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|Freediving Course Testimonials
My name is Olmo Cinti and I took the FII freediving level 1 course around one year ago at my university. I'm writing you to thank you, because...
a few months ago I had one friend of mine blacking out on me while spearfishing. He came at the surface, took few breaths, and blacked out. Fortunately as you guys taught me I was at arm distance and when he started to sink (he never took the course and he was way overweighted) I was able to pull him up immediately. At one week distance, in the same spot, another buddy of mine stayed too long underwater to chase a big hogfish and blacked out around 30 feets while ascending. Fortunately knowing him and knowing his limits/times I was already waiting him there and I carried him at the surface where I put him on rest position, blowed and tapped on his face until he woke up several seconds later.
Thank you again for the fundamental lessons that you taught me during the course. I hope that as many freedivers/spearfishermen as possible will learn from this and take your class to learn how to have fun safely.
Olmo Cinti
Fort Lauderdale
My name is Dana el Ahdab and I was the first lady in Qatar to take the FII Level 1 Freediver course with Qatar Sub Freediving under the instruction of Khalid al-Hamadi and Amro al-Hamad. I'm a certified scuba diver and recently became an open water instructor, but decided to take the freediving course to broaden my diving experience and knowledge. I must say, diving with minimal gear was extremely liberating. Prior to taking the course, I wasn't even sure that I could ever dive to 20 meters with one breath.. Yet I did!
I really want to thank Khalid and Amro for the wonderful experience. They are extremely passionate about what they do and it clearly reflects in the way that they teach. The course was delivered with a lot of clarity, fun and positive support. I was extremely calm and relaxed at all times and felt that my confidence was constantly growing. At the end I felt really proud of myself. I also really value the information that I learned in terms of safety and understanding the limits and capabilities of my mind and body. It certainly gave me a new perspective on experiencing the underwater world. Moreover, Khalid and Amro were generous with tips on breath-holding techniques and body posture while diving. It's really amazing how a slight tilt in the head can make a huge difference to your performance.
Now that the water here is getting warmer, I hope to practice more, and I look forward to taking the FII Level 2 Freediver.
Dana el Ahdab
F.I.I. Level 2 Freediver Review
I just finished a FII Level 2 Freediver certification course with Martin Stepanek and was completely impressed with both the content and the level of instruction. The FII program has been set up to provide a safe environment, which is the primary reason I gravitated to it, but at the same time it's incredible how much you can learn about free diving and your own body while still pushing your personal limits. The detail of instruction, in the classroom, the pool and open ocean is extraordinary, especially while maintaining exemplary standards of execution. No matter where you are at in the course, you always feel like there is an instructor (or assistant instructor) at your side helping you with your technique for both safety and performance. I felt especially fortunate to have had Martin Stepanek as my instructor. I've learned many, many sports over the years and have never had a better instructor for any of them, but the FII program is clearly set up so that the standards are maintained for all courses with all instructors. What an amazing progression into a new sport for me, not to mention the lifestyle benefits gained from the physiology aspects as well. Can't wait to go down the line again!
Mark S. Cosslett
Maui, Hawaii
F.I.I. Waterman Survival Course Review
My name is Fred Patacchia Jr. I'm a Professional surfer of 13 years and a 9 year veteran of the ASP World Tour of Surfing. The world of surfing is constantly changing and to compete at the World Tour level you have to change with it. The surfing talent pool is getting bigger, and the need to push your limits in big, life-threatening surf is a daily occurrence. I wouldn't categorize myself as a big wave surfer, but when that competition horn blows there's no wave out there that I'm not 100% committed to.
I took Mark Lozano's FII Waterman Survival Extended course hoping to gain more confidence in big surf. My static breath hold went from about a minute and a half to 3 minutes on the first day! I also went from a maximum dive of 20ft to a personal best of 45ft on the second day (Equalization difficulties kept from pushing deeper). On the third day I was doing static apnea exercises that I didn't think were humanly possible, learned how to better my CO2 tolerance and how to keep my heart rate down in order to burn less oxygen.
With the knowledge and water experience Mark has given me, I now have the tools and confidence to go for longer breath holds, deeper dives, and longer hold downs. I wish I had done this years ago, Haha! I have no doubt this will improve my confidence level in any size surf. Mark is a great instructor and I highly recommend anyone who loves the ocean to at least take the (FII) Level One Freediver class. It has given me a new out look on life and a glimpse in what our bodies are truly capable of.
Freddy P.
F.I.I. Freedive Course Review
During my Fii level 2 course, I found myself wondering how such a high level of quality/value was even possible to get at any price; it was that good.
I've been diving for more than 30 years. I was Fii level 1 freediver trained 3 years ago. Before that course I was regularly diving to 20 meters (66 feet). It's common knowledge that 2 atmospheres is the target depth for Level 1. So why did I take it?
The instructors are so great. In the water you've got this support team all around you. They are instructing and tweaking both on the surface and at depth. Within an amazingly short number of dives I was changed as a diver forever. Subsequent dive days cement the experience so that you are changed mentally and physically; you dive like the diver you hoped you'd become.
I think this course is especially valuable for the very experienced diver. If you are already capable of 100+ feet as I was going into the class, then this is the class for you. Doing it and doing it right are very different. The experienced diver will enjoy unlearning and learning at the same time. We also had some guys in the class who were relatively inexperienced. I got to know them well and we all felt like the value we received from this instruction was very high.
Go into this class with an open mind and without the need to stick to your own current understanding. That doesn't mean you shouldn't challenge instructors; I did frequently and my questions were answered in unexpected ways. I would have thought I might have heard a dogmatic answer from time to time; I considered that the safety stance of Fii would be promoted and "that would be that". There was no promotion; just the facts as science and medicine currently understand them. The
I've been complaining about the safety sensibilities of some of my buddies and they've been complaining about mine a bit too. The level 2 class has re-established those sensibilities in me. I won't be coming up 50 feet away after a two minute dive in murky water anymore. There's nothing to be embarrassed about for me or my buddies. I'm just more of the diver I wanted to be now and he follows Fii safety protocols.
Take this class. Like me you'll find out surprising things. Did you know for instance that the ok symbol you give your buddy at the surface isn't just an ok signal?; it's a check for motor control and I'll be getting and receiving them on every dive from now on, including in "shallow" water.
Thank you to Rob [Little], and Mark [Wallerstein] and Joe [D'Agostino] and Martin [Stepanek]. What an amazing experience.
Tom Pavlik
Spearboard.com Contributor
Review posted online here
F.I.I. Freedive Course Review
To date, Daniel Koval's freediving course has been the best dive course I have ever taken. He opened his house to us, and made it very comfortable to learn the information on day one. The 3 minute breath-hold was easy using Daniel's breathing techniques, and his calming meditative cues.
FII Level 1 Freediver
Laguna Beach, California
View Daniel Koval's Instructor Profile
FII Freediving Course Review
I can honestly say that taking Joe's [Sheridan] class has changed everything I thought I knew about freediving and handling uncomfortable situations in the water. I've surfed and competed on a professional level for over 10 years, and within that time experienced several "close calls" in some of world's largest surf. My comfort level has increased 100 percent with this course. Joe's knowledge, expertise, and demeanor are unsurpassed...period.
I can't "Thank" Joe, and FII enough for presenting this class to the public. EVERY watersport enthusiasts should take this course!
Randy Seller
FII Waterman Survival Course with Joe Sheridan
North Carolina
FII Freedive Course Review
Mark [Lozano],
Just wanted to send you a quick note to say THANK YOU and that I was impressed on how you ran the class. Just a little background on myself so that you have an understanding my thought process on taking the class and me being impressed with how you ran the class. I am an examiner and a member of the Technical Team for the Professional Ski Instructors of America/American Association of Snowboard Instructors or PSIA/AASI. In other words I kind of do what you do for the snowboard professionals so that they can increase their teaching certification. So I kind of understanding some of the trials and tribulations you go through putting on an event like yours.
I was truly impressed how "Safety" conscious you were all while getting us to be aware of others who could experience life or death situations and getting us prepared and for many real life situations. I would have not have ever thought that I could hold my breath for 3 minutes or even thought that I could free dive 20 meters or approx. 66 feet. But with your patience and and training I was able to do these things. I am now using the techniques you taught us while I am surfing some bigger waves, since my spring, summer, and fall gig is competing on the Association of Surfing Professionals or ASP Longboard Tour and have been in some hairy situations.
Thank you for the experience and training Mark!
Artie Castro
AASI-W Tech Team Member
ASP Longboard Competitor, currently 5th in North America
ASP Longboard
FII Level 1 Freediver with Mark Lozano
View Mark Lozano's Instructor Profile
FII Course Review
I just wanted to share my gratitude to Bobby Kim for his wonderful teaching ability for the free diving class I took in the Bahamas last week. Bobby was very professional and knowledgeable about free diving skills and safety measures. He answered all our questions and made us feel safe in the water at all times. During static breath hold in the pool his voice was very calming and reassuring.
We all learned so much from his class and he has helped is all to be better prepared for diving and the sea.
Please recognize Bobby for his amazing teaching ability and his friendly attitude.
Thank you so much,
Shannon Truax, RN
FII Level 1 Freediver course, Bobby Kim, Deans Blue Hole, Bahamas
View Bobby Kim's Instructor Profile
FII Course Review
FII level one course review; I am born and raised in Florida and spend the majority of my freethinker either fishing and diving. I have been diving since I was physically able to as a kid and thought I was pretty decent at it but I wanted a better understanding of of freediving besides " hold your breath and blitz to the bottom".
What I have learned in the in the level one class is exponential to my success. I increased my static breath hold by 1:15 minutes, learned many different and correct ways to equalize, learned safety, diving techniques and the science behind all of it that makes you better.
The amount of professionalism and sense of security you get from Johnathan [Dickinson] the instructor and owner of Florida Freedivers few can duplicate.
If you're looking to better your diving regardless of what level you think you are the FII level one class is something you will greatly benefit from. I STRONGLY recommend it.
Thank you very much Florida Freedivers.
Chad Miner
FII Level 1 Freediver Course with Jonathan Dickinson, Florida Freedivers www.floridafreedivers.com
West Palm Beach, Florida
View Jonthan Dickinson's Instructor Profile
FII Level 2 Course Review
I just finished taking the FII level 2 class with Martin Stepanek and thought I would share my experience for others that have been thinking about taking a course like this in the future.
Upon arriving at the course I was pleasantly surprised at the small size of the class having two-to-one student / instructor ratio. Right from the start Martin went into providing us with amazing information on freediving and presented all course material in a well structured manner. Most importantly he kept the entire class engaged the whole time. I never once found myself bored or uninterested.
I have taken many academic classes from schools and certification agencies for work, degrees, and pleasure and I put Martin at the top of the list in presenting information and teaching. His passion for the sport and teaching clearly shows through in his teaching.
If anyone is considering one of these courses I have to say it's is some of the best money I have ever spent!! There were many differing levels of experience in this class and I am certain that everyone felt the same way as me. The instructors made sure to teach to the student instead of one size fits all.
Marc Hudson
FII Course Review
Hello Maca [Benitez],
I would like to thank you again for everything you taught me and for your patience and understanding. I learned so much Maca! Going to Playa Del Carmen and taking the FII Level 1 Freediver course with you was the best decisions I could have made, you are a wonderful teacher and a super person all around.
Randy Ferguson
FII Level 1 Freediver with Macarena Benitez www.apnea.mx
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
View Macarena Benitez's Instructor Profile
FII Course Review
Hey Mark [Lozano],
Just wanted to give some feedback: I'm really happy that I enrolled in the FII freediving program especially "safety" before "performance". Both you and Vaclav presented the info. that fostered explicit direct instruction which is the most successful manner of instruction. Additionally, I understand that V. was being observed for FII instructor certification. I was very comfortable working with V. during the class, pool session, and open water portion. During the pool and open water, where we interacted most, he was positive, supportive, never used negative phrasing, modeled frequently and upon request, used humor, and customized instruction based upon the needs of the individual.
I hope these comments are useful. I will certainly recommend FII in the furture.
March 2013, FII Level 1 Freediver with Mark Lozano and Vaclav Havlik
View Mark Lozano's Instructor Profile
FII Level 1 Course Review
Dear Martin & FII,
My husband and I took the F.I.I. Freediver Level 1 class this past weekend with instructor Errol Putigna. I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with the course
content and the superb instruction given by Errol. I applaud your focus on freediving safety. I'm sure you hear this a lot, but your course made me cringe at the years of freediving and spearfishing I spent unsafe.
With a new awareness on safety, I really only want to dive with those who have taken the course! And especially for someone (me) who tends to get lost in the blue beauty, the priority of my buddy will take precedence.
The course was extremely thorough, touching on all aspects of basic freediving. I appreciate the presentation of the science behind it all, the physiology, the physics, correct breathing techniques. The class refreshed my interest and love for the sport!
I must say, when you found Errol, you found a goldmine.
From classroom to pool to ocean and in between, he is a captivating yet calm teacher. I'm sure you know--Errol's got this amazing positive energy that emanates constantly and sets everyone at ease.He includes each person into topic
examples; knows the material exceedingly well; shows interest in his students; and easily shares a wealth of knowledge and experience. A competent, mature leader. Errol not only focused on safety in almost every aspect of the class,
but he practiced it consistently. He was the perfect role model each time he came up from a dive, always calm, always succinct in his safety procedures.
He seems to genuinely want each student to succeed. One student needed a little extra coaching on the static apnea, and with Errol giving him patient one-on-one time, the student got over his mental obstacle.
He turned one of my failed attempts at 50 feet into a fantastic teachable moment for everyone. Errol's relaxed, peaceful attitude is contagious—and is exactly what we need when freediving.
And on top of it all, he shot video of our ocean dives, and edited a video to music he sent to us. Errol's passion for teaching and freediving made the class a true joy.
Many thanks, and best of luck to you above and below water,
Kathy Sreenan
Jupiter, Florida
View Errol Putigna's Instructor Profile
FII Level 1 Course Review
I took Mark Lozano's FII Level 1 freediving course in October of 2011 as a way to gain more confidence with breath holds and to get an extra edge before attending the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL. The techniques I learned in that class helped me excel during the rigorous training involved in the five-month Marine Engineer Dive Officer course. The FII class dramatically increased my confidence in the water and the skills I developed there helped me to remain calm during stressful situations underwater, especially during Pool Week. I found the Level 1 course to be invaluable, and I plan to continue training with FII.
Tenley Barna, LTjg, US Coast Guard
View Mark Lozano's Instructor Profile
FII Level 1 Course Testimonial
Dear FII Headquarters,
I took my Level 1 last month in Maui with Jon Ammerman and I wanted to let you know that Jon was a fantastic instructor and the class was excellent. As a high school science teacher, I interact with many instructors and Jon's instruction was excellent. Jon has a great rapport with people and made everyone feel comfortable; especially in the open water. Jon's approach to instruction was extremely effective both in the classroom and in the water.
I look forward to returning to Maui next year and increasing my skills.
Graham Ferrige
FII Level 1 Freediver with Jon Ammerman
Maui, Hawaii
FII Course Review
Hello FII Headquarters,
I just would like to tell you what a great job Brandon Gross did with our FII level one freediving class a few weeks ago. First off he was a very cool guy which made the class super relaxing and not feel like a stiff classroom setting. All of his analogies were on point and really relatable making it super easy to learn the material. Brandon made the extra effort to give individual time to each of us, that really helped me on parts of the course that where I struggled. Me and two other buddies took the class to help out with out spearfishing skills but we gained so much more. I didn't realize how much proper safety tips were so important in doing what we do. Thanks to the class and Brandon's expertise, I can now dive with confidence and go deeper for longer time. Thank you all for offering these classes and I can't wait to get better so I can get my FII Level II certification!!!
Thanks again, see ya in the water real soon!
Jeff Robertson
FII Level 1 Freediver with Brandon Gross
San Diego, California
FII Course Review
I recently attended the Level 1 course instructed by Brandon Gross out of Oceanside CA .The course was very informative and was just what i needed to take the next step in my freediving adventure. Brandon was great to have as an instructor. He was very clear in his direction and setup an environment that made it easy to learn. Based on my experiences with Brandon i can definitely recommend others to attend a class with him. I also look forward to taking a Level 2 FII class in the future.
Kenny Rodger
FII Level 1 Freediver with Brandon Gross
San Deigo, California
FII Course Review
Hi Niki,
We're very thankful to you and Mark Wallerstein for sharing your knowledge of freediving with us! This Saturday was epic for our marriage. As you learned 15 years ago we met and Brock proposed while swimming with the dolphins for a week on a live-aboard boat "Bottom Time". Sharon had very little knowledge of water sports and snorkeling was a challenge. After several week-long trips to the dolphins, it was time for her to take a leap of faith and learn how to feel safe in the water.
Saturday's class with Mark and the in-pool experience with you (thank you angel!) helped to release so many fears. As a child Sharon suffered many traumatic experiences while in the water (nasty brother) and for the past 50 years has never felt safe - until this weekend. The time you took, the patience you offered, the knowledge you shared were magical and the experience was mystical!
As you stated on the Wall Photos "No one cares more about your safety then your spouse." I know you have realized this with so many experiences between Martin and yourself. When Brock asked me to join him in the FII Level 1 course, I originally refused - FEAR took control. After his reassurance that there were no expectations and I could set my own limits, I accepted. Your assurance, support and encouragement were key to my complete acceptance.
The safety procedures that we learned in class and in the pool provides us with assurance that we can support each other in the water as well as on land. The steps we learned to breath-hold were amazing. Two and a half minutes for me was unthinkable...now I'm looking forward to 3 and more. Yesterday, with me as Brock's buddy, he held his breath for 3 1/2 minutes!
You have changed our lives. We are now able to be a couple in the water as well as on land. You are never too old to learn...at almost 54 years old, I accepted the challenge and FII changed our lives! We hope to see you on Saturday at the "Open House", and look forward to completing our course with the boat trip. As we mentioned to Mark, the weekend of July 7th is the best for us to schedule the boat dives. We are possibly available before that date also.
Thank you for your kindness, patience and sharing your world. Mark is a great instructor and it was fantastic to meet Martin!
With gratitude,
Sharon and Brock
FII Level 1 Freediver course with Mark Wallerstein
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
FII Freediving Course Review
Matt Roth
"Thanks Errol for a truly once in a lifetime class. I can't get over that I've been only breathing at 1/3rd of my capacity for the last 29 years.Being able to properly breathe and learning the breathe up techniques I know that this class will not only make me a better diver, person, but a better athlete as well. Not to mention these instructors were a ton a fun, and very professional.
Thanks again to Errol Putigna and his staff , Jonathan Dickinson, Joe Sheridan and Robert Little"
Matt Roth
FII Level 1 Freediver with Errol Putigna
West Palm Beach, Florida
FII Course Review
Dan Silviera,
I wanted to thank you again for helping us all have the opportunity to learn and better ourselves as free divers. I really appreciate you coming out to Willows to share your knowledge with us. This was one of the most beneficial investments I have ever made. This class was such an eye opening experience to see how much I can actually improve on my diving abilities. Learning the proper technique and how to make free diving a much safer activity is crucial to my early stages of learning this trade. There are some mental barriers that I need to practice on overcoming but I am soo excited about pushing myself to the next stage in this journey. I feel like I have the tools now to not only improve my skill and abilities, but to also do it safely.
As far as diaphragmatic breathing goes, I haven't stopped since I started on Saturday. My job can be very stressful a lot of the time, so I think this way of breathing will actually help me in being able to relax and lower my heart rate. Not to mention that today in the gym while running on the treadmill, I was concentrating on diaphragmatic breathing and I noticed something as clear as day. My lungs were not sore from trying to take in large gulps of air after 15 minutes of running. My legs got tired long before my lungs, and my heart rate was considerably low when I got off the treadmill after 20 minutes. This method of breathing is such a huge gain for me in and out of the water.
I also did want to touch on your abilities as an Instructor. There is no question that you are a great diver, but I also think your ability to effectively communicate the information to your students is great as well. You take the time to make sure everyone understands what you are teaching and you have a great attitude about helping everyone strive to reach their goals. There was never a feeling of pressure to do anything in your class, more like words of encouragement to take this opportunity to push myself past my own comfort zone. Your presence in the water was also very comforting. By you making every dive a personal experience where you are right next to the diver helping and encouraging them to push themselves, is an experience that a beginner diver will never take unless they trust their instructor. I feel privileged to have had this opportunity and I don't plan on this being the last class I take from you.
Overall, this was a great experience, and I know everyone else in your class feels the same way whether they passed the class or not. I plan on staying in touch with you and look forward to seeing you out in the water!
Ryan Flores
FII Level 1 Freediver with Dan Silivera
FII Instructor Course Review
I just wanted to thank you both guys for planting the seed 2 years ago with my level 2 class and now for getting me certified to be a FII freediving instructor. Both experiences far surpassed my expectations and the knowledge I gained was invaluable.. I am so happy to be part of the FII family and to have met you guys!. Both of you really changed my life and i look forward to continue on learning!. It has been a privilege to have learned from my hero and the best freedivers and instructors in the world!!! BTW i'm already looking for any way and excuse I can to attend camp in Kona.
Thanks once again!!!
Alex Llinas
Pompano Beach, Florida
FII Course Review
Well as Promised I took the Freediving Course this weekend from Freediving Instructors International at their location in Jupiter Florida. Fantastic Instructor, Jonathan Dickinson, and assisted by Robert Little on the Ocean Dive.
First of all their were divers of all ages there with quite a varying Skill Set, and everyone had something to bring to the Table. The Theory was followed by a pool skill test, and in a few short Hours we taught the correct way of Breathing, which in a Total time of less than 20 minutes, increased my breath hold to 3 minutes during that portion of Practice. Next day was the Ocean out by Jupiter, Florida.
We went out on the Blue Tang, operated by Scuba Works in Jupiter Florida, (great Folks by the way), and we left the Dock around 8:30 AM and Arrived at out diving Spot around 45 Minutes Later. A float was on the surface and a Weight was attached to a Rope 66' below the surface and Marked at various Depths down to the weight at 66 Feet. After three Progressive Dives to these Various Depts, I made my first dive to 66' by pulling my self downs the rope to the Weight Below. Again after a short Pause to practice safety skills we than made a 66' free dive by Swimming Down, and Not Pulling down. IT WAS Fantastic!!.
But the Most important skill was not the breath hold, or the Deep dive. But it taught me how and why to be a good Dive Buddy to anyone that is Freediving. And to know the signs and Symptoms of another Diver in Trouble, and to assist him/her in any way Possible
A Fantastic Course and Hats off to Martin Stepanek for developing this course which will make me a better speardiving Buddy to anyone I go Diving With.
Spearboard Member
FII Freediving Course Review
Thanks for the great diving course. It pushed my boundaries and has provided the information and confidence needed for my continued progression.Please pass along my thanks to Brandon Gross as well, I do not have his email address. Also, let me know about those fins, if not I think I have another option.
Once again, thanks a ton.
F.I.I. Freedive Class, Totally Worth the Money
I took the Level 1 FII class last weekend with my nephew and could not be more happy with the decision.
The information and the instructors were top notch. I really feel safe in the water now, shallow water blackout is no longer the monster under the bed for me. Make a class happen, the safety skills are the best and improving your depth and bottom time is great. I cant say enough good things about the instructors and the class. Cant wait to take Level 2.
James Hankins
Florida Springs
FII Course Review
Hey Dan Silviera,
Thanks again. It was really an awesome day and a real privilege. I know I have said a few times already how grateful I am, but I just don't have the words to describe just how good I felt while we were out on the water. It has most to do with the amount of physiologic, psychological and emotion stress I have been under and have placed on myself over the past about 7 years, with few real releases. I wish I had taken the class and made the move back toward the water 10 years ago. I have to be honest, with as comfortable as I am in and around the water I was still just a little bit nervous about the class. But from the beginning your laid back, calm and relaxed style that morning made all the difference once we got out there and on site. It is completely opposite to how things are done in the military. I learned so many things on so many levels its incredible. Your example is to be emulated, and I will endeavor to do so in my own activities.
Your class had a real easy natural order to it. Everything we did had a purpose and a reason, and it was all done in such a relaxed way. You have a great course Dan.
I will be talking up your class to fellow divers at work now that I have taken it. I hope to get enough people interested to fill or almost fill the seats. Almost forgot. Thanks for the pictures. I look at them, and one of the things that come to mind is just how much I am not thinking about while I am out there. I apologize for being so openly introspective about the experience, but I thought that knowing your students and understanding their motivations can only help make you a better teacher. Your role as a teacher was one of the focal points of the day, and as such is integral to the overall experience. Again your great example will not be one easily forgotten. All these words are just so when I say "Thank you" you know where that thank you is coming from. Way down deep."
Best Fishes,
Terry Reist
FII Course Review
"The FII Waterman's survival course was eye opening to say the least. The classroom portion explained the science behind breath holding and the safety techniques perfectly and prepared me for what was to come during the pool and open water portions. The open water portion simulated big wave hold downs and disorientation very well while the pool session prepped me for the open water and taught me training exercises. As a result of the course I feel more prepared for the big swells of the winter than I ever have and have gained a training partner / big wave buddy from the class who I have the utmost confidence in. I fully recommend the FII Waterman's Survival Course to anyone who is going out the ocean surfing or in rough water conditions. With big waves it's only a matter of time before a serious hold down, broken board or bad wipeout happens; the proper training may save your life or the life of another."
Stephen Schur
San Diego, Course hosted by Mark Lozano
FII Course Review
I just took the FII Level I class in Hermosa Beach last 11/19-20/2011 with Mark Lozano, and I think the $275 was well worth it. I have been freediving and spearfishing for over 45 years now, yet I found most--if not all--of the information given in the class to be new and absolutely relevant to me, especially the safety aspect. I'm now looking forward to take the Level II course.
Di Au
SpearBoard Member
Hermosa Beach
FII Course Review
FII's Level 2 was one of the greatest things I have ever encountered. One day I had noticed that my regular spearfishing buddies were consistently outdiving me after taking a so called freediving course. It had been a month since we dove together and could not believe how comfortable they looked in the water with such long bottom times. I went home to research the freediving class they were bragging of and enrolled myself in the next class FII had available. The course has opened a new world for me. Of course my spearfishing ability has improved, but this merely scratches the surface of what I have learned. The safety skills that are taught here are, in my opinion, a prerequisite to anyone wishing to freedive. I am now much calmer in the water, which has allowed me to interact with various marine animals that I would have never thought possible. I've been in the water my entire life as a visitor, but now, sometimes I feel like I am a part of it.
Through FII, I have met many like minded people that are drawn to the water like a magnet. Many of these people have become my good friends that I hope to have as friends for life.
Thanks FII,
Tony Babowicz
West Palm Beach, Florida
FII Course Review
I just wanted to extend a very big thank you to all of you at FII for such an awesome learning experience. Martin Stepanek, I can't thank you enough for all the insight you've given us into the world of freediving. The knowledge that I gained in the Level 2 Freediver course is priceless and it has given me a completely different outlook on my personal freediving. During the 4 day course I shattered my personal bests including static apnea as well as depth and I can't wait to get back in the water and start practicing the teachings and techniques you've shared with us. Thanks again!
From the Big Island...
Russ Kapuniai
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
FII Freediving Course Review
Fort Lauderdale
After taking Martin Stepanek's freediving courses I was shocked by the vital knowledge that I was lacking to progress forward in my diving carrier. By taking the courses I had accelerated my knowledge, skill, ability and safety at an exponential rate that would have otherwise taken me a lifetime to attain.
Dan Silveira
USA Spearfishing Champion - Team USA 2010 member
FII Freediving Course Review
Dear Mark:
The Waterman Survival course was fantastic! - a requirement for anyone participating in water sports of anykind-including the "Weekend Warriors" like myself that still think they are 21 years old!
There is no substitute for preparing for real life events and circumstances. This course brings the potential water hazard up close and personal so one can be prepared and confident going forward with their respective sport.
Appreciate you excellent communication skills in the class and careful and patient instruction in the water.
I think everyone would especially find the creativity of the swimming pool segment enjoyable and satisfying.
Shaun Hurley, MBA
Real Estate Broker
FII Freediving Course Review
Martin and Nikki,
I would like to express our extreme satisfaction with the quality of the FII Junior Freediver course as well as with Errol Putigna. I knew that having my kids in the class would be challenging but Errol's teaching experience and his patience made it all seem easy. We all learned a tremendous amount and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
I have renewed confidence in the water now and I am excited about practicing my newly learned skills this coming weekend. Capt. Randy Towe, and I (he also took the course) will be freediving in Bimini or the FL Keys this weekend and as freshly certified freedivers and we are looking forward to doing so with the confidence that we now understand how to do so safely and effectively.
I am eagerly recommending your course to all of my friends and will continue to do so. When I am ready I will be taking the level 2 course and I look forward to continuing to develop these new skills.
Bernard Paul-Hus
West Palm Beach
FII Course Review
I recently had the pleasure of taking an F.I.I. Level II freediving course in Hermosa Beach California with Mark Lozano. Mark was an excellent instructor. The 4 days I spent training with him were extremely challenging both academically and physically. Guiding the class through the workload, Mark made the curriculum approachable and meaningful. With Mark I felt a level of assurance that allowed me to push beyond my limits. Even with challenging marine conditions and poor water visibility, Mark's ability to inspire and lead allowed for the successful completion of practical components. Mark made nearly every dive alongside the students. Seeing Mark just above me after turning to ascend on deep dives gave me the confidence to grow my abilities. His coaching and mentoring enabled me to succeed in my life long goal of reaching 100 feet. Your organization is served well by his presence here in California. Because of his class I am now inspired to continue with my training and look forward to participating in a level III class some day in the future.
Jon Ammerman
FII Level 1 Free dive Course Review
I just completed the FII Level 1 Training June 18-19 weekend in Marathon, FL - another satisfied customer.
I was concerned reading postings that our class size had grown big enough to support 3 instructors (14 students). I feared none of us would get the one-on-one supervision we paid for - couldn't have been more wrong! The larger class was great from my perspective as every skill was demonstrated by one of the instructors while being real-time narrated by another instructor. Then each of us practiced the skills under dedicated one-on-one supervision. I ended up working with all three instructors (Errol, Brett, and Mark) throughout the two days of class. All three are top notch!
I think I finally understand why postings about these classes usually sound about as vague as the weekend weatherman (except msilva2467's). If you searched the internet hard enough (a lot more than the two day Level 1 class) and figured how to sort out bad information, then you could probably put most of the coursework together. The strong point of these classes is the personal observations and feedback from the instructors when you personally perform the skills. This is a "show me how you do it", vs. a "tell me how you would do it" experience.
It's a lot like reading about how to drive a race car vs. having a top driver sit in the seat beside you. Errol, Brett, and Mark all have that unique ability to point out your mistakes (for the 20th time) without making you feel stupid
I was not one of the top performers in the class, but - really enjoyed the experience, recommend it for others, learned a lot about safety, breathing, equalization, buoyancy, etc. and spent time with some cool classmates.
We did spend two days in the water in Level 1. Day 1 in the water was identifying issues and rescue simulations, neutral weighting, dive entry technique, and static breath-holds (limited to 3 minutes). Day 2 in the water was checking neutral weighting at depth, pull down the rope dives, and dynamic finning dives (limited to 66 feet).
I have been hunting in the 30-40 foot range for about 5 years, so if you don't have the time (or funding) for the Level 2 class, then the Level 1 is certainly well worth the time from my perspective.
Gary H
Spearboard Member
Hello guys,
I have fresh news for you...during the last two weeks I was training two students of mine to participate in FAZZA Breathhold Competition and few hours ago one of them placed 3rd and won the bronze cup plus the cash prize... The skills I learned from you guys and the FII experience of teaching people this sport helped me to make this achievement.
FII Instructor based in Qatar
I want you to know how impressed I was with your expert knowledge of all aspects of the sport. The class exceeded my expectations in every way. If you ever want to come down and spear the remote spectacular atolls of Belize let me know.
View all FII Instructors and upcoming FII freediving courses on the FII Instructor & Course Locator.


text:
Practice Philosophy
Dr. Brian D. Peterson has dedicated his practice to the pursuit of excellence in aesthetic / cosmetic plastic surgery. Performing 500 surgical procedures per year, he has obtained extensive experience in all types of facial cosmetic surgery, as well as breast and body contouring. He has served as the President of the Canadian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Northwest Society of Plastic Surgery. He has been an invited International speaker in Aesthetic Surgery.
The objective of his practice is to bring this experience to each patient as an individual to achieve optimum surgical outcomes. His office and operating room staff share this goal, and will strive to take care of your personal needs.
Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery
Consultations may be arranged via the internet on www.petersonmd.com, or toll free 1-886-337-3885
Okanagan Health Surgical Center - State of the Art Private Surgical Facility. Fully Accredited by the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Kelowna General Hospital
Location & Office Hours
3320 Richter Street
Kelowna, BC V1W 4V5
View Map
Payment Options
Visa, MasterCard, Patient Financing, Cash, Personal Checks

subset: commoncrawl


text:
iZ3D Software
current version
1.13 RC(5443) (15 June 2011)
How it works
3D Technologies
Compatible Games
iZ3D, Inc. Discontinues Operations
Over the last year iZ3D reorganized the company to better respond to changing 3D market conditions and to promote joined marketing with 3rd party 3D hardware providers.
However, despite diligent efforts to join forces with other 3D companies and despite initiating an Open Source project, iZ3D was unable to secure new relationships and new funding. Regretfully, because of lacking funds, iZ3D is no longer able to meet financial obligations. Therefore these financial realities force iZ3D, Inc to discontinue its operations on July 31, 2012.
Many thanks to our customers and partners for the support extended in the past.
Contact Phone: (619) 344-8679
iz3d api
©2011 iZ3D, Inc. All rights reserved. - AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Radeon, and Combinations thereof are trademarks of Advance Micro Devices, Inc. Other names and/images are for informational purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.


text:
Overview of content related to 'url'
This page provides an overview of 1 article related to 'librarything'. Note that filters may be applied to display a sub-set of articles in this category (see FAQs on filtering for usage tips). Select this link to remove all filters.
LibraryThing is a social cataloging web application for storing and sharing book catalogs and various types of book metadata. It is used by individuals, authors, libraries and publishers. Based in Portland, Maine, LibraryThing was developed by Tim Spalding and went live on August 29, 2005. As of April 2011 it has over 1,300,000 users and more than 61 million books catalogued. The primary feature of LibraryThing is the cataloging of books by importing data from libraries through Z39.50 connections and from six Amazon.com stores. Library sources supply MARC and Dublin Core records to LT; users can import information from 690 libraries, including the Library of Congress, National Library of Australia, the Canadian National Catalogue, the British Library, and Yale University. Should a record not be available from any of these sources, it is also possible to add the book information by using a blank form. (Excerpt from Wikipedia article: LibraryThing)
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Retooling Special Collections Digitisation in the Age of Mass Scanning
Constance Rinaldo, Judith Warnement, Tom Baione, Martin R. Kalfatovic and Susan Fraser describe results from a study to identify and develop a cost-effective and efficient large-scale digitisation workflow for special collections library materials.
July 2011, issue67, feature article


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Hotel news, opinions and updates from the team at The Sukhothai.
Let us taking care of you even when you are asleep with The Sukhothai Pillow Menu exclusively from Parker & Morgan, the leading pillow maker company in the world. We offer various kinds and types of pillow that perfectly matches your individual requirement to make sure that you have a very nice and deep sleep as we believe that a well-rested sleep would prepare you to be ready for the rest of day.
Starting with different kind of materials which are waiting for you to choose as you prefer, T... Read more


text:
Megan K. Dunn, CNM, ARNPMegan K. Dunn, CNM, ARNP
Midwife (CNM)
Adolescent Gynecology, Certified Nurse Midwife, Family Centered Birthing, Family Planning, IUD Insertion, Low-Risk Childbirth, Midwifery, Natural Family Planning, Preconception Counseling, Teen Pregnancy, Women's Health
- Accepting Children: No
- Accepting New Patients: Yes
- Accepting Medicare: Yes
- Accepting Medicaid/DSHS: Unknown
Contact this office for accepted insurance plans.
University of WashingtonBoard Certifications
CNM, ARNPLanguages:
English, SpanishProfessional Associations:
American College of Nurse Midwives
Tallman Building, Suite 420
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: 206-781-6080
Fax: 206-781-6285
Map & Directions
Physicians: Is this your profile? Click here for info
Watch VideoPlay
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text:
Sanda Htyte, Radio Rookies Associate Producer
Sanda Htyte is Radio Rookies Associate Producer. She has been with Radio Rookies since interning at the Elmhurst workshop in summer of 2005. She is also a freelance video producer, director, editor and a CUNY Professor. While interning at Radio Rookies, Sanda was completing her MFA in documentary producing. Having studied both video and radio production at her Alma Mater, Brooklyn College, CUNY, she was asked to teach introduction to radio production as Adjunct Professor in Fall of 2006 as well as Spring 2007.


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Peilicans though? It's Disney World. Now and forever.
Can't please everybody. I'm digging the pelicans though. At first I hated it but as time went by it grew on me. Lets see those colors and unis.
Now I do voice overs. Finally!
Click here for my first voice demo!
Eman where did that logo come from?
My Anthony Davis website: http://thebrow.uphero.com/
I kind of like it, but I've grown up with Hornets, so it's going to take some time to adjust. Pelicans sounds pretty good and makes a lot of sense locally. I just hope it catches on.
Don't like the white on the side of the one Eman posted but overall not bad.
Nope. But it's something some guy made on Photoshop or whatever. And it looks that good. Imagine if BigDub is working on a uni concept? He'll be sure to knock one out the stratosphere. I'd forgotten about how sweet that color scheme is.
Can only hope there is some salvation with the jersey. Please dont let that be a train wreck too.
lol @ people gettin' all worked up. This league is chock-full of terrible names. I mean, really, most of them are terrible at face value. But teams create "the brand" through winning and time.
You can't spell "Pelican" without I CAN, biznatches!
Support Louisiana businesses.
This is by far the worst sports name right now. I challenge anyone to verbally say "New Orleans Pelicans".... u cant tell me that doesnt sound goofy and bad.
True Love
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)


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Natural Laundry DetergentREVIEWS
It Works
Natural Laundry Detergent that's tough on stains, but gentle to your world. With no dyes, optical brighteners or synthetic fragrances, our natural laundry detergent gives you great results - even in cold water.
We Care
Our laundry detergent removes 100% of visible tomato sauce and strawberry stains, and our formulas are not toxic to you and are biodegradable.
Did You Know?
Optical brighteners are synthetic chemicals that make fabrics appear to glow in the presence of ultraviolet light. They don't have anything to do with getting things clean -- they're only added to detergents to make us think our laundry is brighter and whiter than it really is. Seventh Generation laundry products contain no optical brighteners.
Natural Laundry liquid designed for Standard and HE machines
Laundry Liquid free of dyes & synthetic fragrances
USDA Certified Biobased 97%
Natural Laundry Liquid that supports sustainable palm oil
Liquid Laundry Detergent that is hypoallergenic
Ingredients: Water, laureth-6 (plant-derived cleaning agent), sodium lauryl sulfate (plant-derived cleaning agent), sodium citrate (plant-derived water softener), glycerin (plant-derived enzyme stabilizer), boric acid (mineral-based enzyme stabilizer), oleic acid (plant-derived anti-foaming agent), sodium chloride (mineral-based viscosity modifier), sodium hydroxide (mineral-based pH adjuster), calcium chloride (mineral-based enzyme stabilizer), citric acid (plant-derived processing aid), protease, amylase and mannanase (plant-derived enzyme soil removers), benzisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (synthetic preservatives).
Fragranced with plant-based essential oils and botanical extracts*
Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender: Eucalyptus dives, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, pinus sylvestris (pine).
Fresh Citrus: Buchu leaf oil, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, gamma-decalactone, linalool.
*d-Limonene is a component of these essential oils
Download Material Safety Data Sheets:
Usage & FAQs:
This natural laundry detergent is a 2x concentrated formula and is designed to produce the best results when measured and used according to these easy steps: SORT- Follow garment care label instructions.PRETREAT- Pour natural laundry detergent directly on stained fabric, rub gently and soak before washing clothes.MEASURE- Standard and HE Machines: For medium loads fill natural laundry liquid detergent to Line 1 in cap (1.5oz.) For heavily soiled or larger loads fill cap to Line 3 (2.2oz.)POUR- Use dispenser for HE washers. For standard washers, begin to fill machine with water, add natural laundry detergent, then add clothes. The 50 oz laundry detergent bottle contains 33 loads as measured to Line 1 in the cap. The 150 oz laundry detergent bottle contains 99 loads as measured to Line 1 in the cap. Please recycle the laundry detergent bottle when you are done.
Download Material Safety Data Sheets:
This bottle is made from 80% recycled plastic.learn more at how2recycle.info
Download Material Safety Data Sheets:
Customer Reviews:
Dish Liquid - Free & Clear - 50 oz.available at stores near you
Auto Dish Powder - Free & Clear - 75 oz.available at stores near you


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Currently registered students and currently employed faculty and staff may check out equipment from Media Loan.
Using Equipment
Equipment may be used for any credit-generating academic work or college business. Read our policies for detailed information.
- See the equipment catalog for a full listing.
- Visit our Help Wiki to read operating guides and download manuals.
How to Reserve & Checkout Equipment
- Visit Media Loan or call (360) 867-6253 to make a reservation.
- If the equipment requires a proficiency test, you'll need to schedule it in advance. It may take up to an hour, depending on the equipment.
- Pick up the equipment and check it out at Media Loan. You'll need your valid Evergreen ID.
- Equipment may be checked out for up to 3 days. You may be able to renew up to 3 times depending on the equipment and if it is available.
- Return the equipment to Media Loan. You can also return equipment to the Library circulation desk when Media Loan is closed.
Do you need equipment longer than the normal checkout? Fill out an Extended Loan Request.
Late Fines
Return equipment on time so other students can use it. As an extra incentive, Media Loan charges late fines to encourage prompt return. Avoid late fines by returning equipment before it comes due. Need more incentive? Learn how late fines are assessed and what happens when you keep stuff WAY overdue.
Late returning Media Loan equipment? Appeal your late fine online.
Want to use media in your program?
- Schedule a workshop or contact Mélanie Valera, the Instructional Media Coordinator, to see how media can meet your learning goals.
- Set up a program account to check out equipment and authorize program aides to check out equipment for you.


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Apple fans have made a number of unofficial toys in honor of their favorite fruit company, with founder Steve Jobs being the most popular. As would be expected, Apple has frowned upon all of them. Apple's distaste for the bobble heads and action figures has resulted in a strange grey-market niche where a small company will announce a product, only to receive legal threats from Apple before shutting things down.
DiD Corp has decided to have it's turn dancing with the Apple legal team by announcing this incredibly creepy, but very accurate action figure of the late Apple founder for $99.99 that will ship in February if Apple hasn't run them out of town first.
The action figure is being billed as an honor to "the American icon and great visionary Steve Jobs", and is a 1:6 scale of Jobs himself. It features the iconic black turtleneck, blue jeans, and New Balance shoes that Jobs was known to wear.
One popular limited edition figurine is for sale on eBay for $299, while another Steve Jobs nesting doll is currently listed at $45.
As of time of this writing, the Inicons.com website is down. However, if the site returns, preorders for the creepy Steve Jobs action figure can be placed for $99 for February
Source: The Verge


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Terrible Sim for Grant Hll to be hurt for. Made the first 3 games. Lost pace on 1st place in the pacific because of it and and a chance to rest anyone.
Beat the Soncis without Grant Hill.
Beat the Rockets without Grant Hill and lost by one without him as well.
Lost to the suddely hot Hornets without him.


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BEST: Kate Beckinsale killed it in Donna Karan at the London premiere of Total Recall, pairing her dazzling strapless gown with Rona Pfeiffer bling and Ferragamo heels.
BEST: Eva Longoria looked red hot in an ASOS cocktail dress, which she paired with attention grabbing Charlotte Olympia platforms for dinner at Beso.
WORST: Jennifer Garner failed to pull off the urban cowgirl look, wearing a black and white No. 21 ensemble with YSL heels for a New York City screening of The Odd Life of Timothy Green.
WORST: We weren't loving Heidi Klum's MICHAEL Michael Kors leopard look at her Truly Scrumptious Collection for Babies R Us unveiling in New York City.
BEST: Camilla Belle looked beautiful in Jason Wu at the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Event in New York City, pairing her adorable frockwith a Jimmy Choo clutch and sandals.
BEST: Tika Sumpter put herself on the a la mode map, dropping jaws at the Sparkle premiere in a dazzling and shimmering gold Bill Blass gown.
BEST: Kristen Bell flaunted her enviable figure at the Los Angeles premiere of Hit and Run, wearing a Jenny Packham jumpsuit.
BEST: Jordin Sparks showed off her slimmed down figure at the New York screening of Sparkle, wearing a red Alice + Olivia peplum dress with matching Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
WORST: Chloe Sevigny wore a cute Versace Jeans Couture frock to the New York premiere of Lawless, but fudged up with her black Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony footwear and matching Opening Ceremony satchel.
Pacific Coast News
BEST: Kelly Rowland hit the high note at the David Jones Spring/Summer 2012/2012 Season Launch, showing off her tiny waist in a Victoria Beckham frock, which she paired with Christian Louboutin pumps.
BEST: Jessica Chastain looked flirty and fabulous at the New York premiere of Lawless, wearing a flamenco fashioned Yves Saint Laurent vintage frock from Decades, paired with YSL heels and Tom Binns bracelets.
BEST: Beyonce showed off her white hot bod in an Alexander McQueen bell-sleeved cocktail dress at the United Nations General Assembly Hall, pairing the number with Ruthie Davis heels.
WORST: Kelly Osbourne matched her heels and Vivienne Westwood Purple Label look to her purple hair at the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Event in New York City.
Getty Images
BEST: Marvelous Malin Ackerman! The beautiful blonde donned a Vena Cava ensemble to the brand's GenArt and Barney's New York bash at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
BEST: Leslie Bibb looked lovely at the launch of Clos du Bois Rouge wine in New York City, pairing a Halston Heritage ensemble with nude heels and House of Lavande bracelets.
Getty Images
WORST: Elizabeth Olsen's hipster look at the Los Angeles premiere of Red Hook Summer wasn't so haute.
Pacific Coast News
WORST: Nicole Scherzinger hit will.i.am's party in Hollywood, missing the a la mode mark with her Nikki Rich leather dress andintense lace-up boots.
Getty Images
WORST: Christina Aguilera hit a press event for The Voice, showing off purple tipped locks and her curvy body in black leggings and a putrid print dress.
BEST: Jennie Garth showed off her sexy single new look, pairing Level 99 skinnies with a sheer white blouse and sexy sandals for a day of traveling with her kids.
WORST: Nice orange pants, Rod Stewart! The aging rocker paired a blue gingham shirt with matching kicks and a yellow belt for a coffee run in Los Angeles.
WACKY: Nicki Minaj sassed up the stage of The Today Show, wearing a bright red catsuit with matching boots.
WORST: Looking quite boobiful, Janice Dickinson hit the town in Los Angeles showing off her tacky fashion faux pas.
BEST: Jessica Biel looked sexy in a nude lace Dolce & Gabbana cocktail dress at the Dublin premiere after-party for Total Recall.
PHOTOS: The Best, Worst & Wackiest Dressed Stars Of The Week


text:
Don't Have an Account? Join the IHG® Rewards Club
Redeem when you want, for what you want.
Reward Nights
When redeeming points for a Reward
Night, you may only book one room at a time.
Once you complete your Reward Night
reservation you will be given the option
to duplicate this reservation
* Requires affiliation in the respective organization.
** Best Available Rate Search does not include affiliation rates.
To book more than 9 rooms for one stay or request a quote, please use our Easy Meetings tool, call 1-800-MEETING (in United States, Mexico and Canada) or contact a Global Sales Office.
Ideally situated on the way to Wichita Falls and Amarillo along the direct route of Hwy 287, the area's portal to Canada or Mexico this Childress, Texas hotel's location makes it the perfect place to stop during your travels. Featuring small town charm and a convenient address we are the quintessential gateway hotel. We offer everything you need for a restful night's stay at a price you can afford.
While lodging in Childress,
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While lodging in Childress, TX hotel guests enjoy visiting scenic Caprock State Park which is about sixty miles from hotel facility. Fair Park Lake is also nearby and boasts beautiful views from the walking bridge as well as scenic lakeside trails. Downtown Childress is lined with dozens of antique shops all filled with interesting furniture and trinkets. Of all Childress, Texas hotels ours certainly provides the most convenient outlet to these top attractions.
Business patrons have easy access to the Childress Regional Medical Center, TDCJ- T.L. Roach Unit, Super Walmart, B3R Country Meats, and Childress District Office of TXDOT. To keep everyone connected to colleagues we provide free high-speed wireless Internet access unlike other hotels. For Childress, Texas business travelers we are the place to Stay Smart.
At our Holiday Inn Express®® Childress, TX hotel we provide everything you need to feel at home. Make your reservations today!
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text:
Master's (MBA and Specialized)
Independent Study in Accounting
- 7-weeks
- 1.5 credits
- Prerequisite: MBA Core/Application Required
For advanced MBA students engaged in special study projects. Independent study projects must have the approval of the faculty member who will supervise the work, the departmental chairperson and the MBA Office.
Forms for 590 approval are available in the MBA Office.


text:
Results 1 to 10 of 310
Senior Member
- Join Date
- May 2007
- Location
- Lafayette, IN
- Posts
- 1,138
Posted On:
2/12/2012 11:43pm
Tai chi and wing chun
I want to practice tai chi to help with my stress and bloody pressure. Could anybody recommend a good instructional DVD cuz all the schools near me do classes during the day when ppl would usually b working? My second question is I want to take up wing chun and there is only one school near me http://www.mountainmartialartsacademy.com/ if somebody has time I'd appreciate if they could check this site out and tell me if it's worth my time. It's 20 bucks for each 2 hour class held twice weekly. I know wing chun is Tuesday and Kali/jkd is thursday idk if they train in we on jkd or visa versa but any info you all could give me would be great.
Style: stick,Taiji, mountainbike--
You can't learn tai chi from a video. There is another thread on this, here. List the tai chi schools close to you.
Best thing would be to take some private classes, learn the form, then go back occasionally for corrections and further applications. If you can't make it to a regular class.Combatives training log.
Gezere: paraphrase from Bas Rutten, Never escalate the level of violence in fight you are losing. :D
Drum thread
Pavel Tsatsouline: kettlebell workouts give you cardio without the dishonour of aerobics.


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UNCG Bryan School of Business
and Economics
Please complete the following information. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
If you checked the box above, please enter information about your spouse:
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If applicable, please complete and mail the Matching Gift Form (available from the human resources department of the company that has the matching gift program) to the following address:
Advancement Services
PO Box 26170


text:
Peanut allergy is common, especially in children. Peanut allergy symptoms can range from a minor irritation to a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis). For some people with peanut allergy, even tiny amounts of peanuts can cause a serious reaction.
If you or your child has had a reaction to peanuts, tell your doctor about it. Peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of severe allergy attacks.
It's important to get even a minor reaction to peanuts checked out. Even if you or your child has had only a mild allergic reaction in the past, there's still a risk of a more serious future reaction.
An allergic response to peanuts usually occurs within minutes after exposure, and symptoms range from mild to severe. Peanut allergy signs and symptoms can include:
Peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires treatment with an epinephrine (adrenaline) injector (EpiPen, Twinject) and a trip to the emergency room.
Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms can include all of the above, plus:
Talk to your doctor if you think you could be allergic to peanuts, especially if you had a severe reaction.
Seek emergency treatment if you have a severe reaction to peanuts, especially if you have any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you or someone else displays severe dizziness, severe trouble breathing or loss of consciousness.
Peanut allergy occurs when your immune system mistakenly identifies peanut proteins as something harmful. When you have direct or indirect contact with peanuts, your immune system releases symptom-causing chemicals into your bloodstream. It isn't known exactly why some people become allergic to peanuts and others don't.
Exposure to peanuts can occur in different ways:
In some cases, what may appear to be a food allergy may actually be a food intolerance. Unlike a true food allergy, a food intolerance doesn't involve the immune system. With a true food allergy, even tiny amounts of the food can cause a severe reaction. In most cases, someone who has a food intolerance can eat small amounts of the food with only mild symptoms, such as indigestion or heartburn.
It isn't clear why some people develop allergies while others don't. However, people with certain risk factors have a greater chance of developing peanut allergy.
Food allergy risk factors include:
While some people think food allergies are linked to childhood hyperactivity and to arthritis, there's no evidence to support this.
Complications of food allergy can include:
To get the most from your appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and to know what to expect from your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
If your child is seeing the doctor for a peanut allergy, you may also want to ask:
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
If you suspect you have a peanut allergy, avoid exposure to peanuts until your doctor's appointment. If you have a severe reaction, seek emergency help.
The following may help determine if you have a peanut allergy or if your symptoms are likely due to something else, such as food intolerance, a bout of food poisoning or some other condition.
Not all reactions to peanuts are caused by an allergic reaction. It can be difficult to know whether you are allergic or intolerant to peanuts.
There's no definitive treatment for peanut allergy, but desensitization is showing promise. Desensitization involves giving children with peanut allergies increasing doses of peanut flour or peanut extract over time. Studies have shown promise in desensitizing children to peanuts. More study is needed.
In the meantime, as with any food allergy, treatment involves taking steps to avoid the food that causes your reaction, learning what steps you can take to relieve minor symptoms, and knowing how to spot and respond to a severe reaction.
The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid peanuts and peanut products altogether. But peanuts are common, and despite your best efforts, you're likely to come into contact with peanuts at some point.
If your doctor has prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector:
One of the keys to preventing an allergic reaction is knowing how to avoid the food that causes your symptoms. Follow these steps:
Never assume a food doesn't contain peanuts. Peanuts may be in foods that you never thought contained them. Always read labels on manufactured foods to make sure they don't contain peanuts or peanut products. Manufactured foods are required to clearly state whether foods contain any peanuts and if they were produced in factories that also process peanuts.
Even if you think you know what's in a food, check the label. Ingredients may change.
Peanuts are common, and avoiding foods that contain them can be a challenge. The following foods often contain peanuts:
Less obvious foods may contain peanuts or peanut proteins, either because they were made with them or because they came in contact with them during the manufacturing process. Some examples include:
Some people claim that alternative treatments help, but there's not much research in this area. Because peanut allergy can be life-threatening, herbal remedies are generally not recommended and aren't a substitute for medical care. Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative medical treatment.
If your child has peanut allergy, take these steps to help keep him or her safe:
Involve caregivers. If your child has a peanut allergy, enlist the help of relatives, baby sitters, teachers and other caregivers. Teach the adults who spend time with your child how to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to peanuts. Emphasize that an allergic reaction can be life-threatening and requires immediate action.
Make sure that your child also knows to ask for help right away if he or she has an allergic reaction.
If you have peanut allergy, do the following:
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peanut-allergy/basics/risk-factors/con-20027898
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The fiercest ninjas of the Iga clan face their toughest enemies - and they aren't from this planet! A fiery mass crashes in the forest and soon horrifyingly savage creatures reduce the warriors to tasty snacks. But these extraterrestrials have bitten off more than they can chew: swords and throwing stars may fail against unearthly goons, but ninja skills don't stop at sharp stuff.
Special Features: Alien vs Ninja Making Of, Original Trailer, Previews.
Spoken Languages: English, Japanese, English subtitles.
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A Phase II Trial of Carboplatin/Paclitaxel with and without Trastuzumab in HER2/neu+ Patients with Advanced orRecurrent Uterine Serous Papillary Cancer
Corpus Uteri
What is the purpose of this trial?
To estimate whether the addition of trastuzumab to paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy improves progression free survival (PFS) when compared to paclitaxel and carboplatin alone in USPC patients overexpressing HER2/neu at 3+ level by IHC or positive by FISH.
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When looking for a place to set one of the most romantic scenes in movie history—the wedding of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala in the second Star Wars film—George Lucas had no hesitation in choosing Lake Como. Villa Balbianello, to be precise. It is hard to find a better location for the perfect wedding.
And a reception at Grand Hotel Tremezzo is guaranteed to make you feel like a star and give you a day to remember for ever. Whatever your idea of a wedding celebration—classic or fun, sumptuous or minimalist, traditional or out of the ordinary—this is the place to hold it. Our dedicated staff will work with you or your wedding planner to put the final touches to every detail of the party, from the colour of the flowers to the choice of menu. It's your day. And choosing Grand Hotel Tremezzo for such a special occasion, unique by definition, means sharing a dream and a venue that your guests will remember with you as one of joy and happiness.


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John Outterbridge
LAXART, the Los Angeles nonprofit space, unveils The Rag Factory, a new site-specific installation by the legendary Los Angeles artist and community activist John Outterbridge (b. 1933), in his first Los Angeles solo in 15 years. New attention is showering upon Outterbridge and his colleagues in the California Assemblage movement of the 1960s and '70s -- including Mel Edwards, Senga Nengudi, Noah Purifoy, Bettye Saar and David Hammons -- thanks to new book-sized exhibition catalogues like L.A. Object & David Hammons Body Prints (Tilton Gallery) and Now Dig This! Art & Black Los Angeles 1960-1980 (Hammer Museum).
It's been a long time coming. A teacher and mentor to many younger artists, Outterbridge was director of the Watts Towers Art Center during 1975-1992. The accompanying people photographs were taken by Joe Lewis at the opening of the exhibition, "The Rag Factory," Sept. 10-Oct. 22, 2011, organized by guest curator Kris Kuramitsu for LAXART.
JOE LEWIS is an artist and dean at Clair Trevor School of the Arts, University of California Irvine.


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Jake's Corner
12/27/13 Tori's Husband a Cheater
Find me on Facebook: Jake Emily Poyet Webb
Friday, December 27, 2013
The world just isn't fair. Paris Hilton claims she's one of the TOP 5 highest paid DJ's in world. TMZ asked Paris how her new journey into the world of electronic music has been paying off financially, and she responded, quote, "I'm one of the top 5 in the world, so..."
Tori Spelling's husband has admitted to cheating on her. US Weekly has a cover story that says Dean McDermott, who's been married to Tori for seven-and-a-half years, four children and two reality shows, had an affair in his hometown of Toronto earlier this month. According to the story, he told new friend 28-year-old Emily Goodhand that his marriage was sexless -- which doesn't quite jibe with their sex tape scandal of a few months back. Regardless, she spent a night with him in a swanky hotel. "He seemed like a cool guy," said Emily. "I thought he was handsome." But she also told the magazine she regretted the fling and that she had no intention of seeing McDermott again.
Jenni "JWoww" Farley announced she's pregnant on Wednesday by posting a Christmas card featuring an ultrasound picture of her little one. The card reads, "We couldn't have wished for a better gift this Christmas! Happy holidays from our growing family to yours! Love, Jenni, Roger and arriving July 2014 Baby Mathews." Roger is her fiance.
12/26/13 Justin Bieber Retiring?
Find me on Facebook: Jake Emily Poyet Webb
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Last week, Justin Bieber announced on an L.A. radio station that he would be retiring after his next album drops. And of course, no one took him seriously. But, Justin is NOT backing off his promise to "retire". He proved he means business by reinforcing his retirement plans ON TWITTER!!! Justin issued a Christmas Eve statement saying, "My beloved beliebers I'm officially retiring." –And we, as a nation, can only hope.
Katy Perry and John Mayer might look like a laid-back couple, but the two are apparently extremely hight maintenance. Life & Style has uncovered a laundry list of demands the couple has on hand when they're on the road… and this is not your ordinary hotel room service. In fact, Mayer's four reasonable requests that include his alcoholic beverage of choice, Lagavulin 16, an $80 bottle of aged Scotch; Cherry Coke Zero; and room temperature Fiji water pale in comparison to his girlfriend's 20 necessities. They range from snacks (7 kinds of veggies, chips, dips and a bowl of ranch dressing) to wardrobe must-haves like a full-length mirror and director's chair.
12/24/13 Duck Dynasty Latest
Find me on Facebook: Jake Emily Poyet Webb
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
The wheels of justice in the beatdown of Paris Hilton's brother have ground to a halt. TMZ says officials have shelved the investigation because Barron Hilton is not cooperating. Earlier this month, one of Lindsay Lohan's friends, Ray LeMoine, allegedly rearranged Barron's face at a party in Miami. Barron says Lindsay ordered the assault, but Ray says the rich kid was the troublemaker. Barron filed a police report, but has not met with police. In fact, TMZ says he hasn't even answered the phone. The Florida State Attorney's Office says it will only re-open the case if Barron -- who is on vacation in Hawaii -- cooperates.
Charlie Sheen's Christmas is getting off to a rocky start. Charlie went on Twitter yesterday to blast his ex-wife Denise Richards, alleging she's keeping him from seeing his daughters. Charlie called Denise a "heartless, ugly hag" and also said "This is the worst Xmas I've ever had." Denise responded by tweeting, "U done ranting? Keep it classy, dude. Our kids don't need to be privy to this, U are welcome 2 spend xmas w/us Hope u still come."
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has finally broken his silence over his controversial interview with GQ magazine. Phil led a small Bible study group in his hometown church in West Monroe, Louisiana on Sunday, and according to Britain's Daily Mail he defended his anti-gay remarks, saying he was simply quoting from the Bible. He said, "I will not give or back off from my path. We are a bunch of rednecks from Louisiana, but I am not uneducated. I have a degree from Louisiana Tech. But this week I have been called an ignoramus. This week I have been asked, 'Is this the first time you have brought up sin?' I said, 'Are you kidding? I have been traveling to and fro spreading this message.'" Phil added, "I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater."
In the wake of the Duck Dynasty public relations nightmare after A&E decided to indefinitely suspend star Phil Robertson after his interview with GQ magazine, network executives are privately admitting the hit show should have been taken off the air for two weeks during the holiday break. A&E has faced an avalanche of criticism and outrage from fans of Duck Dynasty for the decision to take Robertson off the air and boycotts of the network and social media campaigns have "taken on a life of their own, and it's an absolute disaster for A&E," says one source. "Network bosses now recognize they should have just taken the show off the air for two weeks, since reruns were just airing anyway. The fallout wouldn't have been strong and everyone could have just moved on."
12/23/13 Duck Dynasty Cast Leaving?
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December 23, 2013
E! News says sources connected to the show "Duck Dynasty", and the Robertson clan, say the family is "very serious" about leaving the reality series, after the network suspended Phil Robertson for his GQ interview, in which he grouped homosexuality in with bestiality as deviant behavior. One source says, quote, "They're an extremely tight-knit family and they're not going to let this get in the way. [Phil] is the reason for their success—they're not going to abandon him. They're also not about to let anyone threaten their religious beliefs."
Apparently, 19 children just isn't enough. Michelle Duggar and her husband Jim Bob of '19 Kids and Counting' made the surprising announcement Tuesday that they are expecting their 20th child. Michelle — who's three and a half months pregnant – says she was surprised to discover that she's expecting again at 45. She says, quote, "I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful."
Tom Cruise has dropped his $50 million lawsuit against Life & Style magazine for claiming he abandoned his daughter Suri. Terms of a possible settlement have not been revealed, though both parties have agreed to pay their own legal costs. Tom's attorney Bert Fields said, "Tom doesn't go around suing people. He's not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he's going to sue." Tom denied the magazine's allegations, saying at one point: "The assertion that I 'abandoned' Suri after my divorce is patently false... I have in no way cut Suri out of my life — whether physically, emotionally, financially or otherwise."
12/20/13 Snooki Getting Boobs
Friday, December 20, 2013
What's the best Christmas gift you've ever received from a friend? Something tells me it wasn't quite as over-the-top as this: JWOWW is giving SNOOKI the gift of FAKE BOOBS. Snooki says, quote, "The next time you see me I'm going to be out here. She bought me a boob job for Christmas. I didn't get them yet, clearly."
MARGOT ROBBIE says filming a sex scene with LEONARDO DICAPRIO in "The Wolf of Wall Street" was anything but erotic . . . quote, "We [had to] entice this dog to jump in the bed and bite at Leo's feet . . . so we had dog trainers at the end of the bed [with] dog treats . . . we're putting chicken liver on Leo's toes. We're in a small room, it's hot, it's sweaty, [and] it smells like dog food."
Radar Online has put together a collection of GWYNETH PALTROW'S Most Outrageous and Out-Of-Touch Quotes.
They include: "I am who I am. I can't pretend to be somebody who makes $25,000 a year" . . . "I'd rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a [can]" . . . and "When I pass a flowering zucchini plant in a garden, my heart skips a beat."
Denise Richards is reportedly willing to take Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller's twin sons back because the twins could be placed in foster care after Children & Family Services were shown evidence of major inconsistencies in Brooke Mueller's drug treatment program. Denise Richards gave up custody of the boys last month because they were hitting and kicking her daughters and her dogs. But sources say she's willing to take them back so that they don't go into foster care.


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The Ritchey WCS C260 stem blends light weight with high strength performance to give you a cockpit that tracks straight and true. The WCS line for Ritchey is the gold standard for performance and the rainbow stripes represent Ritchey's numerous World Championships won on Ritchey products.
Right off, you notice that the clamp on the Ritchey WCS C260 wraps a full 260 degrees around the handlebar to distribute clamping stress more evenly through the handlebar, faceplate, hardware, and stem body. Ritchey can make the WCS C260 a bit lighter because the handlebar clamping force is supported more by the stem then by the faceplate. The steerer clamp on the Ritchey WCS C260 also receives similar treatment with 3 smaller then normal M4 bolts to reduce clamping force on the steerer tube.
What is more difficult to see is Ritchey's aim at keeping the WCS C260 stem strong and fatigue resistant. The Ritchey WCS C260 passes CEN certification (one of the industries most rigorous standards for safety in the bicycle industry), this despite weighing in 20 grams lighter and stiffer the Ritchey's own 4-Axis stems. The Ritchey WCS C260 is built using 7050 aluminum that is 3d forged and internally machined to reduce weight. Premium chromoly bolts are used throughout in a smaller M4 size to save weight without compromising strength.
The Ritchey WCS C260 is available in BB Black (Matte), Wet Black, Wet White, and Wet Red. Due to the 260 degree handlebar clamp, the WCS C260 will not fit handlebars with aero section flat tops.
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Comments about Ritchey WCS C-260 Stem:
I got this in 90 mm in wet white. It looks amazing on my orange mountain bike. Shaved some grams and it really feels solid. I just wish it would fit the new aero road bars I got for my road bike but due to the wrap around design it won't. I would get another if it did.
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Comments about Ritchey WCS C-260 Stem:
I've used this for mountain bike riding and have had no problems. I've mounted and unmounted it several times, the small bolts take longer to install and are a bit more fiddly than normal stem bolts, but they have held up great. The tolerance on this stem is really great, it fits very snug on the steerer and bar, and the threads on the bolts and stem are the same, very well done so there is no worry of them stripping despite their small size. It may not fit every application, but its a really well engineered part that is strong, light, and dependable. It also looks great on a steel frame IMO, because it is not as chunky at the clamps as most stems, making it noticeable that the diameter matches modern steel tubesets nicely. You do also get the feeling the clamping force is constricting around, rather than crushing, the stem/bar, and that despite the small torque you apply, it has a great hold. I can't recall it ever slipping, including numerous MTB crashes.
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Comments about Ritchey WCS C-260 Stem:
Super light, relatively stiff and good looking, what's not to like? Yes, install can be tricky with the rearward facing faceplate bolts but it wasn't nearly as bad as some of the reviews I've read. Do it once and you should have no problems doing it again.
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Comments about Ritchey WCS C-260 Stem:
I paired this stem with a carbon stearer it has 4 torx nuts, (not allen) to distribute the torque when attaching to carbon bars and stems. I note that these are torx nuts because I stripped one using an allen wrench -- hence the props to Ritchey customer service (above) for sending me a new set within a few days. The instructions actually suggest using the Ritchy torque key and I suppose that is an important detail if you don't plan on purchasing a Ritchey torque key because you have your own torque wrench. (It's probably my fault I missed the Torx nut detail -- but I do leave it open that this important detail isn't in the instructions in leiu of the suggestion to simply use/purchase the Ritchey torque key)
Anyway, this is an aluminum stem but is extremely light.
Ritchey is a name brand I trust for decent quality.
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How a game unfolds in a card game is very dependant on the initial hand. Essentially, the initial draw gives you a random subset of your total abilities to work with. That means your game plan changes with your draw. A lot of the work in deck construction for CCGs goes towards making that initial hand has good options for playing.
The big advantage of this is that each game is slightly different. Sometimes you'll have lots of small effects to harass your opponent. Other times you'll have to stall until you can play a big effect.
Contrast this to WoW. In WoW, you always have access to the full set of your abilities. That means that most non-raid boss fights tend to progress in the same manner. First you play ability A, then you play ability B, and so on. There's some reaction abilities like Kick or stuns, but by and large, once you have worked out a rotation, you stick with it.
(I suppose this doesn't apply to healing in a 5-man, as that is very reactive, and thus different each time.)
Imagine what gameplay would be like if a random 2/3rds of your abilities were locked out when the fight started. I think it might be pretty neat. Every fight would be slightly different. No Fireball this fight, use Frostbolt!
However, it's pretty hard to come up with a reason to justify only having access to a random subset of your abilities in non-card games. In a card game, it's just obviously the way a deck of cards works. Once you accept the metaphor that your powers are cards in the deck, you don't bat an eye at not having access to all powers at all times.
I can't really think of a way to justify not having all your abilities available for a non-card game. Why shouldn't a Warrior be able to use Mortal Strike when he has enough rage? Yet, the initial draw is a very interesting mechanic that goes a long way towards countering the repetitiveness of individual fights.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Initial Hand in Card Games
How a game unfolds in a card game is very dependant on the initial hand. Essentially, the initial draw gives you a random subset of your total abilities to work with. That means your game plan changes with your draw. A lot of the work in deck construction for CCGs goes towards making that initial hand has good options for playing.
9 comments:
- Josh said...
Funny that you use that metaphor. It's exactly how I viewed my abilities when choosing which ones to put on my skill bar in Guild Wars. I played a Ranger and had to carefully construct a combination of skills to use, as I was limited to no more than 8. It was a delicate balance between damaging abilities, utility abilities (like snares and interrupts), the Resurrection Signet to res a fallen ally.
- 12:32 PM, July 15, 2008
- RJ said...
I wonder what's up with the multiple attempts to tie MtG and WoW lately. Honestly, the 2 games have such a vastly different style of gameplay that making comparisons is unfair.
There are many other adversarial multiplayer games where the set of abilities each player has is fully unlocked (or, at least, the subset of those abilities that they can use in the match) at the start of the match, and they are far more similar to WoW then MtG would be.
- 12:55 PM, July 15, 2008
- Rohan said...
rj, is that really true?
Most RTS games involve a building phase before you get access to the powerful units or get a significant force. You can't use the major pieces in chess at the very start. You have to open up the board before their power can be fully utilized.
Plus, I think that looking at very different games is useful. You can see the difference and see the advantages and disadvantages, and think of ways you can get their advantage in your game.
Finally, there's really only so many emo posts on the state of paladins I can write.
- 2:14 PM, July 15, 2008
- Algorython said...
Rotating shields, or equivalent effects, are almost like the random draw of a deck of cards. At any given time, the mob may be immune to physical damage, frost damage, poison, etc. WoW uses this to some extent, though not in such detail.
This mechanism operates more on the group as a whole, rather than on the individual toon, though. Many classes can be shut down almost entirely by a single type of shield, where mages and warlocks, for instance, can switch to a different school of magic while one type is shielded.
- 3:06 PM, July 15, 2008
- Todd D. said...
I'm reminded of the old West End Games pen-and-paper RPG Torg. All the players had a handful of cards from a deck of action cards. They could play cards based on various skills listed on the cards to give them bonuses to advance the action by using that skill. The GM also used the deck to offer bonuses/penalties to players during fights, so that there was always some give-and-take going on.
All the cards had various quotes on them, to encourage flavor text.
In a similar vein, the Kingdom of Loathing RPG has moon phases that affect stat gain and health/mana recovery quite a bit.
- 3:36 PM, July 15, 2008
- RJ said...
I was having games like Counterstrike and Battlefield in mind, actually. Players choose a "class" and get a subset of their abilities (if not all of them) right off the bat to use in the instant match, and that's all they get (generally).
- 4:31 PM, July 15, 2008
- Anonymous said...
There is a mechanism a little like this, which has to do with aquiring new gear. You cant guarantee what you're going to get from a boss, nor do you know how long it may take. And while improving your gear is certainly a factor in progressing, there are many ways to get gear & many combinations to get the fight done. But, you will have to work around the characteristics of your particular gear setup at any given moment.
Getting a raid together is similar - your group makeup is a bit like the initial hand, and while you can control it to some degree via the objective mechanics of class, spec + gear, its the unpredictable human elements that make it so much more fun.
- 8:29 AM, July 16, 2008
- Egamamai said...
Single-queue for a battleground sometime. If that isn't an "initial hand" mechanic, I don't know what is. You never know what the heck you're going to get, in terms of class balance/synergy, gear, spec, experience, attitude, etc...
- 5:07 PM, July 16, 2008
- Klepsacovic said...
I rarely see ideas that are so interesting. This would make PvE and PvP a lot more interesting, but I'm sure as paladins we can both appreciate some certainty, some freedom from the RNG. Balance could be a PITA. Imagine if a hunter found himself with only melee abilities and hunters mark.
I can also see how this would really help people learn how to use all their abilities.
- 11:41 PM, July 22, 2008