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VeryRareDVDs Registered: 19 August 2009 Feedback: 90% positive feedback over the last 12 months Location: UK Visit Store Contact Merchant
90% Positive Feedback *Based on last 12 months ratings Feedback Summary 1 month 6 month 12 month Lifetime Positive % 95% 90% 90% 93% Positive 133 404 1713 26874 Neutral 0 13 62 582 Negative 7 45 185 1966 Total 140 462 1960 29422
Merchant Feedback History Results 1 – 50 (of 29422) Feedback Comment Buyer Date Positive arrived abbie131 28 January 2015 Negative Very slow delivery nearly 2 weeks since i ordered still not arrived. kjohno26 28 January 2015 Positive Perfect sproketman 26 January 2015 Positive Great service. Cheap price and was delivered very quickly. I very much recommend!!! adamtheaardvark 25 January 2015 Positive Arrived quickly. Happy! evagemini75 25 January 2015 Positive I ordered just before Christmas not expecting the goods to turn up as had left it too late but they did, very impressed with the service Mayfair527 24 January 2015 Positive Thanks for this great DVD. malcky 24 January 2015 Positive delighted to get this dvd-made someones christmas-came quicly and worked perfectly-would definately use yiu again-by any chance do you have how to succeed in business without really trying-have been looking for this but unable to get for play here.ty lazeeb 23 January 2015 Positive Great and quick Ceejeezy 23 January 2015 Positive very happy would order again villaplus 22 January 2015 Positive very good the item are good case disasterman 22 January 2015 Positive My lad loves this, very good game & quick delivery, very good services, thanks JOHNPONTER 22 January 2015 Positive excellent service sculthorpe 21 January 2015 Positive very fast delivery,came sooner than seller estimated, great price ,will do business woth this seller, thank you Marei amber12 20 January 2015 Positive Quick Delivery Recommended. Symbiote 20 January 2015 Positive Excellent quality, excellent delivery time and very good communication. Would highly recommend. Muldie 19 January 2015 Positive Excellent dvd and great service thank you A+++++ radar1711 18 January 2015 Positive This was dispatched almost immediately after my order and arrived safely and in good time ahead of Christmas, especially as it was a gift. Would highly recommend and would buy off them again. FrankieC85 18 January 2015 Negative Ordered this product and cancelled it a few hours later. Over a month later I have sent three messages, received no replies, a refund or even the dvd. It said that the dvd had been dispatched on the 15th December (after I had cancelled it). LucyPoocey 18 January 2015 Positive Prompt delivery and good response as well Clyden 17 January 2015 Positive Very smooth transaction. Will use again Dm12345 17 January 2015 Positive Very good service throughout. Quick delivery, arrived before estimated date. Many thanks and keep up the good work. Chalkie17 16 January 2015 Positive great service will use you again order number 318268307 angela Johnson 2 Hadley villas droitwich road Worcester wr3 7sw nicnakboo 16 January 2015 Positive VERY Quick/FAST Delivery! Many Thanks... Nickcat 15 January 2015 Positive Awesome service, thanks... thurstonmooresson 15 January 2015 Positive Good Customer Service jmilprint 15 January 2015 Positive Item arrived very quickly. tbagglasby 15 January 2015 Positive Great service. Bought as present and arrived in Good time. 5 Stars dragsathor 14 January 2015 Positive Excellent quality, arrived ahead of estimated delivery date, no complaints at all. wraithuk 14 January 2015 Positive Great seller - item arrived in good time and great condition I0Natch 14 January 2015 Positive Very fast an efficient service. Many thanks SkipyRoo86 13 January 2015 Positive excellent service gingerbee35 13 January 2015 Positive very good value and fast postage many thanks FILM2GO 12 January 2015 Positive I received my PS3 very quickly and in good condition Highly recommended seller ExiledYorkshireman 12 January 2015 Positive Great product, good price, quick delivery, would do business again callygsi 12 January 2015 Positive This was one of the few stores who had the dvd in store and also at a good price. arrived early even though it was the Christmas period. Very happy with my purchase. Thanx! Angelboy 11 January 2015 Positive Brilliant Service BAMIT54 11 January 2015 Positive I am very happy with the seller, because they had a copy in stock and after I ordered it the game it was delivered within a week. The game works and plays just as I remember form years ago. If I need to I would buy from them in the future. Sideshowguy 11 January 2015 Positive I bought this for my dad he was so happy with it and loved the special features great value for money green39 10 January 2015 Positive Great product, good delivery, recommend. Yubbles 10 January 2015 Positive One of the very few companies to have this box set in stock for Christmas. Very easy to order and the set arrived in time for Christmas. Competitive pricing so I would recommend VeryRareDVDs to anyone. MarkyG1 10 January 2015 Positive Fantastic- exact product required at a good price delivered quickly. Can't fault it. KevMin 10 January 2015 Positive Took a little longer to arrive than I expected but great price and great quality. Would recommend this seller. DISORDER123 10 January 2015 Positive Prompt delivery, no complaints at all, ty v much bubbleboy7 10 January 2015 Positive Thank you for your prompt and efficient service. LizzieDrippin 09 January 2015 Positive Order went missing in post. Dealt with really promptly & re-dispatched on next day signed-for delivery. Very impressed with service thank you. Smanff 09 January 2015 Positive Very good seller. Item arrived on time despite the fact that it was christmas. johncity 09 January 2015 Positive Excellent service, very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend. mattfurness 09 January 2015 Positive excellent service, delivery was quick and excellent condition . kimmy117 09 January 2015 Positive excellent service, turned up earlier than was expected. will definitely buy from this seller again!!! bluedragon9475 09 January 2015


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PRIMIR Books Study Points to Morphing Industry Model
April 2009The traditional consignment business model places the sales and profitability risk with the publisher—the reduced publisher price model shifts the risk to the bookseller; a risk that they had previously declined to take with the occasional exception of a specific title. However, economic conditions and the need to take cost out of the entire book industry system to ultimately reduce consumer prices, may lead to the adoption of the no-returns model. Returns and unsold copies account for over 50% of the print run in some book categories. Thus, a change in the publisher bookseller business model will have a significant negative impact on conventional book manufacturers and their print supply chain. Run length reductions are likely to favor digital printing technology at the expense of offset.
Discussion about e-books substituting for printed books continues as a hot topic. The term e-books encompasses a wide range of electronic files and file readers that have been in development over 40 years including Amazon's Kindle and the Sony Reader that have seen some recent adoption.
With a murky definition of an e-book, there are no reliable sources for book unit or dollar volume data to use to assess displacement of the printed book. Nevertheless, as the e-book product and its various read-out devices are undergoing development, they are beginning to become noticeable competition for printed books although e-books are unlikely to become serious competition before 2010.
The PRIMIR study forecasts that over the next several years the displacement of printed textbooks by e-books will accelerate so that sometime between 2012 and 2015, the printed textbook market especially, will have virtually disappeared in a fashion similar to what has already happened with dictionaries and encyclopedias.
It is worth noting that in 2009 most high schools and a handful of elementary schools have laptops in daily use by the school's total enrollment.
In these situations some schools report that up to 50% of books and related learning materials that used to be purchased in print are now being supplied on CDs/DVDs or through downloaded electronic files.
While it will take years for e-books to penetrate all aspects of the traditional print book market, the handwriting is on the wall. The study concludes with the admonition that without exception in every market that has introduced digital substitutive products, the digital product has driven out the analog one. There is little reason to think that over time the same will not be true for books.
In the short term the economic situation will be the prime driver of change in the book industry. In the longer term the continuing development of electronic competition will become the prime driver of major changes in the book industry's products which will impact on all elements in the graphic communications industry's supply chain.
The 300-page report "Trends in Books: 2008-2012" will be distributed exclusively to PRIMIR members later this spring.
Contact Jackie Bland, Managing Director of PRIMIR at phone: 703/264-7211 for membership details.
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International wrestling legend and Lucha Libre icon Último Dragón, returns to the U.S. after an 8-year hiatus to join Anime Expo as a judge for LA FIGHT, Japan Film Society's anime-based short film competition. In addition, Último Dragón will be hosting a panel and signing autographs for his upcoming 100+ page Último Dragón Kickstarter graphic novel, illustrated by Musetap Art Studios' Wil Woods and Tyrine Carver and written by Dan Madigan, who is a former WWE staff writer, screenwriter of the movie See No Evil, and author of Mondo Lucha a Go-Go.
Japanese-born Último Dragón began his career over 25 years ago under his birth name, Yoshihiro Asai. Trained by some of the most famous names in the history of the sport–Antonio Inoki, Yoshiaki Fujimara and El Gran Hamada–Último went on to work for nearly every major wrestling company in the world, including AAA, CMLL, WAR, IGF, WCW, and WWE.At one time, he held 10championshipbelts, a feat that will never again be repeated. Following in the footsteps of legendary wrestler/promoter/spokesperson Antonio Inoki, and promoter Vince McMahon, Último has stepped into the role of ambassador for wrestling events worldwide. His talents have taken him around the globe from South America to the Far East. Most recently Holland and the UK have called on Último for his ability to break down cultural borders and lend credibility to new international wrestling promotions. Último Dragón is using his innovative skills of cross-promotion and an insightful multi-cultural business sense to create a new and innovative transmedia entertainment venture for his legion of worldwide fans.


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Migrating Oracle 8i to 9i, from Solaris to Linux
I want to migrate an Oracle 8i database to 9i and from Solaris to Linux. What should I do first?
The migration guide describes a number of different methods for migrating to Oracle9i. Keep in mind that a solid backout plan is very important in case the migration does not go well in the production environment.
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Second, I would recommend testing this migration several times in a non-production environment; be sure to involve the application support team members, as well as business users. Each time the migration is completed in the test environment, everyone involved should test application functionality, batch jobs and other critical functions thoroughly.
With respect to your question about using export/import to perform the migration and then finding a delta, export/import essentially dumps your data and object definitions into a binary file which you then use to import into another database. It basically provides a 'snapshot' of your database (or schema or object) at the time the export is performed. There is really no way to then perform another export with only data that has changed since the last export. For more information on Oracle export and import utilities, you can review the Oracle9i Release 2 (9.2) Database Utilities guide.
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SIR SAGAMORE DR 6/12 Kingsland Woods. The victim's residence was entered, possibly using a key. Several areas were disturbed, but nothing was taken.
BRIGHTWOOD AVE 6/12 Central Park. Suspect/s entered the residence through an unlocked front window. Nothing was missing.
WELDON ST 6/12 Brookside. Suspect/s forced entry to the victim's locked shed and removed two dirt bikes, a 2008 Kawasaki and a 2003 Suzuki, from inside.
W GURNEY CT 6/12 Kendale Acres. Money was stolen from the victim's unlocked truck.
TILEHURST CT 6/12 Kendale Acres. Property was stolen from the victim's vehicle.
JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY 6/11 A known suspect was left in the vehicle while the victim went inside the hotel to rent a room. The victim later discovered several items missing from the vehicle.
ELOKOMIN AVE 6/14 Bellmeade. The victim's purse was stolen from her unlocked vehicle.
BESSIE LN 6/11 Entry was forced to the victim's locked vehicle and miscellaneous property was stolen from inside. A window was broken out.
CREEKBED RD 6/14 Swift Creek Estates. The victim's unlocked vehicle was entered and miscellaneous property was stolen.
MILL RACE CR 6/11 Shady Creek. Miscellaneous property was stolen from the victim's Cadillac.
W HUNDRED RD 6/12 Harbour East Village. The victim said the chain securing her four-wheeler had been cut and the four-wheeler stolen. The four-wheeler had been stored in the common area at the front of the mobile home park.
MEADOWDALE BL 6/13 Regency Lake Apartments. Unknown suspect/s attempted to steal the victim's 1987 Oldsmobile.
JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY 6/13 The rear window on a 1974 Dodge Charger was smashed and the ignition tampered with.
SOUTH (ETTRICK) ST 6/11 U-Save Car & Truck Rental. Windows to two vehicles, a 2007 Hyundai van and a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, parked at the business had been broken out. The ignition to the Hyundai van had been popped also.
BEULAH RD 6/12 Chester Towne Square. The victim was approached by suspects asking for change in the parking lot. As the victim took out his cash, one of the suspects grabbed the money from his hand. When the victim attempted to get his cash back, the other suspect raised his shirt to expose the handle of a handgun and told the victim to leave.
PLANET RD 6/14 Regency Lake Apartments. The victim returned home to find her rear sliding glass door open and the sofa moved. Property was reported stolen.
GERMONT AVE 6/14 Bellwood Heights. The victim returned home to find suspect/s had entered through a locked rear door. Money was discovered missing from inside.
JEFFERSON DAVIE HWY 6/14 Bellwood Manor Motel. The victim's trailer was stolen from the location and later recovered in Richmond.
MEADOWBURM DR 6/14 Meadowdale. Unknown suspect/s entered the victim's unlocked vehicle and rummaged through the interior.
GATESGREEN DR 6/14 Courthouse Green. Property was stolen from the victim's unlocked vehicle.
TILEHURST CT 6/14 Kendale Acres. Suspect/s entered the victim's unlocked vehicle and removed items from inside.
SEMINOLE AVE 6/14Halfway House Height. Suspect/s entered two unlocked vehicle in the victim's driveway, stealing change from one and attempting to steal the stereo from the other.
MARTINGALE RD 6/04 Colonial Ridge Apartments. Miscellaneous property was stolen from the victim's locked Ford Explorer sometime between June 1 and June 4.
CRICKLEWOOD DR 6/14 South Pointe Landing Apartments. The victim had just parked his vehicle and taken trash to the dumpster when one of the suspects approached, asking the time. As the victim reached into his pocked for his cell phone, the second suspect came up from behind and put a choke hold around the victim's neck. Once the victim fell to the ground, the suspects took his property and walked off.
PANNIL ST 6/15 Ettrick. The side door to a vacant residence was forced open and property was removed.
VERDICT CT 6/15 Courthouse Green Apartments. Responding to a suspicious person call, officers located the suspect, who admitted to entering the victim's unlocked vehicle.
WHITEPINE RD 6/15 A 1993 Honda was stolen from Richmond City and recovered at the listed location. Property was missing from the vehicle.
BARRISTER RD 6/14 Courthouse Green. Bushes beside the victim's fence were set on fire.
HAWKBILL RD 6/15 Oak Run. A locked vehicle was stolen from a driveway. Broken glass was found where the vehicle had been parked.
PLANET RD 6/15 Regency Lake Apartments. The victim arrived at the address to deliver pizza. As the female suspect took the pizza, the two male suspects displayed handguns and took his cash.


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The Battle for Europe
As we reach the meaty stage of the latest console cycle, things appear to be getting quite tasty in Europe between Microsoft and Sony. Anyone who follows the trade press may have picked up on a more competitive tone of late, as each company has sought to paint itself as the platform of choice for the European consumer.
Microsoft claims a sell-through lead in Europe for the Xbox 360, whereas Sony claims a shipped lead in PAL (which includes a number of territories where Microsoft has no distribution) for its PS3. As it turns out both of these claims could be correct but each statement paints quite a different picture.
What is irrefutable is the importance of Europe to both companies. While Nintendo is off on its own creating new genres of software and developing lifestyle products on the cusp of what we consider to be games, the battlefront between Microsoft and Sony is raging. But not so much in continental Europe where Microsoft's progress has been slowed to a point many would consider to be rather an underachievement, especially when so much groundwork had been effectively laid during the last cycle of consoles. Sony's entrenched PlayStation brand has provided ample resistance to Microsoft's advance.
For Microsoft this is clearly not the level of uptake it has set out to achieve in a region it considered to be its 'swing state' when it first launched way ahead of the pack at the end of 2005. Whereas Sony could perhaps afford to experience some market-share loss in western territories because it has little competition from Microsoft in Japan, Microsoft has less strategic flexibility and needs to be more competitive in Europe outside the UK if it wants to fulfil its aim of making Xbox dominant in the west.
Microsoft's Continental Challenge
Much of the problem for Microsoft stems from the diverse nature of the European region and the equally diverse gaming tastes of its consumers. The strengths exhibited by Microsoft in action or shooter games and related online gaming have unfortunately not hit home with enough continental gamers.
Microsoft's task is made substantially more difficult by the existing competitive landscape. When Sony first set out to evolve and develop the European market into what it is today, Nintendo and Sega were well known gaming brands, but even they could not be compared to the entrenched PlayStation brand that faces Microsoft in much of Europe. As such, Microsoft must build its market share while also operating in a markedly harder competitive landscape. Competing successfully under these conditions takes massive investment, extensive local expertise and awareness on a territory by territory basis – and, of course, high quality execution of strategy.
Behind the more competitive news flow emanating from Microsoft hides a renewed thrust to build its business in Europe. Microsoft intends to use a multi-pronged strategy backed by substantial investment in local marketing initiatives and a reshuffled and expanded executive team. David Gosen's appointment is a plus, as he brings deep knowledge of the European market, the tastes of its consumers and how casual games can engage the European gamer.
What we can expect is a bigger slate of unique casual game experiences – either in the form of retail content or through Xbox Live-based services, and more emphasis on the capabilities and accessibility of Xbox Live. There will also be an emphasis on local content to engage the diverse European gamers. We expect these content and service strategies to be delivered alongside a pricing strategy to open up the Xbox 360 to a more mainstream audience. As Gosen has stated, this activity will be backed with launch comparable marketing spend, to in effect re-launch the platform in a number of European territories.
Will Microsoft succeed? The jury is still out. As analysts we have no immediate reason to improve our 360 forecasts until we see concrete evidence that these strategies have been effectively executed and have had a positive impact on console purchases. High investment will inevitably increase the company's competitive strength on the continent, but Sony has its own reasons to be bullish about its position in the region as the PS3 starts to build some momentum during what is a crucial 12 months for both companies.


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Oil and consumers widen US trade deficit
AMERICA'S trade deficit widened unexpectedly in April to a record US$48.3 billion (£26.7bn), as strong consumer demand and the highest oil prices in 21 years pushed imports to unprecedented levels. The monthly trade gap was well above Wall Street forecasts of $45bn (£24.8bn).
Imports edged slightly higher to $142.3bn (£78.5bn) from the previous record set in March, while exports tumbled 1.5 per cent to $93.9bn (£51.8bn). The US goods trade deficit with China jumped nearly 15 per cent to $12bn (£6.6bn).
Separately, the US government released data showing American retail sales rebounded in May. Sales at the nation's retailers grew by 1.2 per cent, reversing the 0.6 per cent decline suffered in April.
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Five Vintage Themes to Liven Up Your Office Party
CHICAGO-If you're looking to liven up your office holiday party this year, look no further than Vintage Garage Holiday Trunk Show. Held December 8-9 in Edgewater, the show will provide enough vintage items to put on an office party that won't be soon forgotten.
Vintage Promotions, LLC has compiled a list of five sizzling office party themes.
- Decades Holiday Party: Pick a distinct pack of decades like 50′s & 60′s or 80′s and 90′s. It makes it easier to find costumes if you can cross the line between decades.
- 1980′s and 1990′s Holiday Movies Party: Home Alone, Die Hard, Gremlins, A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and for fun, throw in a prize for the guest who most emulates a character from one of your chosen holiday favorites. Think Uncle Eddie in his best holiday dickie.
- Classic Cocktails Party: Build a holiday party around Rob Roys, Gin n' Tonic, Champagne Cocktails and/or Brandy Alexanders. Dress the part and have an elegant boozy vintage time!
- Vintage Pot Luck Party: Everyone brings a dish in their very best multi-colored vintage Pyrex. Exchange vintage aprons and kitchen-kitsch gifts. Drink from great vintage glassware and eat from your favorite vintage china!
- Mad Men Office Party: Spike the punch, get out the old typewriters and tight sweaters cause the 1960′s office party is a perfect theme for this year's party.
The Vintage Garage Holiday Trunk Show will be held December 8th and 9th from 11 a.m. untl 6 p.m. in a storefront at Granville and Broadway. More information is available at www.vintagegaragechicago.com.


text: Starting a Business An Interview with SpinDaily.com Starting a Business? Get our weekly newsletter choc full of startup tips. Invalid Email Comment August 16, 2010 From the January 2012 issue of Entrepreneur Founder Kendall Morgan Rhodes talks about SpinDaily.com's content and how she got the idea to start her own site. Powered by Livefyre View Comments (0) Success Stories Starting a Business Startup Success Stories


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This is no doubt about it, League Express hit the nail on the head with the "game breaker" in South Wales last week. The final hooter really is the ultimate in gamebreakers. Let's hope it wins us a few more games this season
Edited by CliveOseman, 06 June 2014 - 06:32 PM.


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Informational: Federal Court Arraignment
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings, on September 29, 2009, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, the following individual was arraigned:
GARCIA VARGAS, a citizen of Mexico, appeared on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently detained. If convicted of this charge, VARGAS faces possible penalties of a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and could be sentenced to 40 years, a $2,000,000 fine and at least 4 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Seykora is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted the Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.
The defendant pled not guilty to the charge.
The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and any person named as a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A pre-trial conference and a trial date will be set and the United States will be required to prove the allegations set forth in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.


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English Standard Version (ESV) | New International Version (NIV) |
11 And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? | 11 The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? |
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers. (English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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Where does the name "Qui-Gon Jinn" come from? The name appears to be derived from the Chinese "qi gong," (chee goong) a phrase which refers to the ancient Chinese art of Chi, or life force, manipulation. This is as much as saying that Master Qui-Gon is by definition a master of the living Force. The meaning of the name "Jinn" is less clear. In Muslim mythology, the Jinn (singular: jinni or genie) are (sometimes malevolent) supernatural beings. "Jinn" (jin) also apparently means "person" or "a man" in Japanese. George Lucas also may have gotten the name Jinn via a passage in Joseph Campbell's classic work on mythology, The Hero With A Thousand Faces (explored in depth in an article on this site): "Jedi" derives from the Japanese "jidai geki," a genre of Samurai television dramas. Who trained Qui-Gon and how many Padawans has Qui-Gon trained? The Visual Dictionary and the Jedi Apprentice series claim that Qui-Gon has trained three Padawans. His first, unknown, passed the trials and became a Knight. This made Qui-Gon a Master. His second, Xanatos, allowed greed to lead him to the Dark Side; he betrayed Qui-Gon and left the Jedi order. His third is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon himself was trained by Count Dooku, a powerful and idealistic Jedi who later left the Jedi Order and became a leader of the Separatist movement and a Sith Lord. Jude Watson's worthwhile youth novel Legacy of the Jedi describes Yoda's training of Dooku, Dooku's training of Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon's training of Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan's training of Anakin. Diane K., Qui-Gon Jinn Discussion List member, writes: "It was quite insightful as to what Dooku was like as a teenager - sort of predicts how he will go in later years. I can't say much about Dooku and Qui-Gon other than I thought Dooku treated Qui-Gon rather badly. Qui-Gon had hoped to form a real relationship but it turned to be a strictly working partnership--rather sad for Qui-Gon. The Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan was much more poignant. It was clear that Jude Watson misses writing about the pair [Watson was also the author of the Jedi Apprentice series]. And the Obi-Wan/Anakin portion was also quite unhappy in that Obi-Wan realizes that he cannot teach Anakin what he needs to learn. In the whole book, the saddest part was what Qui-Gon says to Obi-Wan. In each section, there is a part where each master tells the student their flaw. Obi-Wan's flaw was wanting to please Qui-Gon too much. Somehow, I found that very perceptive and very sad." Officially, Qui-Gon is 60 years of age in Star Wars, Episode I. This is in keeping with what we know of his history and the number of Padawans he has trained. However, when Lucas decided to cast Liam Neeson, he agreed that the actor should play the role as though he were closer to his own age (44 at the time). Neeson says, "In the original script, he was over 60 years old, and very wise. I met with George and reminded him that there's a lot of life-saving duty for this character, and it wasn't realistic that a 60-year-old man would do all this." In Movieline, May 1999 he says, "Rick (McCallum) called and said 'The character was originally a 60-year-old, would you be prepared to play 55?' I said, 'Sure, I'm an actor.' But I thought, I am not going to do old-man acting because that would be stupid-this guy has to have a lot of lightsaber fights. So we stuck a balance." So, Qui-Gon by no means looks to be 60 years of age, though perhaps it may be argued that the Light Side of the Force keeps one young even as the Dark Side aged Palpatine unnaturally! On developing the character, Neeson said at a press conference: Has Qui-Gon ever been in love? The Star Wars movies say nothing about this, unless you see "a little bit of romance" between Qui-Gon and Shmi Skywalker. But iin several of Jude Watson's Jedi Apprentice youth novels Qui-Gon did have a romantic relationship with a female Jedi Knight named Tahl. Cribbing from Wikipedia, "She had dark, gold colored skin and green/gold striped eyes. She bore a long, thin white scar from her chin to her eye from an injury [...] She was known for her patience, sharp tongue and diplomatic skills." Tahl became blind after falling into bad circumstances on a mission; she was rescued by Qui-Gon and returned to the Temple where she took on a young female apprentice, Bant, who was Obi-Wan's age and a friend of his. Later, Qui-Gon had alarming recurring dreams of Tahl's death; he tries to protect her and they both come to realize the love they'd always had for one another, but being a Jedi is dangerous work and fate overcomes Tahl. Why doesn't Qui-Gon have a musical theme? He does! And a mighty fine one, too, thanks to the genius of John Williams. It can be found on the two-disc complete Phantom Menace soundtrack, in the track "Duel in the Desert." It can be heard 1. When Qui-Gon rides the eopies after delivering the parts to Obi-Wan at the Naboo ship 2. As Qui-Gon fights Darth Maul on Tatooine. Heroic and energetic double presentation 3. When Qui-Gon utters those fateful words, "Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi" after the Maul fight scene (maybe a continuation of #2?) 4. During his death scene after Obi-Wan kills Darth Maul. Slow and sad, single presentation, extended resolution. There is an article analyzing Qui-Gon's theme on our website here. Is Qui-Gon Jinn the "best" Jedi ever? Most of us think so. :-) But there are plenty of people who disagree. You will have to make up your own mind. His Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi seems to think so. The following is from the novel; it is implied that Obi-Wan is thinking this to himself, "his mentor was perhaps the greatest Jedi alive, a commanding presence at Council, a strong and brave warrior who refused to be intimidated by even the most daunting challenge, and a good and kind man." The official website says, "Other Jedi Masters often use Jinn's focused sensitivity to the Force as an example for their pupils." The novel also calls him the greatest swordsman in the galaxy (till Maul, apparently). Qui-Gon's achievement (revealed in Episode III) of being the first Jedi to discover and practice the secret to transcending death is further evidence that Qui-Gon is very unique, exceptional, and good. Where can I learn more about Liam Neeson, the actor who played Qui-Gon Jinn? Online, try any search engine or the Qui-Gon Jinn Discussion List Liam Neeson Links. Offline, you're on your own. :-) Some interesting tidbits: Liam Neeson reportedly got $4 million dollars and 2% of the gross from The Phantom Menace. On why he wanted to be in TPM (from an online chat with fans through the now-defunct TalkCity): He helped design his "look" for the movie: What it was like wearing the wig in Tunisia, and feeling upstaged by CGI characters: Comments on his acting style in a Michael Collins-era interview: Liam is a little shy and uncomfortable with being idolized by people he doesn't know. He says "fan worship is very spooky," and "even if my career is on a slippery slope at the speed of light, I will never be at a Star Wars convention." He's also bothered by people who find spiritual meaning in movies and suggests, unsympathetically (and with, I think, a lack of understanding of the way fandom works), that people are passionate about Star Wars because: On role models (TalkCity): What did Liam think of the movie? According to Cinescape Online: Neeson is hardly the only one to note that there's so much going on in TPM on so many levels that it's easy to miss things (and that it rewards multiple viewings). Many of the critics who panned the movie clearly missed the point of it, failing to understand the significance of even major plot points like Palpatine's manipulation of the Trade Federation as part of his bid for power. Casting Director Robin Gurland commented in a TalkCity chat that, "the film is very dense, and one does need to see it a couple of times to take on board all the images. [...] Regarding critics, I think they are pretty dense also. They should go out and see a movie with the audience that we made the film for." At the beginning of the movie on board the trade Federation ship, why does Qui-Gon "not sense anything" when Obi-Wan has "a bad feeling about this"? Maybe it has to do with the living versus the unifying or cosmic Force? Qui-Gon is focused on the moment, because he has been given a mission which he is trying to carry out. He is likely more concentrated on the Trade Federation, the Naboo, and how long it will be before their hosts meet with them to talk about this blockade. He later senses "an unusual amount of fear over something as trivial as this trade dispute," so if he is trying to sense anything, it is the minds of the Neimodians. Obi-Wan, though, is reaching out to the big picture, the unifying Force. Qui-Gon chastises, "dont center on your anxieties, Obi-Wan. Keep your concentration here and now, where it belongs." Obi-Wans wandering concerns about the ultimate outcome of their situation distract him from the "here and now" and the task at hand. Beside this, it's a great movie device to have a beloved character like Obi-Wan begin the movie with one of the most famous and oft-uttered lines in the Star Wars saga: "I have a bad feeling about this." Whats the difference between the Living Force Qui-Gon talks about and the Unifying Force Yoda talks about? In the book The Making of Episode I, George Lucas says, "The Force itself breaks into two sides: the living Force and a greater, cosmic Force. The living Force makes you sensitive to other living things, makes you intuitive, and allows you to read other people's minds, et cetera. But the greater Force has to do with destiny. In working with the Force, you can find your destiny and you can choose to either follow it or not." In other words, it can be said that the living Force is personal in nature, the cosmic, unifying Force more universal. Qui-Gons compassion, unshakeable commitment to his intuitions (and faith in "the will of the Force"), and use of the mind trick are therefore functions of his skill in the living Force. I suggest that the living and unifying aspects of the Force may represent differing explanations of the intuitions that well from within us. Are they the voices of our own subconscious, or of the supernatural? Do you trust in yourself, or in God? What does it mean to "be mindful of the living Force"? Obi-Wan, having been brought up in the Temple under Yoda's tutelage (source: Jedi Apprentice novels), has acquired Yoda's knowledge and understanding of the unifying aspect of the Force. But he needs to learn to hear the living Force, the one which guides a Jedi's actions from moment to moment and tunes him/her in to what is happening in the "here and now." Qui-Gon is a Master whose greatest strength is in understanding the living Force, so he makes for possibly the best mentor Obi-Wan could get. Being "mindful of the living Force," then, is to let go of greater anxieties caused by things distant in time and/or space and concentrate on what is going on in the present, who it will affect, and what needs to be done about it. Why did Boss Nass agree to give Qui-Gon a transport (bongo) and allow Jar Jar to go with him? And why doesnt Watto agree to accept Federation credits? Qui-Gon used the old Jedi mind trick on Boss Nass to ensure his cooperation. Watch closely during the scenes in the underwater city of Otoh Gunga. As Qui-Gon makes his requests to Boss Nass he also slowly waves his hand, our cue that he is using the mind trick. When Qui-Gon tries the same trick on Watto the junk dealer a little later to convince him that his currency is good enough, it has no effect (Watto says, "you think you some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that? Im a Toydarian! Mind tricks dont work on me, only money!") because Watto is of a species incompatible with the mind trick method. Why did Jar Jar get woozy in the Bongo when Qui-Gon touched his shoulder and said "relax"? During the underwater trip "through the planet core," despite Qui-Gons reassurances, ("Relax, were not in trouble yet."), Jar Jar gets progressively more panicked ("Monsters out there, leakin in here, all sinkin and no power?! When yousa thinking wesa in trouble?"). Eventually, Qui-Gons patience with the hyper-emotive Gungan apparently gives out and he calmly reaches forward and squeezes Jar Jars shoulder. Jar Jar immediately slumps and acts woozy (The Illustrated Screenplay says, "QUI-GON puts his hand on JAR JAR's shoulder. JAR JAR relaxes into a coma."). "You over-did it," Obi-Wan comments. It is implied that Qui-Gon is using the Force to subdue Jar Jar, but the effect is a little like a "Vulcan neck pinch" on Star Trek. Qui-Gon apparently uses a little too much "force" in his urgency and while perhaps he only intended to calm Jar Jar, he ends up disorienting him quite a bit (perhaps Lucas changed his mind about putting Jar Jar in a coma during postproduction). At any rate, by the time the Bongo surfaces in Theed City, Jar Jar is once again alert. Did Watto know Qui-Gon was a Jedi? He probably didn't know, until he possibly realizes after the podrace. If he knew Qui-Gon was a Jedi, he might not have let Qui-Gon get away with the things he did. Would you, knowing you were standing with a Jedi, have allowed a serious bet to hinge on the roll of a chance cube? Or, perhaps, that was just Watto's failing for being overconfident. His line after Qui-Gons failed attempt to use the mind trick on him, "what, you think youre some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that?" is funny not merely because of Qui-Gons slightly embarrassing failure, but because of the irony that Watto does not know that Qui-Gon really is a Jedi. Was there a little bit of romance between Qui-Gon Jinn and Shmi Skywalker? Pernilla August (Shmi) says, "LOL I don't think I can say it was a romance between them, but there was something, I think, I was trying to put something into it. But I think the audience has to put what they want into it (TalkCity chat)" Liam Neeson says, "We're not talking about clothes being thrown off. Just a hint of intimacy... We've got to keep the adults happy, too (Premiere Magazine)," and it was apparently he that lobbied for the various affectionate or comforting shoulder touches we see in the movie, particularly the subtle caress he gives Shmi with his thumb as he asks her if she will be all right just after breaking the news of Anakin's freedom. Nothing in the canon (novels, etc) suggests that there should've been attraction between them, and it may just be that Qui-Gon's compassion is too easily mistaken for romantic intentions. Where did Qui-Gon get the power source that he gives Anakin to test the podracer? It's not entirely known, although the novel suggests that he might have stolen it from Watto's shop. All references to that were cut from the movie, and the scene shot to imply that Qui-Gon simply has the power pack, and Anakin is rather excited to receive and use it ("Yes SIR!"). Of course, it might just have been something the Skywalkers already had. Liam Neeson told the SF Chronicle: "One time I remember Anakin (Jake Lloyd) was trying to start up his pod in his backyard and I suddenly come up with this thing and I say, 'Here's a power source. Try that.' Suddenly, it starts. I say, 'George, where have I got this from?' He says, 'Believe me, thousands of Star Wars fans will be analyzing this for years to come. Don't worry about it. Just bring it out from below your cloak. You're a Jedi.'" George has us all figured out, doesn't he? ;-) A site visitor named Gildor writes to tell me, "in the Star Wars: The Phantom
Menace PC game, there is a whole level-mission on obtaining a power source... this level
is mainly walking around Mos Espa, buying things, talking to characters and exhanging
stuff so that you can find two items that can repair the pod. [...] Of course the SW games
are hardly canonical but since we are talking Is Qui-Gon a bad Jedi for lying/cheating/stealing? There are many schools of thought on this issue. Some Star Wars fans are ready to condemn Qui-Gon for what they consider hypocrisy in committing such acts as gambling, lying or concealing the truth (about his identity, refusing to allow the Queen to know about his plans to "trust our fates to a boy we hardly know," gambling her property without her knowledge, etc), cheating (by using the Force to affect Wattos chance cube), and even stealing (in a rumored cut scene from TPM, Qui-Gon was to have been shown surreptitiously swiping the power unit from Wattos shop which he later gives to Anakin to test his podracer. His use of the mind trick to make Boss Nass to give him a bongo transport has also been construed as stealing by some). There are some compelling defenses for Qui-Gons actions. Perhaps the best one is that Qui-Gons moral code does not prohibit such methods, but rather embraces them as being savvy, their effectiveness in achieving larger goals far outweighing any moral weight they may carry. As Lyta Alexander points out in an essay, the Ninja have a similar philosophy toward stealth and trickery. Another defense is that it is the will of the Force that Qui-Gon completes his mission by whatever means. Qui-Gons individual acts can in many cases be simply explained away; for instance, it can be easily argued that Qui-Gon was never really gambling because, as Watto later accuses him, "you knew the boy was going to win! Somehow you knew it!" Qui-Gon replies, "whenever you gamble, my friend, eventually youll lose." In order to avoid coming to the immediate conclusion that Qui-Gon really is a hypocrite for lecturing on the very vice he himself apparently has been indulging, we must conclude that there is some degree of truth in Wattos words. There is a lot of evidence for that in the utter confidence Qui-Gon has prior to the race in Anakins still-unproven abilities. The novel suggests that the chance cube was loaded (weighted on one side) anyway, making Qui-Gons "cheat" merely a response to Wattos. Or we can explain Qui-Gon's behavior more simply as reflective of an "ends may justify the means" philosophy. There seems to be no "ten commandments" of Jedi behavior saying that deception is below a Jedi. The Jedi must sometimes overlook small instances of good and bad in order to objectively pursue the greater good. And as George Lucas said in an interview with Bill Moyers, "the Light Side and the Dark Side are designed around compassion and greed." All Qui-Gons actions are selfless in nature, done out of compassion for others and a desire to serve. There is no motive of greed, of personal gain, in the character, and therefore no good argument can be made that he has Dark Side tendencies. In the Revenge of the Sith novelization, we learn that the reason Qui-Gon is able to transcend death is through his rigorous dedication to compassionate love. Qui-Gon becomes a kind of "saint." So, I think we have to take George Lucas' word for it that he was a good Jedi. Perhaps. The official Star Wars website says of Qui-Gon, "his focus is in the moment, and he follows his instincts even when others may consider them reckless." "I shall do what I must," he says, but his nature as a compassionate man prevents him from wantonly allowing harm to come to anyone who might be in the way. He does place Anakin at risk, but he does not do so without consulting Shmi and trusting Anakin to bring about a good result. He almost does not agree to Anakin's plan, when Shmi protests "I die every time Watto makes you do it," but in the end, after discussion, he relents, and his instincts about Anakins abilities turn out to be right. Of course, if we take "reckless" to mean a bit unorthodox, trusting in faith to bring about things that seem impossible to obtain, then sure, Qui-Gon is reckless - and good thing, too. Does Qui-Gon use the Force to help Anakin win the podrace? No. When Qui-Gon closes his eyes near the end of the race, he is using a Jedi technique akin to "remote viewing" to see what's happening to Anakin (source: TPM novel). The victory is Anakins achievement alone, and that was part of the point for Qui-Gon. In Anakins Journal, right before the race and after Qui-Gon tells Anakin, "may the force be with you", Anakin thinks, "...that's when I realized that as far as he was concerned, this wasn't just a race. It was also a test. Of me." The podrace was for Qui-Gon a test of Anakins ability to use his obviously-strong connection to the Force. When Qui-Gon and Anakin approach the Queens ship to leave Tatooine, why are they running? The screenplay and the novel mention a scene which was cut from the movie: while leaving Mos Espa, Qui-Gon stumbles on one of Darth Maul's Sith probe droids (floating black balls) following them through the streets. He takes out his lightsabre and dispatches it quickly, but realizes then that someone knows he is there, knows who he is, and decides he and Anakin had better get back to the ship as quickly as possible. That scene can be found in the additional materials of the Phantom Menace DVD set. Why can the Jedi not sense the presence of the Sith? As Yoda says, "hard to see is the Dark Side." Theories abound on the reasons why. The most popular seems to center on some kind of "Force shielding" technique that truly knowledgeable Jedi or Sith would have mastered. However, there is a simpler theory. Presume that since Sidious never actively used the Force (that we could see), his presence would not be detected by Jedi who are merely passive, who would not sense a Dark presence until it made a disturbance, akin to throwing a rock in a calm pond to make ripples. Yoda and the Council members are not looking for Sith, they have no clue the Sith still exist, so quite literally, they can't find what they aren't looking for. Obi-Wan senses something wrong, but it eludes him, because he doesn't know what it is. Both Jedi sense a disturbance while on Tatooine, but that is probably because Maul is looking for them, possibly using the Force. Again, they don't think of Sith because they don't know the Sith exist. "I don't believe the Sith could have returned without us knowing," says Mace Windu, but by the end of the movie he realizes (too late, alas) that Qui-Gon did fight a real live Sith on Tatooine, and again on Naboo. Whats a "vergence in the Force"? Perhaps this phrasing derives from the Latin "vergere" meaning to bend, and also to tend (converge is to tend toward one point, diverge is to tend away from). To illustrate how I thought this might work I propose the analogy of the physics concept of the warping of space-time near a singularity, an object of extreme density such as a black hole. Anakin possesses an extreme density of midichlorians - "over 20,000," perhaps warping the fabric of the Force in a noticeable way. Someone on QGJDL noted Mace Windu's surprised comment "around a person?" and suggested that if a vergence was not always around a person then the cave on Dagobah might be an example of a vergence centered on a place. What is "the will of the Force"? Good question. One answer is that it is the universal will, the natural tendency of the Star Wars universe toward balance of the Light and Dark. Another is that it is something like the will of God. It is not clear that the Force has a personality, however, so references to its "will" are a little puzzling. In the novelization of Star Wars: A New Hope, Obi-Wan says that the Force "is an energy field and something more.... An aura that at once controls and obeys. It is a nothingness that can accomplish miracles." The controlling aspect is presumably the will of the Force. What is "the balance of the Force"? Anakin is referred to as the Chosen One, "the one who will bring balance to the Force." Among Qui-Gons dying words were, of Anakin, "he will being balance..." George Lucas has stated that by his act of destroying Emperor Palpatine in ROTJ, Anakin achieves this goal. But what does this mean? The best (and most direct) answer comes in the PBS special, The Mythology of Star Wars with Bill Moyers and George Lucas, in which Lucas says TPM "is ultimately about the dark side and the light side and those sides are designed around compassion and greed. We all have those two sides of us, and we have to make sure those two sides are in balance." It is still unclear what this balance is, however, since if it is ultimately achieved by destroying evil, it seems only good remains. Maybe balance means that compassionate love prevails? One fan suggestion is that becoming and then defeating evil is Anakins personal destiny, and the struggle for balance is an ongoing one because real stability is never achieved. Perhaps in the time of the Old Republic (at the end of which period TPM is set), the Force is overbalanced toward the Light Side. In the time of the Empire (when the trilogy occurs), the Dark Side holds sway. At the end of ROTJ, the balance turns again back to the Light Side. The story doesnt end there, however. It continues to teeter forever between the two sides. Not everyone agrees with this analysis, some saying that they don't believe Lucas intended such ambiguity in the Star Wars universe, and that the Force is balanced only when it has shifted to the Light Side, citing as evidence that same Lucas statement that the Force is balanced when Anakin destroys the evil emperor. Why did Qui-Gon and the Jedi Council come into conflict over Anakin? The Masters on the Council are apparently more in tune with the Unifying Force than the Living, as they need to look at the big picture when deciding fates and missions, but this has caused them to lose touch with the moment-to-moment Living Force ways of Jedi like Qui-Gon Jinn. They cannot see past the sense of dread they get surrounding Anakin's future to see that Qui-Gon may ultimately be right. They're not bad, they just have a different point of view from Qui-Gon and may be a little too rule-bound as well. Although Mace Windu (and Yoda, for that matter) is rather condescending. The Terry Brooks novel describes Obi-Wan's thoughts: Qui-Gon's musings on Tatooine tell another side of the story: Apart from this, there are plot reasons for making the Council unsympathetic. Remember that all this is leading up to the fall of Anakin Skywalker. What makes Anakin turn to the Dark Side? We dont know for sure, but pay attention to Anakin in the Council scenes. He is established to have a great deal of emotional attachment to his mother and fear for her well-being, as well as for his own future. "Much fear I sense in you," Yoda says, and, "fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." The fact that we sympathize with Anakins antipathy toward the Council will be important in our ability to comprehend what makes him turn to the Dark Side. Why didnt Qui-Gon see, as Obi-Wan and the Jedi Council did, that Anakin was dangerous? (See above) Perhaps the Living Force to which he is devoted did not give him much insight into the future. Obi-Wan and the Jedi Council were in tune with the Unifying aspect, so they were looking at the future alone, not the present, and not the potential. By locking on something like the clouded future Anakin had, the Council did not give him the benefit of the doubt as Qui-Gon did. He saw Anakin in the present, being the Chosen One, freed from slavery and ready to be trained as a Jedi. His faith in the Living Force and in the prophecy of the Chosen One led him to look past any cloudiness to see that he must obey the Force and allow the Chosen One to fulfill the prophecy - no matter what that means. There are two published versions of the Code within the "expanded universe" of Star Wars books, and it's not clear how Qui-Gon has violated them, though Obi-Wan suggests that when he tells his master, "If you would follow the Code, you would be on the Council!": and However, George Lucas probably does not recognize either of these as the "real" Jedi code. The prequel films seem to imply that the Code involves more specific rules. What did Qui-Gon do to defy the Jedi Council, that Obi-Wan complains about? No specific event has been offered, though the sentence seems to imply there was at least one glaring incident where Qui-Gon managed to do something which defied the Council's wishes - and perhaps got them to agree with him. Reference Obi-Wan's next few lines: "They will not go along with you this time." We don't know what it was he did, though. It may be noted, however, that the tone of Qui-Gon's relationship with the Council (their hostility toward him, for lack of a better term) implies that he may have a history of doing things contrary to their wishes, "a bit of a loner, and a bit of a slight maverick," (Movietalk) as Liam Neeson says. And they are thinking perhaps, "here he goes again with the lost causes ." much as Obi-Wan remarked, "why do I sense we've picked up another pathetic life form?" In the novel, Obi-Wan muses that Jar Jar is, "another project that Qui-Gon, with his persistent disregard for the dictates of the Council, had determined had value," and allusions to Qui-Gon's taking on of causes "barely worthy of championing" is cited in several places. We are told in the novel that Qui-Gon's refusal to follow all the rules all the time caused him to be passed over for a seat on the Jedi Council, when he was otherwise qualified. Jedi Apprentice #7, The Captive Temple, by Jude Watson, which is set when Obi-Wan was 13 years old, ends with Qui-Gon defying the Council (though I won't give away the spoiler!). Why does Qui-Gon tell Obi-Wan, "we cant use our powers to help her" just before Queen Amidalas audience with Boss Nass? Early in the movie, Qui-Gon used the Jedi "mind trick" to convince Boss Nass to give him a transport and allow Jar Jar to go with the Jedi rather than be punished. Why doesnt he use the same method to ensure that the Gungans will help Queen Amidala fight the Trade Federations droid army? Perhaps because this would mean Qui-Gon would be personally responsible for placing thousands of Gungans in a situation in which many of them will surely be killed. Only their own leader has the right to make such a momentous decision for his people. Qui-Gon is probably acknowledging that it would be wrong for he and Obi-Wan to make the decision that the Gungans should go to war. It seems the Jedi only use their "mind trick" when negotiating small matters with beings whose minds are weak enough to bend. Another possible explanation for the line is that the assignment given to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan by Valorum may not have allowed for any more interference, or aid, on their part. Qui-Gon tells the Queen, "I can only protect you, I can't fight a war for you." Not necessarily just that this would be impossible, since it is only he and Obi-Wan, but that that was not why they had been sent, or asked to come. So, it may have something to do as well with the parameters of their mission. What is the significance of Qui-Gon's statement to Obi-Wan, "you are a wiser man than I"? That's a difficult question to answer. The first, and easiest answer is that Qui-Gon has enough wisdom and humility to recognize that his perspective is often problematic, that he has sometimes been wrong in the past, and that he has a great deal of resect for his Padawan. Qui-Gon, who in Liam Neeson's words has, "done a couple of things in the past that's made him a bit of a loner, and a bit of a slight maverick," (Movietalk) is not as diplomatic with the Jedi Council as Obi-Wan. Additionally, he seems to have a history of taking on causes others percieve as foolish, based on his instincts about a situation. He is being true to himself, but perhaps he has at least a small degree of doubt about the wisdom of such an exclusive dependence on the living Force. Whether such doubt is warranted is another story. In Jedi Apprentice The Dark Rival, it is pointed out that when "the student teaches the Master then the match is right.' Did Qui-Gon know Padme was really Queen Amidala before she revealed the deception? We're never told whether he did or didn't. To many, Qui-Gons and Obi-Wans subtle smiles signify either "weve been had" or "you know, I always sort of suspected " The Illustrated Screenplay says, of the scene in which Padme reveals herself to be the queen, "OBI-WAN and QUI-GON give each other a knowing look." Some feel that Neeson's subtle acting provides us with little hints that Qui-Gon might have known of the deception. The tone of voice he uses when saying, "The Queen doesn't need to know," plus his long backward glance, implies to some that he knew at that point (this also makes Padmes "you assume too much" ironic). There are some who point to similar (and even more ambiguous) evidence to claim that he knew as early as when Panaka told him the Queen ordered him to take her handmaiden along. So, the answer is a definite "maybe" leaning toward "probably." Was Qui-Gon an inferior/weak fighter? According to the official Phantom Menace novel by Terry Brooks, Qui-Gon is the best lightsabre fighter in the galaxy, even though he might have been getting a little past his prime (he is supposedly 60 years old). Many have asked why Qui-Gon seems so exhausted after fighting Darth Maul in the desert on Tatooine. One reason is that he (and Anakin) had just run all the way from the city of Mos Espa. Another is that Qui-Gon is recovering from the shock of meeting such a strong fighter "well trained in the Jedi arts" so unexpectedly. Remember, Qui-Gon believes the Sith to be extinct and has certainly never fought one. In the past he has usually only used his Jedi lightsabre skills to deflect blaster bolts and in practice fights against other Jedi who are not really trying to kill him. Darth Maul has probably never fought a Jedi in earnest either, though his training has probably been directed solely with that purpose in mind. Does Qui-Gon know he's going to die in the duel? We dont know. Probably not in any distinct sense, as he gives no indication of any particular foreboding and has an expression of surprise and grief when Maul hits him on the nose, stunning him, and then runs him through with his lightsabre. At some point, possibly when Obi-Wan is knocked off the catwalk, possibly later when Qui-Gon slows the pace of the fight by hesitating in the melting pit room, he may realize this fight is going to be to the death. The novelization seems very explicit that he didn't anticipate death, but he that distinctly realised the superiority of the other fighter over his aged reflex. There are various moments of dramatic foreshadowing in which Qui-Gons death is alluded to, most notably at the Skywalker dinner table when Anakin says, "no one can kill a Jedi!" and Qui-Gon wistfully responds, "I wish that were so," though this does not by any means imply foreknowledge on Qui-Gons part. Indeed, it is implied that Qui-Gons talents do not lie in knowledge of the future, a function of the unifying Force, but in intuitive knowledge, a function of the living Force. Qui-Gon's meditation between the force fields before the final meeting with Maul also implies to many a preparation for the possibility of death. While he is dying, does Qui-Gon use the "mind trick" on Obi-Wan in order to ensure that Obi agrees to training Anakin? This is a baseless rumor that has been tossed around by some Star Wars fans, who cite Qui-Gons affectionate touching of Obi-Wans cheek as evidence (akin to his hand wave for the mind tricks earlier in the movie). It has been argued in defense of Obi-Wan that he is certainly not "weak-minded" enough to be affected by the mind trick, but I dont think he really is in any state to resist anything as he holds his dying Master in his arms. Obi-Wan is clearly distraught. The best argument I can offer in regard to this is that it is simply unnecessary for Qui-Gon to resort to tricks. His Padawan bears him a tremendous amount of loyalty. They may not always agree, but in the end, the loyal Padawan is quite willing to defer to his Master, and remains loyal even after his death. Why doesn't Qui-Gon disappear when he dies as Old Ben Kenobi and Yoda did in the original trilogy? In the years between Episode I and Episode III, George Lucas, when asked the question, declined to give a straightforward answer, stating, "The Qui-Gon Jinn thing you will discover as time goes on. There is a whole issue around that and the ability to disappear. The key line to understanding this is when Ben Kenobi tells Darth Vader, "If you try to strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. So, that's a key line. And it'll be explained as we go along" (press conference). In Empire Magazine, he said, similarly, "one (question) that gets asked a lot is why doesn't Qui-Gon disappear like everybody else? That's a plot point that centres around Obi-Wan saying to Vader/Anakin in the first one, If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. There is an issue about the Force and that will be revealed." In Star Wars: The Annotated Screenplays George Lucas said, "one of the things (Old Ben Kenobi) was doing on Tatooine besides watching over Luke was learning how to keep his identity after he became part of the Force." In Episode III we learn that Qui-Gon in fact was the first Jedi to learn the secret to maintaining his identity in the Force after Death. However, George Lucas has explained that Qui-Gon's understanding of this technique was not complete enough to enable him to disappear or to later appear as a ghost. He is able to communicate with the living only as a voice in their minds. But after his death, Qui-Gon's understanding becomes much greater and he is able to tell the secret to Yoda and Obi-Wan, who spend their years in hiding learning from Qui-Gon and practicing the "contemplation and study" necessary to become Jedi ghosts. This is an important survival strategy for the Jedi; since there are so few left they must be able to stick around to advise future Jedi, like Luke! So why was Qui-Gon the one to make this extraordinary breakthrough? According to George Lucas and the Revenge of the Sith novelization, essentially because of his deep compassion. Another possible reason is that the living Force emphasizes the individual and keeping concentration focused here and now on one's own situation and presence--it may well be the key to maintaining identity within the Force, because it's the very essence of individuality. Many believe Qui-Gon's kneeling meditation between the laser walls at the end of his fight with Maul may have been a preparation for retaining his individuality after his possible death. Perhaps Vader's meditation scenes in The Empire Strikes Back are inspired by some combination of witnessing Obi-Wan's disappearance, and Qui-Gon communicating with him through the Force? We don't see Anakin disappear when he dies (Lucas has said this is because it "wouldn't make sense" for the armor to disappear), but he does of course appear at the end of Return of the Jedi as a ghost. What's Qui-Gon up to between Episodes I and III? In Rogue Planet, a 2001 Star Wars novel by Greg Bear set in between Episodes I and II, Obi-Wan seems to hear Qui-Gon's voice speaking to him: Obi-Wan turned his head and looked around the darkened cabin. That had sounded like Qui-Gon Jinn speaking, yet he had heard nothing. Nor had the boy made a sound. Strange that this did not disturb Obi-Wan more. "No, Master, I do not," Obi-Wan said to the empty air. "That is my strength." Qui-Gon would have debated that point fiercely. But there was no reply. (page 84) Later, Obi-Wan has doubts about Anakin and about whether his growing fatherly attachment is affecting his objectivity.Someone familiar seemed to stand at his shoulder, and lost in this un-Jedi emotion, self-critically, wonderingly, Obi-Wan murmured, "he is no different than any other child, is he?" Like a whisper, in reply, "To you, he is. And now you know." (page 204) On the next page, Anakin awakens."I dreamed I was with Qui-Gon," Anakin said. "He was teaching me something... I forget what." The boy smiled and stretched his arms. "He said to tell you hello. He said you're so hard to talk to." Anakin ran for the ship and stepped up onto the ledge of stone. Obi-Wan stood as if stunned by a blow, then set his jaw and followed his Padawan. (page 205) In 2002's Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones, Anakin lays waste to a camp of Tusken Raiders who killed his mother. Meanwhile, at the Jedi temple, Master Yoda is sitting in meditation when he senses the disturbance and seems to fleetingly hear Qui-Gon's voice crying out, "Anakin, No!" The voice seems to be the exact same one from the scene in Phantom Menace in which Darth Maul rides up behind Annie on a speederbike and Qui-Gon yells, "Anakin, drop!" -- not a new recording. I'm told that if you watch the film with subtitles it says "Qui-Gon: Anakin, no!" George Lucas told Starlog Magazine in 2002 when they asked about this scene: The 2004 Star Wars novel Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart, who is reported to have been given the entire Episode III script to read, reveals that Yoda and Qui-Gon have been talking for years. The book includes this conversation, discussing Dooku: There is the possibility that Qui-Gon's presence was weak immediately after his death, and progressively strengthened so that he became able to sometimes speak with his old friends, and eventually even to appear to them as a ghost or vision. This would be consistent with Old Ben Kenobi first connecting with Luke only as a voice. It was three years after the events of Star Wars: A New Hope that Ben first appeared visually to Luke, when he was lost in a snow storm on Hoth. Or perhaps it just took time for those whom the ghosts were communicating with to learn to perceive them. Qui-Gon is also mentioned in the Clone Wars series of cartoon shorts made for the Cartoon Network, for instance in Episode 21. Ain't It Cool News describes this episode: Where is Qui-Gon in Episode III? Back in 2000 when he was filming Gangs of New York, Liam Neeson told the Itallian newspaper La Repubblica, "I'm not in the cast of the next Episode 2, but I have heard I'll reappear in Episode 3. Since my death was unlike the death of the other Jedi I can still come back to life." The Episode III Novelization fleshes out details. In fact Qui-Gon has achieved a unique transcendence by becoming both "one with the Force" and remaining distinctly his individual self. He has achieved what the evil Sith had lusted after from ancient times--immortality. The Jedi had believed this to be impossible, but it turns out that only the living Force, the light of love, Qui-Gon's particular strength which made him a compassionate maverick in life, can achieve this transcendence. Qui-Gon has been communicating for the past 13 years with Yoda in particular, and to some smaller extent with Obi-Wan and Anakin. By the time of Episode III he can communicate clearly with his friends--and he can teach this skill to them. Near the end of Episode III, we see Yoda alone in a room on the planet of Polis Massa, peacefully intent in meditation--in fact he is communicating with Qui-Gon. Bail Organa enters and interrupts him: "Excuse me, Master Yoda...." Later Yoda says to Obi-Wan in a conference room on board the Alderaanian Starcruiser, "In your solitude on Tatooine, training I have for you." "Training?" Obi-Wan asks. "An old friend has learned the path to immortality. One who has returned from the netherworld of the Force: your old master." "Qui-Gon!" "How to commune with him, I will teach you."In the script, the meditation scene is thus: Later, on the Alderaan Starcruiser: In the Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover, the meditation scene is thus: Yoda tells Obi-Wan he won't be quite alone on Tatooine: It's not clear why Liam Neeson's voice was not included in the final film, or whether his voice part was ever recorded. George Lucas has implied it was his decision, perhaps a matter of editing. But one has to wonder whether Liam Neeson's feelings of ambivalence toward his involvement with the prequels entered into it (like many people, he apparently didn't think Episode I was a very good film). Liam did attend one of the Episode III Charity Premiers (where in fact a Qui-Gon Jinn Discussion List member attending in Qui-Gon costume had his picture taken with the actor by an Associated Press photographer), and has laid off badmouthing Star Wars during the Episode III publicity period. Some of us hold out hope that the voiceover was recorded, and will appear on the DVD version of the film. Even more casual fans have commented that they wish Qui-Gon had been included rather than only talked about. I'm disappointed, since I knew he was in the script and the novelization, and was expecting him to be in the movie. As to why Qui-Gon did not disappear when he died, or appear as a ghost, George Lucas has explained that Qui-Gon did not know the technique well enough during his lifetime to achieve these things, though he becomes able to teach it to Obi-Wan and Yoda. There is one concept image of ghost Qui-Gon, however! The painting by Eric Tiemens appears on page 95 of The Art of Revenge of the Sith and depicts Obi-Wan at the bottom of the Utapau sinkhole. It's titled "Sinkhole Grotto (Obi-Wan & Qui-Gon)," and shows Obi-Wan with his saber blazing in a blue-green grotto draped in moss, on the shore of a small pool of water. On the opposite side of the water, the ghost of Qui-Gon blazes bright neon green with a blue haze around it. He looks like the Virgin of Lourdes or the Lady of the Lake, it made me laugh. The caption quotes Tiemens: "Iain (Mccaig) said, 'Wouldn't it be great to see an apparition of Qui-Gon while Obi's down in the cave, giving him guidance?' The painting wasn't used in the story, though." Bless you, Iain (he's a friend and mentor of my boyfriend and knows very well how much I was looking forward to seeing Qui-Gon--though whether that has anything to do with why the painting came into being, I have no idea). ;-) Have comments? Corrections? Additions? firstname.lastname@example.com |


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Book your room at Baan Nilrath Hotel
Hotel in Hua Hin near Hua Hin Railway Station
Located in the heart of Hua Hin, this hotel is near the beach and within walking distance of Pone Kingpetch Statue, Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, and Hua Hin Railway Station. Also nearby are Hua Hin Night Market and Klai Kangwon Palace.
Hotel Features
In addition to a restaurant, Baan Nilrath Hotel features an outdoor pool. Other amenities include a coffee shop/café and complimentary wireless Internet access.
Room Amenities
Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Guestrooms also feature complimentary wireless Internet access, refrigerators, and air conditioning.
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We are finally done building a very large garapa deck after 2 years. There are 3 different conditions of garapa which I am trying to prep for staining.
1) new unfinished wood which is gray. 2) older finished wood (which is in shade) that has been cleaned with EFC-38 and Citralic, but still has moderate tint in the wood. 3)oldest wood which has been stained and is mostly failing, with some gray. I started with EFC on the new gray wood and it did not remove the gray. I then tried it with EFC and gentle powerwashing, with no change. I then tried EFC with more aggressive power washing on two boards, and it did remove the gray, but it raised the grain. I have been told that all I need to do is put the Citralic on the boards and the gray will "go away". This does not make sense to me, because I can see how the board looks when the powerwasher actually removed the gray vs the other gray boards. I thought it was the EFC which removed the gray. I don't want to just brighten the gray wood and paint over it do I?
I bought some HD-80 for the wood which is cleaned, but still has a strong tint. I was told that the HD-80 will help take the tint out. Since the oldest wood has some gray in it, I am not sure how to proceed. EFC-38 or HD-80? Light power-washer? I would really hate to resand because in total it is about 1200 sq ft. I sanded it in stages as we built, and it about killed my 53 y/o back. Thanks for some suggestions. |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by john_hyatt (My Page) on Thu, Jun 18, 09 at 18:06
EFC 38 is mild a stripper,md 80 is a real strong stripper. They both require an oxalic acid wash to complete the process. If you dont put on an acid wash you wont see the results of your work. Not sure what you mean by taking the tint out I am thinking this decking was never finished. I never use a power washer on a deck. If in fact you never put a finish on the Garapa there is no need to use md 80. After the EFC 38 has been on for a few min say 15 min or so its time to scrub it off then rinse it off real well then put on the acid wash and rinse it off real well. Dry time put on the finish. J. |
- Posted by gilbert_2007 (My Page) on Thu, Jun 18, 09 at 22:01
Thanks John for your response. I have enjoyed your posts over the past 2 years. I can put the citralic acid on the boards, but will I just be brightening the gray wood? The gray didn't seem to come up with just the EFC. The "tinted" boards were stained last year, but are mostly in the shade and still look pretty good. The problem is that they are only half of the porch, and the other half is the grayed new untouched garapa that is in the full sun. I wanted to stain both with woodrich wiping stain and have them look the same. Will the HD-80 strip the tint off the boards, so that they will not look darker than the new boards? |
- Posted by john_hyatt (My Page) on Thu, Jun 18, 09 at 22:18
Gil,,,,its a two part system the brightner wont work with out the stripper and the reverse is true. There is no reason to use HD 80 that is for taking off behr or thmposons or ato or some of the other junk on the market ghesssssss. Just use the efc and the brightner, do some scrubing with a deck brush or some hand work and let it dry/ put on the finish. All the decking is not going to look the same right away. Finish the thing and leave it alone for a while. J |
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text: JB sits in front of his workbench. He wonders how he can make uplifting music and include a dirty bassline. How does he do this? I will tell you... He does not sleep for four days straight! He eats lots of sugar food stuff and he drinks copious red bull.


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Found the same room at a different price? Tell us, and we'll offer to match it.
Baystone Boutique Hôtel & Spa
Overlooking the magnificent turquoise waters of Grand-Baie, a spectacular Indian Ocean view is the setting for this site.
Baystone Boutique Hotel & Spa is a luxury 5-star establishment whose distinctive, modern design is orchestrated in discrete, light tones, from the outside façade to the custom-made furnishings.
You will enjoy the extreme comfort of the suites. Spacious and light, they are perfectly in harmony with the general style of the hotel. They all have a fitted terrace and look onto the sea.
In addition to highly personalised and attentive service, refined cuisine and top of the range products, the spa is definitely the hotel's strong point. It offers a peaceful setting, conducive to well-being of body and soul. "The point d'orgue is the floating tank, the only one in Mauritius; for a moment of absolute relaxation, treat yourself to an original session."
From relaxed luxury to intimate and elegant atmosphere, Baystone Boutique hotel & Spa possesses all the right ingredients to make your stay an exceptional break.


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"This was AMAZING! I've been vegetarian for almost 10 years, and have searched and searched for a good veg meatloaf recipe to no avail until now because this is it! Everyone in my family loved it, despite some of us not really loving mushrooms. But I chopped them up really small vs. just slicing them. I used short grain brown rice, which I thin..."
"Made these tonight with leftover bananas and yellow squash that is exploding in the garden. We all LOVED them, and they will be a great lunch box snack w/out much sugar. Used whole wheat pastry flour, and it worked great. Thank you for a great recipe!"
"Loved this recipe! Only had black beans on hand, so used them instead of kidney beans, and it was great. Didn't add green pepper at DH doesn't like it. Great recipe - thanks!"
"DH and I loved these noodles! We used dried chiles to taste and added carrots as well. Thanks for a great recipe!"
"This is a very easy recipe that I took to a potluck tonight and everyone LOVED it. I didn't add the sour cream (I don't like how it bakes) but served it on the side and also w/ gaucamole. Doubling the recipe worked great in a 9x13 pan, and it was eaten before anything else on the potluck tabel!"
"Made these with spinach tortillas for a Chrismtas party, and they were eaten before everything else! Super simple, and easy to prep the day before. I just cut them right before serving. Definitely easy, and definitely a make-again!"


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GOD'S WORD Translation (GW) | New International Version (NIV) |
35 God, the God of Israel, is awe-inspiring in his holy place. He gives strength and power to his people. Thanks be to God! | 35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! |
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (God's Word Translation -Online Bible) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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Currently you can buy Paula's Choice products directly from this site and a few top-rated products from other brands are available via links to affiliate websites. We review and recommend products from other brands because we are dedicated to helping you find the best products for your skin, whether they're from Paula's Choice or other lines.
Paula's Choice products are formulated using the same exacting standards we use to review products from other brands.
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This water-soluble cleanser would be a much gentler option for all skin types if it didn't contain fragrance and fragrance chemicals known to cause irritation. Sothys boasts of their thermal spa water being great for skin, but if that's the case, why don't they include this allegedly special water in all of their cleansers and products? The company maintains this cleanser doesn't need to be rinsed, but it contains several ingredients that are best if not left on skin.
Cleansing made simple and soothing, Sothys Paris Velvet Cleansing Water smoothes supple moisture onto the skin as it removes all makeup and impurities. It contains natural Thermal Spa Water for the most gentle and beneficial cleanse without the need for rinsing.
Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Peg-8, Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Triethanolamine, Fagus Sylvatica Extract, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geraniol
We have to admit we weren't looking forward to reviewing this line. We've been aware of Sothys for some time, and over the years many women have asked us what we thought of it. We don't ever mind being asked what we think of a product line, but in this case it was the way we were asked that we found depressing. Somehow this spa-oriented line has developed an almost reverent reputation for being a superior skin-care line.
A question would go like this, "What do you think of Sothys?" We would reply, "Not much, the formulas are either out of date or contain problematic ingredients and the price tag is silly for what you get." Inevitably, the response would be, "Really? I thought it was one of the best lines around … it's French, you know?" Sigh. Yes, we do know. But …
Despite a long French-heritage, dating back to 1946, this spa-oriented brand with a vast array of products doesn't deserve a reputation for being anything other than an overpriced spa brand to avoid.
Most of Sothys skin-care formularies are so far behind the times that using them is akin to using a typewriter instead of a computer—the formulations are as ordinary and mundane as it gets. Almost all their moisturizers lack any reasonable amount of antioxidants, skin-identical ingredients, or cell-communicating ingredients. Also consider that there are no effective products for those struggling with blemishes or blackheads, despite their claims. It is astounding that in a line with dozens of facial moisturizers (most with repetitive formulas), not a single one includes a sunscreen. How can this brand be so incredibly blind to the number one cause of wrinkles and skin aging? If they aren't aware of the critical importance of sun protection, then how much do you want to trust them in any other aspect of helping your skin?
Sothys makes much ado about the training it provides to aestheticians. Not having attended any of their classes, we can't speak specifically to the content of what they teach, but if their products are even vaguely representative of what they inculcate, woe to those aestheticians who rely on Sothys as their source of skin-care education.
When all is said and done, and you've gotten past the smoke and mirrors, nothing else matters if you don't have well-formulated products, sunscreens, exfoliants, acne products, options for rosacea and sensitive skin, and/or reasonable pricing. And that's where Sothys falls flat on its scrubbed, steamed, masked, and spa "purified" face.
For more information about Sothys Paris, call (305) 594-4222 or visit www.sothys-usa.com.
Note: Several names on Sothys Web site and other sites retailing this brand list one name on the product page and another on the product itself. In our reviews we list the name on the product itself.
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The meaning of the name Amadeus is Love Of God | |
The origin of the name Amadeus is Latin | |
Notes: Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart, composer. "Amadeus" is a film and broadway musical based on the life of Mozart. | |
People who like the name Amadeus also like: Atticus, Asher, Gabriel, Alexander, Elijah, Aiden, Alastair Aurora, Ava, Alice, Arabella, Adelaide, Amelia, Charlotte |


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South Oxfordshire's Spiritual Shop
We will continue to run workshops and events though
so please join us on our Facebook page
Welcome. You'll find yourself in an oasis of peace and wellbeing in South Oxfordshire, and only stone's throw from Berkshire, 45minutes from both Oxford and London.
You'll find Crystals, minerals, jewellery, gifts, greetings cards, books, incense, essential oils, Tarot & Angel Cards and things unusual. If there's something you're looking for and we don't currently have it, we will do our utmost to find it for you. Here's also where to book your place on any of the events that are lined up for you. Browse through them and then use the contact form to reserve your place, - Welcome! 3 High Street
Goring on Thames Oxfordshire RG8 9AT 01491 872333 Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 til 17.00 Sunday 11.00 til 15.00 |
Upcoming Events
Please check regularly as new events are being added all the time.
December 2013
Wednesday 4th - Healing For Healers Friday 6th - Late Night Shopping Evening. Monday 9th - Open Meditation Thursday 19th - Pagan Festivals: A Celebration of Yule Monday 23rd - Open Meditation Festive Get-together January 2014 Saturday 4th - CLOSED (Wassailing) Wednesday 8th - Healing For Healers Monday 13th - Open Meditation Saturday 18th - Aura Photography Friday 24th - Moot Monday 27th - Open Meditation February 2014 Wednesday 5th - Healing For Healers Monday 10th - Open Meditation Thursday 13th - Healing with Sound Friday 21st - Moot Monday 24th - Open Meditation March 2014 Wednesday 5th - Healing For Healers Monday 10th - Open Meditation Thursday 13th - Sound Healing with Gabriella Kapfer Saturday 15th - Cord Cutting and Aura Cleansing Saturday 15th - Waters of The World Thursday 20th - Pagan Festival - Monday 24th - Open Meditation Thursday 27th - TBA "...you do such fabulously interesting things at The Spiral Oak....I just wish, wish, wish I lived nearby." ~ PL


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LED technology in cars – Application of LEDs in car headlights
Today we will discuss LED technology in cars. Louie who is an car expert and marketeer will give us a short walkthrough of how LEDs seen in car headlights actually came into being and the applications of it in the car market industry.
Cars have been around for more than a hundred years and have been getting better all the while. One would think that with all this development most refinements now would be marginal. But every now and then exciting new technologies emerge that bring about whole new possibilities. And this is what LED headlights are set to do.
Image credit: LED Lamps Blog
But you may ask why LED technology in cars are having such a big impact all of a sudden. After all LEDs have been around for decades. And LED tail lights themselves have been around for a long time now. Well you would have noticed that LEDs were around for a long time before they found use as light sources for tail lights. And the time taken to be used as a light source for headlights has been even longer. This is because the amount of light, LEDs could produce was too low earlier for use in automotive lighting.
And since tail lights require a less intense beam than a headlight, LEDs were used only in tail lights. But now since the advancement of LED technology in cars, they are just about achieving the levels of luminosity required for headlights.
One challenge that has to be overcome for use of LEDs as headlights is heat dissipation. LED headlights do not generate heat at the front as incandescent lamp based lights do, but they do generate significant amounts of heat at the back. And if this is not effectively dissipated then that can lead to damage to the headlights and other components in the vicinity.
But as technology develops these challenges are being overcome. The advantages of having LEDs as a light source are great which is a big incentive for the research. For example LED headlights can have banks of LEDs pointed to the side which will light up when the car is turning towards that side.
Image credit: BMW.com
That is a simple and elegant way of having cornering lights. LEDs also last longer, can withstand vibrations better and are economical once they reach mass production levels. They are already very successful as LED tail lights and already major upmarket car manufacturers are now offering LED headlights.
Have a thought to share about led technology in cars? Please comment below!
This is a guest post by Louie Liu. Louie has been in the car aftermarket products industry for over 7 years. He enjoys being able to make people enjoy reading about technical products such as body kits & other car aftermarket products. You can learn more about car aftermarket products at his site www.ilovebodykits.com.
If you are interested in writing for us, then please check our guest posting guidelines.
- driving instructor training
Remember, if you can't see well enough to drive, pull off of the road completely and turn off every light in your car. Drivers have a tendency to drift toward light when visibility is limited because of their compromised depth perception.
- Headlights
I hope you can elaborate LED technology so that readers and most especially car owners will want this technology to their cars. Thank you so much.


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Pingback by Lake Anjikuni: Village vanishes — July 2, 2008 @ 6:51 am
[...] Lake Anjikuni: Village vanishes In the winter of 1930 an incident took place in Canada. A trapper named Arnaud Laurent and his son observed a strange light crossing the northern sky. It appeared to be heading toward the area of Lake Anjikuni. The trappers described the object as cylinder shaped or bullet shaped. Joe Labelle, another trapper, was visiting [...] [...]
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Any Big Green Egg users out here? Now that I've returned my Virco Stainless, I've been thinking about the Big Green Egg instead of going back to a Weber Genesis.
Any thoughts? Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
Why did you return your Virco? |
Disregard my last post. I found your other post about why you are unhappy. |
- Posted by GrillMeister (My Page) on Tue, Aug 12, 03 at 8:32
Well, I went and bought a large Big Green Egg last week after taking my Virco/Kirkland back to Costco. I was debating over getting the Egg or a Weber Summit. The local dealer let me borrow the video tape that comes with each egg and after viewing it, I was convinced the Big Green Egg would be my next grill/smoker. I've grilled/smoked every day for the last 6 days (sometimes twice) and still have not finished a 10# bag of lump hardwood charcoal. It's extremely efficient and my first brisket smoked low and slow for 8 hours without much effort on my part. See the link below for some pics of brisket, ribs, chicken, and trout. I have also grilled the best steaks ever on my egg. The amount of time needed was less than 20 minutes from starting the egg to putting nicely seared 2" medium-rare ribeyes on the plate. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Pics of Big Green Egg BBQs
- Posted by little_rhody (My Page) on Sun, Oct 26, 03 at 23:27
Are you still happy with your egg? i'm thinking of getting one. thanks, carolyn |
- Posted by GrillMeister (My Page) on Tue, Oct 28, 03 at 10:17
I'm so happy, I now own 3 of them. Two large eggs and one small. This lets me cook something low and slow for 18 to 20 hours, and still lets me cook other things at the same time. The small is great for quick things, but I purchased it mainly to take on picnics and camping. I have never had so much fun smoking/grilling and the food turns out absolutly fantastic. I've cooked everything from 20 hour brisket and pulled pork, to smoked salmon, bratwurst, stuffed Jalapenos, chicken, & more. Check out my link below for some pics of what I've cooked on the Big Green Egg. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Big Green Egg Food Compilation
Anyone have any thoughts on the comparative virtues? |
How many 3-4 lb chicken can fit on the lrg BGE? |
Just a very late followup regarding the Kamado.. I just took delivery of a K7 last weekend and have cooked in it several times now (still in the break-in period) and currently have a pork butt and briskett going on it (at 210 degrees) that will take about 18-20 hours.. I've completely fallen in love with this thing.. I've already taken my two older grills and put them on the side yard.. Anyway, if you want something that's bigger and has thicker ceramic walls (meaning that it holds heat better) over the BGE, then I'd go for the Kamado.. I should be able to do a nice low-n-slow of the above meats for >20 hours easily with a single bag of charcoal lump (Cowboy brand in this case for now). |
I've been using my BGE (large size) for 2 weeks and love it, however, I have not been able to get the temp over 600F. Any suggestions? Thanks. |
snookie83, Post that question over on the BGE forum (www.greeneggers.com) if you have not already done so and you will surely got more responses. While 600F should be plenty to sear a steak, if you are not getting over that it is your fire. Check to make sure your grate holes are open and not clogged with coal dust. Use good quality lump and start your fires on the outside of the coal ring in multiple spots. My understanding, from reading the various Kamando style cooker forums, is that the center gets a bit better airflow so that starting the fire on the rim encourages more of the fuel to ignite more quickly as the fire travels to the center. Good luck. |
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text: Bruce Mooty, shown in the lobby of Gray Plant Mooty's downtown Minneapolis offices, says he didn't plan to be the firm's co-managing partner at this point in his career. His return to the role was prompted by unexpected events. (Staff photo: Bill Klotz) Gray Plant Mooty: Team culture, deep roots By: Elizabeth Ahlin February 6, 2014 0 Bruce Mooty and his firm were forced to rethink their management structure after losing leader Tamara Olsen. Subscribe Login User Name/E-mail: Password: Already a paid subscriber but not registered for online access yet? For instructions on how to get premium web access, click here.Forgot your password? Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLinkedInTwitterGoogle +1 3:22 pm Thu, February 6, 2014 Minnesota Lawyer Elizabeth Ahlin