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While Dante slices through the belly of an undead beast with his razor-sharp scythe, traverses a crumbling bridge with a quick-time event, and overthrows the ruler of a damned land with vicious determination, a burst of familiarity might flash through your mind. From the gothic art style and the vengeance-fueled story to the stationary camera clearly displaying the blood-splattering combat, Dante's Inferno is a wholesale imitation of the superb God of War series. Or, at the very least, it's desperately trying to be. Unfortunately, the impression lasts for only the first few hours. What starts as a fast-paced and epic quest to destroy Lucifer in an underworld populated by grotesque and disfigured beings, devolves into a monotonous and downright predictable hack-and-slash. Dante's Inferno gets close enough to its source material to make for a gory and satisfying few hours in hell, but its many flaws prevent it from rising to paradise
The lesson delivered by Dante's Inferno is one every person should keep in mind: Do not, under any circumstance, make a deal with the devil. You will lose, and you may not be handy enough with a scythe to hack your way out of the mess you create. In this case, Beatrice thought too highly of her husband Dante's moral character. Worried that he would lose his life while liberating heathens during his holy crusade, she comes to an agreement with Lucifer. If he stays faithful, the devil will ensure that he makes it home alive. If he loses control with a seductive slave girl, though, Beatrice will forfeit her own soul forever. The story is told using three distinct styles to chronicle Dante's descent into darkness to rescue the eternal spirit of his betrayed wife. The CGI and in-game cutscenes are expected, but it is the series of sparsely animated cartoons that stand out. These fill in the backstory of Dante's actions during the crusades and go a long way toward developing his character. The story has few surprises, but the manner in which it slowly puts Dante's entire life into perspective makes for an interesting setup for his adventure.
And the adventure does start out on a strong note. The first few hours have an epic scale that makes the descent from the earthly plain into the pits of hell feel like a momentous transition. Pathways crumble underfoot, threatening to spill you into the bubbling lava below; gargantuan creatures loom in the distance, tossing out taunts as you make you way through their defenses; and horrible abominations are introduced every few minutes. The vile enemies you battle are modeled on the circles of hell, and they do an impressive job of embodying these contemptible sins. Lust, for instance, is populated by prostitutes who were all too willing to sell their bodies while they were alive, and they are punished by having their souls sold in the afterlife. The typical anatomy of these women of ill repute is grossly exaggerated, and though you'll certainly want to avoid their disgusting makeshift lassos, their presence makes for a disturbing trip to the land of the damned.
In the early stages, you will battle a number of horrific caricatures. The prostitutes of lust are followed by obese monsters who do a fine (yet gross) job of personifying gluttony, and an army of blade babies who haven't been baptized are sure to get a rise out of even the most jaded individuals. But these disgusting portrayals of the deadly sins are soon forgotten as you get deeper into your quest. After the shocking imagery used in the early going, you have only knights and wizards to look forward to, which lack the appeal of the repulsive enemies that precede them. In fact, the only memorable foes in the entire game are introduced within the first couple of hours, making the rest of the adventure much less interesting and far more predictable. Furthermore, although it makes sense that the circle of gluttony would be populated by grossly obese individuals, the fact that they pop up in heresy, anger, and every other circle doesn't mesh with the rules set in place.
The level design follows a similar descent into banality. What starts as epic and explosive soon becomes repetitive. Too much of Dante's Inferno takes place in confined rooms that don't hint at the huge world you're in, which lowers much of the impact of clawing your way through the netherworld. The puzzles that crop up only serve to artificially slow your progress rather than give you a worthwhile change of pace from the violent combat. Much of the time, endurance is the only tool you will need to complete these tests. Box-dragging or crank-turning puzzles aren't fun or mind-bending challenges. Rather they are just time wasters and only detract from the experience. The few times that they do force you to think only reinforce the poor design of these puzzles. Difficulty only exists because the camera either doesn't show you what you need to see or highlights an area that is not important.
The bulk of the game focuses on Dante's expertise in eliminating forsaken souls, and the combat is the element that most closely mimics God of War. Battles are brutally violent. Your powerful scythe slashes through treacherous beasts like a hot knife through butter, and it's great fun to hack away at your enemy while you deftly roll away from its counterattacks. Quick-time events play a large part of the action, letting you take down your foes in elaborate and horrifically violent ways. The over-the-top, merciless portrayal of the combat fits in perfectly with the dark themes presented in the game, which makes it the strongest aspect of your quest. You earn souls for every enemy you kill, and these points go toward upgrading your attacks. There are both holy and unholy meters to fill, which let you personalize your moves a bit. Upgrading Dante gives you a steady stream of new attacks, and though you aren't able to unlock new weapons through the course of the game, there is enough variety to make sure combat doesn't get stale.
But the combat is not without a few flaws, which results in more than a few aggravating moments. First of all, once you begin a combo, you must see it through to the end, which is maddening if you're trying to avoid an attack but Dante is stubbornly still swinging away. Second, you have a handy projectile attack, but the auto-aim functionality doesn't work right, so it's nearly impossible to hit a specific enemy in a crowded room. Third, challenge is all over the place. Most fights are fairly easy, but knockback attacks are overpowered. All too often, Dante will be caught in a chain of punishment that is impossible to break out of because enemies can attack you even when you're lying prone on the ground. It's possible to lose half of your life bar or more to these annoying situations, which makes the otherwise fun fights quite frustrating.
The quality of Dante's Inferno fluctuates wildly throughout the course of the game. During the first one-third of this eight-hour adventure, the diverse array of enemies and epic environments make for an enjoyable, hectic quest for vengeance. Things level out in the middle one-third, though. Memorable characters are no longer introduced and the level design is far less adventurous, but the frantic combat is enough to make this stretch fun, if not particularly noteworthy. The final one-third of this game is uninspired and downright bad at times, making for a wholly unsatisfying end to this derivative game. During the buildup to the end boss, level design has been virtually scrapped. Instead of tearing through the depths of hell, you are confined to a series of platforms where you must pass certain objectives before you can move forward. For instance, you will need to eliminate every enemy without summoning magic or by just using air attacks, which is just as lifeless as it sounds. This is a boring way to end the game and leaves a sour taste when the credits roll
It's a shame the entirety of Dante's Inferno couldn't match the frenetic pacing and horrific imagination found in the beginning of your adventure because it could have been a worthwhile alternative to the excellent God of War series. But most of the game falls far short of its impressive beginning, which results in a repetitive and uninspired adventure that loses steam long before you reach the bitter end. Dante's Inferno is certainly fun during those hectic first few hours, but there is little reason to play beyond those parts. It's not worth visiting hell without the promise of heaven on the other side
Dante's Inferno" redirects here. For other uses, see Dante's Inferno (disambiguation).
Gustave Doré's engravings illustrated the Divine Comedy (1861–1868); here Dante is lost in Canto 1 of the InfernoThis article is part of a series about
Dante's Divine Comedy
Inferno · Purgatorio · Paradiso
v · d · e
Inferno (Italian for "Hell") is the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic poem Divine Comedy. It is followed by Purgatorio and Paradiso. It is an allegory telling of the journey of Dante through what is largely the medieval concept of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as nine circles of suffering located within the Earth. Allegorically, the Divine Comedy represents the journey of the soul towards God, with the Inferno describing the recognition and rejection of sin.[1]
The poem begins on the day before Good Friday in the year 1300. The narrator, Dante himself, is thirty-five years old, and thus "halfway along our life's path" (Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita)—half of the Biblical life expectancy of seventy (Psalm 90:10). The poet finds himself lost in a dark wood in front of a mountain, assailed by three beasts (a lion, a lonza (rendered as "leopard"),[2] and a she-wolf) he cannot evade, and unable to find the "straight way" (diritta via)—also translatable as "right way"—to salvation. Conscious that he is ruining himself and that he is falling into a "deep place" (basso loco) where the sun is silent (l sol tace), Dante is at last rescued by the Roman poet Virgil, who claims to have been sent by Beatrice, and the two of them begin their journey to the underworld. Each sin's punishment in Inferno is a contrapasso, a symbolic instance of poetic justice; for example, fortune-tellers have to walk forwards with their heads on backwards, unable to see what is ahead, because they tried, through forbidden means, to look ahead to the future in life. Such a contrapasso "functions not merely as a form of divine revenge, but rather as the fulfilment of a destiny freely chosen by each soul during his or her life."[3]
The Barque of Dante by Eugène DelacroixDante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription, the ninth (and final) line of which is the famous phrase "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate", or "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here"[4]
Before entering Hell completely, Dante and his guide see the Uncommitted, souls of people who in life did nothing, neither for good nor evil (among these Dante recognizes either Pope Celestine V or Pontius Pilate; the text is ambiguous). Mixed with them are outcasts who took no side in the Rebellion of Angels. These souls are neither in Hell nor out of it, but reside on the shores of the Acheron, their punishment to eternally pursue a banner (i.e. self interest) while pursued by wasps and hornets that continually sting them while maggots and other such insects drink their blood and tears. This symbolizes the sting of their conscience and the repugnance of sin. As with the Purgatorio and Paradiso, the Inferno has a structure of 9+1=10, with this "vestibule" different in nature from the nine circles of Hell, and separated from them by the Acheron.
After passing through the "vestibule," Dante and Virgil reach the ferry that will take them across the river Acheron and to Hell proper. The ferry is piloted by Charon, who does not want to let Dante enter, for he is a living being. Virgil forces Charon to take him by means of another famous line Vuolsi così colà ove si puote, which translates to "So it is wanted there where the power lies," referring to the fact that Dante is on his journey on divine grounds. The wailing and blasphemy of the damned souls entering Charon's boat are a contrast to the joyful singing of the blessed souls arriving by ferry in the Purgatorio. However, the actual passage across the Acheron is undescribed since Dante faints and does not wake up until he is on the other side.
Virgil then guides Dante through the nine circles of Hell. The circles are concentric, representing a gradual increase in wickedness, and culminating at the centre of the earth, where Satan is held in bondage. Each circle's sinners are punished in a fashion fitting their crimes: each sinner is afflicted for all of eternity by the chief sin he committed. People who sinned but prayed for forgiveness before their deaths are found not in Hell but in Purgatory, where they labour to be free of their sins. Those in Hell are people who tried to justify their sins and are unrepentant.
Allegorically, the Inferno represents the Christian soul seeing sin for what it really is, and the three beasts represent three types of sin: the self-indulgent, the violent, and the malicious.[5] These three types of sin also provide the three main divisions of Dante's Hell: Upper Hell (the first 5 Circles) for the self-indulgent sins; Circles 6 and 7 for the violent sins; and Circles 8 and 9 for the malicious sins
In Limbo reside the unbaptized and the virtuous pagans, who, though not sinful, did not accept Christ. They are not punished in an active sense, but rather grieve only because of their separation from God, without hope of reconciliation. Limbo shares many characteristics with the Asphodel Meadows; thus the guiltless damned are punished by living in a deficient form of Heaven. Without baptism ("the portal of the faith that you embrace"[6]) they lacked the hope for something greater than rational minds can conceive. Limbo includes green fields and a castle with seven gates to represent the seven virtues, the dwelling place of the wisest men of antiquity, including Virgil himself, as well as the Islamic philosopher Averroes and the Persian polymath Avicenna. In the castle Dante meets the poets Homer, Horace, Ovid, and Lucan, the Amazon queen Penthesilea, the mathematician Euclid, the scientist Pedanius Dioscorides, the statesman Cicero, the first doctor Hippocrates, the philosophers Socrates, Averroes, and Aristotle, and many others, including Julius Caesar in his role as Roman general ("in his armor, falcon-eyed"[7]), Electra, Camilla, Latinus, Lucius Junius Brutus, Lucretia, and Orpheus. Interestingly, he also sees Saladin in Limbo (Canto IV). Dante implies that all virtuous non-Christians find themselves here, although he later encounters two (Cato of Utica and Statius) in Purgatory and two (Trajan and Ripheus) in Heaven.
In this Canto, Virgil mentions to Dante various figures from the Old Testament, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, and states that they were confined to this circle until the death of Christ ("when I beheld a Great Lord enter here; / the crown he wore, a sign of victory."[8]). Following this Harrowing of Hell, these good souls were then taken by Christ into Heaven. This widespread medieval belief was based on such biblical texts as 1 Peter 3:19.[9]
Dante Alighieri`s Infermo
Alessandro Sorrentino reads the III chant of Dante's Hell
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Beyond the first circle, all of those condemned for active, deliberately willed sin are judged by the serpentine Minos, who sentences each soul to one of the lower eight circles by wrapping his tail around himself a corresponding number of times (Minos initially hinders the poets' passage, until rebuked by Virgil). The lower circles are structured according to the classical (Aristotelian) conception of virtue and vice, so that they are grouped into the sins of incontinence, violence, and fraud (which for many commentators are represented by the leopard, lion, and she-wolf[10]). The sins of incontinence—weakness in controlling one's desires and natural urges—are the mildest among them, and, correspondingly, appear first, while the sins of violence and fraud appear lower down.
In the second circle of Hell are those overcome by lust. Dante condemns these "carnal malefactors"[11] for letting their appetites sway their reason. They are the first ones to be truly punished in Hell. These souls are blown about to and fro by the terrible winds of a violent storm, without hope of rest. This symbolizes the power of lust to blow one about needlessly and aimlessly.
In this circle, Dante sees Semiramis, Dido, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Achilles, Paris, Tristan, and many others who were overcome by sensual love during their life. Dante is told by Francesca da Rimini how she and her husband's brother Paolo Malatesta committed adultery, but then died a violent death, in the name of Love, at the hands of her husband, Giovanni (Gianciotto). Francesca reports that their act of adultery was triggered by reading the adulterous story of Lancelot and Guinevere (an episode sculpted by Auguste Rodin in The Kiss). Nevertheless, she predicts that her husband will be punished for his fratricide in Caina, within the ninth circle (Canto V).
The English poet John Keats, in his sonnet "On a Dream," imagines what Dante does not give us, the point of view of Paolo:
"... But to that second circle of sad hell,
Where 'mid the gust, the whirlwind, and the flaw
Of rain and hail-stones, lovers need not tell
Their sorrows. Pale were the sweet lips I saw,
Pale were the lips I kiss'd, and fair the form
I floated with, about that melancholy storm."[12]
The "Great Worm" Cerberus guards the gluttons, forced to lie in a vile slush produced by ceaseless foul, icy rain (Virgil obtains safe passage past the monster by filling its three mouths with mud). In her notes on this circle, Dorothy L. Sayers writes that "the surrender to sin which began with mutual indulgence leads by an imperceptible degradation to solitary self-indulgence."[13] The gluttons lie here sightless and heedless of their neighbours, symbolising the cold, selfish, and empty sensuality of their lives.[13] Just as lust has revealed its true nature in the winds of the previous circle, here the slush reveals the true nature of sensuality – which includes not only overindulgence in food and drink, but also other kinds of addiction.[14]
In this circle, Dante converses with a Florentine contemporary identified as Ciacco, which means "hog."[15] A character with the same nickname later appears in The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio.[16] Ciacco speaks to Dante regarding strife in Florence between the "White" and "Black" Guelphs. In one of a number of prophecies in the poem, Ciacco "predicts" the expulsion of the White party, to which Dante belonged, and which led to Dante's own exile. This event occurred in 1302, after the date in which the poem is set, but before the poem was written[15] (Canto VI).
[edit] Fourth Circle (Greed)
In Gustave Doré's illustrations for the fourth circle, the weights are huge money bags.Those whose attitude toward material goods deviated from the appropriate mean are punished in the fourth circle. They include the avaricious or miserly (including many "clergymen, and popes and cardinals"[17]), who hoarded possessions, and the prodigal, who squandered them. The two groups are guarded by a figure Dante names as Pluto, either Pluto the classical ruler of the underworld or Plutus the Greek god of wealth[18] (who uses the cryptic phrase Papé Satàn, papé Satàn aleppe), but Virgil protects Dante from him. The two groups joust, using as weapons great weights which they push with their chests:
"… I saw multitudes
to every side of me; their howls were loud
while, wheeling weights, they used their chests to push.
They struck against each other; at that point,
each turned around and, wheeling back those weights,
cried out: Why do you hoard? Why do you squander?' "[19]
The contrast between these two groups leads Virgil to discourse on the nature of Fortune, who raises nations to greatness, and later plunges them into poverty, as she shifts "those empty goods from nation unto nation, clan to clan."[20] This speech fills what would otherwise be a gap in the poem, since both groups are so absorbed in their activity that Virgil tells Dante that it would be pointless to try to speak to them – indeed, they have lost their individuality, and been rendered "unrecognizable"[
In the swamp-like water of the river Styx, the wrathful fight each other on the surface, and the sullen lie gurgling beneath the water, withdrawn "into a black sulkiness which can find no joy in God or man or the universe."[22] Phlegyas reluctantly transports Dante and Virgil across the Styx in his skiff. On the way they are accosted by Filippo Argenti, a Black Guelph from a prominent family. When Dante responds "In weeping and in grieving, accursed spirit, may you long remain,"[23] Virgil blesses him. Literally, this reflects the fact that souls in Hell are eternally fixed in the state they have chosen, but allegorically, it reflects Dante's beginning awareness of his own sin[24] (Cantos VII and VIII).
The lower parts of Hell are contained within the walls of the city of Dis, which is itself surrounded by the Stygian marsh. Punished within Dis are active (rather than passive) sins. The walls of Dis are guarded by fallen angels. Virgil is unable to convince them to let Dante and him enter, and the Furies (consisting of Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone) and Medusa threaten Dante. An angel sent from Heaven secures entry for the poets, opening the gate by touching it with a wand, and rebuking those who opposed Dante. Allegorically, this reveals the fact that the poem is beginning to deal with sins that philosophy and humanism cannot fully understand. Virgil also mentioned to Dante on how Erichtho sent him down to the lowest circle of Hell to bring back a spirit from there.[24] (Cantos VIII and IX).
[edit] Sixth Circle (Heresy)In the sixth circle, Heretics, such as Epicurians (who say "the soul dies with the body"[25]) are trapped in flaming tombs. Dante holds discourse with a pair of Epicurian Florentines in one of the tombs: Farinata degli Uberti, a Ghibelline (posthumously condemned for heresy in 1283); and Cavalcante de' Cavalcanti, a Guelph, who was the father of Dante's friend and fellow poet Guido Cavalcanti. The political affiliation of these two men allows for a further discussion of Florentine politics (Canto X). Also seen here are Epicurus, Emperor Frederick II, and Pope Anastasius II.
In response to a question from Dante about the "prophecy" he has received, Farinata explains that what the souls in Hell know of life on earth comes from seeing the future, not from any observation of the present. Consequently, when "the portal of the future has been shut,"[26] it will no longer be possible for them to know anything.
Pausing for a moment before the steep descent to the foul-smelling seventh circle, Virgil explains the geography and rationale of Lower Hell, in which violent and malicious sins are punished. In this explanation, he refers to the Nicomachean Ethics and the Physics of Aristotle (Canto XI). In particular, he asserts that there are only two legitimate sources of wealth: natural resources ("nature") and human activity ("art"). Usury, to be punished in the next circle, is therefore an offence against both:[27]
"From these two, art and nature, it is fitting,
if you recall how Genesis begins,
for men to make their way, to gain their living;
and since the usurer prefers another
pathway, he scorns both nature in herself
and art her follower; his hope is elsewhere."[28]
[edit] Seventh Circle (Violence)The seventh circle houses the violent. Its entry is guarded by the Minotaur, and it is divided into three rings:
Outer ring: This ring houses the violent against people and property, who are immersed in Phlegethon, a river of boiling blood and fire, to a level commensurate with their sins: Alexander the Great is immersed up to his eyebrows, although Dante praises Alexander at other points in the poem, meaning he might be referring to a different Alexander. Dionysius I of Syracuse, Azzolino da Romano, Guy de Montfort, Obizzo d'Este, Ezzelino III da Romano, Rinier da Corneto, and Rinier Pazzo are also seen in the Phlegethon as well as references to Atilla the Hun. The Centaurs, commanded by Chiron and Pholus, patrol the ring, firing arrows into those trying to escape. The centaur Nessus guides the poets along Phlegethon and across a ford in the river (Canto XII). This passage may have been influenced by the early medieval Visio Karoli Grossi.[29]
The Gianfigliazzi family was identified by a heraldic device of a lion (blue on yellow background).Middle ring: In this ring are the suicides (the violent against self), who are transformed into gnarled thorny bushes and trees, which are fed on by the Harpies. Unique among the dead, the suicides will not be bodily resurrected after the final judgement, having given their bodies away through suicide. Instead they will maintain their bushy form, with their own corpses hanging from the limbs. Dante breaks a twig off one of the bushes and from the broken, bleeding, branch hears the tale of Pier delle Vigne, who committed suicide after falling out of favour with Emperor Frederick II (his presence here, rather than in the ninth circle, indicates that Dante believes that the accusations made against him were false[30]). Also here are Lano da Siena and Jacopo da Sant' Andrea. The trees are a metaphor for the state of mind in which suicide is committed.[31] The other residents of this ring are the profligates, who destroyed their lives by destroying the means by which life is sustained (i.e. money and property). They are perpetually chased by ferocious dogs through the thorny undergrowth (Canto XIII).
Inner ring: Here the violent against God (blasphemers) and the violent against nature (sodomites and, as explained in the sixth circle, usurers) all reside in a desert of flaming sand with fiery flakes raining from the sky (a similar fate to Sodom and Gomorrah). The blasphemers lie on the sand, the usurers sit, and the sodomites wander about in groups. Dante sees the classical warrior Capaneus there, who for blasphemy against Zeus was struck down with a thunderbolt during the Siege of Thebes. Dante converses with two Florentine sodomites from different groups. One of them is Dante's mentor, Brunetto Latini. Dante is very surprised and touched by this encounter and shows Brunetto great respect for what he has taught him ("you taught me how man makes himself eternal; / and while I live, my gratitude for that / must always be apparent in my words"[32]), thus refuting suggestions that Dante only placed his enemies in Hell.[33] The other sodomite is Iacopo Rusticucci, a politician, who blames his wife for his fate. Those punished here for usury include the Florentines Catello di Rosso Gianfigliazzi, Guido Guerra, Iacopo Rusticucci, Ciappo Ubriachi, and Giovanni di Buiamonte; and the Paduans Reginaldo degli Scrovegni and Vitaliano di Iacopo Vitaliani. They are identified not primarily by name, but by heraldic devices emblazoned on the purses around their necks – purses which "their eyes seemed to feast upon"[34] (Cantos XIV through XVII).
[edit] Eighth Circle (Fraud)
A Gustave Doré wood engraving of Geryon.The last two circles of Hell punish sins that involve conscious fraud or treachery. These circles can be reached only by descending a vast cliff, which Dante and Virgil do on the back of Geryon, a winged monster traditionally represented as having three heads or three conjoined bodies,[35] but described by Dante as having three mixed natures: human, bestial, and reptilian.[35] Geryon is an image of fraud, with his face appearing to be that of an honest man, the body of a beautifully-colored Wyvern, the furry paws of a lion, and a poisonous sting in the pointy snake-like tail[36] (Canto XVII).
Jason and Medea, by John William Waterhouse (1907).
Dante's guide rebuffs Malacoda and his fiends between Bolgie 5 and 6, Canto 21.
Dante climbs the flinty steps in Bolgia 7, Canto 26.
Dante sees the Trojan Horse as an evil trick, punished in Bolgie 8 and 10 (The Fall of Troy, by Johann Georg Trautmann).The fraudulent—those guilty of deliberate, knowing evil—are located in a circle named Malebolge ("Evil Pockets"), divided into ten Bolgie, or ditches of stone, with bridges spanning the ditches:
Bolgia 1: Panderers (pimps) and seducers march in separate lines in opposite directions, whipped by demons (Dante makes reference here to a recent traffic rule developed for the Jubilee year of 1300 in Rome: keep to the right[37]). Just as the panderers and seducers used the passions of others to drive them to do their bidding, they are themselves driven by demons to march for all eternity.[37] In the group of panderers, the poets notice Venedico Caccianemico, who sold his own sister to the Marchese d'Este. In the group of seducers, Virgil points out Jason, who gained the help of Medea by seducing and marrying her, only to later desert her for Creusa.[37] Jason also seduced Hypsipyle, but "abandoned her, alone and pregnant"[38] (Canto XVIII).
Bolgia 2: Flatterers also exploited other people, this time using language. They are steeped in human excrement, which represents the words they produced. Alessio Interminei of Lucca and Thaïs are seen here.[37] (Canto XVIII).
Bolgia 3: Dante now forcefully expresses[39] his condemnation of those who committed simony. These are placed head-first in holes in the rock (resembling baptismal fonts), with flames burning on the soles of their feet. One of the simoniacs, Pope Nicholas III, denounces two of his successors, Pope Boniface VIII and Pope Clement V, for the same offence. Simon Magus and Saint Matthias are also seen here. The simile of baptismal fonts gives Dante an incidental opportunity to clear his name of an accusation of malicious damage to the font in the church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini[40] (Canto XIX).
Bolgia 4: Sorcerers, astrologers, and false prophets here have their heads twisted around on their bodies backward, so that they "found it necessary to walk backward, / because they could not see ahead of them."[41] While referring primarily to attempts to see into the future by forbidden means, this also symbolises the twisted nature of magic in general.[42] In this Bolgia, Dante sees Amphiaraus, Tiresias (whose double transformation was also referenced), Tiresias' daughter Manto, Aruns, Michael Scot, Alberto de Casalodi, and Guido Bonatti, among others (Canto XX).
Bolgia 5: Corrupt politicians (barrators) are immersed in a lake of boiling pitch, which represents the sticky fingers and dark secrets of their corrupt deals.[43] The barrators are the political analogue of the simoniacs, and Dante devotes several cantos to them. They are guarded by devils called the Malebranche ("Evil Claws"), who provide some savage and satirical black comedy. The leader of the Malebranche, Malacoda ("Evil Tail"), assigns a troop to escort Virgil and Dante safely to the next bridge. The troop hook and torment one of the sinners (identified by early commentators as Ciampolo), who names some Italian grafters and then tricks the Malebranche in order to escape back into the pitch. The promise of safe conduct the poets have received from the demons turns out to have limited value (and there is no "next bridge"[44]), so that the poets are forced to scramble down into the sixth Bolgia (Cantos XXI through XXIII).
Bolgia 6: In the sixth Bolgia, the poets find the hypocrites listlessly walking along wearing gilded lead cloaks, which represent the falsity behind the surface appearance of their actions – falsity that weighs them down and makes spiritual progress impossible for them.[44] Dante speaks with Catalano and Loderingo, two members of the Jovial Friars, an order which had acquired a reputation for not living up to its vows,[44] and which was eventually suppressed by Pope Sixtus V. Caiaphas, the high priest responsible for ordering Jesus crucified, is also seen here, crucified to the ground and trampled (Canto XXIII).
Bolgia 7: Two cantos are devoted to the thieves, who are guarded by the centaur Cacus who has a fire-breathing dragon on his shoulders and snakes covering his equine back (in Roman mythology, Cacus was not a centaur but a monstrous fire-breathing giant slain by Heracles). The thieves are pursued and bitten by snakes and lizards. The full horror of the thieves' punishment is revealed gradually: just as they stole other people's substance in life, their very identity becomes subject to theft here,[45] and the snake bites make them undergo various transformations. Vanni Fucci is turned to ashes and resurrected/ Agnello is blended with the six-legged reptile that is Cianfa. Buoso exchanges shapes with the four-legged Francesco: "The soul that had become an animal, / now hissing, hurried off along the valley; / the other one, behind him, speaks and spits."[46] (Cantos XXIV and XXV).
Bolgia 8: Two further cantos are devoted to the fraudulent advisers or evil councillors, who are concealed within individual flames. These are not people who gave false advice, but people who used their position to advise others to engage in fraud.[47] Ulysses and Diomedes are condemned here for the deception of the Trojan Horse. Ulysses also tells the tale of his fatal final voyage (an invention of Dante's) where he left his home and family to sail to the end of the Earth only to have his ship founder near Mount Purgatory. Ulysses also mentions of his encounter with Circe stating that she "beguiled him." Guido da Montefeltro recounts how he advised Pope Boniface VIII to capture the fortress of Palestrina, by offering the Colonna family inside it a false amnesty, and then razing it to the ground after they surrendered. Guido became a Franciscan in 1296, and died two years later. Guido describes St. Francis as coming to take his soul to Heaven, only to have a demon assert prior claim. Although Boniface had absolved Guido in advance for his evil advice, Dante points out the invalidity of that, since absolution requires contrition, and a man cannot be contrite for a sin at the same time that he is intending to commit it[48] (Cantos XXVI and XXVII).
Bolgia 9: In the ninth Bolgia, a sword-wielding demon hacks at the sowers of discord, dividing parts of their bodies as in life they divided others.[49] As they make their rounds the wounds heal, only to have the demon tear apart their bodies again. Dante encounters Muhammad, who tells him to warn the schismatic and heretic Fra Dolcino. Dante describes Muhammad as a schismatic,[49][50] apparently viewing Islam as an off-shoot from Christianity, and similarly Dante seems to condemn Ali for schism between Sunni and Shiite (for more on Dante's relationship to Islam, see the relevant section of the main article). In this Bolgia, Dante also encounters Bertran de Born, who carries around his severed head like a lantern, as a punishment for (Dante believes) fomenting the rebellion of Henry the Young King against his father Henry II (Cantos XXVIII and XXIX).
Bolgia 10: In the final Bolgia, various sorts of falsifiers (alchemists, counterfeiters, perjurers, and impersonators), who are a "disease" on society, are themselves afflicted with different types of diseases.[51] Potiphar's wife is briefly mentioned here for her false accusation of Joseph, as is Sinon, the Greek spy who tricked the Trojans into taking the Trojan Horse into their city (Sinon is here, rather than in Bolgia 8, because his advice was false as well as evil). The Spendthrift Club and Myrrha were here as well. In the notes on her translation, Sayers remarks that the descent through Malebolge "began with the sale of the sexual relationship, and went on to the sale of Church and State; now, the very money is itself corrupted, every affirmation has become perjury, and every identity a lie;"[51] so that every aspect of social interaction has been progressively destroyed (Cantos XXIX and XXX).
[edit] Ninth Circle (Treachery)
Titans and giants, including Ephialtes on the left, in Gustave Doré's illustrations to Dante's Divine Comedy.
Dante speaks to the traitors in the ice, Canto 32.The ninth circle is ringed by classical and Biblical giants, who perhaps symbolize the pride and other spiritual flaws lying behind acts of treachery.[52] The giants are standing on a ledge above the ninth circle of Hell,[53] so that from the Malebolge they are visible from the waist up. They include Nimrod, as well as Ephialtes (who with his brother Otus tried to storm Olympus during the Gigantomachy), Briareus, Tityos, and Typhon. The giant Antaeus lowers Dante and Virgil into the pit that forms the ninth circle of Hell (Canto XXXI).
The traitors are distinguished from the "merely" fraudulent in that their acts involve betraying a special relationship of some kind. There are four concentric zones (or "rounds") of traitors, corresponding, in order of seriousness, to betrayal of family ties, betrayal of community ties, betrayal of guests, and betrayal of liege lords. In contrast to the popular image of Hell as fiery, the traitors are frozen in a lake of ice known as Cocytus, with each group encased in ice to progressively greater depths.
Round 1 is named Caïna, after Cain, who killed his brother. Traitors to kindred are here immersed in the ice up to their faces – "the place / where shame can show itself"[54] Mordred, who attacked his uncle King Arthur, is one of the traitors here: "him who, at one blow, had chest and shadow / shattered by Arthur's hand;"[55] (Canto XXXII).
Round 2 is named Antenora, after Antenor of Troy, who according to medieval tradition, betrayed his city to the Greeks. Traitors to political entities, such as party, city, or country, are located here. Count Ugolino pauses from gnawing on the head of his rival Archbishop Ruggieri to describe how Ruggieri imprisoned him along with his children, condemning them to death by starvation. A number of correspondences, such as allusions to the same passage of the Aeneid, link this passage to the story of Paolo and Francesca in the second circle,[56] indicating that this icy hell of betrayal is the final result of consent to sin[56] (Cantos XXXII and XXXIII).
Round 3 is named Ptolomaea, probably after Ptolemy, son of Abubus, who invited Simon Maccabaeus and his sons to a banquet and then killed them.[56] Traitors to their guests are punished here, lying supine in the ice, which covers them, except for their faces. They are punished more severely than the previous traitors, since the relationship to guests is an entirely voluntary one.[57] Fra Alberigo, who had armed soldiers kill his brother at a banquet, explains that sometimes a soul falls here before Atropos cuts the thread of life. Their bodies on Earth are immediately possessed by a demon, so what seems to be a walking man has reached the stage of being incapable of repentance (Canto XXXIII).
Round 4 is named Judecca, after Judas Iscariot, Biblical betrayer of Christ. Here are the traitors to their lords and benefactors. All of the sinners punished within are completely encapsulated in ice, distorted in all conceivable positions. With no one to talk to here, Dante and Virgil quickly move on to the centre of Hell (Canto XXXIV).
Satan is trapped in the frozen central zone in the Ninth Circle of Hell, Canto 34.In the very centre of Hell, condemned for committing the ultimate sin (personal treachery against God), is Satan. Satan is described as a giant, terrifying beast with three faces, one red, one black, and one a pale yellow:
he had three faces: one in front bloodred;
and then another two that, just above
the midpoint of each shoulder, joined the first;
and at the crown, all three were reattached;
the right looked somewhat yellow, somewhat white;
the left in its appearance was like those
who come from where the Nile, descending, flows.[58]
Satan is waist deep in ice, weeping tears from his six eyes, and beating his six wings as if trying to escape, although the icy wind that emanates only further ensures his imprisonment (as well as that of the others in the ring). Each face has a mouth that chews on a prominent traitor, with Brutus and Cassius feet-first in the left and right mouths respectively. These men were involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar—an act which, to Dante, represented the destruction of a unified Italy and the killing of the man who was divinely appointed to govern the world.[59] In the central, most vicious mouth is Judas Iscariot—the namesake of Judecca and the betrayer of Jesus. Judas is being administered the most horrifying torture of the three traitors, his head gnawed by Satan's mouth, and his back being forever skinned by Satan's claws. What is seen here is a perverted trinity: Satan is impotent, ignorant, and full of hate, in contrast to the all-powerful, all-knowing, and loving nature of God.[59]
The two poets escape Hell by climbing down Satan's ragged fur, passing through the centre of the earth (with a consequent change in the direction of gravity, causing Dante to at first think they are returning to Hell), and they emerge in the other hemisphere (described in the Purgatorio) just before dawn on Easter Sunday, beneath a sky studded with stars (Canto XXXIV).
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text:
A word of Hawaiian origin, which can be used to describe a woman of any race who is strong, independent, able to think for herself, and FIERCE in a number of different ways. Grace Jones and Madonna would both be accepted into the Tita Club, which would be an honor.
A Tita is a woman who can hold her own and doesn't take any crap. It's a good thing to be a Tita.
A Tita is a woman who can hold her own and doesn't take any crap. It's a good thing to be a Tita.
Frank Delimma's sketch of "Tita Turner"
by hawaiitalent February 05, 2009
in Hawaiian Pidgin: 1) sometimes, a term of endearment used to call younger sisters, nieces, especially if said girls are sassy and precocious, 2) used more commonly to describe a really tough girl or woman, usually of Hawaiian or Polynesian ethnicity. In many ways, similar to a Chola. 3) A female moke. Sure, she's a woman but she's got that "you betta not mess wit me, cuz' I gon f'u up" evil stink-eye.
Watch out fo' dat tita, cuz' wen she stat givin' you da stink eye, cuz' as da only warnin' you goin' get befo' she pound you out!
by localgurl February 25, 2012
a fat boy with fairly large boobs.
Hey Titums get your fat ass over here
by hoopsmylife January 13, 2010
boobs, tits, man's best friend, etc.
Look at the titums on that bitch!
by Nick Melotte December 03, 2005

subset: commoncrawl


text:
'We were really impressed with this product when it arrived. It arrived really quickly and in excellent...'
Claire - Castleford
'My son is 16 months and has never slept through the night ever! Since buying this mattress he has slept...'
yummy mummy dani - cardiff
'The cot itself is lovely, however one of the end pieces was cracked, got another one sent out and this...'
jb - Liverpool
'The Cot has 3 Adjustable Heights and easy to do Drop side with one hand,'
Kiddicare Expert - Peterborough
'This was so easy to put up myself and move to where I needed it to be. It looks clean and sturdy'
lmckay - Nottingham
'Easy to put together and feels solid. The three levels are good - the highest is a really nice height and...'
specialk - Herts
'a beautiful bedding set which will look stunning in any little ones bedroom; it has been designed with the...'
kiddicare staff expert - Peterborough Cambs
'This is a great mattress. Comfortable and good quality. The top cover features a zi'
Queen bee - Oxford
'I particularily like the comfort the mattress offers. Am sure my boy will sleep like a w'
Comforter - London
'First night of using this with my 3 month old dd - so far so good.'
claremcbear - NE
'Bought this mattress for my first born nearly 3 years ago and she is still sleeping on it just on a junior...'
One here one on the way! - Peterborough
'The crib was easy to assemble and looks great. Like the swing feature.'
First timer - Clitheroe
'Perfect for for my son's cot bed. It's super soft and durable with an easily removable protector.'
Manchester mummy - Hazel Grove
n/a - Southanpton
'Its absolutely gorgeous. Would definately recommend to everyone.'
Sammi - Nottingham
'Product was of good quality. Easy to assemble. Satisfied with purchase.'
KRajan - Glasgow
'I bought this for my 4 month old son and he loves it just a nice size lots of room , and it's brilliant...'
Natalie88 - Bolton
'I'm was extremely pleased at how fast delivery was, they text me saying it would be here between...'
Lj - Corby
'Great bouncer that isn't too flashy/OTT. This time round I knew I didn't want to spend lots of money on...'
hattie - east midlands
'So pleased with this cot, lovely easy to put up and delivered after placing order 12 hours before, so much...'
Natty - Birmingham
'Bought this for my daughters 1st christmas. It looks great and very easy to assemble. Althuogh she has not...'
nicky - glasgow
'Amazing product so fresh and clean looking perfect for first time moms like myself. worth very penny.'
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'I haven't slept on it, so don't know about the comfort, but chose a pocket sprung mattress as support,...'
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'The Discover'
CazH - Nottingham


text:
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Firefighters swarmed the scene of a duplex fire Monday morning.
It happened on the 1900 block of South Pine Drive, just off of U.S. 41 in South Fort Myers.
South Trail Fire & Rescue responded to the scene around 8:30 am, and were able to contain the blaze within the single unit of the duplex.
A single mother and her 11-year old daughter live in the duplex, but were not home when the fire started. Family members of the woman say she does not smoke.
Neighbors spotted the smoke seeping from the air vents of the duplex and quickly called 911.
"We walked around the house and the front window was smoking and it was really hot. I thought someone was in there. I kept knocking on the door but no one answered the door," said Edwin Duarte, a neighbor of the victims.
Fire investigators are still trying to identify the cause of the fire. They believe it started in the bedroom of the home. Fire investigators say fire and smoke caused about $5,000 in damages to the duplex.
The Red Cross is being called in to provide assistance for the family during their time of need.


text:
Book Description:Based on interviews and correspondence with more than three hundred surviving air crew and ground staff, this authoritative yet vivid volume provides fresh insights into the Battle of Britain. More than 40 pages of color and phtos and maps.
History, Military, Aviation,
Content Copyright © 1999-2014 Terms and Conditions of Use, Security and Privacy Policy | Resources: 1 2 3 | Site Map


text:
November 22, 2014
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A preliminary hearing has resumed for two brothers accused of tying up and fatally shooting four women in a Tulsa apartment.
During Tuesday morning's proceedings, a friend of James Poore and Cedric Poore testified that he overheard one of the brothers talking about planning a robbery on Jan. 7. On that same day, authorities discovered the bodies of 23-year-old twins Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Melchor, 33-year-old Misty Nunley and 55-year-old Julie Jackson.
Authorities believe the brothers robbed the women at a rundown apartment complex, then killed them because out of fear the women could identify them to police.
Both brothers have pleaded not guilty.
In testimony Monday, the 19-year-old niece of James Poore said he confided to her that he'd committed the crime.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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text:
November 28, 2014
April 23, 2012
The Virginia Department of Transportation will be working on a handful of highway work projects this week in central Virginia. Traffic may be restricted and speed limits reduced in work zones
Albemarle County
Route 691 (Jarmans Gap Road) – Roadway improvements and construction of bike lanes and sidewalk. Estimated project completion September 2012, with intermittent lane closures throughout the project. Motorists should be alert as they approach the work zone.
Route 744 (Hacktown Road) – Road surface repairs. Motorists should expect minor delays and stay alert as they approach the work zone.
City of Charlottesville
Jefferson Park Avenue Extended – Bridge replacement. Road closed at JPA bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad. Estimated completion September 2012. Motorists should be alert for signs and traffic controls as they approach the work zone.
Fluvanna County
Route 1015 (Turkey Sag Trail) – Construction of bike lanes and pedestrian facilities. Lane closures will occur April 10-September 28. Motorists are asked to drive with caution through the work zone and stay alert for changes to the traffic pattern.
Real-time road conditions and weather forecasts are available on VDOT's traffic and travel website.
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Simply connect with Facebook and kiss those password blues away,
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A Biochemist who studies a plant stem cell niche by day and wine science/Vitis Vinifera by night.


text:
|14 Dec 2011
Windows 7 Home Premium - 64 bit
ISO win 7 - ultimate steal- original product key - complete reinstall?
I have a Windows 7 Pro 32bit ISO that I used to reinstall Windows 7 on my cousin's laptop, he bought his key from the Ultimate Steal and downloaded it through Digital River. I also have Windows 7 Pro 32bit on my laptop from a different ISO purchased through the Ultimate Steal and downloaded through Digital River.
Can I clean install Win 7 on my laptop using my cousin's ISO and my original product key?
I got my original product key using Magical Jelly Bean.
**I plan on using the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool.
|My System Specs
|14 Dec 2011
Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
If you have the legitimate Windows 7 Pro 32 bit key, the media from which you install does not matter. You may even download the Windows 7 Pro 32 bit with SP1 from Digital River - in case your previous download was without SP1 and use that ISO
If for some reason Microsoft's USB/DVD download tool is problematic, ( it happened in my case with a Lexar pendrive) , use the Universal USB installer Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux to create the bootable pendrive.
|My System Specs
|14 Dec 2011
Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center 64 bit
You might have to edit or delete the ei.cfg file from the sources folder. If the DVD is coded as Retail and you Product code is OEM (or vise versa) I think it will be rejected. If it is rejected the simple solution is to just delete the ei.cfg file from your thumb drive. That will make your thumb drive a universal install drive. You will get a menu asking which version you want to install, Home, Pro or Ultimate, and it will except an OEM or Retail key. Your product code has to match the version you install so you can't cheat by selecting Ultimate and tying to enter your Pro key.
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text: 'Political Capital': NBC News Leaps To Exploit School Shooting Print article Send a Tip by Breitbart News 14 Dec 2012 post a comment No surprise here: In the wake of recent shootings, from Aurora to Kansas City, many have argued that it is not the time to talk about gun control. But as the death toll from today's tragic shooting in Netwown, Conn., was rising, MSNBC and others in the media spurned that familiar refrain. MSNBC's Alex Wagner said the elementary school shooting will hopefully offer "some political capital" to reform gun laws. "It is hopefully — we say this every single time we cover one of these things — a line in the sand," Wagner said. "There has got to be some kind of measurable change, some kind of reaction. One would hope that there will be some political capital to reform the way in which we handle gun and gun violence in this country." Throughout the show, Wagner and her panel discussed gun violence and gun control. MSNBC contributor and Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart added shortly after Wagner's comments that if Friday's violence "doesn't sear the consciousness of political leaders from the president on down, I don't know what will." On "Andrea Mitchell Reports," NBC's David Gregory noted that "the politics have stalled" on the issue.


text:
Jeff Branscome writes about Spotsylvania County schools. You can email him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Recess issue update
Some members of the Spotsylvania County school administration met with parents on Oct. 8 to discuss their concerns about trimming recess for third through fifth graders.
A new scheduling system went into effect this school year across the division's elementary schools. Administrators say it was aimed at establishing consistency for all students and improving performance. As a byproduct of that, children in third through fifth grades lost half of their daily 30-minute recess.
Parents have addressed the School Board at its last three meetings, asking to have the 30 minutes reinstated. Several have brought research that shows the benefits of recess in general and 30 minutes in particular.
To see a summary of the meeting and where school administrators are in the process, review a memo distributed to parents by Dr. Edlow Barker, assistant superintendent for instruction.
Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/gettingschooled/2009/10/14/recess-issue-update/


text:
Call us today at 1-877-433-9249
Make updates to your business profile 24/7
We Do Not Treat Sick Or Injured Animals
|thurs closed
|fri closed
|sat closed
|sun closed
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Walk-Ins Are Welcome. Surgeries by appointment only.
This place was clean. It smelled clean when I walked in and everyone there had a smile on their faces. I got a shot for my cat and a microchip for my dog. I will be back for sure.
Took to mama cats in and they have never been the same since, affraid of everything and everyone and it has been two years since the spay they were not even groggy or tired. Kinda Weird???
We have had several dogs spayed or neutered now at this place and they are great. Prices very reasonable and the vet really loves the dogs! Definately a great service.
WONDERFUL service..got an appointment quickly and drove down from the Springs..because the spay and neuter clinic here is ALWAYS overbooked..SUPER service, wonderful staff and great job.I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this organization
DexKnows Mobile profile for Southern Colorado Spay & Neuter Clinic in Pueblo, CO.


text:
User reviews
NoriMori On Softonic since December 2010
- Reputation
- 92% (12 out of 13 visitors liked
this user's reviews)
- 92% (12 out of 13 visitors liked
- Statistics
- 1 reviews
"PlaneShift is like a godsend."
If you're a Mac owner and like your MMORPGs to be 3D, then this game is a godsend for those of you who don't have money to spare. I had enough trouble finding a free MMORPG that was 3D, let alone one that was Mac-compatible. To be honest, I didn't think one could exist. But then I found PlaneShift. My only major complaint is that it is frustratingly difficult for beginners to get a handle on. It takes a long time to complete quests because you can't teleport to different locations — you need to walk. It takes a long time and it's easy to get lost.
The Softonic review is for version 0.4.03, but the current version is 0.5.4, which doesn't require you to log on regularly to "avoid being destroyed" (was this ever true? It's news to me). I've never played 0.4.03 so I don't know how much it differs from the current version, but either way this game has incredible potential. I can see it gaining celebrity status at some point in its future.
- Realistic in its complexity
- Graphics are pretty good
- Tons of NPCs to interact with and get quests from (I often see more NPCs than players)
- The world is incredibly vast and there are always new things to discover (although on the other hand this makes it easy to get lost, which may deter some from exploring the game's depth)
- Good music (several tracks, not overly distracting)
- Starts out as 9 parts frustration to 1 part fun, and it takes an incredibly long time to advance far enough that the game becomes more fun than frustration
- Even in the non-roleplaying server, internet speak is often altered to more "roleplay-appropriate" wording, and even mild swearing is replaced with symbols (which makes it seem like you said something worse than what you actually said)
- Takes forever to get anywhere, very easy to get lost
- The quests feel more like chores than adventures
- Views:
- 3,405
- Date:
- 07 Dec 2010
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Curse Client
WoW and Warhammer add-on manager
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text:
Tagged with Fighting
Dear Dish-It, I Want a Best Friend
I'm 15 and I don't make friends easily. I only have three friends who aren't my best friends. I really want a best friend that doesn't care what I loo...read more
12 Comments
Star Wars the Clone Wars: Republic Heroes :: Xbox 360 Game Review
Being a Jedi hero is cool and super fun, but only if you can pull off the moves. Read the review and see how well the latest Clone Wars game delivers ...read more
post a comment
Tekken 6, Forza 3, and DJ Hero
Keep up-to-date with all the latest video game releases! Kidzworld has all the latest games to keep watch for. In this positively packed week, we prev...read more
post a comment
Chaotic: Shadow Warriors :: Xbox 360 Game Review
The chaotic land of Perim is little more chaotic than usual! Gather your party and prepare for battle in this game based on the popular TV series and ...read more
post a comment
Kamen Riders Dragon Knight :: Wii Game Review
With all 13 Kamen Riders from the recently cancelled TV Series, Kamen Riders: Dragon Knight is based on a Japanese fighting game released for the PS2 ...read more
post a comment
Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars :: Wii Game Review
Brand-new for Nintendo Wii: Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars! There are only a handful of fighting games available for the Wii system and that...read more
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A Timeless Royal Legacy: Princess Tiana & Prince Naveen Join Disney Royalty!
Princess Tiana & Prince Naveen join the timeless legacy of Disney Royalty!...read more
22 Comments
iCarly: iFight Shelby Marx DVD Review
It's the battle of teen sensations when reigning online queen Carly Shay squares off against teen fighting champion Shelby Marx in iFight Shelby Marx,...read more
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How to Train Your Dragon :: Wii Game Review
Ever wanted your own dragon? Now you can in the Wii game based off of the movie! Check out our review to see if this game soars high or gets burned by...read more
2 Comments
How To Train Your Dragon Movie Review
Have you ever ridden a fire-breathing dragon? Neither had Hiccup, but all that changed when he met Toothless. Find out more in the Kidzworld movie rev...read more
2 Comments
Super Street Fighter 4 :: Juri Guide
The Tae Kwon Do girl is the second brand new challenger in the Street Fighter arena. See how far her moves can take her!...read more
5 Comments
Shrek Forever After :: Wii Game Review
Jun 02, 2010
Shrek is back for one last romp in the swamp! Is this game a keeper or one to Four-get? Check out Shrek Forever After Wii game review to find out!...read more
4 Comments
Dear Dish-it: We're Always Fighting
Jun 13, 2010
confused asks: "I've liked this boy since the beginning of Grade 7 and I heard he liked me, too. We aren't going out and we're already fighting like w...read more
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Nanny McPhee Returns
Jul 21, 2010
Nanny McPhee Returns hits theaters August 20th! Starring Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans and Maggie Smith!!...read more
1 Comments
Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes
Aug 11, 2010
Tom and Jerry meet Sherlock Holmes for the first time on DVD August 24, 2010!!...read more
3 Comments
Nanny McPhee Returns Photo Gallery
Aug 12, 2010
Check out these images of Emma Thompson in Nanny McPhee!...read more
post a comment
This Week in Sports :: Roids for Roger?
Aug 19, 2010
It's time for another quick run down of "This Week in Sports". Want to know who's in court fighting to stay out of prison? Who's the hottest team in b...read more
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Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: PSN Game Review
Aug 19, 2010
How far would you go for the girl of your dreams? Scott Pilgrim takes on the world in this awesome neo-retro PSN/XBLA game!...read more
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Quiz the Coach :: Popularity Problems
Aug 22, 2010
I have become very serious about gymnastics in the past year. I train twenty plus hours a week all year. My body is always in pain, and I have random ...read more
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Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time DVD Review
Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) must harness the power of a mystical dagger to clear his name and keep the ancient power from falling into the wrong hands. C...read more
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SI Wire
Bears DE Julius Peppers To Replace Giants Jason Pierre-Paul In Pro Bowl
Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster today, according to the team's official Twitter account.
Voted in as a first alternate, Peppers will replace the Super Bowl bound Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Peppers totaled 11 sacks in 2011, five tackles-for-loss, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 32-year-old is currently tied for third most sacks (100) in the NFL since he was drafted in 2002 by the Carolina Panthers.While the Bears' Pro Bowl selected linebackers Brian Urlacher (knee) and Lance Briggs (ankle) will be sidelined due to injuries, running back Matt Forte, cornerback Charles Tillman and special teams standout Corey Graham are expected to play in Hawaii.
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Posted Wed, Feb 15, 2006 by Boomjack
Thank you to Phil "Ralphedelominius" Comeau who looked after the daily festivities of Loading... yesterday. He's a funny guy, but I'm back and you're stuck with me.
It's an early, albeit distracted start for me today as Canada takes on Italy in Olympic hockey. We always seem to start big tournaments with a clunker of a game which is good news for Italy. The good sportsmanship award has to go to the Norweigian ski official who when he noticed that a Canadian skiier had broken her pole, gave her a new one even though it meant Canada would end up with a medal and Norway would end up in fourth position.
Blizzard concluded their classy handlling of the "Gay Guild" issue I wrote about in my February 7th, Loading... with an apology to the offended individual. I'd like an apology from her and from InWeekly, the online magazine that sensationalized the story for making a mountain out of a molehill. It took over 14 months for anyone to find a problem with Blizzard's policy before it became the issue of the week. I'd like an apology for ruining my gameplay experience every time they advertise their guild, which inevitably results in the chat window being filled with so much drivel that it becomes completely useless as a communication medium.
The headlines that followed the apology claimed a victory for gay rights and that Blizzard was wrong. Nonsense. This wasn't a victory for gay rights. My conversations with numerous gay individuals who both play World of Warcraft and who haven't even heard of it were unanimous in their feelings that it was more of a publicity stunt for the woman involved than a gay rights issue. Let's call a spade a spade. This was a traffic victory for the magazine that made the story into a big deal and a publicity victory for the woman who caused the problem in the first place.
Comments? Flames? Send them here!
Read on! Let us entertain you!
Here's what's new on the network!
As always, thanks for visiting TenTonHammer.com,
-- John "Boomjack" Hoskin


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by Kelly Lange
Who killed Paul Bradshaw, that handsome, sexy, brilliant, famous, megarich, cold, arrogant clothing manufacturer? The line, folks, forms to the left. Could it be Billy Hilgarde, the employee enraged by Paul's callousness and an endless stream of broken promises? His envious—and incompetent—older brother, Sam? Could it be Bradshaw's smart, beautiful assistant and spurned lover, Alexandra? Or his still-picking-up-the-pieces ex-wife, Rosemary? Or maybe his beautiful current wife, the ambitious Devin, who's fed up to here with Paul's neglect and philandering.
Lange, an anchor woman at KNBC-TV in L.A., is far better at accessorizing her characters (they party with the Clintons; they dine at Spago) than she is at breathing life into them, and her prose is wooden. But her first novel, a glitzy story of renewal and revenge, moves along briskly and painlessly and mixes well with sand and water. (Simon & Schuster, $23)
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417 Third Avenue Albany, Georgia 31701(229) 312-1000
2000 Palmyra Rd. Albany, Georgia 31701(229) 434-2000
126 Hwy. 280 West Americus, Georgia 31719(229) 924-6011
807 S. Isabella St. Sylvester, Georgia 31791(229) 776-6961
361 Randolph St. Cuthbert, Georgia 39840(229) 732-2181
Multifactorial inheritance means that many factors (multifactorial) are involved in causing a health problem. The factors are usually both genetic and environmental, where a combination of genes from both parents, in addition to unknown environmental factors, produce the trait or condition. Multifactorial traits do recur in families, because they are partly caused by genes and shared environmental factors. The chance of a multifactorial trait or condition happening to you depends on how closely the family member with the trait is related to you. For example, the risk is higher if your parent or sibling has the trait or disease than if your first cousin has the trait or disease. Family members have a certain percentage of genes in common, depending on their relationship. For example:
Degrees of Relationship
Percentage of Genes in Common
First-degree relative
50 percent
parents, children, siblings
Second-degree relative
25 percent
aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents
Third-degree relative
12.5 percent
first cousins
An example of a multifactorial trait is height. Some people may be exceptionally short or exceptionally tall, often due to an alteration (mutation) in a single gene that has a major effect on height. However, most of the time, a child's height is similar to, or somewhere between, the parents' height. Some cancers cluster in families as the result of a combination of genetic and shared environmental factors (multifactorial influences). In such cases, generally speaking, the closer in relation a family member with cancer is to you (i.e., the more genes you share), the higher your chance to also develop cancer. In other words, it is more significant for your personal health if one of your parents or siblings develops cancer (or other disease) than if your second cousin develops the disease.
The third-party content provided in the Health Library of phoebeputney.com is for informational purposes only and is not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. If you or your child has or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult your primary care physician. If you or your child may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 or other emergency health care provider immediately in the United States or the appropriate health agency of your country. For more information regarding site usage, please visit: Privacy Information, Terms of Use or Disclaimer.
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Yes, I know: we are in Japan so sometimes we think it's a given that you get good service. But here everything looks great : it's the atmosphere, the willingness to help, the attention to details, the flexible thinking (yes, in Japan!), the vicinity to the slopes.......the hotel is not new, but it is kept in mint conditions and with... More
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The U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, has said that he is definitely interested in bringing the Pittsburgh Steelers to Ireland to play an NFL game.
Speaking to RTE's "Sport at 7" Rooney said, "There is great interest and there is growing interest in the NFL in Ireland." It's not a foregone conclusion but there is a possibility.
"'We would be definitely interested in that, and I do think that the people in Croke Park are going to talk to (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell to see if there is a possibility of doing that."
The NFL has played in Wembley, London for the past four seasons. However, Dublin's Croke Park as well as several other European venues have been mentioned for a game in the past few months.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has stated he would like to play a game in Ireland in honor of Steelers owner Rooney, who was appointed U.S. ambassador to Ireland by President Obama in March 2009.
Roethlisberger told a local newspaper last month, "If you didn't have to travel all that time with the long flight, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. I think it would be fun to go play in Ireland where ambassador (and Steelers chairman emeritus Dan) Rooney is. That would be kind of fun."
The Steelers will face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on Sunday.
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Join us as we deck the halls of the church for the Christmas season! We will need help decorating the entire building for the season. The fun begins at 5:15 PM.
Celebration55+ Christmas Joy Dinner
Join us at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club on Saturday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. for a Celebration55+ Christmas Joy Dinner. Tickets are $35.00 and include your choice of a chicken or pork entrée, live music for your pleasure as well as door prizes. To purchase tickets or for more information, see Donna Gray at the Welcome Center. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sunday, November 23.
An Out of the Box Christmas
This musical takes place at the final dress rehearsal for the Christmas pageant. The costumes finally arrive and when they are pulled "out of the box," they are all wrong. Working together, the children come up with some unique, comical and heartfelt ways to share the Christmas message with their friends and family. After all, if God can use a donkey to speak to Balaam and a burning bush to speak to Moses... he can surely use cowboys, pirates, and cheerleaders to tell his love story.
A Great and Might Wonder
Veteran composer and arranger, Tom Fettke, takes us again to Bethlehem to experience the fulfillment of God's plan in a humble manger. Beloved and familiar carols along with inspiring new texts and melodies are masterfully blended to create a Christmas worship experience as again we are invited to celebrate the great and mighty wonder of God's love!
Join the Parkway Choir and Orchestra for this performance in our Sunday morning service.


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Location -on the main shopping street in Kyoto...many restaurant..shops..few mins walk to Gion. Going to the main sightseeing places by bus easily.We took taxi because we had four persons and the rate was just paid 500yen more for each ride when comparing with taking the bus. Receptionist -fast...quick and professional Room -clean and small as expected and quiet Will stay... More
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- Also Known As:
- Toyoko Inn Kyoto Shijo-Karasuma Hotel Kyoto


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Minced mutton is perfect for this spicy Indian curry dish but it will work with lamb or beef, too. Remove the cinnamon stick and cardamon pods before serving, or warm your guests! Serve with extra yogurt and freshly chopped coriander.
Recipe by: THALLURI
This recipe hails from North India. My mum uses just the right amount of spices to suit all. They're great as a main, sandwich filler or for picnics. Leftovers can be frozen.
Recipe by: Umaima Shafiq
In Asia, there are different kinds of 'noodle soup'. This one is a great comfort food on a cold day, but also light and healthy. Quantities are arbitrary - adjust to own taste. Very important to add the shallots as they give the fragrance and flavour. Instead of egg noodles, sometimes I use macaroni. If you are adventurous, eat with chopped hot chilli pepper or add some dried chilli flakes to make the soup spicy.
Recipe by: Angie
I love the braised tofu served at Chinese restaurants, but at home I like to make it healthier (without the deep frying). In my version, I use a lot of vegetables to make it more filling. This dish is good on its own or with rice.
Recipe by: Melissa
I love dumplings and have come up with this recipe using all of my favourite ingredients. The dumplings consist of pork, prawns, watercress, water chestnuts, and are absolutely delicious! Great for a party.
Recipe by: Vivian Lee
Rethink falafel - while the traditional wrap is great, this is a tasty vegetarian alternative to beefburgers. Serve in a burger bap or pitta.
Recipe by: Jojo Pinko
Chinese noodles are double cooked, first in water until al dente and then in a frying pan until crisp and brown. If you'd like to spice things up, replace the dark sesame oil with chilli oil.
Recipe by: Jen
These are so tasty! You have to try them! Minced chicken seasoned with spring onion, coriander, chilli sauce and lemon juice for a uniquely Thai flavour.
Recipe by: Vivian
Egg Foo Yung is a Chinese-American omelette dish that dates back to at least the 1930s. In this version, vegetables and prawns are combined with beaten eggs then fried and shaped into small bites. Served with a thick sauce made with chicken stock and soy sauce.
Recipe by: Kimber
An unleavened pan fried bread from South Asia which is similar than pitta or naan. Ideally, I use the traditional roti pan called a tava. This version uses durum flour - the kind often used to make pasta - for its durability. If you can get to an Asian shop, look out for chakki atta, or stoneground wholemeal flour, to use instead.
Recipe by: MARBALET


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New weeknight favorite. Right here. Right now. I have my hands on your shoulders and I'm looking you square in the eye and making you extremely uncomfortable. But first, could we talk about how jank my parmesan shavings are? They look like hair clippies. Barrettes. I opened a brand new block of cheese and you […]
Chicken Parmesan French Breads
Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf Cupcakes {Tablespoon Tuesdays}
Oh hey guess what! There's snow in the forecast! WAAAAAAAAAAH. Normally I'm a very chipper to the dipper kind of gal, full of giggles and grins, bustin' a trick at every turn. But given our current weather situation with the potential of white fluffy buckets of malarky due to fall from the sky at any […]
Sautéed Potatoes and Leeks with Bacon and Parmesan
It's Friday story time! Oh don't act like this is the worst thing that's ever happened to your life. So a few weeks ago I was beboppin' around on the netz, when all of the sudden I got an email from an old friend whom I've known for about 8 years I think. Did I […]
Slow Cooker Paprika Pork over Parmesan Polenta
Or we could just call it PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP. It's like the scene in Friends when Joey was on set as a soldier (and almost missing Monica and Chandler's wedding!), and his counter actor soldier guy keeps spitting all over him because, "when you enunciate, you spit!" It's totally like that. (soldier costume sold separately) WHICH, by […]
Corn Muffins with Bacon and Parmesan
I will not say cornhole. I will not say cornhole. I will not say cornhole. Oh hi! Look who's been getting her little bake on, eeeeh, eeeeeh? Speaking OF, this weekend I have major major major plans to attempt something that ends with cake and begins with pound and has the word chocolate and maybe […]
Grilled Tilapia Salad and Chicken Parmesan Salad
I guess I'm not a . . . total liar. After all, I guess it is possible to have too many bites of chewy on the inside, crusty on the outside pizza with melted, stringy mozzarella, or flaky biscuits with warm butter and jam . . . ugh, or freshly baked loaves of bread straight […]
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Public television has become a dumping ground for political hacks and a source of endless Britcom reruns. Increasing its appropriation now would only be throwing good money after bad.
Prosecutors were finally able to nail Tyson Foods--one of the three corporate behemoths that launched and sustained Bill Clinton's political career.
Paul Wellstone, the Senate's most liberal member, has called the deal "a budget without a soul." Yet even Wellstone refuses to break with Clinton, for he fails to offer a systemic analysis of how it came to be.
A Clinton Scandals Primer
Four More Years


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Trends in Luxury Travel: Babymoons
July 24, 2006
By: Mary Winston Nicklin
We've written about the Babymoon Packages at the Four Seasons Chicago and Peter Island in the Caribbean. And now it seems the trend is catching on. More and more expectant couples are choosing to travel before the baby's arrival-- to treat themselves to a few days of romance and pampering before the baby makes three. And more and more luxury hotels are organizing Babymoon packages to accommodate them. As highlighted in Newsweek International, Jamaica's Half Moon resort has organized an elaborate, five-day package where moms-to-be (in their first trimester) can even swim with dolphins, which use sonar to communicate with the fetus. At Las Ventanas in Los Cabos, the four-night maternity spa package offers prenatal yoga and exercises, and a special gift of a silver baby fork-and-spoon set.
Excellent Family Package at Ashford Castle, Ireland
Dating back to 1228, the luxurious Ashford Castle is set on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake, in the picturesque village of Cong. Once the home of the Guiness family, and a favorite haunt of presidents and Hollywood celebrities, this world-class resort is set on 350 beautiful acres. This is the ideal venue for a fun family vacation with its excellent recreational activities and facilities. The "Ashford Welcomes Families" package is designed to blend the luxurious Ashford setting with activities the entire family will enjoy. The package includes accommodations for two nights in a Deluxe Family Room with two queen-sized beds sleeping up to two adults and two children (12 years and under), breakfast daily, two dinners, horseback riding for one hour, a Falconry lesson (45 minutes) and one round of golf on the 9-hole Stableford golf course. The package is EUR 1,875 for the entire family (inclusive of taxes), subject to availability. Available until September 30, 2006.
The Tallest Building in North America
So what if its development recently changed hands? Chicago's in store for an humongous tower, a huge twisting mass of metal designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, that will sit right on the lake. Only the Burj Tower, under construction in Dubai, will be taller. Reaching 2,000 feet at its spire, the 124-storey building will house a five star hotel and 300 luxury condominiums, ranging in price from $600,000 to $5 million. It's scheduled for completion in 2010. Via NYT
Five Star Pet Hotel in Washington DC
Doggies are going to love this one. While their owners are away, pampered pooches enjoy the plushest of suites and the finest five star service at the PetSmart PetHotel in Bethesda, MD-- all for just 23 bucks a night. According to Yahoo! News:
The doggie hotel is nothing like kennels of yore: in this inn there is lactose-free ice cream, indoor recreation, and for 10 more dollars a night, pooch can stay in a roomier "suite" with a television set showing an "animal related movie all day," said Vince Malanaphy, who manages the Bethesda PetsHotel.
A lot of the lucky canine guests are day boarders; poodles and labradors can "socialize" at Doggie Day Camp here in Bethesda for only 20 bucks a day.
Fine Dining at the Most Charming Inn in Maine: The Bradley Inn, Pemaquid Point
At the end of a country lane near Damariscotta, at the tip of the peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, the lighthouse at Pemaquid Point is perched dramatically above the crashing surf, a quintessential image of Maine. Here, the landscape and beautiful summer cottages are part of a quaint Down East community that houses one of the best restaurants in Maine. The Bradley Inn is a century-old Bed and Breakfast that delights guests with gracious hospitality and charming accommodations. Its 16 gracious guest rooms feature four poster cherry beds, fireplaces, New England period furnishings, and garden or ocean views. Guests enjoy biking through the area's great natural beauty, croquet on the lawn in the afternoons, and canoeing the local coves and waterways. In the evenings, guests are spoiled at the exceptional dining room, winner of the Wine Spectator award of excellence. As described by Food and Wine Magazine:
(Chef) Carinhas has an eclectic take on local products that lifts them to another level altogether—like big-bellied Maine clams that she fries until crisp and serves with an anchovy mayonnaise, or Atlantic halibut, seared and presented with a Tuscan contorno of white beans and bitter greens.
Free Fourth Night at the Four Seasons San Francisco
The city by the bay offers an unforgettable summer getaway: boutique hopping in Union Square, soaking up the sun at Dolores Park, sipping an espresso at Cafe Trieste in North Beach, touring SOMA's exciting museums, strolling through the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. And San Francisco is always noticeably cooler in the summer months, a soothing change from the broiling heat waves on the East Coast. While exploring San Francisco's many charms, stay at the Four Seasons and get a fourth night free! The hotel is ideally located in the heart of downtown, just two blocks from Union Square, the Financial District, the Moscone Convention Center, and the Museum of Modern Art. The building features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning views of the city and San Francisco Bay. Dine at Seasons Restaurant and catch a glimpse into the art of California cuisine with the open display kitchen. Pamper yourself with a green tea and ginger wrap at the Spa. Or work out in the world-class fitness facility at Sports Club/LA, the best health club in the city. And of course the hotel offers all of the luxury and impeccable service that one expects at a Four Seasons.
Official Groundbreaking Ceremony for Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe
We've been waiting with bated breath. (Well, that's not entirely accurate. Some are aghast at the changing face of Tahoe.) But the day has arrived at Northstar-at-Tahoe: construction for the area's first five-star ski-in/ski-out resort is now underway. The new $300-million resort project, which will also include residences, is scheduled to open in 2009. The Ritz-Carlton Highlands will have 173-rooms and a 20,000 square foot spa, featuring pool and treatment rooms with mountain views, and oodles of meeting space.
Summer Escape Rates at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
The world-famous Broadmoor—adorned with AAA's five-diamond award for 30 consecutive years, and Mobil's five-star award for even longer-- has been a vacation destination for its long and distinguished history. Since 1918, The Broadmoor has charmed guests as one of the world's premier resorts, the darling of presidents and celebrities. Located at the foot of the Rockies, surrounded by miles of hiking and biking trails around Cheyenne Lake, this Grand Dame offers the finest accommodations, services, and recreational facilities, including three championship golf courses, nine plexi-pave tennis courts, the excellent spa, and award-winning dining at Charles Court. This summer, take advantage of Summer Escape Rates as low as $250 a night (double occupancy), with added discounts of 10 percent in the spa, 20 percent on golf fees, and 35 percent on suites. This is a steal, as summer rates normally fall between $350-400 a night.
Via Travel and Leisure Hot Deals
Rick Steves Has a Blog!
At long last, the guru of European travel, and guidebook extraordinaire, has launched a travel blog. Check it out!
Free Fourth Night and Yoga Retreats at Maroma Resort and Spa, Yucatan, Mexico
Nestled in hundreds of acres of jungle in the Yucatan Peninsula's Riviera Maya, Maroma is a secluded hideaway on the edge of the turquoise Caribbean. An Orient-Express Hotel, Maroma reopened in February 2006 with many luxurious renovations, including the addition of eight Sian Nah Suites and a new restaurant. Though only 20 minutes from the Cancun International Airport, the resort is tucked away in a nature reserve, with extensive coral reefs located just offshore from the long stretches of sugary white sand. The 65 elegant rooms and suites are situated within lush gardens, each with open-air terrace, just steps away from the beach, pool, jacuzzi, and the lavish Kinan Spa—where guests are pampered with specialty spa services in open-air palapas with private gardens. From now until November 16, 2006, stay four nights, but only pay for three! This special package includes welcome cocktail, a snorkeling trip to the beautiful reef, use of fitness center, airport transfers and daily a la carte breakfast. Special offer rates start at $1,290 for a Garden Room.
Maroma is also offering a series of Yoga retreats, comprised of daily progressive yoga classes, meditation sessions, spa treatments, a healthy gourmet cooking class, and a menu which includes healthy options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These six-day Yoga Retreats include accommodations for five nights, Holistic Health Advisor Consultations, welcome reception and dinner, daily meditation, daily spa breakfast, daily yoga classes, daily spa treatment, one Healthy Spa gourmet cooking class, trip to Koba, snorkeling excursion, and farewell reception and dinner. Double occupancy rate is $4,475 in Garden Room. Yoga retreats are limited to a maximum of ten people in order to ensure personalized attention. Maroma is now taking reservations for the August 24 to 29, 2006, October 19 to 24, November 9 to 14, 2006, May 3 to 8, 2007, and June 7 to 12, 2007 retreats.


text: |- Nancy Siler represents Wilton Brands, and shes going to show how to use easy-to-do icing dots, zigzags and lines to turn a simple chocolate cake into an extraordinary treat. Add some gold-dusted chocolate curls and this dessert is just over the top! - Connie Moyers is going to talk about wild-caught California King salmon which is tasty and contains Omega-3 fatty acids and is easy to prepare. Shes going to pair this with watermelon, which is delicious, also easy to prepare and extremely healthy. - Kathryn Porter is a book author and has coined a phrase she calls Clutternomics -- or making the economy of clutter work for you. She'll explain how to de-clutter our homes and lives so we can have more room and more time for the things that are truly important to us.


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High Intensity Training Cycle class. BURN 300-500 calories in 30 minutes. H.I.T. on power-based indoor cycle will help you break through fitness plateaus, achieve personal bests and more easily perform activities of daily life. MORE INFO
BURN 300-500 calories in 30 minutes. We offer cutting edge technology companies to bring you the POWER BOARD. Track your power, progress and calories burned! These numbers are monitored in real time in class, on your bike on giant plasma TV and saved on your fitness profile.


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|Comet Goldfish
The Comet Goldfish is much like the common goldfish, but is a more reddish orange color and has a much longer, deeper forked tail fin!
Latest Animal Stories
Lisa - 2010-09-04
I have a pond full of Koi and Sarasa comets. My friend says that she believes most of the babies are comets, if not all. The babies range from orange, orange red, white and red, black and orange, black, white, red and white, orange and white, yellow. I know to tell the difference between the Koi and Comets, find whiskers if you can catch them, not easy. So my question is, can Sarasa have so many different colors? These babies range in size up to 3 inches. Oh yeah, I have bluish and dark gray ones too.
jose - 2010-03-19
I have had two comet goldfish for over a year and they are 3inches long. They are in a five1/2 gallon tank with a good biological filter, and they r playful and active. Can they still grow bigger? how can they grow faster?
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johan - 2010-08-16
I have a cichlid and community fish tank. I bought three comet gold fish about half an inch big for food and only 1 survived so I decided to keep it and now it's 8 in big and it one of my favorite fish in my community tank lol.
Orford NY - 2010-05-03
I have two new 2" comets in a circular 30 gallon outdoor pond. As its sides are only around 12" high I have provided a fairly large covered area made up of old broken pots (all sanitised) to give them protection from any passing predators like birds and the ever intrigued neighbourhood cats. Though apparently healthy and content when coming out to feed, they rarely spend much time swimming around in the vast open area available,(comparible to thier current size) but instead tend to prefer spending 90% of the time under my seemingly too successful shelter. ls this normal for young newly housed goldfish? Will they relax and swim more freely when they are more confident in their surroundings? I am loathed to remove the shelter just to see more of them as they clearly like it and are far safer from predators with it in place.
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richie - 2010-04-30
My comet goldfish is kept in a 50 gallon tank and he stays at the top by the filter I just want to know why?
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Si Chen - 2010-06-13
I have comet and koi goldfish. I bought about 30 of them one day, and over night, 13 died :(. the temperature and ph seem to be fine, I bought a huge filter on the same day (a few got stuck to it unfortunately) and I'm not sure how long they will survive. What should I do?
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paul richards - 2009-07-31
Comet goldfish have a very long life span. Mine is 9 inches and is 10 years old. I have him in a 55 gallon aquarium all by himself (the other 2 calico'c died 2 years before his 10th year in my tank).
The fish has great character and I am still trying to find another 7 inch goldfish. They are great pets!
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Sam - 2010-05-10
Hi, my tank is now about 5 months old, with only six comets in it. I saw about a week ago that one of my fav, tails is totally off. I don't know what happened. Also noticed that the fin on the back is not as usual. Now one of the others are also losing his tail. Noticed tonight that 3 of them stays at the top above the filter. What's going on. Please HELP!
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Jacob S. - 2010-06-01
I have two comet goldfish and I woke up this morning and they have black streaks across their fins. Is this normal?
Linda - 2010-04-22
We've had 2 comet goldfish for almost a year. And I am wondering why our smallest one seems to have turned somewhat pinkish to a white color? It seems to be acting like it usually does.