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despite all the peacocking, there was always a stubborn streak of sensibility running down and around the bones in her spine that was obnoxiously rude to impracticality, but as she sat in the kitchen and listened to her mother telling her that her cat had died, slight and slicing, she felt that strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, like when you're reaching for a door in the darkness, but it's further away than you think and there's nothing there.
she couldn't help thinking those thoughts; they came from a mind that was like a faucet that leaked with no comfort in the sound; she used to think of them as benign untruths stretched taut over an ivory frame before she realized that the Catholic Church employed deceit in exactly the same way.
a yarn turning into a sweater, fiction turning into reality- it was as surreal as gold braces on fangs. a lie to escape a day of work turning into a weekend of high fever and body chills, sad thought entrails spent fermenting twist into someone else's saccharine pain. does she really believe that she simply thought them one day and for whatever reason it became? if observational selection, jean grey, and coincidence were the 'Our Father' beads on her rosary, being satiated by this horrible guilt were the Hail Mary's.
she suspected she knew why. it was something she'd wanted for a long time, something she'd set her sights on years ago and was so close to getting, and in a fleeting moment, of desperation and longing, she'd thought of Faustian bargains and the law of sacrifice and dreams that sour in the suburban sun.
and then she'd come home.
the sometimes overwhelming weight of what cost truly is, glaringly clear in a painful lack of life, impossibly silent and cold.
she is always cold.


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Introduction: Wish You a Merry Christmas!
Yes, Christmas is close and we have already lightened our houses. If you haven't done anything special besides the festive Christmas lights for decoration, you might want to consider building this project for the next year. This is a big animated Christmas sign made from scratch using different color LEDs to wish Merry Christmas to our neighbors and visitors. It displays the text 'MERRY XMAS', where each character is created with 5mm diameter red-color LEDs. Multi-color LEDs surrounding the display text from all four sides make it look bright and attractive in the night. The animation and display controller circuit consists of only three discrete logic ICs (two 74HC595 shift registers and one 74HC14 inverting Schmitt trigger), while the LED driver is made of transistor arrays.
Step 1: LED Math and Driver Circuit
First we will see how to construct the LED sign board. The text message on the signboard is "MERRY XMAS". Each character is made up of red LEDs (5 mm diameter) connected in series and parallel fashions. The forward voltage of a RED LED is around 1.9 V. Most 5mm LEDs operate close to their peak brightness at a driving current of 20 mA. In this project, I am limiting current through my LEDs to 15 mA and they still glow pretty bright. So, all of my calculations are based for 15 mA current through the LEDs. I found the forward voltage across my LEDs is about 1.95 V. Calculating the value of the series resistor for an LED is simple. Suppose, if you want to drive a LED through a 5 V power source, you need a resistor of value (5-1.95)V/15 mA = 203 Ω to limit the current to 15 mA. The closest available resistor (on the higher end) is of 220 Ω.
Now, let's see how to make display letters with LEDs. The LED connections for the first character of the signboard (MERRY XMAS) is shown above. 17 LEDs are used in creating 'M'. If you have to drive each LED through a 5V supply, you require 17 series resistors, and the current will sum up to 17×15 = 255 mA. If you add up the current requirements of other LED characters in the signboard, the net current would go up to 2 A, which is quite a bit of current and you probably need a bigger heat sink for your voltage regulator. So I thought of doing it differently that would lower the net current consumption in the project and also save me from soldering to many resistors and transistors. This can be done by using a higher supply voltage.
I used a power supply unit from one of my old printers that provides +32 V, +16V, and ground to its 3 output pins. The +32 V is used to drive the chain of LEDs connected in series, and +16V goes to an LM78L05 IC to derive +5V regulated output for the control circuit. By doing so the net current required to drive all the LEDs in a chain is same as required for a single LED as they are in series, and therefore, only 1 resistor is required per chain.
The picture above shows how I constructed the character 'M'. With +32 V, I can only drive up to 16 red LEDs in series, and the letter 'M' in the sign consists of 17 LEDs. So I have to divide it into two chains of 9 and 8 LEDs, as shown here. For the first chain, the value of the series resistor would be,
R1 = (32.0 – 1.95 x 9) V/15 mA = 963 Ω.
I used 1 K for this. Similarly, for the second chain of 8 LEDs, the estimated resistor value is R2 = 1.1 K.
The anode terminal is connected to 32 V supply whereas the cathode is connected to the collector of a NPN transistor (BC547). The transistor acts as a switch with a control signal applied to its base terminal through a resistor. Whenever the control signal is HIGH, the switching transistor is turned on and all the LEDs will glow to display 'M'.
This whole process is repeated for constructing other LED characters in the signboard. The series resistor values are calculated in exactly the same way by considering the number of LEDs in each of the chains formed. The attached table shows the number of LEDs, number of chains, and the value of series resistor used for constructing each LED character.
Step 2: Border LEDs
I have also added 24 extra LEDs (8 Red, 8 Yellow, and 8 Green) to create a flashing border around the edges of the sign. They are connected in two chains, each one has 12 LEDs in series, as shown here. A clock signal applied to the base of the transistor will flash the border LEDs at the clock frequency.
Step 3: Constructing the Sign Board
After figuring out the math, it's time to put LEDs together to make the sign board. The LEDs are assembled to a 0.25″ thick cardboard by drilling two closely spaced (3 mm apart) tiny holes (0.8 mm drill size) at each LED position. The legs of LEDs are inserted inserted into the holes and are bent on the backside of the cardboard, where they are soldered to form chains. This holds the LEDs fairly tight. In order to place LEDs and characters at equal distance, first I printed the exact same characters on papers with round circles (size of LEDs) and sticked them on the board using tape (see pictures below). Each circle then provides reference for drilling holes for that specific LED. The circles are 0.5″ apart. Since it's a cardboard, drilling was not that painful. It took me about 30 minutes to drill holes for all 134 LEDs (not bad!). The border LEDs are chained in a similar way.
The LED driver unit, which consists of ten transistors (9 for character display and 1 for border LEDs) is hooked up on the back of the cardboard. It has a female header receptacle to receive the logic control signals from the controller board, which we will discuss next.
Step 4: Animation Controller Board
Next we need a controller to turn the transistor switches on and off in an appropriate sequence to create some animation effects to the signboard. The controller circuit consists of two 74HC595 shift registers and one 74HC14 inverting Schmitt trigger IC. The circuit diagram of the controller is shown above.
The 74HC14 provides six inverting buffers with Schmitt-trigger action. One of them is configured as a relaxation oscillator using an external resistor (100K pot + 10K fixed) and a capacitor (10 uF). The frequency of oscillation is given by f ≈ 1/(0.8 x RC). So, with a 100K pot and a fixed 10K resistance, the frequency can be varied from approximately 1 Hz-13 Hz. This clock signal controls the blinking of the border LEDs, and therefore, they will flash at the clock frequency.
The two 74HC595 shift registers are cascaded to form a 16-bit serial-in parallel-out shift register. This requires connecting the serial output (pin 9) of one to the serial data I/P pin (14) of the other. The two clock inputs (Shift register clock and Storage register clock) of both are tied together and driven by the same clock signal from the relaxation oscillator. Remember that the relaxation oscillator runs freely and is always providing clock signal to the combined 16-bit shift register. So what appears at the output of the shift register depends upon the logic level applied at the serial data input pin (14), which in fact, is connected to the output of the second inverting buffer (pins 3 and 4) in the 74HC14 device. The input to this inverter comes from pins Q1, Q3, or Q5 output (selectable using a jumper connector) of the second shift register. Pin no. 10 of 74HC595 is the memory reset input and is an active low signal. It can be either connected to logic high (+5 V) all the time or to the output of the second inverter; there is a switch for doing that. Actually it controls the animation of the display (described later). The first 9-bit parallel data output (Q0-Q7 of first 74HC595 and Q0 of second 74HC595) from the cascade connection drive the switching transistors for the nine characters on the signboard. In the next section, I will describe its operation in more detail.
Step 5: Operation of the Controller Unit
Animation 1
Suppose, the animation select is at position 1 (+5 V), which means both 74HC595 devices will never get reset. Also assume the Hold time select is connected to Q1 (pin 1) of the second 74HC595. Assume the power-on-reset values of the parallel outputs from both the shift registers are 0. This means the output of the second inverter (pin 4 of 74HC14) will be at logic HIGH, since its input (pin 3 of 74HC14) is at logic zero. Since this is feeding the serial data I/P pin of the cascaded 16-bit shift register, the logic 1 will be shifted in with every clock pulse coming from the relaxation oscillator, which means the characters in the message "MERRY XMAS" will turn on sequentially from left to right. After all nine 1s are successfully shifted in, the complete sign will glow. An additional clock pulse will push one more 1 into the shift register resulting Q1 output of second 74HC595 go high. Since Q1 goes back to the input of the second inverter through hold time select jumper, the data I/P pin (pin 14 of first 74HC595) will be at logic 0 now, which means 0s will be pushed into the shift register now onwards. So the displayed message will start disappearing from left to right, one letter at a time. After 9 more clock pulses, all display letters are OFF. On the arrival of the 10th clock pulse, Q1 of second 74HC595 will be low, which means the data I/P pin will go high again. This whole process repeats for ever and you will see the animated Christmas sign running continuously. You can change the speed of animation by varying the frequency (through the 100K pot) of the relaxation oscillator. Similarly, by moving the Hold time select jumper to Q5, the displayed message can be held still for 5 clock pulses before it starts disappearing from the left side.
Animation 2
You can slightly modify the animation pattern by switching the animation select (which is actually memory reset pin of both 74HC595 devices) to position 2. Now, whenever the output of the second inverter goes low, it will clear the outputs of both the shift registers at once and the data I/P pin will go high again. On the output side, what this means is when all the characters are turned on the sign, and the hold time is up, they will all turn off once and the characters will start displaying again sequentially from left to right. The demonstration video at the end shows both the animations in action.
The +5V power supply required for the controller circuit is derived using a LM7805 regulator IC. The printer power supply that I have got has three output terminals, +16 V, +32 V, and Gnd. I used +16 V as an input to LM7805 IC, as shown in the picture here.
Next section shows the Christmas signboard in action.
Step 6: Video Showing the Christmas Signboard in Action
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Find out the similar article ah here
for the l.e.d's wiring, can i wire all of them in parallel
I had a doubt.
Can I do 'Step 2' without using any transistor? i.e. wire the LED's directly to anode and cathode and then connect the power supply to make the LED's glow?
So fun, I love it!
Thank you!

subset: commoncrawl


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Pretty much right out of the gate, you and your team should use a CRM to track leads, opportunities and activities. A CRM is simply a relational database with all the attributes and challenges of that kind of data container, so it is important to have a realistic expectation about what a CRM will and will not do for you and your team.
What a CRM Will Do
A CRM has a few critical functions in an early stage company. First, it acts as the organization's memory, acting as the place where the sales team logs all its activities; If an activity hasn't been logged into the CRM, it hasn't happened.
Second, it is a communications tool: web based and accessible while mobile, it enables the sales team to understand in real time the status of a particular deal and the activities surrounding prospects.
Finally, it enables your team to leverage their time, avoiding duplication, lost details and increasing their span of control.
A CRM will only do these things if you and your team use it. Folks need to be disciplined about entering data (Leads, contacts, activities, opportunities) into the system and keeping that data current.
What It Won't Do
CRMs like to make a lot of promises (What? A software company overpromising?) but there are a lot of things that these tools will not do. A CRM will not organize your data: you have to do that. You will not be able to manage email marketing out of your CRM, you will need an email management or MAS (Marketing Automation System) to do this. In fact, your larger lead marketing database should be kept separate from your CRM; there is too much "chaff" in this data and it will only confuse your sales team if you try and keep it the same place with your sales leads.
Most CRMs integrate badly with Outlook email (some will with Gmail), so don't expect a seamless flow of data between the two systems. Without customization, reporting can be hit and miss and I find that CRM forecasting tools are too rigid for early stage purposes – best to do this manually in Excel.
CRM Systems to Look At
If a CRM is web based, gives you mobile access and incorporates some social media links, you cannot go too far wrong. What follows are comments on a sample of available products.
I blogged about Salesforce last year, having first used the software 10 years ago, when SaaS products were in their infancy and Salesforce was the newcomer, seeking to duke it out with Siebel, and have used it at 1/2 dozen companies since. How times have changed: it is now the 800 lb gorilla in the space and now touts itself as a platform to manage the complete customer engagement cycle with developer and social media tools and a partner ecosystem (the AppExchange). Its pricing reflects this with the enterprise version now at $125 per user per month.
Salesforce has become the industry standard CRM and works reasonably well. It has a few weaknesses: 1. its search functionality is really weak (Try searching for a guy named Bob that you spoke with in Dallas last week but whose last name and company you cannot recall); 2. it's differentiation between leads and contacts is baked into the data structure and is somewhat arbitrary; and 3. its reporting, while better than a few years ago, is still clunky.
SugarCRM is the "We try harder" cousin to Salesforce, with pricing about 1/2 of what Salesforce charges and working hard to differentiate itself from its brawnier relative. I has a more "enterprise-like feel" than ZohoCRM.
ZohoCRM, part of the Zoho productivity suite, is a solid, economical CRM and a great place to start. It integrates with Google Apps, has mobile access and offers a free version to get you started. You can add custom fields and the reporting is manageable.
Insightly is a newcomer and I am including it here as I use it with one of my early stage clients. It has a very strong social media feel about it, integrates nicely with Google Apps and is easy to navigate. It is simple to set up and use, has a tagging function and enables users to manage projects. Its reporting is limited – I assume that this will improve over time – and it is a little clunky to navigate.
One used to hear horror stories about Dynamics: essentially, Microsoft had focused its enormous talent for making the user experience a excruciating to good effect – the product was a nightmare. I have not used the latest verson (2012 AX R3) but have reviewed demos of the it and have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Its workflow and layout map nicely to the way I and my teams have sold over the years and it integrates nicely with Outlook. Still, it is Microsoft, so be forewarned.


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Logan Bates
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Activity overviewLatest activity by Logan Bates
Logan Bates commented,
Hey Bret,I get the same error message as Joan. Any suggestions on why the recipe did not work?Thanks
Logan Bates commented,
+1. This has been a big obstacle for our organization too. It disrupts everything from ticket workflow to account settings. Restricted viewing access for a selected group, or groups, that contain ...
Logan Bates commented,
I need agents to have access to tickets in all groups except for one, which contains privileged/sensitive information. I would very much appreciate an option under agent ticket permissions to allow...
Logan Bates commented,
Can I tag calls that are transferred for Insights reporting purposes?
Logan Bates commented,
Hi Jessie,Yes. I would like to create a report in Insights to see how much Total Online Time agents have over a period of time. It would be valuable view Total Online Time from a historical standpo...
Logan Bates commented,
Total Online Time is a metric on the Talk Dashboard but is not available for reporting purposes. Can you provide a recipe to create the metric?


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Think of the last person you saw wearing a beret.
It was that guy at university who smoked roll ups all the time and got really worked up in your Jonathan Swift seminar, wasn't it?
Or maybe it was you, you fool, during an ill-fated spell in 6th form when you knew too many Rage Against The Machine lyrics and too little about history to realise Communism is, at best, a dodgy concept.
Whoever it was, you can be certain they looked B-A-D, because of all the hats in all the world, the beret is the trickiest to wear without looking like a tosser. They are the first things tossers reach for. In the tosser revolution, we'll all be wearing them whether we want to or not.
But if you think that rule applies to Emily Ratajkowski, you better think again.
Em-Rat, the Instagram sensation your mate who's going through a tough time at the mo thirst likes every time she posts, can wear whatever the hell she wants and still clock up 650k likes. She can even do so while imitating a tongue out emoji, as demonstrated above.
Imagine if you tried this. Just picture the vitriol that would rain down on you, the timid withdrawal from social media and the soul searching that would follow. Doesn't bear thinking about does it?
Berets are for tossers, and until now, only one person in history has pulled one off without looking like one.
And now there are two. Because in 2017, people who take risks on Instagram are the truest revolutionaries we have.


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Father, We recognize the unsung heroes who died from "friendly fire" inflicted by their own country. Whether it was during practical maneuvers or from lingering illnesses because of deadly viruses injected into their bodies like anthrax, we celebrate their sacrifice for our freedom. Bless our country not to forget their efforts and to recognize them with the dignity and respect they deserve as true war heroes who paid the ultimate price. Today we salute them. Amen. #showersblessing #prayersforsuccess
Be the first to get an autographed copy Prayers for Success: Igniting the World to Achieve Success. These bold powerful declarative prayers are designed to empower and transform you for illimitable success every day of the year. Pre-order your signed copy Prayers for Success: Igniting the World to Achieve Success today.


text: It's a beautiful, sunny Sunday in Second Life and a perfect day for a leisurely stroll through the Cart Sale event going on at the Wash sim. We're happy to get to show off a little more of the great stuff you can find during this sale – thank you so much to the designers who have been so generous in sending us things for the blog! As always with the Cart Wash events, all items are 10L or under for the duration of the event. Many of them are new designs which will be exclusive to the Cart Sale event or items which will be in stores at the regular store prices once the event ends, so you don't want to miss this chance to score a really good deal.


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This is a quick list of 10 books I love.
This is a page turner that is great for the beach.
Read it three times. Gets better with each read.
Powerful love story that is also a history of the Russian Revolution.
Perfect for a dark and stormy night.
I love all off his books, but his portrayal of mental illness is so poignant and honest.
Beautifully written and touching short stories about life in America and India.
I love a story about cannabalism.... Jokes aside, it's a compelling history of whaling in America as well as an analysis of a tight-knit community.
This book broke my heart.
Amazing tale of an amazing life that demonstrates the importance that education plays in changing lives.
I couldn't put this down. He was a shockingly horrible person, but due to his fame at a young age, he met and influenced the leading figures of 20th century history. This is not a history of one man, but a history of the western world.


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Introducing the Vermont Valley Tomato Family
We are now harvesting from every tomato patch on the farm. Here is what you can expect to see in your share box over the next couple of months. Hopefully this will help you identify it when you see it in your share. Most of our tomatoes are Heirloom varieties. An Heirloom is an open pollinated variety that has been passed down for generations.
Garden Peach: These 2oz yellow fruits blush pink when ripe and have fuzzy skins somewhat like peaches. Soft skinned, juicy and very sweet. Light fruity taste is not what you would expect in a tomato.
Orange Banana: Long, orange paste-type tomato. Sweet and flavorful.
Red Zebra: A small red tomato overlaid with golden yellow stripes.
Ruth's, Estiva, Arbason, Geronimo, Pink Beauty: Red slicing tomatoes with amazing flavor and texture.
Indigo Rose: A stunningly jet black, 2 oz. tomato that turns from green to a rosy red as it ripens. When sliced it looks just like a plum with its deep red flesh.
Ukrainian Purple: Mahogany-colored, plum shaped fruit. Sweet and meaty.
Japanese Trifele Black: A tomato that looks like a beautiful mahogany-colored Bartlett pear with greenish shoulders. A rich and complex flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sun Gold, Yellow Mini, Sakura (red), Solid Gold and Black Cherry. We mix them up for you.
Roma/Paste/Plum/Processing Tomatoes: These tomatoes are drier than most slicing tomatoes, making them perfect for cooking, drying, sauce and salsa making. We grow a mix of traditional red paste tomatoes and others with fascinating shape, size and color. Here are their names: Plum Regal, Granadero, San Marzano, Monica, Viva Italia, Tiren, Speckled Roman, Amish Paste, Federle, Sheboygan, Opalka, Oxheart. We invite you to come out to the farm to harvest your own Romas – U Pick details.
We aim to harvest our tomatoes just before they are vine-ripe. We do this so you don't receive an over ripe tomato. But it also means that you may receive a tomato that needs to sit on your counter for a day or two before it is perfect to eat, heavy and quite soft. And when you do receive a very ripe tomato, eat it up.
Onion Harvest
The onions are the first seeds we plant into the greenhouse in early March. They get planted into the fields in late April. For the past few years we have been planting them directly into plastic mulch. Then we mulch between the plastic beds of onions with straw mulch. The mulch serves several purposes. It keeps the weed pressure way down. There will always be some weeding, especially along the edge where the straw meets the plastic and in the holes where the onion plants are growing. But a huge benefit of the plastic mulch is moisture retention. We lay drip irrigation tape under the plastic so we can water the onions. Onions need significantly more water than most other crops in order to form a bulb. This season in particular there has been a rain shortage and we have been irrigating very frequently. Without the plastic mulch and irrigation tape the onions would be pretty sad. This year's crop is absolutely beautiful. The crew spent nearly 3 days harvesting and laying out the onions to cure. We lay them in the greenhouse to dry. If you are out here for the Corn Boil, do go take a peek. In about three weeks the tops will be dried down and we will clip off the dried tops and put them all into crates for storage. These onions will be delivered for the rest of the season. If kept cool and dry they will store until June. You can look forward to beautiful onions in your share soon.
Celery Harvest


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The Raymarine i50/i60 Wind, Speed and Depth System Package is a complete system providing spot on accuracy of wind speed and water conditions right. Depth and Speed transducers are thru-hull type and you get the standard masthead wind transducer.
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If there are two things that will endear me to any city, it's probably chocolate and rugby. Given the presence of a Cadbury factory and a successful rugby team in Dunedin, there are no prizes for guessing how this blog is going to go…
Those who read my last blog will remember my petulant, dramatic and entirely justified rant at the rudest receptionist of all time (Americans), so it was hesitantly that we approached our first full day in the city.
Dunedin is actually the Gaelic translation of 'Edinburgh' – the city was founded and hugely influenced by Celtic settlers. (An actual serious fact on this blog. Are you surprised? I know I am.)
While the city doesn't quite have the wall to wall heritage of Edinburgh, it's not a bad second with some stunning architecture and some god-forbid-it actual history to be enjoyed.
Naturally for two keen history graduates, our first stop was the Cadbury's Chocolate factory. That has history too, you know. We arrived and booked onto a tour for 11am, which gave us just enough time to go to the cafe and live out some of my chocolate based childhood dreams with a salted caramel cake and fudge hot chocolate, both of which were as tasty as they were fattening.
We waddled on over to start the tour. Unfortunately no phones were allowed, so there's no photographic evidence of what happened inside. You'll just have to take my word for it then, that the Cadbury's factory in Dunedin has a chocolate river, edible grass, a whole meal in chewing gum form and a slightly creepy old man showing you round.
Of course I'm joking. I wish I wasn't, but I am. The tour had none of those things, but luckily did have an abundance of free chocolate so was just as good, if not better. Given we'd just had a hot chocolate and a massive slice of cake, you would think that it would be ridiculous for me to eat most of that chocolate immediately. You would be wrong.
One aspect of the Cadburys tour was a huge silo, which we were taken to the top of. Then in front of our eyes tonnes of melted chocolate dropped from the top of the silo to the bottom. When we asked why they did this, the answer came that there was absoloutely no purpose to it and they had built the silo and the machinery and dropped all the chocolate just for fun, basically.
The Cadbury's factory in Dunedin is closing down soon. It's a shame, but I think I might have something of an inkling as to why that might be happening. Don't build 50 foot silos, buy expensive machinery and waste a tonne of chocolate a day if you like profitable factories, you genuine lunatics.
Bloody great fun though. I wanted to jump in.
The tour was soon sadly over and I walked out considerably heavier in terms of both chocolate and weight. We now turned our attention to an even more exciting event (and believe me, I don't say that lightly), Super Rugby and the Highlanders from Dunedin against the Crusaders from Christchurch.
We arrived at the stadium with me excited and in high spirits and Katie not really knowing what was going on, but a combination of the stadium having a roof, a whole stand being populated with drunk and disorderly students and the PA announcer having a fondness for playing pop hits in breaks of play made for a fantastic atmosphere. This was made even better by the Highlanders sailing into an impressive 27-3 lead just after half time, wrapping the game up easily in the 50th minute.
Except this is New Zealand and if there's one thing New Zealand teams don't do, it's lose easily. Or lose at all, usually. The Crusaders scored 27 points in the last 20 minutes, with a try at the end of the game to clinch an unbelievable 30-27 win.
This somewhat dampened some sections of the crowd, but the students who had been drinking all day didn't seem to be disappointed at the result and sang and danced around us as we departed the stadium into the Dunedin night. In fairness, they probably weren't at all disappointed as they probably didn't have a clue what the score was, who the teams were or indeed where exactly they were.
So after rugby and beer and chocolate, one of the best days of travelling (and possibly one of the best of my life) came to a close.
The next morning we wandered down to Dunedin Railway Station, which is actually bloody magnificent to be fair. No public trains go through the station, only tourist ones, and yet look at it:
Look at it! Awesome. Anyway, all too soon we were back on a bus to Queenstown, with a lady who had exactly 4 topics of conversation:
- Bodies of water along the route
- Whether one could swim in those bodies of water
- Whether one could boat in those bodies of water
- Where we would go if we turned the opposite direction at major junctions.
Thus, our journey can be summarised as this:
"So on your right there you have the Taieri River. Yeh that's no good for swimming, too rough, but you can boat there"
Ah okay cool pretty interesting thanks
"Ah yeh on your left there is Lake Waihola, pretty shallow so no good for boating. Or swimming. Pretty popular with holidaymakers there yeh"
Weird that New Zealander's like to go on holiday to lows where you can't do anything but okay fair enough
"Now we're going left here, but if we went right we'd be on our way to Invercargill"
We've been to Invercargill and we can all read the road signs but… thanks?
"Aw yeah that lake there is pretty great for boating, nice and deep. Not so great for swimming though hey"
Yes okay there's water we can swim or boat or neither or both
"Great lake on the left there hey…"
Do you know what that is actually really lovely, maybe we could even stop and have a swi-
"No boating or swimming there though. Not allowed hey"
Fair enough.
We arrived in Queenstown in the afternoon for one of the greatest nights of my life: Our final stay in a Base Hostel! Ever! I couldn't contain the excitement. True to form, Base provided us with their finest combination of stinking room above a bar, with only top bunks remaining and 4 men in it who had the bodies of boys who love themselves too much and the cleanliness of an undomesticated rat.
We ditched the bags and went to meet Noah, Pippa and Sigrid from earlier in the blog. After I reluctantly queued for a Fergburger, which in fairness was bloody tasty, we spent the night discussing tales of our travels since we had last seen each other in Wellington, before being told by an absoloutely sloshed child from Bath that he was sober (lie), he was an England rugby fan (southern English rugby fans do always seem so humble and pleasant) and that all Welsh people were "a very rude word I can't repeat here". Pippa is Welsh, so we encouraged him to leave before doing so ourselves for bed and sleep.
Whether that very very drunk bloke survived is a mystery to me. With the best of intentions, he wouldn't be a huge loss.
So the next morning we were on a bus to Lake Tekapo. We left Queenstown behind, and unfortunately had to leave Sigrid and Noah for the last time too. As we headed on the beginning of the end, our final ascent north to Auckland and the end of our travels, we passed the amazing scenery of the beautiful gorge that runs by the road away from Queenstown. As I stared down at the fast flowing crystal blue water, one thought was clear in my head;
Couldn't bloody swim in there. Or boat. No way.
Alex Odlin would like to reiterate that you absoloutely couldn't boat in that river in the gorge. Or swim. You know if you turned right at this road you'd be going to Christchurch?
Infrequent photos HERE: instagram.com/alexanderjodlin
Infrequent humour HERE: twitter.com/alexodlinsufc
1: Cuddles – The Man, The Myth, The Legend
2: Christchurch – Pleasant Surprises
3: The best airport in the world


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Head Of Shrek's Studio Puts Millions Behind Obama
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.
And I'm Melissa Block.
Last night, President Obama hobnobbed with a glamorous Hollywood crowd at a fundraiser at George Clooney's house. The president brought in big money, a reported $15 million, which would make last night one of the most profitable presidential fundraisers ever. We're going to here now about a prominent donor who was there - movie mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, a co-host of the party, has already chipped in $2 million for the superPAC that support the president.
NPR's Carrie Kahn reports tells us more about Katzenberg as part of our series Million Dollar Donors.
CARRIE KAHN, BYLINE: Jeffrey Katzenberg is well-known in Hollywood circles. But if you haven't heard of him you've certainly heard this name.
KAHN: Katzenberg heads DreamWorks Animation studios, known for its blockbusters "Shrek" and this martial arts mastering bear.
KAHN: Katzenberg made his millions in movies, but his first career was politics. It was the 1960s, he was a teenager in his native New York City and he worked on John Lindsay's mayoral campaign. Katzenberg was in charge of campaign events. He was the advance man or perhaps the advance teen - he was only 19 and the campaign staff called him Squirt.
STEVEN BRILL: Because he's little and he was a kid, he was a punk.
KAHN: Writer and author Steven Brill was also a teenager working in the Lindsay campaign.
BRILL: Jeff has an unbelievable work ethic. Everything always got done. Everything always got done on time or ahead of time, and he was just always working.
KAHN: Many on the staff went on to long political careers, including speech writer Bob Shrum and former President Clinton's National Security Advisor Sandy Berger. But Katzenberg said he didn't see much of a future in it for himself. He told Charlie Rose in a 2010 interview he had topped out.
JEFFREY KATZENBERG: It very quickly came to a place where for my age there really wasn't going to be a new challenge in politics. And so, I sought out to find a new career.
KAHN: That new career was movies. Katzenberg took his organizational skills to work in some of Hollywood's biggest studios - United Artists, Paramount, Disney and ultimately DreamWorks, where he is CEO. Along the way, he and his wife have donated millions to politics and charities. He was honored last month in Las Vegas at a movie industry convention for his philanthropic work.
Actress Cameron Diaz heaped on the praise.
CAMERON DIAZ: He is persistent not only about things relating to work but he is also persistent about things related to worth.
KAHN: Katzenberg likes to talk about his charitable work. He doesn't like to talk about his politics. He turned down repeated requests for an interview.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, he's given more than $3.5 million since 1979. In the 2008 campaign cycle he was the second highest individual donor, always giving to Democrats. His $2 million check to the Priorities USA Action superPAC last year put him in the top 10 donor list this cycle; an elite group of U.S. multi-millionaires and billionaires.
Marge Tabankin, a Hollywood activist and fundraiser, who doesn't work with Katzenberg, says the DreamWorks CEO wouldn't be a good businessman if he didn't play in high stakes politics.
MARGE TABANKIN: But you don't need to work at the level of Jeffrey Katzenberg energy and commitment to these causes and issues, unless you really believe in them. It's beyond what a business person does.
KAHN: Earlier this year, Katzenberg, the businessman, got some quality face time with one of China's top leaders, who was in Los Angeles with Vice President Joe Biden. Katzenberg and other Hollywood studio heads have been lobbying for better access to China's huge movie market.
Just before Chinese VP Xi Jinping left L.A., the White House announced China would allow 14 more foreign films into the country each year. That's as long as the movies are IMAX or 3D, something Katzenberg's DreamWorks makes plenty of.
Carrie Kahn, NPR News.
BLOCK: And you can find more stories from our series Million Dollar Donors, about the people who have made record donations in the 2012 campaign. It's at NPR.org.
Copyright © 2012 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


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About Write on Mission
Karina QuintansOwner and Published Technical Writer, Write on Mission LLC
It's so nice working with someone who clearly loves what she does."
Write on Mission LLC is a woman-owned small business providing technical writing services.
I love to write. And I love the learning and discovery that comes with writing, whether from reviewing source documents, performing research, but most especially, from conducting interviews.
You see, learning, new experiences, and discovery were ingrained in me from a young age. This is in large part because I grew up living and traveling around the world, constantly exposed to something new. As an adult, I have continued to travel to have new experiences. Becoming a technical writer has been another way to incorporate continuous discovery into my life.
Add in that my friends and colleagues have always said: "you're a good listener." Yep, that's what I do, I listen. And my analytical self asks questions, and then I listen some more.
Why? Because you're interesting. What you do is interesting — your mission, how you plan and execute that mission, and ultimately succeed in your mission. That's all interesting.
Uncovering that story, your story, through interviews and conversations, jotting down notes, and then analyzing and processing that into a coherent, well-organized document is what I love to do.
And the icing on the cake? I am externally motivated. Helping others is what I am best at and most driven to do. Achieving your mission, is my mission. Writers write to tell story. And I want to tell your's. I am here to both highlight and ignite your mission!
That said, developing a good technical document is a two-way street. If you're all in and enjoy talking to a good listener, I am 200% yours! So let's get to work, and make a positive impact on the world!
Read the story of how I became a writer »
Experience Summary
- Over 14 years of experience providing technical writing services for businesses and nonprofits (domestic and international)
- Member of the Society of American Military Engineers
- Member of the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire
View a comprehensive list of ways I can help you along with an overview of my professional experience »
I wanted to take a moment and offer my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to have Karina on our team during our recent [project]. She made herself available and was always more than willing to help, travel, assist, and coordinate a sometimes difficult group and was always pleasant to work with. I commend her for her professionalism and dedication to the project."
— Rick W. Durham, Director, Homeland Security Division, AhtnaSTS
In My Free Time
The world is a huge and fascinating place to explore, so travel continues to define my life. When home in Portsmouth, NH, I like to ice skate at Strawbery Banke in the wintertime. In the summertime, I enjoy the beach, music shows at Prescott Park, and the farmer's market. In the fall, my favorite time of year in New England, I hike and enjoy all that comes with fall — Sunday football, colored leaves, perfect 70 something-degree days and cool nights, and all things pumpkin! Downtown Portsmouth has lots of great places to get together with friends. I could go on and on about all the fun things to do on the Seacoast; it's a good life!
I am also involved in the community in a variety of ways. Read more about my civic engagement work »


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I am, apparently, a bad driver. This is according to my father, husband and sons. Oh, and every other man that has ever seen me drive. Do I agree? Maybe. Do I care? No.
I believe that men are better drivers than women in one specific area. Spacial awareness. Most women (and there are exceptions), have no concept of the space around them. They cannot judge distance. It annoys me to no end in the school parking lot where one woman will take up enough parking spaces for three cars.
I last parallel parked twenty-odd years ago when I went for my driver's licence, which I had to re-do two or three times. And then about two years ago when my son challenged me. I did it successfully but have to add, it was a huge space. So I would rather drive around looking for parking, than trying to parallel-park. It is for men.
I am a bit of an aggressive driver, I will confess. And I tend to drive fast. I have no patience on road and cannot stand snails in the fast lane. Why, why, why are you sitting in the overtaking lane, when you need to be overtaken?
I use my hooter a lot and if you have ever been on South African roads, you will understand the necessity thereof.
I overtake and tailgate, I signal, hoot and gesture. I worry that when I stop doing it, it will be a sign that I am getting old.
But here I have to add something. The car you drive makes a big difference to how you drive. Or rather, a good car increases impatience.
I drive a 320d. A Beemer. And no thank you, I don't want any other car other than perhaps a 330d. My car is like a faithful Boerperd (South African horse breed). It is willing and has all the power necessary to do what I ask. I never have to use force; a gentle nudge is all it takes.
And for people who complain about BMW drivers, this is what I say to you: "I drive like this, because I CAN!"
Now move over and go sulk at home.


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Gauteng�s very own Wild West offers a rich variety of options for location scouts. Whether you�re looking for mountains or mines or man�s history, the West Rand area of Gauteng offers easily accessible, and visually appealing, locations for film, television and commercials.
The landscape is characterised by highveld plains studded with mine dumps and headgears � and the Magaliesberg mountain range. The main attraction to the area, of course, is the 47 000 ha Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, which incorporates the Sterkfontein Caves � one of the world's most important palaeo-anthropological sites, a historic gem within close proximity to both Johannesburg and Pretoria. Since 1947, there have been great scientific discoveries here in the search for the origins of humankind. Embedded in the rocks, found in the numerous dolomitic caves in the area, are the fossilised remains of hominids, animals, plants and pollen giving a complete picture of the hominids and their surroundings dating back over 3,3 million years. The area contains archaeological sites dating to the Stone Age, the Iron Age, and recent history such as the Second South African War - in fact the West Rand area is filled with remnants from this war, including old British blockhouses.
The other major attraction of West Rand is that it provides a landscape littered with abandoned and operational mines, ideal for filming requirements.
Contributing to the vibrancy of the West Rand are mining towns such as Carletonville and Randfontein, quiet country retreats such as Muldersdrift and Magaliesburg, including the charming Magalies Meander, and the urban bustle and prehistoric significance of Mogale City (formerly Krugersdorp) including the Crocodile Ramble.
The town of Carletonville was named after Guy Carleton-Jones, one of the mining magnates of the area. West Driefontein and Western Deep Levels, are open to the public. There are two prominent monuments in the area: the Danie Theron Monument which stands on the hill where this Boer scout died in 1900 during a brave one-man battle against a detachment of British soldiers; and the Ireland-Bergh Memorial Stone and Oosthuizen Monument which commemorate the mining history of the area. With its many large parks and dams, Carletonville continues to be a laid-back mining town.
Krugersdorp was established on a portion of the farm Paardekraal, and named after President Paul Kruger. In 2001, Krugersdorp was renamed Mogale City in honour of Chief Mohale Mohale who ruled the Tswana people in the region in the early nineteenth century. Mogale City is the commercial capital of the West Rand and both past and future are inextricably linked to mining. Mogale City is home to one of the first gold mines on the Witwatersrand dating back to 1881, the Old Kromdraai Gold Mine. In 1952 the West Rand Consolidated Mine became the first mine to extract uranium as a by-product of gold mining. Today, manganese, iron, asbestos and lime are also mined in the Krugersdorp mines.
Just ten kilometres north of Krugersdorp is the Kromdraai Conservancy area, within the Cradle of Humankind, home to the Rhino and Lion Park, a 1 400-hectare private reserve home to lion, buffalo, rhinoceros, cheetah, wild dogs, hippopotami and several species of antelope, as well as the Wonder Caves. Visitors have to take a mineshaft 40 metres down into the earth to reach the Wonder Cave � an enormous single chamber, decorated by some 15-metre high rock formations. The cave is 2 200 million years old and formations include rim stone pools, cave pearls, stalactites, stalagmites, and the famous �Madonna� carved by nature into the rock. There is also a perfectly calm underground lake. Local African people regard it with awe, believing that the water has medicinal properties and can even cure blindness. Tribespeople hold ceremonies at the edge of the lake, during which water is carried away for treatment of the sick. The underground lake with crystal clear water is the only one of its kind in the country.
Ngomo Safari Lodge, also situated within the Rhino and Lion Park, has a well established team building camp, as well as luxurious tented accommodation. A major attraction here is one of the many private fossil sites, where a private guided tour of an active dig can be arranged, to truly experience the essence of this World Heritage Site.
The Sterkfontein Caves, also found within the Cradle of Humankind, are not only the site of some very famous paleontological discoveries, but are also noted for the beauty of their stalactites, stalagmites and crystals. The main visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng, comprises 2 500 square metres of exhibition space exploring the past, present and possible future of humankind. There are viewing decks, a 5 000-seater outdoor amphitheatre, a craft market and numerous gift shops, choices of restaurants and banqueting facilities, a conference centre for 500 and a boutique hotel.
Wild Cave Adventures has established itself as the authority on caving in this region, and offers guided tours affording young (over 8 years) and old alike the opportunity of abseiling down into the caves for tours lasting up to 3 hours, At one with nature and the local communities, a caving experience could well evolve into helping a cave recover from being used as a dump, to brightening up a rural school. Wild Cave personnel are used to working with film crews.
On the borders of the province, Saddle Creek Ranch enable visitors and crews to experience a little of the �Wild West�. Turning the corner to their �ranch�, the welcome you receive puts you in another place and time that needs to be experienced! Here you have the opportunity of riding a horse suited to your level of experience on a trail up onto the Magaliesburg Mountain range, lasting from one hour to the whole day.
February 2007 saw the newly built Lake Heritage Dam on the Richter properties of Heia Safari Ranch and Aloe Ridge fill in a mere 48 hours! This beautiful dam is home to numerous bird species and a pair of Fish Eagles have successfully bred on the professionally built nesting platform for the last two years.
Various water activities are offered, including fishing for yellowfish, bass, carp and barbel. A guided drive on this private game farm of more than 1 000 ha with no private vehicles on the roads is a special experience, with numerous species living on the farm, including rhinos, hippos, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope.
Sites of historic interest include the old Burgershoop Graveyard, containing the graves of some 809 women and children who died in British concentration camps during the Second Anglo-Boer War. A prominent monument in the area is the Paardekraal Monument, which marks the site where 6 000 Transvaal �burghers� assembled in 1880 to pledge their allegiance to Paul Kruger. Each man placed a stone on a cairn to signify his resolve to fight for the independence of the Transvaal (Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek). After the short war with the British and the declaration of independence, the men resolved to commemorate their victory by celebrating it at the cairn, on 16 December every five years. An 18-metre high sandstone monument was subsequently erected on the spot and still stands today.
The old station building, which is a national monument and dates back to the construction of the first railway line between Springs and Krugersdorp in 1887, is an elegant landmark. There is also a Railway Preservation Centre with an historic rail collection that includes locomotives and other equipment in working order. And while on the subject of Rail � some of the country�s oldest steam locomotives, a diesel electronic locomotive and over 50 vintage passenger coaches can be viewed at the South African National Railway and Steam Museum.
The 2 000-million year old Magaliesberg Mountains form a natural boundary between the highveld region to the south and the warmer Bushveld (savannah) region to the north. A wide diversity of plants, mammals and birds are found here. The quaint town of Magaliesburg lies in the valley. The world famous Bill Harrops Ballooning Safaris are situated at Skeerpoort in the Magaliesburg, from which breathtaking scenes can be filmed of the mountains and surrounding vistas. Another historic mine can be found here, the Blaauwbank goldmine surrounded by scenic countryside and the Magaliesberg mountains, where it�s possible to still pan for gold.
Muldersdrift, the centre of the Crocodile Ramble, is only 10 kilometres from Mogale City. This cosy village is near the Magaliesberg Mountain range. The area boasts a number of pubs and country restaurants. �Wedding-farms� have also become popular in this area, as have paintball parks, 4x4 tracks, obstacle courses, and drag strips.
Gilroy�s Country Brewery, at the Ngwenya Glass Village in Muldersdrift, opened in October last year, with well known Master Brewer giving brewery tours by prior arrangement but providing colourful entertainment just by being himself during all opening hours. The country style venue gives the feel of being in a saloon bar with a distinctive Victorian slant, with its dark wood, glass and tin roof adding character to large outdoor seating area, where live entertainment is provided at weekends and public holidays as well as occasions like St. Patrick�s Day!
The same location is home to a plethora of crafters, from Wire Works - a training programme and outlet for small beaded/wire gifts to corporate logos and commissions, stone masons, recycled glass blowers and glassware - to more traditional arts and crafts. Zest Restaurant and various children's activities and playground complete the scene to make a very vibey and colourful venue sure to suit many needs.
A highlight of the area is Greensleeves Medieval Kingdom, which offers the essentials for a superb conference and film setting, far removed from the everyday. Facilities range from small to large conference offerings in unusual rooms, including a tree house, a medieval banqueting hall or King Arthur's Round Table...
In 1889, the mining financier JB Robinson bought the farm Randfontein and started the Randfontein Estates Gold Mining Company. From the following year, a town began to establish itself around the mine. Much has changed since the early days and Randfontein is now a large industrial and residential centre on the West Rand.
The history of the town Westonaria, developed in 1938 alongside the Libanon and Venterspost gold mines, speaks of hard times as mineshafts were sunk and abandoned time and again. Today, skydiving is a popular outdoor activity and a landing strip and clubhouse for skydivers has been built at the Westonaria Dam Resort. Of historic value is the Pullinger Shaft, which led to the eventual development of deep-level gold mining. Mining operations were repeatedly thwarted by the 1 200 metres of dolomite that cover the West Rand area.
Useful contacts:
West Rand District Municipality
Amanda Lombaard
Tel: (011) 411 5155
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
The Crocodile Ramble
Marian Brooke
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: www.theramble.co.za
Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
Reshma Lakha-Singh
Tel: (011) 355 1863
Tel: (014) 577 9000
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Magalies Meander
Tel: (014) 577 2063
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mogale City Marketing and Communication
Tel: (011) 951 2477
Fax: (011) 953 2493
Website: www.mogalecity.gov.za


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Something exciting is coming to Summerland Farm!
A recent grant application has secured funds for an upgrade to the children's park, retail services and manufacturing process areas in our working farm. Our vision is to create a unique experience that celebrates the site and our beautiful landscape, while aiding the success of the farm to prosper and grow as a tourism icon in the region.
The Grocer, Nursery and Gift shop will have a completely new look and product offering. The area is temporarily closed for construction while works are in progress, but we can promise you it's going to be BIG and well worth the wait.
We are estimating we'll be ready to unveil and reopen for business around April 2020.
The great news is it's business as usual for our restaurant and functions centre throughout the whole period. We're open 7 days a week from now right through to Easter (we're closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday only).
So watch this space!
Keen to follow the changes as we go? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and news from the Summerland Farm team.


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The press junket for Avengers: Endgame continued this week, and with it, a new roundtable interview from Entertainment Weekly (hosted by Anthony Breznican) featuring the original Avengers team members of Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, and Mr. Kevin Feige.
"The only thing you can guaranty about Endgame is that it's gonna start, and that it's gonna end," Renner says.
"I'm going to have PTSD from this junket, honestly," Johansson says. "I lie away at night, and think about all the things I almost said, and it gives me panic."
The attention then turns to Ruffalo, who Robert Downey Jr. calls a "repeat offender" in the spoiler-camp. Hey, he's no Tom Holland! Breznican then asks Ruffalo wha the biggest spoiler was he dropped. Remember that time he described the first 10 minutes of Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok? Because we remember.
The entire 24-minute round table is pretty great, and it's sad to think this may be the last time we see this group together like this.
You can read about Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige's comments on Steve Ditko and Stan Lee here.
The Russo Brothers Joe and Anthony return to the MCU to direct Avengers:Endgame, which stars Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Josh Brolin (Thanos), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk),Don Cheadle (War Machine), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), and Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon).
Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26th, 2019.


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Gingerbread Palace
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Publisher's Summary
A week before Christmas, Alex Bancroft's bakery goes up in flames. When he runs back inside after a dog, firefighter Kevin Flint has to rescue Alex - and Quincy - from the smoldering building, endangering them and inflaming Kevin's resentment.
Now Alex can't create the elaborate gingerbread house he donates to a foster-kids charity each year. Fire Station 7 again comes to his rescue, offering their kitchen and their manpower.
Everyone but Kevin Flint, that is. A third-generation firefighter, he's fearful of stepping too far out of the closet. So when his powerful physical attraction for Alex ends in a sizzling secret encounter in the firehouse, Kevin can't push Alex far enough away, and Alex returns the cold shoulder.
After a change of heart, Kevin risks his life to prove he's worthy of Alex's affection, but without a Christmas miracle, their chances at sweet romance might go up in smoke.
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What listeners say about Gingerbread Palace
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- Morgan A Skye
- 01-21-16
Love Nick's narration - elevates this story
Alex (who's had a rough childhood) suffers again when his bakery goes up in flames and he's accused of causing it by a closeted fireman, Kevin.
Kevin is super attracted to Alex and that scares him. Though he acts on his passion for Alex with a night of hot sex, he turns into a raging a**hole in the morning and accuses Alex of arson.
Alex is done with being treated like dirt by closet cases and decides to explore a relationship with another fire-fighter who isn't ashamed to be seen with him.
Kevin is shocked to find out that gay firemen are accepted in his company and really begins to regret how he's treated Alex – especially when he finds out what an amazing man he really is.
Will Kevin be able to win Alex back or will Alex move on?
Kevin was a douche for 80% of this story so it was hard for me to like him for the nearly perfect Alex. The story was almost too short for me to even really accept them as a couple, but the ending really did put them together in a way that felt pretty solid.
The sex was hot and not a lot of it, which felt appropriate for the story.
I think the fireman aspect felt real to me and it was a nice glimpse at that profession.
As a story by itself I'd give this 3.75 of 5 stars – I liked it but didn't really LOVE it.
Nick J Russo is only getting better the more narrations he performs. He gives all the guys in the fire house a unique voice and really brings this story to life. I absolutely think this is the best way to experience this story as his narrations elevates it from a 3 to solid 4.5 of 5 stars. So much fun!


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Some of the best stuff buzzing online
Photo: knashsports / Instagram
Important new evidence has just emerged that selfies are not only a danger to your dignity, but also your skull. Check out the sports reporter who survived the world's most dangerous selfie, then read about the Danish answer to sushi and get a GIF summary of what it's like being hungover at work
This is why you don't take selfies
Daniel Day-Lewis kills it as Obama
Coming soon: A moviegoer's guide to May
Gallery of the day: Rashida Jones
What it's like being hungover at work
Michael Shannon eats a sandwich, wears red gloves in new photo shoot
Is Danish "smørrebrød" the new sushi?
See the architecture of Istanbul on a butterfly and a piece of pasta
When athletes meet hecklers
Set your phasers to geek out with this new Star Trek Into Darkness clip:


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Quality Control
Our QC department is composed of 1 QC engineers and 4 QC assistants, with the expanding of our output, more QC staffs are needed. We strictly conduct international quality standards to meet the clients demands.
1. Before the order to be confirmed, we should check the material & color of sample which should be strictly.
2. We will be tracing the different phase of production from the beginning to end.
3. Every product quality checked & cleaned before packing.
4. Before delivery clients could arrange one QC to check the quality.
5. We will try our best to help clients when problem occurred.
Procedures / Testing datails
Materials have to pass strict examination before being accepted, IQC check sampling refers to AQL on whether to accept or not.
IPQC checks on the products and manufacturing procedures are conducted. Results are recorded for future study.
FQC on the final product, referring to CSP standards. Final testing is also conducted.
QA on all items to be shipped, referring to AQL. All procedures are up to ISO 9001:2000 standards.


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An opportunity to try this variegated hand dyed yarn with a difference, from the special, rare breed seaweed eating sheep.
A genuinely local product, fleece is grown, then spun in limited quantities at the mill, on the island of North Ronaldsay.
This is a 4-ply yarn but tends towards a heavy fingering or sport weight. Please note – for guidance only, the meterage/yardage for the natural undyed yarn is 375m or 410y per 100g. We are unable to provide figures for the wool, after dyeing, so please allow for some shrinkage.
- 100% wool
- Non repeatable, one of a kind colourway
- Suitable for felting
Any further questions, please ask!


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The best thing you can do for a toothache is: Don't have one!
With that out of the way, you can start taking steps to reduce pain and, hopefully, get yourself back on the road to dental health. Toothaches are one of the most difficult pains to live with.
When a person is suffering through this type of pain, it seems to take over their lives until something is done about it. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the ache, until something more permanent can be done.
Unfortunately, taking good care of your teeth is no guarantee against toothaches. It certainly helps. You can do everything your parents and your dentist advise you to do and still suffer this excruciating pain.
Some people head straight for the medicine cabinet, hoping that an over-the-counter pain killer will provide relief. Learn more at Dentist Be Damned.
Items are available at any pharmacy or general store, and will provide temporary relief. But you should use these in moderation. It is always wise to find a more permanent solution, even if it means taking a trip to your family dentist.
There are a few other things you can try, if you want to avoid commercial medicines. You have many of these in your home now, or can put them together in a matter of minutes.
For example, it may help to place a cold compress on the afflicted area. This can be a very quick way of providing relief, though it is definitely a short-term solution. This may also help reduce swelling of the face and gums.
Do not put ice directly on the area of the toothache. This is a sure way to cause yourself additional pain. Wrap some ice in a towel or cloth and then put it on your cheek, outside the problem spot.
You could put a small piece of ice or some cold water in your mouth, but you must be careful to avoid direct contact with the tooth.
Vampires and Toothache
Legend states that people can use garlic to keep vampires away. That's what the movies tell us. But did you know that this common item can have a powerful antibiotic effect when used properly?
The compound goes by the name of allicin. If you crush garlic to release allicin you can place a piece on the tooth for quick relief. Some people even report the tooth problem goes away entirely, but this can vary from one person to another.
When you are battling a tooth problem that causes severe pain, remember that the cause can usually be found under or in the tooth. A nerve is irritated by injury, decay, or infection, or when a tooth has to be pulled.
As is the case with garlic, it is important to find something that gets to the source of the ache. Some people have tried warm water with salt. This will relieve the pain temporarily and may even help cleanse the area, leading to more long-term relief.
A more involved remedy uses oregano and colloidal silver. This second product is a mineral that should be used sparingly. The federal agency that oversees such products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), established regulations just a few years ago that stated colloidal silver was not safe or effective.
You can still purchase this item but you will have to go to a homeopathic supplier. It is used for a number of infections and other maladies.
If you feel comfortable using colloidal silver, start by putting oregano oil under your tongue. The next step involves swishing the colloidal silver about once an hour. You may even want to rub some silver onto the gum area around the affected tooth.
Put oil of oregano on the gum, then rinse out with warm salt water. Dentist Be Damned may also offer some solutions.
Ginger Root
People have also found relief using ginger root, an effective natural substance. Obtain this root (as fresh as possible) cut a piece and remove the skin. Put the piece on the afflicted tooth and bite down gently.
You should feel relief almost immediately. Store your ginger root in the refrigerator and use small pieces as needed.
Essential oil from clove is a good natural remedy for numbing pain from toothaches. It is believed to kill bacteria, which may be the cause of the problem. Soak a cotton ball in this oil and wipe it on the gums and tooth.


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Hide a Partition in Win XP
Hi, There are a number of ways that you can simulate "hiding". Based on your concerns, it would seem that the best way to prevent this type of damage would be if the partition did not exist. What I mean is if you were to install a removable HDD and install it when you want to back up your files and then remove it and lock it when you are done. There are a number of ways that you could do this. A USB drive, an IDE drive installed in a removable sliding tray, a Zip or Jaz drive, CD rewritable or CDRom. Hope this helps.
Hide a Partition in Win XP
In XP you can do a number of things. You can "mount" the partition as a folder in another partitions directory structure. You can then hide this folder. Or you can leave it unmounted altogether. I am guessing you still want to have access to your partition, so you can back things up to it. Let me start by saying it is better to get a whole other hard drive for this. The reason is if your hard drive fails it will take everything on all 4 partitions with it. Whether you use your existing partition or use a new harddrive you can mount the partition as a folder in the directory structure. If the partition is NTFS you can restrict access preventing your kids from access that directory. Otherwise you can hide it and as long as you have the system set to not veiw hidden objects it will be out of sight and out of mind for your kids.


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New Electronics Deals: details here
Here is a turntable that should prove interesting to die-hard vinyl lovers. ATMO SFERA is a platterless turntable that lets records spin in the air smoothly. It has a low-toque motor and microcontroller. It offers Bluetooth stereo connectivity.
This belt-driven 2-speed turntable has an elegant design, measuring 16.5″ x 12″ x 4″. More information is available here. What do you think? Are you impressed?
*Our articles may contain aff links. Please read our disclaimer on how we fund this site.


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Toby's perfect life is brutally interrupted when a seemingly random burglary leaves him physically and mentally traumatised. When he gets the devastating news that his beloved Uncle Hugo is dying, he decides to move into his childhood summer home, The Ivy House, to care for him and recoup himself. But when his nephew discovers a human skull in the wych elm at the bottom of the garden, Toby is forced to question everything he thought he knew about his idyllic teenage summers at The Ivy House.
I loved The Wych Elm, it felt totally different to any other crime novel I've read. I liked that it focused the people affected rather than following the police detectives. All the characters felt real and fleshed out and multi-dimensional. I felt myself quite attached to them, especially Hugo. There was a much bigger focus on the domestic relationships between characters than most crime novels have, which I really liked. There were so many stages and layers to the investigation but it never felt dragged out, the pacing was excellent. Really enjoyed this and I'd like to read more from Tana French.
Rating: 4 / 5 stars
The Wych Elm will be published February 21st 2019.
*I received a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*


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Jazz vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur will lead her ensemble in a concert marking Sammons Center's 30th anniversary at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St. Sax virtuoso Stan Getz discovered Schuur at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1979. Her latest CD, I Remember You (With Love to Stan and Frank), pays homage to Getz and Sinatra. Sammons jazz artistic director, pianist, composer and Steinway artist Arlington Jones kicks off the concert with his group, Arlington Jones & The Brethren. Sammons Center for the Arts is in the Turtle Creek Pump Station, 3630 Harry Hines Blvd., and is home to 14 arts groups. More than 100 arts organizations use the center's services and facilities. Call 214-871-5000 for tickets, $30-$150. For more information, visit sammonsartcenter.org. Reba Liner
See UNT's One O'Clock Lab Band and other performers from the school's respected jazz program during this weekend's Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. With seven stages, the event encompasses many genres and includes performances by Randy Brecker, Los Lobos and Brave Combo. You'll also find food, games, a children's art area and more from 5-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St. in Denton. Admission is free. For more information, visit dentonjazzfest.com. Emily Goldstein
OK, don't get cute. Douchebagist uptownist is not a species. Neither is Bubbagist mesquititii. The City Nature Challenge is looking for volunteer amateur naturalists to snap photos and share pictures of plant or animal species — real ones — in their cities using the iNaturalist smartphone app. DFW is one of seven urban areas in Texas and more than 70 cities worldwide to see which can find the most species, and the winner gets ... bragging rights. Hey, in Texas, we kill for bragging rights. Participants can work on their own or join in one of nearly 30 group events scheduled Friday through Sunday across DFW. Find a complete list by searching "nature challenge" at tpwd.texas.gov. Patrick Williams
Slowdive got its start in England in the late 1980s. After three albums, the group disbanded, and members worked on other projects. But they've since been considered legends in early shoegaze. Last year, the group reunited for its self-titled album — its first in 22 years. Honing similar tones of moodiness to early Slowdive work, the album received glowing critical praise. 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 214-824-9933 or granadatheater.com, $42-$70. Diamond Victoria
Jack White, who visited last year to promote his Dallas-based bat company, Warstic, will return for shows April 27 and April 29 at the Bomb Factory. Expect lots of guitar riffs and quite a few new numbers from his upcoming album, Boarding House Reach, a copy of which is included with each ticket purchase. 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Sunday, April 29, Bomb Factory, 2713 Canton St., thebombfactory.com, $85-$1135. Jeff Strowe
Dallas Music Scene started as a Facebook group bringing together local metal musicians and giving them a platform to promote their bands and shows. It's since evolved into the promotional group Dallas Metal Showcase that throws shows featuring the best in the scene. On Friday, catch Sardonic Witchery, Wyrm Chasm, The Black Moriah and Cropdust. With Sardonic Witchery, Wyrm Chasm, The Black Moriah and Cropdust, 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $10. Diamond Victoria
Every weekend, there's a new chance to get drunk and listen to live music. This weekend is no exception. The Bath House Cultural Center and the Texas Musicians Museum host Lake-A-Palooza, a festival featuring — you guessed it — live local music, beer, wine, food and family-friendly activities from 1-8 p.m. at the cultural center, 521 E. Lawther Drive. And when you get bored drinking and enjoying live music from the likes of Jimmy Baldwin and Rickey Gene Wright and the Duck Creek Station, there will also be a music-focused art exhibit for you to indulge in. Paige Skinner
Does your child have a mild weight problem? Is he or she reluctant to exercise anything more than a pudgy thumb on a smartphone? Is your child, let's be honest, a lazy porker? We suppose you could force li'l butterball to move about by threatening to deny him food, but that might be illegal. Instead, do the skilled parenting thing and trick him. The Inflatable Run is a 1K or 5K race for kids and adults (you're looking a little rotund yourself) that adds big, bouncy inflatable obstacles to the course, so you can tell chops you're taking him to a super bounce house and gloss over the running part. The run includes carnival games, play areas, regular bounce houses and food. (Pack a salad lunch, maybe.) Race times are at 8 a.m. and noon, but families can show up for the festival from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. It's at Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave., and tickets range from $15-$65. Find them and more information at theinflatablerun.com/dallas. Patrick Williams
How do you plan an event that encourages children to have fun while improving their health? After the crucial step of changing an "S" to a "Z," you schedule free activities such as rock climbing, an obstacle course, basketball, golf, tennis, rowing, jump rope, aerobics, Zumba, volleyball and soccer. Then throw in some information for parents about incorporating physical activity and nutritious food into everyday life. The 11th annual Get Kidz Fit Fest, presented by the Dallas Area Coalition to Prevent Childhood Obesity, will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Fair Park's Centennial Building, 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd. Learn more at getkidzfitccgd.wordpress.com. Emily Goldstein
Although the band formed in Brooklyn, Parquet Courts frontman Austin Savage is indelibly linked with his hometown of Denton. While Savage started a number of fan favorite groups in DFW, Parquet Courts has been his most enduring project yet. The group's latest release, Wide Awake, dropped in March to much acclaim. Grammy Award-winning producer Danger Mouse produced what could be the band's catchiest album to date. Featuring funky beats and Savage's characteristically raw vocal delivery, Parquet Courts is one of the coolest bands to come out of DFW, and its current seems to be taking its further than ever. Last year, Savage was up for a Grammy Award for the cover art on 2016's Human Performance, and the band's collaboration with Italian composer Daniele Luppi on last year's Milano was also met with critical acclaim. It seems like 2018 is Parquet Court's year. That's great news for longtime fans but even better news for recent enthusiasts. Now's your chance to hop on the bandwagon. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28, Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St., 214-747-4422, $20-$22. Nicholas Bostick
Fort Worth's Fortress Festival is back for its second edition with a wonderfully diverse lineup that seamlessly includes a wide variety of genres and equal gender representation. It's sure to deliver a lasting musical experience for anyone. The two-day affair takes place in the heart of Fort Worth's cultural district and is anchored by headlining performances from indie rock stalwart Father John Misty, who just announced a new album called God's Favorite Customer; the funk lordz from Chromeo; hip-hop legend De La Soul; and Courtney Barnett, one of the best songwriters in the world, who also has a new album on the way called Tell Me How You Really Feel. Aside from providing the opportunity to be one of the first to see your favorite artists perform new tracks, Fortress Festival also includes an outstanding lineup from North Texas-based acts such as The Texas Gentlemen, The Vandoliers, Francine Thirteen, Pearl Earl, Midnight Opera and Andy Pickett. With Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett, Chromeo, De La Soul, RZA, Chicano Batman Rapsody and more, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, Modern Art Museum, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth, 817-738-9215 or fortressfestival.com, $59 and up. Mikel Galicia
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Judas Priest is still a powerful and intense band after almost 50 years in existence. Founding member Ian Hill on bass, longtime vocalist Rob Halford and longest-tenured drummer Scott Travis are touring their latest, Firepower. Axe man Glenn Tipton has Parkinson's disease and cannot tour full-time with the band, so producer Andy Sneap has stepped into his role. Alongside Richie Faulkner, who joined in 2011, expect the patented dual guitar lines to vaporize the audience. It's incredible Halford remains one of the best metal vocalists around, and respect must be given to one of the most influential metal bands ever. With Saxon and Black Star Riders, 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28, The Bomb Factory, 2713 Canton St., thebombfactory.com, $72.25. Eric Grubbs
If we told you that Cotton Bowl Stadium would be filled with dogs one Sunday afternoon, would you even question why? Do you need this small part of a newspaper to tell you why you should attend an event that includes a football field full of dogs? Dogs. Puppies. Dogs running. Dogs playing. Dogs probably pooping. Dooooooogs. Friends of Fair Park will host the Dog Bowl from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Cotton Bowl, 3750 The Midway in Fair Park, and you and your pet are invited. There will be local dog rescue groups, clubs and pet-related vendors. And dogs. To play. And do other dog things. There are going to be dogs, we say! Parking is $10 but the event is free. For more information, visit fairpark.org. Paige Skinner
The Melvins released their 27th studio album, Pinkus Abortion Technician, last week, and include dual bassists Steven McDonald and Jeff Pinkus (Butthole Surfers). The Washington-bred sludge metal band has been around for 35 years, greatly influencing the grunge movement that saw likes of Nirvana, Soundgarden and others from Seattle. 8:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29, Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $20-$22. Diamond Victoria


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Comics Academe: How Do You Teach Comics?
- Comics, Comics Academe, Essays
- September 12, 2014
Note: This article contains spoilers for Insexts and images that are not safe for work. On the surface, Insexts is a monster story. It is gory and graphic, with no qualms about Alien-esque birth scenes and vagina-teeth eating a man's arm; at no point does the art veer away from being downright gross if it needsREAD MORE


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The Bosch Power Box PB360C jobsite radio/charger/digital media stereo features Bluetooth technology to connect to the user's smart device (with a range of up to 150-feet) and stream Internet radio and stored music. This portable, high-performance, weather-resistant entertainment system delivers 360 degree enriched stereo sound. Its four-way speakers and a subwoofer provide outstanding sound quality in all directions. It is durable, with an aluminum/rubber roll cage and a weather-resistant design. The portable radio features a powered USB port. The Bosch Power Box can be powered by Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion batteries or plugging into a 120-Volt outlet. Its built-in battery charger will charge the user's Lithium-Ion batteries as well. The PB360C also features four 120-Volt power outlets for connecting tools or other devices. Battery and charger sold separately.
Bluetooth connectivity for internet radio and stored music with range of up to 150-feet
Four-way speakers and a subwoofer project 360 degree sound
Protective aluminum/rubber roll cage
Runs on Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion batteries or plugged into a 120-Volt AC outlet
Four-way power outlets


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Class Notes Archive 1931-2014: Fall 2013
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|1932Bob Fletcher, a Sacramento farmer who saved the farms of interned Japanese Americans during World War II, died in May at age 101. His story is recounted in history books, and his death was reported in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and other newspapers.
|1940Betty (Badgley) Barnes of Etna died at a Yreka hospice home in March. She was 92. She and her husband, Glenn, whom she met at UC Davis, ran a ranch in Scott Valley. Glenn died in 1994. Survivors include their sons, Steve, of Castro Valley, and Rick '73, M.S., '74, of Callahan; and daughter, Patty Davie '72, of Susanville.
|1947James Ferrell died in March at a Brawley health care center. He was 92. A World War II veteran who participated in the battles of D-Day, and Okinawa, Japan, he farmed in the Imperial Valley.
|1948Henry Yip, of Sacramento, died in July at age 90. A World War II U.S. Army veteran, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for nearly 30 years.
|1952Peter Pitkin died in June in San Mateo at age 84. He was a Korean War U.S. Army veteran, a retired high school science and math teacher and owner of a wine and spirits store.
|1954Robert Young '54, '57, a prominent water economist and an emeritus professor at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., died in July after suffering a stroke. He was 81. Survivors include his wife, Lynn '56, Cred. '57; five children; and sister Peg '56, of Davis.
|1958John "Jack" Huhn, of Lake Forest, died in June at age 79. A retired U.S. Army 1st lieutenant, he worked for State Farm Insurance for 36 years. He was active in the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.
|1960Janice Forbes Geil, Cred. '66, died in June after a long battle with leukemia. She was 75. She founded Sierra Heritage Magazine, serving as its publisher for 30 years, and published the Auburn Sentinel newspaper for 18 years. • Donald Peart, a farmer in Colusa and Yolo counties, died in June. He was 77. Survivors include his wife, Vesta, '62, Cred. '62, and two sons.
|1961John Love, an expert on early childhood programs, received an award in April from the Society for Research in Child Development for his contributions to public policy for children. He worked 18 years as a researcher for Mathematica Policy Research, where, among other things, he directed a 1995–2002 study on the federal Early Head Start program for low-income infants and toddlers. Now retired, he lives in Ashland, Ore., with his wife, Marilyn McShane Love '62.
|1965Artist David Gilhooly, M.A., '67, best known for his sculptures of whimsical frogs, died in August at his home in Newport, Ore. He was 70 and had recently been diagnosed with cancer. A leader of the Northern California funk art movement, he taught in the 1970s and 1980s at several universities, including UC Davis.
|1966Joan (Bauslaugh) Gundlach, a retired nurse, died in April in Post Falls, Idaho. She was 70.
|1968Ron Clausen, J.D. '71, was recently elected to the board of directors of the National Wildlife Federation. He practices corporate law and business succession planning in Point Richmond. • Lucas Dobrzanski, who was founding president of the UC Davis fencing club in 1966, competed for the U.S. fencing team in the Veterans World Championships in Varna, Bulgaria, in October. He placed 21st in the 70-years-plus saber category. The recipient of the 1992 UC Davis Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, he is now partly retired, runs a consulting business and is president of the nonprofit Kern Athletic Fencing Foundation, which promotes healthy behavior for at-risk kids through fencing and academic tutoring. He and his wife, Anna (Bendarzewski) '68, live in Bakersfield, as do their daughter Lara '89 and her husband, Mike Riccomini '89; son, Robert '92; and daughter Eva and her husband, Matt Billings '97. Lucas and Anna hope some of their eight grandchildren will become Aggies someday.
|1969Robert (Bob) Owens wrote the novel, Pointman (Delizon). The book is loosely based on his experiences in the Vietnam War and the Cambodian invasion, where he received the Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals. Before retiring, he served as the Lassen County schools superintendent for nine years and was a teacher and administrator for an additional 27 years.
|1971Robert Blanford died in his Roseville home in May at age 64. He had been a park ranger and a state farmland and open space conservation research analyst. • Tom Chadwick, M.S., an environmental engineer for more than 35 years, died in an Escondido senior home in January from complications of Lewy body dementia. He was 71. • Roland James, of Sacramento, died in February at age 80. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a photographer. His 30 years of public service include work for the Oakland Police Department and the state. • Victor Wahl, a Boulder Creek attorney, died in San José in January. He was 62.
|1972A reunion of Malcolm Hall Experimental Freshman Program residents is being planned for summer 2014. If you lived in Malcolm in 1968–69 and would like to participate, contact Micaela Swift-Philpot and Laurel Henson at email@example.com
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A new contender has entered the arena! Soulcalibur VI, developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, marks the triumphant return of the classic fighting game series after a six-year absence as swords and souls are forged in combat once again.
A Saga of Swords and Souls
In Soulcalibur VI the saga is retold, following the events which took place in the late 16th century. This tale tells of a mystical sword clad in immense power called Soul Edge, a blade that carries the legend and promise to grant the wielder the power to reshape the world. All those who would attempt to tame the living weapon would find their hope turn to terror as the dark reality of the blade's true will destroys dreams of conquest or peace. The wielder's heart is corrupted and turned into that of a soul harvesting wraith as the once noble knight Siegfried is reshaped into the azure abomination named Nightmare.
Still, there are those who would seek the blade's power, but there are also those who know of the blade's true nature and seek to destroy it. It is in this clash of wills across time that the rich lore of Soulcalibur comes to life and stands as a shining achievement of storytelling in the fighting game genre.
A Hero's Quest
Soulcalibur VI presents the Soul Chronicle story mode. A traditional single player experience that explores the quests of each warrior in a series of mini-campaigns that consists of combat and storytelling as you follow the main trio of Kilik, Maxi, and Xianghua in their pursuit to find and defeat Nightmare.
In addition to Soul Chronicle, Soulcalibur VI features a second story mode called Libra of Souls which focuses on your created character, known as "The Conduit." In a journey to test your might, you'll encounter the full cast of Soulcalibur and even discover new characters. With many elements reminiscent of role playing games, a leveling system is introduced in which you can increase your created character's strengths, which can be further enhanced by purchasing weapons and items.
Libra of Souls also introduces a morality system which can change the story's ending and dialogue in unique encounters based on your actions, granting you a great degree of authorship in the story. With many quests available, you'll journey across Europe and Asia to compete in beautifully crafted combat arenas as you complete a vast variety of missions. With delightfully difficult conditions to conquering each challenge, Soulcalibur VI presents the most fun bouts in which you can best your opponent by ring-out or battle in an arena as slippery as ice.
Unique Gameplay
Continuing the convention of "easy to pick up, but difficult to master", Soulcalibur remains one of the most accessible fighting games in the genre. It's fun to learn and fun to play, and although it's easy to button-mash your way to victory, more seasoned players show that the combat system is all but shallow.
Soulcalibur VI celebrates the return of the series' unique weapon-based combat system which sets it apart from all other titles in the genre. With fighting mechanics like the 8-Way-Run, Soulcalibur breaks away from traditional combat to introduce a well-balanced fighting system of horizontal attacks, vertical attacks and kicks.
A New Caliber of Combat
New to the Soulcalibur series is a fighting mechanic called Reversal Edge, in which your character enters a defensive stance to parry and absorb several strikes before delivering their own. This clash initiates a rock/paper/scissors-like minigame to determine who gains the initiative of the next strike and dominates the momentum of the battle. At first it might seem like a game of chance that is purely luck-based, but it opens the realm of possibility to exploit a player's unique attack patterns through a myriad of mind games.
Soulcalibur VI reintroduces the Soul Gauge, a super-move-meter built by successfully landing consecutive strikes. This allows your character to perform extraordinary feats like the Soul Charge, a fighting mechanic which can be used to boost the strength of your character for a short amount of time. It can also be used to release the Critical Edge, a supremely powerful signature attack that initiates a character-specific cutscene to claim victory in battle when all seems lost, making every character feel distinct and powerful.
A Gathering of Heroes
With a relatively small roster of only 20 playable characters, Soulcalibur VI focuses on quality above quantity as series favourites return more refined and ready for battle. Soulcalibur VI also welcomes the guest hero, Geralt of Rivia, of the hugely successful Witcher series. Respectfully represented, Geralt's unique fighting style of twin swords and magical signs to ignite and stun, makes him feel right at home amongst the cast of characters.
From the title screen's thunderous thrum to the last quest conquered, Soulcalibur VI restores the honor of the once waning fighting game series and claims its title as one of its best entries. With the innovative gameplay of the new Reversal Edge and Soul Charge fighting mechanics and the expansive single-player content explored in Soul Chronicle and Libra of Souls, Soulcalibur VI will provide hours of enjoyment. I recommend Soulcalibur VI to both newcomers and fans of the genre.