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Games for Lunch: Dragon Age: Origins
Developer: Bioware Edmonton
Publisher: EA
Release Date: Nov. 3, 2009
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, PC
ESRB Rating: M
0:00 I've been putting off loading up my copy of this one because I'm not generally a big fan of sword-and-sorcery RPGs, even if they're by the vaunted BioWare. Plus I was underwhelmed by what I felt was a boring eyes-on demo of this one at E3.
0:01 Overwrought fantasy music on the preview screen, along with a hooded lady shown in a crimson dragon emblem. Meh.
0:02 The bad news: The game requires new firmware to be played. The good news: The firmware seems to be on the disc, and doesn't require a lengthy download. The data is copied to the hard drive in a matter of seconds, but the actual install process crawls along slower than expected. I'll letcha know when it's done.
0:06 That was relatively painless. I spent the four-minute install playing some SkiFree on my laptop. Now THERE'S a fun game.
0:07 "There is not enough available space in the HDD. To create data, at least 901 MB more space is required." Of course it is...
0:08 So long, Haze game data. Your 3.866 gigs will be put to much better use in the future.
0:09 The game taunts me with a "File Progress" bar that periodically goes from 0 percent to 100 percent every few seconds. This while the "Total Progress" crawls along incredibly slowly, reaching 5 percent after a full minute. This ... could be a while. Oh well ... back to SkiFree.
0:13 I just barely miss setting a new personal record in the tree slalom. It'd be so easy if those trees weren't there! Oh, the install is at 28 percent.
0:15 I luck into an almost tree-free tree slalom course and end up obliterating my best time with a new record of 35.84. I wonder if there's a world record... (BTW: 59 percent.)
0:16 Twin Galaxies does not list any results for SkiFree, so I'm going to assume I now have the world record until/unless someone tells me differently (64 percent).
0:18 ARGH! I'm performing an absolutely perfect tree slalom run -- not hitting a single tree -- when I lose control and go outside a couple of gates, entailing a significant time penalty. I know I can get under 30 here (78 percent)!
0:20 After a bunch of quick restarts where I hit the first possible tree, the best I can manage is a 45-second performance. Screw this. I'm just gonna ski down the mountain a bit (87 percent).
0:22 The install reaches 100 percent just as the ubiquitous SkiFree monster finally catches me OK! Let's Age some Dragons, or whatever.
0:23 A bit of loading and some animated logos, then a plain title screen with two swords thrust blade-first into the rocky terrain, underneath a bleak, cloudy sky. Blood drips from one hilt.
0:24 Difficulties are Casual, Normal, Hard and Nightmare. I almost pick Casual, figuring the story is the whole point of a game like this, but I go with Normal instead to avoid feeling like too much of a wimp.
0:25 I immediately dislike any game that uses "poultices" as healing items, as the Option screen indicates. Then again, I like games that "enable persistent gore." Hmmm.
0:26 "And so is the Golden City blackened..." reads the obligatory introductory quote. Then comes the wizened old narrator: "The Chantry teaches us that it is the hubris of man that brought the Darkspawn into the world. They sought ... heaven, but instead they destroyed it." Cursed by corruption, returned as monsters, blight upon the lands, unstoppable and relentless, Dwarven kingdoms fell, "we" neared annihilation to ... blah blah blah. Cut from elegant calligraphy to a 3-D scene of people and golems defending a castle from Darkspawn. "Until the Grey Wardens came." They "sacrificed everything to stem the tide of darkness and prevailed." On screen, a mage casts a fire spell, an archer defends him with an arrow, a dwarf leaps in with an axe attack. Looks like something out of every fantasy movie you've ever seen.
0:28 Four centuries later, we've "watched and waited" for the Darkspawn to return. "But those who once called us heroes have been forgotten. We are few now, and our warnings have been ignored for too long." The narrator fears it may be too late to turn back the tide. He comes upon some people hanging from a noose, and another lying dead on the ground. Are they supposed to be Grey Wardens? Before I can figure it out, he's attacked by a Darkspawn, dispatching it easily. "Maker help us all." OK, it's somewhat cheesy, but it has some potential.
0:29 I get to choose my character's gender. "Men and women in Ferelden are generally regarded as equals," the game explains. "Both genders are evenly represented in most organizations, noble houses and military forces." Wow ... this really IS high fantasy. Still, I'll stick with a male.
0:31 Humans are "most numerous, yet the most divided." The elves are former slaves with no culture of their own. Dwarves have been defending their last stronghold for generations. Nice to have that backstory. Seriously ... it evolves the races past the Tolkien stereotypes. The oppressed elves sound like tons of fun to me.
0:32 I can be a Warrior, Mage or Rogue. Mage seems to fit the elven ways best. Plus, +4 to Willpower! BONUS!
0:33 I get to choose from one of six "backgrounds," but "Magi" is the only one actually available to me. Guess I should have made different choices if I wanted more options. I "anxiously await [my] Harrowing, the one chance to prove yourself against the demons lurking without and within. Succeed, or be slaughtered by the knights who ward against your kind." The who that ward against what now?
0:34 The game suggests I name myself Alim ... and who am I to argue? I can edit a whole bunch of facial and body features, but I'm in a hurry, so I just go with the first preset: a flowing robe with shoulder plates, and long red hair, with a wisp coming down the right side. The face is amazingly lifelike.
0:36 I get five stat points to spend on the standards: Strength, Dexterity, Willpower, Magic, Cunning and Constitution. I load them up on Magic, getting it to 22, letting stuff like Strength languish at 11. Balance is overrated! I can choose from a bunch of skills and spells, too. I choose Survival, which seems kind of important. Also: Arcane Bolt (a Mage exclusive) plus Healing and Flame Blast.
0:39 "Never enter battle with your bare hands!" the loading screen suggests. Words to live by.
0:40 A tower is home to the circle of Magi. It's the only place Mages can study their art with their own kind. It's "as much a prison as a refuge," though, since the templars watch over them, "alert for any sign of corruption. This gilded cage is the only world you know." Interesting. My character was torn from family and "grafted here as an apprentice." The apprenticeship is nearly over, and my final test is the Harrowing.
0:41 "Magic exists to aid man and never to rule over him," says a white-bearded mage, quoting an even older mage. Demons seek to use me as a gateway into this world, so the Harrowing sends me into "the Fade" to face a Demon, "armed with only your will." I can choose from three responses to this information: "I am ready," "Is there any other option," or "What happens if I cannot defeat the demon?" I choose the last, and I'm told I'll be turned into an abomination and destroyed. Gulp!
0:43 More blather about the Fade and Demons and Mages and I'm sent off to the Fade. The animation on these cut scenes is pretty awful. Everyone's incredibly stiff, and the faces are kind of crinkly as they talk. My character seems to squint a lot.
0:44 Finally in full control, only 45 minutes after putting the disc in the tray. I find a "vase of healing" with three health poultices and a "disturbing statue" that seems to serve no purpose.
0:46 My first battle is with a Wisp Wraith, a small purple spark that I can barely see. If not for the large red circle and the hovering name around it, I'd have missed it altogether. I lob a few fire and lightning spells with a couple of button presses and it goes down, damaging me a bit in the process. I don't like how the game pauses to confirm the direction of my fire spell ... kind of breaks the flow. Also, I accidentally used a poultice well before I needed it. I earn 29 XP for my trouble, anyway.
0:47 Two more Wisp Wraiths go down just as easily. "HAHA! It is a fine thing we've done!" my character says to no one in particular Uh ... who's we?
0:48 I run into a talking rat, who refers to me as "someone else thrown the wolves." When I respond with amazement that he's a talking rat, he's glib. "You think you're really here, in that body? You look like that because you think you do." Whoa. Heavy. He changes to human form anyway. "You can call me ... well, Mouse." He doesn't remember his real name, or anything from before his time in the Fade, but he knows enough to warn me that they'll kill me if I take too long to destroy that demon. He decides to join me. "My chance was long ago. But you ... you may have a way out." So I have a mouse in my corner. Yay?
0:51 "A dangerous spirit is not far! Don't go near it unless you are ready to fight," Mouse says. I'm ready as I'll ever be, I guess...
0:52 Mouse keeps warning that the big bad demon is gonna appear any second now. Instead, I run into another Wisp Wraith. "Our skill has won the day!" I say after defeating it.
0:53 I get 50 XP for finding a "twisted structure" just off the main road, and another vase of healing with more poultices. The game auto-saves here ... maybe the boss is actually coming now?
0:54 New enemy alert: A Spirit Wolf. It looks like a wolf made of pure yellow energy. I can actually dodge his bites, if I back up fast enough. So I do, turning to lob attacks as I go. I get off nearly scot free in the end.
0:56 I finally run into a Demon, but apparently it's not the one I'm supposed to fight. Instead, it's a Sloth Demon. He looks like a grizzly bear with spikes growing out from his torso. "A demon will get you eventually. Perhaps there will even be scraps," he says lazily. Mouse suggests he could learn to change form to look like him. But the Sloth doesn't want to teach. He agrees grudgingly, but only if I answer three riddles correctly. I love riddles! But if I fail he'll "devour us both." Gulp.
0:59 "I have seas with no water, coasts with no sands, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?" I would have no idea, but when I get the six multiple-choice options the answer is obviously "a map." I won't spoil the next two riddles, but they're similarly easy once you have choices.
1:01 Mouse learns to turn into a normal bear, but not a spiked Sloth Demon. "Close enough," the Demon says before sending us on our way.
Would I play this game for more than an hour? Yes.
Why? I haven't even finished the first quest, so I feel like I owe the game at least that much. The gameplay isn't really doing it for me yet, but the story definitely has some potential.
This column is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.
Want to know more about Games for Lunch? Check out the FAQ here.
For more Games for Lunch, visit the official GfL blog.


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Fri 4 Jul 2008
PhotoJAR: BasePosted by jarinteractive under Plugins
[4] Comments
PhotoJAR: Base provides a number of enhancements to the WordPress 2.5 gallery functionality:
- Dynamically resizes thumbnails – changes to image sizes apply retroactively
- Allows custom image sizes (beyond "thumbnail" and "medium")
- JPEG quality setting
- Caches resized images
- Integrates with LightBox, ThickBox, LightView, and many more javascript image viewers
- Provides an
- Can change the default number of columns in a gallery
The beta of release 1.0 is now available for download from JARinteractive. Thanks in advance to all who check it out!
4 Responses to "PhotoJAR: Base"
[...] PhotoJAR: Base [...]
Very cool plugin. A decent candidate to win
it is a great plug in.
i'll choice this plug in.
This one gets my vote!

subset: commoncrawl


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Bungalow Cat Condo - 73"
by Majestic Pet Products | Item #: 428542 | (6) |
- Covered in Faux sheepskin
- Sisal wrapped post
- Minor assemby required
- Dimensions: 36"W x 73"H x 38"L
Bungalow cat condo is 73" tall and covered in elegant faux sheepskin with sisal rope wrapped posts that will withstand the toughest claws. This beautiful playground has many features. The condo assembles in minutes with simple step by step instructions and tools provided.
- Covered in Faux sheepskin
- Sisal wrapped posts
- Assembles in minutes
- Includes step by step instructions and tools needed
- Cleans easily with a vacuum and damp cloth
- Two residences
- Two perches
- Ramp
- Nest
- Ladder
- Scratching post
- Cubby tube
- Dangling mice
Assembled Country
Assembled Size
36"W x 73"H x 38"L
Component Country
Ask & Answer
Warranty InformationThis product is covered by the Sam's Club Member Satisfaction Guarantee.
There is no additional information available for this item.


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Classes Offered
The Aquatics Program at Pensacola State College offers a wide variety of classes Monday through Saturday. Students may work at their own ability while enjoying the water environment. All aquatic classes are offered under the supervision of the Continuing Education Department. Classes are water exercise in the shallow and deep end of the pool, lap swimming with a coach, swim lessons for adults and children, and lifeguard training classes. Registration is required for all classes.
Registration for classes (required for all courses):
- On the internet: Go to www.pensacolastate.edu/continuingeducation. Click "Register Now" option.
- Walk In: Register in person at any Pensacola State college campus Registration Office between 7:30am-4:00pm.
- Mail In: Mail your completed Continuing Education registration form, with payment information (do not send cash) to: Pensacola State College Cashier Office, 1000 College Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504
Adult Swim Lessons
This class is for adults who want to learn to swim, improve existing aquatics skills and enjoy the health benefits of a swimming program. The classes are from 7:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursday nights for 10 sessions. The student may use the pool during Recreation Swim time and practice swimming, too.
Mommy and Me Swim Lessons
(Ages 6 months to 4 years)
Children will attend with mom, dad, or other adult and begin to learn to swim and feel comfortable in the water. The more a child gets in the water and enjoys their experience the easier it is for them to learn to swim. This class is from 11am to 11:55am on Monday and Wednesday and is ten lessons long. The adult and child may also come to Recreation Swim time and use the pool.
Individual Swim Lessons
Students will receive one-on-one coaching and instruction, depending on the needs of the individual to reach their goals. This class is for all ages and lasts for ten sessions at a time that is agreed on by the instructor and the student. Tthe student may use the pool during Recreation Swim time to practice.
Aerobic Swimming/Master Swimming Classes
Swimming is one of the best ways to exercise. Swimmers in these classes are at all levels of ability. A master swimmer is anyone 18 years old and above and can swim the length of the pool. Workouts are supervised by a swimming coach, who helps you improve your swimming ability. Program includes stroke drills and endurance training. Improve your swimming, train for a triathlon, work toward your fitness goals, or just swim for fun. Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30am and 8am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30am and 8am.
Aqua Combo
Work in the shallow and deep ends of the pool using water resistance equipment and a buoyancy belt. This class is on Saturday mornings at 9am and uses the whole pool. You will improve strength and flexibility as well as your cardio vascular health and have a great time.
Aqua Dynamics I (Shallow Water Classes)
Water exercise classes are offered in the shallow end of the pool. Tone and shape your muscles, build your endurance, increase your strength and flexibility and improve your overall well being. These classes are designed for all abilities. Work at your own pace. Come work out with us in the water. Classes are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the mornings, as well as Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Evening classes are Monday and Wednesday at 6:30pm.
Aqua Dynamics II
This is a deep water class offered early in the morning. Start your day off with an invigorating exercise experience while working at your own pace. Students exercise and jog in the deep water with a Buoyancy Belt which is provided. This class is at 7am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Aqua Jogging
Get in the water and achieve your fitness goals. This class is beneficial to people of all abilities, especially those training for sports and running. Increase your strength, flexibility and endurance. The classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am and Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:30pm. Students wear Buoyancy Belts and work at the deep end of the pool, jogging and jumping. Some of the equipment used is buoyancy bar bells, noodles, and stretch bands, while working against the resistance of the water.
Aqua Mini Term
If you can only take a class for half the term, then sign up for the Mini Term. You may sign up for the classes that are held two times a week or the classes that are three times a week. (Permission only)
Aquatics Trial Class (Permission only)
Try a class one time and see if you like it.
For more information, contact:
Kay Miller, Aquatic Coordinator, (850)484-1311, email@example.com


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A close friend of Andrea Sneiderman, Steffi Miller, said jurors were lied to by police and the district attorney.
"We thought, 'no, this can't happen, no this can't possibly happen,'" Miller said.
A distraught Miller sobbed on the front steps of the DeKalb County Superior Courthouse, stunned that Sneiderman was found guilty in nine of the 13 charges.
"I can't even think; disbelief, absolute disbelief," Miller said.
This perjury trial has received national media attention. It is that attention Miller said hurt Sneiderman's case and her credibility. Miller said if Sneiderman were guilty of anything, it was one thing.
"I know she was guilty about holding hands with him, because she told me that, behind closed doors, woman-to-woman," Miller said. "She told me she was 'very guilty because at one point she held hands with him.'"
Miller also took aim at Rusty Sneiderman's family for not supporting their daughter-in-law after Hemy Neuman's arrest in the murder.
Donald Sneiderman, Rusty's father, testified that once Neuman was arrested in the murder of his son, he believed that Andrea Sneiderman lied to the family about her affair with Neuman, who is now serving life in prison for the murder.
She had this message for Donald Sneiderman:
"Aside from, I am sorry for your loss," Miller said. "Why do you come after your daughter-in-law. You knew the policy was not something she knew about. Why did you let the media attack her? When you knew you were the only ones who knew about that policy?"
The policy Miller alludes to in her interview is a $2 million dollar life insurance policy.
According to testimony from Donald Sneiderman, Andrea was not aware of how much the policy was worth until after Rusty's death.
Miller also reacted to how the Dunwoody Police Department handled the investigation.
"The police did a lot of things wrong," Miller said. "They said they made mistakes, they made a lot of mistakes. It took them six weeks to apprehend that man and she gave him that name the next day."
Andrea Sneiderman did give her bosses name to police, Neuman, on Nov. 19 2010, the day after Rusty was murdered. But, prosecutors showed jurors that, although she gave the name, she never pointed to him as a suspect.
"In my book, this has been a travesty," Miller said. "This has been an offense against our justice system and I am furious. I am angry."
Copyright 2013 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


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June 18, 2013
By: Ben Potter, Farm Journal Technology Editor
Cargill officials say they have reached an agreement to acquire the grain storage and crop inputs assets of Northstar Grain LLC and associated properties in Decatur, Mich. Northstar was previously owned by Mike Stamp.
March 4, 2013
By: Julie Douglas, Top Producer Managing Editor
A land auction, which includes 2,200 acres of farmland in 26 parcels, a large shop and storage building and three homes on smaller acreage, will be held March 27 at noon in Lawton, Mich.
February 18, 2013
By: Ben Potter, Farm Journal Technology Editor
Some stories create more questions than answers. Such was the case with 2012 Top Producer of the Year finalist Mike Stamp. In November, Stamp Farms had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In December, Wells Fargo (the largest secured creditor who is owed $60 million) filed an ominous injunction that alleged massive grain fraud, but later withdrew that motion. What exactly was going on, and what would become of the prime Michigan farmland Stamp had been farming?
January 9, 2013
Many farmers struggle with the need to get bigger to gain efficiencies and create a sustainable business. The pressure to grow has never been stronger, as market prices gyrate, land sells within 24 hours and opportunities scream by at the speed of light.
See Comments


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Name: Ashanti aka Toi
Measurements: 32D-24-36
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ashantiakatoi
Modelmyahem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/883196
Myspace: www.myspace.com/ashantiakatoi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashanti_akatoi_minter
Ethnicity: Japanese, Black, Filipino & Native american Indian
What do you consider to be you first big break in modeling?
Hmmm… I think I really first got noticed by Vivacious Models for the James Posey Championship Weekend
What has helped you to seperate yourself from everyone else?
I'm just me! lol There's only one me so I do it the best that I can. I stay grounded & true to my morals & values, Remember to be grateful & Appreciate all that i have as i strive for better, Stay Thankful for my Family & loved ones & just try to give my best in everything that I do…
Give us a rundown of some of the projects you've been apart of?
I've been featured on a few online mags, I had a role in a independent comedy called "The Mayflower", I'm going to be featured in a 2011 calendar for Shh Mag, I had a lead role in a video "need ya Body" by Kafani ft Bobby V & featured in "She's Bad" by B Streezy ft Lil Boosie and working on lots more to come *smiling*
Tell us about your shoot for DynastySeries with Visual Cocktail…
David is such a sweetheart! He came to New Orleans to do a powershoot & i was scheduled not only to be one of his models but I was the Makeup Artist on set. I had seen his work through his portfolio & had some great feed back from some model friends that I knew he had previously worked with. I enjoyed working with him.
What's the sexiest thing about you?
The sexiest thing about me? Hmmm…. Probably that I'm a stay at home nerd at heart that loves to dress up in lingerie & stilletos behind the scenes *giggles*
What's the craziest thing anyone's ever done to get your attention? And did it work?
A guy almost got in an accident trying to get my attention while driving, smh lol he got my attention but not my number
How do you let someone know you're interested in them?
I'm pretty honest, so i just let them know nstead of assume anything.
A guy drops his wallet in front of you and 3 things fly out…a condom, his lawyers business card, and a supermarket card. Which are you most impressed by?
Ummm…. none, lol Its going to depend on the guy not what he has & how he handles himself
If a guy(or gal wink wink!) invites you to there place for the night, what are you putting in your travel bag?
*laughing* you're not slick, I only date Men hahaha & if i'm dating someone & happen to spend the night with them, that stays between Me & that person *smiles* I like to keep my love interest & quality time private *blushes*
Tell us something about you your mom probably doesn't want to know…
Me & my mom are pretty close so she knows me inside & out, lol
For 2010 to be the perfect year, what goals would you need to accomplish?
Just to keep pursuing my goals, Getting my name out there more & start working on whats needed for the Makeup & Perfume line that i want to start as well as my boutique.
What other projects will we be seeing you in coming soon?
Ive been working hard on a few things so I will definitely keep you posted *smiles*
Whats the best way for your fans to keep in touch with you?
Check me out on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ashantiakatoi Myspace: www.myspace.com/ashantiakatoi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashanti_akatoi_minter & working on a website soon!
Best thing about your hometown is…
everyone & everything is so diverse
I can cook…
lots of things I love to cook if i dont know how I open a cookbook & learn
But i'd rather eat…
Favorite drink…
Non-Alcoholic Hot Drink: Green Tea Cold Drink: Ginger Ale Alcoholic Drink: Wine, Champagne or Nuvo & sprite
Favorite movie…
I have lots but at the moment Death at a Funeral
Worst movie you've ever been forced to watch…
uggghh Sappy love stories, lol
Favorite album…
I have an eclectic taste in music but right now Trey Songz & Usher takes over my ipod, lol
Favorite cartoon from the 80's…
Duck Tales lol
Best memory from highschool…
my dance team
Best Place to take you on a Date…
depends on my taste buds that day, lol but you can never go wrong with me with Japanese *smiles*
Favorite Cologne…
I'm obsessed with perfumes & smell goods myself so a good cologne alwas catches me, lol Right now for men, Farenheit, Issey Miyaki, YSL, Bond no.9 (too many 2name) & Creed
Biggest Turn On…
Tall, Good hygeine, Great smile & respectful with Good manners
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text:
Joseph Hall (July 1, 1574 - September 8, 1656), English bishop and satirist, was born at Bristow park, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, on the 1st of July 1574.Add to my favourites Get these quotes on a PDF
A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was.
Perfection is the child of time.
He is great enough that is his own master.


text:
Your credit score and credit card rewards: 10 tips
Published on - April 7th, 2013 (by Ellen Cannon)
This is the second post from Hilary Stockton, who is the founder of TravelSort, which helps savvy travelers earn millions of miles without flying, redeem them for first-class flights, and stay in luxury hotels at wholesale prices. Follow her on Twitter @TravelSort.
I often get asked about the impact on one's credit score of churning or signing up for multiple rewards credit cards, especially by those new to earning a million or more frequent flyer miles and points via credit cards. It's definitely important to protect your credit score, and no one should sign up for a slew of new credit cards without taking the time to understand how your credit score works and whether you should be applying for new credit cards at all.
1. Only sign up for new credit cards if:
- You don't have any credit card or other high-interest debt
- You always pay your credit card bill off in full every statement
- You have a steady income
- You don't plan to apply for a mortgage, refinancing, student loan or other major loan within the next year or so
- You aren't tempted to spend more by having more credit cards
If you do have any credit card or other high-interest debt, paying that off is far more important than earning miles, points, or any other kind of credit card reward. You also shouldn't apply for a number of new credit cards if you plan to get a mortgage, refinancing or other major loan in the next year or so, because you want to ensure you're offered the best possible interest rate.
2. Have a FICO credit score range 720 or above
FICO scores from the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and Transunion) range from 300 to 850. You'll need a credit score of at least 710 to apply for rewards credit cards, and preferably 720 or higher.
3. Get a free copy of your credit report
You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report every year, which you should check to ensure there are no inaccuracies. If there are, you should dispute them, since they're likely negatively impacting your score and your ability to not only be approved for the best travel rewards credit cards but also being able to secure the best possible interest rate for loans.
4. Know the difference between FAKO and FICO
Unfortunately, there are a lot of places offering to sell you your credit score that are completely worthless, because the score they're providing isn't the one that's actually being used when determining whether to approve you for a new credit card or loan. These fake credit scores have been nicknamed "FAKO." Even the credit bureaus themselves sell FAKO, so as not to have to pay to FICO to provide your actual FICO score. See more about this at Credit Score: FICO or FAKO?
5. Understand the factors influencing your credit score
Your FICO credit score is determined by these factors:
- 35 percent is payment history: If you always pay on time, don't carry any credit card balances and have no delinquent accounts, bankruptcies or similar against you, you're fine. But make sure you continue to monitor your credit report to guard against inaccuracies.
- 30 percent is credit utilization: This factor looks at the percentage of your credit line that you're using. So, for example, if you have a $10,000 credit line on a card, you don't want to maxing it out every month; in fact, you should ideally only be using a small percentage (under 10 percent) of your credit line. If you have a major purchase, pay it off immediately rather than waiting until the payment due date.
- 15 percent is length of credit history: Just as the description implies, this factor measures your average age of accounts.
- 10 percent is types of credit used: This factor looks at the various types of credit you use, such as home mortgage payments, car payments and credit card payments. It also helps explain why, frustratingly, some folks who rent yet own their own car and have never missed a credit card payment can have a lower credit score than a much more indebted homeowner with a leased car who is nevertheless making payments in full and on time.
- 10 percent is new credit: This factor accounts for the hard pulls or inquiries that result from applying for new credit, such as a mortgage, car loan, student loan, and new credit cards. Each new hard pull does knock a few points off your score, although in most cases your score recovers within 90 days to six months.
6. Keep utilization low on personal credit cards
Due to how important credit utilization is in calculating your credit score, I always recommend you keep your credit utilization as low as possible on your personal cards:
- Pay off major purchases right after they're incurred, even before your statement close.
- If you incur business expenses, ensure they go on a business credit card or charge card. Business credit card utilization is NOT reported to the credit bureaus.
7. Apply for new credit cards on the same day, as close in time as possible
The reason most serious credit card churners apply for multiple credit cards simultaneously, or as close in time as possible on the same day, is two-fold:
- By not applying for any credit cards for a few months you can avoid being rejected for "too many recent credit inquiries."
- If you're applying for two or three personal cards from the same bank, your hard pulls may be merged into one, reducing the impact on your credit score.
8. Don't close your oldest credit cards
As mentioned above, credit history accounts for about 10 percent of your FICO score calculation. That's why you want to always keep at least one or two credit cards that you never close. Make sure they're no annual fee cards, and preferably a no annual fee card that still earns rewards.
9. Avoid closing a credit card without first transferring the credit line to another open card
Be careful when closing credit cards that you don't lose the credit line. Opening new credit cards can actually help your credit score over the long term if it increases your total amount of credit relative to your utilization. So, when you do decide to close a credit card, ask the representative to transfer the credit line to one of your other credit cards from the same bank.
10. Stop applying for new credit cards about one year before applying for a mortgage or major loan
As I mentioned in the first tip, it's key to not let lucrative credit card rewards blind you to the importance of securing the lowest possible interest rate for a mortgage or other major loan. Stop applying for new credit cards about one year before you apply for a major loan, continue to always pay your balance off in full every statement, and aim to keep your credit utilization at 10 percent or lower for all your personal credit cards.
Disclaimer: This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company.
This article is about Credit Cards, Credit scores
Thanks for the tips. Happy Sunday!
This article is exactly how I feel about people applying for credit cards. If you can follow all of these rules there is no reason you shouldn't take advantage of the crazy money credit card companies will throw at you.
Agreed!!! Last year I made over $2000 from opening personal and business credit cards, using once to get the reward, then paying the balance and cancelling. All legit. No tax ramifications and my credit score is 814, husband's 783. Didn't seem to effect anything badly. Both in our fifties and keep our oldest 2 credit cards from the 1970′s. Usually pay in full every month, but let the new 0% cards ride once in a while to establish better "credit". We are also debt free, no mortgage, etc., if that matters. You really have to be organized & disciplined to do this. Most people I've mentioned this to and told them how to do the credit card dance are not interested in all the effort it takes.
I could be wrong, but I don't think there's any benefit to keeping a balance on a card, as you've suggested Cluff. I've actually seen people get in trouble trying to utilize that exact strategy because they've been charged interest on that balance. As far as I know, your credit score benefits from using the card and paying it on time. There's no additional impact from keeping a balance, and in fact it could serve to hurt you as your utilization rate would increase. Paying off your balance in full every month is the best way to go.
Yeah, I don't see how letting the balance pile up on a 0% interest would help your credit score more than paying it off monthly.
However, I take advantage of 0% interest by maxing the card out (purchasing as I normally do, not going on a spree or anything like that!), and saving the cash in a high-yield saving account. Not only do I get the reward points on the card, but I'm earning interest on that as well, so often it comes out to 2.5% cash back on all purchases.
Letting it ride can actually hurt your score if you don't have a high enough credit limit, or other lines of credit to stay above the magical utilization percentage. Once you go above a certain percentage (usually 30%) your score can take a pretty big hit since utilization makes up a decent portion of the FICO calculations.
Cluff here again. I don't "pile up" debt on the 0% card. I charge maybe $40, pay the minimum ($10) the first month, pay off the rest the 2nd month, then cancel the card after rewards are given. I was under the impression that you are supposed to carry over to another month once or twice a year just to show you can pay responsibly, but you posters say it's not necessary. Again, with a credit score of 814, debt free and no mortgage, I'm not to worried.
Re "3. Get a free copy of your credit report"
Just a PSA for people that haven't heard. If you're a Wells Fargo customer, you can get a free copy of your credit report through April 15th by stopping in at a branch asking for a "Free credit report brochure". It won't count against the 3 you already get for free each year from annualcreditreport.com, nor will it count as a hard hit against your report.
Question is the credit history/ length of time a account is opened measured off active accounts only? Or if I had opened a bunch of credit cards over the years and canceled 3 months later going to hurt my length of credit history?
Jacob, as I mentioned in my response to Paul below (comment 13) closed accounts can remain on your credit report up to 10 years, but they can fall off sooner than that. I never recommend canceling a card after only 3 months, particularly rewards cards that have a "claw back" provision as these often allow the issuer to take back the bonus miles or points if you cancel within 6 months. Instead, I would aim to always keep a couple of no annual fee accounts that you never close to help your length of credit history, and explore retention offers 2-3 months before an annual fee comes due. For example, I recently posted on several current AMEX retention offers: http://travelsort.com/blog/current-amex-retention-bonus-offers If you can't get an annual fee credit or good retention offer, another option is to downgrade to a no annual fee version of the card.
Question about the credit utilization. If you have multiple cards, each with individual credit limits, does the credit utilization part of the score consider how much you credit you use for one card or across all cards? For example if I had one particular card with $2,500 credit line but my total credit line across all my cards is $20,000. If I spend $2,000 on the credit card, my utilization would be 80% for that card but only 10% overall. Would I get dinged for that 80% utilization on that one card?
The credit utilization is measured as your total outstanding balance across all cards divided by the total credit limit across all cards. So in your example, the credit utilization would be 10%.
Savvy post, full of helpful info. Thank you, Hilary! Seems to me that the only way most of us can meet all the recommended requirements for using credit cards is by learning to be be happy without buying lots of stuff. Which is what I write about. Good to find kindred spirits, like I often find at GRS.
You said: "Only sign up for new credit cards if: You don't have any credit card or other high-interest debt; You always pay your credit card bill off in full every statement"
I wonder if you'd think this a sensible exception to your rule: One of the key steps in my paying off credit card debt was getting a $14,500 balance transfer at 0% with a 0% fee, good for a year. Since the debt I was paying off was at 22% and 20% (eek) I probably saved at least $2000 by transferring those balances while paying down debt.
I've paid down $10,000 of my $35,000 in credit card debt in the first three months of this year alone and don't think this an unimportant part…
Mario, agree that finding a way to lower your interest payments by taking advantage of intro 0% APR balance transfers can be great when paying down credit card debt. I always recommend getting completely out of debt before applying for rewards credit cards. If one doesn't have any debt but do have a large purchase, it's also possible to put this on a rewards card then transfer the balance to a card that offers a 0% intro APR for balance transfers–just be sure there's no percentage fee charged for the actual balance transfer, as I mention in this post: http://travelsort.com/blog/best-0-apr-and-balance-transfer-rewards-credit-cards
I wish there was a way to earn miles without the use of credit cards.
Carla, thanks for your comment. While credit cards are far and away the best way to build enormous miles and points balances for those of us lucky enough to live in the U.S., where all the best credit card offers are, here are some other ways:
-Bank Direct, for AAdvantage miles (see my post http://travelsort.com/blog/bankdirect-best-way-to-earn-aadvantage-miles-for-half-a-cent-per-mile)
-Opening Fidelity brokerage accounts, which come with certain mileage incentives
-Shopping, especially via online mile and point malls such as the Chase Ultimate Rewards Mall
-Flying, of course
Thank you so much, Hilary! I am in no position to apply for a credit card nor do any traveling for that matter, but I have to start somewhere. I will check out the links you listed.
I always remember some advice Warren Buffett once gave…
Avoid debt! Forget the credit cards. If you need to use them (as opposed to using them for points or to buy online) then you shouldn't be buying whatever you're buying.
Here's some more advice on 'getting rich' from Warren Buffett's long-time partner, Charlie Munger: http://www.planbeconomics.com/2013/04/charlie-munger-reveals-secrets-to.html
I believe it is no longer true that you should leave old account open. They're corrected that with the most recent version of FICO.
From bankrate.com "Closure doesn't automatically wipe out the payment history for that account. As long as the account remains on your credit report, it will still count toward your payment history, your types of credit used and the length of your credit history. Closed credit card accounts with no delinquencies or balances will come off your credit report within 10 years from the date they were reported closed.
Long story short: While you may not hurt your credit score too much if you close the accounts, your score won't benefit, either."
Paul, thanks for the comment. It's true that even closed accounts can count towards your credit history *while* they remain on your credit report, and they can stay on the report up to 10 years. But they can also fall off your report sooner, which is why those of us who do open a significant number of credit cards for miles and points always aim to keep a few (preferably no annual fee) credit cards that we've had for many years, to mitigate against the cards we end up closing. What we don't want is a few years hence have a number of credit cards all falling off our credit report around the same time, simply because we closed them at the same time, without other long-held accounts to counterbalance that effect.
Well I wish I would have read this a long time ago! This is all great information that makes a lot of sense. I have gotten myself into a lot of debt and not managed my money wisely when I was younger. I am in the process of simplifying my lifestyle to manage the debt that I have and I will be monitoring my credit score from now on. This stuff will come back and bite you in the ass if you are not careful. I will be coming back here often for financial advice. Thanks for this post!
Hilary is a very smart lady. I just checked her website out and confirms her authority in the field.
You offer great tips and like this post very much. Would like to see more.
I would like to mention that even if your have a zero credit card balance the creditor will take your credit limit on this card in consideration.
So don't have to many card even if you have no debt on them. It will hurt your credit score.
Opening up lines of credit don't always make your score go down. In my case I strategically opened up 2 new accounts before refinancing this coming December, and it caused my score to go up.
Bascically the reason why opening new cards can hurt your score is because of the hard inquiry, and it causes your average credit age to go down. I opened two accounts within a week (which only dings you once since it's within a short period of time) and requested and got an increase on an existing card. In 72 hours I caused my utilization to go from 58% to 29%, which raised my score because the credit utilization percentage (the amount of credit you use divided by the amount of credit available) has a much higher impact on the FICO rating than the age of credit and the hard inquiry, which only affects your score by a couple points, and falls off pretty quickly.
In my case I was using 58% of my credit line because of a 0% for 2 years home improvement card, and a 0% for 18 months reward card.
58% was pretty high, but I didn't want to throw cash at it because the cash was earning up to 1%, and I wasn't paying any interest on the cards anyway. Plus I have more short term use for the cash (like the refi closing costs, and saving towards additional property). Also I always try to add a little bit to the minimum while meeting my savings goals, so that by the time the balance is due I don't have to dip as much into savings, if at all, like I would need to do if I decided to pay cash up front.
Needless to say I love me some 0% interest reward cards, and earning interest on top of that, on the borrowed money.
My Citi and Venture One credit card have always treated me well however, I am not sure if that would be the case if I left a balance on it at the end of each month or if I had bad credit to begin with. I really liked the break-down for which card to recommend depending on what your credit report is like. I still am not a big fan of Chase. I had bad luck with them.
Tara, thanks for your comment. Everyone has different goals, so credit cards are definitely not a "one size fits all" situation. In fact, for those who only travel domestically and never want or plan to fly first class or business class internationally on an award ticket, cash back cards can be the best bet. The travel rewards cards I recommend are most valuable for earning the miles and points to fly international on airline tickets that would retail for $5000-$25,000 or more for the cost of taxes. While I never recommend Capital One cards because it's a fixed value program where 1 point = 1 cent, there are other cash back cards ranging from 2% to 5% or more in bonus categories. For travel though, I would say Chase currently has the best rewards cards taking into account signup bonus, bonus spend categories and other benefits.
I am sad that I am late reader! There is such a great lesson learned after reading this fantastic post ( may be because I have already indebted myself and made mistakes). Anyhow, Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mark! Glad that you found the post helpful.
Hi Hilary!
I found it really helpful and would love to read more
Keep inspiring!
Hello! I want to improve my credit score, but can't seem to figure out how to do so. I am not working and am a full time nursing student. I feel stuck, please help. Amanda


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Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technologyby Neil Postman
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In this witty, often terrifying work of cultural criticism, the author of Amusing Ourselves to Death chronicles our transformation into a Technopoly: a society that no longer merely uses technology as a support system but instead is shaped by it--with radical consequences for the meanings of politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth.
"Mixing provocative insights and cliched criticisms, Postman defines the U.S. as a society in which technology is deified to a near-totalitarian degree." Publishers Weekly
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I was impressed with the Ipad when it came out, the speed, the responsiveness and the battery life. I really wanted one, but my use case for a portable device included a keyboard, standalone usability and easy transfer of data. A netbook would have achieved most of the goals, only it did not provide the form factor I wanted for reading - the portrait work mode.
After reading the AnandTech review of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer, I thought I finally saw a device that met all my requirements. I would highly recommend you read the review of the device. I do believe Asus brings true value and innovation to the tablet space. Asus not only has experience from the Netbook, it also lacks (in a good way) the links and the bondage of a cellular maker. I would only hope that Asus will join up with a Linux distribution to create a Linux ARM tablet.
I have made one mistake in the purchasing this device. I did not buy it for my self, but rather for my wife. It felt like the American husband buying a bowling ball for his wife's birthday. The joke, however is on me. She likes it, and she is by no mean a geek.
While the device is not without it's fault (I mainly find the Wireless connection wanting), it is a well rounded standalone device, which I can see as a replacement for most tablets and net-book devices. It remains to be seen how Asus handles software upgrades over time, and how the battery lasts in day to day use, but so far we are happy with it. Well, she is...
I used to like dropbox, and even recommend it. It is fast [fn]allowing local area sync so computers on the same network are synced almost instantaneously[/fn], easy [fn]Very easy integration into the Linux, Windows and Mac file systems[/fn] and was supported on many smartphones and tablet systems.
I began to feel troubled by the compplainet to the FTC claiming Dropbox lied about the security and privacy of the content people put on it's systems:
The keys used to encrypt and decrypt files also are in the hands of Dropbox, not stored on each user's machines.
The keys used to encrypt and decrypt files also are in the hands of Dropbox, not stored on each user's machines.
What this means, in a nutshell, is that Dropbox can have full access to the files stored on it's system.
As someone who worked in corporate IT, I know the dilemma. Do you want IT to have full access to all the data in the system? This might make technical support and maintenance for IT, but from a business and legal point of view, this raises some thorny issues. IT professionals and service do not have, to the best of my knowledge, the same defenses lawyers, clerics and members of the medical profession have when dealing with user privacy.
The second shoe dropped when, apparently due to a bug, Dropbox allowed access to it's system with no authentication.
From a Google FAQ:
If I share a collection with a mailing list, or set it to public (on the Web or in a domain for Enterprise users) will the collection automatically appear in other people's Documents List?
No, people in the group and those within your domain need to click the URL in the invitation you send for the shared collection to appear in their Documents List. When you set a collection to Public, everyone gets permission to access the collection. However, the collection appears in people's Documents List only after they've opened it by clicking a link sent via invite, email, or chat.
If I share a collection with a mailing list, or set it to public (on the Web or in a domain for Enterprise users) will the collection automatically appear in other people's Documents List?
No, people in the group and those within your domain need to click the URL in the invitation you send for the shared collection to appear in their Documents List. When you set a collection to Public, everyone gets permission to access the collection. However, the collection appears in people's Documents List only after they've opened it by clicking a link sent via invite, email, or chat.
This, as it turn out, is a bad idea. As users join an organization or a group, or if they fail to click on the link sent to them, their document lists are not updated. The main feedback I get from users is that they feel that either they have done some thing wrong, or that there is something misconfiguration on the domain. I fail to see why Google have decided to do things this way, or why they do not provide a way to change this behavior.
When I read Joe Weinmans prediction for 2011, I felt troubled. I seems to take too much of the cellular companies claims at face value. Om Malik, one the other hand, take a more critical view at the same claims.
While on the whole, a more frugal approach to cellular connected devices operating systems, applications and content delivery is a good idea, the same holds true for the wired connection. I would seem that as the Google and Verizon so called net neutrality initiative failed, the carrier in the US have failed back to capacity limitations argument.
So, Nokia will not use Windows 7, nor will it use Android. This has been a source of debate between Tomi T Ahonen and Robert Scoble Which basically tries to undestand what, if any, is Nokias software development policy. While MeeGo seems be the future, Symbian is not dead yet, and it seems QT is the stopgap between the two.
When Dave Winer asks "Can we use S3 and EC2 to host free speech?", following Amazon decision to remove the wikileaks site from its server, he is following up on a discussion started in the Rebooting the News podcast on Friends of the internet. In this he more or less said that the internet has no friends in the corporate world. While originally viewing this as the realpolitik of the corporate world, leaving his own servers on Amazon, he now seems to be more troubled. He is correct in both cases, but I also think he is also overly pessimistic.
There are services which are inherently more Internet friendly, such as WordPress or Acquia. By simply providing their platform as open source they allow their client to chose between the comfort of hosted service, installation and support on other services (such as Amazon) or private hosting. This means that of your platform is important enough for you you can move more rapidly if your current provider has gone to the dark side.
This, however, is not the same for one of the more basic and fundamental services of the Internet, the DNS system. This is the system which makes it possible to use domain names. Blocking, manipulating or overtaking this can fragment the Internet. This is much harder to fix or migrate from, and poses a more serious question then trusting a hosting provider.
A blog post and a tweet by Ido Amin caught my attention.
Merging ancestry tree websites like Geni with Facebook would be considered normal in most world cultures
From a pure IT perspective, this would be true. Merging two, or more, data sources for better consistency and accuracy seems to make sense. That is, until the human factor and terminology kicks in. Does a Facebook family mean the same thing as Geni family? Do you store and use the same types of information on both services? Do you want to share that information across sites? Will Facebooks track record with privacy be consistent with that of Geni?
Genealogy is complex and sensitive. Geni does a good job, at least in my view, to manage this, primarily by providing the final say on data to the person who is represented by this data. This is not to say that there aren't issues with data management, but the Geni approach of "better safe then sorry" is very different from the "better ask forgiveness then permission" approach of facebook.
Wikileaks is being chased off the internet, and the US government is commandeering the DNS records of web sites. This is done both via the infrastructure services (DNS), pressuring network service providers and other service providers.
Regadless of your feeling about Wikileaks, it is obvious those encountering such measures will look for alternatives for their activities. This might seem fine for the policy makers, as it will move such troublemakers of the radar for the general public and themselves. But this "out of site" mentality may have larger consequences. Looking at the development of the Internet (or rather, the web, the presentation function of the Internet), I can see how the Internet will split into three networks:
It's a harsh world in the smartphone land. Nam Yong of LG followed in the footsteps of Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo of Nokia. Both lost their positions due to low profits of their companies high end smartphone. Low, that is, when compered those of Apple and Android in general (for Nokia) and Samsung (for LG).
The US tech journalists seems to be happy to bash Nokia with anything from calling them the McDonald's of phones to putting the blame on putting too much emphasis on hardware design, and, of course, believing only a gringo can save the poor Finns. One has to cross the pond to get some more balanced views, even from non Nokia fanboys.
As was only to be expected, Jon Stewart quickly points out the absurdity of the Google and Verizon proposal for the schminternet1:


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Educational Conferences
Administrative Conferences
Otolaryngology Grand Rounds (monthly)
Grand Rounds topics are presented by faculty and residents in a lecture format with discussion to follow. Guest speakers/visiting professors periodically also present topics of interest during this accredited hour. All otolaryngology faculty and residents are required to attend. Attendance is taken and written evaluations are completed quarterly in accordance with CME accreditation requirements.
Morbidity and Mortality Conference (monthly)
This is a case presentation/discussion format held jointly by the services at Froedtert Hospital, Children's Hospital, and the VA Medical Center. Chief residents present cases which are reviewed, discussed and critiqued by faculty and residents.
Research Conference (monthly)
This conference is designed to instill core knowledge of basic research methodology and skills, provide a forum for presentation of research and feedback, and provide mentorship for developing researchers. Lectures are given by faculty members and residents present research proposals and summaries.
Head and Neck Tumor Board (weekly)
This is actually two multi-disciplinary conferences, one held at the VA Medical Center and one held at Froedtert Hospital. The Tumor Boards are held in conjunction with radiation hematology/oncology, speech pathology, nursing, and hospital dentistry. Each new cancer patient is presented. Radiologic studies are reviewed. Work-up and management for each patient are discussed. Decisions regarding care are made.
Facial Trauma Conference (bi-monthly Sept-May)
This conference is held jointly with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oculoplastic Surgery, and Oral Surgery. It is a lecture style conference with presentation by one of the residents, fellows or faculty from a rotating schedule between the departments.
Core Curriculum Lecture Series (weekly)
This series spans a two-year period to include basic science and clinical information within each subspecialty. The content and format of the curriculum (e.g. lectures, case presentations, etc.) will be at the discretion of the faculty member(s) assigned to each curriculum. Subsections include otology/skull base, general /basic science/radiology, head and neck oncology/pathology, laryngology/voice, sinus/rhinology/allergy, facial plastics/reconstructive surgery/facial trauma, and pediatric otolaryngology.
Journal club is held quarterly in association with the subspecialty being presented in the Core Curriculum.
Friday Morning Faculty Clinical Conferences (weekly)
A faculty member leads a discussion of a clinically relevant topic, based on articles or cases. Regular conferences cover topics in pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology, facial plastic surgery, and otology. The residents might be asked to review material before the conference. All attendees are expected to participate in discussion.
Visiting Professors
Visiting faculty are regularly invited to lecture to the Department. Residents may be responsible for case presentations and informal discussion with the visitors.
Roger H. Lehman, M.D. Lecture (yearly)
This event brings in recognized experts and leaders in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery to the campus.
Previous Lehman lecturers include: H. Bryan Neel III, MD; Helmuth Goepfert, MD; Shiro Fujita, MD; Derald E. Brackmann, MD; Lauren D. Holinger, MD; Hugh F. Biller, MD; M. Eugene Tardy, Jr., MD; Richard A. Buckingham, MD; Robert H. Ossoff, DMD, MD; Arnold G. Schuring, MD; James Y. Suen, MD; Patrick E. Brookhouser, MD; Harold C. Pillsbury III, MD; Charles W. Cummings, MD; Richard A. Chole, MD, PhD; David W. Kennedy, MD; Michael D. Maves, MD, MBA; Heinz Stammberger, MD; Robert H. Miller, MD, MBA; Gordan Hughes, MD; Mark A. Richardson, MD, MScB, MBA; Joseph B. Nadol, Jr., MD and Neal D. Futran, MD, DMD.
The annual lecture is held in conjunction with an Alumni event in order to increase educational value for residents, faculty, and alumni.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Rhinoplasty Course (yearly)
The course familiarizes and introduces techniques to expand and refine surgical skills, by combining didactic sessions, narrated dissections, and hands-on dissection of fresh cadavers.
Fresh Tissue Dissection (yearly)
The residents dissect cadavers and fresh tissue to demonstrate tissue handling and surgical procedures under the direction of the faculty. In addition, since 1996 residents and faculty have volunteered to assist with gross anatomy laboratory during the head and neck dissection module of the M-1 Anatomy Course further increasing dissection time.
Temporal Bone Dissection (yearly)
Faculty presents a series of lectures and directed dissections each year. All residents have 24-hour access to the temporal bone laboratory and human specimens for independent dissections.
Bronchoscopy Course (every other year)
The faculty runs an all-day course for the residents, which teaches principles of endoscopy in both adults and children. A laboratory session gives practical exposure in both canines and felines. University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty and residents are invited to attend.
Education Working Group (every other month)
The Program Director invites faculty and residents to discuss various aspects of the residency. This informal conference has covered such topics as new conference development, schedule implementation, technical standards, rotation effectiveness, call responsibilities, research experience, the residency review process, programmatic suggestions, operative experience, and curriculum innovation. Minutes are distributed to all faculty and residents, and feedback is encouraged.


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Novelty Toys
Vinyl Horse Finger Puppets (1 dz)
These finger puppets are great for telling Wild West stories. Kids of all ages will love these Horse Finger Puppets.
- 1 Dozen
- Measures 2 1/2"
- Assorted Horses
- Vinyl
Farm Animal Vinyl Finger Puppets (1 dz)
These cute vinyl farm animal design finger puppets are great little party favors for a barnyard themed event.
- 2"
- 1 Dozen per set
- Assorted farm animals
- Vinyl
Regular Price: $6.40
Now only: $5.48
Plush Animal Finger Puppets (1 dz)
A great little assortment of plush animal finger puppets!
- 1 Dozen per set
- They measure 3"
- Assorted animals
Monkey Finger Puppets (1 dz)
Neon Monkey Finger Puppets. Goody bag favorite! Kids love these pocket-sized vinyl monkeys because they can perform a fingertip puppet show anywhere. 1 3/4". You will get 12 of these.
- 12 Vinyl Monkey puppets
- Assorted colors
- 1 3/4"
- Finger puppets.
Monkey Hand Puppet
Do you have a child that loves monkeys? Help make story time more fun with this Monkey Hand Puppet. Kids will love making their own stories with this fun monkey friend!
- 1 Monkey Hand Puppet.
- Puppet Measures 10 Inches.
- Plush.
- Puppet.
- Monkey.
Zoo Animal Finger Puppets (12 pcs)
Kids will love giving adorable impromptu puppet shows with these Zoo Animal Finger Puppets. These adorable animals easily fit on little fingers and are perfect for zoo or jungle themed birthday parties.
- 1 Dozen Zoo Animal Finger Puppets.
- Measures: 2."
- Assorted Designs.
- Assorted Colors.
Velour Hand Puppet Animals with Arms & Legs (1 dz)
Children will love using their imaginations with these cute animal hand puppets. Just sit back and watch as your kids give you a fun animal themed puppet show.
- 1 Dozen Per Set.
- Measures 8 1/4."
- Velour.
- Assorted Jungle and Farm Animals.
Fairy Tale Finger Puppets (2 dz)
With these Fairy Tale Finger Puppets, children will be able to use their imagination to create mystical puppet shows for themselves and their friends. These little puppets are a great additions to any birthday party.
- 2 Dozen
- Vinyl
- Most Measure 1 1/2" - 2"
- Assorted Fantasy Puppets
Regular Price: $10.21
Now only: $8.74
Animal Finger Puppets (1 dz)
Children will love giving their own puppet show with these Animal Finger Puppets. Place these fun puppets in goody bags or hand out as fun carnival prizes.
- 1 Dozen Puppets
- Measures: 2"
- Assorted Colors
- Assorted Designs
Fun Zoo Animal Finger Puppets (1 dz)
Children will love throwing a wild puppet show for friends or adults with these cute Fun Zoo Animal Finger Puppets. These cute puppets are the perfect set for little animal lovers!
- 1 Dozen Fun Zoo Animal Finger Puppets.
- Puppets Measure 2 1/2 Inches.
- Assorted Animals.


text: ALADIN 2G is a clear example of relentless development at SCUBAPRO. Engineered for technical divers who want specific features for total freedom in full safety, and for recreational divers who appreciate detailed, yet easily accessible information, but want the possibility to evolve in the sport. The ALADIN 2G combines this sophisticated algorithm with the compact size and accessibility of the Aladin family.


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Puppy alerts boy's mom to danger.
It didn't take TaterTot long to earn a special place in the hearts of a Minneapolis family. Just days after Christi Smith brought the 10-month-old pit bull home as a foster, he detected a life-threatening drop in her son's blood sugar level.
Smith says it was the middle of the night on Oct. 2 when TaterTot, who had been close to being put down when Smith took him in, alerted her that something wasn't right with her 4-year-old son, Peyton Anderson. The pup tried to wake Peyton up by licking him and jumping on him.
"He kept on whining and barking and running between the two of us," Smith said. "I checked on him, and he was barely breathing."
Study: Pet obesity a growing epidemic.
It's time to get Fido of the couch.
Recent data from Banfield Pet Hospital shows that, compared with data from five years ago, overweight dogs have become 37 percent more prevalent while overweight cats have become a whopping 90 percent more prevalent.
Study aims to understand how cats live alongside humans and other felines.
You may think you've made inroads by getting your reluctant cat to let you pet him. But, an international group of researchers says that what's a happy moment for you may be a stressful experience for your cat.
Evidence from a new research study suggests that the owner's urge to pet their cat may be a stressful experience for the animal.
"Our data suggests that cats who tolerate, rather than enjoy or dislike being petted, seem to be the most stressed," said Daniel Mills, a professor of veterinary behavioral medicine at the University of Lincoln in the U.K.
Endangered otter a first for Asia.
A giant river otter — the world's largest and rarest otter — was born on Aug. 10 at River Safari in Singapore, the zoo has announced.
The male pup's birth marks a first for a zoo in Asia. The pup weighed 3.5 pounds at birth and was nearly 2 feet long. Native to South American rivers, the otters can measure to 6 feet long and weigh 75 pounds when they're full grown.
Research on what's killing the animals has stalled
With an "unusual mortality event" on track to kill a record number of bottlenose dolphins on the East Coast, the government shutdown is threatening to stall research on what's been killing the animals. So far, 600 dolphins have died. In 1987 and 1988, 700 bottlenoses were lost in the last major dolphin die-off.
"If this [shutdown] runs into weeks and longer, we're talking about significant impacts to our ability to investigate this mortality event," said Mark Swingle, director of research and conservation at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. The researchers have been left without enough scientists to study all of the deceased dolphins because of the shutdown. — Read it at NBC News
Image: James Sullivan/Reuters
More from Vetstreet:
10 Lessons Dogs Can Teach Us About Relationships
Why Swimming With Dolphins Is a Bad Thing
Hero Dog Alerts Parents to Abusive Babysitter
Video: Young Girl Entertains Dolphin
New Virus Discovered in Dogs: What You Need to Know
They're soooo cuuuuute
This month, the Zoo Atlanta pandas cubs will turn 100 days old. In Chinese tradition, that's when their births are celebrated, and they get their names! On Thursday, the zoo revealed the five pairs of names that it's selected for the fluffy baby boys, who are the first set of panda twins born in the U.S. to survive. They'll be putting the names to a public vote through ABC's Good Morning America beginning on Wednesday. The choices include: Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Hua (may hwaa), meaning "Lun Lun's twin cubs born in the U.S.;" Mei Lun (may loon) and Mei Huan (may hwaan), from a Chinese idiom that means "something indescribably beautiful and magnificent;" Tian Lun (tee-an loon) and Tian Le (tee-an luh), a modified version of a Chinese idiom meaning "joy of family life" or "family happiness;" Lan Tian (lan tee-an) and Bi Shui (bee shway), meaning "blue sky and clear water;" and Da Lan (dah lan) and Xiao Lan (sheow lan), meaning "bigger one" (a reference to the larger Cub B) and "smaller one" (Cub A). — Watch it at Good Morning America and follow the zoo on Facebook or Twitter to get voting details
More from Vetstreet:
First Twin Pandas Born in U.S. Since 1987
Most Popular Puppy and Kitten Names
10 Lessons Dogs Can Teach Us About Relationships
Newborn Panda Cub Shows Off Feisty Personality
Hero Dog Alerts Parents to Abusive Babysitter
Meet Sundance, the one-eyed dog who was redeemed this week
In April, we told you the story of Sundance, the 12-year-old Golden Retriever who helped himself to five $100 bills that he found tucked away in his owners' car when they stopped to eat dinner on a drive from Montana to Colorado at Christmas time. (Sundance, who has expensive taste, left a $1 bill behind). Owner Wayne Klinkel spent his vacation following the dog around, using gloved hands to collect pieces of the bills and wash them after Sundance passed them. Then, he pieced them back together as best he could and sent them to the U.S. Treasury Department in April, asking to be reimbursed. On Monday, he opened his mail to discover a check for the full $500. "I gave Sundance a pat, showed it to him and told him not to eat it," Klinkel said. — Read it at Montana's Independent Record
Image: Eliza Wiley / Independent Record
More from Vetstreet:
Why Does My Dog... Stare at Me?
10 Things Dogs Can Teach Us About Relationships
5 Biggest Training Mistakes People Make
Think Some Pets Don't Shed? Think Again
Dog Stops Baby From Crawling Into the Ocean
The government shutdown doesn't affect this one
One of the flashiest headlines to come out of the federal government's shutdown has been the temporary closure of the National Zoo and its Panda Cam. (The zoo has a 1-month-old panda cub.) Other zoos around the country have been getting questions about their status. Because they're not affected by the federal government, many zoos are posting on Facebook to ensure customers that they are open for business. And Zoo Atlanta reminds you that you can still watch their adorable 2 ½-month-old panda cub twins on their cam. Meanwhile, the animals at the National Zoo are still being cared for — and they may even be enjoying the unusual peace and quiet.
More from Vetstreet:
First Twin Pandas Born in U.S. Since 1987
Video: It's Panda Playtime!
What Do Animals See in the Mirror?
4 Everyday Household Products That Works Wonders on Pet-Stained Carpeting
Red Panda Does Pull-Ups


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King Kinder Expands its Empire
Satarupa is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
In the latest act of acquisitions in the US oil and natural gas industry, Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI), the company with the largest pipeline operation network in the US, has expanded its reach in some vital shale plays. Kinder Morgan acquired the natural gas pipeline operator Copano (NASDAQ: CPNO) for a value of around $5 billion, including debt, which allows the company access to many of the shale plays that are witnessing production booms.
What's in the offering for Kinder Morgan?
Copano has an extensive pipeline network of around 6,900 miles, with a capacity for transporting 2.7 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas per day, and is connected to some of the most prolific shale plays in the US, including the Eagle Ford shale, Barnett shale, and the Mississippi Lime and Woodford shale. The Eagle Ford shale and Barnett shale are two of the most promising and productive shale plays in the US. Kinder Morgan was already operating in a joint venture with Copano in the Eagle Ford shale, and now will have full ownership of the processing contracts with oil and natural gas companies like Anadarko.
The deal also gives Kinder Morgan the right to access the processing plants of Copano with a capacity of more than 1 bcf of natural gas per day. This extensive pipeline network is bound to provide Kinder Morgan a strategic position that's hard for its competitors to achieve, especially when an expansion in pipelines is subjected to government regulations and environmental impact.
Let's take the case of TransCanada (NYSE: TRP). The company is facing a difficult time implementing its pipeline expansion project due to environmental issues and government intervention. TransCanada was planning to implement its Keystone XL pipeline project through which the company would be able to supply crude from the Alberta sands to the Gulf of Mexico and bridge the existing price gap. But the promising project has hit a roadblock due to environmental concerns, and is awaiting a decision from the US government that many think will go in the company's favor. So the best way to increase presence is by acquisitions.
Strengthening its Position in the US market:
Kinder Morgan has been on a spree of billion dollar acquisitions to solidify its position in the US oil and natural gas industry and take advantage of the sudden boom in production through the latest technologies. In 2011 Kinder Morgan acquired El Paso (NYSE: EPB) in a $23 billion deal to become the largest pipeline network operator in the US. El Paso recently received a licence to export LNG to the countries that have a Free Trade Agreement with the US, and is also planning to build a LNG export terminal in a partnership with Shell.
According to the data released by EIA, the production of natural gas in the US is expected to rise by almost 44% to 33.1 trillion cubic feet by 2040 in comparison to 2011. More production will mean more movement of natural gas from the site of production to different processing units and export facilities. This is what Kinder Morgan is looking to cash in on. Moreover, the demand from Asian countries for natural gas has opened up new opportunities for Kinder Morgan, as more gas needs to be carried and processed.
Though the sudden boom in natural gas production led to a decrease in price, companies like Kinder Morgan and Copano work on a business model where revenues are linked to the volume processed and moved, rather than price. So it's an all-gain and no-loss situation for the company.
Foolish Bottomline:
Copano is a company that operates in the same line of business as Kinder Morgan. This kind of horizontal acquisition is bound to benefit the market leader Kinder Morgan, and the fact that entry of competitors is restricted to government regulations will further solidify its position. This stock is something that you can't take your eyes off of.
sattybose has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends El Paso Pipeline Partners LP and Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool owns shares of Kinder Morgan. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is this post wrong? Click here. Think you can do better? Join us and write your own!


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Vt. hikers rescued from NH mountainOctober 09,2013Vt. hikers rescued
from NH mountain
GORHAM, N.H. Two Vermont hikers are safe after being rescued from a New Hampshire mountain after a storm.
The couple were on the summit of Mount Madison in the White Mountains on Monday afternoon when a severe storm soaked them and their gear.
Then a dense fog made it nearly impossible to see the trail. With temperatures dropping, they called 911 for help at about 7 p.m.
Rescuers hiked about four miles up the trail and found them shortly after 1 a.m.
Twenty-eight-year-old Raymond Barnard and 27-year-old Stephanie Watkins of Brownsville, Vt., were cold and wet but able to put on dry clothing and follow rescuers down.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said the pair had used sleeping bags and tent rain fly to protect themselves, which probably saved their lives.MORE IN This Just InBy Josh O'Gorman Full StoryBy Gordon Dritschilo Full StoryCASTLETON - Police have released a picture of a man who robbed a convenience store Monday night. Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: Giles Corey of Salem, Mass., is pressed to death during the Salem witch trials; on this day in 1952, film comedian Charlie Chaplin, while traveling to England, is denied re-entry into the United States by U.S. attorney general.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: Dutch father of microbiology Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discovers the existence of one-celled organisms; in 1967, The Doors are booked to play the Ed Sullivan show; in 1858, freedom fighter Dred Scott dies on this day in St. Louis.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: No money this year for western rail project, Lola Aiken memorialized in Montpelier, Supreme Court Castleton murder suspect will remain in jail, Shaftbury man fires shots from his AK-47 into neighbor's home.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev arrives in U.S. for historic 13-day visit; in 1987, Secretary of State George Shultz and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze sign nuclear reduction agreement.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: City celebrates completion of its newest mural, on West Street opposite the post office, more than $2 million in federal grants will bolster Vermont's health centers, Patrick McArdle reports on pending sale of Vermont papers.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: Henry Hudson sails up the Hudson River as far as present-day Albany, Leo Szilard has epiphany waiting for the light to change, 3 kids report a West Virginia close encounter in 1952.


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Cougars Swept By No. 11 SCSU In The Dome
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Sioux Falls baseball team (4-11) opened its NSIC slate with back-to-back losses to No. 11 St. Cloud State (13-2) late Friday night. The Cougars were shut out 10-0 in the opener and fell 10-2 in the nightcap where the final out wasn't recorded to well past 1 a.m. on Saturday.
St. Cloud State senior Scott Leiser tossed a no-hitter Friday night en route to a 10-0 win over Sioux Falls in the opener of a four-game NSIC baseball series that is being contested at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.
Leiser needed just 73 pitches in the dominating performance and was one hit-by-pitch away from notching a perfect game. He walked no batters and struck out four.
USF's only baserunner came in the bottom of the fifth, when freshman Kelby Beste earned first base the hard way, taking a pitch off the wrist on 1-1 count.
Sophomore Eric Brothers took the loss the USF. The sophomore righthander surrendered 10 runs (three earned) on 14 hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Senior James Rader provided an inning of hitless relief.
The Huskies scored in five of nine innings in game two and used a five-run eighth frame to put the Cougars on ice. Sean Borman had two RBI, two hits and an inside the park homer for the Huskies, while Travis Enger went 4-for-4 with three RBI.
Chris Kubitz worked seven innings to pick up the win. He scattered five hits and finished with three strikeouts. SCSU's bullpen took care of the rest, as Nick Maiers and Ryan Diers combined to allow one run on hit in two innings of relief.
The loss on the mound was charged to Henry Ojeda (1-2). The junior gave up five runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and a walk in six innings. Rader returned to the mound in the eighth and proceeded to toss two more scoreless innings and notched a pair of strikeouts.
Noah Durkin went 2-for-5 at the plate to lead the Cougars. Trevor Crow was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Zach Ireland, Keith Cutler and Jeremy Varner accounted for the Cougars' other three base hits.
The two teams will complete the series with a doubleheader beginning at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Courtesy: University of Sioux Falls


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Valley Basketball Star Matt Howard has signed a letter of intent to attend Fresno Pacific University.
Howard sealed the deal with his parents, Craig and Cindy, by his side.
At 6-8, Howard was a dominant player during his senior season at Fresno Christian High School.
A First-Team, All-League selection, Howard averaged 19 points, 18 rebounds and 3 1/2 blocks per game for the Eagles.
His family and friends will now be able to watch Howard continue his basketball career at home.
Fresno Pacific is making the move to NCAA Division II.
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