text: Show Information 2012 What do we take to shows? Please note that we can no longer take our entire range to show - there is just far too much of it. Here is a list of what we do take to shows: SAGA Warband box sets SAGA re-enforcement blisters SAGA, Northern Fury and Raven's Shadow books SAGA LBMS shield transfers & banners Army Painter products including new Warpaints range Renedra plastic bases & accessories Gripping Beast plastic Viking Hirdmen & Saxon Thegns Musketeer Miniatures (Complete WW1 BEF, WW1 Russian, and Interwar Period (VBCW) ranges plus selected parts of the Arabs, Goths, Early Saxons, Late Romans & Great Northern War ranges.) If what you're after is not on this list then PLEASE PRE-ORDER to avoid disappointment. |


text: Arlington schedules services based on available cemetery and military resources. On average, we conduct between 27 and 30 funeral services each week day, eight of which are services with military honors consisting of a military escort, band and caisson if available. There are up to six committal services with military honors an hour, five times a day. Saturday services are also available for placements and services for cremated remains that do not require military honors or military chaplain support. On average, we conduct between 8 and 10 services on Saturdays. We receive approximately 32 new requests a day to schedule a service at Arlington National Cemetery. This is in addition to requests for information and changes for services that we are working to schedule.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Let me start with the obvious – there's a tremendous amount of buzz around Big Data.
According to this Forbes article,
Big Data is now deep into the hype phase of the innovation cycle. All the classic signs are there: you can eat buffet dinners all 52 weeks a year at Big Data conferences, Big Data tag lines are now common in emails from industry analysts, and even investment bankers are tossing around the phrase.
Does this mean that there's little substance beneath the hype?
Not at all. While the hype level may be ahead of reality, there are many concrete, specific examples of how to get value from Big Data. Part of the problem is that in-the-trenches Big Data practitioners are not saying and writing more. Maybe because they are busy doing the work!
Following Gandhi's famously misquoted advice, let me try to "be the change I want to see in this world"
Here are two specific ways in which CQuotient helps retail marketers get value from Big Data.
Recommendation engines often use some form of collaborative filtering ("people who bought this also bought that" algorithms, in plain English). In retail businesses where the average customer visits a few times a year and the product assortment changes several times during the year (e.g., apparel, fashion, consumer electronics), collaborative filtering often breaks down because there's not that much in common between people's literal purchases.
But by switching from products to product attributes, it is possible to better connect the dots. You and I may not have ever bought the exact same shirt, but we both may like pinpoint button-downs. Knowing this helps us use our data for each other's benefit. Sounds great, right? But where do attributes like button-downs come from?
They come from text-mining Big Data from unstructured product descriptions, product reviews, Facebook posts, tweets and the like. A nice bonus here is that we can do this without taxing the retailer's already stretched in-house databases, IT or marketing teams.
Building models to predict customer behavior is nothing new. But the predictive accuracy of such models can be increased substantially by adding hundreds of variables gleaned from Big Data sources, especially website logs.
Extracting these variables from massive quantities of web log data is hard and requires tools like – you guessed it! – Hadoop. And building predictive models with hundreds of such variables across tens of millions of customers is much harder still!
We have had to invent and build our own tools to make this level of machine-learning and predictive modeling possible. But it is absolutely worth it since the needle moves nicely when you go to all this trouble.
In the examples above, incorporating Big Data helps us solve a problem better than we otherwise could. That's why we care about Big Data. As simple as that.


text:
We use cookies to optimise your experience on Travelzoo. By using our website, you are agreeing to allow this. For more information, see our Privacy & Cookie Policy »
Click Buy Now," then click "Buy Now" again on desired tournament to purchase tickets. Click "Find Tickets" next to desired Doubleheader. Enter code TRAVEL in the "Promotions and Special Offers" box, select number of tickets and valid price level ($35 for 2K Sports Classic or $41 for Progressive Legends Classic) and click "Find Tickets." Discount will be reflected after price level is chosen. Enter word verification and click "Continue." Verify seat selection and click "Continue" then choose delivery method and click "Continue." Log in or create a new account to complete purchase. An $8.45-$10 per ticket and $5.25 per order (Progressive Legends Classic only) fee applies. Full-priced tickets are subject to the same fees.


text:
Now THAT'S a daring runway look! Prabal Gurung's show at New York Fashion Week on Feb. 8 took an interesting turn when a man in a g-string snuck on stage and joined the models on the catwalk. Watch the wild moment below!
There are always some wild moments on the runways at Fashion Week in New York City, but this one might take the cake. Prabal Gurung's show on Feb. 8 had a shock when a ballsy (pun intended) streaker crashed the party.
Streaker Shocks NYFW At Prabal Gurung Fashion Show
While stunning female models strutted down the runway showing off Prabal's Fall 2014 line, a man wearing a gold crown, a leopard-print thong, red tub socks, and NOTHING ELSE, snuck in line for a brief moment, giving everyone a look at his bare butt before security was able to chase him off stage.
As the streaker (hilariously) tried to blend in with the models, the girls admirably continued to showcase Prabal's gorgeous line, even though a man's butt (among other things) was bouncing in their faces. Even as the streaker ran all over the catwalk trying to evade security, the models kept on walking unfazed.
Prabal Gurung Streaker Hits Twitter
And because this is how we live, there is already a Twitter account for the Prabal Gurung Streaker. Here are a few of his best tweets so far:
Pardon my perfectly perky, rosy cheeks.
— PrabalGurungStreaker (@PGStreaker) February 8, 2014
I'm feeling perky today.
— PrabalGurungStreaker (@PGStreaker) February 8, 2014
I'm gonna need a bigger crown.
— PrabalGurungStreaker (@PGStreaker) February 8, 2014
Because the streaker didn't appear to be dangerous, or protesting something crazy, we're totally on board with this (if only we could explain the streaker's fashion choices, though). New York Fashion Week is all about taking risks, and it's safe to say this guy took a HUGE one. Check it out below.
WATCH: Streaker Disrupts Prabal Gurung Fashion Show
– Andrew Gruttadaro
More Streaking News:
- Presidents Cup Streaker — See Photos Of The Nude Golf Course Crasher
- Female Streaker Crashes Golf Course At The Presidents Cup
- MTV EMAs: Hayden Panettiere & Naked Guy Present On Stage!
View Comment
Posted at 10:52 AM on February 9, 2014
.Are you still single ? You are not alone. Free join~~~ ♥ MixedLuv.Çom ♥ ~~ Millions of singles have joined it.. This is a Serious interracial dating site for black and white singles seeking relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more. Single black people meeting single white people is why we are here.With the background verification system, you can easily find someone real, serious, quality. Have a try.
Check out the mega bonuses *** FREE UNLIMITED LEADS ***
Turn $12 BECOMES $4000 PER WEEK! 100% Profitable!!
Get immediate access to our entire course
right now to discover an easy system
that will give you the potential
to make… $300 A Day and even more!
Posted at 11:31 PM on February 8, 2014


text:
Several Senators have launched attacks to block the Environmental Protection Agency from reducing air pollution. Urge your Senators to vote against any proposals to block the EPA from doing its job of protecting the public from air pollution. |
Copyright © 2006. All rights reserved.
While all the organizations participating in the Save Our Environment Action Center share the common goal of
protecting the environment, individual groups can, and sometimes do, differ in their approaches to specific issues.


text:
Bruschetta |
Tomato - 2 (Roma)
Basil - 2 stems ( 8 to 10 leaves)
garlic cloves - 4 or 5
Olive Oil - 1 tsp
salt - 1/2 tsp
black pepper - 1/4 tsp
Baguette or French Bread - 1
Olive Oil - 1 tsp
Tomato Basil Topping:
Grill the tomatoes on stove. I have used my pulka pan to get the indirect heat. You will see the tomatoes skin wilts and gets burnt slightly. Then remove from heat and peal the skin carefully.
Cut into half and round your knife around in one portion take out the seeds and juice. (That's why Roma tomatoes are best for this recipe than Cluster Tomatoes). Now dice the tomato and add to the bowl. Add the minced Garlic and mix well. Add salt, black pepper and finely chopped basil leaves. Add olive oil and mix it well and close the lid and set aside.
Tomato and Basil Topping |
Assembling on Bread:
Now it's bread time.:-) Italian Baguette Bread would be perfect for this recipe. If you don't have that handy or in your near grocery store, don't get disappoint, you can use any French Bread as well.
Preheat the oven to 400 F or 200 C.
Slice the Bread Diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. |
Brush one side with olive oil. |
Place the Oil side down and arrange the slices on cookie sheet. And place this on the top rack of oven. |
Keep them in the oven for 5-6 minutes and Remove this from oven, now the bread becomes crisper with golden edges. |
Now turn the bread slices and Place one spoon of Tomato Basil Topping on the olive oil side and Serve immediately. |
- Instead of burning the tomatoes on stove top you can par boil them by dropping in hot boil water to remove the skin easily. I always like char-coal grill vegetables, so I have burned to get that effect in my recipe.
- If you are taking this to potluck, take the toasted bread in air-tight container and seal the topping in a box. Just top the bread with the topping before you serve them.
- If you arrange them ahead of time, the topping makes the breads soggy and ruins the taste of that crisp Bruschetta.


text:
The Strain
2009 first edition hardback cover
Author | |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Horror novel |
Publisher | William Morrow |
Publication date
June 2, 2009 |
Media type | Print, audio |
Pages | 401 |
Followed by | The Fall |
The Strain is a 2009 vampire horror novel by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It is the first installment in The Strain Trilogy, and was followed by The Fall (2010) and The Night Eternal (2011).
Del Toro first envisioned the story line as a television series, but was unable to find a buyer for the series.[1] An agent then suggested turning the story into a series of books with writer Chuck Hogan.[1] A television adaptation is currently airing on FX.
A Boeing 767-300ER arrives at JFK and is taxiing its way across the tarmac when it suddenly stops. All window shades are closed except one, the lights are out, and communication channels have gone silent. An alert is sent to the CDC. Dr. Ephraim "Eph" Goodweather, head of the CDC Canary project, a rapid-response team that handles biological threats, is assigned and sent to investigate. Goodweather and Dr. Nora Martinez board the plane, finding everyone except four people dead. In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, former history professor and Holocaust survivor Abraham Setrakian knows something terrible has happened and that an unnatural war is brewing. So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected the passengers begins spilling out onto New York City's streets. Dr. Goodweather, who is joined by Setrakian and a small band of fighters, desperately tries to stop the contagion to save the city, and also his wife and son.
Dr. Ephraim Goodweather[edit]
Head of the CDC's rapid-response team, the Canary Project, Eph is a newly divorced father attempting to balance the custody battle over his son Zack with his duties as an epidemiologist. He and his Canary team are first-responders to the Boeing 767 disaster, and are tasked with solving the mystery of the mass casualty. Unable to reconcile the symptoms of the newly infected airline passengers with standard disease pathology, Eph is convinced of the reality of vampires by Abraham Setrakian. Discredited at the CDC by the vampires' human conspirators, Dr. Goodweather finds himself a fugitive from both the human authorities and the undead. The need to protect his son drives Eph's every action.
Dr. Nora Martinez[edit]
A skilled epidemiologist, Nora is second in command of the Canary Project. She and Eph have been attempting an office romance with mixed success, complicated by their high-stress medical careers and Goodweather's lingering melancholy over his looming divorce. Nora quickly dedicates herself to uncovering the vampire conspiracy, and is determined not to be relegated to doing the "woman's work."
Professor Abraham Setrakian[edit]
As an Armenian Jew who escaped the Treblinka extermination camp during the Second World War, Setrakian became aware of, then unwittingly tied to the Master as a young artisan during his time at the camp. He then dedicated his life to hunting down the Vampiric scourge for more than six decades. Wielding an ancient silver sword with hands nearly crippled from his first encounter with the Master, Setrakian is an expert on vampire biology and destruction, and recruits Eph and Nora to his cause. His determination and will are strong, but his weak heart has become an obstacle to his lifelong quest.
The Master[edit]
As revealed in the trilogy's conclusion, the Master is one of the seven vampire propagators born from the blood of the fallen angel Ozryel. Known as the archangel of death, Ozryel became consumed by bloodlust after being sent to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness before he was punished with his body severed into seven pieces. Ozryel's throat, from which the Master was spawned, was placed somewhere in the Thousand Islands at Lake Ontario. Though he held a truce with the other "Ancient Ones", the Master intended to take over human civilization. By the time of his arrival in New York, having spent nearly a millennia in Europe in various host bodies, the Master inhabited the body of Jusef Sardu, a 19th-century Romanian nobleman afflicted with gigantism who was a "gentle giant" in life. Through the cooperation of Eldritch Palmer, promising the dying billionaire immortality, the Master has gained unlimited financial and political power to ensure the commencement of his "night eternal" by causing a nuclear winter that allows only a few hours of sunlight per day. By the events of The Night Eternal, the Master transferred himself into the body of Gabriel Bolivar, a rock star who was among his initial victims when he arrived in New York. The Master plots to condition Dr. Ephraim Goodweather's son Zack to be his next host. But once the location of Ozryel's throat is revealed, and after the Master's son Mr. Quinlan brings the ashes of the Ancient Ones there, the resistance group destroys the island. The Master's strain is eradicated as a reconstituted Ozryel is allowed to return to Heaven.
Among the Master's undead acolytes is Thomas Eichhorst, a former Nazi commandant of the Treblinka extermination camp that Setrakian was held at.
Vasiliy Fet[edit]
An exterminator of Ukrainian ancestry working for the New York City Bureau of Pest Control, Fet's occupation soon leads to his discovery of the truth about vampires while working in a derelict building. Reaching Eph through a professional connection at the CDC, the exterminator lends both his skills as a vermin hunter and his powerful physique to Setrakian and Goodweather's cause. Loyal and unwaveringly brave, he becomes a surrogate son to the old professor.
Augustin Elizalde[edit]
A Mexican gang member fresh out of prison, Gus is attacked by a newly turned vampire on the streets of Times Square and is subsequently arrested by the police after throwing the creature under a truck. Learning the truth about vampires from a temporarily incarcerated Setrakian, Gus escapes confinement and finds himself to be a natural vampire slayer on the streets of his tenement neighborhood. Recruited by the other Ancients as a "day hunter" against the Master's exponentially spreading hordes, Gus assembles a rag-tag band of fighters, including aged luchador Angel and silver-toothed gangster Alfonso Creem.
In the television adaption, Gus's motives are altered to having played an unknowing role in the Master's arrival in New York with the promise of his criminal record erased and his mother not be deported. But after witnessing his mother and brother turned into vampires, Gus became a vampire hunter.
Eldritch Palmer[edit]
One of the richest men in the world, Eldritch Palmer craves the one thing that all his money cannot buy: immortality. The elderly tycoon's fear of death leads him to make a pact with the Master, trading his vast fortune, political influence, and the fate of the human race in exchange for an undead place at the vampire king's side. (His name is an in-joke reference to the 1965 novel The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick)[citation needed].
Dr. Everett Barnes[edit]
As the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, Barnes is Eph and Nora's direct superior. Skilled in the politics and media aspects of the medical industry, he is a shrewd bureaucrat who carefully maintains a quaint, "country doctor" image. His insistence upon wearing a Navy style Public Health Service uniform, combined with his white goatee, make him resemble a combat-decorated Colonel Sanders (although, his dialogue makes him sound like a cross between Fred Dalton Thompson and C. Everett Koop).
Kelly Goodweather[edit]
Eph's estranged wife and current opponent in a drawn-out custody battle over their only son, Kelly is a public school teacher and fiercely protective mother, pulling no punches in her attempt to paint her husband as the less suitable parent. Eph constantly worries about the growing influence of her milquetoast live-in boyfriend, Matt, on their son Zack. But when the Master begins sending out his followers, Kelly ends up becoming infected and becoming a means for the Master to track down Goodweather and the resistance.
Mr. Quinlan[edit]
Known as "the Born", Mr. Quinlan is a rare human/vampire hybrid and the son of the Master who is the Ancients' chief hunter and bodyguard. He is efficient and loyal, recruiting Gus Elizalde to help him and his squad in their mission to kill his father. Mr Quinlan is disgusted by his father's actions, and is determined to stop him at all costs.
Within the Strain trilogy, the vampires, or "strigoi" as they are also referred as, are the spawn of the Ancient Ones who each manifest from leaking blood from a body part of the fallen archangel Ozryel. As each was a part of Ozryel before his dismemberment, the Ancient Ones share his bloodlust to the point of thirst. The biological emphasis on the Ancient Ones and their spawn mirror that of parasitic creatures.
The vector for vampirism is a capillary worm which, once introduced into the human host's bloodstream (either through a vampire's feeding or direct invasion by the worm through a wound or orifice), introduces an incurable and fast-acting virus. By manipulating the host's genes, depending the circumstances, the virus causes a human to undergo numerous radical physical changes.
The first and most distinct vampire adaptation is the development of a long, retractile proboscis beneath the host's tongue that reaches up to six feet from the mouth. This "stinger" serves not only the vampire's feeding by latching onto human prey's throat or thigh, draining the victim's blood for nutrition, but also infects the human with capillary worms. The vampire's jaw is set at a lower hinge than a human's, with the mouth gaping like a snake's when the stinger is deployed. Because the structure of the stinger is modified tissue from the human lungs and throat, vampires are incapable of physical speech once the stinger is deployed.
A vampire's physical appearance is governed mainly by the host body shedding those human traits that are obsolete to its new life cycle. Hair and fingernails are gradually lost, while the external nose and ears atrophy, leaving a fully matured vampire's skin as smooth and featureless as marble. The vampire's complexion is extremely pale between feedings, but appears a flushed red following a recent blood-meal. Eye coloration consists of a black pupil surrounded by a red sclera, with a white nictitating membrane sliding across for protection. The middle fingers of both hands grow and strengthen, and a thick talon develops in place of the lost fingernail. As vampire reproduction is achieved through viral infection of hosts and not through any sexual mechanism, the human genitalia also atrophy, leaving a mature vampire with no discernible sex.
The digestive and circulatory systems of a vampire are simplified and fused, the vampire's interior organs most resembling a series of connected sacs. Nutrition from a blood feeding is transported throughout this system via a thick, viscous white fluid that forms the vampire equivalent of blood. The capillary worms are present in this fluid, swimming throughout the circulatory system and often visible beneath the vampire's thin skin. Like rodents, a vampire is unable to vomit, with its suction-based digestive process functioning only one way. All bodily waste is excreted from a single rectal orifice in the form of a pungent ammonia-based spray; a vampire will excrete for the entire duration of a feeding, purging old food as it consumes new blood.
The vampire's body temperature runs extremely high, at 48.9 °C / 120 °F, and a human is able to feel their ambient heat from several feet away.
Many of the physical changes from human to vampire occur gradually following the initial worm infection and are accompanied by great pain. A newly "turned" human will lie in a state of suspended animation for an entire day, rising the next night as a nascent vampire. The stinger is present for the vampire's first foray to facilitate feeding, but other traits (hairlessness, talons on the mid-digit, lack of distinct internal organs) will develop within the first seven nights following infection. The vampire's mental state will also be confused at first, and its movements will be clumsy and awkward. As it matures, however, the vampire will become supremely agile, able to leap great distances and climb sheer surfaces with the aid of its talons. Full maturity, physically and mentally, occurs within the first thirty nights.
In spite of the vampire's morbid biology stripping legend of its romance, the most famously admired trait of the undead remains intact: immortality. Unless slain by violence or sunlight, a vampire's parasitic body structure will neither fade nor weaken with the passage of time, giving it an effectively endless "lifespan". Even in those cases where the host body is damaged beyond repair, a vampire of sufficient power can transfer its consciousness (via a torrential capillary worm transfer) from one human host to another.
If a vampire infects a pregnant woman, the developing fetus will grow into a creature similar to a vampire, but with several unique traits. So-called "born vampires" lack the parasitic worms necessary to infect humans, and have a limited resistance to UV exposure, being able to survive for short periods in direct sunlight. Most importantly, these half-breeds retain a human's individual intelligence, and are not mentally subservient to their Ancient progenitor. They are otherwise physically identical to a turned vampire, complete with stinger, finger talons, and the need for blood-meals.
The sensory apparatus of the vampire is highly adapted for its nocturnal life cycle. Sight becomes the vampire's least acute of senses; color vision gradually being replaced by thermal imaging over the course of a week as the infected host undergoes biological metamorphosis. Once fully turned, a vampire possesses the ability to read heat signatures as monochromatic halos. Hearing is greatly enhanced, in spite of the loss of external ears, with a fully turned vampire's acute sense of hearing able to detect the sound of blood pulsing through the bodies of potential prey. Additionally, a fully turned vampire can smell the carbon dioxide emitted by a human's breath, thereby locating prey with minimal reliance on other senses.
The vampires' greatest sensory asset, however, is the "hive mind", which all vampires share with the Ancient that propagated them. Each vampire, through some undefined telepathic link, is able to send and receive thought and sensory information to and from its Ancient progenitor. In this manner, the Ancient vampires direct the actions of their individual spawn through mental communication, regardless of distance. Perhaps akin to its radiation shielding properties, the element lead has the effect of blocking this mental connection.
Despite their biological inability to speak, vampires can communicate with humans through telepathy, transmitting thoughts directly into a person's internal monologue. Those vampires seeking to pose as human can train themselves to move their lips in a pantomime of speech, but the actual communication is still via thought-transference.
An Ancient vampire is also able to use this telepathic ability as a weapon; known as the "murmur," this mental shock-wave has the ability to completely overwhelm the minds of surrounding human beings, rendering them unconscious.
Vampires also experience an overwhelming compulsion to infect family members and those they cared about as humans (their "dear ones"). They possess a unique ability to locate such targets, this sense being likened to a pigeon's homing instinct.
Many of the traditional vampire "weaknesses" of common folklore remain effective, although their potency is explained in terms of specific effects on vampire biology.
Sunlight is the vampire's ultimate destroyer, specifically ultraviolet light in the UVC range. This is due to the germicidal properties of the wavelength, since it breaks down the virus-laden tissues of the vampire's body. A localized source of UVC light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can be used to repel a vampire, much as a burning torch can repel an animal. Complete exposure to either direct sunlight or a powerful UVC source will result in complete desiccation of the vampire's body, leaving behind nothing but ashes.
Silver, in the form of a metal weapon or even a fine chemical mist, can also wound or kill a vampire. Much like sunlight, this is because disinfecting properties of the element make it capable of damaging the vampire's viral biology. While conventional weapons (lead bullets, steel blades) can cause physical damage, they will not repel a vampire. Silver causes vampires both debilitating pain and a certain amount of fear; binding a vampire in silver will completely incapacitate it.
Severing the spinal column through any method is another effective way to destroy a vampire. While the vampire's simplified internal organ structure makes it difficult to harm it with attacks to the body, decapitation will result in the vampire's death.
Although there appears to be no biological imperative behind it, vampires cannot cross running water. This is alluded to as having something to do with the origin of the Ancients, but no further explanation is given. This aversion to water can be overcome, however, if the vampire is assisted (or "invited") by a human.
Traditional religious protections against vampires, such as a crucifix or holy water, display no practical effect. The prevalence of this lore is explained as having been the product of Bram Stoker's "fevered Irish imagination."
Garlic, another common folk defense, has no noticeable use in repelling vampires.
Silver-backed mirrors, while incapable of harming a vampire, will reveal whether or not a person is a vampire. While a vampire does indeed cast a reflection, it is blurred and distorted, akin to an image vibrating at an impossible speed. Modern chrome-backed mirrors, however, will not have this effect, and the vampire will appear normally in such a looking-glass.
The Times Literary Supplement carried a review by Peter Millar dated 23 May 2009. The review praises the novel's "arresting start" and frequently alludes to Guillermo del Toro's career as a film director by comparing the novel to a Hollywood movie. The implication may be that del Toro intends to direct the film version of the novel. The review closes by calling The Strain a "rattling piece of escapism" with a "predictable" blockbuster ending.[2] Xan Brooks of The Guardian calls the novel "a pulpy, apocalyptic fable" and a "fast-paced, high-concept outing that seems tailor-made for either a big-screen adaptation or - as Hogan has enthused - 'a long-form, cable-type TV series'. And yet at the same time this opening salvo also looks to the past; doffing its cap to an illustrious ancestor."[3] He calls the vampires "mindless, undead leeches."
Zack Handlen, writing for The A.V. Club, was less enthusiastic, concluding that
"the result is a predictable but generally engaging thriller. The chapters come in short bursts, mimicking the editing of a big-budget epic. It makes for a fast read, but the rapid-fire parade of characters means that few make an impact. The world-building works best when it's distracting from cliché, instead of trying to inspire honest emotion. Del Toro fans will recognize certain familiar tropes — the quest for immortality, the vampiric physiognomy, and the ever-popular things in jars — but those motifs are muted on the page."[4]
Similarly, Deirdre Crimmins described the novel as "an imperfect vampire book" marred by "some very awkwardly worded phrases and poorly described scenarios scattered throughout the book" and some "terribly clichéd" characters.[5] Jeff Jensen, reviewing The Strain for Entertainment Weekly, wished for more evidence of del Toro's participation, saying, "It's hard to believe he found time for such an ambitious project — and after reading the book, it seems clear he didn't. ... The Strain is a competently constructed piece of entertainment, and I'll give it bonus points for shaking up some vampire clichés. ... The novel could have used a little less Hogan and little more del Toro."[6]
Comic books[edit]
In 2011 production began on a comic book adaptation of the book trilogy with Dark Horse Comics.[7] Writer David Lapham and artist Mike Huddleston were announced as working on the project,[8] with the series as a whole spanning an estimated 24 issues.[9] The first issue of The Strain was released in November 2011 to mostly positive reviews.[10][11]
- The Strain Volume 1 TPB - Collects issues #1-#6.
- The Strain Volume 2 TPB - Collects issues #7-#11.
- The Strain Volume 3: The Fall TPB - Collects issues #1-#4.
- The Strain Volume 4: The Fall TPB - Collects issues #5-#9.
- The Strain Book One HC - Collects issues #1-#11.
- The Strain Book Two: The Fall HC - Collects issues #1-#9.
- The Strain Volume 5: The Night Eternal TPB - Collects issues #1-#6.
Television series[edit]
In 2012 it was announced that FX had ordered a pilot episode of The Strain with the intention of creating a limited television series based on the books.[12] Before writing the book trilogy, del Toro had initially planned the books as a television series and stated that if picked up, the series would span three to five seasons.[1][13] He also commented that he and Hogan would co-write the script for the pilot episode and that as of November 2012 he had already begun casting.[14] Del Toro further commented that he planned to also direct the pilot episode, with a full season airing in 2014 if the show was picked up.[14] It was later announced that a second full season was ordered by FX to air in 2015.
- ^ a b c "'The Strain' Drama From Guillermo Del Toro And Carlton Cuse Gets Pilot Order At FX". Deadline. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ Millar, Peter (23/05/09). "Thriller: The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan". Times Literary Supplement. United Kingdom: The Times. Retrieved 05/08/09. Check date values in:
|date=, |accessdate=
(help) - ^ Brooks, Xan (12 June 2009). "Fangs ain't what they used to be: Dracula gets a modern makeover in a filmic chiller". The Guardian. United Kingdom: The Guardian. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ Handlen, Zack (June 18, 2009). "The Strain". The A.V. Club. The Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ Crimmins, Deirdre (2009). "The New, Improved Undead". Open Letters Monthly. Boston, MA: Open Letters LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ Jensen, Jeff (May 27, 2009). "The Strain (2009)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ "New Dark Horse Comics by Guillermo del Toro, Tom Morello, P.C. Cast Comic-Con". Comics Alliance. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Comic-Con 2011: Guillermo del Toro, Tom Morello, P.C. Cast Doing Dark Horse Comics This Fall". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Guillermo del Toro Takes on Comic Book Adaption of Vampire Sci-Fi Trilogy". Reelz. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Review: 'The Strain' #1 – 4". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Review: The Strain #1". Crave Online. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "FX's 'The Bridge' Picked Up To Series". Deadline. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "'Hobbit' Director Guillermo Del Toro Talks Vampire Novel 'The Strain'". MTV. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Guillermo del Toro Talks FX Series THE STRAIN; Says Casting Has Begun for the Pilot, Which They'll Shoot Next Year". Collider. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
External links[edit]


text:
– No more comment needed.
Go to Admin » Appearance » Widgets » and move Gabfire Widget: Social into that MastheadOverlay zone
After promising unprecedented openness regarding Congress' pork barrel practices, House Democrats are moving in the opposite direction as they draw up spending bills for the upcoming budget year.
Democrats are sidestepping rules approved their first day in power in January to clearly identify "earmarks" — lawmakers' requests for specific projects and contracts for their states.
Rather than including specific pet projects, grants and contracts in legislation as it is being written, Democrats are following an order by the House Appropriations Committee chairman to keep the bills free of such earmarks until it is too late for critics to effectively challenge them.
Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., says those requests for dams, community grants and research contracts for favored universities or hospitals will be added to spending measures in the fall. That is when House and Senate negotiators assemble final bills.
Such requests total billions of dollars.
As a result, most lawmakers will not get a chance to oppose specific projects as wasteful or questionable when the spending bills for various agencies get their first votes in the full House in June.
The House-Senate compromise bills due for final action in September cannot be amended and are subject to only one hour of debate, precluding challenges to individual projects.
Obey insists he is reluctantly taking the step because Appropriations Committee members and staff have not had enough time to fully review the 36,000 earmark requests that have flooded the committee.
What Obey is doing runs counter to new rules that Democrats promised would make such spending decisions more open.
– No more comment needed.
I rarely attack anyone on an ad hominem basis; i.e., simply looks, and personally related issues; but, simply take a look at the photo supplied with this AP article. Take a look at the black, hollow eyes, the pinched look and no doubt many layers of make-up; i.e., "war-paint" on Pelosi. She's as phony as a $3 dollar bill. You too see those "inky" black, icy eyes. She reminds me of one of those people on the "X-File" series that's been taken over by aliens. Some kind of oily substance with "predatory intelligence" takes over the human body and simply has a mandate to "dismiss" humankind with their presence;i.e, exterminate them!
To me it's hard to believe that anyone; i.e, "anyone" could be reduced to this level of zero-ethics and corruption; but you like myself, see it in front of your eyes!
My recommendation for change is to simply make it a "mantra" that you will "not" re-elect anyone to Congress that's there, in their next bid for re-election.
Pelosi along with many, many other Dems and Republican incumbents need to hit the bricks…"plain and simple"!
They are a "partisan cancer" that's killing the United States of America!
It may be too late though!
Carl Nemo **==
is absolutely disgusting? Today's democrats in congress reminds me of Chicago under ye Olde Mayor Daley. The city flag had the symbol of an outstretched hand, the city motto was "Qua Est Mei?" (where's mine?)
They have no shame. I do believe they leave it at home before they land at Washington National.
SO, is anyone out there in lala land USA surprised? Mabe the proverbia Joe6pack with his buldging wife (pregnant) and their 3 kids that live in a culture that almost gurrantees their stupidity for life. Of course their isn't much time left anyway (don't ask) just trust me….you know…checks in the mail. But this time it really is.
How do I know this? Just ask yourself one question, ie. How much more worthless can the dollar become before its in negative value land? We are only fractions away, it (our economy…whats left of it) could implode tomorrow, sometime this year for sure.
Ever heard of subprime loans, subprime implosion, ARMs, derivatives just to name a few unsavory financial instruments/methods. So congress continues what they have always done and this country continues to produce very little exportable goods but dam if we don't continue to build houses and have babies.
So, in summation…..each day is a good day until the shit hits the old fan and we ALL go down together, except a select few.
"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone; the people themselves are its only safe depositories."
Thomas Jefferson
Folks, there are no differences between America's two corrupt political parties. The "We the People" element of the political process is long gone as Congress is no more than a sordid backroom where lobbyists strike lucrative deals in exchange for having their campaign coffers filled with dirty money. Our politicians are owned lock, stock and barrel by the special interests who fund them.
There is only one honest exception:
Ron Paul is about the only member of Congress who consistently voted against the war and its funding. The rest of the rogues collapsed in a pork feast. Remember that when the criminal Bush asked for $95 billion for the war, the Dems just said OKAY but larded it up with $20-30 billion in pork.
This is no way to run a country. This is no way to represent "We the People". Over 70% of Americans want our troops home – NOW – and the Dems continue to sacrifice their lives for pork.
The only hope for America is for the Dems and independent voters (me) to vote for Ron Paul in the Republican presidential primary.


text:
get suspended for 5 days because of sharpie on your face and arms?
What was written?
Of course, most things these days are zero tolerance, so it's not like any thought has to go into how long, why, whether it should be a violation. Much easier to remove thinking and sanity from the process...
"Be like a postage stamp. Stick to one thing until you get there." -- Josh Billings.
Add me on MySpace!
I think five days might be a bit excessive, but I suppose it all depends on school policy.
Additionally what was written should be taken into consideration.
However, I think scribbling all over your FACE with sharpie was a rather unwise move, regardless of what was put there, as that sort of thing can be incredibly distracting in a classroom setting.
Arms should be free game, you can always cover them up, but the face...eh.
Were you unaware that you would get in trouble for this?
Well, back when I was at the Convent I do hazily remember me and my friend would draw mouse features on each others faces in felt tip in double chemistry. And the teacher, who was amazing, would get exasperated and say "I've taught children with learning difficulties and they never drew on their faces and this is meant to be a Set 1 GCSE class". And we'd be like, "yeah, but we're mice".
And then a test tube would invariably catch fire on the other side of the classroom and it would have to be thrown out of the window.
So, no we never got suspended.
Actually, thinking about this we were always drawing on each other's faces- I sported a rather impressive handlebar moustache in fountain pen on several occasions.
We were so stupid.
But yes, five days suspension is a bit of an excessive punishment- unless you'd writen something obscene. Permenant marker to the face is a bad idea, but they should have just got you to wash it off with rubbing alcohol.
well i was wearing cover up so i could just was the cover up off and the sharpie would of come off with it but still...
and nothing obscene had been written on my face it was just heavy scribbling on each cheek, none on the forhead or nose or my eyes. and it wasnt very much on my arms either.
well your school sounds stupid then.
Why is it so strict/ is it strict about other things?


text:
Reality TV Statistics
With the growing number of reality TV shows emerging onto the market there are similarly, a growing number of reality TV statistics pertaining to who is watching reality TV, how popular it is in certain markets, which shows are the most popular as well as individual overnight ratings for specific episodes such as finales, pilots and season premiers.
Most statistics surrounding reality TV involve ratings. Although we will cite some specific examples, some general trends are helpful when discussing the popularity of reality TV and how audience markets have taken to the concept of reality television. The overall sentiment of how reality television has done statistically can be summarized by saying: amazingly well! It seems the general public has quite an appetite for reality television. Since 2000 the newly coined terms has taken under its wing nearly hundreds of shows. In a book by Annette Hill, she discusses the phenomenon behind reality television by quoting Larry Namer the co-founder of E! Entertainment in saying, "[to viewers] reality television is television, it's not a fad." This sentiment seems to be true even more as of late, as new reality shows emerge each season and ratings for reality shows continue to go up.
Which are the most watched reality TV shows in America? We tell you to get on these shows! On pages that follow learn about:
- American Idol Auditions
- Casting for Survivor
- The Biggest Loser Auditions
- How to Get on Top Chef
- America's Next Top Model Auditions
- Project Runway Casting
- Auditions for So You Think You Can Dance
- Amazing Race Casting
In using a well-known example, American Idol has attracted over 50% of the market share, indicating that over 50% of television viewers tuned in, to watch the show. Other examples of how reality TV has been doing statistically can be found in some audience favorites such as Survivor.
Reality TV isn't only popular for Americans, but all over the world. Hill highlights an interesting statistic regarding reality TV in the UK by stating that in 2000, 70% of the population (4 - 65+) has gone on record in having watched reality television occasionally or on a regular basis. The United States has similar reality TV statistics. One report indicates that for girls ages 12 - 17 years old, 3 out of 4 of their favorite television shows were reality TV shows.
The trend is certainly growing worldwide as network executives are taking advantage of the fact that high ratings mean high advertising revenues. Now Latin Amercan Idol, Brazil's Next Top Model and other overseas versions of popular shows in the states are emerging everyday. Statistically, reality television has been on a sharp rise. Whether that rise will continue, no one knows. However, there is sure to be a long withstanding relationship with reality television and its popularity among audiences.


text:
Cart is empty
About our company
Australian Flour Power was established in 2003. We are a privately owned Australian company located in Thomastown, on the northern fringe of Melbourne.
Our expanding range of products, and dedication to customer service, has seen us grow to be one of Australia's premier suppliers of Cake Decorations, Partyware and Packaging products to Celebration Cake makers, and the Party industry.
If you're looking to decorate a cake, Australian Flour Power is unrivalled in its range of products. We have Cakeboards, Dummy cakes, Icings and Colourings, Candles, Edible Icing images, Baking utensils, Cake tins, Sugar flowers, Sugar decorations, Plastic signs and novelties, Decoration kits, Figurines and lots more.
We even supply the Cake box to put it in!
Want your name on it? We can do that too!
Australian Flour Power also distributes both licensed and unlicensed disposable party tableware such as plates, cups, napkins, balloons, invitations, and novelties.
Licenses such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Cars, Toy Story, Disney Princess and The Wiggles – just to name a few.
We also distribute the Five Star Quality Products range of disposable tableware and catering products. We have everything from plates, napkins and Cutlery to Foil Trays and Tablecovers.
We hope we have the products you are looking for.
If you are a wholesaler or manufacturer in the cake or party industry, log into our site to see the full range.
Please always feel free to contact us directly if you can't find what you are looking for.


text:
Brenda McGuire remembers growing up in suburban Philadelphia near Merck & Co., Inc., a major pharmaceutical company with a large presence in the area. She set her sights on getting a job there. After earning an R.N. license and working 15 years at local hospitals, she went back to school to get her bachelor's degree. When the demands of her career and family didn't allow her the time or flexibility to attend classes locally, she enrolled in the distance education program at Saint Joseph's College. The courses required self-discipline, but she earned the degree she needed to get a job at Merck.
While busy with work and earning her bachelor's degree concentrating on business administration, McGuire realized she could spend quality time with her two young children by doing homework together around the kitchen table in the evenings. "I was setting an example," she says.
At Merck now for 23 years, McGuire did clinical research for the company before moving into a position as Regulatory Liaison (after getting a master's degree in Regulatory Affairs/Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance from Temple University). She now works closely with the Food and Drug Administration to help get appropriate prescription medicines switched to over-the-counter status.
She recalls fondly the relationships she had with the staff and faculty at Saint Joseph's. "They make a concerted effort to get to know, care about, and support distance education students," she says. Looking back at the program that allowed her to get her B.S. degree from home, she says, "It was exactly what I needed."
Brenda McGuire '83
B.S. in Professional Arts, Concentration in Business Administration
Regulatory Liaison, Merck & Co., Inc.
Line Lexington, Pa.


text:
Start learning with our library of video tutorials taught by experts. Get started
Explore how to better manage projects, teams, and schedules using Basecamp, a popular cloud collaboration tool.
"My biggest problem is figuring out what I want to watch next. Just when I think I'm all set, I find something ELSE that is fascinating." —John O.
more from our members »


text:
Learn How To Trade Your Halloween Candy Like A Pro
One of the best parts about trick or treating is the trading of candy when its over with your friends and family. Sometimes this process can get messy. It is a good thing that BuzzFeedVideo posted a video guide to trading your candy on Halloween.
Super Sized Scare – Zombie Drive-Thru Prank!
This hilarious video illustrates all the tricks of trading your Halloween candy and how not to get cheated. It is a much see before you hit the streets this Halloween.


text:
This Advanced Skin WARM Insulated Technology regulates your Body climate optimal to keep you warm at all times. Fiberfill fibres reflect the warmth of your body and retains heat to feel comfortable and warm, even when the garment is wet or after numerous wash cylces.
Sign up to receive an email when in stock.


text:
Friday's NFL preseason primer
08 Aug 14Friday preseason primer: Teddy Bridgewater eyes starting role
A quarterback battle, some promising second-stringers and Michael Sam's NFL debut highlight the night.
A quarterback battle, some promising second-stringers and Michael Sam's NFL debut highlight the night.
A wide receiver proves he's one of the top prospects on the field, while a center attempts to claim the top spot among his peers. Meanwhile, a star from Auburn struggled through his second Senior Bowl practice.
The week of practice leading up to the Senior Bowl is a time for talented prospects to prove to NFL personnel people that they belong in the league. We highlight four who could be among the first names called during May's draft.
College football's bowl games are a perfect opportunity to watch the NFL's next stars. We highlight the top prospects from the upcoming bowl games being played from Jan. 2 to Jan. 5, including the best linebacker and wide receiver prospects for the draft.
Each week, we will highlight draft prospects rising up draft boards due to their performance on the field. This week: A pair of quarterbacks, a small-school defender top the list.


text:
Saturday, July 23 2011 |
Posted by Nathan @ 12:39 PM (EDT) |
CM Storm showed off to a select few at CES in Las Vegas this past year, the Sirus 5.1 Surround Sound headset. CM is not only targeting the gaming enthusiast but the true audiophile. Consisting of front, rear, center and a sub the Sirus promises to make a splash in the audio category. But what makes the Sirus stand out besides its clear and precise sound but the Tactical Mixing Console. The Console allows the user the ability adjust the speakers and the sub individually. |
Posted by Nathan @ 12:39 PM (EDT) |
The Palit GeForce GTX 460 Sonic uses GF104 GPU at 700Mhz and has 1GB GDDR5 memory running at 3600Mhz. The Palit GeForce GTX 460 Sonic has a 256Bit Memory Interface, 336 Shader Processors and DirectX 11. The Palit GeForce GTX 460 Sonic faces extreme competition from the Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 Xtreme which has DX11 and 1440 Shader Processors. Software used for testing was 3dmark 2006, 3dmark Vantage, 3dmark 11, Call of Duty Black Ops, Crysis Warhead and Hawk 2. |
Posted by Nathan @ 12:38 PM (EDT) |
Over the years we have taken a look at many of the HAF series cases. The HAF series is one of Cooler Master's most popular case designs. The cases rugged looks and "High Air Flow" span from the low end 912 to the top dog the HAF X. Cooler Master has released a refreshed 932 Advanced which adds some features that were missing from the original. Most of the new features came from the HAF X which includes a painted black interior, a GPU fan shroud that provides more direct air flow from the front of the case to the GPU, and front panel USB 3.0 support. |
Friday, July 22 2011 |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:06 PM (EDT) |
The power supply is heart of your computer system and an AMD A8-3850 motherboard deserves a PSU that will protect it from voltage spikes or other irregularities. The Sentey SDP750-SS 750w Power Supply is different from many other models on the market today because of its unique voltage protection features. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:05 PM (EDT) |
With an Intel Core i7-2630QM CPU and AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics card, the HP Pavilion dv6-6170us provides all the performance of these premium laptops for several hundred dollars less. However, you will have to sacrifice a few features to get those savings. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:05 PM (EDT) |
ADATA's S511 SSD is built upon the winning combination of the new Sandforce SF-2281 and Intel 25 nm NAND flash. In our testing the 120 GB drive delivers excellent performance scores that benefit from support for the latest SATA 6 Gbps interface. |
Cooler Master Storm Sirus 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset Review @ OCIA.net |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:04 PM (EDT) |
Cooler Master sent over a pre-production sample of their new CM Storm Sirus 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset for evaluation recently. This wired headset certainly has a lot of promise, with eight speakers (four per side), a built-in microphone, optional ear padding, a powered desktop control panel and the option to plug directly into your sound card. More importantly, at least for me, is that the headset features over-the-ear cups. I find these types of headsets much more comfortable than on-the-ear cans which tend to cause me discomfort after a short while. |
Thermaltake Level 10/GT PC Case Comparison @ Real World Labs |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:04 PM (EDT) |
In today's review/comparison we have taken the breathtaking Level 10 and placed it against its successor the Level 10 GT to see exactly what kind of additions and/or cutbacks Thermaltake performed in their amazing effort to achieve a deduction in the price tag of the original product by a full 70%. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:04 PM (EDT) |
The ZOTAC GTX560 AMP! Edition is one such graphics card that arrives pre overclocked, weighing in at 950/4400MHz making it among the fastest factory overclocked GTX560's available. This speed is faster than we managed to manually overclock the previous GTX560 reviewed here so it's certainly impressed me straight away to have a factory overclock faster than what was possible manually overclocking the same core design. It does however remain to be seen how this overclock fairs and indeed how much harder the cooling has to be worked. |
M-Audio Studiophile CX5 Active Studio Reference Monitor Review @ Modsynergy.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:03 PM (EDT) |
M-Audio is a renowned and premier player in the digital audio segment catering to musicians and audio professionals through such items, but not limited to, MIDI solutions, recording equipment and professional audio software such as ProTools. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:03 PM (EDT) |
In an SSD market where 500MB/s data read/write speeds are becoming the norm across manufacturers, Corsair's Force GT differentiates itself from the pack by using 25nm ONFI synchronous NAND flash memory, versus standard 25nm asynchronous NAND. This allows the drive to excel at reading and writing compressed data, which is supposed to translate into faster real-world performance with files like video, music and graphics. Hit our latest SSD review to see just how real this real-world performance ends up looking: |
WD Scorpio Black 750GB Notebook Hard Drive Review @ Legit Reviews |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:02 PM (EDT) |
The WD Scorpio Black 750GB laptop hard drive is no slouch as we saw really impressive performance numbers that actually shocked us a bit. For example we saw 128MB/s read and 125MB/s write speeds in the CrystalDiskMark sequential read/write tests and these are great for any traditional hard drive. Just because notebook hard drives are only 2.5" in size doesn't mean that you can't find good performance with them... |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:02 PM (EDT) |
The Radeon HD 6670 video card from AMD comes with interesting features like UVD 3.0, Eyefinity with 3 video outputs and offers decent performance in games, while using lower resolutions like 1280x1024, 1600x1200 or 1680x1050, making it a card to consider when building a HTPC system. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:01 PM (EDT) |
MSI has equipped the card with its Twin Frozer III heat pipe-based cooling solution that uses five large heat pipes attached to an equally large fin array. The fans used are MSI's own Propeller Blade Technology that drives 20% more airflow through the fin array to keep the components under the cover, as well as the GPU core, cool. The Twin Frozer III design accomplishes this impressively with the lowest load temperatures in the overclocked testing. The Propeller Blade fans are not silent when you spool them up to the 100% mark, but they are a significant step in the right direction when compared to the reference design cooling. At the other end of the spectrum, in the stock testing, the R6950 delivered load temperatures of 63 degrees Celsius. Not bad, you say? That's right, because this 63 degrees Celsius result is a full 21 degrees Celsius better than the reference solution, all without the noise letting you know the card is there. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:01 PM (EDT) |
Retailing at $199 USD, the Patriot Torqx2 SATA I/II 128GB drive is considered one of the high end performance drives. However, Torqx2 is not limited to 128 GB, and also comes in storage variations of 32 GB, 64 GB and 256 GB, with price tags of $74.99, $114.99, and $489.99 respectively. The expected performance for this SSD is listed as 270 MB/s read and 230 MB/s write. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:00 PM (EDT) |
The Maximus IV Gene-Z is a very well equipped mATX motherboard which is based on Intels Z68 chipset. Since ASUS have released with the Rampage II Gene the first mATX gaming board we've been following this trend. And the best thing about these boards is that they're as fast as the bigger ones. Therefore we're very curious how this board will perform in our benchmark parcours as well as during the overclocking part. |
Thursday, July 21 2011 |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:31 PM (EDT) |
Back in October of 2009 we tested the Cogage True Spirit; Cogage is the mainstream arm of Thermalright, the makers of the infamous Ultra-120 or TRUE. Now Thermalright has brought the True Spirit to their lineup with a couple tweaks from the version we tested back in 2009. The new design still has four 6mm heat pipes, a bowed base, PWM controlled fan, and 48 aluminum fins with the bent winglet design Thermalright is known for. The Thermalright True Spirit differs by the mounting system and some cosmetic changes.. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:31 PM (EDT) |
Ever think about being a DJ? I have, but not professionally of course. I know I like techno or re-mixed music myself, but I just don't have the time or patience for creating my own. Today for review I've got something that the aspiring DJs out there might find interesting from Hercules called the DJ Control MP3 e2. The e2 isn't exactly a professional DJ mixing board but it can be something to get you started and have fun in the process. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:31 PM (EDT) |
The Lenovo Essential G570 is part of Lenovo's budget-friendly line of notebooks that offers the basics in terms of both specs and design, but performance is a little lacking. You do, however, get integrated Bluetooth, a 720p HD display and a really comfortable keyboard. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:30 PM (EDT) |
When someone asks me about upgrading their computer for the most noticeable performance gain, I commonly tell them to install an SSD. The reason is that both your start-up and shut-down times will drastically decrease. Likewise, you will experience shorter transfer times and faster loading on any program installed on the drive. These are only some of the perks that you'll quickly gain by using an SSD, such as the Corsair Force GT. Having said that, the reduced power consumption in SSDs make them ideal for use in laptops and netbooks. This upgrade does, however, come at a cost. |
HIS Radeon HD 6770 IceQ X Turbo 1GB Video Card Review @ Tweaktown |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:30 PM (EDT) |
Video cards have actually been really quiet lately. The fact that both AMD and NVIDIA have had the current crop of models out for a while means that most companies have exhausted ways to make them stand out from the pack. Still, with that being said, it's not dead completely. So today we're looking at a HD 6770 from the peeps over at HIS. The HD 6770 is a great mid-range model, but we haven't seen companies do heaps with it. It's also one of the more recent VGA releases, so that could have a bit to do with it as well. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:30 PM (EDT) |
With the launch of every new motherboard platform, we expect to see a number of different designs from the major motherboard manufacturers. ASU, of course, was ready for the AMD Lynx platform launch with their own set of A55 and A75 socket FM1 motherboards. Here at Benchmark Reviews we used the ASUS F1A75-M Pro motherboard to test the new platform and the all new AMD desktop APU, the A8-3850. In this article, Benchmark Reviews is exploring the motherboard itself, bringing you all the details of the ASUS F1A75-M Pro socket FM1 motherboard. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:29 PM (EDT) |
The Corsair Hydro H80 promises to bring the easy-to-install, all-in-one water cooling seen in the H60 to new levels with new and improved components, including a beefier radiator. See just how well it performs compared to both its predecessor and the competition in our latest liquid CPU cooling review. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:29 PM (EDT) |
Sapphire are a brand that we all know and love for producing some of the most extreme video cards on the market and push the boundaries in terms of cooling and performance. Marking a new chapter, Sapphire are keen to get into the motherboard market, but want to do so with a bang by offering boards with the most beneficial features, extreme technology and a good price point. |
Posted by Nathan @ 6:29 PM (EDT) |
Antec's High Current Pro HCP-1200 is famed as being one of the best high-end power supplies on the market. With 1200 W capacity it's a great choice for systems with three or four graphics cards. We took Antec's flagship for a spin with our upgraded, fully programmable, load tester. The $250 HCP-1200 powerhouse performed admirably, and we love it. |
Wednesday, July 20 2011 |
Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Speaker System Review @ Real World Labs |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:42 PM (EDT) |
Highly detailed audio reproduction, 5.1 Channel Surround Sound, 500RMS of raw audio power, THX Certification, Dolby Digital/DTS decoding and 6 audio inputs are what make Logitech's latest flagship the Z906 5.1 Surround Speaker System a worthy successor to their award winning Z-5500 surround system. |
Corsair AirFlow Pro Display and AirFlow 2 Fan Review @ Legit Reviews |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:41 PM (EDT) |
We observed a 8C temperature decrease at idle and a 12C decrease at load with the DDR3 clock frequency set to 1600MHz. In the end the Corsair AirFlow 2 memory cooling solution proved to be worth it. If you have a tight case with a lot of hot components and limited airflow using the Corsair Airflow 2 is a really good idea... |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:41 PM (EDT) |
Today we will be taking a look at the revered Big Bang Marshal. An extended ATX motherboard with an extensive feature-list – including 24-Phase DrMOS power design, 8 PCI-E for multi-GPU graphics with Lucid Hydra to mix NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards, Voltage Check-Points and much more! So let's waste no further time and begin our analysis of MSI's Big Bang Marshal. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:40 PM (EDT) |
The HP Pavilion Elite h8-1010 is a capable Core i5 desktop with a handful of nice features, including wireless networking, a spacious hard drive, and a dedicated, albeit low-end, video card. But there are better performing systems in this price range. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:40 PM (EDT) |
Seasonic has been making high-quality power supplies ever since they hit the market two years ago. Not only is their new X-660 660W power supply 80Plus Gold rated, but also comes with a quiet fan. The PSU's fan does not kick in till the user reaches 20±5% load, and it maintains a 16dB(A) acoustic noise level until it reaches 50% load. From that point on the fan speed begins speeding up, still maintaining low acoustic noise. The Seasonic X-660 750W power supply is also 100% modular, which makes it very easy to install and prevents large cable messes from accumulating. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:40 PM (EDT) |
Taipei, Taiwan, July 20, 2011 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced a dual core version of the low power VIA VB8004 Mini-ITX board. Coupling the 1.6GHz VIA Nano X2 E-series processor with the VIA VX900 media system processor, the VIA VB8004 provides a high performance and highly scalable solution for advanced digital signage and gaming systems. |
Kingston Dual-Channel-Kit KHX2000C9AD3W1K2/4GX Review @ ocaholic |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:39 PM (EDT) |
The Kingston H2O series belong to the most powerful modules which the memory giant actually has in its portfolio. As soon as you take a closer look at the specifications you'll see that they are very serious. According to Kingston these DIMMs need only 1.5 Volt to operate at 2000 MHz with 9-11-9-27 timings. |
Corsair Hydro Series H80 Liquid CPU Cooler Review @ eTeknix.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:38 PM (EDT) |
2008 was the year. Corsair were one of the first brands to release an all-in-one liquid CPU cooler, the Corsair H50. The H50's success was huge, firmly cementing it's place in the enthusiast and mainstream cooling market for years to come. 2 years on and much has changed. Competing brands such as Noctua and Thermalright have released their gargantuan dual tower heatsinks with the primary goal of becoming the CPU cooling king! Antec have also released all-in-one liquid CPU cooler offering in the popular KÜHLER H₂O 620 & 920. Corsair haven't just sat back and watched the competition catch up though! Oh no! They have been working hard to release more all-in-one liquid CPU coolers which can once again boost Corsair back to the top of the pack. Today we will be reviewing the eagerly anticipated and highly discussed Corsair H80 liquid CPU cooler. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:38 PM (EDT) |
The new AC430 USB 3.0 External hard drive from Apacer comes with good read/write performances and has some striking looks thanks to the aluminium enclosure; the product is also shipped with a carry bag, to avoid scratches and dust accumulation during travels. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:38 PM (EDT) |
The EVGA P67 FTW motherboard is EVGA's flagship entry for Sandy Bridge systems. The EVGA P67 FTW motherboard comes in two variants: the standard KR version and the premium K2 variant which is exactly like the KR except with the addition of the EVGA Control Panel V4 and EVGauge tachometer bundled. The EVGA P67 FTW inherits a lot of the features that made the P55 Classified 200 standout from the competition including extra 8-pin EPS12V power connectors for overclocking and 5 PCIE x16 slots but also adds UEFI, USB 3.0 and a Compact Flash port for extra storage. Built for overclocking, the EVGA P67 FTW has a 12-phase CPU PWM, uses 100% Solid Japanese capacitors and has a higher gold content on the CPU brushes for an overall lower inductance. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:37 PM (EDT) |
Overall, the Bitfenix Shinobi has a lot to offer in a sleek and stylish package. Its expandability features, including the 3.5" drives and ability to add on five more fans, definitely set it apart from the rest. Sure it didn't win out when it came to beating the heat, but that is understandable given that one of the compared cases was in a completely different price bracket and both comparison cases had more fans included with them. There was also an issue with wire management as a result of the placement of the 3.5" drive bays, which could have been alleviated by using a different sort of tool-less solution. |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:37 PM (EDT) |
It's been ages since we've seen a board from Jetway here at TweakTown and I would probably go as far to say that this is the first time I've actually been hands on with a Jetway board. So today we're looking at the Jetway H109-Z and while the model number doesn't really tell us anything, I can confirm it's an 1155 socket motherboard based on the Z68 chipset. |
Cooler Master Storm Sirus 5.1 Gaming Headset Review @ Bigbruin.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 5:37 PM (EDT) |
The sound quality from the Cooler Master Storm Sirus 5.1 gaming headset is impressive; providing solid bass reproduction, while the other channels are clear and crisp. Using the control pod, the sound quality can be adjusted to meet any need. In addition, the microphone is easily able to pick up your voice to allow for clear voice chat while gaming. |
Tuesday, July 19 2011 |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:52 PM (EDT) |
Cooler Master CM Storm division has released their surround gaming headset on to the market. check them out and see if they are something you would possibly buy in the future. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:48 PM (EDT) |
Yup, this isn't a press release or a tease… this is the only review on the new NZXT FX Enthusiast Fan series that I know of on the Internets at the time of this writing. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:48 PM (EDT) |
The Maximus IV Gene-Z is a very well equipped mATX motherboard which is based on Intels Z68 chipset. Since ASUS have released with the Rampage II Gene the first mATX gaming board we've been following this trend. And the best thing about these boards is that they're as fast as the bigger ones. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:47 PM (EDT) |
The DirectCU line of cards from ASUS are catered to the overclockers out there in the market. The DirectCU has precision mounting, putting the copper heatpipes in direct contact with the GPU for better cooling performance. ASUS has also implemented their SAP, Super Alloy Performance technology, which uses high quality capacitors, MOSFETs, and chokes along with ASUS's super hybrid engine. They have also equipped the 6870 with multiple sets of input fuses on the circuit board to eliminate any chance of excessive or dangerous temperature rises, which should keep you from frying your video card. The 6870 DirectCU also comes factory overclocked from ASUS to 915MHZ, compared to the stock speed of 900MHz on basic 6870 cards. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:47 PM (EDT) |
The Acer Aspire One 722 is an ultraportable laptop that borderlines on being a netbook. It has the new AMD Fusion processor, an appealing design, long battery life, but has some lacking performance in some aspects. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:46 PM (EDT) |
BitFenix is a fairly new brand when it comes to the world of cases, however already it is well known for gamer/enthusiast focused quality cases such as the BitFenix Colossus which has been highly rated by buyers. Today I will be reviewing the latest mid-tower case; the BitFenix Shinobi. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:46 PM (EDT) |
The Sandberg Hard Disk Cloner may not be the fastest HDD cloning solution around but not only does it allow for PC-Free hard disk cloning but you can also actually use it as a normal HDD docking station via either its USB 2.0 or eSATA connection. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:45 PM (EDT) |
Cooler Master are a brand that never fail to impress us here at eTeknix. They continue to release top quality products and expand into new markets which is exactly what fans and reviewers alike all enjoy seeing. Today sees us looking at a product from one of their more popular product categories, a CPU cooler. There is plenty of choice when it comes to choosing a Cooler Master CPU cooler and even more when we look at the complete market for processor coolers. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:45 PM (EDT) |
Cooler Master is one of the most recognizable gaming case manufacturers out there. Growing their mid tower lineup, the Storm series has a new entry, the Enforcer. We'll see if this cost conscious gaming case can hold up to the pressure or falls short of its objective. |
Monday, July 18 2011 |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:23 PM (EDT) |
Do you hate the puny stock heatsink and CPU fan's included in the package when you purchase a new processor? Yeah, me too! Do you by default just set the stock stuff aside and install your big boy heatsink and fan? Yeah, me too. Then you know very well that when you overclock any CPU every degree you can lower the temperature the longer it will live. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:22 PM (EDT) |
The Samsung SH100 is a compact, point-and-shoot 14-megapixel digital camera that is cheap in price, but still offers good quality images. It has lots of shooting modes, wireless connectivity as well as a touchscreen display, but the lack of manual controls limits it use. |
Corsair Vengeance LP 1600MHz 8GB Memory Kit Review @ eTeknix.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:22 PM (EDT) |
Recently Corsair announced their Vengeance range of memory including the slightly more appealing Low Profile version allowed for high performance and low clerance, which a lot of users may be faced with due to their hefty coolers needed mainly for overclocking. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:21 PM (EDT) |
There are all sorts of ways to tame the noisy array of fans within your PC case. Some of them are rather fancy, but have a higher learning curve. Some cases come with very basic fan rheostats that control all of your fans at once. Sometimes you want a no-nonsense direct way to control each fan individually, but you still want it to be worthy of your modded PC case. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:21 PM (EDT) |
Overclocking performance on the AMD A6-3650 was nothing short of amazing! We were able to get this 2.6GHz processor all the way up to 3.8GHz with rock solid CPU performance. We didn't spend much time overclocking the Radeon HD 6530D GPU, but we increased the clock speed on that from 443MHz up to 600MHz with no issues at all. This APU has gobs of overclocking room in it, but... |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:20 PM (EDT) |
Be Quiet! have been around for quite a while now and are well known for having produced some of the best high-end power supplies on the market over the last few years. Now they have launched a line of CPU coolers which currently feature two models, the Dark Rock Advanced and the Dark Rock Pro. Today we are gong to look at Be Quiet!'s top-end CPU cooler, the Dark Rock Pro, which uses a similar 'Sandwich' design to the popular Noctua NH-D14. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:20 PM (EDT) |
The Sapphire Edge HD2 is an improvement over the original Edge HD. The Edge HD2 adds a little extra for a user that needs a bit more juice. With the HD2 we get an improved processor, the Intel Atom D525. This processor features dual cores, 1.8GHz in speed, and hyperthreading technology. Another addition to the HD2 is the optional bundled operating system. If chosen, Windows 7 Ultimate will be pre-installed and ready to go. The previous Edge HD came completely bare and required an OS purchase. The rest of the features included are 2GB of 800MHz DDR3 memory, a 320GB SATA 2.5" HDD, both wired and wireless networking capability, and the Nvidia ION 2 graphics processor. A complete system crammed into a case no bigger then an outstretched hand. All you need to supply is the monitor, mouse, and keyboard. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:20 PM (EDT) |
In an evermore crowded media center market, it is surprising to see products that still offer unique features and feature sets. The ECS HDC-I is unique because it has nearly all the features you would want in a media motherboard. The most interesting inclusion was that of an integrated Bluetooth dongle. This allows you to use Bluetooth wireless mice or keyboards and allows you to sync with your phone, if you so chose. The Mini PCI-Express is also an uncommon, but definitely welcomed addition. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:19 PM (EDT) |
The days of using thumb drives and floppy disks to store your valuable data are gone. Today the options are many and for those of us looking for an easy to use storage solution, QNAP thinks they have the answer. The idea of a home server is nothing new and Microsoft has been trying to attack this market with their Windows Home Server operating system. What users may not know about is that companies that have been producing NAS systems for business recognized your needs and are starting to release products that fit very well in the home office or small office. These systems are small, use very little power, pack a ton of features, and are easy to use. |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:19 PM (EDT) |
The P67 chipset might have been replaced by the Z68, but it still offers more than enough in the way of features and performance. As with all other P67 boards, overclocking is an integral part of the ASUS P67 Sabertooth. Unlike newer Z68 boards, this P67 does not have any onboard graphics options, but for most gamers and enthusiasts, that is not a big problem. |
Sentey GS-6500B Burton Full Tower Case Review @ Bigbruin.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:18 PM (EDT) |
There is a lot to love about the Sentey GS-6500B Burton "Extreme Division" full tower case. First off, the build quality is fabulous. The fit and finish are of the same quality, if not slightly better than some of the high-end cases we've seen. The chassis is roomy and plenty of the user friendly features are just what we'd expect to see from a "premier" brand. |
Patriot Wildfire SF-2281 Solid State Drive @ Benchmark Reviews |
Posted by Nathan @ 2:18 PM (EDT) |
Patriot Memory has been a long-time provider of system components for performance enthusiasts. It was a natural evolution for them to focus their efforts on SSDs to compliment the demand for high-end RAM. They were sucessful with their Inferno series, and now that SandForce has released their second-generation controller they're back with the Patriot Wildfire. In this article Benchmark Reviews tests performance on the 120GB Patriot Wildfire Solid State Drive, model PW120GS25SSDR, specified for up to 555 MB/s read and 520 MB/s write performance with 4K random write speeds as high as 80,000 IOPS in real world testing. |
Sunday, July 17 2011 |
SteelSeries WoW: Cataclysm MMO Gaming Mouse Review @ eTeknix.com |
Posted by Nathan @ 4:01 PM (EDT) |
Today we are taking a look at another important aspect of a gamers' arsenal. The humble mouse, while starting out as a moderately basic input device it has evolved rather significantly over the past few years. It is now the case that they can cram a lot of technology into a very small space, or in this case, a lot of technology into a large mouse. |
Posted by Nathan @ 4:01 PM (EDT) |
So, you're an Incredibly Cheap Bastard and decided that you need a brand-spanking new PC case instead of screwing Ebay sellers for brand-name quality merchandise for a fraction of the cost. Since you're an Incredibly Cheap Bastard, then not just any old inexpensive case will do: you have to have a really cool-looking case without spending any major coin. Well, do I have great news for you! There are now several great PC chassis for around $60 that even Darth Vader would be happy to have in his office. |
Posted by Nathan @ 4:01 PM (EDT) |
The latest MAXREVO 1350W 80Plus Gold certified power supply unit by Enermax is not only a worthy successor to their already excellent Revolution85+ series but also one of the two most powerful all-modular units in the market with support for future power connectors, right next to its 1500W brother. |
Posted by Nathan @ 4:00 PM (EDT) |
Today we are looking at the MEKA 'Non G' keyboard which is a streamlined, lower cost version without the wrist support and some of the secondary functionality. It does however feature the mechanical switches, USB ports and a numerical keyboard section. |


text:
Mark Sanders
Role: | Executive Chef |
Serving Since: | 2012 |
I was born and raised in the Westchester County area of Southeastern New York. I received my degree in Restaurant Management from S.U.N.Y. at Morrisville College in 1986.
I have had the privilege of cooking in resorts and private clubs in Marco Island, Fla., Naples, Fla., New York and Atlanta.
While working for the Atlanta Athletic Club I received my Certified Executive Chef title. I moved to Maryland in 2009 with my wife, Alyse, and our 10-year-old son, Mickey, and currently reside there.
My favorite cooking style is whatever the Membership desires.
I am "a Club chef!"


text:
AAAA Battery - Battery AAAA
Have you been having trouble with your laser pointers, LED penlights or small headphone amplifiers? Have you checked the AAAA battery? Devices such as laser pointers, LED penlights, and small headphone amplifiers run on an AAAA battery. Unlike AA batteries or AAA batteries, an AAAA battery can be very hard to find. Luckily for you, Medic has your AAAA battery in stock. With the Energizer AAAA battery not commonly carried in stores, there is a great convenience to be able to get them from Medic. So make sure to get your AAAA battery from Medic!
View More
Energizer AAAA Batteries E96 Alkaline 1.5 Volt - 2 per pack
$4.50 ($2.25/battery) -
Energizer AAAA Alkaline Battery 1.5 Volt 6/Pack (E96)
$11.70 ($1.95/battery) -
Energizer AAAA Alkaline Battery 1.5 Volt 12/Pack (E96)
Buy More, Save More Pack(s) Price 3-4 $21.60 ($1.80/battery) 5+ $21.00 ($1.75/battery)


text:
Photo by Fernando Medina/Orlando Magic
Few teams come to Summer League with more than one or two rotation players. Fewer still come with multiple players that are expected to be focal points for the team in the upcoming season. Few teams are the Orlando Magic.
What we've seen from the Magic so far this week is likely two-fifths of Orlando's starting lineup for the 2013-14 season (it would have been three-fifths if Tobias Harris didn't bang his knee during practice last week).
There are two ways to look at this situation.
First, Orlando is doomed. A roster of mostly rookies and sophomores can't possibly compete for a playoff spot — not that they were supposed to in the first place — even in the weaker Eastern Conference. It'll be another year of shameless tanking for the franchise in hopes of landing Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Dante Exum, or any of the other supposed stars in next year's draft.
The second, however, is much more uplifting. It still carries the truths of the first point of view (though, without the "shameless" part), but it also adds the following caveat: the Magic, just a year removed from the Dwight Howard trade, have accelerated the rebuilding process to the point where they have as few as five and as many as seven foundational pieces.
Their frontcourt rotation alone, comprised of Harris, Nikola Vucevic, Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O'Quinn and now Romero Osby is enough to make other teams envious, if not downright jealous.
It gives Jacque Vaughn a myriad of flexibility when it comes to lineups: he can go small with Harris and Nicholson, big with Nicholson and Vucevic while moving Harris to the three and Maurice Harkless to the two, enormous with O'Quinn and Vucevic, a mixture of small and big with Harris and Vucevic, and so forth.
Meanwhile, in the backcourt and on the wing, Orlando features two players that, like Tony Allen and Andre Iguodala, make individual defense legitimately exciting to watch.
First is Maurice Harkless, who emerged last year as the team's primary wing stopper. His mouthwatering blend of size and athleticism allows him to guard up to four positions, depending on how small the opposing team is up front.
Last year, Harkless averaged 1.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per 36 minutes, promising for a player that has only scratched the surface of his defensive potential. Though it's been against mostly inferior competition, Harkless looks to have reached further into that well of potential at Summer League.
Perhaps even more promising is just how much better he looks on offense. His ballhandling is much tighter, the team seems to be comfortable and encouraging him to run pick-and-rolls from both the wing and the top of the key. He may not operate the offense as much in the regular season, but that polished dribbling will, at the very least, help him drive more ably to the basket.
Oladipo, the Magic's first round pick this year, is the second player that brings an exciting brand of defense to Orlando. He's already made quite a few thrilling plays here in Orlando: a soaring block from behind on a much taller defender, lulling his opponent into a false sense of security and then lunging for a steal, and a handful of leaping deflections that show how unwilling he is to give up on any play.
As I've written before, Oladipo's offense is much further along than expected. His outstanding shooting percentages in college — 59.9 percent overall, 44.1 percent from deep — don't appear to be the product of small sample sizes as some had feared. His jump shot looks smooth, and he's comfortable taking it in any situation. And, of course, he's still terrific at getting to the rim, taking 32 total free-throw attempts through three games here in Orlando.
They'll be experimenting with Victor Oladipo at the point guard position for this season, but if they're able to land someone like the aforementioned Exum in 2014, Oladipo will probably move back to his more natural position at the two. It's unclear if the experiment will even work for a full season, but if nothing else, it's a tremendous learning experience for Oladipo, and will allow him to comfortably slide back into that position if the team needs him to in the future.
This team still has a ways to go, obviously. Nicholson needs to develop his court vision and his defense, Harris needs to prove last year wasn't a fluke, and that he can be more efficient. Oladipo must show that he can handle the pressure from NBA-caliber players and defenses, while Harkless has to keep working on his range, specifically the corner 3.
But a rebuilding project that was supposed to take multiple years is much further along to completion than it really has any right to be. What we've seen from the Magic so far is what we'll get.
For the Orlando Magic, the future is now.


text:
What's New
Bug fixes for app crash on some version of iOS.App Description
Everyone uses grocery lists. They're wonderful for what they are intended for-to remind you when you get to the store of the items you need.But how many times have you run out of milk at breakfast, added it to a list, gone off to work, picked up the kids, dropped off the dry cleaning, got home, opened the fridge and realized…you forgot to stop and get milk! But you put it on your list?!
Don't Forget Your List is the first GPS based list App that reminds you that you need to stop at the store based on your current location! As you drive down the road, Don't Forget Your List notifies you that you are in the proximity of the stores you pick and reminds you that you have shopping lists.
It isn't just for groceries, either! You can add any item to your "list" and using the GPS location and name search, you can add any store of your choice to be alerted by.
Need to pick up your dry cleaning? Select your dry cleaners from the list of stores, tap on it, and add "dry cleaning" to your list! Need to pick up items from Home Depot, add your list and assign it to Home Depot. It's that simple! The next time you drive near one of your preferred stores, you will be reminded that it's on your list!
Traveling and need to pick up some incidentals but not sure what stores are nearby? Use Don't Forget Your List and it will find all the nearby businesses, or you can search by name!
Don't Forget Your List is a great tool for anyone who is on the go, or someone who would just like to be more organized!
App Changes
February 17, 2014 New version 1.4
February 07, 2014 New version 1.3
February 14, 2013 New version 1.2
October 23, 2012 New version 1.1
September 18, 2012 Initial Release


text:
Unless you're one of the lucky ones that knows what they want to do when they grow up at birth, then finding the perfect career path is never an easy decision.
Always keep in mind that finding your dream job often comes after having a variety of experiences in different industries before settling into that perfect fit.
I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was a baby per se, but I'm fortunate to have stumbled into becoming a financial planner.
It has by far been the job of my dreams and thus far the only real career job I've had. I don't consider my time in college selling vitamins at GNC a real "career job".
The economy, social trends and technology have a great deal to do with the jobs that are available. Keeping on top of career trends and the areas that offer the most growth is one way to choose the path that will provide the most opportunity and stability.
[Read more…]


text:
Nicki's MTV VMAs performance, Aug. 25, seemed pretty raunchy to us but it turns out that MTV might have made it more tame for the viewers at home! HollywoodLifers, did you think her 'Anaconda' performance seemed more toned down to you?
Nicki Minaj wanted to make her MTV VMAs performance of her new single, "Anaconda," something people would be talking about for days. The rapper reportedly went back and forth with MTV, to try and get them to give her a "TV-MA" rating but because of Miley Cyrus' twerk-fest in 2013, the network gave her a TV-14 rating, according to Page Six. The network is said to have strategically placed cameras so that parents at home wouldn't be too offended by the sexuality of the performance.
Nicki Minaj — Was She Censored By MTV During Her VMAs Performance?
Now if you've seen her music video, you know the outfits are much skimpier than what was worn on the MTV stage. Not only that, she gives a lap dance to Drake in the video and during her performance, she didn't do anything like that.
"It wasn't as racy as we were anticipating," Melissa Henson, director of the Parents Television Council told Page Six. "What we were expecting to see was what was in the video — a guy up on the stage and her performing lap dances."
Melissa actually thinks that MTV may have told Nicki to tone it down: "The elements were there, but the most offensive content was edited out. Whether Nicki Minaj had anything to do with that or MTV or network standards and practices, I don't know, but we were relieved to see that it wasn't as bad as it might have been."
Nicki Wardrobe Malfunction Staged?
During her performance of "Bang Bang," she came out in a black dress, which appeared to be ripped down the front. Nicki was holding it on the top and bottom, making viewers at home think that perhaps she had a wardrobe malfunction. Now TMZ claims that she totally staged that!
"One eyewitness says it caught her eye because she initially thought Nicki had come out in a robe," the site claims. "We're told Nicki was wrapping her arms around the dress in a 'weird' sort of way … trying to manipulate it to see how much would be exposed."
Things did take a turn when, Aug. 22, one of Nicki's six foot snakes bit Nicki's backup dancer during rehearsals! That's when MTV nixed the idea of there being a snake in the performance, and we don't blame them!
HollywoodLifers, was Nicki's performance less racy than you thought it would be?
– Chloe Melas
More Nicki Minaj News:
- Nicki Minaj's Crazy, Bejeweled Mani: Love Or Loathe?
- Nicki Minaj Releases Sexy New 'Anaconda' Video — Watch
- Nicki Minaj's Sexy Black Eyeliner — Get Her Dramatic Flare
View Comment
Posted at 8:36 AM on August 31, 2014
Posted at 5:26 AM on August 29, 2014
Posted at 10:08 PM on August 27, 2014
.Are you still single ? You are not alone. Free join♥ M i x e d Luv. Ć/o/ m ♥ ~~ Millions of singles have joined it.. This is a Serious interracial dating site for black and white singles seeking relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more. Single black people meeting single white people is why we are here. Hundreds of new interracial singles who same as you join here everyday. xcbxcb


text:
Ugandan Girl, 8, with face tumour the size of a football to have pioneering surgery
An eight-year-old girl with a football-sized facial tumour is to have pioneering surgery before it strangles her.
The rare growth first appeared when Trinny Amuhirwe was four-and-a-half, and she twice underwent surgery in her home country of Uganda to remove it.
However, each time the bone tumour has grown back more quickly and it now weighs 4.4lbs.
Trinny (aged three months left) has had two operations to tackle her facial tumour. She is pictured (right) after her second operation in September 2011 in Uganda
Since then Trinny has lost sight in one eye due to the swelling and her teeth are being pushed out of place.
Fibrous dysplasia is a rare bone disease that destroys and replaces normal bone with fibrous (scar-like) tissue.
As the bone grows, the softer, fibrous tissue expands, weakening the bone and making it more prone to fractures.
One or more bones can be affected and it can vary in severity.
Mild cases usually cause no signs or symptoms and develops during the teens.
More-serious cases of fibrous dysplasia may result in bone pain and deformity and are more common in under-10s.
There is no cure for fibrous dysplasia. Treatment focuses on treating signs and symptoms.
The bone lesions may stop when the child reaches puberty.
NIH/Mayo Clinic
Now she will undergo a pioneering surgery at the Cromwell Hospital in London. British experts will attempt to remove all of the benign tumour using the latest technology before reconstructing her face.
The 15-hour operation was made possible by UK charity Facing the World, who flew Trinny and her mother Sarah, 30, from Uganda to the UK for treatment.
Graham Banton, director of Facing the World, said: 'This is a massive operation undertaken by some of the best surgeons in the world.
'We hope to be able to remove all the infected bone tissue which will save Trinny's life and give her back her sight.
'Using advanced diagnostic and mapping techniques our doctors were able to pinpoint precisely the size and depth of the tumour.
'Without treatment there would be no hope for Trinny, but thanks to the generosity of our patrons and the expertise of our surgeons, she has a chance.'
Trinny has Fibrous dysplasia – a bone disease that destroys and replaces normal bone with fibrous bone tissue.
Mrs Amuhirwe says over the years she has watched her daughter's face become almost unrecognisible.
The mother-of-three said: 'In the beginning it was like a small piece of bone sticking out of her face.
'I thought it would eventually disappear – but it continued to grow. After the first operation the tumour grew back in just two months.
'Since then it's taken over her face. I can't bear to see her like this but she's been so brave about it.'
Following surgery the schoolgirl will be sedated and moved into intensive care – estimated to cost around £65,000.
All surgeons involved are giving their time free of charge and Facing the World are paying for all of Trinny and Sarah's living cost – but are entirely dependent on public donations.
Each year Facing the World help up to eight children with extreme facial disfigurements from all over the world.
The charity was founded in 2002 by two craniofacial surgeons Martin Kelly and Norman Waterhouse after Mr Kelly met a young girl in need while volunteering in Afghanistan.