal and departure. The sword-wielder merely shrugs and decides to stay.
Without warning, the woman knocks her crossbow and fires on Kale'shido for causing her men to doubt her! Kale'shido takes a critical hit!
(combat is now initiated. Kale'shido takes -2 to total HP)


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text:
A New York woman who authorities said treated Chinese women lured to work at a Natick massage parlor as "sex slaves" has had similar massage parlors shut down by federal authorities, a prosecutor said Wednesday in Framingham District Court.
Shixin Zhang, 45, was "mean" to the women who worked at the Oasis Spa, 10 Cochituate St., and refused them the opportunity to leave to buy food with their own money so they could have something to eat other than the bread and potatoes Zhang fed them, prosecutor Nate Burris said Wednesday.
Natick Police arrested Zhang, along with Li Zhou, 39, who lived at the spa, after an investigation began early in January.
A Chinese woman, who had recently come from China to New York, answered the ad for a job at a Natick day spa and came to Natick.
"She thought this was a legitimate job opportunity," said Burris. "She (the unnamed woman) said (Zhang) was very mean and treated them like sex slaves."
According to a police report filed in Framingham District Court, the woman, whose name was redacted from the report, told police about the spa on Jan. 9. She had been fired from the spa and told to leave.
The woman said when she first arrived at the spa, the owner brought her to the shower room and explained that she would have to offer an "extra service," and perform sexual acts on men, the report said.
She was told she would have to pay $10 a night to live at the spa, and would not be allowed to leave. The woman told police that Zhang would rotate the women between the Natick spa and a spa in Framingham, possibly located on Myrtle Street, so there would be different women at the spa at all times.
"I feel that this is a terrible situation," the woman told police, according to the report. "So I want to leave right away. I feel sorry for the girls who live in such life."
The woman said she left right away, but another woman there whom she had spoken to remained, the report said. A few days later, the second woman was fired because the owners found out she had given the first woman details about the job. The first woman had given the second woman her cellphone number so she called her after she was fired.
Police then spoke to the second woman, who told them�she was lured to Natick for a job offer. Instead, Zhang ordered her to perform sex acts on men.
"She told me that she had asked several times to go to the store to buy food with her own money and she was told by �Iris,� aka Shixin Zhang, that she could not leave the building."
Zhang, who had a New York address, lived at the spa, along with her husband.
According to the report, police found several ads on a website that advertised for "body rubs" under the adult section of the website for the Oasis Spa.
On Monday, Natick Police, working with a detective from the Millis Police Department, conducted an undercover sting at the massage parlor, the report said. When Zhou offered to perform a sex act on the detective, police went in and arrested her and Zhang.
Police charged Zhang with trafficking a person for sexual servitude and deriving support from prostitution. Zhou was charged with having sex for a fee.
Burris did not ask for any bail for Zhou, but asked Judge Robert Greco to hold Zhang on $100,000 bail. He said she faces as much as 20 years in prison, with a minimum of five years, if convicted.
In addition, Burris said Zhang has a history of running similar businesses.
"Police spoke to an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent, and they were quite familiar with this defendant," said Burris. "They had shut down several similar businesses she had run."
Zhang�s lawyer, Cornelius Dailey Jr., said his client denied all of the allegations.
"The women who worked there chose to work there," he said. "They weren�t forced to live there. She is a physician in China and the spas were for medical muscle treatment."
Greco ordered Zhang held on $25,000 bail and released Zhou without bail. If Zhang posts bail, she must surrender her passport. Both Zhang and Zhou are due back in court on Feb. 24 for a pretrial conference.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or firstname.lastname@example.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW.
Prosecutor: Women treated as 'sex slaves' at Natick spa
A New York woman who authorities said treated Chinese women lured to work at a Natick massage parlor as "sex slaves" has had similar massage parlors shut down by federal authorities, a prosecutor said Wednesday in Framingham District Court.


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This Star Wars pinball machine wasn't released in the 70s, or 80s. It was released in 1992, which makes it very special, because that makes it part of the great Star Wars renaissance.
After the hype over the original trilogy died down after the mid-80s, as weird as it is to imagine now, Star Wars just kind of...faded away. It was, dare I say it, uncool.
It took a concerted by Lucasfilm in the early 1990s to bring it back, spearheaded by quality video games (like Super Star Wars and X-Wing) and Timothy Zahn's wonderful "Thrawn Trilogy" of expanded universe novels.
Data East's Star Wars pinball machine also played its part. And in these great photos by Eric Smith, you can get close enough to smell 1992 in all its glory.
audioeric [Flickr, via Hey Oscar Wilde!]